Manila Standard - 2019 April 30 - Tuesday

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P750-daily wage sought

Militants’ clamor follows TUCP’s bid for P710

Brownouts likely to persist in June, Meralco warns

By Maricel V. Cruz

By Alena Mae S. Flores THE Manila Electric Co. warned Monday that rotating power outages will likely continue until June because of the increasing demand for electricity, while power rates will go up amid a supply shortage.

Meralco issued the statement as the grid was once again plunged into a red alert status on Monday, the eighth red alert since April. As a result, Meralco had to implement manual load dropping or rotating brownouts on Monday, affecting customers in Manila, Valenzuela, Las Piñas, Batangas, Cavite, Quezon and Laguna.

The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines issued a red alert notice in the Luzon grid from noon to 4 p.m. while a yellow alert was declared from 9 a.m. to noon, from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. and from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Monday due to insufficient operating reserve.

“It’s already the eighth day of manual

VOL. XXXIII • NO. 75 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P18 • TUESDAY, APRIL 30, 2019 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Next page

LGUs told to junk polluters’ permit

By Francisco Tuyay THE government on Monday told local government units not to issue building permits to establishments unless they have wastewater treatment facilities that conform with environmental laws and policies.

“No new business permit should be issued unless business owners have obtained the necessary environmental clearances and permits such as discharge permits and environmental sanitation certificates prescribed by law,” said Interior Secretary Eduardo Año.

“Let us learn from the lessons of Manila Bay which became a ‘gigantic septic tank’ and Boracay which was described as ‘a virtual cesspool.’ Local Next page

WHERE THERE IS SMOKE... Sweltering smoke puffs up at the high-rise burning Pacific Coast Plaza Condominium in Barangay Tambo shortly afternoon on Monday. A woman octogenarian, burnt beyond recognition, was found dead by arson investigators at the 21st floor of the building. (Story on A2) Lino Santos

PH, China agree to iron out ‘irritants’

By Nat Mariano THE Philippines and China have vowed to resolve the “irritants” over the West Philippine Sea, the Palace said Monday.

Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said the two countries made the commitment during the meeting of President Rodrigo Duterte and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing last week.

The recent reports about the presence of Chinese maritime militiamen, the harassment of Filipino fishermen, and the mass extraction of giant clams in the Philippine-claimed waters prompted the Philippine government to file a salvo of diplomatic protests over the issue.

The Chinese government, however, did not respond anything to any of Manila’s protests until President Duterte raised the the Philippines concern over the matter.

Panelo said Duterte described the recent issues involving the disputed waters as “irritants” during his meeting with Xi. “What the President mentioned was the ‘irritants.’ It refers to everything there.

From the presence of the ships, from the alleged harassment, all of it. The irritants, Panelo told reporters.

“Both sides repeated their previous position on the matter. And they both agree that whatever irritants [and] challenges can be resolved through negotiation.” Next page

A

HEAD of the May Day holiday, a labor advocate in the House of Representatives on Monday pressed the demand to raise the minimum wage to P750 a day nationwide, a move that would hike wages in Metro Manila by P213 a day.

“Workers, agricultural workers, farmers, urban poor and other sectors across the country have been demanding a P750 national minimum wage,” said Anakpawis Party-list Rep. Ariel Casilao, saying the demand has become “a national people’s movement.”

Casilao said most are contractual or informal workers who earn even lower than the P340 a day minimum wage in their locations.

In Central Luzon, he said, workers such as those in the Clark and Subic special economic zones have been victims of the “no union, no strike” policy and contractual labor.

In Metro Manila and Calabarzon, he added, there is an upsurge of workers’ actions against unscrupulous contractual labor practices and calls for a P750 national minimum wage.

“This is a breakthrough movement,” said the lawmaker, who earlier visited picket lines at several companies where workers were demanding they be regularized and given better wages.

In the Visayas, agricultural workers belonging to the National Federation of Sugar Workers have been demanding wage increases for decades while in Mindanao, the workers of a company have been camped out in Manila to press the Labor department to execute the order to regularize workers.

“Filipino workers are fed up of being treated as slaves and marginalized, thus, the national and democratic movement Next page

P10-m reward up for Acierto arrest

By Rey E. Requejo THE government is offering P10 million for any information leading to the arrest of dismissed police official Eduardo Acierto, who is wanted for a drug smuggling case, an official said Monday.

Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra confirmed the reward but said he did not know where the money would come from.

“The bounty is from Malacañang, so I’m not privy to where it will be sourced. It’s not from the DOJ because such amount is certainly much larger than what the DOJ could offer,” Guevarra said in a text message.

He recalled that the Department of Justice offered only P500,000 for the arrest of Peter Go Lim, who faces separate charges for a drug trade conspiracy.

Guevarra said the Justice department will focus on Acierto’s coddlers and protectors, and the law enforcement agents Next page

PRESIDENTIAL DUMMY. Members of the militant Kilusang Mayo Uno prepare at their office in Quezon City the effigy of President Rodrigo Duterte they will use during their rally tomorrow to mark Labor Day, a regular holiday to celebrate working people. Manny Palmero

Pinay maid in Qatar new face of ‘empowered’ OFWs

By Joyce Pangco Pañares

FOR WOMEN. Novelita Palisoc, who worked for 19 years as domestic help in the Philippines and then Qatar, claims in her testimony she was exploited abroad to work as nanny, cleaner, bus conductor, laundry worker and experienced sexual harassment.

Returning home, she helped found the trade union of domestic workers and continues to advocate domestic workers rights and welfare.

Tacloban float tops Aliwan awards

By Ronald O. Reyes TACLOBAN CITY—Tacloban City, along with Tanauan and Burauen towns in Leyte, bagged the top awards in this year’s Aliwan Fiesta in Manila on April 27.

Next page

NOVELITA Palisoc’s story is one of empowerment.

Palisoc, who served as a maid in the Philippines for 19 years before working as a domestic helper in Qatar, is now the president of the United Domestic Workers of the Philippines.

Her journey mirrors the stories of

Rare turtles crawl toward extinction SINGAPORE—Hundreds of turtles and tortoises, including rare and endangered species, face an uncertain future after their Singapore sanctuary—a Guinness World Record holder—was forced to relocate due Next page

thousands of other domestic workers here and abroad who have suffered a wide range of abuses in the hands of their employers.

“My employers in the Philippines never treated me well. No appreciation, no social benefits, no paid overtime, no limit to the types of work I had to do or the hours,” she said in a recent blog entry for the International Labor Organization.

“My next such job in the Gulf was even worse with all of the above, plus my boss took half my pay away. I had to survive on table scraps and suffered sexual abuse. I had no immediate way out as I could only get my exit visa upon the end of my contract. I endured the exploitation for two years, isolated in a foreign land without friends or being able to speak Arabic,” she added.

Next page

US Senator Lugar passes away, 87 WASHINGTON—Senator Richard Lugar, a leading US voice on foreign policy for decades and a one-time presidential candidate known for his civility and bipartisan ways, has died at a medical center in Falls Church, Next page Virginia. He was 87.

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News

TUESDAY, APRIL 30, 2019

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

ASG suspect evades security check T

HE vetting process of security agencies must be checked following the arrest of a suspected Abu Sayyaf member who was working as a security guard in Alabang, Muntinlupa City, Philippine National Police Chief Oscar Albayalde said Monday.

“We have to investigate the different Albayalde told reporters. security agencies on their vetting proHe said the authorities will investicess. This is what we want to know,” gate how the agency of Al-Demar Sai-

yari y Murih alias Ali was able to hire him despite the existing warrant of arrest against him.

Murih was arrested for illegal possession of a deadly weapon. He was also allegedly involved in a kidnapping incident in Sipadan, Malaysia, in April 2000, police said.

“We have to investigate why his

agency hires someone with a warrant of arrest. How come he was hired as a security guard?” Albayalde said.

“It’s as if that security agency did no vetting or background check.”

The suspect is now detained at the Southern Police District detention facility.

Brownouts...

Octogenarian killed, 5 hurt in high-rise fire

load dropping that Meralco has been doing since April 10,” said Ronnie Aperocho, Meralco senior vice president and head of networks.

“One of the reasons for the deficiency is there are still three plants in Bataan that are still isolated from the grid, the GN power unit 2 and the two units of the San Miguel plants in Limay. These three plants have a combined capacity of 660 megawatts and there is still no estimate when these plants can be synchronized to the grid but our forecast is even if these three plants would be able to go back to the grid because of the increasing power demand during the summer months, especially next month, we still see several days of yellow and red alert and will even in fact extend until the month of June.”

The power plants were affected by last week’s earthquake while several power plants are still down for maintenance.

Meralco chairman Manuel Pangilinan said red and yellow alerts may eventually lead to a “serious power shortage in the next few years unless immediate action is done to resolve the root cause of the problem.”

Pangilinan said there was a need to add more capacity to the grid with decisive action on much-delayed construction of new power plants.

Peak demand within the franchise area of Meralco was at 6,950 megawatts in the first quarter, up one percent over the 6,867 MW in the same period last year. On April 22, at the height of red alert warnings, the peak demand reached 7,493 MW, surpassing the 2018 peak demand on May 23 of 7,399 MW. Meralco has been urging the government to put up additional capacity for the past years in the wake of the forecast increase in power demand amid anticipated higher economic growth.

By Joel E. Zurbano

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LGUs...

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governments should already put their foot down by not issuing business permits to non-compliant establishments,” Año said.

In a memorandum circular, Año said LGUs should ensure that all residential, private, and public establishments in their areas have a proper sewage treatment and septic waste management system.

“Local governments should compel all residential, commercial, industrial, institutional, and government establishments in their jurisdiction to have their own hygienic septic tanks or wastewater treatment facility,” he said.

Año also said that LGUs must also see to it that all septic tanks are accessible and that no wastewater will be discharged to waterways without proper treatment.

For establishments with inaccessible or non-compliant septic tanks, he said they may opt to remodel or restructure it, connect to existing sewer lines of water utilities, or construct communal or shared septic tanks.

Food establishments discharging wastes are also encouraged to have a working and properly maintained oil and grease trap installed in their respective areas.

US Senator...

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Lugar died of chronic inflammatory polyneuropathy, according to a statement from the Lugar Center in Washington, a global policy institute which he founded in 2013.

Lugar was a leader in pressing South Africa to end apartheid, and earlier in the campaign to oust the authoritarian Filipino President Ferdinand Marcos—having to overcome opposition from President Ronald Reagan on both issues.

A soft-spoken Republican moderate, Lugar was twice chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and built a reputation as one of Washington’s most influential foreign-policy voices during the record six terms he represented Indiana in the Senate. AFP

AN OCTOGENARIAN was killed while five other persons were hurt when a fire of still unknown origin struck a 21-story condominium building in Parañaque City Monday afternoon.

The blaze started at the 21st floor of Pacific Coast Plaza Condominium along 1st Villamar Street in Barangay Tambo around 12:30 p.m. The fire, affecting the 18th, 19th and 20th floors

of the building, reached the general alarm level.

The fatality, identified only as one Zenaida, 80, was found dead alone at the 21st f loor of the building. She was burned to death beyond recognition, a Bureau of Fire Protection official said.

Parañaque City Fire Marshall Supt.

Robert Facis did not identify those hurt but he said they were rushed to different hospitals in the city, and most of them

suffered minor burns and laceration.

A dog and a puppy were rescued from the blaze.

Responding firemen coming from various cities in Metro Manila placed the fire under control around 2:29 p.m.

Authorities ordered a road closure along the northbound lane of Coastal Road during the fire that caused heavy traffic going to Roxas Boulevard.

The BFP is investigating the cause of the blaze.

LET PALARO GAMES BEGIN.

Fresh from a successful visit to China, President Rodrigo Duterte bangs the gong to signal the formal opening of the 2019 Palarong Pambansa at the Davao City-UP Sports Complex on April 28.

Presidential Photo

Pump prices rise: Gas costs an extra P0.75

By Alena Mae S. Flores THE country’s oil firms raised pump prices by as much as P0.90 per liter effective Tuesday to reflect the movement of oil prices in the world market, triggering the fourth consecutive oil price increase.

The oil firm implemented an oil price increase of P0.90 per liter for kerosene, P0.80 per liter for diesel and P0.75 per liter for gasoline.

Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp., Chevron Philippines, Seaoil Philippines, PetroGazz, Eastern Petroleum Philippines and PTT Philippines issued separate advisories of the increase.

“Effective 12:01 a.m. April 30, 2019, CPI [Caltex] will increase the wholesale posted price of Platinum and Silver by P0.75 per liter, diesel by P0.80 per liter and kerosene by P0.90 per liter [all VAT inclusive],” Caltex said.

Unioil Petroleum Philippines announced in its weekly fuel forecast for April 30 to May 6, that the price per liter of diesel might increase by P0.75 to P0.85, while gasoline price should go up by P0.70 to P0.80 per liter.

Local oil companies usually implement fuel price adjustments every Tuesday of the week.

World oil prices reacted upwards amid supply disruptions and rising geopolitical concerns, specifically tensions between the US and Iran.

The US announced it will not renew waivers for countries that import Iranian crude after May 2.

Pinay maid...

From A1

P750-daily wage...

From A1

for P750 national minimum wage, will certainly transform into a social upheaval,” he said.

On Sunday, the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines, the largest labor union, said it will be seeking a 710-peso-a-day across-the-board wage increase for the workers in the National Capital Region to lift more Filipinos out of poverty.

The group, led by its president Raymond Mendoza and other union officers, were expected to file the wage-hike petition before Metro Manila’s Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board on April 29.

If the union’s petition is approved, it will bring the minimum wage in Metro Manila to P1,247 per day and would benefit employees across-the-board, TUCP spokesman Alan Tanjusay said.

“We are not hitting President Duterte or the government with this [wage hike petition], we are just telling the decision

PH,...

From A1

He said both leaders “repeated their previous stands” about the contested resource-filled waters.

“What is more important is that the President said there have been irritants because of that ruling and both of them agree that the mechanism of bilateral relations will be used to resolve the conflict,” Panelo said, referring to the 2016 arbitral ruling on the South China Sea favoring the Philippines and reject-

makers there is an urgent need to raise wages so that people can live decently,” Tanjusay said.

“It seems that some government economists have set the poverty threshold very much lower than what it should be.”

Tanjusay said the government considers a family consisting of five members who have a total monthly income of P10,481 as “out of poverty.”

But he says his group will call on the wages board to factor in the recent developments such as the inflationary spikes in the prices of food and other basic goods in setting “realistic wages.”

The minimum wage for the employees in Metro Manila is currently at P537 per day.

The TUCP is also set to file separate wage hike petitions in other regions.

Petitions may be filed with the wage boards in Cebu and Davao within the week, Tanjusay said.

“We are still computing what the right amount should be in the other regions,” he said.

The labor group has traditionally filed its wage hike petitions in time for

the celebration of Labor Day. The police on Monday said they are ready to maintain peace and order on May 1.

“While Labor Day is supposed to be celebrated to pay fitting tribute to Filipino workforce, it has been historically marred by protest actions and public assemblies, often initiated by militant labor and cause-oriented groups,” PNP chief Oscar Albayalde said.

“Consistent with national policy, the PNP will support all lawful and peaceful activities in commemoration of Labor Day, but only within the bounds of the law,” he added.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines, meanwhile, said it has yet to detect any threat coming from communist rebels for the celebration of Labor Day on Wednesday.

“The only monitored activity by leftist activists so far is the conduct of rallies to push their labor agenda, which is already being addressed by the government and our lawmaking body,” said Col. Noel Detoyato, AFP public affairs office chief. With PNA

ing China’s claims over the area.

GMA News had earlier reported that Xi had told Duterte that China does not recognize the ruling.

The ruling, issued by The Hague-based tribunal three years ago, invalidated Beijing’s sweeping claims over the disputed waters, part of which remains under the Philippines’ jurisdiction.

Asked about this, Panelo said he could not remember anything mentioned about the arbitral ruling.

“What’s important to me is that both of them raised that issue and both of them agreed on how to resolve the ir-

ritants and challenges that are being confronted on both sides,” Panelo said.

Along with his Cabinet members, Duterte spent four days in Beijing last week to attend the Belt and Road Forum, bringing home 19 deals signed between the Philippine and Chinese business delegations.

The Palace earlier said Duterte culminated the talk with the Chinese President articulating his position that the Philippines remained China’s ally in Southeast Asia, adding that Xi even emphasized that both countries, as allies, “strengthen–and do not destroy–each other.”

P10-m...

From A1

will arrest them “wherever Acierto may be found hiding” and immediately bring them in for an inquest.

A Manila City regional trial court has issued a warrant of arrest and a hold-departure order against Acierto and seven other people accused of importing dangerous drugs in connection with the billions of pesos worth of shabu concealed in magnetic lifters seized last year.

Guevarra earlier said the arrest efforts against Aci-

Rare turtles...

From A1

to government redevelopment plans.

At its peak around 1,000 of the creatures were housed at The Live Turtle and Tortoise Museum, which opened in 2001 at popular tourist spot Chinese Gardens. It also showcased specimens and memorabilia such as figurines and stuffed toys.

erto were “somewhat hampered” by the leakage of the DOJ resolution indicting the former police official, former Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency deputy director for administration Ismael Fajardo, ex-Customs intelligence agent Jimmy Guban, and five others.

Chan Yee Wah alias KC Chan alias Fhonie Chan alias Albert Chan alias Chen Fong Hsiang; Zhou Quan alias Zhang Quan alias Zhauq Quan; Vedasto Baraquel Jr.; Maria Lagrimas Catipan, and Emily Luquingan are also accused of violating the dangerous drugs law.

The Justice department is now investigating who was responsible for the leakage.

While the venture built up a loyal following, there had been criticism online of the conditions the reptiles were kept in. Authorities decided to repurpose the area, and evicted them—leaving owner Connie Tan scrambling to find and finance a new location.

“I gave up quite a lot for this, and it’s tough. My son’s university education fees have gone into keeping this place alive,” explains Tan, whose father created the original museum, securing the Guinness World Record for the “largest collection of tortoise and turtle items.” AFP

Palisoc shared her story during the presentation of the ILO’s Safe and Fair program earlier this month.

The five-year program, launched in 2018 in all 10 member-states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, is part of the Spotlight Initiative of the European Union and the United Nations aimed at eliminating violence against women and girls.

“The ultimate goal is to make migration a safe and fair process for women—and more importantly towards the creation of decent jobs and real opportunities that will uplift the lives and welfare of all migrant workers,” said Khalid Hassan, director of the ILO Country Office for the Philippines.

In the Philippines, the Safe and Fair program is guided by national project advisory committee that counts among its partners representatives from government, trade unions, employers, recruiters, grassroots and civil society groups.

“OFWs deserve to be empowered.

We should provide care and protection when they need us the most,” Overseas Workers’ Welfare Administration head Hans Cacdac said.

UN Women acting officer in charge Maricel Aguilar said while the Philippines has ratified several UN and ILO conventions seeking to eliminate all forms of discrimination against women and to protect the rights of domestic workers, the crucial gap is on implementation and monitoring.

“The ‘Safe and Fair’ initiative creates an opportunity for us to look into these and to make them more responsive to women migrant workers. While there are vulnerabilities that are still present to this day, it is also important to highlight the capacities of women to actually shape public policies and programs. It is also important to eliminate stigma as it creates a lot of social breakdowns and barriers, putting a lot of migrant women workers at risk,” Aguilar said.

Tacloban...

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Tacloban got the Hall of Fame award after winning in the best float design for three consecutive years.

Dubbed as “Tacloban Through the Years,” the float was designed by artist-brothers Nick and Daniel Guarino.

It depicted the “upcoming events of international significance in Eastern Visayas whose Regional Capital is none other than the ‘City of the Happiest People in the World’, the City of Tacloban.”

The float, divided into sections, was highlighted by the iconic San Juanico Bridge to symbolize “oneness” of Leyte and Samar islands and embellished with indigenous materials.

The sections depicted Tacloban’s devotion to its patron Señor Sto. Niño, the upcoming 500th year of the birth of Christianity in the Philippines after the Spaniards landed in Limasawa Island in March 1521, the 75th anniversary of the Liberation Day Allied troops led by General Douglas Mac Arthur on Oct. 20, 1944, and the “gains” of Tacloban after its destruction from the 2013 Super Typhoon “Yolanda.”

News 2 Chinese nationals deported TWO Chinese nationals wanted by authorities in Beijing for cybercrime were ordered deported and banned from returning to the Philippines, the Bureau of Immigration said Monday.

BI Commissioner Jaime Morente identified the fugitives as Hong Webin and Li Cheng who were arrested inside their condominium unit in Mandaluyong City by operatives from the bureau’s fugitive search unit (FSU).

Morente said he issued the mission order for the aliens’ arrest upon receiving information from the Chinese Embassy in Manila that both are wanted in China for distributing obscene materials via the Internet and engaging in illegal propaganda.

They are now detained at the BI detention facility in Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig City pending issuance of the order for their summary deportation by the bureau’s board of commissioners.

“We will send them back to China as soon their deportation orders are issued. Their continued presence here poses a threat to public safety and security,” Morente said, adding that the duo will be blacklisted by the BI to prevent them from re-entering the Philippines.

According to BI-FSU chief Bobby Raquepo, both Hong and Li had hidden in the country since October last year when they arrived together in Manila as tourists.

Raquepo said both fugitives had become undocumented aliens as their passports were already canceled by the Chinese government.

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mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Marawi rehab to go on—Panelo T

By Nat Mariano

By Vito Barcelo

TUESDAY, APRIL 30, 2019

HE Duterte administration will continue the rehabilitation of the Marawi City, the Palace said on Monday, adding the government will prioritize the affected residents and let rich businessmen of the war-torn city to fully restore their homes.

Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo declared this after media reports, according to him, “misunderstood” President Rodrigo Duterte when the latter said the government would not spend money anymore to rebuild the damaged city in Mindanao.

“No, you did not understand the President there. He said the businessmen there should be the one (sic) to spend for their wrecked buildings and not the government,” Panelo told Palace reporters.

“Of course, we will put first the needs of the public, not yours [businessmen].

‘Pagcor must issue casino license for Waterfront Hotel’

By Rey E. Requejo THE Court of Appeals has sustained its earlier decision ordering the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. to issue a license to Waterfront Philippines Inc. for a casino-hotel it plans to build in Entertainment City in Parañaque City.

In a two-page resolution promulgated last April 22, the CA’s former 6th Division dismissed the motion for reconsideration filed by Pagcor seeking reversal of its decision in October last year.

“After carefully considering the grounds raised in the subject motion, We find that the said reasons and the arguments in support thereof have been amply treated, discussed and passed upon in the subject decision,” stated the ruling penned by Associate Justice Samuel Gaerlan.

The CA instead reaffirmed its earlier ruling, which upheld the August 2017 ruling of Manila regional trial court branch 173 Presiding Judge Armando Yanga that compelled Pagcor

to issue provisional license in favor of Waterfront.

The said order required Pagcor to immediately approve Waterfront’s proposal for the Grand Waterfront Hotel and Casino under the Bagong Nayong Pilipino Manila Bay Integrated City Project.

The court said it was “ministerial” for Pagcor to act on Waterfront’s application. Since Waterfront complied with all the requirements listed in Pagcor’s last letter dated April 23, 2008, the court said its application “warranted review and evaluation.”

It noted that while Pagcor failed to act on Waterfront’s application, it acted on similar applications by Resorts World Manila, City of Dreams, Solaire Resort and Casino, and Okada Manila.

The RTC issued the ruling upon petition filed in March 2015 by Waterfront, which questioned the inaction of Pagcor on its application for license despite its submission of all requirements—including a $100-million cash deposit.

You have to spend also on that. You cannot rely on us on that. You have to help us,” he added, emphasizing the government would give priority to the needy public.

According to the Palace official, the Marawi-based businessmen should find the means to rebuild their homes for they have the money and capacity to do it more than others.

Asked why the President suddenly felt the need to remind businessmen in Marawi that their needs were not on top of the government’s priority list, Panelo said: “I don’t know. Maybe he just said for them not to assume anything.”

