Manila Standard - 2019 May 23 - Thursday

THERE THEY ARE. Finally, the Commission on Elections proclaims Wednesday the winning senators at the Comelec headquarters at the PICC in Pasay City: (From left) Ramon Revilla Jr.; Francis Tolentino; Lito Lapid; Ronald dela Rosa;; Christopher Go; Cynthia Villar; Grace Poe; Pia Cayetano; Juan Edgardo Angara; Imelda Josefa Marcos; Aquilino Pimentel III; and Maria Lourdes Binay. Ey Acasio VOL. XXXIII • NO. 98 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P18 • THURSDAY, MAY 23, 2019 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

11. Bong Revilla

14,624,445

9. Francis Tolentino 15,510,026

7. Lito Lapid

16,965,464

5. Bato dela Rosa 19,004,225

3. Bong Go

20,657,702

1. Cynthia Villar 25,283,727

2. Grace Poe

4. Pia Cayetano

22,029,788

19,789,019

6. Sonny Angara

8. Imee Marcos

18,161,862

15,882,628

10. Koko Pimantel

14,668,665

12. Nancy Binay 14,504,936

Winners proclaimed, finally

By Vito Barcelo, Macon Ramos-Araneta and Nat Mariano

T

HE Commission on Elections on Wednesday proclaimed the 12 winners in the senatorial race, including four newcomers, five reelectionists and three returning senators, nine days after the May 13 midterm elections that were marred by vote buying and technical problems.

The newcomers were senators-elect lentino, while the three who previously Christopher “Bong” Go, Ronald dela served in the Senate were Pia Cayetano, Rosa, Imee Marcos, and Francis To- Lito Lapid and Bong Revilla.

3 2

ACT-CIS Bayan Muna

seats

seats

1 seat

Reelectionist Senators Cynthia Villar topped the senatorial race followed by Grace Poe, Juan Edgardo Angara, Aquilino Pimentel III and Nancy Binay.

The canvassing of votes ended past midnight of Wednesday.

The proclamation of the 12 senators was done despite the petition filed by several party-list groups alleging massive fraud due to malfunctioning vote counting machines and faulty SD cards.

Party-list groups Append, Partido

Lakas ng Masa, Murang Kuryente, and Ang Nars made this call as allegations of fraud continued to hound the Comelec.

Comelec Commissioner Sheriff Abas denied any allegations of fraud and stood by the credibility of the May 13 elections.

Abas expressed his appreciation to the entire Comelec employees and to the teachers who acted as election officers for their service.

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2 party-lists gain 3 seats each, 49 others make cut THE administration-backed ACT-CIS and the militant group Bayan Muna secured three seats each among the 51 party-list groups that won in the midterm polls.

The winners will occupy the 61 seats

allocated for party-list groups in the Others that made the cut with one seat House of Representatives. each are as follows: Senior Citizens, MagParty-list groups Ako Bicol, Cibac, Ang sasaka, APEC, Gabriela, An Waray, CoopProbinsyano, 1-Pacman, Marino and Prob- Natcco, ACT Teachers, Philreca, Ako insyano Ako got two seats each.

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Ako Bicol Cibac Ang Probinsyano 1-Pacman Marino Probinsyano Ako

Senior Citizens Magsasaka APEC Gabriela An Waray Coop-Natcco ACT Teachers Philreca Ako Bisaya Tingog Sinirangan Abono Buhay Duterte Youth Kalinga PBA Alona Recoboda BH Bahay CWS Abang Lingkod A Teacher BHW Sagip TUCP Magdalo GP Manila Teachers RAM Anakalusugan Ako Padayon Aambis-OWWA Kusug Tausug Dumper PTDA TGP Patrol Amin Agap LPGMA OFW Family Kabayan Diwa Kabataan

Duterte orders garbage sent back to Canada

By Nat Mariano and Julito Rada AN “OUTRAGED” President Rodrigo Duterte has ordered the concerned government agencies to shoulder cost of shipping tons of garbage back to Canada, the Palace said Wednesday, adding that the Chief Executive was upset at Ottawa’s inordinate delay in retrieving its waste.

In a Palace press briefing, Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said the Duterte administration was “extremely disappointed with Canada’s neither here nor there pronouncement on the matter,” blaming them Next page

Morales phone hacked in HK, hits bullying

By Joel Zurbano and Macon Ramos-Araneta

PARTY-LIST WINNERS TOO... Winning party-list representatives join a photo session after their groups, totalling 51, were proclaimed by the Commission on Elections in simple rites at the PICC in Pasay City. Ey Acasio

FORMER Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales, who has sued Chinese President Xi Jinping and later denied entry Tuesday into China’s administrative region of Hong Kong, claimed her phones were “hacked,” according to a report on Super Radyo

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SGMA makes Sara bares ‘threats’ made by Cayetano, Alvarez solid pitch for Rody’s agenda

By Nat Mariano, Maricel V. Cruz, will put Sara to shame],’” said Duterte-Carpio, who has been and Macon Ramos-Araneta

By Maricel V. Cruz

IN THE last three weeks of the 17th Congress, Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo is making last-ditch efforts to push the legislative agenda of President Rodrigo Duterte.

In a letter sent to Senate President Vicente Sotto III, Arroyo said the House of Representatives was looking forward to the action of the Senate on 11 priority bills still pending in the Upper Chamber.

Arroyo said in the last three weeks Next page

DAVAO City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio has revealed that Taguig Rep.-elect Alan Peter Cayetano issued a “veiled threat” that he would “break up the group” if she endorses Marinduque Rep. Lord Allan Velasco as the next House Speaker.

In a statement Tuesday night, the presidential daughter likewise rebuffed the reconciliation offer of reelected Davao del Norte Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez, saying it was “deceiving and utterly lacked sincerity.”

“Unknown to him, he was surreptitiously videotaped when he threatened, after his win in the recent elections in Davao del Norte, ‘Ipapahiya ko si Sara [I

Bikini-clad ‘angel’ in Palawan

By Nickie Wang

The 46-year-old actress slipped into a white bikini top and wore a “CHARLIE’S Angels” star Cameron black baseball cap as seen in a photo Diaz was spotted holidaying in El Nido, shared on Twitter by CNN sportscastPalawan and was even photographed er Charles Tiu. mingling with the locals.

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largely credited for Alvarez’s ouster as House Speaker in July last year.

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IF ELECTED...

Leyte 1st District Rep. Martin Romualdez answers questions Wednesday lobbed by members of national media at the Kapihan sa Manila Bay Media Forum at Cafe Adriatico, stressing that if elected House Speaker he would be a ‘working, consulting and listening’ leader.

Ver Noveno

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News

THURSDAY, MAY 23, 2019

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20 highest-paid in gov’t bared

By Rio N. Araja

A

N AUDITING job by the Commission on Audit has shown that the executives of government financial institutions were the highest-paid public officials in 2018.

Justice Lucas Bersamin, who landed sixth and ninth, respectively.

The top earner for 2018 with P21.048 million in salaries and allowances was the late Bangko Sentral governor Nestor Espenilla Jr. who died February.

He was also at the top of the 2017 list, followed by DBP president and chief executive Cecilia Cayosa who received P15.804 million.

BSP deputy governor Diwa Guinigundo received P14.412 million for third place.

Those in the top 20 list were BSP deputy governor Maria Almasara Amador with P13.868 million, BSP deputy governor Chuchi Fornacier with P13.504 million, Solicitor General Jose Calida with P12.47 million, BSP senior assistant governor Maria Ramona Gertrudes Santiago with P11.323 million, GSIS president and general manager Jesus Clint Aranas

with P11.1 million, Chief Justice Lucas Bersamin with P10.919 million, BSP assistant governor Wilhelmina Mañalac with P10.889 million, BSP assistant governor Elmore Capule with P10.514 million, BSP Monetary Board member Peter Favila with P10.399 million, BSP senior assistant governor Dahlia Luna with P10.14 million, BSP Monetary Board member Antonio Abacan Jr. with 9.938 million, BSP Monetary Board member Juan de Zuñiga Jr. with P9.588 million, BSP Monetary Board member Felipe Medalla with P9.391 million, BSP assistant governor Iluminada Sicat with P9.128 million, GSIS senior vice president Nora Saludares with P8.898 million, BSP assistant governor Johnny Noe Ravalo with P8.568 million, and BSP assistant governor Restituto Cruz with P8.5 million.

At least 15 in the top 20 came from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, two from the Government Service Insurance System and one from the Development Bank of the Philippines.

Meanwhile, the commission on April 11 issued a notice of suspension on the Presidential Commission on Good Government concerning disbursements and charges totaling $2.98 million or P157 million against the retained funds from the recovered illgotten wealth of the Marcos family.

In its 2018 audit report on the PCGG released on May 21, the Commission re-

ported that the fund releases from the fund kept with the Philippine National Bank were “not supported by documents” that would have established the validity of the claims.

The money came from the $5 million that the PNB’s retained fund created in 2004 out of the $658.175 million escrowed Marcos Swiss deposits that were ordered forfeited in favor of the government in July 2003.

The two non-GFI officials in the highest-paid list were Solicitor General Jose Calida and Supreme Court Chief

Sara...

From A1

PNP upbeat on ROTC program for senior high studes

While Cayetano did not ask for her endorsement, Duterte-Carpio said her father’s runningmate in the 2016 elections did not mince words in cautioning her against endorsing Velasco.

“He came with a veiled threat, that if I endorse Rep. Velasco for Speaker, ‘I would break up the group.’ And this, he said, will affect the presidential elections of 2022,” she added.

Duterte-Carpio acknowledged, though, that she raised the hands of Velasco and Leyte Rep.-elect Martin Romualdez as potential candidates for the speakership because they are “supportive of the reform agenda of President [Rodrigo] Duterte.”

She, however, stressed that she has not yet made any recommendation as to the next House Speaker.

“I only have a personal bet but do not intend to influence Congress,” she said.

“It is best if the newly elected members of the House of Representatives individually decide who among those who are interested to become the next Speaker can truly bring good governance and positive change to Congress, to the Filipino people, and to our country,” Duterte-Carpio added.

She likewise refused to secondguess the possibility that her own brother, Paolo Duterte, will vie for the speakership after winning the first legislative district seat of Davao City.

“The question on the interest of Congressman-elect Paolo Duterte to vie for Speaker should best be addressed by our father because he is the President and our patriarch,” she said.

Romualdez, for his part, underlined that an effective House Speaker must be “consultative, sensitive to local concerns, and generous with time and resources as well as very accessible.”

“You have to be the congressmen’s congressman...God willing, that’s my position; we would have to engage the congressmen without exception,” he said.

At a news conference Wednesday, House Minority Leader Danilo Suarez said a big number of congressmen was supporting the speakership bid of Romualdez.

Suarez said a signature campaign for Romualdez had been gathering support with at least 126 signatures.

“It is our manifesto of support for Martin,” Suarez said.

Morales...

From A1 dzBB, beamed nationwide.

“My telephones are hacked that is why I am paranoid,” the 78-year-old Morales told reporters on her arrival back Tuesday night.

In the Senate, Akbayan Senator Risa Hontiveros Wednesday challenged President Rodrigo Duterte to protest the Chinese government’s four-hour holding of Morales at a Hong Kong airport.

She said the act was a clear act of intimidation and retaliation for Morales’ filing charges against the Chinese government before the International Criminal Court regarding its alleged crimes against humanity in the West Philippine Sea. “I challenge President Rodrigo Duterte’s administration to defend one of the country’s most accomplished public servants and bring this directly to the Chinese government, lest it be accused of siding with China against one of our country’s own citizens,” Hontiveros said.

The former Ombudsman, whose younger brother Lucas Carpio Jr. is the father-in-law of Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, went to Hong Kong to bring her grandchildren to Disneyland.

Aside from her grandchildren, she was with her husband, son, and daughter-in-law.

Party drugs seized from Sino trader

By Joel E. Zurbano A BUSINESSMAN is facing drug trafficking charges following a police operation on Wednesday morning in his unit at the Shangri-La Hotel in Bonifacio Global City, where the authorities found more than P8.5 million worth of party drugs and other prohibited substances.

The authorities also found P720,346 in cash and checks worth P175 million in Room 909 being occupied by Domingo Tanyao Uy Jr., 44, a resident of 1 Balete Drive, Andres North Condominium 2803 in Quezon City.

Taguig City police, in cooperation with the management of the Shangri-La Hotel, said they executed a search warrant following information from the hotel management and staff about the presence of prohibited substances inside the room.

Metro Manila Police Chief Guillermo Eleazar told reporters two hotel housekeepers discovered the contraband inside an open vault in Uy’s room.

“Immediately, the housekeepers informed the security officer and the manager of the hotel. As a standard operating procedure, they called up the police,” Eleazar said.

In the room, Eleazar said, the police operatives seized 4,038 ecstasy pills, 350 grams of high-grade cocaine, 103 grams of kush and three bottles of liquid marijuana.

Initial investigation showed that Uy is a Filipino with a Canadian passport. He has been staying in the hotel since December.

“These drugs are too many,” said Eleazar who hinted the drugs might have been destined to be sold at popular night clubs and bars in BGC and in Makati City.

“These items will cater to customers who are capable of paying big amounts and will go to bars, considering this area has a lot of big establishments.”

THE Philippine National Police has expressed support to the House of Representatives’ passage of the bill making the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps mandatory for senior high school students.

“We are convinced that the ROTC program is designed to build a solid foundation to instill patriotism and nationalism among the youth to become useful citizens who possess the skills, knowledge and the heart to uphold and defend the country’s national institutions and sovereignty,” PNP Chief Oscar Albayalde said in a statement on Wednesday.

He said the PNP would make representations in the drafting of the law and its implementing rules and regulations that would include subjects on law enforcement, disaster response, rule of law and civil rights in addition to basic military science subjects.

“A small country like ours deserves to have a strong reserve force that can be called upon to augment the existing complement of regular forces. God forbid that we will need to mobilize our reserve force like what we did in World War II, but when the situation presents itself, the

reservists shall prove themselves ready and up to the task,” Albayalde said.

He said the PNP also welcomed legislative measures seeking to expand the role of women in law enforcement with a significant 20-percent increase in the number of female personnel in the police service.

“As far as the recruitment and selection process is concerned, I am pleased to announce that the PNP is 100 percent compliant with the requirements of the law in terms of gender equality and empowerment of women,” Albayalde said. PNA

Winners...

From A1

resentatives of Antique and Sorsogon, respectively.

Senate President Vicente Sotto III said Go, formerly special adviser to Duterte—will serve as their bridge to the President.

Dela Rosa said his victory validates the public support for the Duterte administration’s bloody war on illegal drugs.

“I was Number 1 in Metro Manila and Metro Manila is the most badly hit by the war on drugs,” said Dela Rosa.

Villar, the frontrunner in the Senate race with more than 25-million votes, said she is thankful for the opportunity to continue serving our the people as a senator.

Villar was accompanied by her husband, former Senate President Manny Villar and their children during the proclamation ceremonies at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City.

Villar said she hopes to retain the chairmanship of the committee on agriculture and food, which puts her in “a better position to advance legislation that will ensure affordable and adequate supply of food for all Filipinos.”

As chairperson of the committee on environment and natural resources, Villar will also continue to help protect critical areas in the country and oppose reclamation projects in Manila Bay. Poe, who won as an independent candidate, said she was ready to lead the Blue Ribbon committee if it would be assigned to her.

In acknowledging the equity of the incumbent, Poe, who chairs the Senate public services committee, said this would only be realized if Senator Richard Gor-

don would forgo the chairmanship.

As an independent candidate, Poe also vowed to work for an independent and balanced Senate even as the majority of incoming senators are either allies or supporters of the President.

Marcos and Revilla, who were strongly criticized during the campaign period, appealed to their critics to stop the bashing.

Marcos, daughter of the late strongman President Ferdinand Marcos, has been assailed for alleged fake school records and the Marcos ill-gotten wealth.

Revilla drew flak for his alleged involvement in the pork barrel scam.

Before her proclamation, Marcos told her bashers and haters that it’s time to move on.

Revilla professed his innocence and insisted he was a victim of political persecution.

Lapid, who once admitted he made a poor senator, also committed to do his job well.

Angara said he was honored that the Filipino people have allowed him to serve another term.

Binay likened her reelection journey to giving birth again.

Binay ended in the last spot in the socalled Magic 12 senators after obtaining 14,504,936 votes.

The landslide victory of Duterte allies in both chambers of Congress eroded the checks on the President’s controversial rule.

The results open a path for Duterte— who has remarkably high approval ratings—to make good on his call to bring back the death penalty and advance his project to rewrite the Constitution.

With AFP

For Cardema to replace the first nominee, his wife and all four other nominees had to withdraw their party-list nomination.

“Comelec is still studying the resolution.

The age of the nominees is among the primary considerations. The status quo is the original list of nominees,” Comelec Commissioner Rowena Guanzon said.

As a youth party-list group, the nominees of Duterte Youth must be between 25 to 30 years old on the day of the elections. Cardema is 33 years old.

“I have seen the petition [of Cardema] and the registration [of the party-list].

Duterte Youth registered as a youth sector party-list. The word youth is there, so you cannot dilute the word youth,” Guanzon said.

“You cannot substitute validly if the original nominee or candidate is disqualified in the first place,” she added.

Malacañang on Tuesday asked the Justice department to probe Cardema to determine possible violations committed following his filing of a certificate for substitution.

“We referred the case of Cardema to the [department] because we have received reports that despite his filing a certificate of substitution, he presided over a meeting subsequent to that certification. So, we are referring the matter to the [department],” Panelo said.

Panelo said the Justice department would investigate allegations that Cardema only used his post and the Commission’s resources to promote the Duterte Youth party-list.

ers. Majority of the comments say that the woman photographed was just the Hollywood actress’ doppelgänger and the man she was seen with resembled Bradley Cooper.

Diaz retired in 2018.

Her last big screen project was the musical comedy “Annie,” which also starred Jamie Foxx. She’s famous for

her roles in the films “My Best Friend’s Wedding” (1997), “There’s Something About Mary” (1998), “Charlie’s Angels” (2000), “Bad Teacher” (2011), and “Sex Tape” (2014).

She married musician Benji Madden at her home in Beverly Hills, California in January 2015 and announced her retirement from acting in March 2018.

for lacking a definite position on the garbage that was illegally shipped to the Philippines in 2013 and 2014.

“Obviously Canada is not taking this issue nor our country seriously.

The Filipino people are gravely insulted about Canada treating this country as a dump site,” Panelo said.

“As a result of this offending delay, the President has instructed the appropriate office to look for a private shipping company which will bring back Canada’s trash to the latter’s jurisdiction. The government of the Philippines will shoulder all expenses. And we do not mind,” he added.

Should Canada refuse to accept its tons of rotting rubbish, the Philippine government will then “leave the same within its territorial waters or 12 nautical miles out to sea from the baseline of any of their country’s shores.”

“The President’s stance is principled as it is uncompromising: The Philippines as an independent sovereign nation must not be treated as trash by other foreign nations. We hope this message resonates well with the other countries of the world,” he said.

Manila had earlier set a May 15 deadline for Ottawa to take the tons of trash back after President Duterte berated Canada over the issue last month.

Canada has since maintained it was already working to arrange for the containers’ return. They missed the deadline set by the Philippines, however.

In the wake of that failure, Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. recalled the Philippine ambassador and consuls in Canada, maintaining that diplomatic presence in Canada will remain diminished until the garbage is shipped back.

The South Korean government, meanwhile, has committed to help ship back to its country its waste materials weighing 5,176 metric tons illegally imported here last year and currently stored at the Phividec Industrial Authority premises in Misamis Oriental.

In his report to Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III, Bureau of Customs Commissioner Rey Leonardo Guerrero said the waste materials, consisting of plastic synthetic flakes, were unlawfully imported by the Cebu-based Verde Soko Philippines Industrial Corp. in July and October last year.

ond and third reading but are pending at the Senate.

“As for the 11 pending bills in the President’s priority legislative agenda, we await the action of the Senate and stand ready to adopt the Senate version in the interest of speedy legislation,” she said.

She also said the House reintroduced a bill on the creation of the Coconut

Industry Trust Fund which she hopes would “conform more to the policy direction of the Executive and thus constitutes our main priority for our last three weeks’ work in the House of Representatives.”

The said bill was vetoed by the President.

Arroyo also said she considered it an honor to have worked with the Senate to

carry out Duterte’s legislative agenda.

“It has been an honor doing legislative work with you,” Arroyo said.

Meanwhile, even with only seven legislative days left before the 17th Congress adjourns sine die, a pro-administration lawmaker remains optimistic his bill which seeks to grant additional privileges for persons with disabilities (PWDs) will still be passed into law.

“I’m proud to say that we have delivered more than what is needed. Thank you for effectively handling all the difficult and complex situations that have arisen during the conduct of elections,” Abas said.

Three of the four newcomers—Go, Dela Rosa and Tolentino—are close allies of President Rodrigo Duterte.

Marcos, who served as Ilocos Norte representative, will sit in the Senate for the first time.

The recent midterm elections also saw the successful comeback of Cayetano, Lapid and Revilla.

Revilla was unable to finish his second term as senator as he was detained over his alleged involvement in the multi-billion-peso pork barrel scam.

After being incarcerated for four years and six months, he regained his freedom when the Sandiganbayan cleared him of plunder charges.

Two senators seeking reelection—Senators JV Ejercito and Paolo Benigno Aquino IV—failed to enter the winner’s circle, ending in 13th and 14th place, respectively.

Ejercito’s candidacy was backed by the President’s PDP-Laban and HNP. On the other hand, Aquino ran under the opposition’s Otso Diretso senatorial slate.

Nobody among the Otso Diretso candidates won a seat.

Also leaving the Senate are Senators Loren Legarda, Francis Escudero and Antonio Trillanes IV, whose terms expire June 30.

Legarda and Escudero won as rep-

2Fromparty-lists...

A1 Bisaya, Tingog Sinirangan, Abono, Buhay, Duterte Youth, Kalinga, PBA, Alona, Recoboda, BH, Bahay, CWS, Abang Lingkod, A Teacher, BHW, Sagip, TUCP, Magdalo, GP, Manila Teachers, RAM, Anakalusugan, Ako Padayon, AambisOWWA, Kusug Tausug, Dumper PTDA, TGP, Patrol, Amin, Agap, LPGMA, OFW Family, Kabayan, Diwa and Kabataan.

Meanwhile, the Commission on Elections has yet to rule on the last-minute bid of National Youth Commission chairman Ronald Cardema to replace his wife, Ducielle, as first nominee of the Duterte Youth party-list group.

Bikini-clad...

