Manila Standard - 2019 July 1 - Monday

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VOL. XXXIII • NO. 137 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P18 • MONDAY, JULY 1, 2019 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Trump makes history, steps into Korean DMZ WORLD B3

PORT VISIT. The USS Montgomery (LCS 8), an Independence-class littoral warship of the United States Navy, makes a port call in Davao City . AFP

Speakership brawl looms Term-sharing rejection bolsters Romualdez bid

Angat water inches up but remains low MONSOON rains brought by tropical depression “Egay” raised the water elevation of Angat Dam, which supplies 97 percent of Metro Manila’s water, the weather bureau said Sunday.

As of 6 a.m. Sunday, water level at the dam reached 158.64 meters, up from Saturday’s 157.96 meters. This was still below the critical level of 160 meters, however, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said.

The low level at the dam has led to water service interruptions in Metro Manila, where two private concessionaires are grappling with the supply shortage.

As water level reached its critical level on June 20, the National Water Resources Board reduced the water allocation for the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System and its concessionaires, Maynilad Water Services and Manila Water.

Weather forecasters said more rains were expected Sunday as Egay enhances the southwest monsoon.

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By Rio N. Araja

UGGESTIONS of a termsharing arrangement for the speakership in the 18th Congress are dead after President Rodrigo Duterte declined to endorse any of the aspirants coming from his PDP-Laban party, lawmakers said Sunday.

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“Insisting on term sharing is indicative of weakness if not political sloth,” said Capiz Rep. Fredenil Castro, after one of the PDP-Laban aspirants, incoming Taguig-Pateros Rep. Alan Peter Cayetano, attacked the other, Marinduque Rep. Lord Allan Velasco, rejected a proposal that they share the three-year term.

“They want to be spoon-fed, bereft of any mandate from members of the House of Representatives,” Castro said of those who supported a term sharing deal.

Castro and Anakalusugan Party-list Rep. FLUVIAL PARADE. Speakership candidate and Leyte First District Rep. Martin Romualdez (left) and Tingog Party-list 2nd Mike Defensor said a term-sharing agreement would have been the easiest way to get rid of a Nominee Jude Acidre assist Bishop John Du in carrying the miraculous image of Sto Nino after the fluvial parade from Tacloban Fort to San Juanico Bridge joined by more than 300 fishing boats. Ver Noveno

Recto Bank is ours, SC justice insists, citing 1987 Constitution

By Rey E. Requejo and Macon Ramos-Araneta WHILE international law does not recognize the country’s sovereignty over the Recto Bank, the Constitution views it as part of the national territory, Supreme Court Associate Justice Antonio Carpio said Sunday, adding that where there is a conflict, the Charter should prevail over international laws.

“Under international law, the Philippines has sovereignty over its territorial

sea [within 12 nautical miles from the baseline], and jurisdiction over its EEZ [beyond 12 nautical miles up to 200 nautical miles]. International law does not recognize sovereignty beyond the 12-nautical mile territorial sea,” Carpio said.

Instead, the United Nations Convention on Laws of the Sea speaks only of “sovereign rights” or limited entitlements to explore, exploit, conserve and manage natural resources in the country’s EEZ. The sovereign rights, Carpio agreed, do not confer sovereignty.

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Trade war sparks oil price hike: P1.20

By Alena Mae S. Flores THE oil companies may increase oil prices by as much as P1.20 per liter of gasoline this week to reflect the continuing impact of the US-China trade war in the domestic market.

But Petron Corp. said it will roll back

the price of its LPG by P3.40 per kilogram effective 12:01 a.m. today, Monday, and the price of its Auto LPG by P1.90 per liter also today.

“Expect fuel prices to go up next week. Diesel should go up by P0.90 and gasoline should go up by P1.10 Next page

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Canadian garbage: Back to where it belongs

VANCOUVER―Tons of Canadian garbage left in the Philippines for years arrived back home Saturday, putting an end to a festering diplomatic row that highlighted how Asian nations have grown tired of being the world’s trash dump.

A cargo vessel loaded with about 69 containers of rubbish docked in a port on the outskirts of Vancouver, according to an AFP reporter at the scene.

The trash will be incinerated at a wasteto-energy facility, local officials said.

The conflict dates back to 2013 and 2014, when a Canadian company shipped containers mislabeled as recyclable plastics to the Philippines.

The shipment actually contained a mixture of paper, plastics, electronics, and household waste, including kitchen trash and diapers, even though Philippine law prohibits imports of mixed plastics and household trash.

Some of the waste was disposed of in the Philippines, but much of it stewed in local ports for years.

The issue polluted bilateral relations for years, but tensions came to a head in April when Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte threatened to “declare war” against Canada unless it reclaimed the garbage.

Canada missed a May 15 deadline to repatriate the rubbish, but then made ar-

Beijing airport looks like shining starfish BEIJING—Beijing is set to open an eyecatching multi-billion dollar airport resembling a massive shining starfish, to accommodate soaring air traffic in China and celebrate the Communist government’s 70th anniversary in power.

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rangements soon thereafter to move it back to Canadian soil.

Canada’s Environment Minister Catherine McKenna told reporters on Thursday: “We committed with the Philippines and we’re working closely with them.”

Global concern over plastic pollution has been spurred by shocking images of waste-clogged rivers in Southeast Asia and accounts of dead sea creatures found with kilos of refuse in their stomachs.

For years, China had received the bulk of scrap plastic from around the world, but closed its doors to foreign refuse last year in an effort to clean up its environment.

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MONDAY, JULY 1, 2019

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Vigilance urged in wake of Sulu terror attack THE Defense department on Sunday called on the public to continue its vigilance following the bomb attack on the tactical command post of the 1st Brigade Combat Team in Kajatian village in Indanan, Sulu, that killed eight people―including three soldiers―and wounded 22 others on June 28.

“The DND calls for continued vigilance in light of the recent bombings in Sulu that led to the very unfortunate loss of lives, both civilian and military,” Defense spokesman Arsenio Andolong said in a statement.

“We extend our sympathies to the victims of this heinous act and vow to hunt down those who are responsible.”

Andolong said Friday’s attack highlighted the need for the public and the security sector to work together to counter violent extremism in the communities.

“As a nation, we must be adamant in our rejection of foreign extremist ideologies that aim to invalidate our gains toward achieving just and lasting peace in the country, particularly in Mindanao,” Andolong said.

He said government forces were investigating the incident and would not stop until the suspects were arrested.

Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief Benjamin Madrigal visited the troops of the IBCT to assess the situation aside from inspecting the blast site.

He was accompanied by newly appointed Western Mindanao Command chief Cirilito Sobejana.

Madrigal also visited the troops wounded in the attack at the Camp Teodulfo Bautista Station Hospital in Jolo.

There, he awarded the Wounded Personnel Medal to wounded members of the 1BCT. “We condemn the latest bombing in Jolo that victimized not only our soldiers but also civilians who were in the vicinity of the blast,” Madrigal said.

“Targeting soldiers and civilians whose only intention is to provide security and maintain peace in the communities is a cowardly act and deserves condemnation in the strongest terms possible.”

Madrigal said the three soldiers who died in the blast did not die in vain as they were able to prevent the bomber from entering the camp, thus saving many lives.

The second bomber was also neutralized by troops before he was able to get inside the billeting area, resulting in the wounding of the other troops.

“We commiserate with the relatives of our troops and the civilians and we assure the wounded personnel of the best medical attention,” Madrigal said.

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Palace hands off Aquino case

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Angat...

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Egay sped up slight while moving over the Philippine Sea east of Northern Luzon on Sunday afternoon.

As of 4 p.m., the center of Egay was estimated at 545 kilometers east of Casiguran, Aurora.

Packing maximum sustained winds of 55 kms per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 65 kph, it was moving west northwest at 30 kph.

While Egay is not expected to make landfall, it will continue to bring monsoon rains.

The southwest monsoon will bring light to moderate with at times heavy monsoon rains over Metro Manila, Pangasinan, Zambales, Bataan, Bulacan, Cavite, Batangas, Mindoro provinces, Romblon and Northern Palawan. Rio N. Araja

Trade...

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to P1.20,” Unioil Philippines said in its weekly price forecast.

World oil prices are reacting to the US-China trade war and the expected production cuts from the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries.

Before the expected price increases this week, the year-to-date oil price adjustments have stood at a net increase of P3.70 per liter of gasoline, P2.75 per liter of diesel and P1.10 per liter of kerosene.

Today will be the third weekly oil price increase due to the continuing volatility of prices in the world market.

On June 26, most of the oil companies raised the price of gasoline

ALACAÑANG says it will keep its hands off the Ombudsman’s decision to withdraw the graft and usurpation-of-authority charges filed against former President Benigno Aquino III at the Sandiganbayan for his role in the Mamasapano incident in 2015.

Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said the Palace will not meddle in the decisions of the Office of the Ombudsman and other branches of government and constitutional bodies.

“The Palace doesn’t interfere with the

other branches of the government as well as constitutional bodies. They have their assigned constitutional functions,” Panelo said in a statement on Saturday.

“They should freely perform their given constitutional tasks without interfer-

ence from anyone or entity.”

On Monday, the Sandiganbayan’s Fourth Division confirmed that Ombudsman Samuel Martires had filed a motion to withdraw information finding no sufficient grounds to charge Aquino for graft and usurpation of official functions.

Martires said the withdrawal of the cases was “without prejudice to the filing of appropriate charges against the accused after the conduct of a preliminary investigation.”

The motion has been set for hearing on July 12.

Speakership...

sible,” he added.

At the same time, Castro and 1-Sagip Party-list Rep. Rodante Marcoleta reminded Senator Manny Pacquiao to observe inter-parliamentary courtesy and stop meddling in the selection of the next Speaker.

“Why endorse [a candidate for the leadership] here? Why not at the Senate? Why focus on the speakership?

You cannot vote here because you are not a congressman,” Marcoleta said, addressing Pacquiao directly.

Several PDP-Laban stalwarts, led by former Speaker and Davao del Norte Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez earlier challenged Pacquio’s statement that the party was endorsing the speakership of Marinduque Rep. Lord Allan Jay Velasco, saying there had been no consultations.

On Sunday, Romualdez assured the country’s economic managers that the upcoming 18th Congress would align its legislative agenda with President Rodrigo Duterte’s medium-term development plan aimed at lowering the high incidence of poverty almost by half in 2022.

“I have already relayed this commitment to the President and his economic team. The House of Representatives will work double-time to act on the President’s priority bills, especially those aimed at improving the lives of our people,” said Romualdez, a strong contender to be the next speaker.

He said key leaders of the House of Representatives have committed in a multi-party caucus to act swiftly on the President’s priority economic bills to help fulfill his vision of transforming the country into an upper-middle income economy by 2022.

Romualdez said he had accepted an invitation by the President’s economic team to an event ahead of the State of the Nation Address, to discuss their proposed priority bills for the 18th Congress.

The President’s economic bills were among the measures included in the priority list agreed upon during the recent multi-party caucus of House leaders in Quezon City.

The caucus drew the attendance of 40 House leaders from various political parties and blocs in the 18th Congress including the PDP-Laban, Lakas-CMD, Nacionalista Party, Liberal Party and the Party-List Coalition.

Romualdez said the House leaders were unanimous about backing the President’s legislative agenda, and that all agreed to act swiftly for the passage of laws needed to propel economic growth to new heights.

“We know that we face a Herculean task, but nothing is impossible with a House united. The multi-party coalition is committed in aligning our efforts to the President’s medium-term development plan or the new Philippine development plan,” he said.

ereignty, but only sovereign rights, in our EEZ does not mean we should not protect our EEZ. Sovereign rights are priceless too, that is why the Constitution directs the state to protect its marine wealth in its EEZ,” Carpio said.

Carpio said the Palace’s decision to allow Chinese fishermen to trawl in Recto Bank violates the 1987 Constitution.

Recto Bank, he said, is part of the country’s EEZ where Filipinos should enjoy exclusive sovereign right to fish.

He cited Section 2, Article XII of the Charter, which states that: “The State shall protect the nation’s marine wealth in its archipelagic waters, territorial sea, and exclusive economic zone, and reserve its use and enjoyment exclusively to Filipino citizens.”

“The Philippines has exclusive sovereign right to exploit all the fish, oil, gas and other mineral resources in its Exclusive Economic Zone. This sovereign right belongs to the Filipino people, and no government official can waive this sovereign right of the Filipino people without their consent,” Carpio said.

He also cited the 2016 ruling of the United Nations - backed Permanent Court of Arbitration, which declared Recto Bank as part of the country’s EEZ. Carpio suggested that the government should instead tap the Armed Forces to protect Recto Bank and

other parts of its EEZ from poaching foreign fishermen.

The controversy on Recto Bank stemmed from the sinking of a Filipino fishing boat last June 9 after a Chinese vessel hit it, leaving 22 Filipino fishermen adrift in open water.

Carpio said the government must demand compensation from China over the sinking of the fishing boat.

Earlier this year, the magistrate called on the government to protest Chinese incursion in Pag-asa Island and Sandy Cay, which he said are both within the country’s territorial waters.

Meanwhile, Senator Panfilo Lacson said the investigation by the Philippine Coast Guard and the Maritime Industry Authority was insufficient because they did not conduct any forensic investigation at the scene of the incident.

From such forensics, they could have determined the strength of impact and whether the Filipino boat was directly hit or merely sideswiped, as the government now says.

But Lacson said the bigger issue was that the Chinese crewof the Yuemaobinyu 42212 abandoned the Filipino fishermen at sea after the FB Gem-Vir 1 sank.

Lacson admitted he was dismayed with the reactions of President Rodrigo Duterte, who called the incident a “little maritime accident” because no one died.

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serious contender from outside the party, Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez, who leads the Lakas-CMD. Both said they believed Romualdez has the numbers to be the next Speaker.

On Wednesday, Albay Rep. Joey Salceda, a stalwart of the PDP-Laban, said that during the coalition caucus of major political parties and influential blocs called by Romualdez, at least 178 lawmakers signed a manifesto of support for him.

“Many if not... the majority of the House membership knew that congressman Martin Romualdez had the numbers…. [T]erm sharing… would easily cancel him out,” Defensor said.

“But now that the President already decided against term sharing, it will be up to each member of Congress to vote for who they think is best to lead Congress and to be part of the national leadership in pushing this nation forward under the administration of the President,” he said.

Oriental Mindoro Rep. Paulino Salvador Leachon said “term sharing abdicates from members their supreme freedom to choose their leader.”

The three-year term was short enough to be a problem in terms of continuity, he said. Splitting the term in half would be even more “insen-

Recto...

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But the 1987 Constitution holds a different view, he said.

“Under our Constitution, our national territory includes our EEZ because the Constitution says our national territory includes submarine areas [EEZ] over which the Philippines has jurisdiction. It defines our national territory to include ‘other submarine areas’ over which the Philippines has ‘sovereignty OR jurisdiction,” he added.

Carpio said the Supreme Court has provided guidance in resolving such an issue even as it has not ruled on any specific case involving the Recto Bank.

“The rule is, as repeatedly held by the Supreme Court, in case of conflict between our Constitution and international law, our Constitution will prevail and this is what our government officials must follow,” he said.

He said the government could avoid this conflict by classifying the national territory into two: those over which the Philippines has jurisdiction, and those over which it has jurisdiction.

“In any case, the Philippines must defend both types of national territory because that is the mandate of the Constitution,” Carpio said.

“Just because we do not have sov-

by P0.30 per liter, diesel by P0.55 and kerosene by P0.45.

Oil prices went up last week as the tension remains high in the Middle East after the attacks on oil tankers and the fears of a confrontation between Iran and the United States.

US President Donald Trump approved military strikes on Iran for allegedly shooting down an unmanned US surveillance drone, but then abruptly called off the strike.

Meanwhile, OPEC and its allies have fixed the date of their coming meetings in Vienna to July 1-2 to discuss production cuts.

As this developed, the Philippine Institute of Petroleum was granted a 20-day temporary restraining order against the Department of Energy’s oil price unbun-

dling circular.

The oil firms have been opposing the implementation of the Revised Guidelines for the Monitoring of Prices in the Sale of Petroleum Products by the Downstream Oil Industry on May 28 and was supposed to take effect on June 29.

The implementation of the circular, however, has been delayed due to the decision of the Energy department to republish the circular, including the annex as per the advice of its legal department.

The circular is expected to be effective on July 13, 15 days after its publication on June 28 “in order to avoid any possible confusion on the effectivity.”

The Independent Philippine Petroleum Companies Association, the country’s association of small

players, also asked the department to withdraw the circular as it said it ran counter to the spirit of the Oil Deregulation Law of 1998.

“After going over its provisions, we are of the view that its implementation would greatly affect the viability of our business and run counter to the provisions of R.A. 8479, otherwise known as the Downstream Oil Deregulation Act,” IPPCA president Jesus Suntay said in a letter to Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi.

The IPPCA submitted its position paper to the department and called for more studies on the circular before its implementation.

“We are requesting that after a thorough study and consideration of our arguments…the questioned circular be withdrawn,” Suntay said.

The charges were filed against Aquino in 2017 under the authority of then Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales.

They stemmed from Aquino’s move to allow Philippine National Police Chief Alan Purisima to participate in a botched police operation that resulted in the death of over 60 people, including 44 members of the PNP-Special Action Force.

In July 2017, President Rodrigo Duterte said the cases filed against Aquino would not prosper as the Ombudsman was filing all the wrong charges against his predecessor. PNA with Nat Mariano

Beijing...

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Work on the Beijing Daxing International Airport officially ended on schedule Sunday, ready for a September 30 inauguration – on the eve of the anniversary of the foundation of the People’s Republic on Oct. 1, 1949 by Mao Zedong.

Celebrations of that event will see President Xi Jinping reviewing a huge military parade through the center of Beijing, with the opening of the futuristic hub a fitting embodiment of the “Chinese dream” he has offered his fellow citizens.

Located 46 kilometers south of Tiananmen square, the new airport will operate at full capacity in 2025, with four runways and the potential to receive 72-million passengers per year.

By 2040 the hub is expected to have expanded to eight runways including one for military use, and will be able to welcome 100-million passengers per year—which will make it the world’s largest single terminal in terms of traveler capacity, according to its designers.

Atlanta airport, in the United States, can currently receive more than a hundred million passengers, but across two terminals.

The current Beijing Daxing International Airport—the world’s second largest—is already overflowing, with just over 100-million passengers annually.

Air transport is booming in China as living standards increase along with peoples’ desire to travel. Indeed, it will pass the US to become the world’s biggest aviation market by the mid-2020s, according to the International Air Transport Association.

The country will see 1.6-billion plane journeys each year from 2037—a billion more than in 2017, the organization estimates.

China’s capital—with its 21-million people—expects to welcome 170-million passengers in 2025, split between the two airports.

At 700,000 square meters—about the size of a hundred football pitches—the new structure will be one of the world’s largest airport terminals.

The building was designed by AngloIraqi architect Zaha Hadid, who died in 2016, in conjunction with the engineering subsidiary of Aeroports de Paris.

AFP

Canadian...

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Huge quantities of waste plastic have since been redirected to Southeast Asia, including Malaysia, Indonesia and―to a lesser degree―the Philippines.

In November 2016, Canada amended its regulations on waste disposal to prevent incidents like the one with the Philippines.

Canadian exporters now need a permit to export hazardous waste and can only obtain it if the other country consents to the import, Jenn Gearey, a spokeswoman for the Canadian environment ministry, said via email.

Even so, challenges remain.

In May, Malaysian officials criticized Canada after a shipping container filled with contaminated plastic bags from major Canadian grocery chains was shipped to Kuala Lumpur by a private company.

Canada produces more waste per capita than other countries with comparable levels of economic development, ranging from the United States to Japan, according to a study by the Conference Board of Canada.

The majority of it ends up in landfills.

Environmental advocates argue that developed countries should stop exporting their trash and figure out how to handle it domestically.

“The way forward is to drastically reduce the amount of waste we generate, especially plastic waste,” said Vito Buonsante, plastics program manager at Environmental Defense in Toronto.

AFP

News

MONDAY, JULY 1, 2019

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Thousands join Gay Pride March

THOUSANDS joined Manila’s Gay Pride march Saturday wielding rainbow flags and umbrellas in a push for equality, just weeks after the nation’s leader sparked outrage by declaring he’d been “cured” of homosexuality years ago.

While the Philippines has a reputation of being accepting of gay and transgender people, same-sex marriage is outlawed and legal protections are nearly non-existent.

President Rodrigo Duterte has repeatedly used gay slurs against critics, and told a crowd last month that in his younger days he “cured” himself of homosexuality with the help of “beautiful women”.

“He’s absolutely wrong on that one.

That’s not how it works!” said marcher Noel Bordador, 55, an episcopal priest.

But Bordador said that the gay community faced deeper issues than worrying about Duterte’s outrageous comments.

“Can I get married here? Do I have rights?” he asked. “Legal protections, that is what we are fighting for.”

Divorce, abortion and same-sex marriage are all illegal in the deeply Catholic nation, where a gay rights bill has made very little progress in the legislature after decades of pushing.

Gay Pride marchers numbered some 30,000, organizers said, as the rally crept through heavy rain with metreslong rainbow banners.

“It is a human rights movement––and as such, is a call for active solidarity with other marginalised communities,” march organizer Nicky Castillo said.

Manila’s rally comes as New York expects millions of marchers for its 50th commemoration of the city’s Stonewall riots, a turning point in the LGBTQ community’s fight for rights. AFP

DOH conducts urine testing for students

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

IN LINE with its advocacy for lifestylerelated diseases to prevent kidney ailments among grade school students during this year’s Kidney Month celebration, the Department of Health (DOH) - CALABARZON (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon) conducted a two-week urine testing activity in various provinces of the region.

