Manila Standard - 2019 March 29 - Friday

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OPPO elevates photography and user experience with F11 Pro OPPO, one of the leading global smartphones in the Philippines, brings the photography and user experience to a higher level as it unveiled the latest members of its F-Series, F11 Pro and F11, last March 27 at World Trade Center in Pasay City.

With the newest F11 Pro, OPPO is shifting from well-known "selfie expert" to brilliant portrait, using its 48MP rear camera and F1.79 large aperture together with a 6P lens.

Shining alongside the F11 Pro are the official ambassadors of the F11 Series: Issa Pressman, Laureen Uy, Marga Bermudez, Rosenthal Tee, Luke Landrigan, and Magic Liwanag. Selected with strict criteria, these individuals'

OPPO F11 Pro's launch was graced by official ambassadors and OPPO executives (from left to right) Marga Bermudez, Magic Liwanag, Issa Pressman, Vice President of Channel Sales Zen Han, Vice President of Marketing Jane Wan, host Gretchen Ho, CEO Damon Huang, Product Expert Daniel Lardizabal, Rosenthal Tee, Luke Landrigan, and Laureen Uy.

unique stories embody what the F11 Series stands for: the ability to shine in the dark no matter the circumstances.

Present in the launching were OPPO Philippines executives Damon Huang, CEO; Jane Wan, Vice President of Marketing; and Zen Han, Vice President of Channel Sales.

With OPPO F11 Pro’s features, it surely is irresistible given its great price of P18,990. Pre-orders start on March 28 with a free rock space MUSE Bluetooth speaker which is worth P2,499. The preorder is also available via Home Credit.

Customers can claim at all OPPO stores and authorized dealers nationwide starting April 6.

VOL. XXXIII • NO. 47 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P18 • FRIDAY, MARCH 29, 2019 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Cops outgun NPA in Samar firefight th 50 Reds foiled on eve of NPA’ s 50 Agri chief cites Pantabangan as T LEAST five New People’s Army fighters were killed while two policemen and an army soldier tap water source were wounded after government forces repulsed

By Francisco Tuyay and Jess Malabanan

THE Agriculture department on Thursday proposed tapping alternative water sources to address the depleting water supply in Metro Manila―even as it said the total damage to crops as a result of El Niño was P1.3 billion and not P2.6 billion.

Agriculture Secretary Manny Piñol said his department’s computations factored in the insurance for farmers, and that the P2.6-billion estimate by disaster officials was based on the crop damage figures given by local government units.

Piñol said Metro Manila could get water from other dams in Luzon that is being used mainly for irrigation aside from the water from the Angat, Ipo and La Mesa water reservoirs.

He cited Pantabangan Dam in Nueva Ecija.

Piñol said farmlands do not need irrigation the whole-year round, so that the water from the other dams could be used to augment the water supply in Next page Metro Manila.

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a rebel raid on a police detachment in Samar and an ambush in Compostela Valley Thursday, on the eve of the communist group’s 50th anniversary.

The bloodiest battle took place in Northern Samar after policemen and rebels exchanged heavy gunfire following an attack by some 50 NPA fighters on the Victoria Municipal Police Station at 3:30 a.m.

Police Brig. Gen. Dionardo Carlos said the rebels clad in military uniforms on board a forward truck swooped down on the town and began firing at the polic e station manned by 15 policemen.

The policemen defended the station, killing three rebels in the process.

The 15 PNP personnel on duty led by Lt. Eladio Alo, chief of police of Victoria MPS, put up a fight and beat off the NPA, firing upon them from the roof of the station.

The rebels, some of them women, wore yellow headbands, Carlos said.

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REBEL RAID REPULSED. A gory gunbattle in Northern Samar Thursday between government troops and rebels, with the bloodied ground floor (top above) of the Victoria Municipal Police Station after a firefight where rebel terrorists of the New People’s Army were repulsed when they raided the establishment, some of the rebels’ guns (above) left behind, one of the raiders captured alive identified as Aljon Tamuyang Cardenas (inset).

PNP Photos

Palace flip-flops on Chinese loan

By Nat Mariano THE Palace backtracked Thursday, acknowledging that a portion of the oil and gas deposits in the Reed Bank could by seized by China should the Philippines default on its $62-million Chinese loan for the Chico River Irrigation Loan Agreement.

Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo conceded that Supreme Court Associate Justice Antonio Carpio was right when he said Presidential Decree No. 87 or the Oil Exploration and Development Act of 1972 and Philippine Service Contract 72 provide for the conversion of the oil and gas deposits in the Reed Bank into patrimonial properties.

Gov’t denies role in anti-China raps

By Nat Mariano THE government has nothing to do with the filing of a case against Chinese President Xi Jinping before the International Criminal Court, President Rodrigo Duterte said Wednesday evening.

He made this assurance as a Chinese delegation led by Song Tao, minister of the International Department of the Communist Party of China (IDCPC) paid him a courtesy call at the Matina Enclaves in Davao City.

“I would like to welcome you warmly, and I’d like to tell you that we are very happy with your visit,” the Chief Executive told the Chinese official. Next page

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WAXED DOUBLE. Revealed online Thursday, the foretold wax figure of Miss Universe 2015 winner Pia Wurtzbach has been unveiled to the public, disclosing a preternatural resemblance to the Filipino beauty titlist, immortalized the moment Wurtzbach crowned her successor Iris Mittenaere. The double will be displayed at Hong Kong’s Madame Tussauds museum.

S’pore lauds ‘street food’

Israeli salt cave world’s longest

Video vs. texting goes viral

SINGAPORE—Singapore on Thursday defended nominating its street food for UN recognition as a bid to “safeguard” local culture after the move sparked a cross-border culinary clash with Malaysia.

The city-state is home to many open-air food courts where vendors,

MOUNT SODOM, Israel—Israeli cave explorers said Thursday that a salt cave with striking stalactites near the Dead Sea is the world’s longest, beating the previous record-holder in Iran.

The cave named Malham, stretching over 10 kilometers (6.25 miles), runs through Mount Sodom, Israel’s

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THE Transportation department wants people to know that they should not be texting while driving, so it tapped the Filipinos’ affinity for melodramas to send the message.

The department posted a nowviral Facebook video on Tuesday titled “Here Comes the Bride,” a road safety reminder that does not end happily.

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Duterte’s wish: PH progress, prosperity PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte turned 74 on Thursday and wished progress and prosperity for the Philippines.

“My wish is that we will continue to progress and prosper. I wish you all happiness,” Duterte said as he blew the candle on his cake during a small gathering with the Presidential Security Group and some aides in Davao.

His eldest son Paolo advised him to take a break and even promised to handle his critics so he would not have to mind them for a day.

In a Facebook post Thursday, former Davao City Vice Mayor Paolo greeted Next page

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Probe sought on adviser’s alleged ties to drug trade LAWMAKERS critical of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday called for a probe into a fired police official’s allegations that one of the leader’s ex-advisers was involved in the narcotics trade.

Duterte’s signature policy is an internationally-condemned crackdown on drugs that has killed thousands, and the claim has led opponents to question his intentions.

“If you really hate illegal drugs, drug users and pushers, prove it now Mr. Duterte and... investigate,” said Senator Leila de Lima, whois behind bars on charges she says are politically motivated.

The allegations surfaced this week after ex-police colonel Eduardo Acierto told reporters he alerted his superiors in 2017 to warn Duterte about the adviser.

But instead of acknowledgement of the warning, Acierto said he found himself facing accusations of involvement in the drug trade.

Duterte and other top officials have fiercely refuted the drug allegation, saying the former adviser—a Chinese businessman—has no narcotics ties and Acierto is a disgraced cop with an agenda.

Acierto was fired last year over 2015 criminal charges alleging he was among police who illegally issued licenses for guns that ended up in the hands of communist rebels.

Acierto told journalists his work revealed that the ex-economic adviser to Duterte was involved in a clandestine methamphetamines laboratory that authorities raided in the southern city of Davao in 2004. AFP

Voters put premium on honesty

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ONSUMER advocacy group CitizenWatch Philippines said Filipinos believe in the importance of accountability and trustworthiness in public office, as reflected by the results of a recent poll.

“For Filipino consumers, honesty is a non-negotiable requirement for public service,” CitizenWatch Philippines said.

A quarter of Filipino voters seek senatorial candidates who “will not be corrupt,” according to a Social Weather Stations survey conducted on Dec. 16 to 19, 2018.

The fourth-quarter survey commissioned

by Stratbase ADR Institute shows that “Will not be corrupt” tops the list of qualities that Filipino voters look for in a senatorial candidate.

The survey used face-to-face interviews of 1,440 adults (18 years old and above) nationwide, with 360 each in Balance

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RAINWATER HARVEST. Baguio Water District assures Pines City consumers of ample water supply amid the drought threat risk that comes with the onset of El Niño as the 7-million gallon capacity rain harvesting facility in Cabuyao, Mt. Santo operates at normal level.

Dave Leprozo

Cops...

known as “hawkers,” serve dishes such as chicken and rice, noodles and satays at relatively cheap prices.

Singapore announced last year it would nominate its hawker culture to be designated as intangible cultural heritage

by UNESCO, and if successful it will join items such as traditional Japanese cuisine and Belgian beer on the list.

But the move sparked anger in Malaysia—while the country’s street food is similar to that in Singapore, Malaysians claim it is generally far superior.

Announcing Singapore’s nomination had been officially submitted this week, senior National Heritage Board official Yeo Kirk Siang insisted the bid was not meant to show the city’s street food was “better” than that of other countries.

“It’s not about countries trying to prove that their cultural practices are better, unique, or that it originated from the country,” he told a press conference.

“What the nomination is about is whether the cultural practice is valued by the community within that country... and whether they are committed to safeguarding these practices within their countries.”

Officials also hope the bid will encourage the younger generation to get more involved in the street food business.

The news that Singapore was moving forward with the nomination raised hackles in Malaysia, however, with one Facebook user writing: “When Singapore realized it has no culture that is singularly it’s own, it will claim what’s others.”

Singapore and Malaysia have had a testy relationship since a stormy union in the 1960s but tempers really boil over when it comes to food—where particular dishes come from, and who makes the best versions, is often the subject of heated debate.

The outcome of Singapore’s bid is due at the end of 2020. AFP

Two policemen, Msg. Arturo Gordo Jr. and Msg. Arnold Cabacang were wounded during the attack, suffering shrapnel injuries to the face.

A caliber 60 rifle and an M14 rifle were taken from the rebels, one of whom was captured.

The town was put on lockdown after the rebel attack in an effort to round up the attackers.

In Compostella Valley, two NPA rebels were killed after troopers from the 71st Infantry Battalion fought a rebel band at Sitio Mangurayan, Barangay Anitapan, Mabini town at dawn Thursday.

Reports said before the encounter, they received information that the communist terrorists were planning to consolidate for an attack on Friday.

A five-minute battle resulted in two dead NPA rebels.

Soldiers seized three improvised shotguns, a makeshift bomb, 50 meters of detonating cord and a blasting cap.

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana lambasted the NPA for bringing hardship to the poor Filipinos they extorted, threatened waylaid to advance their lost cause.

“The 50th year of the NPA’s existence is a very sad and unfortunate reminder of the Filipino people’s suffering at the hands of these criminals and terrorists,” Lorenzana said as he predicted that the NPA would be strategically irrelevant by 2022.

“For five long decades the NPA stained our soil with blood, extorted from our hard working people, harassed our communities, and tore Filipino families apart. The screams for justice by their

Video...

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The video starts off with the bride riding a bridal car on the way to the church where she is getting married. She texts her husband-to-be that she’s nervous.

The video then cuts to two women― one driving and the other riding shotgun― aboard a Ford Ranger truck blasting loud music, dancing, goofing around and eating chips while driving.

The video takes a tragic turn when the woman driving the pickup starts to text someone that they’re on the way. The driver looks at the road again and saw the bridal car, but by then it was too late to stop.

It ends with a shot of the bride covered in blood and bits of glass from the bridal car’s shattered window.

It’s really dramatic, but perhaps this is probably what Filipinos need to see to drive the point home.

The Facebook post had over 150,000 views, 2,100 reactions, and 2,600 shares as of this article’s posting. Netizens shared their thoughts about the ad.

CitizenWatch Philippines said.

“As we move towards the peak of the election season, CitizenWatch Philippines advocates for candidates who possess the competence, utmost integrity and trust to lead our country back in the right direction,” it said.

Other qualities in candidates sought by respondents are “have concern for the poor” with 22 percent; have “good personal characteristics” with 21 percent; “are trustworthy” with 21 percent; are “concerned about or helpful to those in need” with 20 percent; “walk his talk / fulfills his promises” with 14 percent; and “can give solutions to the problems of the country” with 9 percent.

CitizenWatch Philippines is an advocacy group that champions the interest of Filipino consumers. Last year, it warned against the oil and power rate hikes, which contributed to an inflation rate of 6.7 percent in September and October 2018, the highest since 2015.

Palace....

S’pore...

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Luzon, Metro Manila, the Visayas, and Mindanao. The survey used a structured questionnaire with visuals.

To the question, “What qualities are you looking for in a senatorial candidate of the Philippines? You may give up to three answers,” about 25 percent of Filipino adults nationwide answered “will not be corrupt.”

No list of answers was provided to prompt the respondents.

“We, at CitizenWatch Philippines, echo the same public sentiment as we stand for accountability and trustworthiness in public office. No less than the Philippine Constitution highlights this importance,” CitizenWatch said in a statement.

Section 1 of Article XI of the 1987 Philippine Constitution states that the “public office is a public trust.”

“Public officers and employees must, at all times, be accountable to the people, serve them with utmost responsibility, integrity, loyalty, and efficiency, act with patriotism and justice, and lead modest lives,” it states.

Filipino voters will troop to the polling precincts on May 13, 2019 to elect national and local officials, including 12 members of the Senate and all members of the House of Representatives.

“The role of these candidates cannot be further underscored as legislative power is vested in the Congress of the Philippines, consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives, except to the extent reserved to the people by the provision on initiative and referendum. Ultimately, these senatorial candidates have the power to legislate polices that have direct effect on consumers—either to their detriment or to their advantage,”

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Israeli...

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largest mountain, and spills out to the southwest corner of the adjacent Dead Sea. Pale salt stalactites hang from the ceilings, and some of the walls sparkle with salt crystals. Drops of salty water are visible at the tips of some of the stalactites.

Malham became known to researchers through the work of Amos Frumkin, founder and director of the Hebrew University’s Cave Research Center, who in the 1980s mapped around five kilometers of it.

But in 2006, researchers mapped over six kilometers of the N3 cave in southern Iran’s Qeshm island, granting it the widely recognized status of the world’s longest salt cave.

Two years ago, Israeli spelunker Yoav Negev decided to complete Frumkin’s

Duterte’s wish:...

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his “Pa” and thanked him for spending time with the family despite his busy schedule.

“Happy Birthday Pa! No matter how busy your work is, you sometimes have no sleep, you still find time for us. Thank you,

countless victims are deafening, and the President has heard them all,” Lorenzana said.

He then called on Filipinos to support the government efforts to eradicate the NPA, which Lorenzana described as blight upon the land.

“Let us show the world that the NPA and their ways of crime, violence and terror have no place in our homes, in our society, and in our country,” he said.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines said the NPA’s 50-year rebellion was an utter failure that resulted in the loss of lives and the destruction of property.

“If there is anything significant to the CPP-NPA’s existence, it is the 50 years of violence, injustice, atrocities, deceit and lies. They continuously hinder peace and development in some areas of our country,” the AFP said in a statement said.

“The leaders, members, and supporters of the communist terrorist group should be ashamed of themselves for bringing years of hardships and misery to our people,” it added.

Meanwhile, the Department of Justice has found probable cause to indict a National Democratic Front consultant for illegal possession of firearms and explosives.

In a resolution dated March 25, the DOJ Task Force on Special Cases found probable cause to indict NDF consultant Renante Gamara for the unlawful possession of firearms.

Prosecutors also held that the joint affidavit of the arrest and seizure by the Special Operations Unit operatives clearly showed that the firearms and ammunitions were found inside the room occupied and under the control of Gamara. With Rey E. Requejo work, reaching out to Bulgarian cave explorers for reinforcements with the promise of a warm winter adventure.

Negev, founder of the Israel Cave Explorers Club, joined forces with Boaz Langford, a researcher at the university’s research center, to organize a delegation of eight European spelunkers and another 20 locals.

They spent some 10 days mapping the cave in 2018.

A second 10-day expedition this year with 80 local and international spelunkers completed the measuring and mapping of the cave with lasers, determining its length at more than 10 kilometers.

‘The most beautiful’ Mount Sodom is essentially a huge salt block covered by a thin but resilient layer of cap rock.

The rare desert rains find their way through cracks in the cap rock and dissolve the salt to form small caves that flow down toward the Dead Sea. AFP Pa! We are here to support you.”

Paolo said he and his sister, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, would handle their father’s enemies as he took some rest.

“Find some time to rest, do not mind those people who try to look bright as Inday will handle them),” Paolo said.

“We love you, Pa!” he said.

Agri chief...

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“The water reserves in the large dams can be diverted to supply Metro Manila when farmlands do not use much water, Piñol said.

But he said a thorough study should be undertaken before his proposal was implemented.

He said if additional solar irrigation systems were built in Central Luzon, the water from these alternative dams could be used to supply Metro Manila.

Earlier this month, Metro Manila suffered a water crisis due to the depletion of water in La Mesa Dam. Since Metro Manila’s population continues to grow, the level of water it needs also increases.

Based on its business plan, Maynilad has predicted a growth of one million customers by the end of its concession term in 2037.

This translates to about one billion liters of consumption per day.

Manila Water, meanwhile, has 6.8 million clients.

Just by these figures, Angat Dam’s reserve is already nearing the critical level, which prompted Piñol to propose alternative water sources.

Gov’t...

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As the two discussed issues concerning the enduring ties between Manila and Beijing, the President raised the Chinese President’s case before the ICC. “We cannot stop people from just filing cases,” the President said, noting that the Philippines is a democratic country.

Two weeks ago, former Foreign Affairs chief Albert del Rosario and former Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales accused Xi of crimes against humanity for his “atrocious actions” in the West Philippine Sea. In a communication to ICC Chief Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda, Del Rosario and Morales sought the investigation of Xi and other Chinese officials for their alleged crimes against humanity.

“The enclosed communication outlines how President Xi Jinping and other officials of China, in implementing China’s systematic plan to control the South China Sea, have committed crimes within the jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice,” the two said in a joint statement.

Even though the complainants “have the right to file against Xi,” the Palace has previously viewed their complaint before the ICC as a “futile exercise,” arguing that the international court cannot acquire jurisdiction over China, which is not a member-state of the ICC. In his meeting with Song, the President acknowledged the Chinese government’s “vibrant trade relationship” with the country, expressing his gratitude to Beijing’s “relentless support” to his mega-infrastructure ‘Build, Build, Build’ program.

Song said China is “willing to help” should there be a need of assistance improving the Filipinos’ lives.

“I never said in my press briefing that there was no law and no service contract was entered into for gas and oil exploration in Reed Bank. What I said was Reed Bank itself, not the gas and oil there, which Carpio cited, is an inalienable property, which cannot be given, sold, or be subjected as a contractual prestation,” Panelo said in a statement.

“PD No. 87, as correctly stated by Justice Carpio, converted the gas and oil found in Reed Bank into patrimonial assets and may thus be alienated,” he added.

Patrimonial assets refer to properties owned by the Philippines in its private capacity and not public service, use or intended for development of national wealth.

Carpio has previously warned the government that China could seize natural gas deposits in Reed Bank once the Philippines failed to pay off its $62-million Chinese loan for the Chico River Irrigation Project.

The Palace official then shrugged off Carpio’s concern, maintaining there is no possibility that China would seize the Reed Bank as the country has never reneged on its obligations.

However, Panelo admitted that portions of the oil and gas reserves in Reed Bank could be exploited by China if the country fails to pay its loan obligations.

“Assuming we have defaulted for just a small amount of the loan, China cannot seize all the gas and oil there but only the equivalent of the unpaid loan. It cannot go beyond the outstanding balance,” he said.

He said the situation is “improbable, if not impossible,” however, as the country has maintained its good credit standing.

“Our economic managers have ensured that there are safeguards in case an arbitral award is made in favor of China,” Panelo said.

“The Philippines will never default on its loan with China as the payment for the country’s debt is automatically included in the government’s national budget,” he said.

Panelo then slammed critics for speculating on the terms and conditions of the loan agreement.

“These rantings and speculations have overshadowed the economic benefits of the projects that these loans shall fund,” he said.

“We find the criticism and the discussions on the loan agreement trivial, circuitous and pointless.”

The Palace official also did not spare Carpio from his criticism, telling critics to “set aside politics” and give the farmers in Northern Luzon a better life with the multi-million-dollar project.

Panelo and Carpio bumped into each other in a convention of lawyers in Iloilo City.

In a photo sent to Palace reporters, Panelo said he and Carpio exchanged pleasantries during the Integrated Bar of the Philippines National Convention Thursday afternoon. “[We] exchanged pleasantries. We are fraternity broads in the Sigma Rho in UP Law. He is a Junior brod. I was one of the senior brods who initiated him, but not physically,” Panelo said.

On Thursday, Finance Undersecretary Bayani Agabin said the likelihood of the Philippines defaulting on its debt obligation was “remote.”

“The government is responsible in managing the country’s debts, be it external or internal,” Agabin said, noting that the Philippines has no record of reneging on its obligations, even during the most difficult times.

Finance Undersecretary Mark Dennis Joven, meanwhile, denied that the Chinese loan was onerous, saying the provisions are standard to the country’s loan agreements with other countries.

“All our bilateral agreements with China, Japan, Korea, France and with China under previous administrations, all of them have a choice of governing law provisions. And all of these choice of governing law provisions refer to the law of the lender, not the law of the borrower,” Joven said.

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FRIDAY, MARCH 29, 2019 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

New law to deter motorcyle-riding criminals—PNP

Bill on safe public, online spaces pushed

By Joel E. Zurbano METRO Manila police director Guillermo Eleazar on Thursday expressed his full support to the Motorcycle Crime Prevention Act, saying the new law requiring bigger and more readable number plates for motorcycles will help decrease crimes committed by motorcycle-riding criminals.

