Manila Standard - 2019 April 8 - Monday

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DOUBLE WHAMMY ON CONSUMERS: POWER RATE, OIL PRICE HIKES

By Alena Mae S. Flores

VOL. XXXIII • NO. 57 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P18 • MONDAY, APRIL 8, 2019 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

CONSUMERS are in for a doublewhammy of higher power bills and oil prices this month.

The Manila Electric Co. said over the weekend that its generation charges are likely to go up in April amid tight supply and increased demand.

Oil prices, on the other hand, are forecast to increase due to expectations of a tight global supply, with diesel prices seen rising P0.10 to P0.15 per liter and

gasoline going up P0.15 to P0.25 per liter starting Tuesday.

“There is pressure that generation charge for April will go up. There were three days of yellow alerts in the first week of March and then second, the peso was weaker in March versus February,” Lawrence Fernandez, Meralco head of utility economics said.

The grid operator places the Luzon grid on yellow alert when reserves fall below the single biggest unit in the grid. The Next page

Narco-judges’ probe hangs PDEA won’t share narco-list withDOJ, Guevarra says

By Rey E. Requejo

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HE Justice Department said it could not as yet investigate the alleged involvement of 10 prosecutors in the illegal drug trade because the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency is reluctant to share information about its socalled narco-list.

SUMMER SCENE. With Metro Manila in searing heat, Quezon City residents lap up the water of the jampacked Eco Park swimming pool to beat the heat, a scene most likely replicated in El Niño-stricken areas where the temperature has reached a scorching 34-35 degrees Celsius. Manny Palmero

As world power, China challenge prompts ROTC revival—Gordon China portrayed By Macon Ramos-Araneta as ‘good friend’

By Macon Ramos-Araneta SHANGHAI—China, the rising world superpower, said it was not a competitor with other economies in the global market, but rather a “good friend” that could help spur development in its neighboring countries.

Yujun Yang, former Ministry of National Defense Information Bureau director and spokesperson said China wants to be friends with all nations of the world.

“China is a friendly nation. We want to make friends with everybody. We won’t go into war with any country,”

SENATOR Richard Gordon said Sunday he would renew his proposal to revive the Reserve Officers Training Corps in preparation for any attacks from China.

“We are challenged right now, and we should be prepared,” Gordon said, referring to recent reports that more than 200

Chinese vessels were positioned near Philippine-held Pag-asa Island in the West Philippine Sea. “I have been proposing the revival of the ROTC so that male citizens who are 18 years old will have military training,” Gordon said.

He said the ROTC cadets can be asked to give six months of military service,

noting that in other countries, citizens are even asked to give as long as two years.

“The young should know how to be soldiers,” he said in Filipino. “They should fight for the country if it’s needed.”

Gordon last year filed Senate Bill No. 1417, or the Citizen Service Act of 2017 which proposes to require all college Next page

Rody suspends law on motorcycle plates

By Nat Mariano

Next page

AFP told: Learn assassin’s ways

By Nat Mariano WHATEVER the New People’s Army rebels will do, the Philippine government will also deliver, President Rodrigo Duterte said Saturday as he ordered the armed forces to “learn the art of assassination” against the communist rebels.

In his speech during the National Federation of the Motorcycle Clubs of the Philippines’ annual national convention in Iloilo City, Duterte said he had not given up his dream to create his own military squad to counter the NPA SparNext page row unit.

Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said he had wanted an immediate investigation but decided to hold off following the pronouncement by PDEA chief Aaron Aquino that he would not share the names of the 10 prosecutors with the DOJ nor the names of 13 judges with the Supreme Court because his agency is still validating them.

He said the PDEA decision not to share the names after publicly announcing the alleged involvement was unfair to all prosecutors and judges because it cast suspicion on all of them. Next page

APPRECIATIVE. President Rodrigo Duterte takes time to appreciate one of the motorcycles on display during the 25th annual national convention of the National Federation of Motorcycle Clubs of the Philippines held at the Iloilo Convention Center in Iloilo City on April 6. Presidential Photo

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte on Saturday decided to temporarily suspend the implementation of the Motorcycle Crime Prevention Act, or Republic Act 11235, after thousands of motorcycle riders opposed the law mandating the use of bigger license plates.

Meanwhile, Senator Richard Gordon said RA 11235 will give justice to the victims of motorcycle-riding assassins could no longer seek justice themselves because “dead men tell no tales.”

Gordon, principal author and sponsor of the law, said he will explain this to President Rodrigo Duterte, who has expressed his intention to meet with him to discuss suspending the new law’s implementation.

Senator JV Ejercito said Duterte’s plan to suspend the implementation of RA 11235 gave relief to the motorcycle-riding community.

“For me, it’s more like an imprimatur for the conduct of a thorough study and discussion among stakeholders to fully understand the law, especially the source of complaint and confusion, with the end view of coming up with a common formula to assure the safety of riders while the law’s anti-criminality objective is being achieved,” Ejercito said.

In his speech at the 25th annual convention of the Next page

PDEA CHIEF AARON AQUINO

DOJ SECRETARY MENARDO GUEVARRA

NoKor marathon lures foreigners

Nigerian gets to feel $10m in cold cash

Epic journey via electric car

SEOUL—Twice as many foreigners as last year gathered in Pyongyang Sunday for the city’s annual marathon, tour firms said, as reduced tensions see visitor numbers rise in isolated North Korea.

ABIDJAN, Ivory Coast—Nigerian billionaire Aliko Dangote, known as Africa’s richest man, told a forum in Ivory Coast on Saturday how he once took $10 million in cash out of the bank just to look at it and get it into his head that this was real money, not just figures on paper.

SYDNEY—A Dutchman completed an epic 95,000 kilometer (59,000 mile) journey by electric car in Sydney Sunday in a bid to prove the viability of such vehicles in tackling climate change.

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MONDAY, APRIL 8, 2019

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Tired of drugs, corruption, Rody to quit in 2022

By Nat Mariano A “TIRED” President Rodrigo Duterte said Saturday he will step down as the country’s leader once his term ends in 2022.

In his speech during the National Federation of the Motorcycle Clubs of the Philippines in Iloilo City, Duterte said he had no plans to extend his term.

“I will not be President for long. This is my third year. It’s just in the wings and my end will come,” Duterte said.

“I don’t know if I will be able to survive the three years remaining but God willing, I assure everybody here that I will step down at the end of my term.”

Duterte made his statement after admitting the entry of illegal drugs in the country remained out of his control as the illegal drug trade persisted as a worldwide problem.

Also, after three years of leading the country amid the corruption cases in the government seemed to have exhausted the President. He even said he had already said he would step down twice.

“I will not stay forever, I will not be part of the political scenery in the coming years. As a matter of fact, I’m tired, really tired, Duterte said.

“There was a time when I offered to step down before the military and the police in a conference and the second time.

I was so exasperated by the corruption.”

Duterte also said he would fire more government officials because of corruption.

“Every table in government, it’s greed and there’s always a monkey wrench.

When I return maybe tomorrow, I’ll be firing a lot of people simply for corruption,” he said Though he did not specify what government agency is involved, the President hinted that among those he would sack was someone who had the “ability to convert.”

“The authority to convert is given to a single person and then you make people a return for two years, for me that is corruption. Nothing else. The meaning of that is you want money, so he has to go back and forth,” Duterte said.

“That’s a warning. Even those in lower parts, those directors, everyone, [including] national agencies. You only have 15 days to process. Any businessman, any Filipino or foreigner doing business here or even a tourist, if it involves corruption, let me know.”

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He made the statement two months after he transferred the agency to his control and supervision.

In a speech during a motorcycle clubs’ convention in Iloilo City on Saturday, Duterte said he avoids government trans-

actions that involve large amounts of money, but that he took exception in the case of PRA. “I only took the PRA because they’ve been squabbling about money for too long. I removed it. I put it in my office,

but it’s not moving. I never act on it,” the President said.

“I would maybe constitute another agency [manned by] people with unquestionable character just to be clean.”

In his Executive Order 74, Duterte moved the PRA to the Office of the President, delegating to the PRA Governing Board the power of the President to approve reclamation projects and other purposes, aiming to rationalize operations for a sustainable resource development.

The PRA used to approve reclamation projects on behalf of the chief executive, but Duterte’s new directive repealed the two previous executive orders that placed

Narco-judges’...

an investigation into the alleged involvement of 13 judges in the PDEA list.

On Tuesday, the Court authorized Associate Justice Diosdado Peralta to coordinate with PDEA for the list of the names of the alleged narco judges.

The Court said it would not tolerate any illegal or corrupt activities within its ranks.

On Sunday, PDEA announced it seized P5.27 billion worth of shabu in the first quarter this year, the highest volume of illegal drugs seized in the country’s law enforcement history.

Aquino said in the first quarter of 2019, the agency seized a total of 776.06 kilos of shabu worth P5.27 billion, surpassing the combined seizure of 672.42 kilos of

shabu worth P4.58 billion from the first quarters of 2009 to 2018.

“This is the highest recorded shabu seizure for the first three months of the year in PDEA history. It also more than doubled compared to the second highest first quarter seizure, which was recorded in 2015 with 314.47 kilos worth P2.14 billion,” Aquino said in a statement.

The PDEA chief said the 2,034 antidrug operations conducted and 2,818 drug suspects arrested by PDEA for the period are also the highest since 2009.

“This volume of seizures is an indication that we are conducting high-impact operations and hitting high-value targets,” the PDEA chief said. With PNA

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RESIDENT President Rodrigo Duterte says the Philippine Reclamation Authority remains inoperative, and that he might create a separate agency for land reclamation that will only be manned by people with “unquestionable character.”

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“It is regretful that PDEA announced it before validation because everyone in the prosecutions service as well as judges in the judiciary became a suspect at this point when the names are being withheld,” he said.

Earlier, Guevarra said he planned to personally lead the fact-finding investigation against the 10 prosecutors included in narco-list.

He said the involvement of prosecutors in the illegal drug trade, if proven, would be “unacceptable.”

The Supreme Court last week ordered

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tightness in supply due to the low reserves causes power rates in the electricity spot market to go up.

“For both factors, there is tendency that the generation charge will go up but we need to see what the billings from suppliers are,” Fernandez said.

Fernandez said that while there is pressure on the rates, there are cases when the power plants operate on a continuous basis and “sometimes they can offset the effect of forex depreciation.”

“It’s a mix of factors and we don’t know what will prevail. But so far right now, with the info we have, there is pressure for the gen charge to go up,” the official said.

Fernandez also said it is still too early to predict the price trend for May given that there have been five yellow alerts in the past week alone.

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Wiebe Wakker drove his retrofitted station wagon nicknamed “The Blue Bandit” across 33 countries in what he said was the world’s longest-ever journey by electric car.

The trip from The Netherlands to Australia took just over three years and was funded by public donations from around the world, including electricity to charge the Bandit, food and a place to sleep.

Wakker drove across a variety of countries and environments including Turkey, Iran, India, Myanmar, Malaysia and Indonesia, with the route determined by the

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The event—part of the celebrations for the anniversary of founder Kim Il Sung’s birth in 1912—is the highlight of the North’s tourism calendar and offers the chance to run or jog through the streets of the tightly-controlled city.

Around 950 Westerners entered the event, according to market leader Koryo Tours, compared to some 450 last year when numbers slumped.

That brought participation almost back to the levels of 2017, before tensions soared as the North carried out a series of

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By Nat Mariano

AFP told:...

NoKor...

News

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Rody to reactivate reclamation body

Epic...

He said he had been telling the police and military forces to be wary of the NPA’s liquidation unit.

“I’m addressing myself to the police and the military. I’ve been telling you sparrow, sparrow, sparrow,” Duterte said.

“They would really take the arms, that ammunition. If they [NPA] saw you with arms, they will not stop until... So, I told them to learn the art of assassination.”

The President first floated the idea of matching the NPA’s “talent” in assassinating people in November 2018.

While his recommendation was previously studied by his Cabinet officials to come to “fruition,” human rights defenders were quick to slam him for his proposal. Still, the Palace viewed the President’s idea against the NPA rebels as a “serious” one.

“Now, I said, this one’s real. If the NPA has a Sparrow [unit], then why don’t we have one? So, I told them, ‘ Well, you form a unit to target the NPA’,” the President said.

“Whatever you [NPA] do, I will do also. Why? Do you think you’re the only one who wants to have an advantage in this life?”

In the same speech, the President advised the military not to allow themselves to be captured by communist rebels, telling them to kill themselves instead.

“I do not want to see planes carrying decapitated soldiers. Put the gun in your mouth and shoot yourself, Duterte said.

“If you surrender, you will be brought to their camp and treat you like a dog.

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“Every time there is a reduction in the reserves, there is also pressure in the spot market prices. We’ve had five consecutive days of yellow alerts, with corresponding effects on spot market prices,” he said.

Meralco spokesman Joe Zaldarriaga said the company is ready to provide 24/7 services during the May elections.

“We have contingency measures as well. Just like in the 2016 national elections, we deployed several generation sets in strategic areas. In case there will be isolated outages, we will be able to provide what is needed in terms of supply through our mobile generator sets,” Zaldarriaga said.

Meralco can tap 156 participants of its interruptible load program to offload 564 MW of capacity from the grid and use their own generator sets if needed by the grid, he said.

Fernandez said the company is also exploring securing interim supply agreements for the dry months. offers he received on his website.

“I wanted to change people’s opinions and inspire people to start driving electric by showing the advantages of sustainable mobility,” Wakker said.

“If one man can drive to the other side of the world in an electric car, then EVs [electric vehicles] should definitely be viable for daily use.”

Wakker said before the car was modified, it would have used 6,785 liters (1,800 US gallons) of petrol to complete the journey.

The modified vehicle can travel 200 kilometers on a single charge, with Wakker saying he spent just US$300 on electricity, much of it in the remote desert Outback of Australia. AFP

China...

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students and those of technical vocational courses to undergo basic citizen service training.

Saying the country faces disasters both natural and man-made, Gordon stressed the importance of having an army of reserved officers who could be called upon and mobilized to assist in external and territorial defense, internal security and peace and order, and disaster risk reduction and management.

In a radio interview on dzBB, GMA resident analyst Richard Heydarian said the continued presence of Chinese vessels in the West Philippine Sea shows that the country’s effort to build “friendly” ties with China does not work.

“Here’s the problem. After everything President Duterte did for them, our fishermen still cannot fish inside the Scarborough Shoal lagoon,” he said in Filipino. “The Chinese lied because they promised easier access for our fishermen, and that did not happen.”

He said there was no evidence to suggest that President Rodrigo Duterte’s policy toward China was working.

“If anything, China could be encouraged to push the envelop and become aggressive in the West Philippine Sea,” he said.

Nigerian...

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National Federation of the Motorcycle Clubs of the Philippines in Iloilo City, Duterte sought to have a “compromise” with the Land Transportation Office on the new law, which he signed into law last month, labeling its provisions as “not good and dangerous.”

“I will try to convince the LTO to maybe hang onto it. I’ll suspend it for the meantime because it is not good. It is dangerous to place another gadget, especially since a license plate has corners,” Duterte told motorcycle enthusiasts.

“There are really corners in plate numbers.

It could be plastic or it could be aluminum, but still, with an impact like that, it will pierce through your helmet. That’s dangerous. Anything that is sharp there, it’s not good.”

Aside from the LTO, the President also said he would speak to Gordon who au-

thored the measure.

“So, I’ll talk to Gordon. Also, the P50,000 fine is too high,” he said.

“P50,000 is too high, it’s more expensive than a motorcycle. Let’s just compromise. Me, I’m willing [to recommend] P10 to P15,000, that’d be okay. But please, you go to the barest minimum. Around P10,000. If they don’t want it then P15,000.”

Under RA 11235, the LTO will issue bigger, readable and color-coded license plates to every motorcycle in the country “for quick and easy identification.”

The readable number plates must then be displayed in both the front and back sides of the motorcycle and should be made of suitable and durable material as determined by the LTO. However, motorcycle rights groups took a stand against its passage, arguing that the additional specifications would only pose a big risk for the riders, passengers and pedestrians. With Macon Ramos-Araneta

missile launches and leader Kim Jong Un traded threats and personal insults with US President Donald Trump.

The same year, Washington also banned its citizens from visiting the North following the death of Otto Warmbier, a US student jailed for trying to steal a propaganda poster who died in a mysterious coma days after his release.

Several other countries subsequently raised their travel warnings, a combination of events that dealt a significant blow to the North’s tourism industry.

The US ban remains in place but more Western tourists signed up for the marathon this time, tour operators said, following a year of high-level diplomacy

between Trump and Kim. “As political tensions have subsided, tourism demand has increased,” said Elliott Davies, director at Uri Tours, another operator, adding: “You could plot a graph in this direct relationship.”

‘Marathon chasers’ The vast majority of tourists to the North are Chinese and some 5,000 Westerners a year used to visit the North—with about 20 percent of those from the US—seeking unique adventures in one of the most closed countries in the world.

The annual race also attracts so-called “Marathon Chasers” who tick off runs around the world, said Matt Kulesza, a

senior tour guide at Young Pioneer Tours.

Angel Arnaudov, a 34-year-old engineer from Macedonia, said Pyongyang came onto his “radar” after finishing more than 30 marathons in cities ranging from Tokyo, New York and Copenhagen.

“I want to experience the life in North Korea myself and see if it is like they say on TV or different,” he said, adding he would be posting videos on his Youtube channel.

For third-time participant Jasmine Barrett, the Pyongyang Marathon was an opportunity to interact with ordinary North Koreans who line the streets to cheer on the runners, offering high-fives and posing for selfies. AFP

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PNP sets full alert on Holy Week, deploys 16K cops THE Philippine National Police will be on full alert status during the Holy Week, National Capital Region Police Office director Maj. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar said.

A total of 11,600 policemen will be deployed to secure vital installations, bus terminals, jeepney stops, airports and seaports, churches and other pilgrimage sites, and even residential areas to ensure a peaceful and orderly Lenten season.

“On Holy Week, we are on full alert status. All applied leave of PNP personnel are canceled to ensure all PNP personnel are present. All posts are on duty to ensure a 100-percent attendance,” he said.

Full alert is the highest level of readiness in all police offices and units in Metro Manila.

Eleazar said the deployment will complement existing security measures such as checkpoints to deter criminal activities.

The PNP will likewise secure churches which will be visited by the Catholic faithful for the Visita Iglesia tradition.

He, however, clarified the NCRPO has yet to detect security threats in Metro Manila for the Holy Week.

“So far, we have not received information on threats but we remain alert for the Holy Week, especially in places of convergence, like churches for those doing Visita Iglesia. We will deploy police assistance desk in churches here in Metro Manila as part of our preparations,” Eleazar said. PNA

As world...

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“When you’re young your first million is important, but after, the numbers don’t mean much,” Dangote, a manufacturing tycoon with a range of companies spanning cement to flour, told the Mo Ibrahim forum in Abidjan.

“One day, I cashed 10 million, put them in the boot of my car I put it in my room. I looked at them and thought ‘now I believe I have money’ and took it back to the bank the next day,” he told his audience.

Anecdotes aside, Dangote said that the two most promising sectors for Africa’s future were agriculture and new technologies. But he advised young African entrepreneurs not to get carried away by the first flush of success.

“Often in Africa we spend our projected incomes. There are ups and downs” in business, he warned.

Dangote said he regretted the customs and administrative problems that hamper business development throughout the continent.

As an example he cited the difficulties his cement group faces in exporting to Benin from Nigerian factories 40 kilometers (25 miles) from the border. Benin imported “more expensive” cement from China instead. AFP

Rody...

the PRA under the control of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the National Economic and Development Authority.

“The PRA shall be under the control and supervision of the OP, while the power of the President to approve all reclamation projects shall be delegated to the PRA Governing Board,” the EO says.

“Such delegation, however, shall not be construed as diminishing the President’s authority to modify, amend or nullify the action of the PRA Governing Board.”

The Palace had previously said Duterte’s order was meant to streamline the PRA’s services and make the agency “more efficient.”

said Yang when pressed if China would to war over the maritime disputes in the South China Sea. Despite a ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration that the Philippines has exclusive sovereign rights over the West Philippine Sea, China has maintained its claim over most of the South China Sea. But Yujun, now dean and senior research fellow at the Academy of Media and Public Affairs of the Communication University of China noted that while China maintains its claim over the disputed waters, it does not intend to use force to gain control of what it believes belong to the country.

A military official before his retirement from the Chinese government service, he said China will always opt for peaceful negotiations to settle disputes.

He said it is better to sit down and talk than resort to destruction.

“China will not destroy nations, but instead, will help build nations, help build infrastructure, help give jobs.

China will always be a partner in nationbuilding and development,” he said.

He also noted that China’s continuing technological innovations should not be taken as a move of China to be competitive.

“We are doing this not to compete, but to make life easier and more comfortable for all the people of the world and improve livelihood,” said Yang in an interview during a dinner here with Shanghai municipal officials.

In particular, he said, the Chinese people are taking initiatives to make Shanghai and Beijing investment-friendly.

“We want investors to come to us in Shanghai, Beijing and other cities of China and make investments,” said Yujun, one of the speakers during the 10day China-ASEAN Center Advanced Studies Seminar Workshop on New Media sponsored by CUC. With $18,450 per capita GDP in 2017, Shanghai, located in eastern China, is the country’s largest economic center.

It’s GDP is equivalent to a medium-developed country or region.

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MONDAY, APRIL 8, 2019

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Health advocates renew call for tobacco tax hike

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

FALLEN TREE. Workers find it hard to dispose a fallen Chilian Wine Palm tree, which weighs more than 100 kilos, located outside the Palacio del Gobernador in Manila. The monolithic tree grew very slowly, taking hundreds of years to reach the size of 100 feet in height with a trunk up to five feet in diameter. Ey Acasio

Solon hits Senate for TESDA budget cut IN BRIEF P3k monthly pension hike for war vets pushed BARELY a day before the commemoration of the Day of Valor or Araw ng Kagitingan, Camarines Sur Rep. Luis Villafuerte on Sunday vowed to push his proposal for the grant of a P3,000 across-the-board increase in the monthly pension of war veterans, and the provision of similar benefits and health insurance coverage for Filipino comfort women.

He said that under his proposed House Bill No. 9047, around 7,000 living Filipino war veterans residing here or outside the country, shall benefit.

The proposal shall also amend the current law to allow their surviving spouses or eldest children to receive such benefit.

