Manila Standard - 2019 July 24 - Wednesday

VOL. XXXIII • NO. 160 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P18 • WEDNESDAY, JULY 24, 2019 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

PH asserts claim on disputed isle

By Rey E. Requejo

T

HE government said Tuesday it would assert the country’s sovereign claim over Pagasa (Thitu) Island, with plans to develop it as a tourist spot, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said Tuesday.

“In the future, we will be building structures for our troops there and maybe some hotels for Filipinos who would like to go there as tourists,” Lorenzana said in a press briefing.

Lorenzana said a “beaching ramp” is in the works at Pagasa, which is part of the Kalayaan Island Group off Palawan, to facilitate the movement of construction and heavy equipment Next page

TOURISTS’ ISLAND. Moves are underway to develop the Thitu Island in the Spratly’s Group into a tourist spot with amenities such as hotel and other structures, according to Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana. Thitu, also known as Pagasa, will have its beaching ramp to facilitate movement of heavy equipment to the tourist island. AMTI

China in position, not in possession of WPS, Palace men say

By MJ Blancaflor and Rey E. Requejo

DEFENSE and security officials said Tuesday that China was “in position” and not “in possession” of the West Philippine Sea as President Rodrigo

Workers’ plight lost in SONA oversight

By Vito Barcelo, Maricel V. Cruz and Macon Ramos-Araneta LABOR groups on Tuesday slammed President Rodrigo Duterte for failing to address their problems in his fourth State of the Nation Address on Monday.

“Getting a high popularity and performance rating should not be a ground for Duterte to turn his back on issues confronting workers. Solving the workers plight is one of his campaign promises which he should fulfill,” said Alan Tanjusay, spokesman for the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines.

“We hope the President has not turned his back on the workers who are carrying the burden of the Duterte TRAIN taxes and who are bearing the brunt of his centerpiece “Build, Build, Build” program, Tanjusay said, referring to the administrations tax reform and infrastructure programs.

The Partido Manggagawa, meanwhile, called on President Duterte to sign the security of tenure bill that influential business groups have urged him to veto.

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Duterte said in his State of the Nation Address on Monday.

“I think the President did not say that they [the Chinese] are in possession, but that they are in position,” National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon said in a press briefing Tuesday.

“They have the positional advantage right now and they have the equipment to enforce their p o s i -

tion,” Esperon said, referring to the Mischief and Fiery Cross reefs where China has built artificial islands.

Mischief reef is part of the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone while Fiery Cross is in international waters.

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7 IS terrorists here recruiting bombers—AFP

By MJ Blancaflor

The news portal has written extensively and often critically on President Duterte’s policies, including his deadly drugs war that rights groups say may be a crime against humanity.

SEVEN foreign terrorists are training local recruits in Mindanao to become suicide bombers, a military official said Tuesday.

Western Mindanao Command commander Lt. Gen.Cirilito Sobejana said the terrorists, who are affiliated with the Islamic State terrorist group, are in Sulu, Basilan and Maguindanao, “embedded” with the Abu Sayyaf Group and the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters,.

Sobejana did not provide any other details about the foreign terrorists, but said 42 other foreigners were on the military’s watchlist and are being monitored.

Reports about the seven terrorists have yet to be validated, Sobejana added.

Last month, a powerful explosive went off in a military camp in Indanan town in Sulu, killing eight people, in what was believed to be carried out by the first Filipino suicide bomber.

The Palace on Tuesday said President Rodrigo Duterte would rely on the advice of key government officials in deciding if he will seek an extension of martial law in Mindanao.

Earlier, National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr. said that he would recommend to the President the extension of martial law in Mindanao for another year due to the continuous rebellion there.

Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said President Duterte would consider “facts existing on the ground” if he will lift martial law in some areas

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VICTORIOUS.

Senator Manny Pacquiao receives the Senate commendation resolution for winning the boxing match against American Keith Thurman, from Senate President Vicente Sotto III . He is congratulated by other senators at the opening session of the 18th Congress.

Ey Acasio

Rappler chief’s trial for cyber libel opens HIGH-PROFILE Philippine journalist Maria Ressa’s libel trial opened Tuesday in a case that she and press freedom advocates see as government retaliation for her news site’s critical reporting on President Rodrigo Duterte.

Ressa, who leads online outlet Rappler and was named a Time Magazine “Person of the Year” in 2018 for her journalism, is out on bail and faces years in prison if convicted under the criminal cyber-libel law.

Feline better: New York bans cat declawing

$140-m meth stash crashes into cop’s car

NEW York on Monday became the first American state to ban the declawing of cats, a practice already illegal in several countries and

AUSTRALIAN authorities have uncovered a US$140-million stash of amphetamines after an alleged criminal’s runin with the law saw his drug-filled van crash into an officer’s car outside a police station.

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Estafa raps vs. Kapa execs under review

By Rey E. Requejo

THE Justice department has assigned prosecutors to probe the estafa charges filed by the National Bureau of Investigation against officers of Kapa Community Ministry International Inc. for allegedly engaging in a fraudulent investment scheme in Mindanao.

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News

WEDNESDAY, JULY 24, 2019

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Velasco: Honor time-sharing deal 14th Congress, there were times that I argued with the President in our personal talks.”

Meanwhile, former Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s son, Pampanga Rep. Juan Miguel Arroyo, on Tuesday night was elected as deputy majority leader.

Majority Leader Martin Romualdez also announced the new set of House leaders.

Velasco said he would not give up on becoming Speaker even if presidential son, Davao City Rep. Paolo Duterte, had made it clear that he was opposed to the term-sharing agreement formula that was brokered to put an end to the speakership row.

“Are you saying that I am giving up?

I am not giving up, we had a gentleman’s agreement, so I will respect the 15 months of Speaker Alan Peter Cay-

etano and hopefully by the 15th month, he said he will step down and then”we will still go back to an election of the Speaker,” he said.

During the opening of the First Regular Session of the 18th Congress Monday, Paolo was the first to nominate Cayetano as speaker, and then posed his objection to the term-term sharing agreement.

“I am against any term sharing,” Paolo told the plenary. “If the Speaker resigns after 15 months, we will have to elect a new speaker.”

Velasco said while waiting for his turn to lead the House, he was eying to retain his post as head of the committee on energy which he also led in the last Congress.

“I was asking for the energy committee,” he said.

Carpio argued that the 1987 Constitution reserves the exploitation of marine resources within the exclusive economic zone or EEZ to Filipinos.

“The ball is in the court of the Senate.

It has to act now to either ratify or repudiate that, it’s up to the Senate now... That agreement if you allow China to fish, that requires a treaty or international agreement. That requires concurrence of the Senate,” Carpio said, in an interview with ABS-CBN news channel, ANC. “The decision of the President must go through the Senate. The Filipino people should know, is that a fair arrangement? To allow the Chinese to fish with their huge fishing fleet? Without any limitation on how many tons of fish they can get in the Reed Bank in the West Philippine Sea while our small bancas are there fishing outside

the lagoon of the Scarborough Shoal?” he added.

According to Carpio, while international agreements allow foreign nations to fish inside another state’s EEZ in case of a “surplus,” he said such a surplus does not exist in the Philippines.

“We are 105-million people. There is not enough fish for us in the West Philippine Sea. Why will we allow the Chinese to fish when they can scoop all the fish and they don’t allow us to fish in their own waters? Of course there’s no fish there anymore,” he said.

Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo dismissed Carpio’s claim, saying that fish will not run out in the disputed waters.

“How did he know that fish will run out?” Panelo said, adding that fish reproduce, thereby replenishing the supply.

from 2012 about a businessman’s alleged ties to a then-judge of the nation’s top court.

Government investigators initially dismissed the businessman’s 2017 complaint about the article, but state prosecutors later decided to file charges.

The legal foundation of the case is a controversial “cybercrime law” aimed at online offenses ranging from hacking and Internet fraud to child pornography.

‘Not exempted from assassination’ Ressa, 55, argues the law did not take effect until months after the story was published.

Government lawyers say it is effectively a new article since Rappler had updated it in 2014 to fix a typographical error.

Because the law allows the filing of charges up to 12 years after libel is

committed, Ressa said it will have farranging implications on constitutionally protected freedom of expression as well as the way Filipinos use social media.

Ressa, who has been arrested twice this year, also faces tax and corporate fraud cases, as does Rappler.

The libel case has drawn international attention, with Canadian Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland and former US secretary of state Madeleine Albright expressing concern over democratic rights.

Prominent rights lawyer Amal Clooney, who joined Ressa’s legal team this month, said the case echoed a recurring theme in her work, where “journalists who expose abuses face arrest while those who commit the abuses do so with impunity.” AFP

the earliest possible time.

“There must be an agreement among the Executive, the Senate, and the House of Representatives on which bills in the common legislative agenda will be prioritized so these can be enacted into law at the soonest possible time,” Velasco said in a statement.

Velasco said he has already filed the measures in support of President’s requests, including the postponement of the barangay elections from May 2020 to October 2022, institutionalizing the Reserve Officers Training Corps, and rightsizing the bureaucracy.

Majority Floor Leader Martin Romualdez, meanwhile, said the chamber will immediately tackle the President’s priority measures.

“I assure the country’s economic managers that Congress will align its legislative agenda with President Duterte’s priority economic bills, which aims to cut poverty almost by half in 2022,” Romualdez said.

Deputy Speaker Luis Raymund Vil-

lafuerte of Camarines Sur, on the other hand, said legislators must take their cue from the President, who said in his address Monday that he would not just “coast along” but spend the remaining three years of his term pursuing measures that would not squander the country’s future.

Senators on Tuesday also said they would support the President’s priority measures, including those proposed by his former top aid, Senator Christopher Go. These include additional benefits for solo parents, the assignment of health workers in all barangays, and the expansion of the Malasakit Centers, a one-stop shop housing all concerned government agencies to make it easier for poor patients to avail themselves of medical and financial assistance from the government.

Senator Sherwin Gatchalian said the President’s SONA is a clear message that he is going to be very serious eradicating corruption.

condemned as cruel by animal rights activists.

Governor Andrew Cuomo signed a bill outlawing the removal of cats’ claws for cosmetic reasons with immediate effect, in a move hailed by cat lovers.

The legislation had been passed by the state assembly in June.

“Declawing is a cruel and painful procedure that can create physical and behavioral problems for helpless animals, and today it stops,” Cuomo said in a statement.

“By banning this archaic practice, we will ensure that animals are no longer subjected to these inhumane and unnecessary procedures,” he added.

Declawing is an operation that involves the entire or partial amputation of bones in a cat’s front feet.

The practice is common in the United States where pet owners often do it to stop themselves from being scratched or to protect their furniture.

But the New York bill says it can cause cats severe pain and psychological disorders and can also lead to the

Joji Jusay, Reyna Apolinario, Modie Dagala, Benigno Tipan Jr., Marnilyn Maturan, Ricky Taer, Margie Dana, and another unidentified individual.

The bureau says the respondents are officers and employees in Kapa’s offices in Sarangani province, in Quezon City and in Taytay, Rizal, who “directly transacted” with its investors and the private complainants.

The NBI accuses Kapa of engaging in a Ponzi-type scheme.

The bureau cited as basis for the charges the affidavits of three private complainants—Virginia Ampo, Kim Ampo and Judith Lechido—who invested P500,000, P45,000 and P30,000,

respectively, in Kapa after being made to believe they would earn a monthly lifetime interest equivalent to 30 percent of the principal.

The NBI says it was able to verify the scheme by deploying poseur investors, inspecting Kapa offices in General Santos City and Sarangani Province, and securing witness affidavits.

The bureau says investigation showed that Kapa and its officers enticed the public to “donate” at least P10,000 in exchange for a 30-percent monthly “blessing” or “love gift” for life, without having to do anything other than invest and wait for the payout.

The investment scheme operated by the respondents involved the sale and

offering for sale or distribution to the public of securities in the form of investment contracts.

The Justice department recently secured a hold-departure order against the Kapa officials from a Davao City regional trial court to prevent their possible flight to avoid prosecution.

The Securities and Exchange Commission last month filed a similar complaint with the Justice department against the same Kapa officers.

The SEC, through the Anti-Money Laundering Council, on June 4 obtained a freeze order from the Court of Appeals to preserve some P100 million in assets linked to Kapa.

By Maricel V. Cruz

M

ARINDUQUE Rep. Lord Alan Velasco on Tuesday expressed confidence that Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano will honor the term-sharing agreement.

“At the end of the day, we really do not know what will happen in 15 months. I will leave it up to my colleagues,” Velasco, who is expected to take over the House leadership after 15 months, told reporters.

He made the statement even as the minority bloc in the House on Tuesday elected its leader for the 18th Congress, a day after the opening of the First Regular Session.

After contending with Rep. Alan Peter Cayetano, who eventually won the Speakership race on Monday, Minor-

ity Leader Bienvenido Abante Jr. of Manila, a returning representative and the only nominee for the post, received unanimous support from his colleagues in the minority.

Abante said the minority bloc will not kowtow to be the majority and will be a real fiscalizer to prevent abuses. His election as minority leader will be formalized in the plenary session.

“Definitely we will not be a company union. I can assure you that,” Abante said following his election.

“In fact, when I was in the 13th and

China...

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PH...

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Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana backed Esperon’s clarification, saying Manila continues to contest Beijing’s sweeping claims in the West Philippine Sea. “They are in position in the islands, but they are not in possession [of] the West Philippine Sea because we are also claiming it,” Lorenzana said.

In his SONA Monday, Duterte said he would assert the country’s sovereignty in the West Philippine Sea but would do so in due time—when China starts to digging for oil.

He said the Philippines should have a share of the resources.

Duterte warned that “not one” of the Marines “will come home alive” if he sent them to drive out Chinese fishermen from the WPS. Supreme Court Associate Justice Antonio Carpio on Tuesday debunked Duterte’s SONA claim, saying China is not in possession of the West Philippine Sea. China, Carpio said, was in possession of “seven features in the Spratlys plus Scarborough Shoal” and that it also “seized” Sandy Cay from the Philippines during the Duterte administration.

However, Carpio said, even if taken together, the area of these geologic features and their territorial seas, if any, “is less than 7 percent” of the West Philippine Sea. “Foreign naval powers (US, UK, France, Australia, Japan, and Canada) continuously sail and conduct naval drills in the South China Sea, including the WPS, demonstrating that China is not in possession of the WPS,” Carpio said in a statement.

Carpio, a strong advocate of Philippines’ maritime interest in the South China Sea, also pointed out that traditional fishing applies only in the country’s territorial sea and archipelagic waters.

“There is no traditional fishing in the EEZ. This is very clear in the arbitral award of 12 July 2016. Reed Bank is part of the Philippine EEZ. There can be no traditional fishing in Reed Bank,” he said, disputing the position of the President that his verbal deal with Chinese President Xi Jinping made it all right for Chinese fishing vessels to operate within the country’s EEZ. “Traditional fishing is artisanal fishing using small, simple fishing boats like the wooden boats, with outriggers, of Filipino fishermen. The Chinese steel-hulled trawlers cannot qualify for traditional fishing,” he emphasized.

The Duterte administration has been criticized for setting aside the July 12, 2016 Arbitral Award, which invalidated China’s nine-dash-line claims over vast portions of the South China Sea. He has also drawn fire for saying Chinese fishermen could operate in the Philippines’ EEZ on the strength of a verbal agreement between him and Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Former Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario and former Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales said the President’s agreement with Xi was problematic.

to the 37-hectare island.

“We are on track in rebuilding or repairing our runway in Pagasa,” he added.

Meanwhile, Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio urged the Senate to either ratify or repudiate President Rodrigo Duterte’s 2016 verbal agreement with Chinese President Xi Jinping allowing Chinese to fish in West Philippine Sea, which is part of the country’s exclusive economic zone.

Carpio made the call even as he described as “lopsided” the President’s verbal fishing agreement because Chinese fishing boats can easily harvest all the fish in the South China Sea.

Estafa...

From A1 Newly appointed Prosecutor General Benedicto Malcontento designated a panel of five prosecutors to investigate the complaint against Kapa founder Pastor Joel Apolinario and 13 other Kapa officials.

He ordered the panel to file cases before the appropriate courts “when warranted by evidence” after the preliminary investigation hearings.

Apolinario aside, the other accused are Nonita Urbano, Junnie Apolinario, Nelia Niño, Maria Pella Sevilla, Jouelyn Del Castillo, Cristobal Barabad,

Rappler...

From A1 Besides the libel case, Ressa and Rappler have been hit with 10 other criminal charges over the past year, prompting allegations that authorities are targeting her and her team for their work.

“The government hopes to intimidate us by syphoning both my personal time, our resources,” Ressa, who was not in court, told AFP. “I won’t be intimidated. We continue to do our jobs. The mission of journalism has never been as important as it is today in the Philippines,” she added.

Tuesday’s brief hearing ended after testimony from one minor witness, with the case set to resume on July 30.

The case centers on a Rappler report

Workers’ plight...

From A1 “He has not signed the SOT bill due to the powerful lobby of employers for a veto,” said PM chairman Rene Magtubo.

“A presidential veto will just be another betrayal of his promise to workers. But even if the security of Tenure bill is signed or lapses into law, endo will persist since the legislation is a watered-down version,” he added, referring to the practice of many companies to terminate their contractual workers just before their contracts expire and must be made regular employees.

From the House, Marinduque Rep. Lord Allan Velasco urged the President to convene the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council soon to work on the requests he identified in the SONA. Velasco said the two branches of government should arrive at a common legislative agenda for the 18th Congress at

Feline better:...

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Duterte firm on refusal of UNHRC probe

By MJ Blancaflor PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte remains firm that international groups should not probe his drug war despite a survey showing the majority of Filipinos think the government should not block it, Malacañang said Tuesday.

Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said President Duterte will continue his war on drugs without submitting to any investigation led by international groups, including the United Nations.

He made the statement after Social Weather Stations on Monday released a survey showing that 60 percent of the Filipinos it polled agree that the government should not block international groups from probing the drugrelated deaths that involve the Philippine National Police.

The survey also found that the respondents from Mindanao, the island where the President comes from, had the highest net agreement at +50.

This was followed by Luzon (+45), Metro Manila (+43) and the Visayas (+42).

Panelo reiterated that any investigation by an international group would be an “assault to our sovereignty.”

“They do not need to interfere because we have a robust judicial system. We investigate the cases, we file charges. Do not interfere in our country,” Panelo said.

He also said Duterte will not convince the public that there is no need for an investigation led by international groups.

“He is not interested in popularity,” Panelo said.

When Duterte ran for president he promised to eradicate the drug menace in the country within six months.

He launched a campaign against illegal drugs when he took office in 2016, and thousands of alleged drug suspects and children have been killed in police operations and vigilantestyle murders since then.

The latest child casualty in the drug war was Myca Ulpina, a three-yearold girl who was shot dead during a police operation in late June.

The anti-narcotics crackdown drew criticisms from both local and international human rights groups, which claim that due process was violated.

Recently, the United Nations Human Rights Council adopted a resolution asking the High Commissioner to conduct a “comprehensive report” on the human rights situation in the country.

The resolution was filed by Iceland and supported by more than a dozen countries.

Amnesty International, a 50-yearold human rights watchdog, has also slammed Duterte’s drug war and claimed there is sufficient evidence that drug-related deaths constitute “crimes against humanity.”

7FromIS...

A1 such as Davao City, his hometown.

Mindanao has been under martial law since 2017, imposed by Duterte after the Marawi siege.

Duterte later asked the Congress to extend it until Dec. 31, 2018, on the grounds that rebellion still persists in Mindanao.

$140-m...

From A1 Security camera footage released on Tuesday showed a white van ploughing into the front of a vehicle parked outside a suburban Sydney police station before speeding off down the street.

Police said the alleged 26-year-old driver was pulled over about an hour later, less than a 10-minute drive away from the accident scene.

The van was said to be packed with moving boxes containing 237 kilograms (523 pounds) of methylamphetamine, an illegal drug commonly known as “ice’, with a total estimated street value of AUS$200 million.

Australia has a growing problem with meth, with a government report released last year showing the country has proportionally more users than most nations.

The van driver has been charged with large commercial drug supply, negligent driving, and not giving particulars to police.

He was due to appear in a Sydney court later on Tuesday. No one was injured in the incident. AFP

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BOC destroys P157-million smuggled goods, luxury car

By Vito Barcelo THE Bureau of Customs destroyed some P157 million worth of smuggled goods, including a Ferrari car, 12 units of cigarette-making machines and more than 1,000 master cases of various brands of counterfeit cigarettes at the Port of Manila.

Undersecretary Jesus Melchor V. Quitai, Special Assistant to the President witnessed the crushing of the Ferrari, boxes of fake cigarettes and the machines by a bulldozer.

The Ferrari was seized after being declared as used auto spare parts which arrived at the Port of Manila on May 13, 2019.

The fake cigarettes and imported cigarette-making machines were seized from a warehouse located in Barangay Bagacay, Tacloban City, after failing to present proof of payment of duties and taxes.

Customs Commissioner Rey Leonardo Guerrero said the seizure and destruction of the said goods serve as a warning to smugglers and manufacturers of fake cigarettes, saying this is in line with the directive of Secretary of Finance Carlos Dominguez to the Bureau to closely monitor the importation and manufacture of illegal cigarettes.

Meanwhile, Guerrero admitted that “many” of the bureau’s personnel are involved in graft and corruption despite efforts to eradicate irregularities.

Some of the Bureau of Customs’ personnel continue to take part such illegal activities, despite a consistent policy implementation against graft and corruption, the Customs official said.

Guerrero said that he has initiated reforms in the bureau to improve efficiency, promote transparency and remove opportunities to commit graft.

“Unfortunately, many chose to ignore such reforms and defy my instructions and they are now facing the consequences of their actions,” Guerrero said.

Guerrero vowed to rid the bureau of corrupt officials through more vigor and intensified anti-corruption drive.

BULLDOZED. Bureau of Customs workers use a bulldozer to destroy P157 million worth of confiscated contrabands including a smuggled Ferrari sports car, cigarette-making machines and counterfeit cigarettes early Tuesday. Norman Cruz

President to certify as urgent bills seeking to revive death penalty

By MJ Blancaflor, Rey Requejo and Macon Ramos-Araneta

P

RESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte will likely certify as urgent bills which seek to reimpose the death penalty for heinous crimes, illegal drugs and plunder.

