Manila Standard - 2019 February 6 - Wednesday

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VOL. XXXII • NO. 356 • 4 SECTIONS 20 PAGES • P18 • WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2019 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

POWER AND DIGNITY. A symbol of China’s culture, the dragon dance, believed to bring good luck to people, is performed by a troupe (right) Tuesday during the Lunar New Year while another troupe dances the lion dance (left) among visitors jostling for freebies thrown at them during the animated colorful celebrations in Manila’s Chinatown district—both traditionally symbolizing historical roles demonstrating power and dignity. Lino Santos, AFP

MM mayors vow to help relocate Bay area families

By Joel E. Zurbano MAYORS in Metro Manila have agreed to help the government relocate at least 220,000 squatter families living along Manila Bay. In a meeting held at the Metro Manila Development Authority main office in Makati City, the local chief executives expressed support for the simultaneous cleanup operations and promised to coordinate with the National Housing Authority and the Department of Interior and Local Government on the relocation.

In attendance during the meeting were Mayors Edwin Olivarez, Parañaque City; John Reynald Tiangco, Navotas City; Rexlon Gatchalian, Valenzuela City; Imelda Aguilar, Las Piñas City; Robert Eusebio, Pasig City; and Miguel Ponce III, Pateros.

The local government units also agreed to extend support to the longterm plan to clean the bay.

Apart from actually cleaning the foreshore areas of Manila, the campaign

Bombings haunt BOL vote; 3k troops deploy Duterte urged: Line-veto budget of pork, insertions

By Macon Ramos-Araneta and Maricel V. Cruz

SENATOR Panfilo Lacson on Tuesday called on President Rodrigo Duterte to use his veto power to eliminate the “evil pork” inserted in the 2019 national budget by lawmakers whom he described as “incorrigibly insatiable” and simply “beyond redemption.”

“Mr. President, you have dis-

played your strong political will on several occasions. This time, use your line-item veto power over the 2019 appropriations measure by removing all the pork inserted by lawmakers,” Lacson posted on his Twitter account.

He noted that vetoing the pork may further affirm the President’s much-touted strong political will.

Under the 1987 Constitution, Next page

Next page

By Francisco Tuyay and Vito Barcelo

E

XPLOSIVES on a motorcycle went off near a military checkpoint in Maguindanao on Sunday, just one day ahead of the final round of a plebiscite to ratify the Bangsamoro Organic Law in Mindanao.

Nobody was hurt as the driver of the motorcycle, seeing the checkpoint, turned around and parked the vehicle on the side of the road, said Maj. Arvin Incinas, spokesman for the Army’s 6th Infantry Division.

The bomb went off about 100 to 200 meters from the checkpoint in Barangay Tambunan, Talayan town, at noon Sunday.

A similar explosion was set off in Cotabato City in the early hours of Jan. 21, the

first round of the plebiscite.

The blast came as some 3,000 troops were deployed in various parts of Lanao del Norte and North Cotabato provinces for the Feb. 6 plebiscite.

The voting will cover six towns of Lanao del Norte—Baloi, Munai, Nunungan, Pantar, Tagoloan and Tangkal, along with 67 barangays in North Cotabato and seven towns of Aleosan, Carmen, Kabacan, Midsayap, Pigkawayan, Pikit and Tulunan. Next page

Inflation eases but price hikes threaten MALACAÑANG on Tuesday vowed to monitor the prices of basic goods and services as the inflation rate had slowed to 4.4 percent in January from 5.1 percent in December 2018.

Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo welcomed the drop and cited the “strong and decisive action” of President Rodrigo Duterte in addressing the conditions contributing to high inflation.

“The Palace is pleased with the good news that for the third straight month in-

flation continues to drop, registering at 4.4 percent in January 2019,” Panelo said in a statement.

“Last year soaring prices caused by uncontrollable factors tested our will as a nation. Not disheartened nor cowed, we rose to the challenge as a people.”

But despite the slower inflation in January, consumers could expect commodity prices to rise in the coming months, starting this month, as the second round of Next page

Pope Francis holds historic public Mass ABU DHABI—Pope Francis held a historic public Mass for an estimated 170,000 Catholics at an Abu Next page

SGMA LEADING THE PACK OF EMPOWERED WOMEN. Under her stewardship of the House of Representatives, Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo pursues an advocacy of equal rights for all. SECTION D

Smoking ban, Hawaii version LOS ANGELES— Would-be cigarette smokers in the US state of Hawaii might have to wait a very long time for their first legal drag, after a lawmaker introduced a bill that Next page

Health warns public of flu virus spread

By Macon RamosAraneta THE Health department on Tuesday urged Filipinos to boost their immune systems against the flu virus because

January and February are the peak months for the flu.

Health Undersecretary Eric Domingo reminded the public to strengthen their immune Next page

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News

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2019

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Arroyo pushes more perks for senior citizens

By Maricel V. Cruz SPEAKER Gloria Macapagal Arroyo on Tuesday hoped the new law providing more benefits to senior citizens would soon be enacted.

Arroyo made the statement as she thanked the Senate for adopting the version of the House of Representatives on a bill strengthening the rights of senior citizens.

Arroyo said she was deeply grateful that the Senate had unanimously adopted the measure under House Bill 8837 which creates the National Commission of Senior Citizens.

Arroyo was one of the principal authors of the said bill. It was approved on third reading by the House last Jan. 29, 2019 with 175 approval and no objection and abstention.

“With this bill, there will be one agency, the NCSC, which will be responsible for the formulation and implementation of policies, plans and programs for our senior citizens,” Arroyo said.

“I would like to commend our congressmen particularly Rep. Francisco Datol (of Senior Citizens party-list) for actively pushing for it. I am glad that the Senate has adopted our measure. This will ensure better delivery of services to all our senior citizens,” Arroyo said.

It was also during her presidency that two of the pioneering laws on the rights of senior citizens were passed—the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2003 [RA 9257] and the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010 (RA 9994).

Both laws granted to senior citizens discounts of 20 percent on goods and services, social pension to indigent elderly, mandatory PhilHealth coverage, death benefit assistance, express lanes, educational privileges, tax deductions, among others.

MM mayors...

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seeks to educate the public on the need to properly manage their garbage and avoid these from reaching Manila Bay. Authorities attributed the heavy pollution to residents and squatters living along and near Manila Bay. MMDA chairman Danilo Lim said there is a need to change the habit of people, particularly squatters living near esteros, of disposing their waste into the bay.

Lim said an integrated effort is needed for Manila Bay’s restoration and “local government units have big roles in the success of this undertaking.”

Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu had also sought the backing of the mayors when his agency issues cease and desist orders to business establishments found violating environmental laws.

Cimatu said LGUs have the authority to issue suspension or cancellation of business permits of commercial establishments polluting the bay.

“We have to show that we are one in this effort,” said Cimatu.

Moreover, compliance of factories and other business establishments with environmental laws will also be reviewed.

He also appealed to the mayors to order barangay captains to conduct regular cleanup activities on esteros and rivers connected to the bay.

Smoking ban…...

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would bar sales to anyone under the age of 100.

The proposed law, introduced by local Democratic representative Richard Creagan, would effectively amount to a cigarette ban by 2024.

Hawaii already has some of the toughest laws on cigarette sales but Creagan— an emergency room doctor—believes more needs to be done to ban “the deadliest artifact in human history,” according to his proposed bill.

“Basically, we essentially have a group who are heavily addicted—in my view, enslaved by a ridiculously bad industry—which has enslaved them by designing a cigarette that is highly addictive, knowing that it highly lethal.

And, it is,” he told the Hawaii TribuneHerald.

Under current law, you must be 21-years-old to purchase cigarettes in Hawaii. Nationwide, the minimum age is 18 or 19.

Creagan’s proposal calls for raising the cigarette-buying age to 30 by next year, 40 in 2021, 50 in 2022 and 60 in 2023. By 2024, the minimum age would be 100.

He said the bill is structured to withstand any legal challenge.

“The state is obliged to protect the public’s health,” Creagan, who acknowledges smoking cigarettes during his medical studies, told the Hawaii Tribune-Herald.

“We don’t allow people free access to opioids, for instance, or any prescription drugs,” he added. AFP

DND: PH won’t give up any territory

By Francisco Tuyay

T

HE Philippines, while it continues to maintain warm ties with China, is not surrendering nor compromising any part of its territory.

This was stressed by Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana during Monday’s forum at the National Defense College of the Philippines dubbed “The National Security Outlook for the Philippines in 2019”.

“While we recognize China as a bilateral partner for joint ventures and other endeavors, it is worth emphasizing that our territorial sovereignty and integrity, maritime

entitlements and rights should not be compromised. We are not compromising them; we are not giving them away,” he said.

“The Philippines continues to view the arbitral tribunal ruling as valid and legitimate. We have not, and we will never surrender any part of our territory,” he added.

The DND chief also cited the competing territorial and maritime claims in the South

China Sea as the most critical external security challenge for the country.

Lorenzana also said the government had reiterated its call on China and other claimant countries to finalize and adopt a valid, binding and mutually acceptable code of conduct in the South China Sea. He also maintained that the Armed Forces of the Philippines maintains its presence within the exclusive economic zone, and with its limited resources, does its best to safeguard the farthest ends of the country’s territory.

“Since it is imperative to secure the national territory, sovereignty and sovereign rights of our country’s maritime claims and entitlements, to include the West Philippine Sea and the Philippine Rise, the AFP

is steadfast in performing this constitutional duty,” the DND chief emphasized.

In the same forum, Lorenzana reiterated the need to review Manila’s Mutual Defense Treaty with Washington.

“Given this challenge with China, everyone must be asking why we initiated the call to review the MDT with the United States, our only treaty ally. We believe it is time to sit down with our US counterparts and revisit the terms of our alliance,” he stressed.

While the Philippines has always valued its partnership and in its deep historical ties with the US, Lorenzana noted that the two allies “must clearly define our roles and responsibilities when the need arises.”

With PNA

SALN rules impair transparency—Poe

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

KILLED IN ACTION. Soldiers carry aluminum caskets of the five soldiers of the 3rd Scout Ranger Company who were accorded full military honors. They were killed in the line of duty during a campaign to drive away the Abu Sayaf Group in the mountains of Patikul, Sulu last Sunday, Feb. 3, 2019. Mark Navales

Bombings...

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Capt. Clint Antipala, Spokesman of the 1st Infantry Division, said they have not detected any potential threats, but said they were prepared for any eventuality.

A week ahead of today’s plebiscite, government forces heightened security measures in sensitive areas where the polling would take place, as well as in the adjacent provinces.

Acting of the presence of 10 fully armed men, police from Lambayong municipal station and troops from the 2nd Mechanized Infantry Battalion swooped down on Barangay Zeneben, Lambayong and seized a locally made M79 grenade launcher, a homemade 12-gauge shotgun and various ammunition from Bai Mashia Sangkai and Amando Ebad, who were arrested.

Hours later, authorities raided a gambling site in the same village and confiscated 36 undocumented motorcycles.

Major Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, commander of the 6th Infantry Division, said the operations stemmed from the complaints of residents.

The Commission on Elections said the plebiscite for the inclusion of six municipalities of Lanao del Sur and North Cotabato in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao would push through Tuesday, despite recent bomb attacks in Jolo, Sulu and Zamboanga.

Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año said the authorities were still trying to identify the two Indonesian suicide bombers in the church attack that killed 22 people in Jolo, Sulu.

“We are expecting a 70 percent voter turnout for the second round of the plebiscite for the inclusion of additional areas under the new Bangsamoro Autonomous Region,” said Comelec spokesman James Jimenez.

The plebiscite will determine the areas in Lanao del Norte and North Cotabato

that will join the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region.

Jimenez said they hoped to duplicate the success of the Jan. 21 vote, and expected result of the voting in four days.

The first round of the plebiscite covered the existing areas of Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao for the ratification of BOL question and Cotabato City and Isabela City in Basilan, asking voters there if they wished to be under the jurisdiction of the new region.

The “yes” vote for the ratification won with over 1.5 million votes as against around 198,000 “no” votes.

As of November 2018, there are 352,494 registered voters in Lanao del Norte and 286,867 in North Cotabato, the Comelec said.

Last month, the National Plebiscite Board of Canvassers ratified the BOL creating the BARMM, replacing the ARMM after the “yes” votes prevailed in most areas covered by the first round.

Isabela City voted against its inclusion in the BARMM, however.

The peace advocate International Alert, a non-government organization, said its own surveys showed that most of the youth want the six Lanao del Norte towns and 67 North Cotabato barangays to be included in the BARMM. Nikki de la Rosa, country manager of International Alert, said based on their latest survey, 71 percent of the youth in Lanao del Norte are in favor of the BOL and would vote for the inclusion of the municipalities of Tangkal, Tagaloan, Munai, Pantar, Nunungan and Baloi in the BARMM. At least 83 percent of the youth from the towns of Pikit, Kabacan, Carmen, Midsayap, Pigkawayan and Aleosan in North Cotabato back the inclusion of 67 barangays, she added, The International Alert’s survey was conducted among youth aged 18 to 35 in Lanao del Norte from Jan. 11 to Jan. 16 and in North Cotabato from Jan. 24 to Jan. 27.

With Rio N. Araja and PNA

Inflation...

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increase in fuel excise taxes goes in full swing, the think tank IBON Foundation said Tuesday.

The group said the January inflation was a welcome development, but commodity prices could be expected to jump as the second round of fuel excise tax increases starts to bite, IBON Foundation executive director Sonny Africa told GMA News’ Balitanghali.

Panelo said the Duterte administration would continue to carry out measures to make Filipinos feel the effects of slower price increases and live a more comfortable life. ”With inflation further tapering down to a 10-month low of 4.4 percent, this administration will oversee and ensure that its consequent effects at the market would be felt by the ordinary consumer,” Panelo said.

“We will remain on guard in monitoring the prices of basic goods and commodities as we aim to mitigate poverty and hunger, driven by the President’s economic goal to lay down and build the foundation to a comfortable life for the present and future generations.”

The Philippine Statistics Authority attributed the slowdown in inflation mainly to the slowdown in the annual increase in food and non-alcoholic beverages at 5.6 percent from 6.7 percent in December 2018.

The agency said slower price increases in food and non-alcoholic beverages, alcoholic beverages and tobacco and transport fares contributed to the slowdown in the inflation rate.

National Statistician Lisa Grace Bersales said inflation dropped despite the implementation of the second fuel excise tax increase under the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion Law as many gasoline stations had yet to include the excise tax for January.

The second package of the TRAIN Law imposes an additional 2-peso tax for every liter of diesel and gasoline, P1 for every liter of kerosene and P1 for every kilogram of liquefied petroleum gas. PNA

THE House of Representatives’ move to restrict public access to the Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth of lawmakers is a setback to increasing transparency in the government and potentially violates the Constitution, Senator Grace Poe said on Tuesday.

“One should not fear making public the SALN because that is how we determine the transparency of a particular lawmaker or government official,” Poe said.

Poe, chairman of the Senate committee on public information and mass media and sponsor of the Freedom of Information bill, said House Resolution 2467 imposing stricter rules for the public to gain access to lawmakers’ SALN records “could be a violation of the Constitution” because Article 11, Section 17, says every government employee and official must disclose his or her SALN.

Duterte...

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he said the President “shall have the power to veto any particular item or items in an appropriation, revenue, or tariff bill, but the veto shall not affect the item or items to which he does not object.”

Since the national budget is the lifeblood of our country, he warned that if pork is allowed to ruin the budget, the taxpayers will suffer.

Lacson said some House members and senators made billions of pesos in insertions in the P3.7-trillion budget for 2019.

He said P160 million per congressman was “simply too much and unacceptable,” referring to the worth of projects approved by the House for each of its members.

Multiplied by 300 congressmen, Lacson said that’s easily P48 billion, which even do not count the members who are getting billions more.

He said the P160 million includes P70 million for “hard” projects such as roads and flood control projects; and P30 million for “soft” projects such as textbooks and scholarships. Another P60 million was added by Speaker Gloria Arroyo, including P50 million for “hard” projects and P10 million for “soft” projects, while some of the more fortunate House members received much more.

In the Department of Public Works and Highways’ budget alone, Lacson said about P23 billion in insertions were introduced by a number of senators whom he did not identify.

He said that one or more senators had made P3.3 billion budget “insertions” for one province alone.

This was part of the P23 billion that he said some senators have inserted into the budget of the Department of Public Works and Highways alone.

“We have inter-parliamentary courtesy but it’s a bit ridiculous… to take it up like a law that you need to approve it in plenary,” Poe said when asked about her reaction to the House plenary approval of SALN disclosures.

Poe said Senate President Vicente Sotto III had already spoken that there was no plan to tighten the rules in the Senate to gain access to the senators’ SALNs. “They [House] have their own set of rules. It does not mean that the Senate approves of that. Our Senate President has already spoken, and that’s not how it should be,” Poe said.

Senator Win Gatchalian believes the SALN should be made readily available to a person requesting it since it is part of the Philippine culture of transparency.

If public servants had transparency, he said, there was more reason for them to have accountability to the people.

However, he did not identify the said province where the “insertion” was allocated.

He said these projects include flood control structures, national and local roads, water management, multi-purpose facilities, bridges, feasibility studies, and road right-of way.

Lacson said he has a breakdown of the P23 billion but would not release it to the public.

“It’s of minor significance to the issue at hand. What’s more important is that those concerned are made aware that if they cross the red line and no matter how subtly they did it, they can still be found,” he said.

“I may be outvoted eventually but I’m willing to go down fighting, confident that some like-minded colleagues will do the same,” he added.

The revelations prompted attempts by some “talking heads” to muddle the issue, but Lacson said they are actually advancing his cause in educating the public more about the “evil pork” in the national budget.

He issued a challenge to all fellow lawmakers to make public their amendments to the budget bill, just as he has done by posting his institutional amendments on his website.

“The national budget belongs to the people because it comes from taxpayers’ money. It is bad enough if the money is not used properly; it is much worse if the money is abused by those in government in the form of pork,” Lacson said.

Earlier, Senator Loren Legarda, chairperson of the Senate committee on finance, said there was a breakthrough in the budget impasse between the House and the Senate, and that she would meet with her counterpart in the House, Camarines Sur Rep. Rolando Andaya, on Wednesday to finalize the spending bill for ratification on Friday at the latest.

Health warns..

Pope Francis...

systems by taking more fluids like orange juice and six to eight glasses of water a day, sleeping at least six to eight hours a day and making sure to exercise and eat fruit and vegetables.

He told the public to make it a habit to wear a face mask especially in crowded places or when traveling to avoid contracting flu virus.

He advised parents to make sure their children had a complete set of vaccinations to be well-protected.

“Senior citizens may also avail of free flu shots in barangay health centers and DOH-accredited hospitals,” Domingo said.

He said the flu season is from October to February.

Influenza or flu is common these days as the northeast monsoon prolongs the drop in temperatures in the country.

Based on Health department records, the flu cases declined last year compared to the same period in 2017.

Flu differs from the common cough and cold because it is accompanied by high fever and muscle pain that last for days.

The different strains of flu are said to be contagious once they come in contact with the body.

The Health department also advised people to cover their mouths each time they coughed or sneezed to prevent the spread of the virus. The flu may bring severe complications and could be fatal if not immediately attended to by a health care professional.

Dhabi stadium on Tuesday on the first ever papal visit to the Muslim Gulf.

The pope waved at an enthusiastic crowd carrying Vatican flags and banners as he drove into Zayed Sports City Stadium, where an altar with a large cross was set up for the unprecedented open-air service in a country where worship is normally allowed only inside churches.

The United Arab Emirates borders Saudi Arabia, the birthplace of Islam, but unlike its larger neighbor, which outlaws all non-Muslim places of worship, Abu Dhabi allows Christians among its large migrant workforce to practise their faith discreetly.

Francis, who has made outreach to Muslim communities a cornerstone of his papacy, is wrapping up a historic threeday visit to the United Arab Emirates on Tuesday.

“How beautiful it is for brothers to be joined under this sky,” said an MC in Arabic shortly after the pope’s arrival around 10 a.m. (0600 GMT).

Inside the stadium, 50,000 Catholics with tickets to the Mass cheered the pope on, with one small group hoisting a pink posterboard which read “We the Catholics of Yemen love you!”.

Another 120,000 were gathered outside, watching via video link on large screens. AFP

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News Ping says he’s baffled by Chong rubout story

By Macon Ramos-Araneta SENATOR Panfilo Lacson on Tuesday admitted that he was baffled on the alleged links between former Biliran Rep. Glenn Chong and the killing of his aide, Richard Santillan, who was killed in a shootout with policemen in Cainta, Rizal, last December 10. “ I’d like to piece it together, piece the evidence together. I’m looking for the connection. Because, the police know that if a crime happened, there are three—opportunity, motive and instrument,” he said.

Lacson there was an instrument and opportunity in the incident, but he has yet to ascertain the motive.

“That is what I wanted to be cleared,” said Lacson, a former Philippine National Police chief.

Lacson did not buy the assertion of Chong that he was the “real target” of the ambush for being “anti-Smarmatic” after exposing what he claimed as massive cheating in the vice presidential post during the last elections.

Chong, who is running for senator in the coming polls, maintained that his aide was killed by the police to warn him. “Pinitik, pinatay si Richard para pitikin ako,” he insisted.

But Lacson said he was not convinced that the police would go after Santillan and not Chong if he was the real target.

“Why kill Santillan not you? You’re the forefront of the supposed motive,” Lacson asked.

Chong also said that if he is killed, there will be howl of protests and chaos since he became popular after he exposed the alleged cheating for the position of vice president between former Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos and Vice President Leni Robredo.

However, Lacson said he is still not convinced on the supposed connection between the Smarmatic and the police.

Chief Supt. Edward Carranza, PNPRegion IV-commander had emphasized there was no rubout as Chong claimed, since it was Santillan who was driving the Fortuner together with members of the Highway Boys Group, which engaged lawmen in a gunbattle.

He said they did not know the target. “It just so happened he was inside the vehicle. He was driving the vehicle, they shot it out with policemen.”

“Our minds are not closed. Both sides. If they have available evidence, they just present them. But one thing, we are definite about this—this group was involved in Highway Boys, also tagged in the killings of our policemen, illegal drugs... One guy who was killed—was identified that day as Richard Santillan.

Frontrunning Poe says she’s ‘running scared’

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2019

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Cebu Solon can’t travel abroad—SC

By Rey E. Requejo

T

HE Supreme Court has upheld the decision of the Sandiganbayan disallowing Cebu Rep. Gwendolyn Garcia from leaving the country.

In a decision penned by Associate Justice Andres Reyes Jr., the SC’s Second Division denied for lack of merit Garcia’s petition seeking to reverse the anti-graft court decision to issue hold departure orders to prevent her from leaving the country.

Garcia is subject of three HDOs is-

sued by the Sandiganbayan.

The lawmaker is facing two counts of graft and one count of illegal use of public funds for the alleged anomalous purchase of 24.7 hectare Balili property worth P98.9 million while she was still Cebu governor.

Garcia was forced to file an appeal

before the SC after the Sandiganbayan denied her motion for reconsideration.

Garcia argued that the HDOs against her were issued prematurely.

The lawmaker argued that she was also not able to exhaust her legal remedies even before the final determination of probable cause against her.

In ruling against Garcia, the SC held that from the filing of the case, whether it will be dismissed or continue with the proceedings, is upon the court’s discretion.

“Pursuant to said authority, the court takes full authority over the case, including the manner of the conduct of

litigation and resort to processes that will ensure the preservation of its jurisdiction. Thus, It may issue warrants of arrests, HDOs and other processes that it deems warranted under the circumstances,” the SC ruling stated.

“In this case, the Sandiganbayan acted within its jurisdiction when it issued the HDOs against the petitioner,” it added.

The SC held that there was no denial of due process since Garcia can file a motion for reconsideration. The proceedings before the Sandiganbayan as well as her appeal before the Ombudsman can proceed concurrently, the SC said.

NEW YEAR PRAYERS. Filipino-Chinese pray at the Seng Guan Temple as they welcome the Year of the Earth Pig during the Chinese New Year revelry in Algue St. in Manila, on Tuesday,

Feb. 5, 2019. Norman Cruz

TUCP welcomes ‘legitimate’ Chinese workers in PH Court tells PNP they can’t use void warrants

By Vito Barcelo

LABOR group Trade Union Congress of the Philippines welcomes prospective Chinese investors and capitalists who want to do business in the country as long as they follow, respect and comply with the country’s business and labor laws.

The TUCP also welcomed Chinese workers into the country, but said they should legalize their stay, follow and respect the laws particularly with regards to the Alien Employment Permit.

TUCP president Raymond Mendoza said that with AEP or a Special Work-

ing Permit, foreign workers are protected by the country’s labor laws and regulations from abusive employers and businesses and afford the same labor rights and privileges Filipino workers enjoys under the country’s existing laws and customs.

“We also encourage them to organize and form themselves into unions so that they will have security of tenure, ensured wages and benefits, and guaranteed social protection insurance,” Mendoza said.

“We are also looking forward to the synergy that Filipino and Chinese workers may be able to forge through

sharing of skills and technologies for the benefit and development of our industries needed by our country to further grow and prosper more,” the labor group leader said.

Meanwhile, the Federation of Free Workers urged the Department of Labor and Employment to observe the Labor Code in providing foreign workers with A EP. “Employment of non-resident aliens is regulated by DOLE and permit from it is required before they can be allowed to work in our country under Article 40 of the Labor Code,” the labor group said in a statement.

NEW PRICE TAG. A gasoline

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

attendant changed the price tag after oil firm increased its price from 60 centavos per liter of gasoline and 35 centavos per liter on diesel at the E. Rodriguez Gasoline station in Quezon City.

Manny Palmero

DESPITE consistently occupying the No. 1 spot in election surveys, Senator Grace Poe admitted that she is ‘running scared.’

“You’re human, you feel flattered, and it’s very heartwarming that people continue to trust you. What I’m doing is I’m not being kampante about any of this,” she said in an interview with ANC’s Headstart.

“I’m not relaxed, not assured, no, you run as if, as Senator Loren [Legarda], who was also number one and twice, says, you’re running scared all the time,” she added.

Poe said that while “it’s good to be number one, the challenge is also there to be able to maintain that and “there are a lot of viable and very popular candidates in this race.”

Poe is seeking reelection after serving her first term in 2013.

The senator said she is supporting her colleagues who are seeking reelection and several other candidates, whom she said deserve to be in the Senate.