From A1 “Cameron Diaz in our Vanilla Beach El Nido Property!” Tiu wrote in his caption.

The photo has gone viral and elicited comments from social media us-

SGMA...

From A1 of session before the end of the 17th Congress and before she steps down, she was looking forward to the action to be taken by the Senate on the 11 remaining priority bills of Duterte which had been passed by the House on sec-

Duterte...

From A1

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Opinion

THURSDAY, MAY 23, 2019

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

An alarming influx

I HAVE read and heard many comments of avid fans of HBO show Game of Thrones. Not everybody is happy with the finale.

I don’t claim to be a critic of the mostwatched series on TV. But as a fan, I believe that GOT’s producers, screenwriters and directors seem to have crammed everything in the last episode when it could have gone on for up to four more episodes to satisfy the fans.

I watched the show from the start.

I think the producers could have given more episodes to Jon Snow a.k.a.

Theon Targaryen, true heir to the Iron Throne after he slayed the mad queen Daenerys.

The Chinese are distorting real estate values.

In the case of Sansa, who became queen of independent Winterfell, fans expected her to do something for the people of Winterfell.

As for Bran Stark as king of the six kingdoms, the question in my mind was how could a cripple rule six kingdoms? Yes there was Tyrion Lannister, but I believe it was unlikely for Bran to keep the six kingdoms together.

There was Arya Stark, who in the series became a woman from the girl we first saw her to be. Her going to be Eastern side of Westeros raises a lot of questions on what will become of her.

But then the producers, writers and directors decided to end the show. That is their prerogative, of course.

What I like about GOT is that anybody viewing it can have mixed feelings and emotions. It evoked pity, sympathy and sorrow for the characters. There was conspiracy, revenge, hatred and pathos for the villain Cersei.

Adelle Chua, Editor

EDITORIAL

What amazed me was how the writers could intertwine the main plot with all the sub-plots. This I think is what makes GOT the best series of all. It did not just have everything a fan could ask for. It went beyond it by having nudity, sex and dragons, among others.

Santa Banana, there was even an incident when Jon Snow was resurrected from the dead—a real fantasy!

I love fantasies. When I was in high school, I read Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey. I also read stories about the Greek gods and goddesses.

Whether reality or fantasy, there is always the struggle between good and evil. *** Although my wife and I still consider ourselves residents of Makati City —we have a house in Ecology Village—we now live with our daughter in Merville Park in Parañaque.

Last March 4 and April 6, the Merville Homeowners’ Association issued to all residents a mandatory circular re requiring us to register the names of new helpers or homeowners, whether they are Filipinos or foreign nationals.

According to the association, the main reason for this requirement is the alarming influx of foreign nationals, specifically employees of companies involved in offshore gambling.

The MPHA noticed a significant increase in the number of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators in recent months. To carry out their business, they have been hiring Chinese nationals and have been acquiring and leasing homes in which to billet their employees. Some homeowners are lured by the high rentals these operators are offering to pay—way above the average real estate rates in the area.

I have been told that the normal rental for a small house is P30,000 to P50,000. The Chinese are offering twice as much. The circular said “we should reiterate that Merville Park was designed for single family dwelling units based on the subdivision plan and city ordinance No. 07-017 dated Dec. 11, 2017.

The circular added “the use of properties for such purpose will be challenged and will deplete carrying capabilities of the village, i.e., water,

Not over

T

HE 12 new senators were proclaimed Wednesday by the Commission on Elections. They will join their 12 other colleagues in the new Congress, slated to start in July.

Among those proclaimed, there were four newcomers, five reelectionists and three returning to their previous posts.

The proclamation had been deferred due to transmission glitches that caused some quarters to doubt the results of the May 13 polls. While the Comelec feels it has tried its best, many are unconvinced that it has explained the glitches adequately.

Nonetheless, the winners have been proclaimed, and those who did not win have

conceded. The victors, none of whom came from the opposition, have posed for the cameras and are no doubt assembling their teams and preparing themselves for the work—and the perks that come with it.

On social media, the battle between the administration’s supporters and critics continue, with the latter group woeing the results of the proclamation and saying the nation squandered an opportunity to bring good people to the Senate.

Many of the winners have the baggage of controversies

and dark histories. Some are bringing apparently nothing at all—not even the rudiments of lawmaking. They should begin to act as their office demands and deserves.

People may not know better now, but they will, soon, and in many other ways.

Meanwhile, just as soon as the new lawmakers are sworn in, the work toward the next elections begins.

If we are not happy with the way the polls were conducted and how they turned out, it is never too late to begin not just airing our grievances, but more positively, helping elevate Filipinos’ selection and decision-making process.

It’s a long way, but we will get there.

Turn to A5

Proof of life POP GOES THE WORLD JENNY ORTUOSTE IT SAYS about how much political communication has changed in the past three years that the term ‘proof of life’ is now being used when inquiring if the President of the nation is still alive or not.

There have been several times during President Rodrigo Duterte’s Presidency when he has been absent from the public eye for days. When public clamor about his health, location, and current status becomes too loud for the Palace to ignore, out comes a photo of the President on social media.

It has been observed that such photos are not taken by the Palace or government communication arms such as the Presidential Communications Operations Office, but by a Duterte family member or, more often, the President’s aide, Senator-elect Bong Go. The photos said to be taken at home show Duterte in the typical Filipino pambahay outfit of T-shirt and shorts with a copy of the day’s newspaper— usually the Philippine Star—in hand or nearby, face up and prominently displayed.

When a photo like this was first posted to social media, netizens began calling it a ‘proof of life’ and the term has stuck.

‘Proof of life’ is evidence that shows a kidnap victim is still alive. It refers to tense, frightening situations, to negotiations with black-hearted kidnappers, to fear and terror for the victim’s life. I had never heard or seen this term used except in crime news, books, movies, and television.

For example, last April 28, a South African photojournalist sent proof of life after being abducted while covering events in Syria in January 2017. In the photo, according to Times Live, he “holds up a sheet of A4 paper with the words, “Saturday, 13/04/2019” and the name Shiraaz Mohamed. A man wearing camouflage, whose face is covered and is holding an assault rifle, stands

behind him.”

But the phrase has taken on a different meaning that is quite possibly unique to the Philippines. From being a phrase used in security situations, we now use it to refer to evidence of a person’s condition and whereabouts, particularly the head of state’s.

How unusual it is that the people of a country are so unsure or unaware about their leader’s welfare that they must, from time to time, ask if he is still alive? “Only in the Philippines,” so the saying goes.

People are used to news about the president appearing daily—in the newspapers and broadcast media from the time of Ferdinand Marcos to Joseph Estrada, and in social media as well from the time of Gloria Arroyo onward. The advent of the Internet made updates even more frequent until they are now ubiquitous.

We shouldn’t have to keep asking for it.

So when there is radio silence, peo people wonder: how is the President? Is he okay? Is something happening that we should know about?

The latest Duterte proof of life photo came out last Sunday, after a rumor spread around midday that he was confined at a Manila hospital for an alleged heart ailment. According to Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo, the President neither confirmed nor denied going to the hospital.

But that afternoon, Go shared photos of himself with Duterte in a room said to be at the presidential residence Bahay Pangarap. In one of the photos, the President sits at a table holding a copy of the day’s Philippine Star; in another, he is eating merienda with Go. What’s more alive than chowing down on pancit palabok, right? The question is, must we keep going through this uncertainty whenever Duterte is out of the public eye? This is the first time Turn to A5

Grandma Ca: The 99-year-old standing up to Vietnam’s coal rush

By Tran Thi Minh Ha, with Jenny Vaughan in Tuy Phong TOOTHLESS and nearly blind, grandmother Pham Thi Ca refuses to leave her plot of land even after bulldozers demolished her house—an extraordinary holdout against communist Vietnam's deepening addiction to coal.

The 99-year-old was offered money to move as authorities hoovered up land for a planned $2.6 billion Japanese-funded coal plant in the remote Van Phong Bay she has called home since birth.

But when she said no, around 100 authorities showed up, forcibly removed her from the house and bulldozed it as she and her grandson looked on.

They were helpless to prevent the destruction of the property two years ago, but Ca, frail and wizened, has rebuffed all attempts to evict her from the land since.

"The authorities carried me away, but I refuse to move," explains Ca, who now lives in a makeshift shelter of corrugated tin, wooden beams and coconut fronds next to the pile of rubble that was once

her home.

"My house is here, my land is here, so I will be buried here," she tells AFP, sitting on a small cot where she spends much of her time.

It's a story playing out across Vietnam, where a strong-fisted government is powering ahead with coal projects to meet the soaring energy demands of a turbo-charged economy.

Coal accounts for about a third of Vietnam's current energy production and is slated to rise to about 50 percent by 2030.

That means building more coal plants in places like Van Phong Bay despite a chorus of opposition from locals who complain of land grabs, loss of livelihood and environmental damage.

I can't do anything Some 300 people have already been relocated from Ca's community in southcentral Khanh Hoa province.

They were offered cash compensation and rooms in state housing—but the residences were far from their farms and fishing grounds.

The $43,000 inducement to leave

their 9,000-square meter plot was not enough to upend Ca's family.

"We cannot work there, there is no land for cultivation," says Ca's son Ho Huu Hanh, referring to the proposed relocation area.

He insists that they were never told about the planned coal plant and accuses authorities of bending the law to strongarm residents to leave.

The family lost their farmland anyway. Now Hanh works as a day-laborer or catches snails and small fish to get by, earning about $170 a month.

"I can't do anything, I feel so sorry for myself," he adds, crying.

Others in the area are worried about what the coal plant will do to fish and coral reefs in the bay where water temperatures could rise due to the plant's runoff.

Like many of the 20 or so coal plants already operating in Vietnam, the bulk of the funding for the yet-to-be-built Van Phong plant is external.

The Japan Bank for International Cooperation last month approved a $1.2-billion Turn to A5

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Opinion Preserving our heritage THERE is general agreement among us all about the importance of our heritage.

The problem is that there is no consistency. To some sectors, preservation is bordering on religion while others do not care at all.

Let us take the case of the town of Sta. Barbara in Pangasinan. Two weeks ago it was reported that it tore down its American era municipal building to construct a new edifice. The report was accompanied with photos after the demolition when the building was leveled to the ground and the old wooden structure before its destruction. The country no longer has many historical wooden buildings still intact. Most have deteriorated due to the hot humid climate in the tropics. This maybe the case with the Sta. Barbara municipal hall. It may also be that the old building was no longer enough to handle the increasing demand of municipal administration and there was a need for a bigger building.

Currently, the country does not have uniform regulations as how to handle heritage structures. There are places where old structures are preserved properly while other places that do not give much importance to preserving historical structures. Much depends on who is the leader of the locality in question and how active is the local heritage organization. In the case of Sta. Barbara, the local government could have decided to keep the old structure as a library or town museum and build a more modern structure somewhere but of course this was not done and the old structure is now gone. The government should take the lead in the area of heritage preservation because it has the clout to do so.

Congress should consider passing a law to address this problem before the dwindling number of historical buildings will all be gone. If no law can be passed, maybe the President can issue

an Executive Order. Any regulations must specify that the government whether national or local to preserve and maintain historical buildings. The regulation also must state at what age a structure is to be considered historical which is very important in determining what structure is to be preserved and those that can be demolished.

Another problem in the heritage issue is what a rich businessman is currently doing. He is buying old Spanishera private buildings owned by private individuals and then completely demolishing these structures and reconstructing them in a place in the province of Bataan. As far as I know, no heritage organization have raised any objection to this very controversial practice whether

We need someone with stature to champion this worthy cause.

it should be considered preservation or destruction. This must be clarified in any law or Executive Order. By all accounts, the city of Vigan is considered to have the most number of heritage structures still intact in the country so much so that UNESCO has declared that portion of the city center that has remained the same from the days when the Spaniards were here as a heritage site and the city is reaping the benefits. Tourism is now an important part of the economy of the city which shows that there is money to be made if our heritage sites can be preserved.

The ideal thing of course would be for the people to be all conscious of the importance of our heritage and make every effort to preserve the remaining sites whether these are made of stone or wood. In contrast to the case of Sta. Barbara, the Provincial Capitol of Pangasinan in Lingayen which was constructed

in the early 20th century has been reconstructed and followed exactly the old design. It is now going to last very much longer for everyone to see and enjoy.

From what I understand the provincial government will continue to beautify the surrounding area with better landscaping. In the case of Baguio City our summer capital, there is no visible government-led effort to preserve some of the old wooden structures which are still remaining. The 1911 constructed Vallejo hotel has remained intact the same as it was originally constructed. It is still also operating as a hotel. The old wooden session hall where the American Commission during the early years of American rule held sessions during summer is still there in Governor Pack road but is completely unrecognizable and the same is true with the only stand standing American era government building, the Baguio post office. Constructed in 1933, the cement structure is still there but with a lot of add-ons that for all intents and purpose has destroyed the shape of the original one-story building.

Reports have it that former postal employees were allowed to form a cooperative and then permitted to construct small stalls attached to the building.

These former employees have fought hard to keep what they have but it is hard to understand why they were allowed to do that to a government building in the first place. An effort a few years ago to restore it to its original condition has fallen into deaf ears. The stalls have even intruded into the road but the city government did nothing about it.

Maybe with a new mayor, things might change a little bit. The problem of disappearing heritage structures is not only happening in the places mentioned here but it many places throughout the country. In the city of Manila which is our national capital, the old Intramuros was never restored to its former glory.

Many of the old structures destroyed during the war were never restored. The San Agustin church is only a shell of its former size.

We need someone with stature whether private or public official to champion this worthy cause.

Mail Matters

Tobacco tax increase not linked to increase in cigarette smuggling THIS is in response to the article entitled “Japan Tobacco warns against new tax hike”, released May 20, 2019 on manilastandard.net.

The report quoted Japan Tobacco International (JTI) Philippines general manager Manos Koukourakis saying that the Philippines has already achieved quite a balanced situation, and that there would be no further need to disrupt it by implementing another increase in tobacco taxes.

Action for Economic Reforms (AER) conducted a research on the tobacco industry arguments, and one of the main conclusions that we gathered was that increasing the tax on cigarettes did not lead to a higher incidence of cigarette smuggling.

In its Asia Illicit Tobacco Indicator, Oxford Economics reported that the estimated total illicit trade volume of cigarettes for 2017 was 5.3 billion sticks.

This was even lower than the 6.4 billion sticks reported in 2012, before the Sin Tax Reform Act was implemented.

What Koukourakis calls “balance” in terms of illicit trade, was achieved primarily because illicit trade is a function of governance, and not price. The DOF and BIR has improved their capacity in curbing illicit trade through the issuance of tax stamps in October 2014. As a result, the illicit trade volume decreased by 7 billion sticks from 2014 to 2015, and has decreased significantly in each succeeding year despite consistent increases in the tax rate.

Grandma Ca:...

From A4

loan for the project, which is sponsored by the Sumitomo Corp. of Japan and is set to come online in 2023.

Sumitomo says assessments were conducted to measure the environmental, social and health impacts of the project which were "managed and mitigated appropriately."

It says consultation meetings were held with residents and that compensation and resettlement was "carried out under the responsibility of local authorities in accordance with the laws of Vietnam."

Vietnamese officials did not reply to AFP's request for comment.

Covered in ash Developing economies like Vietnam, Malaysia and Indonesia are particularly attractive for investors from Japan, South Korea and China as the developed world turns away from coal in search of clean

Meanwhile, in 2017, a drop in illicit cigarette volume was reported. This coincides with the government filing a series of tax evasion cases against Mighty Corporation after it was caught using fake tax stamps. Another update was made to the tax stamps this year, to help curb illicit trade even further. A strike team from the BIR was created solely for the purpose of combating illicit trade in the country.

Furthermore, Koukourakis mentioned that the balanced situation included the decline in number of smokers, from 26 million in 2013 to 16 million in 2018.

However, the reality is that 16 million is still a very large number, and our legislators are in a position where they have the opportunity to save at least 1 million more Filipinos from smoking.

Despite the decline in number of smokers from the increased tax rate brought about by RA 10351 (Sin Tax Law) and RA 10963 (TRAIN Law), we are still far from our health goals. According to the World Health Organization, the increase in the tobacco tax is one of the most effective mechanisms to reduce smoking prevalence. The smoking prevalence remains to be at 24.3 percent or almost 1 out of 4 Filipino adults.

This is still far from the DOH target of 15 percent.

According to our estimates, if the tax rate remains unchanged, 1 million more Filipinos would fall ill due to the dangers of smoking—many of which will come from the youth and the poor.

There is an urgent need to increase the tax further to prevent affordability of these products that do not contribute any good to society at all.

The DOF agrees that there is still leeway to tax this products in order to generate more revenues to fund the Universal Health Care program. Consequently, the increase in tax will be utilized to provide support for our tobacco farmers seeking alternative livelihood or additional help for their agricultural production. This is the balance that we seek—a tobacco tax that can undo the crooked path it has steered forward.

Let us not be misled by the fallacious claim of an industry that produces nothing but deadly products. According to multiple studies, the top 10 causes of death listed by the Philippine Statistical Authority in 2016 are all linked to tobacco. Tobacco is a product that kills half of all its users and poses grave health risks to those who are exposed to cigarette smoke. Needless to say, three out of four Filipinos believe that the tax on tobacco products must be increased.

As one of its priority measures, the Philippine President has also certified increasing the tobacco taxes as an urgent measure. May our legislators heed the call of their constituents, and prioritize the passage of this popular measure to end the tobacco epidemic.

energy.

Foreign investment has skewed Vietnam's energy strategy, locking it "into expensive and dirty power for decades," warns Julien Vincent, executive director at Market Forces, a non-governmental energy investment watchdog.

But for power-hungry Vietnam coal is for now cheaper, more reliable and more familiar than renewables, which currently provide less than one percent of the country's power generation.

That number will inch upward to 2.3 percent by next year, according to Vietnam's power plan, with private investment already rushing to fund wind and solar projects.

But renewables alone cannot meet Vietnam's insatiable appetite for power.

"Wind and solar are environmentally friendly but very unstable... we cannot just use renewable energy to supplement our big energy needs," says Bui Van Thinh, the director of Phu Lac wind farm in Binh Thuan province.

Still, many are pushing for renewables to be favored over the 30 or so coal plants slated to come online by 2030.

"After 2020 we don't need to build new coal power plants," argues Nguyen Thi Hang, the head of the clean air and water program at Vietnamese NGO GreenID. "Energy efficiency and renewable energy should be prioritized, gas can be considered as a midterm bridge."

Just down the road from the coastal perch of Thinh's 24-MW wind farm sits one of Vietnam's largest coal plants, the sprawling 6,200-MW capacity Vinh Tan complex.

The enormous site in a once-sleepy fishing village has for locals come at a price.

"It used to be nice, clean and pure here," recalls resident Nguyen Tai Tien.

"Now there is smoke... and every morning and afternoon we have to sweep our house and the roads because of all the ash," he adds. AFP

Arjay Mercado Researcher of Action for Economic Reforms

THURSDAY, MAY 23, 2019

A5

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Otso Diretso should become the Shadow Senate take care of all local-government issues. As the baseball expression goes, all bases—defense, health, education, trade, etc.—are covered.

After last week’s apparent outcome, the Otso Diretso candidates THE legislature of the United King- should not just walk away, head dom, widely known as the Mother of bowed and with their tails between Parliaments, has numerous features their legs. They should borrow Britthat are both unique and attractive. ain’s Shadow Cabinet idea and orUndoubtedly one of the best—though ganize themselves into the Shadow not the best known—of these is the Senate. To be sure, they—Erin Tañada, Chel Diokno, Pilo Hilbay, Gary Shadow Cabinet system.

I thought of the Shadow Cabinet Alejano, Romy Macalintan, Bam system in the wake of the apparent Aquino, Samira Gutoc and Mar Roxtotal defeat of the Otso Diretso sena- as—will not be able to do anything torial team in last week’s election. that will be recorded in the logbook The probable inclination of the eight of the Senate. But by letting their inOtso candidates in the face of their formed views be constantly known, apparent electoral fate is to disband, in an organized way, to the Filipino go their separate ways and try to for- people, the Magnificent Eight can get that the May 2019 election ever make a substantive difference to the happened; that is perfectly natural. public discourse on issues of national But such an inclination should be cast significance. In so doing, they will aside. Disbanding and going their strengthen and augment the position separate ways is the wrong thing for of the outnumbered—four out of 24—Opposition members of the Senthe Otso candidates to do. ate.

The Otso canIn a Shadow didates’ job may Cabinet, Erin can seem to be over, be the Secretary but it’s not. They Their work is not of Agriculture, still have work to Chel Diokno can do. To be able to over. be the Secretary of do it, they need Justice, Gary can to stay together. be the Secretary This brings me to De of National Dethe Shadow Cabinet system of BritBrit fense, Pilo Hilbay can be the Secretary of ain’s Parliament.

Under that system, the political Foreign Affairs, Romy Macalintal can be party that is in Opposition—today it the Secretary of Environment and Natuis Labour Party led by Jeremy Cor- ral Resources, Samira Gutoc can be the byn—puts together, from among Secretary of Social Welfare and Developits backbench members, a complete ment, Bam Aquino can be the Secretary “Cabinet” that is ready to take over of Education and Mar Roxas can be the the reins of government in the event Secretary of Finance or Trade and Industhat the government of the day col- try.

Any questions that arise, within lapses upon a vote of no-confidence.

If Prime Minister Theresa May’s and outside the Senate, regarding the government were to fall—a distinct delivery of justice and the prosecupossibility, given Brexit’s political tion of public and private wrongdoing fallout—Mr. Corbyn would have a would be the business of Chel Diokfull Cabinet ready to take over the no. The correctness and effectiveness of government policies toward the governance of the United Kingdom.

In a British-style Shadow Cabinet rice industry, the coconut levy and irthere is a Shadow Foreign Secretary; rigation would be the domain of Erin he or she is the M.P. (Member of Par- Tañada. Issues relating to the K-to-12 liament) who has the task of counter- program, SUC (state universities and ing, or debating with, the incumbent colleges) funding and sufficiency of Foreign Secretary on all issues relat- classrooms would be fielded by Bam ing to the conduct of Britain’s exter- Aquino, and matters relating to this nal relations. There is also a Shadow country’s longstanding environmenChancellor of the Exchequer—the tal problems will be the concern of counterpart of this country’s Sec- Romy Macalintal. And so on.

No, the Otso Diretso candidates’ work retary of Finance—who leads the charge against the financial policies is not over. Just because they apparently and operations of the ruling party. lost in last week’s election does not mean And there is a Shadow Home Sec- that they have become valueless and inretary—this country’s Secretary of consequential. Not at all.