Under HB 9047, the monthly pension, including a proposed increase, shall be granted directly to a living war veteran.

According to Villafuerte, the bill “aims to express the country’s gratitude to those who have dedicated their lives for our freedom” covering veterans of World War II, and the Korean and Vietnam wars. Rio N. Araja

By Rio N. Araja

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AMARINES Sur Rep. Rolando Andaya Jr. on Sunday said 320,000 scholars of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, including drug dependents undergoing rehabilitation and rebel returnees, stand to lose their scholarship due to the Senate’s supposed unilateral action slashing TESDA’s P3-billion budget under the proposed 2019 P3.757-trillion national budget.

He lamented Senate’s move of taking away Tesda’s P3-billion budget. “[The] P3-billion [funds are intended] for scholarship of rebel returnees, outof-school youths and rehabilitating drug dependents enrolled under the Universal Access to Tertiary Education. As a result, at least 320,000 students enrolled

under the program would lose their scholarship this year,” he said.

The Camarines Sur lawmaker earlier accused the Senate of sabotaging the programs of President Rodrigo Duterte, especially the Build, Build, Build program for cutting down unilaterally P83 billion of the national budget.

He challenged Senate President Vicente Sotto III to explain the budget slash and identify the senators who had pushed for the realignments and where the funds would go.

“All he [Sotto] has to do is explain to the public why the Senate slashed the budget not only of build, build, build projects. Now is also the time for him to reveal the names of all senators who made budget cuts and show the items where these were realigned,” he said.

“We wish to emphasize that the details of these budget cuts were not fully discussed in the bicameral conference committee. The senators unilaterally decided on the budget cuts and realigned them to other items based on request of individual proponents. Up to now, the Senate has yet to make public a detailed report on the proponents who recommended the individual realignments,” he added.

Guard against fraud this tax season—Koko SENATOR Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III cautioned the public to exercise “necessary care and caution” in handling their tax matters and in dealing with tax authorities as the peak of the annual income tax season nears this month.

The deadline for the filing of income tax returns is on April 15.

“I’ve been receiving many complaints relating to BIR harassment both from individual and corporate taxpayers. There appears to be certain individuals and groups preying on and taking advantage of taxpayers who are processing and preparing their returns. All of this stems from the urgency of beating the deadline and possibly minimizing tax compliance.”

SRA chief says market sugar price stable

By Rio N. Araja

Institutionalize CCTP, House, Senate urged SULONG Dignidad Party-list is urging the Senate and the House of Representatives to immediately convene a bicameral conference committee on the institutionalization of the government’s conditional cash transfer program when both chambers resume their legislative sessions on May 20.

“We want to immediately institutionalize the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program [4Ps] of the government to make sure that the people are given what is due them,” said Sulong Dignidad president and first nominee lawyer Rico Paolo Quicho.

“Kapag naisabatas na po itong programang ito, masmagiging maayos ang implementasyon ng programa at hindi na rin ito magagamit sa politika ng mga mapagsamantala,” he added.

HEALTH advocates pushing for a significant increase in the cost of tobacco on Sunday renewed their call for a price hike on cigarettes and other tobacco products as they celebrate World Health Day. In a rally at the University of the Philippines in Diliman, Quezon City, the rallyists led by former Philippine College of Physicians president Dr. Anthony Leachon called on Congress to heed the mounting calls for additional prices on tobacco products to bankroll the implementation of the government’s Universal Health Care program.

President Rodrigo Duterte earlier this year certified as urgent the tobacco tax increase law following hearings on the bills by the Senate ways and means committee chaired by reelectionist Senator Sonny Angara.

Angara said an agreement had already been made in principle to increase tobacco taxes to provide sustainable funding source of the Universal Health Care.

The measure is expected to be tackled on the floor once Congress resumes after the midterm elections on May 13.

Leachon, also a former Philhealth Independent Director, explained that the extra funds generated from a significant increase in tobacco taxes will be crucial in fulfilling the mandate under the UHC law of having all Filipinos included into the National Health Insurance Program.

To subsidize the premiums of those who are unable to afford it, Leachon said that a substantial amount of funds is required to help Philhelath achieve this.

“Significantly, increasing the tobacco tax will prove to be a dependable source of finances for the long term, and assured all Filipinos of quality health care benefits under the NHIP,” said Leachon.

MOUNTAIN FESTIVAL. The 15th Lang-ay festival, a celebration of music and dances, is jointly celebrated by nine municipalities of the Mountain Provinces where they showcase their traditional chants, music and dances clad in their traditional ethnic fineries in the capital town of Bontoc.

The Mountain Provinces celebrates its 52nd foundation Year. Dave Leprozo

Japan vows to support BARMM for peace, dev’t

By Rey E. Requejo THE Japanese government has expressed its commitment to fully support the country’s resolve to achieve peace and development in Southern Philippines through the just-created Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

Deputy Chief of Mission Takehiro Kano of the Japan Embassy in the Philippines said the Japanese government welcomes the establishment of

the Bangsamoro Transition Authority of the BARMM, which was created following the ratification of the Bangsamoro Organic Law during a plebiscite held in January this year.

“We affirm our support for the BARMM to ensure that the Mindanao peace process would proceed smoothly, especially in the next couple of years, which I think is very critical,” Kano said in an interview.

“We are ready to provide the needed support for the success of expanded

autonomous regional government in Mindanao,” Kano added.

As part of Japan’s commitment, Japanese Ambassador Koji Haneda earlier signed and exchanged notes with Food and Agriculture Organization Representative Jose Luis Fernandez and International Labour Organization Country Director Khalid Hassan, for two projects in the Bangsamoro region, as witnessed by Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Carlito Galvez.

THE Sugar Regulatory Administration on Sunday assured the public of a stable price of sugar in the market.

SRA Administrator Hermenegildo Serafica reacted to speculations that the retail prices of sugar went up.

“Those who are spreading rumors of sugar prices increasing are trying to manipulate the market so they can increase their profits at the expense of the consumers and producers,” he said in a statement sent to the media.

“There is no reason for sugar prices to go up since sugar stock balance is at an all-time high of over 1.1 million metric tons that is 143 percent of last year’s stock balance during the same period,” he said.

Plus mill gate prices have been holding steady between P1,450 to P1,550 for the past five months, he added.

According to Serafica, this week’s average mill gate price is at P1,454.

He said such is “already on the low side compared to sugar prices for the past five years.”

“There have been very little withdrawals in the mills such that all of their warehouses are full and most of them are already preparing additional spaces for storage. Some have rented additional warehouses while some have repurposed their other buildings, such as basketball courts, to hold sugar,” he noted.

“I have been going around inspecting sugar mills’ warehouses and traders’ warehouses and many of the imported sugar have not been used. In fact over 133,500 metric tons of imported have not been withdrawn from the warehouses,” he said.

Australia seeks enhanced bilateral relations with PH—envoy

By Rey E. Requejo AUSTRALIA is seeking to enhance its bilateral relations with the Philippines, particularly in the area of defense and security, trade and commerce.

The new Australian Ambassador to the Philippines, Steven James Robinson, who started his tour of duty on Jan. 15, 2019, vowed to further enhance his

country’s long-standing relationship with the Philippines since it was founded 73 years ago, especially in defense and security, development assistance and business ties.

During the “backyard barbeque” meeting with reporters at the ambassador’s residence in Makati City before the weekend, Robinson admitted that Australia’s relationship with the Philip-

pines was “broad and deep”, which have been built on very firm foundation, and that “foundation rests on defense, security, intelligence ties, development assistance and business ties.”

“Since Marawi City siege, in particular, our defense and security ties have grown significantly . . . and that is very important to us,” he said.

Robinson vowed to improve Canberra’s

“already very firm relations” with Manila during his three-year stint in the country.

“We are looking at enhancing the relations—our very already firm relationship across the board. We are looking at building defense and security links. We are also looking at increasing our development assistance to the Philippines,” he said, citing that Australia currently provides $85 million to development assistance.

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Opinion

MONDAY, APRIL 8, 2019

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Warning China

IN A rare show of exasperation, President Rodrigo Duterte warned China not to push its boundaries past Pagasa. It was the first time the Philippine president used strong language in asserting the country's territorial sovereignty against an aggressive China.

The stakes are too high.

The presidential outburst was triggered by reports of a fleet of Chinese warships near Pagasa known also as Scarborough Shoal. Filipino fishermen earlier reported the Chinese gunboat and complained that they were being prevented to fish in waters well within the 200-mile Philippine exclusive economic zone mandated under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. But China—which considers itself outside the UNCLOS accord including The Hague arbitration tribunal that ruled against its sweeping claim of nearly the entire South China Sea—continues to militarize the region.

The stakes in the South China Sea are the enormous oil, gas and mineral resources under the seabed which China needs to achieve its agenda to rise as a superpower and surpass the United States.

President Duterte meanwhile has alarmed the populace with his recent statement he would "suspend the privi-

Adelle Chua, Editor

EDITORIAL

lege of the writ of habeas corpus and declare a revolutionary war until the end of my term in 2022."

The president's threat drew a reaction from lawyer Egon Cayosa of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines. The IBP official said Mr. Dutere as president can suspend the writ of habeas corpus, but only for 60 days and if there is rebellion or foreign invasion. This was according to the Constitution, Cayosa said. He also pointed out that President Duterte said "revolutionary war," not revolutionary government, adding that if it's the latter, then he would have to resign with Vice President Leni Robredo taking over in the order of succession when the head of state resigns due to health incapacity, death or inability to govern.

Cory Aquino declared a revolutionary government because she was not elected president but was swept to the presidency as an aftermath of the EDSA People Power uprising on Feb. 22, 1986.

President Duterte's outburst was brought about by his own words that he has enough problems with critics adding to his woes. These problems include the proliferation of illegal despite his bloody campaign against it, the P5 billion in damaged agricutural crops because of El Niño which also resulted in water shortage in Metro Manila, the monstrous traffic and now the adverse public opinion against his close ties with China despite its agressive action in the West Philippine Sea. But he sought the presidency and won it so he must deal with the problems that come with it and not show his breaking point.

Carry on, Mr. President, you're tougher than your critics think. Otherwise, hand the presidency over to someone who can cope. We are not necessarily thinking of VP Robredo. What does the law say about holding a snap election to choose a new chief executive like then-President Ferdinand Marcos

A

A strong, united stand

FTER exhibiting a tolerance that his critics misinterpreted as weakness, President Rodrigo Duterte last week took a strong stand against Chinese aggression in the West Philippine Sea, where Beijing has deployed more than 200 vessels—some of them manned by coast guards and militia—around Pag-asa Island over the last few months.

“Let us be friends, but do not touch Pag-asa Island and the rest,” the President said at a rally in Puerto Princesa, Palawan.

“If you make moves there, that’s a different story. I will tell my soldiers, ‘Prepare for a suicide mission,’” he added. “I’m just telling you [to] lay off the Pag-asa because I have soldiers there.”

Earlier, the Department of Foreign Affairs, called the presence of about 275 Chinese vessels near and around Pag-asa island “illegal,” saying it was an infringement of Philippine sovereignty.

The firm stand drew support from his critics and allies alike.

Former Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario, for

example, commended the President and urged everyone to rally around him.

“Our President is manifesting his own brand of leadership which in this instance is both appropriate and admirable,” Del Rosario said in a statement.

“Let us all be one in standing behind him,” said Del Rosario, who, along with former Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales, filed a case against Chinese President Xi Jinping, accusing him of committing crimes against humanity in connection with Beijing’s activities to gain control over most of the resource-rich South China Sea. The President’s ally in the Senate, Senator Richard Gordon

lashed out at Beijing, saying China was not a friend because its actions did not demonstrate the actions of a friend.

“China said they are our friends but a friend does not send... hundreds of vessels to harass our fishermen in our territory,” Gordon said.

In his almost three years in office, the President has opted for a pragmatic approach to the country’s giant neighbor to the north, preferring to discuss trade and development rather than territorial disputes.

Given the need to improve the economy, the President took a clearly less belligerent attitude toward China than did his predecessor, paving the way for improved ties with Beijing and access to Chinese investments and loans.

But last week, the President showed there are limits to his administration’s accommodation—and that these correctly begin where Philippine sovereignty and territorial integrity are challenged. This is a strong, principled position that all Filipinos can get behind.

Turn to A5

30 days THERE are just 30 days of campaigning left before voters troop to the polls and express their choices for 12 senators, a congressman, a party to elect partylisted representatives, their governor or city mayor, their “vices” and their board members and councilors.

The ballot is quite long, made easier because voters will shade ovals corresponding to names and numbers, instead of having to write their choices via long hand.

I have said it in this space and elsewhere: We have far too many elective positions.

In my ideal world, we should vote for a president, whose vote automatically counts for his vice presidential partymate. That is one. ` We should vote for a city mayor or governor, also on block voting style as the presidential team. That is vote number two.

Then, we vote for our congressman who will represent our district in the House of Representatives. That is vote number three.

We should elect senators by region, not by nationwide choice. Thus, if we assign three senators per region, then we vote, either by automated means or even by long-hand writing, three names. That makes for six.

There will be no provincial board members. All elected mayors of a province will constitute the legislative body for the province.

Similarly, there will be no elected councilors. The city or municipal council will be composed of all the barangay chairmen elected separately—mid-term of the aforementioned elective officials.

If there are so many barangays (Manila has 897, Cebu City has 87), those with too many barangays like Manila should be reduced and rationalized according to area and population; and the barangay chieftains of Cebu City can take turns of two or three years each as city council members. The average number of barangays in municipalities is a low dozen or fourteen, enough to constitute the ordinancemaking body for their town.

Simple, right? In a separate article, I will explain my proposal further, although this would require a constitutional amendment and discombobulate the present setup where we have a surfeit of politicians, a battalion of dynasts lording over their fiefdoms all over the country, and far too expensive elections.

But let us focus on the coming May 13 elections for now.

There will be 12 senators elected or reelected come May 13. My forecast: Newbie Bong Go, President Duterte’s favorite, will top the election, or at worst, be numero tres, after reelectionists Grace Poe and Cynthia Villar, not necessarily in that order.

Two other Duterte favorites, Bato de la Rosa and Francis Tolentino, will be carried to victory on the strength of the president’s high endorsement value.

But don’t take my word for it. You can predict only up to a certain point.

One or two reelectionists may not make the grade in the closely contested last four slots. But Pia Cayetano is a shooin as a balik-senadora. Unless a debacle erupts, Lito Lapid, on the coat-tails of Coco Martin’s Ang Probinsyano, is likely to come back to the Senate too.

Sonny Angara and Nancy Binay are also assured of reelection. As for the other candidates, it’s too risky to call at this point. I don’t want to have egg all over my face.

In 2010, when I was Senator Serge Osmeña’s COO for our campaign operations dedicated to making Cory and Ninoy’s son, Benigno Simeon Aquino III win as president, Holy Week was right smack in the middle of the 90-day campaign period.

The week after Easter Sunday, we reviewed the latest in-house survey we had done, and it was my task to discuss the results with the candidate and his family. The candidate was not around in the briefing room of a studio where we would likewise view our latest television ad. But Turn to A5

It’s not that simple, fellas CHECKING on the development of the ongoing campaign for local elections in Metro Manila, I chanced by a post in a Facebook page, Youth for Eric Martinez, claiming the incumbent congressman of the second district of Valenzuela City is already a sure winner in the May 13 polls.

According to the post, a survey conducted by the Philippine Survey and Research Center from February to March

What is this about a survey purportedly done in Valenzuela City? showed Martinez leading over former Congressman Magi Gunigundo to the tune of 86 percent versus the latter’s 12 percent.

And since no further information was given, I decided to give PSRC a call. I was so dismayed that for the whole day

last Friday, I was given the run-around.

Either the handler has not yet checked in, has left the office for some errands, in a meeting, or whatever reason available so I could not talked to him or her.

This much was clear: They did not deny conducting a survey in Valenzuela City.

In my last call to PSRC, I was able to talk to a certain Nathalie, who, as usual, told me the handler for political survey was not available. So I had to ask her if categorically if they did conduct a survey in Valenzuela. If so, who commissioned the survey and to whom did they release Turn to A5

Rolando G. Estabillo Publisher ManilaStandard

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Opinion Power supply coverup?

THE arrival of the summer season came with the usual uncertainties regarding the country’s power supply, especially that of the Luzon grid. This is especially troubling, as it came despite repeated assurances from the Department of Energy of a stable supply of power for the summer.

In fact, just a day after the DOE made the announcement, a series of yellow alerts hit the Luzon grid mainly due to forced outages and plants that supplied derated capacity. The first wave hit on March 5, 7, and 8, while the next one was just last week, from April 1 through 5. While not a huge alarm by any measure, this indicates that the grid is showing signs of a tight power supply. This means that Luzon is increasingly becoming vulnerable to outages and power interruptions.

More troubling, however, are the reports that went around that instead of finding ways of addressing this supply issue, the government has been trying not to publicize the supply situation.

This blatantly goes against the need for more transparency that can serve to deter possible collusion in the spot market. After all, power generation companies are the first to know when the demand is forecast to be high and therefore to increase their bids. This means that the supply situation surrounding these yellow alerts are a matter of public interest.

For one, these yellow alerts have always served as an effective warning to the public to be mindful of their electric consumption and for big load customers to participate in the Interruptible Load Program.

In a statement, consumer watchdog CitizenWatch raised the concern of price spikes and expensive disruptions in productivity and unnecessary discomforts that will directly affect all consumers.

“With mid-term elections coming in May, the peak of the hot summer months, this is an urgent concern where government must act swiftly to avoid, as this will directly affect millions of voters,” the group said.

It’s not...

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the results?

And again, I was told she was not in a position to answer my query. But then, I had my deadline to meet. I had to write my piece and I cannot wait for their side of the story.

With no denial on their side, I am then to assume that PSRC, which has been in existence for about five decades now, did really conduct a survey on Valenzuela. And in the more-or-less five decades of its existence, I have known PSRC to be involved in surveys and research for consumer products. This is the first time I have heard of that particular firm involving itself in political surveys.

And in case PSRC is not aware of it, political surveys are much different from consumer products. There is more to it than making phone calls and asking people at the other end of the line what product they are using.

First, political surveys have to be compliant with the Section 5.2 of Republic Act 9006 otherwise, known as the Fair Election Act of 2001. This requires any person, natural or juridical, candidate or organization who publishes a survey must likewise publish the following information: a) name of the person, candidate, party or organization who commissioned or paid for the survey; b) the period dur-

30 days From A4

present were his three sisters, some other relatives.

The fearless forecast: PNoy was certain of victory; no stopping the momentum. But guess what shocked his sisters—Erap, instead of Manny Villar, had the momentum to make it as number two, though a bit far from PNoy. The other shocker to my small audience was that Jojo Binay, Erap’s vice presidential teammate, was gaining so fast against our LP candidate, Mar Roxas, that it was too close to call.

That evening, I was sharing some bottles of San Miguel with Senator Chiz Escudero, who had decided to cast his lot for Binay instead of PNoy’s teammate Mar. He insisted that Binay had the “wind beneath his wings” and would defeat Roxas.

I bet otherwise, maintaining that there was too little time left for Jojo to catch up with Mar. The ultimate result: Jojo won by a whisker. Chiz won the bet.

What am I trying to say?

We can predict only up to a certain

For consumer group Laban Konsumer, there is a need for the Energy Regulatory Commission and the DOE to issue daily updates regarding plant outages and the overall power situation so that consumers, who routinely bear the brunt of both interruptions and rate hikes, can readily monitor the situation.

“The matter affects public interest and the right of consumers to information,” said Laban Konsyumer president Vic Dimagiba. “A news blackout is an example of bad governance and lack of transparency. The DOE should as soon as possible lift the news blackout.”

A daily update on the status of the coun-

try’s power plants and the supply-demand situation is also the call of 1-Care PartyList Rep. Carlos Uybarreta, vice chairperson of the house energy committee.

“Consumers must be able to monitor the power situation of the grid on a daily basis, and this includes the much-needed information regarding the white, yellow, and red alert statues for the grid,” he said.

An additional concern regarding the yellow alerts is its timing, coming less than a month before the critical midterm elections in May, something that the publicizing of timely information can remedy.

Similarly, Infrawatch Philippines convenor and former member of the House energy committee Terry Ridon raised the alarm regarding the repercussions of the series of yellow alerts for consumers.

He explained, “Without a sufficient operating reserve, we are opening the public to higher power rates through the spot market. This is clearly unacceptable and raises concerns on whether we are headed to a power crisis.”

Last Thursday, however, a DOE press conference on the series of yellow alerts didn’t seem to bode well for those clamoring for transparency. The event featured

stakeholders in the power sector, including DOE Undersecretary Wimpy Fuentabella, Andrea May Caguete of newly created spot market operator Independent Electricity Market Operator of the Philippines, Fidel Dagsaan of the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines, and Meralco spokesman Joe Zaldarriaga.

Glaringly absent in the lineup is any representative from the generating companies that are in fact responsible for the tight power supply that had led to the yellow alerts in the first place. If everything is above board, then it ought to be simple to explain the nitty-gritty of the details of the supply and demand situation that led to the yellow alerts.

While NGCP shared the details of the yellow alert, it decided to not include the list of plants that contributed to the thinning of the supply. This runs contrary to the wisdom of publishing the list so it may serve as a deterrent against collusion.

As summer heats up, the DOE said it is monitoring the power situation on a weekly basis. Even so, the agency said it doesn’t see any power interruption in Luzon despite the series of yellow alerts. With the state and well-being of the power plants away from public scrutiny, however, an unscheduled shutdown of a major facility can already spell disaster for consumers and the economy alike.

All these scheduled, especially the reasons for all these “forced” shutdowns, must be published. Let the public know what is happening. These Yellow alerts are an effective warning to the public to be mindful of their electric consumption and big load customers to participate in the Interruptible Load Program which has been proven very effective each time there is a looming power shortage, which is now becoming a daily risk.

The cost of electricity is a big chunk of the monthly budget of every household and all industries. As Consumers, we must demand transparency on the power situation. I don’t buy the argument that a gag order to stop publishing yellow alerts will avert spikes in the spot market. On the contrary, these power generation companies are the first to know when demand is high and when to jack up their bids in the spot market. Is there a coverup on our power supply situation?

ing which survey was conducted, methodology used, including number of individual respondents and the areas from which they were selected and the specific questions asked; c) margin of error of the survey; d) the margin of error for each question; e) mailing address and telephone number at which the sponsor can be contacted to obtain a written report regarding the survey in accordance with Subsection 5.3 which allows the Commission on Elections to inspect, copy and verify it or by a registered political party or a bona fide candidate, or any Comelecaccredited citizens arm.

