Manila Standard - 2019 July 31 - Wednesday

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LOTTO OPERATORS CAN FEND FOR SELVES—PALACE

By MJ Blancaflor and Maricel V. Cruz

VOL. XXXIII • NO. 167 • 4 SECTIONS 20 PAGES • P20 • WEDNESDAY, JULY 31, 2019 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Dengue-hit areas seek solutions

By Maricel V. Cruz ABOUT a dozen congressmen from regions affected by the dengue outbreak sought a private audience with Health Secretary Francisco Duque late Monday afternoon to discuss immediate and long-term solutions to the latest health emergency plaguing the country.

Duque was invited to the House of Representatives by Majority Leader Martin Romualdez, whose province of

Leyte was included in the list of areas that have already exceeded the alert threshold for dengue.

“The dengue scourge has affected Region VIII, particularly the Leyte and Samar provinces. We are very, very fortunate that Secretary Duque is here at the Office of House Majority Leader so we invited the members of the Region VIII bloc and as well as those from Iloilo and Zamboanga Sibugay Next page

THE Palace on Tuesday played down the impact of President Rodrigo Duterte’s order to halt gaming operations of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, saying the “human spirit” of the employees and lotto operators who will lose their jobs should not be underestimated.

“I’m sure those affected are not that poor. They earned a lot during those

times when they were operating. I’m sure they have money to live,” Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said Tuesday.

“I don’t think they have nothing now.

Before PCSO existed, they had the means to live. Do not underestimate the human spirit of Filipinos,” he added.

The Philippine Online Lottery Agents Association urged President Duterte on Tuesday to let lotto outlets resume operations while a proper investigation is pursued.

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Lorenzana blasts China’s ‘bullying’ Sino warships passed through Sibutu 4 times

By Joyce Babe P. Pañares

C

HINESE warships were continuing to pass through the Sibutu Strait in Mindanao off the coast of Tawi-Tawi with inactive Automatic Identification Systems (AIS), Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana revealed Tuesday, despite raising his objections to the move through Philippine territory with Chinese Ambassador Zhao Jianhua.

COMING UP ROSES. Makati City Mayor Abby Binay—with Infradev president Antonio Tiu, 2nd District Rep. Luis Campos, and city administrator Claro certeza—checks out at the city hall Tuesday the replica of the Makati Subway (right) after signing a joint venture agreement with Philippine Infradev Holdings Inc. for the $3.5-billion project, considered as her ‘legacy’ to Makatizens, which will be built at no cost to the city through an agreement with a consortium of local and foreign investors. The 10-km train system is expected to reduce traffic jams, air pollution and greenhouse gas emission.

House launches Batanes aid drive

By Maricel V. Cruz LAWMAKERS will donate a portion of their salaries for relief operations in Batanes, which was rocked by deadly earthquakes early Saturday morning.

In plenary session Monday, House Deputy Majority Leader and Pangasinan Rep. Christopher de Venecia said a “signature sheet” will be circulated where House members can write the amount of

Earlier in the day, Lorenzana called Chinese actions in the West Philippine Sea, in particular the way China’s militia took over Scarborough Shoal, as “bullying.”

He doubted Zhao’s pronouncement on Monday night that China, being a peace-loving nation, will not start a war or confrontation in the South China Sea, which has been considered a potential “flashpoint” for armed conflict.

In his speech during the 92nd founding anniversary of the People’s Liberation Army, Zhao said China “will not take the first shot” because it is committed to follow the path of peaceful development—“a commitment to the people of China and to the world.”

But Lorenzana said: “Perhaps that’s just for optics. It’s good to be heard just to keep us calm, maybe or as a consolation for us. But the bottom line is their words do not match their actions in the WPS [West Philippine Sea].” Next page

their contribution to be deducted from their salaries.

In other developments: *The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines on Tuesday appealed to the clergy and the faithful for donations to help the people and rebuild church structures in Batanes.

CBCP president and Davao Archbishop Romulo Valles and Next page

Duterte adds ‘End Endo Bill’ to priority legislative agenda FUND DRIVE. House Majority Leader and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez (right) and Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano discuss Tuesday the House Fund Drive for the victims of the twin earthquakes that rocked Batanes Saturday morning and strategies to speed up the passage of President Rodrigo Duterte’s priority measures. Ver Noveno

‘PH most dangerous for activists’ PARIS―At least 164 land and environmental activists were murdered last year for defending their homes, lands and natural resources from exploitation by mining, food and logging firms, Global Witness said Tuesday.

The charity watchdog’s annual land defenders report found “countless” more people were silenced through violence, intimidation and the use and misuse of anti-protest laws across the world.

By far the most dangerous place for activists and indigenous communities

19 PH sailors held in Mexico

By Rey E. Requejo NINETEEN Filipino seamen and three Polish nationals of a Cypriotflagged vessel have been detained in Mexico for alleged possession of Next page

was the Philippines, which saw 30 murders in 2018, the report said.

In Manila, Malacañang attributed the murders to “vicious rivalry.”

“That happens if there are conflicts among claimants to a particular land. Killings occur because of the viciousness of the rivalry between the claimants,” Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said.

The group Karapatan said the Duterte administration’s intensified militarization of communities has had catastrophic effects.

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By MJ Blancaflor

Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said the revised version of the measPRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte will like- ure will be given priority. ly certify as urgent the refiled SecuritySenator Joel Villanueva on Monday of-Tenure bill that he vetoed last week, refiled the bill that seeks to protect workthe Palace said Tuesday. ers from abusive labor practices, such as

labor-only contracting.

The Trade Union Congress of the Philippines, the country’s largest labor union, praised Villanueva for refiling the vetoed bill, which is better known as the “End Endo Bill.”

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MEGAWORLD NEW LOGO. Megaworld Lifestyle Malls unveils a new logo—sporting a young, vibrant, and dynamic look for Megaworld’s signature brand of malls and commercial centers. The firm also announced expanding to the provinces, with the opening of eight malls in Cebu, Bacolod, Davao, Cavite, Boracay and Pampanga in the next three years. Leading the ceremonial launch are (from left) Kevin Tan, chief strategy officer; Lourdes Gutierrez-Alfonso, COO; and Graham Coates, first vice president and head of Megaworld Lifestyle Malls.

Amsterdam turns off red-light area

Death parade comes to life

AMSTERDAM—Bathed in red neon light, hundreds of prostitutes ply their trade from behind windows in the narrow canalside streets of Amsterdam— and that’s how they want it to stay.

The Dutch capital’s first female

NIEVES, Spain—Six open coffins are paraded around a church and its cemetery as onlookers sing religious songs—but their occupants are all perfectly alive.

This strange ritual takes place on July

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News

WEDNESDAY, JULY 31, 2019

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Arrest order out on auto trader’s murder suspect

By Rey E. Requejo AN OLONGAPO City Regional Trial Court has ordered the arrest of the accused in the killing of businessman Dominic Sytin inside the Subic Bay Freeport Zone in November last year.

Olongapo City RTC, Branch 72, Judge Richard Paradeza issued the arrest warrants last July 29, 2019 against Sytin’s younger brother, Dennis and Ryan Rementilla alias Oliver Fuentes.

“You are hereby commanded to arrest Ryan Rementilla alias Oliver Fuentes and Allan Dennis Sytin Lim who are charged before this Court for the crime of murder and to bring them before this Court as soon as possible to dealt with according to law,” part of the one-page warrant said.

The victim’s driver, Efren Espartero, was also wounded during the incident.

The Philippine National Police accused the younger Sytin as the mastermind behind the assassination of his brother, citing the confession of Edgardo Luib, the alleged gunman.

Last May, an Angeles City court issued a precautionary hold departure order against the younger Sytin, Rementilla and Luib in connection with the killing.

The order issued by the Executive Judge of the Third Judicial Region in Angeles City was based on a request by the victim’s wife, Ann Marrieta asking the court to issue a hold departure order against her brother-inlaw, Rementilla and Luib.

Luib was arrested in Sto. Tomas, Batangas last March 5 due to existing arrest warrants over murder cases he is facing including the killing of journalist Mae Magsino and Municipal Councilor Michael Caringal of Bauan, Batangas.

He then executed an extrajudicial confession and pointed to Dennis as the one who masterminded the hit on his elder brother, who at the time of his murder was the chief executive of the United Auctioneers Incorporated.

Luib also tagged Rementilla in the killing.

Rementilla was formerly employed at the UAI before he was fired by Dominic for allegedly embezzling P1 million from the company.

The younger Sytin has denied any hand in the killing of his brother, saying Luib was a “polluted source,” motivated by “self-preservation.”

He said there was no categorical evidence to support Luib’s claim that he was the one who masterminded the hit on his brother.

Amsterdam...

From A1 mayor has vowed to clean up the notorious red light district and possibly even close some of the famed window booths, but sex workers say they won’t move.

“I have one thing to say to all these people who call us vulnerable, and that is that they don’t know us at all,” said Felicia Anna, chairwoman of Red Light United, a newly-formed union for window-frame sex workers.

“All it shows to me and to all my colleagues here is that these people who talk about us this way, really don’t know us,” the 33-year-old, who declined to give her real name, told AFP. The area is one of the biggest tourist draws in a city that attracted around 18 million visitors last year.

But rising crime and the sheer number of visitors have contributed to huge problems in the area, once called a “square kilometer of misery” by police.

Mayor Femke Halsema listed “disruptive behavior and a disrespectful attitude to the sex workers in the windows” as key problems, along with a “major increase in unlicensed, underground prostitution.”

The green-left mayor has put forward four options to change the red light district, in what she says is a bid to curb crime and human trafficking, and to make life more pleasant for people who live there.

The first is to literally draw curtains over the window booths so people cannot see the sex workers from the street.

The second option is to move some window booths to other areas of the city, while the more radical option three is to close down and move all of them. AFP

Asean nearing deal on free trade B

By Joyce Babe P. Pañares

Asean Secretary-General Lim Jock Hoi said there is now a “positive climate” for concluding talks on the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, which is expected to result in one of the world’s largest free trade zones.

“We have been given the mandate to fin-

ish by the end of this year. There is a sense of urgency. We do not want to go beyond seven years [of negotiations],” he said in a dialog with journalists during the third Asean Media Forum here in Thailand, the current chairman of Asean.

RCEP talks began in 2013, but the lack of

consensus over tariffs has pushed back the target for its conclusion.

Lim said outstanding issues on market access and services still need to be resolved even as he brushed aside speculations that certain negotiating partners might be left behind under an Asean Minus One or Minus Two formula when the RCEP is finally signed.

“You have 16 countries, each with different needs. We don’t want anyone to be disadvantaged, and it is not our intention to leave one or two behind,” he added.

RCEP is envisioned to bring together the 10 member-states of Asean, Australia, China, Japan, India, South Korea and New Zealand.

Asean+3 Macro Economic Research Of-

Lorenzana...

From A1

In a privileged speech, Senator Francis Tolentino said the Senate does not need to formally concur with the verbal agreement for it to be binding. Opposition Senator Franklin Drilon challenged Tolentino’s conclusion, pointing out that senators do not even know the parameters of the agreement between Duterte and Xi. The Senate also cannot summon Malacañang officials in a hearing based on an “oral agreement that has never been brought to us,” Sotto added.

In Bangkok, China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations are likely to miss their mutually-agreed upon target of three years to hammer out a Code of Conduct to regulate actions in the South China Sea amid formidable differences on how to settle disputes.

“They are trying to finish in three years but it will probably take longer,” said Pornpimol Kanchanalak, policy advisor to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand, the current chairman of Asean.

Kanchanalak said the final output might not even be a legally-binding document, raising concerns that the COC will just be as ineffective as the present Declaration of Conduct.

“I can’t say if it will be a legally-binding document. I don’t know yet. We are still three years away and there is no unanimous decision on it yet,” she said.

China, which proposed the three-year timetable starting this year, has refused to join a binding COC. Kanchanalak, however, played down fears

that Asean is moving too slow on the COC while China continues with its militarization of disputed territories in the South China Sea. “The flashpoints are always there but Asean has risen above these. There are perceptions of threats—some real, some unreal—but everybody knows we have to co-exist with others,” she said.

“There is nothing wrong with going one step forward and two steps backward--at least we are moving forward,” Kanchanalak added.

Despite China’s assurance there will be no violence amid the sea row, the Palace said on Tuesday Duterte will “think beyond those words.”

The Philippines “does not take words of other countries on their face value,” Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said in a press briefing.

“The President will always think beyond those words,” he said.

China has overlapping claims in the resourcerich area with Vietnam, Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan.

The Philippines won in 2016 an arbitration case before the Permanent Court of Arbitration against China’s nine-dash-line claim over almost the entire South China Sea. President Rodrigo Duterte, however, maintained the position that Manila and Beijing can settle the issue more effectively through diplomatic negotiations and has set aside the 2016 decision.

He has also repeated many times that he will not risk a war with China over their territorial dispute.

Chinese Ambassador to Philippines Zhao

Panelo said the President’s order, issued through a video message posted on social media by the Presidential Communications Operations Office Friday, was a verbal one with no paperwork from the Office of the President to accompany it.

Still, it was legal “even if it’s just a verbal order,” he said.

Weeks before the President’s stunning order, the Commission on Audit had released its 2018 audit report on the PCSO that found several irregularities involving billions of pesos, including: • Failure to remit P8.426 billion worth of dividends to the national government from 1994 to 2016 in violation of Republic Act 7656, requiring government-owned or -controlled corporations to declare and remit at least 50 percent of their annual net earnings as cash, stock or property dividends to the national government; • Posting of P4.6 billion Presumptive Monthly Retail Receipts or Small Town Lottery proceeds shortfall as of December 2018; • Failure to settle P1.036 billion worth of transactions already disallowed by COA from 2016 to 2018; • Accumulating P1.031 billion of unsettled amounts disallowed by COA from 2013 to 2015; • Failure to transfer P684 million to the charity fund, broken down into P184 million worth of forfeited prizes in PCSO-sanctioned lottery Keno Games and P500 million unutilized operating fund in 2017; and

• The amount of unclaimed Keno prizes increasing over the last three years, reaching P45.3 million in 2016, P57.4 million in 2017, and as high as P81.5 million in 2018 for a total of P184 million; and PCSO-sanctioned Keno Game incurring a total deficit of P2.719 billion under its prize fund.

When asked of any government plan to help displaced workers, Panelo said: “There is none.”

“When there is a storm or any crisis in our lives, we are able to lift ourselves up,” he said.

He added that “sacrifices have to be made” to rid the government of corruption.

But Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said that government would provide assistance to the affected workers. Displaced workers may also seek assistance from the Social Security System, he said.

Panelo said there was no plan to abolish the PCSO and denied the closure of its gaming operations was intended to steer public attention away from the President’s veto of the security of tenure bill.

The PCSO said Tuesday it continues to provide services to the public despite the suspension of its gaming operations.

In a statement, the PCSO said it provided services to 1,300 individuals under its Individual Medical Assistance Program nationwide on Monday, 426 of which were given in its extension office in Quezon City and 186 medical and dental patients in Mandaluyong and Manila. With PNA

for temporary shelters.

• The damage caused by a series of quakes that rocked Batanes on Saturday had risen to P282 million, Gov. Cayco said.

• Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana on Tuesday admitted that the disaster-response operations in earthquake-hit Itbayat, was sluggish due to the difficulty of reaching Batanes.

House Majority Leader Martin Romualdez of Leyte said the House “is going full blast in its donation drive to help the people of Batanes.”

“I just spoke with the Speaker [Alan Peter Cayetano] about the Batanes fund drive. It [contribution] has been the practice whenever a district is hard-hit by a calamity, in this case Batanes,” Romualdez said.

“This voluntary effort on the part of the congressmen to contribute has been done in the

past through salary deduction. This has been initiated for the benefit of the casualties’ loved ones and the injured residents of Batanes.

“To kick off the campaign, congressmen are donating a portion of their salary as their humble contribution to the relief operations.”

The congressmen also called on the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council and other relevant organizations to expedite humanitarian assistance and restore normalcy to the affected areas.

Likewise, Romualdez requested the Legislative Security Bureau to allocate a portion of the South and North Wing Lobbies of Batasan Complex, which could serve as collection and storage area for the donated goods from congressmen and House employees for the Batanes earthquake victims. With PNA

ANGKOK—The Association of Southeast Asian Nations is on track to conclude negotiations on a free trade deal involving 16 countries and covering a third of the global economy in November.

“The way they took over Scarborough Shoal, to me, that is bullying,” he added.

“In any part of the world, if you shut off your AIS, you do not want yourself to be known,” the Defense chief added in a GMA News report, noting he had made it clear to Zhao that Chinese ships should not deactivate their AIS when passing through Philippine waters.

“They don’t want us to know who they are, but we can see them. So what was the use of putting off your AIS? We can’t see them on our radar, but they can be seen by our naked eye because the Strait is very narrow,” he added.

Lorenzana previously said Chinese ships had passed through the Sibutu Strait four times since February this year, and stressed that if warships intended to pass through Philippine waters, they needed to inform local authorities.

This developed as senators on debated over whether to scrutinize a supposed verbal agreement between President Rodrigo Duterte and Chinese President Xi Jinping allowing the Chinese to fish in the West Philippine Sea. Senate President Vicente Sotto III said if the details of the talk between Duterte and Xi are not divulged, the Senate cannot scrutinize it.

“We cannot take up something that is not ours or within our jurisdiction. So if no one brings it up, no agreement is presented, there is nothing for us to take cognizance of,” Sotto said.

Lotto...

From A1 Nelson Santos, the head of the group, said in a television interview that the closure of PCSO gaming operations will have a serious impact on the livelihood of many Filipinos and the beneficiaries that depend on it.

He said about 120,000 workers were affected by the closure of 30,000 lotto outlets nationwide upon Duterte’s order.

The Trade Union Congress of the Philippines had earlier appealed to Duterte as well to consider the impact of his order on the lives of the workers.

In related developments: • Makati City Mayor Abigail Binay said the city will not cancel or revoke the business licenses and mayor’s permits of PCSO outlets in its jurisdiction, even though they have been closed upon the President’s orders. She said there was no legal basis for doing so.

• Metro Manila police chief Maj. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar said the closure of all PCSO outlets made it easier for police to arrest people involved in the illegal numbers game or jueteng.

• Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana on Tuesday said he will look into reports that members of the Army’s Scout Ranger Regiment and other elite units are allegedly protecting individuals connected to illegal gambling.

House...

From A1 Caceres Archbishop Rolando Tria Tirona, chairman of the CBCP-Episcopal Commission on Social Action, Justice and Peace, issued the solidarity appeal to other bishops, Social Action Center directors and the faithful to help them provide help to the victims of the twin earthquakes and to reconstruct the structures that had been damaged.

• Batanes has been placed under a state of calamity after the earthquakes that left nine dead, some 100 hurt and homes and other structures damaged.

Batanes Gov. Marilou Cayco said they had tapped into the province’s calamity funds to buy relief supplies and construction materials

‘PH...

From A1

Death...