Welcome, Shadow Senators.

Interior and Local Government—to

Proof...

From A4

lic scrutiny and the public has a right to access government information. ...

Without accountability and transparency, democracy is impossible.”

The health of a nation’s head of state is of supreme importance to the people, who must know if the leader is well enough to fulfill their functions and duties that they were elected them to perform.

When our President ‘disappears’ for days at a time, it causes concern and alarm. Transparency is key to managing this. We shouldn’t have to keep asking for proof of life.

this has ever been an issue; previous presidents and their staff managed this better.

Transparency has always been a hallmark of good governance. It is to conduct business in such a way that others may easily observe the actions performed for purposes of accountability.

According to democracyweb.org, “In order that officials may be held accountable, the principle of transparency requires that the decisions and actions of those in government are open to pub- FB and Twitter: @DrJennyO

An alarming...

From A4

ate should probe deeper into this truly alarming development. *** With the proclamation of Christopher Lawrence Go as senator, he should remember he should no longer be seen hanging out at the President’s residence anymore.

He is no longer special assistant.

No longer an alalay. He will soon be a senator.

He should now represent the interest of his real constituency, the country. *** The Commission on Audit has found that the Office of the Solicitor General has been spending excessively on hotels for dining and seminars.

I recall that President Duterte fired government executives for expensive travels and other expenses. The question is, what will the President do now with his Solicitor General, Jose Calida?

Recall that Calida was also accused of having conflict of interest when his security agency was found to have contracts with government agencies. Calida was also discovered to be receiving excessive allowances.

But nothing has been done. Why, Mr. President?

drainage, power, security and traffic and will greatly affect the quality of life in the community. Therefore, staff houses, gaming houses and warehouses are not allowed.”

The circular went on to say: “We assure our homeowners and residents that the MPHA will not allow the degradation of our village and will undertake all legal means in order to better serve what we all worked so hard for.”

“We are, therefore, coordinating with our government agencies i.e., city government, Bureau of Immigration, Bureau if Internal Revenue, HLURB and other appropriate agencies to protect our interest. We hope to continually work with you to make Merville Park the best it can possibly be. Please report to the MPHA houses that you see being used as boarding houses. All information will be treated with utmost confidentiality.”

I am told that other villages in Metro Manila have also issued similar circulars to their homeowners because f the influx of the Chinese.

Amid this, President Duterte should secure and safeguard Filipino interests.

In the meantime, the incoming Sen- www.emiljurado.weebly.com

A6

News

THURSDAY, MAY 23, 2019

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Du30 signs 4Ps law as poverty reduction scheme IN HIS bid to uplift citizens and marginalized sectors from poverty, President Rodrigo Duterte has signed a law institutionalizing the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program.

Duterte signed Republic Act No. 1130 on April 17. The Palace, however, only released the documents to reporters on Wednesday.

The newly signed law described 4PS as the government’s national poverty reduction strategy and human capital program, seeking to provide “conditional cash transfer to poor households for a maximum period of seven years, to improve the health, nutrition and education aspect of their lives.”

“On a nationwide basis, the DSWD [Department of Social Welfare and Development] shall select qualified householdbeneficiaries of the 4Ps using a standardized targeting system. It shall conduct a regular revalidation of beneficiary targeting every three years,” the RA read.

Under the law, eligible beneficiaries are farmers, fisherfolks, homeless families, indigenous peoples, informal settlers, those in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas, and “those in areas without electricity.”

However, in order to be eligible for the cash grants, households or families must meet the following criteria: Classified as poor and near-poor based by the Philippine Statistics Authority, have members who are pregnant, or zero to 18 years old at the time of registration, and willing to comply with the condition specified by the law.

As for the conditional cash transfer to beneficiaries, the National Advisory Council shall determine the amount of conditional cash transfer to beneficiaries with the following schemes: “Conditional cash transfer grant per child enrolled in daycare and elementary programs shall not be lower than P300 per month for a maximum of 10 months per year,” it said. Nat Mariano

Plea of five RCBC officers in cyber heist of Bangladesh bank junked

By Rey E. Requejo THE Department of Justice has junked the appeal of five officers of the Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. seeking to clear their names from criminal culpability for alleged violation of the Anti Money Laundering Act in connection with the $81-million cyber heist involving funds owned by Bangladesh Bank.

In a resolution signed by Assistant State Prosecutor Mary Jane Systat, the DOJ denied the motion for reconsideration of the five RCBC officials and instead upheld the application of the “willful blindness-doctrine” in finding probable cause to indict respondents Raul Victor Tan, the bank’s former head; National Sales Director Ismael Reyes, Regional Sales Director Brigitte Capiña, Customer Service Head Romualdo Agarrado and Senior Customer Relationship Angela Ruth Torres for violation of Republic Act 9160 or the AntiMoney Laundering Act of 2001.

The willful blindness-doctrine is defined as the deliberate avoidance or knowledge of a crime, especially by failing to make reasonable inquiry about suspected wrongdoing, despite being aware that it is highly probable.

“There is no better way to describe the acts if respondents Tan, Capiña, Reyes Agarrado and Torres than this,” the resolution stated.

The five RCBC officers had been accused of facilitating the suspicious transactions involving the accounts of a certain Michael Cruz ($6 million), Jessie Christopher Lagrosas ($30 million), Alfred Vergara ($20 million), and Enrico Vasquez ($25 million) despite stop payment requests from the Bangladesh Bank.

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES

COMMISSION ON APPOINTMENTS

ANNOUNCEMENT President Rodrigo Roa Duterte has submitted to the Commission on Appointments (C.A.) for confirmation the ad interim appointments of the following officers in the Armed Forces of the Philippines: Amy T. Adona MC (GSC) (RES), Gregorio Marcelo S. Azores MC (GSC) (RES), Joselito P. Vital MC (GSC) (RES), Jose Santos R. Carandang, VI PROF (MNSA) (RES), Don L. Abalon PA (MNSA) (RES) and Victor F. Mendoza, PA (MNSA) (RES) – Colonel; and Aldrin C. Cuña PN (MNSA) (RES) - Captain The public may submit any information, written report, or sworn/notarized complaints or oppositions in thirty two (32) copies on the above appointments to the CA Secretariat, 6th Floor, PNB Financial Center, D. Macapagal Blvd., Pasay City, Metro Manila.

For the schedule of the public hearings, the CA Secretariat can be reached through telephone numbers 834-2713, 831-1824, 831-0527, 832-9830, 834-2706 and 551-1989.

22 May 2019.

HECTOR A. VILLACORTA Secretary (MS-MAY 23, 2019)

IN BRIEF 3k cu m of trash, silt found in Bay rehab

BOOKS TO GO. Property Custodian Israel Ilustre of Cubao Elementary School in Quezon City prepares the books to be distributed to students for the coming school opening on June 3. Manny Palmero

‘Palace aware of corruption charges vs ex-FDA director’

By Nat Mariano

P

RESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has received numerous corruption complaints against the sacked Food and Drug Administration director general Nela Charade Puno, the Palace said, and is eyeing the filing of appropriate charges against her.

Speaking to Palace reporters, Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said the Commission on Audit has discovered irregularities involving Puno and the FDA, adding that documents are now in the Department of Justice for evaluation and determination of charges.

“Perhaps in the coming days, according to [Health] Secretary [Francisco] Duque [III], the findings of the COA, as well as other documents, will be forwarded to the Department of Justice for evaluation and for the filing of whatever charges that the Department may find to be appropriate,” Panelo said.

“The President also wants to share to the public that he has received numerous, as in numerous, complaints from doctors, including his own doctor, about the former director general...

And the Palace is just awaiting the submission of sworn statements, which shall be forwarded to the DOJ,” he added.

Panelo explained that the COA report is just one of the many reports against Puno. Asked what the complaints speak of, Panelo said: “Corruption.”

“Let’s wait for the sworn statements coming from the socalled victims,” he continued.

Last week, Panelo, upon the instruction of the President, announced to Palace reporters that Puno's dismissal was part of Duterte’s continuing mandate to eradicate graft and corruption in the government.

Panelo, however, did not elaborate further on the root cause of Puno's termination. Still, the DOH, which oversees the operations of the FDA, supported the President’s decision.

Meanwhile, the Palace official added that a local pharmaceutical and healthcare group has expressed support to President Duterte’s decision to dismiss her.

In a letter dated May 17, the Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Asociation of the Philippines which represents the research-based providers of medicines and vaccines in the country, expressed gratefulness on Duterte’s swift action regarding the issues at FDA. “We fully support you resolute actions at the FDA, including the replacement of its director general... Actions such as these underscore your administration’s seriousness in its commitment to fight graft and corruption,” PHAP executive director Teodoro Padilla.

CA upholds dismissal of ex-DSWD exec THE Court of Appeals has affirmed the dismissal of a former official of the Department of Social Welfare and Development over an administrative case involving the illegal disbursement of government funds amounting to P8 million from the Priority Development Assistance Fund of Quezon City Rep. Vincent “Bingbong” Crisologo.

In a decision, the CA sustained the 2017 resolution of the Office of the Ombudsman finding former DSWD assistant secretary Vilma Cabrera guilty of grave misconduct, serious dishonesty and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of public service.

The appellate court dismissed for lack of merit the petition of Cabrera seeking reversal of the Ombudsman order.

It held that the Ombudsman was correct in ordering the dismissal of the DSWD official.

“Facts and circumstances surrounding this case would show that there were irregularities surrounding the release and use of the subject PDAF,” the appellate court said.

Records showed that Crisologo asked the Department of Budget and Management in 2009 for the release of more than P8 million for the implementation of the Comprehensive Integrated Delivery of Social Services program with the DSWD as implementing agency.

Crisologo’s P8 million in PDAF was released to non-government organization Kaloocan Assistance Council Inc. However, upon investigation, the Ombudsman found that National Children’s Hospital attested that no free medical or dental mission was conducted in October 2009.

It was also found that KACI falsified documents such as receipts and that some of the financial beneficiaries were political supporters of Crisologo. Rey E. Requejo

DESTROYED. Highway Patrol Group operatives use a steamroller to destroy millions worth of illegal accessories for vehicles which they confiscated, such as sirens, blinkers, motorcycles mufflers, etc., during the 64th HPG anniversary held at Camp Crame Grandstand in Quezon City. Manny Palmero

THE Metro Manila Development Authority announced on Wednesday it has collected at total of 3,018 cubic meters of rubbish and silt from Roxas Boulevard and waterways as part of the Manila Bay Rehabilitation project in nearly four months.

In its summary of accomplishment from Jan. 27 to May 17, the MMDA’s Flood Control and Sewerage Management Office said the buildup of trash and silt is equivalent to 400 truckloads.

Covered by the FCSMO’s clearing operation were shores of Manila Bay on Roxas Boulevard, Estero San Antonio de Abad, Tripa De Gallina, Padre Faura Drainage Main, Remedios Drainage Main and some drainage laterals.

MMDA chairman Danilo Lim said his men have been conducting regular cleanup operations along waterways in Metro Manila even before the launch of the Manila Bay rehabilitation project.

“We still have a long way to go but with sustained efforts led by the government and stakeholders, we can restore the beauty and improve Manila Bay’s quality of water. We welcome everyone’s help in cleaning up Manila Bay,” said Lim. FCSMO chief Baltazar Melgar said at least 250 MMDA personnel are engaged in the clearing of esteros leading to Manila Bay with the use of heavy equipment including backhoe, barge, motorized banca, scow, mobile crane, and dump truck. Joel E. Zurbano

‘Thousands remain homeless in Marawi’ THOUSANDS of people still homeless two years after the after armed conflict broke out in Marawi City, the International Committee of the Red Cross said on Wednesday.

“Despite the numerous aid efforts that have truly helped those in need over the two years, the people of Marawi have grown tired and frustrated. They want to stand on their own feet again and stop depending on assistance,” said Martin Thalmann, head of the ICRC delegation in the Philippines.

The Maute terrorist group attack in May 2017 resulted in the killing of around 1,100 people, mostly militant gunmen, and displacing nearly 360,000 people.

The ICRC stated that the deep scars left by the 2017 conflict on Marawi City, Lanao del Sur in southern Philippines, continue to haunt over 100,000 people who still do not have a home to return to.

“Whether they’ve been living with relatives or are in evacuation centers and transition sites, the displaced people of Marawi struggle for access to potable water, viable livelihood opportunities and most importantly, permanent shelters,” it stated.

Thalmann noted that the authorities were trying to address complex issues so that the rehabilitation of the most affected area could begin.

But the conflict has left more vulnerable groups, such as families of missing people and victims of violence, with “invisible” scars, he said. Joel E. Zurbano

Pag-IBIG grants P2.2-b housing loans PAG-IBIG Fund extended socialized housing loans to 5,789 members from the minimum-wage and low-income sectors totaling P2.2 billion in the first three months of 2019.

The figure represents nearly 30 percent of the total number of housing loans financed by the agency from January to March. The amount, meanwhile, represents 13 percent of the total amount of housing loans released by the Fund for the said period. Pag-IBIG Fund financed record-highs of 19,696 housing loans amounting to P17.22 billion in the first quarter of this year to assist members acquire or improve their homes.

“Socialized housing is designed especially for minimum and low-wage workers. President Rodrigo Roa Duterte directed that there be government programs catering to this marginalized sector, hence, we have this housing program that caters to their financial capacity. This is the essence of the BALAI [Building Adequate, Livable, Affordable and Inclusive] Filipino Communities Program of the government’s housing sector towards providing decent shelter for every Filipino family,” said Secretary Eduardo D. del Rosario, Chairperson of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council and Pag-IBIG Fund Board of Trustees.

SC urges Congress to amend Anti-Child Abuse Law THE Supreme Court has urged Congress to amend Republic Act 7610 or the Anti-Child Abuse Law imposing stiffer penalties for acts of lasciviousness against children below 12 years old.

The SC made the request for statutory amendment on a specific provision of the law in its decision last March 12, copy of which recently furnished both the Senate and the House of Representatives.

In particular, the high court sought for "legislative correction" on the penalties imposed under Section 5(b), Article III of RA 7610.

The SC questioned why the law imposes lower penalty on cases where victims are less than 12 years old as compared to cases where the victims are 12 to 18 years old.

The law imposes maximum pen-

alty of reclusion temporal medium or imprisonment of 12 to 20 years for those who committed acts of lasciviousness against children below 12 years old while it imposes maximum penalty of reclusion temporal medium to reclusion perpetua or imprisonment of up to 30 years for cases where victims are 12 to 18 years old.

The high bench believed that this discrepancy is against the clear intent of the law, which is to provide for stronger deterrence and special protection against child abuse.

“It is a basic rule in statutory construction that what courts may correct to ref lect the real and apparent intention of the legislature are only those which are clearly clerical errors or obvious mistakes, omissions, and misprints, but not those due to

oversight, as shown by a review of extraneous circumstances, where the law is clear, and to correct it would be to change the meaning of the law.

Thus, a corrective legislation is the proper remedy to address the noted incongruent penalties for acts of lasciviousness committed against a child,” read the ruling.

Apart from Congress, the Court also sent copies of its decision to the Department of Justice, the Office of the Solicitor General, the Office of the Court Administrator, and the Presiding Justice of the Court of Appeals for their guidance and information.

The SC made the ruling as it affirmed the conviction of Salvador Tulagan by San Carlos City, Cebu regional trial court for sexual assault and statutory rape under R.A. 7610 and Revised Penal Code. Rey E. Requejo

Sports

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THURSDAY, MAY 23, 2019 sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

Mazda Forest Hills Invitational starts today

BVR hosts FIVB World Tour Boracay Open 2019 BEACH Volleyball Republic returns in blazing fashion to host the FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour Boracay Open 2019 featuring 48 teams from countries all over the world from May 23 until May 26 at the White House Beach Resort, Boracay Station 1 and will be shown on an ABS-CBN Sports platform.

Twenty-eight teams will be competing in the Men’s Division while 20 pairs will dispute supremacy in the Women’s Division for the tournament that is being held in the country for the second-straight year.

The Philippine contingent for this year is composed of three pairs for the Men’s Division and five for the Women’s Division Competing in the Women’s Division are Negrense pair Dij Rodriguez and BVR founder Bea Tan; UST’s Genesa Eslapor and Belove Barbon; Iloilo’s DM Demontano and Jackie Estoquia; the Iloilo and Negros connection of Fiola Ceballos and Patty Orendain; and the team of Bernadeth Pons and UAAP Beach Volleyball queen, Sisi Rondina.

Leading the battle in the Men’s Division is the Cebuano pair of Jade Becaldo and Mike Abria. They will be joined by the likes of teammates Ranran Abdilla and Jesse Lopez and the pair of James Buytrago and Anthony Arbasto, who hails from National University and University of Santo Tomas, respectively.

Winning teams will earn points and get a shot at joining the prestigious FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour Finals.

The FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour is the new system which employs star points for the biggest circuit of beach volleyball in the world. Teams that accumulate certain points from competing in tournaments that enables them to earn star points over a total of 47 tournaments in a calendar year.

Aside from the three-day tournament, BVR is also spearheading a beach cleanup drive at Boracay along with a Sandroots Beach Volleyball workshop with the players teaching aspiring youth about the sport.

BVR had another calendar year in 2018, where it successfully staged nine two-day tourneys, visiting provinces and their breath-taking beaches in Ikthus beach, Ilocos Sur, White Beach, Puerto Galera, Sta. Ana Cagayan, Bantayan Cebu, Blue Beach Dagupan, Legaspi, Gran Ola Surigao, Lio Beach El Nido, and Dumaguete, while also holding a National Championship tourney and a FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour leg.

Nike ditches design after indigenous Guna protest PANAMA CITY—US sportswear giant Nike said Tuesday it was withdrawing its latest shoe after Panama’s indigenous Guna community accused it of “pirating” a protected traditional design.

Lawyers for the Guna said the specialedition Air Force 1 model shoe sports a traditional “mola” design without their permission, flouting their intellectual property rights.

They had demanded the company pull out of a planned June 6 launch of the $100 shoe.

After being contacted by AFP, a Nike spokesperson said: “We apologize for the inaccurate representation of the design origin for the Nike Air Force 1 ‘Puerto Rico’ 2019. As a result, this product will no longer be available.”

Guna lawyer Aresio Valiente told AFP the indigenous people were not just seeking the product’s withdrawal, but also damages as the shoe “is part of the spirituality of the Guna people.”

“So the company has to compensate us because it was an illegal copy of our designs,” Valiente said, adding that they had “already sent a note of protest” to Nike.

Industry website Sneaker News reported that Nike said the design was a tribute to Puerto Rico and featured a graphic representing the native Coqui frog.

However, Guna chief Belisario Lopez told a press conference in Panama City: “They must recognize that the mola that appears on the Nike shoes is from the Guna people.”

Lopez said the Guna people’s case against Nike was “not the only one in the world. Thousands of designs and the ancestral knowledge of indigenous people are being pirated by multinational companies.” AFP

Kawhi Leonard of the Toronto Raptors handles the ball during the second half against Malcolm Brogdon of the Milwaukee Bucks in game four of the NBA Eastern Conference Finals at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Canada. AFP

Raptors clobber Bucks, level East series at 2-2

L

OS ANGELES—The Toronto Raptors closed ranks around hurting star Kawhi Leonard, turning in a total team effort in a 120-102 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks Tuesday to level the NBA Eastern Conference finals.

Kyle Lowry led the Raptors with 25 points and Toronto’s bench out-scored Milwaukee’s 48-23 as the Raptors followed up their double-overtime triumph in game three with a second straight home win.

They knotted the best-of-seven series at 2-2 with game five in Milwaukee on Thursday.

The winner of the series will take on two-time defending champions Golden State, who completed a Western Conference finals sweep of Portland to reach their fifth straight NBA Finals.

Leonard, who downplayed suggestions he was injured after the gritty game-three victory, looked hobbled at times—wincing noticeably after dunking on Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo in the third quarter.

Leonard grabbed a pass from Spanish big man Marc Gasol and drove for the basket, Antetokounmpo’s move to stop

him coming too late.

Leonard landed hard and held his left leg—although he would play on.

“I think he’s fine,” Toronto coach Nick Nurse said. “He’s logged a lot of minutes.

He’s certainly tired, like a lot of guys in this series are.

“He looks OK to me. I think there’s a lot of guys out there that aren’t 100 percent—on both sides of the ball.”

But Lowry said Raptors “understood” that Leonard wasn’t going to be 100 percent and knew going into the contest that “everybody has to step up and stay focused on the game plan.”

Lowry scored 18 points in the first half as the Raptors came back from an early seven-point deficit to lead 32-31 after one quarter—pushing the lead to 65-55 at halftime.

Norman Powell added 18 points off the bench. Serge Ibaka and Gasol scored 17 apiece, Ibaka also pulling down 13

rebounds. Fred VanVleet chipped in 13 points.

VanVleet, who missed 16 of 20 shot attempts in the first three games of the series, connected on five of six from the field, draining all three of his three-point attempts.

“I think the first two games they really brought the intensity to us. They came out and were more physical were more active,” Powell said. “We wanted to change that narrative and protect home court. We wanted to come out with a lot of juice, be more aggressive, be more physical and take the game to them. I think we really did that.”

Toronto extended their lead to as many as 16 points in the third period and led by 13 going into the final frame.

Khris Middleton led the Bucks with 30 points, six rebounds and seven assists.

Milwaukee’s Most Valuable Player finalist Antetokounmpo added 25 points and 10 rebounds, and Nikola Mirotic scored 11.

But the Bucks lost their second straight game, something they did just once during the regular season. AFP

AIR Link Phoenix 12th member of ISAA AIR Link International Aviation College Phoenix formalized its entry into the Inter-Scholastic Athletic Association for its 11th season, the school announced on Friday.

ALIAC will be the 12th member of the growing ISAA, which is set to open in September at the Mall of Asia Arena Pasay.

The Phoenix will be joining FEATI, Immaculada Conception, La Consolacion College, Manila Adventist, Tytana Colleges, Patts, Philippine Women’s University, St. Dominic College Of asia, Taguig University, Treston and Trinity University of Asia to complete the 12 schools competing for the ultimate prize this season.

ISAA president Ruel dela Rosa welcomed ALIAC to their ever-growing family.

“On behalf of the board and members of the ISAA, it is with pride and with heartfelt gratitude that we welcome ALIAC in the ISAA,” said Dela Rosa.

“I am very overwhelmed by the aspirations and expectations of the ALIAC with regard to the ISAA,” he added. “I hope that we will not fail you as well.”

