Manila Standard - 2019 July 11 - Thursday

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UN RIGHTS COUNCIL TO TAKE UP ICELAND RESO ON PH DRUG WAR

By MJ Blancaflor

VOL. XXXIII • NO. 147 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P18 • THURSDAY, JULY 11, 2019 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

THE United Nations Human Rights Council will consider this week a resolution calling for an investigation into reported human rights violations and crimes under international law committed in the Philippines’ war on illegal drugs.

Amnesty International urged the council to support the resolution, “given the gravity of ongoing violations, the total lack of accountability for thousands of extrajudicial killings, and the country’s complete

refusal to cooperate with the UN or the International Criminal Court (ICC).”

The resolution, tabled by Iceland, mandates the High Commissioner to provide a comprehensive report into human rights violations in the Philippines, for consideration at a later date.

“The reality is that Philippines government has sealed off all avenues for domestic accountability. During our investigation, we spoke to families, witnesses, lawyers and religious leaders who were Next page

‘Very dangerous times ahead’ Duterte batting for well-equipped military, police

By Nat Mariano

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RESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has asked Congress to support his administration to strengthen the Armed Forces in preparation for “very dangerous times” ahead for the country.

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RISING TEMPERATURES. Scientists are cooperating with each other to develop geographic information system-based methods and tools to map and characterize warming urban areas, initially evaluating in the process heat indexes of Quezon City, Baguio City, Cebu City and Mandaue City, Iloilo City, Zamboanga City and Davao City. Land surface temperature map from the GUHeat Project suggests establishment-filled areas are hotter. (Story below)

Speaking to members of the 17th Congress, the President bared he plans to finish his term with a strong and well-equipped Armed Forces of the Philippines and Philippine National Police.

“I hope that by the time I make my exit, everything is there. I am not belittling the events to come or the person coming in to be the next president. I don’t know who. And I’d rather that I leave with a strong military and police… equipped to challenge the enemies of the state, especially terrorism,” Duterte said in his speech during the appreciation dinner for outgoing House Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

“I see very dangerous times ahead.

And I hope that we will be able to contain whatever there is,” he added.

This developed as security forces confirmed Wednesday the first Filipino Next page

Inday Sara denies sending SMS Two senators at odds over ‘emergency powers’ on ‘conscience vote’ in the House

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

By Maricel V. Cruz and Macon Ramos-Araneta DAVAO City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio on Wednesday denied sending a text message to lawmakers that urged them to vote for their preferred Speaker of the House of Representatives “according to their conscience” that a party-list congressman said had come from her.

The regional party Hugpong ng Pagbabago, which Duterte-Carpio heads, said in a statement the message did not come from the influential daughter of President

Rodrigo Duterte.

“To all those asking and requesting a statement regarding the supposed text message— well, that did not come from Mayor Inday,” the HNP said in a message sent to reporters.

The Davao mayor’s supposed statement came days after the President’s endorsement of a term-sharing arrangement between Taguig-Pateros Rep. Alan Peter Cayetano and Marinduque Rep. Lord Allan Velasco in the last three years of the Duterte administration.

Hugpong had earlier endorsed Davao

NEOPHYTE Senator Francis Tolentino is proposing to revive a scheme to give President Rodrigo Duterte emergency powers for two years to solve traffic congestion in the national capital region—a proposal an old-timer senator immediately shot down.

Under Tolentino’s Senate Bill 213, also known as the Special Emergency Powers Act, “the President is granted emergency

powers to employ the necessary government resources, exercise or employ executive actions and measures...unhampered by existing laws, regulations and procedures to solve this escalating problem, and to adopt short term, mid- term and long-term development plans for a sustainable and efficient transport system.”

Tolentino noted the traffic gridlock could be considered a national emergency due to its adverse effects on the economy.

He referred to a study by Japan Inter-

LEYTE Rep. Martin Romualdez on Wednesday paid tribute to former president and Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo as an economic and political genius following her retirement after 27 years in public service.

“She is a… political genius whose competence, workaholic attitude, track record, integrity and strong decisionmaking skills helped her earn the respect... of world leaders,” Romualdez said, following a farewell dinner for Mrs. Arroyo at the Manila Hotel organized by

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the 17th Congress Tuesday night.

President Rodrigo Duterte, who was at the event, called Arroyo a “true living icon in Philippine politics.”

Lawmakers led by Tingog Sinirangan Party-list Rep. Yedda Marie Romualdez, San Jose del Monte City Rep. Rida Robes, Davao City Rep. Mylene Garcia-Albano and other officials also attended the event.

“Speaker Arroyo is a no-nonsense action lady and very much determined to show concrete and genuine reforms for the benefit of the Filipinos,” said Yedda Marie POLITICAL ICON. At the farewell dinner Tuesday for outgoing Speaker Gloria Romualdez, the former chairperson of the Arroyo organized by the 17th Congress, President Rodrigo Duterte called the former a House committee on accounts. Next page ‘true living icon in Philippine politics.’ Presidential Photo

Pinoy Rugby star LONG before Lito Ramirez was one of the Philippines’ first homegrown rugby stars he was a six-year-old orphan addicted to sniffing glue, who survived on trash and begging.

If there was any luck in his hellish world, it was that the brand of glue he and other street kids used to get high was called “Rugby.” Next page

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Map as guide to avoid hot areas

Gloria a political genius—Martin

By Maricel V. Cruz

national Cooperation Agency which said the government incurred daily losses of P3.5 billion due to the monstrous traffic.

“The traffic congestion crisis must be considered a national emergency due to its detrimental effects to life, economy and productivity,” said Tolentino, a former chairman of the Metro Manila Development Authority.

Because of this, the proposed bill recommends that national emergency be

Goat’s bleat bares feelings WASHINGTON—Goat bleats not only sound remarkably human, they are also key to revealing feelings to their companions, according to new research that deepens our understanding of the animals’ emotional complexity.

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TO FIND ways to ease the harmful effects of rising temperatures in the urban areas, the Department of Science and Technology, through the Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development and the University of the Philippines-Training Center for Applied Geodesy and Photogrammetry, are assessing the development of urban heat islands in the rapidly urbanizing and highly urbanized cities in the Philippines using satellites and modeling-simulation techniques.

Ariel Blanco, project leader of Project GUHeat or “Geospatial Assessment and Modeling of Urban Heat Islands in Philippine Cities,” said they will harness the power of thermal images from satellites to help the government “minimize the warming of urban areas or urban heat Next page

Apple co-founder: Get off Facebook STEVE Wozniak, co-founder of tech giant Apple, has joined a chorus of his peers in blasting Facebook, saying most people should just stop using the world’s largest social media platform and delete their accounts.

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Aliens told: No permit, no work

By Rey E. Requejo

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HE government is taking stringent measures to regulate the influx of illegal workers in the country, Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said Tuesday.

Foreign Affairs, Department of Environment and Natural Resources and National Intelligence Coordinating Agency.

Guevarra said the enforcement of the JMC could be an alternative to a proposal in the Senate to remove the authority of Immigration to issue special work permits to foreigners.

While Guevarra admitted there are loopholes in the implementation of the law covering foreign workers, he said that could be plugged through the closer coordination among relevant government agencies.

He said there was no need for legislative action to address the problem of foreigners illegally working in the country as suggested by Senator Joel Villanueva.

“This issue can be addressed in a faster way

without amending the law, Guevarra said.

“It’s not a question of which agency should be solely responsible for the issuance of SWPs [special work permits].

The issue is how to tighten up the rules on SWPs. The BI and DOLE only need to work together on this.”

Guevarra cited, for instance, the lack of effective mechanism to monitor the status of all foreign workers in the country.

“The problem really is how to monitor the movement of each and every foreign worker after the expiration of his/her SWP issued by the BI or the long-term alien employment permit issued by the DOLE. That requires a lot of intelligence resources so we can control the number at the outset or from their entry here,” Guevarra said.

He said an inter-agency agreement will be signed today, Thursday, to address the growing number of foreign nationals working here, particularly in Philippine offshore gaming operations or POGO. Among the possible actions to be taken under the Joint Memorandum Circular or JMC is the deportation of foreign workers who do not have work permits.

“Appropriate sanctions, including deportation, will be imposed on the foreign

workers who violate the provisions of the JMC, including non-registration for tax purposes,” Guevarra said.

“Foreign workers employed in POGOs, particularly Chinese nationals, will be covered by this JMC.” Guevarra said the JMC will be signed by the Justice department and the Bureau of Immigration with the Department of Labor and Employment, Professional Regulation Commission, Department of

‘Very... “suicide bomber” attack in the country, warning Islamic militants were grooming other local prospects for more such actions in the future.

Norman Lasuca and one other yet to be identified suspect blew themselves up outside a military camp on the remote southern island of Jolo on June 28 in explosions that also killed three soldiers and two civilians, authorities said.

“We can now confirm... the incidence of the first suicide bombing in the Philippines, perpetrated by a Filipino in the person of Norman Lasuca,” military spokesman Brig. Gen. Edgard Arevalo told a news conference.

The Islamic State group claimed the attack that marked a serious escalation of militancy driven by the influence of IS in Southeast Asia.

The decades-old Islamist insurgency in the south has killed tens of thousands, but suicide attacks have been used extremely rarely, with foreign fighters blamed for the few that have been carried out.

The President said he could already feel his palms “sweating” just thinking of possible terrorist attacks.

“So, I must be prepared. And I already bought what we need, but there are still a few things that I must have for my Armed Forces and the police,” the President continued.

Stressing the need to increase the capabilities of the Armed Forces and ensure their good financial standing, Duterte then asked the lawmakers to push for measures that will supply the country’s troops with new weapons and tools to neutralize any looming hostile forces.

“I hope that Congress would tide us over to complete the instruments that we need in dealing especially with terrorism,” Duterte said.

Almost two weeks ago, eight people were killed, including three soldiers and two suspected bombers, in twin blasts near a military camp in Barangay Kajatian, Indanan town, Sulu.

The region’s military commander gave a sombre outlook.

“Based on our monitoring, they [IS militants] are training others,” Lt. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana told reporters.

“The probability is high,” Sobejana said when asked about the likelihood of future suicide attacks by local militants.

He said suicide bomber recruits were training in the south of the mainly Catholic country where IS-linked outfits operate.

Police spokesman Bernard Banac said the Jolo bombing was “organized by the Abu Sayyaf group”—Filipino militants engaged in kidnappings and bombings and who look to IS as a “model”.

A local woman and member of Jolo’s dominant Tausug ethnic group claimed one of the attackers was her son, allowing the authorities to match their DNA samples.

“The security environment in our country has changed,” Arevalo said, requiring military and police “adjustments in techniques, tactics and procedures.”

“Before, we only heard of IED (improvised explosive device) attacks, remotecontrolled attacks but this time an individual blew himself up as a full-fledged suicide bomber.”

A day earlier, Duterte presided over a command conference with military and police officials.

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said the discussion focused mainly on the usual updates coming from the military and police and “some modernization projects.”

In his previous speeches, the President has voiced his commitment to the AFP Modernization Program.

Under the program, the government acquired an Air Defense Radar System and

an FA-50PH flight simulator earlier this year. The military is also expecting delivery of six A-29B Super Tucano aircraft.

Duterte also wants to buy more utility vehicles, drones, and other command and control fixed-wing aircraft.

The AFP Modernization Program is a three-part programs. The first was implemented from 2013 to 2017; the second, from 2018 to 2022; and the third, from 2023 to 2028.

The June 28 attack came months after explosions described by Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte as a “suicide bombing” killed 21 people in Jolo’s Catholic cathedral in January.

Banac, the police spokesman, said authorities had no way of knowing whether the feet of a man and a woman recovered after that attack belonged to Filipinos or foreigners.

In July last year, an explosives-laden van driven by a Moroccan man killed 11, including the driver, when it blew up at a security checkpoint on the southern island of Basilan.

“The Moroccan... was the first suicide bomber but a lot has happened since then. In a way, they have levelled up and are now using our locals for suicide bombings,” Sobejana said Wednesday.

With AFP

UN...

Inday Sara...

On Tuesday night, Defensor showed a text message purportedly from someone close to the mayor.

“Hi sir! I have the go signal of Mayor Inday to publish,” the text message read.

“Kaya nanawagan siya ngayon sa lahat ng mga Congressmen na bumoto ayon sa kanilang kagustuhan dahil ang kanya ama ay na set-up lamang ng mga gahaman na gabinete na kaalyado ni Cayetano.’— Mayor Inday.”

[She is calling on all congressman to vote according to their wishes, because her father was only set up by greedy Cabinet men allied with Cayetano.]

The mayor denied the text message came from her and challenged Defensor to name the source of the information.

Elsewhere, former House majority leader Fredenil Castro of Capiz on Wednesday declared his interest in becoming the minority leader in the 18th Congress.

Castro made the announcement after the hotly contested speakership race has apparently been settled with the President

announcing a term sharing agreement between Cayetano—who was Foreign Affairs Secretary before gaining a seat in Congress—and Velasco, with Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez being the majority leader.

Castro said some members of the 18th Congress would want him to consider running for the minority leader position “to maintain a credible balance of opinion on all issues that the House maybe called upon to resolve.”

Castro vowed to be a constructive and not a destructive opposition leader under President Duterte.

“I am seriously studying whether I could maintain my balance considering the hairline difference between being a minority member from an opposition,” he said.

Castro served as the House majority leader in the remaining months of the 17th Congress, replacing former Camarines Sur Rep. Rolando Andaya, Jr. who was then named chairman of the House committee on appropriations.

In her speech, Arroyo said she will “graduate from 27 years of active political life with a grateful heart to the Almighty.”

Arroyo thanked Duterte for giving her the opportunity to serve as his Speaker.

“President Duterte, thank you very much for allowing me the opportunity to serve as Speaker of the House,” said Arroyo who also recalled that then Davao City Mayor Duterte helped her senatorial and vice presidential candidacies.

“I want to express to you my heartfelt thanks for the hard work and the support you have given me,” said Arroyo who

also thanked her colleagues for all the support extended to her.

But Arroyo said she regretted that President Duterte found her very hard to deal with and wished she had better “emotional quotient [EQ].”

“My only regret in our relationship is that you have found me very difficult to deal with. It was never my intention to be difficult with you. How could it have been with all the gratitude for all that you have done for me, I only wish that I had better EQ so that you would not have found me so difficult to deal with,” Arroyo said.

tested benefits that Charter change promises to bring.

It seems that more progress can be wrought by seriously implementing whatever existing laws there are than in rewriting the basic law of the land later, Recto said.

“No change in the Constitution would resolve flooding, traffic, crimes and trash,” Recto added.

“Having said that, I, however, recognize the right and welcome the move of proponents of constitutional amendments to bring their proposals for debate in a manner that is exhaustive, not expedient; thorough, not truncated.”

The Senate leader stressed that any idea that is presented before Congress must win by the force of its arguments and not by the mere number of people supporting it.

He said Charter change must not be part of the government’s railroad program.

Tolentino’s bill provides for the appointment of a traffic czar who is the transportation secretary.

He will have to adopt a measure that will rationalize the use of road and transport routes efficiently, adjusting the working hours of government schools and offices.

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in despair at the obstacles stopping them from seeking justice—and the lack of any meaningful prosecution for thousands of unlawful killings over the last three years clearly demonstrates it,” said Nicholas Bequelin, Amnesty International’s regional director for East and Southeast Asia.

“This resolution would mark a vital step towards accountability and justice for victims of the government’s campaign of extrajudicial executions and other human rights violations. Member states with a vote at the council must support it and not shy away from their responsibilities. Their very credibility is at stake,” Bequelin said.

As it awaited the key vote on Thursday in New York (Friday in Manila), Amnesty denied accusations from the Duterte administration that it was politicizing the issue.

In a statement posted in its website, the London-based human rights group told Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo to “do his homework first” by reading its report before making a response.

“Accusing Amnesty International of politicizing the issue of extrajudicial executions is just another way of muddling the Duterte administration’s accountability and its complicity on the gravity of this problem,” its statement read.

Amnesty said the basis of their report came from the Philippine National Police.

“The figures we cited in our report ‘They Just Kill’ come from Philippine National Police’s own data. Therefore, we cannot produce the basis for any data that was made public by the PNP,” AI said.

“We suggest next time, before the honorable presidential spokesperson makes a response, he should at least do his homework first by reading our report,” the statement read.

Amnesty also said it has no political agenda and its “only business is to ensure the protection of human rights.”

In an interview on radio dzMM, Bulacan Gov. Daniel Fernando said the Amnesty report naming his province as the “bloodiest killing field” in the country’s drug war was saddening and alarming. With Macon R. Araneta

Pinoy...

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The name still resonated with Ramirez years after he stopped using and was building his life in a Manila orphanage.

Counsellors there had urged him to pick a sport, but he didn’t like football or basketball, the national obsession. Then they asked him if he wanted to give rugby a try.

“I didn’t have any idea it was a sport,” he told AFP. “I thought it was the glue. That’s why I chose

City Rep. Isidro Ungab as its bet for the speakership. The HNP and Ungab have yet to issue a comment about the President’s decision to endorse Cayetano and Velasco as Speakers.

“We will have one probably next week, nothing yet as of now,” Mylene GarciaAlbano, spokesperson for the HNP, said.

Meanwhile, Anakalusugan Partylist Rep. Mike Defensor apologized to Duterte-Carpio for naming her camp as the source of a text message urging lawmakers to exercise a conscience vote during the election of the Speaker on July 22, when the 18th Congress opens.

“I apologized to Mayor Inday Sara if I have in anyway offended her with my statement. I did not say it came from her or a congressman. In fact, I should not have shown it because reading it again it had Inday Sara’s name,” Defensor said.

Gloria...

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Martin Romualdez, incoming House majority leader of the 18th Congress, cited Arroyo’s concern for the poor.

“Her pro-poor projects like the affordable housing units and conditional cash transfer program for the poorest of the poor benefitted many Filipinos. It was an honor and privilege to work with the former president and Speaker Arroyo. I wish her the best of luck,” Romualdez said.

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declared in Metro Manila, Metro Cebu and other cities and give President Duterte emergency powers to resolve this problem.

But Senator Ralph Recto said Mayor Isko Moreno of Manila was the glowing “Exhibit A” of the reality that many of the country’s problems could be solved without having to rewrite the Constitution.

A change of plans, vision and management style would do wonders and spark change immediately, rather than the un-

rugby for sports.”

This fateful misunderstanding would redirect his life, giving the scrappy five-foot six-inch (1.7-meter) wing/fullback a way off the streets and into the sort of full-time career he can only have dreamt about.

It culminated with him becoming, in 2015, one of the first born and bred Pinoys (Filipinos) to land a spot on the Philippines national squad, the Volcanoes.

To this day, the team is composed mostly of foreign-born players whose primary tie to the nation is a Filipino parent. AFP

Goat’s...

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As part of a study published in Frontiers of Zoology on Tuesday, scientists played the ruminants a series of calls from a hidden speaker that were either happy or sad.

To obtain the positive calls, they approached goats with buckets of food. For the negative calls, they recorded goats that were frustrated at not being fed while others were.

When they switched from playing one type of bleat to the other, the goats were more likely to look toward the

source of the sound and walk about, suggesting they were able to distinguish its emotional content.

What’s more, readings of heartrate variation taken from the goats corresponded to a positive, more relaxed state when they were played the happy calls, and a distressed state when the sad calls were played.

“It is quite crucial for us because often we talk about animal welfare and how we can improve the animal life in a farm setting,” Luigi Baciadonna, lead author of the study from Queen Mary University of London, told AFP. AFP

PNP unit takes lead in probe of collateral victim of drug raid THE Philippine National Police-Internal Affairs Service will lead the investigation into the “collateral damage” incurred in an anti-drug operation in Rodriguez, Rizal, that resulted in the death of four people―including a three-year-old girl.

“I have directed the IAS to take the lead and expedite the conduct of the investigation because it was the Regional Investigation Division of Region 4A leading the investigation,” PNP Chief Oscar Albayalde told reporters on Tuesday.

He said the move would expedite the conduct of the probe amid the public uproar over the incident.

Albayalde said they were now waiting for the results of the ballistics examination on all the firearms of the policemen to determine which among them was fired and eventually hit the child.

The IAS is generally tasked to run after erring policemen and investigate lapses and the commission of irregularities by policemen in the conduct of their duties.

The PNP earlier welcomed the Commission on Human Rights’ call for a full investigation of the incident.

PNP spokesman Bernard Banac said such investigation would help them determine all circumstances surrounding “that fateful encounter that claimed four human lives.”

“That is precisely the reason why all police operatives who were involved in that operation had been placed on administrative relief to preclude undue influence in the inquiry,” Banac told reporters.

“From Day 1 of this national campaign against illegal drugs, thye government has declared war versus drug syndicates and all those involved in the illegal drug trade.”

Last June 29, three-year-old Myka Ulpina was caught in the crossfire during police operations against suspected drug pushers in Rodriguez, Rizal.

Ulpina was among the four fatalities during the operations, along with Senior M/Sgt. Conrad Cabigao, the girl’s father Renato Ulpina and an unidentified companion.

Meanwhile, Col. Resty Damaso, chief of police of Rodriguez, Rizal, and 19 other policemen were relieved from their posts following the operation.

The 20 policemen have been placed under the personnel and holding unit of the Rizal Provincial Police Office while the investigation is ongoing. PNA

Map...

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islands and even reverse it to decrease electricity consumption and air pollution, reduce health risks and diseases that will result to greater livability of our cities.”

