Manila Standard - 2019 March 16 - Saturday

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49 DEAD IN NEW ZEALAND TERROR ATTACK

(STORY BELOW}

VOL. XXXIII • NO. 34 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P18 • SATURDAY, MARCH 16, 2019 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Rody orders release of water from Angat

By Nat Mariano, Rio N. Araja and Maricel V. Cruz TROUBLED by the suffering of thousands of Metro Manila families who are suffering from a water shortage, President Rodrigo Duterte ordered the release of water from the Angat Dam on Friday.

In a statement, Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said the President is “aware and concerned” about the complaints of Metro Manila Next page residents living in the affected areas.

Drought impact on Pinoys varies DESPITE experiencing drought in the past, Filipinos show varying levels of concern about drought, according to Harvard Humanitarian Initiative DisasterNet Philippines’ recent study.

HHI’s study, conducted in 2017 with 4,368 adult Next page

Duterte lists 50 more narco-pols Names to be made public after validation

By Nat Mariano and Maricel V. Cruz

A

FTER revealing 46 names of local politicians involved in the illegal drug trade, President Rodrigo R. Duterte is set to expose 50 more politicians whose cases are currently being validated.

Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año said the 50 names are the ones that were not read by the President during the joint National and Regional Peace and Order Council meeting here Thursday evening.

Año said there are actually 96 names of local government officials on the narco-list, 46 of which were already revealed by the President.

“The others are still under validation so more will be released by the President,” he said in Filipino. Next page

WATER WOES.

Ronnie Ricketts sentenced to 8 years for graft

By Maricel V. Cruz FORMER Chairman Ronnie Ricketts of the Optical Media Board was jailed up to eight years and perpetually disqualified from holding public office for his mishandling of seized pirated video discs in 2010.

The Sandiganbayan promulgated the sentence on Ricketts, who was found guilty together with former OMB Enforcement and Inspection Division computer operator Glenn Perez.

The anti-graft court said Ricketts and his co-accused “gave undue benefit” to Sky High Marketing Corp. when the OMB confiscated tons of pirated compact discs in its Quezon City building on May 27, 2010.

Court records showed that instead of filing charges against the owners of Sky High, Ricketts and Perez allowed the compact discs to be “released and reloaded into the corporation’s vehicle.”

Associate Justice Alex Quiroz, the antigraft court Fourth Division chairman, allowed Ricketts and Perez to appeal and were required to post a P30,000-bail. Next page

The lines gathering water from all sources, including a deep well (upper photo) at Barangay Old Capitol in Quezon City are thickening, while residents in Barangka in the capital city keep their sense of humor over the shared weakening flow of potable water (top photo) for their daily needs. Manny Palmero with AFP

Soldiers kill top terrorist, 3 henchmen

By Francisco Tuyay A RANKING leader of the Dawlah Islamiya terrorist group, three of his fighters and four soldiers were killed in renewed fighting in the hinterlands of Tuburan town in Lanao del Sur, the military said Friday.

Reports said Abu Dar, the chieftain of the Dawlah Islamiya was among those killed in the latest encounter. But Col. Romeo Brawner, commander of the Army’s 103rd Infantry Brigade, said they still needed to validate the reports through a DNA test.

Abu Dar took over the Maute group last year following the death of its leader Next page

CROSS BORDER PIPE. House Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo vows to help ease the water crisis in the East Zone of the metropolis being serviced by Manila Water, after leading the opening of the cross border pipe at the corner of West Avenue and Bulacan Street in Quezon City. The pipe is the fastest way to transfer water from West Zone to the East Zone.

Aussie extremist assaults 2 Christchurch mosques MOSQUE SHOOTING. An image grab from TV New Zealand taken on March 15, shows a victim being wheeled into a hospital following the mosque shooting in Christchurch. At least one gunman who targetted crowded mosques in Christchurch killed several people in what Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern described as ‘one of New Zealand’s darkest days.’ TV New Zealand/AFP

CHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand—A “right-wing extremist” armed with semi-automatic weapons rampaged through two mosques in the quiet New Zealand city of Christchurch during afternoon prayers Friday, killing 49 worshippers and wounding dozens more.

The attack, thought to be the deadliest against Muslims in the West in modern times, was immediately dubbed terrorism by Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, as she guided a shocked nation on one of its “darkest days.”

The attacker live-streamed footage of him going room-to-room, victim to victim, shooting the wounded from close range as they struggled to crawl away.

A 28-year-old Australian-born man has been arrested and charged with murder.

Next page

A2

News

SATURDAY, MARCH 16, 2019

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Euro NGOs hit for funding Reds

F

OREIGN Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. on Thursday slammed the non-government organizations in the European Union for funding the decades-long communist insurgency in the Philippines.

“EU funding continues for the widely detested, nowhere supported, and foredoomed communist insurgency composed of the last dregs of the New Khmer Rouge, as US intelligence branded them in the late 80s,” Locsin said during the Ministerial Segment of the 62nd Session of the Commission on Narcotics and Drugs on Thursday (Friday in Manila) in Vienna.

In other developments: • New People’s Army rebels attacked a pineapple plantation in the Bukidnon town of Don Carlos and burned a harvesting equipment on Thursday, the Army said.

In a statement released by the Army’s 403rd

Brigade on Friday, an unspecified number of armed men raided the plantation area of Davao Agriculture Ventures Company Inc. in San Nicolas village around 8 p.m.

The armed men “threatened the workers and announced that they were NPA members,” the Army statement said, adding the group disarmed the lone security guard and seized his cellphone.

• Two rights groups on Friday filed a complaint before the joint monitoring committee of the National Democratic Front and the Government of the Republic of the Philippines for their alleged red-tagging and terrorist labeling of militant groups.

Karapatan, along with the Rural Missionaries of the Philippines, filed the complaint a day before the 21st year of the signing of the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law. Locsin said the insurgency being waged by the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army continued to threaten Philippine society and national security.

“In this endeavor, EU non-government organizations support a cause unquestionably lethal but totally unredeemed by any prospect of success,” Locsin said.

“Their generous contributions promise at best the prospect of a small and ragged parade under a cracked marble arch to the strains of a broken Hallelujah. As always, the Philippines fights its battles alone; it needs no help; it fears no opposition from any quarter; but it wouldn’t mind a little understanding.”

In its official statement, the EU delegation in Manila said the bloc continued to recognize the communist group as a terrorist organization.

“The Communist Party of the Philippines and the New People’s Army are on the EU’s list of terrorist organizations since 2006 and are treated as such in all respects by the European Union at this point,” its statement read.

The EU and the US have listed the CPPNPA as a terrorist group.

Presidential Task Force on Media Security Executive Director Undersecretary Joel Egco, who was part of the Philippine delegation that conducted a series of engagements in Brussels in February, said the National Task Force to End the Communist Insurgency created by President Rodrigo Duterte was set to hold several meetings to address the issue and further engage the bloc. PNA, with Rio N. Araja

POLICEMEN in Davao City have arrested the primary suspect in the gruesome killing and apparent rape of Lapu-Lapu City native Christine Lee Silawan.

The suspect was identified as Jonas Bueno, according to a GMA Super Radyo Davao report by Cyril Chaves. A reward of P2 million has been offered for information leading to the suspect’s arrest.

Silawan was found dead with multiple stab wounds and her face mutilated, along with missing several internal organs. Her death angered President Rodrigo Duterte, who ordered the killing investigated.

Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra then ordered the National Bureau of Investigation on Friday to “conduct an investigation and case build-up” on the murder and alleged rape of the 16-year-old.

Silawan was reported missing on Sunday after she failed to return home from serving as collector in church.

Guevarra granted the NBI authority “if evidence warrants, to file the appropriate charges against persons found responsible.”

The gruesome murder has revived the debate on the reimposition of the death penalty.

Drought...

From A1 respondents, is the first nationwide household survey on disaster preparedness in the Philippines.

The report says at the national average, only 12 percent of Filipinos reported feeling extremely concerned, 24 percent were concerned while 21 percent were somewhat concerned, 16 percent were a little concerned and 26 percent were not at all concerned about being affected by drought.

In the regions where the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services has identified provinces that are already experiencing less rainfall in the last five months associated with the weak El Niño in the Pacific Ocean, less than half of each region’s population expressed any concern about being affected by drought.

In the Zamboanga Peninsula, where Zamboanga del Sur and Zamboanga Sibugay have been experiencing drought since February this year, only 25 percent were concerned about drought before the disaster. Zamboanga City, Zamboanga Sibugay and Pagadian City have already been placed under a state of calamity.

In Northern Mindanao, where the provinces of Bukidnon and Misamis Oriental have already lost at least P292 million in agriculture this year due to the effects of El Niño, as reported by the Department of Agriculture, 57 percent had been concerned about drought before the disaster hit.

In the Ilocos Region, where drought has been present in Ilocos Norte since last month, and a dry spell is likely in Ilocos Sur and La Union, 41 percent were concerned.

In the now defunct Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, where Sulu and Maguindanao are threatened by drought, 39 percent thought they would likely be affected by drought.

Ronnie...

From A1 Pedro Tanchuling, Ricketts’s lawyer, asked the court to defer the promulgation of its judgment, saying he had filed an urgent motion to reopen the case on Thursday.

Tanchuling offered to put Ricketts on the witness stand to prove his innocence. He also pleaded for at least another hearing so that Ricketts could give his testimony in open court.

“The Sandiganbayan may be clarified better if accused Ricketts would take the witness stand. We know [that the] remedy is also available to us but we would rather be allowed now. We will ensure this will be done in a one-day hearing,” Tanchuling said.

Prosecutor Rayman Rafael opposed the motion, saying the defense camp failed to provide legal grounds that would warrant its approval.

Quiroz said Ricketts had every opportunity to present evidence that could help his defense, but his lawyer opted otherwise. He also said granting the motion at this stage would be “procedurally improper.”

“The court sees no compelling reason why we have to defer the promulgation. The court has given the chance for accused to present his evidence, but movant-accused Ricketts opted not to submit his evidence,” Quiroz said.

SENATOR Panfilo Lacson on Friday slammed House members for allegedly confusing the public in defending the “pork insertions” they made in the P3.575-trillion national budget for 2019.

“There is a whale of a difference between itemization and realignments of what have been approved by the joint bicameral conference committee and ratified in plenary by both houses of Congress,” Lacson said.

Instead of engaging in obfuscation and personal attacks by their designated talking heads, Lacson said, the House leaders should

Duterte...

From A1 Año said validation began in 2017.

“Their [officials’] involvement is varied— there are protectors and coddlers, others are really involved,” he said.

Año said some of the politicians in the list have been dismissed.

“Others are still under suspension but we have included them in the list because there is no finality yet from the courts and the Office of the Ombudsman on their cases so they can still run [for office],” he added.

Año clarified that all 46 politicians named by the President are incumbent officials, but four of them are not seeking reelection.

Of the 46 officials in the narco-list, 35 are mayors, seven are vice mayors, three are members of the House of Representatives, and one is a provincial board member.

Año said the DILG has already filed complaints against the 46 officials.

Duterte said his decision to reveal the names of the 46 officials was anchored on his trust in the government agencies that have vetted and validated the list.

The President reminded fellow government officials that “public office is a public trust.”

An official’s right to privacy, he said, is not absolute and there is a compelling reason to prioritize the interest of the state and the people.

“As your President, my ultimate concern is the pursuit of order in government and the welfare of the Filipino people. My administration assures you of our dedication to change the lives of Filipinos now, not tomorrow,” he said.

On the remaining names, Duterte said, “I just want to be doubly sure.”

Leyte Rep. Vicente Veloso, whose name was on the list, said he would resign if the authorities can prove his involvement in illegal drugs.

But Veloso, a former Court of Appeals justice, said Philippine National Police chief Director General Oscar Albayalde and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency chief Director General Aaron Aquino should resign should

Rody...

From A1 “The President is directing the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) to demand from the Manila Water Company, Inc., Maynilad Water Services, Inc., and other responsible offices to release water from Angat Dam by noon time today, March 15, good for 150 days, in order to supply the affected areas in Metro Manila and deliver, as well as distribute sufficient water to the residents thereof,” Panelo said in a statement.

He said the President would personally go to any of the officials who do not comply with the directive.

Manila Water has maintained that the problem lies on the insufficient water supply in La Mesa Dam, which has made it difficult for them to meet the demand of households and establishments in their service area.

The MWSS, on the other hand, has blamed delays in the construction of two dams that would bolster water supply to Metro Manila.

MWSS Administrator Reynaldo Velasco also said the President wasn’t correctly advised on the 150-days supply, noting that he

Aussie...

From A1

He is set to appear at the Christchurch District Court early Saturday. Two other men remain in custody, although their link to the attack is unknown.

In Manila, the Philippine government continued to monitor the situation in New Zealand as it checked on the Filipino community in Christchurch.

“The Philippine embassy in Wellington is closely monitoring the situation. Ambassador Jesus Gary Domingo is in close coordination with the Philippine Honorary Consulate in Christchurch and leaders of the Filipino community,” the Department of Foreign Affairs said in a bulletin.

The embassy has also issued an advisory

By Rey E. Requejo

pursue a sensible dialogue with the senate leadership.

“Otherwise, we will have no choice but deal with the next House leadership come July,” Lacson said.

Senate President Vicente Sotto III has maintained his hard-line stance in not signing the proposed budget if the House members will not agree to stick to what was ratified during the bicameral conference.

The Otso Diretso, composed of opposition senatorial candidates, supported Sotto’s position against signing the 2019 budget, which is said to have been tampered by the House leadership.

“We will only affix our signature on the document that faithfully reflects the voice of Congress and ratified by its members,” the opposition said in a statement.

They considered as outrageous how attempts were allegedly made to squeeze kickbacks from the budget document that has yet to leave the halls of Congress.

Otso Direrso’s campaign manager, Senator Francis Pangilinan, said the Senate would always be on guard to protect the people’s money.

For a budget for the people, he cited the need for lawmakers who are efficient and trustworthy and are willing to debate, deliberate and defend in plenary a pork-free budget.

THE Supreme Court has been asked to resolve the two consolidated petitions assailing the constitutionality of President Rodrigo Duterte’s decision to withdraw the country’s ratification of the Rome Statute, a United Nations treaty creating the International Criminal Court.

In an urgent motion, the Philippine Coalition for the International Criminal Court warned that the cases of extrajudicial killings could increase once the country’s withdrawal from the ICC takes effect on March 17, 2019.

Under the Rome Statute, a state party like the Philippines may withdraw from the Statute through a written notification.

The withdrawal shall take effect one year after the date of receipt of the notification.

On the case of the Philippines, the one year will be on March 17.

“If and when the withdrawal takes effect, petitioners submit that it would mean Filipinos would be deprived of effective remedies provided under international law and constitutional law in the event that there is inaction

by Philippine law enforcement authorities to investigate or prosecute impunity committed in the Philippines,” the urgent motion stated.

“Indeed, Petitioners fear that with the withdrawal taking effect without this Honorable Court’s action, those who kill with impunity will only be further emboldened,” it said.

PCICC led by former Commission on Human Right chair Loretta Rosales as well as six opposition senators filed separate petitions before the high court questioning the government’s withdrawal from ICC without Senate’s ratification.

they fail to prove his alleged links to the illegal drug trade.

“If they cannot prove why they put me in that list, the should resign,” said Veloso, who chairs the House committee on constitutional amendments.

Veloso said his inclusion in the list was based on rehashed charges of which he was already cleared.

Magdalo Party-list Rep. Gary Alejano said the so-called narco-list is a desperate act to save the fake drug war of the government.

“The public-shaming that the government is resorting to is aimed to intimidate and control the local politicians in the coming elections.

This is also a mere show of bravado to make the people believe that the war on drugs is working. It is not,” said Alejano.

Akbayan Party-list Rep. Tom Villarin warned of a possible impeachment case against Duterte, saying his powers are not absolute.

“While the right to privacy is not absolute, there is no compelling reason for the state to violate it as we have a functioning court system where charges can be filed against these individuals. This could constitute an impeachable offense for culpable violation of the Constitution,” said Villarin.

Veloso said his inclusion in the list had damaged his reputation.

“I have been unduly injured by this list and those responsible for the inclusion of my name in that list must be sued criminally, must be penalized criminally,” said Veloso.

Subic town Mayor Jay Khonghun, son of Zambales Rep. Jeffrey Khonghun, was also included in the list, denied the allegations against him in a Facebook video.

Two town mayors in South Cotabato province branded on Friday as “politicallymotivated” their inclusion in Duterte’s list of narco-politicians.

Incumbent Mayors Albert Palencia of Banga and Pablo Matinong Jr. of Sto. Niño said in separate radio interviews that they were saddened and disappointed with their continuing implication by authorities in the illegal drug trade.

The two mayors—both seeking reelection in the coming May 13 polls—were also included in the initial narco-list released by the President in 2016.

“I am not involved in any way in illegal drugs. I have been investigated and presented myself to higher authorities to clear my name and yet my name was still on the list. I am really puzzled and don’t know what to do with that now,” Palencia said in an interview with the Radio Mindanao Network.

Palencia said he had submitted various documents and clearances to the National Police Commission, and the PDEA in Manila.

In November 2016, joint anti-drug operatives raided the Palencia residence and farmhouse in Banga but did not find any illegal drugs.

He was, however, briefly detained after the raid supposedly found ammunition in the mayor’s cabinet and a rifle grenade in his farm.

Palencia said he has supported the anti-drug operations in his town and provided the local police with the necessary support, through the Municipal Anti-Drug Abuse Council.

“This is clearly politically motivated. But my constituents know me well. If they saw any bad thing that I did and if I had not served them well, they will not vote for me,” said Palencia, who was the only mayor in South Cotabato who ran under the PDP-Laban in the 2016 elections.

Palencia, who is now running under the Nationalist People’s Coalition, said he has no ill feeling and will continue to support the President.

“He just released what was fed to him by the authorities,” he said.

Matinong reiterated that he has already proven that he was not involved in any way in illegal drugs.

Matinong, who is seeking a second term, said he had also submitted documents concerned agencies, such as the PDEA, Napolcom, and the Philippine National Police to clear his name.

“I was surprised why my name again came up. I had been actually working to cleanse my town of illegal drugs,” he said in an interview

over DXMC Bombo Radyo.

Malacañang on Friday told politicians on the narco-list to avail of legal remedies should they feel “injured” by its declassification.

Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo made the remark after Veloso swiftly denied having a hand in the proliferation of illegal drugs in his area.

Veloso maintained he has been cleared of drug allegations in the past by the PDEA and self-confessed drug distributor Kerwin Espinosa.

In his speech Thursday, the President also called on the US Embassy in Manila to explain why they granted a visa to former Iloilo City Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog, who was included in the 2016 narco list, and was said to be in the United States.

Duterte said he gave the US embassy a list of suspected drug offenders, including Mabilog, to stop them from getting a visa.

“I’d like to inform the US Embassy. I thought I gave you a list. If this mayor was able to escape, I’d like to ask the embassy why did you give him [a visa]? You asked for a list and I gave it to your ambassador so Filipino addicts who would go there only to destroy your country will be denied visas,” Duterte said.

A spokesman for the President’s party, the PDP-Laban, said at least 10 of its members were on the narco-list. He told GMA News they were still validating the names with their own list.

Senator Aquilino Pimentel III, PDP-Laban president, vowed to expel members included in the list who could not explain why they were linked to illegal drugs.

Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra on Friday said the DOJ will begin its probe of the narco-politicians as it receives the appropriate complaint or intelligence reports from the Department of the Interior and Local Government.

The DILG has already filed appropriate administrative and graft complaints against the 46 local government officials named in the narco-list before the Office of the Ombudsman. With Rey E. Requejo, Macon Ramos-Araneta and PNA

told Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea and Presidential Communications Office Secretary Martin Andanar about it.

Currently, the Mandaluyong city government has been planning to put the entire city under state of calamity due to the effect of the water shortage on its communities.

Mandaluyong is one of the hardest hit areas of the water shortage.

Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo on Friday vowed to help ease the water crisis in the east zone of Metro Manila being serviced by Manila Water.

Arroyo led the opening of the cross border pipe at West Avenue and Bulacan Street, in Quezon City today to enable Maynilad Water to give water to Manila Water.

“After we open, it’s going to flow now to the other side,” Arroyo said.

Maynilad Water president Ramoncito Fernandez said the cross border pipe is the fastest way to transfer water from west zone to east zone. He said the other points will require the laying of pipes, unlike the one in Bulacan Street, which only needs the opening of a valve.

With the opening, some 10 million liters of water per day will immediately flow to

the east zone.

Arroyo had earlier attended a briefing with MWSS officials to determine the extent of the problem in the east zone.

Fernandez said the opening of the cross border pipe is their way of helping Manila Water to cope with the water problem in its area.

The water crisis in the east zone is due to the increased demand of its consumers, which is more than what Manila Water can deliver.

