Manila Standard - 2019 May 2 - Thursday

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Libyan fighting worsens threat to OFWs; alert up

CHALLENGING THE COLD.

Property broker Bianca Lawas makes a page in world mountaineering history while raising the Philippine tricolors at the base camp of the 8,848-meter Mount Everest, with the unforgiving winds and minus 15 degrees Celsius temperature hitting her frame in bright red gown, shown in her Facebook post on April 30—she claims to have stayed at the camp for 10 days—which has since gone viral.

By Rey E. Requejo THE Department of Foreign Affairs has raised up the Alert Level to 4 in Libya amid intensive fighting around the capital.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Teddy Locsin Jr. said he already briefed President Rodrigo Duterte about raising the alert level in Tripoli on Tuesday.

“Yesterday, informed President that I raised the Alert Level to 4 in Tripoli + 100 kms around. More mortar fire, more Filipinos hurt. AL 4 is mandatory evacuation but we cannot compel—and rightly so. What is mandatory is that DFA stays in Tripoli until last OFW goes—& then it stays,” Locsin said on his Twitter account.

However, the DFA chief did not provide details about the injured Filipinos.

Locsin explained that Alert Level 4 calls for a mandatory evacuation of Filipinos there.

In its bulletin posted on its website, the DFA also announced that it “elevated the alert in Tripoli and surrounding areas to Level IV due to increased threats to the safety of more than 1,000 Filipinos who are still there.”

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Aquino crime raps upgrade sought

By Rey E. Requejo

VOL. XXXIII • NO. 77 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P18 • THURSDAY, MAY 2, 2019 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

THE Supreme Court will decide en banc on a petition seeking to upgrade the criminal cases against former President Benigno Aquino III over the death of 44 police commandos during the Mamasapano clash in 2015.

In a resolution, the SC granted the plea of the Volunteers Against Crime

and Corruption and relatives of the fallen policemen from the Philippine National Police-Special Action Force or “SAF 44” to elevate their petition from the First Division for hearing and resolution of the full court.

“The Court resolved to accept this case which was referred to it by the First Division in the latter’s resolution dated Feb. 20, 2019,” the resolution said. Next page

Protect workers’ rights—Rody Protest rallies press for wage hike, reforms

By Nat Mariano and Vito Barcelo

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RESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday urged Congress to pass measures that fully protect workers’ rights, while thousands of workers staged protests in different parts of the country to demand government action on security of tenure and low wages.

WORKERS’ WOES. Militant groups mark Labor Day Wednesday chanting protest slogans and burning at the foot of Chino Roces bridge near Malacañang and San Beda University the effigy of President Rodrigo Duterte who, in his Labor Day message acknowledged the ‘hard work, grit and perseverance of Filipino workers at home and abroad.’ Protesters are urging Congress to pass measures that shall ‘fully protect’ the workers’ rights, particularly their security of tenure and self-organization. Ey Acasio

‘Public must prepare for earthquakes’

By Rio N. Araja THE public must brace for an earthquake whether it is triggered by an exposed or a hidden fault line, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said Wednesday.

Phivolcs director Renato Solidum said the public must always be prepared from any eventuality of a strong or weak fault that causes an earthquake.

He made his statement even as a climate expert called the LGUs for the strict implementation of climate change and disaster resistant plans and designs in building high-rise structures.

Amid the threats looming from natural disasters, a climate expert appealed to local government units to be more strict in approving the construction of high-rise structures in their respective cities or municipalities.

Glenn Banaguas, one of the country’s leading climate change scientists, says Next page

Congress, SC, Cabinet post record-high rating—SWS

By Nat Mariano THE public satisfaction ratings of key government institutions, such as the House of Representatives, the Supreme Court, and the Cabinet reached a “record-high” in the first quarter of 2019, the latest Social Weather Stations survey revealed Tuesday.

According to SWS, net satisfaction ratings were “very good” for the Senate at +62 and for the Supreme Court at +50. Meanwhile, ratings were “good” for the House and Cabinet at +47 and +44, respectively.

The same survey also found out that the Senate recorded the highest rating among the three other government institutions.

In its survey, SWS found that seven out of 10 respondents or 72 percent were satisfied with the performance of the Senate, while 10 percent were dissatisfied.

“The net satisfaction rating of the Senate stays very good, up by 4 points from +58 in December 2018 to +62 in March Next page

Cooking gas price cut by P2.20/tank

By Alena Mae S. Flores

QUICK INSPECTION. A retailer inspects LPG tanks outside her shop Wednesday along a street in Manila, only hours after prices of LPG products were rolled downby P2.20 per 11-kilo tank. Ey Acasio

THE oil distributors rolled back the price of cooking gas by P0.20 per kilo, equivalent to P2.20 per 11-kilogram tank, to reflect the slightly lower contract price of liquefied petroleum gas in the world market.

Petron Corp. and Phoenix LPG Philippines Inc. announced their price cuts that took effect at 12:01 a.m. on May 1. They also cut the price of autoLPG by P0.10 per liter.

“Petron will implement a P0.20 per kilo rollback in LPG prices effective 12:01 a.m., May 1,” Petron said.

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In his Labor Day message, the President acknowledged the “hard work, grit, and perseverance” of all Filipino workers in the country and abroad.

“Every year, we set aside this day to celebrate their valuable contributions not only in the struggle to provide a better life for our people, but in building the foundations of a more promising future for succeeding generations of Filipinos,” Duterte said.

However, the President lamented the plight of overseas Filipino workers, who choose to leave their families so they may earn better compensation abroad. Next page

Jellyfish sting: Antidote found SYDNEY—Australian researchers believe they have found an antidote to a sting from the world’s most venomous creature, the much-feared box jellyfish.

Researchers at the University of Sydney had been investigating how the venom is so deadly that one box jellyfish can kill 60 people.

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News

THURSDAY, MAY 2, 2019

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Du30’s way pulls down ‘Otso’ bets

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

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HE failure of the eight senatorial candidates running under “Otso Diretso” to enter the “Winning Circle” is a strong indication that the Filipino voters approve of the way President Rodrigo Duterte is running the government, an official said Wednesday.

in the latest survey conducted April 10 to 14 are Mar Roxas, Neri Colmenares, Samira Gutoc, Chel Diokno, Romy Macalintsal, Gary Alejano and Erin Tanada.

“None of the senatorial candidates from the opposition slate placed in the top 12 in the latest Pulse Survey, which polled 1,800 likely voters 18 years old and above,” Pimentel said.

On the other hand, nine of the 13 senatorial candidates being endorsed by the Hugpong Ng Pagbabago, the regional political party founded by presidential daughter and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte, made it to the “Winning Circle.”

Apart from Villar and Pimentel, they are Pia Cayetano, Bong Go, Sonny Angara, Ramon Revilla, Ronald dela Rosa, Imee Marcos and Jinggoy Estrada.

The administration-backed candidates who failed to make it to the Top 12 are

Senators JV Ejercito, Francis Tolentino, Dong Mangudadato and Jiggy Manicad.

Another reelectionist, Senator Grace Poe, an independent candidate, was ranked No. 2 while the returning Lito Lapid occupied the third spot. Reelectionist Nancy Binay was No. 9.

Pimentel also attributed the performance of the administration candidates to the slate’s efforts to conduct a positive, productive, platform-based campaign.

“We believe that when it comes to convincing voters, it is better to focus on what we have done and what we plan to do, rather than bickering with our opponents,” Pimentel said.

The latest survey, conducted a month before the May 13 national and local elections, showed Pimentel and Ejercito’s biggest jump from their previous ranking.

“It is clear based on the numbers that our people approve of the direction of the administration, and want continuity,” said Senator Aquilino Pimentel III who is running for reelection this month.

The PDP-Laban president said the strong showing of the administration’s senatorial candidates “reflects the public’s support for the Duterte administration and shows that voters appreciate what the current government has done to improve their lives.

“These surveys, and ultimately the elections two weeks from now, are a referendum of the current government,” Pimentel said.

Nobody among the senatorial candidates from the opposition, including reelectionist Senator Bam Aquino, entered the “Magic 12,” which is led by Senator Cynthia Villar of the Nacionalista Party.

Aquino aside, the other Otso Diretso candidates, who were all lagging behind

Libyan...

No need to prove ouster matrix, Palace says

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Despite Locsin’s remarks, the Department of Labor and Employment said it is preparing for mandatory repatriation.

“The Alert Level was raised to [Alert Level] 4, so we will implement a mandatory repatriation,” said Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III in an interview on Wednesday on the sidelines of a job fair in San Fernando, Pampanga.

There are 2,600 documented OFWs in Libya, most of whom are health workers.

On the other hand, the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration said it is still waiting for the official recommendation from the DFA as to the repatriation of Filipinos workers.

POEA Administrator Bernard Olalia noted that the procedures for the total deployment ban require the official communication from the DFA to DOLE. The POEA head said as of this time, they have yet to receive an official recommendation from the DFA. On Wednesday, the DFA has raised the alert level to 4 in Libya due to fighting around the capital. Last month, the DOLE also deployed a quick response team to Tunisia to assist in repatriating Filipino workers.

Senator Joel Villanueva said he expects the relevant government agencies to carry out a repatriation plan now that the alert level has been raised in Libya.

“We acknowledge the fears of our OFWs and the uncertainty of their employment, given our government’s appeal to leave Libya and repatriate to safety,” said Villanueva, chairman of the Senate labor and employment committee.

As in the past instances, he said DOLE can negotiate with employers to allow our Filipino workers to take a leave until the situation there becomes safe and peaceful.

He said the employers can also shoulder costs of repatriation as indicated in the employment contract.

“DOLE should also ensure that Libyan employers guarantee the safety and security of OFWs who choose to stay behind and work,” he said. With Macon Ramos-Araneta

‘Public...

From A1

the LGUs should be in the forefront of ensuring that high-rise structures are safe and will pose no threats to the population, especially during times of natural calamities like super typhoons and strong earthquakes. ”As a recent Harvard Humanitarian Initiative survey showed very low levels of earthquake preparedness planning, especially among the less educated Filipinos, HHI finds the need for disaster rick reduction and management officials to ensure that information on earthquakes are accessible and comprehensible to all.

“Timely access to disaster information is essential as are the plans for what to do in the event of an earthquake,” HHI Resilient Communities Program Director Vincenzo Bollettino said in a statement.

“Filipinos should be aware of the Department of the Interior and Local Government’s guidelines on disaster preparedness and acquaint themselves with evacuation routes, evacuation shelter locations and should have emergency kits prepared.”

Solidum cited the presence of a hidden fault beneath the surface of a location in crafting the National Building Code.

“Let us always consider the importance of structural readiness when it comes to the shaking of the earth. Because of such, there are faults that are hidden, which we should take into account as far as the National Building Code is concerned,” Solidum said.

House forms TWG on water security plan

By Maricel V. Cruz THE House of Representatives adopted House Resolutions 2547 and 2548 creating a technical working group on water shortage mitigation and to formulate a water security master plan to secure and sustain the supply of water for household, commercial and industrial use in Metro Manila that may be implemented in other parts of the country, respectively.

HR 2547 and 2548, authored by Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and Committee on Metro Manila Development Chairman Rep. Winston Castelo of Quezon City, aim to avoid the recurrence of water shortages in Metro Manila.

The National Capital Region and Region III obtain most of their water from Angat Dam, a hydroelectric dam in Bulacan that may no longer sustain the needs of the regions in the coming years.

The resolutions stress the significance of water in the Philippines, noting that agriculture is the biggest user of water at 80 percent.

The recent water crisis faced by Manilans served as an eye-opener that urged government regulators to be more proactive in addressing water service problems, especially in the dry season.

The measures also recognize that water sources, including rivers, lakes, reservoirs and rainfall, are currently being threatened by pollution caused by human tampering, intense consumption due to urbanization, inefficient use, natural disasters that damage dams and waterways with debris and contaminants, man-made disasters such as war and terrorism and climate change.

The supposed ouster plot first emerged last week when the Manila Times published a matrix linking journalists from the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism, Rappler, and VERA Files to an “Oust Duterte” plot.

The said matrix, which was confirmed by the Palace on the same day it was released, also linked the National Union of People’s Lawyers.

A week after the diagram was revealed to the public, VERA Files called on Malacañang and the Manila Times to “substantiate” the “spread of falsehood.”

The President previously mentioned that the source of the information was a foreign ally.

Duterte even hinted in his previous speeches that an intelligence report from “another country” tipped him off about the so-called ouster plot of the reporters.

However, Panelo maintained only the President knew about the origin of the

said matrix and that the public should believe as it came from Duterte himself.

“It does not conclusively mean however that the information was originally obtained by the foreign country by an unlawful method that violates the privacy of an individual,” Panelo said.

“The information,” he said, “may have been acquired by a Filipino citizen who shared the same to the foreign country which then transmitted to PRRD pursuant to the global policy of intelligence information sharing between countries.”

“It is also erroneous to speculate that the information was obtained through wiretapping or any similar device prohibited by laws as it could have been personally heard or witnessed during a conversation between plotters in a place where there is no reasonable expectation of privacy, which according to jurisprudence is not violative of our privacy laws,” he added.

while blaming the government for the lack of jobs and alleged worsening labor conditions. What seems to escape them is the truth that their anti-government activities could scare away foreign investors in the country resulting in job losses to the people they are fighting for and vow to protect,” Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said in a separate statement.

He said the Duterte administration has been at the forefront in improving the labor conditions, citing laws he signed that strengthen occupational safety and health standards, make work from home an alternative work arrangement, and increase the period for maternity leaves.

“It is also during the current government when the welfare and concern of our OFWs were given priority. We now have a one-stop service center for OFWs, a 24/7 OFW Command Center and an Overseas Filipino Bank. We have signed bilateral labor agreements with Cambodia, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, and Kuwait, to name some,” Panelo said.

Thousands of workers staged rallies in different parts of the country on Labor Day, reiterating the call for the total abolition of “endo,” the passage of the Security of Tenure Law, and an increase in wages nationwide.

The Partido Manggagawa vowed to “fight endo until the endgame,” while the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines insisted on a P710 wage increase, saying the current daily minimum rate of P537 was not enough to buy nutritious food for a family of five.

“The Senate should heed the cry of

the thousands of workers and to pass the Security of Tenure bill in its last session this month before Congress ends its term,” said Judy Ann Miranda, PM secretary-general.

“We support all initiatives to augment the income of workers such as the recent petition for a P710 acrossthe-board wage hike or a legislated salary increase for all workers. But we believe the best solution is to abolish the present system of regional wage setting that is the fulcrum of the policy of cheap labor. It is high time to institute a wage commission with the mandate to set national wages at the level of cost of living,” she said.

Various labor groups, such as the National Federation of Labor, Agila, Umalab Ka, Pwersa and Kilos Maralita, marched to Mendiola, saying they would not support Duterte’s senatorial candidates who are linked to corruption.

With flags and tarpaulins, protesters urged the government to end illegal contractualization, and expressed their opposition to federalism, the form of government supported by the Duterte administration.

“We challenge the candidates of the opposition to make a stand on the demands of workers for regular jobs and a living wage. After three long years, the administration has not delivered on its promise to end endo and end provincial wages. But ordinary voters will not be inspired by the Otso Deretso if they cannot make a straight forward commitment to workers’ demands for regular jobs and a living wage,” Miranda said. With Macon Ramos-Araneta

Before the price cut, LPG was selling for P615 to P800 per 11-kg tank in From A1 Metro Manila.

The move came after the oil firms “AutoLPG prices will likewise de- raised pump prices by as much as P0.90 crease by P0.10 per liter at the same time. per liter on April 30, setting off the fourth These reflect the international contract consecutive weekly oil price increase. price of LPG for the month of May.” The oil firms implemented an oil

price increase of P0.90 per liter of kerosene and P0.75 per liter of gasoline.

Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp., Chevron Philippines, Seaoil Philippines, PetroGazz, Eastern Petroleum Philippines and PTT Philippines issued separate advisories of the increase while other oil companies also raised prices.

Ferdinand Topacio, counsel of VACC and families of SAF 44, welcomed the Court’s action, saying it was a step toward justice.

“We thank the Honorable Supreme Court for accepting our appeal for (full court) hearing and resolution of this case. Slowly but surely, justice will be done for the SAF 44,” he said in an interview by phone.

Topacio admitted that their camp is planning to ask the high court to conduct oral arguments on the case so they could demonstrate how retired Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales committed grave abuse of discretion in indicting Aquino, former Philippine National Police chief Alan Purisima and former PNP-SAF director Getulio Napeñas Jr. before the Sandiganbayan only for graft and usurpation of official function when homicide charges were filed against them.

“The mothers and widows of the SAF 44 really could not believe how the former ombudsman downgraded the cases against the former president. They were actually losing hope in their quest for justice, but we have to fight for it,” he said.

He said while the Court does not intervene or reverse the decision of the Ombudsman in most cases, they are hoping the justices would see the error committed by Morales.

Topacio said they found hope when the SC acted on their petition and issued a temporary restraining order on the Sandiganbayan proceedings in the case in February last year.

The TRO, which enjoined the anti-graft court and the Ombudsman from proceeding with arraignment of the three accused, remains in effect, he added.

The case stemmed from the Jan.25, 2015 operation in Mamasapano that resulted in the deaths of over 60 people, including 44 members of the elite SAF 44, who died in a clash involving members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters and other armed groups.

bined with an eight-point decrease in Metro Manila.

The Senate’s net satisfaction rating stayed “very good” in Balance Luzon, the Visayas, and Mindanao. However, it fell from “very good” to “good” in Metro Manila.

It also remained “very good” in rural and urban areas at +64 and +58, respectively.

The Senate’s net satisfaction rating

even rose from “good” to “very good” among class ABC at +54, “very good” among class D at +63, and “very good” among class E at +54.

Aside from the Senate, the SWS found out that six out of 10 respondents or 62 percent were satisfied with the performance of the Supreme Court, while the other 12 percent were dissatisfied.

“The Supreme Court’s net satisfaction rating rose from good to very good,

up by 13 points from +37 in Dec. to a new record-high +50. This surpassed the previous record of good +44 in June 2016,” SWS said.

The 13-point rise in SC’s overall net satisfaction rating was due to the increases of 22 points in Mindanao, 16 points in Balance Luzon, and 9 points in the Visayas, combined with a fivepoint decline in Metro Manila. With Maricel V. Cruz

that target cholesterol” the team tried one out, said lead author Raymond Lau. “It worked,” he said. “It’s a molecular antidote.”

Running tests using human cells and mice, the team found it could stop tissue scarring and pain associated with the sting as long as the medicine was injected within 15 minutes.

Stings from box jellyfish—which can be smaller than a fingernail or up to three meters long depending on the species—can cause acute muscular pain, violent vomiting, feelings of “impending doom”, hair that stands on end, strokes, heart failure and death within minutes.

So far, they have only tested the sting

from the larger, more deadly species.

“We know the drug will stop the necrosis, skin scarring and the pain completely when applied to the skin,” said associate professor Neely.

“We don’t know yet if it will stop a heart attack. That will need more research, and we are applying for funding to continue this work.” AFP

By Nat Mariano

THERE was no need for the Duterte administration to prove the “ouster plot matrix” despite calls from journalists and lawyers’ groups to show proof of their involvement, the Palace said Wednesday.

In a statement, Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said such explanation to further justify the ouster plot was “totally unnecessary.”

“Those named in the matrix demand proof of their participation in the ouster plot. Such is totally unnecessary,” Panelo said.

As the President’s chief legal counsel, Panelo explained the matrix only showed a plot, a plan, and an idea, which were all “not actionable in court.”

“Conspiracy is not a crime unless the law specifically classifies a particular conspiracy to undertake a project or actualize a plan as a crime,” he explained.