Project GUHeat will develop geographic information system-based methods and tools to map, model and characterize UHIs that are easy-to-use by local government units that can be accessed through a web-based GIS. To date, they are studying and evaluating the land surface temperature of Quezon City, Baguio City, Cebu and Mandaue City, Iloilo City, Zamboanga City and Davao City using satellite imageries in order to assessed the effect of urban heat islands.

The project also aims to build and enhance the capacity of LGUs in incorporating thermal environment conditions in planning and development towards the attainment of UN Sustainable Development Goal (particularly Goal 11: Make cities inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable).

“I’m happy to share that these local government units [LGUs] are very enthusiastic and supportive, and shall utilize the project outputs in revising plans and implement measures to reduce urban heat islands [UHIs],” Blanco shared.

A city experiences an urban heat island effect when it has warmer temperatures than nearby rural areas. The materials used in the construction of buildings and establishments and the lack of trees and vegetation affect the distribution and persistence of heat in a city.

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In a quick interview with showbiz channel TMZ at the Ronald Reagan International Airport in Virginia, Wozniak told tech site Digital Trends: “There are many different kinds of people, and some [of] the benefits of Facebook are worth the loss of privacy.”“But to many like myself, my recommendation to most people is: You should figure out a way to get off of Facebook,” he added.

Wozniak, who co-founded Apple with the late Steve Jobs, closed his own FB account in 2018 after Cambridge Analytica, a political data firm, harvested private information from the Facebook profiles of as many as 87 million people.

At the time, “Woz” said Facebook had brought him “more negatives than positives.”

Wozniak’s concerns over privacy extended beyond just Facebook.

“Who knows if my cell phone is listening right now?” he told TMZ. Jimbo Gulle

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THURSDAY, JULY 11, 2019 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Vaccine victims’ kin seek disclosure of DOH’s Duque, bro’s SALNs

By Rio N. Araja RELATIVES of Dengvaxia victims have asked the Office of the Ombudsman to subpoena the Department of Health, Philippine Health Corp. and Social Security System to produce the 2001-2018 Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALNs), and personal data sheets of Health Secretary Francisco Duque III and his brother—lawyer Gonzalo Duque— to determine if they have declared in their SALNs their family-owned business—the Educational and Medical Development Corp. (EMDC)—or not.

In a six-page motion for issuance of subpoena, Ariel Hedia and wife Ruby, Sonia Guerra, Liberty Ganzore, Raul Galoso and wife Elloly, Raymond Ancheta, Ma. Cecilia Torres, Danilo Bautista and wife Sheryl, and Edna Santos also told the Ombudsman that "we also like to respectfully reiterate our prayer in our joint supplemental complaint-affidavit that all copies of the contract(s) of lease executed by EMDC (for 20 years as admitted by Atty. Gonzalo T. Duque) and PhilHealth be subpoenaed and investigated by this Honorable Office."

"Based on reliable information, we learned that in 2017, respondent Atty.

Gonzalo T. Duque in his present capacity as commissioner of the SSS acted as a representative of the SSS administrator at the board of directors of PhilHealth," the motion read.

Ex-BoC spokesman denies role in missing containers A FORMER spokesperson of the Bureau of Customs and Port of Manila district collector—lawyer Erasto Sandino Austria—on Wednesday denied any involvement in the illegal release of 641 containers of ship spares here at the port.

At a news conference in Quezon City, Austria believed he was reassigned from the Manila International Container Port to the Port of Davao because some people wanted to ease him out, and not because of the "disappearance" of the 641 containers at the Port of Manila.

"Yes, I would say that is the case since I did not want to cooperate," he told reporters.

He blamed the Del Rosario rice cartel as behind his transfer when he issued decrees of abandonment of 1,500 containers of overstaying rice, "which I inherited from the previous administration."

"They [group] have an axe to grind against me," he said.

Customs Commissioner Rey Leonardo Guerrero formed a special investigation committee that tagged 10 people, including Austria, as supposedly involved in the “disappearance” of some 641 containers described as "ship spares in transit" at the Port of Manila in 2018. Rio N. Araja

JOINT PRESSER. Philippine Armed Forces spokesperson Brigadier General Edgard Arevalo (Left) stresses a point as he stands alongside Philippine National Police spokesperson Bernard Banac during a joint press conference at the military headquarters in Manila on July 10, 2019. Security forces confirmed on July 10 that at least one Filipino ‘suicide bomber’ was behind a deadly attack last month, in a first for the Asian country. (Inset) A handout shows Norman Lasuca, whom Philippine security forces have identified as the first Filipino ‘suicide bomber’, warning the Islamic State group was grooming more local prospects for similar actions in the future.

LTFRB eases TNVS franchising process

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HE Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board on Tuesday said it streamlined the process of securing franchises for transport network vehicle services.

During a dialogue with TNVS groups and stakeholders in Quezon City, LTFRB Technical Division head Joel Bolano said some changes have been made to the current process of securing franchises known as provisional authority and certificate of public convenience for TNVS drivers and operators.

Beginning the third week of July, the LTFRB will add more hearing dates to address the huge volume of TNVS applications.

“Yung isang araw, dalawang araw namin na hearing for TNVS, gagawin na po namin na three to four days. Siguraduhin lang po natin na complete requirements na po tayo (The usual one, two days hearing for TNVS will be extended to three to four days. Just make sure that the requirements are complete),” Bolano told operators during the dialogue.

The move would lessen the processing time to secure papers and at the same time allow the regulator to process more applications, he added.

It will also allot two Saturdays every month for follow-ups on applications for all types of transport services.

Upon the acceptance of a valid and complete TNVS application, the LTFRB will automatically give a PA to operate for 90 days if the applicant has a previous application and if they provide passenger insurance and proof of garage.

Bolano added that to get a PA, new applicants will also need to secure a bank certificate of conformity which is necessary for public transport as the usage of private vehicles for public service is in violation of bank rules.

The streamlining came after drivers affected by the deactivation from the system of ride-hailing app Grab for failure to secure proper permits to operate in the ride-hailing industry sought for the LTFRB to reduce the process of franchise application.

In the same dialogue, LTFRB Chairman Martin Delgra III said the

Du30 meets Misuari for third time PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte met with Moro National Liberation Front founding chairman Nur Misuari in Malacañang on Tuesday night, which marked the third meeting of the two this year.

Photos released by the Palace showed Duterte and Misuari shaking hands while surrounded by some Cabinet members.

Former presidential aide and now Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Carlito Galvez, Jr., and Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol were present during the meeting.

Piñol is being eyed by Duterte to be his “point man” in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, which was a product of the peace pact between the government and Moro Islamic Liberation Front, a breakaway group of MNLF. Malacañang has yet to release details of the meeting.

Earlier this year, Duterte said he will seek Misuari's help to ensure lasting peace in Mindanao.

Misuari is a former governor of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, the entity superseded by the BARMM. The President has repeatedly said he hopes to reach an agreement with Misuari because the latter threatened him of war should government fail to pursue a shift to federalism, which Misuari sees as an alternative to BARMM. MJ Blancaflor

Kim remains US envoy to PH—US Embassy

DOF bats for ‘fuel marking’ scheme

GORDON AT KAPIHAN. Senator Richard Gordon holds a motorcycle plate number as a sample being used by motorcycle riders during the Kapihan sa Adriatico in Malate, Manila.

Norman Cruz

By Julito G. Rada FINANCE Secretary Carlos Dominguez III said the implementation of the fuel marking program will help address the expected rise in fuel smuggling in the wake of the increase in fuel taxes under the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion Law. Dominguez was reacting to the previous comments of businessman Ramon Ang who said that petroleum smuggling has been on the rise after TRAIN law took effect in January 2018 and significantly impacted Petron Corp., the country’s largest oil refiner.

“We anticipated the potential increase in smuggling and therefore initiated the fuel marking program under the TRAIN law. Fuel Marking is designed to help address this issue,” Dominguez said in a statement.

“In fact, after the previous announcement that implementation of the Fuel Marking Program would start this quarter, we noted a steady increase in collections among the ports where petroleum products are regularly imported,” he said.

He said this was a strong indicator of increased compliance, and “those who skirted required declarations and payment of taxes in the past are now following the law.”

agency was doing its best to address the concerns of TNVS groups.

“On behalf of the board, humihingi ako ng paumanhin (I ask for forgiveness). And that’s precisely why we are addressing it. We’re trying to find ways to address this,” Delgra said.

On Saturday, the Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) stepped in and arranged dialogues between leaders of the TNVS community, the LTFRB and the Department of Transportation after complaints of red-tape were filed against the LTFRB by TNVS drivers and operators.

The LTFRB did not participate in the first two dialogues but arranged a third dialogue after a transport holiday by the TNVS community last Monday.

Lawyer Ariel Inton, president of Lawyers for Commuters Safety and Protection, expressed satisfaction with some of the changes that the regulator presented to them.

“Yung sa proseso, ito ay magiging mas madali. At yung mga requirements ay mabawasan. In fairness to the board, madami sila pinakita na pagbabago na gagawin nila sa proseso,” Inton said. PNA

Employ 4S strategy to fight dengue—DOH chief

By Macon Ramos-Araneta DUE to the rising cases of dengue with the onset of the rainy season, the Department of Health yesterday reminded the public to follow the 4S strategy against dengue.

“The rains have come and it only takes about two weeks for mosquitoes to breed and fully mature into denguecausing mosquitoes, hence it is time to implement the 4S strategy in our households,” Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said.

The Health chief renewed his call to the public to prevent dengue by implementing the enhanced 4S strategy in their households. 4S stands for “Search and destroy” mosquito-breeding sites, employ “Self-protection measures” (i.e. wearing long pants and long sleeved shirts, and daily use of mosquito repellent),

“Seek early consultation” and “Support fogging/spraying” in hotspot areas where increase in cases is registered for two consecutive weeks to prevent an impending outbreak.

According to the latest report of the DOH Epidemiology Bureau, there were 3,610 dengue cases reported from June 16 to 22.

This number brings the cases recorded, from all over the country since Jan. 1 to June 22, to a cumulative total of 98,179, with 428 deaths.

The reported cases for June 16 to 22 alone is 8 percent higher compared to the same period last year (3,330 cases).

Since January, the highest number of cases came from Western Visayas (11,285), Calabarzon (10,313), Central Visayas (8,773), SOCCSKSARGEN (8,297), and Southern Mindanao (8,289).

Meanwhile, the DOH clarified that the alleged outbreak in the Ilocos province were confined to specific barangays only and not the whole province.

The DOH Center for Health Development Office in Region 1, Northern Luzon, reported a total of 353 dengue cases from Ilocos Norte from January 1 to June 29, this is 47.7 percent higher than the number of cases reported for the same period in 2018. Most of the cases came from Laoag City (94), Badoc (43), Batac City (29), Pagudpud (21), and Dingras (20). There were no deaths reported.

“We are appealing to the public to take to heart the 4S strategy especially in Metro Manila where water rationing is being implemented. Cover all water containers in order to prevent mosquitoes from breeding. Let’s do the 4S!” Duque said.

THE US Embassy in Manila on Wednesday debunked reports that Ambassador Sung Kim will be replaced by US State Department Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of Conflict and Stabilization Operations Mina Chang.

"We’ve seen this claim. It is not true,” the embassy said in a statement.

“In September 2018, the White House announced the President’s intent to nominate Mina Chang to be an Assistant Administrator of the US Agency for International Development for the Bureau of Asia," it added.

It stressed that Chang's nomination to the USAID position has been referred to the Foreign Relations Committee of the US Senate last January, but the White House did not give any further announcement yet.

“There have been no additional White House announcements regarding her nomination to the USAID position,” the embassy statement said. Rey E. Requejo

Students hospitalized after Davao quake STUDENTS scampered out of their school in Toril, Davao following an Intensity 2 earthquake, which caused a stampede that injured more than 70.

The injured students were immediately rushed to hospitals.

The Intensity 2 quake, which also struck Bukidnon and Cagayan de Oro City, was an aftershock of the magnitude-5.6 earthquake in Cotabato on Tuesday night, and was felt in the region on Wednesday.

According to radio reports, the incident happened at the Crossing Bayabas National High School.

The Davao City Police Office said the students rushed to the lower ground level of the school, which caused the stampede.

It also reported that some students experienced fainting and dizziness.

Davao authorities and members of "Central 911" immediately responded to the incident.

According to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology, the Intensity 2 quake that struck Bukidnon, Cagayan de Oro City and Davao City was an aftershock of the magnitude-5.6 earthquake in Cotabato on Tuesday night.

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Opinion

THURSDAY, JULY 11, 2019

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Bad luck or a curse?

I COULD not believe what I heard.

President Duterte reportedly said that what happened in Recto Bank was just “a little maritime incident” because nobody died.

Santa Banana, didn’t the President realize that after the Filipino boat sank, 22 crew members were in the water calling for help? The Chinese trawler abandoned them.

How could it be a “little maritime incident” when both the Philippine Coast Guard and the Maritime Industry Authority both said that what happened was a serious maritime casualty?

What will it take for the Bureau of Customs to change?

It appears the President does not real really want to displease his Chinese friends.

He claimed he and Chinese President Xi Jinping shook hands to allow Chinese fisherman to fish in Recto Bank. But the Constitution says only Filipinos can partake of resources in the Exclusive Economic Zone. It’s just unbelievable! *** “Luck is what happens when preparations meet the occasion.”

At the rate the Bureau of Customs is going on a streak of bad luck, it takes with it the reputation of military men who are supposed to be effective administrators of government agencies.

If we are to go by the adage, there was obviously no preparation for the job when it comes to retired military

Adelle Chua, Editor

EDITORIAL

officers Nicanor Faeldon and Isidro Lapeña. Both were handpicked by the President to run the controversial bureau: Faeldon on June 30, 2016 and Lapeña on Aug. 30, 2017.

Both men fell short of expectations.

They were eventually axed.

This should have prompted the President to look beyond the Armed Forces of the Philippines for a new Customs head. But no, in October 2018, Duterte appointed another military man, Ray Borja Guerrero on the belief that generals are honest and disciplined.

Unfortunately, honesty and discipline are hard to come by. Wasn’t President Duterte aware of the fact that during the time of President Magsaysay, 300 cadets from the Philippine Military Academy were brought in to stop corruption at Customs? After a while, the cadets themselves were corrupted.

Worse, the AFP has been found by no less than the Commission on Audit as one of the most corruption-prone agen agencies. The talk is that when top officials are appointed, they get a “pasalubong.”

When they retire, they get “pabaon.”

Recall how General Angelo Reyes took his own life.

There are many other sources of corruption in the military. For example, there is the purchase of supplies— boots, uniforms, helmets, firearms and ammunition. Even fire extinguishers, my gulay!

But back to the BOC. There is talk that heads could again be rolling as the President is unimpressed at what has been happening—or not happening.

So will the President pick from among the list of AFP retirees again?

Why is he so convinced of the integrity of these people? Santa Banana, he has even threatened to place the BOC under AFP control!

It would make sense to consider those who are already knowledgeable about the processes at the bureau.

This includes valuation, duties and

E

Satisfaction IGHT in 10 Filipinos say they are satisfied with the way President Rodrigo Duterte does his job.

The President also enjoys a +68 net satisfaction rating, a figure even higher than his previous record of +66 in March 2019 and June 2017.

This is the latest finding by polling firm Social Weather Stations, which conducted the survey among 1,200 Filipinos between June 22 and June 26, a few days before the President crossed the halfway mark in his term.

The survey period also coincided with the controversy over the Palace’s response to the sinking of a Filipino boat by a Chinese vessel. On June 9, Chinese fishermen left 22 Filipinos in the water after the latter’s boat had sunk. This has prompted outrage against the Chinese and frustration among the President’s critics over how he appeared to favor our giant neighbor, much to the detriment of our own fishermen.

Palace officials cheered the survey results. Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said that Mr. Duterte

only becomes trusted and admired the more his critics hit him with dirt.

“The more the Left assault him with a torrent of false narratives, the greater our people admire him.

The uglier the militant groups of the church paint the Chief Executive, the prettier his image becomes. And the more the biased media assault him with negative propaganda, the more the people are enamored with him,” the spokesman said in a statement.

A gushing Panelo said that the unprecedented excellent rating is “a thumbs-up sign that the President is on the right track in his policies and actions of governance.”

Indeed the President’s continued surging popularity is unprecedented. Usually, by the time a president crosses the halfway mark of his or her term, the honeymoon period has long gone. It is no longer an issue of adulation or popularity but of survival, as a result of actions or omis-

sions, or scandals that the leader may be embroiled in.

Evidently, Mr. Duterte is different.

From the beginning, he has been a game-changer, upending the carefully plotted political plans of his opponents in 2016 and emerging as the dark horse in the race. He breaks out of the mold of his clean-shaven, elite-educated, proper-speaking, politically correct predecessors.

Fed up with this kind, the people continue to root for Mr. Duterte, who they claim remains effective despite—or because of—the rough edges to his personality.

But the still-surging ratings must be seen as a challenge rather than an opportunity to gloat. It’s a feat, indeed, to enjoy this level of support from the public amid the numerous issues that hound the Duterte administration.

The President and his alter egos must never squander this sacred trust. They must act only in the faithful service of the nation. Satisfaction, after all, is a relative judgment that says people are all right with how the President performs his job—not objective proof that he is doing it as he should be.

Turn to A5

Posturing A FEW weeks ago, Senator Panfilo Lacson came under fire for what his critics said was his political posturing for the 2022 presidential elections. His critics equated his regular pronouncements on certain issues as a preparation for the 2022 national election. To them, it is too early to be posturing for an election which is still three years away.

In a tweet, Ping Lacson denied that he was posturing. As far as he was concerned, he was just issuing his own take on some issues and simply being himself. Since that time, he seems to have quieted down a bit.

Except for the PhilHealth issue wherein he accused Health Secretary Francisco Duque of conflict of interest we have not heard much from the good senator. Was he posturing as his critics are saying? Is he preparing for another presidential run? If it was indeed posturing, what of it? Is that so wrong?

As they say, the early bird catches the worm.

At this stage of the political ballgame, anything that other presidential contenders will say or do, could also be interpreted as posturing. To be fair with the senator, he has never denied his desire to be president in this turbulent country of ours. As we all know, he ran and lost in the 2004 presidential elections. He was also asked some time ago whether he was still harboring plans to run for president and he was candid enough to admit that he was—if there is any indication that he could win. He went on to say that the logistics in preparing for a presidential run is enormous and not easy. That is the reason why winnability is an important consideration in any decision for him to run. He has no trouble winning as a senator but the presidency is altogether a different story because as some would say, there is an element of destiny involved.

Over the years, Ping Lacson has always endeavored to reinvent and transform himself to become more of a statesman and perhaps erase his toughguy reputation as a former police officer and as part of the dreaded MISG of

Metrocom during the martial law years.

To a large degree, he has succeeded.

He is certainly a lot different from who he was when he first ventured into politics when he was forced to retire early as the PNP Chief of then-President Joseph Estrada. He has fashioned himself as an anti-corruption crusader trying to single-handedly do away with pork barrel in Congress. This is an endeavor that is bound to fail. He remains to be the only legislator to have consistently refused his share of congressional pork.

His take on some important issues like the West Philippine Sea has also been responsible. In short, he seem to be trying to show how responsible national leaders should behave.

Is Senator Lacson preparing for a presidential run in 2022?

Still, Lacson has a lot of work to do.

For one, he has to convince the public and the electorate that he is now an entirely transformed public servant than he was 15 years ago. When he ran for president in 2004, it was on a platform similar to President Duterte’s 2016 campaign, when he focused on peace and order. The public did not buy his tough law and order pitch in 2004 even as it went for President Duterte’s law and order program in 2016. It would seem that the public trusts President Duterte more than they did Senator Lacson.

It is now up to Ping Lacson to find the right answers. Today, the country is facing so many challenges. The West Philippine Sea issue, Charter Change, peace agreement with the Communists, the still-many unresolved issues in Mindanao and the ongoing drug war.

Whether the electorate would want to elect a President in the mould of President Duterte is anybody’s guess.

Aside from Ping Lacson, there are others out there who can also make a run for the presidency like, Senators Sotto, Poe, Villar and Pacquiao. It is no secret that Senator Pacquiao wants to Turn to A5

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The call for federalism is not yet dead

By Noel de Luna WHILE it first came in dramatic fashion, with then newly installed President Rodrigo Duterte pushing for the shift to the federal system of government to help spur long-stunted development in the provinces, the idea soon fizzled out.

It is only now that we seem to be talking about federalism once again.

With the President’s consultative body on charter change opting for a shift from the present unitary-presidential system of government to federal system, the effort seems to have not succeeded in selling the idea to the ordinary folks. Many of these ordinary folks, especially those in the countryside, have not heard of it, much more understand it.

What is ironic is that many would have wanted it and embraced it if only we discussed it or explained its merits

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

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

to them in their own language.

Even before the proposal to shift to the federalist form of government became fashionable, many Bicolanos had already been mulling the idea of Bicol Autonomy.

Bicol Autonomy in its all intentions, form and substance is a step away to the proposed federal system of government that involves all regions in the country.

It is an idea that has the structure fit for federalism.

Under the proposed Autonomous Bicol Movement, a Regional Government shall be adopted, among others, for the democratic sharing of wealth, power and opportunities among the inhabitants of the region regardless of ethnic origin, creed, sex, language, political conviction, and economic or social status.

