Manila Standard - 2019 August 2 - Friday

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DUTERTE EYES MARTIAL LAW TO END NEGROS KILLINGS

By MJ Blancaflor PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte will soon use his emergency powers to end the spate of violence on Negros Island, the Palace said Thursday.

Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said the Chief Executive will likely place the entire province of Negros islands under martial law to quell lawless violence in the region that has seen about 30 murders in just a few weeks.

“The Chief Executive is cautioning

VOL. XXXIII • NO. 169 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P20 • FRIDAY, AUGUST 2, 2019 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

the enemies of the state in the island of Negros that he will use his emergency powers under the Constitution to quell the lawless violence engulfing the island, as well as to crush all forms of threats aimed to destroy the government,” Panelo said in a statement issued Wednesday.

On a separate occasion, he said the entire Negros Island might be placed under martial law because the communist insurgents have earned more sympathizers amid the widespread unrest. Next page

Stop Chinese influx—DFA President may end grant of tourist visas

By MJ Blancaflor and Rey E. Requejo

P

RESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte will consider the proposal of Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. to stop issuing visas to Chinese tourists, Malacañang said Thursday.

IN DROVES. President Rodrigo Duterte is reported studying a proposal to stop issuing working visas to Chinese tourists, with the Bureau of Immigration in Manila receiving a steady stream of Chinese nationals seeking visas at the BI’s Alien Registration Division. Asia.Nikkei.Com

Al Qaida officer nabbed in Mindanao—BI chief

By Vito Barcelo A JORDANIAN tagged as a former henchman of Osama Bin Laden’s brother-in-law, and believed to be a ranking official of the Al Qaida terrorist group, was arrested in Mindanao and will be deported, an official said Thursday.

The 51-year-old Mahmoud Afif Abdeljalil is now in government custody. He is said to have been the former henchman of Mohammed Jamal Khalifa, one of Osama bin Laden’s brother-in-laws and with deep roots in Al Qaeda as a financier and facilitator who was killed in Madagascar.

“We are going to deport him for being an illegal entrant as he has no record of arrival, Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente said.

Mahmoud Afif Abdeljalil

Customs chief faces graft raps

By Rio N. Araja AN ANTI-CORRUPTION watchdog on Thursday filed a graft complaint against Customs Commissioner Rey Leonardo Guerrero before the Office of the Ombudsman.

The Transparency in Public Service, represented by Joana Marie Gonzales, implicated Guerrero’s chief of staff Teodoro Jumamil, acting Deputy Commissioners Raniel Ty Ramiro and Donato San Juan, and Risk Management Next page

Congress to look into Health mess

By Maricel V. Cruz and Macon Ramos-Araneta THE Minority bloc of the House of Representatives and the Senate committee on finance want an inquiry into alleged anomalies in Philippine Health Insurance Corp. and the Department of Health.

Next page

Abedeljalil assumed a fictitious name and resorted to misrepresentation and falsification of public documents, which enabled him to reside in the country.”

Government operatives started monitoring the Jordanian’s activities in the country when he and his Algerian companion were flagged down at a military checkpoint in Zamboanga in August last year.

After months of surveillance and case buildup, it was confirmed that the alien had been unlawfully staying in the country.

Morente then immediately issued the mission order that led to the Jordanian’s arrest.

Abdeljalil claimed that he returned to the country in 2007 and admitted that he was previously arrested and deported

by Immigration in 2003 for having an Next page

10 PCSO execs tagged in STL fiasco

By Macon Ramos-Araneta MALACAÑANG on Thursday said at least 10 officials of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office will be named

by President Rodrigo Duterte as being involved in corruption.

This developed as Senator Panfilo Lacson said retired police and military officials who got Small Town Lottery franchises allegedly do not remit shares from their collections to the PCSO. “That is all that the President said. He did not elaborate on that. Let’s just wait for the announcement of the President,” Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said.

Lacson, during yesterday’s breakfast meeting at the Senate, said former military and police officials used dummies

to conceal their identities.

“They were placed under the names of dummies, but they were behind them [franchises],” Lacson said.

Meanwhile, the Presidential AntiCorruption Commission says its lifestyle check on PCSO officials will include the board of directors.

PACC Commissioner Greco Belgica said they will not spare anyone―even the friends of the President.

Lacson said although the retired officers knew the regulations of the illegal numbers game jueteng, they did not use it to help the government and the PCSO. “The former retired police officers knew the jueteng operations, so they should have used what they knew to help the government and the PCSO,” Lacson Next page said.

Angkas likens service to sex

“The President will consider the proposal of the secretary. And if we don’t hear anything from him, that means that will be the policy of the government,” Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said in a press briefing.

In a tweet posted Wednesday, Locsin made the suggestion after National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperson Jr. expressed concern over reports that about 100,000 to 250,000 Chinese workers are employed by Philippine online gambling operations.

Senator Joel Villanueva ccused the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp., which is mandated to regulate POGOs, of not properly implementing regulations.

He said the Chinese influx in the country led to a “loss in government income and opportunities for Filipinos.”

“We need to put an end to visas upon arrival; all visas should be issued by consular offices after vetting.

We must take extra care in outsourcing any part of the visa application process, picking only the most reputaNext page ble worldwide,” Locsin wrote on Twitter.

US to China: Asian nations free to choose their allies BANGKOK—US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo insisted Thursday that Washington was not asking Southeast Asian nations to “choose sides” between his country and rival power China, as he trailed a rebooted security and trade strategy at a Bangkok summit.

The denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, a bitter trade war between the superpowers and open access to contested seas dominated talks between Pompeo and his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi on the sidelines of a su mmit o f

Southeast Asia’s top diplomats.

Pompeo is tasked with reassuring Asian allies that the US remains a key player in the region as China builds up its military presence in disputed seas and airspace and cements its economic and political primacy across the region.

The rivalry between the two superpowers is framed by a trade war that has cramped global growth, and seeded uncertainty across Asia’s economies.

Pompeo and Wang shook hands and smiled before the brief talks.

Both later played down the rifts between their nations, with Wang describing the meeting as a “deep communication” that “has helped to increase our mutual understanding.”

Next page

ALLIES TALK. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo (left facing camera) talks with Philippine Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. after the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Ministerial Meeting in Bangkok on Thursday. AFP

Human organs for animals?

A POPULAR ride-hailing firm in the Philippines issued a public apology Thursday after touching off a social media firestorm with a claim its motorcycle-based service was “like sex.”

Angkas deleted the tweet and issued a

TOKYO—Scientists in Japan will begin trying to grow human organs in animals after receiving government permission for the first study of its kind in the country.

The cutting-edge—but controversial—research involves implanting

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News

FRIDAY, AUGUST 2, 2019

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Teachers blamed for VP poll glitch T

By Rey E. Requejo

HE Commission on Elections has blamed the teachers when the Supreme Court, sitting as Presidential Electoral Tribunal, ordered the poll body to shed light on the missing ballot images in the ongoing protest of former Senator Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. against Vice President Leni Robredo.

As part of its explanation, the COMELEC made reference to its internal memorandum dated July 22, 2019 which said that “The audit logs obtained during the decryption of the SD cards of the above-stated clustered precincts reveal that the Electoral Boards used the “REZERO” command before shutting down the Vote Counting Machines. As a result, all the reports and ballot images stored in the SD cards were permanently deleted.”

According to the COMELEC, the teachers

who composed the Electoral Board were told “to only use the “REZERO” command during the Final Testing and Sealing stage which is [done] before the [start] of elections.”

The memo, however, did not say when the “REZEROING” of the VCMs was done and who ordered it despite a clear breach of protocol.

“The sparse explanation given by the COMELEC to the PET just shows their lack of interest in finding out the reason for the

EDSA bus ban merits second look—solons

Stop...

By Maricel V. Cruz and Joel E. Zurbano A PRO-ADMINISTRATION lawmaker on Thursday sought a congressional inquiry into the move by the Metro Manila Development Authority to ban provincial buses from traversing Epifanio delos Santos Avenue, calling it “anti-poor and anti-small business.”

Deputy Speaker Luis Raymund Villafuerte of Camarines Sur made a joint appeal to the MMDA to do away with this plan, pending final action by the Supreme Court onseparate petitions against this measure to ease traffic along the capital region’s main highway.

MMDA is set to carry out a dry run of the provincial bus ban on Aug 7, despite pending petitions against it before the Supreme Court.

“The ban is facing complaints from thousandsof commuters as the move would be cumbersome, costly, and time-consuming for passengers who usually carry with them heavy pieces of luggage when traveling to Metro Manila and back to their provinces,” Villafuerte said in his House Resolution 165 seeking a House inquiry into the upcoming MMDA provincial busban on EDSA He said only the concerned local government units can implement the ban because Republic Act (RA) 7924, the law creating the MMDA, did not grant the body with police or legislative powers Villafuerte,who represents the 2nd district of CamSur, said the ban will not ease the traffic congestion on EDSA, considering that MMDA’s 2007 figures show that only 3,300 provincial buses pass through this road compared to the 12,000 city buses and more than 247,000private vehicles that traverse it daily.

By 2017, public utility buses comprised only 3 percent of the total traffic, as private cars took up 67 percent of road space, MMDA data show.

Today, thereare about 8,000 provincial buses ortwo-thirds of the 12,000 registered public utility buses that will be affected by the ban, Villafuerte said.

Al Qaida...

From A1 expired visa and for having been involved in clandestine terrorist activities as a Palestinian under the name Mahmood Afif.

When he was arrested 16 years ago, Abedeljalil served as the point man of Mohammed Jamal Khalifa, who managed g several charity organizations in the South that funneled money to Al Qaeda and the Abu Sayyaf Group.

Three years after he was deported, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas reportedly froze Khalifa’s bank accounts and financial assets to prevent funds from being laundered further to the terrorist groups.

Although Khalifa was killed in 2007, Abdeljalil continued to extend financial support to the Abu Sayyaf using as fronts several mosques and Madrasah schools that he built in the South and which received Al Qaeda funding from abroad.

Customs chief...

From A1 Office chief George Patrick Avila in its complaint for alleged illegal designation of personnel.

She called on Ombudsman Samuel Martires to place the accused under preventive suspension and to file criminal and administrative charges against them.

According to the group’s lawyer, Joseph Christian del Rosario, Guerrero and Ramiro allegedly allowed Avila to work in February 2019 without an official appointment.

“Subsequently, respondent Avila, without any appointment and through the consent and acquiescence of respondents Guerrero and Ramiro, began performing the official functions of the chief of RMO, which is under the office of the Deputy Commissioner of the intelligence group,” the complaint says.

“Avila certainly could not have performed the official functions [...] without the concurrence and consent of respondent Ramiro and respondent Guerrero,” Gonzales said.

disappearance of those ballot images. Blaming the teachers who just did what they were told is quite lame. Its nothing but a convenient excuse on their part,” said Marcos’ spokesperson lawyer Vic Rodriguez.

In its Resolution dated July 2, the PET denied Leni Robredo’s plea to dismiss the election protest filed against her by former Senator Marcos. The Court found Robredo’s Motion ‘premature’ and ‘fundamentally flawed’.

The same Resolution also ordered the COMELEC to comment on a previous Motion filed by Marcos seeking the poll body’s explanation regarding the absence of ballot images, the non-chronological sequencing of ballot images as well as the excess ballot images from several clustered precincts in Camarines Sur and Iloilo.

On the issue of non-chronological sequencing of ballot images, the Comelec memo said that “the secrecy of the ballots” was the primary consideration why the reports were scrambled. This was done to

From A1 Panelo also said foreigners might pose security threats but said the Palace would leave the matter to the Department of Foreign Affairs.

“What’s important is to know how do they enter without us knowing. That’s more dangerous,” Panelo said.

He also said illegal Chinese nationals can simply be expelled for violating immigration laws.

Esperon earlier said there was a need to be “cautious” when foreigners, regardless of nationality, arrive in the country.

Recent surveys showed that many Filipinos distrust China.

Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra, however, said there would be no problem if the Chinese nationals enter with proper documents, obey Philippine laws and pay taxes to the government.

“For as long as Chinese nationals are coming to our country with proper documentation and appropriate visas, there should be no problem,” Guevarra said, in a text message to reporters.

Recent data released by the Bureau of Immigration showed that 1,510 Chinese were deported to from 2016 to October 2018 for being

US...

From A1 “There may be various kinds of issues and problems between China and the United States,” he said.

“But no matter how many problems.. we all need to sit down and continue to communicate.”

In short remarks, Pompeo later insisted the US was not forcing Southeast Asian nations to choose between the two big powers.

“Our engagement in this region has not been and will not be a zero-sum exercise,” he said. “Our interests simply naturally converge with yours to our mutual benefit.”

Among the tension points with China is the South China Sea, an area Beijing believes to be its orbit and outside the US sphere of influence.

China is accused of deploying warships, militarizing outposts and ramming fishing vessels in contested waters, one of the world’s key shipping routes and which the US is desperate to keep open.

Several rival Southeast Asian claimants to the sea say Beijing has used its military, economic and diplomatic heft to slow progress on a binding Code of Conduct in the flashpoint zone.

The US wants guarantees of open seas and has offered its support to several of the claimant nations in the face of Chinese aggression.

The administration of President Donald Trump, which pulled out from a massive

Duterte...

From A1 “NPA [New People’s Army] have more supporters now. They’re taking advantage of the conflict due to land issues,” Panelo told Palace reporters.

Asked when will the President use his emergency powers, Panelo said: “It appears to be soon.”

“The communist rebels have exploited the land unrest and turned the province into a quasi-state. They have arbitrarily chosen who will own the lands subject of the controversies surrounding them,” he said.

Malacañang also warned the NPA that Duterte has no qualms about committing atrocities against rebels.

Panelo said the previous declaration of emergency powers in 2016 seems to be not enough in handling unrest in Negros Oriental.

The country has been under a state of national emergency due to “lawless violence” since 2016, after a bomb exploded in Davao City, killing 14 people.

The President has the power to declare a “state of national emergency” even without authorization from Congress. However, the exercise of emergency powers requires approval from Congress.

The spokesman also said Duterte will heed the advice of the military “on the ground” if

Congress...

From A1 In the House, the group led by Manila Rep. Bienvenido Abante Jr. said the probe would determine how much of the financial resources of PhilHealth were lost to fraud, the extent of the fraud and how it was being committed.

“Our objective should be to plug the leaks so that the resources for UHC [Universal Health Care] are properly maximized [once it is sold out]. Let’s clean the house before moving forward, let’s fix the system before

“eliminate any possible link between the ballot and the voter,” it said.

“Comelec’s explanation for the scrambled ballot images is preposterous. The information contained in the SD cards are very voluminous and would pose a great challenge to anyone who wants to retrace the records to a specific voter,” said,” Rodriguez.

On the issue of excess ballots from the clustered precinct in Caramoan, Camarines Sur, the Comelec said that they are “seeking the authority of this Honorable Tribunal . . . to decrypt and print the ballot images of the subject clustered precincts.”

“Its been over three years and not an ounce of investigative work was done by Comelec so they could get to the bottom of these anomalies. Its been one palusot after another.

If Comelec really wanted to, they could have probed deeper in order to uncover the truth behind the discrepancies we have highlighted. This will not sit well with the people and the Tribunal,” added Rodriguez.

undocumented aliens.

The BI data also showed that Chinese nationals topped the agency’s list of foreigners who have been arrested in 2018 for violating immigration laws.

Out of the total of 533 foreign nationals who were arrested last year 393 are Chinese nationals, followed by 52 Koreans, 12 Americans, and a number of Africans.

The figure is 326 percent higher than those apprehended in 2017.

Many of those arrested included overstaying aliens, illegal foreign vendors, and aliens illegally employed as construction workers, miners, and other blue collar jobs.

Data provided by the BI showed that Chinese nationals topped the list of foreign nationals who were prevented from entering the country last year for displaying rudeness and disrespect towards immigration officers.

Out of the 133 rude aliens who were barred from entering the country, 37 were Chinese nationals, followed by 25 Americans, and 23 Koreans.

“We surely welcome them us tourists. If they wish to work here, they should comply with all legal requirements such as securing alien employment certificate or AEC and work visas, and they should income taxes,” Guevarra said.

Asia-Pacific trade pact, is pushing an “IndoPacific” strategy of bilateral commercial deals and security support for the region.

China rebuffs US intentions in the region and is driving through its own sweeping trade-pact for the region.

On Wednesday Wang described Southeast Asia as China’s “neighborhood” and in barely concealed warning to the US urged “nonregional countries” to not “sow distrust” in the area.

US-led efforts to tease North Korea into ending its nuclear ambitions were also covered in discussions, with Beijing’s leading diplomat welcoming the high-visibility summits between Donald Trump and Kim Jong-Un. The Defense department said the Philippines will never give any of its positions in the West Philippine Sea as it continues to improve its existing facilities in Pag-asa Island, the country’s largest possession in the WPS. “It must also be pointed out that the Philippines never gave up any of its positions in the WPS during the Duterte administration and, in fact, it is improving the existing facilities of its biggest island, Pag-asa, to accommodate more residents and personnel,” DND spokesman Arsenio Andolong said in a statement.

Andolong added the Philippines is always ready to defend our sovereignty and sovereign rights using whatever means available.

“Likewise, every able-bodied Filipino should be ready to fulfill his or her duty when the time comes,” the DND spokesperson said. martial law is necessary.

“Certainly, he will always follow the advice of people in the know,” Panelo said.

“He can call Armed Forces to declare lawless violence. He can declare martial law,” he added.

President Duterte is blaming the killings on rebels, including the murder and torture of four policemen in Ayungon town, Negros Oriental.

Duterte had raised to P5 million as reward money for the capture of the killers, dead or alive.

The government initially offered P1.3 million for the capture of the murderers, and later raised it to P3 million.

The President dangled an additional reward of P100,000 for anyone who participated in the killing.

At least 21 people have been killed in Negros Oriental from July 18 to 27. These include a barangay captain, a city councilor, a former mayor, and a one-year-old child.

The Philippine National Police also deployed 300 of its elite Special Action Force troops to help local police units.

Panelo said the troops appear insufficient, in the President’s view.

Negros Oriental police chief Colonel Raul Tacaca was sacked on Wednesday, following the murders.

In November 2018, Duterte had issued Memorandum Order No. 32 deploying more cops and soldiers to Negros province, aside from Samar and the Bicol region. With PNA we implement it,” Abante told a news conference.

In the Senate, Senator Juan Edgardo Angara wants the upper chamber to investigate the overstocking of close to P20 billion worth of drugs and medicine by the DOH in its warehouses, as cited by the Commission on Audit in its 2018 report on the agency.

Angara, chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance, has filed a resolution calling for an inquiry into this matter.

With so many Filipinos struggling to find ways to gain access to medicine due to lack of funds, he aired his concern over the continuing problem of the DOH with the

While saying that China may have an advantage in the South China Sea due to its existing structures constructed on its artificial islands which it has hardened and militarized, Andolong said this is still only a small part of the disputed waterway.

“Although several claimant countries are occupying features in the South China Sea, not one of them has complete and sole control over that entire body of water,” the DND spokesman added.

The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, ratified in 1982 by many countries including the Philippines and China, is the legal basis of the country’s claim of sovereign rights over its exclusive economic zone.

This was further affirmed by the Permanent Court of Arbitration award to the Philippines in 2016, which invalidated China’s so-called historical claim delineated by its Nine-Dash Line.

“Thus, the Philippines has two documents to support its claims versus none for the Chinese. Thus, the Chinese presence in the WPS is akin to somebody squatting on a piece of land owned by someone else,” he added.

On Wednesday, the Department of Foreign Affairs confirmed that Manila fired off a note verbale against a reported swarming of Chinese vessels in the West Philippine Sea. This came after reports said National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr. revealed that at least 113 Chinese vessels have swarmed around the Philippine-occupied Pag-asa Island over the weekend. Macon Ramos Araneta with AFP and PNA

10 PCSO...

From A1 “But instead of making the right remittance, they did not remit. And the new franchise holders owned by retired [officers], they did not remit.”

President Duterte recently ordered the suspension of all PCSO-operated gaming activities like Lotto, STL, Peryahan ng Bayan and Keno amid allegations of “massive corruption.”

Four days later, however, Duterte already lifted his closure order but only for the Lotto game.

Senator Leila de Lima, a former justice secretary, said she finds many questions relative to Duterte’s directive closing down PCSO gaming operations.

“Shutting down PCSO does not make sense and obviously warrants deep scrutiny.

Who gains from the closure of PCSO operations?” she said in her recent Dispatch from Crame No. 567.

“Obviously, not the indigent stakeholders nor the PCSO employees and lottery operators and staff. Are vested interests behind this abuse of power?” she said.

While Duterte ordered the resumption of lotto operations, Small-Town Lottery, Keno and Peryahan ng Bayan remain suspended pending the investigation of illegal activities and corrupt practices within the PCSO. overstocking of drugs and medicine.

According to Angara, the DOH’s “perennial problem with undistributed expired drugs” would also be a “major point of interest” in the upcoming Senate hearings on the proposed 2020 budget of the agency.

Angara said the Health department’s wastage of hundreds of millions worth of medicines “is becoming like dengue, it has become an annual thing.”

“And to think, many Filipinos for lack of money can’t buy medicine or are undermedicating themselves. And then they read reports about drugs in some government warehouses going to waste,” Angara added.

