Manila Standard - 2019 August 8 - Thursday

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SC LIFTS TRO ON AQUINO’S TRIAL IN MAMASAPANO CASE

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Dengue peak: 10k cases weekly Epidemic seen to top by Oct.; LGUs efforts to curb it falter

By Jimbo Gulle and Macon Ramos-Araneta

VOL. XXXIII • NO. 175 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P20 • THURSDAY, AUGUST 8, 2019 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

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EALTH officials warned Wednesday that the dengue epidemic will peak in October with an estimated 10,000 cases a week, even as local government units fail to stem the tide of infection and deaths, which have now topped 600, most of them children.

Interviewed at the sidelines of a Senate briefing, DOH Epidemiology Bureau Chief Dr. Ferchito Avelino said that at present, the department has recorded only half of the expected cases for the year.

“By October, we are expecting a peak in the dengue cases,” he said, as dengue-carrying mosquitoes will start biting.

He said that

before October, mosquitoes’ eggs were hatched. “And the hatching happened four times in a month and there were thousands of eggs hatched.”

Since there is no vaccine yet to curb dengue cases, the DOH official exhorted the public to adhere to the Health department’s call to implement 4S—search and destroy, seek consultation, selfprotection and saying “Yes” to fogging operations.

He underscored the need to eliminate and destroy all breeding sites of mosquitoes, one of the primary interventions to prevent and control dengue. Next page

MISTING MOSQUITOES.

An authorized staff from the Manila Health Office drives away mosquitoes by misting at Barangay 851 Zone 93 Zamora in Manila’s Pandacan District Wednesday, after the Department of Health declared dengue as a national epidemic, while 20 dengue patients (inset) at the Amang Rodriguez Hospital are being confined.

Norman Cruz, Manny Palmero

EDSA gridlock persists due to unruly city buses

Sandiganbayan drops P102-b forfeiture raps vs. Marcos, allies

By Joel E. Zurbano

THE Sandiganbayan has junked a P102billion forfeiture case involving the Marcos family and 11 of its cronies due to inability of the prosecution to present sufficient evidence.

“It saddens the Court that it took more than 30 years before this case is submitted for decision and yet, the prosecution failed to present sufficient evidence to sustain any of the causes of action against the remaining defendants,” the Sandiganbayan Second Division said in its ruling dated Aug. 5.

“It is settled that in civil cases, the party making allegations has the burden of proving them by a preponderance of evi-

By Maricel V. Cruz

THE Metropolitan Manila Development Authority on Wednesday said city buses weaving in and out of the yellow lane caused heavy traffic on EDSA over the last few days.

In an interview with GMA News, MMDA General Manager Jojo Garcia explained that while provincial and P2P (point-to-point) buses are allowed to use flyovers and underpasses, city buses are not.

“The problem is, when the provincial buses and P2P buses do this, the city buses follow. If they see a traffic enforcer, they’ll try to go back into the yellow lane, causing more traffic,” Garcia said in FiliNext page pino.

By Rey E. Requejo

By MJ Blancaflor

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Graft court to try PNoy on ‘SAF 44’

Rody blames Cory for Luisita killings PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte said Tuesday the Hacienda Luisita massacre in 2004 could have been prevented if the late President Corazon Aquino had included her family’s sugar plantation in the land reform program.

“How many killings took place there? Several people died there.

She could have included Luisita,

dence. In addition, the parties must rely on the strength of their own evidence, not upon the weakness of the defense offered by their opponent,” the court added.

The court said the the Presidential Commission on Good Government, or the government agency in charge of recovering the Marcoses’ ill-gotten wealth, failed to provide evidence on specific instances where late President Ferdinand Marcos and former first lady and Ilocos Norte Rep. Imelda Marcos were accused of being guilty of having participated in extending a loan accommodation to Aklan Bulk Carriers Inc., Fuga Bulk Carriers Inc., Coron Bulk Carriers Inc., and Ecija Bulk Carriers, Inc.; appropriated

RISING MEGALOPOLIS. A drone shot of a stretch of EDSA, the national capital’s main thoroughfare, with vehicular traffic shown on its southbound lanes with buses occupying the yellow lanes taken at 5.30 p.m. Wednesday, with the afternoon rush hours. Revoli Cortez

Leonen to Bea, Julia: Is he really worth it?

By Rey E. Requejo SUPREME Court Associate Justice Marvic Leonen on Wednesday took time out from judicial issues to weigh in on the online spat between actresses Bea Alonzo and Julia Barreto over actor Gerard Anderson.

Marvic Leonen

In a post on his Twitter account, Leonen asked if Anderson was really worth it.

“Dear Bea and Julia, is he really worth it,?#JustAsking,” Leonen said.

Of the 15 high court magistrates, Leonen is known for Next page

THE Supreme Court has paved the way for the anti-graft court, the Sandiganbayan, to continue with the trial against former President Benigno Aquino III in connection with the deaths of 44 police commandos in a secret mission in Mamasapano, Maguindanao in January 2015.

In a text message to reporters, the chief of the Court’s Public Information Office, Brian Keith Hosaka, confirmed the justices had lifted the temporary restraining order that had previously been issued on the case.

In 2017, the Office of the Ombudsman

‘8chan’ creator on DOJ radar

By Rey E. Requejo THE Justice department is gathering more information on the online message board “8chan”, which allegedly is Next page

indicted Aquino, together with former Philippine National Police Chief Alan Purisima and former Special Action Force Director Getulio Napeñas for violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act and usurpation of authority for their role in the botched Mamasapano operation that was aimed at neutralizing Malaysian terrorist Zulkifli bin Hir alias Marwan.

Marwan was killed in the operation but the SAF commandos were attacked by combined forces of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters and private armed groups, triggering a day-long firefight.

Next page

DUTERTE SAYS PH TEAM WILL LOSE TO ITALY, BETS ON CHINA SPORTS A8

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THURSDAY, AUGUST 8, 2019 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

‘Hanna’ continues to intensify

By Rio N. Araja

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YPHOON “Hanna” continued to intensify while moving toward Southern Ryukyu Islands in Japan.

The eye of the storm was estimated 600 kilometers east of Basco, Batanes, with maximum sustained winds of 140 km per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 170 kph.

Meanwhile, two lawmakers on Wednesday slammed the Coast Guard and the Marina for failing to prevent

another disaster due to their alleged laxity in enforcing maritime laws.

At the same time, Reps. Carlos Isagani Zarate and Eufemia Cullamat of Bayan Muna expressed condolences to the families and relatives of the victims of the Iloilo sea mishap that killed 31 people.

Sandiganbayan...

Dengue...

revenues derived from the operations of RPN-9, IBC-13 and BBC-2 for their own benefit and unjust enrichment and income; allowed their 11 other coaccused to hold and launder purloined funds for and in their behalf prior to remittance and credit to their overseas or foreign accounts; and participated in the establishment of the California Overseas Bank.

The court also said the PCGG also failed to provide evidence on how the other defendants acted as dummies of Mrs. Marcos in acquiring ill-gotten wealth.

Aside from the Marcoses, those covered by the dismissal were Rafael Sison, Placido Mapa, Jr., Don M. Ferry, Jose R. Tengco, Jr., Ramon Monzon, Generosa C. Olazo, Cynthia Cheong, Ma. Luisa E. Nograles, Leopoldo Vergara, Jose L. Africa and Rodolfo Arambulo.

Avelino said Health Secretary Francisco Duque III declared a national dengue epidemic to boost prevention and thwart a spike in the incidence of dengue cases.

Duque had earlier also said it is important that a national epidemic be declared in affected areas to identify where a localized response is needed, and to enable the local government units to use their Quick Response Fund to address the epidemic.

Also on Wednesday, Health Undersecretary Eric Domingo said mass vaccination using Dengvaxia is not a way to respond to the dengue epidemic because it is only effective for people who have already previously been infected by dengue.

In an updated dengue situation report issued Wednesday, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said six provinces, 11 municipalities, and even one barangay in Palawan have declared states of calamity as early as June 25 to address the outbreak.

Quoting reports from 10 regional offices of the Office of Civil Defense and the Department of Health, the NDRRMC said the provinces include Iloilo, Leyte, Samar, Eastern Samar, South Cotabato and Cavite.

The report also notes that the towns of Dingalan in Aurora, Calamba in Laguna, Rizal and Sofronio Espanola in Palawan, Pontevedra and President Roxas in Capiz, Maasin in Iloilo, Culasi and Sebaste in Antique, and Tantangan and Norala and South Cotabato also declared states of calamity.

These areas—including Barangay Punta-Baja in Rizal, Palawan – issued resolutions from June 25 to August 3 in hopes of containing the outbreak, the report issued by NDRRMC Executive Director and OCD Administrator Ricardo Jalad noted.

These local governments passed resolutions to recognize the calamity and activate emergency funds for supplies and logistics to fight the disease.

From A1

Rody...

From A1

Duterte said in his speech in Malacañang.

He was referring to the massacre in November 2004 in which seven farmers were killed near the gate of the Cojuangco-owned hacienda after a violent dispersal. Hundreds of people were also injured, including women and children.

The farmers had been pressing for land reform in the sugar mill owned by the Aquino family.

“It could have been avoided if she had included Luisita then. She was the President. She was in control of everything,” Duterte said.

Duterte also took a jab at Aquino last week, saying she had only been popular “for losing the husband in the hands of Mr. Marcos.”

Aquino made the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program the centerpiece of her administration’s legislative agenda, but she was criticized for Hacienda Luisita’s Stock Distribution Option.

Hacienda Luisita Inc. forged an agreement with thousands of farmers to have shares of stock in the corporation instead of land. The stock distribution plan has been in place since 1989.

Under Aquino’s administration, a total of 898,420 landless tenants and farmers became recipients of land titles and support services, but the program only accomplished 22.5 percent of the land distribution during her term.

Leonen...

From A1

his witty comments and opinions that he posts on his Twitter account.

Barreto is being blamed for having been involved in Alonzo’s split with Anderson, but on Tuesday, she broke her silence and denied causing the breakup.

Alonzo had earlier said Anderson just stopped communicating with her, and that as far as she knew there was no breakup between them.

Anderson also spoke for the first time about his relationship with Alonzo, saying there was no third party involved in his breakup with her.

‘8chan’...

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being run from the Philippines, after a gunman posted a statement referring to the deadly attacks on a Walmart store in El Paso, Texas, in the United States last Saturday.

Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said he had instructed his staff to gather information before he decides whether to order the National Bureau of Investigation to look into 8chan, whose founder and current owner is reportedly in the country.

“My staff is gathering more information before we decide if this is something for the NBI to look into," Guevarra said in a text message.

But the owner of the 8chan chat forum has described the moves to shut down his website because it hosted hate messages linked to the deadly US killings as “sinister” and “cowardly.”

In a video uploaded to Youtube on Tuesday, Philippines-based Jim Watkins said the deadly weekend attacks

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“This is another mishap caused by the negligence of regulatory or monitoring agencies as well as the greed of businessmen who did not consider the interest of the passengers,” Zarate said.

Hanna was moving west-northwest at 15 kph.

According to the weather bureau, a low-pressure area has been spotted 325 km west of Dagupan City in Pangasinan, adding the southwest monsoon is affecting the whole country.

The outer rain bands of “Hanna”

Governors and mayors alike have also issued executive orders to alert all local government branches of the situation and ensure their cooperation during the crisis.

The emergency funds would be used to conduct misting and fogging operations to eliminate the breeding areas of mosquitos, provide free complete blood count kits to local health offices, and boost education campaigns for the “4S Strategy” against dengue.

Some LGUs have also purchased and distributed long-lasting insecticide nets and screens, chemicals to kill adult mosquitos and larva, and fogging machines and misting spray cans, among other actions, the NDRRMC noted.

Interior Secretary Eduardo Ano has called on LGUs nationwide to implement the 4S. In the National Capital Region, Manila Mayor Francisco Domagoso said that as early as July 19 he had ordered the city health department to check on all government facilities and schools for mosquito-nfested areas.

Noting that stagnant water is a breeding place for mosquitoes, Domagoso said he instructed the MHD to lead the cleanup of public areas where water tends to pool.

will bring light to moderate with at times heavy rain and gusty winds over Batanes and the Babuyan Group of Islands until today, Thursday.

Moderate to heavy monsoon rain may affect Metro Manila, the Ilocos, Cordillera Administrative Region, Zambales, Bataan, Rizal, Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro and the northern portions of Palawan,including Calamian and Cuyo Islands.

With Maricel V. Cruz

Bacolod Mayor Evelio Leonardia, whose city is in Western Visayas – the region worst hit by the epidemic—also said: “As we have emphasized over and over again, every (dengue) case should be treated with seriousness. Even if the increase is lower, the fact that there is still a threat, we should not ignore it.”

The Philippine National Police, meanwhile, said it would help control the spread of dengue and raise awareness about the disease.

PNP spokesman Brig. Gen. Bernard Banac said all police regional offices have been tasked to check and monitor the health of all policemen as well as their respective families.

He also said the police would join and support Health Department programs aimed at finding and destroying mosquito breeding sites.

Iloilo Rep. Janette Garin on Wednesday again pitched the use of the banned vaccine Dengvaxia a a “preventive measure” against impending outbreaks.

“Dengue vaccine cannot address the current outbreak but can prevent future outbreaks,” said Garin, who is still facing cases in connection with the use of the vaccine when she was Health secretary.

PRESIDENTIAL GRIP. President Rodrigo Duterte shares light moments with some of the guests during the oathtaking ceremony of the newly elected officers of the League of Cities of the Philippines and Liga ng mga Barangay in Malacañang Tuesday. Presidential Photo

Only PO2 Christopher Lalan survived the firefight. Eighteen MILF fighters were also confirmed killed in the battle.

The charges against Aquino, Purisima and Napeñas were filed before the Sandiganbayan in November 2017 during the time of former Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales.

But relatives and family members of the slain SAF commandos petitioned the Supreme Court asking that Aquino be charged instead with reckless imprudence resulting in homicide.

They were supported in their petition by Solicitor General Jose Calida, who argued that Morales disregarded

the sufficiency of the evidence against the former President when she indicted him instead for graft and usurpation of authority.

The SC issued the TRO in February 2013 just before Aquino, Purisima and Napeñas were to be arraigned on the reckless imprudence case.

In June this year, Ombudsman Samuel Martires who was appointed by President Rodrigo Duterte to replace Morales after she retired then moved to withdraw the graft and usurpation charges against the former President, saying he found no evidence to indict him in the case.

This, however, should not prejudice other charges that might be filed against Aquino after a preliminary investigation, Martires added.

The Sandiganbayan last month said it would wait for the Court to lift the TRO before it could act on Martires’ request.

Aquino has repeatedly insisted he should not be faulted for the disastrous Mamasapano operation against Marwan and instead blamed Napeñas for the debacle, saying he disobeyed his orders to coordinate the mission with the Army unit in the area.

The Palace said Wednesday it would not interfere in the case and declined to comment on it.

Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said the Palace believes the Office of the Ombudsman and the Sandiganbayan can tackle the matter with independence according to their respective mandates. With PNA

in the American cities of El Paso and Dayton were a tragedy.

But Watkins insisted 8chan had not broken any laws, and devoted most of his seven-and-a-half-minute video to criticizing the subsequent moves to shut down his forum.

“It is actually sinister behavior.

Ours is one of the last independent companies that offer a place you may write down your thoughts free from having to worry about whether they are offensive to one group or another,” Watkins said.

Guevarra said the founder of the online message board “8chan (infinitychan),” Fredrick Brennan, was reportedly still in the country.

He said he had already ordered the Bureau of Immigration to check the travel records of Brennan, 8chan owner Jim Watkins and his son Ronald.

Guevarra said Immigration ran a search for the name Fredrick Brennan and the name “Fredrick Robert Brennan” appeared. He is reportedly a holder of a 9G visa or working visa, and his

last recorded arrival in the country was on July 1, 2017.

He is said to be still here in the country.

But Guevarra said they had no information as to his current location.

“There is no information on his actual whereabouts. The Bureau of Immigration cannot trace him once they come in, like the Filipino TNT [tago nang Tago),” he said.

As for the elder Watkins, the name that appeared in Immigration’s data is a certain Jimmy Ray Watkins who left the country on May 9.

Guevarra said Immigration could not get information on the son Ronald since there were several individuals in their data bank with the same name. Those individuals reportedly had different passports and different birth dates.

He said they were also still gathering information on the operations of 8chan and would later decide if the National Bureau of Investigation should step in to conduct its own probe.

Reports indicated that 8chan is being

operated in the country, and that Brennan, Watkins and his son are suspected to be staying in the country.

The Philippine National Police has also started verifying reports if 8chan is being operated in the country.

8chan is being linked to the mass shooting in El Paso, Texas, in the United States that happened over the weekend and resulted in the deaths of 20 people.

It was reported that a user, who identified himself as the gunman, allegedly posted an announcement on 8chan, and in a four-page message the user encouraged his “brothers” to “spread the contents far and wide.”

There were also reports that those behind the mosque shootings in Christchurch, New Zealand, and the synagogue shooting in Poway, California, also announced their plans on 8chan.

Brennan, who is said to be in his mid20s and who founded 8chan in 2013, had called for the shutdown of the site that has reportedly become a breeding ground for violence. With AFP

Graft court...

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‘Study security implications of Chinese presence in Subic, Fuga Isle’ THE Philippine military on Tuesday warned plans by President Rodrigo Duterte’s administration to allow Chinese investors to develop three tiny but strategic islands could “compromise” Manila’s security.

Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said President Duterte was aware of proposals for Grande and Chiquita islands at the mouth of the former US naval base at Subic Bay as well as the isolated northern island of Fuga, but would not elaborate.

US forces vacated Subic and other Philippine bases in 1992 and it is now a home port for the Philippine Navy.

Military spokesman Brigadier-General Edgard Arevalo said Tuesday the government should study the security implications of handing over the islands to foreign entities.

“There’s no doubt that these island features has or have strategic security impacts on us if these were to fall into the hands of other people. They have a strategic importance for our defense,” Arevalo told reporters.

“While we approve of our economy getting a boost... we should also consider the security aspect that may be compromised if we fail to adequately study the implications of leasing these to foreigners,” Arevalo added.

Duterte has overseen improved economic ties with China since being elected president in mid-2016, when he set aside a sovereignty dispute over islands and waters in the South China Sea that Beijing claims almost in its entirety.

This has led to a robust influx of Chinese investment in the Philippines, particularly in offshore gaming firms catering to China that have drawn several thousand Chinese workers to Manila.

Apart from the islands, Arevalo said the military was “definitely alarmed” at the rise in the number of Chinese workers in the country, including “reports that tourists are taking pictures of our naval installations”.

“We need to determine what is the real purpose of their presence here,” the military official added.

Panelo, stressed Tuesday the island investments were “mere plans” at this time, adding it was the job of the military and defense establishments “to see if there is any security concern on any issue.” AFP

EDSA...

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Only a few bus companies on Wednesday observed the dry run on a ban on provincial buses on EDSA, and traffic on the 23.8-kilometer highway remained heavy, aggravated by the confusion about the yellow lane policy.

“It was hard because they literally occupied the whole lanes of EDSA and of course, in doing so, in funneling them back to the yellow lane, there are private vehicles who got stuck in the process,” MMDA EDSA traffic chief Edison Nebrija Jr. said in an interview with CNN Philippines.

Nebrija said the provincial bus ban is in preparation for the narrowing of lanes on EDSA, from 3.4 meters to 2.8 meters for private vehicles.

There will also be a 1.8-meter wide lane designated for motorcycles, while the existing yellow lanes will remain 3.5 meters wide.

Nebrija, however, said the MMDA is unsure if this plan can push through following the court order stopping the ban on provincial buses.

The yellow lane policy prohibits buses to go outside the two lanes designated for them while private vehicles can enter the yellow lane 100 meters before an exit.

The first lane from sidewalk would serve as loading/unloading zone while the second and third lane would be for provincial and P2P buses. Loading and unloading on the second lane will be strictly forbidden.

“We are pleading to the motorists, especially the private vehicles, please avoid the yellow lane. Let us give this lane to the buses so that the ordinary commuter can commute faster,” Garcia said.

Most provincial buses continued to ply EDSA despite the voluntary ban.

In an interview on radio dzMM, Nebrija said 10 provincial bus operators continued to pass along EDSA. Earlier, Garcia said he was confident that about 15 bus operators would voluntarily join the dry run Wednesday. With PNA

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THURSDAY, AUGUST 8, 2019 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Pulong may opt to join other political parties, thanks NUP

By Maricel V. Cruz THE President’s son, Davao City Rep. Paolo Duterte, said he is not closing his doors to other political parties which would want to have him as adopted member if it could be a better way of serving the people.

Duterte made the statement as he thanked the National Unity Party for taking him in the party which appeared to be the largest political party at the House of Representatives after the ruling PDP-Laban’s membership reportedly has started to decrease.

“I am honored to have been adopted by the National Unity Party, one of the biggest political organizations in the country,” Duterte said in a statement issued Wednesday.

“To all other political groups out there, I am still up for adoption. If being adopted by most, if not all, political parties is to be of service to the people, then I am more than willing to join all of you,” he said.

As deputy speaker for political affairs, Duterte vowed to be a “[unifying force to] all members of Congress towards a common goal— that is to improve the lives of the Filipino people.”

“I am new to this national political arena, yet many of my colleagues wanted me to join their respective political groups,” Duterte said.

“In unity there is strength. Let us show the Filipino people that we can all be united towards one common goal. This would be a first in Philippine politics, and it happened under the Duterte administration,” he said.

Duterte did not attend the NUP meeting last Tuesday amid talks that he was not inclined to recognize the term-sharing agreement brokered by his father between Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano of Taguig and Pateros and Marinduque Rep. Lord Alan Velasco.

Cam to name ‘corrupt’ PCSO execs in Senate hearing PHILIPPINE Charity Sweepstakes Office board member Sandra Cam said she is ready to name high-ranking officials of agency who are allegedly involved in corruption.

Cam said she has incriminating evidence against these officials which she will present during a legislative probe on the PCSO. “I don’t want to preempt the President in naming these people involved. So I have to wait for the upcoming Senate hearing and I am willing to name them with all the documents I kept,” Cam said in a television interview.

Cam confirmed that some of the corrupt officials are members of the PCSO’s Board of Directors.

The President on Tuesday stood firm on his decision to suspend the operations of the Small Town Lottery and Peryahan ng Bayan because of corruption.

“I said you can resume Lotto. [But] STL, Peryahan ng Bayan, all stealing. They steal money before they will remit,” he said.

Duterte previously ordered to shut down all gaming operations of the PCSO, including lotto, to purge the agency of “massive corruption.”

He approved the resumption of lotto operations after a four-day suspension, but the STL and Peryahan ng Bayan remain suspended pending investigation on allegations of corruption.