“Given that he mentioned it in his State of the Nation Address, most likely [he will certify the bills as urgent],” Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said.

“If you will ask him, death by hanging is cheaper. But I think, lethal injection [is most likely],” he said.

The House of Representatives sought to reimpose capital punishment in 2017 but the measure was rejected by the Senate.

Senate President Vicente Sotto III said the Upper Chamber could narrowly pass the death penalty bill in a “squeaker” vote.

In a radio interview, Sotto said at least 13 senators may support the proposed restoration of the death penalty for high-level drug trafficking

and plunder.

“I think it could be a squeaker but it’s still possible. Probably, with around 13 to 14 [senators], it can be done if it only covers high-level drug trafficking,” he said.

“If we were to include plunder— and it would not be good for us to reject such proposal—it could also be a squeaker. With around 13-14 [votes], it could be passed in the Senate,” Sotto added.

Senator Ramon Revilla Jr., who was earlier cleared of plunder charges over the pork barrel scam, expressed his support for the re-imposition of death penalty on cases involving plunder and illegal drugs.

“I personally support the President’s call to reinstate capital

Senate to study Training on HIV/AIDS awareness held Du30’s proposal to ban liquor by midnight

By Macon Ramos-Araneta SENATE President Vicente Sotto III has underscored the need to conduct a thorough study of President Rodrigo Duterte’s proposed liquor ban and closure of establishments and bars nationwide by midnight.

However, he noted that the proposal could be considered in certain areas but not nationwide.

“We need to first study what should be done because we might implement it on a national level and yet....Better, if we do it first on local level through ordinances,” said Sotto.

Sotto also cited the need to consider its advantages and disadvantages.

He also said bar owners might deceive the government like what happened before, where they claimed the establishment is closed but is packed with clients inside.

Told that this is already being done in other countries, the Senate leader did not reject the possibility of its implementation.

“E kung magandang pilot project yung Davao e siyempre magandang mapag-aralan natin baka nga pwedeng nationwide,” Sotto later said.

Davao is the hometown of President Duterte, who proposed the liquor ban and closure of establishments by midnight during his fourth State of the Nation Address last July 22.

TO PROVIDE awareness and information on the current situation of human immunodeficiency virus in the province, the Department of HealthCALABARZON (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon), together with the Department of Education— Bacoor City and the Bacoor City Social Hygiene Clinic conducted a one-day “Peer Educator’s Training for Junior and Senior Students and Teachers on HIV/AIDS.” Regional Director Eduardo Janairo said the increasing number of HIV/ AIDS infection in the country prompted Health Secretary Francisco T. Duque III to implement Republic Act 11166, otherwise known as the Philippine HIV and AIDS Policy Act repealing old HIV Law (RA 8504).

This aims to effectively address

the growing HIV epidemic in the country by forging stronger alliance among government, private sector, civil society organizations, faithbased organizations, media, and all stakeholders.

The training was conducted for various public and private schools of the City of Bacoor in Cavite.

Dr. Michael Angelo Marquez, medical officer III and head of the City Social Hygiene Clinic, said they have targeted students for the seminar workshop because more new HIV cases are being reported among youths between age 12-24 years old.

“We need to empower our students and give them the proper and accurate information on the basic of HIV/AIDS for them to avoid acquiring the virus.”

Macon Ramos-Araneta

POWER HUDDLE. House Majority Leader and Leyte First District Rep. Martin Romualdez (4th left) huddles with House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano (2nd left) and other congressmen at the plenary of the House of Representatives during the second day of session. Ver Noveno

punishment for offenses related to drugs and plunder,” Revilla said in a statement.

“I may just add that there should also be death for those who falsely and maliciously accuse others of these offenses,” he added.

Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon said it may appear as an uphill battle, but senators belonging to the minority are more than prepared to oppose the revival of capital punishment.

“We do not agree that death penalty is the solution to our illegal drugs and corruption problems. Death penalty is anti-poor,” Drilon said.

“We have a very weak justice system that is very prone to error. What we need to do is to strengthen our justice system and show the people that our laws are working,” added the former Justice chief.

Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said the death penalty may be an effective deterrent against the commission of serious or heinous crimes in the country.

PAO lauds Taguig court for acquitting suspected NPA lass

By Rio N. Araja PUBLIC Attorney’s Office chief Persida Acosta on Tuesday lauded a lower court in Taguig City for the acquittal of a suspected New People’s Army member for frustrated murder and murder for lack of evidence.

“The wheels of justice had rolled toward truth and rule of law,” she told the Manila Standard.

Acosta led the PAO’s Special Public Attorney’s Team handling the criminal raps filed against Maria Miradel Torres of Gabriela “in her defense when the case was still being tried in the regional trial court, Infanta, Quezon.”

“The woman, who was then a nursing mother when arrested, was acquitted,” Acosta said.

The cases were then transferred to Branch 153 Judge Mariam Bien of the Taguig City Regional Trial Court.

Torres, along with her supposed live-in partner Romeo Pasoot Jr., armed with a gun, allegedly attacked and shot patrolmen first class Ronald Bamba and Fernando Lopez in Purok Little Baguio, Barangay Magsaysay, Infanta, Quezon on March 17, 2012.

Bamba survived the attack, while Lopez died instantaneously.

Torres denied being an NPA member or “any armed rebel group with an aim to fight against the Philippine government,” saying “she had no experience of holding and using a gun as she is a simple housewife.”

She claimed she was home in Biñan, Laguna when the attack happened, and that she was just a member of the Gabriela women’s group.

Cha-Cha laid to rest during Du30’s SONA, senators claim

By Macon Ramos-Araneta and Bianca Miraflor CHARTER Change was laid to rest Monday night after President Rodrigo Duterte failed to mention it in his fourth State of the Nation Address, which he said became its “resting place.”

Drilon said this means Cha-Cha is no longer a priority of the Duterte administration.

But Senators Manny Pacquiao and Win Gatchalian expressed contrary views.

Pacquiao believes the President no longer needed to mention it in his SONA because the people were fully aware that he has been the one pushing Cha-Cha. He also said Cha-Cha would need long debates and time to talk about.

Gatchalian, on the other hand, said it’s a silent message that cha-cha is off the agenda, all the other bills must be forgotten because debates on it would be long.

“Just look at the bills that he mentioned, Land Use, rightsizing is also controversial, creation of different departments is also controversial because you are now creating new bureaucracy in government—all of these demands time to debate and time to study and if we now inject chacha definitely all these bills that were mentioned will be very difficult to pass,’’ Gatchalian said.

Gatchalian reiterated he is not for Cha-Cha, especially for the next three years.

However, while Cha-Cha was laid to rest, the death penalty is being resurrected, receiving a big push from the President during his SONA. But the Senate has remained firm, reiterating that the four-member opposition in the newly-opened 18th Congress will fight it “tooth and nail.”

According to Drilon, what’s more telling in the President’s speech is not what he said but what he did not say.

“That speaks volumes,” Drilon said, referring to the non-mention of federalism and Charter change, one of the President’s top campaign promises.

The President’s post-SONA press conference confirmed Drilon’s observation, where the President conceded that Cha-Cha won’t happen during his time.

“Hence, those who have plans to revive it this 18th Congress should better think twice. It will be an exercise in futility,” Drilon said.

Earlier, House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano said he would push to extend the term of office of lawmakers.

The Palace, however, said that the President, has not yet given up on his proposal for federalism and Charter change, and instead its fate lies on the hands of Congress.

Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said that the legislative branch has the power to amend the 1987 Constitution.

“He wants it but he is not the one who will decide. If he has a joint legislative and executive power, there’s no problem. He just have to say that. But since he is bound by the constitutional restraints, he cannot do that,” he said.

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Opinion

WEDNESDAY, JULY 24, 2019

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Duterte’s challenges

WHEN Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte won the presidency in 2016, he promised change. This resonated with the people. He vowed he would end the drug menace in three months.

He also promised he would end criminality and corruption.

But the brutal campaign against illegal drugs has not ended.

More poor people are getting killed.

The police insist that the death toll remains at 5,000, but unofficial sources tell us that three or even four times that number have been killed, mostly in Metro Manila and Bulacan.

Why didn’t the President mention these gut issues?

Santa Banana, even his promise to end government corruption has not seemed to make a dent. Corruption in government persists. It seems like the Bureau of Customs, among other agencies, is a curse to every president.

Duterte may be realizing that being president is not like being mayor.

Whether Duterte likes it or not, a multitude of challenges faces him in the last three years of his administration.

Among them, aside from drugs and corruption, is insurgency. There are now problems of IS-inspired terrorists in the South, China’s incursion into the West Philippine Sea and fishing in our exclusive economic zone, inflation, unemployment, and inadequate wages.

Add to all these the increasing incidence of poverty.

It was unfortunate that the President did not dwell on these gut issues that affect us all.

There was an aspect of the Presi-

Adelle Chua, Editor

EDITORIAL

dent’s SONA that government agencies should take seriously. This is the issue of making such agencies people-friendly.

President Duterte meant that dealing with these agencies should be easier. Licenses, permits and approvals should be fast.

And if he did not anymore push for federalism in his speech, that means he is leaving it to the next president.

Mr. Duterte must have realized that it was going to be a leap into the unknown. People do not have a lot of information on this issue.

Monday’s SONA was just like what we expected. *** The President should listen to the Social Weather Stations survey that says six out of 10 Filipinos believe we should heed the resolution of the United Nations Human Rights Council and find out what is going on with the President’s bloody war on drugs.

I have always said that illegal drugs is a health issue, not a peace-and-order one.

Just think: Given the brutality of the illegal drugs campaign, why do illegal drugs persist through the Bureau of Customs or the porous borders of canour archipelago? The problem can not be solved just by killing the drug pushers. It’s an issue of supply and demand.

The menace can only be addressed by putting up more community-based rehabilitation centers to make drug victims become productive citizens. *** Every now and then, President Duterte mentions the possibility of a coup d’etat by the military. But deep down, he must know that this is next to impossible given his high ratings.

In the first place, he has given the military and the police everything they have asked for—higher salaries and housing. They are sectors most pampered by the President.

We saw this when Defense Minister Juan Ponce Enrile and the Reform the Armed Forces Movement of Col. Gringo Honasan led a breakaway group. That started the Edsa people power movement.

T

Make the words count

HERE was some delicious irony in the President’s call for more action and less talk in government—as the Chief Executive arrived late and spoke twice as long as he was supposed to in his fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday.

Still, there was no gainsaying the President’s call to provide more efficient governance and to eradicate corruption in the bureaucracy, nor his exhortation to state officials and employees to “let deeds and accomplishments do the talking.”

"We, in government, talk too much, act too little, and too slow,” the President said at the halfway point of his six-year term. “We are long on rhetoric but short on accomplishments.”

The President seemed particularly perturbed by the recent corruption scandals to rock the Philippine Health Insurance Corp.

(PhilHealth) and the Bureau of Customs.

PhilHealth came under fire months ago after it was revealed that it paid out hundreds of millions of pesos for bogus dialysis treatments for deceased or non-existent members.

"I am grossly disappointed. The government is conned of millions of pesos which could be used to treat illnesses and possibly save the lives of many," Duterte said.

In his fourth SONA, he also called out Customs officials who were facing criminal and administrative charges for alleged corrupt activities.

Last week, Duterte relieved a whole administrative section of Customs and asked them to report in the Palace. In the past, the scandal-racked bureau has also been tagged in the smuggling in of billions of pesos worth of methamphetamine or shabu.

The President—who has made the war on illegal drugs the centerpiece of his anti-crime agenda—did not cite these instances in his address Monday, nor the government’s failure to prosecute and punish those

responsible. Nor did the President mention his penchant for simply reassigning top officials tainted by corruption scandals to other offices, and how this practice discourages real reforms.

Perhaps all this was not mentioned in the interest of brevity, in a speech that lasted an hour and 33 minutes, or more than twice the 45 minutes the Palace said his address would last.

To address illegal drugs and corruption, the President once again called for the reimposition of the death penalty for drug trafficking and plunder. Sadly, however, this ignores research that it is the certainty of being caught that deters a person from committing crime, not the fear of being punished or the severity of that punishment.

Where is the fear, when officials embroiled in corruption scandals are merely reassigned?

The President was absolutely correct when he said corruption exasperates and frustrates—but as he himself so astutely points out, merely talking about it simply isn’t enough anymore.

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The 5 Cs of Duterte’s SONA A COMFORTABLE life for everybody, all Filipinos. In three years.

That is the audacious promise of Rodrigo Roa Duterte in his 93-minute, 9,490-word State of the Nation Address (SONA) Monday, July 22, 2019, delivered before a joint session of Congress in his trademark Davao English of incomplete sentences and mispronounced words.

The President, who openly admits he is now a lameduck, in effect, wants to telescope in three years what his own NEDA wants to accomplish in 20 years.

“In 2040, we will all enjoy a stable and comfortable lifestyle, secure in the knowledge that we have enough for our daily needs and unexpected expenses, that we can plan and prepare for our own and our children’s future. Our family lives together in a place of our own, and we have the freedom to go where we desire, protected and enabled by a clean, efficient, and fair government,” proclaims NEDA at its website.

Still, Duterte warned “believe me, I will end my term fighting.” That means the President will wield all the power and political will in his command to get things done over the next three years.

Duterte is fond of employing generals who have the discipline of command and obedience (“If you tell them ‘no corruption’, then no corruption, unless the top is corrupt.”)

To deliver a comfortable life for all, Duterte must rescue six million Filipinos from poverty, a tall order given that previous administrations from 1986 failed to dent gnawing poverty. Poverty incidence is to be reduced from 21.6 percent (or 21.8 million of the 101-million population) in 2015 to 14 percent (or 15.7 million of 112.8 million) in 2022.

To do that, the chief executive tackled

what I call the six Cs—crime, corruption, climate change or cleanup of the environment, capital (human and business capital), China, and congestion in Metro Manila or traffic.

“The illegal drugs problem persists,” Duterte winced. The Marawi siege of May 2017, he related, was a case of illegal drugs aided by local radicalism.

Tons of shabu worth millions were found. Drug money killed 175 and wounded 2,000 soldiers and policemen.

“The drugs (problem) will not be crushed unless we eliminate corruption that allows this social menace to survive,” the President declared. He wants death penalty for illegal drugs and plunder (corruption involving at least P50 million).

To deliver a comfortable life for all, Duterte must rescue six million Filipinos from poverty.

Why the persistent corruption? Said Duterte: “We cannot distinguish our need from our greed, our principles from our prejudices, the real from the fake, and the truth from a lie. (For) many of us, what matters above all is the ‘self’… selfishness [at] its worst for no purpose other than personal aggrandizement.”

In the President’s 8888 hotline, the most complained about are: the LTO, SSS, BIR, LRA, and Pag-IBIG, “the top five agencies that need drastically to improve their service.” Expect firings in these agencies.

The anti-corruption campaign also covers the courts, ironically the weakest link in the administration of justice.

The 63 Customs officials facing corruption charges are no longer allowed Turn to A5

Theresa May’s legacy sunk by Brexit

By James Pheby THERESA May had a mission to fight Britain's "burning injustices" through strong and stable leadership—but her legacy as prime minister will be anything but.

The Conservative premier's turbulent time in office was swamped and ultimately sunk by her legacy-defining battle to secure a Brexit divorce deal.

It eroded her authority and led her to step down as leader, handing over the keys to Downing Street to either Boris Johnson or Jeremy Hunt on Wednesday after a month-long contest to replace her.

May won praise for her determination and ability to survive a rolling three-year political crisis since the referendum vote to leave the European Union.

But her approach to the Brexit endgame, refusing to accept MPs' trenchant opposition to her deal before belatedly opening ultimately futile

negotiations with the Labour main opposition, left May politically adrift.

She has failed In a forlorn bid in March to appease the most ardent eurosceptic MPs in her party, May, 62, offered to resign if they finally approved her deal.

But several dozen rebelled anyway, consigning it to a third defeat in parliament and leaving her premiership mortally weakened.

She was forced by her party to agree to set out a timetable for her departure, but asked for time to give lawmakers a fourth chance to vote on the agreement in early June.

However, her own MPs' patience ran out and she was forced in May to name the date of her departure, triggering the fevered leadership race to replace her.

"She has failed," said Simon Usherwood, from the University of Surrey's politics department. "There's very little to commend her.

"She doesn't really have a legacy."

May's last major act as leader was to welcome US President Donald Trump on a state visit to Britain, but symbolic of their fractious relationship, the two still had time for one last falling out.

The president tweeted that May had made "a mess" of Brexit, while the prime minister slammed his recent controversial comments against US congresswomen of colour as "completely unacceptable."

Goody two shoes The daughter of a Church of England vicar, May was born on Oct. 1, 1956 in Eastbourne—a seaside town in southern England where her father was a chaplain at the local hospital.

She has described herself in interviews as a "goody two shoes" whose Protestant faith defined her upbringing.

She listened to cricket matches on

Turn to A5

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Opinion

WEDNESDAY, JULY 24, 2019

All in the family

SONA 4 [Because the President’s SONA last Monday ran overtime, we’re printing only today Mr. Olivar’s regular Tuesday column, on that speech.]

I’M RUSHING to beat my editor’s deadline as I write this piece from the Ortigas center studios of DZME (1530 AM), where I was invited to comment on the President’s fourth SONA. I have fond memories of this station from my college days, when it was still located on Roosevelt Avenue in QC and its previous owner, Joey Luizon, allowed us firebrands to regularly vent our spleen over his radio waves.

Of course a whole lot of water has flowed under the bridge since then, and the station is now owned by veteran Congressman Butch Pichay of Surigao del Sur, a staunch ally of former Speaker/President Arroyo. The station isn’t much larger than before. Luckily, the online world has helped to stabilize the imbalance between DZME and its larger competitors, with Internet access bringing video as well as audio both to overseas and local viewer/listeners. *** Although late, the President’s SONA got off to a rousing start with his boast about lifting 6 million people out of poverty, his record-low 3 percent disapproval rating for the 2nd quarter, coupled with a stern rebuke to those whispering of a lame-duck presidency that “I will not coast along. I will end my term fighting.”

No one acquainted with his natural pugnacity would doubt that. And yet his speech was sprinkled with impromptu references to how tired he’s become, how he’s disheartened by his people’s shortcomings, how he longs to return to Davao. The internal conflict created by his sense of duty is palpable; one can almost hear him whispering to himself, “Mukhang napasubo ako sa trabahong ito, pero paninindigan ko pa rin ito hanggang sa huli.”

After three years of tilting at formidable windmills—drugs, corruption, domestic insurgencies, economic problems—the President has been forced to admit a piece of wisdom that those who’re more cynical might have imparted to him earlier: “Selfishness is the root of our problems (quoting F. Sionil Jose). After all my years in politics, I have finally met the enemy, and he is us. We are our own demons, our own tormentors. We are rapacious, we find corruption everywhere. It is injury laced with insult, a national embarrassment and our national shame.”

It is an existential malady whose remedy Duterte does not flinch from: “Ca-

Theresa...

From A4

the radio with her father, watching from the stands last week as England won their first World Cup, and knew that she wanted to become a politician when she was just 12.

May studied geography and met her husband Philip at Oxford University before joining the Bank of England.

The two never had children and May devoted herself to a life of public service that saw her become Conservative Party chairwoman in 2002.

May made her first splash by telling an annual conference that the Conservatives would have to shed their image as "the nasty party" if they wanted to unseat then-popular Labour premier Tony Blair.

But a 2010-16 stint as home secretary saw May adopt isolationist rhetoric that included a vow to create "a really hostile environment for illegal migration."

The 5 Cs...

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at the bureau. Instead, they will report daily to Congress and help in the paper work. That is not saying though that the culprits will move from one house of thieves to another.

For all government agencies, Duterte’s order is “simplify.” Clearances and permits from LGUs must be out in three days, preferably one day, as Manila has promised. Davao City already issues business permits in just one hour.

“Slap the idiot. Make a scene,” Duterte advises victims of bureaucrats.

For national government agencies, permits must be released within 30 days, says Department of the Interior and Lo-

tharsis is needed today. Self-purgation is needed. We must rid ourselves of the dirt and the muck, the leeches who cling onto us.”

There’s a lot of pathos in this heartfelt confession of a 72-year-old man.

But if he truly means to launch a national movement towards moral renewal—where the fight against drugs and corruption will simply be its visible forms—it’s a crusade that ought to be fully supported by the nonpolitical institutions of this country—the Church, the schools, mass media, civic and business groups—regardless of how uneasy their previous relationships may have been with the President. ***

As predicted, Duterte covered all the hot-button issues.

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It’s noteworthy how long it took Duterte to discuss the controversy surrounding Chinese activity in the West Philippine Sea. Amid some hemming and hawing, he was really trying to make the following points: First, the Chinese enjoy actual possession of disputed maritime areas, which is a big deal for lawyers. And the reason they do is because the previous PNoy administration was tricked into withdrawing our naval presence from portions of the Spratlys, allowing China to start planting its flag.

Second, in light of the above, we now have no choice but to play out this delicate balancing act with the Chinese, who are simultaneously wooing us with their investments and trade. As Duterte sagely put it, there is, indeed, a proper time for everything. For now, ““asaran lang iyan iyan, supladuhan lang iyan.”

And third, Duterte isn’t inclined to go to war, simply because it’s not a fight we could win, in our present condition.

Someday, maybe, but only if we start preparing for it now—such as by restor restoring mandatory ROTC to senior high school. Yes, the West Philippine Sea is ours, but we have to temper this statement for present realities.

This is sound advice from a national leader who’s actually used his gun more than once. As such, he’s well aware of the shooter’s adage: “Don’t threaten someone with your gun unless you’re prepared to pull the trigger.” This is common sense that totally escapes all those armchair firebrands who set too much stock by the workings of international law and ignore the issue of physical enforceability. *** The first reading and responsorial psalm for today, Tuesday, are both taken from Chs. 14-15 of Exodus. These recount the great story of how the Lord parted the waters of the Red Sea to allow the fleeing Israelites to escape their pursuing Egyptian captors, who were then drowned when the waters were brought back together. “Not a single one of them escaped” Divine retribution.

In Ch. 12 of Matthew, Jesus performs an equivalent display of Divine power by casting out demons from a blind and mute man. But the Pharisees, instead of rejoicing as their ancestors did at the Red Sea, accuse Jesus of Satanic deeds!

