Manila Standard - 2019 May 6 - Monday

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VOL. XXXIII • NO. 81 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P18 • MONDAY, MAY 6, 2019 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

TOPFLIGHT TEAM. Members of the Philippine Team in the World Flying Disc Federation train in Boracay in preparation for the Asian Oceanic Ultimate Beach Championship to be held at the Shira Hama prefecture in Japan from June 13-19 .The team is ranked fourth after USA, Canada and Germany and first in Asia. Dave Leprozo

‘Bikoy’ loses credibility as accuser—DOJ

By Rey E. Requejo and Macon Ramos-Araneta THE Department of Justice on Sunday impugned the credibility of the anonymous man identified as “Bikoy” in the “Totoong Narcolist” videos that implicated several members of the presidential family in the illegal drug trade.

Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said while the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) could also pursue an investigation into the allegations made in the videos, Bikoy’s anonymity has repercussions on his claims.

“Hiding behind a cloak of absolute anonymity casts a serious doubt as to his motive and truthfulness,” he said.

“Genuine whistleblowers are not afraid to come out of the dark and into the light,” he added.

Guevarra issued the statement in response to the challenge posed by opposition Senators Antonio Trillanes IV and Leila de Lima for the DOJ to look into the allegations of Bikoy and former police official Eduardo Acierto, instead of cracking down on the whistleblowers.

“The DOJ is not foreclosing any investigation of the allegations made by Bikoy and Acierto, but first we have to establish if there is prima facie evidence other than their mere allegations to initiate an investigation,” he said.

The NBI is currently in pursuit of Bikoy and Acierto upon orders of trial courts.

Acierto is facing drug importation cases before the Manila regional trial court branch 35 over his alleged involvement in the smuggling of multibillion-peso shabu shipments last year.

On the other hand, the administrator of the website metrobalita.net that spread the Bikoy videos on social media was arrested last week through search warrant issued by Makati RTC branch 148.

Rodel Jayme, who was charged with inciting to sedition charges before the DOJ, has expressed willingness to spill the beans and identify the people behind Next page the Bikoy videos

Police go on full alert amid pre-poll incidents

By Francisco Tuyay

A

T LEAST 10 members of the campaign team of Cavite Gubernatorial candidate Jonvic Remulla were arrested Saturday on allegations of vote buying even as the Philippine National Police (PNP) went of full alert on Sunday to safeguard the elections next week.

POLL READY. Workers on Sunday unload the official ballots for Manila at the Manila City Hall from the National Printing Office as part of the preparations for the May 13 mid-term election. Also on Sunday, the PNP declares the highest level of alert to safeguard the elections. Norman Cruz Norman Cruz

Namfrel pulls out of watchdog duty; opposition wary OPPOSITION senatorial candidates on Sunday expressed concern over the National Citizen’s Movement for Free Elections’ decision to withdraw its accreditation as the citizens’ arm of the Commission on Elections in the May elections.

The Comelec’s denial of Namfrel’s request for open access to information and data prompted Namfrel’s withdrawal as

an accredited citizen watchdog.

“We are worried that Namfrel withdrew as an accredited watchdog because the Comelec refused to give it what it was asking for,” said former congressman and now senatorial candidate Erin Tañada from the Otso Diretso slate.

“This is worrisome because Namfrel has been helping out in the elections

since 1986. The question is: Why did the Comelec not give Namfrel what it was asking for?”

In other developments: • The Nationalist People’s Coalition led by Senate President Vicente Sotto III will lead the party’s endorsement of the reelectionist senators, including Senator Bam Aquino who belongs to the opposition. Next page

NIA defends hiring of 66 Chinese workers at Chico

By Rio N. Araja

CO-OP POWER. Leyte First District Representative and Tingog Party-List 1st Nominee Yedda Marie K. Romualdez gets a warm welcome from more than 10,000 supporters from 13 towns of Leyte during the 43rd Annual General Membership Assymbly of Don Orestes Romualdez Electric Cooperative Inc. at Dorelco Multipurpose Building in San Roque Tolosa Leyte. Romualdez vows to support the programs of Dorelco management to provide electricity to the poorest barangay of Leyte. Ver Noveno

THE National Irrigation Administration has vowed to terminate the services of several Chinese workers after the completion of the P4.37-billion Chico River pump irrigation project in Pinukpuk, Kalinga.

In a statement, NIA said the 66 Chinese workers hired by the Chinese contractor were “highly technical and highly skilled,” and were necessary to build the tunnel and pumping station for completion before the end of the year.

“Once completed, most of these Chinese workers will be terminated,” the agency said.

At least 347 Filipino workers, mostly from the area, have been working in the project.

The Chinese workers are part of the project’s manpower specializing in tunneling and the construction of the pumping station with their state-of-the-art equipment and technology.

Next page

Reports from the PNP-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) said the 10 people on Remulla’s team were arrested in the act of buying votes in Brgy. Zapota, Bacoor City at about 6 p.m.

Police Col. Lawrence Cajipe, chief of the PNP regional field unit in Calabarzon, said the 10 suspects were arrested after police received a tip from a concerned citizens group.

Police confiscated small brown envelopes containing P200 bills totaling P75,800, cash totaling P83,500, and campaign wrist bands and T-shirts.

Arrested were Teresita Marjes; Irene Morales; Elsie Alano; Jayson Alab; Rex Del Rosario; Jose de Leon; Gregorio Tamio; Michael Omedes; Joselino Villa; Next page and Jowel Sale.

Palace duty-bound to abide by SC writ

By Nat Mariano THE Duterte administration will respect the order of the Supreme Court to protect, preserve and rehabilitate the marine environment in the West Philippine Sea, Malacañang said on Saturday.

Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo made the remark following the Court’s issuance of a writ of Kalikasan compelling concerned government agencies to actively protect marine life in Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal, Ayungin Shoal, and Panganiban Reef.

While the Palace has yet to receive a copy of order, the Palace official said the Duterte administration remains “dutybound” to fully implement all laws.

“We find no issue of enforcing our laws as well as performing such enforcement pursuant to our Constitution and principles of international law,” Panelo said in a statement late Saturday evening.

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Romualdez mourns death of Nograles

By Rio N. Araja FORMER Leyte Rep. Ferdinand Romualdez on Sunday expressed sadness at the passing away of former House Speaker Prospero Nograles, saying he was a great loss.

Romualdez, president of the Philippine Constitution Association and the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats, and his wife, Leyte Rep. Yedda Romualdez, said Nograles had been one of the most respected leaders of Congress.

“Speaker Nogie’s dedicated public service and brilliant leadership are beyond question, said Romualdez who is joining the congressional race in the May 13 midterm elections.

“This is a very painful moment for the Nograles family, and we offer our prayers that our Dear Lord comforts them in this very difficult time. He is a big loss.”

Said Yedda Romualdez: “Our prayers and condolences, hoping the outpouring of love and support will somehow give comfort to the family at this very difficult time.”

The House of Representatives will hold necrological services for Nograles’ on Tuesday morning.

Said Speaker Gloria MacapagalArroyo: “It was my honor that he was Speaker of the House of Representatives from 2008 to 2010 during my presidency. I recall how much he was loved, not only by his fellow congressmen but, just as important, by the staff of the House whose welfare he cared so much about.

We will miss him.”

Arroyo recalled that Nograles was very helpful to her when she was undersecretary of the Department of Trade and Industry in the late 1980s.

Nograles was then a first-term Davao City representative.

“He was very helpful to me when it was my task as trade undersecretary to navigate our department’s relations with Congress,’’ Arroyo said.

“We mourn the passing of former Speaker Prospero Boy Nograles and offer our deepest condolences to his loved ones and constituents. A bar topnotcher, he served for a long time in Congress.”

Palace...

From A1

He said the Palace respects the Court’s decision, noting that the writ was “issued to prevent violations of our environmental laws in our territorial waters and in our exclusive economic zone located in the subject areas.”

“We have always respected the orders and decisions of the Judiciary, especially the Supreme Court, subject to the availment of possible legal remedies,” he added.

Panelo, however, protested the contention of government inaction in the Philippine-claimed territories, saying that the protection of the marine ecosystem in the West Philippine Sea has always been “a top concern and agenda of the government.”

“Our coast guards as well as other government agencies are performing their task in securing the subject of the writ,” he added, denying accusations that high-ranking government officials neglected their duties to protect the Philippine-claimed areas.

For Panelo, the government is just being careful in handling the issues in the disputed resource-filled waters as resorting to “provocative acts” may cause armed tension between countries, including China, which has made vast claims to the South China Sea. “There have been concerns made with respect to security of the marine environment with allegations of certain unwanted incursions that have brought damage thereto, but we must remember that they have been made in contested areas,” he said.

“While we promptly made a series of diplomatic protests using the mechanism of diplomacy to assert our rights, we also undertook protective measures even as we are consciously cautious not to perform provocative acts that may trigger armed hostilities between the contesting countries which may risk the lives of our countrymen and cost irreparable damage to our land,” he added.

The Office of the Solicitor General will explain the government’s actions in this regard to the Supreme Court, Panelo said.

“Whatever the outcome of the petition, we assure the nation that this administration is committed to protect the sovereignty of our country and the protection of our marine environment against any and all who will attempt to assault or violate them,” Panelo said.

Amid Chinese incursions on the country’s islands in the West Philippine Sea, the Court on Friday issued a writ of Kalikasan sought by members of the Kalayaan Palawan Farmers and Fisherfolk Association and the Integrated Bar of the Philippines.

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Water agency fine-tunes quake plan

T

HE Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System is finetuning its disaster preparedness program in the wake of the recent earthquakes that jolted Metro Manila and neighbouring provinces.

This was disclosed by MWSS Administrator Reynaldo V. Velasco who said that K-Water and its local partner San Miguel Corporation have concluded the Angat Dam and Dyke Strengthening Project, a big step toward ensuring the structural integrity of Angat Dam to withstand a 7.2 intensity earthquake.

Immediately after the earthquake las April 22, MWSS dispatched various teams of engineers to assess the Angat, Ipo and La Mesa dams.

“Despite the challenges and difficulties that may arise, we have to be aggressive in putting on track our disaster preparedness program as well as in developing dependable alternative new water sources since 96 percent is supplied by Angat Dam. It is not the difficulties that will cripple us in our pursuit but the way we view our difficulties and our choice of priorities,” Velasco said.

The MWSS chief said that to ensure the structural integrity of the Angat Dam, major projects have been undertaken

such as Flood Forecasting and Warning System on Dam Operation amounting to P260.91 Million; and, Flood Control Protection Works (downstream of Angat) amounting to P292.39 million which have been completed at a total cost of P553.30 Million under the Angat Dam and Dyke Strengthening Project. The ADDSP is a project under the MWSS water security roadmap.

The MWSS chief also emphasized the need to collaborate with all stakeholders especially with its concessionaires Manila Water, Maynilad and Bulacan Bulk Water. He pointed out that the water shortage experienced in the East Zone that started last March demonstrated how teamwork can indeed address a crisis.

“Cross-border sharing between Manila Water and Maynilad was among the shortterm solutions to the water crisis,” Velasco said. “The water crisis also resulted in the activation of deep wells to augment dwindling water supply,” he added.

Velasco also stressed the need for a

pragmatic and doable water security plan to cushion the effect of an earthquake that could potentially damage Angat Dam, the primary water source for Metro Manila and neighboring provinces of Rizal and Cavite.

“The need for a new water security plan is now a major concern of the Philippine government and let me emphasize that it’s only under the leadership of President Duterte that an honest to goodness, pragmatic and doable water supply projects are being put in place. More so for the Philippines with growth centers like Metro Manila that greatly depend on one water source like Angat Dam,” he said.

In a joint meeting between the NDRRMC and Earthquake Resiliency Team for the Water Sector, a total of 109 existing deep wells were identified that could be re-activated in case of disaster which are operated by Manila Water and Maynilad.

To ensure water potability, regular maintenance check-up is to be conducted, Velasco said.

A draft Memorandum of Agreement between MWSS through the concessionaires and the National Water Resources Board mandates the conduct of periodic monitoring of water quality.

POPE MEETS PATRIACH.

Pope Francis is welcomed

by Bulgarian Patriarch Neofit at the Palace of the Synod in Sofia. Pope Francis arrived in Bulgaria, where he will meet members of the tiny Catholic community, but the main Orthodox Church has rejected the idea of holding joint prayers with the pontiff. The three-day tour, which also takes place in North Macedonia, includes a visit to a refugee camp on the outskirts of Sofia and a commemoration of Mother Teresa, the most famous native of the Macedonian capital Skopje. AFP

Police...

From A1

Hours after the arrest, Remulla issued a statement admitting that the people the CIDG had arrested are associated with his campaign team and said they were “in the process of distributing their travel allowances for next weeks training.”

“They were raided and accosted and arrested with no charges,” Remulla said.

But the CIDG reported that appropriate charges under the Omnibus Election Code are being readied against the suspects.

Remulla said they had no intention to buy votes and that the acts of his volunteers were part of daily training activities in preparation for next week’s election.

“We don not need to buy votes. We are comfortable with our standings,” Remulla said.

On Friday, the Comelec said it feared a rise in vote buying, particularly at the local level.

Comelec Spokesman James Jimenez noted that even days before the elections, they have been receiving reports of vote buying using cash, grocery items and many other valuables from candidates to lure voters.

“We believe that you should just say no to the bribe… and just vote according to your conscience,” Jimenez said.

Meanwhile, PNP spokesman Col. Bernard Banac said raising the alert status to its highest degree aimed toget plice ready for next week.

“Our policemen will be on standby and

‘Bikoy’...

From A1

In a press conference, Jayme admitted that he was paid P2,500 to build the website early this year by a woman he identified as Maru or Mary Nguyen.

He said he met Nguyen when they both served as volunteers in the campaign of Liberal Party presidential candidate Manuel Roxas II in 2015.

But Jayme denied any links to the LP or Vice President Leni Robredo.

The NBI said Jayme could be used as a state witness and be covered by the Witness Protection Program of the DOJ should he meet the eligibility under the law.

The bureau cited chat messages between Jayme and certain individuals that became basis for filing of inciting to sedition charges against him.

It cited “continuity of their efforts to conduct their scurrilous libelous attacks

monitor and respond to any eventuality,” Banac said in Filipino on radio dzBB. Earlier, he said the PNP will be deploying more than 160,000 men to safeguard the elections.

At present, Banac said the PNP has not monitored any threats from any groups that might disrupt the conduct of elections.

“But we do not take chances. We are not relaxing. That’s why the PNP went on its highest level of alert,” he said.

Banac said around 8,000 were tapped for election duties in the newly-created Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao to maintain peace and order before and during the elections.

He said cops were from the Special Weapons and Tactics unit, Regional Mobile Force Battalion, Highway Patrol Group and other support units and standby groups. He said members of the Bureau of Fire Protection and the Armed Forces will also augment the troops.

Banac reminded the public to report to the police any form of cheating this election period.

He said policemen in coordination with the Metro Manila Development Authority and the Commission on Elections are continuously taking down illegal campaign materials.

In Cagayan de Oro City, authorities are investigating if a politician is the real owner of firearms and ammunition stashed inside a house rented by a woman in Lanao del Norte on Friday.

The suspect was identified by the CIDG-10 s Mary Ann Canoy, 36, resident

of Barangay Labuay in Maigo town, Lanao del Norte.

CIDG-10 said the suspect is a former overseas Filipino worker although investigators did not provide additional information on her personal background.

Canoy was arrested by a joint team of police and military agents when they found firearms and ammunition hidden under the bed inside the house she was renting.

Confiscated were a shotgun, three M16 rifles, two M1 Garand rifles, six pieces bandolier, a .45-caliber pistol and two clips of ammunition, a holster, and three boxes of assorted ammunition.

Maj. Napoleon Carpio, CIDG-10 deputy regional chief, said the suspect may be working for someone else.

“This woman is being utilized by a higher person,” Carpio said in a phone interview Saturday, adding that Canoy insisted that she has no knowledge of the firearms.

If it turns out that a politician may be the actual owner of the firearms confiscated from Canoy, Carpio said it will bolster CIDG-10’s suspicion that loose firearms are being used by goons hired by political candidates to intimidate or harass opponents and their supporters.

Also on Sunday, GMA News reported that some of the official ballots delivered to Manila City Hall past 12 a.m. on Sunday had seals that were noticeably broken.

One of the 12 plastic seals with a barcode that was tied to the locks of the trucks was also broken, GMA News re-

against the government. The conversation also revealed that these attacks are planned and with backing from certain personalities.”

NBI sources revealed that Jayme has already started spilling the beans and is expected to name more individuals involved in the making and uploading of the videos.

Guevarra clarified that contrary to reports, Jayme was not the uploader of the videos but rather only the administrator and registrant of the website that shared the videos online.

The DOJ is expected to release today the resolution on the charges against Jayme following inquest proceedings conducted by Senior Assistant State Prosecutor Anna Noreen Devanadera.

In the series of videos, Bikoy accused the President’s children Paolo and Sara and her husband Manases Carpio as well as Duterte’s partner Cielito “Honeylet” Avanceña and their daughter Kitty of benefitting from illegal drug trade.

On the other hand, Acierto accused former economic adviser Michael Yang and Chinese national Allan Lim of being involved in the drug trade.

On Sunday, Senator Panfilo Lacson said the government should find Bikoy to determine the motive behind the release of the videos and to determine if there was indeed a plan to overthrow the government.

In an interview on radio dzBB, Lacson also said the government had the right to look into the videos.

“The administration has the right to look at this angle because if you want to topple the government, that’s against the law,” Lacson said.

In a news conference at the NBI on Friday, Jayme said “Maru Nguyen” and “Maru Xie,” both supporters of the opposition Liberal Party, asked him to put up the website, assuring him that it would just be used to share articles highlighting the achievements of the previous administration.

ported. With PNA

In case of a disaster, there are nine (9) available mobile water treatment plants, 43 static water tanks, and 79 mobile water tankers that can be deployed. There are also 64 water reservoirs with a total capacity of 1,222 MLD. The Maynilad facility reservoirs have a 711 MLD capacity while that of Manila Water is 511 MLD. MWSS has also crafted a water security roadmap that will provide potable and sustainable water supply in the next 5, 10 and even 50 years with an increase of at least 1,518 MLD by 2022.

Being fast-tracked under the new water security roadmap are the following projects: 150 MLD Putatan (2019); 100 MLD Cardona (2019); 188 MLD Sumag (2020); 50 MLD Rizal Wellfield (2020); 80 MLD Calawis Wawa (2021); 100 MLD Putatan 3 (2022); and 250 MLD Lower Ipo. These, aside from the 600 MLD Kaliwa Dam project whose implementation has begun in 2017 and is expected to be completed in 2023.

Being eyed as medium-term water source projects from 2023 to 2027 are the following: 420 MLD Wawa Dam; 250 MLD East Bay; 350 MLD Bayabas Dam; 550 MLD Angat Norzagaray Phase 2; 250 MLD East Bay; 750 MLD Sierra Madre; and 1,800 MLD Kanan River Phase 1.

Namfrel...

From A1

Aquino aside, the other re-electionists to be endorsed by the NPC, the party founded by former Ambassador Eduardo Cojuangco, are Senators Grace Poe, Cynthia Villar, Sonny Angara and JV Ejercito.

• ONLY three slots are up for grabs by at least 10 candidates who are running for senator in the coming May 13 elections, Senator Panfilo Lacson said Sunday.

Based on the results of surveys conducted by several pollsters, those occupying the ranks of one to nine were already secure in their position, so the rest are fighting for the last three remaining spots to complete the “Winning Circle.”

“So the result of the elections for senator is already predictable. If there will be surprise winners, one or two would be the most, Lacson told DZRH radio on Friday, Namfrel said that since they would not have open access to information and data, they will not be able to participate in the random manual audit.

“Inaccessibility diminishes the verifiability of data separately provided during RMA,” Namfrel said.

Makabayan senatorial candidate Neri Colmenares said such development would make the May elections more prone to cheating and fraud.

“I cannot understand why the Comelec wants to withhold this information from its own accredited watchdog,” Colmenares said in a separate statement.

“If there is just one set of data and there will be no manipulation of the results, what’s there to fear?

“This is a cause for concern especially since Comelec’s lack of transparency may be used by the Duterte administration to rig the elections and ensure the victory of its candidates.”

Marawi civic leader and senatorial candidate Samira Gutoc called on the foreign election monitors to beef up the monitoring to be done by local bodies.

“We urge the foreign election monitors to send additional complements to the vacuum that is provided by the Namfrel,” she said.

NIA...

From A1

While Filipino workers “may be capable enough of doing this,” the collaboration with Chinese workers would make the work faster to shorten the construction period.

The Cordillera People’s Alliance earlier showed a video of some Chinese workers seen at the project site.

“This might have led Mike Cabangon of Kilusang Mayo Uno-Cordillera to say that this is a huge insult to the Filipino workers,” NIA said.

“Mr. Cabangon should have verified his observations before arriving at his conclusion.”

The project could irrigate elevated rice fields through a pumping station, and not through a diversion dam or a reservoir “contrary to what several opposing groups say.”

The project has a total service area of 8,700 hectares that will be provided with water for irrigation, and 4,350 farmer-beneficiaries and their families will benefit from it.

NIA says the project could provide 14,784 jobs during its implementation and 8,700 permanent jobs when it becomes operational.

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Opinion

MONDAY, MAY 6, 2019

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The final push NEXT Monday, some 40 to 43 million Filipinos will troop to the polling precincts to cast their vote for 12 senators, one congressman, a party-list group, a governor or city mayor, a municipal mayor, and a host of other local officials to include board members, vice-mayors and councilors.

As I always maintain, we elect far too many officials, and yet suffer for the most part and for the longest time from poor governance, notwithstanding their number.

Strategies and tactics have by now been set by the candidates and their handlers for the final push. Assuming that periodic measurements of how the candidate stands in the electoral derby are properly done, and are appreciated for what they are, as tools for crafting strategy and operations, the final two weeks are critical to winning or losing.