“Because they might already assume

that the government will build their buildings,” he said.

However, if ever the businessmen should find it difficult to return to their businesses, Panelo said they could opt to take loans from the government.

The Palace also assured the public the government had insufficient funds for the rehabilitation of the war-torn city.

Aside from the allocated budget for its full restoration, Panelo said there were also donations from foreign countries.

The government has amassed at least P62 billion for the rehabilitation of Marawi City, reduced to rubble during the siege in 2017.

Binay siblings in verbal tussle A video of the scene showing how Jejomar Erwin Binay lost his cool had since gone viral on Facebook. The orSENATOR Nancy Binay has urged her ganizer said “this is the first time that two younger siblings, incumbent Maka- happened inside a church.”

Jejomar Erwin is seeking a political ti Mayor Abigail Binay and former Mayor Junjun Binay, both running for comeback, running against Abigail in mayor, to just stick to their platforms the May 13 midterm polls.

Abigail is being endorsed by the elder and set aside personal issues after they figured in a verbal tussle during an elec- Binay while Junjun is enjoying the support of the senator. tion forum in Makati.

In an interview over ABS-CBN News The younger Binays engaged in a heated argument towards the end of Channel, the senator cried and told Abithe forum Sunday, at the San Ilde- gail they would still remain a family.

“For me, this is just simple, if we are fonso Parish Church, sponsored by the Parish Pastoral Council for Re- no longer have position, at the end of the day, all those around us will also sponsible Voting.

Their father, former Vice President disappear, but we, your family, will alJejomar Binay, who is seeking a con- ways be there for her,” she said.

The senator, the eldest among the gressional seat and backing the mayoral bid of Abigail, and supporters of both children of the former Vice President candidates meddled to ease tension in- and Dr. Elenita Binay, who also served as Makati mayor, is backing Junjun’s side the church.

On Monday, Mayor Binay denounced return to the mayoral seat.

The senator also noted that as a parher siblings who, she said, accused her of doing nothing for the welfare of city ent, she could see and feel the pain of residents, especially those in need of their parents due to the fighting between their two children. health and other basic services.

“They are no longer young. I hope Makati City police chief Rogelio Simon, Vice Mayor Monique Lagdameo during their remaining years, I hope we and other local candidates were also should be helping each other to make happy,”YELLOW said the senator. present during the event.

CYAN them MAGENTA BLACK

By Macon Ramos-Araneta and Joel Zurbano

Manila

Standard

TODAY

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES Office of the President

PHILIPPINE CHARITY SWEEPSTAKES OFFICE Sun Plaza Building, 1507 Shaw Boulevard cor Princeton St., Mandaluyong City 1552 www.pcso.gov.ph

NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC Please be informed that the operation of “Peryahan Games or Peryahan ng Bayan” run by Globaltech Mobile Online Corporation is UNAUTHORIZED and ILLEGAL for the following reasons: 1. Deed of Authority (DOA) already expired on March 31, 2016; 2. There is no longer an entity or individual authorized by PCSO to operate Peryahan ng Bayan in any part of the country after the expiration of Globaltech’s Deed of Authority; 3. Under-remittance of sales due to PCSO during the experimental test run which ballooned to P506 Million1 including penalties, as of January 23,2019; 4. Peryahan games tickets/receipts are NOT generated using mobile handheld terminals as agreed upon with PCSO under the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) and the DOA; 5. Only the following games were approved by PCSO only during the experimental test run: a. Hulog Holen b. Lucky Tres-Standard & Sum Side Bet c. Throw Coins Main Game However, these games are no longer being played. Instead, Peryahan games are now similar to Small Town Lottery (STL) games and bets are taken using paper betslips contrary to the IRR and therefore illegal.

6. These games should be played through localized draws at respective PCSO designated draw courts. Draws should be conducted by PCSO personnel with the assistance of Globaltech personnel. Instead, Globaltech now conducts Peryahan draws without the supervision of PCSO personnel.

Any person caught participating in these Illegal activities by financing, operating, betting, and conducting Peryahan Games or any other act directly or Indirectly related therefrom shall be held criminally liable under Republic Act 9287 “An Act Increasing the Penalties for Illegal Numbers Games, Amending Certain Provisions of Presidential Decree No. 1602, And For Other Purposes” and other applicable laws.

Mandaluyong City, 10 April 2019 (Sgd.) ANSELMO SIMEON P. PINILI Chairperson and OIC-General Manager 1

PHP 506,193,974.26 (MS-APR. 22 / 30, 2019)

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Opinion

TUESDAY, APRIL 30, 2019

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Much ado about nothing THAT controversy over the alleged matrix that involves journalists and lawyers in a supposed plan to oust the President is a case of much ado about nothing.

In the first place, I cannot believe that a group of journalists and lawyers can destabilize an administration just like that.

They may have been critical of the Duterte administration and posted stories supporting their views, but that is all they can do.

When we see people marching on the streets and protesting, that is the time President Duterte should start worrying.

When we see people marching on the streets and protesting, that is the time President Duterte should start worrying.

But there is nobody marching. The military and the police are not restive. The President's popularity is not declining. So what is the purpose of that matrix?

It's clear that the purpose is to show that all the criticism is simply to destabilize the government. As such, the socalled expose achieves nothing!

The fact that disturbed me was that a newspaper allowed itself to be used by the Palace to demonize its critics.

I really don't care which side of the political fence the journalists are on.

But why did a newspaper allowed itself to be used?

I cannot believe that just because it was President Duterte who fed that matrix to the newspaper, it should already be taken as gospel truth. I can sympathize with the newspaper's managing editor who was told to resign after questioning the publication of the story without verification.

I don't want to get embroiled in the intramurals of another newspaper, but I know that editors should present both sides of the story. *** Tingog first nominee Yedda Marie K. Romualdez, the wife of Leyte First District candidate Martin Romualdez, has renewed her appeal to the Senate to give priority to the passage of the Department of Disaster Resilience when Congress resumes session on May 20.

I agree. Given how earthquakes are happening back to back all over the country, we need this measure urgently. And there will be flooding, mudslides, and other disasters. This is the new normal.

I have been advocating the creation of such a department focusing on rescue, relief and rehabilitation. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council may have been devolved, but the frequency of disasters happening demands unity of command and a sciencebased approach, Romualdez said.

The new department would also provide leadership in the continuous development of strategic and systematic approaches to mitigation, prevention, preparedness, response, recovery and rehabilitation.

Romualdez knows whereof she speaks because she is from Tacloban, one of the places hit the hardest by Yolanda in 2013. *** I could not believe it when I heard President Duterte say that from now on, the government will not spend a single centavo on the rehabilitation of Marawi City. These efforts will now be left to affluent residents and businessmen.

Santa Banana, the question may be asked: What caused the destruction of Marawi City in the first place, if not the incessant bombing and strafing by government planes in an effort to flush out the IS-inspired Maute group that laid siege on the city for five months?

Isn't that enough reason for the government to rehabilitate Marawi City using government funds?

I cannot find any justification for the affluent residents and businessmen of Marawi City to bear the ultimate burden of rehabilitating the city when it was government in the first place that was responsible for its total destruction.

Adelle Chua, Editor

EDITORIAL

Give them the floor

I

T WAS as entertaining as it was informative to watch Saturday's senatorial debate organized

by CNN Philippines and held at University of Santo Tomas.

Eleven senatorial hopefuls were asked to elaborate on their positions on several pressing national issues such as the war on drugs, disaster resiliency, territorial claims on the West Philippine Sea, loan agreements with China, power and water, and the restoration of the death penalty.

The candidates expressed their views and described their platforms in varying levels of eloquence, substance, credibility— and emotional mastery.

Other hopefuls who did not participate in the debate say this is more for the benefit of the newer faces who have not had the opportunity to talk about their priorities and positions. Senator Jinggoy Estrada, for instance, says he

would rather debate on the Senate floor. Senator Juan Edgardo Angara, for his part, says his work is already known to many.

The Commission on Elections says it cannot anymore organize a debate among senatorial candidates because there is no longer time.

It's good, thus, that the public can still witness debates which tell us a lot more about those seeking to supposedly serve us than the witty phrases their staff put together.

Saturday's three-hour-long debate, for instance, gave the audience a sense of whether the candidates truly know the issues and the factors affecting them.

We were also able to see how

well the candidates expressed themselves and connected with the people, and how well—or how badly—they conducted themselves in the face of being confronted with different views.

Reserving the debates for after the elections would defeat the purpose of evaluating and selecting the candidates based on merit. Skipping them because one is already wellknown robs the people of the opportunity to operate beyond name recall, a despicable voting tendency that presumes voters are not capable of critical thinking.

So by all means, in these last crucial days before we elect our leaders, let us listen to them go on record with their commitments so we can later hold them to their promises—or discover their inadequacies now, before it is too late.

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A matrix of evil lies IN 1999, “The Matrix”, starring Keanu Reeves, was shown in movie theaters around the world. It is a science fiction action film depicting a dystopian future in which humanity is unknowingly trapped inside a simulated reality called the Matrix created by thought-capable machines (artificial beings) to distract humans while using their bodies as an energy source. When computer programmer Thomas Anderson, under the hacker alias “Neo”, uncovers this truth, he “is drawn into a rebellion against the machines” along with other people who have been freed from the Matrix.

The so-called Duterte’s ouster plot matrix, linking journalists and human rights lawyers to a destabilization plot, is also clearly a product of someone’s wild imagination. This so-called matrix of destabilization, allegedly sourced from President Duterte himself, must be dismissed for what it is—in evil matrix of lies, totally devoid of truth, absolute garbage, of no probative or socially relevant value.

It came as no surprise though that those included in the destabilization matrix have one thing in common—all are critical of the government on human rights, corruption, and/or China policy.

In the case of the media, they are journalists of Rappler, the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism, and Vera Files who are just doing their jobs as press people, seeking and exposing the truth. And definitely, that is also true of the National Union of People’s Lawyers (NUPL) who are only being true to their duty as officers of the court and their mission as lawyers for human rights and for the poor. In similar matrices proposed by the President or his allies (his son Polong for example) in the past, opposition politicians and even fast food outlets were included.

I know personally Ellen Tordesillas and many of the personalities mentioned in the matrix who are from media and human rights organizations. I have worked with the NUPL closely on many shared causes and have taught many of their young lawyers. They are the best, most committed lawyers that are practicing in this country. I vouch for their integrity, the devotion to their professions, and to their patriotism. I

unconditionally stand with them.

In other times, this destabilization matrix will be laughable, but given the poisonous environment and climate of repression and impunity during this period, any and all accusations against the government sends a chilling effect not only to those directly implicated but to all journalists, human rights lawyers and activists. It unduly poses a threat to and puts at risk the lives, limbs and liberty of those directly implicated. In the context of the horrible epidemic of red-tagging which has had lethal consequences, this matrix is evil at its core and must be condemned in the strongest way possible.

Where can ordinary citizens turn to for protection?

Not taking this threat lightly, NUPL filed on April 10, 2019 a petition for writ of amparo and habeas data before the Supreme Court to “seek the protection of the Petitioners whose rights to life, liberty and security have been violated and continue to be violated through persistent threats and harassment, and red tagging clearly intended to vilify and intimidate them and prevent them from pursuing their profession as members of the bar and from practicing their advocacy as peoples’ lawyers serving the poor and the marginalized.” It likewise seeks to compel Respondents (President Duterte, Gen. (ret.) Hermogenes Esperon Jr. as national security adviser, Maj. Gen. (ret.)

Delfin Lorenzana, as the Secretary of National Defense, and other generals), under the Writ of Habeas Data, “to produce and, if necessary, to update and rectify, or to suppress and destroy, data, information, and files in their possession, under their control, or contained in their data base which relate to or concern Petitioners.”

As narrated by NUPL, many among their ranks have been brutalized, harassed and victimized by state forces. The petition gives as examples the cases of petitioner Atty. Catherine Salucon who was harassed and placed under heavy surveillance; Atty. Rodolfo R. Felicio who was gunned down by motorcycle-riding men; Atty. Ron Ely L. Espinosa, the second vice president for Luzon of NUPL and Turn to A5

Comelec’s wise move in Zambo Norte row The poll body saw through a ploy.

IN OUR last column, we shared the view expressed by political observers that the results of the elections in certain parts of Mindanao might end up being decided by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) rather than by the electorate themselves.

Well, recent developments may have fueled hopes that such may not be the case. The Commission on Elections (Comelec) just last week proved once more that it aims to uphold the sanctity of the election process and will leave the power of choice in the hands of voters.

The development pertains to an issue which hounded the contest for the governorship of Zamboanga del Norte. The incumbent, Governor Roberto “Berto” Uy, is running for reelection against two contenders. One is a member of the Jalosjos clan—Zamboanga del Norte Congressman Seth Frederick “Bullet,” son of former Representative Romeo Jalosjos.

That a Jalosjos is challenging the incumbent Uy for the post comes as no surprise. The Uys and the Jalosjoses have been locked in a political battle

royale for the past two or so elections.

The more interesting challenger is the third one—an unknown aspirant who some say is a utility man who is in the payroll of a local government in that province. What makes him even more interesting is that his name is also “Roberto Uy.” Even more interesting is that he sports the same nickname— “Berto”—as that of the incumbent governor.

The only difference is their respective middle names. The incumbent’s is “Yu”; the challenger’s is “Escobido.” But then, middle names do not matter in political campaigns. They were both talked about and referred to as “Berto Uy.” The Comelec must have seen through this brilliant ploy.

In its resolution, the Comelec ruled that the utility man is nothing more than a “nuisance” candidate and nullified his certificate of candidacy.

Reports say the Comelec went under much pressure to let the utility man stay on the ballot. It appears the only way his

nemeses thought the original Berto Uy could be defeated was to confuse voters.

It appears the Comelec decided to stand its ground and deal with the confusion that the presence of a second “Berto Uy” creates.

This is a good move by the Comelec.

By standing its ground, the Commission has raised hopes that the voters of Zamboanga del Norte will be voting for the candidate who they actually have in their mind as their choice. Theirs will be votes based on a decision which, in turn, is based on accurate information.

Fielding a namesake of a candidate has been an overused tool in local elections in this country. As the Comelec resolution noted, the intention is nothing more than to confuse voters. The Comelec knows that confusion is the enemy of wise decisions.

Whoever fielded and funded the short-lived run of the other “Berto Uy” must have believed that the only way the original Berto Uy could be defeated was to confuse the people of Zamboanga del Norte. Based on reports, whoever these parties may be are still capitalizing on the earlier confusion. They are reportedly plastering the province with posters showing the face of the incumbent and alongside his face is the number of the disqualified challenger.

The Comelec is reportedly expected to rule that all votes cast in favor of any

Turn to A5

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Opinion

TUESDAY, APRIL 30, 2019

The dragon thumps its tail LAST week’s second summit in Beijing of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) saw the Chinese continue to aggressively push their multi-billion dollar global infrastructure initiative. At the same time, it also provided a forum for China’s leadership to shed more light on their plans and promises, upon which the rest of the region must depend for a lot of guidance about the future.

From President Xi’s keynote speech, Hong Kong’s South China Morning Post abstracted the following six important promises made by China: 1. Keep its currency stable within a reasonable range and refrain from any “beggar thy neighbor” devaluation—This has long been a sore point with the US because such devaluation makes Chinese exports artificially cheaper while discouraging imports that become more expensive at local prices.

2. Import more foreign agricultural products and services for more balanced trade—his is related to the first point and will be music to the ears of countries as different as ours and the United States, both of us nonetheless being substantial agricultural exporters.

3. Closer cooperation with the international community over intellectual property rights—Another sore point with the US and other technologically advanced nations. Xi promised to end forced technology transfers, protect trademarks and trade secrets, and combat IP theft.

4. Stronger commitment to an open economy, i.e. more imports—The landmark event will be the country’s second import expo, in Shanghai in November.

Xi promised to further cut tariffs and non-tariff barriers, expand market access, slash negative lists, and strengthen regulatory support for foreign investments and supply-side structural reforms.

5. Belt and Road isn’t only for China—Xi promised that this initiative would enhance multilateralism through better connectivity and practical cooperation among participant countries.

6. Greener growth—At least one American state, California, is willing to take the Chinese at their word despite US government skepticism. The state’s lieutenant governor attended the forum “to consider how BRI can drive positive action on climate change.” *** Will the Chinese keep their word?

My own view is that the promises to avoid currency devaluation and pay more attention to intellectual property rights will be the most difficult for them to keep. These strike too closely at their time-tested strategies of accumulating export revenues for growth while moving both exports and growth farther up

the technology value-chain.

The other four promises will be easier to keep. Greater imports especially of agricultural products will concede the hardness of binding constraints like finite arable land and a huge and growing population to feed. Multilateralism and greenness are buzzwords mainly intended for a Western audience—icing on the cake of commercial and political power projection that BRI is really all about.

But there’s enough room for selfinterest by other parties. Facing the prospect of Brexit, the finance minister of a potentially diminished Britain offered BRI his country’s assistance on project financing. The United Nations and the European Union (spoken for by Germany) are also enthusiastic.

The more we wave our fists against the Chinese—even threatening to haul them into court—while neglecting to get our military act together, the less they will respect us.

sneeze at, including: • $4-B construction projects for the LRT, housing, and roads in northern Luzon, creating 4,000 jobs • Four energy deals totaling $4.3-B, total 7,500 jobs • $500-M project to build nationwide WiFi connectivity, 1,000 jobs • Six development deals totaling nearly $2-B between the Cagayan Economic Zone Authority (CEZA) and various Chinese partners • $1.5-B framework agreement with the Pampanga provincial government to develop the Yatai industrial park, 10,000 jobs • $300-M agreement with the Subic Bay authority to develop Grande and Chiquita islands, 1,000 jobs These are the future projects against which we should balance our justifiable anger over issues like giant clams, harassment of our fishermen, artificial islandbuilding, and the often uncouth behavior of imported Chinese workers.

Perhaps the best advice comes from our ambassador to China, the Hon. Chito Sta. Romana: “We combine diplomacy with deterrence. And that’s why you still have to build your capability in terms of deterrence…Trust but verify.”

So how does our deterrent ability look like now? The AFP’s modernization has lagged behind. The PNP is hounded by concerns expressed by Duterte himself about corruption issues. And a civilian militia is non-existent because we dropped ROTC years ago and the Left continues to block its revival.

The more we wave our fists against the Chinese—even threatening to haul them into court—while neglecting to get our military act together, the less they will respect us. So for now, as Ambassador Chito has advised, let’s run after those business deals, keep talking to the Chinese, while quietly improving our war footing. *** In today’s Gospel (John 3: 7-15), Jesus talks about the need to be “born of water and Spirit” if one is to enter the Kingdom of God. He makes it clear that this rebirth can only be accomplished through belief in Him. And why is this so? Because, as explained in the following and well-loved verse 16, “For God so loved the world that He gave his only son…”

This “dying to oneself” expected from us—no less than from Jesus—compels a wholesale reform in behavior as well as outlook. In the first reading (Acts 4: 32-37), Luke describes how the Christian community in Jerusalem adopted the practice of common ownership of all property.

This communalism may seem to confound the value of private property, a principle that shares pride of place with the Christian roots of Western civilization. But it also highlights the excessive generosity—to God and to each other— that’s expected from us.

Others are less so. One notable noshow was the World Bank’s new American president, who was critical of BRI during his previous posting as a US Treasury undersecretary. No senior US officials attended, while Japan only sent a political party leader. China’s old rival India stayed away because BRI includes construction in the disputed region of Kashmir.

The bigger context comes from growing worries about a Chinese “debt trap” being hatched for unsuspecting emerging markets. Already, deals have been cancelled or scaled down in Malaysia, Sierra Leone, Myanmar, and Sri Lanka.

The bottom line: BRI may well be a great idea, but there’s just too many other adverse stories about China out there to close the sale at this point. *** One of those stories, we all know, concerns the inexorable incursions by the Chinese into disputed maritime territories. At his meeting in Beijing with the Chinese prime minister, President Duterte announced his readiness to pursue “high quality and good impact” BRI projects.

But significantly, he sent the media out of the room after his opening remarks. We can only guess what incendiary topics were brought up next.

Nonetheless, Duterte was able to sign agreements on at least 19 new deals totaling over $12-B on the sidelines of Readers can write me at gbolivar1952@ the forum. These deals are nothing to yahoo.com.

Abra solon victim of police harassment Bernos told the media that the group has set up police checkpoints near his residence, stopping and questioning everyone coming in and out of the house.

They describe the police activities as “harassment,” traumatizing the congressman’s children who see a dozen of WAS Philippine National Police CIDG armed to the teeth, manning the spokesman P/Col. Bernard Banac se- checkpoint and looking into their home rious when he said that PNP personnel every day. must remain "neutral" and “apolitical” in this coming election?

That means policemen are prohibited from serving as goons for candiEvery cop must know dates in the coming May 13 mid-term national and local elections. Every PNP the rules by heart. personnel must know that rule by heart.

However, Abra Congressman Joseph Sto. Niño “JB” Bernos, along with his It’s a shame that the vice chairman family and supporters, are apprehenOrsive about the presence of a large num- of the House Committee on Public Or ber of the PNP Criminal Investigation der and Safety and his family would and Detection Group (CIDG) personnel feel harassed by the CIDG men under outside his home “watching closely ev- General Corpuz, whom I know as an upright officer and a gentleman. ery movement” of the Bernos camp.

Imagine how these cops could inReelectionist Bernos (PDP-Laban) happens to be up against the Victoria timidate and harass a ranking governSeares Corpus (PDDS), the wife of CIDG ment official of the land, just like that, chief Police General Amador Corpuz for without getting into trouble. I could not the lone representative of the province in imagine what they will do to "barrio folks" in the remote areas. the House of Representatives.

The CIDG chief himself must come clean with an explanation to straighten out this possible election violation.

If he fails to do so, then this complaint should be looked into either by the PNP Internal Affairs Service, PNP Chief Director-General Oscar Albayalde, Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año or the Commission on Elections.

The Comelec is the sole authority po that can direct the PNP to deploy police troops in political hotspots during the election period. Besides, Abra is no longer considered a hotspot. It was downgraded as an "area of concern" after the peaceful and orderly election in 2016.

Bernos confirmed to me the presence of CIDG men near his house day and night when they should be working on criminal cases someplace else.

The young lawmaker, a staunch supporter of President Duterte’s program of reforms, urged the Corpuzes to do away with “dirty politics of the old and harassment" and help Abra to have a clean and peaceful election.

I tried to reach Gen. Corpuz for his side of the story but he has been unavailable so far.

exercise of voter’s choice hangs in the balance.

We mentioned in another column that the Jalosjoses are facing a major challenge in what many say is their original—and last remaining— political stronghold: historic Dapitan City.

Incumbent Mayor Rosalina “Nene” Jalosjos-Johnson is facing former Dipolog City Mayor Evelyn Uy in this year’s race for the top post at the Dapitan City Hall. The latter is the wife of Berto Uy— the governor, not the utility man.

It appears some personalities in Dapitan City believe that the only way to prevent Evelyn Uy from winning the seat is to have her disqualified from the race by getting the Comelec to strike her name off the list of the city’s registered voters.

They raised the residency issue

against Evelyn Uy. The Regional Trial Court had earlier ruled that Uy has met the residency requirement and that her bid for the mayoralty seat of Dapitan City is a valid one.

The issue is now in the hands of the Comelec en banc. As we said earlier, the Comelec here is in a very difficult situation. The body can end up making it hard for the Jalosjoses to keep their last bastion. Or, it can end up depriving the people of the city a better range of choices by removing a serious challenger.

It will not an easy one for the Comelec. However, it has already proven that it has what it takes to make a bold decision that favors the power of informed choices on the part of the electorate.

Comelec’s...

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of the two Berto Uys will be counted in favor of the legitimate candidate.

Once the Comelec does this, it will be sending a strong signal to these selfstyled election strategists whose default mode is to sow confusion and deception.