Senator one fart away from disaster—Rody

By MJ Blancaflor PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday said Senator Richard Gordon was “just one fart away from disaster,” after the lawmaker had said the appointment of former soldiers to government agencies was “dangerous.”

“My brain stays in my head. Your brain, Dick, is melting and goes to your stomach.

You are a fart away from disaster,” Duterte said during his speech.

“You are just a fart away. Your body cannot fit in an ambulance. Place him in your firetrucks,” he said to officials during the 28th year of the Bureau of Fire Protection.

Gordon said on Wednesday that Duterte’s move to appoint former cops and soldiers to government positions was “dangerous.”

“It’s dangerous because civilian authority must remain supreme over the military,” he said in a statement.

Duterte earlier explained that his penchant for choosing former military and police officials to be part of his Cabinet was mainly due to their diligence and their capacity to follow orders.

Duterte, who also serves as the country’s commander in chief, dared Gordon to name a specific instance that the military disobeyed his order.

“I’m challenging him. Give me one specific instance that the military or police group or entity disobeyed a single order from me,” Duterte said.

“It is difficult to look for honest people nowadays. Do not be too presumptuous about your talent. Why criticize me? It’s my prerogative. It’s not prohibited by law,” he added.

Among those appointed by Duterte were former Armed Forces of the Philippines chiefs of staff Eduardo Año, Roy Cimatu; former Philippine Army Chief Rolando Bautista, and former Northern Luzon Command chief Emmanuel Salamat.

Año now leads the Department of the Interior and Local Government while Cimatu heads the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

Angkas...

From A1 disclaimer and apology after being called out by the Philippine police and other irate users of the mobile phone-based service.

“Angkas is like sex. It’s scary the first time but fun to do over and over again,” the company had posted in a mixture of English and Filipino on its official Twitter account on Monday.

Chief executive Angeline Tham, in a statement on Thursday, said: “Safety has always been our brand’s priority, and we apologize for how our recent tweet has made users feel unsafe and cast doubt on the integrity of our service.”

“Sex should never be used to create shame, fear, or disgust, and certainly not used lightly for the sake of some buzz,” Tham added.

Angkas, literally pillion rider, ingeniously makes use of motorbikes to get its passengers through Manila’s notorious traffic gridlocks, giving it an edge over its car-based ride-sharing app rivals.

While the post was later deleted, it did not escape the attention of the police, who posted a screenshot of it on Twitter with a call for regulators of the transportation industry to take action.

“This is not acceptable to commuters.

Angkas will scare people off with this. This is not promoting public safety in transport business anymore,” the Philippine National Police said.

However, other social media users also hit out at the police for its alleged double standard.

Some posted links to news reports about Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte cracking jokes in public about rape, which critics allege trivialize sexual violence. AFP

Human organs...

From A1 modified animal embryos with human “induced pluripotent stem” cells that can be coaxed into forming the building blocks of any part of the body.

It is the first step in what researchers caution is a very long path towards a future where human organs for transplant could be grown inside animals.

The research led by Hiromitsu Nakauchi, a professor of genetics at Stanford University, is the first of its kind to receive government approval after Japan changed its rules on implanting human cells into animals.

Japan had previously required researchers to terminate animal embryos implanted with human cells after 14 days and prevented the embryos from being placed into animal wombs to develop.

But in March those restrictions were dropped, allowing researchers to seek individual permits for research projects.

“It took nearly 10 years, but we are now able to start the experiment,” Nakauchi told AFP. The research involves generating animal embryos—mice, rats or pigs—that lack a particular organ such as a pancreas.

The modified embryos are then implanted with human iPS cells that can grow into the missing pancreas.

The embryos would be transplanted into wombs where they could theoretically be carried to term with a functioning human pancreas. AFP

News

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FRIDAY, AUGUST 2, 2019 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Preparation for barangay polls continues

By Vito Barcelo

T

HE Commission on Elections on Thursday said preparation for the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan May 2020 polls continues despite President Rodrigo Duterte’s call to postpone the elections next year.

Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez also observed that President Duterte’s proposal to postpone the village and SK elections has resulted to low turnout of new voters nationwide which started Aug. 1 and will end Sept. 30.

He said registration turnouts are low because most of the voters thought that the election will not happen next year.

“Unfortunately, there is no assurance that barangay and SK elections will be held. While we might see a sort of slow build up of registered voters [at the start of the registration], I think that in the end, everything will balance out,” the Comelec spokesperson said in a press briefing.

“Although it’s not a problem, but the effect will become a

major problem, because what will happen is that there will be long lines during the last days of registration period,” he said.

The Comelec spokesperson said a possible postponement of the barangay and SK elections is always “at the back of our minds” and said the poll body would continue with its preparations for the upcoming elections.

Earlier, President Duterte called for the postponement of the May 2020 elections to extend the terms of incumbent village and youth leaders.

The law states that the next elections shall be held on May 2020, reducing the terms of candidates who won the May 2018 elections to only two terms, instead of three years as mandated by the previous law.

Du30 approves franchise of renewable energy firm

By MJ Blancaflor PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has approved the franchise of a renewable energy distribution firm owned by the son of former senator and now House Deputy Speaker Loren Legarda.

President Duterte signed on Wednesday Republic Act No. 11357 granting franchise to Solar Para sa Bayan Corp. despite opposition from major business groups.

The approved franchise would entail construction, installation, establishment, operation and maintenance of solar-powered facilities to provide renewable energy to areas without electricity.

Owned by 25-year-old Leandro Leviste, the firm “aims to serve Filipino communities with cheap, clean, reliable 24/7 electricity,” according to its website.

Some business groups, including Manila Electric Co., have

previously urged Duterte to review the franchise.

“The grant of the franchise will create an undue competitive edge in favor of SPB Corp. and put at a disadvantage other renewable energy companies now operating in our country,” the business groups said last month in a statement.

The statement was issued by the American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, Financial Executives Institute of the Philippines, Makati Business Club, Management Association of the Philippines, and Semiconductor and Electronics Industries in the Philippines Inc. The groups argued that the franchise of the firm is different from the current practice that puts power companies on the wholesale electricity spot market, where the rates are set through daily trading.

Health group backs WHO’s bid to bring back Dengvaxia to PH

By Macon Ramos-Araneta and Rio N. Araja THE Doctors for Truth and Public Welfare support the World Health Organization’s decision to include Dengvaxia into the 2019 Essential Medicines List and List of Essential Diagnostics.

The medicines included in the WHO list are those that satisfy the priority health care needs of the population—medications to which people should have access to at all times, and in sufficient amounts.

The WHO released the latest version of the list in July 2019.

Dr. Minguita Padilla, Co-Convenor of the Doctors for Truth and Public Welfare, called to action the Department of Health to lift the ban on the vaccine amid the current rise in dengue cases, saying “[Dengvaxia] remains banned in the Philippines.

Padilla has sought the ban, as she noted that the country has a national dengue alert.

DTPW is a group of physicians, scientists, esteemed members of the academe, former secretaries of health, and past and present heads of various professional medical associations and NGOs. DTPW believes that DoH Secretary Francisco Duque’s recent declaration of a national dengue alert shows that the Philippines falls under the “high-risk populations,” prompting WHO to recommend the anti-dengue vaccine.

There have been over 130,000 dengue cases and more than 500 deaths in the first six months of this year alone, causing concern from various sectors all around the nation.

Airport terminal fees waived for students

By Joel E. Zurbano STUDENTS are now exempted from paying terminal fees at all airports owned and operated by the government.

In a memorandum signed by Director General Jim Sydiongco, the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines stipulated the waiving of terminal fees for students actively enrolled in preschool to college—including in trade, arts, technical, vocational schools and training centers.

Qualified students who will avail of the exemption shall apply for a student exemption certificate at Malasakit Help Desks located in airports.

Student passengers with flights beginning Aug. 1 and purchased previously within a period of one (1) year may seek for refund of the terminal fee that was integrated into their airline tickets purchased at point of sale or online.

All Malasakit Help Desks at CAAP-operated airports shall serve as refund counters until such time the airlines are able to facilitate the exemption in their booking system.

CAAP chief information officer and spokesperson Eric Apolonio said CAAP has started the implementation of the student exemption from the Domestic Passenger Service Charge at all CAAP-operated airports.

CLOSING THE BRIDGE. The Department of Public Works and Highways officials announced to motorist the closure of Tomas Claudio bridge in Pandacan, Manila, tomorrow, Aug. 3 to give way to the construction of Metro Manila Skyway stage 3 project. Lino Santos

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Opinion

FRIDAY, AUGUST 2, 2019

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Beware the rumormongers

THEY just wouldn’t die down. That China is flexing its muscle to restrict navigation and overflight in the South China Sea to the point of fomenting tension in the area which these rumormongers say could eventually lead to war. (I refuse to refer to it as West Philippine Sea as I don’t think the international community has recognized that yet).

I don’t believe China, which is now enjoying its brightest moment as second most powerful country in terms of economy would even risk that. It has come a long way from a GDP per capita of less than US $200 in 1978 to nearly US$10,000 last year. In colloquial words, “Bakit pa nila guguluhin ang tabakuhan?”

If we are to be wary of something, our fears must have some basis.

Libera And as China’s People’s Liberation Army celebrates the 92nd found founding anniversary of its extraordinary journey commencing almost a century ago, it’s more than refreshing to hear from China’s Ambassador to the Philippines, His Excellency Zhao Jianhua, assuring words to this effect.

Ambassador Zhao insists China is a peace-loving nation and will always 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. No matter how strong China may become, China will never seek hegemony or never establish spheres of influence. China will remain committed to serving as a force for peace, for stability and for prosperity in the world,” the Chineses ambassador says.

His words are backed by facts. Ambassador Zhao cites records that show China as the largest troop contributor among the permanent members of the UN Security Council. So far China has participated in 24 UN peacekeeping missions and dispatched more than 39,000 peacekeepers. 18 Chinese men and women in uniform laid down their lives on the UN peacekeeping missions. China has established a peacekeeping standby force of 8,000 troops that is ready to be deployed.

The ambassador adds that the PLA Navy began escort missions in the Gulf of Aden and the waters off Somalia in December 2008. It has sent 32 batches of fleets, including more than 100 navy vessels and about 70 helicopters. And up to now, it has es escorted more than 6,600 vessels and rescued over 70 ships in danger of which, more than half of the escorted ships are foreign ships, including Filipino vessels and seamen.

Phil The ambassador noted that the Philippine-China relationship, which has been characterized by thousands of years of prosperous people-to-people exchanges and contacts between China and the Filipino people, was further enhanced when President Rodrigo Duterte assumed office in 2016.

And under the strategic guidance of Chinese President Xi Jinping and Duterte, China-Philippines relations have achieved positive turnaround, have consolidated the relationship and we have elevated our relationship into a relationship of strategic cooperation.

And while China is insisting on the

Adelle Chua, Editor

EDITORIAL

T

2 big infra projects

WO major infrastructure projects of late have received the clearance from authorities to proceed. They are among the big “Build, Build, Build” projects lined up under the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte in support of the government's bid to boost the economy. jeepneys and taxicabs plying the narrow streets of Makati, as commuters gravitate toward the convenience of using the subway rail.

The Department of Transportation, meanwhile, is set to award the P735-billion New Manila International Airport project in Bulacan province to San Miguel Corp. in the absence of rival bidders. Construction of the ambitious airport in Bulakan town, Bulacan province could start early next year after the groundbreaking ceremony in the fourth quarter this year.

The alternative airport will decongest air traffic in the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, which has long exceeded its passenger capacity amid

The $3.5-b subway project in the Makati financial district aims to connect key points in the city and significantly cut the travel time of thousands of workers in the urban center. As proposed, the subway will link the central business district from the corner of Ayala Ave. and Sen. Gil Puyat Ave. to Circuit City, Makati City Hall, University of Makati, Ospital ng Makati, and other new growth areas within the city. Once completed, the subway will serve over 700,000 passengers daily.

The subway rail mode clearly addresses the physical limit of Makati's road network. It will significantly reduce the number of buses, cars,

the tourism boom.

The new airport, more importantly, will decongest Metro Manila as airline passengers take a different route, away from the busy thoroughfares of Metro Manila. The project involves the construction, operation and maintenance of an international airport and building an 8.4-kilometer tollway that will connect the New Manila International Airport to North Luzon Expressway in Marilao, Bulacan.

With a design capacity of 100-million passengers annually and four parallel runways, the modern NMIA is a much better alternative than Naia.

Modern infrastructure projects such as the NMIA and the Makati subway rail should receive full government support in terms of fiscal incentives. These modern facilities will reshape the landscape of the metropolis and its outskirts, and eventually modernize the economy.

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Where are PH-China ties headed?

IS THIS just a bump in the road, or a bigger obstacle that might have an adverse impact on overall Philippines-China relations?

We’re talking about negative comments from two top officials of the Duterte administration regarding issues in the South China Sea. Last Wednesday, National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon, Jr. urged the Department of Foreign Affairs to file a diplomatic protest over fresh reports that no less than 113 Chinese vessels were spotted roaming near Pag-asa Island, the Philippines’ biggest outpost in the South China Sea, as of July 24. In February, there were 61 boats reported in the area.

Esperon also remarked during a news forum, in response to an assurance of peace and stability in the South China Sea by Chinese Ambassador to Manila Zhao Jianhua, that “any country can say that.”

No country will admit to initiating an armed confrontation, he said.

“Of course they will say, ‘we will not fire the first shot.’” Neither would we, Esperon said in the vernacular.

Earlier, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana had taken strong exception to Ambassador Zhao’s statement during the People’s Liberation Army anniversary last July 29 that China stays committed to peace and stability in the South China Sea. Lorenzana described the Chinese envoy’s remark as mere “optics” as China’s commitment to peace and stability and its assurances of ad-

hering to international law when it comes to the South China Sea do not match their behavior on the ground.

At the Shangri-La Dialogue in June, Lorenzana said he had raised his doubts on China’s statements that it does not “bully people around” and it follows “international law.”

“I questioned them… What you are telling us is not what you are doing on the ground. Maybe until such time their actions [are] matched by their words, then what [they’re] saying is doubtful. It’s just optics, the narrative is to be heard [positively] just to keep us calm,” he said.

San Miguel’s game changer

Do Esperon’s and Lorenzana’s remarks indicate cracks within the administration on the issue of our bilateral relations with our nextdoor neighbor?

“It’s like a consolation for us but the bottom line is, their [words] do not match their actions in the West Philippine Sea,” Lorenzana said.

For the defense chief, China’s takeover of Scarborough Shoal was a form of “bullying.”

“Since they started grabbing the islands there, they are bullying people around; of course, people would doubt them. The US has high trust ratings because they do not bully us.

We were once their colony but they never abused us. Until such time that China’s rhetoric will match their behavior, then the low trust of the Philippines will continue,” Lorenzana Turn to A5

Few, if any, could match these terms.

ON WEDNESDAY, July 31, 2019, the Department of Transportation announced that no company had attempted to match, under a six-month Swiss challenge, the bid of San Miguel Corp., through its San Miguel Holdings Corp. to build a P735-billion New Manila International Airport in Bulakan town, Bulacan province in four to six years.

“No one bought our bid documents, no one submitted comparative proposals to challenge the original proponent, which is San Miguel. This means we will award the project to San Miguel,” Giovanni Lopez, chair of the DOTr bids and awards committee of the DOTr, told reporters.

A notice to proceed by September enables SMC then to break ground

just before Christmas 2019.

Under President Ramon S. Ang who envisioned the airport that will remake San Miguel as the Philippines’ premier company, management had been raring to build the airport since six years ago, giving it considerable head start over rivals.

Few, if any, could match the terms of the NMIA—cost of $14 billion, four runways with provision for another two, capacity to handle 100 million passengers (expandable to 200 million), less than 15 kms from the present Ninoy Aquino International Airport, on an area of at least 2,500 hectares, including a CBD and industrial component, plus a speed railway, expressway, and an ancillary seaport

Ma along the coast of the 190-km Manila Bay, to link booming Clark and listless Subic further north as well as Sangley airport and the Batangas port south of NAIA. Additionally, the proponent must have conducted feasibility and due diligence studies, lined up a worldclass airport partner, negotiated with possible financiers and suppliers of facilities, equipment, and services to complete the airport in record time with the first two of four runways operational within four years.

San Miguel first made the proposal to build NMIA in 2013. Had then President Aquino approved the project, the Philippines would have been enjoying one of the world’s most modern airports today.

What probably turned off competing bids was a huge hurdle—the airport must not be financed by the government and won’t get any state guarantees or subsidies.

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Opinion

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An abundance of water

By Gen. Reynaldo V. Velasco (Ret.) FORMER President Fidel V. Ramos once wrote “What greater needs of the people are there than those which would guarantee their survival and their enjoyment of good health, long life, and security than food and water?

Water, most of all!”

We Filipinos are fortunate as our country has adequate water resources.

According to the Philippine Development Plan, our country has a total of 421 principal and 18 major river basins and renewable water totaling 479 billion cubic meters (bcm) from which water can be drawn for beneficial use.

However, the abundance of water resources is not a guarantee that everyone will have adequate water where and when needed. Most Filipinos take water for granted despite water being very much part of our daily lives. Water is either being wasted, polluted, or devalued; the lack of concern for the commodity by those who have access to it is part of the problem of the shortageof adequate, safe and clean water.

This problem has become an urgent issue especially in Metro Manila and its environs where gaps in water services remain pointedly felt.

The privatization of MWSS The real-life threatening situation due to lack of potable water back in the 1990s prompted then President Ramos to enact the Water Crisis Act. His issuance of Executive Order No. 311 on March 20, 1996 paved the way for the privatization of the

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said when asked about the survey.

Coming from our Defense Secretary amid President Duterte’s firm stance on his pivot to China since 2016, do these remarks indicate cracks within the administration on the issue of our bilateral relations with our next-door neighbor?

But what exactly did the Chinese ambassador say that triggered the negative comments from Lorenzana?

Here’s what Ambassador Zhao actually said last Monday: “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. No matter how strong China may become, China will never seek hegemony or establish spheres of influence. China will remain committed to serving as a force for peace, sta-

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ownership of the disputed areas in the South China Sea, Ambassador Zhao, contrary to the rumors critics are saying, avers that China, as it has been in the past four to five decades, will remain firm with adhering to the policy of peaceful settlement.

“This policy will remain and will continue. Despite the differences we have, we are ready to discuss with claimant states over the differences we have. We always believe dialogue is much better than confrontation,” Zhao says.

He, however, stresses solution is not yet forthcoming as the issue cannot be settled overnight.

“We should be patient. We should have confidence in our wisdom that sooner or later we can settle it peacefully. But pending the peaceful settlement in the future, we will need to put our differences in proper context. We cannot let the one percent differences to hijack the whole 99 percent of friendship and cooperation as hostage. This is what I call the realistic and pragmatic approach,” he adds.

Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System, a heavily indebted agency incapable of viable operations. The EO authorized MWSS to enter into arrangements involving private sector participation in aspects of MWSS operations or facilities. I always refer to the privatization of MWSS as a master stroke of a genius by no less than former President Fidel V. Ramos.

The successful legal framework of the PPP between MWSS and the concessionaires, Maynilad and Manila Water, is now being replicated in other parts of the country and also in our ASEAN neighbors like Cambodia, Indonesia, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam.

Under the Public-Private Partnership scheme, the first water infrastructure project to be inaugurated in the Duterteadministration was completed.

Started during the term of President Benigno S. Aquino III, the Bulacan Bulk Water Supply Project’s two phases are now operational. It is an undertaking of MWSS’ third concessionaire, the Luzon Clean Water Development Corporation, a consortium of San Miguel Holdings, Inc. and K-Water Resources.

Water supply issues The problem of water shortage felt early this year demonstrated what would happen if no new water infrastructure projects are pursued.

MWSS concessionaires Manila Water and Maynilad currently provides for the water requirement of 6.8 million and 9.5-million people, respectively.

Imagine an ever-increasing water requirement for agricultural, industrial and domestic use dependent on a single water source—Angat Dam. Angat Dam, constructed in 1967 and operationalized the following year underwent massive rehabilitation to ensure its structural integrity in case of a 7.2 magnitude earthquake. Being the source of 97 percent of raw water for Metro Manila and neighboring provinces, destruction of Angat Dam

bility and prosperity in the world.”

And more: “China adopts a military strategy of active defense. Meaning we will not take the first shot. China develops its military entirely for the purpose of self-defense.”

On the territorial dispute in the South China Sea, Zhao said: “Over the past four or five decades, China has been firm in adhering to the policy of peaceful settlement. And this policy will continue. Despite our differences, we are ready to discuss with other claimants. For China, the Philippines and other claimant countries, it’s not easy to settle. It cannot be settled overnight. So we should be patient. We cannot let the 1 percent differences, the whole 99 percent of friendship and cooperation as hostage.