It shall also ensure the right of the people to participate and be equitably represented at appropriate levels of

social, economic, political decisionmaking and in the formulation, implementation, and monitoring of local, regional, and national priorities, plans, and programs.

Moreover, the Regional Government that it shall establish shall safeguard equal opportunities to all qualified citizens of the Region to run for public office; thereby prohibiting any form of political dynasty as mandated by the Constitution and in accordance with the yet to be drafted Bicol Autonomous Charter.

In the same vein, but more on the political and economic aspects, we founded last year Kusog Bikolandia, an agenda-based regional political party that is aimed to focus more on local or domestic interests. As its chairman of the board, we resolved to serve the common interest of fellow Bicolanos Turn to A5

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

Managing Editor Associate Editors News Editor Opinion Editor

Emil P. Jurado

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

Chairman Emeritus, Editorial Board

Opinion

THURSDAY, JULY 11, 2019

Focus on poverty are available and accessible to the communities. Not only do these roads boost livelihood, but it also allows employment opportunities to enter and reach far-flung areas. Undoubtedly, FMRs bring progress closer to the people.

IN A Philippine Statistics Authority survey covering the first semester of 2018, poverty incidence was reported at 21 percent, lower by 6.6 percentage points from 2015. Self-rated poverty among the population was at 38 percent based on the SWS survey conducted last March. Reports have also noted that employment rate increased in the first quarter of 2019.

Despite the improvements in statistics, however, many Filipinos have expressed their difficulty in coping with the increasing prices of goods and lack of livelihood opportunities, especially in the rural areas.

The administration boasts of its Build, Build, Build program which is aimed to hasten infrastructure development in the country. It has been said that infrastructure development paves the way for economic growth. For instance, farm-to-market roads in the rural areas, especially those linking far-flung barangays to the town proper, play a major role in ensuring that goods and services

The call...

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by endeavoring, first of all, to be both self-reliant and dynamic.

Can we be an autonomous state?

Can we be part of a progressive unified group of islands called the Philippine archipelago under a Federalist state?

Let me answer that question by first introducing to you the Bicol Region, my region, its natural wealth and its people.

Bicol Region The Bicol Region, otherwise known as Bicolandia, comprises the southern part of Luzon. Due to its strategic location, it serves as the gateway to the Visayas and Mindanao, as well as gateway to travelers and investors from the South to the rest of Luzon that includes Metro Manila.

Bicol’s total land area is 5.9 percent of the total land area of the country. Around 69.3 percent of the total land area is alienable and disposable while the remaining 30.7% is public forest areas.

Its population as of 2015 Census is 5.79 million scattered throughout its six provinces, seven cities, 107 municipalities, and 3,471 barangays.

It is home to known political leaders and has produced iconic personalities in various fields of human endeavor, including the arts and the entertainment sector. It has produced the first Filipino bishop, Monsignor Jorge Barlin. Its more popular heroes, political giants and statesmen, then as now, include Wenceslao Vinzons, Joe Maria Panganiban, Sens. Dominador Aytona, Joker Arroyo, Raul Roco, the Albertos of Catanduanes and Espinosas of Masbate, Jesse Robredo, as well as the Fuentebellas, Villafuertes, Andayas, Imperials, Bicharas, Escuderos, and the Salcedas. No less than our Vice President Leni Robredo is from Naga City, my hometown.

The Superstar Nora Aunor is from Bicol. As well as Boots Anson Roa, Amalia Fuentes, Aga Muhlach, Gary Valenciano, Dindo Fernando, Mary Walter, Celia Rodriguez, Miss Universe Catriona Gray, and the late Eddie Garcia, to name a few.

Since the ancient times, Bicolanos have already been mining copper and smelting iron in Masbate that were fashioned into crude weapons, tools, utensils, farm implements and ornaments. But the mineral wealth has been

Bad luck...

From A4

other intricacies.

I covered Customs when I was business editor of the Philippines herald.

It takes anywhere between six months and one year to learn how the BoC operates. It’s a constant cat-and-mouse game against the smugglers!

Ultimately, only the privatization can reverse the bureau’s bad luck. *** I like it when President Duterte and his spokesman Salvador Panelo try to get out of a hole they have dug for themselves.

The President said that in his coming

The benefits of social programs should have trickled down by now.

However, not all areas are given equal attention in these infrastructure projects. It is saddening that proposed projects such as the FMRs in provinces do not get the same priority as the urban infra projects. There are reported delays in the release of funds in provinces despite the allocated budget in the General Appropriations Act. There are no actual disbursements and payments made. The government reports of its increased expenditures, but sadly, these are concentrated in the metro.

This lamentable situation in the rural areas not only produces an imbalance in the agricultural output of the country but also affects the living conditions of our

barely tapped, except those in Camarines Norte, Sorsogon and Masbate. We have a geothermal reservoir of boiling water that has been harnessed into massive plants that spin giant turbines to generate electric power.

Our natural icon, Mayon Volcano has its fossil fuels supplied by abundant rainwater that keep running hot through subterranean rocks. It dominates the landscape with its perfect cone that has drawn and continues to draw thousands of tourists anytime of the year. The volcano has made the land fertile, with abaca and other fruit trees and crops indigenous to the region growing on its feet and in forests.

Bicol is also home to 13 major fishing grounds that supply fish markets as far as Metro Manila. It is one of highest producers of palay, abaca, corn and coconut. It has voluminous mineral reserves including gold, copper, silver, iron, phosphate rock, perlite, red clay, marble, guano and bentonite. Energy sources include geothermal like the Tiwi and BaconManito geothermal plants that supply the Luzon Power Grid.

The list of resources is almost endless. It has hydropower plants in Buhi, Camarines Sur, and in Guinlajon, Sorsogon; wind resources in Baleno, Masbate; Donsol and Matnog, Sorsogon; higher terrains in Virac, Catanduanes and some parts of Burias Island; potential ocean thermal energy in Camarines and Catanduanes provinces; coal reserves in Batan, Albay, Cantanduanes and Masbate; and downstream oil facilities/depot in Pasacao, Camarines Sur, and Masbate, Masbate, with a total storage capacity of 87.9 million barrels.

As our fellow journalist and writer Carmen N. Pedrosa while in Bicol only a few years ago has observed: Bicolandia’s aspiration for autonomy is distinctly economic. “They hope to answer the question if Bicol is so rich with natural resources, why is it so poor?”

farmers, fisherfolk, and the surrounding communities. I am hopeful that the administration will attend to the other aspects of governance that needs to be focused on, such as the economic conditions of our fellow Filipinos. On the war on drugs, for example, it is undeniable that illegal drug use is related to poverty. The poverty-stricken are forced to resort to drugs to make a living. The government should understand that unless poverty is resolved and eradicated, and unless big-time drug dealers are caught, then these small-time drug users and pushers will continue to exist.

Hence, what we need is an economic boost in the countryside and rural areas.

The government needs to address the delays in the bidding and disbursement of funds for the immediate commencement of these infrastructure projects.

I repeat my call to the Department of Finance to facilitate the expeditious release of funds to the implementing agencies. These funds should be spent and mobilized to get projects going and to avoid corruption. I am urging the different heads of government agencies to look closer and see the plight of our fellow Filipinos in the grassroots level.

Three years into the administration, the benefits of social programs should have trickled down by now.

federal system of government are all about. We shall explain its advantages, as well as open for discussion and debate its disadvantages, perceived or otherwise, so that as early as now we may tell them that there are ways to hurdle such flaws and disadvantages. These debates and wider information dissemination campaign may be conducted in small town hall meetings, barangay consultations, through radio programs, fora, classrooms, the social media, and even in the homes. And as I said, they must be explained in layman’s tongue, in the language that ordinary people understand so that they can embrace the noble idea with their whole heart.

Our campaign for Bicol autonomy shall be focused on the economic aspect and how solutions can be arrived at to ease poverty in the region and bring progress and improved standard of living to everyone.

Such massive campaign shall likewise require strong political will as we seek to eventually shift to federalism.

The next time some of us may cry that the call for federalism is now dead, I might as well invite you to see its relevance to Bicol as an emerging economy that under a new system of government will become less dependent from Imperial Manila.

Presently, we need to see the early completion of our international airport and the expansion and modernization of two existing domestic airport, such as Daet and Naga. We also need to rehabilitate the long dormant South Luzon end of the Philippine National Railways (PNR) and the improvement of our seaports in various provinces.

These, I believe, will be hastened under a Federal System of Government where we shall earn enough revenues from trading and commerce because of our rich natural resources, say for example from our geothermal resource, abundant agricultural and maritime products, and the manufacturing and processing of these natural minerals and resources.

And may I say that while some Bicolanos as of now avoid using the term federalism, they are not actually averse to following the federalist principle.

Such federalist principle, as we now see, is closely inspired by our favorable sentiment toward greater regional autonomy for Bicol.

Bicol Autonomy Many believe that with greater autonomy, the Bicol Region as a federal state will definitely be something much better than today.

Accordingly, the creation of autonomous regions nationwide would serve as the transition for the federal set-up from the prevailing unitary system of government.

At this time, we need to discuss more Noel de Luna is chairman of Kusog with our people what autonomy and Bicolandia.

State of the Nation Address, he will educate the people on the constitutionality of his handshake with the Chinese President on allowing Chinese fishermen to fish in our exclusive waters. Now comes Panelo eager to debate international human rights lawyer Amal Clooney on the case of Maria Ressa. We all know Clooney cannot practice the law here—that’s why Panelo is so brave.

There is also the issue of endorsements for House Speaker. The President insists these endorsements do not amount to interference with Congress.

He claims he is not undermining congressional independence. *** The President wants Congress to fasttrack charter change, now that he has

endorsed two Speakers of the House of Representatives.

Amendments to the Constitution are long overdue, but there remain many questions. Will this Cha-Cha be an overhaul of the entire system of government?

I think Congress should focus on economic provisions, like opening up ownership to foreign investors. Our present laws are so restrictive.

I wonder—how will the changes be introduced? *** I will have another eye operation tomorrow. This means I will skip my column next week. www.emiljurado.weebly.com

A5

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

A pre-SONA presentation of non-accomplishments? infrastructure projects, but the fact of the matter is that many of the ongoing projects were initiated not by the government—more specifically DPWH Department of Public Works and Highways and DTr (DeON JULY 1 the Philippine econ- partment of Transportation)—but omy’s managers staged what they by private entities. Credit for the billed as a pre-State of the Nation Golden Age of Infrastructure, if (SONA) presentation of the eco- one has dawned, belongs in almost nomic track record of the Duterte equal measure to the government administration. Secretary of Finance and the private sector.

That Secretary of Finance and his Carlos Dominguez III, Secretary of Socio-Economic Planning (and co-economic managers would draw NEDA Director-General) Ernesto the nation’s attention to, and trumPernia and the newly installed Sec- pet, the economic accomplishments retary of Budget and Management of the Duterte administration’s first three years was stood before something to an audience of be expected. businessmen, What was not diplomats and We need to be expected journalists to rewas a recital by cite the fulfilled independent experts to the economic electoral-cam- do this. managers of the paign promises Duterte adminof then-candiistration’s nondate Rodrigo accomplishDuterte.

Predictably, the economic manag- ments. The audience at the pre-SONA ers’ presentation centered on three presentation hardly expected Carlos things: GDP (gross domestic prod- Dominguez III and his colleagues to uct), consumer prices and physical say “We’re sorry we failed to do solve infrastructure. These are the matters the issue” or “We tried but were unthat have dominated the public dis- able to achieve that.”

While the economic managcourse and have generated the most intense controversies during the last ers—and the administration that they serve—should be commended three years.

Needless to say, the centerpiece of for what they have accomplished, the economic managers’ presenta- there can be no glossing over their tion was the growth performance of non-accomplishments, for they are the Philippine economy since July crucial to the Philippine economy’s 1, 2016. With the series of above- ability to continue delivering above6-percent annual GDP increases, the 6-percent GDP growth rates in the Philippine economy had become the coming days.

By far the most important of the second fastest-growing economy in East Asia, they declared. This Duterte administration’s non-acthree-year track record was entirely complishments during the first half attributable, they said, to the Duterte of its term is its failure to turn the administration’s sound manage- agricultural sector around. Philipment of the nation’s finances. The pine agriculture today is an inefrevenue increases produced by the ficient and as growth-retarding as TRAIN (Tax Reform for Accel- it ever was. The Filipino people do eration and Inclusion) program had not have a secure supply of domestimade it possible for the government cally produced food, numerous mato raise its social spending and enact jor agricultural products—includupward adjustments in benefits and ing sugar—are imported and the salaries. The step-up in government farmers and fisherfolk comprise the spending had created hundreds of poorest segment of this country’s thousands of new jobs, they said, workforce.

Another major non-accomplishand had put in place the foundation for even higher economic growth in ment of the Duterte administration the coming days. Spending on in- was its failure to turn around the frastructure – to usher in a Golden FDI (foreign direct investment) situAge of Infrastructure—had reached ation. The Philippines at mid-2019 5 percent of GDP, as against the his- continues to receive FDI total that torical 3 percent, and would rise to 7 can only be charitably described as percent towards the end of President comparatively unsatisfactory. This country receives far less FDI than Duterte’s term.

Secretary Dominguez and his Vietnam and Thailand and not very colleagues dismissed as a brief de- much more FDI as Cambodia and parture from the new-normal the Laos. That state of affairs was unaclower-than-6-percent growth—5.6 ceptable in the past, and it remains percent—posted by the economy unacceptable.

A final example of Duterte-adminduring the first quarter of 2019.

With the start of implementation of istration non-accomplishment—one the 2019 GAA (General Appropria- has steadily assumed alarming protions Act), the economy would do portions—is this country’s external a catch-up and get back to above- trade. While on the import side of 6-percent growth in 2019’s remain- the ledger imports have been rising sharply because of the requirements ing quarters, they said.

The economic managers were of the Build, Build, Build program quick to claim credit for the steady and a rapidly growing population, on decline in the inflation rate during the export side gargantuan shortfalls the last few months, but they had appear to have become the order of little to say about the inflationary the day. The 2018 merchandise trade surge of 2018, which saw the infla- deficit was $41 billion. The most wortion rate move past 5 percent—its risome aspect of the trade situation is highest level in many years. There that DTI (Department of Trade and Inis wide acknowledgment that the dustry) clearly does not have a viable fairly sharp increase in fuel excise near-term solution.

The people of this country should tax rates ordained by the TRAIN law were a major cause of the con- be provided with a balanced—acsequential surge in consumer prices. complishments versus non-accomOnly when the second set of fuel ex- plishments—view of the economic cise tax increases was reconsidered performance of the Duterte admindid the inflation rate begin to move istration. For that purpose a preSONA presentation by a group of downward.

True, work has begun on a num- independent experts is probably ber of major Build, Build, Build called for.

Posturing From A4

become president and everything that he is doing is in preparation for that day when he can run for president. And since he is over 40, and knows how to read and write, nothing stops him from running.

A governor, mayor or congressman can also suddenly emerge and be elected president. We know for instance that President Duterte is discouraging his daughter Davao city Mayor Sara Duterte from running for president but I really wonder whether he will really prevent his daughter from running if all his political leaders insist on it. At this juncture, it is a wide open field.

For Ping Lacson, it has always the issue of electability. In other words, it

will be about his standing in the surveys. If he gets into a situation where the polls support a probable run, then he will run but if the voting public continues to be wary of him, then his presidential quest will simply remain a dream no matter how much he believes that he can make a better president than the others.

Yes, the presidential election is still three years away and our leaders should be focusing on the problems at hand instead of thinking of the next election. After all, we just had an election. It is also true that with all the problems that the country is experiencing, elections should be the last thing in peoples mind.

But others will say that anytime is a good time to think and talk elections because that is all our political leaders talk about.

A6

News

THURSDAY, JULY 11, 2019

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

COA calls attention of PCSO on P8b

Public school teachers’ wage hike to P30k proposed

By Rio N. Araja THE Commission on Audit has called the attention of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office for non-remittance of earnings worth P8 billion.

In a 2018 audit report, the state auditors flagged the PCSO for failure to remit P8.426 billion worth of dividends to the national treasury from 1994 to 2016, a violation of Republic Act 7656.

COA also flagged the PCSO for a P4billion shortfall over debts incurred by some small town lottery operations.

Under the law, government-owned -and -controlled corporations must declare and remit at least 50 percent of their annual net earnings as cash, stock or property dividends to the national government.

The law’s implementing rules and regulations also provides that all GOCCs “should annually declare and remit dividends directly to the National Government in the name of the Treasurer of the Philippines on or before May 15 of each year.”

“This is a reiteration of the audit observations as Management has not complied yet with recommendation to remit dividends due the national government,” the audit report read.

PCSO, for its part, said it had no annual net earnings, citing its savings just came from operations after deducting all the operating expenses which were reverted to and form part of the charity fund.

It invoked the Office of the Government Corporate Counsel’s Dec. 20, 2016 Opinion 198 stating that the PCSO was not covered by RA 7656 as its net earnings were already allocated by law, earmarked for certain expenses, and all unused balance in any of its funds are reverted to charity fund.

COA argued that under its Jan. 17, 2018 memorandum, the provisions of RA 7656 must be interpreted in such as way that they could be harmonized in accordance with the rules on statutory construction.

It maintained PCSO was not among the GOCCs exempted from the coverage of Section 4 of RA No. 7656’s implementing rules and regulations.

“We recommended that Management settle the P8.426-billion dividends in arrears due to the National Government in compliance with RA No. 7656, once their request for exemption will be denied by the Department of Finance,” it cited.

NOTICE LEGAL NOTICE Notice is hereby given to the public that an ExtraJudicial Settlement has been executed by the heirs of the late FERNANDO G. DE LEOS AND CLARITA LUNA DE LEOS, namely: Susana Luna de Leos Miller married to Mariano Lina Lucas, Jr., Virgilio Luna de Leos married to Janeth Abia Almero, Rosanno Luna de Leos married to Maricris Celomine, Divino Luna de Leos married to Arlizza Pabalan , Ma. Veronica D.L. Serranilla married to George Serranilla, Fernando Luna de Leos married to Maria Gina Go, all of legal age, over personal and real properties, per deed executed on 10 June 2019 before Notary Public Atty. Kaiser T. Cordero per Doc. No. 323; Page No. 66; Book No. 20; Series of 2019.

By Maricel V. Cruz

TRAFFIC ADVISORY. At the stretch of Lawton Avenue in Taguig City on Wednesday is this advisory stating no motorcycles below 400cc will be allowed at the Skyway at Grade from Sales going to the cities of Manila, Makati and Pasay on July 22. Norman Cruz

SC remains independent from political branches

By Rey E. Requejo

T

HE Supreme Court has given assurances the judiciary has remained independent from other political branches of government.

SC spokesman Brian Hosaka stressed Wednesday the SC had always resolved cases based on merits and not from influence by authorities from co-equal branches of government—the executive and the legislative.

“The public can be assured that the Supreme Court has and will always act independently, and [will be] free from influence from the other branches of government,” Hosaka said in a statement.

“The Supreme Court is guided by the rule of law and its decisions are always based on facts, laws, and reason. The decisions of the Su-

NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC BE IT KNOWN THAT JASA BUILDER’S owned by SAMIEL C. LAM with address at #123 La Perla St. Luciente 1st, Bolinao, Pangasinan has changed its ownership from single proprietorship to corporation on March 14, 2019 and is now JASA GD 2000 CONSTRUCTION CORPORATION.

(MS-JULY 11, 18 & 25, 2019)

(MS-JULY 11, 2019)

N OTICE Notice is hereby given that RAEMULAN LANDS, INC. with office address at 37th Floor, Joy Nostalg Center, 17 ADB Avenue, Pasig City, is applying for registration with the Board of Investments (BOI) as an expanding developer of economic and low-cost housing project (Asensa Subdivision) with capacity of 617 economic and low-cost units on a non-pioneer status with project site at Brgy. Timalan, Naic, Cavite.

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

(SGD.) ANGELITA F. ARCELLANA Officer-In-Charge Infrastructure and Services Industries Service (MS-JULY 11, 2019)

preme Court are open to the public, and we encourage those concerned to read them so they can understand the reasons why they were decided that way,” Hosaka added.

The SC official made the statement after former president and House Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo reportedly credited President Rodrigo Duterte for the dismissal of the plunder case against her by the Supreme Court.

“Most of all, I thank you that when you became president, you provided the atmosphere in which the court had the freedom to acquit me of

Immigration officers intercept 2 ‘fake’ seamen

By Vito Barcelo

the trumped up charges of my successor and your predecessor,” she said at the appreciation dinner she hosted for lawmakers last Tuesday evening, where Duterte attended.

The high court in July 2016 acquitted Arroyo of plunder, shortly after Duterte assumed Office.

“So that the court voted 11 to 4 in my favor, including half of those who were appointed by my successor,” she said.

Arroyo was arrested in October 2012—during the term of her successor, President Benigno Aquino III—on charges that she misused P366 million in intelligence funds of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office from 2008 to 2010.

The former president and speaker was detained at the Veterans Memorial and Medical Center for four years.

BILLBOARD AD. Workers put up a billboard advertisement of an upcoming entertainment and attractions event expo outside the World Trade Center in Pasay City.

Ey Acasio

IMIGRATION officers have intercepted two “fake” seamen who tried to leave for Dubai with dubious seaman’s book and travel documents at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

BI port operations division chief Grifton Medina said Wednesday the passengers were intercepted at the departure area of the NAIA terminal 3 where they were about to board a Cathay Pacific flight to Hongkong en route to Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Medina said the two passengers presented fake overseas employment certificates, seaman’s books, and letters of guarantee from their alleged shipping agent.