I underline “properly done periodic measurements” because some candidates fool themselves with self-serving surveys, using these as a propaganda tool or a means to raise funds instead of as basis for correct strategy.

This being mid-term elections, a 70 percent voter turn-out should be more or less the norm. It could in fact be lower because there are so many provinces, cities and municipalities where the elections are a no-contest. Bereft of credible opponents, local candidates are not expected to mobilize their supporters and bring them to the polling place next Monday.

There are some tightly-contested races though, such as in Manila and Malabon in the National Capital Region, Cebu City, Iloilo City and province among others, and several congressional districts all over the country where the final push is all-important.

This time also, the last four slots in the senatorial derby are hotly contested by as many as eight candidates. And who comes out Numero Uno is contested by three, namely, Grace Poe, Cynthia Villar and Bong Go. Secure likewise, based on the latest

Adelle Chua, Editor

EDITORIAL

publicly-divulged and privately-commissioned surveys I have seen are Pia Cayetano, Nancy Binay, Lito Lapid, Sonny Angara and Bato de la Rosa.

While this is not cast in stone, as nothing in politics is, the numbers show that unless some kind of a tectonic shift in the public mood happens between now and next Monday, they shall be in the Senate of the 18th Congress.

Who gets to finally make it in the last four slots is too difficult to predict, with the numbers still too close as of midApril, a month before the elections.

Have they shifted their communications strategy, tweaked their advertising? For instance, it seems that Bam Aquino has gained several points ahead of Mar Roxas in the same Otso Diretso non-ticket. Is it because Bam has been more visible, more active in the hustings? Is it because he has a more attractive message? Did the Lacson en-

Some candidates fool themselves with selfserving surveys, using these as a propaganda tool or a means to raise funds instead of as basis for correct strategy. dorsement which he used in his TV ads help?

And while Chel Diokno and Erin Tanada, with surnames which are hallowed in political history, have gained several points in the last two or three months, the generational gap and the average Filipino’s short memories were not surmounted enough. They still languish in single-digit territory.

So who are battling it out for the last remaining four slots?

Francis Tolentino and Koko Pimentel, JV Ejercito and Jinggoy Estrada, Imee Marcos and Bong Revilla, Mar Roxas and Serge Osmena, not necessarily in that order of enumeration. Neither, I hasten to explain, am I endorsing anybody in this article.

Both surveys show that the vote con-

R

Incredible suggestions

ECENT statements from the Palace do little to add to the credibility of a recent expose linking journalists and lawyers to a supposed plot to oust the President.

The diagram—called a “matrix” to lend it some credence—was first published by the Manila Times, which suggested, without offering any evidence, that journalists from the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ), the Vera Files and Rappler as well as lawyers from the National Union of People's Lawyers would plant fake news, “manipulate public emotion, touch base with the leftist organization, enlist the support of the police and the military, then go for the ‘kill’.”

On the same day, presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo said the diagram had come from the President, and that people should believe it for that very reason.

“The source of that is from the Office of the President, from the President himself,” Panelo said.

“I think [it’s reliable] considering he is the President. He has so many sources, so that’s validated,” he continued. “And since it’s from the President, you should believe it.”

On Thursday, however, the Palace official seemed less certain of the provenance of the diagram he discussed, saying “someone” he did not recognize sent it to him in a text message.

“He (Duterte) did not give me anything. He wasn’t the one who gave it to me; it’s just that someone sent me the matrix,” the official said.

“He (Duterte) asked me to discuss it in the briefing and then somebody sent me a matrix,” he added, saying he “reasonably assumed” that the diagram that was sent to him was the one that the President initially talked about.

On Friday, Panelo returned to the same issue, denying he had contradicted his own statements.

Panelo, also the President’s chief legal counsel, said “once and for all” that the source of the matrix is the President, who called him with “the instruction to touch and discuss it” during the April 22 briefing.

Characteristically, he blamed

members of the press for a misunderstanding he created.

Worse still, the Palace spokesman said there was no need to substantiate the allegations against the journalists and lawyers named in the expose.

“Those named in the matrix demand proof of their participation in the ouster plot. Such is totally unnecessary. The matrix shows that there is an ouster plot. It is just a plot, a plan, an idea. The same is not actionable in court, it being just a conspiracy,” he said in a statement.

The suggestion, of course, is ludicrous.

Given the gravity of the accusation and the fact that the diagram identifies members of a so-called plot to overthrow the government, it is an absolute necessity that the Palace substantiate its allegations.

Otherwise, the government would have free rein to smear anybody's reputation without a shred of evidence.

The suggestion, too, that we should all accept the veracity of this diagram simply because it came from the President is even more ridiculous—and unworthy of any thinking man or woman.

Turn to A5

Smart tech the new tool for African farmers

By David Esnault HOW do you manage the trick of feeding school children better and at a lower cost?

How do you count the number of mangoes on your farm so that you get a fair price?

And what's a clever-but-cheap way for a farmer to cut down his irrigation bill?

Agriculture in sub-Saharan Africa may have the image of relentless toil and low productivity, but experts say new tech is changing the picture.

Farmers, crop buyers and other sector professionals have started to harness smart gadgets and crunch numbers to improve productivity, reduce costs and smooth out wrinkles in the markets, they say.

'Digital revolution' "There's a digital revolution unfolding in Africa," says Pascal Bonnet, a deputy director of CIRAD, the French Agricultural Research Centre for International Development.

"Around the continent, there are excellent researchers in information technology—digital agriculture is a real opportunity for qualified young Africans."

The idea of directly linking farmers to consumers, cutting out wholesalers and stores is a familiar story in Europe and North America.

Awa Thiam, a 28-year-old telecoms engineer, is following suit in her native Senegal.

The company she founded, Lifantou, connects school canteens with farming cooperatives with the help of big data.

"There's a huge need for this," Thiam said, showcasing her work at an agri-tech conference in Dakar last month.

"Today, between 25 and 50 percent

of the cost of school meals goes to intermediaries, but schools have limited budgets. If you shorten the supply chain, canteens can bring down the cost of meals and offer the children more varied menus."

Her one-stop platform draws on a databank of crop production and schools to match potential demand with supply.

It group-purchases to lower the cost for schools and in a final flourish organises the transport of the goods, with operations monitored in real time.

Counting by mobile A project called Pix Fruit, meanwhile, aims to help farmers who have until now estimated their mango crop by counting the fruit on a bunch of trees and then extrapolating for the whole plantation.

This rough-and-ready method has considerable room for error.

Emile Faye, a French researcher in digital agro-ecology who works for Pix Fruit, says the margin for mistakes could be as much as a factor of 10.

A purchaser, for instance, could pay the price for two tonnes of mangos while taking delivery of 20 tons from the farmer, although errors may go either way.

Pix Fruit's alternative uses advanced modeling software to produce a more precise count of the crop.

Using a smartphone, the farmer takes photos of a selection of trees in his fields.

Fruit-recognition technology then calculates the likely overall harvest, drawing on a databank compiled with the help of drones that also includes information on climate, soil and administrative constraints.

That way, farmers learn the true Turn to A5

Tired to trendy: Architects give Russian provinces urban makeover

By Thibaut Marchand FOR decades, the banks of the river flowing through the Russian city of Belgorod were in a sorry state of disrepair.

"It was hard to get down to the water, and it was really filthy in places," said architect Jezi Stankevic.

Now reeds line the waterfront and teenagers lounge on wooden boardwalks that extend right across the river, overlooked by a wooden amphitheater.

The idea of creating pleasant public spaces might not seem groundbreaking

but it is only just taking root in Sovietplanned cities like Belgorod, some 600 kilometers (370 miles) south of Moscow.

Such cities were built with the aim of fulfilling production targets rather than responding to the needs of residents, says Daria Paramonova, of the Strelka architecture firm leading the project.

The Moscow-based firm has been awarded a contract to oversee the regeneration of 40 cities under a government program launched in 2017.

The ongoing drive is "the largest ur-

ban regeneration project in post-Soviet Russia," according to Strelka.

It comes as the country struggles to halt a tide of young people moving from the provinces to the capital in search of opportunities.

Qualify of life?

Paramonova said that the notion of "quality of life" was initially alien to residents, whose needs and wishes had formerly not been a priority for city planners.

"Now we say that what's important Turn to A5

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Opinion Do your part for clean, credible elections WITH barely a week to go before the midterm elections, the political stage is understandably fraught. The polls represent one of the most definite hallmarks of Philippine democracy, and the country’s ability to conduct clean and credible elections obviously carries a lot of political weight.

Some quarters, acting on self-interest, are hell-bent on discrediting the process even before it begins. The 2016 automated elections, despite being widely seen as one of the most credible and efficient in recent history, became the target of malicious allegations of cheating, with one case even reaching the Supreme Court sitting as the Presidential Electoral Tribunal.

And only recently a video showing pre-shaded ballots circulated online, supposedly proving that the polls would be rigged to favor certain candidates. Commission on Elections (Comelec) Executive Director Jose Tolentino called the video “obviously staged” and explained that there was no way that the vote counting machines (VCM) could detect the ultraviolet (UV) marks.

The UV mark in official ballots are part of its security features to preserve their authenticity but were not placed on the oval preceding the name of a candidate, Tolentino said, adding that every ballot has a QR code that contains its serial number and precinct assignment.

He explained further that If the UV marks of the Comelec and the NPO [National Printing Office] are not found on the ballot, the VCM will reject it. And the UV marks also have a specific composition, (the) ink. So, if you use a different composition, it won’t work. If you attempt to fake a ballot, it will be rejected.

Comelec spokesman James Jimenez said the poll body also used a unique kind of paper for the official ballots, in addition to the invisible markings that would be difficult to copy.

On Friday, Comelec announced that it had completed the review and certification of the last three source codes that will serve as necessary safeguards for the software components of the automated election system. They passed the scrutiny of both Pro V and V, their international certification entity, and local source code

reviewers, Tolentino said.

“None of them [bore] any malicious code embedded in the source codes,” he declared.

For citizen-led initiative Democracy Watch, independent observers and analysts, it was automation that spelled the difference between “the dark days of manual elections” and the digital age, in which this level of security was possible.

“There was no turning back since.

With automation minimizing human intervention, the succeeding elections saw faster and faster proclamations and fewer and fewer incidents of poll-related violence,” the group said in a statement.

Vote buying is the most damaging crime that perpetuates corruption throughout the government system with the poor population as its biggest victim.

Another positive development, Democracy Watch said, is Comelec finally taking the technological reins so to speak from private company Smartmatic after several elections cycle. The upcoming polls will see the poll body running the automated elections “completely on its own,” with Smartmatic’s role steadily diminishing over the last few cycles, from being involved in around 30 different processes in 2010, limited to a vendor and support role in 2019.

“It’s a testament to the soundness of the automated election system that it lends itself really well to being taught and transferred,” it said.

Confirming this assessment, all the nationwide surveys conducted after the 2016 polls indicate a broad and overwhelming confidence in the automated system. In particular, almost all respondents think that the release of the election results was fast (92 percent), that the conduct of the polls was orderly (93 percent), and that they didn’t observe any incidence of election-related violence (95 percent). Majority also described the results as believable (89 percent).

There were other noteworthy feats achieved during the 2016 polls also attributable to automation. More than

Tired...

fallen and regeneration projects have slipped right down the agenda.

While some have questioned how From A4 Belgorod will maintain costly new facilis keeping things human," she added, ities, those using them—from students stressing the role of public consultations at a nearby university to young mothers before taking decisions. with pushchairs—say they have been a Residents of Belgorod, a provincial hit since opening in November 2017. city of some 400,000 inhabitants that was rebuilt after World War II, attended "It has really got prettier," said Yelepublic meetings and were able to vote na, a 38-year-old quality control speonline for their favorite design project. cialist walking in the spring sunshine.

The riverside area where people can "You're in the centre of the city but now stroll, play sports and walk their you don't hear any traffic noise. I'd even dogs, is just the start. call it calming."

The goal is to extend walkways and Moscow's impact cycle paths for 20 km along the river.

Since 2010, the Kremlin has spent Strelka took charge for the initial billions of dollars on improving public stages and will advise local officials and spaces, particularly through a federal architects on the rest. program that has handed out 42.2 billion Other cities lined up for a makeover rubles ($670 million, 600 million euros) of their public spaces include Russia's for renovation work. third biggest city Ekaterinburg, VladiAnd President Vladimir Putin last vostok, Grozny, where a new park was year asked the government to double its created, and Novosibirsk. contributions to create a "comfortable Popular urban environment".

Like many Russian cities, Belgorod Paramonova highlighted the posihas seen an exodus of young people tive impact that Moscow's successful— since the breakup of the Soviet Union and costlier—"My Street" renovation in 1991 and closure of many local fac- scheme had had on getting the provintories. cial rejuvenation project off the ground.

As a result, budgetary revenues have Initiated in 2015, it radically changed

The final...

From A4

version of these eight are in the mid-20s to the upper 30s, while the first eight are already doing more than 40 percentage points. To get inside the magic circle will require at least a third of the electorate’s vote, which is 33 to 35 percent.

A good final push strategy combined with enough resources and ground capability could push someone in the 30s or even high 20s to gain five to six points more within a month’s time. Conversely, bad strategy and poor execution can shave off the same number from someone in the upper 30’s downwards.

For the eight names mentioned in the surveys, it will be very, very close. As for those whose numbers are even below 20, such as Juan Ponce Enrile, Dong Mangudadatu, Freddie Aguilar, Jiggy Manicad and Doc Willie Ong (whose showing is remarkable given his running independent of any party or grouping and with very little resources), it will be very difficult to close the gap, given the time left. But then again, who knows?

Miracles do happen.

The privately-commissioned survey shows very high endorsement value for the president and Mayor Inday Sara, at 63 percent and 46 percent respectively (will surely vote for) and only 20 percent and 28 percent downside (will not

44 million Filipinos trooped to their respective precincts, which translated to an 81.7 percent turnout, one of the highest in recent memory. The process also saw the largest deployment of VCMs not only in the region but the world, with the incidence of glitches statistically negligible.

And just how fast was the transmission? Comelec was able to transmit some 86 percent of all the votes by election night, a feat considering the archipelagic layout of the country and a big diasporic population.

This also represents a leap from the 59 and 57 percent recorded in 2010 and 2013, respectively. Ten days after the elections, almost all the 18,000 or so elective positions had been proclaimed.

But most importantly, the combination of these factors—speed and efficiency—led to an overwhelming integrity and credibility of a process that used to be plagued by fraud, violence, and inefficiency.

This track record, in addition to further efforts by Comelec and other stakeholders, ought to overshadow the obviously politicized efforts to discredit what has turned out to be a credible and transparent system, a boon for Philippine democracy and instrumental in the seamless transfer of power and legitimacy of the candidates who had won.

And as much as there is trust in the system, we must remain vigilant.

Vote buying has become the default option for some politicians to cheat their way to another corrupt term.

How else can they recover the hundreds of millions of cash doled out on the final days before elections?

Vote buying is the most damaging crime that perpetuates corruption throughout the government system with the poor population as its biggest victim. The COMELEC should focus more resources and use military force if need be to apprehend and prosecute these criminals who are undermining the values of our democracy.

The upcoming polls represent another chance for the country—not just the government—to elect leaders with integrity and the qualifications for public service. A chance to demonstrate that our democracy remains to be true and robust. As citizens, you can do your part. There are opportunities in particular for our young and energetic voters to volunteer, for instance to the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting through one’s parish.

Let us be aware and act to protect our democracy.

the face of the capital ahead of the 2018 football World Cup. The project's costs controversially soared to 126 billion rubles and it was tarnished by accusations of corruption by municipal authorities.

But Muscovites now rarely recall the three summers of noisy, dusty renovation work.

Retaining human capital Paramonova acknowledges that it is tricky to bring the same ideas to the provinces "where there is less money and more problems."

But she hopes that Strelka's work will encourage local architects to develop their own projects.

Making provincial cities more attractive places to live in is crucial to ensuring their survival, according to local authorities.

People working in Belgorod earn less than half the average wage in the capital.

"Today all cities are fighting to retain their 'human capital' and trying to create living conditions that will dissuade residents from leaving for Moscow or elsewhere," said Belgorod region's deputy governor in charge of urban planning, Yevgeny Glagolyev.

"We have to do this too." AFP

vote for). The numbers are stacked in favor of those they endorsed. And the President’s net satisfaction rating is very high. There is however no one-on-one correlation between the high endorsement value and the vote conversion of the candidates.

Then there are the “solid” voting blocs to consider, whether regional or religious. Who the religious groups with a track-record for member compliance will endorse this week will matter in very close contests such as this. Will the religious bloc(s) be segurista and endorse purely on the basis of winnability? Or will they take a more discerning, more principled stand in deciding who among the eight they will include in the

MONDAY, MAY 6, 2019

A5

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Cute or creepy: why humans love some species, loathe others

By Amélie Bottollier-Depois THE Chinese giant salamander, the largest amphibian in the world, is not cute.

Weighing as much as an adult human, it has slimy brown skin, a giant mouth curled to a gormless grin, and puny, mistrustful eyes.

It is also one of the world's most endangered species.

And yet, unlike its compatriot the giant panda, the giant salamander rarely makes the news.

Why do some animals strike a chord with humans, prompting them to donate millions towards their conservation, while others draw little more than disgust?

And is a sad-eyed panda really worth saving more than a slimy salamander?

Size, intelligence, behavior, rarity, how closely an animal resembles the human form—all play a part in our reaction to various endangered creatures.

"One of the biggest factors is 'cuteness': physical characteristics such as big eyes and soft features that elicit our parental instincts because they remind us of human infants," Hal Herzog, emeritus professor at West Carolina University's Department of Psychology, told AFP. An expert in human-animal relationships, Herzog said the dark rings around pandas' eyes triggered humans nurturing instincts.

"Compare that to the Chinese giant salamander," he said. "Google it. It looks like a six-foot-long, 150-pound bag of brown slime with beady little eyes."

The salamanders are a vital part of their ecosystem, just as worms are essential to soil health around the steams and lakes they live in—which is just about everywhere.

Yet, like maggots, rats and snakes, the main instinct they inspire in humans is revulsion.

'Learned' disgust According to Graham Davey, a specialist in phobias from the University of Sussex's School of Psychology, we learn to revile certain creatures at a young age.

"Disgust is a learned emotion. Babies are not born with it... it's probably transmitted socially, culturally and within families," he said.Some animals are reviled due to their resemblance to "primary disgusting things" such as mucus or feces, Davey said, while others are perceived—rightly or wrongly—to pose a direct danger to the beholder.

"In terms of threat to humankind, disease and illness are bigger than being attacked by an animal," he said.

This might explain why most of us don't find lions and bears repellant— they are covered with the same type of soft fur that coat cuddly toys for children, even if it might be better to avoid

Smart Tech...

one in real life.

An orca by any other name As with most things, popular culture has a huge effect on how society perceives animals.

Whereas the movie "Free Willy" prompted a wave of sympathy for the protection of endangered orcas, "Arachnophobia" hardly helped spiders' cause.

See also: "Jaws" for sharks.

Even the depiction of fictional creatures can have a knock-on effect on public perception towards certain animals.

Take the main being in "Alien", for example.

"Seeing the one from the first film that had that mucus-y drawl dripping from the alien's mouth... sensitizes people to disgusting things," Davey said.

Nor is it just the public at large who are liable to "speciesism", or discrimination against other species in favor of our own.

A study in 2017 found a strong correlation between society's preferred animals and those most studied in scientific research.

"Maybe that's because it's easier to get money" to study well-known animals, said Frederic Legendre, a researcher at France's National History Museum.

And popular species make money in return, according to Christo Fabricius from WWF—a conservation group indelibly linked to its panda logo.

"Reptiles, for example, are not very marketable," he said.

'Protect species, protect habitat' Not that favoring certain cute or charismatic species is necessarily a bad thing for conservation.

"When we protect an iconic species, we protect their habitat and therefore all the organisms within it also benefit," said Legendre.

But such species can become a victim of their own popularity.

One recent study suggested that a "virtual" presence of wild animals such as elephants and tigers—be that on computer screens, T-shirts or in children's books—can fool people into thinking they are more common in the wild than they really are.

The populations of most megafauna—from hippos to giraffes and gorillas—remain in peril.

Then there's the risk of poaching.

The rarer the species "the more value they provide for traditional medicine, for trophy hunting, and therefore they are poached more often," said Franck Courchamp, an ecologist at France's National Centre for Scientific Research.

So the next time you see a picture of a Giant Chinese Salamander, remember that there's more to saving Earth's wild species than looks. AFP

worth of their crop, while wholesalers and price negotiators have a better take on the risk of glut or undersupply.

The system, jointly developed by CIRAD and the Senegalese Institute for Agricultural Research, could be extended to coffee, lychees and citrus fruits.

Market info That the smart phone should play such a central role is no surprise.

The advent of the mobile helped Africa to leapfrog the cost of installing landlines, spurring innovative use, from ride-sharing to money transfer.

The pioneering work is now spreading into the rural world.

The continent's third-most downloaded apps, according to Africa.com, is Esoko, which collects and shares crop prices, provides weather information and farming tips, and arranges payment via a mobile money system.

It operates in Benin, Burkina Faso, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Malawi, Madagascar, Mozambique and Zimbabwe.

The Widim Pump, made by a Dakar firm called Nano Air, is a box controlled by SMS messages that a farmer sends to manage his irrigation system.

The savings are substantial, even for poor peasant families, says Oumar Basse, a 27-year-old engineer and the company's co-founder.

"There's no more need for the farmer to walk several kilometers every day or use up fuel or hire someone to monitor the pumps.

"He can switch on the water or turn off the supply using his mobile phone."

With 12 employees after two years in operation, Nanoair has sold 250 Widim systems and received orders from Morocco and Zambia.

Basse has also founded another firm helping with handling deliveries and after-sales services. AFP

last four slots?

As for the regional vote, that is a matter of tactical maneuver, and the sorry possibility of a party-mate junking the rest of the ticket could tilt the balance.

But then again, how “solid” is solid in this digital age? How “tribal” are our young people still? And how entrenched is the machinery needed for such tactical maneuver?