ALIAC vows to exceed expectations as it looks to make an immediate impact in the bustling league.

“We encourage our bright athletes to exude qualities of a sportsman and the spirit of fair play as they display their athletic skills in the arena of friendly competition,” said ALIAC President and CEO Atty. Gomeriano Amurao.

“Hopefully we’ll be deserving of ISAA’s thrust and support not only today but in the years to come,” he added. “We are praying that ISAA’s thrive increase and the ‘aliyah’ spirit run deep in the hearts of the ALIAC community.”

The ALIAC takes pride in being the very first institution recognized by the Commission on Higher Education to offer

Osaka...

From A8

That was backed up by a second major at the Australian Open, her status as the face of the new generation of women’s tennis comfortably confirmed.

Osaka, the daughter of a Haitian father and Japanese mother, has since been signed up by Nike in a deal reportedly worth in the region of $10 million a year.

Despite being based full-time in the United States and still often struggling with the Japanese language, sponsors from home have come calling— from an airline and car-maker to a noodle company and detergent manufacturer.

In Japan, her coy personality and

THE opening round of the MazdaForest Hills Invitational fires off today with half of the 400-player field teeing off first at the Nicklaus and Palmer courses of the Forest Hills Golf Club in Antipolo.

The other half of the participants tees off on Friday as they vie for titles in different divisions and impressive hole-in-one prizes in this four-day member-guest tournament.

The club set the maximum cap at 400 for faster play and to ensure that each player feels an enjoyable week and experience the Invitational hospitality Forest Hills is known for, said general manager Ray Bunquin.

Aside from that, The Invitational is putting up a Mitsubishi Mirage G4 from Diamond Motors, a sedan from GAC Motor and an Adventure 150 motorcycle from Autohub for the lucky ace makers.

Golforce Inc., Megaforce Security, City Advertising Venture and Escala Tagaytay are presenting the affair with Primer Group, Business Mirror, KLIO International, and Inquirer Golf.

Cherrylume/Mileage Asia Corp., Fatima University Medical Center, CDO Foodsphere, YSA Skin Care Corp. and Mizuno are silver sponsors.

Obra Maestra...

From A8

comprised of the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness Stakes, and the Belmont Stakes, also with progressively longer distances,” said Niles in the session presented by San Miguel Corp., Braska Restaurant, and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation.

“The first leg is run in 1,600 meters, while the second and third legs are at 1,800 and 2,000 meters, respectively, so a prospective winner must be versatile who can handle all distances,” Niles added.

The last horse to win all three legs was Sepfourteen of SC Stockfarm in 2017. Prior to Sepfourteen’s Triple Crown achievement two years ago, the last time one horse won it all in one year was in 2014 when Emmanuel Santos’s colt Kid Molave (Into Mischief x Unsaid) scored the rare 3-peat.

Rondina...

From A8

Atty. Amurao (left), president and CEO of ALIAC shakes hands with Ruel dela Rosa, president of ISAA.

various aviation-related programs.

The college has been one of the major partners of the government in keeping the aviation industry on its peak by producing quality graduates who now serve as a responsible human resource of major airlines in the country.

breezy news conferences have made her into a media darling.

‘Naomi-speak’ was among the most searched phrases online in 2018.

“She’s multicultural, multinational, multiracial,” Stuart Duguid, Osaka’s agent and an IMG executive, told Britain’s Financial Times.

‘Grand Slams are playgrounds’ However, fame still sits uncomfortably with Osaka whose career earnings have already rocketed past the $11 million mark.

In the wake of her Australian Open triumph, she shocked tennis by splitting with coach Sascha Bajin, one of the masterminds of her meteoric rise.

Her 2019 results, meanwhile, have been steady rather than spectacular -- she hasn’t reached another final since Mel-

bourne while her clay court season has been blighted by injury.

An abdominal strain forced a pullout from Stuttgart while a hand injury sparked an early departure from Rome last week.

Not that Osaka is getting too down on herself.

“Grand Slams to me are like a playground, I have a lot of fun there,” she said ahead of Sunday’s French Open start.

Clay courts, too, are becoming bearable for a player whose power game traditionally thrives on faster courts.

At Roland Garros last year, Osaka was serving at 121mph (196.2k/ph), a speed matched only by Serena Williams.

This year alone, she has unleashed 184 aces across all surfaces.

“I think for me, I’m kind of comfortable

Queeny Sabobo of Adamson softball.

Lacuna, an Olympian, ended his checkered career in the pool with 35 gold medals.

Among the athlete-scholars who were honored were Jed Colonia of Adamson University men’s basketball, Reagan Gavino of Ateneo women’s swimming, Jam Arribas of De La Salle softball, Josefa Ligmayo of Far Eastern University women’s athletics, Jack Danielle Animam of National University women’s basketball, Allaine Cortey of University of the East women’s fencing, Mae Bernal of UST fencing and Nikki Oliva of University of the Philippines women’s taekwondo receiving honors.

UST student-athletes were also honored for taking the overall championship for a third straight season after amassing 282 points in the senior division at the close of the season.

In the juniors’ division, the Tiger Cubs ruled for the 19th time to complete the general championship sweep for a third straight season as well. with clay now. It’s just like I randomly slip. I feel like if I can get that under control, I’ll be good.”

Her status in the women’s game in general will endure even wider exposure in 2020 when she is likely to shape the image of the Tokyo Olympics.

It’s all a far cry from the days when Mari used to get the better of her younger sibling when they were growing up in the US. Back then, Naomi always had that something extra even if it wasn’t immediately apparent.

“Sometimes I think she was throwing the matches on purpose just so that we could finish practice quicker,” recalls Mari.

“So the moment she started trying, I was getting pissed off.” AFP

Sports

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

A8

THURSDAY, MAY 23, 2019

Fierce duel up as Taiwan Open begins in Taichung

Jonathan Grey of NorthPort cuts loose for a layup in a PBA Commissioner’s Cup game won by the Batang Pier over the Alaska Aces, 103-81.

Rondina, Lacuna UAAP Season 81’s top athletes

By Peter Atencio FOR University of Santo Tomas volleyball superstar Sisi Rondina, it’s time for her to move on to another level in her career and life.

Seeing action in the FIVB World Tour Boracay Open 2019 will be her next focus.

Rondina and Ateneo swimming standout Jessie Khing Lacuna were named Athletes of the Year Tuesday evening during the closing ceremonies of 81st University Athletic Association of the Philippines at the Mall of Asia Arena.

“For now, it’s the tournament in Boracay. Hindi ko muna masyadong iniisip ang future. Kung ano ang mga opportunities na nandiyan, grab muna,” said the 22-year-old Rondina.

The 5’6” Rondina, who got the top honors in the team sports category, helped give the Tigresses a third straight beach volleyball crown and fourth overall in five years.

Rondina also took her fourth season MVP award.

She also provided leadership for UST as it settled for a runner-up finish in the women’s volleyball tournament, where she took the season MVP honors as well.

“I’m slowly adjusting to where I am now, because I am no longer in college. I am now in the real world,” she added.

Rondina is set to see action in Boracay with new teammate Bernadette Pons this weekend.

Lacuna snared the Athlete of the Year award in the team sports category for his feats with swimming for Ateneo.

It was the second time that Lacuna was feted since 2016, when he shared the league’s highest award with the late Ian Lariba of De La Salle table tennis, Alyssa Valdez of Ateneo women’s volleyball and Turn to A7

Batang Pier maul st Aces for 1 PBA win

By Jeric Lopez

E

VEN without superstar Stanley Pringle, NorthPort was able to make a good first impression as it walloped Alaska, 103-81, for a rousing start in the 2019 Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner’s Cup at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City last night.

The duo of Sean Anthony and Robert Bolick took center stage to lead the Batang Pier to its first victory of the tournament.

Anthony dropped a game-high 22 points with six rebounds and four assists while Bolick had 19 points and five dimes for NorthPort.

Import Prince Ibeh also had a solid night, dishing out a double-double with 19 points, on 64-percent shooting, and 13 boards for the victors.

While the Batang Pier started its run at 1-0, the Aces fell to 1-1, failing to follow-up on their opening day win.

NorthPort was in cruise control from

start to finish as it kept Alaska off bay for the entirety of the contest.

Led by the early offense of Anthony and Bolick, the Batang Pier already carved an early double-digit lead, 2818, in the closing seconds of the opening quarter.

A 14-2 run late in the second reestablished NorthPort’s double-digit edge, 49-37, before carrying a 51-42 lead at the turn.

Anthony and Bolick each had 12 points already by halftime. The two had to carry more scoring load due to the absence of Pringle, who missed the game after having operation recently to remove bone spurs.

NorthPort maintained its steady play and its lead in the third, restoring its twindigit advantage for most part to stay in command, taking a 75-66 cushion into the final 12 minutes of play.

The Batang Pier then finished the job in the fourth as the Aces were only able to get as close as six points early in the period.

Following that, NorthPort completed the rout and buried Alaska deep the rest of the way.

Chris Daniels led Alaska with 21 points and 13 rebounds for a double-double.

Alaska also missed a vital guard in Chris Banchero due to a calf injury.

The scores: NorthPort 103—Anthony 22, Bolick 19, Ibeh 19, Grey 13, Tautuaa 12, Taha 9, Elorde 5, Arana 4, Flores 0.

Alaska 81—Daniels 21, Enciso 10, Ayaay 10, Cruz 9, Casio 8, Baclao 7, Exciminiano 6, Thoss 4, Teng 2, Pascual 2, Racal 2, Galliguez 0, Babilonia 0.

Quarterscores: 28-21, 51-42, 75-66, 103-81

Osaka eyes 3rd straight Grand Slam title in Paris

Naomi Osaka of Japan poses with fans after winning her women’s singles third round match against Julia Goerges of Germany at the China Open tennis tournament in Beijing. AFP

PARIS—Twelve months ago at Roland Garros, an embarrassed Naomi Osaka bristled at being hailed as the ‘coolest thing’ in tennis.

Now, however, the 21-year-old Japanese returns to Paris as comfortably the sport’s hottest ticket with the world number one billing, a bank balance bursting at the seams and on the brink of a third successive Grand Slam title.

“The one word that comes to my mind is amazing,” says Osaka’s older sister Mari, a fellow tour player.

“I’m really proud of her.”

Naomi Osaka was seeded at a Grand Slam for the first time at the 2018 French Open when she made the third round, countering claims she was the ‘coolest thing in tennis’ by asserting she was the sport’s ‘most awkward person’.

But it was the razzle-dazzle of New York—helped by a mega-meltdown by Serena Williams—which propelled her to a maiden Slam triumph in September.

Turn to A7

Obra Maestra favored in Philracom’s Triple Crown 1st leg EIGHT of the country’s finest thoroughbreds led by undefeated Obra Maestra clash in the first leg of the most prestigious racing extravaganza for three-year-old horses—the Philippine Racing Commission-backed Triple Crown series on Sunday at the San Lazaro Leisure Park in Carmona, Cavite.

This was announced by Philracom Chairman Andrew A. Sanchez and his commissioners Bienvenido Niles Jr. and Dante Lantin during their appearance at the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Forum at the Amelie Hotel in Malate, Manila Tuesday morning.

“The Triple Crown is one of the most prestigious races in our racing calendar,” said Sanchez. “Only the best horses get to run here.”

Leading the Triple Crown’s powerhouse cast is Leonardo Javier Jr.’s Obra Maestra, which was crowned Horse of the Year and Champion 2YO of the Year by the Metropolitan Association of Race Horse Owners after earning P3.48

million in prizes in 2018.

“Obra Maestra is the favorite, but the seven other horses are capable of delivering a win also mainly because of the rating-based handicapping system the Philracom adopted to even out the playing field,” added Sanchez, referring to the commission’s being a member of the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA).

Out to give Obra Maestra a run for its money are Boss Emong (jockey JT Zarate, owner Edward Vincent M. Diokno); JAYZ (Ja Guce, SC Stockfarm, Inc.); My Jopay (RD Raquel Jr., Moises B. Villasenor); My Shelltex (JB Hernandez, Antonio V. Tan, Jr.); Real Gold (JP A Guce, C&H Enterprises, Inc.); Toy for the Bigboy (JB Cardova, Alfredo Santos) and Westeros (AR Villegas, Juan Miguel D. Yulo).

“The Triple Crown is patterned after the the United States’ Triple Crown, with its three legs Turn to A7

Philracom Chairman Andrew A. Sanchez (center) is joined by his commissioners Bienvenido Niles Jr. and Dante Lantin during their appearance at the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Forum at the Amelie Hotel in Malate, Manila Tuesday morning. Ey Acasio

THE best of PGA of Taiwan and the top guns of Philippine Golf Tour Asia slug it out in what promises to be a slam-bang start to the Daan Taiwan Open beginning today (Thursday, May 23) at the Ching Chuan Kang Golf Club in Taichung.

While the hosts are expected to cash in one their local knowledge of the par-72 layout, the Philippinebased shotmakers are all geared up for four days of battle in shotmaking, iron play and putting not only for top honors but also for bragging rights as the winner of the first PGT Asia event held overseas.

The $100,000 championship is actually the first of two PGT Asia tournaments set in Taiwan with the Nan Pao TPGA Open slated on Sept. 26-29 at Nan Pao Golf Club in Tainan City. It also serves as the second leg of PGTA’s third season with the sponsoring ICTSI and organizing Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc. lining up a third tournament abroad and talks to hold future legs in other pars of Asia, including Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand and Malaysia are also ongoing.

Thai Namchok Tantipokhakul, who topped the PGTA’s kickoff leg at Luisita last month, heads the talentladen PGTA bets who include Jay Bayron, the lone Filipino entry in the elite roster that also drew shotmakers from the US, Sweden, Australia, Colombia, Scotland, Malaysia, Argentina, South Africa and Korea.

Multi-titled Tony Lascuña is actually set to help anchor the country’s bid in the event but withdrew at the last minute due to hand injury while the other Pinoy aces—Angelo Que and Juvic Pagunsan—have committed to play in the Japan PGA Tour also starting today and inaugural PGTA Order of Merit champion Miguel Tabuena is vying in the European Tour in Denmark.

But the PGTA cast remains as formidable as ever with Kammalas Namuangruk, Natthapong Niyomchon and Donlapatchai Niyomchon, also from Thailand, along with Marcos Pastor of Spain, Singapore’s Choo Tze Huang and Japanese Keita Sudo ready for a shootout with the TPGA aces.

The Taiwanese will be headed by the TPGA’s current OOM leader Lin Guanbo with joint No. 2 Lu Weizhi and Wang Weilun, and Song Mengyu, Zhan Yixin and Qiu Wei, who share the No. 4 spot, backstopping the hosts’ title drive in the event serving as the third leg of TPGA. Other local aces vying for the top $17,500 purse are No. 7 Wang Congjie, and joint ninth-running Yu Yuchen and Zhang Zheyu along with Xu Lipeng, Hong Jianwei, Lin Wentang, Ye Weizhi, Takato and He Youcheng while the PGTA cast includes Thais WIsut Artjanawat, Thammasack Bouahom, Wongsakorn Choowong, Chonlatit Chuenboonngam, Jaturon Duangphaichoom, Pasavee Lertvilai, Nirun Sae-ueng and Panuwat Muenlek, Singapore’s Vikkash Babu, Gabriel Cheok and Deng Shan Koh.

PSC releases P8.4M for 7th PH National Para Games THE Philippine Sports Commission released P8.4 million of financial assistance to the Philippine Paralympic Committee for the 7th Philippine National Para Games yesterday in time for the event’s May 26 opening at the Bulacan Sports Complex, Malolos City, Bulacan.

The sports agency approved the support by virtue of PSC Board Resolution No. 325 series of 2019 last March 5.

“As much as the PSC supports our abled elite athletes, we are likewise committed in supporting our differently-abled athletes and coaches in local and international competitions,” said PSC Chairman William Ramirez.

The PNPG is a national sporting event for differently-abled athletes which is one of the basis of the selection for the national Paralympic roster. National paralympic athletes will represent the country in the upcoming 2020 ASEAN Para Games, which the country will be hosting from January 18 to 25.

“A set of PSC workforce will also be present in the games for monitoring, evaluation and documentation purposes,” added PSC Para-Athletes Oversight Commissioner Arnold Agustin.

Marikina City hosted the 6th edition of the PNPG with nearly 1,000 para athletes from various local government units participating.

IN BRIEF

PH asked to sustain public investment

THE Philippines must sustain public investment in infrastructure to catch up with other Asian countries, the International Monetary Fund said in a report Wednesday.

It said in the past 25 years, general government investment in the country trailed most other Asian economies. Budgetary allocation to public investment in the Philippines declined from about 4 percent of the gross domestic product in the 1990s to about 3 percent of GDP from 2000 to 2015, although it increased in the last few years.

It said Philippine public capital stock “remained low by emerging market standards, and its general government capital stock has eroded steadily from the early 1990s.”

IMF said the gap between the Philippines’ capital stock and the average of Asean countries was more than 30 percent. The average emerging market economies’ capital stock was almost 60 percentage points higher than that in the Philippines.

It said that while public investment in the Philippines generally improved infrastructure, it had not fully delivered the expected economic benefits, suggesting that the efficiency of public investment could be improved. Julito G. Rada

Business

Unfair debt collection faces penalty—SEC

THE Securities and Exchange Commission wants to penalize lending companies and financing firms that are resorting to unfair debt collection practices.

The SEC said in a draft circular it would penalize lending firms and financing companies using unfair collection practices, including the use or threat of violence and other criminal means, use of insults or profane languages, disclosure of names and other personal information of borrowers and the use of false representation to collect or to attempt to collect any debt from a borrower.

Under the draft rules, lending companies found to have employed abusive, unethical and unfair means to collect debts will be slapped with P25,000 for the first offense and P50,000 for the second offense.

Financing companies will be slapped with P50,000 for the first offense and P100,000 for the second offense.

SEC said that in case of a third offense, it would suspend or revoke the license of erring lending and financing firms.

Jenniffer B. Austria

Provisional tariff fails to curb cement ‘over-importation’ THE imposition of a provisional tariff of 4 percent failed to curb the flooding of imported cement in the Philippines, thus raising the need for more protection of the local manufacturers which continue to produce high-quality products despite the challenges they face in the market.

The Department of Trade and Industry needs to determine if the tariff is enough to protect the public interest and ensure the stability of supply and pricing in the local market, after the Tariff Commission affirmed through its initial investigation that the imposition of safeguard duties on the imported cement is necessary and justifiable.

Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez ordered the imposition of a 4-percent provisional tariff amounting to P210 per metric ton or P8.40 per bag on imported cement which the TC had validated as the local cement manufacturers faced serious injury following several “pure” importers’ overimportation of sometimes substandard but cheaper cement since 2016.

The latest monitoring from DTI showed that despite the newly-imposed tariff, cement imports still increased 64 percent in the first quarter of 2019. The DTI compared its numbers with the same period in 2018 when the safeguard measure was not yet imposed.

The DTI report noted that the volume of imports rose from 1.06 million metric tons in the first quarter of 2018 to 1.74 MMT in the first quarter of 2019.

The DTI found out that as a result of increased cement imports, the local industry lost significant market share from 2013 to 2017.

Capacity utilization also declined and the cement companies’ earnings fell sharply by 49 percent in 2017 while aggregate net income started sliding in 2016 by 29 percent and further by 78 percent in 2017.

business@manilastandard.net extrastory2000@gmail.com THURSDAY, MAY 23, 2019

B1

More secures supply deal with Aboitiz Power for Iloilo City

By Alena Mae S. Flores

Epson anticipates 20% growth this year

EPSON Philippines Corp. said it expects to sustain a 20-percent growth this year, boosted by its printer and scanner businesses.

Epson Philippines senior general manager and marketing director Eduardo Bonoan said the company posted an average annual growth of 20 percent over the past five years.

The company rose 23 percent in 2018, faster than the 14-percent expansion in 2017.

Bonoan said the majority of sales came from printers and scanners at 70 percent, followed by business segments at 14 percent, visual instruments at 11 percent and commercial and industrial at 5 percent.

“For fiscal 2019, the challenge is to continue to sustain this strong growth trend,” Bonoan said.

He said Epson maintained its dominance in the inkjet market at 54 percent and held the number one position for the past four years.

Bonoan said Epson’s projector market share remained strong at 48 percent, giving the company the number one position for five straight years.

Darwin G. Amojelar

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

TOLLWAY COOPERATION. Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. and three Japanese companies—Japan Expressway International Company Ltd., Central Nippon Expressway Company Ltd. and Metropolitan Expressway Company Ltd.—sign an accord for technical and information exchange that assures sharing of systems and technologies concerning expressways and allied fields. Signing the MOU are (seated from left) MPTC president and chief executive Rodrigo Franco, MPTC chairman Manuel Pangilinan and Jexway president Dr. Koji Kuroda. With them are (standing from left) MPTC senior vice president for communication and stakeholder management Romulo Quimbo Jr., NLEX Corp. president and general manager J. Luigi Bautista, Nexco central managing director Takeo Nakamura and MEX executive officer Hiroshi

Fitch unit downgrades growth forecast to 5.9%

By Julito G. Rada

F

ITCH Solutions Macro Research, a unit of Fitch Group, downgraded its 2019 growth forecast for the Philippines to 5.9 percent from its previous estimate of 6.1 percent, taking into account the external headwinds that may stifle further economic expansion in the months ahead.

Fitch Solutions said in a commentary published Wednesday that Philippine economic growth would fall below the government’s 6 percent to 7 percent ex-

pansion target in 2019, slowing to 5.9 percent before rebounding modestly to 6.3 percent in 2020.

“This marks a downward revision to our forecast from 6.1 percent previously for 2019. Trade tensions and a general softening of external demand will continue to drag on headline growth,” Fitch Solutions said.

“While we expect a pickup in real GDP growth from the first quarter onwards, we at Fitch Solutions have lowered our real GDP growth forecast to 5.9 percent for 2019, expecting a more gradual recovery from the first-quarter 2019 dip,” it said.

“However, government consumption will pick up and monetary policy will once again become more accommodative to support growth over the coming quarters,” it said.

It said the Philippine economy was set for a slower pace of growth over the

coming quarters, as the external backdrop would drag on headline growth.

The gross domestic product grew 5.6 percent in the first quarter, slower than 6.5 percent a year ago, weighed down by the delay in the approval of the 2019 government budget.

The Philippine Statistics Authority said this was the slowest growth rate recorded in 16 quarters since it settled at 5.1 percent in the first quarter of 2015.

It was also slower than 6.3 percent in the fourth quarter of 2018.