“During questioning both of them admitted that they paid their handler P5,000 each for the spurious documents that they presented,” Medina said.

He said the recruiters might have believed that the BI will be lenient in screening the papers of departing seamen, and the illegal recruiters are mistaken.

“We screen all departing passengers thoroughly to prevent Filipinos from being victimized by these schemes,” he said.

BI travel control and enforcement unit chief Timotea Barizo said immigration officers examine the papers of all OFWs, including seafarers, before the latter are cleared for departure.

Manila

Standard

PUBLIC NOTICE

TODAY

from VSEC. COM INC. Notice is hereby given that the above company has transferred its Registered Office Address: FROM

TO

Units 1009 to 1011, Tower One & Exchange Plaza, Ayala Triangle, Ayala Avenue, Makati City

Unit 1910, PSE Tower, 5th Avenue corner 28th Street, Bonifacio Global City, 1630, Taguig City, Philippines.

(MS-JULY 11, 2019)

A FIRST-TERM lawmaker on Wednesday sought an increase in the entry level salary of public school teachers to P30,000 a month.

Rep. Precious Hipolito-Castelo of Quezon City, in House Bill 1020, lamented the country’s public school teachers were underpaid considering the extent of the effort they do in molding the country’s future leader.

In filing her bill, Hipolito-Castelo acknowledged the constitutional provision that “highest budgetary priority to education and the guarantee that teaching will attract and retain its rightful share of the best available talents through adequate remuneration and other means of job satisfaction and fulfillment.”

“With the ever-growing challenges that face our public schoolteachers, it is only fitting to accord them the salary increase they rightfully deserve,” HipolitoCastelo said.

Hipolito-Castelo said the current salary grade of these teachers was way below their worth and their contribution to national development.

“The teaching profession entails sacrifice, self-denial, patience and hard work, as they deal with individuals of different behaviors and because they carry on their work even up to their own homes,” she said.

The bill provides the needed budget for the increase shall be incorporated in the appropriation for the Department of Education for each fiscal year.

Meanwhile, the Department of Budget and Management, in coordination with the DepEd, shall promulgate the implementing rules and regulations of the measure.

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

SC suspends law professor for sexual advances THE Supreme Court has suspended from law practice a professor at the Xavier University in Cagayan de Oro City for making sexual advances to his students.

In an en banc decision penned by Associate Justice Jose Reyes Jr., the SC has ordered the suspension of lawyer Cresencio Co Untian Jr. from law practice for five years and from teaching law in any school for 10 years after being found administratively liable for committing sexual advances on his students.

The SC held that Untian violated Rule 1.01 of the Code of Professional Responsibility for Lawyers, which provides that “a lawyer shall not engage in an unlawful, dishonest, immoral or deceitful conduct.”

“Clearly, the respondent abused the power and authority he possessed over the complainants. His sexually laced

conduct had created a hostile and offensive environment which deeply prejudiced his students. In what was supposed to be a safe place for them to learn and develop, they were instead subjected to unwarranted sexual advances,” the SC ruled.

The IBP had recommended the penalty of suspension from legal practice for two years against Untian, but the SC imposed a graver penalty.

However, the high court disagreed with the IBP that sexual harassment needed to result to being forced to have sex.

“The Court (has) explained that the essence of sexual harassment is not the violation of the victim’s sexuality but the abuse of power by the offender. In other words, what the law aims to punish is the undue exercise of power and authority manifested through sexually charged conduct or one filled with

sexual undertones,” the tribunal said.

The administrative case stemmed from the complaint filed by three female students in Xavier University against Untian.

One complained that Untian sent her romantic messages, love notes, and even invited her to go to Camiguin, which she declined.

The other complained that the professor showed her a naked photo of a woman who looked like her, and teased her about it within hearing distance of other students.

The third student said that she asked the professor to repeat the question during recitation by saying, “Sir, come again?”

Untian supposedly responded: “You want me to come again? I have not come the first time and don’t you know that it took me five minutes to come, and you want me to come again?” Rey E. Requejo

Sports

A7

THURSDAY, JULY 11, 2019 sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

F2 eyes 1st-round sweep

Cocolife Tigers pull off close win over Pasay in MPBL Lakan DAVAO Occidental Cocolife Tigers pulled off another escape act against the Pasay Voyagers, 69-67, in the elimination round of 2019-2020 Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League Lakan Season at the Pasay Astrodome Monday night.

Visayan superman Billy Ray Robles scored on a barreling drive for the winning score at the buzzer after Pasay playmaker Alejandro Inigo leveled the game at 67-all with 17 seconds remaining.

The close shave win by the Tigers, owned by Dumper Party List Rep. Claudine Bautista of Davao Occidental and backed by Cocolife President Atty. Jose Martin Loon, FVP Joseph Ronquillo, AVP Rowena Asnan and SVP Franz Joie Araque, bounced back from a sorry loss against Bacoor and improved their record to 3-1.

Robles top-scored for the Datu Cup South Division champion Tigers with 12 points, while new recruit James Forrester and shooter Joseph Terso with 10 apiece.

Mark Yee, the game’s Best Player, posted another sterling doubledouble performance with his 11 rebounds and same number of points.

Inigo’s explosion inside and beyond the arc and a late assault by Ron Lastimosa from downtown obliterated the Davao Cocolife Tigers’ 13-point lead and gave Pasay its first taste of the lead down the stretch.

But it all went down the drain behind the heroics of Robles and the tight endgame defense of the Tigers in their classic scape to victory.

“We relaxed a bit after building huge lead. Sabi ni coach, stay focused and no room for complacency kahit sino kalaban,” said Yee, regarded as one of most explosive players in the league organized by Senator Manny Pacquiao.

Games Today (Muntinlupa Sports Center) 4:15 p.m.—Marinerang Pilipina vs F2 Logistics 7:00 p.m.—Generika-Ayala vs PLDT

POWERHOUSE F2 Logistics seeks a clean sweep of the first round when it faces struggling Marinerang Pilipina in the Philippine Superliga All-Filipino Conference today at the Muntinlupa Sports Center.

Action is set at 4:15 p.m. with the Cargo Movers looking for their seventh consecutive win in this prestigious women’s club tourney bankrolled by Team Rebel Sports, SOGO, Eurotel, PCSO, Cocolife, UCPB Gen, Mueller, Senoh, Asics, Bizooku and One Sport.

Meanwhile, Generika-Ayala aims to get back on winning track as it tackles PLDT Home Fibr in the second game at 7 p.m.

Bannered by Filipino-American Kalei Mau, the Cargo Movers raced to six straight wins, leaving rival Petron (5-1), Generika-Ayala (4-2) and Foton (4-3) settling for the second, third and fourth spots, respectively.

Jaja Santiago of the Foton Tornadoes appears to be staring at the ball after scoring a point.

Mau, the former Arizona star who moved to the Cargo Movers following the disbandment of United VC, is getting better each day as she finally developed chemistry with mainstays Aby Marano, Dawn Macandili, Ara Galang, Kianna Dy and Majoy Baron.

In fact, in their previous 25-15, 25-14, 25-21 victory over Sta. Lucia in Silay City, Mau provided the offensive muscle early on before Marano and Galang finished the job to keep the Cargo Movers’ immaculate slate intact.

But for F2 Logistics head coach Ramil de Jesus, they haven’t achieved anything.

“Our record in the eliminations is not important. It’s just a confidence booster for us,” said de Jesus, who is looking to regain the All-Filipino crown that had eluded them for the past two years.

“The quarterfinals are the most important because even if you end up on top but losses to a lower-seed team, all your effort in the elimination round will be wasted.”

Also tipped to draw attention is the battle between Generika-Ayala and PLDT.

Serena battles through at Wimby L

ONDON—Seven-time champion Serena Williams is just two wins away from equalling Margaret Court’s Grand Slam titles record of 24 but she wobbled several times in her Wimbledon quarter-final against Alison Riske on Tuesday.

The 37-year-old, who recorded her 97th success at Wimbledon to move second on the women’s all-time list, came under enormous pressure from her fellow American before prevailing in an engrossing contest, 6-4, 4-6, 6-3 in just over two hours.

Standing in Williams’s way in what is her 12th Wimbledon semi-final will be unseeded Czech veteran Barbora Strycova.

The American says she will not be taking the 33-year-old lightly as she has ousted four seeds on her run to the last four.

“She’s good on the grass,” said Williams of Strycova.

“She knows what to do. She has a good

all-around game.

“She’s incredibly tricky. It’s definitely not easy. But it’s something I’m definitely geared up for.”

It says a lot about the unpredictability of the women’s game that Williams was the only player in the last eight who reached the same stage last year.

“It was really satisfying,” said Williams, whose clay court campaign was affected by a knee injury.

“I wouldn’t have won that match a couple of weeks ago.”

Also joining her in the last four was Romania’s former world number one Simona Halep, who fought back from 4-1 down in the first set to beat China’s Zhang

Shuai 7-6 (7/4), 6-1.

For Halep -- who aside from Williams was the only player in the quarter-finals to have won a Grand Slam, taking the French Open last year -- it is her second Wimbledon semi-final.

Halep will play Elina Svitolina, the Ukraine eighth seed, after she came back from a break down in each set to beat Karolina Muchova 7-5, 6-4.

It will be the 24-year-old Ukrainian’s first Grand Slam semi-final.

Williams, whose total of 97 Wimbledon match wins compares to the 83 combined of the other seven quarter-finalists, will look back on her victory with some relief.

Riske converted all five of her break points while Williams succeeded with just six of her 16 opportunities.

However, she relied on her power to keep her in the match.

In doing so she managed to avoid the fate that befell world number one Ashleigh

Barty at the hands of Riske on Monday.

“I’m glad that I was able to come through,” said Williams.

“She beat so many great players. She was really so close to taking the win today.”

‘Just button up’ Williams was constantly cajoling herself and letting out roars of come on during the match.

Having sealed the match she turned to the players box where she was supported by older sister Venus and her husband, Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian, and yelled, pumping her fists.

“I was really pumped, it was for a place in the semis at Wimbledon -- that doesn’t happen every day and it’s a long, arduous road,” said Williams.

“I just had to just button up and play hard. She was playing her heart out and she had nothing to lose and I realised neither did I.” AFP

Ballout Hoops new breeding ground for kids NBA allows coach’s challenge, instant replay center reviews

THE best foundation for any athlete is to learn the sport at the earliest possible age.

Clinics and camps are normally the way to go but nothing beats actually experiencing the game at a competitive level. This is what the Ballout Hoops Challenge aims to achieve, offering a inter-scholastic basketball tournament organized for the sole purpose of promoting and developing grassroots basketball for kids.

“Napansin lang kasi namin ‘yung 10-under kids, naiiwan. Nahihilig kasi sila sa gadgets. Sa dami kasi ng liga ngayon, like may 19-under o 16-under, nasabi ko sa sarili ko mag focus na lang ako sa 10-under. This way, mabibigyan ng chance yung kids aged 10 and below to showcase their skills at a competitive level,” said Cris Bautista, the founder of Ballout Hoops Challenge during the July 4 edition of TOPS Usapang Sports held at the National Press Club in Intramuros, Manila.

Ballout Hoops Challenge actually held its first tournament in March 2018 while the second season wrapped up last April 2019. For its third season, Bautista plans to focus on kids aged 10 years and below strictly from school-based teams. Serving as League Commisioner will be Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings star Lewis Alfred (LA) Tenorio, while Bambi Sevilla will act as one of the deputy commission-

Ballout Hoops Challenge founder Cris Bautista (left) and league commissioner LA Tenorio.

Cris Bautista

ers of the league. The tournament is set to kick off on September 1 at the Blue Eagle Gym at the Ateneo De Manila University grounds in Quezon City.

Participating teams will be grouped in four divisions: East, West, North and South. Each division will have their own deputy commissioner.

Once a champion for each division is determined, all will play a single-round format with the sole winner being declared the Ball Out Hoops Grand Champion.

Aside from the Division Champion and Grand Champion trophy, there will also be a Perpetual trophy that will be kept by the reigning champion. If that team can win three consecutive Grand Championships, they will keep that trophy for good.

Bautista also explained how Tenorio ended up being the league commissioner, explaining how he was the perfect person to symbolize the league, pointing out how the PBA star came from reputable schools. He played for San Beda in high school and Ateneo in college.

Silver sees free agency changes after NBA star shifts LOS ANGELES—NBA free agency rules need to be revised after a wild week of deals saw superstar talent shifts and player trade demands, league commissioner Adam Silver said Tuesday.

Speaking in Las Vegas after team owners meetings at the NBA Summer League, Silver said it was clear talks had been underway about major moves long before the NBA opened its official negotiating period.

News of Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving going to Brooklyn broke minutes into the start of free agency on June 30, leading Silver and many others to conclude the NBA can’t enforce its own free agency regulations.

“Obviously, if deals are being announced immediately after the discussion period begins, there had been prior discussions,” Silver said.

“To a certain extent, we always knew that there was some leakage, some slippage around those deadlines, and I think there was a certain amount that histori-

Adam Silver

cally had been acceptable in the league.

“The consensus at both our committee meetings and the board meeting was that we need to revisit and reset those rules...

It’s pointless at the end of the day to have rules that we can’t enforce.

“The sense in the room was we should

revisit those rules, think about what does make sense for our teams so that ultimately we can create a level playing field.”

If some teams wait to open talks when NBA rules allow, they might find their desired talent already agreed to deals with another club.

“The marching orders to the league, together with our labor relations committee, is that we should spend the next several months thinking about both what is in our unilateral power to change and then potentially what it is we should be discussing with the players when we sit back down for bargaining,” Silver said.

Silver said the NBA need not wait for final salary cap figures if they made adjustments later.

He saw positives in Brooklyn’s moves plus Kawhi Leonard and Paul George going to the Los Angeles Clippers -- George after asking for a trade from Oklahoma City. But big markets showed an edge over small ones. AFP

NEW YORK—NBA team owners unanimously approved two changes to instant replay rules on Tuesday that will allow a coach’s challenge and other video reviews triggered by the NBA Replay Center.

The measures, recommended by the NBA competition committee, are being used in NBA Summer League games and will be adopted on a one-season trial basis for the 2019-20 campaign.

In all cases, “clear and conclusive visual evidence” will be required to declare a call incorrect and overturn a referee’s decision.

The coach’s challenge is available in a limited set of situations, provided a team has at least one timeout remaining. The replay center reviews were first tested at last year’s summer league.

“These initiatives further strengthen our officiating program and help referees make the right call,” NBA President of League Operations Byron Spruell said.

“Giving head coaches a voice will enhance the confidence in our replay process among teams and fans and add a new, exciting strategic element to our game.

“Enabling the NBA Replay Center to trigger instant replay will improve game flow and provide real-time awareness of any adjustments to the score.”

Each team is allowed one challenge a game, successful or not, on a personal

foul charged to a player on that team, an out of bounds call or whistles for goaltending or basket interference.

A personal foul challenge can come at any point in a game but in the final two minutes of the fourth quarter or overtimes, only the on-court referees can instigate challenges for basket interference, goaltending or out of bounds calls.

To challenge, a team must call a timeout and the coach must signal the challennge by twirling a finger toward the referees.

The penalty for attempting to challenge without a timeout is a technical foul and no challenge to the call will be given.

Calling a timeout to challenge an event that cannot be reviewed will cost the team the timeout but it will keep the right to make a challenge.

The NBA Replay Center can instigate replays in the first 46 minutes of regulation time and the first three minutes of overtime periods for certain issues.

It can determine if a shot was a 3-point attempt or a 2-pointer or if a fouled shooter should have two or three free throws.

The center can also review whether or not a shot clock violation has taken place.

A new “courtside administrator” hired and supervised by the league will be added at the scorer’s table to expidite communication between the referees and NBA Replay Center. AFP

Hichman...

From A8

“It’s a good thing my putter worked this time. I missed a lot of birdie chances yesterday (Tuesday),” said Pagunsan, obviously in top form coming off a sweep of the last three legs of the PGT Visayan swing last month.

Stewart birdied the last hole at 18th to save a 70 and tied Pagunsan at third.

Justin Quiban, who fired a solid 65 in the first round, had a good shot at lead at 10-under with three holes left at the front.

But the PGTA leg champion at Luisita in 2017 fumbled at the finish, three-putting the par-3 seventh, lipping out his birdie-putt on the next and missing the green for another bogey on the last.He wound up with a 69 and dropped to joint fifth at 134 with Rufino Bayron and Clyde Mondilla, who shot identical 68s, and Peter Stojanovski of Macedonia, who also carded a 69.

Charles Hong, who missed matching Stewart’s opening 63 with a last-hole bogey late Tuesday, struggled on an early start, mixing three birdies with the same

number of bogeys and ended up with an even-par 71 to slip to 135 in a tie with Thai Ratchapol Jantavara, who rallied with a 67.

Lexus Keoninh, also of the US, birdied three of the last six holes to salvage a 71 although he tumbled to joint 10th at 136 with Thai Sutijet Koorantanapisan and Korean Shin Seung Woo, who both carded 66s, and amateur Josh Jorge, who continued to impress the field with a second 68 in the event sponsored by ICTSI and organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc. and backed by PLDT Enterprise, Meralco, BDO and PGT Asia official apparel Pin High.

Korean-American Micah Shin, who reigned at the adjacent Masters for his maiden major win in 2017, groped for a 75 after a 68 and barely advanced at 143 along with Spain’s Marcos Pastor (70), Rupert Zaragosa (71), Nilo Salahog (71), Thai Natthapoing Niyomchon (72) and American Sydney Chung (73).

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

A8

THURSDAY, JULY 11, 2019

PHISGOC to answer SEA Games queries today QUESTIONS have been raised by participating countries on how ready the venues are for coming 2019 Southeast Asian Games.

Answers will be provided by the Philippine SEA Games Organizing Committee during a delegation Chefs de Mission meeting among member countries today at the Hilton Hotel in Pasay City.

So far, representatives from 11 member nations are now in Manila for the meeting.

“All the CDMs are here and they will be meet with all our officials,” said PHISGOC executive director Tom Carrasco.

“There are questions and they will be answered by the PHISGOC and the CDMs,” said Team Philippine CDM and Philippine Sports Commission Chairman William Ramirez.

Ramirez talked about the meeting following a discussion yesterday afternoon with members of the Philippine Olympic Committee executive board, headed by acting president Joey Romasanta.

“We will leave it to the PHISGOC to answer such questions,” said Romasanta.

For one, Malaysia is expected to raise issues concerning the readiness of the venue for the games.

Reports said Malaysian Chef de Mission Megat Zulkarnain is set to discuss with games’ officials the status of several venues that are still under construction, with the games set to be held four months from now.

So far, 12 representatives from Malaysia’s National Sports Council, the Olympic Council of Malaysia and National Sports Institute arrived in the country early this week to inspect ongoing preparations for the games.

Malaysia’s NSC director-general Ahmad Shapawi Ismail has visited Subic and other venues, reporting to Malaysian officials back home the status of the venues in the country.

There are now 44 venues which will hold events in the biennial meet.

When the games are held from November 30 to December 10, competitions will be spread out in different areas in Clark Field, Manila, Tagaytay, Laguna and Subic.

This week, the PSC began making renovations on the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex, The Arena in San Juan and the Philsports Complex in Pasig.

Since Monday, construction workers have put up an enclosure around the historic stadium. Peter Atencio

Sports Manny Pacquiao trains with his son Jimuel at the Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles, California on Monday. Wendell Alinea/MP Promotions

Thurman promises to destroy Pacquiao L

OS ANGELES—Keith Thurman warned Tuesday he is targeting the destruction of Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao when the two welterweights face off in Las Vegas later this month.

The undefeated Thurman puts his World Boxing Association welterweight crown on the line against the 40-year-old Pacquiao on July 20 at the MGM Grand.

Thurman, 30, has relentlessly fanned the flames for the contest by stating he plans to send Pacquiao into retirement.

On Tuesday, Thurman took a more respectful tone against Pacquaio, the eight-division world champion who remains one of boxing’s biggest draws as he prepares for the 71st fight of a two-decade professional career.

Thurman said he plans to take an aggressive approach into the fight as he chases an emphatic victory.

“This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to destroy a legend and create my own legacy,” Thurman

said on a conference call.

“How can I not Babe Ruth it and step up to the plate, point and start swinging. How can I not go for it?

I’ve got an ‘0’ and I’m not afraid to let it go.

“If Manny Pacquiao is the man that beats me, he’s the man that beats me. I’m going to shake his hand after the fight and congratulate him.

“It is what it is. But when Keith Thurman steps into the ring, you’re dealing with Keith Thurman. And he’s a bad man.”

Thurman sees the fight as his chance to claim victory over one of the greats of boxing in Pacquiao (61-7 with two drawn and 39 knockouts).

“Manny Pacquiao towards the end of his career, all those fights, and his

record -- it’s as if I’m fighting Sugar Ray Robinson himself. It’s as if I’m fighting Roberto Duran,” he said.

“This is Manny Pacquiao. It’s a tremendous feeling and it’s going to feel even greater when my hand is raised at the end of the night.”

Thurman (29-0, 22 KOs), who last fought in January when he was made to work hard for a majority decision win over Josesito Lopez, said Pacquiao’s victory over Adrien Broner, also in January, had inspired him.

“He wants to prove his greatness.