In any case, the final election results, by province and region, will clearly show who did what. *** Last week I wrote about how the overseas voting was being conducted in Taiwan and unwittingly credited Comelec for the initiative of coming up with

an animated video to instruct voters on how to cast their vote at the polling precinct.

The video it turns out was part of the efforts of MECO staff to guide our kababayans on voting procedures. A young, recently hired information assistant should get the credit for the production of the video under the tutelage of my executive assistant who doubles up as information officer.

As of this writing, some 12 to 13 percent of the registered voters in Taiwan have actually voted. We expect more this week-end and especially towards the next. In previous mid-term elections, voter turn-out in Taiwan was less than 25 percent.

From A4

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MONDAY, MAY 6, 2019

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PH book bags 2019 Gold Quill Award THE coffee table book “On the March: The Jesuits in the Philippines Since the Restoration” has won a merit award in the 2019 Gold Quill Awards of the International Association of Business Communicators.

Media Wise Communications won the Gold Quill for the coffee table book, the only entry from the Philippines for the Publications category.

Media Wise joined four other winning entries from the Philippines out of the 202 winners worldwide, namely Jollibee Foods Corp. and Stratworks, Inc.; Aboitiz Group; PAGEONE Group and Center for Health Solutions and Innovations Philippines, Inc.; and ABS-CBN Corporation.

This is the second Gold Quill for Media Wise, having won its first merit award in 2017 with the book “Jesuits in Mindanao: The Mission.”

The coffee table book was conceived as a fundraising project for the Philippine Jesuit Aid Association, an institution headed by Fr. Jose Quilongquilong that aids the elderly, retired and infirm Jesuits, as well as the promotion of Jesuit vocations in the Philippine province.

“On the March” chronicled the journey of the Jesuits as they bring the Catholic faith to the most remote corners of the Philippines.

The book focused on their ministry in education throughout the years, and the many aspects of their apostolate in the country.

Media Wise Communications president Ramoncito Ocampo Cruz and Manuel Engwa served as executive co-publishers of the book.

'Brace for NPA attacks ahead of polls' M

By Francisco Tuyay

ILITARY and police forces in Bicol region and Mindoro province on Sunday rolled out their election security plans amid possible attacks from the New People's Army.

Joint Task Force Bicolandia commander Maj. Gen. Fernando Trinidad said with seven days to go before the midterm polls, NPA rebels have stepped up their attacks.

On Saturday, fighting erupted in Sitio Burong-Burong in Libmanan, Camarines Sur after NPA rebels destroyed a wa-

ter system in the community, leaving a soldier, two civilian volunteers and four civilians wounded.

The NPA also attacked nearby village and similarly burned the pipes of a water system in Brgy Cambalidio.

Also on Saturday, Army troopers engaged NPA rebels

in an hour-long firefight in Sitio Buswak in Bongabong, Oriental Mindoro.

"This kind of desperate move is a clear manifestation that they are the perpetrators of human rights abuses. They do not consider the welfare of the civilians in all of their actions,” Trinidad said.

“We hope that we could be of help to the wounded civilian victims in bringing the terrorists to justice and pay for their crimes. We assure you that our troopers will not rest in hunting down these terrorists" he added.

In Bicol, the Commission on Elections placed 59 municipalities under Orange Category or areas of immediate concern while 21 others were tagged under Red Category or areas of grave concern.

“We are aware of the importance of our role in the election process that is why we are intensifying our efforts to prevent the lawless elements particularly the NPA from conducting atrocities to make sure that our people can freely exercise their right to suffrage with no worries,” Trinidad said.

Gatchalian: Assign qualified lifeguards in all public pools

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

GOOD WITH HIS HANDS. The Department of Tourism showcases the rich culinary heritage of Calabarzon. One of the highlights of the event is the presentation of artisans who produced impressive carvings, including an eagle, from a watermelon fruit. Teddy Pelaez

SENATOR Sherwin Gatchalian is pushing for the mandatory assignment of qualified lifeguards in all public swimming pools and bathing facilities in the country.

“Of the 56 deaths that occurred this past Holy Week, 80 percent or 45 cases were due to drowning. This only emphasizes the need to have lifeguards in swimming and bathing facilities,” Gatchalian said, citing data from the Philippine National Police.

Gatchalian said his Senate Bill No. 997 addresses the often-disregarded essential requirement of the presence of a lifeguard in swimming pools and bathing areas by establishing a formula, based on World Health Organization standards, for the number of lifeguards required to be on duty.

The measure requires each public swimming pool to have at least one qualified lifeguard for every 250 meters of pool area during operating hours.

The lifeguard must be certified by any nationally-recognized organization accredited by the Department of Health.

The proposed legislation also mandates the DOH to strictly impose the lifeguard requirement and increases the criminal liabilities of pool operators who fail to comply.

It also requires pool operators to provide the appropriate local government unit with a certification and supporting documents to prove that they have hired and are currently employing the required number of lifeguards.

The LGUs, meanwhile, are tasked to ensure compliance of all public swimming pools through periodic inspections coordinated by local health officers.

“Taon-taon na lang may mga nalulunod at namamatay dahil kulang o walang kakayanan ang mga pool facilities na sagipin at iligtas ang mga biktima. It is high time that these very preventable deaths are stopped,” Gatchalian said.

RULES OF PROCEDURE IN IMPEACHMENT PROCEEDINGS Republic of the Philippines House of Representatives 17th Congress

answer the complaint within ten (10) days from receipt of notice thereof and serve a copy of the answer to the complainant(s). No motion to dismiss shall be allowed within the period to answer the complaint.

RULE I Applicability of Rules

The answer, which shall be under oath, may include affirmative defenses.

If the respondent fails or refuses to file an answer within the reglementary period, the respondent is deemed to have interposed a general denial to the complaint. Within three (3) days from receipt of the answer, the complainant may file a reply, serving a copy thereof to the respondent who may file a rejoinder within three (3) days from receipt of the reply, serving a copy thereof to the complainant. If the complainant fails to file a reply, all the material allegations in the answer are deemed controverted. Together with their pleadings, the parties shall file their affidavits or counter-affidavits, as the case may be, with their documentary evidence. Such affidavits or counteraffidavits shall be subscribed before the Chairperson of the Committee on Justice or the Secretary General. Notwithstanding all the foregoing, failure to file an answer will not preclude the respondent from presenting evidence to support the defenses.

Section 1. Applicability of Rules.—These Rules shall apply to all proceedings for impeachment in the House of Representatives against the President, Vice-President, the Members of the Supreme Court, the Members of the Constitutional Commissions and the Ombudsman for culpable violation of the Constitution, treason, bribery, graft and corruption, other high crimes or betrayal of public trust.

RULE II Initiating Impeachment Section 2. Mode of Initiating Impeachment.—Impeachment shall be initiated by the filing and subsequent referral to the Committee on Justice of:1 a.

a verified complaint for impeachment filed by any Member of the House of Representatives or;

b.

a verified complaint filed by any citizen upon a resolution of endorsement by any Member thereof; or

c.

a verified complaint or resolution of impeachment filed by at least one-third (1/3) of all the Members of the House.

Section 3. Filing and Referral of Verified Complaints.—A verified complaint for impeachment by a Member of the House or by any citizen upon a resolution of endorsement by any Member thereof shall be filed with the office of the Secretary General and immediately referred to the Speaker.

An impeachment complaint is verified by an affidavit that the complainant has read the complaint and that the allegations therein are true and correct of his personal knowledge or based on authentic records.

An impeachment complaint required to be verified which contains a verification based on “information and belief”, or upon “knowledge, information and belief,” or lacks a proper verification, shall be treated as an unsigned impeachment complaint.

The Speaker shall have it included in the Order of Business within ten (10) session days from receipt. It shall then be referred to the Committee on Justice within three (3) session days thereafter.

RULE III Finding Probable Cause for Impeachment A. COMMITTEE PROCEEDINGS Section 4. Determination of Sufficiency in Form.—Upon due referral, the Committee on Justice shall determine whether the complaint is sufficient in form. If the committee finds that the complaint is insufficient in form, it shall return the same to the Secretary General within three (3) session days with a written explanation of the insufficiency. The Secretary General shall return the same to the complainant(s) together with the committee’s written explanation within three (3) session days from receipt of the committee resolution finding the complaint insufficient in form.

Section 5. Determination of Sufficiency in Substance.—Should the committee find the complaint sufficient in form, it shall then determine if the complaint is sufficient in substance. The requirement of substance is met if there is a recital of facts constituting the offense charged and determinative of the jurisdiction of the committee. If the committee finds that the complaint is not sufficient in substance, it shall dismiss the complaint and shall submit its report as provided hereunder.

Section 6. Notice to Respondents and Time to Plead.—If the committee finds the complaint sufficient in form and substance, it shall immediately furnish the respondent(s) with a copy of the resolution and/or verified complaint, as the case may be, with written notice that the respondent shall

1 The Supreme Court decision in Francisco et al. vs. House of Representatives (GR No. 160261, 10 November 2003), states that Impeachment proceedings are initiated upon filing of the complaint and/or resolution and its referral to the Committee on Justice.

When there are more than one respondent, each shall be furnished with a copy of the verified complaint of a Member of the House or a copy of the verified complaint of a private citizen together with the resolution of endorsement thereof by a Member of the House of Representatives and a written notice to answer. In this case, reference to respondent in these Rules shall be understood as respondents.

B. HOUSE ACTION Section 11. Vote Required for Approval.—A vote of at least one-third (1/3) of all the Members of the House is necessary for the approval of the resolution setting forth the Articles of Impeachment. If the resolution is approved by the required vote, it shall then be endorsed to the Senate.

On the other hand, should the resolution fail to secure approval by the required vote, it shall result in the dismissal of the complaint for impeachment.

Section 12. Where Dismissal Recommended.—When the report of the Committee on Justice dismisses the complaint, it shall submit to the House a resolution for the dismissal of the verified complaint and/or resolution of impeachment. A vote of at least one-third (1/3) of all the Members of the House shall be necessary to override such resolution, in which case the Committee on Justice shall forthwith prepare the Articles of Impeachment.

Section 13. Vote by Roll Call.—The voting on a resolution with the Articles of Impeachment of the Committee on Justice or a contrary resolution dismissing the impeachment complaint shall be by roll call, and the Secretary General shall record the vote of each Member.

RULE IV Verified Complaint/Resolution

by One-Third of Members

Section 7. Submission of Evidence and Memoranda.—After receipt of the pleadings, affidavits and counter-affidavits and relevant documents provided for in Section 6, or the expiration of the time within which they may be filed, the Committee shall determine whether the complaint alleges sufficient grounds for impeachment.

Section 14. Endorsement of the Complaint/Resolution to the Senate.—A verified complaint/resolution of impeachment filed by at least one-third (1/3) of all the Members of the House shall constitute the Articles of Impeachment, and in this case the verified complaint/resolution shall be endorsed to the Senate in the same manner as an approved bill of the House.

If it finds that sufficient grounds for impeachment do not exist, the Committee shall dismiss the complaint and submit the report required hereunder. If the Committee finds that sufficient grounds for impeachment exist, the Committee shall conduct a hearing. The Committee, through the Chairperson, may limit the period of examination and cross-examination by members of the Committee. The Committee shall have the power to issue compulsory processes for the attendance of witnesses and the production of documents and other related evidence.

The complaint/resolution must, at the time of filing, be verified and sworn to before the Secretary General by each of the Members constituting at least one-third (1/3) of all the Members of the House.

Hearings before the Committee shall be open to the public except when the security of the State or public interest requires that the hearings be held in executive session.

The contents of the verification shall be as follows: “We, after being sworn in accordance with law, depose and state: That we are the complainants in the above-entitled complaint/resolution of impeachment; that we have caused the said complaint/resolution to be prepared and have read the contents thereof; and that the allegations therein are true of our own knowledge and belief on the basis of our reading and appreciation of documents and other records pertinent thereto. ______________” (Signature)

After the submission of evidence, the Committee may require the submission of memoranda, after which the matter shall be submitted for resolution.

Section 8. Protection to Complainants or Witnesses.—The House may, upon proper petition, provide adequate protection to a complainant or witness if it is shown that the personal safety of the complainant or witness is in jeopardy because of participating in the impeachment proceeding.

Section 9. Report and Recommendation.—The Committee on Justice after hearing, and by a majority vote of all its Members, shall submit its report to the House containing its findings and recommendations within sixty (60) session days from the referral to it of the verified complaint and/or resolution.

Together with the report shall be a formal resolution of the Committee regarding the disposition of the complaint which shall be calendared for consideration by the House within ten (10) session days from receipt thereof.

If the Committee finds by a vote of the majority of all its Members that a probable cause exists on the basis of the evidence adduced before the Committee, it shall submit with its report a resolution setting forth the Articles of Impeachment. Otherwise, the complaint shall be dismissed subject to Section 11 of these Rules.

Section 10. Report to be Calendared.—The Committee on Rules shall calendar the report and the accompanying resolution of the Committee on Justice regarding the disposition of the complaint in accordance with the Rules of the House of Representatives. The House shall dispose of the report within sixty (60) session days from its submission by the Committee on Justice.

RULE V Bar Against Impeachment Section 15. Scope of Bar.—No impeachment proceeding shall be initiated against the same official more than once within a period of one (1) year.

RULE VI Prosecutor in All Impeachment Proceedings Section 16. Impeachment Prosecutor.—The House of Representatives shall act as the prosecutor at the trial in the Senate through a committee of eleven (11) Members thereof to be elected by a majority vote of the Members present, there being a quorum.

RULE VII Applicability of the Rules of Court Section 17. Rules of Procedure.—The Rules of Court shall, as far as practicable, apply to impeachment proceedings before the House.

Adopted, January 22, 2019

News Senate bets hitch wagon to Angkas safety fest IN A rare event, several senatorial candidates came together for the Angkas Safety Fiesta and called for the resumption of the appbased ride-hailing service while pushing for the rights of motorcycle riders.

Senatorial candidates Grace Poe, Bam Aquino, Chel Diokno, Bato dela Rosa, and JV Ejercito joined the Safety Fiesta to support Angkas’ efforts to propagate the proper safety training of motorcycle riders in the Philippines.

The senatoriables were joined

by Rep. Winston Castelo, the chair of the House Committee on Metro Manila Development, and wife Councilor Precious Hipolito-Castelo.

The senatoriables and the other candidates agreed that it was high time for the government to carry out the legalization and regulation of motorcycle taxis.

They also called for the resumption of Angkas’ operations, stressing that the non-action on the part of the concerned government agencies constitutes a continuing violation of motorcycle riders’ rights especially since Angkas has been providing a decent source of livelihood for thousands of motorcycle owners in the country, aside from helping Filipinos in their daily commuting woes.

The Angkas Safety Fiesta is a series of events that aim to promote motorcycle road safety among Filipinos. The most recent event was held at Vertis North, Quezon City and featured a safety seminar, an earthquake response briefing, and preventive maintenance discussions—all presided by Angkas trainers.

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MONDAY, MAY 6, 2019 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Abra solon urges Comelec to stop CIDG

A

CEASE and desist petition against the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group has been filed by Abra Represenative Joseph Sto. Niño “JB” Bernos and Governor Maria Jocelyn “Joy” Bernos, with the Commission on Elections through Chairman Sheriff M. Abas.

SUNDAY STROLL. A backriding mother bottlefeeds her young while traversing the busy stretch of Roxas Boulevard on Sunday, May 5, 2019. Ey Acasio

Ombudsman orders PAO chief to answer graft charges THE Office of the Ombudsman has given due course to a complaint filed against Public Attorney’s Office chief Persida Acosta and Dr. Erwin Erfe for malversation of public funds, falsification of public medical documents, grave misconduct, and abuse of authority.

In an Order dated April 12, 2019, the Ombudsman directed Acosta and Erfe to file their counter-affidavit within ten days. The charges carry the penalty of dismissal from service and imprisonment.

In his complaint filed, public interest advocate Wilfredo M. Garrido, Jr. accused Acosta of illegally creating the PAO Forensic Laboratory without authority from Congress and bypassing the premiere medical investigative bodies, namely the PNP Crime Laboratory

and NBI Crime Laboratories.

Both institutions were created by law for forensic investigation and employ qualified forensic scientists. Garrido accused Acosta of creating an office to “manufacture evidence” and filing dubious cases against officials of the Department of Health “based on the Same corrupt evidence.”

The PAO is under fire from doctors for creating panic and hysteria caused by its pronouncement or the Dengvaxia issue, the complaint stated.

“The money she lavished upon the PAO Forensic Laboratory could have been used to hire more lawyers to represent more indigent litigants in pursuance of its legal mandate,” Garrido alleged in his complaint-affidavit before the Ombudsman.

Garrido cites the case of one Rei Jazztine Alimagno, 13, of Antipolo City who died in January 2018 and whose corpse was dug up and examined by Erfe who proceeded to certify that she died of complications from “Dengue shock syndrom” after receiving a “number of doses of Dengvaxia” in a “Forensic Examinations Report” dated May 9, 2018.

It turned out that Alimagno was never injected a single dose of the vaccine for lack of “parent’s consent” as certified by the City Health Office of Antipolo.

Garrido accused Erfe of likewise presenting “bogus credentials,” lacking the requisite qualifications of a forensic pathologist - which medical expertise respondents and could have easily obtained from both the PNP and NBI crime laboratories.

The petition seeks to bar the CIDG from further involvement in cases regarding political personalities in Abra even as the CIDG has been conducting investigations on incidents allegedly in support of certain candidates.

The Bernoses are both running for re-election. The Abra congressman’s re-election bid is being challenged by Victoria Seares Corpuz, wife of CIDG acting Director Police Brigadier General Amador V. Corpuz, and Derdrei Roce Luna-Ifurung, daughter of former Rep. Cecilia Seares Luna.

Petitioners in their complaint sheet said that the CIDG has breached protocols in investigation as provided for in the Criminal Investigation Manual of the Philippine National Police. The manual provides that the “police station, which has territorial jurisdiction of the area where the crime incident was committed, shall immediately undertake the necessary investigation and processing of the crime scene, unless otherwise directed by higher authorities for a certain case to be investigated by other units/agency.”

The investigations that were conducted by the CIDG despite investigations already being conducted by the police station with the jurisdiction involved a series of incidents that occurred as early as January 3, 2019 followed by four more incidents on April 18, 23, 26 and 29, 2019.

RULES OF PROCEDURE GOVERNING INQUIRIES

IN AID OF LEGISLATION OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Republic of the Philippines House of Representatives 17th Congress Section 1. Power to Conduct Inquiries.—Pursuant to Section 21, Article VI of the Constitution, the House of Representatives or any of its committees, may conduct inquiries in aid of legislation in accordance with these rules.

The filing or pendency of a case before any court, tribunal or quasi-judicial or administrative body shall not stop or abate any inquiry conducted to carry out a legislative purpose.

Section 2. Modes of Initiation.—Inquiries may be initiated through the following modes: a. motu proprio action of a committee on any matter within its jurisdiction upon a majority vote of all its Members; or b. upon order of the House of Representatives through: b1. the referral to the appropriate committee of a privilege speech containing or conveying a request or demand for the conduct of an inquiry, upon motion of the Majority Leader or the Deputy Majority Leaders; or b2. the referral of a resolution to the appropriate committee: Provided, That all resolutions directing any committee to conduct an inquiry shall be initially referred to the Committee on Rules for the determination of the necessity and propriety of the conduct of such inquiry; or b3. the referral of a petition filed or information given by any person not a member of the House requesting such inquiry to the appropriate committee, Provided, That such petition or information shall be submitted to the Speaker under oath stating the facts upon which it is based, and accompanied by supporting documents, and thereafter included in the order of business for referral to the Committee on Rules which shall determine the necessity and propriety of the conduct of such inquiry.

Section 3. Change of referral.—the referral of the privilege speech, resolution, petition or information may be changed on motion of the majority leader upon receipt and approval by the Committee on Rules of a written request from the chairperson of the committee to which said privilege speech, resolution, petition or information was originally referred. The Committee on Rules shall decide on the said request within a reasonable time from receipt thereof.

Section 4. Conduct of Inquiry. – The committee(s) authorized and directed to conduct an inquiry may:

Leader & the Deputy Minority Leaders or the Members deputized by them shall be added to the total number of committee or subcommittee members, as the case may be, if they are present in a meeting. In cases of joint referrals, a quorum must be present in each of the committees concerned.

Section 7. Executive Sessions.—If the committee or subcommittee deems that the subject matter of the discussion in a public hearing may endanger national security or may be offensive to decency or public morals, it shall conduct the examination in an executive session.

Attendance in executive sessions shall be limited to Members of the committee, the committee secretariat staff and such other persons whose presence are required or allowed by the Chairperson.

Testimony taken or evidence presented in an executive session, or any summary or excerpt thereof or documents related thereto, in whole or in part, shall not be made public, unless authorized by a majority vote of the Members present, there being a quorum.

Section 8. Attendance of Witnesses.—The committee shall have the power to issue subpoena ad testificandum and subpoena duces tecum to witnesses in any part of the country, signed by the Chairperson or acting Chairperson and the Speaker or acting Speaker. However, if the committee is unable to secure the signature of the Speaker or acting Speaker on a subpoena ad testificandum and/or subpoena duces tecum, it may request the Committee on Rules to act on the matter. Upon the recommendation of the Committee on Rules through a majority vote of all its Members after determining that the attendance of a witness is indispensable to the effective conduct of the inquiry, the Speaker shall issue a subpoena ad testificandum and/or a subpoena duces tecum to compel the attendance of a witness.

Within Metro Manila, subpoena ad testificandum and subpoena duces tecum shall be served by the Sergeant-at-Arms or his duly authorized deputies. Outside Metro Manila, service of these processes may be made by the appropriate police officer or authority of the town or city upon request of the Secretary General.

Subpoena shall be served to a witness at least three (3) days before a scheduled hearing in order to give the witness every opportunity to prepare for the hearing and to employ counsel, should the witness desire. The subpoena shall be accompanied by a notice stating that should a witness wish to confer with the secretary of the committee prior to the date of the hearing, the witness shall convey such desire to the committee by mail, telephone or any other electronic communication device.