The Palace earlier said Duterte will name about 10 PCSO officials involved in a multi-billion-peso corruption scandal.

ELECTION MATTERS. Senator Imee Marcos, chairman of the Senate Committee on Electoral Reforms and People’s Participation, along with members of the committee on local government and finance, question Comelec executive director Jose Tolentino during a Senate hearing on the postponement of the barangay and SK elections and other related issues such as the status of hybrid election and recodification of Election Laws held at the Senate Office in Pasay City. Lino Santos

PH to continue deployment of Filipino workers to HK

By Vito Barcelo and Joel E. Zurbano

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HE deployment of Filipino workers to Hong Kong will continue despite political unrest in the region, Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said Wednesday.

Bello said the Department of Foreign Affairs would have to issue an alert first before they implement the ban.

The DFA issues alert levels to evaluate any threats in certain locations.

The Labor chief described the situation in the special administrative region of China as stable, saying there is no cause for alarm and deployment of Filipino workers will remain.

“In the meantime, no deployment ban. No cause for alarm,” Bello said.

Bello said the department would continue to monitor Filipinos in Hong Kong and advised them to avoid protest venues and to stay indoors.

He said the Filipino worker who was arrested by Hong Kong police was released after posting bail. The Filipino was reportedly just passing by a street where a protest action was taking place.

There are more than 400,000 documented Filipino workers in Hong Kong, mostly domestic helpers.

As this developed, flag-carrier

Philippine Airlines has resumed operating normal flights to Hong Kong on Tuesday.

“The resumption of normal operations

by PAL to and from Hong Kong comes after protest actions within the airport premises have scaled down and as more manpower reported for work duties,” said PAL spokesperson Cielo Villaluna.

She said the airline management will continue to closely monitor the situation in Hong Kong as she assured air travelers of regular updates on the matter.

Hong Kong visitors are advised to remain vigilant of their surroundings and avoid areas where protesters may converge and carry out demonstrations.

PAL officials also advised the public to avoid the following protest areas in Hong Kong for their safety: Tamar Park, Admiralty; Sha Tin Town Hall Plaza; Tuen Moon Park; Discovery Park, Tsuen Wan; Wong Tai Tin Square;

MacPherson Playground, Mongkok and Kwong Fuk Football Park, and Tai Po. Meanwhile, three masked youngsters from Hong Kong’s anti-government movement took the unusual step on Tuesday of holding a press conference to demand democracy, liberty and equality and condemn the city’s proBeijing leaders.

Dressed in the movement’s signature yellow construction helmets and hiding their identities with face masks, the two young men and one woman billed their gathering as a civilian press conference “by the people, for the people.”

“We call on the government to return the power back to the people and to address the demands of Hong Kong citizens,” they said as they read out their statements in both English and Cantonese.

The semi-autonomous southern Chinese city has been wracked by two months of protests and clashes between police and increasingly hardcore demonstrators in the biggest threat to Beijing’s rule since its 1997 handover from Britain.

But the protests are largely leaderless and organized online through social media and messaging apps.

Tuesday’s appearance was the first time people from within the movement have delivered a statement in a formal setting.

Du30 to distribute funds equally to LGUs HDO issued vs.

By MJ Blancaflor trader accused of killing brother

By Rey E. Requejo THE Olongapo City Regional Trial Court has issued a hold departure order to stop from leaving the country businessman Dennis Sytin who is on trial for allegedly masterminding last year’s killing of his elder brother, Dominic, inside the Subic Bay Freeport Zone in Subic, Zambales.

Besides Dennis, also covered by the July 30 order issued by Olongapo City RTC, Branch 72 Presiding Judge Richard Paradeza is Sytin’s co-accused, Oliver Fuentes alias Ryan Rementilla.

“Acting on the motion for the issuance of a hold departure order filed by the prosecution and finding the reason stated therein to be well taken, the said motion is hereby granted. As prayed for, the Commissioner of the Bureau of Immigration, Manila is hereby directed to hold the departure of the following Oliver Fuentes alias Ryan Rementilla and Alan Dennis Sytin,” Paradeza said, in his two-page order.

Paradeza was the same judge who last month issued a warrant for the arrest of Sytin and Fuentes.

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

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

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

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has assured local officials of equal budget distribution in all provinces, saying he is not favoring government projects in his hometown and bailiwick Davao City where he was its former mayor.

Addressing the newly elected officials of organization of cities, barangays and provinces, Duterte on Tuesday night said funds will be distributed proportionately in all local government units.

“The money of the people of the Republic of the Philippines will be equally divided proportionately,” Duterte said in his speech.

He also said that party differences and alliances of local chief executives do not

affect the budget distribution.

“You’d notice that we have been very sparing in our distribution. The big projects are here and I don’t even know who are the congressmen, who are the governors there,” he said.

“So whatever it is, you will have your share. All are equal. I am the President of all. I do not choose party. I’ve been mayor for 23 years. I do not indulge in such trivial matter,” he added.

His statement came after he had approved the P4.1-trillion national budget during the Cabinet meeting on Monday.

Duterte, the first chief executive from Mindanao, also said his hometown and bailiwick Davao City was not favored in government projects.

MANAGING THE FLOOR. House Majority Leader and Leyte (1st District) Rep.

Martin Romualdez reads the names of the new elected deputy speakers and different committee chairmanship, vice chairman and members Tuesday night shortly before the session adjourned. Ver Noveno

SC affirms libel case vs. Drilon critic THE Supreme Court has sustained the libel conviction of a former consultant to Senator Franklin Drilon for “defamatory” online posts accusing the lawmaker of corruption.

In a June 10 resolution, copy of which was released only Wednesday, the SC’s Second Division upheld a Court of Appeals ruling that sentenced Manuel “Boy” Mejorada to a prison term of two to four years for each of four cases, to be served simultaneously.

The appellate court had ruled that Mejorada failed to show good intention and motive to overcome the inference of malice in four “defamatory” articles he wrote in 2013 and 2014, which allegedly linked Drilon to corruption over the construction of the Iloilo Convention Center and other projects in Iloilo City.

This prompted Mejorada to appeal his case before the SC. In its ruling, the SC denied Mejorada’s petition after finding that he failed to show that the appeals court erred in affirming his conviction for four counts of libel. Rey E. Requejo

Guanzon slams Cardema’s threats COMMISSION on Elections Commissioner Rowena Guanzon said she has been receiving threats from Ronald Cardema’s camp after the poll body disqualified the former National Youth Commission head as Duterte Youth partylist candidate.

In a press beefing, Guanzon said she received threats via an anonymous text messages.

The Comelec official alleged that Cardema’s camp has been sending threats to her through text messages after the Comelec handed the decision on Cardema’s nomination last Monday.

Cardema, who is close and a supporter of President Duterte, tried to claim a seat in the House of Representatives as the nominee of a party representing the president’s young supporters, Duterte Youth, but too old for the position. Vito Barcelo

DENR to accept titling applications THE Department of Environment and Natural Resources will now accept public titling applications of alienable and disposable lands at barangay level.

Secretary Roy Cimatu issued DENR Administrative Order No. 2019-08, instructing all provincial environment and natural resources offices, and community environment and natural resources offices to accept public land titling applications at barangays.

“This is part of our continuing effort to simplify, streamline and fast-track the disposition of public alienable and disposable lands through free and homestead patents, and we are doing this in strong partnership with local government units,” Cimatu said.

He tasked the agency’s Land Management Bureau to provide further guidance and technical assistance to ensure maximum results in the implementation of DAO 2019-08 entitled “Applications of Public Land Titling at the Barangay Level.”

Emelyne Talabis, LMB director, said the order essentially brings land titling services closer to the people through the barangay.

“We are thrilled that with this new policy, we can impact land owners’ lives by providing a more accessible and transparent service of the government,” she said. Rio N. Araja

A4

Opinion

THURSDAY, AUGUST 8, 2019

About time, too

Adelle Chua, Editor

EDITORIAL

I do not know how Xi will react.

China has refused to recognize the PCA’s jurisdiction over it.

I am sure that the international community will hail President Duterte IN MY tribute to media icons if he does bring the matter up. yesterday, and in my hurry to meet my *** deadline, I missed out on important Santa Banana, the tangled web of names. Mea culpa. corruption at the Philippine Charity There was Doroy Valencia, my Sweepstakes Office is getting worse! mentor when I was business editor of I have always said that so long the Philippines Herald. as transactions allow for human There was also Joe Guevarra, discretion and intervention, corruption whose columns and one-liners made cannot be eliminated. people smile.

Take the case of the grant of There are veteran journalists Vergel franchises for small-town lottery. This Santos and Ninez Cacho Olivarez. is supposed to take over the illegal They contribute to what the Philippine numbers game jueteng, prevalent press is today. nationwide.

In broadIf some cast, there PCSO officials are Noli de and board Castro, Ted members are Failon, Tony involved, they President Duterte Ve l a s q u e z , should be should discuss the ruling Tina Monzon exposed and of The Hague with the Palma, Mile thrown in jail.

Chinese president.

Enriquez and S a n d r a Jessica Soho.

Cam’s claim May their that certain tribe increase. board members *** are involved in I am glad corruption can that President Duterte has confirmed only be the tip of the iceberg. his one-on-one with Chinese President *** Xi Jinping later this month. Duterte In the United States, the lack of will invoke the 2016 ruling of the efficient and effective gun-control Permanent Court of Arbitration in The laws has contributed to the many Hague. The decision said that China’s shooting incidents and fatalities nine-dash line was illegal. across the country. Meanwhile, here at It’s about time, I say. China’s home, loose firearms are proliferating, bullying has gone on for a while, and contributing to criminality. The police President Duterte has just been so is aware of it. tolerant and accommodating of the Those who are called “nanlaban” Chinese in the wake of aid, grants, in the war on illegal drugs are a Turn to A5 loans and investments.

Moving heaven and earth

A

MBITION is good; sheer determination, even better.

We wonder however if a party-list seat at the House of Representatives were that desirable that somebody would employ desperate machinations just to get it.

We suspect it is not for the psychic reward of serving the people.

The former chairman of the National Youth Commission, Ronald Cardema, first earned notoriety for suggesting that government scholars who are critical of the Duterte administration must be stripped of their scholarships.

And then, despite a policy that all executive officials running for the May 2019 elections should step down at the start of the campaign period to avoid any undue advantage from their posts, Cardema stayed on at the commission, even if it was also public knowledge that he was one of the main forces behind Duterte Youth. He skirted this rule by not applying to represent the

group at the outset.

During the May polls, Duterte Youth earned one seat at the House.

On June 4, Cardema filed a petition for substitution. The Comelec en banc gave his application due course, amid much criticism because Cardema was already 34. The law says youth representatives in Congress must be between 25 and 30 years old.

Cardema pressed his luck by saying his group represented not only the youth but young professionals as well.

On July 1, while his substitution petition was still pending, Cardema took his oath as Duterte Youth representative. On social media, he referred to himself as congressman.

He was also seen in congressional gatherings, during the proclamation of winning party-list organizations and during meetings in the runup to the July 22 House speaker.

But on Monday, August 5, the first

division of the Comelec voted 2-0 to cancel Cardema’s nomination to represent Duterte Youth in Congress. With the ruling, Cardema will not be issued a certificate of proclamation. He will not be able to sit in Congress, representing his group.

Of course, Cardema has one more recourse—to appeal his decision to the Comelec en banc.

Someone of Cardema’s cunning and obstinacy can believe that while he has lost this battle, he has not yet lost the war. We do not doubt his ability to employ more tricks so that he could get his coveted office.

When the en banc first approved Cardema’s petition for substitution, Guanzon said it was an “unabashed mockery and an assault to democratic processes.” It is up to the public to watch the Comelec’s next move. If it continues to decide in Cardema’s favor, then democracy will indeed be mocked and assaulted, and Cardema would have set a resounding example to the youth—a terrible one.

Gilas Pilipinas kong mahal them [China]?” Duterte asked the assembled businessmen. “Will the vice president of America escort me if I go there [to the game]?” He earlier told his audience that he does NO NAMES, but a prominent head not want to get into a shooting war of state cast doubt on the Philippine with China that will cause destruction team’s chance for success when it not only in the Philippines but other plays Italy in a sporting tournament countries as well.

The President is probably being abroad.

Oh, okay, it was President Rodrigo pragmatic when he said to wager on Duterte, and he said the Philippine China. Gilas isn’t playing them, or at team’s lack of height will be a least not yet. China’s opponents on disadvantage against the taller Italians the same dates above are Ivory Coast, in their match at the 2019 FIBA World Poland, and Venezuela, and China does stand a strong chance against Cup on Aug. 31 in Foshan, China. them.

FIBA or Duterte is the Fédération also likely Internationale being practical de Basketball when he says (International The rest of us have Gilas doesn’t Basketball got you. stand a chance Federation in against Italy, English) is a but that it is prestigious likely to defeat international Angola. When tournament. it comes to This 2019 edition will act as a qualifier for the sports, many approach it using logic, particularly if one is betting on an 2020 Summer Olympics.

In a speech to Filipino-Chinese outcome. One looks at whoever businessmen on Aug. 6 at Malacañan, has the best chances and decides Duterte said it would be better to bet accordingly.

However, as head of state, the on China. “Sa China na lang tayo President should have been more magpusta.”

He elaborated, saying “Wala talaga guarded with his words.

Sports is a spectacle that Roland tayo…We will lose dito sa Italian. Ang Barthes said serves the same primary lalaki kaya ng mga gagong ‘yan!”

He was confident that Gilas social function that theater did in Pilipinas would win over Angola ancient times, and that is collecting in its third game. “Ang next natin, a city, country, or the world within a Angola. Ah, ito pwede natin ilibing shared experience.

Because the experience is collective, nang buhay.”

Gilas’ second game is against and teams are organized along national Serbia, set for Sept. 2, and its match lines, sports is also political. If Duterte were a private individual, his words against Angola is on Sept. 4.

The President proudly added that would be no different from that of a he would be watching the game at kibitzer on the street.

But he is president, and like with his Foshan accompanied by China’s Vice-President Wang Qishan, saying cringey, rapey jokes, he still doesn’t it would be “a break in protocol” on understand, or perhaps doesn’t care, that the words he utters from the position their pride.

Turn to A5 “Why would I quarrel with

Lateral attrition and the IRA This is the lifeblood of those in the LGU. ONE month into governorship, I have seen the weighty task of ensuring that regular funding is available so that the delivery of goods and services are uninterrupted. Fiscal support is also vital for the implementation of local programs and projects.

In 2016, the Bureau of Internal Revenue was able to collect P1.58 trillion as revenue. This results in a P575.52-billion internal revenue allotment for 2019. This amount will be apportioned according to the Local Government Code, and distributed among 82 provinces, 145 cities, 1,478 municipalities, and 41,913 barangays nationwide.

In this context, let me highlight the importance of proper and efficient collection of taxes. Local governments rely heavily on the IRA to fund its local programs. This is particularly true for Quezon province, which needs to maintain its momentum and build on the economic gains of the province in the past years. Quezon is a large and developing province composed of 39 municipalities, an independent City of Tayabas, and a component City of Lucena. Given its vast area and massive population, it is likewise a great responsibility to

insure the inclusivity of its programs in the entire province.

In my days as a legislator, and Chairman of the Committee on Ways and Means and Committee on Legislative Oversight, the Committees were active in determining the reason for revenue collection shortfall and how ineffective methods of collection that were endemic to the agencies could be addressed. The result of our work is Republic Act 7403, or the Lateral Attrition Law. In broad strokes, the law intends to create incentive for proper tax collection by providing rewards to those agencies that exceed their targets, specifically by distributing a portion of the excess in the collected amounts to be divided among all employees, regardless of rank.

To my knowledge, the Lateral Turn to A5

Rolando G. Estabillo Publisher can be accessed at: manilastandard.net Published Monday to Sunday by Philippine Manila Standard Publishing Inc. at 6/F Universal Re Building, 106 Paseo de Roxas, corner Perea St., Legaspi Village, Makati City. Telephone numbers 832-5554, 832-5556, 832-5558 (connecting all departments), (Editorial) 832-5554, (Advertising) 832-5550. P.O. Box 2933, Manila Central Post Office, Manila. Website: www. manilastandard.net

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Chairman Emeritus, Editorial Board

Opinion Conflict of interest THE Senate Blue Ribbon Committee appears to be on course to conduct another hearing on the accusations of Senator Ping Lacson of plunder and conflict of interest against Health Secretary Francisco Duque.

It used to be that public service, the term used when one decides a career in government, was associated with sacrifice. When one works for the government, this usually meant low pay.

The only reward was the knowledge that one has devoted his or her life contributing to the public good.

Times have changed. Government service nowadays can present many opportunities whether one is seeking an appointive or elective office. Today, many well-to-do people run for public office to protect and even enhance their businesses. Many appointed positions also bring enhanced social status and business opportunities. Many government appointive positions are in fact much sought after because of the many perks that go with the job.

To guard against enterprising individuals who put their personal welfare ahead of the common good, a law was passed to safeguard public interest. This is R.A. 6713 which became law on Feb. 20, 1989. The Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees is suggested reading for anyone wishing to join government service.

One of the principal provisions of this law is that any individual joining the government service who has business interests must first divest themselves from any private businesses to avoid any conflict of interest while serving the government. Unfortunately, the law does not go far enough.

We often hear of the word delicadeza when talking of conflict of interest and all of us understand the meaning of the word. A public official, like Caesar’s wife, must always be beyond reproach and must at all times avoid the

appearance of benefiting personally as a result of his or her government position.

Unfortunately, not having any delicadeza is a not a violation of the law as Senator Dick Gordon pointed out in one of his interviews.

The case of Secretary Duque reminds me of the case of President Donald Trump of the United States.

Government service nowadays can present many ‘opportunities.’

The established practice in that country has always been for sitting Presidents to divest themselves of any business interest while in office or put all their assets on blind trust. President Trump has done neither of the two yet, he has not been subjected to the kind of criticisms that Secretary Duque is receiving. He only transferred the management of his company to his two sons. In Secretary Francisco Duque’s case, it would appear that he complied with the minimum requirement of R.A. 671B in that when he was appointed to a government position, he divested his shares from a family business that is now the subject of Senator Lacson’s accusations. But Secretary Duque as the Secretary of Health also Chairs Philhealth, the government health insurance agency now renting a building owned by his family. To a lot of people,

this would appear to be an open a shot case of conflict of interest.

In a TV interview, however, Secretary Duque defended himself by saying that he has already divested himself from any interest on the building and that it was PhilHealth itself that sent a letter to the Duque family that it was interested to lease the family building in Dagupan City. Whether this is enough of a defense is another matter.

To be fair to the good Secretary, he has said that he has nothing to hide and is willing to defend himself in any kind of investigation. So, if the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee will go through with the hearing, this will at least afford Secretary Duque the opportunity to defend himself in a public forum. We do not know if anything will come out of this hearing or whether the Senate will just be wasting its time. Congressional hearings are notorious of ending up without any concrete action. It is also no secret to many that there are a lot of people working in government who are making a killing because of their positions. Why not go after them as well?

It is important however, that Secretary Duque be given the opportunity to be heard. Even if the hearing will not result in any new law being passed or a case being filed, the people will at least be able to judge for themselves if anyone is guilty or not and to a lot of people, that may be more important. *** It is sad, what is happening in the United States. Two mass killings happening within hours took the lives of 31 innocent people and wounded dozens of others. The US seems to be incapable or unwilling to take steps to stop this phenomenon that is happening with fearful regularity in that country.

To others, the solution is simple. Make it harder for people to possess firearms.

To the US, however, it is not that simple due to culture in history. This is why it will happen again soon.

Too old and yet so young HE TRIED but failed to run around the election laws. Even at the last minute.

Duterte Youth substitute nominee Ronald Cardema just couldn’t give up his seat as chair of the National Youth Commission he had to forego the chances of being nominated as representative of his own party-list.

But as it was his ambition to land a higher political position, an elected one that is, he had to be a nominee of his own party list, the Duterte Youth.

Surprisingly, on the eve of the elections, all nominees of the group, including his wife, mysteriously withdrew—thereby catapulting him as the group’s first nominee.

With the Duterte Youth having secured a seat in the elections, Cardema thought he could legitimately be a member of Congress.

But knowing there was a pending petition against him, for being overaged as a youth representative, Cardema forced his way, taking his oath of office sans a certification of proclamation coming from the Commission on Elections.

Quite cunning. Cardema knew if he is to be considered a legitimate member of the House of Representatives, all electoral protests against him pending before the Comelec would be mooted and all elections protests against him arising from the elections would have to be coursed through the House of Representatives Electoral Tribunal, whose resolution of cases is notoriously snail-paced he would have finished his three-year term before a resolution could come his way.

But not too fast, Ronald.

Cardema’s case is a pre-election issue and will thus have to remain before the Comelec. Second, Cardema has not been issued a certification of proclamation.

Gilas....

From A4

he holds are significant with regard to collective sentiment and sensibility.

Hence many netizens are upset about his perceived ‘disloyalty’ to the Philippine team, and worse, his almost slavish support for the Chinese.

Basketball coach Jason Webb tweeted yesterday, “I plan to cheer for our national athletes even if their chances of winning may be slim. I also have no plans of cheering for a

Hence, cannot be considered a member of the House and as such, will not be subject to the HRET. His cunning acts did not escape the scrutiny of the poll body. In fact, Comelec Commissioner Rowena Guanzon described Cardema’s move as as “an attempt to circumvent and defeat the legal qualification prescribed by law, and in complete disregard of the rule of law,” that Cardema might have orchestrated the withdrawal of all five nominees of Duterte Youth.

Not too fast, Ronald.

“The circumstances surrounding the across-the-board withdrawal of all five original nominees and the subsequent nomination of Respondent Cardema a day before the elections... speak resoundingly of a clear attempt, not just to circumvent the law and the rules but also to hide from the electorate Cardema’s ineligibility as a nominee of Duterte Youth,” Guanzon declared in her concurring opinion.

Cardema even tried to “amend” his party list orientation saying Duterte Youth does not represent the youth but the young professionals, thus, is a multi-sectoral group.

country stealing our land from us.

Mabuhay ang atletang Pinoy!”

Because for many, sports is not just a matter of logic, but also of the heart.

Win or lose, our support should be with our boys, for the simple reason they represent the Philippines and they bear our country’s flag going into an international arena.

Gilas might realistically not stand a chance against Italy, but I will root for them, manalo o matalo. Because I am Filipino and they are the Philippine team. Because faith and belief in them could give the Gilas players the courage to fight harder for the win,

Under the Party-list law, anyone who intended to run as a representative of a youth sector should only be between 25 to 30 years old. Cardema was 34 when he filed his application.