Maguindanao solon goes to Saudi on 2-day investment mission COTABATO City and First District of Maguindanao Rep. Bai Sandra Sema, one of the main proponents of the recently passed Bangsamoro Organic Law, was part of a Philippine delegation that went to Saudi Arabia where they were able to get investment pledges for Cotabato City and other Bangsamoro provinces from

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Arabia businessmen.

The delegation, composed of Filipino government officials and businessmen headed by House Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, went to Saudi Arabia to present investment possibilities for Middle Eastern businessmen in the newly created Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in

Muslim Mindanao.

“Now that the Bangsamoro Organic Law has been passed it is time to work for the economic prosperity of the newly created BARMM,” Rep. Sema said.

“This investment mission was done as the next important step to ensure that new investments will come in for Co-

tabato City and the rest of the unified BARMM and realize the promise of the BOL,” she added.

The delegation was received by the Majlis Ash Shura, the Consultative Assembly and advisory council of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, led by its President, Dr. Abdullah Bin Mohammed Bin Ibrahim Al Sheik.

By Rey E. Requejo ILLEGAL items seized on void warrants cannot be used as evidence in courts, says the Supreme Court.

The Supreme Court has admonished law enforcement authorities and the trial courts against unlawful application and issuance of search warrants that violate the rights of a person over his property, his documents, and the sanctity of his home.

In a decision authored by Associate Justice Diosdado M. Peralta, the SC nullified the search warrants issued by the Calapan City Regional Trial Court against Stanley R. Maderazo who was charged with illegal possession of prohibited drugs, unlicensed firearm and ammunition.

The high court ruled that illegal items, like prohibited drugs and firearms, seized on the strength of void search warrants, cannot be used as evidence in criminal cases before the courts, citing constitutional provisions.

Thus, the SC affirmed the decision of the Court of Appeals in favor of Maderazo who assailed the trial court’s issuance of search warrants that led to the seizure of illegal drugs, a firearm and ammunition from his residence in Barangay Lazareto in Calapan City.

“Considering that the search and seizure warrant in this case was procured in violation of the Constitution and the Rules of Court, all the items seized in Maderazo’ s house, being fruits of the poisonous tree, are inadmissible for any purpose in any proceeding,” the SC ruled.

In dismissing the petition of the Office of the Solicitor General, the SC said: “Settled is the rule that where entry into the premises to be searched was gained by virtue of a void search warrant, prohibited articles seized in the course of the search are inadmissible against the accused.”

The high court emphasized that prohibited articles may be seized only as long as the search warrant is valid.

A4

Opinion

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2019

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

A policy of accommodation TO THE POINT EMIL P. JURADO HERE’S my wish list for senatorial candidates who I think should win in May. Even if three or four of them don’t make it, I would be happy just the same.

I’d go for Grace Poe, Cynthia Villar, Pia Cayetano, Sonny Angara, Nancy Binay, Jinggoy Estrada, Bong Revilla, Mar Roxas, Juan Ponce Enrile, Imee Marcos, Francis Tolentino and Koko Pimentel.

Does this not make us a province of China?

Note that while recent poll surveys showed the sudden surge of presidential minion/ alalay Bong Go, he is still not on my list. We need an independent Senate. The Sante is supposed to be an institution that provides checks and balances.

Also not in my list is former PNP Chief Bato dela Rosa, for the simple reason that his only achievement was to carry out President Duterte’s brutal war on drugs. And Lito Lapid. I don’t even know why he is running again – did he not confess once that felt out of place at the Senate, especially during debates and interpellations?

We need senators we can respect and admire. *** After a report from China’s state-run Xinhua that China’s ministry of transportation opened a center to support rescue operations in the contested area of Kagitingan (Fiery Cross) Reef, almost immediately here comes presiden-

tial spokesman Salvador Panelo with a statement that there is nothing to worry about. Rather, we should be thankful that the rescue center would help seafarers, including Filipino ones.

I wanted to laugh but could not. If we don’t protest China’s building a rescue center on Kagitingan, then we are in fact saying: “Go ahead – that is yours, anyway.”

This policy of accommodation and acquiescence adopted by the Duterte administration is obviously in anticipation of loans, grants, investments and aid from China. This is also the reason China keeps bullying us. Does this not make us, effectively, a Chinese province?

The good thing however is that we have a voice from the best Supreme Court chief justice we never had – An Antonio Carpio. He says we should protest to avoid a misunderstanding that the Philippines approves of China’s actions in the disputed area.

Maritime analysts and experts agree with Carpio’s observation. What both bothers me though is that the Department of Foreign Affairs is taking so long in coming out with a statement. Will Secretary Teddy Boy Locsin ever see the need to protest China’s actions?

For how long will President Duterte keep toeing China’s line? Did we not win our case at the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague?

How many more reefs and island will China occupy just because our government allows it? *** The House of Representatives is trying to find ways and means for its members to avoid filing their Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth, or for the public to have access to it. Now they want prior approval befor the SALN could be shown to the public.

This is in violation of the Public Information Law and the 1987 Constitution itself.

What are they trying to hide? Is it

Adelle Chua, Editor

EDITORIAL

Going against transparency

N

EW rules that make it more difficult to obtain copies of the financial statements of members of the House of Representatives run counter to the Duterte administration’s policy on transparent government and are a step backward in efforts to engender trust in our public officials.

Under new rules adopted by the House last week, the House plenary has the final say on whether to approve or deny requests for lawmakers’ Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth.

The new rules also require those requesting SALNs to identify themselves and provide a justification for their request, which would be evaluated by a SALN Review and Compliance Committee for approval or rejection.

The House will also charge P300 for each SALN, which means a requesting party would need to pay P87,300 for the SALNs of all 291 lawmakers.

Efforts by House Majority Leader Fredenil Castro said the new rules will prevent fishing expedition—and added ominously that the people’s right to information ends when “you damage someone.”

He also said that the new rules would prevent “unscrupulous people” such as swindlers, syndi-

cates, extortionists and terrorists from obtaining the documents and tampering with them for purposes of blackmail.

Sadly, the only thing transparent in Castro’s defense of the new rules are the bogus reasons for their adoption.

The rationale for transparent government is to make sure our public officials carry out the affairs of state honestly, without diverting public funds to their own bank accounts. The SALN is an essential tool in this exercise, and to that extent, so-called fishing expeditions should be welcome if they uncover wrongdoing. Congressman Castro should know this. After all, a fishing expedition of this sort by his colleagues led to an impeachment complaint against ousted chief justice Ma. Lourdes Sereno, which he supported.

The people’s right to know most assuredly does not stop when information proves dam-

aging to a politician—be it an elected lawmaker or an official from the other two branches of government. To say otherwise exhibits an ignorance of how a constitutional democracy should work—or a cynical belief that those in power can short circuit systemic checks and balances.

Finally, the argument that this would keep SALNs out of the hands of swindlers, syndicates, extortionists and terrorists who might doctor the documents for their nefarious purposes is laughable, since any such alterations could be quickly exposed by the simple expedient of comparing them with the originals.

The whole idea that a simple SALN request must pass muster with the House plenary is perhaps the most ridiculous imposition of all, as it suggests that a simple clerical transaction must go through the same process as a piece of legislation.

Reacting to the new House rules, a presidential spokesman said, “We want the SALN to be readily available to the public.” That is a view we can all get behind. There is no call to make the public jump through new hoops for document they have a right to see.

Turn to A5

Photographers in Iraq’s Mosul snap dark days, bright futures

By Raad al-Jammas ASHRAF al-Atraqji carefully stepped around tufts of weeds sprouting in a mountain of rubble in Iraq's Mosul, found a seat on a sun-soaked rock, and struck a pose for the photographer.

Behind him stretched wthe ruins of the Prophet Yunus mosque, an ancient monument infamously destroyed by the Islamic State group when it overran Mosul in 2014.

A year and a half after Iraqi forces recaptured Mosul from IS, residents have been hiring local photographers to capture mementos of their city's darkest days.

Looking out at the metal fences and barbed wire now surrounding what's left of the mosque, 38-year-old Atraqji told AFP he hoped those days never return.

"Each stone in this place is linked to the history and identity of our city," said the father of three, his goatee neatly trimmed and wearing stylish sunglasses.

"I want to document what the terrorists did so that my children can build a future beyond these ruins."

He wasn't the only one. A little further up the hill, a couple positioned themselves near a concrete wall marred with graffiti as the sun cast a golden glow.

"We want a souvenir, a piece of evidence of the horrors IS perpetrated in Mosul," said the 32-year-old woman, who identified herself as Um Mohammad.

When IS swept across parts of Iraq in 2014 it massacred civilians, leaving their remains in dozens of mass graves across the country that the United Nations says could hold up to 12,000 victims.

Jihadists imposed their ultra-conservative interpretation of Islamic law, destroying everything from centuries-old churches to musical instruments.

They even raided some 300 photography studios, tearing pictures off the walls.

Terrified of being fined or subject to IS's horrifying atrocities, studio owners and photographers fled or hid their equipment.

Capturing the comeback Many of Mosul's commercial districts have witnessed a modest revival.

Religious leaders laid the first stone to rebuild the iconic Al-Nuri mosque, and Domini can priests are saving 16th-century books and irreplaceable records.

Residents and the amateur photographers they've hired are doing their own kind of archiving, too, including open-air photo galleries

and family portraiture.

Mohammad Dhia posed with his two young children in a recently-renovated square in the city's bustling downtown.

Like many of Iraq's 20 million internet users—nearly half the population—he hoped to upload his shots to his Facebook profile.

"They're high-quality, beautiful photographs and it's my way of helping young photographers," said Dhia, 27.

Clad in white trousers, a patterned burgundy shirt and dark shoes, he hugged his stylishlydressed children close to him in the crisp Mosul winter.

When the session is done, Dhia slid a few bills to the photographer.

A single picture costs between 1,000 and 2,000 Iraqi dinars, or less than $2, said photographer Mohammad Bassem.

For longer sessions lasting several hours, he charges between $20 and $50.

"I do this after my university courses, and it allows me to make a bit to help out my family," the 24-year-old told AFP. Despite their cheap rates, these selftaught photographers have to shell out a sizeable sum to buy their equipment.

"Our cameras cost between 200 and 600 dollars," said Bassem.

Lights, camera, action The square in downtown Mosul teemed with amateur portrait photographers carrying flashes, tripods, and reflectors to control light and shadow.

They gave directions to their subjects: stand up straight, tilt your chin, look towards the setting sun.

One young man posed with a guitar, another with a violin.

Some struck a pensive look while perched on a bench; others were lost in thought staring into a pool of water. Even members of the security forces, dressed head-to-toe in camouflage, struck a pose.

Photographers often went the extra mile by retouching the images to eliminate blemishes and brighten eyes.

But in a Mosul that remains broadly conservative, not everyone was willing to join in.

Noha Ahmed, 25, watched the amateur shoots from afar and said they felt too risky for her.

"I'm afraid that my pictures would be used for something and that it would cause me problems," she told AFP. AFP

New Battle of Manila Bay This effort is now the be-all and end-all of Duterte’s presidency.

ONE of the best policy decisions Rodrigo Duterte has made in the first 31 months of his six-year presidency is his order to clean and rehabilitate Manila Bay. About P47 billion has been allotted for the job over the next 12 months. The huge amount shows you how serious Duterte is about cleaning up Manila Bay. The rehab of Manila Bay comes a few months after the successful cleanup of Boracay which Duterte had described as

a cesspool.

Manila Bay is also a cesspool—1,700 times worse than Boracay.

In my TV interview Monday night, environmental planner and architect Jun Palafox described the enormity of the Manila Bay rehab job: “The coastline from Cavite to Bataan is 190 kilometers, the surface water is

180,000 hectares, and the land area of the watershed catchment area is 1,700,000 hectares—equivalent to 24 Singapores and 1,700 Boracays.”

If Duterte succeeds in rehabilitating Manila Bay, it will enshrine him as the best president we ever had. Forget about the thousands killed in the name of illegal drugs, forget about the slowing economy, forget about the failure of TRAIN, forget about Congress becoming more rapacious and less transparent during his watch, forget about the failure to contain the Muslim separatists and the communist New People’s Army, forget about bad jokes about the Catholic Church and its beliefs, bishops and priests, forget about his questionable China pivot.

Turn to A5

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Opinion

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2019

Protest CROSSROADS JONATHAN DE LA CRUZ AS WE greet the Filipino Chinese community and the Chinese people worldwide Kung Hei Fat Choi, it is our hope that they will continue to contribute to the peace and betterment of the world.

Now that China has surpassed all expectations becoming the second biggest economy inthe world and lifting almost 50 percent of its 1.3-billion population from the clutches of poverty in just over three decades, it behooves the Chinese leadership and its people to contribute their own share in lifting struggling peoples and nations the world over abiding, as they have always sworn, by the five principles of good neighborliness foremost being non-intervention in the internal affairs of nations.

Having said as much, I will have to laud Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana for joining Foreign Affairs Secretary TeddyBoy Locsin in protesting the reported setting up of a " maritime rescue center" by China in the disputed islands it is occupying in the West Philippine Sea. That "rescue center" may benefit fishermen and even ships passing through that busy passage, as presidential spokesman and Legal Counsel Sal Panelo advised shortly after the news went out. That is well and good. But the same should be built on any island officially recognized as China's territory. Not on any of the disputed areas.

Building the same in any of the dis-

puted "rocks" (as the UNCLOS Tribunal described the disputed protrusions in the sea) at this time can only invite protest from the other claimants in the area. Andbesides, it is a clear affront on a friendly country like the Philippines which has been bending over backward just so the Chinese moves in the West Philippine Sea can be accommodated. That diplomatic protest should issue tomorrow at the latest. We should not wait any minute longer to show our displeasure over this unwelcome move no matter how feverish Panelo's defense is.

Let’s move and move quickly.

For if truth be told, the build up in those areas (Fiery Cross reef, Johnson reef, Cameron reef and other features in the area) remains in serious dispute no matter that China has already reclaimed and expanded these "rocks" in its attempt to transform these into "islands under occupation" and which it can then claim sovereignty after. So, we should not be a party to furthering their claims and transforming these areas officially into ïslands under China's sovereign control." We should not do that at all.

And setting up a "maritime rescue center" without as much as a bye to the

Saving the bay Philippines, the protestee in the UNCLOS Tribunal, and the UNitself is already another step toward such a transformation. The decision of the Tribunel is very clear, these "rocks"cannot be claimed as "islands"and therefore not entitled to having "exclusive economic zone" and even continental shelf.

For example, in the case of Kagitingan Reef (Fiery Cross Reef), the Tribunal concluded: " Fiery Cross in its natural condition was encumbered by a rock that remained exposed at high tide and accordingly a high tide feature." Having a high tide feature one has some of the legal entitlements of an island such as generating a "territorial sea" but is far from being an island. By international convention, an island is a high tide feature which can sustain habitation and economic life of its own. An island can then claim an exclusive economic zone and a continental shelf—features which as we have mentioned earlier we should prevent from happening at all by any means. As such, we should as we have always protested, China's effort to "build, build, build" in the West Philippine Sea as it can transform “rocks"into islands in no time at all. How to go about the protest and how feverish should such be is something which President Duterte and his Cabinet should determine.

For now, we can only contend ourselves with diplomatic protests and similar initiatives in other fora knowing fully well as President Duterte has so often advised we cannot go to war or engage in any other aggressive behavior which we will only regret later.

But protest? Let's move and move quickly.

Learning to talk again: life without internet in Tonga

By Mary Lyn Fonua A TWO-WEEK cyber blackout caused financial headache and social heartache in remote Tonga, but it also forced residents of the Pacific island kingdom to rediscover the art of offline communication.

The sudden internet outage on Jan. 20 brought an abrupt halt to many businesses and cut access to social media– the community's lifeline to the outside world.

"We had to learn how to talk to each other without Internet messaging," Joshua Savieti, who works in the creative arts, said of the involuntary digital detox.

"We didn't know anything, what was going on, anything on the news, [or] if there was a cyclone coming."

It took 13 days to find the fault—a severed undersea cable—and reconnect Tonga, which lies nearly 2,400 kilometers (1,500 miles) northeast of New Zealand.

During the blackout, a small, locally operated satellite service helped maintain limited service, but the speed was a throwback to dial-up days.

To conserve capacity officials filtered out social media, cutting families off from relatives and friends overseas and dealing a blow to companies which operate through Facebook.

For many of Tonga's 110,000 residents, it was a wake-up call to how much they have come to rely on the Internet in just half a decade since the 827-kilometer (513-mile) fibre-optic cable from Fiji

New...

From A4

Manila Bay is now the be-all and end-all of Duterte’s presidency.

The President has invested his enormous political will to succeed with Manila Bay. He has harnessed the full force of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the skill, experience and command structure of retired military men to get the job done. At the top of this structure is retired general Roy Cimatu, the secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

Cimatu plans to employ ground troops and ground commanders to carry out the DENR rehab plan. Literally thus, we have a new Battle of Manila Bay. To be sure, it is not that Duterte has suddenly become pro-environment.

The President is actually implementing an order of the Supreme Court dating back to Dec. 18, 2008 to 14 government agencies to clean and restore Manila Bay, including eight cabinetlevel departments and agencies—the DENR, Metro Manila Development Authority, and the departments of Education, Public Works, Agriculture, Budget, and Local Governments, along

was put into service.

Some queued for hours to access the satellite service, while others pottered about in their gardens or went out socialising.

"I actually felt that it was pretty good to be forced off the Internet and talk to people again, go outside and see what everyone's up to," Savieti said.

"There were a lot of people going out during that time, going to the bars ... it was so full."

But the outage did not come as a welcome break for everyone.

Lives were at stake as medicine stocks reached dangerously low levels, and Health Ministry chief Siale 'Akau'ola lost contact with government outposts on Tonga's outer islands.

"There are areas that are critical and most of them need confirmation of supplies and when the goods are arriving.

So things were kind of in the dark and dangerously low some of the stock," 'Akau'ola said.

"Definitely there had to be an impact on various operations."

Closed for business For Tonga, which relies heavily on international links for daily supplies and vital tourism income, no internet meant serious problems with making and confirming transactions.

Banks could not process money transfers, hitting families reliant on income from relatives working overseas.

Sam Vea, Tonga agent for global freight giant DHL, said the first week of the outage created "major issues" for the company.

"We could not send our shipments

because we have to upload documents before they are put onto the plane," he said.

"We really need that connection. That was the scary part, and we didn't know how long it was going to be out."

Several small businesses which use Facebook to publicise their services could no longer take bookings online.

In the capital Nuku'alofa, guesthouse operator Taiatu 'Ata'ata estimated she lost bookings "worth thousands of dollars."

And Lee Latu was trying to run a hotel in Vava'u "with no idea if I have bookings needing to be picked up."

Accountant Caryl Jones said he was unable to file monthly tax returns for his many clients.

"I have clients that email me information, so they were unable to do so. And I have clients who have accounting in the cloud and they couldn't access their accounting system in order to do it."

When the cable—which joins up with the Southern Cross cable linking Australia, New Zealand, Hawaii and the continental United States—was repaired, it caused fresh problems as people rushed to re-establish contact with family, friends and clients.

At a murder trial in Nuku'alofa, judge Charles Cato had to remind the jury what they were there for, telling them that just because the internet had been restored it did not mean they could use social media while evidence was being heard.

The cause of the break in the cable has not been determined but it is suspected it was cut by a ship dragging its anchor along the seabed.

BELIEVE it or not: When I was a preschooler and until I entered primary school, we could go for a swim in the clear waters of Manila Bay, at the spot (since reclaimed) where the road to the domestic airport intersects then Dewey Boulevard.

Later, we could still swim at the Malibu Beach resort in Parañaque, before Las Piñas. And in high school days, Noveleta in Cavite was yet a popular destination for week-end swimmers. Now the sand has turned to mud (burak).

Farther off in college, Tanza was still good enough for swimming (and allnight drinking). Now, even Matabungkay in Batangas is no longer the pristine white sand and pink coral beach it once was.

What has happened since?

Into Manila Bay empties Pasig River, which is connected to several esteros or canals which in the 19thcentury was still used as a river transport system for produce coming from the nearby provinces of Bulacan and Pampanga in the north as well as Rizal and Laguna in the south. Even Pres. Cory Aquino’s grandfather, a Chinese rice merchant in Malolos, Bulacan, used to sendcascos laden with rice using the Malolos River, towards Manila Bay, and into theestero beside what is now the Divisoria market.

The esteros no longer serve any transport purpose, except to ferry passengers through man-made and ropehauled barges from one side of the smelly waterway to the other side, as in Binondo and Divisoria. Why, even the President of the Republic has to suffer the stench of the Pasig while being ferried by a motor launch between his office in Malacañang Palace to his official residence inside Malacañang Park.

At certain times of the year, even the garbage thrown by mindless residents into the streams and tributaries of Cavite and Batangas are carried by currents into Manila Bay, like some kind of a water closet flush bringing detritus into a septic tank.

The “premier” city of Manila and even Pasay are serviced by an MWSS sewerage system, much of it built even as far back as the 19thcentury, expanded during the 20thby colonial masters.

Through the years, there have been patchwork improvements, mostly for flood control purposes, built in Manila, Pasay, the reclamation areas, even Malabon and Navotas.

But all these, it is clear, are not enough to clean the bay which boasts of a magnificent sunset, especially in the months of December until February when the orange orb of a dying sun is at full glory before it buries itself into the horizon to welcome the envelope of dark.

That is another direct effect of population gone haywire due to uncontrolled births and unmitigated migration from poor provinces to what used to be “rich” mega-Manila.

Rep. Lito Atienza, a three-term mayor of Manila from 1998 till 2007, asks the now-private water concessionaires, Manila Water and Maynilad, why they have not yet constructed new sewerage systems complete with state-of-the-art wastewater treatment systems for the metropolis. Instead, Maynilad Water for instance offers free septic tank sludge extraction should household customers request the same. Oh, those small mercies.

But first, how many know about this service which is not widely dissemi-

ral harbors in the world, Manila Bay has been our country’s premier gateway to the west and to neighboring countries in Asia. It holds much significance in our history, and it has played a vital role in shaping our nation and our identity as it has witnessed countless momentous events dated as far back as 9th century A.D. such as the commencement of trade with China, the arrival of the Spaniards, the Galleon Trade, and the Battle of Manila, among others.”

“In spite of its economic and cultural endowment, Manila Bay’s environment has been deteriorating at an alarming rate. It is severely polluted with marine, domestic, industrial, and commercial waste—threatening marine life and the livelihoods primarily dependent on the Bay’s resources.

According to the most recent water samples and laboratory tests conducted by the DENR, Manila Bay’s coliform level is 330-million MPN—exceptionally way beyond the acceptable level of less than 100 MPN! This wide-scale project presents numerous opportunities for waterfront development from which we can all reap long-term benefits.” biznewsasia@gmail.com

nated? Second, where does the water concessionaire throw the sludge?

Weeks back, the DENR announced that it would start the Herculean task of cleaning up Manila Bay, until it becomes “swimmable” once again. And after a week of removing tons and tons of garbage floating in the nearby sections of Manila Bay, residents “discovered” that there was a beachfront after all in some portions beside the Roxas Boulevard baywalk.

True to form, many Manilenos started flocking to the newly discovered “beach” to bathe just before the Lunar New Year, even if the same is yet prohibited. Tigas talaga ng mga ulo!

And in their wake, left garbage and plastic bags behind. See how difficult the job is for DENR and other government agencies involved in the massive clean-up and rehabilitation effort?

Some noise was generated by the “cease and desist” order for Gloria Maris at the CCP complex and the iconic Aristocrat in Roxas Boulevard. In the case of the latter, it was discovered that they were actually releasing wastewater to the M.H.del Pilar sewerage pipe of Maynilad, because that was where the pipes were located, since at the time the Aristocrat was constructed, no pipelines were embedded underneath the Roxas side, which sits on reclaimed land.

See what political will can do?

But beyond apprehending certain establishments in the bay area, the task of cleaning Manila Bay is a much, much bigger project, and we ought to thank President Duterte for ordering the cleanup. That restoration project will not be finished within his term which ends in 2022, but he and his officials must proceed without let-up, and produce tangible results that will make it an irreversible program, no matter who succeeds Duterte.

This brings to mind what Mayor Bayani Fernando, and then his wife Marides, did for Marikina. The renewal and re-development efforts were so tangible and beneficial for Marikina residents that even if the couple are no longer at the city’s helm, successors could not but pursue the program.

The Manila Bay restoration and rehabilitation project is a lot more difficult because it would require the relocation of thousands of informal settler families living in the banks of esteros and rivers, as well as the communities in the Manila Bay shoreline, from Navotas in the north to Cavite City in the south.

Secretaries Cimatu and Ano should implement the President’s directive without let-up and compel the mayors of the towns and cities that contribute to the mega-cesspool that is Manila Bay to do their part. The same goes for Laguna Lake Development Authority CEO Joey Medina, the former mayor of Pateros.

It is one lasting legacy that future ge erations will be grateful for, if sustained. S ee what political will can do? *** As this article comes out on Feb. 6, let me greet our readers “Kiong Hee Fa Tsai” as we enter the Year of the Earth Pig. The Pig is the last animal in the 12-year cycle of the Chinese Zodiac.

While generally the pig is a symbol of plenty and prosperity, this year is predicted to be a bit more challenging than the preceding Year of the Dog.

A policy ...

From A4

with the MWSS, Philippine National Police, Philippine Coast Guard, Philippine Ports Authority, and BFAR. In ten years, these departments and agencies failed to comply with the Supreme Court mandamus. And so Manila Bay deteriorated. The pollution, dirt, and sewage at the bay is three times that is allowed for humans to live. So it is a wonder why humans who bathe and live there remain alive.

The high court mandamus of 2008 stemmed from its affirming an RTC and Court of Appeals rulings on the original case filed by environmentalists on Jan. 29, 1999 before the Cavite Regional Trial Court.

That case sought an order to the defendant government agencies “to clean up, rehabilitate, and preserve Manila Bay, and restore and maintain its waters to SB level (Class B sea waters per Water Classification Tables under DENR Administrative Order No. 34 [1990]) to make them fit for swimming, skin-diving, and other forms of contact recreation.”

The RTC issued a mandamus in September 2002 which was upheld by the CA and later by the SC. Palafox explains why Manila Bay matters: “Considered as one of the best natu-

A5

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

that they don’t want the public to know what they are doing with taxpayers’ money? They should be told that public office is a public trust. *** The rehabilitation of Manila Bay should be done in a holistic manner.