Section 9. Rights and Duties of Witnesses.—The rights of witnesses including their right against self -incrimination shall be respected.

a. upon a majority vote of all its Members, invite any other interested committee(s) or Members thereof to attend its hearings: Provided, That the committee(s) or Members thereof so invited shall not participate in the preparation and approval of the report on the investigation; and

Witnesses who are not government officials summoned by the committee shall be entitled, upon their request and subject to the approval of the Speaker, to reasonable transportation expenses and such other amounts as may be deemed necessary for their stay in Metro Manila.

b. constitute sub-committees composed of at least one-fifth (1/5) of the total number of committee Members for the purpose of performing any and all acts which the committee as a whole is authorized to perform in the conduct of an inquiry except to punish for contempt.

Witnesses shall testify under oath to be administered by the Chairperson or by any other person authorized by law.

The findings and recommendations of the sub-committees shall be submitted for approval and other appropriate action(s) thereon by the mother committee: Provided, That findings and recommendations including summary statements thereon or publications related thereto shall not be released by any Member of the sub-committee and the secretariat staff prior to the inclusion of the final committee report in the Calendar of Business as provided in Section 17 hereof.

Section 5. Joint Inquiry or Investigation.—When a privilege speech, resolution, petition or information is referred to two or more committees, a joint inquiry by the said committees shall be conducted.

Section 6. Quorum.—One-fifth (1/5) of all the Members of a committee or a majority of all the Members of a subcommittee shall constitute a quorum. For purposes of determining the existence of a quorum, the Speaker, the Deputy Speakers, the Majority Leader, the Deputy Majority Leaders, the Minority

A witness shall be limited to giving information relevant and germane to the subject matter under investigation. The committee shall rule upon the admissibility of any testimony or information presented by a witness. Privileged communications shall be respected.

Any witness desiring to deliver or present a prepared or written statement before the committee shall file a copy of such statement, under oath, with the secretary of the committee within forty-eight (48) hours before the hearing at which the statement is to be delivered or presented.

Such statements or portions thereof that are relevant and germane to the subject of the investigation may, at the conclusion of the testimony of the witness, and upon approval by a majority vote of the Members of the committee, a quorum being present, be inserted into the official transcript of the proceedings.

A witness shall be allowed to request for and be granted postponement of the appearance before the committee or sub-committee on grounds that render such witness physically unable to attend the inquiry or investigation: Provided, That the

fact of physical inability to attend the inquiry or investigation is supported by appropriate medical or other certification as may be required by the committee or sub-committee, and: Provided further, That no witness shall be granted more than two (2) postponements of appearance before the committee without justifiable cause.

Section 10. Rights and Duties of Persons Affected by a Hearing.—Where applicable, any person named in a public hearing or in the released record of testimonies given in executive sessions, who has not been previously so named shall, within a reasonable time thereafter, be notified of such fact by registered letter, return receipt requested, to the address of such person last known to the committee. The notice shall include: a. b. c. d.

a statement that the person has been so named; date and place of hearing where the person was named; name of the person who testified; and information that a copy of the Rules of Procedure Governing Inquiries in Aid of Legislation is available for the perusal of such person in the house.

Any person so notified who believes that one’s character or reputation was adversely affected may, within seven (7) days after receipt of said notice: a. communicate with the secretary of the committee; and/or b. request to appear in person before the committee in public session and give testimony, at the expense of the concerned person.

Any person testifying under the foregoing provisions shall be accorded the same privileges as any other witness appearing before the committee, and may be questioned concerning any matter relevant and germane to the subject of the investigation.

Section 11. Contempt.—The committee may punish any person for contempt, by a vote of two-thirds (2/3) of the Members present, there being a quorum. The following shall be grounds for citing any person in contempt: a. b. c. d.

refusal without legal excuse to obey summons; refusal to be sworn or placed under affirmation; refusal to answer any relevant inquiry; refusal to produce any books, papers, documents or records that are relevant to the inquiry and are in the possession of the concerned person; e. acting in a disrespectful manner towards any Member of the committee or any misbehavior in the presence of the committee; or f. undue interference in the conduct of proceedings.

Contempt of the committee shall be deemed contempt of the House. The person cited in this section may, upon order of the committee, be detained in such place as the Chairperson or acting Chairperson may designate.

Section 12. Penalty.—By a vote of two-thirds (2/3) of the Members present, there being a quorum, those cited under Section 11, paragraphs (e) and (f) shall be detained for a period not exceeding ten (10) days in a place designated by the Chairperson or Acting Chairperson under the custody of the Sergeant-at-Arms.

Section 13. Appearance of Counsel.—The person at whose instance the inquiry was initiated may be represented by counsel.

A witness shall be informed by the committee or subcommittee of the right to be represented by counsel. When informed by a witness of the desire to be represented by counsel or when such witness requests to be represented by counsel, the committee or sub-committee may provide a counsel de oficio or allow such witness to choose own counsel and be assisted by the same.

The participation of counsel for the witness during the hearing and while the witness is testifying shall be limited to advising on the legal rights of said witness.

Counsel for a witness shall conduct oneself in a professional manner and shall observe proper decorum.

Otherwise, upon a majority vote of the Members present, there being a quorum, such counsel shall be subject to contempt or to such other disciplinary action that may include censure and removal from the room where the hearing is being conducted.

A counsel ordered removed from the room where the hearing is being conducted may, upon such counsel’s request,

be allowed to remain in the room as an observer. The counsel shall sit in the place reserved for the general public and shall have no participation in the proceedings.

In cases where a counsel for a witness is ordered removed from the room, the witness shall be given reasonable time as may be determined by the committee to secure the services of another counsel. Should the witness deliberately or capriciously fail or refuse to obtain the services of another counsel, a counsel de officio may be provided to the witness by the committee within a reasonable time. Thereafter, the hearing shall continue and the testimony of such witness shall be heard.

Section 14. Safekeeping and Release of Record of Testimonies of Witnesses.—The testimony of witnesses shall be recorded verbatim. Records of testimonies given in executive sessions shall be placed in the custody of the Secretary General who shall ensure their preservation and confidentiality.

A witness or the counsel of such witness may obtain transcripts of any public testimony of witnesses from the secretary of the committee at the expense of the witness and upon written request duly approved by the committee chairperson.

No committee report, an excerpt or summary statement of the contents thereof, or any publication related thereto, shall be released by any Member of the committee and its secretariat staff prior to the inclusion of the report in the Calendar of Business.

Section 15. Termination of Inquiry.—The committee shall terminate an inquiry, and submit a report thereon within sixty (60) calendar days from the date of commencement unless the committee, by a majority vote of members present, there being a quorum, deems it necessary to extend such inquiry. The inquiry commences on the date of referral of the privilege speech, resolution or petition or information to the concerned committee.

Section 16. Report of Committee.—The report shall contain the findings of the committee on the subject matter of the inquiry, the grounds on which its findings are based and its recommendations, if any. The report shall be approved by a majority vote of the Members present, there being a quorum.

Members who vote against the approval of the report and who do not sign the majority report may make concurring or dissenting opinions.

The report, together with any concurring and dissenting opinion, shall be filed with the Secretary General who shall include the same in the Order of Business within three (3) days from receipt thereof.

In case of joint inquiry, the committees concerned shall be jointly responsible for submitting the report to the House on the measure referred to them for consideration. The first committee mentioned in the joint referral shall be the lead committee and shall be principally responsible for preparing the report to the House: Provided, That the committees may decide to designate which committee among them shall prepare the report.

Section 17. Plenary Action on the Report.—The report, upon inclusion in the Order of Business, shall be referred to the Committee on Rules for appropriate action. The Committee on Rules shall, thereafter, include the report in the Calendar of Business.

Upon inclusion of the report in the Calendar of Business, the Plenary may approve or adopt, disapprove or reject, in whole or in part, the report and its recommendation(s) or commit it to the archives.

Section 18. Internal Rules.—The committee tasked to conduct an inquiry may adopt internal rules of procedure: Provided, That these rules are consistent with the Rules of the House and to these rules.

Section 19. Rules of Procedure and Evidence.—The Rules of Court shall be suppletory to these rules.

Section 20. Effectivity.—These Rules shall take effect seven (7) days after publication in two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Adopted, January 22, 2019

Sports

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

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MONDAY, MAY 6, 2019

Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) gets a shot off against Golden State Warriors defenders Kevin Durant (left) and Steph Curry. AFP

Harden powers Rockets past Golden State in overtime LOS ANGELES, United States— James Harden out-dueled Kevin Durant down the stretch to lift the Houston Rockets to a 126-121 overtime victory over Golden State on Saturday (Sunday Manila time) that trimmed the deficit in their NBA playoff series.

Harden drained a three-pointer with 49 seconds left in overtime and after Durant made three free throws he added a step-back floater that proved the final dagger.

“Close the game – that’s what I’m here for, that’s what I do,” said Harden, who finished with 41 points, nine rebounds and six assists.

“He’s phenomenal,” Rockets coach Mike D’Antoni said of Harden. “I don’t even think he played great – in Harden-world. He could even go up to another level.”

The Rockets, coming off back-toback defeats on Golden State’s home floor in Oakland, California, narrowed the gap in the best-of-seven Western Conference second-round series to 2-1.

The Rockets withstood a 46-point performance from Durant, who threatened to spoil the Rockets’ return home when he opened the fourth quarter on a 10-2 scoring spree that saw the Warriors turn a seven-point deficit into a 94-93 lead.

In a see-saw final period, two free throws from Harden knotted the score at 112-112 with 38.7 seconds left.

Durant missed a jump shot and then Houston point guard Chris Paul got wrapped up by Klay Thompson and Durant as he drove for a basket and it went to overtime.

“It’s going to be a fight, every possession, every game,” Harden said.

“You’ve got to be physically tough, mentally tough.”

Forward Eric Gordon scored 30 points – 20 in the first half – and Clint Capela added 13 points and 11 rebounds for the Rockets.

In addition to Durant’s big night, Draymond Green posted his sixth career playoff triple-double with 19 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists for the Warriors.

Andre Iguodala scored 16 points, connecting on three of four threepointers to help the Warriors challenge despite a poor shooting night for Stephen Curry and Thompson, who combined to make just four of 15 from three-point range. AFP

Ancajas KOs Funai to retain IBF crown

J

ERWIN ANCAJAS battered Japanese mandatory challenger Ryuichi Funai forcing the referee to stop the fight in the seventh round to retain his International Boxing Federation (IBF) super-flyweight crown Saturday night (Sunday morning in Manila) at the Stockton Arena.

Ancajas was beating up his overmatched foe before referee Ed Collantes waved off the fight in the seventh after the ring doctor examined the bruised Funai and declared him unfit to continue.

Funai kept his feet throughout the bout but was in queer street in the fouth and sixth rounds after absorbing powerful shots to his head.

Ancajas who weighed 114.2 lbs defended his title for the seventh time. Funai came in at 114.4 to challenge for the

IBF title that the Filipino won in Sept.

2016 in the Philippines.

Ancajas, a 27-year-old southpaw, is now 31-1 with two draws and 21 knockouts but comes into the fight off a disappointing draw last September in Oakland against Mexico’s Alejandro Santiago Barrios.

“I was hard at work three weeks after my last fight with Santiago,” Ancajas said. “I am going to be in the best shape in my upcoming fight with Funai. Com-

ing off my last fight, I really want to give a great performance and defend my world title in style.”

Acanjas, unbeaten in 18 fights dating to 2012, won the crown in 2016 by unanimous decision from Puerto Rico’s McJoe Arroyo and has defended three times in each of the past two years.

Funai, 33, gets his first world title bout after seven wins in a row over the past three years. He’s 31-7 with 22 knockouts.

“I am excited for this opportunity to challenge for a world title and to make my professional debut in America,” Funai said. “I know I have the experience and the skills to become the new IBF champion of the world. Jerwin and I respect one another, but this is boxing, and I’m going to fight my heart out.” With AFP

Mindanao dominates Palaro combat sports

Filipino IBF super-flyweight champion Jerwin Ancajas acknowledges cheers of fans after his victory. AFP

Emotional open forum gave Petron needed lift

PETRON head coach Shaq Delos Santos admitted that an emotional open forum, after absorbing a sorry loss to F2 Logistics in Game 1 of their best-of-three finals showdown, gave the players a chance to reflect and re-establish their priorities.

American imports Stephanie Niemer and Katherine Bell vowed to deliver to lead the Blaze Spikers to back-to-back titles as they clinched the Philippine Superliga Grand Prix title before a massive crowd late Saturday at the Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan.

Niemer and Bell fulfilled their promise as they powered the Blaze Spikers to an Petron Blaze Spikers join hands as they hold impressive 26-24, 25-19, 23-25, 25-19 the PSL trophy aloft after beating the F2 victory in Game 3 to formally clinch their Logistics. sixth title in this tourney that also has

REIGNING national junior champion Aidric Chan heads a crack roster of amateurs bracing for a different kind of duel alongside the country’s leading pros when the Delimondo National Pro-Am is fired off Thursday (May 9) at Splendido Taal Golf Club in Laurel, Batangas.

Chan, who outduelled Sean Ramos in a marathon 36-hole finale to rule the Philippine Junior Open Championship at Sherwood recently in his final year in the 18-and-under event, is teaming up with the long-hitting Rey Pagunsan in the 54-hole championship serving as a venue for the amateurs to showcase their talent and skills against the men of the tour.

Carl Corpus, a former national match play titlist, is also in the fold along with regular national tour campaigners Josh Jorge, Ivan Monsalve, Masaichi Otake, Carlo Villaroman, Noel Langamin, Joel Yamyamin, Gary Manotoc, Bobby Celestino, Dan Cruz, Lanz Uy and former pro Eddie Bagtas.

Corpus is teaming up with Omar Dungca; Jorge with Ladies PGT campaigner Chihiro Ikeda; Monsalve with Greg Gonzalez; Otake with Charles Hong; Villaroman with GJ Katigbak; Langamin with Magno Arancon; Yamyamin with Art Arbole; Manotoc with Johnel Bulawit; Celestino with Rico Depilo; Cruz with Marvin Dumandan; Uy with LPGT mainstay Daniella Uy; and Bagtas with Enrico Gallardo.

A total of P2.7 million is staked in the three-day tournament which drew 106 pairs with the top 40 teams after 36 holes of stroke play advancing to the final round with a whopping P500,000 awaiting the pro winner and merchandise and gifts for his amateur partner.

Focus will also be on former amateur standout and pro Judson Eustaquio and long-time buddy Tonlits Asistion. Their partnership netted them the crown in the 2017 edition of the event sponsored by Delimondo which also serves as the second leg of the milestone 10th season of the Philippine Golf Tour put up by ICTSI. Other tandems to watch in the event organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc. in recognition of the amateurs’ role in boosting Philippine golf and at the same time to provide them the exposure they need as they hone up for the pros are Jhonnel AbabaBobby Iñigo, Jay Bayron-Mon Salazar; Michael Bibat-Louie Aguinaldo; Albin Engino-Dave Hernandez; Tony Lascuña-Moulay Rhounimi; Mars Pucay-Pol Mayos; and Dutch Guido Van der Valk-Kim Wan Soo. For details, call Jocelyn Duque at 0918-9515308 or at jocelynduque@ pgt.ph.

Panlilio grabs silver in Asian juniors tourney

By Peter Atencio ATHLETES from Mindanao dominated combat sports, with Northern Mindanao Region collecting four of 10 gold medals at the close of the 2019 Palarong Pambansa boxing competitions at the Almendras gymnasium in Davao City.

Their big share of medals came from Aaron Bado, Sunrise Seronoy, Mark Durens and John Palivino in the lightflyweight, the bantamweight, the lightweight and the featherweight categories.

Bado fought off John Vicera of Region IV-A for the gold in the 14 to 16-year-old bracket of the light-flyweight finals.

Seronay prevailed over Shane Pantaleon of Region V for the 14 to 16-year-old bantamweight honors, while Durens downed Mark Solano (Region 12) in the 17 to 18-year-old, lightweight side.

In the featherweight finals, Palivino finished off Joseph Sumabong (Region 7) in ruling the 48-52 kg class.

Socsargen, or Region XII, ruled the arnis competitions, by snaring 15 gold along with nine silver and a bronze. They earned seven golds from 11 categories in the secondary girls’ division.

Shena Valdez claimed three golds, first by outpointing Bicol’s Lovely Tawingan in the anyo individual single weapons event with 29.2 points.

Then she outscored Roselle de Leon (Western Visayas) with 29 points in the double weapons section.

Valdez prevailed over Tawingan for a second time in taking the espada y daga honors.

Top golfers show wares in Delimondo pro-am tilt

ESPN5 and 5Plus as broadcast partners.

Niemer lit up the scoreboard with 31 points while Bell chipped in 16 markers for the Blaze Spikers who bounced back from a third-set meltdown.

Niemer, the hard-serving Kentucky native who was considered to be part of the United States national women’s team last year, also emerged as Best Scorer and Most Valuable Player. The victory vindicated her from a massive disaster three years ago when she and the Blaze Spikers surrendered to Lindsay Stalzer, Ariel Usher and the Foton Tornadoes in a thrilling finals series.

Bell also took the Best Opposite Spiker diadem while Rhea Dimaculangan was named as Best Setter following the title series that featured two of the best teams

in Philippine volleyball.

Still, Delos Santos believes that their loss in Game 1 fired them up, prompting them to brush off the confidence and complacency brought by their 17-game winning streak.

“Our loss in Game 1 served as the turning point,” said Delos Santos, who was an assistant coach when Petron registered a 13-0 sweep of the All-Filipino Conference in 2015.

“After we lost in Game 1, we had an open forum where we allowed everybody to speak up and release everything in their hearts. It was a success. We renewed our commitment to winning and played Games 2 and 3 with hunger and intensity.”

DIANE Gabrielle Panlilio took home the silver medal at the 2019 Asian Juniors Figure Skating Challenge last weekend in Bangkok.

The 16-year-old Panlilio scored 95.55 points, behind gold medal winner Angel Chi of China in the Elite Junior Ladies G2 finals.

Panlilio was considered as the youngest Filipino and Southeast Asian skater to participate in the World Junior Grand Prix in Riga, Latvia two years ago.

She has won the Philippine National Figure Skating Championship in 2011, 2012, 2014 and 2016, and was a silver medalist in 2013, 2015 and 2017.

In other meets, Panlilio took home the gold medal at the Ice Skating Institute (ISI) World Ice Figure Skating Challenge in Anaheim, California (2012) and the Asian Juniors Figure Skating Challenge in Hong Kong (2012-2015).

She was overall champion at the 2014 Southeast Asian Trophy in Bangkok, Thailand and finished fourth at the ISU World Development Trophy in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in the same year.

On the local front, Panlilio won the Southeast Asia Challenge in Cebu City (2017) and placed third in the same tournament held in Bangkok, Thailand (2016).

The 4’11” Panlilio is from Pasig City.

Panlilio participated in the International Skating Union (ISU) Junior Grand Prix in Richmond, Canada as the only Filipino entered in the tournament held at the Minoru Arenas last year.

A total of 24 countries joined the competition, with host Canada having the most number of entries at 15, followed by the United States (14), Russsia (11), Japan (10), and Australia (9).

Peter Atencio

Business

IN BRIEF AirAsia PH lost P2.17b in 2018, cites oil prices THE Philippine unit of Southeast Asia’s largest budget airline incurred a net loss in 2018 due to costlier jet fuel prices and volatile foreign exchange.

AirAsia Philippines reported a net loss of P2.7 billion last year from a net profit of P418.48 million in 2017.

The airline’s revenues amounted to P20.90 billion last year from P16 billion in 2017.

“Despite operational growth, profitability was impacted by higher jet fuel costs and a volatile forex market,” AirAsia Philippines said.

The local airline said total number of seats flown rose 34 percent i9n 2018, while the total number of guests carried increased 30 percent to 6,866,862, far exceeding the market’s growth of about 10 percent.

AirAsia Philippines also said its intense focus on connecting more and more internal destinations, especially secondary cities or hubs, saw an increase the domestic market share by four percentage points to 20 percent.

Darwin G. Amojelar

Shell asked to resend request on Malampaya ENERGY Secretary Alfonso Cusi wants Shell Philippines Exploration B.V. to formalize its request to extend service contract 38 that covers the Malampaya gas project.

Spex, operator of the Malampaya gas project informed other government officials of its interest to explore for more oil and gas prospects in the SC 38 coverage area in northwest Palawan and the need to extend its license after 2024.

“They know the procedure, if they want an extension they should send a letter then we will study that. I cannot just sign that immediately,” Cusi said.

Spex earlier sent a request for extension during the previous administration, which the Duterte administration did not act on the appeal.

Spex recently briefed Senator Sherwin Gatchalian of its plans, including three to four potential areas in SC 38 that couldextend the life of the Malampaya gas field. Alena Mae S. Flores.

Investment pledges surged 47% to P286.7b in 4 months

By Othel V. Campos

I

NVESTMENT pledges jumped 46.5 percent in the first four months to P286.7 billion from P195.7 billion a year ago on the back of a significant increase in foreign projects, the Board of Investments said over the weekend.

Commitments from foreign investors jumped 2,224 percent or 22 times in January to April to P66.9 billion from P2.9 billion in the same period last year.

Investments from domestic sources also grew 14 percent in the four-month period to P219.7 billion from P192.8 billion a year earlier.

Singapore emerged as the biggest source of foreign investment commitments with P35.4 billion in the first four months, up from P38.7 million a year ago.

The Netherlands ranked second with P9.1 billion while Thailand was third with P8.5 billion. Japan with P5.5billion in investment pledges and the United States with P2.2 billion rounded

up the top five.

“Foreign investors remain confident in the country’s business prospects as foreign capital continue to surge in the country while domestic investors remain upbeat as domestic capital continued its steady growth,” said Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez.

“With the Philippines’ recent credit rating upgrade from S&P Global, even the Asian Development Bank now foresees that the Philippines as the second fastest-growing economy in Southeast Asia,” Lopez said.