From A1 29 each year in the village of Las Nieves in Galicia in northwestern Spain on the feast day of the local parish’s most important saint, Martha, whose brother Lazarus was raised from the dead when Jesus visited their home according to the Bible’s account.

It is intended as a way for people to thank the saint for having saved themselves or a loved one from death through illness or accident—or to implore her to do so.

Among the devotees this year was Maria Rodriguez, who spent 45 minutes stretched out in a coffin as it was carried by pallbearers, to thank the saint for having saved her dog from cancer.

“It was something spontaneous,” the 69-year-old retiree told AFP when asked why she decided to take part.

“You don’t think, it comes from the heart and soul when you love someone,” added Rodriguez who came from Vigo, the closest big city to the village, for the festival.

Several of those who were paraded in open coffins covered their faces with a fan or hats to hide their faces from the press and shelter themselves from the sun as hundreds of people lined the streets to watch the procession go by. AFP

“The expanded power given to the police and the military has suppressed dissent and promoted threats, harassment and attacks against activists and human rights defenders,” said Cristina Palabay, secretary general of the land rights group.

Colombia and India saw 24 and 23 deaths linked to environmental activism in 2018, while Guatemala was the deadliest nation for land defenders per head of population with 16 confirmed killings.

“This is a phenomenon seen around the world: land and environmental defenders, a significant number of whom are indigenous peoples, are declared terrorists, thugs or criminals for defending their rights,” said Vicky Tauli-Corpuz, UN Special Rapporteur for Indigenous Peoples.

“This violence is a human rights crisis but it is also a threat to everyone who depends on a stable climate.”

The biggest single massacre documented by the group in 2018 occurred in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu, with 13 people murdered after protesting the environmental impact of a copper mine.

At least eight land defenders involved in disputes with representatives of the soy industry were killed in 2018 in the Brazilian state of Para alone, the report said.

In the Philippines, which overtook Brazil as the deadliest place for land defenders, one incident saw a group of gunmen shoot dead nine sugarcane farmers including a number of woman and children on the island of Negros.

The lawyer representing the families of the victims was shot dead days later, Global Witness said.

A week ahead of a landmark UN report expected to emphasize the vital role indigenous peoples play in protecting nature, the charity also highlighted what it said was a “worrying global trend” in the intimidation and jailing of defenders.

It said investors including development banks were fueling the violence by financing abusive projects and sectors, and named a number of well-known companies accused of facilitating rights violations.

“It’s not good enough for foreign multinationals that are connected to these land grabs to profess ignorance,” the report said.

“They have a responsibility to proactively ensure that the land they are profiting from has been leased legally, with the consent of the communities who have lived on it for generations.”

In Britain, the charity documented the case of three anti-fracking activists who in September were sentenced to jail for protesting at a site run by the energy firm Cuadrilla. AFP, with MJ Blancaflor

Duterte...

From A1 “We thank Senator Villanueva for filing the Anti-endo bill in the Senate again. We also urge the President to certify it as urgent again,” TUCP spokesman Alan Tanjusay said in a phone interview.

But Senate Majority Leader Miguel Zubiri said Tuesday it made no sense to him that Malacañang would declare the Security-ofTenure bill a “priority measure and then veto it after its approval.

Zubiri said they were even pressured by Malacañang to approve the bill and were accused of “sitting” on the measure when they failed to immediately act on it.

“They put pressure on us on why we haven’t acted on it. But after the House of Representatives passed it and the Palace came out with the certification that it was a priority measure and the Senate was sitting on it....”

With minor changes, Villanueva said, his bill was the “same measure that was certified as urgent by the President himself.”

President Duterte had previously defended his decision to veto the bill that supposedly snapped his campaign promise to end laboronly contracting, drawing criticism from labor groups and lawmakers.

“You do not make it hard for the capitalist also to move,” Duterte said, citing the need to strike a balance between the interests of businesses and workers. With PNA and Macon Ramos-Araneta

fice chief economist Hoe Ee Khor said the RCEP would “reinforce the region’s strong commitment to integration and free trade.”

“There would be greater access to markets, thereby potentially changing the way trade is conducted, including possible reconfiguration of regional supply chains,” Khor said.

Aside from the conclusion of RCEP, Lim said all member-states of the regional bloc will be connected under the Asean Single Window system that will expedite the clearance of goods.

“In terms of trade facilitation, we are working closely with business people to ensure that the single window is on track,” the Asean official said.

Jianhua on Tuesday assured that China, being a peace-loving nation, will not start a war or confrontation in the South China Sea, which has been considered a potential “flashpoint” for armed conflict.

In his speech during the 92nd founding anniversary of the People’s Liberation Army, Zhao said China “will not take the first shot” because it is committed to follow the path of peaceful development—“a commitment to the people of China and to the world.”

Zhao said China develops its military entirely for the purpose of self-defense.

“China adopts a military strategy of active defense, which adheres to the principle of defense, self-defense and post-strike response.

Meaning, we will not take the first shop,” the Chinese ambassador said.

“The Chinese nation is a peace-loving nation.

China will follow the path of peaceful development. This is a commitment to the people of China and to the world, and this has been written into the Constitution of China. It is also our firm conviction to continue the path of peaceful development,” Zhao added.

In April, Chinese fishermen drove Filipino fishermen away from the shoal as wooden ships that bore China’s flag harvested giant clams.

In June, a Chinese vessel hit a Filipino fishing boat leaving 22 crewmen adrift in the open sea for hours until they were rescued by Vietnamese fishermen.

The incident triggered anger at the administration’s timid response. With Francisco Tuyay, PNA

Dengue...

From A1 where this scourge has also been very, very much felt,” said Romualdez.

“Secretary Duque has endeavored to support each and every congressman’s requirements to stave off the increase or the spike of the scourge not just through informative talks and discussions here, but with actual concrete initiatives to support in addressing the problem,” he added.

Romualdez also said that with no effective medicine to cure the viral disease, community effort was crucial in winning the war against dengue.

Duque advised congressmen to encourage local government units to enter into agreements with public and private hospitals to widen the reach of medical assistance provided by the Health department.

Aside from financial support, the Health secretary also committed to make available machines and chemicals needed by LGUs for mosquito fogging operations in their areas of jurisdiction.

Earlier, the DOH announed that the following regions had exceeded the epidemic threshold: Mimaropa, Western Visayas, Central Visayas, and Northern Mindanao.

The following regions, meanwhile, have exceeded the alert threshold: Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Calabarzon, Bicol, Eastern Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Davao, Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, and Cordillera Administrative Region.

The epidemic threshold is the critical number of cases required for an epidemic to be declared. The alert threshold, meanwhile, is the number of cases that sounds an early warning for a potential epidemic.

Romualdez said congressmen are now studying options to infuse more budgetary support to the DOH to help the department contain the epidemic and provide assistance to dengue patients.

“All the congressmen present agreed to help Secretary Duque get more budget for the antidengue campaign. Our Health department deserves all the support from Congress if we are to win the war against dengue,” he added.

The Eastern Samar provincial governmentapproved a resolution on Monday placing the entire province under state of calamity due to the rising dengue fever cases in all of its 22 towns. With PNA

19 PH...

From A1

illegal drugs, the Department of Foreign Affairs said on Tuesday.

In a statement, the DFA said the UBC Savannah docked at the Altamira Port in Mexico was held on July 27 due to alleged violations of the country’s laws on illegal drugs.

The representatives from the Philippine Embassy have spoken with seven of the Filipino sailors currently detained for questioning.

“The group is generally in good spirits, and informed the embassy representatives that their families have been informed of what happened,” the DFA said.

The Philippine Embassy is now closely coordinating with Mexican authorities and the law firm representing the ship’s crew.

“At this point, no formal charges have been filed against any seafarer,” the DFA said.

The DFA assured that the Philippine government would provide any form of assistance, including legal assistance if still necessary, to protect the Filipino seafarers’ right to be heard in court.

“However, should they be found to be guilty by the proper court of the charges against them, they have to face the legal consequences of their actions,” the statement said.

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WEDNESDAY, JULY 31, 2019 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Senate to probe PhilHeath, PCSO’s ‘corruption’issues next week

MORE TREES FOR MANILA. Manila Mayor Isko Moreno on Tuesday, July 30 bares plans to extend the Arroceros Forest Park by withdrawing a part of Arroceros Street from public use and planting more trees on it. Norman Cruz

‘Bikoy’ surrenders over cyber libel raps PETER Joemel Advincula, alias “Bikoy,” the man behind a series of videos called “Ang Totoong Narco-list,” surrendered anew to the police over charges of cyber libel.

Philippine National Police spokesperson Brig. Gen. Bernard Banac said Advincula surrendered around 7 p.m. Monday at the CIDG office in Camp Crame, where he underwent booking procedure prior to his turnover to the court.

Advincula has standing warrants of arrest issued by Judge Annielyn MedesCabelis of the Regional Trial Court Branch 5 of Legaspi City dated July 11, 2019, for violation of Section 4(c) (4) of RA 10175 or Libel under Cybercrime Offenses filed by businessman Zaldy Co, the owner of the posh Misibis Bay Resort, who he earlier tagged as involved in illegal drugs trade in the series of anti-President Rodrigo Duterte videos.

He also tagged Co as among the bigtime operators of a drug den situated inside the said resort.

PNP chief Gen. Oscar Albayalde said Advincula will be detained in Camp Crame until he posted bail worth P10,000. PNA

BCDA now included in Cabinet infra cluster PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has included the president of the Bases and Conversion Development Authority to the Cabinet infrastructure cluster, as shown in an order released by the Palace on Tuesday.

Duterte signed Executive Order 86 on July 25, adding a new member to the cluster due to its mandate of building infrastructure projects in Clark, Pampanga and Subic, Zambales.

“The mandate of the BCDA in the conversion of the Clark and Subic military reservations and their extensions into alternative productive uses, its vital public infrastructure projects such as tollway, railway, airport, seaport, and new economic growth corridor, and its role in the ‘Build, Buid, Build’ program, warrants its inclusion as a member of the infrastructure cluster,” the EO stated.

The cluster is headed by the secretary of the Department of Public Works and Highways. MJ Blancaflor

Inton appointed as QC traffic czar QUEZON City Mayor Joy Belmonte has appointed former Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board official Ariel Inton as her new traffic czar.

Belmonte issued Executive Order 9-2019, designating Inton as the “action man” of the Task Force for Transport and Traffic Management.

The Department of Public Order and Safety, headed by retired police general Elmo San Diego, has already turned over more than 400 traffic enforcers to Inton.

The task force is a separate division not under the DPOS, Inton said.

“This is something not new.

The disaster risk reduction and management function of the DPOS was transferred to the then newlycreated Quezon City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office. Under the task force, I was appointed as the action man for traffic management,” he told the Manila Standard.

San Diego shall be responsible for clearing operations and implementation of various ordinances, Inton said. Rio N. Araja

Where is the P4-b Budget released for farmers?—Villar

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

S

ENATOR Cynthia Villar wants the Senate to account for the P4-billion funds released by the Department of Budget and Management last December since only P1 billion went to the accounts of the farmers.

causes for apprehension on whether our rice sector and rice farmers are adequately made ready this early to face the regime of rice import liberalization,” Villar said.

The law allocates P5 billion annually to procure rice farm equipment through the Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization. Farm equipment such as tillers, tractors, seeders, threshers, rice planters, harvesters, and irrigation pumps will be given as a grant-in-kind primarily to eligible rice farmer associations and registered rice cooperatives.

“During the Senate deliberation on this law, we have identified 947 rice-producing municipalities in 55 provinces where farm equipment will be deployed over the next six years,” Villar said.

The law also allocates P3 billion to the Philippine Rice Research Institute to develop, propagate and promote inbred seeds, which is projected to increase farmers’ yield by up to 50 percent.

The Nacionalista Party senator pointed out that the Department of Agriculture’s regular program on hybrid rice remains and should not be confused with the RCEF for PhilRice.

Also under the law, P1 billion will be given to Land Bank of the Philippines and the Development Bank of the Philippines for the creation of a credit facility with minimal interest rates and collateral requirements.

In his proposed Senate Resolution No. 39, Villar wants to seek clarification on the reported P5-million DBM release intended to help the rice farmers under the memorandum of understanding entered by the Agricultural Credit Policy Council with LBP and DBP. Villar’s proposal also seeks an inquiry into the implementation of the law lifting the quantitative restriction on rice importation and creating the P10-billion Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund.

Villar, chairperson of the Committee on Agriculture and Food, has made it a point to prioritize the exercise of her committee’s oversight function on the implementation of the law enacted on Feb. 14.

“This is the protection measure we have in place for our local farmers in a tariffied regime we find ourselves in following the expiration of the agreement with the World Trade Organization. We believe in

this law and for the sake of our farmers, we want it to succeed,” Villar said.

The measure directs a Senate inquiry into the implementation of Republic Act 11203 or the rice tariffication law to closely monitor its implementation by the designated government agencies and to ensure that funds are allocated for the purpose actually intended.

Under RA 11203 which amends RA 8178 or the Agricultural Tariffication Act of 1996, instead of limiting the amount of rice that will enter the country, rice imports will instead be charged with corresponding tariffs.

The collected amount shall be given to farmers to strengthen their productive capacities in the amount of at least P10 billion a year, for the next six years through a fund known as RCEF. “The issues that have surfaced lately in the rice sector, particularly among the government agencies charged with the implementation of the RCEF law, are

DICT flagged over ‘disadvantageous’ free Wi-Fi project

SC revamps membership in three divisions

THE Commission on Audit has flagged the Department of Information and Communications Technology for its P1.362 billion worth of free public WiFi project.

State auditors said the financing agreement between the DICT and the United Nations Development Program in September 2018 vested full control and discretion to the latter over the entire funding for Pipol Konek free Wi-Fi Internet access in public places project.

Under the arrangement, the entire infrastructure—equipment, supplies and other properties—acquired from the government “contribution” would become part of the UNDP’s assets and under its disposal.

The DICT sent the UNDP a letter on July 30, 2018, “signifying its intent to engage with the latter as a development partner” in implementing the project.

“The Department entered into a financing agreement [FA] with the UNDP, placing at the latter’s disposal the contribution of P1,362,084,618.28 in two payment tranches: P700,000,000 on Sept. 25, 2018, and P662,084,618.28 on Jan. 15, 2019,” the report read.

CoA said Republic Act 10929 or the Free Internet Access Law allowed the DICT to tap the private sector in implementing the project.

It said the DICT’s arrangement with the UNDP went beyond the bounds of the law and underscored the requirement that the department should be the lead implementing agency.

Neither the bids and awards committee resolution nor the costbenefit analysis showed that the DICT undertook an early procurement activity to form a basis for the decision to take on a private organization as a partner.

Rio N. Araja

By Rey E. Requejo THE Supreme Court has revamped the membership in its three divisions and raffle committees following the retirement last Monday of Associate Justice Mariano C. del Castillo.

The SC’s First Division is now composed of Chief Justice Lucas P. Bersamin as chairman with Associate Justice Estela M. Perlas Bernabe as working chairperson. The other members are Associate Justices Francis H. Jardeleza, Alexander G. Gesmundo and Rosmari D. Carandang.

Senior Associate Justice Antonio T. Carpio heads the Second Division with Associate Justices Alfredo Benjamin S. Caguioa, Jose C. Reyes Jr. and Amy C. Lazaro Javier as regular members.

Associate Justice Henri Jean Paul B.

Inting was designated as additional member to complete the membership of five justices per division.

The Court’s Third Division is constituted by Associate Justice Diosdado M. Peralta as chairman, with Associate Justices Marvic Mario Victor F. Leonen, Andres B. Reyes Jr., Ramon Paul L. Hernando and Inting as regular members.

The raffle committees have also been reorganized. Carpio still heads the committee for the full court or en banc with Bernabe and Jardeleza as members.

Peralta heads the committee for division raffle with Leonen and Caguioa as members.

The divisions hold sessions on Mondays and Wednesdays, while the Court en banc meets every Tuesday.

THE OLD AND THE NEW. Neophyte Senators Ronald dela Rosa, Bong Go and

Francis Tolentino exchange pleasantries with Majority Floor Leader Miguel Zubiri, Cynthia Villar, Bong Revilla Jr. and Imee Marcos in the fifth regular session of the 18th Congress at Pasay city. Ey Acasio

BLUE Ribbon committee chairman Senator Richard Gordon on Tuesday said his committee will conduct an investigation into the alleged corruption at PhilHealth and PCSO next week.

He said they will also look into the allegations of conflict of interest against Health Secretary Francisco Duque III and his brother lawyer Gonzalo Duque, the newly appointed Philippine Coconut Authority chairman, over the building lease agreement between a firm owned by the latter’s family and PhilHealth.

He said the health secretary, among others, will be summoned to appear in the hearings to explain the accusations being hurled against them.

“He can’t avoid facing the inquiry because it was him that Senator Lacson implicated. So he has to explain why he should not be accused by Lacson,” Gordon said.

He said the probe will investigate the alleged fake claims, overpayments and ghost patients that resulted to the depleted PhilHealth funds.

“By early next week probably. It depends on how quickly we can get the data so that we will know everything,” said Gordon.

Gordon added that the Blue Ribbon committee will also probe the alleged massive corruption at the PSCO that drove the President to stop its gaming operations.

Following Gordon’s lead, Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go said he is open to conduct a Senate investigation on the alleged anomalies in PhilHealth as well as PCSO. Go said that those who committed corruption should be held accountable as the interest of the Filipino people should be put above everything else.

“Kung ano po ’yung interes ng tao, interes ng Pilipino, ’yun po ang mangunguna. Managot ang dapat managot,” said Go. The neophyte senator also assured the public that he would set aside friendship in the conduct of investigation to ferret our the truth and bring corruptors to the bar of justice.

Macon Ramos-Araneta

PNP urged to step into Pangarap Village ‘situation’

By Rio N. Araja THE Presidential Commission on Urban Poor on Tuesday urged Philippine National Police Chief Oscar Albayalde to step into the peace and order problem affecting over 40,000 families in Pangarap Village in north Caloocan City due to a looming demolition.

The agency’s chairperson and chief executive officer, Alvin Feliciano, said he and his other officials on Tuesday met with Albayalde at his office in Camp Crame, Quezon City to seek the assistance of the affected residents belonging to a homeowners’ association of former Malacañang employees and groups of informal settlers in Barangays 181 and 182.

“We are trying to address the peace and order situation within Pangarap Village on the complaints of the residents for alleged harassment and inhumane treatment on them. They should not be treated that way,” he said.

In a statement sent to the media, the PCUP said the concerned residents were complaining of threats and coercion from the personnel of Carmel Development Inc. for some months, dismantling of their fences and visibility of armed men in a bid to forcibly drive them away from the areas.

The late President Ferdinand Marcos Sr. issued Presidential Decree 293 which declared Pangarap Village a resettlement area but the Supreme Court nullified the presidential order in 1988.

Last July 9, the PCUP, along with the PNP, Caloocan City government, barangays, homeowners’ association and group of the informal settlers met in a dialogue to tackle the threat of demolition of homes of the affected families.

“Our next step is to convene an interagency meeting in August. We are trying to get data from the representatives of the Malacañang homeowners and the informal settlers,” Feliciano said.