In high dudgeon, He repeatedly rebukes them for their malice and faithlessness, in stark contrast to his disciples whom he pronounces (Mt 12: 46-50) as no less than “my mother and my brothers.”

Jesus describes “whoever does the will of my heavenly Father” as members of the new family He was called to establish on this earth. For them, no waters will be too deep to be parted.

As predicted, Duterte covered all the hot-button issues: praising his Cabinet members by name for their respective achievements, trotting out PhilHealth and Customs as poster boys for misbehavior, advising citizens being victimized by corruption: “Mag-iskandalo kayo sa mga tiwaling opisina ng gobyerno, at ako ang bahala sa inyo.”

He scolded local government executives about their red tape and petty rentseeking—and in fact it is in local governments where the most complaints about service are found, especially from small businessmen. I understand that all LGU officials have also been summoned to a separate meeting with him after SONA, where it’s likely that they’ll come in for a second round of Presidential reaming.

Among Duterte’s noteworthy new and old proposals going forward: Restore the death penalty for heinous crimes like drugs and plunder. All those human rights do-gooders abroad may wish to start looking for new scapegoats.

Assign one Cabinet member to every region to oversee security as well as development issues. This can provide a framework for the localized peace talks that should replace failed peace talks with the communist leadership in exile.

Create new Cabinet departments: Disaster Resilience, Overseas Workers, Water Resources—all areas now demanding a lot more attention.

Make LandBank start lending a lot more to agriculture, perhaps initially by leveraging the coconut levy trust funds.

I trust that this initiative will be accompanied by other reforms that make our farmers better credit risks, e.g. revamping agrarian reform, opening agriculture to more foreign investment.

Approve all remaining tranches of Readers can write me at gbolivar1952@ comprehensive tax reform legislation. yahoo.com. ***

Maybot She became prime minister in the aftermath of the 2016 Brexit referendum which swept away her predecessor David Cameron.

She took office pledging to fight the "burning injustices" in British society, but made little headway as her entire premiership became dominated by the Brexit drama.

Despite having made a cautious case to stay in the EU, May embraced the cause with the mantra "Brexit means Brexit."

Her promise to leave the EU's institutions and end free movement of workers delighted eurosceptic MPs, but caused dismay among many proEuropeans.

The splits in her Conservative Party became a serious problem after a disastrous snap election in June 2017, when she lost her parliamentary majority.

May was forced to strike a deal for support with Northern Ireland's proBrexit Democratic Unionist Party, and struggled to keep her party and its allies together.

Naturally reserved, she failed to en-

Closed style May was written off several times before announcing on May 24 that she would step down.

Columnist Matthew Parris—a former Conservative MP—called her the "zombie prime minister" for her ability to stagger on despite multiple attacks.

She survived a no-confidence vote and the resignations of a string of high-profile Brexit supporters.

But ultimately her closed style of leadership and Brexit gridlock in parliament doomed her premiership."It's hard to think of a Tory politician who would have been the perfect PM in such circumstances," Tim Bale, politics professor at Queen Mary University of London, told AFP. "But it's just as hard to think of anyone who would have been much worse than her." AFP

cal Government Secretary Eduardo Año, a retired general.

Año is the new de facto traffic czar.

By September this year, the LGUs or mayors and governors must have retrieved all public roads being used for private ends. That means roads converted into parking spaces by barangays must be roads, not parking lots. Gated private subdivisions in traffic hubs must be opened for vehicular traffic. Traffic congestion in Metro Manila, the President estimates, costs P3.5 billion in economic losses, daily.

On climate change, the President wants a Department of Disaster Resilience (DDR) to “focus on natural hazards and climate change.” Boracay has been restored to its pristine origin.”

Squatters will be removed and relocated from Manila Bay. Buildings sitting on waterways “I am going to dismantle or just burn them down.” Sources of renewable energy will be fast-tracked.

On human capital, Duterte gushed that 27 million are enrolled in basic education, kinder to high school. Another 823,000 who are out of school have nonformal education. For health of body, there will be a National Academy of Sports for High School, maybe to train future Pacquiaos and Lydias de Vega.

Malasakit Centers will be established, a pet measure of Sen. Bong Go, upgraded from a campaign gimmick.

A Department of Overseas Filipinos will be established, a bill authored by Albay Rep. Joey Salceda, also author of

gage with voters in the 2017 campaign and was dubbed the "Maybot" after churning out the same soundbites over and over again.

the former presidents, the vice president and former speakers of the House, plus the Chief Justice. And I do not for the life of me recall if he was ever as distinguished.

That center gallery was so packed that some foreign excellencies had to IT WAS an overflow crowd in the floor stand until somehow the Batasan staff of the House of Representatives last managed to squeeze them in along with cabinet members.

Monday.

The Philippine Philharmonic OrchesWatching from the section where sat sons and daughters, mothers even of tra performance would have been a welsenators and congressmen along with come treat for the audience if they had provincial governors, I wondered how not been limited to playing at the foyer. some 500 well-dressed (though for Maybe next year, whoever PCOO hires some, rather gaudily), well-coiffed and as SONA director, instead of using two giant screens bejeweled members of the politiblanked out for cal elite gathered the longest time, in the floor would can do this.

While much has The President eventually fit in was clearly in a once the President been done, the enters the session President cannot rest. good mood, his hall. spirits buoyed by It was a rather the most recent long wait, for the poll surveys that President arrived some 55 minutes bebe limited his disapproval numbers to a yond the appointed time of four in the mere 3 percent. And he was most graafternoon, likely because the inclement cious to the lady Vice President, even if weather and low cloud cover prevented she was likely part of the 3 percent.

After the hour-and-a-half speech, him from boarding the helicopter for the double the expected delivery time of his Batasan earlier.

And so for some two hours from the 19-page prepared address because of time I arrived at the Batasan, we had his usual extemporaneous and off-thenothing but the floor spectacle of beso- cuff statements, he even gamely sang at besos and hand-shaking to witness in an the lobby with the PPO, and afterward, an impromptu press conference, where effort to while away the time.

The SONA director, Joyce Bernal, he virtually gave up on the systemic would have been most kind to those change of federalism during his term.

He intentionally blurred out the exwaiting in the hall, if she just beamed the performance of the Philippine Phil- pletives directed at drugs and the corharmonic Orchestra on the two giant rupt, even if the message came loud and screens flanking the stage of the session clear. In jest, he “wished” the dreaded hall. The PPO was at the left side of the great earthquake over Metro Manila Batasan’s grand lobby, playing popular would happen right then and there, with classics, both Filipino and foreign, a the epicenter, as he claimed a psychic first in SONA history if memory serves predicted, right there at the Batasan.

The congressmen in the audience nerme right.

Instead, we had to regale ourselves vously laughed along sportingly.

His statements about the West Philipwatching the who’s who among the political elite. The overflow crowd pine Sea were not really new, though he was composed of fathers and mothers, rightly pronounced that the same Unbrothers and sisters, sons and daughters clos agreement that his detractors keep of legislators past and present. Ah, the touting actually provide for shared fishever-present, the never- extinguished ing rights among claimant countries, dynasties that characterize the politics something that we wrote about two weeks ago in this space. of this country!

He reiterated the need for National There were young and new faces, recognized by us in the gallery only Land Use policy legislation which the when their pater familiae would intro- landowners and realtors in past Conduce the neophytes to their former col- gresses since Cory never passed. We leagues. Of course the paters are now can only pray that the President uses governors or city mayors or whatever, his considerable political will to break so that the dynastic line is preserved, through the shackles of self-interest that perhaps, in another nine years to stage have prevented passage of this truly a comeback in the HoR when their off- meaningful change.

His support for the return of mandaspring’s term limits are reached.

It is a tradition in both House and tory military training, while resisted Senate that even former members are by some sectors, is another reform for allowed to enter the session hall and the future of our next generations. We observe. And in almost all the SONAs can only hope that this time, ROTC beI have attended, the former members comes truly relevant, imbued with lesmake a grand show in the annual po- sons in patriotism and nationalism, and litical spectacle, resplendent in newly- not confined to the “march and parade tailored barongs for the men and long dress” laced with corrupt practices that characterized the degeneration of this gowns for the ladies.

But I have never seen this many. worthy program.

His appeal to the lawmakers to pass The dynasties have proliferated, and I thought only the poor multiply their the second tranche of the Comprehenprogeny. How the former members sive Tax Reform policy did not elicit the were able to sit themselves even as applause that met other proposals, but the session hall provided just about there is truly a need to set our tax sys330 seats for the conjoined Senate and tem right. Compromises may be made House when the President entered, I during the deliberations, especially in could not imagine. Of course the Ba- balancing the fears of investors against tasan staff provided seats at the north the long-term and systemic benefits of and south flanks of the hall, but surely the same.

The President has three more years that was not enough for the dynasts who to his term, and while much has been sashayed into the SONA. One former congressman managed done, he cannot rest. Neither should all to sit himself in the gallery reserved for of us.

Duterte’s...

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body to replace the ad hoc National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council. We need focus and strategy to deal with all types of disaster. *** Some of my friends said they missed my column last week. I had an operation because of cataract, and I needed some time to recover. I am very happy to be back.

But remember the Magdalo? There was only a military movement, without the people power component. *** I am glad that President Duterte mentioned the Department of Disaster Resilience as one of the priorities of Congress.

I have long advocated a permanent www.emiljurado.weebly.com

the proposed DDR. For business capital, the Department of Trade and Industry has given away P3 billion loans to micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

Big Business will get bigger perks.

Corporate income tax is to be reduced, from 30 percent (the highest in ASEAN) to 20 percent. However, factories in more than 300 export zones will lose tax perks (valued at P300 billion a year).

PEZA’s preferential 5 percent gross income earned (GIE) will now be timebound and performance-based.

One good thing. Duterte has no cronies. “I have no rich friends,” he declared.

Finally, Duterte will not fight China.

“I will fish,” China President Xi Jing-

ping told Duterte in a recent summit. “I allowed (them),” Duterte revealed in his SONA. “Confrontation will lead to violence,” the President explained. China’s guided missiles can reach the Philippines in seven minutes.

“We are not in control in the property (the West Philippine Sea),” Dutere admitted to Congress. “China also claims the property and he is in possession.”

Duterte assured: “Let me assure you, that national honor and territorial integrity shall not—shall be foremost in our mind, and when we may take the next steps in this smoldering controversy over the lines of arbitral ruling, the West Philippine Sea is ours.” biznewsasia@gmail.com

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News

WEDNESDAY, JULY 24, 2019

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Pagcor debunks COA report on Casino Filipino Manila Bay THE Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. rejected the claim of the Commission on Audit that its Casino Filipino Manila Bay branch lost P2.11-billion income in the last five years.

“The P2.11 billion worth of losses cited by COA, which dated back to 2014, was not accurate as it included the revenue deficits of CF Pavilion, which ceased operations last March 2018,” PAGCOR said in a statement.

“CF Manila Bay only commenced operations in August 2017, less than two years to date.”

In its audit report, COA said “the aggregate net losses of P2.113 billion incurred by CF-Manila Bay cast doubt on its ability to continue.”

“The decrease in the net income is a combination of a declining total income and a steady rate of mandated contributions and Corporate Social Responsibility financial assistance,” state auditors said.

But PAGCOR clarified that CF Pavilion is a branch independent of CF Manila Bay. The state gaming firm said it cannot cease its operations in CF Manila Bay because of an existing contract entered into by the previous PAGCOR management with Vanderwood Management Corp.

“It may be noted that CF Manila Bay’s gross gaming revenue has in fact been steadily increasing since it opened 23 months ago. This has resulted to a rise in net operating income from a monthly average of P4.22 million in 2017 to P13.38 million in 2018,” PAGCOR said.

“It is only after deducting the mandated contributions and corporate social responsibility financial assistance, which are independent on the income from gaming operations, that negative figures are registered.”

Since the start of its operations in 2017, CF Manila Bay has contributed a total of P875.58 million for PAGCOR’s mandated beneficiaries.

“PAGCOR maintains that its casinos, which have a distinct gaming market, continuously contribute to its overall income, thereby supplementing efforts in fulfilling its mandated commitment to build the nation,” it said.

STEADY HANDS.

Filipino-Italian actor Matteo Guidicelli is seen challenging fellow actor Zaijian Jaranilla in a giant Jenga match during the recent opening of Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen at the Alabang Town center in Muntinlupa City. Ey Acasio

Duterte raises bounty for death, not capture, of Negros cop killers P RESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has raised the reward for death, and not just the capture, of the killers of four policemen who were all shot in the head while hogtied in Ayungon town in Negros Oriental on July 18.

President Duterte, who earlier offered a P1-million bounty for the capture of the killers, added P300,000 more to the reward money.

“I prefer to see them dead. If they’re dead, I’m going to ad P300,000. So it’s P1.3 million, just bring me the head of that idiot leader there,” the President said.

The slain cops—Cpl. Relebert Beronio and patrolmen Raffy Callao, Ruel Cabellon, and Marquinto de Leon—were all intelligence personnel of the 704th Mobile Force Company of the Philippine National Police in Central Visayas.

The four cops were reportedly on their way to the detachment at Sitio

Nabinca when armed men, who are suspected members of the New People’s Army attacked them.

The PNP has already filed charges against six NPA rebels tagged in the murder of the police officers, who each suffered a gunshot wound in the head.

Ayungon police chief Capt. Romel Luga identified the suspects as Victoriano Bangala Anadon Jr., Jonathan Baldivino, Rengie Anadon Baluhabo, Gelie Anadon Ebedo, Joseph Torres Ogates and Jelly Anadon Ebedo.

Except for Anadon Jr., the five other

suspects remain at large, Luga said.

PNP chief Gen. Oscar Albayalde welcomed Duterte's decision to raise the bountry.

"What is good here is it will entice the people to come out and speak because we know that there were many witnesses because our policemen were executed right in front of the barangay folks there,” he said.

“The report that reached us said the people from the barangay were gathered and the police officers were executed in front of them,” Albayalde added. PNA

MMDA to send text alert for Saturday’s earthquake drill

By Joel E. Zurbano

ZIPPER LANE. Workers hold a signage to guide motorists to use the zipper lane along Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City to ease the traffic congestion. Manny Palmero

DOTr mulls over strike force to ease long immigration lines at NAIA terminals LONG lines were back at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport terminals due to lack of personnel manning the Immigration counters.

This prompted Transportation Secretary Arturo Tugade to meet officials of the Justice department, Immigration bureau and Manila International Airport Authority on Tuesday to discussed how to address immigration issues in airport terminals.

Tugade suggested the deployment of a rapid response team or a strike force composed of airport personnel to assist in the implementation of immigration procedures without compromising security.

These personnel, according to Tugade, shall be subject to trainings to be conducted by Immigration personnel.

The Transportation chief also suggested the

establishment of additional e-gates to make sure that all immigration counters are manned.

At present, 500 immigration officers are deployed in NAIA Terminals 1, 2 and 3, on a shifting schedule.

“There should be no break-time if there are long queues at the immigration counters. There should not be a time where immigration booths are to be unmanned. Let us collaborate. Let us work with each other. What is at stake here is the image of our country,” Tugade said.

The Bureau of Immigration had admitted it is having a hard time getting qualified personnel to become immigration officers because of the meager monthly salary ranging only from P18,000 to P 20,000.

Joel E. Zurbano

METRO Manila residents would receive a text message on Saturday early morning to inform them to get ready for the scheduled earthquake drill.

When the clock strikes 4 a.m., sirens and alarms will be heard simultaneously for the exercise, the Metro Manila Development Authority said.

Everyone is encouraged to participate wherever they are and perform the “drop, cover and hold,” which experts said is the appropriate action to reduce injury and death during earthquakes.

The MMDA sought the assistance of Department of Information and Communications Technology, National Telecommunications Commission and private telecommunications firms for the text announcement.

“MMDA chairman Danilo Lim asked the concerned agencies to provide their broadcast/push messaging service for mobile device users as well as via emergency cell broadcast before the start of the actual drill,” said Michael Salalima, MMDA chief

of staff and Disaster Risk Reduction and Management head.

Salalima said preparation for this year’s drill is "all-inclusive" with the collaboration of government, private sector, non-government organizations, and other stakeholders providing preparedness and response measures for the “Big One.” “No one can predict when an earthquake would happen but the chances of survival are better when people are prepared and know what to do when a strong tremor happens,” he said.

In spite of the early morning drill, Salalima expressed confidence that many would still participate.

The drill slated on July 27 will start with the pushing of a ceremonial button

by Lim and MMDA general manager Jose Arturo Garcia Jr. at the agency’s main office in Makati City.

Different scenarios will be depicted in each of the four quadrants: North, south, west and east, with the simulation of the “Oplan Metro Yakal”—the agency’s contingency plan in the event of an earthquake.

6 Filipino women duped by human traffickers

By Vito Barcelo SIX Filipino women who paid at least P3 million to illegal recruiters to work as domestic helpers abroad were intercepted by immigration officers at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport after disguising themselves as tourists and using spurious documents.

Immigration port operations division chief Grifton Medina said the six female passengers were intercepted in separate incidents by members of the BI’s travel control and control enforcement unit at NAIA Terminal 1 as they attempted to board a Malaysian Airlines flight to Kuala Lumpur en route to their

final destination in Italy and Poland where they were hired to work as domestic helpers.

The trafficking victims admitted paying more than half a million pesos each to their recruiters in return for processing their travel documents.

The victims said their working visas abroad will be handed to them upon their arrival in Malaysia, after which they will be booked for their connecting flights to Rome and Warsaw.

The women also possessed fake overseas employment certificates.

“We have been warning our OFWs against being tricked into using fake OECs as these will

surely be detected by our immigration officers who are adept at detecting these fraudulent documents,” Medina said.

“Our system is already connected to the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration's database, so verification is real time," he added.

The victims said their documents were given by airport employees— “Miko” and “Jennylyn”—who they met through Facebook.

"This is a form of escorting being done by unscrupulous airport employees who think they can circumvent immigration formalities," Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente said.

Sports Bigger, tougher Ironman up OVER 2,100 entries from a record 57 nations gear up for another duel of power and endurance in the second Regent Aguila IRONMAN 70.3 Asia-Pacific Championships presented by Philam Vitality set Aug. 11 at Shangri-La Mactan Resort & Spa in Cebu.

The huge field is headlined by 20 pros in the biggest gathering of elite triathletes in the eighth staging of the grueling 1.9K swim, 90K bike, 21K run event that also features the Asian Elite division and 11 other age categories in what has long been considered as the country’s triathlon hub.

Mexican Mauricio Mendez and Czech Radka Kahlefeldt have confirmed participation in the event organized by Sunrise Events, Inc. and which they ruled in varying fashions last year following their romps in IRONMAN 70. 3 Davao.

But the two expect a tougher, fierce challenge this time with former champions Tim Reed and Sam Betten out to re-stamp their class and fellow Aussies Tim Van Berkel, Luke McKenzie, Mitch Robins, Lindsey Lawry and Blake Kappler joining the title chase.

Boosting the men’s pro cast are Bahrain’s Eric Watson, Czech Jakub Langhammer, New Zealand’s Terenzo Bozzone and American Justin Ghost.

Out to foil Kahlefeldt’s back-to-back title drive in the women’s side are multititled Swiss Caroline Steffen and Aussie Dimity Lee Duke, Hungarian Anna Eberhardt, Great Britain’s Francesca Sanjana and Courtney Gilfillan, Amanda Wilson and Lauren Wood of Australia.

The event, sponsored by Aguila Energy Drink, also lured bets from Canada, Ireland, Austria, Macao, Russia, Syria, Vietnam, Chile, China, Bermuda, Colombia, Hong Kong, Japan, Italy, Guam, Pitcairn, Morocco, Kenya, Brazil, Brunei, Egypt, India, Kuwait, Cambodia; France, Indonesia, Luxembourg, Kuwait, New Caledonia, Romania, the US, United Kingdom, South Korea, UAE, Spain, Qatar, South Africa, Singapore, Turkey, Ukraine, Myanmar, the Netherlands, Taiwan and Poland.

Balinas Cup ‘19 goes to Lucban THE region’s top executive chess players will see action in the ninth leg of the National Executive Chess Championship, also known as the 2019 Grandmaster Rosendo Balinas Sr. Chess Cup which will be held July 27 (Saturday) at the Zurea Hotel, La Purisima Concepcion St. in Lucban, Quezon.

Tournament director Joselito Cada said the one-day rapid event is open to all qualified members of Philippine Executive Chess Association, supported by Engr.

Antonio “Tony” Carreon Balinas, older brother of the late GM Balinas.

Philippine Executive Chess Association president Dr. Jenny Mayor said the tournament is a 7-round Swiss System affair, with 20 minutes playing time and an increment of five seconds.

The winner in the Open division (2000 and above NCFP rating) will take home P7,000 and a trophy, while the second placer will take home P5,000 and a medal. The third placed wins P3,000 and a medal; the fourth placer gets P2,000 plus medal and the fifth placer wins P1,500 and a medal.

Special prizes also await the Top 2200 and below, Top 2100 and below and Top Senior, who will each receive P1,000 each and medals.

In the challenger’s division (1999 and below), the champion will take home P6,000 and a trophy; the second placer will get P3,000 and a medal; the third placer will pocket P2,000 and medal; the fourth placer will bring home P1,500 and a medal, while the fifth placer will receive P1,000 plus a medal.

A7

WEDNESDAY, JULY 24, 2019 sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

Real Gold wins Triple Crown 3 leg rd

R

EAL Gold got back at its secondleg conqueror Boss Emong to win the third leg of the 2019 Philippine Racing Commission’s Triple Crown series in a thrilling night race before en enthusiastic Sunday crowd at the MetroTurf Racing Complex in Malvar, Batangas.

The C and H Enterprise-owned Real Gold won the Triple Crown’s first leg with a scintillating eight-length win at the San Lazaro Leisure Park in Carmona, Cavite in May, before losing by a heartbreaker in the second stage last month, yielding the race by half a length to darkhorse Boss Emong at the Saddle and Clubs Leisure Park in Naic, Cavite.

This time around, Real Gold was not to be denied.

With the expert riding of jockey John Paul A. Guce, Real Gold seized the lead in the final 400 and stayed up front until the finish for a many-length triumph over rival Boss Emong in the race ran in 2,000 meters.