S&P Global on April 30 upgraded the Philippines’ credit rating to ‘BBB+’ or two notches above investment grade. It is the country’s highest

debt score on record.

The country’s gross domestic product grew 6.2 percent in 2018, becoming the third fastest growing major economy in Asia behind China and Vietnam.

Data from the BoI showed that power projects remained the biggest investments with P185.4 billion in approvals in the first four months, up by 78 percent from P104.3 billion in the same period last year.

“With the government’s commitment to ‘clean and green’ infrastructure systems, successive renewable power projects were approved by the BoI,” said Trade Undersecretary and BoI managing head Ceferino Rodolfo.

Manufacturing investments also surged 181 percent in the period to P44.6 billion from P15.9 billion in 2018.

The information and communication sector posted an investment growth of 9,669 percent to P33.2 billion from a P340 million a year ago while investments in the accommodation and food service sector grew 733 percent to P8.4 billion from P1 billion in 2018.

SSS maternity benefits rose to P7.07b in 2018 STATE-RUN pension fund Social Security System said maternity benefit disbursements in 2018 jumped 15.6 percent or P954.62 million to P7.07 billion from P6.11 billion in 2017.

SSS president and chief executive Aurora Ignacio said in a statement over the weekend over 326,000 female members were assisted in 2018.

“We are glad that we are able to assist more of our female members financially during their pregnancy in 2018.

We have recorded an increase of 12.6 percent or 36,550 female members more who availed themselves of the benefit in 2018 compared to that of the previous year,” she said.

Of the total number of beneficiaries in 2018, 68.2 percent or 222,551 are employee-members with total disbursements amounting to P5.98 billion.

Julito G. Rada

OFW TRAINING. The Department of Trade and Industry teams up with the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority to provide training and business loans to returning overseas Filipino workers to help them find jobs or start their own businesses. Signing the memorandum of agreement are (front row, from left) OWWA administrator Hans Leo Cacdac, Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez, Labor Secretary and OWWA chairperson Silvestre Bello, Tesda directorgeneral Isidro Lapeña and Tesda deputy director-general Rebecca Calzado.

Ray S. Eñano, Editor Roderick T. dela Cruz, Assistant Editor business@manilastandard.net extrastory2000@gmail.com MONDAY, MAY 6, 2019

B1

Zamora group, China firm set to roll out Wi-Fi services in PH

By Darwin G Amojelar THE Tranzen Group Inc., a conglomerate led by businessman Salvador Zamora II, teamed up with China-based Citic Networks Co. Ltd. to roll out Wi-Fi internet access, digital television and satellite network services across the country.

Zamora, chairman of TGI and Philippine Telegraph & Telephone Corp., signed a memorandum of understanding with Citic chairman Luo Ning covering the construction of infrastructure for nationwide Wi-Fi Internet connectivity in various cities and towns throughout the Philippines.

The signing of the business agreement was held in Beijing during the visit of President Rodrigo Duterte in China.

Zamora said PT&T would implement the projects.

He said that PT&T owns and operates fiber internet network in Region IVA or Calabarzon that extends to greater Metropolitan Manila and Pampanga.

Prior to the government-mandated service area scheme, PT&T operated nationwide for more than 50 years.

Citic is known in China as a leading system integration and IT services company. It also develops application software.

Under the MOU, the companies will construct Wi-Fi network utilizing PT&T’s 100-percent fiber necessary for rendering emergency and information services, digital TV and satellite network services and digital and internet services for smart cities.

“The synergy between Tranzen and PT&T aims to change the game of the digital infrastructure in the Philippines,” Zamora said.

“PT&T’s 100-percent Fiber Internet network and host of IT services will complement the advanced infrastructure designs of Tranzen,” he said.

“PT&T’s plans for the country bodes well with the agreements our chairman signed during the Belt and Road Initiatives,” PT&T president and chief executive James Velasquez said.

“PT&T is fully on board with the government’s initiative to modernize the country’s ICT landscape and we are participating in the public Wi-Fi program.

We also plan to develop capabilities in Smart Cities and Emergency Response in line with the MOU,” he said.

BIR tax effort exceeded 11% in first Meralco warns about higher rates in spot market two years of Duterte administration By Alena Mae S. Flores

By Julito G. Rada THE Bureau of Internal Revenue posted higher collections in the first two years under the Duterte watch compared with those the previous administration.

Data submitted by the BIR to the Finance Department showed the collection performance averaged 96.7 percent in the first two full years under the Duterte administration, compared with an average of only 94.5 percent in the full five years of the Aquino government.

The BIR said while the tax effort under the previous administration did not go beyond 11 percent, it rose to 11.27 percent in 2017 and 11.26 percent in 2018 under the leadership of President Rodrigo Duterte.

The BIR attained 97.35 percent (P1.78 trillion of P1.83 trillion) and 96.04 percent (P1.96 trillion of P2.04 trillion) of its collection target for 2017 and 2018, respectively, compared to only 86.12 per-

cent (P1.44 trillion of P1.67 trillion) in 2015 with a tax effort of 10.82 percent.

The 2015 goal attainment was significantly lower than the previous year’s 91.65 percent (P1.33 trillion of P1.45 trillion) with the tax effort at 10.56 percent.

Data showed that the BIR performed better with a 97.05 percent (P1.22 trillion of P1.253 trillion) accomplishment of its target and a tax effort of 10.54 percent in 2013.

It collected 99.23 percent (P1.06 trillion of P1.066 trillion) of its target in 2012, but with a tax effort of 10.02 percent and 98.31 percent (P924 billion of P940 billion) in 2011, with a tax effort of 9.52 percent.

Data from the Bureau of the Treasury showed that this year, the BIR posted a 13-percent year-on-year growth in the first quarter.

BIR’s total revenue in January to March hit P468.2 billion, up by 11 percent or P45.1 billion from last year’s first-quarter achievement, the Treasury said.

POWER retailer Manila Electric Co. said this week’s electricity bill will reflect the higher charges in the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market, the trading floor of electricity.

“We expect higher charges from the WESM, but could not make a good estimate, as significant share [around 15 percent] of trading intervals were affected by the secondary price cap or were subject to market intervention,” Meralco head of utility economics Lawrence Fernandez said.

WESM is the country’s trading floor of electricity where Meralco secures about 10 percent to 20 percent of its monthly requirement.

Under Energy Regulatory Commission Resolution No. 20, Series of 2014, a breach of the P9-per-kilowatt-hour cumulative price threshold over a seven-day period would trigger an imposition of a P6.245-per-kWh cap.

“While we expect higher charges from the WESM because of the recent supply shortages, we hope that this can be offset by reductions in rates from our IPPs [independent power producers] and PSAs [power supply agreements],” Fernandez said.

He said initial figures from IPPs and PSAs showed rate reductions, mainly due to lower fuel prices and an appreciation of the peso. Fernandez said, “we are uncertain if this reduction will be offset by the expected increase in WESM charges.”

Meralco is set to release the final May power rates on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, the Energy Regulatory Commission started the investigation on the power outages from March and April but is still waiting for data from power industry players.

ERC commissioner Catherine Maceda said the allegations of “gaming” and/ or collusion among industry players remained allegations until proven otherwise.

She assured that the regulator would thoroughly conduct an investigation and im-

pose sanctions if needed.

“We impose the necessary sanctions, if necessary, and after due process. As simple as not submitting a report can be sanctioned,” Maceda.

“We are not alleging that there is [gaming or collusion], there are people who are alleging that. Those are just allegations.

Until we have the hard data, then nobody can say there is gaming in the market,” the commissioner said.

Maceda said the ERC visited nine power plants that went on offline on March 5 to April 15 to verify their claims.

Meanwhile, Philippine Independent Power Producers Inc. said its members would not tolerate collusion and were cooperating fully with the government in the wake of the continuing yellow and red alerts in the Luzon grid.

“We thoroughly support a competitive market, and we are open to investigation by our regulators on allegations of collusion,” PIPPA president Anne Estorco Macias said in a statement.

B2

Business

MONDAY, MAY 6, 2019 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Market to re-test 8,000-point level S

By Jenniffer B. Austria

HARE prices are expected to re-test the 8,000-point mark in anticipation of a favorable April inflation rate as well and the first-quarter GDP (gross domestic product) figures this week.

The Philippine Statistics Authority is set to release the April inflation rate on May 7 and the gross domestic product figures for the first quarter on May 9.

Analysts also expect the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas to cut the reserve requirement ratio, with the April inflation likely hovering between 2.7 percent and 3.5 percent and the US Federal Reserve keeping the status quo on US interest rates.

Bangkop Sentral Governor Benjamin Diokno was quoted last week as saying the easing of the monetary was only “a matter of time” after last year’s series of

interest-rate increases.

Online brokerage firm 2TradeAsia. com said a rate cut or RRR adjustment might be countered by higher oil prices, the prolonged impact of El Niño on water and farm resources as well as increased power rates.

“Overall equities might take heart if easing is supported,” said the online brokerage firm.

The bellwether Philippine Stock Exchange Index last week touched the 8,000-point mark before closing at 7,967.98, up 1.3 percent week-on-week,

as investors cheered the upgrade in the country’s credit rating made by S&P. The broader All Shares added 1 percent to 4,906.06.

Except for the property and holdings firms which posted week-on-week declines, all other sub-indices ended in green, led by industrial which rose 3.8 percent; services, which increased 1.8 percent; financials which advanced 1.8 percent; and holdings firms which gained 0.8 percent.

Foreign investors were net buyers for the week by P595.4 million, while the average daily value traded stood at P7.2 billion from the previous week’s average of P6.7 billion.

Weekly top price gainers were Phinma Energy Corp., which jumped 18.1 percent to P1.70, Universal Robina Corp., which climbed 17.5 percent to P167, and Holcim Philippines Inc., which advanced 16.9 percent to P13.42.

Weekly top price losers, meanwhile, were PXP Energy Corp., which dropped

12.8 percent to P7.78, Integrated MicroElectronics Inc., which declined 12.5 percent to P10.88, and Lopez Holdings Inc., which fell 9.8 percent to P4.98.

The tech-rich Nasdaq, meanwhile, powered to a fresh record Friday as Wall Street cheered a much better than expected US jobs report for April.

European bourses also advanced following the US report, which set unemployment at a 49-year low.

“No signs of a slowdown here,” said James Knightley, chief international economist at ING. The US economy added 263,000 net new positions in April, well above the 200,000 forecast by analysts.

Unemployment fell two tenths to 3.6 percent but the decline was in part because the pool of workers shrank and fewer people were looking for jobs, pulling them out of the labor force, the Labor Department reported.

MANILA STANDARD BUSINESS WEEKLY STOCKS REVIEW STOCKS

APRIL 29-MAY 3, 2019 Close Volume

Value

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

MEDCO Holdings Metrobank Natl. Reinsurance Corp.

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

58.9 139.00 85.65 2.17 1.25 27.5 18.96 11.62 4.78 1.37 780.00 0.490 74 0.93 13.4 21.95 53.55 58 110.4 183 26.4 181.2 1800.00 60.40 1.13

110,810 7,964,510 11,511,480 72,000 396,000 1,012,400 89,500 1,013,100 633,000 39,000 1,140 5,328,000 17,013,850 1,671,000 23,300 32,700 1,872,900 5,860 160 3,070 117,000 1,545,730 440 557,160 5,000

FINANCIAL 6,499,329.50 1,088,110,787.00 976,116,873.00 156,690.00 502,170.00 27,075,415.00 1,696,964.00 11,865,264.00 3,010,910.00 53,660.00 906,950.00 2,561,025.00 1,273,106,993.00 1,564,610.00 313,990.00 693,605.00 100,067,887.50 343,493.00 17,840.00 556,932.00 3,018,485.00 284,021,143.00 797,035.00 33,438,856.00 5,610.00

Aboitiz Power Corp.

Agrinurture Inc. Alliance Tuna Intl Inc. Alsons Cons.

Basic Energy Corp.

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

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

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

Pepsi-Cola Products Phil.

Petroenergy Res. Corp.

Petron Corporation Phinma Corporation Phinma Energy Phoenix Petroleum Phils.

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

Swift Foods, Inc. TKC Steel Corp.

Universal Robina Victorias Milling Vitarich Corp.

Vivant Corp.

Vulcan Ind’l.

35.9 15.7 0.85 1.44 0.246 16.98 2.3 15.36 118.9 27.9 66.3 45 1.95 5.5 5.82 11.300 16 9.35 7.53 1.69 21.7 78.3 30.30 2.7100 13.42 10.88 1.800 301.00 50.00 4.2 3.43 10.12 22.45 15.88 22.6 0.191 385.60 6.00 1.27 4.60 6.40 9.09 1.70 12.08 45.8 4.88 4.85 1.68 2.12 1.31 13.3 115.8 6.9 0.130 0.96 167 2.51 1.37 16.00 1.18

4,865,900 1,310,300 8,013,000 864,000 3,190,000 7,700 174,737,000 7,052,800 590 306,600 1,550 312,900 590,000 12,400 37,100 8,349,200 20,121,400 1,869,200 4,679,500 6,000 3,485,800 548,660 769,300 40,055,000 35,363,600 10,421,000 866,000 3,584,790 114,780 2,866,000 43,000 43,000 11,375,200 7,241,100 3,655,900 1,330,000 1,066,340 71,500 8,557,000 1,424,000 9,312,800 14,400 122,059,000 511,600 442,600 483,500 155,000 63,000 131,000 357,000 4,190,200 770,530 560,700 1,720,000 2,797,000 9,791,090 1,678,000 36,629,000 1,900 5,620,000

INDUSTRIAL 180,015,155.00 20,731,382.00 6,758,570.00 1,231,600.00 781,150.00 127,436.00 380,808,820.00 108,231,496.00 66,576.00 8,543,095.00 103,723.00 14,080,500.00 1,148,150.00 68,205.00 219,602.00 91,798,214.00 323,446,150.00 17,655,366.00 35,043,109.00 10,140.00 76,190,945.00 43,243,567.00 22,614,355.00 104,260,290.00 453,465,630.00 114,390,394.00 1,494,180.00 1,085,927,086.00 5,741,775.00 11,956,220.00 148,320.00 428,716.00 257,050,980.00 112,685,362.00 82,880,085.00 256,800.00 411,569,262.00 431,720.00 10,967,140.00 6,413,270.00 58,682,563.00 130,240.00 196,445,500.00 6,141,786.00 20,132,545.00 2,376,948.00 746,640.00 102,960.00 277,700.00 452,130.00 54,680,034.00 88,736,718.00 3,853,673.00 224,500.00 2,694,050.00 1,559,860,325.00 4,199,140.00 51,344,020.00 26,542.00 6,646,590.00

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

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

Lopez Holdings Corp.

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

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

0.660 52.00 15.32 0.75 6.50 17.06 1.390 1.400 900 7.5 11.28 4.13 14.94 0.260 890 6.23 64.40 5.5 5.33 0.51 4.59 16.5 0.560 4.35 3.08 0.0380 1.110 3.000 178.30 2.39 960.00 1.34 0.90 276.000 485.00 0.2400 0.325

110,532,000 3,834,510 19,211,200 1,877,000 575,900 172,300 14,485,000 758,000 1,203,790 3,601,200 11,352,800 100,000 878,900 5,410,000 1,014,410 120,000 5,949,780 7,600 66,300 266,000 7,120,500 8,215,500 508,000 112,727,000 7,000 22,500,000 171,000 4,006,000 1,257,440 50,000 875,690 103,000 9,675,000 49,070 420 11,690,000 68,500,000

HOLDING FIRMS 73,061,080.00 209,687,706.50 292,545,334.00 1,402,080.00 3,735,473.00 2,961,708.00 19,959,070.00 1,057,120.00 1,089,021,610.00 26,980,292.00 189,469,244.00 414,050.00 13,135,882.00 1,432,150.00 890,062,930.00 747,346.00 389,188,437.00 42,484.00 352,390.00 140,690.00 34,214,512.00 131,715,500.00 284,420.00 502,731,130.00 20,220.00 873,500.00 189,860.00 11,592,970.00 222,486,690.00 119,200.00 835,592,355.00 137,530.00 8,743,170.00 13,265,132.00 195,504.00 2,859,130.00 22,448,500.00

3,333,400 2,041,000 1,000 3,227,000 3,043,000 62,411,300 1,431,000 8,081,000 35,200 150,882,000 759,000 55,000 13,400,000 780,000 1,765,100 4,506,800 2,180,000 670,000 125,382,000 8,495,000 103,000 126,375,100 229,840,000 9,697,000 8,154,000 1,930,000 400 3,712,000

PROPERTY 47,709,810.00 1,555,040.00 10,968.00 6,632,400.00 2,329,000.00 3,019,551,725.00 3,458,430.00 37,030,980.00 222,847.00 79,227,080.00 608,230.00 49,880.00 3,154,090.00 302,200.00 20,002,086.00 119,215,090.00 1,060,150.00 84,000.00 197,863,730.00 11,498,770.00 496,860.00 717,347,491.00 20,093,450.00 16,615,590.00 4,109,140.00 833,650.00 17,950.00 9,820,540.00

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

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

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

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

14.800 0.77 11.16 2.150 0.780 47.400 2.4 4.7 6.45 0.540 0.79 0.900 0.245 0.385 11.400 27.05 0.490 0.126 1.63 1.37 4.85 5.78 0.340 1.7000 0.5000 0.430 45.50 2.76

APRIL 22-26, 2019 Close Volume

Value

58.65 134.00 83.45 2.17 1.30 26.8 18.94 11.58 4.73 1.41 780.00 0.500 75.75 0.98 13.46 21.50 51.30 58.95 110.3 175.5 26 180.5 1830.00 60.50 1.13

37,390 10,037,790 10,769,720 59,000 215,000 801,900 177,100 677,200 413,000 26,000 730 57,405,000 13,322,400 3,393,000 168,700 1,200 1,446,880 22,790 320 12,760 101,800 1,207,970 10 11,190 64,000

2,190,877.00 1,341,428,694.00 888,279,883.00 129,660.00 278,960.00 21,107,375.00 3,351,002.00 7,835,160.00 1,935,450.00 36,460.00 581,050.00 31,466,335.00 1,011,952,883.00 3,470,880.00 2,275,902.00 25,820.00 76,357,404.00 1,343,238.50 35,375.00 2,315,416.00 2,613,305.00 216,401,117.00 18,300.00 681,326.50 72,320.00

37.4 16.14 0.88 1.39 0.245 16.30 2 15.36 110 28 68.4 45 1.95 5.85 5.99 10.740 15.9 9.40 7.39 1.56 21.7 78.5 28.55 2.4900 11.48 12.46 1.790 303.00 52.50

5,811,000 1,725,500 45,335,000 538,000 3,810,000 5,400 35,383,000 860,400 1,000 422,100 1,870 362,100 568,000 110,600 48,600 21,335,400 2,357,700 3,533,800 19,149,000 27,000 4,739,300 706,470 538,500 47,703,000 13,194,000 1,361,700 1,402,000 4,805,910 54,740

214,507,510.00 28,124,846.00 39,179,000.00 755,090.00 920,660.00 87,114.00 67,976,450.00 13,213,304.00 109,734.00 11,964,860.00 128,205.00 16,311,815.00 1,109,620.00 618,580.00 277,583.00 234,192,468.00 37,580,250.00 32,882,999.00 141,113,804.00 42,920.00 104,882,795.00 56,254,195.00 15,775,810.00 127,775,900.00 150,951,486.00 17,053,620.00 2,518,800.00 1,455,066,186.00 2,737,275.00

3.4 10.50 22.5 15.02 22.05 0.202 384.00 6.08 1.24 4.42 6.21 9.04 1.44 12.08 45 5.1 4.80 1.72 2.12 1.29 12.78 114.9 6.9 0.128 0.99 142.1 2.5 1.37 16.00 1.20

105,000 64,000 6,086,400 10,659,100 11,718,300 2,170,000 720,080 141,500 5,971,000 321,000 10,569,800 9,600 85,184,000 294,400 825,000 655,200 427,000 94,000 125,000 683,000 1,294,400 1,714,720 686,300 2,120,000 2,761,000 2,955,630 1,664,000 17,963,000 1,100 5,761,000

372,030.00 652,172.00 138,495,450.00 157,941,304.00 257,068,050.00 437,180.00 274,508,466.00 869,109.00 7,361,440.00 1,465,460.00 67,055,775.00 87,246.00 123,946,980.00 3,519,342.00 37,164,630.00 3,314,172.00 2,049,490.00 157,260.00 270,380.00 870,570.00 16,368,716.00 196,237,871.00 4,780,832.00 271,910.00 2,731,080.00 430,355,732.00 4,160,380.00 25,396,970.00 17,600.00 6,835,520.00

0.610 55.00 14.96 0.78 6.50 18.46 1.370 1.400 895 7.59 11.38

92,994,000 4,727,730 30,260,600 1,579,000 28,900 84,400 15,775,000 2,064,000 2,002,150 1,493,100 19,488,600

56,193,180.00 259,848,952.50 444,937,892.00 1,202,760.00 188,500.00 1,578,362.00 21,861,860.00 2,890,170.00 1,369,842,075.00 11,283,679.00 229,024,652.00

14.84 0.255 860 6.74 64.60 5.5 6.3 0.495 5.09 16.02 0.550 4.57 3.39 0.0400 1.120 2.840 174.00 2.39 931.00 1.34 0.92 270.000 431.00 0.2430 0.345

1,676,000 2,630,000 1,113,340 83,400 6,832,160 51,100 65,000 675,000 7,282,900 5,603,200 247,000 137,050,000 6,000 29,700,000 54,000 2,868,000 1,284,110 1,000 671,440 188,000 5,919,000 25,800 1,260 14,540,000 44,300,000

25,001,368.00 644,650.00 954,821,660.00 542,554.00 440,706,746.50 293,502.00 413,780.00 338,255.00 37,145,948.00 88,791,482.00 140,840.00 607,416,530.00 20,310.00 1,164,600.00 60,210.00 8,256,150.00 226,089,597.00 2,390.00 631,575,480.00 250,990.00 5,615,350.00 6,904,000.00 546,148.00 3,571,290.00 14,912,250.00

14.760 0.77 11.18 1.940 0.800 48.500 2.43 4.35 6.32 0.510 0.83 0.910 0.237 0.390 11.080 25.4 0.490 0.125 1.52 1.32 4.86 5.55 0.340 1.7500 0.5000 0.440 45.30 2.48

8,745,300 1,414,000 6,000 466,000 3,873,000 86,354,600 3,204,000 5,133,000 105,200 33,671,000 168,000 169,000 17,120,000 70,000 4,735,600 4,963,700 4,512,000 420,000 65,651,000 9,124,000 8,000 140,162,400 34,218,000 19,704,000 2,591,000 1,270,000 400 1,851,000

122,468,850.00 1,076,220.00 61,436.00 911,710.00 3,002,380.00 4,146,792,655.00 7,937,990.00 22,110,340.00 665,263.00 16,975,745.00 138,650.00 154,860.00 4,100,790.00 27,250.00 51,089,622.00 125,772,415.00 2,228,380.00 52,500.00 99,876,020.00 11,999,900.00 35,820.00 781,060,151.00 11,636,800.00 34,762,320.00 1,265,315.00 540,100.00 18,120.00 4,485,650.00

STOCKS

APRIL 29-MAY 3, 2019 Close Volume

APRIL 22-26, 2019 Close Volume

Value

Robinson’s Land `B’ Rockwell Shang Properties Inc. SM Prime Holdings Sta. Lucia Land Inc. Starmalls Suntrust Home Dev. Inc. Vista Land & Lifescapes

24.50 1.99 3 40.90 1.79 6.83 0.760 7.100

8,908,600 167,000 371,000 34,080,400 6,800,000 960,800 75,000 23,761,000

218,465,195.00 332,890.00 1,114,790.00 1,416,842,190.00 11,971,310.00 6,587,044.00 54,760.00 173,697,025.00

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

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

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

Pacific Online Sys. Corp.