And in case PSRC is not aware of it, violation of the said provisions is an election offense punishable under first and second paragraph of Sec 264 of the Omnibus Election Code (BP 881).

Now, going back to the post in the Youth for Eric Martinez Facebook page, there was no mention of the required information including that of the date the survey was conducted.

And if PSRC was really behind the supposed survey, they have a lot to clarify. First, if the survey was non-commissioned, why was it only one party was notified of the result? Why was the result not published? Was it only in Valenzuela they conducted such survey? To date, we haven’t heard of any political survey conducted by PSRC in other areas in Metro Manila.

Again, if the survey was non-commis-

sioned, how did they conduct it? Who were the respondents? How did they identify the respondents? How did they ask the respondents – the method? What exactly was the question asked of the respondents?

Was the survey intended for awareness only or another self-serving endeavor to help condition the minds of the voters?

PSRC just cannot afford to lose the prestige and credibility it had built in its five years of existence with this unfounded survey (assuming the did conduct that particular survey).

People behind the firm are respected in their field—Raul Esteban, Cristina Reyes, Judy Mercado, Arman Mercado, Emil Avenido, Celeste Mantilla, Zaidee Cucio and Terry Gutierrez. They have to clarify the issue; otherwise, they can be liable for violation of the Fair Election Act of 2001.

Conducting political surveys is not that simple. It’s not as simple as praying for a miracle for the name of the election frontrunner just to pop up in a piece of paper, or an eenie-meenie miny moe whoever my finger points to is the winner.

The issues mentioned above should be properly addressed. If it were that simple, I could have conducted my own survey to validate the results of the surveys conducted by different polling firms.

PSRC has to come out clean on this one. If not, Eric Martinez and his supporters may have a lot of explaining to do.

Let the public know what is really happening.

point. In closely contested elections, it’s God who makes the difference.

And in the upcoming senatorial elections, with Numero Uno hasta Ochomore or less done for, numbers nine to 12 could yet be anybody’s guess. For those remaining four slots, Mar and Bam of the opposition would be slugging it out with Koko Pimentel, JV Ejercito, Francis Tolentino, Jinggoy Estrada, Imee Marcos, Bong Revilla, and Serge Osmena. Even Dong Mangudadatu could spring a surprise, if Muslims vote like Bicolanos for their favorite son.

But don’t take my word for it. These are tea leaves read from the bottom of a cup drank on the first week of April, which is 30 days away from D-Day. The power of endorsement, especially for administration candidates, that is, the ones seriously being pushed for, could make a whale of a difference. Also, TV ads that really catch the attention of the voter, much like Manny Villar’s “lumalangoy sa dagat ng basura” in 2010, or Digong’s “tapang at malasakit” in 2015, played with the right frequency, could yet change the tide for any of the nine candidates vying for the four slots.

Warning...

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did while still in power?

For sure the wannabes will come out of the woodwork.. Expect among them as presidential candidates Senators Richard Gordon, Ping Lacson, Franklin Drilon, Grace Poe and even boxing icon Manny Pacquiao.

Poe, Mar Roxas and Manny Villar would probably try a second attempt to win as president.

It's not too far-fetched for Manny Pacquiao to emerge as winner considering his popularity with the masa and his image that he amassed his money though hard work with his iron fists.

Is Manny smart enough to lead a country? To this question, I say any one who won more 50 fights and captured world titles in eight divisions must be a smart man who used his brains aside from his blazing fists. Besides, Manny Pacquiao plays chess, the thinking man's game.

To help him govern, all Manny needs is a capable vice president who has a

MONDAY, APRIL 8, 2019

A5

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

The socialist fantasy AWARD-WINNING news correspondent John Stossel recently reported that Venezuela is a disaster.

He had this to say and we can learn from it: Twenty years ago, it was the wealthiest country in Latin America. It still has the world’s biggest oil reserves. It should be a happy and prosperous nation.

But then Venezuela went socialist. Democratic socialist to be exact.

They voted for it. Hugo Chavez promised the poor “social and economic reforms.” The majority of voters believed him.

So did many leftists.

Model Naomi Campbell traveled to Venezuela to give Chavez a hug. She called him “a rebel angel.”

Film maker Michael Moore said that Chavez used oil money to “eliminate 75 percent of extreme poverty.”

But now that the socialists created much more extreme poverty, you would think that leftists and progressives would realize that democratic socialism is not the route to paradise.

But no, nothing convinces a dedicated socialist—or much of the mainstream Western media.

A popular Vox video titled “The collapse of Venezuela, explained” never once mentions socialism. Instead, it says Venezuela collapsed because “oil prices plummeted in 2014 and Maduro failed to adjust.”

“Blaming socialism for Venezuela’s riches to rags story is grossly misleading,” said Al Jazeera anchor Ryan Kohls.

Venezuela didn’t collapse because of socialism, added comedian John Oliver. “It’s a story about epic mismanagement.”

But mismanagement is what happens under socialist governments. It always happens.

That’s because no group of central planners is wise enough to manage an entire economy. Even if they have good intentions, socialists eventually run out of other people’s money.

In Venezuela, the solution was to print more money. That caused massive inflation.

When businesses raised prices to try to keep up with inflation, Hugo Chavez and Nicolas Maduro called that “profiteering” and punished many by confiscating their businesses.

The socialists claimed they would run those businesses better than greedy capitalists could because they weren’t obsessed with profits. Without the “excess” profits, prices would be lower and more money would go to the poor.

But pursuit of profit is what makes an economy work! You’d think the collapse of nations such as Venezuela, China, Russia, Korea, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Cuba would have taught the socialists that. But no.

Leftists and progressives claim that socialism is succeeding in much of Europe. John Oliver claims, “There are plenty of socialist countries that look nothing like

deep knowledge of the bureaucracy and the intricacies of handling tradpols who might want to undermine him with their corrupt ways and self interests.

In order to preclude the possibility of having a vice president from another party elected, perhaps a constitutional amendment to have the country's president and veep must be elected together like in the US. This ensures continuity in the government's policy and program.

Under the US setup, the Vice President presides over the Senate and attends foreign events the President cannot go to. Or if the Vice President has the credentials, he can also be appointed as Secretary of Foreign Affairs attending international events as the president's point man.

A president and his vice president if from the same party can work as team.

We won't have the same situation like Robredo who is out of the Duterte administration because she was from another political party. This is unfair to the people who voted for her as No. 2 official not to see her doing any work to serve them. President Duterte when abroad to attend meetings with global leaders, doed

Venezuela.”

US presidential candidate Bernie Sanders agrees, saying: “When I talk about democratic socialism, I am not looking at Venezuela. I’m not looking at Cuba. I’m looking at countries like Denmark, like Sweden.”

But those countries are not socialist!

Yes, they have big welfare programs, but their economies are more capitalist than America’s and ours.

They set no national minimum wage. They impose fewer regulations on businesses. Their leaders even go out of their way to point out that they are not socialist. Den-

It’s epic mismanagement.

mark’s prime minister went on TV to respond to Sanders’ comments by saying: “Denmark is far from a socialist planned economy. Denmark is a market economy.”

Not only are Scandinavian countries not socialist, lately they’ve reduced government control of their economies. Denmark privatized the national phone system and the railroads—and sold the Copenhagen airport to a private company. We should do the same with our railroads and NAIA. Swedish economic historian Johan Norberg points out: “We did have a period in the 1970s and 1980s when we had something that resembled socialism, big government that taxed and spent heavily.

[But] that’s the period in Swedish history when our economy was going south.”

So Sweden reduced government’s role, too. They privatized businesses and even instituted school choice.

The leftists and progressives are just wrong. Scandinavian countries that they call “socialist successes” are not socialist, and they’re moving toward more capitalism. It’s astounding that the progressives keep winning votes peddling economic nonsense.

At least Venezuelans who escaped their country’s socialism understand now that socialism creates poverty.

Recent Venezuelan immigrants to the US were interviewed about socialism. Most gave answers like “I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone” and “It’s never gonna work!”

It never will. Never.

As libertarian economist Ludwig von Mises wrote: “The champions of socialism call themselves progressives, but they recommend a system which is characterized by rigid observance of routine and by a resistance to every kind of improvement… They promise the blessings of the Garden of Eden, but they plan to transform the world into a gigantic post office, every man but one a subordinate clerk.”

Until leftists and progressives learn that, tragedies like Venezuela will happen again and again. eric.jurado@gmail.com

not assign Robredo as acting president but instead names his executive secretary or some other functionary to act as chief executive. This is rather irregular that the head of state does not trust his vice president because she comes from another political party. How much harm or damage can someone do in a temporary capacity?

Plus, there are constitutional limitations to her powers while in an acting capacity.

This is why the time has come for a charter amendment mandating that president and vice president from the same party must be voted together As far as I can recall, there has been no instance in Philippine politics that the president and vice president from the same party were elected together. This is why there is so much political intrigue and the perception that the No.2 official is salivating to become No.1.

Another constitutional amendment we should consider is changing the single six-year term for president to just five like in other countries. Six years is too long for a bad president. Shortening this term to just five would make the incumbent do all he can to leave a legacy of good governance.

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MONDAY, APRIL 8, 2019 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

CA affirms dismissal of TLRC exec over PDAF T

By Rey E. Requejo

HE Court of Appeals has sustained the dismissal from service of a former deputy director general of the then Technology and Livelihood Resource Center for dishonesty and grave misconduct in connection with the anomalous disbursement of P35 million in Priority Development Assistance Fund in 2007.

While Dennis Cunanan had resigned in 2014 from the TLRC, now Technology Resource Center, the CA ruled it did not lose its jurisdiction over his petition assailing the resolution of the Office of the Ombudsman in 2017 ordering his dismissal from service.

Three complaints were filed against Cunanan and other TRLC officials before the Ombudsman in connection with the disbursement of at least P35 million in pork barrel funds of then Rep. Salacnib Baterina of Ilocos Sur. PDAF had been declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court in 2013.

In his petition, Cunanan argued the complaint against him should have been resolved based on his participation alone and not on the overall acts of TLRC officials in the disbursement of the funds.

However, the appellate court was not persuaded and resolved to uphold Cunanan’s dismissal from service.

“When petitioner [Cunanan] affixed his signature in the disbursement vouchers, he is presumed to have verified that the documents submitted by the NGOs were proper and truthful. In the present case, he flagrantly disregarded the law when he repeatedly certified and signed the said vouchers despite the fact that PSDFI and KMFI were not selected by TLRC through public bidding,” the CA ruled.

“Being the Deputy Director General of TLRC, he ought to know that the mere endorsement of Congressman Baterina is insufficient to determine the implementing non-governmental organization. The lapses in his responsibilities also manifested when the COA discovered that the addresses provided were dubious which he could have known had he conducted a verification of the documents submitted by the NGOs. These aforementioned failures on his part facilitated the release of public funds which caused serious damage and grave prejudice to the government,” it said.

Rabies still a recurring health problem in PH RABIES continues to be a public health problem in the Philippines with an incidence rate that is considered one of the highest in the world.

A total of 1,176 rabies cases were reported from Jan. 1, 2014 to June 30, 2018, majority of which were recorded in Central Luzon (185), Calabarzon (172) and SOCCSKSARGEN (110), data from the Department of Health showed.

According to Nicole Perreras, a pediatric infectious disease specialist, rabies is 100-percent fatal once the symptoms appear, thus the urgent need for treatment if one had been been bitten or scratched by a stray or even a pet dog or cat.

Dogs are responsible for as much as 99 percent of rabies transmissions to humans with about 200 to 250 individuals dying each year due to rabies.

Patients that contract the more common form of rabies—furious rabies—exhibit signs of hyperactivity, excitable behavior, fear of water, and sometimes fear of drafts of fresh air.

Those who develop the paralytic form of rabies exhibit less dramatic symptoms wherein the muscles gradually become paralyzed.

Perreras cited a number of factors that contribute to high cases of human rabies in the Philippines, namely a huge number of Filipinos who still do not have have their pet dogs or cats vaccinated; children are not adequately taught how to correctly behave around a dog or a cat to avoid being bitten or scratched; reluctance to seek rabies post exposure prophylaxis after sustaining a dog or cat bite or scratch; and failure to continue the required number of post-bite vaccinations.

“Public awareness and education are keys to preventing and controlling the incidence of rabies. Currently, experts at the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine in Alabang, Muntinlupa are working closely with the Department of Education in conducting lectures among elementary teachers and students on topics such as what quick actions to take once bitten or scratched by a dog or a cat,” she said.

Health department backs NCD clubs

By Macon Ramos-Araneta THE Department of Health—CALABARZON has concluded its first Non-Communicable Disease Health Fair for officers and members of hypertension and diabetes clubs in the region.

DOH Regional Director Eduardo Janairo said government established hypertension and diabetes clubs in 2016 to boost efforts at combating NCDs. “It is very important for us to sustain the services of these organizations to properly care for the sick because they are at the forefront of disseminating right information on health and giving free maintenance medicines and medical checkup to patients,” he said.

“These clubs will also serve as support groups in the communities and will ensure that appropriate treatment and management will be provided to all patients,” Janario added.

The DOH Non-Communicable Disease Prevention and Control Center reported a total of 600,000 patients registered nationwide in hypertension and diabetes clubs.

To become a registered member, a patient must consult with the nearest health center or primary health care facility in the community for proper assessment, screening and management using the Philippine Package of Essential NCD Intervention protocol.

A registered member is entitled to free maintenance drugs for hypertension (Losartan, Amlodipine, Metoprolol) and diabetes (Metformin).

“To fight and eliminate NCDs, it is important to practice healthy lifestyle choices early in our life. All of the municipalities in Rizal and Batangas have established their hypertension and diabetes clubs,” said Marilou Espiritu, Medical Office III and head of the NCD Cluster.

Sports Tokyo rules Chooks-to-Go 3X3 Asia Quest

By Peter Atencio KEITA Suzuki found an opening from the right side and heaved the winning two-pointer, sending the world no. 19 ranked Tokyo Dime to a 22-20, triumph over the 1Bataan Risers yesterday at the SM Megamall Activity Center.

The victory, which came after the Risers squandered a five-point lead, handed the Dime the 2019 Chooks-to-Go 3X3 Asia Pacific Super Quest crown.

Suzuki slipped past the defense and tossed in a long volley in the last 33 seconds after getting a pass from Masahiro Komatsu.

The champions of this level eight FIBA 3X3-endorsed tourney went home with US$ 20,000, a ticket to the 2019 FIBA 3x3 World Tour Masters Doha, and a seat to the Challengers in Penang on May 12 to 13.

“Very, very tough game. Our players had to play for every point. And that very important,” said team skipper Tomoyo Ochiai.

As champions of this level 8 FIBA 3X3-endorsed tourney, the Japanese squad went home with US$ 20,000, a ticket to the 2019 FIBA 3x3 World Tour Masters Doha, and a seat to the Challengers in Penang on May 12 to 13.

Ochiai, along with Peter Perunovic led the Dime with six points, while Alvin Pasaol powered the Risers with seven points.

The Dime swept their two-game assignment in Pool B before they prevailed over New Zealand, 22-9, in the quarterfinals.

In the semifinals, the Dime got past the Pasig Grindhouse Kings, 16-11, to earn a finals slot against the Risers, who outplayed the Jakarta West Bandits, 21-18.

The Risers enjoyed an 18-13 edge in the last 2:34 off Santi Santillan’s two charities.

That’s when the Dime picked up the pace, with Perunovic leading the attack from the inside.

Perunovic’s drive, and Suzuki’s charity then saw the Japanese side tying the count at 20-all in the last 51.9 seconds.

Santillan then bungled a two-pointer in the remaining 25 seconds as he tried to save the day for the Risers.

As the runners-up the Risers settled for the US$ 15,000 second prize cash award, and they still grabbed a seat to Doha cagefest as well.

Earlier, Pasaol carried the 1Bataan Risers to a 21-18 over the Jakarta West Bandits with a 2-pointer in the final second, and grab a slot to the finals.

The Scores: Tokyo Dime 22—Ochiai 6, Perunovic 6, Komatsu 5, Suzuki 5, 1Bataan 20—Pasaol 7, Franklin 5, Santillan 5, Dehesa 3.

Torre to launch Quezon City chess tourney CHESS aficionados will have a chance to rub elbows with no less than world’s multi-awarded chess player also known as “Asia’s first Grandmaster” Eugenio Torre as the Open Kitchen holds the inaugural chess tournament on April 13, Saturday at the Open Kitchen 34-36 P. Tuazon Boulevard, Barangay Kaunlaran, Cubao, Quezon City.

Grandmaster Torre is renowned for winning the silver medal in the 1974 Chess Olympiad held in Nice, France which earned him the GM title at the age of 22.

Tournament organizer Jeff Dimalanta said chess players and enthusiasts will have the chance to see and meet the country’s most celebrated chess player.

“But we are planning to organize more chess tournaments,” Dimalanta said.

Aside from chess, Dimalanta said that Open Kitchen also promote and support other indoor sports like table tennis and tamiya game among others.

Torre, Barangay Kaunlaran chairman Christopher “Dong” Cheng, International billiards/snooker champion Marlon Manalo of Patrol Party and China Aurelio of Open Kitchen are expected to deliver their inspirational messages to the participants of the one-day affair rapid time control format which begins at four pm.

Former World Chess Olympiad member International Master Ronald Bancod will spearhead a strong cast battling in the inaugural Open Kitchen chess tournament.

Other vying in the event are eight-time Illinois USA champion International Master (IM) Angelo Young, Fide Master Christopher Castellano, Woman Fide Master Allaney Jia Doroy and United States chess master Jose “Jojo” Aquino Jr.

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MONDAY, APRIL 8, 2019 sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

Embiid powers 76ers to victory L

OS ANGELES, United States—Joel Embiid dominated inside to score 20 points and 10 rebounds as Philadelphia returned to the winner’s circle with a 116-96 victory over the Chicago Bulls Saturday (Sunday Manila time).

JJ Redick scored 23 points as Philadelphia snapped a three-game losing skid and widened the gap over Boston for the third seed in the East to two games with the win.

The 76ers were missing guard Jimmy Butler who was out for the second straight game with a back injury.

Embiid was making his second start after missing three straight with a sore left knee. He also had five assists and three blocked shots against the Bulls.

Elsewhere, Joe Harris sank the goahead three-pointer with 84 seconds left

as the Brooklyn Nets’ playoff push got a boost with a 133-128 win over the Milwaukee Bucks.

The Nets used a balanced attack to beat the shorthanded Bucks as eight players scored in double figures. They also drained 19 three-pointers.

Brooklyn improved to 40-40 on the NBA season to move into a tie with the Orlando Magic for sixth place in the Eastern Conference standings. Detroit is a half game behind at 39-40. But the Nets have tiebreakers against both the Magic and the Pistons.

D’Angelo Russell had 25 points and 10 assists, Caris LeVert scored 24 points and Jared Dudley collected 14 of his 16 points in the second half.

Milwaukee played without star Giannis Antetokounmpo, who was out with a left calf injury.

Milwaukee has already clinched the best record in the league with a win on the road over the Philadelphia 76ers two nights earlier.

Eric Bledsoe had 33 points and 11 assists for Milwaukee, and Khris Middleton finished with 24 points.

Bledsoe disagreed with those who have said the Bucks have little to play for, saying the team would love to reach the 60-victory mark.

“We want to achieve it but at the same time we want to play the right way,” he said. “I thought we did a great job of doing that tonight.

“It was a big game for them. So we’ve just got to move on.”

It was a much better performance than Embiid’s first game back from the injury when he was outscored by fellow league MVP candidate Antetokounmpo of Milwaukee.

Redick drained four three-pointers and Tobias Harris added 16 points as the 76ers took an eight-point halftime lead and then seized command with a thirdquarter surge.

Former 76er JaKarr Sampson scored a career-high 29 points for Chicago, who lost for the sixth time in seven games.

“It good to be back in the NBA,” said Sampson, who had been toiling in the NBA’s development league before the Bulls called him up.

“It just felt good going against my old team. I just let the game come to me.”

AFP

Tampa Bay leads charge to playoffs

Philadelphies 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) tries to back up Chicago Bulls counterpart Cristiano Felicio at United Center in Chicago, Illinois. AFP

Elasto Painters eliminate Batang Pier THE Rain Or Shine Elasto Painters erected a big lead then beat back every challenge by the NorthPort Batang Pier to post a scrambling, 91-85, victory yesterday at the Mall of Asia Arena to formally advance to the Semifinals of the 2019 Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Cup. The Elasto Painters almost let the game slip away after they sat on what they thought to be a safe 91-78 lead with just 1:27 left to play.

Jonathan Grey drilled a three-pointer to cut the NorthPort deficit to 10 points, 91-81, with 1:23 to go. Paolo Taha then converted a floating layup to cut the

lead even further, 91-83, with 51 seconds left to play.

Both teams could not score until Gray made two more free throws to peg the count at 91-84 for Rain or Shine. With just 24 seconds left to play the NorthPort Batang Pier simply ran out of time.

NorthPort’s Garvo Lanete drilled a three-pointer followed by layups Stanley Pringle and Moala Tautuaa to push the Batang Pier within three points of the Rain Or Shine lead, 62-59.

But the Elasto Painters, led by an unlikely hero in Jewel Ponferada, made their own run to extend their lead back to 11 points, 73-62, after the third pe-

riod.

The scores: Rain or Shine Elasto Painters 91 – Ed Daquioag 15, Rey Nambatac 14, Beau Belga 13, Jewel Ponferada 8, Gabe Norwood 8, Jvee Mocon 8, James Yap 7, Maverick Ahanmisi 5, Norbert Torres 5, Mark Borboran 4, Rosales 4, Maiquez 0, Onwubere 0, Alejandro 0.

NorthPort Batang Pier 85—Moala Tautuaa 24, Garvo Lanete 20, Jonathan Grey 11, Stanely Pringle 9, Paolo Taha 7, Robert Bolick 5, Bradwyn Guinto 4, Lervin Flores 0, Gabayni 0, Jom Sollano 0.

Quarters: 14-17, 43-33, 73-62, 91-85.

LOS ANGELES, United States—The Tampa Bay Lightning won their recordtying 62nd game to cap a dominating regular season that has put them in the conversation as one of the best regular season teams in NHL history.

