Manila Standard - 2019 June 20 - Thursday

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Fewer Pinoys rated poor—SWS

By Nat Mariano

VOL. XXXIII • NO. 126 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P18 • THURSDAY, JUNE 20, 2019 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

EVIL EYE.

Residents and business in the metropolis are facing two unpleasant things almost at the same time: A man, symbolizing hundreds of thousands, fetching water in R-10 Vitas in Tondo, Manila (above) with service interruptions following low water supply from Angat Dam in Bulacan (far right below) with the National Grid Corporation placing the Luzon grid on red alert from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Wednesday.

Norman Cruz

THE number of Filipinos who consider themselves poor hit a record low of 38 percent, the latest Social Weather Stations’ survey revealed on Tuesday, with the Palace assuring the public that the administration’s poverty reduction efforts remain on track.

In its survey, SWS said fewer Filipinos, or at least 9.5-million families in the first quarter of 2019, labeled themselves poor.

“This is 12 points below the 50 percent (est. 11.6 million) in December 2018, and four points below the previous record-low of 42 percent in Next page

Double whammy: Water, power lack Concessionaires set 6-18 hours of service cuts; brownouts loom

By Rio N. Araja and Alena Mae S. Flores

R China boat crew Duterte sets June 28 decision on new Speaker Mariano told to pay up, ByandNatMaricel V. Cruz apologize to PH

By Nat Mariano and Macon Ramos-Araneta THE captain and crew of the Chinese boat that rammed and sank a Filipino fishing boat in the Recto Bank and abandoned the 22 Filipino fishermen must apologize and pay for the damage they caused, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said Wednesday.

At the Kapihan sa Manila Bay forum, Lorenzana said he believed the June 9 incident was an accident, and that it had nothing to do with the Chinese government.

He also said he believed the boat that rammed the FB Gem-Vir, identified as the Yuemaobinyu 42212, was not part of the Chinese maritime militia because it had a boom for fishing.

He said naval experts had identified it as the kind of fishing boat that came from Hong Kong.

The Philippines is still waiting for a statement from China regarding the incident, Lorenzana said.

President Rodrigo Duterte, breaking his silence on the incident after more than a week, called it “a little maritime accident” in a speech to the Philippine Navy.

Next page

Frequent farting?

Leave out camote FARTING up to 23 times a day, or roughly once an our, is normal, a Filipino oncologist said in a GMA television program.

Citing a study, Dr. Isaac David Ampil says in an episode of Next page

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has asked for a week to decide on his candidate for Speaker of the House of Representative.

In a chance interview, Senator-elect Christopher Go said the President promised that he will have his choice by June 28.

“Actually, the President asked for a little time. He’s having a hard time. All of the candidates are skilled, competent, and

qualified,” Go said on Wednesday.

“If the President had his way, he wouldn’t be making that choice, but the House members keep on asking him to choose so that they can begin work even before the SONA,” he added, referring to the State of the Nation Address.

Go said President Duterte made the announcement during a gathering for neophyte lawmakers from the House on Tuesday night at Malacañang.

The gathering was hosted by the Presi-

dent’s son and Davao City Rep.-elect Paolo Duterte.

Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Alfredo Garbin admitted that lawmakers waited for the President to endorse one of three candidates from the ruling PDP-Laban for the post of Speaker, but they failed to get a direct response from him.

“There was no endorsement yet from the President. It was purely a social event which the President graced upon the invitation of Congressman Pulong,” said Next page Garbin.

ESIDENTS and businesses in Metro Manila and most of Luzon are facing a double whammy of a water shortage and unstable power supply in the coming weeks owing to the lingering effects of the El Niño weather phenomenon.

The two private water concessionaires serving Metro Manila have started water service interruptions due to the low supply from the Angat Dam in Bulacan.

Maynilad Water Services Inc. said 70 percent of its customers in Metro Manila’s west zone would suffer interruptions of eight to 16 hours.

Next page

Terror suspect falls; ASG abducts 10

By Vito Barcelo IMMIGRATION agents have arrested in Zamboanga City a Pakistani who allegedly is a member of the Dawlah Islamiya terrorist group and suspected to be a suicide bomber.

Waqar Ahmad was arrested by joint operatives from the BI Mindanao Intel-

ligence Task Group and the Philippine National Police in Zamboanga City.

Meanwhile, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana has ordered all military units to be on alert after suspected Abu Sayyaf terrorists abducted 10 fishermen off the Malaysian side of Borneo and were taking them to their enclaves in Mindanao.

Next page

15 men storm hospital, kill ex-mayor CONGRESSIONAL CAMARADERIE. President Rodrigo Duterte at the fellowship dinner recently of some members of the House of Representatives.

Contributed Photo

Food-tech major tops UP-Min batch THE University of the Philippines Mindanao will have its first-ever Summa Cum Laude graduate on June 21, and she’s a woman.

According to the UP’s official Next page

CEBU CITY—Police have started an investigation of the quirky killing Tuesday night of former Medellin town mayor Ricardo Ramirez, arrested in 2017 for illegal arms possession and drug paraphernalia, while under hospital arrest at the Bogo-

Medellin Medical Center in his town.

Police said at least 15 armed men stormed the private hospital, disarmed the jail guard detailed outside the 55-year-old Ramirez’s room and destroyed the door.

Next page

‘Marilyn caper of 2019’ LOS ANGELES—A statue of Marilyn Monroe that sat atop an artwork in Hollywood that celebrates women in film has gone missing in what authorities are calling the “Marilyn Next page caper of 2019.”

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News

THURSDAY, JUNE 20, 2019

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

New DAR usec topbills cast of appointees

By Nat Mariano PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has appointed former Social Welfare Acting Secretary Virginia Orogo as an undersecretary of the Department of Agrarian Reform, documents from the Palace revealed on Wednesday.

According to her appointment paper, which was signed by Duterte on June 13 but was only released to reporters on Wednesday, Orogo will replace David Erro who served as an undersecretary for policy, planning and research.

In May last year, Duterte tapped Orogo to serve as Social Welfare Acting Secretary from May 10, 2018, to Oct. 16, 2018.

She was then replaced by incumbent Secretary Rolando Bautista, a former head of the Philippine Army.

Orogo aside, Duterte also named Aldrin Darilag as the new commissioner of the Commission on Higher Education.

He will fill the vacancy left by now CHED Chairman Prospero de Vera III. Darilag will serve as commissioner until July 21, 2020.

The Palace has also released the appointment papers of Aurelio Pangilinan de Leon as a member of the Philippine Racing Commission representing the Racehorse Owners’ Association.

Two days ago, National Food Authority Administrator Judy Carol Dansal was appointed by Duterte as an NFA council member replacing Jason Aquino.

Terror...

From A1

“We have directed our troops to be very vigilant while they are coming back to the [southern] Philippines,” Lorenzana said during the weekly breakfast forum at Cafe Adriatico in Malate, Manila, on Wednesday.

Lorenzana said the terrorists and their 10 hostages were reportedly headed toward Tawi-Tawi or Jolo.

Reports said the heavily-armed Abu Sayyaf terrorists snatched the 10 victims at gunpoint while six others managed to escape.

Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente said Ahmad will undergo deportation proceedings for being an undesirable alien due to his alleged terrorist links and for working in the country without a permit.

Ahmad was arrested after several days of surveillance conducted by members of the PNP Police Intelligence Group RIU 9 at the appliance store of his Pakistani uncle in Zamboanga City, where he worked as storekeeper and collector. BI records revealed that Ahmad arrived on April 19 this year.

“Ahmad will be deported as his presence here is inimical to national security.

He also violated our immigration laws by working here without applying for an employment visa, Morente said.

Ahmad claimed he was working as a store keeper and collector in his uncle appliance center in Zamboanga City.

“He did not even have the proper permit or visa to engage in work in the Philippines. We highly doubt his story, Morente said.

He cited international intelligence reports indicating Ahmad alleged links to the radical Islamist group Dawlah Islamiya, which allegedly has ties to the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria and the Maute group, both of which have been blamed for several bombing attacks in the South.

The same reports alleged that he was set to meet with a ranking leader of the Abu Sayyaf in Basilan to plan and carry out suicide bombings in the province.

Government authorities suspect that Dawlah Islamiya was behind the bomb explosion that wounded 18 people in a restaurant in Isulan, Sultan Kudarat, on April 4. With PNA

15 men...

From A1

In a related incident: • A Sangguniang Bayan member in Sindangan, Zamboanga del Norte, was shot dead while driving his jeepney loaded with students at 6 a.m. Wednesday.

The Sindangan Municipal Police Office identified the victim as Cicero Dalangan Gurrea, 59, an incumbent municipal councilor who topped the 2019 elections.

In Cebu, the Provincial Police Office public information officer Eleveo Marquez said in Bisaya: “They [the gunmen] disarmed the guard on watch and told the medical personnel and others to lay flat on the floor. They took the nurse and asked her to show them where the room Ricky Ramirez was being detained When the gunmen entered the room, Ramirez ran to the toilet but was cornered and shot dead, Marquez said.

Ramirez, who served for nine years until 2016, was originally detained in prison but he was later granted hospital arrest after suffering from chest pains, according to prison records.

Ports must-haves: Clean RRs, free Wi-Fi

P

RESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has signed a law requiring clean restrooms, lactation stations and free Internet in all transport terminals, stations and roll-on/roll-off terminals.

He signed Republic Act 11311 on April 17, 2019, but copies of the document were released to reporters only on June 19.

Senator Grace Poe said Wednesday travelers and commuters could rest in the thought that, after hours in traffic, they could find an oasis in transportation terminals with free Internet connections and clean comfort rooms.

“We hail the signing of Republic Act 11311, which requires free Internet services

and clean sanitary facilities for commuters on transportation terminals,” Poe said.

“We urge the strict implementation of this law to see to it that the Internet provided is indeed free and that the restrooms can really give the travelers comfort and rest.”

Poe, chairman of the Senate committee on public services, said the maintenance of these facilities should be consistent.

“A place is known by its people and their cleanliness,” she said.

Double whammy:...

“It is not a good signal for the business sector because part of their requirement is stable electricity. For all industrialized countries, you have the basic like steel and cement industry, car manufacturing but all of that requires energy and power. If we have red alerts and yellow alerts, who will set up business here?” Gatchalian said.

“It’s not a good signal to the business industries especially if you want to attract foreign investors. So when Congress opens, we will dedicate a hearing for the deliverables of ERC [Energy Regulatory Commission] and DOE [Department of Energy] when it comes to the accountability of gencos,” he said, referring to the power generation companies.

According to data from the Department of Energy on Tuesday, four power plants with combined dependable capacity of 710 MW are offline while hydropower plants are operating at below capacity. Some power plants are also on continued maintenance.

The 316 MW SLTEC coal plant went on forced outage due to the “tripping of the coal feeder motors caused by ground fault” while unit 2 (150 MW) of the Limay coal plant and SLTEC unit 2 (135 MW) suffered boiler tube leak problem.

The 200-MW Angat hydropower plant is running at zero capacity and the 290MW San Roque hydro plant is also running only at 238 MW due to low water dam levels. The Angat plant had no water allocation from the National Water Resources Board.

The 120-MW Pantabangan hydro plant is also running at only 45 MW while units 1 to 3 of the Ambuklao hydro plant with a capacity 105 MW is running only at 70 MW also due to low water levels.

From A1

Assistant vice president Jennifer Rufo said Maynilad would release its schedule of water service interruptions.

On the other hand, the Manila Water Co. Inc. said its customers would suffer eight to 15 hours of interruptions, and said it would release a schedule on its Facebook page.

The National Water Resources Board reduced the allocation to water distributors to 40 cubic meters per second from 46 cms from June 19 to 21.

Meanwhile, the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines placed the Luzon grid on red alert from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Wednesday, the second consecutive day, due to a shortage of power generation capacity.

NGCP reported that available capacity was placed at 10,962 MW compared to peak demand of 11,134 MW. This is the 11th red alert raised by the grid operator for the Luzon grid since January this year.

However, no brownouts occurred as the red alert was lifted later in the day due to lower demand.

NGCP raised the yellow alert in the Luzon grid from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. and from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. and urged power consumers to exercise prudence in using electricity amid the tight reserves level.

This was the 33rd yellow alert issued

by NGCP since January. A yellow alert is raised when the reserves fall below the single biggest power unit in the grid.

Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, chairman of the Senate committee on energy, said there should be no red or yellow alerts as this sends the wrong signal to investors.

Under the new law, the state “recognizes that the right of every establishment to a fair return on investment carries with it a corresponding social responsibility to provide adequate facilities for the comfort of its clientele.

“Towards the end, the State shall hereby require the owners, operators and administrators of land transportation terminals, stations, stops, rest areas and roll-on/roll-off terminals to improve their facilities through the provision of free Internet services and clean sanitary facilities.”

The standards for sanitary facilities include separate restrooms for people with disability, male, and female passengers, adequate ventilation and lighting and safe, adequate and running water.

There should also be a flush system, toilet

Senator threatens PhilHealth probe

By Macon Ramos-Araneta SENATOR Panfilo Lacson said Wednesday he would initiate a Senate probe on the anomalies hounding the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. which has incurred P250 billion over time.

“When the 18th Congres opens, most probably I will,” Lacson told reporters during the regular Kapihan sa Senado”— replying to questions if he would have a probe on the PhilHealth controversies.

Based on information he has been getting, Lacson stressed the controversies in Philhealth would not stop due to the involvement of the agency’s organic personnel.

“For the longest time, they have been squandering funds from our people. UHC [Universal Health Care] will be implemented, the total requirement for this year is P257 billion and then when we hear P250 billion is being wasted over time,” said Lacson.

The senator also said they have information there were several modes to illegally exact payments from PhilHealth. He said one of them involved the repeated ailment of PhilHealth members.

Reacting to a series of articles that PhilHealth is plagued by fraud and corruption, PhilHealth, in a statement, denounced in strongest terms the seemingly orchestrated efforts of people within and outside the Corporation to destroy the name of Phil-

China has expressed its sympathy for the 22 Filipino fishermen but insisted the incident was an accident. It also said the Chinese vessel fled because the crew was worried they would be besieged by other Filipino boats.

But former Ambassador Albert del Rosario cast doubt on the Chinese statement.

“I have learned by first hand experience that China is not to be trusted and that their word is unreliable. When China makes a declaration, you can almost be sure that it is not consistent with what is happening on the ground,” the former Foreign Affairs secretary said in a statement.

“Years ago, as the highest Chinese official was promising to his US counterpart that there would be no militarization of the SCS, precisely the opposite was taking place.

“On Scarborough, an agreement in 2012 was brokered by the US regarding the withdrawal of ships by a certain time in order to break an impasse. We withdrew while China did not.

“China’s duplicity is now manifesting itself more closely to our people with the recent ramming of our fishing boat and the abandonment of our fishermen in the high seas. To avoid being pathetic, this was followed with two clumsy attempts to fabricate a believable explanation.”

He urged the government to take a stand against the Chinese and insist that the rule of law must be followed and respected.

“While we are cognizant of the imperative not to trigger an armed conflict, we believe that adherence to the rule of law is a profoundly pacifist way that we all should follow. Specifically, to accept that war is the only alternative to setting aside the arbitral decision is remarkably incredible and cannot be taken seriously in this modern world,” he said.

Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol said the Agriculture department would give the fishermen involved in the sinking a P25,000 loan to help them recover their losses.

The financial aid is payable within three years with no collateral and no interest, he said.

With Piñol present in a press conference in Occidental Mindoro, boat captain Junel Insigne―wearing just a tank top and shorts―also apologized to Duterte after his comments made it appear he ditched a supposed meeting with the President.

It was Piñol who asked to meet him and not Duterte, Insigne clarified, but repeated that he backed out of the meeting because he was not feeling well.

The agency’s Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources would also provide the fishermen with 30-footer fiber glass boats with complete accessories.

At least 11 boats would be given and shared by the 22 fishermen.

The F/b Gem-Ver 1 would be repaired while the fishermen would get a sack of rice each from the Agriculture department. With Maricel V. Cruz and Rey E. Requejo

Food-tech...

‘Marilyn...

Facebook Page, 22-year-old Pete Maverick Nicole Estudillo, a Food Technology major, scored a cumulative weighted average grade of 1.1971, the highest ever recorded in the university since its establishment in 1995.

Estudillo told MindaNews that she really wasn’t expecting to graduate with the highest grade when she entered UP. She was actually contented with just passing her subjects since she considered the UP College Admissions Test to be the hardest exam in the country.

It was only in the middle of her college journey when she realized she could actually graduate as a Magna Cum Laude, or even as a Summa Cum Laude.

But whether or not she graduated with honors, Estudillo said, that she was happy being able to learn much from her university.

In the Ad Hoc Committee’s press release, Estudillo said her victory wasn’t really for her, but for her university.

The statue, which illustrates the legendary actress in her iconic pose from “The Seven Year Itch,” was perched atop the Ladies of Hollywood Gazebo on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Authorities said a witness saw a man climb the Eiffel Tower-shaped structure late Sunday and use a saw to remove the statue.

Police said investigators had recovered some prints at the scene but had yet to make any arrests on Tuesday.

The artwork located at the beginning of the Hollywood Walk of Fame, features large statues of Mae West, Dorothy Dandridge, Anna May Wong and Dolores Del Rio—women from different cultures who influenced the film industry.

The statue of Marilyn Monroe striking a pose in her flying skirt sat atop the installation. AFP

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Health and undermine its efforts in fraud identification and control.

In its statement, PhilHealth said “There have been and there may be fraudulent activities at present that have been detected by the Corporation. But to say that PhilHealth has not been taking action is an utter lie.

“The Corporation has filed at least 13 criminal complaints against providers now pending in the Coutts, approximately 200 cases against erring employers, 27 cases of unethical behavior of its provider doctors before the Professional Regulation Commission.

“Charges before PhilHealth’s Arbitration office against 81 facilities and 26 doctors and more than 271 facilities and 206 doctors are facing preliminary investigation.

Lacson said there was also a modus on the hospital itself extending the confinement of a PhilHealth member despite being discharged.

He specifically cited the case of a Cebubased hospital which was suspended for three months due to unauthorized extension of confinement of patients.

However, Lacson said PhilHealth rescinded its ruling even though the Court of Appeals upheld its decision.

“We don’t need to be lawyers to know the hierarchy of courts because a lower court cannot reverse a CA decision, which in this case they themselves initiated...”

Lacson said.

Duterte...

Fewer Pinoys...

“But perhaps, the President will make an announcement on June 28,” Garbin added.

Masbate Rep.-elect Wilton Kho, who attended the event, said the President told the attendees that he would make an announcement June 28 but did not give details.

Garbin also said that Duterte first told them that the announcement could be made 72 hours before his fourth SONA on July 22.

“We were surprised that the President came to the dinner and spent time with us. The new congressmen, as well as the returning ones, appreciated the gesture of the President to welcome us personally in the Palace despite his busy schedule,” Garbin said.

The three candidates within the PDPLaban are Marinduque Rep. Lord Allan Velasco, Taguig-Pateros Rep. Alan Peter Cayetano, and former Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez, who was ousted from that post by former president and Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

Outside of the PDP-Laban, Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez is also seen as a strong contender for the position.

September 2016 and March 2018,” the pollster said.

SWS reported that the new recordlow Self-Rated Poverty score is “a continuing recovery from the 10-point rise within the first three quarters of 2018.”

The proportion of Self-Rated Poor families rose from 42 percent in March 2018, to 48 percent in June 2018, and 52 percent in Sep. 2018.It dipped by two points to 50 percent in December and fell to 38 percent in March 2019.

SWS said the 12-point decline in nationwide SRP in the first quarter of 2019 was due to decreases of 16 points in Balance Luzon, 12 points in Mindanao, six points in the Visayas, and two points in Metro Manila.

The same survey also found a new low 27 percent, which was estimated at 6.8 million, of Filipinos rating themselves as food-poor.

“This is seven points below the 34 percent [est. 7.9 million] in December 2018, and two points below the previous record-low of 29 percent,” SWS said.

The same survey also found out that 15.3 percent of Filipino families considered themselves newly out of poverty.

SWS said the median SRP threshold or the monthly income households need is at least P10,000, so as not to label themselves poor.

Malacañang hailed the latest findings.

“We thank everyone from the President’s economic managers, as well as the members of the Human Development and Poverty Reduction Cabinet Cluster, to the social welfare officers and barangay health workers for tirelessly making a positive impact on the socioeconomic lives of our countrymen,” Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said.

“This, notwithstanding the divisive and destructive political propaganda war waged by the President’s critics and detractors during the campaign period for the midterm elections when the survey was conducted,” he added.

Panelo said the administration’s poverty reduction efforts “remain on track.”

“We aim to reduce poverty from 21.6 percent in 2015 to 14 percent in 2022, which is equivalent to lifting about six million Filipinos out of poverty by the end of the President’s term,” he said.

“And we will grind daily to reach this goal.”

The SWS survey was conducted from March 28 to 31, using face-to-face interviews with 1,440 adults nationwide.

It has sampling error margins of ±2.6 percent for national percentages, and ±5 percent each for Balance Luzon, Metro Manila, the Visayas, and Mindanao.

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China...

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seats with covers, a lavatory with toilet paper, mirror, soap, hand dryer and door lock, a waste bin and exclusive space for diaper-changing.

Lactation stations should be private, clean, sanitary and well-ventilated, where nursing mothers can wash up, breastfeed, or express their milk comfortably.

The law also prohibits transport terminals from collecting fees from passengers for the use of regular sanitary facilities.

Instead of fees, passengers only need to show the paid bus ticket for the day to use the facilities.

A P5,000 fine will be imposed on the owner, operator or administrator of land transport terminals, stations, stops or rest areas who do not comply with the law. PNA, with Macon Ramos-Araneta

Frequent...