He’s still reaching for greatness at the age of 40 and it’s admirable,” Thurman said.

“I was impressed by his performance against Adrien Broner. It was inspiring. After watching him, I got out into the streets and ran at one in the morning. Because I just watched a 40-year-old man beat a much younger man. Manny has done so much, but he wants to do more,” Thurman said.

“I want to do more too, and on the 20th I want to show you more.” AFP

Hichman, Que wrest 1-2 spots in ICTSI Southwoods golf CARMONA, Cavite—American Christopher Hichman and Angelo Que slowed down despite a change in tee-time but moved up the rankings just the same with 66 and 67, respectively, as Aussie Tim Stewart and a number of early contenders wavered in the heat and wind in the second round of the ICTSI Manila Southwoods Championship at the Legends course here.

Tough pin placements likewise took the best from the bidders in the $100,000 event serving as the third leg of the third season of Philippine Golf Tour Asia as the Jack Nicklaus-designed layout proved a lot tougher in blustery conditions with a number of pretournament favorites missing the 50-plus ties cut at 143. They included last year’s winner Jay Bayron (71-144), first leg winner at Luisita Namchok Tantipokhakul of Thailand (73-144), multi-titled Tony Lascuña (74-144) and reigning PGT Order of Merit winner Jobim Carlos (75-151).

But Hichman and Que, who bucked a late first round start to shoot a pair of 65s, came through with superb iron shots that set up a number of birdie chances with the former, who toughened up in the PGA Series-China the last four months with a top five finish in the Sanya Championship in Haikou last April, gunning down five of the last 11 holes for a couple of 33s and an 11-under 131.

Que, who had taken a break from his Japan PGA Tour campaign to join the title hunt in this $100,000 event serving as the third leg of the third season of

the Philippine Golf Tour Asia, hit three birdies in the first six holes at the back then overcame two bogeys with three more birdies, the last on the ninth that capped a 34-33 card for a 132.

“I had a lot of birdie chances and I’m glad I made most of them,” said Hichman, who moved 36 holes away from marking his first foray on the Philippine Golf Tour Asia with a victory.

“This is my first time to play on the PGT and at Southwoods, whose greens fit my short game. I love the humid weather, just like our weather back home,” added the 25-year-old journeyman from Maryland, who birdied No. 5 for the second straight day but yielded the stroke on the next, also for the second straight time.

Que defied the early gusts with steady play but rued his missed birdie putts inside seven feet on Nos. 5, 8 and 13, which had he made would’ve pushed the former Philippine Open champ past Hichman.

“The course is in good condition but the wind came into play right on the first hole,” said Que, who placed third in Kansai Open last month but didn’t fare well in the Japan PGA Championship last week.

But looming large again, for the nth time, is Juvic Pagunsan, who recovered from a mediocre 70 start with a sizzling bogey-free 63 anchored on hot putter as region’s former No. 1 jumped from joint 33rd to fourth at 133, just a couple of strokes off the pace.

Painters clip Hotshots, boost bid for quarterfinals

By Jeric Lopez RAIN or Shine boosted its quarterfinal bid after taking care of business and handing Magnolia an 86-82 beating in the 2019 Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner’s Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Wednesday night.

Veteran big man Beau Belga stepped it up big time, scoring 22 points off the bench, while new import Carl Mongomery notched a double-double with 20 points and 12 rebounds to lead the Elasto Painters.

Rain or Shine improved to 5-5, tying Magnolia. Both teams still need to win their respective final games just for assurance of a berth in the quarterfinals.

The Elasto Painters erected a decisive 11-0 blast midway of the fourth frame to runaway with the victory.

Ed Daquioag’s floater with 6:31 remaining capped off the run and gave Rain or Shine a pivotal twin-digit lead, 80-69.

The spurt broke the 69-all deadlock with over eight minutes remaining.

Magnolia made it a bit interesting towards the end, cutting its deficit to four, 80-84, in the final minute after an 8-2 run.

Still, it was unable to capitalize as Rain or Shine was able to close out and hold off its threatening foe with key stops in the waning seconds.

Daquioag added 14 markers for Rain or Shine’s cause.

Magnolia actually opened up a double-digit lead, 29-19, at the 7:07 mark of the second after an undergoal stab from Ian Sangalang.

The Hotshots managed to hold on to a 41-35 edge come halftime.

With its strong third quarter, Rain or Shine wrestled the lead away from Magnolia, taking a 64-61 advantage into the final 12 minutes of play.

Sangalang led Magnolia in scoring with 24 points, while James Farr had a double-double with 19 points and 23 rebounds.

Mark Barroca also had a doubledouble for the Hotshots with 14 points and 10 boards.

The scores: Rain or Shine 86 - Belga 22; Montgomery 20, Daquioag 14, Rosales 7, Mocon 7, Norwood 5, Nambatac 5, Ponferada 3, Torres 2, Borboran 1.

Magnolia 82 - Sangalang 24, Farr 19, Barroca 14, Lee 9, Jalalon 7, Dela Rosa 6, Herndon 3, Melton 0, Pingris 0, Brondial 0.

Quarterscores: 15-22, 35-41, 64-61, 86-82.

Turn to A7

Big win over Bombers gives Stags confidence FOR the San Sebastian College Stags, getting their first win of the season is very important.

Coach Egay Macaraya felt that their 82-51 crushing of the Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers on Tuesday will give the Stags their needed confidence in the 95th National Collegiate Athletic Association men’s basketball tournament.

“I guess na-challenged naman ‘yung mga bata, they showed good game tonight,” said Stags’ coach Egay Macaraya on their first win in the season.

First-time PGT Asia campaigner Chris Hichman aims for a big finish.

Last year, the Stags forfeited their opening game win over College of St. Benilde after it was learned that their main man RK Ilagan did not get clearance to see action in a pre-season cagefest.

This time, the 5’7” Ilagan played his heart out and led the Stags with 25 points, which included five triples.

The Stags first established a 13-point lead in the first half.

Then, Ilagan came in and fired 13 in the third

period, allowing the Stags to take control with a 61-40 spread.

“Gusto kong bumawi sa tiwala na binibigay sa akin ni Coach Egay at ng buong San Sebastian community,” said Ilagan.

Alvin Capobres backed up Ilagan with 16 points, while Allyn Bulanadi, who is still recovering from a shoulder injury, had 7.

The Stags will seek their second straight win on Tuesday against the Mapua Cardinals. Peter Atencio

IN BRIEF Acevedo named new president of RCBC RIZAL Commercial Banking Corp. of the Yuchengo Group is now led by veteran banker Eugene Acevedo effective July 1, 2019, following the retirement of Gil Buenaventura.

Buenaventura, who has steered the bank through the challenges of the past three years, will continue to serve as a member of the board of directors of the bank.

Previous to his appointment, Acevedo held senior leadership positions in three banking organizations. As a managing director with Citibank, he was regional head of derivatives structuring based in Singapore, country treasurer for the Philippines and Hong Kong, global markets head for Hong Kong/Taiwan/Macau, and treasurer of Citicorp International Ltd. He was president and chief executive officer of Philippine National Bank.

A technology advocate, Acevedo is expected to lead the bank’s digital transformation journey. He comes well equipped with a track record of success. As chairman of CitySavings, his team used technology to transform customer experience and produced the highest return on equity in the industry, delivering over a third of UnionBank’s earnings.

Business

Ray S. Eñano, Editor Roderick T. dela Cruz, Assistant Editor business@manilastandard.net extrastory2000@gmail.com THURSDAY, JULY 11, 2019

B1

Ortigas & Co. allots P11b for The Galleon

PROPERTY developer Ortigas & Co. plans to spend P11 billion to develop The Galleon, a twin-tower office, retail and residential project within the Ortigas Central Business District.

Ortigas & Co assistant vice president president for strategic business unit Jennelyn Belardo said in a press briefing Wednesday phase 1 of The Galleon project involved the development of a retail podium and an office for sale building.

The 39-story office development will have 47,000 square meters of net salable area at P266,000 per square meter, generating about P14 billion in total revenues.

The office development is scheduled for completion by the fourth quarter of 2025.

“We are excited to introduce The Galleon to the market, especially as this is a premier development in the Ortigas central business district,” said Ortigas & Company president and chief executive Jaime Ysmael.

“As the demand for high-quality office spaces continues to rise, we are confident that this property will be able to offer something new to investors who place a premium on convenience, accessibility, sustainability, and the prestige to claim their own piece of Ortigas Center,” Ysmael added. Jenniffer B. Austria

FDI net inflows down 11.8% in April—BSP

NET inflow of foreign direct investments in April declined 11.8 percent to $961 million from $1.1 billion a year ago on the back of lower equity capital for the period, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas said Wednesday.

Net inflows of net equity capital fell 86 percent to $39 million from $272 million in April 2018. Equity capital placements came largely from Thailand, the United States, Singapore, Hong Kong and Japan.

These were channeled mainly to the financial and insurance, real estate, manufacturing, electricity, gas, steam and airconditioning supply, and construction industries.

Meanwhile, non-residents’ investments in debt instruments (consisting mainly of loans extended by parent companies abroad to their local affiliates) increased 12.6 percent to $830 million from $737 million posted last year. Julito G. Rada

NEW UPCBAAA BOARD. University of the Philippines College of Business Administration Alumni Association chairman and president Manuel Villar (right) administers the oath of office of the newly elected board of trustees and officers of the organization for 2019-2021. The new officers are (from left) Roberto Alingog, Vicente Quimbo, Romulo Neri, Fructuoso Sabug Jr. (public relations officer), Ma. Victoria Añonuevo (first vice president), Pacita Aguirre, Atty. Luis Vera Cruz Jr. (secretary), Arthur Tuason, Gloria Cotoco (treasurer), Sharon Daoayan and Ophelia Cruz (second vice president). Not in photo are Joel Tan-Torres, John Lu Koa and Eduardo Francisco. Villar is on his second term as president of the organization.

Investment pledges grew 27% to P304b in first half I

By Othel V. Campos

NVESTMENT commitments climbed 27.4 percent in the first half to P304.4 billion from a year ago, the Board of Investments said Wednesday.

“Our economy remains strong, and we remain all the more optimistic as the budget impasse has been resolved. All indicators point to the economy accelerating in the second quarter to around 6 percent due to robust domestic consumption. Our business confidence remains the most bullish among Asean countries and even topped all 34 economies surveyed by Grant Thornton’s International Business Report this year,” said Trade Secretary and BoI chairman Ramon Lopez.

Data showed commitments from foreign investors surged 375.3 percent in the six-month period to P68.9 billion while approved domestic investments

rose 5 percent to P235.6 billion.

Singapore retained its position as the country’s largest foreign investor with P35.4 billion, followed by The Netherlands with P9.2 billion and Thailand with P8.5 billion. Japan and the United States rounded up the five biggest foreign investors with investments of P5.8 billion and P2.4 billion, respectively.

Power projects accounted for the lion’s share of total investments with P192.4 billion, a 77.9-percent increase from last year’s P108.2 billion. The resurgence of the manufacturing sector continued with P45.3 billion in investments to date, up 128.4 percent from P19.8 billion in January to June 2018.

The information and communication sector posted a 9,680-percent upsurge to P33.2 billion from just P340 million last year while tourism accommodation steamrolled to P8.6 billion, up 591 percent from P1.2 billion last year.

“Year-on-year, investments are still increasing. We are confident of surpassing our target at the end of the year.

There are big-ticket projects in the pipeline, but we are exercising―as we do in all cases―prudence in diligently assessing their eligibility for incentives,” Trade Undersecretary and BoI managing head Ceferino Rodolfo said.

Countryside development continued to be in full swing with 96 percent of investments spread to other regions other than the National Capital Region.

Calabarzon continued as the top investment location with P201.2 billion and followed by Central Luzon with P27.7 billion.

NCR placed third with P11.3 billion, accounting for just 4 percent of the total figure. The rest went to Cagayan Valley with P8.7 billion and Central Visayas with P7.7 billion.

Rodolfo said among the latest approvals were the P4-billion, 19.7-megawatt hydropower project of Rio Norte Hydropower Corp. in Isabela, the P4.7billion acquisition of the newest models of Airbus planes by Cebu Air. Inc. and the P2.3-billion 15-MW thermal power plant of DMCI Masbate Power Corp. in Masbate.

Diokno: Interest rate cut possible before yearend BANGKO Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Benjamin Diokno said Wednesday the further easing of policy rates and reserve requirement is possible before the end of the year.

Diokno said, however, the policymaking Monetary Board would consider vital economic data before such moves could happen. He said the inflation rate and the gross domestic product growth in the second quarter would be among these indicators. “Those are the important metrics,” he said.

Diokno made the comments at the sidelines of the 2019 Awards Ceremony and Appreciation lunch for BSP stakeholders.

“I think interest rate cut could happen first before the RRR cut,” Diokno said. He said a 200-basis-point cut in RRR is possible.

Economists from First Metro Investment Corp. said Monday the BSP could further reduce the reserve requirement ratios of banks by 2 percentage points and slash policy rates by 50 basis points this year to boost the economy.

First Metro president Rabboni Francis Arjonillo said in a briefing the market would remain conducive for bond investments in the second half “as we anticipate the BSP to further cut the reserve requirement by another 2 percent and potentially reduce policy rates by 50 basis points from its current levels as inflation continues to drop.”

“These cuts should produce positive effects for the economy and the financial markets because there would be more funds available for consumers and businesses,” Arjonillo said.

Julito G. Rada

PEPSI-ABS-CBN PARTNERSHIP. Pepsi-Cola Products Philippines Inc. signs a memorandum of agreement with ABSCBN Lingkod Kapamilya Foundation to support its plant-wide Solid Waste Management efforts. Signing the agreement are (from left) Genetron International Marketing sales director Jocelyn Panen, PCPPI senior manager of legal and government affairs Ari Vergil Fabros, senior vice president for operations Allan Frias II, vice president for legal, corporate and government affairs Lope Manuel Jr., ABS-CBN Foundation managing director Susan Afan, Bantay Kalikasan drogram director Johanna Jeraldine Santos and head for central marketing unit Paul Vincent Mercado.

PH, Israel sign P44-b loan to support farming technologies The Philippines and Israel signed a P44-billion long-term loan agreement that will support the introduction of new farming technologies in the Philippines using solar-powered irrigation.

Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol and Israel Ambassador to the Philippines Rafael Harpaz signed Wednesday the implementing agreement on agricultural cooperation. The agreement is the final output of a series of negotiations between the two countries which started during a visit of Filipino officials to Israel in 2018.

The banner program under the agree-

ment is the transfer of technology, funding and establishment of solar-powered irrigation systems across the country. It will involve the establishment of 6,200 units of computerized solar-powered irrigation systems that will provide irrigation to 500,000 hectares of rice farms and other high-value agricultural products over the next three years.

The project will also include the introduction of the “fertigation” technology where the irrigation systems will allow the application of fertilizers and other farm inputs which would be mixed with irrigation water.

All the SPIS units will be intercon-

nected with a computer program that would allow the Agriculture Central Office to monitor the performance of each system all over the country.

The Israeli government is currently completing the installation of two prototypes of the SPIS―one for a small farm setup of up to five hectares and the other for a big farm setup of up to 100 hectares.

The prototypes were donated by an Israeli company which is one of those interested in undertaking the SPIS projects in the Philippines. The prototypes are expected to be operational by the end of July. Othel V. Campos

Exports rose 1% to $6.2b in May—PSA

By Julito G. Rada EXPORTS rose for a second month on higher demand for electronic products, data from the Philippine Statistics Authority show.

Merchandise exports in May reached $6.16 billion, up 1 percent from $6.09 billion a year ago. Electronic products. which accounted for 56 percent of total exports, increased 6.2 percent to $3.45 billion from $3.25 billion in the same month last year.

Other commodities that saw higher export sales in May were copper concentrates (up 192.1 percent); ignition wiring set and other wiring sets used in vehicles, aircrafts and ships (up 31.7 percent); fresh bananas (up 28.6 percent); chemicals (20.1 percent); metal components (14 percent); and gold (8.3 percent).

Meanwhile, imports shrank 5.4 percent in May to $9.43 billion from $9.97 billion a year earlier. This reduced the trade deficit in May to $3.28 billion from a $3.88-billion shortfall in May 2018.

The trade deficit in the first five months, however, still widened to $16.5 billion from $15.7 billion in the same month last year.

The National Economic and Development Authority said outlook remained upbeat for the economy despite the weak trade figures.

“Global economic outlook for 2019 remains subdued as policy uncertainties and some geopolitical tensions continue to pose risks to many economies. But amid these external developments, the country’s economic outlook remains upbeat,” said Neda director-general and Economic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia.

Both the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank estimate that the Philippine economy would 6.4 percent and 6.5 percent in 2019 and 2020, respectively. The favorable view is supported by the latest International Monetary Fund growth forecasts of 6.5 percent in 2019 and 6.6 percent in 2020.

Pernia said the approval of the Philippine Export Development Plan 2018-2022 should further support external trade. The PEDP which is anchored on the PDP 2017-2022 will provide a more focused approach in improving the country’s export position, he said.

“Strategies under the PEDP must be implemented in harmony with the Philippine Development Plan 20172022 to boost merchandise trade growth,” he said.

Trade deficit ballooned by 51 percent to $41.4 billion in 2018 from $27.38 billion in 2017, as imports grew 13 percent to $108.92 billion from $96.093 billion in 2017 while exports declined 1.77 percent to $67.487 billion from $68.712 billion.

Online gaming operations seen to become the largest office space lessor in Metro Manila

By Jenniffer B. Austria THE Philippine offshore gaming operators are set to become the largest consumer of office space in Metro Manila before the end of 2019, overtaking the business process outsourcing sector despite the government’s move to tax foreign gaming workers, a property consultant said Wednesday.

Leechiu Property Consultants chief executive David Leechiu said in a news briefing the information technology-business management processing sector still

led the demand for office space in Metro Manila with 244,000 square meters as of the first half. This was slightly better than Pogo’s takeup of 242,000 sq. m.

“But we expect the Pogo industry to be the biggest demand driver by year-end due to its faster site selection and the effect of the recent moratorium on Peza [Philippine Economic Zone Authority] applications in Metro Manila,” Leechiu said.

“Demand for office space from Pogo will continue until 2021 unless something dramatic happens like something happens with our relationship with China. That

will continue to grow,” he said.

Leechiu said the government’s recent move to impose taxes on Chinese Pogo workers was not expected to dampen demand.

“This will just be another expense that they will bear and they have enough margin to cover for that,” Leechiu said.

Online gaming has been the fastest growing segment in the Philippine office market over the past four years, taking up substantial space in the Bay Area, Makati and Alabang. Outside Metro Manila, the industry also penetrated Clark, Cavite and Laguna.

The continued strong demand for of-

fice space from the Pogo sector is also expected to boost leasing rates for residential condominiums and reservation sales for residential towers.

“Rental rates have seen an increase of up to 80 percent from three years ago in the Bay Area. [Rent] Prices of studio units have increased from P18,000 in 2015 to P32,000 per unit per month in the first half of 2019. One-bedroom units have gone from P25,000 back in 2015 to P55,000 per unit per month while a two-bedroom unit’s price rose from P55,000 to P90,000 per unit per month,” Leechiu said.

B2

Business

THURSDAY, JULY 11, 2019 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Market rises; SM Investments up T he stock market bounced back Wednesday on bargain-hunting in step with the rest of Asia, boosted by comments from Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Benjamin Diokno that further policy rate and reserve requirement cuts could be done before the end of the year.

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index rose 36.17 points, or 0.4 percent, to 8,078.21 on a value turnover of P5.4 billion. Losers, however, beat gainers, 109 to 93, with 39 issues unchanged.

Diokno said in an event with bankers Wednesday the policy-making Mon-

etary Board would consider vital economic data, such as inflation rate and the economic growth data in the second quarter, before deciding on the rate and reserve requirement cuts.

SM Investments Corp. of the Sy Group advanced 3.2 percent to P980, while Globe Telecom Inc., the biggest telecommunications company, gained 2 percent to P2,174.

Filinvest Land Inc. of the Gotianun Group climbed 1.6 percent to P1.80, while Alliance Global Group Inc. of tycoon Andrew Tan added 1.3 percent to P15.40.

The rest of Asian markets mostly rose Wednesday after two days of losses with investors focusing on congressional testimony by Federal Reserve boss Jerome Powell.

After a mildly positive lead from Wall Street and two days of selling, Asia investors trod a careful path Wednesday.

Hong Kong edged up 0.2 percent in

late trade and Sydney rose 0.4 percent while Singapore and Seoul each put on 0.3 percent.

Wellington jumped more than one percent and Taipei gained 0.9 percent with Bangkok and Jakarta also up.

There was also a little optimism on news that top-level negotiators from China and the US had held phone talks on trade.

But Tokyo ended down 0.2 percent and Mumbai was off 0.4 percent in the afternoon.

Shanghai shed 0.4 percent after data showed June factory prices were unchanged from a year ago and fell from the previous month, hit by the US trade war.

Fed officials have helped spur a rally in world equities in recent weeks by taking an increasingly dovish tone regarding monetary policy, fueling expectations they would cut borrowing costs sharply to support a stuttering economy.

But hopes for a deep reduction were dealt a blow on Friday by data showing the US created far more jobs than expected in June. The report sparked a sell-off in stocks and sent the dollar surging.

Powell is now due to appear before both houses of Congress to give his opinion about the state of the world’s top economy, which investors will pore over for an idea about his interest rate plans.