Following the said argument, his camp argued that the Duterte Youth is a multi-sector party-list. Given this, the age limit should not be followed in the case of Cardema.

But the Comelec, in its resolution, said it could not find “no reason why the age qualification provided by law for nominees of the youth sector should not be applied to the Respondent.”

In doing so, the Comelec said that Cardema committed “material misrepresentation” which served as the ground for his disqualification.

And unfortunately for him, he could not even seek refuge from the Palace which he thought could very well serve as his ally.

The other day, Malacañang distanced itself from the Comelec decision to cancel his nomination as Duterte Youth representative under the party-list system.

According to Palace spokesman Salvador Panelo, the Comelec is an independent body and that the Palace’s policy is that the decisions of any court or administrative body should be based on facts and evidence presented before them. Cardema’s case was based on such.

And as it is, Cardema is barred from representing the Duterte Youth simply because he is too old to represent the youth sector.

But based from his act, he could easily qualify as a model to the quotation used by late Manila Mayor Arsenio Lacson to describe another politician, “So young and yet so… (could somebody finish the statement for me?).

knowing that Filipinos are on their side, cheering them on.

The President should do as much, and more, because he is the country’s leader, and he should be the first to give support to Filipinos going up against the world’s best.

But never mind, Gilas. The rest of us have got you. We have your backs. Face Italy with pride and determination. Just do your best.

We’re rooting for you every step of the way. *** Dr. Ortuoste started her journalism career as a sportswriter. / FB and Twitter: @DrJennyO

THURSDAY, AUGUST 8, 2019

A5

Resetting government targets to reflect changed conditions Presidential directives issued last year to increase the food supply.”

DBCC now expects consumer price increases to stay within the 2.7 to 3.5 percent range; the previous target range was 3 to 4 THE DBCC (Development percent. It maintained its 2 to 4 Budget Coordination percent inflation rate forecast for Committee) is the core of 2020-2022.

NEDA (National Economic and The other GDP-computation Development Authority). This parameter that DBCC adjusted can be seen from its membership: was the exchange rate of the peso. the heads of DOF (Department It expects stronger peso in 2019 of Finance), NEDA, DBM with “easing inflation pressures (Department of Budget and and a positive (international) Management), DTI (Department market sentiment with the recent of Trade and Industry), DPWH credit rating upgrade of the (Department of Public Works and Philippines.” Accordingly, it Highways) and DTr (Department adjusted its pesos-to-$1 target of Transportation). to 51-53 from 52-55. For 2020A s 2 0 2 2 its name it now suggests, projects DBCC is a pesosThe committee’s essentially to-$1 rate about the in the 51members had mostly national 55 range, positive things on their budget— down from plate. m o r e 52-55. In specifically, April S&P releases Global of funds Ratings by the raised its DBM to support government long-term credit rating for the spending. It meets periodically Philippines to BBB+, which is to review trends in the economy two notches above minimum and adjust the need for and pace investment grade. of DBM money releases. It met There was no need for DBCC last month to review the state of to say much about the inflation the economy, analyze economic rate because consumer prices trends and made adjustments to clearly have stabilized since DBM operations. the end of 2018. But the same During its most recent cannot be said about the external meeting, DBCC saw no need to value of the peso. A stronger revise its GDP (gross domestic peso will, by making imports product) growth targets for 2019, less expensive, contribute and the years 2020 to 2022—6 toward price stability, but, by to 7 percent this year, 6.5 to 7.5 making Philippine exports more percent in 2020 and 7.8 percent expensive for foreign buyers, in 2021 and 2022. But it saw a a stronger peso will reduce need to revise two key growth whatever competitiveness parameters.

Philippine products still enjoy in One of these was the rate foreign markets. Clearly, with a of inflation in 2019. DBCC 2018 merchandise trade deficit expected a lower inflation rate of around $42 billion, a stronger this year due to—in the words peso is a double-edged sword for of the acting DBM head—“the this country. government’s decisive steps to All in all, the DBCC members stabilize the general price level.” had mostly positive things on These included, Janet Abuel their plate during their recent said, “the full implementation of meeting.

About...

From A4

testament that there are many loose firearms.

Most of them, however, are in the possession of private armies and syndicated criminals and terrorists.

In Mindanao, we know too well that a Moro would rather sleep with his gun than with his wife. Guns bring power to Moros.

Santa Banana, I don’t know if the decommissioning of firearms of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, with the implementation of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, will soon take effect. I know, however, that private armies should be a great concern for the administration. *** In his State of the Nation Address, President Rodrigo Duterte may have not mentioned charter change. But many

lawmakers are still thinking about it.

In fact, I believe House Majority Leader Martin Romualdez when he says that charter change is still a priority among members of Congress.

They recognize the need to amend the restrictive provisions of the 1987 Constitution. This is very important to the business community. *** I cannot understand the insistence of the Metro Manila Development Authority to continue the planned ban on provincial buses along EDSA, despite a court injunction.

A study said that traffic on EDSA has worsened due to increase in car ownership.

If the Quezon City court cites the MMDA for contempt, MMDA officials certainly had it coming.

Banning provincial buses creates more traffic problems. Why can’t the MMDA realize this? www.emiljurado.weebly.com

Lateral...

From A4

Attrition Law is inactive, despite the advocacy of the House Minority of the 17th Congress to push for its implementation. We believe the law complements the administration’s aim of transparency and accountability in public spending.

Last year, the BIR achieved 96 percent in tax collection with P1.962 trillion. For the past few years, BIR recorded an increasing amount of taxes collected. This notable performance justifies the immediate implementation of the attrition law. I remain firm in putting attrition law into practice among agencies involved in tax collection such as the BIR and the Bureau of Customs.

The law will motivate the BIR and BOC to further improve their collections and continue to exceed their targets. From the LGU perspective, achieving and exceeding collection targets result in a bigger share in the IRA. This is the lifeblood of those in the LGU, and ensures that growth, development and improvement of the general welfare is inclusive.

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK Manila

Standard THURSDAY, TODAY AUGUST 8, 2019 A6

News

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

BI rescues 13 OFWs from 2 recruiters

High court disciplines 3 lawyers THE Supreme Court has imposed disciplinary actions against three erring lawyers for violating the Code of Professional Responsibility and court rules, particularly the Rules of Notarial Practice.

In separate administrative decisions, the SC suspended two lawyers from the practice of law for six months and reprimanded another, as well as revoked all their incumbent notarial commissions and disqualified them for different periods from being commissioned as notaries public.

The SC ordered the suspension of Atty.

Francisco Bilog and Lucas V. Sugui after finding them guilty of notarizing documents without the personal appearance of the supposed affiants.

Aside from suspension and having their respective notarial commissions revoked, both lawyers were also disqualified from being commissioned as notaries public for two years, with a warning that a repetition of similar acts would be dealt with more severely for violating the Rules on Notarial Practice of 2004.

In another administrative case, the high tribunal reprimanded Atty. Servillano A. Abenes Jr., who denied a lawyer-client relationship existed between him and spouses Steve and Jacqueline Bueno even as he admitted that he was consulted by Jacqueline.

A note dated Feb. 18, 2011 and signed

by Atty. Abenes showed that Jacqueline sought his advice and assistance in the eventual transfer of three parcels of land registered under the name of Northwest Investors Incorporated.

On the first week of June 2011, Abenes was retained by Rhodora Sevilla to represent a company in a case. Rhodora wanted to file a petition for issuance of a lost title in behalf of Northwest Investors Incorporated, and she asked the lawyer to notarize an Affidavit of Loss. Atty. Abenes notarized the Affidavit of Loss. Later, he realized that the subject lots for the Affidavit were the same parcels of land over which he was consulted by Jacqueline.

In separate decision, the SC noted that Sugui did not deny that he notarized an Affidavit without the personal appearance of supposed affiant, Luz Rollon.

To evade liability, he claimed that he was burdened with numerous documents awaiting his signature and that there were a number of persons waiting in line to have their documents notarized. He also further argued that at the most he was guilty of carelessness when he failed to ascertain the identity of the person signing the Affidavit.

However, the high court pointed out that Atty. Sugui notarized the Affidavit relying only on a Community Tax Certificate as evidence of identity, “which is not among those considered competent evidence of identity under the 2004 Notarial Rules.” Rey E. Requejo

By Vito Barcelo

SENATE HEARING. Senator Ronald dela Rosa, chairman, Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs, joins National Defense and Security Committee chairman Senator Panfilo Lacson question PNP Chief P/Gen. Oscar Albayalde and P/Gen Guillermo Eleazar as well as parents of missing minors during the Senate public hearing Wednesday on the case of 38 missing minors allegedly recruited by leftist group. Lino Santos

NUPL asks SC to reverse CA ruling nixing amparo

By Rey E. Requejo

T

HE Supreme Court has been asked to reverse the decision of the Court of Appeals dismissing their plea for the issuance of writs of amparo and habeas data to protect its members from alleged threats and harassment supposedly done by state security forces.

In a petition for review filed on Monday, the National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers sought for the reversal of the CA decision last July 26 and instead pleaded to grant their petition for the issuance of the said writs.

The CA’s Former Special 15th Division ruled that the NUPL failed to produce sufficient evidence to substantiate its contention that security forces are behind the cases of harassment, threats and attack on its members.

The appellate court stressed that “while mere threats fall within the mantle of protection of the writs of amparo and habeas data, the alleged threats imputed against the respondents herein are not supported by substantial evidence, thus stand on nebulous grounds.”

The CA ruling also noted that there was no evidence of President Rodrigo Duterte’s involvement in the alleged threats and harassment against NUPL members, contrary to the group’s claim.

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

NOTICE OF CALL FOR PAYMENT OF ANY OR ALL UNPAID STOCK SUBSCRIPTIONS To All ERC Stockholders: Please be informed that the Board of Directors of Educational Resources Corporation (ERC), in a meeting held on July 27, 2019 at Cucina, Marco Polo, unanimously approved the following resolutions: RESOLVED THAT: 1. The Board calls for the payment of all unpaid subscriptions to the 400,000 shares of stock of ERC not later than September 30,2019.

2. All subscriptions to the 400,000 ERC shares of stock unpaid after September 30, 2019 be declared as delinquent.

3. All delinquent ERC shares of stock be distributed to all stockholders of record as of September 30,2019 in proportion to their percentage of ownership of ERC shares of stock.

Please give or send your payment to the Treasurer of the Corporation, Mrs. Raquel C, Bilasano at the office of the Corporation at 11-B Sunrise Drive, Brgy, Bagong Lipunan ng Crame, Cubao, Quezon City on or before September 30,2019.

(Sgd) Atty. LACANDOLA S. LEAÑO Corporate Secretary MS-AUG. 8, 29 & SEPT. 15, 2019)

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES REGIONAL TRIAL COURT NATIONAL CAPITAL JUDICIAL REGION BRANCH 89 - QUEZON CITY IN RE: PETITION FOR GUARDIANSHIP OVER THE PERSON AND PROPERTIES OF MINOR NICOLE MANGLUGAY PEDROSO, R -QZN-19-07763-SP FOR: Guardianship MA. ROWENA PEDROSO MARAGGUN, Petitioner. x------------------x

NOTICE OF HEARING Filed by petitioner Ma. Rowena Pedroso Maraggun through counsel is a verified Petition for Guardianship praying that after due notice and hearing, judgment be rendered ‘ granting the guardianship over the person and properties of minor NICOLE MANGLUGAY PEDROSO and fixing the amount of guardian’s bond which the Honorable Court may deem appropriate under the premises.

Finding the verified petition to be sufficient in form and substance, the same is given due course. Set this case for hearing on September 11, 2019 at 2:00 o’clock in the afternoon at the Session Hall of this Court, Ground Floor, Room 118 Hall of Justice, Quezon City. Any interested persons may appear on said date, time and place, and show cause, if any, why the petition should not be granted.

Let this Notice of Hearing be published once in an accredited newspaper of general circulation in the Philippines, particularly in Quezon City, Metro Manila, at the expense of petitioner to be determined by raffled.

SO ORDERED. Given in Chambers, this June 20, 2019 at Quezon City

(Sgd.) CECILYN E. BURGOS-VILLAVERT Presiding Judge (MStandard-Aug. 8, 2019)

A writ of amparo is a remedy available to any person whose right to life, liberty, and security has been violated or is threatened with violation by an unlawful act or omission of a public official or employee, or of a private individual or entity while a writ of habeas data protects a person’s right to control information especially when the information against the person was illegally obtained.

However, in its petition, the NUPL insisted that the threats and harassment of its members were continuing despite the denial of the respondents.

“The continued vilification, harassment and threats to the lives, security and liberty of the petitioners by any act of the respondents, including but not limited to issuing public statements maligning and vilifying the petitioners and their activities as human rights lawyers must stop now.

We ask your Honors to stand by your lawyers,”

the NUPL told SC magistrates.

“How many more lives, Your Honors?” the group said, noting that a human rights lawyer in Negros was killed shortly after the CA issued its decision.

The petitioner was referring to lawyer Anthony Trinidad who was shot dead by unknown assailants last July 23 in Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental.

They also cited the killing last November of NUPL-Negros Oriental secretary general Ben Ramos.

The group also disputed the findings of the CA, saying there were numerous incidents of alleged threats experienced by its members and officers namely the inclusion of NUPL President Edre Olalia, NUPL chairman Neri Colmenares and other members in the alleged plot to oust Duterte from Malacañang OustDuterte matrix, the continued “red-tagging” by the military of their officers and members as supporters of the communist movement and its armed wing, the New Peoples’ Army, as well as the claim of Armed Forces of the Philippines Deputy Chief of Staff for Civil Military Operations Major General Antonio Parlade Jr. that the NUPL is a front organization of the Communist Party of the Philippines.

UPCMCAA’s Glory Awards deadline set THE University of the Philippines College of Mass Communications Alumni Association will recognize eight new outstanding alumni at the UP Masscom annual homecoming through the Glory Awards—a tribute to the legacy of UP MassCom’s first dean, Dr. Gloria Feliciano. The UPCMCAA is currently accepting nominations.

Awards will be given to eight alumni achievers in television, print, radio, film, online journalism, research, and allied disciplines such as marketing communications, public relations, social advocacy, and performing arts. Mass communication experts will serve as the jury of the awards.

Outstanding alumni who were already recognized previously by the College and the UP Alumni Association will not be eligible to receive the award.

The distinction was made to honor emerging alumni who have made notable achievements in their field of practice.

The 3rd Glory Awards will be presented on Nov. 9, 4 p.m. at the Plaridel Hall Film Studio. The affair will also coincide with the yearly homecoming bash of UPCMC, a CHED Center of Excellence founded in 1965 as the Institute of Mass Communications in Diliman.

“We want to continue celebrating outstanding graduates of UP MassCom and this is our way of doing so,” said UPCMCAA president Malou Choa-Fagar.

“UP MassCom is proud of its graduates who are committed to delivering the best work in the many fields of communication, whether it is in media, the corporate world or the development sector,” Fagar added.

PULSE ASIA CLAIM. Dr. Ronnie Homes, president of Pulse Asia Research Inc., presents data at a Manila forum Wednesday, showing 87 percent of Filipinos are satisfied with the automated polling system or the use of vote-counting machines in the 2019 election, 4 percent higher than the satisfaction rating posted in the 2016 polls. He claims the same survey shows 91 percent of respondents said they want to see automated voting to continue in future elections. Norman Cruz

Modernizing Med Tech practice up A LEADER of the House of Representatives has proposed to modernize the country’s practice of Medical Technology to ensure its continued growth and development and the maintenance of high international standards of practice.

Deputy Speaker and Camarines Sur Rep. Luis Raymund Villafuerte Jr. made his proposal through House Bill 1693 or the proposed “Philippine Medical Technology Act of 2018.”

Villafuerte filed HB 1693 as he seeks to overhaul Republic Act 5527, or the “Medical Technology Act of 1969,” which has not been updated for 50 years.

In his explanatory note, Villafuerte recognized the crucial role of medical technologists in society saying that “While they may not be doctors, medical technologists perform critical and sensitive functions in our health facilities. They also directly interact with patients and handle delicate specimens. Hence, the compelling need to ensure that they shall always ethically perform their duties to the best of their abilities—or face penal sanctions.”

The measure declares that the government acknowledges the importance of Medical Technology in nation building and development through the portals of healthcare, education and research. Maricel V. Cruz

THE Bureau of Immigration rescued 13 overseas Filipino workers from two Korean illegal recruiters who tried to leave the country to work in Malaysia and Korea.

BI port operations division chief Grifton Medina identified the Koreans as Lee Jeong Seop and Pyun Jung Su who were responsible for arranging and shouldering the victims expenses.

Medina said the victims were intercepted at the Clark International Airport in Angeles City, Pampanga while being accompanied by the Koreans.

However, both Lee and Pyun managed to leave the country but Medina recommended the two foreigners in the BI blacklist to prevent them from returning to the Philippines and recruit more victims.

“We are sending a stern warning to foreigners that they should not abuse their privilege and violate the conditions of their stay here by engaging in illegal activities such as recruitment and human trafficking,” Medina said.

He said the trick employed by the aliens in facilitating their victims’ departure would not work as it would not escape the attention of our immigration officers who are adept in detecting schemes to spirit human trafficking victims out of the country.

The BI report said that Lee arranged the travel of eight of the victims who were stopped at the Clark airport as they were about to board a flight of Jetstar Airways to Singapore en route to their final destination in Kuala Lumpur.

The passengers, who were disguised as tourists, admitted that they were hired

by Lee to work as English instructors for Korean students in Malaysia.

A check of the BI’s travel database showed that the eight passengers were already stopped from leaving the CIA when they were intercepted before they could board a Scoot Airlines flight to Singapore last month..

Solon seeks probe into lawyers’ killings

By Maricel V. Cruz THE recent spate of killings of lawyers, many of them in the prosecution service, has prompted a congressman to seek a congressional investigation into the fatal incidents.

Rizal Rep. Juan Fidel Nograles said the investigation was needed to ensure the safety of law practitioners as well as prosecutors and judges.

Nograles filed House Resolution 185 on Monday, saying he believed it was time for the government to act on the killings of lawyers, who he referred to as the “watchmen of the Rule of Law.” “An assault on the legal profession is an assault on the Rule of Law,” Nograles said, adding that under the Basic Principles on the Role of Lawyers, “governments should guarantee for the functioning of lawyers such that they are able to perform all of their professional functions without intimidation, hindrance, harassment or improper interference.”

The Basic Principles on the Role of Lawyers was adopted in 1990 by the Eighth United Nations Congress on the Prevention of Crime and the Treatment of Offenders in Havana, Cuba, said Nograles, who obtained his Master’s Degree in Law from Harvard University.

Nograles, who managed a free legal aid program in Rizal before being elected to Congress, said “when lawyers are unable to perform their duties because they fear for their lives, the Rule of Law starts to break down.”

“We cannot and should not allow this to happen.”

Since July 2016, 41 lawyers––private practitioners, prosecutors, and judges–– have been killed in the country.

Aside from calling for an inquiry into the deaths, Nograles also appealed to the Department of Justice and Philippine National Police to form a task force to take steps to bring the perpetrators of these crimes to justice.

Drilon: Brgy., SK elections should be held May 2021

By Macon Ramos-Araneta SENATE Minority Leader Franklin Drilon said Wednesday the barangay and Sanggunian Kabataan elections should be moved from May 2020 to May 2021.

During a hearing of the Senate committee on electoral reforms, Drilon said holding the polls in May 2021 was “reasonable” as it would allow incumbent barangay and SK officials to complete their term of three years, as stated under the

Local Government Code.

He said it was also in line with the request of the Commission on Elections that the barangay and SK polls be held at least one year before or after the May 2022 national and local elections.

“If we postpone it and complete the three years of officials, it means the elections will be held in May 2021 which is one year before the May 2022 national elections,” Drilon said.

“We should allow the present barangay

officials to complete their three-year term which ends on (sic) May 2021,” he added.

National President of Liga ng mga Barangay sa Pilipinas Eden Pineda appealed during the hearing that the May 2020 elections be postponed to allow incumbent barangay officials to implement their programs.

“If we’re going to have the elections next year, ito ang pinaka-shortest history of barangay elections which is only for two years,” Pineda said.

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

Sports

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THURSDAY, AUGUST 8, 2019 sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

Pagunsan sets pace at Riviera with 68

SILANG, Cavite—Juvic Pagunsan picked up from where he left off last June and took his familiar spot on the Philippine Golf Tour—on top—as he came out better than Clyde Mondilla and Angelo Que with a three-under 68 to lead Dutch Guido Van der Valk and two other locals by one at the start of the ICTSI Riviera Classic at the Langer course here yesterday.

A delicate 10-foot putt for birdie on the ninth capped Pagunsan’s pair of 34s at the softened par-71 layout, besting the reigning (Mondilla) and former (Que) Philippine Open champions—at least after 18 holes —in the featured group and breaking off a four-way tie to seize control of the field that battled through sun, rain and wind.

“It’s tough playing in the wind and rain,” said Pagunsan, on course for a record fourth win-in-row after the sweeping the last three legs of the Visayan swing of the Philippine Golf Tour put up by ICTSI in Bacolod, Negros Occidental and Iloilo.

He added that this event could be his last on the local circuit this year as he sets to leave for Japan in two weeks time to resume his campaign, along with Que, on the region’s richest tour.

“I placed second five times since 2015 so I hope to finally score my maiden win (in Japan) this year,” said Pagunsan, who tamed the rain-soaked layout with five birdies against two bogeys.

Obscure Rico Depilo birdied Nos. 15 and 16 to fire a 69 in preferred lies and tie Rupert Zaragosa and Van der Valk at second while 2016 champion Jay Bayron blew a threeunder card after seven holes at the back with three bogeys against one more birdie in the next eight holes to slip to joint fifth at 70 with Art Arbole and Japanese Makoto Iwasaki.

“I was just lucky since it’s tough to score here with the rain and wind although the course is in good condition,” said Depilo, whose career best finish was seventh here last year. He made two other tap-in birdies

that negated his two missed green bogeys.

Van der Valk, who nailed his second PGT win in Cebu last June, opened with a bogey but posted a four-under card with a stirring five-birdie run in a seven-hole stretch from No. 10. He, however, missed staying on top or gaining a share of the lead with a doublebogey on the par-3 17th, the course’s signature hole which plays downwind all the way.

“Very good ball striking under difficult conditions. I also made some good putts and just one back off Juvic and that made me happy,” said Van der Valk. “It’s been raining hard in the area the past two weeks so I tried to hit it as hard as possible as there’s no roll.

But I kind of hit some so hard that it went past the greens and that’s the only way to offset.

Zaragosa, the former many-time national amateur champion whose rookie season was marred by a string of missed cut stints, appeared headed to clinching the first day honors when he went four-under with three holes left at the front.