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“Pinoy MD” that people normally let loose about 17 to 23 times daily―but no one really consciously counts the flatulence bombs they unleash to unknowing bystanders.

“But if you’re doing it too much, it may be a sign that you have problems with digestion,” said Ampil, who is also senior vice president and head of Research and Biotechnology of St. Luke’s Hospital.

As part of the normal process of digestion, passing gas is a way for the body to expend the excessive air released when food is digested, noted the oncologist, who’s also a surgeon.

Other health conditions could cause excess flatulence, Ampil said, along with a diet with too much complex carbohydrates such as potatoes and sweet potatoes or “kamote”―which Filipinos often point to as a culprit.

“This is because when complex carbohydrates are digested, gas is really released, and this comes out as farting,” Ampil said.

If you feel like you pass gas 24 times or more in a day, the St. Luke’s doctor advises to cut down on potatoes and similar root crops and observe if anything changes.

If not, Ampil said a visit to a gastroenterologist, who could check if everything is normal in your digestive system, could do the trick.

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THURSDAY, JUNE 20, 2019 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Arroyo briefed on proposed Pampanga Mass Transit System

By Maricel V. Cruz THE National Economic and Development Authority is preparing a masterplan meant to propel Pampanga into a sustainable and developed megalopolis.

In a briefing for Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo late Tuesday, NEDA officials presented the value engineering-value analysis study that was made as basis of the plan that will serve 16 municipalities and cities of Pampanga. Projects under the plan support sustainable growth and development in the province that take into consideration the high traffic volume and the Pampanga Megalopolis Plan.

The VE/VA analysis-based plan was presented by the study’s team leader, Hussein Lidasan. The study was presented to Arroyo in the course of a briefing on the ongoing separate study for the proposed Pampanga Mass Transit System.

The project hopes to establish a transit system that will: 1) guarantee inclusive mobility and accessibility in the province; 2) provide connectivity to urban center, production areas, residential areas, commercial and industrial centers and institutional and services areas; 3) be anchored on clean technology for an environmentally sustainable province; and 4) be supported by smart technology system for efficient and reliable operation and efficient fare collection system.

Lidasan said that the study analyzed the traffic-generating land use of the province such as malls, schools, and government agencies and evaluated the major road networks to be connected by the mass transit system.

It also surveyed the existing transport systems by determining the volume count and passenger occupancy along the routes plied in Pampanga. It showed that among the routes that see the highest vehicle count are the Mabalacat City-San Fernando City and Lubao-San Fernando City routes.

Lidasan said that the VE/VA was conducted to determine the alignment of the transport system needed.

Jacky Co drug case hearings set July 5,10 THE Department of Justice has scheduled for next month the preliminary investigation on the criminal complaints filed against alleged drug lord Xu Zhijian alias ‘Jacky Co’ and others in connection with the smuggling of P1.8 billion worth of illegal drugs.

The panel of prosecutors under Senior Assistant State Prosecutor Clarisa Kuong has subpoenaed the parties to the hearings on the case on July 5 and 10 and ordered them to submit counter-affidavits.

Xu and 16 others are facing a complaint filed by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency last May 31 for violation of Section 4 (Importation of Dangerous Drugs), in relation to Section 31 (Additional Penalty if Offender is an Alien) of Republic Act. No. 9165, the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, as amended by Republic Act 10640.

The case stemmed from an operation at the Manila International Container Port–Container Freight Station 3 (MICP-CFS3) last March 22 that yielded 276,344.82 grams of shabu concealed in sacks of plastic resin with an estimated worth of P1.876 billion.

Named co-respondents are Dong An Dong, Julie Hao Gamboa, Fe Tamayosa, Alvin Bautista, Jane Abello Castillo, Carlo Dale T. Zueta, Abraham G. Torrecampo, Arwin P. Caparros, Leonardo S. Sucaldito, and Mark Leo D. Magpayo, Brian Pabilona, Meldy Sayson, Rhea Tolosa, Edgardo Dominado, Jerry Siguenza, and Debbie Joy Aceron, whom PDEA accused of conspiring together in order to bring the contraband into the country.

The officers and directors of Wealth Lotus Empire Corporation and Fortuneyield Cargo Services are also accused of importation of illegal drugs as these firms were listed as the consignees of the shipment.

In a privilege speech last month, Senator Panfilo Lacson tagged Co as the Chinese national behind the illegal drug shipment. PNA

NAVAL DEFENSE EXHIBIT. An unidentified Philippine Navy Officer inspected a M60e3 Light Machine Gun during the 6th Philmarine Naval Defense Philippines 2019 in the only specialized naval defense and costal security event in the Philippines Exhibit at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City. Lino Santos

Transition plan from ARMM to BARMM now in effect

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OTABATO CITY—The Bangsamoro Transition Plan is now in place and in effect after the Bangsamoro Transition Authority issued the green light for its implementation on Tuesday.

Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao interim Chief Minister Al-Hajj Murad Ebrahim submitted the plan on Monday to the BTA for scrutiny and eventual approval the next day.

It was drafted by the coordinating team for transition composed of members from the government such as the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process,

the Department of Budget and Management, the Civil Service Commission, and the ARMM, as well as the Moro Islamic Liberation Front for the smooth transition from ARMM to BARMM. Ebrahim said the plan will serve as a guidebook for leaders named by President Rodrigo Duterte to man the new expanded autonomous setup in the southern Philippines.

“The transitional plan is a product of hard work of people in support to the endeavor of achieving sustainable peace and development in the Bangsamoro,” Ebrahim said.

“This document includes [steps] on how we will switch from ARMM to this newly-established form of government, the BARMM,” he added.

The BTP also includes an organization chart for the various ministries, offices, and agencies from the BARMM, as well as its timeline for the gradual phasing out of agencies and offices under the nowdefunct ARMM. The transition period will end once the new set of BARMM officials shall have been elected in political exercises in 2022.

PNA

DOJ probes killings of three militants in Bicol ‘Subscribers can

By Rey E. Requejo THE Department of Justice will conduct a fact-finding investigation into the recent spate of killings of political activists in Bicol.

Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra on Wednesday formed two special investigating teams of prosecutors and agents of the National Bureau of Investigation to investigate the two separate incidents where three members of militant groups were killed.

Covered by the probe are the killings of Karapatan members Ryan Hubilla and Nelly Bagasalan last June 15 in Sorsogon and the killing of former Bayan Muna coordinator Neptali Moraga in Naga City, Camarines Sur last June 17.

In Administrative Order No. 35, Guevarra directed the teams to ascertain if the incidents are politically motivated, and to assist in the buildup of cases for the successful prosecution of those responsible.

The teams are required to submit their report to the DOJ chief’s office within 30 days.

Moraga was reportedly gunned down at the village of San Isidro, Naga City in Camarines Sur province around 8 a.m. last June 17 as he drove his motorcycle to work at the provincial capitol.

Bayan Muna said Morada left his position in their group in 2000 and worked for former Camarines Sur Vice Gov. Ato Pena.

Bagasala and Hubilla, on the other hand, were shot repeatedly by still unidentified men as they paid for their tricycle fare in Sorsogon City last June 14.

Meanwhile, a National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF ELCAC) official earlier expressed fear that the recent killing of the two human rights group members in Sorsogon is allegedly the handiwork of the Communist Party of the Philippines–New People’s Army.

With PNA

HERO’S BIRTHDAY.

A man identified as a certain Alexander Aguilar stood in front of the monument of Jose Rizal as the country commemorates the national hero’s 158th birth anniversary at the Rizal Park on June 19, 2019.

Norman Cruz

apply for lifetime mobile no. by Jan.’ AFTER President Rodrigo Duterte signed RA 11202 or the “Mobile Number Portability Act” into law on Feb. 8, 2019, Department of Information and Communication Technology Acting Secretary Eliseo Rio Jr. said the first transfer process can be done by the telcos six months after its implementing rules and regulations is promulgated.

This means that subscribers planning to switch from one network carrier to another but want to keep their mobile phone numbers can start applying and have their digits processed by January next year.

“Six months ang hinihingi nila [telcos], which is quite reasonable.

The first transfer will be six months from now, mga January 2020,” he said.

The National Telecommunications Commission earlier released the rules for implementing RA 11202. The IRR is expected to take effect on July 2, 2019.

Section 11 of RA 11202 states that within six months from the promulgation of the rules and regulations the mobile phone company must comply with the provisions of the law and set up a mechanism for implementing the Mobile Number Portability nationwide.

“I think they (telcos) were asking for around six months. Of course, reasonable naman kasi paano mo ilipat ‘yung number sa isang provider kung hindi ready ‘yung kanilang platform,” Rio added.

“Kasi hindi nila ‘yan pinrogram habang wala pa ‘yung law, habang wala pa ‘yung implementing rules and regulation. Ngayon meron na, doon na sila mapipilitan na magawa na ‘yung software nila,” he said.

Go pushes for safe evacuation centers NEWLY ELECTED Senator Bong Go on Wednesday vowed to push for the establishment of safe and permanent evacuation centers to give temporary shelter to fire victims.

With the evacuation centers, Go said fire victims can immediately be transported to these places.

At present, fire victims are temporarily relocated to barangay centers, plazas, gymnasiums, basketball courts, and worst, there is no evacuation available for them at all.

Sometimes, fire victims stayed with their relatives due to the absence of a place to go.

He said fire victims evacuation sites should also have enough emergency packs like blankets, water, medicines, flashlight, and ready relief goods.

During a visit to the fire victims in Barangay Ibabang Dupay, Lucena City, Go discovered no evacuation center was available around the area.

Macon Ramos-Araneta

Address jail congestion—De Lima OPPOSITION Senator Leila de Lima has urged Senate leaders to prioritize the passage of measures to address the congestion problem in different detention facilities under the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology in the coming 18th Congress.

“We urge our Senate leaders and the other members of the upcoming 18th Congress to quickly address the congestion and inhumane condition of our jail facilities,” she said.

If not quickly solved, she warned that it may put the health and lives of inmates, who are presumed innocent until proven guilty, in danger.

The detained senator issued the call in reaction to the Commission on Audit’s report calling out the BJMP over the inhumane conditions and overpopulation in its prison facilities.

In its report, COA noted the congestion rate in the country’s jails decreased to 439.48 percent in 2018 from 612 percent in 2017. Macon Ramos-Araneta

Monitor quakes, Japan OFWs urged FILIPINOS in Japan are urged to closely monitor announcements and instructions from local authorities after a magnitude-6.7 earthquake jolted the country on Tuesday night.

The powerful quake hit Yamagata Prefecture in northern Japan at around 10:30 p.m., Japan time. According to Embassy records, there are at least 815 registered Filipino in the area.

“We also got info from local news late this morning that while there were some injuries, thankfully there weren’t any fatalities. So far no one has reached out to us for help,” Consul General to Tokyo Robespierre Bolivar said.

The Japan Meteorological Agency earlier issued a tsunami alert for Yamagata Prefecture, as well as coastal areas in Niigata and Ishikawa Prefectures following the quake, which was eventually lifted at around 1 a.m. the following day.

Prior to this, railway services have been partly suspended and many households remained without power. PNA

A4

Opinion

THURSDAY, JUNE 20, 2019

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

China’s accountability pines, is marking its 74th year.

Looking into the history of the MOPC, it is a press organization of foreign correspondents who covered the liberation of the Philippines, particularly after the surrender of Japan.

The first officers of the MOPC beWHATEVER reason President Duterte longed to the Associated Press, Reuters, had in calling what happened in Recto Agence France Presse and others.

Bank, internationally called Reed Bank, I was accepted at the time because I a “little maritime incident,” he definite- was business editor of the Philippines ly weakened our call for responsibility Herald and editor/ correspondent of The and accountability.

Age, an Australian publication.

In the first place, nobody is even sugIt was in 1972 that I became MOPC gesting we should go to war with China president. As such, I was appointed by because of that ramming incident. It President Ferdinand Marcos as a memwould be silly. ber of the three-member Media AdAs a result of his statement, Presi- visory Council, then headed by Daily dent Duterte preempted any investiga- Express journalist Primitivo Mijares, a tion by either China or the Philippines. Marcos crony.

It is obvious that he does not want to The MAC was supposed to underendanger the loans take censorship and investments of the foreign we are getting from media. The other our giant neighbor. member was Ray The statement Pedroche for raDo those loans and of US Ambassa- investments come at all dio. dor Kim Sung that I became susthere should be full costs? picious of the accountability for fact that Mijares the Recto Bank inwas acting like a cident clears a lot one-man MAC, of things on the issue of responsibility. telling us that he was acting on behalf The United Nations Convention on the of Marcos. Santa Banana, he started Law of the Sea even raises the issue of giving permits and licenses for print a felony when a vessel of whatever na- and broadcast media left and right! But tionality does not save crew members there were reports he was being bribed. of a damaged or sinking ship.

Since I was then an executive of the The copout of the Chinese vessel Kanlaon Broadcasting System operatwas that it was being besieged by eight ing Channels 4, 2, 9 and 13. I saw then Filipino vessels. Pure baloney!

Defense Secretary Juan Ponce Enrile, What is tragic is that there is no administrator of Martial Law, telling outrage from the people about this in- the President to lift the censorship of cident. Either we Filipinos have been foreign media because it was an exercowed into silence because of a Presi- cise in futility. They could always go dent who kowtows to China, or we are to Hong Kong and write derogatory arjust too stupid that we don’t realize the ticles from there. stakes involved.

Eventually, censorship was lifted. *** I convinced Enrile that there was The Manila Overseas Press Club, need for media to get out of the ambit the first press organization in the PhilipTurn to A5

Adelle Chua, Editor

EDITORIAL

F

What would Rizal do?

ILIPINOS commemorate Rizal Day on December 30, the day he was martyred by the Spaniards. But Wednesday was his birth anniversary, and it is likewise—if not more—fitting to celebrate the day one of the greatest thinkers and patriots of our country was born.

Rizal is hailed as a man of many abilities: medicine, literature, history. There is a reason, however, that he is our national hero: Of all the men and women recognized for their virtues that shaped our nation, Rizal stands out for what he did and what he continues to do.

These days it is easy to get stumped by the numerous issues competing for our nation’s attention. We wonder: If Rizal were alive today, what would he think of the way we are governing ourselves, with the freedom he and other heroes fought so hard to secure for us?

If he were in our, or our leaders’, shoes, how would he conduct him-

self and deal with the problems we are now facing?

Foremost, he would likely rage against fake news. Rizal loved learning—he was himself a master of many trades—and he knew the value of information. He would take measures to ensure that his decisions would be based on facts, and not a tainted version of them.

He would also exercise logic and circumspection in everything he does, and eschew double talk. He would not purport to wait for the results of an investigation while in the same breath passing judgment and dismissing an incident as a “little” or insignificant.

He would defend our laws and our territory, and would always assert autonomy and independence in our sphere.

He would encourage the youth not only to make their voices heard, but even before that, to think and think critically instead of parroting rehearsed lines that are loud but meaningless. Certainly, he would welcome and encourage a free exchange of ideas. If anybody disagreed with him, he would not attack the dissenter but engage him or her in a rational, respectful conversation.

He would scoff at attempts at simplistic thinking: For instance, equating the act of protesting an illegal, unjust act by another country with waging war against it. There are numerous ways conflicting interests can be talked about and resolved outside of resorting to extremes.

Finally, he would know who his real friends are. Real friends respect each other’s territories or belongings and do not bully each other— and most especially not take offense when called out for their excesses or inadequacies.

Watch your language clusive Economic Zone.

Framing it this way does not help the Philippines. So call it Recto Bank.

Perhaps some are using the international name to make it easy for foreigners to understand the story. This argument would be acceptable if the local IT’S West Philippine Sea, not South name were also mentioned, as in “Recto China Sea. Recto Bank, not Reed Bank. Bank (Reed Bank).”

Panatag Shoal, not Scarborough. KaBut some articles I’ve read only use layaan Islands, not Spratlys. the international name. This smacks of When reading the news, it is disturb- a colonial mentality—why should we ing to see some reporters and editors use be the ones to adjust? Let others learn terms that are not pro-Philippines, using our names for these places. instead the names a Did American colonizer devised, diplomat Zbigniew particularly when Brzezinski change we have our own his name to someIn this global age word, name, or term thing more probrought about by the for the subject. nounceable for his Words and lan- internet, it’s first and adopted country guage shape how and for the foreign you and others foremost a war of community? Heck, think and act about perception. no. He proudly something.

Riffkept his Polish ing off the Sapirname and forced Whorf hypothesis, the world to learn “Language influences thought and how to say it. behavior.” Without going deeply into In ‘The Grand Chessboard: Amerilinguistic determinism and the debate can Primacy and Its Geostrategic Imaround that, it stands to reason that peratives’ (1997), he wrote, “The lanhow a concept or idea is communi- guage of the internet is English, and an cated to the audience affects their view overwhelming proportion of the global and perception of it. computer chatter also originates from This manipulation may be done de- America, influencing the content of liberately by media platforms and is global conversation.” called ‘framing,’ part of the agendaWhether inadvertent or not, as in the setting tradition. “A frame,” accord- case of the internet, Brzezinski’s insight ing to the University of Twente in its shows the existence of tendencies to lindocument ‘Communication Theories’ guistic imperialism, where the language (2003), “refers to the way media and of, and terms used by, the colonizer or media gatekeepers organize and present imperial power buttress and dissemithe events and issues they cover, and nate attitudes related to dominance and the way audiences interpret what they supremacy. are provided…

As post-colonial philosopher Frantz “Frames influence the perception Fanon wrote in ‘Black Skin, White of the news of the audience, [and] this Masks’ (1952), language is often used form of agenda-setting not only tells as a tool of imperial ideological domipeople what to think about, but also nation. Again, there might not be any how to think about it.” such intent, but in not being mindful, Why write and publish an editorial one could be unconsciously working in that calls Recto Bank ‘Reed Bank’ and the colonial interest. then rant that a Chinese vessel rammed Perhaps people are more used to the a Philippine boat there? By using old terms. As President Rodrigo Duterte ‘Reed’, it might be construed that the said in his speech at the recent Philipisland is not within our territorial scope pine Navy event: “With all the galit, and jurisdiction, where in fact the op- even urging sending grayships doon posite is true—the Permanent Court of sa China sea…” (as quoted in a DZRH Arbitration at The Hague ruled in 2016 News tweet), rather than saying “West that the area is within the Philippine ExTurn to A5

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Epic fail AS EXPECTED, Taguig Congressmanelect Alan Peter Cayetano tried to use his sponsored seminar for lawmakers in Clark, Pampanga Tuesday to sway the incoming members of the House to his side as he sets his sights on the Speakership.

And what could be a more sinister plot to hatch to lure the solons than bring to their plates something close to their hearts—a discussion for budgets for each of their representation.

In fact, according to reporters who covered the event, the seminar almost turned into a mini-session for a budget hearing as the lawmakers who attended event reportedly presented budgetary proposals and requisitions for each of their representation.

And that was the purpose why Cayetano had to invite Finance Secretary Carlos “Sonny” Domiguez, Public Works Sec. Mark Villar and other officials of the Department of Transportation and the Department of Budget and Management.

Cayetano even justified the presence of the Cabinet officials in his sponsored seminar.

Former Chief Justice Reynato S. Puno Anita F. Grefal Baldwin R. Felipe Edgar M. Valmorida

Board Member & Chief Legal Adviser Treasury Manager Head—Ad Solutions Circulation Manager

“I assume (they) will talk about the But then, he again made a slip when country’s finances on how we will keep he said the event was intended for the the economy growing and how Con- lawmakers to determine for themselves what committee might interest them.

“It will give opportunity to see kung anong interest ng mga congressman sa mga chairmanships nila saka mga memCayetano should kiss berships,” Cayetano was quoted saying. his dream goodbye.

Again, he is putting his cart before the horse, preempting whoever gets elected to lead the House.

Having covered the House of Repregress can help; and how these can help sentatives, I have observed that the allothe individual districts of each con- cation for the committee chairmanships gressman around the country,” Cay- and memberships is the prerogative of etano said. the winning coalition led by the elected But wasn’t the seminar intended for Speaker. the training of new solons and for them Hence, everything the lawmakers to familiarize themselves with parlia- who attended Cayetano’s seminar will mentary and other House procedures? just be wishful thinking in the event the Isn’t Cayetano putting the incoming candidate they will support fails to get Congress in a compromising situation elected. given the fact it has yet to convene and Fortunately, (or unfortunately for elects its leaders? him), Cayetano will be hard-pressed Cayetano’s speakership move is just to get the magic number for the speakgetting shrewder. ership race. Even with the backing of Of course, he denied the seminar was San Juan and Mandaluyong Congressaimed to boost his speakership cam- men Ronnie Zamora and Boyet Gonpaign.

Turn to A5 Rolando G. Estabillo Publisher Ramonchito L. Tomeldan Chin Wong/Ray S. Eñano Joyce Pangco Pañares Adelle Chua

Managing Editor Associate Editors News Editor Opinion Editor

Emil P. Jurado

Honor Blanco Cabie Night Editor Jimbo Gulle City Editor Roberto Cabrera Chief Photographer

Chairman Emeritus, Editorial Board

Opinion

THURSDAY, JUNE 20, 2019

A5

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Health and wealth

ANNUALLY, the government spends billions of pesos to ensure the provision of quality health services, making them easily accessible and readily available to all. Health facilities are continuously improved. With the rising costs of health services in the country, subsidies are given to public hospitals.

The Department of Health also has its medical assistance program to help indigent patients in paying for health services. All these programs are geared toward the achievement of universal health care.

Given this, it is a big disappointment that PhilHealth-accredited clinics are involved in corruption and misuse of public funds. Recently, a certain WellMed Dialysis and Laboratory Center was linked to allegations of corruption as it claimed benefits from PhilHealth under the names of patients who were long dead. News reports stated that the amount reached more than P800,000.

