Manila Standard - 2019 July 18 - Thursday

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PH chief executive defiant over UNHRC probe of drug war

By MJ Blancaflor and Macon Ramos-Araneta PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday said the UN Human Rights Commission must be stupid for thinking he would cooperate

with their investigation of alleged human rights abuses in his war on illegal drugs.

President Duterte said he would only face trial before a Philippine court should he be tried for drugrelated deaths during his term.

“Look, as I have told you before ladies and gentlemen of the world, including all the governments there, I will only be tried or face a trial in a Philippine court presided by a Filipino judge, prosecuted by a Filipino,” Duterte said in a televi-

sion interview with Pastor Apollo Quiboloy.

“I will not answer a Caucasian asking question, or white man there. You must be stupid. Who Next page

VOL. XXXIII • NO. 154 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P18 • THURSDAY, JULY 18, 2019 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Du30 dares US: Take over WPS

Invokes mutual defense treaty amid China row SONA cops brace for ‘surprises’

By Joel Zurbano and Vito Barcelo THE National Capital Region Police Office on Wednesday gave assurances it had a contingency plan in case President Rodrigo Duterte steps out of the House of Representatives after delivering his fourth State of the Nation Address and face the protesters on Monday.

NCRPO Director, Maj. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar said they had already coordinated with the Presidential Security Group regarding the matter.

“Just like what happened two years ago, the President came out and we were really surprised because that was unexpected. But after that, we have prepared contingency measures in case he does it again,” Eleazar told reporters after meeting with stakeholders and militant groups to agree on conditions regarding protests during the SONA on July 22 in Quezon City.

In related developments: • Mobile phone signal will be jammed at the House of Representatives and nearby areas during the 4th State of the Nation Address of President Duterte on July 22.

The move, according to Eleazar, will be made in coordination with the National Telecommunications Commission, as part of a contingency plan and security preparation before, during and after the SONA. “Just like what happened two years ago, the President came out and we were really surprised because that was unexpected. But after that, we have prepared contingency measures in case he does it again,” said Eleazar.

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By Nat Mariano and Rey E. Requejo

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RESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday called on the United States to send its Seventh Fleet to the West Philippine Sea, invoking the decades-old Mutual Defense Treaty between Manila and Washington—even though no attack has been launched against the Philippines to activate the pact.

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In an interview with Pastor Apollo Quiboloy Wednesday, the President said the Philippines would join the US if Washington deploys its 7th Fleet in the disputed waters to confront China, which has made incursions on Philippine-claimed territory.

“I’m calling now America. I’m invoking the RP-US pact. I would like America to gather all their Seventh Fleet in front of China.

I’m asking them now and I will join them,” Duterte said.

“I will ride on the boat where the admiral of the US [is],” he added.

The Seventh Fleet, stationed in Japan and South Korea, is a military formation of the US Navy, having at least 60 ships, 300 aircraft, and 40,000 Navy and Marine Corps personnel.

The MDT, forged by the two Pacific allies during the Cold War era in 1951, mandates that both countries should defend each other in case of an attack on the other’s territory.

No such attack has occurred.

The Chief Executive previously urged the US to send its naval forces to the conPOSE FOR POSTERITY. Leyte Rep. tested waterways Martin Romualdez, with former president and amid the calls of House Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and his critics to proformer First Gentleman Mike Arroyo, Pampanga tect the country’s Rep. Mikey Arroyo, Senator Ramon Revilla Jr. and marine resources. former Pampanga Vice Governor Clayton Olalia He urged (left) during the Thanksgiving Dinner Tuesday at Washington to Edsa Shangri-La Hotel. Ver Noveno fire “the first shot” against Beijing.

The Palace played down

Rody’s trust rating soars

By Nat Mariano EIGHT out of 10 Filipinos still trust and approve of the performance of President Rodrigo Duterte despite the criticisms hurled at his administration on the handling of the Recto Bank incident, the latest Pulse Asia survey revealed on Wednesday.

Even though the figure decreased by two points below the previous 87 percent in March, the President remains popular among Filipino adults as 85 percent of those polled said they are satisfied with his performance.

Only 3 percent said they disapproved of the President’s performance Next page

Romualdez fetes 131 House allies, promises to work for ‘best Congress’

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By Maricel V. Cruz and Macon Ramos-Araneta LEYTE Rep. Martin Romualdez on Tuesday night feted the 131 congressmen who supported his bid for the speakership, in a gesture of gratitude to his colleagues who stood up for him and believed in his competence and leadership skills to lead the House of Representatives.

Jane de Leon

JANE de Leon on Wednesday was announced as the new Darna, the most coveted role in showbiz.

She takes over from Liza Soberano and Angel Locsin, who both were attached to the superhero movie but had to back out because of injuries.

Jane Florence Benitez de Leon is a 20-year-old Star Magic artist who has appeared in several ABS-CBN shows such as “Maaalaala Mo Kaya,” Next page

A PAIR of New Zealand penguins that broke into a sushi stall at Wellington’s busiest railway station have been returned to their natural habitat.

Police said they initially received a report about a little blue penguin in the city center over the weekend and released the animal back into the harbor.

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Palace scouting for new Agri chief

Millennial Darna

Penguins and sushi

In his speech, Romualdez, who got the backing of at least 167 lawmakers in the speakership fight, told his congressional allies who applauded him several times in the thanksgiving dinner he hosted for them at the EDSA Shangri-La Hotel: “I want to join hands with all of you. To give thanks and pray to make sure that this 18th Congress may be the best Congress

By MJ Blancaflor PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday said he might appoint another military man to replace Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol, following the latter’s upcoming reappointment in Mindanao Development Authority.

The Chief Executive, in a television

interview, said it was easier to have Cabinet men from the military because his orders were carried out without question and corruption.

“I’m scouting around. Maybe again a military man because it’s easy to give order and they do it without question,” Duterte said when asked about Piñol’s possible replacement.

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LPA, ‘Falcon’ induce habagat rains

By Rio N. Araja TROPICAL storm “Falcon” and a low pressure area west of Sinait, Ilocos Sur will continue to enhance the southwest monsoon triggering an “increased” amount of rainfall in the Ilocos region.

In an interview, weather forecaster Anna Clauren said the LPA was spotted at 180 kilometers west of Sinait, while the Next page

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THURSDAY, JULY 18, 2019

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Health cluster tackles dengue outbreak

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

T

O ADDRESS the spike in dengue cases, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III on Wednesday convened the Health Cluster of the National Disaster Risk Reduction Council to discuss, plan and solicit support from different member agencies.

Duque intends to effectively deal with the ongoing challenge of the rising dengue cases in selected regions of the country after he declared a National Dengue Alert last Monday.

From Jan. 1 up to June 29 this year, the Health department has listed 106,630 dengue cases nationwide, which were 85

percent higher than the number of dengue cases in the same period last year.

The department also said 456 had died due to dengue this year and majority of them were children aged five to nine years old.

Duque said code blue had already been activated in coordination with the

National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office.

That prompted the Health department to call for a total government response to address the situation in the areas exceeding the epidemic threshold and alert threshold levels.

Duque said each member agency will provide the necessary support specific to its mandate, with the Office for Civil Defense assisting the department in mobilizing medical teams and logistics.

The Interior department will ensure the compliance of its local government units to the enhanced 4S strategy, disseminate information, education and communication materials to them, and oversee the preparedness of their Rural Health Units and LGU-run hospitals.

The Education department will ensure compliance with the 4S strategy by issuing a memorandum to all schools and activate the Dengue School Brigade, coordinate with the Health department and rural health units for the installation of insecticide-treated screens and enhance dengue awareness in schools.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development, on the other hand, will intensify dengue awareness among its 4Ps (Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program) and IPs (Indigenous People) beneficiaries by including the dengue 4S strategy in their Family Development Sessions and enhance the 4S strategy during the conduct of their regular meetings.

Ex-AFP comptroller loses petition

By Maricel V. Cruz CITING lack of merit, the Sandiganbayan has denied the motion of former military comptroller Jacinto Ligot and his family members to dismiss the P55-million forfeiture case filed against them.

In denying the joint demurrer to evidence filed by Ligot and his co-accused, the anti-graft court’s Second Division said the prosecution presented sufficient evidence to warrant the continuation of the trial of the case.

“Since most of the respondents assertions are already matters of defense, which are addressed in a full-blown trial, the presentation of respondents evidence is in order, the resolution written by Associate Justice Frederick Musngi said.

Ligot’s co-accused include his wife Erlinda; children Paulo, Riza and Miguel; brother-in-law Edgardo Yambao; and Mrs.

PH chief...

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are you? I am a Filipino, we have our courts here. Why would you have to bring me somewhere else? I would not like that,” he said.

He insisted that there is no need for foreign intervention to probe whether he is liable for the deaths or not.

“I have my country. It’s working, I know it’s working. Justice is working here,” he said.

The President’s statements came in response to a question on whether he would cut ties with Iceland, which drafted the resolution calling for a UNHRC investigation.

Last week, the UNHRC voted to authorize the high commissioner to prepare a comprehensive report on the alleged human rights violations in the Philippines’ war on illegal drugs.

In February last year, the International Criminal Court also launched a preliminary examination of the drug war killings to determine if a full-blown investigation is needed.

A month after that, Duterte announced the Philippines would withdraw from the ICC. The withdrawal took effect on March 17.

Citing the Rome Statute, ICC prosecutor Fatou Bensouda said the ICC “retains its jurisdiction over crimes committed during the time in which the state was party to the statute.”

The ICC can prosecute genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity.

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• The Bureau of Immigration on Wednesday warned foreigners in the country from joining political rallies or face outright deportation.

Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente issued the warning as the SONA was only less than a week away, reiterating that foreigners were prohibited by law to engage in any political activity in the country.

The BI chief said several foreigners who engaged in political activities last year were deported and banned from returning to the country.

Ligot’s cousin Gilda Alfonso-Velasquez.

In the nine-page resolution dated July 8, the anti-graft court also noted that several of the accused’s claims, like allegations of forum shopping or filing two charges for a single case, and the supposed violations of the Bank Secrecy Law, had already been addressed during the proceedings.

“Considering that the said issue had already been extensively discussed in the Court’s resolutions dated 10 March 2014 and 30 June 2004, the Court reiterates its findings that there is no violation of the rule instituting more than one suit for a single cause of action.

“The respondents continued to anchor on the dismissal of the instant case on the ground of violation of the laws on the Secrecy of Bank Deposits. However, the same was also laid to rest not only by this Court [...] but also by the Supreme Court when it upheld the same.”

“My office’s independent and impartial preliminary examination into the situation in the Philippines continues,” she said in a statement.

At least Filipinos working in Iceland may be affected if the country will cut diplomatic ties with the Nordic country, Duterte said.

He said, however, that he would not sit idly by if Reykjavík moved against Filipinos in the country.

Earlier, the Palace said Duterte was “seriously considering” cutting ties with Iceland.

The UNHRC adopted the Iceland-led resolution after 18 countries voted yes, 14 said no, and 15 abstained.

Duterte also criticized Iceland for calling out his campaign against illegal drugs, saying it does not understand the political situation of the country.

“Wait until the drug menace reaches their shore,” he said.

Since 2017, Iceland has led at least three calls for an independent body to probe drug-related killings in the Philippines.

The Palace said the Iceland-led resolution was an assault to the country’s sovereignty and is based on false information fed by the administration’s critics.

On Tuesday, Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. said the Philippines will not cut diplomatic ties with the UNHRC or any other country.

Duterte slammed his critics, saying that they assumed that anyone who was killed in the streets was murdered by the government.

“We are sending this warning to avoid a repeat of the cases wherein we had to deport foreign protesters,” the BI chief said.

Eleazar noted that part of security protocol was to jam cellular signals during the SONA. He also appealed to the militant groups and pro-government protesters to avoid wearing jackets and bringing backpacks during demonstrations on July 22.

“We are asking them not to carry bags and wear jackets. But this is just a discouragement, we cannot prohibit them from doing it,” Eleazar said.

Eleazar said they expected at least 15,000 protesters based on the SONA last year.

With PNA

LPA, ‘Falcon’...

Millennial...

center of “Falcon” was estimated at 265 kms east of Calayan, Cagayan.

Packing maximum sustained winds of 65 kms per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 80 kph, “Falcon” was moving north northwest at 20 kph.

Tropical cyclone wind signal no. 2 remained in effect over Batanes, while signal no. 1 was hoisted over Apayao, Cagayan, Ilocos Norte and Babuyan Group of Islands as of 4 p.m. Wednesday.

Clauren said heavy rains would prevail in parts of Luzon today due to “Falcon” and the LPA. “Metro Manila will have an improved weather by Friday [July 19] with only isolated rainshowers in the afternoon or evening,” she told the Manila Standard.

“As of today [July 18], there will be scattered rainshowers in the metro,” she said.

“Wansapanataym,” “Ipaglaban Mo” and “La Luna Sangre.”

Before Wednesday’s blockbuster announcement, she was best known for her role as the younger sister of Jericho Rosales in the popular TV drama “Halik.”

Aside from various Kapamilya shows, De Leon was also part of the 2017 movie “The Debutantes” and the 2018 teen-oriented film “Walwal.”

But De Leon is not just an actress but a “total performer,” according to her bio in the Star Magic website.

She also sings as well as plays the guitar and drums. In fact, she was a former member of the all-female group Girltrends on “Its Showtime” before she became a solo artist.

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CASH IT IN. Pictured is a P100,000 bill issued by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, which has advised owners of the bank note to have it exchanged for its full value before it is demonetized and put out of circulation by Aug. 2 this year.

Du30...

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the President’s statement as “metaphorical,” saying it was aimed to show critics that driving away China from the West Philippine Sea was easier said than done.

In his interview, the President invited his critics, including Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio, former Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario, and former Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales to join him on the trip to the WPS. “I will drag along this Carpio and the rest of the [critics, including] Albert. And when the Americans say that, ‘We are here now,’ and I said, ‘Ready?’ ‘Ready.’ ‘Can I have the honor, admiral?’ I will press the [button],” Duterte said.

“And maybe that will be the end of Palawan. Palawan will be devastated, maybe occupied, or if there will be nuclear bombs, then we would dry up. So, nothing will grow here. We can just wait for just like a big hole coming our way to suck us to eternity,” he continued.

Last month, Duterte said he was not scared of China but said he was afraid that the Philippines does not have the defense capabilities for an armed conflict.

“I’m not afraid of China. I’m more afraid of the fact that we might not stand a chance and lose in the end,” Duterte said.

“But America has the right to interfere if it becomes a bloody confrontation. If there is an invocation of the RP-US, it should be concurred by Congress of America,” he said.

“They will go to war, only [if] the President says so, and Congress will give its concurrence. Other than that, it cannot be,” he added.

Talk of invoking the 68-year-old defense treaty was sparked by the ramming and sinking of a Filipino fishing boat by a Chinese vessel on June 9 near the Recto Bank, which is well within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone.

Senator Panfilo Lacson said the MDT was the “only weapon in our arsenal” that could “make China feel the balance of

power.”

Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo, however, shot down the suggestion as “reckless and premature.”

Drawing further criticism, Duterte dismissed the incident as “a minor maritime accident” and said he had a verbal agreement with Chinese President Xi Jinping in 2016 to allow Chinese vessels to operate in the Philippine EEZ. He also rejected calls to send Philippine Navy ships to the area to protect Filipino fishing boats, saying this would provoke a war with China.

Carpio dismissed Duterte’s statement as a joke.

“I think the President is just joking, just like his jet ski joke,” Carpio said, referring to Duterte’s campaign promise to ride a jet ski to Spratly Island to plant the Philippine flag there.

But after winning the presidential election in 2016, the President never talked again about his jet ski promise and sought closer ties with China as a way of luring more investments into the country, an appraoch his critics branded as appeasement.

“The President knows that the Philippines can invoke the Mutual Defense Treaty only if there is an armed attack on Philippine territory or Philippine military ships or aircraft. This has not happened,” Carpio said.

The magistrate pointed out that the MDT operates only for self-defense, “not for aggression against another state.”

“A war of aggression is prohibited by the Philippine Constitution and the United Nations Charter. A war of aggression makes leaders of the aggressor state liable for an international crime subject to the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court,” Carpio added.

The senior magistrate is a vocal critic of Duterte’s stance in the West Philippine Sea, particularly the administration’s decision not to invoke the 2016 ruling of the Permanent Court of Arbitration junking China’s extensive claims in the South China Sea. He also said that war, contrary to Duterte, is not the only option that the government can use in dealing with Beijing’s aggressive activities in the WPS.

Penguins...

Palace...

But it returned on Tuesday with an accomplice and officers said the “waddling vagrants” started building a nest beneath a sushi stall at Wellington Railway Station, in the heart of the city.

After luring them out with salmon, the police again sent the seabirds back to the water, while wildlife officers sealed up the sushi stall’s nooks and crannies to prevent any reoffending.

Department of Conservation manager Jack Mace said the birds were about to enter their breeding season and were searching for a safe spot “to set up shop to lay eggs later on.”

“We do get a few calls about them nesting under people’s houses. That’s quite a common one,” he told TVNZ. “But certainly the busiest railway station in Wellington is an unusual one.”

The persistent penguins would have crossed a busy highway to reach the train station, although Mace said they may have reached the sushi stand through freshwater pipes.

Little blue penguins are the smallest species of the flightless seabirds, standing 25 centimeters (10 inches) tall and weighing about one kilogram (2.2 pounds). AFP

While Piñol was never in the military service, he was former governor of North Cotabato and a former senior editor of the old Philippines News Agency and a former sportscaster.

“When I tell you do this or do that, do not question. I will never give you an order that is something illegal,” Duterte said.

The President has been criticized for appointing military men in his administration, among them: Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu, Interior Secretary Eduardo Año, Social Welfare Secretary Rolando Bautista, and Customs Commissioner Rey Leonardo Guerrero.

Duterte earlier announced that Piñol would serve as his “point man” to help the new Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, a region created as a result of the passage of the Bangsamoro Organic Law. He described Piñol as a “very good Cabinet member,” believing he was qualified for the post due to his experience as a former North Cotabato governor and a farmer.

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COA, OTS clash over P101-m ’overspending’

By Rio N. Araja THE Commission on Audit has called the attention of the Department of Transportation’s Office for Transportation Security or OTS for a P101.3-million overspending.

Meanwhile, the commission has upheld the notice of charge of P381.47 million against the importation in 1996 of 33,575 metric tons of washed sugar that was supposedly misclassified as raw sugar and granted tariff-free privileges by the Bureau of Customs.

COA Chairman Michael Aguinaldo and Commissioners Jose Fabia and Roland Pondoc unanimously ruled to deny for lack of merit the petition for review filed by Salvador Porras Jr., Customs operations officer V of BoC-Port of Iloilo in Iloilo City.

In a 2018 audit report, state auditors said OTS spent P101.3 million on payments for personnel services and maintenance and operating expenses beyond its 2018 budget.

OTS, however, said the Department of Budget and Management only gave OTS a budgetary support based on filled positions despite its repeated request for a budget allocation to cover the operational requirements of vacant plantilla positions.

Rody’s...

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while 11 percent expressed ambivalence on the matter.

President Duterte gained a 91 percent approval rating in Mindanao. The Visayas came next with 90 percent, Balance Luzon with 82 percent, and the National Capital Region with 81 percent.

Pulse Asia said the President remains the most approved government official among the poorest Filipinos, registering an 87 percent in Class E. Class D followed with 85 percent while he registered 82 percent in Class ABC. Mindanao also accounted for his highest trust rating of 91 percent. This was followed by the Visayas at 89 percent and Balance of Luzon, 81 percent. Duterte’s trust rating in Metro Manila shot up six points to 83 percent from 77 percent in the March survey.

Respondents in Class E trusted the President the most, with an 86 percent rating, followed by Class D with 85 percent and Class ABC with 80 percent.

Aside from the Chief Executive, four other high-ranking government officials also enjoyed a rating boost in June.

Majority of Filipinos continue to approve the performance of Vice President (55 percent) and Senate President Vicente Sotto III, 77 percent.

Robredo acquired a six-point increase from her March rating while Sotto garnered the biggest ratings lift with a 12-point jump.

Only 22 percent of Filipinos said they were satisfied with the performance of former president and House Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. 47 percent of those polled said they disapproved of her leadership while some 27 percent said they were undecided.

Forty-one percent of respondents said they approved of the performance of Supreme Court Chief Justice Lucas Bersamin while the same number were undecided. With Macon Ramos-Araneta

Romualdez...

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of the Republic of the Philippines because the people deserve the best. From the bottom of my heart, thank you very much.

“We love you all and we will see you next week and we will be working hard together.”

He engaged his allies who belong to all political parties and influential blocs in conversation up to 1:30 Wednesday morning.

In related developments: • The Liberal Party said House members should elect a genuine Minority Leader at the House of Representatives to ensure the check and balance to the Majority aligned with the powerful administration.

“It could not just be anybody, including those who only want a position and those masquerading as fiscalizers but are in fact collaborators,” stressed the party’s president Senator Francis Pangilinan.

He said the House and the people deserved a real opposition leader, not the Majority’s “Minority Leader.”

“It is not bad to be in harmony with the Majority in legislating measures for the public good,” he said.

“But toeing the administration’s line without considering the interest of the people is what we fear with the Majority’s Minority Leader at the helm,” added the opposition leader.

He guaranteed that the ruling party in the previous administration, together with its allies at the House, would continue to uphold its values and principles in dealing with this leadership issue. With PNA

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THURSDAY, JULY 18, 2019 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

‘Mommy Dionisia’ wins tax case vs. BIR CA upholds T dismissal of HE Court of Tax Appeals upheld the dismissal of a tax case against the mother of Senator Emmanuel Pacquiao, citing legal shortcuts on the part of local revenue officials.

Pasay cops over ‘hulidap’

By Rey E. Requejo

THE Court of Appeals has sustained the dismissal of three Pasay City policemen for extorting a couple they arrested in a supposed anti-drug operation in 2013.

In a 20-page decision, the CA’s Special Third Division upheld the August 2017 order of the Office of the Ombudsman dismissing Police Master Sergeants Ronaldo David and Christopher Torres and Patrolman Bonifacio Tagcos from the police service.

The appellate court denied for lack of merit the petition of the three police officers seeking reversal of the Ombudsman ruling.

The appellate court agreed with the finding of the Ombudsman that the three were guilty of grave misconduct for extorting money from couple Aleasar Makaundas and Zinaida Haddisalem Laoon and during a warrantless raid in their house in Parañaque City in December 2013.

In the ruling penned by Associate Justice Fernanda Lampas Peralta, the CA cited as “qualifying element of corruption” the closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage showing that Torres accompanied Laoon to withdraw her money.

The appellate court turned down the claims of petitioners that they were merely conducting a follow-up operation upon orders of their superior who already passed away and that they only accompanied the complainant to provide security, saying they failed to provide evidence to support such defenses.

The CA also cited the lack of a search warrant for the operation, which means it was conducted in violation of the Constitution.

It also said that there were no records or reports on the operation in violation of the 2010 Manual on Anti-Illegal Drugs Operation and Investigation.

The CA even used the policemen’s defense of length of service, commendations and lack of prior disciplinary record to their disadvantage.

In a 19-page decision dated July 5 and released to media on Wednesday, the tax court en banc through Associate Justice Esperanza R. Fabon-Victorino denied the petition for review filed by Bureau of Internal Revenue Region No. 18 Director Thelma S. Milabao and affirmed the CTA division’s ruling in the case.

“Taxes are the lifeblood of the government and so should be collected without unnecessary hindrance.

