Manila Standard - 2019 August 21 - Wednesday

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STUDENT PROTEST. Students of the University of the Philippines in Diliman stage a walkout Tuesday in protest against the impending presence of soldiers in their campuses, but the military says the intention for the deployment of soldiers is merely to assist school authorities to quell the encroachment of leftists in campuses in the recruitment of students. (Story on A2)

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VOL. XXXIII • NO. 188 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P18 • WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 21, 2019 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

‘Ultimatum to China ships’ Rody vows to do Palace urges House to speed up budget OK ‘unfriendly’ act

By MJ Blancaflor and Maricel V. Cruz vs. incursions

119 Customs officials face criminal raps

By Vito Barcelo THE Bureau of Customs has filed administrative and criminal complaints against 119 Customs officials who were allegedly involved in illegal activities inside the agency as part of the bureau’s drive to rid itself of corrupt officials.

In a statement, Customs Commissioner Rey Leonardo Guerrero said the officials facing complaints have been placed on “floating” status and ordered to report to the Compliance Monitoring Unit every day pending the outcome of the investigation.

The BOC chief said 27 other officials were served show cause orders for suspected underperformance and corruption.

Guerrero emphasized that his thrust to clear Customs of corrupt and underperforming officials would ultimately

THE Palace said Tuesday it is hopeful that the 2020 national budget will be approved by the Congress on time to avoid delays that will slow down the funding of government projects.

“We can always hope that it will pass on time because any delay will affect our economy and I am sure the members of Congress know that,” Presidential

Spokesman Salvador Panelo said after the Department of Budget and Management submitted the P4.1-trillion budget proposal to lawmakers.

The budget proposal for 2020 is 12 percent higher than the previous year, with the education sector getting the lion’s share.

In the House, Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano said lawmakers would delay the start of their daily plenary sessions so that committees could work overtime to

thresh out the national budget.

Cayetano assured the public of a “porkfree” national budget for 2020, with no secretly parked funds in government departments.

House Majority Leader Martin Romualdez said the House is committed to pass a constitutionally compliant national budget for year 2020.

“We will comply with the Supreme Court ruling that outlawed any form of pork barrel. Definitely, the pork barrel

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Four vie for CJ post; Carpio out

MARATHON DELIBERATIONS. House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano (4th from left) tells a news conference Tuesday he will ask his fellow lawmakers if they could work overtime and discuss as well as deliberate on the national budget for next year. With him is Majority Leader and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez (2nd from left).

By Rey E. Requejo FOUR associate justices of the Supreme Court have accepted their nomination to the most coveted post in the judiciary, which Chief Justice Lucas Bersamin will vacate when he reaches the mandatory retirement age of 70 on Oct. 18.

But Associate Justice Antonio Carpio declined his automatic nomination because he would be reaching the mandatory retirement age of 70 eight days after the vacancy occurs.

“I am declining because there are only eight days left from the vacancy to my compulsory retirement,” Carpio said.

Vying for the judiciary’s top post are Associate Justices Diosdado M. Peralta and Estela M. Perlas Bernabe, Associate Justices Andres Reyes Jr. and Jose Reyes Jr. Next page

Du30 makes a pitch for SOGIE bill RIGHTS By MJ Blancaflor BODY.

Gretchen Diez (left) meets up with President Rodrigo Duterte Monday night where an insider said the two talked about calls to pass the Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Expression Equality Bill into a law.

New planets taking shape PARIS—A second planet has been discovered circling Beta Pictoris, a fledgling star in our own galaxy offering astronomers a rare glimpse of a planetary system in the making, according to a study published Next page Monday.

THE government can create a commission to promote the rights of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and queer (LGBTQ+) community while the anti-discrimination bill against them has yet to be passed by Congress.

The idea was pitched during the meeting of President Rodrigo Duterte and Gretchen Diez on Monday night, according to Senator Christopher Go. Diez earned media attention when she was barred from using a female restroom in a mall in Quezon City.

Go said Tuesday Duterte was planning Next page

By MJ Blancaflor, Francisco Tuyay and Rey E. Requejo

T

HE government on Tuesday said it would drive away foreign ships passing through the country’s territorial waters without permission.

At a press briefing, Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said President Rodrigo Duterte wants passing foreign vessels to seek permission first, adding that non-compliance may force the Philippines to act in an “unfriendly manner.”

“The President is putting on notice that beginning today, all foreign vessels passing our territorial waters must notify and get clearance from the proper government authority way ahead, in advance of the actual passage,” Panelo said.

“Either we get... compliance in a friendly manner or we enforce it in an unfriendly manner,” he added. Next page

PAO chief: Am I the dengue virus?

By Rio N. Araja INSTEAD of blaming the Public Attorney’s Office over a national dengue epidemic, PAO Chief Persida RuedaAcosta on Tuesday told those behind the P3.5-billion Dengvaxia procurement and mass vaccination to just face the criminal raps filed against them.

“Am I the mosquito? Am I the virus? Am I the one who announced that Dengvaxia was not safe for seronegative patients?” Acosta told reporters in Quezon City.

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Palace defines ‘duterte’: Honest

Persida Rueda-Acosta

Determined duck: 3rd time’s a charm

MALACAÑANG on Tuesday contested the degrading definition of the word “duterte” in an online dictionary which crowdsources slang words and phrases.

Urban Dictionary defined the

MAKE way for the waddling duck, with water-proof feathers, as dog’s challenger to the title as man’s best friend.

Read on.

An irreproachable duck (Anas

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News

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 21, 2019

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Sin tax hike clears final House reading

By Maricel V. Cruz VOTING 184-2-1, the House of Representatives on Tuesday approved on third and final reading the bill increasing the excise tax rates on so-called sin products.

The chamber passed House Bill 1026, which covers additional taxes on alcohol products as well as heated tobacco and vapor products, a week after it was tackled and approved at the committee level.

On Tuesday, the House Committee on Ways and Means, chaired by Rep. Joey Salceda of Albay, approved the bill in just one hearing under the principle of House Rule 10, Section 48.

Salceda earlier said the government is expected to generate P32.94 billion in revenues in the first year of implementation of the bill, which is part of the Package 2 Plus B of the Comprehensive Tax Reform Program of the Duterte administration.

The Department of Finance has said revenue from fermented liquor, or beer, is estimated to reach P24.7 billion; distilled spirits, P9.2 billion; and wines, P40 million.

The revenue from additional taxes from the sin products will fund the Universal Health Care Act. The government needs P257 billion for the first year of the implementation of UHC law in 2020.

The bill provides that beginning January 2020, an ad valorem rate of 22 percent including specific tax rates per proof liter of P30, P35, P40, P45 from 2020 to 2023 will be imposed on distilled spirits; and it will be increased by 7 percent annually starting 2024.

The inclusion of heated tobacco and vapor products is expected to generate an additional P3.2 billion in revenues.

Under the bill, heated tobacco products or the so-called e-cigarettes, will now be levied P45 per pack of 20 beginning Jan. 1, 2020, P50 in 2021, P55 in 2022 and P60 in 2023 and 5 percent yearly increase effective Jan. 1, 2024.

‘Ultimatum...

From A1 The warning from the Palace came as the Navy reported a Chinese coast guard vessel near the Philippine-occupied Ayungin Shoal in the Spratlys and 27 Chinese fishing boats in the surrounding Panata reef earlier this month.

In Ayungin Shoal, Lt. Col. Stephen Penetrante, spokesman of the Western Command, said the Chinese ship was circling the Philippine-held territory when it was sighted by air and sea patrol units.

Ayungin Shoal is occupied by dozens of soldiers aboard the Philippine Navy ship BRP Sierra Madre, which ran aground in 1999.

The Navy has fortified the rusty ship in response to reports of an impending invasion following the Chinese occupation of Mischief Reef.

“The Chinese coast guard was seen circling Ayungin Shoal and transferring into other areas,” Penetrante said. “We are monitoring their activities.”

A week earlier, a Chinese ship passed through the Sibutu Strait without notifying the Philippines.

AFP insists on campus presence

By Francisco Tuyay

D

ESPITE the walkout by students of the University of the Philippines in Diliman who opposed the impending presence of soldiers inside their campuses, the military on Tuesday said it would push through with the plan to deter the possible breeding of would-be insurgents in colleges and universities.

Armed Forces of the Philippines Public Affairs Office chief Col. Noel Detoyato said the intention for the deployment of soldiers was merely to assist school authorities to quell the encroachment of leftists in campuses in the recruitment of students.

Students at UP in Diliman staged the walkout, denouncing the proposed entry of soldiers in their campuses which they claimed would risk their academic freedom and make them vulnerable to possible harassment.

THE Office of the Solicitor General on Tuesday asked the Department of Justice to uphold its authority as the legal representative of the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group in the preliminary investigation into the sedition complaint filed by Vice President Leni Robredo and other opposition personalities.

In an omnibus comment, Solicitor General Jose Calida sought the dismissal of the petitions filed by Otso Diretso senatorial bets Lorenzo Erin Tañada III, Jose Manuel “Chel” Diokno and Gary Alejano as well as that of detained Senator Leila de Lima questioning the OSG for taking part in the preliminary investigation of the case.

The petitioners said the OSG could only participate in criminal cases before the Court of Appeals and the Supreme Court, but not in the DOJ. Earlier, former Senator Rene Saguisag and Free Legal Assistance Group lawyer Arno Sanidad questioned why the OSG was rep-

resenting the PNP-CIDG in the preliminary investigation of the case.

Saguisag, who is counsel for Senator Risa Hontiveros in the case, even assailed the OSG for acting as Malacañang’s lapdog in the case.

However, Calida said their plea had no merit and insisted that the OSG had the authority to act as legal representative of the PNP-CIDG in the preliminary investigation of the case.

“Clearly, respondents’ contention are devoid of merit,” Calida said.

The chief state lawyer asked the DOJ not only to uphold the OSG’s authority to participate in the preliminary investigation but also to “deny the various motions filed by the respondents for lack of merit” and “for the preliminary investigation to continue in accordance with the Rules on Criminal Procedure.”

Aside from Robredo, Tañada, Diokno, Alejano, De Lima and Hontiveros, also included in the inciting to sedition, sedition and cyber libel case are former Senator Antonio Trillanes, former Education Secretary Armin Luistro, Jon-

nel Sangalang, a member of Trillanes’ Senate staff, Eduardo Acierto, former Integrated Bar of the Philippines president Abdiel Dan Fajardo, lawyers Minerva Ambrosio, Serafin Salvador, Philip Sawali and IBP national president Domingo Egon Cayosa, former Supreme Court spokesperson Theodore Te, former Otso Diretso candidates Florin Hilbay, Romulo Macalintal, Samira Gutoc, and clergy members, Bishops Teodoro Bacani Jr. and Honesto Ongtico, Arcbishops Pablo Virgilio David and Socrates Villegas and Fathers Robert Reyes, Flaviano Villanueva and Albert Alejo.

Complainant PNP-CIDG accused the respondents of planning to “spread false information against President Rodrigo Duterte and his family under Project Sodoma to agitate the general population into making mass protests with the possibility of bringing down the President from position and allow Vice President Robredo to succeed” by linking the President’s family members and close associates to the illegal drugs trade.

The action prompted the Philippines to file diplomatic protests against China.

At Panata reef, Penetrante said 27 Chinese fishing boats were in the area since Monday.

Chinese-owned survey ships have also been conducting marine scientific research recently in the country’s exclusive economic zone without approval from government.

These survey ships were Zhanjian, which has been operating off the waters of Bicol and Eastern Visayas, and Dong Fang Hong 3, which was spotted near Ilocos, according to Ryan Martinson of the China Maritime Studies Institute.

Panelo could not say whether the President will raise the latest incursions into Philippine territory to Chinese President Xi Jinping during his visit to China later this month.

“Before we never said anything, we just allow them and make protest but this time we will tell them ‘Please get out of our territory.’

That’s very unfriendly because we have not done it before,” he said.

He said the military may be tapped to drive away non-compliant foreign vessels.

Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto on Tuesday said he supports the President’s latest order requiring foreign ships to seek permission to transit.

“The President is in the right in directing for-

eign ships who will sail on our seas to ask clearance from the proper government authority well in advance of the actual passage,” Recto said.

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said the Chinese appeared to be “taunting” the Philippines by deploying their warships through Philippine territorial waters with the vessels’ Automatic Identification Systems switched off and without prior notification of transit to Philippine authorities.

Lorenzana brought up the warship incursions with Chinese Ambassador Zhao Jianhua after the first incidents in February.

Also on Tuesday, Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio debunked the claim made by Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano that Vietnam and Malaysia occupy more islands in the West Philippine Sea than China.

Cayetano earlier defended President Duterte from criticism on his stance in the WPS, saying it was during the previous administration that the country lost islands to China.

He also disagreed with the calls of Carpio and former Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario for Duterte to stand up against Beijing’s aggressive behavior in the country’s exclusive economic zone.

But Carpio said Cayetano was mistaken in his claims since Vietnam and Malaysia do not

claim waters where the Philippines has exclusive rights over resources.

“Vietnam and Malaysia don’t claim any part of the Philippine EEZ. In fact, China is the only country that claims Philippine EEZ in the West Philippine Sea,” Carpio said.

He said Malaysia occupies five features in the WPS, Vietnam 21, China eight, including Scarborough Shoal (nine if Sandy Cay is included) and the Philippines nine.

“More importantly, China claims 80 percent of the Philippine EEZ in the West Philippine Sea,” the Carpio said.

Carpio has been critical of Duterte’s strategy in the WPS saying that the government should protest Chinese activities inside the country’s EEZ and territorial waters and to use the 2016 ruling of the Permanent Court of Arbitration to press the case against Beijing.

The arbitral ruling invalidated China’s sweeping claims in the South China Sea, including parts of the WPS, under its nine-dash line theory.

China refused to honor the July 12, 2016 Arbitral Award, insisting on bilateral negotiations to resolve the maritime territorial dispute.

Duterte said he will finally raise the 2016 ruling when he visits Beijing later this month.

With Macon Ramos-Araneta

Secretary Mark Villar has assured them of an equitable distribution of funds among congressional districts, with each receiving between P400 million and P500 million, Cayetano said.

The House committee on appropriations, chaired by Rep. Isidro Ungab of Davao City, will kick off its budget deliberations on Thursday. He said the chamber will hold hearings from Mondays to Fridays, and that the session will begin at 5 p.m. starting Monday next week to allow congressmen to participate in the budget discussions.

The Department of Education gets a huge chunk of the 2020 budget with P673 billion.

The budget includes the agency’s allocation for state colleges and universities, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority and Commission on Higher Education.

This is followed by Department of Public Works and Highways, P534.3 billion; Department of the Interior and Local Government, P238 billion; Department of Social Welfare and Development, P195 billion; Department of National Defense, P189 billion; Department of Health, P166.5 billion; Department of Transportation, P147 billion; Department of Agriculture, P56.8 billion; the Judiciary, P38.7 billion and Department of Environment and Natural Resources, P26.4 billion.

By Rey E. Requejo

Palace...

From A1

allow him to reach the BOC’s revenue target.

From September 2017 to July 2019, six officials have been dismissed from service, five have been punished with one- to sixmonth suspensions, four have been reprimanded, and one has been fined an amount worth six months of salary.

In July, President Rodrigo Duterte relieved 64 Customs officials and employees of their duties as they undergo investigation for alleged corruption.

Guerrero said more 100 BOC officials and personnel are now under investigation for alleged corruption.

Last week, Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said the President has been telling Customs officials and employees that corruption has no place under his watch and said they will be given their day in court.

“Let this serve as a reminder to all those officials or employees in the government that they cannot escape liability or accountability for their acts of corruption under the Duterte administration,” he added.

Meanwhile, Guerrero said that BOC is tasked to collect P670 billion this year and needs to collect at least P55 billion a month to reach the target.

Also, Guerrero ordered all ports to closely monitor importation values, ensure correct valuation of goods, impose the appropriate excise taxes on excisable articles under the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Act, and validate free trade agreement forms to ensure that these were not being used to defraud the country’s second-largest revenue agency amid already low, if not zero, duty rates.

system is a thing of the past,” Romualdez said.

“The line item budgeting system will be strictly observed to ensure transparency and accountability in the disbursement of public funds. There will be no post enactment intervention,” Romualdez added.

Acting Budget Secretary Wendel Avisado delivered the copies of the proposed national government budget to the House Tesday morning.

While the congressmen will not have their own discretionary allocations, Public Works

Peralta and Bernabe are among the five justices who have been automatically nominated, while Justice Andres Reyes was nominated for the position by retired Associate Justice Jose Perez and retired Court of Appeals Associate Justice Sesinando Villon.

Associate Justices Benjamin Caguiao and Marvic Mario Victor F. Leon also declined their endorsement.

security forces,” he said.

“If you have nothing to hide why be afraid,” he said referring to students blocking military deployment inside UP compound.

Detoyato said they were not against activism so long as it would not result in transition to extremism and terrorism, adding “I may not like what you say, but I’m going to defend your right to say it”—an attempt to quote the English writer Evelyn Beatrice Hall best known for her biography of Voltaire.

Asked for the timeline on the supposed deployment, Detoyato said the matter would be discussed by officials of the university, the Department of Education and the military.

The AFP has revealed that 18 Metro universities, including UP Diliman, are being used as recruitment hubs for prospective cadres.

At the Senate hearing last week, Senator Ronald dela Rosa discussed the issue of disappearance of minors recruited by leftist elements.

SolGen asserts power to represent PNP in sedition case Ex-mayor may

119...

From A1

Four...

From A1

“It’s not a curtailment of academic freedom as the deployment will not in anyway interfere in school activities,” Detoyato said.

He added: “We will be there to assist school authorities to neutralize reports of intrusions in their schools,” Detoyato explained, while allaying the fears of school officials and students that the deployment was not in a form of combat operation.

“They are painting a grim scenario that is not going to happen,” Detoyato said, replying

to claims by UP students of militarization of their campus.

He said the deployment of soldiers in colleges and universities would be in a graduated method, depending on the need basis, acting on the request of school officials.

“If the need arises, we will dispatch [soldiers] but that is to educate the students,” Detoyato said, adding that soldiers would not bear arms, rebuffing insinuations the presence of soldiers would be permanent as feared by the students and school officials, particularly in UP. “The best to combat a man with the wrong information is a man with the right information, so the only thing we will bring is information—for students not to be victimized by deceitful recruitment,” Detoyato said.

“They are poisoning the minds of the students that we will be in a permanent fixture. If we are not needed, we will not go there, we are needed somewhere else as

“As early as 2016 there have already been Dengvaxia-related deaths.”

Acosta said health officials must not put the blame on her for the dengue outbreak the country is now experiencing.

“Why blame me and PAO if there is a dengue outbreak? Why use diversionary tactics?

Why not just face the cases filed against them?” Acosta said.

She denied that PAO fabricated evidence for the Dengvaxia cases, nor did she “spread hysteria with unfounded claims.”

She said it was the responsibility of the health officials to address the problem of dengue infection.

“My husband and eldest child had a dengue infection twice. [Fortunately] They were saved. But what about the others who could not even avail of free dextrose?” Acosta said.

At least 44 counts of reckless imprudence resulting in homicide and 44 civil suits have

been filed against former Health Secretary Janette Garin, now an Iloilo representative; Health Secretary Francisco Duque III; former and active health officials; Philippine Children’s Medical Center director Julius Lecciones, and executives of French pharmaceutical giant Sanofi Pasteur Inc. and its distributor Zuellig Pharma Corp. for the Dengvaxia-related deaths of 44 children.

Acosta slammed lawyer Wilfredo Garrido Jr. who accused her of corruption before the Office of the Ombudsman in October 2018.

“That’s comedy. Who is Garrido? He is a comedian [and] fictitious,” she said.

“You cannot put a good man down. Speak up Garrido. Who is your boss?”

A week ago, Garrido filed an unsigned manifestation of complaint, supposedly from disgruntled PAO lawyers, seeking Acosta’s suspension for her alleged corruption involving the purchase of office supplies for the Dengvaxia cases.

“That’s fake news,” Acosta said.

She said complaint was part of a “black propaganda and demolition job” to discredit her credibility.

Peralta, who was appointed by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to the high court in 2009, and Bernabe, who was appointed

by President Benigno Aquino III in 2011, are both 67 years old.