Arroyo, upon the recommendation of Quezon City Rep. Winston Castelo, said the oversight committee on public utilities will file a resolution on Monday to use deep wells to ease the crisis.

The MWSS, meanwhile, denied a social media claim that the La Mesa Dam bypass was deliberately closed.

Chief regulator Patrick Ty said the bypass was open, adding that if it was closed, there would be no water flowing out from Manila Water.

“I have never ordered the closure. The bypass has never been closed,” he said.

Manila Water on Friday admitted it shut water lines in several areas that had enough supply, calling the move a “necessary evil.”

With Macon Ramos-Araneta, Joel E. Zurbano, PNA

to the almost 5,000 Filipinos in Christchurch to remain indoors, as the DFA expressed solidarity to the New Zealand government and people following the tragedy.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the loved ones of those who lost their lives in the tragedy,” it said.

The chief suspect allegedly published a racist “manifesto” on social media before the attack, featuring conspiracy theories about Europeans being displaced, and details of two years of preparation and radicalization leading up to the shootings.

“It is clear that this can now only be described as a terrorist attack,” said Ardern.

“From what we know, it does appear to have been well planned.”

Two IEDs (improvised explosive devices) were found in a car and neutralized by the military, police said.

Speaking in Sydney, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison described the gunman as “an extremist, right-wing, violent terrorist.”

His two targets were the Masjid al Noor mosque, where 41 people died, and a second, smaller mosque in the suburb of Linwood, where seven more died. The remaining victim succumbed in hospital.

The dead were said to include women and children. Around 48 people were treated for gunshot wounds at Christchurch Hospital, including young children, with injuries ranging from critical to minor.

The survivors included 17 members of Bangladesh’s cricket team, whose game against New Zealand on Saturday has been postponed, and a Palestinian man who fled for his life after seeing someone being shot in the head. AFP, with PNA

Prime suspect Ping: Don’t confuse public on ‘pork’ insertions in Silawan slay nabbed

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

Resolve ICC pleas, High Court asked

Soldiers...

From A1 Omar Abdullah, who was killed along with Abu Sayyaf chieftain Isnilon Hapilon in the Marawi City uprising in 2017.

The fighting in Lanao del Sur erupted after security forces hunting the terrorists, spotted a 10-man Dawlah Islamiya group in Barangay Dinaigan, Tuburan at about 5:04 p.m.

Col. Gerry Besana, spokesman of the Western Mindanao Command, said soldiers of the 49th Infantry Battalion were scouring a bushy portion of Barangay Dinaigan when they were met by a volley of gunfire.

Besana said soldiers seized two caliber 5.56 rifles with an M203 grenade launcher, a cal .45 pistol, hand and rifle grenades, ammunition and a bandolier.

On March 11, two terrorists identified as Abu Tahir and Abu Jihad were killed in clashes with soldiers of the 55th Infantry Battalion in Barangay Calaludan, Pagaywan town.

“We are advancing upon the enemy target with deliberate offensives, hitting and inflicting heavy casualties on Dawlah Islamiya fighters,” said Lt. Gen. Arnel dela Vega, commander of Western Mindanao Command.

“We console with the families of our departed comrades, who fought valiantly and paid the ultimate sacrifice. We lost not only brave warriors but comrades who served the nation with such devotion,” he added.

Meanwhile, Marines intercepted a shipment of bomb-making components off Simusa Island on the Sulu Sea, Besena said.

Besana said the Marines’ 83rd and 84th Inshore Boat Companies were on seaborne patrol when they chanced upon a motorboat with four people on board.

He said the motorboat was found to be loaded with 38 sacks of ammonium nitrate—a fertilizer that is also used in bombs—when the troops inspected the watercraft. With Rey E. Requejo, PNA

News

A3

SATURDAY, MARCH 16, 2019 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

‘Gov’t workers need not wear uniforms’ A

MID the current water shortage, the Civil Service Commission said heads of agencies had the discretion to allow their employees to forego wearing office uniforms.

The CSC said heads of agencies, including local government units, were authorized to issue internal rules suspending wearing of office uniforms until the water shortage in National Capital Region and drought in other provinces in the Philippines is over.

“We understand that there may be employees affected by water shortage who are unable to regularly wash their office uniforms. We do not want this to become a reason for their absence from work and to eventually cause problems in productivity,” the CSC said.

Under civil service rules and regulations, appropriate dress code of government workers must be prescribed by agency heads through the issuance of internal policies.

Manila has been hit by its worst water shortage in years, leaving bucket-bearing families to wait hours to fill up from tanker trucks and some hospitals to turn away less urgent cases.

Meanwhile, taps are dry from four to 20 hours per day in the homes of about half of Metro Manila’s roughly 12 million people due to rolling outages driven by a dearth of rain and inadequate infrastructure.

“I have learned to take a bath using only seven pitchers of water,” Ricardo Bergado told AFP as he lined up with his buckets. “I even save the bath water to flush our toilet.”

Du30 vetoes bill strengthening OSG PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has thumbed down anew a proposed legislation, believing its provisions would become burdensome to the government.

In his letter to the leaders of both chambers of the Congress, the President explained why he vetoed a bill that sought to “further strengthen” the Office of the Solicitor General, saying the provisions augmenting the agency’s employee benefits “may prove to be too onerous to the government.”

“Having examined the bill in such light, I am apprehensive that the provisions thereof granting benefits beyond the current compensation framework for other government offices may prove to be too onerous to the government,” Duterte wrote in his letter dated March 7.

However, a copy of which was only released to the media on Friday.

“The new benefits granted in addition to the benefits enjoyed by other government offices would erode the National Government’s thrust to standardize and rationalize the current compensation framework in the bureaucracy,” the President argued. Nat Mariano

2 nabbed, P6.8-m ‘shabu’ seized COTABATO CITY—Authorities arrested two women and seized 1 kg. of suspected shabu worth P6.8 million in Marawi City on Thursday afternoon.

Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Police Director, Brig.

Gen. Graciano Mijares, lauded the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, Lanao del Sur police, Marawi City police, and the Army’s 82nd Infantry Battalion for the arrest.

Arrested were Naira Panda, alias Mila, and Saima Moda Imam, alias Ima, both of legal age and residents of Maguindanao.

Mijares, in a statement, said government forces conducted a drug buy-bust operation in Km. 00, Barangay Datu Saber, near the Marawi City National High School at 4 p.m.

Seized from the suspects were 10 big plastic sachets of suspected shabu estimated to weigh 1 kg., two mobile phones used in the illegal drug transactions, and several piles of boodle money with a genuine P1,000 bill on top of each bundle. PNA

‘Ballots printing 7 days ahead’ THE Commission on Elections expects to finish ballot printing—which started on Feb. 9—for the May 13 midterm elections seven days ahead of schedule.

Interviewed on Balitanghali, heard nationwide, Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez said with still more than a month before the deadline, the poll body had finished printing “almost 50 percent” of the total ballots.

“Almost 50 percent already done...In fact, under our timeline, we expect to finish seven days ahead of schedule,” he said in a mix of Tagalog and English.

The deadline for the printing of ballots is on April 25, 2019.

There are 61,843,750 registered voters for the May elections, Comelec said.

The shortages started hitting late last week, with some areas in eastern Manila seeing the supplies of water into their homes being completely cut off.

However, Manila Water Co., one of the capital’s two suppliers, said it would now use rolling cut offs spread across the city to share the pain more evenly.

Jerry cans and buckets were flying off store shelves and landing in lines where families were spending hours waiting for deliveries by truck.

“Instead of doing important things, our time is consumed now by making sure we have enough water,” Bergado, a 57-year-old audio-technician told AFP. At least five public hospitals in the capital have started getting supplemental supplies from water tankers, as shortages had led at least one to limit admissions.

“This is the worst [water shortage] we have experienced. It almost happened last year but we were saved by heavy rains brought by storms,” Dittie Galang, Manila Water communications manager, told AFP. The disruption could last until July when monsoon rains are typically in full swing and would replenish regional reservoirs, one of which is at a twodecade low.

Better known for flooding from its frequent typhoons, the Philippines is experiencing a dry spell that led to reserves being severely depleted.

At the same time, the ageing pipelines and dams that provide Manila’s water have not kept pace with the growth of the mega-city, which has roughly doubled its population since 1985. AFP

RELEASED, FINALLY.

Marawi City Vice Mayor Arafat Salic is released Friday after the Department of Justice has ruled his case cannot be subject of an inquest. Salic was arrested Wednesday morning on rebellion charges, after he was included in the Office of the Martial Law Administrator Arrest Order dated Sept. 4, 2017. Norman Cruz

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Opinion

SATURDAY, MARCH 16, 2019

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Our transfiguration and that of the Church IN THE first Sunday of Lent, the Gospel brought us into the desert where Jesus after fasting for 40 days is tempted by Satan.

The scripture narrative tells us how Jesus rebuffed Satan such that the latter had no power over the Messiah. After the event in the desert, for tomorrow’s Gospel, the scripture brings us to the Transfiguration which occurs after Peter's confession that Jesus is the Messiah and Jesus' prediction about his Passion.

To be a Peter or do a Judas is a choice we must make many times in our lives.

The Gospel of Matthew tells us that Jesus, together with Peter and James, and John his brother, climbed up a high mountain where Jesus was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as light. And behold, there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. And Peter said to Jesus, ‘Lord, it is good that we are here. If you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah.’ He was still speaking when, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, ‘This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.’ When the disciples heard this, they fell on their faces and were terrified. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, ‘Rise, and have no fear.’And when they lifted up their eyes, they saw no one

Adelle Chua, Editor

EDITORIAL

but Jesus only.

It was a special grace for Peter, James, and John to see Jesus transfigured. They experienced a preview of the glory of Jesus risen from the dead and his glory in heaven. It was also a sneak peak of the glory all hope to partake in heaven. Yet despite this intimate experience Peter did not remain faithful to him especially during his most trying time. They had seen Jesus transfigured, heard the Father’s command to listen to Jesus, saw personally the miracles performed by Jesus yet they were scandalized by the Passion of Jesus. Much like the disciples, we too experienced and met Jesus in special ways and yet we too often let him down.

All of us because of our fallen and imperfect nature are vulnerable to sin and most often reject and turn our backs from Jesus. Even the closest apostles like Peter denied Christ three times. Yet in the end Peter was entrusted the keys to the Church only because he knew how to ask for forgiveness; to atone sincerely for his sins.

His response after realizing the gravity of his sin was to ask for God’s forgiveness. In contrast, Judas after he betrayed his Master was overcome by shame and despair to hang himself into perdition.

To be a Peter or do a Judas is a choice we must make many times in our lives.

It is a choice that the Catholic Church has to face also as it addresses the problem of child sex abuse.

Pope Francis took the right direction when he convened the bishops all over the world to tackle the issue of clerical sex abuse. Acknowledging one’s sin is the first step toward healing and reconciliation. In his speech during the four-day summit, Francis condemned the clerics who allowed themselves to become instruments of Satan by abusing the children. He said: “The brutality of this worldwide phenomenon becomes all the more grave and scandalous in the Church, for it is utterly incompatible with her moral authority and

P

A side door to success

ARENTS would always want their children to get the best of everything, including entry to prestigious institutions of higher learning, to boost their chances of success in life.

gists, or paid someone to take classes for their children to improve grades, CNN reported.

The schools include, so far, Yale, Wake Forest, UCLA, the University of Southern California, the University of Texas and Georgetown The investigation has now come to be known as “Operation Varsity Blues.” The mastermind of the plot is said to have boasted that he has created a “side door” to guarantee entry to top schools.

The scheme involved a foundation that accepts donations from wealthy parents, and which exaggerated the learning disabilities of the children.

In some instances, the children knew nothing about the scheme; in others, they were actively involved.

The scheme highlights the gross inequality in the US that practically guarantees wealthy families that they would get to keep their privileged status.

It brings to fore the criminal complicity of institutions and professionals who are supposed to set good examples for the young.

But the news that has surfaced in the United States, that some parents paid hundreds of thousands of dollars to get their children admitted to top schools, is enough to cause many to reconsider the virtue of parental support.

Dozens of arrests have been made in connection with parents who flew their children across the country so they could take tests with proctors who fed them correct answers to entrance examinations. Other parents staged photographs of their kids doing sports so that they could get bogus athletic scholarships.

Sometimes they lied to guidance counsellors and psycholo-

It makes us question the lengths to which a right-thinking individual would take “the good of the children” to heart.

Certainly an education founded on dishonesty is poisoned from the beginning. Those who engineered it, and those who knowingly benefitted from the lies, will never be truly successful—indeed can only be a failure—in the grander scheme, even though they might believe they have outsmarted the system.

What kind of professionals and adults will those children turn out to be, if they relied more on the opportunities opened up for them by their parents’ connections rather than their own merits?

We understand that society imposes certain requirements that would spell success: A degree from a good school is certainly one of them. Scheming, however, to meet this so-called requirement for appearances’ sake erodes all of the prestige and value. In the end, one will always be just as good as one’s truthfulness—and there are no side doors or shortcuts to it.

Turn to A5

Artificial water crisis?

TODAY is the third day that my family has been waterless. Per Manila Water’s schedules, my area should have water from 4:01 in the morning to 4:59 in the afternoon but not a drop of water came.

We tried ordering water from our usual source of drinking water but they also did not have water to sell. To survive, we needed to buy big containers and pails. We have to drive to my daughter’s house to get this most precious commodity.

Everyone in the household is mobilized. I am in charge of transferring the water from the pails to the big containers. Because all of us have work, we have to do this in the morning and when we are done, we are all tired yet we still have a full day ahead of us. I have missed an important commitment in the morning because of the lack of water.

The stress is too much.

We also reuse water for flushing and cleaning toilets. We now use paper plates to eat. We thought of just ordering food to save on water but we decided not to because we are unsure of the restaurants’ water source.

Yet, I know that hundreds of thousands may be in more difficult situation than us. For instance, hospitals need a lot of water for their patients and other health-related purposes. The National Kidney and Transplant Institute had to decrease their number of patients who need dialysis because of lack of water.

Literally, lives are at stake here.

What really caused this water crisis?

First, El Niño was blamed. Summer has set in and the demand for water is higher. Naturally, people think that water is in short supply because of the absence of rain. However, this does not explain why only areas served by Manila Water are affected, and those getting water from Maynilad enjoy normal supply. El Niño does not discriminate.

A report from CNN Philippines belied allegations that there is water shortage. Its crew flew over Angat Dam and found that there is enough water there to supply Metro Manila for about 125

days, or until the end of summer. The report said that Angat presently holds almost 200 million liters of water and this level is normal. It is when it drops to 160 million liters that people should begin to worry. Both Manila Water and Maynilad source water from Angat Dam. The problem is not supply but Manila Water’s infrastructure. There is enough water but it is unable to treat and deliver the water to consumers. The construction of its Cardona treatment facility has been delayed due to technical issues in pipe design and installation. This means that Manila Water is unable to treat the volume of water needed to supply its consumers. It has a deficit of 140 million liters of water daily. This facility could have added 50 million liters of water daily and is said to be operational by April.

The stress is just too much.

Another project, the construction of another source of water, the Kaliwa Dam in Quezon Province has likewise been delayed. This was supposed to have begun during the last administration to be funded through Public-Private Partnership. However, when this administration took over, it stopped the bidding. Recently, the project, “New Centennial Water Source—Kaliwa Dam” was included in the loan agreement with China. In short, the Filipino people will owe China PhP18.7 billion for the construction of this dam, and a Chinese firm—China Engineering Corp. will build it.

The administration is now rushing the construction because according to Finance Secretary Dominguez, the dam can supply 600 million liters of water for Metro Manila and nearby areas.

The thing is, other reasons for the delay are legitimate and important. Indigenous peoples will be displaced from their ancestral lands in Sierra Madre, the environment will be severely harmed, Turn to A5

Two pro-administration parties taking toll on admin candidates CAN having two pro-administration candidates spell disaster for administration candidates?

That’s what Ed Malay, Executive Director of The Center, thinks so. According to Malay, having two pro-administration political parties—the official pro-administration party is the PDP-Laban while the

other unofficial pro-administration party is Hugpong ng Pagbabago, may not be advantageous after all.

While there is some commonality in the lineup of these two parties, the HNP includes Senators Estrada and Revilla, Malay said there is a danger that the negative blitz appearing on social media may eventually affect even the other candidates in the pro-administration lineup.

In The Center’s Pulso ng Pilipino prepoll survey from Feb. 24-Mar. 1, 2019, at least five incumbent senators gunning for reelection, an equal number of for-

Here’s what they should do. mer senators eyeing a comeback and two newcomers are assured of getting elected in the scheduled May 13, 2019 senatorial elections.

According to the survey results, the Turn to A5

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Opinion

SATURDAY, MARCH 16, 2019

Pass the death penalty now HYPOCRITES such as the opposition and human rights advocates opposing the capital punishment must attend the funeral of Christine Lee Silawan, the 16-year-old high school student raped and slaughtered in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu. This is so that they would feel the anger of the citizenry.

I would want to see the reaction, particularly the faces of those who profess a “holier than thou” attitude, as they come near the remains of this innocent victim of a most heinous crime.

Anyone, who would shout “human rights, human rights” in defense of the cold-blooded murderers might as well burn in the hottest place in hell.

Christine, a 9th Grader at Maribago

National High School, was last seen alive last Sunday at the Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish in Barangay Pajac where she served as one of the tithes collector during the Holy Mass.

She was found dead the following day, March 11th at a vacant lot in Barangay Bankal. Her brutalized body bore at least 30 stab wounds, her face appeared to have been skinned, while her tongue and oesophagus cut and perhaps carted away by the suspects as souvenirs according to police investigators on an interview over at Radyo Pilipinas last Thursday.

Christine's most horrible death cries for justice. Her friends and family are wailing for justice. The whole nation calls for justice.

Police authorities said she might have resisted the rape by one or more attackers, whom she probably knew.

People say and I agree that this gruesome murder could have been committed only by heartless drug addicts. I say

this unspeakable crime could only be committed by demons not entitled to any human rights and due process.

They must burn in hell, along with whoever would coddle them here on earth.

These extremely dangerous criminals, who have no respect for the life of the defenseless, innocent youngster must go to hell as soon as they are arrested.

These scums deserve to pay the ultimate price. Unfortunately, Congress is pussy-footing on the reenactment of the capital punishment and our useless laws concocted by hypocritical human rights advocates have produced an entire generations of heinous criminals.

While we await the passage of the death penalty, Christine’s treacherous killers must be accorded with a special one-way trip to hell courtesy of the “nanlaban” or “agaw-armas” method of some police operatives.

These rapists/murderers do not deserve to live a day longer in this world, do they, Mr. President, Sir?

Review: ‘Rampage’ and the horrors of war POP GOES THE WORLD JENNY ORTUOSTE RAPE. Torture. Massacre. Historian James M. Scott’s ‘Rampage: MacArthur, Yamashita, and the Battle of Manila’ narrates in gruesome detail the atrocities of World War II for an audience that has not heard its stories, but must in order for the past not to be repeated.

‘Rampage’ is hefty at 640 pages and spares no detail about the worst urban fighting that war ever saw. It also tells the stories of two military generals, the war’s most prominent figures—Douglas MacArthur and Tomoyuki Yamashita.

The event’s 74thanniversary came and went last week with nary a peep from pundits, historians, and the media.

The battle lasted from Feb. 3 to March 3, 1945, and was part of the 1944-1945 Philippine Campaign. Some 35,000 American troops and 3,000 Filipino guerillas fought against an estimated 17,000 Japanese sailors, marines, and soldiers.

The loss of life was horrific—more than 100,000 civilians were killed, as were 1,010 Allied forces and 16,665 Japanese troops. Manila, then lauded as the ‘Pearl of the Orient,’ was devastated. The grand neoclassical buildings built by the Americans, the walled city of Intramuros and its centuries of Spanish legacy—all were laid to waste.

Scott ransacks a trove of sources to deliver eyewitness accounts of the slaughter, rape, and plunder committed

by Japanese forces against Filipinos and

Two...

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cast of probable winners in the scheduled midterm polls will certainly include Sen. Grace Poe at no. 1 with 61%, Sen. Cynthia Villar in second with 55%, former senator and Rep. Pia Cayetano with 47% shares the third to fifth spots together with former Sen. Lito Lapid who garnered 46.7% and Sen. Nancy Binay who generated 45.8%.

In sixth place is Sen. Sonny Angara with 40%, and former special assistant to the president bong go whom we referred to as being here, there and everywhere surprising political pundits with a strong 7thposition with 39.4%. Sen. Koko Pimentel is in 8thplace at 37%, and former Sen. Mar Roxas is in 9thspot with 34.3%.

Interestingly, the 10thto 13thplaces remain touch and go with former Sen. Jinggoy Estrada with 32%, former presidential political adviser lawyer Francis Tolentinto at 31.8%, Sen. JV Ejercito with 30% and former PNP chief Bato de la Rosa at 29% although by the looks of it this positioning will probably hold until May 13, 2019.