“Hindi nagbago ang game-plan, talagang remate po kami. May mga matutulin na kalaban, kaya kailangan strong finish kami,” said Real Gold jockey

John Paul A. Guce. “Pagpasok ng last 400 ko nakuha. Medyo bumitin after that, kaya naglipat ako ng latigo, umiktad po ulet. Talagang sumasagot siya kapag pinu-push mo.”

Boss Emong grabbed the early lead, followed by My Jopay as the two set the pace three fourths of the way.

Racing on the outside, Real Gold made its move in the final 600 meters before finally snatching the lead in the last 400 and unleashing a final burst of speed going home to get back at its rival which denied it of what could have been the second jewel of its Triple Crown hopes.

The win was worth another P1.8 million for owner C and H Enterprise of Butch and Alex Mamon, Jing Javier, Joseph Dyhengco and Robert Ramirez. Together with its first-leg win and second-place finish in the second stage, Real Gold netted a total of P4,275,000.00 in the series, nearly half of the P9 million allotted by the sponsoring Philracom for the 2019 Triple Crown Series.

“We are very happy with the result. Two out of three ain’t so bad,” said Butch Mamon, one of the owners of Real Gold, whose winning breeder Dyhengco was also rewarded with P100,000.

Boss Emong, ridden by Dan Camanero, settled for

the runner-up purse of P675,000 for owner Edward Vincent Diokno.

Shanghai Grey (jockey JB Hernandez, owner Melanie Habla) settled for third spot worth P375,000.

The three-leg series is patterned after the United States’ Triple Crown, with its three legs comprised of the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness Stakes, and the Belmont Stakes, also with progressively longer distances.

In the accompanying third leg of the Philracom 209 Hopeful Stakes Race, The Accountant (owner Luis Aguila, jockey Pat R Dilema) edged My Shelltex and Two Timer for the top purse of P600,000 from the total pot of P1 million.

My Shelltex (owner Antonio Tan, jockey JB Guce) settled for the runner-up prize of P225,000, while Two Timer (owner Melanie Habla, jockey JA Guce) captured P125,000 as third-placer.

Other winners Sunday were Daginding (Race 1), Helushka (Race 2), Victorious Colt (Race 3), Count Me In (Race 4), Plus (Race 6), Derham Park (Race 8), Bitcoin (Race 9), Salaminsk (Race 10), Dragon Fire (Race 11) and Milford Sound (Race 12).

The Philracom’s next big event happens on August 4 featuring its Lakambini Stakes Race.

Floyd to help China boxers for Olympics

Triple Crown 3rd leg champion Real Gold’s owners, namely Jing Javier, Butch Mamon, Alex Mamon and Chloie Mamon, trainer Reymundo Henson and jockey JPA Guce display their trophies. They are joined by Philracom Commissioners Reli de Leon and Bienvenido Niles Jr. and Metro Turf racing manager Rudy Prado and his deputy Arthur Escala.

Cleanfuel team stamps class in Formula V1 THE intermittent weather during the weekend failed to whet the eagerness of the drivers of Cleanfuel-Motul Racing Team.

This after Japanese ace driver Ryo Yamada and Dominic Roque bagged their respective trophies at the second round of 2019 Formula V1 Challenge.

Pro Class driver Ryo Yamada—a constant podium finisher— took second in the division, just a split second behind Stefan Ramirez.

During Race 4, Yamada came out the champion in his class with a commanding eight-second difference over Estefano Rivera on second.

The next day, Yamada bagged second place with a best time of 2:11.121, trailing Rivera by a fraction of a second for Race 5.

In the dramatic Race 6, Yamada claimed second with his best lap time of 2:11.674, getting in wheel-to-wheel action with Rivera, with Ramirez not far behind.

Meanwhile, after failing to finish the qualifying time trial, Roque, who celebrated his birthday at the tracks, earned his first podium finish for the series.

After 12 laps, amateur Class racer Roque finished strong and clinched third place with total time of 27:33.307, after placing 13th in the grid.

He was behind 16-year-old Alex Brown and Red Diwa, for first and second place, respectively.

“When it (tracks) dried up, I took advantage, but when I tried to overtake Red (Diwa), I spun out of control,” Roque said.

During the drama-filled Race 6, Roque improved his pre-

Mechanics do work on Cleanfuel’s race car.

vious post, taking second place spot with a total time of 29:03.881, passing Shane Henderson and trailing Brown.

For his part, Cleanfuel-Motul team manager Marco Atienza said they are happy with the results.

“But our resilience towards gaining more wins will continue—rain or shine. These outputs by our drivers conveys the quality we put in to our products,” Atienza said.

The third round for Formula V1 is on October 19 to 20 to be held at Clark International Speedway while the last leg—which is the four hour endurance run—will be on November 16.

GIRLS’ VOLLEYBALL. Philippine Volleyball Federation president Edgardo ‘Tito Boy’ Cantada (center) and deputy secretary Otie Camangian join participants in the Dapitan Zamboanga Del Norte leg of the PVF-Tanduay Athletics U18 Girls Series in Ur Cities Volleyball Championships at the Jose Rizal Memorial State University Main Campus in Dapitan City. Seven teams, Dapitan, Dipolog, Tulangon, Roxas, Dakak and Sibutad, are vying for the coveted title.

Also in photo are local PVF coordinator Gerardo Jalosjos and local PVF officiating referees. The Honorable Mayor Rosalina M. Jalosjos generously arranged the use of the playing venue free of charge.

The event is supported by Philippine Airlines, Tanduay Athletics, Asia Brewery Incorporated.

Why Pacquiao won despite his lesser punches LOCKER ROOM RANDY CALUAG THERE were so much allusions about the punch stats in the split-decision victory by Manny Pacquiao over Keith Thurman on Sunday in Las Vegas that netted for the boxing senator the WBA welterweight crown.

Compubox numbers show that Thurman, outpunched Pacquiao, 210195, making the former look like the more efficient fighter.

So why did Pacquiao get the win despite “inferior” statistics?

His first-round

knockdown was a good investment with a 10-8 score. Pacquiao unleashed fewer, but more damaging punches that put Thurman in trouble several times.

In professional boxing, the number of punches does not hold water nor merit a discussion as to the outcome of the boxing match.

In fact, the number of punches thrown and landed only matters in the old scoring system of the international amateur boxing match.

It was an old scoring where at least three of the five judges should pinch the electronic clickers all at the same time for a boxer to score a point.

This method was eventually abandoned by the international federation of boxing (AIBA) because it renders the matches so mechanical and boring. AIBA now fol-

lows the same 10-point-must system scoring of pro boxing.

Do the math Going back to pro boxing, the fight is scored per round by three judges. Per round, not according to the total number of punches.

Consider this example.

Fighter A who vastly dominated an opponent in say, Round One, 25-6, and we’re talking about just clean punches, gets 10-9.

In the second round, fighter B came back more aggressively and slightly outpunched fighter B, 14-10. Fighter B gets a 10-9 round.

Fighter B again took Round Three after a very close fight and let’s put their punch stats at 10-8.

After three rounds, fighter A has better

punchstats, 44-30. But fighter B is ahead in the judges’ score cards, 2 rounds to 1.

And in scoring a round, multiple punches that do not really affect an opponent, however clean and efficiently delivered, can be easily nullified by a single or a couple of hits that clearly slow down, cause physical damage or put an opponent in serious trouble.

Again, it will show that a fighter that landed more hits, via punch stats, does not necessarily win the round.

Where am I coming from? I was an active boxing judge for several world boxing bodies for three years before I temporarily stopped for personal reasons.

We were trained by highly touted boxing officials in professional judging principles anchored on three Ds—defense, domination and damage.

SHANGHAI—Retired superstar Floyd Mayweather has been named “special advisor” to China’s boxing team as they look to improve their medal count at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, the Chinese Boxing Federation said.

The federation said American legend Mayweather had pledged to “go all-out to use his influence and resources to support the Chinese boxing project in achieving excellent results at the Tokyo Olympics.”

It made the announcement in a post dated Sunday on its official account on Chinese social media platform WeChat.

Mayweather made no mention of the appointment on his social media accounts, and the Chinese announcement gave no further details of his role.

Boxing legend Mayweather had a perfect 50-0 record in the ring with 27 knockouts. He won world titles in five different weight divisions and was considered the best pound-for-pound boxer in the sport.

The sport was once banned in China and it took until Athens 2004 for Zou Shiming to win the country’s first Olympic medal, a light flyweight bronze.

Zou went on to claim gold at the next two games and there have been further successes since, especially after the introduction of women’s boxing at London 2012. AFP

POC...

From A8

observer Dr. Narinder Dhruv Batra will again observe the proceeding after watching the meeting of the General Assembly that took place last week at the Manila Golf Club in Makati.

There are clamors for Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association chief Philip Ella Juico to run as well, but his decision to run will be known once candidates begin filing their candidacies on Wednesday.

Clint Aranas (archery) and Steve Hontiveros (handball) are also seen to make their respective bids from the vacant spots of chairman, president and two board member seats.

Karatedo is the only regular member which won’t be allowed to cast its ballot because there are two factions seeking recognition before the POC. A new group, the Skateboarding and Rollers Sports Association of the Philippines under Monty Mendigoria, was given the green light to vote as skateboarding is now listed as an Olympic sport.

Surfing, sepak takraw, weightlifting, judo and ice hockey were also allowed a vote each.

The POC will elect its 12th president after Ricky Vargas quit last June.

Peter Atencio

Duterte...

From A8

ships with the Korean Institute of Sports Science and the United States Sports Academy.

The President signed a landmark law on sports in Republic Act 11214 or “the Philippine Sports Training Center Act,” establishing a state-of-the-art sports training facility in the country that will rise in Rosales, Pangasinan in 2022.

The sports facility will feature numerous facilities for administrative, sports science, medical and dormitories for athletes and coaches; with sports amenities for 39 Olympic and non-Olympic sports.

Sports

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

A8

WEDNESDAY, JULY 24, 2019

Pirates stun Stags, 80-69; JRU prevails THE Lyceum Pirates drew only 12 points from JV Marcelino but they still repulsed the San Sebastian Stags, 8069, yesterday in the 95th National Collegiate Athletic Association men’s basketball tournament at the FilOil-Flying V Sports Center.

Contributions from former Stag Renzo Navarro and Jayson David during crucial stretches of the game allowed the Pirates to pick up their second consecutive triumph.

Navarro and David scored baskets that allowed the Pirates to keep up with Stags in the fourth period and improve their hold on second spot with their 3-1 win-loss record.

The Pirates, with Jaycee Marcelino, Navarro and Enoch Valdez all shooting 11 points, now share the same card with the Stags.

The two joined Jaycee Marcelino in scoring triples during a 13-0 run which got the Pirates past a five-point deficit and into a 74-66 edge with 2:33 left.

“We all know coming into the game that we are not out there to beat San Sebastian. We are out there to play our best,” Pirates’ coach Topex Robinson.

Earlier, the Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers forced three turnovers in the final minute, slowing down a late rally to fend off the University of Perpetual Help Altas, 71-66.

In the junior side, Milo Janao hit 24 points for the San Sebastian Staglets in handing the Junior Pirates a 82-74 beating, Lyceum’s first setback in four outings.

Janao shot 17 points in the first half as the Staglets stayed on top, 42-35.

The JRU Light Bombers prevailed over University of Perpetual Help, 88-83, with rookie Gholam Garcia impressive with 31 points and eight rebounds.

The Light Bombers now have a 3-2 slate.

John Amores top-scored for 15 points for the Heavy Bombers, who earned their second win in five outings. Peter Atencio

Duterte backs Academy for PH Sports “I SUPPORT the measure to create the National Academy for Sports for high school students.”

After a number of State of the Nation Addresses, sports finally made it to the President’s speech. In his fourth SONA on Monday, President Duterte announced his full backing for the establishment of the sports academy.

Team Philippines Chef de Mission and PSC Chairman William ‘Butch’ Ramirez expressed his gratitude to the President for being a true leader and hands-on chief.

“There might be bigger priorities, but President Duterte has always given sports his support,“ shared Ramirez citing the perfect attendance of the President in Palarong Pambansa opening ceremonies since his assumption of office.

Ramirez added that this development will not only help the country in identifying talent, but will also elevate the sporting knowledge of every Filipino, and hopefully “provide us with a deeper pool of talent for the elite.”

Since 2016, the PSC has made initiatives to promote sports education and sports science for national coaches and trainers with its partnerTurn to A7

Magnolia’s Rakeem Christmas bulldozes his way against the defense of Ginebra’s Justin Brownlee in a PBA game won by the Gin Kings, 106-80.

Ginebra whips Magnolia, reaches PBA semifinals

By Jeric Lopez

B

ARANGAY Ginebra is the first team through to the semifinals.The Gin Kings clicked on all cylinders as they finished off Magnolia, 106-80, to complete a 2-0 sweep in Game 2 of their best-of-three quarterfinal series in the 2019 Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner’s Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Tuesday night.

Justin Brownlee elevated his game to greater heights once again, scoring 16 of his game-high 30 points with nine rebounds and six assists in the third canto to instantly lead Ginebra to the next round.

Japeth Aguilar added 18 points, LA Tenorio had 13, Mark Caguioa scored 12 and Stanley Pringle hit 11 in a balanced show of offensive force by the Gin Kings.

The defending champions will now look ahead in the semis as they will face the winner of the TNT-Alaska series, where a deciding knockout game was scheduled to be played Tuesday.

“It’s always good to be back in the semifinals. We worked hard for this and beating Magnolia to return the favor is a blessing for us,” said Brownlee.

A 40-point explosion from Ginebra in the third quarter completely closed out the show for Magnolia.

From carrying just an eight-point lead, at the half, the Gin Kings manhandled the Hotshots in the third to take a whopping 87-60 cushion heading into the final 12 minutes of play, breaking the game wide open.

In that fruitful third frame alone, Ginebra dished out 13 assists as its offense was completely in-sync.

Ginebra started gaining steam late in

the second, erecting a 9-2 run to end the first half to have a good lead to work on by intermission.

That ignited an even bigger onslaught in the second half.

After eliminating the Gin Kings in the last two conferences in the same stage, the Hotshots suffered the same fate as the tides were turned.

Magnolia lost its last five games and will now exit the conference.

The Hotshots, who were practically out of the game by the middle of the third, were led by Mark Barroca’s teamhigh 17 points.

The scores: Ginebra 106—Brownlee 30, J. Aguilar 18, Tenorio 13, Caguioa 12, Pringle 11, Thompson 9, Devance 4, Slaughter 4, Teodoro 3, Mariano 2, Caperal 0, R. Aguilar 0.

Magnolia 80—Barroca 17, Christmas 15, Sangalang 12, Jalalon 8, Reavis 8, Lee 5, Herndon 5, Dela Rosa 3, Abundo 3, Simon 2, Gamalinda 0, Ramos 0, Melton 0, Pascual 0.

Quarterscores: 24-23, 47-39, 87-60, 106-80

Uy seeks PH Golf Tour breakthrough win DANIELLA Uy hopes to finally put up a strong finish and end a series of last-round meltdowns in pursuit of a maiden Ladies Philippine Golf Tour crown as the ICTSI Camp John Hay Ladies Championship unwraps today (Wednesday, July 24) in Baguio.

Uy has had a number of cracks at a LPGT diadem the last few tournaments but couldn’t seem to pull it off in the end, winding up second to Pauline del Rosario at Royal Northwoods last April and finishing third behind Chihiro Ikeda and del Rosario at Midlands last May. Daniella Uy The former Junior World titlist also emerged as the best-placed local in last week’s ICTSI Pradera Verde Classic topped by Taiwanese amateur Yu-Chiang Hou via playoff over Thai Wanchana Poruangrong, ending up joint third with Japanese Mayuna Furukawa.

She actually gained a share of the lead with nine holes left in the storm-hit event but reeled back with a bogey-riddled start at the back although she recovered with two birdies in the last three to salvage a share of third.

But those failed bids should toughen up the former Gonzaga U and Cal State stalwart, who is as eager as the rest of the compact field to get going at the up-and-down par-69 John Hay layout which puts emphasis on precision and putting.

Uy, however, will have her hands full in the next three days with Princess Superal also out to recall the form that netted her a record triumph where she posted a record 17-under 190 as an amateur to beat Ikeda by eight in the LPGT inaugurals in 2013.

Five Thai campaigners, meanwhile, opted to extend their stay after their Pradera stint with Supakchaya Pattaranakrueang, who outlasted former three-time LPGT Order of Merit winner Cyna Rodriguez on the third playoff hole to win at Luisita last year, spearheading their charge in the P1 million event put up by ICTSI. Tiranan Yoopan and Numa Gulyanamitta, both due for a big win, are also in the fold along with Alisana Wedchakama and Ajira Nualraksa with Japanese Ryuji Tanaka and Brunei’s Valerie Tan boosting the cast that also includes locals Alex Etter, Gretchen Villacencio, Marvi Monsalve, Pamela Mariano, Shery Villasencio and former leg winner Sarah Ababa.

Six amateurs are also vying in the 54-hole event organized

by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc., all looking to duplicate Superal’s feat in 2013, including Chanelle Avaricio, Mafy Singson, Samantha Dizon, Arnie Taguines, club bet Kim Min Ji of Korea and Eagle Ace Superal, who won the 13-14 crown in the Future Champions Golf in California three weeks ago.

PH bowlers try to end bowling’s gold SEAG drought

Merwin Tan and Lara Posadas-Wong

THE men’s and women’s bowling teams hope to end a long, gold-medal drought for the Philippines in the 30th Southeast Asian Games later this year.

Philippine team candidates Lara Posadas-Wong and Merwin Tan said the Philippine Bowling Federation is doing everything to form the best squad possible to give the country its first bowling gold since the 2005 edition of the biennial meet.

The Filipinos emerged overall champion in the sport when it last hosted the SEA Games 14 years ago after winning four gold and six silver medals.

“We’ll do our best to win gold medals for the Philippines this coming SEA Games. We cannot assure anything right now, but we’re really practicing very hard. So hopefully, maipakita namin ito sa SEA Games,” said PosadasWong.

“The target is of course, manalo ng medal,” added Tan. The two bowlers appeared Tuesday in the Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum at the Amelie Hotel-Manila, fresh from their victorious stint in the 45th Hong Kong International Open over the weekend.

The 29-year-old Posadas-Wong emerged champion in the Hong Kong leg of the Asian Bowling Federation Tour and finished second runner-up in the ladies’ division of the Hong Kong Open.

For his part, the 20-year-old Tan bagged the championship of the Youth Masters Division and placed second runner-up in both the Men’s Open division and the Youth Boys doubles along with Patrick Nuqui.

Tan is also the reigning Asian Youth champion after winning the event last April in Malaysia.

SEAG venues completed

by Aug. 31

By Peter Atencio WORK on the main venues of the 30th Southeast Asian Games are expected to be finished by Aug. 31.

That’s because the contractors tasked to get the many venues up and ready were given an internal deadline by the Bases Conversion Development Authority before the first week of November.

“It’s the BCDA’s deadline on all the physical structures,” said Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee executive director Tom Carrasco following a media conference yesterday at the Sofitel Hotel.

By then, this will make all the venues ready with three months to go before the multi-sport event is held from Nov. 30 to December 11.

There are a total of 530 events across 56 sports that are calendared.

PHISGOC president and Chief Operating Officer Ramon Suzara said most of the venues that will be used have been built, with some temporary ones still to be addressed.

“We are now in the final stretch of physical and operational preparations,” said Suzara.

There will be 44 competition venues spread around Metro Manila, Pampanga, Zambales and La Union in the north and in Batangas, Laguna and Cavite in the south.

Organizers said construction work of the main stadiums for swimming and athletics at the New Clark City Sports Complex in Pampanga are still going on.

With the oval and pool ready for use, the stadiums are expected to be in full use by the end of August.

POC candidates for vacant posts known Thursday THE candidates for the four vacant posts in the Philippine Olympic Committee executive board will be known on Thursday as the election committee on Tuesday began finalizing the procedures for the coming polls.

“We’re in the midst of finalizing the procedures. So, this will involve a twoday period for all the candidates for the four positions,” said lawyer Teodoro Kalaw IV, a member of the 3-man election panel.

Kalaw talked about the polls following a meeting with Letran athletics moderator Fr. Vic Calvo, and Deputy House Speaker and Pampanga Rep. Conrad Estrella III at the FilOil-Flying V Sports Center in San Juan.

Acting POC president Joey Romasanta joined them in the discussion.

For now, only cycling chief Abraham Tolentino is sure to run for position of president.

And there are 46 of 47 qualified national sports associations allowed to vote when elections during a POC Extraordinary General Assembly are held Sunday at the Sheraton Hotel.

International Olympic Committee Turn to A7

IN BRIEF RCBC gets nod for merger

RIZAL Commercial Banking Corp. said Tuesday said it secured an approval from the Securities and Exchange Commission to merge with RCBC Savings Bank.

RCBC said in a disclosure to the stock exchange the proposed transaction would facilitate a more efficient capital deployment, compliance with the Basel 3 liquidity ratios, optimal coordination between the branch banking networks of RCBC and RCBC Savings, medium-term improvement in the funding economics and operational cost efficiencies.

RSBC will transfer its net assets to RCBC in exchange for 315,299,053 common shares of RCBC. The RCBC common shares will be issued in exchange for RCBC’s investment in RSB and will be recorded as treasury shares by RCBC. RCBC obtained the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas approval for the merger on June 17, 2019. Darwin G. Amojelar

SEC to accredit external auditors

THE Securities and Exchange Commission said it will soon handle the accreditation of external auditors across the financial sector to promote the ease of doing business in the country.

The SEC issued draft guidelines on the Adoption of Centralized (One-Stop-Shop) Framework for Accreditation/Selection of External Auditors of the SEC, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas and Insurance Commission’s regulated and supervised institutions.

It plans to roll out the initiative next month.

“External auditors are valuable partners in promoting the integrity of financial reports and transparency in the financial sector,” SEC chairperson Emilio Aquino said.

“The proposed one-stop-shop framework for the accreditation of external auditors will not only streamline the application process on the part of independent auditors and audit firms but also improve the ease of doing business in the country, in general,” he said.