However, such collection should be made in accordance with law as any arbitrariness will negate the very reason for the government itself,” the CTA said in siding with Dionisia Pacquiao.

The BIR said Pacquiao is liable for P1.39 million in tax deficiencies for 2010.

Justices Roman G. Del Rosario, Juanito C. Castañeda Jr., Erlinda P. Uy, Cielito N. Mindaro-Grulla, Ma. Belen M. Ringpis-Liban and Catherine T. Manahan concurred in the decision.

The case arose from an undated Letter Notice (LN) No. 110-TRS-10-0000019/ where the BIR computerizedmatching system noted inconsistencies between the information/data provided by withholding agents/payors and payees/income recipients against respondent’s declarations in her Income/VAT/Percentage/Withholding tax returns for 2010.

Pacquiao, a registered taxpayer of the BIR Revenue Region No. 18, Revenue District No. 1106 with registered address at Purok Acharon Labangal General Santos City 9500 was given an

Egco, ACT-CIS unite for media welfare

UNDERSECRETARY Joel Egco of the Presidential Task Force on Media Security and Anti-Crime and Terrorism Community Involvement and Support party-list Niña Taduran have partnered to push for equal protection and standardized salary for the members of the media.

At a news conference in Quezon City, Egco said “it has been a long overdue dream for him to push for the legislation of a law providing humane conditions of work and living wage.” “[I know] It is going to be a tough battle,” he told reporters.

Taduran, a former broadcast journalist from TV5, said she would file a bill that shall provide media workers with comprehensive benefits “packaged at par with the current benefits [being] enjoyed by those in the labor force both in government and the private sector.”

The proposed measure would also “encourage media workers to perform their duties as truthful and responsible informers of the people” and “ensure the creation of a safe, protected and an atmosphere conducive to a productive, free and fruitful media work,” she added.

During the conference, Taduran presented a matrix for the monthly compensation of a media member based on the number of years’ experience.

Rio N. Araja

PET junks Leni’s ‘game over’ plea

FALCON’S WRATH.

Public Works and Highways maintenance crew collects trash washed ashore in Manila Bay near the US Embassy due to strong current spawned

by Tropical Storm ‘Falcon,’ even as a vendor shield herself from torrential rains and gusty winds while peddling snacks and beverages in an adjacent area along the bay Wednesday.

Ey Acasio

Australia to give extra P140-m in aid for Marawi rehab THE Australian Embassy in Manila on Tuesday announced an additional P140-million humanitarian assistance to support the people affected by the 2017 Marawi conflict.

“My announcement reflects Australia’s commitment to the recovery and reconstruction of Marawi City,” Australian Ambassador Steven J. Robinson AO said in a statement.

“We will continue to support the Philippine government and the people of Marawi as they work to rebuild their lives and their city,” he added.

The additional funding, which brings to AUD30 million or P1.2 billion the total assistance of Australia to Marawi, will be used to support displaced families in rebuilding their lives through counseling, securing civil birth certificates and other proofs of identity, and providing items such as tricycles, sewing machines, and refrigerators to start small businesses.

Robinson made the announcement during the signing of a memorandum of partnership between the Australian Embassy and the Community and Family Services International, which manages and implements the Marawi Recovery Project.

According to the Embassy, the Marawi Recovery Project will benefit 6,500 displaced families in the city and the municipalities of Butig, DitsaanRamain, Lumbayanague, Marantao, Masiu and Piagapo in Lanao del Sur; and Iligan City and the municipality of Munai in Lanao del Norte.

The Australian program is implemented in partnership with Marawi City and local government units, Lanao del Sur province, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao and the Task Force Bangon Marawi. PNA

opportunity to reconcile or explain such discrepancies.

The tax court noted that the validation examination by Revenue Officers ROs) Sittie Skhanesa Jalila A. Ali and Leilah Jane L. Dohinog on the respondent was based on the said letter notice.

Among other things, the tax court said that the LN itself is insufficient and should have been turned into a Letter of Authority for the BIR’s subsequent moves.

“The record is bereft of any showing that such LN was transformed into a LOA as decreed by both Revenue Memorandum Order No. 32-2005 and jurisprudence.

This means that the investigation/audit on respondent commanded by ROs Ali and Dohinog from which the subject assessments were predicated has no prior legal authorization from the CIR (Commissioner of Internal Revenue) or petitioner (regional director Milabao) rendering the FLD/FAN (Formal Letter of Demand/ Final Assessment Notice) void and without legal consequence,” the CTA en banc said. PNA

BoC streamlines baggage declaration at airports

By Joel E. Zurbano ONLY travelers or passengers with goods to declare shall be required to fill up and submit a Customs Baggage Declaration Form at the airport, according to the Bureau of Customs.

In a statement released by the bureau’s public information office on Wednesday, the agency said it has streamlined its baggage declaration procedures aim to facilitate ease and convenience for travelers using the country’s various international airports.

“The forms shall be made readily available during flights by the airline operators, who likewise commit to inform passengers while on board regarding the use of the CBDF. The CBDF forms are also available at the Customs Arrival Area,” the agency said.

“The bureau, in partnership with airline operators, shall regularly inform the public of all developments and issuances on baggage declaration, which are all aimed toward efficient public service,” it added.

On July 1, the agency started the

reimposition of the policy at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport and prohibit international flight passengers from bringing materials advocating or inciting rebellion or sedition against the government, abortion paraphernalia and other anti-social goods, Philippine currency in the amount of more than P50,000 and foreign currency more than $10,000.

Those banned items would be forfeited in favor of the government while the importers or carriers can be prosecuted or penalized under the law.

SAF 44 spouses, other relatives offered to work for GSIS

By Julito G. Rada THE State-run Government Service Insurance System said Wednesday it continues to reach out to the relatives of the slain Special Action Force 44 policemen by inviting them to work for the pension fund.

A bloody encounter with the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters in Mamasapano killed the policemen on Jan. 25, 2015.

President Rodrigo Duterte appealed to government offices to give priority to the employment of their widows and siblings, and GSIS heeded the call and has been communicating with their relatives to make a job offer.

“It is not easy to fill the void left by the SAF 44 as breadwinners. We would like to give their families a source of income by working in GSIS,” said GSIS chairman and general manager Rolando Ledesma Macasaet.

“At the same time, they will be augmenting our operational requirements to better serve our members and pensioners.”

Macasaet said that applicants will undergo evaluation based on standard operating procedures to determine if they are qualified.

To date, GSIS has employed four of them at its Zamboanga Branch, and they are Lhea Tabdi, widow of Police Senior Inspector Gednat Tabdi; Emeliza

Danao, wife of Police Officer 2 Walner Danao; Margaret Manuel, fiancee of Police Officer 2 Joel Dulnuan; Adelisa Bedua, wife of Police Officer 2 Glenn Bedua; and Andrada Asjali, sister of Police Officer 3 Jedz In Asjali.

When asked how they took the news that they have been employed by GSIS, the first batch of hires said they welcomed the opportunity to earn a living and to take the first step toward healing.

Meanwhile, the application of Ms Janet Carap, widow of Police Officer 2 Peterson Indongsan Carap of Kabayan, Benguet is being processed. She will likely be assigned to the GSIS Baguio branch office.

THE Supreme Court, sitting as the Presidential Electoral Tribunal, has dismissed the urgent motion of Vice President Leni Robredo for the immediate resolution of the pending election protest filed against her by former Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr due to prematurity.

In a resolution dated July 2, 2019, a copy of which received by the Marcos camp, the PET junked Robredo’s motion because the revision and recount of the votes has not yet been completed.

The tribunal stressed that “he proceedings following Rule 65 of the 2010 PET Rules, which entail judicial recount, revision and appreciation of the votes cast in the protestant’s pilot provinces has yet to be completed and released.”

“The figures submitted by protestee are merely speculative. In arriving at the figures, protestee presumes that all her claims will be admitted by the Tribunal,” the PET resolution stated.

Rey E. Requejo

CA denies NUPL claim vs. military THE Court of Appeals has turned down the plea of the National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers for protection against what they claim to be continuing harassment by the Armed Forces of the Philippines on their members.

In an eight-page resolution promulgated last July 11 but released only Tuesday, the CA’s Special 15th Division denied the prayer of NUPL for issuance of temporary protection order (TPO) in the group’s writs of amparo and habeas data petition.

Instead, the appellate court granted the bid of respondents led by President Rodrigo Duterte as commander-inchief of AFP and Chief-of-Staff Gen. Benjamin Madrigal Jr., through Solicitor General Jose Calida, to dismiss the plea for lack of merit.

After hearing the petition, the CA ruled that petitioners led by NUPL chairman Neri Colmenares and president Edre Olalia failed to establish the necessity to protect them from supposed threats by the military. Rey E. Requejo

Go’s summer film festival backed THE Metropolitan Manila Development Authority on Wednesday expressed its support to the proposal of Senator Christopher Lawrence Go for the country to have a separate Metro Manila Film Festival to be held during summer.

Go is a member of the MMFF executive committee while the MMDA is the overall organizer and the supervising body of the annual film festival.

“The MMFF and MMDA (officials) acting on the proposal of executive committee member Senator Bong Go that a second MMFF be held in support of the film industry will meet today to craft the rules for the MMFF Summer Film Festival,” said MMDA assistant secretary and spokesperson Pircelyn Pialago.

Pialago said Go’s office confirmed that a staff will attend the meeting. “A genuine consultations with stakeholders particularly cinemas and producers will be held to finalize the rules.”

Joel E. Zurbano

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Opinion

THURSDAY, JULY 18, 2019

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Isko-munication

Adelle Chua, Editor

EDITORIAL

of five million pesos a day to leave the vendors alone.

But wait—how do we know so much about Moreno and his accomplishments since he took the reins of office a mere 18 days ago, compared MANILA, the Noble and Ever-Loy- to other mayors?

It’s because he himself tells us. al City, was once called the ‘Paris Moreno hit the ground running of the East’ and the ‘Pearl of the Orient.’ It was said to be beautiful, with various plans and projects for a jewel on the sea, a city whose ar- Manila, and from the moment he chitecture and environs were much did so, a well-oiled communication machine has been churning out Isko admired.

Today the city is, as newly-in- news 24/7.

His Facebook page ‘Isko Moreno stalled Manila Mayor Francisco ‘Isko Moreno’ Domagoso called it, Domagoso’ has 1.115 million likes ‘dugyot’—filthy. To remedy this, as of yesterday, his Twitter account he has ordered and supervised the @IskoMoreno 117.7 thousand. Also cleanup of major thoroughfares in tweeting his moves is the official Divisoria and other parts of Manila, Manila City Hall Twitter account, the surroundings of Quiapo Church, @ManilaPIO. His Twitter account gets heavy the Bonifacio Shrine in Lawton, the Kartilya ng Katipunan park, Lagus- engagement particularly from milnilad Underpass, and yesterday the lennials and Generation Zs who ask if classes Vitas Slaughterare suspended, house, among joke with him— many other ar“Natutulog eas. pa ba si MayKudos to Mayor He’s been or?”—praise praised by most Isko Moreno’s comms him—“Good and criticized by team. job, Maysome, who say or!”—or gush that his abrupt over his good ejection of street looks—“Grr vendors, stall cute mo mayor holders, and the homeless from city streets and why huhuhu.’ A resident from ansidewalks snatched away the mea- other city tweeted, “Sir hinay-hinay ger livelihoods from the urban poor lang… Nagmumukha po kasing tamad ang mayor namin…” without giving them alternatives.

Moreno often punctuates his The mayor’s defenders say he is bringing law, order, and cleanliness tweets with a hearty ‘hehe’ and he to a city sunk in mire, both physical has singlehandedly done more than and of the soul. Corruption of gov- anyone to bring back the backward ernment officials is said to be ram- slang of the ‘70s and ‘80s—‘etneb’ pant and extortion by large criminal for ‘bente,’ ‘yorme’ for ‘mayor,’ and syndicates running protection rack- so on. ‘Uwu,’ a word you’ll read ets was confirmed by Moreno him- in his posts, means ‘happy anime Turn to A5 self, who said he was offered bribes

Toeing the line

U

NITED States President Donald Trump amazingly cobbled together a spin to that congressional resolution condemning his racist tweets against four democratic lawmakers.

“So great to see how unified the Republican Party was,” he said.

“The Republican vote was 187-4.

Wow!” he said in yet another tweet Wednesday.

More than the 187 Republicans who voted not to condemn Trump’s words, 240 members of Congress, including four Republicans and one independent, voted to do so.

The objectionable tweet, posted Sunday, said: “So interesting to see ‘Progressive’ Democrat Congresswomen, who originally came from countries whose governments are a complete and total catastrophe, the worst, most corrupt and inept anywhere in the world (if they even have a functioning government at all), now loudly. and viciously telling the people of the United States, the greatest and most powerful Nation on earth, how our government

is to be run. Why don’t they go back and help fix the totally broken and crime infested places from which they came. Then come back and show us how....”

The words were so incendiary that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi uttered some choice words for the president before the voting. She was subsequently barred from speaking further.

Pelosi, however, told reporters she had “absolutely” no regrets for her language describing the resolution, and that she was proud of the attention has been called to it because what the President said was completely inappropriate against our colleagues but not just against them but against so many people in our country and he said to them “go back to where you came from.”

The arguments on whether or not the statements were indeed rac-

ist, and why it is a tragedy to even have a chief executive thinking and speaking this way, are many. But there is talk that more than four Republicans would have voted for the condemnation—and according to their conscience—had they not been toeing the party line.

Members of Congress, after all, belong to an entirely separate and co-equal branch of government. In a perfect world, they are imbued with the duty to call out the excesses and the inadequacies of the other branches, this time, the Executive.

In the real, practical world, of course, they have to be mindful of what they do with respect to their political affiliations. That’s not so strange a concept, whether you’re talking about the US or other countries, like the Philippines.

When public officials place their personal and political agenda over their real duty of representing their constituent’s interest and doing their jobs according to the dictates of their conscience, that is not unity. That is blind submission.

Acquiescence. A violation of the people’s trust.

No man is an island we pull out of the UNCHR. Cooler heads have somehow prevailed and the latest news is that there will be no breaking of diplomatic ties or withdrawal from the UNCHR. Still, to the Duterte administraIF THE intention of the government tion, the resolution is considered is for other countries to leave our an interference with the sovereignty country alone to do what it thinks of the country which cannot be alis right because it is a sovereign na- lowed. The critics of the administration, this is not going to happen. As tion, on the other hand, are saying they say, no man is an island and that if the government has nothing this can also be true when speaking to hide, then it should allow the of a country. As a member of the in- UNCHR to proceed with what the ternational community of nations, resolution is asking. Others who the country is obligated to abide by want perhaps to be on the middle certain conventions and norms of are suggesting that our Commission conduct. No country rich or poor, on Human Rights should just come weak or powerful, can escape scru- out with the report. The anti-drug war has been going on for the last tiny in this day and age.

Many countries are being taken three years and thousands have into task because of what they are deed been killed. In spite of the fedoing within their borders. Two ex- rocity of the campaign however, the drug problem amples in Asia shows no signs are China and of any signifiMyanmar. China cant resolution. in the case of its No country rich or On the contrary, treatment of the it seems to be Uighur minority poor, weak or powerful, worsening. To in the province can escape scrutiny in this day, we are of Xinxiang and this day and age. still reading in Myanmar in the the newspapers treatment of the and watching Rohingyas. on TV of drug For us, the operations reissue is extrajudicial killings. Our leaders are sulting in the death of suspects who overreacting to the Iceland-initiat- have been reported to have fought ed resolution that will require the back but up to now, we still do not United Nations Commission on Hu- have reliable statistics. During the man Rights to come up with a com- first year, there was a more accurate prehensive report about the alleged record of how many were killed in continuing extrajudicial killings in drug-related police operations. But the country as a result of our anti- later on, this has somehow slowed illegal drug war. And that’s saying down and later on stopped altogethit mildly. Of the 47 member coun- er. The figure is now somehow stuck tries of the UNCHR, 18 voted for between 5,000 and 6,000 fatalities. the resolution, 14 against it, while Since the Philippine National Police 15 abstained. Instead of an investi- no longer publishes accurate data gation as originally envisioned, the on the number of fatalities, this is perhaps one of the reasons why the resolution settled for a report.

But that was enough to get the UNCHR wants to find out the real administration go on war footing. score.

Whatever result the UNCHR Senator Imee Marcos suggested that we cut diplomatic ties with Iceland. comes up with, the country can The President’s many supporters survive it. Our leaders should look also accused Iceland of insulting at this issue calmly, rationally and Turn to A5 the Philippines. Others suggested

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Malaysia’s ‘Phoenix’: Hijab-wearing wrestler breaking barriers

By Patrick Lee A HIJAB-WEARING, diminutive Malaysian wrestler known as “Phoenix” cuts an unusual figure in the ring, a female Muslim fighter taking on hulking opponents in a male-dominated world.

Dressed in flame-patterned trousers, a black and orange hijab and top, Nor Diana uses sophisticated moves to throw and pin down her larger rivals in front of hundreds of cheering spectators.

Standing just five foot, one inch tall and weighing 43 kilograms her speed and agility make her a match for almost any opponent.

And far from being criticized by conservatives for throwing herself into wrestling, the 19-year-old has become a hit on social media and spurred the interest of other headscarf-wearing women.

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

“Even though I am Muslim, and I wear the hijab, nothing can stop me from doing what I love,” she said in the ring after winning a recent fight.

She takes part in local outfit Malaysia Pro Wrestling, which has similarities with hugely popular World Wrestling Entertainment from the United States.

Like WWE, the Malaysian version is as much theater as sport, as participants compete against one another with matches ending in a predetermined outcome.

Nor Diana, a pseudonym as she prefers not to reveal her true identity, seems an unlikely wrestler—outside the ring, she is shy and soft-spoken, and her day job is working in a hospital.

But when she puts on her wrestling gear, she transforms into the fearsome Phoenix.

“As Phoenix, I’m a totally different

person. She may be small, but she can do things that people can’t imagine,” Nor Diana told AFP at a wrestling gym in Puchong, outside Kuala Lumpur.

“When she’s in the ring, she’s fast and always wants to win,” she explained.

Growing popularity Nor Diana first started training as a wrestler in late 2015, following her teenage dream of becoming a fighter, and made her debut a few months later.

More than 60 percent of Malaysia’s 32-million people are ethnic Malay Muslims and, while the form of Islam followed is generally moderate and tolerant, society can still be conservative.

Many Muslim women in the country wear the traditional headscarf and loose-fitting clothing in line with Islamic requirements for females to 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 18, 2019

SONA, as heard from the ‘kapitolyo’ land covered by free patents and grants patent holders title in fee simple of the land covered; Magna Carta of the Poor which secures the fundamental rights of the poor; Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program Act which institutionalized the conditional cash transfer program to poor THE President will deliver his fourth households; and Sagip Saka Act which State of the Nation Address on Monday. established the Farmers and Fisherfolk In my more than 20 years as a legisla- Enterprise Development Program. While tor, I consider the SONA a compass of the legislative priorities of the administration. As Minority Leader during the 15th and 17th Congress, I expressed I hope to hear from —through the Kontra Sona—that there are other equally important, and urgent the SONA that the national issues that need to be addressed administration will apart from the drive against narcotics. prioritize improving The country is beset with a number of issues such as food security, water and the livelihood and energy shortages, unemployment, lack of welfare of the public, adequate housing, and the never-ending problem of poverty. especially those in the In the previous State of the Nation Adcountryside. dresses, President Duterte expounded on many national issues, but hardly mentioned the problem of poverty, housing, natural resources, agriculture, and food security. New laws have been enacted these are promising, we have yet to see this 2019 such as Rice Tariffication Law; the government strengthen its commitestablishment of the new Department of ment in bringing about change in the livHuman Settlements and Urban Devel- ing conditions of Filipinos. opment; Community-Based Monitoring As governor, my primary and sole conSystem Act which shall facilitate data cern now is the welfare of our constitucollection and comprehensive poverty ents—the programs which shall directly analysis; Agricultural Free Patent Re- affect them and we shall implement. We form Act which removed restrictions on have existing programs, but these will

not suffice without the full commitment of the government in ensuring that these are responsive to the needs of the people.

For instance, food security may be addressed by increasing support to farmers and fishermen through more incentives, subsidies, provision of equipment, and promotion of research and development.

Idle lands should be utilized and planted with crops suitable to the soil to increase agricultural productivity. Alternative water sources should be tapped and developed to meet growing demand.

We should resort to and look for sustainable energy sources such as liquefied natural gas power plants to ensure stable power supply.

That said, I hope to hear from the SONA that the administration will prioritize improving the livelihood and welfare of the public, especially those in the countryside. From the Kapitolyo, may I take the liberty of calling upon the Cabinet and national agencies to implement the new laws, and prioritize poverty alleviation and livelihood programs. Seeing the adverse effects of underspending, I am confident that there will be full utilization of the funds, and that the funds will be released on an expedited basis. After all, the President has three years remaining in his term.

In matters of development-focused programs in agriculture, tourism, education, and in the environment, we, in the LGU, are looking forward to changes that are inclusive and progressive.

Iceland tries to bring back trees razed by the Vikings

By Jeremie Richard BEFORE being colonized by the Vikings, Iceland was lush with forests but the fearsome warriors razed everything to the ground and the nation is now struggling to reforest the island.

The country is considered the least forested in Europe; indeed, forests in Iceland are so rare, or their trees so young, that people often joke that those lost in the woods only need to stand up to find their way.

However, it wasn’t always that way.

When seafaring Vikings set off from Norway and conquered the uninhabited North Atlantic island at the end of the ninth century, forests, made up mostly of birch trees, covered more than a quarter of the island.

Within a century, the settlers had cut down 97 percent of the original forests to serve as building material for houses and to make way for grazing pastures.

The forests’ recovery has been made all the more difficult by the harsh climate and active volcanoes, which periodically cover the soil with lava and ashes.

According to a report published in 2015 by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), forests now only cover 0.5 percent of the island’s surface.

The lack of trees means there isn’t any vegetation to protect the soil from eroding and to store water, leading to extensive desertification despite the country’s far northern location.

Reforestation efforts since the 1950s and especially the 1990s have helped the rocky landscape regain some of the greenery and efforts are ongoing.

In Hafnarsandur, a 6,000-hectare (14,800-acre) area of basalt and black

No man....

From A4

objectively, devoid of the emotional rhetoric that has been spewing the last few days. The government could decide to assist in the effort to prevent its enemies from hijacking the process by controlling the people and organizations who will be interviewed.

Part of the problem has been the failure on the part of the police in categorizing the fatalities. All those thousands of deaths could be divided into five broad categories.

First are those that have been killed in open fire fight during the conduct of police operations. Second are those killed because of other crimes not related to the drug campaign.

Third are those who have been killed

Malaysia’s...

From A4

dress modestly.

“In the beginning it was always hard for me, because a lot of people said I can’t wrestle because I’m a Muslim and I wear the hijab,” she said.

But she has soldiered on, with her family’s full support, and enjoyed her greatest success so far in early July, defeating four men to be crowned Malaysian wrestling champion.

sand in Iceland’s southwest, authorities have tasked the Icelandic Forest Service with turning the lunar landscape into a forest.

“This is one of the worst examples of soil erosion in Iceland on low land,” said Hreinn Oskarsson, the service’s head of strategy.

Help from imported species Armed with a red “potti-putki,” a Finnish designed tube-shaped tool, Oskarsson is planting lodgepole pines and Sitka spruces, two species of North American conifer trees, in an attempt to protect the nearby town of Thorlakshofn from recurring dust storms.