The only variable is how the negative

Artificial...

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and the dam will be constructed over the Infanta Fault Line which will put in danger the lives of around 100,000 people living in the covered areas. These are important considerations that government should very seriously look into.

While there is a need for new water sources, these should not be at the expense of our indigenous people’s rights, the environment, and people’s lives.

In relation with this water crisis, an interesting Facebook conversation went viral. MWSS Chief Regulator Patrick Ty, in a post tried to explain the water shortage. One Angel Salazar in response said that Ty should order the opening of the bypass in La Mesa Dam to solve the ongoing problem. Salazar claimed that he worked for MWSS from 1982 to

foreign civilians.

He quotes an internee at the University of Santo Tomas: “He saw a high explosive shell hit against human flesh and then dust, debris mixed with human arms, legs, and bodies that were twisted and torn under. Where there were men and women, living and breathing, now only blood, bones, quivering flesh.”

The carnage took place not only at UST but also at the German Club, De La Salle, St. Paul’s College—all over the city, in fact. Inside Intramuros, much of it destroyed by fire, were “the dead bodies of Filipino men, some naked, dangled from lampposts.” Some were “burned alive…Their bodies were just like charcoal.”

To survive, Filipinos ate what they could. “Not just the fruit from banana and papaya trees,” said Andrea Lopez, “but the leaves and even stalks. The wealthier Spanish families offered up pets to the hungry. ‘My family killed four dogs,’ Lopez said. ‘As the people were fighting to get a piece we had to eat it raw most of the time.”

The book contains many other accounts that for some may be difficult to read, as they contain graphic descriptions of wartime violence. Scott examines each atrocity and massacre to bring to a new audience the truth of what happened during that battle, and to honor and remember the victims and survivors who suffered greatly at the hands of the angry Japanese who realized they could not defeat the American forces.

The Battle of Manila was counted as a success for General MacArthur, who had kept his promise: “I shall return.”

After the war, General Yamashita was

tried and sentenced for war crimes and hung. Although he did not directly order his troops to commit the atrocities, the war crimes court found him liable for his men’s deeds under the ‘chain of command’ principle.

It was the Imperial Japanese Navy’s Rear Admiral Sanji Iwabuchi who ordered his troops to fight to the death, ignoring the Army’s instructions to withdraw from the city and thus frustrating Yamashita’s attempts to face the Americans with a unified defense.

The civilians, Filipinos and otherwise, were helpless against the Japanese rampage. Scott quotes the January 6, 1945 diary entry of Pacita Pestaño-Jacinto: “There is no weapon against cruelty, against warped minds and warped souls.”

What ‘Rampage’ delivers is the truth of war, the evil of war, and the reasons why modern societies must avoid it at all cost. “Manila has never truly recovered from the battle,” writes Scott. “Not only did the war rob the Philippines of its capital, but it also destroyed generations of families, the effects of which still ripple through lives even today.”

For those for whom World War II is just a vague notion of an old conflict, this should be required reading. Scott’s voluminous research delves into letters, news dispatches, diaries, investigator and court records, and survivor testimony to make the 29-day battle for the city come alive.

blitz will affect the candidacy of Jinggoy Estrada. If that happens, Malay said dela Rosa will move up into the rankings and the 12thposition will probably be a fight among Estrada, Revilla, Marcos, Aquino and Osmeña.

Malay said the May 13, 2019 polls may not be as exciting as past elections but what bears watching is how candidates with pending cases of plunder will perform at the polls. Even so, it cannot be dismissed that Estrada and Revilla do not stand a chance at getting elected given the nature of the electorate who are attracted by the glitter of showbiz lights.

Former Special Assistant to the President Bong Go barged into the winners' circle armed with the Malasakit Centers that he had established in many depressed areas throughout the country which enabled go to establish a connection with the low-income households which actually comprise almost 60% of the country’s voting population.

Notwithstanding the vast network that former top cop dela Rosa has organized, his campaign for a Senate seat appears to be lagging behind. What started out as a strong drive for the senate, dela Rosa’s

campaign seems to have run into a brick wall. The center believes this could be the result of a lack of a clear and viable message that would entice the public into voting for him.

Lawyer and former presidential political adviser Francis Tolentino, on the other hand, has been attracting a lot of attention among the voters in almost all the social classes with his sharp responses to issues affecting the country’s political and social issues deemed timely in this year’s election campaign.

Tolentino’s campaign may also have been fueled by the social media as digital monitors traced his social media accounts with more than one-million followers and the exposure tolentino generated from the social media more or less explains why he is safely inside the magic 12.

The Center’s Executive Director also noted the opposition Otso Derecho may have issues on their side as they are saddled by lack of campaign funds to bring their issues to the farthest corner of the archipelago.

With only barely two months before the elections, Malay said they have to do more than that.

2012 and that he was updated on things at the MWSS. He said that a friend of his designed the bypass and that he, “conceptualized its need to have it constructed.”

Salazar alleged that the closure of the bypass favors Maynilad to the detriment of Manila Water customers and that Ty, as the Chief Regulator ordered such closure. In short, Salazar was alleging that the crisis is artificial.

The intriguing thing is, when asked by people if Salazar’s solution would help, Ty did not answer but instead said that maybe his evil twin closed the bypass without his knowledge. Ty then deleted his post but by that time, screen shots of the exchange have been repeatedly posted elsewhere.

On Friday, Ty faced the media and said that the bypass was open. He la-

Rampage: MacArthur, Yamashita, and the Battle of Manila by James M. Scott is available at National Bookstore. Call (02) 8888-627 to inquire for availability or buy online at nationalbookstore.com / FB and Twitter: @DrJennyO

beled people who engaged him as trolls.

Just a few hours after, President Duterte ordered the MWSS to demand from Manila Water and Maynilad and other offices to release water good for 150 days from Angat Dam by noontime.

As of this writing, we still do not have water from our faucets. Like millions of affected families, we are awaiting the result of Duterte’s orders. However, if indeed the crisis is immediately solved, then, is the crisis real or artificial?

Is it a created “crisis” to justify the rushing of the Kaliwa dam which is part of China’s loan package to us, and which will be erected by the Chinese? I hope not because millions of Filipinos have, and still are suffering. @bethangsioco on Twitter Elizabeth Angsioco on Facebook

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mst.daydesk@gmail.com

The privatization of MWSS lation in the price of water; that there should be a guarantee that the buildoperate-and transfer scheme is fully complied with before the turnover of the water utility to the government; that private water utility firms are allowed to borrow from local and foreign financial institutions; and that the currency Part 1 exchange rate adjustment (CERA) now IT WAS the Ramos administration called foreign currency differential adthat pushed for the privatization of justment (FCDA) clause should allow the country’s water system. To realize utility operators to collect from their that, the first thing the Ramos govern- customers the difference in the adjustment did was to enact R.A. No. 8041 ed amount caused by the devaluation of on June 7, 1995 known as “The Water the peso against the dollar on top of the Crisis Act.” The title was a misnomer usurious interest on their loan concesmuch that there was no water crisis as sionaires pay.

Soon after MWSS was divided into what the country is reeling from today.

Still, it was there to emphasize to the two zones—Manila Water Company, consuming public the need to dispose a Inc. in the west, and Maynilad Water Services Inc. in the east, the original vital industry.

Since the privatization focused on MWSS rate charged. The prince imthe media-created crisis, it was pur- mediately soared by 100 percent from posely exaggerated. The cry for the P2.50 to P5.00 per cubic meter. In fact, disposition of Metropolitan Water- that constituted the first and immediate works and Sewerage System (MWSS) violation of the promise to improve our and the Local Water Utilities Admin- water distribution system.

The greatest irony is that the MWSS istration (LWUA) soon ensued a loud crescendo that banged the ears of the was only accorded the power and authority to supervise the operations of consuming public. the two private waThe pubter utilities. Many lic was flooded consider the power with lies and of the MWSS a propaganda that farce for instead allegedly MetOn the origins of of monitoring the ropolitan Mafunctions of the two nila suffered an this water crisis private utility firms acute water supwhether they are ply principally complying with the due to rampant pilferage; failure on the part of water franchise contract granted them, its atfiltration plant to meet the standard of tention now is focused on the amount providing clean and potable water; in- of franchise fees being paid. Such is the efficient system of collection; ridden case because the MWSS is now comwith graft and corruption due to illegal pletely depended for its subsistence on water connection; and on the whole, the said franchise fees. It does not even that MWSS was a losing government have the power to regulate the price of water per cubic meter as it was before corporation.

To justify the disposition, it enu- MWSS was dismembered and awardmerated in Section 8 of R.A. No. 8041 ed to the two companies.

The duty to regulate the price of poor acts that constitute water pilferage.

While the provision was meant to re- table water which is inseparable to pubmind the public of the precious value lic service has all but been neglected. of water, many wondered why it was On the average, customers pay an averincluded in the Act when that could age of P35 per cubic meter. The socialhave been added as a special criminal ized pricing scheme introduced by the law punishing water pilferage. More Marcos administration which charged than that, it provided what constitutes at lower rate for residential users as “prima facie evidence” and penalties against commercial users was reversed in favor of commercial users. This for water pilferage.

The public, however, failed to see means the poorer sector in our society that the Act was an enticer to local and pay more for their water consumption. foreign buyers to grab the state-owned This has been justified in the name of corporation with a guarantee that upon accelerating economic development its handing to private hands, the cost and to attract foreign investors, which of water per cubic meter would be de- unfortunately, never materialized.

For instance, the Manila Water regulated. The deregulation in the cost of water was a condition sine qua non Company Inc. which is owned by Ayawithout taking into account it was an la Corp. employed a scheme that would assurance for the buyers to recover their compel subdivisions to pay in bulk investment in the shortest possible time. their water consumption. This means Since the franchised area covered that for whatever amount of water that the whole of Metropolitan Manila, Ra- is lost through to leakage and pilferage mos issued Executive Order No. 311 would be shouldered by the homeownon March 20, 1996 “Encouraging Pri- ers association. In addition, while said vate Sector Participation in the Opera- water utility operator undertakes to intions and Facilities of the MWSS.” The stall, widen and improve their service, sweet talk was a litany of promises: it charges every homeowner a fee for that in private hands water pilferage the installation of pipe and water mewill be minimized; the cost of water ter. This means all are automatically will be reduced and made available at charged on the customer. In that, the all times; that graft and corruption will water utility operator simply rolled be eliminated as there will be a vigor- over whatever it collected from its cusous campaign against illegal connec- tomers plus the loan borrowed to widen tion; and an end to the inefficient col- and improve its service with the govlection system. All that, according to its ernment guaranteeing them.

This formula allowed Manila Water supporters, will redound to the governCompany Inc. it to greatly expand its ment in terms of higher revenues.

E.O No. 311 was misleading be- collection by charging their captive cuscause MWSS was retained, but its duty tomers the burden of what it promised wholly confined and limited only in to it as an investor. Today, that is seen supervisory work and in collection of by the acute water shortage without the the franchise fee. So to attract investors company undertaking the necessary concessionaires were given franchise to measures to expand, improve and build operate based on the following terms: additional, dams, reservoir and aque(i) franchising, concession, manage- duct in anticipation to increase in popument, or other arrangements; (ii) priva- lation and demand for potable water.

On the whole, the operations of the tization; or (iii) contracts for projects to be implemented under Build-Operate two water utilities operators as a condiTransfer (BOT) and/or related schemes tion for the grant of franchise were effor the financing, construction, repair, fectively tossed back to the consumers rehabilitation, improvement, and op- when the same could have been carried eration of water facilities and projects out by MWSS before it was handed to the oligarchs to give them additional related to consumers.

It was apparent that the terms upon and lucrative source of income. which investors could be given franchise was their demand for the deregu- rpkapunan@gmail.com

Our transfiguration...

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persons. The echo of the silent cry of the little ones who, instead of finding in them fathers and spiritual guides encountered tormentors, will shake hearts dulled by hypocrisy and by power. It is our duty to pay close heed to this silent, choked cry.

The Church is in a crisis. How the church leadership will respond and correct its own failings will spell the difference between the response of Peter and that of Judas. Will God’s calling for reconciliation be approached with meekness, humility or will it be treated with obstinacy, pride and lack of faith in God’s compassion and mercy? All of us—all sinners— are confronted with the same challenge, that is the challenge to either reach out to God’s grace of forgiveness or remain mired in complacency and stubbornness.

In the next column for these Lenten series, I will write about specific measures that have been suggested so that the Church, like each of us, can be transfigured.

ethical credibility. Consecrated persons, chosen by God to guide souls to salvation, let themselves be dominated by their human frailty or sickness and thus become tools of Satan. In abuse, we see the hand of the evil that does not spare even the innocence of children. No explanations suffice for these abuses involving children.

We need to recognize with humility and courage that we stand face to face with the mystery of evil, which strikes most violently against the most vulnerable, for they are an image of Jesus. For this reason, the Church has now become increasingly aware of the need not only to curb the gravest cases of abuse by disciplinary measures and civil and canonical processes, but also to decisively confront the phenomenon both inside and outside the Church.”

Pope Francis then added: “In people's justified anger, the Church sees the reflection of the wrath of God, betrayed and Facebook Page: Professor Tony La Viña insulted by these deceitful consecrated Twitter: tonylavs

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News

SATURDAY, MARCH 16, 2019

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Rice tariffication needs ‘delicate’ balance, says party-list group

IN BRIEF Settle obligations, Pag-IBIG urge bosses IN A move to improve the plight of more Filipino workers, the top executives of Pag-IBIG Fund have recently reminded employers to settle their obligations before its penalty condonation programs expire by mid-year.

“Pag-IBIG Fund continues to heed the call of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte to provide social benefits to more Filipinos.

Pag-IBIG savings is one of the workers’ benefits so this is why we are going after unregistered and delinquent employers who are not giving what is due to their employees. We are offering penalty condonation programs to employers to improve compliance. This way the employees get to enjoy their Pag-IBIG membership while we offer payment plans under our penalty condonation programs to ease the burden on employers. It’s a win-win situation for all parties involved,” said Secretary Eduardo D. del Rosario, Chairperson of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council and Pag-IBIG Fund Board of Trustees.

The Fund is currently offering two penalty condonation programs: One under Circular No. 416 for employers who did not deduct Pag-IBIG monthly savings from employees and another under Circular No. 411 for those who deducted monthly savings but did not remit these to Pag-IBIG Fund. Under the two Circulars, unregistered and delinquent employers will be given two payment options and terms that best suit their capacity.

Employers covered by Circular No. 411 only have until June 26, 2019 to settle while employers covered by Circular No. 416 only have until Aug. 13, 2019 to do so.

PAGCOR mulls TRO vs. QC ordinance THE Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. is seriously contemplating a Temporary Restraining Order to bar the Quezon City government from implementing its proposed gaming regulatory ordinance.

PAGCOR maintains that not taking this next important step is tantamount to the dereliction of its duties as gaming regulator.

By virtue of Presidential Decree 1869 and Republic Act 9487, Pagcor is the national government agency that has been mandated to regulate all games of chance in the country.

“We also would like to reiterate that with regard to regulation of gaming in local government units, PD Number 771 revokes the authority of LGUs to issue license permit or any form of franchise to operate, maintain and establish forms of gambling,” the state firm said in a statement Friday.

In a Memorandum from the Office of the President dated April 17, 1996, then-Executive Secretary Ruben Torres directed all local government units and other concerned agencies that “only the national government has the power to issue licenses or permits for the operation of gambling since the power of the local government units to regulate gambling through the grant of franchise, license or permit was withdrawn by PD 771 as early as 1975.”

Relative to abuses of local government in making ordinances beyond their authority, Department of Justice Opinion No. 087, s. 2012, stated that the “Department of the Interior and Local Government has been swamped with problems arising from the implementation of ordinances which contain provisions that clearly violate existing national laws…”

One of the remedies suggested by the DOJ opinion is the declaration of nullity of the ordinance and part of such proceeding is the issuance of a TRO while the case is pending in court, PAGCOR said.

ORGANIC. MaxiCare Chairman and vegan Dr. Bobby Macasaet Jr. check out some organic vegetables on sale at a one day Veggie Fest at Legazpi Active Park in Makati City to raise awareness on the importance and health benefits of eating more vegetables and fruits on a daily basis. Ey Acasio

Drivers, operators need help from gov’t—Imee

By Rey E. Requejo

I

LOCOS Norte Gov. Imee Marcos on Friday proposed an assistance package for drivers and operators to enable them to participate fully in the PUV modernization program of the administration.

Marcos, who is running for senator in the May midterm elections, said the package consists of more liberal financing options that can include soft loans and moratorium on installment payments for at least one year, and trade-in options for drivers and operators to get value for their old vehicles.

“Phasing out very old PUVs will help ease traffic in Metro Manila as well as improve air quality in the capital. The implementation, however, must be done with a compassionate view on the welfare of PUV drivers and owners,” Marcos said.

“The modernization program must address two issues: The real problem of public safety compromised by di-

lapidated, inefficient and old PUVs, and the welfare of PUV drivers and operators. The first has been addressed by the availability of newer, more efficient and eco-friendly PUVs, which are ready for acquisition through installment. But, not the welfare of PUV drivers and operators. They must be enabled, through more friendly financing schemes, to afford the cost of acquiring new PUVs under the modernization program,” she added.

“Lehitimo at talagang mabigat na problema ito ng mga drivers at operators—ang mataas na presyo ng mga bagong units at kulang na kulang sila ng kakayahang pinansiyal upang makabili ng mga bagong units. Ipinaglalaban nila ang kanilang kabuhayan at bitbit din nila

ang obligasyon na tulungan ang ating mga commuters na magkaroon ng ligtas at komportableng masakyan,” Marcos pointed out.

She noted that the P80-thousand grant plus P5,000 gas subsidy and fixed salary for drivers are not enough to help them pay for a P1.4 to P2.1 million brand new jeepney with Euro-4 capability.

“The government must lighten the burden of the high cost of new units because failure to do so would mean loss of public transport for most Filipinos and loss of jobs for our drivers,” she added.

“Kung tutulungan ng todo ng gobyerno ang ating mga drivers at operators, hindi lang sila kundi pati na rin ang publiko ang makikinabang at matutulungan.

Maisasalba ang kabuhayan ng drivers at operators at maiibsan ang hirap ng mga tao sa pagko-komyut dahil makakarating sila sa kanilang destinasyon na ligtas at komportable” she said.

SULONG Dignidad Party-list said the rice tariffication law should “strike a delicate balance” between the interests of consumers who will benefit from cheaper rice and farmers who could be affected by liberalizing rice importation.

This after an official of the National Economic and Development Authority said that imported rice will push prices lower than the NFA’s selling price once imports start arriving in markets.

“Lower rice prices would be greatly appreciated by the consumers. But how about our farmers?” said Sulong Dignidad president and first nominee lawyer Rico Paolo Quicho.

“The government and its economic managers should strike a delicate balance in order to represent the interest of both the consumers and producers,” he added.

Quicho also expressed concern over the effects of rice liberalization to local farmers after the Philippine Institute for Development Studies projected a 29-percent decline in rice farmers’ income upon implementation of the tariffication law.

“There are already projections that our farmers would suffer losses. Our local rice farmers cannot expect to compete against cheaper imports if rice prices suddenly dropped,” he added.

Quicho said that while the new law would establish a Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund, it would be hard for local farmers to compete against rice importers if the Rice Tariffication Act is implemented before local farmers could improve their productivity.

“We urge the president and his economic team to implement rice tariffication gradually to help prepare farmers for the effects of the reform,” Quicho said.

Quicho said Sulong Dignidad will continue to push for cheaper prices of goods and providing subsidies for Filipino farmers to ensure their social and economic inclusion in the growth of the Philippine economy.

“More than rice tariffication, our farmers need government support through land reform, free irrigation, seed and fertilizer subsidies, and crop insurance,” Quicho added.

BI to deport South Korean fugitive wanted for swindling

By Vito Barcelo THE Bureau of Immigration ordered the deportation of a South Korean fugitive wanted for swindling nearly a hundred people in three Asian countries through telecommunications fraud that caused the victims to lose more than half a million dollars.

BI Commissioner Jaime Morente said operatives from the bureau’s fugitive search unit arrested Kim Youngin inside his unit at the One Rockwell condominium tower in Makati City.

“Kim no longer holds a valid passport because it was already canceled by the Korean government. He will

thus be deported for being an undocumented and undesirable alien,” the BI chief said.

According to BI-FSU chief Bobby Raquepo, Kim is also an overstaying alien as he failed to extend his stay since he last arrived in the country as a tourist in August 2015.

Raquepo added that Kim was issued an arrest warrant by a Korean court after he was indicted for large-scale fraud and swindling.

Korean authorities alleged that Kim established and headed a voice phishing organization named “Hoon- yi” which engaged in telecommunications fraud in Incheon Korea; Weihai China and Cambodia from April 2012 up to March 2015.