Observers said that while a big cut— of 50 basis points—has all but been dismissed, the Fed is expected to unveil at least a 25 point reduction at its next gathering this month.

“It’s unlikely the Fed would risk ignoring the markets’ signaling, especially after taking a dovish turn at the June (policy) meeting, which sparked a broad risk-on rally and overshadowed concerns about slowing US and global growth,” said Stephen Innes at Vanguard Markets. With AFP

MANILA STANDARD BUSINESS DAILY STOCKS REVIEW WEDNESDAY, JULY 10, 2019

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

FINANCIALS 58.8 24,160 78.5 692,750 2.4 257,000 142.3 1,537,610 1.26 739,000 27.05 14,800 18.7 4,200 12.12 491,900 4.8 17,000 1.35 3,000 765 160 0.475 360,000 71.5 5,808,700 0.98 105,000 13.2 78,600 20.55 300 54 111,870 189.5 80 115 430 58.15 370 26.35 31,100 173 91,550 1,800 565 61.8 380 1.12 10,000

1,409,387 54,380,643 629,270 218,436,999 870,400 398,770 78,546 5,974,894 81,190 4,050 122,895 172,050 414,970,546 101,840 1,037,520 6,165 6,037,596.50 15,184 47,820 21,462.50 820,110 15,823,381 1,017,000 23,417 11,200

1,398,263 -1,431,896.50 21,466,783 -59,235 -1,160,586 -115,000 -25,281,024 -48,500 -3,960 -4,110 3,620,118 3,782 4,812,298 -3,636 -

36.55 14.2 0.77 1.34 0.26 89 2.7 14.32 17.4 16.7 40.2 90.2 106 1.99 6.09 10.24 15.38 10.76 7.5 1.65 26.95 89 54.6 2.5 13.8 10.08 1.68 281 9.05 25.15 13.62 18.7 383 0.183 5.8 1.7 4.62 5.76 9 2.37 12 38.65 4.9 1.3 1.95 1.07 13.9 102.5 6.49 1.18 173.6 2.59 1.17 16.08 1.32

INDUSTRIAL 36.7 2,278,400 14.28 844,500 0.77 1,958,000 1.34 774,000 0.265 510,000 99.9 760 2.72 19,300,000 14.8 83,400 18.5 1,717,500 16.7 26,100 40.2 200 92.95 34,810 107 15,870 1.99 258,000 6.09 54,700 10.28 377,100 15.38 1,256,300 10.86 103,700 7.55 416,800 1.65 3,000 27 2,469,300 89.9 486,840 55 107,870 2.62 7,631,000 13.86 920,300 10.1 122,200 1.7 359,000 282 745,130 9.1 9,600 25.5 215,100 13.62 939,500 19 1,392,100 383 88,440 0.183 1,300,000 5.8 2,000 1.71 20,195,000 4.68 21,000 5.8 2,721,100 9.3 12,100 2.45 17,588,000 12 10,600 38.95 491,000 4.9 2,019,000 1.3 299,000 1.99 20,000 1.1 695,000 13.94 602,600 105 671,090 6.49 263,700 1.19 761,000 175 1,270,610 2.59 3,000 1.19 3,783,000 16.1 1,000 1.38 5,963,000

83,434,770 12,060,504 1,526,870 1,058,690 134,800 67,765 54,888,250 1,230,436 31,365,598 439,962 8,115 3,282,160.50 1,747,707 515,800 333,865 3,874,466 19,398,224 1,119,550 3,140,592 4,950 66,783,265 43,917,293 5,944,630.50 19,647,590 12,754,378 1,236,152 615,860 210,148,228 86,981 5,472,145 12,974,762 26,219,686 33,909,076 242,050 11,600 35,474,920 98,160 15,783,401 112,488 42,714,630 128,898 19,065,340 9,893,130 393,190 39,880 751,010 8,401,172 69,082,655 1,714,127 900,280 222,168,818 7,790 4,489,560 16,082 8,159,060

-54,937,750 808,238 19,500 1,628,130 451,270 -1,066,452 4,020 -671,832 -34,732 -1,662,386 -284,810 449,070 895,083 4,950 21,484,955 -13,227,238.50 4,080,652.50 -206,080.00 -1,500,970 -143,656 -21,267,526 4,341,140 37,728 -60,760.00 -5,144,228 18,700 -1,400,000 -2,406,094 3,720 -3,292,240 5,861,400 4,900 27,500 3,383,526 -43,280,370 6,500 -236,000 29,640,038 -260,840 -246,620

0.99 56 15.48 0.76 7 12.94 1.31 1.38 920 3.88 1,251 7.08 10.12 14 0.24 850 6.41 69.7 4.47 15.74 0.62 4.82 0.039 1.8 175.3 2.48 981 0.85 1.38 431.2 263 0.238 0.3

0.89 54 15.22 0.71 6.9 12.58 1.27 1.28 905 3.78 1,251 6.9 10.02 13.62 0.23 835 6.4 67.3 4.36 15.34 0.6 4.75 0.039 1.61 174.6 2.48 956 0.8 1.35 431.2 260.8 0.228 0.285

HOLDING FIRMS 0.98 46,974,000 56 612,560 15.4 5,145,900 0.73 1,574,000 7 203,800 12.7 37,200 1.29 2,951,000 1.35 312,000 910 104,640 3.78 3,084,000 1,251 5 6.96 3,310,500 10.02 3,826,400 13.98 5,900 0.24 20,000 845 84,920 6.41 51,900 69.7 928,970 4.41 730,000 15.58 1,626,100 0.62 676,000 4.8 25,685,000 0.039 4,200,000 1.77 10,336,000 174.9 392,170 2.48 3,000 980 257,120 0.83 557,000 1.35 335,000 431.2 10 261 1,670 0.238 2,870,000 0.295 8,160,000

44,609,730 33,785,435 79,258,232 1,143,310 1,426,590 472,288 3,777,360 409,200 95,326,450 11,795,030 6,255 23,121,651 38,497,194 81,368 4,700 71,501,345 332,411 63,885,016.50 3,226,470 25,268,632 408,230 123,268,910 163,800 17,813,580 68,591,540 7,440 249,939,175 459,390 456,430 4,312 436,070 667,480 2,359,950

-39,800 2,787,425 1,228,622 894,600 35,580 201,210 -28,675,945 760,830 -1,503,303 -22,411,538 -50,816 -32,746,155 -288,250 14,678,582.50 -739,890 -5,580,468 60,000 26,065,540 331,410 7,835,096 85,206,640 27,100 -39,158 23,000 -104,050

15.5 0.84 11 2.07 1.15 51.6 2.32 5.15 0.62 0.8 0.94 0.24 0.47 10.02 24.5 0.475 1.85 1.38 6.05 0.35 0.495 1.78

15.3 0.82 11 1.99 1.08 51 2.3 5.07 0.6 0.77 0.92 0.238 0.445 9.75 24.05 0.465 1.78 1.36 5.96 0.33 0.47 1.7

PROPERTY 15.46 492,100 0.83 1,141,000 11 4,300 2.03 614,000 1.14 49,798,000 51.25 6,420,600 2.3 280,000 5.11 590,400 0.61 28,092,000 0.77 237,000 0.93 212,000 0.24 1,010,000 0.455 1,450,000 9.81 279,300 24.45 374,700 0.475 440,000 1.8 50,948,000 1.38 2,053,000 6.01 18,330,800 0.345 16,150,000 0.495 9,393,000 1.73 6,146,000

7,580,326 947,080 47,300 1,245,840 55,583,450 329,415,456.50 644,770 3,019,481 17,191,350 184,820 196,100 242,040 654,350 2,750,001 9,074,555 206,900 91,935,290 2,810,320 109,852,193 5,570,250 4,619,885 10,708,950

-799,416 8,400 -398,280 13,604,514.50 -324,040 126,800 880,830 4,760 22,750 -776,353 607,665 -52,250 -31,336,740 677,250 -45,092,468 -69,200 24,750 22,530

NAME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

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

58.9 78.05 2.45 142.5 1.22 26.9 18.76 12.12 4.79 1.35 789.5 0.48 71.4 0.96 13.2 20.55 52.75 189.1 112 57.7 26.6 173 1,800 61.8 1.12

58.9 79 2.5 142.9 1.28 27.15 18.76 12.2 4.8 1.35 789.5 0.49 72 0.99 13.2 20.55 55 193 115 58.15 26.6 174 1,800 61.95 1.12

58 78.05 2.4 141.5 1.17 26.85 18.7 12.08 4.76 1.35 765 0.475 71.3 0.96 13.2 20.55 52.75 188.7 110 57.7 26.2 171.8 1,800 60.6 1.12

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

36.9 14.36 0.8 1.37 0.27 89.05 3.02 14.32 17.4 17.4 40.95 99 119 2.01 6.1 10.28 15.54 10.78 7.6 1.65 27.3 91.5 54.8 2.5 13.88 10.22 1.7 284 9.05 25.4 13.8 18.78 387 0.189 5.8 1.8 4.65 5.9 9.39 2.37 12.16 38.95 4.93 1.35 2.08 1.1 13.94 104.5 6.56 1.21 177.5 2.6 1.21 16.08 1.33

37 14.36 0.8 1.37 0.27 99.9 3.03 14.8 18.74 17.4 40.95 102.5 121 2.01 6.19 10.3 15.54 10.96 7.65 1.65 27.3 91.5 56.4 2.62 13.9 10.22 1.74 284.2 9.41 25.5 14.1 19 387 0.189 5.8 1.84 4.68 5.9 9.39 2.47 12.18 38.95 4.93 1.36 2.08 1.1 14 105 6.56 1.21 177.5 2.6 1.21 16.1 1.41

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

0.93 55.05 15.22 0.74 6.9 12.7 1.3 1.3 919.5 3.8 1,251 6.95 10.12 14 0.23 846 6.4 68.9 4.42 15.5 0.6 4.77 0.039 1.65 174.6 2.48 956 0.81 1.38 431.2 263 0.232 0.3

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

15.3 0.84 11 2.01 1.11 51.55 2.31 5.07 0.6 0.78 0.92 0.238 0.46 10.02 24.45 0.465 1.83 1.36 6.01 0.335 0.495 1.7

VOLUME

NAME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

VOLUME

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

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

0.4 2.14 26.6 2.23 3.13 38.45 1.98 6.21 0.73 7.2

0.4 2.19 26.7 2.3 3.17 38.65 1.98 6.25 0.78 7.21

0.4 2.13 25.95 2.23 3.13 38.25 1.94 6.13 0.73 7.17

0.4 2.14 26.65 2.29 3.17 38.5 1.96 6.2 0.78 7.19

570,000 2,882,000 1,881,400 983,000 1,103,000 2,926,200 399,000 143,500 41,000 2,655,200

228,000 6,231,420 49,892,075 2,227,810 3,475,680 112,594,410 780,770 888,612 31,890 19,083,844

21,363,405 -22,700 -15,209,325 -97,500 2,203,194

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

10.94 17.6 1.34 0.52 0.044 21.5 2.46 11.32 0.055 87 8.15 9.98 890 2,132 5.38 427 2.2 1.91 141.7 9.9 5.95 0.118 5.91 2.95 3.66 0.85 19.48 0.51 3.19 2.61 1.53 1.56 14.4 2.37 3.01 9.05 3.07 5.6 140 4.15 1,194 0.75 0.84 44.95 77.15 9.39 3.46 0.8 0.355 5.37 0.77 16.9

10.94 17.7 1.42 0.53 0.044 21.5 2.49 11.46 0.057 87 8.15 9.98 890 2,174 5.44 445 2.22 1.95 143 9.9 6 0.118 5.95 3.11 3.72 0.93 19.5 0.51 3.19 2.61 1.53 1.56 15.38 2.45 3.06 9.41 3.07 5.6 143 4.15 1,200 0.75 0.87 45.5 78.45 9.39 3.51 0.81 0.355 5.52 0.84 16.94

10.7 17.48 1.34 0.52 0.044 21.5 2.4 11.32 0.055 87 7.33 9.42 890 2,132 5.38 401.4 2.1 1.88 138 9.89 5.95 0.117 5.59 2.95 3.64 0.85 19.3 0.51 3.14 2.52 1.53 1.56 14.4 2.36 3 9.05 3.07 5.25 139.5 3.85 1,188 0.72 0.83 44.5 77.15 9 3.44 0.77 0.34 5.37 0.75 16.86

SERVICES 10.7 17.48 1.42 0.52 0.044 21.5 2.48 11.42 0.056 87 7.35 9.49 890 2,174 5.4 422 2.12 1.95 142.5 9.89 6 0.117 5.63 3.1 3.64 0.9 19.46 0.51 3.14 2.53 1.53 1.56 14.4 2.43 3 9.39 3.07 5.5 140 3.9 1,198 0.73 0.86 45.5 78 9.29 3.49 0.79 0.345 5.48 0.83 16.88

19,000 267,100 7,000 1,336,000 3,900,000 1,100 942,000 2,856,600 11,100,000 7,060 21,697,500 150,400 690 64,300 31,100 23,850 3,749,000 470,000 1,088,400 600 5,100 210,000 28,764,900 12,000 742,000 2,044,000 246,000 290,000 209,000 2,575,000 55,000 10,000 7,100 1,448,000 110,000 18,300 1,000 209,100 30,980 8,575,000 76,470 3,635,000 19,023,000 632,100 230,190 67,000 3,997,000 10,019,000 8,590,000 1,355,000 29,533,000 416,600

204,070 4,704,864 9,620 696,090 171,600 23,650 2,276,690 32,589,488 618,440 614,220 164,650,596 1,445,917 614,100 138,603,180 167,724 10,047,476 8,051,770 889,380 152,917,588 5,937 30,520 24,580 163,483,448 36,480 2,714,920 1,809,190 4,783,500 147,900 660,110 6,577,280 84,150 15,600 103,818 3,488,540 330,500 171,281 3,070 1,170,190 4,349,685 34,088,920 91,457,330 2,664,200 16,194,640 28,586,280 17,921,137.50 603,735 13,934,360 7,953,700 2,997,700 7,452,593 23,852,220 7,039,332

2,152 -21,014,348 -4,458,337 47,373,330 457,510 -1,523,669 23,400 -13,685,271 -723,650 -36,000 2,109,240 3,160 -135,830 -342,430 -180,110 3,070 1,148,000 2,143,525 549,760 1,432,275 -1,505,600 -227,520 9,049,250 14,887,074.50 5,043,450 3,624,390 69,000 -3,954,314 1,442,428.00

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

0.0018 1.14 2.8 12.38 1.15 2.81 0.28 7.82 1.44 0.223 0.106 1.18 2.16 1.05 0.53 0.86 0.013 0.01 4.8 3.5 7.8 23.25 0.0064

0.0018 1.14 2.81 12.38 1.15 2.84 0.28 7.85 1.45 0.223 0.112 1.27 2.18 1.05 0.56 0.86 0.013 0.01 4.93 3.5 7.8 23.25 0.0064

0.0017 1.1 2.7 12.08 1.15 2.8 0.28 7.82 1.43 0.217 0.106 1.16 2.16 1.03 0.52 0.85 0.012 0.01 4.67 3.4 7.6 22.75 0.0061

MINING & OIL 0.0018 1,665,000,000 1.12 3,389,000 2.7 18,000 12.28 900 1.15 7,000 2.81 73,000 0.28 2,890,000 7.85 300 1.45 760,000 0.217 640,000 0.11 2,120,000 1.23 1,779,000 2.16 1,754,000 1.03 2,000 0.54 119,000 0.85 53,000 0.012 8,600,000 0.01 17,300,000 4.69 232,000 3.4 526,000 7.71 385,100 23 1,385,000 0.0061 7,000,000

2,903,200 3,781,690 49,130 10,972 8,050 204,920 809,200 2,349 1,093,280 139,260 232,830 2,178,240 3,794,300 2,080 62,210 45,480 106,300 173,000 1,111,060 1,807,690 2,955,672 31,837,545 43,600

34,000 -90,740 17,220 73,780 -93,350 -2,710,820 4,320 560,110 1,282,200 -

ABS HLDG PDR AC PREF B1 FGEN PREF G GLO PREF P GTCAP PREF A GTCAP PREF B MWIDE PREF PCOR PREF 3A PCOR PREF 3B PNX PREF 3A SMC FB PREF 2 SMC PREF 2B SMC PREF 2C SMC PREF 2D SMC PREF 2E SMC PREF 2H

16.84 479.8 104 480.2 940 940 102.4 1,010 1,010 100 970 75.2 76.1 73 73.5 73.85

16.86 488.2 107 480.2 940 940 102.4 1,011 1,010 100 980 75.2 76.85 73 74.95 73.85

16.82 479.8 104 480.2 940 940 102.4 1,010 1,007 100 970 75.1 76.1 73 73.5 73.85

PREFERRED 16.82 116,200 488.2 1,220 107 130 480.2 100 940 600 940 520 102.4 20 1,011 13,320 1,010 3,730 100 13,790 980 850 75.1 880 76.85 760 73 1,070 74.95 15,170 73.85 10

1,956,830 589,938 13,610 48,020 564,000 488,800 2,048 13,456,220 3,767,225 1,379,000 830,000 66,112 58,329.50 78,110 1,134,168 738.5

-1,950,096 723,200 -

LR WARRANT

1.83

1.86

1.83

WARRANTS 1.86 142,000

260,460

-

ITALPINAS XURPAS

4.98 1.14

4.98 1.14

4.92 1.05

4.92 1.06

1,529,620 30,843,870

86,090

FIRST METRO ETF

120.6

120.8

119.5

736,611

93,912

57,092

-

MS USD DMPL A1

10.2

10.4

TRADING SUMMARY

SHARES

FINANCIAL

10,942,075

INDUSTRIAL

105,606,615

HOLDING FIRMS

131,171,094

PROPERTY

218,771,968

SERVICES

171,136,204

MINING & OIL

1,714,231,798

GRAND TOTAL

2,380,601,131

10.2

SME

310,000 28,423,000

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 120.8 6,120 10.4

DDS

5,500

VALUE 1,735.65 (up) 2.23 802,147,567.10 FINANCIAL INDUSTRIAL 11,894.71 (down) 71.72 1,189,844,792.48 HOLDING FIRMS 7,795.68 (up) 96.46 1,076,190,225.97 PROPERTY 4,343,18 (down) 2.50 1,673.97 (up) 26.14 1,236,222,690.12 SERVICES MINING & OIL 7,416.84 (down) 86.26 966,363,995.45 PSEI 8,078.21 (up) 36.17 53,371,544.8608 All Shares Index 4,922.17 (up) 21.43 5,357,256,198.06 Gainers: 93; Losers: 109; Unchanged: 39; Total: 241

Semirara asks DoE to lift order vs coal trading in Negros Occ.

By Alena Mae S. Flores SEMIRARA Mining and Power Corp. asked the Department of Energy to lift the cease-and-desist order on coal trading activities pending the resolution of its alleged violation of the rules.

SMPC disclosed to the Philippine Stock Exchange on Wednesday an ongoing discussion with the DoE for the immediate resolution of the matter.

The department ordered SMPC to clarify claims of illegal coal trading operations in Pulupandan Port, Pulupandan, Negros Occidental until July 7 and to cease and desist operations there until further notice by the regulator.

SMPC supplied Semirara coal to a buyer on May 23, 2019 on trial shipment of 4,768.73 metric tons in order to tap additional market.

Under the rules, the DoE will either issue a certificate of accreditation or reject the application.

“Unfortunately, on shipment date, the buyer was unable to submit the said accreditation as it was still pending with the DoE. Thereafter, SMPC discontinued its supply and any trading with said buyer. On July 5, 2019, SMPC has accordingly submitted its verified answer to the DoE with a prayer for the immediate lifting of the cease and desist order/ suspension and for the non-imposition of any administrative fine,” SMPC said.

The company said it did not expect any material effects on its business, financial condition and operations.

“In order not to interrupt SMPC’s ongoing operation and renege on its contractual commitments to its coal buyers, SMPC have requested reconsideration of the DoE order and that the implementation thereof be held in abeyance pending resolution of the alleged violation, and allow SMPC to proceed and continue its current trading activities and operations,” SMPC said.

SMPC owns the country’s biggest coal mining operations in Caluya, Antique. It has remitted P3.57 billion in royalties to the DoE, representing the government’s share in the company’s mining revenues for 2018.

The royalty payment, remitted in March, is 17 percent lower than P4.3 billion paid last year as coal sales volume dropped 11 percent from 13.1 million metric tons in 2017 to 11.6 MMT.

Megaworld set to open transport hubs in Iloilo City

By Jenniffer B. Austria MEGAWORLD Corp., the biggest lessor in office spaces, is set to open its P350-million transport hubs in Iloilo Business Park this year.

Megaworld said in a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange the Iloilo Business Park Transport Hubs, which has two terminals, would serve the requirements of the region’s first Premium Point-to-Point service.

Each terminal, sitting on a 4,000-square meter lot each, will feature its own traveler’s lounge, an airconditioned facility where passengers can relax and wait for their trips at the departure terminal, and where they can stand by for transits or pick-up vehicles at the arrival terminal.

Each lounge will have shower rooms and toilets, all for the convenience of departing and arriving passengers.

At the traveler’s lounge of the departure terminal, passengers will also have the convenience of booking and purchasing their tickets at its own ticketing booths.

Both terminals will offer free wifi access to passengers.

At the second and third level of each terminal, 200 parking slots will be made available for free.