“We are planning an afforestation project to stabilize the soil,” Oskarsson added.

At the foot of Mount Esja, which overlooks the capital Reykjavik, is Mogilsa, where the Icelandic Forest Service’s research division is located.

Next to the station is a 50-year-old planted forest where imported trees grow together with Iceland’s only domestic tree, the birch.

Despite the birch being native to the soil, afforestation efforts often focus on other species of trees.

The problem with birches, according to Adalsteinn Sigurgeirsson, deputy director of the forest service, is that they aren’t a “productive species.”

“So if you are going to meet other objectives, like fast sequestering of carbon or producing timber... we need more variety than just monocultures of one native species,” he said.

Watching the trees grow Dozens of nursery gardens have been set up throughout the country to facilitate the afforestation efforts.

At Kvistar, about 100 kilometres (60

miles) from Reykjavik, up to 900,000 pines and poplars are produced each year.

“Originally, they come from Alaska but now we have 30, 40, 50 year-old trees giving us seeds, so we collect that and we use that for forest seedlings production,” Holmfridur Geirsdottir, a 56-year-old horticulturist and greenhouse owner, told AFP. The young trees are cultivated indoors for three months before being moved outside.

But since Icelandic soil is low in nitrogen, the maturation process is slow and the average growth rate is only about one tenth of that observed in the Amazon rainforest.

Climate paradox The Icelandic government has made afforestation one of its priorities in its climate action plan, published in September 2018.

It identifies trees’ carbon uptake as one of the country’s ways of mitigating climate change.

Paradoxically, climate change is also giving tree growth a boost.

“What has mainly been hampering growth of forest here has been the low temperatures and the coolness of the summers, but we are realising changes in that because of climate change,” said forest service deputy director Sigurgeirsson.

“Warming appears to be elevating tree growth in Iceland, and therefore also the carbon sequestration rate,” he continued.

Since 2015, between three and four million trees have been planted in Iceland, the equivalent of about 1,000 hectares.

That, however, is only a drop in the ocean compared to the six to seven million hectares planted in China over the same period. AFP

14% national poverty rate by 2022? agriculture has established a track record consisting of low farmer and fisherfolk incomes, highcost products and uncompetitive operations. The passage of the Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization Act was meant to give the agriculture and fisheries sector a shot in the arm, but the sector remains underperforming and uncompetitive. It will be difficult to bring about further substantial poverty reduction as long as the farmers and fishermen remain a low-income group.

Then there is the bias toward excise taxation of the Duterte administration’s TRAIN program.

Excise taxes are income taxes in disguise, and the low-income groups are hit hard when the fiscal authorities would rather rely for revenues on the kinds

GIVEN the socioeconomic circumstances of a typical developing country, a candidate for public office in such a country approaches the issue of poverty incidence with the highest degree of sensitivity and offers a poverty-rate reduction program to the electorate only if absolutely pressed to do so. Presumably assured by his economic advisers that it was achievable, 2016 presidential candidate Rodrigo Duterte promised a reduction in the national poverty rate by 2022 to 14 percent of the population.

The rate in 2016, according to official data, was 26 percent.

Has Mr. Duterte, now president of the Philippines, made progress toward delivering on his campaign promise? He apparently It’s possible but not has. The most recent Social probable.

Weather Stations survey placed the national poverty rate at a little over 21 percent.

A validated 5-percent increase is definitely commendable; a mere 1-percent of taxes from which there is no decrease takes tens of thousands escape, i.e., excise taxes. That of Filipinos out of the clutches of the inflationary surge of 2018 poverty. was in large part attributable to It took the first half of President the impact of higher fuel taxes on Duterte’s six-year term to achieve transportation, power generation the 5-percent decline in the and manufacturing has been national poverty rate. Now he conceded. only has three years to bring about Finally, there is the elephant or further decrease of 7 percent— in the room—population growth. and the clock is ticking.

The persistently high rate of Is Mr. Duterte likely to deliver Philippine population growth is on his electoral campaign promise seldom discussed these days— to bring the national poverty rate thanks to the Catholic Church and to 14 percent by 2022? Like all to economists who would rather sensible Filipinos, I would dearly think in terms of a “demographic love to see such a socioeconomic sweet spot”—but the economic desideratum come to pass. But I policy implications of the elephant am pessimistic, considering that in the room need to be addressed. the decrease from 26 percent to 21 This country’s population is percent was achieved only with very probably at least 100 great difficulty and enormous million, and it continues to grow effort. annually at the rate of around In any evaluation of the 1.9 percent. Population-wise, the achievability prospects of any socioeconomic policymakers are poverty reduction program in virtually on a treadmill; they’re the Philippines, three factors running fast in order to stay in the loom very large: Agriculture, same place. population growth, and the heavy At this point I return to the reliance of government fiscal question of whether a reduction policy on excise taxes. of the national rate to 14 First, agriculture. Thanks largely percent by 2022 is possible. Is to flawed agricultural policies and it possible? It is, but because of government ineptitude coupled the factors discussed above, it is with financial leakages, Philippine improbable.

Isko-munication From A4

because of the ongoing anti-terror campaign. The fourth are those killed allegedly for fighting back during anti-drug operations and still under investigation. The last are homicide cases not involving the police. Most of the drug-related deaths would fall on the first and fourth categories.

The Philippine National Police should work hard on this and publish its findings. If in the process it will be found out that there were indeed suspicious killings and rubouts as the police critics would like to point out, then the PNP should conduct the investigation and file the necessary charges. More harm will be done on its reputation by refusing to do this.

The police should not make the situation worse by insisting on its position. The law on statistics alone will tell us that with so many fatalities,

some of them must be suspicious deaths and deserving of further investigation.

Our country is not the only country tough on drugs. Other countries are also doing it. Unfortunately, it is our rhetoric sometimes that gets us into trouble. As I have said, the country will survive whatever the result of the UNCHR report is. One indication of this is that although one study is saying that the country is the fourth most dangerous place for civilians, another survey says thousands of expat citizens living all over the world rank the country 24th best in the world for expats to live in, just behind the United States and ahead of China.

Our leaders should chill a bit. This country is not really that bad no matter what critics are saying.

Initially she competed wearing a mask, to reduce the chances people would recognize her. But after losing a match last year she removed it and has been competing without one ever since.

She remembered being fearful about the reaction—but her popularity has only increased since, with thousands now following her on social media, helping to boost wrestling’s profile in Malaysia.

While it is growing in popularity, wrestling remains relatively small in the Southeast Asian country. There

are about 30 fighters and matches take place every two to three months in front of a few hundred supporters.

Nor Diana is one of just two women wrestlers.

“As soon as she became popular, we received a lot of messages from fellow hijabis who inquired about joining wrestling as well,” Ayez Shaukat Fonseka, her coach and fellow fighter, told AFP. “She kind of broke the barrier and just proved to them that if she can do it, they can do it too.” AFP

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face.’ Communicating in this way, he connects with the young adults and teenagers among his constituency, and who are or will soon be voters.

In terms of political communication, this is all brilliant execution.

Kudos to Mayor Isko Moreno’s comms team and their effective comms plan and implementation.

The delivery is slick and efficient, the messaging consistent and onbrand. Isko-munication, as I’ve dubbed it, should be a case study in communication and marketing classrooms.

As a communication scholar, I’ve advocated time and again for government to give greater importance to their communications. Some national agencies don’t even have a public information officer. It’s important for people to know what’s going on in government, otherwise they’ll think you are, a. not doing anything worth noting, or b. hiding something.

Moreno’s communication is influenced partly by political savvy, and partly by his avowed desire for transparency in his governance.

One of the first things he said as mayor was that he would have the bidding processes for city contracts live-streamed. What other mayor or government official has offered to do the same? Who else has offered transparency on this level?

On the flipside, is his communi-

cation campaign is being run with some other agenda in mind? Is he gearing up for another senatorial run, or has he set his sights on the presidency in 2022? At this point, we don’t know, and he has denied such speculations.

In any case, the effectiveness of Moreno’s communication campaign can serve as a model for other politicians on how to reach out to constituents. The presence or lack of such can be an indicator of whether or not they are performing as they promised during the election campaign.

After decades of enduring the depredations of mediocre and outright malignant local and national government officials, and bearing the jadedness and frustrations that come with it, we think Moreno seems too good to be true. We rub our eyes and expect him to vanish from sight, like a fairy or a dream.

But looking around Manila, we see that change is actually happening, positive change that can be seen and felt. Moreno’s tweets and posts let us know what he does and how he does it. We can only hope that Yorme will sustain this level of performance and inspire other administrators to reach it. *** “Manila is like a small New York. Nothing works, and everyone’s out to get the better of you,” Brigitte Nielsen once said. Is Moreno going to prove her wrong?

Let’s wait and see. //FB and Twitter: @DrJennyO

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THURSDAY, JULY 18, 2019 Standard A6 TODAY Republic of the Philippines Department of Transportation

ALLEGATIONS IN SUPPORT OF THE APPLICATION FOR PROVISIONAL RELIEF

TOLL REGULATORY BOARD 14. Petitioners most respectfully re-plead the foregoing allegations as may be relevant to the purpose of this Section.

5th Floor, The Columbia Tower, Barangay Wack-Wack, Mandaluyong City 1550

In Re: Petition for Approval of Initial Toll with Application for Provisional Relief, TRB Case No. 2019-02 Philippine Reclamation Authority and Cavitex Infrastructure Corporation, Petitioners x-------------------------------------------------x

15. Pending TRB’s approval of the proposed initial toll rate of PhP 12.00 per kilometer for the entire C-5 Link Expressway(Segments 2 and 3 of the MCTEP),Petitioners seek the approval of a provisional or interim initial toll fee for Segment 3A-1.

7

NOTICE TO EXPRESSWAY USERS Notice is hereby given that the Philippine Reclamation Authority and Cavitex Infrastructure Corporation filed a Petition for Approval of Initial Toll for C-5 Link Expressway and Provisional or Interim Initial Toll for Segment 3A-1 of the Manila - Cavite Toll Expressway Project.

Any interested expressway user shall have the right to file, within a period thirty (30) days from the date of the publication of this Notice, a petition for review with the TRB at Unit 55, 5th Floor, the Columbia Tower, Brgy. WackWack, Mandaluyong City.

SO ORDERED. Mandaluyong City. July 10, 2019

On 4 April 2019, CIC submitted the updated project cost for Segment 3A-1to the Independent Consultant, DCCD Engineering Corporation, for certification.

16. Segment 3A-1 is one of the roads intended to complete the southern arc of the government-designed Circumferential Road No. 5 and is targeted to be commercially operational by 22 July 2019. Once opened, Segment 3A-1 will immediately alleviate congestion and enable motorists to easily cross from Merville, Paranaque to Taguig and vice versa. Segment 3A-1 will decongest Sales Road, as well as the East and West Service Roads, effectively delivering an immediate relief from traffic congestion.

17. The collection of a provisional or interim initial toll for Segment 3A-1 is necessary upon its opening, to ensure the sustainability and viability of the MCTEP and its Expressways and to ensure the comfort and safety of motorists and other users of the Expressways. It will ensure the continuity of the same standards of safety, performance, and reliability, which have been provided to motorists since MCTEP’s commercial operation as a toll road system.

18. More importantly, the collection of the provisional or interim initial toll fee for Segment 3A-1 will ensure the continued progressive construction of the remaining segments of the C-5 Link Expressway, towards completion of the expansion of the MCTEP toll road system as one integral system interconnecting various destinations within its geographical coverage.

By Authority of the Board:

(SGD.) ENGR. ABRAHAM P. SALES Executive Director II/ Hearing Officer

19. In light of the foregoing, Petitioners respectfully pray that this Honorable Board authorize the collection of the following provisional initial or interim tollfees for the entire stretch of Segment 3A-1,inclusive of Value Added Tax:

Date of First Publication: July 13, 2019

Republic of the Philippines Department of Transportation

Vehicle Class

Provisional or Interim Initial Toll PhP 22.00 PhP 44.00 PhP 66.00

TOLL REGULATORY BOARD Class 1 Class 2 Class 3

5th Floor, The Columbia Tower, Barangay Wack-Wack, Mandaluyong City 1550

IN RE: PETITION FOR APPROVAL OF INITIAL TOLL WITH APPLICATION FOR PROVISIONAL RELIEF,

ELAINE ROSE Z. ESPIRITU Counsel for Petitioner CIC 32nd Floor, Rufino Pacific Tower 6784 Ayala Avenue corner V.A. Rufino Street Legaspi Village, Makati City Roll of Attorneys No. 64615 PTR No. 7347683/1-10-2019/Makati City IBP No. 066749/1-10-2019/Pampanga MCLE Compliance No. VI-0017590/02-11-2019 E-mail address: ezespiritu@mptsouth.com VERIFICATION/CERTIFICATION REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES) CITY OF MAKATI ) S.S. I, JANILO E. RUBIATO, of legal age, with office address at 7th and 8th Floors, Legaspi Towers 200, Paseo de Roxas, Legaspi Village, Makati City after being sworn in accordance with law, hereby depose and state that: 1. I am the General Manager and CEO of Philippine Reclamation Authority (PRA), and pursuant to PRA Board Resolution No’. 3318, Series of 2003, I am duly authorized to sign or verify the foregoing Petition For Approval of Initial Toll for C-5 Link Expressway and Provisional or Interim Initial Toll for Segment 3A-l of the Manila-Cavite Toll Expressway Project (“Petition”) .

2. On behalf of PRA, I have caused the preparation and filing of the foregoing Petition.

3. I have read the foregoing Petition and hereby certify that all the allegations contained therein are true and correct of my own personal knowledge and based on authentic records in the possession of PRA. 4. The computation of the provisional or interim initial toll in the Petition conform to the interim toll positively considered for approval by this Honorable Board. The matter is of extreme urgency and PRA will suffer great damage and/ or irreparable injury before a decision on the merits can be rendered by the Honorable Board, and/ or failure to immediately impose and collect provisional or interim initial toll would result in outright delay or stoppage of urgently needed improvements, expansions, or repairs of the toll facilities of the MCTEP and its Expressways.

20. The provisional or interim initial toll fees indicated above adopts the interim toll positively considered for approval by this Honorable Board. The above authority requested is pursuant to Rule 5, Section 1 of the TRB Rules, which authorizes the Honorable Board to motu proprio or upon verified petition or motion grant the application for approval of provisional toll rates, including the date of its implementation.

5. I certify that PRA has complied with all existing laws, rules and regulations being implemented by the Toll Regulatory Board and that PRA has no pending financial or monetary obligation in the form, among others, of supervision fees, concession fees, penalties and other charges with the Board.

21. Petitioners most respectfully submit the attached affidavits issued by the authorized representative of CIC and of PRA, incorporated in the Verification and Certification hereof, showing that the provisional or interim initial toll fees conform to the Honorable Board’s findings on the applicable initial or interim authorized toll rates, that the matter is of extreme urgency, and Petitioners will suffer great damage and/or irreparable injury before a decision on the merits can be rendered by the Honorable Board, and/or failure to immediately implement and collect the provisional initial toll would result in outright delay or stoppage of urgently needed improvements, expansions or repairs of the toll facilities of the MCTEP and its Expressways.

6. In compliance with Rule 7 , Section 5 of the 1997 Rules of Civil Procedure, and with Rule 2, Section 2 of the 2013 Revise;d Rules of Procedure of the Toll Regulatory Board, I hereby certify that. I have not commenced any action or proceeding involving the same issues in the Supreme Court, the Court of Tax Appeals, the Court of Appeals or any other tribunal or agency.

Out of caution, PRA respectfully discloses that there is a pending arbitration (PCA Case No 2017-13 - Cavitex Infrastructure Corporation (Philippines) and Philippine Reclamation Authority (Philippines) vs. Republic of the Philippines, represented by its Toll Regulatory Board) relating to the Board’s inaction on petitions for toll rate adjustments for the years 2011 and 2014 for R-l Expressway; and year 2014 for R-l Expressway Extension.

1. PRA is a government instrumentality with corporate powers created and existing under and by virtue of Presidential Decree No. 1084, with principal office address at 7th Floor, Legaspi Towers 200 Building, 107 Paseo de Roxas Street, Makati City, Philippines, where it may be served with notices and legal processes of the Honorable Board.

22. Pursuant to Rule 5, Section 1 (c) of the TRB Rules, Petitioners are willing to post a surety bond in such amount and under such terms and conditions as the Honorable Board may prescribe, to guarantee the refund of the provisional initial toll to affected toll users in such manner as the Honorable Board may determine, in case it is finally ascertained that Petitioners are not entitled thereto.

7. If I should hereafter learn that a similar action or proceeding has been filed or is pending in the Supreme Court, the C6urt of Tax Appeals, the Court of Appeals, or any other tribunal or agency, I hereby undertake to report that fact within five (5) days from knowledge thereof to the Honorable Board.

2. CIC is a private corporation duly organized and existing under and by virtue of the laws of the Republic of the Philippines, with principal office address at PEATC Compound, Aguinaldo Boulevard, Barangay San Dionisio, Parañaque City, Philippines, where it may be served with notices and legal processes of the Honorable Board.

23. Based on the foregoing, it is respectfully prayed that the Honorable Board issue a Notice to Start Toll Collection authorizing Petitioners to collect the provisional initial toll fees, in accordance with Section 2, Rule 48 of the TRB Rules, as follows:

PHILIPPINE RECLAMATION AUTHORITY and CAVITEX I N F R A S T R U C T U R E CORPORATION Petitioners. x-------------------------------------------x

TRB Case No. 2019-02

PETITION (For Approval of Initial Toll for C-5 Link Expressway and Provisional or Interim Initial Toll for Segment 3A-1 of the Manila-Cavite Toll Expressway Project) Petitioners PHILIPPINE RECLAMATION AUTHORITY (PRA) and CAVITEX INFRASTRUCTURE CORPORATION (CIC), by and through undersigned counsel, to this Honorable Board, most respectfully state:

3. On 26 July 1996, the Republic of the Philippines (Phil), through this Honorable Board, Public Estates Authority,1 and UEM-MARA Philippines Corporation2 executed a Toll Operation Agreement (“TOA”)3 for the ManilaCavite Toll Expressway Project (“MCTEP”). The TOA granted the exclusive right and authority to PRA, as Grantee, to undertake the operation and maintenance, and to CIC to undertake the design and construction of the MCTEP and its specific Expressways, including the C-5 Link Expressway subject of this Petition, for the duration of the Franchise Period, as defined in the TOA. The C-5 Link Expressway consists of Segment 2 (R1 Interchange to Sucat Interchange) and Segment 3 (Sucat Interchange to South Luzon Expressway Interchange).

4. On 22 January 2015, CIC submitted a Project Information Memorandum for the C-5 Link Expressway dated 22 January 2015 (“2015 PIM”) to the Toll Regulatory Board (“TRB”) for the implementation of the C-5 Link Expressway Project (“Project”), which involves the design, construction and operation, of an approximately 7.7 kilometer toll road that will link R-1 Expressway in Parañaque to Circumferential Road No. 5 (or C-5 Road) in Taguig and will pass over the Skyway at-grade and South Luzon Expressway (“SLEX”).

Vehicle Class Class 1 Class 2 Class 3

3 4 5

8

Segment 2

Segment 3B

6

Class 1 Class 2 Class 3

Provisional or Interim Initial Toll PhP 22.00 PhP 44.00 PhP 66.00

*Inclusive of Value Added Tax

b) Upon the filing of this Petition, issue an Order: (i) finding this Petition sufficient in form and substance; and (ii) requiring the publication of the following at least once a week for three (3) consecutive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation not later than 12 July 2019, or on such date as the Honorable Board may direct: -

Petition; Approved toll; Toll fee matrix; Date of effectivity of the toll; and Notice that any interested tollway user may file a petition for review within a period of thirty (30) days after the date of first publication;

(iii) requiring the posting of a surety bond in such amount and under such terms and conditions as the Honorable Board may prescribe, in accordance with Rule 5, Section 1 (c) of the TRB Rules. (c) Issue an Order approving the final initial toll rate of PhP 12.00 per kilometer for Segments 2 and 3 of the MCTEP, pursuant to, and in accordance with, this Honorable Board’s authority under Presidential Decree No. 11129, and authorizing Petitioners to collect the same.

Other reliefs as may be just and equitable are likewise prayed for.

Makati City for Pasig City, 3 July 2019.

approximately 2.2 kilometers

approximately 1.6 kilometers

approximately 1.9 kilometers

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES) CITY OF MAKATI ) S.S. I, ROBERTO V. BONTIA, of legal age, with office address at PEATC Compound, Aguinaldo Boulevard, Barangay San Dionisio, Paranaque City, Philippines, after being sworn in accordance with law, hereby depose and state that: 1. I am the duly authorized representative of Cavitex Infrastructure Corporation (CIC), one of the Petitioners in the aboveentitled Petition For Approval of Initial Toll for C-5 Link Expressway and Provisional or Interim Initial Toll for Segment 3A-1 of the Manila-Cavite Toll Expressway Project (“Petition”).

2. On behalf of CIC, I have caused the preparation and filing of the foregoing Petition.

3. I have read the foregoing Petition and hereby certify that all the allegations contained therein are true and correct of my own personal knowledge and based on authentic records in the possession of CIC. 4. The computation of the provisional or interim initial toll in the Petition conform to the interim toll positively considered for approval by this Honorable Board. The matter is of extreme urgency and CIC will suffer great damage and/ or irreparable injury before a decision on the merits can be rendered by the Honorable Board, and/ or failure to immediately impose and collect provisional or interim initial toll would result in outright delay or stoppage of urgently needed improvements, expansions, or repairs of the toll facilities of the MCTEP and its Expressways.

5. I certify that CIC has complied with all existing laws, rules and regulations being implemented by the Toll Regulatory Board and that CIC has no pending financial or monetary obligation in the form, among others, of supervision fees, concession fees, penalties and other charges with the Board.

OFFICE OF THE GOVERNMENT CORPORATE COUNSEL Counsel for Petitioner PRA 3rd Floor, MWSS Building Katipunan Road, Balara Quezon City, Metro Manila

6. In compliance with Rule 7, Section 5 of the 1997 Rules of Civil Procedure, and with Rule 2, Section 2 of the 2013 Revised Rules of Procedure of the Toll Regulatory Board, I hereby certify that I have not commenced any action or proceeding involving the same issues in the Supreme Court, the Court of Tax Appeals, the Court of Appeals or any other tribunal or agency.

Out of caution, CIC respectfully discloses that there is a pending arbitration (PCA Case No 2017-13 - Cavitex Infrastructure Corporation (Philippines) and Philippine Reclamation Authority (Philippines) vs. Republic of the Philippines, Represented by its Toll Regulatory Board) relating to the Board’s inaction on petitions for toll rate adjustments for the years 2011 and 2014 for R -1 Expressway; and year 2014 for R -1 Expressway Extension.

ELPIDIO J. VEGA Government Corporate Counsel Roll of Attorneys 32618 IBP OR 066193, 01/9/19, Davao City MCLE Exemption VI-000743; 7/4/18

7. If I should hereafter learn that a similar action or proceeding has been filed or is pending in the Supreme Court, the Court of Tax Appeals, the Court of Appeals, or any other tribunal or agency, I hereby undertake to report that fact within five (5) days from knowledge thereof to the Honorable Board.