By pretending to be a counselor of a company called D-REX that offered low interest loans to prospective customers, Kim and and his cohorts reportedly defrauded their victims in the said three countries of more than $530,000.

Investigation also revealed that the syndicate had a database with the personal information of their victims which they utilized to contact, deceive and entice their victims to give them money in exchange for processing their loan applications.

It was further alleged that the fraudsters resorted to voice phishing which enabled them to engage in identity theft and gain access to the private, personal, and financial information of their victims.

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

Manila

Standard

TODAY

In Memory of

Juanito A. Delos Santos

75 years old Feb. 17, 1944 - March 13, 2019 Interment will be on Wednesday, March 20, 2019 at 3pm in Manila South Cemetery.

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

WATER FOR LEYTE. The Local Water Utilities Administration has approved P164.5 million in financial assistance to the Metro Carigara Water District in Leyte province. The amount includes projects for modular water treatment and filtration facilities, as well as transmission and distribution pipelines to concessionaires. Photo shows LWUA Acting Administrator Jeci Lapus (seated, center) signing the grant along with Acting Deputy Administrator for Finance Service Redentor Talavera (right). Joining them are MCWD Chairman Roque Aguilar Jr. (second from left) and MCWD General Manager Regidor Caballes (fourth from left).

Manicad pushes for gender equality in media BROADCAST journalist and senatorial candidate Jiggy Manicad has called for improvements in gender equality in media amid the celebration of National Women's Month.

Manicad, who worked in a big television network prior to his Senate bid, noted that there is a need for more women decision makers in the local media.

“In my more than 20 years as reporter, I'm proud to say that there are more women nowadays in media who are writing the news, reporting the news, and managing shows and news-

rooms, but we could do more,” Manicad said at the sidelines of his recent sortie in Camarines Sur. “For women to have an impact on media, they have to hold more key positions in the industry as directors, executives, and owners,” he added.

According to the veteran journalist, this would pave the way to promote “diversity and plurality” in the stories being reported, especially with regards to the portrayal of women in the media.

The multi-awarded journalist, who is vying for a Senate seat for the first

time this upcoming elections, urged his former colleagues to be more gender-sensitive and avoid stereotyping women as merely those tasked in the care of children or the upkeep of the household.

“Siyempre trabaho ng media na ipahayag ang kuwento ng mga nanay na nasa tahanan lang kasi hinahangaan natin sila, pero trabaho rin nating ikuwento 'yung mga babaeng nagtatrabaho, nagsasapalaran sa ibang bansa, at namumuno sa kanilang mga kumpanya o industriya,” Manicad said.

Sports

Manila

Standard

TODAY

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Petron aims to fortify hold on PSL solo lead

Perpetual Help wins athletics, overall crown UNIVERSITY of Perpetual Help System Dalta high school team topped athletics at the Vermosa in Cavite on Thursday to crown itself overall juniors’ general champion in the 94th NCAA season.

The Junior Altas gained 50 points for reigning supreme in track and field to hike their total to 365 points, denying the San Beda Cubs a six-peat feat in claiming their second general championship since winning it all 23 years ago.

The Las Pinas-based school also lorded it over indoor volleyball, beach volley and chess to help complete its magical season.

“We congratulate the whole team and the whole of University of Perpetual Help System Dalta community is proud of the accomplishment,” said NCAA and UPHSD president Anthony Tamayo yesterday.

The Junior Altas struck big in the 200m, 100m, 400m, 800m and long jump in dominating the track events.

San Beda was actually leading the overall race with 328.5 points as against UPHSD’s 315 before athletics, but the former managed just 35 points and wound up with a total of 363.5, or just 1.5 points behind the latter.

The Cubs, however, remained the most titled high school squad with 15 general championships.

RUNRIO Trilogy kicks off April 7 at MOA grounds

Games Today (Alonte Sports Arena) 4 p.m. -- PLDT vs F2 Logistics 6 p.m. -- Cignal vs Petron

Season MVP Jerick ‘Toto’ Arzaga is carried by his teammates after the Perpetual Junior Altas Tracksters captured their first-ever crown in NCAA athletics at the Vermosa Sports Hub in Pasong Buaya, Imus City. Dennis Abrina

National U sends UP to 2nd straight defeat N

ATIONAL University rallied from four points down in the fifth set to beat University of the Philippines, 25-17, 14-25, 17-25, 25-23, 17-15, sending the suddenly skidding Lady Maroons to their second straight loss Wednesday in the UAAP Season 81 women’s volleyball tournament at the Filoil Flying V Centre.

Princess Robles had 17 hits and 21 receptions, while Ivy Lacsina had four blocks to finish with 16 points for the Lady Bulldogs.

“Hindi ko ma-explain kung ano ang nangyari sa game. Tiyaga lang talaga,” said a relieved coach Norman Miguel after NU finished the match by scoring seven of the last eight points to rose at 2-4 in sixth place.

Earlier, Bea de Leon played her best game of the season as Ateneo solidified its hold on the top spot with a 25-8, 2225, 25-16, 25-10 conquest of Adamson University.

Lacsina put the Lady Bulldogs to match point twice before fellow rookie Geli Luceño provided the finishing touches with a big block on Tots Carlos.

It was a heartbreaking loss for UP, which failed to deliver the dagger after

THE race is on for running hopefuls and elites as the premier race series RUNRIO Trilogy 2019 kicks off on April 7 for its first leg at the Mall of Asia Grounds, Pasay City. The pilot race expects to see more than 6,000 contingents.

The RUNRIO Trilogy brings forth a unique running experience that highlights “progression running” by which runners can advance to longer-distance categories in higher-level races that lead up to the full marathon.

The race series will be spread throughout in three different legs within a six-month period from April to September, giving runners enough time to recuperate and train in between. The first leg of the three-part series, also known as the Half Marathon, will feature the 21K race as the main event along with the 5K and 10K distance categories.

“The RUNRIO Trilogy is for avid runners who want to push their limits and be the best that they can be,” said Coach Rio de la Cruz, creator of the RUNRIO Trilogy Race Series. “As we embark on our 9th year of the RUNRIO Trilogy, we hope to inspire more runners and countless others to discover their strengths and drive their passion for running,” he said.

Following the first leg (April 7) is the Afroman Distance (Second Leg, June 16) that will highlight the 32K distance, in addition to the 5K, 10K, and 21K categories. After which, the competition will cap off in the third and last leg (September 22) called the Philippine Marathon that features the 42K race category as the centerpiece event, in addition to the 5K, 10K, and 21K races. The series will culminate in an awarding ceremony where prominent runners who have completed the races will be recognized.

With its successful year-on-year iterations, RUNRIO Trilogy will continue to offer exciting features to enrich the participant’s running experience. Winners of the different Age-Group categories will each get an entry ticket to run the Chicago Last year’s participants answer the starting gun.

Marathon courtesy of Gatorade.

reaching match point, 14-10, on an Aie Gannaban block on Audrey Paran.

The Lady Eagles, who still looked sharp despite having a couple of days’ rest after beating the Lady Maroons in straight sets, improved to a 5-1 card.

Carlos and Justine Dorog each scored 15 hits for UP, which remained in fifth spot with a 3-3 card.

In the men’s division, Bryan Bagunas scored 18 hits as titleholder NU kept within distance of undefeated FEU with a 25-19, 25-17, 25-15 dismantling of winless UP, while Ateneo, behind Tony Koyfman’s 14 kills, moved to solo third at 4-2 following a 25-18, 25-22, 25-21 romp of Adamson University.

After leading 4-0 to start the match, the error-filled Lady Falcons vanished into thin air, scoring only four points the rest of the opening set that allowed the Lady Eagles to gain upperhand.

Games Saturday

(Filoil Flying V Centre) 8 a.m. – Ateneo vs NU (Men) 10 a.m. – FEU vs DLSU (Men) 2 p.m. – Ateneo vs NU (Women) 4 p.m. – FEU vs DLSU (Women)

Adamson University was able to level in the second frame with its rock-solid floor defense, but Ateneo regrouped and dominated the next two sets to stretch its winning run to five matches.

“My players really prepared for this game. We don’t want to be out of focus. Sobrang konti lang ng pahinga namin coming from last Sunday’s game. We really have to work hard right away. We have to set our goals and minddet right away after last Sunday’s game. I really admire my players for their sacrifices and their hardwork,” said Lady Eagles coach Oliver Almadro.

De Leon, the graduating Ateneo captain, had four blocks and four service aces to finish with personal season-best 14 points, a performance that the team has been longing for.

BINAN CITY—Reigning champion Petron looks to tighten its grip on the overall lead when it tangles with slumping Cignal in the Philippine Superliga Grand Prix Saturday at the Alonte Sports Arena here.

Action starts at 6 p.m. with the welloiled Blaze Spikers hunting their ninth win in this prestigious women’s club league bankrolled by Asics, Mueller, Mikasa, Senoh, Team Rebel Sports, Bizooku, UCPB Gen, Cocolife, Hotel Sogo and Data Project.

On the same note, Petron’s rival F2 Logistics seeks to extend its winning ways when it tackles PLDT in the 4 p.m. appetizer of this explosive weekend double-header that also has ESPN5 and 5Plus as broadcast partners.

After absorbing their lone loss of the season—a four-set heartbreaker to the Blaze Spikers—the Cargo Movers have regained their deadly form as they posted convincing victories over PLDT and United VC. Against United VC, Lindsay Stalzer was on fire at the attack zone while Becky Perry, Ara Galang and Majoy Baron provided ample support as they combined for 30 points that prompted the Cargo Movers to pull off a 25-22, 25-21, 25-22 triumph.

And to further boost its lineup, F2 Logistics will bring in University of Perpetual Help System Dalta star Cindy Imbo to replace the injured Kim Kianna Dy in the rotation.

“Cindy will start playing with us against PLDT on Saturday,” said F2 Logistics team manager Hollie Reyes, referring to the high-flying spiker, who was the hero in the Lady Altas’ furious run in the Final Four of the NCAA recently.

Still, spotlight will be trained on Petron.

With eight straight wins under their belts, the Blaze Spikers appear indestructible, thanks to the explosive performance of imports Katherine Bell and Stephanie Niemer with the local crew of Aiza Maizo-Pontillas, Mika Reyes, Denden Lazaro, Rhea Dimaculangan and Frances Molina back them up.

Their recent match against Foton was a complete show of force as Bell and Niemer dominated en route to an emphatic 25-20, 25-13, 25-21 victory.

But head coach Shaq Delos Santos refused to be complacent.

Roberto-Lorenzo wins overall gross team title LORA Roberto and Isa Lorenzo walked away with the overall gross team title after combining for 110, while Orville Cabungcal and Rod Sanchez assembled 132 to walk away with the overall net team crown in the 2019 Invitational of the Manila Southwoods Golf and Country Club recently.

The pairs of Rusty Bayani-Jojo Mercado (Div. 1), Ian TambuntingRaymund Lacdao (Div. 2), Pelagio Laplap-Ben Molino (Div. 3), Willie Maldia-Dante Maldia (Div. 4), Manolo Agojo-Neri Ignacio (Div.5) and Shin Suzuki-Yazuhito Yazawa

A7

SATURDAY, MARCH 16, 2019 sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

(sponsors and guests) were the division winners.

Runners up were Serafina KimRita Horan, Robert Banatin-John Elepano, Gil Domingo-Ricardo Antonio, Ed Leonardo-John Leonardo, Osler Padua-Jose Alvarez, and Tony Lin-Mike Shih in the event sponsored

by Mitsubishi Motors PH/Alpine Motors Corp. Mit Air, The Turf Co. and Agrexplore.

Also winning big in the four-day tournament, supported by Crystalite Distribution Group (Monster Energy Drink), MRT Dev. Co., were Arnold Serano, who brought home a brand

new Mitsubishi Mirage G4 and Lanfen Hsieh, who received a 7-night cruise from Royal Caribbean and Baron Travel.

Boeing Materials Handling Corp., CJH Golf Club, CLTPSJ Law Office, Club Leisure, Coffee Stains, Forest Hills, G&W, GG&A, Golden Oats, Golforce, Greens N Turf, Le Chef, Megaworld Global Estate, Metro Countrywide, PBR Law Offices, Product Providers, RCNA, Solid Global Ventures, Southwoods Manor, Warbird and the Manor and Forest Lodge at CJH were backers.

(MS-MAR. 15,16 & 17, 2019)

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Sports

Riera U. Mallari, Editor; Reuel Vidal, Assistant Editor

sports@manilastandard.net

sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

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SATURDAY, MARCH 16, 2019

PH leads FIBA qualifiers in blocks

By Peter Atencio THE Philippines is considered one of the top defensive teams during the qualifying stages of the the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019.

Averaging 4.5 blocks per game, the Philippines is ahead Canada, Senegal and Greece, according to statistics released by FIBA. With the current roster of big men in the Gilas roster, national coach Yeng Guiao said he is not keen on making too many changes in the current roster.

“Yes, we need some changes in terms of approach. We need to go big in the World Cup and to do that we need to make some changes,” said Guiao.

But adjustments will be changes in the rotation and not the roster.

“We have to convert someone like, say, a Troy Rosario, who is used to playing four his whole career, into a full-time winger. And we may need to ask Gabe to go back to being the point guard,” added Guiao.

Thirty-two teams have qualified to play in the tournament proper of te FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019.

These teams have been distributed into eight pots of four teams each, based on the NIKE FIBA World Ranking.

As tournament hosts, China will be placed in Pot 1. They are joined there by number 1 team in the world, USA, #2 Spain and #3 France.

The 28 remaining teams owe their places in pots 2 through to 8 to their position in the ranking, with one exception.

A change has been made to avoid having two teams from the Americas in the same group.

The Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, USA and Venezuela, will be drawn in Groups A, C, E and G. Canada will have been moved from Pot 5 to Pot 6, switching places with Iran, the best ranked team from that pot.

The four teams (Canada, Montenegro, Philippines, Korea) will feed into Groups B, D, F and H. Canada cannot be drawn in the same group as either Argentina or Brazil.

On the other hand, the Philippines and Korea cannot be placed in the group with Australia.

Bulldogs advance to semis THE National University Bulldogs posted a pair of victories to remain in the lead in the ongoing 15th Fr. Martin Collegiate Open Cup basketball tournament at the St. Placid gym of the San Beda-Manila campus in Mendiola.

Joshua Flores shot 21 points for the Bulldogs in their 79-62 beating of the San Sebastian Stags.

Then, Flores contributed a game-high 27 points in leading the Bulldogs to an 82-78 win over the La Consolacion College-Manila Blue Royals.

This allowed the Bulldogs to move up the standings with their 4-1 win-loss record.

The Bulldogs went on to earn the third spot in the crossover semifinals.

Earlier, Marvin Taywan sank 11 points in leading the Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals to a 78-77 win over Arellano University.

The Generals, who have a 3-2 record will clash with the Bulldogs in the semis.

The Chiefs still reached the semis despite their loss, and they will meet the San Beda Red Lions.

Meanwhile, organizers have slated the 25th Fr. Martin Cup Summer Basketball Tournament on April 5, with 14 squads entered in the senior division.

There are 11 squads listed in the junior division, while five squads are in the women’s action. Peter Atencio

Alaska Aces guard Chris Banchero (4) passes the ball after being triple-teamed by TNT KaTropa defenders, from left: Troy Rosario, Jayson Castro and Jericho Cruz. PBA Media

TNT extends win streak to 4

By Reuel Vidal

Alaska’s Carl Bryan Cruz drilled three-triples in the second quarter to cut the TNT lead. Teammate Jesper Ayaay drove in, missed the attempt but followed up his own miss to cut the TNT advantage to just four points, 3842, with 3:21 to go in the first half.

TNT then held the Aces scoreless the rest of the way while Troy Rosario drained a jumper to cap a 5-0 TNT run which hiked the Alaska deficit to nine, 38-47 at halftime.

Alaska big man Sonny Thoss was aggressive as he drove in to convert a pair of baskets and added a free throw to cut the Talk N Text lead to just six points, 43-49.

TNT’s Rosario drilled a three-pointer to ignite a 9-2 KaTropa run as TNT hiked its lead to 13 big points, 58-45 early in the third.

Simon Enciso drained a pair of tri-

T

NT KATROPA extended its 2019 Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Cup winning streak to four games with a wire-to-wire, 92-78, demolition of the Alaska Aces yesterday at the Cuneta Astrodome.

Leading from the start TNT relied on an explosion early in the fourth to put away the game.

TNT guard Brian Heruela stole the ball then converted the fastbreak layup. This was followed by two free throws by Yousef Taha which hiked the TNT lead to 20 points, 85-65, with 5:49 to go in the game which virtually settled the outcome.

With the victory TNT (5 wins, 3 losses) climbed all the way to fourth place behind the Phoenix Pulse Fuel

Masters (8-2), the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters (7-3) and the San Miguel Beermen (6-3).

The other teams include Barangay Ginebra San Miguel (4-3), the Magnolia Hotshots Pambansang Manok (3-4), the Columbian Dyip (4-6) and the Aces (3 wins, 5 losses).

Bringing up the rear are the North Port Batang Pier (2-4), the NLEX Road Warriors (3-5), the Meralco Bolts (3-5) and the Blackwater Elite (2-7).

ples to ignite a 9-2 Alaska run which cut the TNT lead to just six points, 6054, with 5:32 to go in the third.

TNT eventually held on to 12-point 72-64 advantage after three quarters.

The scores: TNT KaTropa 92—RR Pogoy 24, Troy Rosario 15, Brian Heruela 8, Jayson Castro 8, Anthony Semerad 8, Jericho Cruz 6, Don Trollano 4, Jay Washington 2, Kelly Williams 1, Michael Miranda 0, JR Casino 0, Ken Bono 0.

Alaska Aces 78—Carl Bryan Cruz 19, Sonny Thoss 13, Simon Enciso 12, Chris Banchero 12, Jeron Teng 9, Jesper Ayaay 6, Jake Pascual 5, Ping Exciminiano 2, Noy Baclao 0, Abel Galliguez 0, Davon Potts 0.

Quarter scores: 23-15, 47-38, 74-62, 92-78.

Folayang defense against Aoki ushers new MMA era in Japan EDUARD Folayang defends his ONE Lightweight World Championship against Japanese Martial arts icon Shinya Aoki at ONE: A New Era on March 31 to usher a new era of martial arts in Japan.

The event will be ONE’s inaugural show in Japan and will not only feature the Filipino superstar and the Japanese legend but a card loaded with stars from top to bottom.

In one of three co-main events, ONE Women’s Atomweight World Champion Angela Lee challenges Chinese powerhouse Xiong Jing Nan for her ONE Women’s Strawweight World Champion. Lee is hoping to be the promotion’s first female two-division mixed martial arts World Champion.

Two-division ONE World Cham-

pion Aung La N Sang defends his middleweight crown against Japanese Ken Hasegawa. The two battled in an epic clash which became the 2018 Bout of the Year. Hasegawa hopes to turn the tables in his home turf.

ONE Bantamweight World Champion Kevin Belingon defends his title against former champion Bibiano Fernandes. The two—who split their first two matches—battle for the third time to decide once and for all who is the best bantamweight on the planet.

The card will also see the ONE debut of mixed martial arts stars Eddie Alvarez and Demetrious Johnson. Alvarez battles dangerous Timofey Nastyukhin while Johnson takes on Yuya Wakamatsu in ONE’s Lightweight and Flyweight Grand Prix tournaments, respectively.

Eduard Folayang

Finally, the stacked also features a legends in Andy Souwer and Yodshowdown between two kickboxing sanklai IWE Fairtex. Reuel Vidal

Irving powers Celtics past Kings LOS ANGELES, United States—Kyrie Irving scored a team-high 31 points during a fourth-quarter burst that allowed the Boston Celtics to beat the Sacramento Kings 126-120.

Irving hit a pair of jump shots in a 9-0 flurry that opened a 113-103 advantage with 4:33 remaining. The Kings got no closer than five after that.

Irving finished with his second career triple-double with 31 points 10 rebounds and a game-high 12 assists.

Elsewhere, Wesley Matthews scored the winning basket with two seconds remaining in the fourth quarter as the Indiana Pacers rallied in the second half to defeat the Oklahoma City Thunder 108-106 on Thursday.

Matthews put back the winner with two seconds left, capping a 16 point, seven rebound performance for the Pacers who were down by 18 points at one stage.

“Man, this team fights. That’s one Boston Celtics guard Kyrie Irving (11) tries to dribble past a Sacramento of the big reasons why I chose to come Kings defender Bogdan Bogdanovic (8) at the TD Garden in Boston, here,” Matthews said.

Massachusetts. AFP “We fight, we compete. No lead is too

much. We needed a win against a playoff team, and that’s what we’ve got to do going forward.”