Juvic Pagunsan all focused on setting a record PGT run

Sibol is PH Esports Team to SEA Games A S ESPORTS becomes a medal event in the coming 2019 Southeast Asian Games, the Philippine flag will be carried for the first time by its newly appointed national team, Sibol.

Sibol (translated in English as “growth”) is an apt reference to the national team as it signifies not only the rise of esports around the world but also the advancement of esports talent in the Philippines.

In charge of creating and managing Sibol will be the Philippine Southeast Asian Games Esports Union, a group under the Philippine Olympic Committee.

PSEU is the product of the partnership between the Esports National Association of the Philippines and the Nationals Esports Federation of the Philippines.

The team is determined to make Sibol

a representation of the country’s best gamers, in line with the target of winning gold in the SEA Games.

Sibol will be competing in all six titles featured in the esports event of the 30th SEA Games, which include Dota 2, StarCraft II, Hearthstone, Arena of Valor, Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, and Tekken 7.

Sibol’s quest for gold at the Games starts with assembling the national team.

To start off, several outstanding Filipino esports athletes will be given a direct invite to the team’s training pool. Players from MPL champion teams Bren Esports,

Cignal Ultra, and ArkAngel will be invited to the ML:BB pool.

Andreij “Doujin” Albar and Alexandre “AK” Alvarez will be invited for Tekken 7, and Caviar “Enderr” Acampado will be invited for StarCraft II. Members of Liyab will be invited into Arena of Valor, while Jacinta “Jia” Dee and Euneil “Staz” Javiñas will be invited for Hearthstone.

To round it up, players from TNC will be invited to the Dota 2 pool, together with the Filipino players from the current Mineski and Fnatic teams.

Joining those invited players in the Sibol training pool are individuals who will prove victorious in the upcoming open qualifiers. Any Filipino citizen over the age of 13 can join the said qualifier. This will happen on August 1-11, 2019. Updates on the team and

more information can be found on the official website sibolesports.ph and on their social media pages (FB, IG, and Twitter) @SIBOLesports.

Once the Sibol training pool is complete, managers and coaches will evaluate each player based on their mastery of their respective esport title as well as their compatibility with the rest of the team, among other factors. They will also be part of the selection committee charged with trimming the pool down to the final roster.

The final Sibol roster for the SEA Games will be composed of seven players each for team games (Dota 2, Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, Arena of Valor), and two representatives for the individual games (Tekken 7, Hearthstone, StarCraft II).

Creamline eyes redemption, PVL title repeat BOASTING of a star-studded roster, Creamline hopes to re-assert its might in pursuit of back-to-back title feat in the Premier Volleyball League Season 3 Open Conference unfolding Sunday (Aug. 11) at the Filoil Flying V Center in San Juan.

The Cool Smashers won’t be looking too far for motivation, their shock loss to the PetroGazz Angels in the recent Reinforced finals is enough to spur them to doing what they had failed to do the last time out.

“We’ll bounce back,” assured Creamline star hitter and many-time MVP Alyssa Valdez ahead of the opening of mid-season conference of the league organized by Sports Vision that drew a couple of new bidders and a returning squad that hiked the field to nine.

“Going to the all-Filipino conference, I’m not saying that we’re all equal but this is the chance for us locals to work hard and showcase our talent and skills,” she added.

With Michele Gumabao, Risa Sato, Jema Galanza, Rose Vargas, Celine Domingo, Pau Soriano, Jia Morado and Melissa Gohing along with Kyle Negrito, Heather Guino-o, Fille Cainglet-Cayetano, RIzza Mandapat, Coleen Bravo and Kyla Atienza, the Cool Smashers appear to be the strongest. But the eight others remain unfazed, all eager and ready to foil Creamline’s crack at a title-retention drive the second time around.

PetroGazz, in fact, is keen on duplicating Creamline’s sweep of the last year’s twin titles on a team made up of the high-flying Cherry Nunag, Jeanette Panaga, Djanel Cheng, Cai Baloaloa, Cienne Cruz, Jessey de Leon, Alyssa Layug, Paneng Mercado, Jonah Sabete, Relea Saet and Jovie Prado.

PacificTown Army, inspired by its third place effort in Reinforced, is also confident of pulling the rug from under the favorites behind its tested crew composed of MJ Balse-Pabayo, Nene Bautista, Joanne Bunag, Royse Tubino and Jovelyn Gonzaga with the likes of Christine Agno, Jem Gutierrez, Alina Bicar, Angela Nunag and Dahlia Cruz raring to step up and provide the needed backup.

BanKo-Perlas is also out to atone for its foldup when the going got tough in the previous conference with the power-hitting Nicole Tiamzon and block artist Kathy Bersola to combine anew with Roma Doromal, Sue Roces, Mary Tajima, Dzi Gervacio, Gizelle Tan, Ella de Jesus, Jem Ferrer and Rose Cailing.

Shown here are (from left) ESNAP Sec General Ren Vitug, Head of Channels Sienna Olaso, PSEU Manager Joebert Yu, PSEU Co-chair Jane Jimenez Basas, National Esports Team Manager Alvin Juban and Global esports Director David Tse.

F2, Petron rekindle PSL rivalry today Games Today

(FilOil Flying V Centre) 4:15 p.m. -- F2 Logistics vs Petron 7:00 p.m. -- Generika-Ayala vs PLDT

PHILIPPINE volleyball’s fiercest rivalry—F2 Logistics and Petron—ollide anew in the Philippine Superliga AllFilipino Conference today at the Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan.

Battle erupts at 4:15 p.m. with the Cargo Movers enjoying a slight advantage over the team that has lording it over in this conference for the past couple of years.

Meanwhile, Generika-Ayala shoots for the solo third spot when it tangles with PLDT Home Fibr in the 7 p.m. featured encounter of this prestigious women’s club tournament bankrolled

by Team Rebel Sports, SOGO, Eurotel, PCSO, Cocolife, UCPB Gen, Mueller, Senoh, Asics, Bizooku and One Sport.

Since acquiring Filipino-American Kalei Mau, the Cargo Movers have been invincible as they won 11 straight games to occupy a lofty spot on top of the team standings entering the crucial stretch of the preliminaries of this tourney that also has ESPN5 and Kapatid TV5 as broadcast partners.

The Blaze Spikers, for their part, won 10 of their first 11 matches with their lone loss coming from the hands of the Cargo Movers, making this game a dramatic and action-packed encounter between two teams who have clashing for the All-Filipino crown for the past three seasons.

But Petron coach Shaq Delos Santos toned down the hype.

“We’re excited to play against them and it’s going to be an exciting match for sure,” said Delos Santos, whose wards dethroned the Cargo Movers in 2017.

“But like any other game, everything starts in practice. We need to have good preparation to have a better performance.”

Nadal ready to play despite absences of Djokovic, Federer MONTREAL—Rafael Nadal will focus only on the challenge in front of him as he defends his title at the Montreal Masters, where Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer are conspicuous absentees.

“I cannot think if they are here or not,” the top-seeded Spaniard said Sunday. “Anyway, tennis is more than just a few players.

“I need to prepare myself as well as

possible and be ready to play.

“I would only face them in a semifinal or final anyway, so it’s not worth worrying about.”

With Djokovic and Federer putting a return to action on hold after their dramatic Wimbledon final, 33-year-old Nadal will be seeking to retain the title he earned last year in Toronto, when he beat rising star Stefanos Tsitsipas in the final.

The Greek is back, taking the fourth seeding behind a pair of fellow young guns in number two Dominic Thiem of Austria and Germany’s Alexander Zverev, seeded third.

Nadal, who arrived in Canada after training in the summer heat of Mallorca in the wake of his Wimbledon semi-final loss to Federer, could find himself challenged early by another rising star —Australian Alex de Minaur.

De Minaur, who won his second ATP title in Atlanta in July, takes on a qualifier in the first round for a shot at Nadal, who will enjoy a first-round bye.

Second seed Thiem has purposefully left it late for the hardcourts, preferring to stay as long as possible on European clay by entering both Hamburg and Kitzbuehel—where on Saturday he fulfilled a childhood dream of winning a tournament in his native Austria. AFP

PH women’s team shoots for gold in ‘19 Asia Rugby THE Philippine women’s rugby sevens team flies to Jakarta today to shoot for the gold in the 2019 Asia Rugby Women’s Trophy Series.

“This is a preparation tournament for the SEA Games,” said Volcanoes’ team manager Jake Letts during Tuesday’s Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum at Amelie Hotel-Manila.

The Philippine team, backed by First Pacific, MVP Sports Foundation and Philippine Sports Commission, is out to surpass its silver-medal finish last year.

“In 2018, our girls played some very good rugby sevens. This year, we are looking to replicate that performance and go one step further,” said coach

Chris Everingham.

The team trained hard for eight weeks and did everything they could, including video analysis of their opponents, looking at their strengths and weaknesses.

The Philippines is bracketed in Pool A with Guam, Indonesia, Brunei and Chinese Taipei. In Pool B are top seed South Korea, India, Laos, Bangladesh and Qatar.

Joining Letts and Everingham in the forum presented by San Miguel Corporation, Braska Restaurant, Amelie Hotel-Manila and Pagcor were players Rassiel Sales, Lily Smythe, Happy Denuyo and Maia Sobejana.

Philippine women’s rugby team

They will make up the core of the team that will vie in the SEA Games in Clark.

“Whatever we’re doing is geared to-

ward the SEA Games,” said Everingham of the squad that will try to surpass the bronze medal finish in 2015 in Singapore.

Sports

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

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THURSDAY, AUGUST 8, 2019

MAN OF THE HOUR. Gerald Anderson (3) of the Imus Bandera looks for an opening against the defense of Anton Asistio of Bataan Risers.

Villanueva leads game for charity SENATOR Joel Villanueva leads a team of legends in Philippine basketball as they face councilors of the City of Manila in a charity basketball game today at the San Andres Sports Complex.

Game time is 2 p.m., the highlight of day-long festivities that Villanueva organized as part of his thanksgiving celebration to mark his 44th birthday recently. Manila Mayor Isko Moreno is expected to lead the ceremonial jump ball.

“Nagagalak po tayo sa ating munting palaro kasama ang mga kaibigan nating PBA Legends at mga konsehal ng Lungsod ng Maynila. Espesyal ang laro na ito dahil magpapaabot po tayo ng tulong sa ating mga nakatatanda na kasalukuyang tumutuloy sa Boystown,” Villanueva said in a statement.

The senator, who hails from Bocaue, Bulacan, explained that he held Manila a special place in his life because he spent his formative years in the capital studying at the University of Santo Tomas.

“Nagtitiwala po tayo sa pamunuan ng City Hall na determinadong pasiglahin muli ang kabisera ng ating bayan, tulad ng nakagisnan natin noong nag-aaral po tayo sa UST,” continued Villanueva, who suited up for the Growling Tigers during their magical run in the 1990s at the UAAP collegiate wars. He was part of the team that strung together four straight UAAP men’s basketball championships starting in 1993, an unprecedented feat that time.

“Seeing how City Hall works harder to put order in the city and bring crucial social services to the people is inspiring, and this should be emulated by our colleagues in other local governments,” he added.

Villanueva’s team is bannered by four-time MVP Alvin Patrimonio, sharpshooter Allan Caidic, and court general Johnny Abarrientos, as well as celebrities Matt Evans, Joross Gamboa, and EA Guzman.

Meanwhile, the Batang Maynila team features incumbent city councilors like Councilor Terrence Alibarbar, who runs a grass roots basketball program in Manila’s third district to promote physical fitness among residents there.

All SEA Games facilities will be privatized—BCDA

By Peter Atencio

A

LL the facilities that will be used in the 30th Southeast Asian Games will be privatized once the Games are over this December.

Bases Conversion Development Authority president and chief executive officer Vince Dizon said this during an organizational meeting of the Southeast Asian Games that was held at the Philippine Senate yesterday.

“The BCDA will privatize the operations and maintenance of the sports facilities inside New Clark City, specifically the stadium, the aquatics center and the athletes’ village. And this is what we will do with the Asian Development Bank,” said Dizon.

Dizon said this in reply to an inquiry made by Senator Imee Marcos-Manotoc during a hearing that was presided over by Sports Committee chairman, Lawrence “Bong” Go. The BCDA chief explained that finding commercial uses for the facilities will help offset the cost incurred by BCDA in funding the construction of the NCC. Marcos-Manotoc explained that many facilities used in sports events all over the world have become white elephants.

“This is what we must avoid at all

cost,” said Manotoc in the hearing that was also attended by Philippine Sports Commission chairman William Ramirez, Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham Tolentino and Philippine SEA Games Organizing Committee chairman Ramon Suzara.

Dizon explained that they have put in place their plans for commercialization following visits and research on the facilities used in Olympic Games.

Dizon said the facilities used in London and Sydney became their model since these were utilized for other activities after the Olympiad was done in

these places.

On the other hand, there was not much use for the facilities in Athens and Rio de Janeiro after the Olympics because plans for further use after the Games were not put in place.

The NCC facilities were built with the ADB acting the BCDA’s financial advisers.

Meanwhile, Suzara said facilities for the Games are 90 percent completed.

“We are now preparing the facilities for our national athletes to use in advance. Hopefully, we can give priority to our national athletes by October,” said Suzara.

Sports Committee chairman Lawrence “Bong” Go presides over the organizational meeting of the Southeast Asian Games that was held at the Philippine Senate yesterday. Participating in discussions are, from left: POC President Bambol Tolentino and PSC Chairman William Ramirez. Lino Santos

Serena again is highest-paid sports woman WASHINGTON, United States—US tennis superstar Serena Williams topped Forbes magazine’s list of the highest paid women in sports for the fourth straight year on Tuesday (Wednesday Philippine time).

The business publication calculated that the 23-time Grand Slam singles champion earned $29.2 million in the 12-month period ending June 1—with just $4.2 million of that coming from prize money.

Japan’s Naomi Osaka, who burst to international stardom with a stunning upset of Williams in the 2018 US Open final and went on to win the Australian Open in January, became just the fourth woman to earn more than $20 million in a year—after Williams and tennis stars Maria Sharapova and Li Na. Forbes pegged Osaka’s earnings at $24.3 million, putting her second on a list dominated by tennis players.

Former Wimbledon champion Angelique Kerber was third on the list with earnings of $11.8 million followed by this year’s

Wimbledon champion Simona Halep.

Forbes included prize money, salaries, bonuses, endorsements and appearance fees between June 1, 2018, and June 1, 2019 in the figures.

The highest placed athlete from a different sport was US footballer Alex Morgan, who clocked in at 12th. Morgan earned $5.8 million, most of it in endorsements.

Indian badminton star PV Sindhu and Thai golfer Ariya Jutanugarn were the other non-tennis players in the top 15.

Meanwhile, Anett Kontaveit spoiled Sharapova’s return from injury Monday, rallying to beat the five-time Grand Slam champion 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 at the WTA tournament in Toronto.

Sharapova, competing for the first time since retiring from her first-round match at Wimbledon, appeared to be on course for just a fourth match win since January when she went up a set and an early break on the 16th seed from Estonia. AFP

Lyceum Pirates battle Perpetual Help Altas AFTER having rested for a week and skipped at least one game because of the bad weather, the Lyceum Pirates are expected to be in top form once again.

And Cameroonian big man Mike Nzeusseu is also expected to be in good shape when the Pirates clash with the University of Perpetual Help Altas at 4 p.m. today before a hostile crowd in the 95th National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) men’s basketball tournament at the Altas’ own home court in Las Pinas.

Earlier, the Junior Pirates (3-2) and the Junior Altas (3-3) will collide at 2 p.m.

The Pirates were not able to play the Arellano University Chiefs last Friday after their game was called off because of heavy rains throughout Metro Manila.

Games today

(at the Perpetual Help gym, Las Pinas) 2 p.m. UPHSD vs LPU (jrs) 4 p.m. UPHSD vs LPU (srs)

And this is expected to help the Pirates to improve on their fighting shape, now that Nzeusseu has returned to them after recovering from a fractured finger.

Nzeusseu was around, and played a few minutes when the Pirates smothered the Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers, 95-77, the other week.

“We took a gamble on him. We gave him the decision if he wanted to play or not. Sabi niya, ‘If I’m gonna rest now, wala na ako next year’. He wanted to make every game count,” said Pirates coach Topex Robinson.

The Pirates’ third straight win, put them up at 4-1, and they are now behind the Letran Knights (5-1) in the team standings.

In that game, Nzeusseu managed to finish with 13 points and eight rebounds in just 16 minutes of game time for Lyceum.

On the other hand, the Altas (2-3), will seek to improve their record since their 75-73 edging of the Chiefs.

Meanwhile, San Sebastian Stags coach Egay Macaraya will sit away from the bench in the next game of the San Sebastian Stags.

Macaraya shall serve his suspension, according to league basketball commissioner Tonichi Pujante.

Peter Atencio

Justin Arana (15) of the Arellano U Chiefs (left) and Benedict Adamos (15) of Perpetual Help Altas battle for the rebound during the first quarter of their game last July 30, won by the latter, 75-73. Dennis Abrina

Strikers trip Rizal, Biñan routs Shoe Masters BACOOR survived Rizal in a wild wooly finish before settling for an 8784 decision late Tuesday night in the MPBL Lakan Season even as Bataan and Binan got back on the winning track following their separate wins at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.

Still licking the wounds of their painful setback against the Pasay Voyagers, the Strikers immediately recovered from that stigma and added the Golden Coolers to their list of victims.

But more than picking up its seventh win in nine games, Bacoor became a part of history when the first ever father and son tandem took the floor in the MPBL. Marlou Aquino joined his son, Matthew, at the 3:13 mark of the final quarter and together they finished the job for the Strikers.

For the younger Aquino, it was a dream come true.

“Almost all of the things I learned in basketball came from him,” said Matthew. “We’ve been planning to do this even after I played my last game in the UAAP.” The drama overshadowed the victories posted by Bataan and Binan earlier.

With Alvin Pasaol back in harness, the Risers of Bataan became more solid up front as they outlasted the Imus Bandera, 65-61.

The star forward from University of the East finished with 20 points and six rebounds and made his presence felt quickly in shoring up the Risers’ frontline.

Binan ripped Marikina, 82-72, in the other game.

Duterte says PH team will lose to Italy

By MJ Blancaflor PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday night said the Philippine national basketball team was no match against much taller players in the FIBA World Cup, saying we should bet on China instead.

During a speech in Malacañang in front of Chinese-Filipino businessmen, Duterte said Gilas Pilipinas will lose in their game against Italy.

“No, no match. We are no match against them. Let’s just bet on China. Don’t make it corny,” Duterte said in jest.

“We are nothing. We would lose here against the Italians. Those fools are so big,” he added.

But he quickly expressed confidence that the Philippine team could easily beat Angola.

“Our next game is Angola. Ah, we can bury them alive,” Duterte said.

Gilas’ first game against Italy will be held on Aug. 31. They will go up against Serbia on Sept. 2 and Angola on Sept. 4.

Duterte is expected to cheer for Gilas Pilipinas during his fifth visit to China, the host of the FIBA World Cup 2019.

“The vice president of China himself will accompany me in the basketball game. It’s a break in protocol.

Why would I quarrel with them? Will the vice president of America escort me if I go there?” the president said.

Apart from watching basketball in his visit, Duterte will invoke before Chinese President Xi Jinping the 2016 arbitral ruling which favored Manila and dismissed China’s claim of historic rights over the disputed waters in the West Philippine Sea. China, one of the claimants in the sea row, has refused to recognize the decision of the United Nations Permanent Court of Arbitration.

In his working visit, Duterte will also inaugurate the Fujian school built in honor to his late mother, Soledad.

The 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup, to be hosted by China, will be the 18th tournament of the FIBA Basketball World Cup for men’s national basketball teams.

The tournament was rescheduled from 2018 to 2019 and will become the first since 1967 that will not occur in the same year as the FIFA World Cup. The group stage will expand from 24 to 32 teams.

The tournament will also act as qualification for the 2020 Summer Olympics. The top two teams from each of the Americas and Europe, and the top team from each of Africa, Asia and Oceania, alongside hosts Japan will get slots to the Olympics.

IN BRIEF RCBC’s profit up 24% to P2.7b in first half

RIZAL Commercial Banking Corp., the 10th largest lender in terms of assets, said unaudited consolidated net income in the first half jumped 23 percent to P2.7 billion from P2.2 billion year-on-year on the sustained strength of core businesses.

The bank said in a disclosure to the stock exchange Wednesday the strong growth in net income resulted from sustained efforts in strengthening the bank’s core business with double-digit growth in net interest income by 10 percent and fee-based income by 23 percent.

Bank president and chief executive Eugene Acevedo said the first half was a testament of how RCBC had reestablished its presence and became stronger through the years.

“We are happy with the doubledigit growth in income, a result of our consistent focus on strengthening the bank’s core business. However, I believe that there is more we can do and achieve.

Moving forward, focusing on consumer loans and the SME sector will be key for us to fight our way back,” Acevedo said.

Julito G. Rada

Business

Subic port increases 7-month collections

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT—Team work and determination to prevent their district collector from re-assignment to lesser port due to non-target collection achievement ignited the full course drive of the rankand-file of the Port of Subic.

The Subic BOC sub-port headed by acting district collector Marites Martin in the first seven months of 2019 performed an unprecedented and record-breaking revenue history since it was established 26 years ago.

Data gathered showed that for the first time, the district income did not register an income decline under the Martin’s leadership where stakeholders problem were solved within the day’ operations.

The port raised almost P20 billion in revenues, with P30 billion yearend target within easy reach.

Subic as a free port and port of entry of both commercial and highly dutiable petroleum products has increased its revenue take.

Last year saw the quick re-assignments of four acting OIC collectors for target achievements, all victims of the “one strike” policy of former BOC Commissioner Isidro Lapeña.

Megaworld’s profit grew 16% to P8.3b in the 1st semester MEGAWORLD Corp., the property development arm of billionaire Andrew Tan, said Wednesday net income attributable to the parent company rose 16 percent in the first six months to P8.3 billion from P7.2 billion in the same period last year.

The company said excluding a nonrecurring gain of P189 million in the first six months, it saw a 15-percent increase in earnings from a year ago.

Megaworld said in a disclosure to the stock exchange consolidated revenues increased 18 percent to P31.7 billion in the first six months from P27 billion in the same period last year, led by the double-digit growth in residential sales and leasing revenues from office and hotel businesses.

“The current economic landscape is quite favorable so we continue to be optimistic on the remaining five months of 2019. Interest rates are on a downtrend, which is a very positive news for our residential business. Vacancies in both office and commercial segments are on an all-time low, and we don’t see this changing in the near future due to the robust sign-ups we are seeing from big companies and business owners,” Megaworld chief strategy officer Kevin Tan said.