MA. DOLORES M. RIGONAN Assistant Government Corporate Counsel Roll of Attorneys 36023 IBP Life Member Roll 06385; 11/18/08; Quezon City MCLE Exemption VI-000748, 7/4/18

C-5 Link Expressway is referred to as the C-5 South Link Expressway in the Updated PIM.

signed

my

name

ROBERTO V. BONTIA Affiant

9

“This Honorable Board has the following powers and duties under its charter: Section 3. Powers and Duties of the Board. — The Board shall have in addition to its general powers of administration the following powers and duties: x xx.

4. Issue, modify and promulgate from time to time the rates of toll that will be charged the direct users of toll facilities and upon notice and hearing, to approve or disapprove petitions for the increase thereof.”

12. On 10 June 2019, TRB issued a letter to PRA and CIC stating that the Honorable Board is considering an interim toll rate of PhP 22.00 for the entire stretch of Segment 3A-1, subject to the applicable provisions of the 2013 Revised Rules of Procedure of TRB (“TRB Rules”).

13. With the intervention of immediately opening the tollway facility to serve the motoring public in order to alleviate traffic congestion, Petitioners CIC and PRA are targeting the opening of Segment 3A-1 on 22 July 2019.

Progressive inspections have been conducted by representatives of the Honorable Board and Petitioners CIC and PRA, and Segment 3A-1 is now ninety-two percent (92%)as of date. CIC anticipates the issuance of the Certificate of Substantial Completion on or before 8 July 2019.

VERIFICATION I CERTIFICATION

IN WITNESS THEREOF, I have hereunto this_____________in______________, Philippines.

approximately 2.0 kilometers

11. In the Updated PIM, CIC proposes an initial toll rate of PhP 12.00 per kilometer (Value Added Tax inclusive) for the C-5 Link Expressway, to be collected upon opening of the first sub-segment of the Project, Segment 3A1, in 2019, to allow CIC to recover its investment.7

“x xx.However, no approved toll rate shall be imposed and collected without a Notice to Start Collection being first issued

Vehicle Class

10. As indicated in the Updated PIM, the Project involves the construction of: (i) three (3) interchanges (R1 Interchange, Sucat Interchange, and Merville Interchange); and (ii) two (2) access ramps to SLEX and C-5 Road. It shall be implemented in sub-segments, in light of PRA’s progressive delivery of Right of Way, as follows

Segment 3A-2

Subscribed and sworn to before me this_____________ in________________ Philippines, affiant exhibited to me competent evidence of identity in the form of_________________issued on_______________.

(a) immediately issue a Notice to Start Toll Collection granting Petitioners the authority to collect, on or before 22 July 2019, the provisional initial toll fees for the entire stretch of Segment 3A-1, as follows:

8. On 17 August 2015, TRB issued a Notice to Proceed (“NTP”) for Segment 3A-1 of the Project, subject to compliance with TRB requirements.

Segment 3A-1 is a 2.2 kilometer, portion of the Project with three lanes in each direction that will run westward from C-5 Road to Merville. It includes the flyover crossing SLEX and a connection to the West Service Road. By the authority granted to CIC to commence with the construction of Segment 3A-1 through the issuance of the NTP, CIC proceeded with its design and construction.

2x3 lane toll road that will run from C-5 Flyover westward to Merville. It includes the flyover crossing SLEX and a road connection to the West Service Road.

2x3 lane toll road from Merville to RSG Airport View Subdivision. It includes an interchange to Merville and left turn flyover to SLEX from Parañaque side going north to Makati City.

2x3 lane toll road from Sucat Interchange to R-1 Expressway, crossing Sucat Road and Quirino Avenue 2x3 lane toll road from RSG Airport View Subdivision to Sucat Interchange.

JANILO E. RUBIATO Affiant

by the Board.”

7. On 16 June 2015, CIC submitted a Supplement to the Project Information Memorandum (“Supplemental PIM”) for the C-5 Link Expressway to TRB, to address concerns raised by local government units (“LGUs”), specifically the barangays of Merville and Moonwalk in Parañaque City, where portions of the Project are located.

Segment 3A-1

name

WHEREFORE, the foregoing premises considered, Petitioners most urgently and respectfully pray that the Honorable Board:

The Public Estates Authority or “PEA” is the former name of Petitioner Philippine Reclamation Authority.

UEM-MARA Philippines Corporation is the predecessor-in-interest of CIC. Capitalized words and expressions used in this Petition shall have the meanings set forth in Section 1 of the TOA. Annex A Annex B

9. On 8 June 2018, CIC submitted an Updated Project Information Memorandum for C-5 Link Expressway6 (“Updated PIM”) in order to reflect, among others, the necessary updates to the technical requirements of the Project, project cost estimate, implementation schedule, and proposed investment recovery.

my

PRAYER

6. On 9 January 2015, Department of Public Works and Highways(“DPWH”) separately issued a letter5 stating that it had no objection to TRB’s evaluation of the 2015 PIM. It likewise suggested that a technical working group be constituted immediately to verify the design and the toll rates for the Project.

2

signed

*Inclusive of Value Added Tax

5. On 27 January 2015, PRA issued a letter4 wherein it interposed no objection to TRB’s evaluation of the 2015 PIM since it already contained the complete details on the right of way, engineering design, construction schedule, operations, and tolling policy for the Project. Furthermore, PRA requested that a technical working group be constituted immediately for the issuance of a notice to proceed to commence construction of the Project.

1

Provisional or Interim Initial Toll PhP 22.00 PhP 44.00 PhP 66.00

IN WITNESS THEREOF, I have hereunto this_____________in______________, Philippines.

Subscribed and sworn to before me this_____________ in________________ Philippines, affiant exhibited to me competent evidence of identity in the form of____________issued on_______________.

JONATHAN C. NICOLAS Government Corporate Attorney IBP LifeMember Roll 7567; Bulacan Roll of Attorneys 55410 MCLE Compliance VI-0014206, 10/10/18 (MS-JULY 13,18 & 22, 2019)

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Manila

Standard

Sports

SATURDAY, JULY 13, 2019

A7

TODAY THURSDAY, JULY 18, 2019 sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

Mighty Sports 2 wins shy of another Jones Cup title

PVL QUEENS. Petro Gazz owner Ricardo N. Villavicencio (fourth from right) joins the Angels in celebration after his team beat Creamline to bag the Premier Vollyeball League Reinforced Conference crown last Sunday.

could emerge as MIGHTY SportsGame Friday virtual champion on Go For Gold Philip(Changhua County Gym in Changhua, Taiwan) Saturday if it beats pines hopes to use 3 p.m. – Mighty Sports-PH vs Indonesia Taiwan-A which its two-day break to totes a 3-1 card – the rest before pressing its bid for a second title in four years in same record of Japan.

Having beaten fancied teams like Iran the Jones Cup in Changhua, Taiwan.

The country’s representative to the an- (98-72), Jordan (90-74), and Japan (94nual cagefest played five straight days 59), Mighty Sports needs only to win two since arriving on Thursday in the Tai- of its next three games to give the country wanese capital city and coach Charles its sixth Jones Cup title.

Against Taiwan-A, Mighty Sports should Tiu said his players need to soothe their aching bodies and relax a bit, especially start strong to ensure a trouble-free win.

“That’s the other important match for us McKenzie Moore and Zach Graham.

The two played in pain with various so we can’t celebrate yet this time,” said injuries in the team’s crucial 89-82 win Tiu. “We have to come up fresh and play over World Cup-bound South Korea in our usual game. There will be no let up.”

Mighty Gilas returns to action on Frithe battle of frontrunners last Tuesday.

The scary win put Mighty Sports in a day against Indonesia before capping its strong position to regain the title it won campaign with a showdown with Taiwan via an eight-game sweep three years ago. B. Both the Indonesians and Taiwanese The team also backed by HealthCube (Team B) are carrying similar 1-3 records.

Thai catches up with Japanese T

HAI hit two late birdies at the front to turn in a plucky three-under 69 in wet, windy conditions, catching Japanese Mayuna Furukawa at the helm at the start of the ICTSI Pradera Ladies Classic at the Pradera Verde Golf and Country Club in Lubao, Pampanga yesterday.

The brave 91-player field from at least nine countries, including some of the leading campaigners on the LPGA of Taiwan and the cream of the country’s pro crop, endured two delays due to rain spawned

by Typhoon Falcon with the power-hitting Furukawa leading the assault on the par72 layout with chip-in eagles on the two par-5s at the front.

She went five-under with back-to-back birdies from No. 12 against a bogey on the 10th but lost her poise in tough conditions

with bogeys on two of the last three, including the last, a par-5 hole, to settle for that three-under card.

That enabled Chayanun, who teed off at the backside, to gain a piece of the lead as the Thai, still in pursuit of a breakthrough victory on the Ladies Philippine Golf Tour, gunned down three straight birdies from No. 11 and recovered a three-bogey, one-birdie card in the next seven holes with back-to-back birdies from No. 6 to match Furukawa’s 69 in the early going of

the $80,000 event that was played under summer rules.

But six churned out identical 70s, including local bet Daniella Uy, four others carded similar 71s, led by Princess Superal, while seven matched par 72s at the bunker, hazard-laden layout which played longer than its 6,346 in soft conditions, ensuring a wild chase for top honors in the last 36 holes of the event put up by ICTSI and sanctioned by TLPGA. Despite her shaky finish, Furukawa, 22, said she “played pretty good” and looked forward to contending for the crown and improving her joint 29th finish in the ICTSI Manila Golf Ladies Classic last April.

“I like the course, I’m used to playing in this kind of condition,” said Furukawa from Nagoya Prefecture, who chipped

in for eagle from 48 yards off a superb 5-wood second shot from 200 yards on No. 3 (529 yards). After a missed green bogey on No. 7, she knocked down another eagle from 36 yards off another solid drive on the 510-yard No. 9 and a 7-iron second shot from 190 yards.

But she wavered at the finish, threeputting No. 16 from 60 feet and failing to rescue a par from the bunker on the last.

Chonlada, who had contended for a number of LPGT titles but still looking for that strong finishing kick, sizzled early with those three-birdie binge but stumbled with missed green bogeys before recovering her form at the finish.

“The course is perfect and it suits to my liking,” said Chonlada.

Republic of the Philippines

PHILIPPINE RECLAMATION AUTHORITY (Public Estate Authority)

7th floor, Legaspi Towers 200 Bldg., 107 Paseo de Roxas St., Legaspi Village, 1226 Makati Tel. Nos.: (02) 817-4711 to 13:(02) 813-1441 to 45 • Facsimile No.: (02) 815-2662 Website:www.pea.gov.ph • info@pea.gov.ph

27 January 2015 HON. EDMUNDO O. REYES, JR. Executive Director Toll Regulatory Board 2nd Floor IBP Building Doña Julia Vargas Avenue Ortigas Center, Pasig City Re: Project Information Memorandum for the C-5 Link Expressway Dear Director Reyes: This pertains to the Project Information Memorandum for the C-S Link Expressway drafted by Cavitex Infrastructure Corporation (CIC), formerly UEM-MARA Philippines Corporation (UMPC), and our joint venture partner in the Manila Cavite Toll Expressway Project (MCTEP).

As you are aware, the C-5 Link Expressway consists of Segments 2 and 3 of the MCTEP subject of the subsisting Toll Operation Agreement (TOA) dated 26 July 1996 entered into between and among the Republic of’ the Philippines, through the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB), the Public Estates Authority (now PRA) and UMPC (now CIC). The C-5 Link is the last outstanding segment or “missing link” of the Circumferential Road No. 5, which was designed to decongest the central parts of Metro Manila and facilitate faster travel to and from the south and southwestern parts of Metro Manila, to and from the central and northern parts thereof.

After a series of meetings and consultations, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has agreed on the modi lied alignment of the C-5 Link Expressway by utilizing the original alignment in the TOA and the portions acquired by the DPWH for the C-5 Access Road.

As the Project Information Memorandum already contains the complete details on the right of way, engineering design. construction schedule, and operations and tolling policy for the C-5 Link Expressway, we hereby interpose no objection to the evaluation by the TRB of the said Memorandum. We shall appreciate the TRB’s immediate action thereon by constituting a technical working group, with a view to the early issuance of a Notice to Proceed, at least with respect to the C-5 flyover from C-5 Road across the South Luzon Expressway and towards Sucat, Paranaque City, which already has complete availability orthe right of way.

Thank you for your favorable action on the matter.

Very truly yours,

PETER ANTHONY A. ABAYA General Manager & CEO Republic of the Philippines DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS AND HIGHWAYS OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY Manila

HONORABLE EDMUNDO O. REYES, JR. Executive Director Toll Regulatory Board 2/F IBP Building Doña J. Vargas Avenue Ortigas Cencer, Paslg City SUBJECT :

C-5 Link Expressway

Dear Director Reyes: This has reference to the Project Information Memorandum (PIM) for the C-5 Link Expressway drafted by Cavitex Infrastructure Corporation (CIC), the Franchisee for the Manila Cavite Toll Expressway Project (MCTEP).

We are made aware that the C-5 Link Expressway is included as Segment 2 and 3 of the Expressways under the Toll Operation Agreement between the Toll Regulatory Board, CIC, and the Philippine Reclamation Authority. It is reportedly the last remaining portion that will complete the Circumferential Road No.5 around Metro Manila aimed at decongesting traffic at the central portions and thoroughfares thereof.

The modified alignment of the C-5 Link Expressway contained in the draft PIM was discussed between representatives of CIC and the DPWH in a series of technical meetings. During these meetings, the use of the existing rlghts-of-way already acquired by the Government for the C-5 Link and portions of the C-5 Access Road acquired and developed by the DPWH has also been discussed. CIC also clarified with DPWH its technical and legal positions on the NAIA Third Runway being proposed by DOTC, which TRB was also made aware of by DOTC. Based on information provided

by DOTC Secretary Abaya, the Third Runway Is no longer an option. Hence. we are therefore not objecting to TRB evaluating the CIC Proposal and draft PIM. Further, our suggestion is for TRB to Immediately constitute a technical working group that will verilY the desIgns and toll rates for the C-5 Link Expressway. DPWH, through Its PPP Service, Is open to extending Its assistance to the technIcal workIng group should you request it.

Very truly yours,

ROGELIO L. SINGSON Secretary

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Chonlada Chayanun

One of the Filipino fighters, Mary Angeline Alcantara (right) connects with an axe kick against a foe in a recent meet.

38 PH athletes vie in Asian tilt THIRTY-EIGHT Philippine taekwondo (kyorugi/poomsae) athletes target international honors when they compete in the Asian Junior and Cadet Poomsae Championships in Amman, Jordan on July 15-25.

The kyorugi (free sparring) fighters composed of 13 males and 11 females and poomsae (forms) entries numbering 6 males and 8 females will carry the colors of PLDT Home Ultera and MVP Sports Foundation in the prestigious event.

Dindo Simpao heads the team. The other officials are Christian Al Dela Cruz, Paul Romero and Devy John Singson (kyorugi coaches), Rani Ann Ortega, Edrick Jhaney Galing (poomsae coaches), Stephen Fernandez (Council Member, World Taekwondo Asia) and Michael Montinola (trainer).

The Filipinos, considered among the top contenders in the tournament, will face champions from 35 countries such as Korea, Iran, China, Chinese Taipei, Japan and Thailand.

The Filipinos’ participation is supported

by Smart Communication Inc., PLDT, Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Olympic Committee and MILO.

Romasanta: Phisgoc operating without POC nod THE Philippine Olympic Committee reiterated that it has nothing to do with the embattled Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee Foundation, Inc., a private body that aimed to organize the 30th SEA Games, but is now the subject of an investigation due to alleged corruption and other irregularities.

Acting POC president Joey Romasanta said the formation of Phisgoc Foundation was done without POC executive board approval, that eventually led to the resignation of one of its eight original incorporators in Ricky Vargas as POC president.

Based on its Articles of Incorporation filed before the Securities and Exchange Commission in July of last year, Phisgoc Foundation, with Rep. Alan Cayetano as Chairman, was formed to organize the biennial meet as well as other international games that the country would host in the future.

It also aimed to receive, man-

age and disburse fund, monies and properties derived from sponsorship, donation, grant and subsidy and allocate it for the purposes of the corporation. It also wanted receive all income and funds derived from the holding of the SEA Games and other future international competitions and be responsible for its disbursements.

No POC board member was made part of the Phisgoc Foundation. Philippine Sports commissioners were also not part of the core group of Phisgoc, which was against the previous agreement that Rep. Cayetano will be the organizing committee Chairman, while PSC chairman William “Butch” Ramirez and Vargas will be his co-chairmen.

Romasanta said they were not informed of the new set up.

“Phisgoc has been existing without the recognition of the POC,” said Romasanta, an old hand in Philippine sports. “Mr. (Jose) Cojuangco was ousted in February, then they incorporated Phisgoc in

July of last year. We only found out its existence in March. So it means that from July last year to March this year, they have been operating without board approval from the POC executive council.”

There were also questions about Phisgoc’s transactions with the catering, accommodation, transportation, apparel and other suppliers that prompted President Rodrigo Duterte to put it out of the SEA Games equation and delegate the role back to the government, specifically the PSC. In statement by Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo, the Chief Executive also wanted to launch an investigation on the private body since massive government money amounting to P6 billion is involved.

“He (Mr. Duterte) said ‘There’s so much corruption there with the private group. It disrupts the work of others.’ That’s why he wants to government to do it,” Panelo said.

“As a matter of standard procedure,

if there is corruption, supposed to be the agencies concerned in the investigation must delve into that without being asked by the President.”

Malacanang has given the POC executive board members an invitation to discuss the matter with Cayetano and former POC chairman Abraham Tolentino, but the meeting coincides with a crucial POC general assembly set today at the Manila Golf Club.

An International Olympic Committee representative will also be in attendance so there’s no chance for them to turn it down.

“We’re going to have a crucial general assembly meeting on Thursday and we can’t cancel it. It was the IOC and OCA (Olympic Council of Asia) who called the meeting that will pave the way for the election of a new POC president,” said Romasanta. “Our suggestion is to set the Malacanang meeting after the July 28 elections.

At least by then, we already have a new POC president.”

Suzara: Phisgoc has complied with Duterte’s directives THE Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizational Committee Foundation Inc. has complied with all the directives issued by President Duterte on the conduct of the biennial sports competition this year in the country, and has put in place safeguards to ensure that funds for the event are all accounted for and properly spent.

Ramon Suzara, PHISGOC Foundation Inc.’s chief executive officer, said both the Philippine Sports Commission and the Philippine Olympic Committee are properly represented in the organizational committee and take part in all decisions of the body.

He also made it clear that the P5 bil-

lion budget approved by the Congress for the SEA Games this year, as well as the P1 billion augmentation fund approved by the President, are all lodged with the PSC. Not a single centavo of government funds is handled by the PHISGOC, Suzara noted.

“All government funds are duly accounted for, and are being disbursed in accordance with government procurement procedures performed either by the PSC or the Procurement Service of the Department of Budget and Management, as proposed by PHISGOC chairman, Congressman Alan Peter Cayetano, to ensure that every peso allotted for the

SEA Games are wisely and properly spent,” Suzara said in a statement.

He said that since the ideal budget for the SEA Games this year is around P7.5 billion, the PHISGOC helped make up for the remaining P1.5 billion shortfall by raising sponsorship funds which continue to grow as the Games draw near.

Suzara stressed that suggestions to either have the POC or PSC take over the organizational tasks just four months away from the conduct of the Games this November will unduly prejudice Filipino athletes and jeopardize the carefully set preparations for the event.

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

A8

THURSDAY, JULY 18, 2019

Generals battle SBU Red Lions Games today

(at the EAC gym) 2 p.m. San Beda vs EAC (jrs) 4 p.m. San Beda vs EAC (srs)

By Peter Atencio

San Miguel Beer guard Terrence Romeo (7) gathers the basketball even as he prepares to fire a step-back jumpshot against Meralco Bolts defenders Nico Salva (8) and Trevis Jackson (2). PBA Media

Capitals subdue Super Crunch QUEZON CITY reasserted its mastery of defeating Makati, 91-85, late Tuesday night in the MPBL Lakan Season at the Blue Eagle Gym in Ateneo.

The Capitals got a big lift from Joco Tayongtong. He scored 12 of his 20 points in the last five minutes to lead his team in snapping the Super Crunch’s four-game winning streak.

They dealt the same team they ousted in last season’s quarterfinal round its first loss of the tournament put up by Senator Manny Pacquiao with PBA legend and former MVP Kenneth Duremdes serving as commissioner.

Also providing the spark for Quezon City was Dahrell Caranguian, who also tallied 20 markers.

Down the stretch, it was Tayongtong who took over as he helped the Capitals in overcoming a 10-point deficit in the last five minutes of the match.

Tayongtong, one of the few holdovers from the original squad, had 12 in a 19-3 run by the Capitals. He drilled in a trey that knotted the game for the last time at 84-all, stole the ball from Rudy Lingganay and completed the play with a fastbreak basket as Quezon City started to gain momentum.

Quezon City’s defense also held Makati without a field goal in the last five minutes as its 1-3-1 zone baffled the Super Crunch.

Earlier, Davao Occidental and Muntinlupa carved out contrasting victories.

The Tigers got another big game from Mark Yee, who registered his 23rd double-double performance in the MPBL to power the Cocolifebacked Davao Occidental squad to an 86-55 beat down of Rizal Golden Coolers-Xentro Mall.

Muntinlupa, on the other hand, bucked the ejection of head coach Ritchie Melencio to turn back the Parañaque Patriots-Yabo Sports, 87-78.

Meanwhile, the MPBL cancelled the scheduled triple header on Wednesday set at the People’s Center in Bataan due to a disturbing weather condition.

Bulacan was supposed to face winless Marikina in the first game at 4 p.m. while expansion teams Mindoro and Nueva Ecija were scheduled to face each other at 6:30 p.m. The main game features Bataan against Navotas at 8:30 p.m.

Bolts upset powerhouse San Miguel Beer, 95-91

By Jeric Lopez

D

ELROY James did not let the Meralco Bolts roll over and die. James scored the game’s final four points to lift Meralco to a hard-fought 95-91 victory over San Miguel Beer last night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum to stay alive in the 2019 Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner’s Cup. The burly reinforcement, who finished with a game-high 34 points, took it upon himself in the final minute to carry the Bolts and make sure they live to fight another day.

In two isolation plays in the closing minute, James scored on consecutive occasions to win the game for Meralco which earned a playoff for the eighth and final quarterfinals berth.

The Bolts will face the Aces tomor-

row to see who gets to move forward to the next round.

With the game knotted at 91-all with under two minutes left, James sank a go-ahead hook shot with 1:03 left to give Meralco a 93-91 lead.

In the Bolts’ succeeding play, he then sank a lay-up in traffic for insurance, making it 95-91 with 32.3 seconds remaining.

The Beermen went dry in their final plays, allowing Meralco to hold on

and keep its hopes alive for a spot in the next round.

For the Beermen, who finished at 5-6, they need Magnolia to win in the last game for them to enter the top six and avoid a No. 7 finish and a twice-to-win disadvantage in the quarters.

TNT KaTropa (9-1) and Magnolia (55) are battling each other as of this report in the final game of the eliminations to see who gets a better seeding heading to the quarters.

The Tropang Texters are looking to lock the No. 1 seed while the Hotshots aim on climbing the top six.

Chris Newsome added 20 points for Meralco.

The Beermen were led by June Mar Fajardo and Chris McCullough’s 27 points, apiece.

San Miguel played minus playmaker Alex Cabagnot, who sat out due to sickness.