In Salt Lake City, Jazz owner Gail Miller spoke to the crowd Thursday prior to their 120-100 win over Minnesota to address the kerfuffle between Westbrook and their fans. Utah permanently banned Shane Keisel from all arena events.

Miller, who has owned the team for 34 years, asked the crowd to behave, saying “We are not a racist community. No one wins when respect goes away.”

The 2017 league MVP later said he had been subjected to racist abuse by the fan.

“The young man and his wife in the stands told me to get down on my knees like you used to,” Westbrook said.

Keisel denied using a racist remark, saying he said, “sit down and ice your knees.”

In Toronto, Kawhi Leonard scored 25 points and the Toronto Raptors easily defeated the lowly Los Angeles Lakers 111-98.

Normal Powell added 20, while Pascal Siakam had 16 and Marc Gasol scored 15 for the Raptors, who improved to 49-20 on the season. AFP

IN BRIEF Mislatel postpones operations to 2021

MISLATEL Consortium of Davao Citybased businessman Dennis Uy and China Telecom has moved its planned commercial operations to early 2021 from the original target of late 2020 due to delay in the resolution of its Congressional franchise.

“With the delay in the resolution of its franchise, Mislatel’s planned start of commercial operations has been moved further to early 2021 from the initial expected commencement date of late 2020, under the consideration that its CPCN will be awarded by March,” Chelsea Logistics Holdings Corp. said.

The company, however, said the timetable for the roll-out was still late 2020.

DICT acting Secretary Eliseo Rio Jr. earlier said agency was awaiting Congress to resolve Mislatel’s Congressional franchise.

The Senate adopted a resolution approving the transfer, sale or assignment of the controlling interest of Mindanao Islamic Telephone Co. to Uy’s Udenna Corp., Chelsea Holdings Corp. and staterun China Telecommunications Corp.

Darwin G. Amojelar

Business

Japanese companies bare expansion plans A NUMBER of companies have conveyed interest to further expand in the Philippines, Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez said after the recently-concluded business mission to Japan.

Terumo (Philippines) Corp. president Toshiyuki Akihata revealed plans of developing new products to be manufactured in the Philippines for both domestic and export markets.

The company plans to increase the IV catheter production capacity and transfer operations from Japan to the Philippines.

It is engaged in manufacturing, selling, and exporting medical devices, such as disposable syringe, needles, IV catheter and urinary drainage bag worldwide operating from its facilities at the Laguna Technopark in Biñan Laguna.

The discussion also covered government interventions and support in easing the process of sending Filipino workers to Japan for technical trainings.

“We have a large pool of talent and skilled workers in the Philippines. Providing technical trainings for our Filipino engineers promotes competitiveness and will mutual benefit the company and its employees,” said Lopez.

Othel V. Campos

SATURDAY, MARCH 16, 2019

B1

By Julito G. Rada

SECURITY BANK FORUM. Security Bank Corp. brings analysts and experts to provide in-depth discussions of economic trends and political issues through a nationwide Economic Forum Roadshow in Clark, Pampanga. Shown are (from left) SBC chief economist Robert Roces, founder and managing director of Stratbase Group Victor Andres Manhit, National Economic and Development Authority Regional Director Leon Dacanay Jr., SBC president and CEO Alfonso Salcedo Jr., Foundation for Economic Freedom president Calixto Chikiamco, and ABS-CBN News Channel anchor-managing editor Cathy Yang at the first Economic Forum of Security Bank outside Metro Manila.

SMC offering untapped water from Angat Dam S AN Miguel Corp. plans to use its untapped water allocation from Angat Dam to provide water to over six million people in the east zone of Metro Manila currently experiencing supply shortage.

The company, through its Bulacan Bulk Water Treatment Plant, expects to deliver 140 million liters of clean, treated water to areas affected by the shortage in coordination with the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System.

“This situation is unfortunate and dire for many of our countrymen who do not have access to basic water. Many are affected: households, hospitals, schools, businesses. Right now, the best thing we can do is to pull together and help each other,” said SMC president and chief operating officer Ramon Ang. The company in January put into

operation the first phase of its Bulacan Bulk Water Project. SMC is required to supply water to 24 Bulacan water districts at P8.50 per cubic meter, the lowest bulk water charge in the country, once the project is fully completed.

Ang said the first phase of the project had a production capacity of 200 million liters a day. However, as many water districts have yet to upgrade and prepare their facilities to receive water from the BBWSP, only about 60 million liters per day are currently being utilized.

“This leaves an excess capacity of about 140 million liters per day, which is enough to serve the average daily requirements of two million people or about 455,000 households. As a quick response to the situation of customers of Manila Water, we will coordinate with the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System and local government units to secure permits to place water refilling stations in affected areas,” Ang said.

Areas affected by the shortage are Mandaluyong (all barangays), San Juan (five barangays), Pasig (seven barangays), Angono (three barangays),

Antipolo (10 barangays), Taytay (three barangays) and Binangonan (12 barangays). The list is expected to grow as the water crisis is expected to prevail until July.

Ang said the water delivery would not be easy. Delivering the untapped capacity of 140 million liters daily will require an estimated 14,000 truck trips using 10-kiloliter (kl) tankers, or 7,000 trips per day using 20 kl tankers.

“For this, we need to acquire several container trucks to deliver water.

Again, we will work and coordinate with the MWSS and LGUs on this. We hope to be able to implement this plan at the soonest possible time,” Ang said.

“However, in order to fully utilize the capacity, it will be necessary for us to open the Bulacan Bulk Water facility to allow third party suppliers to source potable water and assist in delivering water to affected communities. This will require clearance from MWSS as concession grantor. We will also need to coordinate with the LGUs for the organization and management of water filling stations,” Ang added.

SPECIAL MARIWASA TILE.

Thailand’s Ambassador to the Philippines Vasin Ruangprateepsaeng (third from left) is the guest of honor of Mariwasa during the unveiling of the logo for the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Thailand and the Philippines. The ambassador is joined by (from left) Anuvat Chalermchai, SCG country director; Jakkrit Suwansilp, Mariwasa president; and logo designer Jamille Aguilar.

The Thai Embassy in Manila, in cooperation with Siam Cement Group and Mariwasa, launched the logo of a special edition Mariwasa tile at the “Worldbex 2019” at the World Trade Center Convention.

Cusi: 2 private firms keen on oil storage facilities

By Alena Mae S. Flores TWO private companies have proposed to put oil storage facilities to help secure the country’s reserve requirements, the Department of Energy said Friday.

Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi did not disclose the identify of the two companies that expressed interest to put up the storage facilities.

State-owned Philippine National Oil Co. is also studying the possibility of putting up a storage facility for the planned importation of lower priced diesel by unit PNOC Exploration Corp.

“Some private companies are proposing to do it (stockpiling). PNOC EC has not stopped pursuing strategic reserve,” Cusi said.

Cusi earlier said the oil importation would push through although it encountered delays due to procurement issues.

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

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

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

PNOC EC wanted a delivery of 50,000 MT of Euro 4 50 parts per million gas oil or diesel fuel “at any safe port in the Philippines” designated by the company.

business@manilastandard.net extrastory2000@gmail.com

January remittances rose by 4.4% to $2.48b

Schneider launches Cavite smart factory

SCHNEIDER Electric, a leader in digital transformation of energy management and automation, launched its first smart factory in the Philippines in Rosario, Cavite that will improve production, increase efficiency and lower costs.

Schneider Electric leveraged its own EcoStruxureTM architecture as it implemented the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) across its global supply chain, and digitally transforming facilities to thrive in today’s digital economy, the company said in a statement.

“We decided to transform our Cavite Plant into a Smart Factory in 2017 because we wanted to serve our partners and customers better. By using EcoStruxureTM for Industry, the roll out of the program was fast and it granted us immediate global certification in 2018,” said Michael Crozat, Global Supply Chain vice president for Philippine operations of Schneider Electric.

“Since the transition began, we have been achieving 13 percent in energy savings, and 14 percent growth in production annually,” said Crozat.

Alena Mae S. Flores

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

Govt, shipping sector to remove overstaying containers

By Darwin G. Amojelar THE government and the stakeholders of the shipping industry on Friday signed a manifesto of support for the efficient utilization of Philippine ports.

The manifesto aims to prevent the imbalance of inbound and outbound containers borne by the unscrupulous practice of using the ports for prolonged storage of their containers until the withdrawal of goods.

Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade witnessed the manifesto signing led by Bureau of Customs Commissioner Rey Leonardo Guerrero, Philippine Ports Authority general manager Jay Daniel Santiago, International Container Terminal

Services Inc. senior vice president Christian Gonzales, Asian Terminals Inc. senior vice president Sean Perez and Association of International Shipping Lines president Patrick Ronas.

“I give my full commitment and full happiness in witnessing the manifesto.

Signing this manifesto is one thing, doing and implementing it is another, and going beyond it will equally spell good business relationships within the country... This is not for show. This is for real,” Tugade said.

Under the manifesto, the PPA will publish a notice in a newspaper of general circulation directing all cargo owners, shippers, consignees, logistics operators, and customs brokers to

withdraw cleared containers currently being stored at ports within 15 days from the date of publication. Failure to comply will lead to the transfer of containers to designated inland container depots by ATI and ICTSI at the expense of the concerned parties.

Cleared containers by the BoC that were not removed from the port within 30 days will also be transferred by ATI and ICTSI to their respective inland container depots.

Aside from the removal of overstaying containers, ATI and ICTSI will regularly provide the government with information on the health of their respective ports, and information on containers that have stayed at the port for at least 30 days from arrival.

MONEY sent home by overseas Filipino workers in January this year rose 4.4 percent to $2.48 billion from $2.38 billion a year ago, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Benjamin Diokno said Friday.

“This growth was in line with the increase in remittances from both landbased ($1.95 billion) and sea-based ($0.53 billion) workers, which rose by 2.3 percent and 12.7 percent, respectively,” Diokno said in a statement.

By country source, the United States registered the highest share of overall remittances at 35.5 percent. It was followed by Saudi Arabia, Singapore, United Kingdom, United Arab Emirates, Japan, Canada, Qatar, Hong Kong and Kuwait.

The combined remittances from these countries accounted for almost 78 percent of total cash remittances.

Personal remittances, which include non-cash items, also increased 3.4 percent year-on-year in January to $2.75 billion from $2.66 billion.

Personal remittances from landbased workers with work contracts of one year or more rose to $2.12 billion, 2.3 percent higher than $2.07 billion recorded in January 2018.

Meanwhile, those from sea-based and land-based workers with work contracts of less than one year increased 12.6 percent to $0.58 billion from $0.52 billion.

Cash remittances last year reached a record $28.943 billion, up 3.1 percent from $28.06 billion a year ago and surpassed slightly the revised 3-percent growth target for the entire year.

Bangko Sentral said cash remittances in 2018 remained strong amid political uncertainties across the globe.

This was evident in Asia, the Americas and Europe, which grew annually by 12.3 percent, 9.7 percent and 7.7 percent, respectively.

The growth in the regions made up for the 15.3-percent decrease in remittances from the Middle East, partly due to the continued repatriation program of the government.

New agri law set to accelerate PH economic growth THE new Agricultural Free Patent Act, or RA 11231, recently signed by President Rodrigo Duterte is expected to “deliver a huge and immediate impact on the economy, on investments in the countryside and on inclusive growth” from the agriculture sector.

RA 11231 lifts the restrictions on owners of agricultural free patents and lands from mortgaging or selling them within five years from date of possession, which have made agricultural lands and patents unbankable assets since banks are not inclined to hold a property for five years before its disposition.

Albay Rep. Joey Salceda, principal author of the measure in the Lower House, said the measure maked agricultural land titles immediately available for trade to help spur development in the agricultural sector, easing up certain prohibitions in granting public farmlands to qualified beneficiaries.

It also empowers qualified farmland beneficiaries to legally manage and improve the land as a viable source of livelihood.

“For a country that has its roots in agriculture it is sad to note that agriculture only contributes 8.5 percent to the gross domestic product in 2017, but with the new law, there will be a radical change because farmers are empowered and given the option on what to do with the land,” said Salceda.

RA 11231 removes the Commonwealth-era restrictions on agricultural free patents imposed under the Commonwealth Act No. 141, or the Public Land Act, which prohibits land owners to sell and mortgage the land within the first five years of the patent grant and gives the original owner the option to buy back the property within five years from the date of sale.

B2

Business

SATURDAY, MARCH 16, 2019 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Market rallies; SM Prime, PLDT up T HE stock market climbed Friday in last-minute buying on optimism that the US and China will eventually hammer out a deal to end their long-running trade row.

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index rose 47.86 points, or 0.6 percent, to 7,798.28 on a value turnover P20.8 billion. Gainers beat losers, 103 to 88, with 41 issues unchanged.

SM Prime Holdings Inc., the biggest integrated property company, advanced 3.5 percent to P38.40, while PLDT Inc., the largest telecommunications firm, gained 2.6 percent to P1,161.

San Miguel Food and Beverage Inc. rose 2.3 percent to P106.50, while Metropolitan Bank & Trust Co., the

second-biggest lender in terms of assets, added 2.3 percent to P79.50.

The rest of Asian markets also rose Friday as Donald Trump struck an upbeat note on trade talks with China, while the pound held steady after British MPs voted to delay Brexit.

While there remain some concerns about the global outlook, investor confidence has been supported by ongoing optimism that the world’s two biggest economies will eventually hammer out a deal to end their long-running trade row.

The US president provided fresh cheer Thursday by telling reporters “we are doing very well with China talks,” adding that “we are getting what we have to get.”

He also said “one way or the other, we’re going to know over the next three to four weeks.”

His comments came as Chinese state media said phone talks had been held between Beijing’s top negotiator

Vice Premier Liu He, US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin.

Mnuchin said earlier Thursday he expects the deal to be finalized soon, but cautioned that the process is complex.

Trump had said he expected to hold a meeting in Florida with his counterpart Xi Jinping later this month but Bloomberg said that the “signing summit” had been pushed back a month as negotiators struggled to resolve their differences.

On Friday, China approved a foreign investment law that will abolish the forced transfer of technology from foreign firms to local joint-venture partners, addressing a key point of anger in the White House.

And at the end of the annual session of the rubber-stamp National People’s Congress, Premier Li Keqiang promised not to let the world’s second-largest economy “slip out of a reasonable range” and pledging support such as

interest rate cuts.

The developments lifted regional equities. Tokyo ended 0.8 percent higher, while Shanghai gained one percent and Hong Kong jumped 0.8 percent.

Singapore put on 0.1 percent and Seoul climbed one percent and Taipei was up 0.9 percent with Wellington, Mumbai and Jakarta also up. However, Sydney ended marginally lower.

While traders remain uneasy about the global economy, there is some optimism.

“There is a pretty good backdrop going forward,” said Margaret Patel, portfolio manager at Wells Fargo Asset Management.

“We’re in a low-inflation environment for the foreseeable future and that really changes the equation about equity values—they can go higher. The Fed isn’t going to do much and inflation remains stubbornly low,” she told Bloomberg TV. With AFP

MANILA STANDARD BUSINESS DAILY STOCKS REVIEW FRIDAY, MARCH 15, 2019

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

FINANCIALS 88.9 2,383,250 2.32 68,000 132 4,739,110 1.35 3,000 27.5 70,600 18.4 25,400 12.18 184,700 4.48 105,000 1.47 121,000 0.455 100,000 79.5 4,106,410 0.96 36,000 13.84 15,500 59.6 627,470 184.5 270 58.2 750 26.35 24,400 164.3 537,370 60.9 1,430 1.13 3,000

210,025,729 155,020 623,559,662 4,050 1,948,500 466,800 2,246,334 459,320 174,570 45,500 324,352,963.50 34,680 216,068 37,619,994 49,850 43,650 642,770 88,656,895 88,177.50 3,390

31,877,192 12,405,684 -404,660 268,360 -898,326 2,860 64,896,608.50 8,922,822.50 -540,175 -40,485,678 -66,529 -

INDUSTRIAL 35.5 2,375,800 14.58 403,200 1.01 464,000 1.46 54,000 0.243 30,000 2.75 20,957,000 15.64 101,400 29.25 94,500 15.4 4,800 41 15,700 71.85 40 1.91 602,000 6.28 900 11.5 1,951,400 15.7 694,800 9.07 1,853,300 7.45 259,000 20.5 5,506,100 73.9 440,960 27.4 10,800 2.51 16,371,000 9.67 3,170,000 12.66 186,400 1.66 257,000 316.2 740,420 54.5 300 4.05 49,000 3.65 19,000 11.2 5,000 26 5,192,100 11.96 93,500 19.98 702,800 370 341,040 0.2 260,000 1.41 3,764,000 3.77 286,000 6.52 102,276,200 8.95 29,900 1.3 17,307,000 12.2 124,300 48.85 492,800 5.8 155,000 4.67 22,000 1.82 58,000 2.65 5,000 1.3 139,000 11.9 23,400 106.5 19,708,040 6.38 169,900 0.129 10,000 1 204,000 145.7 1,367,980 2.5 1,000,000 1.64 980,000 1.3 1,955,000

84,236,095 5,895,550 468,770 76,290 7,290 56,524,800 1,558,646 2,777,630 74,790 643,700 2,685 1,145,850 5,656 21,880,770 10,937,618 16,811,986 1,931,872 112,745,565 32,628,743.50 294,970 41,695,110 30,967,984 2,354,080 428,670 233,490,632 16,350 198,460 69,210 56,402 134,521,070 1,114,726 14,010,992 126,807,488 51,510 5,252,970 1,078,140 668,753,338 265,575 22,672,870 1,496,988 24,076,520 906,650 102,750 105,790 13,260 179,960 278,540 2,093,402,196 1,084,631 1,290 204,530 198,909,179 2,500,100 1,599,810 2,521,360

-4,543,600.00 318,552 -6,309,010 276,608 -547,570 631,400 37,800 -17,555,846 -5,077,162 851,901 16,140 -39,411,175 65,778 267,870 -1,771,680 -8,991,345 -285,192 25,828,784 45,490,250 -44,956 3,839,344 -14,022,870 1,553,720.00 -297,724,766 -643,400 4,600 185,565 -175,370 -4,670 -29,774 451,109,370 6,380 101,804,968 2,250,000 -83,120 151,430

7,478,700 237,140,460.50 210,884,168 2,960 482,310 5,533,660 996,030 422,754,270 9,655,686 74,542,552 77,297,000 331,817,535 533,145 4,643,608,502.50 586 1,288,980 2,961,370 77,504,144 488,791,890 100,000 9,682,490 15,300 2,316,921,571 1,058,377,740 76,500 299,504 717,350 5,990,750

-110,630 -129,923,255 119,821,100 -2,910 -46,780,855 -259,271 32,299,012 -30,773,232 -47,544,537.50 3,205 533,233,891 75,356 3,483,814 -11,362,690 664,650 632,507,735 -197,402,780 -5,600 50,000 -108,300

32,183,080 620,780 63,542 674,460 562,082,420 3,377,160 2,234,170 96,618 683,750 35,710 179,640 8,000 44,080,740 3,688,165 1,954,330 1,280 5,791,360 2,339,960 234,551,013 4,240,450 27,300 3,594,990 953,520 154,346,470 111,260 176,400 708,167,950

1,101,840 23,400 -66,505,055 -627,440 1,298,850.00 12,880,916 66,795 -1,481,050 -1,939,110 36,600 113,588,413 -87,350 211,760 45,607,340 8,200 160,650 171,770,440

NAME

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HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

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

87.35 2.34 131.8 1.35 27.8 18.2 12.2 4.53 1.47 0.455 77.7 0.97 14 60.5 185 58.2 26.35 170.5 61.25 1.13

88.9 2.35 132 1.35 27.8 18.4 12.2 4.53 1.47 0.455 79.5 0.97 14 60.5 185 58.2 26.35 170.5 62.5 1.13

86 2.23 130.5 1.35 27.5 18.2 12.14 4.31 1.4 0.455 77.7 0.96 13.84 59.5 184 58.2 26.25 164.3 60.9 1.13

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

35.55 14.48 1.02 1.46 0.243 2.6 15.42 29.75 16 41 65.55 1.89 6.29 11.28 15.7 8.88 7.5 20.85 73.75 27.1 2.6 9.6 12.6 1.72 313 54.5 4.05 3.65 11.44 26 12.06 19.94 380 0.196 1.38 3.77 6.74 8.81 1.33 12 49 5.85 4.68 1.81 2.66 1.3 11.92 104.9 6.39 0.129 1.05 145 2.5 1.62 1.32

35.55 14.7 1.02 1.46 0.243 2.75 15.64 29.75 16 41 71.85 1.91 6.29 11.5 15.8 9.11 7.59 21.15 74.2 27.4 2.6 10 12.8 1.72 316.2 54.5 4.06 3.67 11.44 26 12.06 19.98 380 0.2 1.41 3.77 6.85 8.95 1.33 12.2 49.05 5.88 4.68 1.86 2.66 1.3 11.94 106.5 6.39 0.129 1.05 146 2.51 1.64 1.32