The reason it became what it is now is a confluence of events.

First, there are so many establishments around the Bay that are contributing to the pollution. They must be stopped. Secretary Roy Cimatu of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources is already doing that by issuing cease and desist orders.

Second, and this is the most difficult of all, relocate all the squatters living around the bay.

Still, this is not enough since the waterways and tributaries that flow into Manila Bay are also full of squatters. Local government units along the Pasig River have been incompetent and negligent.

And then, there is the Bulacan River. Surveys show it is one of the most polluted rivers in the world.

Indeed strong will is needed to rehabilitate both the Pasig and Bulacan Rivers.

The problem is the incompetence of local officials.

Rehabilitating Boracay, compared to this, was easy. *** I have some questions on the decision not to abolish the Presidential Commission on Good Government and the Office of the Government Corporate Counsel.

What has the PCGG achieved in going after the Marcos wealth? How many more sequestered corporations are there? And who are sitting there as fiscal agents ?

On the OGCC, who are the lawyers assigned to them and what allowances are they getting? Sometime ago, the Commission on Audit flagged these excessive allowance. What is being done about then?

Didn’t the President say he would act at the mere whiff of corruption and not hesitate to fire certain officials? Well, Mr. President? www.emiljurado.weebly.com

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

News

A6

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2019 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

10,302 PH nurses sought US jobs—solon

RETRIEVING REMAINS.

Residents salvage whatever they can from what remains of their homes at the Millionaires Compound in Barangay 8 in Caloocan City which was hit by fire Tuesday morning.

Andrew Rabulan

By Maricel V. Cruz

A

TOTAL 10,302 Filipino nurses hoping to practice their profession in America took the US licensure examination for the first time in 2018, a party-list lawmaker said on Tuesday.

Republic of the Philippines ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION San Miguel Avenue, Pasig City IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION FOR APPROVAL OF CAPITAL EXPENDITURE PROJECTS FOR CALENDAR YEAR 2018, AND VARIOUS PROJECTS UP TO 2022, WITH PRAYER FOR PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY

k.

Installation and Maintenance of Street Lights and Signal System.

This project involves the installation of new street lights and maintenance/ replacement of defective street lights. This project also involves the installation of LED street lights for years 2019 to 2022 to comply with the City Ordinance No. 0409-18, Series of 2018, also known as the “LED Ordinance of Davao City;”

l.

Installation, Replacement and Maintenance of Industrial and Commercial Meters. This project involves the installation, replacement and maintenance of large industrial and commercial customers’ meters. This includes the installation of Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM)-ready meters and metering facilities;

m.

Installation and Replacement of Residential Meters. This project involves the installation of new electronic meters and replacement of defective electromechanical residential meters.

ERC CASE N0.2018-123 RC DAVAO LIGHT AND COMPANY, INC. (DLPC),

POWER

Applicant. x--------------------------------------------------x

9.

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

DLPC’s CAPEX program under Non-Network Projects are the following: a.

TO ALL INTERESTED PARTIES Notice is hereby given that on 27 December 2018, Davao Light And Power Company, Inc. (DLPC) filed an Application dated 13 December 2018 (Application), seeking the Commission’s approval of its capital expenditure projects for calendar year 2018, and various projects up to 2022, with prayer for provisional authority.

b

In the said Application, DLPC alleged the following, among others 1.

2.

d. e.

Republic Act NO. 9136, or the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001 (“EPIRA”), under Section 23 thereof, obligates a distribution utility, such as DLPC, to provide distribution services and connections to its system for any end-user within its franchise area, consistent with the distribution code. Further, distribution utilities share in the objective of the EPIRA to ensure the quality, realibility, security and affordability of the supply of electric power;1

3.

For DLPC to pursue its mandate under its franchise and the EPIRA, it is necessary for DLPC to continuously invest in the improvement of its system and services to better serve its customers;

4.

As such, DLPC, in accordance with Section 20 (b) of Commonwealth Act No. 146,2 hereby applies for approval from the Honorable Commission, to implement its Capital Expenditure (“CAPEX”) Program for Calendar Year (“CY”) 2018 and various projects up to 2022;

5.

c.

DLPC is a corporation duly organized and existing under and by virtue of the laws of the Republic of the Philippines, with office address at C. Bangoy Sr. St., Davao City. It is the grantee of a legislative franchise under Republic Act No. 8960 to construct, operate and maintain an electric light, heat and power system in the Cities of Davao and Panabo, and in the Municipalities of Carmen, Sto. Tomas and Braulio Dujali, Province of Davao del Norte (the “Franchise Area”). DLPC may be served with orders and other processes of the Honorable Commission through its undersigned counsel at the address indicated below;

f.

10. The total estimated cost of DLPC’s CAPEX program is PhP 2,359,360,289.20. The complete list of DLPC’s CAPEX program, together with its estimated cost, is shown in table 1 below: PROJECT SUMMARY DESCRIPTION

Network Projects: i. Substation Projects; ii. Lines Projects; and iii. Other Network Projects

b. Non-network Projects 6.

DLPC`s CAPEX program under the bracket of Substation Projects consist of the following: a.

Tadeco Substation Upgrade. This project involves the purchase and installation of a 33 MVA 69 kV/13.8 kV three-phase transformer and other miscellaneous materials. This transformer will replace the more than 40-yearold 15 MVA transformer in the Tadeco Substation. This project will also include the extension of a feeder to link with the feeder of the adjacent Sto. Tomas Substation;

b.

Calinan Substation Upgrade. This project involves the purchase and installation of a 33 MVA 69 kV/13.8 kV three-phase transformer and other miscellaneous materials. This transformer will replace the more than 40-yearold 10 MVA power transformer in the Calinan Substation. This project will also include the installation of an additional breaker for an additional feeder that will be constructed;

c.

Toril Substation Upgrade. This project involves the purchase and installation of a 33 MVA power transformer, and the acquisition and installation of other electrical equipment power transformer control, cooling control, surge arresters and other associated materials and equipment in the Toril Substation. The project also includes civil works such as site development and structural works. The 33 MVA power transformer will replace the 14 MVA power transformer in the Toril Substation, thereby expanding the capacity of the Substation to 33 MVA;

d.

e.

f.

7.

b.

c.

8.

P. Reyes Substation Upgrade. This project involves the purchase and installation of an additional unit of a 50 MVA power transformer, construction of 3 bays 69kV breaker-and-a-half scheme, laying of power cables, and acquisition and installation of associated materials and equipment in the P. Reyes Substation. The project also includes civil works such as site development and structural works; DRA-NGCP Interconnection Improvement. This project involves the purchase and installation of two (2) 138 kV breakers in the DRA Substation, underground cables with fixtures and linkages, protections system improvement, and other miscellaneous materials. In addition, the project will also include purchase and installation of approximately 230 meters of 138 kV, underbuilt circuit, three-phase, 1200 mm2 XLPE cable line from Downhill San lsidro to NGCP’s Bunawan Substation, associated accessories and miscellaneous materials. This project shall provide a PGC-compliant interconnection, protection, monitoring and control between DRA and NGCP’s Bunawan substations;

b.

c.

d.

e.

f.

g.

h.

Secondary Projects. This project involves installation of poles and wires related to applications for secondary line extensions;

j.

Rehabilitation Projects. This project includes replacement of various defective, old, non-SCADA, non-recording meters, relays and annunciators; replacement of several old and defective 69 kV and 15 kV disconnect switches; old and defective batteries replacement; construction of several new control rooms; installation of on-line monitors; and critical spare inventory for major equipment parts;

44,624,058 196,754,527 17,676,000 21,927,016 36,225,323 11,025,000 24,076,002 83,440,283

ALLEGATIONS IN SUPPORT OF THE PRAYER FOR PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY

69 kV Line New, Digos Line, from 69 kV Tapping Point at Davao-Cotabato Road to Binugao SS. This project involves the installation of approximately 150 meters of 69 kV, three-phase, 795 MCM ACSR wire, and associated accessories and miscellaneous materials from the 69 kV tapping point at Davao-Cotabato Road to Binugao Substation; 13.8 kV Underground Distribution System (2018-2021). This project involves the conversion of overhead lines in Downtown Streets to Underground System to comply with City Ordinance No. 0152-17, Series of 2017; 69 kV Line Upgrade, Davao Line 2, from New Loon to Tugbok SS. This project involves the upgrading from #336.4 ACSR to 2x#795 MCM ACSR of the existing 69 kV line from the New Loon to Tugbok Substation. This project will project involve an approximately 3.5 circuit kilometer of 2x#795 MCM ACSR wire line intended to close the loop of Davao Line 2 and Davao Line 1 via Magtuod;

i.

73,603,527 42,192,445 13,655,066 49,260,516 13,134,691 210,187,305 284,039,849.84 8,225,034 222,427 29,458,380 477,856,675.08

14. Public interest and necessity require the immediate implementation of the subject CAPEX projects. Projects on DLPC’s distribution system are necessary to address the needed capacity upgrades to accommodate increasing demand, prevent overloading, as well as improve safety and reliability of the system. Other projects are necessary to comply with local ordinances. Furthermore, various projects are necessary for DLPC to accommodate new customer applications; 15. Thus, in the event that the various CAPEX projects are not implemented, certain facilities of DLPC may be rendered obsolete, which could lead to power interruptions or delay in accommodating the additional load coming from existing and new customers. These negative consequences, which are detrimental to the livelihood and everyday lives of DLPC’s customers, may be tempered by the immediate implementation of the instant CAPEX projects; 16. Thus, pending final approval, there is an urgent need for a provisional authority for DLPC to immediately implement its proposed CAPEX projects. In support of the prayer for the grant of the provisional authority, attached as Annex “B” is .the Judicial Affidavit of Mr. Enriczar T. Tia, Assistant Vice President -- Technical Support, Engineering Group of DLPC; 17. The foregoing CAPEX projects are necessary for the systematic and economic expansion and rehabilitation of DLPC’s distribution facilities and ensuring compliance with safety, performance and regulatory requirements. The benefits arising from these CAPEX projects will ultimately redound to the end-consumers of DLPC because these projects are for continuous, reliable and efficient power supply.

New Mobile Substation. This project involves the purchase of an outdoor type 33 MVA 69/13.8 kV Mobile Substation with one (1) transformer, one (1) 69 kV breakers, one (1) 13.8 kV main breaker, and other miscellaneous equipment, on board a mobile, ready transportable mount;

Line Rehabilitation / Maintenance. This project is a combination of line rehabilitation, upgrade and maintenance works, which includes (i) replacement or relocation of various 69 kV structures and fixtures with wires and accessories; (ii) replacement or relocation of 13.8 kV structures and fixtures with wires and accessories (iii) replacement of various secondary structures and fixtures; (iv) small conductor upgrades; (v) line-to-ground conversions; (vi) single-phase to three-phase conversion for various secondary wires and related accessories; (vii) installation or replacement of various leaking insulators: several defective arresters; (viii) conversion of several insulators to higher BIL rating; (ix) maintenance of various sets of line capacitors; (x) approximately 20 km of tree wire in various locations; and (xi) Typhoon Failure Containment for 69 kV and 13.8 kV lines due to change of historical wind speed category as per National Structural Code of the Philippines; Line Reclosers. This project involves the installation of 66 units of circuit reclosers at selected distribution feeder lines and ILP customers, to provide automation of distribution system and to improve network reliability. This project also aims to control the effect of supply curtailment to the customers in situations when load shedding is necessary due to tight power supply; Emergency. This project involves the purchase of several 13.8 kV poles and fixtures, transformers, wires and accessories that would be used as readily available supply for replacement of structures, transformers and line hardware on the 69 kV and 13.8 kV system in case of emergency situations; Rotten Poles and Transformers. This project involves the replacement of 4,762 rotten poles with concrete poles for primary and secondary lines, together with 658 distribution transformers with pole top hardware and accessories; Voltage Correction. This project involves IV scanner installations, tap changing, load center splitting and transformer uprating for voltage correction in the distribution system; New Application. This project includes the purchase and installation of transformers, poles, wires, line hardware and other distribution system apparatus needed for providing electric service connections to customers; Rural Electrification. This project involves the installation of poles, towers, fixtures, line extensions to rural areas with transformer additions and capacitor/voltage regulator installations to provide power to remote and outskirt areas within the DLPC franchise as reflected in the 2018 Distribution Development Plan; Subdivision Electrification. This project involves the installation of poles, transformers and line extensions for new subdivision developments;

2,013,725 227,955,498 10,314,301

The detailed justifications, technical analysis, economic analysis, and alternatives considered, as applicable, for DLPC’s CAPEX program are discussed in detail in support of this Application; 12. The proposed CAPEX program will not have a direct impact on the current rates of DLPC until approved by the Honorable Commission as part of DLPC’s Regulatory Asset Base in the next applicable Regulatory Period; 13. DLPC undertakes to comply with the pre-filing requirements under Rule 3, Section 4(e) of the EPIRA Implementing Rules and Regulations, as amended;

PRAYER

DLPC’s CAPEX program under Other Network Projects are the following: a.

49,604,848 65,457,712 58,821,475 161,084,404 60,524,201 86,000,000

11.

DLPC’S CAPEX program under Lines Projects are the following: a.

COST (PhP)

NETWORK PROJECTS Tadeco Substation Upgrade Calinan Substation Upgrade Toril Substation Upgrade P. Reyes Substation Upgrade DRA-NGCP Interconnection Improvement New Mobile Substation LINE PROJECTS 69 kV Line New, Digos Line, from 69 kV Tapping Point at Davao-Cotabato Road to Binugao SS 13.8 kV Underground Distribution System (2018-2021) 69 kV Line Upgrade, Davao Line 2, from New Loon to Tugbok SS OTHER NETWORK PROJECTS Line Rehabilitation/Maintenance Line Reclosers Emergency Rotten Pole and Transformer Replacements Voltage Correction New Application Rural Electrification Subdivision Electrification Secondary Projects Rehabilitation of Substation Street Lights and Signal Systems Installation, Replacement and Maintenance of Industrial and Commercial Meters Installation and Replacement of Residential Meters NON-NETWORK PROJECTS Telecommunications Tools and Work Equipment Transportation Acquisition of Land - Supplementary Buildings and Improvement, Office Equipment, Furniture and Fixtures, and Miscellaneous Equipment Computer Equipment (Software and Hardware)

DLPC’s CAPEX Program are categorized as follows a.

Telecommunications. This project involves the purchase and installation of new Fault Location Isolation and Restoration (FLISR) for SCADA-ready fault current indicators, capacitor banks SCADA control device, recloser batteries. ORION RTU firmware upgrade, SCADA network switches, SCADA remote reset devices, SCADA infrastructure such as fiber-optic cables, radio communication equipment and accessories; Tools and Work Equipment. This project involves the purchase of various tools and equipment, as well as for the replacement, repair or maintenance of old ones; Transportation. This project involves the acquisition of new service and transport vehicles, as well as the repair of various transport vehicles, motorbikes and bucket trucks; Acquisition of Land-Supplementary. This project involves the additional expenditure needed to purchase the lot for the Bangkal Substation; Buildings and Improvement, Office Equipment, Furniture and Fixtures, and Miscellaneous Equipment. This project involves the expansion and repair of various offices, office utilities, and health, safety and security systems. This project also involves the acquisition of office furniture and fixtures; Computer Equipment (Software and Hardware). This project involves the replacement of computer units and IT-related equipment; various software upgrades, redevelopment of various software to enhance capability, and development of new software;

WHEREFORE, it is respectfully prayed that the Honorable Commission: 1.

2.

APPROVE the proposed Capital Expenditure Projects; and Pending trial on the merits, ISSUE an Order granting Provisional Authority authorizing DLPC to implement its proposed Capital Expenditure Projects.

Other reliefs just and equitable under the premises are likewise prayed for.

The Commission has set the Application for determination of compliance with the jurisdictional requirements, expository presentation, pre-trial conference, and presentation of evidence on 6 March 2019 (Wednesday) at ten o’clock in the morning (10:00 A.M.), at ERC Mindanao Area Operations Division (MAOD), Mintrade Bldg., Monteverde Avenue corner Sales Street, Davao City.

All persons who have an interest in the subject matter of the instant case may become a party by filing with the. Commission a verified Petition to Intervene at least five (5) days prior to the initial hearing and subject to the requirements under Rule 9 of the 2006 ERC Rules of Practice and Procedure, indicating therein the docket number and title of the case and stating the following; 1) 2) 3)

The petitioner’s name and address; The nature of petitioner’s interest in the subject matter of the proceeding and the way and manner in which such interest is affected by the issues involved in the proceeding; and A statement of the relief desired

All other persons who may want their views known to the Commission with respect to the subject matter of the case may file their Opposition or Comment thereon at any stage of the proceeding before Applicant rests its case, subject to the requirements under Rule 9 of the 2006 ERC Rules of Practice and Procedure. No particular form of Opposition or Comment is required, but the document, letter, or writing should contain the following: 1) The name and address of such person; 2) A concise statement of the Opposition or Comment; and 3) The grounds relied upon All such persons who wish to have a copy of the Application may request from Applicant that they be furnished with the same prior to the date of the initial hearing. Applicant is hereby directed to furnish all those making such request with copies of the Application and its attachments, subject to the reimbursement of reasonable photocopying costs. Any such person may likewise examine the Application and other pertinent records filed with the Commission during the standard office hours.

WITNESS, the Honorable Chairperson and CEO AGNES VST DEVANADERA, and the Honorable Commissioners ALEXIS M. LUMBATAN and CATHERINE P. MACEDA, Energy Regulatory Commission, this 16th day of January 2019 in Pasig City.

JOSEFINA PATRICIA A. MAGPALE-ASIRIT Oversight Commissioner for Legal 1 2

Section 2(b) of the EPIRA. Otherwise known as the Public Service Act. (MS-FEB. 6 & 13, 2019)

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

“The number is up 32 percent versus the 7,791 Philippine-educated nurses who took America’s eligibility test or the NCLEX for the first time in 2017, without counting repeaters,” said ACTSOFW Rep. Aniceto Bertiz III. Bertiz said a total 1,232 Indians, 1,017 Puerto Ricans, 783 South Koreans and 601 Nigerians also took the NCLEX for the first time in 2018.

The NCLEX for registered nurse (RN) or for practical nurse (PN) is the licensure test administered by the US National Council of State Boards of Nursing Inc. The NCLEX examination fee is $200 or P10,500, payable to the Pearson VUE testing center in Makati City if taken in the Philippines.

Since the NCLEX is usually the final step in the US nurse licensure process, the number of Filipinos taking the test for the first time is considered a good indicator as to how many of them are trying to enter the profession in America.

Citing newly released NCSBN statistics, Bertiz said Jamaicans, Canadians and Cubans also compete with Filipinos in America’s nursing labor market.

“There’s no question many Filipino nurses looking for greener pasture overseas prefer to work

and live in America, mainly due to the superior hourly pay, plus our attachment to the Western culture,” Bertiz said.

Nurses are not covered by the US Department of Homeland Security’s Jan. 19, 2019 to Jan. 18, 2020 ban on the issuance of new H-2A and H-2B visas to Filipinos, Bertiz said.

“Filipino nurses entering America through the sponsorship of their prospective US employers apply for and are issued a separate entry permit—the H-1B visa,” Bertiz pointed out.

America’s restricted H-1B visa program allows US employers to temporarily hire foreign staff, including nurses, in select occupations that require the application of specialized knowledge and a bachelor’s degree or the equivalent of work experience.

ACTS-OFW expects the demand for Filipino nurses in America to steadily increase in the years ahead.

“America’s nursing workforce is growing old, and they are not producing new nurses fast enough, mainly because they lack teaching staff. In fact, US schools are turning away many wouldbe nursing students due to the shortage of qualified instructors,” Bertiz said.

Mandaue a step closer to having House rep

By Macon Ramos-Araneta THE people of Mandaue City are a step closer to having their own representative in Congress and additional congressional fund for development projects, said Senator Juan Edgardo Angara.

The Senate on Monday approved on final reading HB 8511 converting Mandaue City into a lone congressional district.

It also approved on final reading several separate measures creating 11 new barangays in the provinces of Kalinga and Laguna.

As chairman of the Senate Committee on Local Government, Angara sponsored on the Senate floor House Bill 8511 separating Mandaue City from the sixth legislative district of Cebu province to constitute as a single district.

If Mandaue City is converted into a lone district, it will not only get its own congressional representative, but also appropriation from the national government for projects and services that will benefit its constituents.

Mandaue City, which is known as Cebu’s “industrial heartland,” has a population of 365,144 people based on the 2015 census.

The Constitution provides that a locality with at least 250,000 residents should have one representative in Congress.

The Senate also approved on final reading three separate bills creating barangays Ipil, Lacnog West and Bulanao Norte, all in the city of Tabuk in Kalinga.

It also passed on final reading HB 7786 dividing Barangay San Vicente in San Pedro City, Laguna into eight distinct and independent barangays, namely: San Vicente, Pacita I, Chrysanthemum, Rosario, Pacita II, Fatima, San Lorenzo Ruiz, and Maharlika.

The upper chamber also approved on third reading the bill amending a provision in the charter of the city of Bacoor in Cavite, and the proposal to create the position of Assistant City Administrator in Bayawan City, Negros Oriental.

PDEA needs more drug enforcement officers

By Rio N. Araja THE Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency is in need of more drug enforcement officers to fight the “immense” drug problem in the country.

Director General Aaron Aquino said applicants must be 21 to 35 years old, a graduate of any bachelor’s degree with second level eligibility for career service, board exam passer or any examinations qualified by the Civil Service Law under special laws.

The agency recently conducted qualifying and neuro-psychological examination for aspiring drug enforcement officers in Davao City for Mindanao applicants, Cebu City for the Visayas applicants, Baguio City and PDEA national headquarters in Quezon City for Luzon applicants.

At least over 2,000 applicants took the examinations, Aquino said, adding those who would pass the test would go through the drug enforcement officers basic course and a sixmonth resident and rigorous training in Silang, Cavite.

The PDEA Academy is now training 161 agent-trainees to graduate this month, while another batch composed of 116 agent-trainees would become full-fledged agents in May. Recognizing the need to augment its workforce to address the immense drug problem, Aquino said they hired 542 drug enforcement officers in 2018, the largest recruitment.

The Senate has approved a P200-million budget for the employment of 1,000 PDEA agents in 2019.

Sports

A7

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2019 sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

Pistons bounce back, stun Nuggets, 129-103

Andre Drummond #0 of the Detroit Pistons dunks next to Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets during the first half at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. AFP

Enriquez, Haro share MVP honors SYDNEY Enriquez played true to form and racked up two titles while Kurt Haro grabbed the spotlight in boys’ singles as they shared top honors in the PPS-PEPP Gen San National age group tennis tournament at the GenSan City Tennis Club last Sunday.

The top-seeded Enriquez stopped unranked doubles partner Kyle Rivera twice, scoring a 6-3, 6-1 romp in the girls’ 16-and-under finals then running away with the 18-U plum via a 6-0, 6-2 victory in the Group 2 tournament which kicked off the six-leg Mindanao swing of the circuit sponsored by Palawan Pawnshop.

The fourth-ranked Haro, on the other hand, survived unseeded EJ Sta. Maria, hacking out a 6-7(3), 6-4, 10-8 decision to snare the 16-U plum.

But the rising Davaoeño star failed to match Enriquez’s feat as he retired against top seed Bruce Hurtado from Koronadal and yielded the 18-U crown in the five-day tournament presented by Dunlop.

“We may see more of Enriquez and Haro’s exploits in the next stops of the Mindanao swing but we also expect new faces to emerge as we continue to provide the venue for these young players who could be the country’s next tennis stars,” said Palawan Pawnshop president/CEO Bobby Castro.

Other winners in the event sanctioned by the Unified Tennis Philippines made up of PPS-PEPP, Cebuana Lhuillier, Wilson, Toby’s, Dunlop, Slazenger and B-Meg were siblings John and Mae Melendres from Polomolok, South Cotabato; Andre Mateo from Tupi, Cotabato; local bet Rey Napala; and Sarangani’s Sheloh Ripdos.

John Melendres upended third seed Emmanuel Florida, 5-4(3), 4-0, to claim the 10-unisex title; Mae stunned No. 2 Merrycris Cordova, 6-4, 6-4, for the girls’ 12-U plum; Mateo ripped Vanz Abecia, 6-4, 6-0, for the boys’ 12-U title; Napala edged Yassan Al Anazi, 7-6(10), 7-5, for the boys’ 14-U diadem; and Ripdos scored a 6-2(ret.) win over Sandra Mosqueda for the girls’ 14-U title.

Program Development director Bobby Mangunay at 0915-4046464.

Son...

te Morris’s 18 points. Nevertheless, Denver saw their six-game win streak snapped and dropped out of a tie with the Golden State Warriors for first place in the Western Conference.

“I like the way our guys responded,” Pistons coach Dwane Casey said. “Enthusiasm and togetherness.”

Harden streaks on NBA Most Valuable Player James Harden scored 14 of his 44 points in the fourth quarter—notching his 20th 40-point game of the season in the Houston Rockets’ 118-110 victory over the lowly Phoenix Suns.

Harden, who pulled down eight rebounds and handed out six assists, extended his streak of games with 30 or more points to 27.

The Suns, who dropped their 11th straight, trailed by as many as 20 in the third quarter but cut the deficit to single digits in the fourth.

Harden produced 11 points in a fourminute span—including a 31-foot threepointer that pushed the Rockets lead to 15 points with 3:06 remaining—as Houston sealed the win.

Mighty Sports eyes elims sweep

D

UBAI, United Arab Emirates—Mighty Sports goes for a four-game sweep of Group B elims when it collides with Al-Wahda on Tuesday (Wednesday, Manila time) in the 30th Dubai International Basketball Championship at the Shabab Al Ahli Club here.

Despite an inspiring 98-89 win over Lebanese champion club Homenetmen on Sunday, Mighty Sports coach Charles Tiu sees another exciting finish in their 9 p.m. clash (1 p.m. Wednesday, Manila time) with a 7’4” center reinforcing the Syrian club.

“Better prepare guys, Al-Wahda also has three imports, one stands at 7’4”,” said the younger brother of retired Rain or Shine star Chris Tiu. “So we can’t afford to relax although we’re now assured of finishing either as No. 1 or No. 2.”