PSC will help select SEA Games venues THE Philippine Sports Commission is set to step in and help out in preparing the numerous venues that will be used in the 30th Southeast Asian Games.

Chef de mission and PSC chairman William Ramirez said this after hearing that a lot of venues have not been put up yet, with four months left before the Games begin.

“We are now in a crisis situation. PSC will interfere concerning the venues that have not yet been identified,” said Ramirez following yesterday’s second Team Philippines consultative meeting at the Philippine International Convention Center.

The PSC chief said this a day before he is to meet with officials of Malacanang and the Philippine SEA Games Organizing Committee on instructions that will come from President Rodrigo Duterte.

“Tomorrow’s meeting is important. This is about guidelines for us. I am waiting for directions coming from the president,” said Ramirez.

Ramirez has assigned Deputy Executive Director Guillermo Iroy to coordinate with the Phisgoc on which events still need venues.

Venue shortages will be up for discussion with Phisgoc executive director Tom Carrasco.

So far, lack of venues were taken up by officials from gymnastics, shooting, skateboarding.

Phisgoc plans to put up temporary facilities for petanque, lawn balls and obstacle course.

“We will discuss this with Phisgoc at sabihin namin sa kanila na kapag hindi na nila kaya, ibigay na lang sa amin,” said Ramirez.

Gymnastics Association of the Philippines secretary general Bettina Pou informed Ramirez that members of the national pool have no place to train now that many areas of the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex are under renovation.

The Philippine National Shooting Association, though secretary general Francisco Gudani, has still not confirmed the completion of their venue in Clark Field, Pampanga.

Skateboarding chief Monty Mendigoria said there is no word yet on the completion of their facility in Tagaytay.

Peter Atencio

PICTURE OF CONFIDENCE. A confident Keith Thurman strikes

a pose for the media during his arrival at the MGM Grand Hotel lobby in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA. Thurman fights Fillipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao on July 21. Wendell Alinea/MP Promotions

Rookie Bolick assumes leadership role

NorthPort Batang Pier rookie guard Robert Bolick (8) tries to dribble past Meralco defenders Delroy James (5) and Chris Newsome. PBA Media

ROBERT Bolick is ready to assume the mantle of leadership at NorthPort following the exit of his mentor Stanley Pringle.

The rookie guard immediately showed he’s up to the challenge by consistently taking charge for the Batang Pier following the trade of Pringle to Barangay Ginebra, steering the franchise to a first ever Top 2 finish going to the playoffs of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup. Bolick, 23, was quick to lead the way for the Batang Pier shortly after Pringle’s departure last June 18, steering the team to back-to-back

wins over Rain or Shine and Blackwater before losing a close one against Phoenix.

In NorthPort’s first three games in the post-Pringle era, it was Bolick who’s in the forefront, averaging 16.3 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 7.3 assists.

Overall, Bolick submitted numbers of 15.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 6.0 assists in six games last June to earn his first PBA Press Corps Rookie of the Month honor.

During that stretch, the Batang Pier went 4-2 in the six games they played.

The prolific guard out of San

Beda was the unanimous choice for the citation, with Columbian Dyip’s CJ Perez receiving honorable mention after getting four out of the 19 votes tallied.

Perez, last year’s top rookie pick, averaged 25.0 points, on 55 percent shooting, 7.8 rebounds, 4.6 assists, and 2.8 steals in five games which saw the Dyip posting a 2-3 record.

Also nominated for the monthly honor was Blackwater’s Bobby Ray Parks, who tallied 23.3 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 4.0 assists as the Elite went 2-2 in four games during the month.

THE Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals wants to be a scrappy team just like the Lyceum Pirates.

And this is what is pushing them after the Generals pulled off an 84-81 upset over Lyceum last Friday, even as they seek another win against the defending champion San Beda Red Lions in their 4 p.m. encounter at their own homecourt today at the EAC-Manila gymnasium in Manila.

The high-spirited Generals will now be going for their second straight triumph in three games in the 95th National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) men’s basketball tournament.

“You know how scrappy they are (Pirates). Yun ang dream namin.

Maging scrappy katulad nila,” said new Generals coach Oliver Bunyi in his bid to mold his players into a determined and focused squad.

In the junior division, the San Beda Red Cubs will try to stay unbeaten after three games in their 2 p.m. clash with EAC-Imaculate Conception Academy Brigadiers.

Rallying from 18 points down against the Pirates, the Generals leaned on the heroics of Jethro Mendoza, who knocked in a go-ahead basket coming off Marwin Taywan’s pass to win the game with 1.5 seconds left.

The Pirates then tried to go for a last shot, with Reymar Caduyac hurling an inbound pass to Jayvee Marcelino. But it was intercepted mid-air by Generals cager Renz Gonzales as time expired.

Red Lions coach Boyet Fernandez said the team will have to fine-tune their execution in their next games after their 74-52 blasting of the Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers.

The Red Lions will gun for win no. 3 against the Generals, and they have been struggling with their finishing moves in their last two games.

“That’s really a problem. When we’re up, we’re not executing,” said Red Lions mentor Boyet Fernandez.

The Red Lions banked on sophomore point guard Evan Nelle in creating openings, and they were on fire with James Canlas striking hard in the first period, and hitting 10 of 17 points as they unraveled a 15-0 attack in the first seven minutes.

Amit settles for second in Japan Open 9-Ball FILIPINA pool master Rubilen Amit failed to sustain her momentum as she lost to Amber Chen of Taiwan in the finals of the 32nd Japan 9-Ball Open at the New Pier Hall in Tokyo, Japan Monday.

Chen defeated Amit, 7-5, in the race-to-7, rack-your-own finals.

Chen took home the ¥400,000 (Japanese Yen) top prize while Amit settled for ¥200,000.

On the road to the finals, Chen toppled Miyuki Kuribayashi of Japan, 7-4, in the final four duel to arrange a title showdown with Amit, winner over Angeline Magdalena Ticoalu of Indonesia, 7-3, in the other semifinal match.

Amit posted a commanding 4-0 lead before Chen came back winning six straight racks to reach the hill, 6-4, in this winner’s break format. Chen missed an 8-ball shot allowing Amit to close the gap at a 6-5 count. Amit had opportunity to tie it and break for the deciding game but couldn’t seal the deal.

Amit’s next assignment is the China Open in Shanghai, China on September 1 to 8.

Her campaign in Japan and China was made possible with the support of the Philippine Sports Commission and the Billiard Sports Confederation of the Philippines headed by long-time billiards patron sportsman/businessman Aristeo “Putch” Puyat and DMC Entertainment and Production management boss Jesse Gonzales Cambosa, Sr. as part of her preparation in this year’s Southeast Asian Games.

IN BRIEF

Power outlook better but NGCP cautions NATIONAL Grid Corp. of the Philippines said Wednesday its system condition is expected to improve with the onset of the rainy season, but until the situation normalizes, it may issue more grid alerts.

NGCP, operator of the country’s transmission network, appealed to the public to use energy efficiently.

“Now that the summer season is officially over, this does not mean that we should stop implementing energy saving measures. Let us make it a part of our lifestyle to be wise electricity consumers so that we can do our part in ensuring improved power flow within the grid,” NGCP said.

It said Visayas and Mindanao had yet to reach their peak demand for the year.

The Energy Department expects a 12 percent increase in the Visayas load growth with a forecasted peak at 2,299 megawatts, and demand in Mindanao to reach 2,130 MW by the last quarter of 2019.

“NGCP assures its stakeholders that it is continuously improving, expanding, and reinforcing the power grid to accommodate additional loads from power generators and enable better transmission of power across the country,” it said. Alena Mae S. Flores

Business

Meralco offers to buy 500 megawatts more MANILA Electric Co., the biggest retailer of electricity, issued a new bidding notice to buy 500 megawatts of power for mid-merit requirements over a five-year period.

This is the third invitation to bid published by Meralco in compliance with the competitive selection process, or the public bidding requirement, in the procurement of power supply.

Meralco is mulling over a fourth invitation to bid within the year. The first three Meralco notices covered 2,900 megawatts of electricity supply.

Meralco said in the latest invitation to bid that the minimum capacity offer per bidder should be at least 100 MW. Meralco said bidders should be able to start supplying the capacity requirement by December 26, 2019 from a mid-merit or a single or portfolio of power plants that adjust output according to fluctuations in demand.

Alena Mae S. Flores

THURSDAY, JULY 18, 2019

B1

By Darwin G. Amojelar

OTOP HUB. Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez (fourth from left) leads the launch of OTOP (One Town One Product) Philippines Hub at Lakbay Museo in Pasay City on July 11, 2019. The OTOP Philippines Hub provides mainstream market access to products of micro, small and medium enterprises assisted by the DTI through the OTOP program, a government initiative that enables communities to develop, support and promote culturally-rooted products and services they are best known for. With Lopez are executives of DTI, Anti Red Tape Authority, The Millennial Concept Factory Inc. and Lakbay Museo.

DoE defends oil price unbundling amid TRO

By Alena Mae S. Flores

T

HE government’s move to unbundle oil prices is not a form of regulation contrary to the claims of oil companies, an official of the Energy Department said Wednesday.

“The unbundling circular was issued in the first place since the secretary is of the belief that the asking of information and not the dissemination of information is expressly authorized under the Oil Deregulation Law. It is in no way a form of regulation,” Energy Assistant Secretary Leonido Pulido said.

Oil companies convinced the Taguig City Regional Trial Court Branch 70 to issue a 20-day temporary restraining order against the Energy Department from issuing a circular that seeks to unbundle the components of petroleum prices.

The oil firms asked the court to stop the implementation of DC2019-05-0008, or the Revised Guidelines for the Monitoring

of Prices in the Sale of Petroleum Products by the Downstream Oil Industry, which aims to promote transparency in oil prices.

Pulido said the department was discussing with the Office of the Solicitor General its next legal steps.

“We are discussing with the OSG whether we file for a motion for reconsideration or we appeal. The reason why the meeting with OSG is critical is we need to meet a decision point to decide if it is practical to appeal the TRO and file a motion for reconsideration or just wait for it to lapse,” he said.

Pulido said the agency was confident that “we have enough to convince the relevant courts that the preliminary in-

junction should not be issued.”

Pulido said the agency supported the deregulation of the industry because it was beneficial to the country and allowed competition to flourish.

“But then again, it does not mean that it has robbed the secretary or the DoE of its mandate of being able to implement the proper policies under the Oil Deregulation Law,” he said.

“That mandate cannot be fully satisfied unless the department can be given all the information required,” Pulido said.

Under the DoE circular, oil companies are required to report their “unbundled price adjustments” to include import costs, tax burdens, biofuel costs and other essential cost components that contribute to the changes in retail prices, including industry take or profit.

The oil companies said they would lose their competitive advantage once the circular was implemented.

BILLIONAIRE Lucio Tan will take over as the interim president of Philippine Airlines effective immediately.

PAL executive vice president, treasurer and chief administrative officer Vivienne Tan said her father Lucio Tan, concurrently the chairman of the flag carrier, decided to assume the company’s top post pending the approval by the board of directors of the candidates for president.

Vivienne Tan will assist his father in the airline’s day-to-day operations.

“Our goal is to ensure an orderly and seamless transition of leadership to ensure that our mandate to serve the traveling public is achieved. Thus, it is in the best interest of PAL and its stakeholders for my father and I to work together pending the turnover of day to day operations to the next PAL president and chief operating officer,” she said.

The board of PAL approved on June 24 Vivienne Tan’s appointment as the airline’s officer-in-charge following the retirement of then PAL president Jaime Bautista on June 30.

Following Lucio Tan’s decision to sit as interim PAL president, Vivienne Tan would remain the company’s EVP/treasurer and chief administrative officer.

PAL management also appointed two key executives who will lead the airline’s commercial and human resources groups, signaling the start of the flag carrier’s transition to new leadership.

Rosemarie Katalbas was appointed as senior vice president of the human capital department and Eugene Go as chief commercial and marketing officer.

PAL’s parent firm, PAL Holdings Inc. earlier reported a net loss of P60.81 million in the first three months of 2019, an improvement from the P201.63-million loss in the same period last year.

Consolidated revenues in the first quarter rose 7.2 percent to P39.27 billion from P36.62 billion a year ago.

PAL flies to 43 international and 35 domestic destinations using 95 aircraft, one of the youngest fleets in the industry with an average age of just five years.

ANA HD, the Japanese parent company of All Nippon Airways, earlier invested $95 million for a 9.5-percent stake in PAL Holdings.

Govt earns P142.6m from Mile Long lease

Subic expressway expansion to be finished in October NLEX Corp. said it expects to complete the first phase of the P1.6-billion Subic Freeport Expressway Capacity Expansion project by October 2019.

The company said the project would be done in two phases, with the first phase expected to be completed by October 2019 in time for Subic’s hosting of 16 sports in the 2019 Southeast Asian Games in November.

“Our company believes that good infrastructure is necessary to expedite the delivery of products and boost tourism.

These SFEx improvements which are expected to be completed by September 2020 all aimed at supporting trade and commerce in Subic and enhancing the travel experience of our motorists,” NLEx president and general manager Luigi Bautista said.

Two new expressway lanes including a tunnel and two bridges in Jadjad and Argonaut are being constructed at the 8-kilometer SFEx to accommodate the growing number of traffic and promote road safety.

Expressway-standard LED lights will be installed to keep the expressway safer for motorists particularly for those driving at night.

“This project will be instrumental in sustaining Subic’s position as a prime business and leisure hub as well as helping complement our infrastructure development program which includes the widening of Freeport roads and improvement of our airport, seaport and other logistics facilities,” SBMA chairman and administrator Wilma Eisma said. Darwin G. Amojelar

business@manilastandard.net extrastory2000@gmail.com

Lucio Tan taking over as temporary PAL president

J&T Express, Shopee boost online shopping J&T Express Philippines is teaming up with e-commerce platform giant Shopee in a bid to strengthen its operations and deliver quality services for the rising number of online retailers in the Philippines.

Dean Ding, chief executive of J&T Express, said Wednesday the e-commerce industry in the country was expected to continue gaining ground, especially with the growing number of Filipinos who do their shopping online.

Citing a recent The Internet World Stats report, Ding said around 67 million Filipinos were doing their shopping online as of January 2018, showing a 12 percent increase year-on-year.

The prospect encourages entrepreneurs to take their businesses online and contribute to the growing number of local e-commerce businesses.

“The increasing population of online businesses in the country opens new opportunities for big players in the ecommerce industry,” Dean said.

“By partnering with Shopee, we get to continue J&T Express’ mission of delivering quality express package delivery services that support the growth of local online businesses and, fuel this promising economic growth,” he added.

Darwin G. Amojelar

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

By Julito G. Rada

TOURISM PROMOTION. The Philippines concludes a series of successful Philippine Business Mission in Sapporo, Nagoya and Tokyo as a part of the invigorated thrust to attract bigger tourist arrivals from Japan. Japan ranks fourth in terms of tourist arrivals, with a growth rate of 8.15 percent or a total of 631,801 Japanese visitors in 2018, compared to 581,180 arrivals in 2017. The PBM continues to be one of the most important annual projects of the Department of Tourism through the Tourism Promotions Board Philippines. Shown are PBM participants who facilitated a seminar, business-to-business meetings and a reception to sustain the strong ties between the Philippines and Japan.

Zamcelco agrees to pay additional P150m to power supplier ZAMBOANGA City Electric Cooperative, through investor-managers Crowninvestment Holdings Inc. and Desco Inc., agreed to pay an additional P150 million to Western Mindanao Power Corp. as a part of a new compromise agreement.

This is an extension of Zamcelco’s compromise agreement with WMPC to resolve a legal dispute lodged at the Energy Regulatory Commission. The first compromise agreement lapsed on July 3.

The parties held a hearing at the ERC on Wednesday where Zamcelco agreed to pay WMPC the P150 million upon signing of the new 90-day agreement next week.

Under the new compromise, Zamcelco will give WMPC a partial payment of

P150 million and pay an additional P80 million in security deposit. In return, the power supplier will run its plant for 90 days.

“Of Crown-Desco’s P2.5 billion-peso capital infusion into Zamcelco, P370 million have already gone to WMPC,” said Zamcelco chief management officer Henry Virola.

“So far, we paid P370 million of the disputed amount of P447 million in payables that WMPC is demanding—on top of our overpayments,” Virola said.

The coop in February this year flagged overbillings from WMPC in the amount of P441 million from 2015 to 2018.

Zamcelco claimed that these overpayments covered the pending payables

the coop incurred to the power supplier.

Zamcelco said WMPC unilaterally cut its power supply to the cooperative.

Crown-Zamcelco filed a motion with the ERC in April for the refund of its overpayments.

The motion also requested for the withdrawal from and the ERC’s dismissal of the application for approval of Zamcelco’s power supply agreement with WMPC. The motion stated that the overpayments were made as WMPC overbilled the coop for capacity recovery fees and operations and management.

It said the overpayments were done without basis as the PSA between Zamcelco and WMPC was not yet in effect.

Alena Mae S. Flores

THE government earned P142.6 million from the 2.2-hectare Mile Long property in Makati City since it took over the management of the stateowned prime real estate in August 2017, the Finance Department said Wednesday.

Gerard Chan, the chief privatization officer of the DoF-attached Privatization Management Office, said the government’s net earnings of P142 million in rental fees over a 21-month period for the Mile Long property represented an average profit of P6.7 million a month.

He said the government was not able to collect rental fees from the prime Makati lot’s former lessee, Sunvar Realty Development Corp., for 14 years prior to PMO’s takeover in 2017 because of a pending legal case over the property.

Chan said in a report to Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III that since the government took over the management of the property from Sunvar in August 2017, the government had earned a gross income of P185 million in rental fees.

He said deducting expenses totaling P42.46 million over the August 2017 to June 2019 period resulted in a net income of P142.6 million.

“That’s roughly [an income of] P7 million a month from zero,” Dominguez said upon hearing Chan’s report during a recent DOF executive committee meeting.

Dominguez was referring to the 14-year period when the government was earning nothing from the Mile Long property because the government was embroiled in a legal battle with Sunvar which refused to vacate the property after its lease contract expired in 2002.

B2

Business

THURSDAY, JULY 18, 2019 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Market down; Wilcon, PLDT slip S TOCKS declined Wednesday in step with the rest of Asia, as fresh trade worries and uncertainty about the Federal Reserve’s plans for cutting interest rates weighed on investors.

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index fell 30.09 points, or 0.4 percent, to 8,233.48 on a value turnover of P5.3 billion. Losers edged gainers, 89 to 85, with 67 issues unchanged.

SM Prime Holdings Inc., the biggest integrated property developer owned by the Sy Group, lost 1.4 percent to P38.70, while Wilcon Depot Inc., a leading home improvement and construction material supplier, dropped 2 percent to P16.38.

Robinsons Land Corp. of the Gokongwei Group, declined 2.2 percent to P26.40, while PLDT Inc., the largest telecommunications firm, slipped 1.2 percent to P1,185.

The rest of Asian markets fell while

fears of a hard Brexit kept the pound wallowing at more than two-year lows.

Oil prices were also struggling owing to questions about the outlook for the global economy, the China-US tariffs stand-off and a stronger dollar.

After last week’s optimism sparked

by Fed boss Jerome Powell’s nod to a cut in rates, investors were taking a more sober view after a number of positive readings on the US economy including on retail sales.

The readings—while coming alongside figures showing a drop in the manufacturing sector—revived worries that the Fed will only make one small reduction in borrowing costs this month, and

possibly not make any more this year.

The possibility of rates staying slightly elevated boosted the dollar against the yen, euro and pound on Tuesday and held up in early trade Wednesday.

The pound was taking another hiding with the possibility of a no-deal Brexit growing ever more likely as the two contenders to become prime minister slug it out by trying to take increasingly tough lines with the EU. The sterling is now at its lowest level since April 2017.

“We should wait for the new PM to be crowned and settled first before making big calls on where Brexit is going, but the uncertainty will continue to weigh,” said Neil Wilson, chief market analyst at Markets.com.

The dollar also climbed against most higher-yielding, riskier currencies, jumping 0.8 percent against the Mexican peso, 0.3 percent on the Australian dollar and 0.2 percent versus South Korea’s won.

Regional equity markets were also in the red, with confidence jolted by comments from Donald Trump that revived trade tensions with China.

Hong Kong, Shanghai and Tokyo were all well down, while there were also losses in Singapore, Taipei and Jakarta, with Seoul off 0.9 percent as South Korea’s trade stand-off with Japan drags on.

Sydney, Wellington and Mumbai were slightly higher.

Trump said Washington and Beijing were still a long way from a trade deal and that he still could impose higher tariffs on Chinese imports if he did not get his way.

His remarks, hitting out at what he says is a lack of follow-through from Beijing on promises to buy more farm goods, came just as high-level talks were due to take place this week, though a face-to-face has still not been agreed.