Fitch Solutions said net exports, weaker investment aside from government spending, weighed on the headline growth figure, as trade tensions and delays passing the 2019 budget weakened momentum.

President Rodrigo Duterte affixed his signature on the P3.7-trillion national budget in April after the long impasse between the two houses of Congress.

San Miguel expects PCC to approve Holcim acquisition CONGLOMERATE San Miguel Corp. expressed optimism the Philippine Competition Commission will approve the acquisition of an 87.5-percent stake in Holcim Philippines Inc. by unit First Stronghold Cement Industries Inc. “I am confident [we will get the PCC approval]. In the eyes of the public, those that gave comments including [Trade] Secretary [Ramon] Lopez that it’s good that a Filipino [company] acquired it [Holcim Philippines],” San Miguel president Ramon Ang said.

FSCII, a wholly owned unit of San Miguel-owned San Miguel Equity Investments Inc., signed this month an agreement to acquire an 87.5-percent interest in Holcim Philippines, the lo-

cal unit of Switzerland-based LafargeHolcim Ltd. San Miguel said Holcim Philippines had an enterprise value of $2.15 billion.

“Do you know that 35 percent of cement being sold in the Philippines today are imported cement? And the major players in the Philippines― Holcim, Cemex, Lafarge-CRH and Japanese firm Taiyo, and another Taiwanese―they are all foreigners. Don’t you want a Filipino to acquire it?” Ang said.

He said Holcim controlled less than 20 percent of the cement market in the country which should not pose a problem.

San Miguel earlier said the ac-

quisition of HPI would increase the foothold of San Miguel Group in the cement business and provide the opportunity to expand nationwide.

San Miguel through unit San Miguel Northern Cement is building a 2-million-metric-ton cement plant in Pangasinan province.

San Miguel also owns Eagle Cement Corp. which operates a cement plant in Bulacan with a total capacity of 7.1 million MT. HPI currently operates four integrated cement plants and one grinding plant with a combined annual capacity of 10 million MT. It is embarking on a $300-million expansion to increase capacity by 30 percent to 13 million MT by 2020. Alena Mae S. Flores

MORE Electric and Power Corp., the new distribution utility in Iloilo City, said Wednesday it signed an interim power supply agreement with Aboitiz Power Corp.

Aboitiz Power under the deal will supply 10 megawatts, with an option to add 5 MW to More, an arrangement that is seen to benefit Iloilo residents and businesses in terms of stable and reliable power supply.

More Power, led by president and chief operating officer Roel Castro, and AboitizPower represented by AP Renewables Inc. president and chief operating officer Alexander Coo signed the one-year interim power supply agreement.

AP Renewables a unit of AboitizPower which operates the Tiwi and MakBan geothermal power plants, in Albay, Laguna and Batangas, will supply power to More Power.

“Our partnership with AP Renewables, Inc. is a testament to More Power’s corporate direction to go beyond and above compliance with what is required in the Renewable Energy Act by advocating renewable energy and eventually increasing its power supply from renewable sources,” Castro said.

Coo said Aboitiz Power’s portfolio of power plants all over the country made it an ideal partner for More Power and the people of Iloilo City.

“Geothermal power is definitely unique because it is renewable energy yet it can be baseload – meaning, it delivers power 24/7. For a growing metropolis like Iloilo City, this makes perfect sense. We are definitely excited to be partners with More Power and even more excited to be part of the growth of Iloilo City,” he said.

President Rodrigo Duterte in February this year signed a law granting More Power a 25-year power distribution franchise in Iloilo City.

Under the law, More Power is allowed to avail of emergency power supply through negotiated procurement, provided this will only be for a period of one year and the rates must not be higher than the latest Energy Regulatory Commissionapproved generation tariff for the same or similar technologies in the area.

The agreement will take effect once More Power begins its operations.

More Power also signed an interim power supply agreement with Kepco SPC Power Corp. for 5 MW, with an option for another 5 MW of supply to Iloilo City.

The interim power supply agreement will also be for one year.

KSPC agreed to supply reliable power to Iloilo City at a lower rate than what is offered by the current supplier of the city.

“Kepco SPC is more than willing to assist More Power in its journey in giving Iloilo City secured, reliable and affordable power supply.

[MORE] can always count on KSPC on these basic criteria of service,” KSPC president and chief executive Jong Ryoon Yoon said.

BSP to buy more gold as new law lifts taxes BANGKO Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Benjamin Diokno said Wednesday the passage of a new law exempting smallscale miners from paying income and excise taxes if they sell their gold to the BSP will help build up the gross international reserves. “[It is] an excellent and much-needed law. It remedies the 99-percent drop in domestic gold purchases from more than 900,000 fine troy ounces in 2010 to around 10,000 in 2019 as a result of the taxation of the sale of gold to the BSP beginning July 2011,” Diokno said in a message to reporters.

Diokno said higher reserves would lead to improved economic standing and lower cost of borrowing. “Moreover, it prevents the smuggling of Philippine gold through the black market to other countries,” he said.

BSP Deputy Governor Diwa Guinigundo said the new law was a positive development for the regulator which had been pushing for its passage. He said it was also a strong symbol that the government values the welfare of the small-scale

miners who are forced to settle for lower prices for their gold in the black market.

“With the tax, they get an even lower return for their gold. It is a win situation for them, it is also a win situation for the BSP which can continue buying gold with peso so that there is additionality in the foreign exchange reserves,” Guinigundo said.

He said using dollars to buy gold from the world market would involve a rebalance of the foreign exchange reserve composition from the dollar to gold.

“With higher and sustained and comfortable import and short-term debt coverage, we can be favorably considered both by the market and the credit rating agencies. That should translate into lower borrowing costs for both the government and the corporates,” he said.

He said it should also be positive for the government because it was foregoing only less than P30 million in annual collection because very little gold was subjected to a very high tax regime.

Julito G. Rada

SKYJET FLIES TO CAMIGUIN. Fire truck personnel pump water to an arriving Skyjet Airline at Camiguin Airport as the boutique airline makes its first flight from Manila to Camiguin with no layovers. Skyjet flies direct from Manila to Camiguin five times a week.

B2

Business

THURSDAY, MAY 23, 2019 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Market advances for 4 straight day th

T

HE market rose for the fourth straight day Wednesday, led again by select blue chip issues as investors started accumulating stocks battered in last week’s trading.

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index advanced 93.51 points, or 1.2 percent, to 7,815.07 on a value turnover of P10.1 billion. Gainers beat losers, 112 to 78, with 43 issues unchanged.

Conglomerate Ayala Corp. rallied 6.5 percent to P905, while JG Summit Holdings Inc of industrialist John Gokongwei climbed 4.3 percent to P61.55.

Aboitiz Equity Ventures Inc. of the Aboitiz Group gained 4 percent to P51.80, while Megaworld Corp., the biggest lessor of office spaces, added 2.6

percent to P5.54.

The pound, meanwhile, sank to fresh four-month lows Wednesday after British MPs slammed Theresa May’s latest plan to pass her Brexit plan, increasing the chances of a nodeal divorce, while Asian markets rose as dealers await the latest China-US developments.

With Wall Street providing a positive lead, regional equities were mostly on the up but analysts warned traders were on edge and any unsavory headlines could precipitate another sell-off.

Hong Kong edged up 0.2 percent while Tokyo finished 0.1 percent higher with Sydney, Seoul, Singapore, Mumbai and Wellington also on the rise.

But Shanghai and Taipei turned negative.

The sterling rallied Tuesday after the prime minister unveiled her revised EU divorce deal that included a promise for lawmakers to set a confirmatory referen-

dum on whatever version of Brexit they end up approving.

However, the currency fell as quickly as it had risen as opponents of the original agreement attacked it as nothing more than a rehash.

May called the new proposals this parliament’s “last chance” to end a political deadlock but with key MPs led by arch-Brexiters still unmoved, it is likely to fall flat for a fourth time.

Failure to get the deal through parliament will more than likely see May resign and possibly be replaced by a more hardline leader—most bets are on the controversial Boris Johnson—who would push for a no-deal exit, a scenario analysts warn could spell economic hardship.

“Politicians from all sides trashed her proposals, leaving the pound mired at four-month lows while the prime minister awaits her end of days,” said OANDA senior market analyst Jeffrey

Halley.

“A settlement remains as distant as ever.”

The pound gave up early small gains against the dollar and resumed its downtrend to wallow around levels last seen in January.

Dealers are keeping a close eye on developments in the China-US trade tussle after the pair swapped tariff hikes and Donald Trump barred Chinese telecoms giant Huawei from the US market and put it on a sales blacklist.

A 90-day reprieve provided a semblance of hope that the row can be resolved and the two economic superpowers will hammer out a trade deal at some point.

But reports emerged that Trump is now considering banning Chinese surveillance camera makers from getting access to US components, in a similar move to that against to Huawei, which could further stoke tensions. With AFP

MANILA STANDARD BUSINESS DAILY STOCKS REVIEW WEDNESDAY, MAY 22, 2019

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

FINANCIALS 58.5 20,000 81 1,765,590 2.16 9,000 134.5 998,120 1.27 88,000 26.65 54,000 18.86 2,500 11.86 322,700 4.5 11,000 1.34 71,000 0.47 540,000 74.3 1,830,800 1.06 3,237,000 13.2 58,100 58 255,780 185 90 57.8 1,100 26.5 6,600 175.5 295,890 1,823 20 61.15 8,920

1,176,099 143,544,096 19,440 133,557,795 103,820 1,436,055 47,150 3,826,610 48,700 95,140 241,750 135,906,315 3,375,550 767,086 14,839,866.50 16,650 63,457.50 174,655 51,938,862 36,430 544,172.50

1,176,099 -14,818,113 52,832,379 382,995 -44,262,059.50 136,400 -4,052,652 -10,555 -20,642,226 -190,153.50

35.85 15 0.69 1.38 0.26 2.48 14.5 106.5 25.75 16.4 44 1.89 5.45 10.08 16 9.46 7.48 1.69 20.85 76.5 43 2.36 13.96 9.86 1.7 283.8 3.6 9.23 22 13.74 21.9 370.4 5.59 1.25 4.52 5.8 9.45 1.96 11.8 42 4.7 5 1.58 2 1.22 13 105 6.43 0.129 0.89 153.1 2.47 1.13 1.01

INDUSTRIAL 36.7 2,112,200 15 210,200 0.76 5,155,000 1.4 208,000 0.29 32,770,000 2.52 19,643,000 15.38 624,700 106.5 1,000 26 317,800 16.4 1,300 45 615,500 1.91 234,000 5.73 3,000 10.4 3,966,100 16.02 828,200 9.8 7,515,400 7.53 3,022,500 1.69 4,000 21 1,044,000 77 197,610 44.5 312,600 2.45 10,860,000 14 1,766,100 10 2,091,500 1.73 180,000 287.4 533,510 3.6 1,000 9.6 4,900 22.45 3,255,800 13.76 832,400 22 34,600 375 102,760 5.74 13,800 1.28 1,500,000 4.84 1,092,000 5.94 10,116,000 9.45 2,100 2.12 42,180,000 11.96 134,700 42 253,500 4.75 177,000 5.05 18,000 1.62 71,000 2 107,000 1.24 14,000 13 261,200 107.5 93,320 6.57 37,900 0.129 10,000 0.9 206,000 156.8 763,050 2.47 868,000 1.17 3,330,000 1.05 1,169,000

76,773,610 3,159,294 3,806,310 290,290 9,249,750 49,462,710 9,416,884 106,975 8,329,520 21,320 27,697,010 445,520 16,996 40,535,342 13,279,108 73,245,768 22,701,418 6,760 21,952,525 15,222,044 13,786,550 26,397,490 24,740,998 20,927,795 310,150 153,195,002 3,600 46,401 73,100,385 11,552,046 760,930 38,429,476 77,498 1,932,550 5,179,770 60,099,411 19,845 87,751,210 1,600,394 10,664,450 840,940 90,774 113,570 214,000 17,280 3,398,846 9,977,707 246,249 1,290 185,580 119,413,584 2,162,570 3,878,490 1,197,370

-29,927,985.00 -282,272 -5,520 -350,750 23,010,820 -5,667,362 -1,018,765 13,190 -31,823,384.00 2,039,636 -49,651,571 -8,991,191 -2,265,410 -12,303,515.50 2,963,925 -228,290 3,248,556 2,587,890 -28,594,734 -4,621,700 -524,054 -22,100 -4,604,466 225,860 1,810 30,101,623 2,028,860.00 -10,024,545 284,350 -3,529 -449,856 -1,562,436 6,570 -36,879,109 1,756,010 117,000 -

0.57 49.4 14.5 0.73 6.7 13 1.25 1.27 853 3.35 7.07 10.44 14.2 4.49 0.265 851 59.3 5.96 0.47 4.59 16.3 0.53 4.3 0.039 1.12 2.64 181.8 900 0.78 1.32 431 266.6 0.232 0.27

HOLDING FIRMS 0.59 7,091,000 51.8 2,596,000 14.6 4,525,900 0.73 186,000 6.7 2,100 13 126,500 1.26 490,000 1.27 14,000 905 1,159,100 3.52 18,053,000 7.2 81,900 10.58 4,045,600 14.5 56,900 4.49 2,000 0.265 60,000 880 65,750 61.55 2,352,990 6.07 7,000 0.5 72,000 4.64 1,562,000 16.4 2,628,000 0.56 2,316,000 4.44 28,965,000 0.039 8,500,000 1.13 77,000 2.65 77,000 181.8 251,780 916.5 191,180 0.83 511,000 1.36 2,000 431 250 267 850 0.238 530,000 0.285 7,580,000

4,168,370 132,890,010 66,105,308 137,070 14,070 1,674,076 615,580 17,780 1,035,306,955 63,577,770 587,462 42,877,396 824,160 8,980 15,900 57,467,505 142,722,282 42,116 34,250 7,199,330 43,116,352 1,269,820 127,761,320 334,000 86,290 203,880 45,873,466 174,400,485 411,850 2,680 107,750 227,164 124,570 2,146,850

181,850.00 -37,225,000 -31,154,402 14,070 390,000 -234,767,315 -2,753,550 235,316 -7,924,720 -5,800 8,433,840 -11,346,765 -824,920 -21,833,820 981,750 14,572,700 -4,599,659 -12,119,185 -34,700 -11,850 -10,700.00

NAME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

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 PB BANK PHIL NATL BANK PHIL STOCK EXCH PSBANK RCBC SECURITY BANK SUN LIFE UNION BANK

58.9 81 2.16 133 1.2 26.75 18.86 11.78 4.42 1.34 0.45 74.3 1 13.2 58.55 185 57.6 26.05 179 1,820 61.45

58.95 82.35 2.16 134.5 1.27 26.8 18.86 11.9 4.5 1.34 0.47 74.5 1.06 13.22 58.55 185 57.8 26.5 179 1,823 61.45

58.5 81 2.16 132 1.16 26.5 18.86 11.78 4.42 1.34 0.44 73.45 1 13.2 57.5 185 57.6 26.05 174 1,820 60.9

ABOITIZ POWER AGRINURTURE ALLIANCE SELECT ALSONS CONS BASIC ENERGY CEMEX HLDG CENTURY FOOD CHEMPHIL CIRTEK HLDG CNTRL AZUCARERA 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 MABUHAY VINYL MACAY HLDG MANILA WATER MAXS GROUP MEGAWIDE MERALCO PANASONIC PEPSI COLA PETROENERGY PETRON PHINMA PHINMA ENERGY PHX PETROLEUM PILIPINAS SHELL PRYCE CORP RFM CORP ROXAS AND CO ROXAS HLDG SFA SEMICON SHAKEYS PIZZA SMC FOODANDBEV SPC POWER SWIFT FOODS TKC METALS UNIV ROBINA VICTORIAS VITARICH VULCAN INDL

36.05 15 0.69 1.38 0.27 2.59 14.6 107 26.85 16.4 44.1 1.89 5.45 10.18 16.04 9.46 7.5 1.69 21.2 76.5 43.05 2.36 14 10.3 1.7 284 3.6 9.3 22.45 13.92 22.05 373.6 5.59 1.25 4.52 5.8 9.45 1.97 11.84 42.5 4.9 5.04 1.59 2 1.24 13 105 6.43 0.129 0.92 158.8 2.47 1.13 1.04

36.7 15.3 0.76 1.4 0.295 2.62 15.38 107 27 16.4 45 1.91 5.75 10.4 16.1 9.9 7.58 1.69 21.3 77.3 44.75 2.47 14.2 10.3 1.74 288.8 3.6 9.88 22.5 14.08 22.1 375 5.74 1.3 4.84 6.06 9.45 2.17 11.96 42.5 4.9 5.05 1.62 2 1.24 13.1 108 6.62 0.129 0.92 158.8 2.51 1.18 1.06

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

0.58 50.2 14.7 0.74 6.7 13.6 1.26 1.27 863.5 3.4 7.19 10.68 14.2 4.49 0.265 868 59.3 5.96 0.51 4.71 16.36 0.55 4.36 0.039 1.12 2.64 185 902 0.78 1.32 431 266.6 0.24 0.27

0.6 55.5 14.74 0.77 6.7 14.1 1.26 1.27 905 3.57 7.2 10.68 14.6 4.49 0.265 880 61.55 6.07 0.51 4.71 16.5 0.56 4.49 0.04 1.13 2.65 186 920 0.83 1.36 431 274.4 0.24 0.295

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

15.2 0.76 10.54 2.19 0.78 47.75 2.31 5.12 6.4 0.52 0.79 0.9 0.227 0.38 10.3 24.25 0.465 1.58 1.41 5.4 0.31 0.48

15.28 0.82 10.98 2.19 0.78 48.3 2.36 5.12 6.4 0.56 0.81 0.9 0.227 0.38 10.32 24.8 0.485 1.66 1.46 5.65 0.32 0.49

15.1 0.75 10.5 2.13 0.76 47.6 2.29 4.87 6.4 0.52 0.79 0.9 0.227 0.38 10.2 24.25 0.465 1.58 1.37 5.38 0.305 0.48

VOLUME

NAME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

VOLUME

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

PHIL INFRADEV PHIL REALTY PRIMEX CORP ROBINSONS LAND ROCKWELL SHANG PROP SM PRIME HLDG STA LUCIA LAND STARMALLS SUNTRUST HOME VISTA LAND

1.72 0.42 2.1 24.1 2.07 3.02 39.45 1.8 6.55 0.72 7.15

1.73 0.43 2.25 24.35 2.09 3.02 39.95 1.89 6.85 0.72 7.25

1.7 0.415 1.95 23.6 2.02 2.98 38.9 1.8 6.5 0.72 7.13

1.73 0.42 2.1 24.25 2.03 2.98 39.35 1.85 6.5 0.72 7.25

1,458,000 1,430,000 104,213,000 3,221,300 494,000 87,000 11,113,200 1,051,000 228,500 1,000 1,443,600

2,501,460 595,950 208,713,900 78,135,240 1,013,950 260,450 437,365,340 1,945,670 1,490,383 720 10,401,937

80,530 11,933,335 -17,574,050 -26,927

2GO GROUP ABS CBN ACESITE HOTEL APC GROUP APOLLO GLOBAL ASIAN TERMINALS BERJAYA BLOOMBERRY BOULEVARD HLDG CEBU AIR CHELSEA DFNN INC EASYCALL FAR EASTERN U GLOBE TELECOM GMA NETWORK GOLDEN BRIA HARBOR STAR IMPERIAL INTL CONTAINER IPEOPLE ISLAND INFO ISM COMM LBC EXPRESS LEISURE AND RES LORENZO SHIPPNG MACROASIA MANILA BULLETIN MANILA JOCKEY METRO RETAIL METROALLIANCE A NOW CORP PACIFIC ONLINE PAL HLDG 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

11.9 18.88 1.33 0.425 0.043 19.5 2.6 11.16 0.062 88 6.24 6.12 10.6 891 2,070 5.31 400.4 2.4 1.76 135.4 10.98 0.118 5.88 14.8 4.48 0.78 19.2 0.63 3.71 2.83 1.6 2 3.2 9.7 4.45 124 2.97 1,299 0.77 0.9 45.5 73 9.04 3.23 0.68 0.31 5.58 0.72 16.36

11.9 19 1.4 0.425 0.044 21.95 2.89 11.22 0.062 89.5 6.25 6.26 10.6 891 2,152 5.32 408.8 2.48 1.76 138.9 11 0.122 5.93 14.8 4.7 0.79 20 0.63 3.75 2.83 1.74 2.06 3.29 9.8 4.45 124 3.07 1,333 0.77 0.92 46.1 73.45 9.66 3.34 0.68 0.32 5.62 0.75 16.68

11.5 18.84 1.31 0.4 0.042 19.5 2.53 11.06 0.06 88 6.15 6.12 10.48 891 2,070 5.25 400.4 2.4 1.76 135.4 10.7 0.118 5.82 14.8 4.48 0.78 19.2 0.56 3.71 2.77 1.6 1.98 3.2 9.7 4.17 120 2.97 1,293 0.74 0.88 45.15 71.15 9 3.11 0.66 0.31 5.56 0.71 16.36

SERVICES 11.5 18.9 1.31 0.4 0.043 21 2.8 11.2 0.061 89 6.19 6.26 10.48 891 2,150 5.31 408 2.45 1.76 136 10.7 0.122 5.84 14.8 4.64 0.79 20 0.56 3.75 2.8 1.73 2.03 3.25 9.8 4.17 121.8 3.04 1,321 0.76 0.88 46 71.45 9.62 3.2 0.66 0.32 5.56 0.74 16.4

4,100 188,500 105,000 1,400,000 3,600,000 28,800 2,552,000 2,888,700 39,990,000 207,000 869,100 112,400 69,500 980 88,375 161,100 3,440 744,000 51,000 1,357,810 15,900 880,000 1,703,100 5,000 4,237,000 18,000 491,200 4,144,000 11,000 2,806,000 19,000 1,333,000 13,000 5,900 57,000 245,200 1,121,000 168,020 5,727,000 36,815,000 426,500 191,430 555,100 9,589,000 4,157,000 4,730,000 3,193,800 7,168,000 1,890,500

47,820 3,576,084 144,170 564,300 155,100 595,140 7,059,220 32,329,456 2,447,220 18,451,205 5,389,487 703,188 731,062 873,180 188,025,970 852,476 1,398,968 1,824,400 89,760 186,236,991 170,384 105,610 9,984,923 74,000 19,514,340 14,120 9,615,122 2,449,940 40,850 7,853,430 32,260 2,686,940 42,390 57,450 241,310 29,862,755 3,396,480 221,799,105 4,329,510 32,774,680 19,472,980 13,755,601.50 5,256,994 30,545,870 2,749,000 1,494,650 17,927,402 5,246,390 31,166,692