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

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

SSI Group STI Holdings Transpacific Broadcast Travellers Waterfront Phils.

Wilcon Depot

12.68 19.3 1.37 0.420 0.040 15.32 2.63 12.26 0.0700 80.5 7.88 5.79 6.60 2.06 11.52 890 1800 5.22 405.00 2.80 136.7 1.81 12 6.95 0.124 5.5800 3.1 15.5 3.89 0.82 21.90 15.80 0.590 4.8 3.40 1.72 1.93 2.240 3.78 10.00 3.24 4.47 8.2 115.00 3.10 1220.00 0.890 0.750 43.50 77.50 9.19 3.23 0.680 0.36 5.65 0.740 16.600

63,200 204,000 49,000 4,510,000 36,100,000 23,600 2,106,000 25,399,400 59,670,000 500,910 600 8,164,500 221,200 4,000 559,900 2,560 186,765 556,900 18,920 5,610,000 10,528,480 56,000 193,400 48,700 4,500,000 40,573,400 11,000 6,100 4,106,000 2,322,000 3,713,000 800 7,355,000 47,000 11,617,000 396,000 3,000 9,938,000 1,222,000 203,100 255,000 300,000 100 1,669,610 9,865,000 475,385 133,593,000 18,289,000 12,335,100 1,752,090 2,945,300 128,374,000 9,037,000 18,170,000 1,974,700 70,978,000 7,838,100

SERVICES 802,620.00 3,876,748.00 65,260.00 1,818,600.00 1,422,500.00 368,704.00 5,452,860.00 324,688,294.00 4,178,990.00 40,636,243.00 4,381.00 47,913,942.00 1,453,780.00 8,370.00 6,618,244.00 2,278,400.00 335,940,155.00 2,903,498.00 7,998,836.00 15,794,060.00 1,380,878,294.00 101,810.00 2,293,586.00 339,863.00 564,770.00 232,536,588.00 34,250.00 92,860.00 15,735,770.00 1,880,090.00 81,821,425.00 12,128.00 4,136,000.00 225,490.00 39,628,910.00 676,930.00 5,520.00 22,470,200.00 4,755,770.00 2,001,303.00 825,500.00 1,253,700.00 820.00 193,667,696.00 31,430,610.00 579,913,630.00 120,427,020.00 13,626,820.00 525,220,945.00 136,006,250.00 26,958,473.00 390,008,590.00 6,070,870.00 6,551,100.00 11,127,009.00 53,097,250.00 132,189,842.00

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

United Paragon

0.0020 1.30 2.83 12.30 1.2700 1.3800 2.72 0.295 8.01 1.530 0.248 0.114 0.116 0.008 0.0079 1.04 2.41 1.01 0.5600 0.9100 0.0120 0.0120 3.13 7.78 0.0110 3.5200 24.00 0.0075

503,000,000 3,330,000 552,000 2,500 293,000 20,000 1,454,000 1,550,000 9,900 44,482,000 5,580,000 14,090,000 1,410,000 108,000,000 103,000,000 774,000 4,360,000 171,000 1,088,000 1,055,000 23,700,000 40,500,000 964,000 9,187,500 12,700,000 865,000 9,059,900 111,000,000

MINING & OIL 956,000.00 4,329,600.00 1,550,280.00 30,632.00 373,890.00 26,820.00 3,912,270.00 455,350.00 79,193.00 67,256,260.00 1,394,860.00 1,563,410.00 158,970.00 872,700.00 822,300.00 820,030.00 10,505,520.00 171,460.00 616,380.00 938,270.00 284,200.00 486,000.00 2,994,380.00 75,304,478.00 139,700.00 3,001,870.00 215,633,690.00 89,100.00

ABS-CBN Holdings Corp.

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

19.1 96.3 474.8 498 97 101 494 5.2 874 958 96.5 0.98 100 970 100 105 966 75.8 76 71.2 72.5 74 73.65 73.75 1.43

83,800 11,350 5,010 5,790 30,160 10,230 150 417,300 2,000 3,270 29,140 3,546,000 21,050 70 270 770 18,970 1,970 214,500 138,030 179,750 77,980 1,790 41,830 81,000

LR Warrant

1.930

624,000

PREFERRED 1,540,380.00 1,109,225.00 2,358,474.00 2,877,744.00 2,930,621.50 1,063,854.00 73,920.00 2,170,397.00 1,748,320.00 3,123,930.00 2,801,886.00 3,463,760.00 2,107,029.00 68,495.00 27,075.00 81,520.00 18,473,435.00 147,761.00 16,263,284.00 9,860,611.00 13,076,155.50 5,784,451.00 130,513.50 3,062,022.50 115,000.00

WARRANTS & BONDS 1,196,390.00 SME 23,793,492.00 18,960,730.00

Value

24.50 2 3.04 40.90 1.8 7.05 0.740 7.370

12,307,400 998,000 1,539,000 29,648,300 17,310,000 2,344,200 462,000 15,694,100

296,975,800.00 1,993,490.00 4,594,960.00 1,190,584,300.00 29,233,610.00 16,739,518.00 341,830.00 114,947,737.00

12.64 19 1.3 0.430 0.039 15.66 2.53 12.98 0.0700 81.6 7.03 5.37 6.95 2.06 13.26 890 1766 5.17 418.40 2.78 125.2 1.94 11.48 6.98 0.126 5.0600 3.04 15.74 3.75 0.84 21.60 16.00 0.580 4.75 3.43 1.84

258,600 832,700 73,000 1,170,000 27,600,000 35,800 3,528,000 34,578,400 79,430,000 169,380 2,000 4,531,300 28,000 2,000 2,954,500 5,490 222,060 1,227,100 33,510 4,559,000 12,376,870 8,000 36,000 47,000 12,830,000 6,322,700 62,000 2,900 4,136,000 3,250,000 5,454,500 4,400 4,474,000 23,000 23,376,000 233,000

3,315,340.00 16,028,844.00 92,920.00 491,350.00 1,096,800.00 551,654.00 8,822,790.00 441,924,060.00 5,650,690.00 13,877,991.00 14,071.00 23,568,149.00 191,670.00 4,110.00 38,603,096.00 4,886,100.00 400,786,565.00 6,376,148.00 13,759,010.00 12,917,110.00 1,541,594,749.00 15,350.00 402,126.00 330,910.00 1,620,390.00 31,445,503.00 184,350.00 44,216.00 15,482,070.00 2,721,840.00 117,311,995.00 66,720.00 2,685,890.00 109,250.00 80,394,960.00 419,590.00

2.330 4.32 10.20 3.1 4.29 8.45 118.00 3.18 1220.00 0.940 0.750 43.60 78.30 9.04 2.80 0.680 0.37 5.62 0.680 16.500

11,366,000 115,000 93,100 45,000 541,000 300 1,351,710 17,011,000 546,655 168,436,000 35,293,000 13,251,100 942,100 570,600 62,390,000 7,846,000 10,960,000 4,343,200 11,901,000 20,832,500

26,707,610.00 489,660.00 941,709.00 142,540.00 2,194,980.00 2,475.00 161,775,419.00 51,564,630.00 671,885,185.00 164,514,680.00 26,458,050.00 580,893,400.00 73,953,603.50 5,098,177.00 168,995,890.00 5,270,920.00 4,093,150.00 24,414,875.00 8,085,040.00 351,820,184.00

0.0020 1.33 2.87 12.00 1.5000 1.4200 2.68 0.290 8.05 1.530 0.255 0.112 0.113 0.009 0.0086 1.09 2.44 1.01 0.5900 0.9200 0.0120 0.0120 3.17 8.93 0.0110 3.1000 23.60 0.0070

1,725,000,000 11,007,000 217,000 88,600 244,000 21,000 1,964,000 1,620,000 40,000 29,631,000 7,280,000 4,780,000 350,000 88,000,000 33,000,000 323,000 4,469,000 877,000 409,000 698,000 339,500,000 220,400,000 2,028,000 45,791,400 110,600,000 69,000 3,861,900 24,000,000

3,297,400.00 15,006,600.00 614,400.00 1,065,576.00 314,660.00 28,390.00 5,283,190.00 470,450.00 321,162.00 44,872,840.00 1,821,790.00 537,190.00 38,690.00 735,900.00 283,100.00 346,160.00 10,847,730.00 872,700.00 236,050.00 634,350.00 4,074,900.00 2,645,000.00 6,358,430.00 404,391,727.00 1,319,500.00 214,710.00 91,660,450.00 167,800.00

18.5 96 475 497 97 104

478,100 6,400 1,160 360 7,960 55,200

8,800,974.00 620,640.00 542,936.00 178,800.00 771,600.00 5,740,150.00

5.1 950 959 95.9 1.01 100.1 990 100 103 970 75 76.9 72.9 72 74 73.65 73.45 1.65

33,100 6,410 410 9,300 916,000 8,020 2,870 33,260 1,030 3,050 8,030 52,600 7,200 752,580 148,240 27,130 33,210 11,000

168,366.00 6,063,175.00 389,860.00 888,748.50 924,950.00 805,602.00 2,792,720.00 3,326,779.00 108,680.00 2,965,250.00 602,295.00 4,000,939.50 518,815.00 54,268,331.50 10,930,323.00 1,998,850.50 2,438,294.50 16,150.00

1.920

479,000

937,220.00

5.15 1.16

4,551,600 26,063,000

23,649,832.00 30,396,350.00

Italpinas Xurpas

5.5 1.12

4,444,700 16,788,000

First Metro ETF

119.5

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 40,000 4,753,319.00

117.7

35,600

4,177,834.00

10.1 10.1 0.99

DOLLAR DENONIMATED SEC. 42,470 429,998.00 3,520 35,552.00 10,000 9,900.00

10 10 1

57,070 5,040 36,560

574,219.00 50,400.00 36,560.00

USD DMPL A1 USD DMPL A2 USD TECH B2

WEEKLY MOST TRADED STOCKS Abra Mining MRC Allied Ind. Cemex Holdings Century Property PremiereHorizon SSI Group Megaworld Filinvest Land,Inc. Phinma Energy Metro Pacific Inv. Corp.

VOLUME 503,000,000 229,840,000 174,737,000 150,882,000 133,593,000 128,374,000 126,375,100 125,382,000 122,059,000 112,727,000

STOCKS Ayala Land `B’ Universal Robina SM Prime Holdings I.C.T.S.I. Metrobank Ayala Corp `A’ Banco de Oro Unibank Inc. Jollibee Foods Corp.

Bank of PI GT Capital

VALUE 3,019,551,725.00 1,559,860,325.00 1,416,842,190.00 1,380,878,294.00 1,273,106,993.00 1,089,021,610.00 1,088,110,787.00 1,085,927,086.00 976,116,873.00 890,062,930.00

PAL Holdings eyes P16.25b through stock rights offering

By Jenniffer B. Austria PAL Holdings Inc., the parent company of the country’s flag carrier Philippine Airlines Inc., may raise as much as P16.25 billion from a planned stock rights offering scheduled within the year.

PAL Holdings said in a regulatory filing it would seek the approval of shareholders to increase its capital base to P20 billion from the current P13.5 billion.

PAL Holdings said it would offer at least 25 percent of the increase in the capital stock, or not less than 1.625 billion common shares, by way of a rights offering to shareholders.

PAL’s parent firm could potentially raise P16.25 from the planned rights offering based on the company’s closing price of P10 on Friday.

“The prospectus or other offering circular to be hereafter prepared and submitted to the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Philippine Stock Exchange as required by law shall contain, among others, all the commercial terms of such offering as may hereafter be determined by the Board of Directors after due consultation with its financial and investment advisers,” said PAL Holdings.

PAL Holdings plans to complete the rights offering before the end of 2019.

ANA Holdings Inc., the parent company of Japan’s All Nippon Airways, earlier invested $95 million for a 9.5-percent stake in PAL Holdings.

ANA Holdings acquired the shares from Trustmark Holdings Corp., family firm of billionaire Lucio Tan and the largest shareholder of PAL Holdings.

ANA Holdings said the investment in PAL would help its mid-term corporate strategy that started last year and would last until 2022, where it aims to expand its international group network by forging partnerships with foreign airlines.

PAL said it would embark on a major re-fleeting program once the expansion of Ninoy Aquino International Airport started.

The airline has allotted $650 million for 2019 capital expenditures to fund aircraft acquisition.

The airline expects to receive six aircraft this year, comprising of Airbus 350, two Airbus 321neo and two Q400.

PAL flies to 43 international and 35 domestic destinations using 95 aircraft, and owns one of the youngest fleets in the industry with an average age of just five years.

Uy’s PH Resorts hiking capital base to P15b from P8b PH RESORTS Group Holdings Inc., the holding company for the tourism-related businesses of the Dennis Uy-led Udenna Group, is again increasing its capital base to P15 billion from P8 billion in preparation for a fund raising activity to finance casino projects.

PH Resorts said in a regulatory filing it would seek shareholders’ approval to increase the authorised capital stock prior to the issuance of shares through an equity offering, private placement or similar transactions to be determined by the board.

“The increase in the capital stock of the corporation is intended to accommodate the relevant capital expenditures necessary for the corporation’s ongoing projects and for general corporate purposes,” said PH Resorts Inc. PH Resorts is currently developing two integrated hotel and casino—Emerald in Cebu and Clark Resort in Pampanga.

The group has budgeted P34.17 billion for developing the first phase of The Emerald and P13.67 billion for the Clark Resort.

The projects are currently funded by an equity of P1.9 billion. Approximately P33.49 billion of the project cost is expected to be funded by debt.

PH Resorts said it already secured P3.88 billion in committed loan facilities, comprising of P3.1 billion and P788 million from China Banking Corp. It is in the advanced stage of negotiating additional financing lines from several creditors.

PH Resorts earlier said it planned to raise as much as P12 billion from the sale of up to 2.054 billion common shares at a price of between P3.65 and P5.84 apiece.

The company in February deferred the share sale after it “was presented with more strategically suitable alternative options for its funding needs.”

PH Resorts will also seek shareholders’ approval for its merger with PH Travel and Leisure Holdings Corp.

Jenniffer B. Austria

Business/World

B3

MONDAY, MAY 6, 2019 CESAR BARRIOQUINTO, Editor mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Sri Lanka churches stay closed N

EGOMBO, Sri Lanka―Father Suranga Warnakulasuriya said prayers alone in his church Sunday, as Catholic services were suspended across Sri Lanka for the second straight week since the Easter suicide attacks.

FRANCIS IN BULGARIA. Pope Francis walks alongside Bulgaria’s Prime Minister Boyko Borissov on his arrival in the Bulgarian capital

Sofia on May 5, 2019. Francis will meet the members of the tiny Catholic community, but the main Orthodox Church has rejected the idea of holding joint prayers with the pontiff. The three-day tour, which also takes in North Macedonia, includes a visit to a refugee camp on the outskirts of Sofia and a commemoration of Mother Teresa, the most famous native of the Macedonian capital Skopje. AFP

Polarized North Macedonians vote for president SKOPJE―North Macedonians returned to the ballot box on a rainy Sunday for a presidential run-off that risks creating a headache for the ruling Social Democrats, whose candidate is pitted against a nationalist-backed rival.

Turnout figures will be as important as who takes the lead, with 40 percent of the electorate needed to vote to validate the poll.

The two candidates, the ruling party’s Stevo Pendarovski and right-wing favorite Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova, finished in a near dead heat in the first round last month.

Their tie traced the split between proWest and nationalist camps who have clashed over the government’s recent move to change the country’s name to North Macedonia, which ended a longrunning row with Greece.

But record-low turnout in the first round, at barely over 41 percent, also reflected a failure to galvanize most of the 1.8 million voters.

IN BRIEF Pope Francis arrives in Bulgaria SOFIA―Pope Francis arrived in Bulgaria on Sunday, where he will meet members of the tiny Catholic community, but the main Orthodox Church has rejected the idea of holding joint prayers with the pontiff.

Prime Minister Boyko Borisov met Francis at the airport, with the government welcoming how the visit has put the former communist country, which joined the EU in 2007, and the Balkans in the international spotlight.

The three-day tour, which also takes in North Macedonia, includes a visit to a refugee camp on the outskirts of Sofia and a commemoration of Mother Teresa, the most famous native of the Macedonian capital Skopje.

Borisov has welcomed Francis’ visit, saying it “reflects his interest in the peaceful economic development of the Balkans”.

It will also provide a welcome change for Borisov’s administration which has seen several senior members mired in real estate scandals in recent weeks. AFP

Chopper crash kills seven officers CARACAS―Seven Venezuelan military officers were killed Saturday when their helicopter crashed outside Caracas, President Nicolas Maduro said.

The chopper had left the Venezuelan capital in the morning headed for San Carlos in the country’s northwest when it went down in a mountainous area of the El Hatillo municipality, the defense ministry said in a statement.

On Twitter, Maduro mourned the loss of “seven worthy officers of the country.”

They included two majors, three captains and two lieutenant colonels.

The defense ministry was launching an investigation into the crash.

Maduro was in San Carlos on Saturday, leading military exercises with top brass and more than 5,000 troops.

It was a show of strength against opposition leader Juan Guaido, whose attempt to launch a military uprising earlier in the week had failed.

Guaido was continuing his efforts to persuade the armed forces to abandon Maduro. AFP

If it sinks below 40 percent Sunday, the entire poll will be annulled, threatening a new period of political uncertainty in one of Europe’s poorest states.

Prime Minister Zoran Zaev is confident “the elections will succeed”.

But if not, he said he would call a snap parliamentary poll.

The presidential vote would also likely be re-run from the start, though Zaev has floated other options involving constitutional changes.

While the presidency is a largely ceremonial role, the office can exercise veto powers that complicate governing.

The current president, oppositionbacked Gjorge Ivanov, has been refusing to sign bills since the country changed its name to North Macedonia in protest against the deal.

The small, landlocked state has weathered repeated bouts of political turmoil in recent years, with nearly 10 elections in the past decade doing little to boost public faith in politicians.

Low wages and high unemployment have deepened the disillusionment.

“I think that people are a little fed up with voting,” said Katerina Gjorgjioska, a 23-year-old hotel receptionist in Skopje, rattling off the number of elections in recent years.

“Young people are disappointed with the situation in this country. And that’s why I think many leave,” she said, referring to huge waves of emigration that have sowed fears of a “brain drain” crisis.

Turnout on Sunday will be a “challenge” in light of “election fatigue and low voter enthusiasm”, said David Stephenson, a political consultant based in Skopje.

But he said the tight first round could spark more energy for the run-off.

“What’s important is to elect a president in a free, fair, and democratic process,” he added.

“Failure to do so risks another period of political instability, which would likely harm the country’s European perspective and damage economic growth.” AFP

With the army staging raids across the country and authorities maintaining high levels of security, the country’s 1.25 million Christians are still on edge after jihadist bombers killed 257 people.

Warnakulasuriya has been saying mass in an empty church in Negombo, just north of the capital, every day since the slaughter at three hotels and three churches, one not far from his.

“Sometimes we feel lonely by not being able to celebrate the mass together,” admitted the fresh-faced 32-year-old who only became a priest in 2015.

With churches closed, the country’s Catholics had to make do Sunday with a second televised mass by the Archbishop of Colombo, Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith.

A few people went to St Anthony’s Shrine in Colombo to say prayers in front of a barrier set up in front of the church where dozens died on April 21. But the faithful are frustrated.

“It’s not enough because we cannot receive the eucharist through television, that’s the important thing,” said Shehani Rangana, 33, whose father was among the dead at St Sebastian’s church in Negombo.

Since the bombings, Catholics―shaken by physical and psychological scars from the jihadist attacks―have been organizing their own services and solidarity groups.

Sometimes Warnakulasuriya and other priests say prayers in the homes of parishioners. Rangana put up a cross of dried leaves at the door of her home for one service.

Warnakulasuriya said he goes to up to 20 homes each day to celebrate commu-

Corporate sustainability projects and employee engagement RINGGOLD ATIENZA

GREEN LIGHT “WHAT makes employees engage more into the outreach programs, sustainability projects, or corporate social initiatives of the organization?” This is the question every manager deals with from time to time, in this age where organizations are expected to behave in a socially responsible way by protecting the environment, helping solve social problems in the community, or doing business ethically. Answering this question is important since it is the driving force of the employees that can make corporation sustainability projects thrive.