Regional Director Dr. Eduardo Janairo said they had screened a total of 500 elementary grade school children from selected schools namely- National Training School in Tanay, Rizal; Carmona National High School in Carmona, Cavite; Parang Elementary School in Pagbilao, Quezon; Sta. Cruz Central Elementary School in Sta., Cruz, Laguna; and San Agustin Elementary School in Ibaan, Batangas.

Regional Non-Communicable Disease Control Cluster Head Dr. Marilou R. Espiritu said a urine test is important to check the color, clarity, odor, concentration, and acidity (pH) of a child’s urine. It also determined the levels of protein, sugar, blood cells to establish certain conditions like diabetes, kidney stones, a urinary tract infection (UTI), high blood pressure, or even kidney or liver diseases.

“The activity was also done to heighten awareness on kidney diseases to school children,” said Espiritu.

“We need to conduct screening at an early age in order to provide treatment and prevent the onset of any chronic renal failure among our children,” she added.

PRIDE MARCH. Beating its record in 2018, this year’s Metro Manila Pride March continued its streak as the largest and oldest Pride demonstration in Southeast Asia. The 2019 Metro Manila Pride March at the Marikina Sports Center recorded 70,000 attendees on Saturday, June 29, the organizers said. This was almost thrice its number of participants in 2018. Last year, Metro Manila Pride broke records as the oldest and biggest Pride demonstration in Southeast Asia because of its 25,000-strong crowd. Teddy Pelaez

Rehab of Baguio’s Balili River sought

By Rio N. Araja

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HE Department of Environment and Natural Resources is eyeing the rehabilitation of Balili River in Baguio City, which it said was worse than Manila Bay. Undersecretary for Solid Waste Management and Local Government Unit Concerns Benny Antiporda said the river has a high coliform level that is even worse than that of the Manila Bay. He, along with the other officials from the central office, inspected the city’s 33-year-old sewerage treatment

plant as part of the planned rehabilitation of the country’s summer capital.

Antiporda said he was alarmed after finding out that the Balili River, to which the treated waters of the sewerage treatment plant drains, has severely deteriorated.

Data from the DENR’s Environ-

mental Management Bureau in the Cordillera Administrative Region showed that the river’s fecal coliform level was at 1.6 trillion most probable number per 100 milliliters (mpn/100ml).

“This is far worse than Manila Bay which holds a record of 35 million mpn/100ml,” Antiporda said.

Earlier, the DENR ordered the temporary closure of Irisan dump, also in Baguio City, after finding out during a surprise inspection it was operating as an open dump, which is a violation of Republic Act 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000.

CREDENTIALS. Philippine Ambassador to India Ramon ‘Dondon’ Bagatsing Jr. (right) presented his credentials to Indian President Ram Nath Kovind (left) during his courtesy visit on Saturday. Bagatsing vowed to be an effective channel of communication in building a harmonious relationship between the two countries in the areas of trade, tourism, culture and investment, and toward deeper friendship.

Angara urges Du30 to choose which bills to back

By Macon Ramos-Araneta SENATORS will start filing their bills tomorrow, providing President Rodrigo Duterte “with a deep pool of measures he can support and ask Congress to immediately pass when he delivers the State of the Nation Address later this month,” said reelected Senator Sonny Angara Angara urged Malacanang to choose what Senate proposals to officially back “so we can start the legislative year with a common agenda .“ Angara, who has prepared a draft of bills he will pursue, said “policymaking has always been a two-way street, with bills emanating from both the executive branch and the legislature, and these branches improving on each other’s proposals.”

“It is also not important if a proposal came from the majority or minority,” said Angara.

He said authorship is secondary. “What we should be looking for are the merits, especially on measures of the non-political kind.

Monopoly of ideas leads to bad legislation,” Angara said.

Once a common legislative-executive agenda is forged, what can be rolled out are the non-contentious ones, Angara said.

“Let’s begin with the easy ones, the so-called low-hanging fruits, while we subject complicated measures to more study, debate and improvement.”

Malampaya Foundation spawns native, biggest giant clams ‘Child Safety in Motor Vehicles Act’ THE first ever in-situ spawning of the Palawan native species of the biggest giant clam, Tridacna gigas, was commenced by Malampaya Foundation and partners to help increase its declining population at Western Philippines University Hatchery in Binduyan, Puerto Princesa City.

University of the Philippines Marine Science Institute, forerunner of giant clam conservation in the Philippines, supervised the spawning activity where about 9.5-million eggs were fertilized from native giant clams located at Dos Palmas.

According to Dr. Lota A. Creencia of WPU College of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, “Tridacna gigas is hard to propagate because the population is few. We need to really go to the brood stock [source] to collect eggs and sperms, compared to other species of clams which numbers can still afford to be brought into laboratories.”

Once sufficiently matured, the native Tridacna gigas will be deployed to MFI’s marine protected areas in the north of Palawan.

Sherry Lyn Sayco, researcher at UPMSI, said, “Important yung giant clams dahil marami silang ecological significance, habitat and food for some of the marine animals. It also ben- At least 9.5-million eggs of the Tridacna gigas, the biggest giant efits people because it helps increase fish density.” clam, were spawned at Dos Palmas in Palawan.

draws civil society group’s support

By Rio N. Araja CIVIL society groups have partnered to back the newly passed the Child Safety in Motor Vehicles Act, or Republic Act 11229.

At a news conference in Quezon City, Volet Rojas, Rotary Club of Katipunan president, said “road safety is for our kids, too.”

The child restraint system or child seat would protect children from the fatal impact of road mishaps while on board a private vehicle, she said.

She welcomed President Rodrigo Duterte’s approval of the law that would guarantee the safety and welfare

of infants and children, and prevent traffic related-deaths and injuries.

A child car seat may help reduce the risk of death among children during a car accident between 54 percent to 80 percent, she noted.

Emer Rojas, New Vois Association of the Philippines Inc. president, said about 142,000 children die a year due to road accidents..

“The full implementation of the law shall protect young children,” he told the Manila Standard.

The Rotary and NVAP also tapped private firm TAU Corp. Phils. through its general manager Koki Obara in giving out 20 child car seats for free.

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Opinion

MONDAY, JULY 1, 2019

Water: A problem too big

THE Philippines is an archipelagic nation with water all around. There is a 144-billion-cubic-meter supply but only about 40 percent is consumed.

The rest is wasted.

These facts and figures were provided by Buhay Party-List Rep. Lito Atienza who had access to this information when he was secretary of Environment and Natural Resources.

This is also the reason he said he would file a resolution in the House urging President Rodrigo Duterte to cancel the concessionaire contracts of Maynilad and Manila Water and return this service to the government.

Imagine the hardship of people who have to line up for this basic service.

In an interview over coffee, an incensed Atienza punned that if the problem of water is too big for business barons Ayalas and Pangilinan to solve, then they should give it up and let government do it.

“It is outrageous that Maynilad and Manila Water are asking for rate increases when both should be refunding consumers for nondelivery of this basic need of the Filipino people. Business tycoons

Adelle Chua, Editor

EDITORIAL

Manny V. Pangilinan and the Ayalas of Manila Water are just raking in the profits without doing their part for delivery and sewage management services.”

Atienza added that these two big companies are collecting sewage management fees from business establishments and ordinary residential consumers, but do not use them for the purpose of delivering clean, potable water. He said it was the MMDA, the City of Manila and the DENR which cleaned up the polluted Manila Bay waters. He said the two companies borrowed funds from the World Bank under sovereign guarantee for sewage management. If they default, it would be the Philippine government which will have to pay for loan default.

Where will the government get the money to pay the World Bank? From us—the people—in the form of new taxes, Atienza pointed out.

Atienza said he is not afraid of retaliation from the business tycoons as he had always been the lone voice in the House speaking up on this issue. What can they do against me ? Turn off the water from my faucet?

Then they will have do that to the whole neighborhood and have more angry people up in arms, he said in answer to his own question.

No, he is not affected by the water shortage but he said in he cannot, in conscience, not feel the hardships of the people particularly in depressed areas where they have to line up to fill drums and buckets to have water for daily use.

What are the alternative sources of water supply considering the water

C

Tongue in a cheek

ALLED out for his remarks on how difficult it was to determine the exclusivity of the country’s exclusive economic zone in the West Philippine Sea because “it’s under water,” Senate President Vicente Sotto III last week fell back on the overused excuse that politicians favor these days: He was only joking.

“My comments on the West Philippine Sea and its resources was a tongue-in-cheek statement.

Sadly, only a few understood,” Sotto said in a mix of English and Filipino after being mocked and ridiculed online for what he told the ANC news channel in an interview.

In that interview, Sotto was asked about President Rodrigo Duterte’s decision to continue allowing Chinese vessels to operate in the country’s EEZ, including the Recto Bank in the West Philippine Sea. “It’s very difficult to say that there is exclusivity when it’s underwater,” Sotto said in response. “The fish could be coming from China. And the fish from the Philippines could

be going to China if we want to be technical about it and relate it to the constitutionality of what should be owned by us.”

“There are exclusive types of fish that are only found in China, but can be found here because of migration perhaps,” he continue.

“It could be a very good test case that it is a constitutional violation.”

In response, Magdalo Partylist Rep. Gary Alejano mocked the Senate president on Twitter, suggesting a “no-ID no entry” for fish in the West Philippine Sea. Other social media users suggested passports for fish, while one satirical article reported that Sotto had won the “Nobel Fish Prize” for his “deep, incisive... examination of the complex nautical, aqualegal migratory

patterns and rights in the West Philippine and South China Sea.” Online ridicule is familiar territory for Sotto, who once complained about being the target of cyber bullying in a privilege speech, and who also pressured a news site to remove offending articles about his past.

Of course, nothing in the original ANC interview suggested that Sotto was merely being facetious on the topic of the West Philippine Sea, or that he was merely deadpanning for our amusement.

It is far easier to understand that Sotto has been currying favor with the Palace by toeing its line on Chinese intrusions in Philippine waters. After all, his position as Senate president could become precarious, as administration allies elected to the Senate take their seats in July.

We do suggest that the next time Senator Sotto wants to deadpan a joke, he do it clearly, by prominently sticking his tongue in a cheek before he speaks.

Turn to A5

The Magellan Formula

IN 2015, when Mayor Rodrigo Duterte started his “listening” tour, getting to know people from all over the archipelago and pushing for his federalist platform, he would start with a bit of history: “In 1521, when Magellan landed in the Philippines…”

We who were with him from the start of his getting to know the political terrain tour would always look amused when he begins with 1521. “Mahaba na naman ang speech na ito,” we would say, and Rolly Macasaet, now chairman of GSIS, would start dozing off in a corner.

Now President Duterte has resurrected his favorite date, 1521, and hyphenates it into 15-21, a formula for solving the speakership squabble among his political allies.

Last Thursday night, preceding his supposed announcement of his choice for Speaker of the House, he said that he offered term-sharing to solve the impasse between the two Alans, Alan Peter Cayetano and Lord Alan Velasco.

I can only surmise that the term share started as a 50-50 proposition: 18 months for the first, and 18 months for the next. But somewhere along the line, one wannabe and his wife would not agree to term sharing, and wanted the whole hog. The other, reports say, agreed, leaving his fate entirely to the President’s discretion.

So to sweeten the pot for the reluctant Speaker wannabe and his wife, the President offered the Magellan formula: 15 months for the first, and an additional three months, for a total of 21 for the next.

Alan Peter agreed, so the reports say. Wen Velasco, the wife of Lord Alan, balked.

And so, the exasperated President publicly stated last Thursday that he would no longer announce his choice on Friday the 28th. Instead, bahala

na kayong maglabo-labo. Decide among yourselves.

How then would this play out?

Clearly, a bloody mess in the halls of the Batasan on Day One of the 18th Congress might spill over to the afternoon session when Congress in joint session assembles to hear the President’s State of the Nation Address.

Would it be déjà vu for the last year of the 17th Congress when bloody drama held the President’s speech for two hours, maybe more, as the representatives of the people dickered over their desire to replace Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez with Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo?

In the next three weeks before the 22nd, expect the audience of one to make a decision. It may no longer be 15-21.

It may be a chosen-takeall.

Maybe. But cooler heads and wiser people in both the legislature and the echelons of the executive would now wade in, and they have three weeks to do so before the 22ndof July.

So let us analyze the President’s Magellan Formula: 15 months for Alan Peter and 21 months for Lord Alan. The first agreed; the latter is still hemming and hawing.

The latter has pulled out all the stops to get the President to favor him, from being quite close to the incumbent Mayor of Davao who happens to be the President’s daughter, and who last year was supposed to have engineered the decapitation of Bebot of Tagum for Gloria of Lubao.

Add to that the party held (mismo!) in Malacañang with the President’s son, Congressman Paolo organizing the event. And getting the billionaire president of the “marginalized” partylist parties to sign up in support of the Turn to A5

What’s next?

IN ITS latest report, the Commission on Audit declared that the government had suffered huge losses in the Joint Venture Agreement entered into between the state-owned IBC 13 and the Reghis Romero-owned R-II Builders/ Primestate Venture Inc. concerning the 3.6402-hectare property of the television network.

According to COA, while the original agreement was for R-II Builders to build condominium units which they would rent to the public with the in-

The COA finding on the joint venture agreement dates back to the time of former President Noynoy Aquino. come shared by both signatories to the JVA, the agreement was amended by Romero into a contract to sell, declaring he was assuming ownership of the property as he had already paid in full for the said property.

The state auditors said that if the

partner JVA was for the creation of a partnerBuild ship between IBC 13 and R-II Builders, then the state-owned television network should have been reaping profits from whatever the joint project was making.

However, the provision on the amended JVA, according to COA, showed that ”the joint venture undertaking had been aborted as the transaction between the contracting parties can be considered as sale of IBC-13 property.”

And if indeed it was converted into a sale, there was a gross violation of the law which would necessitate the nullification of the sale.

COA insists that the “For sale” deal Turn to A5

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

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Opinion Our IT team was never negligent

The...

From A4

gentleman from Marinduque. And to top it all, a premature announcement from PDP-Laban’s campaign manager in the last elections, Manny the Pacman, endorsing Velasco as the PDP-Laban’s candidate, complete with exhortation that the “president’s” party should be primus among the parties in coalition with the man in Malacañang.

That the announcement was done without prior consultation with the 80 or so members of the PDP-Laban came with a warning from the party spokesperson that those who would not abide by the Pacman-announced party decision would be disciplined sternly. I wonder if he was authorized by his party president who was then in Europe to announce sanctions for those who would not toe the Pacman line. Let alone the chairman of the

What’s...

From A4

was in violation of Section 79 of Presidential Decree No. 1445 or the Government Audit Code; and Sections 2 and 3 of Executive Order No. 888 dated March 1983 which laid the down the disposal of state property by department of agency heads.

Also, the fact that it was only the president of IBC 13 and Romero who signed the amended JVA was highly irregular. And if it was a sale, there should have been a bidding in that regard.

Actually, the COA finding on the JVA between IBC 13 and R-II dates back to the time of former President Noynoy Aquino.

In its 2011 audit report, COA bared the highly anomalous deal entered into between the governmentsequestered television network and the real estate developer, although no charges have yet been filed in court to date.

According to the COA 2011 audit report, IBC-13 entered into a joint venture agreement with R-II, using its property as its share in exchange for cash and the construction of the new

Water:...

From A4

at Angat Dam has gone down to its lowest critical level level in 14 years?

The sporadic rain in recent days failed to augment water at Angat Dam and

A5

Eclipsing a bigger crisis

Mail Matters

IN A report published in the Manila Standard on June 27, a demand that the PhilHealth chief technical officer and chief information officer be axed was made due to alleged “apparent criminal negligence that enabled scammers to raid its coffers.”

In the same report, it was also said that PhilHealth failed “to institute appropriate software systems, business process rules, centralized patient health management records and risk management engines,” that would have prevented “ghost” kidney treatment and billings.

PhilHealth has long established data-driven reforms and innovations in preparation for Universal Health Care implementation, even prior to the WellMed issue.

Since 2012, the current Chief Information Officer has been the third CIO in PhilHealth’s history.

Upon assumption to office, our current CIO and her team developed a new business-IT solution to support a fraud analytics committee created in 2018, which the CIO herself chaired.

This committee raised high levels of potential fraud (like pneumonia, sepsis, caesarean delivery, others) which are currently under investi-

MONDAY, JULY 1, 2019

gation by the legal team. Advances in PhilHealth analytics have led to the creation of MIDAS (Machine Learning Identification, Detection, & Analysis System) which is evolving into an artificial intelligence solution. Procurement of a worldclass fraud control solution was approved to strengthen MIDAS as fraud policies-requirements are defined by business teams. MIDAS is the first PhilHealth solution that has unified data from all fragmented systems, and created a single source of truth for the entire corporation including COA which is in the process of learning and auditing the system.

On an even more proactive initiative for the entire health sector, the CIO led the implementation of Electronic Claims which has started to replace all paper-based claims processes which could be a source/cause of fraud. eClaims was done even with resistance from some health care providers who preferred the status quo. Enhancement of eClaims is ongoing in a 2005-developed system which is also slated for replacement.

Various transformative IT innovations have been recognized with President/CEO Excellence Awards (highest PhilHealth awards) from two different PCEOs. The IDC, a prestigious global ICT expert organization also awarded PhilHealth with transformative-leadership awards with the likes of

Meralco, ABS-CBN, Unilab, and Asian Hospital among others.

These are indications that our IT team never wavered and was never negligent in implementing needed business solutions. Moreover, collaboration with central-regional business teams has been positive and productive, wherein reports of negligence as those raised in the article has never been raised. This is because IT works with business teams within PhilHealth protocols, where business policies/ processes/ rules/systems to address issues as those reported in the article are defined by Business before IT solutions are enhanced or developed.

PhilHealth supports the anti-corruption goals of President Duterte, and related advocacies of groups like VACC. Transparency and objectivity will always reign in any resolution that needs to be taken for and by PhilHealth. The needs of UHC are monumental, and commensurate changes within PhilHealth including those in IT will be done with fraud control as a key goal. These will be done across the Process, People, and Technology spectrum to assure that profound PhilHealth changes will stand the test of time, politics, organizational dynamics, and UHC. SHIRLEY“GIGI” B. DOMINGO, MD Vice President for Corporate Affairs and Official Spokesperson PhilHealth

party, the President of the Philippines himself.

If you are president, whoever you are, not even one as strongwilled as Duterte, and you propose a compromise between two who swear allegiance to you, and one spurns your proffer of compromise, the Magellan Formula to be exact, would you be so nice as to cavil to such intransigence?

Not any president, and certainly not Duterte.

He has given in to the entreaty of closeness to his kin, without antagonizing one who has kept the faith through all of the past three and a half years, and who delivered mightily in his city and district to the President’s favored senatorial candidates, as against one who could not get his small province of a hundred thousand voters make Bong Go or Bato or Tol win with flying colors, even when he was uncontested for his congressional post.

Thus the Magellan formula.

In the next three weeks before the 22nd, expect the audience of one to make a decision.

It may no longer be 15-21. It may be a chosen-take-all.

The depths of civility have been reached by a politician belonging to political ilustrado, “de buena familia” the elitistas would say.

Having lost his reelection to his vice mayor, he sends a wrecking crew to his office at city hall and strips it of most everything, from flooring tiles to plumbing to electrical wiring, making it thus uninhabitable.

He spent personal funds for those, he says. Such crassness. Getting reimbursement would have been an act of no class, especially considering that he is a third-generation Osmeña, grandson of a president and son of a senator. But destroying the facility, stripping it of most everything, is beyond words to describe.

Broadcast City.

Under the JVA, RII Builders will construct condominium buildings and will profit from selling the units. In return, the real estate developer will pay IBC-13 a total P728 million in the following manner: P150-million cash within two years from the signing of the JVA; P450 million comprising of the construction and development of a new Broadcast City; and P128-million cash to be paid until 2016.

However, COA, in its report, said the IBC-13 property, which is a little more than 3.64 hectares of prime lot, was greatly undervalued at P9,999 per square meter as set forth in the JVA entered shortly after the 2010 elections.

According to COA, the property could have fetched at a high of P22,000 per square meter at that time, saying the government could have easily lost at least P1 billion from the deal.

Faced by the adverse COA observation, RII Builders reportedly agreed to adjust the total financial package from original amount of P728 million to P800 million and its conversion into an all-cash transaction.

But even before the new offer could be approved, COA bared the JVA was

already implemented with the IBC-13 issuing a deed of assignment in favor of RII Builders and accepting P60 million in 2010.

And while the House of Representatives conducted a congressional inquiry on that matter, the House Committee on Good Government which spearheaded the investigation of the questionable deal in the 15th Congress, it only conducted only one hearing and did not even submit its findings.

And now, the amendment converting the JVA into a sale of the property.

With properties in the area reportedly commanding a price of no less than P60,000 per square meter today, the IBC 13 lot could easily fetch more than P2 billion.

But so much for the latest COA findings as it had discovered anomalies in the agreement between the television network and Romero as early as 2011. The issue now is, what is its next move?

Can it now recommend the filing of appropriate charges against the concerned personalities if not initiate the filing of charges itself?

People would really would love to hear from the COA.

the prospect of more rain during El Niño season looks dim with rationing lasting up to August.

Laguna de Bay, if cleared of algae from those fish pens of the rich and powerful, could be a potential source of water. But government must have

the political will to dismantle those fish pens as we have enough fish in the West Philippine Sea to feed our people, Atienza said.

The obstacle to fishing in the West Philippine Sea is the presence of larger Chinese fishing boats, one

and beyond.