-9,730 67,620 67,130 -26,922,580 5,973,688 86,687 -178,200 143,997,840 20,400 -35,735,304 144,648 4,282,700 -33,210 117,570 -373,650.00 -19,500 109,957 -493,130 91,242,380 -273,470 104,550 4,942,375 -2,807,821.50 5,929,940 -928,430 -12,600 -4,472 5,760 20,592,850

36,000 5,052,130 407,710 79,260 3,420 664,950 14,500 25,104 1,274,900 45,110 121,080 41,290 38,700 7,900 14,560 2,630,360 14,710 90,910 102,600 6,000 697,600 2,435,930 130,750 8,369,548 67,187,270

-3,522,020.00 -2,710 185,830 -942,710 -3,480 -4,800 -197,580 -26,060 195,530.00 -10,808,690

MS

PROPERTY 15.26 0.78 10.98 2.19 0.77 48 2.3 4.93 6.4 0.55 0.81 0.9 0.227 0.38 10.22 24.5 0.485 1.63 1.41 5.54 0.315 0.49

375,400 6,787,000 4,600 29,000 312,000 9,664,900 3,342,000 3,156,400 200 69,326,000 80,000 2,000 1,060,000 40,000 124,400 248,100 280,000 45,133,000 17,230,000 26,661,800 9,540,000 160,000

5,705,508 5,396,240 48,688 63,330 239,840 464,437,910 7,672,790 15,749,285 1,280 37,705,510 63,440 1,800 240,620 15,200 1,276,580 6,085,155 130,400 73,856,860 24,568,880 147,011,467 2,997,250 78,000

423,906 -3,100 -36,560 31,182,380 -279,860 1,113,739 -258,110 309,000 51,060 2,669,370 209,400 -4,082,839 81,900 -

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

0.0018 1.19 2.7 11.88 1.14 2.8 0.29 7.75 1.52 0.232 0.105 0.103 0.0078 0.0079 1.04 2.21 0.98 0.87 0.012 0.012 0.011 4.01 2.89 8.16 22.3

0.0018 1.2 2.71 11.98 1.14 2.81 0.29 7.75 1.57 0.232 0.105 0.112 0.0078 0.0079 1.04 2.24 0.99 0.87 0.012 0.012 0.012 4.19 2.92 8.2 23

0.0018 1.1 2.7 11 1.14 2.79 0.29 7.58 1.52 0.222 0.103 0.103 0.0077 0.0079 1.04 2.18 0.98 0.86 0.011 0.012 0.011 3.94 2.89 7.93 22

MINING & OIL 0.0018 20,000,000 1.12 4,395,000 2.71 151,000 11.02 7,000 1.14 3,000 2.8 238,000 0.29 50,000 7.73 3,300 1.53 836,000 0.229 200,000 0.105 1,170,000 0.112 400,000 0.0077 5,000,000 0.0079 1,000,000 1.04 14,000 2.22 1,197,000 0.98 15,000 0.87 105,000 0.011 9,300,000 0.012 500,000 0.012 58,700,000 4.17 602,000 2.9 45,000 8 1,044,900 22 3,012,100

ABS HLDG PDR DD PREF FGEN PREF G GMA HLDG PDR MWIDE PREF PNX PREF 3B SFI PREF SMC FB PREF 2 SMC PREF 2B SMC PREF 2C SMC PREF 2F SMC PREF 2H

18 98 104.2 5.54 100.5 106 1.36 970 75.15 76.9 73.85 73

18 98 104.3 5.54 101 106 1.36 970 75.15 76.95 73.85 73

18 97.8 104.2 5.35 100.5 106 1.36 970 74.8 76.9 73.85 73

PREFERRED 18 10,600 97.8 2,630 104.3 8,080 5.35 1,800 101 770 106 1,130 1.36 4,000 970 100 74.8 39,750 76.9 1,890 73.85 1,620 73 6,600

190,800 257,224 841,946 9,782 77,525 119,780 5,440 97,000 2,981,200.50 145,347.50 119,637 481,800

-190,800 -5,440 -

LR WARRANT

2.08

2.13

2

WARRANTS 2.12 1,525,000

3,195,390

-

988,550 4,943,580

24,060 5,000

656,850

-

200,720

-

ITALPINAS XURPAS

4.88 1.02

4.88 1.04

4.78 0.99

FIRST METRO ETF

116.2

117

116

USD TECH B2

1

1

1

TRADING SUMMARY

SHARES

FINANCIAL

10,927,429

INDUSTRIAL

161,232,842

HOLDING FIRMS PROPERTY

98,866,607 318,337,272

SERVICES

147,707,836

MINING & OIL

107,996,561

GRAND TOTAL

850,190,761

4.78 1

SME

206,000 4,907,000

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 117 5,630 1

DDS

200,720

VALUE 1,726.99 (up) 3.38 634,673,424.33 FINANCIAL INDUSTRIAL 11,397.19 (up) 50.92 1,082,312,534.34 HOLDING FIRMS 7,416.26 (up) 200.89 5,860,712,730.96 PROPERTY 4,211.73 (up) 15.71 SERVICES 1,661.66 (up) 7.84 1,536,087,763.93 MINING & OIL 7,228.88 (down) 80.98 927,625,588.62 PSEI 7,815.07 (up) 93.51 89,511,036.42 All Shares Index 4,821.85 (up) 39.71 10,137,525,617.36 Gainers: 112; Losers: 78; Unchanged: 43; Total: 233

Ayala buys 3.8m shares back from Mitsubishi

By Jenniffer B. Austria CONGLOMERATE Ayala Corp. said it repurchased 3.8 million company shares from Japan’s Mitsubishi Corp., its second largest shareholder, at P838 apiece valued at P3.19 billion.

Ayala said in a disclosure to the stock exchange the purchase of the company’s common shares from Mitsubishi was in line with the share buyback program previous approved by the board.

“At current levels of our stock price is quite undervalued and this buyback of our shares will benefit all existing shareholder,” said Ayala chief finance officer Jose Teodoro Limcaoco said.

“We have our relationship with Mitsubishi which remains as our second largest shareholder. This transaction I understand is part of Mitsubishi’s portfolio rebalancing exercise with regard to their Ayala holdings, which now stands and remain at around six percent,” Limcaoco added.

Share price of Ayala on Wednesday rose to as high as P902.50 before closing at P901.50, up 6.1 percent from the previous day’s P850.

The latest transaction is the third rebalancing and portfolio management exercise conducted by Mitsubishi on its Ayala holdings.

The Japanese in March last year unloaded 8.5 million Ayala shares, or equivalent to a 1.4-percent stake in the conglomerate, for nearly P8 billion.

It sold another 12 million Ayala common shares in January at P900 each to raise P11.7 billion.

Ayala, which has interests in banking, real estate, telecommunications, power generation, water utility, infrastructure and education, is aggressively expanding its core businesses as well as new ones, including logistics, healthcare, power generation and manufacturing.

The conglomerate has earmarked ₱262 billion in combined capital expenditure this year.

It allotted the bulk of the amount Ayala Land Inc. and Globe Telecom Inc., which in turn earmarked ₱130 billion and ₱63 billion in capital expenditure, respectively.

The parent company programmed ₱22.6 billion in capital spending primarily to bankroll the growth initiatives of AC Energy Inc., AC Infrastructure Holdings Corp. and AC Healthcare Holdings Inc.

NLEX registered P1.4-b net profit in first 3 months

By Darwin G. Amojelar NLEX Corp. said net income rose 9.6 percent in the first quarter of 2019 on higher vehicle traffic at North Luzon Expressway and Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway.

The operator of NLEX posted a net profit of P1.4 billion in the January-toMarch period from P1.2 billion in the same period last year.

The company’s first-quarter revenues increased 8 percent to P3.50 billion from P3.23 billion recorded during the first quarter of 2018.

Operating revenues were derived mainly from toll in NLEX and SCTEX. The average daily traffic for the NLEX reached 265,225 vehicle entries, higher by 6 percent on year, while athe verage daily traffic in SCTEX reached 68,805, up 15 percent.

“The full impact of the toll adjustment that took effect last March 21, 2019 is expected to appear in the next quarter results,” said NLEX. The Toll Regulatory Board in March allowed NLEX to collect P10 in additional toll in the open system and P0.18 per kilometer in the closed system, respectively.

In addition to toll revenues, the company generated revenues arising from advertising, toll services and utility facilities and rental and service income for the first quarter of 2019 amounting to P72.3 million, up 67 percent P43 million posted on year.

NLEx spans 95 kilometers, or 527lane kilometers, and serves an average of 237,046 vehicles a day. It is the main infrastructure backbone that connects Metro Manila to Central and Northern Luzon.

NLEX holds the concession to manage, operate and maintain SCTEx, a 93.77-km four-lane highway, traversing the provinces of Bataan, Pampanga and Tarlac.

The management, operation, and maintenance of SCTEX was turned over by BCDA to NLEX in 2015.

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK Manila

Standard

TODAY

IN BRIEF Three airlines seek 737 MAX payouts

SHANGHAI―China’s three biggest airlines have filed claims seeking compensation from Boeing over the grounding and delayed delivery of 737 MAX 8 aircraft following two deadly crashes, Chinese state media reported on Wednesday.

The reports in various state-run media that China Southern Airlines, China Eastern Airlines, and Air China would seek payouts from the American aerospace giant come against the backdrop of an escalating US-China trade war.

China Southern is Asia’s largest carrier by fleet size, China Eastern is the country’s number two, while Air China is the state flag carrier.

A spokesman for China Eastern confirmed to AFP that a dispatch by state-run Xinhua news agency saying the airline had presented Boeing with a compensation claim was correct.

Neither the spokesman nor the report gave any financial or other details.

Spokespersons for China Southern and Air China could not immediately be reached for comment.

On March 11, China became the first country to order its airlines to ground the 737 MAX as a result of the two tragedies.

The day before, an Ethiopian Airlines 737 MAX crashed minutes after takeoff from Addis Ababa, killing all 157 people on board, including eight from China.

That followed the October crash of a Lion Air 737 MAX, which went down shortly after takeoff from Jakarta, killing all 189 people on board.

Xinhua had reported that “grounding Boeing 737 MAX 8 planes had resulted in great losses for the company (China Eastern), and the losses are still expanding”. AFP

Business/World Fake news surges in Sri Lanka COLOMBO―Sri Lankan social networks saw a surge in fake news after the Easter suicide bombings a month ago despite an official social media blackout, highlighting the inability of governments to contain disinformation, experts said.

A nine-day ban on platforms including Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram and WhatsApp was introduced following the Islamic State-claimed attacks on churches and hotels on April 21 which killed 258 people and wounded nearly 500.

Many anxious social media users switched to virtual private networks (VPNs) or the TOR network to bypass the order and keep communication open with friends and relatives as the extent of the carnage became clear.

But for others, the tools were a means to spread confusion and vitriol as the island struggled to come to terms with one of the worst terror attacks in its history.

Sanjana Hattotuwa, who monitors social media for fake news at the Centre for Policy Alternatives in Colombo, said the government blackout had failed to prevent “engagement, production, sharing and discussion of Facebook content”, and that he had seen a significant increase in false reports.

AFP has published half a dozen fact-checks debunking false claims made on Facebook and Twitter after the Easter attacks.

Some had dug out photos of coffins and funerals from Sri Lanka’s brutal decades-long civil war and claimed they showed victims of the blasts.

One video posted to Facebook showed police arresting a man dressed in a burqa and claimed he was involved in the bombings. The video was actually from 2018, and showed a man who had used a burqa to hide his identity while he sought to attack someone over a debt issue. AFP

San Miguel a complete infra firm after Holcim acquisition CONGLOMERATE San Miguel Corp., by acquiring Holcim Philippines Inc. two weeks ago, has cemented its hold as one the country’s biggest infrastructure companies.

It is now in a better position to see the significant completion of its major infrastructure projects from toll roads and airports to railways, in step with the ambitious drive of the President Rodrigo Duterte to bring the Philippines to the golden age of infrastructure, when gridlock will be a thing of the past and travel time is very much predictable.

San Miguel’s acquisition of Holcim from European giant LaFarge Holcim for $2.15 billion has made the diversified conglomerate a total infrastructure corporation, with significant assets in the toll road and railway sectors, water and power, airports and port operations.

San Miguel, with assets of P1.7 trillion, also broke the decades-old hold of foreign multinational companies on a vital industry where the country’s future economic growth is literally built on: cement manufacturing. The conglomerate bested Anhui Conch, China’s largest cement company, for the right to buy Holcim from LaFarge Holcim, which has decided to exit Southeast Asia.

Cement supply is a major and critical input to infrastructure development. The Philippines, in the midst of a property boom and construction frenzy, cannot afford to be at the mercy of global risk factors affecting foreign multinationals and international suppliers.

Prior to San Miguel’s major entry, the top three cement companies, LaFarge Holcim, Republic Cement, and Cemex—all affiliated with foreign multinational companies—aggregately controlled over 70 percent of the local market. In contrast, the cement industry in Indonesia, Vietnam, Malaysia and Thailand is dominated by local players.

There has been a pushback on foreign ownership of the cement industry across Southeast Asia because of the product’s critical role in economic development.

The situation is worse in the Philippines. It is now the third largest importer of cement in the world after relying on foreign manufacturers that dominate the local market.

The Philippines in 2016 imported some 6.4 million tons of cement, with 3.8 MT coming from Vietnam. Almost 25 percent of Philippine cement consumption at the time was fed by imports. In 2018, it became the only net importer of cement among the five large countries in Southeast Asia. The Philippines imported some 8.4 million tons, or 25 percent of the domestic capacity. Imports accounted for 35 percent of the demand, while the local industry supplied the balance.

With the continued rise in cement demand brought about by Build Build Build, private sector infra initiatives and the overall rise in construction projects fueled by the country’s growing economy, it makes a lot of sense for a Filipino company like San Miguel to take over Holcim.

As one of the country’s largest and most diversified conglomerates, San Miguel has the capability and resources to manage—even upgrade and upscale—Holcim’s operations. In much the same way it is increasing its manufacturing capacity for food and beverage products, raising cement production to meet the projected demand— or just lessen dependence on imports—is one of the things that the conglomerate can immediately do.

None of the foreign groups has invested in a single new kiln line since taking over the local cement industry, although the demand has risen from around 12 million tons in 2003 to over 30 million tons in 2018. They simply made minor adjustments to old facilities and took out from the Philippines huge amounts of dividends, technical fees and other payments to invest in other countries.

San Miguel president and chief Ramon Ang, meanwhile, is one local business leader who is capable of making Holcim more efficient to meet the country’s needs.

San Miguel, under the helm of Ang, owns one of the largest infrastructure firms in the country, responsible for such large-scale projects such as the MRT-7, Skyway Stage 3, the Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway, the Naia Expressway, the SLEX TR4 extension to Quezon province, and the Southeast Metro Manila Expressway or Skyway 4 projects.

A major consideration for San Miguel’s bid for Holcim will most likely be its infrastructure business. By leveraging on the combined strength and synergies between these two businesses, the company will not only be in a better position to complete and pursue new infrastructure projects, it will also be able to supply the needs of other infrastructure companies in the country.

San Miguel is also looking to build possibly the largest and most ambitious infrastructure project in the Philippines today: The New Manila International Airport that will rise rise on a 2,500 hectare property in Bulacan province. Such a vital infrastructure project cannot be subject to risks associated with foreign cement manufacturers.

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

B3

THURSDAY, MAY 23, 2019 CESAR BARRIOQUINTO, Editor mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Jakarta tense after violent polls clashes

J

AKARTA―Indonesia’s capital Jakarta erupted in violence on Wednesday as police in riot gear fired water cannons and tear gas at the protesters opposed to President Joko Widodo’s reelection, with parts of the sprawling city littered with debris and burned-out cars.

The city’s governor Anies Baswedan was quoted by local media as saying six people had been killed with more than 200 injured.

Police said they were probing reports of deaths, but denied that any live rounds had been fired on the crowd. Dozens were arrested.

Early Wednesday, some protesters had set market stalls and cars on fire, while hurling fireworks and rocks at authorities who had ordered them to disperse, said an AFP reporter on the scene.

The spasm of violence triggered fresh security advisories from the US and Australian embassies.

Later roads were blocked off in parts of the sprawling city, with some shopping malls, businesses and schools also closed.

More than 30,000 troops had been deployed in anticipation of unrest when the official poll figures were announced.

National police spokesman Muhammad Iqbal said 69 people had been arrested at the protests.

Authorities were also probing reports several demonstrators had died, including at least one reportedly killed by a bullet, he said.

But Iqbal said police had not fired live rounds, and portrayed the violence as a planned act by “provocateurs”.

“The incident that happened this morning is not spontaneous, it was by design,” he told reporters in Jakarta.

Iqbal would not confirm how many were injured or if anyone had died.

The violence came after Indonesia’s election commission on Tuesday confirmed Widodo, 57, had beaten retired military general Prabowo Subianto for the presidency in a poll held on April 17.

Subianto has said he would challenge the results in court, and warned that his claims of widespread cheating could spark street protests.

Election officials and analysts have discounted his claims, but many supporters appeared convinced of fraud in the world’s third-biggest democracy.

“I need to support the sovereignty of the Republic of Indonesia―there has been massive fraud in this election,” Puji Astuti, a 42-year-old Subianto supporter, told AFP at a rally in central Jakarta Wednesday.

Several allies of retired military man Subianto have been arrested recently, including a former special forces commander accused of smuggling weapons destined for the protests.

The protests in support of Subianto have sparked a backlash online from opponents with the hashtag #Tangkapprabowo (#ArrestPrabowo) trending widely on social media.

Wednesday’s early morning violence happened after several thousand Subianto supporters rallied peacefully near the election supervisory agency’s office in the heart of the capital on Tuesday.

The elections commission office was barricaded with razor wire and protected by scores of security personnel.

Tensions have also spiked since police said last week that they had arrested dozens of Islamic State-linked terror suspects who had planned to cause chaos by bombing protests. AFP Republic of the Philippines Department of Environment and Natural Resources

MINES AND GEOSCIENCE BUREAU

North Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines

Tel No. (+63 2) 920-9120/920-9130 Trunkline No. 667-87-00 loc. 134 Fax No. (+63 2) 920-1635 Email: central@mgb.gov.ph

BID-BAC-01 INVITATION TO APPLY FOR ELIGIBILITY AND TO BID One (1) Lot Navigation Equipment ITB No. 2019-05-025 P.R. No. 2019-01-118 1.

2.

3.

The Mines and Geosciences Bureau, through the General Appropriations Act (GAA) for CY 2019 intends to apply the sum corresponding to the Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) amounting to Twenty-Five Million One Hundred Thousand Pesos (PhP25,100,000.00), for payments under the contract for One (1) Lot Navigation Equipment. Bids received in excess of the ABC shall be automatically rejected at bid opening.

The Mines and Geosciences Bureau, now invites bids for One (1) lot Supply and Installation of two units Main Diesel Generator for the RPS Explorer. Delivery of the goods is required within one month after receipt of Purchase Order or Notice to Proceed. Bidders should have completed, within one month from the date of submission and receipt of bids, a contract similar to the Project. The description of an eligible bidder is contained in the Bidding Documents, particularly, in Section II. Instructions to Bidders.

Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using a non-discretionary “pass/fail” criterion as specified in the 2016 Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act (RA) 9184, otherwise known as the “Government Procurement Reform Act”.

Bidding is restricted to Filipino citizens/sole proprietorships, partnerships, or organizations with at least sixty percent (60%) interest or outstanding capital stock belonging to citizens of the Philippines and to citizens or organizations of a country, the laws or regulations of which grant similar rights or privileges to Filipino citizens, pursuant to RA 5183.

4.

Interested bidders may obtain further information from the Office of the BACSecretariat and inspect the Bidding Documents at the address given below during office hours from 9:00AM to 4:00PM.

5.

A complete set of Bidding Documents may be acquired by interested Bidders on May 22-June 7, 2019 from the address below and upon payment of the applicable fee for the Bidding Documents, pursuant to the latest Guidelines issued by the GPPB, in the amount of Twenty-Five Thousand Pesos (PhP25,000.00).

Note: For lot procurement, the maximum fee for the Bidding Documents for each lot shall be based on its ABC, in accordance with the Guidelines issued by the GPPB; provided that the total fees for the Bidding Documents of all lots shall not exceed the maximum fee prescribed in the Guidelines for the sum of the ABC of all lots.

It may also be downloaded free of charge from the website of the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PhilGEPS) and the website of the Procuring Entity, provided that Bidders shall pay the applicable fee for the Bidding Documents not later than the submission of their bids.

6.

The Mines and Geosciences Bureau will hold a Pre-Bid Conference on May 27, 2019 @ 11:00am at BAC Office, MGB Compound North Avenue Diliman Quezon City, which shall be open to prospective bidders.

7.

Bids must be duly received by the BAC Secretariat at the address below on or before June 10, 2019 @ 9:30am. All bids must be accompanied by a bid security in any of the acceptable forms and in the amount stated in ITB Clause 18.

8.

The Mines and Geosciences Bureau reserves the right to reject any and all bids, declare a failure of bidding, or not award the contract at any time prior to contract award in accordance with Section 41 of RA 9184 and its IRR, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder or bidders.

9.

For further information, please refer to:

Any person with valid objection/s on the abovementioned project may file his/her objection in writing, under oath, with the BOI within three (3) days from the date of this publication.

(SGD.) ANGELITA F. ARCELLANA Officer-In-Charge Infrastructure and Services Industries Service (MS-MAY.23, 2019)

N OTICE Notice is hereby given that AXEIA DEVELOPMENT CORP. (Formerly Asiatic Development Corporation) with office address 5th & 6th Floor, Westar Building, 611 Shaw Boulevard, Kapitolyo, Pasig City is applying for registration with the Board of Investments (BOI) as an Expanding Developer of Economic and Low-Cost Housing Project under the Preferred List - Mass Housing (Alta Tierra Homes Phase 4) with a capacity of 877 house and lot units on a Non-Pioneer status, with project site located at Brgy. Aldiano Olaes, GMA, Cavite.

Any person with valid objection/s on the abovementioned project may file his/her objection in writing, under oath, with the BOI within three (3) days from the date of this publication.

(SGD.) ANGELITA F. ARCELLANA Officer-In-Charge Infrastructure and Services Industries Service (MS-MAY.23, 2019)

THE ALPARACHE FAMILY ANNOUNCE WITH GREAT SADNESS THE DEATH OF

RUDY B. ALPARACHE Born on April 20, 1975 He passed away in the Grace of our Lord on March 10, 2019 at the age of 44.