I commend the National Bureau of Investigation for acting promptly on the

matter. Charges have been filed against the officers of the said clinic. Just two days ago, the accreditation permit of WellMed was revoked by PhilHealth.

However, the issue should not end with just the prosecution of the involved officers. This reflects a flawed system in the monitoring of PhilHealth on the claiming of benefits by its accredited clinics. It also goes beyond the monitoring. We may only be seeing the tip of

The public health system is not intended to make profits. the iceberg. There are allegations of an existing mafia-like syndicate, which is said to be behind the corruption going on in PhilHealth. This is a serious allegation.

It can be recalled that PhilHealth has also been previously involved in disbursement of unauthorized bonuses and allowances to its officials amounting to millions of pesos. Earlier this year, the Commission on Audit also ordered PhilHealth to return P20 million worth of extra compensation it gave to its officials and employees.

Republic Act No. 11223 or the Universal Health Care Act mandates the automatic enrollment of Filipinos to the National Health Insurance Program.

The law also provides for an increase in the premium contributions of PhilHealth members starting from 2019 until 2024 to cover the benefits of all Filipinos.

An influx of funds is expected in the agency. While the UHC Act has good intentions, it is important that we ensure that the agency gets rid of corruption to ensure that the funds are used solely for its legal purpose. Any hint of corruption in an agency with such crucial and sensitive role is greatly abhorred.

Hence, I strongly urge the Executive to prosecute and indict officials of PhilHealth if found involved in the controversy. Aside from the revamp of the members of the accreditation committee, the Secretary of Health should also look into the monitoring of the release of funds of the corporation. Moreover, let this be a call to all agencies in the health sector. Many of our citizens patronize our public health system for its cut-down rates. This should not be a reason for public officials and accredited private entities to take advantage of the demand. The public health system is not intended to make profits but to serve the public and to secure the right to health of every Filipino.

A little maritime incident

IT MAY indeed just be “a little maritime incident” as described by the President. Still, the abandonment of those Filipino fishermen after the sinking of F/B Gem Vir 1 deserves the highest form of condemnation. Regardless of whether the collision was intentional or not, the captain of the Chinese vessel should not have abandoned the Filipino fishermen to drown. By leaving the scene, the Chinese captain violated a centuries-old sea faring tradition not to leave fellow mariners to die. Even during war, combatants do not leave the scene if there are survivors of a vessels that have been sunk due to enemy action.

We have read stories of how, during World War II, submarines torpedo surface ships and then rescued enemy sailors floating in the water.

Maybe our President should have condemned the Chinese captain’s actions, but he decided not to. In fact, many senior administration officials issued statements that contradicted the version of the Filipino fishing boat captain. Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi, the Cabinet Coordinator for Mimaropa, did not initially believe the Filipino captain’s version of the story. DFA Secretary Locsin filed a diplomatic protest while Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana condemned the sinking forcefully. During the Navy anniversary celebration, the President said that he will wait for the result of an inquiry. By whom? The Chinese, us or jointly? If separate, which report should the Palace believe?

Going over the available statements coming from the Filipino fishermen and the Chinese embassy in Manila, the embassy statements do not add up to the statements by the Filipino fishermen and the skipper of the Vietnamese fishing boat that rescued our fishermen. If the Chinese militia vessel had to leave the scene because of a swarm of Filipino vessels in the area, why were the fisher-

men rescued by a Vietnamese vessel and not by a Filipino vessel? This simply shows that there were no other Filipino vessels in the immediate vicinity of the incident. Had the Vietnamese vessel not been in the area and the Filipino fishermen drowned, would that have been enough for our President to issue a stronger protest?

I fully understand the need to maintain a cordial relationship with our giant neighbor and our country’s leaders should indeed strive for such a relationship. As it is however, our current state of relationship with China is inconsistent and confusing. Everything revolves around what the President wants. This is the reason why we are seeing contra-

If China is indeed a true friend, it should not take offense when we forcefully say that what it is doing is wrong. dictory statements coming from some of our senior officials. The public is being left to discern the real intentions of the government. On many occasions, the President has been saying that going to war against China will only result in the massacre of our soldiers. I do not know of anyone in the country wanting to go to war with China. But if China is indeed a true friend, it should not take offense when we forcefully say that what it is doing is wrong. Issuing stronger protests do not mean that we want war. The very low key approach of the administration seems to be the big difference between the administration and its critics in the political opposition. I do not see the administration’s tack changing in the near future. But the President has shown in the past the capacity of being able to change his position abruptly but what will trigger this is the big mystery. *** What is inexplicable—and I am sure the public is also wondering—is why

our President does not want to make a stronger diplomatic protest on the actions of the Chinese militia boat skipper.

China seems to have a mystical hold on our President.

To be fair to him, although he has been saying that he will not send his soldiers to war only to be massacred, he has been quietly approving the buildup of our military capability with the acquisition of new ships, aircraft, and the formation of additional ten infantry battalions. This is what makes his true intentions hard to fathom.

Is he doing what he is doing to buy time to build a more respectable Armed Forces? The Air Force is now scouting for a new multi-role fighter planes. The Navy is ordering more frigates and bigger patrol boats. His statement a couple of weeks ago that no country cannot claim a whole ocean was also loaded if China was paying attention.

With regard to Filipino soldiers being massacred by the Chinese military, it might be instructive to go back a little bit in history. During the Korean War, Filipino soldiers engaged Chinese soldiers in the so-called battle of Yultong. In that engagement, the Philippine Army’s 10th Infantry Battalion did our country proud. Thousands of Chinese troops attacked the United Nations position in Yultong and nearby areas. Due to the number of Chinese troops involved, some of the UN troops withdrew like the Turks and British leaving the 10th Infantry Battalion surrounded. After repeated attacks by the Chinese, they never dislodged the Filipinos from their position and they suffered tremendous casualties.

Some estimates put the figure to more than a thousand. The Filipinos suffered 12 dead, six missing and a couple of dozen wounded. When General McArthur was informed about the Filipino feat, he reportedly remarked: “Give me 10,000 Filipino soldiers and I will conquer the world.”

It was a fitting tribute to the gallantry of Filipino soldiers. It shows that the Filipino soldier can be depended upon to do his duty. But nobody wants war.

We Filipinos do not want it and am sure the Chinese people do not either. Let us therefore live in peace respecting each other’s territory.

China’s...

Tariffs 101 IN NORMAL times the words to the consumer and may decide ‘tariff’ and ‘tariffs’ seldom figure to absorb the tariff, his profit marin public discussions, the reasons gin in the process. If, on the other being that they are technical words hand, the demand for the tariff-hit belonging to the world of fiscal pol- import is price-elastic and/or inicy. But these are not normal times, come-elastic, the US importer will and sitting in the White House in be inclined to pass the tariff on to Washington is a person who re- the consumer entirely or partially.

So, are Mr. Trump and his chief gards tariffs as parts of America’s arsenal of foreign-policy weapons. adviser correct in saying that the Thus, nowadays hardly a day pass- tariffs on the now-higher-tariffed es without US and foreign media Chinese goods will be borne by the carrying stories about the imposi- Chinese? As explained above, it tion of new tariffs or tariff increas- depends on the price and demand es on a lengthening list of foreign elasticities. If the US importers decide to countries. pass the new or These inhigher tariff on clude adto the customversaries—led by It involves selectivity ers of Walmart, Russia and and judiciousness.

Costco and China—and other retailers, long-time it is the Ameriallies such can consumer, as Mexico, not the Chinese Canada, Japan and South Korea. exporter who will pay the tariff Lead stories like “Trump Threat- (tax, really). Considering that a ens Mexico,” “Trump to Slap considerable part of the US trade Tariffs on $60 Billion Worth of deficit with China consists of conChinese Goods” and “Trump to sumer-goods trade, the impacts of Impose Tariffs on EU Aluminum the higher US tariffs on American Exports” have become familiar to consumer welfare and price stabilteleviewers and newspaper read- ity are obvious.

The concept of demand elasticiers.

The president of the world’s ty equally applies to higher US tarmost powerful country is so quick iffs on Chinese production-goods to impose tariffs on other coun- exports. The only major difference tries’ exports—those of friends is that in the case of American imas well as adversaries—but he ports of Chinese machinery and and his trade advisers don’t seem other production goods, the issue to be well versed in the econom- of supply-chain stability comes to ics of tariff policymaking. They the fore; some Chinese producseem to need to enroll in a Tariffs tion-goods exports may for one 101 course. I say this because of reason or another be difficult to retwo tariff-related statements made place. If such Chinese exports are

by Mr. Trump. One was “A tariff price-inelastic or income-inelastic, is not a tax”; the other was “The the Trump tariffs or tariff increases tariffs (on Chinese goods) will be will be passed on to—and be paid paid by the Chinese.” More se- by—the American importers.

What all of the above means is rious misconceptions about the nature and impact of tariffs there that tariff policymaking involves selectivity and judiciousness. It couldn’t be.

When a fee or a charge or a cannot be done on a general, aslevy is imposed by a government long-as-it’s-Chinese basis. If not on an individual or an institution, done in a rational manner, a tariff you have a tax. Levies on imports program like the Trump adminisfrom other countries go by another tration’s can cause great harm and name—tariffs. Like all taxes, tar- dislocation to a nation’s produciffs have to be paid. The tariffs will tion sector. It goes without saying be directed at the individual or en- an American manufacturer faced tity that exports the tariff-subject with tariff-caused production cost to the US. Who will eventually increases will consider raising the shoulder the US tariff—will de- prices of their products. There will pend on what economists call elas- be adverse repercussions for US ticity of demand, i.e., the degree of competitiveness and consumer elasticity of demand for the prod- price stability.

The final part of Tariffs 101 is uct. If the product is price-elastic (highly sensitive to a change in clear eye for the political fallout.

A crash Tariffs 101 course— price) or income-elastic (highly sensitive to a change in buyer in- that’s what Donald Trump and his come), the tariffed importer will trade and political advisers need to be disinclined to pass the tariff on take.

Watch...

From A4

Philippine Sea.” It was probably a reflex more than anything.

But is it so hard to learn new things?

And as president, he needs to prioritize his country’s sovereignty at all times and be heedful of the words he uses.

This goes for the media too, that works with words and uses the power of words to convey ideas and calls to action.

China is cognizant of the power of words, and uses Chinese terms to refer to the territories they are attempting to take over (and have taken over) in the WPS. It’s likely that this tactic confers upon them a sense of entitlement over the islands, reinforcing to their citizens and the world their claims made on whatever basis.

In this global age brought about by the internet, it’s first and foremost a war

of perception. Attitudes and behavior are influenced by the media content people consume. China is a step ahead of us in that regard.

Our use of international place names points to nothing less than a colonial mentality that we can’t seem to shake off, a belief that our own names for things are inadequate or inferior, a feeling that we are so insecure about other folks finding us and ours on a map.

Stop giving our power away to others. Call it Recto Bank.

‘A rose by any other name would smell as sweet’ does not apply here, because Shakespeare knew jackshit about linguistic relativity. / FB and Twitter: @ DrJennyO

From A4

of martial law and to become self-regulating. Thus, the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas was organized and I was its first president.

The MOPC continued to exist until I was replaced by Doroy Valencia, my mentor, and who became a crony of Marcos. Valencia also became KBP president when I resigned from KBS. Teodoro Benigno also resigned from MOPC and organized the Correspondents Organization in the Philippines.

MOPC became a club solely for Filipino journalists.

I am now chairman emeritus of MOPC wit RMN Group’s Eric Canoy as president and BizNews Asia’s Tony Lopez as chairman.

*** I would like to set the record straight.

Contrary to reports that the Hyatt 10 resigned, records showed former President Gloria Arroyo fired them. Their resignation was actually fake news.

The Hyatt 10—called such because they met at Hyatt Hotel—wanted to replace Gloria with a president they could manipulate. But then-Vice President Noli de Castro turned them down.

They became part of the Aquino administration. They soon got their wish, but it turned out Benigno Aquino III was the worst president we ever had. *** I am happy that the graft charges against Mrs. Elenita Binay have been

dismissed. She was accused of being negligent in awarding a contract through simulated/ rigged bidding. Many of the charges pending before the Sandiganbayan are like Mrs. Binay’s case. *** One reason San Miguel Corporation is so successful is its president and COO, Ramon Ang. He is that kind of businessman who sees opportunities while others cannot. He has many unsolicited proposals like that $50-billion airport in Bulakan, Bulacan.

Recently, Ang offered to convert the Pandacan depot to a bus terminal.

He is indeed a visionary. www.emiljurado.weebly.com

Epic...

From A4

zales and those Cabinet secretaries he invited, he still cannot muster enough support. His seminar betrayed the numbers of lawmakers most likely to support him (Most likely as some, if not most of them can still back out if they realize he has no chance of winning). Cayetano’s seminar attracted only 50 members of the incoming Congress.

Classic as it was, Cayetano’s move was an epic fail. He might as well kiss his speakership dream goodbye.

And maybe, if he can’t win the speakership, he might also have to bid adieu to his reported presidential bid in 2022.

No speakership means no venue for him to gain the needed pogi points. Unless he resorts to another with-hunting investigation to demolish someone like he and Senators Koko Pimentel and Antomnio Trillanes did to former Vice President from mid-2014 to early 2016, his stint in Congress will just be a boring one for him.

A6

News

THURSDAY, JUNE 20, 2019

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Republic of the Philippines Standard REGIONAL TRIAL COURT

TODAY National Capital Judicial Region BRANCH 98, QUEZON CITY

ANTONIO M. LOPEZ, LEOPOLDO M. LOPEZ, JR., ERIC M. LOPEZ, And JEAN L. GIBBONS, Plaintiffs, -versusR-QZN-18-06508-CV FOR: Annulment OF TCT Nos. N-269368 & N-269369 and Deed of Donation, Recovery of Ownership.

Reconveyance, Damages with Application for Writ of Preliminary Attachment MARI-CINDY L. ACOB, and., THE REGISTER OF DEEDS OF QUEZON CITY, Defendants. x --------------------------------------------x

SUMMONS Whereas, on June 22, 2018, Antonio M. Lopez, Leopoldo M. Lopez, Jr., Eric M. Lopez and Jean L. Gibbons, filed a verified Complaint with this Court; WHEREAS, the application for the issuance of a writ of preliminary attachment being sufficient in form and substance was set for hearing on July 23, 2018 at 8:30 o’clock in the morning; WHEREAS, the Court on August 3, 2018, issued an Order granting the issuance of a Writ of Preliminary Attachment against the subject properties of defendant MARI-CINDY L. ACOB upon posting by the plaintiffs of a bond for preliminary attachment and upon approval of the bond posted, for summons, copies of the complaint, this Order and the writ of attachment be served upon said defendant by the Court Sheriff, Mr. Bienvenido S. Reyes, Jr.; WHEREAS, on September 7, 2018, plaintiffs thru counsel filed a Manifestation moving for additional time to submit bond for preliminary attachment WHEREAS, on October 4, 2018, plaintiffs thru counsel filed Compliance for posting of a bond in the amount of PhP 1,800,000.00 for approval of the court; WHEREAS, on the same date a Writ of Attachment and the Summons were issued by this court; WHEREAS, on November 9, 2018, plaintiffs filed a Motion For Leave of Court To Serve Summons By Publication considering that the subject properties in the present case had already been attached and considering likewise that defendant Mari-Cindy L. Acob is a non-resident of the Philippines and an extraterritorial service of the summons should be made to defendant Mari-Cindy L. Acob in accordance with Section 15, Rule 14 of the Rules of Court ; WHEREAS, during the hearing of said Motion on November 12, 2018, plaintiffs’ counsel withdrew the said Motion For Leave Of Court To Serve Summons By Publication as he intends to file an amended complaint; WHEREAS on November 23, 2018, plaintiffs thru counsel filed a Motion To Archive to give plaintiffs sufficient time to obtain certified true copies of defendant’s new-e-titles which are needed in filing plaintiffs’ amended complaint since it cannot be issued on said time for reason that the Registry of Deeds of Quezon City was then undergoing database maintenance; WHEREAS, on November 26, 2018, plaintiffs’ Motion To Archive was granted and the case was archived for a period of two (2) months from said date, subject to immediate revival as soon as the plaintiffs have secure the new e-titles from the Registry of Deeds of Quezon City in the name of the defendant/s, or in lieu thereof the case shall be dismissed; That on January 23, 2019, the case was ordered reinstated to active status and dismissed without prejudice there being no compliance from the plaintiffs since the issuance of the Order dated November 26, 2018; WHEREAS, a Motion To Revive With Motion To Admit Amended Complaint was filed by plaintiffs on January 25, 2019; WHEREAS, during the hearing on January 28, 2019 of plaintiffs’ Motion To Revive With Motion To Admit Amended Complaint, plaintiffs’ counsel manifested he just received on said date the Order of the court dated January 23, 2019 dismissing the case and moved that the Motion To Revive With Motion To Admit Amended Complaint be treated as his Motion For Reconsideration which was granted by the court and the pending incident was submitted for resolution; WHEREAS, on March 8, 2019, the court finding merit in plaintiffs’ Motion to Revive with Motion to Admit Amended Complaint granted the same and the case was ordered re-opened and the Amended Complaint was admitted to form part of the record; WHEREAS, the alleged as follows:

Amended

Complaint

“AMENDED COMPLAINT “PLAINTIFFS, by counsel and unto this Honorable Court, most respectfully alleged that: “THE PARTIES “1. Plaintiffs (a) ANTONIO M. LOPEZ, is of legal age, married, Filipino citizen, with postal address at 3rd Floor LM Building, 346 P. Tuazon Blvd., Project 4, Quezon City, where he may be served with summons and other court processes; (b) LEOPOLDO M. LOPEZ, JR, is of legal are married, Filipino citizen, with postal address at Unit 9-1 Bellagio 2, Burgos Circle, Bonifacio Global City (BGC), Taguig City, where he may be served with summons and other court processes; (c) ERIC M. LOPEZ is of legal age, Filipino citizen, with postal address at No. 210 Albany Extension, Vermont Park, Barangay Mayamot, Antipolo City, where he may be served with summons and other processes; and (d) JEAN L. GIBBONS, is of legal age~ married, American and resident of 6833 S. Dayton Street, No. 193 Greenwood Village, Colorado 80112 USA, and for the purpose of this Complaint is being represented by LEOPOLDO M. LOPEZ, JR. and she may be served with summons and other court processes at the latter’s postal address, a copy of his Special Power of Attorney (SPA) is hereto attached as Annex “A”; “2. Defendant MARI-CINDY L. ACOB is of legal age, a Canadian citizen, married, with residence at No. 139 Spyglass Hill Road, Concord Ontario L4 2K6 Canada, and who does not reside and is not found in the Philippines, but has a representative/ administrator named DIVINA MARI L. TUMAQUE, of legal age, Filipino citizen, with postal address at No. 351 P. Tuazon Boulevard, Project 4, Quezon City, a copy of her SPA issued by Defendant MARI-CINDY L. ACOB is hereto attached as Annex “B”; “3. Defendant -REGISTER OF DEEDS OF QUEZON CITY, is a public repository of records of instruments affecting registered or unregistered lands and chattel mortgages with office address at LRA Compound, East Avenue, Quezon City and is impleaded as an indispensable party in order that a complete relief is accorded to the Plaintiffs; “CAUSE OF ACTION ”4. The subject properties of this case consists of two (2) parcels of land with an area of 173.40 and 205.80 square meters, more or less, covered under Transfer Certificate of Title (TCT) Nos. 2016911426 and 2017011428 (previously registered as TCT Nos. N-269368 and N-269369 registered under the name of Defendant MARI-CINCY L. ACOB located at No. 349 and 351 P. Tuazon Boulevard, Project 4, Quezon City with market value of 1,387,200.00. and 1,646,400.00. and assessed value of 69,380.00 and 82,320.00 respectively. Copies of TCT Nos. N-269368, N-269369, Tax Declarations Nos. F-01001018 and F-010-01011 under the name of Defendant MARI-CINDY L. ACOB are hereto attached as Annexes “C”, “D” , “E”, and “F”, respectively. Copies of the cancelled TCT Nos. N-269368 and N- 269369 with annotations stating that the said titles have been converted into an e-title and processed as TCT Nos. 2017011427 and 2017011428, as well as of the Tax Declaration Nos. F-01001018 and F-010-01011under the name of Defendant MARI-CINDY L. ACOB are hereto attached as Annexes “C”, “D”, “E” and “F”, respectively; “5. Plaintiffs are among the surviving heirs of LEOPOLDO M. LOPEZ, SR., (hereafter, Leopoldo), who was the previous registered owner of the above-mentioned two (2) parcels of land covered under TCT Nos. RT-100070 (113616) and 98692 (189392).

