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PH-Canada rift widens; Filipino envoys recalled By Rey E. Requejo and Nat Mariano MANILA has recalled its ambassador to Canada, Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. said Thursday, in an escalation of a festering diplomatic row over tons of trash shipped to the Philippines. Ties have been deteriorating since a

Canadian company sent around 100 shipping containers that included rotting rubbish wrongly labeled as recyclables to Philippine ports in 2013 and 2014. Manila set a May 15 deadline for Canada to take the rotting trash back, after President Rodrigo Duterte berated Ottawa over the issue last month. Canada has since said it is working to

arrange for the containers’ return, but has not said when exactly that might happen. Locsin said letters recalling the ambassador and consuls to Canada have been sent and the diplomats would be in Manila in a day or so. “Canada missed the May 15 deadline. And we shall maintain a diminished Next page

VOL. XXXIII • NO. 92 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P18 • FRIDAY, MAY 17, 2019 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

RETURN TO SENDER. This file photo taken on Sept. 9, 2015 shows environmental activists rallying outside the Philippine Senate in Manila to demand that scores of containers filled with household rubbish be shipped back to Canada. The Philippines recalled its ambassador to Canada after Ottawa missed Manila’s deadline for it to take back tons of trash illegally shipped to the nation, its foreign minister said on May 16, 2019. AFP

COMELEC ignores CBCP call

‘Senate winners to be proclaimed amid delay bid’ By Vito Barcelo, Macon Ramos-Araneta and Nat Mariano

HE Commission on Elections said it will proclaim the winners in the Senate race next week despite a call by the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines to suspend the proceedings while an impartial investigation is conducted into widespread technical glitches that marred the May 13 polls.

NEXT WEEK, FOLKS. The government’s election watchdog says it will proclaim the 12 winners in the Senate race in the May 13 midterm polls next week, disregarding calls to suspend proceedings while an impartial probe is expected to look into what a church group has described as ‘widespread technical glitches’ during the political exercise. Ey Acasio

‘Cheating video’ Tingog nominee vows to look in Lanao spurs after Eastern Visayas’ interest probe demand By Nat Mariano THE Commission on Elections should investigate the reports of cheating in Lanao del Sur, the Palace said Thursday. As the transmission of election returns comes to a close, a video began making the rounds online purportedly showing cheating in Lanao del Sur. “The Comelec should investigate that. That’s their turf,” Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said. Next page

OUTGOING Leyte Rep. Yedda Marie Romualdez on Thursday vowed to look after the interests of Eastern Visayas as she is expected to take a seat in the 18th Congress as the representative of the Tingog Party-list group. “Tingog, as such, primarily exists to be the voice of the people, one who will serve to amplify their previously unheeded hopes and aspirations,” she said. Romualdez is the wife of incoming Leyte Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez. “The trust given by the public to Tingog is the reason we are here. We cannot afford to disappoint them. Thus, with the

support of the Duterte administration and the public, Tingog will do its share to realize its vision for a progressive Eastern Visayas,” she said. Tingog ranked 18th out of 134 partylist groups with 387,019 votes as of Thursday. Tingog, a regional political party based in Eastern Visayas, “seeks to give voice to said people in the region, as well as usher in the development of the regional countryside, through meaningful political participation especially through the party-list system of representation in the House of Representatives.” Rio N. Araja

FDA chief axed in anti-graft campaign By Nat Mariano

Edmundo Paredes

Pinoy priest stirs Dallas police raid

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has ﬁred Food and Drug Administration DirectorGeneral Nela Charade Puno due to graft and corruption, the Palace announced on Thursday. “Please be advised that, upon instructions of the President, your appointment as director general of the Food and Drugs Authority, Department of Health is hereby terminated, effective immediately,”

More babies born underweight

CHICAGO—Texas police investigating child sexual abuse on Wednesday raided ofﬁces of the Catholic diocese in Dallas, after alleging that church ofﬁcials had not been fully cooperative. The raids were connected to the investigation of a fugitive Filipino priest

PARIS—More than 20 million newborns in 2015—one in seven—came into the world weighing too little, according to a global assessment of birthweight, published Thursday.

Panelo said, reading out the letter to Palace reporters. According to the letter, Puno’s termination was “in line with the President’s continuing mandate to eradicate graft and corruption and to ensure that public ofﬁcials and employees conduct themselves in a manner worthy of public trust.” To assure uninterrupted delivery of services to the public, the Palace demanded Puno to turn over necessary documents for a smooth transition. Next page

The CBCP’s National Secretariat for Social Action executive secretary Fr. Edwin Gariguez made the call, who said an impartial investigation would ensure there was no fraud or manipulation of the poll results. COMELEC Commissioner Luie Guia ruled out any delay, however. “We go by our rule. The COMELEC, which is sitting as the National Board of Canvassers [NBOC], has no choice but to proceed with the canvass as stated in the Next page canvassing laws,” Guia said.

#2019PHVOTE: SENATORIAL RACE AS OF 4:30 P.M. 1 VILLAR 24,966,915

8 MARCOS 15,646,420

2 POE 21,807,396

9 TOLENTINO 15,251,777

3 GO 20,293,732

4 CAYETANO 19,518,112

10 REVILLA 14,443,360

11 PIMENTEL 14,438,328

5 DELA ROSA 18,653,832

12 BINAY 14,373,317

6 ANGARA 17,943,380

13 EJERCITO 14,142,891

7 LAPID 16,784,905

14 AQUINO 14,019,910

News

FRIDAY, MAY 17, 2019 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Death bill prospects bright—Sotto P

RESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte’s wish for the return of the death penalty could yet be realized with the expected election of most of the senatorial candidates he endorsed, Senate President Tito Sotto said Thursday.

He made the statement following the strong showing of President Duterte’s candidates from his PDP-Laban party and those endorsed by his daughter’s regional party Hugpong ng Pagbabago. Those included allies like former Special Assistant to the President Bong Go and former police chief Ronald Dela Rosa, Duterte’s loyal associates since his days as mayor of Davao City. “That’s a possibility now because nadagdag nga ang pro-death penalty,” Sotto told reporters in a forum. “Sino ang bumoto para sa kanila? Yung mga tao. ‘Di ba alam nila kung sino yung pro-death penalty o hindi?” But Sotto could not say if the process of approving the bill would be easier, considering the “non-cloture” rule in the Senate.

BEHIND THE SCENE. Election employees buckle down to work at the PICC Tent in

Pasay City in preparation for the convening of the Board of National Canvassers that will validate the victories of 12 senatorial candidates in the May 13 midterm elections. EY ACASIO “Sa Senate walang closure, eh. Nakakalimutan nila na hindi ka pwedeng mag-ram through, hindi katulad sa House na pwede kang mag-ram through, dadaanin sa bilang.

Anti-smoking drive aims to boost 'sin tax' revenue THE Finance and Health departments have revived the iconic “Yosi Kadiri” campaign to help generate greater public support for the bill increasing the sin taxes on tobacco products. The new “Yosi Kadiri” ad features the People’s Champ, Senator Manny Pacquiao, with the campaign’s tagline “Hindi pa tapos ang laban.” Pacquiao, who is also known as the “Pambansang Kamao,” is shown in the new ad as a champion of the Filipino people’s health. The Finance department said in a statement Thursday there were three pending bills in the Senate that were separately pushing for a further increase in the tobacco excise taxes from P60 to P90 per pack. “With only three working weeks left for the 17th Congress, the ad launch is part of a multi-stakeholder push to increase tobacco excise taxes to at least P60 per pack to safeguard public health and sustain funding for the Universal Health Care Law,” the department said. Considered as one of the most successful health campaigns in the 1990s, Yosi Kadiri was first launched by the Health department under the late former Health secretary and Senator Juan Flavier. The iconic Yosi Kadiri mascot was introduced to depict the detrimental effects of cigarette smoking on the health of both smokers and non-smokers. Apart from curbing smoking among Filipinos, especially the youth, any further increase in tobacco excise taxes aims to help sustain funding for the expanded UHC Law. The UHC Law aims for a 100-percent health service coverage for all Filipinos, which is estimated to cost P257 billion in its first year of implementation alone, in keeping with Duterte’s commitment to attack poverty and improve living standards. Similar to the proposal of the Finance and Health departments, Senate Bill 1599, filed by Pacquiao, aims to increase the tobacco excise tax to P60 per pack (regardless of brand or price) in the first year of implementation, and an additional nine percent each year thereafter. Senators Sherwin Gatchalian and JV Ejercito also proposed a higher excise tax rate of P70 per pack (SB 2177) and P90 per

Pinoy priest... From A1

named Edmundo Paredes and at least five new allegations of abuse against other suspects, police said. Police served search warrants at the headquarters of the diocese, a storage location and offices of a local church. “These investigations stem from additional allegations made after the case against Mr. Paredes became public,” Major Max Geron of the Dallas police said. Paredes is charged with sexual abuse of a child and accused of molesting at least three other minors. He disappeared from the suburban Dallas church where he served for decades and is believed to have fled to his native Philippines. The Dallas diocese said the raids did not involve any suspects who had not been publicly disclosed on a list of 31 predator priests going back to the 1950s. The diocese released the list in January. “The diocese has been cooperating with the ongoing investigation of these priests,” Dallas Bishop Edward Burns told reporters. A judge approved the warrants after police alleged that church officials had not been fully cooperative, according to The Dallas Morning News, which obtained a copy of court records. “To date, the Dallas Police Department has not been given the number of priests’ files flagged for sexual abuse,” the newspaper quoted police as saying in an affidavit. Police accused the church of hiding allegations against priests or providing incomplete information, according to the newspaper. “We believed at this point that executing search warrants was wholly appropriate for the furtherance of the investigation,” Geron said. AFP

pack (SB 1605), respectively. The two departments are also proposing an increase in alcohol excise tax rates. They said raising excise taxes on “sin” products was still the most effective policy tool to affect alcohol and tobacco prices to discourage consumption and prevent especially the youth and the poor from smoking and binge drinking. Such tax adjustments are part of Package 2+ of the Comprehensive Tax Reform Program. While the House of Representatives already approved higher excise tax rates for tobacco and alcohol in December last year, these new rates were much lower than the DOF-DOH proposal. The projected revenues from the new tax rates would not be enough to sustainably fund the UHC Law. Finance Undersecretary Karl Kendrick Chua said “The total difference (between the House-approved version and the DOFDOH proposal) is P244 billion if computations are done up to 2022. Such a funding gap might undermine the effective implementation of the UHC.” The DOF-DOH proposal is ideal because it would prompt “the youth, the poor and other price-sensitive cigarette users to stop smoking,” Chua said. Price-sensitive consumers are those who are likely to be discouraged by higher prices from buying certain products. Simulations developed jointly by the DOF, DOH and the World Health Organization indicate that the DOF-DOH proposal on a P60-per-pack increase in the tobacco excise tax will bring down cigarette consumption by 16.8 percent and enable 3.2-million adults to quit smoking. In his sponsorship speech on SB 1599, Pacquiao said the approval of his bill would prevent an estimated 850,000 adults from smoking on the first year alone of its implementation. Similarly, Gatchalian and Ejercito supported the increase in the tobacco excise taxes to raise the necessary revenues for quality health care. “This legislation will help raise the needed revenues to sustain and enhance the proposed primary care system for Filipinos, while promoting better health and healthier lifestyles,” Gatchalian said previously in a press release. Julito G. Rada

‘Cheating video’... From A1

The video, posted on Twitter, showed a man shading the top part of several ballots. “If they were able to do this, I’m sure others also did this in different areas. This election was a joke,” the Twitter user said. Comelec spokesman James Jimenez said the poll body would not dismiss the video out of hand. “It would probably not the best idea to dismiss this video out of hand. Again, obviously, there’s nothing in the video that proves anything except whatever being shown is being done, but there’s no context to it,” Jimenez said in a press conference Thursday afternoon. “We don’t know when it happened, why it happened, who did it, where they did it, who uploaded it, why was it removed after being uploaded. There’s a lot of questions that need to be answered. Still, it’s not right to dismiss it,” he continued. “That’s still very suspicious activity,” Jimenez added. “A little sobriety is probably not out of place in this particular case,” he said. Opposition politicians slammed the results, saying the “Duterte magic” was based on the administration’s control over the Comelec and widespread vote buying and intimidation. But the Palace has urged the opposition and critics to “yield to the resounding voice of the electorate” and accept the majority vote. Jimenez on Thursday also denied accusations that the Comelec was negligent in reminding voters not to overvote—or picking more candidates that are allowed. Jimenez’s remark came after anonline report said 1.7-million votes were overvotes in the Senate races. With PNA

“I can say na it is possible, hindi ko pwedeng sabihin na mas madali, again because of the non-cloture rule of the Senate. Kung maraming ayaw, maraming pamamaraan.”

COMELEC... From A1

Poll spokesperson James Jimenez said to halt the proclamation on the basis of speculation is not the best thing to do, adding it would only create “difficulties.” Guia said that under the law, the COMELEC can only suspend proceedings when there are no longer any certificates of canvass to canvass, or when there is proof that the certificates presented are falsified. “These proof may be presented before the NBOC when in session,” he said. The COMELEC official said the poll body welcomes any information regarding the conduct of count and tabulation of votes. Jimenez said the winning candidates in the senatorial race could be known within the week. The poll watchdog Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting said Thursday there were no discrepancies found between the electronically transmitted and physically delivered election returns so far in its audit operations. “Everything that has been encoded has been proven to be what the electronic returns are saying. So far so good,” PPCRV media director Agnes Gervacio said. The church-based poll watchdog, the COMELEC’s accredited citizens arm, has received almost 15 percent of the physical election returns from across the country. As of Thursday afternoon, a total of 85,568 of 86,769 local clustered precincts have transmitted results. There are also 1,771 expected returns from overseas absentee voting. PPCRV executive director Maribel Buenaobra said they already processed 15 percent of paper ERs mainly from the National Capital Region, and the southern and northern parts of Luzon. “ERs from the Visayas and Mindanao are expected to arrive in the coming days. PPCRV volunteers work in shifts to manually encode the ERs, the results of which would later be compared to electronically transmitted ERs,” Buenaobra added. The group on Thursday asked the COMELEC for access to the audit logs of the transparency server and the data from the poll body’s central server to determine the cause of a seven-hour delay in the release of results on election night. “I think they’d want to explain [the delay] so that the public knows that this election is credible,” Buenaobra said in Filipino. Vote counting machines (VCMs) made three transmissions after the close of Monday’s midterm polls: one to the canvassing centers, one to the COMELEC central server and another to the transparency server, which distributes the results to media networks and the PPCRV. The National Citizens’ Movement for Free Election urged the COMELEC to disclose full details of the problems encountered on Monday. “As we speak, NAMFREL volunteers in far-flung areas are still waiting for replacement vote counting machines or SD cards so that the vote of the people in those areas can be truthfully counted,” the election

PH-Canada... From A1

diplomatic presence in Canada until its garbage is ship-bound there,” Locsin wrote on Twitter. Canada’s foreign ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The garbage has strained ties between the two nations, which were already tested after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau questioned Duterte’s deadly drug crackdown. Duterte bristles at any international criticism of his hardline policy, which has seen police kill thousands of alleged addicts and pushers since 2016. Last year, Duterte canceled the military’s $235-million contract to buy 16 military helicopters from a Canada-based manufacturer after Ottawa put the deal under review because of the President’s human rights record. During a speech in April, Duterte threatened to unilaterally ship the garbage back to Canada, saying “let’s fight Canada. I will declare war against them.” Duterte frequently uses coarse language and hyperbole in speeches about opponents. Following the comments, Canada offered to repatriate the waste and the Philippines said Ottawa would shoulder the expense of disposal.

The House of Representatives in the 17th Congress approved on third and final reading House Bill 4727 that seeks to reimpose capital punishment on seven drugrelated offenses. The bill, however, has not made significant progress in the Senate. Sotto allayed fears that since the death penalty bill is a priority legislation of Duterte, it would now be approved in the Senate as many of his allies were winning in the senatorial race. “I’d rather not say that it’s a Palace bill kung tutuusin. Because I for one filed without any egging from the Palace,” he said. “As a matter of fact, the Palace death penalty before na gusto na ipapasa sana ng Congress, mas maraming crimes na kasama. Anong nangyari? ‘Di ba sa kakadebate namin nasabi na huwag na yan.” Sotto believes, however, that the death penalty should be imposed on individuals found involved in high-level drug trafficking. “It is a defense mechanism of the government against high-level drug traffickers and drug lords because we are the only one in this part of the world where we have no death penalty for high-level drug trafficking,” he said. Macon Ramos Araneta watchdog said in a statement. “We have all been witnesses to the many problems that attended the conduct of the midterm elections on May 13, 2019. While the count of the VCMs that broke down or malfunctioned, corrupted SD cards and the problematic Voter Registration and Verification Machines in pilot areas continue to tick, we have yet to determine the full impact of those problems on the voters, especially in remote areas of the country. Did those problems result to disenfranchisement of voters? This, we have yet to determine,” it said. Senator Sherwin Gatchalian said the COMELEC failed to prevent “avoidable problems” despite its hefty P10 billion budget. “The COMELEC has a huge budget and still, there were several issues. We can’t blame the public if they are wary of cheating because the multiple glitches did nothing to allay their fears,” Gatchalian said. He supported the plan for a Joint Congressional Oversight Committee on the Automated Election System to look into the series of glitches that occurred during the 2019 midterm elections. Senator Aquilino Pimentel III, chairman of the Senate committee on electoral reforms, had scheduled on June 4 hearing on the issue. Senate President Vicente Sotto III said he supported the investigation as well, but said this did not cast doubt on the election results. He said the problems were not enough to affect the poll results. But he also said the government should stop using Smartmatic, which has been the IT service provider over four elections. Senator Risa Hontiveros said that in the interest of transparency and the credibility of the elections, the COMELEC should fully explain the reasons behind the malfunctioning VCMs, defective SD cards and disclose the number of voters disenfranchised as a result of these problems. “This is our fourth automated elections. Mishaps like this, especially those that deprive our people of the right to suffrage, are unacceptable,” she said. Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo, meanwhile, urged the public not to belittle the winning senatorial candidates. He made this statement after former Philippine National Police chief and fightranking senatorial candidate Ronald dela Rosa said he would seek seminars on lawmaking. “I don’t know if there’s a seminar or training on how to make laws and how to do that job in the Senate. If there is, I’ll take that opportunity so I could learn,” Dela Rosa said. He said he would not take seminars at the state-run University of the Philippines because it was “anti-military” and “antipolice.” In a Palace press briefing, Panelo then defended Dela Rosa, saying he should be commended for admitting his shortcomings. He said another former PNP chief, Senator Panfilo Lacson, “became a great legislator.” The Bureau of Customs said last week the Philippines was ready to send back the waste but Canada needed several more weeks to prepare documentation. Some 69 shipping containers of trash remain after 34 others have already been disposed of in the Philippines, the Finance department said. Locsin said that even though the Palace appears amenable to a delay in the shipment of garbage back to Canada, it does not mean that the deadline has been extended. The Palace said the more the Canadian government delays the retrieval of its garbage, the more Filipino personnel will be coming back to the Philippines. Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said Canada’s refusal to take back the garbage was “disruptive” of the diplomatic relations between the two countries. “That recall shows that we are very serious in asking to get back their garbage. Otherwise, we’re going to sever relations with them,” he added. Panelo slammed the Canadians for failing to show up at a scheduled meeting with Department of Finance and Customs officials. Canada also drew criticism from the environmental group Ecowaste Coalition, which expressed disappointment at Ottawa’s failure to take back its garbage. With AFP, PNA

Policy continuity seen with Rody allies’ victory By Julito G. Rada

CREDIT rating agency Fitch Ratings said Thursday the expected victory of the senatorial candidates allied with President Rodrigo Duterte will ensure the continuity in the next three years of the policies and reforms instituted by his administration. “The early results of the mid-term elections suggest President Duterte and his allies would secure a majority in the Senate,” Sagarika Chandra, associate director in Fitch Ratings’ Sovereigns team, said on the initial results of the 2019 general elections in the Philippines. “This outcome, if confirmed, could bode well for policy continuity during the President’s remaining term.” Chandra said the key economic factors they would be watching in the period ahead included the Philippines’ growth outlook, progress on tax reforms and its fiscal policies. Fitch Ratings last affirmed the Philippines’ issuer default rating in December at “BBB” or investment grade with a stable outlook. The latest reports show that most of the candidates endorsed by Duterte were able to book a seat in the magic 12 of the Senate race, although the results were not yet final. Earlier, however, a unit of Fitch Group said the reduced opposition in the Senate with the imminent victory of the candidates favored by Duterte may not be good for the country in the long term. Fitch Solutions Macro Research said that, with increased support in the Senate, Duterte’s reforms and fiscal plans would face less obstacles. “Key reforms include shifting towards a federal system of governance, cutting corporate tax rates and the reinstating of the death penalty. “As a result, if Duterte is confirmed to have consolidated power in final results expected to be announced by May 19, we at Fitch Solutions will revise up the ‘policy-making’ sub-component of our ShortTerm Political Risk Index score of 63.1 out of 100 for the Philippines,” Fitch Solutions said. “However, reduced opposition within the Senate lowers the potential for ‘checks and balances’ on Duterte’s administration and may over time see a decline in our Long-Term Political Risk Index score of 65.4 out of 100 for the country.” Fitch said the initial results showed Duterte’s favored candidates had performed well, with none of the opposition Liberal candidates gaining a seat. With 92 percent of the votes counted, nine of the 12 Senators were from the Duterte-favored Hugpong ng Pagbabago list. Duterte’s PDP-Laban party also came top in the results initially released, and was expected to maintain its majority bloc in the House under the name ‘Coalition for Change’. “The strong show of support for Duterte will both give him the confidence and ability to push ahead with his reform program. The Senate has proved a sticking point for Duterte, as seen by the delay in the passing of the 2019 budget,” Fitch Solutions said. The budget impasse between the two houses of Congress resulted in the significant slowdown in economic growth in the first quarter to a four-year low of 5.6 percent from the 6.5 percent recorded a year ago. It was also slower compared to the 6.3 percent in the fourth quarter of 2018.

FDA... From A1

“You are hereby directed to immediately turn over all official documents, papers, and properties in your possession to the Office of the Undersecretary for Health Regulation, Department of Health,” the letter read. Asked to elaborate on the President’s order of termination to Puno, the Palace official was mum on giving any explanation, stressing he was only tasked to read the letter. The letter, signed on Wednesday, May 15, was signed by Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea. Before flying to Beijing last month for a forum, the President hinted that he would fire many government officials because of corruption. But he was not able to transmit the letters of dismissal he once promised to give to the public. Puno was the second government official to have vacated the Duterte administration following the resignation of former Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office general manager Alexander Balutan.

More babies... From A1

Over 90 percent of babies tipping the scale at less than 2.5 kilos (5.5 pounds) when born were in low- and middle-income countries, researchers reported in The Lancet Global Health. Worldwide, just under 15 percent of 2015 newborns in the 148 countries canvassed had low birthweight, varying between 2.4 percent in Sweden and nearly 28 percent in Bangladesh. That’s down from a global average of 17.5 percent in 2000. But meeting the World Health Organization target of cutting low birthweight 30 percent between 2012 and 2025 “will require more than doubling the pace of progress,” said lead author Hannah Blencowe, a professor at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine. In sub-Saharan Africa, the number of low birthweight live births actually increased from 2000 to 2015, from 4.4 to 5 million. AFP

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PDEA conducts surprise drug tests By Rio N. Araja

HE Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency on Thursday conducted simultaneous surprise drug tests on truck, tricycle and pedicab drivers as well as dock workers in the country’s two busiest ports in Metro Manila. Director General Aaron Aquino said Oplan: Harabas, in coordination with other government agencies, was part of the agency’s holistic approach to lower the demand for illegal drugs, and promote drug-free workplaces, harm-reduction and reformation. “We are also doing this to keep

track of long haul drivers under the influence of illegal drugs,” he noted. PDEA, with personnel of Land Transportation Office, Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board, Philippine National Police, Bureau of Customs, Philippine Ports Authority,

Philippine Coast Guard, Manila International Container Port, International Container Service Terminal Inc., Asian Terminal Inc., Manila Traffic and Parking Bureau and Manila Tricycle Regulatory Office, proceeded to two of the country’s biggest ports, the Manila International Container Port in North Harbor, Tondo, Manila, and Port of Manila in South Harbor, Port Area, Manila to conduct drug testing on container truck drivers and tricycle drivers stationed along MICP Access Road. “PDEA finds it necessary to subject cargo truck drivers to drug screening because they operate

heavy duty vehicles and are engaged in long distance travels. There is a prevailing practice of drug use among the driving population to stay awake for long trips,” Aquino said. Any truck and tricycle driver who refuses to undergo the mandatory drug test would be reported to the LTO. Those tested positive for drug use would have their driver’s licenses confiscated pending the issuance of clearance by the PDEA. Oplan: Harabas shall be done on a monthly basis to keep unsafe drivers off our roads all the time, Aquino said.