“We agree with the spirit, purpose and end-objective of this law. We believe that this law will help decrease crimes committed by motorcycle-riding criminals such as snatchers, holdup men and assassins,” Eleazar said.

The NCRPO chief issued the statement two days after a motorcycle riding men gunned down a police officer assigned at the National Capital Region Police Office in broad daylight at the corner of Epifanio de los Santos Avenue and Connecticut Street in San Juan City.

Also last month, a motorcycle ridingin-tandem killed an Alabang-based businessman in the same area.

Eleazar said Republic Act 11235 is not meant to discriminate motorcycle riders.

“One argument by those who are against the new law is that they are ‘riders, not criminals.’ Well, the new law never generalized that riders are criminals. The law simply allows for an easier system to catch criminals in motorcycles as these evil people do not wear plates at all. It will be easier now for the police to flag down and investigate those without plates, because of the new law. We do not even need a checkpoint now to perform our function legally,” he explained.

Senator Richard Gordon, the principal author of the law, said to prevent delays in implementing Republic Act 11235, the Land Transportation Office, in coordination with the Philippine National Police, should immediately build an Operation Center.

“I will call on the LTO to build a 24/7 Operation Center immediately because we cannot implement the law without it. Therefore, the LTO, in coordination with the PNP, must prepare immediately so they are not delayed again,” he said.

Gordon said the laws calls for a Joint PNP-LTO Operations and Control Center which should be operational and accessible real-time, as well as equipped with the latest available technology to facilitate the implementation of the law.

“It must have sufficient computers and software capable of addressing any emergency and inquiry. Also, a hotline, specifically for reporting of crimes or offenses committed with the use of motorcycles, should be established,” he said.

Skilled OFWs to get better pay in Japan—DOLE

By Vito Barcelo FILIPINOS who will be hired in Japan under its new specified skilled worker residency law will receive pay equivalent to local workers, Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said on Thursday.

Bello who signed a memorandum of cooperation with Japanese officials in Tokyo, Japan also guaranteed the payment of better salaries for Filipino workers.

“This is why we are very thankful to the government of Japan. Aside from giving preferential priority to Filipino workers for the requirements of their industries, our workers are assured of better benefits,” he said.

He said Japan chose the Philippines to be the first to ink the agreement under the new specified skilled worker law which takes effect next week “because of Japan’s high regard for the Filipinos.”

The Department of Labor and Employment estimated that Filipino workers would corner at least 30 percent of the 350,000 available jobs Japan is opening to foreign workers effective April 1.

Under the guidelines on the deployment of foreign workers to Japan in pursuant to the labor cooperation pact signed on March 19, the ‘specified skilled workers’ will be deployed under two identified occupational categories: Specified Skilled Worker I and II. The Specified Skilled Worker I are workers with first level of expertise and allowed to work in Japan for a maximum of five years while the Specified Skilled Worker II refers to workers with a higher level of specialization and allowed to work in Japan indefinitely based on the renewal of their employment contract.

COLLATERAL DAMAGE. Members of Akbayan Party-list and fisherfolk leaders hold a protest in front of the Department of Finance in Manila on Thursday. The protest is to oppose the possible seizure of Philippine natural resources as collateral to the loan agreements with China. Norman Cruz

Lawyer asks JBC to disqualify member applying for CTA post

By Rey E. Requejo

T

HE Judicial and Bar Council has been asked to disqualify one of its members, lawyer Ma. Milagros Cayosa, from applying for a position as associate justice of Court of Tax Appeals.

Senatorial candidate Larry Gadon opposed the application of Cayosa, representative of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines in the JBC, for alleged lack of “proven competence, integrity, probity and independence,” which are key qualifications for the CTA justice position.

Gadon accused Cayosa of lying when she testified during the impeachment hearings against ousted Chief Justice Ma. Lourdes Sereno in the House of Representatives when she claimed that Sereno complied with the statement of assets, liabilities and net worth requirement during her application for the chief justice post in 2012.

“Atty. Cayosa was the one who lied and testified in the House of Representatives that Sereno complied with the SALN submission when Sereno

applied for the chief justice position. It turned out that Sereno submitted only three out of the minimum requirement of 10 SALNs,” Gadon said, in an interview.

“As a prime mover in the impeachment of Atty. Ma. Lourdes Sereno, I know for a fact that Cayosa committed irregularities at the JBC when she accepted the incomplete SALNs of Sereno during the latter’s application as chief justice then,” Gadon alleged in his letter-opposition to the JBC. He also questioned the eligibility of the JBC member. “Aside from that unethical act, Cayosa has no experience being a judge of a lower court. She is neither an expert in taxation. Her only qualification as JBC member is being a representative of the IBP. There are

other applicants more qualified and deserving,” he said.

Gadon also believed that the application of Cayosa to the CTA vacancies left by the retirement of Associate Justices Lovell Bautista and Caesar Casanova is a “conflict of interest, much more a sense of unprofessionalism” since she is a member of the council that will deliberate on her application.

Gadon added that as a member of the JBC, Cayosa has “undue advantage among the other applicants.”

“Allowing Cayosa to be an aspiring CTA Justice would run counter to this Honorable Council’s mission of recommending appointees ‘only persons of proven competence, integrity, probity and independence,” he stressed.

JBC is the seven-member council tasked to screen nominees for judicial posts.

Chief Justice Lucas Bersamin sits as chairman with Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra and Senator Richard Gordon as ex-officio members.

Apart from Cayosa, the other regular members of the council are retired SC Justice Jose Mendoza, retired SC Justice Noel Tijam and retired Judge Toribio Ilao.

No sacred cows in internal cleansing drive—Eleazar NATIONAL Capital Region Police Office director Maj. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar on Wednesday said that there will be no sacred cows in the unrelenting internal cleansing program of the police force.

Eleazar made the reminder during the oathtaking of the newly promoted personnel of Quezon City Police District at the QCPD Grandstand, Camp Karingal, Quezon City.

In his message, Eleazar said internal cleansing is not just about punishing scalawags but also restoring the pride and self-respect in the uniform of the police personnel and gaining the trust of the public.

He congratulated the personnel and told them that their promotion

is because of their perseverance, dedication, and discipline.

He also thanked the loved ones of the promoted personnel for the support they always bestowed on them.

The NCRPO chief also challenged the newly promoted personnel to render quality service to the community by making it safe and more secure place to live.

“If you accept this challenge, there is no reason why NCRPO will not emerge victorious against all forms of criminality,” he added.

Brig. Gen. Joselito T. Esquivel Jr., QCPD director, said a total of 2,411 Police Non-Commissioned Officers of QCPD were promoted.

Among them, 1,966 were promoted

to Corporal; 349 to Staff Sergeant; 60 to Senior Master Sergeant; 27 to Chief Master Sergeant and nine to Executive Master Sargeant.

Esquivel also congratulated the newly promoted personnel and further challenged them to maintain their best and even surpass it.

“Promotions are intended to recognize and reward dedication and good performance, and also provide advancement in the police service; while maintaining the high morale of those promoted and inspiring others.

They also provide avenues for the fulfillment of individual potential to rise in a police career,” Esquivel said.

PNA

A LAWMAKER on Thursday urged President Rodrigo Duterte to sign an enrolled bill that strengthens the protection of women in public places.

AAMBIS-OWA Party-list Rep. Sharon Garin said the enactment of the Safe Street, Public and Online Spaces Act as (House Bill 8794) will provide women a better sense of security.

“President Duterte should sign this bill before the end of the month to cap the celebration of International Women’s Month,” Garin, a deputy speaker, said.

The measure penalizes acts that invades a victim’s sense of personal safety on the streets, in public spaces, and online. The bicameral report has been ratified by the Senate last Feb. 6.

As co-author of the bill, Garin said the campaign against sexual harassment should not only be limited to the celebration of International Women’s Month and that all Filipinos, in their own capacity, can contribute to making this country a place that upholds the culture of respect.

She also underscored the need to expedite the measure’s enactment to begin the national campaign for the awareness of the law which shall be led by the Philippine Commission on Women, in coordination with the Department of the Interior and Local Government and other accredited women’s groups.

The bill provides that Metro Manila enforcers and the local unit enforcers of the Philippine National Police for other provinces shall be deputized as Anti-Sexual Harassment Enforcers to apprehend harassers and enforce the law provided that they have undergone Gender Sensitivity Training. The PCW, DILG, and the Department of Information and Communications Technology shall be in-charge for oversight of the law and shall formulate policies as needed for the strict implementation of the measure. Maricel V. Cruz

SC allows Napoles to attend hearings on pending cases

By Maricel V. Cruz THE Supreme Court has allowed Janet Lim Napoles to leave her detention to attend hearings for her pending cases on the pork barrel and Malampaya fund scams.

The Sandiganbayan confirmed receipt of an SC notice signed by clerk of court Edgar Aricheta on March 22 saying the high court has the “request for exemption” of the anti-graft court.

The SC “resolved... continue the conduct in the Sandiganbayan of the proceedings involving Janet Lim Napoles as an accused and allow the latter to be transported to and from the Sandiganbayan whenever her presence will be required,” Aricheta said.

The anti-court has to secure the approval of the SC for Napoles to leave her detention cell at the Correctional Institute for Women in Mandaluyong City to attend the hearing after she was convicted of plunder which involved former Senator Ramon Bong Revilla Jr. Last year, the Sandiganbayan’s First Division ruled that Napoles was found guilty of misusing the P224.5-million Priority Development Assistance Fund, or pork barrel, of Revilla.

Napoles is facing four plunder charges and at least 100 counts of graft at the Sandiganbayan.

‘Monolithic dome’ built in Cagayan Province town THE town of Iguig in Cagayan Province became the recipient of the first-ever typhoon resilient monolithic dome in the country.

No less than Department of Agriculture Secretary Manny Piñol inaugurated and commissioned the facility on Wednesday (March 27), who later explained in his social media account that the Dome will serve as a grains warehouse in the DA’s experimental station in the province.

According to Piñol, the Dome was designed by German engineers and constructed by a Filipino company with the help of Polish consultants.

Piñol also testified to its durability, saying that the monolithic structure could withstand strong tropical cyclone warning signal, up to No. 5.

He added that the Dome has

insulators that deflect the heat of the sun and keeps the interior temperature at a level that is ideal for grain storage.

The DA secretary said that a single dome costs P10 million and the agency will build a total of eight in Cagayan Region which suffers devastation from at least 10 typhoons every year.

He added that seven smaller units of the dome which costs P5 million each are now being constructed for the use of a farmers’ group in Cagayan Valley Region.

After Cagayan Province, the DA also plans to build similar structures in other areas located on the typhoon track such as Eastern and Western Visayas, Bicol, Southern Tagalog including Mindoro, Central Luzon, Ilocos and Cordillera Regions.

TYPHOON-RESILIENT DOME. Department of Agriculture Secretary Manny Piñol led the inauguration and commissioning of the first-ever typhoon-resilient monolithic dome in the country. Piñol, in his social media account, said that the Dome, which was designed by German engineers and constructed by a Filipino company, will serve as a grains warehouse in the agency’s experimental station in the town of Iguig in Cagayan province. He added that the monolithic dome could withstand tropical cyclone warning signal number 5. Manny Piñol

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Opinion

FRIDAY, MARCH 29, 2019

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Shortcomings

FINALLY after so much pressure and consumers’ outrage, the Ayalas admitted shortcomings in Manila Water service. This is also in the face of the government’s threat to sever the contract granted to the concessionaire.

The water service in the Metro Manila area is aggravated by the El Niño effect, wreaking havoc on hundreds of thousands of farmers and acreage planted to rice and vegetables. This can only bring up the price of these basic staples beyond the reach of middle-income and poor Filipinos.

The question now being asked is “If the government took over public water delivery in the Metro area, can it do better than the private sector companies?”

Will the water problem cost administration bets some votes?

The answer to that is at least govern government can be held accountable through the voters’ ballot. This is a particularly telling factor in the coming May 13 midterm elections. How the administration candidates will fare is seen as a referendum on both Duterte administration and its candidates.

Will the public outcry “tub..ii..ig!” translate into negative votes for administration candidates? I guess we will know after May 13 whether government will heed the wake up call from the people. It is a sign of how the populace will cast their votes in the 2022 presidential polls and the end of Duterte’s six-year term.

Adelle Chua, Editor

EDITORIAL

The lack of electricity is also looming in the horizon. Distributor Manila Electric Co. allays such fears as unfounded even as the high -priced Meralco rates will surely be in great demand during the hot summer months when consumers have their air conditioners almost turned the whole afternoon.

The shortage of electric power is presently being felt in politicallyrocked Venezuela which has crude oil albeit high in sulphur content. Oil is an essential component in the generation of electricity. The Philippines which buys Middle East oil with the falling pesos vis-a-vis the US dollar could face another challenge in another vital service area. The government must address this issue before like the water shortage stares us in the face. Social discontent is a strong element in the stability of a nation. Lack of food was what cost the French monarchy its grip on power and led to the Fall of the Bastille revolution.

On the bright side, the Senate and the House finally threshed out their differences on the General Appropriations Act. Submitted to President Rodrigo Duterte, it’s now up to the President to veto or take out contentious parts of the national budget . This is good for government employees who render service to keep government agencies functioning.

Another bright side is the report that the government will grant industrialist interRamon Ang the right to build an inter national airport in Bulacan. This would allow passengers from Central Luzon and further up north to skip going to the Manila international airport for departure and arrival. If the new Bulacan airport succeeds, it would give a boost to Ang who is being pushed by supporters to run for president in 2022.

And why not? This is better than another presidential candidate from the dysfunctional Liberal Party and the political butterflies that fly to whoever is the party in power. There should really be a return to the two-party system with each having its own distinctive platform. We doubt though that the pre-

A

Still the best policy

RECENT survey by the Social Weather Stations revealed that candidates who are not corrupt would be the top choice of one in four Filipino voters.

The poll, commissioned by a local think tank and conducted last December, asked respondents what qualities they were looking for in a senatorial candidate.

Other top qualities mentioned were "helps or has concern for the poor" (22 percent), "has good personal characteristics" (21 percent), trustworthy (21 percent), and "has concern or is helpful to those in need" (20 percent).

"Good personal characteristics" included "good, generous, fair, and responsible,"

among others.

Of the 62 senatorial candidates in the running, at least 11 have faced complaints or investigations.

But while Filipinos claim to still value honesty among their public servants, a recent incident reveals that the people themselves are wanting in terms of this premium trait.

After just nine days of operations, a bus company that encouraged passengers to pay the right fare decided to revert to engaging conductors in its trips.

Green Frog Hybrid Bus, whose buses ply the cities of Pasay and Makati, says that during those nine days, over 30 percent of passengers did not pay their fare correctly. The scheme intended to make passengers line up properly and have their exact fare ready for a box near the

driver. A tap card option was also available.

“We are disappointed to see that the honesty system did not work,” the firm announced on its Facebook page last week.

It would be a stretch to equate the portion of the population that took those bus rides with the entire country, but it might tell us something about the disconnect between what we demand of our leaders and how we are prepared to conduct ourselves. Who we are as a people is reflected by those whom we install in power.

The debate about honesty should cease, because it should not even exist in the first place. Honesty is a trait we must rightfully ask of those who serve us, but more importantly, it is something we should demand of ourselves.

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A snowball’s chance in hell WILL Chinese President Xi Jinping ever see the inside of a jail for "crimes against humanity?"

That's the scenario that former Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario and former Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales wanted to create by filing a complaint before the International Criminal Court recently, but I really doubt whether this would happen at all.

I consider the complaint as more of a political move than a solid legal case, addressed largely to the international community to muster support for the Philippine victory in the Permanent Arbitral Tribunal in The Hague in 2016.

In the first place, China is not a member of the ICC, and therefore the complaint could be dismissed outright for lack of jurisdiction. The Duterte administration has already withdrawn Philippine membership in the international body.

Under its charter, the ICC may exercise jurisdiction to prosecute individuals for international crimes of genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity only under certain conditions—when national courts are unwilling or unable to prosecute criminals or upon referral by the United Nations Security Council or individual states.

The complaint filed by the two former government officials, however, alleges that the Chinese leader “directly caused the problems” in the South China Sea through the building of artificial islands that led to deterioration of fish resources and the loss of livelihood for Filipino fishermen.

It asked the ICC to investigate the "massive, near-permanent, and devastating environmental damage across nations.”

President Duterte reacted to the issue by saying that the two former government officials were "entitled to file the case" and that "it has no jurisdiction over this country and China.

Even more so with China.”

The Palace spokesman dismissed the complaint as a "futile exercise."

Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra described it as "politically motivated...

The complaint against President Xi is really a political statement more than a legal action, and is thus intended to achieve a political result rather than a legal victory.”

For his part, lawyer Jay Batongbacal, Director of the Institute for Mari-

This complaint is more a political move than a solid legal case.

time Affairs and Law of the Sea of the University of the Philippines College of Law, also sees rough sailing for the complaint before the ICC. But he also said it shows a "principled stand" on the part of the former government officials and Filipino fishermen: "I don't think it's entirely futile because in the first place it already has an impact.

It has called attention to the fact that China continues to carry out its activities in the West Philippine Sea." David Bosco, an associate professor at Indiana University's School of Global and International Studies, asserts that "there is a theoretical possibility" for the ICC to investigate the complaint against Chinese President Xi Jinping, but there is "close to zero" odds that the tribunal would do so.

"Any group can lodge a complaint at the ICC, even against the nationals of states that are not members of the

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EvEryman

The Sino-US trade war—why China can’t win it

By Prof. Anis H. Bajrektarević DOES our history only appear overheated, but is essentially calmly predetermined? Is it directional or conceivable, dialectic and eclectic or cyclical, and therefore cynical? Surely, our history warns. Does it also provide for a hope?

Hence, what is in front of us: Destiny or future?

One of the biggest (nearly schizophrenic) dilemmas of liberalism, ever since David Hume and Adam Smith, was an insight into reality; whether the world is essentially Hobbesian or Kantian. As postulated, the main task of any

liberal state is to enable and maintain wealth of its nation, which of course rests upon wealthy individuals inhabiting the particular state. That imperative brought about another dilemma: if wealthy individual, the state will rob you, but in absence of it, the pauperized masses will mob you. The invisible hand of Smith’s followers have found the satisfactory answer—sovereign debt. That ‘invention’ meant: relatively strong central government of the state. Instead of popular control through the democratic checks-&-balances mechanism, such a

state should be rather heavily indebted.

Debt—firstly to local merchants, than to foreigners—is a far more powerful deterrent, as it resides outside the popular check domain. With such a mixed blessing, no empire can easily demonetize its legitimacy, and abandon its hierarchical but invisible and unconstitutional controls. This is how a debtor empire was born. A blessing or totalitarian curse?

Let us briefly examine it.

The Soviet Union—much as (the pre-Deng’s) China itself—was far more Turn to A5

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Opinion Reclamation THERE has been so much protest about 22 reclamation projects in Manila Bay. Among the biggest of these reclamation projects are those of the city of Manila— four totaling 1,400 hectares involving development cost of P250 billion.

According to Manila Mayor Joseph Ejercito Estrada, the four reclamation projects will create at least 500,000 jobs, generate new revenues of P17 billion, and new tax revenues of P10 billion in real estate taxes.

Contrast those benefits against the objections of so-called environmentalists.

They claim Manila will sink, the balance of nature in Manila Bay will change drastically, and marine life will be affected.

In the first place, with or without reclamation Manila, and about one-third of Luzon, will sink because of global warming. Why? Because they are already below sea level.

The experience with reclamation worldwide is that it does more good than harm.

Much of the coastlines of Mainland China, Hong Kong, North Korea, South Korea, and Abu Dhabi are reclaimed lands.

Here is an overview of major reclamation projects in Asia, per Wikipedia: China • China built the largest size of artificial lands thru reclamation, 1.3 million hectares reclaimed from 1949 to 2000s. The City of Manila has only 4,288 hectares.

So China reclaimed the equivalent of 303 cities the size of Manila. Manila’s 1,400 hectares of reclamation will increase its size by only 32 percent, to 5,688 hectares.

• Nearly 65 percent of tidal flats around the Yellow Sea have been reclaimed.

• Inland lowlands in the Yangtze valley, China, including the areas of important cities like Shanghai and Wuhan.

• Haikou Bay, Hainan Province, China, where the west side of Haidian Island is being extended, and off the coast of Haikou City, where new land for a marina is being created.

• The southern Chinese city of Shenzhen

The Sino...

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of a classic continental military empire (overtly brutal; rigid, authoritative, antiindividual, apparent, secretive), while the US was more a financial-trading empire (covertly coercive; hierarchical, yet asocial, exploitive, pervasive, polarizing). On opposite sides of the globe and cognition, to each other they remained enigmatic, mysterious and incalculable: Bear of permafrost vs. Fish of the warm seas. Sparta vs. Athens. Rome vs. Phoenicia… However, common for the both was a super-appetite for omnipresence.

Along with the price to pay for it.

Consequently, the Soviets went bankrupt by mid 1980s—they cracked under its own weight, imperially overstretched. So did the Americans—the ‘white man burden’ fractured them already by the Vietnam war, with the Nixon shock only officializing it. However, the US imperium managed to survive and to outlive the Soviets. How? The United States, with its financial capital (or an outfoxing illusion of it), evolved into a debtor empire through the Wall Street guaranties. Titanium-made Sputnik vs. gold mine of printed-paper…

Nothing epitomizes this better than the words of the longest serving US Federal Reserve’s boss, Alan Greenspan, who famously said to then French President Jacques Chirac: “True, the dollar is our currency, but your problem”. Hegemony vs. hegemoney.

House of Cards Conventional economic theory teaches us that money is a universal equivalent to all goods. Historically, currencies were a space and time-related, to say localitydependent. However, like no currency ever before, the US dollar became—past the WWII—the universal equivalent to all other moneys of the world. According to history of currencies, the core component of the non-precious metals money is a so-called promissory note—intangible belief that, by any given point of future, a particular shiny paper (self-styled as money) will be smoothly exchanged for real goods.