The Tax Declaration of TCT No. RT-100070 (113616), including of the improvements, as well as the improvement for TCT NO. 98692 (189392), were likewise previously registered in his name. Copies of TCT Nos. RT-100070 (113616), 98602 (189392), Tax Declaration Nos.C-010-01293, C-010-1294, D-010-01321, and D-010-02069 are hereto attached as Annexes “G”, “H”, and “I” to “I-3”, respectively; “6. The real property taxes over the subject real properties were previously paid under the name of Leopoldo as shown in the Tax Clearance for the period of 2004 hereto

Court that after due hearing, judgment be rendered in favor of the Plaintiffs and against “7. On April 28, 1999, Leopoldo died due the Defendant MARI-CINDY L. ACOB, as to Cardiopulmonary Arrest secondary to follows: Ventricular Fibrillation, among others. A copy of his Certificate of Death is hereto attached “[a] That a Writ of Preliminary Attachment be immediately issued pursuant to Section 1 as Annex “K” (f) of Rule 57, in relation to Section 15 of Rule “8” As one of the surviving heirs of 14 of the Revised Rules of Court; Leopoldo, Plaintiff ERIC M. LOPEZ had transferred his small printing business in “[b] Ordering and declaring the annulment the subject real properties with the full of TCT Nos. 2017011427 and 2017011428 knowledge and consent of his other siblings in the name of Defendant MARI-CINDY L. sometime in February 2013. Plaintiff ERIC ACOB and directing the latter to reconvey the M. LOPEZ made repairs and improvement on subject properties in favor of the state of the the subject property and then put up a portion deceased Leopoldo M. Lopez, Sr.; thereof for lease in order to be able to source funds to support her mother, Ursula M. “[c] Ordering and declaring the annulment Lopez, who was diagnosed with “Parkinson’s of the purported Deed of Donation in Disease Dementia” and then under the pursuance of which TCT Nos. 2017011427 TCT No. N-269368) and custody and care of Plaintiff ERIC M. LOPEZ; (formerly 2017011428 (formerly TCT No. N-269369) , “9. However, Plaintiff ERIC M. LOPEZ were issued; had received a demand letter dated January’ 15, 2014 sent by Defendant MARI-CINDY “[d] Ordering the Defendant Register L. ACOB, through her legal representative, of Deeds of Quezon City to cancel TCT informing him that Defendant MARI-CINDY Nos. 2017011427 and 2017011428 and to L. ACOB is the alleged owner of the subject reinstate the Transfer-Certificates of Title of properties and demanding him to vacate the the deceased Leopoldo M. Lopez, Sr.; same within five (5) days from receipt thereof, “[e] Ordering the Defendant MARI-CINDY a copy of which is hereto attached as Annex L. ACOB to pay the Plaintiffs moral and “L”; exemplary damages in the total amount “10. Plaintiff ERIC M. LOPEZ was of ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND PESOS surprised and shocked to find out from the (P100,000.00); said demand letter that Defendant MARI- “[f] Ordering the Defendant MARI-CINDY CINDY L. ACOB allegedly is the legal owner L. ACOB to pay the Plaintiffs the sum of of the subject properties, considering that THIRTY THOUSAND PESOS (P30,000.00) he knew very well that the registered owner by way of attorney’s fees and the cost of suit. thereof was Leopoldo. Upon verification with the Registry of Deeds of Quezon City, Plaintiff “Such other reliefs and remedies just and ERIC M. LOPEZ thereafter learned that the equitable under the premises are likewise titles registered in the name of Leopoldo, prayed for. covering the subject properties, were already cancelled and that TCT Nos. N-269368 and “Respectfully submitted. January 23, 2019, N-269369 were issued in lieu thereof in the Quezon City. name of Defendant MARI-CINDY L. ACOB through a Deed of Donation dated October “TINGSON TORREVILLAS & CORPUZ 28, 2014, purportedly executed by Leopoldo “LAW OFFICES and his spouse in her favor. A copy of the “Room 308 Franca Arcade falsified or fabricated Deed of Donation is “No. 63 Malakas Street, hereto attached as Annex “M”; “Barangay Pinyahan, Quezon City “Telephone No: 435-44-38 “11. It appears, however, that the “E-mail; leotingson@gmail.com signatures of the deceased Leopoldo and his spouse in the above-mentioned Deed of “By: Sgd. “LEO P. TINGSON Donation allegedly executed on October 28, “IBP Lifetime No. 09778/01-03~2011 2004 before the Notary Public, Atty. Hector “PTR No. 7376499/01-08-2019/ B. Centeno, were forged and fraudulent, Quezon City considering the Leopoldo died long before “MCLE Compliance No. V-0004655 the execution of the said document; /11-27 -2014; “Roll No. 54072 “12. Plaintiff ERIC M. LOPEZ exerted earnest effort to resolve the above matter “REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES) by sending the Defendant MARI-CINDY L. “ ________________________) S.S ACOB, through her legal representative, a letter dated February 3, 2014, containing his “VERIFICATION/CERTIFICATION reply to the latter’s demand to vacate and asking her why she did not inform her siblings “ERIC M. LOPEZ, married, of legal age, that the titles registered in the name of their Filipino citizen, with postal address at No. father were allegedly transferred to her. A 210 Albany Extension, Vermont Park, copy of the said letter is hereto attached as Barangay Mayamot, Antipolo City, after having been duly sworn to in accordance with Annex “N”; law do hereby depose and states, as follows: “13. However, a Final Demand Letter dated February 6,2014 was instead sent to “1. I am one of the Plaintiffs in the abovethe Plaintiff ERIC M. LOPEZ by Defendant entitled case, and as such, I have caused MARI-CINDY L. ACOB’s legal representative, the preparation of the foregoing Amended informing him that a Complaint had already Complaint; been drafted and requiring him to vacate the subject properties within five (5) days “2. I also have caused the preparation of from receipt thereof, copy of which is hereto the foregoing Amended Complaint in behalf of my siblings and co-plaintiffs ANTONIO M. attached as Annex “O”; LOPEZ, LEOPOLDO M. LOPEZ, JR., and “14. Defendant MARI-CINDY L. ACOB JEAN L. GIBBONS; send a letter dated March 16, 2014 to the Plaintiff ERIC M. LOPEZ in response to the “3. I have read and understood the latter’s letter, which she sent through her legal contents of the foregoing fully and that the representative, but she did not clarify and facts alleged therein are true and correct to explain the issue on their father’s cancelled my own personal knowledge and authentic titles, and instead, she just stated therein that records; Plaintiff ERlC M. LOPEZ should inform her of “4. In compliance with Administrative the definite date for him to voluntarily vacate Circular No. 04-94, I further attest that we the subject premises so that she would have not commenced any other action or inform her lawyer to stop proceeding with a proceedings involving the same issues in lawsuit. A copy of Defendant Mari-Cindy’s the Supreme Court, the Court of Appeals letter is hereto attached as Annex “P”; or any other tribunal or agency, except the “15. The ejectment case filed by Defendant present case and the case docketed as Case MARI-CINDY L. ACOB against Plaintiff ERIC No. R-QZN-14-03977-CV I previously filed M. LOPEZ was dismissed on December 3, before the Regional Trial Court of Quezon 2015 by the Metropolitan Trial Court (MeTC) City, Branch 92 which had already been of Quezon City, Branch 40 and was affirmed withdrawn and to the best of my knowledge,

by Regional Trial Court (RTC) of Quezon City, no such action or proceedings is pending in Branch 83, copies of the Decision issued by the Supreme Court, the Court of Appeals or the MeTC and RTC are hereto attached as any other tribunal or agency, that if there is any such action or proceeding which either Annexes “Q” and “R”, respectively; pending or may have been terminated, I “16. Plaintiff ERIC M. LOPEZ is still in will state the status thereof, and if I should possession and occupation of the subject thereafter learn that a similar action or properties at the present. As a matter of proceeding has been filed or is pending fact, Plaintiff ANTONIO M. LOPEZ is still before the Supreme Court, the Court of using a portion of the subject properties as Appeals or any other tribunal or agency, I his parking space and walkway going to his undertake to report such fact within five (5) days therefrom to the Court. printing press business; attached as Annexes “J” to “J-l”;

“17. Plaintiffs ERIC M. LOPEZ, ANTONIO M. LOPEZ and LEOPOLDO M. LOPEZ, JR also exerted earnest effort to settle the said issue with Defendant MARI-CINDY L. ACOB when she visited the country last June 2017 after the burial of their mother Ursula, and had some meetings with her regarding the issue, but Defendant MARI-CINDY L. ACOB still refused any settlement. Thus, Plaintiffs had decided to initiate this suit, but with reservation to file appropriate criminal and/ or administrative cases to those liable for the execution of the purported Deed of Donation;

E

XECUTIVES of Pag-IBIG Fund have clarified the pay raise for its officers and employees was not an increase in salary rates, which require approval from Malacañang— but merely salary step increments to address years of inflation, in accordance with Pag-IBIG’s Compensation Plan.

This, in response to the observation issued by the Commission on Audit on the general increase implemented by the Fund last year.

COA has called the attention of PagIBIG’s Home Development Mutual Fund for P248 million in employees’ wage hike without a presidential approval.

In a 2018 annual audit report, the agency challenged HDMF’s pay increases amounting to P248.319 million, saying the hike was illegal.

State auditors told HDMF to stop the grant of the salary increases.

COA said the wage increase represented a 21.67-percent hike against the wages of Pag-IBIG personnel in 2017, a violation of the protocol in the grant of added compensation.

“The implementation of the general increase in salaries for the officers and employees in the absence of approval from the Office of the President constitutes illegal disbursements,” it noted.

The commission cited the late President Ferdinand Marcos’ Presidential Decree 1597, a COA circular, and a Department of Budget and Management rule to justify that the salary increases for the workers without the President’s approval was considered as an illegal expenditure.

The COA said the institution’s board approved a P255.527 supplemental budget to cover salaries and wages, year-end bonuses, 13th-month pay, and contributions to the Government Service Insurance System, PhilHealth and Employees’ Provident Program for 3,561 employees and officials, excluding presidential appointees.

Secretary Eduardo del Rosario, Chairman of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council and of Pag-IBIG Fund’s Board of Trustees, said that they did not increase the salary rates of officers and employees in 2018 but merely granted salary step in-

RITE OF PASSAGE.

This photo take on May 10, shows a boy reacting in anxiety while being circumcised during a mass circumcision at a village health center in Manila. During summer, it’s circumcision in the Philippines, with thousands of young boys— eight years old mostly—have their foreskins snipped in this centuries-old passage to adulthood. AFP

“IN WITNESSWHEREOF, I hereby affix my signature this _day of January 25, 2019 at Quezon City.

Sgd. ERIC M. LOPEZ Affiant Driver’s License No. N0280-065582 “Expires on : 05-20-2013

“SUBSCRIBED AND SWORN to before me this __ day of January 25, 2019 at ___ , affiant has satisfactorily proven his identity to me through his above-mentioned Driver’s License and he is the same person who “18. On August 18, 2017, TCT Nos. personally signed the foregoing before me N-269368 and N-269369 were cancelled and acknowledged that he executed the ad coverted into e-titltes. Thereafter, TCT same free and voluntary.

Nos. 2017011427 and 2017011428 in the nan1e of Defendant MARI-CINDY L. ACOB Sgd. ATTY. ARTURO F. TUGONON were issued in lieu thereof, as shown in NOTARY PUBLIC UNTIL DECEMBER 31, 2019 the annotations on the cancelled TCT Nos. 96 P. TUAZON BLVD. PROJECT 4, Q.C. N-269368 and N-269369; IBPNo. 0136449, JAN. 11,2018, Q.C. PTR NO. 5642728, JAN. 11,2018 Q.C. ”19. Considering that Leopoldo had MCLE COMPLIANCE No. V-0017378 never executed the said purported Deed of Donation in favor of Defendant MARI-CINDY COMMISSION No’. NP-177 (2018-2019) L. ACOB, the same is therefore null and Doc. No. 326; void. Likewise, TCT Nos. N-2017011427 and Page No. 67; N-2017011428, which were issued pursuant Book No. 67; thereof, are also in effect null and void and Series of 2019. must be annulled. It should be noted that an invalid and void title that was acquired WHEREAS, on April 3, 2019, the court fraudulently and illegally cannot confer any NOTED the Supplemental Manifestation right or title to the person who fraudulently filed by the plaintiffs on April 2, 2019 and caused it to be issued or to his successor- summons and copies of the complaint and in-interest. If at all, it is a mere scrap of paper the writ of attachment were ordered to be that has no value whatsoever. [DIRECTOR served upon the defendant by Court’s Sheriff OF LANDS vs, ADISON 49, PHILS. 19; Bienvenido S. Reyes, Jr.; FULE vs. DELEGARE 7 SCRA, 351] WHEREAS, on April 8, 2019, a Writ of “20. Ownership of the subject properties Attachment was issued by the court to ‘attach must likewise be reconveyed to the estate the properties and assets of defendant of the deceased Leopoldo. Basic is the MARI-CINDY L. ACOB, within the Philippines rule that if the property is acquired through and not exempt from execution, as may be mistake or fraud, the person obtaining it, is sufficient to satisfy the applicant’s demand by force of law, considered a trustee of an of One Million and Eight Hundred Thousand implied trust for the benefit of the person Pesos’ (PhPl,800,000.00), more or less. whom the ‘property comes. Reconveyance therefore of the subject real properties to the WHEREAS, on April 22, 2019, Court estate of the deceased Leopoldo based upon Sheriff Reyes, Jr. submitted his Sheriffs constructive or implied trust resulting from Report wherein it appears that Court Sheriff Bienvenido S. Reyes, Jr. went twice to the fraud is in accordance with law. given address of defendant Mari-Cindy L. “21. With the annulment of the questioned Acob which is at No. 351 P. Tuazon Blvd TCT Nos. 2017011427 and 2017011428 .,Project 4, Quezon City. In the second in the name of Defendant MARI-CINDY L. time that he went there, he was able to talk ACOB, the titles registered in the name of with Ms. Lolita Capricho, personal assistant Leopoldo must be reinstated by the Register of Ms. Divina Mari L. Tumaque, who in of Deeds of Quezon City. The titles of turn is the representative/administrator Defendant MARI-CINDY L. ACOB although defendant Mari-Cindy L. Acob and Ms. registered under the Torrens , System (Act Capricho acknowledged receipt thereof; that 496), do not, however, create or vest title. It substituted service was made by the Court only confirms and records title existing and Sheriff considering that defendant Mari-Cindy vested. It does not protect a usurper from L. Acob seldom goes in her given address; the true owner; it cannot be a shield for the commission of fraud. It does not permit one WHEREAS, Defendant MARI-CINDY L. to enrich herself at the expense of another. ACOB has not been served with summons [GUSTILO vs. MARAVILLA, 48 PHILS. 442; and all court processes in connection with the ANGELES vs. SAMIA, 66 PHILS. 444; and instant case considering that she is a nonDANES vs. AYANCO, 27258-R, AUGUST resident of the Philippines.

31,1964,62 OG NO. 14, P. 272; SOLID WHEREAS, on May 20, 2019, the Court STATE MULTI-PRODUCTS CORP. vs. CA, granted the plaintiffs’ Motion For Leave of 196 SCRA 631; DE GUZMAN vs. CA, 156 Court to Serve Summons by Publication; SCRA701] NOW, THEREFORE, defendant MARI “22. Accordingly, Plaintiffs should be CINDY L. ACOB whose last given address compensated for the mental anguish, fright. is No. 139 Spyglass Hill Road, Concord serious anxiety, besmirched reputation, Ontario L4 2K6 Canada and who does not wounded feelings and mental shock he reside and is not found in the Philippines, but has suffered and of his family at least in has a representative/administrator named the amount of FIFTY THOUSAND PESOS DIVINA MARI L. TUMAQUE with postal (P50,000.00) as moral damages due to address at No. 351 P. Tuazon Boulevard, fraud, bad faith and illegal manipulations Project 4, Quezon City; is required to enter of Defendant MARI-CINDY L. ACOB, in her appearance and answer the complaint in depriving the Plaintiffs their undivided the above-entitled case within sixty (60) days ownership over the subject properties in after the publication hereof, otherwise, the question, and FIFTY THOUSAND PESOS plaintiffs will take judgment’ against her and (P50,000.00) as exemplary damages; demand from this court the relief prayed for “23. That to protect the rights and interest in the complaint. of the Plaintiffs in the illegal actuations of Let this summons be published once a Defendant MARI-CINDY L. ACOB, Plaintiffs week for three (3) consecutive weeks in were constrained to engage the services any newspaper of general circulation in the of the undersigned counsel for which he Philippines at the expense of the plaintiff to obligated himself to pay the Sum of THIRTY be selected by raffle.

THOUSAND PESOS (P30,000.00) by way of WITNESS THE HON. MARILOU D. attorney’s fees; RUNES-TAMANG , MNSA, Presiding Judge “APPLICATION FOR PRELIMINARY of this Court this 24th day of May, 2019 in Quezon City, Philippines.

ATTACHMENT “Plaintiffs replead the foregoing allegations insofar as they are material and relevant, and (Sgd.) RIZZA A. AQUINO-FRIANEZA further alleged: Branch Clerk of Court “24. Plaintiffs have a valid and sufficient cause of action against the Defendant MARI- Copy furnished: CINDY L. ACOB and considering that the latter does not reside and is not found in the Atty. Leo P. Tingson Philippines, there is a need for the subject Counsel for the plaintiffs properties to be attached in order for the Tingson Torrevillas & Corpuz Law Offices Honorable Court to acquire jurisdiction over the action pursuant to Section 15 of Rule 14 Unit 308 Franca Arcade, No. 63 Malakas in relation to Section 1 (f) of Rule 57 of the Street, Barangay Pinyahan, Quezon City Revised Rules of Court. In support thereof, Mari-Cindy L. Acob attached hereto is the Affidavit of Merit of Defendant Plaintiff ERIC M. LOPEZ as Annex “S”; No. 139 Spyglass Hill Road, Concord “25. The Plaintiffs are ready and willing Ontario, L4 2K6 Canada to put up a pond as the Honorable Court may fix for the purpose of the application for Divina Mari L. Tumaque Representative/Administrator of Def. Mariattachment.

Cindy L. Acob “PRAYER No. 351 P. Tuazon Boulevard, Project 4, “WHEREFORE, premises considered, it is Quezon City; most respectfully prayed unto this Honorable (MStandard-June 20, 27 & July 4, 2019)

crements similar to those implemented by government agencies covered by the Salary Standardization Law. He added while step increments among employees of other agencies are granted automatically every three years on the basis of longevity of service, the step increments granted to Pag-IBIG employees were intended to address the effects of inflation over the years.

The grant of such step increments is within the powers of its Board based on Pag-IBIG’s Compensation Plan.

Since there was no increase in salary rates nor new benefits granted, Presidential approval is not required.

Del Rosario said: “I want to assure the public that the grant of step increments in 2018 was proper, done according to the right process and, most importantly, was not excessive.

“We have only adjusted the salaries of Pag-IBIG Fund officers and employees to be, more or less, on the same level of SSL4, which is currently being received by employees of other government institutions. We would like to assure all, our members in particular, that we continue to adhere to the directive of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte in safeguarding the workers’ fund.”

Drones eyed to survey private lands ILOILO CITY—The Department of Agrarian Reform is eyeing to use drones to survey private lands covered by the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program.

“If we can acquire drone, it will be easier for us because we no longer have to enter the property but we can proceed with the survey,” Agrarian Reform Regional Director for Western Visayas Stephen Leonidas said in an interview on the sidelines of the launching of the Land Acquisition and Distribution Free Iloilo 2020 on Tuesday.

Leonidas was one of the few regional directors invited to the formulation of the LAD simplified process.

Among his suggestions was the use of drones.

He said that using drones will make the survey faster because it is being done aerial.

He admitted that Western Visayas is the highest distributor in so far as land acquisition and distribution is concerned.

“Negros [Occidental] is the hotspot of CARP implementation because nationwide Negros has the biggest balance of about 95,000 hectares and 100 percent are private agricultural lands. Since these are prime sugar areas, resistance from landowners could not be avoided,” he explained.

As mandated under Administrative Order No. 9, even if their personnel could not enter the property to conduct survey and field investigation, still they can proceed with the coverage up to the registration of the land title.

Also, one of his suggestions was to declare martial law in areas covered by the CARP in Negros Occidental “purely to fast-track its implementation.”

However, his proposal was not approved.

“With martial law, the resistance of landowners will be neutralized. Right now, left and right, the landowners and their lawyers are filing cases against our field implementers. In fact, one of our PARO [Provincial Agrarian Reform Officer] in Negros has a warrant of arrest.

This is purely to delay the implementation,” he said. PNA

Circumcision season: Boys under pressure A ROW of boys lying on newsprintcovered tables howl in pain and grit their teeth as part of “circumcision season” in the Philippines, when thousands of youngsters suffer through the procedure en masse.

The removal of foreskins is a centuries-old rite of passage to adulthood in the country, which has one of the highest rates of male circumcision in the world.

Yet even as circumcision comes under increasing scrutiny around the world, with critics branding it “child abuse,” it is rarely questioned in the Philippines and boys face tremendous pressure undergo the procedure.

Every year, thousands of pre-teens from poor families go through the operation for free at government or community-sponsored clinics.

“I was shouting the whole time because it hurt so bad,” Vladimir Vincent Arbon told AFP after his 20-minute ordeal.

“My mum told me that I need to get circumcised so I would grow taller

and become a real man,” the 11-yearold added, expressing the pressure many youths face.

He was among 1,500 boys who underwent the procedure in one city near Manila, but the scenes are similar in clinics nationwide.

“To get circumcised is probably the essence of being a man... for boys, circumcision is necessary to be called a man,” Joana Nobleza told AFP after her 11-year-old son Carlos underwent the operation.

The boys, some with their parents, arrive before dawn typically in the months of April and May for an anxious wait in long lines—and then a sharp jolt of pain.

Many get local anaesthetics but for some the sensation is still intense.

They are also provided with antibiotics to protect against any infections.

Around 90 percent of males are circumcised for non-religious reasons in the Philippines, according to World Health Organization data. AFP

High court disbars lawyer

By Rey Requejo THE Supreme Court has disbarred a lawyer for continuous refusal to remit the settlement proceeds to his client despite repeated demands in violation of the Code of Professional Responsibility.

In an eight-page en banc decision, the SC ordered the name of Atty. Jude Francis V. Zambrano stricken off from the Roll of Attorneys.

The high court also directed Zambrano to immediately remit to complainant Diwei “Bryan” Huang the full amount of P250,000 with six percent interest from finality of the decision until full payment and to submit to it proof of payment within 10 days from said payment.

In particular, the SC found Zambrano guilty of violating Rule 1.01 of the CPR, which provides that “a lawyer shall not engage in unlawful, dishonest, immoral, or deceitful conduct.”

He was also found liable for violating CPR’s Rule 16.01, which states that “a lawyer shall account for all money or property collected or received for or from the client,” and Rule 16.03 which provides that “a lawyer shall deliver the funds and property of his client when due or upon demand . . .”