Peralta was born in Laoag City, Ilocos Norte, and started his career in the government service in 1987 when he was appointed Third Assistant City Fiscal of Laoag City.

Bernabe started her tenure at the judiciary as a technical assistant in the office of then Justice Lorenzo Relova upon her graduation

from the Ateneo College of Law and after passing the Bar in 1976.

From 1978 to 1993, she engaged in private legal practice, working for China Banking Corp., Paramount Finance Corp. and the National Home Mortgage Finance Corp.

In 1996, Bernabe returned to the judiciary after she was appointed Metropolitan Trial Court Judge of the Makati City, Branch 66.

In 2000, she was promoted to the Regional Trial Court, Makati City, Branch 142. She was promoted to the CA on March 15, 2004.

PAO chief...

From A1

Du30...

From A1 to call for a LGBTQIA+ convention to hear the concerns of community members.

Go said Duterte thought of the convention, which most likely would be held after the President’s visit to China at the end of the month, after his meeting with Diez and other members of the community on Monday.

He said Duterte had vowed that the Palace would work with both Houses of Congress to push for the passage of a version of the SOGIE (Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity and Expression) Equality Bill that would protect the rights of individuals against discrimination.

He said the President had expressed his full support to the LGBTQ community.

As shown in photos released to the media, Duterte met Diez and other LGBTQ+ rights advocates amid the calls to pass the SOGIE equality bill into law.

“Go mentioned that one of the proposals that was also discussed in the meeting is the possibility of creating a commission for LGBTQ pending the enactment of a SOGIE [equality] law,” a statement from Go’s office said.

Go said the government was eying an “LGBTQ+ convention” that “will serve as a venue for the LGBTQ community to raise their concerns and come up with policy proposals.”

Meanwhile, the janitress who barred Diez from the restroom use broke her silence Monday in an interview by the online site PressOne. With Macon Ramos-Araneta

gain freedom on ‘good conduct’ FORMER Calauan, Laguna Mayor Antonio Sanchez who was sentenced to suffer seven terms of reclusion perpetua (life imprisonment) for the rape-slay of University of the Philippines student Eileen Sarmenta and the murder of her boyfriend Allan Gomez may likely be released soon from the New Bilibid Prisons.

Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said Sanchez benefited from the recent ruling issued by the Supreme Court which orders the retroactive application of the number of days credited to prisoners for their good conduct time allowance.

“He [Sanchez] is not the only one involved here but also thousands under detention—persons deprived of liberty. So many prisoners’ good conduct time allowances would be subjected to recomputation.

Maybe one after the other they would be released,” Guevarra said.

“He [Sanchez] may be up for release [but I have] no idea how soon,” he added.

Rey E. Requejo

New planets...

From A1 “We are talking about a giant planet about 3,000 times more massive than Earth, situated 2.7 times further from its star than the Earth is from the Sun,” said AnneMarie Lagrange, an astronomer at France’s National Center for Scientific Research and lead author of a study in Nature Astronomy.

The new planet, b Pictoris c, completes its orbit roughly every 1,200 days. Like its big sister b Pictoris b, discovered by Lagrange and her team in 2009, it is a gassy giant.

Visible with the naked eye, Beta Pictoris—with a mass nearly twice that of the Sun—is a newborn by comparison: Only 23 million years old.

The Sun is more than 4.5 billion years old.

It is also relatively nearby, just over 63 light years, and surrounded by a disk of stellar dust.

This swirling halo of debris and gas was the first such configuration to be captured in image, making Beta Pictoris a celebrity star in the 1980s. AFP

Palace defines...

From A1 family name of President Rodrigo Duterte as a “scam,” “traitor,” “fake,” “of low quality,” among others.

“If that dictionary definition of ‘duterte’ refers to the President, then we have our own definition of the man, which is exactly the opposite of what that dictionary gives,” Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo told a news conference.

“Duterte to us means honest, incorruptible, politically-willed person, courageous, selfless honest, transparent, and all good things,” Panelo said.

There are no strict rules for defining a word or phrase on Urban Dictionary and any person may submit definitions.

In July 2019, a netizen submitted the word “duterte” to the online dictionary, which now classifies the term as a verb, an adjective, and a noun. MJ Blancaflor

Determined...

From A1 luzonica) grabbed the memory of an incredulous young boy who accidentally dropped his rubber footwear down a slope in a secluded barangay in Quezon southeast of the national capital.

The dubling duck, known as “papan” or “pato” in some areas of the archipelago, is endemic to the Philippines, with as few as 5,000 remaining, not helped by overhunting and habitat loss.

The unidentified boy, then playing on August 15 in the open field, had his white footwear pair slip through his foot, dropped down the slope with the nearest thoughts he would lose it.

But the duck, from the same farm, chased the moment for the boy and onlooker Myla Aguila, then walking around the mountainous sitio of barangay Madaguldol when her attention was trapped by the incident.

Instead of clambering down through the mud,the boy just watched as the white duck picked up his white rubber footwear.

News

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WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 21, 2019 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Gov’t troops, ex-MNLF unit formed to fight criminality

100k cash gift too big to be nominal —Lacson

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

By MJ Blancaflor THE government has formed a group composed of military men and rebel returnees to curb criminality in the newly established Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao.

Three thousand former Moro Islamic Liberation Front members were expected to finish governmentinitiated trainings in 2020 so they can help secure peace within their jurisidiction, Presidential Adviser on Peace Process Carlito Galvez told Palace reporters Tuesday.

Around 200 MILF members started training this month to become members of the Joint Peace and Security Teams that will function as peacekeeping forces in the region.

The other half of the security force will be composed of 1,600 policemen and 1,400 soldiers.

This project is part of the “normalization track” of BARMM which superseded the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao aimed to achieve long-lasting peace in the region, Galvez said.

Under the normalization initiative, the combatants and their families will receive a comprehensive socioeconomic package which includes social protection package, sustainable livelihood programs, capacitybuilding trainings, health benefits and educational assistance.

Galvez said the trainees will be given allowance during their 26-day basic military training and they will be allowed to use their private firearms, as the government aims them to return into mainstream society.

“The budget has already been given to us so we will finish that by 2020,” he said.

“The era of armed hostilities is now gone. We are now ushering a new age of genuine and sustainable peace throughout Mindanao,” he added.

President Rodrigo Duterte earlier signed Executive Order No. 79 or the Annex on Normalization to consolidate the peacebuilding initiatives under BARMM. This year, at least 12,000 combatants will be decommissioned and their weapons put beyond use, Galvez said.

Another 35 percent of the MILF forces will undergo the same procedure next year, while the rest will undergo the process until 2022 in time for the Exit Agreement between the government and the rebel group.

FARMERS’ PLAINT. Farmers demand the lifting of Memorandum Order No. 32 in Negros, Samar and Bicol and State accountability in killings and HRVs across the country during a rally at Mendiola Street in Manila. Norman Cruz

NEA quizzed on P10-b subsidies to 102 co-ops T

By Rio N. Araja

HE Commission on Audit has flagged the National Electrification Administration for the release of P10.45 billion in subsidies to 102 electric cooperatives between 2012 to 2014 despite the non-liquidation of its released subsidies in the past.

In a 2018 special audit report, state auditors said the P10.45 billion worth of government subsidies were processed and released several times to various electric cooperatives without considering unliquidated balance of their previous subsidies.

“The intervals between releases of funds were too close and sometimes simultaneous and apparently, without taking into consideration the liquidation of previous/prior releases as required by relevant regulations,” the report read.

“In addition, the actual cost incurred for particular project cannot be ascertained, thus, any excess in

subsidies cannot be established at this time for refund to NEA, as required under the MOA [between NEA and electric cooperatives].”

COA said the electric cooperatives violated two NEA rules that led to the accumulation of non-liquidated subsidies and difficulty in establishing the correct receivable account from the electric cooperatives.

NEA, for its part, told COA that the amount of unliquidated subsidy releases to 102 electric cooperatives went down to P403 million as of March 22 due to NEA Memorandum No. 2017-009 issued on April 6, 2017 addressed to all

electric cooperatives providing that the liquidation of subsidy funds released for completed projects would form part of the parameters for electric cooperatives’ overall assessment and awards.

In response to COA, NEA also directed the electric cooperatives to submit liquidations of their own government subsidies before they could get rewards, incentives, benefits, allowances and salary upgrade.

According to NEA, P207 million in excess funds had already been returned as of Dec. 31, 2018.

It also asked the cooperatives to submit supporting documents for liquidation or execute an affidavit of undertaking.

“These actions are initiated in ensuring the liquidation of subsidies released to electric cooperatives within the prescribed period. However, the audit team ‘s observation that NEA continuously processed and released subsidies even without liquidating first prior or previous funds given to the electric cooperatives was not acted upon,” the report said.

PhilHealth urged to cooperate on special audit SENATE Minority Leader Franklin Drilon on Tuesday disclosed that the Commision on Audit has admitted encountering difficulties in getting pertinent information and documents from PhilHealth despite its willingness to investigate the agency.

Drilon urged PhilHealth to cooperate with state auditors to prevent corruption, irregularities, overpayment, and nonpayment of claims from happening again.

“I urge PhilHealth to provide full support to COA special audit,” he said.

“We all agree that a special audit is something that must be done to determine the true state of financial health of the agency and its viability to cover for medical expenses of millions of all Filipinos in the next 10 years or so,” Drilon said.

He said PhilHealth was amenable to conduct a special audit of PhilHealth funds and disbursements, but it raised some questions.

“I am glad that COA finds merit in our proposal for a special audit of PhilHealth considering the gravity of the situation and the consequences if we fail

to address the matter with urgency,” he said.

“What we have found out so far could just be the tip of the iceberg. We do not know how deep it is. We do not know how far it is and how prejudiced the actuarial life of PhilHealth is,” he stressed.

Drilon said that he talked to COA chairman Michael Aguinaldo, who registered no opposition to his call for a special audit of PhilHealth funds and disbursements and even recommended an accurate review of the actuarial life of PhilHealth.

“We urge COA chairman Aguinaldo to sit down with PhilHealth president and chief executive officer Ricardo Morales to discuss the conduct of a special audit in order to determine the true state of financial health of the agency tasked to provide health care protection to all Filipinos,” Drilon said.

“They should come up with mechanisms on how to facilitate the special audit and eliminate hindrances that prevent internal auditors from performing their tasks,” he said.

Macon Ramos-araneta

EXCISE TAX. Senator Pia Cayetano, Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means, quizzes Health Usec. Rolando Enrique Domingo during the Senate public hearing on the measure to increase excise tax on alcohol products. Lino Santos

SENATOR Panfilo Lacson on Tuesday said that the P100,000 cash gift is still big to say as “nominal.”

He said this amount is not insignificant for government officials and employees to receive without violating the country’s anti-graft laws.

He also said his office is now studying what could be considered as a nominal amount, which can be relative to base pay.

“We can perhaps say 5 percent is the base pay. Not the take-home pay because if the commission on pork barrel was included, that’s too big,” Lacson said.

He said that the nominal amount should be based only on the base pay of a government employee. He said the number should be based there.

“So kung 5 percent ng pinakamataas na sweldo ng base pay na P200,000 na lang, mga P10,000 ‘yan. ‘Yan ang pwedeng definition ng nominal. Kung nasa P6,000 o P7,000 [ang suweldo], ang 5 percent noon mas mababa, sa P350. Puwede i-define na ganoon,” he said.

Lacson also said that the gift should not be connected to the work done by a government employee or official.

But if a gift would be given due to an occasion like Christmas or birthday of a govenrment employee, he said there’s nothing wrong about it especially if the giver is a friend.

Furthermore, he said the gift would be given without asking anything in return or a governmenr employee having done something for the beneficiary.

‘Kidney patients need PhilHealth’ A PARTY-LIST lawmaker has sought to include the 20,000 Filipinos suffering from chronic kidney diseases in the list of persons with disabilities to enable the government to give them special privileges they need.

Deputy Speaker and 1PACMAN Party-list Rep. Michael Romero, in House Bill 2120, expressed optimism that the House leadership will support his bill proposing that chronic dialysis patients be given the same privileges enjoyed by PWDs. “Chronic dialysis patients or chronic kidney disease patients on dialysis are among those severely troubled by their disease which is why any assistance that will be received in the form of PhilHealth or PCSO aid is very much valued,” said Romero, president of the Partylist Coalition of Foundation Inc. Maricel V. Cruz

Hire one nurse per brgy.—solon

SOGIE LECTURE. A Senate hearing on the Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, and Expression Equality Bill attended by Senators Risa Hontiveros, Nancy Binay and Ronald dela Rosa was virtually transformed into a ‘classroom‘ and became a venue for senators to explain to the public the people’s different gender identities and expressions.

Hontiveros, who chairs the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality, gave an overview of the people’s different gender identities, sexual orientation, and expressions and how to respond to practical issues, such as the use of public spaces. Joseph Vidal

No to revival of Anti-Subversion Act—Imee SENATOR Imee R. Marcos on Tuesday expressed her objection to the revival of the Anti-Subversion Act, a position taken by her father, the late former President Ferdinand E. Marcos, who expanded the coverage of the law during his term.

The neophyte senator even described the Anti-Subversion Act a relic of the Cold War era.

Marcos was reacting to a call among military and police supporters to fight insurgency by reviving the law that makes it a crime to be a communist.

“It is not ideology but criminal acts that should be punished,” Marcos added.

The senator explained that “updating and upgrading the country’s antiterrorism law”—the Human Security Act of 2007—would provide a “stronger legal instrument than the AntiSubversion Act of 1957 to punish crimes committed in the name of ideology,

religion, politics, or economic gains.”

Marcos earlier filed Senate Bill 630, known as the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2019, to increase the liability of crimes listed in the Human Security Act, providing for a possible death penalty for rebellion, insurrection, coup d’etat, arson, kidnapping, and hijacking, among others.

Other violent or premeditated acts that intend to sow fear and panic among the public, threaten the government, or disrupt public services are also considered forms of terrorism in Marcos’s bill as new modes of promoting and committing violence using computer technology, educational institutions, and chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear material.

Marcos’s stand against reviving the Anti-Subversion Act is not the first time she has gone against a position taken by her father. Macon Ramos-araneta

A LEADER of the House of Representatives has sought the hiring of at least one registered nurse in every barangay to address its workforce unemployment problem and improve the delivery of health care services in the countryside.

Assistant Majority Leader and Las Piñas City Rep. Camille Villar filed House Bill 3312, otherwise known as “A Nurse in Every Barangay Act of 2019,” adding that health should be the first and foremost concern of the government.

Villar said barangay is the forefront in the delivery of health care services and tapping the skills and knowledge of professional nurses would help provide a better health care system.

“This will not only address the problem of the unemployment and underemployment of our professional nurses, but will be considered a leap in improving the health service delivery in the country,” Villar said. Maricel V. Cruz

DPWH, NLEX open Balagtas road THE Department of Public Works and Highways and NLEX Corp. on Tuesday opened to motorists the new 600-meter NLEX Balagtas Northbound Entry in Bulacan to address future traffic demand.

A joint project of the DPWH and NLEX, the new road provides direct access to motorists coming from Balagtas Interchange going to NLEX northbound, bypassing local roads and Sta. Rita Interchange in Guiguinto, Bulacan.

“The Balagtas Northbound Entry, which started construction early this year, is part of the government’s road network improvement plan aimed at easing traffic congestion and bringing more investments in Central Luzon,” DPWH Secretary Mark Villar said.

Darwin G. Amojelar

A4

Opinion

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 21, 2019

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

What will happen to Hong Kong?

MANY who have been following the news on the Hong Kong protests are wondering what could happen if Beijing decides to order military action on the protesters, which now number about 1.7 million.

Will it be a repeat of the Tiananmen Square incident where tanks and armed soldiers quelled the uprising? Will Hong Kong cease to be a financial hub and tourist destination?

We have to watch whether its status as a financial hub and a tourist destination would change.

What will happen to our OFWs? The many Filipino expatriates there? Disneyland, Santa Banana?

As a journalist who has been to Hong Kong many times, I can only guess what will happen to the former crown colony. If the police is unable to stop the protests, Beijing will order the military to intervene.

This will have effects that will reach the world’s democratic countries.

I don’t think, however, that Hong Kong will cease to be a tourist destination. Beijing will not allow this to happen because it also benefits from the flood of tourists that go to Hong Kong every year.

For sure, though, there will be restrictions since the People’s Republic of China is a country with two systems—the other one is capitalism I wonder how the billionaires of Hong Kong will take the military intervention. I am sure they have already prepared for the inevitable.

They have homes in Canada and European countries.

It’s the future of our overseas workers I am uncertain about. For sure, illegal workers would be deported. Domestics’ advantage is that the Chinese cannot take over their jobs.

President Rodrigo Duterte should be prepared for the worst; Hong Kong is so near us.

I will miss Hong Kong as a tourist destination. I hope the impact here would be insignificant or minimal. *** That was a stupid remark of the Chinese ambassador, who reacted to the comments of Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana that the proximity of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations to both Camp Aguinaldo and Camp Crame could be a securi security risk since the Chinese can be used to spy on the camps.

The ambassador said that in the same manner, OFWs can also be spying on China!

In any case, President Duterte said that spying is done through modern technology; it is not a matter of proximity. Spying can be done from a hundred miles away.

I believe that the influx of hundreds of thousands of Chinese workers is indeed a national concern considering the fact that China has been taking over and occupying reefs and

Adelle Chua, Editor

EDITORIAL

Fake spies

D

EFENSE Secretary Delfin Lorenzana may have gone overboard when he described the 100,000 or so Chinese nationals working in offshore gaming operations here as potential spies for Beijing.

The basis for the secretary’s concern is that many of the 56 or so official Philippine offshore gaming operations are located near strategic defense installations.

Several are in Araneta Center in Cubao, Quezon City and Eastwood, which are less than a 20-minute drive from the Armed Forces of the Philippines headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo and Philippine National Police headquarters in Camp Crame.

Other POGO hubs are located in Resorts World in Pasay City near the Air Force and Army headquarters, and on Macapagal Avenue near the Navy headquarters in Roxas Boulevard.

A POGO hub is also being eyed at a 36-hectare former resort in Kawit, Cavite just a few kilometers from the Air Force’s 15th Strike Wing and the Heracleo Alano naval base in Sangley Point.

But these details are a red herring in Lorenzana’s frankly alarmist warning. In an age where digital surveillance and drones are the norm, it really doesn’t matter where

the potential spies are located. Does the good secretary suggest that hordes of Chinese POGO workers will one day stream out of their offices and try to surreptitiously infiltrate our military and police bases?

The suggestion is ludicrous—almost but not quite as silly as the tit-for-tat response from the Chinese ambassador, who said Filipino workers in China could also be regarded as potential spies.

The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp., the agency that licenses POGOs, wants to move them and their Chinese workers to “self-contained communities” far away from the military bases, much like the Spaniards did when they were forced to settle in a ghetto called the Parian, just within range of the cannons of Intramuros.

Against the backdrop of Chinese objections that the plan might violate their citizens’ rights, PAGCOR insists that the move would be done to protect the Chinese, offering them residential spaces with their own food establishments, groceries

or convenience stores, wellness and recreational facilities, service shops and other amenities which may be needed by foreign workers.

All this is utter nonsense and it is remarkable that so much time—and even a Senate investigation—have been wasted on the subject.

If the Chinese workers indeed constitute a threat to national security, creating new Chinatowns will do nothing to stop them. As President Rodrigo Duterte has observed, spies don’t need to be physically near their intelligence targets.

If there is a social cost to having more than 100,000 new foreign workers who do not always play nice with the local population, then by all means, let us have that conversation.

PAGCOR reports that POGOs posted revenues of P657 million in 2016, P3.924 billion in 2017, P7.365 billion in 2018 and are well on the way to hitting P8 billion this year. Still, the wisdom of establishing an industry that excludes Filipino workers and customers certainly deserves more debate.

But the discussions should focus on real issues, not imagined spies, wild accusations, and segregation by race. That is a downhill path that helps no one.

Turn to A5

Gina Lopez was ‘crazy’

MY FIRST interview with Regina “Gina” Lopez ended in bitter argument. It was a disaster. I was then senior correspondent of Hong Kongbased Asiaweek covering the politics, business, and the economy of the Philippines.