Tiu, however, is hoping to get significant numbers this time from former LA Lakers star Lamar Odom who was practically reduced to a mere spec-

tator after going scoreless in the team’s last two games.

The 6’10” Odom scored four points in his comeback game against American University in Dubai in the opener after a near-death experience four years ago.

But if he can’t do the things he normally does during his celebrated days with the Lakers, Ginebra resident import Justin Brownlee and Chinese league veteran Randolph Morris will have to work doubly hard to help the team gain extra motivation in time for the knockout quarterfinal stage of the tournament on Thursday.

Co-owned by brothers Alex and

Game Tuesday

(Shabab Al Ahli Club) 9 p.m. – Mighty Sports vs Al-Wahda (Syria)

Caesar Wongchuking and backed by Go For Gold, Oriental Group, Healthcube and SMDC, the sports apparel and accessories club team also hopes to get a little of everything from FilAms Jason Brickman, Jeremiah Gray, and Roosevent Adams and even from crafty UP star Juan Gomez de Liano.

In their finest games so far, the 6’4” Gray erupted for 24 points with the 6-foot Brickman finishing with 12 points and five assists and de Liano adding 11 points—not to mention providing some highlight plays.

“While we have already surpassed our one-win showing two years, our mission is far from over. So stay focused guys,” said the older Wongchuking in a text message to Tiu.

GenSan jin scoops 3 golds in Batang Pinoy TAGUM CITY—Paul Anthony Rodriguez made his presence felt when he scooped three gold medals in the taekwondo competition of the 2019 Batang Pinoy Mindanao leg Tuesday at the Gaisano Mall here.

Competing under the banner of Gen. Santos City, the 13-year-old Rodriguez ruled the junior individual, junior pair and junior team poomsae events to emerge as the most successful athlete in the early stretch of this prestigious multi-sport competition.

He scored 7.815 points to edge Clint Solitana of Malita (7.335) and Rodriguez Daniel Abella of Cagayan de Oro (7.130) to clinch his first gold medal in this event organized by the Philippine Sports Commission and Province of Davao del Norte with STI College-Tagum and Alfalink Total Solutions Corp. as major backers.

Then, he partnered with Aleya Rayzel Labao to reign supreme in the pair event with a total score of 8.020 points, leaving Ezekiel Limpin and Aliyah Baquial also of Gen. Santos City (7.550) and Abella and Kyle Canios of Cagayan de Oro (7.485) settling for the silver and bronze medals, respectively.

To complete his triple crown, Rodriguez connived with Limpin and Benedict Opao for a total score of 7.685 points to capture the gold in team event, while Nica Indino, Abdul Usop and Henry Lu of Maguindanao (7.400); and Earl Visaya, Louise Valle and Hannah Blanagan of Davao del Norte

From A8

9), Magaskawee (Race 10) and Ace Up (Race 11).

The JRA has been a big partner of Philippine horse-racing for years.

Only last year, the Philracom sought the advice of Japanese Racing Association Facilities Co. LTD. Director Kazuhiro Youfu and JRA Facilities Co. LTD. Adviser Sadamichi Imabayashi to help raise the standards of the Philippines’ three premier racetracks – MJCI’s San Lazaro Leisure & Business Park at Lantic, Carmona, Cavite; the Saddle & Clubs Leisure Park (Santa Ana Park) Race Track at Sabang, Naic, Cavite, and the Metro Manila Turf Club.

“The JRA has been an ally of the Philracom for years. It is a partnership that has raised our racing standards as we hope to further strengthen this bond in the years to come,” said Philracom Chairman Andrew A. Sanchez.

LOS ANGELES—Andre Drummond scored a season-high 27 points as the Detroit Pistons rebounded from a crushing defeat with a 129-103 victory over the Denver Nuggets.

The Pistons were coming off a devastating loss to the Los Angeles Clippers on Saturday in which Detroit surrendered a 23-point third-quarter lead.

There was no sign of a late-game letdown on Monday as the Pistons turned a 14-point lead going into the fourth quarter into a 26--point win.

They never trailed in the second half, leading by as many as 29 points.

Drummond’s sparkling effort included 12 rebounds, three assists and three blocked shots.

Stanley Johnson scored 21 points and Blake Griffin added 17.

The Pistons reserves, out-scored 80-17 in the loss to the Clippers, came through with 60 points against the Nuggets, Detroit’s bench players expanding the lead to start both the second and fourth quarters.

They helped make the difference on a night when all five Denver starters scored in double figures, led by Mon-

(7.350) claimed the silver and bronze medals, respectively.

The victory was such an impressive feat for Rodriguez, who has been dreaming someday making it to the Olympics.

“My dream is to compete in the Olympics someday,” said Rodriguez, a Grade 7 student at Holy Trinity College in Gen. Santos City, who made it to the national juniors’ team following an impressive performance in the Mindanao leg last year where he won a pair of mints. “I want to represent the country in major international meets someday that’s why I’m working hard in trainings and actual competitions.”

Rodriguez’s triumph is just half of the story on a very busy day in this conclave that is part of the government’s grassroots sports program for young athletes 15-years old and below.

In archery, South Cotabato bet Grace Signacion and Koronadal City’s Justin Matthew Basadre followed up their golden victories in the yeoman girls’ 20-meter and bowman boys 30-meter events by topping their respective individual Olympic round division.

Signacion edged Koronadal City’s Samantha Isabel Loreno in the yeoman girls’ final round, while Basadre defeated South Cotabato’s Quin Myer Loreno in the bowman boys.

Karl David Mejillano and Geanne Gasendo of South Cotabato shared the podium by triumphing in the yeoman boys and bowman girls’ individual Olympic rounds.

Thais seek to reclaim golf glory REGIONAL powerhouse Thailand sets out to relive its glory years in the Champion Philippine Ladies Amateur Open, pinning its hopes on a troika of young guns eager to showcase its wares when the country’s premier championship is held Feb. 19-21 at the Manila Golf and Country Club.

The Thais racked up three straight PLO titles from 2013, courtesy of Supamas Sangchan (twice) and Pimnipa Panthong but were shut out from the title race the last three editions of the annual event with the local aces re-asserting their might while cashing in on the proverbial homecourt edge to prevail in Tagaytay (Princess Superal), Wack Wack (Bianca Pagdanganan) and Orchard (Yuka Saso).

But Yosita Khawnuna and Natthakritta Vongtaveelap, both 16-year-olds, and Chanettee Wannasaen, who will turn 15 in April, are all geared up to put Thailand back in the spotlight in the 57th staging of the annual event which incidentally is making its return to its home at the well-kept layout inside the posh Forbes Park.

Meanwhile, registration is ongoing with entry fee pegged at P10,000 for local players and $300 for foreign participants. For reservations and details, email kathy_uy@yahoo. com (WGAP chairperson) or secretariat@wgap-golf.com (WGAP president Anna Haurie).

Koreans Park Eun Suk and Lim Mi Jin are also in the fold, both aiming to duplicate compatriot Lee Jeong Hwa’s title feat in 2012 while Japanese Airi Mitsuhashi a regular campaigner on the Ladies Philippine Golf Tour, likewise hopes to contend in the 54-hole championship organized and conducted by the Women’s Golf Association of the Philippines.

Microchipping THE HOARSE WHISPERER JENNY ORTUOSTE MICROCHIPPING is the gold standard for horse identification, particularly for those horses in competition, and foreign equine organizations all over the world are now requiring it in order for horses to entered sanctioned competitions.

According to writer Jen Roytz, this is true for groups like the International Equestrian Federation (FEI—international governing body of equestrian sports), which mandated microchips

for registration of horses way back in 2013; and the US Equestrian Federation and the US Hunter Jumper Association on 31 Dec. 2018.

Roytz said that in 2017 The Jockey Club required the same for US Thoroughbreds, while the Thoroughbred Racing and Protective Bureau announced last December that beginning 2020, T-breds making their first start “will require a digital tattoo as traditional lip tattoos are phased out.”

Lip tattoos are painful and often difficult to carry out, particularly if the horse is fractious. Digital tattoos are issued by The Jockey Club after the horse’s identification is verified through scanning its microchip.

In the Philippines, we do not use lip tattoos. Horse identification is

accomplished by external branding (hero) using the cold branding or freeze branding method on the flanks of the the horse.

A microchipping program was begun by Philracom in the mid00s but was discontinued after the agency’s supplier ran into technical problems. The Commission is studying microchipping again given it is now the global standard for horse ID, and the interesting advances in microchip technology which allow chips to be updated with information such as vaccination records.

I’ve seen both methods done and compared to branding, microchip implantation is quick and painless. With the Philippines being a member of

IFHA (International Federation of Horseracing Authorities), and as such committed to upholding world standards in race conduct, it’s time to bring microchipping back. *** Here’s some interesting news.

ABS-CBN’s ‘Tapatan ni Tunying’ is producing an episode on horseracing.

The team is looking up folks to interview—trainers, jockeys, racecallers, and so on. I don’t know the airing date yet, but do watch out for this.

And one more thing—Happy Lunar New Year! May it be a wonderful one for all of us. *** Speak your mind—and ride a fast horse! FB: Gogirl Racing, Twitter: @ drhoarsewhsprr, @DrJennyO

Sports

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

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WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2019

Son Also Rises is Japan Cup champ THE success of Son Also Rises spilled into the new racing season as it ruled the Philippine Racing Commission’s 2019 Japan Cup Stakes Race at the Manila Turf Club Race Track in Malvar and Tanauan City, Batangas on Sunday.

With Japan Racing Association representatives Hiroyuki Koezuka and Teruhisa Nishiyama watching at the VIP lounge of the the Metro Turf track, Son Also Rises and its star jockey Kelvin Abobo made their move in the final 75 meters to claim the Japan Cup Stakes Race showcasing seven local and imported horses four years old and older The win was worth P300,000, courtesy of the sponsoring Philracom.

It was a fitting follow-up win for the Benhur Abalos Jr.-owned Son Also Rises, which also ruled last December’s Philracom Grand Sprint Championship title, also at the Malvar track.

“Maganda ‘yung ipinakita ng kabayo ko kasi beterano na siya sa laban,” said Abobo of his prized horse, who has given their partnership three stakes race wins already.

“Pero sa mga regular races, mas marami na kaming pinanalunan.”

The star jockey was himself owner of five wins out of five races during the weekend racing at Metro Turf.

Son Also Rises ran third for the most part and eventually made it a two-horse battle with Lakan in the last 400, with the six-year-old horse finally getting the lead in the final 75 and taking the 1,400-meter race by a thrilling half a length.

“Sinunod lang namin ‘yung game plan na sundan ‘yung mga matutulin. Noong hinihila na ako ng kabayo ko, binigay ko na ‘yung gusto niya. Gusto niya na kuhanin ‘yung harapan at gi-nuide ko lang siya. Tinipid ko, hanggang sa maka-buwelo siya para mayroon pa s’yang maibubuga. Noong last 300 meters, tingin ko nanalo na ako,” added Abobo.

Mar Tirona’s Lakan (7YO male) settled for the P112,500 runner-up purse, while Summer Romance (5YO male) placed third, worth P62,500.

Others winners on Sunday were Willing Willie (Race 1), King Curry (Race 2), Tanforan (Race 3), Magical Bell (Race 5), Mighty Bon (Race 6), Can You Giub (Race 7), Lemon Drop Title (Race 8), Hantik (Race Turn to A7

Perpetual’s Almodiel is volley MVP UNIVERSITY of Perpetual Help System Dalta produced another MVP as Joebert Almodiel claimed his second straight plum in the 94th NCAA volleyball tournament.

Almodiel was named MVP for the second straight season after powering the Altas to a nine-game elimination round sweep and a 23-25, 25-19, 2325, 25-23, 15-12 Game 1 victory that pushed them on the cusp of claiming their second title in a row and 12th overall.

Almodiel, who also took the First Best Spiker plum, will thus become the second athlete from UPHSD to win the most coveted individual award this season after Altas Prince Eze ran away with the trophy in senior basketball late last year.

“We are proud of him, he’s really a hard worker,” said UPHSD men’s coach Sammy Acaylar of Almodiel.

Interestingly, Almodiel will be the focal point of UPHSD’s bid to become the third team to win the juniors, men’s and women’s crown this season next to former member Ateneo, which did it once, and San Sebastian College, which accomplished the feat six times.

Arellano University’s Nicole Ebuen emerged as the women’s MVP, while Letran’s Christian Wilsan dela Cruz was adjudged juniors’ MVP.

Son Also Rises beats Lakay by half a length to win the Japan Cup Stakes Race at the Metro Turf.

Beermen trying to regain form

By Jeric Lopez

T

EAMS in the lower echelon get the chance to improve their standings in the continuation of the 2019 Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Cup.

Still struggling to find its championship form, San Miguel Beer (2-3) hopes it can gain some much needed steam against Blackwater (1-3) at 7 p.m. at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City today.

In the preceding tiff, unpredictable Columbian Dyip (2-3) is set to face

Alaska (0-1) at 4:30 p.m.

So far, the Beermen are still trying to regain their championship form as their play have been inconsistent after five outings.

The four-time defending champions are on a tail-end of a two-game losing

streak and are still yet to find the right formula so far.

Newcomer Terrence Romeo has yet to find his niche in San Miguel Beer’s system five games in.

San Miguel Beer will take on an Elite side, which is likewise having its own challenges.

The Beermen bowed to Rain or Shine, 108-98, while Blackwater got manhandled by Phoenix Pulse, 114-95, both last Friday night.

The Dyip and the Aces are likewise yet to fully hit their stride.

Cavaliers, Responders near UNTV duel Games Sunday (Pasig City Sports Center) 3 p.m. – NHA vs AFP 4:30 p.m. – Senate vs PNP

ARMED Forces of the Philippines and Philippine National Police inched closer to another title showdown by beating their respective semis rivals in the 7th UNTV Cup held over the weekend at the Pasig City Sports Center.

The top-seeded AFP Cavaliers leaned on the heroics of the cat-quick Jerry Lumongsod to eke out a 78-76 win over the National Housing Authority Builders in the opener of their bestof-three semis.

Ollan Oliver Omiping and Jerry Boy Saracho, on the other hand, provided the much-needed offensive punch in the payoff period to help the second-ranked PNP Responders beat the defending champions Senate Defenders, 79-74, in their own semis series.

Both AFP and PNP can forge another exciting finals’ encounter in the event organized by UNTV president and CEO Dr. Daniel Razon for public servants with wins on Sunday.

The chosen charity of the champion team, according to Razon, will receive a tax-free P4 million prize while the runner-up’s own foundation gets P2 million.

Ollan Omiping tries to shoot against a Senate defender at the start of their semis series in the UNTV Cup last Sunday at the Pasig City Sports Center. Omiping scored 27 points as PNP beat Senate, 79-74.

A former player of the University of the East, Omiping led PNP’s decisive run that saw them outscore the Defenders, 28-15, to overcome a 59-51 deficit in the third as they extended their winning run to seven games dating back to the first stage of the elims.

Omiping finished with 27 points, including 11 in the fourth quarter, aside

from posting seven boards and an assist, while Saracho chipped in eight points— all in the final quarter.

Lumongsod made two quick steals in the last 14 seconds with his first off Waldemar Tibay bringing him to the free throw area to shatter a 76-all count with a split. He also halved his free throws off Alvin Vitug after another heist.

PH shoots for 4 basketball golds in SEAG THE Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas is eyeing a sweep of all the four basketball golds at stake in the coming 30th Southeast Asian Games.

SBP Executive Director Sonny Barrios said that has been the directive of the country’s top basketball officials to win both golds in the men’s and women’s categories composed of five-on-five and 3-on-3 competitions, respectively.

“That’s the mandate,” Barrios disclosed during the very first Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum for 2019 on Tuesday at the Tapa King Restaurant in Farmers Plaza Cubao.

The challenge right now is for the women’s team to deliver since the Filipina cagebelles have yet to win a break- Barrios through gold in the biennial meet unlike their men’s counterpart, which had won all the golds except for two since the country first joined the biennial meet in 1977.

Multi-titled coach Patrick Aquino will continue to call the shots for the women’s squad.

“That’s why nai-stress na si coach Pat kasi alam ninyo naman mas mabigat ‘yung challenge sa kanya. ‘Yung sa men’s, sabi nga nila kapag nanalo ng less than 50, galit pa tayo sa coach,” said Barrios in the session presented by San Miguel Corp., Tapa King, and the Philippine Amuse-

ment and Gaming Corporation.

“Kasi masyadong mataas na ‘yung standard natin sa Southeast Asia. But sa women’s hindi pa tayo nag-go-gold. We missed it a few years back,” added the former PBA commissioner. “Now that were playing here, coach Pat is really preparing (the team).”

In contrast, the men’s team is still unaccounted for although Philippine Olympic Committee president Ricky Vargas earlier expressed his desire to see an all-PBA players reinforced the squad.

Vargas also happens to be the current Chairman of the PBA Board.

“Ngayon pinag-uusapan ng PBA at SBP is to provide the best,” said Barrios, stressing that the country can’t leave nothing to chance especially as SEA Games host.

“Kapag nag-host ka, there is nothing as overkill. Gusto natin to win, and not just win but win big,” he added.

“Pero lahat ‘yun pinag-aaralan, don’t quote me as if it is cast in stone.”

The SBP executive bared during the discussion that a lot of basketball events were also considered to be included in the SEA Games calendar aside from the 5x5 and 3x3.

“We did. Ang daming pinag-usapan na basketball events.

But at the end of the day, the SEA Games Federation Council just settled for the four events,” said Barrios.

Games Today (Mall of Asia) 4:30 p.m. Columbian Dyip vs Alaska 7:00 p.m. San Miguel Beer vs Blackwater

While Columbian Dyip already had two wins, staying consistent is also its issue as well as it got routed by Barangay Ginebra, 97-85, last Saturday ni Pangasinan.

The Aces, who are playing without key cogs Vic Manuel and Jayvee Casio, had rough debut after they got dismantled by Rain or Shine, 85-72, last Sunday.

Bicycology tries to recover after losing skipper ARMY-BICYCOLOGY will try to recover from losing skipper Cris Joven to injury as it competes in the LBC Ronda Pilipinas 2019 set to start on Friday in Iloilo City.

The 31-year-old Joven injured his left elbow during training in Cavite two weeks back, leaving the Armymen minus their leader and top rider as they compete against some of the best riders not just in the country but in Asia and the world as well.

Warren Bordeos will fill the spot left by Joven, while Southeast Asian Games gold medalist Alfie Catalan takes over as captain for a team composed of Reynaldo Navarro, Marvin Tapic, Mark Julius Bordeos and Robinson Estevez.

“Cris Joven will be a big spot to fill because he’s our best rider and leader of this team,” said Army-Bicycology manager Eric Buhain, who has sponsored the Armymen for the second straight year.

“But we will do our best to be as competitive without him because we will not only represent Army but the country as well.”

Army-Bicycology will have its hands full against not just local competition from Navy-Standard Insurance, Tarlac, Team Franzia, Bike Xtreme and 7-Eleven Cliqq-Air21 by Roadbike PH, but a strong foreign challenge as well from Terengganu, Matrix, Nex Cycling Team, Korail Team Korea, Custom Cycling Indonesia, Cambodia Cycling, PGN Road Cycling and Sri Lanka Navy Cycling Team.

For the first time after eight editions of this annual race considered as the biggest in the country, Ronda will be sanctioned by the UCI or the world governing cycling body and will stake qualifying points to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

The event is presented by LBC, powered by MVP Sports Foundation and supported by Versa 2-Way Radio, Juan Movement Partylist, Joel P Longares Foundation, Standard Insurance, Bike Xtreme, Green Planet, Prolite, Celeste Cycles, Maynilad, 3Q Sports, Boy Kanin, Mega World, Festive Walk, Seda Atria and LBC Foundation and in partnership with the Department of Tourism, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Iloilo City and the Province of Guimaras.

Business

IN BRIEF ABS-CBN, GMA claim higher ratings

ABS-CBN Corp. and GMA Network Inc. declared higher television ratings nationwide in January 2019.

ABS-CBN, the broadcast unit of the Lopez group, said it posted an average audience share of 45 percent in January, compared to GMA’s 30 percent based on data from Kantar Media.

Global audience measurement provider Kantar Media uses a nationwide panel size of 2,610 urban and rural homes that represent 100% of the total Philippine TV viewing population.

ABS-CBN said it had an average audience share of 44 percent in Metro Manila versus GMA’s 23 percent.

GMA, on the other hand, said it remained the viewers’ top choice according to the latest data from ratings service provider Nielsen TV Audience Measurement.

It said it posted an average total day people audience share of 37.8 percent in the National Urban Television Audience Measurement, beating ABS-CBN’s 35.9 percent in January.

GMA said it registered 34.8 percent people audience share in the morning block, against the competition’s 30.9 percent. Darwin G. Amojelar

Bigger tax worsens illicit cigarette trade

SIGNIFICANT increases in tobacco excise tax will exacerbate illicit cigarette trade, the Philippine Tobacco Institute told senators Monday.

PTI representative Carmen Herce, in a hearing of the Senate committee on ways and means chaired by Senator Sonny Angara, cited the recent report by the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines that cigarettes accounted for the bulk of the pirated and counterfeit goods seized in 2018 with a total value of P20.250 billion.

IPOPHL said in a statement the interagency National Committee on Intellectual Property Rights, where it serves as vice chair, seized a total of P23.6 billion worth of fake goods in 2018, higher than the 2017 level of P8.2 billion.

Herce said high tax increases had not only caused the tobacco industry to contract but also enabled illicit trade of tobacco products to flourish.

She said legal cigarette volume went down by 43 percent from 127 billion in 2012 to 73 billion in 2017, driven by the 1,187-percent excise tax increase from 2012 to 2017. Julito G. Rada

January inflation slipped to 10-month low of 4.4%

By Julito G. Rada

I

NFLATION rate eased to a 10-month low of 4.4 percent in January from 5.1 percent in December, on slower increases in the prices of non-alcoholic beverages and food products, the Philippine Statistics Authority said Tuesday.

“This gives us an auspicious start in our efforts this year to keep inflation manageable and bring it back to the government’s target range of 2 to 4 percent for 2019,” the government’s economic team said in a statement Tuesday.

The January inflation was the slowest since it settled at 4.3 percent in March 2018, but was still faster than 3.4 percent registered in January 2018. Inflation peaked at a nine-year high of 6.7 percent in October 2018, before easing to 6 percent in November and 5.1 percent in December as the immediate measures implemented by the government took effect.

“The Philippine’s annual headline inflation at the beginning of 2019 continued to move at a slower pace of 4.4 percent...This was primarily due to

the slowdown in the annual increment of the index for the heavily weighted food and non-alcoholic beverages at 5.6 percent, from 6.7 percent in December 2018,” the PSA said.

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas said the latest inflation outturn was in line with the target and was expected to decelerate further in 2019 to 2020.

“Domestic supply-side pressures are seen to further ease, while the impact of BSP monetary policy adjustments in 2018 is expected to continue to work their way through the economy. Meanwhile, volatility in the global oil market will likely continue to influence the outlook for inflation,” the BSP said in a statement.

“Against this backdrop, the BSP continues to keep a close watch over price

developments in the country and shall consider all relevant information at its next monetary policy meeting on Feb. 7, 2019 to ensure that the monetary policy stance remains consistent with the BSP’s primary mandate of price stability,” it said.

The economic team said they expected inflation to further ease in the near term and settle at 3.2 percent and 3.0 percent in 2019 and 2020, respectively, as seen by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas.

“With the expected enactment into law of the Rice Tariffication bill soon, the government is preparing for a quick and smooth transition to the new import tariff regime, along with the operationalization of the National Single Window to facilitate seamless trade transactions,” they said.

The PSA said contributing to the downtrend of the headline inflation were the lower annual increases in the indices of alcoholic beverages and tobacco, at 16.1 percent; clothing and footwear, 2.5 percent; housing, water, electricity, gas, and other fuels, 4 percent; health, 4.3 percent; and transport, 2.5 percent. AFP

Enough power supply assured for May polls

THE Department of Energy said it started preparations to ensure continuous and adequate energy supply in the mid-term elections on May 13.

The department’s Energy Task Force Election held its first preparatory meeting on Feb. 4 to discuss preparations for the elections.

“Uninterrupted energy supply is pivotal to the integrity of the electoral process.

The entire energy family, in cooperation with all ETFE members, will be working 24/7 to help ensure a peaceful, orderly, honest and credible election,” Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi said.

Undersecretary and task force chairperson Alexander Lopez led the discussions on coordination strategies as well as security and contingency planning to guarantee energy services before, during and after the election period.

Cusi assured the public that timely updates on generation, transmission and distribution systems would be provided regularly. Alena Mae S. Flores

INTERNSHIP PROGRAM. Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. signs a memorandum of understanding with the Embassy 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.

Ray S. Eñano, Editor Roderick T. dela Cruz, Assistant Editor business@manilastandard.net extrastory2000@gmail.com WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2019

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MetroPac plans to revise offer on MRT-3 operations and maintenance

By Darwin G. Amojelar METRO Pacific Investments Corp. said it plans to revise its proposal to operate and maintain Metro Rail Transit Line 3 after the government tapped a Japanese company to undertake the rehabilitation of the rail system.

“Our proposal is live, but we understand they have gone ahead to contract the rehabilitation with the Japanese firm, so we would probably reconfigure our proposal as O&M, but we have not received any official word from them on how they would want to do it,” MPIC president and chief executive Jose Maria Lim said.

“We are not doing anything to speed up the process. We are just waiting for them to decide,” he said.

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

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

The government, however, tapped Sumitomo Corp. to rehabilitate MRT 3 under the P18-billion loan agreement between the Philippines and Japan.

Under the deal, Sumitomo will be in charge of rehabilitation and maintenance of the system’s electromechanical components, power supply, rail tracks and depot equipment until 2022.

It will also overhaul the system’s 72 18-year-old light rail vehicles.

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

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

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

MRT 3, which runs along Edsa from North Avenue in Quezon City to Taft Avenue in Pasay City, serves more than 500,000 passengers a day, beyond its rated capacity of 350,000.

The line has a fleet of 73 Czechmade air-conditioned rail cars.

Manufacturing ADB and IFC invest $95m in green bonds issued by Ayala’s energy unit tumbled 10% in December

By Alena Mae S. Flores

FACTORY output tumbled 10.1 percent in December from a year ago, ending an 11-month growth streak, as demand slowed after the holiday season, the National Economic and Development Authority said Tuesday.

Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority showed the volume of production index declined 10.1 percent year-on-year in December 2018, following a sluggish 1.6-percent increase in November. It was also weaker than the 6.1-percent contraction reported in December 2017.

This brought the 2018 full-year growth of manufacturing to 7.2 percent in terms of volume and 8 percent in terms of value, the PSA said.

“We have expected this decline because the holiday season is over. These figures could also indicate a likely tepid growth consistent with the latest Business and Consumer Expectations Survey of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas,” Economic Planning Secretary and National Economic and Development Authority director-general Ernesto Pernia said.

Across product categories, lower output of major manufacturing items such as food, chemical products, tobacco, basic and fabricated metals and machinery (except electrical), dragged down total manufacturing output.

Neda said the decline in rice prices, downward adjustment of electricity rates and the slight appreciation of the peso could help improve consumer outlook and prop-up demand.

“Moreover, election-related spending is projected to benefit manufacturing subsectors such as food, beverage, tobacco and printing and paper products,” Pernia said. Julito G. Rada

INTERNATIONAL Finance Corp. and the Asian Development Bank invested $95 million in AC Energy Inc.’s green bonds.

AC Energy, Ayala Corp.’s energy platform, said the bonds were issued through AC Energy’s wholly-owned subsidiary, AC Energy Finance International Ltd., and guaranteed by AC Energy.

IFC provided an anchor investment of $75 million to complete the public placement of AC Energy’s five-year green bonds. AC Energy raised a total of $300 million from Philippine and international investors.

The additional $75 million of fiveyear bonds with a coupon of 4.75 per-

cent will be listed on the Singapore Stock Exchange. The initial $225-million issuance was listed on January 30.

AC Energy also completed a $110-million private placement of tenyear bonds with a coupon of 5.25 percent with ADB as one of the main investors with an investment of $20 million.

The ten-year bonds will also be listed on SGX-ST. “We are proud to support AC Energy, a key member of our longterm strategic client Ayala Corp., in greening its power generation portfolio by helping fund its aggressive growth in renewable energy. We are delighted that our partnership, leveraging IFC’s extensive global experience in green bonds, successfully mobilized substantial international

investment in the public placement of the company’s 5-year bond,” IFC director for East Asia and the Pacific Vivek Pathak said.

“This demonstrates the excellent potential of the green bond asset class as a tool for mobilizing international institutional capital into infrastructure assets, and we look forward to expanding our support of such issuances across Asia, advancing the integration of regional power and financial markets,” Pathak said.

IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, is a pioneer in green bonds since 2005 and has invested $22.2 billion in long-term financing of climate-related projects and mobilized another $15.7 billion from third-party investors.

AC Energy will use the proceeds from

the recent bond issuances to expand its renewable projects around the region including the Philippines, Indonesia and Vietnam.

Both the 5-year and 10-year bonds totaling $410 million are the first climate bond certified, publicly listed US dollar green bond in Southeast Asia.

The certification provides assurance that the proceeds will be used to finance projects and assets that are consistent with delivering a low-carbon and climate resilient economy.

“This green bond will contribute to Asean’s target of drawing 23 percent of its energy mix from modern, clean and sustainable renewable sources by 2025,” said Michael Barrow, directorgeneral of ADB’s private sector operations department.

PH Resorts to sell P18-b shares in March

By Jenniffer B. Austria PH RESORTS Group Holdings Inc., the listed gaming unit of Udenna Corp., plans to sell P18.48 billion worth of shares in March or April, a top executive said Tuesday.

Udenna vice president for finance Ignacia Braga IV said the company was hoping to proceed with the planned share sale in March or April, once the company received approval from the Philippine Stock Exchange.

The PSE will hold a board meeting on Feb. 13 where the application for the planned share sale of PH Resorts could be taken up.

PH Resorts obtained the green light from the Securities and Exchange Commission in January to raise roughly P18.48 billion from the sale of up to 1.78 billion common shares, with an oversubscription option for another 267.94 million shares at P9 apiece.

The company led by businessman

Dennis Uy tapped CLSA Ltd. and UBS as the international underwriters and China Banking Corp. as the domestic lead underwriter for the offering.

PH Resorts will have a public float of 30 percent, once it successfully sold the shares and exercised the over-allotment option.

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

Net proceeds from the share sale will be used to finance the construction of two casino complexes―The Emerald and Clark Resort.

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

INDONESIAN INVESTORS. PT Pertamina, the largest state-owned enterprise in terms of generating revenue and second-largest crude oil producer in Indonesia, meets with representatives of the Philippine Board of Investments at the BOI Penthouse in Makati City to discuss possible business opportunities for an integrated energy company in the Philippines. In the meeting are (from left) PT Pertamina (Persero) assistant director Deny Sukendar, senior vice president for gas and LNG management Tanudji Darmasakti, director of corporate marketing Basuki Trikora Putra, LNG Global Ventures manager Imam Mul Akhyar, BOI-IIPS officer-in-charge Lanie Dormiendo and Helen Casco of the BOI Investment Assistance Service.

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Business

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2019 extrastory2000@gmail.com

USA Today owner rejects takeover bid of rival paper

CONTENTIOUS DEAL.

Conservative MP’s Theresa Villiers (from left), Nicky Morgan, Damian Green, Iain Duncan Smith and Owen Paterson leave the Cabinet Office on Whitehall in central London on February 4, 2019.

Britain’s Prime Minister Theresa May is now seeking to renegotiate her EU withdrawal deal, particularly its contentious “backstop” provision to keep the Irish border free-flowing, in a bid to secure parliament’s support. In London, May has invited hardline euro skeptics and Remain supporters within her Conservative Party to come up with possible alternatives to the backstop. AFP

EU to win big in US-China trade tiff

By Nina Larson

G

ENEVA, Switzerland―Neither protagonist in the US-China trade war stands to benefit from their stand-off, the UN said Monday, suggesting others could cash in instead, with the EU possibly winning big.

In a report, the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) examined the repercussions of the tariff tit-for-tat already under way between the two trade giants, as well as the expected impact of a significant tariff hike scheduled to take effect on March 1.

The report, titled “The Trade Wars: The Pain and the Gain,” said that “bilateral tariffs alter global competitiveness to the advantage of firms operating in countries not directly affected by them.”

It predicted that the European Union would be the biggest winner, taking

home some $70 billion in additional trade thanks to the trade war.

Last year, Washington and Beijing imposed tariffs on more than $360 billion in two-way trade, after Trump initiated the trade war because of complaints over unfair trade practices.

The two countries hailed “progress” in talks held in Washington last week aimed at avoiding an escalation of the conflict.

But if no deal is reached by March 1, US duty rates on $200 billion in Chinese goods are due to rise to 25 percent from

10 percent.

“Our analysis shows that while bilateral tariffs are not very effective in protecting domestic firms, they are very valid instruments to limit trade from the targeted country,” Pamela Coke-Hamilton, head of UNCTAD’s international trade division, said in a statement.

“The effect of US-China tariffs would be mainly distortionary. US-China bilateral trade will decline and replaced by trade originating in other countries,” she said.

The study estimated that out of the $250 billion in Chinese exports subject to US tariffs, some 80 percent would be captured by firms in other countries, while 12 percent would be retained

by Chinese firms and only six percent would be captured by US firms.

A similar scenario would apply to the $85 billion in US exports hit by Chinese tariffs, the report said, estimating that 85

percent would go to companies in other countries, 10 percent would remain in the US and only about five percent would go to Chinese firms.

“Countries that are expected to benefit the most from US-China tensions are those which are more competitive and have the economic capacity to replace US and Chinese firms,” UNCTAD said.

The report indicated that the EU stood to benefit the most, with companies in the bloc likely to capture around $50 billion of Chinese exports to the US and about $20 billion of US exports to China.

Japan, Mexico and Canada would meanwhile each capture more than $20 billion in additional trade thanks to the tariff war, the study found.

Australia, Brazil, India, Philippines, Pakistan and would also notice “substantial effects relative to the size of their exports,” it said. AFP

WASHINGTON―USA Today publisher Gannett said Monday its board unanimously rejected a $1.4-billion takeover offer from rival Digital First Media that would merge two of the largest US newspaper groups.

A statement said the offer last month from hedge fund-backed Digital First “undervalues Gannett and is not in the best interests of Gannett and its shareholders.”

Gannett also maintained that it does not believe the offer is “credible,” doubting the ability of the rival newspaper group to finance the deal and win regulatory approval.

Virginia-based Gannett, which also owns several large regional US dailies, said it was confident of its strategy to remain independent.

“Our board of directors is confident that Gannett has significant value creation potential,” said Jeffry Louis, chairman of the Gannett board.

“We know there are challenges that face us and our industry. We firmly believe, however, that given our operational expertise, our focus on evolving our business model, and our unwavering commitment to remaining a trusted source of news, we are uniquely positioned to grow this company and its valuable assets.”

Digital First, which is controlled by the New York hedge fund Alden Global Capital, has a reputation for buying struggling newspapers and then slashing costs.

It operates dozens of newspapers including the Denver Post in Colorado and San Jose Mercury News in California.

At the Denver Post, Digital First has been locked in confrontation with staff, who claim editorial interference and oppose deep job cuts. AFP

Australia central bank cuts growth outlook, holds rates SYDNEY―Australia’s central bank cut its economic growth forecasts and kept interest rates at a record low Tuesday, as house prices in major cities slumped and consumer spending weakened.

“Some downside risks have increased,” governor Philip Lowe said after the Reserve Bank of Australia’s first board meeting of the year.

The central bank predicted the economy would expand 3.0 percent in 2019, much slower than its previous forecast of 3.5 percent. Borrowing costs were held at 1.50 percent, where they have been since August 2016.

“The main domestic uncertainty remains around the outlook for household spending and the effect of falling housing prices in some cities,” said Lowe.

House prices, particularly in Sydney and Melbourne, continued to fall in January and the pace had sped up over the past three months, leading property data provider CoreLogic said last week.

Other economic indicators have also taken a negative turn, with new retail sales figures on Tuesday falling 0.4 per-

cent in December, below market expectations.

Lowe said inflation―at 1.8 percent in December and below the bank’s target range of 2.0-3.0 percent―would pick up gradually but would “take a little longer than earlier expected”.

Analysts said the gloomier outlook, which comes as the US Federal Reserve, Bank of Canada and European Central Bank stepped back from their hawkish monetary policy stances, made rate hikes less likely.

The Reserve Bank has said a rate increase rather than a cut was more likely in the coming few months or year on the back of a strong labor market, lifting business investment and higher levels of government infrastructure spending.

However, Ben Udy, Australia and New Zealand economist at Capital Economics, said in a note: “Although the RBA took a more dovish tone when it left rates on hold today we think it will need to consider cutting rates before long as the economic outlook deteriorates.” AFP

In this file photo taken on October 31, 2016, a Germania Airline flight carrying 141 German tourists arrives at the international airport of Egypt’s Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh. Berlin-based airline Germania has filed for bankruptcy and cancelled all flights with immediate effect, the company said early on February 5, 2019. AFP

WB leadership search likely to end with US bet Berlin’s Germania airline files for bankruptcy, drops all flights WASHINGTON―The search for a new leader for one of the most highprofile global organizations begins Thursday and seems likely to end again with selection of the US candidate.

The Washington-based World Bank has been led by an American ever since it was founded in the aftermath of World War II, while its sister institution, the International Monetary Fund, has always been led by a European.

Growing emerging market countries have challenged this unwritten arrangement in recent years, demanding a more open, merit-based selection process, and a greater voice in the institutions themselves.

But it is unlikely they can build sufficient opposition to the candidate put forward by US President Donald Trump, nor is Trump likely to cede a prominent position on the global stage.

That is unless Trump’s nominee is so objectionable or unqualified as to unify the emerging markets as well as Europe, officials familiar with the process say.

However, if Europe were to oppose the US selection, it would tacitly be

giving up the leadership of the far-more prominent IMF once Christine Lagarde departs.

“I think the developing countries banding together, organizing themselves, is hard to imagine,” Simon Johnson, a former IMF chief economist, told AFP. “Maybe six or eight years ago they seemed like they were becoming more cohesive as a bloc. I don’t think they’re particularly cohesive now.”

The surprise early departure of World Bank President Jim Yong Kim, effective February 1, not even halfway through his second five-year term, potentially hands Trump a key lever over development lenders.

After reshaping the US presidency, traditional alliances, trade relations and the US Supreme Court, Trump now could have a chance to influence how countries like China access concessional lending.

The bank’s board will accept nominations from February 7 through March 14, and plans to name a new president prior the IMF and World Bank Spring meetings, set for April 12-14 in Washington. Any of the 189 members can propose a candidate.

As the biggest shareholder, the United States has sway over the selection of the new World Bank president but it does not have a veto and needs the backing of European nations.

Having uprooted alliances in his two years in office, and strongly criticized the lending policies of the IMF and World Bank, Trump may find it difficult simply to submit a nominee for acclamation.

Mark Sobel, who had a long career with the US Treasury Department and oversaw relations with the IMF, said it was “time for a change” in World Bank leadership.

But he agrees with Johnson that emerging market nations are less unified now than they were during the global crisis that started in and mostly affected advanced economies.

“I think that is going to depend who the Americans run and whether it’s a person seen as hostile to the institution or it’s someone seen as having a credible resume and will be supportive of the bank,” Sobel told AFP. “I also think that ultimately institutions are better served by having a credible person running them regardless of their nationality.” AFP

BERLIN―Berlin-based airline Germania has filed for bankruptcy and cancelled all flights with immediate effect, the company said early Tuesday.

The airline with 37 aircraft had flown mainly Mediterranean, North African and Middle Eastern holiday routes for German sun-seekers on package trips, and said it transported over four million passengers a year.

“Unfortunately, we ultimately failed to successfully complete our financing efforts to meet short-term liquidity needs,” said managing director Karsten Balke in a statement.

“We very much regret that, as a consequence, we had no choice but to file for bankruptcy.”

The company blamed “unforeseen developments” for its cash shortage such as “steep kerosene price increases over the summer of last year with a simultaneous fall of the euro against the US dollar” as well as a high number of technical services required by its fleet of aircraft.

Balke said that “we especially regret the impact that this step has on our employees,” who had done their best to en-

sure reliable and stable flight operations.

“I thank you all personally and with all my heart. I apologize to passengers who can not take their Germania flight as planned,” said Balke.

The ailing company, which had reported financial woes on January, said it had filed for bankruptcy with a Berlin court late Monday and that all flights were halted overnight.

Affected passengers who booked as part of a package holiday were told to contact their tour operator for replacement flights.

“Regrettably, for passengers who purchased their ticket directly from Germania, there is no entitlement to replacement transport due to the current legal situation,” the airline said.

The company’s subsidiaries Swiss Germania Flug AG and Bulgarian Eagle were not affected, the statement said.

The small carrier’s bankruptcy comes after Air Berlin, formerly Germany’s second-largest airline, went bust in 2017 after shareholder Etihad Airways withdrew funding following years of losses.

AFP

World

B3

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2019 CESAR BARRIOQUINTO, Editor mst.daydesk@gmail.com

IN BRIEF

Jury weighs fate of El Chapo

Women’s brains ‘years younger’ WASHINGTON―Women tend to outlive men and stay mentally sharp longer, and a new study out Monday could explain why: female brains appear on average about three years younger.

The study enrolled 121 women and 84 men, who underwent PET scans to measure brain metabolism, or the flow of oxygen and glucose in their brains.

Like other organs in the body, the brain uses sugar as fuel. But just how it metabolizes glucose can reveal a lot about the brain’s metabolic age.

Subjects ranged from their 20s to 80s, and across those age spans, women’s brains appeared metabolically younger than men’s, said the findings in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, a peer-reviewed US journal.

A machine-learned algorithm showed that women’s brains were on average about 3.8 years younger than their chronological ages.

And when compared to men, male brains were about were 2.4 years older than their true ages.

“It’s not that men’s brains age faster,” said senior author Manu Goyal, assistant professor of radiology at Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis. AFP

NEW YORK―A New York jury began deliberating the fate of Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman Monday after a three month drug trial that laid bare the loves, schemes and escapes of Mexico’s most famous drug lord.

The 12 jurors met behind closed doors to consider the mountain of evidence presented by the prosecution and decide Guzman’s guilt or innocence.

Accused of smuggling tons of cocaine, heroin, methamphetamines and marijuana into the United States over a 25 year period, Guzman faces possible life in prison if found guilty of the 10 felony charges against him.

Besides drug trafficking, they include money-laundering and illegal weapons possession charges.

Journalists, huddled in sleeping bags against the cold, camped overnight outside the Brooklyn federal court to assure a seat in Judge Brian Cogan’s courtroom.

The trial has unfolded like a real-life telenovela with Guzman’s former beauty queen wife in the audience and a parade of her husband’s lovers and henchmen taking the witness stand as the onetime head of the Sinaloa cartel looked on.

Before instructing the jury, Cogan asked whether any of them had read or heard about an “offensive or suspect article” related to the trial. AFP

NEW YEAR. A woman walks past an installation depicting 2019 outside the entrance to Kropotkinskaya metro station in Moscow. AFP

Chinese worldwide toast Year of the Pig

H

ONG KONG―Chinese communities around the world welcomed the Year of the Pig on Tuesday, ushering in the Lunar New Year with prayers, family feasts and shopping sprees.

In mainland China over the past week, hundreds of millions of people have crammed into trains, buses, cars and planes to reach family and friends in the world’s largest annual migration, emptying the country’s mega cities of much of the migrant workforce.

Celebrations will take place across the globe, from Southeast Asia’s centuries-old Chinese communities to the more recently established Chinatowns of Sydney, London, Vancouver, Los Angeles and beyond.

The most important holiday of the Chinese calendar marks the New Year with a fortnight of festivities as reunited families wrap dumplings together and exchange gifts and red envelopes stuffed with money.

Pigs symbolize good fortune and wealth in Chinese culture and this year’s holiday brings a proliferation of porcine merchandise, greetings and decorations.

During the Spring Festival season—a 40-day period known as “Chunyun”—China’s masses will be on the move, chalking up some three billion journeys, Chinese state media reported.

Streets and busy thoroughfares were uncharacteristically empty in Beijing on Monday, with many shops and restaurants closed until next week.

A growing number of Chinese are also choosing to travel abroad, booking family trips to Thailand, Japan, and other top destinations.

An estimated seven million Chinese tourists will head overseas over the Spring Festival this year, according to the official news agency Xinhua, citing numbers from Chinese travel agency Ctrip.

Europe’s backing boosts Guaido CARACAS―The international clamor for snap elections in Venezuela intensified Monday as European powers recognized opposition chief Juan Guaido as interim leader, after President Nicolas Maduro rejected an ultimatum to call early voting.

Britain, France and Spain were among 16 EU nations to side with Guaido, following in the footsteps of key regional powers and the United States, which has refused to rule out a military intervention in the crisis-wracked country.

But key Maduro ally Russia slammed what it called interference in the oil-rich but now poor Latin American country, saying it was an attempt to “legitimize usurped power.”

Guaido thanked each EU country in turn on Twitter “for supporting all Venezuelans in this struggle we undertake to rescue our nation’s democracy, freedom and justice.”

Claiming his legitimacy from the constitution, the 35-year-old National Assembly leader stunned the world when he proclaimed himself interim president on January 23, setting up a tense standoff with Maduro -- with both men heading rival massive street rallies in Caracas on Saturday.

Guaido is trying to force from power the socialist leader—labeled a dictator by the West and his Latin American neighbors after presiding over Venezuela’s economic collapse —aiming to set up a transitional government and hold new presidential elections. AFP

Researchers have also traced the origins of the zodiac animal.

Chinese archeologists found that China was one of the earliest places in the world to domesticate pigs about 9,000 years ago—around the time when ancient Turkey began similar domestication practices—based on research on pig bones excavated at Jiahu in Henan province, Xinhua reported.

In Hong Kong, flower markets were filled with residents picking out orchids, mandarins and peach blossoms to decorate their homes—with stalls also boasting a dizzying array of pig-themed pillows, tote bags and stuffed toys.

Thousands of incense-carrying petitioners, some dressed in pig costumes, crammed into the city’s famous Wong Tai Sin temple overnight, a popular location to mark the first prayers of the New Year.

In Shanghai on the mainland crowds packed into the Longhua temple to pray for good fortune.

In Malaysia—where 60 percent of the population is Muslim, and a quarter ethnic Chinese—some shopping centres chose not to display pig decorations, while some shops kept them inside.

But shoppers and traders said that was usual in a country where the Muslim majority are sensitive about an animal considered unclean in Islam, and overall there had been little controversy this year.

Next door in Indonesia, the world’s largest Muslimmajority country which also has a sizable ethnic Chinese population, the Lunar New Year is a public holiday.

Events such as traditional lion dances are held in decorated public spaces while supermarkets stock up on mooncakes and tangerines.

In Japan, the capital’s famous Tokyo Tower was due to turn red in celebration of the New Year—a first for the city.

It is also the most important holiday in Vietnam, where it is celebrated as Tet. Parades and lion dances in Western cities such as New York and London were expected to draw large crowds.

Beijing-friendly figures such as Pakistani President Arif Alvi and Cambodia’s Prime Minister Hun Sen extended new year greetings to China. AFP ORIE NTA L MINDORO E LEC TRIC COOPE R ATIV E , INC. (O R M E C O) Simaron, Calapan Cit y

INVITATION TO BID

LOT - I

Supply of Labor and Materials for Sitio Electrification Project 2019 (67 Sitios of Congressional District 1 and 2) Approved Budget Cost: Php46,719,205.42 (VAT-Inclusive) Source of Funding: NEA SEP 2017 - First Batch Delivery Schedule: To be announced during the pre-bid proper.

AWARDING: PER LOT

LOT - II

Supply of Housewiring Materials for Sitio Electrification Project 2019 (67 Sitios of Congressional District 1 and 2) Approved Budget Cost: Php7,643,934.00 (VAT-Inclusive) Source of Funding: NEA SEP 2017 - First Batch Delivery Schedule: To be announced during the pre-bid proper.

AWARDING: PER LOT

GENERAL GUIDELINES

2

3

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON NATURALIZATION

14. My character witnesses are GABRIELLE CHEN RATILLA and KYLA NICOLE CHAM SY both Filipino citizens, of legal age, and residing at 69 KITANLAD ST., BRGY. DONA JOSEFA QC and 31 DON MANUEL ST., LA LOMA, QC respectively, who have executed sworn statements attached hereto in support of my instant petition, together with: (a) brief biographical data about themselves; (b) detailed statements on the dates they first came to know me, the circumstances of our initial acquaintance and the reasons and extent of our continuing familiarity; and (c) the number of times they have acted as character witnesses in other petitions for naturalization.

IN THE MATTER OF THE PETITION OF ANNALYN HUI SHI to be naturalized as Filipino citizen pursuant to Republic Act No. 9139.

SCN CASE NO. x------------------ x

PETITION Pursuant to the provisions of Republic Act No. 9139, petitioner hereby submits a petition for naturalization to become a citizen of the Republic of the Philippines and respectfully declares: 1. My full name is ANNALYN HUI SHI, but I have also been known since childhood as ANNALYN or I have been judicially N/A . authorized to use the alias name(s) 2. My present place of residence is 88 MARCOS HIGHWAY, BRGY. MAYAMOT City/Municipality of ANTIPOLO Province of RIZAL and all my former places of residence are (please indicate periods of residence) 2000-2018 731 ELCANO ST., BINONDO, MANILA 2018-Present 88 MARCOS HIGHWAY, BRGY. MAYAMOT, ANTIPOLO CITT 3. I was born on MARCH 10, 2000, in MANILA, Philippines. I have been a resident of the Philippines since birth. At present, I am a citizen or subject of CHINA. 4. My father's name is SHI, JIN LANG and he was born on NOVEMBER 26, 1959, in CHINA. He is a citizen or subject of CHINA. My mother's name is HUI, SAU YEE and she was born on JUNE 17, 1960 in HONG KONG. She is a citizen or subject of PHILIPPINES. 5. My trade, business, profession or lawful occupation is N/A and from which I derive an average annual income of N/A , inclusive of bonuses, commissions and allowances.

My wife's/husband's trade, business, profession or lawful occupation is N/A and from which she derives an average annual income of P N/A .

(Where the above does not apply): I am exempt from the requirement of lucrative trade or occupation and from submitting income tax returns for the past three (3) years because I am a college degree holder [please state (1) degree obtained:N/A (2) name of school: N/A and (3) years graduated: N/A who cannot practice my profession (the practice of which requires a government licensure examination) by reason of my citizenship.

6. My civil status is SINGLE, I was married on N/A in N/A. My wife's/husband's name is N/A and she/he was born on in N/A. She/he is a citizen or subject of N/A and presently resides N/A 7. I am legally separated from my spouse; my marriage was annulled, per decree of legal separation/annulment dated N/A granted by N/A. (please indicate the particular court which granted the same). I am a widower/widow and my spouse died on N/A in N/A. 8. I have N/A child/children, whose names, dates and places of birth and residences are as follows:

Name

Date of Birth N/A

Place of Birth N/A

13. It is my true and honest intention to become a citizen of the Philippines and to renounce absolutely and forever all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state or sovereignty, and, particularly, to CHINA of which at this time I am a citizen or subject. I will reside continuously in the Philippines from the date of the filing of this petition up to the time of my admission to Philippine citizenship.