Congressmen prepare to get more laws passed WITH the House of Representatives ready to resume session on May 20, lawmakers in the 17th Congress are now preparing to get more laws passed in the remaining session days. According to Rep. Bernadette Herrera-Dy of Bagong Henerasyon Party-list, House assistant majority leader, they are waiting for the approval of some laws by President Rodrigo Duterte. Among these are the proposed laws to institutionalize the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, Magna Carta of the Poor and Anti-Gender-Based Sexual Harassment Act. At least 30 bills of the BH Party-list are still pending in the Senate after the House approved them on third and final reading. “If the Senate is able to approve some of those 30 bills, the House would swiftly act on them so they can be sent to Malacañang at the soonest,” Herrera-Dy said. Meanwhile, the Coalition of Associations of Seniors Citizens/

Elderly in the Philippines Inc., on Thursday urged the Commission on Elections to recognize the legal officers of the party-list and accredit its official legitimate nominees. Godofredo Villar-Arquiza, the Senior Citizens Party-list president, said the party-list clinched 505,850 votes in the 2019 midterm elections, securing them at least two seats in Congress. He said the Comelec must immediately accredit its official legitimate nominees as counting of election votes is nearing to an end. As its first nominee, Arquiza holds the party-list’s original registration with the Securities and Exchange Commission on Nov. 6, 2003 as amended on Nov. 27, 2013 and issued to him on Jan. 29, 2014 the original amended articles of incorporation and bylaws. He said the party-list’s board of trustees issued a new resolution on May 6, naming its official legitimate nominees. Rio Araja and Vito Barcelo

OPLAN HARABAS. PDEA Director General Aaron Aquino and chemists test the urine samples submitted by truck, tricycle, and pedicab drivers, as well as dock workers during the implementation of ‘Oplan Harabas’ at the Manila International Container Port, North Harbor, Manila on Thursday. Norman Cruz

Pimentel: No plan to get back presidency SENATE President Aquilino Pimentel III said Thursday he had no plan of wrestling the presidency of the upper chamber, should he successfully emerge victorious in the midterm elections. Pimentel, president of the ruling Partido ng Demokratikong Pilipino preceeded Sotto. He was Senate President from June 2016 until May 2018. But he is no longer eyeing the same position in the incoming 18th Congress in July. Pimentel is being ranked either on the 10th and 11th spot based on the partial results of the counting being done by the Comelec and the National Board of Canvassers. In the House of Representatives, despite facing a plunder complaint before the Office of the Ombudsman, formerHouse Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez was reelected as Davao del Norte’s District 1 representative. He quickly said he would still aim to get back the Speakership in the 18th Congress, which he lost to Pampanga Rep. Gloria Arroyo. He said he would be challenging formidable candidates for the Speakership, such as Marinduque Rep. Lord Allan Velasco, Leyte Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, Leyte Rep. Lucy TorresGomez, Taguig-Pateros City Rep. Alan Peter Cayetano and Antique Rep. Loren Legarda. Before the start of President Rodrigo Duterte’s State of the Nation Address in July last year, majority of the House of Representative members booted out Alvarez as Speaker. Senator Cynthia Villar, who has remained the frontrunner in the senatorial race since the start of the counting, has repeatedly said she is not interested in the Senate presidency. Rio Araja and Macon R-Araneta

Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and the Members of the House of Representatives mourn the passing of a former colleague

HONORABLE HERMINIO G. TEVES, SR. Representative, First District of Negros Oriental 7th Congress (1970-1972) Representative, Third District of Negros Oriental 11th, 12th and 13th Congress (1998-2007)

on 15 May 2019 at the age of 99. His remains lie in state at the family residence, HGT Compound 133 Dr. Meciano Road, Taclobo, Dumaguete City. On Friday, 17 May 2019, his remains will be brought to the Capitol Building where he will stay overnight and then will be brought back to his residence in Taclobo on Saturday, 18 May 2019. Interment will be on Monday, 20 May 2019, at the Dumaguete Memorial Park after the 8:00 a.m. funeral mass at the Mary Immaculate Church, San Jose Street, Dumaguete City. We request the pious readers to pray for the eternal repose of his soul.

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FRIDAY, MAY 17, 2019

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Post-election picture THE recent midterm elections, for all its machine glitches, was declared as successful by the Commission on Elections and “generally peaceful” by the Philippine National Police. But voters who lined up under the intense heat of the sun know better than the self-serving statement of the Comelec and the PNP. Foremost among the people who suffered the glitches of the vote counting machines was former Vice President Jejomar Binay whose ballot was not accepted by the VCM even after it was inserted into the machine eight times with the help of Comelec workers.

Political dynasties are just like oligarchs.

“Can you imagine what it’s like for the ordinary citizen if this can happen to the former No. 2 official of the land?” fumed former VP Binay. To makes the day worse, Binay lost his bid for a congressional seat in Makati to former acting Mayor Romulo “”Kid” Peña. Jojo Binay’s grief was somewhat consoled by the poll victory of daughters Abby as Makati mayor and Nancy taking the 12th and last spot in the Senate. In a sense, the Binays were not as unfortunate as the Estrada’s political dynasty with Erap losing to former

Adelle Chua, Editor

EDITORIAL

Manila vice mayor Franciso Domogoso, more known as Isko Moreno in Manila, sons and half siblings Jinggoy Estrada and JV Ejercito losing their bid for the Senate. It’s the same story in San Juan, the Estradas’ bailiwick, where the Estradas were totally wiped out by the Zamoras who could be the new political dynasty in San Juan and Mandaluyong. In Laguna, ER Ejercito lost his return bid as governor against Ramil Hernandez. I watched the election coverage of the three major TV networks. It as a sight to see former Ilocos Sur Rep. Bingbong Crisologo and his son in handcuffs. The police claimed father and son obstructed police operation against vote buying, allegedly by the Crisologos who lost as Quezon City mayor to Joy Belmonte. Belmonte was backed by the Iglesia ni Cristo religious sect. I don’t have anything personal against Bingbong but it’s indeed good to see a former strongman manacled no matter who. Political dynasties are just like the oligarchs. One oligarch is simply replaced by another set of oligarchs. Yesterday the Crisologos, now the Singsons. The Estradas have been replaced by the Zamoras. What is the significance of the 2019 mid term polls? To this observer of Philippine politics, this is crucial and a prelude to the 2022 presidential race after the end of Duterte’s term. This early, Senate topnotcher Cynthia Villar must by eyeing the post of Senate President as the first woman to hold the third highest government position. For sure, she is positioning herself as president in 2022. But landing at the top in senatorial

Duterte endorsement

RESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has just received a new vote of approval from the electorate, with the expected victory of the senatorial candidates he personally supported and his continued grip in the Lower House. The resounding election victory would, in the words of global debt watcher Fitch Ratings, ensure the continuity of the policies and reforms instituted by the administration in the next three years. Early results show that President Duterte and his political allies would secure a super majority in the Senate, which was largely blamed for the delay in the approval of the 2019 budget. A more friendly Senate will make the task of President Duterte to push the government's economic and tax reform agenda easier. “… The strong show of support for Duterte will both give him the confidence and ability to push ahead with his reform pro-

gram. The Senate has proved a sticking point for Duterte, as seen by the delay to the passing of the 2019 budget,” says the Fitch Group. The budget deadlock between the Senate and the House of Representatives was largely blamed for the significant slowdown in economic growth in the first quarter of the year. The economy grew to a four-year low of 5.6 percent in the first three months of 2019, from 6.5 percent recorded a year ago and 6.3 percent in the fourth quarter of 2018. Fitch Solutions noted that with the increased support in the Senate, Duterte’s reforms and fiscal plans would face

less obstacles. The proposed shift to a federal system of government, along with lower corporate tax rates and the restoration of the death penalty, are some of the key reforms that President Duterte will likely pursue. President Duterte must now seize the opportunity to advance vital economic agenda in both houses of Congress, including amendments to the restrictive economic provisions of the Constitution. The Philippines has lagged behind its neighbors in Southeast Asia in attracting foreign investments because of overprotection in certain economic activities. President Duterte's renewed mandate also allows him to pursue even unpopular economic reforms that will make the Philippines at par with other modern economies in Asia.

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DOF: Filipino families to benefit from China-funded projects

AMID fears that loans from China could lead the Philippines to a so-called “debt trap,” Department of Finance Assistant Secretary and spokesman Tony Lambino has clarified that these loans are intended for projects that have been drawn up by Filipinos and will benefit Filipino families as a whole. “I must emphasize that loans from China’s Official Development Assistance for our infrastructure projects are based on our own needs. If we look at the history of our development projects, these have been in the planning stage for a long time, even decades ago and through various administrations, such as the Chico River Irrigation Pump Project, or the Kaliwa Dam project which seeks to become the secondary water source for Metro Manila and outlying areas,” Lambino told media during last week’s Saturday Forum@Annabel’s. “First and foremost, these are Filipino projects. We need them based on our own assessment. These projects are thoroughly discussed by the NEDA Board and approved based on a 10-percent Internal Rate of Return or IRR. It should be pointed out that Chinese loans carry only a 2 to 3-percent interest rate. We see to it that foreign loans have interest rates that are less than 10 percent and will benefit the Filipino people,” the Finance official explained. “We want to improve our infrastructure program for logistics, for connectivity and efficiency not only because it’s good for the economy but also because it’s good for the Filipino family. If we’re stuck in traffic for three to four hours because of congested roads, that precious time we spend away from our families and loved ones,” he added.

Lambino also pointed out that the government also gets loans from other sources, not just from China. “There’s Japan, which is our No. 1 bilateral lender. Our debt to China is expected to reach only 4.5 percent of GDP by 2022. In the case of Japan ODA, the debt-to-GNP ratio is higher at 9 percent. We have also obtained ODA loans from South Korea valued at $1 billion. These are all sources of financing with low interest rates. Compared with private capital markets and bonds issued by the Bureau of Treasury, they have lower interest rates and offer cheaper financing for

The government also gets loans from other sources, not just from China. projects that we have identified and deemed beneficial to the national inin terest. The level of our foreign debt should be carefully managed relative to the size of the economy and our economic growth.” The Finance official said our loan agreements with China have basically the same provisions as those with other countries. “We ask for lower interest rates through negotiations. There’s nothing out of the ordinary in our loan agreements with China. Even the provision on confidentiality, we were able to negotiate that, and any Filipino citizen can request for a copy of the agreement. We also said the loan agreement should be subject to Philippine laws. We have actually posted in our website the loan agreements with China and other countries and these can be downloaded by the public.” The immunity waiver provision, Lambino said, allows the Philippine Turn to A5

Too many tree planting bills POP GOES THE WORLD JENNY ORTUOSTE A NEW law is in the works that will require all graduating grade school, high school, and college students to plant at least 10 trees each as a “mandatory prerequisite for graduation.” House Bill 8728 was approved on third and final reading by the House of Representatives last Jan. 14 and sent

as a “locus for propagating ethical and sustainable use of natural resources among the young to ensure the culticulti vation of a socially-responsible and Why not come up conscious citizenry.” with one consolidated In the bill’s explanatory note, its Tree Planting Law principal author, Magdalo Party-list that will be easy to Rep. Gary Alejano, said “this initiative…will ensure that at least 175-milimplement? lion new trees would be planted each year,” for a total of 525-billion new to the Senate the following day. The trees in one generation. This calculation is based on the ‘Graduation Legacy for the EnvironEnviron Turn to A5 ment Act’ taps the educational system Rolando G. Estabillo Publisher

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Opinion Duterte unifies the Philippines IN THE history of this country (the Republic was born on June 12, 1898), no president has accumulated more power and influence than Rodrigo Roa Duterte. In the elections of May 13, 2019, the parties and coalitions allied with President Duterte dominated the elections, from the first to the fourth candidate—meaning, the winners plus the next three nearest candidates they defeated. Thus, in the race for 12 Senate seats, Duterte’s PDP-Laban party captured, on paper, only four slots—No. 3 Bong Go, No. 5 Bato de la Rosa, No. 9 Francis Tolentino, and No. 11 Koko Pimentel. The second biggest party, Nacionalista Party, bagged three seats—No. 1 Cynthia Villar, No. 4 Pia Cayetano, and No. 8 Imee Marcos. The Nationalist People’s Coalition won one seat, No. 7 Lito Lapid and one borderline performance No. 13 JV Ejercito. The LDP has one, No. 6 Sonny Angara; Jojo Binay’s UNA has one, No. 12 Nancy Binay. The lone independent winner is Grace Poe, No. 2. The 12 winners have one common denominator—they are, unquestionably, allies of Duterte, diehards and softhards. The Liberal Party should be the opposition party, being the dominant party beaten by Duterte’s PDPLaban in the 2016 presidential elections. But the LP’s standard bearer, returning Senator Mar Roxas, second in the 2016 presidential fight, is languishing in No. 16. The landed scion of Cubao and Capiz has only 9.734-million votes, 4.6-million votes behind Nancy Binay’s winning 14.343-million votes. At 12 out of 12, Duterte’s allies have made a 100-percent sweep of the Senate race. Assuming Grace Poe is indeed independent, 11 of 12 is still a 92 percent—or massive victory. No other Philippine president had done as well as Duterte in a midterm election. Not even the late

Too many... From A4

following numbers: over 12-million grade school, nearly five-million high school, and almost 500,000 college graduates yearly. “Even with a survival rate of only 10 percent,” Alejano said, “this would mean an additional 525-million trees would be available for the youth to enjoy, when they assume the mantle of leadership in the future.” Indigenous species of trees are preferred, and the choices of trees should take into account the location, climate, and topography of the areas recommended for tree planting and reforestation: Forest lands, mangrove and protected areas, ancestral domains, civil and military reservations, urban areas under the greening plan of the local government units, inactive and abandoned mine sites, and other suitable lands. Many agencies are mandated to help implement this proposed law, among them the Department of Education, Commission on Higher Education, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Department of Agriculture, Department of Agrarian Reform. However, there are already two bills that require Filipinos to plant trees. Republic Act No. 10176, the Arbor

Post-election... From A4

polls does not necessarily translate into getting elected president. Ask Mar Roxas, who was the runner-up to Duterte in 2016 yet didn’t make it as senator in this years’s midterm elections. So, will Cynthia Villar go for the presidency or give way to husband Manny Villar who only placed fourth

dictator Ferdinand Marcos, with all his martial law and one-man legislative powers, could match it. The same sweeping victory by Duterte’s allies was demonstrated in the congressional races, the provincial governor and city and town mayor fights, and in the struggle for local legislative councils of provinces, cities and towns—92

How did he do it?

without—as the dictator Marcos did—declaring martial law nationwide, without padlocking Congress, without firing all the Supreme Court justices, without sending en masse the notable opposition leaders to jail, without closing down feisty newspapers and tv stations, without enforcing a midnight-to-dawn curfew nationwide, and all the while, challenging the power and dogmas of the en entrenched Catholic Church, fighting the longest communist insurgency in the world, fighting the longest Muslim separatist insurgency in the world, and discussing in public how immense and solid his man manhood was and can be in gross and boisterous language. How did Duterte do it? One is bluff, bluster and braggadocio. Another is having up to 5,000 people killed in his anti-drugs war. Still another is by employing more generals (more than 40) in civilian posts than any president before him did. Also, he likes sweating the small stuff that endears him to the common man and amply demonstrates his political will. Like mandating Customs not to touch the luggage of incoming Filipino tourists, cutting red tape on driver’s licenses and passports and extending their validity, ordering the six-month cleanup of fabled Boracay beach, followed by rehab of Manila Bay, declaring war on Canada unless that friendly country repatriates back its garbage, and threatening to stop the deployment of Filipino workers to UAE unless that Gulf state stopped the execution of a Filipina worker accused of murder. And no whiff of corruption among his subalterns. In all these measures, the President got the desired effect. History thus offers Duterte an opportunity for greatness. He can rise above his city- mayor thinking, overwhelm his barkada mentality, cut his seemingly drunken dialogues, and far from the madding crowd claw and execute a vision of greatness for his country and his people. He can embrace the Nike rule—just do it.

percent or higher. A cursory survey of major elec electoral constituencies (the biggest provinces and cities) shows the LP captured only 5 percent of elective positions at stake. About 70 percent were won by parties allied with Duterte—35 percent by PDP-Laban, 14 percent by NP, 10 percent by NPC, and 10 percent by NUP. The rest were won by small parties pretending to be independent but which have no choice but align themselves with the Boss. Majority of mayors listed in the Narco List of Duterte won. Having won, they are not expected to tangle with Duterte for fear for dear life or political future. In one stroke, the one-time prosecutor of nine years and city mayor of 23 years has unified the archipelago of 7,641 islands and more than 100 tribes. With enormous political capital and a job satisfaction rating of 79 percent, Duterte is today the Filipinos’ unrivalled kingpin of kingpins, a monarch without a crown, the Pope of the Philippine Vatican of politics. He is our MacArthur, Alexander the Great, Genghis Khan rolled into one persona. He now commands an empire with 107-million inhabitants, the 12th largest consumer market on earth, the second longest coastline in the world, an economy that is 34th largest in nominal GDP, and with a GDP, in purchasing power parity of a whopping $1.98 trillion. Duterte, 74, has assembled enormous and unprecedented power biznewsasia@gmail.com

Day Act of 2012, provides that “All able-bodied citizens of the Philippines, who are at least 12 years of age, shall be required to plant one (1) tree every year.” The activity shall be done in coordination with the local government units. Presidential Decree No. 1153 of 1977 states that “every citizen of the Philippines at least ten (10) years of age, actually residing therein, unless physically disabled to do so, shall plant one tree every month for five (5) consecutive years.” This law further provides that “the trees to be planted shall be fruit-bearing, shade, ornamental or forest trees, and the same shall be taken care of for at least two years after each planting and replaced if the same die, are diseased or are defective.” While the laws differ in some respects, such as their rationales and the point agencies, all three are cognizant of the need to care for natural resources and the environment. The question is, does the proposed Alejano bill, should it pass the Senate, repeal these two older tree-planting laws? Or do they all exist in conjunction and are for implementation at the same time? If a student planted trees in their province for Arbor Day, are these considered the same as their quota for graduation, or not? The recent midterm elections have brought to mind again the legislative

function of government, as has newly-minted Senator Bato del Rosario’s statement that he wants to take seminars on lawmaking. Scrutiny now falls on this proposed bill and its related laws. Crafting laws requires logic, commonsense, a knowledge of issues, and the imagination to solve problems. However, as these three tree laws show, over the decades some laws become redundant, their raisons d’etre and essential provisions duplicating others. While we all agree that trees can help refresh the air with oxygen and reduce our carbon footprint, and the more that are planted, the better, our legislators should consolidate these laws to prevent confusion. Why not come up with one consolidated Tree Planting Law that will be easy to implement? Corporate entities and government agencies can include tree planting in their yearly corporate social responsibility programs. Other solutions can be found to make sure all Filipinos remember to fulfill this duty to the country and the planet.

behind Grace Poe and Miriam Defensor Santiago? The victory of the Duterte-endorsed senatorial candidates, particularly Christopher “Bong” Go, Ronald “Bato” de la Rosa and Francis Tolentino does not really mean Digong’s popularity carried them to the Senate. This is more case of realpolitik. Congressmen, senators and local government officials know they have to toe

the Palace line to get funds from the administration for their public works projects since the President still has three years left in his year term. Watch this turncoats gravitate to Cynthia Villar’ s Nacionalista Party by 2020. This is a classic case of realpolitik. You go where the money is—and politicians have a strong sense of smell when it comes to the smell of money. It’s a sixth sense to them.

Trees are a living organism: Scientists recently announced that they have mapped, on a global scale, the ‘Wood Wide Web’, a “vast, interconnected web” of fungi and bacteria living at the roots of trees. /FB and Twitter: @ DrJennyO

FRIDAY, MAY 17, 2019

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The deadly odds of pigeon racing in the Philippines By Cecil Morella IT IS a brutal 600-kilometer gauntlet during which competitors face searing heat, wild seas, vicious predators, and the threat of kidnapping. Only one in 10 will finish. This is the MacArthur competition—the Philippines' longest homing pigeon race. It's a tough challenge for the birds and a tense affair for the owners. "Compared to Europe and the United States, we have lots of predators here and a lot of people who shoot these birds," said Jaime Lim, one of the Philippines' best-known pigeon fanciers—as the pursuit's devotees are known. "Fishing nets are set up in the mountains to capture these birds. That's a major problem nowadays," the 68-year-old construction magnate added. Racing pigeons can be worth thousands of dollars but some that are kidnapped are sold off to unscrupulous fanciers for as little as $14, Lim explained. It's a nefarious side effect of the hobby's swelling popularity in the Philippines, where there are now at least 300 clubs with thousands of members. This mirrors increasing popularity in other Asian countries, particularly India, Taiwan and China. In March, a Chinese buyer spent a record 1.25 million euros ($1.4 million) at an auction for Belgium's best long-distance racing pigeon of all time. According to Encyclopedia Britannica, the sport began in Belgium, where the first long-distance race was held in 1818. The European nation remains the global hub for enthusiasts. Gambling appeal The appeal in the Philippines seems to be a mix, including the bird's fascinating navigational skills and a touch of hunger for a quick profit. Fancier Mary Grace San Jose, 38, is from the poor district of Tondo in Manila and says one draw is that racing is open to everyone. "What is important is you are able to feed them," she told AFP, adding: "You may not afford what the rich give their birds... but that's fine." Money remains part of the appeal for many though. "It does not look good, but the opportunity to gamble is part of it," Eddie Noble, an official of the 1,000-member Metro Manila Fanciers Club, told AFP. Noble said the main driver,

DOF: Filipino... From A4

though, is the pure excitement of "racing these birds with a phenomenal ability to find their way home". Science has never concretely explained the homing pigeon's skills. The two more popular theories posit that they follow the Earth's magnetic field lines and rely on their sense of smell. One new hypothesis says that the birds use ultra-low frequency sounds that map out the terrain. That ability is put to the test in the MacArthur. "Ten percent, at the most, make it back," race director Nelson Chua said of the event, which begins in the MacArthur town on the island of Leyte. "We can say that 50-70 percent were snared by nets, shot, or taken by predators," he said. Lim insisted secrecy is necessary to protect the birds: "If they [kidnappers] get wind of the date of the race that's when they put their nets up." Worried parents Most of the rest are picked off by hungry predator birds, felled by tropical heat and exhaustion or even the occasional typhoon in a competition that lasts at least 10 hours. Those that survive fly directly to their coups in the Manila area. Their owners must then retrieve a code affixed to the pigeon's foot and call it in to race organizers, which is how finishing order is determined. For Ashley Fruno, of the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals group, the three sea crossings in the MacArthur race—rather than poachers, are to blame for the 90 percent casualty rate, which she said is among the world's deadliest. "There's nothing sporting about forcing animals to risk—and often lose—their lives so that someone can win a prize, a title or some money," Manila-based Fruno told AFP. She added that the pigeons fly low over water to avoid wind, and so many die when hit by waves or succumb to exhaustion. Fanciers claim they wait for their birds to return like worried parents. "It might take a few days, but they always come back unless they are caught by net," said San Jose. "If they don't, I'll spend days at their rooftop loft, waiting for them," she added. But she conceded, she has no idea what happened to her last two entries in the MacArthur race— they didn't make it back. AFP

mented. We want funding for Universal Health Care to be sustainable so that every Filipino can gain access to health care, based on the principle that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. The law provides that every Filipino should have a primary health care provider. That’s important because a healthy population is a productive population.” The government, Lambino added, wants to pursue universal health care and give full support to the Department of Health in implementing the law. At the same time, the Department of Finance would also urge Congress to pass the Universal Health Care financing bill that awould raise taxes on ‘sin’ products such as tobacco and alcohol. As far as education is concerned, Lambino said, the Department of Education is exerting all efforts to improve the K to 12 education program and ensure funding for higher education. Ample proof that the government has been able to competently manage the economy and our debts, the official said, is the improved credit rating recently announced by Standard and Poor’s. The credit rating of BBB+—which is one step away from the coveted A rating of creditworthiness—he stressed, leaves no doubt that the government’s economic managers are making the right policy decisions for the benefit of Filipinos and their families.

government to pursue arbitration proceedings if problems crop up. “We will not surrender our national sovereignty or patrimonial assets if our loan agreements run into problems. This applies to all our bilateral as well as multilateral loan agreements. Moreover, arbitral decisions must also be upheld by Philippine courts to become effective.” The Philippines secures loans from China and other countries because “it is important to sustain our growth momentum. We are about to become an upper middle-income country. In fact, we want to reach high-income status and attain zero extreme poverty by 2040,” Lambino stressed. The DOF official explained: “Our growth trajectory is based on two factors. One, we must heighten investment in our infrastructures, not only in flagship projects under the Build, Build, Build program but also thousands of small-scale projects throughout the country. That’s continuing up to now, although the reenacted budget has resulted in delays.” Lambino continued: “Two, we have to catch up on our investment in the Filipino people through education, health care and social protection. The Universal Health Care Law signed by President Duterte early this year needs to be fully imple- ernhil@yahoo.com

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FRIDAY, MAY 17, 2019

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Parañaque court affirms Okada arrest By Rey E. Requejo

PARAÑAQUE City trial court has afﬁrmed the warrant of arrest it issued early this year against Japanese gaming tycoon Kazuo Okada and his associate Takahiro Usui.