The interview with Gina in 1997 was a request of her dad, the late Eugenio “Geny” Lopez Jr., to give me a complete picture of the vast Lopez business empire—media, telecommunications, water distribution, power generation and distribution, toll roads and land development.

Geny, a genial good friend, arranged the interview with two of his children—Gabby Lopez, the headman of ABS-CBN, and Gina, the head of the ABS-CBN Foundation.

At its prime, ABS-CBN was a money machine. It could raise ad rates at will and advertisers could not complain.

Gabby Lopez managed the broadcast profits. Gina Lopez helped dissipate it, as the head of the TV giant’s social responsibility arm. Being a fourth-generation Lopez in the colossal business empire, Gina could do wonders. You were a Lopez. You were backed by the most powerful and influential media organization in the land. You could not but succeed.

I wrote of Gina in 1997: “As chief executive of ABS-CBN Foundation, the 43-year-old Gina spends $1.5 million annually on educational television, aid for abused and homeless children, and disaster victims. She was a free spirit as a teenager—she ran away from home at age 18 and lived in Africa for 11 years. She isn’t motivated by making money. Gina has dispatched some 4,000 free TV sets to 52 cities in efforts to reach some four-million Filipino kids with an educational tool.

‘My idea of wealth is inner wealth’.”

As an 18-year-old heiress in 1972, Gina had everything going for her— great wealth, great power, great organization. Instead of rushing headlong to join that organization, Gina left it.

In my interview, I asked her many probing questions why someone of her stature of wealth, power and prestige would abandon it, hie away to faraway places like India, Portugal, Africa, in search of her soul.

Instead of making the family fortune grow, she did things like yoga, meditation, praying upside down, and Ananda Marga. At that time, I thought Gina was crazy.

And I admired her for that.

Even after her untimely death ear early morning of Aug. 19, 2019, from brain cancer, I still believed she was nuts. I admired Gina for that, being crazy. She was the soft face of the Lopez empire which is sometimes perceived as exceedingly profitmaking, rapacious, ruthless. She made the Lopez name relevant, lovable, enduring.

Her family was the prototype of the 100 elite families that have ruled this archipelago of 7,300 islands for the last 100 years. Yet, she went against the Establishment. You have to be crazy to fight the Establishment.

Because usually, you don’t win. This explains why she was ousted as the secretary of the environment under President Rodrigo Duterte.

Gina’s family dispensed basic services—electricity, water, television, roads. Yet, in her teenage years, she went to places where these did not exist. Like Africa.

In an article originally written for Rogue magazine in March 2016, Gina recalled her Africa years: “I lived for six years in Kenya.

Turn to A5

Syria Kurd children enjoy movies through mobile cinema

By Delil Souleiman IN A schoolyard of rural northeastern Syria, boys and girls break out into giggles watching Charlie Chaplin's pranks, a rare treat thanks to a mobile cinema roving through the countryside.

In Kurdish-held areas of the northeast, filmmaker Shero Hinde is screening films in remote villages using just a laptop, projector and a canvas screen.

"We've already shown films in towns but we wanted children in the villages to enjoy them, too," said the bespectacled 39-year-old with thick greying curly hair.

With some films dubbed into Kurdish and others subtitled, he and a team of volunteers want to spread their love of cinema across Rojava, the Kurdish

name of the semi-autonomous northeast of war-torn Syria.

"Our goal is that in a year's time, there won't be a kid in Rojava who hasn't been to the cinema," the Kurdish filmmaker said.

Sitting on colored plastic chairs in the village of Sanjaq Saadun just before dusk, the boys and girls watch wide-eyed as the first black-and-white images of "The Kid" appear on screen.

Lively piano music rings out across the school basketball court, as Chaplin plays a tramp who rescues an orphaned baby in the 1921 silent movie.

Laughter rises above the darkened playground as he tries to clean the baby's nose or to feed him from a kettle strung from the ceiling.

Something beautiful

Across the Kurdish-held region, old cinemas once showed American B movies, Bollywood fare and porn, but they have lost their audiences and closed.

In local minds, cinema is also tied to tragedy, after a fire ripped through a theater in the nearby town of Amuda in 1960, killing more than 280 children.

The mobile cinema, says Hinde, aims to introduce young children to the magic of the silver screen from the early days of moving pictures—something he missed out on as a schoolboy.

"When we were kids, the cinema was that dark place," said the filmmaker, wearing black-rimmed glasses and a green T-shirt.

Turn to A5

Rolando G. Estabillo Publisher ManilaStandard

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Opinion

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 21, 2019

Quarantine

WE WERE informed last Sunday that the Council of Agriculture would be imposing strict quarantine measures on incoming passengers from the Philippines to Taiwan. This was on account of reports reaching them that some piggeries in Luzon were experiencing a high hog mortality rate, thus triggering fears about the dreaded African swine fever (ASF).

We were able to get in touch with newly-appointed Secretary William Dar of the Department of Agriculture later in the afternoon, and he was very composed when he said that the DA was investigating the outbreak of a hog disease that could be a case of hog cholera, not necessarily ASF. It would take anywhere from three weeks to more than a month to perform tests that would confirm exactly what disease ails some of our piggeries, as laboratory tests have to be done abroad.

Some Taiwanese hog raisers in Luzon likewise were quite apprehensive, as a determination of ASF could “kill” the industry.

But large hog raisers are very strict about quarantine measures such as foot baths for personnel as well as truck ingress and egress, and even visiting their farms are like visiting the ICU of a hospital. So the probability of ASF contaminating big hog raisers is quite low.

Still, we have many so-called “household” or “backyard” piggeries, which is a livelihood project especially in the provinces.

So the Manila Economic and Cultural Office issued a disclaimer that Philippine hogs are afflicted with ASF, stating that confirmatory tests are still to be conducted by the DA. Meanwhile, we understand Taiwan’s strict quarantine measures, even on airborne passengers who now have to go through strict inspection of both checked-in and hand-carried

Gina Lopez...

From A4

Two of those years were in a slum area where we had to stand in line for water, and the toilet system was pathetic. It was there that I learned to value water. I had one pail, and that was it: For bathing myself and using the last bit for washing my underwear. When one doesn’t have much, one treasures every little bit. I lived as the poor lived, so I learned how not to be wasteful—a trait I carry to this day where I use every bit of everything. I learned how to value empty containers, because they can be of use eventually. It is in Africa that I learned the quality of persistence. Hardship has its value…”

“In the organization, I was sent to places without money or contacts; I was thrown in the sea to swim. I survived and learned the

What...

From A4

shoals in the West Philippine Sea, and even intruding into the Exclusive Economic Zone. *** I consider the efforts of Foreign Secretary Teddyboy Locsin—filing one diplomatic protest after another on the incursions of Chinese warships— as an exercise in futility. Has it not occurred to him that despite his protests, China will continue to ignore them? We can file all the protests we want—they will all just be ignored.

This is the tragedy of our country. We can only acquiesce to and accommodate China

luggage when entering the island.

Upon disembarking from a plane at a Taiwan airport, passengers are given either a “pass” green card where hand-carried luggage for non-ASF infected countries need not be subjected to hand-carried luggage X-ray and physical inspection, or a red card which would require stringent inspection.

Taiwan is very strict about quarantine measures to ensure that the island stays free from diseases that afflict meat, poultry, and plants— as every country should be.

Taiwan is very strict about quarantine measures to ensure that the island stays free from diseases that afflict meat, poultry, and plants—as every country should be.

Passengers are given warnings whether upon departure or in the airplane before touchdown about these strict quarantine measures.

A year ago, when the ASF had not yet become a serious hazard, Filipinos could bring in pork chicharron, which is already processed, although un-cooked or processed meat products, such as tapa and longganisa were already prohibited from entry, along with fruits and plant varieties. Nowadays, all kinds of meat products are disallowed from entry through passengers, and imports are thoroughly tested and screened.

While the ASF virus is not harmful to humans, it can spread very quickly among hogs, such that even cooked pork afflicted with the virus, once ingested by animals, could infect the hog population.

Hopefully, the outbreak reported in some backyard piggeries are just a case of hog cholera, and not the yet incurable and highly contagious ASF. We have to congratulate Sec. Willy Dar for DA’s instant response, the control measures value of guts and will…”

“In the 20 years I was a missionary, I never experienced lack of money or food. It was not a luxurious life, but I always had enough for basic needs. The only time I can remember going hungry was during training, because it partly involved restricting food. I do not think this is advisable for spiritual growth because one can’t concentrate if one is hungry. Instead of feeling the Divine, one is thinking of dinner.”

“Africans have a very simple temperament, sometimes almost like children. This resonated with my own temperament, so I was quite happy there. It was a different life, a different world. I eventually had to go home since I fell in love with my husband, who at the time was my boss.”

So there—the lessons of life.

Privation gives you character, the will to live, that you must fight for

knowing that we cannot go to war with it.

My gulay, we won in the arbitral tribunal in The Hague and yet nothing has come of it.

How pathetic! *** I admire the tenacity and dedication of pro-democracy protesters in Hong Kong even as the military is just there and can crack down on them anytime.

In a way, I envy them. They are not scared to protest their concerns against the policies adopted by the head of the Special Administrative Region.

Compare them to Filipinos who seem cowed into silence.

There has been no protest against the perceived autocratic policies of President Duterte.

which he immediately ordered even if it meant culling hogs within a one-kilometer radius of piggeries where some disease was detected. Above all, Sec. Willy’s cool and composed handling during the press conference he called last Monday, so as not to raise panic or premature conclusions, is duly noted.

Meanwhile, Filipinos visiting Taiwan will just have to undergo the not-so-bothersome inspection, mostly through X-rays, and never try to sneak in some meat goodies, whether our favorite chicharron or even canned meat. *** Because we have a president who has been hyper-active in the speechifying circuit, attending even to non-milestone anniversaries of government agencies where he then perorates for hours on his topic of choice, media both traditional and social, raise speculations every time he stops talking.

And they speculate about the President’s health: “why has he not been seen for a week or so”?

Frankly speaking, the President’s advisers should in fact be telling him to limit his speaking circuit to only important events, and stay more in the palace, whether in Malacañang or Panacan in Davao City, to meet both officials and private sector people more frequently, so as to learn more about the problems of the nation and the dangers that lurk around the economy, especially in these days of world tensions over the trade war and Brexit.

In a few days, the President will visit China for the fifth time in three years and parley with the powerful Xi Jinping, and for this he needs to read documents and consult his advisers quite often.

So seeing him out of the public eye should be par for the course. *** Today, we likewise remember that infamous day when a returning Ninoy Aquino was mercilessly assassinated upon his arrival at the Manila International Airport.

That murder sparked an outrage among even the most docile of Filipinos that eventually culminated in the toppling of a homegrown empire. your wants. And to live simply.

Go basic. Love nature. Please note Gina came from a family that held parties where expensive champagne was drawn literally from fountains.

Concluded Gina in her article: “Life is what you make of it. The experience of life is how you see it. You can see it negatively or you can see even the seeming failures as a positive opportunity to grow.

If we take on this positive bent, everyone around benefits. My consistent experience in life is that as long as one commits to integrity and service, there are Divine Forces that help. I feel it every day, when I meditate in the morning, as I do my work. Life is a challenge.

There are also negative forces that exist, and they are within one’s self. One needs to be keenly aware of them.” biznewsasia@gmail.com

Even the militants, who normally protest anything about the government, have been silent.

This is why I welcome the voices of Senators Antonio Trillanes and Leila de Lima.

The tragedy of the opposition, I think, is that it has no leader around whom people can rally. *** I join the people in mourning the demise of former Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Gina Lopez. We lost a passionate crusader in her.

I did not agree with everything she stood for, but I was proud that there was somebody like her who truly advocates for the environment. www.emiljurado.weebly.com

A5

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Economically irrational tenor of the decision and utterances of MMDA and DTr has been antipathetic toward the 3,000 buses that traverse EDSA every day carrying intra-Metro Manila passenger traffic or bringing passengers to and from THE perenially heavy traffic along the provinces to bustling metropoEpifanio delos Santos Avenue lis. All the vicissitudes and tribula(EDSA) is arguably Metro Manila’s tions associated with EDSA traf trafgreatest problem. As long as it re- fic—snarls, delays, disruptions and mains unsolved, life will be prob- major accidents—are always blamed lematic for the people of the nation’s on the PUBs. It’s as though the polimetropolis, five of whose 17 compo- cymakers and regulators believe that nent LGUs (local government units) private, small-capacity vehicles are are traversed by the 23-kilometer better road citizens than buses. roadway. Putting an end to the EDSA To enforce greater discipline on traffic gridlock has long been one of the PUBs and “keep them in line,” this country’s highest socio-econom- MMDA and DTr have laid down a ic priorities and succession of forPresident Rodribuses-only rules go Duterte made and regulations. it a key election First, there were There is a policy promise. the yellow lines bias against buses beyond which The basic in the EDSA traffic problem unbuses were not derlying EDSA scheme, and it must allowed to stray. traffic is a misThen, there were be discarded. match between the rules relating the demand for to number-coding space along Metand operating ro Manila’s No. 1 artery and the arar- hours. tery’s ability to accommodate the apThe latest and arguably most probproximately 3,000 buses and tens of lematic action against the passengerthousands of other vehicles that need bus industry was the prohibition to use it every day. The mismatch is and forced closure of bus terminals between a fixed supply and a persis- along EDSA. Henceforth passengers tently rapid annual demand increase. bound for Metro Manila are required If little can be done on the supply to transfer to buses waiting in termiside of the equation—road engineer- nals located into sites outside Metro ing can only do so much—any mea- Manila’s limits—one for passengers sures to mitigate the mismatch must coming to the metropolis from the emanate from the demand side. north, and one for those from the The vehicles that use EDSA on a south. Because it involves infrastrucregular basis may be divided into two ture, this latest regulation has been groups, namely, those that transport strongly resisted and per the latest passengers, and other vehicles (main- reports, widely violated. ly transporters of goods). The vehicles The foregoing discussion is not inthat transport passengers may likewise tended to suggest that the transport be divided into two groups—vehicles authorities should not regulate the with small passenger capacities (i.e., bus industry or should refrain from private cars) and large-passenger- laying down rules where and when capacity vehicles (public utility buses these are clearly needed for all the or PUBs). The former can transport stakeholders of a bus industry servicfrom one to around 12 passengers if ing riders who need to go to and from Coaster-type; the latter can carry up to Metro Manila.

50 passengers.

It is simply intended to suggest Given the large disparity between that, in all policymaking concerning the carrying capacity of private cars how the needs of the bus-riding puband that of PUBs, and the need to lic should be met and by whom, ecomaximize EDSA’s vehicle-carrying nomics should—to the greatest excapacity, one would have thought tent possible—be considered in the that the bias of transportation poli- discussions. The economic question cies—that is to say, MMDA (Metro is this: EDSA’s space is limited and Manila Development Authority) can only accommodate a certain voland DTr (Department of Transporta- ume of traffic. Private vehicles oction) policies—should be in favor of cupy EDSA space but can carry only PUBs. That would make more eco- a few passengers. Buses compete for nomic sense since buses can trans- space but are capable of carrying far port, in one trip, anywhere up to sev- more passengers per trip. Given the en times the number of passengers elements of the equation, should vethat a fully-loaded passenger car can. hicles able to carry less passengers After all, the whole idea of EDSA per trip be given priority over vehitraffic improvement is to make pos- cles that can carry more? Surely not! sible an increase in the number of I’m talking about opponent bias. people transported along that artery The existing bias in policymaking within a 24-hour period. regarding the use of EDSA is apparBut that does not appear to be the ently against PUBs. It doesn’t make case. The transportation policy bias sense—not economic sense, certainappears to be against buses, The ly—and should be discarded.

Syria...

From A4

In primary school, he and others were taken to see films inappropriate for their age and in substandard conditions, he recalled.

It was only later that he discovered "the truth and beauty of cinema".

To give today's children a different experience, "we're now trying to substitute that darkness for something beautiful and colorful," he said.

Excited children

The mobile cinema's objective is also to screen "films linked to protecting the environment and personal freedoms," Hinde said.

On another evening in the village of Shaghir Bazar, children rushed in before the film started to grab front-row seats.

On show that day was "Spirit," an American animated adventure film about a wild stallion captured by humans who dreams of breaking free and returning to his herd.

Among the audience, Amal Ibrahim said her son Kaddar, seven, and daughter Ayleen, six, were brimming with excitement.

"They could hardly wait to come.

They've never been to the cinema before," she said in Kurdish.

Even some of the village's older men had turned up to see the cartoon adventure, after not having been to the cinema in decades.

Standing to one side, they reminisced about the films of their youth.

Adnan Jawli, 56, came along with his two children.

"Today, I brought my kids to the cinema and all my memories are flooding back," he said.

"Forty years ago, I would go to the cinema and watch the film from outside through the window," said Jawli.

"It was such a great feeling when the lights dimmed and the film started."

Hinde's own credits include "Stories of Destroyed Cities," a feature-length film about three towns in Syria and Iraq on the road to recovery after Kurdish forces expelled the Islamic State group.

Apart from spearheading the defeat of the jihadists, Syria's Kurds have largely stayed out of the country's eight-year war, instead working towards autonomy after decades of marginalization.

Though Kurdish-led fighters are still battling sleeper cells, Hinde and his team are already looking to the future.

Beyond their roving cinema, they dream of opening a movie theatre at a fixed location.

"But that will depend on the war ending and stability returning to the country," he said. AFP

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 21, 2019 Standard A6 TODAY Manila

Republic of the Philippines CITY OF MAKATI Office of the City Treasurer

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NOTICE

The owners of the motor vehicles listed below are hereby given notice of their option to redeem their respective vehicles after paying all the necessary charges to the Ordinance Violation Receipt Redemption Management Division, 7th floor, Makati City Hall Building II, F. Zobel St., Brgy. Poblacion, Makati City, within a period of fifteen (15) calendar days from date of first publication, on August 9, 2019.

All vehicles not redeemed within the period provided above will be deemed abandoned for failure to pay the necessary and required fines and penalties within six (6) months from date of apprehension and shall be considered for disposal in accordance with the requirements of Makati City Ordinance 2014-066 and other existing laws, rules and regulation.