Residence N/A

9. I received my primary and secondary education from the following public schools or private educational institutions duly recognized by the Department of Education, Culture and Sports (DECS), where Philippine history, government and civics are taught and prescribed as part of the school curriculum and where enrollment is not limited to any race or nationality:

Place of Dates of Highest Grade School Study Completed PHIL. INSTITUTE OF QC QUEZONCITY 2007 to 2013 PRIMARY

15. Attached hereto as annexes and made part of this petition are the duplicate originals or certified photocopies of the following documents (please check the appropriate box): [ / ] a. Petitioner's birth certificate [ / ] b. Petitioner's alien certificate of registration (ACR) [ ] c. Petitioner's native-born certificate of residence (NBCR) [ ] d. Petitioner's marriage certificate, if married [ ] e. Death certificate of his/her spouse, if widowed [ ] f. Court decree annulling his/her marriage or granting legal separation, if such was the fact [ ] g. Birth certificates of petitioner's minor children [ ] h. ACRs of petitioner's minor children [ ] i. NBCRs of petitioner's minor children [ ] j. Affidavits of financial capacity by the petitioner, duly supported by bank certifications, passbooks, stock certificates, or proof of ownership of other properties [ / ] k. Affidavits of at least two (2) credible witnesses who must be Filipino citizens of good reputation in petitioner's place of residence [ / ] l. Medical certificate from a government hospital stating that petitioner is not suffering from mental alienation or a user of prohibited drugs or otherwise a drug dependent and that he/she is not afflicted with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), or any incurable contagious disease. [ / ] m. School diploma and transcript of records of the petitioner from the school/s he or she attended in the Philippines [ ] n. Certifications stating that petitioner's minor children are enrolled in public schools or private educational institutions duly recognized by the DECS, where Philippine history, government and civics are taught and prescribed as part of the school curriculum and where enrollment is not limited to any race or nationality [ ] o. Petitioner's income tax returns for the past three years [ ] p. Petitioner's receipts of payment of income tax for the past three years 16. Other documents submitted by the petitioner in support of his/her petition: NBI, POLICE, BARANGAY CLEARANCES, OFFICE OF THE PROSECUTOR, RTC, MTC , COURT CLEARANCES, AFFIDAVIT OF FINANCIAL SUPPORT OF PARENTS, WITH CERTIFICATE OF EMPLOYMENT, BANK CERTIFICATE, ITR & CERTIFICATE OF COMPENSATION AND TAX WITHHELD PRAYER WHEREFORE, it is respectfully prayed that petitioner be conferred Philippine citizenship pursuant to the provisions of Republic Act No, 9139.

Dated at Makati City, Metro Manila, this 26 day of NOV, 2018.

ANNALYN HUI SHI Name and Signature of Petitioner Address: 88 MARCOS HIGHWAY. BRGY. MAYAMOT, ANTIPOLO CITY Telephone Number: 682-2095/404-2448

Name of School

PHIL. INSTITUTE OF QC QUEZONCITY 2013 to 2018 UNIVERSITY OF STO. MANILA 2018 TOMAS

SECONDARY FIRST YEAR COLLEGE

Right Thumbmark of Petitioner

Petitioner's signature and right thumbmark

10. I am able to read, write and speak Filipino and/or any of the following dialects of the Philippines: TAGALOG

Interested bidders may secure BID DOCUMENTS and obtain further INFORMATIONS from the ORMECO, Inc. Bids and Award Committee (BAC)/Procurement Section, ORMECO, Inc., Simaron, Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro. A non-refundable fee in the amount of Php25,000.00 for LOT - I and Php10,000.00 for LOT - II and shall be collected as payment for BID DOCUMENTS. Interested bidders must be accredited as supplier before joining the pre-bidding conference and accreditation will start on February 6, 2019, 2019 at 8:00am until 5:00p.m. of February 13, 2019. You can call at telephone numbers 043-2882349/043-2869375 or send an email at ormeco_coop@yahoo.com.

PRE-BID CONFERENCE will be held at ORMECO, Inc. Board Room, Sta. Isabel, Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro at 2:00 p.m. of February 14, 2019 for LOT - I and 3:00 p.m. of February 14, 2019 for LOT - II.

4

SEALED PROPOSALS will be received at 2:00 p.m. of February 27, 2019 for LOT - I and 3:00 p.m. of February 27, 2019 for LOT - II, immediately after which, the said proposals will be opened during the actual bidding in the presence of the attending bidders.

5

ALL BIDS must be accompanied by a BID BOND payable to ORMECO, Inc. in the form of CASH, CASHIER’S CHECK, MANAGER’S CHECK or BANK DRAFT issued by a reputable bank equivalent to TWO PERCENT (2%) of the Approved Budget Cost (ABC). No Bid Bond in the form of Surety Bond shall be accepted. The bidder with the lowest calculated bid will be considered the winning bidder.

6

The winning bidder shall issue FIVE PERCENT (5%) in the form of CASH, CASHIER’S CHECK, MANAGER’S CHECK or BANK DRAFT from a reputable bank, representing the PERFORMANCE BOND.

7

If the bidder who submitted the best offer refuses to push through with his / her proposed BID during and after the bidding, his / her Bid Bond shall be forfeited, and failure of bidding shall be declared.

8.

ORMECO, Inc. reserves the right to accept or reject any Bids, declare failure of bidding and not to award the contract without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder or bidders. ORMECO, Inc. also has no responsibility whatsoever to compensate or indemnity bidders for any expenses incurred in the preparation of their bids.

(SND)

(MS-FEB. 6, 2019)

contagious disease. The country of which I am a citizen or subject is not at war with the Philippines and grants to Filipinos the right to be naturalized citizens or subjects thereof.

001568

N/A

All interested bidders are invited to participate in the actual bidding for these two (2) LOTs detailed as follows:

1

SCN FORM NO. 1 (R.A. NO. 9139)

RONIE T. MORALES BAC-Chairperson

11. I have enrolled my minor children of school age in the following public schools or private educational institutions duly recognized by the Department of Education, Culture and Sports (DECS), where Philipine History, government and civics are taught and prescribed as part of the school curriculum and where enrollment is not limited to any race or nationality:

Name of Child N/A

Name and Place of School N/A

Date of Enrollment N/A

12. I shall never be a public charge. I am of good moral character. I believe in the principles underlying the Philippine Constitution. I have conducted myself in a proper and irreproachable manner during the entire period of my residence in the Philippines in my relations with the constituted government as well as with the community in which I am living. I mingled socially with Filipinos and have evinced a sincere desire to learn and embrace the customs, traditions and ideals of the Filipino people. I have all the qualifications and none of the disqualifications under Republic Act No. 9139.

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES) CITY/MUNICIPALITY OF______) S.S. I, ANNALYN HUI SHI of legal age and a resident of 88 MARCOS HIGHWAY, BRGY. MAYAMOT, ANTIPOLO CITY after being duly sworn, depose and say that I am the petitioner herein, that I have read the foregoing petition and know the foregoing petition and known the contents thereof, and that the same is true of my own knowledge.

ANNALYN HUI SHI Name and Signature of Petitioner

SUBCRIBED AND SWORN to before me at ANTIPOLO CITY, this 26 day of NOV. 2018.

I am not opposed to organized government or affiliated with any association or group of persons who uphold and teach doctrines opposing all organized governments. I am not defending or teaching the necessity or propriety of violence, personal assault or assassination for the success and predominance of one's ideas. I am not a polygamist nor a believer in the practice of polygamy. I have not been convicted of any crime involving moral turpitude. I am not suffering from mental alienation or from any incurable (MS-JAN.23,30 & FEB. 6, 2019)

CYAN CYAN MAGENTA MAGENTA YELLOW YELLOW BLACK BLACK

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

B4

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2019

Villar leads rice seed, farm mech training course SENATOR Cynthia Villar recently led the opening of a training course on rice farm mechanization and inbred and rice seeds production at the Villar SIPAG Farm School in Bacoor, Cavite.

Villar, chairman of the Committee on Agriculture and Food, said training farmers on how to mechanize farming practices and to produce certified inbred seeds will address the need to lower the production cost of growing palay.

“Through this training program, we are preparing our farmers to switch to the modern way of farming and help them to be able to compete against imported rice which will start coming in as a result of the expiration of the Quantitative Restriction on Rice, prescribed by WTO [World Trade Organization],” Villar said.

The program was conducted for free in partnership with the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice), the Philippine Center for Post-Harvest Development and Mechanization (PhilMech), and the Agricultural Training Institute.

About 35 farmers from the Cordillera Autonomous Region and Regions 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 are the participants in this nine-day training program. The first phase will be conducted from February 4 to 7 and the Second Phase will happen from Feb. 11 to 15.

After the program, participants are expected to acquire the knowledge that will help improve farm yield through mechanization and production of high quality inbred seeds.

“Once they graduate from the course, the participants are expected to also share their learnings in their respective communities and help us transform more farmers into seed growers engaged in seed production and trade,” Villar said.

DA tech center for commerce breaks ground

LGUs LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS

PIG OUT. Excited kids in colorful Chinese costumes welcome the Year of the Pig with Peppa Pig and George at SM City Taytay over the weekend. Norman Cruz

Construction of 1.5k Marawi homes starts

M

Architect Orwell Obach.

The lot where the houses will be built costs P205,000 each. The ground floor is 24 square meters, while the second floor is 18 square meters. The house which will stand on a 100 square meter lot has a kitchen and a bathroom, while the other rooms can be partitioned by the future occupant to form multiple rooms.

The houses’ septic tanks will have three chambers, which will be connected to a leach bed, a form of infiltration system, where the bedrocks beneath the earth and the roots of plants and trees can filter the fluid from the tanks in order to neutralize possible contamination.

Obach also said that 800 houses will be built on Dulay Proper’s 13.3-hectare land, and 100 in Dulay West. Another five hectares is reserved to build open spaces such as roads and playgrounds.

ARAWI CITY—As part of the efforts to rebuild Marawi, the construction of 1,500 permanent homes for the internally displaced persons (IDPs) of Marawi began through a groundbreaking and capsulelaying ceremony in Dulay Proper on Feb 4.

The homes are part of the shelter component of the United Nations Human Settlement Program’s (UN-Habitat) Rebuilding Marawi Through Community-Driven Shelter and Livelihood Project.

The project is funded by the Japanese government with a 1.1 billion yen (P500 million) grant for shelter reconstruction, community mapping, and support in the forms of livelihood, community and development, infrastructure, and cultural and post-conflict.

“We hope to empower the IDPs to assert

their rights and have a great future and provide opportunities for a brighter future,” said Makoto Iyori, Minister for Economic Affairs of the Embassy of Japan in the Philippines.

The Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC) also provided P248 million for land acquisition of the lots where the homes would be built.

The homes, targeted to be completed

by March 2020, will be two stories high and can accommodate up to about eight family members each. It would cost about P200,000 each, according to UN Habitat

By Jessica M. Bacud TUGUEGARAO CITY, Cagayan—Narciso A. Edillo, Department of Agriculture Regional executive director, recently led the groundbreaking of the Technology Commercialization Center at San Gabriel district here.

The building, which costs around P12 million, will introduce research and development breakthroughs. It was funded by the Bureau of Agricultural Research and DA-RFO 02.

Construction shall commence immediately and is expected to be fully operational by 2020.

The center will showcase publications of proven technologies generated through research and development and display agri-based processed products developed by DA-RFO 02 through its research centers and experiment stations, Edillo said.

He said the agency will continuously promote matured technologies in Cagayan Valley through this Technology Commercialization Center.

“The department is continuously advancing in R&D activities, which cause information, technologies and products for the benefit of their intended users,” Edillo stressed.

Through this center, the director said the DA will provide one-on-one assistance to emerging technology users, and to bring together advocates of economic development and experts in technology and commercialization “to work with our clients and help them achieve commercialization success,” he added.

Street food venture brings prosperity to Vizcaya couple

By Ben Moses Ebreo BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya—In 2010, Albert Anlueco, 34 started his ice scramble peddling business in Barangay San Pedro in Bagabag town with only P500 as capital.

Today, Albert and his wife Jennifer, 32, now residing in Barangay Don Mariano Marcos in this town, own and manage a street food peddling business, serving customers of all ages.

With their three children, the Anlueco couple sells street foods like carrot balls, various types of fish balls, meat balls, and lumpia rolls, among others.

With the help of their workers, they have rolled out their seven “Nego Karts” to various schools in Bayombong, such as the Nueva Vizcaya State University, St, Mary’s College, and the Nueva Vizcaya General Comprehensive High School for business.

“I personally designed our street food carts based on our requirements. I also helped in welding their parts to save some expenses,” Albert said.

The street food carts were bought gradually by the couple as they saved from their daily earnings.

From 2 P.M. to 7 P.M., the Anluecos now earn their income with ease and comfort, as they send their children to school.

“We were really very poor then, but with our vision, we kept on striving to where we are now. It takes a lot of diligence, patience, and resourcefulness for us to reach our status now. We owe this success to God,” Jennifer said.

With their good character and economic standing

Jennifer Anlueco prepares one of their street food carts before vending in various schools in Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya. Ben Moses Ebreo in the community, barangay officials of Don Mariano Marcos recommended them to the Search for “Idol Kong Pamilya” of the provincial government.

Their continuing good character In the barangay also prompted barangay officials to recommend them again as their entry to the provincial government’s Search for “Idol Kong Entrepreneur” – which they eventually won.

The couple is one of the many families and entrepreneurs in the province being assisted by the provincial government since 2014.

Worthy families and entrepreneurs here are given cash assistance and recognition for being models in their respective communities.

With their cash prize, Anlueco couple used it to purchase additional motorized carts, which they now use in peddling their street food products.

The provincial government continues to monitor the couple’s progress, providing further training for

management development, among other assistance.

The Department of Science and Technology also provided them with needed facilities to simplify their food production.

“We started our food preparation manually and it was difficult. We are grateful for the DOST assistance and the provincial government’s full support to our business. Now we save time and effort and use this for other productive works,” Albert added.

Despite their busy schedules from Mondays to Fridays, the Anlueco couple sets aside Saturdays and Sundays as a day of recreation and worship.

Albert said they are now paying for a house and lot within their community to have a spacious and rent-free area for their family and business.

“It was really sacrifice and hard work that counted when we started this business. I have no vice to attend and spend our earnings on, that is why it bore more fruits,” he added.

Tiangco lauds Navotas schools’ cleanup drive

By Jun David MAYOR John Rey Tiangco has lauded the Navotas education sector for initiating a campaign to help keep the city clean.

In his speech, Tiangco thanked the Navotas Schools Division Office for spearheading the project that encourages students and teachers to participate in a clean-up drive every first Friday of the month.

“Our surroundings are an extension of our home.

As we keep our homes tidy, we should also make sure that we maintain the cleanliness of our surroundings,” he said.

Tiangco noted that since 2011, the city government has implemented a twicea-week clean-up along coastlines and riversides.

The campaign, titled “Navotas Ko, Love Ko,” aimed to instill in Navoteños the values of stewardship and care for the city.

“Most of our trash go to street canals and end up in our oceans, slowly killing marine life. As we depend largely on our seas for our livelihood, it is crucial for us to practice proper waste disposal,” Tiangco said.

Previously, Navotas participated in a massive clean-up to help rehabilitate and preserve the Manila Bay. Some 23,036 kilograms of waste were collected from the simultaneous coastal and riverside clean-ups conducted by the 18 barangays of the city on January 27.

New rice hybrid is Quadro ‘ace’ up farmers’ sleeves

Farmer Rogel Sorel shows off his recent crop of Quadro Alas rice.

MARAGONDON, Cavite—Rogel Sorel, 47, has been a rice farmer for quite some time now. He has tried both inbred and hybrid rice varieties, experiencing the pros and cons of using each one. As of late, however, he has seen the benefits of an early maturing variety known as Quadro Alas.

Under the Hybrid Rice Model Farm Program of the Department of Agriculture, Rogel’s farm was chosen to try this variety. He has seen its advantages over other kinds of rice crops.

For farmers like Rogel, using Quadro Alas equates to less “stress,” such as exposure to disease and drought during the dry season. Moreover, they can earn more, as farmers can plant and harvest

more times in a year.

To put things into perspective, regular rice varieties usually take 120 days to mature, as opposed to 105 days for Quadro Alas rice.

Rogel began planting Quadro Alas on his two-hectare patch in Barangay San Miguel A, Maragondon last Oct. 3, 2018. He harvested his rice crop on January 15.

Apart from the early maturity, Quadro Alas produced a higher yield of about 37 percent vis-à-vis other rice varieties.

“The Quadro Alas rice variety seems a lot better. You can harvest early and even earn more with its larger yield,” Rogel said.

The long grain of Quadro Alas has high milling recovery and excellent tol-

erance to bacterial leaf blight (BLB) and bacterial leaf strain (BLS).

While it was planted in Cavite under the watchful eyes of Municipal Agriculturist Teresita Nuestro, DA Technician Regino Reyes, and the Hybrid Rice Model Farm Program of the Regional Field Office 4A headed by Regional Executive Director Arnel Mesa, it can be planted in such areas as Ilocos, Samar, Leyte, and Negros.

All these ties in with the Department of Agriculture’s call for farmers to use rice varieties that mature early, thus would use less water. This is ideal for the summer season, when rice crops are more prone to stressful conditions, including the lack of water.

Life

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

FASHION AND BEAUTY

@MStandardLIFE WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2019

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Swedish fashion industry pushes for sustainability FASHION FOR A PURPOSE. The Embassy of Sweden, in partnership with the Swedish Institute and Swedish brands H&M and Babybjörn, stages ‘Fashion Revolution: The Future of Textiles’ exhibit to highlight the importance of sustainability in the fashion industry.

By Paola Navarette

U

NKNOWN to many consumers, fashion is a highly polluting industry. Chemical-based dyes and the production of synthetic fibers such as nylon and polyester, which are non-biodegradable and emit greenhouse gases, can be hugely harmful to the environment.

On top of that, shipping and manufacturing also result in huge carbon footprint.

Fast fashion has been found one of the industry’s major culprits. Since pieces are of lower quality and are inexpensive, consumers feel motivated to throw them away for new garments when season changes.

The Global Fashion Agenda and the Boston Consulting Group, Inc. estimated that 92 million tons of textile waste are produced annually by the fashion industry, and is estimated to increase by about 60 percent between 2015 and 2030.

That’s not to say however that fashion brands are the only ones that should be blamed. In order to become

One Re-Kanken backpack is made from one single yarn of 11 recyled bottles.

more responsible, shoppers ought to do their research to find brands that put sustainability at the core of their business model.

Given these circumstances, the Swedish fashion industry continues to recognize the importance of sustainability in business, and incorporate green practices into their supply chain.

With the aim to showcase innovative fashion garments that are produced sustainably in various strategies, the Embassy of Sweden Manila partnered with Swedish Institute and Swedish brands H&M and Babybjörn to launch “Fashion Revolution: The Future of Textiles” exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum of Manila.

H&M Conscious Collection

Swedish outdoor company Houdini Sportswear offers a complete range of functional and sustainable clothing.

The exhibit, which is ongoing since Jan. 30 until April 30, features women’s apparel, bags, and baby equipment crafted by Swedish brands H&M, Filippa K, Babybjörn, Re-Kanken, Tierra, Lindex, and Houdini.

H&M, the world’s second biggest fashion retailer, flaunts its exclusive collection of elegant dresses made from sustainable materials such as organic silk, recycled cotton, organic linen, and recycled polyester at the Fashion Revolution exhibit.

The H&M Conscious Collection features a pleated blush colored gown made from Bionic Yarn, a polyester made from recycled shoreline plastic; and an embroidered green dress made from 96 percent polyester, among others.

Beautifully

new you

THE SM Store welcomes the New Year with a campaign that encourages everyone to unleash their beautifully new self. #NewYouAtSM aims to bring freshness to one’s look by incorporating new and exciting trends featuring products available at the department store’s beauty section.

Embrace the rainbow as beauty embarks on a multi-colored, maximalist journey for spring 2019. From awesome color-pop makeup straight off the catwalk to the K-beauty craze, The SM Store rounds up the must-haves.

Find out what’s in store with #NewYouAtSM. Also check out the The SM Store’s New You catalog for new collections.

GLOW-GETTER. The SM Store encourages everyone to unleash their beautifully new self using skin care and makeup products it offers.

A jacquard coat made from recycled polyester on top of a lace wedding dress made from 100 percent organic cotton.

Each piece from the collection is made from the highest quality material, making it very precious but not fragile.

“The way to go really is for brands to come together and join forces with us in promoting sustainability so that we can create more demand for the government and for the various public and private sectors,” H&M head of communications and press Dan Mejia told Manila Standard.

He continued, “Our biggest goal for H&M is to use only organic cotton across its whole range by 2020.”

Alongside the exhibit, the H&M is offering guests with one 15 percent off voucher for every bag of unwanted garments that they turn over.

Life

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WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2019 manilastandardlife@gmail.com

What to give, what to wear

on Valentine’s Day W

HETHER you’re shopping for the best present to show your loved one just how much they mean to you, or looking for the right outfit for a memorable date night, Rustan’s has got you covered.

Love never goes out of style

Wear that Valentine vibe with sweetheart dresses and coordinates from Trina Turk and Finders Keepers—a new addition to the Rustan’s fashion roster.

Find chic embroidered and lacy pieces from JOA and Glamorous, or elegant midi party dresses from Josie Natori, and, another fresh drop at Rustan’s Makati, Keepsake.

If the SO planned a romantic beach trip, it would be perfect to pack swimsuits from Seafolly and Maaji, as well as island-ready pieces from Moon River and Lost + Wander.

Those looking for perfect tokens for their lady love would find great choices from Lipault, Longchamp, and MZ Wallace. Christian Louboutin has a collection of impressive shoes guaranteed to make her fall head over heels in love.

Style and function is forever

The gents who are still stumped on what to wear for date night may stop by Ricardo Preto, Pedro del Hierro, Hackett London, or Adolfo Dominguez, where they can find style staples. Cap off the overall look with either ties or pocket squares from the Tie Bar. Look fresh and impeccably groomed with nifty grooming keychains from Mad Style and mobile shavers from Braun and Philips.

Men who enjoy constant travel, on the other hand, will discover gift options from Pacsafe and Gouache if they’re looking for bags, and Vaultskin, Secrid, and Steve Madden for wallets and cardholders.

Say it with fine jewelry

One can never go wrong with a shiny bauble to express their sweetest “I love you.”

Natori Ginza nightgown in black

Make the lady love wear your love on her wrist with the Carrera y Carrera Love Bracelet. Shun the traditional diamond ring for the fun and flashy Damiani Regina Cleopatra ring, while minimalists will appreciate the subtle elegance of the John Hardy French wire earrings.

The statement-making Marco Bicego drop earrings are made for the fashion forward person in one’s life. But those who prefer to stick to the classics may do so with a Roberto Coin diamond drop earrings or keep it dainty and sweet with a Tamara Comolli signature pair or a radiant Mikimoto South Sea pearl.

Rustan’s Silver Vault rewards those picking out the finest jewelry gifts for their Valentine with a sweet treat from brands such as Montblanc, Yvel, Damiani, Mikimoto, Tamara Comolli, Cento, Crivelli, and Aguilar de Dios, among others. Until Feb. 15, shoppers get P5,000 worth of Rustan’s gift certificates exclusive to Fine Jewelry for a minimum single-receipt purchase of P200,000 at Rustan’s Makati, Rustan’s Shangri-La, and Rustan’s Cebu.

From Feb. 7 to 10, get 25 percent discount on select Fine Jewelry items at Rustan’s Makati, Rustan’s Shangri-La, Rustan’s Cebu, Rustan’s City of Dreams, and Rustan’s Newport.

From Feb. 8 to 10, customers get 20 percent off when they purchase a John Hardy piece using FSP points at Rustan’s Makati, Rustan’s Shangri-La, and Rustan’s Cebu.

The department store is also treating shoppers with a minimum single-receipt purchase worth P8,000 from Feb. 1 to 15 to a box of Royce Criollo Milk Chocolate.

Finders Keepers Ophelia bodice in beige

Rustan’s offers fine pieces, from jewelry to shoes to bags, that are perfect to wrap or wear on Valentine’s Day.

An ode to Californian spirit

TechnoMarine Cruise Night Vision

A true diver’s watch WATCHES that can be worn and read underwater are a dime a dozen, but what makes a true diver’s watch?

Aside from meeting the standards set by the International Organization of Standardization, a diver’s watch has to be water-resistant up to a depth of at least 100 meters.

It must also have a unidirectional bezel with markings at least every five minutes and a clearly distinguishable minute marking on the watch’s face to help divers measure diving time. The dial has to be visible in total darkness and requires a second hand with a luminous tip or counterbalance.

Further, a true diver’s watch has to be sturdy, reliable, legible, and must have the most advanced time technology to last underwater—all of which are present in TechnoMarine’s Cruise Night Vision.

The TechnoMarine timepiece com-

bines style with the latest time technology to match a diver’s dynamic and active lifestyle.

The watch is water-resistant up to 200 meters or 660 feet. It has double layer super luminova indexes for better reading in deep water and its unidirectional rotating black-plated bezel with a white rim comes handy when measuring diving time.

In addition, the watch is coated in PVD (Physical Vapour Deposition) to give it the extra strength to withstand rigorous underwater activity for long periods of time.

Get the TechnoMarine Cruise Night Vision at TechnoMarine stores in Greenbelt 3, Robinson’s Galleria, Robinson’s Magnolia, Shangri-La Plaza, SM City Cebu, SM Lanang Premier Davao, SM Mall of Asia, SM Megamall, SM North Edsa, TriNoma, and Uptown Mall.

LONGCHAMP’S spring/summer 2019 collection features vibrant silhouettes inspired by ‘70s glamour that exude the distinct Californian spirit and audacious Parisian elegance.

Creative director Sophie Delafontaine paid tribute to life-long admired aesthetics of inimitable tastemakers Anita Pallenberg and Veruschka, and seamlessly blended their style with that of the universal Longchamp woman.

Pieces from the latest collection are unexpected and effortless, evoking dreamy desert drives and late nights in L.A.— the kind of scenarios that call for airy feminine transparent animal print dresses on top of leather bikinis or fringed jackets worn over soft macramé dresses.

The mixed and contrasted layering makes the styles incomparable. Ikat becomes a signature motif throughout the collection, printed on leather fringe and embroidered on delicate tulle fabrics.

Bringing out the silhouettes’ uniqueness and sensuality, brand new bag lines like the Amazone are adorned with stones, twisted with contrasting colorful materials, while the Cavalcade is envisioned in vivid colors and animal prints.

Both focus on the collection’s daringly refined spirit with the statement-making leather fringes electrifying all accessories as an homage to bold style icons.

The color palette, meanwhile, is influenced by the vibrancy of bright summer days. Rust-hued leathers are whip-

From left: Laureen Uy, Rustan’s division manager for Women’s Reah Castro, and Nicole Andersson

stitched with turquoise leather while black and white details lend an urban sense, a tribute of sorts to the fashion house’s decision to show its collection in New York City.

Forty looks were created in total, all with an emphasis on Longchamp’s

historic use of leather—all powered by an emotional movie-like soundtrack bringing the collection into the future.

Longchamp is exclusively available at Rustan’s Makati, Rustan’s Shangri-La, Rustan’s Cebu, and Greenbelt 5.

Longchamp’s spring/summer 2019 collection captures the Californian spirit and Parisian elegance in pieces that feature ‘70s silhouettes.