The ongoing disputes could be categorized into two, Poling said: Sovereign territory and maritime competition. The first one should have been clarified and covered by the 2016 THE smoke from the sinking of a Fil- arbitral ruling but which continues ipino fishing boat around Reed Bank to create friction due to Beijing’s weeks ago had barely cleared when adamant refusal to recognize it. The reports of another incursion, this second one is defined in terms of watime dozens of Chinese fishing boats ters, seabed, airspace, and even rules around Pag-asa Island, was reported. of conduct among regional actors and Part of the Spratlys, Pag-asa is the external actors. seat of government for the fifth-class In many ways the center of the municipality of Kalayaan and lies just broad disagreement is on the appli280 nautical miles off Puerto Princesa cation and use of international laws, in Palawan.

Poling said. “You cannot have a reAuthorities are not sure if the ves- gime of international law where the sels were from the same flotilla of world’s second-largest power decides maritime militia ships under the Peo- it will have its own set of rules.” ple’s Liberation Army Navy, which It’s this defiance of a rules-based also gathered in the area last month, order that can characterize Beijing’s reportedly as a show of force meant to gradual but unceasing militarization intimidate Filipino contractors build- of the disputed waters, Poling said, ing a beaching ramp and safe harbor from the creation of islands to the in the town. construction of military facilities. The Since the beginning of the year, goal has always been to have enough as many as 600 of a reach to Chinese vessels cover every inch have been spotted of its nine-dash There is the around the area, claim. Even so, in particular in potentially more urgent Poling said China the sandbars, to matter of keeping the will never knowprevent Filipino start a war marine ecosystem in the ingly fishermen access against any counto their traditional area alive until it’s too try, instead trying fishing grounds. late. to subdue states The way that the into helplessness. vessels have been What this unpositioned and the opposed Chinese frequency of their patrols have been military activity has done to the maseen as a threat to Philippine control rine environment is dire. For instance, of Pag-asa. what is considered one of the most This kind and intensity of threaten- productive fishing zones in the world ing presence, of course, is consistent is increasingly pushed to the brink with Beijing’s claim to almost the en- of collapse due to the lack of fishtire West Philippine Sea, said Greg- ing management, reef destruction, ory Poling of the Washington-based and clam poaching and digging. As Center for Strategic and Internation- 12 percent of global fish catch comes al Studies and director of the Asia from this region, this threat carries seMaritime Transparency Initiative. rious global implications.

It’s made tricky by the use of vessels The lack of policies that limits or that purport to be intended for fishing creates order in the conduct of fishing even if they don’t really fish. activities has led to a 70-to-90 percent “This is unsurprising—the purpose decline in fish stocks. Between 2013 of employing a maritime militia to keep and 2016, China destroyed some aggression below the level of military 15,000 acres’ worth of reef, which has force and complicate the responses of gone up to 40,000 since. other parties, in this case chiefly the While woeful, Poling said there is other claimants (Vietnam, the Philip- still something that could be done. pines, Malaysia, and Taiwan) as well The Code of Conduct, which has as the United States, by hiding behind languished in the corridors of ASEa civilian facade,” he said.

AN, does not cover marine conserThe so-called Chinese challenge in vation and cannot guarantee a bindthe region has become a new normal, ing agreement. What he suggested he added. instead is a fisheries agreement Beyond the obvious geopoliti- among claimant countries, which cal dimension of this development will settle provisions on conduct, is an ecological crisis, in particular restrictions, and preservation. the fisheries and marine environ“Unfortunately, this cannot be done ment in the West Philippine Sea that unilaterally,” he said. “If Manila were is under severe threat and pressure. to declare fisheries or marine-protectPotentially sidelined by the high ed areas, the Chinese would simply drama on the high seas is the series overfish in them to simply show that of environmental crises, from over- they can. What is needed instead is the fishing to dredging and island build- Philippines in cooperation with other ing and destructive clam harvesting Southeast Asian countries, to demand that the stalemate had either caused a separate negotiation on fisheries or exacerbated. management in parallel with the ChiWhat this in turn poses to humans na-ASEAN Code of Conduct.” was demonstrated by the recent standAll claimant countries have the off on Reed Bank when a Filipino legal responsibility to cooperate fishing boat was rammed and sunk, and manage fish stocks, he said, and affecting the lives of 22 fishermen while there are outstanding sovereign and their families. Broadly speaking, rights, there must be a shift to proviit’s the fishers from the Philippines, sional jurisdictional lines, which can China, and Vietnam who will bear have the same language and mutually the brunt of what’s going to happen if agreed upon fisheries code. On the the claimant states fail to effectively other hand, while the legal aspect of manage the fisheries situation and such a code can be easy, the political preserve the marine environment in aspect, including possibly policing the important sea lane.

Beijing, might be trickier.

A roundtable forum on “Environ“We are talking about an ecosysmental Crises and Opportunities in tem-based, scientifically-grounded the South China Sea” was recently series of marine parks where some organized by independent think tank reefs, ones that were most overfished Stratbase ADR Institute. An impor- or most intentionally damaged by tant part of the discussion was Pol- China would be a no-fish zone. They ing highlighting the scale of the en- would be given the time to repair vironmental crises in the area using a themselves,” Poling explained. combination of remote sensing tools At the end of the day, alongside the and imagery analysis. With a clearer military and political theaters of the picture of the situation, he then pro- ongoing row in the South China Sea posed a path forward, a blueprint de- is the potentially more urgent matter velopment by an international team of keeping the marine ecosystem in of experts from all the claimant states the area alive until it’s too late.

of which rammed a Filipino and abandoned 22 of its crew men. With the President announcing he would let the Chinese fish in our exclusive 200 mile economic zone, Filipino fishermen know that their fishing haul would not be as plenty as the Chinese

who use trawlers.

This, of course will jack up the price of fish in the market with the price of other food commodities already high for local consumers. The only good news last week was the resignation of Agriculture Secretary Manny Piñol.

A6

News

MONDAY, JULY 1, 2019

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Mobile app aims to plant 365,000 trees to hike forest cover FILIPINOS who want to contribute to environmental preservation can now conveniently use an innovative mobile phone app to help plant trees and increase the country’s forest cover.

Leading mobile wallet, GCash, is introducing an exciting “green” feature on the app called GCash Forest, which lets subscribers plant virtual trees that will have real-life counterparts.

By the end of 365 days, GCash Forest aims to plant 365,000 trees with the help of its subscribers.

According to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ Forest Management Bureau, the Philippines is losing 47,000 hectares of forest cover every year.

The FMB also reported the need to rehabilitate 1.2 million hectares of forest lands by 2022 to prevent landslides, ensure water availability, and preserve biodiversity..

“GCash Forest is about making it easier, more convenient, and even rewarding for everyone to take care of our environment for the benefit of future generations,” said Mynt CEO Anthony Thomas.

“GCash is no longer just providing an excellent platform for accessible financial products and services but also enabling Filipinos to be more active in responding to real-life issues, such as climate change mitigation through reforestation.”

GCash considers GCash Forest as a last mile initiative that fully recognizes the emergence of an all-digital Filipino lifestyle.

To implement its tree-planting initiatives, GCash Forest partnered with the DENR, World Wildlife Fund and The Biodiversity Finance Initiative.

The DENR will provide land resources in Ipo Watershed, an essential component of the Angat-Umiray-Ipo watersheds system supplying 98 percent of Metro Manila’s water. WWF will be providing trees and manpower while BIOFIN will provide expertise on monitoring.

Thomas added that recent findings on the Philippines’ vulnerability to climaterelated hazards call for greater collective action.

Results of the Global Peace Index 2019 identified the Philippines as the most susceptible country to the adverse effects of climate change.

By leveraging the GCash platform and scale, GCash Forest aims to rally a coalition of individuals, non-government organizations, and international organizations to meet its 2020 targets.

To plant trees through GCash Forest, GCash users need to collect “green energy” by frequently using the app. Users who get enough green energy can choose which species of trees they want to plant in a selected area at the Ipo watershed.

Once the trees are physically planted, users get to receive a certificate of ownership with a serial number, fun facts and updates on the growth of their trees.

“Many Filipinos, especially the younger ones, care about the environment but a lot of them don’t know how they can actively take part in environmental protection. This is a barrier that GCash Forest addresses because they only need to use their smartphones—an already integral part of their daily lives—to make a difference,” said Thomas.

RALLYING CALL. Students of the University of the Philippines took the opportunity to hold a lightning protest during their graduation rites at the amphitheater in Diliman, Quezon City on June 30. Manny Palmero

COA: OP 2018 payroll hits P1b-mark

By Rio N. Araja

T

HE Commission on Audit has called the attention of the Office of the President after its payroll breaching the billion-peso mark for the very first time last year.

COA said personnel salaries, allowances, bonuses and benefits reached P1.029 billion in 2018.

The figure was higher by P199 million or 24 percent compared to the 2017 total of P829.66 million.

Based on Malacañang’s financial statements as of the end of 2018, the OP had a total manpower of 2,035, of which only 519 are holding regular plantilla positions. The rest are classified as non-plantilla (419), co-terminus (298), contract of service (713), and consultants (89).

Salaries and wages accounted for the biggest increase year-on-year from P516.13 million to P679.82 million—up

by P163.69 million or 31.71 percent.

The payment of allowances, bonuses, honoraria and cash gifts during the year amounted to P249.867 million compared to P218.31 million in 2017. The biggest items under this are “other bonuses and allowances” totaling P109.88 million and “yearend bonuses” amounting to P57.5 million.

On the other hand, personnel benefit contributions, including retirement and life insurance premiums from Pag-IBIG, and Philippine Health Corp.’s contributions accounted for P76.67 million.

State auditors said the increase could be credited to the implementation of the

fourth tranche of the Salary Standardization Law under Executive Order No. 201 of 2016, in addition to step increment of salaries and hiring of more contractual employees.

Foreign travels expenses increased slightly from P385.38 million in 2017 to P396.236 million in 2018.

Meanwhile, COA flagged the Armed Forces of the Philippines for releasing only less than P10,000 in cash aid to many wounded soldiers in the Marawi siege despite receiving donations of P274 million.

The AFP listed 2,266 casualties, including 287 killed-in-action and 1,979 wounded-in-action during the five-month long campaign to retake Marawi City from terrorist groups.

State auditors said accounts of the accomplishments of government troops spurred private individuals and various organizations to fork over millions in cash donations.

“Extensive media coverage of the Marawi siege prompted different individuals and organizations to donate funds totaling P274,964,222.02 to be distributed to AFP casualties as cash assistance,” the report read.

The distribution of the cash assistance to the soldiers, COA said, was not fully implemented due to lack of specific guidelines from the AFP General Headquarters.

Only eight KIAs received their corresponding checks in accordance to an existing directive that all soldiers who perished in the campaign must receive P1 million.

Of the wounded, only 949 received funds, but in the absence of a clear-cut policy on distribution, 23 WIAs were given only P2,000 each; 139 received P3,000; 265 received P5,000, and 19 received P6,000 to 8,000.

“No clear guidelines exist to serve as basis for the amount of assistance to be given to each personnel,” COA said.

Moreno to implement open governance policy in Manila

By Macon Ramos-Araneta AS A garbage collector who used to climb Smokey Mountain and a side car boy who grew up in a squatter colony in Tondo, newly elected Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso now has been able to reach the highest elective post of Manila, the country’s capital city.

A lot of people, Moreno himself included, doubted that he could snatch the mayoralty post from reelectionist and former President Joseph Estrada.

Yet on Sunday, he took his oath as the 27th elected mayor of Manila before Chief Justice Lucas Bersamin Jr.

Moreno thanked his mother, Rosario, for witnessing what he described as a “momentous event” in his life, and his deceased father, Joaquin, who taught him that poverty should not be a hindrance to reaching his dreams.

Moreno, who served as vice mayor for nine years, vowed to serve the city he calls home with honesty and transparency from Day 1.

He said an open governance policy will be the cornerstone of his administration.

“We will use the power of technology and the reach of social media to crowdsource ideas and implement best prac-

tices, punish bad behavior, and reward good performance. If we want to win the future, and join the league of great cities of the world, we cannot run on the software of the past,” he said.

“Just a tweet or chat on Messenger, I can already feel you. I can feel your presence. Follow my live feeds while we are pushing for reforms,” Moreno said.

On the traffic gridlocks that have been hounding Manila for years, Moreno said there must be a stop to the tyranny in the streets by getting rid of “kotong” cops and clearing of sidewalks.

He likewise bared his plan to request the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila

and Universidad de Manila to create an Institute of Transportation and Traffic Management to boost traffic discipline.

“We will work to make Manila an example of a good smart city with the Traffic Security and Disaster Management System and modern Command Center,” he said.

He also cited the need to build a Manila-wide monorail system or a Manila Sky Shuttle through a private-public partnership arrangement.

“We have to dream big. We may short of funds, but not of ideas. The last thing my administration will be guilty of is poverty of ideas,” he said.

PPI at 55: Building better communities

GOOD RIDDANCE. The Anna Maersk arrives at Deltaport in Tsawwassen, British Columbia, Canada, on June 29 to offload 69 containers of garbage that were returned from the Philippines. AFP

THIS year marks the 55th anniversary of the Philippine Press Institute, also known as the national association of newspapers.

This milestone serves as a testament to the enduring two-pronged vision of PPI: 1) to defend press freedom; and 2) to promote ethical standards within the ranks of its member-publications.

“We do not only celebrate its longevity but remind ourselves of its relevance and mandate,” said Alfonso Pedroche, outgoing PPI chairman-president and former editor-in-chief of Pilipino Star Ngayon.

As in previous years, PPI is holding yet another edition of the National Press Forum on July 4 and 5 in Manila, not only in celebration of its founding but, more importantly, to bring together the members in a once-a-year opportunity to engage in meaningful discussion on issues that matter to the public and all of the Philippine media.

The publishers and editors from the member-newspapers will be joined by guests from the academe, government, embassies, and civil society organizations.

The theme for this year is “Governance, Media, and Democracy: Building Better Communities,” around which the PPI aims to have a discussion that, among others, will highlight the role of media in both local and national affairs as the fourth estate and watchdog. “Building Better Communities” is the slogan for PPI’s flagship program—civic journalism.

“We couldn’t stress enough the role of the

print media. PPI in fact has been a witness and participant in the evolving media landscapes which also saw the growth of community press since the inception of the organization 55 years ago,” said PPI executive director Ariel Sebellino, adding that newspapers have survived the test of time.

Alex Pal, a publisher of a Dumaguetebased community newspaper and PPI vicechairman, said it is even more challenging for a small paper to sustain its operations amid difficult times. “The last time, they said print was dying, [but] we’re still here, active in our role as catalysts for change and a platform for civic engagement.”

His weekly newspaper MetroPost is a finalist in this year’s Civic Journalism Community Press Awards.

The PPI Board took note of this year’s conference theme as timely and relevant “as we also try to have an insightful look at a new system of government that has been a subject of discourse for the longest time.”

Former Senator Aquilino ‘Nene’ Pimentel Jr., considered as the father of local government code and a staunch advocate of federalism, will share his take on it.

Lawyer Christian Monsod will discuss the proposed Puno Federalism in relation to preserving democracy and promoting press freedom.

“Social justice and economy are just two of the major shortcomings of the Puno Constitution,” said Monsod.

Lawyer Erwin Caliba will talk about autonomy as a mechanism to address ex-

clusion of minorities while lawyer Cheryl Daytec-Yañgot, a staunch advocate of IP issues, will react to all three presentations.

This year’s event is being supported again by Nickel Asia Corp. as its principal partner for the conference and awards, and in part by Kusog Bikolandia and Hanns Seidel Foundation as major sponsors, SM Investments Corp., as minor sponsor, and Smart Communications, PAGCOR, Ayala Corp., Land Bank of the Philippines, San Miguel Corp., PAGLAS Group, McDonald’s, PCSO, and Hotel Jen. PPI’s current program partners, led by Nickel Asia Corp., will take center stage in the Industry Forum as they talk about “engaging communities” in relation to their programs and advocacies in the communities they serve.

The Civic Journalism Community Press Awards, now on its 23rd season will highlight the two-day event. There are six dailies and seven weeklies vying for five major categories, namely: Best in photojournalism, best in environmental reporting, best in business and economic reporting, best editorial page, and best edited paper.

The finalists are: Baguio Chronicle, MetroPost, The Mindanao Cross, The Bohol Chronicle, BusinessWeek Mindanao, Herald Express, and Northern Forum for the weekly category; and Sun.Star Baguio, Cebu Daily News, Sun.Star Davao, Sun. Star Pampanga, Sun.Star Cebu, and Edge Davao for the daily category.

Sports

A7

MONDAY, JULY 1, 2019 sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

Players to watch out for at Wimby WIMBLEDON, the most prestigious of the tennis Grand Slams, is here.

Here’s a snapshot of which male players tennis fans are truly looking forward to watching.

Taking place at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in Wimbledon, London, the third of the four Grand Slams will start on July 1st.

This year’s event will be quite a special one, as it is the first version of the prestigious tournament to have a tiebreak at 12 all in the final set in the 133 years it has been played.

Defending champions are Novak Djokovic and Angelique Kerber for men’s and women’s singles respectively.

As the tournament draws closer, audiences are getting more and more excited to see this year’s grass-court tennis Grand Slam take place. Here are five male players that fans all over the world are especially looking forward to rooting for.

Roger Federer Roger Federer hasn’t won a grand slam since the Australian Open last January 2018. But while his Grand Slam record may be taking a dip, he’s still had an exciting ATP season this year. Being the first player to claim three tour-level titles this 2019 after winning the recent Halle Open, the 37-year-old Federer proves that he still is a worthy contender for this year’s Wimbledon.

Novak Djokovic Novak Djokovic ended a two-year Grand Slam drought by winning The Championships, Wimbledon last year.

And if that wasn’t enough, he also won the US Open that same year as well as against Rafael Nadal in this year’s Australian Open. There’s a reason why The Serbinator is still the world’s number one and this coming tennis Grand Slam might just be his second win in a row.

Rafael Nadal Let’s face it—Rafael Nadal is an unstoppable force when it comes to tennis.

The current world number two won five Masters titles last year and despite being plagued by injury, he also won this year’s Roland-Garros beating Roger Federer and Dominic Thiem. Rafael Nadal is definitely one to look out for, and even though he’s being faced with a major injury scare just as Wimbledon approaches, fans shouldn’t count him out just yet.

Dominic Thiem Last year’s grass season was a mess for Dominic Thiem. The world number four had an early second round out at Halle Open when he lost against Yuichi Sugita and also pulled out of the Wimbledon against Cypriot Marcos Baghdatis. However, this season has been a lot different for Thiem. He defeated Roger Federer in the Indian Wells Masters for his first ATP Masters 1000 title, as all well as scored his second major final in this year’s French Open where he lost to Rafael Nadal. For Wimbledon, Thiem sat out for this year’s Halle Open to rest in preparation, making fans extremely interested in seeing what this Austrian will bring to the grass court.

Kevin Anderson Kevin Anderson had his best career season last year. He won the New York Open, the Vienna Open, and was a finalist in Wimbledon. Earlier this year, he also won the Maharashtra Open. However, Kevin Anderson had to skip clay season this 2019 to recover from an elbow injury—but we wouldn’t dismiss him yet. With a Wimbledon win rate of 64 percent, Kevin Anderson might just claim his first Wimbledon as well as his first Grand Slam this year.

Be the first to stream The Championships, Wimbledon on FOX+!

Iijima...

From A8

Guam’s Athlete of the Year when she captured the IRONMAN 70.3 Philippines crown in 2017.

But Duke is all set to redeem herself with the 2017 5150 Subic champion also out to snap four runner-up finishes in her last four races, including in IRONMAN Philippines and Vietnam in 2018 and in 70.3 events in Subic and Davao early this year.

Meanwhile, SEI founder Wilfred Uytengsu said that the two short distance races are ideal for newbies to the sport as well as those who have graduated from the IronKids, the youth version of the Ironman 70.3, and who want to continue in the sport.

Backing the event, which comes on the heels of SEI successful staging of the second Alveo Ironman, also in Davao, are Lungsod ng Davao, Waterfront Insular Hotel Davao, 2GO, Nature’s Spring, David’s Salon, F2P Sportswear, Pioneer Insurance, Vitargo, Alaska, AlcoPlus, Australia Harvest, Cetaphil, Devant, Regent Foods, Sanicare, Sun Life Financial, Timex, TYK and Active with One Sports, Cignal, Manila Bulletin, Crosstrain.ph, MBody.ph, Tempo, Trilife, AsiaTri.com and Finisher Pix as media partners.

US baseball makes history in London

Defending champion Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal are some of the players favored in Wimbledon.

Barty tries to end drought L

ONDON—Ashleigh Barty goes into Wimbledon buoyed, unlike her predecessor Naomi Osaka, by being world number one and with several of her major rivals struggling.

The engaging 23-year-old Australian—who emulated compatriot Evonne Goolagong Cawley by becoming number one last weekend—has yet to get beyond the third round at Wimbledon.However, by winning the Birmingham tournament last weekend Barty showed she has the strengths to add the grass court Grand Slam to the French Open she won on clay and become the first Australian women’s champion since Goolagong Cawley’s second success in 1980.

With 37-year-old seven-time champion Serena Williams finally showing signs of age, Osaka looking exposed through poor form and two-time Wimbledon singles champion Petra Kvitova still easing back to top form after an arm injury, defending champion Angelique Kerber may be the biggest threat to Barty.

Barty, who took an unconventional route to becoming world number one by taking a time off to play cricket, insists she feels no pressure.

“The only pressure is that that I put on myself,” she said. “To make sure that I do everything correctly and prepare as best that I can to try and play a good tennis match, try and play well, to enjoy myself.”

Barty, who says the arm problem that forced her withdrawal from the Eastbourne tournament has cleared up, admits Wimbledon is unique among the Grand Slam events in having so few lead-up events on the surface.

“Wimbledon isn’t a normal event,” she said.

“It’s a little bit bizarre coming into Wimbledon having only played one grass court tournament.

“We feel like we’ve been striking the ball really well, we’re comfortable with the grass under our feet.”