In an order dated May 6, a copy of which furnished to the Department of Justice, Judge Rolando G. How of the Parañaque regional trial court Branch 257 denied the motion ﬁled by Okada and Usui seeking to quash the arrest warrant on charges of embezzlement of $3.1 million in funds of posh Okada Manila Resort Hotel. Finding the petition to be lacking in merit, the court said it was “not convinced that there is clear absence

of probable cause for the issuance of warrant of arrest.” With the denial, the arrest warrant against the two remains valid and in effect. In December last year, Department of Justice prosecutors indicted Okada and Usui for three counts of estafa, on complaints ﬁled by Tiger Resort Leisure and Entertainment Inc., owner and operator of Okada Manila, the largest casino-hotel integrated resort in the country. Okada and Usui were ac-

cused of misappropriation of company funds committed when Okada was chairman and chief executive officer of TRLEI, and Usui was its chief operating officer. They were removed from TRLEI in June 2017. In its indictment, the DOJ found pachinko king Okada, in conspiracy with Usui, to have received $3,158,835 in salaries and consultancy fees without any authority or approval from the TRLEI Board. Upon demand, the accused refused to return the money, thus appropriating the same to the damage and prejudice of TRLEI. In ﬁling the case in court last January, the Parañaque court found probable cause and issued a warrant of arrest against Okada and Usui. The former TRLEI ofﬁcers then

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

Republic of the Philippines ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION San Miguel Avenue, Pasig City IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION THE FOR APPROVAL OF THE ANCILLARY SERVICES PROCUREMENT AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE NATIONAL GRID CORPORATION OF THE PHILIPPINES AND SPC POWER CORPORATION, WITH PRAYER FOR THE ISSUANCE OF PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY

questioned the arrest order, arguing that there was no basis for the issuance of the warrant. In throwing out the motion, the court said “there was no Board Resolution which authorized Usui to determine the salary of Okada. There was also no Board Resolution which authorized Usui to pay Okada a consultancy fee. Those powers to determine the salary of Okada and to pay Okada a consultancy fee are not implied in his functions as COO.” “… Being just a mere subordinate, Usui had no power to arrogate to himself the power to ﬁx and determine the salary and consultancy fee of his boss. The power to decide on the remuneration of Okada who held the highest position as CEO of TRLEI rests in the hand of the Board of Directors,” the court added.

Black Start Service (BSS): Payment for the service provided is based on hourly rate per occurrence:

PB104=PhP1.7570/kWh+VOM+Actual Fuel Cost

Sandiganbayan convicts ex-BoC deputy commish By Rio N. Araja THE Sandiganbayan's Sixth Division has convicted ex-Bureau of Customs deputy commissioner Prudencio Melendez Reyes Jr. guilty of three counts of violation of Section 8 of the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials in connection with the nondisclosure of his Statement of Assets, Liablities and Net Worth. In a May 10 resolution, the anti-graft court directed Reyes to pay a P5,000 fine for each count or a total of P15,000. The court, however, withdrew the falsification case against the respondent upon the prosecutor's request after Reyes entered plea bargaining agreement with the defense. The anti-graft court indicted Reyes for failure to disclose his business interests and financial ties in All in One Entertainment Corp., his connections in Prudence Group of Companies, and his 2005 Honda TMX123 motorcycle in his SALNs for 2010. Reyes also failed to state his financial connections in All in One Entertainment Corp. in his 2011 SALN. He entered a guilty plea on May 10.

C. Cost of Incidental Energy (“IE”) shall be computed using the formula below: IE={[G*(AR+Fuel+VOM)]-REVWESM-G} 13. Applicants submit that the rates represent a reasonable recovery of its opportunity cost in making available generation capacity to provide the procured AS. ERC CASE NO. 2019-011 RC

NATIONAL GRID CORPORATION OF THE PHILIPPINES AND SPC POWER CORPORATION, Applicants. x------------------------------------------------x

14. The rates under ASPA was subjected to a simulation by NGCP, the results of which are as follows: Indicative Rate Impact P/kW-mo P/kWh-equivalent 13.5851 0.0289 1.0337 0.0022

DR BSS

A copy of the Rate Impact Simulation is attached as Annex “C”. NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING TO ALL INTERESTED PARTIES: Notice is hereby given that on 19 February 2019, the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) and SPC Power Corporation (SPC) filed an Application dated 29 January 2019, seeking the Commission’s approval of their Ancillary Services Procurement Agreement (ASPA), with prayer for provisional authority. The pertinent portions of the Application which are hereunder quoted as follows: NATURE OF THE CASE 1.

This Application is for the approval of the Ancillary Services Procurement Agreement (“ASPA”) between the NGCP and SPC dated 18 December 2018, pursuant to the Decision dated 3 October 2007 in ERC Case No. 2006-049RC entitled: “In the Matter of the Application for the Approval of Ancillary Services - Cost Recovery Mechanism (AS-CRM) of the Ancillary Services Procurement Plan, with Prayer for Provisional Authority.”

15. Consistent with the AS-CRM, all the related and incidental expenses which NGCP will incur as a result of the procurement and operation of the ancillary services shall be recovered from all the load customers in the Visayas Grid. 16. The ASPA shall be effective for a period of five (5) years, to commence immediately upon the effectivity of the provisional approval (“PA”), or in the absence thereof, the final approval (“FA”) of the instant Application. In the event that the PA or FA, as the case may be, does not state a particular date of effectivity, the Agreement shall be effective on the date agreed upon by the Parties. 17. SPC, as a generation company, falls within the ambit of Sections 6 of the EPIRA. Attached are copies of relevant documents proving SPC’s due registration as a generation company, relevant permits to operate the Generation Facility and audited financial statements, as follows: Documents Certificate of Compliance Certification of No Existing Power Supply Agreement Articles of Incorporation Latest Security Exchange Commission - General Information Sheet Latest Audited Financial Statement WESM Registration

THE PARTIES 2.

Applicant NGCP is a corporation created and existing under the laws of the Philippines, with office address at NGCP Building, Quezon Avenue corner BIR Road, Diliman, Quezon City. It holds a franchise under Republic Act No. 9511 to engage in the business of conveying or transmitting electricity through high-voltage back-bone systems of interconnected transmission lines, substations and related facilities, and for other purposes. The franchise also includes the conduct of activities necessary to support the safe and reliable operation of the transmission system. Applicant SPC is a corporation duly organized and existing under and by virtue of the laws of the Republic of the Philippines with principal place of business at the 7th floor, Cebu Holdings Center, Archbishop Reyes Ave., Cebu Business Park, Cebu City. It may be served with orders, notices, and other legal processes through its undersigned counsel. It is the owner and operator of the Power Barge 104 (“Generation Facility”) located at Tapal Wharf, Ubay Bohol which was certified and accredited by NGCP to be capable of providing Ancillary Services (“AS”) in the forms of Dispatchable Reserve (“DR”) and Black Start Service (“BSS”). ANTECEDENT FACTS

Republic Act No. 9136 provides that it is the responsibility of NGCP to ensure and maintain the reliability, adequacy, security, stability and integrity of the nationwide electrical grid in accordance with the performance standards for its operations and maintenance, as set forth in the Philippine Grid Code (“PGC”), adopted and promulgated by the Honorable Commission, and to adequately serve generation companies, distribution utilities and suppliers requiring transmission service and/or ancillary services through the transmission system.

Similarly, the PGC provides that NGCP is responsible for determining, acquiring, and dispatching the capacity needed to supply the required Grid AS and for developing and proposing Wheeling Charges and AS tariffs to the ERC.

As defined in Section 4(b) of the EPlRA “refer to those services that are necessary to support the transmission of capacity and energy from resources to loads while maintaining reliable operation of the transmission system in accordance with good utility practice and the Grid Code to be adopted in accordance with this Act.” These services are essential in ensuring reliability in the operation of the transmission system and consequently, in the reliability of the electricity supply in the Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao grids. In order to implement and regulate the procurement of AS, the Honorable Commission approved the Ancillary Services Procurement Plan (“ASPP”) through its Order dated 9 March 2006 in ERC Case No. 2002-253 and the Ancillary Services Cost Recovery Mechanism (“ASCRM”) through its Decision dated 3 October 2007 in ERC Case No. 2006-049RC. Pursuant to its mandate, NGCP on different dates published in newspapers of general circulation a Notice of Invitation for Prospective Ancillary Services Providers, inviting all gridconnected merchant plants and independent power producers to participate in the provision of ancillary services. Upon receipt of the intention from SPC to provide ancillary services, NGCP commenced negotiations with SPC for the execution of an ASPA. NGCP agreed to procure and SPC agreed to supply AS in the forms of: (a) DR under a firm and non-firm arrangement; and (b) BSS under a non-firm arrangement. A copy of the Ancillary Services Procurement Agreement between NGCP and SPC dated 18 December 2018 is attached as Annex “A”.

10. During the period of negotiation, NGCP conducted several tests on the Generation Facility, and certified that the generating units have met and complied with the Standard Ancillary Services Technical Requirements of the ASPP as capable of providing DR and BSS. A copy of NGCP Accreditation Certificate Nos. 2018-V0037 dated August 20, 2018 (for DR) and 2018-V0037 (for BSS) are attached as Annexes “B” and “B-1”, respectively. FIRM AND NON-FIRM CONTRACTED CAPACITY RATE AND IMPACT SIMULATION 11. Under Clause 3 of the ASPA, SPC shall provide NGCP with the following as specified in Schedule 1 of the ASPA: A. Firm Contracted Capacity: 1.

Dispatchable Reserve (Tertiary Reserve) - up to 21MW for 24 hours.

B. Non-Firm Contracted Capacity: 1. Dispatchable Reserve (Tertiary Reserve) - up to 7MW If Non-Firm DR is not scheduled, the unscheduled unit may serve as a standy replacement unit in case a scheduled unit for Firm DR becomes unavailable. 1.

Black Start Service (BSS) - up to 28MW with 200kWEDG

Note that the capacities listed above are the maximum ancillary service capacity that can be provided for each generating unit. However, nomination and schedule shall be based on the latest AS Certificate. 12. The Applicable Rates for the capacity covered by the ASPA as provided in Schedule 3 are as follows: A. Firm Contracted Capacity Applicable Rate: 1.

Annex “D” “E” “F” “G” “H” “I”

While SPC is a co-applicant, it manifests that the instant Application shall neither modify, diminish or constitute a waiver of SPC’s rights nor expand its obligations and responsibilities as a generation company under EPIRA. ALLEGATIONS IN SUPPORT OF THE PRAYER FOR PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY 18. It is a declared policy of the State to ensure the quality, reliability, security and affordability of the supply of electric power (Section 2(b), EPIRA). To this end, there is a need to comply with the system requirements for AS to ensure grid system security and reliability. As mentioned above, NGCP has the mandate to procure the required AS. 19. The current levels of available contracted AS in the Visayas Grid have not yet reached the desired levels necessary for the system security and reliability. Thus, Applicants executed the ASPA. A copy of the relevant actual data showing the required and available levels of AS in the Visayas Grid, entiled as “Visayas Dispatchable Reserve Availability” are attached as Annex “J”. 20. As the demand for power in the Visayas increases, the requirements of the system to ensure stability, reliability, and security likewise increases. Ensuring the integrity of the system is essential to protect the interests of the public. The absence of system reliability and stability will certainly discourage investments and growth. The importance of AS to be provided by SPC, which is to ensure and maintain the reliability, adequacy, security, stability and integrity of the Visayas Grid cannot be overemphasized. 21. Applicants respectfully submit that the immediate approval of the ASPA by this Honorable Commission is a necessity to maintain the reliability, adequacy, security, stability and integrity of the Visayas Grid. In support of these allegations, NGCP submits a copy of the Judicial Affidavit of Engr. Lisaflor Bacani-Kater of the Revenue and Regulatory Affairs Department of NGCP, which is attached as Annex “K.” PRAYER 22. WHEREFORE, premises considered, Applicants respectfully pray that the Honorable Commission: a.

Immediately ISSUE a provisional authority to implement the subject ASPA executed on 18 December 2018; and

APPROVE, after notice and hearing, the subject ASPA. Applicants pray for other just and equitable relief.

The Commission has set the Application for determination of compliance with the jurisdictional requirements, expository presentation, pre-trial conference, and presentation of evidence on 14 June 2019 (Friday) at Nine o’clock in the morning (9:00 A.M.) at Metro Center Hotel Bohol, C.P. Garcia North Avenue, Tagbilaran City, Bohol. All persons who have an interest in the subject matter of the instant case may become a party by filing with the Commission a verified Petition to Intervene at least five (5) days prior to the initial hearing and subject to the requirements under Rule 9 of the 2006 ERC Rules of Practice and Procedure, indicating therein the docket number and title of the case and stating the following: 1)

The petitioner’s name and address;

The nature of petitioner’s interest in the subject matter of the proceeding and the way and manner in which such interest is affected by the issues involved in the proceeding; and

A statement of the relief desired. (This space is intentionally left blank)

All other persons who may want their views known to the Commission with respect to the subject matter of the case may file their Opposition or Comment thereon at any stage of the proceeding before Applicant rests its case, subject to the requirements under Rule 9 of the 2006 ERC Rules of Practice and Procedure. No particular form of Opposition or Comment is required, but the document, letter, or writing should contain the following: 1)

The name and address of such person;

A concise statement of the opposition or comment; and

The grounds relied upon.

All such persons who wish to have a copy of the Application may request from Applicant that they be furnished with the same, prior to the date of the initial hearing. Applicant is hereby directed to furnish all those making such request with copies of the Application and its attachments, subject to the reimbursement of reasonable photocopying costs. Any such person may likewise examine the Application and other pertinent records filed with the Commission during the standard office hours. WITNESS, the Honorable Commissioners ALEXIS M. LUMBATAN, CATHERINE P. MACEDA and PAUL M. CERVANTES Energy Regulatory Commission, this 29th day of April 2019 in Pasig City. FOR AND BY AUTHORITY OF THE COMMISSION:

AGNES VST DEVANADERA Chairperson & CEO

Dispatchable Reserve (DR): PhP0.85/kW/hr

B. Non-Firm Contracted Capacity Applicable Rate: 1.

Dispatchable Reserve (DR): PhP1.25/kW/hr

(MS-MAY 10 & 17, 2019)

KNEELING CARABAOS. Around 800 carabaos were paraded on the main street and were made to kneel in front of the church, as the cheering crowd shouted ‘Luhod! Luhod! (Kneel! Kneel!)’ during the event of the Saint Isidore the Laborer or San Isidro Labrador, the patron saint in Pulilan, Bulacan. Teddy Pelaez

Cadet dies of heat stroke while training at PNPA A CADET of the Philippine National Police Academy died while undergoing summer training program within the school’s vicinity in Silang, Cavite due to heat stroke. Lt. Col. Byron Allatog, PNPA spokesperson, identiﬁed on Thursday the victim as Cadet 4th Class Al Rasheed Pendatun Macadato, 21, a native of Kalilangan, Bukidnon. Macadato was doing a road run when he collapsed around 4:45 p.m. Tuesday. He was immediately picked up by an ambulance and was rushed to the PNPA Medical Dispensary. He was later transferred to the Qualimed Hospital in Sta. Rosa, Laguna and was declared dead around 5 a.m. on Wednesday. Allatog said Macadato has been undergoing training for the past 10 days. PNPA director Brig. Gen. Chiquito Malayo said the attending physicians had already ruled out hazing against Macadato, which could have caused his death. “The New Cadet Summer Training Package being used is the same of the previous years following a progressive or increasing timeline in runs, push-ups and pull ups,” he explained. “The other factor affecting the training packet now is the hot weather thus, new cadets are required by their squad leaders to drink 12-14 glasses or more per day,” he added. Malayo, however, assured the family of the victim due assistance and added that he will conduct a thorough investigation in order to determine the extent of the whole training schedule and if lapses were evident. PNA

BI launches anti-corruption program By Vito Barcelo THE Bureau of Immigration has launched an anti-corruption program to stop corruption within the bureau and to professionalize its ranks to boost its reputation as one of government’s frontline service agencies. BI Commissioner Jaime Morente said that an integrated management committee composed of top BI officials has been formed to formulate and implement anti-corruption measures in all of the bureau’s offices, including the different ports and sub-ports nationwide. “We fully support the anticorruption advocacy of President Duterte, and we have already made a commitment to Malacañang and the Office of the Ombudsman that we will intensify our anti-corruption campaign,” Morente said. BI Port Operations chief Grifton Medina, the concurrent chairman of the Bureau’s Committee on Good Governance, said that the program is dubbed as the Integrity Management Program of the agency. He said the BI will assess and review what and where the problems lie so as “to determine corruption vulnerabilities and institute integrity safeguards.” “Once ascertained, the IMP will institute changes to eliminate the possibility of corruption and red tape,” he said.

“We want to ensure that corruption remains a high risk and low reward activity. IMP’s thrust is to institute preventive measures designed to eliminate corruption and improve public trust and confidence in the bureau. We want to identify where the risk of corruption is high so that these can be properly addressed and cured,” he said. Medina said among the measures already in place include the banning of the use of mobile phones by immigration officers while on duty; the installation of CCTVs in the airports’ immigration areas; prohibition on passenger facilitation; ban on fixing in all BI offices; and periodic rotation and reshuffle of bureau personnel in the ports and field offices. Only recently, section chiefs, terminal heads and other supervisors assigned at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport were reshuffled. “The continuing reshuffles and rotations is not only aimed to prevent fraternization in the workplace but also enhances the capabilities and knowledge of our employees, thus improving their professionalism and career advancement,” Medina said. Medina also said that several seminar workshops and forum on anti-corruption will also be conducted for BI employees as part of IMP.

sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

Sports

Manila

Standard

TODAY

Tiger, Koepka set for early Bethpage start B

Level 2, Multi Purpose Hall, GSIS Building, Financial Center, Roxas Boulevard, Pasay City

ETHPAGE—Tiger Woods, coming off a Masters victory that snapped an 11-year major win drought, begins his quest for a 16th major title Thursday at the 101st PGA Championship. The 43-year-old American superstar’s electrifying triumph last month at Augusta National has made him the focus of attention at formidable Bethpage Black, the same course where Woods won the 2002 US Open. “I feel great. I’m excited to get out there,” Woods said. “This is going to be a long week the way the golf course is set up and potentially could play. This could be a hell of a championship.” A victory would match Woods with Sam Snead for the all-time US PGA win record at 82 and move him two shy of the all-time major win record of 18 set by Jack Nicklaus—as well as put Woods halfway to a calendar Grand Slam for the ﬁrst time since 2002. Sixth-ranked Woods starts off the 10th tee at 8:24 a.m. (1224 GMT) alongside defending champion and two-time US Open winner Brooks Koepka and reigning British Open champion Francesco Molinari of Italy. “I’m just looking forward to playing with him. It’ll be interesting,” Koepka said of Woods. “We really haven’t been paired together too much, especially over the last

FRIDAY, MAY 17, 2019

Level 2, Multi Purpose Hall, GSIS Building, Financial Center, Roxas Boulevard, Pasay City

couple years.” Koepka held off Woods to win last year’s PGA at Bellerive while Molinari denied Woods last year to win the Claret Jug at Carnoustie. “When I started I wasn’t even dreaming of playing against Tiger,” Molinari said. “I feel lucky enough to have played with him many times now in many important moments.” Finding the fairways will be crucial over the 7,549-yard, par70 layout as sloping greens ﬁrm up from rain. “In order to win this one, driving is going to be at the forefront,” Woods said. “You’ve got to hit it not only straight but you’ve got to hit it far.” Woods, nagged for years by back pain before 2017 spinal fusion surgery, has not played competitively since the Masters, making this only the sixth time in his career he has played backto-back majors. He skipped a planned ninehole practice round Wednesday for rest, having done a ﬁve-hour in-depth tour of the course last week and played nine holes early Monday. AFP

Level 2, Multi Purpose Hall, GSIS Building, Financial Center, Roxas Boulevard, Pasay City

TV5 President Vincent Reyes is shown the boxers (from left, upper side) Ronel Dela Cruz, Christoval Furog, Ian Refuela, Ronel Sumalpong, April Jay Abne, Ruben Dadivas, Welben Montere, Joseph, Bayubay, Denmark Quibido, Rey Tagulaylay, (from left, lower side) Lienard Sarcon, Rimon Rama, John Mark Tihuk , Luis EvanderBorje, Ken Jordan, Kevin Aseniero, Lenjun Retuerto, Gary Tamayo, Aljum Pelesio and Dave Barlas.

ESPN5, Gerrypens launch Ultimate Boxing Series AFTER championing the local boxing scene with a slew of exciting live events, ESPN5 Boxing steps up further by teaming up with Gerrypens Promotions to deliver a boxing tournament training program called Ultimate Boxing Series: Kamaong Pinoy, premiering June 2019 on the “5” Network. Twenty professional boxers from different boxing stables around the Philippines will be given the opportunity to train in one roof and under the watchful eye of Pinoy boxing legend and two-time champ Gerry ‘Fearless’ Peñalosa, for the opportunity to face off against each other in a live and nationally-televised boxing event, courtesy of ESPN5. This sports reality series will not only feature the fighters’ training and conditioning, but also their motivations—their loved ones, families, and for the opportunity to further build upon the legacy of Philippine boxing. Each episode will feature not only why they fight, but who they are fighting for. Gerry Peñalosa states that this is what Kamaong Pinoy represents: “Ang Kamaong Pinoy ay hindi lang panglaban, ito rin ay pang-protekta ng mga mahal sa buhay,” (The Pinoy boxer’s fist is not only for fighting, but also for protecting the ones they love). The show also ties in a couple of ESPN5 live boxing events, bringing the culminating events of this reality series to a live audience. “The Filipino boxing scene has never been this exciting,” TV5 President Vincent Reyes shares. “The search for the next dominant Pinoy boxer can come from anywhere and bring something new to the table – a new stable, a new boxing style, a new motivation. We are proud to be a pivotal part of this, and to share Gerry Peñalosa’s vision in his search for the next Fearless Pinoy Fighter.”