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RUSI BLACK 9514 TD ROUSER BLACK NO PLATE FURY WHITE 2671 PG RUSI BLACK 4464 SD SUZUKI BLACK 5489 AO HONDA RED NO PLATE YAMAHA GOLD/BLACK 1308 SO SUZUKI WHITE/RED FOR REG RACAL WHITE/RED NO PLATE EURO BLACK NO PLATE SYM BLACK 4219 NO SYM BLACK 31641 NA YAMAHA BLACK 5336 NI KAWASAKI RED 6654 IO KAWASAKI RED 6749 OQ KAWASAKI RED 7712 TN SYM BLACK NO PLATE YAMAHA BLACK 3913 SE HONDA BLACK 5278 UA HONDA BLACK/RED FOR REG MOTORSTAR RED 1337 PS SYM BLACK NO PLATE HONDA RED FOR REG HONDA BLUE FOR REG RUSI RED FOR REG EURO WHITE/BLUE FOR REG HONDA BLACK/RED 2958 TE YAMAHA BLUE 1333 TE EURO RED 2309 PB MOTORSTAR BLUE 5025 UP KAWASAKI RED FOR REG SUZUKI GOLD 8731 TB HONDA BLACK 7271 UE HONDA RED 2030 NO HONDA RED 6215 PP SYM BLACK 4573 XZ MOTOROSH BLUE 7941 EM SYM BLACK&WHITE FOR REG JAILING BLACK/RED 19192 NA SYM BLACK FOR REG RACAL BLACK FOR REG JAILING BLACK 4928 NK SUZUKI BLACK/RED 9960 PP HONDA BLACK 2772 NF RACAL WHITE FOR REG HONDA RED 3200 UP EURO RED NO PLATE RUSI BLACK 7258 DL HONDA BLACK 9593 UQ HONDA BLACK 9765 TG EURO BLACK 3154 NI EURO RED NO PLATE KAWASAKI BLUE 9187 PN SYM RED NO PLATE YAMAHA BLACK/RED NO PLATE YAMAGUCHI BLUE 9651 NI MOTORSTAR BLACK NO PLATE EURO BLACK FOR REG HONDA RED 7593 UU JAILING BLACK NO PLATE MOTORSTAR BLACK 9838 PR HONDA BLACK FOR REG EURO BLACK 6422 XR EURO RED FOR REG SUZUKI BLACK 8389 UP KAWASAKI BLACK 4885 OV RACAL BLACK FOR REG RACAL YELLOW NO PLATE ZUNGSING RED 4980 PW YAMAHA WHITE 1426 OM YAMAHA RED 4251 QO HONDA RED 4750 PO RUSI BLUE NO PLATE HONDA RED FOR REG EURO BLUE FOR REG RUSI BLUE NO PLATE SYM RED 95035 DC YAMAHA BLACK 32697 DS EURO BLACK/RED 57016 BD HAOJUE BLUE NO PLATE SYM BLUE 72914 BD SUZUKI BLUE 7288 OT HONDA RED NO PLATE SKYDRIVE BLACK 2032 OD SYM RED 48750 DA SUZUKI BLACK 81844 NA SYM RED/WHITE 75349 BA RUSI ORANGE 5803 W EURO RED 61925 BC SYM BLUE 75266 BA KYMCO RED FOR REG SYM BLUE NO PLATE KAWASAKI BLACK 26173 NC EURO WHITE FOR REG SYM RED FOR REG SUZUKI BLACK NO PLATE HONDA BLUE 9417 N HONDA BLACK 4483 CR HONDA BLUE 3935 CR RACAL RED NO PLATE MOTORSTAR RED FOR REG SUZUKI BLACK/RED 6906 NH SYM BLACK/RED 68592 BA HONDA BLACK 5235 HR RUSI BLUE 4948 US ZONGZIN BLUE 9698 OR KAWASAKI BLUE 5422 PY SYM WHITE/BLACK 90020 BA HIONDA BLACK 92199 NC SUZUKI BLACK 9718 NK SYM RED 38786 BC HONDA BLACK NO PLATE HONDA RED/BLACK 17025 NA HONDA BLACK 9242 TR HONDA BLACK 5735 TA EURO BLACK FOR REG SYM RED FOR REG RACAL RED NO PLATE SYM WHITE/BLUE NO PLATE HONDA RED 99799 DC MOTORSTAR WHITE/BLUE FOR REG SUZUKI BLACK 9841 XF EURO BLACK 95760 BO SYM RED 97095 DC EURO WHITE 85891 BC HONDA BLUE 4508 ZL YAMAHA BLACK FOR REG RUSI BLACK FOR REG EURO BLUE 69095 BF MIO BLACK 7250 UA SUZUKI BLACK 5521 QY SUZUKI BLACK 6797 NR SUZUKI BLACK NO PLATE SYM BLUE 29200 BC SKYGO BLACK FOR REG HONDA RED 4408 NJ KYMCO BLACK 56699 NA KAWASAKI RED NO PLATE MOTORSTAR RED FOR REG RUSI RED 4216 UW HONDA WHITE 2954 UF YAMAHA BLACK 3731 PY SYM WHITE FOR REG HONDA WHITE 3210 QB SUZUKI BLACK NO PLATE EURO RED 72689 BD

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Type of Plate/ Date Color Violators Name Vehicle/Brand Tag No. Apprehended YAMAHA BLACK 3611 TV MIO BLACK 33648 ND RACAL RED FOR REG MIO BLACK FOR REG HONDA BLACK 8654 UN HONDA BLACK 1955 TU SYM BLACK 93006 BA LOMONTOC, MICHAEL HJAILIN BLACK &WHITE FOR REG BELOLO, REGGIE SYM WHITE 39162 BC SYM RED/WHITE FOR REG SUZUKI ORANGE NO PLATE SUZUKI WHITE NO PLATE RACAL RED FOR REG HONDA BLUE 4131 IY 9/11/2015 ALEJO, ROBERTO JR. S. KAWASAKI RED 8477 NG 6/9/2016 YAMAHA BLACK 1138 NI 10/11/2016 SYM BLACK &WHITE FOR REG 9/22/2016 SYM BLUE FOR REG KAWASAKI BLUE 8704 TY 7/2/2015 HONDA BLACK 2215 OY 6/18/2015 FERNALES, ARNOLD EURO WHITE NO PLATE EURO ORANGE NO PLATE RUSI RED 5527 TO 7/16/2015 ESPOSO, FLORENCIO JR. SUZUKI BLACK/RED 5146 SF 11/16/2015 YAMAHA BLUE 4506 BD 7/28/2015 CONCEPCION, S.C. HONDA BLACK 6077 SQ 8/31/2015 HONDA BLUE 8623 YL 3/21/2016 REPALDA, NOLI BOY EURO BLUE NO PLATE 5/22/2015 SUZUKI RED NO PLATE HONDA WHITE/RED FOR REG HONDA BLACK 2195 TE 7/10/2016 HONDA BLUE 2752 PF 7/4/2016 HONDA BLACK 6143 NH 7/4/2016 ALTIZO, EFREN S. SYM SILVER 41215 BA HONDA RED 317 UM 7/1/2016 KAWASAKI RED 4699 UA 9/25/2015 STEELER, LESTER EURO WHITE NO PLATE SYM BLUE 21968 BC SYM RED 4465 NQ 11/23/2015 EURO WHITE FOR REG SYM BLACK 7416 TG 6/22/2015 HABABAG, DONELO RED FOR REG HONDA RED 5425 OJ 9/2/2016 BUENO, GERRY YAMAHA BLACK 1532 XI 5/14/2016 RACAL BLACK&WHITE FOR REG HONDA GREEN 6019 OO 7/15/2016 OROPESO, JOHN HONDA BLUE 6376 NO RUSI RED 72125 NC 8/5/2016 AQUAREZ, RAMIN SYM WHITE 48326 BC 9/1/2016 YAMAHA RED 6163 WG 6/28/2016 ESTEVEN SUZUKI BLACK 8636 NL 5/3/2016 HONDA BLACK 9043 QZ 5/15/2016 GARIN, WINEFREDO YAMAHA RED 5771 VO 3/31/2016 BALDOMAR, ALLAN SUZUKI BLACK 9953 PD 6/12/2016 HONDA BLACK 3563 NE 5/12/2016 EURO BLACK/RED NO PLATE EURO RED/BLUE 1432 CS 3/17/2016 ADMANA, VICENTE EURO GREEN FOR REG 7/25/2016 SYM RED 9147 UA 10/1/2016 HONDA BLACK FOR REG KYMCO ORANGE 4930 TH 8/5/2016 EURO RED NO PLATE 1/2/2017 RUSI RED/WHITE 7505 HZ BENILLE RED FOR REG SKYDRIVE BLACK 3305 OO EURO WHITE FOR REG SYM RED/WHITE FOR REG SYM BLACK 7274 TC HONDA BLACK 3115 UA HAOJUE BLACK/WHITE FOR REG 12/21/2016 HONDA RED NO PLATE YAMAHA WHITE 48742 BD 10/14/2017 KAWASAKI BLUE 19023 NO 6/28/2017 SYM BLUE 38793 BC 1/3/2017 HONDA BLUE FOR REG SYM WHITE 29247 BC 1/3/2017 SYM RED 13851 BE 12/26/2016 CARREON, JESTER RACAL BLUE 87864 ND 1/12/2017 HONDA BLACK 6878 PO 2/14/2017 SYM BLACK 33113 BC 12/13/2017 KAWASAKI YELLOW 35805 NE 1/18/2017 HONDA BLACK/RED 8338 TN 2/15/2017 SUZUKI RED 1893 II 1/21/2017 EURO BLACK 3702TK 4/12/2017 RUSI BLACK NO PLATE 1/26/2017 ALEX SYM RED 70987 BC 2/7/2017 HONDA RED 30310 1/29/2017 RUSI BLACK 777472 1/20/2017 RACAL BLUE 7947 JW 2/15/2017 RIGON, ANGELITO SUZUKI BLUE FOR REG 3/7/2017 RAGASA, PAULINO RUSI GREEN 1596 ND KAWASAKI RED 4304 ND HAOJUE RED FOR REG SUZUKI BLUE 3764 AO 5/15/2015 KAWASAKI RED 6148 UX KAWASAKI RED NO PLATE 10/13/2015 SUZUKI RED 6683 TZ KAWASAKI BLACK 9056 QZ 6/28/2015 ROA, ANTONIO E. SKYGO BLACK 9193 UJ 5/12/2017 HONDA BLACK 5011 NP SUZUKI RED 6625 TZ KAWASAKI RED FOR REG 5/26/2015 HONDA BLUE 5659 BL 7/17/2015 POSO, JASON ESCANOR SKYGO BLACK 9181 UO LUZON, ALFREDO HONDA BLACK 3045 UY 9/1/2015 MORATA PMR RED 7159 TN RACAL BLACK 42410 NO HONDA RED 7035 AO 10/28/2015 RUSI RED NO PLATE 7/25/2016 PEREZ, WILBUR SKYGO BLACK 9176 UO 10/13/2015 SUNRISER BLACK 8764 ZK 3/14/2017 RACAL BLACK NO PLATE SYM BLACK 3631 QW 6/16/2015 KAWASAKI BLACK 6915 TY RUSI BLACK FOR REG 4/17/2017 RACAL RED 3482 XT SUZUKI RED 5665 YX KAWASAKI RED 1029 SO RUSI BLUE NO PLATE EURO RED NO PLATE SUZUKI RED 7169 NV 6/8/2015 MANGAOANG, SUZUKI RED 6626 TZ 4/17/2017 ARSENIO JR. D. KAWASAKI RED 6063 WW 5/3/2017 RACAL BLUE 3503 XT BERNALDO, KENNEY YAMAHA BLACK 1969 TL 1/11/2018 HONDA RED NO PLATE SKYGO BLACK 9022 OP KAWASAKI BLUE 4228 QG SKYGO BLACK 3277 AX HONDA RED 8341 UY EURO RED 2925 UY KAWASAKI RED 4985 UU TRICYCLES KAWASAKI RED 4304 ND HAOJUE RED FOR REG SUZUKI BLACK 3764 UA KAWASAKI BLUE 6148 UY KAWASAKI RED NO PLATE SUZUKI RED 6683 TZ KAWASAKI BLACK 9056 QZ RACAL BLACK NO PLATE SUZUKI RED 7169 NV KAWASAKI MAROON FOR REG HONDA BLUE 4548 BL RACAL BLACK 42410 ND HONDA BLACK 3045 UY PMR RED 7159 TN KAWASAKI BLACK 1028 SO HONDA RED 7035 AO RED NO PLATE RUSI HONDA BLACK 5011 NP SYM BLACK 3631 QW SUZUKI RED/BLUE 6625 TC YAMAHA BLUE 1959 JL RACAL RED 3482 XT KAWASAKI BLACK 6915 TY HONDA RED 9181 UO SUZUKI RED 5665 YX EURO RED NO PLATE RUSI BLUE NO PLATE KAWASAKI RED 6063 WM SKYGO BLACK 9193 UJ SRM BLACK 8764 ZK SUZUKI RED 6626 TZ RUSI BLACK NO PLATE SKYGO BLACK 9176 UO RACAL BLUE 3500 XT -

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CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

Sports

A7

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 21, 2019 sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

PH archery hopes to end SEAG gold-medal drought P

berto Badiola and Arnold Rojas.

Meanwhile, Chan, Andrea Robles, Rachelle Ann Dela Cruz, and Abbigail Tinugduan comprised the women’s compound squad.

Dela Cruz and the 21-year-old Robles, seeing action in the SEA Games for the first time and daughter of former national swimmer Mark Robles, were with Sayo in the weekly public sports program presented by San Miguel Corp., Braska Restaurant, Amelie Hotel, and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation.

HILIPPINE archery hopes to do its own share when the Southeast Asian Games returns to the country for its 30th edition later this year.

A mixture of young and new comprise both the recurve and compound teams seeing action in the Nov. 30 to Dec. 11 biennial meet, where the Filipino archers are eyeing to end a four-year gold medal drought.

National coach Clint Sayo bared the composition of the Philippine archery team to the SEA Games in Tuesday’s Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum at the Amelie Hotel-Manila led by Asian Games bronze medalist Paul Marton Dela Cruz, Youth Olympic Games gold medal winner Gabriel Moreno, and Olympian Jennifer Chan.

Moreno leads the four-man recurve team along with Florante Matan, Jayson Feliciano, and Carson Hastie, while the distaff side is composed of Kareel Hongitan, Pia Bidaure, Phoebe Amostoso, and Gabrielle Monica Bidaure.

Dela Cruz, a bronze medal winner in the 2017 edition of the SEA Games in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, banners the men’s compound team together with Johan Olano, RoNo.

Type of Vehicle/Brand

313 YAMAHA MIO STAR 314 MOTOR NICES 315 HONDA WAVE 316 SYM 317 318 319 320 321 322 323 324 325 326 327 328 329 330 331 332 333 334 335 336 337 338 339 340 341 342 343 344 345 346 347 348 349 350 351 352 353 354 355 356 357 358 359 360 361 362 363 364 365 366 367 368 369 370 371 372 373 374 375 376 377 378 379 380 381

RACAL SYM SYM HONDA SYM HONDA HONDA SYM EURO MOTORSTAR HONDA SYM SUZUKI SYM SCOOTER SUZUKI EURO HONDA KAWASAKI SUZUKI SUZUKI KYMCO EURO BLACK EURO YAMAHA SUZUKI RED YAMAHA SUZUKI HONDA EURO YAMAHA ION SUZUKI SYM SUZUKI HONDA HONDA HONDA HONDA KAWASAKI EURO SYM SYM HONDA EURO SYM SYM RACAL HONDA HONDA SUZUKI MOTORSTAR RUSI SYM HONDA YAMAHA SUZUKI SUZUKI HONDA SYM YAMAHA MOTORSTAR HONDA HONDA RUSI

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National archery coach Clint Sayo (right) talks about the SEA Games’ chances of the team at the PSA Forum. He is joined here by Paul Marton Dela Cruz and Andrea Robles.

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Plate/ Date Violators Name Registered Owner Tag No. Apprehended BRGY SINGKAMAS - MOTORCYCLES 1404 PG ND 43383

The Filipino archers last won a gold in the regional meet during the 2013 staging in Myanmar courtesy of the men’s compound team of Earl Benjamin Yap, Ian Patrick Chipeco, and Delfin Anthony Adriano.

In Malaysia two years ago, they took home a silver and four bronze medals.

Sayo is tempering expectations especially with the country hosting the games for the first time in 14 years.

Nonetheless, he sees the archers delivering medals of any color.

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7928 NC For Reg. BOTANICAL GARDEN - MOTORCYCLES NO PLATE 2413 PU NO PLATE 4814 PI 3454 HY NO PLATE 1647 XY NO PLATE SF 3281 TG 4057 YK 4107 8892 UQ 3550 QB 5724 UG 2478 WF 8502 QW 1475 QD 9676 XI 1497 PS 4535 NB 5251 HV NO PLATE NO PLATE 3154 PQ 4888 NO PLATE 2958 UD NO PLATE 2905 TJ 7967 ZL 2202 UV 4971 NL 4971 OE 2002 PF 3693 UJ 6051 UN 7388 TH 6454 XH 4814 TT 6662 QZ 3136 NT 9396 PF NO PLATE NA 92792 NO PLATE BD 57548 BENEDICT AGUIRRE NO PLATE NE 38326 KENNETH BOCTAI MAKATI CITY UY 8542 ROWEL TORRES NO PLATE MAKATI CITY NO PLATE ND 45858 ALBERTO RAYMOND NA 90529 BC 33386 BRGY. TEJEROS UP 8648 ND 62339 NO PLATE NO PLATE 3340 PM NO PLATE NO PLATE NO PLATE RONEL RAMIREZ PASAY CITY NQ 5876 MARVIN QUEJADA UQ 5876 ALVIN DELA CRUZ NUEVA ECIJA 1388 WQ ELISEO PASCUA 584 SAN ANDRES BUKID MARK JOSEPH 6706 HX TAGUIG CITY CABUATAN NO PLATE 1924 UC VHON DELOS SANTOS BRGY. RIZAL, MAKATI CITY 1522 PX JASEN RODRIGO MAKATI CITY 8070 U ALEJANDRO REYES MANILA 4765 SOLCHUAGA ST. NE 15653 GERALD REVILLA MAKATI CITY UU 8542 NC 33010 SALEH EMAD MANDALUYONG CITY NE 60109 ALEX CANAYAN BRGY. BANGKAL DC 93679 RAFAEL RIVERA PASAY CITY 7472 HO ABE FLOAG SAMPALOC MANILA NO PLATE TRANS. NO PLATE NOEL NEO BRGY. SINGKAMAS NO 85271 ERWIN SUMANO PASAY CITY 9718 TC 9878 PA ABSCONDED 1445 US ALLAN HALICLIC MANILA ROLDAN JAY TS 2000 TAGUIG CITY TOLINGDAN CD 20117 JOSHUA RUBIO EAST REMBO MAKATI CITY AD 18681 MANUEL ESTLOCO NO ADDRESS 5740 NN MARTIN SABUSA QUEZON CITY CQ 9869 EDWIN BARAGAS MAKATI CITY FOR REG. NO PLATE NO PLATE 8335 OG NO PLATE NO PLATE NO PLATE 3024 TH JHON LERY ENRIQUEZ MANDALUYONG CITY 4036 PJ PETER LAGAS PASAY CITY 8541 OO EDUARDO REPUTAG PASAY CITY 5025 DA JESTONI BIBON MUNTINLUPA CITY 1742 EVANGELISTA NC 7858 JHOJHO TULAGAN BANGKAL MKT NO PLATE -

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FWD...

From A8

delighted to have activities such as the Young Athletes’ Play Day which aim to empower young children to live fulfilled lives,” said FWD Philippines Head of Marketing Roche Vandenberghe.

“More than a year to our partnership with FWD, we have already made significant difference to the lives of our athletes as we continue to build a unified generation where people with and without intellectual disabilities work together for a more inclusive society,” Special Olympics Philippines National Director Kaye Samson said. “We are grateful for FWD’s continued support to our young athletes as they discover new strengths and abilities through the power of sports.”

About 15% of the world’s population lives with some form of disability1. Among these, more than 200 million have developmental problems2, making them one of the world’s biggest disability groups and one of the most underserved sections of the population. People with intellectual disability go through attitudinal, structural, and logistical barriers, from obtaining healthcare to landing a job.

Brina Maxino: pure inspiration During the program, Special Olympics Philippines ambassador Brina Maxino, who was born with Down Syndrome, inspired the children and their families with a heartwarming speech. “When I was nine days old, a doctor told my parents that I might not live long because I had a hole in my heart and very poor muscle tone,” Brina said. At age 10, she was told by a psychologist that she had “borderline IQ,” with a slim chance of even finishing grade school.

“But I exceeded her expectations,” Brina added. “At 16 years old, I graduated from a regular high school as Class Valedictorian. At 20 years old, I graduated from college with a bachelor’s degree in History.”

22-year-old Brina has obtained a bachelor’s degree in History and currently works as a Pre-School Assistant Teacher at Pean Integrated School of Parañaque. Through teaching, she gets to pass on everything that she learned about life to her kindergarten students.

Empowering people to live fulfilled lives FWD’s partnership with Special Olympics is part of the pan-Asian insurer’s Community Care initiative, with its goal to “empower people to live fulfilled lives.” In 2018, FWD Group donated US$ 1.25 million across the markets where it operates: Hong Kong, Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines, Singapore, Vietnam, and Japan. Through the partnership with the Special Olympics, FWD hopes to change how society perceives people with intellectual, learning, and developmental disabilities, and that despite their condition, they can make valuable contributions to society and should be given opportunities to do so.