With AFP

MANILA STANDARD BUSINESS DAILY STOCKS REVIEW WEDNESDAY, JULY 17, 2019

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

FINANCIALS 58.9 9,670 89.9 5,550,570 2.34 125,000 147.2 1,159,440 1.24 17,000 27.6 132,000 7.98 1,200 18.6 10,700 12.62 768,400 4.79 184,000 1.31 10,000 0.465 170,000 77 1,810,610 1.02 1,191,000 13.2 30,000 22.5 4,000 54.7 474,580 194.9 9,100 58.1 10,310 27.5 74,300 182.1 140,810 60.9 8,200

569,138.50 494,678,591 292,210 170,954,325 21,080 3,640,885 9,576 199,030 9,722,244 860,160 13,100 80,750 139,273,076.50 1,225,620 396,000 89,400 25,973,559.50 1,757,612 599,136 2,043,635 25,669,566 495,313.50

476,930.50 280,926,647.50 13,980 17,497,151 -355,140 -1,016,510 46,867,242 38,570 -3,799,756.50 1,548,922 -586,348 -1,235,300 12,885,177 -358,832.50

37.3 14.2 0.8 1.33 0.265 2.75 14.46 100.1 16.7 15.56 41 80 93 2.05 5.01 6.28 10.16 15.2 11 7.51 26.2 90.2 60.1 2.3 14.08 9.46 1.67 281 9 24.2 14.3 18.62 378.6 5.52 1.78 4.8 5.81 9.3 2.55 11.86 39.55 4.8 4.95 1.45 1.94 1.11 14.68 103.8 6.51 0.128 1.16 170.7 2.5 1.25 1.39

INDUSTRIALS 37.5 1,156,700 14.4 804,900 0.81 2,228,000 1.35 73,000 0.265 2,550,000 2.77 4,607,000 14.5 2,419,800 115 10,330 16.9 140,700 16.2 1,000 41 2,000 83 12,780 93 1,480 2.05 5,000 5.5 524,500 6.28 113,200 10.2 890,800 15.22 444,600 11.08 342,400 7.55 245,700 26.4 3,346,400 90.2 200,460 61 83,390 2.4 15,002,000 14.2 164,500 9.5 946,800 1.69 257,000 282 503,210 9.06 5,100 24.6 1,193,000 14.42 291,900 18.64 1,140,700 378.6 199,910 5.68 26,400 1.79 7,412,000 4.81 74,000 5.85 1,251,200 9.3 200 2.59 12,775,000 12 98,900 39.8 135,700 4.9 244,000 5 385,000 1.45 186,000 1.94 4,000 1.13 493,000 14.8 300,200 104.9 268,070 6.51 328,100 0.13 1,310,000 1.17 261,000 171 724,810 2.5 61,000 1.28 4,242,000 1.4 4,176,000

43,556,095 11,584,714 1,810,200 97,690 692,950 12,947,200 35,128,310 1,177,533 2,371,756 15,910 82,000 1,048,659.50 141,871.50 10,250 2,980,520 711,107 9,119,598 6,770,072 3,792,644 1,854,175 88,265,510 18,123,534 5,083,054.50 36,032,430 2,351,836 9,102,142 431,850 142,157,792 45,990 29,059,480 4,201,982 21,372,294 76,031,598 149,119 13,392,170 356,450 7,348,902 1,860 33,635,620 1,182,658 5,395,010 1,192,930 1,924,850 270,410 7,760 553,110 4,444,342 27,878,147 2,140,736 170,160 304,550 124,151,084 152,600 5,406,930 5,903,840

-7,518,785.00 105,044 462,510 39,150 -5,400 -295,350.00 -5,268,758 126,078 82,000 -2,207,282 -5,517,282 -3,448 293,824 -5,154,595 -9,100,639.50 2,514,457.50 6,941,420 77,660 -144,253 -755,912 -5,676,015 1,576,632 -6,788,496 -29,189,400 -6,247,880 -786,832 -1,138,160 -623,212 -709,440 4,810 -1,900,000 2,388,880 -20,851,950 3,260 -86,753,673 -125,650 -134,780

1.02 58.4 15.84 0.75 7.01 15.46 1.32 1.31 948 4.02 7.17 10.7 14.06 922.5 6.48 70.05 0.55 4.6 16.18 0.65 4.76 0.04 1.98 2.9 177 1,010 0.84 1.4 266.6 0.242 0.3

0.98 56.2 15.64 0.73 7 13.8 1.28 1.31 938 3.95 7.06 10.48 13.76 910 6.42 69.3 0.495 4.51 15.94 0.62 4.7 0.039 1.67 2.9 175 977 0.81 1.37 264 0.235 0.29

HOLDING FIRMS 1 19,297,000 56.2 424,850 15.64 9,960,500 0.75 324,000 7 152,500 15.14 602,800 1.28 1,675,000 1.31 189,000 948 434,970 4 5,963,000 7.14 2,786,100 10.5 5,745,000 14.04 91,700 910.5 49,530 6.45 84,300 69.5 867,230 0.51 1,250,000 4.6 4,968,000 15.94 1,211,800 0.65 1,357,000 4.74 11,256,000 0.039 19,700,000 1.74 22,638,000 2.9 21,000 175.6 87,680 982 224,550 0.84 245,000 1.37 25,000 264.4 200 0.24 1,350,000 0.3 8,600,000

19,302,570 24,084,167.50 156,141,552 240,720 1,067,528 8,963,676 2,175,990 247,590 409,993,570 23,834,560 19,886,199 60,670,228 1,285,486 45,191,675 544,213 60,346,061 662,050 22,822,760 19,404,372 863,500 53,342,650 776,300 40,990,740 60,900 15,410,407 220,769,370 204,900 34,400 52,890 324,330 2,535,750

537,420 -849,162.50 -12,871,732 -63,000 -693,000 211,888 254,405,860 -4,144,660 -1,317,051 -37,908,408 70,144 -1,697,490 -328,726 42,055,102 -910,100 -1,345,414 288,070 3,009,080 -8,700 3,915,744 -35,409,345 -5,280 265,500

15.8 0.9 11.54 2.11 1.11 52.75 2.35 5.21 6.2 0.66 0.82 0.93 0.246 0.51 10.1 25.55 0.48 0.124 2.02 1.41 6.4 0.36 0.52 1.76 0.43 2.17 27.9

15.66 0.87 10.32 2.04 1.04 52 2.31 5.13 6.1 0.62 0.78 0.92 0.243 0.465 9.82 24.5 0.47 0.124 1.96 1.39 6.25 0.345 0.49 1.72 0.42 2.13 26.35

PROPERTY 15.8 163,000 0.9 3,839,000 11.5 7,800 2.1 47,000 1.08 14,421,000 52.2 10,579,870 2.33 212,000 5.2 988,900 6.2 7,000 0.63 47,579,000 0.82 49,000 0.93 56,000 0.243 1,530,000 0.48 13,490,000 9.9 246,100 25.25 881,400 0.475 1,760,000 0.124 10,000 1.98 26,138,000 1.41 353,000 6.25 12,061,000 0.355 18,050,000 0.52 8,100,000 1.73 2,546,000 0.43 770,000 2.14 464,000 26.4 3,891,500

2,569,960 3,421,220 86,974 98,480 15,547,540 551,606,156.50 493,950 5,131,315 42,994 30,625,400 39,270 52,060 374,080 6,662,750 2,450,138 22,159,965 833,000 1,240 51,891,610 495,420 75,685,587 6,377,050 4,155,000 4,426,060 329,000 996,430 104,663,265

-696,276 -32,810 55,500 -556,460 19,062,444 -72,180 -300,364 -13,640 -484,040 24,400 -24,750 -789,294 6,738,795 -614,700 9,383,260 -13,386,405 220,650 -317,200 20,940 -12,960 680,695

NAME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

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

58.9 89.9 2.32 147.3 1.24 27.6 7.98 18.6 12.6 4.78 1.31 0.48 77.45 1.03 13.2 22.2 55.5 189.2 58.4 27.4 185 60

58.9 89.9 2.34 148.3 1.24 27.65 7.98 18.7 12.76 4.89 1.31 0.48 77.45 1.05 13.2 22.5 55.5 195 58.4 27.55 186 60.9

58.5 88 2.32 147.2 1.24 27.45 7.98 18.6 12.56 4.64 1.31 0.465 76.5 1.01 13.2 22.2 54.6 189.1 58.1 27.4 181 60

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

37.8 14.5 0.82 1.33 0.265 2.88 14.52 100.1 16.82 15.56 41 81.6 96 2.05 5.01 6.3 10.4 15.22 11.34 7.6 26.35 90.55 61.9 2.34 14.16 9.8 1.7 284.6 9 25 14.3 18.74 381 5.52 1.87 4.81 5.85 9.3 2.58 11.86 39.6 4.83 5 1.48 1.94 1.15 14.8 104 6.59 0.128 1.17 171.1 2.55 1.27 1.43

38 14.5 0.83 1.35 0.275 2.9 14.78 116.9 16.98 16.5 41 84.5 97 2.05 6 6.3 10.42 15.26 11.34 7.6 26.65 90.9 61.9 2.48 14.5 9.81 1.7 285.6 9.3 25 14.48 18.88 382.4 5.68 1.88 4.84 5.92 9.3 2.67 12 39.9 4.9 5 1.48 1.94 1.16 14.9 104.9 6.6 0.13 1.17 173.9 2.55 1.29 1.45

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

1.01 58.4 15.84 0.74 7 13.8 1.31 1.31 942 4 7.09 10.7 14 915 6.48 69.95 0.495 4.6 15.96 0.64 4.7 0.04 1.81 2.9 175.1 990.5 0.83 1.37 266.6 0.241 0.3

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

15.66 0.87 11.54 2.11 1.07 52 2.32 5.19 6.15 0.65 0.78 0.93 0.246 0.465 10 25.3 0.48 0.124 2.01 1.39 6.29 0.355 0.49 1.72 0.42 2.15 27

VOLUME

NAME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

VOLUME

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

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

2.25 3.18 39.25 2.07 6.35 0.83 7.79

2.28 3.2 39.25 2.09 6.35 0.84 7.83

2.21 3.15 38.65 2.04 6.21 0.82 7.65

2.26 3.19 38.7 2.07 6.3 0.82 7.8

264,000 49,000 4,155,900 891,000 77,200 125,000 8,339,800

598,930 156,360 161,278,680 1,837,100 482,969 103,490 64,752,181

-18,054,990 -139,510 97,968 10,195,884

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

11.1 17.32 0.54 0.051 2.57 11.96 0.063 96 7.02 8 6.11 9.8 2,142 5.4 427.6 2.12 1.92 143.2 9.89 5.75 0.118 5.7 2.96 14.12 3.88 0.88 19.28 0.57 3.8 2.81 2.58 2.94 9.35 5.21 9.49 138.5 4.38 1,228 0.73 0.87 46 74.8 9.47 3.49 0.81 0.36 5.5 0.83 16.72

11.2 17.46 0.55 0.051 2.65 12.14 0.064 96.7 7.2 8.08 6.29 10.4 2,208 5.42 427.6 2.21 1.92 147 9.9 5.8 0.119 5.85 2.97 14.12 3.88 0.91 19.42 0.57 4.08 2.86 2.63 2.97 9.35 5.35 9.49 142 4.38 1,228 0.75 0.87 46.1 76.8 9.47 3.63 0.81 0.365 5.55 0.84 16.72

11.02 17.28 0.53 0.05 2.55 11.88 0.061 95 7 7.99 6 9.8 2,142 5.4 427.6 2.12 1.81 141.4 9.62 5.7 0.118 5.7 2.96 14.12 3.8 0.88 19.28 0.53 3.75 2.79 2.55 2.94 9.33 5.21 9.49 135 4.2 1,185 0.73 0.83 45.5 74.8 9.46 3.49 0.79 0.355 5.48 0.82 16.36

SERVICES 11.2 17.3 0.55 0.05 2.56 11.9 0.062 95.3 7 8 6.01 10.3 2,180 5.4 427.6 2.2 1.84 141.4 9.62 5.7 0.119 5.78 2.97 14.12 3.8 0.9 19.4 0.53 3.88 2.84 2.57 2.97 9.35 5.35 9.49 142 4.25 1,185 0.73 0.84 45.5 75.6 9.46 3.56 0.8 0.36 5.48 0.83 16.38

1,500 108,000 4,318,000 700,000 143,000 7,987,800 12,770,000 172,310 21,900 1,346,900 22,000 100,100 19,070 92,100 10 2,132,000 421,000 862,810 45,100 11,800 540,000 4,029,400 71,000 100 779,000 263,000 200,600 646,000 2,159,000 5,574,000 3,070,000 81,000 21,600 12,900 100 67,740 5,204,000 66,910 2,536,000 20,767,000 863,700 531,210 5,000 11,680,000 6,814,000 3,730,000 1,140,200 4,360,000 8,482,000

16,624 1,871,230 2,348,570 35,300 367,780 95,552,658 796,820 16,563,736.50 153,702 10,819,441 133,741 1,012,825 41,677,350 497,734 4,276 4,656,370 789,590 122,704,067 438,152 68,010 63,730 23,376,030 210,850 1,412 2,973,420 235,910 3,885,364 351,420 8,431,230 15,795,010 7,991,040 239,760 201,796 68,464 949 9,442,550 22,143,640 79,923,735 1,870,640 17,665,640 39,431,810 40,321,122.50 47,310 41,720,720 5,453,180 1,340,950 6,295,582 3,618,270 139,351,826

-110,000 -16,906,368 4,651,817.50 41,300 -51,491.00 22,184,700 -288,800 129,700 27,812,466 -2,015,667 -530,090 1,391,408 3,081,650 -322,400 -50,320 24,070 -4,843,410 -20,438,535 -251,410 134,200 11,537,765 21,916,809.50 6,541,260 1,452,650 -3,356,300 5,413,356

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

0.002 1.17 2.7 15.04 2.79 0.285 7.83 1.47 0.219 0.108 0.008 0.008 1.15 2.35 1.04 0.53 0.86 0.013 0.012 0.011 4.8 3.8 8.2 23.9

0.002 1.26 2.7 15.96 2.79 0.285 7.85 1.47 0.22 0.111 0.008 0.008 1.17 2.38 1.07 0.56 0.87 0.013 0.012 0.012 6.82 3.87 9.22 23.9

0.002 1.17 2.7 13.8 2.79 0.28 7.63 1.45 0.217 0.108 0.008 0.008 1.14 2.3 1.04 0.53 0.84 0.012 0.012 0.01 4.8 3.7 8.2 23.35

465,000 18,440,790 135,000 4,902,444 111,600 34,100 178,871 393,660 261,680 243,520 22,800 7,600 337,650 15,603,300 336,410 6,950 601,320 324,300 40,800 278,700 33,199,350 4,559,090 115,109,393 33,460,385

11,900 -1,253,580 -326,506 22,000 -2,837,590 37,800 52,600 451,410 2,576,784 -804,380

ABS HLDG PDR AC PREF B1 AC PREF B2 ALCO PREF B DD PREF FGEN PREF G GLO PREF P GTCAP PREF B LR PREF PCOR PREF 2B PCOR PREF 3A PCOR PREF 3B PNX PREF 3B SFI PREF SMC PREF 2B SMC PREF 2C SMC PREF 2D SMC PREF 2F SMC PREF 2H SMC PREF 2I

16.78 490 490 101 99.5 107 498 940 0.99 1,000 1,010 1,012 107.5 1.36 75.85 76.85 73.5 75 74.3 74.5

16.78 490 490 101 99.5 107 498 940 0.99 1,000 1,011 1,013 107.5 1.36 75.85 76.9 73.5 75 74.5 75

16.72 488 490 100 99 102.1 498 940 0.97 1,000 1,010 1,012 107.5 1.36 75.85 76.85 73 74.2 74.3 74.5

PREFERRED 16.72 111,400 488 20 490 11,500 100 53,150 99 2,020 102.1 5,510 498 20 940 690 0.97 259,000 1,000 65 1,011 5,590 1,013 7,820 107.5 10 1.36 4,000 75.85 900 76.9 3,210 73 24,000 75 2,290 74.5 10,600 74.5 67,050

1,866,442 9,780 5,635,000 5,315,220 200,490 564,790 9,960 648,600 253,790 65,000 5,650,990 7,918,840 1,075 5,440 68,265 246,743.50 1,755,000 171,742 789,300 5,009,971.50

-1,866,442 72,100 769 -

LR WARRANT

1.9

1.9

1.86

WARRANTS 1.86 111,000

209,400

MS ITALPINAS MAKATI FINANCE XURPAS

5.51 2.63 1.08

5.52 2.7 1.13

5.3 2.63 1.07

FIRST METRO ETF

124

124.2

123.9

USD DMPL A1

10.28

TRADING SUMMARY

10.28

SHARES

FINANCIAL

12,427,395

INDUSTRIAL

74,842,216

HOLDING FIRMS

121,729,872

PROPERTY

183,257,482

SERVICES

115,695,591

MINING & OIL

386,442,578

GRAND TOTAL

903,061,190

10.2

MINING AND OIL 0.002 274,000,000 1.23 15,106,000 2.7 50,000 14.8 331,000 2.79 40,000 0.28 120,000 7.69 23,200 1.45 270,000 0.22 1,200,000 0.109 2,230,000 0.008 3,000,000 0.008 1,000,000 1.16 293,000 2.33 6,617,000 1.06 318,000 0.56 13,000 0.87 712,000 0.013 26,500,000 0.012 3,400,000 0.01 25,500,000 6.02 5,883,000 3.8 1,196,000 9.09 13,079,200 23.5 1,421,500

5.37 2.7 1.12

SME

601,700 34,000 8,020,000

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 124 10,120 10.2

DDS

15,200

3,248,940 90,680 8,916,170 1,254,459 155,544

-

-210,440

-

980,356 -

VALUE 1,851.64 (down) 2.41 962,055,669.98 FINANCIAL INDUSTRIAL 11,807.16 (down) 54.76 859,574,636.85 HOLDING FIRMS 7,911.6 (down) 36.18 1,226,682,557.64 PROPERTY 4,417.03 (down) 15.88 1,676.7 (down) 3.63 1,177,964,837.005 SERVICES MINING & OIL 7,835.94 (up) 41.67 804,050,806.98 PSEI 8,233.48 (down) 30.09 263,435,580.7867 All Shares Index 5,001.54 (down) 11.45 5,307,276,293.5 Gainers: 85; Losers: 89; Unchanged: 67; Total: 241

Cebu property firm and Xavier weigh township project in CDO

By Jenniffer B. Austria CEBU Landmasters Inc., a leading property company Visayas and Mindanao, in (CLI) is in talks with Xavier University–Ateneo de Cagayan over a proposed 63.5-hectare township project in Cagayan de Oro City.

CLI said in a disclosure to the stock exchange Wednesday it received a notice of interest from XU to develop Manresa, located in an emerging commercial district in uptown Cagayan de Oro, into a premier university town over the next several years.

The proposed project, which will be subject to final approval from the Jesuit central leadership, is expected to change the landscape in both uptown and downtown Cagayan de Oro. CLI’s proposed master plan, which was chosen by the XU board of trustees, features modern school buildings, dormitories, a main plaza, interconnected courtyards, an amphitheater, and a university forum that incorporates a museum, theater and gallery.

“I am pleased to note that our mastery of the VisMin area allowed us to win the trust and confidence of Xavier University’s leaders. Our proposed master plan is inspired not only by the best campuses here and abroad, but also inspired by our deep roots in the Ateneo. We are highly committed to meet their expectations,” said Jose Soberano III, CLI president and chief executive.

XU had been planning to move most of its operations out from its six-hectare main campus in downtown Cagayan de Oro in order to provide a better learning environment to its college students. The campus along Corrales Avenue accommodated up to as many as 11,000 students before the implementation of the K12 educational reform.

A new campus at Manresa, meanwhile, can accommodate up to 25,000 students.

CLI proposed to acquire a 14.3-hectare portion of Manresa to integrate complementary commercial, residential, office and leisure uses to the campus town.

CLI also intends to acquire a portion of the Corrales campus and convert this into downtown CDO’s Central Business District, with XU’s Church of the Immaculate Conception at its heart.

GenSan court dismisses Kapa petition vs SEC A REGIONAL trial court in General Santos City dismissed the petition of Kapa-Community Ministry International Inc. to restrain the Securities and Exchange Commission from proceeding with criminal complaints against the church group for soliciting investments from the public without the necessary license.

“Accordingly, the motion is hereby denied and this case is hereby ordered dismissed,” General Santos Judge Oscar Noel Jr. ruled in an order issued on June 17.

The SEC said the decision of RTC Branch 35 to dismiss the case and deny the request of Kapa for the court to issue a show cause order against the SEC would pave the way for the legal issues surrounding Kapa’s operations to proceed.

Kapa filed the petition on April 4 after the SEC ordered it on February 14 to cease and desist from selling and offering securities, in the form of investment contracts and in the guise of donations, to the public without the necessary license.

The RTC in General Santos City initially issued a writ of preliminary injunction against the SEC on April 10. The SEC, however, maintained that the court did not have jurisdiction over the matter.

The Revised Corporation Code of the Philippines says no court below the Court of Appeals will have jurisdiction to issue a restraining order or preliminary injunction on any case or controversy that directly or indirectly interferes with the exercise of SEC’s powers and duties.

The SEC on April 3 issued an order revoking the corporate registration of Kapa.

The SEC through the Anti-Money Laundering Council obtained a freeze order from the Court of Appeals on June 4 to preserve the assets linked to kapa to protect the affected investors.

On June 18, the SEC filed a criminal complaint against Kapa along with its operators and promoters before the Department of Justice for violations of the Securities Regulation Code.

Jenniffer B. Austria

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK Manila

Standard

World

TODAY

El Chapo awaits life in prison sentence NEW YORK―After a run as one of the world’s most powerful and notorious criminals, Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman is expected to be sentenced to life in prison when he appears in a New York courtroom on Wednesday.

Guzman, the 62-year-old former leader of the powerful Sinaloa drug cartel, was convicted in February of crimes spanning a quarter of a century, including trafficking hundreds of tons of cocaine, heroin, methamphetamines and marijuana to the United States.

The charges, which also include money laundering and weapons-related offenses, carry a mandatory life sentence.

Last week, prosecutors asked US federal judge Brian Cogan to tack on a symbolic extra 30 years in prison for the use of firearms in his business, portraying Guzman as “ruthless and bloodthirsty.”

They also want Guzman to turn over $12.7 billion, based on a conservative estimate of revenues from his cartel’s drug sales in the United States. So far, US authorities have not recovered a dime.

Guzman is considered to be the most powerful drug lord since Colombia’s Pablo Escobar, killed in a police shootout in 1993.

“El Chapo” [“Shorty”] was the coleader of the still-powerful Sinaloa organization.

During the three-month trial in New York, jurors heard evidence of Guzman’s misdeeds. Witnesses described the cartel boss beating, shooting and even burying alive those who got in his way, including informants and rival gang members.

At least one of Guzman’s victims― a woman who prosecutors say survived a hit ordered by the kingpin― will speak at Wednesday’s sentencing hearing.

Guzman launched his career working in the cannabis fields of his home state of Sinaloa. Now, he is likely to spend the rest of his days at the “Alcatraz of the Rockies”―the supermax federal prison in Florence, Colorado.

Current inmates include convicted “Unabomber” Ted Kaczynski, Oklahoma City bomber Terry Nichols, the British “shoe bomber” Richard Reid and the Boston marathon bomber Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, who is awaiting execution.

Since his extradition from Mexico in 2017, Guzman has been held in solitary confinement at a high-security prison in Lower Manhattan. AFP

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THURSDAY, JULY 18, 2019 CESAR BARRIOQUINTO, Editor mst.daydesk@gmail.com

US House votes to condemn Trump

W

ASHINGTON―The US House of Representatives formally condemned Donald Trump on Tuesday for xenophobic attacks on four minority Democratic lawmakers and hostile language targeting immigrants, as the president denied accusations of racism.

Top Republican leaders rallied NOT Racist. I don’t have a Racist around Trump, but four members of bone in my body!” Trump said.

“This should be a vote on the the president’s party voted with the 235 Democrats to condemn him for filthy language, statements and lies “racist comments that have legiti- told by the Democrat Congressmized and increased fear and hatred women, who I truly believe, based of new Americans and people of on their actions, hate our Country,” he wrote. color.”

“Nancy Pelosi tried to push them One independent lawmaker also supported the measure, which takes away, but now they are forever wedaim at Trump’s weekend tweets tell- ded to the Democrat Party,” Trump ing a group of progressive Demo- added, in a jab at the House speaker cratic congresswomen of color to who has had a tenuous relationship with the four left-leaning first-term “go back” to other countries.

The resolution also takes the congresswomen.

Speaking on the House floor pripresident to task for “referring to immigrants and asylum seekers as or to the vote, Pelosi said: “Every single member of this institution, ‘invaders.’”

Trump has a long history of pan- Democratic and Republican, should dering to white suspicions about join us in condemning the presiother ethnic groups, and the resolu- dent’s racist tweets.”

“To do anything less would be a tion criticizes him for “saying that Members of Congress who are im- shocking rejection of our values and migrants (or those of our colleagues a shameful abdication of our oath who are wrongly assumed to be im- of office to protect the American migrants) do not belong in Congress people.”

“I know racism when I see it. or in the United States of America.”

Democrats hold a majority in the I know racism when I feel it. And 435-member House but are out- at the highest level of government, numbered by Republicans in the there’s no room for racism,” RepreSenate, where the resolution is un- sentative John Lewis, an American civil rights icon, said in remarks on likely to be considered.

The four congresswomen―all the House floor.

Trump’s repeated attacks apbut one of whom were born in the US―are of Hispanic, Arab, Somali pear to be aimed at and African-American descent.

Trump has stuck by the provoca- galvanizNOTICE NOTICE Notice is hereby ing his LEGAL tive comments. given to the public that an ExtraSettlement has been “Our Country is Free, Beautiful m o s t l y Judicial executed by the heirs of the late FERNANDO G. DE LEOS AND and Very Successful. If you hate white elec- CLARITA LUNA DE LEOS, namely: Luna de Leos Miller our Country, or if you are not happy toral base Susana married to Mariano Lina Lucas, Jr., Virgilio Luna de Leos married here, you can leave!” the president ahead of to Janeth Abia Almero, Rosanno de Leos married to Maricris the 2020 Luna tweeted Tuesday.