Thus, roughly speaking, money is nothing else but a civilizational construct about imagined/projected tomorrow—that the next day (which nobody has ever seen in the history of humankind, but everybody operates with) definitelly comes (i), and that this tomorrow will certainly be a better day then our yesterday or even our today (ii).

This and similar types of social contracts (horizontal and vertical) over the collective constructs hold society together as much as its economy keeps it alive and evolving. Hence, it is money that powers economy, but our blind faith in (constructed) tomorrows and its alleged certainty is what empowers money.

Clearly, the universal equivalent of all equivalents—the US dollar—follows the same pattern: Strong and widely accepted promise. What does the US dollar promise when there is no gold cover attached to it ever since the time of Nixon shock of 1971?

Pentagon promises that the oceanic

• The Cotai Strip in Macau, where most of the major casinos are located • Hongkong International Airport sits on reclaimed land.

Philippines • The shore of Manila Bay in the Philippines, especially along Metro Manila, has attracted major developments such as the Mall of Asia Complex, Entertainment City and the Cultural Center of the Philippines Complex.

We will sink anyway.

Singapore •The city-state of Singapore, where land is in short supply, reclaimed 52 sq miles (13,467 hectares), expanding its land area by 25 percent to 71,819 hectares.

The Singaporean government used land reclamation to supplement Singapore's available commercial, residential, industrial, and governmental properties (military and official buildings).

South Korea • South Korea reclaimed 600 sq miles from its coastal wetlands.

• Incheon International Airport sits on reclaimed land.

Japan • Japan reclaimed 110 sq miles, including 90 sq miles from Tokyo Baywhich is now home to its largest industrial park.

• Nagoya Centrair Airport sits on reclaimed land.

United Arab Emirates • The Palm Islands, The World and hotel Burj al-Arab off Dubai in the United Arab Emirates.

• The Yas Island in Abu Dhabi, UAE. Dubai's Palm Islands are the largest manmade islands in the world and take their name from their artificially crafted palm tree shape. These offshore islands have since become a popular holiday destination thanks to their uniqueness and Dubai's fast-growing tourist trade.

Dubai's Palm Islands are home to 5,000 waterfront apartments, 4,000 residential

sea lines will remain opened (read: controlled by the US Navy), pathways unhindered, and that the most traded world’s commodity—oil, will be delivered. So, it is not a crude or its delivery what is a cover to the US dollar—it is a promise that oil of tomorrow will be deliverable. That is a real might of the US dollar, which in return finances Pentagon’s massive expenditures and shoulders its supremacy.

Admired and feared, Pentagon further fans our planetary belief in tomorrow’s deliverability—if we only keep our faith in dollar (and hydrocarbons’ energized economy), and so on and on in perpetuated circle of mutual reinforcements.

These two pillars of the US might from the East coast (the US Treasury/ Wall Street and Pentagon) together with the two pillars of the West coast—both financed by the US dollar and spread through the open sea-lanes (Silicone Valley and Hollywood), are an essence of the US posture.

This very nature of power explains why the Americans have missed to take our mankind into completely other direction; towards the non-confrontational, decarbonized, de-monetized/ de-financialized and de-psychologized, the self-realizing and green humankind.

In short, to turn history into a moral success story. They had such a chance when, past the Gorbachev’s unconditional surrender of the Soviet bloc, and the Deng’s Copernicus-shift of China, the US—unconstrained as a lonely superpower—solely dictated terms of reference; our common destiny and direction/s to our future/s.

Winner is rarely a game-changer Sadly enough, that was not the first missed opportunity for the US to soften and delay its forthcoming, imminent multidimensional imperial retreat. The very epilogue of the WWII meant a full security guaranty for the US: Geo-economically—54% of anything manufactured in the world was carrying the Made in USA label, and geostrategically – the US had uninterruptedly enjoyed nearly a decade of the ‘nuclear monopoly’. Up to this very day, the US scores the biggest number of N-tests conducted, the largest stockpile of nuclear weaponry, and it represents the only power ever deploying this ‘ultimate weapon’ on other nation. To complete the irony, Americans enjoy geographic advantage like no other empire before. Save the US, as Ikenberry notes: “…every major power in the world lives in a crowded geopolitical neighborhood where shifts in power routinely provoke counterbalancing”.

Look the map, at Russia or China and their packed surroundings. The US is blessed with neighboring oceans—all that should harbor tranquility, peace and prosperity, foresightedness.

Why the lonely might, an empire by invitation did not evolve into empire of relaxation, a generator of harmony?

Why does it hold (extra-judicially) captive more political prisoners on Cuban soil than the badmouthed Cuban regime has ever had? Why does it remain obsessed with armament for at home and abroad? What are we talking about

FRIDAY, MARCH 29, 2019

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mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Earth Hour’s false message villas, 1,000 water homes and 60 luxury hotels as well as a number of marinas, health spas, shopping malls, restaurants, cinemas, sports facilities and dive sites.

Qatar • A part of the Hamad International Airport in Qatar, around 36 sqm.

(14 sq mi).

• The entire island of The Pearl-Qatar situated in West Bay (Doha), Qatar.

India • India has 300 years of reclamation history.

• Much of the coastlines of Mumbai, India are reclaimed.

Reclamation created one of the world’s megacities. It took over 150 years to join the original Seven Islands of Bombay.

These seven islands were lush, green, thickly wooded, and dotted with 22 hills, with the Arabian Sea washing through them at high tide.

The original Isle of Bombay was only 24 km long and 4 km wide from Dongri to Malabar Hill (at its broadest point) and the other six were Colaba, Old Woman's Island, Mahim, Parel, Worli and Mazgaon.

Metropolitan Mumbai today crams more than 12.4 million people into anarea of 438 sq km.

Indonesia • The shore of Jakarta Bay. Land is usually reclaimed to create new housing areas and real estate properties, for the rapidly expanding city of Jakarta. So far, the largest reclamation project in the city is the creation of "Golf Island", which is still ongoing.

• Giant Sea Wall Jakarta.

Bahrain • Bahrain increased its territory by 47 percent by reclamation, 122 sq. miles added to its original 256 sq. miles.

Pakistan • Much of the coastline of Karachi, Pakistan.

Lebanon • Beirut Central District Maldives • Hulhumalé Island, Maldives. It is one of the six divisions of Malé City.

Sri Lanka • Colombo International Financial City biznewsasia@gmail.com

here—the inadequate intensity of our confrontational push or about the false course of our civilizational direction?

Indeed, no successful and enduring empire does merely rely on coercion, be it abroad or at home. However, unable to escape its inner logics and deeplyrooted appeal of confrontational nostalgia, the prevailing archrival is only a winner, rarely a game-changer.

To sum up; After the collapse of the Soviet Union, Americans accelerated expansion while waiting for (real or imagined) adversaries to further decline, ‘liberalize’ and bandwagon behind the US. Expansion is the path to security dictatum only exacerbated the problems afflicting the Pax Americana.

That is how the capability of the US to maintain its order started to erode faster than the capacity of its opponents to challenge it. A classical imperial selfentrapment!! And the repeated failure to notice and recalibrate its imperial retreat brought the painful hangovers to Washington by the last presidential elections.

Inability to manage the rising costs of sustaining the imperial order only increased the domestic popular revolt and political pressure to abandon its ‘mission’ altogether. Perfectly hitting the target to miss everything else … *** When the Soviets lost their own indigenous ideological matrix and maverick confrontational stance, and when the US dominated West missed to triumph although winning the Cold War, how to expect from the imitator to score the lasting moral or even a momentary economic victory?

Neither more confrontation and more carbons nor more weaponized trade and traded weapons will save our day. It failed in past, it will fail again any given day.

Interestingly, China opposed the I World, left the II in rift, and ever since Bandung of 1955 it neither won nor joined the III Way. Today, many see it as a main contestant. But, where is a lasting success?

Greening international relations along with greening of economy (geopolitical and environmental understanding, de-acidification and relaxation) is the only way out. Historically, no global leader has ever emerged from a shaky and distrustful neighborhood, or by offering little bit more of the same in lieu of an innovative technological advancement. Ergo, it all starts from within, from at home. Without support from a home base, there is no game changer.

China’s home is Asia.

Hence, it is not only a new, nonimitative, turn of technology what is needed. Without truly and sincerely embracing mechanisms such as the NaM, ASEAN and SAARC (eventually even the OSCE) and the main champions of multilateralism in Asia, those being India Indonesia and Japan first of all, China has no future of what is planetary awaited – the third force, a game-changer, lasting and trusted global leader.

Prof. Anis H. Bajrektarević is chairperson and professor in international law and global political studies, Vienna, Austria.

ON SATURDAY, March 30, cities in the Philippines and around the world will turn off their lights to observe “Earth Hour.”

Iconic landmarks from Paris’ Eiffel Tower to Makati’s skyscrapers will be darkened to encourage reduced energy use and signal a commitment to fighting climate change.

While a one-hour blackout will admittedly have little effect on carbon emissions, what matters, organizers say, is the event’s symbolic meaning. That’s true, but not in the way organizers intend.

We constantly hear that the debate is over on climate change—that man-made greenhouse gases are indisputably causing a planetary emergency. But there is ample scientific evidence to reject the claims of climate catastrophe. And what’s never mentioned? The fact that reducing greenhouse gases to the degree sought by climate activists would, itself, cause significant harm.

Politicians and environmentalists, including those behind Earth Hour, are not calling on people just to change a few light bulbs, they are calling for a truly massive reduction in carbon emissions—as much as 80 percent below 1990 levels. Because our energy is overwhelmingly carbonbased (fossil fuels provide more than 80 percent of world energy), and because the claims of abundant “green energy” from breezes and sunbeams are a myth—this necessarily means a massive reduction in our energy use.

People don’t have a clear view of what this would mean in practice. We, in the industrialized world, take our abundant energy for granted and don’t consider just how much we benefit from its use every minute of every day. Driving our cars to work and school, sitting in our lighted, air-conditioned homes and offices, powering our mobile phones, computers, and countless other labor-saving appliances, we count on the indispensable values that industrial energy makes possible: Hospitals and supermarkets, factories and farms, international travel and global telecommunications. It is hard for us to project the degree of sacrifice and harm that proposed climate policies would force upon us.

This blindness to the vital importance of energy is precisely what Earth Hour exploits. It sends the comforting-but-false message: Cutting off fossil fuels would be easy and even fun! People spend the hour

Shortcomings...

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vailing political parties would do this in case of an amendment to the Constitution. The present Congress prefers the status quo including its opposition to banning political dynasties. Why kill the goose that lays the golden eggs that perpetuate themselves in power? Dynasties equal decades in the lever of power.

There are exceptions in the present composition of the Senate. Aside from Senators Grace Poe, Richard Gordon and Francis Pangilinan, the rest are chaffs from the grain. This is why I would like to see former Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile elected back to

A snowball’s...

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tribunal like China, as long as the alleged crimes are committed in the member-state's territory," according to the analyst.

While the ICC defines crimes against humanity as "large scale" and "coordinated" attacks as a policy against civilians, the complaint against Xi cites crimes against the environment, Bosco noted.

"Based on the jurisprudence we've seen from ICC and from other courts, I think it's very unlikely that these alleged facts would constitute a crime against humanity," Bosco said, adding that the complainants should go to another international body.

Another foreign analyst, Anders Corr, who makes no secret of his anti-China bias, avers that the complaint heightens public awareness of the problem in the South China Sea: "Bringing these lawsuits have more than legal impact. It has a public relations impact. It brings the attention of the Philippine community and also the world community to bear on China. It takes China to the court of public opinion." The Philippines, he suggested, can go

stargazing and holding torch-lit beach parties; restaurants offer special candle-lit dinners. Earth Hour makes the renunciation of energy seem like a big party.

Participants spend an enjoyable sixty minutes in the dark, safe in the knowledge that the life-saving benefits of industrial civilization are just a light switch away.

This bears no relation whatsoever to what life would actually be like under the sort of draconian carbon-reduction policies that climate activists are demanding: punishing carbon taxes, severe emissions caps, outright bans on the construction of power plants.

Forget one measly hour with just the

This blindness to the vital importance of energy is precisely what Earth Hour exploits.

lights off. How about Earth Month, with without any form of fossil fuel energy? Try spending a month sweating in the dark without air-conditioning, electricity, refrigeration; without power plants or generators; without any of the labor-saving, time-saving, and, therefore, life-saving products that industrial energy makes possible.

Those who claim that we must cut off our carbon emissions to prevent an alleged global catastrophe need to learn the indisputable fact that cutting off our carbon emissions would be a global catastrophe. What we really need is greater awareness of just how indispensable carbon-based energy is to human life (including, of course, to our ability to cope with any changes in the climate).

It is true that the importance of Earth Hour is its symbolic meaning. But that meaning is the opposite of the one intended. The lights of our cities and monuments are a symbol of human achievement, of what mankind has accomplished in rising from the cave to the skyscraper.

Earth Hour presents the disturbing spectacle of people celebrating those lights being extinguished. Its call for people to renounce energy and to rejoice at darkened skyscrapers makes its real meaning unmistakably clear: Earth Hour symbolizes the renunciation of industrial civilization. eric.jurado@gmail.com

the Senate. He is really the only Juan who can imbue intelligent intercourse in the Upper Chamber. The man’s innate intelligence, sense of history that has relevance to present day events plus his deep knowledge of the law would inculcate in the other lawmakers to raise their own standard, The poll surveys show Enrile outside the win column of 12, but surveys are not always correct . There is that socalled margin of error that could open a window to Enrile’s inclusion in the winning column. Going to the hustings has invigorated Enrile to widen his campaign swing to key out-of-town sorties.

Seen more as an independent shorn of the two other parties’ political baggage, Enrile could yet be a surprise winner.

to legal venues, such as the United Nations General Assembly and the UN Human Rights Commission, to present its case.

At a press briefing in Beijing on March 22, foreign ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang said China’s position on the South China Sea dispute had always been consistent and clear, that the country's joint efforts with countries in the region had ensured developments in the waterway had gone in "the right direction."

"In this context, the actions of a few people to stir up a fuss won’t result in any big trouble. Neither will it affect or damage bilateral ties,” Geng said.

We have had enhanced bilateral ties with China in the past three years, with the Philippine government opting to put aside contentious issues in the territorial dispute in the South China Sea. The prudent thing to do, from where we sit, is for the two sides to strive for the peaceful resolution of the dispute while continuing to strengthen economic cooperation and people-to-people exchanges in the years ahead on the basis of mutual benefit and mutual respect.

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CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

Manila

News

Standard

TODAY FRIDAY, MARCH 29, 2019 A6 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

DENR orders temporary closure of 2 eateries

By Rio N. Araja

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HE Department of Environment and Natural Resources, through the Laguna Lake Development Authority, has ordered the temporary closure of two famous eateries—the Aristocrat Restaurant on Roxas Boulevard, Manila and Gloria Maris Restaurant near the Folk Arts Theater—for generating and discharging pollutive wastewater in the Manila Bay in violation of Republic Act 4850 as amended by RA 9275.

LLDA general manager Jaime Medina also issued on Sunday a cease-and-desist order on one of the waste water treatment facilities of The Esplanade [San Miguel by the Bay] located at the Mall of Asia in Pasay City for the same violation.

The LLDA also issued notices of violation against some commercial establishments, such as the Prime Holdings, Sea Residences, Lolo Taba and

walk area.

Those who joined the solidarity walk were Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año, Public Works and High-

ways Secretary Mark Villar, Philippine National Police chief Oscar Albayalde, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority chairman Danilo Lim, Defense

Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, Environment Undersecretary Benny Antiporda and Presidential Commission on Urban Poor chairperson Alvin Feliciano.

TINGOG CARES. Tingog Party-List Secretary General Rachel Rodeles-Santiago (2nd left) is assisted by staff Babe Niryll Nalda in handing over to Raymart Cavesirano and his grandmother Remedios Santos (2nd right) three baskets of groceries, cash assistance for medical, education and livelihood during a visit in their shanty at squatter community in Navotas City. Leyte Rep. and Tingog 1st Nominee Yedda and husband Martin Romualdez who read the story of Cavesirano in the Manila Standard assured the family of support for his education from high school to college. Ver Noveno

Lola Pato Restaurant, and Aliw Inn. The Manila Bay rehabilitation has kicked off with over 5,000 government employees from the 13 mandamus agencies and volunteers to clean up the bay to make it fit for swimming in December.

Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu led other Cabinet secretaries in a unity walk from the Quirino Grandstand to the bay-

GSIS’ Aranas: Discourteous service has no place in firm

STATE pension fund Government Service Insurance System president and general manager Jesus Clint Aranas said “discourtesy is totally unacceptable in GSIS.” He was reacting to reports of Civil Service Commissioner Aileen Lizada that a certain frontliner in GSIS Legazpi branch took his lunch break instead of attending to the request of a DepEd teacher for a statement of account.

“We thank Commissioner Lizada for calling our attention on the matter. We assure the Commission and our stakeholders that GSIS is absolutely committed to upholding the highest standards of ethics in public service,” he told a news briefing.

Aranas said the GSIS immediately filed an administrative case against the frontliner for violating office rules and regulations.

“We are doing everything without violating due process but let this be a stern NOTICE (of Extrajudicial Settlement of Estate ) Notice is hereby given to the public that the estate of the lateRaoul P. Viray has been extrajudicially settled among his surviving heirs.That the decedent at the time of his death left the ff: a property in Quezon City covered by TCT No. 004-2013002176; various bank deposits; 13 funeral lots in Loyola Memorial Park in Paranaque; and membership to different club such as Manila Southwoods Golf and Country Club, Inc; Camp John Hay Golf Club, Inc; Club Punta Fuego, Inc. and The ManilaYacht Club as per Deed of Extra Judicial Settlement of Estate as entered in the NotarialBook of Atty.

Benjamin F. Alfonso as Doc. No. 64; Page No. 14; Book No. 48A; Series of 2018.

(MS-MAR. 15,22 & 29, 2019)

NOTICE ( Of Extra Judicial Settlement of Estate ) Notice is hereby given to the public that the intestate estate of the late Jane Garcia-Sandico consisting of various properties located in the province of Pampanga has been extrajudicially settled among her surviving heirs as per the Deed of Extra Judicial Settlement of Estate with Appointment of Administrator and Attorneyin-Fact entered in the Notarial Book of Atty. Alysha Grace M. Zulueta as Doc. No. 252; Page No. 51; Book No. XI; Series of 2018.

(MS-MAR. 15,22 & 29, 2019)

NOTICE ( Of Extra Judicial Settlement of Estate ) Notice is hereby given to the public that the intestate estate of the late Jane Garcia-Sandico consisting of various properties located in the province of Cavite has been extrajudicially settled among her surviving heirs as per the Deed of Extra Judicial Settlement of Estate with Appointment of Administrator and Attorney-in-Fact entered in the Notarial Book of Atty.

Alysha Grace M. Zulueta as Doc. No. 253; Page No. 51; Book No. XI; Series of 2018.

(MS-MAR. 15,22 & 29, 2019)

NOTICE ( Of Affidavit of Self Adjudication ) Notice is hereby given to the public that the intestate estate of the late Dante Diokno consisting of various properties located in the province of Pampanga has been extra - judicially settled as per Affidavit of Adjudication as Sole Heir entered in the Notarial Book of Atty.

Alysha Grace M. Zulueta as Doc. No. 254; Page No. 51; Book No. XI; Series of 2018.

(MS-MAR. 15,22 & 29, 2019)

warning. I will not think twice in meting out the heaviest penalties, including dismissal, for erring employees.”

The pension fund chief said he immediately relieved the manager of Legazpi branch on the basis of command responsibility.

“As public servants, we are accountable to our members and pensioners, and uphold their public interest all the time.”

At the stakeholders’ dialogue held Thursday in Bacolod City, Aranas stressed GSIS was revisiting its systems and procedures to further reduce processing time pursuant to Republic Act 11032 or the Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act of 2018.

He added GSIS had achieved a 100 percent resolution rate under the President’s Hotline 8888 in 2018, based on the report of the Office of the Presidential Complaint Center.

Anakalusugan, Doc Willie join forces Immigration bans Omani

ANAKALUSUGAN Party-list and but also in serving as the Filipinos’ senatorial candidate Dr. Willie Ong watchdog to ensure that PhilHealth have teamed up for the May 13 polls to and the Department of Health deliver push for a truly responsive and inclu- the services expected of them,” Desive healthcare system in the country. fensor added in a statement.

Just as Anakalusugan is the sole “We need a partner in the House of Representatives to come up with party-list running on a health platkey legislation that will promote and form in the forthcoming midterm protect the health and well-being of polls, Ong also holds the distinction all Filipinos. I have found that part- of being the only doctor running for ner in Anakalusugan, a party-list that the Senate.

“We really are in the midst of a truly represents us all—rich CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK and poor, young and old—be- health crisis—we have at least 60 percause health knows no politi- cent of sick Filipinos who die withcal color nor economic class,” out even being able to see a doctor.

NOTICE OF THE said Ong, a social media pres- The cost of healthcare and medical 2019 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS ence who has continued to procedures in the Philippines is one Notice is hereby given that Atlas Consolidated Mining and Development Corporation lead Facebook surveys among of the highest in Asia. You have the (AT or the Corporation) will hold its Annual General Meeting of Shareholders for 2019 rising number of dengue cases and a senatorial bets. (“AGM” or the “Meeting”) on 7 May 2019, 3:00 p.m. at the Bay Ballroom, One Esplanade Building, Seaside corner J.W. Diokno Boulevard, Mall of Asia Complex, Pasay City.

“We are honored to join measles outbreak as well. All these forces with Doc Willie. His make the need for health advocates in AGENDA Call to Order advocacy is aligned with our Congress an urgent matter,” Ong said.

Proof of Notice of Meeting & Determination of Quorum The doctor, a former consultant of own in Anakalusugan—that I. Approval of the Minutes of the Annual General Meeting of Shareholders CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW the DOH who has been conducting of pushing for affordable andBLACK (AGM) held on 26April 2018 II. Approval of the Annual Report and Audited Financial Statements for 2018 accessible healthcare for all medical missions for at least 25 III. Election of Directors (including Independent Directors) for 2019-2020 Filipinos,” party-list nominee years now, said a priority would be IV. Ratification of Acts and Resolutions of the Board of Directors, Board to closely monitor the crafting of the Mike Defensor said.