This is what I call a realistic and pragmatic approach. China will continue to work with the Philippines and other states directly concerned to resolve the disputes in the South China Sea through bilatAnd as China has continuously refused to recognize the decision of the arbitral committee (Remember China never submitted itself to arbitration rendering the proceedings useless right from the beginning), Zhao says China will continue to work with the Philippines and other states directly concerned to resolve the relevant disputes in the South China Sea through bilateral negotiation and consultation on the basis of respecting historical fact and in accordance with international law which also includes UNCLOS. In fact, Zhao underscores the fact that China had already agreed with the Filipino side for all China and ASEAN countries to faithfully implement theDeclaration of the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea and is now working very hard together with other ASEAN countries to formulate the Code of Conduct which Zhao says they are optimistic, will be finalized in three years at the latest.

Freedom of navigation and overflight? As I’ve said before, “Bakit pa nila guguluhin ang tabakuhan?”

Zhao hit the nail on the head when he said that among all the countries, China consented most because nearly

would greatly affect energy, food and water supply.

As an alternative water source to Angat Dam, Maynilad in 2010 began sourcing raw water from Laguna Lake—the biggest freshwater basin in the country. Maynilad now produces 250 MLD of potable water, using supply drawn from the lake.

Wastewater concerns Aside from water shortage, we are grappling with the challenge of treating our wastewater before this is discharged back to the environment. Critics have lashed at our concessionaires for the lack of sewerage systems.

Let me assure you that MWSS has directed both Manila Water and Maynilad to continuously intensify their respective campaign for proper wastewater management.

East Zone concessionaire Manila Water has a Used Water Master Plan to implement its wastewater management program.

Manila Water currently operates and maintains 38 sewage treatment plants from only one in 1997. The total capacity of the STPs is 308.87 MLD from only 40 MLD in 1997. It operates two septage treatment plants) located in San Mateo and FTI with a total capacity of 1.40 MLD. Two of its largest sewage treatment plants to date are the Taguig North and Marikina North Sewage Treatment Plants, the most recent additions to its waste water facilities. Discharge from these treatment plants has consistently passed the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) effluent quality standards. Manila Water has a sewer network of 376.97 kms.

Likewise, West Zone concessionaire Maynilad has a Sewerage Master Plan to implement wastewater management within its service area.

Maynilad operates 22 wastewater facilities—up from only two in 1997— and manages over 588 kilometers of sewer lines. Its STPs and SpTPs have a combined treatment capacity of about

eral negotiation and consultation.”

Will China be true to its word and adhere to peaceful settlement of the South China Sea issue in the years ahead? We really hope so.

I agree with Philippine Ambassador to China Sta. Romana that a two-track approach is necessary to deal with China at this point. The South China Sea is not the sum total of our relations with our next-door neighbor. The proper management of contentious issues in the South China Sea is one track and can be done through bilateral and multilateral dialogue and negotiations. The other track, which involves enhancing economic cooperation through trade and investment, official development assistance for infrastructure and anti-poverty programs, and cultural and people-to-people exchanges, is just as important, and should be pursued based on mutual trust and mutual benefit. ernhil@yahoo.com 75 percent of goods exported from or imported to China is going through the South China Sea. Nearly 80 percent of oil and gas that China imports from other places in the world is going through South China Sea. “It goes without saying if South China Sea’s freedom of navigation is disrupted or even blocked by someone. We don’t need too much imagination to conclude that China is going to be somewhat badly hit because oil and gas now are the life block for economic and social growth. So China is the last country who would like to see that freedom of navigation in the South China Sea is impeded or disrupted,” according to Zhao.

So, what is it that the rumormongers are spreading?

I am not saying we should be giving our full trust to China or to whatever country including the US and Iceland, for that matter. We should always leave something for ourselves in case something not to our liking or benefit happens. But if we have to be wary of something, it should stand on solid ground, not on some hypothetical or fictitious assumptions and baseless allegations from these rumormongers.

663 MLD of wastewater per day. More recent additions to its facilities are the Pasay and Parañaque STPs, the latter one being the first large-scale Biological Nutrient Removal-compliant facility in the country. Currently, Maynilad is building more new STPs and conveyance systems in Valenzuela, Cavite City, and in Tunasan and Cupang in Muntinlupa.

Water infrastructure roadmap I began my stewardship of MWSS in February 2017 under heavy constraint because of the impending water supply problems.

A study by UP-NEC in 2011 which was the basis of the MWSS Water Security Infrastructure Roadmap 20162037 showed that existing water supply would be insufficient to meet projected demand unless water development projects are realized. Without buffer, the supply-demand projection showed that by 2021, supply would be unable to meet demand. By 2031, the deficit is projected at 1,448 MLD ballooning to 2,280 MLD by 2037.

It is thus imperative to break away from the very cautious posture of the past leadership that paid no attention to the impending problem despite identified infrastructure projects.

MWSS recognizes water problems will persist and the necessity of pursuing vigorously water infrastructure projects.

Under its water security program are water infrastructure projects that will provide alternative water supply to the existing Angat water system.

MWSS has reoriented its priorities and adopted short-term, medium-term and long-term raw water sources that will provide potable and sustainable water supply in the next 5, 10 and even 50 years with at an increase of at least 1,518 MLD by 2022 at the end of President Duterte’s term.

Being fast-tracked under the new water security roadmap are the following projects: 150 MLD Putatan (2019); 100 MLD Cardona (2019); 188 MLD Sumag (2020); 50 MLD Rizal Well-

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field (2020); 80 MLD Calawis Wawa (2021); 100 MLD Putatan 3 (2022); and 250 MLD Lower Ipo. These, aside from the 600 MLD Kaliwa Dam projects whose implementation was began in 2017 and is expected to be completed in 2023.

Identified as medium-term water source projects from 2023 to 2027 are the following: 420 MLD Wawa Dam; 250 MLD East Bay; 350 MLD Bayabas Dam; 550 MLD Angat NorzagarayPhase 2; 250 MLD East Bay; 750 MLD Sierra Madre; and 1,800 MLD Kanan River Phase 1.

To complement the New Water Security Roadmap (2019-2022), there is a need to fast track the completion of Aqueduct 6 and Tunnel 4, both started during the Duterte Administration by the present MWSS Board and Management. The two projects are expected to be operationalized by January 2020.

MWSS also expects to complete by June 2022, Aqueduct 7 and Tunnel 5 which are now on stream to provide another 1,600 MLD to flow towards La Mesa. The completion of these aqueducts and tunnel system will optimize the flow of excess water from Angat to La Mesa Dam. A Memorandum of Understanding has been signed between MWC and Prime Metroline Infrastructure Holdings Inc. to pursue the development of a water supply source east of Metro Manila—the Wawa Bulk Water Supply Project.

The success of these projects’ implementation needs the support of the private sector. Let us work together to ensure water conservation and security.

Let me end with a quote from former President Ramos: “Waterwill define our collective prospects for environmental sustainability over countless generations still to come.”

Gen. Velasco is the Administrator of Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System. These remarks were delivered at The Wallace Business Forum Roundtable held July 30 at the Makati Shangri-la.

Filipino travelers will have a greater sense of pride when they fly in from other countries. Facilities will be more than adequate, service levels will be consistently high, there will be zero delays caused by air, runway or taxiway congestion.

Airport congestion is a serious problem that both airlines and passengers have to contend with. In the present NAIA, annual losses of airlines brought about by air traffic congestion are estimated to reach more than P10 billion per year. This will continue to grow if no new airport capacities are built.

“We thank President Duterte for bringing this historic project closer to reality. We share in government’s vision to make this country better, and the lives of the Filipino people better,” said SMC president Ramon S. Ang, in a statement, after learning that no one showed up for the Swiss challenge.

“From the time we first proposed to build a new international gateway, our goal was simple: help address the perennial problem of airport congestion, which has weighed down many aspects of our lives,” Ang said. “This has caused stressful and costly delays for both passengers and airlines; it’s a continuing safety concern for aviation officials, and it has also greatly hindered and limited our economic growth. It has even contributed to the worsening traffic on our roads.”

The SMC airport is “a long-term solution—a sustainable and worldclass Philippine gateway with enough runways and facilities to meet current and future needs,” the SMC president said, adding: “It is our single biggest investment in our country. It will be built at no cost to government and with no subsidies or guarantees of any kind. As part of a larger infrastructure ecosystem that consists of existing and future expressways and mass rail systems, it will be easily accessible from north and south Luzon and will help in significantly decongesting Metro Manila.”

“It will raise our country’s profile and competitiveness as an investment and tourism destination, and help boost our local and export industries.

It will make the lives of many air passengers—balikbayans, OFWs, tourists—and the locals so much better and easier,” said Ang.

If an unfriendly government in the future makes a decision adverse to the viability of the airport, San Miguel won’t be able to sue the government for damages from such material adverse decision. An example: Stopping the collection of passenger terminal fees, the proposed airport’s main revenue source.

With a looming global slowdown, San Miguel should be able to keep costs down because of softening prices of materials globally, and declining interest rates here and abroad.

A veritable “aerotropolis,” NMIA will have its own seaport, industrial, residential, commercial, institutional zones, and a new government center making vital government services more accessible to fast-growing areas in Luzon.

Metro Manila is less than 30 minutes away, via interconnected expressways and rail—including a shoreline expressway that will traverse Manila Bay and head straight to NMIA. NMIA will mean many things for the Philippines. As an economic engine, the airport is estimated to contribute up to 5 percent of the value of annual economic production or GDP. Based on a GDP of P23 trillion by 2023, that 5 percent is easily worth P1.1 trillion. Employment, direct and indirect, will be two million. Arrivals will likely hit 20 million annually. Tourism-related jobs will expand to above 40 million in four years.

Singapore has a population of 5.6 million and yet attracts 18.5-million arrivals, a ratio of 3.3 tourists for every one resident. Hong Kong has a population of 7.3 million and attracts 65-million visitors, a ratio of nine visitors for every resident.

By 2023, the Philippines will have a population of 113 million. As an archipelago of 7,300 islands with a heritage that blends the best of the East and the West, and with over 1,000 major tourist attractions, the Philippines should be able to attract at least 50-million arrivals yearly, assuming savvy marketing and country branding.

The San Miguel aerotropolis will be a showcase of what Filipinos can do. It is a long overdue and muchneeded solution to problems rooted in our aging and inefficient airports—where flight delays and congestion are the norm. biznewsasia@gmail.com

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Tagle tells faithful: Be discerning M

ANILA Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle on Thursday issued a prayer to be said by the clergy and the faithful at all Sunday masses of August.

“His Eminence [Cardinal Tagle] also invites us to be aware and discerning of the many disturbing issues in our society today. We are invited to respond in faith and hope through our common prayer,” according to Circular 2019-34 on the Prayer for the Nation signed by Fr. Reginald Malicdem, Chancellor of the Archdiocese.

The prayer, written in English and Tagalog, will be prayed at all Sunday masses, including the evening masses of Saturday, for the whole month beginning Aug. 4.

The circular dated Aug. 1, is addressed to all clergy and superiors of religious men and women in the archdiocese.

Also, the head of the Archdiocese of Manila asked them to pray for the members of the Catholic Church particularly those who are victims of false accusations.

“Our dear Archbishop, Cardinal Luis Antonio G. Tagle, is asking all of us, priests, religious men and women, and lay faithful in the Archdiocese of Manila, to offer our Masses and prayer for all our bishops and priests, especially those who suffer because of persecutions and false accusations,” the directive said.

“Let our prayers be the best expression of our solidarity and fraternal support for them,” it added.

Excerpts from the prayer: PRAYER FOR THE NATION Almighty and merciful God You have brought us together in the name of your Son Jesus.

We beg for your mercy and grace in our time of need.

Open our eyes to see the evil that we have done.

Forgive us for failing to do what is good and just.

Touch our hearts and bring us back to You. We pray for an end to the violence perpetrated by harsh words, malicious propaganda, deadly weapons, or cold indifference.

May our homes, our nation, and our world become havens of Your peace.

Grant us the grace to see every human being as a child of God, regardless of race, language, or culture, even drug addicts, criminals, and hardened sinners.

Give us the strength to teach our children and youth how to resolve differences non-violently and respectfully. PNA

DEMOLITION DONE. National Capital Region Police Office Regional Director P/Maj. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar (left) leads the demolition of Police Community Precinct 4 Compact Assistance Center along M.H Del Pilar Street, corner Bustamante Street, Barangay Tenajeros, Malabon City on Thursday. Andrew Rabulan

NAIA gov’t agents seize smuggled package from US

By Joel E. Zurbano GOVERNMENT agents assigned at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport intercepted a package containing US dollars equivalent to more than half a million pesos smuggled from Arkansas via air cargo.

NAIA-Customs district collector Carmelita Talusan said the package shipped through FedEx from Arkansas, USA with some US$12,000 cash in 100 bills was wrapped in aluminum foil and placed in a mobile phone box that arrived last Wednesday.

Talusan said the money was discovered when it passed the X-ray machine and through the vigilance of Customs frontliners assigned at the FedEx warehouse.

She said the undeclared foreign currency was neatly wrapped in aluminum foil possibly to mislead the subject currency from customs scrutiny.

The foreign currencies will be seized in favor of the government pursuant to Section 1400 in relation to Section 113 of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act. Talusan said she ordered her men to investigate the case and identify the consignee and the sender of the package.

The public is advised to refrain from similar fraudulent schemes as the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Manual of Foreign Exchange Transaction requires the faithful declaration and accomplishment of Foreign Currency Declaration Forms for importation and exportation of foreign currency in excess of US$10,000 or its equivalent, Talusan added.

Air travelers are banned from bringing into the country Philippine currency in the amount of more than P50,000 and foreign currency more than $10,000.

Win’s ‘Last Mile’ program

By Macon Ramos-Araneta SENATOR Win Gatchalian Thursday called on the National Economic Development Authority and the Department of Public Works and Highways to include the Department of Education’s Last Mile Schools program in the administration’s Build, Build, Build infrastructure program.

DepEd Secretary Leonor Briones said the Last Mile Schools program was an initiative of the DepEd conceived to provide students living in Geographically Isolated, Disadvantaged and Conflict-Affected areas with unhampered and equal access to quality basic education.

“Access to quality basic education is the right of every Filipino and I am glad that the DepEd, under the leadership of Secretary Briones, is giving priority to the schools that have otherwise been neglected or fallen behind their urban counterparts,” said Gatchalian, the presumptive chairman of the Senate Committee on Basic Education and Culture.

But in order for the program to succeed, Gatchalian cited the need to infuse massive support.

“And one way to do this is to have the Last Mile Schools program become part of the Build, Build, Build program,” the lawmaker added.

In her recent briefing with Gatchalian, Briones said Last Mile Schools were those that have less than four classrooms, with makeshift or nonstandard rooms, have no electricity, or have not been allocated funds for repairs or new construction projects in the last four years.

Sports

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FRIDAY, AUGUST 2, 2019 sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

Hamilton says no to Netflix show B

UDAPEST—Lewis Hamilton has said he will not let Netflix use film of his travails while feeling sick at last weekend’s German Grand Prix to be used in their second ‘Drive to Survive’ Formula One series.

The defending five-time world champion, who had a sore throat, secured pole position, but endured an error-riddled race.

In a tempestuous rain-hit event he finished 11th before being elevated to ninth when both Alfa Romeo cars were given time penalties for a technical infringement.

“I won’t be in the Netflix show much, because I was sick the whole time,” said Hamilton, as quoted by GPFans (www. gpfans.com) on Wednesday. “I won’t allow them to release that.”

Netflix, who were barred from filming

behind-the-scenes at Mercedes in 2018, were granted access for one race this year and chose the team’s home German Grand Prix.

The weekend began with celebrations and anniversaries, but ended in a bruising defeat.

“We have given the Netflix guys more content than on any other weekend,” said rueful team boss Toto Wolff who preferred to look ahead to this week’s Hungarian Grand Prix.

“I believe that one of the core strengths of our team is the way we handle defeat,” he

said. “We accept responsibility for mistakes so we can learn and improve and we will come back stronger from this.”

Hamilton has said he wants to return feeling physically fit and competitive for one of his favourite races where he will be seeking a record-extending seventh victory.

He leads this year’s drivers’ championship by 41 points ahead of his Mercedes team-mate Valtteri Bottas. He won last year’s Hungarian race from pole position.

Meanwhile, after two stunning wins in three races, the force in Formula One is with Max Verstappen who will this weekend bid for another victory at the Hungarian Grand Prix.

The 21-year-old Red Bull driver, whose father Jos reached the podium in Hungary in 1994, is hoping to sign off before the

mid-season break with another flourish.

Verstappen’s powerful performance in winning last weekend’s tumultuous rainhit German Grand Prix lifted him within 63 points of the defending five-time champion Hamilton with 10 of this year’s 21 races to go.

The Dutchman is a distant third in the driver standings, behind the Mercedes pair of Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas. Yet the Silver Arrows’ self-described “Armageddon” on home soil at Hockenheim, has inspired Verstappen’s team to dream of greater glory.

The Dutchman played down his potential in the championship on Sunday night but Red Bull sporting director Helmut Marko thinks Verstappen might snatch the title from Hamilton.

“I would not rule it out,” he said. AFP

Manila banks on Espinas to beat Marikina in Lakan tilt ANGELES CITY—Manila unleashed its latest acquisition and went business as usual in bringing down Marikina, 107-96, in the MPBL Lakan Season at the Angeles University Foundation Arena here.

It was the fifth straight victory of the Stars, who now improved their win-loss record to 7-1 and firmed up their grip on the solo second spot in this tournament put up by Senator Manny Pacquiao with PBA legend and former MVP Kenneth Duremdes serving as commissioner.

The Stars introduced Gabby Espinas Wednesday and immediately, the PBA journeyman saw action, ending up with seven points and grabbed 10 rebounds. He joined a team already stacked in talent.

A six-time PBA champion, Espinas even took the backseat on offense as six players ended up in double figures for the Stars led by Carlo Lastimosa.

Lastimosa drilled in 22 points, while Gian Abrigo produced 13. Marvin Hayes and Aris Dionisio tallied 12 apiece, Chris Bitoon had 11 and Marvin Lee chipped in 10 as the Stars showed their firepower to the hilt in dealing the Shoemasters their seventh loss in as many games.

Marikina matched its seven-game losing skid last season and remained as one of only two winles squads in the tournament.

Pampanga and Bulacan carved out similar victories in the other games.

The host squad Giant Lanterns, supported by ADG Construction, edged the Valenzuela Classic, 77-74.

Mark Cruz delivered four crucial free throws and came away with a big steal that helped the Giant Lanterns in getting back on track the win column.

Pampanga improved its win-loss record to 5-3 and stayed on sixth spot of the tough northern division.

Bulacan nipped Binan City, 87-82, as Gwynne Capacio returned and provided the spark for the Kuyas.

Mercedes’ British driver Lewis Hamilton steers his car during the qualifying session of the German Formula One Grand Prix at the Hockenheim racing circuit in Hockenheim, southern Germany. AFP

PPS Mercado Cup, MCF juniors blast off SIXTEEN of the country’s leading and rising junior netters slug it out for the men’s singles crown in the PPS-PEPP Mayor Nikko Mercado Open Championship while close to 200 entries vie in the MCF Global national age-group which get going today (Friday, Aug. 2) at the Maasin Lawn Tennis Club in Leyte.

Cebuanos Joshua Kinaadman and Norman Enriquez gain the top seeding in the centerpiece men’s singles held as part of the city’s 19th Charter Day celebrations.

The cast also features the likes of John David Velez, Vinz Lominoque, Gerald Jumadas, Mikel dela Cruz, Francis Hidalgo, Austin delos Santos, Andre Laguda, Ashton Villanueva, Chris Encarnacion, Vinz Alforque, Sal Lago, Elmer Alila, Fritz Tabura and Miles Sotes.

Velez, Alforque and Lominoque also

banner the boys’ 18-and-under field in the age-grouper sponsored by the MAC’s Crankit Foundation headed by coach Patricia Concon-Puzon which also serves as the second of fourth MCF-backed tournaments after Davao. San Carlos City, Negros Occidental and Iloilo will host the last two stops.

“We take pride in putting up this big gathering of junior players from Ozamiz, La Salle-Lipa, Ormoc, Cebu, San Carlos, Tacloban and Baybay City and we thank Maasin City Mayor Mercado and MAC’s Crankit Foundation for their continued support of our tennis program,” said Palawan Pawnshop president/CEO Bobby Castro, under whose aegis this event is being staged in partnership with Dunlop.

Velez, Villanueva along with Judy Ann Padilla and Angel Denopol make up the

squad from Ozamiz while Gabby Zoleta, Julia Ignacio, Sophia Moreno, France Idjao, Dwyne Faelnar and Lago head the bets from La Salle-Lipa.

Joining Kinaadman and Enriquez in the talent-laden Cebu side are Alforque, Lominoque, Gio Manito, Aron Tabura, David Sepulveda and Jonathan Largo, all eyeing a crack at the crown in their respective age-group categories of the event sanctioned by the Unified Tennis Philippines made up of PPS-PEPP, Cebuana Lhuillier, Wilson, Toby’s, Dunlop, Slazenger and B-Meg. Meanwhile, the President’s Cup will be held next on Aug. 8-11 in Baybay City, also in Leyte. Listup is ongoing. For details, call PPS-PEPP Sports Program Development director Bobby Mangunay at 0915-4046464.