Plate/ Date Violators Name Tag No. Apprehended NC 12994 7766 PK SE 1753 Reg No. 0302994 NC 60875 Reg No. 0302994 AC 58810 QB 8037 NO PLATE (JOLLIE) NO PLATE (YELLOW) 8254 XJ For Reg. BLACK 7071 HZ NF 81541 6464 PO For Reg. 13030449792 FOR REG FOR REG 9869 CQ 4036 PJ NC 78258 NO PLATE NO PLATE NO PLATE TRICYCLES

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MOTORSTAR SUZUKI EURO HONDA RUSI SUZUKI SUZUKI SYM KAWASAKI KAWASAKI MOTORSTAR HONDA KAWASAKI SUZUKI SUZUKI KAWASAKI MOTORSTAR KAWASAKI YAMAHA YAMAHA SUZUKI SUZUKI MOTORSTAR RUSI EURO SUZUKI KAWASAKI MOTORSTAR HONDA YAMAHA YAMAHA KAWASAKI KAWASAKI KAWASAKI

NA 24493 PZ 2976 UD 1804 NO PLATE NO 19666 UC 1290 TX 3441 6961 SP UW 3220 TF 9349 2051 XI 2178 TR 7821 HZ TV 1312 UW 3374 NW 5644 FOR REG TE 5742 TX 8168 TG 8915 PR 5037 YN 5819 OO 5695 2137 XH 6164 YF 7710 NQ NO PLATE NA 63205 NO PLATE PF 8679 TN 1457 8053 PF 4961 YS UY 6116

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BAYAN ARMANA RYAN HABANA ALFREDO HALILI ABSCONDED EDWINN EDUARDO RANDY HUEVA ABSCONDED RINGEL BELTRAN PASAWAYTO GASGARCO NOLI ROBEDILLO ARIE GAMIT JHUN PATRICK MAMOYACK

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RONEL CRUZ MARCELO MAGALLANES NINO EDJAY PICABIZO ABSCONDED SABINO MACASED

496 JIANSHIE 497 JEEP OWNER 498 NISSAN GRAY 499 NISSAN TAXI 500 NISSAN TAXI

6426 NA DRG 418 THK 881 PYY 508 PYJ 760

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1358 PAGKAKAISA ST. KASILAWAN 3144 FE ST. KASILAWAN CARMONA BRGY. OLYMPIA 1903 KAHILUMI -

Very truly yours, (Sgd.) Atty. Michael Arthur R. Camiña City Legal Officer

M. Standard – Aug. 14 & 21, 2019

Sports

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

A8

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 21, 2019

NLEX five reacquires Miranda from NorthPort

By Jeric Lopez LOOKING to shore up its froncourt, NLEX reacquired bruiser Michael Miranda from NorthPort, while sending away guard Juami Tiongson in return.

In a completed one-on-one trade yesterday, the Road Warriors and the Batang Pier completed the deal and got it approved by the Philippine Basketball Association right away.

Miranda already played for NLEX in 2017-18, but was dealt away last year in a deal that sent Poy Erram to the Road Warriors.

Now, the Road Warriors are looking to depend on Miranda in his second tour of duty with the team as his rugged style inside is expected to fit the system of coach Yeng Guiao.

According to a knowledgeable source, NLEX initially did not want to part ways with Tiongson and was pushing to send over draft picks, but NorthPort was not sold initially.

The Batang Pier wanted Tiongson, who is expected to help fill in the void left by former superstar Stanley Pringle, who was traded early in the Commissioner’s Cup. Tiongson actually signed a new contract just recently with the Road Warriors.

In an earlier trade, Alaska acquired Maverick Ahamnisi from Rain or Shine for Ping Exciminiano and a 2019 first-round draft pick.

Thai champ back as women’s golf tourney unwraps YUPAPORN Kawinpakorn takes crack at a tough field made up of fellow Thai campaigners, a couple of Korean aces and a slew of local bets, confident but wary of her chances for a title repeat in The Women’s Championship at Summit Point unfolding today (Wednesday, Aug. 21) in Lipa City, Batangas.

The veteran campaigner, who anchored the Thais’ sixtitle haul in last year’s edition of the Ladies Philippine Golf Tour with two victories, has vowed to better her winning Kawinpakorn 10-under total as she faces a souped-up roster in the 54-hole championship on a course that features 18 of the world’s renowned golf holes.

“I expect to score at least four-under each day but I need to hit more greens to do it,” said the former Philippine Amateur Open winner at The Country Club. “But for sure, I will give my best to defend my crown.”

Kawinpakorn held off Asian Games team gold medalist Lois Kaye Go in the final round to win by three in a big follow-up to her title romp at Beverly Place last year but the 27-year-old shotmaker will be in for a tougher challenge this week from among compatriots Nemittra Juntanaket, Sangkagaro Pimpadsorn, Ajira Nualraksa and Tiranan Yoopan, Koreans Hwang Min-Jeong and Kang Dayun and Pinays Chihiro Ikeda, Cyna Rodriguez, Marvi Monsalve and club bet Gretchen Villacencio.

Juntanaket, for one, is out to make it two-in-row after ruling the Mount Malarayat Ladies Classic last week with Pimpadsorn and Nualraksa raring to score a breakthrough in the country’s premier circuit put up by ICTSI and Yoopan also back in the circuit and due for a big win.

Hwang has also vowed to go all-out this week after struggling in the first two days at Mount Malarayat as she bids for a second crown after nailing topping the Splendido leg last January to launch her pro career while Ikeda and Rodriguez hope to cash in on whatever home advantage they enjoy and foil another foreign domination in the circuit organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments Inc.

EAC’s Philip Tampoc (17), Marvin Taywan (29) and JP Maguliano (11) gang up on Kim Aurin (35) of Perpetual Help in the NCAA Season 95 Men’s Basketball Tournament. The Altas won, 88-87.

Dennis Abrina

Stags edge Knights in overtime

By Peter Atencio

R

K ILAGAN led San Sebastian College with 22 points until he fouled in the extra period.

And with Ilagan sitting on the bench in the remaining time, his teammates led by Allyn Bulanadi, Alvin Capobres and Ken Villapando took charge and propelled the Stags to a 102-101 overtime win over the Letran Knights yesterday in the 95th National Collegiate Athletic Association men’s basketball tournament at the FilOilFlying V Sports Center in San Juan.

Bulanadi shot 21 points, including a driving shot in the final 3:38, which pulled the Stags out of a 93-all deadlock and helped the team notch its third win in six games.

“Mas gutom sa panalo ang mga bata,” said Stags’ assistant coach Melo Banuea, who called the shots with Egay Macaraya suspended for a game.

Meanwhile, Rey Peralta unloaded 21 points to help lift the University of Perpetual Help Altas to an 88-87 beating of the Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals, their third triumph in eight outings.

Benedict Adamson knocked in the winning shot with 48.7 seconds, 88-84, and the Altas weathered a late rally in the remaining time, handed them their first triumph under interim coach Myk Saguiguit.

It was the Altas’ first game without head coach Frankie Lim, who is on leave.

Capobres drilled in 19 points, including a split charity tying the count for the last time, 99-all, in the final 1:22.

Larry Muyang tallied 32 points for the Knights, who now have a 5-3 win-loss slate in third.

It was Muyang’s layup with 48.3 seconds to go which allowed Letran to take the lead for the last time, 101-100. A free throw and a driving shot from an open Villapando with 18.5 ticks to go allowed the Stags to grab the lead at 102-101.

Villapando’s defense on Knights’ cager Edson Batiller kept Letran from nailing a final shot.

Muyang’s charity in the final 16.1 seconds, followed by a miss from Capobres as time winded down put the game in overtime, 91-all.

In junior action, Lenard Santiago fired 14 points for the Letran Squires, who upended the San Sebastian Staglets, 72-64, and improved to 4-5 with the University of Perpetual Help Junior Altas.

John Escalante banged in 21 points for the Junior Altas, who climbed to a share of fifth with the Squires after beating the EAC Brigadiers, 71-70.

FWD 78° North Marathon champ gives back FWD 78° North Marathon female champion and triathlete Joyette Jopson led the children of Special Olympics Philippines to a day of fun and games during the FWD Young Athletes Play Day on July 10 at the FWD Business Hub in Alabang, Muntinlupa City.

Joyette, an FWD Financial Wealth Officer, took the kids through her journey of bearing the Philippine flag in the FWD 78° North Marathon held on April 16, 2019. Recalling her experience to finish the marathon amidst the challenges, Joyette took the opportunity to inspire the children to achieve their biggest goals in life, regardless of the challenges.

Fearless Filipina overcoming all odds “We must nurture these kids in a way that we do with any other kid. We need to make them understand that anything is possible if we guide them all the way through,” Joyette said. “Like Brina Maxino, one of Special Olympics’ Sargent Shriver International Global Messengers, she was able to get a stable job despite having Down Syndrome. If she can do it, then I believe that every child with intellectual disabilities can, too.”

Joyette conquered the 42-kilometer FWD 78° North Marathon in Longyearbyen, Svalbard—a Norwegian archipelago in the Arctic Ocean on April 16, 2019. She became the first Filipina to ace the grueling marathon, overcoming all odds in exactly 4 hours, 10 minutes, and 59 seconds and placing placed first in the women’s category and third overall.

Unleashing the inner champion in every child FWD Philippines collaborated with

FWD 78° North Marathon female champion Joyette Jopson poses with Brina Maxino (right) and Special Olympics Philippines Athlete Leader Carl Jason Garcia (center).

Special Olympics Philippines in holding the Young Athletes Play Day participated in by FWD Community Care volunteers and young children with developmental and intellectual disabilities from Elsie Gaches Village and Las Piñas Elementary Central School.

Although the children are all living with intellectual disabilities, the set of inclusive games and activities were designed to develop their motor, social, and cognitive skills. Special Olympics Young Athletes is a sport and play program for

children with and without intellectual disabilities (ID), ages 2 to 7 years old. Young Athletes introduces basic sport skills, like running, kicking and throwing. Young Athletes offers families, teachers, caregivers, and people from the community the chance to share the joy of sports with all children.

“At FWD, we take to heart our brand promise for Filipinos to ‘Celebrate Living’ and through our partnership with Special Olympics Philippines, we are

Peñalosa faces Mexican in IBO world title fight THE stage is set for the International Boxing Organization world flyweight title clash between Filipino Carlo Peñalosa and Mexican Maximino Flores at the TV5 Studio on Saturday in Novaliches.

The 26-year-old Peñalosa, nephew of former two-division world champions Dodie Boy and Gerry Peñalosa, said the fight is the biggest challenge of his life.

“This is a world championship. It’s my biggest challenge. It’s the first time I’m facing a Mexican,” he told the PSA Forum at Amelie Hotel in Manila.

Peñalosa carries a 14-1 record with seven knockouts.

The 28-year-old Flores, who will challenge Peñalosa for the vacant IBO flyweight crown, also graced the forum presented by San Miguel Corp., Braska Restaurant, Amelie Hotel and Pagcor.

The more experienced boxer with a record of 24-4-1 and 17 knockouts, Flores said he trained three months for the fight.

“I’m physically and mentally prepared. It doesn’t matter what the judges will say. It’s up to them. Even if he (Peñalosa) wins as long as I win the hearts of the fans, it’s okay with me,” said Flores through an interpreter.

Also gracing the forum were the four finalists of the Ultimate Boxing Series: Kamaong Pinoy, a reality show put up by Gerry Peñalosa’s boxing promotions company and fully backed by TV5.

“This is our way of giving young and promising boxers a break as we search for our new boxing heroes,” said Peñalosa of the series that began four months ago with over a hundred undefeated boxers.

It’s now down to four—April Jay Abne and Ronel Sumalpong for the UBS flyweight title, and Lienard Sarcon and Aljum Pepesio for the bantamweight crown.

The event is free to the public.

Turn to A7

Venues given Sept. 15 deadline; Apl.de.Ap to perform at SEAG opener

By Peter Atencio ALL venues that are being readied for the 30th Southeast Asian Games must be turned over to the organizers by September.

Philippine SEA Games Organizing Committee president and CEO Ramon Suzara this with 101 days before the start of the biennial meet.

The contractors who are doing work on the many venues of the Games have until Sept. 15 to complete whatever renovation, repairs and makeovers that are being done.

“By Sept. 15, dapat awarded na lahat,” said Suzara.

There are 25 projects that are formalized his commitment to being undertaken for the Games perform at the opening ceremoby the government and 12 of nies of the SEA Games on Nov. these involve procurement of ma30 at the Philippine Arena in Boterials, while 13 others are concaue, Bulacan. nected to sports equipment that Apl.de.ap, who is Allan Pineare being acquired by the Philipda Lindo in real life, confirmed pine Sports Commission. his involvement following a So far, Suzara bared that the Apl.de.ap signing ceremony yesterday at Phisgoc will be spending around the House of Representatives P3.5 to P4 billion in its preparations, with in Quezon City.

P1 billion going to operations and anThe famed rapper met with House other billion going to repair work being Speaker Allan Peter Cayetano, Philippine done mostly by the Department of Public Olymnpic Committee President Abraham Works and Highways.

Tolentino and Philippine Sports CommisEarlier, Philippine music icon apl.de.ap sion Chairman William Ramirez.

The 44-year-old musician and producer’s performance will highlight the opening rites, which will be held on Bonifacio Day. Maestro Ryan Cayabyab will collaborate with apl.de.ap during a 12-minute long performance.

The opening ceremonies show will be a mix of beats from the Black Eyed Peas and will have sounds of traditional Filipino instruments and orchestral accompaniments.

Black Eyed Peas groupmates will.i.am, Taboo, and singer Jessica Reynoso will be around for the closing ceremonies on Dec. 11 at the New Clark City Athletics Stadium in Capas, Tarlac.

Business

IN BRIEF LRWC posted loss of P130.4m in Q2

LEISURE & Resorts World Corp. said it posted a net loss of P130.4 million in the second quarter of the year, a reversal from a profit of P99.6 million year-on-year, on higher operating expenses and a significant decline in casino revenues.

LRWC said in a disclosure to the stock exchange second-quarter consolidated gross revenues climbed nine percent to P2.65 billion from P2.43 billion in 2018.

Revenues from casino operations declined 20.4 percent in the second quarter to P1.03 billion from P1.3 billion a year ago as income from junket operations plunged by 37 percent to P581 million.

Sales from bingo operations, meanwhile, rose 10 percent to P2.56 billion from P2.3 billion in 2018.

Total operating expenses, however, jumped 24.2 percent as interest expense soared 467 percent due to higher rates on existing loans as well as availment of additional loans in the first quarter of the year.

The weak second-quarter performance resulted in a first-half net loss of P45.2 million, also a turnaround from an income of P182 million on year.

Jenniffer B. Austria

SSS says revenues up 21% to P115.53b

STATE-RUN pension fund Social Security System posted a 21-percent increase in total revenues in the first half of 2019 to P115.53 billion from P95.55 billion a year ago, driven primarily by strong growth in collected contributions and investments.

SSS president and chief executive Aurora Ignacio said Tuesday both contribution collections and investments and other income during the period reached P99.08 billion and P16.45 billion, respectively.

“The contributions collected from January to June 2019 surpassed last year’s actual collections of P82 billion. This is primarily due to corporate collection efforts as well as the increase in the contribution rate and in the maximum and minimum salary credit effective April 2019,” Ignacio said in a statement.

“Further, our investment and other income bounced back this period driven by strong and favorable market conditions,” Ignacio said.

Total assets in the first half rose 6 percent to P542.27 billion from P511.47 billion in the same period last year.

Julito G. Rada

Auction for 2,000 MW of renewable energy set

THE National Renewable Energy Board plans to auction about 2,000 megawatts of renewable energy capacity under the proposed Green Energy Tariff Rate Program within the year.

NREB chairman Monalisa Dimalanta said the board was set to meet this week to discuss and complete the framework of the auction.

“Based on the instructions of the secretary, the main objective is promote more investments in the RE sector considering that it won’t have feed-in tariffs and another round of feed-in tariffs anymore. So it’s really to attract more investments and the idea is to create a market for them to facilitate their access to market for the renewable energy,” Dimalanta said.

“The target is to roll this out within the year. So hopefully we meet the target,” she added.

The official said the Department of Energy had given the NREB the leeway to decide on how to move forward with the auction. Alena Mae S. Flores

BOI: Investment pledges climbed 24% in 7 months

By Othel V. Campos

I

NVESTMENT commitments approved by the Board of Investments jumped 24 percent in the first seven months to P312.8 billion from P252.2 billion in the same period last year despite the trade dispute between two of the world’s largest economies.

pines to escalate and complete the negotiation of the free trade agreement with South Korea and review or enhance the Philippines-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement to avail of more opportunities and exchanges with Japan.

“We assure foreign investors that the Philippines is a safe haven for their investments and they should take advantage of our very strong domestic demand and commit to long-term deals,” said Trade Undersecretary and BOI managing head Ceferino Rodolfo.

Power projects remained the biggest investments with P195.1 billion, up by 65.3 percent from P118 billion in the same period last year. Investments in the manufacturing sector soared 132.6 percent to P46.1 billion from P19.8 billion.

The information and communication sector posted a 9,680-percent increase in investments to P33.2 billion from merely P340 million last year. Tourism accommodation investments rolled to P9 billion, up 618 percent from P1.3 billion in 2018.

business@manilastandard.net extrastory2000@gmail.com WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 21, 2019

B1

SMIC, Ayala vow to promote strategies on sustainability

By Jenniffer B. Austria

CONGLOMERATES SM Investments Corp. and Ayala Corp. on Tuesday pushed for the inclusion of sustainability development into business strategies to promote growth and mitigate risks.

SMIC chairman of the executive committee Hans Sy said the group’s sustainability thrust focused on empowering small and medium enterprises to ensure sustainable value chain “Investors continue to signal their and in attaining business continuity.

“Empowering supply chains is parstrong confidence in the Philippines ticularly close to our hearts because despite the challenges generated by the SM’s roots were borne from our faglobal tensions among nations. This ther’s entrepreneurial spirit,” Sy said growth was still resilient enough to during the United Nations Global withstand the global demand downturn Compact- Global Reporting Initiative brought about by the lingering trade regional sustainability summit at Condispute between the US and China, the rad Manila in Pasay City. trade spat between Japan and South “It is because of this that we underKorea and other geopolitical tensions,” stand the journey and challenges faced said Trade Secretary and BOI chairman by small and medium enterprises. We Ramon Lopez. want to help them not only by providing a strong market but by building their resilience to overcome their risks and maximize their opportunities,” Sy said.

SMIC’s property unit SM Prime Holdings Inc. is taking a step further by helping SMEs bounce back immediately after a disaster, he said.

It built an SM Reliance Center in SM Clark, Pampanga to serve as the data storage and capacity building facilities for SME partners. SM Prime also provided free storage data to serve as the repository for documents essential to early recovery and business continuity. More than 1,500 SMEs have availed of the service.

“Supporting our SME partners focus their efforts from managing disasters to managing risks is a critical step toward an enduring partnership in resilience,” Sy said.

SM works with nearly 25,000 SMEs, both directly and indirectly, representing 27 percent of total SMEs in the Philippines. These include mall tenants, traders and suppliers mainly in retail.

Meanwhile, Ayala Corp. chairman and chief executive Jose Augusto Zobel de Ayala said that building sustainHans Sy (right), an adviser of SM Investments Corp. and the first Filipino representative to the private sector advisory group of the United ability into business strategies, goals Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction, greets Ayala Corp. chairman and CEO Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala, the 2017 UN Global and practices would enable companies Compact SDG pioneer awardee for sustainable business strategy and operations, before the start Tuesday of the Sustainability Summit to grow responsibly while safeguard2019 Forum at Conrad Manila in Pasay City. Bobby Cabrera ing their relevance to stakeholders.

Dar asks LGUs, growers to contain increasing deaths of backyard pigs THE Agriculture Department on Tuesday asked local government units and the private sector to implement stronger measures to manage, contain and control the incidence of increased deaths among pigs raised in backyards.

Agriculture Secretary William Dar said the private sector could help cushion off the emerging situation reported by the Bureau of Animal Industry earlier.

Dar asked all hog raisers, commercial players and those engaged in backyard operations to strictly observe and practice good livestock practices, including the needed bio-security measures.

He also ordered the revival and strengthening of the Crisis Management Team to oversee the planning and implementation of the appropriate measures.

Dar said the private sector would be a part of the CMT that the department would

“We remain among the fastestgrowing economies in Asia and we are among the few countries to even register a 1.5-percent export growth in July,” said Lopez.

Data showed that foreign investment commitments surged 348 percent in the first seven months to P69.6 billion from a year ago. Local investments also rose 2.7 percent to P243.2 billion.

Singapore emerged as the top source of foreign investments this year with P35.4 billion. It was followed by the Netherlands with P9.2 billion, Thailand with P8.6 billion, Japan with P5.8 billion and the United States with P2.4 billion.