“We are after their peace and order first, then their security of tenure,” he added.

A4

Opinion

WEDNESDAY, JULY 31, 2019

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

An alarming influx AUTHORITIES continue to tell us that we Filipinos should not be alarmed by the continuing influx of Chinese and that the government still has everything under control.

Not worry, Santa Banana?

The Chinese have practically taken over entire floors of condominium buildings and gated villages south of Manila! Now there are reports that they have invaded even Cavite City, renting homes at twice or thrice the usual price.

The Chinese have taken over.

I am also told that the “escort service” provided by corrupt Immigration and Customs officials at the international airports continues. Chinese come illegally to the Philippines, arranged by Chinese syndicates.

Not be alarmed?

The Chinese are coming in and taking over jobs that we Filipinos should be getting.

These foreigners are supposed to be working for some 50 POGOs—but I am told the number goes as high as more than a hundred!

In Merville Park Subdivision where my wife and I now live (we now live with my daughter), the village association is also alarmed that Chinese tenants are renting houses way beyond reasonable fees, and making advances of up to two years. The homeowners’ association has sent a memorandum to residents to report alien takeovers because they are contrary to rules. It also

Adelle Chua, Editor

EDITORIAL

said it wished the Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board and the local government unit would step in.

But it seems these agencies refuse to act.

Perhaps it is because the Chinese have a predilection for gambling. Everything they do and live for is luck.

Their culture also makes them dependent on luck.

This has made the rural folks of China the biggest gamblers in the world. *** The Philippines is not the only place where there is an influx of Chinese.

They are all over Southeast Asia, reports say.

What bothers most of the homeowners is that rural Chinese have brought with them their disposition, manners and habits.

Along with the influx is the emerestabgence of “Chinese only” eating estab lishments.

The irony of it all is that President Duterte does not seem bothered by this phenomenon. Is this part of his pivot to China? *** I have been told that continued infighting among directors, managers and executives of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office is just a symptom of the massive corruption at that agency. President Duterte has banned all forms of gaming like Lotto, SmallTown Lottery, Peryahan ng Bayan and Keno.

Some directors of the agency want control of this or that outlet, even the chairman. Other executives also want to have a say running the outlets ,contrary to the rules and regulations of the charity agency. Everybody seems to want a piece of the action. If all these are proven true, then PCSO may just be more corrupt than the Bureau of Customs!

As I have said, a system where human discretion and intervention is

Balancing act

R

EACTING to the inevitable comparisons with more visibly active new mayors, Quezon City’s chief local executive Joy Belmonte says she is a “planner” and a “strategist,” suggesting she prefers deliberation to speed.

Belmonte was apparently reacting to the 60-day timetable set by the Department of the Interior and Local Government for the 17 mayors from the 16 cities and one municipality of Metro Manila to clear all roads from illegal parking and ambulant vendors.

The 60-day timetable, she said, is not a “contest, a 100-meter dash” to show that she is “faster than Mayor X or Mayor Y.” Instead of clearing city streets in one fell swoop, Belmonte said she will conduct a series of dialogues with some organized vendors’ associations to guarantee their livelihood, and find sustainable and viable solutions to illegal vending.

“That is my style of governance wherein you talk to them [vendors].

You appeal to them,” she said.

“I am a democratic leader, one who has the concern for the people and who gets their sentiments [first],” the mayor added.

While we applaud the mayor’s democratic temperament, she may have crossed the line in seeking her “win-win” situation between motorists and street vendors.

She will not confiscate commodities of illegal vendors, she says, because this would hurt their families.

“It is not to the best interest if these vendors lose their livelihood.

We also do not want to give doleouts,” she said.

The mayor said she is willing to rent out spaces inside private markets even for the first two weeks, look for vacant lots or open a night

market to accommodate sidewalk vendors to be displaced by the clearing operations.

“I cannot allow them to lose their livelihood. If I would allow them to lose it, that would be against my policy of self-reliance,” she said.

Then, at a meeting of Metro Manila mayors at the DILG office on Monday, she all but suggested that vendors who occupy a lane along NIA Road in Diliman in her city be allowed to remain where they are because the road “is wide enough as it is.”

“The problem is they’re unsightly. They’re an eyesore,” she was quoted as saying after the meeting. “So what I plan for them is to give them proper stalls, even if I have to give them myself, so they could sell in the area because I don’t think they are an obstruction given the wideness of the street.”

With all due respect to the Quezon City mayor, the wideness of the road is not the issue at all. Respect for the law is.

Turn to A5

The societal impact of suspending PCSO’s games POP GOES THE WORLD JENNY ORTUOSTE IN THE wake of the abrupt closure of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office’s gaming operation, subject matter experts are sharing their insights about the impact of this development on society. In an interesting article over at Business Mirror, several economists explained why it was a bad idea.

The points they cited were: that there would be a perception of “policy instability” and “increased investment uncertainty” which could turn away investors; funding for PCSO’s social programs would dry up; and gaming patrons would turn to the underground economy for alternatives.

The article did not have enough space for the economists to expound their insights in detail. So let’s take their points one by one and find out why the suspension of PCSO’s gaming operations has a wide societal impact.

The President is very much against government corruption, as he has said time and again, most recently at his State of the Nation Address last week. Apparently matters related to PCSO were brought to his attention that resulted in his anger at “massive corruption” at the agency.

But instead of first conducting an investigation, or issuing a proclamation or other written order, he opted to issue a knee-jerk verbal directive, followed by the subsequent and immediate padlocking of PCSO gaming outlets around the country by the Philippine National Police.

The PNP said that as of Sunday, 23,654 PCSO gaming outlets nationwide were shuttered. When I read that, what came to my mind was Kristallnacht, although thankfully there was no related violence report-

ed. But the incident—where a head of state has but to command and the police act upon it, outside of due process—could indeed scare off potential investors.

Second point: with the stoppage of PCSO’s gaming operations, no money can be raised to fund the agency’s social programs. Newly-installed PCSO General Manager Royina Garma said that PCSO will continue to provide medical assistance this year with revenue earned in 2018, while next year’s programs would be funded by revenues earned this year (January to July, obviously). But medical assistance is not all that PCSO provides.

Last year, the agency made 63.5 billion pesos—a sum that is not peanuts. Where will the government find that much money? ‘Sa PAGCOR’ is not a good answer.

Out of touch much?

Of PCSO’s revenues, Batas Pam Pamperbansa Bilang 42 requires that 30 per cent of PCSO’s net receipts shall go to their Charity Fund, which last year would have been about over P18 billion.

However, this amount does not all go to the medical-related programs.

The Charity Fund also pays documentary stamp taxes, as well as mandatory contributions to many other government agencies, including the National Museum, Dangerous Drugs Board, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, and Philippine Sports Commission.

Without PCSO, the funding for these agencies and others will also be drastically cut. The Commission on Higher Education, for example, receives 1 percent of Lotto gross sales; in 2Q-2018 alone, PCSO remitted P71.4 million to CHEd, in line with Turn to A5

Rapper comes out of closet in song

By Catherine Lai WHEN Singaporean musician Joshua Su came out to his parents, he decided to use an unconventional method—he released a new track where he raps: "G-A-Y-B-O-Y OK." His song "I'm OK" recounts his struggles growing up in the conservative city-state, where depictions of homosexuality are censored and sex between men is technically illegal under a colonial-era law.

Su descended into depression and attempted suicide, highlighting the challenges of coming out in a country where public acceptance of homosexuality is increasing but activists say official policies perpetuate discrimination.

"At the time I felt that it was wrong for whatever reason," the 34-year-old told AFP. "Maybe it could be my Christian upbringing, or that society at that time depicted that it was wrong to like guys, or that there's no such thing

as liking guys in textbooks or magazines."

A song with a gay theme is particularly unusual for Singapore. While the city is modern in many ways, attitudes towards homosexuality are often criticized as outdated including when it comes to portrayals in the media and arts.

Films focusing on homosexuality may be hit with a 21 and over age rating while official guidelines on radio broadcasts forbid the promotion of gay "lifestyles."

Su, known as The G3sha, believes his latest track will not air on Singapore radio. Instead his fans have accessed it online and through social media.

Am I sick?

Despite the censorship, the government is tolerant of the LGBT community, with the city-state hosting a large gay pride rally every year.

Officials nevertheless maintain that Singaporeans are at root conservative

and most would not be in favour of repealing the ban on sex between men, even though it is no longer actively enforced.

"This is a society which is not that liberal on these matters," said Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong in a 2017 interview.

Su blames the lack of representation of gay characters in the media in part for his struggles—he recalled not knowing how to handle his attraction to boys growing up, or even "what being gay was."

Three questions that he would ask himself every day became part of his track: "Am I sick? Is this a disease?

Can I be cured?"

Su released the three-minute song through his own record label, accompanied by a music video shot in Singapore that featured his childhood photos and depicts the rapper holding his thumb and index finger in front of his eye in the "OK" sign during the chorus.

Turn to A5

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Opinion

WEDNESDAY, JULY 31, 2019

A5

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A slowing economy

Privatize

7.2-percent growth in third quarter 2017, to 6.5 percent in Q4-2017, 6.6 in Q1-2018, 6.2 in Q2-2018, 6.0 in Q32018, 6.1 in Q4-2018, and to a disturbing 5.6 percent in Q1-2019.

Between the third quarter of 2017 and the first quarter of 2019, a period of 21 months, economic growth has slipped by 1.6 percentage points or by 22 percent, from 7.2 percent, to 5.6 percent. Usually at 7 percent annual GDP growth rate, you create two million jobs a year. So a loss of 1.6 percentage points in GDP growth is equivalent to 440,000 jobs that were lost or not created. That’s big. Assuming each job seeker has a family, 440,000 jobs lost would hurt 2.2-million Filipinos.

war times, long before gaming was legalized through Pagcor, was the ordinary man’s “get-rich quick” ticket through horse-racing backed sweepstakes, while providing support for charity work, mostly health-related.

Win Gatchalian makes infinitely good sense.

HERE we go again.

By way of simplifying the set-up, In his unending fight against cor- Win suggests that government is limruption, the President the other ited to collection, while lotto and STL night declared a temporary stop to operations are privatized, and the colall games of chance operated by the lections turned over to the DSWD. Philippine Charity Sweepstakes OfGatchalian says the new set-up fice (PCSO). would make it easier “to audit” and Not being a gambler, I only learned thus “monitor fraud” in the PCSO. about some of the fancy names given Let’s face it. Gambling and all to PCSO betting operations when the kinds of games of chance will always President enumerated these on televi- be with us, no matter what the more sion. “moral” say. The rich and upper midI only had scant knowledge about dle-class go to the Pagcor-operated lotto, outlets of which you see all over or Pagcor-franchised private casinos. the country, and whose prizes keep The foreigners go online through piling up when POGO, or bigthere are no winstakes gambling ners until it reachthrough junket es hundreds of Let government operators inside millions. As for win, and win big. the posh private STL which stands casinos in the Bay for “small town Area, along with lottery,” the exsenior citizens cuse for its adoption was that it would who while away their remaining time combat the prevalent illegal numbers on earth in the slot machines. game called “jueteng”—something The lower middle class and the we learned from the Chinese as far poor patronize PCSO’s lotto, STL, back as the latter part of the Spanish Peryahan ng Bayan and the ubiquicolonial era. tous, never-say-die, walang kamatayBut jueteng, as far as everyone in ang jueteng.

Luzon knows, still persists. We are Since STL and whatever else told that operators use STL as front PCSO operates have become fronts for their illegal gambling operations. for jueteng, monopolized by jueteng The “cabos” and “cobradores” still operators as well, it’s high time we move around their territories, this looked at privatization of all forms time with “legalized” IDs from STL of gambling. The attack on corrupfranchises. tion should be systemic, rather than The President first appointed a dec- perpetually looking for crooks in the orated retired military officer, Gen. woodwork.

Alex Balutan, to oversee the PCSO In this space, I have written about and stamp out corruption in the agen- a simple proposal to legalize jueteng. cy. As far as I knew General BaluBid out jueteng rights, whether by tan, he was a courageous officer and city or cluster of municipalities each gentleman who testified in the Sen- year. Set a floor price, say P25 milate investigations on the Hello Garci lion annually for a town like Calauan scandal that tainted the elected term or Bay in Laguna. Whoever wins of then-President GMA. above the floor price gets the rights The Novo Ecijano retired to a farm to operate jueteng in the town. For in his province until President Du- instance, one bids P35 million—one terte picked him to run the day-to- would then be declared winner in an day operations of PCSO. And then open, transparent bidding process he had run-ins with his board of di- held even in the town plaza. rectors, particularly the cantankerHe pays 50 percent up-front to govous Sandra Cam. He was replaced ernment, and 50 percent again on the by the feisty former police chief of second half of the year. So governCebu City, Royina Garma known and ment collects the P35 million, and a trusted by the President even while sharing arrangement could be made serving in Davao City. between the national and local govShe reported to the President ernment units. that the corruption in PCSO was so How the winner operates his gampervasive and asked help to cleanse bling operations is up to him. Governthe worse than Augean stables. The ment just collects and earmarks the President got so miffed that he de- collections for health, police assistance, clared on national TV that all gam- fire trucks, whatever. Simple. ing operations of PCSO must cease, The winning operator need not even the lotto which is operated by grease the palms of anybody, whether computers and upon which tens of governor, mayor, congressman or thousands have invested half a mil- policeman. He paid up-front for the lion pesos each in seed capital for rights after all. agent’s rights.

Figure it out. Legalize jueteng, and A business-savvy senator who ran multiply 30 or 35 million by the thouthe City of Valenzuela in business-like sands of municipalities, bigger in the fashion years before, and whose brother cities. You are looking at perhaps a continues to run the city with utmost hundred billion, off the cuff and up efficiency, while supporting the Presi- front. And no huge bureaucracy to dent’s move, floated the idea of privat- supervise. izing PCSO gaming operations.

Senator Win should flesh out his Senator Sherwin Gatchalian is privatization proposal and craft the mulling options of crafting remedial remedial legislation needed. Let govlegislation to privatize segments of ernment win, and win big. As for the PCSO operations, which from post- gamblers, bahala kayo sa buhay niyo.

NOW the bad news. The Philippine economy is slowing down. Economic growth (as measured by the gain, less inflation, in the annual value of economic production or GDP ) is headed to its steepest drop in rate since 2011 when GDP grew by a hugely disappointing 3.7 percent.

GDP growth for 2019 is projected to be 6 percent, according to the World Bank, down from its previous forecast of 6.5 percent which itself was down from the original Philippine 6.6 percent growth expected for the whole year.

The 6-percent GDP growth will be the lowest rate since the 3.7 percent growth in 2011.

Three factors for the slowdown: One, Trump and his trade wars; two, China’s economic slowdown (slowest this year in 27 years); and three, bottlenecks in President Duterte’s budget spending and infra program. The 2019 PH budget was delayed for three months. Add to that rampant and incurable corruption.

And a very poor infrastructure.

“Global growth remains subdued,” cautions the International Monetary Fund in its July 23, 2019 global economic outlook report. “Since the April World Economic Outlook [WEO] report, the United States further increased tariffs on certain Chinese imports and China retaliated by raising tariffs on a subset of US imports.

Additional escalation was averted following the June G20 summit. Global technology supply chains were threatened by the prospect of US sanctions, Brexit-related uncertainty continued, and rising geopolitical tensions roiled energy prices.”

In Manila, imagine a P3.757-trillion budget of 12 months. You delay spending a fourth of that or P751 billion for three months. Government spending is now close to 20 percent of GDP. Hold spending a fifth of the value of the economy and you, in effect, slow down the whole economy.

Quarterly, the Philippine economy has been on a slow-mo nosedive, from

An alarming...

From A4

present breeds government corruption.

This is why, even while the President’s move is drastic, I believe he was right in doing this. *** The earthquakes in Batanes bring to fore the need for a permanent body like the proposed Department of Disaster Resiliency more urgent.

Rep. Yedda Marie Romualdez pushed for it in the House of Representatives, but it failed to pass the Senate. Now it is being refined—a priority bill after Mr. Duterte mentioned it in his SONA. The country may have the ad hoc body National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management under the Office

The societal...

From A4

funding provisions in Republic Act No. 7722.

Moreover, PCSO was supposed to provide 40 percent—almost half!—of the funding of the Universal Health Care initiative that was recently signed into law. Where will the funds for all these agencies come from now, realistically?

There is an additional economic impact to the shutdown of PCSO’s gaming operations, and that is the loss of business and livelihood for the owners and operators of PCSO online Lotto and other gaming outlets around the country.

PCSO’s close to 30,000 outlets employ about 120,000 people. STL alone employs almost 310,000 people who enjoy the mandatory benefits required by law, according to the PCSO in June 2018.

Now they are all out of work, and the smaller owners will have to close shop to stop paying rent on their spaces. And yes, Presidential Spokesman Sal Panelo, many of the outlet employees are really poor and have no savings, and rely solely on this job for their income.

(Panelo recently said on this matter, “I am sure yung namang mga

Despite this, the Philippine economy remains strong and is one of the best performing in the whole of Asia.

Rodrigo Roa Duterte studied law. He has little patience with economics. He leaves the matter up to his economic managers led by Finance Secretary Carlos “Sonny” Dominguez. The team projects a Golden Era for the Philippine infrastructure and the economy.

Under Duterte, Infra spending is to be ramped up from 4.5 percent of GDP in 2016 to 7.3 percent of GDP by 2022, the end of the President’s six-year term.

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Benjamin Diokno calls it the Goldilocks economy.

Inflation this year will probably be half of 2018’s 5.2 percent, a ten-year high. Already, inflation hit 2.7 percent in June 2019, almost half of June 2018’s 5.2 percent and but still up from June 2017’s 2.5 percent.

At the same time, unemployment low rate is down to 5.17 percent, the lowest since 1986.

Sums up BSP Governor Diokno: “The general consensus is that the global economy will slow down as the US-China tension intensified, accompanied by worsening Europe, Japan and UK economies. I assign low probability that the US-China trade conflict would be resolved soon; most likely, it would be resolved after the 2020 presidential election, if at all.

Even after it’s resolved, it will take years to get back to normalcy.”

“For the Philippines, studies show that it will be one of the most resilient among emerging economies in the face of global challenges. RP is not a big exporting country. Our best defense is to prepare the Philippine economy for the next global expansion. We have to continue to invest in physical and human resources: to reduce logistics costs; to ease the costs of doing business; and improve the investment environment.” *** On a personal note, today would have been the 49th birth anniversary of my eldest child and eldest daughter, Myra V. Lopez. She died of aneurysm at the age of 37 in 2008. I miss her very much. The death of a child is one of the most painful experiences a parent can endure and carry in a lifetime.

Normally, a parent should die ahead of his/her child. Happy birthday, anak.

suffer You could imagine the suffering when economic growth rate was halved, from 7.6 percent in 2010 to 3.7 percent in 2011. It was the first full year of President BS Aquino III. He took power on June 30, 2010 and what followed was a sharp cutback in government spending on infra and government services. He thought money spent would be money stolen. No projects, no releases of funds, no money stolen. Noynoy did not build a single kilometer of railway. EDSA’s heavily travelled MRT 3 was allowed to rot, thanks to colossal incompetence and corruption.