Lochte targets Tokyo Olympics after comeback swim in trials SAN FRANSCICO—-A rejuvenated Ryan Lochte returned to competitive swimming for the first time in more than a year on Wednesday, insisting he was a changed man as he targets a medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

Lochte, who turns 35 on Saturday, booked his place at the US Olympic trials after clocking 1min 57.88sec in the 200 medley at the US National Championships in Palo Alto.

Although the time was nearly four seconds slower than his world record, five-time Olympic gold medalist Lochte was happy with his performance as he sets out on the comeback trail after a turbulent three years.

Lochte was suspended from swimming for 10 months after the scandal at the 2016 Olympics, when he was found to have fabricated a story about a robbery during a drunken late-night episode in Rio de Janeiro.

He was given a further 14-month ban last year by the US Anti-Doping Agency for taking a banned intravenous infusion of what he said were vitamins in May 2018.

Lochte, who underwent treatment for alcohol abuse in Florida last year, said Wednesday he could understand why

fans might not have faith in him as he embarks on his comeback.

“That’s understandable, especially through the roller coaster I’ve been on,” Lochte told a press conference. “But right now I’m not trying to prove anything to anyone.

“I’m doing this for me and my family.

I want to go to the 2020 Olympics, my fifth Olympics, and hopefully get on the podium there.

“Everything I do from here in the pool and outside the pool is for my family.”

Lochte said he had sought treatment for alcohol abuse after deciding his life “needed a change”, adding that the birth of his son Caiden in 2017 and daughter Liv last month had given him a new outlook on life.

“I checked myself into rehab. I did the classes, I got out, I did everything,” he said. “Since Caiden and my new daughter have been born I have a new perspective on life.

“And I’m definitely not the same person I was three years ago. I’m a different person. I’m just trying to be a different person.

“I’ve had a lot of ups and downs. I’m just here to race and have my goals set for 2020.” AFP

In this file photo, USA’s Ryan Lochte competes in a Men’s 200m Individual Medley heat during the swimming event at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Olympic Aquatics Stadium in Rio de Janeiro. The six-time Olympic swimming gold medalist, fresh off a 14-month suspension, will make his return to competition at next week’s American national championships, USA Swimming. AFP

SKY Southeast Asia Fighting tourney slated A HEALTHY and drug-free lifestyle for all mixed martial arts practitioners.

This is what the National Muaythai Kick Boxing Council of the Philippines and SKY Enterprises Corporation hope to achieve as they team up to stage the SKY-Southeast Asia Fighting Championship 62 on Oct. 26 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.

“The NMKBCP and SKY Enterprises Corp. are teaming up to achieve our common goal of promoting big-time martial arts tournament while encouraging our athletes to lead a healthy, drugfree lifestyle,” said NMKBCP founderpresident Emmanuel Sabrine during the 33rd “Usapang Sports” presented by the Tabloids Organization in Philippine Sports at the National Press Club in Intramuros.

“It is hard to achieve both goals. But as they say, the road towards success is always travelled on by those who are bold enough to make that first step. With enough confidence, determination and an unwavering faith, all goals can be achieved,” explained Cabrine, who was accompanied by NMKBCP official Victor de la Riva.

Cabrine expressed confidence that their goals can be achieved, especially with the help of people who share the same values and goals, like Limuel Valla and Roland Pangilinan of SKY Enterprises.

“This is only the first time that we will work together for SAFC, but we are looking at making our partnership for a long time,” added Cabrine during the weekly public service forum sponsored by the Philippine Sports Commission, National Press Club, PAGCOR, Community Basketball Associaiton and HG Guyabano Tea Leaf Drinks.

“As in all SAFC tournaments, we hope to provide opportunities for Filipino fighters to display and showcase their skills and afford them a chance to compete not only in the local martial arts scene, but also in the international arena,” added De la Riva.

Tiger commits to 1st two PGA playoff events MIAMI—Reigning Masters champion Tiger Woods committed Wednesday to playing in US PGA Tour playoff events the next two weeks, hoping for the chance to defend his Tour Championship title.

Woods, a 15-time major champion chasing the all-time record of 18 major wins by Jack Nicklaus, tweeted that he would play in the Northern Trust at Liberty National in suburban New York next week and the BMW Championship at Medinah near Chicago in two weeks.

“Ready to begin the FedExCup playoffs starting with @TheNTGolf and then the @BMWChamps. Hope to see you there,” Woods tweeted.

Woods was a Northern Trust runnerup at Liberty National in 2009 and 2013 and captured PGA Championships at Medinah in 1999 and 2006.

The 43-year-old US star has won 81 US PGA titles, one shy of the career record set by Sam Snead.

Woods, a two-time winner of the US PGA playoff crown, stands 27th in the season points standings, at risk of not cracking the top 30 who qualify for the season-ending showdown at East Lake in Atlanta.

The top 125 players on the season points list after this week’s Wyndham Championship in Greensboro, North Carolina, will secure 2019-20 US PGA berths and advance to the three-event playoffs. From a field of 125 at the Northern Trust only 70 advance to the BMW and from there only 30 reach the Tour Championship.

If Woods plays at the Northern Trust and BMW events in consecutive weeks, it will be the first time he has played in backto-back weeks since February at Riviera and the WGC Mexico Championship.

Andy Murray reunites with brother Jamie for win WASHINGTON—Three-time Grand Slam champion Andy Murray moved closer to a singles comeback six months after hip surgery, joining brother Jamie for a doubles victory Wednesday at the ATP Washington Open.

The Murrays, partnered for the first time since the 2016 Rio Olympics, downed Frenchmen Nicolas Mahut and Edouard Roger-Vasselin 6-4, 6-7 (7/9), 10-5 to reach the last eight at the US Open tune-up event.

“The level of tennis I thought was really good,” Andy Murray said. “It felt

like there were some good points and quick reactions out there.”

Andy Murray is practicing singles and playing doubles as the former world number one, now ranked 222, continues his fightback from right hip surgery in January.

The 32-year-old Scotsman feared he could be forced into retirement before the operation. He returned to the court in June but only in doubles while he rehabilitates.

“I have no pain,” Murray said. “It’s not restricting me in any of the shots

that I’m hitting. I’m still maybe a little bit slow. I’m hoping that’s something that comes back with time.”

Murray departed Washington in tears from pain and frustration last year after a rain-delayed 3:00 am singles victory that led him to withdraw.

“I’m in a much better place than I was last year. Physically, I just feel so much better,” Murray said.

“I didn’t know how much more I was going to be playing after here last year.

To come back and be competing and be pain-free is brilliant.” AFP

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

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FRIDAY, AUGUST 2, 2019

Sports

Blazers, Red Lions part ways Senior Games Today (FilOil-Flying V Sports Center) 12 noon San Beda vs. St. Benilde 2 p.m. San Sebastian College vs. Perpetual Help 4 p.m. Arellano University vs. Lyceum

By Peter Atencio

Rain or Shine’s Javee Mocon splits the defense of SMB defenders Arwind Santos and Chris Ross before handing out a pass to import Carl Montgomery in a PBA semifinal game won by the Painters, 112-104.

One more try for Beermen

By Jeric Lopez

E

ND or extend?

Failing to get it on the first try, San Miguel Beer looks to shoot again for a berth in the finals as it aims to close out Rain or Shine in their best-of-five semifinal clash in the 2019 Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner’s Cup. The Beermen, still up 2-1 in the series, go for it again while the Elasto Painters shoot for a follow-up win in their Game 4 clash at 7 p.m. today at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Rain or Shine was able to stave off

elimination by taking Game 3, 112-104, over San Miguel Beer last Wednesday night after a late game rally.

The Elasto Painters ended Game 3 with a 10-0 finishing kick as they woke up just in time to save their campaign.

On the jaws of elimination, Rain or Shine rose to the occasion to fight for another day.

Rain or Shine coach Caloy Garcia admitted just how difficult it is to play San Miguel and he expects nothing less as the series deepens.

“Like I always say, it’s hard to play against San Miguel Beer. We expect that to stay that way against a powerhouse team,” said Garcia.

The core of Carl Montgomery, Javee Mocon, Rey Nambatac and Beau Belga led Rain or Shine’s charge in Game 4.

They are once again expected to carry a lot of the fight for Rain or Shine.

Game Today (Smart Araneta Coliseum) 7 p.m. San Miguel Beer vs Rain or Shine

The Painters were able to survive despite a 51-point explosion from San Miguel import Chris McCullough.

They would once again need their combined efforts to repeat and extend the series to a deciding Game 5 against the loaded Beermen.

Should Rain or Shine force a winner-take-all Game 5, it will be slated on Sunday.

Worldwide IRONMAN registration under way

By Reuel Vidal BECOME an IRONMAN in your own home.

This unique, life-altering experience can be attained by local triathletes with the holding of the 2020 Century Tuna IRONMAN Philippines Presented by Big Boss Cement which will be held June 7, 2020 at Subic Bay. Worldwide registration to the IRONMAN race opened 8 a.m., yesterday August 1 at the Blue Room, 25th floor Tower 1, PSE in Makati City.

Century Pacific Food, Inc. Vice-President and General Manager Greg Banzon said bringing the full distance IRONMAN here in the Philippines is a treat to the growing local triathlon community.

“Holding the 2020 Century Tuna IRONMAN Philippines will allow Filipino triathletes to share this experience and triumph with as many members of their family as possible.

So that’s the whole point of bringing the experience to the Philippines.

Kasama ang iyong family. Iyong mahal mo sa buhay, in that IRONMAN experience,” said Banzon.

The race will be only the second full distance IRONMAN to be held in the country after the 2018 IRONMAN in Subic which was dubbed 2018 Most Challenging Triathlon Race in Asia –

Long Course by AsiaTRI.COM Awards.

Princess Galura, General Manager of Sunrise Events, which organizes and stages all IRONMAN races in the Philippines, said the challenging course was reflected in the time it took participants to complete the 3.8 km swim, 180 km bike and a 42 km run.

“Last year, we had the hardest long course triathlon race in Asia for 2018.

Though the course is quite difficult due to the weather, we are thrilled to see the participants taking these as challenges to race better. The 2020 race is very exciting as it will be a showcase of two years of hard work and training,” said Galura.

Century Tuna IRONMAN Philippines offers only 1,200 slots and interested participants are advised to book early. For the safety of all concerned, only those who have completed an IRONMAN 70.3 from January 2018 to March 2020 will be eligible to join the race.

Forty age group slots to the IRONMAN World Championship in Kona, Hawaii will be up for grabs for those who will participate.

Athletes begin their IRONMAN journey by completing two loops of 1.9 km ocean swim in the calm, pristine waters of Subic Bay. The athletes then proceed to the transition area.

Once on their bikes, athletes head out

Early bird registrants of the 2020 Century Tuna IRONMAN Philippines Presented by Big Boss Cement, which will be held June 7, 2020 at Subic Bay, join the start of the worldwide registration to the IRONMAN race yesterday at the Blue Room, 25th floor Tower 1, PSE in Makati City.

of Subic Bay and into the Subic-ClarkTarlac Expressway (SCTEX) for a fast and flat two-loop, 180 km ride which will bring riders to the second transition.

Participants then run a 42.2 km, twoloop marathon through the run course which offers picturesque coastal views with local supporters lining the streets to cheer the athletes home.

Sunrise Events continues its tradition of running world class races which

started in 2009 with the first IRONMAN 70.3 race held in Camarines Sur with 583 participants. From that modest start triathlon has grown by leaps and bounds with multiple races all over the Philippines year round.

Sunrise Events races are not just sporting competitions but events which showcase the numerous tourist destinations all over the country before a worldwide audience.

THE College of St. Benilde Blazers are enjoying their best start in 21 years.

And now that they have four straight wins following a 77-72 beating of the San Sebastian College Stags last Tuesday, the Blazers are seeking to extend their winning run when they meet the defending champion San Beda Red Lions at 12 noon today at the FilOil-Flying V Sports Center in San Juan.

But it will be a tall order for the Blazers, who share the lead with the Red Lions.

“One good thing we had was we only missed a few free throws.

What’s important for us is to stick together and find ways to win,” said Blazers coach TY Tang.

On the other hand, the Red Lions are coming off a three-day rest after their 59-73 beating of the San Sebastian Stags.

Red Lions’ coach Boyet Fernandez said he rewarded his boys a long break since they will be facing tougher opponents after meeting the Stags.

“We have not achieved anything yet. We still have to play strong teams. And we will be ready,” said Fernandez.

A triple from James Pasturan and two charities from Unique Naboa in the last two minutes allowed the Blazers to grab a 76-72 edge in the dying minute of their game with the Stags.

The Lyceum Pirates, behind in second at 5-1, battle the Arellano University Chiefs at 4 p.m. while San Sebastian College takes on Perpetual Help at 2 p.m.

Search for hidden sports gems in K to12 Program on A COOPERATIVE effort among government agencies and the Siklab Foundation of Presidential Adviser for Sports Dennis Uy is in the works.

And this involves the creation of a faculty of sports managers and coaches whose main objective is to find the hidden gems among K-12 enrollees.

Philippine Sports Commission Chairman William “Butch” Ramirez said yesterday that over 27 million students who are currently enrolled in the K-12 program will form a deep pool of potential talents where the PSC can perform its talent-identification activities. ``We have 27 million in our hands from 43,000 schools all over the country. If we focus on providing these 27 million kids with qualified coaches and trainers, you can predict that there will be good athletes coming from them,’’said Ramirez.

The Department of Education will be at the forefront of the project.

It is in the student population where the vast reserve of future athletes will come from in partnership with the PSC, the Commission of Higher Education, the local government units, Siklab Foundation and the United States Sports Academy based in Alabama.

Dr. Serge Opena, the PSC’s national grassroots sports development consultant, said the government sports agency will be sponsoring the first batch of 100 coaches, who will receive international certificates in sports from the USSA. Opena explained that these coaches have been identified by the DepEd from different regions in the country.

Peter Atencio

Fernando Air Base ladies shine in women’s golf

TAMING THE WAVES. Canada’s Bethany Zelasko competes in the women’s open surfing repechage round 2 during the Lima 2019 Pan American Games at Punta Rocas beach in Lima. AFP

FERNANDO Air Base kept its steady rise in the 2019 Champion WGAP Circuit ranking, posting a victory and a runnerup finish to close in on overall leader Sta. Elena after the fifth leg at Valley Golf Club South course in Antipolo recently.

Grace Montilla and Jill Raymundo turned in identical 41 Stableford points while Terry Fasol and Lina Galang backed them up with 37 and 33 points, respectively, as FAB assembled a 152 and beat Wack Wack (144) by eight points to dominate Class A. The Lipa City, Batangas-based squad nearly pulled off a “twinkill,” yielding the Class C diadem to Alabang by just one point, 134-135, to emerge the best scoring team in the second half of the eight-stage circuit organized and conducted by the Women’s Golf Association of the Philippines.

With that five-point haul, FAB tied Alabang at second with 13 points in the

overall race with Sta. Elena, which sizzled with a tournament-best seven-point romp at Southwoods last month but went scoreless at Valley, barely clinging to the lead with 14 points.

After a shutout stint in the first leg at Villamor, the FAB ladies placed second in Class B in Canlubang and in Class A in Tagaytay then topped Class B and finished third in Class A at Southwoods to get into the mix.

Tagaytay, with Mathilda Sun firing 39 points, ruled Class B with a 137, five points ahead of Villamor (132), as the Highlanders moved to solo fourth overall with 11 points followed by Villamor (10), Wack Wack (8), Forest Hills (7) and Canlubang (6) heading to the sixth leg of the circuit sponsored by Champion at Alabang Country Club on Aug. 19.

Wack Wack’s Diana Araneta led the team’s runner-up effort in Class A with 38 points that also netted her the indi-

vidual title with Maria Delia Angeles, also of Wack Wack, bagging the Class B plum with 40 points and Camp Aguinaldo’s Robie Ann Ramirez claiming the Class C trophy with 41 points.

Other scorers for Wack Wack’s Class A squad were recent US Kids champion Monique Arroyo (37), Mikaela Arroyo (36) and Alice Jay Crisologo (33).

Manila Southwoods, led by Lia Rosca’s 39 points, placed third in Class A with a 135 followed by Tagaytay (126), Alabang (125), Forest Hills (125) and Sta. Elena (125); Wack Wack finished behind Tagaytay and Villamor in Class B with a 130 followed by Camp Aguinaldo (129), Sta. Elena (125), Alabang (123), Canlubang (119), Forest Hills (117) and FAB (108) while Camp Aguinaldo came in third in Class C with a 130 followed by Villamor (130), Wack Wack (126), Sta. Elena (122), Forest Hills (122), Tagaytay (110) and Canlubang (109).

IN BRIEF PLDT, Smart open experiential store

PLDT Inc. and Smart Communications Inc. on Thursday unveiled their first onestop experiential hub and digital lifestyle store in Quezon City.

The PLDT-Smart converged store features customer-centric design and innovative digital installations.

“We’ve received great feedback from our first PLDT-Smart store in BGC, and we would like to replicate that experience for our customers in the metro north area,” PLDT chief revenue officer Al Panlilo said.

“Quezon City has always been a key market for us, and we look forward to serving our customers better through our industry-leading digital solutions and support services,” he said.

As a digital hub, the PLDT-Smart Store features superior technologies such as the self-service InfoTouch Booth which allows customers to view and print billing summaries, check account details and submit repair requests.

Darwin G. Amojelar

PCC streamlines merger review

THE Philippine Competition Commission issued rules to streamline its merger review process for joint ventures formed for solicited private-public partnership projects.

It issued Memorandum Circular No. 19-001 that details the procedure in securing a certificate of project exemption, effectively allowing prospective bidders to meet both the requirements of the Philippine Competition Act and the BuildOperate-Transfer Law in the streamlined process.

“This track enables the PCC to inject the necessary competition safeguards early on and pave the way for faster roll-out of these priority infrastructure projects.

The measure embodies efficiency of processes by the implementing agency, the PPP Center and the PCC while remaining steadfast to our respective mandates,” said PCC chairman Arsenio Balisacan.

Under the circular, agencies may seek exemption from compulsory notification on behalf of their solicited project’s prospective bidders by filing an application for a certificate of project exemption from the PCC. Othel V. Campos

Business Philex eyeing partners for $1.1-b Silangan mine

By Jenniffer B. Austria

G

OLD and copper producer Philex Mining Corp. is looking for joint venture partners to develop the $1.1-billion Silangan project in Surigao del Norte province.

Philex chairman Manuel Pangilinan said the board earmarked $758 million for capital expenditures to develop the Boyongan ore body, or the phase one of the Silangan project.

The mining firm tapped J.P. Morgan to facilitate equity investments and Japan’s Mizuho to handle debt financing.

Pangilinan said the company was looking at raising $300 million to $350 million in equity investments and about $400 million in debt financing.

Philex said the completed definitive feasibility study for the first phase of the Silangan project showed that Boyongan

ore body had 81 million tons of mineable reserves, which could be mined for a period of 22 years at 4 million tons a year.

“At certain price of gold of $1,342 per ounce and copper price of $2.60 per pound, this will translate into revenues of $7 billion based on the mine life of 22 years. All output is for export,” Pangilinan said.

He said that while the project financing was expected to close by the second quarter of 2020, the board of Philex decided that preliminary works, including design of the plants and pre-construction works should start this month.

Actual construction is set to begin by the middle of the year while commercial production is expected to commence by the second half of 2022.

The second phase of the Silangan project, which will be comprised of the Bayugo deposit, is scheduled to undergo preliminary feasibility study for underground sub-level cave mining this year.

Bayugo is expected to be mine-ready as early as the fifth year from the start of Boyongan’s commercial operations.

The remaining substantial mineral resource and inventory including Kalayaan and the remnants of Boyongan will be subjected to future studies.

Philex reported a net income of P391 million in the first half of 2019 while core net loss narrowed to P19 million representing a close breakeven.

Total tons milled declined to 3.805 million in the first half from 4.388 million a year ago as metal production was slowed down by programmed maintenance and other unscheduled repair works of aging mining equipment and uncontrollable power interruptions that resulted in lesser operating days.

Gold and copper production also went down to 23,675 ounces and 12.007 million pounds this year from previous year’s haul of 34,583 ounces and 14.149 million pounds, respectively.

Gross revenues declined to P3.365 billion from P4.646 billion while smelting charges decreased to P276 million from P377 million in the first half of 2018.

Net revenues dropped to P3.089 billion from P4.269 billion a year earlier.

PXP Energy incurs lower loss

LISTED PXP Energy Corp. said Thursday it posted a lower consolidated net loss of P17.9 million in the first half compared with a P32.8-million loss in the same period last year as the reduction in oil production costs, lower depletion rate and higher other income (charges) partially offset the lower petroleum revenues.

PXP Energy said in a disclosure to the stock exchange it also posted a lower consolidated net loss attributable to equity holders of the parent amounting to P7.9 million in the first half, compared to P20.1 million in the same period last year.

“Smaller losses in the first half. It has enough cash to stay where it is in the next few years. The question really is, when something does break out, then we have to raise funds for development. That’s a better problem than balance sheet. Although we’re looking at, of course, domestic properties not part of the disputed territory,” PXP Energy chairman Manuel Pangilinan said.