The Comelec believes that by confusing and deceiving voters, these shadowy characters are depriving voters of their right to informed choices.

While we congratulate the Comelec for its quick and wise move in this particular case, we also commiserate with it. It is still facing one more issue in that part of Mindanao where the fate of the

ernhil@yahoo.com

A5

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Factors that hold down GDP growth deficit approximated $40 billion. That amount is a little more than 50 percent of total OFW remittances during the same 12-month period. So I say to the economic managers, “It's the trade deficit, stupid.” A trade deficit impacts negatively on the BOP, which impacts DESPITE the fact that the economy of negatively on the peso's exchange rate, the country has been unable, in recent which in turn causes the inflation rate to years, to break out of the 6-percent-per- rise because of now-high import prices. annum GDP (gross domestic product) The Philippine economy's growth will growth area, its managers continue to be held down if its managers continue cling to a 7-to-8-percent growth target to regard ti trade deficit problem as belaid down in the Philippine Develop- ing of less than crucial importance. ment Plan, 2017-2022.

“It's the trade deficit, stupid” can be Is the Philippine economy capable altered to read “It's the FDI, stupid.” of growing annually at a 7-to-8-percent This country's GDP growth has for a rate? Yes, it can, if four factors that have long time been driven by consumer long bedeviled this country's economic spending; it should be able to rely to a development are finally addressed ade- great extent in investment spending. quately. The four factors are agriculture, Unfortunately, the investment-conFDI (foreign direct investment), export sumption ratio cannot be redressed in trade and tourism. Stated otherwise, the favor of investment spending because Philippine economy will not be able to this country has long been unable to atbreak out of the 6-percent-per-annum tract much FDI. The Philippines has pegrowth area and into 7-to-8-percent ter- rennially been close to the bottom of the rain if said factors remain unaddressed. list of East Asian recipients of FDI. This First, agriculture. During the last few track record cannot be entirely attributdecades, the ecoed to the restricnomic managers tive provisions and development of the Philippine analysts appear Constitution; afAgriculture, foreign to have been ter all, the laws razzle-dazzled direct investment, of other countries by the sustained export trade and in this region emstrong inflow of body restrictive overseas Fili- tourism provisions also. pino workers' There are other remittances, by negative factors the construction at work, and unboom that these have ignited and by til those factors are identified and adthe rapid growth of the BPO (business dressed, the insufficient-FDI situation process outsourcing) industry. These will continue to operate as a drag on this changes in the economic landscape ap- country's economic growth. pear to have lulled them into thinking Lastly, tourism. A vigorous tourism that the weakness of Philippine agricul- industry has pushed many a developture is an issue that can be swept under ing country out of poverty and up into the rug and that this country can leap- the ranks of the world's middle-income frog its way to developed-economy sta- countries. Quite a few of them have far tus without agricultural development. less to offer tourists than the Philippines They are wrong, of course, There can has, yet their foreign exchange receipts be no bypassing agriculture. The Philip- from tourism are considerably greater pines is now and always will be an ag- than this country's, and the gaps are riculture-based country, as indicated by widening because the rate of growth of its physical configuration, large (albeit tourist arrivals in this country is lower diminishing) share of agriculture in the than the counterpart rates of other East national economic pie, the number of Asian countries. In 2018, Thailand reFilipinos who are farmers and the fact ceived around three times as many that farmers are among the poorest peo- tourists as the Philippines; Vietnam, a ple in this country. It is said that a chain relative newcomer to the tourism scene, is only as strong as its weakest link; ag- received close to twice as many. Even riculture decidedly is the weakest link in hitherto-unknown Cambodia and Laos the Philippine economic chain. are becoming foreign-tourist favorites.

Whenever I think of the Philippine Clearly, the new Secretary of Tourism BOP (balance of payments), I am re- has her work cut out for her. minded of the taunt of then-challenger The Philippine economy has amply Bill Clinton hurled at United States shown that it is capable of 6-percent anPresident George Bush in the heat of nual growth. The factors that have been the 1992 presidential campaign. “It's discussed here—a weak agricultural the economy, stupid,” Clinton said to sector, recurrent trade deficits, inadBush during one of their televised de- equate FDI inflows and a weak tourbates. It is apparent from their analysis ism industry—are preventing it from of the Philippine economy's condition achieving faster GDP growth. Until that this country's economic manag- these negative factors are effectively ers do not consider the chronic Phil- addressed, the Philippine Development ippine merchandise trade imbalance Plan's 7-to-8-percent GDP growth tara serious problem. In 2018, the trade gets will remain just that—targets.

Much ado...

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distinct advantage. This is why I still believe Juan Ponce Enrile could still win.

Second, many in the opposition slate are newbies. Third, the opposition has no leader. *** I join many in congratulating Charlie Agatep, founder, chairman and CEO of Grupo Agatep. He was named best PR Practitioner in Asean. The announcement was made at the Hilton Kuching in Sarawak, Malaysia.

The award was given to Agatep for his outstanding achievements as for five decades and for his passion to continuously inspire next generations of PR professionals.

I wonder—how will the residents of Marawi, rich or poor, take this statement of the President? *** The way I see it, there are three reasons why poll surveys say administration candidates are likely to dominate the May 13 polls.

First, most voters write down names on name recall.This is why reelectionists, those who were previously in the Senate and those with prominent last names are likely to win. “Masa” voters normally vote for six or seven names, so those who are well-known have the www.emiljurado.weebly.com

A matrix...

From A4

for journalists, human rights activists and even environmental activists. If the government, which has all the resources of the state at its disposal, is promoting violence and human rights violations against the press and human rights defenders—unfortunately, Duterte’s matrix does that as we have seen in calls to attack Ellen, Maria Ressa of Rappler, and others—where can ordinary citizens turn to for protection?

In the movie the Matrix, Neo, a computer hacker, rescues human beings captured by a race of machines and which imprisons their minds within an artificial reality known as the Matrix. But in this country where Duterte’s Matrix of lies has been released, who can be the Neo who will free us from the imprisonment of falsity and fear?

I dare say that the Neo is the people.

It’s us. We must reject this matrix of evil lies. We do that now by standing by the journalists that the Duterte government have singled out for attack. We do that by being in solidarity with our brave compañeras and compañeros. We do that by voting on May 13 as senators for Chel Diokno, Neri Colmenares, Florin Hilbay, Erin Tañada, and others who can be relied on to defend our human rights.

a member of its chapter in the Bicol Region, who survived two attempts on his life; NUPL-Negros Secretary General Atty. Benjamin T. Ramos who was killed in Kabankalan, Negros Occidental a few days after he joined an inquiry into the Sagay massacre; and, a few other cases of killings and harassment.

Indeed, many NUPL members have been tagged as members of the CPPNPA-NDF with one of the respondents, Brig. Gen. Antonio Parlade, Jr. publicly accusing NUPL, together with other organizations like its clients Karapatan and others as having links with the CPP and the NPA. As noted in the petition, “The attacks against the NUPL and its lawyers by state agents are intensifying with the escalation of attacks against the legal profession. The present Duterte administration has shown open disdain for human rights activists and lawyers.”

Although, Duterte’s evil matrix came out only after the NUPL petition was filed, NUPL has correctly manifested to the Supreme Court that this matrix is just another action of government that endangers them.

It is no surprise that the Philippines is ranked one of the most unsafe and Facebook Page: Professor Tony La Viña extremely dangerous countries not only Twitter: tonylavs

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TUESDAY, APRIL 30, 2019 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Sandiganbayan sides with Enrile on pork barrel case

IN BRIEF JV thanks Du30 for okay on health funds

By Maricel V. Cruz FORMER Senator Juan Ponce Enrile’s claim that he was summarily charged by the Ombudsman was bolstered when the Sandiganbayan ordered the prosecution to produce the evidence against him and give him the opportunity to prepare his defense once the trial in the pork barrel fund scam case against him starts.

The court’s Third Division, in a resolution issued on April 24, granted Enrile’s motion for the Ombudsman to produce the material evidence in its possession.

Despite the court’s order however, the Sandiganbayan, said the scope of the evidence Enrile may access is limited to documents related to the case’s “bill of particulars” or the itemization of charges against him.

The former Senate president asked the Sandiganbayan to order the Ombudsman “to produce and permit the copying or photographing of any and all documents” mentioned in the bill of particulars.

Enrile is accused of pocketing some P172.8 million of his pork barrel or Priority Development Assistance Fund by channeling the money to the fake nongovernment organizations of convicted plunderer Janet Lim Napoles.

He was initially detained at the National Police Custodial Center in Camp Crame, Quezon City but was later released by the court on humanitarian grounds. He is 95 years old.

Since he faces a nonbailable offense that is punishable by life imprisonment, the Sandiganbayan said a good cause exists for the motion of Enrile to be granted.

In its resolution, the court said: “Enrile has absolute control on how to go about his defense. If in his mind, he needed to inspect or copy pieces of evidence [not privileged] which are material for him to make an intelligent defense, then he is allowed by the court to ask for the inspection or production of these documents.”

The court also cited Section 10, Rule 116 of the Revised Rules of Criminal Procedure allows Enrile to avail this remedy, considering the prosecution made use of government resources to prepare its case.

Thus, the court said “Ombudsman prosecutors were wrong to call Enrile’s motion premature.

SC upholds case vs. car bomber

By Rey E. Requejo THE Supreme Court has sustained the Court of Appeals decision convicting an individual responsible for the car bomb explosion that hit the convoy of Maguindanao Gov. Esmael Mangudadatu in Tacurong City, Sultan Kudarat in 2015.

In a resolution, the SC’s Third Division through Associate Justice Rosmari Carandang held that accused Datu Karim Masdal’s act of causing an explosion that led to the death of Maguindanao provincial board member Datu Russman Sinsuat Sr. and a certain Raffy Pareñas constituted the complex crime of double murder, warranting the imposition of the maximum penalty for murder.

But the SC said in view of the abolition of the death penalty in the country, it has reduced the penalty of death to reclusion perpetua with no eligibility for parole.

“In the case at bar, the circumstances surrounding the fateful day of August 15, 2011, when the explosion at Alunan Highway led to the death of Parents and BM Sinsuat, show an unbroken chain of facts which establish beyond reasonable doubt Masdal’s culpability,” the high tribunal ruled.

The SC rejected the argument of Masdal that he was innocent of the charges considering that the prosecution failed to present evidence on how the bomb was detonated.

Without this vital evidence, Masdal said he should not be convicted of double murder.

Besides, Masdal insisted that a certain Montasir merely handed him a cellphone and told him to send a text message once the Mangudadatu’s convoy arrives.

TAKE YOUR GARBAGE. Protesters led by the EcoWaste Coalition gather outside the Canadian Embassy in Makati City to demand that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau respect the ultimatum set by President Rodrigo Duterte for the immediate return of the thousands of tons of garbage illegally shipped to the Philippines from Canada in 2013-2014 in violation of the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal.

Gov’t eyes support of retired officers in peace process P

RESIDENTIAL Peace Adviser Carlito G. Galvez Jr. called on retired military and police officers to support the soon-to-be created peace panel that will be tasked to oversee the forthcoming engagements with the Moro National Liberation Front and the localized dialogues with communist insurgents.

“As the vanguard of peace in our country, I am asking your full support to move the peace process further as you continue to play your role in peace-building,” he told the members of the Association of General and Flag Officers during their First Quarter Fellowship Meeting this year.

Established in 1966, AGFO over the years has been providing the national government with expert opinion on national security-related issues. Their organization’s First Quarter Fellowship Meeting was themed, “Issues, Challenges, and Prospects of Government Peace Process Efforts.”

Galvez requested AGFO to form an advisory committee which can provide the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process with recommendations on how to move forward its various peace-building initiatives.

“We are asking our members in the AGFO to please help me in crafting possible prospects, or what we call our peace agenda for our nation,” he said.

In December 2018, President Rodrigo Duterte signed Executive Order

No. 70 or also known as the “Wholeof-Nation Approach,” which paved the way for the conduct of the upcoming localized peace engagements with the Communist Party of the PhilippinesNew People’s Army-National Democratic Front.

These engagements will be led by national government agencies, local government units, and other members of the community who can help facilitate the discussions and provide recommendations on how to resolve the root causes of the decades-long communist insurgency.

“The Whole-of-Nation Approach is a holistic, multi-pronged strategy designed to address the decades-long insurgency problem in the country by involving everyone in the process,” Galvez said.

In his talk, Galvez emphasized the crucial role that MNLF founding chairman Nur Misuari has played in the realization of the Bangsamoro people’s dreams and aspirations.

“MNLF Chairman Misuari did not oppose the ratification of the Bangsamoro Organic Law [BOL] and the establish-

HIGH-POWERED.

Quezon City Police District Director, police Brig. Gen. Joselito T. Esquivel Jr., along with National Capital Region Police Office Director Police Major General Lorenzo T. Eleazar inspect the highpowered firearms belonging to the suspects during the presentation held at Camp Karingal in Quezon City.

Manny Palmero

Assert your rights, Duterte urges Palaro youth

By Nat Mariano PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte on Sunday evening called on the youth to assert their rights against corruption and oppression.

Speaking at the opening ceremonies of the Palarong Pambansa 2019 in Davao City, the President stressed to the thousands of student-athletes the importance of knowing one’s rights and upholding it against corrupt oppressors.

“You know, the only thing that this country needs is for you, the young people, to assert your right. That’s it. When they trick you, ask for money, or you are being corrupted, you tell the other guy,

ment of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao [BARMM],” Galvez said.

“Both of us agreed that we will continue our peace dialogue because that is the only way forward for peace,” he added.

Galvez said the government is considering the possibility of appointing retired military and police officers as members of the new peace panels that will engage the communist insurgents and the group of Misuari.

“We are open to include retired military officers in the peace panels. These men spent the prime years of their lives in trying to provide solutions to the armed conflict throughout the country. They know the context and dynamics of the problem on the ground,” Galvez said.

He noted that security officers, who most often are at the forefront of armed conflict, are also among those who are actively involved in peace-building work.

In fact, he said, there has been a number of retired military and police officers who have been tapped to lead the peace negotiations with insurgent groups in the country.

Galvez, who assumed the post of the government’s 11th presidential peace adviser, is not the first retired general to lead OPAPP. The first military man to assume the position was Gen. Manuel Yan, who later on would become an ambassador. PNA

‘Do not mess with me. Duterte told me to slap you, or else I will kill you or report you to him’,” Duterte said.

The President said the youth could help him tip-off about the alleged corrupt activities of the policemen, government workers, and even those who are working under the Office of the President.

“I don’t want that. I do not want oppression. I do not want corruption. If I catch you in the act, you will be first to go to hell. You will go ahead, but I will follow because I know that I will be going to hell,” he added.

According to the President, upholding rights again oppressors does not mean the

youth have to engage in a fight.

“If you see oppression, don't allow it.

You do not have to fight, you just assert your right... and report him to me,” the President said.

“If it is a case of corruption, or they trick you, I will open the gates of Malacañang any time of the day or night. Just knock there, tell the Presidential Guard that you’re a victim of betrayal, hold-up, or rape, and I will go out with you and we will try to solve the problem,” Duterte continued.

“If we cannot solve the problem, we will solve him. That’s just how it is. Either you give your victim justice, or I will give it to you,”he added.

REELECTIONIST Senator JV Ejercito has thanked President Rodrigo Duterte for approving the funds for the improvement of health facilities under the 2019 national budget, while thumbing down some items worth billions of pesos.

“In the first place, I was confident that programs to upgrade health services in the country would be supported by the President,” ssid Ejercito.

“I was certain all along that the funds which I had proposed to be included in the budget for the improvement and expansion of health facilities, and also for the provision of medical equipment, wouldn’t be vetoed by the President,” he also said.

The President recently signed the P3.7trillion 2019 national appropriations, but vetoed some P95.3 billion worth of programs and projects under the Department of Public Works and Highways.

Ejercito, who earned the nickname “Mr. Healthcare” for spearheading the Universal Health Care law, said the President did not reject the more than P15-billion allocations for Health Facilities Enhancement Program “because, probably, he saw the wisdom behind this direction.” Macon Ramos-Araneta

‘Prioritize workers safety, welfare’ SENATOR Joel Villanueva has reminded employers to prioritize the safety and welfare of their employees after reports circulated that some workers in Metro Manila did not leave their posts as the 6.1-magnitude earthquake jolted the capital and nearby provinces on Monday.

“The law is clear. The right of workers to safety and health at work is guaranteed,” said Villanueva, citing a section in the Occupational Safety and Health law which he authored and shepherded as chairman of the Senate committee on labor, employment and human resource development.

“We can’t simply expect our employees to march back to their workstations or to the shop floor without management and safety experts conducting a walkthrough of the facility to assess its structural integrity,” the senator said.

“Sadly, we learned that some offices did just that. We should remind them that the welfare of workers is always of paramount concern. Places of work are the second home of our workers.”

The senator also commented on the issue after receiving reports of some workers in apparent distressed situations after the quake.

One report claimed that workers at malls were being ordered to stay put in their posts instead of evacuating along with customers to exit the building.

Macon Ramos-Araneta

Free Wi-Fi launched in QC trike station QUEZON City Rep. Winston Castelo on Monday launched the free Wi-Fi and highspeed Internet services in a tricycle station along Commonwealth Avenue in a bid to ensure that ordinary residents will have access to better communication, which he said, "plays a major role to development."

Castelo, chairman of the House of Representatives' Committee on Metro Manila Development, was joined by key officials of the Quezon city during the launching of the project at Don Antonio Tricycle Operators and Drivers' Association in Brgy. Holy Spirit, Quezon City in partnership with Airlight Technology Solutions Inc. president Leo San Miguel.

“There is a direct correlation between the strength of the Wi-Fi to the development of a city. We need to provide a strong information technology infrastructure like in Tokyo and Singapore. Providing free Wi-Fi, especially to ordinary people will empower our people and fast-track the development of our city,” Castelo told the crowd during the project launching held at McDonald’s Ever Commonwealth branch. Castelo is running for councilor in the second district of Quezon City.

Quezon City Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte, a mayoralty candidate; Quezon City Councilors Gian Sotto, who is running for vice mayor; and Precious Hipolito Castelo, wife of Castelo who is running for the second congressional district of Quezon City; San Miguel, among others attended the event.

“The people will be connected and have a better communication with their loved ones and friends,” said Castelo, who was the architect behind the land distribution for the poor residents in his district, on the pilot project which would allow 30-minute free Wi-Fi access everyday to every subscriber. Maricel V. Cruz

War on drugs should not end—Sotto

By Macon Ramos-Araneta THE war against illegal drugs, Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III said, should be continuing and perpetual.

“No such thing as FAILED or WON,” posted Sotto in his Twitter account, referring to the government’s campaign against the illicit drug trade.

He assailed as “epal” critics of the Duterte administration’s continuing war on illegal drugs.

“Ang dami kasing epal na hindi naman alam ang laban!” added Sotto, who served as chairman of the Dangerous Drugs Board during the time of the presidency of House Speaker

Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

Sotto however clarified that his post was not specifically directed at the Ateneo School of Government which released on Friday an updated number of drug-related killings from Drug Archive, the academe—led database prepared by Ateneo de Manila University, De La Salle University and the University of the Philippines.

The database showed that the Duterte administration’s war on drugs has resulted in the deaths of more than 7,000 suspects.

“It’s my general statement to those who do not really know about the fight against illegal drugs and drug abuse,” he said.

Sports

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TUESDAY, APRIL 30, 2019 sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

Warriors, Celtics win openers

W

ASHINGTON—Kevin Durant scored 35 points to lead the defending champion Golden State Warriors over Houston 104-100 Sunday while Boston ripped Milwaukee in the openers of their NBA second-round playoff matchups.

Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson, each playing despite right ankle injuries, scored 18 and 13 points respectively while Andre Iguodala and Draymond Green each added 14 as the Warriors jumped ahead in the best-of-seven Western Conference playoff series.

James Harden led Houston with 35 points while Eric Gordon added 27 and Chris Paul contributed 17 in a losing cause, the Rockets hitting only 41.9 percent from the floor.

“We just made them shoot tough shots,” Durant said. “I think our defense won this game.”

At Milwaukee, Kyrie Irving and Al Horford sparked the Boston Celtics to a 112-90 victory. Irving had game highs of 26 points and 11 assists while Horford scored 20 points, grabbed 11 rebounds and blocked three shots.

The Warriors had lost their two prior playoff home games to the Los Angeles Clippers before escaping the first round, but hung on down the stretch to halt that unwanted streak.

Curry sank a 3-pointer to give the Warriors a five-point lead with 25 seconds remaining, but Harden answered with a dunk with lift the Rockets within 103-100

with 21 seconds remaining.

Houston forced a turnover but Harden missed a 3-pointer and Paul got the rebound but then made a turnover and was ejected after a technical foul with four seconds remaining, Curry sinking a free throw to create the final victory margin.

“Just getting more opportunities,” Durant said of his performance. “We’ve got to win every matchup. We’ll bring the focus again Tuesday (for game two).”

Horford quiets Giannis Boston’s Horford led a solid Celtics defensive effort that shut down Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo.

“We came out and made a statement,” Irving said. “We guarded Giannis really tough. We stayed very physical with him.

He’s so good around the rim, that midrange area, we had to keep him out of there. I think we did a great job.”

Antetokounmpo led the Bucks with 22 points and grabbed eight rebounds, but much of his production came late when Milwaukee was already in a 20-point hole.

The Celtics, seeded fourth in the Eastern Conference against the club with the NBA’s best record at 60-22, shot 54 percent against the league’s toughest defensive squad.

Boston unleashed a 32-9 run in the third quarter, Horford scoring 11 in the spurt, to seize an 86-65 lead.

While the host Bucks made one unsuccessful run early in the fourth quarter, they never threatened to erase that lead as they had done with a 15-point deficit in the first half.

“Just coming out playing very aggressive, playing poised, understanding they are very tough to beat on their home floor,” Irving said when asked about the key to Boston’s success. AFP

Pan, Echon stamp class in PPS Ipil net tourney ALDREE Pan came away with a pair of victories in boys’ division while Jane Echon stunned the girls’ premier side as they led the charge of the lesser lights in the PPS-PEPP Ipil national age group tennis tournament at the 102nd Brigade Tennis Courts in Zamboanga Sibugay over the weekend.

The fourth-ranked Pan, 16, dropped just eight games in four matches to rule his age bracket, capping it with a 6-1, 6-3 romp over local bet Dave Palanas then the Duminag, Zambo del Sur rising star trounced John Compra, 6-2, 6-3, in the 18-U finals of the Group 2 tournament presented by Dunlop.

The unranked Echon, on the other hand, crushed No. 2 Jalia Elumba, 6-0, 6-2, in the semis then the Olutanga, Zambo Sibugay find stopped fellow giant-killer Zhyryn Dislag, 6-3, 6-1, in their duel for the 18-U diadem to share the MVP honors with Pan in the event sponsored by Palawan Pawnshop-Palawan Express Pera Padala.

Other winners were Dipolog’s Pete Bandala (10-unisex) and Andrei Tan (boys’ 12-U), Palanas (14-U), Oroquieta’s Cielo Gonzales (girls’ 12-U), Elumba from Sindangan, Zambo del Norte, and Angel Repaja (girls’ 16-U) from Liloy, Zambo del Norte.

Bandala picked up another win with a 4-1, 4-1 rout of doubles partner Rose Mesiona’ Tan held off Kurtney Malmis, 6-3, 7-5; Palanas downed RG Calizar, 6-0, 6-2; Gonzales repulsed Neach Domiguez, 3-6, 7-6(6), 10-7; Elumba turned back Glaze Omos, 7-5, 6-2; and unseeded Repaja shocked top seed Faith Regencia, 6-3, 6-1.

“Pan and Echon’s feats should motivate and inspire other youngsters aiming to go big someday with the PPS-PEPP providing them the ranking tournaments and exposure they need in pursuit of glory,” said Palawan Pawnshop president/ CEO Bobby Castro.