“We aim to provide world-class and convenient service in land transport for the local and international travelers in and out of Iloilo City. Hopefully, this will serve as a model for other transport hubs in the region,” said Megaworld head of estate management Jose Arnulfo Batac, The opening of the transport hubs will coincide with the rollout of the first Premium P2P Buses in Western Visayas starting July 11 by by Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) Region 6, with Iloilo Business Park as its main hub in Panay Island.

The project is part of the government’s Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program, a flagship program spearheaded by the Department of Transportation.

World

B3

TUESDAY, JULY 11, 2019 CESAR BARRIOQUINTO, Editor mst.daydesk@gmail.com

IN BRIEF Inventor buys ‘priciest’ penthouse

SINGAPORE―British billionaire inventor James Dyson has paid a reported $54 million for Singapore’s biggest, most expensive penthouse: a three-floor residence with a rooftop terrace, private pool, and jacuzzi.

His electric appliance company, known for its bagless vacuum cleaners, hand dryers and fans, announced this year it was shifting its global headquarters from England to the city-state to be closer to Asian markets.

The company also plans to produce electric cars there, as part of its expansion east after Britain’s decision in 2016 to leave the EU. The Brexit-backing tycoon purchased the 21,000-square-foot “super penthouse” for almost Sg$74 million ($54 million), Singapore’s Business Times newspaper reported, without citing a source.

A land title document seen by AFP lists Dyson and his wife Deirdre as joint tenants of the 99-year leasehold property, with the sale registered on June 20.

The company confirmed Dyson, 72, had bought a property in the city.

The luxury home at Wallich Residence sits on the top three floors of a 64-story, 290-meter high tower―the tallest in Singapore―which is in the business district and has panoramic views over the area.

It has five bedrooms, each with their own en-suite bathroom, a private garden and a viewing deck on the 62nd floor, according to a sales brochure for the property.

It also has a private lift.

The purchase is the most expensive for a condo in the city-state—where property is among the world’s costliest—beating the nearly Sg$60 million paid by Facebook cofounder Eduardo Saverin for a penthouse in 2017, according to the newspaper.

But it is below a price tag of over Sg$100 million originally sought for the Wallich property.

A Dyson spokesman declined to give details of the purchase but told AFP: “Given the decision to locate the headquarters in Singapore and the growing focus of the company’s business in the region, of course James Dyson has bought a property there.” AFP

Vanuatu defends speedy extraditions

WELLINGTON-Vanuatu has denied bowing to pressure from Beijing by allowing Chinese police to enter the Pacific island nation and extract six criminal suspects without them facing a local court.

Critics have accused the government of bypassing due process to please China, one of the country’s biggest aid donors.

It also comes as Beijing vies for influence in the area with traditional regional powers, including the United States, Australia, and New Zealand.

“Under a veil of secrecy, China has convinced Vanuatu to enforce Chinese law within its own borders,” wrote the Vanuatu Daily Post newspaper, which broke the story of last week’s deportations from the capital, Port Vila.

It said plainclothes police officers from both countries flanked five men and one woman― all reportedly Chinese nationals―as they were escorted onto a privately chartered plane last Friday that then flew to China.

Four of the six reportedly had Vanuatu passports obtained under a scheme allowing wealthy foreigners to get citizenship in return for substantial fees or investments.

The situation has been likened to a case in Fiji two years ago when China’s uniformed police escorted 77 hooded and handcuffed Chinese nationals who were allegedly part of an online fraud network out of the country.

Internal Affairs Minister Andrew Napuat told Radio New Zealand there was nothing unusual about last week’s operation, and said foreign criminals should not obtain citizenship in an attempt to hide from the law.

“To those other foreigners who have obtained Vanuatu passports through the citizenship program, you must understand that the government can revoke your passports at any time if you are caught in illegal acts,” he told the Daily Post.

“We will be strengthening our border compliance and rules.”

Port Vila introduced its Economic Citizenship Program to generate income and bring in wealthy businessmen after the nation was devastated by Cyclone Pam in 2015.

Foreigners can gain Vanuatu passports for fees ranging from $200,000 to $280,000—or if they invest $230,000 in the country’s real estate.

The International Monetary Fund said earlier this year that the scheme—which supposedly includes criminal background checks on all applicants—had generated 3.5 billion vatu ($30.4 million) two years ago, or roughly three percent of the country’s total gross domestic product. AFP

IN THE SPOTLIGHT. Visitors look at a

robot used on public services during the China International Robot Show in Shanghai on July 10, 2019. AFP

Official urges US to act over Khashoggi killing

L

ONDON―The United Nations human rights expert who conducted an independent probe into the murder of dissident Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi on Tuesday urged the US to act on her damning findings.

Agnes Callamard, a UN special rapporteur who concluded that Khashoggi’s death at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul in October was “an extra-judicial execution” by the Gulf kingdom, criticized the United States over its inaction. “[It] has the jurisdiction or at least the interest to take action,” she told a London conference hosted by human rights groups on the killing of the Saudi-born US resident.

“Silence is not an option. Speaking up is required but not enough. We have to act,” Callamard said.

The UN rapporteur on extra-judicial, summary or arbitrary executions said

Washington could act “either through an FBI investigation [or] a civil law investigation... [or] the declassification of CIA and other materials”.

“All of those things I believe can be done and should be done.”

Khashoggi, a Washington Post contributor, was killed last October by Saudi agents while at Saudi Arabia’s consulate in Istanbul to obtain paperwork.

His dismembered body has not been found.

Callamard launched her investigation in January and last month released an 101-page report that found “credible evidence” linking Saudi Crown Prince

Grief-stricken families of Sudan’s revolution seek justice AL-RIMELA, Sudan―Amid mounds of sand capped by hand-written signs naming the dead, Khadom embraces the tomb of her son, one of the more than 200 killed in Sudan’s months-long turmoil.

It was an April morning when a freshly-shaven Al-Moez drank his tea before heading out to the office from the modest home he shared with his parents in Al-Rimela, southern Khartoum.

His office was in the same building as Qatar-based news channel Al-Jazeera and near a longstanding protest camp outside army headquarters in central Khartoum.

“The building was under surveillance by the all-powerful National Intelligence and Security Service (NISS),” Khadom told AFP. Shortly after he arrived at work, a colleague started to take pictures with his

mobile phone from a window of their office.

Out of nowhere, a bullet pierced the window and lodged itself in the heart of Al-Moez who was standing nearby. The 45-year-old died on the spot.

Like dozens of others who lost a son, uncle or brother, the family has paid a high price for Sudan’s revolution that toppled its longtime autocratic ruler Omar al-Bashir in April.

And now Al-Moez’s family want justice.

His parents have called for an official investigation and for his killer to pay the “eye for an eye” penalty.

But Khadom says there is little chance the case will come to trial or that the NISS will be found guilty.

Anti-regime protests which first broke out on December 19 after the tripling of bread prices have cost the

US and China resume trade war talks WASHINGTON―Top US and Chinese negotiators held phone talks on Tuesday as the world’s top two economies seek to resolve their trade war, more than a week after they declared a truce.

Talks had broken down in May over US accusations that Beijing had reneged on its commitments, and the dispute escalated with the two sides exchanging steep increases in punitive tariffs.

But US President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping agreed to revive negotiations when they met on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Japan on June 29.

US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer spoke with Chinese Vice Premier Liu He and Commerce Minister Zhong Shan on Tuesday.

White House economic adviser Larry Kudlow told reporters the talks “went constructively” but it was “too soon for details.”

In an interview with the Fox Business

Mohammed bin Salman to the murder and an attempted cover up.

It said further investigation and financial sanctions were warranted.

The rapporteur noted she had received no cooperation from Riyadh and minimal help from the United States.

“The US was not at the top of the cooperation chain,” Callamard said.

“They did the minimum to keep them within the remit of what is expected from a Western government.”

Callamard added she was not granted any access to the CIA, the US Department of Justice or other Trump officials.

Amid frustration at the global inaction since the publication of her findings on June 19, and Prince Salman being welcomed to a recent G20 meeting in Japan, she said the West risked a “democratic deficit” in not responding to widespread public disgust at the killing.

“That is dangerous... that democratic deficit must be tackled.” AFP

Network, Kudlow described the discussions as “preliminary” and said meetings will “probably” be arranged, but did not give more details.

Kudlow noted that Trump has agreed to hold off on imposing new tariffs and will allow certain US products to be sold to Chinese telecom giant Huawei.

“Having said that, we have a very strong―I want to underscore this―a very strong expectation that China will really shortly, maybe immediately, begin to purchase US agricultural products,” he told the US broadcaster.

The Chinese commerce ministry said in a brief statement that the two sides exchanged “opinions on implementing the consensus reached between the two countries’ heads of state in Osaka.”

Washington and Beijing have hit each other with punitive tariffs covering more than $360 billion in two-way trade and those duties remain in place. AFP

FASHION WEEK. A model

presents a creation from Spanish designer Ana Locking’s Spring/Summer 2020 collection during the Mercedes Benz Fashion Week in Madrid on July 9, 2019. AFP

lives of more than 200 demonstrators, according to doctors close to the protest movement.

Gatherings have been staged in front of the homes of the “martyrs”, whose portraits have been painted on walls across the capital.

Outside a rundown apartment block in central Khartoum, two little boys, Ahmed and Asir, are often seen waving small Sudanese flags at motorists.

“Blood for blood, we don’t want compensation!” they chant if security forces pass by in their pickups.

Their uncle, Ali, 25, was felled by a bullet in the back on June 3, the day gunmen in military uniform brutally dispersed the sit-in outside army headquarters that was in place since April 6.

More than 100 lives were lost that day alone and over 500 people wounded, according to the doctors. AFP

At least 24 killed in PNG tribal massacre PORT MORESBY―At least 24 people, including two pregnant women and their unborn children, were killed in a three-day spasm of tribal violence in Papua New Guinea’s lawless highlands, prompting the prime minister on Wednesday to promise swift justice.

Officials said the deaths occurred in Hela province―a rugged region in the west of the country―when rival tribes apparently clashed over control of local gold deposits in the mineral-rich soil.

Highland clans have fought each other in Papua New Guinea for centuries, but an influx of automatic weapons has made clashes more deadly and escalated the cycle of violence.

Hela provincial administrator William Bando told AFP on Wednesday that the death toll could rise.

“We are still waiting for today’s brief from our officials on the ground,” he said, calling for at least 100 police to be deployed to reinforce some 40 local officers.

The incident has shocked both the country and recently appointed Prime Minister James Marape, whose constituency includes the district where the killings occurred.

He vowed more security deployments and warned the perpetrators “your time is up”.

“Today is one of the saddest day of my life,” he said in a statement. “Many children and mothers innocently murdered in Munima and Karida villages of my electorate.”

In the Karida attack, six women and eight children -- as well as two pregnant women and their unborn children -- were hacked and shot to death in a 30-minute rampage.

Local health worker Pills Kolo said it was hard to recognise some of the body parts, and posted images of remains bundled together with mosquito nets used as makeshift body bags.

Images provided by local police showed the corpses of two children of school age, one with severe head injuries.

Local media reported the attack appeared to related to the ambush and murder of six people the day before.

Marape blamed the violence on three related warlords who have been fighting against the Tagali tribe over local gold deposits.

“Gun-toting criminals, your time is up,” Marape said. “Learn from what I will do to criminals who killed innocent people, I am not afraid to use strongest measures in law on you.”

He noted that the death penalty was “already a law”.

Tribal clashes are a frequent occurrence in Papua New Guinea’s highlands, where old rivalries prompted by rape or theft, or disputes over tribal boundaries or resources, often prompt violence. AFP

LGUs

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

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THURSDAY, JULY 11, 2019

LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS

NEW HEALTH CENTER. BDO Foundation has successfully completed the rehabilitation of Panglao Rural Health Unit

in Bohol, which helps improve the health and well-being of more than 37,000 people from 10 barangays on the resort island. The newly renovated facility was turned over to the community by BDO Foundation president Mario Deriquito, BDO Foundation program director Rose Espinosa, and BDO Bohol-Panglao branch head Gwen Jonos (inset) during the ribbon cutting ceremonies also graced by residents and health workers led by municipal health officer Dr. Julita Cogo.

Moros vow to stay vigilant Isko sacks cop after stepping on human feces

By Vito Barcelo MANILA Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso on Wednesday called for the dismissal of a police precinct commander after accidentally stepping on human feces while conducting an inspection at the Andres Bonifacio monument beside the Manila City Hall.

The mayor was disgusted to see the area where the national hero’s statue—depicted holding a sword to lead the charge against foreign invaders—was littered not only with trash but with feces.

“O ayan may tae, naapakan ko pa! (Oh, there’s sh*t. I stepped on it!”) Domagoso said over a television interview.

“Who’ll be lucky [to step on feces]?

Who will get rich? The sh*t. I hit it,” Moreno said.

After the inspection, Moreno called Manila Police District Chief Vicente Danao to recommend the relief of Police Lt. Rowel Robles, Police Community Precinct commander at the Lawton district in Manila.

The mayor also inspected the shrine of national hero Emilio Jacinto nearby.

Moreno said this was not the way our heroes should be treated, by way of ignoring it and letting the area become a public toilet. He also noticed the graffiti on the Bonifacio monument.

While conducting the inspection, the Manila chief executive, wearing a white polo barong, smelled something fishy, which he said was very unpleasant odor.

“This is too much. This place was desecrated. It smells of urine,” Moreno said.

By Nash B. Maulana

C

OTABATO CITY―Bangsamoro Region Interim Chief Minister Hadji Murad Ebrahim has reiterated an earlier commitment he made to help the government in its fight terrorism, corruption and the proliferation of dangerous drugs.

Local Governments Minister Naguib Sinarimbo of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao said the BARMM leadership’s commitment was acknowledged by Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año in his meeting with Murad Monday, two years after they first met in Davao City with President Rodrigo Duterte at the start of the Marawi siege.

“As soon as the Moro Islamic Liberation Front gave its commitment to support the [state security forces’] campaign against terrorism, we knew that half of the war in liberating Marawi City [from homegrown extremists] was already won

in 2017,” Sinarimbo recalled Año as saying during their meeting.

Año , who was then Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, said the President did not ask then MILF Chairman Hadji Murad Ebrahim for anything more than peripheral vigilance to prevent entry of possible reinforcement to local extremists in May that year.

The MILF then committed to deploy guerrillas to fight side-by-side with government forces against Islamic extremists at the start of the Marawi siege in May 2017.

The government through the Office

of Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process and the MILF also jointly initiated the Peace Corridor for a last ditch effort to win over civilians holed up in the most affected areas or were being restricted by terrorists in Marawi then.

Murad visited Año for the first time since he assumed the top leadership of the newly created BARMM last March.

“Secretary Año revealed that when the MILF made the commitment of support, they already knew that half of the battle in liberating Marawi has been won,” BARMM Interior and Local Government Minister Naguib Sinarimbo said of the meeting.

Año said he and the President met Murad in Davao City upon their return from a shortened state visit to Russia then, when the President had to decide on launching military offensives against the Maute group holed at Marawi City’s main commercial district holding many residents hostage.

DRUG CLEARED.

Navotas Mayor Toby Tiangco (center) turns over a certificate to Barangay Captain Carlito de Guzman Sr. and other officials of Barangay Tanza 1, which was among the five drugcleared villages in the city as certified by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency. Others at the event on Monday are Navotas Rep. John Rey Tiangco (third from left) and officials of barangays Navotas East, North Bay Boulevard South Dagat-Dagatan, San Rafael Village, and Tanza II. Andrew Rabulan

Las Piñas City, Perpetual Help Medical Center sign ‘Green Card’ pact THE Las Piñas City hospitalization program through the Green Card Program can now be availed at the Perpetual Help Medical Center of Las Piñas, Mayor Imelda T. Aguilar and Vice Mayor April Aguilar-Nery announced ón Wednesday.

The Perpetual Help Medical CenterLas Piñas is the latest medical facility to accredit the Green Card Program of the

city, in addition to Las Piñas Doctor’s Hospital, San Juan de Dios Hospital, Philippine General Hospital, and Las Piñas City Medical Center.

“We are happy to announce that we have another partner in providing hospitalization benefits to our Las Piñeros, the Perpetual Help Medical Center, as we continue to explore ways to deliver enhanced service to

3 SPD stations among MM’s best

By Joel E. Zurbano

SOUTHERN Police District district director B/Gen. Eliseo Cruz on Wednesday commended his men after three police stations in his district were named in the top five best police stations in Metro Manila.

The three police stations—Pasay City, Makati City and Las Pinas City— bagged the numbers 2, 4 and 5 spots in the awarding of Top 5 Best City Police Station for the month of June.

The citation held in a simple awarding ceremony coincided with the Weekly Oversight Committee Meeting at the National Capital Region Police Office in Camp Bagong Diwa,

Bicutan, Taguig City presided by NCRPO regional director for operations B/Gen. Crizaldo Nieves.

The Pasig City and Mandaluyong City police stations, both in the Eastern Police District, bagged the number 1 and 3 spots, respectively.

The police stations were conferred with an award “for their outstanding performance in the discharge of their mandated functions in keeping the peace and maintaining law and order in their area which contributed immensely to the accomplishment of the over-all vision and objective of the NCRPO in particular and the Philippine National Police in general.”

our kababayans,” Mayor Aguilar said.

Las Piñas residents who are holders of the Green Card could avail of the free hospitalization services worth P30,000 per patient who would be confined at any of the accredited hospitals.

The Green Card is the hospitalization support program managed by the Mayor’s Office, City Health Office, and City Social

Welfare and Development Office. It has now around 200,000 Green Card holders.

The free hospitalization program was initiated by former Mayor Vergel “Nene” Aguilar in 2000 with about 10,000 Green Card holders, including city hall employees, which was accredited at Las Piñas Doctor’s Hospital and San Juan De Dios Hospital.

BARMM to take control of offices in Cotabato LGUs COTABATO CITY―The Department of the Interior and Local Government will work on the smooth transfer of the supervision of its local offices in the newly created Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

Minister Naguib Sinarimbo of the BARMM’s Ministry of the Interior and Local Government said this developed following a meeting hosted

by Interior Secretary Eduardo Año on Tuesday for Bangsamoro Transition Authority Chief Minister Hadji Murad Ebrahim and his BARMM team.

Año has instructed his DILG team to “make arrangement for this [transfer] in compliance with the provisions of the Bangsamoro Organic Law” or Republic Act 11054, said Sinarimbo, who attended the meeting along with three other top BARMM officials.

Sinarimbo, a lawyer, said the transfer of administrative and operational supervision over DILG offices will include Barangay and City Local Government Offices in the case of the 63 villages in Cotabato Province and Cotabato City, in which the BOL ratification last January was voted affirmatively and, thus, have become new territories of BARMM. “Working collaboration with the provincial government of North Cotabato, as well as other local government units affected, including Cotabato City, and Pikit town will be very necessary,” Sinarimbo said.

Meanwhile, the BARMM would now have direct working collaboration with the DILG on the implementation of institutional programs like the awarding of Seal of Good Local Governance, which previously made Muslim provinces and towns a mere clustered part of administrative Regions 12, 9 and 10, Sinarimbo said.

Sinarimbo also said that a set of National Police Commission’s guidelines was also being drawn up on orders of Año on having to open police recruitment for members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and the Moro National Liberation Front. Nash B. Maulana

Joy wants QC ‘green fund’ law amended

By Rio N. Araja QUEZON City Mayor Joy Belmonte is urging the 37-member city council to amend the city’s Environment Protection and Waste Management Code following a Commission on Audit recommendation that the P316-million green fund is a public fund that must be subjected to audit.

In Sangguniang Panglungsod Ordinance 2350 enacted in 2014, the city council envisioned the green fund as a mechanism through which retailers could carry out environmental projects by charging P2 from consumers for every plastic bag used.

By charging for plastic bags, the council then hoped to encourage consumers to give up using plastic in favor of using eco-bags instead.

COA maintained the green fund must be turned over to the treasury office and be subject to audit.

Belmonte, who was presiding officer of the city council as vice mayor in the last nine years, certified the amendment to the ordinance as urgent and instructed current Vice Mayor Gian Carlo Sotto to ensure that it incorporates all COA’s recommendations.

She suggested that the council establish an environmental trust fund for the green fund, which when collected from retailers “could be used for the environmental projects in consultation with stakeholders within the parameters and standards set by law in accordance with the city’s environmental development plan.”

On July 1, Belmonte issued an executive order to create an internal audit system to ensure that all public funds are used properly and duly accounted for.

POSTER CONTEST.

To teach children the importance of growing trees for a sustainable environment, Carmen Copper Corp. organized an on-thespot Poster Making Contest with the theme ‘Greening Towards a Sustainable Future.’

The contest is one of the highlights of the company’s month-long celebration of the Environment Month in June. The winners are (from left) Clarince Kent Kilag of Biga Elementary School, third placer; Princess Arzenette S. Tinampay of Cambang-ug Elementary School, champion; and Nheriza B. Tocmo of De La Salle-Andres Soriano Memorial College, second placer.

Life

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

HOUSEHOLD

THURSDAY, JULY 11, 2019

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STREAMLINED SHOPPING.

The landmark merger between classifieds marketplace platforms OLX Philippines and Carousell will form the Carousell.ph brand beginning July 15.

The power of two

By Bernadette Lunas

F

ILIPINOS’ online shopping becomes more streamlined with the merging of OLX Philippines with Singapore-based classifieds marketplace platform Carousell.