Entertainment

‘Book of Bilins’ is the last planner you’ll ever need L IVE life without worry for the inevitable with the help of the new ABSCBN Publishing offering, the Book of Bilins: Your Ultimate Guide to Libing Well, the last planner everyone will ever need before facing death.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2019

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nickie.standard@gmail.com

ON THE BIG SCREEN

Forging an unlikely friendship in ‘Green Book’

Viggo Mortensen and Mahershala Ali in a scene from the the buddy road trip movie 'Green Book'

This fun book by Jubilee Sangalang features how-to’s readers can fill out intended for their families who will be left behind. It is a handy manual to contain one’s preferences on conducting the funeral, posting the dreaded announcement on social media, proceeding with the burial or cremation, and many more.

“Inside, you’ll be answering two main parts. ‘Part One’ is the Funeral Planner aka the ‘Fun Planner.’ ‘Part Two’ is the ‘Last Bilin and Testament.’ With this book, you’ll be able to literally rest in peace because you won’t be leaving your loved ones confused,” shared the author.

The Book of Bilins contains relevant checklists readers can use as quick reference, including important documents to handle, first people to contact, preferred OOTD (outfit of the dead), and even makeup pegs for the funeral.

It also provides spaces for final thank you letters, apology notes, and big revelations, which trusted loved ones can read and share.

The Book of Bilins planner will not be complete without portion for the crucial stuff—the heirs and what they will get, insurance policies, and bank account details, plus guide on canceling the dead’s subscriptions, handling his email and social media accounts, or settling his debts.

Be ready with the most unexpected event in your life using the Book of

Simply...

From C4

Eto Na! Musikal nAPO! returns to the stage After its August 2018 run, Eto Na! Musikal nAPO! is back for its second run by popular demand. The criticallyacclaimed musical runs until March 17at the Maybank Performing Arts Theater, BGC. Eto Na! Musikal nAPO! is an original Filipino musical with lyrics and music by Danny Javier, Jim Paredes and Boboy Garrovillo, and written and directed by Robbie Guevara. The story takes place in a university in the 70s, revolving around a group of students working hard to win a songwriting and singing competition.

They experience a series of ups-anddowns, from first love and heartbreak to fighting to keep their love for music strong and doubting their own artistic abilities - all under the iron claw of Martial Law. Thanks to its charming cast and heartwarming coming-of-age story, it’s sure to bring APO fans back to their youth.

For its second run, the musical is adding five new members to its cast as alternates - Floyd Tena as Rick, Mica Javier as Anna, Roxanne Barcelo as Jane, Vien King as Benjie, and Luis Marcelo as Jojo.

The rest of the cast are back: Mark Bautista, together with Jobim Javier, Alfritz

MULTI-AWARDED actors Viggo Mortensen and Mahershala Ali star in the buddy road trip movie Green Book, which takes its title from The Negro Motorist Green Book, an annual travel guide published annually from 1936 to 1966.

The travel guide listed businesses and other establishments that served Black customers and enabled Black travelers to plan their road trips to help them avoid harassment, arrest, or violence.

The Green Book, as it was called, was created and published by an African-American New York City mailman, Victor Hugo Green, and became an indispensable survival tool for African Americans travelling by car.

Originally it covered only the New York area, but it gradually expanded to cover most of North America, the Caribbean and Bermuda. In the U.S, it became invaluable in the South, where Jim Crow segregation laws varied by county and state, and unofficial rules in “Sundown towns” forbade Black Americans from being out after dark.

After President Lyndon B. Johnson

signed the Civil Rights Act of 1964, segregation between black and white became illegal, The Green Book was no longer needed, and it slowly faded into history.

It is a movie 50 years in the making, now comes a story about an unlikely friendship which the book was a major part of.

Mortensen takes on the role of Tony Vallelonga and Ali dons the ironed out character of Dr. Shirley.

Based on stories told by Tony to his oldest son Nick, grew up hearing about his father’s journey with Don Shirley. Tony had grown up in The Bronx and had landed a job at the Copacabana night club, where he worked for 12 years, rubbing elbows with mob honchos and celebrities, including Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett and Bobby Darin. Although he stopped going to school after the seventh grade, he was garrulous and charismatic, and earned his nickname for his reputation of being able to persuade anybody of just about anything.

Green Book opens today in cinemas from Pioneer Films.

Japanese romantic film ‘Snow Flower’ 'Snow Flower' lead stars Ayami Nakajo and Hiroomi Tosaka in wintertime Tokyo.

Secure your afterlife with the help of 'Book of Bilins'

Bilins as a guide, available in National and via the @abscbnbooks Facebook Book Store and Powerbooks branches page for only P225.

Blanche, Jon Philippe Go, Jef Flores, Jon Abella, and Vyen Villanueva. Joining them are Rita Daniela, Marika Sasaki, Sab Jose, Raul Montesa, and Neomi Gonzales. Rounding out the cast are Gian Gloria, Shalee Vicencio, Peachy Atilano-Guevara, Anton Posadas, Jourdan Bartolome, and Derrick Gozos.

Eto Na! Musikal nAPO! is on stage Feb. 9-10, 16-17, 22-24, March 1-3, 8, 10 and 15-17, 8:00 p.m. on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, and 2:30 p.m. on Saturdays & Sundays. Tickets are available at www. ticketworld.com.ph. *** More Philippine made products in duty free stores in 2019 Quality export Philippine-made products will be put in the spotlight at all Duty Free Philippines Corporation (DFPC) stores, as the state-owned retail company is set to add more homegrown brands this year.

In line with the thrust of Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat to support Filipino businesses and artisans, DFPC will add about 27 local brands at the Philippines’ Finest kiosk of the newly opened Luxe Duty Free at the Mall of Asia Complex and about 11 brands at the DFPC Fiestamall in Parañaque City.

DFPC Chief Operating Officer (COO) Vicente Pelagio Angala said the brands include fashion, furniture, and home mer-

chandise.

“We’re very thrilled with our additions this year. We believe that DFPC is an effective vehicle to promote Filipino creativity because our products are sold to departing passengers for their consumption abroad,” he said.

Currently, there are 39 existing Filipino brands available at the DFPC stores. The newest addition includes Malagos AgriVenture, Theo and Philo Chocolate Factory, Filipinas Oro de Cacao, Ralph and Matthew’s Chocolate Enterprise, Gourmet Farms, Armson Foods, Freefood Coconut Manufacturing, and the Manila Cookie Story.

“Locally made products in our stores have steadily grown to this day and we expect for it to continue to grow in the coming years,” COO Angala said.

Meanwhile, all local products sold in all DFPC stores went through product testing to ensure its adherence to global quality standards.

Suppliers also need to secure Import Commodity Clearance (ICC), Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) registrations, and other government business requirements. *** Visit www.isah.red for more stories.

Follow me on Facebook (@isahvr), Twitter (@isahvred) and Instagram (@isahvred). ΙR

OPENING today, the super kilig Japanese movie Snow Flower is a hit in the making.

Loved the movies The Fault In Our Stars, To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before, and Kita Kita? Here’s a new Japanese young adult film that’s bound to melt your heart this Valentine’s Day. Snow Flower is about Miyuki (Ayami Nakajo) a bright young woman who sadly has only one year left to live. After she receives the doctor’s prognosis, she serendipitously meets a kind stranger named Yusuke (Hiroomi Tosaka) in wintertime Tokyo.

When they cross paths again six months later, she finds out that Yusuke’s café workplace desperately needs financial assistance. Her time running out, she gathers the courage to offer Yusuke

Very Wang...

From C4

a deal: be her boyfriend for one month in exchange for one million yen. After a moment of hesitation, he agrees to keep his job and support his younger siblings.

Thus begins their whirlwind romance in the height of summer. Every moment becomes a cherished memory for Miyuki: their first date, their shared lunch box, their goodnight messages. Beginning in Tokyo, their love story culminates in Finland, where Miyuki hopes her last wish will come true: to see the rare red aurora in the winter wonderland where her parents met.

Based on the iconic Japanese winter song “Yuki no Hana” (Snow Flower), the young adult movie is directed by Kojiro Hashimoto and distributed by Axinite Digicinema in the Philippines.

Ken Chan plays Boyet in 'My Special Tatay'

Call to stop ‘The Boyet Challenge’ There’s an online call, initiated by GMA Network, for an immediate end to the sharing and creation of videos tagged as “The Boyet Challenge,” wherein participants imitate the lead character in

CROSSWORD PUZZLE Wednesday, February 6, 2019

ACROSS 1 Dit opposites 5 Parrot 9 Sums owed 14 Meg — of films 15 Length times width 16 In-box contents 17 Earthenware jar 18 Feudal worker 19 “La Traviata” composer 20 Mended 22 Disdained 24 Metric units 26 Floor covering 27 Treacherous person 30 Buffet portion 35 Delight in 36 Ollie’s pal 37 Mete out 38 Luau memento 39 Blurred 42 Clock numeral 43 Windmill blade 45 Gaelic pop star 46 Bride’s destination 48 Drive apart 50 Swank 51 Hosp. workers 52 Vales 54 Planting guide 58 Kings and queens 62 Frontier saloon

plus 63 Writer — Oz 65 Singer Leslie — 66 Rice field 67 Half a beef 68 Lunchtime 69 Lock or curl 70 Canned 71 Busy insects DOWN 1 Plummet 2 Jean Auel heroine 3 Sentry’s imperative 4 Junk food junkie 5 Painters’ supports 6 Formula of belief 7 That woman 8 Crudely clumsy ones 9 Religious 10 Became known 11 Silo companion 12 Lunar phenomenon 13 Declined, as stock prices 21 Takes on 23 Rubberneck 25 Applied paint 27 Heart part 28 Think-tank of-

ferings 29 Show the way 31 Superman’s mother 32 Pays, as the bill 33 Radius companions 34 Suspicious 36 — shui 40 High-IQ group 41 Dawdle 44 Quick trips 47 Pasta dish 49 Irritates 50 Out of business

53 Eat away at 54 Dr.’s visit 55 False witness 56 Manufactured 57 Home, to Jose 59 Raucous diver 60 Pony’s gait 61 Japanese monetary unit 64 Blend

OPENING today, the Tatay. super kilig the TV series My Special Japanese Snowplayed Flowerbyis Ken a hit Chan, in the The movie character, making. is a young man with mild intellectual Loved the movies The Fault In Our Stars, To disability.

All The I’ve Loved Before, andmedia Kita Kita?

In Boys a statement sent to the over Here’s a new Japanese young adult filmitthat’s the weekend, the network says aims bound to melt your heart thisand Valentine’s Day. to spread awareness appreciation Snow Flower physically, is about Miyuki (Ayami for mentally, and differentlyNakajo) a brightMy young woman who sadly has abled people Special Tatay. only “From one yearthe leftstart, to live. she receives theAfter advocacy of the theshow doctor’s prognosis, sheunderstand serendipitously is to help viewers better meets kind stranger named Yusuke (Hiroomi the aplight of people with intellectual Tosaka) in wintertime Tokyo. disabilities.

As such, we are one with the When they cross paths againinsix months Autism Society Philippines calling on later, she finds thatpeople Yusuke’s caféautism workplace netizens toout treat with with desperately needs financial assistance.says.

Her dignity and respect,” the statement time “The runningviral out, she gathers the have courage to videos that been offer Yusuke a deal: be her media boyfriend for oneas circulating on social tagged month exchange for one million yen.initiated After a ‘TheinBoyet Challenge’ was not moment hesitation,and he agrees to keep job by theofprogram we join the his ASP’s andappeal supportto his stop younger siblings.and creating sharing Thus begins their whirlwind romance in theit videos ridiculing people with autism,’ height of summer. Every moment becomes added. a cherished memory ended for Miyuki: The statement sayingtheir thatfirst the date, their shared lunch box,grateful their goodnight network is immensely for the messages.

Beginning in been Tokyo, their love support the show has receiving and story Finland, where Miyuki theyculminates hope that in it continues to inspire and hopes her valuable last wish lessons will come true: to see the impart to their viewers. rare red aurora in the winter wonderland where her parents met.

Based on the iconic Japanese winter song “Yuki no Hana” (Snow Flower), the young

Entertainment

Nickie Wang, Issue Editor nickie.standard@gmail.com

C4

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2019

Solid Kapuso 'World Dance Philippines' judges (from left) Billy Crawford, Maja Salvador and Gary Valenciano with program hosts Pia Wurtzbach and Luis Manzano

The cast of 'Eat Bulaga' with GMA Network and TAPE Inc. bigwigs

GMA Network has welcomed a versatile actor to its roster of talents, renewed its contract with a talented actress and TV host, and strengthened its partnership with the country’s most watched and longest running noontime show.

Eat Bulaga TAPE Inc. and GMA Network officially sealed the renewal of their blocktime agreement for the airing of hit noontime show, Eat Bulaga, in a contract signing held on Feb. 1.

“It’s our 24th year in GMA,” said TAPE Inc. President and Chief Executive Officer Antonio P. Tuviera.

“We’re thankful to them for giving us a home where we can also celebrate our 40th anniversary this year.”

The Eat Bulaga Dabarkads— Senator Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto, Joey De Leon, Jimmy Santos, Anjo Yllana, Ruby Rodriguez, Allan K., Pauleen Luna-Sotto, Jose Manalo, Wally Bayola, Paolo Ballesteros, Ryan Agoncillo, Pia Guanio, Luanne Dy, Ryzza Mae Dizon, Baeby Baste, Maureen Wroblewitz, Maine Mendoza, and Alden Richards together with TAPE Inc.’s SVP and COO Malou Choa-Fagar, SVP Production Creative and Operations Jenny P. Ferre, AVP Production Helen Atienza-Dela Cruz, AVP Production-Studio Operation Sheila Macariola-Ilacad, Director Poochie Rivera - came in full force to witness yet another momentous event.

GMA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Atty. Felipe L. Gozon expressed his admiration for the show and its hosts, “I admire the people behind the show including the tandem of Tito, Vic and Joey and the other cast members. They are the reason why the show has lasted this long.”

Meanwhile, GMA Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Felipe S. Yalong is happy for Eat Bulaga’s continued success.

“It’s an exciting show, it’s the longest continuous running show in the world with the original hosts.

We’re very happy that they continue to be with the Kapuso Network,” he shared.

Also present during the contract signing were GMA’s First Vice President for Program Management Jose Mari R. Abacan, and Vice President for Corporate Affairs and Communications Angela Javier Cruz.

New Talent GMA Artist Center welcomed EA Guzman to its roster of talents as he inked a management contract on Jan. 31.

EA started his showbiz career in Eat Bulaga where he won the “Mr. Pogi” tilt in 2006. The actor is filled with gratitude as he officially joins the Kapuso Network.

“I started my career here in GMA.

Actor EA de Guzman is back on the Kapuso ground

Samuel L. Jackson in a scene from the box office hit, 'Glass.'

I’m glad that as soon as I set foot on the their ground, I started feeling their care and support. I’m proud to say na Kapuso ako.”

Kapuso viewers should look forward seeing his comeback on television via the upcoming GMA Afternoon Prime fantasy series Dragon Lady alongside Janine Gutierrez and Tom Rodriguez.

GMA Entertainment Group Senior Vice President Lilybeth G. Rasonable expressed her gladness to have EA in the network.

“We are very happy that EA has chosen to put his trust in GMA and GMA Artist Center.

He is an award-winning actor that’s why we’re happy to have him in our stable of talents.”

Also present in the contract signing were GMA Senior Assistant Vice President for Alternative Productions Gigi Santiago-Lara, Senior Talent Manager Daryl Zamora, and EA’s co-manager Arnold Vegafria.

A decade of partnership Carla Abellana is looking forward to start a new journey as a Kapuso as she renewed her exclusive contract with GMA Network, Inc. also on Jan. 31.

Carla became emotional because she considers her contract renewal one of her life’s blessings.

Carla Abellana renews her contract as a GMA artist

“I’m very happy. It’s my 10th year in show business and in GMA. To say that I’m happy and grateful that they trusted me again is an understatement. Imagine 10 years in the industry and in GMA, so happy that they have given me another opportunity,” she mused.

The actress is one of the Kapuso station’s home-grown artists. Carla has portrayed memorable roles in various programs such as Rosalinda, Basahang Ginto, Magic Palayok, Kung Aagawin Mo Ang Langit, Makapiling Kang Muli, My Husband’s Lover, Ismol Family, My Destiny, Because of You, I Heart Davao and Pamilya Roces.

Present in the contract signing were GMA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Atty. Felipe L. Gozon, GMA Senior Vice President for Entertainment Group Lilybeth G. Rasonable, GMA Vice President for Drama Productions Redgie Acuña Magno, Senior Assistant Vice President for Alternative Productions Gigi Santiago-Lara and Arnold Vegafria, Carla’s manager.

During the contract signing held at the Boardroom of GMA Network, Atty. Gozon expressed his genuine support for Carla, “We are extremely happy that Carla renewed her contract with us. Marami tayong pinaplano kay Carla. We are very thankful.”

Training the spotlight on DANCING TALENTS

W

ORLD of Dance VERY Philippines, the local WANG edition of the biggest NICKIE dance competition in the world has WANG continuously been the most watch weekend program in the country since it started airing a month ago according to data from Kantar Media.

The program’s highest national TV rating so far, a score of 32.3 percent, was achieved on Jan. 13. Its hashtags also regularly trend and have even reached the top of the worldwide trending list of Twitter.

The program, according to Billy Crawford, who sits as one of the judges in the talent reality show, is a platform that trains the spotlight on dancers, whom some people only consider as backup talents for singers and artists during their performances.

“Little did many people know, dancers are some of the most hardworking people in a show. So, it’s time for us to give them the spotlight. It’s time for us to give them the attention and admiration they deserve,” Billy told Manila Standard in an interview.

For Maja Salvador, also part of the judging panel, it’s a challenge for them to choose which act would move on to the next rounds of competition.

“Everybody is good in this competition, but the real competition happens when

they perform on the World Dance stage.

There are acts that are good during rehearsals but they commit mistakes during the actual performance,” Maja shared.

Echoing what Maja said, judge Gary Valenciano believes that it’s the dancers’ ability to take the drama in their life on the performance stage.

“Everybody is good and has an interesting story to tell, but we’re not looking for an act that has the most dramatic story. We are looking for performers who can bring the drama on stage, turn whatever challenge they have into an amazing and exciting performance,” Gary V said.

Twenty dance acts from all over the country, and the world, have already qualified to go to the next round. They have showcased different dance styles and moves, and shared different tales of triumph and hope as well. One of these is Jay, a hiphop dancer who was once part of famed dance group XB GenSan. Judge Billy was emotional upon seeing

Jay, whom he had danced with on It’s Showtime.

“You came here to prove, not just to us, but to yourself as well, that you still have it. And I respect you for that,” the singer and TV host said.

Meanwhile, Tintin, one half of ballroom duo Cejrich and Tintin, admitted that her idol, the person that got her to start dancing was none other than judge Maja, who noted that the two were the “perfect combination.”

One of the other groups that passed the judges’ scrutiny was B2WIN, an urban dance group of five young men who had auditioned for Star Hunt.

Judge Gary praised the clean and snappy movements of the group. He said, “I like your name because ‘win’ is perfect for you. If its B2WIN, as in stars, you did shine like stars.”

Hosts Luis Manzano and Pia Wurtzbach also join in the fun as they interact with the contestants. The 2015 Miss Universe even did a walk-off with urban dance group Go Figure, while Luis tried to keep up with ethnic streetdance group Move to the Groove.

There are more talented dance acts, funny, and heart-warming stories to watch out for in World of Dance Philippines, which airs Saturday and Sunday at 7:30 p.m. on ABS-CBN. It is also available on iWant. Also tune in to World of Dance Online, hosted by Maymay Entrata, Riva Quenery, AC Bonifacio, and Teacher Georcelle of G-Force on Facebook and YouTube. Continued on C3

Hitmakers return sans Rico J; AiAi a fitting replacement ISAH V. RED

THE day after Valentine, hitmakers Marco Sison, Hajji Alejandro, Rey Valera will be back on stage to serenade lovers. But one of them will be missed – the group’s loveable prankster Rico J. Puno who as we all know passed on last year.

And so, the producers of the show that somehow has become a staple on Valentine season in the Metro decided to put in someone who can fill in the shoes that Rico J. left behind. And guess who is edging to fit in the shoes. It’s none other than AiAi de las Alas. She may not be a prankster, but she’s funny enough to make the three male singers feel Rico J. hadn’t left all along.

The show is now called The Hitmakers and Ai and it’s designed as a tribute to the late Rico J. The memory is still fresh among the three and AiAi and during the presscon at Mesa on T. Morato they admitted tears could well from their eyes when they do the show.

AiAi delas Alas with hitmakers Rey Valera, Marco Sison and Hajji Alejandro

“Malapit na siyang mag-sink-in sa akin. More than 10 years na kaming magkakasama. Ayaw nu’n ng malungkot, ayaw niya ng nagdurusa. Gusto niya laging masaya! Nalulungkot lang kami kasi tulad niyan, meron akong kakantahin na kanta niya sa concert,” Marco said.

AiAi said, “Ako, nalulungkot talaga kahit hindi ako Hitmaker. Kasi madalas ko ring kasama si Kuya, eh. At saka, mamimiss ko ’yung binabastos niya ako. Kasi minsan, pumipili lang ako ng bumabastos sa akin. ’Pag iba, nau-offend ako o hindi ko pinapalampas.”

“Ang pagiging mahusay sa timing sa comedy ang mami-miss ko kay Rico.’Yung timing sa comedy at ang sarap niyang kabatuhan. Kausap mo pa lang siya, may sagot na. Kahit ano, hindi nakakasawa ang sasabihin niya,” Hajji added.

While feeling sad while reminiscing their memories of Rico J, they didn’t forget that they have to be in good spirits for their audience.

Hitmakers & Ai is on Feb 15, 8:00 p.m. at the Newport Performing Arts Theater (NPAT), Resorts World Manila.

Continued on C3

‘Glass’ shatter-proof atop box office GLASS proved shatter-proof atop North American box offices for a third straight weekend, earning $9.5 million, industry estimates showed on Sunday.

Directed and financed by M. Night Shyamalan, Universal’s superhero thriller unites narratives from his Unbreakable (2000) and Split (2016).

Much of the film, starring Bruce Willis, Samuel L Jackson and James McAvoy, takes place in a psychiatric facility.

Keeping it company in the number two spot was buddy drama The Upside (starring Bryan Cranston as a wealthy quadriplegic who hires ex-convict Kevin Hart as his caretaker) with earnings of $8.9 million over the three-day weekend,

according to industry tracker Exhibitor Relations.

Miss Bala, in which Gina Rodriguez features as a Los Angeles Latina who finds herself mixed up in the dark world of drug trafficking on the Mexican border, made its entry at third place to earn $6.7 million.

Sinking a notch to fourth place was superhero flick Aquaman, starring Jason Momoa as the underwater king. It earned $4.8 million, adding to a global take of more than $1 billion which has made it the largest DC Comics adaptation of all time, according to Exhibitor Relations.

After eight weeks, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse remained in fifth spot, with takings of $4.4 million. AFP

SGMA leading the Pack of Empowered Women

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2019

1

Photos by Perfecto Camero

The Women Deputy Speakers

By Angelica Mirano THE current 17th Congress is truly a unique congregation of diversity and

By Peter Paul Duran

T

HE fight for women’s rights around the world has been fought for ages. This has spawned numerous empowered women in history whom have inspired a plethora of other women leaders throughout the years.

In the Philippines, the struggle has been evident, but it has bore valuable fruit especially when we take a look at our politics.

None better an example of this is the journey of the current Speaker of House, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, the first woman speaker.

Representing the second district of Pampanga, SGMA was elected to the Speakership on July 23, 2018, and is the first woman and 21st person to serve as Speaker, this after serving as the country’s second female President, among many other notable achievements.

From the People’s House to The Working House, the 17th Congress’ shift in leadership has also brought about a change in dynamics in the bicameral body’s lower house.

That change has been evident since Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo assumed the helm, bringing with her the bravado and great zeal which has influenced the 292-strong member House of Representatives into crafting and approving numerous bills in only a short span of time.

In just six months since she assumed leadership of the House, Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo has steered the chamber to pass all of the priority legislative measures of President

Rodrigo Duterte as he enumerated in his State of the Nation Address in July.

Arroyo credited her colleagues for working hard to pass all of the President’s 15 priority measures.

In a speech before Congress adjourned for the Christmas break, Arroyo said she was not concerned about her legacy but about carrying out the legislative agenda of the President.

“And as of yesterday, the House can report with confidence that we have already passed the President’s entire legislative agenda as he announced in his 2018 State of the Nation Address.

So you all deserve congratulations and thanks,” Arroyo said.

The President’s priority bills included the Bangsamoro Basic Law, Endo or the Security of Tenure Act, Utilization of the Coco Levy Act, National Land Use Act, Creation of the Department of Disaster Resilience, Rice Tariffication, Trabaho Bill or TRAIN 2, Mining Taxes, Alcohol Taxes, Tobacco Taxes, Reform in Property Valuation, Reform in Capitol Income and Financial Taxes, Tax Amnesty Program, Universal Health Care and Revision of the Constitution.

Under Arroyo, the House has processed about 1,361 bills, approved 492 measures of which 95 have been passed into law.

“Thirty-nine bills are ready for the President’s signature; 27 with ratified bicameral reports; 25 on bicameral conference committee; 22 approved on second reading plus 38 resolutions approved. We have processed an average of 33 measures a day,” she said.

Indeed, the last few years have brought one surprise after the other in the world of politics -- and one of the more recent saw Arroyo being elected as Speaker mid-2018.

A total of 184 House members formed the new majority and voted in favor of the Pampanga 2nd District representative. After 20 male Speakers, it took a former President to put a woman on top of the legislature.

In the history of the House of Representatives, men have dominated the field. But with Arroyo’s accumulated experience and political clout, she stood out was the clear cut choice.

The road to the Speakership, so to speak, began when Arroyo was elected to represent the second district of her home province Pampanga – made up of her hometown of Lubao as well as Floridablanca, Guagua, Porac, Sta. Rita and Sasmuan – in 2010 for the 15th Congress. She succeeded her son, Juan Miguel “Mikee” Arroyo, as representative.

And even if her term is nearing its tail-end, there’s no indication that the working house is stopping.

In fact, the House of Representatives is not only an amalgam of zealous individuals working toward a more productive 17th Congress. The working house, with a mother-figure Turn to page 2

talent.