Whilst Barty says she did not know what else the draw held for her, Williams claimed not to even know the Australian was number one.

The American legend could perhaps be forgiven her ignorance given how often the top spot has changed since her era of dominance ended.

Nevertheless Williams—who claims she is over the knee woes that saw her pull out of her match with sister Venus at the Italian Open and then make an early French Open exit—believes Barty could be in for a long run as number one.

“I think so,” said Williams. “I think she has a great game.

“I think she’s really even-tempered.

She’s just really chill. She’s had a really good year.”

Williams is still chasing the elusive 24th Grand Slam title that would put her alongside Australian Margaret Court, but she was not talking up her chances. AFP

LONDON—The New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox made Major League Baseball history as they marked the first game ever played in Europe with a home run barrage at the London Stadium on Saturday.

The Yankees are playing two regularseason games against their arch rivals Boston in the English capital and the opening night was a smash hit.

Records tumbled in the Yankees’ 17-13 win, a four hour, 42 minute marathon that was just three minutes short of the longest nine-inning game in MLB history.

There was even a royal flavour to baseball’s maiden voyage in England, with Prince Harry and his wife Meghan presented with gifts from both teams for their newborn son Archie while promoting the Invictus Games Foundation.

The royal couple were among a 59,659 sell-out crowd who watched the Yankees and Red Sox produce a remarkable score more suited to an NFL game at the home of Premier League club West Ham. The run explosion was caused by the temporary astro-turf pitch playing fast, with a scorching hot evening and terrible pitching making it a hitters’ paradise as both teams scored six runs in the opening inning of an MLB game for the first time in 30 years.

For the first time in the history of the Red Sox-Yankees’ famous rivalry, both starting pitchers—Boston’s Rick Porcello and New York’s Masahiro Tanaka—were replaced in the first inning in a game that ranked as the second highest scoring clash between the clubs.

It was only the third game in MLB history in which both starters allowed six or more earned runs and didn’t get out of the first inning.

In total, there were six home runs and 37 hits on a memorable night that will encourage MLB to believe baseball can gain a foothold in the UK market.

Although the league has previously staged matches in Japan, Australia, Mexico and Puerto Rico, MLB commissioner Rob Manfred hopes the ‘London Series’ will grow the sport’s profile and open up a lucrative revenue stream already exploited by American Football’s NFL and Basketball’s NBA. AFP

AFAD announces big plans for Filipino shooters THE country’s top shooters will get a much-needed boost as the Association of Firearms and Ammunition Dealers of the Philippines, Inc. announced plans to help improve their shooting skills and accuracy, especially during competitions.

Alaric Topacio, AFAD president, said the group plans to support multiple shooting events and also hold AFAD’s own competition dubbed as the AFAD Cup, which will serve as a tune-up match and qualifier for those participating in the 2019 IPSC Australasia Handgun Championship to be held in Lipa City, Batangas from Nov. 10 to 17 and the 2019 IPSC Rifle World Shoot II to be held in Karlskoga, Sweden on Aug. 3 to 10.

“AFAD Inc. has always been supportive of talented Filipino athletes who bring recognition and honor to the country in all international shooting competitions,” said Topacio.

AFAD wants to promote shooting so more Filipinos will take up the sport for recreational and competitive activities.

“Filipinos stand a big chance to excel in various disciplines of shooting sports,” Topacio added. “In fact, a shorter shooter can maintain better balance when standing for long periods of time holding a gun, as well as keep their gun

Officers and members of the board of the Association of Firearms and Ammunition Dealers of the Philippines, Inc., led by Alaric Topacio (center) hopes to erase the negative impact on the issue of ‘loose firearms’ as they launched two premier shooting activities—Defense & Sporting Arms Show and IPSC Australasia Handgun Championship—this year . Also in photo are (from left) Jessica Li, Kalki Jimenez, Edwin Año and Pamela Comia.

steady.”

AFAD holds the longest-running gun show in the country, the Defense & Sporting Arms Show. This year’s iteration, the 27th in the series, is seen as the largest todate, with 60 exhibitors offering a range of firearms, ammunition and

shooting paraphernalia.

“We expect over 25,000 firearms and shooting sports enthusiasts to visit the five-day exhibit to be held on July 11 to 15, 2019 at the Megatrade Hall inside SM Megamall in Mandaluyong City,” Topacio added.

Shooting sports personalities are expected to visit this year’s DSAS, among them Jethro Dionisio, Jag Lejano, Edward Rivera, Joey Delos Santos, Kahlil Viray, Huey Co, Mariboy Alejandro, and Bro Tecson. Top female shooters Grace Tamayo, Marly Martyr, and Evelyn Woods have also confirmed their attendance.

Over the years, AFAD has noticed increasing interest from women to purchase firearms for sports or protection.

Topacio reiterated that the association is not only promoting just the firearms but responsible gun ownership.

“Gender is not a prerequisite for having the capability to protect yourself,” he said.

Other highlights at the 27th AFAD DSAS include free seminars on responsible gun ownership, firearms safety handling, and martial arts, as well as other exciting activities, including a daily raffle.

AFAD, created in 1989, was formed to represent the interests of the country’s defense and security industry. It now has 60 members who meet regularly to formulate and impose self-regulating policies for the industry, as well as government campaigns against illegal trading and importation of weaponry and loose firearms.

UST squad tops collegiate League of Legends

By MJ Blancaflor

Members of the Teletigers Esports Club of the University of Santo Tomas are shown here. Theo Ignacio

THE Teletigers Esports Club of the University of Santo Tomas topped the Esports AcadArena League of Legends (LoL) Championship after sweeping the University of Iloilo Salvaxe Gnari at the Conquest Festival in Iloilo recently, 3-0.

The team consists of John Daniel Mendoza (top), Michael Gonzales (jungle), Jan Edward Hortizuela (support), Isiah Loberiza (midlaner), Don Moya (carry), and PJ San Pedro (substitute).

Asked what made them win, team manager Theo Ignacio told the Manila Standard in an online

exchange: “Same as any kind of sport, it’s practice everyday and conditioning of mind and body.”

The team took home P20,000 as prize.

“The only difficulty present was to make sure we weren’t surprised with their unorthodox tactics,” Ignacio added.

The Teletigers has four collegiate championships under its belt now. It was the third time they topped the Esports AcadArena.

The team claimed its first title in 2015 when the league was then known as the LoL Collegiate League. The España-based squad bagged the first championship under the current tourna-

ment name in 2017.

The Teletigers was also hailed as the champions of the 2018 Garena LoL Varsity League.

The Teletigers Esports Club is also among the eight teams which will compete in the national qualifiers of this year’s League of Legends SEA Tour.

The top team in the LoL SEA Tour 2019 Summer Split will represent Southeast Asia in the World Championship in October.

This weekend, the squad will face off with another team, Steelwolves Gaia.

LoL is a fast-paced and competitive online game developed and published by Riot Games.

Sports

Riera U. Mallari, Editor; Reuel Vidal, Assistant Editor sports@thestandard.com.ph; sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

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MONDAY, JULY 1, 2019

SMB’s June Mar Fajardo tries to maneuver his way against a double-teaming Columbian Dyip defense anchored on Lester Prosper in a PBA Commissioner’s Cup game.

Import reprimanded for hitting PVL teammate PREMIER Volleyball League organizer Sports Vision Management Group Inc. yesterday reprimanded import Danijela Djakovic of Montenegro for hitting BaliPure teammate and libero Jewelle Bermillo during their match with Creamline at the close of the PVL Reinforced Conference double-round elims at the Filoil Flying V Center in San Juan Saturday.

“Such uncalled-for act has no place in the league and though she (Djakovic) had issued an apology right after the incident, which Bermillo accepted, we view this act (of Djakovic) as offensive not only to Bermillo but also to the sensibilities of all stakeholders of the sport and its ever-growing fans,” said Ricky Palou, president of SVMGI, which revived the once dormant sport in 2004 and helped make it what it is today.

Palou, however, stressed that a repetition of the act—by any erring player—will be dealt with more severely.

“We invite these imports to spice up the tournament, primarily for the fans, and at the same time share their expertise with the local players,” said Palou.

“Conversely, we expect them to play and be at their best, game-wise and character-wise.”

The 5-9 Djakovic hit the diminutive Bermillo on the nape on impulse as BaliPure, in dire need of ending a winless run, trailed 19-24 in the opening frame.

As Creamline’s Jema Galanza poised to wrap up the set with an offspeed hit, Bermillo and Djakovic both went for the dig, resulting to their collision. In frustration of failing the keep the ball in play and losing the set, Djakovic hit Bermillo in the back of the head.

Shocked, Bermillo was reduced to tears as her contact lens also fell from the impact of the strike.

The incident immediately went viral, infuriating fans on social media.

What followed next, however, was not seen on the internet, according to Palou, pointing to Djakovic’s gesture of profusely apologizing to Bermillo, embracing her and assisting her all the way to their bench.

Dyip stun Beermen in overtime, 134-132

By Jeric Lopez

C

OLUMBIAN Dyip may have been down, but it showed that it is not out just yet.

The Dyip made all the crucial baskets down the stretch to pull off an impressive upset of San Miguel Beer, 134-132, in a thrilling overtime finish for a much-needed win in the 2019 Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner’s Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Sunday night.

Lester Prosper, CJ Perez and Rashawn McCarthy were all spectacular for Columbian, leading their team to the morale-boosting win.

Prosper tallied a game-high of 40 points, 27 in the first half, and 13 rebounds, while the rookie Perez was sensational as well, pouring in a career-high 34 points, eight rebounds and four assists for the Dyip.

McCarthy wasn’t far behind, eking a

double-double himself with 27 points and 14 assists.

Perez closed the show and sealed the win for Columbian as his tough lay-up in traffic proved to be the insurance basket, making it 134-130 for Columbian with 12.7 seconds left.

“Ibinigay namin talaga ‘yung total effort namin knowing San Miguel kalaban,” said Perez. “’Yung collective effort namin lahat ‘yung nag-lift sa amin.”

Columbian still remained in 11th place, but improved to 2-7 with two games remaining. Though slim, it still has a chance to get a playoff for a seat in the top eight.

On the other hand, the Beermen continued to uncharacteristically struggle, dropping their second straight and falling to 2-5 for 10th place.

Arwind Santos’ tough, right-elbow triple against Andrei Cahilig’s defense with 1.1 seconds left in regulation found the bottom of the net and sent the game into overtime.

Still, the upstart Dyip was able to regroup in the extension to preserve the victory.

The two teams didn’t want to give an inch as they figured in a gut-wrenching nip-andtuck battle from the fourth period all the way ‘til the final buzzer.

However, Columbian’s big three delivered the goods everytime they were needed to keep the experienced and favored San Miguel Beer at bay.

The Beermen were led by Charles Rhodes’ team-high of 26 points and 16 rebounds.

The Dyip actually held a 14-point lead, 84-70 in the latter part of the third quarter but the Philippine Cup champion clawed back to make it a scrap in the final two period.

The scores: Columbian 134—Prosper 40, Perez 34, McCarthy 27, Cahilig 9, Camson 9, Khobuntin 8, Corpuz 7, Cabrera 0, Escoto 0, King 0, Faundo 0.

San Miguel 132—Rhodes 26, Fajardo 24, Lassiter 19, Santos 16, Pessumal 15, Cabagbot 12, Nabong 8, Ross 7, Tubid 3, Rosser 2, Standhardinger 0.

Quarterscores: 33-26, 59-53, 88-82, 118118, 134-132.

Iijima-Duke showdown up in Penong’s 5150 GUAM’S Manami Iijima and Dimity Lee Duke of Australia bring their rivalry to Davao with the former seeking to score a repeat and the latter going all out for a payback in the inaugural Penong’s 5150 Triathlon firing off July 7 at the Waterfront Hotel.

Iijima upended Duke with a strong performance in the opening swim leg and went on to rule the Subic 5150 race last November that capped a productive season for the rising endurance racing star that saw her romp off with victories in Guam and Saipan.

Heading to Davao, however, Iijima braces for a tougher challenge with Duke raring to bounce back strong in the upcoming event organized

by Sunrise Events, Inc. set over the Olympic distance of 1.5k swim-40k bike-10k run in the country’s emerging triathlon hub.

But Lisa Tyack of Australia and New Zealand’s Laura Wood are also both all-geared up, eager to spoil the

projected Iijima-Duke duel and earn a crack for the top $2,000 purse in the event put up by Davao’s favorite barbecue house Penong’s Barbecue and Seafoods Grill.

Keen competition is also seen in the men’s pro category, which drew the likes of Aussies Mitch Robbins and Alex Polizzi, Czech Jakub Langhammer and Kiwi Kieran McPherson, while spicing up the event is the Sunrise Sprint, to be disputed over the 750m swim-20km bike-5km run distance.

Other titles up for grabs are those in various age categories and relay competition. For details, visit www. ironman.com/philippines, http:// penongs.5150philippines.com and www.goforgold.sunrisesprint.com with official hashtags #Penongs5150, #5150Davao.

Still, focus will be on Iijima, a former pro swimmer who won her first triathlon as an age-grouper then immediately turned pro. She was named Manami Iijima (left) and Dimity Lee Duke all set for an-

GOLF CHAMP AGAIN. Juvic

Pagunsan holds his trophy as he poses with organizing Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc. executive director Narlene Soriano (left) and Iloilo Golf and Country Club president Herminio Maravilla after edging Michael Bibat in sudden death to snare the ICTSI Iloilo Golf Challenge crown, completing a three-straight title romp after Asia’s former No. 1 dominated the Bacolod legs in Binitin and Marapara.

Turn to A7

other title showdown.

Durant, Leonard talk about teaming up NEW YORK—Two-time NBA Finals Most Valuable Players Kevin Durant and Kawhi Leonard are talking about becoming teammates, according to multiple reports on the eve of the start of free agency.

ESPN and The Athletic websites each cited unnamed sources in reporting Durant and Leonard have discussed the possibility of each signing with the New York Knicks or Los Angeles Clippers.

Those clubs figure to have the money under NBA salary cap rules to afford the superstar duo, although other players and potential deals could scuttle the powerhouse combination.

Leonard led the Toronto Raptors to this year’s NBA crown, beating Durant’s Golden State Warriors in the championship series. Leonard was named the NBA Finals MVP in 2014 with San Antonio, which traded him to the Raptors last July.

Durant, who had been MVP of the past two years’ NBA Finals, suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon in game five of this year’s finals and underwent surgery that is expected to sideline him for the entire 2019-20 campaign.

Still, teams are expected to make him big offers even knowing he would need a year to complete rehabilitation and much of another to regain peak form, taking a chance he will return to his dominating ways.

Leonard, who is from Los Angeles, is expected to receive offers from the Knicks, Clippers and Los Angeles Lakers, who could unite him with LeBron James and Anthony Davis to create a superteam lineup like no other in the league.

The Clippers could counter that with a Durant pairing and still offer the hometown and financial benefits as well as a strong young team and top coach in Glenn “Doc” Rivers.

New York offers money and the chance to revive a moribund club in the NBA’s biggest market.

Another possible contender is the Brooklyn Nets, although they reportedly are close to terms with Boston’s Kyrie Irving and are trying to pitch Durant on coming to Brooklyn. AFP

PH squads fail to advance in China 3x3 THE three-man Team Isabela CityChooks team suffered two straight losses in Pool C of the 2019 Hongxiang Holdings Haining 3x3 tournament last Saturday in Zhejiang, China.

Isabela took absorbed a 13-21 setback to world no. 8 Gagarin of Russia, 13-21, with five seconds left, and then bowed out of contention for a quarterfinals’ seat with its 14-22 defeat to Moscow.

Semen Debda led Moscow with eight points, while Marcus Hammonds fired 10 points for Isabela.

Gagarin and Moscow went on to advance to the quarterfinals.

But Moscow fell out of the running after an 18-21 loss to powerhouse Liman.

Isabela City had to get past Mongolian clubs Sukhbaatar, 21-12, and Taikhar, 21-15, to get to the main draw.

On the other hand, Balanga of Bataan absorbed a close 20-21 verdict from Liman and a 10-21 crushing at the hands of Sosovny Bor in Pool 1, and also missed a quarterfinals slot.

Peter Atencio

IOC warns PH Olympic Committee: Do polls right way

By Peter Atencio THE International Olympic Committee has advised the Philippines to do its electoral process the right way.

It has sent a letter of warning to the Philippine Olympic Committee, which will discuss the timeliness and legality of a call for elections on July 5 in a special board meeting today.

Sports leaders will tackle the contents of the IOC letter, aside from getting updates on the preparations for the coming 30th Southeast Asian Games and going into formal talks on the planned polls in a gathering at the Mancom Conference Hall of the GSIS Bldg. in Pasay City.

The IOC is closely monitoring events that are unfolding in the POC.

Acting POC president Joey Romasanta informed the members of the POC of the letter.

“It’s (elections) not feasible for practical reasons. There’s a question on the legality and timeliness, to get the COMELEC to organize, and get the certificates of candidacy,” said POC spokesman Clint Aranas.

POC chairman Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino, who heads the national sports association of cycling, will not attend the afternoon meeting and will instead attend to matters concerning his district, saying he will just wait for the executive board’s decision on his call for new elections.

Many technical issues have cropped up after Tolentino quickly called for an adjournment last week and declared the POC Extraordinary General Assembly at

the GSIS gymnasium as invalid.

Tolentino said he invalidated the meeting at that time because the secretary general of the POC did not issue the proper notifications.

Officials now feel that seeking an election within 10 days—specifically on July 5--will no longer be possible.

“It appears that since there was no general assembly (and), the call for elections are being opposed,” said Aranas.

Aranas said the call for elections was done in an informal way and after members of the General Assembly engaged in an informal discussion that afternoon.

For an election to happen, according to Aranas, a formal meeting of the POC executive board will have to be called for the purposes of having polls.

IN BRIEF PT&T wants shares traded again at PSE PHILIPPINE Telegraph and Telephone Corp. wants to resume the trading of its shares at the Philippine Stock Exchange to further expand its business.

PT&T said in a statement it had been working fervently to comply with the requirements of the PSE to have its trading suspension lifted.

Shares of PT&T were last traded on Dec. 9, 2004 when they closed at P0.33.

“PT&T has gone a long way in just a year and our re-listing in the PSE will allow us to serve more Filipinos with our 100 percent fiber Internet and complementary IT services for greater participation in the digital economy,” said PT&T president and chief executive James Velasquez.

“It was encouraging to see a lot of our stockholders at the Annual Stockholders’ Meeting, excited to learn of our progress with regards to our re listing efforts and learn about our business results and strategic projects and initiatives,” he added.

PT&T in December secured an approval from the Branch 66 of the Regional Trial Court in Makati City to exit corporate rehabilitation earlier than the 2025 schedule.

Darwin G Amojelar

Cusi encouraging run-of-river projects ENERGY Secretary Alfonso Cusi is keen on extending the feed-in tariff for run-ofriver power projects to meet the entire 250-megawatt allotment.

Cusi said the current run-of-river FIT subscription was still very low. The FIT grants all eligible renewable energy plants an entitlement for a period of 20 years.

“I told you that Philippines is number one in environmental sustainability but we are very poor in equity and security. That’s what we are working on,” the energy chief said.

“The 250-MW subscription has not been met. It’s still low. And the rate is already a very reasonable rate. I think P5.60 per kWh. Subscription is less than a hundred or less than 50 megawatts... That’s why I’m going to extend it... until it is full,” Cusi said.

The Department of Energy earlier endorsed to the Energy Regulatory Commission its decision extending the FIT for biomass and run-of-river hydro for another two years until December 2019.”

Alena Mae S. Flores

Business Malacañang directive stalls P34.2b worth of IT projects

By Othel V. Campos

S

OME P34.2 billion worth of business process outsourcing and information technology investments were stalled after Malacañang Palace issued Administrative Order No. 18 transferring new IT parks and centers outside Metro Manila.

The Philippine Economic Zone Authority said over the weekend about 22 IT facilities with combined investments of P34.2 billion were still pending at the Office of the President despite securing approval from the Peza board.

President Rodrigo Duterte issued AO 18 on June 17 to stop Peza from accepting, processing or evaluating applications for the creation of ecozones in Metro Manila. The order aims to disperse progress in the countryside.

Aside from decongesting Metro Manila, the AO added new requirements that economic zone developers in Ma-

nila should deliver before their economic zones could be proclaimed by the president.

“After the addition of a set of requirements, the procedure lengthened. Some of the requirements were not easy to comply with due to the difficulty of, say, getting a copy of land title,” said Peza director-general Charito Plaza.

She said, however, that the moratorium on economic zone endorsement was temporary and there was still a chance for new applicants to locate in the metropolis.

“But for those affected, we ask the

government to give a little more time for these companies to look for a relocation site in the countryside,” she said.

Malacanang is giving affected IT parks and centers three months to look for alternative sites outside Metro Manila. Peza said it would appeal to the Office of the President to allow IT parks and centers at least six months to move to the outskirts.

Peza so far approved 131 applications for economic zones which have yet to be endorsed to the OP because of the lack of required documents. Of these 131 applications, 121 are for IT centers and 10 are for IT parks.

Peza met recently with the IT-Business Process Outsourcing Association of the Philippines and the Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines to draft a common position on AO 18.

IT special ecozone developers in Metro Manila have not been receiving tax incentives from the government since 2008, but their locators are still entitled to such perks.

PECO sues two Iloilo councilors, 2 others PANAY Electric Co. Inc. filed a criminal case seeking P100 million in damages against two councilors and two others for allegedly simulating a signature drive that harmed the company’s reputation.

The P100-million claim represents the “amount of investment, equipment, and facilities, which complainant (PECO) had spent and invested in building its business throughout its 95-year existence and service to the entire Iloilo community.”