BS Aquino, probably the most incompetent of all Philippine presidents, majored in economics at Jesuitrun Ateneo de Manila. So he had his own economic theory for which Filipinos suffered.

So now, the good news. Despite a remarkable slowdown in growth this year, the Philippine economy remains strong and is one of the best performing in the whole of Asia.

In 2019, the economic fundamentals are markedly different. President biznewsasia@gmail.com

of Civil Defense of the Department of National Defense, but we need a body that can strategize and focus on disaster. *** I still cannot understand by Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go continues to accompany the President wherever he goes.

He was a presidential aide before, sure, but now he is senator of the Republic! In continuing to act at the president’s “alalay,” Go demeans not only himself but the office, the Senate as an institution!

And please, Senator Go, don’t act like you are the Department of Social Welfare and Development that you are present where there is fire. You are a senator now so you must always be at the Senate where you are expected to do your job. You are not campaigning

naapektuhan hindi naman sila ganun ka hirap. Marami naman silang kinita during those times they were in operation. So I am sure meron silang pondo to live by.” Out of touch much?)

Many outlet owners, by the way, are retirees, balikbayans, and returned OFWs. Now their golden dreams of a small, thriving business are dead, or mostly dead until the suspension is lifted, if it will be.

Perhaps the largest impact will be felt in the underground gaming world, as PCSO game patrons look elsewhere to fulfill their get-richquick hopes and to scratch their itch to play budget games, because the majority of Filipinos cannot afford casino gaming.

The latter is not a substitute for the easy-to-play and affordable online Lotto, which also makes players feel good because part of their bets go to charity. Neither is cockfighting, which not everyone has the taste for; nor horseracing, which is a more complicated pasttime to learn and has its own problems; nor internet gambling, which is not readily accessible.

With PCSO’s Lotto and Small-Time Lottery gone, the illegal number games like jueteng and masiao will likely experience a massive surge in sales—and without any amount of those tens of billions going to the national coffers. Work that government

anymore.

*** Newly elected senators need to know what they should and should not do during Senate sessions.

I was listening to the privilege speech of Senator Panfilo Lacson the other day and I saw Senator Bato dela Rosa smirking. Will somebody please tell the former police chief to refrain from acting the way he did? *** The Commission on Audit says Solicitor General Jose Calida has a backlog of over a million cases. He says they are “pending.”

However he calls them, they are still backlog. The question is, what’s he doing about them? www.emiljurado.weebly.com

and law enforcement has done over decades towards eradicating illegal games will be undone in a matter of months, if not weeks.

Here’s a bonus point: Panelo says that patients requesting medical assistance can approach PAGCOR, Department of Social Welfare and Development, and Office of the President. But these agencies do not have the same programs, manpower, nor expertise that PCSO does to care of individual concerns.

What these three agencies do when the crowds of people previously at PCSO’s offices flock to their doors?

Good luck to them.

It is right that the allegations of “massive corruption” in PCSO be investigated immediately. It is just that erring agency officials and employees as well as franchisees found in violation of rules be charged to the fullest extent of the law.

But to be fair, due process must be observed, appropriate laws be obeyed, and consequences be studied.

A knee-jerk reaction, no matter how justified, is not tenable if it does more harm than good.

Study the impact first before making drastic moves. The same thing happened with TRAIN, and look where we are now. /FB and Twitter: @DrJennyO

Rapper...

From A4

He went to an all-boys Catholic school, where he said going along with his classmates while they made fun of effeminate boys became part of his "defence mechanism."

"Used to think that being gay was not okay/We laughed at all the boys, sissy, Ah Gua and gay," he raps.

His attempts to hide his sexuality from everyone around him created a growing sense of isolation, which he says contributed to years of depression.

"There was no one for me to confide in and it became a very bad downward spiral," he said.

"There was one day... I actually took maybe 20 pills, then I just went to sleep. So next thing I know I'm already in the hospital."

No positive role models Su is not alone in his experiences.

Leow Yangfa, the director of Singaporean NGO Oogachaga, which provides counselling and support services to the LGBT community, says young people questioning their sexuality may have trouble finding

support.

"For a lot of young people, there will be issues of invisibility, meaning that there will not be many or any positive role models of LGBT adults, whether in their community or in local media," he said.

"In our local mainstream schools there is very minimal or insufficient appropriate sexuality education that covers LGBT issues."

Su, whose day job is in marketing, has been based in Hong Kong for the last five years, where he said a more open society made him feel free to be himself.

After meeting others in the LGBT community, Su was able to accept his sexuality though he only told a small group of friends, who encouraged him to release his coming out track.

It was released earlier this month.

Su admitted being "quite anxious and nervous" about how his relatives would take it, especially members of his large extended family.

His parents messaged him and acknowledged that they had heard the song—but quickly changed the subject.

"So maybe [they’re] still not very ready to talk about it," he said, adding: "But for me, I feel that in their own way they kind of accept it." AFP

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK Manila

Standard

A6

TODAY

WEDNESDAY, JULY 31, 2019

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

News

Department Administrative Order No. 19-12 Series of 2019 IN THE MATTER OF THE PRELIMINARY DETERMINATION OF THE SAFEGUARD MEASURES CASE ON THE IMPORTATION OF CLEAR AND TINTED FLOAT GLASS INCLUDING REFLECTIVE GLASS FROM VARIOUS COUNTRIES (AHTN Codes 7005.29.90 (Clear Float Glass), and 7005.21.90 (Tinted Float Glass) including 7005.10.90 (Reflective Glass) (Safeguard Measures Case No. SG01-2019) x------------------------------------------------------------------x ORDER The Philippine float glass industry, represented by Pioneer Float Glass Manufacturing, Inc. (PFGMI) filed a petition for safeguard measures on the importation of float glass, clear and tinted, including reflective glass under AHTN Codes 7005.2990 (clear float glass), 7005.2190 (tinted float glass) and 7005.1090 (reflective glass) from various countries.

The period of investigation covered imports from 2013 to 2017. Updated data for 2018 were also presented. For injury determination, the Department considered relevant information for the same period.

WHEREFORE, IN VIEW THEREOF, the Department, acting under Section 7 of RA 8800, the “Safeguard Measures Act”, found after preliminary determination that increased imports of the products under consideration have caused serious injury to the domestic industry, particularly in terms of declining market share, domestic sales, capacity utilization, production, employment, profitability and increased inventories. Landed costs of imports were found to be lower than the ex-plant prices of the domestic product.

Further, pursuant to Section 8 of RA 8800 which provides that “in critical circumstances where a delay would cause damage which would be difficult to repair, and pursuant to a preliminary determination that increased imports are the substantial cause of serious injury to the domestic industry”, a provisional safeguard measures in the form of a cash bond amounting to P2,552/MT for clear float glass under AHTN Code 7005.29.90 and P2,835/MT for tinted float glass under AHTN Code 7005.21.90, including reflective glass under AHTN Code 7005.10.90 shall be imposed for a period of 200 days from the date of issuance by the Bureau of Customs (BOC) of the relevant Customs Memorandum Order or fifteen (15) days after the publication of the DTI Order in two (2) newspapers of general circulation, whichever comes earlier.

Imports originating from developing countries listed in Annexes A and B covered by Rule 8.8 of the IRR of RA 8800 shall not be subject to the provisional safeguard measure.

Importers of clear and tinted float glass including reflective glass originating from a country that is exempt from the safeguard duty shall submit a Certificate of Origin (CO) issued by the authorized agency/office in the source country of manufacture subject to affixation of “Apostille” to the document or authentication by the Philippine Embassy/Consulate General, as applicable.

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

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

The non-confidential report of the preliminary safeguard measures investigation can be accessed at the DTI website: https://www. dti.gov.ph/media/advisories/12990-preliminary-determination-of-the-safeguard-measures-case-against-the-importation-of-clear-andtinted-float-glass-from-various-countries The notification and consultation requirements under Article 12 of the WTO Safeguards Agreement and Section 17 of RA 8800 and its IRR shall be complied with. Imports originating from ASEAN member states shall be governed by the provisions of Articles 11 and 23 of the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement (ATIGA).

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

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

SO ORDERED. 22 July 2019

RAMON M. LOPEZ Secretary

SC clears former PCSO chair Valencia of charges T

By Rey E. Requejo

HE Supreme Court has overturned the decision of the Sandiganbayan that dismissed the P13.3-million malversation case filed against Sergio O. Valencia, former chairman of the board of directors of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.

In a decision penned by now retired Associate Justice Mariano C. del Castillo, the SC granted the demurrer to evidence filed by Valencia, in connection with the alleged illegal and fraudulent release, withdrawal, and disbursement of PCSO’s confidential and intelligence fund from 2007 to 2010.

Citing its earlier decision that dismissed the plunder case against former President and former Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and Benigno Aguas, former PCSO budget

and accounts manager, the SC resolved to grant Valencia’s demurrer to evidence due to “lack of specific allegations of the factual details pertaining to the crime of malversation in the information.”

On April 6, 2015, the Sandiganbayan granted Valencia’s demurrer to evidence as far as his plunder case was concerned since the charge involved only P13.3 million, which was below the P50 million threshold for plunder.

However, the anti-graft court

ruled that there was sufficient evidence to convict Valencia of malversation under Article 217 of the Revised Penal Code.

The unfavorable Sandiganbayan ruling prompted Valencia to elevate the issue before the SC. Case records showed that in July and December 2011, two complaints for plunder, malversation and graft were filed against several members of the PCSO board and other officials led by former President and then Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

On July 10, 2012, the Office of the Ombudsman filed with the Sandiganbayan plunder charges against them.

In the case of Arroyo and Benigno Aguas, former PCSO budget and accounts manager, they elevated the Sandiganbayan’s denial of their demurrer to evidence before the SC which ruled in their favor.

ANNEX A

Higher wages for barangay officials sought

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

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

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

North Africa Algeria Egypt, Arab Rep. Libya Morocco Tunisia

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

By Maricel V. Cruz

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

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

ANNEX B List of Developing Countries and Separate Customs Territories Excluded from the Imposition of Provisional Safeguard Measure on Tinted Float Glass Including Reflective Glass East & Southern Africa Angola Bostwana Burundi Comoros Congo. Dem. Rep. Djibouti Eritrea Ethiopioa Kenya Lesotho Madgascar Malawi Mauritius Mozambique Namibia Reunion Rwanda Seychelles Somalia South Africa Sudan Swaziland Tanzania Uganda Zambia Zimbabwe

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

North Africa Algeria Egypt, Arab Rep. Libya Morocco Tunisia

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

Europe & Central Asia Albania Armenia Azerbaijan Belarus Bosnia & Herzegovina Bulgaria Croatia Cyprus Czech Republic Estonia Georgia Greenland Hungary Kazakhstan Kyrgyz Republic Latvia Lithuania Macedonia, FYR Malta Moldova Poland Romania Russian Federation Slovakia Slovenia Tajikistan Turkey Turkmenistan Ukraine Uzbekistan Yugoslavia, Fed. Rep.

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

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

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

(MS-JULY 31, 2019)

SIDEWALK PRECINCT. PNP Chief Oscar Albayalde (right), NCRPO Regional Director Maj. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar and San Juan City Mayor Francis Zamora lead the demolition of San Juan City Police Community Precint 6 located at a sidewalk along Barangay West Crame in San Juan City. The demolition of the precint, just outside the walls of Camp Crame, complies with President Rodrigo Duterte’s order. Manny Palmero

Anti-drug authorities arrest Army man, suspected dealer

By Joel E. Zurbano AUTHORITIES arrested a member of the Philippine Army and a suspected drug dealer during a police buy-bust operation late Monday afternoon in Taguig City.

The main target of the police operation, 53-year-old Fernando Tiongson, who uses an alias Ando, was arrested along with his client Army Staff Sergeant Reynaldo Pulido, 43, assigned at 51st Engineering Brigade and resident of AC Aguinaldo Street, Salitran II, Dasmariñas, Cavite.

A composite team from the National Capital Region Police Office-Regional Drug Enforcement Unit and Special Operations Unit, Southern Police District-Drug Enforcement Unit, Taguig City Police Station-Drug Enforcement Unit, Armed Forces of the Philippines and Philippine Drug Enforcement

Agency conducted the operation at Tiongson’s drug den along Balatan Extension, Sitio Matatag in Western Bicutan around 5 pm.

“Our operatives caught Pulido in the act of preparing drug paraphernalia during the operation,” said NCRPO chief Guillermo Eleazar.

Recovered from the suspects were 10 heat-sealed plastics containing shabu, marked money worth P7,000 and assorted paraphernalia used in sniffing the prohibited substance.

Eleazar commended his men and rest of the operating team for the recent accomplishment.

“This is just one of many successful anti-illegal drug operations we have, in support of President Rodrigo Duterte’s campaign against illegal drugs. This accomplishment is also proof of our intensified cleanliness policy in the NCRPO,” said Eleazar.

A PARTY-LIST lawmaker has proposed to increase the salaries and benefits of barangay chairmen and Sangguniang Barangay members while pegging at fixed rates the compensation for barangay secretaries and treasurers.

Rep. Ron Salo of Kabayan Party-list, in filing House Bill 669 or the proposed Barangay Officials Salary and Benefits Act, said the barangay “is the basic political unit and serves as the primary planning and implementing unit of government programs.”

“Barangay officials are deemed persons in authority in their respective barangays and are mandated to maintain public order and ensure the protection of life, liberty and property in their jurisdictions,” Salo said.

Salo, however, said that despite the functions and responsibilities imposed on these officials, they were among the least paid public servants and were not entitled to the regular benefits afforded to regular government employees.

He said barangay chairmen used to receive a measly sum of P1,000, while council members, secretaries, treasurers used to receive an amount of P600 only each month.

The Department of Budget and Management noted the barangay officials’ deplorable condition, so in 1996, the agency fixed the salaries of barangay chairmen at Salary Grade 14 (P26,494) and the other barangay officials at Salary Grade 10 (P18,718).

“However, payments at these new rates are subject to the availability of funds of the local government unit concerned, and as such, the compensation was subject to the whims and caprices of those in power,” Salo said.

Salo said it was only just and right that these officials are treated as regular government employees because of the enormity of their responsibilities and functions, as well as the services they render to the barangay which cuts across all three branches of the government.

Sotto says he continues to oppose divorce

By Macon Ramos-Araneta DESPITE his wife, veteran actress Helen Gamboa, and two of their daughters favoring divorce, Senate President Vicente Sotto III said Tuesday he would not waver in his opposition to divorce.

“Not yet. We will still study it,” stressed Sotto when sought for his comment on reports that three members of his own family were supportive of the divorce bill being pushed by Congress.

“Ang Bible nga mismo may debate sa divorce, Senate pa? (The Bible itself had opposing views on divorce, what about the Senate?)” said Sotto in an interview over dzMM. He disclosed that his children had been telling him that divorce should have been recognized in the

country a long time ago.

Voting 134- 57, the House of Representatives under the previous Congress passed on third and final reading House Bill 7303 or the absolute divorce bill despite President Rodrigo Duterte’s objection to the bill, alarmed by its adverse impact on children.

The divorce under consideration is for the Christian members of the population of 106 million since divorce is permitted among the Filipino Muslims.

Senator Manny Pacquiao, a bornagain Christian pastor, has also objected to the divorce bill.

While acknowledging failed marriages, Pacquiao stressed it was not the only solution as the country had an annulment process for marriages.

“We already have an annulment

process, why is there a need to pass divorce?”

Pacquiao added it would be better “if we find ways to make the annulment process shorter.”

Senator Risa Hontiveros refiled the bill allowing absolute divorce in the country just last July 10.

In refiling the billl, Hontiveros noted that “it is our duty to protect the well-being and quality of life of our people, especially our women.”

She further explained: “They (women), together with their children, deserve not only a second chance but all the chances available in this world to find true and meaningful relationships and build nurturing families.”

She believes this protection to be a function of the state since “it is also duty-bound to promote and protect the well-being of its citizens.

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

Sports PH memory athletes eye Asian dominance FRESH from their conquest at the 6th Philippine International Open Memory Championship, the Philippine memory sports athletes are now preparing for a bigger task of also dominating the Asian region.

Six countries and a total of 74 memory athletes competed in the 6th Philippine International Open Memory Championship held last July 13 and 14 at Dreamworld Hotel North Edsa in Quezon City, with host Philippines claiming the overall title.

After tallying the total score from the top three players for each country, Team Philippines got a total score of 13,178 points to bag the overall championship.

Second place went to Indonesia with 10,589 points, followed by China with 9,937 points.

In the Open category, Erwin Balines of the Philippines garnered a total of 5835 points to claim the gold and compatriot Jamyla Lambunao scored 4973 points to bag silver.

Third place went to Indonesia’s Shafa Annisa Rahmadani Arianata, who got 4805 points.

In the Kids’ division, Shi Jiaming of China (2328 points), Muhammad Daffa Dhiyauddin of Indonesia (1873), and Patricia Vnyz R. Lopez of the Philippines (1667) placed in the top three.

In the Juniors’ division, Indonesians Shafa Annisa Rahmadani Arianata (4805) and Aisha Nadine Sharikha (4085) claimed the top two spots, while Ananya Narayanaswamy (3922) of India settled for the bronze.

The top three performers in the Adults’ division were Balines (5835), Lambunao (4973) and Liu Renjie of China (4315).

Anne Bernadette Bonita, national coach and president of the Philippine Mind Sports Association Inc., said she is now preparing the team for the 2019 Asian Memory Championships to be held in Bali, Indonesia on Oct. 5 and 6.

“The competition in the Asian level is much tougher, that is why I wanted the team to prepare early,” Bonita said. “It will be an exceptional battle of minds as each country will try to outperform each other in a friendly but challenging competition that attempts to break the limits of the human brain through memory sports.”

Letran...

From A8

In the junior division, the Arellano Braves stayed in solo second (4-1) with their 78-70 decision over the struggling University of Perpetual Help Junior Altas (2-3).

Danren Nepomuceno led the Braves with 23 points and four rebounds while Felix Villarante also added 11 markers and four boards.

Rookie guard Megan Galang took charge as the defending champion Malayan Red Robins fought their way out of a 20-point deficit for a 92-90 beating of the Letran Squires., Galang, who shot 16 points scored a jumper and a charity in the last 18.4 seconds to help the Red Robins earned their first win in five games.

This is the Red Robins’ first triumph under first-year head coach Yong Garcia. Peter Atencio

A7

WEDNESDAY, JULY 31, 2019 sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

63 more bowlers make BWC finals

T

HIRTY-SEVEN men and 26 ladies led by Philippine keglers Kenneth Chua and Liza del Rosario stayed in the hunt for Bowling World Cup international honors by advancing to the national finals recently.

Chua rolled a 12-game series of 2733 pinfalls at Coronado Starlanes while Del Rosario posted a 10-game series of 2373 at SM North EDSA to pace the second center finalists.