Echon actually made it a “double” as she teamed up with Dislag to beat Regencia and Repaja, 8-4, for the 18-U doubles title with Al Ritz Pan and Jefferson Mallones snaring the boys’ plum with an 8-6 escape over Palanas and Aldree Pan. Angelo Cadavedo and Ryan Elumbaring took the boys’ 14-U title with an 8-2 rout over Calizar and Sean Esick with Elumba and Regencia snatching the girls’ diadem via an 8-7(4) decision over Princess Alabata and Eri Dominguez.

Bandala and Mesiona ran away with the 10-U plum with an 8-0 shutover of Adriane Alabata and AJ Tiongco.

Kevin Durant #35 of the Golden State Warriors shoots the ball against the Houston Rockets during Game One of the Western Conference Semi-Finals of the 2019 NBA Playoffs at ORACLE Arena in Oakland, California. AFP

Davao to host 1st heavyweight title duel since Ali-Frazier ‘Thrilla in Manila’ FOR the first time since the classic “Thrilla in Manila” in 1975, international heavyweight boxing will return to local shores via a southern route.

“Thrilla In Davao” slated on June 15 will have a world heavyweight crown at stake just like the last championship fight between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier in Araneta Coliseum nearly half a century ago.

Ali won the brutal fight—regarded by boxing historians as one of the greatest of all time—when his rival could not answer the starting bell for their 15th and final round of battle.

The main event in Davao has been advertised as a showdown of world superpowers.

Ronald Johnson, a former World Boxing Council North America lightheavyweight champion, is scheduled to clash with Wu Zhiyu of China.

Wu has captured both the Ronald Johnson Wu Zhiyu WBC continental heavyweight his fight resume. and WBC Asian Boxing Council The Davao fight card consisting of six cruiserweight championship belts.

Johnson and Wu will lock horns for the bouts is organized by veteran matchmakvacant world heavyweight title of the Global er Rey Rodis, a former protégé of Don Boxing Organization, a Los Angeles-based King—the famous promoter of Thrilla In fight sanctioning body that is expanding in- Manila and other iconic fights. Rodis will ternationally after years of focusing on US roll out a red-carpet dinner boxing affair at fights. Johnson, 34, brings a record of 15 the 1,500-seat Tent City in Azuela Cove, wins (with four TKOs) against only one loss a new upscale waterside development in via majority decision, while 36-year-old Wu Davao City’s outskirts.

Two major supporting bouts with GBO has nine wins, two losses and one draw on

championship belts on the line will showcase young Filipino and Indonesian contenders. In the 130-pound junior lightweight category, 22-year-old KJ Natuplag of Ifugao province will stake his unblemished record of eight wins, including seven stoppages, when he meets Reynold Kundimang (4-1-3) of Jakarta for the GBO Asia Pacific crown.

Another undefeated fighter from Ifugao, Roy Nagulman (8-0-1) who at 17 has knocked out five of his nine opponents, will clash with 18-yearold Jufri Kakahure (4-2-0) to determine the next GBO Asia Pacific bantamweight (118 lbs) king. All matches will be co-supervised by the Games and Amusements Board and GBO. The Johnson-Wu world heavyweight clash was sealed with a press announcement last April 23 at the Fil-American Community of Los Angeles hall attended by Johnson’s entourage that included well-known rapper Ray J. “Thrilla in Davao is coming 44 years after Don King brought the first and only heavyweight championship in the Philippines dubbed as Thrilla in Manila,” Rodis’ son Cacoi told the media gathering. “It will be held in the hometown of President Rodrigo Duterte and hosted by Mayor Sarah Duterte, both of whom are expected to attend the city’s first-ever heavyweight championship event.”

bXTRA is MILO’s cashback partner LEADING beverage brand MILO recently forged ties with cashback loyalty program provider, BeepXtra Philippines, Inc. (“bXTRA”) to be the Official Cashback Partner of the 2019 National MILO Marathon.

The newly-formed partnership will enable registered participants of this year’s National MILO Marathon to receive loyalty perks and benefits via bXTRA throughout the marathon season.

“We at MILO are dedicated to deliver the best race experience for all runners, and our partnership with bXTRA presents a new and innovative feature that our participants can look forward to,” Lester P. Castillo, MILO Sports Manager said.

All participants in categories 10KM and above will receive a limited edition bXTRAMILO Marathon Cashback Card. Upon activation, cardholders will be qualified to receive Cashbacks from bXTRA partner outlets nationwide ranging from restaurants, hotels, retail stores, clothing, fitness centers to professional services and others.

“bXTRA is working towards revolutionizing the CashBack Loyalty industry by providing the best incentives that both customers and businesses can enjoy,” said Jan-Vincent P. Mercado, President of bXTRA “Through our partnership with MILO, we aim to share this opportunity to more Filipinos, especially the running community, to take advantage of the benefits they will receive with the bXTRA-MILO Marathon Cashback card. With our wide range of partner outlets nationwide, participants can get a chance to obtain special deals and reap their cashback rewards with bXTRA.” In addition to the incentives, bXTRA has committed to donate a portion of its revenue to MILO’s Help Give Shoes advocacy. The youth-focused advocacy is MILO’s initiative to help the young Filipino students attain their dreams by giving them brand new pairs of running shoes and sports equipment. The program has so far given 85,000 shoes and 2,500 basketballs to deserving public schools and students nationwide.

Atty. Jonathan M. Mangundayao, Director, bXTRA is shown with Lester P. Castillo, MILO Sports Manager and Jan-Vincent P. Mercado, President, bXTRA.

LOCKER ROOM RANDY CALUAG

For Tondo and its people THREE years ago, President Rody Duterte launched his candidacy in an impoverished area in Tondo.

In the book “Duterte Campaign: In the eyes of Butch Ramirez”, the author implied that Duterte and his campaign team chose the place instead of the more affluent location in Greenhills to symbolize Duterte’s love and care for the poor.

“Tondo was a symbolic place to launch the candidacy of Mayor Duterte. The place is synonymous with poverty, government neglect and anything that is ugly in the society,” writes Ramirez. “Mayor Duterte wanted to do something for Tondo and other Tondos in the country…He wanted to transform Tondo to be a better place to live in.”

People knew what happened after that, Duterte was so popular among the masses that he won the election for the presidency by a landslide.

But not a major project has been undertaken yet for the people of Tondo. People around the president might have forgotten to tell him that he should return to the place that has long been serving as the country’s symbol of poverty. And fulfill his promise.

Not forgotten Ramirez, who now serves as Chairman of the Philippine Sports Commission, did not forget.

This Locker Room beater was in Davao City to conduct seminar for the students journalists in the weeklong Palarong Pambansa hosted by the city. Part of my itinerary was a visit to the PSC Mindanao where I saw this book authored by Ramirez himself.

His piece about Tondo caught my attention.

I was born and still live in Tondo.

Here’s a place that is deprived of tall buildings and magnificent mansions, but overflowing with simple people united in many ways. This is a place where you can leave your family for a week, knowing that your neighbors are there, always ready to help them in cases of emergency. “Damayan” is precious thing in Tondo.

I showed Ramirez his article and he immediately felt concerned. “We really need to get back there.”

Then his eyes glistened.

Ramirez vows he will jumpstart things for Tondo beginning with a series of free sports clinics, fun games, feeding program and value formation seminar for the poor youth in Tondo, Manila.

The PSC has regular programs like Children’s Games, Larong Pinoy and Larot’ Saya sa Parke that he could immediately implement in a short notice.

I felt happy that somebody from Duterte’s circle is finally giving Tondo a second look.

This could signal the start of big things to come for my Tondo.

Nueva Ecija wins at NBL homecourt NUEVA Ecija beat Imus in overtime, 108-102, last Sunday to win on its home court in the National Basketball League Season 2 at the San Leonardo Gym in Nueva Ecija.

Joffrey Tadeo had 22 points and 11 rebounds including two free throws that sent the game into overtime before finally taking over in the extra period after trailing by as many as 13 points in the game.

The Rice Makers improved to 2-2 and bounced back from their loss to the Laguna Pistons, 121-101, last Saturday at the same venue.

The Pistons came away with another lopsided win against the Zamboanga Valientes, 107-76, improving their record to 3-2.

Shin Manacsa had 29 points in the Pistons’ win over the Rice Makers, and King Fadriquela contributed 15 points, 10 rebounds, and three steals in their win over the Valientes.

Arwin Margallo scored 16 points as the CamSur Express defeated the Bandila, 85-65, last Saturday for their third win in four games.

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

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TUESDAY, APRIL 30, 2019

Sports

The San Miguel Beermen, led by their coach Leo Austria, and the Magnolia Hotshots, spearheaded by their mentor Chito Victolero, are shown with the Philippine Cup that is at stake in their coming best-of-seven showdown. With them is PBA Commissioner Willy Marcial (center).

PSL action heats up as Petron, F2 clash for title Games Today (Filoil Flying V Centre) 4:15 p.m. – Cignal vs PLDT 7:00 p.m. – Petron vs F2 Logistics

INTENSE volleyball action goes full blast as the best club teams in the country—Petron and F2 Logistics—essay another chapter in their storied rivalry when they clash in the Philippine Superliga Grand Prix best-of-three finals today at the Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan.

Game 1 is set at 7 p.m. with the Blaze Spikers and the Cargo Movers clashing for sixth straight time in the finals of this prestigious women’s club league bankrolled

by Asics, Mueller, Mikasa, Senoh, Team Rebel Sports, Bizooku, UCPB Gen, Cocolife, Hotel Sogo and Data Project.

Prior to that, Cignal and PLDT Home Fibr seek to end their campaign on a high note when they collide in the bronzemedal match at 4:15 p.m.

Bannered by the best imports and most reliable local players, both the Blaze Spikers and the Cargo Movers were heavily tipped to dispute the crown.

Petron soared to 14 straight wins in the classification before creaming Sta. Lucia in the quarterfinals and Cignal in the semifinals to move two wins away from sweeping the tournament, a feat it first achieved in the All-Filipino Conference in 2015.

F2 Logistics, on the other hand, blew hot and cold as it lost star setter Kim Fajardo to injury, prompting it to finish the classification with an 11-3 mark. The Cargo Movers survived a scare from a game Foton squad in the quarterfinals before restoring order when they dominated the Power Hitters in the semifinals.

Now, F2 Logistics is back in the finals, carrying an underdog status against a team who last tasted a setback during Game 2 of the All-Filipino finals on Dec. 18 of last year.

But for head coach Shaq Delos Santos, previous record and statistics should be flushed down the drain as this finals series is an entirely different ballgame.

“The sweep in the preliminaries is over. This is now a brand-new challenge for us,” said Delos Santos, who is no stranger to sweeping the conference as he served as assistant to George Pascua during that historic run in 2015.

SMB facing improved Magnolia in PBA finals W

HEN Magnolia goes into its title rematch with defending champion San Miguel Beer in the coming PBA Philippine Cup finals, it is confident of achieving a different result this time around.

Coach Chito Victolero said the experience gained by the Hotshots in their two finals appearances last season, including winning the Governors Cup championship, should augur well for the team going to the best-of-seven series that gets underway Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

“We gained a lot of experience. Nagmature na kami,” said Victolero during the pre-finals press conference Monday at the Sambokojin Restaurant in Eastwood. “Last conference we won a championship and I think malaking bagay ‘yun para sa grupong ito. Malaking tulong ‘yun.”

The Beermen, reigning four-time champion, beat the Hotshots in the AllFilipino title series last year, 4-1.

San Miguel Beer coach Leo Austria believes the Beermen are facing a different Magnolia team this time.

“They are really dangerous, they gained a lot. Unang-una ‘yung experience and then nag-mature na sila,” said Austria, who joined Victolero in the presentation along with members of both teams, governors Robert Non (San Miguel) and Rene Pardo (Magnolia), and league Commissioner Willie Marcial.

And just like the rest of the field, Austria knows teams are out to topple the Beermen, the Hotshots included.

“Every team in the PBA is thinking how to beat San Miguel,” said Austria, whose team made the finals

by making short work of Phoenix in the semis, 4-1. “Lahat ng teams (sa PBA) is very competitive.”

But the three-time Coach of the Year stressed his team knows what is at stake here. “‘Yung habit na yan (winning) parang lifestyle na nila. Ayaw naming matalo,” said Austria.

Victolero did admit that despite gaining a lot, the Hotshots remain the underdogs in the series, especially after being pushed to the limit by Rain or Shine, en route to an overtime 6360 win in the deciding Game 7 of their semis series.

The addition of Christian Standhardinger and Terrence Romeo to San Miguel’s roster is definitely a big factor.

“Malaking tulong ‘yung dalawa compared nu’ng last year na wala sila,” he said. “Kami naman gagawin na lang kung ano ang kaya, so we just have to be prepared with that,” said Austria.

Cabalo, Amoguis win 3rd golds in Arafura Games DARWIN, Australia—John Lloyd Cabalo and Lora Micah Amogius became multiple gold medalists for their respective sports after ruling their third event in the 2019 Arafura Games.

Cabalo captured the men’s 4x400m gold Monday, along with Joviane Calixto, Romel Bautista, and Reymark Godoy with a time of three minutes, 29.11 seconds, to win over their teammates Al-Nhaquiev Sappari, Nicko Caparoso, Jason Buenacosa, and Norman Carl Luardo (3:32.12).

Amogius also won her third gold Sunday night when she teamed up with Erika Lois Suelan, Zoemarie Hilario, and Krisha Joanna Apin in the women’s 13-14 400m individual medley with a time of 4:42.42, nearly nine seconds ahead of silver medalist Northern Territory.

The 18-year-old Cabalo of Puerto Princesa won the 400m and 4x100m relay, while the 13-year-old Amogius of Davao City took the 100m backstroke and the 200m individual medley golds Saturday to give the Philippines a rousing start to its campaign supported by the Philippine Sports Commission and Standard Insurance.

Monday’s morning session in athletics also saw Romel Bautista winning the gold in the men’s 400m hurdles with a time of 1:03.16.

The Philippines also made it a sweep in the 4x400m when the women’s team of May Therese Gula, Abegail Manzano, Jessel Lumapas, and Ara Delotavo captured the gold with a time of 4:37.10.

Swimming bagged five gold medals Sunday with John Paul Elises notching a new Arafura Games record in the 15-16 men’s 100m butterfly with a time of 1:00.11. He broke the previous mark of 1:00.33 set by Ross Pearce in 2001.

Joshua Del Rio (men’s 15-16 200m breaststroke), Fritz Jun Rodriguez (men’s 17 and over 100m butterfly), and Apin (800m freestyle) also won golds in swimming.

Mark Anthony Casenas won his second gold Sunday when he topped the men’s long jump, as Franz Gala Bintad and Eliza Coyum claimed the men’s javelin throw and women’s 100m hurdles respectively.

In muay, Jenelyn Olsim lost in her semifinal bout against Y.S. of Australia to settle for bronze in the women’s female elite -54kg.

The Arafura Games continues with the Philippine men’s basketball team opening its campaign against Torres Strait Tuesday. The final day of swimming and the continuation of muay will also happen Tuesday.

Aparri long-jumper shatters Palaro record

By Peter Atencio DAVAO City—Lanky long-jumper Algin Gomez cleared a record-breaking 7.55 meters on his sixth and last attempt, while barefoot runner Lheslie de Lima topped the 3,000-meter run to bring home the first gold medals at the start of the 2019 Palarong Pambansa here.

The 18-year-old Gomez not only improved on the 6.96-meter leap that gave him the gold medal last year, he also broke the seven-year meet record of Julian Reem Fuentes of 7.26 meters after he took pains working on his takeoff and landing techniques over at the University of Mindanao-Matina oval.

It could have been a new national junior record as well after Gomez, a 12th grader at Aparri East National High School, surpassed the 7.43-meter performance of Jose Jerry Bellibestre in the 2019 Philippine National Open.

But a headwind of more than two

meters per second kept technical officials from considering it as a national mark, now that Philippine junior records can now be recognized in the Palaro.

Department of Education officials have gotten approval to have the Palaro trackfest officially sanctioned by the Philippine Athletics Track and Gomez Field Association.

“It’s all proper timing on my takeoff and landing,” said Gomez, who stretched the toes of his right foot in his bid to go the distance, upon the advise of his coaches Steve Lagua and Jenna Cagurangan.

The feat handed Region 2 its first gold, along with Region V, which earned its first gold medal as well through De Lima.

The 14-year-old De Lima, who loves to run middle-distance events on her bare feet and with a medical plaster as her only protection for her soles, left behind her rival Camila Tubiano in the last 250 meters to retain the secondary girls’ 3,000-meter honors for a third straight year in 10:22.42.

“Kinakabahan po ako.

Hindi ko po alam kung sino sa amin ang mananalo,” said De Lima, a student at the Baao National High School.

In other the elementary level events, Bellanca Valerio (Region III) claimed the girls’ discus throw honors beating Jazen Arano (NCR) and Mekyla Taborite (Region VI).

In baseball, Western Visayas got

its campaign going on the right track, beating Cordillera, 4-2, while Caraga downed Mimaropa, 5-0, and Central Visayas prevailed over Northern Mindanao, 5-0.

In secondary boys’ basketball, Ilocos Region prevailed over Socsargen, 8979, while Western Visayas stopped Mimaropa, 97-87, and Southern Tagalog demolished Bicol Region, 74-71.

In girls’ basketball action, Northern Mindanao smashed ARMM, 120-29, while Socsargen outplayed Zamboanga, 75-69, and Southern Tagalog crushed Mimaropa, 120-50.

Eighteen gold medals are at stake when action begins today in swimming over at the University of the PhilippinesDavao Sports Complex.

In lawn tennis, Davao Region won over the National Capital Region, 2-0, while Southern Tagalog put away Socsargen, and Eastern Visayan prevailed over Cagayan Valley, 2-1.

Summit Point hosts 12th invitational golfest ]BUOYED by the unexpected success of the tandem raffle last year, Summit Point Golf and Country Club is all set to introduce another novelty when it hosts the 12th Invitational member-guest tournament firing off May 2 in Lipa City, Batangas.

Summit Point, whose World 18 layout has been getting raves for topnotch maintenance and challenging layout, is handing out 10 international tour packages as grand prizes—an innovation different from the usual practice of giving out cars or carts.

The tandem raffle, wherein the guest wins whatever the member gets, will again be part of the Summer Shindigtype of awards night, which Okada Manila will sponsor, and will continue as

the club’s tradition, said SPGCC President Robbie Leviste.

“Our theme has always been fun and competition and we want to keep it that way.

By innovating and thinking of ways to improve, we are able to give the enjoyment and satisfaction to members and guests when playing the Invitational,” he said.

Hole-in-one prizes are Peugeot 308 from Peugeot Lipa, Yamaha cart from Kart Plaza, Yamaha RS 110F from Venture Motorcycle, cash prizes from VMJ and New Canaan Insurance, Okada packages, a Cobra King F7 iron set with Puma bag and Mission Hills Package from Mission Hills Haikou.

General manager Vic de Guzman also said each participant of the four-day event sponsored by Okada Manila and

supported by J-Ten Sports, Kiga, VMJ Evergreen, Le Mans, Summit Realty, Sta. Lucia, Emperador and Gerry’s Grill will get one minor prize.

“Because of last year’s success, more sponsors came on board for the 12th edition.

This includes Okada, which will be our partner for the first time” De Guzman said.

Manny Espeleta, Kampfortis, Dr. Gerry Aguado, Narcing Dimapilis, Kenneth Izon, Toyoshi Nagami/Funai, Batangas Blades Golf Association, GGNA, Forest Hills, Pradera Verde, Beverly Place, Sonny Ricablanca, Vincent Duke, Saturday Group, Winston, Inquirer Golf, Sherwood Hills, Eastridge, Eagle Ridge, South Forbes, GolfPH, Baron Travel, Edwin Gardiola, Pepsi, Gatorade and Megaworld are backers.

TRIATHLON QUEENS. New Zealand’s Amelia Watkinson (center) displays her medal as she poses with runner-up Anna Eberhardt (right) of Hungary and Guam’s Manami Iijima after ruling the women’s pro division of the inaugural Sun Life 5150 triathlon in Naga City, Cebu Sunday.

IN BRIEF New rice law trims importation period

CONSUMERS are assured of a yearround supply of low-priced rice after a government legislation trimmed the importation period to 28 days.

Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez said traders can now import without the hassle of waiting for the rice shipments to arrive by at least two months after the Anti-Red Tape Authority required all import documentary requirements to be ready within three days.

There were only two ways of bringing in rice imports before—through government-to-government and government-toprivate sector arrangements.

The G2G scheme was the fastest process but it was prone to corruption and price-rigging, while government-toprivate sector scheme takes about two months before the shipment arrives.

With the new set-up, the government is optimistic it would be able to facilitate the quick turnaround of imports and assure customers of a healthy supply of the staple.

“As inventories come in, we are assured that there will be sufficient supply.

Prices may also go down while traders stock up. This is a scenario we are hoping to achieve with the new law,” said Lopez.

Othel V. Campos

Business

Low Q1 inflation rate may revise ‘19 target

INFLATION slowed to 3.8 percent in the first quarter 2019 from 5.9 percent in the last quarter of 2018 due to the improvement in food supply conditions, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas said.

The headline inflation for the first quarter is within the national government’s target range of 2 to 4 percent for the year.

The Bangko Sentral said the lower inflation during the quarter mainly reflected the significant deceleration in food inflation amid improved supply conditions.

Similarly, core inflation declined to 3.9 percent in the first quarter from 4.9 percent in the previous quarter.

BSP Assistant Governor Francisco Dakila Jr. said inflation continued to be on the downward trend in the past few months, after it peaked at a nine-year high of 6.7 percent in September and October 2018.

“It will be one of the main factors to be considered in the possible forecast revision of inflation,” Dakila said during the first-quarter inflation briefing held at the Bangko Sentral Friday. Julito G. Rada

TUESDAY, APRIL 30, 2019

B1

By Darwin G. Amojelar

GLOBE AT APOS 2019. Globe Telecom Inc. joins the Asia Pacific Pay TV Operators Summit 2019. The annual event gathering key global, local and regional brands across media, telecommunications, entertainment and sports, took place at the Ayana Resort in Bali, Indonesia on April 23 to 25, 2019. Globe president and chief executive officer Ernest Cu (second from left), senior vice president of product management and content business Nikko Acosta (third from left) and senior advisor for Globe entertainment Joe Caliro (rightmost) lead Globe representatives at APOS 2019.

Meralco’s first-quarter profit climbed to P5.7b M

By Alena Mae S. Flores

ANILA Electric Co., the biggest retailer of electricity, registered a consolidated net income of P5.7 billion in the first quarter of 2017, up 7 percent from P5.312 billion year-on-year, on the positive contribution of units, improvement of retail supply units and slightly higher energy sales.

Meralco said consolidated core net income, which excluded one-time, exceptional charges, rose 14 percent to P5.6 billion from a year ago.

“The financial results for first quarter 2019 are quite encouraging albeit the first quarter volume, while better than the comparative period, is showing signs of slowdown. This could be a point of concern, moving forward,” said Meralco chairman Manuel Pangilinan.

Meralco’s consolidated energy sales in the first quarter reached 10,381 giga-

watt-hours, up two percent from 10,145 gWh in 2018, mainly due to the “high base effect” of the volume attained in 2018 and the slightly cooler average temperature throughout the quarter.

Meralco said while economic indicators were relatively stable, the overhang from the slightly lower economic growth of 6.2 percent in 2018 compared with the government’s target range of 6.5 percent to 6.9 percent, the spill-over effect of the fourth quarter spike in inflation and the weaker peso in the first quarter of 2019

all contributed to tempering the increase in electricity consumption.

Of total sales volumes in the first quarter, 40 percent, 31 percent and 29 percent were from the commercial, industrial and residential sectors, respectively. Streetlight volumes accounted for less than one percent of total volumes.

“The lower-than-expected sales growth during the first quarter of 2019, particularly in the residential and commercial sectors, were attributable to concerns on higher interest rates, the weakening of the... peso... and their impact on fuel and commodity prices, exacerbated by the recent red and yellow alerts caused by the coincident forced outages of several plants,” said Pangilinan.