Protect...

From A1

“This is why my administration has implemented measures within its powers to afford full protection to labor and promote equal work opportunities for all,” Duterte said.

“I remain optimistic that one year since I issued Executive Order No. 51... my counterparts in Congress will consider passing much-needed legislative measures to fully protect our workers’ rights, especially to the security of tenure and self-organization,” he added.

EO 51 prohibits contracting or sub-contracting, when undertaken to circumvent the worker’s right to security of tenure, self-organization, collective bargaining, and peaceful concerted activities.

Duterte then ordered respective government agencies to enforce existing labor laws and regulations.

However, labor groups slammed the President for not introducing new reforms, something he promised during the 2016 presidential campaign.

In 2016, Duterte vowed to stop “endo,” a process where employers contract then fire workers to avoid granting them regular employee status with full benefits.

As labor groups led by Kilusang Mayo Uno staged protests nationwide to criticize the government, the Palace reminded them of Duterte’s “pro-labor initiatives” and laws that he signed that benefited workers.

“The KMU criticizes the government for being anti-poor and anti-worker

Cooking...

Congress,...

From A1

2019. This is the highest since the very good +67 in August 2012,” the pollster said.

The four-point increase in Senate’s overall net satisfaction was because of the seven-point rise in Balance Luzon, six-point increase in Mindanao, and one-point increase in the Visayas, com-

Jellyfish...

From A1

The team noticed the venom needs cholesterol to kill human cells and decided to test whether existing drugs could stop it.

“Since there are lots of drugs available

Aquino...

From A1

News

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THURSDAY, MAY 2, 2019 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

JBC member aspiring for CTA post faces disqualification

By Rey E. Requejo

TINGOG SUPPORTERS. Leyte (1st District) Rep. and TINGOG Party-list 1st Nominee Yedda Marie K. Romualdez (6th right) and TINGOG 2nd Nominee Jude Acidre (4th left) gains support from Southern Leyte Congressman Roger Mercado (5th right), Gov. Mian Mercado (5th left), Sogod Mayor Imelda Tan (6th left) and from the team of 5th District of Leyte Congressional candidate Malot Balenzoga-Baligod (4th right) with her mayoralty candidates during their luncheon meeting in Maasin City, Southern Leyte.

Ver Noveno

SC to release result of 2018 bar exams on Friday, May 3 THE result of the 2018 Bar examination will be released on Friday, May 3, the Supreme Court said Wednesday.

SC’s Public Information Office said the justices will hold a special en banc (full court) session to deliberate on the results of the exam.

“The results of the 2018 Bar Examinations will be released on May 3, 2019, Friday, after approval by the Supreme Court En Banc in a special session,” the SC said in a statement.

Supreme Court Associate Justice Mariano C. del Castillo, chairperson of the 2018 Supreme Court Committee on Bar Examinations, will make the announcement at the SC front yard in Padre Faura Street, Ermita, Manila.

It said that an LED wall will show the list of successful Bar examinees.

The total number of 2018 Bar examinees—8,155—is the highest so far in the history of the Bar exams.

The list of successful examinees will be posted and may be viewed at the SC website http://sc.judiciary. gov.ph/, the official website of the Supreme Court of the Philippines, and its designated mirror sites.

The 2018 Bar examination was the 117th held in the Philippines.

Rey E. Requejo

SC junks plea to disqualify ACT teachers for poll duty

By Maricel V. Cruz and Rio N. Araja

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HE Commission on Elections said on Wednesday that it ‘has no basis to disqualify public school teachers who are members of ACT Party-list in serving as Electoral Boards.”

The Comelec issued the statement as it denied the petition of Tao Muna partylist, which asked the poll body to not appoint ACT members.

According to former labor sector Representative Mohammad Omar Fajardo, who represents Tao Muna, not appointing ACT members to the BEI will “ensure a fair and orderly conduct of the elections.”

But the Comelec denied the petition, saying that public school teachers who are members of ACT Party-list “may serve as Electoral Boards for the 13 May 2019 National and Local Elections pursuant to RA 10756,” or the Election Service Reform Act. A copy of the ruling was received by ACT Teachers Party-list Rep. France Castro.

The poll body said it moved to deny Fajardo’s request “for lack of basis in law and in fact,” according to the letter.

“Membership in any party-list is not a

ground for disqualification of members of the Electoral Boards,” the Comelec en banc said.

“The Commission has no basis to disqualify public school teachers who are members of ACT party-list in serving as Electoral Boards,” it added.

ACT Teachers party-list Rep. Antonio Tinio, meanwhile, said the Comelec was only implementing the law when it gave the ruling.

“We should stress that it [is] illegal for any individual or public official to prevent a teacher from serving in the elections on the ground of membership in any organization or party-list, or require the dissociation or withdrawal of membership in any of the unions or organizations under or associated with the Alliance of Concerned Teachers,” he said.

Tinio and Castro had described Fajardo’s petition as “discriminatory,” as it violates the constitutional rights

Sulong Dignidad vows to double pension for senior citizens

Hackers targeting my FB account —Binay

By Macon Ramos-Araneta REELECTIONIST Senator Nancy Binay said she is being targeted by hackers after her personal Facebook account has been disabled for a third time in April.

“Today Facebook notified me that my personal account has been disabled.

This is the third time this month that my account has been disabled,” Binay said in a statement.

Binay, who is running under the United Nationalist, Alliance also said she has been receiving messages from Facebook about reports on attempts to log-in to her account.

Binay said she does not want to speculate on the motives of the attacks but said the timing of the attempts to disable her social media account is suspect.

“We know that it’s campaign season and social media is a big help in the campaign. It’s just scary that there were already several attempts this month to hack my personal account,” she said.

“Yung timing din kasi parang may koneksyon sa mga naging pahayag ko on certain issues. I’m not sure if this has something to do with local politics, or dahil tumatakbo ako for reelection in the Senate,” she added.

The lockout has forced Binay to directly contact Facebook to gain back access to her account after hackers changed the name and email address of her personal account.

“We had to contact Facebook and explain to them that this account is my personal account and that hackers changed the name and email address of my account,” she added.

and freedom of the teachers to express and unionize.

They also insisted that ACT and ACT Teachers party-list are separate entities.

“We thank the Comelec for sticking to the law and siding with teachers on this matter. With this decision, there should no longer be a barrier to teachers, or any citizen for that matter, who volunteered to serve in the upcoming polls,” Castro said.

“This decision should also be a signal to the same group or any other group who have plans to attack the rights of our teachers, on the harebrained speculation that they are partisan and cannot be trusted with our ballots,” she added.

Meanwhile, The Commission on Human Rights raised the alarm over some “new” problems brought about the power of social media to affect voters’ decision, and vote-buying and other “serious” but “old” problems.

Lawyer-spokesperson Jacqueline Ann de Guia said “social media trolls who bully, and spread hatred and fake news could influence or confuse the voters.”

She cited that even before the start of the March 29 campaign period, “politically motivated violence already claimed many lives.”

“Plus the horror of narco-politics,” she said.

CONFRONTED. National Capital Region Office Regional Director P/Maj. Gen.

Guillermo Eleazar confront Caloocan Police Corporal Rocky delos Reyes, who allegedly killed six-year-old Gian Habal and injured his 65-year-old grandmother, Elsa Montanes, in a shooting spree in 944 Mabini St. in Camarin, Caloocan City. Manny Palmero

BI to tighten rules on issuance of alien work permits

By Vito Barcelo THE Bureau of Immigration on Wednesday said it will tighten the rules on the issuance of working permit to foreigners due to reports of rising number of foreign workers to the detriment of Filipinos who are looking for jobs here.

Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente made the announcement on labor day after the BI signed the joint guidelines on the issuance of work and employment permits to foreign nationals. Parties to this agreement are the Department of Justice, Department of Labor and Employment, the Bureau of Internal Revenue and BI. This shift in policy was implemented following concerns in the rising number of foreign nationals working in the Philippines.

“We saw a rise in the number of foreign nationals in the previous years due to

emerging industries such as the online gaming industry,” Morente said.

“Issues and challenges only appear now. This has never been a problem in the past because of the relatively smaller number of foreign nationals working in the Philippines then,” he added.

He said the previous regulation in the issuance of special work permits did not have any restrictions, apart from the duration, adding “the old system was prone to abuse, hence we saw the need to tighten our regulations to ensure that jobs that can be done by Filipinos will not be given to foreigners.”

An SWP allows a foreign national with a tourist status to render service for a maximum period of 6 months, and does not bind a foreigner in an employeremployee arrangement. In contrast, a 9(g) visa is a working visa for aliens employed in the country, with contracts usually lasting for 1 to 3 years.

SULONG Dignidad Party-list said it will push for legislation that will double the amount of monthly social pension for indigent senior citizens from the current P500 to P1,000.

Sulong Dignidad Party-list president and first nominee lawyer Rico Paolo Quicho said doubling the social pension for seniors is necessary to help offset the increasing prices of basic commodities.

“While the prices of basic commodities continue to rise, the original P500 monthly social pension has not increased since 2010,” Quicho said.

“Bukod sa araw-araw na pangangailangan gaya ng pagkain, marami po sa ating mga senior citizens ang nangangailangan na rin ng mga gamot at iba pang medical services. Kailangan na po nating dagdagan ang kanilang social pension,” Quicho added.

The Social Pension for Indigent Senior Citizens, which currently covers 3.4 million indigent seniors, is the government’s assistance for poor seniors to augment their daily needs.

The program started in 2011 through Republic Act 9994 or the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010 and is being implemented by the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

Aside from increasing the social pension, Quicho said Sulong Dignidad will push for a review and assessment of how the program is implemented after receiving complaints from indigent seniors.

“We need to constantly monitor the implementation of the program. Gaya ng 4Ps, marami po tayong natatanggap na mga reklamo na ang ibang qualified seniors ay hindi nasasama sa listahan ng beneficiaries,” he added.

A MEMBER of the Judicial and Bar Council aspiring for the associate justice post in the Court of Tax Appeals is facing possible disqualification due to non-disclosure of pending administrative cases against her.

In an order, the JBC required lawyer Milagros Cayosa, JBC member representing the Integrated Bar of the Philippines, to explain why she should not be disqualified for her failure to disclose her pending cases before the Supreme Court.

The seven-man council tasked to screen nominees to judicial posts gave Cayosa three days from receipt of notice to comply with its order issued last April 26.

In particular, the JBC directed Cayosa to explain why she did not disclose two pending cases against her in the personal data sheet she submitted with her application for the CTA vacancies left by the retirement of Associate Justices Lovell Bautista and Caesar Casanova.

“In the meeting of the Executive Committee (Execom) of the Judicial and Bar Council yesterday, one of the JBC Regular Members pointed out that non-disclosure of the following administrative matters in Your Honor’s Personal Data Sheet (PDS) notarized on 31 Januaary 2019, which was submitted to the JBC in connection with your application for the position of Court of Tax Appeals Associate Justice,” read the JBC order signed by executive officer Atty. Annaliza Ty-Capacite.

Among the administrative cases which Cayosa did not disclose were Administrative Matter No. 17-11-12 SC, A.M. No. 17-11-17-SC and A.M. No. 18-04-17-SC.

Pinoys urged to study PH history, culture REELECTIONIST Senator Sonny Angara is encouraging Filipinos here and abroad to learn more about their history and culture by visiting heritage sites and cultural centers in Philippine embassies during the celebration of the National Heritage Month in May. “Heritage is about the things from the past which are valued enough today to save for tomorrow,” said Angara, who co-authored Republic Act 10066 or the National Cultural Heritage Act of 2009, along with his father, the late Senate President Edgardo Angara.

The senator said the Philippines boasts a rich and complex history, owing to centuries of interaction and exchange among Malay settlers, Chinese and Middle Eastern traders, and several foreign conquerors, notably the Spaniards.

Such heritage, he said, still stands in pockets in Metro Manila and other parts of the country and most of them are Spanish-era churches. “They are often hidden—or worse, neglected— having been overrun by skyscrapers, malls and other vestiges of urban sprawl,” he pointed out.

Macon Ramos-Araneta

Jiggy tells voters to try new faces SENATORIAL candidate Jiggy Manicad yesterday urged the Filipino electorate to try fresh faces and new names in the coming political exercise.

Manicad, a multi-awarded broadcast journalist, made the statement following the much-talked-about argument between warring Binay siblings that erupted in front of television cameras.

“This should serve as a wake-up call to the electorate, especially the youth, to consider new names and new faces among those seeking public office,” he said.

In a study called the “Political Dynasties and Poverty: Evidence from the Philippines” conducted from 2007 to 2016 by the Ateneo de Manila School of Government, the number of positions occupied by political clans rose from 75 percent to 78 percent among district representatives; 70 percent to 81 percent among governors; and 58 percent to 70 percent among mayors.

The study also found that the largest political dynasties can be found in the poorest areas in the Philippines.

Manicad acknowledged that though members of political clans have more “name recall,” voters should look beyond this.

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Opinion

THURSDAY, MAY 2, 2019

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Popularity contest THE Senate race is still a popularity contest.

If poll surveys are to be believed, the fact that Senate reelectionists are emerging as top names tells us a lot. Public awareness and popularity are still the primary consideration, not credentials, qualifications, experience, integrity and honesty.

Candidates like Lito Lapid serve as the perfect example of voters choosing from mere familiarity. People forget that when Lapid was a senator, he could not participate in discussions. I cannot even remember him sponsoring any bill!

Why do we vote our officials this way?

It’s actually tragic and pathetic that we would choose our candidates this way.

Why are Filipino voters not discerning?

Is it because we are not educated? Is it because we are stupid?

When it comes to local leaders like governors, congressmen, mayors and vice mayors, the issue is accessibility.

Are they approachable, and if you ask them for help, would they relatively give it? If the answer is yes, then it does not matter if they are corrupt or if they are drug lords or jueteng lords.

This is why even narco-politicians get elected. For voters, so long as they are generous, nothing else matters.

This is a reflection of the kind of electorate we have.

President Duterte will never be able to end corruption during his term. Corruption is so deeply entrenched in the system.

Adelle Chua, Editor

EDITORIAL

Government corruption reminds me so much of my time at the Philippines Herald as business editor. Scandal after scandal erupted during the fifties. Even the pork barrel scam involving Janet Lim-Napoles cannot compare to the corruption in the allocation of foreign exchange during that time. The anomalies continued beyond the incumbency of the President Elpidio Quirino and Ramon Magsaysay. They were triggered by the lack of foreign exchange after the Japanese Occupation.

In those days, even congressmen had to line up before those authorized to allocate dollars on behalf of their clients and friends.

Santa Banana, this went on to a point when even some members of the Central Bank’s Monetary Board were found to be involved in the racket of securing dollar allocations for their businesses or friends.

I knew this firsthand because a mobster-friend of one of those accused kidnapped me for a night just to make sure I would print the side of his friend.

Another scandal during the fifties was reparations from Japan. Members of the Reparations Commission were so powerful that those seeking reparations from Japan even had to line up at the office of a Visayan congressman in a Tokyo hotel to have their applications approved.

I know this for a fact because at the time I was often in Tokyo. The scandal was so brazen and unprecedented that even those who had no business in shipping got ships and cargo vessels as reparations for the plain reason that they were allies and friends of President Carlos Garcia.

Would you believe that even a tabloid publisher was able to wangle a vessel— approved by the commission—and was soon able to sell it to shipowners?

This is why I believe corruption is endemic in the government system. It’s the system itself that encourages corruption, which sooner or later swallows those in power. *** I join other members of media who have filed petitions before the Supreme

No token gestures

I

N Wednesday’s Labor Day commemoration, many gave workers the usual tributes and promised them a better life.

President Duterte in a message acknowledged the hard work, grit and perseverance of the labor force.

He exhorted Congress to come up with a measure parallel to his Executive Order 51 that punished contracting or sub-contracting. The practice is prevalent so that businesses could circumvent laws protecting workers’ right to security of tenure, self-organization. Collective bargaining and peaceful concerted activities.

In his 2016 campaign, ending this practice called “endo” (end of contract) helped catapult Mr. Duterte to the presidency.

But labor groups are not happy with the EO in the first place, saying that while a draft said direct hiring should be the general norm in employment relations, the issued order did not contain these words.

In a separate statement, Palace

Spokesman Salvador Panelo instead blamed the workers, saying their anti-government activities scared foreign investors away.

Labor groups are also demanding an increase in the minimum wage to at least P750 per day, saying that the P537 minimum rate in Metro Manila—the highest in the country—is not enough to meet the basic needs of a Filipino family. Think-tank IBON estimates the Family living Wage at P1,004.

There are many other workerrelated issues that the government needs to address, even as some worthy initiatives have already been made.

Often, there are measures in place to protect workers but they are not implemented according to spirit. While recourse is available, these are in themselves tedious and costly, as they involve missing work hours and becom-

ing entangled in the bureaucracy.

Sometimes, their employers are so powerful and influential that remaining quiet is a tempting option to burning bridges and losing one’s job altogether.

The administration also has to deal with employers on rules on keeping employees in their premises in the event of disaster, like what was observed in last week’s earthquakes.

Workers should also be enabled to periodically upgrade their skills so they could better respond to changing trends brought by technology.

Finally, the Duterte administration has to show that it is sincere about protecting Filipinos’ jobs by not giving these opportunities to other nationalities.

The President said workers are not mere tools of employers and capitalists, and that an environment conducive to their personal and professional growth and development should be created.

We certainly hope these are not token words, especially uttered for the occasion and designed to be conveniently set aside on other days.

Turn to A5

Shake, rattle, and roll POP GOES THE WORLD JENNY ORTUOSTE IN THE past week, earthquakes have been shaking different parts of the Philippines and causing damage, even loss of life in some cases—a timely reminder that we are due to experience “The Big One.” On the afternoon of April 22, Monday, Luzon was shaken by a 6.1-magnitude earthquake that brought down a supermarket in Porac, Pampanga. The quake left at least 18 people dead and 282 injured.

This was followed by a 6.5-magnitude earthquake in Eastern Samar on April 23; 4.7 in Davao Oriental on April 24; 4.5 near Sarangani, Davao Occidental on April 25; and 4.6 in Sarrat, Ilocos Norte, and 5.3 in Surigao del Norte (tectonic) on April 26. This does not count aftershocks and other quakes that occurred during the same period and since.

The Philippines sits on the Pacific plate of the Ring of Fire, “a major area in the basin of the Pacific Ocean where many earthquakes and volcanic eruptions occur,” says Wikipedia.

The Ring “has 452 volcanoes, more than 75 percent of the world's active and dormant volcanoes… About 90 percent of the world's earthquakes and 81 percent of the world's largest earthquakes occur along the Ring of Fire.”

At the forefront now of the consciousness of most Filipinos’ is the vulnerability of Manila and other highly congested Philippine cities to earthquakes, particularly ‘The Big One’— the high magnitude quake that will collapse major structures and cause heavy casualties.

While it is impossible to predict when an earthquake will occur, scientists can calculate the average time span in between quake occurences—the ‘recurrence interval.’

For the 100-kilometer Valley Fault system that runs from Bulacan to Laguna, the recurrence interval is 400 to 500 years. The last Big One was recorded in

1658, or 361 years ago.

If ‘The Big One’ is at 7.2 magnitude and hits the West Valley Fault, according to the Metropolitan Manila Earthquake Impact Reduction Study (MMEIRS), 34,000 people will die, 90 percent of them in fallen buildings.

More than 114,000 will be injured.

Some 170,000 houses will collapse and another 340,000 will be partly damaged.

Obviously there will be damage to some buildings, roads, and bridges. The collapse of infrastructure could also lead to fires, power outages, water cutoff or leaks, and the cessation of broadcast and mobile communications.