Committees and Management V. Appointment of External Auditor “Together, we will be a force Implementing Rules and Regulations VI. Other Matters to reckon with in Congress not of the Universal Health Care Law. Adjournment just in passing necessary laws Rio N. Araja Enclosed are the rationale for the Agenda items for reference.

By Vito Barcelo THE Bureau of Immigration banned an Omani citizen from coming to the Philippines after the bureau intercepted two Filipino young women from leaving the country whom the foreigner invited to meet in Thailand to perform sex acts in exchange for money.

BI Port Operations Division Chief Grifton Medina recommended the inclusion of Khalid Khalaf Gharib Al Shuraiqi in the immigration blacklist after two of his wouldbe victims were barred from leaving at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

Medina said the two Filipino women, whose names were not divulged as prohibited by anti-trafficking laws, admitted that they agreed to meet up with the Omani who wanted to sleep with them together.

“One of the victims said she was promised P5,000 a day if she and her companion would stay and engage in sexual relations with said Omani for eight days,” Medina said.

When asked why she agreed to the offer, the victim allegedly replied that she needed the money because she was the breadwinner of the family.

According to BI Commissioner Jaime Morente, foreigners enticing Filipinos to engage in prostitution were considered undesirable aliens.

Only Shareholders of record as of 14 March 2019 are entitled to receive notice of, and to vote at, the Meeting. The Shareholders’ list will be available for inspection at the Corporation’s principal office located at 5F FiveE-com Center, Palm Coast Avenue corner Pacific Drive, Mall of Asia Complex, Pasay City 1300 (the “Office”). The Stock and Transfer Book of the Corporation will not be closed.

Any Shareholder who wishes to authorize a proxy to act for and in his/her behalf during the Meeting must submit a duly accomplished proxy (which need not be notarized) to the Office on or before 26 April 2019. Validation of proxies is set on 2 May 2019. Please bring proper identification card/s to facilitate registration which will start at 2:00 p.m.

Pasay City, Metro Manila, 7 March 2019.

Thank you.

Maria Eleonor A. Santiago Assistant Corporate Secretary EXPLANATION OF AGENDA ITEMS Proof of Notice of Meeting and Determination of Quorum: The Corporate Secretary will certify (i) that copies of the Notice and Agenda of the AGM with the Information Statement (IS) were sent to Shareholders,(ii) the publication of the Notice and Agenda in newspapers of general circulation, and (iii) the existence of a quorum. The Shareholders present, in person or by proxy, representing a majority of the outstanding capital stock shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.

Approval of the Minutes of the AGM on 26 April 2018: A copy of the Minutes of the AGM held on 26 April 2018 was posted on the Corporation’s Website (www.atlasmining.com.ph) immediately after the meeting. A resolution approving the minutes will be presented to the Shareholders for confirmation.

2018 Annual Report and Audited Financial Statements: The President will report on the Corporation’s financial and operating results for the year 2018 (the Annual Report). The Audited Financial Statements (AFS) as of 31 December 2018 and Annual Report are covered in the IS sent to Shareholders at least fifteen (15) business days prior to the AGM. The AFS as audited by the external auditor, Sycip Gorres Velayo & Company (SGV), have been reviewed and approved by the Audit Committee (AuditCom) and the Board of Directors (BOD). A resolution noting and approving the Report and AFS will be presented to the Shareholders for approval Election of Directors (including Independent Directors): The nominated directors were determined to be qualified and competent for election as directors for 2019-2020 by the Corporate Governance Committee (CGCom) after their qualifications were duly reviewed. The list of nominees and their profiles are provided in the IS and in the Corporation Website (www.atlasmining.com.ph) for the information and examination by the Shareholders.The CGCom recommends their election.

Ratification of Acts and Resolutions of the Board of Directors (BOD) and Management for 2018: All acts, resolutions and proceedings of the BOD, the BOD Committees and the Management of AT from the date of the last AGM to the date of this Meeting, including all significant related party transactions if any, will be presented to the Shareholders for ratification. A resolution noting, approving and ratifying all acts, resolutions and proceedings of Management, the BOD Committees and BOD will be presented to the Shareholders for approval.

Re-appointment of SGV as External Auditor: The BOD, based on the recommendation of the AuditCom, endorses the reappointment of SGV as the Corporation’s external auditor for 2019.The Shareholders are also requested to delegate to the BOD the authority to approve the appropriate audit fee for 2019.

Other Matters: Other business as may properly come before the meeting may be raised. The Chairman will decide whether such business may be properly taken up in the meeting or in another Shareholders’ meeting or other proper forum.

(MS-MAR. 29, 2019)

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

DRUG EVIDENCE. Some members of the Manila Police District inspect the recovered evidence during an anti-drug operation led by the MPD District Police Intelligence and Operations Unit at Maliwarag Street in San Miguel, Manila on Thursday. The operation resulted in the arrest of 8 alleged suspects and recovery of an estimated P3 million worth of shabu.

Norman Cruz

KL urged to spare 48 Pinoys from the gallows

By Maricel V. Cruz A SENIOR member of the Philippine Congress has urged the Malaysian government to downgrade to prison terms the death sentences meted out to dozens of Filipinos, mostly migrant workers.

“In light of Malaysia’s decision to scrap the mandatory death sentence for several offenses, we are appealing for the lives of Filipinos on death row there to be spared,” said Buhay Rep.

Lito Atienza, the senior deputy minority leader of the Philippine House of Representatives.

“The commutation of death sentences does not mean that the convicts are not getting punished. They are still getting penalized with harsh prison terms,” said Atienza, a leading Philippine crusader against capital punishment.

“The death penalty is cruel and inhuman punishment that flouts the right to life,” Atienza, former three-term mayor

of Manila, said.

At least 48 Filipino citizens are on death row in Malaysia, according to the Philippines’ Department of Foreign Affairs.

Malaysia’s Pakatan Harapan or Alliance of Hope coalition government imposed a moratorium on all judicial executions in October last year pending the passage of new legislation that would remove the mandatory death sentence for 11 offenses.

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Sports

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FRIDAY, MARCH 29, 2019 sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

PBA, World Balance make replica jerseys THEY’RE here.

Replica jerseys of your favorite Philippine Basketball Association teams starting with Barangay Ginebra, Alaska Aces, San Miguel Beermen and the Magnolia Hotshots are now available for sale thanks to World Balance.

The first collection will be made available in select World Balance stores and online via Lazada and Beebeelee. It features a cool line of replica playing jerseys that highlight the wellknown players from the four teams.

What makes the jerseys special is that they are made using the full sublimation process, making the apparel look and feel almost close to what the teams are using during the games, something that the fans will surely wear comfortably on and off the court.

More than just for die-hard fans, the collection is a great way to show “Pinoy Pride” and develop a sense of fellowship among basketball fans here and abroad. PBA and CHG officials, from left: Jo Francisco, Marketing/PBA Properties, Inc. Head; Jaybee Dator, Sales Director, CHG Global Inc.; Barnaby Chong, President, CHG Global Inc.; PBA The full collection, which is ex- Commissioner Willie Marcial and Sanjib Mahbubani, COO of International Sales, CHG Global, Inc. hold up PBA replica jerseys which are now available to fans. pected to be prized collectors’ items in the future, will include the rest of the teams and will be released soon.

These will be perfect gifts for friends, workmates and relatives.

The first wave of the PBA x World Balance replica jerseys is available now while the second wave will be made available in the second half of the year.

What began 40 years ago as a local footwear and apparel retailer – CHG Global Inc., with its flagship brand World Balance – has grown to become one of the country’s most respected good. Thailand is perennial rival in the with three or more lifters who have

By Peter Atencio companies bringing forth enduring SEA Games and the Olympics,” said tested positive in a calendar year faces home-grown brands here and abroad.

Puentevella. a ban of up to four years.

For more information, like and follow HE Philippines could win more medals in Three weeks ago, the Thai Amateur So far, the IWF has previously susthe World Balance Facebook page at weightlifting in the coming 30th Southeast Asian Weightlifting Association (TAWA) de- pended nine countries for repeated www.facebook.comworld or visit their cided to voluntarily ban itself from all doping offenses.

Games. website at www.worldbalance.com.ph. international weightlifting meets.

Because of this, the Thais are set According to reports, the decision withdraw from joining internationThe possibility was raised after Thai- turn the weightlifting competitions of land, rocked by doping scandal, made the biennial meet into an Olympic qual- was made after eight Thai lifters tested al events, including the 2020 Tokyo positive for banned substances at last Olympic Games. plans to voluntarily ban their athletes ifying event.

Thailand’s decision was made public from joining international weightlifting Samahang Weightlifting ng Pilipinas year’s World Championships.

Despite their sanction, Thailand will three weeks ago. meets in the next two years. president Monico Puentevella said this Puentevella said that the absence of And this could include the coming after he was informed that Thailand still be able to host the 2019 World ChamSEA Games, which Thailand is seen as may not send weightlifting athletes here pionships, according to the International Thailand will mean that the Philippines Weightlifting Federation (IWF). will only face challenges from other among the Philippines’ top rivals. for the Games.

According to IWF rules, any nation contenders like Indonesia and Vietnam.

Because of this, there are plans to “If we can have more medals, that’s

Thailand considers skipping weightlifting in SEA Games

T

Davao, Zambo draw first blood in MPBL action

DAVAO CITY—Mindanao squads Davao Occidental and Zamboanga made their presence felt at the start of the Final Four series of the MPBL Datu Cup late Wednesday night as they drew first blood over their respective rivals here at the Rizal memorial College.

The Family’s Brand Sardinessupported Zamboanga squad continued to make a splash in the playoffs. After beating the Muntinlupa Cagers, last season’s runner-up, the up and coming squad stamped its class on inaugural staging champion Batangas City with a 72-58 triumph and moved a win away from reaching the championship round of the division finals.

Zamboanga can secure a championship berth in the south with another win against the Tanduaybacked Athletics on Saturday, but the team will have to take it right at the enemy’s territory.

“Dati kamay lang ang puwede naming kunin. Ngayon, kung buong katawan pwede naming kuhain, gagawin namin,” said Zamboanga coach Raymond Valenzona.

Reed Juntilla and Robin Roño conspired in offense, scoring 19 points apiece, while Harold Arboleda concentrated on getting the rebounds and grabbed 15 boards, allowing Zamboanga to dominate the game on both ends of the court Juntilla, an ex-pro, knocked down 10 of his total output in the final period and picked up from where Roño left off.

Roño had 16 bridging the second and third periods.

Zamboanga has become a big revelation in the playoffs as the sixth seeded team continued to make a good impression – and is now close to reaching the championship round of the southern division of this tournament put up by Senator Manny Pacquiao with PBA legend and former MVP Kenneth Duremdes serving as commissioner.

Davao City had to be tested by Bacoor before pulling off a 79-71 win in the other game.

The Cocolife-backed Tigers can wrap up the series with another win on Saturday and stop the Strikers’ Cinderella Run. In a battle between two players battling it out for the MVP derby, Gab Banal got the better end of the individual duel, but Mark Yee prevailed when it comes to leading his team to victory.

Hamilton wary of Ferrari charge in Bahrain F1

Mercedes’ British driver Lewis Hamilton drives in file photo of Formula One qualifying session in Melbourne. Hamilton warned his Mercedes team “to stay on their toes” at this weekend’s Bahrain Grand Prix. AFP

MANAMA, Bahrain—Defending champion Lewis Hamilton has warned his Mercedes team “to stay on their toes” at this weekend’s Bahrain Grand Prix where Ferrari will be seeking to bounce back after being beaten at the season-opening Australian Grand Prix.

Hamilton, who came home second in a damaged car behind in-form team-

mate Valtteri Bottas, said he was delighted, but surprised by Mercedes’ comprehensive maximum points showing in Melbourne.

The five-time champion said that he, like most observers, had felt that Ferrari were the fastest team in pre-season testing and favorites to set the pace at the Albert Park track where a fired-up

Bottas dominated.

“I think everyone was surprised by our showing in Australia,” he said.

“No-one was expecting to see a gap like that with Ferrari. They were ahead –- that is what we saw in testing –- but it wasn’t the case that weekend.

“We just did our normal job, but I am sure they will come back strong. So, we

have to be ready and we have to stay on our toes.”

Ferrari’s four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel, who finished fourth behind Red Bull’s Max Verstappen in Australia, will be seeking his third straight victory in Bahrain in Sunday’s race.

Like his new team chief Mattia Binotto, the German hopes that Ferrari’s disappointing Australian race was merely a blip.

“In Bahrain, we have to ensure that we have understood and rectified the areas where we were weak in Australia, which therefore meant we were unable to fully exploit our car’s potential,” said Binotto.

“We expect to see the effect of the corrections we have made, but we are well aware that our competitors will once again be very strong. With that in mind, we are keen to get back on track and face them.”

The two Ferraris, with Vettel fourth and new boy Charles Leclerc fifth, were a minute adrift of Mercedes in Melbourne, a gap that team boss Toto Wolff said he did not expect to see repeated.

“We’ve seen the potential of Ferrari’s package in Barcelona and we expect them to come back strong in Bahrain,” he said, adding that he believed Red Bull would also “be in the mix.”

“Claiming a maximum 44 points from the first race was a fantastic result,” Wolff added.

“But the fight has only just begun.

Ferrari will try everything they can to hit back and Melbourne showed that Red Bull should have something to say in the fight, too.” AFP

34 schools will join 25th Fr Martin Cup summer tournament THIRTY FOUR school teams are set to join the 25th Fr. Martin Cup summer tournament will begin on April 6, Saturday at the St. Placid gymnasium of the San Beda Manila campus in Mendiola.

Organizer Edmundo Badolato said the defending champion San Beda Red Lions are among the 14 squads joining the senior division.

The Red Lions will try to bounce back from their loss to the National University Bulldogs, 66-67, in last Sunday’s 15th Fr. Martin Collegiate Open finals.

“This will be the longest running preseason tournament that dates back to 1994,” said Badolato, who co-founded the cagefest with Noel Ascue and Nic Jorge when he was still the secretary general of the Basketball Association of the Philippines.

Badolato, who guested in Thursday’s “Usapang Sports” at National Press Club in Intramuros, added that there are 14 squads, including current champion Adamson University, which are entered in the junior division.

As for the women’s side, five teams are listed, including reigning titlist, NU

Lady Bulldogs.

During the Collegiate Open finals, Enzo Joson scored the winning layup for the Bulldogs in the dying seconds, while Niko Abatayo led with 14 points.

Arnaud Noah shot a game-high 13 points for the Red Lions.

Joining the Red Lions are Mapua University, San Sebastian College, Diliman College, Arellano University, Far Eastern University, AMA University, Preston College and Letran.

La Consolacion College-Manila has also signed up with National College of Science and Technology,

Lyceum Philippines University, de La Salle University, University of Santo Tomas and University of the Philippines.

In the junior side, the Adamson Baby Falcons are among those which initially signed up with Lyceum, FEU, St. Patrick School, Preston College, UST, LCCM, San BedaRizal, Letran, Diliman Preparatory School, San Beda-Manila and First City Providential College.

In the women’s side, UST is included with Enderun, La Salle, University of the East and NU. Peter Atencio

Sports

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

sports@manilastandard.net

sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

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FRIDAY, MARCH 29, 2019

Westbrook lifts Thunder past Indiana Pacers LOS ANGELES, United States— Russell Westbrook had a tripledouble to go with a 31-point haul from Paul George which boosted Oklahoma City Thunder’s playoff drive with a 107-99 victory over the Indiana Pacers.

George led the scoring while New Zealander Steven Adams weighed in with 25 points and 12 rebounds as the Thunder rebounded from Monday’s shock defeat to the Memphis Grizzlies.

Westbrook finished with 17 points, 11 rebounds and 12 assists to claim his 29th triple double of the season before a delighted home crowd at the Chesapeake Energy Arena.

The 133rd triple of Westbrook’s career now leaves him just five shy of Magic Johnson (138) for second place in the all-time rankings. Oscar Robertson leads the career triple standings with 181.

Elsewhere, the Golden State Warriors powered to their 51st win of the season in a 118-103 win over the Memphis Grizzlies.

The Grizzlies had upset Oklahoma City on Monday, but the Warriors were in no mood to let them claim another notable scalp.

Kevin Durant and Stephen Curry did the damage for the visitors, both bagging 28 points apiece in a comfortable victory.

In Phoenix meanwhile, Devin Booker delivered another 50-point display in vain as the Suns went down 124-121 to the Washington Wizards.

The 22-year-old Booker, who scored 59 points against Utah on Monday, is the youngest player in NBA history to post back-to-back games of 50 points or more.

Booker now has three halfcentury displays in his career, but bizarrely has lost all three games.

The Suns are currently bottom of the Western Conference with just 17 wins this season.

In Chicago, the Portland Trail Blazers put the trauma of Monday’s horror injury to Jusuf Nurkic behind them to trounce the Bulls by 118 to 98.

Nurkic suffered two fractures in his left leg during Portland’s overtime thriller with Brooklyn on Monday, a season-ending injury that dealt a cruel blow to the Blazers postseason hopes.

Durant’s points tally came from 12 of 13 attempts, a near-perfect shooting performance that he attributed to patience.

“I count all my shots, makes and misses,” Durant said. “I felt good going into start the game and made my first three shots and got a couple of layups that got me going.

I was patient.

“I put in so much work my whole life to figure out this game. I feel like some stuff is clicking for me.

I’ve got to keep trying to get better though.”

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) drives through the paint past Indiana Pacers defenders Wesley Matthews (23) and Myles Turner at the Chesapeake Energy Arena in Boston, Massachusetts. AFP

Pagunsans lead ICTSI Riviera Golf Challenge S

ILANG, Cavite—Juvic Pagunsan limped in severe conditions at the finish, falling to joint lead instead with uncle Rey, one ahead of three foreign aces in another topsyturvy round halfway through the ICTSI Riviera Golf Challenge here yesterday.

The elder Pagunsan actually wavered first in one of the early flights, blowing a two-under card after eight holes with three bogeys for a 72 while Juvic also squandered an eagle-spiked 33 start at the back with three bogeys in the last eight for a second straight 71 as they settled for identical 142s.

“It’s tough out there with the wind blowing from all directions,” said Juvic, who sparked hopes of a solid stint by the most fancied player in the fold with a spectacular eagle putt from eight feet on the par-5 10th off a solid second utility shot from 240 yards.

He birdied the 18th from 10 feet but blew everything with three bogeys at the front.

“We’re up against three factors here – the heat, the wind and the course,” said Asia’s former No. 1.

Dutch Guido Van der Valk closed out with a gutsy par-game at the front to likewise match par 71 at the wind-raked Langer layout and tied Lexus Keoninh of the US, who birdied the sixth for a 72, at 143 while Aussie Damien Jordan also stumbled at the finish but save a 70 for joint fifth with Peter Stojanovski of Macedonia, who turned in another 72, at 144.

With majority of the rest also floundering in hot, blustery conditions and unreceptive greens that saw defending champion and reigning Philippine Golf Tour Order of Merit champion Jobim Rey Pagunsan (right) chats with fellow veteran Robert Pactolerin.

Philippine Volcanoes national team will lean on homegrown talent

By Peter Atencio HOMEGROWN talent will make up most of the members of the Philippine Volcanoes National Men’s Sevens Rugby Team, that’s being selected for the upcoming 2019 World Series Qualifiers in Hong Kong next month.

The players, who have been trimmed down to 18, will soon be cut to a final 12,

Roger Federer of Switzerland in action against Daniil Medvedev of Russia during day ten at the Miami Open tennis in Miami Gardens, Florida.

AFP

according to Jake Letts, the General Manager for Philippine Rugby Football Union, “We have many Fil-Heritage players who are in top level competitions. When we play in Hong Kong next week. The team will be comprised of home-grown players,” said Letts.

This time, the campaign of the Volcanoes will also have the sup-

port of global real estate consultancy firm, Santos Knight Frank, and through their chairman and CEO Rick Santos, who joined Letts during the announcement.

The qualifiers in Hong Kong is slated from April 5 to 7 at the Hong Kong National Stadium.

Only two Asian nations qualified in 2019, and the Philippines made it with

2018 Asian Games Gold Medalists Hong Kong.

The Volcanoes are preparing to join the 2019 Southeast Asian Games.

In doing so, the Volcanoes secured their place in the WSQ after they settled for a bronze medal in Asia for the 2018 Asia Sevens Series.

Olympic qualifying games are also in store for the Volcanoes, according to Letts.

Games Today:

(Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium) 8:30 a.m. – AdU vs UST (Softball Finals) 12 noon – DLSU vs Ateneo (Baseball Finals)

UAAP baseball, softball finals start today DEFENDING champion Adamson University and University of Santo Tomas open their best-of-three championship series today (Friday) in the UAAP Season 81 softball tournament at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium.

When the first pitch rolls at 8:30 a.m., all the Lady Falcons want is to extend their stranglehold for the ninth consecutive year.

For the fourth straight season, the Tigresses will try what they failed to do in the past three Finals - to end their opponent’s dynastic rule.

De La Salle and Ateneo, meanwhile, begin their best-of-three baseball title series at 12 noon.

The top-ranked Green Batters are making their second consecutive Finals appearance and will face the Blue Eagles in the league’s biggest stage for the fourth time in the last six seasons.

While Adamson University had only to beat National University once to make it to the championship round, UST needed to beat No. 2 De La Salle twice in the Final Four to make the Finals rematch happen again.

The Lady Falcons were swinging all-season long, losing only one match this season and the addition of transferee Arianne Vallestero, who complimented reigning MVP Jeanette Rusia and Krisha Cantor in the batting order, made the San Marcelino-based squad more stronger than ever.

Rookie Celyn Ojare, who ably filled the huge void by three-time Best Pitcher Ann Antolihao, will lead the Tigresses defense.

Adamson University needed only four innings to beat UST, 14-0, in the first round before repeating in the second round with a 7-1 decision.

Federer ready for big-serving Anderson at Miami Open MIAMI, United States - Roger Federer is preparing himself for a barrage of Kevin Anderson big serves after the Swiss superstar sealed h i s place in the ATP and WTA Miami Open quarterfinals in just 61 minutes on Wednesday.