He said the yellow and red alerts being experienced today might eventually lead to serious power supply shortage in the next few years “unless immediate action is done to resolve the root cause of the problem, by adding more generating capacity and taking decisive action on the much-delayed construction of new power plants.”

THE Department of Transportation said Monday the Naia Consortium submitted a new proposal for the rehabilitation and development of Ninoy Aquino International Airport ahead of the agency’s April 30 deadline.

“They submitted last Friday, we are now comparing the template with Clark with their final proposal and if it is in parallel, then it’s a go,” DOTr Secretary Arthur Tugade told reporters.

The DOTr earlier awarded the 25year contract to North Luzon Airport Consortium to develop the commercial assets, operate and maintain project facilities and fit out the new terminal in Clark.

Tugade earlier said the government might pursue the Naia rehab project or accommodate other proposals from the private sector if no new proposal was submitted on or before April 30, 2019.

Tugade did not disclose the unresolved issues on the consortium’s proposal. Transportation Undersecretary for planning Reuben Reinoso earlier said there were provisions in their proposal that appeared to require a government guarantee.

The consortium secured an original proponent status for the rehabilitation and upgrade of Naia in September 2018.

The declaration of the original proponent is considered the first step in the rehabilitation and expansion of Naia, which is operating beyond its rated capacity.

The consortium’s proposal is still subject to review and approval by the National Economic and Development Authority’s board and to a Swiss Challenge in accordance with the requirements of Republic Act No. 7718, or the Build-OperateTransfer Law. The consortium’s members are Aboitiz InfraCapital Inc., AC Infrastructure Holdings Corp., Alliance Global Group Inc., AEDC, Filinvest Development Corp., JG Summit Holdings Inc. and Metro Pacific Investments Corp.

Splash plans exports to over 44 countries

Cusi welcomes favorable ruling on Malampaya THE Department of Energy on Monday hailed as victory for the oil and gas industry the ruling of the arbitration court in Singapore that finally resolved the $1.1-billion tax dispute filed

by Shell Philippines Exploration B.V. “We have always upheld the position that the tax regime for petroleum service contracts is legal and valid.

This victory would go a long way in giving exploration and development activities in the country a much-needed and long overdue boost as investors will now have renewed confidence in our upstream gas industry,” said Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi.

The Malampaya consortium reportedly received a favorable ruling from the ICC on Spex’s tax dispute with the government filed in 2015 over the Malampaya gas field. Spex is the operator of the Malampaya gas project in northwest Palawan with a 45-percent stake.

The Commission on Audit earlier ruled that the payment of income tax in the Malampaya project by the service contractors should not be included in the government’s 60 percent share of royalties and ordered the payment of over P50 billion from the consortium.

As a result, Spex filed arbitration cases against the government at the International Center for Settlement of Investment Disputes or ICSID of the World Bank and the Singapore arbitration tribunal.

Other members of the Malampaya consortium are Chevron Malampaya LLC, with a 45-percent stake and state-owned PNOC Exploration Corp., holding 10 percent.

The Philippines has lagged behind its Asian neighbors in terms of petroleum exploration and development activities.

Alena Mae S. Flores, NatM ariano

business@manilastandard.net extrastory2000@gmail.com

Consortium offers new proposal to rehab Naia

WB backs proposal to cut overhead costs

WORLD Bank Group president David Malpass backed a proposal by Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III for multilateral lenders to closely coordinate their development efforts in the AsiaPacific region.

In a meeting at the World Bank headquarters in Washington D.C., Malpass encouraged Dominguez to come up with more proposals on how the bank can perform better in helping the Philippines accelerate its sustainable growth.

Dominguez earlier urged the World Bank and Asian Development Bank to coordinate their work in the region to help reduce overhead costs not only for both institutions but also for countries seeking development assistance, in terms of lowering their operational expenses and borrowing rates.

“As governor of both institutions— World Bank and ADB... I feel that there is a lot of room for reduction of overheads for both institutions at least in Asia.”

Dominguez said.

“Why do we have to get two economic reports from ADB and WB? Maybe there’s a way to work together and to reduce overheads,” he said. Julito G. Rada

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

By Othel V. Campos

LETRAN BEEP CARD. Colegio de San Juan de Letran is celebrating its 400th anniversary next year and as part of the celebrations, it will be releasing limited edition commemorative beep™ cards bearing the Letran 400 logo. Specially designed for students, alumni, and other beep™ card collectors, the Letran beep™ card will be sold at Letran Bookstore for P500 each, beginning August 1, 2019. Posing after the signing of the agreement with beep™ are (from left) Jhennie Villar, Letran Quadricentennial events co-Chair; Rev. Fr. Lauro de Dios, O.P., Letran vice president for financial affairs; Sharon Fong, beep™ business development head; and Raymond Dolor, beep™ business development manager.

Grab updates ride policy, bares fine on erring drivers, passengers GRAB Philippines said it updated its ride policy in a bid to reduce unreasonable cancellations for both drivers and passengers.

“Grab is mindful that cancellations are frustrating for both the passengers and our drivers. At the same time, we are cognizant of the fact that sometimes, cancellations are necessary during special situations,” said Grab Philippines president Brian Cu. “Our intention in implementing this new policy is to create a better ride-hailing ecosystem, where both passengers and drivers practice the responsible use of the Grab platform,” he added.

Grab said it would intensify efforts to further reduce cancellations by promoting the responsible use of services.

Grab is tackling one of the core problems that brings down the quality of transport network vehicle services—unreasonable cancellation behavior.

For drivers, unreasonable cancellation behavior includes forcing passengers to cancel the booking without proper reason, and being selective of passenger destination.

For passengers, unreasonable cancellation behavior includes excessive actions– two times per hour, three instances a day or a total of 5 cancels a week.

Passenger cancellations after 5 minutes upon booking confirmation and no-shows are also major concerns from drivers.

To eliminate excessive cancellations that affect the ride-sharing experience

of both drivers and passengers, Grab has put in place a number of initiatives and policies to discourage cancellations on both sides.

Grab said they were penalizing drivers if they went below the required completion rate and a driver excessively ignored or canceled booking requests by locking them out of the platform for a temporary period of time.

For passengers, Grab is giving 30 GrabRewards points when a driver cancels on a ride. But the passenger’s account will temporarily be suspended for 24 hours after excessive cancellations.

Grab is also imposing P50 cancellation fees for those abort the ride after 5 minutes of getting assigned a driver.

Darwin G. Amojelar

PERSONAL care company Splash Corp. may soon export to over 44 countries after agreeing to a sale agreement with Wipro Consumer Care of India.

Splash is now a wholly-owned unit of Wipro, which itself manufactures and distributes 44 personal care products globally. The sale is valued at about P9 billion to P11 billion.

Wipro will own the domestic and international retail personal care business of Splash, which will include related inventories, plant, property and equipment, intangible assets such as patents and trademarks and foreign subsidiaries.

Former Splash owner and founder Rolando Hortaleza said Splash would receive a big boost with the backing and support of Wipro.

“This new investment will help achieve its full potential. It has been growing at and average of 10 percent in the last five years. I know that Wipro can sustain and even surpass this growth,” he said in a briefing Monday.

The sale of Splash took five years to be finalized and consummated.

Wipro regional director Nagender Arya said his company would continue to follow Splash’s direction for growth and development and accelerate company plans.

“The Philippines is a very important market for us. It’s growing faster than market growth rates and continues to outperform markets. This transaction gives us a market leading position in the Philippine market, which is one of the strong economies in the region and a formidable personal care market,” said Arya.

“Brands of Splash overlap with our portfolio in the region and I see tremendous opportunity to further leverage the strengths of our manufacturing, R&D and sourcing for Splash brands,” he added.

B2

Business

TUESDAY, APRIL 30, 2019 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Market climbs; ISM, Cemex gain T HE stock market rose Monday on prospects of a further upgrade on the country’s credit rating.

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index climbed 28.74 points, or 0.4 percent, to 7,897.02 on a value turnover of P5.8 billion. Losers, however, edged gainers, 97 to 89, with 52 issues unchanged.

The Japan Credit Rating Agency, whose opinions matter to Japanese and other regional investors, on Friday raised its outlook for the Philippines from BBB+ stable to BBB+ positive, citing Manila’s twin efforts to accelerate infrastructure development and boost revenues through tax reform.

The positive outlook puts the Philippines only a step away from

securing a single-A credit rating from JCR. Cemex Holdings Philippines Inc. gained 3.5 percent to P2.07, while Megaworld Corp., the biggest lessor of office spaces, advanced 3.2 percent to P5.73.

ISM Communications Corp., the listed holding company of businessman Dennis Uy, jumped 14 percent to P5.77 after affiliates Udenna Corp. and Chelsea Logistics Holdings Corp. of Davaobased businessman Dennis Uy signed a $5.4-billion investment agreement with China Telecommunications Corp. to develop and operate as the country’s third major telecommunications player.

Udenna, Chelsea and Chinatel earlier committed to invest P279 billion ($5.4 billion) in Mindanao Islamic Telephone Co. Inc., which on November 7, 2018 was declared as the provisional New Major Player by the National

Telecommunications Commission.

Universal Robina Corp., the largest snack food maker, rose 2.4 percent to P145.50.

The rest of Asian markets were mixed Monday as investors struggled to track another record lead from Wall Street that was fueled by more strong earnings and a jump in US economic growth, while China-US trade talks come back into focus.

Hong Kong rose 0.8 percent in the afternoon, while Singapore added 1.3 percent, Seoul put on 1.7 percent and Wellington edged up 0.2 percent.

However, Shanghai slipped 0.8 percent, with trade weighed by concerns that Chinese authorities will wind back on recent market-boosting monetary easing measures. Sydney slipped 0.4 percent, while Taipei and Jakarta also fell.

Tokyo is closed all week.

After a shaky performance last week, caused by global growth worries, regional equities got off to a positive start and the broadly upbeat mood saw higher-yielding currencies make inroads against the dollar.

The S&P 500 and Nasdaq chalked up all-time highs Friday helped by a forecast-beating report from Ford and Amazon revealing that quarterly profits had more than doubled.

The earnings were the latest in a long line of strong performances from some of the world’s biggest firms that have surprised many observers, who had been preparing for a tepid announcements season.

Adding to the upward momentum was data showing the world’s biggest economy expanded 3.2 percent in January-March, well up from forecasts and sharply higher than the 2.2 percent seen at the end of 2018. With AFP

MANILA STANDARD BUSINESS DAILY STOCKS REVIEW MONDAY, APRIL 29, 2019

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

FINANCIALS 58.6 9,180 83.7 2,728,110 133.8 805,020 1.3 17,000 26.5 231,800 18.94 3,400 11.6 247,000 4.84 428,000 1.38 5,000 800 830 0.49 2,848,000 76 2,790,080 0.91 1,275,000 13.5 500 21.5 100 52.4 44,370 181 160 58 310 25.6 65,200 180 96,640 1,815 200 60.55 670

535,458 228,444,966 107,507,134 22,000 6,149,110 64,390 2,867,806 2,058,450 6,940 661,650 1,390,525 211,923,256 1,206,400 6,750 2,150 2,316,419.50 28,960 18,257.50 1,671,790 17,394,105 364,650 40,684.50

226,300 6,996,535 34,785,074 -4,394,645 51,132 -96,204 -21,940,888.50 -233,210 1,155,258 -905,360 7,939,609 -19,981

37.1 15.6 0.85 1.38 0.244 2 15.34 110 27.1 16.3 45 66 1.95 5.85 5.8 10.76 15.8 9.15 7.38 1.69 21.5 78.3 28.55 2.33 11.24 10.84 1.75 302.8 52.5 3.83 3.41 10.08 22.5 14.9 22.05 380.6 0.194 6.02 1.22 4.42 6.12 9.1 1.42 11.82 45 5 4.8 1.65 2.11 1.24 12.7 113 6.8 0.128 0.96 142.3 2.5 1.37 1.17

INDUSTRIAL 37.5 1,011,500 15.6 587,200 0.86 1,256,000 1.44 41,000 0.245 510,000 2.07 38,348,000 15.38 1,123,600 110 310 27.5 116,400 16.3 1,000 45 150,300 68.3 1,100 1.95 69,000 5.85 200 5.98 7,400 10.88 1,941,200 15.98 498,600 9.38 90,200 7.4 1,120,900 1.69 6,000 21.5 645,100 79 246,300 28.6 4,500 2.6 14,020,000 11.72 3,185,100 11.22 5,152,100 1.75 70,000 304 284,530 52.5 10 3.83 116,000 3.55 3,000 10.08 9,300 22.6 1,414,400 15 381,900 22.5 720,600 383 100,960 0.2 140,000 6.02 27,900 1.25 1,500,000 4.5 32,000 6.41 3,898,200 9.1 200 1.57 30,609,000 12.08 212,200 45.2 88,500 5.05 44,200 4.8 146,000 1.71 13,000 2.12 112,000 1.29 69,000 12.9 280,100 114.4 50,980 6.95 64,600 0.128 470,000 0.96 619,000 145.5 1,277,220 2.5 521,000 1.44 5,916,000 1.2 1,448,000

37,900,685 9,331,402 1,083,680 56,920 124,650 79,056,270 17,255,354 34,100 3,236,555 16,300 6,763,500 73,835 135,010 1,170 43,927 21,036,960 7,968,250 835,900 8,286,737 10,140 13,893,810 19,450,305 128,740 35,071,240 37,226,368 58,461,196 122,860 86,318,928 525 445,180 10,560 94,008 32,009,970 5,747,636 16,133,930 38,621,120 27,760 168,208 1,863,310 143,410 24,433,269 1,820 46,580,300 2,550,194 3,996,685 223,253 702,990 21,510 237,420 86,280 3,610,880 5,817,083 446,672 60,160 598,030 185,697,633 1,304,500 8,391,300 1,711,370

10,348,740 -555,094 122,200 -22,414,450 -1,324,334 -713,425 -76,500 -36,650 -9,261,050 -936,000 13,980 -100,575 -2,172,445 -16,892,092 1,468,970 526,536 24,088,798 -43,790,324 -4,136,145 447,408 8,172,715 -2,686,068 477,380 -2,669,791 145,300 -211,258 -2,058,225 -187,718 -38,160.00 2,076,518 1,360 -58,309,489 1,052,500 13,700 -5,950

0.62 56.8 15.18 0.78 6.65 18.46 1.38 1.4 905 7.59 11.8 15.18 0.28 890 6.74 65.45 0.65 5.22 16 0.57 4.57 0.039 1.12 2.92 174.2 939 0.92 1.36 430 270 0.245 0.34

0.6 54.05 14.8 0.75 6.5 16.9 1.36 1.39 893 7.4 11.38 14.7 0.245 860 6.74 63.35 0.52 5.07 15.72 0.57 4.5 0.038 1.11 2.82 171.9 920 0.86 1.36 430 264 0.237 0.325

HOLDING FIRMS 0.62 10,251,000 56.8 956,380 15.18 4,348,300 0.75 341,000 6.5 14,300 16.9 53,600 1.38 1,049,000 1.4 182,000 900 233,520 7.5 292,100 11.8 2,431,100 15 272,700 0.275 4,040,000 865 430,970 6.74 400 65.45 1,103,500 0.52 190,000 5.09 582,000 16 876,600 0.57 201,000 4.57 27,132,000 0.038 7,500,000 1.12 8,000 2.84 997,000 173 435,070 935 165,280 0.88 3,784,000 1.36 2,000 430 20 270 5,550 0.245 1,070,000 0.325 6,140,000

6,303,580 53,029,505 65,351,290 259,050 93,700 930,362 1,441,750 253,000 209,442,635 2,186,082 28,239,060 4,074,078 1,073,190 373,511,265 2,696 71,421,106.50 102,400 2,962,657 13,993,300 114,570 122,906,750 290,200 8,900 2,854,700 75,428,746 154,083,770 3,303,320 2,720 8,600 1,484,784 259,360 2,008,200

-59,240 -35,238,854.50 -21,096,278 8,510 190,430.00 -33,248,880 -739,529 -7,070,300 1,010,526 -42,517,385 13,076,496.50 -42,634 -1,162,994 3,037,260.00 0 -1,951,669 -63,219,965 132,000 -4,300 -202,040 -

14.76 0.78 11.18 1.95 0.8 48.8 2.43 4.4 6.4 0.51 0.83 0.91 0.237 0.39 11.1 25.7 0.49 0.128 1.55 1.35

14.24 0.75 10.5 1.95 0.77 48 2.41 4.3 6.36 0.5 0.8 0.91 0.235 0.39 10.8 25.1 0.485 0.128 1.51 1.32

8,101,006 191,310 8,736 58,500 226,360 1,137,059,000 319,340 4,149,440 10,200 4,181,550 113,900 13,650 2,354,950 152,100 3,263,178 11,717,490 456,900 1,280 45,517,400 2,414,950

908,476 -58,500 159,047,685 -29,000 870,190 20,400 -14,550 218,800.00 2,609,320 -22,229,280 60,300

NAME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

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

58 83.9 133.8 1.3 26.8 18.94 11.6 4.62 1.42 785 0.495 75.75 0.96 13.5 21.5 52 181 58.95 25.9 180.9 1,830 61

58.6 83.9 134.1 1.3 26.8 18.94 11.66 4.9 1.42 800 0.51 76.85 0.97 13.5 21.5 52.8 181 58.95 25.9 180.9 1,830 61

58 83.6 133 1.28 26.5 18.92 11.58 4.6 1.38 780 0.475 75.5 0.91 13.5 21.5 51.85 181 58 25.6 179.1 1,815 60.5

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

37.4 16.08 0.87 1.38 0.245 2 15.5 110 28 16.3 45 68.35 1.99 5.85 5.99 10.76 15.9 9.4 7.39 1.69 21.7 78.3 28.55 2.43 11.44 12.46 1.77 303.4 52.5 3.84 3.6 10.08 22.5 15.02 22.05 384 0.194 6.04 1.24 4.47 6.22 9.1 1.42 11.82 45.55 5.1 4.85 1.65 2.11 1.25 12.7 114.9 6.9 0.128 0.96 142.3 2.5 1.38 1.2

37.7 16.2 0.87 1.44 0.245 2.1 15.5 110 28.7 16.3 45 68.35 1.99 5.85 5.99 10.94 16 9.42 7.42 1.69 21.7 79.1 28.65 2.66 11.78 12.56 1.77 304.8 52.5 3.88 3.6 10.54 22.85 15.14 22.5 384 0.2 6.04 1.25 4.5 6.43 9.1 1.57 12.08 45.6 5.25 4.85 1.71 2.12 1.29 12.92 114.9 7.08 0.128 1 145.6 2.52 1.44 1.21

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

0.6 54.8 14.98 0.76 6.65 18.2 1.37 1.39 895 7.59 11.38 14.7 0.245 865 6.74 64.5 0.53 5.09 16 0.57 4.57 0.038 1.11 2.84 174.2 929 0.92 1.36 430 265 0.243 0.33

8990 HLDG A BROWN ANCHOR LAND ARANETA PROP ARTHALAND CORP AYALA LAND BELLE CORP CEB LANDMASTERS CEBU HLDG CENTURY PROP CITY AND LAND CITYLAND DEVT CROWN EQUITIES CYBER BAY DM WENCESLAO DOUBLEDRAGON EMPIRE EAST EVER GOTESCO FILINVEST LAND GLOBAL ESTATE

14.74 0.78 11.18 1.95 0.79 48.15 2.42 4.33 6.4 0.5 0.83 0.91 0.237 0.39 11.08 25.3 0.49 0.128 1.52 1.32

VOLUME

NAME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

VOLUME

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

MEGAWORLD MRC ALLIED PHIL ESTATES PHIL INFRADEV PHIL REALTY PRIMEX CORP ROBINSONS LAND ROCKWELL SHANG PROP SM PRIME HLDG STA LUCIA LAND STARMALLS VISTA LAND

5.5 0.34 0.495 1.75 0.45 2.48 24.3 2.01 3.04 41 1.8 6.94 7.35

5.73 0.34 0.495 1.75 0.45 2.48 24.6 2.01 3.04 41 1.82 7.05 7.45

5.5 0.33 0.475 1.66 0.42 2.42 23.85 1.98 3.04 40.5 1.76 6.9 7.35

5.73 0.34 0.485 1.73 0.445 2.48 24.6 1.98 3.04 40.5 1.8 6.9 7.4

13,719,100 7,880,000 650,000 2,296,000 1,000,000 219,000 617,500 34,000 39,000 4,584,100 1,400,000 200,100 3,874,100

76,904,267 2,629,700 315,990 3,922,240 433,900 536,300 15,138,005 67,740 118,560 186,141,095 2,520,100 1,390,831 28,737,737

-6,090,231 0 -17,000 -127,460 4,188,780 38,941,295 4,460,734

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

13 19 0.415 0.039 2.47 13 0.069 81.6 7.01 5.75 2.19 12.54 1,771 5.18 418.2 2.79 1.82 125.2 11.5 6.99 0.126 6 15.16 3.71 0.86 21.55 0.58 4.79 3.43 1.69 2.33 4.3 10.02 3.1 4.38 8.2 117 3.2 1,208 0.75 0.92 43.7 78.3 9.04 2.81 0.68 0.36 5.61 0.67 16.6

13 19 0.42 0.041 2.5 13 0.07 82 7.01 6.29 2.19 12.54 1,840 5.18 418.2 2.8 1.82 125.6 12.18 6.99 0.129 6.34 15.68 3.76 0.86 21.8 0.58 4.8 3.45 1.84 2.33 4.3 10.2 3.24 4.38 8.2 117 3.3 1,212 0.76 0.95 44 78.3 9.04 3.04 0.68 0.37 5.63 0.69 16.76

12.64 18.9 0.415 0.039 2.32 12.86 0.068 81.4 7.01 5.75 2.19 11.7 1,771 5.14 402 2.77 1.82 124 11.5 6.97 0.126 5.62 15.16 3.66 0.81 21.4 0.55 4.78 3.4 1.69 2.22 3.91 9.8 3.1 4.3 8.2 117 3.12 1,190 0.73 0.91 42.75 76.6 9 2.8 0.66 0.355 5.61 0.66 16.5

SERVICES 12.64 18.94 0.415 0.041 2.47 12.9 0.068 81.85 7.01 5.89 2.19 11.8 1,800 5.18 405 2.79 1.82 125.6 11.5 6.97 0.129 5.77 15.68 3.72 0.83 21.8 0.55 4.78 3.42 1.83 2.29 4.02 10.1 3.24 4.3 8.2 117 3.12 1,208 0.74 0.92 43 77 9.03 3 0.66 0.36 5.62 0.69 16.7

17,600 68,400 400,000 2,900,000 278,000 2,558,000 17,110,000 51,770 300 5,586,400 1,000 243,100 40,465 102,800 5,070 648,000 5,000 759,800 96,000 13,000 160,000 27,043,700 5,100 477,000 794,000 573,100 3,531,000 17,000 722,000 31,000 3,344,000 436,000 25,900 255,000 31,000 100 1,240 3,226,000 189,760 1,972,000 25,470,000 2,078,200 294,500 4,300 58,383,000 2,668,000 3,740,000 73,600 1,204,000 2,475,100

223,936 1,295,366 166,100 114,600 670,660 33,100,804 1,176,510 4,231,731 2,103 33,045,487 2,190 2,911,848 72,560,415 531,378 2,058,162 1,808,130 9,100 95,231,902 1,129,002 90,670 20,190 157,687,356 77,368 1,766,400 649,220 12,389,010 1,964,490 81,490 2,468,970 52,900 7,594,540 1,735,150 258,248 825,500 134,470 820 145,080 10,328,190 227,800,485 1,461,370 23,493,100 89,615,245 22,704,308.50 38,836 171,405,520 1,789,480 1,346,450 413,758 817,460 41,318,624