“Tourism growth, likewise, remains strong and this should continue to fuel our blossoming hotel operations especially that we are opening more hotels henceforth,” Tan said.

The group said the group’s residential business accounted for 63 percent of total revenues in the first half, followed by rental business with 25 percent and hotel operations with 4 percent. Jenniffer B. Austria

business@manilastandard.net extrastory2000@gmail.com THURSDAY, AUGUST 8, 2019

B1

SMIC posted P23-b income in six months

By Jenniffer B. Austria

San Miguel Food’s income hits P14.7b

SAN Miguel Food and Beverage Inc. said consolidated net income dropped five percent in the first six months of the year to P14.7 billion due to cost and pricing pressures from the food group.

SMFB in a statement said Wednesday first-half consolidated revenues rose 10 percent to P151 billion in the first six months of the year, driven mainly by healthy volume expansion across all businesses.

“Despite challenges impacting some of our businesses, we remain positive about the company’s overall growth prospects given our unique position to capture the opportunities directly linked to our fastgrowing economy,” said SMFB president and chief executive Ramon Ang said.

SMFB said consolidated operating income also declined six percent to P21.6 billion.

The company’s poultry segment reeled from an industry-wide oversupply that began late last year. But with current prices showing signs of recovery, the group is confident it will get out of the slump sooner than expected.

Jenniffer B. Austria

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

FREE MANILA WIFI. PLDT-Smart, the leading digital solutions and connectivity provider in the country, signs a memorandum of agreement with the city of Manila to provide fast and free Smart WiFi across the city, especially in government offices, hospitals, universities and other key areas. Attending the signing ceremony at the Manila City Hall are (from left) MVP Group Media Bureau managing director Atty. Michael Toledo, Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Dumagoso, PLDT-Smart chairman and chief executive Manuel Pangilinan and PLDT chief revenue officer Alfredo Panlilio.

Agriculture production contracted 1.27% in Q2 A

By Othel V. Campos

GRICULTURE production shrank 1.27 percent in the second quarter year-on-year, pulled down by lower rice, corn, coconut and sugarcane harvests amid the prolonged El Niño dry spell.

The sector which accounts for about a tenth of the gross domestic product also contracted 0.24 percent in the first half, data from the Philippine Statistics Authority showed.

Total agriculture and fishery production reached P424.6 billion in the second quarter and P853.5 billion in the first half based on current prices.

Data showed that while the livestock,

poultry and fisheries subsectors grew in the second quarter, the expansion was offset by the 5.7-percent drop in crop production.

“Palay and corn recorded decreases in production by 5.82 percent and 8.73 percent, respectively,” the PSA said.

Coconut production dropped 0.76 percent while sugarcane harvest plunged by nearly 60 percent.

“Of all the crops, sugarcane production dropped 59.62 percent as smaller canes were harvested in Western Visayas and Calabarzon because of the adverse effects of a long dry spell,” it said.

Other crops such as onion, garlic, mango, tobacco, rubber, eggplant, pineapple and abaca increased in the second quarter.

It said that at current prices, the value of crops production amounted to P215.5 billion in the second quarter or 11.09 percent lower than a year ago. The crops subsector accounted for more than 47 percent of the agriculture output.

The PSA said rice production declined because of reductions in harvested areas in Mimaropa Region, Bicol Region and Western Visayas caused by the inadequate water supply and rainfall during the planting months and the effect of the dry spell. The lower corn output was also affected by the same factors, according to the PSA. Livestock production, which accounted for 17.41 percent of the total agricultural output, grew 3.2 percent on the sustained demand for pork, allowing hog production to record a 4.1-percent growth. Cattle production went down by 1.9 percent.

Poultry output increased 4.14 percent in the second quarter and accounted for 17.75 percent of the total agricultural production. Farm expansion, particularly, the commercial broiler farms in Central Luzon, Central Visayas and Zamboanga Peninsula contributed to the 3.1-percent growth in chicken production.

Trade deficit falls as exports rise for third straight month

By Julito G. Rada THE country’s trade deficit shrank to $2.47 billion in June from $3.55 billion a year ago as exports rose and imports shrank for the third straight month.

Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority showed that merchandise exports grew 1.5 percent in June to $6 billion while imports plunged 10.4 percent to $8.48 billion from a year ago.

The trade deficit slightly improved to $19 billion in the first six months from $19.24 billion as total exports dropped 0.8 percent to $34.1 billion, while total imports fell 1 percent to $53.1 billion.

Nicholas Mapa, a senior economist at ING Bank Manila, said exports managed a

third month of modest growth despite the trade war fears while import compression turned more severe with inbound shipments contracting by double digits.

“Given this dynamic, the trade balance showed a much tighter trade gap of -$2.47 billion, which coupled with strong remittance and BPO sector growth could see the current account deficit improve at least in the second quarter,” Mapa said.

“The relatively less severe trade gap could be one factor for the peso’s improved performance for the month although the contraction in capital imports could take off even more shine from the second-quarter GDP growth print,” Mapa said.

Electronic exports, accounting for 59

percent of the total, rose 4.3 percent in June to $3.54 billion. Shipments of copper metal jumped 41.7 percent while exports of fresh bananas climbed 24.4 percent in June.

Meanwhile, the lower imports in June were pulled down by decreased orders for iron and steel (-40.3 percent); cereals and cereal preparations (-29.4 percent); and industrial machinery and equipment (-20.7 percent).

The National Economic and Development Authority said that with global growth likely to remain sluggish for the remainder of 2019, the government should exert all efforts to boost domestic demand and exports’ competitiveness to improve the Philippines’ trade performance.

CONGLOMERATE SM Investments Corp. said Wednesday net income expanded by 27 percent in the first half to P23 billion from P18.1 billion in the same period last year on the back of doubledigit growth in revenues.

SMIC said in a disclosure to the stock exchange the first-half consolidated revenues climbed 14 percent to P233.7 billion from P204.3 billion a year ago.

“We delivered a strong first half, underpinned by remarkable bank earnings and robust residential takeup. Our retail business continues to do well and we are pleased with the rapid expansion of our minimart footprint through Alfamart,” SMIC president and chief executive Frederic DyBuncio said.

The property and banking businesses accounted for 41 percent and 40 percent of the group’s net income while retail contributed 19 percent in the first half.

SM Retail posted a net income of P5.7 percent as revenues grew 13 percent to P169.8 billion. Excluding the adjustments with the adoption of the Philippine Financial Reporting Standards No.16, a new accounting standard for leases, retail net income grew 10 percent to P6.3 billion.

SM Retail had a total of 2,600 stores as of end-June, including 63 SM Stores, 1,548 specialty stores, 57 SM Supermarkets, 52 SM Hypermarkets, 197 Savemore stores, 55 WalterMart branches and 628 Alfamart outlets.

Property unit SM Prime Holdings Inc. earlier reported a net income of P19.3 billion in the first half of the year, up 16 percent from a year ago as consolidated revenues rose 15 percent to P5 billion.

BDO Unibank Inc. saw its net income increase to P20.2 billion in the first half from P13.13 billion in the same period last year on strong recurring earnings from core businesses, solid growth in fee income and normalization of trading and forex gains.

“Our performance reflects our commitment to sustainable operations and adherence to good corporate governance which has been affirmed by our recent inclusion in the FTSE4Good index,” DyBuncio said.

SMIC and SMPH were recently confirmed as parts of the FTSE4Good Index Series for their strong environmental, social and governance practices.

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

PH agrees to reduce tariff on Korean vehicles

By Othel V. Campos THE Philippines is willing to reduce the tariff on completely built-up vehicles from South Korea to as low as zero as both countries continue negotiations over a bilateral free trade agreement, sources said Wednesday.

Industry sources said both governments were open to reducing tariff rates on automobiles. Incoming CBUs from South Korea carry a tariff rate of 5 percent under the Asean-Korea FTA. Vehicles from other Southeast Asian countries are subject to zero-percent tariff under the Asean Free Trade Association.

Sources said the Philippines was planning to reduce the tariff on Korean vehicles to zero under the PhilippinesSouth Korea Free Trade Agreement.

Both countries are expecting to wrap up the basic terms and concessions for the proposed FTA by November 2019.

The Philippines has a standing agree-

ment with Korea under the AseanKorea FTA but expects to upgrade the agreement to a bilateral FTA. The Philippines expects to resume negotiations by September 2019 and sign a pre-FTA agreement covering the basic terms and directions by November.

Sources said the Philippines was negotiating for lower tariff rates on agricultural exports particularly bananas and pineapple. While local banana growers seek the elimination of 20-percent tariff on bananas, the Trade Department is willing to settle for 5-percent tariff, according to sources.

The Philippines also pushes for concessions on electric vehicles and proposed to help Korea build a battery production hub in the country where local manufacturers can supply nickel for the electric batteries and copper for vehicles.

Korea is the Philippines’ fourth biggest trading partner and the second-biggest source of imports.

CEBU PACIFIC’S CARGO AIRCRAFT. Cebu Pacific takes delivery of its first ATR 72-500 aircraft converted from passenger into cargo use. The freighter, the first of its type in the Philippines, gives CEB the ability to bring cargo in and out of destinations served by airports with short runways that can land only turboprop aircraft. The ATR freighter is equipped with a large cargo door, allowing a load of up to seven Ld3 air cargo containers or five PBJ pallets. The freighter has capacity to carry as much as eight tons of cargo.

B2

Business

THURSDAY, AUGUST 8, 2019 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Market bounces back; banks rise S TOCKS rebounded Wednesday on bargain hunting and gains in Wall Street overnight after suffering heavy losses in the previous sessions.

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index jumped 150.64 points, or 1.9 percent, to 7,917.39 on a value turnover of P6.6 billion. Gainers beat losers, 112 to 75, with 60 issues unchanged.

Banks led gainers, with BDO Unibank Inc., the biggest lender in terms of assets, climbing 4 percent to P149.80.

Economists expect the Monetary Board of the Sentral ng Pilipinas to reduce policy rates by 25 basis points in today’s meeting.

Security Bank Corp., the sixth-largest, advanced 5.2 percent to P182.40, while

Bank of the Philippine Islands, the thirdbiggest, surged 6.2 percent to P94. SM Investments Corp. of the Sy Group rose 3.1 percent to P990.

The rest of Asian markets, meanwhile, largely extended their losses on Wednesday despite Wall Street registering strong gains as investors remained on edge over escalating USChina trade tensions.

The losses in Asia came despite a gain of more than one percent for US indices as Wall Street recovered from a multisession losing streak that saw the Dow hit its lowest level this year.

Equities had tumbled Monday after Beijing allowed the yuan to slide sharply against the dollar following President Donald Trump’s announcement that he would impose 10 percent tariffs on another $300 billion in Chinese goods starting September 1.

But Beijing’s move to stabilize the

yuan after it dropped below the key 7.0 per dollar threshold helped to ease fears of a currency war despite Washington formally branding China a “currency manipulator.”

“The move... to strengthen the yuan calmed markets after a drop on Monday.

Emerging markets got some breathing room and rebounded,” said Edward Moya, senior market analyst at OANDA. But he warned that “trade war concerns remain very much front of mind... at this point more details and statements from both sides are needed to inject calm into a volatile market”.

Tokyo shed 0.3 percent, Shanghai also dropped 0.3 percent and Seoul lost 0.4 percent.

But Hong Kong closed modestly higher, ending a week-long losing streak after spending much of the day in the red as investors remained tense over the USChina trade war.

Mumbai was flat after India’s central bank cut interest rates for the fourth time this year—in line with expectations— as New Delhi battles sluggish economic growth and record unemployment.

But other emerging markets saw gains, with Jakarta climbing more than one percent.

US-China trade tensions have risen sharply since last week following Trump’s latest tariffs announcement, which would subject virtually all of the $660 billion in goods traded between the world’s two top economies to punitive duties.

The yuan’s slump fueled speculation that Beijing was devaluing the currency to support exporters and offset the tariffs threat, infuriating Washington.

Multiple rounds of tit-for-tat tariffs between the two countries have already battered trade and raised fears for the health of the global economy. With AFP

MANILA STANDARD BUSINESS DAILY STOCKS REVIEW WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 7, 2019

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

FINANCIALS 58 9,900 94 5,930,830 2.15 4,000 149.8 1,667,940 1.15 59,000 26.35 225,800 18.3 4,000 12 489,500 4.69 39,000 750 1,180 0.47 50,000 72 2,463,680 1 406,000 13.1 11,500 49.2 361,600 191.5 4,090 57.95 540 30.6 113,500 182.4 864,350 1,750 145 60 7,260

578,060 551,294,359 8,600 246,427,156 67,850 6,012,290 73,200 5,883,962 176,510 885,000 23,500 177,237,089 398,890 150,730 17,701,060 779,665 31,290 3,430,855 154,996,411 253,760 434,607

275,754,763.50 -1,845,590 -1,899,415 -4,252,818 -54,811,100 0 -7,570,650 762,535 822,395 65,068,784 -286,200

34.9 13.9 0.72 1.31 0.25 3.06 14.5 106.4 13.6 15.8 73.1 87 2.04 5.19 6.02 9.45 14.14 9.7 7.6 24.8 84.55 64 1.99 14.02 8.71 1.65 229 3.21 8.6 22.35 13.32 18.5 359 0.185 5.48 1.74 4.66 5.25 9.06 2.6 11.68 37.6 5.05 5 1.66 1 13 100.8 6.9 0.129 1.05 161.6 2.46 1.29 1.15

INDUSTRIAL 35.95 1,414,500 14.1 551,200 0.73 356,000 1.31 180,000 0.25 3,080,000 3.09 10,171,000 14.52 478,200 106.4 1,090 13.8 275,700 16.44 400 75 2,010 87 280 2.05 200,000 5.19 58,900 6.02 230,000 9.45 7,269,200 14.6 1,231,400 9.75 4,877,700 7.64 2,057,900 25.75 1,508,000 85 34,830 66.7 171,360 2.01 10,429,000 14.06 616,900 8.75 781,600 1.68 37,000 231 2,161,100 3.43 10,000 8.6 4,800 22.35 766,000 13.76 349,000 18.8 39,800 360 219,290 0.185 360,000 5.5 21,500 1.75 7,431,000 4.79 4,000 5.35 1,839,900 9.27 1,500 2.66 41,687,000 11.68 277,600 37.7 156,600 5.09 12,500 5 10,000 1.74 805,000 1.05 572,000 13.22 74,500 105 146,740 6.9 65,500 0.129 10,000 1.14 2,934,000 164 683,460 2.46 1,000 1.34 2,933,000 1.18 3,310,000

50,630,820 7,736,430 256,760 235,830 772,000 31,432,970 6,943,798 115,996 3,825,248 6,384 149,327 24,376.50 409,500 305,691 1,423,073 69,991,904 18,003,044 47,808,219 15,716,448 38,596,165 2,954,154.50 11,350,421.50 21,014,730 8,670,642 6,901,330 61,430 501,573,764 33,210 41,290 17,168,080 4,804,924 742,208 79,142,244 66,900 117,850 13,146,740 19,040 9,765,156 13,611 109,914,150 3,247,634 5,932,380 63,818 50,000 1,381,290 584,400 986,550 15,304,369 457,705 1,290 3,438,700 112,390,969 2,460 3,901,630 3,901,900

2,621,820 104,560 2,500 7,843,140 305,038 -23,490 -1,047,180 -7,992,401 -2,057,686 -7,291,336 4,947,020 3,034,305 -566,927.50 606,042.50 -6,372,680 -7,028,692 1,186,078.00 -152,917,246 -3,098,650 4,104,308 18,656 -4,928,420 -892,440 4,790 -1,191,979 6,800,510 25,740 -1,945,155 -51,300 -11,440 61,724 8,339,927 -1,290 11,500.00 -14,327,657 2,460 -676,880 -

0.91 51.6 14.9 0.72 7 16.5 1.21 1.24 936 3.86 6.83 9.97 13.8 0.235 909.5 6.25 66.3 6.46 0.51 4.5 14.5 0.67 4.65 0.04 1.41 178 2.5 990 0.99 1.35 449 257 0.23 0.29

0.87 49.7 14.64 0.69 7 15.8 1.2 1.24 915.5 3.76 6.72 9.83 13.4 0.221 883 6.25 64.8 6.3 0.5 4.4 14.18 0.63 4.53 0.038 1.34 175 2.5 960 0.9 1.35 413 256.6 0.23 0.28

HOLDING FIRMS 0.89 23,224,000 49.95 1,166,500 14.8 6,954,000 0.72 74,000 7 12,600 16.02 66,200 1.2 1,053,000 1.24 100,000 931.5 134,440 3.8 3,199,000 6.79 813,200 9.87 3,608,900 13.8 64,600 0.235 170,000 909.5 187,720 6.25 67,600 66 1,784,260 6.45 18,100 0.51 11,000 4.41 6,142,000 14.4 1,459,300 0.67 2,794,000 4.64 13,142,000 0.038 2,200,000 1.39 276,000 178 277,820 2.5 8,000 990 293,810 0.9 2,634,000 1.35 40,000 449 20 257 160 0.23 90,000 0.28 3,370,000

20,616,600 58,489,135 102,745,048 51,810 88,200 1,062,472 1,269,130 124,000 124,871,220 12,242,120 5,486,218 35,617,072 887,918 37,850 167,888,000 422,500 117,397,731 114,620 5,510 27,087,090 21,031,836 1,821,370 60,491,250 85,500 374,670 49,173,189 20,000 287,650,910 2,413,600 54,000 8,620 41,112 20,700 963,050

5,182,600 -37,596,375 6,952,412 -50,019,120 -149,530 -24,443 -15,278,361.00 -200,300 -85,525,075 -125,000 16,295,011.50 630 -26,486,460 3,995,524 -32,500 10,283,720 16,566,207 -9,695,065 -35,978 -

15.8 0.82 2.03 1.02 48.85 2.26 4.91 6.1 0.58 0.79 0.88 0.24 0.45 11 24.35 0.475 0.134 1.88 1.36 6.16 0.33 0.465 1.59 0.39 2.05 47 26.45 2.37

15.7 0.8 1.97 0.96 48.15 2.19 4.77 6 0.57 0.77 0.88 0.235 0.435 10.7 23.9 0.465 0.13 1.86 1.34 6 0.315 0.435 1.49 0.385 2.01 42 25.35 2.29

PROPERTY 15.7 958,800 0.82 316,000 2.03 216,000 1.02 6,301,000 48.5 14,069,000 2.22 255,000 4.79 962,000 6.04 59,100 0.58 7,963,000 0.79 29,000 0.88 1,000 0.24 190,000 0.435 680,000 10.8 235,400 24 139,400 0.465 530,000 0.134 610,000 1.87 5,882,000 1.34 1,131,000 6.11 11,605,900 0.33 7,740,000 0.465 130,000 1.5 5,828,000 0.39 250,000 2.04 278,000 47 900 25.45 2,014,000 2.37 441,000

15,059,676 257,790 429,190 6,246,980 682,935,345 563,290 4,634,130 356,336 4,554,950 22,530 880 45,100 296,850 2,550,834 3,350,100 248,000 81,130 10,998,930 1,524,250 70,798,803 2,497,900 57,750 8,870,900 97,000 561,690 41,270 51,617,875 1,023,920

-683,888 -40,500 74,500 -83,995,260 -24,230 469,890 -153,440 17,400 379,292 -669,175 -139,850 869,650 -202,000 4,320,332 -35,450 478,640 -2,030.00 -19,648,030 -

NAME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

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

58 89 2.15 144.2 1.15 26.5 18.3 12.02 4.55 750 0.47 71 0.98 13.18 47.55 190 58 29.2 173.3 1,751 59.05

59 95 2.15 149.8 1.15 26.95 18.3 12.06 4.69 750 0.47 72.2 1 13.18 49.4 191.5 58.95 31 182.4 1,751 60

58 89 2.15 144.2 1.15 26.35 18.3 11.96 4.48 750 0.47 71 0.97 13.1 47.5 189 57.85 29.1 170.5 1,750 59.05

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

35.4 14.3 0.74 1.31 0.26 3.08 14.54 106.5 13.68 15.8 77.4 88.65 2.04 5.19 6.29 10.12 14.14 10.5 7.65 25.8 85 65.3 2.05 14.1 9.03 1.67 235 3.4 8.61 22.35 13.32 18.94 363.8 0.186 5.48 1.79 4.66 5.36 9.06 2.65 11.72 37.6 5.05 5 1.72 1.05 13 103.6 7 0.129 1.05 164.9 2.46 1.3 1.16

36 14.3 0.74 1.34 0.26 3.11 14.6 106.5 14.36 16.44 77.4 88.65 2.05 5.19 6.29 10.12 14.88 10.5 7.65 25.85 85 67.5 2.08 14.1 9.03 1.68 239 3.43 8.61 22.95 13.88 18.94 365 0.186 5.5 1.85 4.8 5.37 9.27 2.66 11.76 38 5.37 5 1.76 1.05 13.56 105 7.05 0.129 1.23 165.5 2.46 1.34 1.24

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 SYNERGY GRID TOP FRONTIER WELLEX INDUS ZEUS HLDG

0.89 49.7 14.64 0.7 7 16.5 1.2 1.24 921.5 3.77 6.8 9.84 13.8 0.221 884 6.25 65.25 6.3 0.5 4.5 14.18 0.64 4.58 0.039 1.41 175 2.5 967.5 0.99 1.35 413 257 0.23 0.285

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

15.7 0.82 2 0.97 48.15 2.2 4.83 6.1 0.57 0.79 0.88 0.235 0.45 10.78 24 0.47 0.133 1.87 1.35 6.02 0.32 0.45 1.59 0.385 2.05 42 25.9 2.3

VOLUME

NAME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

VOLUME

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

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

3.2 36.05 2.18 5.88 0.8 7.6

3.24 36.8 2.19 5.88 0.8 7.7

3.08 36.05 2.14 5.85 0.8 7.55

3.12 36.8 2.16 5.86 0.8 7.7

24,000 15,407,400 1,004,000 51,200 60,000 4,075,100

76,680 563,679,975 2,174,330 300,149 48,000 31,260,346

18,117,600.00 -6,364,137

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

10.6 18.62 1.65 0.52 0.048 19 2.36 11.44 0.059 89.5 6.93 9.9 890 1,980 5.39 413 1.81 1.97 123.1 9.7 5.55 0.114 5.02 14.02 3.56 0.87 19.44 0.48 3.2 2.47 1.41 2.36 2.57 8.5 5 135 3.73 1,117 0.68 0.68 44.1 78.1 9.29 3.17 0.74 0.34 5.46 0.71 15.68

10.8 18.62 1.65 0.53 0.049 19 2.36 11.44 0.061 91.2 7.2 9.98 890 1,994 5.39 420 1.85 2.07 126.8 9.7 5.55 0.114 5.19 14.02 3.61 0.91 19.48 0.48 3.21 2.66 1.41 2.39 2.7 8.5 5.2 139.4 3.89 1,145 0.71 0.69 45.1 79.7 9.29 3.2 0.74 0.35 5.51 0.73 15.86