The Court held that Zambrano’s ignoring of “consecutive follow-ups and demands from the client without any acceptable reason corrodes the client’s trust and stains the legal profession.”

Sometime in October 2014, Huang, a citizen of Singapore, engaged Zambrano’s services for P50,000 to file a criminal case for estafa against several individuals before the Office of the City Prosecutor of Pasig City.

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CleanFuel renews pact with celebrity racer Roque

Petron starts PSL 3-peat bid Games Today

(Imus Sports Center) 4:15 p.m. — Marinerang Pilipina vs Petron 7:00 p.m. — Foton vs Generika-Ayala

IMUS CITY—Petron kicks off its quest for a three-peat, while Foton eyes its second straight win when the Philippine Superliga All-Filipino Conference rolls to Imus Sports Center here Thursday.

The Blaze Spikers battle newbie Marinerang Pilipina at 4:15 p.m., while the Tornadoes test the mettle of Generika-Ayala in the 7 p.m. main tiff of this women’s club tourney bankrolled by SOGO, Eurotel, PCSO, Cocolife, UCPB Gen, Mueller, Senoh, Asics, Bizooku and One Sport.

Petron head coach Shaq Delos Santos parades reigning University Athletic Association of the Philippines Most Valuable Player Sisi Rondina together with the solid crew of Ces Molina, Aiza Maizo-Pontillas, Mika Reyes, Bernadeth Pons and Rhea Dimaculangan.

“We have to take care of the dynasty that we worked hard for,” said Delos Santos as his team eyes an unprecedented three-peat.

Meanwhile, Foton is looking to join F2 Logistics on top of the team standings following a convincing 17-25, 25-18, 25-16, 25-21 victory over Sta. Lucia late Tuesday at the Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan.

Elaine Kasilag led the scoring parade with 20 points while the Jaja Santiago and Dindin Manabat took turns in manning the defensive end.

Tornadoes coach Aaron Velez said Kasilag stepped up after they have decided that they no longer want to heavily rely on the Santiago sisters for offensive production.

“I don’t want to bank too much on the Santiago sisters. This is a team sport so I told them that we’re not build a star player here, we want to make a star team,” Velez said.

Generika-Ayala, however, is tipped to give Foton a tough challenge after making short work of the Lady Skippers also on Tuesday, 25-18, 25-15, 25-23.

OMNI Cup back with 2nd tilt ‘Fight to Finish’ FOLLOWING the success of its first event held last March, the OMNI Cup is set to return with the second edition of their football tournament named OMNI Cup: Fight to the Finish to be held on July 13 at the McKinley Hill Stadium.

With the goal of engaging people to have a more active lifestyle, the one-day, seven-a-side football tournament sponsored by OMNI Electrical and Lighting will feature 24 teams split into two divisions of 12 squads each.

Division 1 is open to all athletes while Division 2 is considered beginner-intermediate, wherein current or former UFL, PPL, and PFL players are disallowed from joining.

At least one female athlete on the field is required at all times for Division 1 play while three female footballers are required to be on the pitch for Division 2 action.

The first OMNI Cup had Suicide Squad Goons triumphing in Division 1 with Kickstart F.C. winning the Division 2 crown.

The second staging of the OMNI Cup tournament will also feature an all-star 11-a-side exhibition match featuring player representatives from all teams involved.

OMNI Cup: Fight to the Finish is also presented by event partners Head and Shoulders Philippines, MADs Essentials: Food for the Skin, Underground Football, and Suicide Squad F.C. and media partners Manila Bulletin, Fox Sports Philippines, and Balita Sports.

For more information, football enthusiasts may visit the OMNI Cup Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ OmniCupPH.

CleanFuel president Bong Suntay shakes hands with celebrity racer Dominique Roque after signing their agreement.

Suzuki zooms to PGT lead with 6-under 64 B

ACOLOD—Japanese Yudai Suzuki took full advantage of an early start and romped off with a brilliant six-under 64 then held off the late charge of fancied Juvic Pagunsan and two others for a two-stroke lead in the first round of the ICTSI Negros Occidental Classic here yesterday.

A virtual newbie, this being only his second tournament on the Philippine Golf Tour, Suzuki rattled off four birdies at the back then added two more on his frontside finish in hot conditions in morning play to seize control over Pagunsan, Richard Sinfuego and Dutch Guido Van der Valk, who shot identical 66s in rainy afternoon.

“I didn’t play good in Danao because I was out of focus,” said the 29-year-old pro from Osaka, referring to his missed cut stint in Club Filipino de Cebu Invitational two weeks ago. He skipped last week’s event in Murcia, Bacolod to work on his game, the result of which he showed with his flawless 31-33 card at the par-70 Negros Occidental Golf and Country Club layout formerly known as Marapara.

But he will be hard-pressed to duplicate his first round feat as Pagunsan is expected to further close in after turning in a superb 31-35 despite being bothered by some personal woes.

“I barely slept since I had to watch over my wife,” said Pagunsan, referring to Maria Elena, whom he rushed to the hospital

Suzuki

the other night. The region’s former No. 1 actually hinted at withdrawing from the P3 million event he ruled last year but decided to play after he was assured of his wife’s recovery from illness.

“I didn’t had a good start but was able to pick up my game in the last nine holes.

Hopefully, I can rest tonight and see what happens tomorrow (today),” added Pagunsan, who settled for a one birdie-one bogey game at the back but gunned down four birdies at the front.

That should make the second round worth watching with Suzuki hoping to buck the pressure and Sinfuego and Van der Valk out to press their respective bids after matching Pagunsan’s 66 with 33-33 and 31-35 cards, respectively.

Another unfancied foreign bet – Emilio Parodi of Argentina, who also missed the cut in the first two legs of the four-stage Visayan swing of the circuit put up by ICTSI, likewise cashed in on an early tee-off, hitting four birdies against a bogey to fire a 67 for solo fifth while Nilo Salahog, American Pete Vilairatana and Zanieboy Gialon put in identical 68s for a share of sixth.

Ira Alido blew an impressive front 31 with three bogeys in the last nine holes, ending up with a 69 and falling to a big one-under par scorers who included reigning Philippine Open champion Clyde Mondilla, Jhonnel Ababa, Tony Lascuña, Michael BIbat, Paul Echavez, Albin Engino, James Ryan Lam, Japanese Ryui Hashimoto, Ryo Nishimura and Kei Matsuoka, and former PGT Asia Luisita leg winner Aussie David Gleeson.

Romasanta vows to put SEAG preparations back on track; Tolentino calls for elections A DAY after the surprise resignation of Philippine Olympic Committee President Ricky Vargas, Chairman Abraham Tolentino announced on Wednesday he intends to call a special election for the position of President vacated by Vargas.

He plans to formally announce this during the scheduled Extraordinary General Assembly on June 25.

Under the POC Bylaws Article 7 Section 6, a special election may be called by the Chairman within 30 days from the date the vacancy arises if the named successors, 1st VP and 2nd VP, are not qualified to succeed.

These two officers must possess the qualifications of a POC President. Among others, they must be an incumbent President of an Olympic Sport-NSA. First Vice President Jose Romasanta, who assumed the post vacated by Vargas, is currently Vice President of the volleyball association, while 2nd Vice President Antonio Tamayo is president of Soft Tennis, which is not an Olympic Sport.

As this developed, Romasanta on Wednesday vowed no second will be

wasted in making sure that the country’s hosting of the 30th Southeast Asian Games will be back on track.

Romasanta has instructed former POC secretary general Steve Hontiveros to call for an emergency SEA Games Federation Council meeting to brief the 10 other member countries on the latest development in the Philippine preparations.

He said that they need to find a solution on how they can move on from this turn of events as the SEA Games preparations were hampered by legal issues that entangled the earlier buildup.

The Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee Foundation, Inc., headed by Taguig Congressman-elect Alan Peter Cayetano, operates a team without board approval from the POC. Although Cayetano was tasked to organize the country’s hosting of the SEA Games, his organizing body was supposed to function as a mere ad hoc committee under the POC, not as a foundation that possesses a legal personality to enter into contracts with sponsors and suppliers.

It was supposed to be called Phisgoc,

not Phisgoc Foundation.

And since it operates without POC board approval, eight of the 13 board members strongly questioned its authority to run the SEA Games, including the creation of the SEA Games logo, SEA Games mascot and SEA Games hymn and motto.

There were also questions about the venues tapped by the Phisgoc Foundation as it decided to move some sports away from the main hub at the New Clark City in Tarlac.

The marketing campaign, transportation and volunteer program of the Phisgoc Foundation are also being probed.

But the biggest question on the Philippines’ status as officially ready for the SEA Games is the production of technical handbook to be followed by the participating countries.

The Phisgoc Foundation does not have it, putting national sports association officials and their foreign counterparts in the dark as to how the event will be ran.

NSA officials said they already submitted their technical guidelines as early as January.

INDEPENDENT fuel company Cleanfuel has renewed its partnership with celebrity race car driver Dominic Roque to further compete in Cleanfuel’s line-up of races in this year’s highly-anticipated Formula V1 Series.

The signing of the contract was done at the heels of the second leg of the race series of what is considered to be the highest form of motorsport event locally.

During the signing, Roque expressed gratitude for the continued partnership between him and the country’s leading supplier of eco-friendly fuels.

“I am very thankful for the continued support that Cleanfuel is providing me.

Rest assured that I will be doing my best in the coming Formula V1 series,” he said.

Roque will be driving under CleanfuelMotul Racing Team. Right now, they are preparing for the next round of the race scheduled on July 20 and 21 at the Clark International Speedway in Pampanga.

Meanwhile, CleanFuel president Bong Suntay expressed his confidence with Roque on the upcoming race.

“We believe that Dominic is a perfect representation of our brand. We share the same beliefs in providing our customers with quality and economical fuel. We hope to further get the message across that we are all in this crusade in providing a greener environment for everyone,” Suntay said.

The chief executive said that they are also elevating the business in strengthening and expanding its service station network, with around 15 stations to be opened this year, which will add to the 55 existing stations within the Luzon region.

“As we expand our business, this is also a perfect time that private car users would identify Cleanfuel not only as an AutoLPG provider, but also as a provider of everyday fuel with high quality Euro 4 Diesel, Clean 91, and Premium 95 octane gasoline, which they use daily on the road,” said Suntay.

Blu Boys fall short against host Czechs THE Philippines came close to scoring a breakthrough win in the XVI World Baseball and Softball Confederation Men’s Softball World Championship 2019 in Prague, Czech Republic but once again fell short against the host team on Wednesday.

The Blu Boys surrendered two runs in the seventh and last inning and bowed to Czech Republic, 4-1, in this prestigious tournament participated in by 16 of the top softball nations in the world.

After three scoreless innings, both teams scored in the fourth. Czech Republic made two runs courtesy of David Mertl and Patrik Kpecny before Ernesto Binarao singled in Jerome Bacarisas for the first and only run for Philippines.

Despite the setback, Amateur Softball Association of the Philippines president and softball patron Jean Henri Lhuillier is pleased with the way the Blu Boys played.

“The team is playing better and the experience has been good for them. We have to be patient with our Blu Boys,” said Lhuillier, who flew to Prague to personally support the team.

Lhuillier also met with Andrea D’Auria, a member of the WBSC Coaching Commission, and described the meeting as “helpful for the further development and growth of both the Blu Boys and the Blu Girls.”

The Blu Boys, ranked 17th in the world, will next face defending champion New Zealand.

Pacing Group A is Asian champion Japan (5-0) followed by Argentina (4-1).

Tied for third place are Cuba and New Zealand (3-2) while trailing closely behind are Czech Republic and Mexico (23). At the bottom are Botswana (1-4) and the Philippines (0-5)

Gear up for football season with Champions Cup in Singapore

Fabrizio Ravanelli and Francesco Toldo join the JSSL Youth Soccer Club clinic participants for an afternoon of football and fun at The Arena football facility in Woodleigh Park.

THE International Champions Cup third edition rolls into Singapore this July with a blockbuster selection of top European clubs.

Relevent Sports Group, owner and operator of the International Champions Cup, recently revealed the four-team line-up, comprising of Premier League giants Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur, as well as Italian Serie A heavyweights Juventus and Inter. This year, the ICC also welcomes AIA as its first-ever Presenting Partner.

The ICC Singapore will be held from July 20 to 21, promising local and travelling fans a truly spectacular footballing treat.

“We are very pleased to bring the International Champions Cup to Singapore again. The event is the

only platform for fans in the region to get up close to their favourite teams,” said Charlie Stillitano, Executive Chairman of Relevent Sports Group. “Manchester United, Inter, Juventus and Tottenham Hotspur are clubs with strong support in the region, and we believe the fans will be happy to see them in action.”

Added Melissa Ow, Deputy Chief Executive, Singapore Tourism Board: “With some of the biggest names in European football joining us for the International Champions Cup this year, Singapore will be an even more attractive travel destination for sports fans this July. As the only Southeast Asian stop of the ICC, we look forward to welcoming football fans from around the region, and aim to provide a memorable experience for our visitors

that goes beyond the pitch.”

This year’s tournament will cap a long-awaited return to the city state for both Premier League sides. It will also be their first appearance at the new National Stadium after Tottenham graced the old Kallang venue in 1995, and Fabien Barthez’s cameo as an outfield player headlined the Red Devils’ last visit in 2001.

Conversely, it will be a second coming appearance in more recent times for the Italian sides. Juventus played the first ever football match in the newly-opened National Stadium against a Singapore Select in 2014, while Inter triumphed over Bayern Munich and Chelsea to be crowned champions of the 2017 ICC Singapore.

Sports

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

A8

THURSDAY, JUNE 20, 2019

Cignal HD streaks to 6th straight win Games today

(Thursday) 1 p.m. – Air Force vs IEM 3 p.m. – Cignal vs EasyTrip 5 p.m. – Sta. Elena vs Rebisco-Phl

Makati crushes Rizal Golden Coolers, 73-51 ANTIPOLO—Makati Super Crunch and Manila Stars took different paths before making it to the win column of the MPBL Season 3 at the Ynares Sports Center here.

Owner of the longest winning streak last season at 15 before bowing in the quarterfinal round against Quezon City, Makati blasted home team Rizal Golden Coolers, 73-51, in what was easily the most lopsided win so far in the third season of this tournament put up by Senator Manny Pacquiao with PBA legend and former MVP Kenneth Duremdes serving as commissioner.

Ex-pro Joseph Sedurifa led the way with 15 points while John Rey Villanueva contributed 14. Former NLEX Road Warrior Jeckster Apinan had a double-double performance of 10 points and 10 rebounds as the Super Crunch completely dominated the Golden Coolers coached by former Barangay Ginebra star and long-time MPBL analyst Jayvee Gayoso.

The Super Crunch held the Golden Coolers to only 30-percent shooting from the field (19-of-62) with only Marco Benitez tallying in double figures with 13. Makati also had 22 second-chance points compared to only 10 for Rizal.

As a team, Makati also played better, dishing out 24 assists, 11 more than its counterpart.

“At the back of our minds, the setback from last season is still there,” said Makati coach Cholo Villanueva.

“But I believe we’re a wiser this year and I hope everything we learned from last season, we’ll be able to make good use of it this season.”

Unlike Makati, which won in a breeze, Manila had to grind it out before preserving a tense 86-85 win for the Frontrow-backed Stars.

Aris Dionisio, the reigning MPBL Defensive Player of the Year, did what he does best with a big defensive gem in the closing seconds to seal the win for Manila, now being handled by Justino Pinat and Ariel Vanguardia.

Dionisio had to chase down PJ Barua, who was on his way to score the winning layup for Quezon City.

Dionisio—an athletic, 6-foot-4 forward—came from behind and rushed back on the defensive end to swat away a potential winning play.

Rain or Shine Elasto Painters guard Ed Daquioag (8) is elbowed on the head by NorthPort’s Paolo Taha. Looking on are, from right Denzel Bowles and Javee Mocon of Rain or Shine. PBA Media

Batang Pier rallies past ROS in OT, 107-102

By Jeric Lopez

W

HO needs Stanley Pringle?

Not the Batang Pier which showed its heart and resilience even without its former star to overhaul a 25-point second half deficit and come back strong to stun Rain or Shine, 107-105, in overtime.

NorthPort regained a share of the lead in the 2019 Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner’s Cup with the victory Wednesday night at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

Moala Tautuua had a career-night, exploding for a team-high 34 points and 11 rebounds for the Batang Pier to lead the way as he seemed poise to be the team’s new top gun.

His triple with 29 seconds remaining capped his game-long brilliance as that proved to be the marginal basket, making it 107-102 for NorthPort.

Seemingly stunned, Rain or Shine was unable to gather itself in the extension.

Robert Bolick forced overtime after tying the game at 100-apiece with a clutch triple with 11 seconds remaining in regulation.

NorthPort regained a share of first place with TNT KaTropa, improving to 6-1 following this third straight win.

On the other hand, the Elasto Painters fell to 2-3 after seeing their two-game winning run snapped.

When it seemed like the Batang Pier, who trailed by double-digits for most of the game, was already bound to earn one in the loss column, it mounted an astonishing rally in the fourth period.

Down by 21, 63-84, entering the pay-

Sharapova returns from injury to prevail on grass De Guzman

MADRID, Spain—Maria Sharapova made a winning return from injury on Tuesday by beating Viktoria Kuzmova 7-6 (10/8), 6-0 to reach the second round of the Mallorca Open.

The five-time Grand Slam champion has not played since the end of January after taking time out to recover from a shoulder injury, but edged a tight opening set against Kuzmova before strolling through the second.

Victory on the grass will come as a timely boost to morale for Sharapova, with the start of Wimbledon now less than two weeks away.

“It’s my first win in about three or four months,” S h a r a p o v a said afterwards.

“It’s great to be here in Mallorca.

What a great place to train and have a warm-up tournament. It’s been amazing for all of us here, and it’s just been nice to experience it for the first time.”

Angelique Kerber now awaits Sharapova in round two after the top-seeded German defeated Belgium’s Ysaline Bonaventure 7-5, 4-6, 6-2.

Kerber has struggled for form herself this year but is likely to offer a sterner test than Kuzmova, the Slovak ranked 46th in the world and who is still only 21.

Sharapova’s own ranking has dipped to 86 during her absence, meaning the Russian needed a wildcard to enter the draw in Mallorca, her fourth tournament this year.

A tense first-set tie-break required Sharapova to save two set points before clinching the frame and Kuzmova never recovered, a limp second set ending with a half-volley dropped into the net.

Earlier, another former major champion crashed out as

rules Open Kitchen tilt

Russia’s Maria Sharapova reacts after winning her singles match against Slovakia’s Viktoria Kuzmova at the Mallorca Open tennis tournament in Santa Ponca. AFP

France’s Caroline Garcia came from behind to beat Victoria Azarenka 1-6, 6-4, 7-5.

Garcia maintained momentum with an impressive victory over the Belarusian, fresh from winning her first title of the year and seventh of her career at the Nottingham Open on Sunday.

The world number 28 will now face Spain’s Paula Badosa Gibert for a place in the third round. AFP

Pelicans eye Williamson in coming NBA Draft NEW YORK, United States— Teenage star Zion Williamson is set to be chosen with the top pick in the NBA Draft on Thursday (Friday Manila time) as the New Orleans Pelicans launch their quest to build a team of championship contenders.

Williamson, who turns 19 on July 6, is the overwhelming favorite to be chosen with the number one selection after a dazzling season in college basketball with Duke University.

The 6’7” (2.01m) teenager, who weighs in at 285 pounds (129kg),

off period, many thought that the game was over, but not NorthPort.

The Batang Pier showed a lot of fight and outscored the shocked Elasto Painters, 37-16, in the fourth frame to give itself a chance in overtime.

The post-Pringle era for NorthPort obviously started on a high note.

In a shocking move, the Batang Pier traded away Pringle, its main man for the last five years, to Barangay Ginebra late Tuesday in exchange for veterans Jervy Cruz, Sol Mercado and Kevin Ferrer.

With the trade completed less than a full day before its encounter with the Painters, the Batang Pier’s three new acquisitions were still unable to suit up and play.

The move gained a lot of attention and now, NorthPort is moving forward to a new chapter in its franchise.

Denzel Bowles’ game-high numbers of 41 points and 21 rebounds went for naught as Rain or Shine stumbled to drop the game in the end.

UNBEATEN Cignal scored an expected 25-21, 25-17, 25-17 romp over VNS Volley Club but Army and Air Force hacked out a pair of five-set thrillers to bolster their respective Final Four bids in the Spikers’ Turf Reinforced Conference at the Paco Arena in Manila last Tuesday.

The HD Spikers banked on their power and solid blocking to dominate the VNS Griffins, pumping in 40 spikes against their rivals’ 32-hit effort and came out of the match without yielding a point on kill blocks while producing six of their own to complete the onehour rout for their sixth straight victory.

The Air Force Jet Spikers and Army Troopers, on the other hand, provided the excitement lacking in the Cignal-VNS duel with the former stopping the PLDT Home Fibr Power Hitters, 24-26, 25-23, 23-25, 25-21, 15-6, to move to solo third at 5-1, in the country’s premier men’s league organized

by Sports Vision.

Army proved steadier than Navy and pulled off a 25-12, 1925, 25-21, 20-25, 15-12 escape to join PLDT at fourth at 5-2. The Navy Sea Lions dropped to 4-3 in a tie with the idle Sta. Elena Ball Hammers.

Skipper Patrick Rojas unloaded a 21-hit game while Michael Reyes backed him up with a 11 points as the Army Troopers beat the Sea Lions in spikes, 49-41, and pounced on their rivals’ shaky service reception to net nine aces against Navy’s five.

The Sea Lions, who drew a pair of 13 pointers from Greg Dolor and Kurl Rosete, edged the Troopers in blocks, 6-5.