The Lightning’s performance this season has established them as an offensive juggernaut and their individual accomplishments will net them a lion’s share of hardware at the NHL awards this summer.

But team captain Steven Stamkos said after a 6-3 win over the Boston Bruins on Saturday that they have their sights set on the ultimate playoff prize, the Stanley Cup. “Yeah, we’ve said it all along, we’re just taking this thing in stride,” Stamkos said. “That’s a result of us playing the right way and winning games.

“It’s no easy feat in today’s NHL with the parity that we have that I think is the greatest in sports. To have a season like we did, but there’s no satisfaction in this group with the regular season.”

The Lightning tied the NHL record for wins in a season and locked up home ice advantage throughout the playoffs by beating the Bruins in the regular season finale.

Stamkos scored a shorthanded goal and Russian Nikita Kucherov notched an empty netter for the Lightning in front of a crowd of 17,600 at the Boston Garden arena.

The 62nd victory equaled the 199596 Detroit Red Wings, who were 62-13 with seven ties. The Lightning won six games in a shootout, which was introduced in 2005-06.

The Bruins won their 49th game and finished in second place behind the Lightning in the Atlantic Division.

Boston will have home ice advantage against the Toronto Maple Leafs in the opening round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.

Tampa Bay forward Kucherov had a goal and an assist to reach 128 points and set the single-season NHL points record for a Russia-born player.

Kucherov, the NHL scoring leader, finished with 41 goals and 87 assists to pass former Buffalo Sabre Alexander Mogilny, who had 127 points in 199293. AFP

Thousands bid for ‘yellow belts’ in taekwondo

Children demonstrate different taekwondo attacking techniques.

THOUSANDS of young boys and girls bid to earn “yellow belts” in the 2019 SMART/ MVPSF Taekwondo summer classes which are going on in Philippine Taekwondo Association affiliates all over the country.

A former world champion, Makati Congressman and PTA secretary general Monsour del Rosario says the participants will undergo examinations after the two-month classes in all regions to determine if they qualify for the yellow belts.

Veteran instructors teach the participants the different forms and techniques of taekwondo, considered as the country’s leading martial art.

New students will be shown the modern electronic system used by the World Taekwondo Federation in the Olympics, Asian Games and Southeast Asian Games. Called the Protective Scoring System (PSS) and Electronic Scoring System (ESS), the technology makes the students understand that everything is done under accurate and fair scoring.

Taekwondo, according to Del Rosario, is the best exercise for physical conditioning, alertness and self-protection against all odds.

Those interested in joining the summer classes may still register in the following regions with their respective contact persons and numbers.

NCR, Raul Samson, 09189004770; R1, Stephen Fernandez, 09175382206; R2, Arnel Gamata,09063360807; R3, Dauphin Punzalan, 09088977886; R4A, Eric Go, 09209548956; R4B, Raymund Val Padua, 09178872382; R5, Benjamin Custodio, 09213984475; R6A, Harny Tabuada, 09085477219; R6B, Antonio Diasnes, Jr., 09083054563; R7, Antonio Del Prado, 09399999777; R8A, Jed Lirios, 09078293713; R8B,Valente Villanueva, 09164026680; R9, Emmanuel Flores, 09066120734; R10A, Marilou Go, 09173199778; R10B, Crisanto Roldan, 09179851638; R11, Hyoung Joo Kim, 09395607269; R12A, Porferio Tripoli, 09391800321; R12B, Rogelio Gusilatar (OIC), 09985841772; CAR, Melvin Morte, 09175066861; CARAGA, Rigor Avenido, 09278735301; ARMM, Husin Abdulkadil, 09169367677; AFP, Gen. Alvin Parreño, 09175965679; and PNP Gen. Roberto Fajardo, 09178981823 They may also contact the PTA at tel. nos.

522-0518/522-0519/524-0457 or e-mail: philippinetaekwondo@gmail.com/philtkd@gmail. com.

The summer program is also supported

by PLDT, Meralco, Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Olympic Committee and MILO.

Sports

Riera U. Mallari, Editor; Reuel Vidal, Assistant Editor sports@manilastandard.net; sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

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MONDAY, APRIL 8, 2019

Batangas, SJ Knights force KO games INAUGURAL staging champion Batangas City and San Juan salvaged similar hard-earned wins late Saturday night to set up a winner-take-all showdown with their respective division finals rivals in the MPBL Datu Cup held at two separate venues.

The Tanduay-backed Athletics had to content themselves playing at their adopted venue at the La Salle Sentrum in Lipa City after their home court in Batangas City wasn’t made available due to an important event.

Batangas City needed an extra period before pulling off a pulsating 76-74 win over the Davao Occidental Tigers-Cocolife, as the series shifted back to Davao City for the third and deciding game of the southern division finals.

Jeff Viernes and Jhaymo Eguilos struggled offensively, but managed to find ways contributing and helping the Athletics from keeping their post season campaign alive.

Viernes struggled offensively, but scored the last five points of the Athletics and lifted the team to victory. He was able to score most of his points from the free throw area where he hit 10-of-11 shooting and ended up with 20 points to lead the way for Batangas City, which is looking to win back-to-back championships in the fastest growing regional amateur basketball league put up by Senator Manny Pacquiao with PBA legend and former MVP Kenneth Duremdes serving as commissioner.

His long-time teammate, Eguilos, also struggled from the field, hitting only 2-of-9, but shot a steady 8-of-10 from the free throw line. The 6-foot5 center, who played a key figure in Batangas City’s championship run last season, also ended up with a doubledouble of 12 points and 17 rebounds.

Ex-pros Denice Villamor and Val Acuna also stepped up to the challenge and produced 15 points apiece for Batangas City.

Seventeen-year-old Yuka Saso plays a hole during the first-ever Augusta National Women’s Amateur tournament where she eventually finished at joint third. AFP

Saso takes third place at Augusta National A

UGUSTA, United States—Seventeen-year-old Yuka Saso fired a closing 69 to place joint third in the first-ever Augusta National Women’s Amateur tournament, Saturday (Sunday, Manila time).

Saso fired the solid closing round but it was not enough to catch up to winner Jennifer Kupcho, the NCAA champion from Wake Forest.

Saso fired two birdies against a bogey on the front nine and hit four birdies while making two bogeys going back to finish with a 69. Kupcho finished with a closing round of 67.

Saso fired opening rounds of 72-73 to advance to the final round at the home of The Masters. She ended up tied with Yuka Yasuda of Japan, who had a finalround 72.

Kupcho was the only other player to break 70 in the finale at Augusta National, firing a 67 to add to rounds of 68-71 for a 206 total and a four-stroke victory over Maria Fassi of Mexico, who closed with a third-straight 70.

In a dramatic battle between two 21-year-old US collegiate stars, Kupcho had three birdies and an eagle in the last six holes in firing a five-under par 67 to finish 54 holes on 10-under 206 for a four-stroke victory over Fassi, who fired her third consecutive 70.

“It’s just amazing. It’s just great to be

able to do that,” Kupcho said. “It’s a feeling I can’t describe.”

The amateur tournament was the first women’s trophy ever contested at Augusta National, which opened in 1933 but didn’t admit its first female members until 2012.

A field of 72 played the first 36 holes at nearby Champions Retreat before the top 30 advanced to the last 18 holes at the famed Masters layout.

Women’s world amateur number one Kupcho, the reigning US college champion, and Fassi, last year’s US women’s college golfer of the year, staged a dramatic duel in a historic moment.

Kupcho received the champion’s trophy in Butler Cabin, where Masters winners are presented with green jackets, and Augusta National chairman Fred Ridley told her, “You’re part of Augusta National history now.” AFP

PH Volcanoes advance to HK Quarterfinals HONG KONG—In a do-or-die match, the Philippine Volcanoes men’s rugby team scored an impressive, 24-12, upset over favored Zimbabwe at the World Series Qualifiers in Hong Kong last weekend.

It was the first time the team won a game at the Hong Kong 7s tournament and only their second time to make an appearance.

Zimbabwe was first to score within the first two minutes, but the Philippines’ Justin Villazor Coveney tied the game at 5-5 off a turnover ball.

Filipino Winger Ryan Reyes Howe followed up with another try to put the team up 10-5. In the second half, Zimbabwe quickly responded to overtake the Philippines 12-10.

But the Volcanoes’ Donald Canon Coleman soon scored off a penalty tap to make it 17-12.

A final try from Howe cemented the victory for the Philippines. The win allowed the Volcanoes to advance for the first time in history to the quarterfinals where they faced host Hong Kong.

General Manager Jake Letts lauded the victory, saying “It’s a special day for Philippine Rugby. This is the furthest we’ve come on the world stage. The future is bright for rugby in the country.”

The Volcanoes eventually lost to Hong Kong, 17-7, but the final placing was still a stellar achievement.

The Volcanoes’ aggressive game kept Hong Kong scoreless in the first half until tries from Salom Yiu Kam-shing and Russell Webb—both of which had to be referred to the video referee before they were finally given—swung the match into the home side’s favor. A late try by Tom McQueen completed Hong Kong’s comeback.

Timothy Alonso Berry (third from left) looks for a space to pass through Zimbabwe’s defense.

UST, FEU still in Final Four UNIVERSITY of Santo Tomas and Far Eastern University, playing with sense of urgency, remained in joint third after beating separate foes last weekend in the UAAP Season 81 women’s volleyball tournament at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The Tigresses posted an emphatic 25-20, 25-20, 25-16 win over University of the East, while the Lady Tamaraws downed University of the Philippines 25-21, 19-25, 25-23, 25-22.

Improving their record at 7-4, not only UST and FEU enhanced their respective Final Four bids but also moved closer to defending champion De La Salle, which sits in solo second with a 7-3 slate.

“Puwedeng sumali ang No. 2. Lahat, puwede pang lumaban

lahat. We are on the right track,” said coach Kungfu Reyes after the Tigresses completed a season sweep of the Lady Warriors.

“Magse-celebrate muna kami today, pahinga kami bukas and then by Monday, back to the drawing board. So lahat ng natutunan namin dito sa larong ito, dadalhin namin sa mga susunod naming mga laro.”

Even with their fifth loss in 11 contests, the Lady Maroons are still very much in the Final Four mix as the Diliman-based spikers are just one game out of the No. 4 slot.

Eya Laure and Sisi Rondina produced their usual numbers.

The UST’s dynamic rookie-veteran duo got a huge boost from Ysa Jimenez and KC Galdones, who combined for 18 points.

Araneta reelected to Fifa Council

By Peter Atencio PHILIPPINE Football Federation (PFF) president Mariano V. Araneta, Jr. was re-elected to the Fifa Council for the term 2019 until 2023.

Araneta’s new mandate came following the elections held during the 29th Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Congress last Saturday.

According to the PFF, Araneta was one of the seven candidates for the five spots available for the Fifa Council position.

A total of 34 votes from the 46 AFC Member Associations present during the Congress voted for Araneta.

This will be Araneta’s second term as member of the Fifa Council after being elected to serve from 2017 to 2019.

“It is a great honor to be once again elected to the Fifa Council,” said Araneta in a statement. following his election.

Also re-elected is AFC president Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa for the term 2019-2023 by acclamation.

“I thank the Asian football family for giving me the opportunity to again serve in FIFA as a council member,” added Araneta.

Araneta once played for the Philippine national football team. He has been a member of the FIFA Council since May 2017.

Araneta was born on November 9, 1954 in Barotac Nuevo, Iloilo.

He played for his town’s team in province-wide football tournaments held during the summer and Christmas season during his childhood.

Araneta attended the University of the Philippines Iloilo in high school. He then took up Civil Engineering at the Diliman campus of the University of the Philippines.

He was a varsity player for both the university’s basketball and football team.

The Fifa Council is the main decision-making body of the organization. Its members are elected by the Fifa Congress. The council is a nonexecutive, supervisory and strategic body that sets the vision for Fifa and global football.

Ladies Classic lures stellar cast

A POWER-PACKED cast headed by the cream of the country’s pro crop, three of the leading players on the LPGA of Taiwan (TLPGA) and a crack Thailand crew, gears up for a fierce showdown in the ICTSI Manila Golf Ladies Classic beginning Wednesday, April 10 at the Manila Golf Club inside the posh Forbes Park.

Reigning Ladies Philippine Golf Tour Order of Merit champion Princess Superal hopes to flaunt her shotmaking skills on a course that suits her standards as she spearheads the locals’ title drive in the 54-hole championship serving as the seventh leg of the LPGT’s seventh season and the fifth stop of this year’s TLPGA. She will be joined by 2017 OOM winner Pauline del Rosario, fellow Symetra Tour campaigners Mia Piccio and Cyna Rodriguez, multi-titled Chihiro Ikeda, Daniella Uy, Marvi Monsalve, Alex Reigning Ladies Philippine Golf Tour Etter and Gretchen Villacencio, all upbeat of their Order of Merit champion Princess Superal reads the green before trying chances at the relatively flat but tight par-71 layout to make a putt. hosting an LPGT/TLPGA event for the first time.

But the locals will be in for a tough challenge with No. 3 Babe Liu and joint No. 5 Lin Tzu-Chi and Hsin Lee bannering the 25-strong Taiwanese side that also includes former LPGT/TLPGA leg winner Ching Huang, Chen Hsuan, Chen Meng-Chu, Tsai Hsin-En, Yu Pei-Lin and Shih Chen-Hsuan.

Thailand also boasts of a slew of aces ready to cash in on their winning run in the circuit put up

by ICTSI and organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc., led by Thanutra Boonraksasat, who outdueled Superal to win by one in the last LPGT event at Manila Southwoods last month, and many-time champion Yupaporn Kawinpakorn.

Others tipped to contend in the $100,000 event, sanctioned by TLPGA and backed by Custom Clubmakers, Meralco, K&G Golf Apparel, BDO, Sharp, KZG, PLDT, Empire Golf and Sports and M.Y. Shokai Technology, Inc., are LPGT leg winners Onkanok Soisuwan, Supakchaya Pattaranakrueang and Wannasiri Sirisampant along with Chatprapa Siriprakob, Saraporn Chamchoi and Ornnicha Konsunthea.

IN BRIEF

Business

Dominguez wants SSS to cut expenses FINANCE Secretary Carlos Dominguez III, who is also the new Social Security Commission chairman, cited a need to reduce the state-run pension fund’s overhead expenses and use digital tools so that its members can gain easier access to services.

“We need to be very prudent in managing expenses because we are talking about the hard-earned savings of Filipino workers. The new SSS law has provided the means to beef up the pension fund through contribution rate adjustments,” Dominguez said in a statement.

“Our role now is to digitize processes that will make it easier for members to access services. Modernizing systems will also eventually save on costs and other operating expenses,” Dominguez said.

Under the Social Security Act of 2018, SSS is allowed to spend no more than 12 percent of the total yearly contributions plus 3 percent of other revenues for administrative and operational expenses, such as salaries and wages, supplies and materials, depreciation and the maintenance of offices. Julito G. Rada

Anti-trust body files case against Urban Deca, 8990 T

By Othel V. Campos

he Philippine Competition Commission filed a case against Urban Deca Homes Manila Condominium Corp. and mass housing developer 8990 Holdings Inc. for allegedly breaching the anti-trust law when they allowed an exclusive internet service tie-up on their property in Tondo, Manila.

SBITC adds 4 reach stackers in Subic port SUBIC Bay International Terminal Corp. said it added four reach stackers to ensure efficient port operations and optimize container yard space of the Subic port terminal.

The installation of reach stackers is part of the terminal operator’s initiative to further enhance its capacity in handling unladen containers from the surge of imports, after being assigned as an empty evacuation center last year.

“Our investments in global standard port equipment and systems help in maintaining robust operations in NCT 1 & 2 to meet the needs and demands of our partners,” SBITC. “These firm up our position as a competitive international gateway for industries in the freeport area and the North and Central Luzon region,” it added.

The reach stackers which arrived at the terminal this month will be fully operational by April. Each stacker will have a load capacity of 45,000 kg, which can stack up to five containers high.

The port currently has seven reach stackers for yard and vessel operations.

Darwin G. Amojelar

The commission’s enforcement unit charged the companies for alleged abuse of dominance by imposing a sole internet service provider on residents and tenants, preventing them from availing alternative fixed-line ISPs. It was the first abuse of market dominance case filed before the anti-trust agency in violation of Section 15 of the Philippine Competition Act, which prohibits abuses of dominant position.

Urban Deca Homes Manila is a lowcost condominium that is a part of the property portfolio of 8990 Holdings Inc. developed by Euson Realty and Develop-

ment Corp. and Tondo Holdings Corp.

“This is a fair warning to businesses that resort to exclusive partnerships to corner profit and hinder the entry of other competitors in the exercise of its market power. This act of abuse of dominance limits the choices made available to residents and is a violation of the competition law,” said PCC enforcement office director Orlando Polinar.

The enforcement office said that as the investigative and prosecutorial arm of PCC, it found that Urban Deca Homes Manila’s property manager blocked other ISPs from installing fixed-line internet on

units and from marketing their services to interested residents.

Numerous complaints from unit owners and tenants of Urban Deca Homes triggered the probe, with allegations that they were prevented from applying for other ISPs despite the slow, expensive and unreliable service of the in-house “Fiber to Deca Homes”.

Residents complained that “Fiber to Deca Homes” charges P1,249 for 2 megabits per second which is almost equivalent to a 5 Mbps plan from other service providers, while its 5Mbps monthly plan of P2,599 only costs P1,299 from other networks.

Its 6 Mbps service costs P2,949 which is equivalent to 50 Mbps from one ISP, and almost the same price for 100 Mbps from another ISP. “Through this case, the PCC enforcement office intends to stop the property manager and developer from limiting the market for fixed-line internet so third-party providers may enter such market under reasonable terms and offer choices to the residents,” said Polinar.

PISI finds inferior rebars in Cordilleras THE Philippine Iron and Steel Institute said over the weekend substandard concrete reinforcing steel bars (rebars) used primarily for the construction of homes were being sold in several hardware stores in Baguio City, Benguet, Mountain Province, and Ifugao.

The institute conducted market monitoring and “test buy” in 12 hardware stores in the northern Luzon provinces early this year. It confirmed with the Metals Industry Research and Development Center that substandard rebars were proliferating in these Cordillera provinces, with many steel bars found to be underweight, with low elongation or undersized.

Four stores were found to be selling substandard rebars made by Wan Chiong Steel, which was suspended by the Department of Trade and Industry in late 2018. Othel V. Campos

LOGISTICS FACILITY. Work on the South Mega Distribution Center kicks as part of the collaboration between Aboitiz Construction Inc. and Metro Pacific Movers Inc. to build a facility that will facilitate the movement of goods while generating thousands of local jobs. Attending the groundbreaking ceremony are (from left) Metro Pacific Movers president and chief executive Jose Ma. Lim, director Marilyn Victorio-Aquino, Property Company of Friends president Guillermo Choa, Metro Pacific Movers chairman Manuel Pangilinan, Cavite District 6 Rep. Luis Ferrer IV, General Trias Mayor Antonio Ferrer, Aboitiz Construction chairman Jim Aboitiz, Aboitiz Construction president and chief operating officer Albert Ignacio Jr. and first vice president Jonathan Bendebel, and Aboitiz Construction board adviser Eduardo Aboitiz.

Ray S. Eñano, Editor Roderick T. dela Cruz, Assistant Editor business@manilastandard.net extrastory2000@gmail.com MONDAY, APRIL 8, 2019

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Megaworld’s net income grew 17% to P15.2b in 2018

By Jenniffer B. Austria PROPERTY developer Megaworld Corp. said net income attributable to its parent company increased 17 percent in 2018 to P15.2 billion from P13 billion in 2017 on double-digit growth in residential and rental revenues.

Megaworld said in a statement over the weekend consolidated revenues grew 15 percent in 2018 to P57.4 billion from P50 billion in 2017.

Rental businesses, comprising of office and commercial leasing, rose 21 percent to P14.3 billion from the previous year’s P11.8 billion.

Leasing portfolio contributed 25 percent to the group’s total consolidated revenues last year.

Megaworld said that in 2018, it achieved more than 70 percent of its 2020 rental income target of P20 billion.

The company opened its biggest mall development outside of Metro Manila in 2018—the Festive Walk Mall in Iloilo Business Park offering around 90,000 square meters in gross floor area.

It said that in terms of office development, it won the long-term lease contract to build the 25-story Philippine Global Service Center of JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A. The project was regarded as the country’s biggest single lease transaction to date was, with around 70,000 square meters of ‘build-to-suit’ office spaces for a single company alone.

“We have already secured multiple pre-lease deals for our office buildings as well those that are in the pipeline until next year. Same goes to our mall and commercial spaces that are set to open in our various townships,” Megaworld chief strategy officer Kevin Tan said.

“For our residential properties, we continue to see strong take-up especially in our mature townships, and there is already a consistently growing interest in our newly-launched townships,” Tan said.

Megaworld’s residential business went up 11.5 percent in 2018 to P38 billion from P34.1 billion in 2017.

Megaworld launched 25 residential projects with total sales value of around P106 billion last year. Reservation sales also reached P135 billion in 2018.

Hotel revenues went up 14 percent in 2018 to P1.5 billion from P1.3 billion in 2017.

New scientific studies now indicate Meralco, Japan partners investing P6.3b in Clark e-cigarettes help users quit smoking By Alena Mae S. Flores NEW scientific studies are helping prove the case for e-cigarettes as a viable solution to smoking cessation.

Recent research published in the New England Journal of Medicine, one of the world’s leading medical journals, concluded that e-cigarettes were more effective in helping smokers quit than traditional nicotine-replacement therapy products.

The study followed 886 smokers who were seeking government assistance to stop smoking. They were randomly assigned to use either e-cigarettes or NRTs like patches, gums, and lozenges. Both groups also attended weekly counseling sessions.

After one year, 18 percent of e-cigarette users had successfully quit smoking compared to 9.9 percent of those using NRTs. In addition, more e-cigarette users reduced their smoking by at least 50 percent, while e-cigarette

users also reported higher satisfaction and rated the device as more helpful than NRTs. The study prompted local advocacy groups to urge the Department of Health to view the results as sound evidence that e-cigarettes can help reduce smoking rates in the country.

According to the Global Adult Tobacco Survey, there are more than 16.6 million Filipino tobacco smokers, of whom 76.7 percent planned or were thinking about quitting. About 56.5 percent visited a healthcare provider in the past 12 months and were advised to quit smoking. However, only less than four percent were are to successfully quit.