10.5 18.5 1.58 0.51 0.048 19 2.3 11.16 0.058 89.5 6.93 9.56 890 1,943 5.35 412.2 1.75 1.97 123.1 9.7 5.5 0.113 5.02 14.02 3.56 0.87 19.2 0.46 3.2 2.45 1.41 2.32 2.57 8.38 4.89 135 3.72 1,080 0.68 0.66 44.05 78.1 9.29 3.11 0.72 0.34 5.46 0.7 15.66

SERVICES 10.5 18.56 1.58 0.52 0.049 19 2.3 11.2 0.06 90.5 7.03 9.85 890 1,960 5.35 420 1.85 1.97 126 9.7 5.5 0.113 5.12 14.02 3.6 0.91 19.4 0.48 3.2 2.6 1.41 2.33 2.7 8.4 4.9 136 3.8 1,090 0.71 0.69 44.05 79.1 9.29 3.11 0.74 0.34 5.49 0.73 15.72

10,200 35,600 31,000 296,000 3,600,000 2,700 274,000 4,791,600 12,970,000 57,110 897,000 14,000 40 38,660 65,100 800 2,113,000 38,000 3,333,630 800 6,200 110,000 2,903,800 800 414,000 24,000 93,000 240,000 24,000 4,913,000 1,000 1,203,000 48,000 28,100 28,200 2,160 1,975,000 286,420 1,259,000 8,683,000 667,400 276,760 100 1,459,000 331,000 1,390,000 5,202,200 2,329,000 1,907,200

108,160 660,574 50,430 153,080 173,300 51,300 639,140 53,849,034 769,010 5,168,914.50 6,355,860 136,209 35,600 75,926,210 349,499 335,054 3,854,120 75,960 418,596,342 7,760 34,310 12,450 14,816,932 11,216 1,486,470 20,960 1,804,274 114,400 76,860 12,820,770 1,410 2,820,380 128,160 236,228 138,736 296,404 7,508,480 313,770,805 891,150 5,890,900 29,438,580 21,824,932 929 4,591,410 242,330 475,450 28,539,389 1,669,480 29,990,946

-4,950 -14,400 2,300 -18,568,964 1,793,430 -127,901 -21,708,620 -4,200 -92,300 -15,031,245 860,377.00 547,790 -186,084 -256,800 9,420 5,070 56,570 -695,520 -133,716,330 142,000 345,580 8,992,970.00 8,988,856.50 -84,460 -13,510 -20,760,409 19,600 8,298,670

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

0.0018 1.3 2.64 13 1.15 2.72 7.75 1.44 0.212 0.112 0.114 0.01 0.011 1.04 2.5 1.03 0.83 0.012 0.011 6.31 3.97 11.72 22.55 0.0063

0.0018 1.31 2.64 13 1.15 2.72 7.89 1.45 0.212 0.112 0.121 0.011 0.012 1.05 2.58 1.05 0.85 0.012 0.011 6.51 4.07 11.86 22.55 0.0063

0.0016 1.27 2.64 13 1.15 2.71 7.66 1.43 0.2 0.109 0.111 0.01 0.011 1.02 2.49 1 0.83 0.012 0.011 5.81 3.97 11.26 22.3 0.0063

MINING & OIL 0.0017 38,000,000 1.27 7,212,000 2.64 10,000 13 1,100 1.15 1,000 2.72 414,000 7.89 7,000 1.44 188,000 0.208 1,200,000 0.112 2,560,000 0.121 910,000 0.011 83,000,000 0.012 11,600,000 1.02 173,000 2.5 2,524,000 1.03 16,000 0.85 86,000 0.012 20,000,000 0.011 4,600,000 5.96 2,582,800 4 2,167,000 11.26 4,644,900 22.45 601,700 0.0063 2,000,000

65,100 9,278,660 26,400 14,300 1,150 1,124,080 53,859 269,710 242,020 285,410 103,210 897,800 129,200 178,790 6,371,110 16,200 71,840 240,000 50,600 16,133,056 8,728,970 53,752,700 13,494,780 12,600

769,280 -85,800 -288,450 2,000 -36,500 -8,790.00 -1,920,336 2,124,640 -

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

17.5 492 497 102 100.6 105.9 498 5.28 950 945 1 102.3 1,010 1,018 1,020 101.7 107 1,010 76 77.5 75.4 75.35 75.85 74.8

17.5 492 499 102 101.4 105.9 498 5.37 950 946 1 102.4 1,010 1,025 1,021 101.7 107.4 1,010 76.5 77.8 75.4 75.75 75.95 74.85

17.42 490 497 102 100.5 105.9 495 5.27 950 945 0.98 102.3 1,010 1,018 1,020 101.7 107 1,010 76 77.5 73 75.35 75.8 74.8

PREFERRED 17.42 83,300 492 10,100 499 280 102 10 100.5 85,190 105.9 40 495 1,020 5.37 69,000 950 190 945 1,600 0.98 166,000 102.4 1,350 1,010 1,570 1,025 6,690 1,021 11,180 101.7 330 107.4 240 1,010 50 76 10,620 77.8 8,410 73 13,400 75.7 12,540 75.8 14,350 74.85 30,120

1,453,004 4,963,200 139,600 1,020 8,588,646 4,236 507,900 365,450 180,500 1,512,090 164,130 138,197 1,585,700 6,819,205 11,408,630 33,561 25,720 50,500 807,145 652,183 1,001,529 948,501.50 1,089,549.50 2,252,976.50

-1,453,004 -50,500 -4,236 -10,740 -43,989 2,132,710 -30,630 997,073.50 -

LR WARRANT

1.75

1.75

1.65

WARRANTS 1.7 136,000

231,100

-

6,479,953 1,231,390

87,020 -146,820

1,082,794

24,931

77,662 60,000

-

MS ITALPINAS XURPAS

6.3 1.01

6.46 1.02

6.17 1

FIRST METRO ETF

117.1

118.9

117.1

USD DMPL A1 USD TECH B2

10.3 1

10.3 1

10.3 1

TRADING SUMMARY

SHARES

FINANCIAL

14,301,116

INDUSTRIAL

115,066,542

HOLDING FIRMS

78,793,938

PROPERTY

89,554,402

SERVICES

65,204,976

MINING & OIL

184,830,186

GRAND TOTAL

550,020,571

6.18 1.02

SME

1,033,400 1,226,000

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 118.9 9,150 10.3 1

DDS

7,540 60,000

VALUE 1,855.28 (up) 71.95 1,247,199,689.85 FINANCIAL INDUSTRIAL 10,961.64 (up) 15.46 1,500,310,382.53 HOLDING FIRMS 7,712.05 (up) 144.01 1,199,010,127.495 PROPERTY 4,180.17 (up) 54.89 SERVICES 1,563.93 (up) 2.09 1,475,944,928.28 MINING & OIL 8,002.92 (down) 27.39 1,093,392,515.17 PSEI 7,917.39 (up) 150.64 111,556,927.4149 All Shares Index 4,827.41 (up) 63.50 6,636,210,415.89 Gainers: 112; Losers: 75; Unchanged: 60; Total: 247

Security Bank booked profit of P4.95b in 1st six months

By Julito G. Rada SECURITY Bank Corp., the sixthlargest lender in terms of assets, posted a net income of P4.95 billion in the first half, up 15 percent year-on-year, on the back of the strong performance of core businesses.

Net profit in the second quarter jumped 32 percent to P2.57 billion on year. Total revenues grew 32 percent to P7.9 billion.

Net interest income from customer loans and deposits sustained its strong trajectory increasing by 44 percent to P5.4 billion.

“This was driven by the continued expansion of retail loans and low-cost deposits. Retail loan growth accelerated to 54 percent year-on-year while lowcost deposits increased 11 percent.

Retail loans now account for 25 percent of total loans versus 18 percent a year ago,” the bank told the stock exchange Wednesday.

Total loans rose 11 percent year-onyear to P427 billion while total deposits stood at P449 billion.

The bank on June 28 issued P18 billion worth of fixed-rate peso corporate bonds with a tenor of two years as a cost-efficient funding source alternative to short-term high-cost deposits.

Total deposits and peso corporate bonds combined rose 5 percent year-onyear. Net interest spread on loans and deposits increased to 5.36 percent in the second quarter 2019, up 38 basis points quarter-on-quarter and 108 basis points year-on-year.

Total net interest income climbed 22 percent to P6.1 billion. Interest income from financial investments grew 7 percent. Overall, net interest margin increased to 3.59 percent in the second quarter 2019, up 18 basis points quarteron-quarter and 42 basis points year-onyear.

Service charges, fees and commissions increased 70 percent to P1 billion. The rise was driven by loan fees, credit cards, deposit charges and bancassurance.

Securities trading gains in the second quarter amounted to P376 million, while total non-interest income increased 81 percent year-on-year to P1.7 billion.

Pilipinas Shell’s income declined by 31% to P5.4b

By Alena Mae S. Flores PILIPINAS Shell Petroleum Corp. registered a net income of P3.7 billion in the first six months of the year, down 31 percent from P5.4 billion year-on-year.

Pilipinas Shell, however, said in a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange on Wednesday the first-half profit was already 70 percent of the full year earnings of P5.1 billion in 2018.

The country’s second biggest oil company said total volumes increased 11 percent in the second quarter as marketing businesses posted volume growth across all segments.

“We will continue to invest in profitable ventures to deliver competitive returns to our shareholders.

The country’s macro-economic fundamentals remain strong and the government is serious about curbing smuggling and enhancing the ease of doing business. We look forward to playing our part,” said Pilipinas Shell president and chief executive officer Cesar Romero.

Pilipinas Shell began the engineering works for a hydrogen optimization project of its 110,000 barrel-per-day refinery in Tabangao, Batangas province in the second quarter. The project aims to improve the refinery’s crude intake flexibility and product slate.

The company set a capital expenditure budget of P6 billion for the hydrogen project and retail network expansion this year.

The company said it would leverage on its flexible and efficient supply chain to support the country’s demand for high-quality fuels and services.

Pilipinas Shell expanded retail volumes and maintained a high premium fuel penetration, against the backdrop of higher excise taxes during the period.

The strong performance is mainly attributed to its world-class fuels and strong brand, further enhanced by its successful marketing campaigns in the first quarter.

B3

World

THURSDAY, AUGUST 8, 2019 CESAR BARRIOQUINTO, Editor mst.daydesk@gmail.com

IN BRIEF Brazilian Amazon deforestation surges

PROTEST.

Members of the Communist Party of India are detained by police at a protest in Hyderabad on August 7, 2019, in reaction to the Indian government’s scrapping of Article 370 that granted a special status to Jammu and Kashmir. -A protester died after being chased by police during a curfew in Kashmir’s main city, left in turmoil by an Indian government move to tighten control over the restive region, a police official said August 7.

AFP

SAO PAULO―Deforestation of the Brazilian Amazon increased 278 percent year-overyear in July, according to official data released Tuesday by a government institute embroiled in a row with President Jair Bolsonaro over the scale of the problem.

The National Institute for Space Research, known by its initials INPE, said that deforestation had cleared 870 square miles (around 2,250 square kilometers) of rain forest over the month.

The Brazilian president, a climate change skeptic, and his environment minister Ricardo Salles have previously accused the INPE of publishing misleading data, claiming the figures “don’t correspond to the truth” and were damaging to the institute and the country.

Data from INPE, an institution of international repute, shows that deforestation has increased 40 percent in the last twelve months compared with the same period a year ago.

Amazon rain forest deforestation had increased 88 percent on-year in June alone.

Last week, INPE president Ricardo Galvao was sacked following disagreements with Bolsonaro over deforestation in the Amazon, fueling criticism of the president from environmental groups.

The president suggested Galvao was “in the service of some NGOs” before dismissing him on Friday.

Bolsonaro was helped in his election last year by support from the powerful agriculture lobby. AFP

‘Most wanted’ millionaire arrested LOS ANGELES―A British-born millionaire who went on the run for more than four years has been arrested in Mexico and extradited to the US to face trial for the murder of his wife at their California home.

Peter Chadwick, a 55-year-old naturalized American citizen, was located near Mexico City thanks to a tip after authorities offered a $100,000 reward, police said at a press conference Tuesday.

“Today is sweet. We apprehended a fugitive on America’s Most Wanted List,” Orange County district attorney Todd Spitzer said, adding: “Let’s not forget it’s bitter―there’s a victim, a loving wife of 21 years, a mother of three kids.”

In 2012, Chadwick had called police and claimed that a handyman had killed his wife Quee Choo Lim before taking him hostage.

Chadwick said the murderer had forced him to drive to Mexico to dump the victim’s body.

But US police officers who arrested Chadwick a few miles north of the border spotted scratch marks on his neck and traces of dried blood under his fingernails.

They discovered a crime scene at the couple’s home and the suspect eventually drove them to a dumpster near San Diego, California, where he had concealed the body.

He allegedly strangled his wife in a dispute over the financial consequences of a possible divorce.

Chadwick, who made his fortune in real estate, was released in December 2012 on a $1 million bond and surrendered his US and British passports. AFP

Trump faces hostility on his visits

W

ASHINGTON―President Donald Trump is flying Wednesday to the sites of mass shootings in Ohio and Texas, but the divisive Republican risks meeting protests by Americans who blame him for stoking the violence.

Trump has been walking a difficult line since the massacres of 31 people over the weekend―22 at a Walmart frequented by large numbers of Hispanic people in El Paso, Texas, and nine killed by a second gunman in Dayton, Ohio.

The visits “will be about honoring victims, comforting communities, and thanking first responders & medical professionals for their heroic actions,” White House Press Secretary Stephanie Grisham tweeted.

But as a politician constantly warning over what he calls an “invasion” of illegal immigrants, Trump finds himself accused by opponents of inspiring the El Paso gunman’s anti-immigrant hatred and the country’s volatile atmosphere in general.

Protesters are expected to turn out in both places,

even if the president is likely to be shielded from even witnessing dissent.

At the first stop, Dayton’s Democratic mayor Nan Whaley bluntly promised to give Trump a piece of her mind, telling him “how unhelpful he’s being.”

“The people should stand up and say they are not happy,” she told journalists Tuesday.

In El Paso, the US-Mexico border town Trump will visit before returning on Air Force One to Washington, local Democratic congresswoman Veronica Escobar said she’d stay clear.

“From my perspective, he is not welcome here. He should not come here,” Escobar said Tuesday on MSNBC. Even the city’s Republican mayor offered only a grudging welcome, stressing icily that he would greet Trump in his “official capacity.”

Trump has been infuriated by accusations that his administration is deliberately dividing the United States along long-festering racial lines.

“I am the least racist person. Black, Hispanic and Asian Unemployment is the lowest (BEST) in the history of the United States!” he tweeted Tuesday.

But his campaign speeches and tweets repeatedly invoke the idea that the southern border is under “invasion.” As recently as May, the president laughed and made a quip when a supporter at one of his rallies yelled that they should “shoot” illegal immigrants.

Trump has also railed crudely against a string of Democratic opponents of color.

The 21-year-old El Paso killer, who was captured alive, appeared to be closely inspired by similar sentiments. He released a manifesto declaring “this attack is a response to the Hispanic invasion of Texas.”

The motives of the Dayton murderer, who was 24 and was shot dead by police at the scene of the crime, were less clear. He reportedly had a history of violently misogynistic attitudes.

Where Trump and his mostly leftist opponents agree is on the unambiguous designation of the two events as terrorism.

Massacres by mostly lone gunmen are all but routine in the United States, where guns are easy to obtain legally and mass killings have taken on a sort of cult status in some extreme circles. AFP Manila

Standard

Kim sends missile test warning to S. Korea, US SEOUL―North Korea threatened Tuesday to carry out more weapons tests after it fired its fourth pair of projectiles in less than two weeks following the start of joint exercises between the US and the South.

The rising temperature on the peninsula threatens to derail the putative negotiations between Pyongyang and Washington, with the North saying the combined drills were a “flagrant violation” of the process.

Pyongyang has always been infuriated by military exercises between the South and US, seeing them as rehearsals for invasion, but in the past it has tended to avoid carrying out missile tests while the war games were taking place.

The speed of its statement Tuesday was also unusual, coming within an hour of the launch, rather than the more normal day later.

The North fired “two projectiles that are assumed to be short-range ballistic missiles” from South Hwanghae province on its west coast, Seoul’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a statement.

They flew around 450 kilometers across the peninsula and into the East Sea, also known as the Sea of Japan, reaching an altitude of 37 kilometers and a speed of “at least Mach 6.9”, the South’s military said.

That puts them around the middle of the range of projectiles that have been fired by the North four times in the past 12 days.

Seoul has said all were likely to be short-range ballistic missiles -- the North is banned from ballistic missile launches under UN Security Council resolutions -- while Pyongyang has described some as a “large-caliber multiple-launch guided rocket system” or “tactical guided weapon”.

The latest launch came after the South Korean and US militaries began mainly computer-simulated joint exercises on Monday to test Seoul’s ability to take operational control in wartime. AFP

TODAY 16th to 22nd Floors, Fort Legend Towers 31st Street corner 3rd Avenue, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City 1634 Statement of Condition (Head Office and Branches) As of June 30, 2019 AMOUNTS

ASSETS Cash and Cash Items Due from Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Due from Other Banks Financial Assets at Fair Value through Profit or Loss Available-for-Sale Financial Assets-Net Held-to-Maturity (HTM) Financial Assets-Net Loans and Receivables - Net Interbank Loans Receivable Loans and Receivables - Others Loans and Receivables Arising from RA/CA/PR/SLB General Loan Loss Provision Other Financial Assets Bank Premises, Furniture, Fixture and Equipment-Net Real and Other Properties Acquired-Net Other Assets-Net TOTAL ASSETS

CURRENT QUARTER PhP

415,500,751.06 4,215,803,406.06 1,334,034,614.42 1,199,010,272.20 2,167,897,276.70 2,787,810,601.19 37,316,377,310.03 3,818,401,623.12 32,726,267,027.11 1,259,646,472.00 487,937,812.20 220,137,247.46 497,580,911.46 105,862,446.96 785,888,469.45

PREVIOUS QUARTER 376,154,304.23 4,258,773,421.50 863,271,180.12 1,046,023,376.97 2,217,197,022.47 2,833,344,940.63 36,561,698,775.22 4,758,531,947.50 32,291,221,533.10 0.00 488,054,705.38 192,346,772.86 493,883,791.68 104,623,194.22 2,880,660,963.98

PhP 51,045,903,306.99

51,827,977,743.88

Financial Liabilities at Fair Value through Profit or Loss Deposit Liabilities Bills Payable a) Interbank Loans Payable Other Financial Liabilities Other Liabilities

PhP

187,339,020.04 34,904,417,715.40 6,301,521,746.40 6,301,521,746.40 345,163,000.08 1,813,617,857.13

29,415,470.18 36,949,963,076.41 3,910,690,693.59 3,910,690,693.59 367,485,793.11 3,203,191,429.15

TOTAL LIABILITIES

PhP 43,552,059,339.05

44,460,746,462.45

LIABILITIES

STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

PRESENT. Liana Liberato attends Variety’s Power of Young Hollywood at The H Club Los Angeles on August 06, 2019, in Los Angeles, California. AFP

Lone wolves and free speech hinder US fight against terror WASHINGTON―The surge in attacks by right-wing extremists in the United States has caught law enforcement flat-footed and calling for tough new “domestic terrorism” laws.

But the tendency of attackers to act alone with no support network and little forewarning, plus the Trump administration’s hesitance to pursue a movement that many identify with the president, continue to hamper prevention efforts, experts say.

According to the New America think tank, since the September 11, 2001 Al Qaeda attacks the number of deaths inside the United States from far right extremist attacks has outpaced those by Islamic jihadists, 109 to 104.

After treating extremists like neo-Nazis, white supremacists and antiSemites as a secondary threat for a long time, the FBI has stepped up its monitoring of such groups.

Yet that didn’t stop a 21-year-old Texas man who wrote of an “invasion” of immigrants across the Mexican border from shooting dead 22 people, many of whom were Latinos, in El Paso on August 3.

Nor did it keep a 26-year-old anti-Semitic truck driver from slaughtering 11 Jews in a Pittsburgh synagogue last October.

Critics say President Donald Trump, himself accused of fomenting racism, has not firmly put his own support behind a campaign against right-wing extremism.

“It’s time that we dealt with this domestic terrorism set of issues with as much energy and commitment and resources as we’ve dealt with the set of international terrorism issues,” Nick Rasmussen, the former director of the National Counterterrorism Center, told MSNBC on Tuesday. AFP

2,533,200,985.17 205,870,713.50 4,754,772,269.27

2,533,200,985.17 79,258,026.99 4,754,772,269.27

BOARD OF DIRECTORS MR. JACK LEE Chairman MR. WILLIAM B. GO Vice Chairman DIRECTORS MR. YEUN-GINN CHEN MR. CHIH-CHUNG HUANG MR. OLIVER D. JIMENO MR. EDWIN B. VILLANUEVA MR. ALEXANDER A. PATRICIO MR. STEPHEN P. SY EXECUTIVE OFFICERS MR. OLIVER D. JIMENO OIC - President and CEO MS. MA GRETCHEN S. MACABASCO Senior Vice President MR. JIMMY ARSENIO Y. SAMONTE Senior Vice President MR. JOSEPH B. ESTAVILLO Senior Vice President MR. RAFAEL V. RUFINO III Senior Vice President MR. REMO ROMULO M. GAROVILLO JR.

Capital Stock Other Capital Accounts Retained Earnings

PhP

TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

PhP

7,493,843,967.94

7,367,231,281.43

MR. MARVIN I. TIBURCIO Senior Vice President

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

PhP 51,045,903,306.99

51,827,977,743.88

MR. LOLITO RAMON A. CERRER, JR.