Also qualifying for the national finals bowling legend Paeng Nepomuceno, Anton Alcazaren, Benshir Layoso, Raoul Miranda, Paulo Valdez, Jayson Tubid, Rachelle Leon, Mades Arles and Krizziah Tabora.

With the addition of eight qualified reserves in the men’s field, 80 males and 43 females will now dispute the national titles and the right to represent the Philippines in the BWC international finals on Nov. 16 to 24, 2019 in Palembang, Indonesia.

The national finals will be held on

Sept. 7 and 8 at Coronado Starlanes, Sept. 10 and 11 at Superbowl and Sept.

13 at Paeng’s Eastwood Bowl.

Last year, Merwin Tan and Alexis Sy carried the Philippine colors in the BWC internal tinals at Sam’s Town in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The second center finalists and the reserves follow: Ladies—Liza del Rosario, Lara Posadas Wong, Yolly Floralde, Linda Afos, Corazon San Gil, Jo Anne Bonifacio, Alice Cabazor, Lailani Galang, Cindy Edquilane, Mades Arles, Joanne Santos, Leanie Amparo, Caloy Guitones, Winifred Kilito, Norma Degawan, Rachelle Leon, Rochelle Munsayac, Sherry

Ann Cruz, Liza Pabico, Dyan Coronacion, Alyssa dela Rosa, Abby Gan, Krizziah Tabora, Danielle Denise Lazo, Louise Santarin and Nancy Frianeza.

Men—Kenneth Chua, Paeng Nepomuceno, Paulo Valdez, Kayle Abad, Joebert Buenafe, Jomin Wong, Larry Tinio, Roy Nineza, Dan Enriquez, Rodel Tungala, Rod Agustin, Cezar Perez Jr., Romer Sto. Domingo, Caloy Guitones, Jerry Bugtong, Dumo Bejara, Raoul Miranda, Miko Cabazor, Boyet Delfino, Anton Alcazaren, Jayson Tubid, Ted Convocar, Paul Sia, JP. Macatula, Ryan Sonza, Kevin Atienza, Mel Fines, Scott Uy, Allen Laigo, Edwin Rupido, Benshir Layoso, King Limpo, Toti Daval Santos, Evaristo Feliciano, Lito Mondragon, Raoul Creencia, Nino Pabalan, Fernan Santiago, Paul Eluna,Peter Lacanilao, July Vargas, Simple Villajin, Alex Santos, Erwin Cabaneros and Jun Seculles.

STREAK CONTINUES. After sweeping the recent An Giang Television Women’s Cycling Championships in Vietnam, the Philippine Navy-Standard Insurance women’s team extended its streak in the recent PhilCycling National Road Cycling Championships in Tagaytay City. The team includes Marella Salamat, the 2015 Southeast Asian Games ITT gold medalist and ITT titlist Jermyn Prado, Kate Yasmin Velasco, (Under 23) ITT champion and Maritono Krogg, women’s junior road rage champion. In preparation for the 30th SEA Games, the team will again compete in an all-women tour in Indonesia on September. The Philippine team is managed by Standard Insurance Group Chairman Ernesto “Judes” Echauz (center) and coached by Reinhard Gorrantes and Bernie Llantada.

Lago, Emana shine in PPS Suarez netfest LEYTE’S Sal Andrei Lago hacked out a pair of semifinal reversals and went on to bag the boys’ 14- and 16-andunder crowns which Mica Emana matched in her side of the battle in the PPS-PEPP Fr. Fernando Suarez national age-group 2019 at the Brent Tennis Center in Biñan, Laguna last weekend.

The fourth-ranked Lago, a MAC’s Crankit Foundation protégé, stunned top seed Thomas Bernardo, 7-6 (5), 6-4, in the semis then held off unranked Marcus Guinoo, 6-2, 7-6(3), in the 14-U finals. The De La Salle U-Lipa team mainstay also ripped Bernardo, 6-1, 6-1, in the 16-U Final Four then foiled Lance Fernandez, 6-4, 6-4, to complete his romp in the Group I tournament of the country’s biggest age-grouper put up

by Palawan Pawnshop-Palawan Express Pera Padala and presented by Dunlop.

The top-seeded Emana, 14, dominated her age category, dropping just seven games in four matches capped by a 6-1, 6-1 victory over No. 2 Ma. Sophia Moreno in the finals. As No. 2, the rising star from Sta. Mesa upended top seed Gaby Zoleta, 6-3, 6-4, to snare the 16-U diadem in the event held in honor of healing priest Fr. Suarez for the second straight year.

Reversals actually marked the event held side-by-side with the Open tournament with Elijah Guillermo from Taguig (boys’ 18-U), DLSU-Lipa’s Lorin Idjao (girls’ 18-U, Kean Enriquez from Imus, Cavite (boys’ 12-U) and Taguig’s Godwin Jumarang (10U) upending a slew of fancied rivals on their way to victories.

“It continues to motivate us seeing new faces emerge week-in and weekout in the circuit. And we thank Fr. Suarez, a tennis buff himself, for helping provide the venue for these young talents to showcase their wares,” said Palawan Pawnshop president/CEO Bobby Castro.

Obstacle Racing athletes get boost from Allianz Philippines

By Peter Atencio MEMBERS of the Philippine Obstacle Course Racing National Team were selected after close to 200 course runners from 10 countries took part in the 2019 Asian OCR Championships Saturday at the Quirino Grandstand.

National coach Raven Quan said this right before participants from Australia, Malaysia, Thailand, Guam, Hong Kong, Singapore, Indonesia, Marianas and Vietnam took on local bets in three separate categories.

“We are choosing the national team and it will come from those who perform well in the race,” said Quan.

Last February, eight top members of the national squad were sent to Colorado to train with members of the national team in the United States.

Among those who excelled were Nitz Sanchez in the women’s side and the pair of Manolito Divina and BJ Miranda in the men’s side.

Participants took part in three events,

the 100-meter run with 10 obstacles, the five-kilometer run with 20 obstacles, and the 400-meter team event.

It was in the 5-kilometer run where participants mostly joined and the results will determine the composition of Philippine team that will compete in the inaugural OCR event of the 30th Southeast Asian Games.

Philippine Obstacle Course Federation president Alberto Agra said the event will also serve as a test event for the SEA Games.

For one, Malaysia is one of the three other countries that will join host country Philippines, along with Myanmar and Laos.

Agra talked about the races after signing a memorandum of agreement with Allianz Philippines as the official life insurance partner of the Philippine para-athletes, regular national pool members, the national men’s, women’s and para-OCR team for 2020.

“There will be three major events in this race. First, this will be a test event

The Para-OCR Athletes National Pool Team Members with Gae Martinez, Chief Marketing Officer, Allianz PNB Life (standing far left) Ian Adamson, President, World OCR (standing, 7th from left); Alex Grenz, President and CEO, Allianz PNB Life (standing, 8th from left); and Atty. Al Agra, President, Pilipinas Obstacle Sports Federation (standing, 9th from left).

for the SEA Games, the second is the Allianz Philippines president and Asian OCR championships, and the CEO Alexander Grentz said their supthird and ASEAN Para-OCR involving port will be for the next five years. two countries, the Philippines and Sin“Financial insurance of the most gapore,” said Agra. significant part of this,” said Grentz.

Australia’s Velofit, China’s Liv Pro join Femina tour

Australia’s Velofit team

KUALA LUMPUR—The staging of the inaugural Le Tour de Femina 2019, Malaysia’s first international multi-stage cycle race for women, has received overwhelming response with more than 40 professional and international teams expressing keen interest to be part of the September event.

Following its official launch in May, LTdF continues to draw attention from professional teams including some of the top UCI Women World Tour and continental teams, clubs and national teams from Europe, Asia and Asia-Pacific.

Perth-based Velofit Australia and China’s Liv Pro Cycling team were among the firsts to confirm their entries as race organizers Ciclista Sports Sdn Bhd stepped up preparations for the race which gets underway from 7-12 September.

Having competed in various races

around South East Asia including stage races in Vietnam and Thailand, Velofit Australia is expected to bring along a mixture of experienced and young riders for their first taste of action in Malaysia.

“We’re delighted to be able to compete at this level in Malaysia and facilitate racing for local and international at the highest level. We are also thrilled to be involved in an event that is delivering opportunities and growth for women in sport in the ASEAN region,” said a Velofit team statement.

Meanwhile, China Liv Pro Cycling Team is also no pushover, having competed in some of the major multi-stage races in China, including the Tour of Zhousyan and a UCI 2.WWT race, Tour of Chongming Island.

The team is expected to parade riders like former Asian champion Pu Yixian, a notable General Classification (GC)

contender who finished 6th overall in this year’s Tour of Zhousyan Island.

Another GC contender, Zhao Xi Sha (4th in Stage 3, 12th overall (GC) and in 8th overall in points competition in this year’s Tour of Chongming) and Wu Pei Xiao (3rd overall in the mountains classification of the 2.2 Tour of Zhoushan Island II) is also expected to boost the team’s chances in the race.

The 6-stage race from 6 to 12 September 2019 covers a total distance of 719.9 km with the participation of some 130 riders from Europe, Asia and the USA. LTdF is UCI-sanctioned event and held in collaboration with the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the Malaysian National Cycling Federation. It is part of organizers Ciclista Sports’ efforts to steer Malaysia into becoming one of the major hubs for women cycling in this part of the world.

Sports

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

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WEDNESDAY, JULY 31, 2019

San Miguel Beermen try to sweep Elasto Painters

By Jeric Lopez CLEARLY displaying championship form, the San Miguel Beermen want nothing more than a return trip to the finals as they look to finish off Rain or Shine in their best-of-five semifinals series in the 2019 Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner’s Cup. Holding a 2-0 lead, the Beermen are looking for the dagger and sweep against the desperate Elasto Painters in Game 3 at 7 p.m. at the Smart Araneta Coliseum tonight.

San Miguel has been on a roll, carrying a four-game winning streak dating back to the quarterfinals.

Beermen coach Leo Austria believes that as long as his team keeps its fine play, it will have a good shot at getting back to the finals.

“If we continue to play the way we’ve been playing with everybody stepping up, it’s going to be hard to beat us and we can return to the finals, hopefully,” said Austria.

Chris Ross showed that he is now in his playoffs element.

The do-it-all guard dropped a game-high 34 points, with 10 triples on only 16 attempts, as he shot the lights out to lead the Beermen to a 117-105 rout of the Elasto Painters in Game 2 Monday night to take a commanding series lead.

What made Ross’ dazzling display of shooting and San Miguel’s Game 2 victory more memorable was the fact that SMB trailed as much as 29 points in the first half.

The Beermen fell into a big hole early on but led by Ross fought their way back to make sure they move a game away from the finals.

The Elasto Painters now need to win three straight to make the finals.

Sharapova, Venus gain wildcards WASHINGTON, United States— Former world number ones Maria Sharapova and Venus Williams were given wildcard entries into next month’s WTA Cincinnati tournament.

Each will compete in the main draw for the August 12-18 hardcourt event.

Sharapova is one of only six women to have completed a career Grand Slam. The 32-year-old Russian owns 36 WTA titles, including five Grand Slam crowns, and is ranked 81st in the world. Her most recent Grand Slam title came at the 2014 French Open.

She suffered a nagging shoulder injury and missed more than four months before returning on grass, but retired in the third set of her opening-round match at Wimbledon.

Sharapova won the 2011 Cincinnati title and lost in the 2014 semifinals in her most recent appearance.

Williams, 39, has won seven Grand Slam titles among her 49 WTA crowns and has finished runner up in Grand Slams another nine times.

The 51st-ranked US star won singles gold at the 2000 Sydney Olympics and has won three Olympic doubles titles with sister Serena.

It will be Venus’s seventh Cincinnati start in her 25-year WTA career, her best run came in 2012 when she lost in the semi-finals.

Williams, a five-time Wimbledon singles champion, lost to US 15-year-old qualifier Coco Gauff in the first round at Wimbledon in her most recent start.

“Maria and Venus are two of the greatest champions in tennis history,” tournament director Andre Silva said. “We look forward to both joining our world class field.” AFP

San Miguel Beer big man Christian Standhardinger (34) tries to score against three Rain or Shine Elasto Painters defenders, from right: Gabe Norwood, Jewel Ponferada and Javee Mocon. PBA Media

PH athletes get SSS coverage

By Peter Atencio

W

ITH national athletes getting ready for the 30th Southeast Asian Games, more benefits are coming their way.

The Social Security System will now provide financial assistance to meet their many needs.

This is possible after Philippine Sports Commission Chairman William I. Ramirez and Social Security System President and Chief Executive Officer Aurora Ignacio formally signed the Memorandum of Agreement yesterday Ramirez considered the agreement as historical and significant following a

signing ceremony that was held at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex.

“This is historical, that SSS is partnering with us for the first time for our national athletes. Maraming kaming national athletes na sumikat. Iyung iba, namatay na lang. Iyung iba, nasa ospital. Walang ganitong benepisyo.

Malaking bagay ang ganito,” said Ramirez.

The PSC chief recalled the case of retired boxer Leopoldo Serrantes. When he got sick the PSC had to go the extra mile to help him.

Under the agreement, the PSC will assign personnel who will act as their liaison to the SSS. National athletes, coaches and trainers will be covered under the agreement, and since they are not regularly employed, they will be registered as self-employed members of the PSC.

Their monthly contributions will be automatically deducted from their allowances.

“Na-realize ng mga government agencies, at lalo na ng Presidente (Duterte) na di sila nabibigyan ng kaukulang proteksyon. Kasi, matagalan na panahon na rin silang nagbibigay ng karangalan sa ating bansa,” said Ignacio.

Commissioners including Commissioner Charles Raymond Maxey, Commissioner Celia Kiram and Commissioner Arnold Agustin were with Ramirez and Ignacio, along with with SSS NCR Operations Group Senior Vice President Jose B. Bautista and SSS Concurrent Acting Senior Vice President Antonio S. Argabioso.

There are around 1,180 national athletes from 58 national sports associations (NSA) who are being supported by the PSC.

Tolentino gives up sports director post MAJOR responsibilities concerning the technical aspects of the 30th Southeast Asian Games will be given up by the newly elected Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham Tolentino.

Tolentino is turning over his job as sports director of the Philippine SEA Games Organizing Committee to former deputy secretary general Karen Caballero following the recent leadership change in the POC. “Tapos na ang research on the games and the events, and the matters concerning the venues. This is just about the finishing touches, and supervising,” said Tolentino during yesterday’s weekly Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Forum at the Amelie Hotel in Ermita, Manila.

As the new president of the POC, he will now assume the post of vice president of the Phisgoc, a post that was last held by Ricky Vargas before he resigned.

The 55-year-old Tolentino is now serving out the remaining 15 months of Vargas’ term.

Preparations are now on their final stretches and Tolentino hopes to be in touch with the Philippine Sports Commission and the Phisgoc officials to find out about the many minor details that need to be addressed.

A meeting this Friday is scheduled with the POC executive board, and Tolentino said he will now be the one to answer questions that were not answered by Vargas last June.

“I will be ready (to answer) kung ano

ang itatanong nila. Hopefully, it will be a good start for the POC,” said Tolentino.

Tolentino said unity among the many quarreling members of the POC is among the things that he is working.

Peter Atencio

SAILING IN THE WIND. Competitors take part in the first day of the 38th Copa del Rey (King’s Cup) Regata off the coast of Palma de Mallorca. AFP

Tigers feast on Marlins in Lakan Cup COCOLIFE Davao’s Mario Bonleon starred for the Tigers as they ripped Soccsargen Marlins, 104-75, in the elimination round of the 2019 Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League Lakan Season Monday at Navotas Sports Complex in Navotas City.

The sophmore Bonleon, a wellknown Tiger defender with a shooting touch at the perimeter, exploded in the second half as he scored at will from inside and from downtown to help his team pull away from a close 54-52 scored in the middle of the third canto.

With huge support from his teammates, led by slotman Mark Yee, Billy Robles, Joseph Terso, Bogs Raymundo and newcomers Ivan Ludovice and James Forrester, the Davao team of Dumper Party List Rep. Claudine Bautista and backed by Cocolife President Atty. Jose Martin Loon, FVP Joseph Ronquillo, AVP Rowena Asnan and SVP Franz Joie Araque, never looked back en route to their sixth win in seven outings to stay on top of the south division standings.

Bonleon topscored with 22 points, hauled 4 rebounds and had an assist— just enough for him to be named Best Player of the Game--his highest feat so far in the league organized by Senator Manny Pacquiao.

The Tigers’ annihilation in the final half snapped an impressive start by the Marlins’ Spenser John Eman, Ranel Jake Diwa, Jerome Juanco and Norman Gonzales, who entered the game with a mission of scoring a giant upset and a first-ever victory, that went to naught as they remained winless in 5 games.

“Nabigyan ng lubos na tiwala ni coach [Don Dulay] kaya sinamantala ko ang pagkakataong magpasiklab sa opensa. I’m very thankful my shots are falling in for the team,” said Bonleon as he acknowledged his shooting coach deputy team manager Ray Alao.

Letran Knights survive Mapua challenge, 89-84

Perpetual Altas center Benedict Adamos (18) tries to control the basketball against Raymart Sablan (1) and Jade Talampas (10) of Arellano. Dennis Abrina

THE Letran Knights relied on Bonbon Batiller to hold off the Mapua University Cardinals, 89-84, yesterday at the FilOil-Flying V Sports Center in San Juan.

Batiller, who had 15 points, four rebounds, three assists, steal and a block, nailed a late triple that allowed the Knights to escape with their fifth win in six game in the 95th National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) men’s basketball tournament.

With the Cardinals threatening, 84-86, Batiller hit a trey with 19.1 seconds left to give the Knights their needed five-point advantage as the clock wound down.

Earlier, Edgar Charcos, who had made 15 points, drove past two defenders in the last 3.4 seconds to carry University of Perpetual Help to a 75-73 triumph over the Arellano University Chiefs.

This ended the Altas’ three-game losing skid, and they now have 2-3 win-loss slate The score was tied at 73-all, when Charcos evaded two defenders, found an opening and sank a floater that allowed the Altas to improve their record in sixth. “(Ton) Peralta did a good job on (Kent) Salado. First half zero si Salado, he came with 10 but it was hard-earned. We just have to stop people if we want to win

games,” added Lim. Kim Aurin showed the way with 17 points while Benedict Adamos made 16 for the Altas.

The Cardinals, now winless after five games, were frustrated by Letran’s inside defense, with Ato Ular swiping away an attempt by Christian Bunag in the remaining time.

“Medyo, it’s a bad game. Sa stats pa lang, we were outrebounded. It’s unbecoming for us dahil we know we have the advantage.

Na-surprise kami na hanggang last second bola pa rin nila.” said Knights coach Bonnie Tan after they lost an 11-point edge midway Turn to A7 in the last period.

IN BRIEF SEC lands in top 10 government agencies

THE Securities and Exchange Commission remained among the best-performing government agencies for the business sector, as it worked on cutting processing times for company registration and other initiatives aimed at improving the ease of doing business in the Philippines.