Countries like the United Kingdom and Canada, where e-cigarettes are regulated rather than banned, are seeing historic reductions in smoking prevalence and a resulting decrease in tobacco-related deaths.

THE joint venture of Manila Electric Co., Marubeni Corp., The Kansai Electric Power Co. Inc. and Chubu Electric Power Co. Inc. are investing P6.3 billion over 25 years to operate and maintain the electric power distribution system in New Clark City.

The decision followed the signing of a joint venture agreement between the Meralco Marubeni Consortium and Bases Conversion Development Authority on April 3 for the financing, design and engineering, establishment, construction, development and operation and maintenance of the electric power distribution system in New Clark City project.

“This transaction involves the financing, design and engineering, establishment, construction, development and operation and maintenance of the electric power distribution system in New Clark City for an initial period of 25 years, renewable for another 25 years,” Meralco said in a disclosure to the stock exchange Friday.

Meralco said the necessary regulatory requirements included Philippine Competition Commission’s approval, legislative franchise, certificate of public convenience and necessity and capital expenditures and rate approvals by the Energy Regulatory Commission.

“The transaction is an opportunity for Meralco to participate in the development of New Clark City and generate additional revenues in the operation of its electric distribution system there,” Meralco said.

The Meralco-Marubeni consortium special purpose vehicle is majoritycontrolled by Meralco with a 60-percent stake, Marubeni Corp. with 20 percent, Kansai Electric Power Co. with 10 percent and Chubu Electric Power with 10 percent. BCDA will reportedly take the remaining 10 percent.

BCDA already issued the notice of award to Meralco as the power distributor of New Clark City after offering the lowest power supply rate. Meralco and Marubeni submitted the lowest power

distribution rate for the New Clark City at P0.6188 per kilowatt-hour.

The Meralco consortium is initially investing around P1 billion to put up the power distribution facilities at New Clark City in preparation for the 30th Southeast Asian Games slated late this year.

Meralco senior vice president Rogelio Singson said the company was initially looking at a demand of 10 to 14 megawatts for the New Clark City facilities.

“It can still be ramped up. So we were telling them, at first they want everything smart, underground. I said, with that demand, how much tariff are you prepared to pay…Overhead, we can do it….Smart city yes, but not immediately until you have the consumption,” Singson said.

He said Meralco committed that the power lines to the facilities would be ready by June or July.

“We’re helping them [BCDA] out in terms of specifications so that when it is eventually turned over to Meralco, it is acceptable,” Singson said.

Finance expects the peso to remain stable this year

By Julito G. Rada THE Finance Department expects the peso to remain stable this year, saying its strength in the first quarter tracked the movement of other currencies in Southeast Asia.

Finance Undersecretary Gil Beltran said in a report over the weekend the peso followed its peers in Southeast Asia in gaining strength against the US dollar in the first three months.

“Year-to-date, the peso appreciated modestly by 0.01 percent. The peso-dollar exchange also remains stable throughout the period, its coefficient of variation at 0.56 percent,” Beltran said.

Beltran said while the outlook for the peso remained tilted towards the downside owing to a grow-

ing current account deficit, which, in turn, is on account of increased importation of capital goods, the country’s external stance remained generally strong.

“First, it has ample buffers against heightened external headwinds; its gross international reserves remain high at $82.9 billion, equivalent to 7.3 months of imports of goods and services,” Beltran said.

“Second, it has prudently trimmed its external debt exposure.

External debt-GDP ratio as of end2018 remains comfortably low at 23.9 percent in 2018, significantly down from 59.7 percent in 2005,” he said.

The country’s trade deficit in 2018 ballooned 51 percent to $41.4 billion from $27.38 billion in 2017,

as imports continued to outpace exports, the Philippine Statistics Authority data showed.

Imports last year grew 13 percent to $108.92 billion from $96.093 billion in 2017, while exports declined 1.77 percent to $67.487 billion from $68.712 billion in 2017.

Economists from First Metro Investment Corp. and University of Asia & the Pacific said the peso might remain strong for a limited period.

The economies said in the latest Market Call capital markets research that the US dollar had rebounded “amidst a robust economy and slightly higher interest rates that go with it, despite a likely delay and fewer Fed policy rate hikes than its previous projections.”

NICKEL CONFERENCE. Philippine Nickel Industry Association president Dante Bravo shares the highlights of the recent ‘2019 Nickel Initiative at the Mining Investment Asia Forum in Singapore. He reiterates the group’s commitment to discover new industry best practices, collaborate with industry movers and innovate current processes to ensure the strategic direction and sustainability of the sector.

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Business

MONDAY, APRIL 8, 2019 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Analysts expect sluggish trading

By Jenniffer B. Austria

T

RADING at the Philippine Stock Exchange is expected to remain sluggish during this shortened trading week after the index failed to breach the 7,900-point level despite the betterthan-expected March inflation rate.

“Trading will likely remain subdued on Monday especially if we draw on Friday’s muted reaction to the well-received inflation print. A holiday on Tuesday could also contribute to another quiet day,” said Papa Securities trader Gabriel Jose Perez.

Analysts said concerns of rising oil prices, declining industrial production, and lower economic growth forecast were also affecting investor sentiment.

The World Bank last week lowered its growth forecasts for the Philippine economy, citing the threat of an intensified El Niño and the failure of lawmakers to pass the 2019 national budget.

The bank said the Philippine gross domestic product would likely grow 6.4 percent this year instead of 6.5 percent, and 6.5 percent in 2020 instead of 6.6 percent.

Investors, however, will continue to monitor trade talks between the United States and China, which are reportedly in their final stretch.

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index last week declined 0.6 percent to 7,873.18, while the broader All Shares Index dipped 0.34 percent to 4,846.99. There was some bargain hunting after weighing the betterthan-expected inflation rate.

Except for industrial index, which

inched up 0.2 percent, all sub-indices posted week-on-week declines led by mining and oil (-2.5 percent), financials (-1.2 percent), services (-1 percent), property (-1 percent) and holding firms (0.05 percent).

Foreign investors were net buyers for the week by P2.86 billion, the while average daily value traded stood at P5.5 billion.

Weekly top price gainers were Phinma Energy Corp., which jumped 13.4 percent to P1.64, Shakey’s Pizza Asia Ventures Inc. which rose 10.3 percent to P13.30, and Bloomberry Resorts Corp., which advanced 7 percent to P12.84.

Weekly top price losers, meanwhile, were Cemex Holdings Inc., which slumped 23 percent to P2.02, Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp. which dropped 6.8 percent to P46 and Metro Pacific Investments Corp., which slipped 5.5 percent to P4.58.

The British pound retreated Friday after London requested another

extension in the long-running Brexit saga while global stocks rose modestly on US-China trade talk hopes and solid US jobs data.

British Prime Minister Theresa May asked the European Union to delay Britain’s departure until June 30, while the bloc itself suggested that it might be best to postpone the split for up to a year.

As so often before, sheer uncertainty over Britain’s future weighed on sterling but the currency’s downside was limited by expectations that the exit from the EU will be softened by some kind of agreement with the bloc.

“As far as most currency traders are concerned the chances of a no-deal remain remote—but at the same time a satisfactory outcome anytime soon also seems highly unlikely,” said XTB analyst David Cheetham.

In stock market deals London gained solidly as the pound slid, while Paris and Frankfurt had only small gains to show for the day’s trading.

Manila Standard BuSineSS Weekly StockS revieW STOCKS

APRIL 1-5, 2019 Close Volume

Value

MARCH 25-29, 2019 Close Volume Value

Asia United Bank Banco de Oro Unibank Inc. Bank of PI BDO Leasing & Fin. INc. Bright Kindle Resources China Bank COL Financial Eastwest Bank Ferronoux Holding First Abacus I-Remit Inc. Manulife Fin. Corp.

MEDCO Holdings Metrobank Natl. Reinsurance Corp.

PB Bank Phil Bank of Comm Phil. National Bank Phil. Savings Bank Philippine trust Co. PSE Inc. RCBC `A’ Security Bank Sun Life Financial Union Bank Vantage Equities

58.6 131.30 81.05 2.26 1.30 27.1 19.14 12.2 4.4 0.67 1.48 800.00 0.440 79.9 0.94 13.8 21.40 58.00 58 111.1 196.8 26.1 178.3 1800.00 61.00 1.13

49,390 8,666,930 8,685,470 47,000 316,000 501,800 95,400 2,208,000 631,000 5,000 345,000 880 390,000 8,085,180 1,232,000 39,600 34,500 3,024,370 7,030 150 19,690 179,800 2,631,560 20 31,100 20,000

FINANCIAL 2,888,757.50 1,137,766,240.00 715,514,313.00 105,380.00 416,840.00 13,459,735.00 1,827,348.00 22,071,856.00 2,714,370.00 3,390.00 498,450.00 706,600.00 173,450.00 634,236,432.00 1,143,730.00 556,210.00 735,815.00 173,969,104.00 404,247.00 18,118.00 3,871,325.00 4,752,660.00 463,252,565.00 36,000.00 1,900,757.50 22,660.00

58.65 133.80 84.20 2.28 1.31 26.85 19 12.16 4.27 0.69 1.4 785.00 0.445 79.9 0.93 13.8 21.45 57.00 57.8 110.1 198 26.7 173 1800.00 60.85 1.13

49,230 8,110,450 7,934,140 144,000 395,000 533,600 89,100 1,764,100 137,000 33,611,000 20,000 620 990,000 6,944,790 2,208,000 102,800 8,400 2,339,530 4,020 110 7,690 144,000 2,055,770 60 69,530 14,000

2,874,972.50 1,074,447,256.00 671,564,574.00 320,570.00 528,380.00 14,426,195.00 1,695,186.00 21,686,840.00 570,430.00 21,174,430.00 28,000.00 495,500.00 448,650.00 553,881,420.50 2,163,770.00 1,405,906.00 179,230.00 136,377,454.00 233,917.50 12,478.00 1,492,148.00 3,831,130.00 350,060,080.00 27,475.00 4,220,936.00 15,870.00

Aboitiz Power Corp.

Agrinurture Inc. Alliance Tuna Intl Inc. Alsons Cons.

Basic Energy Corp.

Bogo Medelin C. Azuc De Tarlac Cemex Holdings Century Food Chemphil Cirtek Holdings (Chips) Conc. Aggr. ‘A’ Concepcion Crown Asia Da Vinci Capital Del Monte DNL Industries Inc. Eagle Cement EEI Emperador Euro-Med Lab First Gen Corp.

First Holdings ‘A’ Ginebra San Miguel Inc. Greenergy Holcim Philippines Inc. Integ. Micro-Electronics Ionics Inc Jollibee Foods Corp.

Liberty Flour LMG Chemicals Mabuhay Vinyl Macay Holdings Manila Water Co. Inc. Maxs Group Megawide MG Holdings Mla. Elect. Co `A’ Panasonic Mfg Phil. Corp.

Pepsi-Cola Products Phil.

Petroenergy Res. Corp.

Petron Corporation Phinma Corporation Phinma Energy Phoenix Petroleum Phils.

Pilipinas Shell Pryce Corp. `A’ RFM Corporation Roxas and Co. Roxas Holdings SFA Semicon Shakeys Pizza SMC Food and Beverage SPC Power Corp.

Swift Foods, Inc. TKC Steel Corp.

Universal Robina Victorias Milling Vitarich Corp.

Vivant Corp.

Vulcan Ind’l.

36 16.5 0.95 1.43 0.240 97.45 15.00 2.02 15.6 108 28.8 72.95 43.1 1.91 5.87 6.19 11.500 15.94 9.79 7.25 1.63 21.45 79.4 29.00 2.6700 11.10 12.8 1.770 320.00 53.00 3.93 3.52 10.30 23.65 15.38 22.1 0.190 378.80 6.78 1.4 4.34 6.37 9.25 1.64 12.06 46 5.48 4.67 1.7 2.42 1.33 13.3 105 7.2 0.130 1.10 151.6 2.5 1.7 16.98 1.20

3,327,900 3,394,800 11,279,000 3,385,000 1,690,000 740 13,000 329,225,000 7,101,200 9,330 378,200 120 11,100 2,539,000 234,500 118,300 5,497,900 481,600 5,362,000 649,200 55,000 3,044,600 934,320 660,700 57,316,000 18,599,600 3,422,900 2,851,000 3,431,750 2,920 351,000 168,000 77,900 7,986,800 14,443,000 12,211,000 3,000,000 941,820 189,800 41,961,000 778,000 6,253,200 135,400 224,311,000 670,900 2,777,200 1,388,100 1,503,000 1,113,000 691,000 688,000 52,886,100 1,857,020 2,634,500 770,000 19,547,000 3,730,820 262,000 11,040,000 3,000 30,714,000

INDUSTRIAL 117,944,940.00 52,684,882.00 10,723,450.00 4,750,720.00 397,920.00 72,148.00 191,340.00 721,258,830.00 110,165,048.00 1,026,180.00 11,029,350.00 8,451.50 479,505.00 4,827,730.00 1,241,474.00 712,630.00 62,613,546.00 7,622,832.00 51,553,728.00 4,720,247.00 89,770.00 64,974,990.00 74,855,353.00 18,686,890.00 145,158,210.00 202,490,424.00 43,290,684.00 5,146,010.00 1,092,124,198.00 154,124.00 1,407,980.00 586,450.00 831,228.00 189,875,380.00 211,282,802.00 265,988,395.00 599,200.00 357,983,600.00 1,231,259.00 59,686,250.00 3,329,310.00 40,076,328.00 1,220,743.00 348,646,360.00 8,068,396.00 130,825,335.00 7,640,659.00 7,026,970.00 1,910,740.00 1,674,460.00 889,880.00 124,203,966.00 194,556,055.00 18,669,938.00 99,970.00 22,054,730.00 568,805,621.00 655,000.00 18,709,020.00 50,940.00 34,111,120.00

35.4 14.88 0.95 1.47 0.244 97.75 15.28 2.62 15.64 118.9 29.35 75 43.2 1.9 5.51 6.24 11.240 16 9.21 7.38 1.64 21.8 79.25 29.05 2.4200 10.22 12.5 1.740 317.00 53.00 4.05 3.5 10.60 23.05 13.8 21.5 0.202 380.00 5.97 1.41 4.15 6.49 9.07 1.44 12.22 49.4 5.75 4.78 1.72 2.55 1.33 12 108 6.85 0.128 1.01 152 2.6 1.7 16.98 1.16

3,780,700 2,868,500 16,124,000 3,374,000 1,420,000 400 23,000 67,224,000 2,986,700 740 402,800 2,530 25,000 1,150,000 34,900 27,900 3,557,900 6,184,900 7,179,500 7,596,300 606,000 6,150,000 1,407,080 419,500 44,320,000 23,825,600 6,543,700 1,890,000 4,703,600 910 50,000 26,000 311,600 6,802,000 18,407,500 8,255,300 5,460,000 1,088,480 252,500 26,087,000 390,000 20,321,600 85,100 129,735,000 338,000 3,566,480 415,900 5,450,000 709,000 379,000 392,000 1,305,400 1,006,510 1,898,500 3,050,000 30,155,000 5,086,970 219,000 12,606,000 200 21,026,000

132,007,090.00 41,998,934.00 15,872,640.00 4,964,120.00 336,900.00 36,286.00 339,494.00 177,047,450.00 46,880,844.00 81,470.00 11,818,520.00 189,711.50 1,071,045.00 2,177,200.00 192,599.00 173,419.00 40,056,674.00 98,894,756.00 67,342,546.00 55,238,955.00 1,104,590.00 129,082,055.00 111,924,043.50 11,884,050.00 103,410,860.00 245,764,721.00 82,807,232.00 3,241,110.00 1,472,869,798.00 48,280.00 202,530.00 91,120.00 3,515,416.00 160,009,530.00 243,900,172.00 173,588,990.00 1,071,060.00 412,342,930.00 1,538,609.00 36,423,690.00 1,586,700.00 132,208,084.00 755,200.00 185,191,140.00 4,107,320.00 177,404,738.00 2,413,042.00 25,962,320.00 1,259,760.00 976,090.00 512,220.00 15,818,930.00 104,051,172.00 13,019,141.00 392,760.00 35,362,710.00 762,528,326.00 567,660.00 21,195,430.00 3,298.00 24,491,390.00

Abacus Cons. `A’ Aboitiz Equity Alliance Global Inc. Anglo Holdings A Anscor `A’ Asiabest Group ATN Holdings A ATN Holdings B Ayala Corp `A’ Cosco Capital DMCI Holdings F&J Prince ‘A’ Filinvest Dev. Corp.

Forum Pacific GT Capital House of Inv. JG Summit Holdings Jolliville Holdings Lodestar Invt. Holdg.Corp.

Lopez Holdings Corp.

LT Group Mabuhay Holdings `A’ Metro Pacific Inv. Corp.

Pacifica `A’ Prime Media Hldg Prime Orion San Miguel Corp `A’ Seafront `A’ SM Investments Inc. Solid Group Inc. South China Res. Inc. Top Frontier Transgrid Wellex Industries Zeus Holdings

0.560 59.95 15.96 0.82 6.35 20.3 1.380 1.390 922 7.64 11.74 4.5 15.14 0.244 896 6.90 64.65 5.08 0.52 5.22 16.5 0.550 4.58 0.0390 1.130 2.910 176.00 2.39 944.00 1.35 1.04 273.000 419.80 0.2400 0.365

60,768,000 8,438,840 24,425,600 12,028,000 638,700 235,900 26,883,000 3,248,000 928,930 8,110,900 19,124,200 27,000 5,048,300 1,770,000 611,600 468,500 4,332,440 3,200 4,833,000 6,872,300 26,907,500 1,401,000 111,441,000 355,000,000 34,000 6,377,000 1,093,300 1,000 840,040 411,000 45,362,000 8,140 5,050 21,090,000 176,130,000

0.610 58.95 16.16 0.81 6.50 20.25 1.430 1.450 940 7.65 12.00 4.4 15.08 0.244 931.5 7.00 63.50 5.36 0.55 5.25 16.1 0.550 4.85 0.0400 1.140 2.990 174.00 2.4 934.00 1.36 1.05 261.000 424.00 0.2400 0.370

58,190,000 2,971,870 30,578,500 154,753,000 382,900 176,000 30,479,000 7,263,000 908,290 3,099,900 16,365,100 42,000 18,711,000 2,580,000 656,720 930,700 8,513,120 177,900 5,310,000 6,439,400 10,355,400 4,350,000 118,170,000 724,000,000 147,000 9,836,000 1,669,180 20,000 959,270 985,000 191,964,000 335,670 4,030 8,410,000 325,300,000

36,038,050.00 173,912,586.50 490,148,988.00 166,948,760.00 2,488,792.00 3,550,001.00 44,175,770.00 10,570,280.00 845,699,890.00 23,597,142.00 198,655,790.00 178,420.00 301,273,444.00 589,560.00 636,730,640.00 6,318,124.00 531,334,143.50 1,045,282.00 2,835,070.00 33,640,647.00 170,640,848.00 2,540,860.00 565,747,260.00 30,770,300.00 168,900.00 29,384,510.00 290,356,053.00 48,000.00 902,304,110.00 1,304,640.00 252,071,220.00 90,110,682.00 1,743,590.00 2,034,880.00 133,037,150.00

8990 HLDG A. Brown Co., Inc. Anchor Land Holdings Inc. Araneta Prop `A’ Arthaland Corp.

Ayala Land `B’ Belle Corp. `A’ CEB Landmasters Cebu Holdings Century Property City & Land Dev. Cityland Dev. `A’ Crown Equities Inc. Cyber Bay Corp.

DM Wenceslao Double Dragon Empire East Land Ever Gotesco Filinvest Land,Inc. Global-Estate Megaworld MRC Allied Ind. Phil Infradev Phil. Estates Corp.

Phil. Realty `A’ Phil. Tob. Flue Cur & Redry Primex Corp.