Our family would like to thank all those who are with us during our times of griefs.

Republic of the Philippines REGIONAL TRIAL COURT National Capital Judicial Region Quezon City, Metro Manila BRANCH LXXVIII (78) NICHOLAS ALEXANDER S. ROCAS Petitioner, -versusCIVIL CASE NO. R-QZN-18-14269-CV For: Declaration of Nullity of Marriage IVELYN L. DELOS REYES-ROCAS, Respondent. x-----------------------------------------------x

ORDER Filed with the Court on April 2, 2019 is a Motion for Leave of Court to Serve Summons by Publication with Manifestation by the Petitioner through counsel.

The petitioner avers that Nelson M. Sadullo, Process Server of the Office of the Clerk of Court of the Regional Trial Court of Caloocan City, attempted to serve the Summons upon the respondent.

However, the same was returned unserved on the ground that the respondent no longer resides in the given address. That the only address of the respondent which he has on record is that stated in the Petition at 142 Bo. Sta. Rita South, Tala, Caloocan City. Thus, the petitioner has no other way of ascertaining the new

address of the respondent.

Hence, petitioner request that service of Summons upon the respondent be made by publication, pursuant to Section 14 of Rule 14 of the Rules of Court.

Finding the grounds set forth therein to be well-taken, the Court resolves to grant the same.

Accordingly, let service of Summons upon respondent Ivelyn L. Delos Reyes-Rocas be effected by publication once a week for two (2) consecutive weeks in a Newspaper of NATIONAL circulation in the Philippines for the said Respondent to file personally with this Court her written Answer/Responsive pleading within a period of thirty (30) days from the date of the last publication; and importantly, let a copy of this Order, the petition, complete with enclosure be sent to the Respondent at her last known address appearing in the records via LBC Private Courier, at petitioner’s expense.

SO ORDERED. Quezon City, Metro Manila, April 17, 2019.

(Sgd.) FERNANDO T. SAGUN, JR. Presiding Judge (MStandard-May 16 & 23, 2019)

Republic of the Philippines REGIONAL TRIAL COURT National Capital Judicial Region Quezon City, Metro Manila BRANCH LXXVIII (78) IN RE: PETITION FOR ISSUANCE OF GUARDIANSHIP BONDS CASE NO. R-QZN-18-14740-SP APRIL ABIGAIL I. TING, Petitioner. x-------------------------------------------------x

AMENDED ORDER A verified Petition for Issuance of Guardianship Bonds was filed by April Abigail I. Ting, through counsel, praying that after due notice and hearing this Court orders Prudential Guarantee to issue in petitioner’s name: Guardianship Bonds covering One Million, Eight Hundred Thousand Pesos (Php 1,800,000.00) value of insurance for EACH of the children, namely: ALEXA DANIELLE IBAY TING and JENNY IÑIGO de III IBAY TING for the release of the insurance proceeds intended for them.

Petitioner is of legal age, widow and a resident of 6 Capetown Street, Vista Real Classica 1, Batasan Hills, Quezon City. She was married to Jenny Frando Ting, Jr. on June 12, 2000 at Makati City. Her husband Jenny Frando Ting, Jr. died on May 26, 2018 at the National Kidney Transplant Institute, Quezon City. That from their marriage, two (2) children were born, namely: Alexa Danielle Ibay Ting on May 11, 2003 and Jenny Iñigo de III Ibay Ting on June 12, 2004.

That the deceased Jenny Frando Ting, Jr. had a Group Term Life Insurance Policy No. GTL 17-700000083236 with Pioneer Insurance for Five Million, Four Hundred Thousand Pesos (Php 5,400,000.00), with his wife and children as beneficiaries.

That the insurance proceeds for the children under their father’s Group Term Life Insurance Policy at One Million, Eight Hundred Thousand Pesos (Php 1,800,000.00) for EACH child, requires Guardianship Bonds for its release to them. That the petitioner has already negotiated with Prudential Guarantee for it to provide the Guardianship Bonds. That for Prudential Guarantee to provide the Guardianship Bonds, a Court Order is required.

That the petitioner is in dire need of funds to settle the outstanding loans incurred for the medical and hospitalization bills of the longdrawn illness of her deceased husband, not to mention providing for her family’s needs now being the sole breadwinner, earning hardly enough from her employment to meet daily expenses.

Finding the petition to be sufficient in form and substance, set the initial hearing of case to June 26, 2019 at exactly 8:30 o’clock in the morning, whereby any and all persons concern are mandated to appear before this Court and register their opposition and to show cause why this Petition should not be given due course by the Court.

Let this Order be published, at petitioner’s expense, once a week for two (2) consecutive weeks in a newspaper of national circulation to be chosen by raffle under the supervision of the Executive Judge, Regional Trial Court, this city, pursuant to P.D. 1079.

Mr. HANZ C. BERNARDO Head, BAC Secretariat Bids and Awards Committee North Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City Telephone No. 667- 700 local 160 E-mail: bac@mgb.gov.ph Website: www.mgb.gov.ph

SO ORDERED. Quezon City, Metro Manila, April 26, 2019.

(Sgs) Engr. RODOLFO L. VELASCO, JR. BAC Chairperson (MS-MAY 23, 2019)

N OTICE Notice is hereby given that CEBU AIR, INC. doing business under the names and styles of Cebu Pacific and Cebu Pacific Air (Formerly: CEBU AIR, INC.) with office address at Cebu Pacific Building, Domestic Road, Barangay 191, Zone 20, Pasay City, is applying for registration with the Board of Investments (BOI) as a New Operator of Air Transport Services (A321NEO #2 with CAB Registration No. RP-4119 and Serial No. MSN8878) a Non-Pioneer status with home base at Airline Operations Center, Domestic Road, Pasay City.

(Sgd.) FERNANDO T. SAGUN, JR. Presiding Judge (MStandard-May 23, & 30, 2019)

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

LGUs

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

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LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS

THURSDAY, MAY 23, 2019

Cebu landfill shut after ‘garbage slide’ kills driver CEBU CITY—The Environmental Management Bureau in Central Visayas has ordered the closure of a private sanitary landfill in Consolacion, Cebu after a “garbage slide” last May 4 that reportedly killed a truck driver, an environmental regulatory body official said on Wednesday.

Engineer William Cuñado, regional director of EMB-Region 7, issued a cease and desist order against the sanitary landfill owned and operated

by Asian Energy Systems Corporation located in Polog village in Consolacion.

The establishment was found to have violated the provisions of Environmental Impact Statement System (Presidential Decree 1586) and the Clean Air Act of 2004 (Republic Act 9275), Cuñado said.

“Based on the findings of the inspection conducted by EMB-7 personnel on April 23, 2019 and May 5, 2019, Asian Energy Systems Corp., failed to implement their Environmental Management Plan (EMP) that resulted to a landslide last May 4, 2019,” the bureau said in a statement sent to the Philippine News Agency.

The EMP is listed as among the conditions of the landfill’s Environmental Compliance Certificate issued by the EMB-7 last February 10, 2010.

“These ECC conditions are ought to be complied by the proponents,” the statement read. Cindy Pepito, information officer of EMB-7, told PNA that the piles of garbage that fell from the top have slid all the way down to the service road.

According to her, a truck driver whose identity is yet to be established, was killed by the trash avalanche. EMB7 investigators also found the landfill’s failure to comply with the fifth condition of the ECC and the regulations laid down under RA 9275 as it reportedly “exceeded the wastewater effluent standards for chemical oxygen demand [COD], ammonia, and total coliform parameters.”

The cease and desist order was served last May 7, but the appraisal of the landfill’s compliance to the conditions as directed by the Technical Conference between the EMB-7 investigators and the management is ongoing.

The statement said the EMB-7 ordered the landfill to pay a fine of P100,000. To ensure commitment to solve the problem, the corporation that runs the landfill is required to submit rehabilitation plan in the area where the garbage-slide occurred within 15 days.

The bureau also directed the landfill management to conduct and implement a full rehabilitation and assessment of the area affected by garbage-slide.

The landfill is also required to immediately stop discharging wastewater and seal all leakages to avoid violating the Clean Air Act. Re-inspection will be conducted

by EMB-7 to determine compliance.

The corporation is required to observe the provisions of the closure order.

Otherwise, they will be fined P50,000 per day of illegal operation, the statement said. PNA

Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia (fourth from left) wins a fresh mandate for a sixth term as he was proclaimed by the Board of Canvassers chaired by acting Bacolod election registrar lawyer Ann Janette Lamban (second from right) with vice chairman Perico Hernaez (third from left) of COA and member lawyer Giovanni Alfonso Miraflores (right) of the Registry of Deeds at the SP Session Hall of Bacolod City Government Center on Thursday. Joining Leonardia was wife Elsa (second from left) and daughter Loren Kara (left).

Bacolod mayor breaks own record for votes

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record.

ACOLOD—Mayor Evelio “Bing” Leonardia earned a record- votes. Leonardia, who used to be congressman, also earned his sixth breaking 144,776 votes in the May 13 elections, the highest votes ever for a local candidate in this city—breaking his own term as mayor, making him the

Leonardia was proclaimed the winner by the Board of Canvassers late Thursday morning, after the BOC decided to proclaim all the winning candidates only when the canvassing of votes was at 100 percent.

Seven secure digital cards were corrupted and were only read midnight of Thursday. Leonardia was proclaimed together with his Grupo Progreso partymates, Rep. Greg Gasataya and Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran, who also got big margins over their closest opponents,

and 11 of the 12 councilors-elect.

Leonardia led by 63,528 votes, the biggest margin in Bacolod elections, over his closest opponent, former councilor Jocelle Batapa-Sigue, who only got 81,248 votes.

Familiaran got 126,238 votes, or a difference of 34,417 over his rival, former vice mayor Jude Thaddeus Sayson, who got 91,821 votes.

Gasataya had 135,346 votes, or a lead of 50,641 over his challenger, former congressman Monico Puentevella, who had only 84,705

longest- serving mayor of Bacolod.

In the city’s political history, previous mayors had only served two terms at most. The first time he joined politics and ran for councilor in 1988, Leonardia was No. 1 with more than 69,000 votes. He had more votes than the candidates for mayor and vice mayor, and it was then the biggest number of votes recorded.

When he first ran for mayor in 1995, Leonardia’s 84,000 votes was also the highest then. In succeeding elections, he broke his own records with 110,000 votes in 2007 and 120,000 votes in 2016.

By Abe Almirol

celebration, where businessman Jon Arizapa was the Hermano Mayor.

"We truly wanted the celebration to be colorful and memorable. We wanted to give utmost joy to the people," Dela Cruz said.

"The star-struck residents lined on the streets to take a glimpse of the

Santacruzan Elenas. We were delighted that Orani folks were really entertained," recalled Arizapa.

"We will continue providing this kind of activity in the coming days to provide entertainment. We are planning to host an exhibition basketball match with Kapuso male stars,” he added.

Actor Pancho Magno, the real-life partner of Collins, escorted her. Other stars and models in the Mulawin Santacruzan were Arny Ross, Diva Montelaba, Anna de Leon, Patricia Reyes, Nelda Ibe, Nikki Gonzales, Vanessa Wright, and Kristi Banks.

Butch Gunio

NCCC, TraXion tie up for cooperatives

Signing the agreement for Mindanao cooperatives are (from left) Bermil M. Espina, CTO; Ann J. Cuisia, CEO; and Dennis Joy B. Ejercito, COO, all of Traxion Tech; Lafayette A. Lim, CEO of NCCC; Sonny D. Catacutan, CFO of NCCC; and Joshua Allen C. Santos, CEO of Kadena Hub.

THE proposed Philippines’ own space agency has taken off faster than expected. This developed after the Senate unanimously approved early this week the “Philippine Spaces Act,” its version of the “Philippine Space Development Act” passed by the House of Representatives in December last year.

Albay Rep. Joey Sarte Salceda, principal author of House Bill 8541, said the proposal, crafted in collaboration with the Department of Science and Technology, is a “national imperative” because it would help the country safeguard its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

“Developing science and technology through a space program would also help boost patriotism and nationalism,” he added.

The proposal seeks to establish a clear Philippine Space Development and Utilization Policy and create the Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA), the country’s version of United States National Aeronautics Space Agency.

The Senate voted 18-0 last Monday for the PhilSA creation. When created, PhilSA will absorb the functions of the Philippines Space Science Education Program of the DOST’s Science Education Institute.

PhilSA, Salceda explained, will be the central government agency in charge of issues and activities related to space science, engineering, and related fields and will be attached to the DOST. It will spearhead the program of space science and technology access and applications, space research including remote sensing and gathering of crucial data related to natural disasters and respond to the country’s growing need for a secure and independent access to space.

Salceda said PhilSA has been conceptualized to serve as the primary policy, planning, coordinating, implementing and administrative body of the executive branch of government in developing and promoting a national space program.

This is in line with the Philippine Space Policy that will prioritize programs on national security and development, hazard management and climate studies, space research and development, space industry and capacity building, space education and awareness, and international cooperation.

Salceda said space technology has now become ubiquitous so that many vital activities would not operate without space systems, like satellites, to provide capabilities in communications, navigation, defense and security, environmental monitoring and disaster assessment.

SM trains Isabela farmers on food production ‘KsK’

A total 121 farmers from Cauayan City and Echague town of Isabela graduated from a threemonth farming technology training spearheaded by SM Foundation through its ‘Kabalikat sa Kabuhayan’ program. Shown are the fresh harvest of crops from a demonstration farm in Barangay San Pablo, a village of Cauayan City.

Max Collins leads way as Mulawin hosts star-studded Santacruzan ORANI, Bataan—Barangay Mulawin in this town hosted the grandest Santacruzan in the province that featured some celebrities from GMA Network, headed by Max Collins as Reyna Elena.

Barangay Capt. Marvin Dela Cruz said the Santacruzan on Sunday was a highlight of the four-day barangay fiesta

PH Space Agency now ‘imperative,’ Albay solon says

DAVAO-BASED supermall New City Commercial Center has inked a deal with local blockchain company TraXion to boost the development of cooperatives in Mindanao region.

Through the NCCC’s Ka Partner program, cooperatives will be given perks and advantages as well as trainings from NCCC on how to manage their enterprises. TraXion will serve astechnology provider for this program.

“Combining our knowledge and experience in the retail industry with that of the expertise of Traxion in leading-edge technology, and the goal of providing excellent service to reach the grassroots, we have partnered to make

a project that can impact our fellow Filipinos,” TraXion CEO Ann Cuisa explained.

The program will comprise of KoopKicks, KoopMart, and Ka-Coop Card. Ka-Coop Card will provide the benefits such as reduced cost of handling cash loans, online-real time credit line management, contributing data to their member’s credit score, and digital, seamless, cashless shopping. The card comes with a QR code.

Under the KoopKicks, NCCC can fund and support an aspiring entrepreneur from the cooperatives. Meanwhile, KoopMart will provide supplies and system to the cooperatives.

CAUAYAN City, Isabela— Responding to the global call to work for the attainment of food security, SM Foundation has organized a three-month hands-on training in a demonstration farm established at Barangay San Pablo here.

"SM's Kabalikat sa Kabuhayan Program [KsK] has partnered with Harbest Agribusiness Corporation in coordination with the Department of Social Welfare and Development Office, the Department of Agriculture, and the city government of Cauayan," Krystal Gayle Agbulig, Public Relations Manager at the SM City Cauayan said.

The group of 121 farmers is the third batch of beneficiaries of the 'Kabalikat sa Kabuhayan' farmer’s training program in Isabela, the 196th batch of farmer-beneficiaries nationwide since it started in 2007, Agbulig added.

"The trainees were familiarized on seed culture and modern propagation, irrigation, fertilizer application, pruning, mulching, and safe farming," said Conrado Calderon, an agriculturist working as Marketing Coordinator of Harbest Agribusiness Corp.

On Tuesday, a harvest festival was held at the demonstration farm in Sitio Manalpaac of Barangay San Pablo, where the farmers had the opportunity to sell their harvests.

Some of the fresh harvest were used in a cooking contest.

Participants and guests had chance to savor dishes during a "boodlefight" lunch.

The 121 graduates were presented in a graduation ceremony held at the function area of Building A of SM City Cauayan on Wednesday.

Life

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

HOUSEHOLD

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UN, colorful, and unique chairs and other furniture pieces inspired by various themes were recently displayed at a mall to give mall-goers a glimpse of a kind of borderless design they can bring home.

The Chroma: Color Your Furniture exhibition, a joint project of Benilde’s Interior Design program and S Maison, focused on the depths of design and construction of furniture through traditional and digital hybrid approach.

A partial fulfillment of the Interior Design Program’s Furniture Design and Construction 1 class, the subject focuses on designing “free-standing” furniture and following step-by-step construction techniques. This aims to help and hone the students to design a core collection of different types of furniture pieces while exploring various forms and materials for their very own prototypes.

The students drew inspiration from various themes: from nature like coral reefs and twilight sky to historical concepts like the 20th century Rotary Dial and Piet Mondrian’s “The Composition.” Some were also inspired by iconic furniture designs like Ito Kish’s Baluster collection, the Queen Anne lowboy, and the Mariposa and Batibot chairs.

THURSDAY, MAY 23, 2019

Take a seat

Ana Patricia Robles and Joren Matthew Manuel’s Seklusyon chair

On colorful chairs

Beatrisha Mae Peralta drew inspiration from coral reefs to design Silya de Bangkuta.

FUNCTIONAL AND DECORATIVE. Crab chair by Andrea de Castro, one of the fun and colorful chairs displayed at Chroma: Color Your Furniture exhibition at S Maison.

The hand-painted Pintados chair by Michelle Raven Landicho is inspired by the remnants of paint on a palette.

Diosa Abandia’s Tobitab rocking chair inspired by the Batibot chair

Fatemeh Jafarimalak with the Joven chair

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Afterglow sofa by Martin Dena and Nicole Lopez represents the twilight sky

S Maison mall manager Grace Mindanao and SM’s senior vice president for marketing communications group Millie Dizon with the vibrant Bubblegum chair by Sophia Gabrielle de Jesus.

5 things ‘Mother Hood’ teaches us THIS year, PLDT Home celebrated Mother’s Day in a heartwarming threepart web series, dubbed “Mother Hood,” that narrated stories of different moms.

The story tells how motherhood is both a commitment and a privilege. Here are five things the web series wishes to teach moms.

Things take time to fall into place.

Claire, a first-time mom, taught us that being a mother or a parent takes a lot of patience. You want things to happen right away, but they just don’t. It takes time to learn motherhood. It takes time to fit in the role. But in the end, everything is going to be worth it.

Tropical resort-inspired residential community Vireya is nestled in the highest point of The Midlands, thus offering both cool mountain weather and warm tropical sun.

Home is where it feels like vacation

You don’t have to be a biological mother to be a mom.

“Mother Hood” teaches us that one doesn’t need to be a biological mother to be a mom. Being a mom is about loving and caring for a child unconditionally and raising them to the best of your ability.

An honest relationship with your children matters.

One of the most important things to have as a parent is the trust of your children. Maintain that trust by being truthful of the circumstances and involving them in the situation.

Kids appreciate honesty.

There’s always support from people around you.

There are times when you can’t do things on your own.

During these times, surround yourself with people who you can count on for help and guide you every step of the way.

Trust in yourself.

There is no single formula or manual on being a parent. It’s okay to figure it out and learn as you go along. You’ll make a mistake or two, but these are things that will prepare and toughen your heart to be a great mom.

Witness the journey of Mamita, Claire, Benj, and Alice on PLDT Home’s YouTube channel.

A LOT of Filipinos yearn for the cool mountain weather and warmth of the tropical sun, as proven by the popularity of vacations up north and at beaches.

Vireya, a residential enclave in Tagaytay Highlands, banks on Pinoys’ love of the cool mountain weather and tropical sun as it offers a home where they can enjoy both and experience vacation all year round.

Nestled in the highest point of The Midlands, Vireya sprawls over 20 hectares of land that overlooks the mystical Mount Makiling and the placid Taal Lake. The tropical resortinspired community masterfully blends the elements of nature with modern architecture.

It offers a total of 301 lots that range from 250 to 612 square meters, where residents can build their dream homes that feature high-pitched roof, walls with wood and stone finishes, wide glass windows for extravagant views, an entry with a cozy lanai, and a patio surrounded by a landscaped garden.

Vireya prides itself as one of the most sought-after developments in the resort complex because of the diverse points of interests that it offers for residents’ utmost enjoyment, and its proximity to

leisure amenities that help create a fun and active family time.

Residents can take a refreshing dip in the Pavana’s infinity swimming pool or unwind at the Ammanya Massage’s massage huts and gardens. They can also go for a relaxing stroll everyday at Vireya’s pocket parks and gardens including Cala Mira Park, Leafwing Park, Herb Garden, Linear Parks, and Garden Patio. Kids, meanwhile, can frolic at the very first Treehouse within Tagaytay Highlands.

For a truly holistic lifestyle, property purchase at Vireya also comes with access to a wide array of amenities and recreational activities at The Country Club, such as the Aerial Walk, Trail Buggy, Highlands Archery, and Pedal Go Kart Racing, alongside its sports facilities for swimming, tennis, bowling, and badminton.

Tagaytay Highlands is also home to specialty restaurants like the Highlander Steakhouse, Highlands China Place, and a variety of dining outlets at the Gourmet Avenue.

Call (02) 505-2422 or 0917-515-0158 or visit www.tagaytayhighlands.com for more information.

Life

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THURSDAY, MAY 23, 2019 manilastandardlife@gmail.com

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ECHNOLOGY is truly a gift that keeps on giving, this time supporting parents through their pregnancy journey.

Philips Avent, one of the world’s leading mother and childcare brand, recently launched Pregnancy +, an application designed to support a healthy full-term pregnancy and safe delivery as it gives expectant parents a comprehensive guide through all stages of pregnancy.

The app has been downloaded by 25 million moms worldwide.

Pregnancy + provides parents instant access that will help them navigate every life stage their child is currently in, through a mixture of expert advice, real life experiences, and brand-created content.

“The first 1,000 days are critical to set the stage for their future health and with that even lay a foundation for the health of our society,” said Maite Uy, business development manager at Philips Personal Health.

Uy continued, “We understand how overwhelming becoming a parent can be, and we believe it’s important for parents to start their journey with a guide that provides them the right information at the right time.”

Advancement in both the demands of millennial moms and technology, means Pregnancy + is able to create a more personalized digitally connected parenting approach—combining data derived from their most popular baby care products and parent-led input—to produce specific insights for each child, enhanced with recommendations from experts and development specialists.