National and local government, as well as families and individuals, must prepare themselves.

However the estimates of scientists’ scenarios may vary, what they all agree on is that The Big One will be devastating. National and local government, as well as families and individuals, must prepare themselves.

Makati City, for one, has mapped out the communities in the city sitting right on top of the West Valley fault. These are East Rembo, Pembo, Comembo, and Rizal. On April 24, the Makati City government asked residents living on top of the fault to relocate.

Mayor Abby Binay said no one will be forcibly evicted, but those who remain will be asked to sign waivers that they are aware of the risks and that they can expect no assistance from the city government. Those who choose to relocate will receive financial assistance.

It’s time to discuss your earthquake or disaster plan with family and loved ones. Remind everyone of the ‘duck cover and hold’ protocol. Decide upon a meeting place where you can all assemble in case you are separated from Turn to A5

More cases against Palawan governor ONE case dismissed, but here come more.

While having his case arising from alleged anomalies in a Cagayan de Oro Water District bulk water supply project, which was approved in 2004, dismissed, Palawan Governor Jose Alvarez may have to face a new string of suits,

He is facing a new string of suits. this time involving billions of pesos said to be questionably invested in time deposits and under-utilization of loans acquired, resulting in gross disadavantage to the Provincial Government of

Palawan.

This was after one Mansueto Fuertes filed cases of Violation of Section 3 Paragraph (a) and (g) of Republic Act 3019 otherwise known as the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, Technocal Malversation under Article 220 of the Revised Penal Code and Grave Misconduct and Serious Dishonesty against Alvarez and 126 others.

Aside from Alvarez, also facing the same charges are Palawan Vice Governor Victorino Dennis Socrates; Board Members Roseller Pineda, Leoncio Ola, Turn to A5

Rolando G. Estabillo Publisher ManilaStandard

Published Monday to Sunday by Philippine Manila Standard Publishing Inc. at 6/F Universal Re Building, 106 Paseo de Roxas, corner Perea St., Legaspi Village, Makati City. Telephone numbers 832-5554, 832-5556, 832-5558 (connecting all departments), (Editorial) 832-5554, (Advertising) 832-5550. P.O. Box 2933, Manila Central Post Office, Manila. Website: www. manilastandard.net

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can be accessed at: manilastandard.net

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Opinion

THURSDAY, MAY 2, 2019

The EDSA bus ban IT SEEMS that Metropolitan Manila Development Authority cannot do anything right when it comes to decongesting EDSA. Let us take the latest effort it is undertaking. When it was announced that there will be a dry run on the proposed ban on provincial bus stations along EDSA, Rep. Joey Salceda immediately went to the Supreme Court to stop the implementation of the ban citing that the plan will only create more hardships to the already harassed motoring public.

Does Rep. Salceda have a point in filing the court case to stop MMDA? This question cannot be answered with a simple yes or no because the issue goes to the core of traffic and transport planning.

Coming up with a solution to the EDSA gridlock, MMDA came up with a solution that is not considered to be the best solution. The MMDA scheme will only solve one aspect of the EDSA gridlock but will also create a big problem. This is the reason why Salceda, instead of welcoming the MMDA effort, went to court to try to stop the implementation of the bus ban.

The most important reason for the complaint is the hardships that provincial passengers will have to suffer by getting off at the north and south integrated bus terminals and then taking another ride to complete their journey. The other reason being cited by critics is that the plan discriminates against people from the provinces.

In traffic and transport planning, MMDA must strive for a best solution. This means that whatever solution MMDA comes up with, it must solve the problem without creating other problems.

In this case, it is obvious that the step taken by MMDA to decongest EDSA by moving out approximately 47 bus terminals along EDSA will create substantial other problems.

The object of the exercise in itself is laudable. By moving out the provincial bus stations out of EDSA, hundreds of thousands of trips will be eliminated thereby reducing the number of vehicles using EDSA. But what is the weakness of the plan that MMDA may have overlooked? It is possible that the MMDA did not fully take into account the question of inadequate infrastructure. The existing infrastructure is the one hindering the plan from being the best solution.

Solutions must address the current problem without creating new ones.

A few days ago, there was a report in the media about the brand new Sta. Rosa Integrated Terminal being empty. It is apparently not being used to its fullest capacity in spite of its completion many months ago. The reason for this is that there is no rail connection to pick bus passengers to go to the metro area. No public transport operators have apparently applied to the Land Transportation Franchising Regulatory Board to operate.

I cannot see any jeepney or bus company applying for a permit to operate because it is hard to assign a specific route. Besides, if it will only be buses and jeepneys that will be used to bring these provincial passengers to the metro area, the concept of an integrated terminal would not be fully realized. In fact, using road transport to bring passengers to the metro area might worsen road congestion because it might be necessary to add more public utility vehicles, thereby contributing to road congestion. Unless a rail link or connection is made available very soon, the complaints will persist and the integrated terminals will remain underutilized.

The MMDA must do more planning.

Under the current circumstances, could

MMDA have proposed other alternatives? For instance, could MMDA have considered distributing the bus terminals in other parts of the Metro so long as these terminals are not along EDSA? Maybe MMDA could consider dividing the 47 terminals into 15 so that the bus companies could share stations, thereby economizing on premium land space availability. The metro area could be divided between North and South so that all buses plying the Northern provinces could only establish terminals in the northern part of the metro area and vice versa. The integrated terminals could still be maintained until a rail link could be put in place. This way the riding public could be provided with some flexibility in planning their trips.

I am sure that MMDA is trying hard to come up with plans to improve travel time in the metro area. Unfortunately the agency has been dealt a bad hand. The law that created MMDA is sorely inadequate for the agency to be able to solve the traffic and transport ills in Metro Manila. This was the case when I was with the agency and still the case up to the present. The law needs amending so that the agency will have enough authority to do its job. It maybe not be fair to keep on blaming the agency for failing to improve traffic because it lacks the full authority to address all the problems.

What is expected of the agency, however, is to have a competent pool of professional officials who can come up with good plans that can at least provide relief to the traffic gridlock without adding problems to the already stressed motoring public. The MMDA intends to go through with the bus ban come what may.

We do not know how the Supreme Court will handle the petition of Rep. Salceda. It may or may not issue a temporary restraining order mandating MMDA not to go ahead with the scheme. It may also order the MMDA to come out with a less disruptive plan so as not to add to the misery of the motoring public.

We will simply have to wait for the decision.

In revamp, Facebook bets on small-scale connections, romance

By Glenn Chapman GOT a crush on another Facebook user?

The social network will help you connect, as part of a revamp unveiled Tuesday that aims to foster real-world relationships and make the platform a more intimate place for groups of friends.

The new features were introduced in a revamped Facebook app as the embattled social network embarks on a new strategy emphasizing private communications and small groups.

"As the world gets bigger and more connected, we need that sense of intimacy more than ever," Zuckerberg said as he opened the F8 developer conference for the social networking giant.

"That's why I believe the future is private."

The new app made available to US users Tuesday aims for a new direction for Facebook: it eliminates the blue background and offers a range of new ways to connect, in line with Zuckerberg's vision to move away from the "digital town square" to a "digital living room."

Facebook's shift comes response to criticism over failing to curb misinformation and manipulation of the platform used by 2.3 billion people, and missteps on its handling of private user data.

"It can be hard to find your sense of purpose when you are connected to billions of people at the same time," Zuckerberg told the developers gathered in San Jose, California.

"Privacy gives us the freedom to be ourselves."

The redesigned application, to be followed by a new Facebook website, symbolizes changes in how Facebook runs its business, Zuckerberg said.

"I know we don't exactly have the strongest reputation on privacy right now, to put it lightly," he said. "But I am

Popularity...

From A4

Court to lift the ban on Rappler reporters from coverage of government activities as members of the Malacañang Press Corps.

To me that is a prior restraint of press freedom. To ban reporters from getting news from the Palace just because the reportage is critical of the President is clearly a violation of press freedom.

When I justified the move of the Securities and Exchange Commission to cancel Rappler’s certificate of registration for not being 100-percent Filipino as mandated by the Constitution as saying that it was not in violation of press freedom.

committed to starting a new chapter for our product."

Dogs and politics Changes announced Tuesday put groups at the center of the experience and add dating, friend-making and events features intended to promote people getting together in real life, Facebook's new app head Fidji Simo told AFP ahead of F8.

The redesign is meant to make it easier for users to take part in communities, whether based on friendships, family ties or common interests, according to Simo.

"It's definitely part of Mark's bigger vision," she said.

The new design gives users more options for private and group connections.

While counterintuitive, Facebook sees the change as potentially bringing people with opposing political viewpoints together rather than separating them in "filter bubbles."

"We are seeing that groups can bridge people across dividing lines," Simo said.

"If you are a dog lover, you will find people who are dog lovers across all divides, political or otherwise," she added.

A "Meet New Friends" feature being gradually rolled out will let users opt in to getting acquainted with others interested in fresh connections within shared communities.

An "Events" tab will expedite making real world, local plans with online friends.

Hidden crushes Facebook also announced it is expanding a dating feature to 14 more countries including the Philippines, Singapore, Brazil and Chile.

A new feature called "Secret Crush" will let people signal which friends they are interested in romantically on a private crush list—only letting the object of their fancy know if the feeling is mutual.

"We think there is a lot of potential in developing these relationships," Simo said.

"It's all built with privacy in mind, and with the goal of building meaningfully long-term relationships and not just hookups."

The ability for people in small groups to be able to communicate securely and privately is seen as essential to making the social network more intimate.

There are tens of millions of active groups on Facebook, and more than 400 million people belong to groups at the social network.

Leaner, faster Messenger Separately, Facebook unveiled a Messenger app overhaul that makes the mobile software leaner, faster and more of an energy miser.

"We rewrote practically all of the code from scratch," head of Messenger Stan Chudnovsky told AFP. "We made Messenger the fastest private communication hub on the planet."

Features built into the new Messenger app, used by some 1.3 billion people, build on the social network's broader vision of small-group-sharing in "virtual living rooms," according to Chudnovsky.

Facebook also announced its Portal video call device would be available internationally—starting with Canada in June, and Europe later this year—and would allow calls over the WhatsApp messaging platform.

Meanwhile, the Oculus Rift S and Oculus Quest headsets, starting at $399, will begin shipping on May 21, expanding Facebook's move into virtual reality and gaming, the company said.

LucasFilm and Oculus Studios will have a "Star Wars" themed "Vader Immortal" virtual reality game ready when the Quest launches, putting players face to face with the master of the dark side of the Force. AFP

And when Rappler was sued for cyberlibel, I also went on record that it had nothing to do with press freedom. When Rappler was sued for tax evasion, I defended the government by saying Rappler is not exempt from paying taxes.

But the banning of a reporter from covering Malacañang is something else.

It’s a violation of press freedom and the Supreme Court must rule to lift it. *** There is no other way to resolve the controversy over the tons of garbage that Customs unloaded at the Manila Port but to file a case against the importers and to ship the garbage back to Canada where it came from.

There is no reason for Customs to accept the garbage. This is in violation of

environmental laws. Likewise, whoever was responsible for accepting the trash should be charged.

It is incumbent upon the President to resolve the issue once and for all. *** It is good that Malacañang backtracked from the President’s earlier statement that the rehabilitation of Marawi should be left to the city’s affluent residents and businesses.

The responsibility to do this rests on government, plain and simple. *** A caveat: Don’t rely too much on poll surveys. They are commissioned by politicians and are therefore self-serving. www.emiljurado.weebly.com

A5

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Voters must ignore polls, choose their 12 aspirants for Senate seats. What, then, would be the point of the non-Magic 12 candidates’ presentation of personal and professional credentials, the laying out of their platforms and the discussion of issues and programs of better THE nearly 62 million Filipinos who performance? The whole business of are eligible to cast ballots in the com- selecting 12 good men and women ing election basically have two options might as well be left to the mind condiwhere the election of 12 new senators tioners, namely, SWS and Pulse Asia. is concerned. Both options involve the But things do not have to be that exercise of free will on the voters’ part. way. The nation’s 62 million voters— One of the voters’ two options is to the youth, the middle-age folk and the allow their minds to be conditioned— seniors—have another option—a betI believe that this is the appropriate ter, more sensible option. word under the circumstances—by the That other option is for the voters results of the pre-election voter prefer- to totally ignore the polling instituence surveys tions’ Magic 12 that have been lists and draw up conducted by their own Magic this country’s 12 lists. Instead We need to go into leading polling of Magic 12, their i n s t i t u t i o n s , the voting booths own lists would SWS (Social with independent, be composed of Weather Sta- unconditioned minds. the Best 12. No tions) and non-performing Pulse Asia. re-electionist and The surveys returning senators, essentially seek to arrive at a so-called no showbiz personalities with no judi judi‘magic 12’ list of the dozen candidates cial problems and no Malacanang enregarded by the surveys’ respondents dorsees. Just meritorious, industrious, as likely to win election as senators. independent-minded and God-fearing Pulse Asia has just released the results folk. The kind of individuals who will of its penultimate senatorial-prefer- bring the Senate back to its glory days. ence survey.

The voters should resist the Magic If the voters choose to exercise this 12 lists’ intended mind-conditioning, option and allow the polling institu- instead take a look at the other meritotions to condition their minds, they will rious men and women seeking Senate resign themselves to place on their bal- seats and then proceed to draw up their lots, come May 13, the names of seven Best 12 lists. It should not be difficult re-electionist and returning senators to complete a Best 12 list. There are (Cynthia Villar, Grace Poe, Lito Lapid, many deserving men and women beSonny Angara, Pia Cayetano, Koko Pi- sides the 12 in the SWS and Pulse Asia mentel and Nancy Binay), two show- lists. For starters, there are the Otso biz personalities with judicial issues Diretso candidates; there are eight fine (Bong Revilla and Jinggoy Estrada) individuals right there. And there are and the endorsees of President Rodrigo others.

Duterte (Christopher Go, Ronald de la This country’s voters should, nay Rosa and Francis Tolentino). must, elect their leaders themselves.

If the voters were to allow their They should not let SWS and Pulse minds to be conditioned, if they were Asia perform that task for them. On to take the SWS/Pulse Asia route to May 13, voters need to go into the vottheir selection of senators, it would ing booths with independent, uncondibe “game over” for the rest of the 62 tioned minds.

Shake, rattle,...

From A4

to take a long-term risk on aftereffects such as soil liquefaction, although Phivolcs Director Renato Solidum told Rappler in July 2016 that if building near a fault, there should be a buffer of at least five meters on either side of the line.

We live in politically and economically trying times, and the added threat of natural disasters are another challenge to face. But Filipinos are survivors. Forewarned is forearmed, and with the advantage of information and preparation, we shall meet these challenges as best we can.

each other.

Prepare ‘bug-out bags’ for each person (you can research details online), but do bring maintenance medicines, important documents, cash, a first-aid kit, a knife, paracord, non-perishable snacks like cookies and dried fruit, a bottle of water, and a Lifestraw or other portable water filtration system.

Those with babies, pack infant formula and a chest sling. Use a backpack for items so both hands can be free.

Check your proximity to a fault line at http://faultfinder.phivolcs.dost.gov.ph. Dr. Ortuoste is a qualitative researcher Think twice about buying proper- with a PhD in Communication. FB and ties near a fault unless you are willing Twitter: @DrJennyO

More cases...

From A4

Winston Arzaga, David Francis Ponce de Leon, Cherry Pie Acosta, Marivic Roxas, Eduardo Modesto Rodriguez, Sharon Abiog-Onda, Sunny Batul, Albert Rama; Councilors’ League Representative Clarito Demaala, Jr.; ABC President Dennis Sabando (Liga ng Barangay); Provincial Treasurer Elino Mondragon; and Provincial Engineer Saylito Purisima.

Fuertes said he based his complaint on the report of the Commission on Audit which revealed that from 2014 to 2017, the Provincial Government of Palawan (PGP) headed by Alvarez, in collussion with his co-accused, invested more than P1.7 billion in trust fund to a time deposit.

Records show that from 2014 to 2017, PGP had collected P2,071,566,256.71 in trust fund. Of these, P1,701,140,399 were invested in nine time deposit accounts with the Land Bank of the Philippines branch in Puerto Princesa.

While COA allows investment in time deposit for public funds, it is limited to idle funds in the General Fund and requires authority from the Sanggunian and an approval from the Chief Executive.

However, the funds invested originated from trust fund is defined as private and public monies which have officially come into the possession of the local government or of a local government official or trustee, agent or adninistrator, or which have been received as a guarantee for the fulfillment of some obligations. Thus, a trust fund shall only be used for the specific purpose for

which it was created for.

As such, Fuertes alleged that with Alvarez and his co-accused investing the money in time deposit, it resulted in the delay in the implementation of government projects, depriving the public of the benefits intended to be derived from them.

In his complaint, Fuertes also raised the issue of the loans acquired by the PGP amounting to P548,800,000 of which P1,775,875,447.96 had been utilized.

The sad part is that, Fuertes said, PGP is already paying the interest for whole amount of the loan. To date, it has already paid P44,746,288.15 in interest alone.

Also, Fuertes alleged that PGP, under Alvarez, illegally entered into a joint contract with a private contractor for infrastructure projects worth P147,884,950.29.

This, Fuertes said, is highly disadvantageous to the local government as this could result in buckpassing between the private contractor and the local government in case of problems arising from the projects. This would result into a dispute on liability on warranty. In fact, Fuertes said the PGP had already released the retention money amounting to P3,348,719.77 despite reported delays and unsatisfactory implementation of the projects.

Aggravating the matters is that, according to Fuertes, the private contractor was allowed to use government equipment without any rental charges.

Now, whatever happens in May 13, whether he gets reelected or not, it seems this graft case would still be around to hound him long after the last ballot had been tallied.

News

THURSDAY, MAY 2, 2019 A6 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

MIAA supports rationalization

By Joel E. Zurbano THE Manila International Airport Authority is supporting the move of Cebu Pacific Air rationalizing flight operations to improve on-time performance and reduce passenger inconvenience.

Part of this effort, according to MIAA, necessitated the cancellation of CEB’s 58 domestic flights from April 30 until May 10, 2019.

“If this is what it takes to address their operational constraints, so be it.

We believe all factors were carefully considered by Cebu Pacific in reaching a decision as crucial as this,” said MIAA general manager Eddie Monreal.

Monreal urged clients of Cebu Pacific to watch out for airline advisories for proper guidance on the status of their upcoming flights.

IRR for maternity leave signed T

HE expanded maternity leave law will soon go full cycle after officials approved its implementing rules and regulations (IRR) on Labor Day, author and principal sponsor Senator Risa Hontiveros said Wednesday.

“I am happy that the implementing rules and regulations of the measure were signed and released today,” Hontiveros said in a statement.

“I welcome this development as this ensures the full implementation of the law and that all women will benefit from the measure.”

“This is certainly good news to all women workers and their families who have patiently waited for the law’s IRR,” she added.

The law, which was signed by President Rodrigo Duterte in February, extends paid maternity leave to 105 days.

Reacting to the approval, Senator Nancy Binay described as the “best gift” for mothers on Labor Day the issuance of the IRR of the Expanded Maternity Leave Act. She said many families were waiting for the IRR and “We thank all concerned agencies and stakeholders for working tirelessly to make this happen.

She also renewed her call that companies and other institutions should not perceive the law as a bane to productivity that would lead to more discrimination in the workplace.

“Let us start creating a work environment where women are not discriminated

for wanting to be parents,” said the reelectionist senator, one of the authors of the Expanded Maternity Leave measure in Senate that was signed into law by the President on Feb. 20.