Jenniffer B. Austria

Self-driving cars to run in Clark

STATE-RUN Bases Conversion and Development Authority said it is teaming up with USbased mobility company Coast Autonomous for the pilot testing of low-speed autonomous vehicles in New Clark City for the upcoming Southeast Asian Games.

The autonomous or “self-driving” vehicles will be used to provide transportation services for the athletes.

“It is a great honor to partner with BCDA and the Philippines to deploy a fleet of [shuttles] to New Clark City for the SEA Games and we are grateful for this incredible opportunity. The SEA Games is the perfect event and New Clark City, the ideal location to showcase the future of urban transportation,” said Coast Autonomous chairman and chief executive David Hickey.

Hickey said electric and self-driving shuttles are “the natural successors to the streetcar” and can be the backbone of a new, clean and more efficient streetcar system.”

Three electric Coast P-1 shuttles are expected to arrive the country in mid-October for the pilot testing, all equipped with high-definition, 3D mapping machines for the shuttles’ route.

Othel V. Campos

Business Govt reviewing revised Naia rehabilitation offer T

By Darwin G. Amojelar

HE Department of Transportation said Tuesday it expects to complete the review of the revised proposal of the Naia Consortium for the rehabilitation and development of Ninoy Aquino International Airport by the end of this month.

“They [the Naia Consortium] already submitted the revised proposal and we are now reviewing it and we expect to complete the review before the end of this month,” Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade told reporters.

Tugade said the agency was reviewing if the Naia Consortium complied with the so-called “Clark Airport template.”

The DOTr earlier returned the

unsolicited offer of Naia Consortium after the government decided to standardize and pattern the draft contract to the operation and maintenance contract for Clark International Airport, which covers provisions for MAGA or material adverse government action.

Under the clause, proponents will only be compensated for adverse government action from the executive branch and not any change in future laws. If MAGA occurs during the operation and maintenance period, the project proponent is entitled to compensation equal to the additional costs incurred and/or loss of revenue.

The Naia Consortium secured an original proponent status for the rehabilitation and upgrade of Naia in September 2018.

The declaration of the original proponent is the first step in the rehabilitation and expansion of Naia which is already operating beyond its rated capacity.

The consortium’s members are Aboitiz InfraCapital Inc., AC Infrastructure

Holdings Corp., Alliance Global Group Inc., AEDC, Filinvest Development Corp., JG Summit Holdings Inc. and Metro Pacific Investments Corp.

The P102-billion proposal involves expanding and interconnecting the existing terminals of Naia, upgrading airside facilities, developing commercial facilities to increase airline and airport efficiencies, enhancing passenger comfort and experience and elevating the status of Naia as the country’s premier international gateway.

The project aims to increase Naia’s capacity up to 65 million passengers per year from about 40 million at present.

It will elevate Naia to the level of major regional airports such as Changi in Singapore and Suvarnabhumi in Bangkok. It is also seen to become a viable transit hub for the Asean region.

The Naia Consortium tapped Changi Airports International Pte. Ltd. of Singapore to provide technical support in the areas of master planning, operations optimization and commercial development.

Campaign launched against cybercrimes

THE Bankers Association of the Philippines launched online campaign Be Aware, Be Cybersafe to raise public awareness on cybersecurity amid growing concerns of cyber attackers shifting their focus to the Asia-Pacific region.

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas earlier asked BSP-supervised financial institutions to participate in the BAP Cybersecurity Incident Database to strengthen the banking industry’s resilience to cyber-attacks. “The world is so wired now that cybersecurity is everyone’s concern. The Cybersafe campaign is our way of raising awareness and partnering with the general public to prevent cyber-crimes,” said BAP president and BPI president and chief executive Cezar Consing.

The campaign will promote cyber awareness through regular posting of online content about tips and need-to-know concepts, giving the public a better appreciation of cybersecurity. The association is bullish that the online campaign will help the public become more cyber-literate and vigilant.

ONE-DAY PERMIT PROCESSING. Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez (second from left) recognizes Manila officials and employees led by Mayor Francisco Moreno Domagoso (second) as an example to other local government units in delivering fast and effective government services to Filipinos. During the launch of the city’s Business One Stop Shop, the trade chief expressed optimism in the ongoing development in Manila which supports and complements the policies and programs of President Rodrigo Duterte in providing comfortable lives to Filipinos. Manila’s BOSS follows a streamlined system with a 3-step process in one window for business permits.

Maynilad Water set to invest P2.2b to replace 312 km of old, leaky pipe

By Othel V. Campos WEST Zone concessionaire Maynilad Water Services Inc. said it is spending about P2.2 billion this year to replace 312 kilometers of old, leaky pipe in line with its program to reduce water losses and upgrade the distribution system.

It said it would replace old pipe in various portions of Quezon City, Muntinlupa, Parañaque and Bacoor City within the year to help recover about 28 million liters of water per day.

Recovering these water losses would be more than enough to supply the water needs of some 200,000 customers, the company said.

“Replacing old pipe is a part of the strategy to maximize existing supply for distribution to more areas. This is particularly important now as we strive to meet the ever-increasing

water requirements of a growing population,” said Maynilad president and chief executive Ramoncito Fernandez.

Maynilad said that as of end-April 2019, it had already replaced some 2,355 kilometers of old pipelines within its concession area.

This represented about 58 percent of the old distribution system that the company inherited when it was re-privatized in 2007.

Maynilad is the largest private water concessionaire in the Philippines in terms of customer base. It is the concessionaire of the MWSS for the west zone of the Greater Manila Area which is composed of the cities of Manila (certain portions), Quezon City (certain portions), Makati (certain portions), Caloocan, Pasay, Parañaque, Las Piñas, Muntinlupa, Valenzuela, Navotas and Malabon in Metro Manila; Cavite City and the towns of Bacoor, Imus, Kawit, Noveleta and Rosario in Cavite province.

Ray S. Eñano, Editor Roderick T. dela Cruz, Assistant Editor business@manilastandard.net extrastory2000@gmail.com WEDNESDAY, JULY 24, 2019

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Cavitex agrees to complete C5 link project by the end of ‘21 CAVITEX Infrastructure Corp. said Tuesday it will accelerate the construction of the Cavitex C5 Southlink Project to meet the target completion date set by the government.

“If DPWH [Department of Public Works and Highways] and our partner from the government can actually deliver on the right-of-way, the end 2021 [completion date] is doable. But it’s really a major requirement that we get the right of way. Otherwise, it is really a challenge,” CIC president Roberto Bontia told reporters at the sidelines of the opening of the first section of the Cavitex C5 Southlink.

The P1.6-billion first phase of the Cavitex C5 Southlink is a 2.2-kilometer flyover crossing South Luzon Expressway and traversing Taguig and Pasay City.

The P1.5-billion Segment 3A2 from Merville to RSG Subdivision is expected to start construction in November and to be completed by April 2021.

The construction of the P3.2-billion Segment 3B of the Cavitex C5 from RSG Airport View Subdivision to Sucat interchange was originally expected to start in April 2020 and was expected to be completed by March 2022.

The P6.2 billion Segment 2 of the Cavitex C5 was supposed to start construction by November this year for completion by April 2022.

Public Works Secretary Mark Villar, however, said the 2021 target for the completion of the Cavitex C5 would be “doable” as the agency was focusing on the right of way acquisition for the project.

“I’m looking forward to the full opening by 2021,” he said.

The first section of the C5 Southlink is now accessible to vehicles plying between Fort Bonifacio, C.P. Garcia (C5), Taguig City, Parañaque City, Las Piñas City and Pasay City.

The alignment features a bridge that crosses Metro Manila Skyway (at-grade) and South Luzon Expressway (SLEX). The C5 Link Flyover is expected to reduce vehicular traffic at Sales Interchange near Villamor Airbase.

The flyover is also expected to decongest SLEx East, West Service Road and Edsa. Darwin G. Amojelar

DoF asks Congress to heed Duterte’s call for more tax reforms FINANCE Secretary Carlos Dominguez III expressed hope that Congress will heed President Rodrigo Duterte’s call to pass the proposed reforms in the corporate tax system along with the remaining packages of the comprehensive tax reform program within the year.

“We are hoping that the president’s latest pitch for tax reform in his 4th SONA [state of the nation address] would serve as a strong impetus for the members of the 18th Congress to act on the remaining CTRP packages along with the new excise taxes on tobacco and alcohol products before the year is over,” Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III said in a statement.

Dominguez also urged Congress to consider the president’s SONA statements against smoking and binge drinking as “a call to action” on passing bills that seek to impose higher taxes on electronic cigarettes and alcoholic drinks

primarily as pro-health measures.

Duterte, in his SONA on Monday, criticized smokers and recalled how a curfew was imposed on establishments selling alcohol products in his home city of Davao to compel them to sell liquor only until a specific time.

Dominguez thanked the House of Representatives, led by newly elected Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano, for refiling the Duterte administration’s remaining tax reform bills before the opening of the 18th Congress.

“We will go to the Senate and hope they will also file the same bills so that we can get these passed and benefit the economy as a whole,” Dominguez said.

Dominguez said passing the bill reducing the corporate income tax rate on a staggered basis from the current 30 percent to 20 percent while redesigning the convoluted fiscal incentives system to make it time-bound,

performance-based, targeted and fully transparent would help level the playing field for hundreds of thousands of micro, small and medium enterprises and draw in more foreign direct investments which will create more jobs.

The rest of the remaining CTRP proposals include the lifting of bank secrecy laws in fraud cases, the automatic exchange of tax information and adjustments to the Motor Vehicle Users Charge (Package 1b); the increase in the excise taxes on alcoholic drinks and electronic cigarettes (Package 2 Plus); the proposal to broaden the tax base on property taxes by reforming the property valuation system (Package 3); and rationalizing capital income taxation to address the multiple rates and different tax treatments and exemptions on capital income and other financial instruments (Package 4).

Darwin G. Amojelar

Pag-IBIG resolves 99% of hotline calls Heeding President Rodrigo Duterte’s call on Monday’s State of the Nation Address, top executives of Pag-IBIG Fund said fund-related calls to 8888 Citizens’ Hotline Complaint Center dropped 74 percent in the first half of 2019 as the systems they put in place resulted in the resolution of 99 percent of the concerns.

“We concur with President Rodrigo Roa Duterte when he said that much has to be done in ensuring responsiveness to people’s needs.

And while Pag-IBIG Fund made the list of the agencies that need to improve service delivery, it gives us the chance to shine a light on our advancements. Because in the last two years, we have been monitoring 8888 calls closely and I’m happy to report that 99 percent of all calls are already resolved,” said Secretary Eduardo del Rosario, chairperson of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council and Pag-IBIG Fund board of trustees.

Del Rosario said data showed that about 50 percent of the total calls received were not complaints but were actually inquiries or requests for assistance regarding their records. “Majority of the real complaints touched on delays in

loans processing. This is understandable because we were improving our systems during that time. We completed the full deployment of our new core systems in December 2017 and we spent the first half of 2018 addressing backlog brought about by data migration. Now, we receive fewer complaints because the new systems are up and running,” del Rosario said.

Pag-IBIG Fund chief executive Acmad Rizaldy Moti said they noticed the declining number of fund-related calls starting in the second half of 2018. He said that compared to the first half of 2018, Pag-IBIG Fund related concerns dropped 58 percent in the second half of the year.

The vast improvement was highlighted by customer satisfaction surveys done in September and October 2018 when customers gave Pag-IBIG Fund a 96-percent satisfaction rating attributed to faster service delivery. In January to June 2019, the number of calls further decreased.

“We received a lot of calls last year as we were upgrading to our new system. While the system migration caused delays in the process-

ing of some loans and records, we doubled our efforts to help our members at the branch level.

That’s why we launched our Lingkod PagIBIG campaign. And since changes in our systems have now stabilized, Fund-related calls in the first half of 2019 declined 74 percent yearon-year,” Moti said.

“While we faced challenges along the way, we renewed our commitment to serve our members better and we worked hard to address their concerns. Because of this, we are able to settle and reduce the number of calls significantly every semester. The downward trend in the number of calls we receive is clear and consistent. And with our new and improved system fully functioning, we can now process loans in as fast as 1.8 days. And soon, we will launch our Virtual Branch – a project we have been working on for a while. With the President’s recent call to provide services electronically, our Virtual Branch shall eventually serve all our members anytime, anywhere. So whether you are online or offline, you can count on us to be true to our Lingkod Pag-IBIG commitment: Tapat na Serbisyo, Mula sa Puso,” he said.

PNB STOCK RIGHTS LISTING. Philippine National Bank lists 276,625,172 common shares from its recently concluded stock rights offer, raising about P12 billion.

Proceeds from the offering are expected to enhance PNB’s presence in emerging growth areas. Attending the bell-ringing ceremony at the Philippine Stock Exchange in Fort Bonifacio are (from left) PNB director Federico Pascual, director Edgar Cua, chairman Florencia Tarriela, president and chief executive Wick Veloso, director Carmen Tan, LT Group Inc. chairman Dr. Lucio Tan, PSE chairman Jose Pardo, director Roberto Cecilio Lim, director Edgardo Lacson, chief operating officer Roel Refran, corporate secretary Aissa Encarnacion and Director Emmanuel Bautista.

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Business

WEDNESDAY, JULY 24, 2019 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Market rises; Wilcon tops gainers

S

TOCKS rose slightly Tuesday after President Rodrigo Duterte promised more economic and tax reforms in his fourth State of the Nation Address.

The Philippine Stock Exchange index, the 30-company benchmark, gained 4 points, or 0.1 percent, to close at 8,251.46. The bellwether is up 10.5 percent since the start of the year.

The broader all-share index, however, dropped 3 points, or 0.1 percent, to settle at 4,990.95 on a value turnover of P6.7 billion. Losers outnumbered gainers, 103 to 88, while 57 issues were unchanged.

Ten of the 20 most active stocks ended in the green, led by Wilcon Depot Inc. which climbed 3.5 percent to P16.14. Robinsons Land Corp. gained 1.8 percent to P28, while SM Invest-

ments Corp. rose 1.7 percent to P1,000.

Meanwhile, most Asian markets also rose Tuesday, tracking gains on Wall Street with confidence given a boost by a positive earnings season and speculation top US and Chinese negotiators will hold face-to-face trade talks soon.

A bipartisan agreement to raise the US debt ceiling to fund the government for another two years—avoiding another painful shutdown—also provided some cheer.

The gains across the board come a week before the Federal Reserve holds its next policy meeting at which it is expected to cut interest rates, with a big question over how deep it will go.

While uncertainty remains over the outlook for the global economy, investors have been cheered by the earnings season so far as a number of reports have come in above forecasts, though analysts point out that expectations had

been low.

Attention is now on the upcoming releases by tech titans including Amazon, Facebook and Google, with Boeing, Caterpillar, American Airlines and Coca-Cola also in line.

“Markets feel poised for some increased volatility,” Nick Twidale, director and co-founder of financial technology platform X-Chainge, said in a commentary.

“Traders will be looking to see how much trade issues have affected the bottom line of some of the big players, although news the talks between the two trading superpowers could resume next week should support underlying sentiment,” he added.

Tokyo ended one percent higher, while Hong Kong added 0.3 percent in the afternoon and Shanghai put on 0.5 percent by the close.

Sydney and Singapore each added 0.5

percent while Seoul gained 0.4 percent.

Wellington, Taipei and Jakarta were also in positive territory.

In early trade, London and Paris each rose 0.6 percent while Frankfurt gained 0.8 percent.

Hopes for progress in the China-US trade row are brightening with reports saying there is a possibility that highlevel talks could take place soon.

Donald Trump held a meeting with the CEOs of some of the biggest American tech firms Monday to discuss a number of issues including his decision to effectively ban Chinese giant Huawei from trading with any US companies.

The ban is a key bone of contention in the trade standoff, which has dragged on the global economy since last year.

Oil prices edged up as traders keep tabs on the rumbling Iran crisis after it seized a UK-flagged tanker in the Gulf on Friday. With AFP

MANILA STANDARD BUSINESS DAILY STOCKS REVIEW TUESDAY, JULY 23, 2019

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING),

FINANCIALS 58.6 180 90.65 2,927,830 2.32 235,000 151 2,092,420 1.21 17,000 27.5 105,000 7.98 100 18.74 23,200 12.42 873,600 4.66 130,000 1.36 21,000 790 220 0.475 140,000 76.05 1,948,490 1.08 562,000 13.2 1,000 50.8 2,486,380 188.7 870 111 200 59.2 77,620 28.55 306,000 185.5 311,910 1,800 230 60 2,750

10,542 265,790,320 546,500 314,227,415 20,580 2,893,900 798 433,822 10,854,386 615,290 27,990 173,800 65,700 148,232,521 612,110 13,200 125,746,200.50 164,168 22,200 4,586,877.50 8,679,990 57,843,991 414,000 165,118

132,971,837 82,478,810 -1,013,675 -71,060 -1,557,796 -53,008,765 3,240 44,941,554.50 3,774 -86,724 -4,021,420 5,474,522 -360,000 -124,918

37.4 14.1 0.8 1.31 0.265 2.58 15.16 17.62 41 79.25 90 2.06 5.19 6.22 10.36 14.7 11 7.44 1.6 26.85 89.15 58 2.25 13.96 9.32 1.7 270.2 9 24.4 14.14 18.4 380 0.188 1.73 4.75 5.68 9.06 2.63 11.8 38.9 5.08 5.1 1.45 2.18 1.11 14.04 101 6.5 1.14 166.2 2.45 1.25 1.33

INDUSTRIAL 37.5 1,719,900 14.1 484,800 0.8 709,000 1.31 54,000 0.27 450,000 2.59 4,096,000 15.2 659,800 18.08 587,600 41 100 84.5 21,890 97 14,590 2.08 334,000 5.19 10,000 6.22 247,300 10.38 1,718,400 14.7 1,345,600 11.14 373,900 7.5 518,200 1.69 5,000 27 4,728,600 89.15 238,520 58 169,340 2.34 9,782,000 13.98 584,300 9.32 494,100 1.73 170,000 272.8 875,030 9 13,900 24.6 651,700 14.22 1,153,300 18.48 1,835,700 384 127,860 0.194 90,000 1.75 4,891,000 4.88 169,000 5.71 1,361,700 9.06 200 2.74 29,824,000 12 18,700 39 204,600 5.08 110,900 5.1 2,000 1.48 8,563,000 2.18 53,000 1.14 99,000 14.06 147,800 101 346,760 6.51 269,100 1.15 135,000 169.7 752,550 2.5 256,000 1.27 3,995,000 1.37 1,672,000

64,545,480 6,911,694 573,600 70,740 120,500 10,679,330 10,039,182 10,558,356 4,100 1,869,680 1,399,897 694,960 51,900 1,553,377 17,863,034 19,942,038 4,155,198 3,874,970 8,360 127,653,360 21,362,289 9,912,055 22541960 8,183,110 4,653,612 290,310 239,325,004 125,348 16,029,725 16,391,714 33,917,494 48,966,368 16,980 8,626,300 823,690 7,783,015 1,812 80,716,500 222,660 8,045,755 580,341 10,200 12,809,260 115,900 111,810 2,084,592 35,126,637 1,751,842 155,270 126,805,166 636,660 5,091,920 2,265,480

10,884,425 129,004 91,530 2,700 -2,688,210 -246,232 143,692 -754,113 4,274,572 -3,279,950 1,835,668 745,241 32,037,855 -8,506,278.50 1,424,371.50 -8601609.9997 326,508 30,386 -121,835,022 155,485 10,767,924 1,492,566 14,725,900 -558,770 -3,832,081 -2,287,650 -16,720 -2,254,215 5,150 -1,020.00 -170,176 -8,781,124 -16,948,228 455,140 -149,830 -127,300

1.02 57.2 15.84 0.73 7 18.7 1.32 1.34 975 4.25 7.2 10.72 14.08 4 929 6.52 69.5 0.52 4.62 15.8 0.7 4.8 0.039 1.67 2.99 175 1,004 0.85 1.38 449.6 261 0.242 0.31

0.96 56.2 15.68 0.71 7 17.26 1.3 1.33 960.5 4.11 7.13 10.62 13.9 4 909.5 6.4 68.2 0.5 4.57 15.02 0.65 4.75 0.039 1.54 2.85 172 976 0.83 1.37 431 258.4 0.234 0.295

HOLDING FIRMS 1.02 36,409,000 56.55 5,937,470 15.72 2,866,300 0.73 2,674,000 7 362,100 17.92 735,800 1.3 2,783,000 1.34 407,000 970 648,070 4.15 15,201,000 7.16 1,055,600 10.64 4,487,500 14 128,300 4 100,000 924 124,180 6.5 56,500 69.3 1,521,670 0.51 80,000 4.6 808,000 15.2 2,064,700 0.69 16,220,000 4.8 12,312,000 0.039 1,500,000 1.58 4,407,000 2.85 269,000 172.5 155,800 1,000 164,870 0.84 374,000 1.38 15,000 449.6 60 259.6 1,870 0.234 690,000 0.305 4,430,000

36,276,030 336,598,410 (1 45,095,244 1,945,920 2,534,700 13,352,764 3,628,870 542,600 626,968,470 63,504,040 7,548,501 47890344 1,795,670 400,000 114,346,140 367170 105,071,623 40,180 3,720,450 31,399,806 11,094,580 58,966,020 58,500 7,122,070 779,720 26,887,332 164,251,715 313,260 20,650 26,050 485,014 162,410 1,344,250

319,060 92,023,001.5) 6,316,138 72,000 -754,600 51,252.00 266,000 152,903,470 -3,471,350 1,629,577 3683809.9996 -25,148 12,480,980 -260799.9999 39,833,790.50 179,950 -15,736,194 -109,100 647,970 805,800 -4,370,602 78,881,695 -381,450 -

15.9 0.88 10.92 2.18 1.05 52.45 2.39 5.18 6.15 0.64 0.81 0.9 0.243 0.475 10.38 25 0.48 0.133 1.96 1.43 6.45 0.375 0.51 1.8 0.42 2.17 28.35 2.34

15.7 0.86 10.92 2.16 1 51.9 2.3 5.12 6.06 0.62 0.81 0.9 0.239 0.455 9.95 24.55 0.47 0.133 1.92 1.41 6.33 0.365 0.48 1.74 0.405 2.11 27.75 2.3