35.15 14.12 1.01 1.41 0.243 2.58 15.3 29 15.4 41 65.55 1.89 6.28 11.16 15.7 8.88 7.4 20 73.7 27.1 2.48 9.54 12.5 1.65 310.6 54.5 4.05 3.6 10.66 25.15 11.84 19.9 370 0.196 1.37 3.75 6.52 8.8 1.3 11.98 48.65 5.8 4.67 1.81 2.65 1.27 11.86 99.1 6.38 0.129 0.99 143.7 2.5 1.62 1.27

ABACORE CAPITAL ABOITIZ EQUITY ALLIANCE GLOBAL ANGLO PHIL HLDG ASIABEST GROUP ATN HLDG A ATN HLDG B AYALA CORP COSCO CAPITAL DMCI HLDG FILINVEST DEV GT CAPITAL HOUSE OF INV JG SUMMIT JOLLIVILLE HLDG LODESTAR LOPEZ HLDG LT GROUP METRO PAC INV PACIFICA PRIME ORION REPUBLIC GLASS SAN MIGUEL CORP SM INVESTMENTS SOC RESOURCES TOP FRONTIER WELLEX INDUS ZEUS HLDG

0.75 58.35 15.12 0.74 20.5 1.4 1.41 920 7.46 11.88 14.6 1,000 6.41 61.7 5.86 0.56 5.12 16.64 4.9 0.04 3.1 2.55 173 925 0.75 275.2 0.244 0.345

0.75 58.35 15.5 0.74 20.5 1.45 1.45 925.5 7.5 12.4 15.02 1,002 6.53 62.8 5.86 0.57 5.28 16.74 4.94 0.04 3.18 2.55 174.2 934 0.75 280 0.25 0.36

0.73 56.95 15 0.74 20 1.4 1.41 915 7.4 11.7 14.58 974 6.4 60.8 5.86 0.53 5.12 16 4.85 0.04 3.1 2.55 167.5 901.5 0.75 275.2 0.241 0.345

8990 HLDG A BROWN ANCHOR LAND ARTHALAND CORP AYALA LAND BELLE CORP CEB LANDMASTERS CEBU HLDG CENTURY PROP CITY AND LAND CROWN EQUITIES CYBER BAY DM WENCESLAO DOUBLEDRAGON EMPIRE EAST EVER GOTESCO FILINVEST LAND GLOBAL ESTATE MEGAWORLD MRC ALLIED PHIL ESTATES PHIL INFRADEV PRIMEX CORP ROBINSONS LAND ROCKWELL SHANG PROP SM PRIME HLDG

11.8 0.79 10.4 0.89 42.8 2.37 4.28 6.75 0.49 0.87 0.245 0.4 10.26 21.25 0.5 0.128 1.53 1.22 5.53 0.38 0.455 2 2.89 23.8 2.05 3.15 37

12.12 0.79 11 0.89 43.15 2.37 4.35 6.77 0.49 0.91 0.245 0.4 11 21.45 0.52 0.128 1.54 1.22 5.62 0.39 0.455 2 2.89 24 2.05 3.15 38.4

11.8 0.78 10.4 0.86 42.6 2.31 4.26 6.5 0.48 0.87 0.242 0.4 10.26 20.75 0.5 0.128 1.51 1.22 5.52 0.38 0.455 1.94 2.78 23.05 2.01 3.15 37

VOLUME

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VOLUME

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

STA LUCIA LAND STARMALLS VISTA LAND

1.59 7.1 7.26

1.6 7.1 7.29

1.56 6.89 7.2

1.6 7 7.24

411,000 379,000 3,344,200

653,890 2,647,656 24,228,374

6,268,502

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

12.28 20.55 1.32 0.43 0.043 2.73 11.8 0.075 83 5.94 7 13.2 1,929 5.69 368.2 2.88 1.92 119.5 7.1 0.127 5.75 15.26 3.35 0.89 20 0.58 4.74 2.99 1.9 2.85 9.39 10.36 3.08 4.92 7.5 129.5 2.8 1,133 0.87 1.22 47.95 85 8.7 2.35 0.7 0.42 5.6 0.66 15.4

12.3 20.9 1.36 0.43 0.045 2.78 11.9 0.078 83.5 6.17 7 13.78 1,947 5.73 382 2.91 1.92 120 7.1 0.128 5.76 15.26 3.5 0.89 20.9 0.61 4.94 3.02 1.95 2.85 9.39 10.52 3.15 4.92 7.5 129.5 2.81 1,161 0.88 1.22 49 85 8.7 2.37 0.71 0.43 5.63 0.66 15.5

12.16 20.3 1.32 0.41 0.042 2.73 11.7 0.074 81.6 5.94 6.84 13.2 1,896 5.69 368.2 2.81 1.92 117.5 7.09 0.125 5.57 15.26 3.32 0.89 19.72 0.58 4.74 2.97 1.86 2.8 8.9 10.2 3.08 4.76 7.5 126 2.74 1,113 0.86 1.19 47.05 83.7 8.7 2.35 0.7 0.42 5.6 0.66 15.26

SERVICES 12.28 20.3 1.32 0.41 0.044 2.74 11.7 0.077 81.6 6.05 6.84 13.2 1,916 5.73 381 2.86 1.92 119.5 7.09 0.125 5.64 15.26 3.39 0.89 20.7 0.58 4.94 3 1.95 2.81 9.29 10.48 3.15 4.77 7.5 126 2.75 1,161 0.87 1.19 49 84 8.7 2.37 0.7 0.42 5.63 0.66 15.44

26,800 78,900 246,000 1,340,000 3,600,000 76,000 7,413,200 73,890,000 39,970 1,943,200 61,200 163,700 179,480 153,600 1,290 826,000 4,000 8,537,360 7,500 3,370,000 3,570,100 3,000 1,387,000 118,000 2,129,500 1,254,000 22,000 1,965,000 30,000 649,000 1,300 35,200 8,000 96,000 1,200 32,250 201,000 356,070 6,067,000 7,534,000 403,000 5,638,550 4,200 3,249,000 1,206,000 5,180,000 515,100 465,000 45,142,400

328,644 1,611,180 325,890 562,050 155,300 208,440 86,880,464 5,651,570 3,281,115.50 11,773,066 424,240 2,188,910 344,118,360 875,671 485,230 2,356,670 7,680 1,018,265,944 53,240 422,400 20,202,729 45,780 4,739,650 105,020 43,635,547 736,850 105,020 5,892,590 57,770 1,829,240 12,106 368,890 24,850 465,460 9,000 4,067,481 553,250 410,636,825 5,287,280 9,020,920 19,585,035 473,648,161 36,540 7,686,540 844,920 2,197,800 2,894,700 306,900 696,580,710

-29,472 -8,160 -5,510 -8,235,878 -46,550 -180,590 281,529 4,545,585 92,008,628 103,819 84,100 -79,210 -1,333,651 -60,550 -24,850 -24,350 -560,936 -145,630 47,296,015 969,640 -569,100 6,608,965 -52,347,384 3,078,790 113,750 -2,820,134 -14,520 127,954,774

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

0.0021 1.46 2.94 13.04 1.18 2.33 7.81 1.49 0.249 0.121 0.0081 1.06 2.6 1.05 0.59 0.92 0.013 0.012 0.012 3.18 3.93 14.4 21.05 0.0072

0.0022 1.46 2.94 13.52 1.18 2.35 7.98 1.49 0.249 0.124 0.0081 1.09 2.66 1.08 0.62 0.93 0.013 0.013 0.012 3.18 4 14.48 21.6 0.0072

0.0021 1.44 2.9 13 1.18 2.32 7.81 1.48 0.24 0.12 0.0081 1.06 2.5 1 0.57 0.92 0.012 0.012 0.012 3.18 3.92 14.12 21.05 0.0072

MINING & OIL 0.0022 59,000,000 1.45 1,406,000 2.9 117,000 13.5 6,300 1.18 100,000 2.35 727,000 7.98 300 1.49 2,278,000 0.249 410,000 0.124 2,530,000 0.0081 1,000,000 1.08 26,000 2.53 4,443,000 1.05 96,000 0.57 469,000 0.92 518,000 0.012 441,700,000 0.012 500,000 0.012 2,600,000 3.18 6,000 3.99 437,000 14.12 471,600 21.6 7,589,300 0.0072 2,000,000

124,000 2,040,810 339,700 83,170 118,000 1,698,840 2,360 3,374,940 101,000 304,130 8,100 28,140 11,320,480 97,810 271,650 478,080 5,312,300 6,300 31,200 19,080 1,741,150 6,692,164 161,757,840 14,400

14,300 -20,300 521,500 -1,075,290 -5,100 -214,130 -1,026,354 -6,079,635 -

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

20 470 495 98.4 104.5 476.8 5.57 900 0.98 99.5 103.5 975 75.45 77 72.5 73.45 74.75 71.9 72

20 470 495 98.4 104.5 476.8 5.57 900 0.98 99.5 103.5 975 75.45 77 72.5 74 75 73 74

20 468 490 98.4 104.5 476.8 5.57 900 0.98 99.5 103.1 971.5 75.4 77 72.5 73.45 74.75 71.9 72

20 470 490 98.4 104.5 476.8 5.57 900 0.98 99.5 103.1 971.5 75.4 77 72.5 74 75 73 74

426,000 23,480 98,300 1,968 11,495 4,768 8,355 9,000 49,000 646,750 21,683 29,180 30,160.50 77,000 1,463,050 3,187,105 1,185,065 3,448,930 14,486,865

13,403 -362,500 7,361,595

LR WARRANT

1.89

2

1.89

WARRANTS 1.94 316,000

616,840

-

1,097,050 3,137,170

-262,340

1,073,867

-

24,960 25,450 9,801

-

NAME

MS

HOLDING FIRMS 0.75 10,147,000 56.95 4,147,040 15.5 13,736,200 0.74 4,000 20.3 24,000 1.43 3,871,000 1.45 690,000 920.5 459,370 7.45 1,297,200 12.4 6,084,800 14.9 5,191,300 995 333,745 6.51 82,200 61.05 75,952,420 5.86 100 0.53 2,427,000 5.24 567,700 16 4,746,400 4.94 99,172,000 0.04 2,500,000 3.16 3,069,000 2.55 6,000 174.2 13,313,500 934 1,146,550 0.75 102,000 280 1,070 0.245 2,880,000 0.355 16,830,000 PROPERTY 12.1 0.78 10.94 0.88 43.1 2.35 4.34 6.5 0.48 0.91 0.242 0.4 10.94 20.85 0.51 0.128 1.51 1.22 5.62 0.385 0.455 1.95 2.79 24 2.05 3.15 38.4

2,664,900 795,000 5,900 776,000 13,077,100 1,451,000 517,000 14,800 1,420,000 41,000 740,000 20,000 4,107,800 174,600 3,843,000 10,000 3,807,000 1,918,000 41,896,400 11,110,000 60,000 1,828,000 337,000 6,493,200 55,000 56,000 18,543,000

ITALPINAS XURPAS

4.9 1.36

5.05 1.39

4.9 1.36

FIRST METRO ETF

115.4

116

114.8

USD DMPL A1 USD DMPL A2 USD TECH B2

10.4 10.18 0.99

10.4 10.18 0.99

10.4 10.18 0.99

TRADING SUMMARY

SHARES

FINANCIAL

13,153,970

INDUSTRIAL

213,526,644

HOLDING FIRMS

272,371,818

PROPERTY

155,090,518

SERVICES

189,809,319

MINING & OIL

528,678,064

GRAND TOTAL

1,375,145,159

5.05 1.38

SME

21,300 50 200 20 110 10 1,500 10 50,000 6,500 210 30 400 1,000 20,180 43,300 15,820 47,800 196,290

219,000 2,286,000

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 116 9,310 DDS 10.4 10.18 0.99

2,400 2,500 9,900

VALUE 1,770.81 (up) 8.45 1,290,803,738.65 FINANCIAL INDUSTRIAL 11,556.33 (up) 4.35 4,032,734,546.73 HOLDING FIRMS 7,673.89 (up) 1.74 10,141,070,757.69 PROPERTY 3,969.89 (up) 67.03 1,579.08 (up) 6.88 1,911,423,408.34 SERVICES MINING & OIL 8,135.77 (up) 56.02 3,215,544,542.82 PSEI 7,798.28 (up) 47.86 195,984,375.82 All Shares Index 4,813.03 (up) 28.02 20,792,873,752.75 Gainers: 103; Losers: 88; Unchanged: 41; Total: 232

MacroAsia upbeat on airline, food businesses

By Darwin G. Amojelar

MACROASIA Corp. is optimistic about the growth outlook for its ground handling and catering businesses this year.

MacroAsia said in a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange it expected a substantive business growth for its catering and ground handling companies this month, as the client portfolio, equipment and facilities of these companies continued to expand.

MacroAsia Airport Services Corp, a 100-percent MacroAsia subsidiary, expects a 196-percent increase in flight handling activities for Philippine Airlines, compared to the services it has been rendering to PAL in 2018.

“Though MacroAsia has already been servicing PAL and PALEx in previous years, these airlines have been using other providers in the Philippines for some segments of their requirements,” the company said.

MacroAsia has been designated as the preferred ground handler for PAL and PALEx in Manila and Mactan, Cebu, involving activities related to passenger services, ramp handling, cargo and others.

Aside from PAL, MacroAsia handles an array of foreign airlines, and is the only ground handling company with presence in 32 airport stations in the country.

MacroAsia added it was studying an overseas expansion plan, as many of its specialist ground handling staff were being requested for services in some airports in Asia that were in dire need of foreign airport workers.

MacroAsia Catering Services, a joint venture of MacroAsia and with SATS of Singapore, is also expanding in two locations.

MACS runs a production facility inside the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, supplying meals as the preferred caterer to over 18 foreign carriers and three major foreign airline lounges in all three terminals of NAIA. MACS also provides the food at PAL’s domestic and international Mabuhay Lounge in Terminal 2 at NAIA. The company produces meal quantities ranging from 16,000 to 21,000 meals per day, depending on passenger traffic season.

The company said it was poised to start production activities in a new commissary built in Muntinlupa City.

DoubleDragon eyes P12-b sales from hotel units

By Jenniffer B. Austria DOUBLEDRAGON Properties Corp. said it will raise as much as P12.2 billion in sales over the next two years from the hotel business under the Hotel101 brand.

DoubleDragon said in a disclosure to the stock exchange it would launch four Hotel101 projects and start preselling this year. The hotels are situated in Davao, Boracay, Bohol and Palawan.

DoubleDragon has secured a license to sell the hotel units from the Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board for its Hotel101 in Davao.

Located in Ecoland, Matina, Davao City Hotel101-Davao will be the biggest hotel in Mindanao offering a total 519 rooms.

Construction of the project is in full swing. It slated for completion by the end of next year.

“We envision Hotel101 to become the largest and most recognized hotel chain in the Philippines in service and value, while likewise significantly contributing to the recurring income of DoubleDragon, and at the same time providing the market with an investment backed by a condominium title,” said DoubleDragon chairman Edgar Sia II. “Hotel101 provides the optimum balance for DoubleDragon as our offices, malls and warehouses are recurring revenue sources which start pouring in upon their respective completion, while for Hotel101, DoubleDragon derives revenues twice- firstly, from the preselling of the units during the construction phase and secondly, once the projects are completed the properties start to generate steady recurring revenues from the hotel operations,” Sia added.

Hotel101 is the flagship homegrown hotel brand of DoubleDragon it will make up majority of the 5,000 hotel rooms that DoubleDragon plans to include in its portfolio by 2020.

World

B3

SATURDAY, MARCH 16, 2019 CESAR BARRIOQUINTO, Editor mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Trump vows veto after the Senate rebukes him

IN BRIEF Smuggler arrested with 2,000 turtles

JAYAPURA, Indonesia―An Indonesian man has been arrested for trying to smuggle 2,000 endangered pig-nosed turtles, police said, marking the latest wildlifetrafficking arrest as the Southeast Asian nation battles the vast trade.

Authorities in Papua province said they seized 2,227 of the palm-sized turtles which were stuffed into boxes on a boat docked in the remote town of Agats.

“Officers saw a port worker carrying three big boxes and got suspicious,” Papua police spokesman Ahmad Musthofa Kamal said late Thursday.

“This is protected species and they are not for sale.”

Following the discovery, police arrested another man believed to be involved in the trafficking bid. The port worker was not detained.

If convicted, the arrested man could face up to five years in prison and a 100 million rupiah ($7,000) fine, police said.

It was not clear where the turtle shipment was headed.

The pig-nosed turtle-which has a distinctive snout-like nose and webbed feet―is only found in Australia and New Guinea, an island shared between Papua New Guinea and Indonesia, and is protected under Indonesian conservation laws.

Some turtle species are popular in China and elsewhere in Asia as food or for use in traditional medicine.

In 2014, Indonesian officials rescued more than 8,000 baby pig-nosed turtles hidden in suitcases and thought to be destined for China and Singapore.

This year, smugglers were arrested in neighboring Malaysia with some 3,300 endangered turtles aboard their boat. AFP

Warning over shooting footage

CHRISTCHURCH―New Zealand police warned against sharing footage relating to a deadly shooting in Christchurch Friday, after a video online showed a gunman filming himself firing at worshipers inside a mosque.

“Police are aware there is extremely distressing footage relating to the incident in Christchurch circulating online,” New Zealand police said in a Twitter post.

“We would strongly urge that the link not be shared. We are working to have any footage removed.”

AFP analyzed a copy of a Facebook Live video that shows a clean-shaven, Caucasian man with short hair driving to a mosque, then shooting as he enters the building.

The gunman continues to shoot at people inside the mosque, some of whom were trying to flee while others were huddled in corners of the building, according to the copy of the video that AFP found on YouTube.

AFP confirmed the video was genuine through a digital investigation that included matching screen shots of the mosque taken from the gunman’s footage with multiple images available online showing the same areas.

This included the entrance of the mosque, which has a number of distinct features such as a fence, postbox and doorway.

Inside the mosque, the gunman’s footage showed distinctively patterned green carpet that also matched images tagged on Google Maps as being at the same location. AFP

Mafia boss slain outside his NY home NEW YORK―The reputed boss of New York’s Gambino crime family was left riddled with bullets outside his home on Staten Island, an old-school hit akin to the storied executions of 20th-century mafia dons.

The grisly scene saw Francesco “Frank” Cali shot dead outside his colonial-style red-brick home on Staten Island, police said Thursday.

The 53-year-old with deep ties to Sicilian organized crime factionsthought to have been leading the Gambinos since 2015, wielding influence both stateside and in Italy―suffered “multiple gunshot wounds to the torso” in the attack on Wednesday evening, police said.

Cali, also known as “Franky Boy,” was shot six times, then hit by a blue truck in which the suspects fled. He was pronounced dead at Staten Island University North hospital, according to police.

“There are no arrests and the investigation is ongoing,” police said.

The Gambino family is one of New York’s five historic Italian Mafia families—along with the Genoveses, Luccheses, Colombos and Bonannos.

US media reported that Cali’s death marked the first murder of a New York mob boss in 34 years, since the death of Paul Castellano—another Gambino family boss—by order of the infamous John Gotti, also known as Teflon Don. Following Castellano’s murder, which saw the boss dramatically gunned down outside a Manhattan steakhouse after stepping out of a black limo, Gotti took over as the Gambino family don.

A paparazzi darling who sported flashy suits with his signature slick pompadour, police ultimately toppled Gotti and incarcerated him for conspiracy and murder in 1992. AFP

PROTEST. Young demonstrators gather on the steps of the Helsinki Chatedral before the protest march of Finnish youths calling for climate protection in Helsinki on March 15, 2019. AFP

Killer issued manifesto, live-streamed rampage C HRISTCHURCH― An Australian gunman involved in attacks on New Zealand mosques Friday that left at least 49 people dead published a racist manifesto on Twitter beforehand then live-streamed his rampage, according to an AFP online analysis.

Police called for people not to share the video, which showed the gunman shooting repeatedly at worshipers from close range.

“Police are aware there is extremely distressing footage relating to the incident in Christchurch circulating online,” New Zealand police said in a Twitter post.

“We would strongly urge that the link not be shared. We are working to have any footage removed.”

AFP analyzed a copy of the Facebook Live video, which shows a cleanshaven, Caucasian man with short hair driving to the Masjid al Noor mosque in central Christchurch, then shooting as he enters the building.

AFP determined the video was genuine through a digital investigation that included matching screen shots of the mosque taken from the gunman’s footage with multiple images available online showing the same areas.

The manifesto detailing motivations for the attack was posted on Friday morning onto a Twitter account with

the same name and profile image as the Facebook page that streamed the attack.

Entitled “The Great Replacement”, the 73-page document said the gunman had wanted to attack Muslims.