Robinson’s Land `B’ Rockwell

13.580 0.80 10.92 2.000 0.790 45.000 2.36 4.14 6.5 0.530 0.87 0.940 0.241 0.410 11.460 22.4 0.510 0.130 1.50 1.34 5.68 0.355 1.6700 0.4900 0.420 50.00 2.5 24.25 2

14,995,700 2,687,000 18,800 39,000 5,187,000 51,483,300 2,164,000 3,630,000 134,300 74,306,000 232,000 658,000 16,000,000 870,000 13,491,500 4,763,600 19,694,000 40,000 68,800,000 8,135,000 76,746,500 45,110,000 16,402,000 73,588,000 1,510,000 8,390 1,490,000 10,514,000 1,028,000

12.840 0.77 10.22 1.930 0.820 44.900 2.34 4.2 6.49 0.530 0.87 0.940 0.242 0.400 11.600 22.8 0.500 0.126 1.52 1.31 5.8 0.390 1.6900 0.4850 0.440 53.50 2.68 24.50 2.05

11,678,400 6,315,000 700 282,000 4,721,000 59,735,300 2,278,000 5,532,000 15,700 122,005,000 1,132,000 551,000 21,900,000 870,000 5,038,100 2,331,800 15,909,000 50,000 91,478,000 10,827,000 98,511,000 38,520,000 20,023,000 22,490,000 2,850,000 2,590 668,000 12,785,900 872,000

154,471,482.00 4,960,190.00 7,504.00 557,300.00 3,919,180.00 2,642,972,525.00 5,369,130.00 23,523,120.00 97,836.00 63,978,310.00 966,460.00 511,290.00 5,280,640.00 342,550.00 57,750,160.00 52,933,885.00 7,979,105.00 6,300.00 137,714,630.00 13,807,820.00 564,186,391.00 14,625,150.00 35,204,230.00 10,826,650.00 1,254,250.00 126,273.00 1,795,330.00 313,289,000.00 1,778,500.00

HOLDING FIRMS 35,418,780.00 503,645,247.50 387,436,996.00 9,872,120.00 4,145,480.00 4,684,469.00 37,011,060.00 4,491,480.00 854,763,125.00 61,996,161.00 226,304,156.00 120,770.00 76,478,400.00 425,820.00 551,163,115.00 3,268,816.00 277,873,585.50 16,692.00 2,470,345.00 36,627,713.00 431,662,614.00 777,660.00 706,048,610.00 14,283,100.00 38,440.00 18,539,410.00 189,993,233.00 2,390.00 788,046,720.00 546,530.00 50,730,610.00 2,189,264.00 1,922,528.00 5,113,820.00 68,345,500.00 PROPERTY 196,823,380.00 2,105,300.00 192,932.00 75,790.00 4,114,570.00 2,307,619,120.00 5,058,100.00 15,179,350.00 852,360.00 39,939,300.00 192,800.00 608,930.00 3,857,880.00 349,850.00 161,465,328.00 110,510,820.00 10,030,185.00 5,300.00 104,184,700.00 10,787,740.00 437,525,054.00 16,591,700.00 26,838,760.00 38,267,225.00 633,100.00 427,449.50 3,804,850.00 255,735,205.00 2,062,430.00

STOCKS

APRIL 1-5, 2019 Close Volume

MARCH 25-29, 2019 Close Volume Value

Value

3 39.90 1.55 6.74 0.750 7.230

3,226,000 30,550,200 10,830,000 1,244,000 728,000 25,347,400

9,750,290.00 1,206,190,170.00 16,504,030.00 8,267,746.00 541,190.00 181,665,778.00

12.2 20.65 1.25 0.440 0.044 15.76 2.77 12.00 0.0670 82.95 7.6 5.68 6.74 2.11 12.18 903 1938 5.79 370.60 11.92 2.99 130.7 1.88 10.8 7.10 0.131 5.2600 3.05 15.4 3.73 0.93 22.40 15.02 0.590 4.83 3.32 1.73 1.75 2.550 4.85 10.60 3.2 4.75

155,700 951,800 28,000 9,020,000 57,300,000 661,400 1,563,000 12,239,600 413,630,000 730,080 29,800 2,355,400 553,800 6,000 1,395,700 30 107,680 2,422,300 10,390 1,600 10,983,000 12,600,760 211,000 5,100 59,900 87,720,000 8,910,600 34,000 51,300 20,566,000 125,518,000 10,645,000 900 35,372,000 124,000 10,079,000 347,000 20,000 4,034,000 2,099,600 108,400 98,000 260,000

1,909,828.00 19,828,895.00 35,230.00 4,022,400.00 2,443,800.00 10,423,806.00 4,268,030.00 145,574,278.00 29,152,900.00 59,872,805.50 227,870.00 13,772,115.00 3,788,838.00 12,680.00 18,765,864.00 27,090.00 210,280,530.00 13,963,076.00 3,869,474.00 19,056.00 33,053,320.00 1,611,104,740.00 412,140.00 54,990.00 425,335.00 12,123,470.00 47,597,149.00 105,690.00 792,686.00 78,414,280.00 149,313,450.00 229,275,405.00 13,518.00 21,504,730.00 580,780.00 32,753,070.00 597,820.00 36,200.00 10,386,960.00 12,010,706.00 1,131,048.00 312,650.00 1,216,010.00

125.00 2.71

153,720 14,343,000

19,253,983.00 40,299,020.00

1150.00 1.010 0.850 48.10 79.00 8.95 2.37 0.710 0.41 5.64 0.670 15.480

602,165 191,916,000 29,795,000 2,015,500 3,970,230 57,800 10,808,000 10,721,000 15,620,000 2,689,400 4,840,000 25,680,800

695,754,690.00 200,829,580.00 25,398,610.00 96,330,650.00 316,835,666.50 509,216.00 25,593,020.00 7,651,080.00 6,532,800.00 15,135,725.00 3,274,590.00 392,215,150.00

0.0021 1.43 3.17 12.56 1.2700 1.4400 2.61 0.295 7.90 1.550 0.280 0.120 0.117 0.009 0.0090 1.06 2.49 1.05 0.6200 0.9100 0.0120 0.0120 3.43 12.28 0.0120 3.1800 21.95 0.0072

748,000,000 11,476,000 2,545,000 1,370,025,600 293,000 943,000 6,779,000 760,000 3,500 14,991,000 133,650,000 2,790,000 1,040,000 69,000,000 24,000,000 172,000 7,319,000 1,255,000 3,635,000 1,533,000 30,400,000 26,200,000 3,892,000 12,048,300 125,200,000 144,000 8,034,900 21,000,000

921,000.00 16,365,700.00 7,771,020.00 327,654.00 378,370.00 1,272,200.00 17,303,380.00 229,650.00 27,710.00 23,020,670.00 40,630,230.00 333,740.00 121,990.00 576,400.00 205,600.00 185,730.00 18,114,240.00 1,347,120.00 2,346,990.00 1,408,340.00 367,000.00 316,000.00 13,847,630.00 155,660,378.00 1,486,300.00 438,990.00 180,369,505.00 147,400.00

19.2

791,800

15,917,995.00

479.6 497 97.5 100.8 450.6 494.8 5.74 900 925 93 0.98 101.8 985 99.5 106.4 980 75 75.9 71.6 72.5 73.6 73 72 74.5

7,070 12,500 33,690 3,700 1,400 6,010 447,900 2,680 10,360 41,480 5,931,000 180 230 15,470 790 10,940 8,410 48,830 80,020 387,960 738,230 381,990 537,900 144,910

3,324,020.00 6,207,106.00 3,348,899.50 372,960.00 630,840.00 2,885,598.00 2,528,002.00 2,412,435.00 9,328,050.00 3,870,622.00 5,818,490.00 18,056.00 228,110.00 1,539,265.00 84,056.00 10,648,775.00 630,670.00 3,708,211.50 5,741,838.00 27,959,369.50 54,212,056.00 27,926,700.00 38,734,200.00 10,830,822.00

1.850

5,535,000

11,239,270.00

SME 2,633,820.00 30,380,370.00

4.86 1.13

1,798,500 83,801,000

8,776,147.00 408,138,170.00

117.6

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 18,530 2,178,538.00

118

31,060

3,645,141.00

10 10.16 0.98

DOLLAR DENONIMATED SEC. 56,490 565,970.00 18,220 185,225.20 57,300 56,344.00

10.3 10.2 0.99

11,810 10,230 13,620

121,643.00 104,306.20 13,510.00

Shang Properties Inc. SM Prime Holdings Sta. Lucia Land Inc. Starmalls Suntrust Home Dev. Inc. Vista Land & Lifescapes

3.06 38.95 1.63 6.85 0.750 7.240

711,000 22,205,400 3,572,000 1,117,300 938,000 20,481,700

2GO Group’ ABS-CBN Acesite Hotel APC Group, Inc. Apollo Global Asian Terminals Inc. Berjaya Phils. Inc. Bloomberry Boulevard Holdings Cebu Air Inc. (5J) Centro Esc. Univ.

Chelsea DFNN Inc. Discovery World Easy Call “Common” FEUI Globe Telecom GMA Network Inc. Golden Haven Grand Plaza Hotel Harbor Star I.C.T.S.I. Imperial Res. `A’ IPeople Inc. `A’ IPM Holdings Island Info ISM Communications Jackstones LBC Express Leisure & Resorts Lorenzo Shipping Macroasia Corp.

Manila Broadcasting Manila Bulletin Manila Jockey Metro Retail MetroAlliance A MetroAlliance B NOW Corp.

Pacific Online Sys. Corp.

PAL Holdings Inc. Paxys Inc. PH Resorts Group Phil. Racing Club Phil. Seven Corp.

Philweb.Com Inc. PLDT Comm & Energy PLDT Common PremiereHorizon Premium Leisure Puregold Robinsons RTL SBS Phil. Corp.

SSI Group STI Holdings Transpacific Broadcast Travellers Waterfront Phils.

Wilcon Depot

12.7 19.8 1.25 0.440 0.043 16 2.5 12.84 0.0710 86 7.5 5.36 6.80 2.22 10.50 895 1908 5.80 399.80 9.83 3.01 123.5 1.87 10.8 7.08 0.129 4.9100 3.15 15.8 3.91 0.97 22.80 17.30 0.650 4.81 3.27 1.77 1.88 2.540 4.5 10.20 3.13 4.73 8.48 121.00 2.74 1105.00 1145.00 0.960 0.850 48.20 80.00 8.99 2.45 0.680 0.39 5.64 0.710 15.320

123,800 1,699,300 22,000 2,310,000 58,900,000 104,400 3,592,000 39,047,900 244,110,000 973,460 30,500 5,551,700 446,700 17,000 423,600 50 105,390 4,281,400 17,550 500 4,607,000 6,008,790 62,000 17,800 64,000 13,270,000 42,062,800 715,000 44,000 12,606,000 15,659,000 9,504,700 900 35,444,000 51,000 17,101,000 762,000 119,000 4,307,000 559,000 96,500 12,000 190,000 300 350,800 5,618,000 82,710 404,320 504,303,000 17,971,000 4,795,200 3,561,360 756,500 27,281,000 13,049,000 32,570,000 6,317,700 17,351,000 18,979,900

Abra Mining Apex `A’ Atlas Cons. `A’ Atok-Big Wedge `A’ Benguet Corp `A’ Benguet Corp `B’ Century Peak Metals Hldgs Coal Asia Dizon Ferronickel Geograce Res. Phil. Inc. Lepanto `A’ Lepanto `B’ Manila Mining `A’ Manila Mining `B’ Marcventures Hldgs., Inc. Nickelasia Nihao Mineral Resources Omico Oriental Peninsula Res. Oriental Pet. `A’ Oriental Pet. `B’ Philex `A’ PhilexPetroleum Philodrill Corp. `A’ Phinma Petro Semirara Corp.

United Paragon

0.0020 1.37 2.94 12.92 1.4400 1.4000 2.69 0.300 8.26 1.610 0.260 0.118 0.130 0.009 0.0085 1.06 2.56 1.04 0.6100 0.9000 0.0130 0.0120 3.37 9.48 0.0110 3.1600 21.85 0.0070

MINING & OIL 402,887,000,000 6,573,300.00 6,927,000 9,609,500.00 912,000 2,732,430.00 20,000 250,180.00 1,110,000 1,761,650.00 760,000 1,212,190.00 4,028,000 10,679,530.00 2,850,000 855,200.00 98,200 791,135.00 24,831,000 39,579,910.00 36,080,000 9,524,500.00 7,570,000 876,610.00 680,000 80,730.00 70,000,000 576,200.00 34,000,000 295,500.00 278,000 300,750.00 6,908,000 17,657,080.00 806,000 814,850.00 523,000 316,100.00 2,143,000 1,927,180.00 24,100,000 125,600.00 101,900,000 1,223,600.00 3,281,000 11,097,310.00 22,313,400 215,308,814.00 50,700,000 560,000.00 386,000 1,162,870.00 2,812,500 61,564,990.00 44,000,000 308,500.00

ABS-CBN Holdings Corp.

Alco Preferred B Ayala Corp. Pref `B1’ Ayala Corp. Pref ‘B2’ DD PREF First Gen G FPH Pref C GLOBE PREF P GMA Holdings Inc. GTCAP PREF A GTCAP PREF B House Preferred Leisure and Resort MWIDE PREF PCOR-Preferred A PNX PREF 3A PNX PREF 3B SMC FB PREF 2 SMC Preferred B SMC Preferred C SMC Preferred D SMC Preferred E SMC Preferred F SMC Preferred G SMC Preferred H SMC Preferred I Swift Pref

19.56 99.5 465.6 485 98.5 104.3 450.6 494.8 5.61 900 925 95.75 1 102.7 1000 100.5 106 971 74.8 75.75 73.8 74.25 74.5 74.35 72.9 72.15 1.5

664,400 36,000 3,040 1,510 35,200 10,110 730 80 555,800 12,080 14,650 2,590 1,883,000 1,000 30 1,920 80 1,170 125,580 129,840 12,890 14,770 141,080 7,080 106,670 68,800 58,000

LR Warrant

1.960

WARRANTS & BONDS 1,015,000 1,956,080.00

Italpinas Xurpas

4.86 1.19

539,000 27,727,000

First Metro ETF USD DMPL A1 USD DMPL A2 USD TECH B2

2,137,210.00 874,045,335.00 5,648,530.00 7,593,574.00 702,250.00 147,537,678.00 SERVICES 1,548,816.00 33,694,047.00 27,500.00 989,700.00 2,410,100.00 1,655,446.00 9,400,880.00 483,415,604.00 17,189,320.00 80,997,256.50 231,304.00 29,783,161.00 2,960,309.00 36,300.00 4,712,210.00 44,615.00 202,217,140.00 25,017,870.00 6,823,492.00 5,118.00 13,742,650.00 764,218,284.00 115,680.00 188,900.00 453,845.00 1,731,910.00 203,125,886.00 2,317,870.00 689,622.00 48,408,410.00 15,338,290.00 102,431,775.00 15,314.00 22,836,780.00 234,110.00 55,906,360.00 1,375,220.00 214,550.00 10,933,700.00 2,483,520.00 993,108.00 37,280.00 878,300.00 2,545.00 42,879,274.00 15,319,460.00 91,730,685.00 459,011,605.00 496,690,110.00 15,295,190.00 230,636,270.00 283,770,716.00 6,796,591.00 66,301,050.00 8,969,200.00 13,030,550.00 35,583,831.00 12,190,200.00 293,964,742.00

PREFERRED 12,673,824.00 3,593,660.00 1,415,960.00 729,870.00 3,442,091.00 1,018,363.00 328,938.00 39,584.00 3,140,319.00 10,872,000.00 13,082,790.00 241,730.00 1,876,300.00 102,015.00 29,410.00 192,857.00 8,480.00 1,135,730.00 9,389,488.00 9,808,601.50 935,232.50 1,067,180.50 10,528,280.50 525,898.00 7,776,680.00 5,034,112.00 87,410.00

WEEKLY MOST TRADED STOCKS Abra Mining PremiereHorizon Pacifica `A’ Cemex Holdings Boulevard Holdings Phinma Energy Zeus Holdings Metro Pacific Inv. Corp.

Oriental Pet. `B’ Megaworld

VOLUME 402,887,000,000 504,303,000 355,000,000 329,225,000 244,110,000 224,311,000 176,130,000 111,441,000 101,900,000 76,746,500

STOCKS Ayala Land `B’ Banco de Oro Unibank Inc. Jollibee Foods Corp.

SM Prime Holdings Ayala Corp `A’ SM Investments Inc. I.C.T.S.I. Cemex Holdings Bank of PI Metro Pacific Inv. Corp.

VALUE 2,307,619,120.00 1,137,766,240.00 1,092,124,198.00 874,045,335.00 854,763,125.00 788,046,720.00 764,218,284.00 721,258,830.00 715,514,313.00 706,048,610.00

GMA’s profit declines 9% to P2.3b on weak ad revenues

By Darwin G. Amojelar GMA Network Inc. said net income in 2018 fell 9 percent mainly because of weak advertising revenues.

The broadcasting company registered a net profit of P2.32 billion last year from P2.55 billion in 2017.

The company’s consolidated revenues dropped 2 percent to P15.2 billion last year from P15.6 billion in 2017.

Airtime revenues amounted to P13.44 billion, down 3 percent from P13.86 billion in 2017.

“The reduction from [lower airtime revenue] was partly cushioned by the climb in other revenue sources, particularly from subsidiaries’ operators and other businesses, which reflected a mined increase of P61 million equivalent to 4 percent,” GMA said.

On a per platform basis, GMA-7 accounted for the lion’s share in its revenue pie, putting in more than three quarters of the consolidated top line.

Compared with prior year’s sales, the channel posted a reduction of 4 percent in airtime sales, arising from the contraction in advertising spending by major business partners.

GMA News TV 11 also wrapped up the year 2018 with sales lower by 6 percent. These were partly mitigated by the boost in revenues generated by the radio business, which bagged the second largest share in airtime revenues. Radio operations nationwide booked an 11-percent increase revenue compared to 2017.

Regional TV operations also recorded a 5-percent rise in sales from a year ago.

The company’s total consolidated operating expenses amounted to P11.99 billion last year, down 1 percent from a year ago.

Ratings-wise, GMA continued to win against ABS-CBN in the nationwide urban TV ratings in 2018 with a 40.8 percent average people audience share compared with the main competitor’s 37.5 percent.

GMA’s 47.6-parent people audience share average in Mega Manila was way ahead of its rival’s 28.6 parent.

The network likewise posted a doubledigit margin in TV audience share over ABS-CBN in urban Luzon.

Jollibee bullish, introduces first outlet in Guam

By Jenniffer B. Austria FAST-FOOD giant Jollibee Foods Corp. on Saturday opened its first store in Guam as part of the group’s global expansion strategy.

JFC in a statement said the store in Guam was its 38th store across American states and territories.

The standalone Jollibee store seats 205 and is in front of Micronesia Mall in Dededo, the most populous village in Guam.

“This was an exciting day for both Jollibee and our many fans in Guam who have awaited the opening of our store here,” said Dennis Flores, JFC international business president for Europe, Middle East, Asia and Australia.

“It was so fun to see such a diverse, eclectic group of people who call Guam home queueing up to enjoy our offerings and to experience the joy of eating delicious food together,” Flores added.

Over 1,000 customers lined up with some queuing for 12 hours to celebrate the first day of Jollibee’s Guam store.

The fast-food giant has been accelerating its global expansion plans as it aims to be among the top five restaurant companies in the world in terms of market capitalization.

JFC said it was focusing on the two largest economies in the world—China and United States—and other parts of the world, while sustaining business growth in the Philippines.

JFC recently announced its accelerated North American expansion plan, which includes 150 locations in the US and 100 in Canada over the next five years.

JFC last year opened Jollibee stores in four new markets, namely Italy, Macau, United Kingdom and Malaysia.

To sustain the company’s aggressive expansion plans, the fast-food giant earlier reported that it would spend P17.2 billion in capital expenditures for 2019, mainly for new stores, renovation of existing outlets and investments in manufacturing plants.

World/Buss

B3

MONDAY, APRIL 8, 2019 CESAR BARRIOQUINTO, Editor mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Venezuelans protest as Guaido seeks an escalation C

ARACAS―Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido on Saturday launched what he promised will be a “definitive” escalation of pressure to force the country’s embattled leftist leader from office.

PROTEST. Demonstrators hold placards during a protest against climate change on April 6, 2019 in Lausanne. Thousands took part in several cities across Switzerland to protest against climate change, inspired by Swedish youth activist Greta Thunberg. AFP

US official pressed for evidence clearing Trump WASHINGTON—Two weeks after he exonerated President Donald Trump in the Russia meddling investigation, Attorney General Bill Barr faces mounting pressure to show the full evidence behind his decision.

Allegations this week that the US Justice chief downplayed serious evidence of illegal obstruction by Trump in Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s final report are fueling demands that he release the entire, unexpurgated document to Congress.

News reports, citing unnamed members of Mueller’s staff, said Barr ignored the summaries Mueller’s team prepared for public release, and instead issued his own on March 24, in which he peremptorily cleared the president of any wrongdoing.

And Barr now says he will not release key evidence given to Mueller’s grand jury, a special panel used by prosecutors in politically-sensitive cases. Democrats suspect the evidence could be damning to the president—setting up a legal and

IN BRIEF Beach resort plans delayed SEOUL―North Korea has again pushed back the construction enddate of a massive beach resort―a move analysts say shows the regime is struggling from the international sanctions imposed over its nuclear weapons programs.

The eastern seaside strip, known as the Wonsan-Kalma Coastal Tourist Area, is intended as a centerpiece of the isolated country’s nascent tourism industry as Pyongyang seeks to develop its economy despite the tough economic measures.

The site’s construction has been closely overseen by leader Kim Jong Un, and was initially scheduled to open this April, to mark the birthday anniversary of the country’s founder Kim Il Sung.

But in a recent visit to the site, Kim delayed the finish date for the second time, ordering construction to be completed by the same time next year, the North’s official Korean Central News Agency reported Saturday. AFP

Egg beer draws curious drinkers HANOI―Scrambled, fried, or ... whipped into beer? It might not be the most conventional way to serve eggs, but a decades-old Hanoi cafe is delighting drinkers with a frothy beer cocktail that has no place on a breakfast menu.

The staple menu item at Giang Cafe in Hanoi’s pulsating Old Quarter is made with ice cold beer topped with creamy egg yolks whipped with sugar and a touch of butter to boost richness.

Owner Nguyen Chi Hoa said he came up with the recipe in 1999, curious how the combination might turn out.

“I made egg beer just for myself ... I thought it was good, so I decided to give it a try to see if anyone agreed,” he told AFP in his packed terracotta-tiled cafe.

The creamy beer concoction wasn’t such a dramatic departure from his most popular menu item: Vietnamese coffee topped with sweetened egg froth, now enjoyed in cafes across Hanoi among locals and tourists alike. AFP

political showdown.

The Democrat-led House Judiciary Committee this week prepared to subpoena the full report, a move Barr and the White House will almost certainly contest.

And on Thursday Jerry Nadler, the committee chairman, demanded Barr turn over all communications between his office and Mueller’s, following the reports Mueller’s staff were unhappy with the way Barr presented their conclusions.

Barr’s distillation “appears to minimize the implications of the report as to the president,” said Nadler.

“Releasing the summaries -- without delay—would begin to allow the American people to judge the facts for themselves,” Nadler wrote.

At stake is the president’s ability to put the Russia probe behind him and look to 2020 for reelection.

Trump, who declared a “complete and total exoneration” when Barr announced Mueller’s conclusions, said

this week that Democrats “are fighting hard to keep the Witch Hunt alive.”

“This is the highest level of Presidential Harassment in the history of our Country!” he tweeted.

On Tuesday, members of Congress might get their first chance to press Barr in public about the Mueller report, when he appears before the House Appropriations Committee in a hearing nominally focused on the Justice Department Budget.

In his four-page summation of the 22-month investigation on March 24, Barr said that Mueller found no evidence of collusion between Trump’s campaign and Russia in the 2016 election, and that there was insufficient evidence to charge Trump with obstruction.

Yet Barr also conceded that Mueller did compile evidence of obstruction, and quoted the special counsel as saying that: “While this report does not conclude that the president committed a crime, it also does not exonerate him.”

AFP

Addressing a giant anti-government rally in Caracas, Guaido―whose claim to be interim president is supported by around 50 nations―kicked off what he called “Operation Liberty,” his plan to oust President Nicolas Maduro.

“Everyone to the streets, let’s start the final phase of the end of the usurpation!” he told supporters, speaking from the back of a pickup truck.

He called for a huge nationwide turnout on Wednesday, and urged his followers to redouble their efforts to maintain pressure in the streets.

“The greatest escalation of pressure we have seen in our history” has begun, Guaido said.

The call comes amid massive blackouts and the collapse of water supplies affecting the nation, further exacerbated a growing political crisis.