Furthermore, she said fathers would also be given more time to spend with their loved ones as the law also included a provision allowing the allocation of seven maternity leave days to fathers, raising the paternity leave to 14 days from the current seven days.

As the principal sponsor and author of the Expanded Maternity Leave Law in the Senate, Hontiveros said she was happy that the implementing IRR of the measure were signed and released Wednesday.

“I welcome this development as this ensures the full implementation of the law and that all women will benefit from the measure. This is certainly good news to all women workers and their families

who have patiently waited for the law’s IRR,” she said.

“I would like to thank the Department of Labor and Employment, the Social Security System, the Civil Service Commission, the different legislative offices, labor groups and other relevant agencies for tirelessly working to craft and finalize the law’s IRR,” she added.

The law provides 105 days of paid maternity leave to all working mothers and an additional 15 days to solo mothers.

Mothers will also have the option to extend for an additional 30 days of unpaid leave.

The maternity benefits will apply to every instance of pregnancy, miscarriage, or emergency termination of pregnancy regardless of frequency.

Prior to the enactment of the law, women are allowed only 60 days of paid maternity leave. Macon Ramos-Araneta

Ubay soon tourist center

By Maricel V. Cruz THE House of Representatives has approved a bill declaring the town of Ubay in Bohol as a farm tourism center.

Authored by Rep. Erico Aristotle Aumentado of Bohol, House Bill 8979 mandates accredited farm destinations in the Municipality of Ubay to avail themselves of privileges and benefits provided under Republic Act 10816, also known as the “Farm Tourism Development Act of 2016.” The bill has been approved on second reading.

“This bill, which seeks to boost farm tourism in the Philippines, recognizes that tourism can propagate the value of agriculture in the economic and cultural development of the country. Farm tourism also serves as the catalyst for the development of agriculture and fishery communities, provide additional income for farmers, farmworkers and fisherfolk,” said Aumentado.

The bill mandates the municipal government of Ubay to coordinate with the Department of Tourism, Department of Public Works and Highways, Department of Transportation and the Department of Agriculture in the prioritization of

infrastructure projects that will promote farm tourism in the municipality based on the provisions of the “Farm Tourism Development Act of 2016.”

Aumentado said Ubay is a firstclass municipality of Bohol. According to the 2015 census, it has a population of 73,712, making Ubay the most populated municipality in the entire province of Bohol.

“It has a tropical climate and most months of the year are marked by significant precipitation, making agriculture favorable—it supports at least two rice crops per year,” said Aumentado.

He further said that Ubay’s point of interest, destinations and attractions include the Ubay Stock Farm which is the largest and oldest government livestock facility in the Philippines. The place was chosen by the Department of Agriculture as one of the accredited livestock technology training facilities in the Visayas and Mindanao.

Meanwhile, the Ubay Agri-Park, the first of its kind in the Visayas, was launched to boost the agriculture and tourism industries in the area. The park helps promote farm tourism or agri-tourism and is a showcase of Bohol’s advances in farm technology, said Aumentado.

LABOR ISSUES. Concerns affecting the Filipino workingmen are tackled at the Kapihan sa Manila Bay media forum Wednesday, with guests Alan Tanjusay, ALU-TUCP spokesperson, and Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry officials George Siy and Henry Lim. Contributed Photo

TINGOG’s Yedda thanks local leaders for support

(MS-APR. 25 & MAY 2, 2019)

TINGOG first nominee Yedda Marie Kittilstvedt Romualdez on Wednesday thanked local leaders, various organizations and individuals supporting her party-list group in the coming midterm poll.

Romualdez, chairperson of the House committee on accounts and Leyte’s first district congresswoman, said the support is a huge boost in their quest to get wider representation in the incoming 18th Congress for less fortunate people.

She expressed gratitude to all their supporters in the countryside, assuring them that they will not “waste the trust and confidence given to them.”

“This is another inspiring moment to our campaign, another huge boost. We will not fail our supporters and we will show that we are worthy of their support. Thank you,” said Romualdez, who vowed to pursue regional development to uplift Eastern Visayas from poverty, intensify investments in infrastructure support especially in rural communities, and others.

Recently, reelectionist Eastern Samar Gov. Marcelo Dindo together with more than 100-strong sectoral leaders pledged their support to TINGOG during a campaign sortie at the City of Borongan in Eastern Samar attended by Romualdez, second nominee Jude Acidre and third nominee Boy Go. Picardal and Romualdez shared the same vision in establishing Samar Island Regional Medical Center in Eastern Samar.

Liloan Mayor Christina Frasco, one of the most outstanding Cebu mayors, expressed support to TINGOG after Romualdez paid a courtesy call.

Romualdez with Cebu’s 6th district congressional candidate Lolypop Ouano also wooed the support of more than 300 barangay officials of the 6th district of Cebu during the meet and greet and campaign sortie at Ouano Compound in Mandaue City Cebu.

Ouano and his brother Board Member Jonkie Ouano together with barangay officials pledged support for TINGOG. Maricel V. Cruz

Sports

A7

THURSDAY, MAY 2, 2019 sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

F2 Logistics eyes sweep, shoots for PSL crown

Lourdes School QC to host PALO golf today

Games Today

(Filoil Flying V Centre) 7 p.m.—F2 Logistics vs Petron

F2 LOGISTICS is out to complete one of the biggest upsets in league history when it clashes with Petron in Game 2 of their Philippine Superliga Grand Prix best-of-three finals showdown today at the Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan.

Intense volleyball action fires off at 7 p.m. with the Cargo Movers looking to bank on the momentum they gained from an earth-shaking 25-20, 16-25, 2523, 25-23 win in Game 1 of this prestigious women’s club league broadcasted

by ESPN5 and 5Plus.

The Cargo Movers played like champions in the opening salvo of this series that that has Asics, Mueller, Mikasa, Senoh, Team Rebel Sports, Bizooku, UCPB Gen, Cocolife, Hotel Sogo and Data Project as sponsors.

Lindsay Stalzer and Maria Jose Perez, two imports who thrive when the stakes are high, were simply impressive as they towed the Cargo Movers to a red-hot start before unleashing a strong finishing kick in the third and fourth sets to shock the erstwhile unbeaten Blaze Spikers.

Perez, the Most Valuable Player two years ago, fired 24 points with 11 excellent receptions while Stalzer torched her former team with 21 points and 17 digs to put the Cargo Movers on the brink of one the biggest upsets in PSL history since RC Cola-Army stunned the Thailand juniors team in the goldmedal match of the Invitational Conference in 2016.

Middle blockers Majoy Baron and Aby Marano were also instrumental as they registered six of their 10 blocks in the fourth set, leaving Petron imports Stephanie Niemer and Katherine Bell struggling for form.

“We came into the match with a mindset that we have nothing to lose,” said F2 Logistics coach Ramil de Jesus, who also engineered the Cargo Movers’ come-from-behind win over the Blaze Spikers in the Grand Prix finals series in 2017.

“But our imports wanted it more.

They were very hungry to win against a very strong and talented team like Petron.”

But de Jesus knows that bringing down Petron require more than just a stroke of luck.

In this file photo, Tiger Woods plays a shot from the 12th tee during the final round of the Masters at Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia. Woods believes he can still catch up to Jack Nicklaus and his record of 18 major titles after ending a decade-long drought with a win for the ages at Augusta National. “I always thought it was possible, if I had everything go my way,” Woods said in an interview with streaming service GOLFTV. AFP

Tiger’s Masters’ triumph likened to moon landing N

EW YORK—Tiger Woods’ epic victory at the Masters was a sporting equivalent of the Moon landing which has triggered a ticket frenzy for the PGA championship, PGA of America chief Seth Waugh said Tuesday.

Woods completed a fairytale comeback at Augusta on April 14, winning the 15th major of a career that had once seemed in irreversible decline after a series of lengthy injury layoffs.

Waugh said Woods’ emotional win has triggered a new wave of perfectly timed Tiger-mania, as the PGA Championship tees off in its new May slot in the calendar in just over two weeks’ time.

While tickets for the final two days of the May 16-19 championship at Bethpage Black had already sold out, Woods’ victory had sent demand surging.

“Tiger, you know, he has impact, sort of the moon landing,” Waugh said of Woods’ Masters win. “It’s not golf; it’s where were you when, kind of stuff.

“The impact immediately afterwards was extraordinary in terms of ticket sales. We were basically sold out for the weekend, but the requests just poured in

across the board in lots of ways.”

Woods has already won a major at Bethpage black, triumphing at the New York course in 2002 when it hosted the US Open.

Waugh said he expected Woods’ history at the course would also feed into the sense of anticipation as the tournament neared.

“We absolutely now know that the fan base will be cranked up and we hope that it will have the same effect that he had his first go-around on participation,” Waugh said. “Hopefully we can ride not only the wave and excitement about watching him play, but others, you know, wanting to play. Hopefully that knock-on effect has a long-term effect.”

Waugh said the PGA had opted to shift the championship from its traditional slot in August in order to better pace the season.

“We always felt there was this excitement that happened in April (after the Masters) and then a bit of a letdown from the golf calendar,” he said.

Woods’ Augusta victory had all but guaranteed the move would pay off, Waugh said.

“Couldn’t be more excited. We think we made a great decision, but we’d rather be lucky than good...We thought it was smart; it looks brilliant, now,” he added.

Also, Woods believes he can still catch Jack Nicklaus and his record of 18 major titles after ending a decade-long drought with a win for the ages at Augusta National.

The 43-year-old stunned the sporting world this month by completing an epic comeback from spinal fusion surgery to capture his 15th major and his first since the 2008 US Open.

A 2009 sex scandal followed by knee and back injuries that required seven operations had led to a prolonged wait to add another major title to his honours.

But his fairytale fifth green jacket has put Woods firmly back in pursuit of the all-time record of 18 major wins by Nicklaus. AFP

Hungary pledges support to Philippine sports AFTER 22 years without diplomatic representations in the country, the Embassy of Hungary celebrates its reestablishment in the Philippines with a friendly women’s basketball game between its Hungarian Youth Team and a youth team from Manila.

This activity was part of the Memorandum of Understanding on Sports Coordination between the Philippine Sports Commission and Hungary, during the Philippines- Hungary Joint Economic Meeting in Budapest last April 3.

The Ambassador of Hungary to the Philippines, Dr. József Bencze, announced in the welcome dinner hosted by the PSC last Wednesday, that Dr. Tamaz Sterbenz, the Vice Rector for General Affairs of the University of Physical Education in Budapest forged an agreement in sports relations with the Ateneo De Manila University, which also hosted the friendly basketball games and provided billeting quarters to the Hungarian women’s basketball team from the University of the Physical Education- Budapest.

Assistant Director of ADMU Athletics Office Erica Dy expressed that the agreement with their university is a great

Hungarian officials and players are shown with PSC executives.

step in bridging the gap between the two nations.

“This proves that sports is a vehicle to bridge boarders and allow us to work together and do our little part to make this place a better place,” she added.

Dir. Jeffrey Valdez of the Department of Foreign Affairs-Office of European Affairs was also present in the gathering and intimated that sports was one of the firsts among the agreements signed in the Philippines-Hungary Joint Economic

Meeting.

The Hungarian Youth Team will play with the university women’s basketball team of Ateneo de Manila University and University of the Philippines in four days of friendly competition.

Repaja, Bandala power way to PPS romps in Zambo del Norte ANGEL Repaja scored an expected romp in her age bracket then pulled off a surprise in the premier division as she shared the spotlight with young Pete Bandala in the PPS-PEPP Liloy national age-group tennis at the Liloy Tennis Club in Zamboanga del Norte last Tuesday.

Repaja toppled her rivals to claim the girls’ 16-and-under crown, capping her dominant run with a 6-3, 6-1 victory over doubles partner Yvonne Cuevas then the local bet bucked the odds in 18-U play, upending top seeded Jane Echon, 6-0, 6-2, in the semis then besting No. 2 Faith Regencia, 6-4, 6-1, to complete a twinkill in the Group 2 tournament presented by

Dunlop.

Bandala, on the other hand, continued to sizzle in 10-unisex category of the circuit put up by Palawan PawnshopPalawan Express Pera Padala, holding off doubles teammate Rose Mesiona, 5-3, 4-1, to add the crown to his growing list of victories.

Bandala from Dipolog and Mesiona from Sindangan also ran away with the doubles plum, beating Rasta Baje and Kevin Gallenero, 8-3.

Other singles winners were Dipolog’s Andrei Tan (boys’ 12-U), local bet Angelo Cadavedo (boys’ 14-U), Dumingag’s Aldree Pan (boys’ 16-U), Liloy’s Rasty-

ley Baje (boys’ 18-U), Mesiona (12-U) and Cuevas (14-U).

“I’m happy to see these youngsters’ games being raised to a higher level through their regular participation in the PPS-PEPP circuit. (Pete) Bandala and (Andrei) Tan both started from scratch but have now joined the growing list of winners in the circuit aimed at discovering fresh talents and producing new set of stars,” said Palawan Pawnshop president/ CEO Bobby Castro.

Tan trounced Miggy Omos, 6-2, 6-1; the unranked Cadavedo crushed No. 3 Marc Fernandez, 6-1, 6-0; the fourthranked Pan stunned top seed Russel

Daarol, 6-3, 6-2; Baje also shocked Daarol, 6-4, 6-4; Mesiona routed No. 1 Neach Domiguez, 6-1, 6-1; and Cuevas turned back top seed Jalia Elumba, 7-5, 6-3.

Repaja claimed a third crown as she and Cuevas beat Zhyryn Dislag and Laisha Echon, 8-4, in the 18-U finals with Baje and Airitz Pan nipping Jefferson Mallones and Aldree Pan, 8-7(8), for the boys’ plum.

Cuevas and Regencia took the girls’ 14-U doubles title with an 8-3 romp over Eri Domiguez and Elumba while Cadavedo and Ryan Elumbaring winning the boys’ diadem with an 8-4 rout of Bandala and Nicholas Tan.

LOURDES School of Quezon City Batch 1969 will host the PALO fund raising tournament today (May 2) at the West course of Wack Wack Golf and Country Club in Mandaluyong.

Around 120 participants are expected to vie for top honors in the different divisions as they play using the modified double Peoria format.

The PALO event is for the benefit of the LSQC Alumni Association, an NGO that provides scholarship funds in advancing the religious and educational principles and charitable objects of the school especially in La Loma,Quezon City.

Among the Specific programs to be supported are, among others, educational scholarships For Deserving indigents, Software development for online education, enhancement of IT-related Facilities in software and hardware and infrastructure.

Aside from LSQCAA, some of the funds will be allocated to the LSQC community and to retired and retiring faculty members in financial security, particularly for their medical requirements, as part of the school’s activities in social responsibility.

After eye injury, Harden focuses on series’ Game 3 SAN FRANCISCO—Houston star James Harden, who suffered a lacerated left eyelid in the Rockets’ NBA playoff loss to the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday, is hoping three days of rest will have him seeing clearly for their next encounter.

“It’s pretty blurry right now,” said Harden, who was swiped in the face by the Warriors’ Draymond Green as they battled for a rebound in the first quarter of Golden State’s 115-109 victory.

“Hopefully it gets better day by day,” added Harden, whose Rockets host game three of the best-of-seven secondround Western Conference series on Saturday aiming to start digging out of an 0-2 hole.

Harden returned after receiving treatment—including drops to numb pain in his eyes—and led the Rockets with 29 points.

But despite the drops, he could be seen squinting and grimacing in the bright lights.

“He got raked pretty good in the eyes,” Rockets coach Mike D’Antoni said. “But that’s him—I didn’t have a doubt he was coming back unless it was something catastrophic.”

It certainly looked bad enough as Harden dropped to the court and stayed there—a hand to his eyes—until the Rockets called a timeout so he could get medical treatment.

Green spoke to Harden as he departed the court with a compress on his face.

Green said he just wanted to check on Harden after the inadvertent contact.

“It’s not about hurting anyone out here,” Green said. “A lot of people forget when a guy has an injury you live that every second of every day and it’s not just about this game. So if his eye is messed up, he’s got to live that every day, so I wanted to check on the guy.”

Meanwhile, Golden State Warriors star Kevin Durant says Harden makes clever use of NBA rules but does not cheat the game.

Durant, speaking to reporters on Tuesday before the Warriors took on the Rockets in game two of their Western Conference second-round playoff series, said Houston’s prolific scorer Harden has developed an effective way to pressure opposing defenses.

“He’s always been clever at getting to the paint and using his strength to bump guys off,” Durant said of the 2018 NBA Most Valuable Player Harden. “I think it’s, more so than anything, putting pressure on the defense.

“I think that’s what he’s always been doing. I wouldn’t say that he has an advantage. I think everybody, once they get into the lane, they use little tricks to try to get their shots off. He may bump guys off going to the rim, but everybody does that.”

The Rockets were angered by the officiating in their 104-100 game-one loss to the Warriors, Harden himself suggesting refs had not given Houston a “fair chance” in the defeat as he cited several non-calls on his three-point attempts. AFP

Sports

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

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THURSDAY, MAY 2, 2019

PH wins 17 swim golds in Arafura Games DARWIN, Australia—Ivo Nikolai Enot captured his third gold medal as the Philippine swimming team’s campaign in the 2019 Arafura Games came to a close Tuesday night at the Parap Swimming Pool here.

The 13-year-old Enot from Davao City won the men’s 13 to 14 year old 50-meter backstroke with a time of 29.80 seconds, adding to his 100-meter and 200-meter backstroke gold medals in this Philippine campaign supported by the Philippine Sports Commission and Standard Insurance.

Samuel Alcos, 21, also ruled the men’s 17 over 100-meter breaststroke with a clocking of one minute, 5.63 seconds to claim his second gold of the competition following his victory in the 50-meter breaststroke.

Following the two gold medals, the Philippine swimming team ended up with the most number of gold medals in the contingent with 17 golds. The squad also added 27 silvers and 17 bronzes.

The Philippines wound up with a 30-47-28 gold-silver-bronze tally following Tuesday’s competitions.

Meanwhile, the Philippines began the badminton preliminaries with an 8-0 sweep of Guangzhou to win its first tie in the team event at the Darwin Convention Centre.

Karylle Kay Molina beat Lan Xu, 21-6, 21-9, in the women’s singles and teamed up with Estarco Bacalso in the mixed doubles to win over Yin Du and Chongwei Lu, 21-3, 21-3.

Bacalso also defeated Runjun Yu, 21-3, 21-4; while Arthur Samuel Salvado beat Peiyu Wu, 21-4, 21-4, in the men’s singles.

Macy Anne Patricia Salvado outplayed Limin Xiang, 21-4, 21-9, in the women’s singles; as Salvado and Jackie Lynn Pana also won in the women’s doubles after beating Jianhua Huang and Xiang, 21-5, 21-2.

Pana also topped the mixed doubles as her partnership with Arthur Samuel Salvado led to a 21-3, 21-10 win over Dongqiu Chen and Lan Xu. John Rodney Pana and Johan Art Rivas beat Dongqiu Chen and Peiyi Wu, 21-3, 21-6, in the men’s doubles.

In beach volleyball, Hachaliah Gilbuena and Johnrel Amora beat Northern Territory, 21-17, 21-13, to start the preliminaries of Pool D at the Darwin Waterfront.

Stephen Curry (right) of the Golden State Warriors handles the ball against the Houston Rockets during Game Two of the Western Conference Semifinals of the 2019 NBA Playoffs at ORACLE Arena in Oakland, California. AFP

San Juan teener rips 2 Palaro swim records

By Peter Atencio

D

AVAO City—Xiandi Chua produced two recordbreaking feats in her bid to become one of the most be-medalled athletes in the 2019 Palarong Pambansa at the University of the Philippines-Davao Aquatics Center in Mintal here Wednesday.