Federer is celebrating 20 years at this tournament and edged closer to his fourth title in South Florida as the up and coming Russian Daniil Medvedev was swatted aside 6-4 6-2.

Next up for the 20-time Grand Slamwinning legend is the South African world number seven who famously beat the 37-year-old at Wimbledon in 2018 over five dramatic sets.

That triumph was Anderson’s only win over Federer in six attempts - and the only time he’s won a set.

But having classily dealt with Medvedev, the former world number one knows it won’t be as straightforward with the 6 ft 8 in Anderson at the other end of the Hard Rock Stadium’s center court.

“I think if you beat me at Wimbledon, you’ve got my attention,” smiled Federer.

“He’s got a great serve and I’m happy

he’s playing again after his injury.

“So from that standpoint, I know what I’m about to expect tomorrow.

The matches I have played against him I know can be extremely close always, just because of his sheer possibilities that he has on the serve.

“I believe that probably the best surface for him is this kind of a type of hard court here in the States where he’s spent a lot of his time practicing, as well.

“I’ve just got to make sure I protect my serve very well and slice maybe sometimes, get into the rallies, and then find a way. So it will be interesting to see how it’s going to go.” AFP

IN BRIEF

Business

Prosecutor dismisses Okada’s perjury case THE Manila City Prosecutor’s Office dismissed the perjury case filed against Japanese casino magnate Kazuo Okada for alleged “lack of sufficient evidence and merit.”

Senior assistant city prosecutor Francisco Salomon, in a 12-page resolution dated March 5, dismissed four counts of perjury charges against Okada filed by Tiger Resort Leisure and Entertainment Inc. represented by Kenji Sugiyama.

The decision was approved by Joselito Obejas, the acting city prosecutor of Manila.

The case stemmed from Sugiyama’s accusation that Okada committed perjury when he allegedly made two contrasting claims in his complaint filed before the Regional Trial Court of Paranaque and before the District Court, Clark County in Nevada, the United States.

Okada said in a complaint before the Parañaque RTC that he officially regained and/or never lost the majority ownership and control of Okada Holdings Limited, Universal Entertainment Corp., Tiger Resort Asia Limited and Tiger Resort Leisure and Entertainment Inc. Jenniffer B. Austria

Ray S. Eñano, Editor Roderick T. dela Cruz, Assistant Editor business@manilastandard.net extrastory2000@gmail.com FRIDAY, MARCH 29, 2019

Tugade threatens to impose deadline on Sangley offer

By Darwin G. Amojelar

Tubig Pilipinas, MWC sign deal TUBIG Pilipinas Group Inc. and Manila Water Philippines Ventures Inc. signed a joint venture agreement for the overall development, improvement and maintenance of Iloilo City’s water supply system.

Under the city ordinance granting the franchise for the JVA, the designated consortium of Tubig Pilipinas and Manila Water will be responsible for the design, construction, operation, maintenance, repairs, improvement and finance of a reliable and adequate water supply system in Metro Iloilo.

The National Economic and Development Authority reported that Western Visayas enjoyed 8.4-percent growth in 2017, making it the fourth fastest growing regional economy in the country. Iloilo City is considered as the economic and investments center of the region.

The local government said that a credible water system should be maintained to respond to the growing demands of Iloilo City.

Vivant to alleviate Palawan supply woes LISTED Vivant Corp. on Wednesday assured it will alleviate Palawan’s power supply problems by implementing system improvement projects this year and utilizing the proven track record and expertise of its subsidiaries.

Vivant’s said its joint venture projects will ensure adequate power supply to serve the island’s needs. It said that Palawan Electric Cooperative’s approved capital expenditure program would ensure stable power supply on the island.

“Ultimately, that combined with the upcoming system improvements covered by Paleco’s ERC-approved capex program and Delta P Inc. and Calamian Islands Power Corp.’s proven track records of service are poised to be the three catalysts that will help alleviate Palawan’s power supply problems for good,” DPI and CIPC president Walden Tantuico said in a statement. Alena Mae S. Flores

B1

GREEN FINANCE. The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, in partnership with the British Embassy Manila and other government agencies, convenes a Green Finance Forum and Roundtable attended by representatives from government agencies, financial institutions, corporations, civil society organizations and the academe. Attending the event are (from left) Asian Development Bank principal regional cooperation specialist Anouj Mehta, Finance assistant secretary Paola Sherina Alvarez, Securities and Exchange Commission commissioner Ephyro Luis Amatong, National Economic and Development Authority assistant secretary Mercedita Sombilla, Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III; BSP Governor and former Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno, British Ambassador Daniel Pruce, Canadian Ambassador John Holmes, British High Commission head of Southeast Asia Low Carbon Energy Program Camilla Fenning and BSP managing director Pia Bernadette Roman Tayag.

Two-month investment pledges fell 23% to P102b

By Othel V. Campos

P

ROJECTS approved by the Board of Investments dropped 23 percent in the first two months to P101.72 billion from P131.61 billion a year ago, despite the surge in foreign investment pledges.

Data from the BoI showed that foreign investments jumped 1,456 percent in the two-month period to P10.926 billion from P702.28 million a year earlier while domestic investments plunged 30.6 percent P90.7 billion.

Trade Undersecretary and BoI Managing Head Ceferino Rodolfo said he was optimistic the investment figure would rebound in March.

“We have key projects in the pipeline particularly in the area of power that are still undergoing BoI’s rigorous evaluation process on technical and financial aspects and equally important their compliance with requirements for BiI registration. Given the projected investment costs, we are very optimistic of a renewed surge in total approvals in the next months,” Rodolfo said.

Resorts World Manila: 10 years of improving the Philippine tourism experience

RWM Sr. Director for International Sales and Marketing Kathy Mercado, RWM COO Stephen Reilly, and Cebu Pacific VP for Airport Services Javier Massot, and Cebu Pacific Director for Airport Services Arnulfo Alivio

BY MARY DEJADA

It has been nearly 10 years since Resorts World Manila (RWM) arrived on the scene as the country’s first integrated resort. Its opening caused quite a buzz, as most Filipinos were unfamiliar with the business concept and its location in Pasay City deviated from the usual locations of high-end developments in Makati and Bonifacio Global City.

Fast forward to today, and the integrated resort industry is thriving, creating tens

of thousands of job opportunities as well as supporting the growth of collateral industries and communities.

As the industry pioneer, RWM has managed to maintain its prestige through continued growth and innovation, as well as a singular commitment to customer experience.

“We are committed to doing our part in helping Philippine tourism,” says Stephen Reilly, RWM COO. “One of the ways we show this is by enhancing and elevating the travel experience for all tourists

any chance we get.”

Due to its proximity to the Manila airports, RWM observed that reliable and convenient public transportation from the airports was an issue for many travelers. The company then created a free hourly shuttle service to and from all the international terminals.

In 2017, the company sought to help address the congestion issues along the airport road by working with government

Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez, one of the speakers during the opening of the Franchise Asia Expo 2019, echoed Rodolfo’s enthusiasm.

“This is just an issue of timing.

Some projects got to be considered in March meetings. Thus, we’re expecting March to show high growth again,” he said.

Lopez, a firm believer in empowering micro, small and medium enterprises, underscored the benefits of franchising to the economy.

“Franchising also acts as an enabler as it gives entrepreneurs a chance to upgrade their business into becoming a franchise,” he said.

and airport authorities to construct Runway Manila – an elevated, air-conditioned, and PWD-friendly walkway that directly connects Newport City with NAIA Terminal 3 (NAIA T3).

“Both of these are free for the public to use, regardless of whether they are RWM members or guests of one of our hotels,” says Reilly. “As a major tourism player, we consider it our duty to help fill in the gaps where we could from the moment a tourist arrives in Manila.”

The company’s latest tourist experience innovation comes in the form of a partnership with the country’s biggest budget carrier, Cebu Pacific for a satellite check-in counter at RWM. Located at the ground floor of the RWM’s Newport Mall, Cebu Pacific passengers now have the option to check-in and get boarding passes for their flights at the RWM Travelers Lounge during mall hours, or up to eight (8) hours before their scheduled flights, allowing them to enjoy the comforts and amenities of RWM while waiting for their boarding times.

TRANSPORTATION Secretary Arthur Tugade on Thursday warned that he will impose a deadline on the proposal of the Cavite provincial government to develop an international airport in Sangley Point, Cavite.

“Ultimately, there would be a deadline imposed. I don’t want them to leave their offer hanging. If it is left hanging, when would we start the project?” Tugade said when asked about the long-delayed proposal of the Cavite government.

“I’m talking to them. I will put a deadline. I’m thinking mid of the year or after that. There should be some deadline,” he said.

The National Economic and Development Authority in January returned the unsolicited proposal of the Cavite provincial government to build a new international airport over the alleged unclear implementing arrangement for the project.

The Cavite provincial government submitted to Neda the full feasibility study for the project on Dec. 17, 2018.

Sangley International Airport is expected to cost more than P500 billion.

Tugade earlier said the national government would not help the Cavite local government in funding the project.

Sangley Airport Infrastructure Group Inc., a consortium led by Solar Group’s All-Asia Resources and Reclamation Corp., earlier submitted a separate unsolicited proposal to build the Philippine Sangley International Airport for $12 billion.

Another crucial portion of the ARRC development plan is the rehabilitation of Danilo Atienza Air Base which will be later used as a general aviation airport to decongest Ninoy Aquino International Airport terminals during the project development phase.

The satellite check-in services of the Travelers Lounge are currently only available to Cebu Pacific passengers with flights departing from NAIA T3.

Those with check-in bags, may use the service, but will have to proceed to the Bag Drop counters at the airport.

To ensure that nobody misses their flights while enjoying RWM’s attractions and amenities, real-time flight status digital boards are located at the lounge.

Getting to the terminal can be done through Runway Manila.

“We’re very pleased to have this partnership with the Philippines’ biggest budget airline,” says Stephen Reilly, Chief Operating Officer of Resorts World Manila, “They fly tens of thousands of local and international tourists on their planes daily and we are glad to provide these travelers with the option of spending their pre-boarding hours away from the crowds at the airport, especially during peak travel seasons such as the Holy Week and other summer holidays.”

Download the RWM Mobile App or visit www. rwmanila.com for updates on new events, offers, and promotions at RWM and Newport Mall. Call the Tourist/Visitor Hotline at +632.908.8833 for inquiries.

B2

Business

FRIDAY, MARCH 29, 2019 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Market gains; Alliance Global up

T

HE stock market rose slightly Thursday in cautious trading, with investors opting to buy select issues on worries about the state of the global economy.

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index added 15.35 points, or 0.2 percent, to 7,876.40 on a value turnover of P5.1 billion. Gainers beat losers, 120 to 78, with 46 issues unchanged.

Alliance Global Group Inc. of tycoon Andrew Tan gained 1.5 percent to P16.18, while conglomerate Metro Pacific Investments Corp. also climbed 1.5 percent to P4.79.

GT Capital Holdings Inc. of the Ty Group rose 2.1 percent to P980, while Phinma Energy Corp. advanced 3.6 percent to P1.46.

The rest of the Asian markets were gripped by volatility Thursday as investors grow increasingly worried about the state of the global economy, sending them rushing to safe-haven assets and

fueling talk of possible recession.

The pound was managing to hold its own despite another night of drama in Westminster that saw Prime Minister Theresa May offer to resign if MPs backed her Brexit plan and lawmakers reject a series of alternative options on leaving the European Union.

After a stellar start to the year, equities are beginning to stumble with closely watched sovereign bond yields—key indicators of the state of the economy— flashing a warning.

The yields on government bonds— considered the most watertight investment in times of turmoil and uncertainty—have tumbled around the world while central banks are becoming more dovish on their outlooks.

This is most notable in the United States, where the Federal Reserve has lowered its rate hike expectations and 10-year Treasury bond yields are below those of three-month notes. The last time this happened was before the 2008 global financial crisis.

“We are worried about the short term because the Fed is as dovish as they can be in the short term,” Chris Harvey of at Wells Fargo told Bloomberg TV. “Interest rates are coming down throughout the globe, fears of recession are starting to go higher. We don’t think those fears are founded—but you have to acknowledge that that’s going to weigh on markets in the short term.”

After a negative lead from Wall Street, Asia markets fluctuated.

Tokyo sank 1.6 percent as exporters were hit by a jump in the safe-haven yen, while Shanghai shed almost one percent.

Seoul dropped 0.8 percent and Taipei eased 0.1 percent, but Hong Kong gained 0.2 percent and Sydney rose 0.7 percent as they recovered from initial selling.

Singapore was up 0.3 percent, while Jakarta was also in positive territory.

Against this background, top Chinese and US negotiators held their latest round of trade talks in Beijing Thursday, with hopes the two economic superpowers can find a deal to end their long-running tariffs row.

And Jeffrey Halley, a senior market analyst at OANDA, warned the meetings were “taking on ever more importance.”

“An agreement between both parties is the key macro-economic event for (the first half of) 2019 and will dictate whether we have a slow and low global pullback or if the day of reckoning arrives much sooner and more aggressively,” he said in a note. With AFP

MANILA STANDARD BUSINESS DAILY STOCKS REVIEW THURSDAY, MARCH 28, 2019

NAME

OPEN

HIGH

VOLUME

CLOSE

652,902.50 110,815,311 26,740 170,062,938 9,660 1,573,330 339,038 2,147,088 137,280 5,370 11,200 448,000 71,250 48,277,152 132,480 41,118 55,800 17,315,028.50 446,245 1,606,115 38,857,918 9,000 1,100,197

480,882.50 -52,655,067.50 -6,816,577 -594,830 -524,442 -861,245 -179,593.50 -93,117 -1,454,895 -800,122 -1,023,660

39,042,790 12,783,614 3,036,530 310,890 69,440 18,385,710 7,333,442 47,652 1,910,735 52,810 17,195 54,305 806,310 12,408 71,198 2,482,770 4,020,002 6,127,199 8,637,821 4,950 18,767,700 13,095,373.50 5,329,715 16,258,440 48,509,246 6,660,840 854,110 85,794,952 28,120 2,065,984 38,498,795 47,630,030 65,698,980 86,165,332 26,650 133,804 13,956,570 592,050 9,342,529 705,155 72,969,800 455,812 34,858,450 482,560 51,290 30,480 61,640 139,700 6,755,432 611,072 196,640 3,886,880 143,682,548 262,600 1,469,990 1,988,610

24,526,465.00 3,784,664 -2,020 -5,756,850 58,354 -143,845 30,460 1,269,716 471,934 78,442 -52,335 -8,018,165 -5,788,132 4,264,810 -235,780.00 -14,192,916.00 2,366,098 4,129,956 -28,577,270 9,968,456 51,958,990 39,414,576 -4,503,470 -24,870.00 1,168,385 -4,883,440 -18,196 8,503,275 -448,920 -31,310 300,471 -27,220 102,000 61,948,633 -165,650 -180.000

3,874,500 29,465,102 134,712,116 5,699,510 806,000 497,449 7,384,960 2,052,320 111,049,450 3,092,610 35,800,772 16,476,896 48,580 36,740 69,267,935 1,946,424 50,582,158 185,359 1,145,300 5,488,341 17,587,900 472,500 128,721,050 4,339,600 1,140 1,693,280 32,186,484 90,047,125 17,832,700 69,230 40,140 34,607,300 469,790 20,119,750

-202,330 5,704,181 34,663,672 806,000 -50,059 780,620 -35,991,790 902,173 -8,198,172 -347,186 -13,262,280 -773,512 7,568,044 -469,685 -5,291,456 59,400 -29,938,710 -12,600 -2,184,472 -17,139,375 -96,750 13,300 -42,900 14,280 -778,050

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

58 84.1 2.22 133 1.38 26.9 19.1 12.22 4.15 8.95 1.4 800 0.45 79.5 0.96 13.72 21.5 57.2 195.6 26.5 172.9 1,800 60.5

58.75 85 2.27 133 1.38 27.05 19.22 12.38 4.26 8.95 1.4 800 0.45 80 0.96 13.72 21.5 57.7 199.8 26.6 172.9 1,800 61

58 83.85 2.22 132.2 1.38 26.9 18.7 12.22 4.15 8.95 1.4 800 0.445 79.2 0.96 13.7 21.45 56.55 195.6 26.5 168 1,800 60.5

FINANCIALS 58.75 11,120 84.2 1,316,340 2.27 12,000 132.6 1,283,910 1.38 7,000 26.9 58,400 19.2 17,700 12.24 175,100 4.26 33,000 8.95 600 1.4 8,000 800 560 0.445 160,000 80 604,810 0.96 138,000 13.7 3,000 21.45 2,600 57 303,360 197.5 2,250 26.5 60,500 170.3 228,790 1,800 5 60.5 18,180

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

34.05 14.7 1.01 1.42 0.24 2.56 15.7 108.3 29.75 14.7 42.95 76.5 1.89 5.64 6.1 11.34 15.9 9.4 7.26 1.65 21 79.8 27.9 2.32 10.2 12.54 1.65 317 3.52 11.2 23.7 13 21 375.6 0.191 6.16 1.37 4.07 6.43 8.91 1.41 12.2 49.95 5.8 1.75 2.55 1.34 12.02 104 6.8 0.129 1.11 149.9 2.6 1.63 1.13

35.2 14.94 1.01 1.44 0.244 2.68 15.98 108.3 29.75 15.28 43 76.5 1.91 5.64 6.25 11.36 16 9.57 7.35 1.65 21.25 79.8 29 2.36 10.4 12.9 1.74 317 3.54 12.38 24.25 13.3 21.4 378.6 0.191 6.16 1.43 4.15 6.54 9.09 1.48 12.2 50 5.8 1.75 2.55 1.34 12.1 104.4 6.9 0.129 1.11 151.8 2.6 1.65 1.16

34.05 14.7 1 1.42 0.238 2.56 15.6 108.3 28.8 14.7 42.95 75.5 1.89 5.64 6.1 11.28 15.86 9.2 7.26 1.65 21 78 27.9 2.3 10.16 12.52 1.65 313 3.5 10.6 22.7 12.98 20.9 375 0.19 5.97 1.37 4.07 6.4 8.82 1.4 11.96 49.6 5.8 1.7 2.51 1.34 12.02 103 6.79 0.128 1 148.6 2.6 1.63 1.08

INDUSTRIAL 35.2 1,118,300 14.94 858,900 1 3,033,000 1.43 218,000 0.24 290,000 2.64 6,980,000 15.76 465,500 108.3 440 29.5 65,300 15.28 3,500 43 400 75.5 710 1.91 423,000 5.64 2,200 6.25 11,500 11.36 219,400 15.9 251,800 9.25 654,000 7.35 1,181,700 1.65 3,000 21.1 891,500 79.15 165,150 29 185,000 2.31 7,003,000 10.2 4,726,300 12.62 526,100 1.73 502,000 316 272,100 3.52 8,000 11.56 178,200 22.7 1,664,800 13.18 3,628,800 20.95 3,130,000 378.6 228,000 0.19 140,000 5.97 22,400 1.42 9,901,000 4.15 144,000 6.47 1,435,500 9.09 79,500 1.46 50,354,000 12.18 37,500 49.75 700,000 5.8 83,200 1.71 30,000 2.51 12,000 1.34 46,000 12.04 11,600 104.2 65,010 6.9 89,500 0.129 1,530,000 1.02 3,795,000 150.9 954,070 2.6 101,000 1.65 897,000 1.15 1,763,000

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

0.61 59.2 16 0.9 6.5 20.45 1.45 1.43 934.5 7.6 12 15.9 4.45 0.227 968 6.88 62.9 5.8 0.54 5.2 16.48 0.56 4.74 0.04 1.14 2.98 175 944.5 1.16 1.38 446 265 0.241 0.405

0.64 59.2 16.18 0.93 6.5 20.55 1.45 1.47 934.5 7.65 12.2 16 4.45 0.234 980 7.14 62.9 5.8 0.56 5.25 16.52 0.56 4.8 0.042 1.14 3 175.4 950 1.22 1.38 446 270 0.246 0.405

0.61 58 15.92 0.85 6.5 19.98 1.41 1.42 923.5 7.51 11.98 15.6 4.39 0.227 954.5 6.88 61.5 5.38 0.52 5.1 16.36 0.55 4.71 0.04 1.14 2.97 172.7 942.5 1.04 1.33 446 265 0.238 0.37

HOLDING FIRMS 0.64 6,189,000 58 503,550 16.18 8,405,300 0.87 6,453,000 6.5 124,000 20.2 24,700 1.44 5,165,000 1.45 1,436,000 932 119,350 7.65 406,600 11.98 2,981,400 15.64 1,043,700 4.4 11,000 0.234 160,000 980 71,670 7 278,500 62.2 814,840 5.38 33,700 0.55 2,092,000 5.2 1,066,500 16.46 1,068,000 0.55 850,000 4.79 26,995,000 0.042 104,500,000 1.14 1,000 2.98 568,000 175 184,330 945 95,300 1.05 15,683,000 1.35 52,000 446 90 270 130,590 0.243 1,940,000 0.375 52,510,000

8990 HLDG A BROWN ANCHOR LAND ARANETA PROP ARTHALAND CORP AYALA LAND BELLE CORP CEB LANDMASTERS 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 PHIL REALTY

13.48 0.78 10.92 2 0.82 44.55 2.36 4.23 0.53 0.84 0.241 0.39 11.3 22.8 0.5 0.126 1.5 1.26 5.75 0.38 0.475 1.75 0.44

13.56 0.8 10.92 2.04 0.85 44.6 2.37 4.35 0.54 0.87 0.249 0.43 11.6 22.9 0.51 0.126 1.53 1.29 5.76 0.38 0.475 1.77 0.455

12.82 0.77 10.92 1.96 0.82 43.7 2.35 4.23 0.52 0.84 0.24 0.39 11.2 22.5 0.495 0.126 1.5 1.24 5.6 0.375 0.475 1.63 0.44

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

LOW

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

VOLUME

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

PRIMEX CORP PTFC REDEV CORP ROBINSONS LAND ROCKWELL SHANG PROP SM PRIME HLDG STA LUCIA LAND STARMALLS SUNTRUST HOME VISTA LAND