-26,310 3,638,858 -514,303 -1,617,088 14,347,765 24,168,951 -824,139 -85,230 5,297,265 860,670 -29,890.00 11,890 -15,500 129,870 -550,070 10,337,285 -9,640 -1,694,640 -50,609,825 -18,011,337 22,628,390 378,520 25,200 -110,829 0 5,574,764

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

0.0019 1.33 12.5 1.48 2.68 0.29 7.99 1.52 0.26 0.112 0.113 0.0083 0.0083 1.08 2.44 1.02 0.58 0.9 0.012 0.012 0.011 3.11 3.17 8.86 23.55

0.002 1.33 12.5 1.49 2.69 0.29 8.05 1.52 0.26 0.115 0.113 0.0087 0.0083 1.09 2.45 1.02 0.61 0.92 0.012 0.012 0.011 3.11 3.17 9 23.95

0.0018 1.29 12.5 1.27 2.67 0.29 7.99 1.48 0.248 0.11 0.113 0.0082 0.0079 1.07 2.38 1.01 0.55 0.89 0.012 0.012 0.011 3.11 3.07 8.58 23.35

MINING & OIL 0.0019 336,000,000 1.33 1,242,000 12.5 200 1.28 205,000 2.69 416,000 0.29 300,000 8.05 600 1.52 13,326,000 0.255 770,000 0.112 1,910,000 0.113 70,000 0.0082 35,000,000 0.008 100,000,000 1.08 78,000 2.44 768,000 1.01 2,000 0.56 1,052,000 0.92 344,000 0.012 8,200,000 0.012 30,500,000 0.011 2,000,000 3.11 1,000 3.09 422,000 8.69 1,971,400 23.6 2,832,900

638,400 1,625,120 2,500 261,940 1,112,480 87,000 4,818 20,011,110 193,800 213,880 7,910 290,300 798,600 83,810 1,855,150 2,030 594,530 309,350 98,400 366,000 22,000 3,110 1,305,810 17,122,991 66,726,090

27,510 188,580 126,000 -93,600 622,742 43,287,735

AC PREF B1 AC PREF B2 LR PREF MWIDE PREF PCOR PREF 2A SFI PREF SMC FB PREF 2 SMC PREF 2B SMC PREF 2C SMC PREF 2E SMC PREF 2F SMC PREF 2H SMC PREF 2I

475 497 1.01 100.5 998.5 1.45 975 75.1 76.9 73 73.75 72.75 73.4

475 497.2 1.01 100.5 998.5 1.45 975 75.1 76.9 73 74.65 72.75 73.5

467 497 0.98 100 970 1.45 970 75.1 75.6 73 73.75 72.75 73.4

PREFERRED 467 2,010 497 5,780 1 1,051,000 100 8,000 970 70 1.45 1,000 975 13,210 75.1 730 76.9 47,090 73 3,500 74.65 11,800 72.75 1,000 73.5 25,530

938,850 2,872,764 1,031,620 800,361 68,495 1,450 12,879,200 54,823 3,566,495.50 255,500 878,896 72,750 1,876,177

3,000 19,970 1,743,765 -

LR WARRANT

1.9

1.95

1.86

WARRANTS 1.92 203,000

381,180

-

3,471,159 3,207,200

322,542 -39,100

897,076

-

MS

PROPERTY 14.3 0.76 11.16 1.95 0.79 48.5 2.43 4.38 6.36 0.5 0.8 0.91 0.236 0.39 11.1 25.7 0.485 0.128 1.52 1.34

559,900 252,000 800 30,000 288,000 23,440,400 132,000 952,000 1,600 8,361,000 141,000 15,000 10,010,000 390,000 295,400 459,600 940,000 10,000 29,694,000 1,802,000

ITALPINAS XURPAS

5.15 1.17

5.28 1.17

5.04 1.13

FIRST METRO ETF

117.7

117.9

117

TRADING SUMMARY

SHARES

FINANCIAL

13,196,854

INDUSTRIAL

120,799,385

HOLDING FIRMS

95,199,650

PROPERTY

118,437,905

SERVICES

171,448,185

MINING & OIL

538,134,474

GRAND TOTAL

1,060,693,308

5.28 1.15

SME

671,200 2,796,000

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 117.9 7,630

VALUE 1,743.95 (up) 0.16 718,070,319.61 FINANCIAL INDUSTRIAL 11,473.59 (up) 76.28 839,448,982.07 HOLDING FIRMS 7,602.45 (up) 66.79 1,298,532,571.31 PROPERTY 4,283.43 (down) 8.89 1,583.26 (down) 2.47 1,738,596,459.305 SERVICES MINING & OIL 7,761.18 (down) 39.16 1,089,497,768.82 PSEI 7,897.02 (up) 28.74 113,751,818.181 All Shares Index 4,864.39 (up) 8.04 5,805,475,948.43 Gainers: 89; Losers: 97; Unchanged: 52; Total: 238

UnionBank posted profit of P2.2b in 1st quarter

By Julito G. Rada UNION Bank of the Philippines, the ninth-largest lender in terms of assets and controlled by the Aboitiz Group, posted a 24-percent decline in net income in the first quarter of 2019 to P2.2 billion from P2.9 billion a year ago.

The bank said in a statement Monday the January-to-March net profit was, however, 75-percent higher compared to the level in the fourth quarter 2018 due to higher earning asset base, lower operating expenses and provision for losses.

“Large non-recurring income made 1Q 2018. But 1Q 2019 up significantly over the previous quarter and 16 percent over budget,” bank president and CEO Edwin Bautista said through a text message when asked for comment on the first quarter decline.

“Assets yields are starting to catch up in the first quarter of 2019 as assets reprice. With a more stable interest rate and lower inflation environment this year, we expect margins to improve towards the end of the year and recurring income to have an increased contribution to our bottomline” said UnionBank treasurer and chief financial officer Jose Emmanuel Hilado.

Bautista expressed confidence the bank would be able to sustain the double-digit expansion of its lending businesses with 2019 marking its fifth consecutive year of above-industry loan growth.

“On the digital front, we want the market to watch out for the roll-out of more Arks, the launch of more functionalities in our UnionBank Online app, and deployment of the 100 cadets from our Blockchain Institute to tech-up our customers,” said Bautista.

Operating expenses declined 12 percent to P4.3 billion while provision for losses was down by 70 percent.

Net revenues increased 2 percent to P7 billion.

Earnings performances resulted in a return on equity of 9.6 percent, return on assets of 1.3 percent and revenue-toexpense ratio of 1.6x.

IMI’s income fell to $335,000 in 1st 3 months

By Jenniffer B. Austria INTEGRATED Micro-Electronics Inc., a unit of Ayala Corp., reported a net income of $335,000 in the first three months of 2019, down 94 percent from $5.6 million year-on-year, on lower revenues and foreign exchange losses.

IMI said in a disclosure to the stock exchange Monday first-quarter consolidated revenues reached $323 million, down one percent from $325 million a year ago, while margins were constrained by global market slowdown due to the fallout from the trade wars, political uncertainty in the UK and the electronic component shortage.

“Despite the unfavorable business climate, IMI remains committed to our assurance of highest quality and on-time delivery for all our business partners,” said IMI president and chief operating officer Gilles Bernard. “Aside from elevated raw materials costs, tight supplies of electronics components raised the need for expedited production cycles and expensive freight deliveries to maintain IMI’s top-level standards.”

“As we continue to address the shortterm challenges in our supply markets, we remain aggressive in executing our efficiency initiatives to align our cost structure with uncertain external environment and ensure the stability of all our businesses,” Bernard added.

IMI said it was expanding target business segments—automotive, industrial, and aerospace—comprising 77 percent of the total revenues in the quarter.

Automotive posted revenues of $168 million, up 27 percent on-year, while industrial registered sales of $68 million, up 10 percent.

Revenues from aerospace, which IMI entered through the acquisition of STI Enterprises Ltd., a UK-based electronics manufacturing services company, stood at $13 million, up six percent.

Revenues from the consumer and telecom segments, however, declined 59 percent and 12 percent, respectively, due to delays in new project awards and China’s economic slowdown.

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK Manila

Standard

B3

World

TODAY

TUESDAY, APRIL 30, 2019 CESAR BARRIOQUINTO, Editor mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Abdication poses dilemma for hardworking Japanese TOKYO―For the Emperor’s abdi- with motorists aiming to make a getaway cation on April 30, Japanese work- from the capital.

Still, if people are curiously indifferent to ers are enjoying an unprecedented 10-day holiday as a rash of special the idea of extra holidays as a result of the days off combine with the tradition- emperor, the imperial family remains as popular as ever. AFP al “Golden Week” in May. But not everyone is popping the champagne corks in famously workaholic Japan.

“To be honest, I don’t know how to spend the time when we are suddenly given 10 days of holidays,” said 31-year-old finance worker Seishu Sato.

“If you want to go traveling, it’s going to be crowded everywhere and tour costs have surged... I might end up staying at my parents’ place,” he said.

A survey by the Asahi Shimbun daily showed 45 percent of the Japanese “felt unhappy” about the long vacation, with only 35 percent saying they “felt happy”.

“I won’t be able to take days off. On the contrary, we’ll be super-busy,” said Takeru Jo, a 46-year-old pizzeria worker.

Others who have to work over the period complain about childcare.

“For parents in the service sector, the 10 days of holiday is a headache. After-school care, MEMORIAL. Mourners and well wishers leave flowers at a make-shift memorial across the street from the Chabad of Poway nurseries―everything is closed,” CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK Synagogue on Sunday, April 28, 2019, in Poway, California, one day after a teenage gunman opened fire, killing one person and tweeted one disgruntled parent.

Manila injuring three others including the rabbi as worshippers marked the final day of Passover, authorities said. The shooting in Poway, REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES legal capacity to contract marriage Many expect Tokyo and other is hereto attached and marked as REGIONAL TRIAL COURT Standard north of San Diego, came exactly six months after a white supremacist killed 11 people at Pittsburgh’s Tree of Life synagogue . AFP Annex “D”.

CAPITAL JUDICIAL REGION large cities to empty as Japanese NATIONAL TODAY BRANCH 217 – QUEZON CITY 5. After eight years of marriage, seize the rare opportunity for an petitioner and respondent had an LYDIA P. BULAN SATO agreement and agreed to end their overseas trip. relationship. They filed a divorce REPRESENTED BY HER for the reason that they were always “Most of our tours for the ATTORNEY-IN-FACT, arguing about the drinking habits MILAGROS F. ANGELES of the respondent. Petitioner and Petitioner, holiday period were sold out last respondent have one (1) child.

-versus6. On March 13, 2014, petitioner year,” said Hideki Wakamatsu, CIVIL CASE NO. R-QZN-18-09148-CV and respondent filed for divorce For: Judicial Recognition and/or before the Mayor of Kawaguchi a spokesman for Nippon Travel City Saitama Prefecture. A copy Enforcement of Foreign Judgment the Report of Divorce, in English Agency, adding that many others SADAHIRO SATO, CIVIL REGISTRAR oftranslation is hereto attached and GENERAL AND LOCAL CIVIL marked as Annex “E”. were on the waiting list.

REGISTRAR, 7.On April 3, 2018, petitioner Respondents.

As the holiday kicked off on secured a copy of the Certificate x----------------------------------------------x of Acceptance of the Divorce Saturday, airports were packed Registration dated March 13, 2014, AMENDED ORDER which was found legitimate and and there were long queues for This is a verified amended sealed by Nobuo Okunoki, Mayor of Republic of the Philippines petition filed by Lydia P. Bulan Sato Kawaguchi City Saitama Prefecture Shinkansen bullet trains.

HighREGIONAL TRIAL COURT represented by her Attorney-inwith the English translation a copy of Fact, Milagros F. Angeles praying National Capital Judicial Region which is hereto attached and marked ways out of Tokyo were jammed for the judicial recognition and/or as Annex “F”.

BRANCH 222, QUEZON CITY enforcement of foreign judgment of CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK divorce obtained in Japan, direct the

UN report to highlight need for Nature rescue P ARIS―Diplomats from 130 nations gather in Paris from Monday to validate SPEC. PRO CASE NO. R-QZN-18-15351-SP For: Legitimation and Change of Name a grim UN assessment of the state of THE LOCAL CIVIL REGISTRAR, Q.C. ET.AL., Petitioner.

Nature and lay the groundwork for an 11thx----------------------------------------------------------x ORDER hour rescue plan for life on Earth.

Upon motion by the counsel for the petitioner, considering that TAME CABINAN A.K.A. TAME DEL CASTILLO CABINAN,

Petitioner alleges that she got married to Sadahiro Sato on November 10, 2006 in 2-71-14 Nakaaoki Kawaguchi City Saitama Prefecture; that petitioner and respondent Sato met on September 20, 2006 while working at the same company; that petitioner and respondent Sato were always arguing about the drinking habits of the latter and agreed to end their relationship after eight (8) eight years of marriage; that petitioner and respondent Sato filed for divorce before the Mayor of Kawaguchi City Saitam Prefecture on Mach 13, 2014; that petitioner is now seeking that the foreign divorce decree obtained by Sadahiro Sato in Japan be judicially recognized.

Republic of the Philippines Department of Environment and Natural Resources MINES AND GEOSCIENCES BUREAU Regional Office No. VIII MacArthur Park, Candahug, Palo, Leyte 6501 Tel. No. (+6353) 323-8010; Telefax No. (+63 53) 823-4214; Email: region8@mgb.gov.ph Website: www.region8.mgb.gov.ph

the latter has not yet complied with the publication requirements, let the initial hearing be reset on July 26, 2019 at 8:30 in the morning.

Send a copy of this Order to the petitioner and the concerned government agencies.

SO ORDERED. Quezon City, April 11, 2019.

(Sgd.) EDGAR DALMACIO SANTOS EDS/irish Judge Republic of the Philippines REGIONAL TRIAL COURT National Capital Judicial Region BRANCH 222, QUEZON CITY

A 44-page, draft “Summary for Policy Makers” obtained by AFP, catalogs the 1001 ways in which our species has plundered the planet and damaged its capacity to renew the resources upon which we depend, starting with breathable air, drinkable water and productive soil.

The impact of humanity’s expanding footprint and appetites has been devastating.

Up to a million species face extinction, many within decades, acIN THE MATTER THEreport, PETITION and three-quarters of Earth’s land surface has cording to OF the TO USE THE SURNAME OF THE FATHER“severely OF TAME DEL CASTILLO been altered”.

TILLADA A third of ocean fish stocks are in decline, and the rest, barring a TAME CABINAN TILLADA a.k.a few, areCASTILLO harvested TAME DEL CABINANat the very edge of sustainability.

Petitioner A dramatic die-off of pollinating insects, especially bees, threat-versusSPEC. PRO NO. R-QZN-18-15351-SP ens essential crops valued at half-a-trillion dollars annually.

LOCAL CIVIL REGISTRAR OF QUEZON CITY, Twenty 10-year targets adopted in 2010 under the United NaADMINISTRATOR AND CIVIL REGISTRAR GENERALbiodiversity OF THE PHILIPPINE treaty―to STATISTICS tion’s expand protected areas, slow species AUTHORITY (PSA) formerly National Statistics Office, and forest loss,OFFICE, and ROMEO reduce pollution―will, with one or two excepNATIONAL STATISTICS CORNEJO NARCISO, MINDA ELOJA OPIDER, and tions, fail badly.PARTIES, ALL OTHER INTERESTED Respondents Based on an underlying report that draws from 400 experts and x--------------------------------------------------x weighs in at 1,800 ORDER pages, the executive summary has to be vetted This has reference to the verified Petition to allow TAME CABINAN line-by-line byDEL diplomats, withtoscientists atoftheir elbow.

TILLADA a.k.a TAME CASTILLO CABINAN use the surname his father Antonio Mesa Tillada, filed by the petitioner, through counsel, on The Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity November 29, 2018. and Ecosystem In the above-mentionedServices petition, herein (IPBES) petitioner prays document, to allow him to use once approved, will be the surname of his father TILLADA. released on May 6.

Finding the petition to be sufficient in form and substance, the initial hearing of this case is set on APRIL 25, 2019 at 8:30 in thebiology morning before this Court Historically, conservation has focused on the plight of and all parties-in-interest are directed to appear before this Court and show pandas, bears a multitude of less “charismatic” animals cause why thepolar petition should not beand granted.

Let plants a copy of this Orderhumanity together with a copy the petition be served upon and that is ofharvesting, eating, crowding or poisonthe Civil Registrar of Quezon City, the Philippine Statistics Authority (formerly NSO),into the Office of the Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office and the Office of the ing oblivion.

Solicitor General. Lastly, let a copy of this Order be published once a week for But in the weeks last intwo decades, focus has shifted back to us. three (3) consecutive a newspaper of generalthat circulation to be chosen by raffle by the Office of the Executive Judge, at petitioner’s expense.

“Up to now, we have talked about the importance of biodiversity SO ORDERED. mostly from an environmental perspective,” Robert Watson, chairGiven in Chambers this 15th day of January 2019 in Quezon City. man of the UN-mandated body that compiled the report, told AFP. (Sgd.) EDGAR DALMACIO SANTOS Judge “Now we are saying that Nature is crucial for food production, Cc: -PAO -CIVIL REGISTRY OF QUEZON CITY - OSG for pure STATISTICS water, for medicines and even social cohesion.”

-PHILIPPINE AUTHORITY -ACP JOSLITO C. BACOLOR And to fight climate change.

Forests and oceans, for example, soak up half of the planetwarming greenhouse gases we spew into the atmosphere. AFP

proper Local Civil Registrar to record the foreign decree of divorce in the marriage certificate.

NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR EXPLORATION PERMIT OF MAJESTIC EARTH CORE VENTURES, INC. (Name of Company/Individual) Notice is hereby granted that pursuant to Section 21 of DENR Administrative Order (DAO) No. 96-40, Series of 1996, the Implementing Rules and Regulations of Republic Act No. 7942, otherwise known as the “Philippine Mining Act of 1995” as amended by Section 3 of Department Administrative Order No. 2007-15, Majestic Earth Core Ventures, Inc. with office address at JRM Bldg., 423 M.H. Del Pilar St., San Rafael, Rodriguez, Rizal, Philippines has filed an Application for Exploration Permit for the exploration of certain Aggregates, Cement Raw Materials, and Other Minerals particularly described as follows: I - Application No. : EXPA-2018-000001-VIII II- Date of Filing : May 29, 2018 III- Area Location : Calbayog City, Province of Samar IV- Technical Description of the Area* (See attached Sketch Plan) 1.

2.

Geographic Coordinates Map/Sketch Plan with index map showing the nearest municipality(ies) and any major environmental feature(s). (See attached Annex-A) *Exceptions: The proposed Contract Area shall be subject to Section 19 of RA 7942 and Section 15 (“Areas Closed to Mining Locations”) and Section 16 (Ancestral Lands”), of DENR Administrative Order No. 96-40, Series of 1996. Among other things: a.) The following shall be closed to mining locations: areas with valid and existing mining rights; existing mining applications; and areas expressly prohibited by law; b.) The following sball also be closed to mining locations except upon the written consent of the concerned government agency or private entity subject to the evaluation and validation by the Bureau: areas near or under public or private buildings, cemeteries, archeological and historical sites, bridges, highways, waterw’ays, railroads, reservoirs, dams or other infrastructure projects, public or private works including plantations or valuable crops; c)

In cases where private or other parties including surface owners, indigenous cultural community, and legitimate small scale miners are affected, the pennittee shall first discuss or negotiate with the said party(ties) the extent, necessity and manner of his/her entry, occupation and exploration, In case of disagreement, a Panel of Arbitrators shall resolve the conflict of disagreement.

V - Size of the Area : 1,253.9338 hectares more or less VI- Duration of the Exploration Permit The right to explore shall be for a term of two (2) years renewable for another two (2) years each but in no case shall exceed a total of six (6) years: VII- Relinquisbment The permittee shall relinquish at least 20% of the permit area during the first two (2) years of exploration and at least 10% of the remaining permit area thereafter.

Based on the submitted Two-Year Program of Work, the following activities shall be undertaken:

FAA considered grounding some Boeing Max airplanes NEW YORK―US regulators considered grounding some Boeing 737 MAX planes last year after learning of a problem with a system that is now the main suspect in two deadly crashes, a source close to the matter said.

Investigators in the Lion Air crash in October off the coast of Indonesia and the Ethiopia Airlines disaster in March have zeroed in on the planes’ anti-stall system, called the Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System, or MCAS. Last year, inspectors with the Federal Aviation Administration discovered Boeing de-activated a signal designed to advise the cockpit crew of a malfunctioning of the MCAS system, the source said.

The inspectors were in charge of monitoring Southwest Airlines, the biggest user of 737 MAX planes, with a fleet of 34 of them at the time, added the source.

Before the Lion Air crash,

which killed all 189 people on board, “the [signals] were depicted as operable by Boeing on all MAX aircraft” regardless of whether the cockpit crew thought they had them turned on or off, said a Southwest spokeswoman.

She said after the accident, Boeing told Southwest the signals were “turned off unless they were specifically designated as being turned on”―prompting the airline to choose that option for all its aircraft.

It was at that point that inspectors learned Boeing had opted to make the malfunction alert an optional extra costing more money―and had deactivated the signal on all 737 MAX delivered to Southwest without telling the carrier.

They considered recommending grounding the planes as they explored whether pilots flying the aircraft needed additional training about the alerts, said the source. AFP

Let copy of the Amended Order and the entire amended petition be published at the expense of the petitioner, once a week for three (3) consecutive weeks in The Standard, a newspaper of general circulation throughout the Philippines.

Likewise, let a copy of the amended petition with its annexes and this Amended Order be furnished to the Office of the Solicitor General, and be posted in the Bulletin Board of the Office of the Clerk of Court, Regional Trial Court, Quezon City.

SO ORDERED. Quezon City, Philippines, March 29, 2019.

(Sgd.) SANTIAGO M. ARENAS Judge CC:

For further particulars, apply or course your inquiries to The Regional Director, Mines and Geosciences Bureau, Regional Office No.8, MacArthur Park Road, Candahug, Palo, Leyte.

REBECCA F. PRECIA OIC-Finance and Admin Division

10.

Given the foregoing circumstances, as fully warranted under the relevant laws and prevailing jurisprudence, there exists valid basis to recognize the decree of absolute divorce obtained by petitioner which was issued and granted by the Mayor of Kawaguchi City Saitama Prefecture, Nobuo Okunoki of Japan.

PRAYER WHEREFORE, premises considered, it is most respectfully prayed of this Honorable Court to render judgment recognizing the decree of divorce obtained by respondent which was issued and granted by the Central and Juvenile Family Court of Japan.

Petitioner further prays that the proper local civil registrar be directed to record the foreign decree of absolute divorce on the appropriate marriage register as well as to cause the annotation of the decree of absolute divorce on the marriage certificate between the petitioner and respondent.

Quezon City, Philippines, October 9, 2018.

Office of the Local Civil Registrar Quezon City Office of the Civil Registrar General Quezon City

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES REGIONAL TRIAL COURT NATIONAL CAPITAL JUDICIAL REGION BRANCH 217 – QUEZON CITY LYDIA P. BULAN SATO, REPRESENTED BY HER ATTORNEY-IN-FACT, MILAGROS F. ANGELES Petitioner, -versus-

LOCAL CIVIL REGISTRAR Respondent. x-------------------------------------x

IGUIDEZ ONIDA LAW By: (Sgd.) LARRY T. IGUIDEZ Counsel for the Petitioner Rm. 107 Cabrera Bldg., 1 130 Timog Ave., Quezon City PTR No. 5520378, 1-3-2018, Q.C. IBP No. AR002162, 2/6/2018, Q.C. Roll No. 20434 MCLE Compliance No. V,0024702, 10-29-16 Email address: larryiguidez@ yahoo.com Tel. No. 922-0674 CC: OFFICE OF THE SOLICITOR GENERAL Makati City DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS Pasay City OFFICE OF THE PROSECUTOR Quezon City SADAHIRO SATO Warabi-shi 1-17-23 Kita Machi, Saitama Tokyo, Japan CIVIL REGISTRAR GENERAL 3/F Vibal Bldg., Times Street cor. Edsa, West Triangle, Quezon City LOCAL CIVIL REGISTRAR Quezon City

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES) QUEZON CITY ) S.S.