The 15-year-old Chua, a 12th grader from Immaculate Conception Academy in San Juan, outpaced Jasmine Micaela Mojdeh in the 200-meter individual, finishing in 2:23.86 and breaking the 21-year-old Palaro record of Althea Lim (2:25.66).

Mojdeh went on to settle for her second silver after she came in almost seven seconds later in 2:30.11.

A year-old mark in the 200-meter freestyle was also erased after Chua outpaced Rose Encarnacion of Calabarzon in 2:43.08, better than the 2:46.36 which Thangchylyn dela Cruz submitted last year.

“She (Chua) is a very experienced a swimmer. Hinataw niya. She swam fast and her strokes were efficient,” said Chua’s coach Marichi Gandionco, a recordholder herself in the 200-m Individual

Medley when she was at Xiandi’s age.

The 12-year-old Mojdeh, who is struggling to hold her own against older rivals on her first year in the secondary girls’ division, however, was at her best in the secondary girls’ 200-meter butterfly, where she submitted a time of two minutes, 22.69 seconds, to surpass the fiveyear-old course mark of Suzanne Himor (2:25.21).

It was her first gold medal in three events after settling for two silvers in the swimming meet.

“We were expecting that she breaks this record,” said Mojdeh’s coach Alex Papa.

Mojdeh, an eighth grader at the Immaculate Heart of Mary College in Paranaque, beat National Capital Region teammate Althea Baluyot, who was

three seconds slower, but also broke the course record as well in 2:25.09.

Mojdeh had been unlucky so far in quest for glory in the secondary level, after falling to heavily favored Chua on her third event in the weeklong meet.

Jordan Lobos (Calabarzon) also broke a year-old record in the secondary boys’ 200-meter breaststroke in 2:26.77, while Ateneo bet Philip Santos(NCR) smashed his own mark in the 200-meter IM in 2:12.58.

In athletics, Tarlac bet Jerry Vasquez and and Pangasinan standout Brian Celeste shattered records in the secondary boys’ 3000-meter steeplechase and the high jump over at the University of Mindanao-Matina oval.

Vasquez clocked 9:35.20 and eclipsed Cagayan Valley bet Crisanto Canillo’s 9:41.70, with Ritchie Estampador (Region 6) and Jasper Delfin (Region 5) taking the silver and bronze, respectively.

The Central Luzon squad of Trixie Ortiguerra, Jasmine de la Cruz, Francesca Sarmiento and Riza Tabamo took down the six-year-old record in elementary girls’ 4x50 meter medley relay in swimming with a time of 2:13.41.

Blu Girls resume Olympic quest at Softball Asia Cup THE PH Blu Girls’ quest to represent the Philippines for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics is now in full swing as the Philippine National Women’s Softball team sees action at the Women’s Softball Asia Cup in Jakarta, Indonesia.

The girls are set to go head-to-head against the best of Asia, including reigning champion Japan, Taiwan and China during the action-packed four day competition, which began yesterday.

The top six teams will then head to the Asia-Oceania Olympic Qualifier set in September, while the Top 3 teams will advance to the qualifiers for the World Softball Championships in 2021.

ASAPHIL President and Softball Asia Vice President Jean Henri Lhuillier reaffirms his belief that the Pinay softballers have what it takes to make it to the Olympics.

“The Blu Girls have shown in the past that they have what it takes to beat the

top teams in the world through their unique mix of talent, determination and grit in the field. We were able to defeat top 4 teams in the world, Australia and Canada, Mexico and Asian powerhouses China and Chines Taipei. I strongly believe that they are due for a podium finish here. The Blu Girls are our best chances for the Olympics and I am committing my 100% support to them to make this happen,” said Lhuillier.

Leading the team is coach Randy Dizer, who has been at the helm of many game-winning plays since the girls’ resurgence in the international stage.

Supporting Dizer is assistant coach Ana Santiago, as well as team captain Cheska Altomonte. Completing the team line-up are Angelie Ursabia, Arriane Vallestero, Mary Ann Antolihao, Lyca Basa, Ezra Jalandoni, Royevel Palma, Shaira Damasing, Cristy Joy Toa, Reizel Calumbres and fil-am recruits Garie

The PH Blu Girls, through the support of ASAPHIL President Jean Henri Lhuillier, attempt to claim their place for the Olympic qualifiers as they do battle for the Women’s Softball Asia Cup in Jakarta, Indonesia.

Blando, Chelsea Suitos, Sky Ellazar, Hailey Decker, Amber Freeman and Gabriella Elvina.

The team began their bid against Singapore on Wednesday, before closing Day 1 with a match against Hong Kong.

On May 3, the Blu Girls will meet erstwhile rivals Chinese Taipei at 3 p.m.

The resurgence of the competitive soft-

ball in the country is due to the efforts of the Amateur Softball Association of the Philippines, through the leadership of Lhuillier.

In the last few years, Lhuillier has embarked on an extensive grassroots program with the intention of discovering raw talent that can shine on the global stage.

Warriors grab 2-0 lead vs Rockets; Bucks bounce back LOS ANGELES—Kevin Durant scored 29 points and Klay Thompson added 21 on Tuesday as the Golden State Warriors downed the Houston Rockets 115-109 in a bruising NBA playoff clash.

The reigning champion Warriors never trailed, but they had to battle to the end to take a 2-0 lead in the bestof-seven Western Conference secondround series, which shifts to Houston for game three on Saturday.

(Related NBA Story on A7) Both teams had injury scares in the first quarter, when Houston’s 2018 NBA Most Valuable Player James Harden departed with a left eye injury after he was inadvertently swiped in the face by Draymond Green as they battled for the ball.

Warriors guard Stephen Curry left briefly with a dislocated middle finger on his left hand, returning with it taped up before the quarter ended.

Harden returned in the second quarter, but appeared to feel discomfort from the injury during the game, sometimes squinting in the bright lights.

“He got raked pretty good in the eyes,” Houston coach Mike D’Antoni said of Harden, who finished with 29 points—including 13 in the fourth quarter. “I’m sure he would have loved to have played better, but under the circumstances I thought he played great.”

D’Antoni said he knew Harden would return to the contest unless the injury was “catastrophic” but even with their superstar on the court the Rockets couldn’t find a way past the Warriors.

“Tonight we just stayed the course,” Thompson said.

Houston trimmed a 15-point deficit to three points in the fourth quarter, but their 18 turnovers, leading to 24 Warriors points, were ultimately too costly.

Curry helped the Warriors’ cause with 20 points and Green contributed a double-double of 15 points and 12 rebounds along with seven assists.

“We had our chances toward the end,” D’Antoni said. “They made big plays.”

Antetokounmpo fuels Bucks Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks bounced back with a vengeance Tuesday, routing the Boston Celtics 123-102 to knot their NBA playoff series at one game apiece.

The top-seeded Bucks, who fell 11290 at home to the Celtics in the Eastern Conference series opener, weren’t about to allow a repeat. AFP

Elite cyclists to join PRURide 2nd leg

Appearing at the PSA Forum at the Amelie Hotel were (from left) San Juan Knights’ coach Randy Alcantara, Go For Gold’s Jeremy Go, Mike Conwi, MPBL Commissioner Kenneth Duremdes and players John Wilson, Mike Ayon Ayon and Jonard Clarito. Lino Santos

ELITE cylists representing at least 25 international teams will head the field in the second leg of the PRURide PH 2019 from May 24 to 26 at Subic.

Race organizer Jeremy Go on Tuesday told the Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum at the Amelie Hotel in Manila they expect riders from Malaysia, Singapore, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, Australia, Kong Kong and South Korea.

The country’s top cyclists from Standard Insurance, Go for Gold, and 711 will vie in the three-day event that offers points needed to qualify for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

Also gracing the weekly forum presented by San Miguel Corp., Tapa King, Amelie Hotel, and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming corporation were Filipino riders Marcelo Felipe and Dominic Perez of 711, Ronnel Hualda

of Go for Gold, and Jermyn Prado and Jan Paul Morales of Philippine Navy.

Pru Life UK senior vice president Allan Tumbaga said the event is classified as a 2.2 stage race by the Union Cycliste Internatonale.

“This race is very important for Filipino riders because certain points are awarded to stage winners and the top overall finishers,” said race consultant Rick Rodriguez.

“It’s very difficult to qualify to the Olympics where only the top 130 male riders and 67 female riders will qualify in the road race. And they must all come from the top 50 countries,” said Rodriguez.

Right now, the Philippines is in 41st place as it heads to the second leg of the PruRide event as well as future qualifying races for the 2020 Olympics.

IN BRIEF SEC revokes papers of Yeheey iTraffic

THE Securities and Exchange Commission has revoked the registration papers of Yeheey iTraffic System Inc., an online investment company allegedly engaged in a scam.

The SEC’s Enforcement and Investor Protection Department issued the order of revocation against Yeheey for serious misrepresentation and engaging in Ponzi scheme.

The corporation, according to information gathered and confirmed by the EIPD, enticed members of the public to register as “premium subscribers” by paying P1,000 and recruit more members in exchange for high returns.

Yeheey then offered various ways for members to earn points and money.

A member could earn 1,200 points by simply logging in and out four times daily for six days and $2 for every new member recruited.

The EIPD said such a scheme constituted a public offering of securities in the form of investment contracts, and requires a secondary license from the SEC. Separate certifications from the SEC’s Markets and Securities Regulation Department, Corporate Governance and Finance Department and Company Registration Monitoring Department showed Yeheey neither obtained nor sought a permit to offer securities.

Jenniffer B. Austria

Business

SEC warns against 2 investment companies

THE Securities and Exchange Commission warned the public against dealing with two investment firms, which are not authorized to solicit investments.

The SEC said in separate advisories Alabel-Maasim Small Scale Mining Cooperative and DV Boer Farm Corp.

(DV Boer) were not licensed to solicit investments nor sell securities to the public.

The SEC said Almamico/Alamcco was enticing the public to become their member through an investment opportunity. The scheme offers a 35-percent interest per month of the invested money, a promised interest rate that is too high to sustain their claims that every member will receive as long as the cooperative operates.

The SEC said Almamico/Alamcco was neither registered as a corporation nor as a partnership with corporate regulator.

The SEC, meanwhile, said DV Boer did not secure a secondary license that enabled to it to sell securities to the public. Jenniffer B. Austria

US food, drug body authorizes sale of IQOS NEW YORK—The US Food and Drug Administration has confirmed that IQOS, Philip Morris International’s electrically heated tobacco system, is appropriate for the protection of public health and authorized it for sale in the United States.

FDA’s decision follows its comprehensive assessment of PMI’s premarket tobacco product applications filed with the agency in 2017.

Unlike cigarettes, the IQOS system heats—but does not burn—tobacco. It is the first electrically heated tobacco product to qualify for sale in the US pursuant to the 2009 law that empowers FDA to regulate tobacco products, including through oversight of innovative products.

PMFTC Inc., the local affiliate of PMI in the Philippines, said while this certainly is good news, “we continue to evaluate market and regulatory conditions for the introduction of IQOS in the Philippines.”

“Our initial research tells us that 6 out of 10 Filipino smokers are already open to trying better alternatives to smoking. The US FDA authorization as well as our research are encouraging indicators for us to work hard to be able to offer IQOS to Filipino consumers,” said PMFTC external affairs and communications director Patrick Muttart.

PMI chief executive officer André Calantzopoulos said the FDA’s decision to authorize IQOS in the US was an important step forward for the approximately 40 million American men and women who smoke.

business@manilastandard.net extrastory2000@gmail.com THURSDAY, MAY 2, 2019

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Golden Bria raises capital spending to P5.1 b in ‘19

By Jenniffer B. Austria

PAL assures public of normal flight skeds

PHILIPPINES Airlines said it is operating on full regular flight schedules for both domestic and international route networks despite the peak travel summer season.

“Our flights and airport operations remain normal at our hubs in Manila, Cebu, Clark and Davao,” PAL said.

PAL issued a statement in response to numerous queries from the public and its passengers amid flight cancellations of rival Cebu Pacific.

“We are ready and willing to work in concert with the government authorities, in particular the Department of Transportation, the airport authorities and the Civil Aeronautics Board, to provide support and relief to the traveling public during this peak travel summer season” PAL said.

“To this end, we are sustaining our recently implemented increases in flight frequencies on key routes and we will do our best to operate these in a timely manner for the benefit of the public, guided always by the highest standards of service and safety, above all,” the airline added. Darwin G. Amojelar

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

LOAN TO ICTSI. Metropolitan Bank & Trust Co. signs a $300 million, seven-year bilateral term loan facility with ICTSI Global Finance B.V., guaranteed by International Container Terminal Services Inc.. Closing the deal are (from left) Metrobank senior vice president and corporate banking group head Antonio Ocampo Jr., Metrobank executive vice president and institutional banking sector head Mary Mylene Caparas, ICTSI senior vice president and global corporate head Christian Gonzalez, ICTSI senior vice president and chief financial officer Rafael Consing Jr. and ICTSI vice president and treasurer Gigi Miguel.

Credit rating upgrade boosts PH eurobonds

By Julito G. Rada

T

HE Philippine delegation holding a roadshow in Europe in preparation for the issuance of euro-denominated bonds said the upgrade of the country’s credit rating to “BBB+” from “BBB” with a “stable” outlook by S&P Global Ratings on Tuesday came at a perfect time.

The delegation, led by National Treasurer Rosalia de Leon in tandem with Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Deputy Governor Diwa Guinigundo, are visiting key European cities to discuss the strengths of the Philippine economy to investors.

The upgrade was great news as an independent third party confirmed the solid economic narrative, they said.

S&P cited the country’s above-average economic growth, a healthy external position, and sustainable public fi-

nances. The upgrade put the Philippines at par with Mexico, Peru, Thailand, and Trinidad and Tobago, and a notch higher than the “BBB” ratings of Italy, Portugal, Hungary, Panama and Uruguay.

De Leon said the upgrade by S&P was a “recognition of our sound policies on liability management.”

“We have kept our debt in check— even as we invest more on infrastructure and social services. We are committed to fiscal discipline, and this makes the

Philippines a truly creditworthy sovereign in the eyes of the international financial community,” she said.

Guinigundo said the one-notch upgrade by S&P “simply affirms the [Philippine] economy’s sustained strong performance capped by impressive policy and structural reforms that would ensure its positive long-term prospects.”

“With such an upgrade, this would bring more interest among foreign investors to participate in the growth process and in the end, further establish and strengthen the upward trajectory of the Philippine economy,” said.

Guinigundo expressed confidence the Philippines could be upgraded further to the “A” territory rating.

“The biggest challenge to us is to pursue sustainability: sustainability of policy and institutional reforms, growth and public finance. With splendid record, I am sure we can do it,” he said.

Meralco tests 455-MW coal-fired power plant in Quezon

By Alena Mae S. Flores SAN Buenaventura Power Ltd. Co. started testing and commissioning its 455-megawatt coal-fired power plant, in Mauban, Quezon province in preparation for full commercial operation by September.

SBPL is a joint venture of Meralco PowerGen Corp., a unit of Manila Electric Co., with New Growth, B.V., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Electricity Generating Public Company Ltd. of Thailand.

“Power generation will be our game changer. We are looking forward to September this year when Meralco finally re-enters base load power generation and can better assure customers in its strategic franchise area adequate, reliable

and affordable power supply, after our 455 MW super-critical San Buenaventura coal fired plant in Mauban, Quezon comes on stream,” said Meralco PowerGen president Rogelio Singson.

The over-all engineering, procurement and construction work as of end March is estimated at 99.29 percent, or on track for project completion in September.

“We are firing commissioning energy within April. We expect positive contribution from San Buenaventura by 2020,” said Singson.

SBPL is selling 455 MW of the plant’s capacity to Meralco under a 20year power supply agreement, which is extendable for another five years.

SBPL tapped Daelim Industrial Co. Ltd. and Mitsubishi Corp. as EPC con-

tractor for the project.

Singson earlier said the project initially encountered technical difficulties because of another power plant of Quezon Power Philippines Ltd. “It was quite a challenge and we acknowledge it was a very difficult situation,” said Singson.

The company held ground breaking ceremonies for the project in December 2015, which signaled the start of construction of the power facility.

“The SBPL plant will be one of the first facilities in the Philippines to utilize the supercritical boiler technology leading to higher efficiency and significant reductions in carbon dioxide emissions in comparison to traditional boiler technology,” said Egco president Chanin Chaonirattisai earlier.

GOLDEN Bria Holdings Inc. is accelerating this year’s capital spending to P5.08 billion, as the company beefs up its land banking and construction activities following its entry into the mass housing business.

The company owned by the Villar Group said in a regulatory filing it allotted P1.89 billion of the 2019 spending for construction and P1.5 billion for land acquisitions.

The company earmarked around P1.17 billion for land development and the balance for memorial park development, chapel construction and property and equipment.

This year’s capital expenditure is 33.6 percent higher than P3.8 billion that Golden Bria actually spent in 2018.

Golden Bria said the capital expenditure plan was ubject to a number of variables, including possible cost overruns, construction/ development delays, the receipt of environmental and other regulatory approvals, changes in management’s views of the desirability of current plans, the identification of new projects and macroeconomic factors such as the Philippines’ economic performance and interest rates.

Previously called Golden Haven Memorial Park Inc., the company was mainly engaged in the death care business until 2017 when it changed its corporate name. The company’s primary business purpose was amended to real estate to gain flexibility in undertaking business expansion while it remains engaged in the death care industry.

Golden Bria reported a net income of P1.56 billion in 2018, up 124 percent from P699 million in 2017 on strong results from the real estate business.

The revenues jumped 56.7 percent to P5.77 billion from P3.68 billion in 2017. Golden Bria attributed the growth to the 58-percent increase in real estate sales to P3.67 billion.

Interment income rose 17.3 percent to P33 million from P28 million in 2017.

The company had 23 death care developments and five columbarium facilities across the country as of December 31, 2018.

It has 555.6 hectares total land bank in 37 cities and municipalities allocated for its mass housing projects.

Hortaleza company focuses on condiments

By Othel V. Campos PRIME Global Group, company founded by former Splash Corp. majority shareholder Rolando Hortaleza, is bullish on the condiments business with a sales target of P1.5 billion in 2020.

The company is launching five new products in 2019, including three highmargin products.

“These new products will be our driver to double our sales to P900 million this year. We will be focusing more on high-profit products we consider will be a hit in the market,” said Hortaleza.

He noted that the local condiments industry had gaps in terms of availability of high-value, high-quality condiments.

Prime Global is determined to fill the gap for high-value condiments that rarely get the interest of consumers, he said.

Shrimp paste, the company’s flagship product, remains the biggest contribu-

tor with as much as 70 percent of total sales.

Sales from seasonings and chicken breading in 2018 reached P400 million.

Prime Global is also seriously considering to reduce the percentage of shrimp paste exports sales to an ideal 80 percent for the domestic market and 20 percent for exports.

“We want to have sufficient inventory for the local market. Every Filipino restaurant use this condiment for domestic dishes and even at home, shrimp paste is a preferred food seasoning,” said Hortaleza.

The export ratio of shrimp export is currently 60:40, which the company plans to lower further to 70:30 this year.

Hortaleza bought the rights for Barrio Fiesta Manufacturing Corp. from the Ongpaucos in 2011.

Top markets for the shrimp paste were the US and the Middle East and the growing Filipino communities abroad and the increasing number of overseas Filipino workers.

ROOFTOP SOLAR. Luzon’s largest outlet shopping destination, The Outlets at Lipa, is now powered by Aboitiz Power Corp.’s renewable energy brand, Cleanergy.