PROPERTY 15.72 157,300 0.87 1,368,000 10.92 100 2.17 66,000 1.03 8,458,000 52.1 5,278,510 2.3 2,436,000 5.15 971,400 6.11 185,300 0.63 11,129,000 0.81 14,000 0.9 27,000 0.243 1,000,000 0.465 5,570,000 10.32 563,200 24.7 187,300 0.475 290,000 0.133 10,000 1.93 37,551,000 1.42 362,000 6.36 14,263,700 0.37 8,750,000 0.5 1,716,000 1.76 2,397,000 0.405 120,000 2.15 1,322,000 28 4,253,100 2.31 195,000

2,477,864 1,184,920 1,092 143,400 8,614,810 275,017,022.50 5,652,430 5,003,747 1,128,080 7,009,320 11,340 24,300 239,740 2,556,350 5,790,535 4,639,260 137,800 1,330 72,437,780 511,780 91,221,417 3,239,250 834,895 4,232,630 49,050 2,841,690 119,015,735 452,320

-443,524 870 370,850 -11,279,537 -162,710 287,768 -1,070,213 -130,410 4,050 138,620 161,000 180,417 214,180 2,893,680 44,004,014 -66,750 16,800 160,810 -43,400 69,303,750 -

NAME

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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 MANULIFE MEDCO HLDG METROBANK NTL REINSURANCE PB BANK PHIL NATL BANK PHIL STOCK EXCH PHILTRUST PSBANK RCBC SECURITY BANK SUN LIFE UNION BANK

58.5 91.5 2.39 149 1.22 27.65 7.98 18.7 12.48 4.82 1.33 790 0.47 77.2 1.12 13.2 50.95 188.7 111 58.95 28.5 185 1,800 60

58.6 91.5 2.39 152 1.22 27.75 7.98 18.76 12.56 4.9 1.36 790 0.475 77.2 1.12 13.2 51 188.7 111 59.45 28.55 186.7 1,800 60.9

58.5 90.6 2.32 146.2 1.21 27.5 7.98 18.5 12.38 4.63 1.32 790 0.465 75.5 1.08 13.2 49.95 188.6 111 58.9 28 183.9 1,800 60

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

37.4 14.3 0.83 1.31 0.27 2.62 15.2 17.7 41 79.25 90 2.06 5.19 6.28 10.42 15.2 11.14 7.45 1.6 26.9 90.5 59.7 2.34 14.1 9.45 1.7 275.2 9.04 24.4 14.16 18.5 382 0.188 1.73 4.9 5.68 9.06 2.64 11.8 39.5 5.26 5.1 1.48 2.2 1.12 14.44 103.1 6.53 1.14 168 2.5 1.28 1.34

37.65 14.3 0.83 1.31 0.27 2.65 15.28 18.1 41 90 104.9 2.09 5.19 6.3 10.44 15.2 11.18 7.57 1.69 27.2 90.9 59.7 2.36 14.1 9.5 1.73 277 9.04 24.8 14.3 18.5 384 0.194 1.8 4.9 5.76 9.06 2.77 12 39.75 5.32 5.1 1.52 2.2 1.14 14.44 103.1 6.53 1.16 169.7 2.52 1.3 1.38

ABACORE CAPITAL ABOITIZ EQUITY ALLIANCE GLOBAL ANGLO PHIL HLDG ANSCOR ASIABEST GROUP ATN HLDG A ATN HLDG B AYALA CORP AYALA LAND LOG COSCO CAPITAL DMCI HLDG FILINVEST DEV FJ PRINCE A 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 SYNERGY GRID TOP FRONTIER WELLEX INDUS ZEUS HLDG

1 57 15.78 0.73 7 17.26 1.31 1.33 970 4.19 7.2 10.7 14.08 4 910 6.52 69 0.51 4.61 15.02 0.65 4.79 0.039 1.63 2.94 175 983 0.84 1.37 431.2 260 0.242 0.295

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

15.9 0.88 10.92 2.18 1 52 2.38 5.17 6.1 0.63 0.81 0.9 0.24 0.475 10.28 24.8 0.475 0.133 1.96 1.42 6.35 0.37 0.51 1.79 0.42 2.13 27.8 2.34

VOLUME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

VOLUME

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING),

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

3.2 38.1 2.08 6.28 0.82 7.7

3.2 38.3 2.08 6.4 0.82 7.7

3.19 37.8 2.05 6.28 0.8 7.64

3.2 37.8 2.08 6.38 0.8 7.69

51,000 5,549,500 609,000 134,700 349,000 3,435,100

163,170 210,603,475 1,255,100 850,226 279,220 26,394,086

-90,684,485 314,543

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

11.1 17.82 1.48 0.55 0.052 20 2.7 11.72 0.065 96.2 7.02 7.85 6.4 10.28 2,180 5.4 424 2.18 139.8 9.6 5.7 0.116 5.66 3 14.14 3.76 0.94 19.36 0.54 3.45 2.81 1.5 2.61 2.97 9.2 2.9 5.34 146 4.12 1,184 0.78 0.84 46 79 9.27 3.41 0.8 0.355 5.45 0.83 15.72

11.2 18.78 1.55 0.55 0.052 20 2.74 11.72 0.065 96.5 7.02 7.96 6.4 10.28 2,214 5.42 428 2.18 139.8 9.7 5.75 0.116 5.71 3.05 14.86 3.76 0.94 19.8 0.54 3.55 2.81 1.55 2.66 2.98 9.4 3 5.34 147 4.18 1,198 0.78 0.85 46.3 79.15 9.56 3.47 0.8 0.365 5.5 0.85 16.18

11.06 17.6 1.47 0.52 0.049 20 2.69 11.4 0.063 96.2 7 7.82 6.4 9.96 2,180 5.39 424 2.15 135 9.12 5.6 0.114 5.65 3 14.12 3.71 0.91 19.36 0.53 3.39 2.72 1.5 2.56 2.95 9.2 2.89 5.34 146 4.05 1,148 0.76 0.82 45.5 78.55 9.27 3.36 0.78 0.35 5.43 0.79 15.68

SERVICES 11.1 18.5 1.5 0.53 0.05 20 2.74 11.64 0.064 96.25 7 7.83 6.4 10.1 2,180 5.4 424 2.15 135 9.6 5.75 0.115 5.66 3.05 14.86 3.72 0.92 19.78 0.53 3.55 2.79 1.55 2.56 2.97 9.21 3 5.34 147 4.13 1,148 0.76 0.83 46 79 9.55 3.38 0.79 0.365 5.5 0.81 16.14

14,500 492,500 81,000 6,795,000 15,290,000 3,000 243,000 14,462,900 30,490,000 208,980 178,600 967,400 2,100 45,200 17,355 168,400 350 767,000 1,804,140 9,500 17,100 3,570,000 2,229,900 2,000 5,600 358,000 789,000 463,300 141,000 404,000 1,302,000 22,000 3,069,000 34,000 12,800 20,000 1,000 24,590 1,750,000 252,305 3,897,000 25,165,000 842,700 391,230 57,500 4,574,000 913,000 2,240,000 1,687,600 11,424,000 7,145,400

160,966 8,930,162 122,380 3,631,680 761,860 60,000 660,250 166,588,578 1,945,500 20,130,926 1,250,968 7,600,735 13,440 454,146 37,998,550 910,781 148,440 1,650,750 246,477,605 90,260 97,310 411,290 12,629,855 6,050 79,468 1,336,660 721,030 9,116,068 74,760 1,404,050 3,595,410 33,300 7,948,540 100,610 118,039 58,160 5,340 3,603,405 7,188,890 292,147,040 2,991,690 20,922,270 38,665,880 30,890,985 544,901 15,531,820 721,990 796,550 9,253,562 9,271,160 114,560,230

25,000 -42,006,630 31,500 6,793,613 30,128 -30,538 -10,672,610 232,200 -38,766,466 -762,198 -558,410 2,426,800 17,050 -27,490 -400,670 -62,180 938 257,205 499,380 -112,536,565 -283,670 119,520 -11,642,850 8,227,584.50 -22,248 7,862,680 221,570 -3,389,207 40,000 44,580,712

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

0.0018 1.22 2.71 13.36 2.8 0.285 7.62 1.51 0.226 0.108 0.115 1.21 2.61 1.08 0.53 0.9 0.012 0.012 0.011 7.2 3.75 8.78 24.15

0.0018 1.24 2.71 13.36 2.84 0.285 8.09 1.55 0.247 0.108 0.12 1.21 2.66 1.1 0.53 0.9 0.012 0.013 0.011 7.3 3.75 8.98 24.7

0.0016 1.19 2.7 12.86 2.8 0.285 7.62 1.51 0.226 0.108 0.115 1.16 2.57 1.05 0.53 0.88 0.012 0.011 0.011 6.85 3.71 8.5 24.15

MINING & OIL 0.0016 161,000,000 1.24 6,629,000 2.71 158,000 13 18,900 2.8 399,000 0.285 100,000 7.88 49,600 1.52 6,976,000 0.236 7,630,000 0.108 300,000 0.12 80,000 1.16 488,000 2.59 6,303,000 1.07 421,000 0.53 40,000 0.89 151,000 0.012 15,900,000 0.012 716,300,000 0.011 1,100,000 6.87 1,374,800 3.71 354,000 8.62 3,499,400 24.55 2,567,800

272,600 8,042,650 427,900 245,266 1,122,260 28,500 389,678 10,663,630 1,804,320 32,400 9,400 572,300 16,397,820 444,210 21,200 133,590 190,800 8,396,900 12,100 9,660,885 1,323,020 30,590,895 63,035,580

51,000 -1,006,800 -306,230 51,720 -24,270 -54,510 -23,300 2,300 113,550 21,000 -96,300 -108,300 653,202 23,168,325

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

16.84 468 99.5 102.1 479 5.4 920 920 98.8 1.04 102 990 1,011 1,015 100 980 75.5 76.85 73.95 75 75 74.8 75

17.2 468 99.5 102.1 479 5.45 920 944 98.8 1.06 102 993 1,011 1,015 100 980 75.5 76.85 74.9 75 75 74.9 75

16.84 468 99.5 101.7 479 5.28 920 920 98.8 1.04 100 990 1,011 1,012 100 970 75 76.85 73.95 75 75 74.8 75

PREFERRED 17.2 512,600 468 1,000 99.5 11,000 101.9 12,000 479 2,000 5.3 42,100 920 700 944 510 98.8 90 1.04 8,123,000 100 14,310 993 850 1,011 3,480 1,012 2,410 100 1,600 970 10,300 75 5,500 76.85 2,300 74.9 46,000 75 510 75 1,990 74.9 12,500 75 2,800

8,731,892 468,000 1,094,500 1,222,098 958,000 225,458 644,000 469,440 8,892 8,473,950 1,431,970 844,020 3,518,280 2,445,400 160,000 9,991,350 412,600 176,755 3,441,327 38,250 149,250 935,550 210,000

-8,240,860 40,820 -208,563 -10,110 -253,000 4,850,000 -112,350 -

LR WARRANT

1.81

1.82

1.81

WARRANTS 1.82 86,000

155,920

-

ITALPINAS XURPAS

5.72 1.11

6.18 1.12

5.66 1.08

6.16 1.11

36,225,462 3,440,400

-1,074,095 -797,640

FIRST METRO ETF

123.7

124.2

123.2

1,100,104

-45,678

USD DMPL A1 USD DMPL A2 USD TECH B2

10.2 10.3 0.98

10.28 10.3 0.98

10.1 10 0.98

122,773 40,891 11,760

-

NAME

MS TRADING SUMMARY

SHARES

FINANCIAL

12,555,219

INDUSTRIAL

87,220,210

HOLDING FIRMS

199,093,135

PROPERTY

135,339,977

SERVICES

153,791,654

MINING & OIL

931,889,589

GRAND TOTAL

1,449,098,120

SME

6,069,100 3,128,000

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 123.5 8,880 10.1 10 0.98

DDS

12,000 4,000 12,000

VALUE 1,868.88 (down) 6.94 964,890,930.35 FINANCIAL 11,720.14 (up) 15.83 INDUSTRIAL 1,026,656,569.844 7,996.20 (up) 44.80 HOLDING FIRMS 1,741,960,131.70 PROPERTY 4,389.13 (up) 3.53 1,655.25 (down) 16.37 1,668,359,820.15 SERVICES 8,130.69 (up) 52.87 MINING & OIL 1,124,736,828.36 8,251.46 (up) 4.63 PSEI 153,845,865.49 All Shares Index 4,990.95 (down) 3.72 6,721,221,337.38 Gainers: 88; Losers: 103; Unchanged: 57; Total: 248

SMIC joins global good index series

By Jenniffer B. Austria SM INVESTMENTS Corp., one of the country’s leading conglomerates led by the Sy family, was confirmed as a part of the FTSE4Good Index Series for its strong environmental, social and governance practices.

SMIC said in a statement it was also included in the FTSE4Good Emerging Index ranked among constituents in more than 20 countries worldwide.

FTSE4Good is managed by FTSE Russell of the London Stock Exchange Group and is designed to identify companies that demonstrate strong ESG practices against globally recognized standards.

FTSE Russell, the global index leader that provides innovative benchmarking analytics and data solutions for investors worldwide, created the index in 2001.

The FTSE4Good Emerging indices measure the performance of companies in emerging markets that meet the recognized ESG inclusion standards used by the FTSE4Good Index Series.

“We are honored to be included in FTSE4Good. This affirms our commitment to sustainable operations and strong adherence to good corporate governance,” said SMIC president and chief executive Frederic DyBuncio.

“We remain focused on our key strategies to create shared value for all our stakeholders which includes the communities we serve,” said.

Investors use these indices when creating or assessing responsible investment funds and other products for transparent management and clearly-defined ESG criteria.

Each year, SMIC measures its ESG performance and discloses its sustainability report based on the widely-used reporting framework, Global Reporting Initiative.

SMIC has invested in market-leading businesses in retail, banking and property.

It also also has investments in ventures that capture high-growth opportunities in the emerging Philippine economy.

SMCI delivered a net income growth of 26 percent in the first quarter to P10.7 billion from P8.5 billion in the same period last year on the strong performance of core banking, property and retail businesses.

First-quarter consolidated revenues rose 15 percent to P109 billion from P95 billion a year ago.

Pryce reports 26% growth in net income

By Alena Mae S. Flores PRYCE Corp. said Tuesday consolidated net income rose 26 percent in the first half to P895.57 million from P711.89 million in the same period last year.

Pryce said, however, future income would be affected by the expiration of the income tax holiday granted to its import terminal in San Fabian, Pangasinan.

“In the previous years, the company enjoyed income tax holidays with respect to its import terminal in San Fabian, Pangasinan but these expired last Dec. 31, 2018; hence it will have an adverse impact on net income in the succeeding years,” the company said.

“The company is cautiously optimistic that it will achieve its target net income of P1.6 billion [plus or minus 10 percent] for the year 2019,” Pryce said.

Pryce’s consolidated revenues grew 10.1 percent in the six-month period to P5.32 billion from P4.83 billion a year ago.

Sales of liquefied petroleum gas and LPG-related products accounted for 93.97 percent of the group’s total revenue while sales of industrial gases represented 4.14 percent; real estate, 1.42 percent; and pharmaceutical products, 0.47 percent.

Pryce said LPG sales volume, including bulk sales, increased 7.8 percent in the first half to 106,049 metric tons from 98,419 MT in the same period last year.

It said that on a regional basis, LPG sales volume rose 5.4 percent in the Visayas and Mindanao and 9.63 percent in Luzon. The average LPG contract price, which affects LPG consumer behavior, declined to $479 per MT this year from last year’s $515 per MT. Revenues from the other products such as industrial gases, real estate and pharmaceutical products contributed P320.55 million in the first semester.

Pryce’s earnings per share improved 27.44 percent from P0.3229 per share to P0.4115 per share in the first half.

World

Manila

B3

Standard

WEDNESDAY, JULY 24, 2019 CESAR BARRIOQUINTO, Editor mst.daydesk@gmail.com

TODAY

Trump attacks Mueller ahead of testimony on Russia probe WASHINGTON―President Donald Trump attacked Robert Mueller on Monday, even as he insisted he would not watch the special counsel’s potentially damaging Congressional testimony this week about the two-year Russia investigation.

Two days before Mueller testifies― answering questions for the first time about his high-stakes probe into Russian election meddling and Trump’s alleged obstruction-the president repeated his longstanding claim it was a biased “witch hunt.”

The US leader also repeated his false claim that Mueller’s final report, released in April, found no collusion with Russia by the 2016 Trump campaign team and no obstruction of justice by the president himself.

“Highly conflicted Robert Mueller should not be given another bite at the apple. In the end it will be bad for him and the phony Democrats in Congress who have done nothing but waste time on this ridiculous Witch Hunt,” Trump tweeted.

“Result of the Mueller Report, NO COLLUSION, NO OBSTRUCTION!” Trump―who is known to have

PROTEST. Police clash with protesters as they demonstrate against Ricardo Rossello, the governor of Puerto Rico, on July 22, 2019, in Old San Juan. The protesters are calling on Rossello to step down after a group chat was exposed that included misogynistic and homophobic comments. AFP

Hundreds of thousands want Puerto Rico governor to quit Standard Manila

TODAY

Refugees fear China’s global police state SYDNEY―The Muslims who escaped China’s crackdown in Xinjiang still live in fear, saying their new homes abroad and even Western passports afford them no protection against a state-driven global campaign of intimidation.

With menacing text and voice messages, and explicit threats to relatives still living in Xinjiang, China’s powerful state security apparatus has extended its reach to Uighurs living in liberal democracies as far away as New Zealand and the United States, in a bid to silence activists and recruit informants.

The Communist Party’s dragnet in Xinjiang has swept an estimated one million ethnic Uighurs and other mostly Muslim minorities into “vocational education centers” that numerous studies and reports have exposed as harsh internment camps.

For those who managed to get out and settle overseas, the search for a true safe haven has remained elusive as they complain they and their families have been remotely harried and harassed to the point of desperation.

Guly Mahsut, who fled to Canada, says she became suicidal and was hospitalized after being bombarded with messages from Xinjiang police threatening her family in the troubled province.

“You should have been more cooperative. Don’t become the source of misfortune for your relatives and family in Toksun. You should be more considerate of your family,” read one message, allegedly from an official named “Kaysar”.

The 37-year-old believes she was targeted because she spoke out against authorities online, and has helped stateless Uighurs seek help abroad.

She received messages from relatives―including her younger sister―pleading with her to “cooperate” with authorities.

Mahsut is one of more than a dozen Uighur exiles AFP interviewed across four continents that gave access to scores of text and voice messages—purportedly from Chinese security operatives—demanding their silence or cooperation.

Together they point to a systemic effort to infiltrate diaspora communities, recruit informants, sow mistrust and stifle criticism of the regime.

Shir Muhammad Hasan managed to get to Australia in 2017. Having secured refugee status, he thought he was safe.

Little more than a year later, the sinister messages began to arrive.

“I suppose your family already told you that I have been searching for you?” read the first.

More texts followed, in turn demanding the 32-year-old turn over dossiers about his life, and then came persistent requests to arrange a time to “get to know each other better.” AFP

S

AN JUAN―Hundreds of thousands of protesters blocked the main road in Puerto Rico’s capital on Monday in the largest demonstration yet seeking the resignation of the US territory’s embattled governor.

Puerto Ricans are up in arms over the alleged corruption involving money meant for the victims of Hurricane Maria in 2017, which left nearly 3,000 dead.

They are also upset about the recent release of text chats in which Governor Ricardo Rossello and other officials make fun of journalists, gay people, women and hurricane victims, among others.

The demonstrators in San Juan were joined by some of the island’s most famous singers, including Ricky Martin.

The huge crowds sang, chanted, and danced in the streets during the mainly peaceful protest while carrying Puerto Rican flags.

Under mounting pressure, Rossello said on Sunday he will not seek reelection next year and will step down as leader the of his party. But he refused to resign.

“I have listened, and I am listening to you today,” Rossello said in a video posted on Facebook. “I have made mistakes and I have apologized.”

That confession failed to appease demonstrators who have been taking to the streets for more 10 days demanding he step down.

“It is not enough. He should surrender power to new leaders,” Isham Rodriguez, 36, said as he banged pots together while walking in Monday’s march.

The crowd chanted slogans aimed at the governor, including “Ricky isn’t here, Ricky is selling off what’s left of the country.”

President Donald Trump also weighed in, calling Rossello “a terrible governor” and saying that hurricane relief

funds were “in the hands of incompetent people and very corrupt people.”

With protests showing no sign of abating, Rossello appeared on Fox News to try to defend his record.

“I used words that I’ve apologized for. I have also taken significant actions in the direction of helping vulnerable sectors in our population,” he said.

Days earlier, prosecutors had ordered the arrest of six government officials accused of embezzling $15 million in hurricane reconstruction money.

Pop star Martin, who is gay, Puerto Rican and one of those ridiculed in the hundreds of pages of leaked Rossello chats, rejected the governor’s gesture and joined the protest, carrying a gay pride flag.

“Ricardo Rossello, you are not only cynical, you are Machiavellian,” Martin wrote on social media, as a slew of Puerto Rican artists, including Bad Bunny, Residente, Olga Tanon and others joined the demonstrations.

Martin urged lawmakers to begin impeachment proceedings against the governor.

“Corruption, it’s insane. We are tired, we can’t take it anymore,” he said in a short clip posted from the protest to his 12.3 million Instagram followers.

“I do live in America but I had to come to Puerto Rico [to] let the world know that we will make a change. It’s pretty much barbaric what he’s doing, we’re tired and we’re angry.”

Puerto Rican stars elsewhere voiced their support, including composer Lin Manuel Miranda, actor Benicio del Toro and “Despacito” singer Luis Fonsi.

San Juan mayor Carmen Yulin Cruz, who was also maligned in the text chats, also called for Rossello’s impeachment.

“It is impeachment time. He’s obstinate. His mental health isn’t there. He doesn’t want to resign,” she told CNN. Rossello said Sunday he would face any proceedings “in a responsible manner.” AFP

closely followed previous testimony related to the Russia probe― later told reporters he would not be watching Mueller’s much-awaited, nationally broadcast appearance on Wednesday.

“We have no collusion, no obstruction, a total no collusion finding,” Trump said again. “They are wasting their time.”