Celomine, Divino Luna de Leos married to Arlizza Pabalan , Ma. D.L. Serranilla married to Democratic leaders denounced presiden- Veronica George Serranilla, Fernando Luna de Leos married to Maria Gina Go, Trump’s remarks, and rallied tial vote. all of legal age, over personal and properties, per deed executed T h e y real around the lawmakers―Alexanon 10 June 2019 before Notary Public T. Cordero per dria Ocasio-Cortez, Rashida Tlaib, w o u l d Doc. No.Atty.323;Kaiser Page No. 66; Book No. 20; Series of 2019.

Ilhan Omar and Ayanna Pressley.

Omar is the only one born outside the United States.

Slamming the “soN OTICE called vote” as a “DemNotice is hereby given that THE NEW APEC ocrat con game,” Trump DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION, with office address at Unit 1603-1605 The Orient Square urged Republicans not Bldg. F, Ortigas Jr. Road, Ortigas Center, Pasig to “show ‘weakness’ City, is applying for registration with the Board of Investments (BOI) as a new developer of economic and fall into their trap.” and low-cost housing project (Birmingham Village “Those Tweets were Phase 3) with a capacity of 297 economic and low-

HK expat police become the focus of protester rage HONG KONG―A peculiar legacy of Hong Kong’s colonial past has emerged as a focal point of rage for anti-government protesters: a dwindling band of expatriate police officers now vilified for doing the bidding of the city’s pro-Beijing leaders.

Hong Kong’s 32,000-strong police force have found themselves fighting unprecedented running battles with protesters for the past five weeks following a huge backlash to a nowsuspended plan to allow extraditions to the Chinese mainland.

The crisis-which has since morphed into a wider anti-government movement―has placed officers in the firing line of public anger as the city’s leaders appear unable, or unwilling, to offer any political solution.

But among those singled out for specific retribution include a small group of expatriates who were some of the commanding officers on the front lines during clashes where tear gas and rubber bullets were fired.

Their personal details were published online after they appeared in the media and were also named by a British lawmaker in parliament.

Wanted posters made by protesters have sprung up across the city targeting two senior officers in particular, as well as their local deputies.

“They have been through an ordeal,” Chief Inspector Neil Taylor, chairman of the Overseas Inspectors’ Association, told AFP. “But it’s not just them. Their kids have been targeted at school by bullies, a wife was approached in a supermarket and abused.

That cannot be pleasant for anybody.”

“Both have said, ‘It’s tough, but we have a job to do’,” added another colleague, who asked not to be named.

“How much of that is bravado, how much they really believe it, I don’t know.”

In the run-up to the 1997 handover to China, there were some 900 mostly-British officers on the force.

Many were encouraged to stay on to help with the transition and were required to be proficient in Cantonese. There are now just some 60 officers left.

The last were recruited in 1994 when the force stopped hiring from overseas. They are expected to reach retirement age around 2028.

Steve Vickers, a former head of the colonial police’s Criminal Intelligence Bureau, left the force in 1993 ahead of the handover and has since set up a risk consultancy business.

He said expat officers remaining after the handover were useful because “continuity and confidence was maintained.”

“To that end, their presence was valuable, and indeed desirable,” he told AFP. AFP

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

cost units on a non-pioneer status, with project site located at Brgy. Pulo, Cabuyao, Laguna.

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 18, 2019)

N OTICE Notice is hereby given that THE NEW APEC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION, with office address at Unit 1603-1605 The Orient Square Bldg. F, Ortigas Jr. Road, Ortigas Center, Pasig City, is applying for registration with the Board of Investments (BOI) as a new developer of economic and low-cost housing project (Casa Esperanza) with a capacity of 352 economic and low-cost units on a non-pioneer status, with project site located at Brgy. Sala, Cabuyao, Laguna.

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 18, 2019)

EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES CORPORATION 11-B Sunrise Drive. Brgy. Bagong Lipunan ng Crame, Cubao, Quezon City

Notice of Stocksholders’ Meeting To All ERC Stockholders: Please be informed that the Annual Stockholders’ Meeting of Educational Resources Corporation shall be held on July 27, 2019; 12:00 noon at Marco Polo Hotel, Meralco Ave. San Antonio, Pasig City to take up the following matters.

1. Election of new directors for the incoming fiscal year; 2. Report of the President and 3. Other relevant matters Please be guided accordingly (sgd) Atty. LACANDOLA S. LEANO Corporate Secretary (MS-JULY 18, 20 & 24, 2019)

seem to have borne fruit, with his ap- cent, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll proval rating among Republicans ris- conducted on Monday and Tuesday. ing five percentage points to 72 per- AFP

Department Administrative Order No. Series of 2019

19 - 11

AMENDMENT TO DEPARTMENT ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 19-06 SERIES OF 2019 IN THE MATTER OF THE PRELIMINARY DETERMINATION OF THE SAFEGUARD MEASURES CASE AGAINST THE IMPORTATION OF CERAMIC FLOOR AND WALL TILES FROM VARIOUS COUNTRIES (AHTN Codes 6907.2213, 6907.2214, 6907.2293, 6907.2294, 6907.2313, 6907.2314, 6907.2393, 6907.2394 and 6907.4092) (Safeguard Measures Case No. 02-2018) x-----------------------------------------------------------------------------x ORDER The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) initiated a preliminary investigation to determine whether increased imports of ceramic floor and wall tiles is causing or threatening to cause serious injury to the domestic industry.

The products covered by the investigation are classified under AHTN Codes 6907.2213, 6907.2214, 6907.2293, 6907.2294, 6907.2313, 6907.2314, 6907.2393, 6907.2394 and 6907.4092. The period of investigation (POI) are the years 2013 to 2017. Updated data for 2018 were also presented.

Pursuant to Section 7 of the Safeguard Measures Act (RA 8800), “x x x the Secretary shall, on the basis of the evidence and submission of the interested parties, make a preliminary determination that increased imports of the product under consideration are a substantial cause of, or threaten to substantially cause, serious injury to the domestic industry. x x x” A review of the evidence made available to DTI shows: 1. that the volume of imports of ceramic floor and wall tiles • in absolute terms, increased from 2013 to 2016. In 2017, imports are lower by 13% over the 2016 level, but higher by 2,170% in 2014 or the pre-surge level.

• in relative terms, the share of imports to domestic production increased from 4% in 2013 to 641% in 2016.In 2017, the share of imports was recorded at 549% lower by 92% to 2016 level, but higher by 523% in 2014 or the pre-surge level. In 2018, share of imports was recorded at 542%, lower by 7% to 2016 level, but higher by 516% in 2014.

2.

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

3.

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

WHEREFORE, IN VIEW THEREOF, the DTI, acting under Section 7 of RA 8800, the “Safeguard Measures Act”, found after preliminary determination that increased imports of ceramic floor and wall tiles have caused serious injury to the domestic industry.

Further, pursuant to Section 8 of RA 8800 which provides that “in critical circumstances where a delay would cause damage which would be difficult to repair, and pursuant to a preliminary determination that increased imports are the substantial cause of serious injury to the domestic industry”, provisional safeguard measures in the form of a cash bond amounting to P3.00/kgshall be imposed on imported ceramic floor and wall tiles classified under AHTN Codes 6907.2213, 6907.2214, 6907.2293, 6907.2294, 6907.2313, 6907.2314, 6907.2393, 6907.2394 and 6907.4092for a period of 200 days from the date of issuance by the Bureau of Customs (BOC) of the relevant Customs Memorandum Order (CMO) or fifteen (15) days after the publication of the DTI Order in two (2) newspapers of general circulation, whichever comes earlier.

Imports originating from developing countries listed in Annex A covered by Rule 8.8 of the IRR of RA 8800 shall not be subject to the provisional safeguard measure.Also, unglazed, porcelain, mosaic, and marble tiles are excluded from the investigation since they are not produced locally. Further, the preliminary investigation excluded glazed ceramic tiles imported from the European Union since said tiles do not compete with locally produced tiles.

Importers of ceramic floor and wall tiles originating from a country that is exempt from the provisional safeguard duty shall submit a Certificate of Origin (CO) issued by the authorized agency/office in the source country of manufacture authenticated by the Philippine Embassy/Consulate General.

Moreover, Rule 5.2 of the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of RA 8800 provides that “the Secretary when establishing that the application of a safeguard measure will be in the public interest shall take into consideration the following factors; among others: x x x (ii) the extent to which such imposition will cause a shortage of a product under consideration in the domestic market”.

The case records will be transmitted to the Tariff Commission for a formal investigation to determine whether or not there is a need to impose a definitive safeguard measure.

The non-confidential report of the preliminary safeguard measures investigation can be accessed at the DTI website: https://www.dti.gov.ph/media/advisories/12805-preliminary-determination-of-the-safeguard-measures-case-againstthe-importation-of-ceramic-floor-and-wall-tiles-from-various-countries The notification and consultation requirements under Article 12 of the WTO Safeguards Agreement and Section 17 of RA 8800 and its IRR shall be complied with. Imports originating from ASEAN member states shall be governed by the provisions of Articles 11 and 23 of the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement (ATIGA).

Let this Order be published in two (2) newspapers of general circulation and let individual notices be sent to all interested parties including the country members concerned.

This Order shall take effect fifteen (15) days after publication or from the date of the issuance of relevant BOC-CMO, whichever comes earlier.

SO ORDERED. 03 July 2019

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

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

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

North Africa Algeria Egypt, Arab Rep. Libya Morocco Tunisia

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

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

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

(MS-JULY 18, 2019)

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

LGUs

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

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THURSDAY, JULY 18, 2019

LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS

New abbatoir up in 6 months, Isko promises MANILA Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso on Wednesday vowed to renovate the city’s primary abbatoir within six months after finding it in poor, filthy condition.

Domagoso vowed to hasten the construction of the Vitas slaughterhouse in the Tondo district and improve its “dilapidated, stinking, and unsanitary” facilities and environs.

“We cannot take this sitting down because what we’re after is that the people of Manila who will buy meat can be sure that what they will purchase was prepared cleanly,” he said.

The mayor also pointed out the absence of proper offices for the Manila Veterinary Inspection Board.

The new facility would house a small community where its workers, including more than 300 butchers, could live, the mayor promised.

It would include renovating 27 old housing buildings around Vitas that are in precarious condition after shanty residents extended their homes to the rooftops.

A tarpaulin bearing some of the planned new structures included an animal clinic, a holding area for animals, and a city pound.

Domagoso was also keen on Vitas meeting the slaughterhouse standards of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, as the city government would look into the legality of a cockpit arena built next to it. Vito Barcelo

Las Piñas lauds lass who wins Magnetico tilt THE Las Piñas City government led

by Mayor Imelda Aguilar has paid tribute to Ms. Niña Ruth Vega, who was recently crowned as Miss Magnetico Philippines World 2019.

During the regular flag raising ceremony at Las Piñas City Hall on Monday, Mayor Aguilar personally awarded Vega with a Certificate of Recognition and P50,000 cash for winning the prestigious pageant.

Vega, a Grade 10 student of University of Perpetual Help System Dalta Las Piñas Campus, is the daughter of former Manila Police District beat reporter Vic Vega of Manila Bulletin and sportswriter Virgie Rodriguez Vega.

The 16-year-old beauty queen was crowned as the first ever Miss Magnetico Philippines World 2019 after she stood out among 50 candidates who joined the pageant held at the Tanghalang Pasigueño Theater in Pasig City on July 6.

Vega also bagged 12 other special awards during the pageant—Best in Ramp, Role Model of the Year, Designers Choice Award, Miss Congeniality, Darling of the Crowd, Best in Long Gown, Best in Production Number, Most Creative Wear, People’s Choice Award, Magnetico Jeans Ambassadress, Magnetico Ambassadress, Coach B Ph Ambassadress, and Face of Magnetico.

In a message, Aguilar thanked Vega for being a good example to the youth and for bringing honor to Las Piñas.

Vice Mayor April Aguilar, Senator Cynthia Villar, Rep. Camile Villar and city councilors also congratulated and praised Vega.

For her part, the beauty queen expressed her gratitute to her family, friends, and all the people who helped in her journey, especially Frontrow International, Coach B, and Magnetico Fragrance, who all inspired her to do her best and win in the pageant. Joel E. Zurbano Spouses Renato and the late Eleanor Belen at their farm, Ato Belen’s Farm, in San Pablo, Laguna.

CAMALIG’S 450TH. The town of Camalig, Albay recently held the Pinangat Festival to mark the 450th anniversary of the arrival of Spanish explorers led by Captain Luis Enriquez de

Guzman in 1569. In photo is a float representing Sumlang Lake, a nine-hectare lagoon, Camalig’s top tourist attraction which offers bamboo raft rides, kayaks and pedal boats with Mayon in the background. The festival is named after ‘pinangat,’ its popular local delicacy which is made up of shredded gabi leaves, red ginger, tiny shrimps, salted fish or pork, and crushed pepper.

$10-m hotel eyed for Subic

By Butch Gunio

S

UBIC BAY FREEPORT ― Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority Chairman and Administrator Wilma T. Eisma has drawn out strong interest from prospective investors in the United States during her recent meetings with various business groups in the states of Texas and California.

The prospects included a $10-million commitment for a hotel operation and management project from owners of the Ramada Hotel in National City, California, Eisma said.

The other prospects included projects in ship repair, refrigeration facility, home care, Fintech Paypal system, and green energy, she added.

Eisma recently concluded a 10-day business roadshow in Texas and California, meeting with business and civic leaders through Filipino expatriate communities and promoting Subic Bay as a gateway to global business under the

SBMA Global Marketing Initiative.

In Houston, Texas, she discussed Subic Bay’s synergies and trade prospects with Port of Houston Authority officials led by chief commercial officer John Moseley, and then signed a cooperation agreement to expand SBMA’s global network with Leonides Reyes, president of the Filipino-American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Houston.

In Los Angeles, Eisma met with top executives of the Los Angeles Port Authority and the Federation of Philippine American Chambers of Commerce at the Port of Los Angeles in California,

taking the opportunity to bridge industry and expertise to develop trade and connectivity between the Port of LA and the Port of Subic.

The SBMA offical also briefed William A. Hall, president of the Chula Vista Chamber of Commerce, and chamber members who were keen on developing cold storage facility, ship repair, and cruise ship home port projects in Subic.

With plans to develop trade synergy between the Port of San Diego and Subic Bay, Eisma also met separately with San Diego Port Commissioner Rafael Castellanos and Director Matthew Andersen of the U.S. Commercial Service in San Diego, and San Diego International Airport Senior Director Hampton Brown and Domenic D’Ambrosio, VP for Marketing & Innovation.

At a business forum in San Diego, Eisma highlighted business opportunities in the Subic Bay Freeport in the sectors of manufacturing, shipbuilding, ICT, renewable energy, retirement, leisure and tourism.

MAYORS AT WORK. Mayor Lourdes S. Cataquiz of San Pedro, Laguna (second left) hands

the keys of a new ambulance to Brgy. Chairman Maria Rosario P. Campos of Pacita I, as she aims for all barangays to be equipped with medical emergency necessities. Meanwhile, Mayor Ericson J. Sulibit of Liliw, Laguna (inset, red shirt) joins his wife Mary Maileen Sulibit (blue shirt) in the blood donation drive conducted by Red Cross 143 Liliw Branch led by Salvacion Borgonia, Municipal Red Cross coordinator (standing right). Roy Tomandao

Emulate nurse topnotcher, Gov. Pineda tells kids

By Romeo Dizon SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga― Pampanga Gov. Dennis Pineda has urged the incoming scholars of the province to get a better education, be competitive in the job market, and help to reduce poverty.

Pineda called on the scholars to emulate Jeremiah Austria Caceres, a Pampanga scholar who topped the 2019 nursing licensure exams last month.

Caceres, who garnered 87.40 percent rating, the same as Almira Hinsoy of West Visayas State University, is an alumnus of Angeles University Foundation.

The 20-year-old nursing scholar said hard work, dedication and prayers dovetailed with the financial assistance from the provincial government to contribute to her success.

The daughter of a barangay health volunteer. Caceres said she is getting many job offers but has not accepted anything in particular.

Pineda said a good education “is the most powerful instrument to uplift the living conditions of the scholars and be partners of the provincial government in nation building.”

The provincial government will continue to help the poor but deserving students under the Educational Financial Assistance Program so that others can also realize their personal ambitions, he said.

Under the program for school year 2018-2019 alone, the provincial government spent P82 million for 20,898 college scholars and professional licensure takers, including Caceres.

This is aside from a P2,500 cash gift to each K-12 graduate last March, amounting to P38.3 million.

A total of P1.2 billion was spent last year under the scholarship program, which started in 2010 under Gov. Lilia Pineda.

Gregorio is president of Asia-Oceania society for breeding research

By Ben Moses Ebreo

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya—A Filipino has been elected president of an international society dedicated to basic and applied aspects of breeding research in economically important plants.

Dr. Glenn B. Gregorio is now president of the Society for the Advancement of Breeding Research in Asia and Oceania from 2019 to 2023.

The National Academy of Science and Technology Academician, Gregorio is also Director of the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study

and Research in Agriculture.

He takes the helm from Prof. Dr. Sang-Nag Ahn of Chungnam National University in South Korea.

Formed in 1968, at a time when many countries did not have strong government agencies focused on agricultural research or national programs for major

crops, SABRAO holds conferences and its general assembly every four years, often in collaboration with a national breeding society.

Its 14th International Conference on Plant Breeding for Sustainable Development was held last July 2 to 5 in Gwangju, Korea.

LandBank boosts Ato Belen’s Farm, other agribiz EVEN the largest harvests start from the smallest of seeds. This was proven true by the success of agricultural entrepreneurs Renato “Ato” Belen and his late wife Eleanor, owners of Ato Belen’s Farm.

The Belens’ story began in 1987 when they decided to put up a small plant nursery in their home city of San Pablo in Laguna, with only P700 as initial capital.

With Eleanor’s education in agriculture and experience in running the day-

to-day operations of her father’s farm, complemented by Ato’s hard work and determination, they became wellknown in their community as trusted producers of planting materials.

Soon enough, the small seed of their family’s dream started to grow. Their 600 sq m plant nursery grew into a 1.2-hectare farm, and Ato Belen’s Farm was born.

The Belens also acquired an additional 10-hectare property that they

developed into an integrated farm engaged in crop, livestock and farming inputs production, fishery, and the provision of tourism and agriculturerelated services.

The couple’s relationship with LandBank started in 2000, when they were sourcing for additional working capital. They learned from a friend that LandBank offers small enterprises access to credit, with affordable interest rates and manageable payment terms.

Beachfront

Bernadette Lunas, Issue Editor manilastandardlife@gmail.com

living in

@manilastandardlife @MStandardLIFE THURSDAY, JULY 18, 2019

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Nasugbu

Life HOUSEHOLD

YEAR-ROUND VACATION. Freia, a soon-to-rise beachfront condominium in Pico de Loro offers urban dwellers an escape from the city and a place where it always feels like vacation what with its resort amenities.

P

ICO de Loro’s soon-to-rise beachfront condominium property offers the coveted laidback and leisurely kind of living, ideal for urban dwellers seeking an escape from the stressful city life or those who want to live in vacation all year round.

placed to provide a sense of spaciousness, evoking the wide expanse of sea and mountain.

The color palette used echoes a tranquil environment. The beige flooring reminds one of the soft sands of Hamilo Coast, while the rest of the interiors are awash with the delicate hues of taupe, white, and blues, lending a fresh tropical vibe. The play of colors, textures, and finishes completes the overall experience of a modern tropical Filipino design.

From masterful design to modern local and international design concepts, Freia will bear the signature aesthetic of its acclaimed project consultants—the grand, high-ceiling lobby and building interiors by Budji+Royal and building architecture by Broadway Malyan and GF & Partners.

Freia is a contemporary beachfront condominium that is set to rise in Pico de Loro Cove at Hamilo Coast. Its showroom, which opened early this year, offers a glimpse of the property’s floor plan and interior design.

Upon entering the showroom, guests are afforded a peek into the future grand lobby as visualized by renowned design consultant Budji+Royal. A two-bedroom seaside view unit also dressed up by

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Future residents have direct entry to a 1.5-kilometer shoreline, as well as access to Pico de Loro Beach Club and Country Club.

The showroom features a two-bedroom seaside view unit designed by Budji+Royal and a two-bedroom mountain view ready for viewing.

Budji+Royal, and a two-bedroom mountain view showcasing a furnished deliverable unit are ready for viewing.

A luxurious tropical resort experience is the recurrent theme of Freia’s two-bedroom unit. Distinguished by its open-plan concept, the living spaces seamlessly flow into each other, providing its residents ease in moving around.

Freia offers 214 superior two-bedroom units and nine bilevel three-bedroom penthouse units. Each will have living spaces that open up to a breathtaking view of either the sea, the lagoon, or mountain.

Large picture windows plus airy and spacious balconies complement these nature vistas. While high-quality fixtures will be utilized in line with the element of flair and prime living.

To complement the large windows, mirrors are strategically

The leisure club of Hamilo Coast features first-class sports facilities and outdoor activities.

Myths vs. facts: Before, during, after disasters THERE are people who like to live dangerously, following a fatalist approach in life, intentionally. And there are those who unintentionally live dangerously because they believe inaccurate information, which are often fatal and hazardous.

Myth: “Things will go back to normal right after a disaster.”

Fact: The impact of a disaster cannot be measured beforehand. If a simple thunderstorm can set off a series of negative events such as f looding, power outages, and road obstruction, imagine what a severe natural disaster can do.

With this in mind, it is best to always be prepared for the long haul.

At home, store at least a week’s worth of emergency supplies, medicine, food, and water. Keep medical records and other important documents such as government IDs in sealed waterproof containers.

It is best to avoid driving or walking in the water; stop for a while during a heavy downpour.

Getting property insurance is an effective way to prepare for disasters and protect the family.

may be limited depending on the need, and they will most likely address critical situations first. Remember that the safety of the family should be the main priority. Better to not assume help is just around the corner; do what you can to be self-sufficient.

Myth: “If there’s an emergency, all I need to do is call the national emergency hotlines for immediate help and it will come.”

Fact: When a major disaster strikes, help from local emergency personnel

Myth: “Preparing for disasters takes a lot of money and effort.”

Fact: There are many things one can do to significantly improve one’s ability to deal with an emergency that are not too expensive or complicated. They are

Myth: “It is safe to drive or walk on the streets during typhoons or f loods if there is only little water on the road.”

Fact: It is best to avoid driving or walking in the water. Even six inches of water can make a person lose control of their car. Those who are driving should stop for a while during a heavy downpour.

Walking in flood water also exposes an individual to diseases. Be alert for any electrical wires or outlets submerged in water. If possible, report any

certainly cheaper and less complicated compared to the detrimental effects of being unprepared.

Leading insurer Axa Philippines’ Home Security provides property coverage against fire and lightning, acts of nature (earthquake, typhoon, flood), and even damage from riot/strike, among other things. The comprehensive insurance package for home offers rental and relocation expense, personal liability insurance, and personal accident insurance of up to P1 million for the policyholder, their spouse, and children.

damaged or fallen electrical posts to the proper authorities.

Myth: “If I am trapped under rubble, the best thing to do is scream so people will know where I am.”