Consolidated petroleum revenues declined 22.9 percent to P51.4 million during the period from P66.7 million a year ago, resulting from a 13.6-percent drop in crude oil price in Service Contract (SC) 14C-1 Galoc, and the plug and abandonment of SC 14A Nido and SC 14B Matinloc production wells. Alena Mae S. Flores

Pag-IBIG Fund collects record P30b in home loan payments PAG-IBIG Fund reported a double-digit growth in its housing loan payment collections in the first half of the year.

Data showed that from January to June 2019, home loan payments reached P30.44 billion, an increase of 12 percent from P27.22 billion collected in the same period last year.

“We were able to sustain our momentum from 2018, which is our best year yet. In the first half of 2019, home loan payments averaged P5.07 billion per month which is considerably higher than the P4.53 billion average last year,” said Secretary Eduardo del Rosario, who heads both the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council and the Pag-IBIG Fund board of trustees.

“We were off to a good start in 2019 because while we experienced slumps in the start of previous years, home loan payments in January amounted to P5.40 billion. And just this May, home loan payments totaled 5.99 billion-- the highest so far this year. Robust collections reinforce Pag-IBIG Fund’s financial sustainability.

The amount we collected is then plowed back to our housing portfolio so that more members can avail of a home loan from Pag-IBIG Fund. This is our way of heeding President Rodrigo Roa Duterte’s call to address the growing housing needs of Filipino workers,” said del Rosario.

Pag-IBIG Fund chief executive Acmad Rizaldy Moti said that because of the improvements in its collection efficiency, the agency was able to reach record high performing loans ratio or PLR. Performing loans ratio stood at 90.60 percent as of June―the highest in the history of the Fund. In 2012, the Fund’s PLR stood at a low 75 percent. The Fund improved its portfolio over the years until it reached 90 percent for the first time in 2017.

ONE OF ASIA’S BEST. Hong Kong-based Corporate Governance Asia, the region’s most authoritative journal on corporate governance, names ICTSI as one of the Best Investor Relations Companies in the Philippines during the 9th Asian Excellence Awards.

ICTSI chairman and president Enrique Razon Jr. was hailed Asia’s Best CEO (Investor Relations) while ICTSI senior vice president and chief financial officer Rafael Consing Jr. was named Asia’s Best CFO (Investor Relations) and ICTSI treasury director and head of investor relations Arthur Tabuena was recognized as the Philippines’ Best Investor Relations Professional. Receiving the award is Tabuena (left) from Corporate Governance Asia founder and publisher Aldrin Monsod.

Ray S. Eñano, Editor Roderick T. dela Cruz, Assistant Editor business@manilastandard.net extrastory2000@gmail.com FRIDAY, AUGUST 2, 2019

B1

BPI’s income climbed 24.6% to P13.74b in first semester

By Darwin G. Amojelar BANK of the Philippine Islands, the country’s fourth-largest lender, said Thursday net income rose 24.6 percent in the first half to P13.74 billion from P11.03 billion in the same period last year.

BPI said comprehensive income reached P15.25 billion in the sixmonth period, up 62.8 percent yearon-year, as revenues grew 23.3 percent to P45.90 billion, driven by a 24.1-percent growth in net interest income to P32.36 billion.

The bank said net income in the second quarter jumped 46 percent to P7.01 billion from a year ago, driven by higher interest income.

Net interest margin widened by 38 basis points in the first half on higher asset yields which rose 103 basis points, partially offset by higher cost of funds.

Total loans as of end-June reached P1.35 trillion, up 10.8 percent year-onyear, boosted by corporate loans which increased 11.6 percent and consumer loans which grew 10.3 percent.

BPI’s credit card loans continued to accelerate, rising by 25.8 percent in the first half.

Total deposits grew 8 percent yearon-year to P1.66 trillion as of endJune. The bank’s Casa (current and savings account) deposit ratio stood at 68.3 percent while the loan-to-deposit ratio was at 81.7 percent.

Non-interest income improved 21.5 percent in the first six months to P13.54 billion, led by increases in securities trading gains and fee-based income. The bank’s securities position went up 33.4 percent to P404.22 billion from a year ago.

Fees, commissions and other income increased 16.1 percent across a broad range of businesses including credit cards, deposit products, insurance, transaction banking, leasing, retail loans and electronic channels.

Total assets hit P2.13 trillion as of end-June, higher by 12.3 percent than a year ago, with return on assets reaching 1.34 percent.

Total equity reached P259.88 billion, providing a strong capital position to deliver future growth, with an indicative common equity tier 1 ratio of 15.55 percent and capital adequacy ratio of 16.44 percent.

Ghana government suspends deal with Meralco-led consortium

By Alena Mae S. Flores POWER retailer Manila Electric Co. said Thursday it is coordinating with its local partner in Ghana over the suspension of its concession for the operation and maintenance of the assets and facilities of the Electricity Company of Ghana.

“Meralco received information that the concession for the operation and maintenance of the assets and facilities of the ECG which was awarded to the Power Distribution Services Ghana Ltd. last March 2019 had been suspended by the government of Ghana effective

July 31, 2019 due to alleged material breaches in the provision of the demand guarantees by PDS,” Meralco said in a disclosure to the stock exchange, The demand guarantees were key prerequisites for the turnover of the assets and facilities of ECG to PDS. “Meralco is currently coordinating with its local partners in PDS to obtain more information and clarification on this matter and will fully cooperate with the Government of Ghana to address any issue affecting the same,” it said.

Meralco and other members of the PDS consortium announced in March a plan to invest of more than $580 mil-

lion to strengthen the operations of the ECG which supplies 80 percent of the population of Ghana through three million accounts.

The assets and operations of the ECG were handed over to the PDS―a consortium between Meralco, through Meridian Power Ventures Ltd., AEnergia SA, an Angolan company and three Ghanaian firms―TG Energy Solutions Ghana Limited, Santa Power Limited and GTS Power Ltd. on March 1.

“PDS Consortium intends to invest over $580 million for capital expenditures and is expected to strengthen the governance, management and opera-

tions of the ECG and improve the delivery of power to end-users as well as support Ghana’s socio-economic growth,” Meralco said.

The hand-over was pursuant to the award to the PDS Consortium which will be the electricity service provider in all of ECG’s operational areas in the Southern Distribution Zone of Ghana, under a 20-year concession agreement approved by the government of Ghana.

ECG’s assets would be leased to the PDS, the concessionaire, while the ECG would become an asset holding company. After the end of the concession, all assets would be transferred back to it.

Roxas agrees to sell sugar mill to Tanduay

RCM INDUCTION. Senate President Tito Sotto (center) is the guest of honor during the Rotary Club of Manila’s centennial celebration handover and induction ceremony of officers and board of directors at Manila Hotel. With Sotto are (from left) RCM past director Oscar del Rosario Sr., RCM director Robert Joseph Jr., Manila Hotel Corp. president Atty. Jose Lina and rotarian Rosel Doval-Santos.

ROXAS Holdings Inc. agreed to accept the improved offer of Tanduay Distillers Inc. to purchase the former’s sugar mill and refining facilities in Nasugbu, Batangas.

RHI vice chairman Manuel Pangilinan said in an interview he had given the go-signal to accept the offer from Tanduay, a company led by billionaire Lucio Tan, subject to due diligence.

“Basically, we have given the go signal to go ahead. There is no assurance of closing because it will still be subject to due diligence,” Pangilinan said.

Pangilinan said while Tanduay submitted an improved offer, the amount was still less than what the company wanted.

“It is not quite what we want but it is an improvement,” Pangilinan said.

RHI received an indicative non-binding proposal from Absolut Distillers Inc., a unit of Tanduay, to purchase the company’s assets in Nasugbu, Batangas including the land, sugar mill and refinery plants of Central Azucarera Don Pedro Inc. RHI, however, turned down ADI’s

proposal, saying the Nasugbu assets’ fair value was worth substantially more than the ADI offer.

Tanduay then said it would re-submit a bid proposal with a higher price. Tanduay’s first offer was a little higher than P4 billion. The Batangas assets have a total book value of P6.5 billion.

The acquisition of CADPI would provide Tanduay another source of molasses which are the necessary raw materials in manufacturing alcohol.

RHI was earlier in talks with Universal Robina Corp. of the Gokongwei group for the sale of the Nasugbu assets.

The deal was blocked by Philippine Competition Commission which said the deal would lead to a monopoly in sugarcane milling services in Southern Luzon.

RHI is selling CADPI to pare down its P11 billion debt.

RHI is the largest integrated sugar business in the Philippines. It manages CADPI and Central Azucarera de la Carlota Inc. in Negros Occidental.

Jenniffer B. Austria

B2

Business

FRIDAY, AUGUST 2, 2019 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Stocks rise slightly; BDO, URC up S TOCKS rose slightly Thursday on mild bargain hunting and in a cautious reaction to the decision of the US Federal Reserve Board to reduce interest rates overnight by 25 basis points.

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index added 52.36 points, or 0.6 percent, to 8,098.16 on a value turnover of P6.6 billion. Losers, however, beat gainers, 116 to 82, with 44 issues unchanged.

BDO Unibank Inc., the biggest lender in terms of assets, gained 2 percent to P150, while sister unit SM Prime Holdings Inc., the largest integrated property company, advanced 4.1 percent to P38.

Conglomerate JG Summit Holdings Inc. of industrialist John Gokongwei

climbed 3.1 percent to P67.25, while Universal Robina Corp., the biggest snack food maker, rose 2.8 percent to P164.

The rest of Asian markets fell on Thursday, tracking losses on Wall Street, after the US Federal Reserve cut rates for the first time in more than a decade but failed to offer a clear signal on future easing.

The move to ease the cost of borrowing was well telegraphed and meant to inoculate against global risks washing onto American shores, but financial markets were whipsawed by confusion over whether another cut would be coming.

Fed chair Jerome Powell told reporters he remains confident in the American economy and sees no sectors ready to go “bust.”

Hong Kong shares were down 0.9 percent in afternoon trade after the city’s de facto central bank matched the Fed’s

cut, lowering rates for the first time since 2008.

The move came a day after the release of quarterly GDP figures showing a disappointing 0.6 percent on-year growth in the financial hub.

Authorities attributed “sluggish” domestic demand and a drop in exports to fallout from the year-long US-China trade row, while analysts warn that weeks of civil unrest could threaten further economic headwinds.

Shanghai finished down 0.8 percent a day after the latest round of US-China trade talks wrapped up in the city.

Negotiators on both sides said talks had been “efficient and constructive” but gave no signs of an imminent resolution to the impasse.

“While the bar has been set pretty low for progress, there was a level of disappointment after the meeting,” said Innes.

“The fact that they couldn’t agree on the G-20’s soft-peddled concessions is a

worrying sign.”

Tokyo clawed back losses to finish 0.1 percent, after Powell’s statement weighed on equities in key sectors during early trade.

Elsewhere, Seoul rose 0.4 percent and Taipei fell 0.9 percent.

Powell said the Fed decided on a 25-basis-point cut in the rate to “insure against downside risks from weak global growth and trade policy uncertainty.”

US President Donald Trump—who had been loudly calling for a rate cut—wasted no time in attacking on Twitter, saying the move fell far short of the “aggressive rate-cutting cycle” he wanted.

“The Federal Reserve gave off the appearance of a rudderless ship with no specific game plan while doing little more than the bare minimum to appease the market’s expectations,” said VM Markets managing partner Stephen Innes. With AFP

MANILA STANDARD BUSINESS DAILY STOCKS REVIEW THURSDAY, AUGUST 1, 2019

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

FINANCIALS 91.5 2,545,000 2.25 108,000 150 2,193,860 26.85 99,400 18.72 5,700 12.3 1,385,500 4.69 58,000 0.46 210,000 75 4,234,190 1.02 1,476,000 49.1 329,200 191 1,350 59 2,640 30.5 86,200 182 352,470 1,760 200 60.65 7,990

230,644,175.50 235,980 327,185,772 2,665,580 106,480 17,014,382 264,400 95,600 319,730,898.50 1,506,200 16,173,175 251,200 156,085.50 2,611,600 63,449,445 352,000 483,895.50

94,565,956 77,521,900 -946,900 -1,760,472 -1,769,368.50 0 -2,298,285 -51,570 473,855 -29,026,893 -341,369.50

34.6 14 0.74 1.34 0.265 99.5 2.83 14.7 106 14.52 76.5 85.1 2.02 6.39 10.08 14.5 10.8 7.5 1.7 26.05 86 63 2.13 13.96 9.18 1.66 255 8.75 23 13.7 18.6 365 5.58 1.7 4.75 5.5 8.62 2.28 11.7 38.4 5.02 5 1.42 2.1 1.04 13.64 100 6.78 0.127 1.12 156 1.31 1.2

INDUSTRIAL 34.6 3,956,000 14.26 852,000 0.75 1,456,000 1.34 1,000 0.27 430,000 99.5 10 3.02 14,509,000 14.74 467,200 116.5 30 14.76 582,400 80 2,280 87 750 2.07 2,000 6.4 161,700 10.14 5,736,600 14.5 1,734,200 11.1 392,700 7.53 95,700 1.7 2,000 26.5 614,700 86.05 77,290 67.75 867,470 2.18 3,674,000 14.1 1,436,400 9.2 248,100 1.69 92,000 260 707,840 9 9,600 23 4,072,800 14.1 641,100 18.8 212,800 373.8 146,710 5.58 8,700 1.75 1,178,000 4.86 88,000 5.53 1,135,300 9.05 3,002,300 2.29 21,195,000 11.98 12,500 38.5 232,200 5.04 31,400 5.05 42,800 1.56 1,249,000 2.2 16,000 1.06 125,000 13.98 162,200 100 40,100 6.89 113,300 0.127 150,000 1.12 14,000 164 1,315,480 1.37 22,757,000 1.22 1,630,000

137,084,325 12,136,788 1,093,360 1,340 114,000 995 42,692,380 6,906,914 3,390 8,671,932 175,372 64,813.50 4,090 1,035,792 58,392,466 25,189,794 4,328,128 717,958 3,400 16,234,890 6,652,217.50 57,020,779 7,933,530 20,141,656 2,335,708 153,260 182,937,510 85,834 93,832,825 8,890,298 3,998,412 54,273,112 48,546 2,039,160 422,440 6,271,545 27,020,686 49,369,070 147,910 8,939,350 158,385 216,115 1,875,060 34,560 130,860 2,253,832 4,012,677 774,571 19,050 15,680 212,897,944 30,763,460 1,986,980

-77,022,535.00 6,432,360 74,250 9,500,940 -1,252,916 -2,854 8,555 -636,730 -3,296,516 -16,538,750 668,322 225,952 1,723,990 -4,764,345 5,468,627.50 -235,200 3,808,874 1,057,943 -16,600 52,357,936 -1,798 -1,952,400 863,438 1,689,932 13,187,004 -67,170 -1,129,803 -27,000,000 -61,830.00 215,385 30,260 2,140 1,903,180 -1,753,891 -39,030,385 -1,132,710 -10,870

0.94 53.4 15.62 0.71 7.02 16.08 1.29 1.3 957 3.96 6.86 10.3 13.98 0.226 926 6.4 67.3 6.05 0.495 4.5 14.18 0.77 4.81 0.039 1.47 179 2.49 1,000 0.87 1.39 259.2 0.238 0.285

0.9 52.3 15.22 0.71 7.02 15.02 1.24 1.27 944.5 3.86 6.72 10.06 13.8 0.22 913 6.4 65 6.05 0.49 4.38 14.08 0.69 4.72 0.039 1.4 175.4 2.48 975 0.84 1.36 255.4 0.233 0.275

HOLDING FIRMS 0.93 28,410,000 52.5 1,210,890 15.62 3,238,800 0.71 114,000 7.02 1,000 15.18 144,300 1.25 7,357,000 1.3 864,000 950 374,280 3.93 5,594,000 6.81 539,200 10.2 1,386,400 13.9 110,400 0.226 130,000 921 50,240 6.4 29,300 67.25 1,728,340 6.05 100 0.495 170,000 4.48 647,000 14.12 589,500 0.69 13,388,000 4.78 15,169,000 0.039 3,700,000 1.46 747,000 175.6 159,710 2.48 14,000 1,000 164,710 0.86 133,000 1.39 177,000 259 1,030 0.233 680,000 0.285 2,950,000

26,134,560 63,822,750 49,968,934 80,940 7,020 2,204,626 9,272,300 1,102,490 355,783,620 21,855,690 3,662,002 14,065,122 1,531,922 28,800 46,222,155 187,520 115,091,471 605 83,400 2,871,100 8,324,586 9,665,770 72,345,780 144,300 1,067,930 28,252,685 34,760 164,015,835 113,020 241,250 265,624 158,920 832,750

3,155,910 -23,762,363.50 -4,223,580 -35,500 207,774 369,800 -18,118,535 2,036,560 1,066,127 -5,323,028 -75,920 6,600 -770,465 -144,000 62,039,954 -718,930 -3,346,342 -32,032,740 -4,934,180 35,721,510 -42,250 13,600 -25,756 -29,500.00

15.84 0.83 11.14 2.13 1.03 50.05 2.29 5.1 0.6 0.8 0.9 0.235 0.46 11.28 24.7 0.47 1.92 1.37 6.15 0.335 0.45 1.74 0.395 2.06 27.35 2.43 3.27 38 2.17 6 0.81

15.76 0.81 10.5 2 0.96 49.4 2.25 4.96 0.57 0.8 0.87 0.235 0.46 10.74 23.95 0.465 1.84 1.36 6.02 0.32 0.44 1.68 0.395 2.02 26.6 2.4 3.25 36.5 2.12 5.92 0.81

4,203,808 337,820 26,334 965,100 28,585,030 411,264,440 129,240 4,630,460 25,385,450 15,200 2,640 188,000 105,800 14,729,726 13,592,635 340,300 85,102,390 1,358,750 162,777,566 7,669,050 558,150 5,480,810 3,950 1,449,830 72,633,115 1,478,590 235,250 237,332,095 581,810 1,095,946 33,210

-298,058 700,370 -51,619,660 -11,300 106,640.00 150,120.00 8,000 -14,100 -4,670,606 6,644,860 22,521,000 52,128,384 -17,500 -66,000 108,750 -30,600 7,203,125 65,976,590 -17,768 -

NAME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

BANK PH ISLANDS BDO LEASING BDO UNIBANK CHINABANK COL FINANCIAL EAST WEST BANK FERRONOUX HLDG MEDCO HLDG METROBANK NTL REINSURANCE PHIL NATL BANK PHIL STOCK EXCH PSBANK RCBC SECURITY BANK SUN LIFE UNION BANK

90 2.19 146.5 26.9 18.6 12.4 4.56 0.455 75.75 1.05 49.65 188 59.15 30.9 182 1,760 60.5

91.6 2.25 150.4 26.95 18.72 12.4 4.69 0.46 76.8 1.05 49.65 191 59.15 30.9 182.4 1,760 60.7

89.3 2.18 146 26.8 18.6 12.18 4.55 0.455 75 1 48.9 184 59 29.7 178.1 1,760 60.5

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

35 14.22 0.76 1.34 0.265 99.5 2.92 15.1 106 15.8 80 85.55 2.02 6.42 10.28 14.5 10.96 7.5 1.7 26.5 86.55 63 2.2 14.08 9.5 1.69 259 9 23.25 14 18.84 365.4 5.58 1.79 4.8 5.55 9.05 2.33 11.7 38.6 5.1 5.05 1.51 2.15 1.07 13.9 101 6.86 0.127 1.12 160 1.32 1.23

35 14.3 0.77 1.34 0.27 99.5 3.03 15.1 116.5 15.84 81.4 88 2.07 6.44 10.28 14.68 11.12 7.53 1.7 26.55 86.55 68 2.2 14.14 9.69 1.69 260 9 23.25 14.1 18.84 374.8 5.58 1.79 4.86 5.56 9.05 2.38 11.98 38.6 5.1 5.05 1.56 2.2 1.07 14 101 6.89 0.127 1.12 165.6 1.39 1.25

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

0.93 52.5 15.5 0.71 7.02 16 1.28 1.28 952 3.96 6.86 10.3 13.82 0.221 926 6.4 65.3 6.05 0.49 4.5 14.1 0.76 4.8 0.039 1.43 178.2 2.49 999.5 0.87 1.38 259.2 0.238 0.275

8990 HLDG A BROWN ANCHOR LAND ARANETA PROP ARTHALAND CORP AYALA LAND BELLE CORP CEB LANDMASTERS CENTURY PROP CITY AND LAND CITYLAND DEVT CROWN EQUITIES CYBER BAY DM WENCESLAO DOUBLEDRAGON EMPIRE EAST FILINVEST LAND GLOBAL ESTATE MEGAWORLD MRC ALLIED PHIL ESTATES PHIL INFRADEV PHIL REALTY PRIMEX CORP ROBINSONS LAND ROCKWELL SHANG PROP SM PRIME HLDG STA LUCIA LAND STARMALLS SUNTRUST HOME

15.84 0.83 10.5 2.05 1.03 49.75 2.25 5.1 0.6 0.8 0.9 0.235 0.46 11 24.3 0.465 1.88 1.37 6.07 0.33 0.45 1.72 0.395 2.05 27.35 2.4 3.25 36.5 2.16 5.98 0.81