The 1.5-megawatt peak rooftop solar project in The Outlets at Lipa has recently finished commissioning and is now delivering solar power to close to 30 locators of the 9.3-hectare property, which is nestled within the Lima Land estate. The solar rooftop installation has also achieved close to 40,000 safe man-hours without lost-time injury.

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THURSDAY, MAY 2, 2019 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Trump renews call on Fed to cut rate

By Heather Scott

W

ASHINGTON―The US central bank opened its third policy meeting of the year on Tuesday under renewed attack from President Donald Trump, who called on officials to reverse course and cut interest rates.

Trump slammed the Federal Reserve for “incessantly” raising interest rates and said cutting rates by a full percentage point would make the economy surge.

The Fed raised rates four times last year―and has done so a total of nine times since December 2015―moving from zero in the aftermath of the global financial crisis to the current range of 2.25 percent to 2.5 percent.

But this year the Fed has been on hold and signaled clearly that it has no intention of moving monetary policy anytime soon as it grapples with conflicting signs on the economy.

Trump’s call for a rate cut of a full point would reverse all of the Fed moves last year and likely undermine any credibility the central bank has with financial markets. And if Trump continues to browbeat the Fed in public comments,

central bankers may feel obliged to dig in just to prove their independence.

“We have the potential to go up like a rocket if we did some lowering of rates, like one point,” Trump said in his Twitter outburst.

He said China is boosting its economy by keeping rates low, but “Our Federal Reserve has incessantly lifted interest rates, even though inflation is very low.”

Powell will announce the decision Wednesday and economists and investors will look for any hint in the statement of how central bankers are feeling about the economy and what their next move might be: a hike or a cut.

The rate-setting Federal Open Market Committee now must evaluate crosscurrents in the economic data.

On one hand, the US economy grew

3.2 percent in the first three months of the year, a surprising result given the signs of slowdown in the final months of 2018 that caused financial markets to seem panicked for a time.

But on the other, defying expected behavior in a growing economy with low unemployment, the key measure of inflation continues to fall further below the Fed’s two percent target.

Trump and his economic team have promised that tax cuts and deregulation will accelerate economic growth to three or even four percent but economists say that is unlikely, especially as the US trade war with China and others has dampened business confidence and investment.

“Yes, we are doing very well at 3.2% (first quarter) GDP but with our wonder-

fully low inflation, we could be setting major records & at the same time make our National Debt start to look small!”

Trump tweeted.

But many economists point out that the growth figures for the early part of the year were misleading, inflated by factors that will have the opposite effect in coming months.

The growth rate “vastly overstates the economy’s strength,” Bob Schwartz of Oxford Economics said in a recent analysis.

Without a rebound in spending and business investment, there is little chance the US economy will accelerate and push wages and prices higher.

Some economists now predict the Fed’s next move will be a rate cut, probably next year. With AFP

Luzon quake tests inferior steel bars THE magnitude 6.1 earthquake that rattled Central Luzon and Metro Manila on April 22 has evoked bad memories from the July 16, 1990 killer quake. That magnitude 7.7 temblor nearly three decades ago flattened buildings in Baguio City and Nueva Ecija and Pangasinan provinces and left over a thousand people dead.

Last month’s earthquake was nowhere near the strength of the July 16, 1990 tremor but it was strong enough for people to cower and to cause significant damage on one grocery store in Pampanga.

The 6.1 quake also tested the integrity of high-rise buildings and condominiums. Cracks were found in Clark Airport, a school in Manila, while the Chuzon Supermarket in Pampanga collapsed.

There are unconfirmed reports that the steel products used by the supermarket were substandard.

Engineer Roberto Cola, president of the Philippine Iron and Steel Institute, seemed to be playing coy when he declined to categorically answer repeated questions from former senator Nikki Coseteng during the recent ‘Kapihan sa Aristocrat’ on claims that PISI members were selling just grade 40 steel bars to developers and passing them off as grade 60.

Coseteng said local steelmakers who are members of the PISI had replaced micro-alloyed steel products with substandard steel bars that underwent questionable testing process to determine their tensile strength. The engineering community, developers, and building owners have no clue about this industry practice.

The issue has been hounding the steel industry since last year.

During a Senate hearing in 2018, Cola conceded that “steel bars grade 40 are quenched with spray of cold water so that hopefully, they become grade 60.” They are sold as grade 60, but the raw material itself is grade 40.

This can be likened to an adulteration practice illicitly adopted by a dairy company in China, where it added Melamine, a nitro-rich compound, into the milk to increase the protein count in their milk and dairy products. Melamine is harmful if swallowed, inhaled or absorbed through the skin.

When grade 40 steel bars are ‘passed’ or upgraded to grade 60 and used as reinforcement bars for high-rise buildings, meanwhile, they can potentially cause the foundations of buildings to crumble. The impact of a high magnitude earthquake on such building materials could be disastrous.

Coseteng during the same forum challenged Cola to show her a signed document assuring PISI’s products were grade 60 inside and out.

The Philippines is part of the ‘ring of fire’ or seismic circle where tectonic plates collide. The possibility of a high-magnitude quake such as the dreaded Big One can occur. This is the reason the 1992 National Building Code was revised to include industry regulations preventing developers to weld, galvanize or thread steel bars.

Unfortunately, Coseteng said steel products supplied by PISI members were only tested at the jobsite. “How rigid are steel testing on job sites?” she asked.

The former senator called for a more definitive testing processes to ensure all steel products in the country were safe to use. Coseteng added the current standards of the Department of Trade and Industry, the agency responsible in approving and regulating standards of steel products, should be more stringent than normal, given the seismic condition of the Philippines.

Many of the steel rebars produced by steelmakers in the country only undergo a static test where their products are not subjected to welding, threading or bending.

Under the international-standard “cyclic loading test,” rebars are subjected to repeated, fluctuating intensity stress tests. The minimal steel grade requirements for rebars to be used in high rise buildings and other major infrastructure is Grade 60.

Coseteng said the impact of using substandard steel bars during natural disasters would be colossal: “Kapag may earthquake na mangyari, luluhod ang mga building. Gusto ba nating mangyari yan? Pag may isang building lang na lumuhod sa BGC, the economic impact is going to be terrible. Yung mga building diyan sa Pasig River pagka-lumuhod baka maging dam ang Pasig River sa dami ng konkreto.

E-mail: rayenano@yahoo.com or extrastory2000@gmail.com or business@manilastandard.net

TRADE TALKS. Chinese Vice Premier Liu He (right) shows the way to Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin (center) and Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer as they proceed to their meeting at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing on May 1, 2019. AFP

Australian house prices falling faster SYDNEY―Australian property prices fell faster in the past year than at any time since the global financial crisis, a closely watched report said Wednesday, fueling speculation of a pre-election interest rate cut.

House prices continued to tumble across the country in April, with Sydney declining 11.8 percent over the past 12 months and Melbourne falling 12.6 percent, according to leading property analyst CoreLogic.

While the slide slowed in April from the month before―raising hopes that the market may be reaching its nadir― analysts warned of knock-on effects across the economy.

“Ongoing home price falls will depress consumer spending,” said AMP Capital chief economist Shane Oliver.

The Australian economy grew just 0.2 percent in the last three months of 2018, wage growth has remained soft and inflation has come in below the central bank’s target.

Taken alongside the decline in the housing market, analysts are predicting up to two quarter-point rate cuts this year.

The first rate may come as early as next week, ahead of a May 18 election being fought over economic management and housing affordability.

“An earlier rate cut in May could bring forward the bottom in house prices as in the last two cycles they bottomed around four months after the first cut,” Oliver added.

Stewardship of the economy has been at the center of a bitter election campaign with Prime Minister Scott Morrison warning voters it could collapse should the center-left opposition Labor party be elected.

But any rate cut could undermine Morrison’s claim that the economy is chugging along perfectly well.

Opposition leader Bill Shorten has been targeting voter discontent with low wage growth, promising to address a housing affordability crisis for young voters with restrictions on long-held tax incentives for property investors.

The cooling housing market has weighed on the profits of Australia’s ANZ bank, which on Wednesday posted a five percent slide in half yearly net profit to Aus$3.2 billion (US$2.25 billion). AFP

UK automotive output to collapse on no-deal Brexit—industry body LONDON―Britain’s car output under a no-deal Brexit could collapse to a level last seen in “the dark days of the 1980s,” the nation’s industry body forecast on Tuesday.

The warning came as Jaguar Land Rover said its new Land Rover Defender model would be assembled in Slovakia―but did not blame the move on the UK’s departure from the European Union.

The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) said the worst case scenario would be for Britain to depart the EU without a deal struck with Brussels, forcing it to endure tariffs set

by World Trade Organization rules.

These customs duties average 1.5 percent, which is still quite low. But they can be higher in some sectors such as the crucial automotive sector where they are 10 percent.

“Should Britain crash out of the EU and fall back on WTO rules for a sustained period, (UK car) output is forecast to fall around 30 percent on recent levels to just 1.07 million units by 2021, a level consistent with the dark days of the mid-1980s,” the SMMT said in a release.

Britain is due to leave the European

Union on October 31 after two delays this year triggered by MPs rejecting the divorce deal British Prime Minister Theresa May has struck with the bloc.

The SMMT on Tuesday added that in the event of “a favorable deal and transition period maintaining the status quo, UK car production could be 1.36 million units in 2019, down from 1.52 million in 2018, before rising to 1.42 million by 2021.”

The SMMT has long argued that no-deal would ramp up costs and hurt supply chains, while tariffs would undermine competitiveness and bite into profits.

“Despite the extension, the Brexit clock is still ticking and a devastating no-deal remains a threat,” said SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes.

“This new period of limbo does not end the havoc for industry, with investment stopped and expensive factory shutdowns moved to avoid a Brexit deadline that has itself now moved.”

Japanese carmaker Nissan recently said it would stop production of Infiniti cars at its factory in Sunderland, northeast England, and cancel the plant’s plans for the X-Trail SUV. AFP

Global stocks mixed ahead of Fed decision NEW YORK―Global stocks were mixed Tuesday ahead of a Federal Reserve decision on monetary policy and while investors digested varied economic data from the United States, China and Europe.

On Wall Street, the S&P 500 edged to its third straight record while the Nasdaq finished solidly lower, weighed down by disappointing results from Google parent Alphabet.

But as the US central bank kicked off its third meet of the year, US President Donald Trump again slammed the Fed for prior interest rate hikes and called for an interest rate cut.

Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell will announce the Fed’s latest decision on Wednesday and economists and investors will look for any hint in the statement of how central bankers are feeling about the economy and what their next move might be: a hike or a cut.

Meanwhile, US economic data released Tuesday included a surprising jump in consumer confidence for April, according to data from the

Conference Board.

Earlier, solid eurozone economic had muted effect on the region’s bourses.

The overall eurozone economy expanded by a better than forecast 0.4 percent in the first quarter, official data showed Tuesday, dampening talk of a looming recession in Europe and exceeding forecasts.

But the good news barely helped shares in Paris and Frankfurt, which both closed 0.1 percent higher.

Milan’s stock market gained 0.4 percent on welcome news that Italy has emerged from recession.

Meanwhile, Chinese data showed that activity in the country’s factories barely grew last month, indicating the world’s number two economy continues to struggle.

“The latest survey data disappoint hopes for a further recovery,” said Julian Evans-Pritchard of Capital Economics.

“The official PMIs suggest that (the second quarter) got off to a weaker start and reinforce our view that there are still some downside risks to near-term activity,” he said in a note. AFP

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World

TUESDAY, MAY 2, 2019 CESAR BARRIOQUINTO, Editor mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Show presents private side of screen icon Audrey Hepburn

NEW EMPEROR. Japanís new Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako listen to congratulatory words from Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko during an

event to receive a celebration of the accession to the throne at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on May 1, 2019. Naruhito formally ascended the Chrysanthemum Throne on May 1, a day after his father abdicated from the world’s oldest monarchy and ushered in a new imperial era. AFP

US cop who shot dead Australian gets murder MINNEAPOLIS―A US police officer who shot dead an Australian woman in 2017 was found guilty of murder Tuesday by a Minneapolis jury, ending a case that has shocked the Midwestern city and sparked outrage in her native country.

Mohamed Noor, 33, who was fired from the city’s police force, was convicted of third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter.

The jury, which began deliberating on Monday after three weeks of testimony from dozens of witnesses, acquitted the former officer of the most serious charge of second-degree murder with intent to kill.

Noor was taken out of the courtroom in handcuffs and into custody, according to US media reports.

He testified that he shot Justine Damond, an Australian who had moved to the US, to protect his partner, because he had feared an ambush when responding to an emergency call she had made.

But prosecutors insisted that the shooting was unreasonable and contrary to police department training policy.

Noor targeted Damond from the passenger seat of the police cruiser he was in with his partner, Matthew Harrity.

The 40-year-old victim, a yoga instructor, had approached the cruiser after calling 911 twice to report a possible rape in the dark alley behind her home. No such assault was ever found to have occurred.

Defense attorney Peter Wold told jurors the former officer was heartbroken over the shooting.

Noor testified that he believed there was an imminent threat after he saw a cyclist stop near the police cruiser, heard a loud bang and saw Harrity’s “reaction to the person on the driver’s side raising her right arm.”

Noor added that when he reached from the cruiser’s passenger seat and shot Damond through the driver’s side window, it was because he thought his partner “would have been killed.”

Damond was wounded in the abdomen and died at the scene. Her last words were: “I’m dying,” according to authorities. AFP

Naruhito takes throne and ushers in new era T OKYO―Japan’s new Emperor Naruhito pledged Wednesday to stand by the Japanese people as he formally ascended the Chrysanthemum Throne, the day after his father’s historic abdication ushered in a new imperial era.

It was the first time in more than 200 years that a member of the world’s oldest royal family has chosen to step down, and solemn rituals accompanied both Akihito’s abdication and Naruhito’s enthronement.

Naruhito officially became emperor at midnight, when the country also began the new imperial era of Reiwa or “beautiful harmony”, but the transition was formalized in a Wednesday ceremony.

The ritual, off-limits to all royal women, saw 59-year-old Naruhito accept the regalia relinquished by his father a day earlier: a sacred sword and

jewel as well as the seal of the state and the imperial seal.

Naruhito then delivered his first address to the nation, vowing to “act according to the Constitution” while “always turning my thoughts to the people and standing with them”.

The new monarch wore formal Western clothing including a heavy gold chain of office during the ceremony and his speech. He was joined

by Empress Masako, wearing a long white gown and diamond-studded tiara, for his address.

The nation’s 126th emperor said he would “reflect deeply” on the example set by his popular father Akihito, and that assuming the throne filled him with a “sense of solemnity”.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, replying on behalf of the people, said: “We are determined to create a bright future for a proud Japan filled with peace and hope at a time when the international situation is changing dramatically.”

After heavy rain dampened celebrations for the abdication on Tuesday, Japanese took advantage of sunnier weather to flock to the Meiji Shrine in the heart of the capital, where free sake was served ahead of a display of

horseback archery.

Others watched the ceremonies and speech, which were conducted behind closed doors at the palace, on big screens outside Shinjuku, the world’s busiest station.

“I am someone who loves history and what we are experiencing now will be talked about for a long time,” 21-year-old law student Mito Okuno told AFP. “That’s why I wanted to come in person,” added Okuno, resplendent in a striped kimono, who came some 600 kilometres (370 miles) from the town of Himeji to experience the moment.

Naruhito will make his first public appearance on Saturday when he will again address the people of Japan.

But the real pomp and ceremony will wait until October 22 when he and Masako will appear in elaborate traditional robes for a palace ceremony before parading through the streets of Tokyo to be congratulated by a host of world leaders and royals.

Naruhito will greet his first foreign head of state as emperor later this month, when US President Donald Trump visits Japan to meet the new monarch. AFP

BRUSSELS―An exhibition tracing the private life of screen icon Audrey Hepburn through hundreds of photos and personal items opens in her hometown of Brussels this week to mark the 90th anniversary of her birth.

The “Intimate Audrey” show features nearly a thousand objects gathered by one of her two sons, Sean Hepburn Ferrer, born from her relationship with the US actor and producer Mel Ferrer.

Alongside the glamor of the star who shot dizzyingly to Hollywood fame―winning an Oscar at just 25 for her role alongside Gregory Peck in “Roman Holiday”― the exhibition focuses on Hepburn’s life as a mother and as a UNICEF ambassador, a role she threw herself into during the five years leading up to her death in 1993.

“Fundamentally we don’t learn anything new, but when we get to the end, we see that the girl that the world fell in love with... has blossomed into this woman. You see it, you feel it,” Sean Hepburn Ferrer told AFP on the eve of the opening.

The show reveals a simpler side to the star whose appearance in a dazzling Givenchy gown in “Breakfast At Tiffany’s”―perhaps the most famous “little black dress” of all―became one of the defining images of 20th century glamor.

“This woman who was a style icon basically lived in a little cotton dress all her life―a simple life,” Hepburn Ferrer said.

Hepburn was born Audrey Ruston on May 4, 1929, in the Brussels district of Ixelles, to a Dutch mother and a British father who was then working for a Belgian subsidiary of the Bank of England.

The exhibition of around 800 photos, some previously unpublished, include black and white portraits that evoke the severity of Dutch aristocracy―a world she knew as a child. AFP

IN BRIEF Selfie-crazy teens crushed by train

NEW DELHI-Three teenagers were killed while taking selfies on a railway track in India, the country that researchers say has the worst record for selfie-related deaths.

A fourth youth managed to jump to safety before the accident in Panipat city in the northern state of Haryana, a police officer told AFP Wednesday.

“The victims were busy taking selfies and when they saw a train approaching they jumped to a second track without realizing another train was coming on that,” M. S. Dabas told AFP. “One of them saved his life as he jumped on the other side of the track.”

The group had come to Panipat to attend a wedding. Two of those killed were 19 years old and the third was 18.

Experts warn that youngsters obsessed with social media are going to extreme lengths in order to post selfies seen as daring and risky.

A study last year by researchers from the All Indian Institute of Medical Sciences said 259 people across the world had died while taking selfies between 2011 and 2017.

The highest number of incidents and selfie deaths were reported in India followed by Russia, the United States and Pakistan, the study said.

In 2017 three students were killed on a railway track in southern Karnataka state, while a man died in Odisha after an elephant wrapped its trunk around the man and crushed him to death as he tried to take a selfie with the animal.

Last year Railways Minister Piyush Goyal took to Twitter to warn people against risking their life for the sake of photographs. AFP

‘Godmother of Samba’ dies RALLY TO MARK MAY DAY. President of the French leftist La France Insoumise party Jean-Luc Melenchon attends a rally to marck May Day in the southern French city of Marseille on May 1, 2019. France’s zero-tolerance approach to protest violence will be tested on May 1, when a heady mix of labor unionists, ‘yellow vest’ demonstrators and hardline hooligans are expected to hit the streets on Labor Day. AFP

Special counsel Mueller criticised Barr’s depiction of Russia probe WASHINGTON―US Special Counsel Robert Mueller complained to the attorney general over his characterization of the Russia probe that allowed President Donald Trump to declare himself cleared of obstruction of justice, US media reported Tuesday.

Trump cast himself as fully exonerated after Attorney General Bill Barr delivered a four-page memo to Congress on March 24 that he called a summary of the two-year probe’s key findings, telling lawmakers the evidence was insufficient to support criminal obstruction charges.

The release of a redacted version of the full 448page report on April 18 however revealed that Mueller had detailed numerous attempts by the president to thwart the investigation.

The Washington Post said Mueller’s letter to Barr three days later complained that the attorney general’s memo “did not fully capture the context, nature and substance of this office’s work and conclusions.”