Lopez said it was a custom for the Trade Department to diversify markets by identifying new destinations for more opportunities while ensuring that domestic base is strong and on the upswing to soften the impact of trade disputes.

He said the recent trade spat between Korea and Japan should urge the Philip-

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

institutionalize.

“We want the active participation of the private sector and LGUs so that we can gain their full involvement and commitment, including other technical teams that will monitor and evaluate recent events,” Dar said.

The department held a series of meetings with the private sector, particularly the leaders of various agribusiness industries, to engage them as major partners in agriculture, particularly in times of crisis.

Dar ordered the BAI to conduct further confirmatory laboratory tests, including sending blood samples to foreign laboratories, to ascertain the cause of the animals’ death.

Meanwhile, the CMT will work closely with key industry players and local government officials to manage the incident and carry out ground-level operations.

Othel V. Campos

Dutch bank sees PH economy rebounding 6.4% in second half

By Julito G. Rada DUTCH financial giant ING Bank expects the Philippine economy to recover with a 6.4-percent growth in the second half as the government accelerates infrastructure spending.

ING said in its latest economic and financial analysis report on Aug. 19 that the Philippine economy still had a chance to reach the low end of the target range of 6 percent to 7 percent this year.

The economy expanded by a slower-than-expected 5.6 percent in the first half following the delay in the approval of the 2019 government budget.

ING said that for the third quarter, the Philippines would continue to outperform other economies in the Asean region by growing 6.4 percent.

This would be faster than the

3-percent forecast for Thailand, 0.2 percent for Singapore, 4.7 percent for Malaysia and 5.2 percent for Indonesia.

The bank said the Philippines was expected to grow in the fourth quarter by 6.4 percent, faster than 3 percent for Thailand, 1.4 percent for Singapore, 4.6 percent for Malaysia and 5.3 percent for Indonesia.

It said for 2020 and 2021, the Philippine economy was also expected to grow by 6.4 percent, outperforming China’s 6.2 and 6.3 percent, and next to India’s 7 percent and 7.1 percent, respectively.

ING Bank Manila senior economist Nicholas Mapa earlier said with the recent string of monetary easing by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas and government spending back online in the second half, “the Philippines will look to finish the year strongly, with

growth fueled by all sectors of the economy to get it above 6 percent by the end of the year.”

Economic growth in the second quarter slowed to a four-year low of 5.5 percent from 5.6 percent in the first quarter and 6.2 percent a year ago, weighed down by the El Niño dry spell, rising protectionism in advanced economies, delay in the approval of the national budget for 2019 and the ban on construction activities in the run-up to the midterm elections in May. The sluggish expansion for the April-to-June period was the slowest since the 5.1-percent GDP expansion in the first quarter of 2015. It was also the second successive quarter that economic growth fell below 6 percent.

This brought the first-half GDP growth to just 5.6 percent, below the low-end of the target range.

Proposed CITIRA bill to erode investor confidence—PEZA THE proposed second package of the Comprehensive Tax Reform Program will erode investors’ trust and confidence in the Philippines as an investment destination, the Philippine Economic Zone Authority warned Tuesday.

PEZA director-general Charito Plaza said the removal of the 5-percent tax on gross income earned under the proposed Comprehensive Income Tax and Incentives Reform Act would discourage ecozone developers and locators.

Under the proposal, the 5-percent tax on GIE paid by ecozone developers, operators and enterprises or locators in lieu of all local and national taxes would be removed.

Plaza said “the GIE is one of its highlight incentives attracting investors, so it is very crucial because revenues paid to national and local government

are deducted outright from the gross income of companies.”

“It means that government has more to earn from the GIE and is secured of its revenues therefrom,” she said.

Plaza said the GIE was also significant for facilitating ease of doing business in the country. Under the present setup, PEZA investors remit 2 percent of their gross income earned directly to the local government and 3 percent to the national government.

“However, the removal of the GIE, as proposed by Comprehensive Income Tax and Incentives Reform Act would be a possible ground for corruption, leakages and inconvenience because investors would have to deal with various levels of bureaucracy,” Plaza said.

She said that PEZA’s incentives were tried, tested and proven to be

competitive in attracting investors.

“Hence, PEZA incentives are performance-based from the beginning, not an afterthought. It aims to motivate and encourage companies to upgrade, grow and perform. PEZA has a validation process for this in order for locators and companies to avail of tax incentives,” she said.

She said PEZA was giving incentives only to products that are in demand in the market.

“In other words, incentives are not forever enjoyed by companies which fail to innovate and expand, thus, they lose the world buyers and close shop,” said Plaza.

PEZA registered-companies are required to strictly adhere to deadlines on fiscal and performance reports in order to avail and enjoy the tax incentives. Othel V. Campos

DIGITAL BANK BRANCHES. Union Bank of the Philippines launches eight more new ARKs or fully digital branches in key locations in the National Capital Region, Luzon and the Visayas. This brings the bank’s total number of ARKs to 25. The first ARK was launched in September 2017, 11 more in 2018 and another five early this year.

B2

Business

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 21, 2019 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Market drops; PLDT, Jollibee fall T HE stock market slipped Tuesday in mixed trading, with some investors cashing in on gains registered in the previous session

The Philippine Stock exchange Index fell 51.44 points, or 0.6 percent, to 7,886.91 on a value turnover of P5.4 billion. Losers beat gainers, 117 to 77, with 59 issues unchanged.

PLDT Inc., the biggest telecommunications firm, dropped 3.8 percent to P1,105, while Jollibee Foods corp., the largest fast-food chain, also declined 3.8 percent to P225.20.

Filinvest Land Inc. of the Gotianun Group, however, rose 3 percent to P1.72, while Kepwealth Property Philippines Inc. again jumped 50 percent to P12.22

after surging 42 percent Monday in its market debut to P8.15 from the initial public offering price of P5.74.

Meanwhile, most Asian markets rose Tuesday on the back of hopes for central bank and government stimulus measures around the world, while investors were also cheered by further signs of easing tensions in the China-US trade war.

Tokyo ended up 0.6 percent, while Sydney, Seoul and Wellington each jumped around percent. Taipei and Jakarta were also higher.

But Hong Kong slipped 0.2 percent on profit-taking after a four-day rally, while Shanghai ended 0.1 percent lower. Mumbai and Bangkok were also lower.

Trading floors have been tense for several weeks owing to concerns about a number of factors including the trade war, Brexit, a global economic slowdown and tensions in the Middle East.

However, while markets remain on edge, equities have enjoyed a positive start to the week, with Germany reportedly planning government support to avert a recession in Europe’s biggest economy and central banks elsewhere looking to ease monetary policy.

Among the key events this week is a speech by Federal Reserve boss Jerome Powell at the annual Jackson Hole symposium of central bankers in Wyoming.

His remarks will be pored over to see if he hints at another interest rate cut following last month’s move, and if so how deep it will be. However, some analysts have pointed out that while the US economy is showing signs of slowing, it remains healthy and Powell could decide no new help is needed just yet.

The Fed policy board “did not unanimously agree to the last 0.25 percent cut,” said Jeffrey Halley, senior market

analyst for Asia-Pacific at OANDA. “US economic data continues to perform blissfully, implying the economy is doing just fine,” he said.

“Against that backdrop, I struggle to see why... Powell would hit the panic button at Jackson Hole this week. The financial markets could be setting themselves up for an ugly correction into the week’s end.”

A report in The Washington Post said top officials are considering measures to head off a US downturn, including temporarily cutting the payroll tax to increase workers’ monthly take-home pay. Another move being looked at is reversing new tariffs imposed on Chinese goods, The New York Times reported.

The White House’s decision to delay again by 90 days a ban on US firms doing business with Huawei was taken as a conciliatory move towards China and provided hope. With AFP

MANILA STANDARD BUSINESS DAILY STOCKS REVIEW TUESDAY, AUGUST 20, 2019

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING),

FINANCIALS 57.05 4,000 88 1,754,730 2.18 7,000 145 1,054,810 26.3 76,900 18.58 1,600 11.76 380,200 4.91 304,000 750 20 0.455 70,000 71.15 890,330 0.97 295,000 20.4 11,400 45.85 522,100 187.1 2,270 57.95 2,660 27.95 1,500 190.6 379,950 59 21,380 1.13 21,000

228,200 156,030,275.50 15,260 152,918,838 2,026,155 29,196 4,446,036 1,498,380 15,000 31,450 63,523,566.50 286,070 233,510 23,931,865 424,803 154,147 41,945 72,222,769 1,262,325 24,230

-25,499,245 8,796,882 -932,495 -812,996 -19,335,925.50 -81,480 -10,087,900 18,800 3,297,310 -789,505 -

34.55 14.08 0.69 1.3 0.244 109 3.08 13.98 11.5 15.56 35.9 77.3 88 2.01 5.7 5.9 9.02 14.8 9.11 7.34 25.75 83.45 54 1.95 14.1 8.1 1.54 224.6 43.5 4.28 3.39 8.28 22.05 14.06 18.36 360 0.195 5.49 1.87 4.45 5.29 9.05 2.77 10.64 36.95 4.97 5.05 1.73 2.32 1.1 12.4 97.1 7 0.133 1.04 165.3 2.55 1.12 16.1 1.16

INDUSTRIAL 36 1,461,100 14.36 1,489,900 0.69 740,000 1.31 1,088,000 0.246 250,000 109 60 3.08 6,555,000 13.98 225,300 11.92 168,900 15.56 2,500 35.9 2,000 80.5 7,060 90 29,430 2.05 275,000 5.75 19,100 5.91 108,700 9.06 377,900 15.18 103,200 9.35 1,995,900 7.35 246,500 26.4 2,220,300 84.2 306,880 54.6 102,500 1.98 8,403,000 14.46 590,100 8.2 52,800 1.54 13,000 225.2 1,045,490 43.5 300 4.47 144,000 3.39 1,000 8.28 35,700 22.15 1,558,000 14.2 91,600 18.4 2,004,200 361 82,340 0.195 790,000 5.49 3,000 1.89 16,323,000 4.45 37,000 5.4 2,102,700 9.05 961,100 2.92 24,055,000 11.2 29,500 37 155,100 4.97 24,300 5.09 776,900 1.8 6,901,000 2.32 12,000 1.12 177,000 12.42 286,900 99.5 119,520 7.17 95,300 0.133 20,000 1.05 360,000 168 539,100 2.55 9,000 1.14 3,934,000 16.1 2,300 1.22 5,439,000

52,473,840 21,277,428 514,620 1,424,650 61,060 6,540 20,325,600 3,151,580 1,992,868 38,960 71,800 553,032 2,645,565.50 566,650 109,605 650,135 3,430,998 1,544,472 18,474,357 1,810,333 58,492,495 25,841,768 5,616,992.50 16,578,910 8,490,730 430,664 20,130 237,298,812 13,050 634,350 3,390 318,070 34,648,105 1,296,918 36,877,874 29,757,936 154,250 16,470 31,183,590 165,480 11,302,415 8,698,010 69,114,410 326,970 5,742,170 120,771 3,947,083 12,451,950 27,840 198,600 3,563,600 11,762,660.50 676,601 2,660 381,150 90,842,078 22,950 4,456,860 37,030 6,571,890

-21,840,685.00 8,081,128 -1,347,150 2,065,520 -2,820,764 174,732 2,767.00 -174,596 -2,186,805 882,710 7,218,765.00 -1,543,850 29,016,325 4,994,887.50 762,884.50 3,107,180 405,584 22,048.00 -104,462,122 -9,884,270 -272,660 12,170,096 -4,169,018 -17,640 -3,098,080 4,793,337 -3,068,450.00 -2,497,480 -191,099.00 -64,000 -210,970 -7,278,753.50 -107,400 -5,812,491 -580 -69,190

0.85 51.8 13.38 0.69 7.1 14.88 1.23 1.25 953.5 3.79 6.98 9.47 13.8 4.67 0.235 888.5 67.2 6.2 6 0.53 4.65 13.68 0.6 5.09 0.038 1.38 2.89 178 1,020 0.83 1.41 256.4 0.23 0.241

0.8 50.55 13.08 0.68 7 14.4 1.2 1.23 941 3.64 6.76 9.18 13.6 4.67 0.225 865 65.8 5.21 5.97 0.5 4.6 13.44 0.57 4.96 0.038 1.25 2.88 175.5 997 0.78 1.39 250 0.23 0.235

HOLDING FIRMS 0.83 36,308,000 50.7 681,420 13.2 10,724,000 0.69 135,000 7 12,100 14.56 31,500 1.22 737,000 1.25 325,000 953.5 263,270 3.74 2,115,000 6.76 153,800 9.24 2,763,600 13.8 206,100 4.67 1,000 0.235 20,000 888.5 73,420 67.15 1,271,880 6.2 2,700 6 19,000 0.5 14,000 4.63 299,000 13.5 2,043,400 0.59 874,000 5 46,476,600 0.038 1,400,000 1.34 815,000 2.89 24,000 175.9 168,380 1,010 322,340 0.81 1,290,000 1.41 40,000 250 4,790 0.23 10,000 0.235 3,130,000

29,825,990 34,650,573 141,706,450 92,310 85,419 459,192 895,440 401,950 249,992,085 7,837,390 1,054,600 25,725,160 2,842,960 4,670 4,600 64,574,530 85,255,336.50 16,083 113,810 7,120 1,380,090 27,577,290 510,710 232,561,280 53,200 1,082,430 69,330 29,644,678 323,363,500 1,025,610 56,220 1,203,604 2,300 736,610

945,110 -15,027,765 -37,835,656 113,930 37,420,180 -343,190 -316,337 -6,276,108 -2,314,260 -19,170,265 18,705,251.50 1,071 -441,590 4,831,432 82,378,159.00 -49,400 -10,834,658 -65,681,857.50 -1,070,912 -21,240

15.6 0.81 10.38 1.98 1.02 49.5 2.2 4.77 6.16 0.58 0.77 0.88 0.235 0.4 10.18 23.6 0.47 0.125 1.73 1.31 5.34 0.31 0.435 1.48 0.385 2.05 59

15.42 0.8 10.38 1.93 0.95 48.5 2.15 4.74 5.84 0.56 0.73 0.82 0.225 0.4 9.85 23 0.46 0.125 1.68 1.29 5.25 0.3 0.435 1.44 0.385 2.01 50

PROPERTY 15.56 228,600 0.81 190,000 10.38 5,000 1.98 7,000 0.98 7,211,000 49.5 7,877,600 2.17 312,000 4.77 155,000 5.84 100,900 0.57 16,168,000 0.77 86,000 0.88 72,000 0.235 410,000 0.4 30,000 9.85 142,700 23.55 149,300 0.46 3,820,000 0.125 40,000 1.72 39,975,000 1.29 574,000 5.29 20,392,700 0.3 11,840,000 0.435 120,000 1.44 1,440,000 0.385 170,000 2.04 517,000 54 11,600

3,548,352 153,000 51,900 13,760 7,048,660 387,443,275 682,130 736,120 589,348 9,202,320 64,560 60,860 93,070 12,000 1,411,265 3,483,275 1,767,450 5,000 68,548,500 744,430 107,754,385 3,594,850 52,200 2,096,960 65,450 1,057,380 619,270

-305,060 317,990 -42,529,040 -39,170 85,420 -408,850 -282,000.00 730 -2,985 1,141,355 -1,200,950 25,163,780 30,377,686 36,350 144,340 -

NAME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

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

57.05 89.7 2.18 147 26.4 18.2 11.7 4.86 750 0.435 71.5 0.97 20.7 46.1 188.1 57.95 28 191.7 59.55 1.19

57.05 90 2.18 147 26.4 18.58 11.8 5.08 750 0.455 72 0.98 20.7 46.15 188.1 57.95 28 192.1 59.55 1.19

57.05 88 2.18 144.1 26.3 18.2 11.66 4.86 750 0.435 71.05 0.96 20.4 45.65 187 57.95 27.95 186.2 59 1.12

ABOITIZ POWER AGRINURTURE ALLIANCE SELECT ALSONS CONS BASIC ENERGY BOGO MEDELLIN CEMEX HLDG CENTURY FOOD CIRTEK HLDG CNTRL AZUCARERA CONCEPCION CONCRETE A CONCRETE B CROWN ASIA DAVINCI CAPITAL DEL MONTE DNL INDUS EAGLE CEMENT EEI CORP EMPERADOR FIRST GEN FIRST PHIL HLDG GINEBRA GREENERGY HOLCIM INTEGRATED MICR IONICS JOLLIBEE LIBERTY FLOUR LMG CHEMICALS 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 ROXAS HLDG SFA SEMICON SHAKEYS PIZZA SMC FOODANDBEV SPC POWER SWIFT FOODS TKC METALS UNIV ROBINA VICTORIAS VITARICH VIVANT VULCAN INDL

36.3 14.28 0.7 1.3 0.244 109 3.17 14.1 12.16 15.56 35.9 78 92.4 2.02 5.75 6.05 9.15 14.8 9.11 7.34 26 83.5 55 1.99 14.1 8.25 1.55 233.6 43.5 4.28 3.39 8.8 22.55 14.2 18.48 365 0.195 5.49 1.92 4.45 5.3 9.1 2.78 11.1 37.1 4.97 5.1 1.81 2.32 1.1 12.5 98 7.1 0.133 1.08 171.9 2.55 1.15 16.1 1.17

36.3 14.36 0.71 1.32 0.246 109 3.17 14.4 12.18 16.16 35.9 81.4 97 2.08 5.77 6.05 9.15 15.18 9.5 7.36 26.5 84.45 55.4 2 14.56 8.25 1.55 233.6 43.5 4.58 3.39 9 22.55 14.28 18.48 365 0.196 5.49 1.95 4.55 5.41 9.1 2.94 11.2 37.4 4.97 5.1 1.86 2.32 1.15 12.5 99.5 7.19 0.133 1.14 171.9 2.55 1.15 16.1 1.23

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

0.84 51.7 13.3 0.68 7.1 14.78 1.23 1.24 951 3.79 6.94 9.46 13.6 4.67 0.225 883.5 67.15 5.5 5.97 0.5 4.64 13.5 0.58 5.09 0.038 1.25 2.88 177.2 1,020 0.8 1.41 256.4 0.23 0.241

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

15.5 0.8 10.38 1.93 1.01 48.6 2.15 4.76 5.85 0.57 0.77 0.82 0.225 0.4 9.95 23.4 0.46 0.125 1.69 1.31 5.3 0.31 0.435 1.46 0.385 2.01 50

VOLUME

NAME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

VOLUME

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING),

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

24.75 2.38 3.31 34.75 2.6 5.96 0.92 7.65

24.8 2.41 3.35 35.7 2.6 5.96 1.05 7.65

24.5 2.35 3.29 34.7 2.35 5.63 0.87 7.55

24.7 2.4 3.35 35.7 2.49 5.88 1.04 7.59

3,377,800 557,000 539,000 11,271,800 3,182,000 66,900 24,577,000 3,993,700

83,448,030 1,333,580 1,782,040 398,591,015 7,872,760 391,741 24,535,550 30,276,211

-36,159,570 -201,600 732,600 -17,061,575 190,690 -29,350 7,059,820 -21,682,709

2GO GROUP ABS CBN ACESITE HOTEL APC GROUP APOLLO GLOBAL ASIAN TERMINALS BERJAYA BLOOMBERRY BOULEVARD HLDG CEBU AIR CENTRO ESCOLAR CHELSEA EASYCALL GLOBE TELECOM GMA NETWORK GOLDEN BRIA HARBOR STAR 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 METROALLIANCE B MLA BRDCASTING NOW CORP PACIFIC ONLINE PAL HLDG 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

9.9 18.3 1.47 0.52 0.046 19 2.26 10.78 0.057 95.5 6.99 6.74 9.26 1,930 5.31 425 1.62 131.8 9.23 5.1 0.109 5.1 14.02 3.18 0.9 19.08 0.445 3.15 2.53 1.2 1.27 14 2.19 2.62 8.05 135.1 3.38 1,118 0.7 0.55 45.05 77.5 9.1 2.94 0.69 0.315 5.45 0.67 15.88

10.2 18.7 1.54 0.52 0.048 19 2.3 10.8 0.059 95.9 6.99 6.8 9.26 1,930 5.41 425 1.68 132.5 9.23 5.1 0.111 5.1 14.62 3.22 0.92 19.08 0.465 3.15 2.54 1.5 1.27 14 2.19 2.66 8.2 144.4 3.41 1,118 0.7 0.55 45.5 78 9.37 2.94 0.7 0.325 5.46 0.69 16.72