2.66 53.5 24.5 2.04 3.1 39.6 1.49 6.56 0.76 7.27

2.75 53.5 24.75 2.06 3.1 39.65 1.55 6.84 0.76 7.28

2.66 53.5 24.1 2.04 3.01 39.4 1.48 6.52 0.75 7.19

2.75 53.5 24.5 2.04 3.01 39.55 1.53 6.79 0.75 7.21

54,000 50 1,880,800 187,000 77,000 4,077,400 2,313,000 152,400 34,000 4,690,200

144,530 2,675 46,027,685 384,520 232,670 161,177,820 3,481,250 1,008,502 25,560 33,877,739

-16,320 5,319,955 -201,670.00 81,038,020 1,500 8,417,874

2GO GROUP ABS CBN APC GROUP APOLLO GLOBAL ASIAN TERMINALS BERJAYA BLOOMBERRY BOULEVARD HLDG CEBU AIR CHELSEA DFNN INC EASYCALL FAR EASTERN U GLOBE TELECOM GMA NETWORK GOLDEN BRIA HARBOR STAR IMPERIAL INTL CONTAINER IPEOPLE IPM HLDG ISLAND INFO ISM COMM LBC EXPRESS LEISURE AND RES LORENZO SHIPPNG MACROASIA MANILA BULLETIN METRO RETAIL METROALLIANCE A MLA BRDCASTING NOW CORP PACIFIC ONLINE PAL HLDG PAXYS PH RESORTS GRP 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

12.16 21.2 0.425 0.043 15.76 2.71 11.62 0.073 81.55 5.81 6.83 12.24 903 1,940 5.72 370.8 2.91 1.89 126.9 10.78 7.15 0.128 5.27 15.44 3.6 1.07 20.6 0.63 3.2 1.69 15.02 2.53 4.67 10.46 3.2 4.75 125.4 2.7 1,182 0.85 1.03 47.4 80 8.89 2.37 0.73 0.415 5.61 0.67 15.32

12.38 21.2 0.455 0.044 15.76 2.76 11.68 0.074 82.55 5.83 6.83 12.24 903 1,977 5.74 378 3.12 1.89 129 10.8 7.15 0.149 5.35 15.5 3.63 1.07 21.3 0.63 3.25 1.78 15.02 2.61 4.9 10.46 3.37 4.8 125.4 2.97 1,182 0.85 1.05 47.5 80.05 8.9 2.39 0.73 0.425 5.63 0.68 15.32

12.1 20.5 0.425 0.042 15.76 2.71 11.58 0.071 81.45 5.8 6.8 11.86 903 1,910 5.72 370.8 2.91 1.88 126 10.78 7.09 0.127 5.25 15.44 3.51 0.94 20.6 0.56 3.19 1.69 15.02 2.5 4.48 10.2 3.15 4.55 125.2 2.7 1,139 0.82 1.02 47.1 78 8.89 2.35 0.7 0.415 5.6 0.67 15.16

SERVICES 12.38 20.9 0.455 0.042 15.76 2.76 11.68 0.071 82 5.8 6.8 12.22 903 1,950 5.72 374.6 3.1 1.88 127.5 10.8 7.09 0.135 5.29 15.5 3.6 0.99 21.3 0.57 3.24 1.74 15.02 2.54 4.88 10.44 3.2 4.8 125.2 2.81 1,139 0.84 1.05 47.5 78 8.9 2.36 0.71 0.415 5.63 0.68 15.2

62,400 125,400 4,040,000 9,000,000 184,300 100,000 1,097,200 63,370,000 26,500 196,600 20,000 68,200 20 13,130 99,200 1,640 4,306,000 100,000 1,783,720 5,000 13,900 63,810,000 1,290,800 25,700 1,151,000 15,774,000 2,393,200 5,262,000 844,000 73,000 900 870,000 195,000 33,500 48,000 46,000 45,760 10,396,000 103,930 12,202,000 12,414,000 268,900 1,421,450 2,100 1,087,000 952,000 1,250,000 136,100 265,000 4,316,400

763,266 2,609,665 1,821,700 382,700 2,904,568 273,220 12,758,534 4,536,300 2,170,105.50 1,141,231 136,300 816,462 18,060 25,441,540 568,398 612,920 13,195,660 188,500 227,645,739 53,910 98,835 8,896,580 6,819,148 398,248 4,124,270 15,835,400 50,569,970 3,032,760 2,712,300 124,210 13,518 2,220,270 898,290 347,960 153,520 217,030 5,729,678 29,791,530 119,596,445 10,198,630 12,911,800 12,729,285 113,126,503.50 18,687 2,570,760 672,630 521,800 763,874 179,640 65,649,682

12,120 1,328,568 -35,470 -7,122,574 205,050.00 -308,411.50 12,000 9,013,345 -21,010 14,723,547 45,610 158,320 96,080 -34,560 25,846,225 -380,620 52,390 -43,200 17,358 -5,004,950 53,772,580 1,470,600 -1,203,320 -1,825,960 -81,205,890 -16,020 5,160 12,270 -56,100 -6,697,524

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

0.002 1.4 2.95 1.3 1.38 2.55 0.3 7.96 1.51 0.27 0.123 0.009 1.07 2.51 1.05 0.6 0.93 0.013 0.012 0.012 3.18 3.47 12.2 21.95

0.002 1.42 3.05 1.4 1.57 2.59 0.3 8 1.53 0.34 0.126 0.009 1.07 2.51 1.15 0.62 0.93 0.013 0.012 0.012 3.18 3.5 12.58 22

0.002 1.4 2.95 1.3 1.36 2.55 0.3 7.89 1.51 0.27 0.123 0.009 1.06 2.48 1.03 0.59 0.91 0.012 0.012 0.011 3.18 3.44 12.2 21

MINING & OIL 0.002 33,000,000 1.41 586,000 3.04 399,000 1.4 154,000 1.44 266,000 2.56 201,000 0.3 300,000 7.9 1,600 1.52 314,000 0.3 96,700,000 0.126 20,000 0.009 5,000,000 1.06 35,000 2.48 789,000 1.09 808,000 0.62 262,000 0.92 137,000 0.013 3,800,000 0.012 12,400,000 0.012 4,100,000 3.18 1,000 3.44 554,000 12.4 1,022,800 21.95 1,233,500

69,300 829,760 1,214,780 205,300 369,190 517,120 90,000 12,712 476,550 30,207,900 2,490 45,100 37,440 1,959,980 884,880 159,240 126,490 46,500 148,800 45,900 3,180 1,914,550 12,723,634 26,956,790

-283,590 1,080,840 318,560 -45,000 -335,000.00 -371,400 -1,200 -1,200,992 192,920

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

20.3 465.4 497.2 99.5 5.55 900 919 94.8 0.99 998 1,050 106.4 75 76 71.6 72.05 73.55 72.5 74.5

20.3 475 497.2 99.85 5.6 900 919 94.8 0.99 998 1,050 106.4 75 76 71.6 72.5 73.55 72.5 74.5

20.05 465.4 497 99.5 5.55 900 919 94 0.99 998 1,050 106.4 75 76 71.5 72 73.15 72.5 74.5

PREFERRED 20.05 92,400 475 30 497 1,190 99.85 1,010 5.6 80,800 900 120 919 100 94 1,830 0.99 629,000 998 120 1,050 30 106.4 790 75 620 76 18,940 71.6 6,500 72.5 375,960 73.5 414,830 72.5 10,800 74.5 36,840

1,865,370 14,150 591,444 100,498.50 449,687 108,000 91,900 172,293 622,710 119,760 31,500 84,056 46,500 1,439,440 465,126 27,099,207.50 30,406,662.50 783,000 2,744,580

-789,980 47,000 73,500 -

LR WARRANT

1.98

1.98

1.86

WARRANTS 1.9 121,000

227,850

-

ITALPINAS XURPAS

4.9 1.13

5 1.22

4.86 1.12

4.96 1.19

187,600 15,785,350

-1,254,190

FIRST METRO ETF

117

117.7

117

412,152

-27,048

2,244

-

NAME

MS

PROPERTY 13.14 0.8 10.92 2 0.84 44 2.35 4.3 0.53 0.87 0.243 0.4 11.46 22.75 0.5 0.126 1.5 1.29 5.7 0.38 0.475 1.68 0.455

5,571,800 755,000 500 187,000 367,000 15,297,400 31,000 522,000 20,889,000 17,000 5,380,000 220,000 489,800 193,300 1,766,000 50,000 9,012,000 815,000 15,300,800 7,860,000 20,000 5,060,000 500,000

74,371,534 590,760 5,460 371,240 304,320 673,319,750 73,400 2,222,940 11,043,140 14,480 1,317,390 89,300 5,631,788 4,398,165 884,450 6,300 13,597,200 1,031,680 87,426,000 2,972,750 9,500 8,583,370 222,750

-12,017,722 32,030 -5,460 -4,630,050 47,410 -8,560 1,410,040 -21,870 1,693,895 -478,500 2,520 -3,674,490 31,897,670 15,200 -36,130 -

USD DMPL A2

10.2

TRADING SUMMARY FINANCIAL

10.2

SHARES 4,454,455

INDUSTRIAL

113,097,088

HOLDING FIRMS

252,733,477

PROPERTY

132,507,313

SERVICES

222,225,566

MINING & OIL

162,183,962

GRAND TOTAL

900,565,884

10.2

SME

38,000 13,321,000

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 117.5 3,510 10.2

DDS

220

VALUE 1,754.84 (up) 7.34 394,163,556.63 FINANCIAL INDUSTRIAL 11,658.15 (up) 70.53 991,520,367.388 HOLDING FIRMS 7,746.46 (up) 1.43 1,016,022,415.9 PROPERTY 4,067.58 (up) 12.81 1,586.69 (down) -8.82 1,817,125,284.315 SERVICES MINING & OIL 7,915.69 (down) -123.66 772,195,003.2 PSEI 7,876.4 (up) 15.35 79,062,629.7562 All Shares Index 4,843.44 (up) 7.54 5,086,478,922.35 Gainers: 120; Losers: 78; Unchanged: 46; Total: 244

ABS-CBN says net income in 2018 down by 40% to P1.9b ABS-CBN Corp. said Thursday net income in 2018 fell 40 percent to P1.9 billion in 2018 from P3.16 billion in 2017 due to weak advertising sales.

Advertising revenues decreased 3.4 percent to P20.38 billion from P21.09 billion in 2017 on fewer advertising placements.

Consumer sales rose just 0.8 percent to P19.74 billon from P19.60 billion, mainly resulting from a 26-percent increase in ABS-CBN TVPlus boxes sold year-on-year.

Direct costs and expenses amounted to P37.94 billion in 2018, higher by 4.7 percent from P36.57 billion in 2017.

Production cost increased 4.3 percent to P12.34 billion in 2018 from P11.83 billion in 2017.

“The movement was attributable to separation costs of closing down certain regional stations of the company,” ABS-CBN said.

Revenue from international business decreased 4.6 percent.

“The decrease in international business was attributable to Global’s cessation of its money remittance and cargo business which reduced its revenues by P159 million,” ABS-CBN said.

Global’s cable subscription revenues declined 7 percent.

ABS-CBN TVPlus contributed significant increase in revenues for the entire year with 2.5 million boxes sold, up 26.3 percent or 529,000 additional boxes sold in comparison to 2017.

Sky Cable’s revenue decreased 2.1 percent. The decline in Sky Cable’s performance was triggered by the declined in cable subscriber count by 69,000.

In total, subscriber count of Sky increased by 489,000, significantly attributable to direct-to-home subscribers. Darwin G. Amojelar

Petron’s capex last year slightly down to P7.6b

By Alena Mae S. Flores OIL refiner Petron Corp. spent about P7.6 billion for capital expenditure projects in 2018, slightly lower than P7.9 billion in 2017.

Petron spent the bulk or P2.8 billion for its 180,000-barrel-per-day Bataan refinery-related projects last year, according to the company’s report to the Philippine Stock Exchange.

Petron also spent P2.2 billion for the construction of new lube oil blending processing plant and other depot projects, P2 billion for service stationrelated expenditures and P600 million for other commercial, maintenance and miscellaneous projects.

The company allocated a slightly higher budget P7.9 billion in 2017, including P3.2 billion for the Petron Bataan Refinery turnaround and other refinery projects, P2.4 billion for the lube oil processing plant and other depot projects, P1.8 billion for service stationrelated expenditures and P500 million for other commercial, maintenance and miscellaneous projects.

Petron, meanwhile, spent P85.57 million for research and development in 2018, higher than P75.57 million in 2017. Expenses in 2016 amounted to P66.24 million.

Petron’s R & D is responsible for all product development that complies with government laws and regulations, such as the Clean Air Act and the Biofuels Act. “Other drivers of product innovations are the requirements of original engine manufacturers and the latest technological trends in the industry,” Petron said.

Petron posted a 50-percent drop in full year net income in 2018 to P7.1 billion following a sustained decline in global crude prices that resulted in inventory losses of P10 billion in the last two months of the year.

Petron’s operating income for the year reached P18.9 billion, down 32 percent from P27.6 billion in 2017.

The oil refiner said excluding the onetime item, the profit would have ended 21 percent higher at P17 billion.

“It was a challenging year, yet we captured majority of the market and remained the largest and fastest growing oil company in the country. While our long-term fundamentals remain attractive, we will continue to be prepared and responsive to market conditions,” said Petron president and chief executive officer Ramon Ang. Consolidated sales rose 28 percent to P557.4 billion from P434.6 billion in 2017.

World

B3

FRIDAY, MARCH 29, 2019 CESAR BARRIOQUINTO, Editor mst.daydesk@gmail.com

US under fire at UN over its decision on Golan Heights

IN BRIEF Chinese man caught with 300 kg of heroin HANOI―Vietnam police have arrested a Chinese national found with a massive haul of heroin in Ho Chi Minh City, the second such bust in a week as the country cracks down on the illicit trade.

Though communist Vietnam boasts some of the world’s toughest drug laws, it is both a consumption hub and a popular thoroughfare for narcotics from the lawless “Golden Triangle” region straddling Laos, Myanmar and Thailand.

Vietnam has clocked several high-profile busts in recent months as it seeks to contain rampant drug trafficking.

Police on Wednesday found 313 kilograms (690 pounds) of suspected heroin worth an estimated $8.6 million after stopping a “suspicious” pick-up truck in the southern commercial hub of Ho Chi Minh City.

“Authorities found many carton boxes with objects that looked like heroin blocks,” according to Cong An Nhan Dan, the official mouthpiece of the Ministry of Public Security.

“Two suspects were detained, including a Chinese person,” it added in its report Thursday.

Police launched searches of several properties in Ho Chi Minh City after the bust and said the investigation would expand.

A witness at the scene reported seeing “a lot of police... they surrounded a large area [and] took many boxes out of the car,” according to state controlled VNExpress news site. AFP

Jailed Japanese cleared of murder TOKYO―A Japanese court on Thursday acquitted a man who spent 13 years in prison for murder, finding there was “no material evidence” he committed the crime, his lawyer and media said.

“He was found innocent,” Fumio Takemura, lead lawyer for the now 85-year-old Koki Miyata, told AFP. Miyata was sentenced to 13 years in prison in 1986 after being convicted of stabbing an acquaintance to death in the town of Matsubase in southwestern Japan.

His sentence was confirmed by the Supreme Court four years later and he was not released until 1999.

He has since suffered several strokes that have left him partially handicapped.

“Objectively, there are contradictions in the confessions and there is no material evidence,” the judge said in explaining the decision to overturn Miyata’s conviction, local media said.

In recent years, there has been a surge in the number of appeals against convictions in Japan because of legal changes including the introduction of jury trials for serious crimes.

Among the best-known cases is that of former boxer Iwao Hakamada who was sentenced to death after being convicted of murdering four people and spending 48 years on death row.

In 2014, a court granted him a retrial and he was released pending the new process. AFP

WELCOMING CEREMONY. Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Kyrgyz counterpart Sooronbay Jeenbekov take part in a welcoming ceremony ahead of their talks in Bishkek on March 28, 2019. AFP

Despair as blackout returns to Venezuela

C

ARACAS―Venezuelans wavered between despair and rage Wednesday as they endured a third day of a near-nationwide blackout that has paralyzed their country―the second such outage this month.

“Food stocks are starting to rot.

There’s no water. The transport virtually doesn’t work. There’s no means of communication,” said Nestor Carreno, who was forced to shutter his pizzeria in a formerly upscale district of Caracas.

“I don’t know how my family is doing. Insecurity is growing.”

A cacophony of saucepans being banged out of windows and car horns in the street has filled the capital since the start of the vast outage.

Memories of the first, which began March 7 and lasted a week—forcing citizens to seek water from rivers and sewage outflows as pumps came to a halt—fed the anguish. Many residents stocked up on food and water.

The government of President Nicolas Maduro, which blamed the blackouts on US “cybernetic” attacks and opposition “sabotage” and “terrorism,” ordered the closure of public offices and schools, which was extended to Thursday.

Communications Minister Jorge Rodriguez said a new power cut had plunged some parts of Caracas and other regions into the darkness once again, shortly after electricity had

the worst that you can live through in Venezuela,” she said.

Power cuts have become frequent in Venezuela over the past few years, underlining the long slide into crisis that the country, once South America’s wealthiest, has experienced.

But this month’s blackouts were unprecedented in scale. Experts calculate they cost Venezuela’s economy $200 million per day.

In both cases, the government said they were caused by disruptions at the country’s main power plant, the Guri hydroelectric dam on the Orinoco River in the south that supplies 80 percent of Venezuelans’ power.

Outside of the anxiety and political exchanges over the blackout, the presence of Russian troops in Venezuela has made the climate more febrile.

“It seems [Maduro’s government] doesn’t trust its own troops, because it is importing others... once again violating the constitution,” Guaido said in the opposition-run congress on Tuesday.

Under Venezuela’s constitution, any foreign military mission in the country needs to be approved by the congress.

Russia, Maduro’s main ally and one of its biggest creditors along with China, sent 100 troops and 35 tons of military equipment aboard two flights to Caracas over the weekend. AFP

been restored.

He said work was continuing to fix “equipment damaged by terrorism.”

The outage was affecting 21 of Venezuela’s 23 states, according to social media users.

The government has given no official information on its scale.

Juan Guaido, the opposition leader whom the US and many of its allies recognize as the country’s interim president over Maduro, called for a national protest on Saturday over “the lack of public services.”

“The light has gone, we can’t remain passive actors,” Guaido told supporters.

He has rejected the government’s allegations that the opposition was behind the latest blackout as “lies.”

Maduro responded to Guaido’s planned national protest by calling for a “large mobilization” in defense of his government on Saturday.

Caracas resident Mildred Tejeras, 48, explained the daily hardships.

“You don’t know if you’ll be able to get back home if you’ve gone out to look for something to eat or, now, power or water. We are living through

UNITED NATIONS―The United States faced sharp criticism Wednesday at the UN Security Council over its decision to recognize the Golan Heights as Israeli territory, which big powers denounced as a violation of UN resolutions.

President Donald Trump signed a proclamation Monday in which the United States recognized Israel’s annexation of the strategic plateau that it seized in 1967 and annexed in 1981.

Britain, Washington’s closest ally, said the decision was in violation of Resolution 497 that declared Israel’s annexation of the Golan as “null and void.”

France warned that any attempt to turn away from international law was “doomed to fail” as the United States prepares to unveil its Middle East peace proposals.

Russia appealed to governments to reject the US decision and to continue to view the Golan as Israeli-occupied territory.

“If anybody feels any temptation to follow this poor example, we would urge them to refrain from this aggressive revision of international law,” said Russian Deputy Ambassador Vladimir Safronkov.

The council was meeting at the request of Syria, which in a letter to the council called the US decision a “flagrant violation” of UN resolutions.

Three Security Council resolutions call on Israel to withdraw from the Golan, which it seized from Syria in the 1967 Six-Day War and annexed, in a move that was not recognized internationally.

The United States defended its decision, arguing it bolstered Israel’s security and could contribute to the stability of the entire Middle East by keeping Syria and its Iranian ally in check.

To allow the Golan to be controlled

by Syria “would turn a blind eye to the threats emanating” from Damascus and from Iran and its Hezbollah allies that want to use the Golan to attack Israel, said US diplomat Rodney Hunter.

Despite its decision to recognize Israeli sovereignty over the Golan, the United States called for a UN peacekeeping mission deployed in a buffer zone there to remain in place.

The 1,000-strong UN Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) was dispatched to a buffer zone between Israel and Syria in the Golan in 1974, tasked with monitoring a ceasefire.

Trump’s decision prompted speculation that Washington would seek to end the UNDOF mission when its mandate comes up for renewal in June. AFP

Manila

Standard

TODAY

A. SORIANO CORPORATION

Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the regular Annual Meeting of Stockholders of A. Soriano Corporation (“ANSCOR” or the “Company”) will be held on Wednesday, 10 April 2019 at 10:00 a.m. at the Rigodon Ballroom, Manila Peninsula Hotel, Ayala Avenue corner Makati Avenue, 1226 Makati City, Philippines.

SMOG IN HANOI. A Vietnamese woman rides on a bridge amid a blanket of smog over Hanoi on March 28. AFP

Embassy raid group pledges ‘bigger things’ SEOUL―A shadowy dissident group allegedly behind last month’s raid on North Korea’s embassy in Madrid promised “bigger things ahead” on Thursday, but said they would temporarily suspend operations because of intense media scrutiny.

The Cheollima Civil Defense (CCD) group emerged from the shadows this week to claim responsibility for a commando-style raid on Pyongyang’s embassy to highlight the illicit activities rampant in North Korea’s foreign missions.

On Wednesday a Spanish court named Adrian Hong Chang, a Mexican national, as being the leader of the group which burst into the diplomatic mission and roughed up employees

before fleeing with documents and computers.

“We are a group of defectors who have come together with compatriots around the world,” the CCD said in a statement posted on its website.

Various preparations to “shake the Kim Jong Un regime by the root” were underway, it added, but had been hampered by a spike in media interest.

“The activities of the members have been temporarily suspended,” it said, adding: “The media should refrain from sticking their nose in the nature of our group and our members. We have bigger things ahead of us.”

The statement did not offer any clues about where the group was lo-

cated, but said it was not collaborating with defectors in South Korea due to “strict security reasons”.