VOLUME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

VOLUME

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

VISTA LAND

7.63

7.73

7.4

7.73

6,748,900

51,328,928

-3,005,269

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

10.7 18.22 1.51 0.53 0.046 18.1 2.42 11.4 0.061 93.4 7.19 7.45 6.44 9.75 2,152 5.37 413.2 1.99 1.9 134.9 9.43 5.71 0.112 5.2 3.56 0.93 19.02 0.5 3.22 2.72 1.43 1.45 15.18 2.48 2.91 8.9 5.2 9.25 160 4.21 1,150 0.72 0.73 45.2 79.3 9.28 3.18 0.72 0.35 5.45 0.75 15.7

10.76 18.32 1.65 0.53 0.049 18.12 2.5 11.44 0.065 94 7.19 7.45 6.45 10.2 2,152 5.41 425 2 1.9 135.4 9.43 5.71 0.112 5.34 3.64 0.93 19.1 0.51 3.34 2.72 1.43 1.45 15.18 2.5 2.91 8.9 5.44 9.25 160 4.23 1,150 0.72 0.73 45.2 79.3 9.28 3.19 0.72 0.365 5.49 0.79 15.7

10.5 18.22 1.48 0.5 0.046 18.1 2.41 11.32 0.06 93.15 7.19 7.3 6.06 9.7 2,060 5.37 410.2 1.91 1.9 132.1 9.4 5.55 0.112 5.16 3.55 0.9 18.6 0.49 3.2 2.63 1.42 1.45 15.18 2.39 2.61 8.75 5 9.25 135 4.01 1,130 0.69 0.66 44.7 77.5 9.28 3.11 0.71 0.35 5.45 0.75 15.4

SERVICES 10.76 18.24 1.57 0.53 0.049 18.12 2.5 11.4 0.061 93.5 7.19 7.35 6.07 9.98 2,098 5.39 424 1.93 1.9 135 9.4 5.55 0.112 5.26 3.61 0.92 18.8 0.5 3.34 2.63 1.43 1.45 15.18 2.44 2.7 8.8 5.15 9.25 135 4.22 1,145 0.71 0.7 44.7 78.1 9.28 3.19 0.72 0.35 5.48 0.77 15.5

8,300 282,400 765,000 2,407,000 11,700,000 1,400 378,000 5,934,000 15,840,000 280,500 900 824,500 19,400 54,500 49,005 39,300 1,250 2,489,000 33,000 1,327,560 3,400 19,500 3,180,000 1,322,800 320,000 42,000 2,473,600 1,371,000 84,000 2,493,000 39,000 9,000 200 2,406,000 1,025,000 99,300 48,200 1,000 77,470 2,232,000 40,395 2,799,000 72,089,000 430,100 173,670 3,000 2,620,000 2,114,000 3,240,000 238,977,200 2,522,000 4,716,900

88,008 5,153,766 1,208,610 1,250,010 556,900 25,366 921,080 67,462,834 983,970 26,212,480 6,471 6,060,700 122,081 541,198 102,832,880 211,531 516,024 4,808,940 62,700 178,831,209 32,005 109,665 356,160 6,948,317 1,154,080 37,910 46,266,236 680,620 275,340 6,605,100 55,710 13,050 3,036 5,832,370 2,797,450 872,235 242,559 9,250 12,271,530 9,283,440 46,048,345 1,972,940 49,841,800 19,337,235 13,565,747.50 27,840 8,260,860 1,515,220 1,135,250 1,309,594,442 1,950,990 72,999,744

3,020 -4,900 -127,930 -4,036,136 -11,340 668,338 -76,208 -38,827 -38,945,710 -8,480 -336,250 17,559,962 -232,960 -628,700 14,400 -13,094,028 -190,540 -237,950 -56,380 -87,500 -753,540 447,520 -16,328,685 83,470 967,760 4,708,520 1,736,290 2,183,300 321,870 -7,000 -22,272,846 211,500 8,150,556

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

0.0017 1.27 2.67 12.76 1.14 2.75 0.27 7.55 1.45 0.216 0.105 0.114 0.0076 0.008 1.04 2.53 1.03 0.46 0.85 0.012 0.012 0.011 5.68 3.55 10.02 22.9

0.0017 1.29 2.67 13.3 1.14 2.75 0.27 7.59 1.47 0.216 0.107 0.114 0.0085 0.0086 1.08 2.53 1.05 0.46 0.86 0.012 0.012 0.011 5.68 3.77 10.7 23.45

0.0017 1.24 2.67 12.6 1.14 2.73 0.27 7.52 1.43 0.21 0.104 0.114 0.0076 0.008 1.03 2.48 1.02 0.46 0.82 0.012 0.011 0.011 5.44 3.55 9.8 22.8

MINING & OIL 0.0017 46,000,000 1.27 11,577,000 2.67 5,000 13 26,500 1.14 1,000 2.73 615,000 0.27 100,000 7.54 11,900 1.46 881,000 0.21 610,000 0.105 930,000 0.114 2,200,000 0.0083 127,000,000 0.0086 133,000,000 1.05 587,000 2.5 2,668,000 1.02 157,000 0.46 20,000 0.83 729,000 0.012 8,600,000 0.012 693,300,000 0.011 3,100,000 5.56 504,500 3.74 5,946,000 10.48 11,858,400 23 1,380,500

78,200 14,599,660 13,350 337,536 1,140 1,685,250 27,000 89,904 1,267,480 129,380 97,700 250,800 1,026,900 1,097,900 611,610 6,662,160 161,620 9,200 606,640 103,200 7,638,100 34,100 2,776,400 22,044,430 122,536,351 31,708,940

-443,000 12,600 30,930 -12,900 38,110 -969,720 20,750 2,750 -219,510 598,382 -22,261,650

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

17.54 490 496 101 101 104 460 497.8 928 99.45 0.98 100 994 1,015 1,018 1.75 987 75.2 77 74.05 75.5 74.6 75.25 75

17.56 490 496 101 101.1 104 460 497.8 928 99.7 0.99 100 994 1,015 1,018 1.75 995 75.2 77.2 74.05 75.7 74.6 75.5 75

17.5 485 496 101 101 104 460 497.8 928 99.45 0.98 100 990 1,013 1,018 1.74 980 75.2 77 74 75.5 74.5 75.25 74.5

PREFERRED 17.5 138,200 490 17,090 496 6,850 101 1,510 101 97,300 104 10 460 30 497.8 10 928 3,000 99.7 5,320 0.98 447,000 100 10 990 720 1,014 18,400 1,018 9,045 1.74 6,000 980 7,570 75.2 15,200 77 7,020 74 2,400 75.7 2,470 74.55 27,460 75.5 84,530 74.5 20,100

2,420,220 8,373,750 3,397,600 152,510 9,827,303 1,040 13,800 4,978 2,784,000 529,829 439,590 1,000 713,230 18,653,800 9,207,810 10,450 7,435,440 1,143,040 540,545.50 177,610 186,762 2,046,878 6,379,515 1,505,685

-1,895,020 -

SME ITALPINAS XURPAS

7.1 1.02

7.15 1.03

6.74 1

6.74 1.03

26,003,076 2,748,690

-23,745 -316,740

FIRST METRO ETF

121.1

121.2

120

4,213,562

-

USD DMPL A1 USD DMPL A2

10.2 10.1

10.2 10.1

10.2 10.1

53,040 39,390

-

NAME

MS

PROPERTY 15.76 0.82 11.14 2.13 1 50.05 2.26 5.03 0.6 0.8 0.87 0.235 0.46 11.18 24.5 0.47 1.92 1.36 6.15 0.325 0.44 1.69 0.395 2.05 26.7 2.43 3.26 38 2.17 5.92 0.81

266,500 412,000 2,500 478,000 28,916,000 8,275,400 57,000 925,200 43,300,000 19,000 3,000 800,000 230,000 1,329,200 559,500 730,000 45,079,000 999,000 26,771,700 23,410,000 1,260,000 3,223,000 10,000 713,000 2,709,900 614,000 72,000 6,341,800 270,000 184,300 41,000

TRADING SUMMARY

SHARES

FINANCIAL

13,808,606

INDUSTRIAL

97,741,108

HOLDING FIRMS

90,182,516

PROPERTY SERVICES

205,671,989 390,019,711

MINING & OIL

1,053,882,079

GRAND TOTAL

1,857,858,024

3,802,700 2,713,000

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 121.2 35,040 10.2 10.1

DDS

5,200 3,900

VALUE 1,859.08 (up) 16.59 1,046,944,705.20 FINANCIAL INDUSTRIAL 11,334.24 (up) 81.72 1,143,340,781.40 HOLDING FIRMS 7,849.76 (up) 5.40 1,026,503,513.14 PROPERTY 4,302.24 (up) 67.91 1,620.79 (down) 23.56 1,173,604,213.70 SERVICES MINING & OIL 7,971.84 (up) 86.06 2,020,898,890.78 PSEI 8,098.16 (up) 52.36 215,635,460.7203 All Shares Index 4,904.51 (up) 14.45 6,659,896,511.42 Gainers: 82; Losers: 116; Unchanged: 44; Total: 242

URC raised net income to P5.13b in 1st six months

By Jenniffer B. Austria UNIVERSAL Robina Corp., the biggest snack food maker, registered a net income of P5.13 billion in the first six months of 2019, up 6.6 percent from P4.8 billion year-on-year.

URC said Thursday in a disclosure to the stock exchange first-half sales climbed 4.2 percent to P67 billion, driven by the strong growth in the domestic business.

Revenues of the Branded Consumer Food Group, excluding the packaging division, increased four percent to P51.5 billion in the first six months from P49.5 billion on year, boosted by the 9.8-percent hike in domestic sales.

URC said the growth in domestic revenues was led by the double-digit growth in coffee, snacks and joint venture businesses.

International operations, meanwhile, reported a 3.8-percent decrease in net sales to P20.8 billion from P21.07 billion in the first half of 2018 due to the sluggish performance of Thailand, compounded by foreign exchange devaluations in New Zealand and Australia.

“New Zealand is now back to growth of 1.5 percent with better sales coming from sweet biscuits to both local and export markets, and from the newly launched snacking cracker. Australia also improved by 1.6 percent driven by the stronger sales of crackers and private labels,” URC said.

URC said Vietnam was still on track on its path to recovery as sales rose 4.3 percent while those in Thailand remained weaker than expected after revenues declined 7.7 percent.

URC’s operating income (excluding hogs market valuation) increased eight percent to P7.6 billion with margins improving by 41 basis points from last year’s.

“We are pleased that our top strategic priority to pivot our Philippines branded consumer foods division back to strong growth continues to be on track. The route-to-market and product supply chain transformation programs we identified and addressed the past year have started to bear fruit; but we need to continue our focus on perfect execution,” said URC president and chief executive Irwin Lee. “Our brand building and innovation

Metro Pacific posted 1st half profit of P8.1b INFRASTRUCTURE conglomerate Metro Pacific Investments Corp. reported a consolidated net income of P8.1 billion in the first half of the year, down nine percent from P8.9 billion year-onyear, as higher borrowing costs offset the increase in operating income.

MPIC said in a disclosure to the stock exchange Thursday it registered ₱560 million in non-recurring expenses in the first half of 2019 compared with a ₱341-million gain in 2018 and ₱745 million in foreign exchange losses from gains in 2018.

First-half consolidated core net income was nearly flat at ₱8.7 billion from ₱8.6 billion a year ago.

MPIC said earnings were lifted by a five-percent increase in operating income from core subsidiaries.

The power sector accounted for ₱6.1 billion or 54 percent of the net operating income, followed by tollroads which contributed ₱2.4 billion or 22 percent of the total Water contributed ₱2.3 billion or 21 percent while the hospitals group provided ₱400 million.

“Our 5 percent growth in contribution from operations reflects meaningful volume increases at most of our businesses following years of high investment and our continuing emphasis on operational efficiencies,” said MPIC president and chief executive Jose Ma. Lim. Lim, however, said earnings were plateauing as higher financing cost was affecting the company’s operating income.

“The rise in our borrowing costs has largely offset the increased operating contribution as we continue to make major investments in our new road, water, energy and logistics projects.

These will take some time to complete and begin contributing to earnings,” he added.

MPIC chief finance officer David Nicol said the company planned to raise fresh cash by selling down stake in other units, including the hospital and water businesses. Jenniffer B. Austria

World IN BRIEF N. Korean soldier crosses into South

SEOUL―A North Korean soldier crossed the Demilitarized Zone that divides the peninsula, Seoul’s military said Thursday, in a rare direct defection across the heavily fortified frontier.

More than 30,000 North Koreans have escaped to the South since the two were separated by war more than 65 years ago, according to Seoul government data, many of them driven by prolonged economic hardship.

But the vast majority have gone first to the North’s neighbor and ally China before making their way to the South, usually via a third country.

Only a few have dared to cross the DMZ, which is riddled with land mines and has a heavy military presence on both sides.

In November 2017, a North Korean soldier made global headlines when he dashed through the border village of Panmunjom in a hail of gunfire from his own side. The trooper, then 24, was hit several times but survived.

The defection announced Thursday, which took place in the central part of the peninsula, was only the third such crossing since then.

The man was seen late Wednesday night in the DMZ moving in a southerly direction after crossing the Military Demarcation Line that forms the border, Seoul’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a statement.

He was taken into custody “in accordance with procedures” and was being questioned, they added.

Aside from the fact he was a soldier, there was no immediate word on the man’s identity or his motives.

“No particular North Korean military movement is seen across the border,” the Joint Chiefs said.

The DMZ is the Cold War’s last frontier, separating the nuclear-armed North from the democratic and economically advanced South.

In 2012 a North Korean soldier walked unchecked through rows of electrified fencing and surveillance cameras, prompting Seoul to sack three field commanders for the security lapse.

But it is extremely rare for the North’s troops to defect at Panmunjom, a major tourist attraction and the only place on the frontier where forces from the two sides come face-to-face. AFP

B3

FRIDAY, AUGUST 2, 2019 CESAR BARRIOQUINTO, Editor mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Protesters warned with video H ONG KONG― China’s military has released a slick propaganda video showing a drill of armed troops quelling a protest in Hong Kong, in a thinly veiled warning to the city’s prodemocracy movement.

The video, posted to social media on Wednesday by the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) garrison in Hong Kong, has a caption in which the military declares it has the “confidence” and “capabilities” to maintain security

in the semi-autonomous southern Chinese city.

The three-minute video showcases the PLA’s tanks, helicopter gunfire, rocket launchers and other military hardware in action in Hong Kong, as well as heavily armed troops performing an anti-terrorism drill.

It also features an “anti-riot” drill in which armed soldiers, armored personnel carriers and water cannons are used to disperse a crowd of protesters.

“All consequences are at your own risk,” a soldier yells into a loudspeaker at the start of the drill in Cantonese, the language spoken in Hong Kong rather than the Mandarin of mainland China.

PLA troops are then seen wearing hel-

mets, carrying long shields, marching with batons, laying out barbed-wire barricades and pointing assault rifles.

An officer is also seen holding a red flag that reads: “Warning, stop charging or we use force”.

The drill ends with armed troops escorting protesters, who have their arms tied behind their backs, being led to areas designated by banners as “detention points”.

The release of the video came on the same day dozens of people appeared in court in Hong Kong after being charged with “rioting” for their alleged involvement in an anti-government protest over the weekend.

The unrest began nearly two months ago when masses of people took to the

US sanctions Iran’s foreign minister Zarif

UN to discuss N. Korea missile tests

UNITED NATIONS―The United Nations Security Council will meet behind closed doors on Thursday to discuss North Korea’s recent ballistic missiles tests, diplomats said.

Britain, France and Germany requested the discussion amid growing concern that Pyongyang is developing long-range weapons in violation of UN Security Council resolutions.

North Korea fired two ballistic missiles on Wednesday, Seoul said, days after a similar launch that the nuclear-armed North described as a warning to the South over planned joint military drills with the United States.

The North is banned from ballistic missile launches under UN Security Council resolutions but it was the second in less than a week, despite a meeting between leader Kim Jong Un and US President Donald Trump last month.

Pyongyang and Washington are engaged in a long-running diplomatic process over the North’s nuclear and missile programs that has seen three highprofile encounters between their leaders in the space of a year.

They agreed to resume talks during their impromptu June encounter in the Demilitarized Zone that divides the peninsula, but that working-level dialogue has yet to begin.

“We’ll be having consultations on North Korea on Thursday morning.

We’re going to discuss the latest missile launches that are violations of Security Council resolutions,” a source told AFP. A separate source said the discussions would form part of any other business, the last item on the agenda of a closed doors meeting being held to mark the first day of Poland’s presidency of the Security Council. AFP

streets to stop a government effort to introduce a law that would have allowed extraditions to mainland China.

The protests evolved into a people power movement for democratic reforms and an end to eroding freedoms, in the most significant challenge to Beijing’s rule since the city’s handover from Britain in 1997.

Beijing had largely left the city’s government to deal with the unrest.

Although on Tuesday it stepped up its rhetoric with a rare press conference from the spokesman of the cabinet-level Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office.

“No civilized society or rule of law society will tolerate rampant violence,” the spokesman, Yang Guang, told reporters in Beijing. AFP

LONG JUMP. A young man jumps into the Mediterranean Sea on the French Riviera city of Nice on July 31, 2019. AFP

China challenged to prove missing kin are free BEIJING―China’s claim that “most” inmates have been released from reeducation camps in its Xinjiang region has been met with anger and skepticism by the Uighur diaspora, which has launched a social media campaign challenging Beijing to prove it.

Rights groups and experts say more than one million mostly Muslim ethnic minorities have been rounded up in internment camps in the tightlycontrolled northwest region, home to China’s Uighur population.

But on Tuesday, Xinjiang officials told reporters that “most” people held in the camps had already returned home―though they did not share any figures.

“It’s absolutely not true,” said Guly Mahsut, a Uighur based in Canada.

“One of my cousins and one of my tour guide friends, and my friend’s husband, they are still in the camps,” the 37-year-old told AFP. Mahsut and other overseas Uighurs have responded to China’s claim with the hashtag “#Provethe90%”, featuring stories and photos of missing friends and family who they have been unable to contact in Xinjiang.

The hashtag is a reference to remarks made by Xinjiang chairman Shohrat Zakir, who told reporters “more than 90 percent” of those who “return to society...have work that they like and find suitable.”

“China does not need to say they released most if they really did so,” said Arfat Erkin, a Uighur student in the United States who tweeted about his father using the “#Provethe90%” hashtag.

“All it needs is to give journalists normal access to those camps—not staged camps—and give official permission for Uighurs to contact their relatives abroad,” he told AFP. Bahram Sintash, who has posted information about destroyed mosques and neighborhoods in Xinjiang, also tweeted about his 69-year-old father, a retired editor who Sintash said was taken December 2017.

Asked about the skepticism, foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said Wednesday that she was “not aware of the specific number” of people who have left the centres.

She said “the real Xinjiang is a lot different from what was depicted by

US-South Korea drills still on despite Pyongyang warnings WASHINGTON―The US and South Korea will press ahead with joint military exercises, a Pentagon official said, defying demands from a furious Pyongyang for their cancellation as it carries out a series of weapons tests.

North Korea fired what Seoul called two short-range ballistic missiles on Wednesday after two similar launches last week, one of which Pyongyang described as a “solemn warning to the South Korean warmongers” over the planned military drills.

The joint exercises are set to begin on Monday and last for just over two weeks after the US and South Korea scaled them down earlier this year amid a flurry of diplomatic exchanges with the North.

But the military activities on both sides raise questions over the prospects for an imminent start to negotiations on Pyongyang’s nuclear arsenal.

Washington is Seoul’s security ally and stations 28,500 troops in the South against its nuclear-armed neighbor, and the annual drills have always enraged Pyongyang, which sees them as a rehearsal for invasion.

Peace and military exercises could “never go together”, a commentary by the North’s state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said Wednesday.

An “overall and permanent halt to anti-north war drills” was a “prerequisite” for improving inter-Korean relations, it added.

But despite the North’s threats, a senior US official said Thursday there was “no adjustment or change in plans”.

“We have to do two things,” the official said.

“We have to give the diplomats appropriate space for their diplomacy and help create an environment that’s conducive to the talks when they resume― which we expect.”

Pyongyang and Washington are engaged in a long-running diplomatic process over the North’s nuclear and missile programs that has seen an unprecedented three encounters between their leaders in the space of a year. AFP

certain Western media”, adding that China has arranged trips to the region for diplomats and foreign journalists.

It is difficult to verify China’s claims, as the government has made independent reporting in Xinjiang extremely challenging.

“China is making deceptive and unverifiable statements in a vain attempt to allay worldwide concern for the mass detentions of Uighurs and members of other ethnic minorities in Xinjiang,” said Amnesty International’s director for East Asia, Nicholas Bequelin.

He said Amnesty had not received any reports of large-scale releases.

On a six-day trip to the region last month, AFP reporters were almost constantly followed by plainclothes men. They also encountered roadblocks and were turned away by security forces upon nearing some camps.

For Uighur student Erkin, China’s claim that “most” detainees have been released does not seem believable given Beijing’s initial denial of the very existence of re-education camps last year. AFP

WASHINGTON—The United States on Wednesday imposed sanctions against Iran’s foreign minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif, effectively slamming the door on the country’s top diplomat.

The sanctions freeze any of Zarif’s assets in the United States or that are controlled

by US entities, the government announced, saying it also will curtail his international travel.