“There is now public confusion about critical as-

pects of the results of our investigation,” Mueller reportedly wrote, in stark language that apparently surprised Justice Department officials.

“This threatens to undermine a central purpose for which the Department appointed the Special Counsel: to assure full public confidence in the outcome of the investigations.”

Mueller declined to accuse Trump of a crime, referring to Justice Department policy precluding the indictment of a sitting president, but specifically said that what he had uncovered made him unable to exonerate the president.

Democrats in Congress are expected to question Barr at length over his role in the probe and interactions with Mueller as he appears for two days of hearings on Capitol Hill this week.

On Wednesday, several called for his resignation— with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi also weighing in.

“Attorney General Barr misled the public and

owes the American people answers,” she said on Twitter. “It’s time for DOJ to release the full report & all underlying docs ― and finally allow Mueller to testify. Americans deserve the facts. Barr must stop standing in the way.”

“Bill Barr needs to resign,” was California congressman Ro Khanna’s take. “He needs to resign tomorrow.

At some point we need to distinguish fact from spin.”

Mark Warner, the Democratic vice chairman of the powerful Senate intelligence committee, said Barr had “lost all credibility.”

“This is exactly why I said Mr. Barr should never have been confirmed in the first place.”

A rift between the special counsel’s office and Barr, Mueller’s boss and longtime friend, appeared to emerge in the days following the release of the attorney general’s memo, as investigators reportedly let it be known through intermediaries that they felt frustrated by Barr’s representation of their work. AFP

RIO DE JANEIRO―Brazilian singer and “godmother of samba” Beth Carvalho died from sepsis in Rio de Janeiro on Tuesday, her publicist and hospital said.

She was 72.

“Our dear Beth Carvalho departed at 5:33 pm (2233 GMT) today surrounded by the love of her family and friends,” according to a statement issued by publicist Afonso Carvalho.

The statement did not specify the cause of death, but the Pro-Cardiac Hospital said in a WhatsApp message that Carvalho had succumbed to a “generalized infection [sepsis].”

Sepsis is a life-threatening condition in which the body is attacked by its own immune system.

Carvalho had been confined to a wheelchair in recent years due to back problems.

She had continued to perform, however, moving Brazilian fans with hits including “Coisinha do Pai” or “Father’s Little Thing.”

In a career spanning 50 years, Carvalho was a symbol of the Brazilian samba school Mangueira.

Carvelho recorded more than 30 albums and won two Latin Grammy awards among others. AFP

LGUs

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

B4

THURSDAY, MAY 2, 2019

1Pacman video goes viral with 3.5 million hits

LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS

Iloilo’s P3.7-b budget OK eyed after May polls ILOILO CITY—The Sangguniang Panlalawigan committee on appropriations said the P3.712-billion executive budget will be passed after the May 13 elections.

Dorothy Paes, appropriations chairman, admitted the budget might not be passed before the election, as there had been changes in the proposed measure.

She said there is no assurance for the budget to be passed within the month of May. Paes, in an interview Tuesday, said the appropriations committee edited the province’s proposed budget.

“We considered some of the budgets by other departments but we made revisions for the Capital Outlay of the Office of the Governor, Sangguniang Panlalawigan, Public Information and Community Affairs Office, and Hospital Management Office,” she said.

For the Administrative Services under the Office of the Governor, the appropriations committee slashed a total of P10.5 million, which is composed of proposals for office equipment of P1 million; information and communication technology equipment, P5 million; communication equipment, P500,000; other machinery and equipment, P2 million; and furniture and fixtures, P2 million, Paes reported during the SP regular session on Tuesday afternoon.

Another P1 million was also slashed from Peace and Order under the Office of the Governor.

“We disapproved the proposed amount because they have unutilized fund last year,” she said.

For the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, the P200,000 budget proposed for office equipment was reduced to P150,000; furniture and fixtures, from P1.4 million to P1 million; and other machinery and equipment from P200,000 to P150,000 for the same reason.

Meanwhile, two of the three radio block time programs “Balita Halin sa Kapitolyo” “shall be deleted or removed from the budget,” Paes said.

Two of the block time programs aired at radio stations are charged under the Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses of PICAO. One of the block time programs is being charged under the Office of the Governor but is being managed by PICAO. “The committee deems it necessary that only one radio program should be funded by the province for the purpose of dissemination of information in relation to the programs, activities, and projects of the Iloilo Provincial Government,” Paes said in her report.

The proposed budget of the PICAO, therefore, was reduced from P1.462 million to P622,000.

The budget proposed by the HMO was also slashed by P54 million allocated for drugs and medicines.

Paes said that the office also has remaining fund as “they were allocated P50,485,000 in 2018 for drugs and medicines but only P31 million was utilized.” PNA

POLL CASE. Quezon City mayoral bet Vincent “Bingbong” Crisologo faces a disqualification case filed in the Commission on Elections on Monday for a lack of absolute pardon concerning his double life imprisonment sentence for arson and arson with homicide. The petition was filed by Sophia Lorenza Zamora (left, in black), a concerned taxpayer and resident of Quezon City, and her legal counsel, Atty. Socorro Nepomuceno (right). Norman Cruz

MGB: No sand, gravel being shipped to China

S

AN JOSE DE BUENAVISTA, Antique—The Mines and Geosciences Bureau has clarified that there is no sand and gravel being quarried in the province of Antique and being shipped to China.

MGB Regional Director Roger A. de Dios said in an interview Tuesday that he has no knowledge of any Mineral Ore Export Permit applicant in Antique or even in Western Visayas.

“There has been no MOEP applicant since October when I assumed as director,” he said.

De Dios added that as the Provincial Mining Regulatory board chairman of Antique he also has no knowledge of a large scale quarrying permittee in the province.

“There are right now 94 permittees in Antique but there is no large scale permittee,” he said.

He said that large-scale permittees that transport sand and gravel internationally

would need a 50,000-ton cargo vessel to transport 30,000 cubic sand and gravel.

“In Antique, the cargo vessels that dock on its port are only about 3,000 tons,” he said.

He said it is impossible as it will be very costly for other permittees of sand and gravel to do “double handling” by using a smaller vessel from Antique and then transferring it to a bigger vessel for China.

Meanwhile, Provincial Environmental and Natural Resources Officer Andres Untal, who was with De Dios during the interview, said if there are sand and gravel being shipped from Antique, it is only within the Philippines.

“If you see the paper trail the ship-

ment are in Guimaras, Negros Occidental, Palawan, Mindoro and Romblon,” Untal said.

De Dios added that he has also heard that there is shipment to Kalayaan Island because of the ongoing construction of infrastructure there, but still it is within the Philippines.

The MGB director said that it is also a welcome move for Antique Governor Rhodora J. Cadiao to ask the National Bureau of Investigation to conduct an investigation on who is behind the alleged quarry operations being shipped to China. She said her administration won’t allow such activity without proper documentation.

Cadiao gave this challenge to the NBI last April 26 during the groundbreaking of its P50-million three-story district office in San Jose de Buenavista led by Assistant Director Menardo Grasparil de Lemos. PNA

Redwood Water Park and Resort in Biñan, Laguna hosted the Funware competion of the prestigious Miss Teen Phils 2019 pageant yesterday as the 32 finalists pose with the reigning MTP queen Reissa Nicole Magadia (center) and 1st runner-up Chiara Ocampo.

The pageant will be held on May 8 at the New Frontier Theater, Araneta Center, Cubao, Quezon City.

MANILA BAY UPDATE.

Department of Environment and Natural Resources Undersecretary Sherwin Rigor (second from right), meets with representatives from DPWH, MMDA and Manila Yacht Club to discuss issues and to update the progress of the desilting work from the US Embassy to MYC in Manila. So far, over 25,000 tons of silt and platics have been extracted near the US Embassy . Extraction will take several months and technology support is expected. Others in photo (from left) are Randy Dabu of Clean Leaf Int’l Corp, Engr. Mario L Marasigan and Engr. Rimeo F.Susin of DPWH, MYC Commodore Robert Lim Joseph, and Emnanuel S Garme of Clean Leaf.

Region said on Monday.

TESDA-CAR officer-in-charge Engr.

Manuel Wong said skills training and scholarships were offered to give miners other livelihood options after the calamity struck on Sept. 15, 2018.

“We made sure that TESDA contrived a quick response and that we conducted skills training like masonry, carpentry,

and customer relations,” Wong said.

Under TESDA’s Bangon Itogon program, 300 slots for the initial enrollees were opened free of charge.

The scholarship was made available, either to the miner or a family member who can use the skills to get employment and bring in income for the family. TESDA allocated a P3-million fund for the schol-

Payumo recalls PEZA creation to local scribes

By Butch Gunio

QUEEN AND COURT.

Displaced Itogon miners continue to get skills training from TESDA BAGUIO CITY—Small-scale miners, who were forced to stop their mining activities following a massive landslide in Itogon, Benguet’s mining area during the 2018 onslaught of Typhoon “Ompong,” continue to receive skills training as government scholars, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority in the Cordillera Administrative

A YOUTUBE video that features the group 1PACMAN has gone viral, obtaining a record 3.5 million views as it highlighted numerous programs that helped less fortunate Filipinos.

In its latest trending video, one can witness the full support of the people for the 1 Patriotic Coalition of Marginalized Nationals, where 1PACMAN Rep. Mikee Romero declared that the Philippines will achieve its goal with upright political leaders.

“Hope and inspirations are among my objectives to uplift the lives of the majority of the Filipino people,” Romero says in the video.

1PACMAN, which represents fisherfolk, farmers, peasants and other laborers, recognizes the needs of these people who are living in abject poverty brought about by serious economic and social problems.

Among the group’s programs that extended assistance to Filipinos is providing 10,000 jobs and scholarships to children of poor families.

Even while he was in the private sector, Romero has contributed to the economy through the modernization of Manila North Harbor and the promotion of budget travel under AirAsia Philippines.

Rep. Romero entered into politics with the vision of helping senior citizens and displaced former athletes who had given honor to their respective provinces and the country, support undiscovered young potential athletes who do not have access to formal, professional training and financial assistance to be able to compete for their country.

A number of programs were initiated by 1PACMAN under the leadership of Romero that includes a Scholarship Program wherein 12,000 students benefited.

Senators Manny Pacquiao and Lito Lapid gave testimonies of the programs initiated by 1PACMAN in the viral video.

Romero vows to continue these programs for the welfare of all other informal sectors, especially the most marginalized and neglected by private and public institutions because of their sheer number and distance from the centers of commerce and urban development.

arship which was used to finance the materials needed by the students and a provision for P160 a day training allowance.

Wong said there were 279 who availed of the scholarship, 268 of them graduated and got their certification.

“We provided them allowance to at least help them get through day by day during their training,” Wong said. PNA

ORANI, Bataan—“Good laws and good execution can do wonders for the country.”

Former Bataan congressman Tong Payumo said this during a conversation with newsmen here as he remembered the Philippine Economic Zone Authority Act nearly 25 years since he authored it in Congress.

“Billions of pesos in export earnings went to the Philippine coffers and a million jobs for Filipinos were created,” he said.

“At the helm of PEZA when it started operation was its first director general, Lilia de Lima who was credible and efficient,” said octogenarian Payumo, also a former Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority chairman.

“PEZA is a good law, and De Lima was very efficient, the result worked marvels for the country,” he pointed out.

“Economic zones and science parks sprouted in the country, psparking growth. It has contributed to national development,” he added.

Bataan has its own Hermosa Economic Zone, giving employment to about 12,500 workers from the province and nearby areas, the former solon noted.

Payumo also authored the creation of Hermosa Economic Zone.

Measles cases in Cordillera going down: DOH BAGUIO CITY—An official of the Department of Health in Cordillera Administrative Region on Wednesday said there is a gradual decrease in measles cases for the past few weeks in the region.

“Although measles cases this year increased more than last year, yet basing on our epidemic threshold, we can see a gradual decrease of these cases in the past few weeks,” Karen Lonogan, DOHCAR Regional Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit Senior Health Program Officer, said, citing the Disease Surveillance Report.

DOH records show that during the first eight weeks of the year, there is an increasing trend of measles cases, peaking on the 8th week with 98 cases.

The report noted a decreasing trend starting on the ninth week, with the 17th week recording only three cases.

Lonogan said they have conducted a vaccination program where they visited the different barangays in the region—doing house-to-house visits to reach children who have yet to get vaccinated.

In 2018, the Cordillera recorded only 43 measles cases from January 1 to April 30 with no recorded deaths. In 2019, the statistics spiked to 680 with three deaths.

Most of the cases this year were in Benguet with 257 cases and three deaths, Baguio with 250 cases, Apayao with 61, Abra with 46, Ifugao with 22, Mountain Province with 19 and Kalinga with 15, DOH records show. PNA

Life

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

HOUSEHOLD

THURSDAY, MAY 2, 2019

C1

MODERN

LIVING

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TEP into a modern living space with these pieces from Crate and Barrel spring and summer collection, dubbed Casa Modern.

Walker Natural Dining Table and Sideboard.

Designed by Blake Tovin, it is made of European white oak certified sustainable by the Forest Stewardship Council.

Each table has a unique constellation of knots, fissures, and grain.

Casa Modern is a return to Crate tiles, rustic woods, treated metal, and and Barrel’s roots with an exciting recycled glass. explosion of color that elevates home to the artisanal level. The collection These vibrant pieces are available is a mix of LA hip and Mexican at Crate and Barrel moder n—ar tisan stores in SM Aura Preceramics mier, SM Makati, and texand SM Mega Fa shion Hall.

Petrified Wood Serving Board.

Serve cheeses and charcuterie on this tray whose polished surface and asymmetrical edges tell a fascinating geological tale of a fossilized ancient tree, while speaking to the moment with a contemporary, sculptural shape.

Prost Accent Tables.

Rising high on a slender column anchored by a sculptural antique metal base, the table provides a sleek, round tabletop.

DESSERT diva Ann Puno shares sweetness with people through her home-baked goodies sold at Ann Puno’s Kitchen.

Her journey as a successful entrepreneur started at home, as a young kid in the kitchen. Like many Filipino children, Puno remembers watching her mother and grandmother prepare their meals, busily tending to several pots and pans on top of their trusty La Germania gas range in a well-lit kitchen.

“I lived in the province where there were no bakeshops,” she related, “but I remember that every birthday, my mother would make us birthday cakes from scratch. Sometimes, she would even make donuts from scratch.”

When the same La Germania oven was passed on to her after she got married, the loving wife continued baking. She created flavors that won over the Filipino palate, and her cakes, such as her Premium Cassava Cake, grew in popularity.

Through the years, Puno has constantly improved upon her craft. With her trusty oven by her side, she founded her business and created a complete system to keep her family well-fed and feeling well-loved.

As her children grew up, they learned to recognize the signs of her love.

“They know that [making their favorite dishes] is a way that I offer them lambing and comfort,” she shared.

Like her mom, Puno made birthday cakes for each of her children’s birthdays. When the kids came home, there were always snacks ready for them (and often, their friends).

Even when they had grown up and their schedules became less predict-

Lunea Terrazzo Melamine Oval Platter. Designed to capture the look of on-trend terrazzo, the slender oval melamine platter is adorned with flecks and chips of gray and wine.

Francesca Dinnerware. Awash in watercolor hues, this collection adds painterly florals to the spring table with rich shades of aqua, blue, green, and taupe.

Mireya Vases.

The modern colors and shapes make for a fun collection, whether grouped together or scattered throughout the home.

Nico Palm Melamine Platter and Salad Plate.

Resembling crackle-glazed stoneware, the organically shaped platter and salad plate layer a colorful array of freely brushed palm leaves that look as if they were hand painted.

Ann Puno keeps the sweetness at home alive Ann bites into a giant cookie in Barcelona.

Ann Puno spreads love and sweetness through her home-baked creations.

able, they know that their mom always have something waiting for them. “They know that when they come home, there is something good to eat. This is my act of service, this is how I show love,” said the doting mother.

It has not been an easy life, she said, but it is a rich, full one.

“Sometimes, my husband and I like to think back on all we have gone through.

Just talking about it, and being thankful, because even if we have had difficulties, we have always overcome them as a fam-

ily. Looking at where we are now, we can truly say that we have made a home.”

As her family grows and changes, her business expands, and her personal journey continues to take her to more directions, Puno is dedicated to preserving all the memories that she and her family shared through the years.

She keeps records of the dishes she created in several notebooks filled with handwritten notes, photos, and mementos. There’s a collection of books and scrapbooks filled to the brim and that

Cakes sold at Ann Puno’s Kitchen

she’s constantly adding to. This will be her legacy to her grandchildren, and for the people her family chooses to bring into their fold.

That, and maybe one of her ovens. She has one heavy-duty La Germania oven that she only uses during peak seasons.

On the off seasons, it gets thoroughly cleaned, packed up, and carefully stored in a shed behind the house, while her mother’s original oven is still in service after all these years.

She has always told her children about

the value of money and advises them that when buying something, it should always be of value, such as her La Germania oven. Being one of the most trusted brands in the market, these ovens are made for heavy-duty use, and with proper care, can go for years without having to be maintained or repaired.

It’s the only brand Puno has ever used in her kitchen, and with good reason.

Each oven has taken the demands of a growing family and a thriving bakery business in stride.

Life

C2

THURSDAY, MAY 2, 2019 manilastandardlife@gmail.com

BEACH-READY.

Pack all the essentials the family may need while on vacation.

Parents are reminded to take safety measures to avoid possible risks when kids play outside.

Planning a family beach vacation F

How to prepare kids for the outdoors

MOST kids today grew up dependent on technology—with mobile phones, tablets, and laptops as their toys.

Parents who desire to let their kids experience the joy of playing outdoors have a few things things to do to keep their children safe from harm and discomfort.

These moms share tips on ensuring their children are away from harm and enjoy all the fun during summer break.

Protect them from environmental risks

Know the condition of the ocean before diving in.

AMILY vacation, such one at the beach, is a perfect time to bond with the gang in a new, sunny destination. But before dashing out the door, it’s vital to have a solid game plan to ensure a stress-free beach getaway.

Pack the essentials

A trip to the beach means staying under the sun for long hours. Pack the right essentials for the trip, including sunblock with high SPF and cooling gel to treat sunburn.

Don’t forget a sand-resistant, waterproof beach bag to protect everyone’s gadgets from getting wet, as well as a towel, mat, umbrella, medicines, snacks, and floaters for kids.

and many more. Prevent heat stroke, headache, and other sicknesses caused by heat by drinking lots of water and eating fruits and veggies

Be ready in case of medical emergencies

Know the condition of the ocean

The ocean can be treacherous. Some beaches have jellyfish and other sea creatures that can be deadly if a person gets bitten or stung. Beaches can also have periods of big waves and high tide or low tide. Knowing the condition of the ocean before diving in is important to avoid any possible dangers.

Stay hydrated

It’s important to stay hydrated when dealing with the summer heat and the strain of doing water sports like swimming, surfing, kite-surfing, paddling,

protection of personal belongings, and refunds for travel inconveniences.

Choose from Essential, Classic, and Elite Plan. The Classic and Elite Plan are compliant with the Schengen Visa requirement, the latter offering the highest coverage available. It’s also allowed to choose a plan for a single trip for up to 10 adults and 10 children traveling together to and from the same destination, within the same travel period. There is also an annual plan for an individual or group.

with high water content like watermelon, cucumber, celery, strawberry, and pineapple.

Protect the family from the unexpected

Nobody wishes for accidents to happen but in case they do, protect the whole family with Axa Smart Traveller.

It comes with a wide range of benefits, including 24-hour travel assistance,

Aside from medicine, bring a first aid kit to be prepared for any medical emergencies. For serious accidents that need comprehensive treatment, Axa Smart Traveller also offers medical coverage, personal accident coverage up to P5 million, and liability and personal safety coverage.