Level 2, Multi Purpose Hall, GSIS Building, Financial Center, Roxas Boulevard, Pasay City

GENERAL GUIDELINES: 1. Disposal of GSIS Investment Properties – Retail Units (IP-RUs) is through a competitive public bidding process. Acceptance of Purchase Offers shall start on the scheduled bidding date and time. 2. Dropping of bid envelopes will be on the date of bidding from 8:30 AM to 10:00 AM only. Opening of Bids will immediately follow. Late bid envelopes will not be accepted 3. Disposal of GSIS IP-RUs is on an “As-Is Where-Is” basis. Interested bidders are enjoined to personally inspect the GSIS IP-RUs for sale. “As-Is Where-Is” is defined as the present physical condition of the retail unit that GSIS is selling and the buyer is buying, “with all attendant faults, if any,” whether or not immediately apparent and without any express or implied warranty. The buyer takes this condition at his or her own risk, without recourse against the GSIS as to their condition. This includes knowledge by the buyer of the presence of occupants in the retail-unit being purchased. 4. Strictly, “One bidder, One specific property” only, which means that a bidder cannot submit two (2) or more bids for one property. A bidder may submit one bid each to as many properties as he/she wants to buy, as long as, he/she posts the required 10% bid deposit of the total bid price for each property. The bidder must present valid government IDs upon registration on the date of public bidding. 5. Purchase offer may either be in Cash or an accredited through External Financing Institution (EFI). MODE

Lopez... From A8 Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer praised the overall contribution of the team but singled out Lopez for special praise. “Big game from Brook on both ends of the court,” Budenholzer said. “In the ﬁrst half we were struggling but Brook was able to manufacture a couple of things. “And several times in the fourth quarter he was out there making big-time plays -- blocks, rebounds, contests. Certainly in

a big moment, that was a great Brook Lopez tonight.” The Raptors meanwhile will take positives from the form of Kawhi Leonard, who once again looked poised to single-handedly drag Toronto over the line. Leonard ﬁnished with 31 points, nine rebounds and two assists while point guard Kyle Lowry was similarly impressive with 30 points and eight rebounds. Pascal Siakam added 15 points while Marc Gasol delivered another impressive defensive display with 12 rebounds and two blocks. AFP

Cash

PAYMENT DUE DATE Payable either in cash or Manager’s Checks within thirty (30) calendar days from the date of bidding, without privilege of extension

EFI

Shall submit the Letter of Guarantee (LOG) within forty-five (45) calendar days from the date of bidding, without privilege of extension

Interested bidders through EFI must first secure a conditional loan approval with EFI accredited bank. Insert the document in the bid envelope along with the duly filled out and signed bid form 7. A downloadable bid form shall be properly accomplished with the following data: a. Date of Bidding b. Name of the bidder c. Exact address of property you are interested to bid d. Transfer Certificate of Title No. e. Mode of Payment f. Amount of bid (in numbers and in words) g. Signature of the bidder/representative 8. Bid proposal shall be written in words and in figures and must not be lower than the Minimum Acceptable Offer of the property. Should there be a difference in the amount in words and in figures, the amount in words shall prevail. 9. Bidders’ deposit equivalent to at least 10% of the Bid Offer shall be in the form of MANAGER’S CHECK payable to the Government Service Insurance System. 10. The following shall be inserted on a sealed bid envelope: a. the properly accomplished bid form b. Manager’s Check payable to Government Service Insurance System representing deposit equivalent to at least 10% of the Bid Offer c. Pro-forma Certificate of due diligence (for occupied or unoccupied) d. the Special Power of Attorney (SPA), if the bidder is an authorized representative e. Pre-conditional approval from PBCOM, if applicable f. Two (2) proofs of occupancy, if applicable f.1. Barangay certificate that Bidder is occupying or residing in the subject property and any of the following: (1) Valid Government Issued IDs, or (2) Latest Billing Address under Bidder’s Name 11. The following information shall be clearly written outside the sealed bid envelope (mailing envelope)

12. The existing tenant or occupant or his duly authorized representative through a valid Special Power of Attorney (SPA) has the right to match the offer of the declared highest bidder, provided: a. he/she is present during the bidding b. participated in actual bidding c. presently occupying the property subject of bidding supported by the following proofs of occupancy: c.1 Barangay certificate that he/she is occupying or residing in the subject property c.2. Any valid government identification document with his/her address similar to the address of the property he/.she is bidding. 13. If the occupant will exercise his/her Right to Match the offer of the declared highest bidder, he/ she need not secure another bank pre-qualification corresponding to the matched offer. Instead, he/she shall pay the full 10% deposit based on the matched bid amount in cash on the day of bidding. 14. The declared highest/winning bidder shall submit within fourteen (14) calendar days of the actual bidding, the following documents: (a) duly accomplished Personal Profile/Company Profile/Corporate Profile, whichever is applicable (downloadable); (b) photocopies of two (2) valid IDs (one should be a government-issued ID); (c) Articles of Incorporation/Partnership, By-Laws and current General Information Sheet, for corporation/partnership, if applicable; (d) Registration Certificate from SEC for corporation/partnership, DTI for sole proprietorship and CDA for cooperatives, or any proof of such registration, if applicable; (e) current Mayor’s permit issued by the city or municipality where the principal place of business of the winning bidder is located, if applicable. 15. A Notice of Approval of Sale (NOAS) shall be issued to the highest/winning bidder on the day of bidding. The Bidder’s deposit of the other non-winning bidder/s shall be returned immediately. 16. In case the bid is in CASH, the 90% balance of the bid amount shall be paid either in cash or in manager’s check within thirty (30) calendar days from receipt of NOAS, without privilege of extension. 17 In case the bid is through EFI, winning bidder shall submit the Letter of Guarantee (LOG) within forty-five (45) calendar days from the date of bidding. The equity, if any, shall be paid in cash or in manager’s check within thirty (30) calendar days from receipt of LOG by the GSIS. The equity is the amount corresponding to the difference between the Offered Bid Amount and LOG amount. 18. Non-compliance with the terms and conditions stated in the NOAS will result in the forfeiture of the 10% bidder’s deposit. 19. In case the highest/winning bidder fails to comply with the requirements within the specified time, the said NOAS shall be deemed automatically revoked and the highest/winning bidder shall be informed in writing. The second highest bidder, if any, shall be informed in writing if he/she is still interested to acquire the property. If still interested, GSIS require him/her to pay the nonrefundable deposit equivalent to ten percent (10%) of his/her previously submitted bid amount and will be issued a NOAS. 20. GSIS reserves the right to waive any formality or to reject any or all bids received. The list of properties available for sale may be updated without prior notice. 21. For bidding inquiries, you may call the Real Property Accounts Management Department (RPAMD) at trunkline telephone numbers (02) 479-3500, (02) 479-3600 and (02) 976-4900 local numbers 3228, 3374, and 3396. (MS-MAY 16,17,18, 2019)

Sports

Riera U. Mallari, Editor Reuel Vidal, Assistant Editor

sports@manilastandard.net

sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

FRIDAY, MAY 17, 2019

Players, coaches, officials and supporters of the San Miguel Beermen celebrate the team’s fifth straight Philippine Cup conquest.

Uy wrests control with 68, leads Ikeda by 3 strokes TAGAYTAY—Daniella Uy moved in the threshold of a breakthrough win on the Ladies Philippine Golf Tour, banking on a superb short game to shoot an eagle-aided 68 and rally from two-down to three-up over erstwhile leader Chihiro Ikeda after two rounds of the ICTSI Tagaytay Midlands Ladies Challenge here yesterday. Uy bounced back strong from a threeputt miscue on the par-5 No. 2, banging in a two-footer for eagle off a brilliant second shot from 200 yards on the next par-5 on No. 6 then gunning down birdies on Nos. 7 and 15 inside 10 feet. She spiked her 33-35 card with a 45-foot birdie putt on the ninth to edge closer to a dream title with a 140. “Except on No. 2, I was on target around the green. I would get to great positions for birdie chances,” said Uy, whose team-up with brother Lanz netted them a joint fourth place finish in the Delimondo National Pro-Am at Splendido over the weekend. In all, Uy hit 15 greens and used her putter 29 times to underscore her splendid all around game. She, however, remained wary of her chances on a course that features reachable par-5s, stressing the need to take it one shot at a time. “Anything can happen in the final round tomorrow (today). This lead could be wiped out in just a couple of holes if I would be careless, so I need to stay focused to win,” said the former Junior World titlist. Near flawless with a 70 in hot conditions in the first round Wednesday, Ikeda had a flawed start this time on shaky putting, bogeying three of the first 12 holes to fall behind by as many as five. But the Fil-Japanese shotmaker battled back with two birdies in the last six to save a 73 and keep Uy within sight at 143 heading to the last 18 holes of the P750,000 championship put up by ICTSI. “My putting was awful and the greens were a bit slower than usual,” said Ikeda, who could’ve pulled within two had her chip-in bid for eagle on the last hole had dropped in. With the rest of the pack failing to strike in another punishing day at the rolling layout, the fight for the top P150,000 could go down to the top two players with Uy bracing for a shootout with a veteran, multi-titled rival in Ikeda.

SMBeermen cement th dynasty with 26 title

By Jeric Lopez

ISTORY was made when San Miguel Beer hoisted its ﬁfth straight Philippine Cup trophy in the Philippine Basketball Association.

The Beermen further cemented their dynasty as they captured their 26th overall championship after once again reigning supreme in the All-Filipino conference for the ﬁfth season in a row after squeaking past Magnolia in an epic Game 7 Wednesday night to conclude the highly competitive seven-game championship series. San Miguel Beer’s bid for a ﬁve-peat was not easy by any means as it had to endure the Hotshots’ tremendous threat and challenge before willing its way towards

the historic feat it just accomplished. “Hindi madali,” said San Miguel superstar June Mar Fajardo, who once again was at the forefront of the Beermen’s championship drive. “Down kami halos buong finals, sa Game 7 rin, pero nakahanap kami ng paraan. Naipakita namin gusto namin talaga makuha pa rin.” “It took us a lot of hard work and dedication to get this historic accomplishment,” added Beermen gunner Marcio Lassiter. “We didn’t just get here. It really took a lot.” Fajardo showed why everyone is living in his era, setting a single-game record for locals of 31 rebounds on top of 17 points to lead San Miguel to a gut-wrenching 72-71 escape win over Magnolia in the gut-wrenching Game 7, Winning his seventh championship as San Miguel Beer’s head coach, Leo Austria credited his players and even Magnolia for the fulfilling finish.

“Magnolia brought out the best in us and was worthy to be champion, too. It was very difficult,” said Austria after seeing his team trail by 17 points first before pulling it off in Game 7. “My players made me look like a good coach.” Austria is still in awe of all the accomplishments that he and his team achieved for the past five seasons that they’ve been dominating. “I couldn’t imagine this kind of success. I never thought this will happen,” expressed the jubilant Austria. “I never thought we will win five straight All-Filipino championships.” While the long-running core of Fajardo, Alex Cabagnot, Chris Ross, Arwind Santos and Lassiter added more to their legacy, recent additions Terrence Romeo and Christian Standhardinger got a taste of a championship for the first time in their PBA careers.

Lopez to rescue as Bucks turn back Raptors LOS ANGELES—Brook Lopez scored 29 points as the Milwaukee Bucks staged a late rally to defeat the Toronto Raptors 108-100 in the opening game of their NBA Eastern Conference finals clash on Wednesday. Lopez helped spark a run of 10 unanswered points in the final three minutes as the Bucks fought back from 100-98 down to claim a crucial victory in front of their home fans at the Fiserv Forum. Two free throws from Kawhi Leonard had nudged Toronto into a 100-98 lead as the clock wound down on a pulsating opening instalment of the best-of-seven series. But a Lopez dunk gave the Bucks a 101-100 lead and then a three-pointer from the towering 31-year-old took Milwaukee four points clear. Two free throws apiece from Eric Bledsoe and Khris Middleton completed the scoring as the Bucks pulled away to win. “It was a complete team effort,” said Lopez, who finished with 11 rebounds and two assists. “We’d been playing with good energy the whole game but shots weren’t going down for us. So we knew we just had to keep grinding, which is what we’ve been doing all season long,” Lopez added. “We’ve learned never to hang our

Brook Lopez of the Milwaukee Bucks shoots the ball against the Toronto Raptors during Game One of the Eastern Conference Finals of the 2019 NBA Playoffs at the Fiserv Forum Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. AFP

heads, never give up, and we haven’t all season. They hit us, but we stuck with it and stuck together as a team.” Lopez was backed by 24 points from Giannis Antetokounmpo, who also hauled

down 14 rebounds with six assists. Middleton had 11 points with 11 rebounds while Malcolm Brogdon delivered a vital 15 points from the Turn to A7 bench.

Lady Eagles vow to give Tigresses hell By Peter Atencio THE Ateneo Lady Eagles will definitely make it difficult for the University of Santo Tomas Tigresses to clinch the 81st University Athletic Association of the Philippines women’s volleyball crown. That’s because they will be better prepared to deal with the Tigresses in Game 3 of their best-of-three finals series at 4 p.m. on Saturday at the Mall Asia Arena. “Compared to our first game, we really played our best. We really played as a team,” said spiker Maddie Madayag, after Julianne Samonte and Pauline Gaston provided the big plays in the third and fourth sets, And their big games pushed the Ateneo Lady Eagles to a 26-24, 14-25, 25-21, 25-15, triumph over the Tigresses last Wednesday at the Mall of Asia Arena. Their heroics gave the Lady Eagles a fighting chance to clinch the crown after Game 2 of their best-of-three finals series. This evened up the series at 1-all. In Game 2, Bea de Leon added 13 points for the Lady Eagles, who took the first set after they got past a 24-all deadlock. “Pumapasok sa isip sa isip namin na this might be our last game. But, we crossed it off our kinds. Of course, lalaban kami. We won’t go down without a fight. And this is what we told each other. Binigay na sa amin ni Lord ito. Why won’t we grab the opportunity? asked Madayag.

Mikee appointed to 4 key IOC posts MIKEE Cojuangco-Jaworski, the Philippines’ representative to the International Olympic Committee, has been named to four key posts from within the IOC hierarchy. Cojuangco-Jaworski, who is among three women who were given appointments, was named as president of the Commission for Olympic Education, according to an announcement issued by the IOC on its ofﬁcial website yesterday. She will head the body that advises the IOC Session, the IOC Executive Board and the IOC President on the promotion of Olympic values-based education, and provides strategic direction on IOC programs and activities related to the education of youth through sport. The IOC also named the 45-year old Cojuangco-Jaworski, a gold medallist in equestrian in the 2002 Busan Asian Games, a member of the commission on the Olympic Channel. The Olympic Channel is a television and internet service that connects the worldwide audience with the Olympic Movement all year round with its youth and sports-oriented sports programming. The daughter of former Philippine Olympic Committee president Jose Cojuangco Jr. also earned posts as a member of the coordination committees for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and the 2024 Paris Olympics. Her appointment came as the IOC announced that there was growth in the female membership of its commissions. According to the IOC, it has added three female chairpersons in their 27-members commissions. The IOC Coordination Commission for the Olympic Games Los Angeles 2028, will be chaired by Nicole Hoevertsz, IOC Member in Aruba, and a member of the IOC Executive Board. She is a former synchronised swimmer who competed at the Olympic Games Los Angeles 1984. Peter Atencio

IN BRIEF

Megawide’s profit dropped 50% in Q1

MEGAWIDE Construction Corp. said Thursday net income fell 50 percent in the first quarter to P239 million from P475 million recorded in the same period last year on lower revenues. Megawide said in a regulatory filing firstquarter revenues declined 20 percent to P3.56 billion from P4.44 billion a year earlier as the lower construction revenues tempered the growth in airport revenues. Construction revenues, representing 72 percent of the total, dropped 31.3 percent. The company said, however, that it was expecting construction activities to pick up in the coming quarters because of the new contracts secured in the first quarter. Megawide said that as of end-March, total order book amounted to P53.68 billion after it secured P6.2 billion worth of new contracts in the first quarter. Residential projects comprised 33 percent while office and commercial represented 59 percent. Infrastructure projects contributed the remaining 8 percent. Airport revenues jumped 38 percent in the first quarter to P891 million. Jenniffer B. Austria

Manila Water installs 64 line boosters

MANILA Water Company Inc. said it completed the installation of 64 line boosters across the East Zone. The company said this would increase water availability to the current 98 percent of customers who are now receiving water supply for at least eight hours at ground ﬂoor level. The line boosters are among the technical solutions to extend water supply to elevated areas and those farthest from distribution facilities. Line boosters are pumps installed on pipelines to increase pressure in order to push water to the challenging areas located at higher elevations and convey water where it is needed. Manila Water said 26 line boosters were installed in Quezon City, nine in Taguig City and ﬁve in Mandaluyong City. For Rizal, fourteen were installed in Rodriguez, three each in San Mateo and Antipolo City, two in Binangonan and one each in Taytay and Angono. The company said more line boosters were scheduled for installation within the coming weeks in more locations in Quezon City and Rizal.

Business BSP trims banks’ reserve requirement ratio to 16% By Julito G. Rada

HE Monetary Board, the policy-making body of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, decided on Thursday to reduce the reserve requirement ratio of universal and commercial banks by 200 basis points within two months to 16 percent from 18 percent to bring more liquidity into the ﬁnancial market.

“The Monetary Board decided today to reduce the RRR by 200 bps―from 18 percent to 16 percent to be implemented in three stages,” Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Benjamin Diokno said. The RRR cut is expected to release additional liquidity of about P231 billion into the market based on the P11.576-trillion deposits held by universal and commercial banks as of end2018 as reported by Philippine Insurance Deposit Corp. The Bankers Association of the Philippines said the RRR cut was appropriate as this would help boost the economy.

“The 2% cut in reserve requirements recognizes the BSP’s effectiveness in strengthening the country’s banking system. It is a bold move, coming on the heels of a policy rate cut, but equally appropriate given how our ﬁnancial system has advanced under the BSP’s stewardship,” said BAP president Cezar Consing. The BAP expressed optimism that the RRR reduction, together with the easing of policy rates, would sustain the growing economic momentum. Diokno said the ﬁrst 100-basis-point cut would be effective on May 31. It will

implement the 50-bps cut on June 28 and another 50-bps reduction on July 26. Diokno announced the RRR cut a week after the board reduced the overnight borrowing rate by 25 bps to 4.5 percent. “This new policy will apply to universal and commercial banks only. For the other types of banks, the cut in RRR will be considered in the next MB meeting,” Diokno said. Reserve requirement, also called cash reserve ratio, is a central bank regulation that requires commercial banks to hold a minimum fraction of customer deposits and notes as reserves which they cannot lend out. The reserve requirement ratio in the Philippines at 18 percent is one of the highest in the region. Nicholas Mapa, a senior economist of ING Bank Manila, said with inﬂation gliding back to within target and expected to remain benign well into 2020, this was the perfect opportunity for the BSP to cut both the policy rate and reduce RRR as the gross domestic product grew at a four-year low of 5.6 percent in the ﬁrst quarter.

Salceda pushes for stronger Neda

REORGANIZING the National Economic Development Authority into an independent planning government agency will enable the country to sufficiently cope with the current reform initiatives on the economy and development, according to Albay Rep. Joey Sarte Salceda. Salceda, an economist, said House Bill 8537 also known as the Neda Act, cites Article XII, Section 9 of the 1987 Constitution which specifically mandates Congress to pass a law that would convert Neda from an interim body into an independent economic planning agency. Salceda said Neda is envisioned to formulate long-term, continuing, integrated and coordinated programs and policies for national development, a constitutional provision that was not given attention by Congress for 32 years. “The current set-up of the Neda as the interim ‘independent planning agency’ is no longer adequate to cope with various reform initiatives on the economy and development,” he said. The lawmaker said the World Bank, Asian Development Bank, Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development and Philippine Institute of Development Studies noted in separate studies that the government’s planning, policy-making, programming and budgeting processes had become fragmented, uncoordinated and often interrupted. “The implementation of plans, programs, and policies has, oftentimes, been delayed and inefficient. Even the sensible policies and programs that address root causes of problems that have long-term impact often get disrupted, discontinued, or not given due attention,” he said.

EastWest Bank’s net income jumped 36% to P1.3b in Q1 EASTWEST Banking Corp., the financial unit of Filinvest Development Corp., said Thursday net income jumped 36 percent in the first quarter to P1.3 billion from a year ago, on the back of higher loans, deposits, fees and trading gains. EastWest said in a statement the remarkable performance in the period resulted in a return on equity of 12 percent, sustaining its strong profitability the past few years. Revenues rose 13.3 percent to P6.6 billion from P5.8 billion in the same period last year. This was driven by fees and commissions growing by 29 percent to P1.3 billion. Securities and foreign exchange trading gains improved to P525.1 million from a loss of P136.5 million in the same period last year. The bank said the increase in income was mostly due to the resumption of its rural bank subsidiary’s DepEd loan program, improved trading income and lower credit costs. Most banks reported better trading income this year. “In the first quarter of 2019, our rural bank continued to normalize its public-school teacher financing program. We recovered from last year’s first-quarter trading loss, and continue to benefit from the seasoning of our consumer loan portfolio,” EastWest president and deputy chief executive Bobby Reyes said. Consumer loans comprised 71 percent of total loans and had the highest proportion of consumer loans as a percentage of its total loan portfolio among universal banks in the Philippines, based on publicly-available sources. Julito G. Rada

FPH DIRECTORS. First Philippine Holdings Corp. chairman emeritus Oscar Lopez (third from left) and other members of the Lopez family are re-elected along with 11 other incumbent directors to the FPH board during the company’s annual stockholders’ meeting on May 10. Flanking Oscar Lopez are (from left) nephew Eugenio Lopez III who is also the chairman emeritus of FPH sister company ABS-CBN Corp.; son Federico Lopez, chairman and chief executive of FPH; and younger brother Ambassador Manuel Lopez, who is also chairman of Rockwell Land Corp. A pioneering holding company, FPH has interests in clean and renewable energy (First Gen Corp. and Energy Development Corp.); premium real estate (Rockwell); industrial estate development (First Philippine Industrial Park Inc.); manufacturing (First Philippine Electric Corp. and First Philec Inc.); and construction (First Balfour Inc.).