The commission landed anew in the Top 10 in the latest Executive Outlook Survey conducted by the Makati Business Club, in partnership with the Management Association of the Philippines, on the performance of government agencies.

The SEC joins the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, National Economic and Development Authority, Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration, Department of Trade and Industry, Philippine Statistics Authority, Department of Finance, Board of Investments, Department of Tourism, Armed Forces of the Philippines and Philippine Economic Zone Authority in the Top 10.

The survey asked 100 executives from 100 companies whether they were satisfied or not satisfied with the performances of government agencies in the past year, from July 2018 to June 2019. Of the 69 government agencies assessed, 42 received positive satisfaction ratings.

Over 17,000 farmers get LandBank loans

OVER 17,000 small palay and corn farmers have benefited from direct credit from Land Bank of the Philippines as of endJune 2019 through the Sikat Saka Program.

A partnership between Land Bank of the Philippines and the Agriculture Department, Sikat Saka provides direct credit and integrated support services to small palay and corn farmers who are members of Irrigators Associations or endorsed by farmers organizations.

For over 7 years since 2012, LandBank has released P9.18 billion in loans to small farmers in 45 major rice-producing provinces and 11 corn-producing provinces in the country through the program.

“We have been working aggressively with the Department of Agriculture on programs that provide our small farmers with direct access to credit, as we relentlessly work towards increasing their productivity and income,” said LandBank president and chief executive officer Cecilia Borromeo. Othel V. Campos

Business Infradev posts $350-m bond for Makati subway

By Darwin G. Amojelar

P

UBLICLY-LISTED Philippine Infradev Holdings Inc., formerly IRC Properties Inc., said Tuesday it posted a $350-million performance bond for the construction of a 10-kilometer underground railway project in Makati City.

The performance bond, representing 10 percent of the project cost, was a pre-condition for Tuesday’s signing of the joint venture agreement between Philippine Infradev Holdings and the local government of Makati City.

Makati Mayor Abby Binay and Philippine Infradev Holdings chairman Ren Jinhua signed the joint venture agreement for the $3.5-billion subway project. Ren is a Chinese investor who serves as a director of Mingly China

Growth Fund Co. Ltd. and chairman of Sinobase International (HK) Co. Ltd. Philippine Infradev received the green light to proceed with the subway project after the firm hurdled a 60-day competitive Swiss Challenge and obtained the approval of the Makati City council.

The $3.5-billion Makati City Subway, to be known as MkTr, is touted as the biggest public-private-partnership project for a local government unit.

Philippine Infradev president and chief executive Antonio Tiu earlier announced the completion of a six-month soil testing along the proposed alignment of the 10-kilometer intracity subway system with no adverse findings.

Philippine Infradev expects the railway system to start operations by 2025.

Binay welcomed the project, saying it would benefit the people of Makati and even non-Makati residents as it would connect key points and cut travel time within the city.

She assured there would be no cash

out from the city government. The Makati government would only contribute land that it currently owns and which will be used in the subway system, she said.

The proposed subway would connect key points such as the current central business district at the corner of Ayala Ave. and Sen. Gil Puyat Ave., Circuit City, Makati City Hall, University of Makati, Ospital ng Makati and other new growth areas within the city.

The subway will have up to 10 airconditioned, underground island stations. It can accommodate up to six-car trains, with room for over 200 persons per car. Once completed, it will serve more than 700,000 passengers per day.

Makati’s intra-city subway is seen complementing the national government’s mass transport projects as it would be connected to the proposed Metro Manila Mega Subway project, MRT 3 stations and the Pasig River ferry system.

Fruitas eyes more brand acquisitions

WITH over 970 stores nationwide, leading food kiosk operator Fruitas Holdings Inc. is on the lookout for more brand acquisitions as it continues its bullish thrust to diversify distribution channels.

“We are always finding ways to make it easier for Filipinos to access our products. We want to encourage more frequent consumption and continue to reach out to first-time customers,” said Lester Yu, Fruitas Holdings president and chief executive officer.

He added the evolving needs of the customer base provided an opportunity for the company to expand distribution channels.

Earlier this year, Fruitas teamed up with Grab to make their products available in the delivery service platform in order to reach and serve more Filipinos in Metro Manila easily.

Among the brands that are available in Grab’s platform are Fruitas, Buko Loco, Buko ni Fruitas, De Original Jamaican Pattie, Johnn Lemon, Sabroso Lechon, House of Desserts, Black Pearl and Tea Rex. Othel V. Campos

PAGTUGON AWARD. The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas recognizes Philippine Savings Bank for its outstanding customer focus and service—granting the thrift-bank arm of the Metrobank Group its 4th Pagtugon award since 2015. Attending the 2019 BSP awards ceremony and appreciation event for stakeholders are (from left) BSP Monetary Board member Bruce Tolentino, PSBank first vice president and customer experience and people development group head Mary Jane Valero, PSBank president Jose Vicente Alde and BSP Governor Benjamin Diokno.

Globe rolls out 5G fixed wireless broadband in barangay of Pasig GLOBE Telecom Inc. said Tuesday it commercially rolled out the fifth-generation fixed wireless broadband service in Barangay Buting, Pasig City.

Martha Sazon, senior vice president and head of broadband business at Globe, said the company started connecting Filipino homes with Globe At Home Air Fiber 5G. “We are now transforming more Filipino households to be digitally connected using 5G technology especially in areas where we encounter challenges in rolling out fiber-optic cable,” Sazon said.

Globe At Home Air Fiber 5G will be commercially available in September in Greenpark, Cainta, Rizal; Woodland Hills in Carmona, Cavite; and Carissa Homes 2A and 2B, Palmera Homes, San Jose del Monte City, Bulacan.

Sazon said Globe At Home Air Fiber 5G would be available in 24 more areas on a

progressive basis to fully ensure the stability of the service.

“The Globe At Home Air Fiber 5G doesn’t only deliver fiber-like speeds but also prepares the home for the future by powering intelligent devices for better entertainment and security systems,” she said.

Globe president and chief executive Ernest Cu said Globe At Home Air Fiber 5G would reinforce the efforts of achieving the company’s goal to connect two million homes by 2020.

“Prior to Air Fiber 5G, we have aggressively utilized fixed wireless solutions to connect more homes and businesses to the internet over airwaves. This strategy resulted in home broadband subscriber base increasing by 55.1 percent to 1.7 million in the first three months of 2019 from 1.1 million in the same period in 2016,” Cu said. Darwin G. Amojelar

Ray S. Eñano, Editor Roderick T. dela Cruz, Assistant Editor business@manilastandard.net extrastory2000@gmail.com WEDNESDAY, JULY 31, 2019

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Megaworld spending P10b to open 8 malls

By Jenniffer B. Austria MEGAWORLD Corp., the property unit of billionaire Andrew Tan, said it is spending P10 billion to open eight new malls outside Metro Manila over the next three years.

Megaworld said in a disclosure to the stock exchange the eight new malls in key regional centers across the country would add 200,000 square meters of shopping space to its existing portfolio.

The planned new malls and commercial centers are located in Cebu, Bacolod, Davao, Boracay, Cavite and Pampanga.

“For the next three years, the Megaworld Lifestyle Malls brand will be seen in key growth areas around the country as we continue to tap opportunities for our retail partners to further expand and grow their brands with us,” Megaworld chief strategy officer Kevin Tan said.

The property developer said each new mall would have a distinct character and vibe, a concept in which Megaworld Lifestyle Malls has been known for.

“We veer away from standardizing our malls. We study and curate them based on what its location is all about.

We want each mall to have its own charm and identity―something that makes each one ‘endemic’ to the city where it is located,” said Tan. Megaworld now has 17 lifestyle malls across the Philippines with a total retail space portfolio of 710,000 square meters.

Megaworld said that in the next two years it would open Maple Grove Mall in General Trias, Cavite and Northill Town Center in Northill Gateway, Bacolod City.

“Our goal is to have a mall in each township that we have. And in every lifestyle mall, we will always help and support local entrepreneurs in that area to flourish and build their businesses with us,” Tan said.

Among the flagship malls under the Megaworld Lifestyle Malls brand are Eastwood Mall in Quezon City; Uptown Mall, Venice Grand Canal and Forbes Town in Taguig City; Newport Mall at Resorts World Manila in Pasay City; Lucky Chinatown in Binondo, Manila; Southwoods Mall in Biñan, Laguna; and Festive Walk Mall in Iloilo City.

Meralco unit building 350 MW of renewable energy projects

By Alena Mae S. Flores MERALCO PowerGen Corp., the power generation arm of Manila Electric Co., plans to construct 350 megawatts of renewable energy capacity, with some projects expected to come online as early as next year, officials said Tuesday.

“In terms of the commitment of the group to expand our RE projects, we are lining up in the immediate future [or] as early as 2020 about 350 MW of RE projects that are almost near completion,” Meralco PowerGen president Rogelio Singson said.

Singson said as these renewable energy projects were covered by nondisclosure agreements, he could not disclose further details.

“There’s solar. We’re also looking at microgrids, wind,” Singson said, re-

ferring to the types of renewable projects in the pipeline.

Meralco president Ray Espinosa said once a deal was firmed up, the company would make the necessary announcement.

“They do have a number of potential deals in the pipeline that have NDA, so we aren’t able to mention these yet… I think there should be one or two [deals] maybe this year,” Espinosa said.

Meralco PowerGen expects to take advance of the implementation of the renewable energy portfolio standards or RPS, which requires distribution utilities to source a fraction of their power supply from eligible RE resources.

Meralco is required to source about 500 MW to 600 MW of renewable energy capacity by 2022, officials said.

The power distributor announced in

June the target to invest in 1,000 MW of renewable energy projects over the next five to seven years.

“We announce that we are developing 1,000 MW of renewable energy projects in the next five to seven years, joining the inexorable shift to renewable energy and the adoption of sustainable practices in everything we do,” Espinosa said.

Meralco PowerGen established subsidiary MGEN Renewable Energy Inc. to serve as the platform for the strategic push for renewable energy projects, primarily solar, wind and run-ofriver hydro facilities.

The new company aims to bring in additional supply to support the Philippines’ growth momentum and help ensure the availability of green and cost-competitive power supply in the coming years.

ATN, China firms investing P2.5b in pre-cast housing facility ATN Holdings Inc., a company led by businessman Arsenio Ng, said it is teaming up with China Machinery Engineering Corp. and Broad Homes Industrial International Co. Ltd. to invest P2.5 billion in a state-of-art precast housing technology facility in Rodriguez, Rizal.

ATN said in a disclosure to the stock exchange it signed a memorandum of understanding with CMEC, a subsidiary of China National Machinery Industry Corp. and BHI to build a pre-cast facility that is capable for reducing the construction period for a single house from three months to 12 hours and a multilevel housing from six months to one week.

The pre-cast facility, which will rise in ATN’s 25-hectare property in Rizal, will have the capacity to produce 6,000 housing units per year and improve the

quality of houses using new technologies.

ATN said it expects the entry-level plant to generate P18 billion in forwardlooking annual revenues for the company.

The precast technology for housing is seen to reduce 35 percent material wastage at project site, offer higher quality via factory-controlled process and reduce construction time and cost.

ATN said it was planning to integrate its 82-hectare rock quarry development, 500-ton-per-hour aggregate crusher plant, cement batching plant and construction materials to the housing business with a pre-cast concrete plant for multi-story building units with various housing agencies of the government.

The company said the forward integration would create two major business segments for the company that would

support the government’s “Build, Build, Build” infrastructure projects and mass housing projects.

“ATN aims to produce 10,000 housing units per year starting 2020 to complement the ‘Build, Build, Build’ program of His Excellency President Duterte and Philippine Medium-Term Development Plan,” the company said.

ATN said its board approved the plan to raise P1 billion via private placement, P1.5 billion in bridge financing from CMEC and P2.5 billion in bank loans.

ATN is a holding company with investments in real estate, land development, energy and healthcare services.

Its subsidiaries are Palladian Land Development Inc., ATN Philippines Solar Energy Group, Advanced Home Concept Development Corp. and Managed Care Phil. Inc. Jenniffer B. Austria

CAAP VISIT. Newly appointed Philippine Airlines president and chief operating officer Gilbert Santa Maria (center) and PAL executive vice president, treasurer and chief administrative officer Vivienne Tan (left) visit the headquarters of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines to reiterate the flag carrier’s pledge of commitment to help address the country’s aviation industry challenges. The courtesy call on CAAP directorgeneral Jim Sydiongco is a part of PAL’s first wave of visits to the offices of aviation industry stakeholders.

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Business

WEDNESDAY, JULY 31, 2019 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Stocks slip; Semirara, Globe down

T

HE stock market fell slightly Tuesday in cautious trading ahead of the release of key economic data next week, including the gross domestic product figures in the second quarter and the inflation rate in July.

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index slipped 38.06 points, or 0.5 percent, to 8,150.46 on a value turnover of P6.9 billion. Losers beat gainers, 115 to 85, withy 49 issues unchanged.

Semirara Mining Power Corp. of the Consunji Group declined 2.5 percent to P23.30, while Universal Robina Corp., the biggest snack food maker, dropped 1.5 percent to P167.50.

Globe Telecom Inc., the largest telecommunications firm, lost 3.1 percent to P2,190, but International Container

Terminal Services Inc., the biggest port operator, advanced 4.7 percent to P135.

Meanwhile, Asia markets rose modestly on Tuesday, with investors doubtful of any major breakthroughs in the latest round of US-China trade talks getting underway in Shanghai.

The two-day negotiations in the financial hub will be the first face-to-face discussions since negotiations collapsed in May, when US President Donald Trump accused China of reneging on its commitments.

Washington and Beijing have so far hit each other with punitive tariffs covering more than $360 billion in two-way trade in the year-long dispute.

But little of substance is expected and both sides have worked to lower expectations ahead of the meeting.

“Realistically, this round of talks is about clarifying where the two sides stand after a significant lull in engagement,”

said Jake Parker, senior vice president at the US-China Business Council.

“There also needs to be a focus on rebuilding trust that was present in April but has since dissipated.”

Hong Kong was up 0.2 percent in the afternoon while Shanghai closed 0.4 percent higher.

Huawei reported a 23 percent surge in revenue for the six months to June despite the blacklisting of the Chinese telecom giant by US President Donald Trump on national security concerns.

Tokyo ended 0.4 percent higher, with traders lacking a set of clear trading pegs from a raft of economic data released by the Japanese government before the opening bell.

Entertainment giant Nintendo saw quarterly net profits down 46 percent, rival Sony posted a 33 percent drop, while major air carrier ANA Holdings saw its bottom line profits slip by more than 30

percent on rising costs and a higher tax burden.

Sydney closed up 0.3 percent, just below a nearly 12-year high for the ASX200 blue chip index.

Australian shares have been steadily climbing since January, receiving a boost from lower interest rates and the re-election of the country’s ruling conservative government.

Elsewhere in the region, Seoul pared Monday’s losses to rise 0.5 percent in the morning, while Taipei was down 0.5 percent.

The Bank of Japan kickstarted several major central bank announcements this week after wrapping up its policy meeting on Tuesday with a status quo announcement.

US Federal Reserve policymakers will also start a two-day meeting later Tuesday amid expectations of the first interest rate cut in a decade. With AFP

MANILA STANDARD BUSINESS DAILY STOCKS REVIEW TUESDAY, JULY 30, 2019

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING),

FINANCIALS 58.8 4,020 90.6 2,611,980 2.23 2,100,000 148.4 1,390,420 1.23 14,000 27 266,100 7.96 1,900 18.6 700 12.42 632,300 4.75 15,000 770 100 0.47 10,000 75.9 2,336,630 1.16 1,458,000 13.1 50,000 20.55 200 49.5 1,009,400 191.5 240 59.3 6,700 30.55 868,900 184 172,310 60 22,090 1.12 3,000

234,265 235,866,886 4,724,960 206,191,349 16,980 7,184,815 13,523 13,020 7,869,362 70,980 77,000 4,700 176,936,051.50 1,682,390 655,000 4,205 49,966,315 45,111 396,043.50 26,546,020 31,698,355 1,328,817 3,370

59,970 95,156,869 -4,704,750 -13,829,294 -6,363,980 -1,218,492 7,347,545.50 -143,800 -3,660,450 5,580 3,141,050 -6,270,272 -712,207.50 -

36.2 13.84 0.77 1.31 0.27 2.96 15.1 110 16 15.36 41.75 76.1 88.6 2 5.2 6.22 10.3 14.46 10.86 7.53 26.05 86.85 59 2.18 14 9.6 1.66 248 29.3 8.8 23.5 14.1 18.96 367.4 0.186 1.72 4.8 5.58 9 2.4 11.76 38.2 5.22 5 1.36 2.15 1.06 13.68 100.2 6.7 1.1 167 2.48 1.22 16.12 1.27

INDUSTRIAL 36.2 1,027,600 14.28 1,338,400 0.78 385,000 1.31 93,000 0.27 310,000 2.97 11,440,000 15.1 106,400 110 50 16.18 112,700 16.7 1,100 41.75 1,200 79 3,930 88.8 1,100 2.03 201,000 5.2 100 6.37 62,900 10.38 118,500 14.5 694,400 11 316,700 7.54 6,268,100 26.2 3,122,700 86.85 352,730 61.4 1,162,290 2.25 6,884,000 14.04 385,400 9.75 135,900 1.69 22,000 255 1,597,640 29.3 10 8.8 3,300 24 24,800 14.12 125,700 19 176,400 367.4 216,260 0.194 30,000 1.75 2,341,000 4.87 30,000 5.58 778,700 9 1,000 2.41 19,952,000 11.98 13,200 38.55 97,000 5.22 10,400 5.05 1,890,200 1.47 781,000 2.15 5,000 1.09 175,000 13.7 101,100 100.8 65,690 6.76 165,400 1.12 327,000 167.5 1,714,340 2.48 20,000 1.22 1,015,000 16.12 1,600 1.28 2,252,000

37,282,755 19,076,418 299,880 122,020 83,700 34,178,410 1,610,964 5,500 1,817,598 18,116 50,100 309,851 99,162 408,000 520 396,267 1,223,764 10,056,352 3,490,492 47,266,328 81,675,310 30,690,237.50 71,920,805.50 15,399,920 5,406,274 1,317,268 36,740 404,519,030 293 29,079 591,955 1,774,610 3,359,202 79,903,788 5,660 4,088,110 145,650 4,360,795 9,000 48,923,470 157,036 3,726,120 54,326 9,453,784 1,089,100 10,750 186,750 1,385,320 6,609,830 1,113,197 361,820 287,501,689 49,600 1,249,310 25,792 2,885,140

-16,772,735 163,172 16,241,940 -495,214 80,500 -50,100 -103,727 41,486 8,931,404 3,157,950 2,231,321 -33,591,405 -19,543,331 2,195,160.50 -1,253,160 -1,075,486 649,549 -16,660 186,104,206 -133,670 -16,996 1,498,118 -14,366,772 -708,920 122,960 -1,200,450 3,528 55,065 -348,750 -29,200 -106,800 489,224 -1,446,165 -51,493,061 -282,130 196,500