9.9 18.3 1.46 0.5 0.046 18.52 2.22 10.6 0.057 95.45 6.99 6.66 8.72 1,883 5.3 423 1.61 130 9.23 5.05 0.108 5.04 14 3.18 0.89 19 0.44 3.1 2.51 1.2 1.27 14 2.12 2.62 8.05 135.1 3.31 1,105 0.69 0.52 44.8 77 9.1 2.74 0.69 0.315 5.45 0.67 15.86

SERVICES 10.18 18.7 1.54 0.52 0.047 18.52 2.22 10.64 0.059 95.6 6.99 6.73 8.82 1,900 5.39 425 1.65 131 9.23 5.05 0.111 5.05 14 3.21 0.92 19 0.465 3.1 2.52 1.43 1.27 14 2.13 2.64 8.12 144.4 3.35 1,105 0.7 0.53 45.2 77.55 9.1 2.75 0.69 0.325 5.46 0.68 16.58

10,100 569,400 22,000 942,000 3,700,000 630,000 153,000 4,009,900 5,730,000 333,640 5,000 486,600 26,500 59,930 401,800 1,160 738,000 897,960 5,000 1,600 710,000 2,043,300 2,400 177,000 242,000 599,500 270,000 79,000 339,000 58,000 9,000 400 883,000 33,000 11,700 250 1,197,000 132,770 480,000 14,160,000 623,700 518,220 4,600 10,178,000 443,000 590,000 4,235,300 1,647,000 3,255,300

101,224 10,557,134 32,660 471,360 173,600 11,958,000 344,620 42,690,950 332,270 31,901,576.50 34,950 3,269,601 237,820 113,924,545 2,139,700 491,940 1,209,650 117,725,537 46,150 8,155 77,580 10,331,377 33,668 563,820 215,860 11,392,748 120,200 245,300 853,120 76,610 11,430 5,600 1,894,100 87,390 95,770 34,312 4,015,630 147,408,750 331,760 7,549,700 28,145,625 40,191,629.50 41,941 28,500,140 306,330 186,650 23,106,932 1,119,780 53,754,678

-7,920 25,000 -11,660 -27,297,230 11,400 -1,510,293.50 -32,529 -58,317,115 127,500 29,370.00 33,222,216 -525,285.00 -95,400 2,787,020 2,520 39,920 -80,388,130 144,510 -139,985 -13,599,721 1,262,380 -496,860 15,106,814

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

0.0017 1.34 2.56 12.76 1.11 2.72 0.27 7.88 1.45 0.207 0.112 0.0092 0.01 1.03 2.6 0.99 0.48 0.82 0.012 0.011 5.67 3.82 13.3 23

0.0017 1.35 2.56 12.76 1.15 2.72 0.27 7.89 1.45 0.208 0.116 0.0097 0.011 1.06 2.62 1.02 0.5 0.83 0.012 0.011 6.11 3.82 13.4 23

0.0016 1.3 2.52 12.76 1.11 2.72 0.27 7.75 1.42 0.2 0.112 0.009 0.01 1.01 2.55 0.98 0.47 0.81 0.011 0.011 5.46 3.75 12.96 22.5

MINING & OIL 0.0017 15,000,000 1.3 7,236,000 2.53 113,000 12.76 100 1.15 20,000 2.72 411,000 0.27 50,000 7.83 3,300 1.42 2,889,000 0.205 690,000 0.115 1,800,000 0.009 18,000,000 0.011 24,200,000 1.05 80,000 2.55 1,307,000 1.02 26,000 0.49 160,000 0.83 487,000 0.011 9,600,000 0.011 65,300,000 6.1 1,362,600 3.76 1,090,000 13.06 1,840,000 22.95 228,700

24,500 9,504,600 286,730 1,276 22,800 1,117,920 13,500 25,773 4,111,970 140,480 204,910 165,100 256,000 82,330 3,360,910 25,600 78,800 397,560 111,100 718,300 8,060,189 4,110,950 24,137,736 5,235,330

-148,600 -3,135 -3,135,470 1,010 -5,760 5,500 11,400 138,750 -1,074,684 2,594,640

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 HOUSE PREF A LR PREF MWIDE PREF PCOR PREF 2A PCOR PREF 2B PCOR PREF 3A PCOR PREF 3B SMC PREF 2B SMC PREF 2C SMC PREF 2D SMC PREF 2F SMC PREF 2G SMC PREF 2I

17.3 499 504 101.2 101.2 107 505 5.2 967 970 100 1 101.1 996 1,021 1,040 1,038 75.6 78.65 75.5 76.95 75.8 76.4

17.5 499 504 101.2 101.5 107.3 505 5.2 970 970 100 1 101.1 996 1,021 1,040 1,040 77 78.65 75.55 76.95 75.8 76.4

17.12 499 504 101.2 101.1 105 505 5.16 967 970 100 0.99 101.1 996 1,020 1,040 1,038 75.6 78.5 75.5 76.95 75.65 75.6

PREFERRED 17.38 886,300 499 1,330 504 10 101.2 1,000 101.5 14,000 105 17,700 505 100 5.18 329,900 970 270 970 330 100 14,070 0.99 58,000 101.1 10 996 120 1,020 5,000 1,040 1,120 1,040 860 77 80 78.5 113,950 75.55 750 76.95 2,700 75.65 8,000 75.6 40

15,397,122 663,670 5,040 101,200 1,418,300 1,864,230 50,500 1,710,696 261,615 320,100 1,407,000 57,600 1,011 119,520 5,101,000 1,164,800 894,380 6,136 8,945,686 56,630 207,765 605,950 3,040

-9,130,240 -303,160 -

LR WARRANT

1.69

1.69

1.62

WARRANTS 1.62 52,000

85,920

-

17,579,081 454,007,176 914,820

-273,182 226,742 -21,370

1,536,792

1,188,548

447,741 41,820 17,816.40

7,140.00 -

MS ITALPINAS KEPWEALTH MAKATI FINANCE XURPAS

7.4 8.2 0.98

7.53 12.22 0.98

7.36 8.2 0.96

FIRST METRO ETF

119

119

118.2

USD DMPL A1 USD DMPL A2 USD TECH B2

10.3 10.2 1.02

TRADING SUMMARY

10.3 10.2 1.02

SHARES

FINANCIAL

6,847,465

INDUSTRIAL

96,146,478

HOLDING FIRMS

112,885,695

PROPERTY

165,449,848

SERVICES

63,080,149

MINING & OIL

152,803,737

GRAND TOTAL

643,939,062

10.3 10.2 1.01

SME

7.39 12.22 0.96

2,365,900 43,404,500 942,000

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 118.6 12,970 10.3 10.2 1.01

DDS

43,470 4,100 17,500

VALUE 1,802.39 (down) 21.33 583,414,921.99 FINANCIAL 10,920.27 (down) 173.63 INDUSTRIAL 1,107,717,823.244 7,782.93 (down) 59.27 HOLDING FIRMS 1,275,973,262.82 PROPERTY 4,107.97 (up) 42.03 1,579.63 (down) 10.08 1,205,179,685.33 SERVICES 8,195.12 (down) 74.99 MINING & OIL 715,681,764.835 7,886.91 (down) 51.44 PSEI 62,216,288.965 All Shares Index 4,783.08 (down) 14.13 5,424,223,595.69 Gainers: 77; Losers: 117; Unchanged: 59; Total: 253

SMC’s tollway unit raised net profit to P1.66b in six months

By Darwin G. Amojelar THE tollway unit of San Miguel Corp. posted a 10-percent increase in net income in the first half of the year on higher vehicle traffic.

South Luzon Tollways Corp. said net income amounted to P1.66 billion in the first half of the year compared with P1.51 billion year-on-year.

Revenues rose 4 percent to P3.14 billion in the first six months from P3.02 billion in the same period last year.

The company attenuated the growth in revenues to the increase in traffic volume, driven by the sustained growth of residential and industrial areas backed by the government’s decentralization push to stimulate business activities in areas outside Metro Manila and amid expanding housing development and strong consumer socio-awtiviy in the Calabarzon area.

“Apart from the industrial development in the area which gave rise to various industrial parks. Cavite and Laguna has become attractive to people looking for spacious housing facilities and veering away from condominium living which are offered at steep price in Metro Manila,” SLTC said.

These developments enhanced the volume for class 1 vehicles, according to SLTC. “Traffic volume for Class 3 vehicles also went up mainly due to the thriving Calabarzon, the second most densely populated region after NCR. Batangas in particular has the second largest international seaport in Luzon It serves as a main entry point for goods ad from the South and from international ports,” the company said.

SLTC added it remained compliant with the terms of its concession agreement by providing sufficient funding for maintenance obligations under the Supplementary Toll Operation Agreement.

“Provision for resurfacing and maintenance date amounted to P368.9 million with higher expected utilization due to projected maintenance works within 2019,” the company said.

SLTC in March started the construction of the 66.74-kilometer SLEX Toll Road 4 that would connect Sto. Tomas, Batangas to Lucena City, Quezon.

Caharian named new chief executive of GMA digital unit GMA Network Inc. on Tuesday announced the appointment of a new president for its wholly-owned subsidiary that serves as digital media and technology arm, and future-proofing agent.

The broadcasting network promoted Dennis Augusto Caharian as president and chief operating officer of GMA New Media Inc. A GMA officer for almost two decades, Caharian is a pioneer member of NMI and previously served as its senior vice president and general manager since 2009. He plays a key role in GMA Network’s transformation from a broadcast giant into a dominant multiplatform content provider.

Caharian has more than 20 years of experience in information technology, information management and new media. Previous stints in network engineering, application development, project management, R&D, product development, business development, and general management have given him a keen grasp of all the crucial aspects of the industry.

With NMI’s mandate to design and implement GMA’s grand digital blueprint to ensure the company’s leadership in the digital era, NMI has launched category-breaking projects in web, mobile, digital television and other new and emerging platforms since it began in mid-2000.

Caharian has led initiatives that are aimed to broaden GMA’s online footprint worldwide through Over-the-Top (OTT) and programmatic collaborations.

NMI enabled GMA to establish a partnership with YouTube that not only supported the Network’s anti-piracy efforts, but also boosted GMA’s YouTube views and subscribers.

The YouTube initiatives propelled GMA’s subscriber base to grow by 625 percent in less than two years and surpassed the 10-million subscriber mark in May 2019. As a result, the GMA Entertainment channel recently received the YouTube Diamond Creator Award, joining an elite group of content creators in Southeast Asia that have also achieved such a feat. Darwin G. Amojelar

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK Manila

Standard

B3

World

TODAY

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 21, 2019 CESAR BARRIOQUINTO, Editor mst.daydesk@gmail.com

China accused of sowing political discord H ONG KONG―Twitter and Facebook have accused the Chinese government of backing a social media campaign to discredit Hong Kong’s prodemocracy movement and sow political discord in the city.

The American tech giants announced Monday they had suspended nearly 1,000 active accounts linked to the campaign, while Twitter said it had shut down about 200,000 more before they could inflict any damage.

“These accounts were deliberately and specifically attempting to sow political discord in Hong Kong, including undermining the legitimacy and political positions of the protest movement on the ground,” Twitter said, referring to the active accounts it shut down.

Facebook said some of the posts from accounts it banned compared the protesters in Hong Kong

with Islamic State group militants, branded them “cockroaches” and alleged they planned to kill people using slingshots.

Hong Kong, a semi-autonomous southern Chinese city and one of the world’s most important financial hubs, is in the grip of an unprecedented political crisis that has seen millions of people take to the streets demanding greater freedoms.

China’s communist rulers have warned they may be prepared to deploy force to quell the nearly three months of unrest, and likened violent protesters to “terrorists”.

However they have publicly largely left the city’s leaders and police force to try and resolve the crisis.

Behind the scenes online though, the Chinese government is seeking to sway public opinion about Hong Kong, according to Twitter and Facebook.

“We are disclosing a significant state-backed information operation focused on the situation in Hong Kong, specifically the protest movement and their calls for political change,” Twitter said.

It said it had pulled 936 accounts originating in China that were spreading disinformation.

“Based on our intensive investigations, we have this activity attempted to conceal their identities, reliable evidence to support that this is a coordi- our investigation found links to individuals associated with the Chinese government,” Facebook said. nated state-backed operation,” Twitter said.

China has come under repeated pressure from Twitter and Facebook are banned in China, part of the government’s so-called “Great Firewall” of the UK and US to avoid a violent crackdown on censorship. protests.

Because of the bans, many of the fake accounts But Beijing has warned foreign governments not were accessed using “virtual private networks” to interfere in its affairs, with relations with the UK that give a deceptive picture of the user’s location, especially icy over the Hong Kong issue. AFP Twitter said.

“However, some accounts accessed Twitter from specific unblocked IP addresses originating in mainland China,” it said.

Among the handles removed CORPORATE GOVERNANCE AND FINANCE DEPARTMENT were pages linking to Hong Kongbased pro-Beijing newspapers de- IN THE MATTER OF : Amended Registration Statement FIRST METRO SAVE AND LEARN : scribing protesters as “rioters”.

PHILIPPINE INDEX FUND, INC. : Facebook said it had acted on (Registrant) a tip off from Twitter, removing x--------------------------------------------------------x seven pages, three groups and five NOTICE Facebook accounts that had about Notice is hereby given that on June 20, 2019 an Amended Registration 15,500 followers.

Statement was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on behalf of “Although the people behind FIRST METRO SAVE AND LEARN PHILIPPINE . INDEX FUND, INC.1(“SALPHIN”) to reflect the following changes in its registration statement as follows:

Subject

COSTUME EXHIBIT. Mandi Line participates in the Beverly Hills 90210 Costume Exhibit Event at The Atrium at Westfield Century City on August 19, 2019, in Los Angeles, California. AFP

Fund Name

Original Provision Proposed Amendments One Wealthy Nation Fund, Inc.

Investment The Fund is Objective designed to seek long-term capital appreciation by investing primarily in carefully selected listed and non-listed equity securities.

LEGAL NOTICE Notice is hereby given to the public that an Extra-Judicial Settlement has been executed by the heirs of the late MARTIN MARTAL AND PETRA JIMENO MARTAL, namely: Balbino J. Martal married to Angelita Salazar Martal with their three (3) children; Evangelyn S. Martal, single, Marvin S. Martal married to Catherine Ferrer Martal, and Marianne Martal Legaspi, married to Melvin Legaspi, all of legal age, over personal and real properties, per deed executed on 01 August 2019 before Notary Public Atty. James K. Abuganper Doc. No. 360; Page No. 73; Book No. 86; Series of 2019.

Reason/s For Amendment First Metro Save & Change in ownership Learn Philippine Index of the Fund.

Fund, Inc. (“SALPHIN”) The Fund’s investment Based on studies, a fund objective is to replicate passive/index the performance of its has a more consistent market benchmark, performance than an the Philippine Stock actively managed fund. management Exchange Index The (“PSEi”) by gaining decided to switch the exposure in equity Fund into an index securities that make up fund to be able to offer a more diverse the PSEi. investment products to its clients.

Said Amended Registration Statement and other papers/documents attached thereto are open to inspection by interested parties during business hours and copies thereof, photostatic or otherwise, shall be furnished to any party upon request at such fees as the Commission may prescribe. The Amended Registration Statement dated May 27,2019 may also be downloaded from www.fami.com.ph.

Issued on July 4, 2019.

(MS-AUG. 14,21 & 28, 2019) (MS-AUG. 14,21, 2019)

N OTICE Notice is hereby given that GOLDEN FEATHER POULTRY FARM, INC., is applying for registration with the Board of Investments (BOI) as New Producer of Broiler Eggs Integrated with Growing of Parent Stock with the following capacities: Growing of Parent Stock Broiler Eggs

Annual Capacity 11,500 birds 1,559,439 eggs

on a Non-Pioneer Status with project site located in Brgy. Lacab, Jones, Isabela.

Any person with valid objection/s on the abovementioned project may file his/her objection in writing, under oath, with the BOI within three (3) days from the date of this publication.

(SGD.) NESTOR P. ARCANSALIN Director Resource-based Industries Service

HK demonstrators walk the tightrope HONG KONG―After weeks of escalating violence Hong Kong’s pro-democracy movement has pivoted back to its peaceful origins, but experts and activists predict the hardcore fringe will soon return without swift concessions from the city’s Beijingbacked government.

Organizers hailed Sunday’s peaceful mass march, which drew hundreds of thousands to the city’s streets but saw no arrests, as evidence the protests had not spiraled out of control.

It was a rare weekend free from tear gas and police baton charges since protests erupted in June against a bill that would have allowed extradition from the semi-autonomous city to mainland China.

Police and protesters have traded blame for the ugly clashes, which have by turns shut the finance hub’s airport, left city streets strewn with bricks and engulfed in tear gas―and stunned a global financial center once proud of its reputation for prosperity and stability.

After two-and-half-months the protesters are likely to use a hybrid “of peaceful, nonviolent protests as well as an escalated use of force by the radical fringe,” according to Willy Lam, a political analyst at the Chinese University of Hong Kong.

“Both will go on,” he said, in the absence of the government’s accession to their calls.

Protesters have five core demands including for Hong Kong’s embattled leader Carrie Lam―seen as a Beijing stooge―to step down, the complete withdrawal of the incendiary extradition bill and an inquiry into alleged police brutality during the protests.

So far, Hong Kong’s Beijing-backed government has refused to budge, saying it will “begin sincere dialogue with the public” only once order is restored.

The extradition bill, which has been suspended but not formally withdrawn, has become a totem of the shrinking freedoms in Hong Kong, as China tightens its grip on the city. AFP

IN BRIEF

Chinese envoy slams aid critics

Falling bus kills 13 Chinese tourists

BANGKOK―At least 13 Chinese tourists were killed and dozens injured when their bus skidded off the road and plunged 30 meters into a ravine in Laos, a police officer said Tuesday.

The bus was carrying more than 40 Chinese nationals heading towards the tourist town of Luang Prabang when the accident occurred late on Monday.

“At this moment, 13 bodies have been recovered... while two are still missing,” police officer Xaiyaphon Chitavong told AFP, blaming brake failure for the accident.

He added that 31 people were receiving medical treatment.

Chinese state media showed photos of rescuers wading through ankle-deep floodwaters.

Traffic accidents in Laos, Thailand, Cambodia and Myanmar are common, with safety regulations often flouted and law enforcement low.

The monsoon season from June to October also drenches rural roads with heavy rain, creating slippery conditions.

Tourism to communist-run Laos has grown in recent years, and visitors from China increased by 13 percent in the first half of 2019 compared to the year before, according to the state-backed Vientiane Times. AFP

WELLINGTON―China’s ambassador to Samoa labeled the critics of Beijing’s activities in the Pacific “ignorant” and “prejudiced” Tuesday in the latest testy public missive from the rising Asian superpower’s diplomatic corps.

Beijing’s growing influence in the Pacific islands was a major theme at a tense regional summit in Tuvalu last week, where Australia tried to reassert leadership in an area it traditionally regards as its sphere of influence.

Instead, Canberra faced criticism over its lack of action on climate change, with leaders such as Fijian Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama saying they preferred China’s brand of diplomacy to “condescending” Australia.

Ambassador Chao Xiaoliang tried to seize the moment, dismissing Western charges that China’s foreign aid program creates client states as inaccurate “Cold War” thinking.

“Rather than pointing fingers at China’s good deeds, those who keep on making groundless accusations and speculations might as well do more themselves to provide help to the Pacific island countries,” Chao wrote in the Samoa Observer.

“Some people questioned the purpose of China’s aid, even disregarded the facts and fabricated the so-called ‘China debt trap’― this is either of prejudice or ignorant of China’s foreign aid policy.” AFP

(MS-AUG. 21, 2019)

N OTICE Notice is hereby given that PHILIPPINES FIBER OPTIC CABLE NETWORK LTD., INC, with office address at 8th Floor, Sunlife Centre, 5th Avenue Corner Rizal Drive, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City, is applying for registration with the Board of Investments (BOI) as a New Operator of Telecommunication Infrastructure Project (Fiber Optic Cable Infrastructure NetworkPhase 1 with 19,600 route km Fiber Optic Cable Network) under the Preferred Activities - Infrastructure and Logistics including LGU PPPs under the 2017 IPP on a Pioneer status.