Have fun!

Some people have the tendency to bring work with them on vacations.

While it’s okay to allot a few hours to answer emails and other work-related issues, don’t forget that you are still on a vacation with the people important in your life so enjoy and savor the moment with family and leave the stress behind.

Take safety measures to avoid possible natural risks. “Of course, I worry that they could get diseases especially with the recent measles outbreak, but thankfully my kids are vaccinated, and that takes away a lot of stress and worry for us,” shares mommy of three and children’s book author Teresa Dumadag.

If the kids will run around in the afternoon, be sure to put sunblock to protect them from harmful UV rays and bring mosquito repellent to keep dengue-carrying mosquitoes away.

Mommy Laila, co-founder of lifestyle brand Elements of Tomorrow and mom of one, says that it is also important to dress according to the weather. “We let our child, Sid Nayon, play freely in nature whether it’s sunny or rainy.

So of course we dress him accordi ngly so he is wellprotected.”

Children’s milk launches new campaign

CHILDREN’S growing-up milk Abbott Similac GainSchool launches a new campaign that features stories of motherhood.

The Million Moms of Similac GainSchool campaign features a video with moms across the globe sharing their motherhood stories and experiences with the brand. Every one of them went through her own struggles, led her own unique lifestyle, and has her own story to tell.

But regardless of who they are or what they have been through, all these moms share one goal: to have a healthy, smart, and happy child that is ready to face the world.

Similac GainSchool is made with the special ingredient 2’-FL HMO (human milk oligosaccharides), vital in boosting a child’s digestive health and immune system.

“As the Million Moms of Similac Gain-

Practicing at home

To support her son’s active and adventurous personality, Mommy Laila believes that protecting him should be a daily and consistent thing. “We see to it that our kid is healthy in terms of their food.

Prepare for emergencies

For Mommy Teresa, prevention is better than cure. Whenever she and her husband take their three boys to the park, she always makes sure they are ready for whatever accidents and emergencies that may occur. “Just recently, my eldest son fell while running and wounded his knee.

Thankfully, we had wet wipes to clean the wound and found a restroom he could wash it in,” she shares.

Meanwhile, Mommy Kaye, a parttime working mom with a three-yearold, says that she already has a bag of essentials prepared for whenever she goes out with her son Riley. “The contents of the backpack include a small towel, wipes, alcohol, mosquito repellent patches, a bottle of water, and an extra shirt.”

Teaching kids proper hygiene

The Million Moms of Similac GainSchool campaign video features moms from different walks of life sharing their motherhood stories.

freelance writer, says that she makes sure to explain to her kids the importance of proper hygiene. “It’s for their own sake. Kung hindi ko sila tuturuan na alagaan sarili nila, baka ikapahamak pa nila at lalo silang magkasakit (It’s for their own sake. If I don’t teach them to take care of themselves, it will cause more harm and they’re more likely to catch diseases).”

Washing hands right after playing is also an effective way to avoid illnesses. According to Mommy Kaye, “There’s always a feeling of paranoia, if I may call it, because playing outside brings a lot of germs, especially now that he’s in a phase where he keeps on biting his nails.” This is why right after playing, one of the first things Mommy Kaye does is to make Riley wash his hands to avoid illnesses caused by these germs.

While putting several safety measures for kids is important, nothing is more effective than teaching them to take care of themselves. Mommy Heart Calimlim, virtual assistant and

Teach them to wash hands right away to avoid illnesses caused by germs.

We only feed him plant-based and organic food so that when he plays outside, he’s not prone to sickness and he has strength.”

Meanwhile, Mommy Teresa opines the importance of taking care of the entire household. She relates, “There was a time when we had a maid who had lice. She was the one taking care of my son so he also got head lice and we had to buy head lice shampoo for the both of them.” In case of head lice infestation, Licealiz Head Lice Treatment Shampoo can be used twice a week for two weeks, and once a week for prevention of head lice recurrence.

At the end of the day, it is always the child’s happiness that parents care about. Mommy Heart shares, “Ever since we started letting our kids play outside, I always see them happy and they really look forward to play time.”

The video shows every mom wishes to raise a smart, happy, and healthy child.

School community increases in number, we want all moms to experience the power of HMO and understand how it can help them and their children. When you’re

a mom, there is no greater feeling than to see your child constantly learning, growing and achieving new things each and every day,” the brand said in a statement.

Let children experience the fun of playing outside this summer.

Entertainment

THURSDAY, MAY 2, 2019

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nickie.standard@gmail.com

JOHN LLOYD

resurfaces P

HOTOS and videos of matinee idol John Lloyd Cruz have been surfacing after being on hiatus from show business since 2017.

Lloydie, one of the most bankable local actors and reliable endorsers, once again proved that his fans are still waiting for his return. The teaser video, posted on the Facebook page of Turks, which lasted for a few seconds and only shows the back shot of Lloydie, has already been viewed 3.2 million times, shared almost 800 times and gained a huge number of comments.

Without any clue, his fans already assumed that it was him in the video.

Actress Bea Alonzo on her Instagram

also posted a screenshot of the social media post, which garnered almost a million likes.

Last Monday morning, Turks finally revealed in a one-minute video of John Lloyd showing the actor walking through different destinations, which somehow depicts his sojourn. The video is very simple, yet there’s drama the way it was created, and in a very subtle shot, he stopped and took a bite of a Turks pita donner.

The rugged look of John Lloyd in

Actor John Lloyd Cruz's viral photo that made fans assume he's finally returning to the limelight after a two-year hiatus.

the Turks video titled Ang Pagbabalik is way too far from his guy-next-door image and a lot of people in the industry are asking if this signals his return to the limelight. His fans are still wondering about the life he’s been living since his hiatus.

According to Turks president Gem L. Zenarosa that during the course of his talks with the actor, they never discussed anything about his showbiz career or plans. He added that he got Lloydie as the latest ambassador of Turks because

of his great confidence working with him.

“I am really grateful that John Lloyd trusts our company, he is a brilliant and very creative young man. Aside from acting we have discovered some of his remarkable talents,” Zenarosa stressed.

John Lloyd now joins the roster of endorsers of Turks such as Piolo and Inigo Pascual.

To watch the full video of Ang Pagbabalik, visit Turks Youtube channel or visit it Facebook page.

Binibini beauties support adoption of abandoned pets

By Eton Concepcion THE animals sheltered at the Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) center received lovely visitors in the forty candidates of Binibining Pilipinas 2019 on Friday initiated by the Araneta Center’s Pet Pals program in partnership with the Binibining Pilipinas Charities, Inc. (BPCI). The Pet Pals initiative welcomes pet owners and their pets to the premier live-workplay destination in the metro.

The candidates, who are mostly animal lovers and pet owners, found themselves emotionally affected with the sight of the abandoned dogs and cats. They greeted, played and bonded with them just like their own pets. Not a few expressed interest to volunteer at the center after the unique experience.

The PAWS visit is part of the ‘Beyond Beauty’ slogan to embody beauty that’s more than physical which involved attending charity events and workshops, one of the changes applied in this year’s Binibining Pilipinas search under Stella Marquez Araneta.

“I find it very interesting, learning about the legal aspect of dog abuse,” said lawyer-turned would-be beauty queen Patch Magtanong. “There are paper works that need to be made in acquiring dogs like executing affidavits and all. I love both aspins and puspins, they’re caring and loving. So please visit PAWS and adopt,” Patch added.

“We should stop cruelty to dogs, and treat them like family,” Vickie Rushtom stressed. “We should be more aware and more educated about what these animals need, that is what

PAWS wants to impart to everyone,” said Samantha Bernardo.

“I’m proud to be a part of this activity.

I’m learning about what we need to do concerning animals. Let’s offer them love and we should stop cruelty to animals, and discrimination against aspins throughout the country. I would like to be a volunteer at PAWS,” said Leren Mae Bautista. “I was here last time to adopt a dog and I also like to volunteer to give some care to the animals here,” Aya Abesamis, who have many pets at home including seven aspins, said.

“If you like to adopt, please do drop

Thursday, May 2, 2019

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Revamped Russian animation goes for global audiences IN A slick Moscow loft, dozens of graphic designers peer at computers, compiling the latest scenes of Fantasy Patrol, a cartoon produced by Russia’s Parovoz animation studio.

With its Netflix contracts, stateowned Parovoz, which means locomotive in Russian, is at the forefront of a resurgence of the country’s animation industry. But, for some observers, the revival comes at the expense of a tradition for innovation dating back to the Soviet-era heyday.

Russian authorities have invested heavily in the animation sector in recent years, after it, like others, was left in ruins following the breakup of the Soviet Union in 1991.

Parovoz is part of a state media holding and has grown from around 20 to 300 employees. Its animated series are shown in 55 countries.

Chief executive Anton Smetankin, who co-launched the studio in 2014, said it had “a product for every market”.

Last year, two Parovoz productions were bought by the US-based streaming service Netflix, one of them, Leo and Tig, is about the adventures of a tiger and leopard in Siberia.

“We have taken the best from

Binibining Pilipinas candidates during a visit at the Philippine Animal Welfare Society center

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by at PAWS. Just make sure that you’re ready to be a pet owner,” Julia Saubier said. “I love all animals. These animals need new shelters, and we need to help take care of abandoned dogs and cats,” Ilene de Vera urged. “They’re also humans, they have hearts and mind.

We have pets at home and when I have a problem, I share it to them. Please support PAWS,” Emma Tinglao said.

At PAWS, the candidates handed 140 kilos of cat and dog foods for the puspins under the institution’s care.

The beauties also were briefed about promoting awareness on how to treat their pets during summer.

Russia's state-owned animation company Parovoz is at the forefront of a resurgence of the country's animation industry

the Russian school (of animation),” said artistic director Yevgeny Golovin.”All of our films are full of kindness and can be watched by children of all ages.”

The studio also signed two contracts with China and had several of its projects dubbed and adapted for the Chinese market.

Today they are shown on four of China’s top streaming channels whose total users are estimated to number 1.5 billion a month.

Soviet animators won global repute for their creativity but the sector has seen mixed fortunes since then.

Soyuzmultfilm, a studio launched in the 1930s which made many of the Soviet Union’s animated greats, faced funding problems in the 1990s and lost control of its back catalogue.

In 2011, then prime minister Vladimir Putin stepped in to try to restore the Russian animation industry to its former glory.

By the early 2000s, Soyuzmultfilm had been reorganized and was again a state company.

The government returned the distribution rights for its classics back to the studio and invested about $14 million over five years. AFP

Entertainment

Nickie Wang, Issue Editor nickie.standard@gmail.com

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THURSDAY, MAY 2, 2019

'Kuwaresma,' the horror flick directed by the master of horror himself, Erik Matti, stars Sharon Cuneta, John Arcilla and showbiz newbies Pam and Kent Gonzales.

SHARON CUNETA stars in epic summer horror flick

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HARON Cuneta is known for her dramatic roles, most VERY of which have become iconic WANG characters that people can easily NICKIE WANG associate with the megastar. Hence, when news came out that she’s starring in a horror flick, movie fans were initially shocked.

Little did many people know, the 53-year-old actress, singer and TV host is a huge fan of horror films. She can even reenact scenes from big horror movies where there’s a demonic possession. She can name the title and the director of little known hallow flicks that are not even available on mainstream media.

This fact, and Kuwaresma’s gripping story written by Katski Flores and Erik Matti, made Sharon say yes to the movie project, which is a collaboration between Reality Entertainment and Globe Studios.

Her dream to work with Matti in a movie

also convinced her to do Kuwaresma even when shooting required her to stay more than a month in Baguio City.

“The guy’s a master of cinematic language, the horror genre is unquestionably his domain. I’m so glad to come back to my craft in this way,” Sharon said of Matti.

“Creatively, this is one of the most rewarding, satisfying collaborations I have had. He’s a director who knows what he wants, whose passion and integrity for a film will inspire your own well of creativity to keep flowing, who will not

'Kuwaresma' counts as Sharon Cuneta’s gift to her fans, followers, and supporters in celebration of her 40th year in show business.

compromise his vision while allowing and protecting your own,” she added.

The film also marks Sharon’s first team up with actor John Arcilla, who is best remembered for the blockbuster biopic Heneral Luna.

He himself has a lot of good things to say about the brilliant director.

“Film enthusiasts, the intellectuals and people from all walks of life can surely relate to this family drama/horror film directed by master storyteller Erik Matti,” Arcilla said.

About Sharon, the director shares how she went all-out for Kuwaresma.

“Ang dami niyang ginawang pisikal.

Emotional, sobra! ‘Yung iyakan, ang dugo talaga! Ang maganda kay Sharon, mataas ang respeto niya sa mga direktor.

Pag umoo na siya sa project, ibibigay niya ang sarili niya.”

Apart from the two big stars, introducing in Kuwaresma, in their first movie, are real-life siblings Pam and Kent Gonzales.

Pam, prior to landing the role, has dabbled in modeling and beauty contests aside from exposures in various TV series.

She plays Sharon and John’s daughter in the movie, who died mysteriously. Erik Matti has nothing but nice words to the two, especially Kent whom he said was a big revelation in Kuwaresma.

“Nag-audition siya (Kent). Sobrang ‘raw’ pero nakikita mong yung utak niya kung paano gumalaw. Unang eksena with Sharon, iyakan, pasok agad siya. Hindi siya natakot kay Sharon,” the seasoned director proudly said of the 17-year-old young actor.

A mega star, a bankable actor, and two outstanding newcomers, all under the tutelage of a master director, form a powerhouse cast for a unique story about a mother willing to risk her everything to end the nightmare haunting her family.

Fresh from Reality Entertainment’s blockbuster action film, Buy Bust in 2018, Kuwaresma is the first of its three ventures with Globe Studios, including

Erik Matti’s On The Job 2.

Head of Globe Studios Quark Henares says, “I’m very excited to be part of Kuwaresma as this is our first venture into horror, and I’m a major horror fan. I’m also a big Erik Matti fan, and am looking forward to this first of many productions we’ll be doing with him and Reality Entertainment.”

He also appeals to the public to support local cinema by going to movie theaters.

“Watching films in theaters is a national pastime, and that sense of community and family that movies bring is invaluable.

Horror is especially fun to watch in groups, so please make sure you watch Kuwaresma with friends and family at the movies!”

Kuwaresma counts as Sharon’s gift to her fans, followers, and supporters in celebration of her 40th year in show business.

This epic movie team up of Sharon Cuneta, John Arcilla, and Erik Matti unspools in theatres nationwide May 15.

Final ‘Avengers’ makes history in PH box office THE most anticipated movie in the history of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and perhaps, the entire global entertainment industry, Marvel Studios’ Avengers: Endgame continued to live up to its hype as it smashed Philippine box-office records on its opening weekend.

Considered by millions of MCU fans as the epic conclusion to the Avengers Infinity saga, Avengers: Endgame also showed epic dominance in the box office as it not only posted the Biggest Opening Day record, it also continued its rampage over the next four days, earning a total of P937,521,966 ($17.7 million) to date

posting the Biggest Thursday, Biggest Friday, and the Biggest Opening Weekend of All Time, setting yet another local box office record.

The fourth film in the Avengers franchise and the conclusion to 22 films in the MCU has already surpassed the

$1-billion mark in the global box-office, reaching an unprecedented $1.2 billion in just five days.

Avengers: Endgame is now showing in Philippine cinemas nationwide.

Join the conversations online at #AvengersEndgame and #MarvelPH.

Who’s vouching for new band Sandiwa?

The final installation of the 'Avengers' movie franchise sets yet another local box office record.

Kapuso personalities honored at 67th FAMAS Awards Bianca Umali receives the German Moreno Memorial Youth Achievement Award at the recent FAMAS Awards.

SEVERAL Kapuso Network personalities were honored at the recently-concluded 67th Filipino Academy of Movie Arts and Sciences (FAMAS) Awards held on Sunday at the Meralco Theater Actress Bianca Umali marked another milestone in her career after receiving the German Moreno Memorial Youth Achievement Award. Bianca currently headlines GMA’s epic-drama series Sahaya where she plays the titular character who embraces her own identity and heritage as a Badjao, even defying the power of love.

The sought-after Kapuso actress is likewise part of two upcoming movies this second quarter of 2019.

She is one of the cast members

of GMA Pictures and Mic Test Entertainment, Inc.’s heart-warming movie, Family History, and in APT Entertainment, Inc.’s horror film, Banal.

Award-winning actress and director Laurice Guillen took home the Lifetime Achievement Award. She was the director of the top-rating series Ika-6 Na Utos and Ika-5 Utos.

GMA’s flagship AM radio station Super Radyo DZBB’s Dobol A sa Dobol B host Ali Sotto, in turn, received the Dr. Jose R. Perez Memorial Award. In her speech, the esteemed radio broadcaster shed light on the importance of women empowerment and reinforcing the rights of every woman in the society.

IT WON’T hurt if you are a new band and someone seasoned is vouching for you.

This is exactly the case for Ivory Music and Video’s new recruit Sandiwa which released in digital form its debut original song “Gunita” last March. A few weeks ago, the band was launched to the press at Historia Boutique and Bar in Quezon City, with guest artists Joey Ayala and Cooky Chua on board.

The appearance of both 90s stalwarts surely caught attention. Yet, the realization that the band is under the management of Thea Pollisco is worth-noting and further serves the plot. Wife to rapper Gloc 9, Thea is nevertheless the woman behind the beloved man’s meteoric success. And even to the triumph of his protege Shanti Dope.

No less than the acknowledged living king of rap in the land affirmed that whatever push being accorded the new group does not match the high level of talent it can actually offer the public.

“Napaka-fresh ng tunog nila.

Mararamdaman mong pinaglalaanan talaga nila ang songwriting,” said the hitmaker prior to jamming with Sandiwa live on stage. “Yung song nila parang isang kanta na matagal mo nang hindi naririnig tapos narinig mo na ulit.”

“Gunita,” no doubt the driving force that currently provides the band with more than 40 thousand listeners less than two months after its release, is described similarly in a reference material for the press, informing that it “will have you head-bobbing while

reminiscing yesterday’s love.”

The track has already been featured on Spotify’s multiple YUGEL playlists, including LOSORATA Philippines Viral 50, Chillax sa Gabi, Pinoy Rakrakan! and Pinoy Alt Rock. Its music video noted for emphatic storyline premiered on MYX last April 17 to rousing acclaim.

The band’s frontman, referring to the career-ushering single, told spectators at the Historia gig, “Nagising na lang ako ng malungkot na wala na ‘yung taong ‘yun. Hanggang sa gunita ko na lang siya mararanasan.” It’s the type of lyrical poetry the band intends to showcase in their songs.

Sandiwa is composed of Samuel Mopal, Yeoj Rivera, Jeremiah Torda, Harold Tabuno, and Alex Rale. Collectively they echoed, “Yung una, another outlet lang namin ito. Two years ago we were formed out of ‘friends of friends.’ Hindi kami makapaniwala na umabot na sa ganito. But we do understand that it’s a new chapter for us.”

They added, “Marami pa kaming baong kanta. Tulad ng sinabi sa amin ni sir Gloc 9, gawa lang kami ng gawa ng kanta.”

This band, citing as influences the likes of Rico Blanco and Ely Buendia, is out for a mission. In a prepared statement, it echoed, “Ang Sandiwa ay nakikiisa sa pagsulong ng makabagong musikang Pilipino. Musikang orihinal at mapagpalaya.”

It is almost a given that Sandiwa will soon collaborate with Gloc 9 on a record.

Brace yourself for a set of lyrics sincerely deep, sung or spoken.