Thursday’s statement was the first time the CCD had offered information on its membership since its emergence in 2017, when it posted an online video of the son of the North Korean leader’s assassinated brother, saying it had guaranteed his safety.

Analysts said the current media exposure could be both good and bad for the group’s future activities.

“They can receive international support from anti-Pyongyang forces so it has created an atmosphere for them to do more open, public campaigning,” said An Chan-il, a defector-turnedresearcher in Seoul. AFP

The agenda for the meeting is as follows: 1. Approval of the minutes of previous meeting.

2. Presentation of the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer’s Message to Stockholders.

3. Election of members of the Board of Directors.

4. Appointment of external auditors.

5. Ratification of all acts, contracts, investments and resolutions of the Board of Directors and Management since the last annual meeting.

6. Such other business as may properly come before the meeting.

Only stockholders of record in the books of the Company at the close of business on 12 March 2019 will be entitled to vote at the meeting. The list of stockholders entitled to vote will be available for inspection at the office of A. Soriano Corporation, 7th Floor, Pacific Star Building, Makati Avenue corner Gil Puyat Avenue, Makati City, ten (10) days prior to the Annual Meeting.

Stockholders are requested to complete, date, sign, and return the enclosed proxy form to reach the Company as promptly as possible not less than ten (10) working days prior to the Annual Meeting or not later than 25 March 2019. The giving of such proxy will not affect your right to vote in person should you decide to attend the Annual Meeting.

Proxy validation will be held at A. Soriano Corporation, 7th Floor, Pacific Star Bldg., Makati Avenue corner Gil Puyat Avenue, Makati City on 2 April 2019 from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon.

Makati City, Philippines, 14 March 2019.

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS By:

LORNA PATAJO-KAPUNAN Corporate Secretary REGISTRATION OF STOCKHOLDERS WILL START AT 9:00 a.m.

Please bring identification, such as valid passport, driver’s license or Company I. D. (MS-MAR. 29, 2019)

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

B4

FRIDAY, MARCH 29, 2019

LGUs LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS

CHOSEN ONES. Reelectionist Senator Cynthia Villar, Biñan City Rep. Len Alonte, other political leaders of Laguna, and attendees of the National Women’s Month Celebration in the

province stop for a group portrait after ‘Misis Hanepbuhay,’ as the guest speaker, recognized the important role of every woman in the country. President Rodrigo Duterte previously asked voters to help Villar return to the Senate, calling her ‘Nanay ng Bayan’ and describing her as the most industrious senator. Lino Santos

Bagatsing trio vows ‘genuine, honest service’ THREE members of the Bagatsing political clan are running in the May 13 elections and promised to give genuine and honest service to residents of Manila.

Former 5th district congressman Amado Bagatsing is running for vice mayor and teamed up with incumbent Mayor Joseph Estrada, while his daughter Cristal Bagatsing is seeking another term to represent the district in the House of Representatives.

Amado’s nephew, Don Juan Alonzo Bagatsing, is also a reelectionist city councilor in the 4th district.

According to Don Bagatsing, the spokesperson for the family, should they win in the coming local elections, they will help in promoting the programs of Mayor Estrada.

Their priority is giving free health services and decent jobs to the Manileños, to help them have better lives and promote progress in the city.

“We are confident that Manileños will help us and support our programs for a better Manila,” he said.

The Bagatsing family is supported by four organizations with at least 200,000 strong members.

Joy B assures rights of LGBT in Quezon City

By Rio N. Araja QUEZON City Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte on Thursday assured constituents that she would continue to raise the rainbow flag and vowed to protect the rights of the members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender community.

“Our message to the LGBT sector is that you are safe here, we welcome you here, we protect your rights here and you can call Quezon City your home,” she said.

Belmonte underscored her platform of making the city “a millennial city” that embraces diversity, innovation, and progressive ideas to encourage young people to reside in a city “full of potential.”

She said Quezon City is the first locality to pass an ordinance that protects the rights of the members of the LGBT community.

“It was 2014 when we passed an ordinance that aims to defend the members of the LGBT community from any form of discrimination. It is a clear message to everyone that Quezon City discriminates no one, and the city government assures every citizen that your rights will be protected whatever your sexual orientation is,” she added.

Rerouting plan set for Binay proclamation THE Makati City government is implementing a traffic rerouting scheme affecting major roads going to and from Bonifacio Global City and Pateros to give way for the proclamation rally of Mayor Abigail Binay and former Vice President Jejomar Binay, and their team running this coming May elections.

“Mayor Abby Binay will lead the proclamation rally of Team Performance candidates on March 29, 2019, Friday, from 3pm onwards at the stretch of Lawton Avenue from Kalayaan Avenue to J.P. Rizal Extension in Barangay Northside, Makati City,” said City Information and Community Relations Department chief Romulo Salgado Jr., in an advisory.

Salgado said the city’s Public Safety Department advised motorists to take the following alternative routes due to the closure of Lawton Avenue from 7am on March 28 to 6 a.m. on March 30.

For Vehicles going to Bonifacio Global City: From J.P. Rizal Street (area of East Rembo and West Rembo), motorists were advised to take Sgt. Fabian Yabut Street in Guadalupe Nuevo towards Kalayaan Avenue. Make a U-turn at the corner of Epifanio de los Santos Avenue / Kalayaan Avenue and turn right to the 32nd Street towards destination.

Those coming from Barangays Poblacion and Guadalupe Viejo must take right to West Cloverleaf to EDSA Southbound, then, turn left to McKinley Avenue to destination.

From EDSA-Mandaluyong, head straight to EDSA-Ayala Avenue Intersection then turn left to McKinley Street to destination.

For vehicles going to Guadalupe (along J.P. Rizal Avenue Extension), from Pateros, turn left at the Kalayaan/ Buting Intersection, then, turn right to Sgt. Fabian Yabut circle and follow the usual route to destination.

Makati touts employee regularization program

By Joel E. Zurbano Muntinlupa City residents can now have their pets ‘microchipped’ as the local government partners with Petdentity Philippines Inc. Mayor Jaime Fresnedi (2nd from left) inked the memorandum of agreement with Petdentity founder Denis Reyes (2nd from right) on Tuesday at the Muntinlupa City Hall

Munti offers pet microchipping THE City Government of Muntinlupa has sealed a partnership with Petdentity Philippines Inc. in improving local database management system through the latest microchip technology.

Mayor Jaime Fresnedi and Petdentity Philippines Inc. founder Denis Reyes signs a memorandum of agreement on March 26 at Muntinlupa City Hall, Brgy. Putatan together with other local officials and executives.

Fresnedi hopes the initiative “will deliver an advance improvement” in eradicating rabies in the city.

Petdentity offers a Pet Data Storage System which stores the owner and pet’s identification, including the record of pet vaccination and medical history. Through a System and Mobile app, pet owners can access electronic data of their pets and easily identify and locate them.

While pet microchips are not tracking devices or GPS, it contains a radio-frequency identification (RFID) implants that

provide permanent ID for pets. Through RFID, it can transmit the microchip’s ID number and pet owners’ information once authorities or veterinarians found a pet to contact its owner.

According to Petdentity, puppies and kittens can be safely micro chipped after 8 weeks of age. Further, the company says that it is the size of the pet that determines the safe placement of a microchip.

Muntinlupa City Veterinarian Dra. Pamela Hernandez said the program aims to have an efficient and effective monitoring and control in promulgation of RA 9482 or the Anti-Rabies Act and Muntinlupa City Ordinance 17-080 or the Muntinlupa City Veterinary Code.

Microchip registration for pets costs P250 and can be availed at Muntinlupa City Veterinarian Office located at Annex Building, Muntinlupa City Hall, National Road, Putatan with tel. no. 862-3866, or visit their Facebook page (Office of the City Veterinarian Muntinlupa City).

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ORE than 500 Makati City Hall workers have been granted regular employment status, and 364 have been promoted by the city government since Mayor Abigail Binay assumed office in 2016.

Binay said the regularization and promotion of employees is in line with the city government’s thrust to provide job security and promote excellence in public service.

The city chief executive reiterated her commitment to strengthening the city’s competitiveness as an employer that can match the private sector’s drawing power for the best and brightest recruits.

“I remain committed to my vision of a professional, highly competent city government workforce that is capable of delivering excellent public service. To be able to attract first-rate workers and retain them for the long haul, we must be able to provide them job security and opportunities for career growth,” said Binay.

Mayor Binay earlier promised to prioritize the updating of the plantilla positions of the city government, which dated back to 1990. She noted that these should be updated “to suit the prevailing needs and demands of a highly urbanized city,” as well as to “professionalize the city government work force.”

She said the latest batch of applications made up of 13 for regularization and 105 for promotion were approved on March 19, 2019.

The mayor said all applications were reviewed and evaluated by the Human Resource Development Office and the Human Resource Merit Promotion and Selection Board to ensure that candi-

dates were qualified under the Civil Service guidelines.

According to the HRDO, the almost 1,000 city employees who have been made permanent and promoted since she took office came from several city offices, departments and institutions under the city government.

These include the Makati Social Welfare Department, Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, Urban Development Department, Department of Environmental Services, Makati Health Department, Ospital ng Makati; University of Makati, Youth and Sports Development Department, Makati Action Center, Information and Community Relations Department, Public Employment Service Office, Economic Enterprise Management Office, Public Safety Department, Museum and Cultural Affairs Office, Human Resource Development Office, General Services Department, Veterinary Services Office; Office of the Building Official, Department of Engineering and Public Works, Business Permit Office, Accounting Department, Assessment Department, Budget Department, Finance Department, Law Department, Office of the Mayor, Office of the Vice Mayor, Office of the City Administrator, Office of the Secretary to the Sangguniang Panlungsod, various offices of City Councilors, and Liga ng mga Barangay.

Mariveles mayor reports projects MARIVELES, Bataan—First-term Mayor Ace Jello Concepcion of this industrial town reported the achievements of his administration during his recent State of Municipality Address (SOMA) here.

“We are known not only in the province but in the entire country for being awardee of Seal of Good Local Governance from DILG [Department of the Interior and Local Government] annually except for a year,” the mayor said in vernacular.

He also said Mariveles has been a consistent recipient of the DILG Seal of Good Financial Housekeeping for efficient fiscal management and financial transparency.

The mayor said his administration had implemented priority projects that were thoroughly studied.

“We had built roads, multi-purpose halls, drainages in barangays,” he said.

With the town’s serious effort in its tobacco control initiative, Mariveles became a recipient of the Red Orchid award from the Department of Health, Concepcion reported.

“I was also chosen as one of the mayors in the region who underwent the municipal leadership and governance program training sponsored by Development Academy of the Philippines, DOH, and Zuellig Family Foundation,” the mayor said.

SCHOOL GOES DIGITAL. Toyota Motor Philippines Foundation helps transforms

its adopted school, Pulong Sta. Cruz Elementary School to a “digital school” with the completion of Toyota’s school-wide computerization project. In photo during the marker unveiling ceremony held at PSCES in Santa Rosa City, Laguna are (from left) TMPF assistant vice president and operations manager Ronald Gaspar, TMPF treasurer Blesilda Rodriguez, TMPF president Dr. David Go, Laguna First District Rep. Arlene Arcillas, TMP president Satoru Suzuki, PSCES principal Nelia Tabuyo, DepEd Schools Division of Santa Rosa City Superintendent Helen Ramos, Santa Rosa City Mayor Danilo Fernandez, Santa Rosa City Vice Mayor Arnold Arcillas, and former Education Secretary Fe Hidalgo.

Life

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

CULTURE AND MEDIA

@MStandardLIFE FRIDAY, MARCH 29, 2019

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A GOLDEN HERITAGE

ALL THAT GOLD. Compostela Valley's 12th Bulawan Festival, held in celebration of its 21st founding anniversary, showcased the province's rich cultural heritage and gold mineral resources.

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EFORE being finally renamed to Davao de Oro later this year, Compostela Valley celebrated its 21st founding anniversary by showcasing its rich cultural heritage and gold mineral resources in the recent 12th Bulawan Festival

Anchored on the theme, “The Gold One, Ang Bulawan sa Tanan,” the weeklong festival, held from March 3 to 8, featured a variety of sports, sociocivic, cultural, entertainment, business and investment, sectoral, and tourismoriented activities.

According to Gov. Jayvee Tyrone Uy, the Bulawan Festival is ComVal’s unique way of putting the spotlight on its natural wonders, milestones in governance, and business and investment potentials.

The governor said the province will be renamed into Davao de Oro later this year through a plebiscite in keeping with its origins as part of the once-undivided Davao region, and to reflect its rich gold mineral resources and vibrant mining industry.

ComVal was carved out of the 11 municipalities of Davao del Norte in 1998, consisting mostly of its flat portions.

The festival was highlighted by the Bulawanong Pasundayag street dance showdown which featured participants clad in gold-themed and lumad-inspired

Compostela Valley is home to various indigenous peoples.

Bahay Katutubo museum showcases the diverse ethnography of the various indigenous peoples and ethnolinguistic groups in the province.

The Bulawanong Pasundayag street dance showdown is one of the highlights of the festival.

costumes portraying the folklore and daily way of life in ComVal. New Bataan National High School won the major awards and topped the competition with their interpretation of Sal’lupongan Festival, which was derived from the Mansaka words sal’lu which means salo-salo, and pongan which means unity in diversity and the gathering of the ethnic groups in New Bataan.

Winning second and third honors, re-

spectively, were Compostela’s Buganihan, a thanksgiving for the bountiful harvest and a tribute to the ancient bagani warriors, and Laak’s Kahimonan, the get-together among the Dibabawon, Mandaya, Mansaka, and Moro tribes.

Other participating contingents portrayed various municipal festivals such as Simballay of Nabunturan, Kaimonan of Maco, and P’yagsawitan of Maragusan.

During the Department of Education

Bayanihan’s Benitez

Ikebana Manila turns 52

IKEBANA International Manila Chapter 108 recently celebrated its 52nd anniversary with an exhibition and free demonstrations at Edsa Shangri-La on March 22 to 24.

On display were floral arrangements created by its members, the Embassy of Japan, and Ikebana Philippine chapters from Cebu, Cagayan de Oro, and Davao. Some of which were displayed on Lalique crystals and vases.

Night, public school teachers displayed their thespian talents in portraying the well-loved regional epics of the Philippines.

The provincial government also inaugurated the Bahay Katutubo, a museum showcasing the diverse ethnography of the various indigenous peoples and ethnolinguistic groups such as the Mansaka, Mandaya, Manobo, Mangguangan, Dibabawon, Aeta, Kamayo, Kalagan, and Davaweño.

Madame Ihoko Haneda, spouse of the Ambassador of Japan, headed the traditional “lighting of sulo” to mark the opening of the exhibit on March 21. Free demonstrations by certified Ikebana teachers were held on March 23 and 24.

Ikebana is the Japanese art of floral arrangement.

to join World of Dance jury

Photos by Sonny Espiritu

DR. SUZIE Moya Benitez, executive director of Bayanihan, the National Dance Company of the Philippines, will go to Palma de Mallorca, Spain to serve as member of the jury for the World Dance competition on April 1-7.

This is her second invitation to serve as a juror for the competition.

Dr. Benitez is chairman for Asia of the Federation for International Dance Festivals. She is also a trustee and executive director of the Bayanihan Folk Arts Foundation. She has served as member of the jury in various international dance competitions in Agrigento, Sicily; South Korea; and Istanbul, Turkey.

Dr. Suzie Moya Benitez

A floral arrangement by the Embassy of Japan.

Ikebana Manila Chapter 108 celebrated its 52nd anniversary with an exhibition.

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Entertainment

FRIDAY, MARCH 8, 2019

nickie.standard@gmail.com

Michael V makes ‘FAMILY HISTORY’

Comedian Michael V with wife and manager Carol Bunagan, who is the Executive Producer (Mic Test Entertainment, Inc.) of ‘Family History.

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ITH Family History, a co-production between Mic Test Entertainment, Inc. and GMA Pictures, comedian Michael V just became the latest television star to go behind the cameras and direct himself. But wait, there’s more. He’s also the one who wrote the story, and being part of Mic Test with his wife Carol Bunagan, that means he’s also the producer.

The award-winning comedian and TV host has been in the industry for many years but this is the first time that he’ll be wearing different hats for a project.

“I really wanted to make a film but I was waiting for the right timing and for me to have enough enough knowledge to support my theory to make a project such as this,” Michael V told the press after the contract signing signing between GMA and Mic Test Entertainment on March 15.

According to the 49-year-old comedian, it took him one year to prepare the story as it involved not just writing the actual script but also searching on the means to make the film.

Talking about the film’s premise, Michael V could only reveal so much but he promised that it’s going to be something “different” in a sense that the film can fall under different genres. And with his partnership with GMA Pictures, whose people have been on the look out for the best material just to resume making movies, the audiences are definitely in for a treat.

“As with the past contracts and projects that we did, walang problema. It’s good na parang feeling ko deserve namin ang isa’t isa. Mic Test Entertainment, Inc. and GMA Pictures deserve each other because they are very compatible.

Marami kang bagay na natutunan before na maaari mong i-apply dito sa partnership na ito. I think hindi lang ito magtatagal ng isang project lang, hindi lang dalawa, it will spawn multiple projects,” the comedian said of the partnership between his production company and GMA Network’s production arm.

Carol Bunagan, who is the Executive Producer (Mic Test Entertainment, Inc.) of Family History, shares it’s a breeze working with GMA 7 for this film, “Everything is going as planned. We are very happy because we are partnering with GMA. We are being taken care of. The artists are

enjoying. Bitoy is parang naglalaro lang siya. At the same time, yung mga artista naman they are really having fun doing the film. Good vibes and good people talaga.”

GMA President and Chief Operating Officer Gilberto R. Duavit, Jr. revealed the management were quick to green light Family History and they fully trust and support Bitoy on his latest endeavor where he will have full creative control.

“We can’t deny Bitoy’s immense talent. The I read the story of Family History I told myself that this story has to be made into a movie.This is one of those very, very rare instances. It is very rare na I see a story, na isang basa pa lamang ay kailangan na maisapelikula ang kwentong ito,” Duavit enthused.

GMA Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Felipe S. Yalong, in turn, is looking forward to the tie-up that will excite the moviegoers.

“We are excited because it will be co-produced between Bitoy and GMA and this will be a full project under the control of Bitoy in terms of script, he wrote it, it terms of directorship siya ang nandiyan. So everything will be controlled

by Bitoy as a co-producer of GMA. And we are so excited that after several years ngayon lang ata babalik si Bitoy sa big screen and this is a project na we co-owned,” Along said.

Family History is a heart-warming movie which celebrates the value of life, family and marriage.

Joining Michael V. are John Estrada, Paolo Contis, Bianca Umali, Miguel Tanfelix, Nonie Buencamino, Ina Feleo, Kakai Bautista, Mikoy Morales, Nikki Co, Vince Gamad, Jemwell Ventinilla and Dawn Zulueta. Dingdong Dantes and multi-awarded comedienne and TV host Eugene Domingo play special cameo roles.

Search for new breed of young idols begins

Team Kramer is among the few celebrity families that attended the special screening of Disney’s ‘Dumbo,’ which made its commercial debut in the country on March 27.

CONFIDENT young talents from all over the Philippines are about to fulfill their big dreams of becoming famous TV and movie celebrity idols this summer of 2019, as Ever Malls officially opens the application for Ever Kiddie Stars Year 16.

Now on its 16th year of being a prestigious search for the cutest, smartest, and super talented boys and girls, Ever Kiddie Stars 2019 is excited to welcome its new batch of budding celebrity idols beginning this March.

“Ever Malls is very happy to again give talented kids from all over the country this wonderful, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to shine and get their ‘artista’ potentials discovered. Just the sight of these kids on stage gives a huge amount of joy to their parents, families, relatives, friends and the shoppers of Ever Malls,” says Chie Arao-Santos, Ever Group of Companies Corporate Marketing Head.

“As with previous editions, Year 16 promises to be a momentous, life-changing event for the most deserving grand winner, as he and she will take home top prizes that includes a trip to Hong Kong for two and cash,” Arao-Santos adds.

The successful Ever Kiddie Stars talent search has become an influential annual platform for kids to showcase their exceptional talents in singing, acting, dancing, and many more. Among the past grand winners who shot their way to stardom through Ever Kiddie Stars are: Joshua Cadelina (first EKS grand winner, 2004) who became an ABS-CBN talent and starred in many top-rating shows; Nicole Jeremiah Dulalia (2005), who had numerous roles in TV dramas; Timothy Lambert Chan (2007), who made strides in showbiz doing TV commercials and shows; Ma. Jacie Gwyne Odiver (2007), who became a commercial model and former ambassadress of goodwill for the Mother Earth Foundation where she represented

the Philippines in a pageant; and Byron Spark Ortile (2008), who pursued his passion for acting as he starred on various TV programs and commercials.

Open to all cute, smart, and talented boys and girls aged four to eight years old (at the time of the Ever Kiddie Stars 2019 search), eligible contestants are requested to prepare and submit completely filled up and signed (by the parent/s or guardian/s) application form with the required attachments: one 5R close-up picture and one full-body picture (both colored) taken with light make up only; original and photocopy of the contestant’s birth certificate (original copy will be returned after proper verification); photocopy of two government-issued IDs of parents or legal guardian. The EverKiddie Stars 2019 application form and contest waiver are available at the Mall Administration Offices of Ever Manila Plaza

and Ever Commonwealth. It can also be downloaded online.

All requested documents (application form, signed contest waiver and requirements) must be submitted to the Mall Admin Office of both malls or at the Mall Atrium. Submission of applications on the chosen screening day is until 5:00 p.m.

Screening schedules and mall venues are as follow: Ever Commonwealth (April 13 and 27) and Ever Manila Plaza (May 5).

Screening of applicants will be from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. only. Semi-finals will be on May 18 while the Grand Finals will be on June 2 which will be held at Ever Commonwealth.

Children joining the search must be accompanied by a parent or guardian during all Ever Kiddie Stars activities.

For more detailed information, visit Ever Malls’ official FB page or call 243-2922/ 411-6773.

Ever Kiddie Stars 2018 grand winners Sean Kevin B. Inocencio and Camille V. Ronquillo.