Whether Trump watches or not, White House officials and the president’s lawyers will be closely monitoring what Mueller tells members of the Democratic-led House Judiciary and Intelligence Committees.

Mueller’s 448-page report documents extensive contacts between the Trump campaign and Russians, including attempts to cooperate or collude, neither of which is a specific crime.

But Mueller ruled in the end that there was not enough evidence to recommend charges of criminal conspiracy, the main legal charge he could make use of.

The veteran prosecutor and former FBI director also laid out in detail 10 instances when Trump allegedly tried to obstruct the investigation. AFP

Manila

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES Standard REGIONAL TRIAL COURT

TODAY NATIONAL CAPITAL JUDICIAL REGIQN BRANCH 94, QUEZON CITY

ARLENE C. PEVNA, Petitioner -versusCIVIL CASE NO. R-QZN-19-01505-CV LEONARD P. PEVNA, Respondent. x---------------------------------------x

ORDER A Motion for the Correction of the Order Dated 25 April 2019 was filed by the petitioner through her counsel.

Finding the said motion to be well-taken and there being no objection from the State, the same is hereby GRANTED. The said Order is hereby amended to read as follows: On February 7, 2019, petitioner filed a Motion for Leave of Court To Effect Service of Summons By Publication, praying that summons be served by publication to the respondent considering that he is residing at No. 245 Saint Francis Drive, Boulder Creek, California, United States of America.

After a careful perusal of the Motion for Leave of Court To Effect Service of Summons By Publication dated February 6, 2019, this Court resolves to grant the same. It appears that this is one of the instances wherein summons by publication may be allowed. Section 6, A.M. No. 02-11-10-SC (Rule on Declaration of Absolute Nullity of Void Marriages and Annulment of Voidable Marriages in relation to Rule 14 of the Rules of Court) provides: “Sec. 6. Summons. – The service of summons shall be governed by Rule 14 of the Rules of Court and by the following rules: a) Where the respondent cannot be located at his given address or his whereabouts are unknown and cannot be ascertained by diligent inquiry, service of summons may, by leave of court, be effected upon him by publication once a week for two consecutive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation in the Philippines and in such place as the court may order. In addition, a copy of the summons shall be served on the respondent at his last known address by registered mail or by any other means the court may deem sufficient. b) The summons to be published shall be contained in an order of the court with the following data: (1) title of the case; (2) docket number; (3) nature of the petition; (4) principal grounds of the petition and the reliefs prayed for; and (5) a directive for respondent to answer within thirty days from the last issue of publication.

WHEREFORE, in view of the foregoing, let service of summons and a copy of this Order be effected upon respondent Leonard P. Pevna by publication at the expense of the petitioner once a week for two (2) consecutive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation to be chosen by raffle pursuant to P.D. 10179.

Respondent shall be given a period of thirty (30) days from the last issue of publication of the summons to file his answer serving a copy thereof upon the petitioner.

Likewise, let copies of this Order, summons and amended petition be sent to respondent at his last known address by registered mail at the expense of the petitioner.

SO ORDERED. Quezon City, Metro Manila, June 4, 2019. .

(Sgd.) ROSLYN M. RABARA-TRIA Presiding Judge RMRT/lucy Copy furnished: ACP Arceli Ragsac OSG-134 Amorsolo St., Legaspi Vill., Makati City DE BORJA LAMORENA & DUANO LAW OFFICES Counsel for the Petitioner Unit 2502-A East Tower Phil. Stock Exchange Center Exchange Road, Ortigas Center, Pasig City Arlene C. Pevna 12A Alley 4, Proj. 6, Q.C. Leonard P. Pevna (at the expense of the petitioner) No. 245 Saint Francis Drive, Boulder Creek, California, United States of America

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES REGIONAL TRIAL COURT NATIONAL CAPITAL JUDICIAL REGIQN BRANCH 94, QUEZON CITY ARLENE C. PEVNA, Petitioner -versusCIVIL CASE NO. R-QZN-19-01505-CV LEONARD P. PEVNA, Respondent. x---------------------------------------x

N OTICE Notice is hereby given that LlO RESORT VENTURES INC. with office address at Calle Real, Brgy. Masagana, EI Nido, Palawan is applying for registration with the Board of Investments (BOI) as a New Operator of Tourist Accommodation Facility under the Special Laws - Tourism (Huni Lio) with a capacity of 50 rooms on a Non-Pioneer status, with project site located at Lot 24-VW Beach Promenade, Lio Tourism Estate, Brgy. Villa Libertad, EI Nido, Palawan.

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

GRAND OPENING. Tori Kelly attends Universal Studios Hollywood’s

‘Jurassic World-The Ride’ Grand Opening Celebration at Universal Studios in Hollywood on July 22, 2019, in Universal City, California. AFP

Nearly nine tons of ivory seized SINGAPORE―Singapore has made its largest ever seizure of smuggled ivory, impounding a haul of nearly nine tons of contraband tusks from an estimated 300 elephants, authorities said Tuesday.

The illegal cargo, discovered Sunday in a container from the Democratic Republic of the Congo being shipped to Vietnam via Singapore, also included a huge stash of pangolin scales―the third such seizure in as many months.

Officials said both the ivory and pangolin scales were in a container declared to be loaded with timber destined for Vietnam and passing through Singapore, a major transshipment hub for global trade.

On inspection, authorities found

8.8 tons of elephant ivory, the National Parks Board, Customs and Immigration and Checkpoints Authority said in a joint statement.

The ivory haul was valued at $12.9 million and is “the largest seizure of elephant ivory in Singapore to date”, it said, and was estimated to have come from 300 African elephants.

Also found in the container were 11.9 tonnes of pangolin scales and estimated to be worth about $35.7 million. The scales were estimated to have come from 2,000 of the mammals.

It was the third interception by Singapore of smuggled pangolin scales since April and brought the total haul in just three months to 37.5 tons worth $112.5 million. AFP

(MS-JULY 24, 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.

SUMMONS BY PUBLICATION TO:

LEONARD P. SEVNA 245 Saint Francis Drive, Boulder States of America

GREETINGS: WHEREAS, an Amended Petition for Declaration of Nullity of Marriage has been filed by petitioner Arlene C. Pevna against Leonard P. Pevna; WHEREAS, on February 7, 2019 petitioner through counsel filed “Motion for Leave of Court to Effect Service of Summons by Publication”, which was granted on April 25, 2019. Consequently, the court directed that service of summons and the copy of the Order dated April 25, 2019 be effected upon respondent by publication; WHEREAS, in the Amended Petition, the relief/s prayed for are hereby quoted as follows: “WHEREFORE, it is respectively prayed unto this Honorable Court, that after due hearing, judgment be rendered declaring both Petitioner ARLENE C. PEVNA and Respondent LEONARD P. REVNA as psychologically incapacitated to perform and marriage and that the marriage between Petitioner ARLENE C. PEVNA and Respondent LEONARD P. PEVNA as null and void on the ground of psychological incapacity to perform and comply with the essential marital obligations of the marriage under Article 36 of the Family Code, and ordering the same in the appropriate civil registry.

“Other reliefs, just and equitable under the circumstances, are likewise prayed for.” (Emphasis in original) NOW, THEREFORE, You, respondent LEONARD P. PEVNA, is hereby summoned and required to file with this Court your verified Answer or any responsive pleading to the Amended Petition of herein petitioner within thirty (30) days from the last issue of publication, serving a copy thereof upon petitioner. If you fail to file your answer within the said thirty (30)day period, petitioner shall take action as authorized under the law and ask from the Court the relief/s applied for in the said Amended Petition.

2. Report of the President and

Let this Summons and copy of the Order dated April 25, 2019 be published by the petitioner at her expense once a week for two (2) consecutive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation, and likewise, to deposit copy of the same as well as of the Amended Petition and its Annexes in the Quezon City Post Office/other courier, postage prepaid and by registered mail addressed at respondent’s last known address, also at the expense of the petitioner.

3. Other relevant matters

WITNESS MY HAND SEAL of this Court, this 26th day of April, 2019 at Quezon City, Metro Manila.

1. Election of new directors for the incoming fiscal year;

Please be guided accordingly (sgd) Atty. LACANDOLA S. LEANO Corporate Secretary (MS-JULY 18, 20 & 24, 2019)

CC:

(Sgd.) Atty. MA. ADORACION J. BAETIONG Clerk of Court V

De Borja Lamorena Duano & Navarro – Unit 2502-A East Tower, Philippine Stock Exchange Center, Exchange Road, Ortigas Center, Pasig City Leonard P. Pevna – 245 Saint Francis Drive, Boulder Creek, California, United States of America (at the expense of the petitioner) (MStandard-July 24 & 31, 2019)

LGUs

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

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WEDNESDAY, JULY 24, 2019

LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS

2019 NSTW ups sci-tech appeal with Tiu on tap

By Rex Arcadio R. San Diego II (First of two parts) THE Department of Science and Technology has taken all viable steps to bring science and technology closer and more appealing to the Filipino public through the 2019 National Science and Technology Week, a platform to promote S&T advocacy.

The agency has made great strides as S&T enthusiasts young and old braved the inclement weather and visited the NSTW exhibits at the World Trade Center in Pasay City from July 17 to 21.

Now the DOST has made another move by appointing a brand ambassador in former basketball star turned television host Chris Tiu. Through Proclamation No. 169 of 1993, the NSTW is celebrated every third week of July to highlight the significant contributions of S&T to national development.

Science Secretary Fortunato T. de la Peña discussed the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and how developments and technologies are paving the way for the attainment of the country's SDGs. "With our NSTW experience, I can say that there is hope in the Philippines because of science and technology," said De la Peña.

With the theme "Science for the People: Enabling Technologies for Sustainable Development," this year’s NSTW features the latest breakthroughs, technologies, and programs through exhibits divided into eight clusters—Food Security, Energy and Environment, Aging Society, Health, and Medical Care, S&T Human Resource Development, Equity and Growth in the Countryside, Sustainable Cities and Communities, Resilience and Innovation, and International Linkages.

Visitors were given the chance to immerse themselves in a variety of S&T information and their real-life application, and were even able to interact with scientists, innovators, and specialists from the different fields of S&T. Meanwhile, Tiu was introduced as brand ambassador during the NSTW opening program on July 17.

“I hope that I can help promote science and technology especially among the youth,” Tiu said. “My role is to help encourage the youth to love science or to pursue a career in science, or at least consider it.”

He also challenged the youth to consider going beyond being a YouTube or social media star with millions of followers as their priority, and instead channel their social media interest to create science-related content.

“I want to help the youth to realize that science is cool, and it is for everyone and benefits us all,” Tiu explained.

De la Peña expressed hope that with Tiu as DOST ambassador, more people will become aware of how science and technology can help them.

A 2017 Social Weather Station survey commissioned by the DOST to survey public awareness on S&T revealed that only six percent expressed awareness on science and technology issues.

In 2018, after a year of active promotion, the number went up to 13 percent. By March 2019, the number inched up to 15 percent.

"The public became more aware of S&T because we launched new programs, we were busier, we were noisier,” said Dr. Richard Burgos, Director of the Science and Technology Information Institute. “And now with Chris Tiu onboard, we can expect those numbers to further improve."

(To be continued)

Celerina Amores, Senior Director for Corporate Communications, Ayala Foundation Inc.; Ruel Maranan, president, Ayala Foundation Inc.; Philippine National Police Chief General Oscar Albayalde; Dr. Rene Escalante, chairman, National Historical Commission of the Philippines; and Major General Edwin Roque, PNP Director for Logistics (from left) sign the agreement for the turnover of 3,000 flags to the PNP as part of the ‘Maging Magiting’ nationalism campaign.

Makati to developers: Brace for typhoons T

By Joel E. Zurbano

HE Makati City government on Tuesday advised all developers and contractors of ongoing constructions in the city to brace for typhoons and be prepared to implement all precautionary measures at the worksite.

“I am calling on all building owners, developers and contractors to ensure safety in their worksite at all times, especially during typhoons, to prevent any untoward incident that may put people’s lives in danger,” Mayor Abigail Binay said.

The city chief executive said paramount importance should be given to the safety of everyone, including construction workers, occupants of adjacent buildings, and passersby, who may be put at risk due to violations of

the National Building Code.

“The management should always be on the lookout for bad weather and monitor the advisories of PAGASA. By being proactive in bracing for a typhoon or more severe weather conditions, you will not just save lives, but also save on costs,” she said.

Binay pointed out that a well-secured construction site will be less vulnerable to damage during a typhoon, and thus will not incur additional expenses for repair works.

In a recent memorandum, Office of the Building Official officer-incharge Engr. Elmer Acuesta reminded developers and contractors of the provisions of the law mandating strict compliance with protection and safety requirements for construction and demolition projects.

Rule XI of the Revised IRR of the P.D. 1096 provides that whenever a typhoon is expected to pass at or near the construction site, all construction materials, equipment and scaffolds shall be secured against displacement by strong winds.

Likewise, construction sheds, temporary light and power, mechanical equipment, protective canopies and nets shall be adequately braced and fastened to prevent danger from sudden twist, spring or collapse.

RESCUE TRAINING. Navotas Mayor Toby Tiangco congratulates the graduates of the recent two-day flood rescue training held by the Metro Manila Development Authority at Sitio Pulo, Barangay Tanza 1. Participants included 19 barangay representatives and members of the city’s volunteer rescue groups. Jun David

DENR starts JICA-funded project for NV farmers

By Ben Moses M. Ebreo BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya—The Department of Environment and Natural Resources will start a road concreting project to help villagers of Dupax del Sur town involved in agroforestry livelihood projects.

Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer Edgar Martin said the P18.3-million road project in Sitio

ARBOR DAY WORK. Carmen Copper president and CEO Roy O. Deveraturda (left) and AVP-SHEC Ignacio B. Aburo (second from left) lead more than 100 volunteers in a recent tree-growing activity in celebration of Arbor Day and Philippine Environment Month.

Dalayap, Barangay Carolotan in Dupax del Sur is an Agroforestry Support Facility that will be implemented under the Forest Management Program.

It is funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency, which is expected to be completed by March 2020.

The project involves the concreting of the Carolotan Access Road with the construction of a bridge structure.

It was requested by the Carolotan Agroforest Association, Inc. (CAFDAI), a private organization that relies on agroforestry as an advocacy and a source of livelihood.

Forester Constante Espiritu, Community Environment and Natural Resources Officer, said the project was originally funded with P24 million, but the bidding came out only with the P18.3-million project cost.

AyalaFoundation, PNP help keep PH flag flying proud AYALA Foundation continues its Maging Magiting Campaign flag distribution through a partnership with the Philippine National Police, sealed in an agreement signed last July 8 at the NHQ Building in Camp Crame, Quezon City.

This will allow Ayala Foundation and its partners, the National Historical Commission of the Philippines, and Chooks to Go to place flags in 3,000 police precincts and stations nationwide.

The Magiting campaign is an initiative of the Ayala Foundation that aims to rekindle nationalism and pride in being Filipino, through highlighting the Filipino spirit—one of which is through making sure that the Philippine flag, the national symbol, is wellseen and present in places of service, honor and justice.

Present at the signing were PNP Chief Gen. Oscar Albayalde, NHCP Chairman Dr. Rene Escalante, and Ayala Foundation president Ruel T. Maranan along with Chooks to Go president Ronald Mascarinas, one of the campaign partners.

A ceremonial turnover was also done to distribute the initial 2,000 flags to identified police offices and major precincts nationwide.

During his speech, Maranan discussed the importance of partnering with the government organizations in pushing the nationalism campaign forward.

“Right now, is a very good time to renew our commitment to nationbuilding through a program that reminds us of the greatness of our country and our people,” the Ayala Foundation president said.

He also emphasized the hope of the Maging Magiting campaign: to change Filipinos’ perspective and bring the country towards betterment in small, significant ways.

“We are all under one flag—united as a country, one Filipino people who desire a better future for our children and better lives for all. Every day, we have the opportunity to be good Filipino citizens,” Maranan said.

Castelo wants BIR, BI to probe POGOs in QC

By Rio N. Araja

QUEZON City Councilor Winston Castelo wants the Bureau of Internal Revenue and other concerned government to probe the employment of Chinese individuals working for Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations in the country, especially in the city.

Castelo urged authorities to scrutinize whether Chinese nationals working for POGO have secured the necessary and pertinent documents, including their working permits, since they are considered migrant workers.

He made the request amid reports that POGO employees, mostly Chinese nationals, failed to pay their taxes.

Castelo raised apprehensions that the Chinese might not be paying the necessary taxes allotted for the city government despite POGOs’ mounting popularity in the Philippines, "most especially in Quezon City."

He appealed to the BIR to ensure that these Chinese nationals working for different POGO branches in Quezon City are paying the correct taxes.

Moreover, Castelo asked the Bureau of Immigration to step into the matter to validate whether the foreign workers have already secured proper documents and working permits.

Failure of the POGO employees to pay taxes could hamper the city's future projects and "imperil" the city's coffers, with funds that could also be allotted to alleviate the poor and impoverished residents f the city, the former three-term congressman pointed out.

Castelo clarified that he was not against the idea of Chinese nationals working for POGO, "but things should be put in proper places and perspective so as not to violate Philippines laws, and particularly paying the required taxes for the government should be observed by anybody regardless of any nationality."

CDC, OB Montessori launch Pagsasarili Family Care Center for IPs CLARK FREEPORT— Clark Development Corp. launched on Monday the Pagsasarili Family Care Center that will help to provide an early childhood and adult learning program for indigenous peoples from the nearby areas of this Freeport.

CDC through its External Affairs Division partnered with OB Montessori for the provision of “Aeta Pagsasarili Program” intended for IP communities in the Certificate of Ancestral Domain title 025A area.

The program is part of the Corporate Social Responsibility project of CDC and it will cover a total of 50 Aeta children from age three to four.

They will be taught useful information on cognitive learning and human

and social development in their formative years. Their parents and other adults will also be taught practical and livelihood skills as they guide their kids during the entire duration of the project.

CDC Chairman Jose “Ping” De Jesus said this project intends to develop the CADT 025A area physically and economically and develop its human capital to cultivate a sustainable community for Aetas.

To commence with the learning program, it will temporarily be conducted at the newly constructed building at the Clark Skills and Training Center formerly Clark Polytechnic Compound and will initially serve as the Pagsasarili Family Care Center. The facility features an exhibit hall, an auditorium and

other amenities like dining area, kitchen and comfort rooms.

The on-going construction and improvement of Building 2092 in this Freeport will serve as the permanent learning center for the said program once the said building becomes fully operational.

Meanwhile, four “Katutubo” teachers who were trained under OB Montessori will be commissioned to teach the Aeta children and adults.

Their classes will be divided into two sessions where the children will be taught of useful information using a non-traditional approach of instruction. These includes information on values and human development, proper sanitation, hygiene and basic health care for IPs.

Life FASION AND BEAUTY

Bernadette Lunas, Issue Editor manilastandardlife@gmail.com @manilastandardlife @MStandardLIFE WEDNESDAY, JULY 24, 2019

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Our favorite looks at SONA 2019

P

RESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte’s fourth State of the Nation Address on July 22 focused on his administration’s achievements last year, priority bills, and the West Philippine Sea, among other things. But before we heard his 93-minute speech, all eyes we’re focused on those who walked on the red carpet of Batasang Pambansa, proudly showcasing our traditional garb. Here are the seven looks that we love:

Marga Nograles

Wearing a knee-length terno designed by Bobby Castillo for her label, Kaayo, the social entrepreneur flaunted the beautiful details of Mindanaoan fabric. According to Kaayo, the dress was inspired by the T’boli tribe of Lake Sebu. She wore a pair of nude pointed pumps, maintaining focus on the multicolored dress.

Rissa Hontiveros

Barong met terno in the Senator’s contemporary piña barong made by Joel Acebuche. According to her, the outfit was made by textile woven in Kalibo and was embroidered in Lumban. The beautiful combination of her ensemble was complemented by her favorite pair of shoes made in Marikina.

Yedda Marie Romualdez

Yanee Nuñez Alvarez

The ever-stylish wife of Palawan 1st District Representative Franz Alvarez looked fresh in white Rajo Laurel modern terno with intricate details that further highlighted the silhouette of the dress. She finished the understatedly chic look with a Neil Felipp minaudière and a pair of heels—both in white.

Nancy Binay

Proving that you can never go wrong with classic, the Senator opted for a classic terno by Randy Ortiz. The callado cutwork and baroque embroidery details added a right amount of elegance to the cream gown.

The Leyte 1st District Representative was stunning in a modern traje de mestiza by Cary Santiago she wore during her Congressional Oath Taking, which happened in the morning. The Congresswoman looked immaculate as she kept her makeup and accessories to a minimum, matching the lovely gray dress with floral prints.

Tootsy Angara

Always on the “SONA best dressed” list, she wore a pristine white modern Filipiniana dress with silk piña sleeves by Michael Leyva to this year’s event. The clean lines of the dress balanced the cloud-like sleeves.

Standing out in her white ensemble was the rainbow pin she wore in support of the LGAudrey Tan-Zubiri The statuesque wife and mother of three BTQ community. was head-turning in a teal terno and crisp white trousers by Ito Curata. The delicate drapes of her terno and white bottoms reminded us of Jinkee Pacquiao’s last year’s all-white Michael Leyva pantsuit. She accessorized with a pair of Kalachuchi earrings by Riqueza Jewellery.

Photos from Instagram accounts of @yaneenunezalvarez, @kaayo.ph, @carysantiago7, @audreytanzubiri, @ michaelleyva, and @randy_e_ortiz, and GMA News

Basket bags go best with linen suit and loose dress.

Bring summer anywhere with these woven bags

PACK the fun and carefree vibe of summer—even when it’s raining outside—in these woven beach totes, basket bags, and handbags.

Parisian takes style cues from the runway, where Loewe, Tory Burch, Ulla Johnson, and Michael Kors made a strong case for woven totes in all sizes and colors. It also drew inspiration from the streets, where straw, wicker, rattan, and bamboo take over.

The label rolls out its version of this trendy accessory with its collection of basket bags, round basket bags, woven crossbody bags, straw bucket bags, and backpacks.

These woven bags go best with cut-off jeans, short linen suit, or loose floral frock. Come colder days, match them with sweaters and cardigans.

The Parisian woven bags collection is available at all The SM Store branches nationwide.