1.06 55.5 15.8 0.72 7.1 17.3 1.35 1.36 969 4.3 7.03 10.48 14 4.48 0.228 963.5 6.41 67.5 6.44 0.495 4.57 14.8 0.74 4.86 0.039 1.55 3.01 176.5 1,020 0.84 1.4 260.2 0.232 0.29

0.97 53.95 15.54 0.72 7 16.82 1.27 1.3 944.5 4.05 6.85 10.24 13.8 4.47 0.22 950 6.41 65.3 6.05 0.48 4.52 14.1 0.69 4.78 0.039 1.46 2.83 175.1 993 0.83 1.4 259.2 0.232 0.28

HOLDING FIRMS 0.97 95,135,000 53.95 930,750 15.6 3,393,100 0.72 133,000 7 37,500 17.02 86,500 1.29 10,759,000 1.33 1,155,000 952.5 281,790 4.05 9,890,000 6.9 456,400 10.3 12,786,100 13.98 7,557,700 4.48 25,000 0.228 680,000 955 80,030 6.41 61,500 67.5 1,123,980 6.44 4,100 0.495 20,000 4.57 345,000 14.24 3,288,600 0.72 10,747,000 4.81 26,771,000 0.039 10,900,000 1.5 2,197,000 3.01 3,000 175.9 350,270 1,013 863,125 0.84 132,000 1.4 20,000 260.2 302,520 0.232 110,000 0.28 1,250,000

94,856,240 50,654,497.50 52,993,906 95,760 263,069 1,464,406 14,218,850 1,548,110 268,628,555 40,840,810 3,161,611 131,699,340 104,460,752 111,980 151,460 76,498,030 394,215 75,114,791.5 ( 26,255 9,750 1,561,220 46,955,854 7,711,860 129,046,530 425,100 3,324,010 8,850 61,510,434 867,023,757.50 110,450 28,000 78,415,332 25,520 355,300

-811,010 -33,065,703 7,477,148 -72,000 -236,413 -11,788 437,100 -66,058,420 1,724,820 381,074 -24,654,240 1,050,284 17,600 20,333,330 -352,550 35,788,052.5) 516,990 -21,118,246 40,952,210 -544,200 11,211,181 547,769,425 140,344 -

15.84 0.85 11.34 2.17 1.17 51.55 2.27 5.12 6.16 0.63 0.83 0.238 0.47 11.2 24.8 0.47 0.125 1.98 1.39 6.3 0.345 1.84 0.4 2.06 27.8 2.47

15.7 0.83 10.3 2.01 1.04 50.95 2.2 5.08 6.08 0.6 0.81 0.236 0.45 10.56 23.8 0.465 0.124 1.93 1.37 6.1 0.335 1.75 0.4 2.02 27.2 2.36

PROPERTY 15.84 456,000 0.83 1,048,000 10.8 27,600 2.15 128,000 1.08 36,873,000 51.1 3,898,780 2.23 640,000 5.1 321,800 6.16 44,500 0.62 14,888,000 0.81 2,000 0.236 16,550,000 0.47 520,000 11.04 1,896,100 24.5 397,600 0.465 810,000 0.125 80,000 1.95 59,612,000 1.37 814,000 6.3 10,075,000 0.34 6,270,000 1.79 18,273,000 0.4 70,000 2.03 804,000 27.5 2,068,700 2.45 958,000

7,171,442 870,240 296,674 262,770 40,882,160 199,303,701 1,424,140 1,640,312 270,838 9,188,840 1,640 3,915,950 237,550 20,804,380 9,705,055 377,400 9,990 116,985,430 1,122,280 62,657,212 2,131,600 32,887,100 28,000 1,634,790 56,905,400 2,323,670

-1,624,528 -91,720.00 -69,354,452 -93,110 25,500 -30,500 150,750 -82,580 4,408,380 -149,500 32,694,620 13,386,663 217,600 -10,803,520 -5,115,215 -31,850

NAME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

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

58.5 90 2.3 149 1.15 27 7 18.6 12.5 4.72 770 0.47 75.3 1.15 13.1 21.5 49.5 192 59.2 30.05 185 60.1 1.13

58.8 90.9 2.3 149 1.23 27.05 7.97 18.6 12.5 4.75 770 0.47 76.1 1.16 13.1 21.5 49.9 192 59.3 32 185 60.95 1.13

57.65 89.55 2.23 147.4 1.15 26.95 7 18.6 12.4 4.72 770 0.47 75.3 1.12 13.1 20.55 49.3 186 59 29.55 182.4 60 1.12

ABOITIZ POWER AGRINURTURE ALLIANCE SELECT ALSONS CONS BASIC ENERGY CEMEX HLDG CENTURY FOOD CHEMPHIL CIRTEK HLDG CNTRL AZUCARERA CONCEPCION CONCRETE A CONCRETE B CROWN ASIA DAVINCI CAPITAL DEL MONTE DNL INDUS EAGLE CEMENT EEI CORP EMPERADOR FIRST GEN FIRST PHIL HLDG GINEBRA GREENERGY HOLCIM INTEGRATED MICR IONICS JOLLIBEE LIBERTY FLOUR 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 VIVANT VULCAN INDL

36.5 14.26 0.78 1.32 0.27 2.98 15.1 110 16.4 15.36 41.75 80 88.6 2 5.2 6.38 10.38 14.46 10.86 7.54 26.25 87.2 60.85 2.2 14.02 9.6 1.69 253 29.3 9 23.6 14.18 19.04 372 0.186 1.72 4.87 5.59 9 2.53 11.98 38.75 5.22 5.05 1.39 2.15 1.06 13.7 102 6.85 1.13 168.1 2.48 1.23 16.12 1.3

36.5 14.28 0.79 1.32 0.27 3.02 15.22 110 16.4 16.84 41.75 81.5 93.5 2.03 5.2 6.38 10.38 14.54 11.1 7.55 26.25 87.5 64.65 2.27 14.1 9.78 1.7 256.8 29.3 9 24 14.18 19.14 373 0.194 1.77 4.87 5.65 9 2.53 11.98 38.75 5.4 5.05 1.47 2.15 1.09 13.78 102.2 6.85 1.13 168.9 2.48 1.25 16.12 1.3

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 FORUM PACIFIC GT CAPITAL HOUSE OF INV JG SUMMIT JOLLIVILLE HLDG LODESTAR LOPEZ HLDG LT GROUP MABUHAY HLDG METRO PAC INV PACIFICA PRIME MEDIA REPUBLIC GLASS SAN MIGUEL CORP SM INVESTMENTS SOC RESOURCES SOLID GROUP TOP FRONTIER WELLEX INDUS ZEUS HLDG

1.06 55.5 15.7 0.72 7.01 17.3 1.33 1.35 956.5 4.3 7 10.48 13.8 4.47 0.227 960 6.41 66.1 6.05 0.48 4.52 14.8 0.71 4.79 0.039 1.5 2.83 176 1,020 0.83 1.4 259.2 0.232 0.285

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

15.84 0.85 11.28 2.17 1.15 51.55 2.23 5.12 6.1 0.61 0.83 0.238 0.46 10.56 23.9 0.47 0.124 1.93 1.38 6.2 0.34 1.79 0.4 2.04 27.8 2.4

VOLUME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

VOLUME

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING),

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

3.28 38.2 2.17 6.1 0.81 7.67

3.28 38.2 2.18 6.15 0.83 7.74

3.03 37.5 2.13 6.01 0.81 7.62

3.27 37.5 2.17 6.09 0.82 7.73

161,000 19,576,000 501,000 112,800 325,000 6,523,600

507,550 736,281,815 1,082,300 680,427 265,570 50,279,301

268,447,700 43,400 33,200 -9,294,522

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

11 18.54 1.49 0.5 0.048 20 2.44 11.46 0.065 95.5 7.01 7.46 6.38 9.64 895 2,200 5.38 412.2 2.06 1.85 129.3 9.7 5.8 0.112 5.38 14.12 3.62 0.92 19.46 0.52 3.39 2.6 2.59 2.54 8.99 2.91 5.22 9.4 155 3.95 1,135 0.7 0.81 46 78 9.4 3.16 0.74 0.365 5.53 0.79 15.96

11 18.54 1.49 0.53 0.048 20 2.44 11.64 0.065 95.6 7.18 7.55 6.7 9.75 895 2,244 5.4 423.8 2.1 1.9 135 9.7 5.8 0.113 5.43 14.7 3.65 0.93 19.5 0.52 3.45 2.64 2.59 2.74 9 2.91 5.57 9.4 155 4.07 1,163 0.71 0.82 46 78.5 9.49 3.28 0.75 0.37 5.53 0.79 15.96

10.62 18.1 1.46 0.5 0.047 19.7 2.31 11.42 0.063 95 6.98 7.36 6.38 9.61 895 2,190 5.38 412.2 2.03 1.85 129.3 9.31 5.75 0.112 5.32 14.12 3.52 0.9 19.44 0.51 3.3 2.59 2.53 2.54 8.95 2.91 5.22 8.5 150 3.91 1,134 0.69 0.79 45.2 78 9.4 3.16 0.73 0.36 5.45 0.73 15.8

SERVICES 10.64 18.32 1.46 0.53 0.048 19.7 2.38 11.5 0.063 95.2 7.02 7.52 6.5 9.66 895 2,190 5.38 413.2 2.04 1.9 135 9.69 5.75 0.113 5.38 14.12 3.54 0.93 19.48 0.51 3.4 2.61 2.58 2.6 8.95 2.91 5.48 8.5 150 4.04 1,138 0.71 0.81 45.5 78.05 9.4 3.2 0.74 0.365 5.47 0.75 15.9

7,200 204,500 7,000 860,000 7,100,000 2,300 945,000 2,496,700 5,140,000 72,840 20,900 1,059,600 290,000 7,400 10 36,335 73,600 120 1,740,000 42,000 1,514,890 25,000 5,000 340,000 1,010,600 300 1,742,000 244,000 957,300 285,000 155,000 939,000 1,340,000 1,002,000 59,300 3,000 6,600 10,200 1,480 2,026,000 118,375 5,124,000 17,315,000 584,100 509,350 7,600 3,522,000 1,382,000 1,780,000 900 8,009,000 909,900

78,390 3,726,878 10,280 443,300 335,800 45,910 2,221,970 28,692,118 326,050 6,939,055.50 146,525 7,918,125 1,879,368 71,650 8,950 79,813,410 396,178 50,318 3,579,040 79,700 202,645,760 235,662 28,900 38,170 5,442,505 4,294 6,248,390 223,160 18,616,146 146,720 520,080 2,447,600 3,430,890 ( 2,596,260 532,995 8,730 35,387 86,880 224,152 8,100,830 136,567,100 3,612,050 13,984,530 26,600,875 39,770,539 71,832 11,386,660 1,023,290 646,150 4,917 6,055,120 14,436,700

2,360 -18,497,086 4,797,636 53,191 221,130 -48,720,360 -4,122 1,940 22,761,485 -346,670 233,750 11,340 216,270 583,329.9997) -114,500 -11,025 -30,027 452,480 -94,097,585 -52,490 2,066,400 -12,804,485 3,663,582.50 -17,082 -1,340,750 164,600 3,650 225,000 1,131,144

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

0.0017 1.23 2.67 12.88 1.14 2.75 0.27 7.76 1.45 0.222 0.107 1.1 2.5 1.09 0.53 0.84 0.012 0.011 6.03 3.47 9.03 24.2 0.0063

0.0018 1.26 2.67 12.88 1.14 2.75 0.27 7.76 1.45 0.228 0.107 1.11 2.59 1.09 0.53 0.87 0.012 0.011 6.07 3.52 9.27 24.2 0.0063

0.0017 1.23 2.67 12.04 1.14 2.72 0.27 7.55 1.43 0.219 0.105 1.08 2.5 1.08 0.5 0.84 0.012 0.011 5.55 3.44 9.03 23 0.0061

MINING & OIL 0.0017 115,000,000 1.25 9,364,000 2.67 2,000 12.78 1,200 1.14 1,000 2.72 617,000 0.27 200,000 7.55 15,600 1.45 1,304,000 0.225 860,000 0.105 2,860,000 1.08 196,000 2.56 1,489,000 1.08 2,000 0.51 103,000 0.85 183,000 0.012 8,200,000 0.011 11,800,000 5.74 879,300 3.49 335,000 9.15 3,538,200 23.3 17,617,300 0.0061 6,000,000

195,600 11,650,320 5,340 14,762 1,140 1,682,580 54,000 118,264 1,879,090 189,550 301,610 212,040 3,808,450 2,170 52,460 155,480 98,400 129,800 5,081,345 1,170,260 32,414,880 410,265,790 37,200

-1,583,670 -1,140 76,410 -963,070 801,040 116,000 -629,450 -1,071,345 -43,468,055 -

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

17.8 480 495 100 99.9 105.2 490 928 99.7 0.98 102.3 993 1,011 1,017 101 107.4 75.7 76.75 75.2 75.3 75 75 75.3

17.8 480 496 100 100 105.2 490 928 99.7 0.99 102.3 993 1,014 1,017 101 107.4 77.5 77 75.2 75.3 75 75.5 75.5

17.56 475 495 100 99.8 105 490 928 99.7 0.96 99.7 993 1,011 1,015 101 107.4 75.2 76.75 75 75.3 75 75 75.3

PREFERRED 17.56 72,000 475 9,500 496 1,610 100 200 100 35,880 105 5,010 490 2,890 928 40 99.7 20 0.98 2,125,000 99.7 6,160 993 320 1,014 36,000 1,016 6,040 101 1,000 107.4 240 75.2 55,280 77 21,400 75 455,000 75.3 413,000 75 50 75.5 26,700 75.5 13,210

1,272,992 4,537,500 796,960 20,000 3,586,924 526,052 1,416,100 37,120 1,994 2,079,240 615,318 317,760 36,458,590 6,142,610 101,000 25,776 4,239,730 1,643,775 34,126,000 31,098,900 3,750 2,015,750 996,255

-915,724 -16,368 -10,120 -

LR WARRANT

1.81

1.89

1.75

WARRANTS 1.83 236,000

428,930

-

44,907,905 2,433,650

-557,185 -13,620

748,794

-12,188

12,927.60 19,949

-

NAME

MS ITALPINAS XURPAS

6.5 1.06

7.14 1.06

6.5 1.03

FIRST METRO ETF

122.2

122.2

121.7

USD DMPL A1 USD TECH B2

10.26 0.99

TRADING SUMMARY

10.26 1

SHARES

FINANCIAL

14,402,218

INDUSTRIAL

68,537,084

HOLDING FIRMS

202,886,709

PROPERTY

204,788,789

SERVICES

74,484,541

MINING & OIL

180,887,881

GRAND TOTAL

754,797,190

10.26 0.99

7.11 1.03

SME

6,450,000 2,352,000

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 122 6,140 DDS 10.26 1

1,260 20,100

VALUE 1,854.11 (up) 5.26 825,250,469.94 FINANCIAL 11,399.62 (down) 49.59 INDUSTRIAL 1,273,725,371.764 7,939.00 (down) 69.68 HOLDING FIRMS 2,193,287,663.36 PROPERTY 4,334.79 (down) 31.06 1,644.82 (up) 9.43 1,365,778,039.56 SERVICES 7,883.30 (down) 37.11 MINING & OIL 692,886,527.28 8,150.46 (down) 38.06 PSEI 469,548,237.714 All Shares Index 4,936.08 (down) 26.96 6,868,572,053.11 Gainers: 85; Losers: 115; Unchanged: 49; Total: 249

Metro Pacific’s hospital group may consider bond issuance

By Alena Mae S. Flores METRO Pacific Hospital Holdings Inc., the hospital group of Metro Pacific Investments Corp., may issue exchangeable bonds to prospective investors as it reviews plans for an initial public offering.

“So, we’re thinking of perhaps to be certain that we can raise the funds for MPIC and for the hospitals itself. Maybe, we should issue an exchangeable bond in the next two to three months, that is convertible directly to the hospitals, to the hospital holding company,” said MPIC chairman Manuel Pangilinan Tuesday.

Pangilinan said MPHHI, the largest hospital operator in the country with 14 nationwide and a network of primary care clinics and cancer centers, has planned to conduct an IPO by end of the year or early next year. MPIC owns 60 percent of MPHHI while GIC Private Ltd., Singapore’s wealth fund, holds 40 percent.

“The process has started for the hospitals and the main path they are taking is an IPO, which is correct... I think we will eventually put to bed the IPO. I just don’t know whether the schedule is firm enough that we can conclude it within the year,” said Pangilinan.

“We hope it’s within the year but I am not sure myself that we can accomplish that because there are so many hoops that we have to go through. So we are thinking of these exchangeable bonds so we can raise the money for Metro then you could (plan) it within the year or early next year,” he added.

MPIC earlier said it might raise between P15 billion and P20 billion from the planned sale of shares in the hospital group.

“Depends on what the estimated IPO proceeds are, so it’s gonna be some broad estimate, so that’s gonna be the size,” Pangilinan said.

“It’s gonna be the same people who are gonna buy the exchangeable bonds because what we are looking at is a mandatory exchange into MPHHI shares at pre-determined ratio, so then you are not pressed for time to do the IPO,” he said.

MPIC and MPHHI are raising funds to finance other projects, including acquisition of other hospitals.

“The hospital group has been very busy with expanding in respect to existing hospitals other than Medical City and with this IPO, there will be fund raising for Metro,” he said.

MPHHI officials earlier said the company was no longer inclined to conduct an IPO and would instead pursue a strategic investor to raise money.

RCBC cleared to retire P10b worth of debt

By Darwin G. Amojelar RIZAL Commercial Banking Corp. secured an approval from the Bangkok Sentral ng Pilipinas to retire P10 billion worth of debt ahead of schedule.

RCBC said in a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange Tuesday the central bank approved its request to exercise its call option on September 26 this year to redeem P10 billion if 5.37 percent Tier 2 Capital notes prior to maturity. The notes are due on September 2024.

RCBC said the transaction was subject to compliance with the conditions set by the BSP. RCBC in January raised P15 billon from the issuance of peso green bonds to support the bank’s expansion and environmental projects.

RCBC posted a 15-percent jump in net income to P1.3 billion in the first quarter of 2019 from P1.1 billion a year ago on the strength of the core businesses. Net interest income increased 10 percent on year, while fee-based income grew 31 percent.

Loans to small and medium enterprises rose 12 percent to P53.8 billion. Its subsidiary, Rizal Microbank, improved its loans to small businesses by 20 percent to P1 billion.

Total resources rose 14 percent to P664.7 billion, while total deposits jumped P21.4 billion on year to P416 billion, with CASA reaching P229.2 billion.

Capital funds stood at P83.3 billion and well above the minimum regulatory requirement with a CAR of 16.14 percent and CET1 ratio of 13.34 percent.