The title of the document has the same name as a conspiracy theory originating in France that believes European populations are being displaced in their homelands by immigrant groups with higher birth rates.

The manifesto said the gunman identified himself an Australia-born, 28-year-old white male from a low-income, working-class family.

He said that key points in his radicalisation were the defeat of the French far-right leader Marine Le Pen in 2017 elections, and the death of 11-year-old Ebba Åkerlund in the 2017 Stockholm truck attack.

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Friday confirmed the attacker at the Masjid al Noor mosque was an Australian.

“We stand here and condemn, absolutely the attack that occurred today by an extremist, right-wing, violent terrorist,” Morrison told a press conference.

New Zealand authorities said that three people had been arrested, but their identities were not made public.

AFP confirmed the authenticity of the livestreamed video partly by matching the distinctive features at the mosque seen in the footage with images available online.

These included a fence, postbox and doorway at the entrance to the mosque.

Inside the mosque, the gunman’s

Tibet struggle slides off radar slowly as the Dalai Lama ages HONG KONG―Sixty years after the Dalai Lama fled into permanent Indian exile, the cause of Tibetan freedom that earned him a Nobel prize and a celebrity-studded international following has lost much of its momentum―neutralized, analysts say, by the passage of time and China’s rising global power.

Inside Tibet, Beijing has effectively wiped out any organized opposition to its iron-clad rule, while outside, the once-vocal support of sympathetic governments and world leaders has dwindled to near-silence in recent years despite the 14th Dalai Lama’s enduring personal popularity.

“The fate of Tibet is in the hands of the Chinese state... Tibetans outside the region are not very relevant to the fate of Tibet, and this includes the Dalai Lama”, said Nathan Hill, convener of Tibetan studies at the School of Oriental and African Studies in London.

In 2007, the Buddhist spiritual leader said his homeland was facing its “darkest period in 2,000 years”. The following year, with the world’s eyes on China in the run-up to the 2008 Olympics, protests unfurled across Tibet, sparking a furious response from Beijing.

“You don’t see protests like that any-

more,” said Kate Saunders of the USbased International Campaign for Tibet, attributing the shift in part to Tibetans abiding by the Dalai Lama’s message of non-violence and to massive Chinese state surveillance.

Although the Dalai Lama’s campaign largely focused on autonomy rather than independence, negotiations with China stalled in 2010, amid suspicion that Beijing was intentionally dragging on pointless talks, hoping international pressure would ease with his eventual death.

The 83-year-old has sought to preempt any attempt by Beijing to name his reincarnated successor, even announcing in 2011 that he may be the last in the lineage.

The officially atheist Communist Party has already shown it will intervene in the reincarnation of important figures in Tibetan Buddhism, such as the Panchen Lama who traditionally plays a significant role in choosing the Dalai Lama’s successor.

The boy chosen by the Dalai Lama to serve as the Panchen Lama was detained by Chinese authorities at the age of six and has not been seen since, with Beijing appointing its own candidate in 1995. AFP

footage showed distinctively patterned green carpet that also matched images tagged on Google Maps as being at the same location.

Satellite navigational audio could also be heard in the video as the gunman drove to the mosque, which AFP tracked on Google StreetView showing his route for the two kilometers leading there.

The gunman spoke only occasionally while in the car, speaking in what sounded like an Australian accent.

Distinctive writing on the gunman’s weapons seen in the footage also matched images posted on the Twitter account using the same name that posted the manifesto.

The manifesto was the final tweet on the account before it was suspended.

Photos of weaponry with distinctive writing on them were posted on the Twitter account on March 13. AFP took screen shots of the weapons shown in the Facebook Live video, which showed some of the exact same writing.

Scrawled in English and several Eastern European languages were the names of numerous historical military figures -- many of them Europeans involved in fighting the Ottoman forces in the 15th and 16th centuries. A few took part in the Crusades, centuries earlier.

The Facebook account that posted the video was no longer available shortly after the shooting. The Twitter account of the same name was quickly suspended.

AFP downloaded the video and took screen shots of the Twitter account before they went inactive. AFP

WASHINGTON―President Donald Trump suffered an embarrassing defeat Thursday at the hands of US senators, including fellow Republicans, who voted to terminate his declaration of an emergency on the border with Mexico.

Trump’s response was swift and unequivocal: “VETO!” he tweeted after a dozen Republicans joined Democrats in voting down the emergency, declared as a way to secure alternative funding for the border wall denied to him by Congress.

Opponents had argued that Trump’s emergency amounted to executive overreach, saying a vote to curtail his authority would preserve the constitutionally mandated separation of powers in Washington.

Half a dozen Republicans had already spoken out publicly against the February declaration. But on the morning of the vote, the simmering revolt grew to 12 Republicans, and the final tally was a resounding 59 to 41.

Trump had made clear he planned to use his veto powers to override any congressional block, after failing to strong-arm enough Republicans into line.

“I look forward to VETOING the just passed Democrat inspired Resolution which would OPEN BORDERS while increasing Crime, Drugs, and Trafficking in our Country,” he tweeted, following up on his initial oneword response.

“I thank all of the Strong Republicans who voted to support Border Security and our desperately needed WALL!” Unless there is a substantial weakening of support for Trump among congressional Republicans on the issue, the first veto of his presidency is expected to stand.

The Senate and House of Representatives would each need a two-thirds majority to override a block by the White House, and both parties say the numbers are not likely there.

“It won’t be overturned and the legal scholars say it’s totally constitutional,” Trump told reporters of his emergency.

Trump argues the move allows him to skirt Congress and repurpose billions of dollars in other government funds, including money earmarked for military facilities.

But Democrats and some Republicans point to Congress’s constitutional duty to control government purse strings -- and say declaring an emergency to seize more money is an abuse of executive authority.

Senator Mitt Romney, the 2008 Republican presidential nominee, opposed Trump on the declaration, saying he cast his vote “for the constitution and for the balance of power that is at its core.”

A group of Republicans had sought to limit defections by cutting a deal with the president to rein in emergency declaration powers, but Trump refused. AFP

BREAK. A

USC Trojans cheerleader performs during a quarterfinal game of the Pac-12 basketball tournament against the Washington Huskies at T-Mobile Arena on March 14, 2019, in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The Huskies defeated the Trojans 7875. AFP

The Flats BGC makes city living more accessible

B4

SATURDAY, MARCH 16, 2019

Joel D. Lacsamana, Editor jdlacsamana@gmail.com

T

HE Flats Fifth Avenue, a co-living development at Bonifacio Global City, recently opened its doors to students and young urban professionals who are looking for a home in the city to skip the hassle of commuting.

Located along 5th Avenue, just a seven-minute walk to Bonifacio High Street, the project is a 16-storey shared residential building with rooms that comfortably fit up to four people. Renters can choose among quad-sharing and triple-sharing rooms with options for bunk bed, loft bed, or single bed types.

INCLUSIVE LIVING “The idea behind this co-living project was born out of our desire to make BGC a more inclusive neighborhood by providing a safe, comfortable, and inexpensive alternative to city living,” said Lash Murjani, The Flats’ office leasing assistant manager.

“The Flats helps in relieving precious time stuck in traffic to allow us to pursue other passions,” he explained. “Organizations are also looking into this as a solution to improve employee engagement and productivity. The monthly rent comes with furnished rooms with beds, workstations, cabinets, kitchenette, and a toilet and bath. Community events like parties, seminars, movie-nights, game nights, and the like that promote interaction with like-minded individuals are organized at the community lounge and skydeck. “ “What The Flats essentially offers is a value-for-money prime address in the middle of all that’s best about living in Bonifacio Global City—the culture, the community, the city life,: he added.

“With BGC as their new home, renters automatically become fullfledged BGCitizens and enjoy the exclusive perks and discounts that come with living at the home of passionate minds.”

MOUNTAIN MAJESTY. Miramonti Green Residences, a project of publicly listed sustainable developer Italpinas Development Corporation (IDC) recently won the International Property Awards for Asia Pacific, sealing its place as elite award winner for Best Mixed-Use Development in the Philippines 2019-2020. Miramonti , a mixed-use eco-friendly development, is set against the dramatic backdrop of Mt. Makiling in Sto. Tomas Batangas. “Winning International Property Awards for the third consecutive time, and on all the properties we developed, is a recognition of our design excellence as a sustainable developer” said Romolo Nati, chairman and CEO of IDC. The project will consist of three 21-storey towers and will be developed in two phases. The first phase, comprises one tower sitting atop a podium structure, will occupy a 2,057-square meter area. It will offer 352 residential units, 18 commercial units, and 89 parking units alongside amenities, such as fitness center, swimming pool, playground, among others. “The success of IDC’s first two projects, Primavera Residences and Primavera City, both located in Cagayan de Oro, has been an inspiration to us,” added Nati.

Perks of the city THE Celandine, one of the ongoing developments of builder-developer DMCI Homes, is rising along Andres Bonifacio Avenue in Quezon City, adjacent to the boundary of Caloocan City.

The single 47-storey development offers a mix of 1- and 2-bedroom units, with indoor amenities, including lounge areas, snack bar, audiovisual room, fitness gym, function room, game area, and a sky lounge.

For those who want a quiet home,

but couldn’t stay away from the perks of the city—endless choices of restaurants, cozy movie houses, laidback bars for wine nights and afterwork drinks—The Celandine will not disappoint.

When it feels like a stay-at-home kind of weekend, the project gives residents the ideal atmosphere to decompress and de-stress. The building, which is set to be completed in October 2021 is equipped with 10 high-speed elevators and 100-percent-backup power.

COSMOPOLITAN NUCLEUS. Property developer Ortigas & Company recently topped off The Imperium, its 62-storey prime residential tower in Capitol Commons. The Imperium only has four units to a floor guaranteeing spacious units and maximum privacy. ““The Imperium is a very interesting addition to our Capitol Commons estate, which we are shaping to become a global, cosmopolitan nucleus of the best in residential, business, and lifestyle,” said Ortigas & Company CEO and president Jaime E. Ysmael.

The project was awarded the best luxury condo architectural design at the 2018 PropertyGuru Philippines property awards. The 62-storey tower has rooms rendered in two- to three-bedroom configurations, as well as larger suites. It will be turned over in 2020.

At the topping off ceremony were Ysmael (sixth from left) and D.M. Consunji Inc.’s (DMCI) president and COO, Jorge A. Consunji (third from left). They were joined by (from left to right): Geronimo L. Punzal, DMCI SVP-building business unit head; Jenna J. Belardo, Ortigas & Company AVP and property sales & estate strategic business units head; Atty. Mike I. Abundo III, VP and head of corporate resources division; Arch. Renee C. Bacani, vice President and general manager of Ortigas malls; Davee M. Zuñiga, chief finance officer; Jojo S. Aligaen, head of project execution group and construction; and Aris A. Cuevas, DMCI AVP-building business unit deputy head.

CONSTRUCTION BOOM REINFORCER. Building solutions provider Holcim Philippines, Inc. recently launched a new special blended cement product formulated to perform better and have a lower impact on the environment than Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC). Ram Maganti, senior vice president for marketing and innovation of Holcim Philippines (shown in photo), said the new product called Solido has clear advantages over OPC that makes it a better choice in building infrastructures in the country. Solido exceeds the construction industry’s compressive strength standards for the 28-day mark, and continues to grow stronger beyond that compared with OPC. Furthermore, Solido concrete is easier to mix and place that can help complete work faster, Magant said during the product launch held in Davao. Part of the offering to Solido users are technical trainings and tests, and field support to provide packaging format options that are suitable to their projects. Solido is also more environment friendly due to its lower clinker content, the intermediate product responsible for a significant amount of carbon dioxide emissions during cement production.

Life

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

YOUNG LIFE

SATURDAY, MARCH 16, 2019

C1

How YouTube

empowers

Filipinas

OPPORTUNITIES ONLINE. Many resourceful and creative Filipinas harness the power of the Internet in finding opportunities. YouTube has launched Digiskarteng Pinay to provide curated local content that will help upskill Filipinas.

W

OMEN, Filipino women in particular, are many things.

And one of their admirable traits is their resourcefulness and creativity in finding opportunities to improve their and their loved ones’ lives.

As part of the month-long celebration of women, Google pays tribute to Filipinas who have mastered the art of turning limitations to opportunities. These “digiskarteng” women are inspiring their communities with stories of how they created their own livelihood, chased their dreams, and showcased their true potential with the help of YouTube.

Google Philippines industry head Gara Santos-Ontiveros shares that there are many Filipinas who went online to connect themselves to opportunities.

“It’s very fulfilling for us to see that we are able to inspire Filipinas through YouTube. It’s very tied to the mission of Google which is to organize content to make it easier for people to access information.”

Audrey, food cart owner

Cheerful and optimistic, Audrey is a family-oriented Filipina who has dedicated her time to making sure that she earns enough to provide the best education for her kids. But despite being busy to put her family first, she still found way to build something for herself when she established her food cart business.

The mother and housewife put up her small business in the town of Cuenca in Batangas. Her simple “how to cook fish ball sauce” search on YouTube led her to establishing her food cart business. She said she’s keen on further growing her business and offering more than fish ball, so she goes online YouTube for recipes on hamburgers, tacos, and nachos.

Audrey learned how to make fish ball sauce among others on YouTube.

Josephine, DIY extraordinaire

Josephine aims to turn her newfound passion into a viable business.

Josephine knows how to keep herself busy and productive. On top of being a mother to four kids, she is active in her duties in their barangay as a marshall, an officer for the women’s health and nutrition division, and a helping hand to malnourished kids and women. And two years ago, she discovered a new skill that would change her life.

When they were renovating their house, one of her kids introduced her to DIY videos on YouTube and her creative juices started to f low with every home improvement videos she watched.

She even learned to make and design special type of plant pots, which now fills her entire garden.

Their family living room is decorated with stools she created out of upcycled tires and ropes. Today she hopes to transform her newfound passion into a business.

Lauren Mae, handicrafts expert

A young mother at age 24, Lauren is already familiar with the hardships that come with starting a family. To focus on her new life, she made a very tough decision to stop working and take care of her one year old, but this did not hinder her from continuing to grow. Having access to the Internet and discovering YouTube meant learning new skills. Online, she was able to come across how-to videos on crochet, as well as recipes ideal for business.

Her interest in entrepreneurship grew as she started making what she saw online—from crochet cups and bags, miniature shoes, DIY giveaways, to even homemade ice cream. She is looking forward to providing a better life for her family with her new skill set.

Lauren Mae learned how to create crochet cups and other DIY projects on YouTube.

Turn to C2

Maris Racal’s makeup essentials AT 21 years old, Maris Racal says she’s graduated from using only lip and cheek tints. Like many young women her age, the singer and actress is now more adventurous when it comes to makeup.

These days, Racal says she never leaves home without her essentials: Careline Oil Control Face Powder, Careline Oil Control Blush On, Careline Jelly Tint, and her go-to Carel i n e Graphic-Ink Liner.

O f ten opting for natural makeup, she describes her usual look as fresh and au naturale to highlight her morena skin tone.

“I want to embrace my skin color so I usually go for darker shades of foundation and then contour. Parang nasa beach ka (Like when you’re at a beach). They should be a little darker pero dapat mukhang natural (but still looking natural),” she shares.

On days when the young actress feels a little more playful or mature, she goes for more adventurous colors like Careline Matte Liquid Lipstick In Bloom shade, or on special occasions she prefers looks that are “no effort at all” as she calls it— “but really, it depends on my mood most of the time.”

Racal joins the ever-growing Careline family as its newest endorser.

“Endorsing a makeup brand, especially in my line of work, is very important. Your appearance must always be camera-ready. Having Careline to support me in my career will really help me in my everyday routine, everyday work. So this is really a blessing.”

Being more adventurous in her makeup, her wardrobe and overall look is part of Maris’ decision to expand her horizons and be open to more opportunities.

“I’m ready for more challenges and bigger

Maris Racal goes for fresh and natural look.

roles this year and I’m grateful for all the blessings that have come my way.”

All the aforementioned makeup products are available at Careline counters in drugstores, department stores, and supermarkets nationwide.

Life

C2

SATURDAY, MARCH 16, 2019 manilastandardlife@gmail.com

5 easy-to-do science experiments LOOKING for a fun way to pass the time and learn something cool? Try any of these easy-to-do experiments that would make the young ones and even the young once feel like a scientist.

Dancing raisins What you need: raisins, clear soda, and clear glass

Photo from funlearningforkids.com

To make raisins come to life, fill the glass with warm and clear soda and drop the raisins in the glass.

Raisins are denser than the soda which makes it possible for them to sink, but science explains that the soda’s air bubbles formed on the raisins’ bodies allow the fruit to float.

When the bubbles disappear, the raisins will sink from the glass, as if they are dancing in the disco.

Hidden message Smiggle brings to the country its fun and colorful (clockwise) unicorn embossed hardtop pencil case, Game Over backpack and scented hardtop pencil case, and foldable silicone water bottles.

Smile and giggle

with stationery from Smiggle A

USTRALIAN stationery brand Smiggle, known for its colorful, fun, and fashion-forward writing materials, is now available in the Philippines.

SM Retail shoppers can find Smiggle products at the Stationery Section of the SM Store in SM Makati, Mall of Asia, and Megamall. Children are in for a fun treat with stationery and other items such as pencil cases, wallets, belts, bags, and water bottles.

Every product features a special “Smiggle twist” on a stationery classic—a burst of bright color, a unique design, and quirky graphic illustration—that results in goodies that catch the eyes and bring smile to the young ones.

Smiggle first opened its doors in Melbourne in 2003 and has since been known and loved by fans of all ages.

In August 2007, it joined Just Group, Australasian leading fashion and apparel retailer, and in the following year, the brand opened its first international store in New Zealand.

In 2011, Smiggle expanded into Singapore, and in 2014 it opened its doors in the UK. Smiggle then said hello to Malaysia and Hong Kong in 2016.

The expansion, according to the brand, is part of its plan to be the world’s most exciting and famous stationery brand.

Tri-fold wallet with velcro fastening (top), Smelling Princess Poop Fashionista shoulder bag

What you need: lemon, water, paper, cotton buds, bowl, and light bulb Want to send a secret message? Mix lemon extract with droplets of water, dip a cotton bud in the mix (that will serve as ink), and start writing your message on a clear white paper.

When the ink dries up, the writing will become invisible, and will only appear when heated above a light bulb. Due to its organic nature, lemon juice oxidizes and becomes brown Photo from stevespanglerscience.com when heated. Mixing it with water transforms it into an almost invisible substance and will only be visible when put in high temperature.

Bouncing egg What you need: raw egg, white vinegar, and bowl

Photo from coolscienceexperimentshq.com

Aside from sports, science can similarly make an object bounce. When an egg gets soaked in vinegar for 72 hours, it can actually bounce from up to 20 centimeters above ground when the shell is removed. Since vinegar is a weak acid, it can peel off the shell without damaging the insides of the egg. Eggs are made of calcium carbonate that reacts when exposed to acids like vinegar, turning the egg intact and rubbery enough to make it bounce.

Water cycle in a bottle What you need: plastic bottle, plastic cup, ice cubes, and food coloring The water cycle, where water evaporates and comes back as rain, can be bottled up in one science experiment. Mix a drop of food coloring inside the plastic bottle, fill up 1/3 of it with water, and close the cap. Turn the bottle upside down inside a cup, place a few ice cubes on top of the bottle, and place under a sunny location.

After an hour, there will be water droplets in the upper part of the bottle, which resembles how the water cycle works on Earth.

BULLETIN BOARD

Photo from adabofgluewilldo.com

Static electricity

Social business summit to gather young innovators IN A bid to inspire and enable the youth to transform their environments through social business, the Social Business Youth Alliance and Grameen Australia Philippines, in partnership with De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde, stage the 2019 Social Business Youth Summit on March 22-23 at Benilde’s School of Design and Arts.

The two-day forum annually gathers over 350 likeminded students, scholars, activists, young entrepreneurs, working professionals, corporate social responsibility practitioners, and non-government organization representatives from various communities to focus on creating

What you need: balloon You might be getting a new temporary hairstyle in this scientific experiment.

Try it by rubbing a balloon against your hair for a few seconds, and your hair will follow as you pull the balloon away afterwards. This happens due to static electricity, where negatively charged particles interact with positively charged particles.

sustainable solutions to some of the most pressing current social issues.

With the theme “Creating a World of Three Zeroes: Zero Poverty, Zero Unemployment, Zero Net Carbon Emissions,” this year’s summit will tackle issues on poverty, unemployment, net carbon emissions, disruptive technology, ecosystems for start-ups, and youth development.

2006 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Muhammad Yunus, a pioneer in microfinance and founder of Grameen Bank, will headline the SBYS with his keynote speech on “Creating A World of Three Zeroes.”

Photo from scienceblogs.com

Grameen Bank founder Muhammad Yunus headlines the 2019 Social Business Youth Summit.

Tune in to MythBusters Jr. on Discovery Channel to learn more fun and easy experiments. Adam Savage along with six young myth busters test popular myths and legends using modern science.