“Zarif implements the reckless agenda of Iran’s Supreme Leader, and is the regime’s primary spokesperson around the world. The United States is sending a clear message to the Iranian regime that its recent behavior is completely unacceptable,” Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said in a statement.

The designation of Zarif under the same sanctions earlier applied to Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is the latest blow by President Donald Trump to the Obama administration’s attempt to end nuclear tensions through negotiations.

But in a mixed message to Tehran, Washington Wednesday extended waivers for three Iranian civil nuclear projects, to avoid upsetting the other signatories to the 2015 Iran nuclear agreement―China, Russia, Germany, France and Britain.

“This is a short 90 day extension,” said White House National Security Advisor John Bolton, a champion of the hawkish policy towards Tehran.

“We are watching those nuclear activities very, very closely, they remain under daily scrutiny,” he told Fox Business.

Zarif has been at the heart of complex talks with foreign capitals over Iran’s nuclear power industry, which Tehran says is peaceful, but Washington and regional allies including Israel insist is cover for a secret weapons program.

But a senior Trump administration official said that Zarif’s diplomatic image― bolstered by his fluent English, self-effacing humor and background as a US-educated academic―was false.

“The key issue is that he has had this veneer... of being the sincere and reasonable interlocutor for the regime. Our point today is that he is no such thing,” the official said on condition of anonymity.

“Today President Trump decided enough was enough,” the official said, accusing Zarif of functioning as “propaganda minister, not foreign minister.” AFP REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES REGIONAL TRIAL COURT NATIONAL CAPITAL JUDICIAL REGION BRANCH 217 - QUEZON CITY IN THE MATTER OF PETITION FOR CORRECTION OF ENTRIES IN THE BIRTH CERTIFICATE OF MINOR MARK ANTHON LUAR, MARK ANTHON LUAR AS REPRESENTED BY HIS PARENTS UNECIL LUAR y DUMAGHAN, and MARLOU LUAR y PANADERO, Petitioner.

PREMIERE.

Actress Trisha Helfer attends the 2019 Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival Opening Night Premiere of ‘The Infiltrators’ at TCL Chinese Theater on July 31, 2019, in Hollywood, California. AFP

-versus-

SP CASE NO. R-QZN-19-06675-SP

THE LOCAL CIVIL REGISTRAR OF QUEZON CITY, PHILIPPINE STATISTICS AUTHORITY (PSA) (and all persons who have or claim any rights under them), Respondents. x------------------------------------------------------------------------x

ORDER This is a verified amended petition for correction of entries in the Certificate of Live Birth of minor Mark Anthon Luar.

The amended petition alleges that petitioner Mark Anthon Luar as represented by his parents Unecil Luar y Dumaghan and Marlou Luar y Panadero was born on August 16, 2017 in Quezon City to his parents Unecil Luar y Dumaghan and Marlou Luar y Panadero; that there were no entries in the petitioner’s birth certificate in the following bracketed portions: 1) registered child’s middle name; 2) registered child’s father’s details, specifically the name, citizenship, religion/religious sect, occupation, age (at the time of this birth) and residence; and, 3) all details pertaining to the marriage of parents, specifically the date and place; that the biological parents of Mark Anthon Luar were married to each other before the child’s birth on July 17, 2008; that the mentioned entries were not made because Marlou Luar relied on his sister to complete the same but failed to do so; that the instant petition was filed in order to set the child’s birth certificate in accordance with the provision of the family code and other existing laws and to avoid confusion in the future.

Wherefore, the amended petition is hereby set for hearing on August 9, 2019 at 8:30 in the morning before this Court located at Room 228, Second Floor, Hall of Justice, Diliman, Quezon City at which place and on which date and time, all interested persons must appear and file their position/s to the amended petition.

Let a copy of this Order be published once a week for three consecutive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation throughout the Philippines.

Further, let a copy of an amended petition, and of this Order be served upon the office of the Solicitor General, Local Civil Registrar of Quezon City and the Philippine Statistics Authority who may file their opposition thereto within fifteen (15) days from notice of this amended petition.

SO ORDERED. Quezon City, Philippines, May 29, 2019. cc: THE PUBLIC ATTORNEY’S OFFICE Counsel for the Petitioner 6th Floor, Cecilia Muñoz Palma Hall, DOJ Building, Quezon City Marlou Luar and Unecil Luar #035 Diamond Hills, Molave Ext., Grp 1 B Payatas B. Quezon City Office of the Solicitor General Makati City

(Sgd.) SANTIAGO M. ARENAS Judge Office of the City Prosecutor Quezon City Office of the Local Civil Registrar Quezon City Philippine Statistics Authority Quezon City (MStandard - July 19, 26 & Aug. 2, 2019)

LGUs

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

B4

LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS

FRIDAY, AUGUST 2, 2019

225 MILF combatants undergo training

By Mark Navales CAMP LUCERO, NORTH COTABATO—Around 225 members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front underwent basic military training yesterday with the military’s 602nd Brigade in Camp Lucero.

The former combatants of the MILF’s Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces will complete the 30-day standard military training to prepare them as members of Joint Peace and Security Team.

The JPST, which will be composed of 1,400 soldiers, 1,600 policemen and 3,000 BIAF members, will serve as community security force during the decommissioning process.

The training will pave the way for the BIAF combatants to be enlisted in the Armed Forces of the Philippines or Philippine National Police.

“Today’s event is the manifestation of our desire to sustain the peace process and our commitment to implement the Comprehensive Agreement of the Bangsamoro (CAB) in the full implementation of the peace process,” presidential peace adviser Carlito Galvez Jr. said.

Galvez said at least 200 JPST members shall serve as security forces to ensure the safety of residents within the six government-acknowledged MILF camps and other identified MiLF communities during the decommissioning process which officially begins on September 7.

“The military and police are the only ones allowed to carry firearms. After this basic military training, they will be given military ranks as reservist so they could officially bring their weapons as members of JPST as peacekeepers,” said Bangsamoro Transportation and Communications Minister Dickson Hermoso, who is a co-chairman of the Joint Peace and Security Committee together with Von Al Haq from the MILF.

ENVIRONMENT-FRIENDLY GOWNS. Las Piñas beauties proudly wear their mestiza terno made from 100 percent waterlily leaves. Mikaela Grace Salcedo (second from right) took home the crown and the P25,000 cash prize. (See story below.)

PDEA: Manila declared top drug-infested city

By Rio N. Araja

T

HE city of Manila has been declared as the top druginfested city, Philippine Drug Enforcement AgencyNational Capital Region director Joel Plaza said.

Plaza said 90 percent of barangays in Manila are still drug-affected.

Of Manila’s 896 barangays, only 89 have been rid of illegal drugs, while 807 others are still affected by the narcotics trade.

“We only cleared a few in the past three years because we have a problem with our watch list. We couldn’t proceed with barangay clearing if the watch list is in disarray so we had to harmonize it,” Plaza said.

The PDEA official said there are about 56,000 users and 2,034 pushers in Manila.

“The capital is also the lone Metro Manila city without a PDEA office. We have long been asking for a PDEA office in) Manila so we can closely coordinate,” Plaza said.

Manila Mayor Francisco Domagoso Moreno acknowledged PDEA’s data, calling it a “sad state that cannot be denied” as he approved the request for a PDEA office in Manila.

“Even if the national government has the capacity, it is hard for an operation to prosper if there is no coordination with the local government,” he said.

“I want this number to drop. It is a shame that we don’t have a PDEA office here while we have a campaign against drugs and the Office of the President is just one kilometer away,” Domagoso added.

Baguio moves vs. distracted walking BAGUIO CITY—The use of mobile devices such as cellphones, tablets, and other similar items while walking is now prohibited in this city.

Ordinance 49-2019, which prohibits and regulates the use of mobile devices and other distractive devices and items while walking and crossing the streets and sidewalks in Baguio, is now in effect.

The ordinance states that distracted walking is a major pedestrian safety concern, citing pedestrian fatalities getting worse each year.

Persons violating the ordinance face a maximum penalty of P2,500 fine and community service or 11 to 30 days imprisonment on the fourth and succeeding offenses.

“Distracted driving is a deep-rooted problem that many cities and provinces in the country have prohibited the use of technology, especially cellphone while driving. However, the problem of distracted walking is a relatively new one but an emerging cause of numerous road accidents,” Councilor Eriko Coscoluela said.

“The problem of distracted walking is a very real and serious one,” he added. PNA

MALASAKIT. Majority Leader and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez and his wife, Tingog Party-list Rep. Yedda Marie Romualdez, welcome officers of the Pope Francis Village Homeowners’ Association who represent families of ‘Yolanda’ victims during a courtesy call at the House of Representatives. Ver Noveno

Manila to settle P230-m GSIS liabilities MANILA Mayor Francisco Domagoso has agreed to the proposal of state pension fund Government Service Insurance System to create a task force that will immediately resolve the outstanding premium liabilities of the city government which has so far reached P230 million.

“We owe it to our employees to speed up the reconciliation of their GSIS premium records, so that they will enjoy an array of GSIS loan privileges and benefits they deserve as government employees,” Domagoso said.

For his part, GSIS chairman and concurrent officer-in-charge Rolando Ledesma Macasaet welcomed the decision of the city government.

“It is crucial to update and reconcile the records of some 9,000 af-

fected CGO Manila employees to ensure they will receive the correct level of benefits upon their retirement or when they apply for a loan,” Macasaet said.

The unpaid obligations of the city government stemmed from the discrepancies in the records of social insurance contributions of their employees, which were remitted from 2012 to 2019.

The computed obligations included interest charges that had to be imposed for delays and non-remittances as required by law.

“We have high hopes that the seamless coordination between GSIS and the city government of Manila will finally resolve this long-standing problem for the mutual benefit of both parties,” Macasaet said.

Las Piñas cultural heritage takes spotlight during Waterlily Festival

By Macon Ramos-Araneta THE rich cultural heritage of Las Piñas was showcased during the city’s celebration of the 14th Waterlily Festival.

“It has served the purpose of being the show window for the city’s most talented performers and the most beautiful and creative people,” said Senator Cynthia Villar, who started the holding of the festivities in 2006.

“We are very proud of this festival which we also hold to express our commitment for a lifestyle that is in harmony with nature and the environment,” she added.

Among the activities lined up for the occasion was the coronation of the Miss Las Piñas Waterlily 2019 at the Villar Sipag Complex where Mikaela Grace Salcedo took home the crown and the P25,000 cash prize.

Candidates representing the different barangays were required to wear a mestiza terno made of 100 percent waterlily.

In the inter-school street dancing competition, students from Las Piñas North National High School, Las Piñas City Science High School and Las Piñas City Technical Vocational High School emerged as the champion and took home the P50,000 cash prize.

QC: 8 minutes for occupancy permit

By Rio N. Araja QUEZON CITY Mayor Joy Belmonte on Thursday said the city government has already met the Department of Trade and Industry’s “7-to-8 minute” requirement in obtaining occupancy permit.

In a Facebook post, Belmonte said an occupancy permit could be released within five to eight minutes as part of the city’s improved processes in obtaining permits in accordance with the Ease of Doing Business Act. “I am elated to let you know that we have already achieved the ‘7-8 minute’ requirement. You can now secure such permit in just five to eight minutes,” she said.

The city government is regularly coordinating with the DTI to further improve its business processes in its efforts to entice investors to make Quezon City their preferred investment destination.

The DTI designated Quezon City as a “pilot city” for the implementation of Republic Act No. 11032 or the Anti-Red Tape Act. “ARTA is important to me, especially I have to push for good governance,” Belmonte said.

Life

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

CULTURE AND MEDIA

me trance welco ship at the en a d an e, n airpla A jeepney, an o se u M ay Lakb

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Around the Philippines in this IG-worthy museum

NEWLY opened museum combines education and entertainment, inviting guests, especially those who love to take photos with the exhibits, to have fun and learn about the Philippines.

Lakbay Museo, a project of the Millennial Concept Factory, Inc., highlights Filipino identity, culture, and tradition by featuring Philippine attractions, culinary flavors, and colorful fiestas and festivals with an interactive twist.

According to a statement, it is part of the group's advocacy to encourage and educate Filipinos to experience and preserve our heritage.

The museum, located on the ground floor of S Maison at Conrad Manila in SM Mall of Asia Complex, aims to nurture patriotism in the next generation of Filipinos, and guidance for foreign tourists.

Lakbay Museo takes guests Guimaras mango trees and mango chairs to all regions of the Philippines with 11 astounding interactive landmark destinations perfect for photo-ops like the Tondo streets, Calle Crisologo, the Ivatan House of Batanes, Pahiyas Festival, Rice terraces and Ifugao house, Barasoain Church, Magellan’s Cross, the Sto. Niño shrine, Mayon Volcano, Marine Biodiversity, and Mindanao Royal House.

It also offers a glimpse of each region through its well-known festivals, dances, and costumes showcased in over 120 prosthetic Filipino dressed mannequins.

In addition to lively festivities, visitors can feast their eyes on more than 600 dishes from 13 famous regional cuisines, and learn through the wide-set The Ilocos cuisine installation has a garlic, empanada, and longganisa display. diorama of regional livelihood

Quezon's Pahiyas Festival corner

Ifugao house display

Mayon Volcano installation

and local products. artists, disabled persons, and senior Or they can play with more than citizens.

20 variations of rice grains, relish Online rate for ticket is P699. It is the aroma of different Philippine priced at P799 for walk-ins and durcoffee roasts, taste Pinoy favorite dips and condiments, and delight in the assortment of fabric in the region.

In partnership with the Department of Trade and Industry's One Town, One Product (OTOP) this Philippine millennial-themed museum concept helps 189 micro, small and medium-scale enterprises in the country gain market access for their products.

To advocate support not just for small entrepreneurs but environment as well, Lakbay Museo promotes conservation as nearly all of the exhibits were constructed using 4,560 old and used rubber slippers and scrapped materials, 328 old rubber tires, 453 old car mats, and a variety of recyclable materials.

The museum also provides job opportunities to out of school youths, non-professionals, local

ing holidays. Each ticket comes with 12 chips, which guests can use to buy goodies inside the “palengke.”

Tour starts every 15 minutes.

Guests can learn while having their photos taken at the installations, such as this Ivatan house.

3 CCP Thirteen Artists Awards artworks on display

'Bakwit' by Archie Oclos

FOR the first time in the history of the prestigious Cultural Center of the Philippines Thirteen Artist Awards, the works of the recognized creators will be exhibited outside the halls of the CCP. The first wave of the series of installations of the 2018 CCP Thirteen Artists Awards will be on display at the School of Design and Arts Campus of the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde.

The pioneer project is in collaboration with the CCA, which gave artistic freedom to the winners to illustrate their advocacy on walls and barriers, to transform them into public attractions that demanded both attention and action.

“Bakwit” by Archie Oclos is on display on the exterior wall of the college’s 14-floor building along the narrow Dominga Street.

Standing at almost 70 meters tall, the headturning artwork’s rich blend of vibrant colors highlights the socio-political issue and concern of the indigenous people in the country.

The mural, which was finished in 24 days, depicts an image of a traveling child carrying his younger brother, a stack of supplies, and a book.

Bakwit, which is a twist on the English word evacuate, narrates the story of the Lumad students who, due to militarization, are forced to leave their schools and their communities to escape to the lowlands by foot. Inspired by his own immersion with the tribes, Oclos promised the bakwit children that he will impart their plight and hardships.

Meanwhile, “Hindi Totoo” by Rasel Trinidad—also known by his street name Doktor Karayom—is a vibrant floor-to-ceiling mural that envelopes the fourth floor fire exit area at the heart of the SDA Campus.

The brush strokes in Doktor Karayom’s signature red immortalizes the peculiar and

According to exhibit's co-curators, CCA director Architect Gerry Torres and 2000 TAA awardee Karen Ocampo Flores, more forthcoming installments of the TAA recipients will include dancer Eisa Jocson, photographer Carlo Gabuco, performance artist Bea Camacho, filmmaker Shireen Seno, and intermedia artists Cian Dayrit, Janos Dela Cruz, Dina Gadia, Guerrero Habulan, Raffy Napay, and Lynyrd Paras.

All artworks will be on view throughout the year until the end of 2021.

'Hindi Totoo' by Rasel Trinidad

macabre creatures and imagined demons from the classic Filipino mythology.

With the power of horror as his tool, the engrossing artwork tackles a myriad of issues that aims to reconnect the values of the lost tradition to the present society. It explores the nature of fear and its power as an element that can both divide and unite people through shared roots in oral history.

Finally, “Dead Masks” by Zeus Bascon exhibits four serpents crawling and writhing on the white walls at the fifth floor Theater Lobby. The images are shaped using an amalgamation of lined masks, which are considered as the very symbol of theater. At closer look, however, the artist veers away from the classic drama and tragedy as the headgear depicts the infiniteness or non-existence of emotion.

Collectively, the artwork speaks of the binary oppositions—the duality of snakes being revered and dreaded at the same time.

It is likewise a reference to the seamless incorporation of paints and tarpaulins, which are both considered as forgotten materials and assigned markers of passage or standpoints to the meeting of ends.

'Dead Masks' by Zeus Bascon

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nickie.standard@gmail.com

Entertainment Taclobanon beauty wins second at Miss Friendship Int’l

Cory Quirino (center), President of Mutya Pilipinas, with Fred Yuson (left), Mutya Pilipinas Chairman, and PMAP President, Anne Siddeco

MISS Philipthe four major titles pines Gabrielle handed out yearly Camille Bain Mutya Pilipisiano almost nas, namely, Mutya ETON brought home the Asia-Pacific InterCONCEPCION national, Mutya Miss Friendship Tourism InternaInternational 2019 tional, Mutya Tourcrown during the World Finals of the pageant held at ism Queen of the Year International the Xian Tang Zhong Binhu Perfor- and Mutya Overseas Communities, mance Hall in Shuangliu, Chengdu, a fifth crown and title of World Top Model Philippines 2019 will be givChina on Saturday.

Miss Serbia Emilia Dobre- en in the finals.

“This year, we decided to drop va edged out 48 candidates from all over the world including Basiano the ‘ng’ in Mutya ng Pilipinas for who was named first runner-up in a marketing purposes, to make our tie with Miss Brazil Lorena Gon- pageant more current, more now calves Rodrigues. Second runner- and more relevant. Not that it was up honors went to Miss Poland Pal- irrelevant the previous years, but oma Zochowska, Miss Hong Kong because we are embracing a whole Doris Wong, and Miss Malay- new dimension in the definition of Mutya Pilipinas as a beauty pagsia Olivia Teng.

Basiano, a stunning 21-year- eant,” said Cory Quirino, president old, 5-foot-9 model from Tacloban of the Mutya ng Pilipinas organizaCity and a senior Tourism student tion.

“We are opening an opportunity at Asian Development Foundation College in Tacloban, won Ambassa- for aspiring Filipinas who want to be dress of the World-Philippines 2019 successful international models. For which gave her the trip in China to this reason, Mutya Pilipinas will be compete at the pageant. Basiano, forging an alliance with the Profeswho aspires to become a flight sional Modeling Association of the stewardess, was a semi-finalist at Philippines,” added Quirino, who the 2018 Miss Earth Philippines took over the presidency of Mutya in March after quitting as national pageant.

Making the Top 15 cut were director of Miss World Philippines.

“These are exciting times for the delegates from China, Venezuela, Ukraine, Singapore, Thai- Mutya Pilipinas, so you can expect land, Margarita Island, Russia, more positive changes in the future Bolivia and Italy (represented by as it evolves,” said Fred Yuson, twins Gaia and Giorgia Sambucci, chairman of Mutya Pilipinas.

Reigning Mutya Pilipinas Asia a first in international pageants).

Miss Ukraine Ksenia Tkhorz- Pacific International 2018 Sharhevska won Miss Talent and Miss ifa Areef Mohammed Omar Malaysia won Best in National Cos- Akeel was crowned Miss Asia Pacific International in October 2018. tume.

The winner of World Top Model The new Miss Friendship International, headed by Chen Jun (Jelly) Philippines 2019 will compete in and Nahatai Lekbumrung, presi- the World Top Model International dent and vice-president of Miss finals to be held in Monte Carlo, Friendship International (MFI) Or- Monaco on Dec. 14, the winner of ganization, respectively, was back which gets a guaranteed modeling contract with MAJOR Models Manafter years in hiatus.

“We aim to build this platform agement with offices in Paris, Mifor our international friends around lan, New York, Miami and Munich.

Fiore Tondi, founder and presithe world to come and celebrate international friendship together with dent of World Top Model, who welcomed the Philippines as participant China,” Lekbumrung said.

“Miss Friendship International country, will sit as one of the judges is a young beauty pageant with a in the 51st Mutya Pilipinas Grand strong belief that beauty pageants Coronation, scheduled on Aug. 18, 2019 at the Mall of Asia can unite people from different and to be telecast live on backgrounds and cultures,” said Joe Kampol Thongchai, business diABS CBN. rector of MFI. ***

PAGEANT CONCEPT

From left: ‘Call Me Tita’ stars Agot Isidro, Chery Pie Picache, Angelica Panganiban, Mylene Dizon, and Joanna Ampil.

iWant detonates explosive catalogue

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S MORE and more users stream iWant’s line-up of originals, the OTT content platform is leaning into a spectrum of different genres with its new, star-studded original movies, series, and documentaries laced with grit, wit, and spice, as revealed at ABS-CBN’s #ForeverKapamilya trade event that happened recently.