PECO filed the complaint before the Department of Justice in Manila against Iloilo City Councilors Joshua Alim and Plaridel Nava, Presidential Consultant for Western Visayas Jane Javellana and Iloilo resident Marigold Gonzalez, daughter of the late Justice secretary Raul Gonzalez Sr. Alim said he had not received a copy of the complaint yet.

PECO president and administrative manager Marcelo Cacho alleged in the complaint that the respondents falsified some 27,000 signatures in a manifesto opposing the renewal of PECO’s congressional franchise. Alena Mae S. Flores

AMUSEMENT EXPO. All roads lead to the World Trade Center in Pasay City on July 11 to 13 as the Philippines hosts this year’s biggest event in the entertainment, gaming and arcade sector, the Philippine Attractions & Amusement Expo or PAExpo2019, which is organized by Singapore-based HQ Bizlink International PTE Ltd. Shown are some of the new attractions to be presented during the three-day expo. David Chow, president of HQ Bizlink ,said the event is free of charge to the public as he described the PAExpo2019 as the biggest and most exciting exposition.

Ray S. Eñano, Editor Roderick T. dela Cruz, Assistant Editor business@manilastandard.net extrastory2000@gmail.com MONDAY, JULY 1, 2019

B1

Megaworld eyes P4b in sales from new Taguig tower

By Jenniffer B. Austria MEGAWORLD Corp., the real estate arm of tycoon Andrew Tan, said it expects to raise as much as P4 billion in sales from a newly-launched residential tower in McKinley Hill, Taguig City.

Megaworld said in a statement the 23-story St. Mark Residences would offer 235 condominium units ranging from studio (up to 41 square meters), one-bedroom (up to 66 sqm), two-bedroom (up to 163 sqm) and three-bedroom units (up to 120 sqm). All units have balconies.

“St. Mark Residences will be among the last residential properties in McKinley Hill and is conveniently located beside the iconic Venice Grand Canal Mall,” Megaworld senior vice president Noli Hernandez said.

“Living in McKinley Hill allows walkable access to the mall and close proximity to and from C5 and the South Luzon Expressway as well as the Makati CBD via McKinley Road,” he said.

Slated for completion by 2021, St. Mark Residences would offer a wide array of amenities at its third-level podium that includes a clubhouse pavilion, swimming pool, children’s playground, fitness station, mini-theatre, function halls, library, gym with sauna, massage area, badminton courts and a tennis court.

It also has expansive landscaped gardens that include a meditation garden, a sculpture garden and a rock garden. The residential tower features full RFID access on each unit and in elevators for enhanced security.

Each unit features a ‘designer kitchen’ which comprises of branded kitchen fixtures customized for the unit such as overhead and under-counter cabinets.

The residential development will have a direct connection to the Venice Grand Canal Mall.

McKinley Hill is a 50-hectare township development of Megaworld within Fort Bonifacio. It is home to McKinley Hill Village, several residential towers, office towers, schools, foreign embassies and the McKinley Hill Football Stadium.

Around 100,000 workers, mostly from the IT and BPO sectors, are employed in the various towers inside McKinley Hill while around 15,000 residents live in the township.

SN Aboitiz seeking board approval Housing prices continued to increase in first quarter on $550-m Ifugao hydropower plant By Julito G. Rada

By Alena Mae S. Flores RENEWABLE energy provider SN Aboitiz Power is seeking the board’s approval for the proposed $550-million, 390-megawatt Alimit Hydropower Complex in Ifugao province.

“We intend to go to our board for approval to go into pre-construction in August,” SNAP president and chief executive Joseph Yu said.

SNAP and the municipal government of Lamut recently signed a framework agreement for the proposed project. The same agreement was concurred by the Lamut municipal council, which issued Resolution No. 2019-18-041 endorsing the Alimit project.

All four local government units hosting Alimit Hydro, namely the municipalities of Aguinaldo, Lagawe, Lamut and Mayoyao, signified their approval for what is expected to be Ifugao’s first large-scale hydropower facility.

Yu said SNAP was also constantly in talks with partner investors to commence the project’s construction. SNAP is a joint venture of SN Power of Norway and Aboitiz Power Corp.

“There’s a lot of activity going on here and in Oslo and in New Zealand and discuss from time to time the market side of it, financing side of it, technical, risk and design... What we’re hoping to get is this approval to go into pre-construction, and by pre-construction you mean preparing the tender and the tendering process for the building of the Alimit project,” Yu said.

He said the pre-construction preparation would take one year while the construction period was expected to reach four years. “It’s really more... Hydro has to be a longer-term play,” Yu said.

The agreement with the LGU outlines the cooperation, collaboration and obligations between SNAP as project proponent and the municipalities as hosts during the development and operation phase of the project.

HOUSING prices in the country continued to increase amid the strong demand for condominium units and townhouses, according to a survey conducted by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas.

The Bangko Sentral said in a quarterly report residential real estate prices rose by an average of 3.1 percent year-on-year in the first quarter. Data showed the residential real estate price index climbed to 119.9 in the first quarter from 116.3 in the same period last year.

RREPI measures the average change in the prices of various types of housing units including single-detached houses, duplexes, townhouses and condominium units, based on data from housing loans granted by universal, commercial and thrift banks.

The survey found that prices of condominium units and townhouses went up by 10.9 percent and 9.6 percent,

respectively. Meanwhile, prices of single-detached housing units decreased by 1.7 percent.

Prices of duplex units which accounted for only 0.5 percent of total new housing units reported declined by 8 percent year-on-year.

By area, the average residential property prices increased in both the National Capital Region and the provinces by 8.7 percent and 0.4 percent, respectively. In NCR, the rise in the average residential property prices was largely due to the increase in the prices of condominium units.

All types of housing units in the provinces registered price increases, except for single-detached houses.

About 74 percent of residential real estate loans in the first quarter were for the acquisition of new housing units.

By type of housing units, 46.2 percent of residential property loans were for the purchase of single-detached units, followed by condominium units (44.5 percent) and townhouses (8.6 percent).

Most of the loans granted in the NCR were for the purchase of condominium units, while loans granted in areas outside the metropolis were for single-detached houses.

Under BSP Circular 892 dated Nov. 16, 2015, all universal, commercial and thrift banks are required to submit a quarterly report on all residential real estate loans granted for the generation of the price index.

All covered banks―consisting of 46 universal/commercial and 53 thrift banks―submitted their first-quarter 2019 reports to the BSP. The RREPI, which is estimated every quarter and based on housing loans granted by banks, is a first in the Philippines. It provides a valuable tool in assessing the real estate and credit market conditions in the country.

It is computed as a weighted chainlinked index that is based on the average appraised value per square meter weighted by the share of the floor area of new housing units.

ANZ cuts 2019 PH growth forecast to 6%

CEBU PACIFIC CADET PILOTS. Cebu Pacific welcomes back to the Philippines the first batch of cadet pilots after completing 14 months of training at Flight Training Adelaide in Australia, in addition to ground school in the Philippines. Cebu Pacific vice president for flight operations Capt. Sam Avila (eighth from left) and Flight Training Adelaide director for operations Capt. Grant Mules (seventh from left) lead the recognition and reception for the pioneer batch of Cebu Pacific Cadet Pilot Program.

THE economic growth in the Philippines is expected to decelerate to 6 percent this year from 6.2 percent in 2018, as the negative impact of the delayed budget approval will likely extend until the second quarter, Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Ltd. said over the weekend.

ANZ said in its “Asia Economic Outlook” report that the impact of the delayed 2019 budget was apparent from a contraction in public spending and the attendant impact on private investment.

“The latter was also likely affected by rate hikes made last year. Indeed, we expect the impact from the delayed budget along with the election-related public construction ban to have extended into the second quarter,” ANZ said.

“Capital imports and government disbursements in April remained

disappointing, suggesting sustained weakness in public spending and investment,” it said.

The economy grew 5.6 percent in the first quarter, slower than 6.5 percent a year ago and 6.3 percent in the fourth quarter, weighed down by the delayed approval of the 2019 national budget.

The 5.6-percent expansion was the slowest in almost four years. Private consumption was the only component that accelerated in the first quarter at 6.3 percent year-on-year against 5.3 percent in the last quarter of 2018.

“Higher passenger car sales suggest that private consumption will remain firm, in line with improving consumer sentiment. All in all, we continue to expect GDP growth to come in at 6 percent in 2019,” ANZ said.

Julito G. Rada

B2

Business

MONDAY, JULY 1, 2019 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Market to keep sideways movement

By Jenniffer B. Austria

S

HARE prices are expected to continue with their sideways trading this week on lack of positive leads that could push the market to stay above the 8,000-point mark.

“It has failed several times within the week to breach 8,100–effectively setting this as a solid resistance that likely won’t be pushed anytime soon. Indicators are maintaining bearishness,” Regina Capital Development Corp. said.

Trading, however, is expected to pick up in the latter part of the week as the government releases report on June inflation rate.

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ De-

partment of Economic Research has estimated that the June 2019 inflation likely settled within the range of 2.2 percent to 3 percent on lower rice and domestic oil prices, along with downward adjustment in electricity rates and the recent peso appreciation.

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index last week declined 0.7 percent to a shade below the 8,000, as investors wait on the meeting between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jin Ping meeting at the sidelines of the of G20 meeting in Osaka, Japan.

Moody’s weak expectations on the country’s second-quarter economic performance also affected investors sentiments.

The six sectoral indices ended mixed, with mining and oil, services and holding firms posting week-on-week gains, while the property, financials and industrial indices registered week-on-week declines.

Foreign investors were net sellers for the week by P7.25 billion, while the average daily value traded stood at P10.3 billion from the previous week’s average of P7.27 billion.

Weekly top price gainers were First Gen Corp., which rose 7.2 percent to P26.80; Nickel Asia Corp., which advanced 7.1 percent to P2.25; and Semirara Mining Corp., which climbed 6.2 percent to P23.15.

Weekly top price losers were San Miguel Food and Beverage Inc., which declined 6.6 percent to P106; Metropolitan Bank & Trust Co., which fell 4.5 percent to P71.25; and Union Bank of the Philippines, which dropped 4.3 percent to P61.25.

Meanwhile, European and US stocks climbed on Friday as investors kept a watch on developments at a Group of 20 summit in Japan, where US President Donald Trump and his Chinese counter-

part Xi Jinping are due for a high-stakes discussion on trade.

As heads of the world’s 20 leading economies began their summit in Osaka, Trump said he was hopeful that Saturday’s talks would be “productive.”

Global equities have enjoyed a largely positive couple of weeks on hopes for progress in the head-to-head meeting between the leaders of the world’s top two economies, though the possibility of failure persists.

“Optimism has been limited at best,” said Chris Beauchamp, chief market analyst at the trading firm IG. “The fact that the trade conflict has lasted this long sends a message that both sides are not rushing towards a deal, or are prepared to make significant concessions.”

In Europe, both Paris and Frankfurt closed with solid gains, while London edged up 0.3 percent.

MANILA STANDARD BUSINESS WEEKLY STOCKS REVIEW JUNE 24-28, 2019 Close Volume

Value

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

MEDCO Holdings Metrobank Natl. Reinsurance Corp.

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

58.4 140.00 78.50 2.41 1.19 27.45 7.99 18.7 11.62 4.99 7.71 1.35 765.00 0.500 71.25 0.97 13.26 21.40 49.25 58 115 190 28.1 170 1750.00 61.25 1.12

26,890 20,034,920 10,021,900 704,000 553,000 1,352,500 200 128,600 5,671,700 1,986,600 6,400 103,000 210 1,114,000 10,889,940 2,106,000 371,100 4,200 2,467,300 16,900 150 4,700 1,601,700 1,511,000 1,375 394,070 4,261,000

1,565,008.00 2,825,706,381.00 794,679,688.50 1,650,370.00 648,460.00 37,776,615.00 1,598.00 2,401,314.00 65,946,620.00 10,107,242.00 49,340.00 139,580.00 160,615.00 553,305.00 791,814,583.50 2,090,510.00 4,904,144.00 86,690.00 122,351,615.00 975,288.00 17,250.00 895,582.00 45,338,150.00 256,508,661.00 2,416,070.00 24,191,880.00 4,772,330.00

INDUSTRIAL Aboitiz Power Corp.

Agrinurture Inc. Alliance Tuna Intl Inc. Alsons Cons.

Basic Energy Corp.

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

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

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

Pepsi-Cola Products Phil.

Petroenergy Res. Corp.

Petron Corporation Phinma Corporation Phinma Energy Phoenix Petroleum Phils.

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

Swift Foods, Inc. TKC Steel Corp.

Universal Robina Victorias Milling Vitarich Corp.

Vivant Corp.

Vulcan Ind’l.

34.8 14.5 0.84 1.39 0.265 110 16.80 2.92 15.02 113.8 19.28 133.3 150 42 2.02 5.3 6.03 10.460 15.6 10.92 7.64 1.75 26.8 83 63.50 2.5400 13.70 10.06 1.700 281.80 50.00 3.46 9.25 25.05 13.8 19.02 0.186 387.00 5.89 1.82 4.54 5.82 9.18 2.55 12.10 38.75 5.09 4.90 1.37 2 1.21 13.9 106 6.56 0.125 1.20 166 2.7 1.28 16.02 1.52

4,845,000 4,683,800 21,651,000 1,969,000 27,220,000 3,530 162,700 140,033,000 5,708,400 1,230 768,500 1,306,150 986,050 2,922,600 2,339,000 267,000 643,100 15,309,500 2,196,000 3,663,400 25,839,600 9,000 31,484,100 2,221,070 1,843,200 38,372,000 2,277,000 620,200 2,636,000 2,556,240 30 31,000 158,300 7,392,200 3,220,700 13,296,200 1,460,000 939,870 26,800 74,026,000 523,000 7,014,700 114,200 164,419,000 299,900 855,500 43,200 48,000 2,619,000 132,000 3,131,000 2,655,700 958,750 594,900 80,000 6,453,000 5,071,810 110,000 31,459,000 14,000 136,134,000

169,693,980.00 67,405,004.00 17,747,460.00 2,721,770.00 7,379,100.00 337,126.00 2,812,334.00 426,228,080.00 85,868,152.00 133,713.00 15,724,069.00 139,557,158.00 93,483,825.50 122,749,005.00 4,932,280.00 1,380,987.00 3,842,910.00 159,915,728.00 34,547,474.00 39,979,016.00 197,028,160.00 15,630.00 832,619,990.00 181,613,832.00 110,459,973.50 95,983,170.00 30,916,016.00 6,283,086.00 4,447,790.00 728,421,078.00 1,500.00 105,310.00 1,437,024.00 183,371,565.00 45,039,366.00 256,886,492.00 271,730.00 359,688,910.00 157,614.00 122,261,980.00 2,422,500.00 34,735,033.00 1,038,990.00 436,739,770.00 3,637,550.00 32,892,610.00 218,870.00 233,700.00 3,630,660.00 251,060.00 3,799,330.00 36,970,684.00 102,363,459.00 3,863,944.00 9,980.00 7,963,120.00 878,725,368.00 287,000.00 39,408,810.00 230,030.00 201,983,610.00

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

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

Lopez Holdings Corp.

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

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

1.050 55.00 15.44 0.73 6.70 13.74 1.370 1.370 894 3.810 1481.00 6.88 10.30 4.48 14.00 0.234 940 6.40 67.40 6.36 5.29 4.85 0.5 4.13 15.2 0.660 4.8 0.0420 1.360 175.20 2.38 969.00 1.37 0.85 267.000 480.00 0.2320 0.330

498,192,000 4,095,720 23,041,800 5,017,000 65,200 787,400 51,075,000 4,505,000 1,982,560 93,625,000 30 5,384,900 20,806,400 21,000 490,100 4,740,000 390,680 586,300 6,352,620 97,800 1,100 1,000 410,000 5,067,000 9,690,200 27,370,000 134,990,000 257,800,000 8,842,000 609,580 45,000 1,057,280 850,000 3,799,000 384,200 210 2,720,000 88,990,000

464,020,730.00 224,998,558.50 353,432,492.00 3,679,020.00 438,873.00 10,702,056.00 71,651,120.00 6,321,720.00 1,777,367,460.00 354,721,370.00 42,130.00 36,341,897.00 217,324,668.00 93,690.00 6,853,806.00 1,113,550.00 362,811,205.00 3,666,970.00 421,515,218.00 614,380.00 5,819.00 4,850.00 202,065.00 20,769,330.00 147,580,818.00 17,743,740.00 651,573,140.00 10,760,700.00 11,799,170.00 107,425,500.00 107,120.00 1,019,653,860.00 1,144,490.00 3,249,980.00 102,280,530.00 94,358.00 635,180.00 28,516,150.00

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

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

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

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

15.500 0.83 11.00 2.080 0.850 50.800 2.33 4.83 6.08 0.610 0.82 0.920 0.237 0.450 9.750 24.5 0.470 0.125 1.88 1.40 6.1 0.340 1.8600 0.4600 0.400 49.00 2.13

7,689,400 11,874,000 43,700 876,000 15,096,000 52,756,970 1,610,000 3,244,000 309,400 148,353,000 2,134,000 336,000 10,529,000 25,300,000 2,232,600 2,554,300 13,870,000 960,000 464,323,000 19,103,000 94,574,100 147,480,000 31,630,000 1,190,000 3,730,000 200 4,609,000

120,832,020.00 9,791,730.00 478,552.00 1,764,420.00 12,894,020.00 2,685,876,604.50 3,734,920.00 15,557,060.00 1,882,856.00 87,522,280.00 1,718,300.00 306,290.00 2,663,910.00 11,659,700.00 21,773,839.50 64,350,905.00 6,540,900.00 120,000.00 866,059,350.00 25,612,410.00 571,457,754.00 49,888,050.00 58,945,700.00 554,850.00 1,510,650.00 9,800.00 9,743,220.00

STOCKS

JUNE 17-21, 2019 Close Volume

Value

59 141.30 80.50 2.31 1.24 28.7

30,150 10,972,820 8,508,560 373,000 158,000 1,445,500

1,775,843.50 1,529,232,253.00 685,258,034.00 860,040.00 197,300.00 39,722,725.00

18.68 11.66 5.03 7.71 1.36 785.00 0.520 74.6 0.99 13.2 21.15 49.00 57.65 112 188 28.3 170 1755.00 64.05 1.12

224,500 1,677,100 3,598,000 10,300 213,000 40 2,089,000 25,109,280 1,317,000 166,600 100 3,944,630 5,760 450 3,360 710,300 3,845,610 15 287,960 78,000

4,187,456.00 19,574,232.00 17,684,330.00 79,413.00 290,590.00 31,165.00 1,063,150.00 1,843,411,293.50 1,281,930.00 2,199,738.00 2,115.00 203,795,728.50 331,737.00 50,400.00 622,591.00 20,011,870.00 638,446,346.00 26,775.00 17,089,715.00 87,360.00

35 14.38 0.76 1.38 0.275 96 14.94 2.92 15.5 110.5 22.3 74.9 63.1 41.5 2.1 5.25 5.64 10.400 16 10.56 7.57 1.71 25 78.6 56.00 2.4200 13.76 10.22 1.670 288.00

6,089,900 3,379,800 7,629,000 1,220,000 19,170,000 150 2,400 110,640,000 2,534,900 710 523,900 2,720 10 12,900 1,701,000 113,000 297,300 19,243,700 1,361,600 3,753,000 8,224,000 55,000 14,964,700 371,920 1,377,410 25,664,000 2,902,100 1,565,200 819,000 3,426,350

213,142,455.00 48,548,394.00 5,691,550.00 1,695,690.00 5,389,650.00 13,578.00 35,860.00 306,607,510.00 38,018,554.00 79,550.00 12,373,775.00 195,174.00 631.00 557,240.00 3,514,750.00 601,450.00 1,667,297.00 199,952,032.00 21,778,108.00 38,940,192.00 62,102,575.00 92,620.00 372,347,815.00 28,760,808.00 72,929,886.00 61,681,530.00 40,030,410.00 15,729,820.00 1,366,150.00 970,331,406.00

3.49 9.20 25 14.3 19.76 0.186 380.00 5.95 1.4 4.54 5.92 9.05 2.58 12.20 38 5.1 4.85 1.43 1.97 1.19 14.22 113.5 6.5 0.123 1.29 176 2.6 1.26 17.00 1.34

70,000 41,200 5,224,800 6,609,300 6,951,900 1,590,000 1,522,210 40,500 33,148,000 317,000 7,865,300 46,000 144,293,000 7,214,400 3,978,800 153,200 9,000 3,428,000 446,000 1,131,000 2,494,300 1,193,600 457,700 1,060,000 7,034,000 5,502,670 379,000 30,015,000 4,100 34,170,000

243,440.00 383,995.00 126,350,515.00 90,178,070.00 136,944,008.00 296,220.00 580,897,530.00 232,150.00 44,986,490.00 1,409,200.00 46,699,264.00 416,211.00 371,191,590.00 86,589,080.00 153,570,285.00 757,350.00 44,260.00 4,985,110.00 843,740.00 1,305,050.00 34,686,340.00 126,987,324.00 2,975,110.00 132,480.00 9,146,910.00 953,653,145.00 1,054,950.00 38,530,140.00 69,700.00 45,336,850.00

0.800 54.85 15.12 0.75 6.70 12.38 1.350 1.380 898 3.670

308,450,000 5,631,930 21,872,100 3,481,000 204,700 452,300 22,185,000 2,260,000 3,021,490 42,786,000

237,361,650.00 306,043,469.50 334,073,224.00 2,616,700.00 1,372,116.00 5,586,736.00 29,530,200.00 3,020,740.00 2,716,645,340.00 156,104,720.00

6.77 10.54 4.1 14.02 0.250 961 6.22 66.60 6.37

4,089,700 23,610,900 65,000 568,200 920,000 808,500 19,000 7,480,760 84,400

27,996,743.00 244,620,820.00 268,120.00 7,943,864.00 234,310.00 735,698,590.00 118,163.00 481,573,508.00 530,756.00

0.495 4.31 15.12 0.660 4.77 0.0380 1.280 176.00 2.38 966.00 1.39 0.87 274.000 427.20 0.2400 0.310

1,284,000 1,857,000 9,667,900 99,448,000 163,178,000 23,200,000 17,174,000 2,218,370 9,000 1,266,810 199,000 2,252,000 102,360 320 4,570,000 26,320,000

616,110.00 8,055,130.00 147,269,170.00 73,388,280.00 772,242,980.00 891,400.00 21,825,210.00 393,151,183.00 21,420.00 1,213,900,650.00 268,540.00 1,924,040.00 27,639,928.00 137,694.00 1,079,210.00 8,037,900.00

16.020 0.80 11.00 2.010 0.880 50.750 2.32 4.85 6.12 0.590 0.82 0.970 0.240 0.445 9.940 26.45 0.475 0.125 1.72 1.33 6.07 0.315 1.8500 0.4650 0.420 46.00 2.12

2,598,500 5,761,000 24,900 637,000 25,642,000 46,884,620 2,021,000 3,766,000 90,500 97,351,000 4,212,000 5,240,000 10,840,000 35,150,000 855,300 3,095,100 5,750,000 390,000 155,293,000 15,652,000 85,029,500 59,920,000 20,085,000 410,000 1,910,000 600 14,369,000

40,979,728.00 4,565,440.00 273,900.00 1,301,570.00 21,978,750.00 2,372,471,306.50 4,709,960.00 18,466,930.00 557,771.00 56,773,340.00 3,667,010.00 4,729,070.00 2,562,460.00 16,140,450.00 8,485,681.00 79,825,655.00 2,724,800.00 48,750.00 265,920,800.00 20,523,440.00 509,695,482.00 19,185,700.00 27,152,280.00 188,650.00 800,550.00 27,180.00 30,742,260.00

STOCKS

JUNE 24-28, 2019 Close Volume

JUNE 17-21, 2019 Close Volume

Value

Value

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

26.35 2.23 2.95 37.10 1.95 6.4 0.760 7.130

8,299,300 2,632,000 830,000 68,847,100 6,933,000 1,194,000 360,000 19,956,800

218,288,475.00 5,675,960.00 2,467,130.00 2,606,352,915.00 13,380,630.00 7,831,401.00 269,540.00 141,897,013.00

26.80 2.16 2.98 38.30 1.88 6.29 0.740 7.020

9,901,200 1,045,000 4,492,000 60,489,200 3,384,000 666,100 428,000 30,308,100

256,511,865.00 2,246,910.00 13,391,440.00 2,320,075,750.00 6,589,390.00 4,097,131.00 322,740.00 542,849,664.00

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

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

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

Pacific Online Sys. Corp.