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WEDNESDAY, JULY 31, 2019 CESAR BARRIOQUINTO, Editor mst.daydesk@gmail.com

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Forest fires in Siberia spark potential disaster for Arctic

MAKESHIFT MEMORIAL. A woman lights a candle on July 30, 2019, at a makeshift memorial for an eight-year-old boy who

died when a man pushed him and his mother in front of a train in Germany’s Frankfurt railway station. The suspect, a 40-year-old man of African origin who was unrelated to the victims, ran off but was overpowered by passers-by and detained by police on July 29. AFP

MOSCOW―Gigantic forest fires have regularly raged through the vast expanses of Russia’s Siberia, but the magnitude of this year’s blazes has reached an exceptional level with fears of a long-term impact on the environment.

As fires sweep across millions of hectares enveloping entire cities in black smoke and noxious fumes, environmentalists warn of a disaster threatening to accelerate the melting of the Arctic.

More than 3.2 million hectares (7.9 million acres) went up in flames on Monday, mainly in the vast regions of Yakutia in the north and Krasnoyarsk and Irkutsk in Siberia, authorities said.

The fires, triggered by dry thunderstorms in temperatures above 30 degrees Celsius (86 degrees Fahrenheit), were spread by strong winds, Russia’s federal forestry agency said.

The acrid smoke has affected not only small settlements but also major cities in Western Siberia and the Altai region as well as the Urals such as Chelyabinsk and Yekaterinburg, and disrupted air travel.

“The smoke is horrible. I am choking and dizzy,” pensioner Raisa Brovkina, who was hospitalized in Russia’s thirdlargest city Novosibirsk, told state television.

On Sunday, the smoke reached neighboring Kazakhstan.

A “concentration of pollutants exceeding the norm” was recorded in several cities, including the capital NurSultan, said the Kazakh meteorological service.

Aside from health fears for the local population, environmentalists warn the fires may accelerate global warming.

NOTICE “The forest TO THE PUBLIC fires in the east- BE IT KNOWN THAT ern part of the R.G. FLORENTINO ONSTRUCTION country have C & TRADING owned ROMEO G. long stopped be- by FLORENTINO with ing a local prob- address at #194 lem,” the Rus- Poblacion San Andres, Romblon has changed sian branch of its ownership from proprietorship to Greenpeace said single corporation on January in a statement.

7, 2019 and is now RG CONST. AFP FLORENTINO AND TRADING INC. (MS-JULY 31, 2019)

Plastic trash spawns desert island disaster for the Pacific Manila

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IN BRIEF At least 57 dead in Brazil prison riot RIO DE JANEIRO―At least 57 inmates were killed during a prison riot in northern Brazil on Monday as rival gang factions fought each other, an official said.

Sixteen of the dead were decapitated in the second major eruption of violence to rock the country’s severely overpopulated and deadly prison system in as many months.

Fighting broke out in the Altamira Regional Recovery Center at around 7:00 am (1000 GMT), an official from the Para state government’s penitentiary department told AFP. Two guards were taken hostage during the hours-long clashes, which were brought under control at around midday. The guards were eventually freed.

Brazilian TV stations showed footage of thick black smoke rising from the prison compound and people sitting on the roof of a building.

Other images showed flames inside a building that almost reached the ceiling and people, apparently prisoners, sitting on the ground outside.

“It is likely that many detainees died from asphyxiation [from smoke],” the government official said.

No firearms were found at the scene, but improvised knives appear to have been used in the turf war, according to a statement issued by the penitentiary department.

Some of the bodies had not yet been recovered due to the heat inside some of the prison structures.

The Ministry of Justice and Public Security said ringleaders of the violence would be transferred to federal jails, which are more secure.

About 311 prisoners were being held at the jail, which the department said was not overcrowded. It reportedly has a capacity for 200 inmates. AFP

W

ELLINGTON―Floating plastic garbage has swamped a remote Pacific island once regarded as an environmental jewel and scientists say little can be done to save it while a throwaway culture persists.

Henderson Island is an uninhabited coral atoll that lies almost exactly halfway between New Zealand and Peru, with 5,500 kilometers of ocean in either direction.

Despite its extreme isolation, a freak confluence of geography and ocean currents means Henderson has one of the highest concentrations of plastic pollution on the planet.

“We found debris from just about everywhere,” said Jennifer Lavers, an Australian-based researcher who led an expedition to the island last month.

“We had bottles and containers, all kinds of fishing stuff and it had come from, well, you name it―Germany, Canada, the United States, Chile, Argentina, Ecuador.

“It was a real message that every country has a responsibility to protect the environment, even in these remote areas.”

Henderson lies at the center of the South Pacific gyre, a vast circular ocean current that runs anti-clockwise down the east coast of Australia and up the west coast of South America.

The gyre should be a boon for the 10-kilometer-by-five speck of land, carrying rich nutrients into the waters surrounding Henderson to feed huge colonies of sea birds.

The atoll’s ecosytem is so rich that Henderson was included on the UN World Heritage List in 1988, with the body hailing it as an untouched paradise.

“As one of the last near-pristine limestone islands of significant size in the world, Henderson Island retains its exceptional natural beauty with its white, sandy beaches, limestone cliffs, and rich and almost undisturbed vegetation,” it said.

But three decades later, the gyre has become a marine conveyor belt dumping endless waves of plastic detritus onto Henderson’s coast, making it the hub of what has become known as the South Pacific Garbage Patch.

Lavers led her first expedition there in 2015 and on the island’s East Beach found there were about 700 items of plastic per square metre, one of the highest concentrations found anywhere in the world.

Compounding the problem, the churning waves have reduced more than half the waste to tiny particles almost invisible to the human eye, making them impossible to clean up but easily digested by wildlife such as birds and turtles.

Lavers organized a clean-up effort on her most recent trip to the island last month and her team collected six tonnes of plastic garbage from the beach over two grueling weeks.

They were unable to take away the rubbish because their ship could not find a safe mooring on the rugged coastline, instead storing it above the high-tide line for future removal.

Lavers admitted it was “heartbreaking” to make such a mammoth effort only to see more garbage floating ashore where they had just cleaned. AFP

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

SUMMONS BY PUBLICATION TO:

Outrage mounts over India rape case NEW DELHI―Fresh protests erupted in India Tuesday amid growing public fury over a car crash that critically injured a teenager who accused a lawmaker from the ruling party of rape and harassment.

Two of the 19-year-old’s aunts were killed and her lawyer was badly injured when a truck collided with their car in northern Uttar Pradesh state Sunday, raising suspicions of foul play.

The incident will be probed by federal investigators amid speculation that local police could favor her alleged rapist, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) legislator Kuldeep Singh Sengar.

Sengar, a four-term lawmaker, has been in jail since last year but reports say he still enjoys considerable clout.

The young woman and the lawyer were battling for their lives in hospital in the state capital Lucknow Tuesday.

The teenager had accused Sengar of raping her at his home in Unnao district in 2017 but police in the notoriously lawless state initially refused to take action.

Her father was detained by police and severely beaten in custody―allegedly by Sengar’s brother―and later died from his injuries.

The woman also tried to set herself on fire outside the home of state Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, a hardline BJP stalwart.

On Tuesday, members of opposition parties chanted slogans as they protested outside the national parliament.

“The BJP government should answer how a lawmaker who is in jail is able to plan a murderous attack like this?” said Mahua Moitra, a member of the opposition Trinamool Congress. AFP

Manila

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;

ON THE HUNT. A seagull sits on a railing as it looks for food at Circular Quay in Sydney on July 30.

AFP

Trump deepens war of words with leftist Black leaders WASHINGTON―US President Donald Trump brushed off accusations of racism Monday to step up his war of words with prominent black and minority left-leaning leaders, branding his latest target a “con man.”

Rejecting criticism that he is stoking America’s smoldering racial divisions, Trump attacked African-American civil rights activist Al Sharpton.

“Al is a con man, a troublemaker, always looking for a score. Just doing his thing,” Trump tweeted, adding that Sharpton “Hates Whites & Cops!”

He struck out after Sharpton―one of the best known, if controversial, black figures in US politics―expressed support for Baltimore, a majority black city near Washington that has also come in for a presidential bashing.

Over the weekend, Trump described Baltimore as a “rat and rodent infested mess” unfit for humans and blamed this on Elijah Cummings, the Democrat who represents much of the city in Congress.

Cummings, who is black, heads the House Oversight committee, one of the powerful bodies mounting politically sensitive probes into everything from Trump’s Russia connections to tax records.

Sharpton told reporters in Baltimore that Trump “has a particular venom for blacks and people of color.”

“He can say what he wants. Call me a troublemaker. Yes, I make trouble for bigots,” Sharpton said.

Trump did not hold back, either.

“So tired of listening to the same old Bull...,” he wrote, spicing up his tweet

with an abbreviated profanity.

“Next, Reverend Al will show up to complain & protest. Nothing will get done for the people in need.”

Trump said earlier this month that he doesn’t have “a racist bone in my body.”

He routinely touts statistics showing low unemployment in the African-American community, as well as a program designed to encourage investment in forgotten inner city neighborhoods.

On Monday he boosted that narrative by meeting at the White House with black pastors.

“The president is concerned about the whole nation, about everybody in the nation,” said Alveda King, a niece of the slain civil rights icon Martin Luther King. AFP

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.

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.

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

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)

Bernadette Lunas, Issue Editor manilastandardlife@gmail.com @manilastandardlife @MStandardLIFE

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Life

Le Pliage LG fanny pac P k

FASION AND BEAUTY

When Paris meets New York

By Bernadette Lunas

T

HERE is about 5,800-kilometer distance between Paris and New York—two cities that wear the “fashion capital” tag; both famed for their contributions to the industry, but each with distinct styles.

Sophie Delafontaine, creative director of luxury leather goods label Longchamp, put to fore this distance and difference in their recent New York Fashion Week fall/winter 2019 collection presentation.

The theme was visualized with a runway inspired by Andrée Putman, a carpet Delafontaine designed for the Concorde and a 40-look collection that combined the distinct auras of these transatlantic cities.

The Parisian woman’s effortless femininity was realized in billowy silk dresses and pleated skirts in embroidered tulle or wool gauze. They were juxtaposed with crisp black leather tops and architectural coats made from graphic or Apaloosa prints indicative of New York’s urbanity.

The details, like grosgrain ribbons with vivid silver studs, also showcased a seamless blend of elegance and edgy.

This melding of contrasts, the mixing and matching of textures, silhouettes, and patterns gives each look a sense of individuality and dynamism.

The dynamic style of two fashion capitals, were emphasized with a col-

lection inspired by the free-spirited energy of travelers—women who, Longchamp says, roam the world with a rock ‘n roll attitude and a wardrobe to match.

With cosmopolitan travelers in mind, the highlight of Longchamp’s fall-winter 2019 collection is made for traveling.

La Voyageuse, modeled after portable vanity cases, is a compact bag that comes in three styles: a large tote (some can be folded, depending on material), a small tote, and a crossbody bag.

This season also marks the launch of Mini Le Pliage Cuir, the brand’s iconic Le Pliage scaled to a miniature size for the first time.

All bags come in a variety of colors and feature an array of fabrics—from crocodile-printed leather to leopardprinted calf hair to smooth leather embossed with the LGP logo.

Rounding up the collection are new designs of Amazone and Cavalcade, which come in shoulder bag, crossbody, and fanny pack.

Longchamp is at Rustan’s Makati, Rustan’s Shangri-La, Rustan’s Cebu, and Greenbelt 5.

MADE FOR TRAVELING. Longchamp’s La Voyageuse, modeled after portable vanity cases, is a compact bag that comes in three travel-friendly styles, namely large tote (some are foldable), small tote, and crossbody bag.

Courbe celebrates 6 years,

introduces new machines

AESTHETIC center Courbe Face and Body Specialist marks its 6th anniversary in the business with new technologies and a vow to further provide effective treatments to its clients.

“As we celebrate our 6th year we have added four new machines, namely Geneo, Maximus Tripolar RF, IPL (Intense Pulse Light), and Fraxel Laser. The Fraxel Laser is very safe to use, it is noninvasive and renews your skin faster,” said Elmer Ngo, one of the owners of Courbe.

The clinic was founded in 2013 by five friends who love going to spa and wellness salons.

It started with body slimming and dermatological services, popular with both men and women. Its top of the line slimming machines and products are mostly from Europe and the USA. “We have doctors, licensed aesthetician and dermatologists and nurses who do our procedures to make sure every service is safe and effective,” said Josephine Canonizado, co-owner of Courbe.

“We even have celebrities who are identified with certain prominent centers who come here frequently to avail of our services,” revealed Canonizado.

The clinic’s popular services include Essential Facial Treatment and Forma Light. Clients also return for Courbe’s Maximus, an advanced aesthetic medical device that treats four layers of skin for complete anti-aging and body contouring results.

It also has hair removal services using Laser and IPL. “We are looking forward to opening a new branch in the next few months. To cater to our clients who want to have permanent makeup, we will soon expand our services. We will only work each day to make sure we take care of every one of them,” said Canonizado.

Courbe is located at Suites 7-B and 8, 2nd floor Sunshine Square Building, Liberty Center, 312 Shaw Boulevard, Manadaluyong City.

Courbe Face and Body Specialist co-owners Elmer Ngo (left) and Josephine Canonizado (right) with one of the clinic’s clients.

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CLASSIFIEDS

Republic of the Philippines GOVERNMENT SERVICE INSURANCE SYSTEM GSIS Building, Financial Center, Roxas Boulevard, Pasay City 1308

(1) Valid Government Issued IDs, or (2) Latest Billing Address under Bidder’s Name

GENERAL GUIDELINES:

11. The following information shall be clearly written outside the sealed bid envelope (mailing envelope)

1. Disposal of GSIS Investment Properties – Retail Units (IP-RUs) is through a competitive public bidding process.

Acceptance of Purchase Offers shall start on the scheduled bidding date and time.

2. Dropping of bid envelopes will be on the date of bidding from 8:30 AM to 10:00 AM only. Opening of Bids will immediately follow. Late bid envelopes will not be accepted 3. Disposal of GSIS IP-RUs is on an “As-Is Where-Is” basis. Interested bidders are enjoined to personally inspect the GSIS IP-RUs for sale. “As-Is Where-Is” is defined as the present physical condition of the retail unit that GSIS is selling and the buyer is buying, “with all attendant faults, if any,” whether or not immediately apparent and without any express or implied warranty. The buyer takes this condition at his or her own risk, without recourse against the GSIS as to their condition. This includes knowledge by the buyer of the presence of occupants in the retail-unit being purchased.

4. Strictly, “One bidder, One specific property” only, which means that a bidder cannot submit two (2) or more bids for one property. A bidder may submit one bid each to as many properties as he/she wants to buy, as long as, he/she posts the required 10% bid deposit of the total bid price for each property. The bidder must present valid government IDs upon registration on the date of public bidding.

5. Purchase offer may either be in Cash or an accredited through External Financing Institution (EFI).

MODE

PAYMENT DUE DATE

12. The existing tenant or occupant or his duly authorized representative through a valid Special Power of Attorney (SPA) has the right to match the offer of the declared highest bidder, provided: a. he/she is present during the bidding b. participated in actual bidding c. presently occupying the property subject of bidding supported by the following proofs of occupancy: c.1 Barangay certificate that he/she is occupying or residing in the subject property c.2. Any valid government identification document with his/her address similar to the address of the property he/.she is bidding.

Cash

Payable either in cash or Manager’s Checks within thirty (30) calendar days from the date of bidding, without privilege of extension

13. If the occupant will exercise his/her Right to Match the offer of the declared highest bidder, he/she need not secure another bank pre-qualification corresponding to the matched offer. Instead, he/she shall pay the full 10% deposit based on the matched bid amount in cash on the day of bidding.

EFI

Shall submit the Letter of Guarantee (LOG) within forty-five (45) calendar days from the date of bidding, without privilege of extension

14. The declared highest/winning bidder shall submit within fourteen (14) calendar days of the actual bidding, the following documents:

6. Interested bidders through EFI must first secure a conditional loan approval with EFI accredited bank. Insert the document in the bid envelope along with the duly filled out and signed bid form.

7. A downloadable bid form shall be properly accomplished with the following data: a. b. c. d. e. f. g.

Date of Bidding Name of the bidder Exact address of property you are interested to bid Transfer Certificate of Title No. Mode of Payment Amount of bid (in numbers and in words) Signature of the bidder/representative

8. Bid proposal shall be written in words and in figures and must not be lower than the Minimum Acceptable Offer of the property. Should there be a difference in the amount in words and in figures, the amount in words shall prevail.

(a) duly accomplished Personal Profile/Company Profile/Corporate Profile, whichever is applicable (downloadable); (b) photocopies of two (2) valid IDs (one should be a government-issued ID); (c) Articles of Incorporation/Partnership, By-Laws and current General Information Sheet, for corporation/ partnership, if applicable; (d) Registration Certificate from SEC for corporation/partnership, DTI for sole proprietorship and CDA for cooperatives, or any proof of such registration, if applicable; (e) current Mayor’s permit issued by the city or municipality where the principal place of business of the winning bidder is located, if applicable.

15. A Notice of Approval of Sale (NOAS) shall be issued to the highest/winning bidder on the day of bidding. The Bidder’s deposit of the other non-winning bidder/s shall be returned immediately.

16. In case the bid is in CASH, the 90% balance of the bid amount shall be paid either in cash or in manager’s check within thirty (30) calendar days from receipt of NOAS, without privilege of extension.

9. Bidders’ deposit equivalent to at least 10% of the Bid Offer shall be in the form of MANAGER’S CHECK payable to the Government Service Insurance System.

17. In case the bid is through EFI, winning bidder shall submit the Letter of Guarantee (LOG) within forty-five (45) calendar days from the date of bidding. The equity, if any, shall be paid in cash or in manager’s check within thirty (30) calendar days from receipt of LOG by the GSIS. The equity is the amount corresponding to the difference between the Offered Bid Amount and LOG amount.

10. The following shall be inserted on a sealed bid envelope:

18. Non-compliance with the terms and conditions stated in the NOAS will result in the forfeiture of the 10% bidder’s deposit.

a. the properly accomplished bid form b. Manager’s Check payable to Government Service Insurance System representing deposit equivalent to at least 10% of the Bid Offer c. Pro-forma Certificate of due diligence (for occupied or unoccupied) d. the Special Power of Attorney (SPA), if the bidder is an authorized representative e. Pre-conditional approval from PBCOM, if applicable f. Two (2) proofs of occupancy, if applicable f.1. Barangay certificate that Bidder is occupying or residing in the subject property and any of the following:

19. In case the highest/winning bidder fails to comply with the requirements within the specified time, the said NOAS shall be deemed automatically revoked and the highest/winning bidder shall be informed in writing. The second highest bidder, if any, shall be informed in writing if he/she is still interested to acquire the property. If still interested, GSIS require him/her to pay the non-refundable deposit equivalent to ten percent (10%) of his/her previously submitted bid amount and will be issued a NOAS. 20. GSIS reserves the right to waive any formality or to reject any or all bids received. The list of properties available for sale may be updated without prior notice.

21. For bidding inquiries, you may call the Real Property Accounts Management Department (RPAMD) at trunkline telephone numbers (02) 479-3500, (02) 479-3600 and (02) 976-4900 local numbers 3228, 3374, and 3396.

(MS-JULY 31, AUG. 1 & 2, 2019)

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