AMENDED PETITION COMES NOW petitioner, by the undersigned counsel and unto this Honorable Court most respectfully avers that:

THE PARTIES

2.The Respondent is Sadahiro Sato, likewise of legal age, Japanese National, with residence and postal address at Warabi-Shi 1-17-23 Kita Machi, Saitama, where he may be served with summons and other processes of this Honorable Court; while respondent office of the Civil Registrar General and the Local Civil Registrar are government offices involved and official recording of important documents with offices addresses respectively at 3/F Vibal Bldg., Times Street cor. Edsa, West Triangle, Quezon City and Quezon City Hall. They are included as respondents as mandated by Rule 108 of the Revised Rules of Court.

THE FACTS 3. Petitioner and Respondent are husband and wife whose marriage was solemnized on November 10, 2006 in 2-71-14 Nakaaoki Kawaguchi City Saitama Prefecture, where their marriage was recorded.

Copies of the Report of Marriage, Family Registry are hereto attached and respectively marked as Annexes “B” and “C”

(MS-APR. 30, 2019)

The judgment of Divorce secured by the petitioner conforms to Japanese Marriage and Divorce Laws, a copy of said law is hereto attached as Annex “G”.

Office of the Prosecutor Quezon City

1.The Petitioner is LYDIA P. BULAN SATO, is of legal age, Filipino citizen, and with residence and with postal address at No. 1335001 Saitama, Warabi, Shi Kita Machi 1020-18 K & A. represented herein by her Attorney-in-Fact, Milagros F. Angeles with Special Power of Attorney executed in Tokyo, Japan on June 15, 2018, a copy of which is hereto attached as Annex “A” to the Petition.

By the Authority ofthe Regional Director

9. In the case of Republic vs.

Cipriano Orbecido III 1, it was ruled that “before a foreign divorce decree can be recognized by our own courts, the party pleading it must prove the divorce as a fact and demonstrate its conformity to the foreign law allowing it.”

Office of the Solicitor General Makati City

CIVIL REGISTRAR GENERAL Respondent.

Any and all persons having adverse claims, protests and/or opposition to the above mentioned application(s) are hereby notified that their adverse claims should be filed within ten (10) days from the last date of publication or from the last date of posting/radio announ.cement, with the Regional Office concerned or through any PENRO or CENRO concerned for filing in the Regional Oftice concerned for purposes of its resolution by the Panel of Arbitrators pursuant to the provisions of Republic Act 7942 and its Implementing Rules and Regulations. Adverse claims, protests or opposition should be accomplished in accordance with Sections 203 and 204 of DENR Administrative Order No. 96-40, Series of 1996 and a copy thereof shall be furnished to the applicant/contractor by the adverse claimant.

“Where a marriage between a Filipino citizen and a foreigner is validly celebrated and a divorce is thereafter validly obtained abroad by the alien spouse capacitating him or her to remarry, the Filipino spouse shall have capacity to remarry under Philippine law. (Emphasis supplied)

Petitioner also prays for other reliefs that are just and equitable under the circumstances.

SADAHIRO SATO, Respondent.

Geologic Mapping Geochemical Prospecting and Preliminary Exploration Surveying

Under, paragraph 2 of Art. 26 of the Family Code, it is provided that;

IGUIDEZ ONIDA LAW Atty. Larry T. Iguidez Counsel for the Petitioner Rm. 107 Cabrera Bldg., 1 130 Timog Avenue, Quezon City

SP No. R-QZN-05595-SP For: Judicial Recognition and/or Enforcement of Foreign Judgment

VIII- Extent of Operation to be undertaken

1.

2.

3.

Finding the petition to be sufficient in form and substance, notice is hereby given that said petition is hereby set for hearing anew on May 24, 2019 at 8:30 in the morning before this Court located at Room 238, Second Floor, Hall of Justice, Diliman, Quezon City at which place and on which date and time, any person who has objections to the petition may appear and file his opposition thereto.

8. Aliens may obtain divorces abroad which may be recognized in the Philippines, provided they are valid according to their national law.

4. Petitioner and respondent met on September 20, 2006, while working at the same company, the respondent working as painter while the petitioner working as the installer of speakers. Prior to their marriage, petitioner obtained a Certification of Legal Capacity to Contract Marriage from the Philippine Embassy in Tokyo Japan. A copy of the certification of

VERIFICATION AND CERTIFICATION OF NON-FORUM SHOPPING I, MILAGROS F. ANGELES, of legal age, Filipino and with postal address at B10 L37 Guyabano St., SM Homes, Deparo 2, Caloocan City, after having been duly sworn to in accordance with law, hereby depose and state: 1. That I am the Petitioner’s Attorney-in-Fact in the abovecaptioned case; 2. That I have caused the preparation and filing of the foregoing PETITION; 3. That I have read the allegations in the foregoing Petition, which allegations are true and correct to the best of my knowledge and based on authentic records; 4. That I certify that I have not commenced for Lydia Bulan Sato any other action or proceeding involving the same issues raised in this Petition either in the Supreme Court, the Court of Appeals or any of its divisions, or any other tribunal or agency, and that to the best of my knowledge, no such other action or claim is pending therein; and 5. In the event that I learn of a similar action involving the same parties and cause of action, I undertake to immediately inform this Honorable Office of its nature and status within five (5) days therefrom.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto affixed my signature this 28th days of July 2018 at Quezon City, Philippines.

(Sgd.) MILAGROS F. ANGELES Affiant SUBSCRIBED AND SWORN TO before me this 28th day of July 2018 at Quezon City, affiant exhibiting to me her Brgy. ID No. LT1692 issued on January 2018.

Doc. No. 481; Page No. 98; Book No. XVIIII; Series of 2018.

(MStandard-Apr. 30, May 7 & 14, 2019)

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

LGUs

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

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TUESDAY, APRIL 30, 2019

Bagatsing leads polls for Manila vice mayoralty

By Joel E. Zurbano FORMER Manila 5th district congressman Amado Bagatsing is the leading candidate for vice mayor of the city for the coming elections, according to the latest survey conducted by iPoll Inc. The survey was conducted on April 10-15, and participated in by 1,200 residents, who were asked with the question, “Sino ang iboboto mo sa May 13 Election?” (Who are you voting for?)

Forty-nine percent of the respondents said they will vote for Bagatsing to be the next Manila vice mayor.

He is the running mate of incumbent Mayor Joseph Estrada, who is seeking a third and last term.

Bagatsing dominated the survey in all six districts of Manila, where he garnered 45 percent in the 1st district, 42 percent in the 2nd, 48 percent in the 3rd, and 47 percent in the 4th district.

In the 5th district, he got 58 percent compared to his rivals Honey Lacuna, the sitting Vice Mayor (35 percent and Elmer Jamias (10 percent and in the 6th district posted 54 percent compared to the 40 percent and 5 percent of Lacuna and Jamias, respectively.

The high ratings obtained by Bagatsing only showed that the Manileños have full confidence on the integrity, credibility and ability of the vice mayoral candidate to hold the second highest position in the city, iPoll noted.

Estrada also topped the same survey with 46.3 percent ratings, compared with his rivals, former vice mayor Francisco ‘Isko Moreno’ Domagoso at 31 percent and former mayor Alfredo Lim at 9.6 percent, while 13.1 percent remained undecided.

Bagatsing’s daughter, Cristal Bagatsing, is seeking another term to represent the 5th district of Manila in the House of Representatives.

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

LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS

QC ‘Batas’ app wins int’l award

By Rio N. Araja

T

HE Quezon City government’s mobile application for city ordinances, the Batas QC App, has received loop an international award for “delivering citizen-centric services” through innovation and use of modern technology.

The Batas QC App is one of the recipients of the OpenGov Asia Excellence Award for Innovative and Disruptive Use of Technology in Delivering Citizen-centric Services and is the only local government initiative that received the award together with other national agencies.

Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte, who led the city council in passing the ordinance for the Batas QC App, expressed gratitude for the recognition, saying the award motivates the council to implement innovative and radical measures in dealing with the city’s

different challenges.

“This app is something that empowers us. It is something that makes the government transparent and at the same time, makes people aware of their rights, the laws, and the corresponding consequences of their violations,” she said.

“Through this app, the people can easily refer to our ordinances without actually having to dig up the entire internet just to cite some provisions. They just have to download the app once, and they can already access all our laws in this database, that’s why it is a lot easier

to search,” she added.

In November 2018, the city council launched the Batas QC App to raise awareness on the city’s laws and counter ordinance violations, while providing accessibility and transparency as the app also features announcements, schedules, and relevant infographics.

Other recipients of the award were the University of the Philippines, Department of Energy, Department of Education, Department of Science and Technology, Department of Tourism, Bureau of Customs and Bureau of Immigration.

CDO TREE PLANTING.

In line with its commitment to environmental sustainability, property developer Pueblo de Oro Development Corp., and the ICCP Group Foundation conduct a tree planting activity in the 40-hectare Pueblo de Oro Urban Rainforest, which the company maintains in its township in Cagayan de Oro City. PDO employees were joined by the Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro, represented by members of the Laudato Si and Faith and Light communities, parishioners from the St. Francis Xavier Chaplaincy of Pueblo de Oro who have heeded Pope Francis’ call to ‘Care for Our Common Home’.

They planted cacao seedlings distributed

by Cagayan de Oro’s Agricultural Office that also aims to establish an instructional and pilot nursery, products of which would be dispersed to constituent farmers.

Quezon LGU, mining firm FCF set tree nursery project in Nueva Vizcaya Graft charges vs. Palawan governor nixed

By Ben Moses Ebreo

QUEZON, Nueva Vizcaya—FCF Minerals Corp. has established a tree nursery in this town in partnership with the local government.

Ian Moller, FCF acting general manager for operations, said the project is being carried out by their

Community Relations Office after the successful implementation of the Clean and Green Program with the LGU last year.

He said the tree nursery also serves as one of their contributions to the government’s National Greening Program headed by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

“This will also boost our Forest Mining Project in this municipality with the availability of tree seedlings to be planted. This will be undertaken through a Memorandum of Agreement,” Moller added.

LGU officials also said the project will enlist various stakeholders who were trained on preparation, planting

and production of various tree species.

Moller also said the management of the nursery will also undergo training on the production of tree seedlings.

The nursery will also be planted with various vegetables, which will also be distributed to villagers for domestic consumption and livelihood ventures.

Standard scribe, 33 others receive media awards TACLOBAN CITY—Tacloban-based Manila Standard correspondent Ronald O. Reyes joined 33 other journalists and media outlets in a recognition ceremony during the first 1st Eastern Media Awards at the Leyte Park Hotel and Resort on Saturday.

Newly formed Eastern Visayas Media Without Borders organized the media awards.

The panel of judges were composed of veteran editor Rolex Elmido, Archdiocese of Palo Spokesperson Fr. Chris Arthur Militante, and Professor Ladylyn Mangada of the University of the Philippines-Visayas Tacloban Campus.

“The event was a beautiful showcase of unity among journalists in Region 8. It was also an affirmation that media practitioners in the region are working hard to sustain professionalism and credibility in their career,” said Elmido, former regional editor of The Freeman now regional editor of online news portal Manila Express.com.

Reyes, who wrote extensively about the 2013 Super Typhoon Yolanda that devastated the central Philippines as a typhoon survivor himself, won in the “Best Regional Correspondent for National News” for his “excellence in news writing, resourcefulness in breaking news, and ingenious ability to extract top stories that land in the nation-

al front pages.”

Sharing his spot was Robert Dejon, Ormoc-based correspondent of the Philippine Daily Inquirer.

The other winners include: Best News Program of the Year (Radio), Balitang Bayan-DYVL Aksyon Radyo; Best News Program of the Year (TV), TV Patrol Eastern Visayas-ABSCBN; Best Radio Reporter (Male), Rani Arcenas; Best Radio Reporter (Female), Sarah May Artiaga-Kaugop Radio; Best Television Reporter (Male), Don Leandrew Tiu-PRTV 12; Best Television Reporter (Female), Jenette FariolaRuedas-ABS-CBN. Best Commentary Program (Broadcast), Bombohanay Bigtime (Bombo Radyo); Best Commentator (Broadcast), Eduard Sanagan- Radio Mindanao Network; Best Radio Newscaster of the Year, Francisca Custodio (DYVL-Aksyon Radyo); Best TV Newscaster of the Year (Male), Ranulfo Docdocan-ABS-CBN; Best TV Newscaster of the Year (Female), Boots Buena (PRTV 12); Best Television Cameraman, Ariel Masas, PRTV 12.

Best News Writer of the Year, Joey Gabieta-Philippine Daily Inquirer; Best News Correspondent for National Online Site, Jasmin Bonifacio-Rappler; Best Feature Story Writer, Elmer RecuerdoBusiness Mirror.

The trophy Standard scribe Ronald O. Reyes received as Best Regional Correspondent for National News for his ‘excellence in news writing, resourcefulness in breaking news, and ingenious ability to extract top stories that land in the national front pages.’

PDEA-NCR declares two Navotas barangays drug-free

By Jun David TWO barangays in Navotas on Monday received certification from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency that they are now drug-free.

Mayor John Rey Tiangco, together with Brgy. Captains Zenaida Tibulan of North Bay Boulevard South Dagat-dagatan and Rochelle Vicencio of Tanza II, received

the certificates from Rhea Valenzuela of PDEA-National Capital Region.

“All of us must fight against illegal drugs. This is not just to promote peace and order in our city; this is to secure a safe future our children,” Tiangco said.

The mayor urged Navoteños to continue to support the city government’s anti-drug campaign.

The city often receives reports about il-

legal activities through Text JRT numbers 0915-2601385 for Globe, 0908-8868578 for Smart, and 0922-8888578 for Sun. “We are grateful for your reports.

Your cooperation is crucial for the success of our campaign,” he added.

A barangay is considered drug-free when it has zero drug supply, drug den, pushers, users, and drug laboratory, per government guidelines.

It also needs to have barangay officials who are actively advocating for anti-drug activities; a drug awareness, preventive education and information, and a voluntary and compulsory drug treatment and rehabilitation processing desk.

Navotas conducts a community-based treatment and rehabilitation program called Bidahan for drug users willing to change their ways.

THE Ombudsman has dismissed charges against Palawan Gov. Jose Chaves Alvarez and two other officials for their roles in an alleged graft case filed at the Sandiganbayan for insufficiency of evidence.

On April 5, the Sandiganbayan Second Division granted the Ombudsman’s motion to drop the charges against Alvarez, former Local Water Utilities Administration chairman Lorenzo H. Jamora, and Gaspar D. Gonzales Jr., former general manager of the Cagayan de Oro City Water District.

Alvarez was still chairman of the Rio Verde Water Consortium Inc. when he, Jamora and Gonzales were charged with violating Republic Act 3019 along with members of the board of the water district after the latter awarded a Bulk Water Supply project in Cagayan de Oro to Rio Verde in 2004.

In a Memorandum on Reinvestigation recommended for approval by Special Prosecutor Edilberto G. Sandoval, the Ombudsman noted that the case’s formal complaint was filed jn 2016, or 12 years after the project was awarded, and nine years after it was completed in 2007.

Ombudsman Samuel R. Martires approved Sandoval’s recommendation to dismiss the charges, filed by previous officers of the anti-graft body, on March 28.

Private complainants, one of whom turned out to be a former lawyer for the Cagayan de Oro Water District, alleged in their case with the Sandiganbayan that Alvarez and the others unduly influenced the board of the water body to award the contract to Rio Verde.

“There is no overt act on the part of Alvarez indicating that he sought a favor from, or exerted pressure on the Board of Directors” of the water district, the Ombudsman said.

C

OFFEE is a huge part in the hospitality industry, with it being offered at F&B outlets and in every room.

A luxury integrated casino resort enhances its eco-efficient operations with its new holistic initiatives on coffee.

Life

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

HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENT

@MStandardLIFE TUESDAY, APRIL 30, 2019

“As a socially and environmentally responsible business, we are always looking for ways on how we can strengthen our sustainability practices through a holistic approach throughout the property,” said City of Dreams Manila chief operating officer Kevin Benning.

COD Manila said it sources coffee beans from local farmers, repurposes used coffee grounds as organic fertilizers, and recycles coffee capsules in guest rooms.

Benning added, “Our latest undertaking towards sourcing and repurposing coffee that we serve in our outlets reflects our commitment to reducing environmental impact and supporting the Philippine coffee industry, while at the same time enhancing our guests’ quality experience.”

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Farm to cup concept

The Roaster, the newest café located at The Garage VR zone and food park, uses locally sourced coffee. In partnership with the Philippine Coffee Board Inc., City of Dreams Manila regularly sources fresh Arabica, Robusta, and Liberica coffee beans from local farmers in Sulu, Benguet, Batangas, and Cavite.

The beans are then roasted in-house at The Roaster, one of the few establishments in the city that owns a state-ofthe-art Probat machine.

PCBI worked closely with the resort’s procurement department and the chefs, who, having been trained in how best to blend different local varieties, then created artisanal concoctions. The Roaster’s Brew, the café’s signature coffee drink, is made of various local coffee beans and served freshly brewed from The Roaster’s cutting-edge steampunk machine.

Michael Ziemer, vice president for hotels and F&B, said the local premium coffee now offered at The Roaster will also be available in other City of Dreams Manila-operated outlets.

Ziemer, who also heads the resort’s Sustainability Committee, added that they continue to source more coffee variants from other regions in the country, to serve more flavors of artisanal coffee to guests.

Composting used coffee grounds

In addition to advocating for local coffee, the integrated casino resort in Parañaque City is making full use of every coffee bean, ensuring that nothing goes to waste.

About 54 kilos of used coffee grounds are being gathered daily from the different kitchens and outlets of the property, which are then brought to the property’s vermicomposting area to create organic fertilizers.

Rich in nitrogen, an essential element to enrich soil and provide nutrients to plants, used coffee grounds, together with other organic waste such as vegetable trimmings, fruit peelings, and egg shell remains are fed to the worms at the property’s vermicomposting chambers. The byproduct of the process are vermicast and vermitea, which are then being used as potent compost and fertilizer to the greenhouse nursery and herb garden at the roof deck of the parking building and to different ornamental plants across the property.

Luxury resort

FROM FARM TO CUP. Luxury integrated casino resort City of Dreams Manila sources fresh coffee beans from local farmers in Sulu, Benguet, Batangas, and Cavite.

initiates sustainable

approach to coffee

The Roaster at The Garage VR Zone serves coffee concoctions made of local beans.

Recycling with Nespresso

City of Dreams Manila is also joining hands with Nespresso’s commitment to sustainability by taking an active part in the coffee brand’s capsule recycling program. Instead of ending up in landfills, the used coffee capsules, which are made from aluminum—a recyclable material—are collected from the rooms of the property’s three Forbes Starsawarded luxury hotels Nuwa, Nobu, and Hyatt Regency.

Nespresso then turns over the used capsules to a recycling partner to mix with other recycled aluminum and transform into raw materials again. Some used coffee capsules are given new life through upcycling by Negrense Volunteers for Change Foundation artisans who turn them into decorative items, which are then sold at bazaars, fairs, and online platforms.

Fresh coffee beans are roasted in The Roaster’s state-of-the-art Probat machine.

Understanding modern contraceptive methods

The cafe’s barista creates special coffee concoctions from freshly roasted and brewed local coffee.

1,000 live births in the Philippines.

The World Health Organization and the Department of Health stress the importance of family planning and birth spacing.

There are two methods of family planning women can choose from: natural and modern. Here at home, one in three Filipinas prefers natural over modern methods of contraception, according to a report by the University of the Philippines on the findings of the Demographic and Health Surveys conducted from 2003 to 2013.

Natural birth control methods include the fertility awareness method or rhythm method, which is tracking the woman’s menstrual cycle and ovulation so that the woman will know on which

days she can have unprotected sex and still avoid pregnancy.

The withdrawal method, meanwhile, is when the man ejaculates outside the vagina, keeping the sperm out of the woman’s body to prevent fertilization.

Although natural contraception can be highly effective, there are still risks as a woman might conceive because her ovulation cycle can change in the course of the month and the withdrawal method could have been done incorrectly by her partner.

Using natural contraception may be a hit and miss way of delaying pregnancy, which is why modern family planning methods are taking centerfold in terms of efficacy and even in protecting Turn to C2

In the Philippines, one in three Filipinas prefers natural over modern methods of contraception.

MANY women at some points in their lives have experienced anxiety over the possibility of unplanned pregnancy, whether she’s a young woman who’s not yet ready to conceive or a mother who

wants to plan the size of her family to ensure her children of a good life and education.

Unintended pregnancies can impact the health and wellbeing of families; it

can lead to poverty, and in worst cases, maternal and infant mortality. In 2017, the Asian Development Bank reported that 114 mothers die in every 100,000 live births, and 22 babies die out of

Family planning allows parents to ensure their children of a good life and education.

Life

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TUESDAY, APRIL 30, 2019 manilastandardlife@gmail.com

What happens during a woman’s period cycle

W

HEN a woman is unreasonable, it’s easily dismissed as “that time of the month,” which can often be unfair as there is more to this than what people around assume.

A woman’s period cycle spans almost an entire month, and every few days something changes in her body. Hormone levels can change dramatically, depending on the stage of the cycle.

That’s why there are days when a woman feels like she can do anything and days when she just wants to stay home with a bag of chips and Netflix.

Here’s a short break down of what happens during a woman’s period cycle:

Fitbit Versa Lite Edition and Fitbit Inspire join the brand’s growing smart wearables lineup.

Women often experience fatigue and cramps due to low estrogen level during the first two days of their cycle.

The beginning

Days 1-2: The first day of the cycle is the first day of the period. Estrogen is low and women often experience fatigue and cramps. She might not feel like it but these days would be good days to exercise. Her mood might not be so great and energy level is low.

Feel good

Days 3-5: Estrogen begins to increase towards the end of the period. This hormone helps boost endorphins or the brain’s “feel good” chemicals—the same one that is released during exercise. Her energy also rises along with the rise in estrogen, and ultimately this is when she feels more upbeat.

With estrogen up, a woman feels more beautiful and energetic during days 6-9.

On top of the world

Days 6-9: With estrogen up, a woman feels more beautiful and energetic. Her skin is glowing and her face looks more symmetrical. Testosterone also rises during this time and she is most likely to feel unstoppable and on top of her game.

Bringing sexy back

Days 10-13: The days when a woman approaches her ovulation are the days when she feels sexiest. She is most fertile during these days, hence women who want to become pregnant have the best chances of conception when they try at this window until ovulation day. At the end of the cycle, she may begin to experience bloating and sluggishness.

Orgasms are more intense and are atto the research result of Yasmin Endañol, tainable during sex. Estrogen levels are End of the cycle at the highest and women feel best emoDay 23-28: Estrogen and progesterone UP Diliman Institute of Chemistry.

She added, “If there are no ions availtionally and physically. levels of women who are not pregnant able for movement, the channels will recontinue to drop. She may begin to exHello, ovulation perience bloating and sluggishness. The main closed, and signals will not be transDay 14: For most period cycles, ovu- quick change in her hormones is also mitted. Thus, pain felt by the user during lation happens on this day. Ovulation is responsible for the quick changes in her dysmenorrhea is lessened to a minimum.”