The United States meanwhile has stiffened its economic sanctions against Maduro, and one top US official warned Venezuela’s military that it must protect the rights of peaceful protesters.

At the rally, Guaido also warned Cuba’s President Miguel Diaz-Canel that the supply of subsidized Venezuelan oil to the Caribbean communist island nation was over.

Venezuela has been sending cheap oil to Cuba in exchange for labor from Cuban doctors and teachers, but Guaido said the oil was actually financing a Cuban intelligence group known as

G2 that was cracking down on Maduro opponents in the Venezuelan military.

“The exploitation of Venezuelan oil is over, so Mr Diaz-Canel... Venezuelan oil will not be used to submit and investigate our military officials” through the G2, he told the crowd.

Pro-Guaido protests drew thousands in rallies across the country on Saturday.

A pro-Maduro counter-demonstration in Caracas, with supporters dressed in red, drew a large crowd that gathered at the Miraflores presidential palace.

“Together, permanently mobilized, let’s keep defending national peace and independence; no more interference!”

Maduro tweeted.

Later, he called upon Mexico and Uruguay to relaunch their proposal for dialogue to resolve the crisis without foreign intervention. The two countries had first introduced that idea in January.

Two opposition deputies were detained at an anti-government demo in the western city of Maracaibo, but a few hours later Guaido announced that the two had been released.

Elimar Diaz, a lawmaker who marched in Maracaibo, told AFP the protest there had encountered “brutal repression,” including tear gas canisters dropped from helicopters, the use of National Guard armored vehicles and attacks by members of the pro-government militia, known as “colectivos.” AFP

Netanyahu pledges to annex settlements in the West Bank JERUSALEM—Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pledged Saturday to annex settlements in the occupied West Bank if he wins the upcoming general election.

His comments come just days before the closely-fought April 9 poll and could be seen as an appeal to rightwing voters, who do not believe in the feasibility of a peace agreement with the Palestinians.

“I will apply [Israeli] sovereignty, but I don’t distinguish between settlement blocs and isolated settlements,” he said in an interview with Channel 12 television.

Settlements built on land occupied

by Israel in the 1967 Six-Day War are deemed illegal by the international community and their ongoing construction is seen as a major barrier to peace.

Annexation could prove to be the death knell for the two-state solution.

Senior Palestinian official Saeb Erekat said Netanyahu’s statement on annexation was “not surprising.”

“Israel will continue to brazenly violate international law for as long as the international community will continue to reward Israel with impunity, particularly with the Trump administration’s support,” he said on Twitter.

In an interview broadcast Friday, Netanyahu said he told US President Donald Trump he would not remove settlements or people as part of a future American peace plan.

“I said there shouldn’t be the removal of even one settlement” from the occupied West Bank, Netanyahu told Israel’s Channel 13 television.

More than 400,000 Israelis live in West Bank settlements as part of Israel’s military occupation of the territory, where more than 2.5 million Palestinians live. AFP

EXHIBITION. This picture taken in Jakarta on April 1, 2019, shows an Indonesian visitor sitting during a painting exhibition in Jakarta. Five Indonesian painters—Ipong Purnama Sidhi, Remy Silado, Mas Padhik, Kembang Sepatu and Maria Tiwi—held a painting exhibition entitled ‘Emancipation’ from April 1 to 30. AFP

Breaking free from conventional culture in the workplace CRISTINE JENY PAXTON

Green LiGht HAVE you seen the hit movie released by Netflix last December 2018? If you’re into thriller movies, Bird Box is a must-watch.

Bird Box is a story of survival of a woman and her two children on finding the place that may offer sanctuary. However, their journey was tested because the challenge that they need to surpass is how they will reach their destination being blindfolded to avoid seeing the mysterious creature that annihilates the population.

Drawing inspiration from the movie, netizens are quick to validate Bird Box’s popularity by doing some sort of online challenges where certain tasks are done carelessly while people are blindfolded.

This challenge is known as the Bird Box challenge which promotes harm and possible danger because netizens are doing their task adventurously while documenting it just like crossing the street blindfolded. This concept can also be seen in the workplace because we, as an employee, tend be passive on what the management dictates.

In contrast to this challenge, I have observed three things which I believe we start taking off

our blindfolds because it undermines great culture in the workplace.

First, if the management practice is “Against our values.” Most of the time, we tend to conform to the culture we are in. This isn’t bad especially we need to be adaptable to survive in the workplace. But what if the culture doesn’t define who you are and who you wanted to be? Are you going to ignore the wrong values and the wrong perceptions that we might encounter daily? As seen in the Bird Box movie, when people see the mysterious creature it distorts them from reality. Similar to the workplace, this creature represents the management practices such as unfair labor practices and office politics because we tend to be passive to the things that we always see.

Workplace values should be our guide because it defines the culture of the organization that we work for. Aside from that, who wouldn’t like to work for a company that is aligned to the right values and ways of working?

Second, if leaders “fail to trust.” Normally, employees tend to submit because of hierarchy and control. As a result, they end up not expressing their own selves because they fear of being criticized and they lack the authority to do so. One of the scenes in the movie that caught my attention is when the group of people need to go out of the house to get some food for their survival.

Since they covered their car windows with new papers and they painted it black, they weren’t able to see anything outside of it.

They just relied on the GPS Navigation App as they go towards the grocery store. Similar to the workplace, sometimes we tend to follow the voice that keeps on directing us.

It isn’t bad but we also need to learn how to express ourselves and how to share our own ideas and insights. Leaders should have to display their trust to their people because it is important to give autonomy they need to do their best work. A good leadership requires an exchange of ideas among its subordinates and leaders must encourage people empowerment in the workplace because employees will stay longer if they feel valued and empowered.

And lastly, having a “bad working relationship” among your colleagues. I believe that one of the reasons why people stayed longer to their jobs is because of their circle of friends and good working relationship. In contrast, when we work for the organization where people don’t have a harmonious working relationship, it might end up affecting the productivity level of the work—individually and collectively.

Having a bad working relationship is synonymous to the unknown creature that roams around the city in the bird box movie, which makes the person focus on the unrevealed situation that leads them to be

suicidal. When we relate it to the workplace, a bad working relationship is like a virus that can easily spread through the person’s mind because it creates a mental filtering where they tend to focus only on the negative aspect of the situation.

Workplace is like a second home to every employees and your colleagues are your family. If the members have a misunderstanding or a disagreement, it makes it dysfunctional. An openness to communication by providing feedback will help in the development of everyone.

Also, employees will probably stay longer if the organization provides a positive work environment.

Culture is what shapes the organization.

Even if the organization has an outstanding strategy, it is surprisingly easy for a few poor management practices to unravel it. But correcting it can be exceptionally rewarding.

By avoiding some of these pitfalls and always balancing the culture right, management can be a success in the long run.

Cristine Jeny T. Paxton is a Master in Business Administration student at De La Salle University. She works as a Global Benefits Analyst at a consulting firm in BGC, Taguig. She welcomes comments at cristine_paxton@dlsu.edu.ph. The views expressed above are the author’s and do not necessarily reflect the official position of DLSU, its faculty and its administrators.

LGUs

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

B4

MONDAY, APRIL 8, 2019

PARAÑAQUECAB DEAL.

The Civil Aeronautics Board and the city government of Parañaque have signed a milestone agreement to simplify and integrate its licensing process.

Paranaque City Mayor Edwin Olivarez and CAB Executive Director Carmelo Arcilla inked the deal witnessed by acting Director General Ernesto Perez of the Anti-Red Tape Authority and lawyer Melanie Malaya, head of the city’s Business Permits and Licensing Office, during the formal launching of Parañaque’s Project Express Lane Operation at the city hall. One of the system’s salient features is the elimination of securing permits from different barangays, previously a prerequisite before a mayor’s permit is granted.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS

OGPI bares projects for Didipio area

By Ben Moses Ebreo BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya—Officials of OceanaGold Philippines Inc. said they will continue to work closely with the Didipio villagers to bring in various development projects for the benefit of the community.

Neri Langres, OGPI’s community relations manager, said these projects were included in gold miner’s Social Development and Management Project forged through a Memorandum of Agreement with the Didipio local government on Oct. 2, 2013.

Some of these, she said, are the completed High School Building and Elementary School and the P40 million Circumferential Road Development Project.

“All of these are now completed and are operational and we are working for the issues and concerns and requirements for the other projects to push through,” Langres said.

She added that the construction of a gymnasium is ongoing, while the completed P10-million medical facility needs the assistance of the surrounding local government units so that it will be fully operational.

“We are discussing the other requirements of the hospital facility with the community and the local government units, particularly on the hiring of workers so that its operation will be sustained,” Langres added.

The construction of the administrative building in barangay Didipio is set for bidding, she added.

Mayors decry Ombudsman rap

By Brenda Jocson

B

AYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya—Eleven Vizcayano mayors are up in arms after being sued by the Ombudsman for not filing their reports on their local Anti-Drug Abuse Councils for the year 2017, ahead of an October 2018 deadline imposed by the Department of the Interior and Local Government.

The mayors said a “system backdown” at the DILG was to blame for the non-submission of their reports online to the department’s central office, which was verified by Assistant Regional Director Elpidio Duruin.

In fact, the mayors said, they had handed their ADAC Means of Verifications to their respective Municipal Local Government Operations Officers before the

deadline, as noted in DILG memorandum circular 2018-01 and 2018-159.

The MLGOOs in turn handed the ADAC reports to the provincial focal person, Nueva Vizcaya DILG Provincial Director Elma Urbina, who’s the only person that could open the systems after the deadline on Oct. 26.

Still, the Ombudsman filed cases of dereliction of duty against the mayors

of Diadi, Dupax Sur, Dupax Norte, Alfonso Castaneda, Kayapa, Bambang, Aritao and Sta. Fe on March 28.

The mayors of Solano and Bayombong also received letters from the DILG central office asking them to explain why they fell below the 50% level of performance over their respective ADAC’s, which meant their local councils were “low functional organizations” based on the Means of Evaluation criteria set by the DILG and the Dangerous Drugs Board.

Bagabag Mayor Johnny Sevillena, President of the Nueva Vizcaya Chapter of the League of Municipal Mayors in the Philippines, told Manila Standard: “All my colleagues are shocked, including myself. We organize our respective

Anti-Drug Abuse Councils. We allocated financial assistances for it. We were “Hands On” during its organizations.

We conducted quarterly meeting too.”

“In fact, our reports are intact. We are very hurt that these happened to us,” Sevillena added. “For the record our provincial focal person didn’t conduct consultations with us mayors, or even attend our Liga meetings.”

“As for these ADAC performance evaluations, I could state that everywhere in Vizcaya ADAC’s are functional. Respective barangays are drug cleared, not all though,” the mayor said.

The problem, Sevillena said, arose due to the lack of proper coordination from the MLGOOs and the DILG Provincial Office to the mayors.

PLDT-Smart room donation gives hope to earthquake-hit Bohol school

Inaugurating the new classroom being enjoyed by the children (from left) are Erwin A. Rubi, Head of Consumer Experience Zone-Cebu, PLDT Inc.; Ma. Esther O. Santos, president of PLDTSmart Foundation Inc.; Dr. Nimfa D. Bongo Ph.D, CESO V, Schools Division Superintendent, DepEd Bohol; Dr. Desiderio V. Deligero, Chief, School Governance Operations Division, DepEd Bohol; Ms. Agustina Deligero, Public School District Supervisor, Maribojoc District-DepEd Bohol; and Asela B. Mortillas, Principal, Santa Cruz Elementary School in Maribojoc.

Gen. Santos hospital ready for UHC Law implementation ST. ELIZABETH Hospital Inc., General Santos City’s leading medical facility and the latest addition to the hospital network of Metro Pacific Hospital Holdings Inc., recently opened its Primary Care Center ahead of the implementation of the Universal Health Care Law. A 24/7 one-stop-shop for outpatient health care, it offers services and products such as consultation, laboratory, diagnostics, wellness check-up, and pharmacy.

The PCC was designed to support a new collaborative care process between medical professionals and the hospital with a teamstyle treatment approach, as compared to the traditional approach where patients visit clinics which are separate from the laboratory, diagnostics, and pharmacy.

The PCC houses six clinics with generalist and specialist doctors available for consultation 24/7 and who can electronically prescribe the laboratory, diagnostics, and medicine needs of patients, who are then prioritized in a queueing system for a seamless outpatient healthcare experience under one roof and ideally in a single visit.

STRIKE SA SERBISYO. Cavite Rep. Strike Revilla (fourth from left, inset) leads the blessing and inauguration of the new jail building project in Barangay Molino 2, Bacoor, Cavite with (from left) J/C Supt. Leo Baldon, BJMP Director for Directorate Logistics, and BJMP Calabarzon Regional Director Efren A. Nemeño.

100 E-trikes for Las Piñas drivers

Mayor Imelda Aguilar hands over the ceremonial key to the driver beneficiaries of the E-trikes. Also present are former Tricycle Regulatory Unit head Mr. Ruben Ramos and Councilors Rubymar Ramos, Henry Medina, Peewee Aguilar and Boboy dela Cruz.

MAYOR Imelda “Mel” Aguilar recently led the turnover ceremony of 100 Etrikes to the driver beneficiaries who are members of the Tricycle Operators and Drivers Associations from different barangays of Las Piñas City.

Those who availed of the E-trike are from Barangay Pilar, Talon Dos, Pamplona Tres, Talon Singko, Almanza Uno, and Pulanglupa Uno. The E-trike project is a partnership between the City Government of Las Piñas and the Department of Energy.

It is part of the campaign of the city

government to achieve an environment-friendly mode of transportation as an alternative to the gas-fueled tricycles.

The use of the E-Trikes, aside from being clean and energy-efficient, will help lessen carbon dioxide emissions that contribute to air pollution.

Before the turnover held at the Las Piñas City Hall grounds, the drivers underwent training from the representatives of BEMAC Electric Transportation, the manufacturer of the E-trikes.

FOR over five years, Grade 1 teacher Maria Cleofe Fuentes of Santa Cruz Elementary School in Maribojoc, Bohol held classes in makeshift rooms.

In October 2013, a 7.2-magnitude earthquake devastated Bohol and destroyed more than 1,200 classrooms all over the province. Said to be the strongest to hit the province in nearly 25 years, the calamity reduced to rubble two learning areas from Fuentes’ school, while other teaching spaces badly needed repair.

In December the following year, a fire struck the same school.

“More classrooms were destroyed before we could even rebuild what was left from the earthquake,” Fuentes recounted.

Being with Santa Cruz ES for over 15 years, she admitted that fellow teachers and their students struggled immensely following the back-to-back tragedies.

In spite of the misfortunes, Fuentes and other teachers remained resilient and sought ways to improve the learning conditions in their school.

Fast forward to March 2019, and everyone from Santa Cruz ES is ready to face the future with new hopes.

This is following PLDT-Smart Foundation’s turnover of a one-story, two-unit classroom building that was funded by donations from employees of the digital and wireless services providers.

“I’m happy that our students will finally be able to attend classes under proper classrooms,” Fuentes said.

Principal Asela Mortillas said the donated classrooms are critical because Santa Cruz ES has the greatest number of students in Maribojoc. “The donated classrooms will accommodate students from Grades 5 and 6,” the principal shared.

More than merely building the facilities, experts conducted thorough tests to ensure that the donated classrooms will stand against possible hazards, especially since the presence of tectonic faults throughout Maribojoc makes the school prone to earthquakes.

With disaster preparedness as one of PLDT-Smart’s corporate social responsibility pillars, students are regularly trained on earthquake drills.

Fifth-grader Kathleen Morgia still vividly remembers how scared she and other students were when the 2013 earthquake took place. “Now, we could ‘duck, cover, and hold’ to be safe in case of emergencies,” she said.

Department of Education Schools Division Superintendent Dr. Nimfa Bongo said the new classrooms will help them attain their goals of providing quality education and lessening the number of drop out cases.

“Students will now be housed comfortably, and we are expecting this to motivate them to keep attending school,” she explained.

With the newly built classrooms in Santa Cruz ES, school personnel are targeting to rebuild their destroyed Home Economics building next.

“This would provide complete learning facilities for our students,” Fuentes said.

During the turnover of PLDT and Smart’s donation, PSF president Ma. Esther O. Santos commended students and teachers of Santa Cruz ES for their resilience.

“We are thankful to have been able to partner with and invest in the future of such an inspiring group of people,” she said.

Life

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

FOOD

MONDAY, APRIL 8, 2019

C1

Guilt-free gastronomic delights A

BSTAINING from meat this Lenten season does not mean putting up with bland, tasteless dishes. Here are some restaurants in Metro Manila where diners can enjoy scrumptious meals sans the pork, chicken, or beef.

Isla Sugbu Seafood City offers a wide array of seafood that can be cooked in different, delicious ways.

Seafood paluto Those looking for meat-free meals prepared the way they like them can head over to Isla Sugbu Seafood City.

Located at Venice Grand Canal Mall in Taguig, diners can select from a wide array of fresh and live seafood and have them cooked in a variety of ways

such as Salted Egg Shrimp, Oysters topped with Garlic and Cheese, Fresh Crabs in Chili Sauce, Squid in Garlic Teriyaki Sauce, and Steamed Parrot Fish.

Seafood City’s Paluto All-You-Can is available at the promo rate of P888 until May 31. Regular price per head is P1,300.

Customers select their seafood and have them cooked.

Go meatless at Max’s Max’s group of restaurants keeps up with many Filipinos’ tradition of abstaining from meat with meatless alternatives offered at its outlets.

Max’s Restaurant Restaurant is well-stocked with its Rice Bowl meals perfect for the Lenten season such as the Seafood Kare-Kare (P249) which puts a twist to traditional Filipino fare with a fresh mix of shrimp, squid, and fish; Sweet and Sour Fish Fillet (P149) with chunky breaded creamy dory fillets; Chopsuey (P169) featuring a healthy mix of fresh vegetables; and the house favorite Max’s Spicy Tofu (P169) with tofu cubes in spicy cream sauce.

On April 12 to 21, Yellow Cab offers its Lenten Bundle which includes one 10-inch Roasted Garlic and Shrimp Pizza, one 10-inch Four Cheese Pizza, one Large Shrimp Alfredo Pasta, and one Large Pesto Pasta for only P999.

While Den-

cio’s serves favorite Filipino seafood fares such as Sinigang na Hipon (P355), Inihaw na Pusit (P325), Krispy Bangus Sisig (P195), and Bangus Lumpia (P175).

Pancake House’s Pan Seared Fish Fillet served with tomato salsa, brown rice pilaf, and side salad, and Fish Rolls served with plain rice and mango salsa may be availed together for only P399. Maple’s caters to those craving pasta with Seafood Aglio Olio, a sumptuous serving of spaghetti with Chilean mussels cooked to perfection.

Solo size is at P320 while a full serving meant for sharing is at P560.

For an Oriental treat, sample Teriyaki Boy’s Salmon Tempura with Kakiaage at P379 ala carte, or Salmon Teriyaki drizzled in Teriyaki Boy’s special sauce at P499 ala carte. Or try Sizzlin’ Steak’s Tuna Belly (P255) or Salmon Steak (P449), both served with special cream sauce and sprinkled with spices.

Cravings offers a variety of fresh salad options such as vegetable salad, pasta salad, and warm bread salad.

Light, home-cooked meals At its Soup and Salad Bar, Cravings serves guiltless pleasures done in its signature homestyle cooking.

Start with the simple Grilled Vegetable Salad with sweet grilled vegetables tossed in a light dressing topped with micro herbs. For something more filling, try the German Potato Salad, a Southern style dish dressed with a dijon vinegar dressing, or the festive-looking Rice Salad made with crisp vegetables and soft rice lightly tossed in lemon and olive oil.

For a dose of freshness, there’s the Chicken Waldorf Salad with crunchy green apples, grapes, and celery complemented with cashew

then dressed in yogurt and mayonnaise and served on a bed of lettuce.

Pasta lovers will delight in the Pasta Salad made of chilled pasta, olives, and different vegetables tossed in a vinegar and oil-based dressing.

Those who want a seafood dish will enjoy the Tuna Nicoise Salad with its seared sashimi-grade tuna, boiled potatoes, haricot vert, olives, hardboiled eggs, and tomatoes on a bed of fresh greens and fresh herb vinaigrette.

Cravings’ Soup and Salad Buffet is priced at P299 per head. Diners can avail of this special buffet for free when they order any Cravings main dish.

Beat the heat, have a halo-halo EVERYONE is looking for ways to beat the sweltering heat this summer, and indulging in Pinoys’ favorite dessert, the famous halo-halo, is one of the easiest and best ways to cool off.

Kuya J’s halo-halo tops the list of many diners.

First introduced as the Kuya J Halo-halo Espesyal, this concoction is made of milky-smooth ice topped with homemade leche flan, sprinkled with crunchy cornflakes and drizzled with sweet ube cream.

It became such a hit among customers when it was introduced three years ago that the people behind Kuya J were always inspired to introduce a new variant every summer—starting

off with the Ube Halo-halo Espesyal, which has rich ube ice and filled with macapuno, nata de coco, caramelized saba, ube jam, and langka; followed by the Saba Halo-halo Espesyal, which is loaded with sweet saba slices, yummy sago, and langka and drizzled with gulaman syrup; and the new favorite, Duo Halo-halo Espesyal, which is a delicious combo of the restaurant’s version of the classic Halo-halo Espesyal and the rich Ube Halo-halo Espesyal.

Kuya J’s Ube Halo-halo Espesyal, Saba Halohalo Espesyal, Duo Halo-halo Espesyal, and classic Halo-halo Espesyal

Max’s Group, Inc. offers meatless options at its restaurants, including Dencio’s Bangus Lumpia, Max’s Seafood Kare-Kare Rice Bowl, Pancake House’s Pan Seared Fish Fillet, and Max’s Spicy Tofu Rice Bowl.

Life

C2

MONDAY, APRIL 8, 2019 manilastandardlife@gmail.com

Ramen attacks Manila

By Robbie Pangilinan

J

APANESE food has long tingled the taste buds of Filipinos so it’s no surprise that this new ramen restaurant has attacked Manila.

Ramen Attack at The Pallet in Poblacion, Makati, boasts authentic Japanese ramen, gyoza, karaage, tebasaki, and others. Diners say they love Ramen Attack’s Tonkotsu Shoyu Black with its tasty broth, perfectly cooked noodles and melt-in-your-mouth pork.