One of the companies that have been successful in managing employee engagement is IBM. The company’s tradition of volunteerism is as old the company itself when, in the late 1910s, its first CEO Thomas J. Watson Sr., challenged his employees to share their time and talents with their communities.

At that moment, the culture of community service in IBM was born. IBM’s eighth CEO Sam Palmisano further stated that “No company can mandate volunteerism. The decision and self-sacrifice come from within the individual. What we can do is encourage and support this distinctive aspect of our culture by providing education, technology, funding, and recognition to tens of thousands of IBM colleagues who enrich their communities with their expertise and caring.”

I looked into many models in the literature that explained why these organizations are successful in engaging their employees in their sustainability projects. Specifically, I used the employee perspective approach and examined what personal values and characteristics of employees explain their propensity to volunteer, commit, involve or engage into the organization’s environmental projects. I initially guessed that one of the factors that explain employee engagement is their “pro-environment self-identity.” However, it turned out that it was their “pro-environment social identity” that predicts engagement. Social identity is an individual’s sense of who they are based on their group membership. In this case, employees who would want to identify themselves, along with their colleagues, a member of an environmental-conscious-group in the organization are more likely to engage in environ-

mental activities.

Why is this important when, in fact, many would say this result is not surprising at all? In fact, social identity theory was first introduced by two British social psychologists Henri Tajfel and John Turner in 1979. However, while the link of social identity and motivation has been around for some time in Psychology, this link has been barely explored incorporate sustainability and employee engagement, if it has been explored at all.

To reiterate, the research findings showed only their (the employees) “pro-environmental social identity” but not their overall “pro-environmental self-identity” affectstheir engagement. This result brings us to new possibilities and insights. Providing the employees with the time to go out and do the work, the required resources, and autonomy are one of the ways that work in motivating them to engage. Additionally, providing them something that can boost their pro-environmental social identity is something that might be new in the table.

Most of the time, managers communicate the importance of volunteerism as a personal and professional development just as what IBM’s first CEO did. Building on my research findings, it was not the individual kindle that created the culture of volunteerism in IBM. It was their social identity tag as part of the IBM organization whose purpose in this world is not only to work but also to extend their expertise outside.

It might be that the encouraging words of Thomas J. Watson Sr. ignited them, but their collectiveness kept that fire burning for many decades.

The case of IBM might be considered ideal; for instance, its success in creating social identity could be attributed to the fact the company might have employed like-minded people in the first place. For managers who have to work on a daily basis with employees with diverse backgrounds and interests, it is surely a challenging task to create that unifying social identity.

Ringgold P. Atienza is pursuing his Doctor of Philosophy in Business at the Ramon V. del Rosario College of Business of De La Salle University. He is also an Assistant Professor of the College of Business and Management, Misamis University. As a scholar, his research interests include personal finance, entrepreneurship, management and sustainability. You can reach him at ringgold_atienza@dlsu.edu.ph. The views expressed above are the author’s and do not necessarily reflect the official position of DLSU, its faculty and its administrators.

nion.

“They share their views on this attack,” he said.

“Sometimes they have hatred feelings, so we try to control them, to persuade them not to have revenge. We try to calm them by saying that Jesus is not hatred but love.”

Around St Sebastian’s Church, ravaged by a suicide bomber who killed 102 people, nearly all the houses have white flags, the colour of mourning.

The bigger pennants are a sign that someone from the house died in the massacre.

The local cemetery did not have enough room to bury all the dead and one local resident offered land so that victims could be buried together.

Two nuns watched a nine-year-old girl, Nethudini, as she sat on a chair in one of the houses drawing with an art kit offered by a local family.

The young girl’s mother died in the Negombo attack on April 21. Nethudini survived with injuries but has barely spoken nor cried since.

She drew a picture of St Sebastian’s in blood red.

The Catholic leadership has assigned a support team of a priest, two nuns and two volunteers for many of the families that were torn apart by the bombers.

Father George Anthony Fernando is leading the team watching over Nethudini and her family.

“Depending on their requirements, counseling will take the time needed. I might come two or three times per week to visit them. I have been assigned only this one family,” said Fernando. AFP

Cattle rancher favorite to win Panama election PANAMA CITY—Social-democrat Laurentino Cortizo is the favorite to win as 2.7 million Panamanians take to the polls on Sunday to elect a new president following a campaign dominated by talk of corruption.

Cortizo, a 66-year-old businessman and cattle rancher, was 10 points clear of his closest challenger, former foreign minister Romulo Roux of the Democratic Change party, with the polls showing independent Ricardo Lombana a close third.

Sunday’s winner will succeed Juan Carlos Varela, who is unable to stand for re-election as Panama’s constitution limits presidents to a single five-year term.

Corruption played a significant role in election campaigning in a country struggling to shed its image as a money-laundering paradise following the Panama Papers scandal three years ago.

Equally damaging was the admission by Brazilian construction giant Odebrecht that it had paid $59 million in bribes in Panama between 2010 and 2014 to secure major public works contracts.

Cortizo, a veteran politician and former agriculture minister known popularly as “Nito,” said he wants to “rescue and transform Panama” and “leave a legacy” untainted by corruption.

“I’m leaning towards Nito Cortizo because of his ability, experience and knowledge, and I think he has all the tools and structure to carry out a large part of what he has

proposed,” Miguel Carrio, an insurance salesman, told AFP. The surprise candidate in the race, lawyer and journalist Lombana, has surged in the polls on an anti-corruption ticket, garnering almost 20 percent of voter intentions, compared to Cortizo’s 36 percent.

Lombana, a former Panamanian consul to Washington, has hit out at the traditional parties, a popular tactic at a time when public confidence in the political establishment has been hit by numerous scandals.

While he may be behind, 45-year-old Lombana could yet win Sunday’s election, political scientist Harry Brown told AFP, given that “the context of corruption scandals favors independents.”

Speaking to AFP, Dolores De Gracia said she would vote for Lombana “because in truth I’m looking for a change, this country needs a change. I trust him and I hope the corruption will end.”

In recent days, Lombana has been boosted by public backing from singer Ruben Blades, a legend of salsa.

While Blades didn’t mention Lombana by name, it was clear he was referring to the outsider candidate when he called on voters to pick an independent candidate promising constitutional reform in a bid to end corruption.

“If our country continues with these corrupt institutions, it will explode,” said Blades, predicting that would lead to “violent reactions.”AFP

NOTICE OF DISSOLUTION FEI FAN FOOD PHILIPPINES (FFFPC) CORP. Notice is hereby given that the Amended Articles of Fei Fan Food Philippines (FFFPC) CORP. with the TIN of 008-132-974-000, shortening the term of its existence and thereby dissolving the said corporation as of July 16,2018 a Balance Sheet showing that no creditors thereof will be affected by such dissolution, have been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. All persons having claims against the corporation are required to present the same at its principal office at #2 South AA st. Brgy. Paligsahan Quezon City for immediate settlement.

This announcement will serve as a notice to all parties concerned of the legal dissolution of the said corporation.

Quezon City. Philippines. April 22,2019

FAYE MARIE ARELLANO - MARTINEZ Corporate Secretary

LGUs

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

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MONDAY, MAY 6, 2019

LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS

Manila councilor pleads for support for ‘Team Legacy’

Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada and running mate Amado Bagatsing.

Erap-Bagatsing tandem tops Fil-Chinese poll

By Joel E. Zurbano

MANILA City 4th district reelectionist councilor Don Juan Alonzo Bagatsing on Sunday appealed to voters to support all the candidates of Team Legacy of Mayor Joseph Estrada, who he said were all dedicated to deliver honest service to their constituents.

“Our priority is giving free health services and decent jobs to the Manileños, to help them have better lives and promote progress in the city,” said Bagatsing.

Estrada earlier said his slate was dubbed “Team Legacy” because he wants to leave a good legacy to his prospective mayoralty heir—the 71-yearold uncle of Bagatsing, former 5th district congressman Amado Bagatsing.

This developed as Don Juan, also known as DJ, was included in the Magic 6 for Manila councilor, based on the latest survey conducted by Ipoll Inc. The survey, conducted from April 10 to 15 with 2,000 respondents, revealed that 99 percent of residents in the Barangay of Sampaloc in Manila have known DJ as councilor.

Residents also remembered Bagatsing’s achievements and accomplishments as councilor from 2010 to 2016.

The young Bagatsing thanked his supporters and voters and asked Manila residents to vote for other candidates under their party.

Cristal Bagatsing, daughter of Amado, is also seeking another term to represent the 5th district in the House of Representatives.

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

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

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

These includes the Kabalikat ng Bayan sa Kaunlaran (KABAKA), Asosasyon ng Nagkakaisa at Aktibong Kabataan (ANAK), Asosasyon ng Barangay Kagawad ng Maynila (ABAKA) and Service Investment Good Government Leadership Action (SIGLA).

PLARIDEL KAPIHAN. Mayor Remedios ‘Matin’ Petilla (center) of Palo,

Leyte discusses the preparations for the 75th anniversary of the Leyte Landing at the Samahang Plaridel Kapihan sa Manila Hotel news forum on Friday. Flanking Petilla are Presidential Special Concerns Secretary Wendel Avisado (right), who is also president of the Boy Scouts of the Philippines, and Xiao Chua, a Filipino-Chinese historian, as they discussed the role of Scouting in the Pacific during World War II from 1942 to 1945. Lino Santos

Ejercitos in full force in big San Juan rally

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HE Estrada-Ejercito clan came out in full force on Sunday for the grand rally of the Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino-Team One San Juan along Pinaglabanan Street, San Juan City.

Senatorial candidate Jinggoy Estrada led the party’s official slate for the city led by his daughter, Vice Mayor Janella Ejercito Estrada, who is running for mayor to replace incumbent Guia Gomez.

Others on the PMP slate are Councilor Leonardo Boy Celles for Vice Mayor, actor-politician Edu Manzano for Congressman, and the councilors for the city’s two political districts.

Members of different sectoral groups, non-government organizations, the city’s Muslim community, persons with disabilities, Senior Citizens, Pink Ladies, the Movement for Good Govern-

ance, Partido Magdiwang, JELS Army and others attended the grand rally.

The program began with a people’s march where the candidates and volunteers visited the different barangays and then gathered at the monument of national hero Gat Andres Bonifacio at Pinaglabanan.

The march aimed to show the city’s residents the unity of the PMP-Team One San Juan slate for the betterment of the citizens.

Also attending the march was former President and current Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada, who was San Juan’s chief executive for over two decades, along with performers Jinky Vidal, Duncan

Ramos, Boobsie, Norman Mitchell, and Ex Batallion.

Earlier, pundits said the perception of San Juan City voters about former Senator Jinggoy Estrada could affect the outcome of the tight race for the mayoralty between incumbent Vice Mayor Janella Ejercito Estrada and her rival, former Vice Mayor Francis Zamora.

The former senator has appeared at events in the city to support 29-yearold Janella, who may benefit from Jinggoy’s deep roots in San Juan, where he served as mayor from 1992 to 2001.

The Ejercito-Estrada family, which has controlled the mayoralty for 50 years, has made an effort to put up a united front.

Incumbent Senator JV Ejercito has also endorsed Janella, who was picked by his mother Gomez, for mayor.

MANILA Mayor Joseph Estrada and running mate Amado Bagatsing continue to top different pre-election surveys ahead of the May 13 polls, as both remained favored choices for Manila’s top posts.

“If the trend remains unchanged, incumbent Mayor Joseph Estrada will serve his third and last term while Manila will have a new vice mayor,” according to the latest survey conducted by the Filipino-Chinese Independent Business Coalition.

In its April 24-27 field work survey using face-to-face interviews, the FCIBC said Estrada garnered 51.8% voter’s preference, considered the highest score among several field works since January 2019.

At least 1,800 respondents were asked about the candidates they want to lead Manila in the next three years, with Estrada still the best choice, the survey noted.

The non-commissioned survey revealed that Estrada’s closest rival, former vice mayor Isko Moreno, got a 34.8% voter preference, while former Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim received 13%.

For vice mayor, former congressman Bagatsing received 54.5 percent voter preference compared to Moreno’s running mate, incumbent Vice Mayor Honey Lacuna, who earned 45 percent.

Marvin Manhit, FCIBC Chief research analyst, said that based on their study, Estrada “possesses a ‘magnetic’ political appeal to Manilenos, which is considered a plus factor against the tandem of Moreno-Lacuna.”

“If you will notice, both Isko and Lacuna served as vice mayors under Estrada’s leadership. Based on our assessment, anybody who will be the running mate of Mayor Estrada will win, and it looks like Amado Bagatsing, who is also a veteran politician, has the advantage over the incumbent,” Manhit said.

The FCIBC is the same private firm that released a study in 2016, which confirmed the slim chance of Estrada’s victory in winning the elections against Lim.

Quezon hosts largest steel wire-rod facility CANDELARIA, Quezon—Quezon province, particularly the town of Candelaria, would soon transform into a site of the world’s largest steel wirerod manufacturing facility following the groundbreaking of the Steel Asia’s processing complex in Barangay Malabanban Sur here.

Governor David Suarez welcomed the investors of Steel Asia, one of the largest steel manufacturing firms in the country for locating their investments in the province which would boost Quezon’s recent tag at Calabarzon’s fastest growing economy, according to the National Economic Development Authority-Calabarzon regional office.

“We welcome you, thank you for coming to Quezon Province. This is a good way of ending my term in June.

At least, I’m ending my term in a high note that we were able to usher in a new chapter of development and provide greater hope for Quezonians who have to look for jobs and opportunities in other regions and other provinces,” Suarez told Steel Asia investors who broke ground for the manufacturing site on April 29.

He said this has been part of the provincial government’s master development plan into a commercial industrial area in the 2nd District, while the three other districts are into development of the agri-industrial sector.

“At least, we can tell them, in the next few years, that the jobs could be generated right here in Quezon province, especially in this town of Candelaria,” he added.

The provincial governor said the wire-rod manufacturing facility augurs well for the provincial development and investment, such as the tollway and road (TR4) extension project, processing plants, industrial parks, among others.

He also thanked Steel Asia for its confidence in the provincial government for the realization of their steel flagship firm’s goal of producing more than two million tons of processed steel bars per year.

Benjamin Yao, who hails from Lucban, Quezon and chair and chief executive officer of Steel Asia, relayed his firm’s gratitude for the cooperation and support of both the provincial and Candelaria municipal governments for the steel project. PNA

Las Piñas police destroy 18 video ‘karera’ machines A photograph of the flyer showing the name of Gamu councilor candidate ‘Sonny’ Boy Caro, the other candidates endorsed for various positions, and the P1,000 bill as payment for the voter’s vote in the May 13 elections. Abe Almirol

Vote buying foiled in a poor GK village

By Abe Almirol GAMU, Isabela—Vote buying is not fair, a poor man living at a Gawad Kalinga village here declared.

Servando Pascua, 40, a resident of Purok 6B of Barangay Linglingay in this town, said he knew the consequences of his confession to the police authorities that he received money from a candidate’s cohorts.

“After seeing with my own eyes that vote buying is happening in my neighborhood, I asked helped from other people to do something,” Pascua told the Manila Standard.

Randy Gannaban, 44, and his daughter Melody, 18, also residents of the Gawad Kalinga Village here, joined Pascua in seeking help after they had proven that money is indeed being given away in exchange of a commitment to vote for a candidate.

“We lined up at around 8 a.m., and true enough we were given [money],” the younger Gannaban said.

A commotion took place after other candidates campaigning nearby learned about the vote-buying at the house of a certain Marina Cabauatan, prompting elements of the Gamu Police Station to respond.

MAYOR Imelda Aguilar has ordered who will allow and support video ka- betting games is a positive step in prethe Las Piñas Police to strictly imple- rera games in their areas. venting illegal gambling in Las Piñas ment the ban on video karera (horseracMayor Aguilar said the operation City, and ensures a safe and vice-free ing) machines and other illegal gam- against the proliferation of illegal video environment especially for the youth. bling activities in the city.

Eighteen video karera machines were confiscated during police raids in several areas including Cleanville and Martin Ville in Barangay Manuyo Uno, Basa Compound in Barangay Zapote, Marcos Alvarez and Golden Acres in Barangay Talon Uno, T.S. Cruz Subdivision in Barangay Almanza Dos , Barangay Pamplona Uno, and Manuyo Dos. The confiscated machines were destroyed last Monday at the City Hall Grounds witnessed by the city government officials and employees.

Acting Las Piñas Police Chief Simnar Gran said the latest raids on video karera operators were undertaken by the joint action of the various Police Community Precincts and other sections of the Las Piñas Police.

He added that the “One Strike Policy” implementation acts as a deterrent City hall workers destroy the video karera machines confiscated by Las Pinas police during to those police precinct commanders the flag ceremony on Monday, April 29.

Life

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

FOOD

MONDAY, MAY 6, 2019

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Make your mama feast SUMPTUOUS TREATS FOR THE QUEEN OF THE HOUSE. Treat mom to a special meal she can share with the people she care about the most.

Hot summer deals at F1 Hotel

W

E ALL love mom’s cooking, but on her special day don’t make her pick up the apron and spatula; treat her to a sumptuous meal made especially for her that she can share with the people she care about.

Spanish fiesta

For the queen of the house who loves Spanish cuisine, Eastwood Richmonde Hotel’s all-day dining restaurant Eastwood Café+Bar throws a Spanish fiesta, dubbed Mom is Love (Mamá es Amor) Mother’s Day Buffet, on May 12.

Richmonde’s team of skilled chefs will take mom and the whole family on a culinary journey to the rich and exciting tastes of Spain with savory bites from the selection of aperitivo that includes Fried Herring and assorted tapas, and the assortment of main dishes like Organic Iberian Chicken and Lengua Sevillana.

The spread will also feature a la minute cooking of Camaron, and two paella variants: Paella Negra and Paella Filipino made of sisig and pork belly. Not to be missed is the dessert section with sugary delights like Canonigo and Brazo de Gitano.

A glass of guyabano citrus juice and coffee or green tea are also included in the meal.

Moms dining with four paying guests gets to eat for free. The buffet, available for lunch and dinner, is priced at P1,250 nett per person.

Call (02) 570-7777.

Eastwood Cafe+Bar serves Spanish buffet.

Creating MOMents over dinner

Yurakuen has special set menus on Mother’s Day.

A mom loves to feed her family, but on Mother’s Day satisfy her food cravings. Diamond Hotel’s in-house restaurants have a variety of lavish surprises for the special lady of the house.

Corniche restaurant serves a banquet of dishes from around the world for lunch and dinner for P2,880 nett per person from May 10 to 12. Yurakuen, on the other hand, offers set menus for groups of four for P9,600 nett or groups of six for P13,600 nett. The Japanese lunch comes with one round of standard beverage of choice.

The Mother’s Day three-course set menu at Lobby Lounge comes with a glass of white wine for P1,680 nett. And moms who want to have drinks with friends can head over to Bar 27 for a night of drinks, dancing, and delicious pica-pica.

All mothers dining on May 12 will receive a complimentary slice of cake and a framed photo.

Call (02) 528-3000.

Turn to C2

IF THERE is one thing that can be said about F1 Hotel’s Executive Chef Angelo “Chubby” Timban, it is that he is unafraid to experiment in creating dishes, and that he does not experiment just for the sake of experimenting.

He does so intelligently, as evidenced by what became an all-time favorite at the hotel’s F All-Day Dining restau-

Chairman’s Burger

rant—Mexinigang, an innovative take on the Filipino classic sinigang with a Mexican twist.

Chef Chubby recently rolled out three new ala carte dishes: the “Chairman’s Burger,” which is the hotel owner’s personal favorite; Classico Rogu Pasta; and the three-way lechon.

The burger is made with US-grade homemade patty, topped with salsa sauce and Swiss cheese, and served with Sloppy Joe fries on the side.

The pasta features a delicious twist with Filipino caldereta sauce and black croutons made with squid ink.

The three-way lechon, on the other hand, will have guests hankering for more of the carefully steamed and then roasted pork, which is deepfried before serving and paired with bagoong rice. The bagoong rice itself Turn to C2

Life

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MONDAY, MAY 6, 2019 manilastandardlife@gmail.com

BITES As sweet as a mom’s love Surprise mom with a sweet confection on Mother’s Day. Andrew Café’s Yummy Yema Cake tastes as good as it looks with its delectable fluffy chiffon wrapped and filled with generous yema spread. Each round cake is adorned with charming rosette made from Swiss butter cream and drizzles of crisp bitesized dragées on top.

For pre-orders, contact Andrew Café at (02) 230-5100 local 1888 two days before the pick-up.

Yummy Yema Cake

Tagaytay Pizza Toblerone Mother’s Day 2019 sleeve designs by Georgina Wilson and Isabelle Daza

Arts and chocolates

Express love in your own words with Toblerone Mother’s Day blank packs designed by it-moms Isabelle Daza-Semblat and Georgina Wilson-Burnard.

The limited edition Toblerone sleeve designs by Daza and Wilson reflect their views on motherhood.

“I designed the pack to celebrate Mother’s Day everyday in every lit-

tle thing we do for our little ones,” shared Daza.

Wilson said, “I also made sure the design reminds me and other moms and kids that time with family is always the sweetest.”

The Limited Edition Mother’s Day Black Packs are available in 100g (P106), 200g (P206), and 360g (P400) at leading supermarkets nationwide.

RECIPE FILES

Thirst-quenching summer coolers BAR expert and food and beverage consultant Ryan Viray, CGSP, shares these mouthwatering concoctions that are not just refreshing but are excellent for the health, too.

Spicy Nature’s Cooler Ingredients: 120ml 30ml 1 tbsp.

lemongrass-infused water fresh lemon juice honey (or more according to preference) siling labuyo to taste

Procedure: 1. Put all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake vigorously.

2. Strain in a Poco Grande glass with ice. Garnish with lemongrass stalk and burned sugared lemon wheel in the drink.

Tip: This versatile drink can also be served in beach parties: just add a tangy dose of vodka to complete the already exhilarating zesty lemon taste.