The landmark merger will form the Carousell.ph brand, active beginning July 15.

“From now on (starting July 15), we’re using the Carousell brand. All traffic from OLX Philippines will be redirected to Carousell. The idea behind this is we want to be the leading classifieds player in the region, thus we’re taking one platform, one brand across,” Carousell Philippines general manager Raffy Montemayor told Manila Standard at a media briefing in Makati.

Montemayor said the partnership is a “game-changer” and revolutionizes ecommerce in the Philippines as it offers “Filipinos the best shopping experience and inspires them to start buying and selling online.”

Basically, the merger takes advantage of OLX’s strong commercial hold over the past 13 years, and Carousell’s consumer-consumer/business-consumer platform and innovative technologies.

One of the most frequently-used features on Carousell is smart listings powered by artificial intelligence. Through this feature, sellers can streamline their selling process to just seconds by taking a photo of their item.

The AI-powered technology auto-fills listing fields such as category, title, and even suggest a price based on other similar

(classifieds marketplace platforms)

listings. Sellers can also take advantage of Carousell’s free “unli-posting” where they can get unlimited free ads in selected categories to maximize their sales.

New users and those migrating from OLX.ph can also look forward to Carousell’s vast community of buyers and sellers.

Carousell is present in six markets, including Singapore, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines. Here in the country, Montemayor said, it currently has close to 14 million listings and has helped sell around 4.5 million items.

Further, the merger combines the strong segments of the two classifieds marketplace platforms.

Montemayor said OLX Philippines, formerly known as Sulit in 2006 prior to its rebranding in 2014, is popular with male users looking for and selling

mobile phones, consumer electronics, and automobiles and accessories—both brand new and secondhand.

Carousell, on the other hand, is popular with the female segment, with strong fashion, health, and beauty categories.

“We have six million active users on OLX Philippines, and we want to make sure it’s a super smooth transition for them,” said Montemayor.

The general manager said Carousell has been notifying OLX users to migrate to the former in the past few weeks, “and we’ve been hearing a lot of excitement,” he said.

“With the OLX-Carousell partnership, I am able to sell and reach a wide customer base, showcase my creativity, and promote my zero waste advocacy. It helps me grow my business,” said Mayumi Organics.

Carousell users in the Philippines use the platform to sell brand new and preloved items, ranging from fashion and beauty products to consumer electronics and collectibles.

(Photos from Carousell/Facebook)

Many Carousell users selling preloved items expressed excitement on the merger.

“With this partnership, I can find new homes for my preloved collectibles. This is a great platform for me to find a wide market that can cherish my old items as much as I did,” said user hannayng.

Another Carousell user, Quency, shared, “I’ve been using Carousell for

quite some time now, normally for shopping preloved clothes, until recently I used the app for selling my own products.”

As part of the merger, Property24 will likewise be part of Carousell Philippines, allowing real estate sellers posting on the former to cross-sell with the latter. “With Property24, we’ll be in a unique position—there’s so much diversity,” said Montemayor.

Mass housing developer expands in Mindanao

Big Bite hotdogs and City Blends coffee are offerred at half the price on 7/11 day.

Deals and discounts on 7/11 day JULY 11 (or 7/11) is a special day for 7-Eleven. In celebration of its anniversary, the chain of convenience stores rolls out amazing offers throughout its 2,664 outlets nationwide.

On its anniversary today, 7-Eleven’s City Blends coffee and Big Bite hotdogs are offered at half the price. Customers also get free Crunch Time Flavorites for every purchase of Crunch Time products on the same day.

More discounts are available in stores, in addition to discounted products available today until July 16.

This year’s 7/11 anniversary also marks the opening of the 2,000th City Blends store and the 1,000th Crunch Time store.

Follow 7-Eleven Philippines on Facebook, @711ph on Instagram, and @711philippines on Twitter for updates.

DRIVEN by the rapid growing of Mindanao’s economy, mass housing developer Bria Homes brings superiorquality, affordable homes to residents and prospective homeowners in Davao, General Santos City, Kidapawan City, Cagayan de Oro City, Misamis Oriental, and Bukidnon.

Aspiring homeowners in Davao del Norte can choose from four Bria communities.

Bria Tagum, a 15-hectare community located at Brgy. La Filipina, is near La Filipina National High School, Tagum Regional Hospital, and Robinsons Mall.

The soon-to-be-completed Bria Maco, which will sprawl on 15 hectares of land in Brgy. Pangi, is located close to Tagum Regional Hospital, the Capitol Road, and Tagum Diversion Road.

Meanwhile, Bria Panabo and Bria Carmen, both at 14 and 17 hectares, respectively, are easily accessible via Daang Maharlika National Highway.

Prospective homeowners in progressive Davao Del Sur will find an idyllic setting in Bria Digos, located in Brgy. Matti at Upper Matti, and set on 18 hectares of land.

A 15-hectare community located in Brgy. Talomo-River, Bria Calinan is an ideal site and investment, as it is only 1.9 kilometers away from Calinan Proper, and 900 meters away from the Favao-Buda Highway.

Set to sprawl on 46 hectares of land, the property in General Santos will rise on Conel Road, Brgy. San Isidro.

Mass housing developer Bria Homes boasts several properties in Mindanao, such as in Davao, General Santos City, Kidapawan City, Cagayan de Oro City, Misamis Oriental, and Bukidnon.

On the other hand, aspiring homeowners in Kidapawan, Cotabato can look forward to a comfortable life in Bria Kidapawan, which will sprawl on 17 hectares of land at Magpet-Pangaoan Road, Brgy. Sudapin.

The developer has two projects in Cagayan de Oro, namely Bria Gran Europa, a 5.1-hectare subdivision located in Brgy. Lumbia, and Bria Condo CDO, a four-story, low-rise condominium community situated at Brgy. Kauswagan, both of which are accessible via Masterson Avenue.

It also has two other projects in Misamis Oriental, namely Bria Balingasag

and Bria Gingoog, both of which are easily accessible via Butuan-Cagayan de Oro-Iligan Road.

Interested home buyers in Bukidnon should check out Bria Valencia, a 26-hectare community located in Brgy.

Mailag, and Bria Manolo Fortich, a 15-hectare community, both of which are easily accessible via Sayre Highway.

Future residents of all the aforementioned projects will enjoy assorted recreational amenities and 24-hour security.

Row houses and townhouses’ prices start at P540,000. While condominium property prices range from P1.5 million to P1.7 million.

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Entertainment

THURSDAY, JULY 11, 2019

nickie.standard@gmail.com

Shiela Valderrama-Martinez marks 25th illustrious year

Shiela Valderrama-Martinez with ‘Binondo’ co-star Arman Ferrer

T

HE toast of Philippine musical theater, Shiela ValderramaMartinez, marks her 25th year in the industry with several projects lined up for her. She has never been less busy for the latter half of the year, even as she has performed in over 30 productions in the local front and also in the international scene throughout her career.

She is presently headlining Resorts World Manila’s Disco Glam concert that opened last April at the new Grand Wing.

Direction is by Dan Cabrera.

This month, Shiela will reprise her role as Lily Dela Rosa in Binondo: A Tsinoy Musical at the Theater at Solaire. At Theater actress Shiela Valderrama-Martinez marks her 25th year in the industry with a lineup of projects including the highly anticipated ‘Binondo: A Tsinoy Musical.’

Laguna native wins Mrs. Eco International 2019

By Eton Concepcion SHEILA Teodoro DeForest, a native of Pagsanjan, Laguna, was crowned Mrs. Eco International 2019 in the finals held in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA on July 1.

A former flight attendant, the 45-year-old Tourism graduate of the University of the Philippines, has been based in Colorado, USA after she got married to Timothy DeForest, an American pilot.

Mrs. Norway finished as first runner-up, while Mrs. USA and Mrs. Costa Rica were 2nd and 3rd runners up, respectively. DeForest was also awarded Best Eco Video, Best Charitable Giver and Best Eco Costume, which was designed by Edwin Uy. DeForest’s win followed the recent title-conquest of Avon Morales in Mrs. Asia-Pacific Global 2019 pageant.

DeForest, who also worked at the British Embassy in Manila as public affairs officer, also vied in Mrs. Globe 2018 in Shenszhen, China. The statuesque, former commercial ads model, joined Supermodel Philippines in 1992 and Bodyshots search in 1998.

the helm is Joel Lamangan. The musical will release an original cast recording for its re-run. Performances are on July 12, 13 and 14.

In August, Shiela will revisit her role as Katherine Lyons in the critically acclaimed musical, Dani Girl, as Sandbox Collective’s fifth anniversary offering.

Toff de Venecia directs. The show will be staged Aug. 10 to Sept. 1 at the Carlos P. Romulo Theater, RCBC Makati.

Come September, Shiela will portray Fosca, one of the most coveted roles in musical theater, in Stephen Sondheim’s musical, Passion, mounted by Philippine Opera Company, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary and mounting its first musical theater (non opera) production at the RCBC Theater, Sept. 13 to 29. Robbie Guevarra directs.

Later this year, Shiela will also make her Repertory Philippines comeback in the title role of Adarna in Repertory Children’s Theater’s first original musical, megged by Joy Virata. The show will run starting this September until January 2020 at Onstage Theater in Greenbelt, Makati.

Shiela has enviably notched a number of awards and citations through the years.

She has been cited as Best Actress in a Musical, Best Supporting Actress in a Musical and won Best New Female Recording Artist in the prestigious Awit Awards.

Most recently, Shiela was nominated in BroadwayWorld for her work in Guadalupe: The Musical, where she played Lady of Guadalupe. The musical will be restaged next year.

Shiela also received double nominations in Aliw Awards for Best Actress in a Musical (Binondo: A Tsinoy Musical) and Best Crossover Performer category.

Shiela started this year with several projects in her performing calendar. She lent her voice to the prestigious Ballet Philippines’ rock opera, Tales of the Manuvu, as the “First Woman.” National Artist for Dance Alice Reyes directed.

Last May, Shiela was blessed to have participated in the National Artist tribute at the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP), doing a stage reading in Hiligaynon dialect of Margo sa Tubig, the work of writer Ramon Larupay Muzones, National Artist for Literature.

Aside from her performances onstage, Shiela recently renewed her contract as Facial Care ambassador. She is also handling Marby Food Ventures and working as export head. She has schedules of events year round under Stages Management and Rank One, with David Cosico as her talent manager.

Sheila Teodoro DeForest wearing an Edwin Uy creation during the National Costume competition

With the contestants required to submit a video on their environmental advocacy, DeForest competed on a platform focusing on the reduction of plastic wastes and non-use and proper disposal of singleuse plastics. She’s been a spokesperson on proper waste segregation and proper garbage disposal.

Founded and presented by Earth Pageants, Inc., which also includes Ms. ECO and Ms. Teen ECO International, Mrs. ECO International aims to provide a platform that allows women around the world to have a larger voice to share their passion and goals to protect and educate others on global environmental issues.

HOLLYWOOD

‘Spider-Man’ weaves box office lead ONCE again Spider-Man seems to be trapping everything that flies by: Spider-Man: Far From Home took in an impressive $93.6 million in North America over the US holiday weekend and has passed the half-billion-dollar mark worldwide, industry watcher Exhibitor Relations estimated Sunday.

This latest in the SpiderMan franchise, made by Sony and Disney-owned Marvel, set a record sixday total for a Tuesday release of $185.1 million, according to the Hollywood Reporter.

Its storyline follows on blockbuster Avengers: Endgame to focus on how Spider-Man (Tom Holland) and Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) confront a world without Iron Man. Also starring are Zendaya, Jake Gyllenhaal, and J.B. Smoove.

Coming in second in its third week out was Disney/Pixar collaboration Toy Story 4, at $34.3 million. The film again features the voices of Tom Hanks as Woody, the eager but empty-holstered cowboy doll, and Tim Allen as space toy Buzz Lightyear.

In third, at $10.8 million, was Universal’s alternate-universe romantic comedy Yesterday. Himesh Patel stars as a struggling musician who, after a mysterious global blackout, is the only person in the world to remember the

Beatles and their music -- and takes full advantage of it.

Patel does his own singing; Danny Boyle, of Trainspotting and Slumdog Millionaire fame, directs.

Fourth spot went to Warner Bros. horror film Annabelle Comes Home, at $9.8 million. In fifth was Disney’s liveaction remake of Aladdin, taking in $7.6 million in its seventh week out.AFP

Tom Holland and Zendaya on the set of the latest Spider-Man movie

ABS-CBN was recognized once again as a preferred organization to work for in the Philippines at the recent Philippine Best Employer Brand Awards.

This is the second straight year that the country’s leading media and entertainment company was cited by the Employer Branding Institute for its ability to attract applicants, and for providing its people competitive salaries and benefits, opportunities for learning and development, and other

factors essential to a good working environment.

This Best Employer Award adds to the recognitions received by ABSCBN as a respected and sought after employer. In 2018, ABS-CBN was also cited as one of the Philippines’ best companies to work for in Asia

by HR Asia, a premiere publication for human resources professionals.

Earlier in 2011, the network also won in the Asia’s Best Employer Awards in

Singapore. It also made Jobstreet’s Top Companies that Employees Aspire to Work For list multiple times.

Paulo Tatad, head of recruitment marketing and sourcing of ABS-CBN, accepted the award in the ceremony held in Dusit Thani Manila in Makati City, alongside other companies that are exemplary in Human Relations and used marketing communications effectively for Human Resources Development.

ABS-CBN recruitment marketing and sourcing head Paulo Tatad (3rd from right) receives the award from the Employer Branding Ins.

THURSDAY, JULY 11, 2019

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‘Serbisyo...

From C4

However, with the establishment of the Philippine Ports Authority in 1974, through Presidential Decree No. 505, connecting the islands of Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao has steady improve through the years.

Let us go back to specific periods of time in the last 45 years to show not only the evolution of the PPA to what it is now but also how it affected the lives of the Filipinos for the better.

PPA, the past 3 years In each of the past 3 years, PPA dividend remitted to the government have been drastically increasing, posting the highest dividend remitted in 2018 with a whooping P3.5 billion compared to the figure posted in 2017 at P3.1 billion and 2016 at 1.8 billion.

PPA is likewise enjoying the highest growth percentage in terms of cargo volume passing through Philippine ports with 5.16% in the last three years, compared to the two immediate previous administrations with a growth rate percentage of 4.4% in 2010-2012 and a minus 6.6% for the 2004 to 2006 period.

The state-owned agency has likewise remained to sturdy foundation when in comes to financial condition as it continues to rake in billions of pesos as port revenues, growing at least P1.5 billion annually for the period in review.

Shipcalls have also remained strong despite some operators deploying bigger capacity vessels. In 2018, shipcalls have reached 468,439 shipcalls compared to the P449,008 and 433,580 shipcalls for 2017 and 2016, respectively.

Aside from the staggering dividend remitted to Government, the second biggest achievement recorded

by PPA in the last 3 years was the increases in cruise-tourism industry. Total tourist totaled 50,000 as of end 2018, an increase of more than a thousand fold compared to the last 5 years. PPA has likewise netted regular cruise-tourism calls that include stops in Manila, Boracay, Bohol and Currimao in Ilocos.

“The steady increases in our in our finances, cargo volume, shipcalls and passage, is a testament that PPA is able to meet the requirements and demands of the local and foreign shipping industry,” Santiago said.

In terms of infrastructure, among the notable locally-funded propjects that have been completed and are expected to bring better service and car for the Filipino people include: Port of Balanacan in Marinduque Port Calapan in Mindoro Port of Makar in Gen. Santos Port of Cagayan de Oro “These ports are only some of the projects that have been completed. A sound infrastructure is one of the many ways to render service and care to the public. PPA is bent in further improving these infrastructure in the next couple of years,” Santiago added.

1977–the Philippines, through the PPA, started to come-up with long-range port development plans in order to further improve and render more effective use of ports.

1982–a total of 114 ports nationwide have been transferred to the control of the PPA. This ports now comprise the entire PPA port system.

1987–after taking away its corporate autonomy after the Edsa Revolution, the PPA regained its autonomy in 1987 to guarantee that all port projects are effectively implemented and that only port projects of viable markets are being carried out.

1989–When PPA was first feted as the top performer among all GOCCs at that time in giving dividend to the National Coffers. Up to this time, PPA remains in the top10 of the ‘billionaires club’ of all GOCCs. In the last 2 years, the PPA is averaging remitted dividend of at least P3 billion. These amounts are vital in carrying out the socio-economic and healthcare program of the government.

1996–Owing to the expertise of the PPA in planning and construction of ports, Government has transferred the control of ports included in the Pan Philippine Highway or the first ever Ro-Ro node of the country, which was established during the Marcos Administration.

2001–PPA, in partnership with the Visayan Forum Foundation, started to construct, establish and operate Half-way Houses in strategic ports as a first defense against human trafficking at ports. The operation of these houses have put the PPA on the world map after it was feted abroad by the World Bay Against Child Labor.

2007–the PPA has transferred to its new Corporate Office along Bonifacio Drive in Manila. This has been the seat of power for the PPA for the past 12 years.

2011–PPA has partnered with the Intellectual Property Rights Office in order to curb counterfeit and pirated goods passing through Philippine ports.

2013–With the devastation brought about by a magnitude 7.1 earthquake in Bohol as well as the devastation of super typhoon Yolanda to the Samar and Leyte area, PPA since has prioritized port projects in the area in order to bring back the ports to its pre-earthquake and Yolanda conditions or even better. While the major ports in the area have been utilized as early as the next day after the so-called disasters, repairs have been ongoing until now.

Capacity Building The PPA is also continuously building the competitiveness of PPA employees by giving equal opportunities to each employee for local and foreign scholarships. Among the courses offered include the UNCTAD Train for Trade program; the Modern Port Management; and the Public Management Development Program.

The agency is also pursuing international standards relative to the Vision of the PPA. So far, the PPA is compliant with ISO 9001:2015 on Quality; ISO 14001:2015 on Environment; and OHSAS 18001:2007 on Occupational Safety and Health.

In terms of Security, PPA is partnering with notable safety and security agencies in order to beef-up security initiatives with Philippine ports. Just recently, a team of NCIS personnel trained select PPA port police.

Corporate Social Responsibility PPA is likewise not letting down on its Corporate Social Responsibilities. Aside from joining the usual cleanup drives along the Manila Bay in NCR and several coast towns and provinces nationwide, the PPA is likewise taking its CSR to a bigger scale.

Among the projects being continued are the building of Social Reform ports or missionary ports in order to connect the very far-flung areas of the country to the seat of economic activity; and the rehabilitation of ferry terminals along the Pasig River, being dubbed as PPA Legacy projects, in order to lure more passengers to use the Pasig River Ferry System.

On a more personal approach, the PPA, during this year’s Father’s Day Celebration, a Malasakit Kit was distributed to all fathers at the port, passing through the ports or being at the port by accident as a tribute.

And lastly, the donation of some 5 hectare of lot to be distributed to informal settlers along the Manila Bay and some P1 billion as seed money for the construction of a residential building for the informal settlers.

“The PPA, along with the Department of Transportation, guarantee efficient and effective service, first to all port users and passengers and to community adjacent to all ports that PPA and DOTr are your partners toward a comfortable life,” Santiago ended.

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THURSDAY, JULY 11, 2019 advertise@manilastandard.net

‘Serbisyo at Malasakit’

define PPA the past 45 years

11

JULY 2019, MANILA—Celebrating its 45th Founding Anniversary today, the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) remain steadfast in giving service and care to the Filipino people.

With the theme, “Apatnapu’t-limang taon na Malasakit at Serbisyo”, the PPA looks back in time in its bid to further improve its services in order to give better care to the country.

PPA General Manager Jay Daniel R. Santiago explained that ‘Malasakit and Serbisyo’ will be the mantra of the PPA in the next 365 days with the end goal of providing care (malasakit) to the Filipino people through its port services (serbisyo).

“For the past 45 years, the PPA is not only known as the port planner and port service provider but most especially a champion when it comes to extending care to the community,” Santiago said.

“These qualities have guided the agency for more than four decades and we have no reason to cease. In fact, we are even doubling our efforts through building better communities surrounding our ports,” Santiago explained.

“The efforts are not confined to port services alone, but it also include empowering our economically-challenged Filipinos by bridging the gap in terms of food sustenance, healthcare and even up to housing,” Santiago added.

As of the moment, after allotting close to 5 hectares and some P1 billion to Baseco residents in February this year, the PPA is crafting several guidelines on how to duplicate the initiative to other areas even those areas without nearby ports.

The PPA is also looking at reducing the carbon footprint of all its ports by introducing the use of sustainable energy, equipment and products to complement the initiatives of the global sector.

PPA will likewise continue to pursue better partnership with the private sector to guarantee that port services are given at the highest quality possible particularly in ports with high concentration of people and cargoes.

“This are only some of the plans of the PPA that are in store for the Filipinos aside from our earlier accomplishments, particularly in the field of infrastructure in support of the Build-Build-Build initiative of the current administration,” Santiago said.

Earlier this week, the PPA said some 200 port projects have been completed in the first three years under the Duterte Administration. An additional 100 port projects are expected to be completed again at the end of the year.

The projects are aimed at trade facilitation and faster turnaround time of vessels, thus, resulting to lower cost and better purchasing power for the Filipinos.

Looking Back The separation of the Philippines into many islands, particularly in the early part of the ‘baby boomer’ generation, hopping from one island to another was not as easy as 1, 2, 3. Continued on C3