Bryan Bagunas and Alnakran Abdilla combined for a whopping 56-hit game as the Jet Spikers clobbered the Power Hitters in spikes, 68-51, and came away with 13 aces against their foes’ seven. Both teams cancelled out in kill blocks with seven apiece.

Mark Alfafara fired 17 points while Paolo Pablico and John Vic de Guzman added 16 and 11 markers, respectively, but the Power Hitters failed to neutralize Bagunas, who blasted in 26 attack points out of 51 attempts and finished with six aces, and Abdilla, who went 19-of-38 in attacks for a 26-point effort.

is regarded by many experts as the sort of once in a generation talent capable of reaching the pinnacle of the NBA. Williamson, who averaged 22.6 points, 8.9 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game for Duke before declaring for the draft in April, offers a rare mix of imposing size and explosive athleticism.

“There are some things he obviously needs to work on, but at 6’7”, 285, people ask who does he remind me of? Nobody,” said NBA TV ana-

lyst Steve Smith.

“There is not anyone I’ve seen like this (at that size). No one has jumped like this. There is nobody he reminds me of.”

While Williamson’s skills were not enough to carry Duke to the championship, his talent did see him win the Naismith College Player of the Year award.

That achievement placed him in elite company alongside Kevin Durant and Anthony Davis as the only freshman winners of the honor. AFP

Zion Williamson of the Duke Blue Devils watches the action against the Louisville Cardinals at KFC YUM! Center in Louisville, Kentucky in this file photo.

Williamson is set to be chosen with the top pick in the NBA Draft by the New Orleans Pelicans. AFP

INTERNATIONAL Master Ricky De Guzman reigned supreme in the Open Kitchen Chess Tournament held at the Open Kitchen P. Tuazon Boulevard, Barangay Kaunlaran in Cubao, Quezon City late Tuesday.

The former Asian Junior champion De Guzman collected 4 points to win the 5 Round Tournament hosted by New York Chess League top honcho/ boss Nonoy Rafael in close cooperation with China Aurelio, John Gomez and Popo Martinez of Open Kitchen and Jeff Dimalanta.

De Guzman emerged as the country’s best performer in the Open section of the 17th Asian Continental Chess Championships last December at the Tiara Hotel in Makati City.

Eight-time Illinois USA chess champion International Master Angelo Young finished with 3.5 points along with International Master Daniel Quizon, World’s First Fide Master Adrian Ros Pacis, National Master Romeo Alcodia and 7-times Philippine Executive Grand Prix Champion Dr. Jenny Mayor.

Other players who participated in the one-day tournament which aims to promote camaraderie among the chess players are National Master Efren Bagamasbad, Genghis Katipunan Imperial, Edgar “Bote” Bautista, National Master Marlon Bernardino, Ron Demain, Noel Jay “Super B” Estacio, Zac Encarnacion, Jun Isaac, Jovito Quizon and Glenn Lemen.

No less than Asia’s First Grandmaster Eugene Torre, Grandmaster Rogelio “Joey” Antonio Jr.and Judge Hillario Laqui led the closing rites.

IN BRIEF PH, Japan sign loan for Mindanao roads CLARK, Pampanga—Philippine and Japanese officials signed here Tuesday evening an agreement providing the government with a $202.04-million loan from Japan to finance the construction and improvement of roads in Mindanao’s conflict-affected areas, including the war torn city of Marawi.

Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III said the loan, equivalent to 21.92 billion yen, would cover several road sites in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, and aim to reinvigorate local economies and reduce poverty by linking communities to Mindanao’s trade centers, thus, improving accessibility and the smooth flow of goods and services to and from these areas.

Signing the loan accord for the Road Network Development Project in Conflict-Affected Areas in Mindanao were Dominguez on behalf of the Philippines and Japan International Cooperation Agency senior vice president Yasushi Tanaka on behalf of the Japanese government. Julito G. Rada

Business

ADB urged to fund renewable projects CIVIL society organizations asked the Asian Development Bank, as standard bearer of multilateral banks, to adopt stringent measures and finance more renewable energy projects in accordance with the 1.5-degree limit on global warming.

“In order for the bank to demonstrate its commitment in unambiguous terms, it should have a time-bound phase-out plan for natural gas and intensify investments on renewable energy projects that are neither harmful to the environment nor to the affected communities,” Rayyan Hassan, executive director of NGO Forum on ADB, said in a statement.

The NGO Forum on ADB is an Asianled network of civil society organizations, based in Asia and the Pacific region. ADB is currently holding its 14th Asia Clean Energy Forum (ACEF) from June 17 to 21.

The NGO Forum on ADB along with its member partners urged ADB to meaningfully act on the urgency of climate crisis in the Asia-Pacific.

Alena Mae S. Flores

MTD to finish first phase of Clark City ahead of deadline CLARK, Pampanga—MTD Philippines, the contractor tapped by the government to build the New Clark City, plans to complete phase one of the massive facility within the next 73 days, way ahead of the government’s official deadline of Oct. 15, 2019.

MTD Philippines president Patrick Nicholas David told reporters in an interview on the sidelines of the New Clark City tour, which was conducted by the Bases Conversion and Development Authority, Department of Transportation and the Department of Finance on Wednesday, that construction was already 80-percent complete and was expected to be fully finished

by Aug. 31, 2019.

“We are on track of meeting the actual deadline set by the government of finishing it by Oct. 15. And we are actually eyeing to meet our self-imposed deadline of Aug. 31, or within the next 73 days,” David said.

“We just want to be ahead of the curve (that is why we set a self-imposed deadline),” David said. The government expects the completion of the phase one of the facility in time for the country’s hosting of the biennial Southeast Asian Games in November 2019.

He said the actual construction started on March 15, 2018. The government gave MTD 18 months to finish the project. Phase one is composed of sports facilities intended for athletics and aquatic events.

David said to meet the self-imposed deadline, 8,000 workers were currently working 24 hours a day, seven days a week. He said most of the materials used were secured locally but the design of the facility was benchmarked internationally. Julito G. Rada

business@manilastandard.net extrastory2000@gmail.com THURSDAY, JUNE 20, 2019

B1

Gathalian asks govt to honor Ilijan power deal

By Alena Mae S. Flores

Vista Land selling preferred shares HOMEBUILDER Vista Land & Lifescapes Inc. plans to raise fresh capital through the issuance of preferred shares.

Vista Land said in a disclosure to the stock exchange it obtained shareholders’ approval for the shelf registration and the issuance of 200 million preferred shares with a par value of P0.10 apiece.

“The creation of the Series 2 preferred shares is expected to provide the company a new avenue to raise capital with more flexible terms,” Vista Land said.

Vista Land said shareholders approved the reclassification of the unissued preferred capital stock to create 200 million non-voting, cumulative, non-participating, non-convertible and redeemable Series 2 preferred shares.

Vista Land plans to spend P40 billion this year in capital expenditures, mainly to finance construction of projects as well as land banking activities.

It also plans to launch P60 billion worth of residential projects as it remains positive about the domestic real estate sector.

The property firm last year raised P10 billion from the issuance of fixed-rate peso bonds. Jenniffer B. Austria

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

SOLAR ROOFTOP. Top officials of First Philippine Holdings Corp., led by chairman and CEO Federico Lopez (fifth from left), join their counterparts from DoubleDragon Properties Corp., led by chairman Edgar Sia (sixth from left), in a ribbon-cutting ceremony marking the launch of a solar installation atop the Double Dragon Plaza DD Meridian Park within the Bay Area in Pasay City. FP Island Energy Corp., a unit a FPH, designed and installed the rooftop solar panels.With them are (from left) Ariel Villaseñor, FPI Energy vice president; Chinie Defensor, FPI Energy senior manager; Carlo Vega, FPI Energy vice president; Victor Emmanuel Santos Jr., FPI Energy president; Ambassador Benedicto Yujuico, DD-Meridian Park Development Corp. vice chairman emeritus; Tony Tan Caktiong, DoubleDragon co-chairman; Hannah Yulo, DoubleDragon chief investment officer; and Ferdinand Sia, DoubleDragon president.

Cebu Pacific orders 31 Airbus aircraft for $6.8b C

By Darwin G. Amojelar

EBU Pacific said it ordered 31 next generation aircraft from Airbus for $6.8 billion to replace its current fleet with more fuel-efficient and eco-friendly aircraft.

The order consists of 16 A330neo and 15 A320neo family aircraft. The aircraft are scheduled for delivery between 2021 and 2026.

“The A330neo will give us the lowest cost per seat and allow us to continue offering the lowest fares. Moreover, the lower fuel burn matched with higher seat density will allow CEB to address growing demand for leisure and business travel, by upgrading aircraft and maximizing available airport

slots in Manila and other megacities we serve,” said Lance Gokongwei, president and chief executive of Cebu Pacific.

The latest order is in addition to the 32 A321neo aircraft ordered in 2011, for delivery until 2022.

The 16 A330neo will be fitted with 460 seats, with 5.5 percent more capacity than Cebu Pacific’s current fleet of A330ceo aircraft. The additional seats were made possible through a more efficient layout of cabin interiors and new generation seats.

The new A330neo will replace the A330ceo, which will be progressively retired.

Using the new Rolls Royce Trent 7000 engine and a more aerodynamic wing design, the A330neo is more efficient, providing a range of up to 7,200 nautical miles with as much as 12 percent less fuel burn per trip. On top of a reduced environmental footprint, the

A330neo also has a quieter cabin for an improved passenger experience. As part of the transaction, Rolls Royce has also been selected for engine maintenance and support.

Cebu Pacific also ordered 15 A320neo family aircraft, including 10 A321 XLR (Xtra Long Range) and five 194-seat A320neo. The increased capacity of the A320neo will result in a 7 percent reduction in cost per seat; and a decrease in fuel burn and emissions of as much as 15 percent.

Cebu Pacific was advised by Plane View Partners on the new transactions with Airbus and Rolls Royce.

Scheduled to start delivering in 2024, the A321 XLR is designed to have a range of up to 4,000 nautical miles and can potentially fly 220 passengers for up to 11 hours. The new and unique capability gives Cebu Pacific the opportunity to develop new markets from key cities other than Manila.

PH registered BoP surplus of $5.19b in first 5 months

By Julito G. Rada THE Philippines posted a balance of payments surplus of $928 million in May, a reversal of the $583-million deficit recorded in the same month last year, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas said Wednesday.

“Inflows in May 2019 stemmed mainly from the national government’s net foreign currency deposits, and the BSP’s foreign exchange operations and income from its investments abroad,” the central bank said in a statement.

The inflows, however, were offset partially by the payments made by the government on foreign exchange obligations during the month in review.

The BoP position in the first five months of the year registered a surplus of $5.19 bil-

lion, a turnaround from the $2.08-billion deficit recorded year-on-year.

“The surplus may be attributed partly to remittance inflows from overseas Filipinos during the first four months of the year, and net inflows of foreign portfolio, foreign direct and other investments in the first quarter of 2019,” the Bangko Sentral said.

The BoP position reflects the final gross international reserves level of $85.36 billion as of end-May 2019.

The GIR at this level represents a more than ample liquidity buffer and is equivalent to 7.4 months’ worth of imports of goods and payments of services and primary income. It is also equivalent to 5.1 times the country’s short-term external debt based on original maturity and 3.6 times based on

residual maturity.

The Bangko Sentral last week revised upward the balance of payments projections this year to a surplus of $3.7 billion from a deficit of $3.5 billion in November 2018, taking into account the expected sustained strength of the domestic economy amid the downward revision in global economic growth outlook.

BSP Deputy Governor Diwa Guinigundo said during the first-quarter BoP briefing that other key considerations in the revised projections were the near-term moderation in the global trade outlook, expected decline in commodity prices, possible ratcheting up of trade tensions between the US and China, and US Fed’s shift to “dovish” monetary policy stance.

SENATOR Sherwin Gatchalian urged the government to honor the privatization contracts in the energy sector, specifically that of the 1,200-megawatt Ilijan natural gas power plant in Batangas.

State-run Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corp. has been insisting on pursuing the collection of P19.75 billion against San Miguel Corp. unit South Premiere Power Corp. for the Ilijan power plant, citing the need to pay its own obligations.

“For me, it’s very basic... San Miguel won fair and square through a transparent bidding... The highest bidder which is San Miguel is about $800 million and then the lowest bidder which is Aboitiz is about $100 million. There is a huge disparity.

San Miguel will pay eight times more than the lowest bidder. But what is important is the bidding was fair and square,” Gatchalian said.

South Premiere won the contract as the independent power producer administrator of the Ilijan plant in a bidding conducted by PSALM in 2010 with an offer of $870 million.

“If you want to attract businesses and foreign investors and you have a transparent bidding, why after five years say the payment is not sufficient. You’re reneging on the original contract. It doesn’t send a good signal to our potential investors,” the senator said.

Gatchalian, chair of the Senate Committee on Energy, said the Philippines wanted to attract more investors in the power generation sector but it should honor its contracts.

“We do not want to be branded as as a country that doesn’t honor our contracts especially through a transparent bidding... From a standpoint of increasing our investments and improving the credibility of the country internationally, government should not renege on biddings and contracts especially the power sector because the power sector is a very capital intensive sector and we need to make sure that government is credible in honoring its contracts,” he said.

“We have to learn how to honor our contracts especially in capital intensive industries,” he added.

San Miguel earlier chided PSALM for continuing to demand the payment of its alleged debts on the Ilijan natural gas plant, calling it an act of bullying when the case is already with the court.

South Premiere filed a case against PSALM in 2015 after it terminated the Ilijan IPPA agreement due to differences in the computation of generation charges.

San Miguel president and chief operating officer Ramon Ang said the issue was pending at the Mandaluyong Regional Trial Court.

“This is bullying. They cannot just dictate on what works best for them.

We have to follow due process,” Ang said.

Taiwan urges food firms to tap new markets

By Othel V. Campos TAIPEI, Taiwan—The Taiwan food and packaging industry urged global food manufacturers and even packaging technology innovators to maximize the opportunity presented by the trade war between the US and China.

“As the trade war between the US and China unfolds, countries may take this opportunity to develop new markets. US and China and the world need materials, they need technology for their food business and packaging industries,” Taiwan Packaging Association chairwoman May Wang said Wednesday at the opening of the 29th Taipei International Food Show held at the Taipei World Trade Center.

She specifically addressed participants to the expo, including seven exhibitors from the Philippines who joined the 3-day food event.

She noted the the global food manufacturing and packaging industries

would help diversify the risks of the trade war by promoting smart technologies to countries where the innovations mattered most.

She also urged participants to use advanced technology in manufacturing and packaging facilitiesm such as artificial intelligence and robotics to reduce costs.

Philippine participants kept an open mind to improve production using advanced technology.

Filipino companies in the Expo include Century Pacific Food Inc., Destileria Limtuaco & Co., Grand Asia Integrated Natural Coco Products Corp., Leonie Agri Corp., Team Asia Corp., Tropicana Food Products Inc. and Yearluck Food and Industrial Corp.

The 2019 Food Taipei 5-in-1 Mega Expo is the largest global exhibition that combined five major exhibitions— Food Taipei, Foodtech & Bio/Pharmatech Taipei, Taipei Pack, Taiwan HORECA and Halal Taiwan.

MERALCO HONORED. Manila Electric Co. is named Top Performing Philippine publicly-listed company under the Asean Corporate Governance Scorecard. Meralco received a four-arrow recognition by the Institute of Corporate Directors’ during the ACGS Golden Arrow Recognition Ceremony held on June 11, 2019 at the Conrad Manila, Pasay City. Meralco senior vice president and head of legal and corporate governance office, William Pamintuan (center), accepts the award for Meralco from ICD chief executive officer Alfredo Pascual (left) and Securities snd Exchange Commission chairman Emilio Aquino.

B2

Business

THURSDAY, JUNE 20, 2019 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Stocks rally; GT Capital, PLDT up

T

HE stock market rallied Wednesday on hopes of a deal to end a painful China-US trade war that has jolted the global economy.

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index jumped 94.97 points, or 1.2 percent, to 8,017.01 on a value turnover of P7.3 billion. Gainers beat losers, 106 to 81, with 53 issues unchanged.

PLDT Inc., the biggest telecommunications firm, advanced 4.5 percent to P1,231, while rival Globe Telecom Inc. rose 2.7 percent to P2,260.

GT Capital Holdings Inc. of the Ty Group gained 4.6 percent to P920, while SM Investments Corp. of the Sy Group added 2.9 percent to P975.

The rest of Asian markets climbed Wednesday after Donald Trump hailed “very good” phone talks with Xi Jinping

and said they would meet at the G20 next week.

The US president’s comments provided a much needed boost to investors after a month of volatility sparked by his shock decision to hit China with fresh tariffs, ending months of apparently positive negotiations.

Adding to the upbeat mood were comments from the European Central Bank head Mario Draghi hinting at a cut in interest rates to support the stuttering eurozone economy.

Also, the Federal Reserve is due to end its latest policy meeting later Wednesday, with dealers hoping for some idea about its own plans for rates.

After a healthy lead from Wall Street, the vast majority of Asia’s markets posted gains of at least one percent—with Hong Kong leading the way by jumping more than two percent.

Tokyo ended 1.7 percent higher, Shanghai added one percent, Singapore put on 1.4 percent and Sydney 1.2 percent.

Taipei added two percent, while Wellington, Seoul, Jakarta and Bangkok were above the one percent level. Mumbai was also in positive territory.

The rally was sparked after Trump tweeted: “Had a very good telephone conversation with President Xi of China. We will be having an extended meeting next week at the G-20 in Japan. Our respective teams will begin talks prior to our meeting.”

Later he told reporters “the meeting might very well go well,” adding that China wanted to make a deal.

“China and the US will both gain by cooperating and lose by fighting,” Xi told Trump, according to a readout by Chinese state broadcaster CCTV.

Trump’s tweet followed weeks of speculation about whether the heads of the two most powerful economies would actually meet on the sidelines of the G20 in Osaka. Trump had warned that if Xi did not turn up, he would hike tariffs on virtually all China’s exports to the US. However, analysts pointed out that it was in both their interests to bring an end to the long-running dispute.

“There is strong incentive for both presidents to re-engage,” said Tai Hui, chief market strategist for Asia-Pacific at JP Morgan Asset Management.

“Trump is kick-starting his (re-election) campaign and he will need strong economic performance over the next 18 months. President Xi will also need trade tension to cool down to support China’s domestic economy, while pursuing financial market liberalization.”

With AFP

MANILA STANDARD BUSINESS DAILY STOCKS REVIEW WEDNESDAY, JUNE 19, 2019

NAME

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

58.8 80.1 138.2 1.24 26.85 18.5 11.68 4.9 0.49 72.8 0.96 13.2 51 185 57.5 28.1 165.5 58.15

59 81 139.9 1.24 27.05 18.8 11.8 4.9 0.54 74.4 0.99 13.48 51 186 57.55 28.4 166 59.5

58.55 80 138.2 1.24 26.85 18.5 11.6 4.65 0.49 72.7 0.96 13.2 50 185 57.5 28.1 163.1 58.15

59 80 139.6 1.24 26.95 18.68 11.6 4.84 0.5 74.25 0.99 13.48 50.85 185 57.55 28.1 165 59

12,440 1,176,180 1,584,980 35,000 543,100 79,200 631,000 162,000 953,000 5,793,900 181,000 7,600 1,257,750 760 340 42,500 1,077,560 120,320

732,447 94,300,514 221,004,392 43,400 14,615,335 1,478,920 7,404,366 773,770 499,210 429,230,128.50 176,380 100,488 63,912,480.50 140,700 19,554 1,199,375 177,652,754 7,097,837.50

702,584 -22,818,811 99,152,637 -498,545 -292,300 -3,330,002 -22125142.5 27,160 -19231774.5 -188,775 -26,944,986 933,206.50

INDUSTRIAL ABOITIZ POWER AGRINURTURE ALLIANCE SELECT ALSONS CONS BASIC ENERGY BOGO MEDELLIN CEMEX HLDG CENTURY FOOD CHEMPHIL CIRTEK HLDG CONCRETE A CROWN ASIA DAVINCI CAPITAL DEL MONTE DNL INDUS EAGLE CEMENT EEI CORP EMPERADOR EUROMED FIRST GEN FIRST PHIL HLDG GINEBRA GREENERGY HOLCIM INTEGRATED MICR IONICS JOLLIBEE 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 TKC METALS UNIV ROBINA VICTORIAS VITARICH VULCAN INDL

34.85 14.38 0.76 1.4 0.29 89.05 2.62 15 110 23.05 69.85 2.03 5.35 5.5 10.44 16 10.14 7.54 1.7 24 77 51.5 2.37 13.76 10 1.68 282 3.48 9.4 23.5 13.5 19.44 382 5.72 1.34 4.4 5.91 9.05 2.67 12.08 37.35 4.96 4.85 1.49 2.12 1.16 14 105 6.5 1.28 173.9 2.88 1.25 1.34

35.4 14.4 0.77 1.4 0.29 96.45 2.67 15.02 110.5 23.3 70 2.04 5.35 5.75 10.48 16.1 10.4 7.57 1.71 24.5 77 52 2.45 13.88 10.08 1.68 282.4 3.49 9.4 23.95 13.82 19.9 385 5.97 1.35 4.58 5.97 9.05 2.69 12.14 38 4.96 4.86 1.5 2.12 1.18 14.2 105 6.5 1.29 173.9 2.9 1.26 1.35

34.85 14.3 0.73 1.38 0.28 89.05 2.56 14.94 110 22.75 69.85 2.02 5.3 5.48 10.32 16 10.14 7.51 1.7 23.9 76.45 49.5 2.36 13.74 9.94 1.65 280 3.48 9.24 23.5 13.5 19.36 377 5.72 1.32 4.4 5.91 9.05 2.53 12 37.35 4.92 4.85 1.46 2.03 1.13 13.9 102.8 6.47 1.25 171 2.87 1.22 1.3