Ray S. Eñano, Editor Roderick T. dela Cruz, Assistant Editor business@manilastandard.net extrastory2000@gmail.com FRIDAY, MAY 17, 2019

Govt raises over P19b from Panda bond issue THE government raised more than P19 billion from the sale of its second renminbi-denominated or Panda bonds in China on May 15, the Finance Department said Thursday. It said the three-year 2.5-billionrenminbi bonds were priced at 3.58 percent which allowed the government to achieve a tight spread of 32 basis points above the benchmark. The bond float was held more than a year after the first issuance of 1.46 billion renminbi-denominated bonds which had a coupon of 5 percent in March 2018. Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III said the success of the second ‘Panda’ bond float, which came on the heels of the similarly wellreceived float of Euro-denominated offshore securities, illustrated the high level of confidence of the international markets in the Philippines amid the game-changing reforms initiated by President Rodrigo Duterte to sustain the upward growth trajectory and attract more investments. The Philippines successfully raised 750 million euros from the sale of eight-year global bonds which were priced at a coupon rate of 0.875 percent. The government is tapping both the foreign and domestic debt markets to finance its widening budget deficit which is expected to represent 3.2 percent of the gross domestic product in 2019. “Such confidence by the global investor community stems from our solid creditworthiness brought about by the government’s unwavering commitment to sound macroeconomic policies and fiscal discipline in the face of domestic and external challenges,” Dominguez said. The order book reached a total of more than 11 billion renminbi, reinforcing a strong vote of confidence in the Philippine government’s economic stewardship and transformative reform agenda. The Finance Department said that in terms of the geographical breakdown of investors, about 42.4 percent of the final allocation was placed to China’s onshore investors and 57.6 percent went to overseas investors. Major investors included commercial banks from China’s onshore and offshore markets. Julito G. Rada

ERC urges Zamcelco and power supplier to honor compromise deal By Alena Mae S. Flores THE Energy Regulatory Commission asked the Zamboanga Electric Cooperative and power supplier Western Mindanao Power Corp. to honor their compromise agreement and restore power services in Zamboanga City. “They have already agreed. They have points of agreement and they are now online, supplying power which is what’s important,” ERC chairperson Agnes Devanadera said. WMPC and Crown investments Holdings Inc., the investor-manager of Zamcelco, earlier signed a compromise agreement to resume power delivery to Zamboanga City. The compromise agreement was

signed on May 3, a few days after the ERC held a hearing on the petition of the power supplier to resolve the dispute. “They will be forced to agree. What should they quarrel about? The more they ﬁght, it will result in no supply, no electricity. They really have to talk. They can agree to disagree but they have to make sure that power is there. I said to one of them, it’s not a matter of legal doctrines. It’s a matter of you delivering the service,” Devanadera said. “I believe they’d have to agree. They will not get all the terms that they want but they have to agree somewhere because it will have a huge effect on their business,” she said. The deal was Crown’s third offer of partial payment to cover the operational

and fuel costs of WMPC, owned by the Alsons Group. Crown initially offered to pay P150 million in February before raising its proposal to P220 million on April 3. WMPC rejected both offers. Under the compromise, Crown will give a partial payment of P220 million to WMPC. WMPC will then run its power plant for 60 days after receiving the full payment. “We have been trying to settle with WMPC for three months now. We are glad that WMPC ﬁnally accepted this compromise. With this, we can stop rotational brownouts and stabilize electricity in the city,” said Crown representative Jomar Castillo. The resumption of the WMPC’s op-

erations provides immediate relief to residents and businesses that have been reeling from the effects of power outages lasting up to six hours a day. “We are glad to restore power and normalcy to Zamboanga City,” said Joseph Nocos, vice president for business development of WMPC and the Alsons Power Group. The compromise, proposed by Zamboanga City mayor Maria Isabelle Climaco-Salazar, is a temporary measure to address the power outages in Zamboanga City pending the legal dispute ﬁled with the ERC. “By signing the compromise agreement, we reafﬁrm our commitment to being Zamboanga’s partner for growth in the long term,” Nocos said.

Udenna denies buying into Smartmatic UDENNA Corp., the listed holding company of Davao City-based businessman Dennis Uy, denied having invested in election automation provider Smartmatic and its Filipino partner Total Information Management to inﬂuence the outcome of the 2019 midterm elections. “There is absolutely no truth to the allegations that the Udenna Group or its chairman, Mr. Dennis Uy, purchased a local IT company called TIM,” Udenna Group spokesman Adel Tamano said. Uy is known to be a close supporter of President Rodrigo Duterte. Tamano made the statement to refute claims that Uy had purchased TIM in order to affect the outcome of the local and national polls. TIM is said to be the local partner of Smartmatic which provided the machines for the automated elections. “As law-abiding citizens who respect

the democratic electoral process, we take these allegations very seriously. In fact, we have instructed our security and legal teams to investigate this matter, speciﬁcally on who are the persons making these ridiculous claims. We are considering ﬁling civil and or criminal cases, if necessary to protect the reputation of Mr. Dennis Uy and the Udenna Group,” Tamano said. The Udenna Group of Companies is present in multiple industries such as the distribution and retail of petroleum products under Phoenix Petroleum Philippines and shipping and logistics under Chelsea Logistics Holdings Corp. Udenna Development Corp. looks after the group’s real estate and property development, while Udenna Management & Resources is the centerpiece for environmental services, trading and distribution. Alena Mae S. Flores

TOURISM STRATEGY. Former Tourism undersecretary and resource speaker Oscar Palabyab addresses 600 students and participants during the First Students Convention organized by the Tourism Educators and Movers of the Philippines Calabarzon Chapter at the Lyceum of the Philippines in Lipa City, Batangas. Team headed by national president Robert Lim Joseph discussed the latest trends and issues in the tourism industry. Other resource speakers are former Tourism Undersecretary Alma Jimenez, Deedee Ledonio, Angel Ramos Bognot, Norelyn Baviera and Zander Kim Sigua.

Business

FRIDAY, MAY 17, 2019 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Stocks sink; ICTSI, Ayala lead drop T HE stock market tumbled again Thursday, with blue chips leading the retreat as the US-China trade war worsened.

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index sank 101.55 points, or 1.3 percent, to 7,475.16 on a value turnover of P8.6 billion. Losers beat gainers, 116 to 78, with 45 issues unchanged. The trade tiff between the two biggest economies could further slow down orders in the electronics, the Philippines’ biggest export product. Semiconductor and Electronics Industries in the Philippines Inc. president Dan Lachica said exports would likely register a ﬂat growth with the decline in world demand for semiconductors and electronics parts.

International Container Terminal Services Inc., the biggest port operator, slumped 5 percent to P134.50, while conglomerate Ayala Corp. fell 4.8 percent to P838. JG Summit Holdings Inc. of industrialist John Gokongwei lost 3.2 percent to P56.50, while Jollibee Foods Corp., the largest fast-food chain, declined 2.7 percent to P285. The rest of Asian markets were mixed Thursday as investors weighed hopes for trade talks against Donald Trump’s ban on US firms from using foreign telecoms equipment, which has been seen as a kick against China. Investors were jolted in the morning after the president issued an executive order, citing national security grounds, that effectively bars Chinese giant Huawei from the US market. It was also added to a blacklist restricting US sales to the ﬁrm, which

will likely ramp up tensions with Beijing as the two economic titans engage in a drawn-out trade war that threatens global growth. Hong Kong ended ﬂat, although ZTE—another Chinese telecoms equipment provider—shed more than six percent. Shanghai closed 0.6 percent higher while Sydney put on 0.7 percent and Singapore added 0.2 percent. Wellington and Mumbai were also up. Tokyo was rooted in the red, however, closing 0.6 percent lower, while Seoul lost more than one percent and Taipei dropped 0.8 percent. Bangkok and Jakarta also slipped. The Trump administration has for months tried to persuade allies not to allow China a role in building nextgeneration 5G mobile networks, warning that doing so would result in restrictions on sharing of information with the United States.

The announcement comes after the US last week hiked tariffs on $200 billion of Chinese goods, to which Beijing retaliated in kind, fanning fears their trade war—which seemed all but over just weeks ago—could worsen. “Earlier, the US Commerce Department had added Huawei to a list of entities that prohibits them from acquiring US-made technology and components without a government license,” said OANDA senior market analyst Jeffrey Halley. “If that’s not an escalation in trade tensions, then I don’t know what is.” Regional markets retreated in early trade but some saw a turnaround as the day went on, taking on a positive lead from Wall Street and Europe, where investors cheered reports the White House was planning to delay tariffs on auto imports while seeking agreements with key trading partners. With AFP

MANILA STANDARD BUSINESS DAILY STOCKS REVIEW THURSDAY, MAY 16, 2019

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

FINANCIALS 58 15,000 80.9 1,466,940 2.15 14,000 128.5 3,747,410 1.23 1,000 26.4 72,700 18.88 123,000 11 514,900 4.62 237,000 1.35 8,000 0.475 140,000 70.6 2,751,340 0.95 2,429,000 21.35 600 52.75 174,960 182.9 300 57.05 4,690 26.2 5,100 162 364,120 1,785 155 60.5 2,430

871,500 118,706,224 30,100 478,945,744 1,230 1,907,420 2,318,336 5,677,352 1,055,560 10,800 63,900 194,808,989 2,319,140 12,810 9,202,480 54,349 267,685 133,620 59,162,052 276,675 144,316

-303,062.50 -45,073,717.50 -116,021,359 -364,380 1,145,066 -2,015,920 -13,320 -103,551,082 -250,340 1,843,698 18,000 -45,101,985 3,920

33.1 15 0.7 1.34 0.248 2.67 13.3 25.1 44 1.89 5.36 10.12 15.82 8.76 7.49 1.69 20.95 76.4 37 2.27 13.5 9.97 1.71 285 49 3.39 9.68 21.5 13.62 21.35 355.8 0.201 5.8 1.21 4.41 5.57 1.98 11.6 42 4.81 4.95 1.65 1.24 12.6 108.5 6.3 0.128 0.83 152.4 2.51 1.24 1.04

INDUSTRIAL 34.15 2,890,400 15 507,900 0.72 6,228,000 1.37 1,001,000 0.255 4,150,000 2.68 19,006,000 13.84 1,686,200 27 313,800 45 1,001,300 1.95 1,065,000 5.5 6,900 10.24 3,555,200 15.9 276,900 8.98 267,400 7.5 3,407,400 1.69 7,000 21.15 553,400 76.45 56,520 37.1 45,000 2.3 2,634,000 13.94 6,160,700 10 2,053,100 1.75 150,000 285 1,852,050 49 500 3.47 42,000 9.86 77,700 21.5 397,600 13.7 412,000 21.9 3,391,600 356 258,930 0.201 200,000 5.8 1,900 1.22 2,478,000 4.41 5,000 5.57 7,003,200 1.98 50,005,000 11.94 292,500 42.7 151,200 4.81 67,000 4.99 48,000 1.65 40,000 1.29 244,000 12.72 1,497,000 109 1,148,510 6.31 752,700 0.128 500,000 0.83 1,582,000 152.8 1,945,770 2.6 5,000 1.25 2,330,000 1.07 1,507,000

98,650,115 7,755,514 4,445,340 1,364,030 1,044,240 51,405,810 23,179,678 8,321,800 45,058,400 2,101,250 38,059 36,390,696 4,393,104 2,384,652 25,557,897 11,830 11,639,580 4,345,258.50 1,674,730 6,058,780 85,684,514 20,543,593 261,830 530,000,778 24,500 143,970 768,283 8,615,465 5,694,166 73,625,195 92,541,762 40,630 11,020 3,076,900 22,050 40,015,970 103,065,140 3,450,550 6,404,785 322,900 239,330 66,000 312,660 19,018,160 125,660,560 4,822,754 64,000 1,341,610 299,187,720 12,640 2,918,250 1,597,250

-42,716,810 -1,049,914 -1,570,950 -1,237,890 29,840,450 176,056 -54,000 1,976,600 -25,250 -6,507,790 1,617,866 811,889.00 -15,204,753 10,140 -3,065,385 -3,906,038.50 -1,036,790.00 9,858,790 13,878,135 8,550 -271,611,864 51,650 4,840 -223,730 561,348 37,804,665 -31,341,062 993,850 -9,916,609 2,503,270 -3,352,520 -322,900 -14,970 -12,489,568 43,267,688 85,000 -158,215,060 62,800 -10,700

0.61 46.95 13.44 0.73 6.7 15 1.23 1.26 838 7.12 9.71 13.4 0.26 797 6.11 56.5 5.88 5.01 0.47 4.36 16.42 0.55 4.19 0.039 1.14 3 180.5 2.38 880.5 0.83 1.32 431 268.2 0.239 0.31

HOLDING FIRMS 0.63 25,412,000 47 2,954,300 13.6 8,470,200 0.76 191,000 6.7 100 15 209,400 1.28 2,024,000 1.34 214,000 838 1,139,700 7.12 451,900 9.71 7,983,200 13.66 109,900 0.265 240,000 800.5 120,420 6.11 31,500 56.5 3,328,340 5.9 5,000 5.01 2,400 0.52 352,000 4.58 819,000 16.52 1,038,800 0.56 201,000 4.2 65,488,000 0.04 4,600,000 1.19 340,000 3.1 5,304,000 180.5 231,160 2.45 24,000 885 469,890 0.84 259,000 1.32 262,000 440 150 269 420 0.239 20,000 0.31 11,560,000

16,155,220 139,183,795 114,907,276 142,510 670 3,153,432 2,542,990 275,780 973,229,620 3,236,166 77,999,169 1,488,050 63,500 96,378,440 193,969 189,821,784.50 29,410 12,024 167,560 3,717,610 17,177,032 112,060 275,046,160 183,200 396,940 16,268,400 41,956,528 58,580 416,111,450 219,140 347,340 64,870 113,060 4,790 3,631,400

-8,854,740 -99,463,380 -39,634,136 -76,016 -435,509,695 -1,325,381 -54,554,678 73,420 -16,758,815 -95,565,724.50 -729,950 2,328,534 27,500 42,322,840 -1,221,170 -12,346,928 -181,374,240 15,940 -5,380 -

62,359,944 133,770 27,900 2,331,480 1,935,020 586,276,825 702,500 14,351,940 3,179,860 4,830 77,400 39,700 82,800 1,808,619 52,559,670 404,200 55,000 13,364,510 1,266,250 138,034,041 3,004,800 52,450 6,840,560 556,400 4,456,350 60,229,185 1,271,360

-2,642,826 27,900 -169,130 34,400 -29,785,905 -154,910 -1,696,950 69,870 -13,832 458,140 -5,592,200 -113,654,635 0 11,480 296,700.00 -20,836,950 28,000

NAME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

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

58.5 80.95 2.15 130 1.23 26.3 18.9 10.9 4.5 1.35 0.455 71 0.91 21.35 52.4 180 57.5 26.2 165.4 1,785 59.3

58.5 81.45 2.15 130.1 1.23 26.45 18.9 11.4 4.64 1.35 0.475 71.7 0.99 21.35 52.85 183 57.5 26.2 165.4 1,785 61.4

58 80.7 2.15 126.1 1.23 26.15 18.8 10.88 4.42 1.35 0.455 70.45 0.91 21.35 52.15 180 57 26.2 161.6 1,785 57

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

34.5 15.12 0.72 1.37 0.255 2.8 13.3 25.9 44 1.95 5.36 10.4 15.84 8.87 7.59 1.69 21.2 77 37 2.28 14.2 10.4 1.72 293 49 3.39 10.66 21.8 14.28 22.05 361 0.203 5.8 1.24 4.41 5.95 2.16 11.78 42.1 4.83 4.99 1.65 1.24 12.9 109.3 6.89 0.128 0.89 152.4 2.51 1.26 1.09

34.6 15.56 0.74 1.38 0.255 2.8 14.3 27 45 1.99 5.6 10.4 15.94 9.1 7.59 1.69 21.2 77 37.5 2.34 14.3 10.4 1.78 293 49 3.5 10.66 22 14.28 22.1 362.6 0.204 5.8 1.27 4.41 5.98 2.2 12.08 43.4 4.83 5 1.65 1.3 12.9 110 6.89 0.128 0.89 156 2.6 1.27 1.09

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

0.64 47 13.6 0.75 6.7 15.5 1.24 1.29 875 7.19 9.83 13.46 0.265 798.5 6.16 58 5.88 5.01 0.51 4.5 16.96 0.55 4.2 0.04 1.16 3.1 187.7 2.38 891 0.83 1.33 431 270 0.24 0.33

0.65 47.5 13.82 0.76 6.7 15.5 1.3 1.34 879.5 7.19 9.85 13.66 0.27 804.5 6.16 58.25 5.9 5.01 0.52 4.67 16.96 0.56 4.21 0.041 1.21 3.12 187.7 2.45 899.5 0.86 1.33 440 270 0.24 0.33

8990 HLDG A BROWN ANCHOR LAND ARANETA PROP ARTHALAND CORP AYALA LAND BELLE CORP CEB LANDMASTERS CENTURY PROP CITY AND LAND CITYLAND DEVT CROWN EQUITIES CYBER BAY DM WENCESLAO DOUBLEDRAGON EMPIRE EAST EVER GOTESCO FILINVEST LAND GLOBAL ESTATE MEGAWORLD MRC ALLIED PHIL ESTATES PHIL INFRADEV PHIL REALTY PRIMEX CORP ROBINSONS LAND ROCKWELL

14.26 0.71 11.16 2.15 0.81 47 2.37 4.91 0.52 0.8 0.91 0.24 0.38 9.8 23.85 0.47 0.125 1.6 1.35 5.37 0.34 0.465 1.69 0.43 2.45 23.5 2

14.4 0.73 11.16 2.2 0.82 47.85 2.37 4.99 0.52 0.83 0.91 0.24 0.38 10.08 25.7 0.47 0.125 1.6 1.35 5.37 0.34 0.48 1.71 0.43 2.45 24.2 2.04

13.08 0.71 11.16 2.08 0.78 46.4 2.3 4.85 0.5 0.8 0.89 0.23 0.375 9.8 23.85 0.47 0.125 1.56 1.32 5.25 0.33 0.465 1.62 0.42 2.2 23.05 1.99

VOLUME

NAME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

VOLUME

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

SHANG PROP SM PRIME HLDG STA LUCIA LAND STARMALLS SUNTRUST HOME VISTA LAND

3 37.55 1.88 6.65 0.72 7.12

3 38.4 1.9 6.78 0.72 7.19

3 37.5 1.81 6.65 0.72 7.08

3 37.95 1.88 6.76 0.72 7.14

14,000 10,943,200 1,344,000 57,500 4,000 2,000,300

42,000 414,458,095 2,477,500 382,513 2,880 14,236,981

9,000 -87,956,085 -918,961

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

11.8 19 0.43 0.044 16.98 2.47 10.98 0.065 82 7.44 6.18 6.1 2.05 10.82 1,945 5.3 410 10.02 2.36 1.89 142 10.8 6.5 0.122 6.09 15.16 3.98 0.76 19.1 0.53 3.8 2.73 2.18 3.23 9.8 3.22 4.16 123.5 2.99 1,222 0.65 0.91 44.9 69.15 9 3.43 0.68 0.325 5.6 0.7 16.54

11.98 19.2 0.43 0.044 19.96 2.48 11.1 0.066 84.5 7.86 6.42 6.4 2.05 11.42 1,984 5.35 410 10.02 2.45 1.9 146 11 6.5 0.122 6.18 15.16 4.33 0.77 19.32 0.55 3.9 2.75 2.22 3.24 9.8 3.22 4.35 126 3.14 1,238 0.69 0.94 44.9 69.85 9.49 3.44 0.68 0.335 5.62 0.7 16.76

11.6 18.96 0.41 0.043 16.98 2.39 10.66 0.065 81.55 7.43 6.14 6.1 2.05 10.64 1,930 5.28 398.4 10.02 2.35 1.85 134.5 10.8 6.3 0.122 6 15.16 3.92 0.74 18.62 0.52 3.6 2.62 2.08 3.15 9.62 3.22 4.16 120.1 2.99 1,210 0.65 0.88 44.2 69.05 8.96 3.28 0.65 0.32 5.59 0.68 16.46

SERVICES 11.98 19 0.41 0.044 17.32 2.45 11 0.066 83.05 7.44 6.38 6.36 2.05 11 1,950 5.3 409 10.02 2.38 1.85 134.5 11 6.3 0.122 6 15.16 4.2 0.77 18.78 0.55 3.9 2.67 2.09 3.24 9.74 3.22 4.32 123 3.09 1,220 0.66 0.91 44.9 69.7 9.49 3.31 0.66 0.335 5.6 0.69 16.5

26,300 69,200 840,000 700,000 33,900 523,000 16,445,100 5,010,000 341,280 3,300 2,841,100 91,000 15,000 192,100 39,885 352,000 3,590 100 663,000 27,000 3,189,410 1,000 2,500 260,000 5,270,000 4,700 9,513,000 85,000 2,869,800 424,000 121,000 2,215,000 1,099,000 476,000 26,000 2,000 18,000 22,690 1,963,000 181,770 11,363,000 90,613,000 396,600 665,160 117,700 8,267,000 2,545,000 3,810,000 5,423,400 1,601,000 7,029,600

309,232 1,315,294 344,800 30,300 622,050 1,261,720 179,675,956 327,330 28,476,811 24,752 17,870,145 578,372 30,750 2,131,164 77,448,340 1,867,472 1,466,168 1,002 1,583,680 50,200 444,361,434 10,820 15,950 31,720 32,090,905 71,252 39,594,560 63,590 54,437,916 222,220 443,640 5,890,470 2,349,440 1,522,670 252,730 6,440 76,030 2,736,242 6,031,790 221,895,730 7,613,080 82,515,270 17,688,805 46,211,335 1,089,846 27,656,800 1,684,680 1,248,050 30,388,039 1,110,590 116,518,580

2,336 33,960 62,583,910 -1,169,899.50 -165,370 -519,612 -5,500 -504,110 -26,152,886 953,687 833,110 -3,760 5,890,128 -148,810 -60,470 22,420 108,023 -100 60,409,100 -2,362,530 2,301,450 -1,784,060 -25,377,594 -278,490 91,100 -13,998,814 28,952,218

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

0.0018 1.25 2.82 11.98 1.25 1.2 2.75 0.29 7.83 1.57 0.239 0.11 0.008 1.01 2.25 1.02 0.011 0.011 3.68 2.99 8.65 22 0.0072

0.0018 1.25 2.82 12 1.25 1.2 2.8 0.29 7.95 1.57 0.239 0.11 0.008 1.03 2.25 1.02 0.011 0.011 3.68 2.99 8.84 22.4 0.0072

0.0017 1.2 2.79 11.98 1.1 1.2 2.75 0.285 7.81 1.5 0.225 0.11 0.008 1 2.2 0.97 0.011 0.011 3.55 2.94 8.29 21.9 0.0071

MINING & OIL 0.0017 1,649,000,000 1.2 3,096,000 2.79 44,000 12 1,500 1.1 535,000 1.2 29,000 2.76 448,000 0.285 750,000 7.85 34,300 1.57 9,775,000 0.237 1,200,000 0.11 60,000 0.008 1,000,000 1.03 98,000 2.2 1,010,000 0.97 81,000 0.011 1,000,000 0.011 50,100,000 3.67 61,000 2.98 316,000 8.3 1,458,300 22 4,088,400 0.0071 2,000,000

2,958,600 3,750,090 123,030 17,980 601,020 34,800 1,235,200 215,250 269,261 14,963,000 273,840 6,600 8,000 98,670 2,237,480 78,950 11,000 551,100 219,510 938,230 12,536,826 89,839,430 14,300

115,200 -1,781,690 138,000 213,290 -703,090 -139,550 587,433 49,504,215 -

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

19 474.6 487 96.3 485 5.2 97.5 0.97 997.5 100.4 105.9 975 75 76 71.85 74 72.25 73

19 475 487 98 485 5.26 97.5 0.98 997.5 100.5 106 975 75 76.1 72 74 74 73

18.62 474.6 487 96.3 485 5.2 97.5 0.97 997.5 100.4 105.9 975 75 76 71.85 74 72.25 71.8

PREFERRED 18.62 1,500 475 2,470 487 50 98 20,500 485 2,000 5.26 31,200 97.5 10 0.98 1,064,000 997.5 10 100.5 2,060 106 1,410 975 13,590 75 4,860 76.1 19,800 72 110,530 74 1,330 74 150,940 71.8 13,510

28,424 1,172,768 24,350 1,992,989 970,000 163,440 975 1,038,300 9,975 206,829 149,445 13,250,250 364,500 1,506,777 7,942,110 98,420 11,145,806 986,098

24,700 14,610 761,000 10,177,656 32,120

WARRANTS LR WARRANT

1.95

2.09

1.94

2.04

1,000,000

2,035,680

ITALPINAS XURPAS

4.9 1.05

4.95 1.06

4.72 1.02

4.76 1.05

1,355,000 7,657,000

6,546,950 8,001,300

190,230 329,750

FIRST METRO ETF

114.7

113

2,105,620

1,137

USD DMPL A1 USD TECH B2

10.1 1

7,070 5,000

PROPERTY 14.26 0.72 11.16 2.08 0.8 46.6 2.32 4.86 0.51 0.83 0.9 0.235 0.375 10.08 25.4 0.47 0.125 1.56 1.32 5.28 0.33 0.48 1.71 0.42 2.24 23.05 2.03

4,408,000 187,000 2,500 1,097,000 2,417,000 12,575,700 303,000 2,933,000 6,248,000 6,000 86,000 170,000 220,000 182,400 2,120,300 860,000 440,000 8,494,000 948,000 26,035,800 9,050,000 110,000 4,085,000 1,320,000 1,979,000 2,576,100 627,000

TRADING SUMMARY

FINANCIAL

12,079,789

INDUSTRIAL

135,622,421

HOLDING FIRMS

144,384,891

PROPERTY

107,683,439

SERVICES

190,213,295

MINING & OIL

1,726,207,575

GRAND TOTAL

2,325,228,346

SME

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 113 18,530 10.1 1

DDS

700 5,000

VALUE 1,663.38 (DOWN) 17.63 875,983,369.02 FINANCIAL INDUSTRIAL 11,090.97 (DOWN) 199.45 1,878,529,172.92 HOLDING FIRMS 6,995.45 (DOWN) 118.99 2,563,019,039.03 PROPERTY 4,073.27 (DOWN) 3.20 SERVICES 1,598.22 (DOWN) 22.56 1,569,235,592.99 MINING & OIL 7,287.94 (DOWN) 71.91 1,525,659,516.37 PSEI 7,475.16 (DOWN) 101.55 130,997,282.15 All Shares Index 4,662.86 (DOWN) 45.31 8,560,106,154.81 Gainers: 78; Losers: 116; Unchanged: 45; Total: 239

Filinvest’s profit rose 50% in Q1 to P3.86b By Jenniffer B. Austria NET income of Filinvest Development Corp. jumped 50 percent to P3.86 billion in the first quarter of the year from P2.57 billion year-on-year, bolstered by the strong performance of its real estate, power and banking businesses. FDC said in a regulatory filing that first-quarter consolidated revenues rose 22 percent to P21 billion, with financial services and real estate contributing 41 percent and 37 percent of total revenues, respectively. The balance was contributed by power (12.3 percent) sugar (4.9 percent) and hotel operations (4.7 percent). Real estate operations booked revenues of P8.1 billion in the first three months of 2019, up 11.8 percent on year, due to higher residential sales and increased leasing revenues from mall and office businesses. The group’s hospitality operations posted revenues of P148 million during the period, up 82.5 percent, on higher average room rate, increased level of occupancy among its hotels as well and the soft opening of Crimson Boracay hotel. FDC’s banking operations delivered a net income of P1.23 billion in the first quarter of the year, up 34 percent, as revenues and other income climbed 30 percent to P8.7 billion. Net income of the group’s power unit surged 125 percent to P654 million on the back of a 25.7-percent increase in sales generated by a coal power plant and real electricity operations. The conglomerate’s sugar business posted a net income of P212.2 million, up more than seven times from P30.9 million recorded in the previous year, on higher sales volume as well as sales price. The conglomerate has earmarked P38.9 billion in capital expenditures this year, primarily to support the expansion of the property and hospitality businesses. FDC said a significant portion of its this year’s programmed spending would be allotted for the development of Filinvest Mimosa+ Leisure City and the 64-hectare phase 1 of the group’s township development in New Clark City. Part of the budgeted investments include the expansion of FDC’s hotel portfolio.