Pack summer in woven beach totes, handbags, and crossbody bags.

Life

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WEDNESDAY, JULY 24, 2019 manilastandardlife@gmail.com

T

HE city might be gloomy and the skies might be gray, but it doesn’t mean you should look sad and dull.

Don’t let rainy days get you down with these stylish, weather-appropriate essentials.

Survive rainy days in style

Keep warm and dry

On days that are cold and drizzling, Uniqlo has a lineup of jackets and parkas to keep wearers warm and dry.

True to its LifeWear philosophy, each piece from the Japanese retailer’s outerwear collection is made with the best fit and fabrics to offer superior comfort. Functionality and style come together to cater to different personalities.

Men can choose from Jersey Lined Field Parka or Washed Work Jacket.

Light and versatile, Uniqlo’s Jersey Lined Field Parka is perfect for outdoor activities. It’s made of cotton-like material, hence it’s breathable and soft to the touch. The jacket is available in variety of colors, and goes well with a casual shirt, collared top, or long sleeve shirt.

For added structure and form, the Washed Work Jacket, with its timeless design and cut, helps transition a casual outfit to a work-ready ensemble. It’s best paired with a crew neck T-shirt and colored pants combination.

For women, Uniqlo offers Oversized Parka, Cotton Ribbed Blouson, and Corduroy Oversized Jacket.

Ideal for travel or everyday wear, the roomy Oversized Parka is made of cotton-polyester blend and designed with gussets under the sleeves.

The Cotton Ribbed Blouson, on the other hand, features a relaxed and on-trend fit, great for casual days of watching movies or hanging out with friends. It is made of 100 percent pre-softened cotton.

For added personality and style, the Corduroy Oversized Jacket boasts a subtle vintage style—thanks to prewashing—and stretch material for unrestricted movement. The rounded cocoon silhouette capped off with a handy pocket makes this jacket an ultimate go-to for weekend getaways.

Women’s Corduroy Oversized Jacket

Women’s Cotton Ribbed Blouson

The cotton-like material of Uniqlo Men’s Jersey Lined Field Parka makes it ideal for outdoor activities.

The roomy Women’s Oversized Parka is perfect for travel or everyday wear.

Men’s Washed Jersey Work Jacket

Wash and wear (then wash again)

Rain puddles are not only the shoes’ enemy during monsoon season, the more bothersome foe is mud—and no one wants to subject their prized footwear to that.

A solution to this problem: shoes that are extremely easy to clean. Rain puddles and mud on Sperry’s latest collection of washable sneakers can be easily washed thanks to premium uppers; soil dirt can be easily wiped clean.

It features removable contoured footbed for comfort, the brand’s signature Wave-Siping outsole for grip, and the iconic sneaker silhouette.

Captain’s CVO Washable for men is made of breathable premium nubuck leather, and comes with durable polyester laces and rust-proof eyelets. Each pair boasts ultra-lightweight, flexible rubber outsole to keep feet comfortable all throughout the day.

Also easily washable are Sperry’s CVO Washable Sneakers for women. Its pastel color looks good on almost any outfits for various style adventures, while its practical features can surpass the test of time.

Mud on Sperry’s new Captain CVO Washable Sneakers for men and women can be easily washed and wiped clean.

SPOTTED

‘Slay’ even on rainy days using (clockwise) Careline’s Blur Stick, Oil Control Liquid Makeup, Oil Control Face Powder, Matte Liquid Lipstick, Best Brow Liner, Graph-Ink Liner, and Oil Control Blush-on.

‘The Lion King’ stars shine in Gucci, Alexander McQueen Perfect even during a storm

Local cosmetics label Careline lets young women “slay” even on rainy days with its suite of makeup products. Here’s a guide to achieving an edgy look: Keep makeup in place and minimize appearance of pores with Careline Blur Stick. After creating a clean canvas, use the Oil Control Liquid Makeup to achieve a natural finish and flawless-looking skin for hours. Finish off the base with Oil Control Face Powder which helps absorb excess oil on skin.

Get that coveted rosy glow by using Oil Control Blush-on, a blendable and buildable product. Then, define the eye area, first with Best Brow Liner that comes in two shades: taupe and brunette; and then with Graph-Ink Liner that boasts a smudge-proof and waterproof formula.

Finish the look with the pigmented Careline Matte Liquid Lipstick, whose formula provides hours of comfort without the drying feeling.

DONALD Glover (who plays Simba) and Beyoncé Knowles (as Nala) exuded royalty as they graced the world premiere of The Lion King on July 9 at Dolby Theater in Hollywood, California.

Glover wore a white and red double overcheck double-breasted peak lapel suit with a cream tonal stripe silk shirt. He finished the matching look with a bordeaux leather ankle boots with a G brogue detail.

Knowles, meanwhile, was a sight to behold in bespoke crystal chandelier embroidered tuxedo dress with a dégradé crystal embroidered skirt.

In keeping with her sparkling look, the pop superstar wore crystal jewellery, a pair of crystal embroidered pin heel sandals, and finished the ensemble with a crystal chandelier embroidered box clutch with jeweled handle.

Gucci is located at Greenbelt 4 and Shangri-La Plaza East Wing. Alexander McQueen is at Shangri-La Plaza East Wing.

Entertainment

WEDNESDAY, JULY 24, 2019

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nickie.standard@gmail.com

Ruru Madrid, Princess Velasco ink recording deal with GMA Music

Very Wang...

From C4

Polished Woman is a brand created by Jessica to represent her as a celebrity, author, businesswoman, and social media personality, among other things. The podcast was part of the Polished Woman franchise which has evolved into more than just a social media account that gives advice to women on issues affecting their femininity, fashion, lifestyle, relationships, and faith.

Polished Woman has a website, and can be accessed via its Facebook and Instagram accounts, as well as its Youtube channel.

In the Telly Awards, five of Polished Woman’s web episodes tackling women-centered issues such as relationships, marriage, motherhood, survival, and challenges like suicide, depression, anxiety, drugs, and sexual abuse— were cited by the award-giving body. The Polished Woman web series is a show that first aired in May 2018 on LA Talk Radio, based in Los Angeles, CA. Jessica, who recently starred along with her youngest daughter Breanna Bunevacz (by her athlete-husband David Bunevacz) in the reality TV show Making A Model by Yolanda Hadid that aired on LifeTime Channel recently, got the break on radio when she guested three times in two separate programs in the radio network to talk about marriage, relationships, dating, and motherhood.

She came back the third time to promote her first ever published book called Date Like A Girl, Marry Like A Woman. She told us, “the owners told me they had high ratings for the shows where I guested at, and so they invited me to air my podcasts there. They had a better idea to air these via livestream because they said I was a very visual person. So, it has already been a year and this award is truly unbelievable. I never really expected to win anything.”

Jessica happily recounts that she rediscovered her show business calling again after her stint with the Yolanda Hadid show.

“You know, it is true what they say. Once you are in show biz, you

Hollywood...

From C4

The studio’s most successful film Avengers: Endgame is set to overtake James Cameron’s Avatar as the highest grossing movie of all time “in a matter of days,” said Feige.

Jolie and Hayek will front ensemble film The Eternals in November 2020, which will feature the franchise’s first deaf superhero.

It will be followed in February 2021

by Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, the first Marvel superhero film to be led by an Asian actor.

Mega-budget shows to air on Disney+, the new streaming service from Marvel’s parent company, will include Wandavision starring Elizabeth Olsen and Paul Bettany, and Tom

will always be in show biz. I think I was happiest to rediscover that I could still do this even while here in the US. I thought I have lost all that because our life here is so different. We were really just mostly about family and I was really happy because we all became so bonded, so close and intimate with one another. That is really a blessing I truly cherish,” she said.

But now above all that, Jessica said the Yolanda Hadid experience taught her many things and opened more opportunities for her and 16-year-old Breanna who wanted to pursue modeling as a profession.

“If anything, we realized that to have a career in modeling truly involves a lot of hard work. After our two grueling months in New York City for that modeling show, Breanna is all psyched and ready to take on the challenge and I will be here to support her all the way.

She has an agent, but I will be here to give her everything I can do to help her achieve her dreams. And it helped so much that we became very, very close when we were in New York. It was priceless,” she said.

For the most part, Jessica is very conscious about Breanna making a positive impact on the youth as she goes. “I want her to be a good example to her peers, to the youth who follow her because she has gained quite a following after the Making A Model show.

Jessica is currently finishing up her second book, a faith project as she calls it. It will be called a Polished Woman Journal where she will be baring so much about her life and faith and how she struggled and overcame (and continues to overcome) depression and anxiety in the last three years of her life.

“Writing this book was sort of a catharsis for me. It will be a 52week guide to introspection, prayer and meditation. They will know from reading this book that my deep faith in God saw me through every valley in my life and I am really grateful to God that He never left me nor forsook me. That is mainly what I wanted to share in this new book. It helped me a lot and so I thought maybe it can also help other women out there who are suffering the same way I did,” she concluded.

Hiddlestone’s Loki.

Marvel’s next round of new films will kick off with Johansson’s Black Widow in May next year. Early footage showed Johansson’s character battling with her sister in a Budapest apartment building.

Later in 2020, Anthony Mackie and Sebastian Stan will reprise their roles for The Falcon and the Winter Soldier.

Benedict Cumberbatch will also return for Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness in May 2021.

Feige additionally teased the arrival of other popular comic characters, saying there was “no time to talk about” productions of Fantastic Four and Mutants—seemingly references to franchises acquired by Disney in its purchase of 21st Century Fox including the popular X-Men films. AFP

CROSSWORD PUZZLE Wednesday, July 24, 2019

ACROSS 1 Come to a standstill 5 After midnight 9 Hearty enjoyment 13 Karachi language 14 Barely gets by 15 Evergreen 16 Where to do laps 17 Lemony-tasting 18 Silly 19 Some sculptures 21 Get introduced 23 JAMA readers 24 Not real 26 Light tan 28 Part of an ear 29 Set a gemstone 33 Jazz composer 38 Pass around 39 A law — itself 40 Moves toward 43 Computer graphic 44 Claims 46 Gridiron marker 48 Detective story 51 Past 52 Blackthorn fruit 53 Riffraff 57 Apply knuckles to wood 60 Kind of house 62 Singer — Dion

64 1836 battle site 66 Sanskrit dialect 68 “— Karenina” 69 Hit and rebound 70 Radiate 71 Athena’s father 72 Hang on to 73 Actress Tyne — 74 Canal of song DOWN 1 Bldg. manager 2 Flock together 3 Aromas 4 A vital sign 5 Disappoints (2 wds.)

6 APB datum 7 Technical word 8 Admire 9 Meditation practice 10 Party-tray cheese 11 Pearl starter 12 Very, for Pierre 15 Lemon or lime 20 Toe-stubber’s cry 22 Nature (pref.)

25 Drama award 27 Square 30 Mexican-menu item 31 Psyche’s beloved 32 Mar a car

33 Largest of the Marianas 34 Begrudge 35 AAA suggestions 36 Puts in order 37 Old horse 41 Waterfall sound 42 Wisdom 45 Hardly ever 47 Brain part 49 Milne marsupial 50 Barked 54 Conflagration

55 Ocean crosser 56 Indifference 57 Oven shelf 58 Botanist’s wings 59 Remove the peel 61 Buddhist monk 63 Facilitate 65 Long-handled implement 67 Like Dogpatch’s Abner

H

EARTTHROB Ruru Madrid looks forward to a bright music career as he recently inked a recording contract with GMA Music.

Present in the contract signing ceremony, which happened on July 10, were GMA Senior Assistant Vice President for Alternative Productions Gigi SantiagoLara, GMA Artist Center Senior Talent Manager Vic del Rosario, GMA Music Managing Director Rene Salta, and GMA Music A&R Manager Kedy Sanchez.

Apart from acting, singing also remains close to Ruru’s heart. Growing up in a family of musicians, it is no doubt he was influenced by his father in singing.

“I am very happy. Ever since I started in show business, it’s been my dream to have my own single. This is my first love and it warms my heart that my dream is slowly turning into reality,” he shared.

The Sunday PinaSaya mainstay will soon launch two singles under the label-“Nawawala” composed

by Kettle Mata, Roger Alcantara, and Enzo Vil-

Singer-actor Ruru Madrid formally launches his music career by signing up with GMA Music.

legas, and ”Maghihintay” composed

by Mark Atienza.

The GMA Artist Center star also confessed that he got emotional while recording the two songs as they mirror tough times in one’s life.

“Now I know what Pinoy listeners really want, they like ‘hugot’ songs.

They like to listen to something that they can relate to, which is why the songs that we are going to release are ‘hugot’ songs. I, myself cry every time I sing them.”

GMA Music Managing Director Rene Salta has nothing but praises for the Kapuso actor, “He has a lot of potential as a singer that’s why we are proud to welcome him in the GMA Music family. He’s got this voice that this generation of listeners likes.”

Meanwhile, GMA Music also warmly welcomed Princess Velasco into its roster of talented musicians in a contract signing on July 10 attended by Rene Salta and Kedy Sanchez.

Dubbed as the OPM Acoustic Princess, she is delighted to be back to one of her passions— recording music.

“I’m very excited to make new music because I missed singing and I’m very happy that I was given an opportunity to work with GMA Music. The songs that we’re going to do are really close to my heart,” she said.

Princess took a break from her singing career to focus on her family.

Now, the singer is back and is ready to serenade the listeners with her upcoming single “Konti Na Lang,” written by Noah Zuniga.

She quipped, “It’s very Pinoy and the lyric mirrors the ordinary life of our common folks. We want to achieve a lot of things but we don’t know how to make the first steps. Nakaka-inspire ‘yung pagkakasulat ng kanta at ‘yung melody, nakakaantig ng damdamin. I really loved it.”

Salta revealed that the listeners should watch out for Princess’ new songs, “We are happy that she signed up with us. We all know that she has an amazing voice that deserves to be heard. We are also looking forward to our future releases which will consist of original Filipino music.”

Entertainment

Nickie Wang, Issue Editor nickie.standard@gmail.com

C4

WEDNESDAY, JULY 24, 2019

Will Michael V film make history in the box office?

GMA Pictures and Mic Test Entertainment’s muchawaited collaboration, Family History, finally opens in theaters today. A perfect mix of drama, romance, and comedy, the big-screen project is a heartwarming movie which depicts values and virtues that are challenged when life takes a sudden turn.

Family History is written, produced, and directed by no less than multi-awarded comedian and content creator Michael V. The film also marks Bitoy’s return on the big screen.

“I wanted to share with the audience that I’m really proud of this movie. I wanted to show them that anyone can do something like this. It’s a story I really want to tell. Hopefully, you learn something from it.

It’s a very special project for me,” said the comedian.

Bitoy teams up with seasoned movie actress Dawn Zulueta for the first time.

Joining the “BiDawn” tandem are talented GMA stars Miguel Tanfelix, Bianca Umali, Paolo Contis, Nonie Buencamino, Kakai Bautista, Ina Feleo,

BIDAWN. 'Family History' marks the first time Michael

V and Dawn Zulueta working on a film project.

Mikoy Morales, Nikki Co, Jemwell Ventenilla, Vince Gamad, and John Estrada with special cameo appearances of Dingdong Dantes and Eugene Domingo.

Family History has been graded “B” by the Cinema

Evaluation Board. The Board lauded the film’s outstanding direction, screenplay, cinematography, editing, production design, music scoring, sound design, and acting performances.

One reviewer said that Family History is “an effective film sensitively directed by Michael V.” Another positive note from a reviewer stated that its “a credible family drama with the unique Michael V touches of comedy.”

Likewise, the reviewers commended Bitoy’s directorial masterpiece, “the director doesn’t forget that the film is essentially fun” and “Michael V shows great potential as a director.”

They concluded that the movie is “nice to see that not everything has to be a rom-com for millennials” and “touches family relations from different angles. A must-see for everyone.”

Family History will take moviegoers on a rollercoaster of emotions as it reminds everyone of the things that matter most in life…faith, hope, and love.

Ariella Arida goes ‘no filter’ Sabrina Dridje, Telly Awards managing director, cited Jessica Rodriguez and her directorproducer Max Tucci “for pushing the boundaries for video and television innovation and creativity at a time when the industry is rapidly changing.

This award is a tribute to the talent and vision of Jessica and Max and a celebration of the diversity of work being made today for all screens,” she said.

Other honorees at this year’s Telly Awards are ESPN, Sesame Street, Animal Tales, “Chicken Soup for the Soul” by Jessica’s friend, Eva La Rue; as well as shows from major network players PBS, ABC, CBS, MTV, NBC, Viacom, and Discovery Channel.

Jessica, who received news of the win via a phone call from her manager-director and producer Max Tucci said, “Max called me and we both started crying. Polished Woman is really my baby. It is an ideology that I created to express that I am more than my past. Everything is possible in resilience and faith. Max and I put our all into creating conscious content that will help inspire, motivate and encourage women to be the best version of themselves.

We are grateful to all the judges for acknowledging our work.” Continued on C3

VERY WANG

I

NICKIE WANG

T’S always refreshing to see a Pinay with morena complexion headlining a beauty campaign. This reminds people that skin color doesn’t define beauty as it comes in many different forms.

Case in point, Miss Universe 2013 3rd runner-up Ariella Arida serves as a perfect ambassador of a beauty campaign aptly titled “no filter.”

Ariella has been signed by business partners Nino Bautista and John Redentor Gatus of Bargn Farmaceutici Philippines Company (BFC) to be the face of a new product and to be the lead ambassador of the pharma company’s ongoing beauty campaign.

“This campaign is not just all about beauty. It goes deeper and touches on issues that affects health and personal happiness,” the TV host and beauty queen told Manila Standard via a video call.

“When we were discussing the campaign, the first thing that came to mind is that it’s all about looking natural.

It’s about achieving an appearance that will enable anyone to look beautiful even without the use of filters, especially when taking selfies,” she explained.

According to Nino Bautista, Ariella best represents the market the product is addressing especially among Filipinos who love to go under the sun, go on holidays at beach resorts where they soak the sand and sea. Like Ariella, CosmoSkin GSE will be their best companion to make sure that their selfies and IG photos are still “no filter,” which means you don’t need an app to “beautify” yourself in photos.”

The “No Filter” campaign seeks to promote natural healthy beauty through the use of supplements that make use of natural ingredients like Cosmo Skin Grape Seed Extract (GSE).

Bautista shared that since their company’s inception, they’ve been using natural ingredients—an essential part of their company’s product. From fruit and plants that are traditionally used in Asian and Western medicine, they are mindful of striking the balance in the use of ingredients in their products.

NO FILTER.

Ariella Arida is the face behind CosmoSkin’s campaign that seeks to promote natural healthy beauty through the use of supplements that make use of natural ingredients.

“We have gone farther by stressing health as springboard for a naturally healthy glow and looks that are encapsulated in the words ‘no filter.’

Business partners Nino Bautista (right) and John Redentor Gatus of Bargn Farmaceutici Philippines Company, maker of Cosmo Skin products.

It’s a phrase that has added resonance and meaning to the social media savvy public that BFC Laboratories caters to.”

BFC aims to put the “no filter” campaign within reach of the public.

Red Gatus, co-founder of the company, said, “From here, the public can expect numerous product promotions, beauty activation in malls and special events that will bring home our message of natural health and beauty.” *** Jessica Rodriguez’s web series wins award in the US US-based celebrity and reality TV personality Jessica Rodriguez’s The Polished Woman, airing every Monday at 1:00 p.m. PST via http://www. latalkradio.com, won a Telly Award for Best Scripted Online Webseries recently.

Telly Awards, now on its 40th year, is a prestigious award-giving body that honors excellence in video and television across all screens and is judged by leaders from video platforms, television, streaming networks, production companies and including Vice, Vimeo, Hearst Digital Media, BuzzFeed, and A&E Networks.

US-based celebrity and reality TV personality Jessica Rodriguez

Bernadette Sembrano was named Best AM Female News Anchor.

ABS-CBN receives highest TV and radio honors at Animo Media Choice MEDIA giant ABS-CBN once again proved that it is the network of choice for the alumni of the De La Salle University-Dasmarinas (DLSUDasma) after bagging the highest honors for TV and radio at the Animo Media Choice Awards.

The Kapamilya network received the Best TV Station trophy while DZMM Radyo Patrol 630 was named Best AM Station in the awards, which was held during the school’s Grand Alumni Homecoming last July 20.

ABS-CBN’s flagship news program TV Patrol was also hailed as Best TV News Program while “Lingkod Kapamilya sa DZMM” anchor Bernadette Sembrano took home the Best Female AM Radio Anchor, and DJ Chacha of the Kapamilya FM radio station MOR 101.9 was named Best FM Female DJ. This marks the second year that the Kapamilya network received the top award for television in the Awards, where winners are decided upon by the alumni of DLSU-Dasmarinas through voting. “Animo” is chosen as the name of the accolade as the term embodies the vigor that every Lasallian student and graduate share, which is drive, purpose, and passion.

Marvel reveals next star-studded superhero films at Comic-Con MARVEL unveiled its bumper slate of new superhero movies Saturday, wheeling out a who’s who of Hollywood stars and prompting a collective meltdown at Comic-Con as it ended frenzied speculation over the most lucrative franchise in film history.

Angelina Jolie, Salma Hayek, and Rachel Weisz were brought on stage in San Diego to join Marvel film stalwarts such as Scarlett Johansson, Chris Hemsworth, and Natalie Portmanin the upcoming —and sure to be multi-billion-grossing —movies.

“I can spend 90 minutes talking about what we’ve done or I can spend some time talking about what we’re about to do,” said Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige, drawing rapturous screams from thousands packed into the world’s largest pop-culture fan convention.

Giant screens in Hall H then revealed a timeline of forthcoming films and television shows scheduled for the two years including new outings for popular characters such as Thor, Black Widow, Doctor Strange, and Loki.

Feige also confirmed sequels to Black Panther, Guardians of the Galaxy, and Captain Marvel without providing details.

He finished the show—the most anticipated of the four-day event—by announcing that Oscarwinner Mahershala Ali will front a Blade reboot.

The Marvel films have collectively grossed over $22 billion at the global box office. AFP

From left: Actors Florence Pugh, O.T. Fagbenle, Rachel Weisz and Scarlett Johansson speak during a Marvel panel during Comic-Con in San Diego, California on July 20