Fact: Do not scream or yell as doing so makes one susceptible to inhaling dangerous toxins that may have been released, many of them not visible to the naked eye. Try tapping on a wall or using an emergency whistle to let rescue teams know that you are trapped. Carry a small whistle for emergencies.

Life

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THURSDAY, JULY 18, 2019 manilastandardlife@gmail.com

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Chef Sau del Rosario’s secrets to cooking like a pro

ENOWNED chef and restaurateur Sau del Rosario believes that learning how to cook is one of the most practical skills anyone can have.

It may be intimidating, especially to a beginner, but the skill can be developed with a dash of common sense and a dollop of consistent practice.

Here are some of Chef Sau’s secrets to cooking like a professional.

Get good ingredients

The chef believes that good food comes from good ingredients. “If the fish that you used isn’t fresh, you won’t be able to come up with a great tasting finished product,” he says. Chef Sau believes that if a cook is aiming for Read the recipe quality dishes, never skimp on quality Before cooking, read through the rec- ingredients. ipe first. Doing so will help one know which ingredients need to be chopped Use Filipino ingredients and prepped early on. Having everything The essence of Filipino food is using prepared before cooking will speed up local ingredients, according to Chef Sau. cooking time and keep home cooks from “We are rich in local resources and you getting frazzled or confused. should take advantage of whatever your region has to offer,” he recommends. For Add creativity to dishes instance, use calamansi or dayap inBeing creative not only makes the stead of lemon. food look appetizing but also makes the dining experience more exciting. Find a story behind your dish For the Solane Kitchen Hero ambasFor Chef Sau, a dish becomes even sador, this means being able to mod- more delicious if it’s made with love, and ernize a dish so it’s more relatable and when there’s a story or meaning behind appealing especially to young diners. it. Food can also be a source of comfort Research how to tweak a classic dish as it can evoke nostalgia or provide senor add new ingredients. timental value to someone.

Chef Sau del Rosario believes that anyone can cook like a professional with the help of good sense and consistent practice.

WHILE brooms and dustpans are the most common cleaning equipment found in most households, a vacuum cleaner makes cleaning much faster and easier as it has longer reach than a broom and a larger capacity container for litter. This makes it more efficient and effective in cleaning multiple rooms at once.

Swedish brand Electrolux has released a vacuum cleaner that makes cleaning effortless with its new features and ergonomic design.

Available in denim blue color, the new Electrolux Ease C4 boasts a double-step cyclone technology that deals with dust efficiently, separating large particles from fine dust. This means a deeper clean in less time and reduces the need to replace filters so often. It also has adjustable suction power that helps get rid of dust on shelves, counters, couches, and more.

It also offers more capacity with its dust container that can store 1.8 liters, hence it requires emptying less often. This bagless vacuum cleaner has a single button release feature that carefully disposes dust.

The Ease C4’s ergonomic design also makes cleaning effortless in other ways: it’s got a rub-

‘With You Through Every Tomorrow,’ which features typical families in familiar settings, is Wyeth Nutrition’s way of encouraging parents to provide their children with the right foundation for a healthy tomorrow. (Photos screen grabbed from Wyeth Philippines / YouTube)

Effortless cleaning The new Electrolux Ease C4 vacuum cleaner, which comes in sleek denim blue color, boasts a double-step cyclone technology that helps get rid of dust efficiently.

ber grip on the handle making it easier to carry around any where, and comes with large seamless rotary wheels for better stability and mobility.

It comes with a number of brush accessories to suit different cleaning needs, such as a choice of telescopic or non-telescopic nozzle; the upholster nozzle with a lint-catching fabric that captures dust from sofa, chair, mattress, and other soft furniture; and the Combination Crevice with brush with a thin design ideal for cleaning narrow and hard to reach areas.

MBFP relaunches 3 reporting platforms World Vision ambassador and breastfeeding advocate Christine Bersola-Babao

WORLD Vision Development Foundation’s Mother-Baby Friendly Philippines recently relaunched its reporting platforms that included a website and mobile app, as well as a more userfriendly interface and Filipino translation of the report form.

In August 2017, MBFP introduced three reporting platforms that seek to monitor compliance and non-compliance to Executive Order 51 (Philippine Milk Code of 1986), Republic Act

7600 (Rooming-In and Breastfeeding Act of 1992), and Republic Act 10028 (Expanded Breastfeeding Promotion Act of 2009).

The website (mbfp.doh.gov.ph), the mobile application (MBF Ph), and the text mechanism encourage a crowdbased monitoring system of the mentioned laws. As of this writing, more than 200 reported violations have already been validated and are being acted upon by the concerned govern-

Video encourages parents to nourish their children

A NEW video, available on YouTube and Facebook, aims to encourage parents to provide their children with the right foundation they need for a healthy tomorrow.

“With You Through Every Tomorrow” shows typical Filipino families in familiar settings going through the ups and downs of the parenting journey—a couple going through the wonders of pregnancy; a child’s determined attempts to perfect a craft; a parent’s steady and guiding hand throughout a child’s learning journey; and a parent’s pride with a child’s every achievement.

In the background, an original musical composition captures the bond between a parent and a child.

The video was developed as part of Wyeth Nutrition’s efforts to help parents understand their roles in addressing the nutritional requirements of their children to help them reach their full potential and live

Upon completion, Freia will be the only condo development in Pico de Loro Cove.

Beachfront...

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ment agencies.

The relaunched app now includes a Growth Chart and Early Child Care and Development Checklist to assist parents in tracking the development of their child.

The organization also introduced its first public service announcement that aims to inspire other moms to continue breastfeeding beyond two years, despite all the struggles they may be facing.

healthier lives. It gently reminds parents of the importance of their presence and support, as well as that of proper nutrition.

“Wyeth Nutrition is an expert in nutrition that Filipino parents have always trusted, and through this video, we hope to remind parents that we remain their committed partner in bringing up their children to be healthy and ready for the challenges of the future,” said creative content manager Migs Marfori.

Wyeth Nutrition offers solutions that meet the evolving needs of children and their families, drawing from its expertise in understanding and providing for their nutritional needs.

“We are committed to advancing nutrition innovation by developing high-quality nutritional products that are scientifically designed to address the changing needs of Filipino families,” said head of communications Miko Acuña.

To date, Freia will be the only condominium development in Pico de Loro Cove with its own array of amenities such as outdoor adult and kiddie pools, a lounge deck, function rooms, and lush pocket gardens exclusive for residents and their guests.

Freia ownership comes with a membership to the Pico de Loro Beach and Country Club, the pioneer leisure club of Hamilo Coast, giving residents ac-

cess to a variety of first-class sports facilities and outdoor activities.

Nestled near Pico Beach, Freia residents have direct entry to 1.5-kilometer shoreline of pristine white sand and crystal blue waters of the West Philippine Sea. According to the developer, Freia’s construction is on-schedule to deliver in a few years’ time.

Contact the Hamilo Coast hotline (02) 845-8000 or visit www.hamilocoast.com or Facebook page (Hamilo Coast Philippines) to schedule a private tour.

Entertainment

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THURSDAY, JULY 18, 2019

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nickie.standard@gmail.com

Films on power at the Museum of Contemporary Art and Design

SELECTION of full-length movies which delves into the politics of power will be shown on the last two Saturdays of July, for film screenings of the Museum of Contemporary Art and Design (MCAD) of the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB).

Cambodian Son, a documentary on the journey of Kosal Khiev, a deported spoken word artist and his inner battle while trying to find his footing with newly-earned freedom, is scheduled on July 20.

Two films with children as the subjects take the forefront the following weekend, July 27.

The Rite of Spring narrates the simple and poetic gesture of kids from different backgrounds—homeless, nomadic, well-off—burning mounds of white poplar fluff, which implies the promise of renewal.

Recreations is a film which follows them in a French playground.

Throughout their time, the ruthlessness of mob mentality is shown, along with a few acts of genuine compassion.

Through the make-believe scenarios, the audience is reminded of basic human instincts and how lonely it can feel trying to fit in.

Curated by Kiri Dalena, a visual artist and filmmaker, the film screenings are free and open to the public. Schedules are on select Saturdays of July, 3:00 p.m. at the MCAD Multimedia Room.

For inquiries and reservations, call 230-5100 local 3837 or e-mail at mcad@benilde.edu.ph. MCAD is located at DLS-CSB School of Design and Arts (SDA) Campus, Dominga Street, Malate, Manila.

EVERY day, thousands of Filipino children still go to school without a proper classroom. Some even have to walk several kilometers just to reach school only to find themselves studying in cramped environments or under the heat of the sun.

According to the Department of Education (DepEd), this academic year welcomed over 27 million students who enrolled from kinder to senior high school. While the number of students steadily increases with each year, tight spaces and a severe lack of classrooms continue to negatively affect both teachers and students, getting in the way of quality education.

The classroom shortage is a real problem and with 88 percent of Filipino children attending public schools, the need for functional classrooms continues to grow.

SCPA’s great love for the nation For Sanitary Care Products Asia, Inc. (SCPA) makers of Sanicare, improving the lives of Filipinos is its main mission. Fueled by its love and commitment to the country, Sanicare

'Cambodian Son' is a documentary on the journey of Kosal Khiev, a deported spoken word artist and his inner battle while trying to find his footing with a newly-earned freedom.

Pacquiao-Thurman bout exclusive on ABS-CBN platforms ABS-CBN brings to the entire country the much-awaited fight between Filipino boxing pride Sen. Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao and World Boxing Association (WBA) super welterweight champion Keith Thurman on July 21 through its broadcast and digital platforms.

As the official fight broadcaster, ABS-CBN will air the match from the MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas, USA on ABS-CBN Ch.2 at 10:00 a.m. with immediate replay on ABS-CBN S+A at 3:00 p.m.. Filipinos can catch the fight live, without commercials and in high definition on SKY Sports PPV on cable TV. Fans can also follow the blow-by-blow coverage of DZMM Radyo Patrol 630 with seasoned sports anchor Dyan Castillejo and respected boxing analyst Quinito Henson starting at 9:00 a.m.

The entire fight will also be made available online via ABS-CBN’s popular streaming service iWant on July 22.

Pacquiao (61-7-2; 39 KOs), the WBA regular welterweight champion, is fresh from decisive victories

Sanicare has been an active supporter of the Department of Education (DepEd) Brigada Eskwela by engaging its employees every back-to-school season.

Thursday, July 18, 2019

53 Football shape 54 Globetrot 57 That woman 58 He loved Lucy 59 Comply 60 Grinding material 62 A Great Lake 63 Wee bit 64 Singer — Callas 65 Celebrity 66 Harness piece 67 Celerity DOWN 1 NBA game site 2 Interlaced 3 Baja good-bye 4 Brut 5 Most sultry 6 Starting point 7 Guinness or Baldwin 8 Western state 9 Dwelling 10 Homily 11 Disinfecting 12 Let up 13 Processed cotton 22 Tentacle 25 Secret sign 27 — Alamos, N.M. 29 Zinc — ointment 30 Treetop refuge 31 Tire pressure

over formidable opponents like Adrien Broner last January and Lucas Mathysse in 2018. Undefeated Thurman (30-0; 22 KOs), meanwhile, will be putting his

Sanicare has hope

CROSSWORD PUZZLE ACROSS 1 Overflowing 6 Modem-speed unit 10 Nature’s BandAid 14 Wild West show 15 Singing voice 16 Isle off Sicily 17 Remove a renter 18 Garment part 19 Not fake 20 Recent (pref.)

21 Chinese exercises (2 wds.)

23 Partner 24 Solutions 26 Genetically doubled 28 Suffix for hero 29 Pizza topping 31 Fern or moss 34 Boitano’s jumps 35 Provoke 38 Holed, as a putt 39 Flavorful seed 40 Con 41 NW state 42 Ring-shaped cake 43 — on (incited) 44 Evening party 46 Wood residue 47 Leaflet 49 Deviated

Eight-division champion Sen. Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao faces WBA Welterweight World Champion Keith "One Time" Thurman

meas.

32 Aberdeen boy 33 Tsar Nicholas II’s daughter 34 “Green Gables” redhead 36 Country addr.

37 Young goat 39 Ta-ta, in Paris (2 wds.)

40 — Khan 42 Pen brand 43 Regards highly 45 Slicker 46 Dog days mo.

47 Twig junctures

48 Plain to see 49 Chichen Itza dweller 50 Not here 51 Paranormal, to some 52 Wood nymph 55 Double-reeded instrument 56 Sasquatch cousin 61 Diagram

unblemished record on the line for the first time in two years.

In an interview with Castillejo on S+A’s The Score, the General Santos City native explained why he continues to fight despite his age and the success he has already attained. “I want to prove to people that even at the age of 40, I can still fight. I thank God because he gave me good health and strength that not all boxers continue to enjoy,” she said.

With reports about his unusual drive during his training for the fight he said, “I am motivated for this fight. He’s been trash-talking and I want to bring to him all that he’s saying inside the ring.”

Don’t miss ABS-CBN’s exclusive coverage of the Pacquiao-Thurman welterweight unification fight LIVE on SKY Sports PPV and DZMM Radyo Patrol 630. The fight will also air on ABS-CBN Ch.2 at 10:00 a.m. and on primetime at 7:00 p.m. on S+A, and will be available online on iWant starting July 22.

provides carefully crafted products that answer the hygiene needs of every Filipino without having to harm the environment, and involves itself in various community-building efforts particularly providing a conducive learning environment for children.

Education, after all, has been one of the main advocacies of the company.

For several years now, Sanicare has been an active supporter of the Department of Education (DepEd) Brigada Eskwela by engaging its employees every back-to-school season to help refurbish and clean classrooms and other facilities like washrooms, faculty rooms, library, canteen, and the school grounds. In addition to the cleanup, Sanicare also provides hygiene kits that include tissue papers, cleansing wipes, and toilet seat covers to partner schools to further educate students about the importance of proper hygiene.

Last 2017, Sanicare likewise collaborated with Alex Eduque to design special limited-edition facial tissue boxes to support Molding Optimism and Values Thru Education

(MovEd), an organization founded

by Eduque that aims to give every Filipino child a quality early childhood education.

This year, Sanicare takes on a new advocacy as it partners with DepEd and HOPE to create more classrooms.

HOPE is the first Philippine company to donate 100 percent of its profits to the building of public school classrooms. Through Hope in a Bottle and its partnerships with brands and retailers, they have built numerous classrooms across the country, positively impacting over 14,000 students.

Sanicare classrooms Sanicare furthers its mission as it joins HOPE’s efforts in building much-needed classrooms starting this June by constructing two classrooms in Lagao 2nd Bo. Elementary School, located in General Santos City, South Cotabato.

Through this effort, Sanicare also allows consumers to help Filipino students simply by making the conscious decision to choose products that advocate the creation of more classrooms.

“We at Sanicare value education and its powerful impact on our youth, that’s why we are constantly searching for innovative and creative ways to help with our country’s pressing problems.

Just as we believe that every Filipino deserves access to high quality and innovative hygiene products, we also believe that every student deserves the right to a safe, comfortable and conducive learning environment like the Sanicare Hope classrooms we aspire to build. And hopefully, with everyone’s continued support to Sanicare, we can contribute more to this worthwhile endeavor” says Lea Sio-Pacis, SCPA Marketing Director.

Nanette Medved Po, CEO, HOPE says “We believe the best long term investment we can make for this country is towards the education of its children. Together with partners who also believe in Business for Good, we give consumers the chance to affect social change by voting with their peso —one purchase at a time.”

For more information about this partnership, visit http://scpa.com.ph/.

To know more about Sanicare and other SCPA products, you may visit their online store athttps://shop.scpa. com.ph.

Nickie Wang, Issue Editor nickie.standard@gmail.com

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THURSDAY, JULY 18, 2019

PPO celebrates with Bocaueños But that’s something that keeps her feet on the ground. It leaves some a space that allows her to be better, work on her weaknesses, capitalize on her strength as an artist, and challenge herself to give a her audience great entertainment.

On Saturday (July 20), Julie takes on one of her greatest challenges on the concert stage in Julie Sings the Divas at The Theater at Solaire.

Following the success of the Kapuso Concerts The Sweetheart and the Balladeer: Fun Night Only in Iloilo and Cagayan de Oro, and Kapusong Pinoy Studio 7 Musikalye sa Brooklyn with fellow GMA stars, Julie is now gearing up for a worldclass concert experience like no other.

The award-winning and multitalented performer shows off her wide vocal range in a true diva style as she breathes new life to the timeless classics of music legends such as Barbra Streisand, Whitney Houston, Celine Dion, and Mariah Carey, accompanied by the UP Arco String Orchestra and under the baton of renowned musical director Maestro Danny Tan. “It’s one of the most challenging concerts that I’m going to do. The songs that I’m going to be singing are not the songs that I usually perform. Most of the songs are classics,” Julie said. “Whenever I sing a song, I really study the song but I don’t want it to sound as if I’m comping the original. I want to have my own rendition of the song. “ “I am looking forward to this concert because it’s going to be different and of course, it’s very personal to me. I’m going to perform with an orchestra, which I’ve never done before in my past concerts and I’ve always wanted to do something like that. The songs and performances here will have a new approach to them and I think the audience will very much enjoy what we’ve prepared. I’m very excited,” she added..

Joining her in this one-night-only event are special guests Journey lead singer Arnel Pineda and the UP Concert Chorus.

Presented by Sunny Side Up Productions (SSUP) and GMA Network in cooperation with Solaire Resort & Casino, Julie Sings the Divas is directed by Louie Ignacio.

For ticket inquiries, you may visit http://ticketworld.com.ph or call 891-9999.

Don’t miss Julie Sings the Divas, a stellar live spectacle happening on July 20, 8:00 p.m., at The Theatre at Solaire.

Fluvial procession of the pagoda of the Holy Cross of Wawa.

By Eton Concepcion A GRAND fluvial parade and procession along the Bocaue river was watched and joined by more than 10,000 Bulakenyos, mostly devotees of the Holy Cross of Wawa early this month..

The fluvial procession of the pagoda of the Holy Cross of Wawa successfully went through without any untoward incidents. Memories of the Wawa tragedy that happened 21 years ago, wherein 270 devotees drowned, still remain with the residents. Participants were required by organizers to ride wearing life vests and to register on the manifest to prevent a similar tragedy.

The Pagoda sa Wawa annual festival is a commemoration of the discovery of miraculous cross found floating in the Bocaue river.

The celebration culminated in the Gabi ng Musika held at the patio of St. Martin of Tours Parish with the guest performance of the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra, a tradition of thanksgiving for the musicloving Bulakenos, made possible through the auspices of Senator Joel Villanueva who graced the event, together with Bocaue Mayor Joni Villanueva-Tugna.

The province of Bulacan as we know produces great singers like music icons Rey Valera and Regine Velasquez. It’s nature to many Bulakeños and Bocaueños their love for music, dances, arts, and traditions like this fluvial parade.

Meanwhile, Police Regional Office 3 with the most active participation of Bocaue Police Station, under the direct supervision of Police Lieutenant Colonel Rizalino A. Andaya together with Bulacan PMFC, Marina, Philippine Coast Guard, Philippine Air Force, BPATs and Force Multiplier made sure to provide enough police visibility, area security and traffic assistance to avoid any untoward incident in the Feast of PAGODA 2019. Overall the fluvial fiesta became very peaceful, safe and successful.

Juile Anne San Jose headlines a concert that showcases her ability to give classic songs a different, interesting twist.

I

T’S interesting to know that singer and actress Julie Anne San Jose, who has headlined a few shows here and abroad and shared the stage with the country’s biggest names in music, still gets the jitters whenever she steps on the concert stage.

Julie with Louie Ignacio (left) and Danny Tan

Benefit show for Metro Manila’s last remaining forest

AC Bonifacio (left) and Maris Racal join Sam Magubat and other artists in a benefit show to raise awareness on global warming and to protect La Mesa dam.

MARIS Racal, Sam Mangubat, and AC Bonifacio team up in One Paradise Puno ng Musika: A Tree Planting Gig, a musical event which aims to raise awareness on climate change.

The concert, organized by One Music in partnership with Bantay Kalikasan, will be held on July 27 (Saturday) at the La Mesa Ecopark. It also aims to inspire the youth to protect Metro Manila’s last remaining forest--The La Mesa Watershed.

Joining the three Kapamilya celebrities are Acel, Davey Langit, Hulo, RJ Agustin, JMKO, and Trisha Denise.

Tickets to One Paradise Puno ng Musika are now available at ktx.abs-

cbn.com. Each ticketholder will get a shirt and will have one tree planted under his or her name.

One Music PH is ABSCBN’s music portal that offers Filipinos the total music experience with audio and video streaming, music news, and exclusive digital concerts featuring the brightest Filipino talents.

It also hosts live gigs featuring Kapamilya artists while promoting care for mother nature. Last April, One Music brought One Paradise again to La Union to promote responsible beach partying and educate the youth on the perils of single-use plastics.

Be part of the One Paradise Puno ng Musika show and enjoy music for a cause at La Mesa Ecopark.

Movie plot reserved for Beatles music THERE are other music acts who scored numerous hits. But the universal appeal and immense cultural impact of The Beatles’ catalogue is unmatched, making the plot of director Danny Boyle’s Yesterday one perfectly fit for it.

The film, for all its hype and humor, underscores that a world without The Beatles is unimaginable and can only happen in a fictional world it presents. Unlike other mainstream movies showcasing the songs recorded

by John, Paul, George, and Ringo, it’s one that intently highlights in a cute twist the incomparable songwriting the Fab Four unleashed during the 1960s.

The British romantic comedy centers on struggling musician Jack Malik (Himesh Patel) and what happens to him after a fateful bus accident that knocks off his teeth. You don’t have to worry about his dental dilemma since it’s quickly overshadowed by his discovery that he is the only one who knows The Beatles and more importantly, their songs.

YUGEL LOSORATA Well, that’s like being the character in Back To The Future Part II who realizes he has in his hands the results to sporting events bettors try to predict.

But Malik is naturally a good soul dodging life’s bitter truth with his true love in Ellie Appleton (Lily James) that he immediately makes you root for him.

So much so that you hope he forever gets away with his fortune because he simply deserves it.

The presence of funny, direct-to-point Debra Hammer (Kate McKinnon) as opportunist artist-manager and real-life hitmaker Ed Sheeran, who appears adorable in making fun of his own lofty stature opposite the seamless beauty of

Beatles music, give the film extra kicks which emphasize further the healing power of melodies like “In My Life,” “Let It Be,” “The Long and Winding Road,” and the titular song.

I had the privilege to see the movie gala premiere held at Gateway Cineplex (ATMOS Cinema 5) in Araneta Center last July 11, or almost two weeks before it hits local theaters on July 24. It was amusing to see millennials and Gen Zs watch it. Being a self-proclaimed Beatleogist, I hope the movie really gives birth to a new breed of Filipino Beatles fans, much as Steve O Neal’s Beatles Forever show in the 90s molded guys from Gen X like me who repeatedly saw old Beatles clips aired via a local TV network test broadcast.

Take away their idol looks and remarkable personalities, The Beatles is collectively a foursome who delivered exceptionally brilliant songwriting and performance from the opening harmonica

‘Yesterday’ is a film that tackles the life journey of a struggling singer-songwriter in an English seaside town whose dreams of fame are rapidly fading.

riff of Love Me Do to the fadeout of Real Love—their second and last reunion recording.

At first I was a bit uncomfortable the movie’s title is taken from a Beatles classic

with only McCartney on it. But my wife Kaye, a person with in-depth take of The Beatles rare among women I know, told me that history is “nothing but a collection of yesterdays.” Oh I believe.