ABS-CBN posted income of P808m in first 3 months

ABS-CBN Corp. said Thursday net income in the first quarter nearly doubled to P808 million from P410 million year-on-year, mostly because of higher political advertisements. Consolidated revenues reached P10.3 billion from last year’s P9 billion. Advertising sales accounted for P5.4 billion of the revenues, up 24.4 percent from last year’s P4.3 billion, on political placements and growth in regular advertising. Excluding political placements, regular advertising increased 14.6 percent on year. Consumer sales rose 6.2 percent to P4.9 billion, mainly resulting from higher TVPlus Boxes sold and theatrical receipts from ABS-CBN Films. ABS-CBN TVPlus contributed a significant increase in revenues during the first quarter with 638,000 boxes sold, up 9 percent on year. Film and music’s revenues increased 21 percent in the first quarter of the year. Sky’s revenue rose 4 percent year-onyear. The increase in Sky’s performance was triggered by the rise in broadband and DTH subscribers by 26,000 and 531,000, respectively. Kidzania generated P131 million in revenues with a total of 113,000 visitors, while ABS-CBN Studio Experiences generated P6 million in revenues with a total of 18,000 visitors in the first quarter of 2019. ABS-CBN generated total revenues of P401 million from digital platforms, higher by 64 percent from a year ago. Revenue from the international business decreased 3.2 percent on year due.

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Iran accuses US of escalating tensions

OKYO―Iran on Thursday accused the United States of an “unacceptable” escalation of tensions and said Tehran was showing “maximum restraint” despite Washington’s withdrawal from a nuclear deal with the world powers. Tensions were already high after President Donald Trump walked away from the accord a year ago. But they have been ratcheted up signiﬁcantly in recent weeks with the US deploying an aircraft carrier strike group and B-52 bombers forced to the Gulf over alleged threats from Iran. “The escalation by the United States is unacceptable,” Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said in Tokyo Thursday where he is holding talks with Japanese ofﬁcials. “We exercise maximum restraint... in spite of the fact that the United States withdrew from JCPOA last May,” he added, referring to the agreement on Tehran’s nuclear program known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. He added that Tehran remains “committed” to the

deal, and said continuing assessments showed Iran was in compliance with the multilateral agreement. Zarif’s comments came hours after the US ordered non-emergency staff evacuated from its Baghdad embassy due to an “imminent” threat from Iranian-linked Iraqi militias. The move added to growing fears that the longtime rivals could be on course for conflict despite both sides stressing they have no desire for war. Trump, however, predicted Iran would “soon” want to negotiate and denied there was any discord in the White House over moves that critics say could lead to war in the Middle East. “I’m sure that Iran will want to talk soon,” the president tweeted. He also blasted media reports of White House turmoil, saying “there is no infighting whatsoever. Different opinions are expressed and I make a final and decisive decision.” Opponents of Trump say hardliners led by national security advisor John Bolton, who has long advocated toppling the Iranian regime, are pushing the country into war. Despite international skepticism, the US government has been pointing to increasing threats from Iran, a long-time enemy and also a rival of US allies Israel and Saudi Arabia. AFP

Department Administrative Order No. Series of 2019

19-06

IN THE MATTER OF THE PRELIMINARY DETERMINATION OF THE SAFEGUARD MEASURES CASE AGAINST THE IMPORTATION OF CERAMIC FLOOR AND WALL TILES FROM VARIOUS COUNTRIES (AHTN Codes 6907.2123, 6907.2124, 6907.2193, 6907.2194, 6907.2213, 6907.2214, 6907.2293, 6907.2294, 6907.2313, 6907.2314, 6907.2393, 6907.2394 and 6907.4092) (Safeguard Measures Case No. 02-2018) x--------------------------------------------------------------x ORDER The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) initiated a preliminary investigation to determine whether increased imports of ceramic floor and wall tiles is causing or threatening to cause serious injury to the domestic industry. The products covered by the investigation are classified under AHTN Codes 6907.2123, 6907.2124, 6907.2193, 6907.2194, 6907.2213, 6907.2214, 6907.2293, 6907.2294, 6907.2313, 6907.2314, 6907.2393, 6907.2394 and 6907.4092. The period of investigation (POI) are the years 2013 to 2017. Updated data for 2018 were also presented. Pursuant to Section 7 of the Safeguard Measures Act (RA 8800), “x x x the Secretary shall, on the basis of the evidence and submission of the interested parties, make a preliminary determination that increased imports of the product under consideration are a substantial cause of, or threaten to substantially cause, serious injury to the domestic industry. x x x” A review of the evidence made available to DTI shows: 1. that the volume of imports of ceramic floor and wall tiles • in absolute terms, increased from 2013 to 2016. In 2017, imports are lower by 13% over the 2016 level , but higher by 2,170% in 2014 or the pre-surge level. • in relative terms, the share of imports to domestic production increased from 4% in 2013 to 641% in 2016. In 2017, the share of imports was recorded at 549% lower by 92% to 2016 level , but higher by 523% in 2014 or the pre-surge level. In 2018, share of imports was recorded at 542%, lower by 7% to 2016 level, but higher by 516% in 2014. 2.

that the domestic industry has suffered serious injury caused by increased imports based on the following: • during the POI, despite significant increases in market size, the market share of domestic manufacturers declined from 96% in 2013 to 15% in 2017 and 2018; • the share of imported ceramic wall and floor tiles grew from 4% in 2013 to 87% in 2016; • earnings before interest and tax exhibited a declining trend of 71% in 2014, a sharp decline of 203% in 2015 when the operations resulted to loss, an increase of 92% in 2016 which means that there was an improvement in operation compared to 2015 but the industry remained at loss. In 2017, the industry’s operation continued to exhibit losses with the highest decline of 1,067% and further decline of 157% in 2018;

that increased imports are the substantial cause of serious injury to the domestic industry based on the following: • significant increase in the volume of imported ceramic floor and wall tiles preceded the serious injury to the industry from 2015 to 2017; and • The conditions of the competition show that the market share of locally produced ceramic floor and wall tiles was essentially displaced during the POI as the share of imports in the domestic market significantly increased.

WHEREFORE, IN VIEW THEREOF, the DTI, acting under Section 7 of RA 8800, the “Safeguard Measures Act”, found after preliminary determination that increased imports of ceramic floor and wall tiles have caused serious injury to the domestic industry. Further, pursuant to Section 8 of RA 8800 which provides that “in critical circumstances where a delay would cause damage which would be difficult to repair, and pursuant to a preliminary determination that increased imports are the substantial cause of serious injury to the domestic industry”, provisional safeguard measures in the form of a cash bond amounting to P3.00/kg shall be imposed on imported ceramic floor and wall tiles classified under AHTN Codes 6907.2123, 6907.2124, 6907.2193, 6907.2194, 6907.2213, 6907.2214, 6907.2293, 6907.2294, 6907.2313, 6907.2314, 6907.2393, 6907.2394 and 6907.4092 for a period of 200 days from the date of issuance by the Bureau of Customs (BOC) of the relevant Customs Memorandum Order (CMO) or fifteen (15) days after the publication of the DTI Order in two (2) newspapers of general circulation, whichever comes earlier. Imports originating from developing countries listed in Annex A covered by Rule 8.8 of the IRR of RA 8800 shall not be subject to the provisional safeguard measure. Also, unglazed, porcelain, mosaic, and marble tiles are excluded from the investigation since they are not produced locally. Further, the preliminary investigation excluded glazed ceramic tiles imported from the European Union since said tiles do not compete with locally produced tiles. Importers of ceramic floor and wall tiles originating from a country that is exempt from the provisional safeguard duty shall submit a Certificate of Origin (CO) issued by the authorized agency/office in the source country of manufacture authenticated by the Philippine Embassy/Consulate General. Moreover, Rule 5.2 of the Implementing Rules and Regulations (lRR) of RA 8800 provides that “the Secretary when establishing that the application of a safeguard measure will be in the public interest shall take into consideration the following factors, among others: x x x (ii) the extent to which such imposition will cause a shortage of a product under consideration in the domestic market’. The case records will be transmitted to the Tariff Commission for a formal investigation to determine whether or not there is a need to impose a definitive safeguard measure. The non-confidential report of the preliminary safeguard measures investigation can be accessed at the DTI website: https://www.dti.gov.ph/media/advisories/12805-preliminary-determination-of-the-safeguard-measures-case-againstthe-importation-of-ceramic-floor-and-wall-tiles-from-various-countries The notification and consultation requirements under Article 12 of the WTO Safeguards Agreement and Section 17 of RA 8800 and its IRR shall be complied with. Imports originating from ASEAN member states shall be governed by the provisions of Articles 11 and 23 of the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement (ATIGA).

CELEBRATING 80 YEARS. Mavis Staples and Sheryl Crow perform during the Mavis & Friends Celebrating 80 Years Of Mavis Staples concert at the Ryman Auditorium on May 15, 2019, in Nashville, Tennessee. AFP

Hong Kong student leader Joshua Wong is back in jail

HONG KONG―Prominent Hong Kong student leader Joshua Wong was sent back to prison Thursday after he lost an attempt to quash a jail sentence over his leadership of the huge democracy protests five years ago. Wong, 22, became one of the most recognizable faces of the “Umbrella Movement” in 2014 that paralyzed key intersections of the financial hub for more than two months. Protesters were demanding a greater say in how the city is run, including the right for Hong Kongers to directly elect the city’s leader. The movement―which took its name from the umbrellas protesters used to defend themselves against police― failed to win any concessions from the city’s pro-Beijing authorities, and its leaders faced a slew of prosecutions. Wong, who was 17 when the protests began, was jailed for three months in January 2018 on a contempt charge after pleading guilty to obstructing the clearance of a major protest camp. He served only six days of that sentence before being released on bail pending an appeal. On Thursday, however, a senior judge said Wong must return to jail –albeit for a reduced sentence of two months. Justice of Appeal Jeremy Poon said Wong’s age at the time of the offense was a mitigating factor, as well as his guilty plea and apology. But he dismissed Wong’s argument that he had been excessively punished by authorities because of his prominent status as “entirely baseless and misconceived”. Wong turned to supporters after the verdict and told them to “add oil”―a commonly used Cantonese phrase of encouragement. He was then led away to a prison van. Speaking to reporters before the verdict, Wong said he was facing the prospect of jail “with a calm mind”, noting that other leaders had received much longer sentences. Last month two key leaders of the protests were jailed for 16 months. “We will never forget the spirit of Umbrella Movement and we will continue to fight for free elections,” he said. He also warned of controversial plans by Hong Kong’s government to approve extraditions to the Chinese mainland for the first time. “Today the High Court, tomorrow the People’s Court,” he said, referring to the mainland’s judicial system. Wong was also convicted in a second prosecution related to the storming of a government forecourt during the 2014 protests. He spent some time behind bars for that case, but in the end the city’s top court ruled that community service was sufficient punishment. AFP

Let this Order be published in two (2) newspapers of general circulation and let individual notices be sent to all interested parties including the country members concerned. This Order shall take effect fifteen (15) days after publication or from the date of the issuance of relevant BOC-CMO, whichever comes earlier. SO ORDERED.

IN BRIEF Light show celebrates Eiffel Tower’s 130th year

PARIS―The Eiffel Tower has celebrated its 130th birthday in Paris, with the city marking the anniversary with a light show at the famed monument. Built for the 1889 World’s Fair, the tower―which soars to 324 meters in height and weighs 7,300 tons― still attracts nearly seven million visitors every year. Despite calls for its demolition in the years after the exhibition, it soon became the most iconic feature on the Paris skyline and is France’s most visited monument. “The Eiffel Tower is a must,” said Laurie, a tourist from Canada. Christophe Girard, overseeing cultural affairs at Paris’s city hall, said the recent ﬁre at Notre-Dame Cathedral―which destroyed its spire and most of its roof―had awakened people to “the importance of our heritage”, and that it “can disappear or be damaged”. The tower was the tallest structure in the world for 41 years until the construction of the Chrysler Building in New York in 1930. A section of stairs from the tower sold for almost 170,000 euros last year. AFP

Two Indian climbers killed in third-highest mountain

KATHMANDU―Two Indian climbers have died and a Chilean is missing on Mount Kanchenjunga, the world’s third-highest mountain, expedition organizers said Thursday. Biplab Baidya, 48, and Kuntal Karar, 46, were on the 28,169-foot mountain on the Nepal-India border with a five-member team from West Bengal. Karar fell ill before making it to the summit while Baidya collapsed during his descent, organizers said. Despite rescue attempts, both died above 8,000 meters in the so-called “death zone” where there is not enough oxygen for most humans to breathe normally. “We believe they suffered from altitude problems. Our guides are trying to bring the bodies down to lower camps,” Keshab Poudel of Peak Promotion told AFP. A Chilean climber also lost contact on his descent from Kanchenjunga’s summit. Poudel said a search had started. Many Himalaya mountains, including Everest, the world’s highest, are at peak climbing season with the window of good weather between late April and the end of May. Last week experienced Peruvian climber Richard Hidalgo died on Mount Makalu, the world’s fifth-highest mountain, while a Malaysian died in April after being rescued from Mount Annapurna where he spent two nights in the open near the summit. Hundreds of climbers flock each year to Nepal― home to eight of the world’s 14 highest peaks―creating a lucrative mountain industry for the impoverished country. AFP

07 May 2019

RAMON LOPEZ Secretary

ANNEX A List of Developing Countries and Separate Customs Territories Excluded from the Imposition of Provisional Safeguard Measure on Ceramic Floor and Wall Tiles East & Southern Africa Angola Bostwana Burundi Comoros Congo. Dem. Rep. Djibouti Ethiopioa Kenya Lesotho Madgascar Malawi Mauritius Mozambique Namibia Reunion Rwanda Seychelles Somalia South Africa Sudan Swaziland Tanzania Uganda Zambia Zimbabwe Europe & Central Asia Albania Armenia Azerbaijan Belarus Bosnia & Herzegovina Bulgaria Croatia Cyprus Czech Republic Estonia Georgia Greenland Hungary Kazakhstan Kyrgyz Republic Latvia Lithuania Macedonia, FYR Malta Moldova Poland Romania Russian Federation Slovakia Slovenia Tajikistan Turkey Turkmenistan Ukraine Uzbekistan Yugoslavia, Fed. Rep.

West Africa Benin Burkina Faso Cameroon Cape Verde Central African Rep. Chad Congo, Rep. Cote d’ Ivoire Equatorial Guinea Gabon Gambia, The Ghana Guinea Guinea, Bissau Liberia Mali Mauritania Niger Negeria Sao Tome & Principe Senegal Sierra Leone Togo

Middle East Bahrain Iran, Islamic Rep. Iraq Israel Jordan Kuwait Lebanon Oman Qatar Saudi Arabia Syrian Arab Rep. United Arab Emirates West Bank & Gaza Yemen, Rep.

North Africa Algeria Egypt, Arab Rep. Libya Morocco Tunisia

Americas Anguilla Antigua & Barbuda Argentina Aruba Bahamas Barbados Belize Bermuda Bolivia Brazil British Virgin Is. Cayman Is. Chile Colombia Costa Rica Cuba Dominica Dominican Rep. Ecuador EI Salvador Falkland Is. (Malvinas) French Guiana Grenada Guadaloupe Guatemala Guyana Haiti Honduras Jamaica Martinique Mexico Montserrat Netherland Antilles Nicaragua Norfolk Is. Panama Paraguay Peru Puerto Rico St. Helena St. Kitts & Navis St. Lucia St. Pierre & Miquelon St. Vincent & the Grenadines Suriname Trinidad & Tobago Turks & Caicos Is. Uruguay US Virgin Is. Venezuela

South Asia Afghanistan Bangladesh Bhutan British Indian OceanTerritory East Timor India Maldives Nepal Pakistan Sri Lanka

East Asia & Pacific American Samoa Brunei Darussalam Cambodia Christmas Is. Cocos (Keeling) Is. Cook Is. Fiji French Polynesia Guam Hong Kong, China Johnston Is. Kiribati Korea, Dem. Rep. Korea, Rep. Lao PDR Macau, China Malaysia Marshall Islands Micronesia, Fed. Sts. Midway Is. Mongolia Myanmar Nauru New Caledonia Niue Northern Marianas Is. Palau Papua New Guinea Pitcairn Is. Samoa Singapore Solomon Islands Taiwan, (R.O.C.) Thailand Tokelau Tonga Tuvalu Vanuatu Wake Is. Wallis & Futuna Is.

(MS-MAY 17, 2019)

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LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS

4 Lanao Sur kids hurt in poll clans’ crossfire G

ANASSI, Lanao del Sur—Four children, aged ﬁve to 15, were wounded when they were caught in the crossﬁre between supporters of rival political clans two hours before voting ended on Monday here.

The Guro family was on the way home to Marawi City from casting votes in Lumbaca Unayan town when they passed by Barangay Poblacion, Ganassi, where supporters of incumbent Mayor Al-Rashid Macapodi and his rival, Amano Balindong, exchanged gunfire. “The victims’ vehicle made a U-turn so that they won’t get caught in the fight. But they were shot at, that’s why the children, who were sitting at the back, got the gunshot wounds,” said Lieutenant Jose Ganzan, operations officer of 55th Infantry Battalion, in an interview on Thursday. The victims were brought to a hospital at nearby Binidayan town for treatment, and later transferred to Amai Pakpak Medical Center in Marawi City.