The sanitary napkin brand further helps when an egg is released from the ovary. mood. This is a good time for women to This egg lives for 12 to 24 hours. There boost their serotonin levels through ex- women and all the men in their lives unis also a sudden hormone change dur- ercise and to cope with breast soreness. derstand what happens during the 28-day ing ovulation, which may intensify her It’s also best to reduce sugar intake, stay cycle with the #PeriodStory, a short series emotions and tiredness. hydrated, and reduce your caffeine intake. of four romantic comedy videos that are An unfertilized egg will soon leave the sure to relate with all the women who’ve Watch what you eat body together with the uterine lining cre- encountered mishaps due to their monthly visitor—and the men who’ve had to learn Days 19-22: Estrogen level begins ated in preparation for possible pregnancy. to drop while testosterone surges if a Jeunesse Anion pads help with the a thing or two about being a woman. Go woman’s not pregnant. Her skin might cramping and dysmenorrhea through to Jeunesse Anion on Facebook to watch be producing more oil than usual, the anions released by the strip. These an- the series. which means she might be experienc- ions “bind to the positively charged ions ing breakouts or sensitive skin. This is (of the body) which restricts the move- Jeunesse Anion is available at leading a good time to eat healthy. ment through the ion channel,” according supermarkets and drugstores nationwide.

Water for peace

Nanapun Elementary School students use their school’s WaSH facility.

which were given a 3,200-liter water tank each. One hundred forty thousand Maranaos have already benefited from the project and with the final tank on its way, it is set to benefit more.

A 50,000-liter water tank is set to be turned over to the new, larger transitional village being developed in Brgy. Rorogagus which is intended to house at least 1,000 families and 40,000 Internally Displaced People (IDPs). Priority lodging will be given to 600 IDPs who are currently residing in the city’s capitol and will also benefit 400 more families from different camps to ensure transitional villages are not congested.

The project also includes community training on water management and hygiene with the PDRF team carrying on these trainings to instill the value of water and how to use it properly and sustainably.

IN CELEBRATION of United Nation’s World Water Day, the Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation, in partnership with Pepsi-Cola Products Philippines Inc., culminated its Water for Peace in Marawi project through a groundbreaking ceremony held recently.

“The Water for Peace in Marawi project aims to address the Maranao’s need for clean, safe, and usable water after the Marawi siege that made it difficult for them to access this important, basic necessity,” said Monique Castro, PCPPI corporate affairs and communications senior manager.

The project turned over seven 20,000-liter tanks to a total of six transitional shelters: five of which got a tank each, and one village with two tanks. It Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation and Pepsi-Cola Products Philippines, Inc. also benefitted 10 underserved schools executives with Lanao del Sur government officials at the groundbreaking ceremony.

Fitbit launches new affordable wearables

LEADING global wearables brand Fitbit roll out new products with affordable price tags, making health and fitness accessible to more consumers.

Joining the brand’s lineup of fitness trackers and smartwatches are Fitbit Versa Lite Edition, Fitbit Inspire HR, Fitbit Inspire, and soon to be launched Fitbit Ace 2.

Building on the success of the Fitbit Versa family of devices, Fitbit Versa Lite Edition is an everyday smartwatch with most of the core fitness and smart features Versa is known for, including automatic activity, PurePulse 24/7 heart rate and Sleep Stages tracking, 15+ goal-based exercise modes, connected GPS, smartphone notifications, apps, more than four days of battery life, and relative SpO2 sensor.

It features a simple one-button, lightweight swimproof design in new bold color choices for the young at heart. At P10,390, Versa Lite Edition is Fitbit’s most affordable smartwatch yet.

Fitbit Inspire HR, meanwhile, is the brand’s most affordable and stylish 24/7 heart rate tracking device at P6,290. It packs all-day automatic activity, exercise and Sleep Stages tracking, with 15+ goalbased exercise modes, connected GPS, and Relax guided breat hing in

a stylish, slim design.

For consumers who are new to wearables and want an even lowercost, easy-to-use tracker, Fitbit Inspire is available at P4,590. It has the essential health and fitness features to help consumers stay motivated including automatic activity, exercise and sleep tracking, goal celebrations, Reminders to Move, and timer and stopwatch apps.

Both Inspire units have a new modern, comfortable, and swimproof design with a touchscreen display, smartphone notifications, and up to five days of battery life.

Fitbit Ace 2 is made for kids aged 6 and above. It has a new swimproof design with a bumper to protect the screen, and is available in fun and bold kid-friendly colors and accessories that include patterned designs.

Further, Ace 2 debuts new animated clock faces, motivating challenges to keep kids moving, and colorful avatars and cover photos to personalize their profiles within the Fitbit app.

In addition to new wearables, Fitbit also announced the major redesign to the Fitbit app so users can further personalize their dashboard, better understand their data, discover new content, and connect with others more easily on Fitbit’s social community. The update also adds Fitbit Focus, a new section at the top of the dashboard that delivers relevant insights, messages, and tips to keep users engaged, informed, and motivated.

Fitbit Versa Lite Edition, Inspire HR and Inspire devices are now available at retail partner stores nationwide. Ace 2 will be available later this year.

Family planning and birth spacing are vital in maintaining the health and well-being of mothers and the whole family.

Understanding...

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against sexually transmitted infections.

Common modern methods are the use of condoms and contraceptive pill. Condoms form a barrier to block sperm and egg from meeting and protect against STIs such as human papillomavirus (HPV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Contraceptive pills contain hormones that prevent the release of eggs from the ovaries and thicken the cervical mucus to prevent fertilization.

There is also a combined injectable contraceptive, which is injected every month, 99 percent effective, safe, and can help regularize the menstrual cycle.

For couples who want to delay pregnancy for longer periods of time, the Long Acting Reversible Contraceptives (LARC), also known as “fit and forget” contraception, are ideal options for they can work for years without user action, and are reversible when stopped.

The progestin subdermal implant is one example of LARC which is 99 percent effective in preventing pregnancy for up to three years and can be eas-

ily removed once the woman decides to conceive. The subdermal implant is a thin plastic rod about the size of a matchstick inserted under the skin of a woman’s upper arm. It releases a hormone that stops the body from releasing eggs each month and thickens mucus in the cervix, thus blocking sperm.

Another LARC is the Intra-Uterine Device (IUD). It is a small, T-shaped object placed inside the uterus through a simple procedure by an experienced nurse or doctor. The IUD comes in two forms: the copper and hormone IUDs which stop the sperm from reaching the egg, and when this does happen, the fertilized egg is stopped from attaching to the wall of the uterus. Like the progestin subdermal implant, IUD is equally effective and works for up to 10 years.

Other modern methods include the bilateral tubal ligation which is a surgical procedure that involves blocking the fallopian tubes to prevent the egg from being fertilized; and the noscalpel vasectomy among men which is puncturing the scrotum to interrupt the delivery of sperm without affecting sexual drive and potency.

Entertainment

No more TV soap for ECHO? A

Meanwhile, when it comes to his married life, the critically-acclaimed actor is happy and contented.

“My wife is the greatest blessing in my life. She perfectly understands my passion for acting, in the same way she’s passionate with modeling and hosting. I’m really so blessed to have a partner who has the same level of passion for her craft.”

This is the main reason why they are not so keen on having kids at this point.

“We still have a lot of dreams to fulfill. Having a baby now is not a good idea since we’re focused on accomplishing more in our respective turf. What’s good is that no one or nothing is putting us under pressure to have children. I believe it will come in the right and perfect time,” ends Echo. *** Jasmine Curtis-Smith is not sold to the idea of snatching the title Horror Queen from Kris Aquino now that she’s starring in the scream flick Maledicto.

“Oh please, no! I don’t want to get it from Madam. We all know that’s Ms.

Hit K-Drama ‘Sky Castle’ now on Netflix AFTER smashing ratings records in South Korea (beating the likes of Goblin and Reply 1988), the hit drama series Sky Castle is finally streaming on Netflix.

For the families living at Sky Castle, an exclusive residential community that’s home to Korea’s elite, their children’s success means

everything. And getting them into the top university is the ultimate prize.

Leading the K-Drama’s ensemble cast are veteran actresses Yum Jung Ah, Lee Tae Ran, Yoon Se Ah, Oh Na Ra, and Kim Seo Hyung.

Sky Castle started streaming on Netflix on April 28.

A scene from ‘Sky Castle,’ which smashes the record set by ‘Goblin’ and ‘Reply 1988’ to become the highest rated K-Drama on cable TV.

CROSSWORD PUZZLE Tuesday, April 30, 2019

ACROSS 1 Stoic founder 5 Stadium shape 9 Stingy 14 Submit 15 Evergreen scent 16 Settle up 17 Nose-bag tidbits 18 “Watermark” chanteuse 19 Lower in esteem 20 Enigma 22 Was equal to 24 Praise to the skies 26 Jogged 27 — wheel 30 Public speaking 34 Top choices (hyph.)

35 Latin 101 word 36 Carpenter’s item 38 Find fault 39 Sillier 42 Tax pro 43 Uppity one 45 Must have 46 Set a price 48 Deepened, as a canal 50 Loud and rude 51 Harper or Majors 52 Lubricated 54 Outer ear

58 Friendly 62 Young chicken 63 Hematite yield 65 Timber wolf 66 Yucca kin 67 Cheese coating 68 Basin companion 69 Ms. Zellweger 70 Soften 71 Sticky fruit DOWN 1 Go very fast 2 Auction site 3 Salon items 4 Pearl makers 5 Puccini works 6 Upholstery choice 7 No matter which 8 Bard’s tragic king 9 Foulard kin 10 Beirut locale 11 Silica mineral 12 Courtesy encl.

13 Got a good look 21 Some turnpike ramps 23 More than just peeved 25 Submarine’s weapon 27 Stadium fillers 28 Veld grazer 29 Harshness of

judgment 31 Surprise attack 32 Hat trees 33 Exclamation of dismay 35 Fencer’s blade 37 Countess’s title 40 Tree topper 41 Not as common 44 Have an opinion 47 Loaded down 49 Royal order 50 Not a brunette 53 Computer graphics

54 Miles away 55 Argue for 56 Meg — of films 57 Limerick locale 59 Midwest state 60 Help a thief 61 Knowledge 64 Narrow inlet

nickie.standard@gmail.com

Deadline set for 11th PANAta Awards submission of entries

series Halik where he shared the frame with Sam Milby, Yam Concepcion and Yen Santos, Jericho Rosales reveals that he would like to stop on doing a drama series yet again.

be seen endorsing a huge account soon, which delights his solid followers. “ Well, that’s great news. Actually, I knew that even before. Lloydie’s a talented actor and it’s disheartening to see such talent go into waste, right? I’m positive that he will come back. Just like Diet (Diether Ocampo). I heard he is also staging a comeback. Maybe it’s the season of comebacks. Exciting, isn’t it?”

Echo recalls that he himself also took a long break from acting at one point.

“I think it was in 2006. Then, I decided to turn my back from acting and give way to my recording career.

Interestingly, that period in my life served as an eye-opener for me.

Eventually, it made me realize how essential my acting career was. You can’t leave it just like that. I’m not saying that you can’t take a break from the scene sometimes. Actually, you need to turn your back on something to realize and discover its true value in your life,” he avers.

C3

Drama actor Jericho Rosales

FTER the hit

“I’ve been saying this in the past. If you will remember, there’s the The Legal Wife, Magpahanggang Wakas, and then, Halik which are all dramatically explosive. Of course, I’m proud that viewers tremendously supported these programs. It’s just that at this point, I want to re-package myself and do something new. I guess, it’s my responsibility as an artist,” the dramatic actor says.

Echo hopes people won’t get him wrong. It’s not because he’s already tired of the ‘biz or the acting profession in general. On the contrary, he wants to work harder.

“It’s my desire to find a fresh material. Surely, doing something new will be a most healthy and welcome idea. I plan to take a three-month break before doing a new show again,” he states.

Speaking of comeback, the actor was asked on fellow Kapamilya John Lloyd Cruz’s alleged possible return to the showbiz scene after a hiatus for quite some time already. There are rumors circulating that Lloydie will

TUESDAY, APRIL 30, 2019

Kris Aquino. She achieved it on her own so it’s hers. Every actor or actress can have his or her own title,” she says.

If given the chance to choose, what showbiz title does she want?

“Is it okay if I’ll have all the genres?

Ha-ha-ha! But seriously speaking, let’s see what would fit me. Anyway, my career is still young. It’s a long way to go.”

In Maledicto, she breathes life to the role of a nun who is also a clairvoyant.

“Actually, it’s the first time that I’m portraying a nun on screen and it’s challenging. In the story, she sees and feels things that are beyond the natural.

It’s a different Jasmine people will see in here.”

What’s the most challenging part in the movie?

“Oh, the fact that I was acting with special effects!” she avers. “You should know how to imagine that you’re interacting with flying plates in the scene. It’s really a huge challenge for me since I’m used to interacting with real actors in both movies or soaps that I do.”

Biggest...

From C4

Getting in on the fun are Magandang Buhay hosts Karla Estrada, Jolina MagdangalEscueta, and Melai Cantiveros-Francisco,Tonight with Boy Abunda host Boy Abunda, the kiddie comedians of Goin’ Bulilit, and their older counterparts in Banana Sundae led by Angelica Panganiban, John Prats, Jason Gainza, Jobert Austria, and Pooh.

Not to be left behind in the newest dance craze are PBB Otso Teen Batch 1 Big Four Lie Reposposa, Kaori Oinuma, Karina Bautista, and Jelay Pilones, and the PBB Otso Adult Big Four Yamyam Gucong, Fumiya Sankai, Andre Brouilette, and Lou Yanong.

Following ABS-CBN’s hit Christmas campaigns “Just Love” and “Family is Love,” this year’s summer theme also bears a message of love, emphasizing how life is more meaningful and fun when shared with loved ones like family and friends, whether in good or bad times.

The “Summer is Love” station ID is produced by ABSCBN Creative Communications Management division.

Words were composed by Robert Labayen and Lloyd Oliver Corpuz with music and additional rap lyrics by Yumi Lacsamana and Thyro Alfaro. The “Summer is Love” dance, meanwhile, was choreographed by Edsel Misenas and the Autonomicass Crew.

NOW on its 11th year of championing brand building and honoring the brilliance of the people and organizations behind the industry’s most successful and exemplary brand-strengthening campaigns, the PANAta Awards continues its search for game changers to be named as Brand Builder Champions.

With bigger, more successful and innovative campaigns launched last year, and the apparent growth of new brands entering the market vying for the PANAta Awards 2019 is expected to stir excitement and grit to win the PANAta recognition. Each winner will receive the PANAta Trophy whose design is a representation of Brand Builders’ legacy and relevance to the industry. Each corner and every side possesses a great meaning, where words exemplify PANAta’s values, ethics, and principles; and the colors signify the diverse personalities of the brand builders that bring to life extraordinary and novel works.

PANAta Awards Chairman, Jake Lugay, articulates that, “The PANAta is a league of its own. With its refreshed identity, it differs from other award-giving bodies in the marketing and advertising industries because this is about you, the people behind the thriving campaigns.”

“It places high regard not solely on the masterpiece, but to the masters behind these creations who are advocates of truth in advertising, and who unceasingly elevate industry standard to a higher level,” he adds.

Join the ranks of PANAta’s Brand Builder Champions by letting your creativity and brand result speak for you, and make your mark in the following categories: Excellence in Marketing Innovation (brand executions that have incorporated new marketing styles or ridden in current trends to achieve respective objectives), Excellence in Brand CSR (brand campaigns whose objective is to give back to the community or country), Excellence in Brand Positioning (brand executions that clearly showcase the brand strength, and solidify brand personality within the competing market), Excellence in Customer Empowerment (brand campaigns that aim to inspire consumers, empower the minorities and bind the brand promise to social issues), Excellence in Internal Communications (communications to employees or business or trade partners), and Brand Rookie of the Year (new brands that have entered the market in the past year and shown success in its launch based on criteria given).

Submission of entries through https:// bit.ly/2I78XGi is until May 3. For inquiries, you may get in touch with Ms. Aileen Lucero of the PANA Secretariat at 8940474 or 8940012 or email her at alucero@pana.com.ph.

The promotion of the PANAta Awards 2019 is in partnership with the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KPB), Media Specialists Association of the Philippines (MSAP), Philippine Daily Inquirer and Megamobile.

PANata Awards continues its search for game changer in the field of brandstrengthening campaigns.

Nickie Wang, Issue Editor nickie.standard@gmail.com

C4

Entertainment

TUESDAY, APRIL 30, 2019

NICKIE WANG

I

T IS a genuine love affair which many years ago between an accomplished internationally acclaimed concert pianist and a notable institution of learning, whose aims are to enhance its students’ potential, contribute to the betterment of society, and transform the world into a better place to live in. And the relationship continues to flourish to this day.

Recently, the Cebu-born-andbred Ingrid Sala Santamaria, a much respected and admired artist who has received several awards, recognitions, accolades and bestowments of public entities and private organizations— both at home and overseas—felt it was time to give back through the Ingrid Sala-Santamaria Endowment Fund for Education, an initiative that assists financially challenged students, and has chosen the De La Salle University (DLSU) as the benefactor of some aspects of her memorabilia collection, spanning 88 compendiums of books, 34 series of audio CDs, 52 volumes of DVDs, and an entire Christmas Village.

Dr. Santamaria, a recipient of the Chevalier, Ordre des Palmas Academiques and the Chevalier, Ordre du Merite Nationale, both from the Government of the French Republic, with a Doctor of Music degree in Music Education from DLSU, honoris causa in 2006, recalled her history of involvement through the lens of her career.

“At an early age of 10, I gave my first solo recital—then called the Premiere Recital—something every budding pianist aspires for. On this very evening, I clearly knew what I wanted to do in life —to be a performing pianist on stage. I had found my purpose,” she proclaimed.

From this modest beginning, she has gone to exhibit her prowess through brilliant execution of over a thousand piano performances for the past half century—and five more years, for good measure—all adequately, and perhaps too excessively, chronicled in all manner of media.

Her desire and revered dream to perform in prestigious concert halls have been more than realized, as she has thrilled audiences in various venues to include palaces, with royalty and aristocracy, premiers and presidents, global leaders and business icons in attendance.

Tuning the future through music

With some Memorabilia items: De La SalleCollege of Saint Benilde Strategic Adviser Edu Jarque, Marilou Magsaysay, Ingrid Santamaria, Brother Ray Suplido.

The traveling pianist, through land, sea, and air, has reached crowds of all ages, from all walks of life, in various venues, such as open fields, barangay halls and covered basketball courts, remote barrios and even isolated islands.

Today, she faithfully and meticulously archives her performances through two Youtube Channels where she posts 10-minute performance clips and entire concertos, for the world to access and enjoy, reminisce and cherish memorable experiences.

She has always been surrounded by “La

Sallites” —the term before Lasallians came into vogue—from her late husband Joe to his brothers and their respective families; son Joey, daughter Cecile, son-inlaw Senic; and seven grandchildren.

“I would like to think that this humble act would concur with St. John Baptist de La Salle’s vision of completing and enhancing one’s education with the knowledge and love of the arts, culture and music.” she continued.

“With this hopefully aligned educational aspiration then, I wish to donate this modest representation of a purposefully lived life,

Biggest Kapamilya stars converge in new summer station ID PBB OTSO adult housemates Lou, Andre, Yamyam, and Fumiya dance to the newest ABS-CBN summer ID.

THE biggest stars from favorite Kapamilya shows are joining forces to spread good vibes and brighten up the season as they dance to the country’s new summer anthem in the 2019 ABS-CBN “Summer Is Love” Station ID. Sing and dance along with the likes of Coco Martin of FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano, Angel Locsin of The General’s Daughter, and the cast of Kadenang Ginto in the star-studded summer video, which premiered on Saturday on It’s Showtime.

Idol Philippines host Billy Crawford and judges Vice Ganda, James Reid, Moira Dela Torre, and Regine Velasquez-Alcasid also performed the song live together with It’s Showtime family led

by Anne Curtis, Vhong Navarro, Jhong Hilario, Amy Perez, and Ryan Bang.

Also featured in the video, which takes us to different sets and locations of

DLSU Director of Libraries Christine Abrigo witnessing the exchange of gift between Ingrid Santamaria and DLSU President Brother Ray Suplido, FSC.

Kapamilya programs, are the ASAP Natin ‘To family of Martin Nievera, Ogie Alcasid, Zsa Zsa Padilla, Erik Santos, Sarah Geronimo, Edward Barber, Donny Pangilinan, Robi Domingo, TNT Boys Keifer Sanchez, Mackie Empuerto, and Francis Concepcion, Janine Berdin, Yeng Constantino, KZ Tandingan, Morissette, and Boyband PH Joao Constancia, Niel Murillo, Tristan Ramirez, Russell Reyes, and Ford Valencia; World of Dance host Pia Wurtzbach with judges Gary Valenciano, Maja Salvador, and Billy Crawford; and Minute to Win It host Luis Manzano with Negi.

Joining them are the cast of Los Bastardos led by Jake Cuenca, Albie Casino, Joseph Marco, Joshua Colet, Marco Gumabao, Jane Oineza, Gloria Diaz, and Ronaldo Valdez; Paulo Avelino, Arjo Atayde, JC De Vera, Ryza

Cenon, Cholo Baretto, Loisa Andalio, Ronnie Alonte, Tirso Cruz III, Janice De Belen, Albert Martinez, and Maricel Soriano from The General’s Daughter; Sophia Reola and RK Bagatsing of Nang Ngumiti Ang Langit; and Dimples Romana, Beauty Gonzalez, Adrian Alandy, Francine Diaz, Andrea Brillantes, Kyle Echarri, and Seth Fedelin of Kadenang Ginto.

The stars of the new afternoon teleserye Mea Culpa Sino Ang May Sala Bela Padilla, Tony Labrusca, Kit Thompson, Ketchup Eusebio, Sandino Martin, Ivana Alawi, and Jodi Sta. Maria will also show their dance moves, same as Atty. Jose Sison of Ipaglaban Mo, and Yassi Pressman, Empoy Marquez, Bassilyo, and Smugglaz of FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano, who were with Coco in Japan. Continued on C3

in an earnest wish that those whose lives these will touch, will be inspired to fulfill their own fullest potential, not necessarily in music, but in their own chosen fields. I would wish for these young adults to aspire to make a difference in their lives and in our world.” she ended.

DLSU President Brother Raymund Suplido FSC, during his acceptance speech, noted the importance of accessible learning, specially for those in need, during the intimate Donation Turnover Ceremony at The Learning Commons, 9th Floor Mezzanine, Henry Sy, Sr. Hall

of the Taft campus, with only members of her immediate family and dear friends in attendance.

“If there is one tool that we can wield to dispel much of the inequality, ignorance, and exclusion present in the world today, it would be education. With it, we can better ourselves and contribute to society, becoming instruments for positive change in the world. In investing and supporting the cause of education, we enable disadvantaged individuals to overcome ignorance, poverty and social exclusion.” he said.

Taylor Swift drops peppy, pastel-drenched music video AFTER a bout of social media teasing pop star Taylor Swift made good on a vow to drop new music, releasing early Friday the rainbow-colored video for her latest single, “ME!”The chipper track the 29-year-old superstar says celebrates individuality is a sharp departure from her previous album and much harsher lead single and video for “Look What You Made Me Do,” which went heavy on black and white and saw her grapple with her very public celebrity dramas. “’Me!’ is a song about embracing your individuality and really celebrating it and owning it,” Swift told ABC late Thursday, where she made a brief appearance at the National Football League draft.

“With a pop song, we have the ability to get a melody stuck in people’s heads,” she said. “I just want it to be one that makes them feel better about themselves, not worse.”

The video bathed in pastel— something of a psychedelic mash-up

between Mary Poppins and kaleidoscopic 60s musical The Umbrellas of Cherbourg—sees Swift engage in relatively banal arguments with a love interest, played by the singer Brendon Urie of Vegas rock band Panic! at the Disco, who also contributes vocals.

In the video featuring cats and a heavy dose of unicorn imagery, Swift memorably shouts out “Spelling is fun!” midway through but proceeds to spell nothing.

Swift has seen a decline in her status in the industry—scoring just one nomination at this year’s Grammys, where pop was largely ignored in favor of hip hop and country-tinged work—but commercially remains a megastar.

Her last international tour reportedly grossed $345.7 million over seven months, after which she released a concert film on Netflix.

She has not yet revealed details of a new album but will appear in a film adaptation of Cats, set for a December release. AFP

Taylor Swift releases new song ‘Me!’ featuring Brendon Urie of Panic! at the Disco.