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

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

SSI Group STI Holdings Transpacific Broadcast Travellers Waterfront Phils.

Wilcon Depot

11.16 17.18 1.39 0.500 0.045 21.3 2.78 11.30 0.0560 91 6.98 8.39 5.90 2.18 10.10 890 2262 5.38 407.80 2.21 146.4 1.92 10.1 6.00 0.116 6.9200 3.2 14.28 4.12 0.83 19.08 15.48 0.520 3.24 2.53 1.58 1.55 2.530 3.1 9.18 2.92 5.40 9 136.00 3.65 1290.00 0.830 0.800 44.95 74.00 9.20 3.45 0.740 0.39 5.48 0.750 16.800

72,200 490,400 122,000 16,540,000 31,700,000 27,500 4,542,000 21,664,400 203,070,000 810,460 21,500 26,539,600 15,200 1,000 376,400 20,000 332,345 534,600 12,040 8,390,000 6,582,760 81,000 12,900 2,200 4,250,000 47,867,900 450,000 6,100 2,974,000 880,000 4,629,500 700 2,036,000 181,000 16,441,000 597,000 120,000 13,125,000 433,000 95,400 27,000 1,823,900 4,700 180,120 14,759,000 463,290 80,263,000 12,020,000 2,724,000 6,283,440 228,900 66,064,000 33,159,000 59,100,000 20,780,400 36,230,000 10,717,500

810,034.00 8,404,240.00 167,800.00 7,972,600.00 1,400,300.00 572,735.00 12,671,400.00 244,269,986.00 11,229,110.00 73,566,559.50 151,063.00 221,905,760.00 94,705.00 2,180.00 3,860,792.00 17,800,000.00 746,118,010.00 2,877,453.00 4,893,096.00 18,675,690.00 953,384,528.00 149,860.00 130,330.00 13,200.00 496,770.00 332,062,767.00 1,415,720.00 88,830.00 12,374,490.00 713,910.00 89,726,506.00 10,738.00 1,077,180.00 572,770.00 42,802,200.00 1,002,100.00 194,580.00 33,566,770.00 1,331,390.00 883,363.00 80,450.00 9,899,301.00 43,060.00 24,840,235.00 52,342,120.00 599,752,310.00 66,463,740.00 9,480,560.00 373,856,000.00 476,277,209.50 2,127,561.00 235,633,520.00 24,767,840.00 23,128,850.00 110,924,678.00 28,134,720.00 293,812,908.00

11.22 17.26 1.41 0.485 0.044 20.65 2.76 11.30 0.0560 90.2 7.2 8.08 5.80 2.17 10.22 890 2230 5.39 412.20 2.30 144.3 1.79 10.1 6.00 0.117 6.9900 3.07 14.02 4.18 0.83 19.44 15.50 0.530 3.15 2.56 1.72 1.63 2.520 3.08 9.35 2.94 4.87 9.49 136.50 3.47 1280.00 0.820 0.800 44.55 75.80 9.40 3.47 0.740 0.385 5.2 0.760 17.400

116,000 583,200 265,000 45,315,000 63,400,000 8,700 4,565,000 12,558,300 208,590,000 887,960 32,600 34,932,000 69,900 18,000 249,800 430 216,350 454,900 5,380 7,976,000 10,479,210 204,000 10,900 12,500 13,040,000 112,924,100 96,000 13,100 3,937,000 1,152,000 5,553,000 600 4,057,000 365,000 24,947,000 345,000 217,000 8,884,000 622,000 159,000 6,000 85,500 40,400 34,150 15,410,000 1,204,295 70,382,000 22,658,000 5,544,400 5,138,350 2,395,800 31,870,000 26,343,000 66,360,000 12,682,400 18,546,000 10,368,600

1,267,540.00 10,021,552.00 370,190.00 21,725,065.00 2,734,700.00 181,435.00 12,465,090.00 144,150,218.00 11,958,960.00 78,328,988.50 229,405.00 272,631,438.00 429,628.00 38,910.00 2,542,920.00 382,700.00 478,762,730.00 2,437,184.00 2,195,580.00 18,331,400.00 1,519,036,586.00 359,830.00 110,014.00 73,175.00 1,540,810.00 776,166,414.00 287,380.00 193,226.00 16,468,430.00 938,480.00 106,577,710.00 9,150.00 2,182,130.00 1,167,430.00 62,369,720.00 567,970.00 346,680.00 21,709,480.00 1,913,690.00 1,452,492.00 17,820.00 423,162.00 331,698.00 4,484,785.00 56,037,400.00 1,480,309,045.00 57,238,220.00 18,470,240.00 248,906,260.00 392,647,566.00 21,827,777.00 110,431,200.00 19,403,350.00 26,004,600.00 64,879,227.00 14,010,220.00 174,974,132.00

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

United Paragon

0.0019 1.24 2.79 12.60 1.2000 1.3300 2.82 0.290 7.87 1.500 0.227 0.120 0.129 0.008 0.0080 1.04 2.25 1.02 0.5500 0.8800 0.0110 0.0120 3.60 7.66 0.0110 4.7000 23.15 0.0065

410,000,000 21,682,000 519,000 7,400 54,000 13,000 1,730,000 2,867,000 115,700 25,400,000 3,080,000 33,780,000 3,970,000 49,000,000 10,000,000 867,000 15,714,000 203,000 257,000 1,151,000 97,400,000 42,200,000 8,881,000 4,583,300 44,100,000 3,105,000 11,589,300 75,000,000

746,100.00 27,252,720.00 1,399,210.00 91,320.00 64,030.00 15,060.00 4,870,600.00 1,047,750.00 893,673.00 37,752,680.00 681,750.00 4,008,000.00 487,910.00 377,000.00 79,700.00 892,630.00 35,202,660.00 204,070.00 140,330.00 1,007,550.00 1,167,400.00 490,800.00 32,567,240.00 35,632,072.00 459,000.00 14,366,680.00 262,708,620.00 501,000.00

0.0018 1.30 2.80 12.38 1.1800 1.1400 2.85 0.280 7.50 1.480 0.229 0.115 0.125 0.008 0.0076 1.04 2.1 1 0.5600 0.8700 0.0110 0.0110 3.43 8.18 0.0110 4.2800 21.80 0.0068

2,655,000,000 23,129,000 869,000 13,200 258,000 30,000 8,349,000 1,990,000 96,100 48,808,000 2,480,000 18,280,000 580,000 30,000,000 124,000,000 1,756,000 27,619,000 160,000 609,000 989,000 17,900,000 26,800,000 8,391,000 10,874,000 107,200,000 1,502,000 7,532,200 14,000,000

4,831,700.00 29,227,090.00 2,348,730.00 161,530.00 307,580.00 34,350.00 23,136,090.00 563,500.00 721,567.00 71,936,120.00 550,210.00 2,040,070.00 69,480.00 228,100.00 929,100.00 1,845,670.00 58,755,970.00 154,870.00 334,050.00 850,530.00 196,900.00 294,800.00 27,674,380.00 86,486,581.00 1,109,700.00 6,344,470.00 164,821,445.00 90,700.00

PREFERRED ABS-CBN Holdings Corp.

Alco Preferred B Alco Preferred C Ayala Corp. Pref `B1’ Ayala Corp. Pref ‘B2’ DD PREF First Gen G FPH Pref C GLOBE PREF P GMA Holdings Inc. GTCAP PREF A GTCAP PREF B House Preferred Leisure and Resort MWIDE PREF PCOR-Preferred 2A PCOR-Preferred 2B PCOR-Preferred 3A PCOR-Preferred 3B PF Pref 2 PNX PREF 3A SMC Preferred 1 SMC Preferred A SMC Preferred B SMC Preferred C SMC Preferred D SMC Preferred E SMC Preferred F SMC Preferred G SMC Preferred H

16.84 99 100.1 484.6 497 99.95 105.1 450 480 5.49 900 900 96.85 0.98 102.5 998 15 1000 1008 0 103.1 960 75 76 72 73 73.7 73.5 73.7 73

153,800 90 27,750 830 6,270 1,140 1,900 360 6,180 32,691,200 5,590 3,400 8,280 175,000 28,100 1,510 15,000 13,305 2,100 2,500 1,710 158,420 3,890 36,110 1,166,100 703,300 1,017,000 2,320 836,540 909,890

2,598,642.00 8,910.00 5,252,575.00 398,296.00 3,077,980.00 113,878.50 205,875.00 158,292.00 3,062,550.00 225,134,916.00 5,031,000.00 3,165,510.00 781,931.00 173,200.00 2,814,109.00 1,506,995.00 1,097,800.00 13,338,090.00 2,116,540.00 2,028,245.00 1,624,393.00 152,553,565.00 291,239.50 2,740,633.50 84,207,395.50 51,342,920.00 75,766,483.00 170,305.00 61,575,283.00 66,409,924.50

17 99

2,359,800 31,170

40,129,472.00 3,085,905.00

480 499 100 109.9 439.6 478 5.49 900 902 96.85 1 100.5 998

27,010 4,630 68,420 115,390 7,260 22,150 18,200 1,060 590 1,670 360,000 6,200 540

12,586,896.00 2,250,630.00 6,689,648.50 12,500,908.00 3,134,480.00 10,678,820.00 98,749.00 954,420.00 536,550.00 159,641.00 357,600.00 623,132.00 536,335.00

99.8

3,000

302,695.00

75 75.85 73.85 72 74 72.8 73

2,290 147,210 29,520 7,500 18,900 65,100 33,870

172,942.00 11,195,287.00 2,171,602.50 551,700.00 1,396,582.00 4,762,360.00 2,466,403.00

WARRANTS & BONDS LR Warrant Makati Fin. Corp.

Italpinas Xurpas

1.940 2.48 4.86 1.16

918,000 3,000 1,348,000 47,579,000

1,766,800.00 7,400.00 6,616,070.00 52,835,820.00

1.970 2.4 4.96 1.09

779,000 12,000 2,021,000 63,857,000

1,536,010.00 28,610.00 10,005,192.00 69,110,510.00

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS First Metro ETF 119.6

22,530

2,710,793.00

120.5

21,160

2,526,645.00

DOLLAR DENONIMATED SEC. USD DMPL A1 10.2 USD DMPL A2 10.1 USD TECH B2 0.99

42,970 6,990 399,400

438,293.00 71,199.00 399,399.20

10.2 10.2 1

61,030 18,810 200

622,496.00 191,662.00 200.00

WEEKLY MOST TRADED STOCKS Abacus Cons. `A’ Filinvest Land,Inc. Abra Mining Pacifica `A’ Boulevard Holdings Phinma Energy Century Property MRC Allied Ind. Cemex Holdings Vulcan Ind’l.

VOLUME 498,192,000 464,323,000 410,000,000 257,800,000 203,070,000 164,419,000 148,353,000 147,480,000 140,033,000 136,134,000

STOCKS Banco de Oro Unibank Inc. Ayala Land `B’ SM Prime Holdings Ayala Corp `A’ SM Investments Inc. I.C.T.S.I. Universal Robina Filinvest Land,Inc. First Gen Corp.

Bank of PI

VALUE 2,825,706,381.00 2,685,876,604.50 2,606,352,915.00 1,777,367,460.00 1,019,653,860.00 953,384,528.00 878,725,368.00 866,059,350.00 832,619,990.00 794,679,688.50

SEC okays IPO bids of 3 more hospital units of ACE Group

By Jenniffer B. Austria THE Securities and Exchange Commission has given three more members of the Allied Care Experts (ACE) Medical Group the green light to raise as much as P1 billion each in separate initial public offerings.

The SEC said it approved the planned share sale of Allied Care Experts (ACE) Medical Center Gensan Inc. involving 228,000 shares.

It cleared the public offering of Allied Care Experts (ACE) Dumaguete Doctors Inc. involving 186,000 shares and Allied Care Experts (ACE) Medical Center Bohol Inc. covering 180,000 shares.

Documents filed with the SEC showed that ACE Medical CenterGensan would offer 36,000 common shares in blocks of 10 shares. It will sell the first 600 blocks at P200,000; the next 1,600 blocks at P250,000; the following 800 blocks at P300,000 and the remaining 600 blocks at P400,000.

The company will use the net proceeds from the offering to fund the construction of a a six-story, 200-bed hospital in Barangay Lagao, General Santos City beginning in August. The hospital is envisioned as a Level 2, multidisciplinary specialty medical facility.

ACE Dumaguete Doctors will offer 36,000 common shares in blocks of 10 shares. It will sell the first 2,400 blocks at P250,000; the next 800 blocks at P300,000 and the remaining 400 blocks at P400,000.

ACE Dumaguete Doctors is currently building an eight-story, 100-bed hospital in Cimafranca Subdivision, Daro, Dumaguete City. The hospital as of May 31 is 94.1 percent constructed.

It is scheduled for inauguration before the end of the year.

ACE Medical Center-Bohol, meanwhile, will offer 30,000 common shares to the public in three equal tranches priced at P250,000, P350,000 and P400,000 for every block of 10 shares.

ACE Medical Center-Bohol is constructing an eight-story, 176-bed hospital along 0368 CP Garcia East Avenue, Barangay Mansasa, Tagbiliran City. The hospital as of May 31 is 91.3 percent complete.

Axelum seeks public offering to raise P7.7b AXELUM Resources Corp., an export-oriented manufacturer of premium coconut products, plans to raise as much as P7.7 billion through initial public offering scheduled in October this year.

Axelum said in a statement it filed an application with the Securities and Exchange Commission to sell up to 700 million in primary shares and 430 million in common shares at price of up to P6.81 apiece.

“We hope to raise up to P7.7 billion at a price of up to P6.81 per share. The final offer price shall be determined prior to the scheduled listing of the IPO hopefully in October of this year,” said Axelum chairman Romeo Chan said.

Axelum is a fully integrated maker of high quality coconut products, including coconut water, desiccated coconut, coconut milk powder, coconut milk/cream, reduced fat coconut, sweetened coconut, coconut oil, and other coconut products for domestic and international use and distribution.

The company hired First Metro Investment Corp., the investment banking unit of the Metrobank Group, as issue manager, book-runner and lead underwriter of the IPO. Axelum president Henry Raperoga said the company would use the net proceeds from the primary offer to fund strategic acquisitions, widen domestic and international distribution networks, install new manufacturing facilities for new products, and improve and expand the company’s existing manufacturing facilities.

The company will use a portion of the proceeds to retire the company’s loans, reduce payables, and fund other capital expenditure requirements.

Axelum’s full line of coconut products are used by international food and beverage companies, confectioneries, bakeries, private label supermarkets and grocery store chains, food service industries, coconut coffee creamer manufacturers, cosmetics and diet prepared food market.

Jenniffer B. Austria

Business/World

B3

MONDAY, JULY 1, 2019 CESAR BARRIOQUINTO, Editor mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Trump steps into N. Korea in historic first P

ANMUNJOM―Donald Trump stepped onto North Korean soil Sunday as he met Pyongyang’s leader Kim Jong Un in the Demilitarized Zone dividing the peninsula, in a symbolic diplomatic spectacle and a first for any American president.

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Anger swells against HK police, ‘Asia’s Finest’ HONG KONG―Once dubbed “Asia’s Finest”, Hong Kong’s police are fighting allegations of using excessive violence against protesters, their headquarters besieged twice in the last week as the calls for an independent inquiry into their tactics swell.

Pro-democracy lawmaker Wu Chiwai was aghast as thick clouds of tear gas drifted through Hong Kong’s streets and rubber bullets slammed into the ranks of protesters.

The international finance hub witnessed the worst political violence in a generation as police fought largely young demonstrators opposed to a now postponed plan to allow extraditions to the Chinese mainland.

The tear gas was initially deployed against small but hardcore groups of protesters―some throwing projectiles and using metal barriers as battering rams―who were trying to occupy the city’s parliament on June 12.

But the police response morphed into a sweeping clearance operation as officers turned their weapons on larger, mostly peaceful crowds of demonstrators who had occupied nearby roads.

Wu found himself in between police and demonstrator lines as a tear gas canister exploded behind him.

In scenes caught on video that went viral, Wu calmly walked towards the police, his hands raised, asking to speak to the commanding officer.

“I believe I posed no threat to the police and I wanted to be a mediator,” he recalled to AFP. “I hoped the police would allow the protesters to leave safely and peacefully.”

But his pleas fell on deaf ears. Police fired a round of tear gas close to his feet and he was forced to retreat.

That video was just one of many from that day that have deeply polarized the attitudes toward Hong Kong’s police, who will come under scrutiny again on

Monday when the city hosts another protest, with organizers expecting a huge turnout.

The force did not respond to requests for comment or to interview front line officers.

But police chief Stephen Lo has called the 12 June protest a riot with officers facing “life-threatening acts” and having “no choice but to escalate the use of force”.

The city’s pro-Beijing leader Carrie Lam―who has not been seen in public for over a week―has similarly thrown her weight behind the officers, praising them in a Thursday statement for their “distinguished professionalism and restraint.”

Supporters of the police are also planning to rally on Sunday.

Yet public anger towards the force —especially among younger Hong Kongers—shows little sign of abating.

AFP

After shaking hands with Kim over the line that marks where their two countries and their allies fought each other to a standstill in the 1950-53 Korean War, Trump walked for several steps into North Korean territory, before another handshake.

The two men then walked into Seoul’s territory together―pausing on the line for photographers―where they were joined by South Korean President Moon Jae-in.

“It’s a great day for the world and it’s an honor for me to be here,” Trump said. “A lot of great things are happening.”

The impromptu meeting in the DMZ―which came after Trump issued an invitation on Twitter on Saturday― comes with the negotiations between Pyongyang and Washington over the North’s nuclear arsenal at a deadlock.

The two would “just shake hands quickly and say hello because we haven’t seen each other since Vietnam,” Trump said earlier.

Their first summit took place in a blaze of publicity in Singapore last year but produced a vaguely-worded pledge about denuclearization, and a second meeting in Vietnam in February intended to put flesh on those bones broke up without agreement.

Contact between the two sides has since been minimal-with Pyongyang issuing frequent criticisms of the US position―but the two leaders have exchanged a series of letters and Trump turned to Twitter on Saturday to issue his offer.

IN BRIEF

Japan, resuming commercial whaling, invites controversy TOKYO―Japanese fishermen set sail on Monday to hunt whales commercially for the first time in more than three decades after Tokyo’s controversial withdrawal from the International Whaling Commission triggered outrage from environmental groups.

The planned hunts, while small and far from internationally protected waters, have also sparked anger in countries where whaling is considered outdated and harmful.

But in Japan, whaling communities hailed the return of the practice, with Tokyo defending it as a tradition that should not be subject to outside interference.

For years, the issue of whaling was a diplomatic headache for Japan, which came under attack for exploiting an IWC loophole to hunt whales for “scientific” purposes.

Critics accused Japan of effectively carrying out stealth whaling, saying the hunts had no scientific value, while Tokyo continued to push for permission to

resume commercial whaling outright.

But last year it announced it would simply withdraw from the IWC and no longer comply with its decades-old ban on commercial killing of the ocean giants.