Disney soars high with ‘Captain Marvel’ and ‘Dumbo’ Kapamilya hauls in 14 trophies at 6th Paragala MARCH marks an exciting month for Disney and Marvel fans in the Philippines as the entertainment studio brings two of its biggest releases for the year – Captain Marvel and Dumbo.

On March 27, another Disney film headed into cinemas nationwide— the live-action reimagining of the 1941 animated feature which follows the classic story of the giant elephant with big ears, Dumbo.

The beloved children’s tale returns to soar to new heights with visionary director, Tim Burton, leading an all-star cast to bring to life a heartwarming adventure where differences are celebrated, family is cherished, and dreams take flight.

Dumbo is one of the many liveaction films that Disney has lined up for its families this year. The entertainment studio is well-loved by fans of all ages for its unparalleled

storytelling that showcases heart, hope, and love for family.

Filipinos also enjoyed an actionpacked first week of March with the highly-anticipated release of Marvel Studio’s Captain Marvel.

The first female-led film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) broke records locally as its fiveday opening weekend ranked as the all-time fourth biggest in Philippine history. Globally, Captain Marvel stays at No. 1 in its second weekend, with a box office total of $912 million to date.

Following the release of Captain Marvel and Dumbo this month, Disney will be bringing an exciting summer with the much-awaited Avengers: Endgame and Disney Princess remake, Aladdin, coming out in April and May, respectively.

ABS-CBN’s winning streak at the Paragala Central Luzon Media Awards continues after it was hailed as the Best TV Station for the sixth straight year last March 16 at the Holy Angel University theater in Angeles City, Pampanga.

The Kapamilya network took home a total of 14 awards including Best Male News Anchor for TV Patrol and Failon Ngayon anchor Ted Failon, Best Female Field Reporter for ABS-CBN News senior correspondent Doris Bigornia, and Best Female Morning Show Host for Umagang Kay Ganda anchor Amy Perez.

The network’s top-rating entertainment programs and artists also got much love from the youth of Central Luzon. Long-running actiondrama series FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano won Best Teleserye and was inducted to the Hall Of Fame. Likewise, lead star Coco

Amy Perez personally received her award as Best Female Morning Show Host in the 6th Paragala Awards

Martin also bagged Best TV Actor and a Hall of Fame citation, for his role as Cardo Dalisay. His co-star and leading lady, Yassi Pressman, was recognized as the Best TV Actress. Meanwhile, It’s Showtime brought home the Best Noontime Show as ASAP Natin ‘To won Best Musical Variety Show.

As the Kapamilya network racked up trophies in the field of news and entertainment, Darryl Ong and Moira Dela Torre, who won Best Male Recording Artist and Best Female Recording Artist respectively, led the Kapamilya contingent in the field of music.

Bianca Gonzales-Intal was recognized as Best Online Influencer.

ABS-CBN’s Best TV Station award in Paragala is the fifth such distinction for the country’s leading media and entertainment company for the year.

Holy Angel University’s Paragala Central Luzon Media awards is composed of 29 schools in Central Luzon and is on its sixth year of handing out awards to the media. The participating schools and their students, which amounted to almost 30,000 for the voting process, were involved to determine the winners.

Motoring

FRIDAY, MARCH 29, 2019

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Isuzu, Tesda hold grad rites

The imposing facade of Hino Negros: Sugarbowl truckers are in for a sweet deal.

Hino unveils

Negros

dealership N

EGROS Occidental—Hino Motors Philippines, the exclusive distributor of Hino trucks and buses in the country, has officially inaugurated its first Negros dealership in Talisay City, Negros Occidental.

Another proof of Hino’s commitment to deliver Total Support to its customers, Hino Negros is set to bring premium quality products and efficient services to address the trucking and bus needs of the Sugarbowl of the Philippines and its neighboring cities.

Strategically located along the main road northbound of Bacolod, this new dealership is accessible to more Filipino customers and business partners. It is expected to deliver reliable logistic support, demand for which is rising alongside the steady economic growth in the region. The major industries in the region include agriculture, bioethanol fuel, in-

HYUNDAI Asia Resources, Inc., one of the country’s fastest growing automotive firms, marked another milestone with the inauguration of Hyundai Trucks and Buses Commonwealth, its first dedicated commercial vehicle dealership in Northern Metro Manila.

The dealership boasts a full lineup of commercial vehicles and world-class facilities to cater to freight, payload and mass mobility requirements of all business enterprises, government and institutional customers.

According to HARI President and CEO Ma. Fe Perez-Agudo, “It is only fitting that we open our first CV dealership here in Quezon City, along this bustling growth corridor at the heart of the National Capital Region. This state-of-the-art facility will not only showcase Hyundai trucks and buses known worldwide for their safety, quality performance, and durability but also the unrivalled Sales, After-Sales Service and technical expertise of its highly trained and certified dealer personnel.”

Perez-Agudo said the new CV dealership complies with Hyundai Motor Company’s Global Dealership Space Identity standards to complement its best-selling models. The H350, a fullsized premium van that comfortably seats 14 with headroom of six feet-three inches, has established a reputation for easy handling, comfort, and fuel-efficiency, literally dwarfing its rivals. The County, meanwhile, is becoming the commuter minibus of choice among the country’s top business establishments, particularly corporate clients requiring shuttle vehicles for its employees, tourist operators, and gaming/entertainment establishments. This minibus offers wider and taller cabin space, extra storage and plush passenger seats to provide best- inclass comfort, convenience and passenger safety. HTB-Commonwealth also carries light, medium and heavy-duty trucks such as the Hyundai HD truck series and the Xcient GT series which are built with rigidly constructed hightensile strength steel frame perfectly matched with a powertrain that allows optimum performance under various

formation technology, business process outsourcing and construction.

“We saw the huge potential of the market here nine months ago when we first broke ground in this area. It brings us great pride and excitement to see the Hino Negros dealership being fully operational and ready to serve customers who are in need of a trusty partner for their truck and bus needs. We are confident that the quality we offer will make our products stand out among the medium and heavy-duty truck segments in the local market here,” shares HMP Chairman Vicente T. Mills, Jr. As a 3S dealership center, Hino Negros

is fully equipped to provide trucking and bus solutions for every customer need.

Aside from its showroom facility where Hino’s lineup of products is displayed, the dealership has express service bays and a dedicated after-sales service facility to accommodate check-up and other maintenance requirements. The dealership is managed by Truckmax Sales and Services, Inc. under the leadership of its president, Aylwin Y. Yap. “Hino Negros will provide Sales, Service, and Spare Parts of Hino vehicles to serve the growing demand of this progressive city. As part of the Hino Network, we will not only support you with quality vehicles but we will be there to provide you Total Support. It means minimizing customer’s downtime by putting in place unsurpassed abilities to service and maintain customer vehicles. In Total

Support activities, of course, aftersales service is the most important. To fully support our customers, we will also provide safety & eco-driving driver’s training which are still part of our Total Support activities. Aside from trainings, we will provide offsite maintenance through our mobile workshop and fleet maintenance program. We will definitely continue to pursue excellence and quality of our products and services at all times— that is the Hino promise,” says HMP President Mitsuharu Tabata.

HMP has been engaged in the assembly and exclusive distribution of quality Hino trucks and buses in the Philippines for more than 40 years now. HMP addresses the transport needs of businesses ranging from small and medium enterprises to big corporations by providing safe, durable and reliable trucks and buses.

From left: Hino Negros President Aylwin Yap, Hino Negros Executive Dr. Kristine Marie Yap, Negros Occidental Honorary Governor Alfredo Maranon, Jr., Hino Motors Philippines Corp.

Chairman Vicente T. Mills, Jr., Hino Negros Executive Aylmer Yap, Hino Motors Philippines Corp. President Mitsuharu Tabata

Hyundai opens 1st CV dealership in northern Metro Manila load, ambient, and terrain conditions. As such, Hyundai trucks offer wide array of solutions to the rigorous demands of businesses and guarantee increased satisfaction and business profitability. “(The opening of HTB-Commonwealth) ushers in, not just another chapter of the Hyundai story, but also underscores our strong support for the government’s “Build, Build, Build” (BBB) program

and private infrastructure projects. As a global brand with strong local roots, we understand the unique needs of our customers and we are proud to be a Lifetime Partner of the Filipino,” HARI’s top honcho furthered.

Recently, HARI achieved another milestone when it was recognized by Hyundai Motor Company as the 2018 Regional Distributor of the Year in the

Asia-Pacific, Russia & Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), besting 25 distributors in the region.

Reinvigorating and supporting the company’s growth trajectory, total sales of Hyundai trucks and buses grew by 113.9% (YTD) in the first two months of 2019 versus the same period in 2018; and by 190.3% (YoY) in February 2019 versus February 2018.

At the unveiling of the ceremonial marker at the Hyundai Trucks and Buses Commonwealth inauguration were (from left) Prince Motor Corporation Chairman & CEO Amando S. San Juan, Prince Motor Corporation Treasurer Carmen San Juan, Prince Motor Corporation President Anna Lyne P. San Juan-Ponferrada, Hyundai Asia Resources, Inc. President & Chief Executive Officer Ma. Fe Perez-Agudo, and Quezon City Representative Winston Castelo.

SUZU Philippines Corporation, in pursuit of its corporate social responsibility objective of uplifting the lives of the youth through free training and education, held on February 27 the graduation ceremonies of the 15th batch of the IsuzuTESDA Auto Mechanic Training Program at the TESDA (Technical Education and Skills Development Authority) Region 8 Training Center Compound in Barangay Abucay, Tacloban City, Leyte province.

On the same occasion, IPC and TESDA conducted the recognition ceremony for the 16th and 17th batches of the Program.

Started in November 2008 conceptualized by Isuzu Motors Limited (IML), the vocational training program has seen IML, IPC, and TESDA collaborating to impact the lives of a total of 248 disadvantaged youth. IML supports the ISUZUTESDA Auto Mechanic Training Center Project by providing funds needed for the project operation while IPC has provided technical guidance to both students and trainers. On the other hand, TESDA provides the training center, equipped with all the needed equipment, to implement the training programs up to National Certificate (NC) Levels III and IV. After the trainees’ graduation, both entities actively endorse these graduates to industry firms (preferably within the IPC network) that need highly skilled mechanics for permanent jobs.

The 15th batch had a total of 18 graduates come up on stage to receive their certificates. The moment these youngsters receive their certificates have often been a highly emotional experience, as their parents tearfully embrace their sons or daughters, knowing that their lives have most likely turned for the better from then on.

This opening up of opportunities was reflected in the inspiring message of IML Senior Counselor Yoshinori IDA when he addressed the 15th batch of graduates and Batch 16 and 17 trainees: “Since you left home and your parents two years ago, you have worked diligently so much so that all of you have successfully passed the NCIV. Your father, mother, teachers and everyone involved are all delighted with your achievements.

Tomorrow, you will set off on a new journey after two years of hard work and turn your dream into a reality.

You will be pursuing different career paths but keep a close-knit relationship with your fellow graduates and march forward.”

IDA added shining examples of past graduates’ achievements in the local and global automotive arena.

“32 of them have chosen to work overseas and the number is increasing year by year. In October 2018, two of the graduates joined a dealership in Tokyo, Japan and one graduate currently works for Isuzu. I expect every year two or three students will be offered to work in Japan.

“In the prestigious Isuzu I-1 Grand Prix World Technical Competition in Japan that sees many countries participate in, Team Philippines has placed consistently in the top three since 2014. We were champions in 2015 and 2018. The graduates of this program, although still early on in their service careers, participated in the contest. They have proven that we truly produce world-class graduates.”

With executives and officers of Isuzu Motors Limited from Japan, IPC, and BM Domingo Motor Sales Inc as witnesses, the graduating Batch 15 students as well as the upcoming Batch 16 and 17 trainees gathered together with their families to convey their gratitude for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Rommel V. Fuerte, Executive Director of World Vision Development Foundation, which serves as the program partner, closed the program with these inspiring words: “The lives of 248 families and their children have been transformed for the better. Indeed, the goodness of helping even just one child goes a long way. The beauty of this program is that the benefits to the child and to his or her family do not end there. Through the facilitation of spiritual formation activities and sessions, our trainees were given the opportunity to be solidly founded on values and spiritual well-being. All our graduates are living testaments to our concerted effort—IPC, TESDA, and World Vision.”

Motoring

RAMON L. TOMELDAN Editor

C4 FRIDAY, MARCH 29, 2019

HORACIO PAGANI

The man

and his dream

in Manila

Words and photos by Lester Dizon

“B

UON pomeriggio, signor Pagani. Mi chamo Lester Dizon di Power Wheels Magazine e Manila Standard”, I greeted the guest of honor in Italian. After all, it’s not every day that you get to meet an Italian supercar superstar.

No, I was not in Italy but at the Presidential Suite of the historic Manila Hotel for the press conference organized by the Autohub Group of Companies. And yes, the man I was greeting was Horacio Pagani, the Argentine mechanical engineer, designer, founder and chairman of Pagani Automobili Modena S.p.A., the Italian hypercar company.

Born November 10, 1955 in rural Argentina, Pagani took an interest in engineering and in Italian automobiles at a young age.

Inspired by Leonardo da Vinci, he opened a small shop where he worked at a very young age and gained a lot of valuable experience in craftsmanship. His mechanical engineering skills were recognized while working at Renault, where he designed

Autohub Group president Willy Tee Ten, Horacio Pagani, and Global Sales Manager Alberto Giovanelli

CHOPPERS GLORY Text and photos by Diana Noche INITIALLY a kid pedaled a threewheeled minibike, then went around the neighborhood on a bicycle when he felt ready for the two-wheeled fun. The bicycle was the ideal vehicle—light, swift,

“riding free” really felt like. He was good and ready for the biker culture.

The memory of that first touch was incredible. That glow in his eyes would be etched on his face and stay there. He places his feet onto the footboards. He can hear his heart beating faster, feel the smashing shortness of his breath. He settles into an easy cruising slouch and doesn’t bother about the windblast. He is now armed for inexhaustible adventures.

The 13th Inside Racing Bike Fest and Trade Show, billed as Asia’s only motorcycle show, that kicked off last weekend at the World Trade Center in Pasay City was exactly that: all choppers glory of two-wheeled road rippers guaranteed to deliver more power, more performance, more swagger, and more fun. The event

• The 13th Inside Racing Bike Fest and Trade Show and didn’t need gas. Two strong legs were all it took to get a rider to places. In a matter of time the lovable, tame street machine became not good enough for finding new roads and discovering what

Royal Enfield: Handsome beast stole the thunder.

The superstar and his supercar: Leonardo da Vinci was his inspiration.

staggering improvements to the body of the company’s racing cars. At the age of 20, Pagani had designed and built his first Formula 3 (F3) race car.

The Move to Modena Pagani met with Giulio Alfieri, the chief technical director of Lamborghini S.p.A., and in 1982, he was hired by the Italian sports car maker. He began working basic jobs such as sweeping the shop floors but he was persistent and worked his way up the company until he became the chief engineer at Lamborghini. He was instrumental in the development of several milestone Lamborghini models, including the Countach Evoluzione concept. His passion with advanced technology and weight reduction led him to the use and development of carbon fiber.

He tried to persuade Lamborghini to buy an autoclave to extend the production of the carbon parts for the Evoluzione but they refused, citing that their rival Ferrari did not have an autoclave so there’s no need for one. Pagani borrowed the capital from a sympathetic banker to buy his own autoclave in 1987 and began producing carbon fiber parts for Lamborghini.

In 1991, he broke away from the car company and founded Modena Design to concentrate on the production of carbon fiber components for Formula One (F1) cars, for automakers like Daimler and Ferrari and motorcycle companies like Aprilia, and for aviation, sports, medical, military and other applications.

Creating the Hypercar In 1992, Horacio founded Pagani Au-

offered test rides, mods, battery, riding jackets, gloves, cover, gears, wheels, helmets, performance parts and accessories, an inventory of high quality components, and after market support. The venue filled up with a significant collection of motorcycles in a plethora of body styles from entry level to top-of-the-line bikes capable of disgorging deafening exhaust barks and blistering acceleration that creates earthquakes where surface and rubber come in contact. The show had all the credentials.

In basketballese, it was a LeBron James kind of slam dunk. Or a mini choppers Woodstock.

Its stable of motorcycles is hard to resist. There are always those in a group that attract a major crowd, the ones that you can’t take your eyes off them. The big boy of the bunch, a hulking BMW GS, was a big spectators puller—massive like a rampaging black rhino on a steroid overload. Then there’s the Suzuki Raider R150, an uber cool beauty, good-looking like a piece of art. It gets high points for craftsmanship even when viewed from afar. And then there’s the Royal Enfield ready to sledgehammer anything that gets in its way. It’s a beast of a chopper, but a handsome, desirable beast all right.

A pair of interesting items that grabbed a little more attention than usual were a 2014 Royal Enfield Twinspark 350 and a 2016 Scrambler Ducati 800 cc. Both are custombuilts from STKD Customs. The Royal Enfield was fabricated with an ultimate surfboard rack for owner JB Borromeo, a surfing enthusiast. Its body structure also got several enhancements—gas tank, mufflers, rim mags, and tires. A spirited ocean completes the outdoor adventure. Borromeo’s other truelove, the 2016 Scrambler Ducati 800 that he calls a copy racer which were put together and tailored according to his idea of a trophy possession—mufflers, windshield, mags, shock absorbers, and custom seat—has a special parking spot, in his heart, and taken out only to step into expos limelights.

Each of the machines in the show were

tomobili Modena and started working on his ideal supercar, which what the highend Ferrari and Lamborghini models were called at the time. Drawing inspiration from jet fighters, Patek Philippe watches, and the works of Leonardo di Vinci, Pagani combined Art and Science in the design of his automobile. During development, he planned to name it as the “Fangio F1” after Formula One champion and driving legend Juan Manuel Fangio, who was an Argentine like himself, but after the Maestro’s death in 1995, Pagani renamed it the “Zonda” after the colloquial term for the air current above Argentina.

In 1999, after seven years of development, Pagani finally launched his Zonda C12, a mid-engine sports car that featured lightweight construction using carbon fiber and titanium pieces, a 454hp 6.0-liter Mercedes-Benz V12, 5-speed transmission, and a 0-100kph time of 4.0 seconds. From 1999 to 2017, the company evolved the Zonda, including the use of a quad-cam twin turbo AMG V12 and a sequential 7-speed transmission, but kept it exclusive, producing around 135 coupé, roadster, and barchetta variants, and paved the way for a new class of supercars – the hypercar. At 2011 Geneva Motor Show, Pagani introduced his second car, the Huayra, which was named after Huayra-tata, the Quechua wind god. It had a base price of €850,000 ($1.1M or P58M before taxes) and was named as “The Hypercar of the Year 2012” by BBC Top Gear magazine. To further its exclusivity, only 100 Huayra hypercars were

clearly tooled for efficiency … and effect. Every detail added reflects each manufacturer’s idea of how a machine should stand out with a distinct look and keep its tradition of quality workmanship alive. In time, they may be repaired, modified, and restored, but each is built to survive the test of rust and time and will still do duty as a reliable working companion. As such, each ride is going to be one pleasurable journey back to the pat when young friends William Harley and neighborhood brothers Arthur, Walter, and William Davidson thought of something that would give them speed more than pedaling their bicycles in Wisconsin, USA in the late 1800s.

A little motorcycle history … The first mass produced “bike” was created

by Hildebrand and Wolfmuller in 1894.

It was also the first time the “bike” was called motorcycle. German inventors Gotleib Daimler and Wilhelm Maybach were the first to use petroleum to fuel it. Indian motorcycles were produced in 1901 then followed by Harley-Davidson two years later. These days, names like

produced as part of Pagani’s agreement with engine supplier Mercedes-AMG. Visiting Manila 2019 marked the 20th year of the debut of the Pagani Zonda C12. Also celebrating its 20th Anniversary, the Autohub Group of Companies, led by the its president Willy Tee Ten, invited Horacio Pagani to Manila to grace the announcement of their appointment as the Exclusive Selling Agent for Pagani Automobiles in the Philippines. During the open forum, Pagani recalled that after meeting Willy Tee Ten and Owee Cruz in Shanghai, China in 2015 and after their visit to the Pagani factory in Modena in November of that year, he felt a connection with the couple because of their warmth and their passion for automobiles. “It must have been a Latin connection”, he joked in Italian.

For his part, Willy Tee Ten finds Pagani a very humble guy, despite being a talented engineer, designer and automotive superstar, and especially after creating a new hypercar market niche. “After our meetings in China, Italy, and at the Macau Grand Prix in 2018, we extended our invitation for signor Horacio to visit Manila”, stated the dynamic Autohub Group president. “And now, he’s finally here and I’m personally looking forward to seeing Pagani hypercars on the Philippine roads very soon.”

To those lucky enthusiasts who can afford these €2M hypercars, we can only say one thing: We envy you. To Horacio Pagani, we say: Grazie molto, signor! Muchas gracias, señor! We hope to experience a drive in one of your hypercars soon.

BMW, Honda, Suzuki, Kawasaki, and Yamaha (Japan) and Hero MotoCorp (India), Triumph, Royal Enfield (England) Ducati, KTM, are thronging the streets looking good and going fast. Honda, with its catchy “You meet the nicest people on a Honda” created the market for visually attractive motorcycle, well crafted, and affordable mode of commute which radically changed what was once an outlaw image of riding a motorcycle.

Hollywood films greatly influenced that tough rider image best exemplified by “Hells Angels”, an all-male global biker club known for its brawling, ruthless, and violent culture pattern.

Motorcycles have now become a mainstream form of transportation in the Philippines, complementing the everyday lives of those who ride them: fast food deliveries, courier services, the Highway Patrol Group, tricycles, commuters to work, and the local barangay patrols. Street-wise and city-friendly, capable of gliding through a crowd of hippopotamic vehicles on the wide open highways, motorcycles can overskip potholed, corrugated surfaces and get around tight hairpins with ease. Also, its tiny dimensions allow for effortless parking in confined spaces. Motorcycles are sparing with fuel which is a bonus to riders worrying about increasing fuel prices. Happily for environmentalists, too, electric motorcycles, very attractive to the female market, ride virtually silent and are emission free.