CONTINGENT ACCOUNTS Financial Standby Letters of Credit Performance Standby Letters of Credit Commercial Letters of Credit Trade Related Guarantees Commitments Spot Foreign Exchange Contracts Trust Department Accounts a) Trust and Other Fiduciary Accounts b) Agency Accounts Derivatives Others

PhP

1,573,693,665.51 763,820,671.45 613,996,432.02 12,230,988.00 512,400,000.00 4,408,278,896.94 1,648,421,813.40 517,959,422.41 1,130,462,390.99 16,587,989,844.04 1,355,047,209.35

2,278,954,699.53 39,166,922.94 452,222,897.01 0.00 0.00 3,864,175,110.66 1,589,475,937.44 504,015,113.05 1,085,460,824.39 12,273,993,118.35 832,902,641.53

TOTAL CONTINGENT ACCOUNTS

PhP 27,475,879,520.71

21,330,891,327.46

Gross Total Loan Portfolio (TLP) PhP 38,311,701,807.33 Specific Allowance for credit losses on the TLP PhP 507,386,685.10 Non-performing Loans (NPLs) a. Gross NPLs PhP 716,644,755.17 b. Ratio of gross NPLs to gross TLP (%) 1.87% c. Net NPLs PhP 287,776,875.10 d. Ratio of Net NPLs to gross TLP (%) 0.75% e. Ratio of total allowance for credit losses to gross NPL (%) 138.89% f. Ratio of specific allowance for credit losses on the gross TLP to gross NPL (%) 70.80% Classified Loans & Other Risk Assets, gross of allowance for credit losses PhP 1,081,839,893.00 DOSRI Loans and receivables, gross of allowance for credit losses PhP 19,342,055.00 Ratio of DOSRI Loans and receivables, gross of allowance for credit losses, to TLP (%) 0.05% Gross Non-performing DOSRI loans and receivables PhP 0.00 Ratio of gross non-performing DOSRI loans and receivable to TLP (%) 0.00% Percent Compliance with Magna Carta (%) a. 8% for Micro and Small Enterprises 2.03% b. 2% for Medium Enterprises 0.72% Return on Equity (ROE) (%) 5.22% Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR) on Solo Basis a. Total CAR (%) 17.01% b. TIER 1 Ratio (%) 16.14% c. CET 1 (%) 16.14% Deferred Charges not yet Written Down 0.00 Unbooked Allowance for Credit Losses on Financial Instruments Received 0.00 Liquidity Coverage Ratio (LCR) in Single Currency on Solo Basis (%) 147.52% Basel III Leverage Ratio (BLR) on Solo Basis (%) 13.17%

37,469,262,136.16 419,508,655.56

Senior Vice President

Senior Vice President

MR. JUSTINE BENEDICT G. DELA ROSA

Senior Vice President

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

679,581,419.28 1.81% 319,079,294.07 0.85% 133.55% 61.73% 851,418,080.86 19,849,292.91 0.05% 193,884.53 0.00% 2.23% 0.74% 4.41% 16.45% 15.56% 15.56% 0.00 0.00 121.32% 12.88%

I/ We hereby certify that all matters set forth in this Published Balance Sheet are true and correct, to the best of my knowledge and belief.

(Sgd.) ANDREW A. FALCON Chief Finance Officer (Signature Over Printed Name)

(Sgd.) OLIVER D. JIMENO OIC President and CEO (Signature Over Printed Name)

LGUs

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

LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS

Arcillas touts sustainability for Santa Rosa SUSTAINABILITY has been one of the major thrusts of the City Government of Santa Rosa under the leadership of Mayor Arlene B. Arcillas, ever since she first served for three terms from 2007 up to 2016, and now that she is back with a fresh mandate as its mayor after the 2019 elections.

During her first State of the City Ad- Santa Rosa City Mayor Arlene Arcillas (second from left) receives from the Office of the Ombudsman the Blue Certification, which requires the dress in the July 15 session of the Sang- progressive city in Laguna to promote the ease of doing business standards. Also pictured are Santa Rosa Rep. Dan Fernandez (center) guniang Panlungsod, Arcillas reported and other city officials. the feats of the city for the last 15 years, which includes the time she served as the congressional Representative of the First District of Laguna.

With a firm belief that for development to be sustainable, Arcillas said it is vital to strengthen the fundamentals of the city in all aspects. For this she established her administration’s platform of governance and framework of sustainable development, which she called the Four Pillars of Development.

After establishing the Pillars, the city worked on instituting reforms needed to sustain the city’s progress. Proof of the sustainable initiatives, the programs she implemented were institutionalized in both local and national levels. resumption of OGPI’s operations.

By Ben Moses Ebreo In 2008, the city implemented the Rachel Magday-Itchon, executive asLOGOFIND to upgrade the system sistant of the provincial government, said of Santa Rosa’s income-generating ofAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya—An impending Padilla, during a dialogue, reaffirmed its fices. This innovation resulted in the mass layoff of mine workers in the gold-copper stand to continue with their checkpoint in city breaching the P1-billion income mark by yearend. This was enhanced rich barangay Didipio in Kasibu town is imminent barangay Didipio to stop the operations to support the city’s efforts to promote of OGPI. with the frozen operations of OceanaGold Philippines, the ease of doing business standards reShe said the governor also cited his Inc. quired under its Blue Certification from mandate to protect the mineral resources the Office of the Ombudsman, which of the province from being used after the the city received in 2016.

OGPI’s operations have been halted gayan Valley, said mine workers claimed expiration of OGPI’s FTAA. Another testament of the city’s efforts since last month after the provincial gov- they were already advised of an impend“As Governor Padilla stated, the checkto use technology to improve its services ernment ordered the company to stop its ing termination of their work by OGPI points were incidental due to OGPI’s deis the Recognition of Excellence Award activities, citing the expiration of its Fi- management due to the indefinite action fiance on their expired FTAA and will from OpenGov Asia in 2018. nancial and Technical Assistance Agree- on the company’s FTAA renewal and the be in place and operational until a court As an expansion of the Disaster Opment with the national government. injunction case filed before the CA. order or a new FTAA favoring OGPI’S erations Center built in 2008, the city While OGPI has a pending renewal The OGPI workers said more than operations will be issued by concerned established a modern and state-of-theof their FTAA before the Office of the 1,000 mine workers are expected to lose government authorities and agencies,” art Central Command Center facility in President, the mining firm elevated its their jobs once their termination order Magday-Itchon added.

2018. The center controls and monitors injunction case to the Court of Appeals will be issued and served.

She clarified that the checkpoints, CCTV cameras and coordinates with after they were recently denied at the ReOceanaGold has yet to provide commanned only by authorized personnel, the police, fire, rescue, disaster and gional Trial Court here. ment on the issue at presstime. will not restrain movement of Didipio traffic personnel when needed.

Engineer Geofrey Prado, SupervisThe mine workers and other pro- villagers and workers doing their daily Santa Rosa also established the Daning Science Research Specialist of the mining villagers on Tuesday appealed activities and also will help maintain gal ng Pagbabago Rehabilitation Center Mines and Geosciences Bureau in Ca- to Governor Carlos Padilla to allow the peace and order in the community. in 2016, which gave a chance to 126 former drug users to start anew. This was later supported by the Philippine Mental Health Law or Republic Act 11036, where those who have drug addiction problems will be assessed and be given the necessary services.

In 2017, the city implemented the College Educational Assistance Program that supports deserving tertiary students. Boosting this was Republic Act 10931 or the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act, benefitting millions of college students, including

By Rio N. Araja those at the Polytechnic University of IN A crackdown against colorum trithe Philippines-Santa Rosa campus. cycle units, Quezon City’s traffic czar, For healthcare, the Santa Rosa Community Hospital was constructed in Ariel Inton, wants the cooperation of 1995. Now, it has a dialysis center and Mayors Vico Sotto of Pasig City and physical rehabilitation center, and imOscar Malapitan of Caloocan City to plements the Point-of-Care program in fix the traffic woes at the respective partnership with PhilHealth. border areas of Libis and Ugong Norte QC ANTI-HPV. The Quezon City government, the Department of Health, and the To support these initiatives, RA Department of Education introduced the human papillomavirus vaccine in its School and Camarin and Novaliches.

11223 or the Universal Health Care Act Inton said Wednesday he wants to Based Immunization Program for all public elementary schools in the city, the largest in the was recently approved, mandating in“immediately” sit down with Sotto and Philippines by population. Photo shows Dr. Marizel Wong, Quezon City District Health Officer (District IV) leading the HPV ceremonial vaccination during the ‘Back to BakUNA’ SBI program clusion of all Filipinos in the National Malapitan to address various admin- launch at the Betty Go Belmonte Elementary School. Over 17,000 Grade 4 girls are set to Health Insurance Program and that no istrative and traffic violations being receive HPV vaccination to protect them from diseases such as cervical cancer later in life.

Filipino will be denied access to health committed by the tricycle operators and care whenever they need it. drivers’ associations in the bounda- “There are units crossing from one city to he said, noting that while Quezon City has All these confirm that programs in ries of Caloocan and Quezon City, and another city, such as ours and Pasig.” already produced many college graduthe City of Santa Rosa are designed to Pasig and QC. Meanwhile, District 1 Councilor Berates, financial constraints have prevented be sustainable and are being promoted In an interview, Inton cited the big chal- nard Herrera wants more professionals in them from enrolling in graduate studies. even in the national level. These, aclenge the Quezon City government is fac- Quezon City.

“Not all college graduates come from cording to Mayor Arlene, will further ing in implementing its traffic rules and In an interview, Herrera said he is studwell-to-do families. Some of them are aid the city government’s vision to make regulations on tricycles because of territo- ying a possibility of extending educational poor who could not afford to pursue a Santa Rosa a progressive city with susrial issues with Pasig and Caloocan. assistance for poor but deserving students master’s degree or doctor’s degree. If we tained growth and improved quality of “We will go after [and tow] unregis- who would wish to take up law, medicine, want to see our city to further improve, life for its residents, as captured in her tered units and apprehend overcharg- architecture or engineering. slogan “Serbisyong Makatao, Lungsod we must produce more professionals,” Na Makabago.” ing drivers,” he told Manila Standard.

“We need more lawyers and doctors,” Herrera noted.

Mass layoff of mine workers feared

B

Inton wants gab with mayors over border traffic

Online kid sex traffickers fall in Biliran raid NAVAL, Biliran—Law enforcers scored another win against online sexual exploitation of children with today’s arrest of two child sex traffickers in this province.

At 11 a.m., operatives from the Women and Children Protection Center—Visayas Field Unit and the Biliran Provincial Police Office stormed a hotel room where a live-in couple brought two 14-year-old boys, whom the female suspect offered to sexually abuse online in exchange for money.

Both minors were rescued, while a 15-year-old girl was removed from the room along with the couple’s two young children—a two-month-old girl and a one-year-old boy.

Considered at risk, the 15-year-old girl and the couple’s children will undergo assessment to determine if they, too, were victimized. Four more victims—three boys aged 17 and a woman aged 20—were rescued at a separate location.

These victims were identified during police’s investigation of the female suspect’s online activities. All victims are now receiving aftercare services from the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

Monique* (not her real name), 18, and her live-in partner, 28, will be charged with violation of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act or Republic Act (RA) 9208 as amended by RA 10364.

While only Monique was found to have offered the online sexual abuse of minors for a fee, her live-in partner was the one who brought the victims to the undisclosed hotel.

The WCPC-VFU, a specialized and dedicated anti-trafficking unit within the Philippine National Police, received information about Monique’s suspicious online activities in June this year.

Their investigation revealed that Monique had been offering online sexual abuse of minors in exchange for money from foreigners.

PDEA declares 6th drug-cleared Navotas village

By Jun David THE intensified fight of Navotas against illegal drugs has borne fruit following the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency’s certification that another barangay is now drug-cleared.

Mayor Toby Tiangco, together with Vice Mayor Clint Geronimo and members of the city council, handed the PDEA certificate to Brgy. Captain Elvie dela Rosa and other officials of Brgy. Navotas West.

The certificate stated that Navotas West has been drug-cleared as of July 31 after thorough assessment and validation on their compliance with Section 8 of Dangerous Drugs Board Regulation No. 3, series of 2017.

For it to be drug-cleared, a barangay needs to have zero drug supply, zero drug dens, zero drug transit/transshipment activity, and zero drug laboratory or warehouse.

Moreover, drug personalities under the unified watchlist should have been given appropriate intervention, the barangay has a drug-free workplace, barangay officials are actively advocating for anti-drug campaign, among others.

Aside from Navotas West, five barangays in Navotas have already been drug-cleared -- Navotas East, North Bay Boulevard South Dagat-dagatan, San Rafael Village, Tanza I and Tanza II. Tiangco clarified that being drugcleared does not mean a barangay is totally rid of the drug menace.

“There are transient drug users and peddlers who come to our city. This why we need to stay vigilant. Report any shady or illegal activities. Your utmost cooperation will help us sustain our fight against illegal drugs,” he said.

BDO Foundation wins CSR Program of the Year

BDO Transaction Banking Group head Edwin Reyes (left) receives the Corporate Social Responsibility Program of the Year Gold Award from Singapore-based finance publication Asian Banking & Finance.

IN RECOGNITION of its efforts to promote financial inclusion and contribute to the development of a financially literate citizenry, BDO Foundation, the corporate social responsibility arm of BDO Unibank, was conferred the prestigious Corporate Social Responsibility Program of the Year Gold Award by Asian Banking & Finance.

It is the third consecutive year that the foundation has received the accolade, the highest honor given by the Singaporebased finance publication to corporate foundations.

The Corporate Social Responsibility Program of the Year Gold Award was accepted on behalf of the foundation by BDO Transaction Banking Group head Edwin Reyes at the Retail Banking Awards 2019 held in Singapore.

The annual awards ceremony recognizes organizations that deliver outstanding products and services. This year’s event

gathered more than 270 executives from over 30 countries across the Asia-Pacific region.

BDO Foundation was cited for its financial education program for public schools, a partnership project with the Department of Education and Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas.

The corporate citizenship initiative, which supports BSP’s National Strategy for Financial Inclusion, helps strengthen the financial literacy component of DepEd’s K-12 curriculum as well as its training and development programs for teachers and non-teaching personnel.

As part of the program, the partners produced financial literacy videos, discussion guides and lesson plans that cover such topics as savings, budgeting, investments, managing debt, the responsible use of credit, entrepreneurship and avoiding scams.

The program is now integrated in the

DepEd system, and its learning resources are available in the education department’s online portal, where they can be readily accessed by teachers.

More than 800,000 teachers and nonteaching personnel, and an estimated 24 million students in over 47,000 public schools across the country stand to benefit from the initiative.

According to BDO Foundation president Mario Deriquito, “Our program for public schools is just one of several programs in the area of financial inclusion.”

“In collaboration with BSP, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, Philippine Army and Civil Service Commission, we have also embarked on financial education programs for overseas Filipino workers and their families, uniformed soldiers and civilian personnel of the army, and civil servants in the entire government bureaucracy,” Deriquito said.

Life

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

HOUSEHOLD

@MStandardLIFE THURSDAY, AUGUST, 8 2019

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Self-care starts in the bathroom

By Bernadette Lunas

SPA IN THE SHOWER.

With wellness at the core of its products, Italian luxury bathroom fixtures company Zucchetti.Kos offers WaterCandy, an elegant hand shower that can also be used as a body massager.

This is how a statuesque commercial director of an Italian luxury bathroom fixtures company describes the importance of taking a time off to take care of oneself in an environment where they feel pampered and relaxed.

And with bathroom being the most intimate part of the house, Alessandra Fagotti said it should have all the trappings that provide a desirable experience, or as she put it, “a sensorial experience” that satisfies the five senses.

“To create an atmosphere in your bathroom is to have the luxury you can give to yourself—the emotional experience of a shower head, of a bathtub, the soft touch of the water—it makes a difference,” Fagotti told Manila Standard.

She added, “If you spend even just five minutes in a wonderful environment, that's a big gift to yourself.”

Fagotti was recently in the country to unveil Zucchetti, an Italian family-owned company that manufactures design-led and innovative taps and mixers; and Kos, known for its luxurious bathtubs and shower enclosures. The two company merged in 2007 to create Zucchetti.Kos, one of the Italy's leading manufacturers of luxury bathroom fixtures.

Zucchetti.Kos has been brought to the Philippines by The Tile Gallery. Some of the products of the Italian brand are now available in the country, including the award-winning WaterCandy.

Designed by Ludovica+Roberto Palomba, WaterCandy is a minimalistic hand shower that can also be used as a body massager by utilizing the hydrotherapeutic properties of water. At the same time, it can stimulate vital ener-

“

Y

OU must have at least five minutes where you are the protagonist in your life.”

The Tile Gallery brings Zucchetti.Kos’ range of products to the country, including (clockwise) Closer single-lever bathroom mixer, Silkstone tray, and Brim single-lever bathroom mixer.

gies, thanks to jets of different intensity and flow that can be adjusted according to the user's needs.

The hand shower is easy to hold using the handy strap on the back, or attach to a coordinated duplex shower support or to any existing system as it has a universal plug and play adapter.

Also available is the Aloe freestanding tub by Kos. Also with minimalist design, the bathtub is made of high performance Solid Surface and extrapure acrylic polymers and monomers.

Its surface is smooth, and it has slender design and gentle curves, lending an elegant look and pleasant feel.

The country now has access to several collections of single-lever bathroom mixers such as Brim (also designed by Ludovica+Roberto Palomba), Closer (designed by Diego Grandi), and Nikko; bathtubs and shower heads; and shower trays such as the new Silkstone tray.

“The reason Zucchetti is recognized is because it's a trendsetter in terms of design. We take ideas from fashion, lighting, etc. Most of our series are designed by famous international designers,” said Fagotti.

Zucchetti.Kos' notable projects include the Sukhothai Bangkok, Ritz Carlton Miami, and Sheraton among many others.

The Italian firm is confident that our country is ready for its range of of products.

“The Philippines is a very western market and we believe its is ready to accept and exeprience the philosophy Zuccheti.Kos can offer,” said Fagotti.

The Tile Gallery is in Makati, Ortigas, and Taguig.

Megaworld expands with more malls, new customizable logo REAL ESTATE giant Megaworld last week announced the expansion of its Lifestyle Malls brand with the opening of eight malls and commercial centers outside of Metro Manila. These soonto-rise malls, officials said, will have a distinct character and vibe, a distinct concept of the brand.

“We veer away from standardizing our malls. We study and curate them based on what its location is all about. We want each mall to have its own charm and identity—something that makes each one ‘endemic’ to the city where it is located,” explained Kevin Tan, Megaworld's chief strategy officer.

The company is spending P10 billion to provide an additional 200,000 square meter of fresh retail spaces that will open until 2022 in Cebu, Bacolod, Davao, Boracay, Cavite, and Pampanga.

Among the malls that will be opened in the next two years are the Maple Grove Mall in General Trias, Cavite, which will be a greenhouse-inspired mall surrounded with gardens and trees—com-

plementing the “green” vibe of the Maple Grove township; and the Northill Town Center in Northill Gateway, Bacolod City, which will showcase the haciendastyle town center for which Negros has been known.

“Our goal is to have a mall in each township that we have. And in every lifestyle mall, we will always help and support local entrepreneurs in that area to flourish and build their businesses with us,” said Tan. Megaworld currently has 17 lifestyle malls across the Philippines, and a total retail space portfolio of around 710,000 square meters.

Among the Megaworld Lifestyle Malls brands include Eastwood Mall in Quezon City; Uptown Mall, Venice Grand Canal, and Forbes Town in Taguig City; Newport Mall at Resorts World Manila in Pasay City; Lucky Chinatown in Manila; Southwoods Mall in Laguna; and Festive Walk Mall in Iloilo City.

In addition to new lifestyle destinations, Megaworld also unveiled its new

logo, which is modern, colorful, and customizable.

The updated logo follows the release of a modernized and more streamlined Megaworld corporate logo, which was unveiled during the company's 30th anniversary.

According to the company, the new logo brings together the simplicity and straightforwardness of Megaworld’s modern corporate logo and the playfulness of various design elements that visualize Megaworld Lifestyle Malls as a happy and fun brand.

Moreover, the updated logo also aims to capture and reinforce the company’s identity as a developer of lifestyle destinations that are thematic, uniquely designed, and diverse in terms of retail mix.

“We want to make visually impactful changes to our logo as we look to establish a stronger brand identity and to better reflect Megaworld Lifestyle Malls’ strength as a pioneer and developer of lifestyle destinations that are unique in design and character,” said Tan.

Megaworld’s Uptown Mall in Taguig.

Life

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THURSDAY, AUGUST 8, 2019 manilastandardlife@gmail.com

Redefining New Manila lifestyle A

TOWNSHIP development combines the charming past of New Manila, Quezon City—the home of the iconic Magnolia Ice Cream House—and modern design and conveniences.

Robinsons Mangnolia, the lifestyle destination at The Magnolia Town Center, is home to a range of shops, restaurants, and local and international retailers.

Condiments refilling station opens at BGC

The BYOB condiments refilling station at Bonifacio Global City.

ATTENTION, zero-waste warriors!

Local sauces and condiments manufacturer NutriAsia has recently opened its first condiments refilling station.

Customers availing of the products at the Bring Your Own Bottle (BYOB) refilling station at Bonifacio Global City can fill their empty bottles with Datu Puti Vinegar, Datu Puti Soy Sauce, UFC Banana Catsup, and Golden Fiesta Cooking Oil. “With BYOB, we hope to go beyond and create more Masarap Masaya moments by encouraging shoppers to help build a zero-waste community in their own ways,” enthused NutriAsia corporate marketing and communications

head James Lim. Not only does the refilling station helps in the advocacy to build a zerowaste community, the BYOB store itself is made of eco-bricks that use plastic discards from the Arca South Eco Hub. The store also serves as a drop off point for plastic materials for repurposing.

Lim said, “All proceeds from BYOB, along with the plastic materials donated, will be used to produce upcycled furnishings for our beneficiary, GAT Andres Bonifacio High School.”

BYOB is open Monday to Sunday, from 12:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at The Mind Museum until Sept. 12.

The five-hectare The Magnolia Town Center, is a lifestyle, leisure, and business destination complete with residential, retail, office, and hospitality components. It is strategically located near transportation hubs such as LRT-2 Gilmore station and MRT Cubao station.

Upwardly mobile individuals, young families, and next generation New Manila residents who are accustomed to the subtle elegance of the area are offered living spaces at The Magnolia Residences—a four-tower, high-rise development. The project was recently recognized as the Best Residential High-Rise Development for the Philippines 2019-2020 by the Asia Pacific Property Awards.

The Magnolia Residences, now on its fourth and final tower, has a uniquely relaxed and balanced atmosphere, achieved by its comfortably-sized units and resort-inspired indoor and outdoor amenities.

The lineup of amenities offers an array of relaxation options for the whole family, including a children’s playground, swimming pool, badminton court, a tennis room, a fitness gym, yoga room, library, and wide gardens, to name a few.

Meanwhile, the pet-friendly Robinsons Magnolia houses a distinctive mix of shops, restaurants, international brands, and local retailers.

The mall’s spacious interiors and hallways lead to an al fresco area that overlooks a redesigned park.

The mall has been recognized as the first “Green Mall Building” of Quezon City.

As the mall is currently undergoing expansion, soon to open once completed this year are a family amusement center, a food hall, three

Each of Summit Hotel’s 82 rooms boasts spacious and sophisticated interiors.

state-of-the-art cinemas, and a VIP screening room with lounge. The fifth mezzanine level will house the air-conditioned Mother Teresa Chapel.