The decision comes into effect from July 1, when a flotilla of ships that once carried out whaling for “scientific research” will set sail from the Shimonoseki port in western Japan.

Elsewhere, five small whaling boats from across the country will gather in Kushiro port in northern Japan and start hunting minkes for about a week in a symbolic event celebrating the resumption of the practice.

“We are very excited at the resumption of commercial whaling,” Yoshifumi Kai, head of the Japan Small-Type Whaling Association, told AFP ahead of the departure.

“My heart is full of hope,” added Kai, who belongs to a fisheries cooperative in Taiji in Wakayama prefecture, an area known for both whale and dolphin hunting. AFP

Centenarians aim for 120

GROUP SHOW. ChristyBomb attends Corey Helford Gallery And Sanrio Host Hello Kitty’s 45th Anniversary Group Show Opening Reception at Corey Helford Gallery on June 29, 2019, in Culver City, California. AFP

The spirit of volunteerism IAN BENEDICT MIA

Green LiGht LAST May 2019, I joined a one-month volunteer work as a class assistant and documenter in the annual training of the Mindanao Peace-building Institute (MPI). It consisted of classroom-based and field-based courses—the ones I was assigned to include fundamentals of peace-building, monitoring and evaluation for peace-building practitioners, and indigenous peoples’ culturebased conflict resolution practices and their potential contributions to mainstream peace-building in the Philippines. As depicted by the titles given to the courses, the organization provides training to peace-builders around the world who work in various contexts of peace and conflict.

Though it was not directly related to my current field in social entrepreneurship, I simply came to the training to offer my skills in documentation. I was even asked briefly during the training, “So what are you doing here?” To which I replied, “Exploring.”

That question and answer stuck to my

mind along the way; I think it somehow represents my current journey as a young professional. For one, social entrepreneurship is still a developing field and has many nuances in the mainstream debate. I, on the other hand, would naturally try to explore something further to better understand it—even though I end up in something that seems unrelated at first sight.

Simply put, much like how social entrepreneurship is still evolving and understanding itself, I would say I am in the same situation. I want to immerse myself into different things to understand the field better (while, of course, trying to earn a decent income on the side). These are exciting times for social entrepreneurship, me, and all others who pour their hearts out into this field.

In this process of exploration and discovery, I find that volunteerism has been very helpful to my journey.

Apart from my previous volunteer work with MPI, I also work as a parttime volunteer in another non-profit organization. Through these various forms of volunteer work, I’m able to expose myself beyond my regular job.

If I had a main advice to young professionals like me, it’s to keep exploring and rediscovering themselves until

“If Chairman Kim of North Korea sees this, I would meet him at the Border/DMZ just to shake his hand and say Hello(?)!,” he wrote from from Osaka in Japan, where he was attending a G20 summit before flying to Seoul.

In an unusually fast and public response, within hours of Trump’s tweet the North’s official KCNA news agency quoted Vice Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui as saying the offer was “a very interesting suggestion.”

Trump’s entry onto North Korean soil is a dramatic re-enactment of the extraordinary scene last year when the young leader invited South Korean President Moon Jae-in to walk over the Military Demarcation Line that divides the Koreas.

Moon―who seized on last year’s Winter Olympics to broker the process between Pyongyang and Washington, after tensions soared in 2017 amid missile and nuclear tests and mutual insults―will be going to the DMZ with Trump.

“The leaders of the US and the North will have a handshake for peace at Panmunjom, the symbol of division, for the first time,” Moon said, referring to the “truce village” in the DMZ. But analysts were divided over the headline-grabbing meeting’s potential impact on the underlying issues.

The four-kilometer-wide DMZ, running for 250 kilometers, is where the front line lay when the Korean War ended with a ceasefire rather than a peace treaty, and is described as the world’s last Cold War frontier. AFP

they find that ‘sweet spot.’ It’s not a smooth process—in fact, I often find myself laying in bed at night overthinking what my next steps would be. My next main advice is to just relax and take a breather, because many other people are experiencing the same things. It is, indeed, a shared experience that we should not rush or pressure ourselves into.

Volunteerism sounds like a very noble term. We start to imagine an individual working for philanthropic causes, or an individual putting themselves in unfamiliar situations to help others in need.

If you look at the technical definition, it basically means “the act or practice of doing volunteer work in community service.” These are all true.

But I’ve come to realize that volunteerism is also about the self. We help others in need because it makes us happy, it gives us purpose, and at times it provides a transcendental feeling. It reminds me of what many people ascribe with today—self-care and selflove. Like what I learned in the annual training of MPI, we need to have inner peace and love first before we can start helping others with the best version of ourselves.

It also helps to reflect that volun-

teerism is not always about setting very high obligatory standards on ourselves.

When imposing obligatory standards, volunteerism starts to feel something technical—it starts to feel like a bullet point on a to-do list. This is why I started looking at volunteerism as something that simply gives me joy.

The next time that young professionals out there like me engage in volunteer work, try not to treat it as a form of obligation. When treated with joy, volunteerism starts to feel like a constant stream of psychological flow.

Ian Benedict Mia is a research and technical assistant in the Center for Business Research and Development (CBRD) of De La Salle University, and is a junior fellow of the CBRDSocial Enterprise Research Network.

He is engaged in several volunteer works, one of which is with Alexa Mira Society Inc. He believes that social entrepreneurship and sustainability can be catalysts for positive systemic change in the world. You may contact him at ianbrmia@gmail. com. The views expressed above are the author’s and do not necessarily reflect the official position of DLSU, its faculty, and its administrators.

HAVANA―Looking into a mirror, Delia Barrios applies blush and lipstick―she wants to look her best for her 102nd birthday celebration, when she will be surrounded by loved ones.

Barrios is one of the more than 2,000 people in impoverished Cuba who are 100 years or old―a reality that has piqued the interest of experts, and led some to aim for even longer lives.

“I don’t feel like I’m this old. I have a family... that loves me a lot. That helps me to feel good,” said Barrios.

She deftly maneuvers her motorized wheelchair with her seven-year-old great-greatgranddaughter Patricia on her lap.

Only two candles were placed on her birthday cake, which Barrios blew out to the applause of around 30 guests gathered in the courtyard of a building in Havana’s Playa neighborhood.

When she was in her 60s, Barrios was diagnosed with colon cancer and told she had only a year to live.

She defied the odds and then left Cuba in 1993, when the island nation was in the throes of a major economic crisis, for the United States, where her son lives.

But two decades later, Barrios suffered several falls and her doctor said she could no longer live alone.

Barrios-who says she “danced a lot” when she was younger, smoked and drank on occasion-came home and moved in with her granddaughter Yumi, who is now 59. AFP

Thousands march over pollution MADRID―Thousands marched through Madrid on Saturday to ask the Spanish capital’s new mayor not to ditch the ambitious traffic restrictions in the center only recently set up to improve air quality.

“Madrid Central,” as it is called, was one of the measures that persuaded the European Commission not to take Spain to court last year over its bad air pollution in the capital and Barcelona, like it did with France, Germany and the United Kingdom.

“Fewer cars, better air”, or “the new city hall seriously harms your health”, banners read as protesters walked through the center in 40-degree-Celsius heat as a major heatwave hits Europe.

The capital’s new conservative mayor Jose Luis Martinez-Almeida made ditching “Madrid Central” a priority during his campaign, saying it had done nothing to ease pollution and only caused a nuisance for locals.

But since he has taken power as part of a coalition with center-right party Ciudadanos, the city hall has toned this down, saying it is merely seeking to reform a system that does not work properly, mistakingly handing out some fines.

When the system was launched in November, Madrid followed in the steps of other European cities such as London, Stockholm or Milan that have restricted traffic in their centers. AFP

LGUs

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

B4

MONDAY, JULY 1, 2019

LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS

Mindoro 9.7Mw energy project OKd E

NERGY Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi approved the issuance of a Certificate of Energy Project of National Significance (CEPNS) last June 21 to Mindoro Harvest Energy Corp. to expedite the construction and completion of the company’s 9.7 megawatt bunker C power project, intended to prevent power shortages and alleviate crippling brownouts in Southern Mindoro.

The Department of Energy certification would enable various government agencies to hasten the licensepermit process for the urgently needed project that would serve eight growing, electricity-starved municipalities in Southern Mindoro.

CEPNS is issued in accordance with President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s Executive Order 30 of 2017 to enable the expeditious, rapid building and completion of vital infrastructure projects.

The certification must be issued within 30 days after submission by applicants to any government agency, according to the President’s EO 30 and the DOE’s implementing guidelines.

Cristina Young, president of Power One Corp., the project proponent, thanked Cusi for his swift response in releasing the CEPNS for the Mindoro Harvest Energy satellite plant, after the Energy secretary learned that the power project had been stuck for four months at the DOE’s Power Bureau.

Joy Najito, Mindoro Harvest Energy project liaison and licensing officer, said Cusi’s action resolved the impasse over the allowed installed capacity for the new power project that the DOE Power Bureau wanted to limit to 3 megawatts “and not allow the reserve and standby engines that are needed to assure the power plant’s reliability, and for which we are not charging extra capacity fees.”

“Mindoro Harvest will be paid only for energy delivered actually and used by the local cooperative under its current power supply agreement,” Najito added.

Because of the delay, the local electric cooperative Ormeco will have to continue buying the expected approximate 1.5 million kilowatt hours a month output of the Mindoro Harvest Energy plant if it operated as originally planned.

NEW TERMS. Several local government executives took their oaths of office last week as they were elected to fresh terms. Pictured in this collage are Parañaque Mayor Edwin Olivarez,

Las Piñas Mayor Imelda Aguilar, Mandaluyong Mayor Menchie Abalos, Pagsanjan Vice Mayor Girlie ‘Maita Javier’ Ejercito, Cabuyao Vice Mayor Lief Opiña, and Santa Rosa Vice Mayor Arnel DC Gomez. Norman Cruz, Manny Palmero and Roy Tomandao

NV orders halt to OceanaGold mine operations

By Ben Moses Ebreo KASIBU, Nueva Vizcaya—The provincial government here has ordered OceanaGold Philippines Inc. to stop its mining operations in barangay Didipio here following the expiration of its Financial and Technical Assistance Agreement issued by the Office of the President on June 20.

Governor Carlos Padilla led provincial government personnel in issuing the Cease and Desist Order last week and held a dialogue with the anti-mining villagers and barangay officials in Didipio.

The order considered the claim of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau that OGPI can continue its operations pending the approval of its new FTAA

application as “a mere pronouncement and not a confirmation” allowing the resumption of the firm’s operations.

Padilla’s order also directed the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office, Philippine National Police, Kasibu municipal and Didipio barangay local governments to “enjoin and restrain” any operations of OGPI since its FTAA expiration.

During the forum in Didipio, Padilla urged the villagers to maintain their harmony and unity in their communities despite their different stances on the mining project.

“Because of the mining project, we were divided but please let us maintain peace and harmony in our communities. Let us not allow mining issues to

destroy our culture and unity,” he said.

Padilla urged the villagers to let the provincial government’s legal actions take their due course, as they will issue a cease and desist order against OGPI. The Sangguniang Panlalawigan, in a special session last week also approved a resolution declaring all mining activities in barangay Didipio as illegal and urged Padilla to undertake all necessary and legal actions to protect the interest of the state, especially Novo Vizcayanos.

In a separate resolution, the provincial board also urged municipal officials of Kasibu to cause the cancellation of OGPI’s mayor’s permit in barangay Didipio in the wake of the expiration of its FTAA, which was first issued in 1994.

Palawan turns to goat farming to fight poverty PUERTO PRINCESA CITY—The Provincial Government of Palawan continuously promotes goat raising as an alternative livelihood to rural poor families in the province to improve their income and eventually free them up from the clasp of poverty.

Provincial Planning and Development Coordinator Ninfa B. Rubio said the livelihood enhancement project that primarily promotes goat raising will continue this year after a brief respite due to the election ban.

Under the program, each poor family from the organized Grassroots People’s Organization receives P30,000 from the Gender and Development fund of the provincial government of Palawan.

“The dispersal starts with five female goats and a buck. The remaining money is used for goat shelter and for the member’s dues to their association,” the planning coordinator said.

As of 2019, the Provincial Government was able to organize 250 GPOs province wide. Each GPO has 20 families as average members.

The province’s planning chief added that in 2018 alone, their office awarded livelihood assistance to 400 poor families from the 21 GPOs, mostly in southern Palawan.

They are also distributing hybrid napier grass, as food substitute for goats, to farmer beneficiaries to ensure there will be enough food available for the livestock.

“This 2018-2019, we have obligated funds for 112 GPOs equivalent to 2,174 families amounting to P65

GO-TO DESTINATION. Cynthia C. Norton (right), former Tourism Undersecretary and present chairman and COO of Corregidor

Foundation Inc., with husband Jerry (second from right) welcome Republic of Latvia Honorary Consul General Robert Lim Joseph (left) and Dr. Mina T. Gabor, former Tourism secretary and current President of International School of Substainable Tourism upon their arrival at Corregidor for an inspection tour of its landmarks and to discuss how to make the historic island a major tourism destination. Located at the mouth of Manila Bay, Corregidor offers day and overnight tours.

million-obligated,” said Rubio, also the Provincial GAD Focal Person.

“We’ve conducted an orientation if they wanted goat raising as their livelihood and most of them showed interest.

So, most of our organized GPOs are into goat raising” she said.

An inventory of the rural poor was

conducted before they’ve come up with the goat raising project, which she said has a big market in the Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines (BIMP) – East ASEAN Growth Area.

“The purpose of the inventory of the rural poor is to determine where and who the poor are. After determining

where they are, we organize them into GPOs for our livelihood intervention,” Rubio explained.

To ensure the success of the project, the Provincial Planning and Development Office continuously monitors the progress of the program among beneficiaries.

Bambang opens P65-m sanitary landfill

BAMBANG, Nueva Vizcaya—The local government in this town recently inaugurated its new P65million sanitary landfill in barangay Aliaga here.

Lawyer Antonio Abawag, Department of Environment and Natural Resources Regional Executive Director for Cagayan Valley, represented Secretary Roy Cimatu and led the inauguration of the engineered waste management facility, touted as the first of its kind in the region.

He also extended the praise and appreciation of Cimatu to the LGU of Bambang to address the garbage situation in the municipality.

“Whether we like it or not, garbage will always be with us and its volume will increase correspondingly as the population grows, hence, we need a right place to dispose our garbage in a proper manner without any risk to public health,” Abawag said.

Quoting Cimatu’s message, Abawag also reminded local officials to exert conscious effort to change the culture of insensitivity and indiscretion among the people.

“Conceiving and enforcing ways to keep our surrounding clean will be futile as long as some people and entities remain thoughtless and wanton in the disposal of their wastes,” he added.

Abawag also expressed optimism that municipalities will follow suit in properly managing solid wastes for a clean environment.

He also reported that river and estero cleanups are now regularly conducted by the DENR with the stakeholders.

For his part, Bambang outgoing mayor, lawyer Flaviano Balgos Jr., said waste segregation should start at source for the facility to last.

He also challenged the incoming administration to be forward-looking and always consider the future of the children as he emphasized that the government is serious in the enforcement of environmental laws.

To ensure the protection of public health and environment, the local government units are mandated to be primarily responsible in the implementation and enforcement of Republic Act 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management of 2000 within their respective jurisdictions.

It likewise mandates the LGUs to construct, operate and maintain waste disposal site.

Life

monday, july 1, 2019

C1

@manilastandardlife

Bernadette lunas, Issue Editor

@mStandardlIFE

manilastandardlife@gmail.com

food

Dining

donned in

yukata S

ummer in Japan, which happens in the months of June to August, brings loads of fresh water fish dishes and the perfect opportunity to wear yukata, a summer kimono usually woven with a lighter fabric.

SM Foundation’s 23rd Presentation of Graduates: 270 graduates with 50 garnering latin honor

SM Foundation’s Yolanda scholars vow to uphold Tatang’s Legacy

By MJ Blancaflor and Angelica Villanueva

I Chi ayu (young fish tempura)

T HAS been six years since the super typhoon Yolanda hit the country, particularly Samar and Leyte.

When the strong winds uprooted two coconut trees, crushed it into their house, and left their whole barangay in ruins, he had lost all hope in his heart. Before the storm, he had little. And that fateful morning of November 2013, super typhoon Yolanda had taken away what little he had: his house; his livelihood.

Joshua Peralta, then 14, knew it was

Summa Cum Laude graduates Jhon Angelo Virtucio and Cristopherson Perez give their token of gratitude to the Sy family Mebaru shioyaki (boiled saltwater fish)

These prized catch from the vast seascapes of the Land of rising Sun are delivered fresh to Kitsho’s kitchen to be cooked and served as savory dishes such as mebaru shioyaki (boiled saltwater fish), chi ayu (young fish tempura), mebaru nitsuke (saltwater grilled fish), and ayu (fresh water grilled sweet fish). Price per dish is P1,380, inclusive of VAT. ramen dishes plus chahang and gyozu will be offered with the restaurant’s a la carte buffet, which is priced at P1,356 (lunch) and P1,536 (dinner), inclusive of VAT and service charge Kitsho doesn’t prepare a buffet spread setup, which means everything diners wish to sample and savor will be prepared only when ordered; every dish is served right off the flame.

With July being the height of Japan’s summer season, the Japanese restaurant located in Hotel Jen manila, marks the season with a Yukata Challenge.

Diners who wear a yukata when they dine at Kitsho will get 10 percent discount from their orders, except the a la carte buffet. In addition to discount, yukata wearers who post their snapshots to Facebook or Instagram with the hashtag #IamKitshoKimono get a chance to win a special prize.

The diner who gets the most number of shares will win a gift voucher worth P5,000 from the f&b team. In case of a tie, the aggregate reactions garnered by the contending posts will be the tie breaker. The Yukata Challenge starts today, July 1, and ends on the midnight of July 31.

Kitsho diners donned in yukata get 10 percent discount and a chance to win a special prize.

Joshua Peralta

impossible for him to go to college.

Joshua lives in Alang-alang, a 45-minute drive away from Tacloban City devastated by the super typhoon.

His mother left him when he was in grade two; his father had become a drunkard since then. His aunt in Laguna supported his schooling and to augment this support, Joshua sold coconuts and palay to make ends meet.

But the super typhoon left him with nothing. “Life after Yolanda was so difficult. We didn’t know where to get our food. Our sources of income were gone,” he shares.

But in a strange way, the sun rose anew after the storm; for months later, he qualified in the scholarship program of the SM Foundation.

He queued for hours just to take an examination for the program; then he saw his name for interview; he and the lady interviewer talked for hours; sobbed his heart out but later on thought that it might be his downfall. Crying could be a sign of weakness but he never lost hope.

The same lady went to his barangay to inquire about his family. My neighbors were already rejoicing when I came home from school. But it took a while before I got the call. And when I did, I again cried my heart out, alone this time in front of an altar with my medals and an old torn photo of my family.

RAY OF SUNSHINE The SM Foundation prioritized scholarship applicants from Leyte after it was hit by Yolanda in 2013. From the usual 30 scholars per province, SM supported more than 100 poor but deserving students from Leyte to finish their college education.

And Joshua was among their scholars.

The opportunity enabled Joshua to enjoy free tuition and matriculation fees, monthly allowance, and part time job opportunities during semestral breaks.

These privileges allowed him to graduate with a degree of Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the Eastern Visayas State University.

This year is significant for SM

Foundation because the remaining Yolanda scholars who took five-year college courses such as Engineering and Accountancy have graduated. Those who took double majors have graduated too.

Last year’s batch of 40 who took 4-year courses have graduated and are gainfully employed.

During the annual presentation of scholar graduates at the SMX Convention Center where 270 scholars were presented to the SY family & the Board of Trustees of the Foundation, Jessica Magadan, another SM scholar and a Yolanda survivor, recalled how she and her siblings were wounded by the falling debris during the typhoon.

send you to school.’ I cried,” the soon-tobe-teacher told Manila Standard.

Upon hearing of the scholarship from SM Foundation, she took her chances.

She passed the test and the interview. But her mother was still worried if they could make it.

Denchris Lopez

Jessica Magadan

“The scholarship was really a big help.

Ang problemahin na lang ni Mama eh ‘yung gastos ng younger siblings ko sa senior high school and nursery,” said Jessica, who is the third of five children.

She finished Bachelor of Science in Accountancy, cum laude, at St. Paul’s School of Professional Studies in Palo, Leyte.

Meanwhile, for an Education graduate at Leyte Normal University, Anne Kriss Elem, finishing college was beyond her means until the SM Foundation came into her life.

“When I asked my mom on how she going to send me to school, she said, ‘You won’t attend college. We can’t afford to

Anne Kriss Elem

Years later, she graduated with a double major & a Proficiency award from LNU. And now, she is more than ready to face the upcoming challenges in her life.

While for Denchris Lopez, who also finished a degree in Accountancy at St. Paul’s, becoming a scholar meant a new life for her and her family.

These graduates regret they didn’t get to meet the man behind their success— their “Tatang”. The late Sy patriarch died earlier this year. He was 94. “I know he is in good hands right now.” But they met the children of “Tatang”, infact, they had photos taken with Hans and Harley Sy. HELPING THEM TO STAND AGAIN SM Foundation knows that aside from education, Yolanda victims also needed support in terms of relief, health and livelihood.

Recall that the Foundation was among the first responders…coming from SM Cebu, truckloads of relief goods rolled over to Tacloban via Ormoc. Along the way, the trucks had to stop to give relief goods in interior towns, devastated as well.

By this time, relief goods from Manila were loaded in AFP C-130 planes and flown in to the Tacloban airport.

Meanwhile, the Health & Medical Group of Connie Angeles set up a Command Center at the Villamor airbase to meet with survivors who would take the C-130 planes back to Manila upon unloading the relief goods.