SCN FORM NO. 1 (R.A. NO. 9139)

001396

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON NATURALIZATION IN THE MATTER OF THE PETITION OF AMIT RANI SINGH to be naturalized as Filipino citizen pursuant to Republic Act No. 9139. SCN CASE NO. x - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - x

PETITION Pursuant to the provisions of Republic Act No. 9139, petitioner hereby submits a petition for naturalization to become a citizen of the Republic of the Philippines and respectfully declares: 1. My full name is AMIT RANI SINGH, but I have also been known since childhood as N/A or I have been judicially N/A . authorized to use the alias name(s) 2. My present place of residence is Blk 7, Lot 8, Camia St., Villa Josefina Matina Crossing, Davao City City/ Municipality of ________Province of Davao City and all my former places of residence are (please indicate periods of residence) 1996 to 2000 Jaime Valdez, Consuelo Alag 009, Sison Subd. Tagum City, Davao del Norte 2001 to 2003 Fulmar St, Balisario Heights, Lanang, Davao City 2004 to 2018 Champaca St. Aguho corner house# 639, Juna Subd. Matina Davao Blk 7, Lot 8, Camia St., Villa Josefina Matina Crossing, Davao City 3. I was born on June 29, 1996, in Tagum, Davao, Philippines. I have been a resident of the Philippines since birth. At present, I am a citizen or subject of India. 4. My father's name is Balbir Singh and he was born on December 21, 1966, in Jalandhar, India. He is a citizen or subject of India. My mother's name is Manhit Rani and she was born on May 10, 1973 in India. She is a citizen or subject of India. 5. My trade, business, profession or lawful occupation is Employee and from which I derive an average annual income of P580,000.00 , inclusive of bonuses, commissions and allowances. My wife's/husband's trade, business, profession or lawful occupation is N/A and from which she derives an average annual income of P N/A . (Where the above does not apply): I am exempt from the requirement of lucrative trade or occupation and from submitting income tax returns for the past three (3) years because I am a college degree holder [please state (1) degree obtained:Business Management, (2) name of school: Ateneo De Davao University and (3) years graduated: 04/01/2017 who cannot practice my profession (the practice of which requires a government licensure examination) by reason of my citizenship. 6. My civil status is SINGLE, I was married on N/A in N/A. My wife's/husband's name is N/A and she/he was born on in N/A. She/he is a citizen or subject of N/A and presently resides N/A 7. I am legally separated from my spouse; my marriage was annulled, per decree of legal separation/annulment dated N/A granted by N/A. (please indicate the particular court which granted the same). I am a widower/widow and my spouse died on N/A in N/A.

am not defending or teaching the necessity or propriety of violence, personal assault or assassination for the success and predominance of one's ideas. I am not a polygamist nor a believer in the practice of polygamy. I have not been convicted of any crime involving moral turpitude. I am not suffering from mental alienation or from any incurable contagious disease. The country of which I am a citizen or subject is not at war with the Philippines and grants to Filipinos the right to be naturalized citizens or subjects thereof. 13. It is my true and honest intention to become a citizen of the Philippines and to renounce absolutely and forever all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state or sovereignty, and, particularly, to INDIA of which at this time I am a citizen or subject. I will reside continuously in the Philippines from the date of the filing of this petition up to the time of my admission to Philippine citizenship. 14. My character witnesses are Agustin G. Gonzales Jr. and Josefina T. Cejudo both Filipino citizens, of legal age, and residing at Blk. 70 Lot 1 IMWA Dumoy, Teril Davao and 5th St. Phase 1 Ecoland Subd. Davao respectively, who have executed sworn statements attached hereto in support of my instant petition, together with: (a) brief biographical data about themselves; (b) detailed statements on the dates they first came to know me, the circumstances of our initial acquaintance and the reasons and extent of our continuing familiarity; and (c) the number of times they have acted as character witnesses in other petitions for naturalization. 15. Attached hereto as annexes and made part of this petition are the duplicate originals or certified photocopies of the following documents (please check the appropriate box): [ ] a. Petitioner's birth certificate [ ] b. Petitioner's alien certificate of registration (ACR) [ ] c. Petitioner's native-born certificate of residence (NBCR) [ ] d. Petitioner's marriage certificate, if married [ ] e. Death certificate of his/her spouse, if widowed [ ] f. Court decree annulling his/her marriage or granting legal separation, if such was the fact [ ] g. Birth certificates of petitioner's minor children [ ] h. ACRs of petitioner's minor children [ ] i. NBCRs of petitioner's minor children [ ] j. Affidavits of financial capacity by the petitioner, duly supported by bank certifications, passbooks, stock certificates, or proof of ownership of other properties [ ] k. Affidavits of at least two (2) credible witnesses who must be Filipino citizens of good reputation in petitioner's place of residence [ ] l. Medical certificate from a government hospital stating that petitioner is not suffering from mental alienation or a user of prohibited drugs or otherwise a drug dependent and that he/she is not afflicted with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), or any incurable contagious disease. [ ] m. School diploma and transcript of records of the petitioner from the school/s he or she attended in the Philippines [ ] n. Certifications stating that petitioner's minor children are enrolled in public schools or private educational institutions duly recognized by the DECS, where Philippine history, government and civics are taught and prescribed as part of the school curriculum and where enrollment is not limited to any race or nationality [ ] o. Petitioner's income tax returns for the past three years [ ] p. Petitioner's receipts of payment of income tax for the past three years 16. Other documents submitted by the petitioner in support of his/her petition:

N/A

Date of Birth N/A

Place of Birth N/A

Residence N/A

9. I received my primary and secondary education from the following public schools or private educational institutions duly recognized by the Department of Education, Culture and Sports (DECS), where Philippine history, government and civics are taught and prescribed as part of the school curriculum and where enrollment is not limited to any race or nationality:

Name of School Ateneo De Davao

Place of School Davao City

Dates of Highest Grade Study Completed 2004 to 2009 Primary

Ateneo De Davao Ateneo De Davao

Davao City Davao City

2009 to 2013 2013-2017

Secondary Business Management

10. I am able to read, write and speak Filipino and/or any of the following dialects of the Philippines:Visaya, Tagalog, English 11. I have enrolled my minor children of school age in the following public schools or private educational institutions duly recognized by the Department of Education, Culture and Sports (DECS), where Philipine History, government and civics are taught and prescribed as part of the school curriculum and where enrollment is not limited to any race or nationality:

Name of Child N/A

Name and Place of School N/A

Date of Enrollment N/A

Governors Mamba, Garcia granted fresh terms GOVERNORS Manuel N. Mamba and Abet Garcia have won fresh three-year terms in Cagayan province and Bataan, respectively. In Tuguegarao City, Mamba was proclaimed by the Provincial Board of Canvassers led by Provincial Commission on Elections Chairman Manuel Castillo, Vice Chairman and Provincial Prosecutor Ronnel Nicolas, and Atty. Roderick Bautista early Thursday at the Sangguniang Panlalawigan Session Hall. Garcia, Vice Governor Cris Garcia and Bataan 2nd District Rep. Joet Garcia likewise made it a family affair when their province’s PBOC declared them winners on Thursday morning.

WHEREFORE, it is respectfully prayed that petitioner be conferred Philippine citizenship pursuant to the provisions of Republic Act No, 9139. Dated at Makati City, Metro Manila, this 8th day of March, 2019.

AMIT RANI SINGH Name and Signature of Petitioner Address: Blk. 7 Lot 8, Camia St., Villa Josefina, Matina Crossing, Davao City Telephone Number: 0927-3787124

Abet Garcia defeated Limay Mayor Ver Roque by about 178,000 votes, while Cris and Joet Garcia were unopposed. Mamba, who ran as an independent, garnered 256,103 votes to beat Cagayan 3rd District Rep. Randy Ting (168,872) and former governor Alvaro Antonio (92,350). Ting’s wife Nancy of the National Unity Party could not hold on to the third district seat, beaten by contractor Joseph “Jojo Pulsar” Lara of the ruling PDP-Laban party for the House of Representatives seat by 44,000 votes. Another PDP-Laban bet, Ramon Nolasco, was unopposed for congressman of Cagayan’s first district,

Republic of the Philippines REGIONAL TRIAL COURT National Capital Judicial Region BRANCH 222, QUEZON CITY TAME CABINAN A.K.A. TAME DEL CASTILLO CABINAN, SPEC. PRO CASE NO. R-QZN-18-15351-SP For: Legitimation and Change of Name THE LOCAL CIVIL REGISTRAR, Q.C. ET.AL., Petitioner. x----------------------------------------------------------x

ORDER

Upon motion by the counsel for the petitioner, considering that the latter has not yet complied with the publication requirements, let the initial hearing be reset on July 26, 2019 at 8:30 in the morning. Send a copy of this Order to the petitioner and the concerned government agencies. SO ORDERED. Quezon City, April 11, 2019.

Right Thumbmark of Petitioner

EDS/irish

Petitioner's signature and right thumbmark

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

IN THE MATTER OF THE PETITION TO USE THE SURNAME OF THE FATHER OF TAME DEL CASTILLO TILLADA TAME CABINAN TILLADA a.k.a TAME DEL CASTILLO CABINAN Petitioner

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES) CITY/MUNICIPALITY OF QUEZON CITY) S.S. I, Amit Rani Singh of legal age and a resident of Blk. 7 Lot 8, Casmia St., Villa Josefina, Matina Crossing, Davao City. after being duly sworn, depose and say that I am the petitioner herein, that I have read the foregoing petition and know the foregoing petition and known the contents thereof, and that the same is true of my own knowledge.

AMIT RANI SINGH Name and Signature of Petitioner 12. I shall never be a public charge. I am of good moral character. I believe in the principles underlying the Philippine Constitution. I have conducted myself in a proper and irreproachable manner during the entire period of my residence in the Philippines in my relations with the constituted government as well as with the community in which I am living. I mingled socially with Filipinos and have evinced a sincere desire to learn and embrace the customs, traditions and ideals of the Filipino people. I have all the qualifications and none of the disqualifications under Republic Act No. 9139.

Cagayan Provincial Comelec Chairman Manuel Castillo (second from right), lawyer Roderick Bautista, and Provincial Prosecutor Ronnel Nicolas proclaim Gov. Manuel N. Mamba (center) as the winner of the provincial elections at the Sangguniang Panlalawigan session hall on Thursday. Mamba’s wife, lawyer Mabel Villarica-Mamba, and his children Jesus Maria and Mario Noel witness the event. Inset shows Comelec Provincial Canvassers in Bataan proclaiming reelected 2nd District Rep. Joet Garcia (2nd from left), Gov. Abet Garcia (third from left), Vice Gov. Cris Garcia (center), and 1st District Rep. Geraldine Roman (third from right). Jessica Bacud and Butch Gunio

while Sam Vargas Alfonso outpolled administration bet Darwin Sacramed and independent Melvin Vargas Sr. for the House seat in the second district. Mamba was with his wife, lawyer Mabel Villarica-Mamba. and children Jesus Maria and Mario Noel, younger brother and reelectionist Tuao Vice Mayor William Mamba and wife, his sisters Narcing and Carol, and their supporters when he was proclaimed the winner. In Bataan, proclaimed board member winners in the 1st district were Benjie Serrano, Jomar Gaza, Rey Ibe, Bong Galicia, and Khristine dela Fuente. Jessica M. Bacud and Butch Gunio

PRAYER

8. I have N/A child/children, whose names, dates and places of birth and residences are as follows:

Name

Prior to the incident, a 20-year-old relative of Macapodi, an election watcher, was shot by suspects the family identified as relatives of Balindong. The Macapodi supporters retaliated by staging an ambush against Balindong’s brother, Saipoden, a barangay treasurer of Pualas town. It triggered the shootout that led to the wounding of the children. Two were wounded from the group of Balindong, and one from the Macapodis. Captain William Dagondon, chief of Ganassi Municipal Police Station, said he did not expect the incident to happen because there was no tension brewing between the clans at the start of campaign. PNA

SUBCRIBED AND SWORN to before me at MANILA CITY, this 08 day of MAR 2019.

-versus-

SPEC. PRO NO. R-QZN-18-15351-SP

LOCAL CIVIL REGISTRAR OF QUEZON CITY, ADMINISTRATOR AND CIVIL REGISTRAR GENERAL OF THE PHILIPPINE STATISTICS AUTHORITY (PSA) formerly National Statistics Office, NATIONAL STATISTICS OFFICE, ROMEO CORNEJO NARCISO, MINDA ELOJA OPIDER, and ALL OTHER INTERESTED PARTIES, Respondents x--------------------------------------------------x

ORDER

This has reference to the verified Petition to allow TAME CABINAN TILLADA a.k.a TAME DEL CASTILLO CABINAN to use the surname of his father Antonio Mesa Tillada, filed by the petitioner, through counsel, on November 29, 2018. In the above-mentioned petition, herein petitioner prays to allow him to use the surname of his father TILLADA. Finding the petition to be sufficient in form and substance, the initial hearing of this case is set on APRIL 25, 2019 at 8:30 in the morning before this Court and all parties-in-interest are directed to appear before this Court and show cause why the petition should not be granted. Let a copy of this Order together with a copy of the petition be served upon the Civil Registrar of Quezon City, the Philippine Statistics Authority (formerly NSO), the Office of the Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office and the Office of the Solicitor General. Lastly, let a copy of this Order be published once a week for three (3) consecutive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation to be chosen by raffle by the Office of the Executive Judge, at petitioner’s expense. SO ORDERED. Given in Chambers this 15th day of January 2019 in Quezon City.

I am not opposed to organized government or affiliated with any association or group of persons who uphold and teach doctrines opposing all organized governments. I (MS-MAY 17,24 & 31, 2019)

(Sgd.) EDGAR DALMACIO SANTOS Judge Cc: -PAO -CIVIL REGISTRY OF QUEZON CITY - OSG -PHILIPPINE STATISTICS AUTHORITY -ACP JOSLITO C. BACOLOR (MStandard-May 17, 24 & 31, 2019)

Batangas firm in quagmire over bookkeeping, expenses A TOP executive and director filed a case before the Batangas City Regional Trial Court to order the management of a fertilizer trading company based in San Pascual, Batangas to open its corporate books and records for inspection amid allegations of illegal company expenses. In a complaint filed before the Batangas City Regional Trial Court on April 1, 2019, Jesus P. Mangubat, the vice president for finance and accounting, treasurer and director of Ferex Agrochem Development Corporation, asked the court to order company chairman and president Ruben V. Gil and four other executives to make available Ferex’s corporate books and records for examination. The complainant is also seeking P400,000 in moral damages and P100,000 in attorney’s fees. Ferex Agrochem Development Corporation is engaged in the business of importing, marketing, distributing and trading agricultural fertilizers and allied goods. Mangubat filed the case against Ruben Gil, executive

assistant and director Jean Ruben S. Gil, chief accountant Milagros B. Celab, corporate secretary Amado C. Abenes and auditor Merla D. Edolmo. In his complaint, Mangubat said that “through the years, defendant Ruben began running Ferex as if it were his sole proprietorship” and that the defendant “made decisions without consulting or even against the consent of other directors and stockholders.” Mangubat alleged that Gil made corporate decisions without any actual board meetings and put down opposition with bullying tactics. “This eventually led to the departure of other original incorporators leaving only plaintiff and defendant Ruben as original stockholders,” Mangubat said. Mangubat accused Gil and four other Ferex executives of unauthorized company expenses in violation of Section 72(2) in relation to Section 144 of BP 68 or the Corporation Code of the Philippines.

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

Life

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

CULTURE AND MEDIA

FRIDAY, MAY 17, 2019

Lani Maestro's red and blue neon light artworks featured in 'The Spectre of Comparison' exhibit in 2017 Venice Biennale. (Artwork photos by Paolo Lucca / Philippine Arts in Venice Biennale)

‘The Spectre of Comparison’

comes home to Manila

Manuel Ocampo's 'Torta Imperiales' suite of paintings will be displayed at Benilde's Museum of Contemporary Art and Design. (Artwork photos by Paolo Lucca / Philippine Arts in Venice Biennale)

HE exhibition The Spectre of Comparison, showcased at the 2017 Philippine Pavilion in the 57th International Art Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia in Venice, Italy, returns to Manila on May 23.

In cooperation with the Department of Foreign Affairs, the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, and the Office of Senator Loren Legarda, De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde Museum of Contemporary Art and Design will exhibit the works of Manuel Ocampo and Lani Maestro.

The Spectre of Comparison, inspired by the Spanish line el demonio de las comparaciones, from the novel Noli Me Tangere by Jose Rizal, is an outline for the practices of the two artists. The puzzling phrase summarizes the experience of Crisostomo Ibarra when he gazes out to look at the Botanical Garden of Manila

while at the same time remembering the gardens of Europe. Though both Maestro and Ocampo have resided abroad, they have maintained active engagements with the country throughout their careers. Manila-born Maestro acquired her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in University of the Philippines Diliman. After migrating to Canada in 1982, she earned her Master of Fine Arts from the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design in Halifax. She received an honorary doctorate in Fine Arts from NSCAD University in 2018. Her multimedia piec-

es dwell on the topic of minimalist art itself and its connotations of emptiness. Ocampo, a graduate of Fine Arts in UP Diliman, is a constant presence in the international art scene for over two decades. He has built up a reputation for tacking revered icons of society. He has been awarded with several prestigious accolades. Now based in Manila, he has firmly immersed himself into the local art scene, not just as an artist but as a curator. The exhibit, curated by MCAD Director Joselina Cruz, will run until July 20.

Morocco chairs made of plastic waste collected during a river cleanup.

The women of Taal Volcano in Brgy. Alas-as in San Nicolas, Batangas turn plastic wastes into ropes.

Beauty in waste

Ilaw ng Kalikasan lamp

Media Freedom Bench

THREE chairs made of junk food wrappers and a center table designed with an old car tire. A cargo bike made of junk bicycle parts and plastic waste. Chairs made from waste collected during a river cleanup in Morocco. These were some of amazing pieces showcased in the recent Junk Not exhibit at SM Aura Premier, featuring interior designer Wilhelmina Garcia’s creative ways of transforming waste materials into functional/useful items. Garcia is the founder of Junk Not, an interior design company that specializes in finding creative ways to transform everyday trash and other indigenous materials into functional items. The company engages a community of women in Barangay Alas-as in San Nicolas, Batangas to be responsible stewards of the environment by training them to segregate and clean household wastes. These plastic wastes are then turned into ropes that are woven into wooden/metal frames to create beautiful furniture or table accents. Garcia is a graduate of Interior Design at St. Scholastica’s College, Manila. She is a licensed interior designer and a member of Philippine Institute of Interior Design since 2006. She attended social entrepreneurship at Youth Encounter Sustainability held

in Armenia, Colombia. In 2007, she won the grand prize in interior design category “The Environment Shapes You” of the Metrobank Arts and Design Excellence. She is an advocate of the environment and continues to create art pieces as her means to lessen wastes in communities. Her beautiful furniture pieces and accessories have been exhibited in different events in the Philippines and abroad including Paris, Belgium, and Germany. This exhibition is a call for action, an advocacy to push everyone to be more creative and responsible with their waste management. With this, SM Aura Premier and Junk Not encourage everyone to join this movement, give back to Mother Nature, and be a responsible consumer by starting proper waste segregation at home. The Mountain The event was Chair, inspired by part of SM Aura the mountains Wilhelmina Garcia Premier’s Lush Iniclimbed. tiative, a campaign promoting green programs in the mall.

The 2019 Palanca Awards is open to all Filipino and former Filipino citizens.

69th Palanca Awards now accepting entries THE longest-running and most prestigious literary contest in the country is still accepting submissions until May 31. Categories include Novel and Nobela; English Division (Short Story, Short Story for Children, Essay, Poetry, Poetry Written for Children, One-act Play, and Full-length Play); Filipino Division (Maikling Kuwento, Maikling Kuwentong Pambata, Sanaysay, Tula, Tulang Para sa mga Bata, Dulang May Isang Yugto, Dulang Ganap ang Haba, and Dulang Pampelikula); and Regional Languages Division (Short Story-Cebuano, Short Story-Hiligaynon, and Short Story-Ilokano). The special Kabataan Division for writers below 18 years old has two categories: English and Filipino. Submissions must be informal (personal) essays that answer the question “At a time when spreading of misinformation is getting common, what can you do to help people, especially the youth, search for the truth?” (Kabataan Essay) and “Sa panahon na laganap ang pagkalat ng maling impormasyon, paano mo matutulungan ang mga tao, lalo na ang kabataan, na hanapin ang katotohanan?” (Kabataan Sanaysay). The contest is open to all Filipino citizens and former Filipino citizens of all ages except current directors, officers, and employees of the Carlos Palanca Foundation, Inc. Authors may submit only one entry per category. Participants may contact the CPMA office through email at cpmawards@gmail.com or at (02) 843-8277 for further inquiries and other concerns.

Entertainment

FRIDAY, MAY 17, 2019

nickie.standard@gmail.com

Jodi Sta. Maria’s

‘MOMentous’ milestones The actress in a cooking demo at the Araneta Center’s Mother’s Day celebration.

OST mothers would tell you that there isn’t one single experience that would stand out as the “best ever” or “most memorable” with their kids. Jodi Sta. Maria is one such mom, who notes, “Every single day spent with my son is memorable —something to be cherished talaga. Each moment is different, something na hindi mo na pwedeng ire-replay. Bawat moment, bago.”

Jodi Sta. Maria has retained her positive disposition amid challenges in her career and personal life.

An actress, single mom, a student, and all sorts of awesome, Jodi isn’t just a role model onscreen. While she is most known for her role as the relentless Maya, a simple girl who is saddled with the complications of building her life and career, and falling in love with her boss in Be Careful With My Heart, Jodi’s own real-life fate hasn’t exactly been that simple. Yet, she has become someone people, especially young mothers, can look up to. Though she herself has gone through failed relationships, she retains an outlook that should inspire people – no, she isn’t afraid to fall in love again, as she tells Boy Abunda in an interview. She takes the experiences, and uses the lessons she’s learned from them to try and make herself better and build the best life she can for her son, Thirdy, now a teenager. Still, Jodi doesn’t seem to be slowing down and continues to juggle being an actress and a solo mom. “Well, with acting naman, hindi naman every day ‘yung work ko si I regularly tape for (my current show) Sinong May Sala? three times a week,” she shares. “Tapos the rest of the

week naman, I’m home. I’m thankful that Thirdy is very supportive of the kind of work I do.” Jodi has always been open with Thirdy and, even as a kid, she would often bring him to tapings to expose him to what she does for a living. “Now, he knows na ‘pag wala ako sa house, nasa work ako. He knows our situation – of course, that being an actress is my bread and butter, so he understands. And I’m thankful to the Lord that he does.” For instance, that Jodi is out of the house on a Sunday is perhaps nothing new or unusual for Thirdy. “It’s a working holiday for me,” she says with a smile during the Mother’s Day event in Gateway Mall, Araneta Center billed “MOMentous.” The mall appearance happened just hours before she and her son were to leave for a trip out of the country. At the event, Jodi gamely sang a song for the attendees, who are joined by the Federation of United Solo Parents of the Philippines (FUSPP). She also participated in a cooking demo with PACE

Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino 3 film submission extended TO COMPLETE its final slate of films, the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP)’ Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino (PPP) is extending the deadline for submission of finished films or films in post-production stage until June 15. Last March 28, the Agency held a press conference at Gloria Maris at Gateway Mall in Cubao, Quezon City to announce the first three projects in the advanced stage of development or production stage that were selected to join PPP3’s lineup of films. Cuddle Weather by Rod Marmol from Project 8 corner San Joaquin Projects, LSS (Last Song Syndrome) by Jade Castro from Globe Studios, and The Panti Sisters by Perci Intalan from The IdeaFirst Company, Inc. rounded up the three of eight PPP films this year. A co-production fund of up to two million pesos will be given to these projects, including one million pesos worth of production equipment sponsored by CMB Film Services. For its call for the last five slots in the lineup, PPP is accepting entries from Filipino independent production companies and major film studios. Selected films will receive a coproduction fund of up to two million pesos. This includes one million pesos worth of publicity and promotion support

from sponsors and up to one million pesos worth of finishing funds or marketing and distribution grant, as approved by FDCP. Guidelines and forms may be downloaded from http://fdcp.ph/ programs/pista-ng-pelikulang-pilipino. “We always make sure that PPP showcases films that cater to the different tastes of various audiences every year. For its third year, the first three films that we chose for PPP really inspired us, and we expect the remaining five films to add more excitement to the event and to offer more variety to the films we already selected,” said FDCP Chairperson and CEO Mary Liza Diño. PPP, a week-long event that exclusively screens quality Filipino genre films in all theaters nationwide, officially marks the “Sandaan,” the celebration of the One Hundred Years of Philippine Cinema. Pursuant to the Presidential Proclamation 622 Series signed last November, FDCP, the country’s film agency, is assigned to lead the Sandaan. This Proclamation was declared in honor of Jose Nepomuceno’s Dalagang Bukid, which is considered the first Filipino-produced and directed film that was released on Sept. 12, 1919. PPP will run in all theaters nationwide this September. Fire and Ice Productions and CMB Film Services are proud sponsors of the event.

Finalists at the 3rd edition of Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino

(Professional Academy for Culinary Education) and Chef Monicca “Nikki” Dechavez, wherein they made brownies and spicy empanadas as possible ideas for a simple business for solo parents. The entrepreneurial and empowering theme of Araneta Center’s Mother’s Day celebration was also echoed in Ali Mall and Farmers Plaza, albeit without a celebrity guest. In all three malls, mothers who registered with a P600-single receipt got to experience an afternoon of pampering as well from sponsors like skin and face analysis, hand and foot massage, hair styling, and many others. Adding to Jodi’s already full plate is her pursuit of a Psychology degree, which she is set to get when she graduates next year. As for plans to pursue something related to the course outside of acting, she notes, “That’s the goal naman talaga. I did not take up Psychology for the sake of just earning a degree – I really want to be able to use the skills, the tools, the knowledge that I’ve learned in school and apply it in real life, to real-life situations. And, hopefully, with me being equipped, makakatulong ako sa kapwa ko.”

Viva’s ‘Aurora’ streams on Netflix

DRAMA thriller Aurora, which stars Anne Curtis, has been acquired by Netﬂix and now available on the platform of the streaming giant. Produced by Viva Films, a Viva Communications Inc., company, Aurora premiered last December at the Metro Manila Film Festival where it was one of the top-grossers. The story follows Leana (Curtis) who lives peacefully on the island with her younger sister Rita. Everything changes when a ship named Aurora runs aground on the rocks near their vicinity. To make money, Leana agrees to the request of the grieving relatives to go in search of bodies from the ship. Unknown to them, there was really no need for her to do so because the deceased cargo has already decided to return to the shore. Directed by Yam Laranas and from the screenplay by Gin de Mesa, Aurora is the second Curtis starrer to be on Netﬂix. A year ago, Erik Matti’s BuyBust, where she plays a hard-hitting cop, was also picked up by the global streaming giant. Anne Curtis in a scene from the drama thriller ‘Aurora.’