Established in September last year, Ramen Attack is the brainchild of tattoo master and president of the Philippine Tattoo Artists Guild (PhilTAG) Ramen Attack serves authentic Japanese dishes.

Ricky Sta. Ana. “I usually eat and drink after a tattoo session, and my favorite is noodles,” Sta. Ana another favorite. Sta Ana said it’s a hot said in Filipino, adding, “Whenever I pork-based broth with Japanese spictravel, I eat noodles, particularly raes and leeks sautéed in a special men.” chili sauce.

Sta. Ana has traveled the Tonkotsu Shoyu, on the world sharing his craft in other hand, has pure, conventions and tourextra thick white pork naments. Whenever broth with bone. They he travels now, he also serve donburi makes it a point (rice toppings) for to try differthe rice-loving ent kinds of raPinoys. men in different Sta. Ana alplaces to comways has his pare the taste Filipino clients of Ramen Atin mind. He tack’s specialalways makes ties. sure that the “Nakita ko dishes meet talaga yung the meticulous difference taste of Filiping lasa ng nos. He personramen namin. ally samples the Yung mga tao food they serve to compare us with check if there are one of the top ramen changes or if it can restaurants here in the still be improved.

Philippines,” said Sta. He asks the customers Ana, who believes that prewhat they like about the paring ramen is an art in itself, dishes and makes it a point hence Ramen Attack’s dishes are to teach them how to properly only prepared using the best, freshest, eat ramen the traditional Japanese homemade ingredients. way.

“We use all original, authentic JapaHe also makes sure that the menu ofnese ingredients, even the shoyu or fers affordable food. The 100-gram raRamen Attack serves a variety of ramen the toyo we use. Even when we buy a men starts at P348. Recently, they added made with fresh ingredients. soy sauce base in a Japanese store, we a junior size (70 grams) for only P188. still mix it to suit our taste. We make our Sta. Ana’s plan is to build a group own sauces,” he shared. of ramen restaurant bars and will soon The creamy and spicy Tantanmen is open Ramen Attack for franchising.

BITES

Tattoo artist Ricky Sta. Ana shares his love of ramen at his restaurant in Poblacion, Makati.

Vegetarian Ramen

From dining table to paradise IT’S not every day that a dining experience can give one a chance to travel to some of the country’s top destinations.

Mastercard teams up with Ayala Malls for the Tablescapes to Great Escapes raffle as part of its “2019 Bon Appetrip Food Holiday Campaign.”

From today until December 6, using Mastercard gives cardholders the chance to win a trip for two to El Nido or Sicogon Island.

They simply need to dine at their favored participating Ayala Malls restaurants, and for every P1,000 minimum spend, they’ll get one raffle coupon.

During the Food Holiday Buy 1 Get 1 Promo, cardholders can get up to two raffle coupons for every transaction.

Head over to Alabang Town Center and feast at Brooklyn’s New York Pizza, California Pizza Kitchen, Figaro Coffee, La Maripili, or Pepper Lunch. At Vertis North, enjoy the beloved comfort food and pasta dishes at Pancake House.

Meanwhile at MarQuee Mall, catch up with friends at Italianni’s or Café Noelle. There’s a wide selection at TriNoma, from Bigoli and Figaro Coffee to Fish & Co. and Holy Cow Sizzlers.

Burgoo

Italianni’s

At U.P. Town Center, Black Canyon and Italianni’s let diners enjoy pasta while earning raffle coupons. The hearty servings at Burgoo in Solenad will keep one coming back long after the promo is over.

At Glorietta, Outback Steakhouse will delight with its creamy pasta, while Onboard Game + Gastro Pub at Circuit lets customers enjoy their food while playing their favorite board games.

In Davao, Al Sultan and Kalakoa at Abreeza are the best picks for a yummy

pasta fix. And at Ayala Malls Feliz, customers can choose from Mama Lou’s Italian Kitchen, TOSH / Chikos, Tito’s Fil-Mex, or Café Perene.

Brooklyn’s New York Pizza

Sugarbee’s Salted Caramel Chocolate Cake

Salted caramel chocolate cake at Café Bonjour SUGARBEE’S best-selling salted caramel chocolate cake is now available at Total Café Bonjour Filinvest Westgate Alabang, Newport, and Bonifacio Global City outlets.

The moist old-fashioned chocolate cake, topped with a heavy swirl of salted caramel-flavored ganache, sprinkled with sea salt delights taste buds at only P600.

Entertainment

MONDAY, APRIL 8, 2019

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nickie.standard@gmail.com

ANDRE PARAS, JOYCE CHING choose to remain Kapuso

T

V HOST and actor Andre Paras and actress Joyce Ching remain loyal Kapuso after renewing their exclusive contracts with GMA Artist Center.

Andre is grateful that GMA continues to trust and challenge him as an artist, “I’m very happy that they are exploring the other talents that I may have, in hosting, comedy and acting. The network really trusts me and of course, I trust them with my career. I’ll do everything to continue making people happy. That’s something I’m always proud to be doing.”

The heartthrob is a mainstay of the comedy-musical variety program Sunday PinaSaya where he showcases his wit.

This year, he will also be part of the second season of the top-rating singing competition The Clash as backstage host alongside Joyce Pring.

He shared what awaits the Kapuso viewers in the upcoming season, “It’s going to be bigger and more exciting. As much as I want to share kung ano pong mangyayari, I can just say that it’s going to be different and it’s something to look forward to.”

Meanwhile, Joyce Ching also affirmed her loyalty with her home network for

14 years. She feels blessed and happy to renew her ties with her mother network, “I’m glad that I stayed with GMA, I learn a lot of things from the roles assigned to me. I will always be grateful for giving me the chance to explore my talents.”

Currently, Joyce plays the role of Astrid Chua in the afternoon series Dragon Lady.

GMA Entertainment Group Senior Vice President Lilybeth G. Rasonable is grateful that Andre and Joyce are continuing their journey as Kapuso stars.

“We’re very happy that they decided to renew with GMA Network and GMA Artist Center. We appreciate their loyalty and we also remain loyal to them,” the TV executive said.

Present during the contract signings held on March 19 were Rasonable, Senior Assistant Vice President for Alternative Productions Gigi Santiago-Lara, and GMA Artist Center Senior Talent Manager Vic del Rosario.

A season of fresh wanders for

BARBIE IMPERIAL

WITH the face of a doll and heart of a fighter, actress, and model Barbie Imperial is on top of the world. But just like any other millennial, she ensures to have a work-life balance by exploring the outdoors with her dear friends.

As the summer season is just around the corner, Barbie shares her excitement to be one with nature. “ I’m more of a bundok person rather than a beach person. I tried hiking for the first time last year with my friends, and since then, I’ve always looked forward to doing it again this year,” she says.

And while it can take hours and hours to reach the top of a mountain, she says that preparing for the adventure is just as exciting as the trip itself.

“Personal hygiene comes first.

And because hindi maiiwasan magpawis habang umaakyat ng bundok, I make sure that I always have my Blackwater Desire Deo Spray with me,” she explains. “Kahit magpawis ako, hindi ako nagkaka-

roon ng foul smell. Parang powder yung effect sakin ng product na ginagamit ko—very gentle and compatible with my skin.”

Another essential in preparing for the hike, according to Barbie, is to make sure she’s in top form. A fitness advocate, the actress keeps her muscles toned by hitting the gym at least three times a week – something she admits feels more like a pleasure than a task.

Whatever her mood in the gym, Barbie relies on Blackwater Calm Heart, a blend of mandarin blossom with pink pepper and ginger for a sexy hint of spice; and Glamorous, a fragrance of mild vanilla and musk to keep her smelling fresh all day, even after working out.

Like Barbie, summer is the season to try more activities while staying fresh all day with the help of Blackwater Women’s wide selection of personal care products. For more information, visit http://blackwater.com.ph/.

Andre Paras and Joyce Ching renew their ties with GMA Network as they recently both signed exclusive talent management contract.

Aliwan...

From C4

But even before Cynthia showed guts and oomph in reclaiming the Reyna ng Aliwan crown which Cebu lost in 2015 after a sixyear winning streak, and eventually taking a national pageant by storm as a prelude to winning her international title, numerous Reyna ng Aliwan winners had already been catapulted to the limelight of the beauty pageant circuit.

Vera Eumee Reiter won Mutya ng Pilipinas in 2006, while her first runner up Karla Henry went on to claim the first Miss Earth crown. Mary Jean Lastimosa was named Reyna ng Aliwan in 2008 prior to training for Bb. Pilipinas. Rizzini Alexi Gomez (Reyna 2010) and Angeli Dione Gomez (Reyna 2012) then scored back to back wins in the Miss Tourism International derby. Rogelie Catacutan (Reyna 2011) went on to win Bb. Pilipinas Supranational, while Jamie Herrell (2013 Reyna) was eventually crowned Miss Earth in 2014.

Cynthia Thomalla’s win actually set the tone for two more fabulous showings by former Reyna ng Aliwan hopefuls in 2018 when Ma. Ahtisa Manalo (2017 second-runner up in Reyna ng Aliwan) emerged first runner up in the Miss International pageant in Tokyo, and Sharifa Akeel, who, as the Kalimudan festival queen in last year’s Aliwan, was handpicked for a special feature by BBC World Service Radio prior to her winning the Miss Asia Pacific International title.

So, when 24 lovely young ladies from various parts of the country take to the Aliwan Fiesta stage on April 26 and 27 this year, all eyes will be on this pageant which is now considered the springboard for opportunities in the pageant and modeling world.

This year’s roster from Luzon includes Kimberly Naz for the Antipolo Maytime festival, Erginia Vera Bautista for the Banatu festival of Cabanatuan City, Lyka Veleña for the Boling-Boling festival of Catanauan, Quezon, Gezza Avila for the Niyogyugan festival of Quezon Province, Roi Neve Comanda for the Panagbenga festival of Baguio, Cinderella Salilican for the Pangisdaan festival of Navotas, Jhan Nicole Ambata for the Paru-Paro festival of Dasmariñas, Cavite, Aubrhie Cindyrelle Carpio for the

Singkaban festival of Bulacan, Kizia Jermaine Maligalig for the Tagultol Fishing festival of Atimonan, Quezon, and Leandrea Gabrielle Batingan for the Tanglawan festival of San Jose del Monte, Bulacan.

Visayan pulchritude has seven faces this year, with Nicole Borromeo for the Sinulog festival of Cebu, Milca Romares for the Salapan festival of Pulupandan, Negros Occidental,Cassandra Marie Lee for the Sangyaw festival of Tacloban City, Angelic Olmedo for the Pintados de Passi festival of Passi City, Iloilo, Charlotte Arcena for the Pasaka festival of Tanauan, Leyte, Ruffa Nava for the Hirinugyaw Suguidadonay festival of Calinog, Iloilo, and Debrah Belen Villaflores for the Buglasan festival of Dumaguete, Negros Oriental.

Mindanao in turn will be represented by Alayzza Izzabelle Tolimao for the Agten Tufi festival of Tupi, South Cotabato, Ma. Kristina Ramos for the Cocowayan festival of Isabela, Basilan,Honey Be Parreñas for the Kalimudan festival of Sultan Kudarat, Angelin Summer Fernandez for the Kalivungan festival of North Cotabato, Frenzie Dione Escalada for the Muna To festival of Sarangani, Merhyl Kit Angeline Paraluman for the Tuna festival of General Santos City, and Princess Serdenia for the Zamboanga Hermosa festival.

The 2019 Aliwan Fiesta is supported by Pride Detergent, Unique Toothpaste, White Rose Cojic Whitening Soap, Smart Dishwashing Paste, Star Wax, Tanduay, TM, Dunkin’ Donuts, Symdex D, Asian Institute of Computer Studies, Senekot, GES Led Lights, Whiteflower, and Nature Spring Mineral Water.

For details about this year’s participants and line-up of activities, email siouxstar@ gmail.com or call 832.6125 / 555.3477. Those interested may also check out Aliwan Fiesta 2019’s official Facebook page or log onto www.aliwanfiesta. com.ph.

Sharifa Akeel, Kalimudan festival queen in last year's Aliwan, won Miss Asia Pacific International 2018

CROSSWORD PUZZLE Monday, April 8, 2019

ACROSS 1 Burglarize 4 Em, Bee and Polly 9 Old tale 14 Pizarro’s quest 15 High-speed motor sound 16 Trailer rental (hyph.)

17 Manage badly 19 Cholla and nopal 20 Tough question 21 Every 23 Mauna — 24 Trapping 27 Tricks 29 “Jaws” milieu 31 Conversation (var.)

34 Hedge shrub 37 Kick out 39 Words to the audience 40 Where to hear Farsi 42 Electric-car company 44 Singer — Adams 45 Heaps 47 Flagpole 49 Dash widths 50 Pick out 52 Mean-spirited 54 Aromas 56 Floor covering

(2 wds.)

60 Have a late meal 62 Decree 64 Writer — Zola 65 Precipice 67 Society newbies 70 Actress — Potts 71 Originate 72 Rx givers 73 Came unglued 74 Spud 75 — Tome DOWN 1 Plays boisterously 2 Hunter of myth 3 — nova 4 Greed 5 Large vase 6 Look sleepy 7 Decorated tinware 8 Defame 9 Hanging plant 10 “Eureka!”

11 Relapse into bad habits 12 Banjo ancestor 13 Essayist’s pen name 18 Damsel rescuer 22 Bossy’s chew 25 Coming up 26 Stares at 28 Relieve

30 Snug retreats 32 Valhalla VIP 33 A few thou 34 Puppy plaints 35 Buffalo’s lake 36 Very large 38 Alpaca relative 41 Lack of something wanted 43 At a distance 46 Jeered 48 More rapid 51 Prefix for cycle 53 Buddhist monk 55 Nobelist from Egypt

57 Fruit coverings 58 Infra opposite 59 Painter’s ground 60 Disfigure 61 Forearm bone 63 Prefix for “trillion” 66 “For shame!”

68 Nipped 69 Manipulate

Ma. Ahtisa Manalo Reyna ng Aliwan 2017 2nd runner-up and Miss International 2018 1st runner-up

Entertainment

Nickie Wang, Issue Editor nickie.standard@gmail.com

C4

MONDAY, APRIL 8, 2019

Kapamilya shows rule top ten list of most watched programs From left: 5 Plus new VJs Gino Quillamor, Bea Benedicto, Ariana Conechado, Jodie Tarasek, Kim Cruz, and RJ Arroyo.

5 Plus introduces new crop of esports and gaming talents AFTER its recent launch as the go-to sports channel for a younger and more engaged free TV audience, 5 Plus will now amplify its gaming content by introducing a dynamic set of esports and gaming talents to help navigate viewers as well as solidify the channel as the home of gaming in the Philippines.

For the first-ever esports franchise league in the country called The Nationals, a full-scale commentary team made up of the best local esports casters will follow the action, game after game.

For the ongoing DOTA 2 leg, Sam Nopueto (Wolf), Aries Alejandro (Kalbz), Neil de Guzman (Midnight), Jaz Comoda (Heneral Tuna), and Rain Manaig (Rain) will be at the helm.

Meanwhile, the upcoming Tekken leg will feature Ron Muyot (Hot-E), Poch Estrada (_pochspice), Paul Fuentes (Poru), and Pica Lozano (Pica); While Manjean Faldas (Manjean),Shin Boo Ponferrada (Sh1n Boo), Gian Bernardino (Ilustrado), Em Dangla (Kaisaya) and Lhea Lei Pelaez (Yasumeow) will highlight the action for Mobile Legends.

The Nationals esports correspondents Eileen Shi, Alyzza Taylor, Mika Fabella, Tonie Moreno, and Dan ‘Leo’ Cubangay will join the casters in each game day as the league’s version of courtside reporters.

With their mix of hosting and reporting backgrounds from both sports and gaming programs, the correspondents will be in the middle of all the action, giving updates and reactions straight from the trenches.

The Nationals will be aired every Tuesday and Wednesday from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., and every Saturday and Sunday, 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m..

And finally, 5 Plus introduces six new VJs that will anchor the channel’s gaming content: Gino Quillamor takes time off from his DJ duties (and his PC) to get in front of the camera for 5 Plus; host and commercial model Bea Benedicto brings in her own brand of energy; and content creator and TV personality Kim Cruz takes on VJ duties for a new and exciting audience.

Brand presenter and former MTV VJ Jodie Tarasek may be new to the 5 Plus family, but is no doubt an avid gamer herself; host and commercial model Ariana Conechado will make 5 Plus her next stop; and host and Mobile Legends streamer RJ Arroyo takes on a bigger and more animated gaming audience.

Catch them throughout the day as they talk about all things esports and gaming only on 5 Plus.

VERY WANG NICKIE WANG

'Stranded' lead stars Jessy Mendiola and Arjo Atayde gladly pose for photos during the media launch of the Regal Entertainment's big screen project.

Scenes from the romantic comedy, which is due out on Wednesday, April 10.

T

HE premise of Regal Films’ latest romcom, Stranded, which stars Arjo Atayde and Jessy Mendiola, is quite simple: two strangers stuck together during a typhoon. But if you delved deeper into the characters and their dilemmas, you would find something interesting and relatable.

In the movie, Jessy plays the role of Julia, a woman who never imagined that meeting a stranger in one stormy night could change her life forever.

Everything about her is stable—her career and romantic life. She is an old school, who believes that a relationship is a commitment.

On the other hand, Spencer (played

by Arjo) lives his life to the fullest, without direction. He is the type of guy who prefers to be happy-go-lucky and would rather be without the demands of a commitment. Upon being locked up in a building overnight, they discover things about themselves they never thought were there all along.

Julia thought she had everything planned, Spencer thought happiness is about being spontaneous.

Julia’s long-suppressed longing for freedom, has a “to do list” on her notes, as shown in the trailer. She then gets them fulfilled by the spontaneous Spencer as they spend the night together, only the two of them.

The irony of it is that, despite their huge differences, Julia and Spencer get attracted with one another. Julia and Spencer realize that even if they have opposing views on certain aspects of their lives, they still have some things in common, one is they are searching for real happiness.

They realize that opposing views can still be a good thing because one can learn from the other, just as long as each one is willing to learn from the other.

Are Julia and Spencer willing to make compromises when it comes to love? Are they prepared for the turning points that can change their lives forever?

Stranded also stars Miko Raval, Mich Liggayu, Miggy Marty, Pinky Amador, Johnny Revilla, and Gretchen Ho in her first appearance on the big screen.

Stranded is Ice Idanan’s second feature film. Her first feature film is Sakaling Hindi Makarating.

Written by Easy Ferrer and Jeps Gallon, the movie is due out Wednesday, on April 10 in cinemas nationwide. ***

Yassi joins another ‘Probinsyano’

Aw a r d - w i n n i n g actress and Ang Probinsyano star Yassi Pressman recently became a member of the Ang Probinsyano Party-List Youth Arm launched last week in Legazpi City. The Ang Probinsyano Party-List Youth Arm aims to encourage the youth to be more proactive and involved in issues that directly affect the youth, especially those living in the provinces.

Ang Probinsyano Party-List’s legislative agenda includes several proposed programs and bills that will enhance the youth’s access to quality education, including the establishment of open high schools, expansion of the coverage of the tertiary education subsidy, and operationalization of the National Student Loan Program.

Pressman’s full support for Ang Probinsyano PartyList comes in the wake of the announcement of her on-screen partner Coco Martin’s support for the partylist.

ABS-CBN remained unbeatable as the most watched network in March as nine Kapamilya shows continue to entertain and empower viewers, leading it to record an average audience share of 47 percent, or 17 points higher compared to GMA’s 30 percent, according to data from Kantar Media.

Still leading the list of most watched programs is FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano (42.4 percent), which remains undisputed as the top program nationwide with its adrenaline-pumped action in March. It is followed by The General’s Daughter (32.3 percent), which has triumphed over a new rival program with almost double the viewership.

Talent show World of Dance Philippines (31.5 percent) is the leading weekend program as it consistently topped weekend programming last month, while TV Patrol (30.9 percent) stayed as the Filipinos’ newscast of choice for relevant news and information.

Maalaala Mo Kaya (28.7 percent) kept viewers in March inspired, while Halik (24.5 percent) had viewers’ hooked on the fierce confrontations of its lead characters.

Also part of the top ten list are the magazine show Rated K Handa Na Ba Kayo? (22.2), the values-laden series Wansapanataym (21.9 percent), and the relevant sit-com Home Sweetie Home Walang Kapares (21.6 percent).

Meanwhile, the Kapamilya network kept its lead nationwide, particularly in Metro Manila where it hit an average audience share of 44 percent versus GMA’s 24 percent, and in Mega Manila where it got an average audience share of 38 percent, compared to GMA’s 30 percent. ABS-CBN also topped in Total Luzon where it registered 41 percent, beating GMA’s 33 percent; in Total Visayas where it scored 57 percent, compared to GMA’s 23 percent; and in Total Mindanao where it garnered 56 percent versus GMA’s 25 percent.

ABS-CBN also won across all time blocks, particularly in the primetime block (6:00 p.m. to 12:00 mn) where it garnered an average audience share of 50 percent, or 20 points higher than GMA’s 30 percent. The primetime block is the most important time of the day when most Filipinos watch TV and advertisers put a larger chunk of their investments in to reach more consumers effectively.

Likewise, the Kapamilya network also reigned supreme in the morning block (6:00 a.m. to 12:00 mn), where it registered 38 percent, compared to GMA’s 28 percent; in the noontime block (12:00 nn top 3:00 p.m.), where it hit 48 percent versus GMA’s 29 percent; and in the afternoon block (3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.) with 49 percent, beating GMA’s 30 percent.

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

Aliwan Fiesta’s tradition of beauty WHEN the statuesque Cynthia Thomalla won the Miss Eco International title in Egypt last year early in the morning of the day that the Aliwan Fiesta grand parade was to take place, officials of Manila Broadcasting Company could not contain their excitement. Cynthia, after all, had been a very proactive Reyna ng Aliwan in 2016, the first of their queens to grace numerous regional festivities throughout her reign.

Cynthia set the standard in terms of being a true ambassadress of goodwill and tourism, and has in fact, continued to be part of the MBC family despite her busy schedule. Continued on C3

ALIWAN'S PRIDE. Reyna ng Aliwan 2016 Cynthia Thomalla, who

eventually won Miss Eco International 2017 in Egypt, has set the bar in terms of being an ambassador on goodwill and tourism.

Angel Locsin on the set of the action drama, ‘The General's Daughter,’ which ranked as the second most watched program nationwide for the month of March.