35 14.36 0.75 1.38 0.29 96.45 2.66 15 110.5 22.75 70 2.04 5.3 5.7 10.44 16 10.28 7.54 1.71 24.45 76.75 50.8 2.43 13.8 10.08 1.66 281 3.49 9.3 23.8 13.82 19.78 384 5.97 1.33 4.58 5.92 9.05 2.55 12 37.5 4.95 4.86 1.49 2.03 1.18 14.12 104 6.5 1.26 173.9 2.87 1.25 1.3

1,412,000 968,400 1,319,000 71,000 2,200,000 130 15,418,000 500,800 490 117,800 500 229,000 18,900 8,400 2,738,400 902,900 548,700 744,200 7,000 2,316,200 54,890 177,880 5,323,000 556,300 304,800 175,000 461,510 53,000 14,200 1,784,900 566,300 4,745,100 297,810 5,100 7,497,000 28,000 1,669,200 10,800 27,439,000 56,400 577,500 34,000 5,000 1,128,000 16,000 156,000 272,900 266,910 113,700 1,763,000 1,172,850 39,000 4,389,000 5,806,000

49,388,635 13,906,546 982,550 99,000 632,250 11,650.50 40,456,330 7,512,196 53,950 2,708,470 34,952 464,780 100,220 46,479 28,534,036 14,446,558 5,649,486 5,609,101 11,940 56,302,455 4,205,621.50 9,081,145.50 12,695,510 7,670,084 3,049,918 290,240 129,725,364 184,470 132,003 42,415,050 7,770,916 93,929,858 114,230,606 29,197 9,984,820 125,210 9,908,989 97,740 71,036,260 681,444 21,673,030 168,550 24,260 1,678,380 33,200 179,960 3,842,210 27,722,690 738,336 2,231,630 203,491,662 112,360 5,427,910 7,626,130

-21,726,475 254,380 -2,559,360 1,141,660 -912574.9998 2,040 -12,610,980 1,679,508 -2,798,496 20,234,775 -275,340.50 1,274,565 7,193,370 -143,326 -97,131 47,269,968 174,000 13,442,450 5,181,508 -5,776,828 15,562,508 -923,920 13,200 -931,133 1,672,160 -46,916 -13138035.0003 1,177,184 -2,794,213 60,160 -3,311,587 -59,270 154,380

HOLDING FIRMS 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 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

0.72 54.05 15.1 0.75 6.7 12.94 1.27 1.31 900 3.63 6.85 10.16 14.06 0.26 870 63.8 6.25 0.5 4.41 15.2 0.75 4.59 0.039 1.18 2.79 178.8 948 0.86 1.38 427 269.8 0.239 0.31

0.79 54.9 15.3 0.78 6.7 12.94 1.33 1.38 904 3.7 6.9 10.48 14.06 0.265 920 65.4 6.35 0.5 4.45 15.46 0.82 4.59 0.039 1.23 2.8 178.8 975 0.9 1.38 427 270 0.243 0.31

0.72 53.7 15.04 0.75 6.7 12 1.27 1.31 897 3.57 6.7 10.12 13.72 0.242 870 62.5 6.25 0.465 4.29 15.2 0.65 4.52 0.038 1.18 2.79 173.9 942 0.86 1.33 427 266 0.231 0.3

0.78 53.7 15.2 0.75 6.7 12.16 1.32 1.36 900 3.64 6.8 10.48 13.96 0.265 920 65.4 6.34 0.495 4.29 15.28 0.69 4.58 0.038 1.21 2.8 175.5 975 0.86 1.38 427 270 0.234 0.305

104,861,000 1,426,760 2,281,000 613,000 2,400 142,000 5,454,000 698,000 603,130 3,876,000 347,000 2,681,200 107,800 450,000 203,830 1,274,570 52,500 377,000 156,000 361,400 85,619,000 6,462,000 5,100,000 762,000 55,000 726,590 186,380 103,000 3,000 10 810 1,520,000 2,530,000

80,707,270 76,742,521 34,608,100 460,430 16,080 1,729,690 7,113,970 927,050 542,483,785 14,019,750 2,374,431 27,659,850 1,488,956 115,970 184,328,905 81,818,864.50 332,745 176,065 676,100 5,531,952 64,269,940 29,458,000 195,300 924,170 153,870 127,585,668 179,165,280 90,630 4,090 4,270 218,134 360,960 772,350

16,762,360 -29,185,252 -11,246,856 75,000 16,080 10,770 -371,600 -132,961,020 1,275,450 255,165 12,247,110 -116,380 66,833,745 -17,772,041 -436,720 -2,770,748 -6,230,940 -1,116,220 -29,648,483 37,676,715 -8,090 318,900

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

15.62 0.78 11 2.09 0.85 50.5 2.32 4.91 6.12 0.58 0.89 0.9 0.228 0.475 9.9 26.1 0.475 0.125 1.69 1.28 5.95 0.32 0.455 1.89 0.42 2.2 40 25.2 2.11 2.99

15.88 0.8 11 2.09 0.87 51 2.39 4.93 6.35 0.59 0.89 0.93 0.228 0.475 9.9 26.3 0.48 0.125 1.74 1.32 6.08 0.325 0.455 1.9 0.42 2.24 46.9 26 2.15 3

15.6 0.78 11 2.08 0.82 50.4 2.31 4.83 6.12 0.56 0.85 0.87 0.227 0.45 9.8 25.6 0.475 0.125 1.69 1.27 5.94 0.315 0.455 1.83 0.42 2.1 40 25.2 2.1 2.98

15.7 0.79 11 2.08 0.84 51 2.33 4.89 6.35 0.59 0.86 0.93 0.227 0.455 9.84 25.95 0.48 0.125 1.71 1.31 6.02 0.32 0.455 1.86 0.42 2.17 46 25.8 2.14 2.98

444,600 1,180,000 20,000 40,000 3,681,000 6,188,500 206,000 404,000 9,100 23,947,000 2,950,000 4,451,000 160,000 9,260,000 230,800 444,900 50,000 310,000 24,215,000 2,173,000 26,172,400 7,110,000 90,000 2,856,000 700,000 3,662,000 500 1,681,500 124,000 93,000

6,968,448 927,160 220,000 83,500 3,090,880 314,137,125 480,630 1,977,230 55,738 13,727,270 2,621,030 4,009,230 36,380 4,220,050 2,270,165 11,527,745 23,850 38,750 41,553,380 2,831,930 157,130,621 2,266,600 40,950 5,293,630 294,000 7,946,810 22,580 43,298,465 265,330 278,550

-622,488 17,380 83,370 63,077,000 -18,680 58,440 -55,738 -17,030.00 91,000 3,073,365 -12,510,410 260,630 51,064,140 544,850 215,920 6,791,905 11,960

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SM PRIME HLDG STA LUCIA LAND STARMALLS SUNTRUST HOME VISTA LAND

38.4 2 6.1 0.76 7.13

38.75 2 6.1 0.76 7.13

38.2 1.93 6.06 0.75 7.05

38.4 1.93 6.1 0.75 7.05

10,989,700 369,000 174,200 8,000 5,166,600

421,429,185 718,600 1,060,732 6,030 36,469,845

-148,467,355 760 -19,503,261

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

10.86 17.1 1.36 0.45 0.042 21.45 2.73 11.34 0.059 86.5 7.53 6.47 2.18 10.2 890 2,220 5.39 405 9.88 2.35 1.85 147.6 0.121 6.7 13.5 4.29 0.84 19.2 0.55 3.21 2.42 1.72 1.6 2.44 3.07 9.1 4.78 8.2 132 3.65 1,213 0.81 0.8 45.1 76.6 9.49 3.47 0.75 0.385 5.07 0.74 16.86

11 17.2 1.38 0.5 0.042 21.45 2.78 11.7 0.059 89.9 8.19 6.47 2.18 10.28 890 2,260 5.39 413 9.88 2.35 1.86 147.7 0.121 7 15 4.29 0.84 19.66 0.55 3.21 2.48 1.72 1.6 2.44 3.13 9.3 5 8.2 132 3.7 1,245 0.85 0.83 45.7 76.65 9.65 3.53 0.75 0.405 5.12 0.74 17

10.82 17.06 1.36 0.45 0.042 20.6 2.7 11.34 0.056 86.35 7.53 6.44 2.05 10.1 890 2,202 5.32 400 9.88 2.25 1.85 145.7 0.118 6.7 13.44 4.15 0.81 19.2 0.53 3.21 2.42 1.67 1.52 2.38 3.06 9.1 4.78 8.2 130 3.56 1,201 0.8 0.78 44.55 76.5 9.01 3.43 0.73 0.385 5.04 0.71 16.86

10.96 17.1 1.38 0.475 0.042 20.6 2.74 11.7 0.058 88.25 8.04 6.44 2.05 10.1 890 2,260 5.32 408 9.88 2.29 1.85 146.5 0.118 7 15 4.2 0.81 19.2 0.55 3.21 2.44 1.67 1.56 2.41 3.1 9.3 5 8.2 132 3.65 1,231 0.83 0.82 44.55 76.6 9.65 3.43 0.73 0.4 5.1 0.74 16.86

28,200 78,700 13,000 24,080,000 1,500,000 700 303,000 3,280,400 46,690,000 269,150 15,456,200 22,900 6,000 123,400 430 61,520 156,500 1,950 100 2,243,000 11,000 1,369,910 760,000 26,460,400 2,200 433,000 290,000 1,438,300 349,000 14,000 3,963,000 31,000 16,000 1,360,000 115,000 15,500 26,300 40,000 3,110 1,891,000 289,610 7,219,000 19,955,000 2,587,400 1,831,790 1,115,600 5,775,000 7,907,000 14,710,000 2,815,900 1,820,000 2,102,400

308,710 1,346,480 17,820 11,579,600 63,000 14,585 822,920 37,741,220 2,689,120 23,850,644 123,195,717 147,940 12,950 1,250,396 382,700 137,404,210 837,949 790,726 988 5,123,550 20,360 200,596,125 90,820 182,818,234 30,596 1,816,950 237,140 27,633,662 188,940 44,940 9,670,920 52,270 24,950 3,272,280 354,310 142,497 130,906 328,000 409,180 6,849,870 354,495,310 5,971,500 15,987,610 115,909,655 140,262,515.50 10,107,476 20,113,930 5,820,740 5,849,650 14,342,634 1,318,620 35,527,506

-509,400 8,250 -4,725,990 8,400 -2,569,724 3,263,699 0 40,326,990 249,600.00 -19,213,293 -4,886,313 -179,800 -150,060 8,008,856 155,890 373,040 -113,960 389,380 87,290 19,162,265 -109,930 -811,080 17,202,995 20601886.4998 -9,568,563 572,330 1,490,230 -140,000 -6737758.0001 37,000 28,435,154

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

0.0017 1.2 2.71 12.34 2.8 0.28 7.55 1.48 0.229 0.108 0.11 0.0074 0.0074 1.05 2.12 1.01 0.54 0.85 0.011 0.011 0.01 4.18 3.14 7.18 21.75

0.0019 1.22 2.71 12.34 2.83 0.28 7.65 1.48 0.229 0.112 0.115 0.0074 0.0074 1.05 2.13 1.01 0.58 0.88 0.011 0.011 0.011 4.38 3.18 7.99 21.85

0.0017 1.16 2.71 12 2.79 0.28 7.41 1.43 0.219 0.108 0.11 0.0074 0.0074 1.03 2.11 0.96 0.54 0.84 0.011 0.011 0.01 4.09 3.11 7.18 21.3

0.0019 1.22 2.71 12.34 2.79 0.28 7.6 1.47 0.225 0.11 0.115 0.0074 0.0074 1.03 2.12 1 0.58 0.88 0.011 0.011 0.011 4.37 3.18 7.91 21.5

492,000,000 2,943,000 10,000 4,400 814,000 600,000 60,500 22,272,000 1,840,000 1,370,000 20,000 5,000,000 9,000,000 15,000 4,694,000 32,000 286,000 225,000 3,100,000 24,300,000 45,300,000 456,000 614,000 3,609,300 890,700

934,000 3,478,600 27,100 53,004 2,276,660 168,000 451,933 32,854,820 406,740 150,380 2,250 37,000 66,600 15,650 9,944,670 31,460 154,520 191,270 34,100 267,300 458,400 1,906,550 1,929,090 27,899,740 19,172,195

-542,160 -238,000 512,130 -7,665,680 132,300 -230399.9999 -305,830 1,684,577 -10739495.0002

PREFERRED ABS HLDG PDR AC PREF B1 AC PREF B2 ALCO PREF B DD PREF FGEN PREF G FPH PREF C GMA HLDG PDR HOUSE PREF A LR PREF PCOR PREF 2A SMC PREF 2B SMC PREF 2C SMC PREF 2D SMC PREF 2F SMC PREF 2I

17 460.8 486 98.05 97.15 104 445 5.12 96 1 999.5 75.85 76 73.45 73.05 73.25

17 460.8 486 98.05 97.15 109.4 445 5.54 96 1 999.5 75.85 76 73.5 73.9 73.75

17 460.8 486 98.05 97.15 104 432 5.12 96 1 998 75.85 75.85 73.45 73.05 73

17 460.8 486 98.05 97.15 109.4 432 5.5 96 1 998 75.85 75.85 73.5 73.9 73.75

13,000 140 3,360 3,100 40,000 20,070 6,750 4,100 80 25,000 20 50 67,200 20,820 640 16,640

221,000 64,512 1,632,960 303,955 3,886,000 2,087,658 2,917,464 21,775 7,680 25,000 19,975 3,792.50 5,105,667 1,530,264 46,922 1,226,354

-170,000 -

WARRANTS LR WARRANT

1.98

2

1.96

2

230,000

453,590

-

SME ITALPINAS MAKATI FINANCE XURPAS

4.9 2.4 1.06

4.97 2.4 1.08

4.89 2.4 1.04

4.91 2.4 1.04

342,000 1,000 8,112,000

1,680,530 2,400 8,531,860

78,890 -1,057,010

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS FIRST METRO ETF 118.7

120

118.7

120

3,120

372,515

-

DDS USD DMPL A1 USD DMPL A2

10.2 10.1

10.2 10.1

10.2 10.1

48,470 2,000

494,394 20,200

-

NAME

MS 10.2 10.1

TRADING SUMMARY

SHARES

FINANCIAL

15,167,321

INDUSTRIAL

97,208,914

HOLDING FIRMS

229,223,457

PROPERTY

154,413,551

SERVICES

201,577,299

MINING & OIL

621,175,412

GRAND TOTAL

1,327,231,630

VALUE 1,732.11 (up) 17.18 1,135,385,978.92 FINANCIAL INDUSTRIAL 11,690.28 (up) 29.19 1,202,306,538.346 HOLDING FIRMS 7,656.44 (up) 105.34 1,476,211,418.77 PROPERTY 4,321.44 (up) 58.88 SERVICES 1,698.87 (up) 19.198 1,836,532,699.17 MINING & OIL 7,157.34 (up) 37.97 1,540,579,774.95 PSEI 8,017.01 (up) 94.97 102,952,367.8084 All Shares Index 4,882.57 (up) 37.07 7,304,582,666.25 Gainers: 106; Losers: 81; Unchanged: 53; Total: 240

PCC clears EastWest bid to buy PBCom vehicle loans

By Othel V. Campos THE Philippine Competition Commission approved the acquisition of the automotive loan portfolio of Philippine Bank of Communications by East West Banking Corp.

The transaction involves the purchase

by EastWest of a portion of PBCom’s auto loan receivables, specifically limited to dealership-generated accounts, subject to EastWest’s acceptance, and after due diligence and review of relevant documentation.

The PCC said in a decision issued on June 18 the asset acquisition, in particular the auto loan portfolio, would not likely result in the substantial lessening of competition in the automotive loan market.

The agency said it premised the decision on the finding that the transaction would not likely result in any significant change in market structure. It noted sufficient competitive constraints from other banks offering the same loan types and leases.

EastWest is a subsidiary of the Filinvest Development Corp., the publiclylisted holding company of the Gotianun Group.

The commercial bank is engaged in providing retail banking, consumer lending, corporate banking, rural banking and treasury and trust products.

PBCom, meanwhile, offers basic commercial banking services such as deposit products, treasury and foreign exchange trading, trade-related services, cash management services, credit and loan facilities, trust and investment management services, as well as ancillary services.

EastWest earlier said net income jumped 36 percent in the first quarter of 2019 to P1.3 billion from a year ago, on the back of higher loans, deposits, fees and trading gains.

Revenues rose 13.3 percent to P6.6 billion from P5.8 billion in the same period last year. The higher revenues were driven by fees and commissions that rose 29 percent to P1.3 billion. Securities and foreign exchange trading gains improved to P525.1 million from a loss of P136.5 million in the same period last year.

Gobal Business, Century Peak sign power supply deal

By Alena Mae S. Flores GLOBAL Business Power Corp., through retail arm Global Energy Supply Corp., recently signed a power supply agreement with Century Peak Corp. under the retail competition and open access scheme of the Energy Regulatory Commission.

RCOA is a provision under the Electric Power Industry Reform Act that allows “contestable customers,” or those whose peak demand falls within the threshold level of contestability, to freely choose their electricity supplier.

Global Business will supply 57 megawatts of power over a five-year cooperation period to Century Peak, which is into mining, cement, steel and minerals development.

“This partnership underscores both GBP and CPC’s commitment to support the country’s infrastructure drive, as the government’s ‘Build Build Build’ program goes into full swing,” said Global Business Power executive committee chairman Jose Ma. Lim. The National Economic and Development Authority said 44 “Build Build Build” projects were in various stages of implementation as of November 2018, with 28 expected to be completed by 2022.

“As we continue to support the country’s infrastructure drive through our operations, we look forward to working with GBP to help meet our energy requirements,” said Century Peak chief executive officer Wilfredo Keng.

Global Business Power president Jaime Azurin said Century Peak was one of the country’s leaders in cement and steel manufacturing.

“We thank them for their trust in us and our new vision to become a total sustainable energy solutions provider,” said Azurin.

Global Business Power is one of the leading independent power producers in Visayas and Mindoro, with facilities in Cebu, Iloilo, Aklan and Mindoro.

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World

THURSDAY, JUNE 20, 2019 CESAR BARRIOQUINTO, Editor mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Hong Kong’s security chief grilled over protest violence

EXPECTING XI. Commuters read a newspaper while waiting for a train at a newsstand in a subway station in Pyongyang on June 19, 2019, ahead of a visit to the North Korean capital by Chinese President Xi Jinping on June 20. Xi will be the first Chinese leader to visit Pyongyang in 14 years. AFP

Euthanasia now legal in Australia’s Victoria state MELBOURNE―Terminally ill Australians can for the first time apply to end their own life, after new laws went into effect in the state of Victoria Wednesday.

The country’s second most populous region made voluntary euthanasia legal under closely specified circumstances, a first for the country.

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews-who supported the bill after his father’s death from cancer in 2016―said the laws were about giving patients a “dignified option at the end of their life”.

“We’ve taken a compassionate approach,” Andrews told commercial broadcaster Channel Nine, adding that he hoped it would bring people the dignity of a “good death.”

Assisted suicide is illegal in most countries and in Australia until Victoria state introduced laws to legalize the practice in 2017.

The scheme will be accessible only to terminally ill adult patients with fewer than six months to live― or one year left to live for sufferers of conditions such as motor neurone disease and multiple sclerosis.

Multiple restrictions will be put in place, including residency requirements and assessments from multiple doctors, meaning around 12 people are expected to use the law this year.

Andrews said that up to 150 might use the law each year after that. An independent review board and a coroner will track and monitor all deaths.

Other states in Australia have debated assisted dying in the past, but the proposals have always been defeated.

But experts said other states will now be watching closely to see how the law is implemented and whether they should follow suit.

“Although over forty attempts to change the law in Australia have failed in the past, more recent reform efforts appear to be getting closer to laws changing,” Ben White from Queensland University of Technology’s Australian Center for Health Law Research said.

“Western Australia, Queensland and South Australia [states] all have inquiries considering change.” AFP

‘Leaderless’ protesters await their next move H ONG KONG― Hong Kong’s “leaderless” demonstrations brought millions of people onto the streets and forced the city’s pro-Beijing leadership into a rare climbdown.

But with no one directing the action, where does the movement go now?

The unpopular bill that sparked the protests and would have allowed extradition to mainland China has now been suspended.

But protesters are adamant that the bill must be fully withdrawn and the city’s pro-Beijing Chief Executive Carrie Lam step down―demands she has so far resisted.

“More demonstrations and resistance will happen soon if Carrie Lam does not know what respect means,” said Joshua Wong, an activist who became the face of Hong Kong’s 2014 pro-democracy “Umbrella Movement”.

Wong was released on Monday, half-way into a two-month sentence linked to his activism, and a day after organizers said two million demonstrators marched in Hong Kong’s streets to protest against the bill.

He told AFP he now expects to see “upgraded, more progressive actions”.

So far, no fresh protests have been announced, but small groups of diehard activists remain in the streets around the city’s legislature, setting up supply stations with water, food and first-aid kits in anticipation of future mobilization.

The massive demonstrations were organized in part by a coalition called the Civil Human Rights Front, an umbrella group of dozens of organizations.

While the group applied for rally permits, it has said it does not speak for the protesters and has given no indication of future demonstration plans.

Wong said the movement’s leaderless nature was part of the reason for its success.

“The leaderless model enhances the movement to become more organic. It [becomes] hard for the regime to target any representative,

icon or leader,” he said.

In the past, “when we organized [a] strike or movement, they will try... to target the leader, negotiate with them”, he added.

That was the experience of 2014’s Umbrella Movement, which failed to win democratic concessions and landed several of its top leaders, including Wong, in jail.

The new movement’s leaderless model though has left many unsure of what to do next.