Pregnancy + gives new parents the confidence of a support and reassurance,

Pregnancy app to empower parents DIGITAL PARENTING. Philips Avent’s Pregnancy + mobile app provides expectant parents a comprehensive guide through all stages of pregnancy.

24 hours a day through its features, in- Weight log; Doc Visits log; Diet, exercise, ping list; 1000s of Baby names; Baby The Pregnancy + app is now availcluding Daily pregnancy info; Color and and labor info; Kick Counter; Contraction Size Visualizer; Pregnancy week by week able for free at Apple and Google Play Scan images; Personal Diary; Pregnancy Timer; Contraction Tracker; Baby Shop- info, and more. stores in the Philippines.

Rich Asuncion at the Pregnancy + app launch.

From left: Nadine Smith, Kristine Tan, Diana Onggon, Jan Lizardo, Gwen Serrano, Bernadette Zulueta, Patty Laurel, Jika Quintana

Bria Homes offers house and lot packages for as low as P1,897/month.

Housing developer offers affordable homes to Filipinos

MASS housing developer Bria Homes makes it easier for hardworking individuals to become homeowners with its affordable house and lot packages.

The Golden Bria Holdings, Inc. subsidiary offers packages as low as P1,897 a month. Aside from affordability, the housing developer takes pride in its fast construction time and delivery of homes built to last through the years.

Bria Homes’ communities are located in progressive towns and cities in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.

In Luzon, Bria Homes has developments in the provinces of Pangasinan (Urdaneta), Tarlac (Paniqui), Pampanga (Magalang and San Fernando), Bataan (Mariveles and Hermosa), Cavite (General Trias, Trece Martires, and Indang), Batangas (Balayan and Lipa), Bulacan (Plaridel, Malolos, Santa Maria, San Jose Del Monte, and Norzagaray), Rizal (Teresa, Binangonan, and Baras), Laguna (Calauan, Calamba, Sta. Cruz, San Pablo, Alaminos, and Bay), and Camarines Sur (Pili and Iriga).

In Visayas and Mindanao, its affordable housing options are in the provinces of Negros Oriental (Dumaguete), Samar (Calbayog), Leyte (Ormoc), Misamis Oriental (Cagayan de Oro, Balingasag, and Gingoog), Bukidnon (Manolo Fortich, Valencia), Davao del Norte (Tagum, Panabo, and Carmen), Davao del Sur (Davao City and Di-

gos), North Cotabato (Kidapawan), and South Cotabato (General Santos City).

Housing types include Elena, a 22 square meter unit on a 36 square meter lot; Bettina, a 44 square meter unit on a 36 square meter lot; and Alecza, a 36 square meter unit on a 81 square meter lot.

Homeowners in all Bria Homes are ensured of safety by perimeter fences and guarded entrances. Residents are promised fresh and tranquil ambiance thanks to trees planted throughout the communities.

To foster community spirit and a healthy, active lifestyle among its residents, Bria installs facilities such as covered basketball courts, play areas for children, and venues for events and recreational activities.

Each community is located near retail and leisure establishments and other residential locales, making day-today errands easier to accomplish and leaving more time for the people and activities that truly matter in our lives.

To allow more Filipinos to own a home, buyers may avail of either bank financing or Pag-ibig for ease of payment.

The fastest-growing mass housing developer in the Philippines, Bria Homes is primed to bring affordable house and lot packages and condominium units closer to ordinary Filipino families.

Call 0997-725-0187 or follow Bria Homes’ on social media for more information.

A LATEST study by leading online selling platform Lazada reveals moms are overtaking men in shopping in the Motors category.

Lazada Market Intelligence discovered that over 30 percent of its female shoppers are moms, with more than 60 percent of them purchasing from the site’s Motors category.

Data observing moms aged 26 to 39 years old also show that they prefer shopping late at night. Moms were recorded to be browsing, adding to cart as early as 11:00 p.m., and finally doing checkouts between 12:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m.

Majority or 60 percent of those who ordered used vouchers from their favorite LazMall / seller stores.

Moms’ purchases from the motors category include car scratch removers, protection gears, car stereos, and motorcycle covers. Aside from protection gears and other motoring accessories, A study reveals moms love to shop motoring accessories online. some of these moms have also puring their mobile devices and other tech chased a motorcycle and a car on Lazada cycle and automotive brands.

Lazada moms are also tech geeks accessories such as power banks, headfor the past month as the online platform opened pre-orders for some of its motor- with more than 50 percent them buy- phones, and tablets online.

Moms in the fast lane

iPHOTO Toshiba pays homage to mothers AS PART of its Mother’s Day celebration, Toshiba appliances invited two extraordinary moms to the launch of its new home products.

Margarita Fores (left) and Christine Jacob Sandejas (right) graced the launch of Toshiba’s line of home appliances including washers and dryers, refrigerators, and top-loading water dispensers.

Fores, mother to son Amado, was named Asia’s Best Female Chef in 2016 and is the moving force behind Cibo, a modern Italian caffé concept; and Cibo di Marghi Signature Caterer, her highly successful catering arm.

Meanwhile, Jacob, mother to five kids, is a former athlete and is co-anchor of the popular show New Day on CNN Philippines.

Entertainment

Unveiling the design process of

‘MULAN,’

the animated Disney film

THURSDAY, MAY 23, 2019

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nickie.standard@gmail.com

Women take over in ‘Dumplin’ and ‘The Hustle’ WHO run the world?

If you know the answer, shout it out and celebrate girl power with SM Cinema as they bring two new exclusive womencentered films, Dumplin’, and The Hustle.

Put your high heels on for Dumplin’, a charming and uplifting coming-of-age story. Dumplin’ (Danielle Macdonald) is the plus-size, teenage daughter of a former beauty queen (Jennifer Aniston), who signs up for her mom’s pageant as a protest against the prejudices in her small Texan town.

The situation escalates when other contestants follow her footsteps, revolutionizing the pageant and the way women in their town think about beauty.

Feel like the badass woman you are with the comedy film, The Hustle. Rebel Wilson plays a low-rent scammer who meets a high-class con artist, played

by Anne Hathaway, who teaches her the ways of high-class society living and scheming. Together, they team up to exact revenge to the men who have wronged them in the past.

Catch Dumplin’ and The Hustle only at SM Cinema branches nationwide. Book your tickets through the website, www. smcinema.com or download the SM Cinema mobile app. You may also follow /SMCinema on Facebook and @ SM_Cinema on Instagram for updates.

Internationally acclaimed and award-winning German artist Hans Bacher. (Inset) The Hans Bacher Collection: Mulan official poster

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ITNESS the genius of the internationally acclaimed and award-winning German artist Hans Bacher, the production designer of the blockbuster Mulan (1998), as he exhibits for the first time in the Philippines the vigorous yet colorful journey behind the design of one of the most iconic films in the history of animation.

Through the initiative of De La SalleCollege of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB)’s Center for Campus Art (CCA) and the AB Animation Program, The Hans Bacher Collection, a series of exhibits that tours spectators into the creative process of some of the legendary animator’s masterpieces, was launched at the halls of the 11th floor of the College’s School of Design and Arts (SDA) Campus on Saturday.

Mulan, known for its theme on identity while challenging the barriers of gender and sexuality, marks the first wave of the exhibition. It features an interestingly wide array of materials —from sketches, design and character

studies, behind-the-scenes direction to promotional materials and video clips of the actual film—that will provide a walkthrough on how the movie’s remarkable characters and sceneries were transformed from concepts into life.

Also on the loop is CCA’s exclusive interview with the Bacher himself as he shares his artistic philosophy and personal venture in the world of animation.

“We aim to demystify design,” CCA Director Architect Gerry Torres shared. “We hope that through this exhibit, we can demonstrate the long and arduous process behind creative outputs so people who are not in the

field can understand the works of artists and designers.”

“Benilde has been collaborating with Hans Bacher for years but this is the first time that he will be exhibiting his works in our own halls,” Torres added. “Will he be teaching here in the future? Who knows?”

Bacher has also worked on the visual development of a number of Disney Films including Beauty and the Beast (1991), Aladdin (1992), Lion King (1994), Hercules (1997), Fantasia 2000 (1999), Lilo and Stitch (2002), and Brother Bear (2003) among others.

He has marked his name as film de-

signer, art director, independent masterclass lecturer, and educator in various art universities and studios in key cities such as Taipei, Dusseldorf, Beijing, Shanghai, and Tokyo.

The celebrated artist has also authored various design books such as Dream Worlds, Vision: Color and Composition for Film, and Sketchbook: Composition Studies for Film.

The Hans Bacher Collection: Mulan is on view until Aug. 31 at the 11th floor, School of Design and Arts (SDA) Campus, De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB), Pablo Ocampo (Vito Cruz) Street, Malate, Manila.

Thai model wins Jewel of the World crown

Thailand's Chontida Chatsirichai (center), Jewel of the World 2019 winner, with her runners-up. Mel Caparas

CROSSWORD PUZZLE Thursday, May 23, 2019

ACROSS 1 Coolidge or Moreno 5 Audit aces 9 Hopped a jet 13 Pass, in Congress 15 London elevator 16 Ramble around 17 Courtyards 18 Wager 19 Fateful date 20 Gloomiest 22 Magnitude 24 No longer is 25 Nearly 26 Big rodeo town 30 Golfer — Trevino 31 Pungent vegetable 32 Elsa’s tale (2 wds.)

37 Wallet stuffers 38 Rubs the wrong way 40 Singing bird 41 Capital of Uzbekistan 43 New England state 44 Merchandise ID 45 Fastened together 47 Iris covering 50 Bagel partner 51 Caviar fish

52 Disappeared 57 Bettor’s concern 58 Comparison word 60 Kiwi language 61 Cafe au — 62 Give off light 63 Playwright Neil — 64 Deuce successor 65 Oxford fellows 66 In case DOWN 1 500 sheets 2 Sondheim’s “— the Woods” 3 Edible root 4 Battery fluid 5 Elegantly stylish 6 Half a quart 7 Toward the rear of a ship 8 Pittsburgh NFLers 9 Corn chip name 10 Rich supply 11 Competition 12 Compass reading 14 Taipei’s island 21 Bunny feature 23 Mutant heroes of comics (hyph.)

25 Burn soother 26 Codger 27 Kournikova or Pavlova 28 Falsehoods 29 “Well, I’ll be!”

32 Diner order 33 Move up and down 34 Bus alternative 35 Ocean flier 36 Meted out 38 Said again 39 Machu Picchu builder 42 — fu

43 Sayings 45 Biases 46 Freight weight 47 Evergreen 48 1950s record 49 Out of practice 51 Make a sudden dash 52 Futile 53 Wind catcher 54 Sweet place 55 Psyche’s beloved 56 Force 59 RN employer

THAILAND’S hottest girl next door, Chontida ‘Amie’ Chatsirichai, was named Jewel of the World 2019 at the finals held last week at GT-Toyota Asian Center Auditorium, Diliman, Quezon City.

Chatsirichai was crowned by Neena Macaire Bezuidenhout of South Africa, the first ever Jewel of the World winner.

The 28-year-old model won the FHM Girls Next Door title in 2012 and Miss Grand Satun in 2017.

The Philippines’ Maria Divine Angela Veranga, a 26-year-old Tourism Management student, was first runner-up, while China’s Huli

Xie, who bagged the Miss Photogenic award, placed 2nd runner-up. Miss Ecuador Susy Sacoto and Miss South Africa Kyla Maloney were 3rd and 4th runners up, respectively.

Miss Japan Wakaba Suda won Miss Friendship, Miss USA Marshalla Peral Kahleck was Miss Talent and Miss Myanmar Nang Cherry won Best in National Costume.

The second edition of Jewel of the World is a presentation of JOP, which aims to promote education of Philippine culture and the arts, jointly with Jewel of the World Philippines headed founder and president John De la Vega.

Eton Concepcion

SM Cinema celebrates girl power this month with films Dumplin' and The Hustle

GMA...

From C4...

Across all social media platforms, the live stream of the Eleksyon 2019 broadcast drew a total of more than 4.1 million views. From May 13 to 14, GMA News garnered more than 36 million views, with viewers watching nearly 90 million minutes of news reports and live streams on all social media platforms.

Netizens from other parts of the world also relied on GMA News Online’s Eleksyon 2019 coverage, taking one-third of the all online viewers of the live stream, with the highest viewership in Saudi Arabia, United States, the United Arab Emirates, and Canada.

GMA News Online was an essential resource for voters before and after the polls, with users checking out the website for MyKodigo, which allowed them to generate sample ballots they could take to the precincts, as well as practical guides on candidates’ ”Stand on Issues” and voting processes. After the elections, the Eleksyon 2019 website delivered comprehensive results for the national and local races, with features such as heat maps, local-level performances of senatorial candidates, and smart search delivering the best experiences for users.

Playing an integral part in the special coverage were news anchors Pia Arcangel, Ivan Mayrina, Rhea Santos, Connie Sison, and Atom Araullo together with the most reliable team of journalists and stringers here and abroad. Joining them were news teams from GMA’s flagship AM radio station Super Radyo DZBB 594khz, Dobol B sa News TV, Barangay LS FM, RGMA Network, Inc., and GMA Regional TV. Together, they upheld GMA News and Public Affairs’ brand of news reportage: “Walang kinikilingan, Walang pinoprotektahan, Walang kasinungalingan.

Serbisyong Totoo lamang.”

Further adding Kapuso star power were the tandems of Joyce Pring and Juancho Trivino and Gabbi Garcia and Benjamin Alves who reported from the Social Media Hub and Action Center during the two-day coverage.

Nickie Wang, Issue Editor nickie.standard@gmail.com

C4

Entertainment

THURSDAY, MAY 23, 2019

GMA News and Public Affairs once again set the bar high as its Eleksyon 2019: The GMA News and Public Affairs Special Coverage was the most watched coverage nationwide based on Nielsen TV Audience Measurement’s overnight ratings data for May 13 and 14.

Overall, GMA’s special coverage of the 2019 Midterm Elections recorded an average people rating of 3.2 percent in National Urban Television Audience Measurement (NUTAM), beating ABSCBN’s Halalan 2019, which only got 2.8 percent.

In Urban Luzon, GMA’s Eleksyon 2019 special coverage scored an average rating of 3.4 percent while ABSCBN recorded 2.4 percent.

In Urban Visayas, GMA’s special coverage on May 13 recorded an average rating of 2.9 percent against ABS-CBN Halalan 2019’s 2.7 percent.

Meanwhile, the Eleksyon 2019 coverage of GMA’s flagship newscast 24 Oras last May 13 won over its rival program with 12 percent NUTAM people rating versus TV Patrol’s 11.6 percent.

Late-night newscast Saksi likewise triumphed over

GMA’s ‘Eleksyon 2019’ dominates TV, online viewership

'Eleksyon 2019' coverage was bannered by broadcast journalists Jessica Soho, Mel Tiangco, Arnold Clavio, Vicky Morales, Howie Severino, and Mike Enriquez.

‘John Wick’ opens on top as ‘Avengers’ nears historic mark AVENGERS: Endgame finally yielded the top spot in North American box offices this weekend to the latest John Wick action film, but the Marvel Studios/Disney blockbuster edged closer to historic status as the all-time No. 1 grossing film.

Avengers took in an estimated domestic total of $29.4 million in its fourth weekend out, industry watcher Exhibitor Relations estimated Sunday, bringing its worldwide total to $2.61 billion, just shy of the $2.79 billion Avatar earned in 2009.

But in North America, it fell well behind Lionsgate’s new John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum, which posted a strong $57 million for its opening threeday weekend.

The third John Wick movie again stars Keanu Reeves as a retired hitman, this time being chased by an army of killers after a $14 million contract is put on his head. The film also stars Halle Berry, Laurence Fishburne, Ian McShane, and Anjelica Huston.

In third, down one spot from last weekend, was Warner Bros.’ familyfriendly Pokemon: Detective Pikachu, at $24.8 million. Based on a Nintendo video game and subsequent anime series, it has the animated title character (voiced

by Ryan Reynolds) teaming up with a young boy (Justice Smith, in a live-action role) to seek the boy’s missing father.

A Dog’s Journey from Universal placed fourth, at $8 million. Based on a

novel of the same name, it stars Dennis Quaid and Josh Gad in the story of a dog that is repeatedly reincarnated, each time to protect someone close to it—a plot device that works for some animal lovers but which critics have called “emotionally manipulative” and “insufferable.” It is a follow-up to 2017’s A Dog’s Purpose.

In fifth was The Hustle from United Artists, at $6.1 million. The female-driven revamp of Dirty Rotten Scoundrels stars Rebel Wilson and Anne Hathaway as two con-women trying to scam an internet millionaire. AFP

Keanu Reeves returns to the top of the box-office chart with the muchanticipated third installment of 'John Wick.'

Where live bands thrive new logo and signature EVER heard one recall dishes were presented in those talented Pinoy cover the presence of branch bands live-performing managers and department somewhere in time at a heads and featuring pizza parlor we all know?

YUGEL performances by LED Such legacy was actually LOSORATA Tron Dancers and, later passed on and in actual in the night, Aegis. existence for the past 25 It was a perfect occasion to cherish the years.

The restobar that inherited the legend is brilliant decision by COO Jun Caasi to now likewise a familiar name to its own keep that pizza house live music experience credit: Cowboy Grill. Thus, it is a given intact which in turn gave birth to Cowboy that customers can find some of the finest Grill in 1994. “Apart from the great food, showbands around in one or many of its people come for the live music,” he said.

While many restobars only last for mere, outlets.

“A total of 36 bands circulate among our say, five years before transforming into new branches; some doing R&B, others performing names or losing it altogether, this hangout place classic rock or new wave,” sharedAvie for friends and families has remained to be one Centeno, the newly installed entertainment “that didn’t have to overhaul itself through manger who used to be a regular Cowboy the changes.”

For Avie, who naturally cares Grill performer herself, fronting her own band for the bands’ welfare, stressed She on the bill for eight years.

In fact her band experience goes back that even with the rise of two decades and she has plenty of memories acoustic and DJ acts, pluggedrehearsing songs, old and the latest, here in, full-band set ups still rule. and abroad. She surely knows the life being She has likewise initiated bringing in current toasts led by showband acts.

Avie mused, “Dati problema ko lang ay for special shows, with kumanta at basahin ang crowd. Ngayon I December Avenue set to regularly do reports and talk to the owner play on the 28th at Cowboy Grill Mabini and on the and bosses for updates.”

She is among the key figures who welcomed following day at Cowboy Grill the press and bloggers last week Thursday Delta.

The milestone is also marked for the bar’s 25th anniversary celebration at Cowboy Grill Delta Quezon Avenue. A by plans to expand in Northern Luzon and put up kiosks for schools and hospitals where the bar’s specialties will be offered.

Back in the day under the name Golden Pizza, the Pinoy live band routine that produced the likes of Arnel Pineda was about to be lost forever as some sort of crisis forced owners to remove bands.

The idea to establish Cowboy Grill came at the right moment as the “bandemonium” of the 90s reached its peak. Pinoys‘ admiration for electric guitar groups has, in one way or another, been around since, with the bar serving as a proper-key go-to place.

VERY WANG NICKIE WANG

T

EEN stars Kyle Echarri, Francine Diaz, Andrea Brillantes, and Seth Fedelin are referred to as the ‘‘Gold Squad” in a new teaser for the top-rating afternoon drama, Kadenang Ginto.

In a press event held last week at ABS-CBN’s 9501 Restaurant, the young cast members of the afternoon drama were introduced as “four fun, responsible, driven, and family-oriented teens from different backgrounds with diverse life experiences.”

Together, the ‘‘Gold Squad” will bring surprises that their young fans will be able to relate to, starting off with their own album that will soon be released

by Star Music.

“We’re enjoying the whole experience and we’re happy that people recognize us because of the characters we play in Kadenang Ginto. We believe it’s about time to give back to our loyal supporters by connecting with them more in a way that we possibly could,” says Andrea during the event.

Meanwhile, Kadenang Ginto has

its counterpart with 3.3 percent NUTAM people rating as against Bandila’s 2.6 percent.

The network’s Eleksyon 2019 special coverage was the first to broadcast the partial and unofficial results tally. It also drew praises from viewers and netizens for its impressive, state-of-the-art set and graphics.

Powered by the latest technology and equipment from world leaders in media technology, GMA News’ 360-degree news set featured augmented reality executions and immersive graphics that provided effective data visualization related to the 2019 Midterm Elections.

GMA Network spent P63 million for the acquisition of the said state-of-the-art equipment and technology.

Moreover, GMA News Online’s Eleksyon 2019 live stream was the most-viewed coverage of the midterm polls online. The marathon Eleksyon 2019 coverage single-handedly drew 2.1 million views on YouTube, beating the combined total of 1.9 million of all live streams by ABSCBN, ANC, and DZMM on the top video platform. Continued on C3

The rising Gold Squad taken over the afternoon viewing with its intense scenes and trending catfights, making it the most watched afternoon program and one of the most talked about Kapamilya series on social media.

Since the show aired on television, the show that is also headlined by Beauty Gonzales and Dimples Romana, has consistently reigned its timeslot and remained unbeatable in national TV ratings.

It recently hit its all-time high rating of 27.3 percent—an exceptional feat for an afternoon series—and remained within the 20 percent mark, according to data from Kantar Media.

It has also reached massive success online as its daily highlights on YouTube hit over 800 million total views, with almost every video reaching more than one million views. The series is also a major hit on iWant as it topped the list of most watched programs on the streaming service last April, earning over 1.5 million views daily.

Its success also has also translated on social media as the series has spurred countless of memes

The lead cast of the top-rating 'Kadenang Ginto' (from left) Seth Fedelin, Andrea Brillantes, Francine Diaz, and Kyle Echarri.

that netizens enjoy. Some even make their own versions of the iconic confrontations, such as vlogger Kyo Quijano, whose parody series “Kadenang Tanso” has earned over one million views.

The show was also hailed the Best Daytime Series in the 2019 Golden Laurel Awards at the University of the Philippines-Batangas for its gripping scenes and compelling story.

According to the members of the Gold Squad, there are more unexpected revelations will grip viewers now that Romina (Beauty) is finally acquitted from the case filed against her. But Daniela (Dimples) will not allow to be dethroned and will do what it takes to defeat her mortal enemy. Seeing her mother struggle because of Romina, Marga’s (Andrea) hatred towards Cassie (Francine) will grow even more and make her realize that she is not worthy of being a Mondragon.

Kadenang Ginto airs on Kapamilya Gold on ABS-CBN and ABS-CBN HD (SkyCable ch 167).