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Pineapple

Fresh, healthy meals

by Mesa Ni Misis

AGAYTAY-BASED Anya Resort serves new gustatory offerings made in partnership with Mesa Ni Misis, a conscious and sustainable food movement founded by Juana Manahan-Yupangco.

Manahan-Yupangco worked with the resort’s executive chef Jonathan Bouthiaux to create a menu which combines goodness with nutrition using Tagaytay’s local, sustainable food sources.

“The Philippines offers a lot of nutritious produce we can use in our meals and sometimes it’s all a matter of knowing how to best use them in creating very flavorful dishes in the kitchen,” shares Manahan-Yupangco.

“I love that Anya has its own vegetable and herb garden which gives them quick and easy access to fresh ingredients.”

Tasty starters on the menu include Ampalaya ala JASMS, an ampalaya dish covered in kangkong pesto; Pinoy Harvest Bowl, which has hearty red monggo and squash drizzled with tamari sauce; and

a flavorful Mango Salad marinated in a dressing of oregano and mint.

For the main course, enjoy an appetizing Monggo Bolognese, Laguna Cheese Ravioli, or Tagaytay Pizza, which was inspired by Manahan-Yupangco’s children who did a pizza making class when they stayed at Anya. It is topped with creamy Laguna cheese, tomatoes, kalabasa, sitaw, grilled eggplant, and pineapple.

Meal endings come in the form of a refreshing fruit platter or a grilled and marinated pineapple served with rosemary and virgin colada foam.

The Mesa Ni Misis menu is available at the Anila and Amra restaurant of Anya Resort Tagaytay until June 29.

Go to www.anyaresorts.com for more Juana Yupangco, founder of Mesa Ni Misis information.

Cucumber Basil Magnifico Ingredients: 10g 25g 15ml 2 tsp.

basil leaves cucumber fresh lemon juice honey splash of lemon soda (Sprite)

Procedure: 1. Blend basil leaves and peeled cucumber in 60 ml of water. Run the blender for 10 to 20 seconds.

2. Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake well. Strain into a double Old-Fashioned glass over fresh ice.

3. Garnish with basil leaves and cucumber slice in the drink. Top up with lemon soda.

Tip: Transform this virgin drink to a stylish summer cocktail by infusing a dash of the all-time favorite gin.

Pinoy Harvest Bowl

Monggo Bolognese

Hot...

Make...

From C1

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is ridiculously delicious that I had two helpings.

F1 Hotel likewise brings back its Barbeque Nights at Canary Lounge for that picturesque city-glamping vibe.

Available every Friday for the entire month of May from 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. at P788 per head, the sizzling bar-

Mommies eat for free

Moms are the queen at Century Park Hotel as it treats them to a free lunch or dinner buffet when they dine with three paying guests on Mother’s Day. Buffet prices start at P795 net (kids 6-10 years old) and P1,495 net (adults).

A complimentary cake also awaits moms for a minimum consumption of P1,200 net at the Atrium Lounge.

Call (02) 528-8888.

I’m at joyce.panares@gmail.com.

Classico Rogu Pasta

Moms enjoy free lunch or dinner buffet at Century Park Hotel.

Indulgent tea gastronomy

TWG Tea’s Mother’s Day Set Menu

beque spread is complemented by a live acoustic performance of crowd favorite Jet Barrun. Friends looking for a nightcap can order a Colossal Mojito— good for up to four persons—for only P983 per glass.

And if you are staying for the weekend at the heart of BGC, enjoy Outdoor Movie Nights every Saturday from 6:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.

TWG Tea pays tribute to the unconditional love of mothers with a spectacular Mother’s Day Set Menu.

Begin the celebration with the seared halibut fillet wrapped in a chive crepe with baby potatoes and shallot confit, served with a tartar sauce infused with Genmaicha.

Follow it up with a delectable squid and scampi pasta served with shimeji mushrooms, garlic, and parsley infused with Tokyo-Singapore Tea. Accentuating the sweetness of the seafood, pair this dish with a warm cup of Geisha Blossom Tea, a vivacious blend of green tea and refreshing, ripe southern fruits; or the French Earl Grey Tea, a fragrant black tea delicately infused with citrus fruits and French blue cornflowers.

Complete the unforgettable meal with an alluring heartshaped gateau of honeycomb layered with strawberries and banana, coated with Silver Moon Tea infused white chocolate topped with dried roses.

The three-course set menu with tea is priced at P1,250, and is available today until May 26.

Three-way lechon

Entertainment

MONDAY, MAY 6, 2019

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nickie.standard@gmail.com

From left: Dyan Castillejo, Chiara Zambrano, Gus Abelgas, Jeff Canoy, ABS-CBN Integrated News and Current Affairs head Ging Reyes, and Jorge Carino

'It’s Showtime' stars gave energizing performances during the 'Race Your Voice' event.

Hundreds join ABS-CBN journalists, personalities in ‘Race Your Voice’ A BOUT 700 Kapamilyas of all ages joined journalists and personalities from ABSCBN in ABS-CBN News’ “Race Your Voice” obstacle fun run for voters’ education held recently at the Quezon Memorial Circle in Quezon City.

ABS-CBN head of Integrated News and Current Affairs Ging Reyes, together with Jorge Carino, Chiara Zambrano, Jeff Canoy, Dyan Castillejo, and Gus Abelgas led participants in an energizing run where each stop tested their knowledge

about the elections.

Senior citizens, couples, families, and “barkadas” challenged each other in answering questions on things like the process of voting and rules about ballots while going through obstacles like

hurdles, garter mazes, and giant inflatable mountains and slides.

According to college student Diego Rosales, who conquered the obstacles with his friends and fellow STI CollegesFairview students, the event was a fun

Chiara Zambrano and Gus Abelgas ran the full obstacle course

way to learn and refresh their knowledge on the elections.

“This fun run was very helpful to veteran, first-time, and future voters,” said Diego. “Even if you’re doing this for fun and with friends, you learn along the way and get reminded how important it is to participate in the elections.”

COMELEC representatives were also present at the event to help answer voters’ questions on the elections, lead participants through a step-by-step voting guide, and demonstrate how to cast a ballot on election day.

Before gun start, attendees also made a collective pledge to raise their voices and exercise their right to vote in the coming national elections on May 13.

Meanwhile, aside from the obstacle fun run, runners and spectators were treated to free basic health services courtesy of ABS-CBN Lingkod Kapamilya and performances led by Young JV, PBB Otso adult housemates Shawntel Cruz, Hanie Onofre, Camille Sandel, Kim

Franco, JC Gamez, Wakim Regalado, Abi Kassem, and Tori Garcia, and It’s Showtime’s Brenda Mage, Czedy Rodriguez, Chad Kinis Lustre-Reid, Anna Patricia Lorenzo, Steph Robles, Charles Kieron, Zeus Collins, and Vitto Marquez.

Online singing sensations JThree, Brettdane Castillo, Shenikah Supin, Richard Estanes, and rappers Alex Bruce, Edmar Capalad, Mercifuletes Viola, who were featured in “Halalan 2019”-themed videos produced by ABSCBN, also shared their talents. DZMM Radyo Patrol 630 anchor Ahwel Paz kept the energy up as the host of the event.

“Race Your Voice,” is part of ABSCBN News’ efforts to inform, educate, and empower Filipinos ahead of the May 13 elections in line with its “Halalan 2019” election coverage on ABS-CBN, DZMM Radyo Patrol 630 and DZMM TeleRadyo, ANC, the ABS-CBN News Channel, news.abs-cbn.com and patrol. ph.

Film screenings focus on impacts of technology on modern life A COLLECTION of enchanting animated science fiction films which focuses on the impact of technology on modern life and its political and ideological concerns is featured as the film screenings for this month of May at the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLSCSB) Museum of Contemporary Art and Design (MCAD).

Discover the movie Gandahar, on how the inhabitants in a distant planet living in peace and harmony was interrupted and attacked by bizarre, man-machine enemies who captured civilians and took them through a portal encased in metal to be brainwashed. The film is scheduled

for May 10 and 11.

Based on the beloved novel of Edwin Abbott Flatlands: A Romance of Many Dimensions, a world where only two dimensions on which triangles, squares, pentagons and other figures live and move freely in Flatland: The Movie, which takes on race, gender, class, and political corruption, slated for May 17 and 18.

A sci-fi thriller 400 years into the future shows the protagonist as a mysterious expertlytrained assassin working for the Monicans, a group of rebels who believe in freedom trying to overthrow the oppressive government and

Anytime Fitness brings wellness closer to communities IN PURSUIT of bringing wellness goals closer to communities, the world’s fastest-growing fitness club chain, Anytime Fitness, is even more eager to help Filipinos pick up a healthy lifestyle through their expansion plans this 2019.

Anytime Fitness’ biggest selling point is being open round the clock, giving members the freedom to dictate their fitness journey and non-members to eliminate their fear of joining the gym. With the most competitive price range across the industry, its real appeal is its location

with branches often located nearer to communities or within walking distance of most residential and commercial areas.

Despite the increasing number of “big box” gyms in central business districts that cater to a certain group of clientele, there are still a lot of underserved community areas, especially in the Philippines.

“I am confident that the Philippine market is more than ready for Anytime Fitness. The number of clubs we have in the country is a testament to the dedication of the Filipino people

CROSSWORD PUZZLE Monday, May 6, 2019

ACROSS 1 Irritates 5 Evelyn Waugh’s brother 9 Hydrophobic 14 Derisive snorts 15 Bolivia neighbor 16 Wash out 17 Getz or Kenton 18 Fall fruit 19 Home for Hadrian 20 One, to Fritz 21 Always, to the bard 22 Multiplex 24 Bunch of flowers 26 Televises 27 TV button 28 Wait awhile 29 — and hiss 32 Leprechaun kin 35 Of the sky 37 Go-getter 38 Articles of commerce 39 Roused up 40 Dog-race dog 42 Lariat 43 Toady’s reply 44 Otherwise 45 Asian language 46 Vault 47 Bored 51 Remove, as a cap

54 Naval off.

55 Prickly husk (var.)

56 Mamas’ bandmates 57 Thicke of “Growing Pains” 59 Pianist Peter — 60 “Lohengrin,” e.g.

61 Olden times 62 Senora’s house 63 Info-packed 64 Treat an icy road 65 Handwriting on the wall DOWN 1 “Ghosts” author 2 Math proportion 3 Kublai and Genghis 4 Common ID 5 Charm 6 Skeptical 7 Time span 8 Shortened 9 Looks up to 10 Tunes for divas 11 Gate fastener 12 Lazing about 13 Pet name 21 Self-images 23 Pelts 25 Partner of each

28 European capital 29 Life stories, briefly 30 Shade trees 31 Dairy-case buy 32 Nervous 33 Practical knowledge 34 Plunging necklines 35 Raised roads 36 Tom Sawyer creator 38 Rex Stout detective

41 Rumor 42 Rules of conduct 45 Caught some rays 46 Defaces 47 Ache 48 Girder (2 wds.)

49 TLC provider 50 React to a pun 51 Hit — (discover) 52 Ponytail site 53 Hurl forth 58 Mauna — 59 Pvt.’s superior

‘Gandahar,’ a movie about the inhabitants in a distant planet who used to live in peace and harmony.

fight in the name of the disappeared, in Aeon Flux animated series is set for May 24 and 25.

The film screenings are free and open to the public.

Schedules are on Fridays and Sundays of May from 12:00 noon to 3:00 p.m. at the Mini Green Room.

For inquiries and reservation, call 230-5100 local 3897 or e-mail at mcad@benilde.edu.ph.

The Mini Green Room is located at the 10th Floor of The De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde School of Design and Arts Campus, 950 Pablo Ocampo (Vito Cruz) Street, Malate, Manila.

to health and fitness. They create the need and we are here to heed the call”, says Anytime Fitness Asia CEO Maurice Levine about the brand’s expansion in the local market.

As a testament to Anytime Fitness’ pillars namely people, purpose, profit, play, and passion, the international 24-hour fitness club is set to open its 100th branch today in line with the brand’s new campaign thrust: “You’re Welcome,” which aims to answer the decade-long stigma of gym intimidation.

“Our new tagline is inspired by the

brand values that we want to share with our community. It reflects the future we aspire to have; to be the safe place where everyone can be themselves without any judgments, intimidation, or discrimination,” says Jap Angeles, Anytime Fitness Asia Regional Marketing Manager, on why “You’re Welcome” seeks to break barriers and go beyond the borders of health and fitness.

To know more about the Anytime Fitness, visit www.anytimefitness. ph and follow Anytime Fitness Philippines on Facebook.

Arnel...

From C4

They played at Grammy’s in Hongkong but Pineda returned to the Philippines because of an illness that endangered his voice. Six months later, he was back in Hong Kong performing once again with New Age. Pineda was then recording his self-titled solo album with slow ballads and upbeat Latin music combined, several of which were written and composed by Pineda himself. “ By that time, I had also formed another band called 9mm which started playing at Hard Rock Café Makati,” Pineda recounted. “Our slot was on a Sunday and people didn’t usually go out on that day, so that was a challenge.”

He sang tracks by The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, U2, Deep Purple, White Snakes, Def Leppard, and Bryan Adams among others. Soon, even when scheduled during off-peak days, their band started drawing in crowds at Hard Rock Café Makati.

He also had another band, the Zoo with videos surfacing on youtube showing Pineda doing impressive covers of Journey, Survivor, Aerosmith, Air Supply, Eagles and more. This prompted Jouney’s Neal Schon to ask him to audition. On December 5, 2007, Pineda was officially announced as Journey’s new lead singer.

And the rest is rock music history.

“To be playing at Hard Rock Cafe Manila again brings back a lot of memories and for me, it feels like a second homecoming,” Pineda said.

“I’m excited! This is one of the few places where I can be myself and lose myself in my music—and people love me for it. It’s like a happy ‘full circle’ for me,” he said.

The journey of Arnel Pineda is definitely not over yet but at Hard Rock Cafe Manila, he is home.

Hard Rock Café Manila is at the 2nd Level of S Maison at Conrad Manila, Mall of Asia Complex, Pasay City. Contact us at +639162524119 or (02) 9909809 and follow us on our social media accounts and be up-to-date with the latest: (Facebook – Hard Rock Café Manila; Instagram - @ hardrockcafemanila.

Entertainment

Nickie Wang, Issue Editor nickie.standard@gmail.com

C4

MONDAY, MAY 6, 2019

Ken Chan and Rita Daniela reunite in a benefit show

VERY WANG

F

NICKIE WANG

OLLOWING the success of the top-rating series My Special Tatay, stars Ken Chan and Rita Daniela team up once again, this time onstage for a concert happening on May 11, 7:00 p.m., at the Music Museum.

dalawa ulit so we are happy about it. It is an answered prayer after My Special Tatay. I really prayed for it.” Ken revealed.

My Special Love is co-presented by GMA Music, GMA Network (with Barangay LS 97.1 as official media partner), and Starmedia Entertainment. The creative direction by Mcoy Fundales with musical direction by Marc Lopez.

Ticket prices are available at P 3,500 for VVIP (with meet and greet with Ken and Rita after the concert), P 2,500 for VIP, and P 1,500 for Gold via www. ticketworld.com.ph. For ticket inquiries, you may contact Ticketworld at 891-999 or Music Museum’s Ticketron at 721-0635.

Entitled My Special Love #BoBreyinCONCERT, the show marks the return of the onscreen couple as they celebrate the success of their series while giving back to the people that inspired the story of Boyet, Ken’s character in the story.

The highly-anticipated event is Ken and Rita’s way of expressing their heartfelt gratitude to everyone who supported them throughout the successful run of the now defunct My Special Tatay.

“It’s our way of thanking everyone. We want to honor those people who became part of our success. Part of the concert’s proceeds will go to an organization that supports children with special needs,” Ken shared with Manila Standard during an interview.

“We will tell a story of how we’re able to reach our dreams through the songs we will be performing. Maraming throwback na mangyayari,” he added.

On what fans could expect from the concert, Rita said that they’re giving their “150 percent performance” and that the show is something they haven’t done before.

“We’re really excited for the people we’re going to collaborate with.

One of our guests yung mga batang may autism and intellectual disabilities. They’re part of our success. Whatever we have right now, they’re part of it. Dapat kasama rin namin sila.”

The concert will also feature performances from guest artists including The Clash alumni Jong Madaliday, Garrett Bolden, and Anthony Rosaldo.

But before they bring the #BoBrey kilig on the concert stage, the two multitalented stars also treated their fans with their individual singles.

Ken has released his newest single “1 Like” under GMA Music on April 30. It is now available for streaming on Apple Music, iTunes, and other digital stores worldwide. Its music video, directed by Miggy Tanchanco, is also available for streaming on GMA Music’s YouTube channel (GMAMusicOfficial).

Meanwhile, Rita has recently released her single “Florita”. It is composed by Rita herself and Randy Salvador. Distributed by GMA Music, ”Florita” is now available for streaming on Apple Music, iTunes, and other digital stores worldwide.

Meanwhile, the once dubbed as an “unlikely couple” will also have a follow-up project apart from the concert.

“I think (it will happen) this year but definitely kaming dalawa ulit ang magkakasama ni Rita for this new project. But honestly, we don’t know the title yet, or what kind of show it is but we have been informed na kaming

WORD has it that Hard Rock Café Manila is fast becoming the destination of choice for fans of music, live entertainment, good food and a whole lotta fun since its return to the Philippines late last year. The buzz became even louder when it held its grand opening party on at S’Maison, graced by a huge throng of guests.

Since 1971 when it was founded at a Rolls Royce dealership in London by two young Americans, Isaac Tigrett and Peter Morton, the launch of every Hard Rock Café anywhere in the world is much-awaited. Even more so now when famous rock stars and a slew of exhilarating activities accompany each opening gig.

The April 30 opening event at S’Maison was no different. It featured Pinoy rock star, Arnel Pineda as the guest performer with talented local band, Ice Bucket, providing additional hype and excitement.

Pineda joined Hard Rock International’s Anibal Fernandez, Vice-President of Franchise Operations and Steve Yang, Area Vice-President of Development and Operations for Asia Pacific and The Bistro Group’s William

ArnelPineda Pineda Arnel back on Hard Hard Café Rock Café Rock Manila stage

A SPECIAL LOVE TEAM.

Once dubbed as an unlikely pair, Ken Chan and Rita Daniela team up once again now on concert stage for a show to thank their fans and the people who supported the series they both starred in.

FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano’ lead star Coco Martin

ABS-CBN top choice of viewers in April MEDIA giant ABS-CBN won the hearts of viewers nationwide in April as it offered values-laden and relevant news stories, hitting an average audience share of 46 percent, or a 16-point wide lead against GMA’s 30 percent, according to data from Kantar Media.

FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano (38.5 percent) is still on the top spot of most-watched programs nationwide, followed by the reality competition series World of Dance Philippines (32.6 percent) that ended its run on Philippine TV strongly.

The Angel Locsin-led primetime series The General’s Daughter (31.3 percent) snagged the third spot with its action-packed episodes every night, while Search for the Idol Philippines (29.5 percent) made a huge splash with its debut, soaring instantly at number four.

TV Patrol (28.3 percent) remained as the choice newscast of Filipinos, rounding out the top five. Meanwhile, Kadenang Ginto (25.3 percent) shot to number seven, continuing to be the mostwatched afternoon show nationwide that also consistently trends online.

The other programs that make up the list are Halik (25 percent), which also recently held its finale, Maalaala Mo Kaya (24.5 percent), and Dreamscape’s newest weekend program, Hiwaga ng Kambat (23.5 percent).

With the consistent strong performance of Kadenang Ginto every afternoon, ABSCBN’s afternoon block (3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.) average audience share shot up to 51 percent, or 22 points higher than GMA’s 29 percent. This is the first time this year that ABS-CBN’s afternoon average audience share breached 50 percent.

Likewise, ABS-CBN won again in the primetime block (6:00 p.m. to 12:00 mn) where it garnered an average audience share of 48 percent, beating GMA’s 31 percent as most of its primetime shows dominated the most watched programs list.

The primetime block is the most important time of the day when most Filipinos watch TV and advertisers put a larger chunk of their investments in to reach more consumers effectively. �The network also still remained supreme in the morning block (6:00 a.m. to 12:00 nn), where it got 35 percent, versus GMA’s 29 percent and in the noontime block (12:00 nn to 3:00 p.m.), where the network recorded 47 percent, compared to GMA’s 29 percent.

ABS-CBN also continued to conquer viewership in Metro Manila and Mega Manila. The Kapamilya network recorded an average audience share of 44 percent, or 22 points higher than GMA’s 22 percent in Metro Manila, while in the Mega Manila area, the Kapamilya network earned 38 percent, compared to GMA’s 29 percent.

Moreover, ABS-CBN remained unbeatable in Total Luzon where it registered 41 percent, beating GMA’s 33 percent; in Total Visayas where it earned the widest lead with 55 percent or 32 points higher, versus GMA’s 23 percent; and in Total Mindanao where it clinched 54 percent, beating GMA’s 27 percent.

Global audience measurement provider Kantar Media uses a nationwide panel size of 2,610 urban and rural homes that represent 100 percent of the total Philippine TV viewing population.

Manilow, and eventually classic rock music,” Pineda recalled.

In 1982, Pineda started as the lead singer of his very first band Ijos performing regularly in Taft; he was only 15 then.

Four years later, some members of Ijos formed another group and called themselves Amo, a band that has conquered Rock Wars and band explosion competitions. When they disbanded, another band called New Age, was formed. Continued on C3

The journey of Arnel Pineda is definitely not over yet but at Hard Rock Cafe Manila, he is home.

Stelton, Chairman and CEO; and Jean “I was enamored with music Paul Manuud, President and COO at at a very young age. Everything the symbolic guitar smash, the traditional started with kundiman, then evolved way to open Hard Rock Cafés worldwide. to Carpenters, Barbra Streisand, Barry

Hard Rock Café International and The Bistro Group executives at the symbolic guitar smash, the traditional way to open Hard Rock Cafés worldwide.