Especially in the House of the Representatives where it maintains to achieve gender-balanced leadership backed by the fact that the power of women was highlighted in its second highest office, the Deputy Speakership.

With half of the elected deputy speakers being women such as Hon. Rose Marie Arenas, Hon. Mercedez Alvarez, Hon. Mylene GarciaAlbano, Hon. Pia Cayetano, Hon. Sharon Garin, Hon. Evelina Escudero, and Hon. Linabelle Ruth Villarica, Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s term as speaker is a testament to her leading the pack of empowered women.

Let’s get to know more about these women deputy speakers, knowing well too well that they have authored and co-authored acts that are significant to all Filipinos.

Hon. Mylene J. Garcia-Albano, a lawyer by profession, an advocate of workers and Davao City’s second district representative. She coauthored several significant Republic acts such as Republic Act No. 10668 that helps importer and exporters by lowering the cost of shipping containerized cargoes; Republic Act No. 10845 that imposes higher sanctions on large-scale smuggling of agricultural products as crime of economic sabotage; Republic Act No. 8972 that provides additional benefits to solo parents; Republic Act No. 10706 that protect seafarers from exploitation during cases of accident, illness and deaths; and Republic Act No. 10821 that mandates provision of emergency relief and protection service for children before, during or after the disaster, and other emergency situation.

Hon. Mercedez K. Alvarez serves both as deputy speaker and representative of the sixth district of Negros Occidental. She was a lawyer by profession and an advocate of rights of women and children. She fought for extended maternity leave of working women and also stood against intolerance and discrimination. She was also a national defense and security advocate and also pushed development of the countryside through infrastructure projects.

Hon. Rose Marie J. Arenas, 3 rd district representative of Pangasinan and been dedicating her service to the poor. She was also an advocate of women, children and overseas Filipino workers rights. She has been an instrument for the poor to attain proper education via granting scholarship to thousands of youths. She is a significant patron of arts and a key benefactor in the construction and repair of chapels and monasteries.

After serving public as a senator, Deputy Speaker Hon. Pia S. Cayetano and representative of 2nd district of Taguig City and also a lawyer were known with her sympathy to women and poor. She supported laws on reproductive health, cheaper medicine, taxes and women welfare. She also supported laws about education, environment, PWDs senior citizen and sports. She was the principal author and sponsor of the 10 Day Expanded Maternity Leave Bill.

Hon. Evelina G. Escudero was a veteran educator with PhD and an advocate of education, culture and arts, tourism, health, and agriculture. She authored and sponsor bills such as Republic Act No. 10931 or Iskolar ng Bayan Act, Republic Act No. 11052 or Philippine Turn to page 2

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WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2019

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SGMA leading the Pack of Empowered Women

Congress: Pursuing equal rights for all

By Rica Aquino

W

OMEN discrimination is one of the main problems in the world. Even the Philippines, a country well-known for having strong women influencers still has women suffering from discrimination.

In fact, the country has a high rate of women harassment, in 2018 a survey claimed that 81 percent of women experience sexual harassment, not to mention the likewise high number of physical harassment.

Filipinas also have the difficulty in pursuing their careers because of lingering patriarchal values. But there is still a silver lining, especially when it comes to support from our

lawmakers—our women solons in Congress.

And they have indeed stood by their mandate.

The present Standing Committee operating in the House of Representatives of the Republic of the Philippines acts to maintain the balance in the nations law by submitting new Laws and Bills to create a better system for our country, thus “Women and Gender Equality” Committee consisted of 55 members led

by Hon. Bernadette “BH” Herrera-Dy, its Chairperson.

The standing committee is responsible for concerns relating to all women, regardless of their age, to education, employment, even to their role in nation building, and anything related to gender equality.

The “Women and Gender equality” committee referred six notable house bills to date, three have been approved by the house including the HB No. 08244, an act that widened the definition of sexual harassment.

Harassments in any environment (workplace, institutions) now prescribe penalties indicated in Republic Act No. 7877 (Anti-sexual harassment act of 1995), an act that protects women and their children against violence indicted in the Republic Act no. 9262 known as the “Anti-violence against women and their children act of 2004” and HB04982, act that prohibits sexual discrimination. The other proposed bills are still under the approval of the house and senate which also have the same goal, the protection of women.

The Philippines has seen strong, independent women throughout its history. But this doesn’t mean that they do not need the support or help from those in power, or those who can help through legislature.

The Women and Gender Equality Committee is just one of the many groups supporting not just the rights and safety of women of any age, but also the improvement of women with their participation in economic life.

SOME NOTABLE CONTRIBUTIONS OF FPGMA ON THE RIGHTS OF WOMEN: SENATE •

She was principal author of the Anti-Sexual Harassment Act of 1995.

•

She was principal author of RA 7882 (An Act Providing Assistance to Women Engaging in Micro and Cottage Business Enterprises) which symbolized her two-pronged approach to women empowerment - first by upholding their human rights and second, by promoting their economic rights.

•

She was also principal author of the Anti-Battering Bill but it did not pass during her time. The said bill would be the precursor of a subsequent bill, the Anti-Violence against Women Act, which she signed into law as president in 2004.

VICE PRESIDENCY •

As concurrent DSWD Secretary, FPGMA initiated the administrative measure on the anti-trafficking bill, which she would later on sign into law, the Anti-Trafficking in Person Act of 2003, as President.

PRESIDENCY ALVAREZ

GARIN

The women...

From page 1

Food Technology Act, Republic Act No. 11037 or Masustansyang Pagkain Para sa Batang Pilipino Act. She is the 1 st district representative of Sorsogon.

A certified public accountant and lawyer, and a party-list representative, Hon. Sharon S. Garin was the author of the Coconut Preservation Act, Rural Farms School Act, Farm Tourism Act, Food Safety Act, Free Irrigation Act, and other agricultural related bills. She was also a women’s

SGMA...

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in tow, is now a caring house.

This shows in various measures supporting the practice of corporate social responsibility in the country.

It also shows in the push from Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo for the urgent rehabilitation of Marawi City and for a renewed focus on the plight of the urban poor, which she has championed throughout her career.

The House tackles a lot of other measures that directly and indirectly

ARENAS

GARCIA ALBANO

rights advocate, aiming to empower women with Expanded Maternity Leave Bill, Absolute Divorce Bill, and the Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Act. Hon. Linabelle Ruth R. Villarica is the representative of the 4th district of Bulacan and the president of the Association of the Women Legislators Foundation Inc. She was the principal author of the Republic Act No. 10928 that extends the validity of the Philippine Passport; Republic Act No. 10691 that amends the Public Employment Service Office Law and other significant bills.

With Peter Paul Duran

affect the urban poor -- and under the baton of Speaker Arroyo, the country’s lawmakers are encouraged to apply compassion and wisdom to the laws that will benefit not just the poor, but all Filipinos as well.

This comes as no surprise as politics with a purpose has always been in Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s blood.

She was 14 years old when her father, Diosdado Macapagal, became the country’s ninth President. “GMA” herself would become the 14th President of the Philippines— before gaining another milestone as the

CAYETANO

•

Signed into law the Ant-Trafficking in Persons Act in 2003.

•

Signed into law the Anti-Violence against Women and Children Act in 2004.

•

Signed into law the Magna Carta of Women in 2009.

•

To implement RA 7882, she established a microfinance conduit system to help women in business. As a result, from 2001 to 2009, the government extended P340 billion in loans to almost 6 million micro, small and medium enterprises creating 6 million jobs. This exceeded her initial target of 3 million entrepreneurs.

•

Steered the country towards closing the gender gap in education and health during her presidency. The Philippines was sixth in the world and the only Asian country to achieve gender parity during her presidency in 2008.

•

During her term, the Philippines was among the top in gender equality in terms of literacy rate and together with some other countries, the Philippines was no. 1 for female enrolment in primary, secondary and tertiary education.

•

Set aside five percent of the yearly budget for Gender and Development.

•

Increased the number of policewomen to be hired every year.

•

Developed a Childhood Care and Development System in order to lower maternal mortality ratio and infant mortality ratio.

•

Placed pregnancy in the public health insurance coverage so that pregnant women could use their Philhealth card when giving birth in accredited hospitals.

•

Towards the end of her presidency, she launched two programs for women – Hataw and Power. HATAW means Harnessing Appropriate Technology to Assist Women and POWER means Projects for Women Entrepreneurs. Hataw sought technology-based solutions to community-based problems in general and lack of women’s economic opportunities in particular. It meshed local knowledge systems with modern technology to create value-added products and services out of available and abundant resources in their communities.

ESCUDERO

VILLARICA

country’s first woman Speaker of the House of Representatives.

But even at 71 years old, Gloria Macapagal Arroyo has proven she has many more years of public service in her. Having been voted into all the top elective posts of the country, being Speaker may not be the final stop of her long and glittering political journey.

And amid all things that she had accomplished, there’s hope for the next batch of empowered women to follow on Mrs. Arroyo’s trailblazing path.

PAMPANGA REPRESENTATIVE •

Co-authored the Kasambahay bill that became a law.

•

Filed a bill that will allow women to revert to their maiden surname in case of legal separation, presumptive death, abandonment, separation of property or dissolution of marriage without a court order.

•

Filed a bill creating programs for incarcerated mothers and their children.

SGMA leading the Pack of Empowered Women

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2019

3

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The Women Committee Chairs promotion of industrial peace and employer/employee cooperation, labor education, labor standards and statistics, and the organization and development of the labor market including the recruitment, THE House of Representatives under Speaker Gloria Macapagal- training and placement of manpower. She is also Vice Chairperson of three more committees, “Appropriations”, “Indigenous Cultural Arroyo has seen numerous changes in only a short span of time.

Communities And Indigenous Peoples”, and “Suffrage And Electoral Since taking the reigns back in July, SGMA has pushed President Reforms” and a member of 10 more committees (Science and Rodrigo Duterte’s legislative agenda to near completion. This goes Technology, Local Government, Justice). without saying that indeed, with its first woman speaker in the drivCommittee chair on Muslim affairs er’s seat, the lower House of Congress is a Working House.

(Members: 20): Sema, Sandra A. Hon. Sema, Sandra A. is a District But it’s worthy to note as well, that behind Speaker Arroyo, nuRepresentatives of Maguindanao, 1st merous women legislators have contributed to this overhaul in the District, she authored 39 Housing Bills House’s complexion of hard work. including the HB NO. 03312, an act prohibiting discrimination on the basis Let’s get to know more about them, especially the women commitof ethnicity, race and religion or belief, tee chairs of the 17th Congress. sex, gender, sexual orientation and another status, and providing penalties STANDING COMMITTEE under of “Muslim Affairs” committee that is relating to Muslim affairs inclusive of the welfare of Muslim Committee chair on accounts Filipinos and the development of predominantly Muslim areas.

(Members: 105): Romualdez, Yedda Marie K. Committee chair on People Hon. Romualdez, Yedda Marie K. Participation (Members: 25): is a District Representative of Leyte, Plaza, Maria Valentina G. 1st district. She authored 57 Housing Hon. Plaza, Maria Valentina G. is bills including “THE BUDGET a District Representatives of Agusan IMPOUNDMENT CONTROL ACT” Del Sur, 1st District. She authored 30 under the Committee of Accounts that Housing Bills including the HB NO. is referring to the internal budget of the 06834, an act strengthening the right House including budget preparation. of the people to free expression, to She is also Vice Chairperson of “Interparliamentary Relations and peaceably assemble and to petition the Diplomacy” and a member of 5 more committees (Climate Change, government for redress of grievances, Labor and Employment, Tourism, Trade and Industry, Women and repealing for the purpose Batas Pambansa under the “People Gender Equality).

Participation” committee relating to the role, rights and responsibilities of peoples organizations, non-government and civic organizations Committee chair on Disaster and other similar groups and the establishment of mechanisms for Management (Members: 30): consultation with and participation of the people in governance and Roman, Geraldine B. Hon. Roman, Geraldine B. is a District legislation including the establishment and maintenance of databank Representative of Bataan, 1st District, a on all such organization. She is also a Vice Chairperson of “Revision chairperson of Disaster Management of Laws” committee and a member of 8 more committees (Disaster that is relating to disaster and calamities Management, Mindanao Affairs). as well as policies, plans, programs Committee chair on Population and related to disaster risk. She authored 86 Family Relations(Members: 25): Housing bills including HB NO. 03966, Aragones, Sol an act requiring all the provincial Hon. Aragones, Sol is a District governments to establish, operate and maintain an intensive care Representatives of Laguna, 3rd District, unit in their respective provincial hospitals and appropriating funds. a Chairperson of “Population and She is also a Vice Chairperson of “Veterans Affairs and Welfare” and Family Relations” committee relating to “Women and Gender Equality”, and a member of 10 more committees population growth and family planning, (Appropriations, Bases Conversion, Ethics and Privileges, Health). population census and statistics, family relations. She is also Vice Chairperson Committee chair on Economic of two committees, “Women and Affairs (Member: 35): Gender Equality”, “Information and Communications Technology” Garcia, Gwendolyn F. Hon. Garcia, Gwendolyn F. is a and a member of 5 more committees (Tourism, Ecology, Agriculture District Representative of Cebu, 3rd and Food).

District, a chairperson of “Economic Committee chair on Revision of Affairs” committee that is relating to Laws: Primicias-Agabas, Marlyn L. economic development planning and Hon. Primicias-Agabas, Marlyn L. is a programs inclusive of economic and soDistrict Representatives of Pangasinan, cial economic studies and development 6th District and a Chairperson of policies and strategies.

“Revision of Laws” committee relaying to the revision and codification of Committee chair on Ethics and laws. She is also a Vice Chairperson of Privileges (Members: 25): “Cooperative Development” committee Lee, Delphine Gan and a member of 12 more committees Hon. Delphine Lee is a Representative (Rules, Justice, and Health). from the AGRI Party List and the chairperson for the committee on ethics Committee chair on Social service and privileges. She has authored 73 (Members: 35): house measures to date including HB042 Eriguel, Sandra Y., M.D or an act removing the conditions for Hon. Eriguel, Sandra Y., M.D is a the condonation of all unpaid taxes due District Representatives of La Union, from local water districts. She is also 2nd District, a Chairperson of “Social a member of the minority on six other Service” committee relating to the committees, such as Accounts, Agriculture and Food, Food security, development and promotion of tourism Games and Amusement, Tourism, and Ways and Means. and the tourist industry both domestic and international. She is also a Vice Committee chair on Health Chairperson of “Health” committee and (Members:65): Tan, Angelina Hon. Tan, Angelina is a District a member of 7 more committees (Local Government, Accounts, and Representative of Quezon, 4th District, Agriculture). a chairperson of “Health” committee Committee chair on Tourism that is relating to public health and (Members: 55): hygiene and quarantine, medical, Nuñez-Malanyaon, Corazon N. hospital and other health facilities and Hon. Nuñez-Malanyaon, Corazon service. She authored 239 Housing N. is a District Representatives of Bills including the HB NO. 00042, Davao Oriental, 1st District, She an act strengthening compliance authored 55 Housing Bills including with occupational safety and health the HB NO. 06475, entitled “An act standards and providing penalties for violations under the “Health” to strengthen and expand organic act committee. She is also a Vice Chairperson of “Overseas Workers for the autonomous region in Muslim Affairs” Committee and a member of 9 more committees (Foreign Mindanao”. She is a Chairperson of Affairs, Labor and Employment, Ways and Means).

“Tourism” committee relating to the development and promotion of tourism and the tourist industry Committe chair on Human Rights both domestic and international. She is a Vice Chairperson of two (Members: 35): committees, “Appropriations”, and “Constitutional Amendments”, Deloso-Montalla, Cheryl P. Hon. Deloso-Montalla, Cheryl P. is a and a member of 6 more committees (Mindanao, Affairs, Accounts, District Representatives of Zambales, and Local Government).

2nd District, a Chairperson of “Human Committee chair on Ways and Right” committee that is relating to the Means: Suansing, Estrelita B. protection of enhancement of human Hon. Suansing, Estrelita B. Is a District rights, assistance to victims of human Representatives of Nueva Ecija, 1st rights violations, and their families, the District, a Chairperson of “ Ways and prevention of violations of human rights Means” committee relating to the fiscal, and the punishment of perpetrators monetary, and financial affairs of the of such violations. She is also a Vice national government including tariff, Chairperson of two committees “Bases taxation, revenues, borrowing, credit Conversion” and “Basic Education and Culture” and a member of and bonded indebtedness. She is also 11 more committees (West Philippine Sea, Natural Resources, and Vice Chairperson of “Overseas Worker Ecology).

Affairs” committee and a member of 9 more committees (Transportation, Health, and Climate Change).

Committee chair on Labor and Employment (Members: 40): Committee chair on Welfare of Cuaresma, Luisa Lloren Children (Members: 20): Hon. Cuaresma, Luisa Lloren is Yu, Divina Grace C. a District Representative of Nueva Hon. Yu, Divina Grace C. is Vizcaya, Lone District, a Chairperson of a District Representatives of “Labor and Employment” Committee Zamboanga Del Sur, 1st District. that is relating to labor, the advancement She authored 131 House Bills and protection of the rights and including the HB NO. 05633, an act welfare of workers, employment and strengthening the unified financial manpower development inclusive of the

By Rica Aquino and Peter Paul Duran

assistance system for tertiary education and appropriating their funds under the “Welfare of Children” committee that is relating to the needs, education, and overall welfare of Filipino children, and all actions to ensure the availability of and their continuing access to affordable and appropriate programs and resources and that facilitate and contribute to the attainment of their welfare. She is a Vice Chairperson of two committees,” Civil Service and Professional Regulation” and “Women and Gender Equality”, and a member of 12 more committees (Tourism, Transportation and Justice).

Committee chair on Women and Gender Equality(Members: 55): Bernadette, Herrera-Dy Hon. Bernadette, Herrera-Dy is a District Representatives, Party ListBH, She authored 153 Housing Bills including the HB NO. 04982, an act prohibiting discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity under the “Women and Gender Equality” committee that is relating to the rights and welfare of women and female children and youth, inclusive of their education, employment and working conditions, and their role in nation building, and all concerns relating to gender equality. She is also a Vice Chairperson of “Welfare of Children” committee and a member of 11 more committees(Rules, Social service, and Health).

SPECIAL COMMITTEES Committee chair on East Asian Growth Area (Members: 20): Cagas, Mercedes “Didi” C. Hon. Cagas, Mercedes “Didi” C. is a District Representatives of Davao Del Sur, Lone District. She is a Chairperson of “East Asian Growth Area” committee relating to social, political, economic policies affecting the counties within the area, and the promotion of trade and investment among these countries. She is also a member of 11 more committees (Tourism, Trade and Industry, and Mindanao Affairs).

Committee chair on Sustainable Development Goals (Members: 14): Kho, Elisa.

Hon. Elisa Kho is Masbate’s 2nd District Representative and is the chairperson of the House Committee on Sustainable Development Goals.

She is also a member of nine other committees including committee on accounts, Bicol Recovery and Economic Development, Climate Change, Foreign Affairs, Interparliamentary Relations and Diplomacy, Population and Family Relations, Rural Development, Senior Citizens, and Tourism. She has authored 80 measures to date.

Committee chair on Bases Conversion (Members: 20): Calixto-Rubiano, Emi G. Hon. Calixto-Rubiano, Emi G. is a District Representatives of Pasay City, Lone District. She is a Chairperson of “Committee chair on Bases Conversion” committee relating to policies and programs relating to bases conversion, the operation of special economic zones informer military bases, sale of military camps and disposition of proceeds thereof, relocation of military camps and personnel, and the construction of new military camps.

She is also a member of 4 more committees.

Committee chair on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (Member: 20): Sahali, Ruby M. Hon. Sahali, Ruby M. is a District Representatives of Tawi Tawi, Lone District, a Chairperson of Peace, Reconciliation and Unity relating to negotiation and other policy and program initiatives in pursuit of the peace process and national reconciliation, the cessation of hostilities generated by internal armed conflicts, and the welfare of rebel-returnees.

Committee chair on Senior Citizens (Members: 20): Marcos, Imelda R. Hon. Marcos, Imelda R. is a District Representative of Ilocos Norte, 2nd District, a Chairperson of “Senior Citizens” committee relating to the needs and welfare of senior citizens as well as policies and programs that will enhance their active participation in society.

She is also a Vice Chairperson of “Antiparliamentary Relations and Diplomacy” committee and a member of 4 more committees (Foreign Affairs, Accounts and Tourism).

Committee chair on West Philippine Sea: Go, Ana Cristina Siquian Hon. Go, Ana Cristina Siquian is a District Representative of Isabela, 2nd District, a Chairperson of West Philippine Sea, The jurisdiction of this committee is not specified. But their bills are more on the protection of the Philippine Territory, specifically WPS.

Through the various standing and special committee chairwomen, more legislative agenda pertaining to gender equality are now being brought up. But above and beyond this, having these outstanding women leading the way, creates a new dynamic not only for the House of Representatives, but for Philippine politics as well.

4

SGMA leading the Pack of Empowered Women

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2019

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The Working House for All

By Julianne Edon Gabis

A

LTHOUGH the Philippines is one of the most genderequal countries in Asia, and having climbed to 8th place in the latest report of Global Gender Gap, there is still an overwhelming amount of men dominating the world of politics in the country, with Filipino women being inadequately represented in top political positions in the land.

Gender inequality is still a prevailing element of Philippine politics according to the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS). Not even a quarter (21.27%) of the seats in the House of Representatives were held by women in the 14th Congress.

Out of 268 House members, only 57 of were women.

The percentage climbed up a notch during the 15th Congress by 2% with a total of 66 women elected to Congress sitting next to 216 men. The 16th Congress, however, had seats for 64 women out of 234 raising the percentage up a bit to 27%.

In the current Congress, only 3 out of 10 legislators in the House are women making 87 women lawmakers sitting next to 209 men, surpassing the previous record of the 16th Congress. Women in politics have been on a steady rise. According to PIDS, women currently hold roughly 1 in every 5 national and local elective positions. You’d think that ever since the victory of Elisa Ochoa, the first ever woman legislator in the country in 1941, there would be some serious progress. Although there is an improvement, such figures still reveal the truth about the Filipino perception regarding gender roles.

To this day, less than 30% of seats in the House of Representatives are held by female lawmakers.

CHANGES IN POLITICAL LANDSCAPE The existence of women in the world of Politics once was not even conceivable until the 20th century.

Suffragists fought hard for the right of women to have a seat on the table and that right had only been obtained in 1937, not even a hundred years ago.

The National Assembly announced

the plebiscite with a required onset of 300,000 votes affirming the women’s right to vote.

The suffrage movement was the first legal act the Filipino women officially took part in and it forever changed the structure of the political system in the Philippines. It paved the way for many firsts in Philippine politics.

It was on 2016 when Geraldine Roman, from the first legislative district seat of Bataan, went down in

history and became the country’s first transwoman to ever be elected in the House of Representatives.

ERADICATING DISCRIMINATION Laws like Republic Act 9710 or the Magna Carta for Women- the landmark law of the 14th congress- helps in steadily eradicating discrimination against women, recognizing, protecting, and promoting their rights in the workforce. The act prohibits

any form of omission or discrimination in the matters of gender whether done by public and private entities or individuals.

This also includes stereotypical portrayal of females in media.

The SOGIE (Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity and Expression) Equality Act has been pushed in the House intended to prevent various acts of discrimination against people based on their gender expression.

Throughout the years women have been fighting for the empowerment of their fellow women in Congress despite being a minority in the House. Women of the 17 th Congress pushed House approval for laws addressing maternal issues. This includes the 105 Days Expanded

Maternity Leave Bill extending assistance to employed women after their maternal period.

Many laws are ratified in legislature protecting the rights of women and promoting gender equality but the question is whether these laws have teeth to make a difference.

The laws enacted by the Congress affect all in our country, regardless of gender, age, or ethnicity and winning candidates have a direct hand in molding our laws for the betterment of our society. Given such conditions in the gender gap in the legislative branch of the government or in any branch at all, this inequality in gender distribution inevitably affects the kind of laws prioritized in Congress.

The first woman in the National Assembly

welfare were limited.

A month into Ochoa’s term, World War II broke out but her service did not halt as she led other nurses in attending to Filipino ALL throughout history, women have been denied of entry to and American soldiers wounded in the war. After the war, she fields traditionally held and dominated by men. Not only until the authored Commonwealth Act 704- an act to establish municipal beginning of the 20th century, politics was no place for a womanmaternity and charity clinics in rural nothing less than the confines of her kitchen. areas.

The history of women in politics began in Women in far-flung areas up to this 1937 when Filipino women obtained their time have been given minimal healthcare right to vote via plebiscite with a required during their maternal period. Mortality threshold of 300,000 yes votes. Women rate of pregnant women was staggering. suffrage won a landslide victory of 447,725 As a medical practitioner herself, Ochoa yes votes versus 33,307. This paved the way saw the urgent necessity of addressing for a change in the landscape of Philippine the healthcare needs of poor pregnant Congress. women in these rural places.

Elisa Rosales-Ochoa joined the 1941 These maternity and charity clinics congressional elections in the Agusan shall attend to indigent patients certified province and won through a landslide victory. as such by a municipal treasurer. The act This cemented her name in history as the first The National Assembly in session also established proper compensation of ever congresswoman in the country. physicians that attend to these patients.

Born and raised in Butuan, what was then the province of Agusan, Ochoa’s term concluded in 1946 but her public service did she was a licensed nurse prior to her career in politics. She passed not stop as she worked as technical assistant on health to former the civil service examination for nursing superintendents and went presidents Ramon Magsaysay and Carlos Garcia. off to law school in 1939. When the Filipino women were granted In recognition of her leadership achievements, she was given the right of suffrage, Ochoa interrupted her law school studies to acknowledgments and proclaimed as a model citizen of Agusan del run for a position in the National Assembly.

Norte.

Many Filipino men were opposed with the idea of women having From her time as the first and only woman in Congress, women rights to vote and run for office. The primary concern was the remain a minority in the House of Representatives up to now destabilization of familial dynamics if women formally started to with the current Congress (17th Congress) having only at least 87 be included in the running of the country. women, 6 more than the previous one.

Gender discrimination is such an old element in our country that But with Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo attesting to the it traces back to the colonial era with the church’s involvement in brilliance of empowered women and their capability to lead, there regulating sexual conduct of women. Given may be a change in that fact not long from now. such conditions back then, acts and laws prioritizing women

By Julianne Edon Gabis

Elisa Rosales-Ochoa