Upcoming comedy series Call Me Tita, which drops in August, showcased its roster of seasoned actresses Agot Isidro, Angelica Panganiban, Cherry Pie Picache, Joanna Ampil, andMylene Dizon, who lit up the stage with a banging performance of ABBA’s “Dancing Queen.”

The series revolves around the lives of five different middle-aged women searching for new experiences, purpose, and acceptance despite their age.

The trade event also showed a teaser of Kadenang Ginto co-stars Beauty Gonzalez and Seth Fedelin’s horror series Abandoned, where they portray mother and son. Beauty plays a security guard who finds herself plagued with evil spirits, which she unintentionally brings home, affecting her precious son.

The acclaimed gritty socio-political action drama series Bagman also gets a second season, this time with Carlo Aquino diving into the web of politics and corruption.

Also adding to iWant’s wide range of content is Derek Ramsay and Jessy Mendiola’s first team-up in the actiondrama film Mga Mata sa Dilim, while Elisse Joson headlines You Have Arrived, a film that revolves around the repercussions of social media.

Aside from these, iWant also unveiled a twisted family drama with Rio Locsin and Markus Paterson called Kargo, the Iza Calzado-starrer Loving Emily, a more

‘Mga Batang Poz’ lead cast members (from left) Paolo Gumabao, Fino Herrera, Awra Briguela, and Mark Neumann.

‘Past, Present, Perfect ‘ stars (from left) Shaina Magdayao, Vin Abrenica, and Loisa Andalio.

mature Zaijian Jaranillain Story of My Life, and an enterprising Barbie Imperial in Taiwan That You Love. iWant users can also expect two documentary series—one about the TNT Boys titled TNT Boys: Journey to the World Stage, and another one about the historical film Quezon’s Game and Jewish people living in the country called The Last Manilaners: A Quezon’s Game Documentary.

Aside from housing the biggest library of Filipino content, iWant has produced 23 original movies and series month after month since its launch in November 2018

—setting itself apart from other streaming platforms and changing the landscape of Filipino entertainment and digital content. iWant’s roster of upcoming originals can get its users pumped up, after its previously launched series and movies were welcomed with positive reviews and word-of-mouth endorsements, notably Glorious, Bagman, Past, Present, Perfect?, MOMOL Nights, Ang Babae sa Septic Tank 3: The Real Untold Story of Josephine Bracken, and Mga Batang Poz. Stream these exciting new originals, coming soon on the iWant app (iOs and Android) or on iwant.ph.

Play on autism opens Twin Bill Theater’s new season Twin Bill Theater Company is all set to open its third ARE you in for a new romantic comedy play about two lonely souls who embark on an unlikely relationship filled season with the Asian premiere of Dancing Lessons, a 95-minute charming new two-character play by Mark with surprising discoveries and the healing power of love?

St. Germain beginning Aug. 16 at the Power Mac Center Spotlight, Level 2 Circuit Lane, Circuit Makati.

Dancing Lessons centers on Ever Montgomery, a science professor and Senga Quinn, a Broadway dancer. At the top of her career, Senga is holed up in her apartment with a serious injury that threatens her career and identity. When neighbor Ever, a professor at New York Institute of Technology, with a condition that is fearful of touch, asks for a dancing lesson so he can deal with social intimacy (handshaking, hugs, dancing) at an upcoming awards banquet that he was tasked to host.

Through the lessons, a relationship slowly develops that has both individuals stepping out of their comfort zones.

Noted playwright Mark St. Germain is known for reallife figures in his fact-inspired plays namely: Camping With Henry and Tom (about Henry Ford and Thomas Edison), Freud’s Last Session (which also featured C.S. Lewis as a character), Becoming Dr. Ruth and Scott & Hem in the Garden of Allah (featuring novelists Hemingway and F. Scott Fitzgerald).

For Dancing Lessons, Mark has written about two fictional characters in a heartfelt production that is moving, comic and sweet.

‘Dancing Lessons’ is a 95-minute charming new two-character For ticket inquiries, call Ticketworld 891-9999. play by Mark St. Germain.

Mutya Pilipinas adds another major title

The forty candidates competing in this year’s Mutya Pilipinas will have the chance to become the first World Top Model Philippines winner. Apart from

Gabrielle Camille Basiano

Motoring

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Hino topbills forum of transport co-ops HIno Motors chairman Vicente Mills Jr. led officers and specials including Senator Win Gatchalian and LTFRB chairman Martin Delgra at the 4th Transport Co-op National Congress.

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NE of the pioneer supporters of the government’s Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program, Hino Motors Philippines shared insights on modernizing the country’s transport system and its efforts as a modern jeepney provider at the 4th Transport Cooperative National Congress held during Philbus and Truck 2019.

The congress, which capped off the three-day expo happening at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City, served as a platform to further discuss the PUVM program.

It gathered together suppliers, transport cooperatives, drivers, related government agencies and other stakeholders.

The leading exhibition of the movers and shakers in the transportation and com-

mercial vehicles industry, Philbus and Truck 2019 encourages modern jeepney manufacturers nationwide to support the government’s call for a better transportation system in the country.

Senator Win Gatchalian expressed his optimism about the implementation and impact of the PUVM program during this talk. He noted how modernizing the Philippine transport system can lower the

ROAD SAFETY TIPS THE country experiences at least 20 typhoons each year. But while Filipinos in general are increasingly prepared for the rainy season, road accidents continue to happen. The Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA), in fact, recorded more car accidents during the rainy months last year compared with the dry months.

With typhoons becoming stronger and floodings more frequent, Presa Tires underscores the importance of road safety measures and smart tire choice as we expect wet and slippery roads.

It’s time to check your gear and polish up road safety your precaution lesson for the long drive ahead.

Mind your BLOWBAGETS Whether it is just a trip to work or a road trip with loved ones over the weekend, safety is paramount. Before hitting the road, make sure that your BLOWBAGETS--battery, light, oil, water, brake, air, gas, engine, tire and self-- are in optimum working condition. This simple mnemonic can help prevent damages en route.

Speeding on wet pavement can cause tires to hydroplane. This happens when films of water form between the road and your tires, lifting the front wheels and affecting your ability to steer and brake. Drivers are advised to cancel trips in the most adverse weather conditions. If you can’t, equip yourself with the proper gear so you are ready for anything while on the road.

Presa’s PJ88 radial tires feature wet traction and hydroplaning resistance to improve you vehicle handling and grip on wet pavements. Designed for SUVs and 4x4s, the PJ88 tires have a tread pattern and sidewall lug design for excellent all-terrain traction for both wet and dry conditions and compound and pattern design for improved tread wear. They use a stiff but conformable carcass to improve off-road stability and handling.

Exercsie caution When driving along slippery roads, remember to maintain a proper following distance. It takes drivers an average reaction time of 3 to 4 seconds to identify hazard and apply brakes early with reduced force or come to a complete stop.

Presa’s PJ77 tires deliver improved traction and braking power on hard, wet or dry surface. It ensures excellent traction in mud and stones, with ice block mold providing additional traction and an extra-large deep tread increasing tread life.

At intersections.

Intersections, even in the best weather conditions, are high-risk areas for collisions. It’s elementary to come to a complete stop first before proceeding. Stay alert and never assume other drivers’ actions, especially in inclement weather.

The PSE1 tires from Presa feature outstanding steering response and handling stability. Their jointless spiral-wrapped full-nylon cap/Edge ply and aggressive tread design with four circumferential grooves provide added strength, stability, excellent water dispersal and web traction.

Avoid driveway puddle Anticipate where the water is accumulating and avoid it as much as possible. Water splash doesn’t only impair your vision and other drivers’ but also shields from view potholes and debris that can reduce the effectiveness of your car’s brakes.

With their rib-type tread design with deep shoulder grooves and extensive sipes, the Presa PV99 tires perform excellently on wet and dry roads.

They allow water to be expelled from beneath the tire much more easily to prevent hydroplaning. The ultra-light truck radial tire also has a wide contact patch with continuous shoulder ribs to provide smooth and even tread wear.

The jointless spiral-wrapped full-nylon cap adds strength and stability while the double steel-belted construction ensures long-lasting wear and uniformity.

Make sure your vehicle and tires are up for the myriad of challenges on the road that are made even more difficult by the strong rains and flooding.

These simple measures can ensure a safe ride for you and your family.

health risks of both commuters and drivers, normalize driver work hours, increase the drivers’ guaranteed take-home pay and reduce overall travel time by about 20 percent.

Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) Chairman Martin Delgra III echoes the same, highlighting that the PUVM program will not only ensure safer and more convenient public transport but will also provide employment opportunities. One of the things he stressed is the importance of the standardization and consolidation aspects of the program. According to him, the regulation, monitoring and engagement of transport operators will result in a more efficient system.

Hino into modern jeepney manufacture July officially marked the second year of Hino as a local provider of modern jeepney units. In addition to being an exclusive distributor of premium trucks

and buses, Hino has expanded into modern jeepneys, manufacturing one of the first batches of PUV units in compliance with the requirements set by the Bureau of Philippine Standards. This first set of PUV units from Hino incorporates a speed limiter, safety features, GPS, CCTV, dashboard-mounted camera and Beep card system to offer both driver and passengers a more comfortable and safer riding experience.

HMP Chairman Vicente Mills, Jr. said: “We at Hino stay committed to our promise of total support by bringing modern jeepneys closer to the Filipino people.

We have been working hard in our plant to address the growing need for modern PUV units. Our modern jeepneys guarantee the same quality that Hino is known for worldwide. We take pride as the only local truck and bus one-stop shop that not only provides commercial vehicles but also assembles chassis and engine using our body-building capabilities.”

Hino turned over its first modern jeepneys to Taguig Transport Cooperative and Pateros-Fort Bonifacio Transport Cooperative in July 2018. Since then, Hino has turned over more than 100 modern jeepney units to several transport cooperatives in Taguig, Pateros, Makati, Quezon City and Iloilo.

Hino is currently in talks with several other transport groups interested in upgrading their fleet to modern jeepneys. It is set to turn over several modern jeepney units to two transport cooperatives in Manila in the coming weeks.

To further raise awareness about the PUVM program, Hino also recently joined the Modern PUV Caravan. It is a joint undertaking with the national government to bring modern PUV vehicles to different cities in the Philippines. This initiative aligns with Hino’s vision of a more connected community with a modernized system of transportation that is environmentally safe, durable and comfortable.

Caltex opens 3 more service stations CALTEX, marketed by Chevron Philippines Inc. continues to strengthen its presence in the country with the opening of three new service stations in Greater Manila Area. The three latest additions to Caltex’s continuously growing number of service stations are located in Batangas, Laguna and Bulacan all of which are strategic locations as they are well-known lo-

cal tourist destinations.

The first service station is situated in Toledo-Manipis Road, Lagtang in Talisay, Batangas, which serves as the jump off point to Taal Lake and Volcano Island.

Vehicles heading to the hot spring resorts in Pansol can gas up at the next Caltex service station found along Manila South Road in San Cristobal, Calamba,

Laguna.

Meanwhile, motorists heading up North can fuel up at the newly opened Caltex service station located along Pan-Philippine Highway in Malipampang, San Ildefonso, Bulacan. This province is known for its historical sites; nostalgic churches and old houses; colorful and attractive festivals; swimming and even elegant native crafts and luxurious delicacies.

“With the opening of these three new service stations in top local tourists destinations, motorists can expect quality fuels and excellent rewards programs from Caltex, ensuring an enjoyable journey to bond with friends and family,” CPI country manager Louie Zhang said.

Caltex also recently opened a service station along Muntinlupa-Cavite Expressway, a tollway that is seen to boost CALABARZON’s competitiveness as an investment destination once completed.

The new Caltex service stations will carry high quality Euro-4 fuel products such as Platinum with Techron, Silver with Techron and Diesel with TechronD and lubricants.

Isuzu Philippines Corporation breaks ground in Tagum, Davao Del Norte ISUZU Philippines Corporation, the country’s leader in the commercial vehicle segment in the Philippines, is beginning the construction of its new dealership in Tagum, Davao Del Norte in line with the growing demands and expansion efforts of the company.

Tagum is predominantly agricultural, producing various agricultural crops and trees. It is strategically located at the northern portion of Southern Mindanao and lies in the intersection of three major road network system namely the ‘Philippine-Japan Friendship Highway’, the ‘Davao-Mati-Agusan Road’, and the ‘Davao-Bukidnon Road’ that connects the city to other major destinations in the region and for the rest of Mindanao.

As the city serves as a vital economic crossroad not only for the province, but for the entire Davao Region, Isuzu strategically located their new 11, 000 square meter dealership to feature not only its latest Isuzu’s showroom design, but also to showcase 8 light commercial and 2 truck service bays ready to serve the region.

The soon to rise Isuzu dealership in Tagum is strategically located along the road that connects to the three major road network systems, to bridge the way of the customers from major destinations in the

region and for the rest of Mindanao.

“The construction of this new dealership demonstrates our dedication and commitment to create tailored transport solutions that make the greatest difference to individuals and businesses in the Philippines,” said Hajime Koso, President of Isuzu Philippines Corporation.

The construction of the dealership is expected to be completed by the end of the year. Moreover, Isuzu aims to con-

Isuzu officers and guest

tinue to offer customers reliable, durable, dependable, and value-for-money vehicles that will give them the edge they need to be successful in their businesses and personal needs.

Isuzu Philippines Corporation currently has 43 dealerships nationwide, offering world-class vehicles, and exceptional after-sales services.

Log on to www.isuzuphil.com for more details about Isuzu’s list of dealerships.

s at the groundbreakin g rite

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Motoring

RAMON L. TOMELDAN Editor

C4 FRIDAY, AUGUST 2, 2019

Fernando Zobel de Ayala, president of the Ayala Corporation, the mother company of AC Motors, drives a Soluto during the January launching.

2019 Kia Soluto 1.4 EX A/T

EXCEEDING EXPECTATIONS Text and photos by Lester Dizon

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HE January 2019 launch of the new Kia Soluto, the Korean automaker’s entry-level model, reminded us of a defining conversation we had a few years ago with the owner of a motorcycle manufacturer who was apprehensive to lend their 100 cc single-cylinder standard motorbike for a test ride and evaluation for our sister publication, MotorCycle Magazine.

“After riding high-end super bikes and super sports bikes, we’re afraid that you may not find anything nice or interesting about our base model motorbike”, the owner fretted. “Rest assured”, we told him. “We’ll treat our test ride of your motorcycle as though it was our first. And then we will evaluate it according to its function and category. We won’t compare it to the exotic bikes that we’ve ridden before. It’s like comparing apples to oranges.” At the time, we were managing not just the owner’s expectations but ours as well.

When our good friends at Kia Philippines scheduled us for a test drive of the new 2019 Kia Soluto 1.4 EX A/T, we had the same mindset. After we test drove an exciting, take-no-prisoners, multimillion-peso exotic car, we prepared ourselves to evaluate a simple, no-frills, lessthan-a-million-peso economy car. We expected nothing fancy, just a subcompact motor car that can take us around town reliably. After all, it was being marketed as the one of the most affordable 4-door sedans in the Philippine market with prices at P625,000 for the base model Soluto 1.4 LX M/T with 5-speed manual transmission; P675,000 for the 1.4 LX A/T with the 4-speed automatic; P685,000 for the 1.4 EX M/T luxury model with 5-speed stick shift; and P735,000 for the 1.4 EX A/T that we were going to test. The nice part is that we were going to drive something that Fernando Zobel de Ayala, the president of the Ayala Corporation, the mother company of AC Motors, which distributes Kia Motors in the Philippines, drove during the launch. That glitzy “driven by a celebrity” part somewhat elevated our expectations a bit.

The Power to Surprise This is not our first rodeo. We’ve driven Kia models before. Not just the test drive units, mind you, but a couple of cars that we owned and drove for several years.

We had a 2007 Kia Picanto 1.1 LX A/T for four years and a 2011 Kia Soul 1.6 LX A/T for six. That’s 10 years of ownership of a Kia and 10 years of immersion with a Korean automobile brand. Thus, even though we didn’t expect much from the Soluto in terms of luxury and performance, we expected a lot from it in terms of safety, reliability and fuel economy.

And we were in for quite a surprise.

The Kia Soluto comes equpped with 14-inch 12-spoke aluminum alloy wheels shod with 175/70R14 tires. Its Clear White paint finish made our test car look

longer than its 4.3-meter length, wider than its 1.7-meter width and a bit more elegant than its affordable price tag might suggest. Although the 14-inch wheel-andtire combo worked well, they looked a bit small for the Soluto’s body, especially with that high belt line design.

If It Looks Like a Kia… The front end of the Soluto features the signature “Tiger Nose Grille” that is prevalent in the entire Kia Motors lineup. The front bumper cover integrates the blacked-out center structure that holds the license plate and fog lights with the lower valance that acts like an air dam/ front spoiler and channels cold air into the radiator and engine compartment.

The blacked-out air vents at the side of the front bumper cover that looks like brake ducts to cool the front disc brakes complete the sporty front end. Again, the facade of the Soluto surprised us with its sporting character.

The back end of the Soluto was a different story, though. The tail lamps were mounted high and at the edges of the rear fenders leaving a large “white space” that was broken only by three small elements – the oval black-and-chrome Kia emblem, the trunk key hole below it, and the “Soluto” nameplate mounted on the leftmost portion. The top of the trunk lid was sculptured to look like a rear spoiler, and perhaps function like one, but it left the same impression as the “Bangle Butt” of the previous BMW 5- and 7-series cars, which were accredited to designer Chris Bangle. The rear bumper cover integrates the license plate holder in the middle and two red reflector strips at the edges, adding more “white space” under the trunk lid. This design combination made the rear of the Soluto look quite plain compared to the sporty front end.

Form Follows Function However plain we found the rear portion of the Soluto, we can’t help but marvel at the engineering behind it. The creases of the rear bumper cover imitate the overall shape of the front “Tiger Nose Grille” and the tall rear portion of the trunk lid does look like the BMW Bangle Butt, but that’s not the whole story. The design allows the trunk to open wider and accommodate larger cargo. Opening the trunk presented us with another surprise: The carpeted compartment looks clean, cavernous and deep. It can accommodate 475 liters of luggage and it is illuminated with a standard compartment lamp.

That’s quite unheard of in the subcompact

CHEERS. Officers of Kia Motors led by Fernando Zobel de Ayala (fourth from left) toast the Soluto during the launching rites. car category.

The carpeted luggage compartment can swallow 475 liters and comes with a standard compartment lamp.

Underneath the carpeted trunk floor is a temporary spare tire and a set of tools.

The interior of our Soluto test unit presented us with another surprise: The seats are covered in soft two-tone leather, which we totally did not expect from an entry-level econocar. The front seats are sculptured with side bolsters and are a bit firm like those of a German car. The rear seats are sculptured and firm as well, with headrests for two occupants incorporated at the top of the seat back. Because of the Soluto’s short 2.57-meter wheelbase, the interior accommodations are a bit cozy.

Simply put, front passengers can enjoy a generous amount of legroom at the expense of the rear passengers and a happy compromise can be achieved if the front passengers aren’t too tall. But overall, the interior of the Soluto is a comfortable place to be in when you’re stuck in traffic.

The final surprise we found while driving the Soluto was its impressive per-

formance. The leather-covered steering wheel has a nice, thick tactile feel to it and its small diameter invites sporty driving.

It also comes with remote control buttons for the infotainment system with a 7-inch touchscreen monitor, AM/FM radio, MP3 player with USB and AUX ports, Bluetooth connectivity, Apple Carplay and Android Auto with Voice Control. Four door-mounted speakers and two tweeters provide a rich sound quality, that is, again, unexpected from a car in this low price range. Likewise, the gated shift quadrant of the 4-speed automatic is something we expect to find in a Mercedes-Benz, not in a Kia. On the road, the 95-PS 1.4-liter inline 4-cylinder with dual variable valve timing (DVVT) surprised us not only with its economy, achieving an average of 12.3 kilometers per liter during our weeklong drive around Metro Manila’s trafficsnarled street, but also with its peppy performance, with strong acceleration provided by 132 Newton-meters of torque.

When you step on the gas with a bit more gusto, the Soluto felt more like a charging

tiger than the mild-mannered pussy cat that it was supposed to be. While it will not smoke the tires ferociously, the Soluto accelerates with an authority totally unexpected of an economy car. Driven with civility, the front McPherson strut and rear V-beam suspension system work well with the tall sidewalls of the 175/70R14 Nexen NPriz AH8 tires to provide a comfortable ride that is a bit more pliant than other subcompacts we have driven before.

But then again, we were not totally surprised. After all, we had 10 years of Kia ownership experience under our belt. We got more than what we expected from our little Silver Gray Picanto and our charismatic Tomato Red Soul in terms of safety, convenience, economy and performance during our custodianship. And now, this new 4-door sedan was not only able to surpass what its is marketed to be, but it even EXceeded all our EXpectations, pardon the pun. We can definitely say that the 2019 Kia Soluto 1.4 EX A/T is an embodiment of the Kia Motors tag line “The Power to Surprise” simply because surprised us, it did.

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