How...

From C1

Antoneth, beauty salon owner

*****

UST to host ethical literary criticism conference THE University of Santo Tomas will host an international conference on Ethical Literary Criticism on April 26-28 at the UST Paredes Bldg. Dr. George S.K. Ty Function Hall.

The conference aims to foreground perspectives and discourses on the relationships between literature and society, the relations between writers and their works, and the relations between readers and works from an ethical vantage point.

The plenary speakers include Institute for Interdisciplinary Studies of World Literatures founding director Nie Zhenzhao, Ph.D. from Zhejiang University in China; Critical Performance Studies Professor Victor Merriman, Ph.D. from Edge Hill University in England; Media Com-

munication Department chair Joel David, Ph.D. from Inha University in the Republic of Korea; and Research Center for Culture, Arts and Humanities director Joyce L. Arriola, Ph.D. Topics to be covered are Ethical Literary Criticism: Concept Analysis and Theory Mapping; Ethical Literary Criticism and Interdisciplinary Studies; and Ethical Literary Criticism and the Re-reading of World Literary Canons, among others.

The registration fee of P1,500 covers the conference kit, certificate, and snacks. For inquiries, call 0922-9577444 or email maesevillaperez@gmail.com.

Since she was 16, Antoneth has been interested in cosmetology and anything about beauty. This is why it was a dream come true when she was able to open her own beauty parlor business.

Despite lacking the resources and proper training to put up a salon establishment, she persevered and found the help she needed on YouTube. Watching videos about nail art, hair tutorials, and makeup routines, she was able to keep up with the trends and hone her skills.

She continues to find inspirations and fresh ideas for her businesses through YouTube. Now, her salon in Cuenca is one of the most frequented in their community and even by locals from neighboring towns.

Beauty salon owner Antoneth utilizes YouTube to keep up with the trends.

‘Madigiskarteng’ Filipinas

Making it simpler for Filipinas to find what they need online, Google Philippines introduces Digiskarteng Pinay powered by YouTube to provide curated local content that will help upskill Filipinas. The initiative is brought to life with partners from NGOs, government agencies, brands, and content creators including TV host Bianca Gonzalez-Intal and online lecturer Lyqa Maravilla.

The Digiskarteng Pinay channel will feature videos on food recipes, financial literacy, practical life skills, lessons and techniques in mathematics, and technical education. YouTube is also open to interested partners who want to help Filipinas become madiskarte.

Entertainment

SATURDAY, MARCH 16, 2019

C3

nickie.standard@gmail.com

ABS-CBN names Kerwin Du as new Country Manager for Canada

‘Onanay’ main cast members Mikee Quintos, Jo Berry, and Kate Valdez

ABS-CBN Global, the organization that oversees all international subsidiaries of ABS-CBN Corporation, the world’s largest Filipino media and entertainment company, has recently named Kerwin Du as the new Country Manager of Canada.

As Country Manager of Canada, Du is responsible for strategy execution, business operations, profitability, growth and expansion in the country. He reports directly to ABS-CBN Managing Director for North and Latin America Jun Del Rosario.

Du is a proven leader who began his career with ABS-CBN Global in 1997 as Director for Telecoms Marketing and introduced both the ABS-CBN and Bayantel joint product 123-700 Bayan Kollect sa America and the ABS-CBN Long Distance Direct product to the

Filipino American market.

He joined the ABS-CBN North America team in 1999 to assume product management of the company’s telco business, and later on its flagship channel TFC, Retail, and Theatricals. In 2012, Du was appointed Head of Product Operations of North America, and in 2017 was named North America Business Unit Head for Cargo and Retail concurrent to his existing role. He started the TFC Store on Amazon and is responsible for rapidly growing its online retail sales.

Du graduated from De La Salle University in Manila with a degree in Computer Science. He lives with his wife, Pia, in Toronto, while their daughter, Angelica, is taking Engineering and Applied Sciences at the University of Pennsylvania.

Onanay’s swan song T

HE top-rating series starring Nora Aunor, Mikee Quintos, Kate Valdez, and Jo Berry aired its final episode last night, more than seven months since it debuted on primetime.

Superstar Nora Aunor

The lead stars shared their unforgettable experiences and expressed their gratefulness to everyone who supported the show which brought laughter and tears to the viewers and managed to pull off a victory in the ratings game.

Mikee, who plays the affable Maila, shared her sentiments as she reminisced the moments she had with the entire crew, “It’s mixed emotions. I’m going to miss everybody. It was a long run, ang dami kong na-build na bagong friendship, and I’m just truly grateful for the whole experience of portraying Maila.”

Mikee also added that she learned a lot from her co-stars most especially with Superstar Nora Aunor and Cherie Gil. “Always be professional, trust yourself na kaya mong pumasok sa eksena dahil kapag nag-doubt ka sa sarili mo, that’s the point that you wouldn’t be able to perform well.

Working with them, I noticed how good they are relating with their co-actors in a scene. Kung sino yung ka-eksena nila, madadala ka talaga.”

Kate, who plays her sister Natalie in the show, promised viewers that they will be on the edge of their seats for the last few episodes.

“Aside from Onay’s love life, viewers should look forward to seeing the fate of Ms. Cherie Gil’s character. It’s going to be an explosive finale.”

Meanwhile, Jo Berry, who breathed life to the well-loved character of Onay, said that she feels extremely grateful for the opportunity given to her, “I feel so blessed, hindi ko pa rin ma-compose ‘yung right words para masabi kung gaano ako ka-thankful sa opportunity and sa chance na binigay sa akin ng GMA to portray Onay. I learned so much from doing this series.”

Jo further shared the challenges she underwent and how she got through them with the help of her co-star, Ms. Cherie, and director, Gina Alajar. “’Yung scene namin sa pool, sobrang touched talaga ako kina Ms. Cherie at Direk Gina kasi takot talaga ako ‘nun at kinakabahan. So, tahimik ako dahil talagang naapektuhan ako ng scene, nanginginig ako tapos ‘yung alalay nila sa akin ibang klase. Sabi nga nila na ganon talaga as an actress, dadating tayo sa point na ‘yung mga kinatatakutan nating mga bagay kailangan nating gawin, at kinaya ko naman po.”

For Kate, it was Direk Gina who guided her most throughout the show. “We can feel that she really cares for us actors. That’s why we call her Nancy Gina. You wouldn’t be afraid or intimidated to ask her questions or ask for advice.

She’s one of the people that I would really remember in Onanay.

CROSSWORD PUZZLE Saturday, March 16, 2019

ACROSS 1 — au lait 5 500 sheets 9 Luster 14 Veld stalker 15 Stage award 16 Large-billed raptor 17 Matinee — 18 Turnpike charge 19 Tibet neighbor 20 Large-billed bird 22 Analyze in detail 24 Ultra 25 Mulls over 26 Wordlessly 29 Sweep up 31 Shallow 32 Travel far and wide 33 Big blow 37 Hwys.

38 Pessimistic 41 Road monopolizer 42 Dress part 44 Went for the gold 45 Place for a rodeo 47 Heat to boiling 49 Passed the buck 50 Sibilated 53 WWW addresses

54 Chants 56 Missions of mercy 60 Break the rules 61 Island off Italy 63 Coy 64 Uptight 65 Guide 66 Superman’s mother 67 Direct 68 Plane stabilizers 69 Hit hard DOWN 1 Trim back 2 Nurse’s helper 3 Deceive 4 Vivify 5 Traffic circle 6 Deep black 7 Be under the weather 8 Blend 9 Teahouse hostess 10 Michigan capital 11 Utah city 12 Glossy 13 Ushers’ quests 21 Glitterati member 23 Gossip tidbits 26 Muddy 27 Take apart 28 Job

29 Prepared apples 30 Fixed the table 32 Fence part 34 Excuse me!

35 Like one Ranger 36 “Yikes!”

39 Avoid capture 40 Campus buildings 43 Take up, as a cause 46 “Our Gang” kids 48 Middle 49 Pumpernickel and rye

50 Hitchhikers’ need 51 Shore indentation 52 Pebble 53 Citified 55 SELF 57 Caspian Sea tributary 58 Linen color 59 Thick carpet 62 Aloha token

Kerwin Du (center, in blue suit), ABS-CBN’s new Country Manager of Canada, is shown with his team at the ABS-CBN Toronto office.

Very Wang...

From C4

When asked to talk about something she won over, Isabella quickly responded, “Let’s talk about a subject I personally know well. My parents separated and they’re like two of my bestfriends. At first I was like ‘everything happens for a reason’ and that ‘God has a purpose for this.’ But it wasn’t enough. To recover I needed to eat the right food, listen to the right music, and read the right books.”

She wittily added, “People have suffered from bipolar disorder, which is called manic depression before, and now it is diabetes. And yet the real cure for all these is properly addressing mental

Simply...

From C4

PETA Summer Workshop Everyone seems to be always on their toes waiting for the most fun part of the year—summer.

Where deadlines are over and shorelines are closer and the thought of it makes you jump in full glee and awe. Summer is the time to unearth new things to enjoy or spice up your craft to its fullest potential.

Joining in on the fun is Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA), one of the country’s pioneer theater groups. PETA is opening up its stage during the exciting sunny days with its annual PETA’s Workshop Express coming to you this April.

Known for its fun and exciting theater arts workshops, PETA assures the best summer experience through activities that develop the inner artists in you.

With this year’s eight sets of intensive theater arts courses, every single one is bound for a summer well-spent.

Little ones ages 6 to 8 years old are

and emotional health through spiritual strength.”

The concert is aimed at bringing hope and inspiration to struggling, challenged people and helping the youth have a relationship with God. Teachers, students, parents, and children are encouraged to come. Free seats are available upon reservation and ID presentation.

Other stars to appear at The Promise are Erik Santos, sisters Alex and Toni Gonzaga, Christian Bautista, seasoned actresses Gina Alajar and Maricel Laxa, OPM stalwarts Ray-An Fuentes and Eddie Mesa, and upcoming acts Tim Pavino and the Perkins Twins.

The mother and daughter number is one of the highlights of this production

by Headline Concepts International. For tickets call 0917-8139065. in for a meaningful treat as they flourish their imagination and self-confidence through the art of rhythmic movement, dance, songs, games, painting, puppetry, storytelling, and role-playing done in various artistic processes.

Kids from 9 to 12 years old can also unfold the beauty of exploring through music, visual arts, writing poetry and short stories, storytelling, drama improvisation that leaves no space for boredom as this will be coupled with fun-filled games and activities.

With PETA’s one-of-a-kind Integrated Theater Arts approach, teens ranging from 13 to17 years old— in their phase of seeking daring ventures, go through creative drama, sound and music, creative writing, body movement and dance, and visual arts assuring them the fulfillment of their heart’s content.

Students, professionals, and even moms and dads can have their spot at centerstage with a range of courses for beginners to more intermediate performers. Adults can choose from Theater Arts for new learners, Basic Acting for experienced performers, and Creative Musical Theater for the musically inclined.

This holistic theater experience with PETA Artist-Teachers makes for a goto pursuit during the summer break.

Workshop schedules are especially designed for the young ones looking for a creative way to spend their vacation and busy adults in need of an exciting break from school or work.

Adult courses are on April 27, May 4 to 5, 11-12, 18, 25-26, June 1 to 2, 8 to 9. Two merry weeks await kids and teens who may choose from two batches: (Batch A) April 8 to 13, 15 to16, 22-26 and 28, (Batch B) April 30, May 1 to 3, 6 to10, 14 and 19.

Enrollment is made easier with three quick steps.

To register, secure an interview from Tuesday to Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. through Jill Raz at (02) 725 6244, or 0917 804 2618 or by visiting bit.ly/ PETAWorkshops.

On the day of your interview, don’t forget to bring two passport sized photos and your reservation fee. Early enrollees, groups of three or more people, and returning students can enjoy exclusive discounts.

The PETA Summer Workshop will be held at the PETA Theater Center in New Manila, Quezon City. *** Visit www.isah.red for more stories.

Follow me on Facebook (@isahvr), Twitter (@isahvred) and Instagram (@ isahvred). ΙR

Nickie Wang, Issue Editor nickie.standard@gmail.com

C4

Entertainment

SATURDAY, MARCH 16, 2019

Moira, IV of Spades, Shanti Dope lead MYX Music Awards nominations MOIRA dela Torre, IV of Spades, and Shanti Dope, topped the MYX Music Awards 2019 nominees, and they are all vying to bag the most coveted recognitions—Artist of the Year, Song of the Year, and Music Video of the Year— from the country’s hottest musical showdown happening on May 15.

Rapper Shanti Dope is nominated in seven categories including New Artist of the Year, Male Artist of the Year, and Artist of the Year. His single “Nadarang” is a contender for Song of the Year and Urban Video of the Year while the track “Shantidope” featuring his mentor Gloc-9 got nominations for Collaboration of the Year and Music Video of the Year.

Singer-songwriter Moira dela Torre received a total of seven nods as well including Mellow Video of the Year, Song of the Year, and Music Video of the Year for “Tagpuan” as well as Female Artist of the Year and Artist of the Year.

She’s also nominated for Media Soundtrack of the Year for “Kahit Maputi Na Ang Buhok Ko” and Collaboration of the Year for “Kung Di Rin Lang Ikaw” with December Avenue.

After winning New Artist of the Year in the MYX Music Awards, rising act IV of Spades got five nominations including Group of the Year, Artist of the Year, and Song of the Year for chart-topping track “Mundo.” The band also got nods for Rock Video of the Year and Music Video of the

Year for “In My Prison”.

Nadine Lustre also raked in nominations as Female Artist of the Year and Artist of the Year as well as for Music Video of the Year for“St4y Up” and Media Soundtrack of the Year for “Prom,” a collab with her beau James Reid.

Ben&Ben, Darren Espanto, Julie Anne San Jose, and Yeng Constantino, meanwhile, got three nods each.

Other exciting awards to look forward to are the Remake Of the Year, Music Video Guest Appearance of the Year, International Video of the Year, MYX Bandarito Performance, and MYX Celebrity VJ of the Year.

Check out the #MYXMusicAwards2019 nominees playlist on Spotify and vote for your favorite nominees until May 12 by logging on to www.myxph.com.

Meanwhile, Twitter users can unlock an exclusive emoji using the hashtags #MYXMusicAwards2019 and #MMAs2019, and join the country’s number one music channel in hailing this year’s nominees. Check out the channel’s socials for more information and updates.

‘Ulan’ lead actress Nadine Lustre with director Irene Villamor and co-star Marco Gumabao

‘ULAN’ gets HOOQ-ed IT’S HOOQ’s fourth anniversary in the Philippines and it’s celebrating with a major collaboration with Viva Films.

Last Monday, the largest Video-on-Demand service in Southeast Asia, announced its first foray into Filipino originals with Ulan, a romantic drama starring this generation’s biggest and brightest stars in Filipino cinema – Nadine Lustre and Carlo Aquino.

It HOOQ’s first Original Movie from the Philippines, in partnership with Viva Films. Ulan is now screening in cinemas nationwide.

Jennifer Batty, chief content officer of HOOQ, said, “This is a significant milestone for HOOQ and HOOQ Originals. We are continuing with our promise to bring the very best content from the most promising and talented actors, scriptwriters and directors in the Philippines and across Southeast Asia. Ulan is already one of the most highly anticipated titles of the year, and the first of many more HOOQ Original Movies to come. To partner with Viva on our first HOOQ OriginaI film is super exciting. Viva is a powerhouse here and we look forward to

POP star Britney Spears is heading to Broadway, the singer announced Tuesday, in the form of a fairytale jukebox musical with a feminist bent set to the pop star’s hits.

Once Upon a One More Time begins previews and then a limited run in Chicago from Oct. 29 before setting its sights on New York.

It will fill the slot in Chicago that had been slated to host Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough about Michael Jackson, a musical whose tryout was canceled over “scheduling difficulties” linked to a labor dispute with actors, according to its producers.

The cancellation came just prior to an HBO documentary however that detailed pedophilia allegations against Jackson.

Producers say they are hoping to take the musical straight to Broadway in 2020.

In the meantime, the Britney show will see a “rogue fairy godmother” enlighten its protagonists on progressive views on the notion of happily ever after.

Singersongwriter Moira dela Torre received a total of seven nominations including the coveted Artist of the Year.

doing more with them in the future. ” Sheila Paul, country manager of HOOQ Philippines, said, “The ISAH V. RED Philippines has an abundance of talented filmmakers that are really pushing the boundaries of the medium – in terms of storytelling, format and style. We see great promise in the market, and will continue to invest in original content in the Philippines and across Southeast Asia. Not only do we want to support local content creators, we want to encourage them to challenge conventions and develop engaging, high-quality Filipino content that we can all be proud of.”

Ulan is the fourth feature film from Irene Villamor, who continues to make waves in the local film industry. Irene’s vision of an unconventional love story with a supernatural twist has all the makings of a future classic.

She also directed Sid & Aya, Camp Sawi, and Meet Me in St. Gallen.

HOOQ’s extensive library of Filipino movies and shows include Irene’s complete catalogue of films as well as Nadine Lustre’s hits; Never Not Love You, This Time, Diary Ng Panget, On The Wings of Love, Sisterakas and Beauty and the Bestie. Continued on C3

The title of the show references ...Baby One More Time, the 1998 breakout single for Spears, who went on to become one of the best-selling pop artists in history.

A statement explaining the show on Spears’ website invoked Betty Friedan’s manifesto credited with ushering in second-wave feminism in the United States.

“Once Upon A Time… Cinderella, Snow White, and the other fairytale princesses gather for their book club, when--oh, baby baby!–-a rogue fairy godmother drops The Feminine Mystique into their corseted laps, spurring a royal revelation,” it read. AFP The music of Britney Spears is heading to Broadway in a new comedy called ‘Once Upon A One More Time. ‘

T

Dingdong Dantes named ‘STORIES OF HOPE’ filmfest ambassador

V HOST and actor Dingdong Dantes has been NICKIE named ambassador of WANG this year’s Istorya ng Pag-asa Film Festival (INPFF), a short film event organized by the Office of Vice President Leni Robredo, Film Development Council of the Philippines, and Ayala Foundation.

Actor Dingdong Dantes helps out the Office of the Vice President to promote INPFF, is a nationwide, all-digital competition open to all Filipinos filmmakers.

In a video posted on the filmfest’s Facebook page, the 38-year-old actor invited amateur and professional filmmakers to send their entries.

“Inviting you all to join the Istorya ng Pag-asa Film Festival 2019. Open ito sa lahat ng mga Pinoy, kahit pa non-professional filmmaker ka o nakatira sa ibang bansa,” Dingdong said.

A known advocate for the arts and the youth, Dingdong first came on board as the host of the filmfest’s gala night and awarding ceremonies last year.

Now on its second year, the INPFF is a nationwide, alldigital competition open to all Filipinos filmmakers here and abroad for original short documentaries. The entries

Vice President Leni Robredo (center) with last year’s INPFF winners

should not exceed five minutes.

Launched in November 2017, the filmfest aims to showcase stories of hope and inspiration to spread positivity among Filipinos.

“It is our hope that through Istorya ng Pagasa—lalo na iyong Istorya ng Pag-asa Film Festival—Filipinos will be united around the common values of hope, of perseverance, deep faith, and the goodness of humanity. Because that’s really the underlying theme of every story,” VP Robredo told the press during a conference held Monday.

This year’s participants will win cash prizes and they will get the chance for their short films to be screened at Ayala Mall Cinemas. The winner for Best Film will get P80,000, while the first and second runners-up will receive P50,000 and P30,000, respectively.

Apart from special prizes for Best Script, Best Director, and Best Cinematography, the 2019 INPFF will also give away a People’s Choice Award and a special award from Ayala Foundation. *** Isabella to share stage with mom Kuh at MOA Arena tonight A big stage and a star-studded occasion

serve as a grandly fitting atmosphere for celebrity daughter Isabella to greet her mom Kuh Ledesma on her special day.

The eloquent, spiritually upbeat young woman is largely behind what’s going to happen in tonight’s pop and gospel birthday concert for Kuh, dubbed Mar3ch:16 The Promise, as she directs the program flow to include song numbers and inspirational talks from invited celebrities led by Sarah Geronimo and Daniel Padilla.

The title of the show is a play on the famous Bible verse of John 3:16, as Kuh’s birthday happens to fall on March 16 as well.

Relating her mindset to prevailing issues like depression, family breakups, and drug addition—all expected to be talked about on stage, Isabella expressed, “When circumstantially bad happens, it’s up to you to address the matter. Your mental health depends on the books you read and the stuff you listen to.”

Obviously, Isabella, like her mom, has turned on to bible and uplifting music. With all show proceeds to go to the Holy Bible Giver Foundation which by nature hands out bibles in depressed areas and public schools, all guests are noted for being bible believers. Continued on C3

Isabella with mom Kuh Ledesma