The Command Center served hot food & water, provided clothing to the survivors plus a first-aid center for those needing medical assistance. Military doctors had set up trauma desks for those needing help; some were given transportation assistance to relatives and friends.

Soon the Center grew and more civic organizations had set up their own assistance Center.

TACLOBAN CITY HOSPITAL Among the devastated establishments were schools and hospitals of Tacloban.

SM Foundation extended its help by providing healthcare: SM’s medical missions were dispatched to provide treatment, medications, and laboratory tests for the Yolanda survivors. Two mobile clinics were dispatched to Tolosa, Tanauan, Palo, Alang-Alang, Tunga, Carigara & Barugo, all interior towns of Leyte.

Months after the typhoon, the SM Foundation also spent millions to rebuild the Tacloban City Hospital.

“It was devastated. Wala silang natirang equipment. Walang bed, wala lahat,” said Connie Angeles, senior assistant vice president of the SM Foundation. “We also rebuilt the Tabon-Tabon Health center,” Angeles added.

Moreover, school buildings were also built in the different parts of Samar and Leyte.

The Felicidad T Sy Foundation was also doing its share in rebuilding. The Multi-purpose hall (the gym) of the Palo Seminary was rebuilt; churches in Tacloban, Sta. Fe and Barugo were given aid for church rebuilding while youths chosen by Catholic priests were sent to Don Bosco for tech-voc schooling.

Furthermore, the farmers of Tacloban were taught alternative means of livelihood like planting high-yielding vegetables which could provide food for them and later on sell their produce to suppliers of Savemore in Tacloban.

The help will never stop coming; scholars are being recruited yearly, graduates are offered jobs, medical missions are conducted regularly, KSK(Farmers” Training program) move around Samar & Leyte, the latest of which is in Biliran; schoolbuildings are being built (latest finished is in Ormoc and another ongoing project in Hernani, Samar) With or without a devastating typhoon, SM Foundation will continue Tatang’ legacy!!!

Life

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monday, ju juLy 1, 2019 manilastandardlife@gmail.com

New World Manila Bay hosts Ting Hun tradition

The Ballroom boasts class and grandeur, featuring minimalist yet modern chandeliers, high ceilings, and an expnasive space that can sit up to 400 guests.

A

CelebrAtIon known as ting hun or Chinese engagement is often held to gather family and friends as couples announce their marriage.

new World Manila bay hotel plays host in celebration of this timeless tradition as it offers culinary excellence, impressive guest services, and innovative concepts as couples begin their journey to happily ever after. the hotel houses well-designed and functional venue spaces perfect for weddings and pre-wedding customs. the ballroom, standing at the core of the hotel banquet facilities, boasts class and grandeur featuring minimalist yet modern chandeliers, high ceilings, and an expansive space that can sit up to 400 guests. the le Salon, accentuated by its Swarovski chandeliers and large mirrored panels, is an ideal space for a more intimate yet sophisticated gatherings. both event spaces are complemented with elegant table accessories, and are equipped with wired and wireless highspeed Internet access. the Chinese engagement package

comes with customizable authentic Cantonese lauriat menus specially curated by the hotel’s Chinese master chef, ceremony rites including misua, sweet soup, and tea for 12 persons, a round of standard non-alcoholic beverages, a bottle of champagne for toasting, a two-piece engagement cake to symbolize family reunion, elegant table centerpieces for the guest tables and use of the sound system with microphones.

Couples may also keep the memories of their celebration as the package comes with complimentary access in selected areas of the hotel for their photo shoot sessions. Additionally, itincludes an overnight stay in a Premier bay View Suite with buffet breakfast for two persons at the Market Café and exclusive access to the residence Club.

Call (02) 252-6888 or visit www.manilabay.newworldhotels.com for inquiries and reservations.

New World Manila Bay Hotel offers Ting Hun or Chinese engagement package, which comes with a two-piece engagement cake, Cantonese Lauriat menus, and ceremony rites, among others.

BITES Take me to ‘Caulifornia’ SaladStop!’s Caulifornia Dreamin’ wrap and salad

A heArty ingredient that has risen through the ranks of other popular nutrition-packed vegetables, cauliflower makes a special appearance in SaladStop!’s menu. the salad fast food chain joins the cauliflower movement and launches its newest seasonal menu item, aptly called Caulifornia Dreamin’. this limited offering, available in wrap and salad variants, is perfect for both vegetarians and the health conscious, Caulifornia Dreamin’ is made with romaine lettuce, red and white cabbage, broccoli, cherry tomatoes, roasted mushroom, avocado, carrots, roasted peanuts, and a cheesy cauliflower patty. the star ingredient, a handmade patty, is a unique topping that can only be enjoyed with the Caulifornia Dreamin’ salad or wrap.

It is drizzled with a tangy lemongrass turmeric dressing—another super ingredient—which complements the savory flavor of the cauliflower patty. the peanut and carrot toppings provide a crunch to the dish, balancing out the soft and creamy texture of the avocado.

The wrap is available for P375, while the salad is available for P365. Both variants of Caulifornia Dreamin’ is now available at all SaladStop! branches, except Ayala Tower 1.

Homegrown casual dining chain Kuya J treats birthday celebrants to a month-long free meals when they dine with at least four paying guests.

Birthday lasts a month at Kuya J FIlIPIno casual dining chain Kuya J extends birthdays to a month-long celebration with its special promotion.

Diners get a free meal every day during their birth month when they bring at least four paying guests and a valid government-issued ID with a picture and birth date printed. the discount will be calculated by dividing the total bill by the number of guests. For example, the total bill is P1,000 and the total number of guests is five: P1,000 divided by five guests is P200. So the group will get P200 off from their total bill.

Go to www.kuyaj.ph or its social me- Birthday celebrants eat for free during their dia accounts for more information. birth month at Kuya J.

SIP

Coconut water delivered to your doorstep IF there is a better alternative to good ‘ol plain water, that would be coconut water.

Studies show the potassium-, calcium-, and magnesium-rich coconut water can help reduce stress and fatigue as well as ensure organs function well. Some research has also popped up about the possible anti-cancer properties that cytokinins (which can be found in coconut water) might have.

Coconut water is known to boost metabolism and ease digestion. It also reduces the risk of heart diseases and aids in treating high blood pressure when introduced to a person’s diet. on top of it all, it has been shown to lower cholesterol and aid in weight loss.

It’s also a better sports drink option for it has no added sugar and is 100 percent pure, fresh, and raw. now, coconut water can be delivered Cocodelivery delivers coconut water anywhere in Metro Manila. conveniently to your doorstep. Cocodelivery will bring coconut water to nila, simply dial #8-2626 (coco). Coco- livering coconut water customizable to home, office, or gym within Metro Ma- delivery also accepts subscriptions, de- the customer’s schedule.

Entertainment

MONDAY, JULY 1, 2019

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Anita Linda, living storyteller of PH cinema

Members of the 501st Legion Philippine Garrison joined the fun at SM Aura Premier as Star Wars fans celebrated May the 4th be with you.

International Star Wars Day at SM Aura Premier

I

N CELEBRATION of the Star Wars worldwide holiday, Disney and Toy Kingdom recently brought together thousands of fans to celebrate “May the 4th be with you” at SM Aura Premier.

A pun on the iconic tagline, “May the 4th be with you” marks the international Star Wars holiday where generations of fans all over the world gather to celebrate and give honor to the iconic tale of Star Wars through exciting and creative activities about the saga.

At SM Aura Premier, fans had the chance to meet and greet their favorite Star Wars characters as members of the 501st Legion Philippine Garrison, Rebel Legion, and Fightsaber Philippines made their respective appearances.

Aspiring little Jedis also had their Jedi training where kids learned how to fight using the lightsaber weapon.

Other exciting activities also included trivia games about Star Wars, cosplay contest, and scavengers hunt game.

Bring on the force with you and check out Star Wars toys available at Toy Kingdom Express outlets in The SM Store, as well as Toy Kingdom stores in most SM Supermalls. For more updates visit www.toykingdom. ph and follow ToyKingdomPH on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

DIGITAL MEDIA AS A one-stop shop mobile application solution for financial services, Moneygment empowers homemakers in managing their finances and securing the future of the ones who take care of their family.

Moneygment’s vision of being the top-of-the-mind app when it comes to government and other compliance payments has become even more relevant with the passage of the Domestic Workers Act or what is commonly known as the ‘Kasambahay’ law, which mandates the payment of our household helpers’ SSS, Pag-IBIG and Philhealth contributions.

In a gathering of moms led

by Moneygment advocate Feliz Lucas, Ma. Jessica Palmiano, CEO of Togetech Inc, the proponent of the app, reiterated the importance of diligently paying for our helpers’ contributions saying that by doing so “we are not only protecting them but shows how much we value them.”

Further, Jessica expressed that “Moneygment shares with the moms the same advocacy of making sure that what we say and do help others in their daily lives. We are socially responsible for each

Moneygment is one-stop shop mobile app solution for financial services.

Monday, July 1, 2019

55 Disquiet 56 Computerize 60 Surround 61 Wildlife shelter 63 It’s above baritone 64 Arab prince 65 Tinge 66 Lethargy 67 Evaluate 68 Attila’s army 69 Cache DOWN 1 Boys 2 Latin I verb 3 Used up 4 Gemstones 5 Highland girl 6 Dress style (hyph.)

7 Execs 8 Cable network 9 Overcharged, slangily 10 Deep pink 11 Banish 12 Gemstones 13 Baddest of the bad 21 Betting factor 23 Lowest ebb 25 Tones down 26 Feathered scarves 27 “No dice!” (hyph.)

28 Prefix for direc-

tional 29 Nail shapers 32 Reclines lazily 34 Covenant 35 — meridiem 36 Noted limerick writer 37 Itches 39 Footwear 44 Grass fungus 47 Sudden, violent twist 49 Chews the scenery 50 More colossal 51 Feminine prin-

ciple 52 Kind of scholarship 53 Mexico’s Sierra — 54 Miniature-golf shots 56 Part of PBA 57 Part of A.D. 58 — de force 59 A Great Lake 62 Paris water

film industry.

“On behalf of FDCP and the entire industry, we are very happy that we are awarding you this recognition. Maramingmaraming salamat po sa pagiging isang ina sa aming lahat, for being one of the country’s living treasures. You are a living movie legend to all of us,” said Diño during her speech.

Ruel Pambid, Jr., Anita Linda’s nephew, also took pride in having Anita Linda as his aunt. “Nagpapasalamat kami sa FDCP because, at 94 years of age, binigyan niyo ng parangal ang isang Anita Linda. Although of course, we didn’t really look at her as such an actress [but as family]. We’re very proud of her accomplishments because none of her brothers and sisters, none of her nephews, nieces, none of her apos followed in her footsteps. Not one of us became actors or actresses, but we would, of course, relish the fact that the late family produced one such stellar personage in Philippine cinema, and I cannot be more proud that I’m related to Anita Linda.”

A free screening of the widely acclaimed Anita starrer film “Adela” by director Alix was held during the event.

Meanwhile, “The Life of Anita Linda: An Exhibit” at the Cinematheque Centre Manila showcased the different stages of Anita Linda’s life as an actress as well as memorabilia from her career

Anita Linda together with director Adolfo Alix, Jr., her family, and FDCP Chairperson and CEO Mary Liza Diño

#MoneygmentMovement: an advocacy of every mom

CROSSWORD PUZZLE ACROSS 1 Allowed 6 Does something 10 Cat’s hello 14 Pleasant scent 15 Famous latenight host 16 World’s fair 17 Swedes’ neighbors 18 Whit 19 Fibber, plus 20 Ranch wear 22 Hills 24 Go to earth 25 Tightest 26 Kept from sinking 29 Elmer of cartoons 30 Resistance units 31 Skirt vent 33 Tiber locale 38 Women with nieces 40 Bullring shout 41 Ms. Zellweger 42 — kebab 43 Not so expensive 45 Bandleader — Kenton 46 Nocturnal birds 48 Fare counters 50 Workshop tools 54 Cougar

AWARD-WINNING filmmaker Adolfo Alix, Jr. expressed his admiration for veteran actress Anita Linda during the “Sandaan: Dunong ng Isang Ina” event organized by the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) to honor the veteran actress’ contributions Philippine cinema.

“She is a living storyteller of how the Philippine cinema evolved,” Alix said during the event held last June 16, at the Cinematheque Centre Manila.

“So banggitin niyo lang po sa kanya ‘yung isang pelikulang nagawa niya, and she will tell you wonderful stories about how the film was made, what anecdote she has with the director or co-actors, which I think is a great testament to the entire history of cinema,” he added.

The event was part of the commemoration for Sandaan: the One Hundred Years of Philippine Cinema and Mother’s Day, and was attended by Anita’s family and friends, people she has worked with, and guests from the media.

Director Alix has worked with Anita in various movies, including “Presa” and his recent film “Circa,” which reaped the White Light Post-Production Award at the Hong Kong-Asia Film Financing Film Forum (HAF) last March.

FDCP Chairperson and CEO Mary Liza Diño handed the achievement award to Anita, who is considered the oldest living actress working in the Philippine

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Cory...

From C4

The country’s premiere talent agency, which has been helping Filipinos hone their talents and reach their dreams for 27 years, recently released its latest annual Star Magic catalog of talents. Accompanying documentaries and retrospectives detail the artists’ stories— from their beginnings to their rise to fame and success.

Host Bianca Gonzalez-Intal and actress Iza Calzado, meanwhile, were also awarded for being “luminaries of Filipino women empowerment,” for their work in the group She Talks Asia, a community that aims to help educate, empower, and inspire people on the role of women in the world.

On the other hand, James Reid was among those recognized for “redefining original Filipino music” through Careless Music Manila, a music production company that signs artists from around the Philippines.

Mounted by MEGA Magazine, the #NewPH awards is “a celebration of everything that is great about the Filipino race.” The annual tradition recognizes various individuals in different industries who embody the definition of Pinoy Pride.

Nickie Wang, Issue Editor nickie.standard@gmail.com

C4

Entertainment

MONDAY, JULY 1, 2019

Bong reflects on journey from Crame to Senate SENATOR Ramon Bong Revilla, Jr. hosted a thanksgiving dinner on Wednesday night at Frabelle Corporate Plaza, Makati City. The gathering was attended by his relatives, wife Bacoor City Mayor Lani Mercado, and his children led

by Vice Governor Jolo Revilla, who arrived at the venue with fiancee Angelica Alita.

In a casual interview with the entertainment press, the 52-yearold actor-politician couldn’t hide his happiness. Smiling from ear to ear, he talked about his challenging journey from the Detention Center of Camp Crame, where he was detained for more than four years, to his successful bid to the Senate.

“It was such a difficult journey. You could just imagine from Crame to Senate, talagang up to this point in time, I still can’t believe that I’m here,” Senator Bong said smiling.

“Especially when we took oath in front of the President, it was a different feeling. I was asking myself ‘Is this really true? Am

I dreaming’ That’s what I am feeling right now,” he carried on thanking the 15 million voters who helped him realize his Senate bid.

Referring to his detractors, Bong said that he has already forgiven them and now that he’s back in the Senate, he just wants to concentrate on more important things like the projects and bills that he wants to spearhead.

“Hindi po ako bumalik sa Senado para gumanti . I’m back to work and be of service to the people who elected me. The reason why I’m here is because of God. Hindi Niya ako pinabayaan, and of course my family,” he said underscoring the role that his wife and his children play throughout his challenging journey.

Meanwhile, his lips were tight when asked about the chairmanship of Committee on Public Information and Mass Media. He just said that it will be given to the person who is perfect for the job. Nickie Wang

Actor-politician Bong Revilla, Jr.

DEREK RAMSAY torn between two better women

Tommie King, music producer-singer Ryan Klos, and Daiana Menezes.

8ONE: Big in Belgium

By Robbie Pangilinan BRAZILIAN TV host, singer, and actress Daiana Menezes led the Philippine-based music group 8ONE as they performed at Vestiville in Kristal Park, Lommel, Belgium on June 28 to 30.

The world renowned Vestiville is the premier hip hop and urban music festival in Europe from the same people behind Amsterdam’s Vestival.

“This is our first international show and we are very excited to perform alongside world famous acts such as Cardi B, Migos, ASAP Rocky, Future, Tory Lanez, Lil Baby, Lil Pumpand many many more!” beams Daiana, the face of 8ONE that brings international flavor here and to other countries.

The group, composed of rapper, singer and songwriter Tommie King, music producer singer Ryan Klos, and Daiana, only started in January and already have hit singles including “Back To TheCrib,”

November,” and “Low.” 8ONE’s first two releases, “Low” and “Back to the Crib” are available on Spotify as well as other streaming platforms. Both songs have also been featured on local radio with “Back To The Crib” landing a #1 debut on the Top 8 at 8 for Wave 89.1 as well as “Low” being played on 89.9 and 99.5 as well as 105.9. “Low” ft. DJ Luane got over 150,000 Spotify streams within a month.

“8ONE songs are all about good vibes and bringing happiness and joy as you listen,” says Tommie King, who does the most writing in the group with everyone collaborating.

8ONE is mixing genres and making their songs suitable for every age group.

Because the members are of different nationalities, they hope to unite the listeners as one and end discrimination of what’s cool and what isn’t.

“We look forward to continuing our impressive start,” ends Daiana.

Cory Vidanes honored with leadership award ABS-CBN chief operating officer of Broadcast Cory Vidanes was recently recognized for her contributions and achievements in the media industry and for being “the epitome of true women leadership” at the recent 2019 MEGA #NewPH Awards.

In her acceptance speech, Vidanes paid tribute to the Filipino people, who have been the source of inspiration for the people behind the country’s leading media and entertainment company in the past 65 years.

“Thank you to the Filipino whose stories continue to inspire us to create excellent and meaningful content that gives hope, empowerment, and love,” she said.

An industry veteran with over three decades of experience, Vidanes said she found a deeper sense of purpose in ABSCBN to be in the service of the Filipino, which is why she remains passionate about her work.

“Creating excellent programs is a passion. To give Filipino talent an opportunity to take center stage and make their dreams a reality is fulfilling.

Connecting the Filipinos worldwide to home through our content and experiences is both empowering and humbling,” she explained.

Joining Vidanes among this year’s awardees from the Kapamilya network at the Sofitel Manila Grand Ballroom last June 12 is ABS-CBN talent discovery and management arm Star Magic, which

was represented by its head Johnny Manahan and Kapamilya host Robi Domingo. Star Magic was cited for “being home to the country’s biggest celebrities, and for defining every generation of Philippine showbiz and entertainment.” Continued on C3

ABS-CBN COO of Broadcast Cory Vidanes and Star Magic head Johnny Manahan

The cast of GMA’s latest primetime series ‘The Better Woman’ led by Derek Ramsay and Andrea Torres.

VERY WANG

T

NICKIE WANG

HE story of a person torn between two lovers is not particularly fresh, but the pairing of Derek Ramsay and Andrea Torres in The Better Woman is.

Billed as a series “to heat up your rainy night,” the drama introduces the much-awaited team up and their daring scenes, which Derek refers as “something he hasn’t done on the small screen.”

“You’ve seen me in the movies doing some intimate scenes with my onscreen partner. But this is the first time that I’m going to do something like that on television. So, I guess that’s something new for me,” the actor who was recently welcomed in the Kapuso lot told the press during the grand media conference held on Thursday.

This is Derek’s first soap as a Kapuso and after months of teasing about the project, he is looking forward to everyone finally watching what they’ve been working on.

“I’m really excited about this project.

Hope all the viewers will enjoy the show. It’s been tough doing it but it’s definitely worth it,” he said.

The series, which premieres on primetime tonight, centers on the story of a happily married couple Andrew (Derek) and Jasmine (Andrea). They live and own a surf resort in La Union.

Their seemingly perfect life crumbles when Andrew flies to Manila for a business trip. He crosses path with Jasmine’s long-lost twin sister Juliet a.k.a. Elaine who works as an exotic pole dancer.

When Juliet reconciles with her estranged biological family and resides with her sister, a forbidden love affair between her and Andrew ensues behind Jasmine’s back.

The series asks the question: Who is more deserving to be called the better woman--the prim Jasmine or the seductive Juliet? Who is worthier of Andrew’s love?

Also starring in the series is awardwinning actress Jaclyn Jose as Erlinda Santos, Jasmine and Juliet’s devoted mother who is always forgiving of Juliet’s wrongdoings; together with Ina Feleo as Angela de Villa Castro, Andrew’s younger sister who is a single mother; Marco Alcaraz as Glenn Santiago, Andrew’s business partner who is equally welloff; Ashley Riveraas Chesi Rodriguez, Juliet’s friend and housemate; Paolo Paraiso as Joross Baltazar, a surfer and Andrew’s close friend who secretly desires Juliet; and Francis Makil as Amy Santos, the estranged cousin of Erlinda who knows her secret.

The show’s creative team is composed of creative director Aloy Adlawan, creative head Suzette Doctolero, creative consultant Agnes Uligan, concept creator, and headwriter Angeli Delgado, writers Ana Aleta Nadela, Loi Argel Nova, Erwin Bravo, and brainstormer Rodney Julio.

Under the helm of esteemed Mark Sicat dela Cruz, The Better Woman airs after Sahaya on GMA Telebabad.

*** Herbert’s legacy In a statement sent to the media, it indicates that outgoing Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista’s office has left ample funds for the next administration to start with.

The cash position of the Quezon City Government under Herbert, as of June 15, indicates the total amount of P26, 274,036, 108 as cash-on-hand and in-bank as well as investments.

This figure has been validated by the City Government’s various depository banks, which include Land Bank of the Philippines, Quezon City Hall branch, Overseas Filipino Bank, and Development Bank of the Philippines, Heart Center branch.

The statement also says that for the 2019 budget of the Quezon City Government, more than P6 billion is still collectible from the following sources: real estate tax, business tax, community tax, socialized housing program, internal revenue allotment, and other regulatory fees.