“The bottom line is that people are trying to figure things out as they go,” said Laurie Wen, a writer among the protesters still camped outside Hong Kong’s legislature.

The Umbrella Movement “didn’t get us what we wanted in terms of policy demands at least. So what are we going to do differently this time? How can we use our... two-million-strong power?”

Hong Kong enjoys freedoms unseen in mainland China under the terms of its 1997 handover by Britain, but there are concerns that the territory’s special status is under threat from Beijing, which will retake control of the financial hub in 2047. AFP

IN BRIEF Rescuers find missing bear cub

TOULOUSE, France―A malnourished bear cub who was rescued in southern France, but later escaped from the home where he was being cared for, has been found and moved to a safe location, the national hunting and wildlife agency said on Wednesday.

“Douillous the bear cub is safe,” the ONCFS said.

The five-month-old bear had been spotted by a farmer on Tuesday “as he approached a cage containing bait” to lure him.

The agency immediately sent out experts who caught him “after a chase through the fields”.

The cub had initially been found on June 10 wandering alone through a French village in the southwestern Pyrenees region.

He was taken in by a person licensed to keep wild animals in Saint-Pierre-de-Trivisy, about 100 kilometers east of Toulouse.

But on Sunday night, Douillous escaped, prompting a major search by a team of 12, among them three ONCFS wildlife experts.

Weighing a mere 18 pounds, the little bear was separated from its mother before being weaned and was very weak when found in Couflens, a village on the French-Spanish border.

Although he had no obvious injuries, Douillous―whose name comes from the area where he was found―was malnourished and suffering from anemia at the time, leaving him so weak he was unable to move properly.

When he went missing, officials said he stood very little chance of survival unless found in the coming hours.

About 50 brown bears live on the French side of the Pyrenees mountains that straddle the border with Spain.

France began reintroducing bears from Slovenia about 20 years ago, despite opposition from local farmers, after the native population was hunted to near extinction. AFP

Indonesia releases pet orangutans

ON A CLEAR DAY...This picture was taken on June 18, 2019, of the Chantilly castle north of Paris.

AFP

UN: Record 70.8-million people were displaced at the end of 2018 GENEVA―More than 70 million people were counted last year as displaced from their homes, a record that underestimates the real number of refugees and asylum seekers, the UN said Wednesday.

In its annual global trends report, the United Nations refugee agency (UNHCR) described the figure of 70.8 million at the end of 2018 as “conservative”, particularly because the number of people who fled Venezuela’s devastating crisis is under-counted.

At the end of 2017, by comparison, 68.5 million people were counted as being forcibly displaced by violence or persecution.

The UNHCR attributed the increase partly to surging displacement in Ethi-

HONG KONG―Members of Hong Kong’s legislature met Wednesday for the first time since the largest anti-government protest in the city’s history, with many opposition lawmakers slamming the pro-Beijing administration’s handling of the crisis.

Hong Kong has been shaken by a series of massive demonstrations against a proposed law that would have allowed extraditions to mainland China, and the city’s police force has been criticized for using excessive force to disperse protesters.

In a tense session, opposition lawmakers grilled Hong Kong’s head of security John Lee over allegations of police brutality during the sporadic clashes with demonstrators this month.

Many pro-democracy members of the Legislative Council wore black and carried white chrysanthemums in tribute to a man who fell to his death while protesting the law.

Some placed placards on their desks reading “No China Extradition” and “Withdraw, Withdraw”―referring to the controversial bill.

“We are sad that some people were hurt while expressing their views,” Lee said as he repeated the government’s apology for the turmoil caused by the bill.

He said police were responding to threats from protesters, but opposition lawmakers ridiculed his comments.

“The police were well-trained, and you have all the gear and you say the police were under threat,” pro-democracy lawmaker Claudia Mo said.

“This is utterly unconvincing.”

An opposition lawmaker was due to introduce later Wednesday a non-binding motion of no-confidence in pro-Beijing chief executive Carrie Lam, but it was not expected to pass in the body which is dominated by her camp. AFP

opia caused by inter-ethnic conflict, and in Venezuela, where thousands are fleeing every day amid an economic collapse that has triggered shortages of basic food and medicine.

An estimated 3.3 million people have left Venezuela since the start of 2016, according to the UN. UNHCR head Filippo Grandi told reporters in Geneva the figure of 70.8 million only includes Venezuelans who had officially applied for asylum― roughly half a million people.

Overall, the number of displaced people in the world has doubled over the last 20 years and now exceeds the population of Thailand.

The trend, Grandi said, continues to go in “the wrong direction”.

According to Amnesty International, a refugee is a person who flees their home country and cannot or will not return due to conflict or fear of persecution.

The report lists 41.3 million internally displaced people (IDPs), 25.9 million refugees, and 3.5 million asylum seekers―those awaiting a decision on their bid for official refugee protection.

The countries with the most internally displaced people―fleeing within their own countries―are Syria, wracked by conflict since 2011 and Colombia, plagued by decades of violence, said the UNHCR. The group of refugees, it added, included 5.5 million Palestinians scattered across several countries, notably

Lebanon and Jordan.

The best solution for a refugee is to be able to return home once their country stabilizes, but Grandi noted that 20 percent have been in exile for more than two decades.

“We have become almost unable to make peace,” the UNHCR chief said.

“It is true there are new conflicts, new situations producing refugees..., (but) the old ones never get resolved,” he added. “When is the last conflict that you remember was resolved?”

The UNHCR has at times sought to push back against the phrase “migrant crisis”, especially as it has been applied to an influx of people into Europe via the Mediterranean sea. AFP

JAKARTA―The young orangutan looks back at her rescuers before clambering over her steel cage and into the trees, swinging from hand to hand and hanging upside down.

Five-year-old primate Elaine, covered in fuzzy cinnamon-colored hair, was one of two critically endangered Sumatran Orangutans released back into the wild Tuesday.

Both female apes were rescued after being kept as pets by villagers in Aceh province on Sumatra island.

Elaine and four-year-old Reipok Rere spent nearly two years learning to fend for themselves at a rehabilitation center and “forest school” before being returned to the wild at Pinus Jantho Forest Reserve.

The healthy pair have joined nearly 120 other orangutans freed from captivity at the conservation site, said the Aceh natural resources conservation agency.

The rescue is a rare spot of bright news for the critically endangered species, which has seen its habitat shrink drastically over the past few decades largely due to the destruction of forests for logging, paper, palm oil and mining.

A string of fatal attacks on the great apes in recent has been blamed on farmers and hunters.

Plantation workers and villagers are sometimes known to attack the animal because they see it as a pest, while poachers also capture them to sell as pets. AFP

LGUs

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

B4

THURSDAY, JUNE 20, 2019

Bagatsing clan throws support behind Isko

LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS

23 Miss Makati bets unveiled

By Joel E. Zurbano

T

HE Makati City government on Wednesday formally presented the 23 candidates for Miss Makati 2019 at The Conservatory, Peninsula Manila as part of the city’s 349th anniversary celebration.

With a theme “Creating the Future Now”, this year’s pageant is focused on highlighting women’s roles in building a smart, sustainable and futureready Makati.

In a statement, Mayor Abigail Binay said Miss Makati 2019 shall embody the shared vision and aspirations of the city and its people.

“From among our candidates, we will seek not only beauty, grace and intelligence, but also the ability to inspire positive change among fellow Makatizens.,” she said.

The candidates who come from the different barangays of Makati were able to meet the basic qualifications set for the search for Miss Makati, as follows: single Filipino female; 17 to 25 years old; lives, works or studies in Makati; at least 5’4” tall; and at least high school graduate or currently in Grade 12.

The coronation will be held at the Makati Coliseum on Friday (June 21).

The board of judges is chaired by fashion designer Albert Andrada, and includes fashion designers Paul Cabral and Anthony Ramirez; Shiela Romero, CEO of Air Asia; Kate Pagkalinawan, CEO and president of iSkin Aesthetic Lifestyle; George Royeca, Angkas regulatory and public affairs head; Tim Yap, TV host and entrepreneur; actress-model Ruffa Gutierrez; and actor Franco Laurel.

Whoever wins the ‘Miss Makati’ crown will win P200,000 as cash prize, while ‘Miss Makati Tourism’ will win P150,000 cash prize, and ‘Miss Makatizen’ will win P100,000 cash prize. Special awards from Air Asia, ISkin Aesthetic Lifestyle and Balmain will also be given to candidates of their choice. The other pageant sponsors are Folded and Hung, Figlia shoes, HBC (Home of Beauty Color), DCP (Design Council Philippines), SGV, and St. Giles Hotel.

Gutierrez, the Miss World 1993 second runnerup, surprised the gorgeous women, as she graced the event and gave tips to the aspirants on how they can conquer the pageant.

“You need to be yourself, just be natural and enjoy every step in the way,” Gutierrez said during a question and answer portion with the beauty aspirants.

With Charles Dantes

GRATEFUL CENTENARIAN. Centenarian Felicitas Pangilinan Francisco (second from left), of Tomas Claudio in Barangay

Baclaran, tightly embraces Parañaque 1st District Rep. Eric Olivarez after receiving her check for P100,000 as cash grant from the city government. Francisco H. Lazaro, 101, of Fourth Estate, Barangay San Antonio, also received a cash grant from the local government and another P100,000 from the Department of Social Welfare and Development pursuant to Republic Act 10868 or the Centenarians Act of 2016. Also in photo is former Civil Service Commission chairman Alma Corazon de Leon of the Save Parañaque River Foundation, and Francisco’s daughter.

Bautista approves ordinance boosting Quezon City Children’s Code

By Rio N. Araja TO FURTHER ensure a child-friendly Quezon City, Mayor Herbert Bautista has approved a measure strengthening the city’s Children’s Code.

City Ordinance 2834 has amended Ordinance 2180-2012 adding more ordinances to the Children’s Code.

Enacted in 2012, the Quezon City

Children’s Code recognizes and upholds children’s rights and establishes the local development plan for the protection and rights of children.

“In recognition of and building on the achievements of the Quezon City Children’s Code of 2012, and in light of the developments, current issues, persistent problems and emerging concerns involving and affecting chil-

dren, there is a need to strengthen the Code to ensure a child-friendly Quezon City,” the ordinance read.

At least 41 new ordinances have been added to the previous 24 ordinances covered by the code.

The amended Children’s Code added ordinances such as City Ordinance 2191-2012 creating QC Protection Center for Women, Children,

and Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals and Trans genders who are victims/survivors of violence and abuse; City Ordinance 2450-2015 strengthening youth participation and representation in Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management, and City Ordinance 2587-2017 prohibiting selling, giving or sharing any type of firecracker to children.

‘Cha-Ching’ visits schools in P. Princesa IN LINE with its advocacy on financial literacy, British life insurer Pru Life UK’s community investment arm Prudence Foundation, together with its regional NGO partner Junior Achievement Asia Pacific, recently visited the Department of Education Division of Puerto Princesa in Palawan to share program developments with 77 schools that have been implementing Cha-Ching since 2018.

Aside from the Philippines, the Cha-Ching curriculum is being rolled out in seven other countries—Brunei, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.

In 2018, the program forged partnerships with more than 2,000 Asian schools, training close to 3,000 teachers to reach 280,000 students throughout the Asia Pacific region.

Brought about by a partnership between Pru Life UK and DepEd in April 2012, the Philippines became the first country in Asia to integrate Cha-Ching in its grade school curriculum.

The Cha-Ching curriculum adopts a multi-platform activities-based learning approach to inculcate the four key money-smart concepts of Earn, Save, Spend, and Donate in students.

Pru Life UK further fortified its financial literacy advocacy in 2017 by collaborating with Junior Achievement Philippines to enhance the ChaChing curriculum.

RIZAL RITES. Senator Cynthia Villar lead the raising of the Philippine flag during the celebration of the 158th birthday of national hero Dr. Jose Rizal and the 6th Buhayani Festival in Calamba City. She is joined by (from left) National Historical Commission of the Philippines Executive Director Ludovico D. Badoy, Calamba City Rep. Joaquin M. Chipeco Jr, Calamba City Mayor Justin Marc Chipeco, and Philippine Army Maj. Gen. Arnulfo Burgos Jr. (inset) at the Museo ni Jose Rizal in Calamba. Roy Tomandao

THE gesture of Manila mayor-elect Isko Moreno to pay courtesy meetings to his political opponents outgoing Mayor Joseph Estrada and former Mayor Alfredo Lim a month after the midterm elections is what great leaders do.

Thus said members of the Bagatsing political clan now throwing their support to the incoming chief executive of the capital city.

“The act of reaching out to Erap and Lim is magnanimous and noble. This should serve as a guide to all of us Manileños who love the city to unite and set aside differences for the sake of the city,” said former Manila Councilor Don Bagatsing in a statement.

Fourth district Councilor Don Juan “DJ” Bagatsing seconded his brother, saying Moreno’s gesture to visit his opponents should also serve as an example to the community leaders, village officials and to the youth.

“We should emulate him. Politics is dirty but for Mayor Moreno, he set aside this,” said Don Juan.

Moreno paid a courtesy visit to Estrada to ensure a smooth transition of power on June 30.

It was the first meeting between the two former political allies-turnedrivals since the May 13 polls.

Moreno, like Estrada who is a former actor, also visited Lim and agreed to work together to make Manila regain its lost glory.

Moreno, a former actor whose real name Francisco Domagoso, won the mayoralty race with 359,925 votes as against the 210,605 votes of Estrada, who he supported in the May 2013 midterm polls, and the 138,923 votes of Lim. The mayor-elect was an ally and served as vice mayor to the administration of both Estada and Lim. The Bagatsing family expressed belief that Moreno can do a lot to improve the lives of Manileños and help in the development of the city.

They said Moreno ran in the right direction and his campaign was perfect. Joel E. Zurbano

Vizcayanos talk over mining in forum, socmed

By Abe Almirol KASIBU, Nueva Vizcaya—As the country celebrates the environment month, advocates of “responsible mining” battle their anti-mining adversary in various social media platforms.

An online petition currently hosted at www.change.org calls for Pres. Rodrigo Duterte to renew the permit of OceanaGold’s Didipio Mine in Kasibu, Nueva Vizcaya.

Another petition at www.bataris. org seeks the non-renewal of the permit of Didipio mine.

In a forum hosted by the group Alyansa Tigil Mine in Quezon City on Tuesday, Gov. Carlos M. Padilla declared his stand against the extension of the Financial and Technical Assistance Agreement now in the hands of OceanaGold Philippines Inc. which will end on June 20.

An FTAA is a permit issued to a multinational company to explore and extract minerals in the Philippines, provided that the company will share technology and financial resources.

OceanaGold’s FTAA No. 1 was issued 25 years ago, and now covers a total of 12,000 hectares, which includes the currently operating mine in a 725-hectare area.

“I will exercise the full powers of my office to strictly implement the Environment Code of Nueva Vizcaya.

There will be no sacred cows where the rights and welfare of the people are concerned,” Padilla declared.

Meanwhile, in Barangay Didipio, people whose livelihood depend on the operation of the mine voiced out their opinion that they gained favorably from the mines.

DA turns over P141m in FMR to Davao Sur MAGSAYSAY, Davao del Sur—Just in time for the 52nd town anniversary here, the Department of Agriculture in Davao Region, through the Philippine Rural Development Project, handed over on Tuesday the P140.8 million worth of farm-to-market road project to the municipal government.

The 12.384-kilometer road rehabilitation project connects barangays Barayong-Mabini-Bala and Upper Bala.

The project is expected to increase the household income of the residents and provide better access both to the people and their products.

DA-11 Director Ricardo Oñate said the project will facilitate access for the development and enhancement of the whole value chain of the commodity from input provision, farming processing to marketing.

“With this, providing better road access to these barangays will definitely open opportunities both to the farmers and the investors,” he added.

Most of the economic activities existing in the recipient barangays are buy and sell either within the barangays that serve as cluster consolidator.

The main markets are either in Poblacion, Kiblawan, Bansalan, Digos, Davao City, and General Santos City.

Aside from its dominant crop, which is banana, the project will interlink with other commodities like rubber, rice, mango, abaca, cacao, coconut, corn, and vegetables.

Mayor Arthur Davin thanked the DA for the road rehabilitation, urging the beneficiaries to take care of the project. PNA

AKLAN PLANS. Aklan Rep. Teodorico ‘Nonong’ Haresco discusses with the media his infrastructure, education, health and livelihood for his constituents in a press conference Wednesday after winning a fresh term in the May elections. Andrew Rabulan

Life

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

HOUSEHOLD

THURSDAY, JUNE 20, 2019

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SLEEP TIGHT

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N CELEBRATION of its 60th year, Canadian Manufacturing takes part in global efforts to go green with its first eco-friendly line.

The local bed and bath company, led by president Hiro Asandas, sales director Chand Daryani, and managing director Ravi Daryanni, has recently launched its Bamboo collection in partnership with SM Home.

Bamboo is a great alternative to many conventional materials due to its rapid growth rate and self-regeneration. It also requires little to no fertilizers or pesticides.

Canadian Manufacturing utilizes bamboo in its cotton sheets, resulting in breathable, anti-microbial, and smooth as silk feel at less the cost.

The bamboo cotton sheets are suitable for those with sensitive skin. They also boast an odor-protection feature.

Another notable quality of bamboo sheets is the thermo-control feature that’s perfect for the Philippine weather. It’s available in five elegant colors.

In addition to bamboo sheets, Canadian Manufacturing also rolled out its waterproof mattress and pillow protectors which protect from spills, stains, and dust mites.

In keeping with its environment-friendly efforts, the aforementioned products come in eco-friendly fabric packaging and cartons.

The company has also partnered with Haribon Foundation to aid its biodiversity conservation programs. Proceeds of the purchase will go to the Adopt-a-Seedling program of the foundation.

Canadian’s Bamboo collection is available at the SM Home section in SM Store Aura and soon to be available in selected SM Stores.

SM Home assistant vice president for marketing Tom Castañeda (right) with Winnie Wong.

A GOOD NIGHT’S SLEEP.

A quality sleep greatly affects a person’s overall well-being, thus highlighting the importance of excellent mattress, pillows, and other bedroom essentials.

Bringing bamboo into the bedroom

Canadian Manufacturing’s Bamboo collection consists of sheets and mattress/pillow protectors made of the sustainable material.

Sealy Posturepedic mattresses are made in coordination with orthopedic surgeons.

Actress and Runner’s Kitchen owner Bianca King promotes bamboo linen.

Mind over mattress

DESPITE the physical and mental benefits of sleep, it is often the most overlooked factor for optimal health and well-being.

Psychological studies that delve into the causes of sleep disorders have established that the amount of rest or sleep has a direct effect on one’s metabolic, cardiovascular, nervous, cognitive, and immune system functions.

Experts say the kind of mattress has a huge effect on the quality of sleep of an individual. Some mattresses are too coarse, thick, and hard and not suitable for hot climates, while others are too soft and may not provide the spine with ample support.

The ideal mattress conducive for a peaceful slumber should have both comfort and conformability—one that uses coils strategically placed to support the body and provide layers of padding for an optimum pressure-relieving comfort system.

Sealy Posturepedic mattresses offer the said features, the result of extensive research as well as coordination with orthopedic surgeons in developing the revolutionary PostureTech Titanium coil, which is made of titanium alloy that was patented in 1983 and is still the only one of its kind worldwide.

The innovative and state-of-the-art PostureTech Titanium Coil counters and adjusts as well as “responds” with the level of support in accordance with the body’s shifting weights.

It has been engineered to reinforce the center to support the back and core, and encourage natural spinal arrangement. In other words, it targets the heaviest part of the body and delivers support so a person stays level while they soundly sleep.

Sealy Posturepedic luxury spring mattresses are available at the Sealy Sleep Boutique 5th floor, Main Wing, Shangri-La Plaza.

5 easy ways to teach kids about money

IT’S never too early to teach children about finances, from saving to earning to handling. To help parents bring up financially savvy children, insurance company Axa Philippines offers the following tips:

learn about business and hard work. The same goes for doing chores. If they get an allowance, call it a commission instead. Allow kids to earn commissions for different household chores.

Introduce the concept of money

Show them that things cost money

Helping children understand and respect money from an early age will help them manage it well when they become adults. Start by letting the child see and handle coins and small bills so they become familiar with money as part of everyday life.

Do more than simply saying, “That toy car costs ₱300.” Let them get the money from their jars to bring to the store and let them be the ones to hand the cash to the cashier. This simple action will have more impact than a five-minute lecture on the value of money.

Start with a savings jar

Set an example

A piggy bank is a good idea, but a clear jar is even better. With a clear jar, the children see their money growing. Saving loose change or 10 percent of their allowance can help develop the habit. Talk this through with them and stress the importance of saving money.

Children learn by example; the best way to teach them about saving money is to set a healthy example for them that they will much more likely to follow when they get older. Show children how prices differ and explain how to make more intelligent choices. Reiterate the message that every time Let them earn they get money, they should save part of it to Summer jobs will help young people prepare for the future.

Parents can encourage children to put their loose change in jars to help develop the habit of saving.

THURSDAY, JUNE 20, 2019 Standard C2 TODAY Manila

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES OFFICE OF THE CITY TREASURER PARAĂ‘AQUE CITY NOTICE OF DELINQUENCY NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC: This is to certify that, based on the tax records of this office, the real properties listed below are all delinquent in the payment of real property tax as of December 31, 2017. Pursuant to Sections 254 and 255 of Republic Act No. 7160 (Local Government Code of 1991), personal property may be distrained to effect payment but at any time before the distraint of personal property, payment of the real property tax with surcharges, interests at the rate of two percent (2%) per month until fully paid (but not to exceed 36 months) and penalties may be made. If no payment of real property tax is made, the delinquent real property will be sold at public auction and the title to the property will be vested in the purchaser, subject, however, to the right of the delinquent owner of the property or any person having legal interest therein to redeem the property within one (1) year from the date of sale.

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