VIEWERS of GMA Network’s Inagaw na Bituin can look forward to more revelations and confrontations as the series comes down to its heart-tugging ﬁnale today. Kyline Alcantara and Therese Malvar played the principal roles of Anna/Elsa and Ariela, respectively. Their worlds collided in the pursuance of their music careers which led to the unraveling of Anna’s true identity and the despicable secrets of her family. When asked on their memorable scenes, Kyline shared that it was when Ariela (Therese) disclosed on national TV that her character was adopted. “I really wanted to do it very raw and yung normal reaction ng taong nalaman na ampon siya for the ﬁrst time. It’s not easy but I hope I gave justice to that scene.” As for Therese, her confrontation scene in an abandoned building with seasoned actress Angelika Dela Cruz, who portrayed the role of Ariela’s mother Lucy, was the most remarkable scene. “We had heavy a confrontation scene that’s why it’s really unforgettable. I really love scenes like that, and to be in a scene with such a great actress is also an honor,” she revealed. Joining Kyline and Therese in the

‘Inagaw Na Bituin’ sings its swan song

‘Inagaw na Bituin’ lead stars Kyline Alcantara and Therese Malvar

musical series are A-list actors Sunshine Dizon, Gabby Eigenmann, Angelu De Leon, and Marvin Agustin as well as Renz Valerio, Manolo Pedrosa, Patricia Tumulak, Alyanna Asistio, and Jackie Lou Blanco. Having been surrounded by these talented stars, Kyline and Therese learned many important things from their coactors. “They would always give me advice on how to hone my craft and to do things always with love and passion. They would always tell me that in this industry, you have to learn that less talk will give you less mistake,” shared Kyline. On the other hand, Therese has another takeaway from Sunshine, “She told me that I should make my kontrabida role relatable despite the character’s purpose or role. Make them sympathize, and make them love to hate you as well.” As the series ends, how far will Lucy go to exact revenge on her sister Belinda now that the fate of Anna lies in her hands? Will Anna finally find her way back home to her family and fulfill her dreams as a singer? Under the helm of esteemed director Mark A. Reyes V, Inagaw Na Bituin airs its finale this afternoon after Bihag on GMA.

Motoring

FRIDAY, MAY 17, 2019

Radiowealth Finance, Carmudi team up

Suzuki PH keeps momentum

UZUKI Philippines, the country’s pioneer compact car distributor, wrapped up the first quarter of the year with consistent sales growth, securing the 6th spot in the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines, Inc. (CAMPI) roster.

The Ertiga remains the brand’s bestselling vehicle, accounting for 33% of the total sales for the quarter. The Celerio came in second with 12.3% of sales while the Dzire contributed 11.6%. SPH’s strong performance this ﬁrst quarter comes on the heels of a successful 2018, which marked strong sales, expansion in key cities across the country and back-to-back recognitions from several renowned award-giving bodies. “We started 2019 consistent and stable, and so far, we have maintained our momentum. Our performance at the start of

the year is setting the pace for the rest of 2019. We are conﬁdent of achieving substantial sales growth and reaching more customers through aggressive marketing efforts and nationwide promotional campaigns,” shared SPH Director and General Manager for Automobile Division Keiichi Suzuki. Three of the most sought-after models in the Philippine automotive market and the company’s top-selling vehicles in recent months, the Ertiga, Celerio and Dzire collectively boosted sales for the ﬁrst quarter of 2019.

Road safety tips for a fun and unforgettable trip THE summer season means going on vacations, long road trips, and fun and exciting out-of-town excursions with family and friends. To make your trip hassle-free and enjoyable, it truly pays to practice road safety before and while you are behind the wheel. Remember, safety first always! Here are some road safety tips from AXA Philippines, one of the leading insurance companies in the country: Have your car checked. Take your car to your trusted mechanic and have the battery, lights, oil, water, brakes, air, and gas (B.L.O.W.B.A.G.) checked, as well as your air conditioner. Always have a tool kit and a usable spare tire ready, in case of a flat tire. Get a good rest before you hit the road. Driving long distances with very little sleep is dangerous as it can affect your alertness and your overall driving skills. Having coffee or a caffeinated drink may not be enough. So get that proper shuteye—at least six to nine hours of uninterrupted sleep—before that trip. Plan your route. When going somewhere far for the first time, it’s best to do

research ﬁrst on the surrounding areas, the best routes to take, and the general road conditions there. Download a navigation app on your smartphone so you don’t get lost or get stuck in heavy trafﬁc. Buckle up, even if you’re a rear seat passenger. It’s important to wear your seatbelt—for the driver as well as front and rear seat passengers. This safety restraint system can protect you in times of collisions and prevent you from hitting the dashboard, the windshield, the seat in front of you, or worse. Keep your distance. Be conscious of braking distances and leave a safe space between your vehicle and the one ahead of you, so in case of an abrupt stop, a potential collision can be avoided. Insure your vehicle. Having car insurance, like the comprehensive insurance coverage offered by AXA Philippines, can protect you against losses and liabilities arising from road mishaps. AXA Car Insurance is available for purchase online. Its policy holders can also avail of 24/7 emergency roadside assistance coverage across the country. This insurance product also offers the AXA Assist app, which presents a first-of-itskind emergency red button. In case of emergencies, the application sends a distress message and location of the policy holder to emergency contact person/s, and AXA Ass i s t a n c e ’s command center. What this brings is added peace of mind and security, so you can enjoy your drive and AXA Car Insurance offers safety tips to protect your car and its passengers. your trip!

With 33 percent share of total sales for the quarter, the top favorite family vehicle Ertiga remains the best-selling Suzuki vehicle. The launch of its black interior model in February helped spur sales even further for the Ertiga. The 7-seater MPV combines elegance and strength, blending modern style and maximum functionality to let riders enjoy their days in style. The Celerio retains its place as the second best-selling vehicle with a 12.3 percent share of sales. This hatchback, known for its space and roomy dimension, can accommodate of up to 254-liters worth of cargo with an uncompromised 5-seater capacity. Alongside its remarkable fuel efﬁciency that ups the ante for its category. The Dzire positions itself as another Suzuki best-seller at third place with 11.6 percent of total quarter sales. C! Magazine’s Best Mini Compact of 2018 awardee is increasingly being recognized in the market as one of the most affordable units in its category. Strong marketing efforts continue

SPH’s strategic marketing efforts help bring the brand closer to more Filipinos and introduce them to the Suzuki Way of Life! SPH’s participation and presence at the 2019 Manila International Auto Show (MIAS) last April reﬂected the brand’s competence in the market by highlighting how its vehicles deliver combined fun, functionality and comfort to give Filipinos optimal driving experience. During the four-day event, the brand’s most-valued vehicles—the multifunction 7-seater all-new Ertiga, multi-awarded subcompact sedan Ciaz, bold and relentless 4x4 all-new Jimny, well-loved hatchback Swift, exquisite sedan Dzire and stylish SUV Vitara—were available for preview. In line with SPH’s nationwide advocacy of raising awareness about road safety, Suzuki Safety Scouts encouraged guests at the trade event to join the campaign. Visitors were able to register kids 4 to 14 years old for free to become an ofﬁcial Suzuki Safety Scout.

Drive in style with Avanza

THE country’s leading automotive manufacturer Toyota Motor Philippines recently unveiled the New Toyota Avanza. Combining best value with modern style, the 2019 Avanza comes with a refreshed sporty look, a redesigned dashboard with a new infotainment system, and practical safety features—making it the Multi- that enables 2-Phones Hands-Free and Purpose Vehicle (MPV) of choice for the 5-Phones Music Streaming. Smartphone mirroring is also allowed using the Tsmart Filipino family. Link app. A trusted heritage The New Toyota Avanza makes sure Since its introduction in the Philippines last 2006, the Avanza has now sold that everyone is comfortable for the long almost 100,000 units, earning the trust drive with its 7-seater cabin and spacious and loyalty of countless customers with cargo trunk. The interior design cues Toyota standards of quality, durability, were patterned after versatility and pracand reliability. Currently on its second tical daily use. Make your summer expegeneration, the Avanza continues to pro- rience cool and easy with its new Digital vide worry-free ownership and afford- Display Air- Conditioning and additional able convenience to Filipino families, accessory connectors for the front and giving them the Toyota brand assurance back rows. that can be felt from sales to regular maintenance and beyond. The New Toyota Avanza is now available for retail in all 69 Toyota dealerships nationwide with prices ranging from P 731,000.00 to PP1, 065, 000.00 The smart MPV with a stylish ride The New Toyota Avanza gets an exte- Side mirror turn signals are among Avanza’s modern safety features. rior overhaul: its brand The New Toyota Avanza is steady and new fascia gives the vehicle a sportier look with a more conﬁdent stance. The reliable with a maximum output of 103hp facelift includes new split-type LED for the 1.5L engine (Veloz, G variant) and headlamps which seamlessly comple- 95hp for the 1.3L engine (E, J variant). ment the character lines of the hood’s Drivers can choose between a 4-speed sheet metal, as well as Front Fog Lamps Automatic Transmission and a 5-speed alongside its dark front grille. Style is Manual Transmission. Widely known as the new smart with its redesigned alloy one of the most dependable MPVs availwheels that highlight the model’s ground able today, the 2019 Avanza bears the clearance, perfect for road trips with the Toyota trademark of accessible quality whole family. The sporty rear design and for all Filipinos. All models carrying the Toyota badge the ﬁn-type antenna completes the New prioritize safety, and the New Toyota Toyota Avanza’s modern look. Avanza is no different. Aside from 2 SRS Top-of-the-line entertainment and airbags for driver and passenger, it has comfort Family trips are not complete without 3-point ELR seatbelts for all seats and quality entertainment on the road. The an ISOFIX child seat restraint system New Toyota Avanza comes equipped suited for starting families. On top of its with a 6.8-inch Capacitive Touch Panel Anti-Lock Brake System, the New ToyDisplay infotainment system that can ota Avanza also gets upgraded with Side also be found inside premium Toyota Mirror-Integrated Turn Signals. These models like the RAV4 and Camry. This handy features make every ride safe for multimedia console is enhanced with the whole family, giving customers secuhigh-resolution K2 Technology audio rity and peace of mind.

OWNING your first (or even your 3rd) vehicle is one of the major investments that used to take years and years of saving up. After saving up for the downpayment, you still have to tackle a lengthy, confusing, and exhausting loan application process. Radiowealth Finance breaks down the boundaries to car ownership through a collaborative partnership with Carmudi, the Philippines’ #1 Online Automotive platform, in its aim to fast track vehicle ownership, especially among the majority of Filipinos who are in the market to purchase pre-owned vehicles. Since its launch, Carmudi changed the way vehicle buyers and sellers do business online by facilitating quicker and more convenient transactions between verified, reputable sellers and prospective buyers of new and pre-owned cars. With its global reputation and international leverage, Carmudi offers quick and convenient access to thousands of certified listings, enabling buyers the best automotive bargain they can get. Filipino car buyers are diverse but all of them have two common goals in mind—to get the best deal and drive home a good quality car. These are two of the most important things that Filipino car buyers take into consideration whenever they are shopping for cars. As such, Carmudi Philippines wants to help Filipino car buyers in scoring the best bargain and owning a good quality car. Carmudi Philippines’ online platform features tons of car listings ranging from brand-new to used cars, in fact even motorcycles and commercial vehicles. Online car shoppers can use Carmudi’s search tool to narrow down the list of cars according to his/her preference. You can adjust the price range as well as select the car brand, model, year, condition, color of the vehicle, among others. Overall, Carmudi Philippines wants to make your car buying experience more convenient and efficient. Backed by a 55-year legacy as one of the country’s pillars in the financing industry, Radiowealth Finance Corporation (RFC) will open up its wide inventory of vehicles for sale in the Carmudi’s platform, which operates under a high level of transparency through professional photos, updated listings, detailed descriptions, reports and rankings for 100% of its vehicles in each market. In addition, RFC will also make available the company’s easy loan facilities through its newlylaunched website at https://www. rfc.com.ph “In our goal to provide innovative solutions for our customers to attain their dreams on vehicle ownership which would ideally assist the quality of their day to day lives, novel partnerships with usually traditional industries like the auto-financing sector takes us closer to that attainment. Carmudi continues to be a maverick in automating auto ownership from a person’s aspiration to buy a first car up to the time he/ she would be selling this to buy a new one and everything in between. Synergies with like-minded organizations like Radiowealth Finance helps us lay the ground for these innovations. Thus, the buying public could be expecting more novel services and products from this partnership,” Cholo Syquia, Carmudi’s Managing Director explains. Over the years, Radiowealth Finance has continued its track record of serving the needs of Filipinos by offering financing products and services that empower its customers to achieve their dreams without sacrificing basic everyday necessities. Today, Filipinos can access these products and services through more than 100 branches and business centers nationwide. “Our commitment is to promote inclusion among the majority of Filipinos who are tired of arduous loan processing. Whether it’s for a house, a car, or investing in business, we continually study, develop and offer financing products and services that are essential to the market’s need. In line with this is the company’s expansion not only through our branches and business centers throughout the country, but also through our digital presence to ably service the growing number of netizens who look online to search and find what they need and want,” explains RFC Digital and Marketing Communications Manager Ruchell Salas.

Motoring

RAMON L. TOMELDAN Editor

C4 FRIDAY, MAY 17, 2019

Text and photos by Lester Dizon

T STARTED innocently enough. In April 1964, the Ford Motor Company introduced the new Mustang that took the Sixties youth market by storm. General Motors (GM) followed suit two years later and introduced the new Camaro in September 1966. Since the market was lorded over by the Mustang, the automotive genre of long-hood shortdeck personal 2-door hardtop coupes and convertibles became known as the “Pony Car”. In 1969, the “pony car wars” between Ford and Chevrolet has reached its peak. The rivalry between the Mustang and the Camaro escalated from a mere beauty pageant to an all-out horsepower war. Both manufacturers only listed the “de-tuned” horsepower produced by their respective pony cars, which were usually underrated below 500 hp because of legal issues and rising insurance costs. Both the FoMoCo and GM have pro-

duced high-performance engines and horsepower ratings that were considered exotic ﬁfty years ago but are considered commonplace today. In 1968, Ford was developing a new engine that could compete against Chrysler’s powerful 426 Hemi in the National Stock Car or NASCAR racing series. The Ford Boss 429 cubic-inch engine used four-bolt mains, a forged steel crank, forged steel connecting rods, and aluminum cylinder heads with a modiﬁed semi hemispherical combustion chamber. The “dry-deck” aluminum heads did not use head gaskets and relied on individual “O” rings to seal each cylinder, oil passage and water passage tight. A single 735 cubic feet per minute (CFM) Holley 4-barrel carburetor, mounted on an aluminum intake manifold, worked with a hydraulic lifter camshaft and dual exhaust system to produce 375 horsepower

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at 5,200 rpm and 610 Newton-meter of torque at 3,400 rpm. Some owners claimed to coax 600 hp or more out of the semi-hemi engine since it was de-tuned at the factory for insurance and street-ability purposes. Rules of engagement NASCAR’s homologation rules required that at least 500 cars must be ﬁtted with this new motor and sold to the general public. Ford decided to ﬁt the 429 in the 1969 Mustang fastback but its engine compartment was not wide enough to accommodate the massive engine. Ford assigned Kar Kraft, their exclusive contracted experimental vehicle facility, to develop new revised front apron assemblies for the Mustang, which were installed at the Ford Rouge plant as the base vehicles were being built along with the reworked front fenders. The cars were transported

from the Rogue plant to Kar Kraft’s assembly plant in Brighton, Michigan for final assembly. To make the front-heavy car handle better, the battery was transferred to the trunk and a ¾-inch sway bar was added, making the Boss 429 the first Mustang ever fitted with a rear sway bar. It also came with an 8,000-rpm tachometer, a manually-controlled hood scoop, a shallower front spoiler, color keyed dual racing mirrors, an engine oil cooler, and a 3.91 ratio rear axle with a “TractionLock” limited slip differential. An AM radio was the only option available for the Boss 429. Each 1969 Mustang Boss 429 was given a NASCAR identification that was riveted on the driver’s side door and a “KK” number which stood for Kar Kraft. KK #1201 was the first Boss 429 and KK #2558 was the last Boss 429 made. There were 857 Ford Mustang Boss 429s made in 1969.

The way they were: 1969 Chevrolet Camaro

Pony car war rages on: 2019 Ford Shelby

Ford vs. Chevrolet: The 50-year horsepower war The 1969 Chevrolet Camaro was equipped with the previous model’s major mechanical components but featured allnew sheet metal, except the hood and trunk lid, to give it a sportier look. The grille was redesigned with a heavy “V” cant and deeply inset headlights. New door skins, rear quarter panels, and rear valance panel also gave the car a much lower, wider, more aggressive look. This styling would serve for the 1969 model year only. A corporate edict from General Motors forbade Chevrolet from installing V8 engines larger than 400 cubic-inches (6.6-liters) in their performance cars. Some dealers, like Don Yenko of Yenko Chevrolet in Cannonsburg, were installing 427 (7.0-liter) V8 engines in Camaros since 1967. To offer 427 V8s in their new cars, Chevrolet saw a way around the GM corporate edict and used the Central Office Production Order (COPO), which was an ordering process used for fleet and special orders, like police cars, taxis, trucks, etc. Two COPO V8 engine options, numbers 9560 and 9561, were offered in the 1969 model year. On the other hand, COPO 9560 fitted an all-aluminum ZL1 big-block 427 Chevy V8 that made 430 hp at 5,200 rpm and 610 Nm of torque at 4,400 rpm. With exhaust changes and some tuning, the ZL1’s power jumped to over 500 hp. Each ZL1 engine was hand-assembled for 16 hours inside a “surgically-clean” room at the Tonawanda Assembly Plant before being installed in Corvettes and Camaros, or sold over the counter to racers. The aluminum engine alone cost more than US$4,000 in 1969, which was

more than the cost of a base Camaro V8 hardtop coupe. The Camaro ZL-1 package was designed speciﬁcally for drag racing, conceived by drag racer Dick Harrell, and ordered through Fred Gibb Chevrolet, with the intention of entering NHRA Super Stock professional drag races. A total of “only” 69 ZL-1 Camaros were produced. The war rages on Fifty years later, the horsepower war is still on with both Ford and Chevy using all-aluminum engines in their arsenal. Ford has its Mustang Shelby GT350 powered by a 315 cubic-inch (5.2-liter) V8 engine with a ﬂat plane crank, PFI electronic fuel injection system, PCM engine management system, dual exhaust with electronic valves and quad tips, that churns out 526 hp at 7,500 rpm and 572 Nm of torque at 4,750 rpm. A Tremec 6-speed is the only transmission choice available with the high-performance GT350. Chevrolet has its Camaro ZL1 with

a 383 cubic-inch (6.2-liter) LT4 supercharged overhead-valve V8 engine equipped with a variable valve timing (VVT), and high-pressure direct fuel injection system that produces 650 hp at 6,400 rpm and 868 Nm of torque at 3,600 rpm. A Tremec 6-speed manual transmission with Active Rev Match is standard while a Hydra-Matic 10-speed automatic is available as an option. If it seems that Chevrolet has the upper hand this time with their 650-hp Camaro ZL1, Ford has an ace up its sleeve. They are set to introduce their 2020 Mustang Shelby GT500 with a supercharged 5.2-liter V8 that will reportedly make more than 700 horsepower and will be mated to a 7-speed dual clutch automatic developed by Tremec in cooperation with Ford. And we all know that Chevy won’t take all these sitting down. It’ll be exciting to see what GM will come up with to one-up their rival in this 50-year-old horsepower war!

1969 Ford Mustang Boss 429

TransSportShow opens May 23 THE car show that spans generations of car enthusiasts is back on May 23-26, 2019 at the SMX Convention Center near the SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City. The 2019 TransSportShow is being presented by Phoenix Pulse Technology and is anticipated to be another grand exhibition of restored and customized show cars by the leading automotive shops in the country. Now on its 28th year, the TransSportShow remains to be the longest running car show in the country today. It is organized by Tradeshow International, Inc. which also organizes the Manila Auto Salon and the Sport Truck Show. “TransSportShow has lasted this long mainly because we value the goals and objectives of the key players in the project”, says TSI president Sophie delos Santos. “We have not missed a year despite the several economic crises that the country has suffered. TransSportShow has endured the test of time.” TSI cited three reasons why as real car enthusiast should not miss the TransSportShow. 1. The show never fails to amaze visitors with a line up of over 100 project vehicles competing for the much coveted TransSportShow Cup Best of Show Award. The show ﬂoor literally turns into a beauty pageant of vehicles, 95%

of which will be displayed for the ﬁrst time. Last year’s Best of Show winner for the Contemporary class was Import Hook-Up’s 2017 McLaren 570S, which was featured in the 2019 TransSportShow poster. The Best of Show winner for the Nostalgic class was a 1998 Toyota Corolla by Vonetix Radical Creations. Alex Car Restoration bagged the Reserve Best of Show Nostalgic award for its Shelby Cobra. 2. The show is also a trade and retail exhibition of what’s new and popular in the automotive aftermarket industry. There will be rows and rows of booths to buy accessories from for one’s vehicle as well as afﬁliated products and services for the owner/driver/ enthusiast. 3. The show will have special promotional

Joining the 2019 TransSportShow Cup competition are 2ner Magazine, A-Plus Motorworks, Adrenaline Motorsports/ Portillo’s Automotif, Alex Car Restoration, Alfred Motor Works, Asian Coatings Phils, Inc., Autobot Autoworks Off Road, Autogenix Carworx, Delta Japan/ Eneos, Dubshop, Inc./Silverwind Alloy Castings Inc., HLT International, Inc., Import HookUp x Streamline Autoplus, JL Design, JSA Wrapstyle, Jworks Unlimited, Kins Auto Design Philippines, New Autodresscode, Inc., New Version, O2wrx Motorshop, Oculus Auto Detailing Hub, Omaka Inc/Atoy Customs, Padi’s Point Restaurant & Bar, Prautotype Auto Restoration, R33 Cars, Red Octagon, Revolt Philippines/Total Hot Support, Road Kings Custom, Speedlab, Inc., Versa Vantage Trading, and Vonetix Radical Creations. This year’s ex2017 McLaren 570S was the hibitors include ACA 2018 Best of Show winner. Armoring, Alveo Land,

events to ensure a fun-filled and exciting car show experience for everyone. These are product launches, raffles, demonstrations, competitions . There will be the much awaited Miss TransSportShow contest featuring 12 pre-selected finalists who will be gracing the ribbon-cutting ceremony on opening day on May 23, 2019 at 10:30 AM.

Inc., Ancorp Healthy World, Inc., Asian Coatings Phils. Inc., Auto88 Corporation, Autohub Car Care Service, Autoindustriya.com, BDCK Auto International, Btoys, C! Magazine, Citibank, CLK Super Tools Depot/Makita Tools, Club Ultima, Consumer Care Products, Inc., Cougar Athletic Trends Inc./PUMA, ECR Card Marketing/Metrobank, ERCL Enterprise, Eurodecals, Forged/Mworld Trading, GMA Network, Inc., Gotcha Paintball, HLT International, Inc., Hoshicare, Ignition Ph, Keebie Ventures, Inc., Kikoysky Toys and Collectibles Shop, Lazermaxx Lazer Tag, Liquimoly/European Advanced Technik Corporation, Liter of Light, Luxuriant Philmarketing, Meguiars Philippines/Simex Trading Corp., NGK Spark Plugs (Phils) Inc., Nissan Philippines, Inc./BOD, OEM EV, EurovisionTrading, Ondoy Boat, One Tagaytay Place, Padis Point Restaurant & Bar, PayApp, Phoenix Petroleum Philippines, Inc., Rain Enterprises, Remixx Clothing, Rev Up, Roar Advance Finishing Limited, Sta Lucia Land, Inc., Topgear.com.ph/Mitsubushi, TSL Marketing Corporation, UCM Group of Companies, Inc., Unionbank, Veritek, Inc., Victor Hardware, Inc., Wasabe Trading Corporation, Winterpine Marketing Corporation/3M Philippines, and Zamony Ventures Corporation/Pioneer.