Guests of both residents and companies can be conveniently accommodated at the Summit Hotel Magnolia—a boutique hotel that highlights elegance and functional design starting from its lobby, to the common areas, stylish rooms, and themed suites. Each of the 82 rooms boasts spacious and sophisticated interiors, luxe furniture, vibrant artworks, a 42-inch flat screen TV, premium bath products, and quality linens.

Rounding up the establishments at the fully integrated, mixed-use community is the Robinsons Cyber-

gate Magnolia, a six-story, PEZAregistered prime office development with an area of about 10,000 square meters of leasable space. It has an exclusive lobby, dedicated elevators, and highly efficient floor layouts. It also features green and sustainable elements such as double glazed glass windows, reflective glass, rainwater collection system, LED lighting, and water-efficient toilet fixtures.

Further, the office development also features a semi-warm shell hand-over condition, 100 percent back up power, variable refrigerant flow AC system, CCTV surveillance with 24/7 security, multiple telecom providers, fire detection and alarm system, fire sprinklers, and smoke detectors.

A treat for families from Payatas DRIVEN by shared advocacy to promote positive change in society by collaborating with communities, SM Cinema and SM Cares, in partnership with Disney through its local distributor Press Play Philippines, Inc., organized a special screening of The Lion King for chosen families from Payatas, Quezon City.

“We always ensure that our corporate social responsibility activities serve catalyst for positive change in beneficiary communities. Today, we take a simple yet significant step to enrich Payatas families’ lives through a wholesome bonding activity,” said Ruby Ann Reyes, SM Cinema vice president for corporate marketing.

SM Cinema aims to bring the reel experience to more people. With the

benefit screening, together with SM Cares and Disney, it brought the said experience to marginalized individuals, giving the children from Payatas an opportunity to experience family moments in the cinema.

“Today, we were able to carry out a meaningful take on our reel to real campaign. We were able to give Payatas kids an experience they rarely get to enjoy,” said Reyes.

SM Cares is the corporate social responsibility division of SM Foundation. Its programs have several focuses including persons with disabilities, children and youth development, women and breastfeeding mothers, overseas Filipino workers, senior citizens, social entrepreneurship, environmental sustainability, disaster resilience, and green campaigns.

From left: Metrobank senior vice president Jette Gamboa, senior vice president Digs Dimagiba, Metrobank Foundation president Chito Sobrepeña, senior vice president Jikee Reyes, first vice president Chippi Orlino, and vice president Juan Placido Mapa III.

The meaning of 'meaningful banking'

Families from Payatas, Quezon City enjoy a special screening of ‘The Lion King.’

WITH customers at the core of its business, the Metropolitan Bank & Trust Co. (Metrobank) launched its new campaign, “Meaningful Banking.”

“In this day and age, we see a lot of developments as our customers continue to evolve. Thus, to keep our promise of keeping them in good hands, the bank must evolve as well,” said Metrobank president Fabian Dee. Dee said, the new campaign is “our re-commitment to put customers at the heart of everything we do—to listen and understand them as we strive to

move, change, and grow together.”

As part of the launch of the Meaningful Banking campaign, the premier universal bank introduces a new communication campaign featuring a new Metrobank signature frame that serves as a visual focal point highlighting its customers’ meaningful stories.

The bank said it soon aims to provide new and more relevant products and services that would help fulfill customers’ purpose and dreams.

From driving financial literacy to honoring outstanding Filipinos, to help-

ing the communities it serves, the bank is also committed to supporting meaningful initiatives which can contribute to nation-building. “'Meaningful Banking' is Metrobank’s north star as we start on a transformation journey,” said Metrobank chief marketing officer Digs Dimagiba. “Even if we are not yet able to serve them perfectly now, we commit to continuously improving so that we can deliver Meaningful Banking every step of the way, for the customers of today and tomorrow.”

Entertainment

THURSDAY, AUGUST 8, 2019

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nickie.standard@gmail.com

BEAUTIES

to watch out for O N THE pageant stage, we are training the spotlight on some 80 beautiful Filipinas. Yes, a total of 80 beauties vying for the most coveted crowns in Miss World Philippines and Mutya Pilipinas.

Just recently, 40 candidates of the local Miss World franchise were introduced to the press. Also, the members of the media got to meet another set of 40 ladies in Mutya Pilipinas a week prior.

Miss World Philippines Michelle Marquez-Dee and fellow Kapuso stars Isabelle de Leon and Kelley Day have been named among the 40 official candidates of the 2019 Miss World Philippines.

Dee, the 24-year-old 5-foot-10, model and daughter of 1979 Miss International Melanie Marquez will be competing in her first beauty pageant and this early, has been single out as the girl to beat to succeed last year’s titlist Katarina Rodriguez.

De Leon, on the other hand, is a 25-year-old actress, who won as FAMAS best child actress in the movie Magnifico in 2003. Meanwhile, Day is a 23-year-old Fil-British modelactress and former girlfriend of Inigo Pascual. De Leon and Day are also competing for the first time.

Ilene de Vera, Miss Asia Pacific International 2017-4th runner-up, and Michelle Thorlund, Mutya ng Pilipinas Overseas Communities 2016 are among the early favorites for the top title. The 9th edition of Miss World Philippines 2019, under director Arnold Vegafria, will have its coronation night on Sept. 15 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum with three other titles at stake, Reina Hispanoamericana, Miss Eco International and Miss Multinational.

Other candidates are: Sammie Anne Legaspi, Katrina Llegado, Asha Gutierrez, Sheila Marie Reyes,

PAGEANT CONCEPT

ETON CONCEPCION

Kristi Banks, Glyssa Perez, Ednalyn Gunio, Aura Shaznay Tumulak, Joanna Camell Mercado, Mary Daena Resureccion, Kayesha Chua, Michelle Thorlund, Gerlaine Silva, Hannah Therese Cruz, Alyssa Joreen Reyes, Patrisha Kamille Gutierrez, Tracy Maureen Perez, Vanessa Mae Walters, Shariella Yanson, Julie Ann Forbes, Jacqueline Hamoude, Justienne Ortega, Rose Ann Ignacio, Kimberly Hakenson, Sharmaine Galisanao, Jean Tumang, Shannon Christie Kerver, Louis Theunis, Patricia Ann Tan, Julie Mae Ocampo, Ruffa Nava, Patrixia Santos, Michelle Kain, Erica Rose Madlangsakay, Jena Masero, and Kalea Pitel.

Mutya Pilipnas The forty lovely candidates of the new Mutya Pilipinas 2019 paraded in pink swimsuits during the press presentation held at the Main Ballroom of Citadines Bay City Manila two Thursdays ago. As customary, the Darling of the Press was chosen at the conclusion of the event.

Andrea Fe Gomez of Baguio City and Maxinne Nicole Rangel of Padre Garcia, Batangas were voted as cowinners. Gomez, 19, a Psychology major, won Miss Silka Philippines 2017. Rangel, who won Mutya ng Batangas 2017, is a fresh graduate from De La Salle Lipa.

Mutya Pilipinas, Inc. president Cory Quirino presided the highly anticipated kick-off activity of the 51st Mutya edition attended by last year’s winners, led by Mutya Tourism InternationalAya Fernandez, Mutya Tourism Queen of the Year International Khesha

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CROSSWORD PUZZLE Thursday, August 8, 2019

47 Has to have 48 So be it!

49 Tax pros 50 Lubricates 52 Tijuana “Mrs.” 54 High voice 58 Monastery 62 “Soft Watches” painter 63 Action word 64 Illinois town 65 Southwest st.

66 Pennsylvania port 67 Work dough 68 — noire 69 Glimpse 70 Legendary North Pole inhabitant DOWN 1 Cisterns 2 Sneaking suspicion 3 Reiner or Sagan 4 Saw eye-to-eye 5 Widens a hole 6 Tennessee gridders 7 Help a hood 8 Gold diggers?

9 Polar explorer 10 Specifies 11 Click-on item 12 Catch a fly ball 13 Blimp title 22 Tavern brews

Ramachandran, Mutya Global Beauty Queen Pauline Amelinckx and Mutya 1st runner-up Justine Teng.

Among the early favorites are April Short of Zamboanga City, Jigg Kirsty Ang of Catanduanes, Alyana Bettina Penales of Albay, Jasmine Eaton of Tacloban City, Keinth Jensen Petrasanta of Laguna, Cyrille Payumo of Pampanga, Eiffel Janell Rosalita of Sta. Maria, Bulacan, Irish Silades of Malinao, Albay, Tyra Goldman of Nevada, USA, Ysabel Napiza of New Jersey, USA, and Amber Delos Reyes of Canada.

Quirino revealed that this year’s candidates will undergo a half-day seminar on self-defense in coordination with the PNP Police Community Affairs and Development Group, headed by its director PBGen. Rhodel O. Sermonia. The initiative is part of Quirino’s advocacyproject on women empowerment called “Ikaw Hihinto Ng Krimen against Women” being implemented by the Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption (VACC) where Quirino is serving as chairman.

The 40 candidates will vie for the titles of Miss Asia Pacific International, World Top Model Philippines, Miss

Tourism International, and Mutya Filipino Overseas Communities during the grand coronation night to be held at the Mall of Asia Arena on August 18, 2019 telecast over ABSCBN channel.

Completing the list of 40 official candidates are Mariah Gelina Lequin (Bogo City, Cebu), Ella Cayabyab (Quezon Province), Hanna Jessica Villa (Taguig), Louise Janica Arroyo An(California), Andrea Fe Gomez (Baguio City), Jenieva Basultin (Barotac Viejo, Iloilo), Camille Joy Ang (Cavite), Andrea Acibo Batangas City, Batangas), Karmina Luiza Grady(Arizona), Sandra Jele (Tagbilaran City), Maria Isabel Alves (San Isidro, Paranaque), Joi Hunter (Illinois), Savannah Rosemary Caracas (Australia), Klyza Castro (Davao Del Sir),Christene Longakit (Quezon City), Karla Claudine Lasquiet (Cebu City, Layla Adriatico (Bahrain), Iana Faye Marie Olea (Davao Oriental), Dionne Sade Nicha (Tunasan, Muntinlupa),Jenny Kim Agasid (San Dionisio Paranaque), Maricres Castro (Alabang, Muntinlupa), Maxinne Nicole Rangel (Padre Garcia, Batangas), Maria Angelica Pantaliano (Mandaue City, Cebu), Lesley Anne Ticaro (Davao del Norte), Camille Maha Marie Fabro (UAE), Irish Silades (Malinao, Albay), Nina Bernedo (Cagayan De Oro), Jaica Zacate (Pangasinan), Lady Justerinnie Santos (Bulakan, Bulacan), and Stephanie Monique Villavicencio (La Paz, Iloilo City).

Mariz Umali officially joins ‘Unang Hirit’

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ACROSS 1 Goldsmith’s Wakefield cleric 6 Boot upper 10 Kind of jockey 14 Old saying 15 Drama award 16 Yodeler’s answer 17 — firma 18 Jazzy — Horne 19 Mare’s offspring 20 Hawthorne’s town 21 Thoroughly excellent 23 Spanish “that” 25 Meg or Nolan 26 Join metal 29 Feels badly about 32 Painter’s ground 36 Bravo, in Barcelona 37 Recipe amt.

38 Experimented with 39 Youngster 40 Muncie resident 42 GI mail drop 43 More nervous 45 Unrefined metals 46 Cosmonaut space lab

Mutya Pilipinas Darlings of the Press Miss Baguio and Miss Batangas with Mutya Pilipinas president Cory Quirino (photo by Lito Caleon)

24 Trellis 26 Roused up 27 Ignore, in a way 28 Mantel 30 GI support gp.

31 — Downs (racetrack) 33 Philately item 34 Brownish pigment 35 Aromas 37 Grad student’s bane 38 Prom attendees 41 Ill temper 44 Put on a pedes-

tal 48 Garden favorites 49 Beach hut 51 Flood barrier 53 Spice stands 54 Get along 55 Settled 56 Lose one’s balance 57 Not resist 59 Good, for Pedro 60 Livy’s “it was” 61 Jedi master 62 Smidgen

BROADCAST journalist Mariz Umali has officially joined the country’s longest running morning show, Unang Hirit (UH).

The newest UH member shares her excitement in joining the awardwinning Kapuso morning show. “At first I couldn’t believe it. But when the bosses told me that I’m going to be officially part of the show, I was grateful because the hosts and anchors of Unang Hirit are my friends.”

Umali has been a Kapuso for 17 years already, joining GMA Network right after getting her BA Broadcast Communication degree from the University of the Philippines Diliman. She anchored and hosted several GMA and GMA News TV shows and specials such as Balitanghali Weekend, Pamana: Saving Our Heritage, Brigada, News TV Live, Kape at Balita, Born to be Wild, and iWitness, among others.

She was recently named as Best Female Field Reporter at the 2019 Gawad Tanglaw. Throughout her career, her most memorable coverage

Mariz Umali with Atty. Gaby Concepcion, Suzi Abrera, Lyn Ching-Pascual, Rhea Santos, and Susan Enriquez

was the Double Canonization of St. John Paul II and St. John XXIII in Vatican. Umali is a veteran of hard news reporting, having been stationed to the Malacañang and PNP beats.

“I love that I am able to help other people through the stories that we do.

In a sense, feeling ko calling din ito or vocation. I’ve been doing this for the past 17 years since I graduated,” explained Umali.

In Unang Hirit, viewers will also get to see a different side of Umali, far from the serious reporter or anchor they see when she delivers the news. Though it will be a big change from her field reporting life, Umali is more than ready and looking forward to starting her weekdays with the UH barkada.

“The only adjustment will be my morning routine because I need to wake up at 4:00 a.m..But I look forward to starting my day with the UH barkada, and of course, our viewers - at makapaghatid ng balita sa kanila, umaga pa lang,” she said.

When she’s not in the field looking for news, Umali is actively serving the church at the Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish Shrine. She also loves to go scuba diving, watching movies, traveling, and singing with her husband and GMA co-broadcast journalist Raffy Tima.

Catch Mariz Umali in Unang Hirit together with the rest of the UH barkada—Arnold Clavio, Rhea Santos, Ivan Mayrina,Susan Enriquez, Connie Sison, Suzi Abrera, Lyn Ching-Pascual, Lhar Santiago, Love Añover, and Luane Dy, as well as Nathaniel “Mang Tani” Cruz, Atty. Gaby Concepcion, and Mareng Winnie Monsod—from Monday to Friday, 4:55 a.m., on GMA-7.

Entertainment

Nickie Wang, Issue Editor nickie.standard@gmail.com

C4

THURSDAY, AUGUST 8, 2019

’Indak’ grooves to a successful premiere night IT WAS a successful premiere night for Viva Films’ latest potboiler, Indak, a dance movie starring Nadine Lustre and Sam Concepcion.

Accompanied by her boyfriend, James Reid, Nadine was welcomed by throngs of screaming fans at SM Megamall Cinema. The premiere was also attended by Idol Philippines finalistLance Busa, members of SexBomb NewGen, Paul Salas, and some Viva artists.

Shot in Batayan, Cebu and Should, South Korea, the film revolves around the story of a simple island girl named Jen (Nadine), who loves dancing, but never showed her true talent to anyone.

Not until a video of her dancing went viral online and Vin (Sam), leader of Indak Pinas invites her to come to Manila and join them.

Not confident with her own talent, Jen hesitated to accept Vin’s invitation at first. But Vin finally convinces Jen when he mentioned that their group is going to compete at the World Dance Championship in South Korea, and that

'Indak' lead stars Nadine Lustre and Sam Concepcion with Director Paul Basinillo grace the red carpet premiere night of Viva's dance movie.

her presence in the group will have a In Manila, Vin helps out Jen in great impact. improving her dancing, as well as

adjusting living in the city. The two not only find their groove but also slowly fall for each other. With the rest of the crew, they must work together to bring out their best performance. But with struggles, dilemmas and past issues getting in the way, can they bring out a performance that will wow the whole world?

Apart from the amazing choreography, Indak also features great soundtracks like “Sumayaw Sa Indak” by Nadine featuring Pio Balbuena and Shehyee, Sam’s soulful version of “Ikot-Ikot,” and Janine Teñoso’s heartwrenching version of “Hindi Tayo Pwede.”

Directed by the number one concert director, Paul Alexei Basinillo, Indak was shot in the beautiful island of Bantayan in Cebu, and scenic South Korea, making the whole movie a feast for the senses.

Indak unspools in cinemas nationwide on Aug. 7.

Movies that set

PULSES RACING Anne Curtis returns to her sexy drama roots in 'Just a Stranger,' where she portrays a married woman who starts an affair with a man half her age.

VERY WANG NICKIE WANG

'Belle Douleur' is story of a woman in her 40s who decides to be reckless and irresponsible by starting an affair with a much younger guy.

A

T THE media conference of Belle Douleur, a Cinemalaya entry that stars Mylene Dizon and Kit Thompson, the seasoned actress expressed that she felt overjoyed not because the recent set of films features May-December affairs, but it’s the fact that women take the lead parts.

“It’s like a festival of women of late.

And that’s something that we must celebrate,” the 45-year-old Mylene said.

Literally means beautiful pain, Belle Douleur is produced by Quantum Films, and lawyer Josabeth “Joji” Alonso’s directorial debut. It tells the story of a woman’s journey of finding happiness as she breaks free from the confines of society that shackles women.

“It’s a story of a woman in her 40s who decides to be reckless and irresponsible by starting an affair with a young man.

It’s inspired by a story I read some few years back about a French woman who engaged in this kind of affair. I thought the story was so beautiful and that it should be made into a film, hence we turned it into a movie with a French title,” Alonzo recalled.

The story features Liz (Mylene), 45 and single, is a clinical psychologist who works with special and gifted children.

She has spent much of her adult life looking after her sickly parents. After her parents passed, Liz finds herself alone and resigned to a solitary life.

Upon the advice of her friends Marco

and Lauren, Liz begins downsizing her home and meets Josh (Kit), 26, a young antique dealer. Josh has been living on his own for years, after losing his father and grandfather, and without much memory of his mother. With their loneliness drawing them together, Liz and Josh create a special bond.

In resolving the issues that confront them, Liz breaks free from the confines of society that shackles women.

Meanwhile, another May-December love affair takes the limelight with Anne Curtis and Marco Gumabao playing the lead roles and going intimate in the romantic drama, Just a Stranger.

Written and directed by Jason Paul Laxamana (The Day After Valentine’s, 100 Tula Para Kay Stella), the story revolves around a married woman who gets into an affair with a man half her age despite her nagging conscience that one day they might pay for it.

Mae Pimentel (Anne) is in her mid30s. Though stricken with an illness called Fibromyalgia, Mae is not wanting in material things and can go on a leisure trip anywhere she wants. Her husband

Phil (Edu Manzano), a businessman, doesn’t seem to mind as he has very little time for her. It is while vacationing in the flamboyant city of Lisbon, Portugal that this fashionable lady meets Jericho.

Jericho “Jekjek” Esguerra (Marco) is a 19-year-old son of a Philippine Ambassador. He is oozing with sex appeal and charming personality, but lacking in maturity. To help him have a sense of responsibility, his father tells him to find a job. Jericho is not excited about working, but out of respect to his parents Rufi and Judy (Robert Seña and Isay Alvarez), he obeys their demands. He has a girlfriend named Febbie (Jas Rodriguez), but meeting Mae makes his life more exciting.

The trailer already gives a hint of the numerous steamy scenes between Anne and Marco, but director Laxamana points out that the film was not created to romanticize illicit affair. This drama will delve deeper into the personal stories of the characters to show their reasons behind their actions. It is interesting to know if, despite their liaison, Mae and Jericho can stick to this principle: “Not your friend.

Not your lover. Just a stranger.”

It is said that the idea of doing a May-December affair love story has long been considered by Anne, but it is only now that the right material came along. The award-winning actress has shown her versatility by doing action (Buy Bust) and mystery thriller (Aurora), but it can’t be disregarded that her career prospered while doing romantic drama movies (Baler, In Your Eyes, No Other Woman, A Secret Affair). After the box office hit Sid & Aya, it’s great that viewers will get to see Anne going back to her roots— the romance-drama genre.

Just a Stranger opens in cinemas nationwide on Aug. 21. From V I V A Films.

YUGEL LOSORATA

One and only LEA THE Philippine theater and music scene have witnessed the arrival of great voices who can both act and sing with command and charm. Yet, there’s no one like the great Lea Salonga. She’s a comet so to speak, coming just once in a generation’s lifetime.

That legendary tale where ClaudeMichel Shonberg convinced Cameron Macintosh to mine this country of undiscovered good singers really ended up hitting gold when it found Lea. She practically put the Philippines on the world map with her Tony and Laurence Olivier awards and for earning the distinction of being the first actress of Asian descent to play Eponine and Fantine off Broadway’s Les Miserables.

That meant she opened wide the gate for Filipino singers and talents to gain acceptance on the world stage. Even the most recent Pinoy medal holders and record breakers from the World Championships of Performing Arts can thank her for that.

That is why no one among the media and bloggers moved an inch while listening to her sing up close during the recent presscon for her upcoming two-night concert at the Newport Performing Arts Theater. Everybody must have felt that utmost silence was the best way to show respect for someone of her caliber.

It was obvious, too, that everybody in Wolfgang’s Steakhouse on that last Tuesday of July was waiting for a photo opportunity with her, regardless of gender, age, and musical preference.

Apart from her track record, what really sets Lea apart is the combination of immense talent, class, and sense of being Filipino all rolled into one. A couple of years back she releasedBahaghari, an album worth of her renditions of traditional Filipino songs.

Set this Aug. 30 and 31 at 8:00 p.m., the special show dubbed Perfect Ten: A Gala Performance is a first-rate nod to Resorts World Manila’s 10th anniversary, hence the show’s title. It also acknowledged that Lea was the featured act in the integrated resort’s first Grand Fiesta Manila in 2009.

Lea had some good words to say about RWM, in particular to its currently ongoing Ang Huling El Bimbo the musical. She said of the play, “I set my expectations pretty high knowing the kind of talent on board. But I didn’t expect to be exceeded.”

Perfect Ten will feature as guests Esang de Torres, Nicole Chien, and Tanya Manalang who each gets to duet with the theater royalty. Michael K. Lee, who starred with Lea in Miss Saigon and Allegiance, will also grace the occasion.

Presented by RWM with Ultimate Shows and Full House Theater Company, the spectacle will be helmed by director Floy Quintos with musical direction by Lea’s brother Gerald.

TheABS-CBN Philharmonic Orchestra had been tapped to back Lea with her repertoire of Broadway and West End hits, plus movie themes and a string of OPM’s best.

(Tickets are available at the RWM Box Office in Newport Mall and all Ti c k e t w o r l d outlets).