Any person with valid objection/s on the abovementioned project may file his/her objection in writing, under oath, with the BOI within three (3) days from the date of this publication.

Invitation to Apply for Eligibility and to Bid Supply, Delivery, Installation, Testing and Commissioning of PENELCO’s Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) System for Twenty Seven (27) Substations, Sub-transmission, and Distribution Lines Invitation to Bid no. 31 (IFB 31) The Peninsula Electric Cooperative, Inc. (PENELCO), through its Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) for Goods and Services, invites suppliers/ manufacturers/contractors to apply for eligibility and to bid for the hereunder project: Name of Project : Supply, Delivery, Installation, Testing and Commissioning of PENELCO’s Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) System for Twenty Seven (27) Substations, Sub-transmission, and Distribution Lines.

Project : Integration and automation of different protection Description equipment and Intelligent Electronic Devices (IED’s) installed on PENELCO’s twenty-seven (27) substations, sub-transmission and distribution lines which provide control, data acquisition, and monitoring capability from the main station thru fiber optic and wireless communication. The new system will provide upgrades and compatible with the existing SCADA system. This will also include additional devices, upgrading, and replacement of protection and meteringe quipment.

Location : Peninsula Electric Cooperative Inc., City of Balanga, Bataan Approved Budget : Php 120,000,000.00 (VAT Inclusive) for the Contract (ABC) Source of Fund : PENELCO General Fund Project Duration : Thirty-three (33) months and must be completed and fully operational on or before 3rd Quarter of 2022 SCADA Project Phase 1 Phase 2 Phase 3 Phase 4 Phase 5 Phase 6

(SGD.) ANGELITA F. ARCELLANA Officer-In-Charge Infrastructure and Services Industries Service (MS-AUG. 21, 2019)

Project Duration Six (6) months Three (3) months Six (6) months Six (6) months Six (6) months Six (6) months

Prospective bidders should have an experience of having completed at least three (3) SCADA contract project within the last five (5) years, at least two (2) on-going SCADA projects, and have at least fifteen (15) years of experience in substation projects.

N OTICE Notice is hereby given that PHILIPPINES FIBER OPTIC CABLE NETWORK LTD., INC, with office address at 8th Floor, Sunlife Centre, 5th Avenue Corner Rizal Drive, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City, is applying for registration with the Board of Investments (BOI) as a New Operator of Telecommunication Infrastructure Project (Fiber Optic Cable Infrastructure NetworkPhase 2 with 20,700 route km Fiber Optic Cable Network) under the Preferred Activities - Infrastructure and Logistics including LGU PPPs under the 2017 IPP on a Pioneer status.

Any person with valid objection/s on the abovementioned project may file his/her objection in writing, under oath, with the BOI within three (3) days from the date of this publication.

(SGD.) ANGELITA F. ARCELLANA Officer-In-Charge Infrastructure and Services Industries Service (MS-AUG. 21, 2019)

The schedule of activities is listed as follows: Activities 1. Advertisement Period

2. Issuance of Bid Document

Date/Time August 21, 2019, and/to August 25, 2019

Venue Newspaper of national circulation NEA Website (www.nea.gov.ph) PENELCO website (www.penelco.com) and at Bulletin Board of every Municipality in Bataan September 2, 2019 PENELCO Main Office, Roman Superhighway, – October 2, 2019 Brgy. Tuyo, City of Balanga, Bataan

3. Inspection of September 11, PENELCO 2019 (Wednesday), Distribution System 9:00 AM and SCADA 4. Prebid Conference September 18, 2019 (Wednesday), 2:00 PM (PST) 5. Deadline of October 2, 2019 Submission and (Wednesday), Opening of Bids 2:00 PM (PST)

PENELCO Main Office, Roman Superhighway, Brgy. Tuyo, City of Balanga, Bataan PENELCO Main Office, Roman Superhighway, Brgy. Tuyo, City of Balanga, Bataan PENELCO Main Office, Roman Superhighway, Brgy. Tuyo, City of Balanga, Bataan

Bid Documents will be available to prospective bidders only upon payment of a non-refundable fee of Fifty Thousand Pesos Only (P 50,000.00).

All bids must be accompanied by a Bid Security of not less than five percent (5%) of the total bid price or an equivalent amount in a freely convertible currency. Bid Security must be in form of Cashier’s Check or Manager’s Check only.

N OTICE Notice is hereby given that PHILIPPINES FIBER OPTIC CABLE NETWORK LTD., INC, with office address at 8th Floor, Sunlife Centre, 5th Avenue Corner Rizal Drive, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City, is applying for registration with the Board of Investments (BOI) as a New Operator of Telecommunication Infrastructure Project (Fiber Optic Cable Infrastructure NetworkPhase 3 with 19,700 route km Fiber Optic Cable Network) under the Preferred Activities - Infrastructure and Logistics including LGU PPPs under the 2017 IPP on a Pioneer status.

Any person with valid objection/s on the abovementioned project may file his/her objection in writing, under oath, with the BOI within three (3) days from the date of this publication.

(SGD.) ANGELITA F. ARCELLANA Officer-In-Charge Infrastructure and Services Industries Service (MS-AUG. 21, 2019)

PENELCO assumes no responsibility whatsoever to compensate or indemnify bidders for any expenses incurred in the preparation of the bid. Moreover, PENELCO reserves the right to reject any or all bid proposal at any time prior to contract award,declare the bidding a failure, or award the contract to the bidder whose offer is the most responsive,lowest calculated bid, and most advantageous to the coop.

For further information, please refer to: Peninsula Electric Cooperative, Inc. – BAC Secretariat Roman Superhighway Tuyo, Balanga City 2100 Bataan, Philippines Tel. No. +63 472373512 to 13 Fax No. +63 477915103 E-mail Address: main@penelco.com; penelco_pbac@yahoo.com Website: www.penelco.com Certified by:

ENGR. ANTONIO D. PAGUIO PBAC Chairman (MS-AUG. 21 & 25, 2019)

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

Republic of the Philippines REGIONAL TRIAL COURT NATIONAL CAPITAL JUDICIAL REGION Branch 100, Quezon City CARLO Y. LEPATAN, Plaintiff, -versusNELSON C. SONER, ET AL., Defendants. x---------------------------------------x

R-QZN-14-11748-CV FOR: DAMAGES

SUMMONS BY PUBLICATION TO:

Mr. Nelson C. Soner – Blk. 39, Lot 17, Phase F. Dagat-Dagatan, Caloocan City All Asia Structures, Inc., - Lot 2, Blk. 32, Phase I, A/B Bangus St., Kaunlaran Village, Navotas City, M.M. Macro Structures, Inc. – No. 33 Brgy. Anolid, Mangaldan,

Pangasinan

GREETINGS: You are hereby required, within sixty (60) days after service of this summons upon you, to file with this Court and serve on the plaintiff your answer to the Complaint, copy of which is attached, together with the annexes. You are reminded of the provision in the IBP-OCA Memorandum on Policy Guidelines dated March 12, 2002 to observe restraint in filing a Motion to Dismiss and instead allege the grounds thereof as defenses in the Answer. If you fail to answer within the time fixed, the plaintiff will take judgment by default and may be granted the relief applied for in the Complaint.

WITNESS my hand under the seal of the Court this 13th day of June 2019.

(Sgd.) MA. ISABEL A. OLIVEROS Interpreter III-OIC

Republic of the Philippines National Capital Judicial Region REGIONAL TRIAL COURT Branch 76, Quezon City CARLO Y. LEPATAN, Plaintiff, -versus-

Civil Case No. R-QZN-14-11748-CV FOR: DAMAGES NELSON C. SONER, ALL ASIA STRUCTURES, INC., MACRO STRUCTURES, INC., and PHILIPPINE LONG DISTANCE TELEPHONE COMPANY (PLDT), Defendants. x---------------------------------------x

COMPLAINT COMES NOW the Plaintiff CARLO Y. LEPATAN (“LEPATAN” for brevity), by and through the undersigned Counsel, and unto this Honorable Court, most respectfully states, THAT: 1.0 THE PARTIES 1.1 Herein Plaintiff CARLO Y. LEPATAN (“LEPATAN” for brevity) is a Filipino, widower, and a resident of #10 Capricorn Street, Carmel 5, Tandang Sora, Quezon City. He may be served with summons and other legal processes of this Honorable Court at its Counsel address hereunder stated.

1.2 Herein Defendant NELSON C. SONER (“SONER” for brevity) is a Filipino, married, and presently residing at Brgy. Sabalo, Malabon City where he may be served with summons and other legal processes of this Honorable Court.

1.3 Defendant ALL ASIA STRUCTURESS, INC. (“ALL ASIA STRUCTURES” for brevity) is a corporation duly formed, organized, and existing under the laws of the Republic of the Philippines, with principal office address at Lot 2, Block 32, Phase 1, A/B Bangus Street, Kaunlaran Village, Navotas City, Metro Manila, where it may be served with summons and other legal processes of this Honorable Court.

1.4 Defendant MACRO STRUCTURES, INC. (“MACRO STRUCTURE” for brevity) is a corporation duly formed, organized, and existing under the laws of the Republic of the Philippines, with principal office address at Honorario Lopez Boulevard, Balut, Tondo, City of Manila, where it may be served with summons and other legal processes of this Honorable Court.

1.5 Defendant PHILIPPINE LONG DISTANCE TELEPHONE COMPANY (“PLDT” for brevity) is a corporation duly formed, organized, and existing under the laws of the Republic of the Philippines, with head office address at Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company (PLDT), Ramon Cojuangco Building, Makati Avenue, Makati City, Metro Manila, where it may be served with summons and other legal processes of this Honorable Court.

2.0 STATEMENT OF THE ULTIMATE FACTS 2.1 Last 01 December 2013, at around 2:30 o’clock in the afternoon, herein Plaintiff LEPATAN, together with his wife Eileen M. Lepatan (48 yrs. old), his sister-in-law Josette Mendoza (46 yrs. old), and his nephew Lorenzo Miguel Mendoza (7 yrs. old), was driving his Toyota Rav 4 vehicle with plate number: ULO-725 on a sixty (60) kilometer-per-hour (kph) speed on the southbound lane of Mac Arthur Highway in Barangay Lanat, San Manuel, Tarlac.

2.2 Plaintiff LEPATAN and his companions were on their way home to Manila during that time coming from Baguio. Plaintiff LEPATAN was driving the vehicle. Seated beside him was his wife, Eileen M. Lepatan. Seated at the back were Josette Mendoza and the minor Lorenzo Miguel Mendoza.

2.3 The traffic condition at the said abovementioned place during that time was light.

2.4 On the northbound lane of Mac Arthur Highway in Barangay Lanat, San Manuel, Tarlac during that time, a Fuso Tractor Head Truck with plate number: NPI-868 was being driven by herein Defendant SONER. Said truck had a forty (40) foot trailer with plate number PUR-809.

2.5 The registered owner of said Fuso Tractor Head Truck with plate number: NPI-868 is herein Defendant MACRO STRUCTURE as evidenced by its Certificate of Registration No. 9773906-2 and Official Receipt No. 448553814 both issued by the Land Transportation Office (LTO) and herewith attached and marked as Annexes “A” and “A-1”, respectively.

2.6 The registered owner of said 40-foot trailer with plate number PUR809 is herein Defendant ALL ASIA STRUCTURES as evidenced by its Certificate of Registration and Officer Receipt No. 279721945 both issued by the Land Transportation Office (LTO) and herewith attached and marked as Annexes “B” and “B-1,” respectively.

2.7 The cargo reached a height of about four (4) to six (6) meters, more or less, from the floor of the trailer. During the aforementioned date, place and time, said Fuso Tractor head Truck with 40-foot trailer being driven by Defendant SONER hit a sagging cable wire along Mac Arthur Highway.

Said cable wire belongs to herein Defendant PLDT. By reason of this, said cable wire was forcefully stretched that led to the pulling of the PLDT concrete post which held the said cable wire from its base.

2.8 It should be pointed out that prior to the subject incident, specifically on 01 December 2013 at around 11:00 o’clock in the morning, herein Defendant SONER was apprehended by the Land Transportation Office (LTO) enforcer at the North Luzon Express Way (NLEX) for “excess load.”

Notwithstanding the traffic violation and citation, Defendant SONER still proceed with the journey. A copy of the Ticket Violation is herewith attached and marked as Annexes “C.” 2.9 As it happened, the PLDT concrete post fell down along the southbound lane of Mac Arthur Highway and hit the Rav 4 vehicle of herein Plaintiff LEPATAN which was traversing the said road at the same time but at the opposite direction.

2.10 Inside the Rav 4 vehicle, Plaintiff LEPATAN’s companion, Josette Mendoza, saw the PLDT concrete post falling unto their vehicle. Then, they suddenly heard a loud sound coming from the roof of his vehicle.

Eventually, the PLDT concrete post hit the roof or the uppermost part of Plaintiff LEPATAN’s Rav 4 vehicle right under the passenger side beside the driver’s seat. Due to the strong impact, Plaintiff LEPATAN lost control of his vehicle and it plunged along the drainage which was then under construction.

2.11 During the moment, Josette Mendoza heard her sister Eileen M. Lepatan moaned and she saw that blood came out of the mouth of her sister. Josette Mendoza shouted at Plaintiff LEPATAN whose face was full of blood: “Carlo! Carlo!” Their other companion, the minor Lorenzo Miguel Mendoza, was then shouting “Auntie!” “Auntie!” The sando of said minor child was also bloodied, but fortunately, the boy did not incur any serious injury.

2.12 Plaintiff LEPATAN and his companions managed to get-out of the Rav 4 through the help and assistance of the people living nearby the area of the incident. Thereafter, they were immediately rushed to the Del Carmen Medical Clinic and Hospital for medical treatment of the respective injuries that they suffered in view of the incident.

2.13 Unfortunately, Plaintiff LEPATAN’s wife, Ms. Eileen M. Lepatan, was pronounced dead-on-arrival (DOA) by the Del Carmen Medical Clinic and Hospital as evidenced by the Dead on Arrival Certificate and Medical Certificate both dated 01 December 2013 are herewith attached and marked as Annexes “D” and “D-1.” Also, a copy of the Medico-Legal Report dated 03 December 2013 issued by the Philippine National Police (PNP) Crime Laboratory, Medico-Legal Division is herewith attached and marked as Annex “D-2.” Further, the Certificate of Death with Registry No. 2013-107 issued by the Office of the Civil Registrar General of San Manuel, Province of Tarlac in favor of the deceased Ms. Eileen M. Lepatan is herewith attached and marked as Annex “D-3.” The cause of death was “Blunt Traumatic Injuries; Head and Trunk.”

2.14 The Toyota Rav 4 of herein Plaintiff LEPATAN also sustained serious damage by reason of this incident.

2.15 Thereafter, the San Manuel Police Station issued a Spot Report dated 01 December 2013 relative to the subject incident and herewith attached and marked as Annex “E.” Also, PO2 Elmer A. Espinosa and PO2 Roden Hadsan issued a Joint-Affidavit of Arrest dated 01 December 2013 attesting to the fact that Defendant SONER was arrested in connection with this incident and herewith attached and marked as Annex “E-1.” Herein Plaintiff LEPATAN was made to execute a Sinumpaang Salaysay dated 01 December 2013 before the San Manuel Police Station and herewith attached and marked as Annex “E-2.”

2.16 Copies likewise of the Pictures of the Toyota Rav 4 and the Fuso Truck with 40 foot trailer are herewith attached and marked as Annexes “F” TO “F-5.”

2.17 At present, a corresponding criminal Information dated 02 December 2013 for Reckless Imprudence Resulting to Homicide, Double Physical Injuries, and Damage to Property was filed against herein Defendant SONER before the Regional Trial Court of Paniqui, Tarlac, Branch 67, and was docketed as Criminal Case No. 190-13. A copy of said Information is herewith attached and marked as Annex “G.” 2.18 The proximate cause of the damages suffered by herein Plaintiff LEPATAN was due to the recklessness or negligence of Defendant SONER in driving the subject Fuso Tractor Head Truck. Take note that prior to the subject incident, specifically on 01 December 2013 at around 11:00 o’clock in the morning, herein Defendant SONER was already apprehended by the Land Transportation Office (LTO) enforcer at the North Luzon Express Way (NLEX) FOR “excess load.” See: Annex “C” of this Complaint.

2.19 Defendants MACRO STRUCTURE and ALL ASIA STRUCTURES are equally liable under the foregoing in view of the fact that they are the registered owners of the subject Fuso Tractor Head Truck and 40-footer trailer truck, respectively, being driven by herein Defendant SONER. Defendant SONER is acting as an agent or employee of herein Defendants MACRO STRUCTURE and ALL ASIA STRUCTURES. 2.20 Defendant PLDT is likewise answerable under foregoing by reason of the fact that it failed to properly ensure that its cable wire at the subject place of incident was in its proper and safe condition. Reports would show that the subject PLDT cable wire was already sagging and could be anytime hit by a truck which unfortunately happened in this case. For its lackadaisical failure to check and maintain its proper and safe condition of its cable wire under the foregoing incident, Defendant PLDT is jointly and solidarity liable together with the other Defendants in this case to herein Plaintiff LEPATAN for the damages incurred by the latter because of this unfortunate incident.

CAUSE OF ACTION – DAMAGES AND ATTORNEY’S FEES 3.1 Plaintiff LEPATAN hereby repleads and incorporates all the foregoing paragraphs insofar as they may be relevant and material hereunder.

3.2 Article 2176 of the New Civil Code provides, that: “Art. 2176. Whoever by act or omission causes damage to another, there being fault or negligence, is obliged to pay for the damage done. Such fault or negligence, if there is no pre-existing contractual relation between the parties is called a quasi-delict and is governed by the provisions of this Chapter.”

3.3 And, in relation thereto, Article 2199 of the New Civil Code states: “Except as provided by law or by stipulation, one is entitled to an adequate compensation only for such pecuniary loss-suffered by him as he has duly proved. Such compensation is referred to as actual or compensatory damages.”

3.4 In the instant complaint, it is beyond cavil that herein Plaintiff LEPATAN suffered actual damages by reason of the recklessness and fault of herein Defendants.

3.5 Due to the carelessness and/or negligence of herein Defendant SONER in driving the subject Fuso Tractor Head Truck and the corresponding negligence of Defendants MACRO STRUCTURE and ALL ASIA STRUCTURES in allowing the subject Truck to proceed knowing it has an overload cargo and their liability as the employers of Defendant SONER coupled with the negligence also of herein Defendant PLDT when it failed to properly ensure that its cable wire at the subject place of incident was in its proper and safe condition, the subject Truck his the sagging cable wire along Mac Arthur Highway at said given time and place which eventually pulled the PLDT concrete post that his the Toyota Rav 4 of herein Plaintiff LEPATAN. As a result, Plaintiff LEPATAN and his other companion, Josette Mendoza, suffered physical injuries. What is worst and unfortunate is that the wife of Plaintiff LEPATAN, Ms. Eileen M. Lepatan, died by reason of said ill-fated incident.

3.6 Plaintiff LEPATAN suffered actual damages or losses due to the foregoing incident in the following manner, thus: 3.6.1 Medical expenses in the amount of PHLIPPINE PESOS: NINETEEN THOUSAND ONE HUNDRED FIFTY EIGHT and 60/100 (Php19,158.60) for Plaintiff LEPATAN and his companions. Copies of the Official Receipts evidencing said medical expenses are herewith attached and marked as Annexes “H” and series.

3.6.2 Funeral expenses in the amount of PHILIPPINE PESOS: TWO HUNDRED THIRTY EIGHT THOUSAND AND FORTY (Php238,040.00) for the wake and burial of Plaintiff LEPATAN’s wife, Ms. Eileen M. Lepatan.

Copies of the Official Receipts evidencing said funeral expenses are herewith attached and marked as Annexes “I” and series.

3.6.3 Repairs and auto-works for the damaged Toyota Rav 4 vehicle in the amount of PHILIPPINE PESOS: FIVE HUNDRED TWENTY FOUR THOUSAND ONE HUNDRED FIFTY TWO (Php524,152.00). Copies of the Official Receipts evidencing said repairs and auto-works are herewith attached and marked as Annexes “J” and series.

3.6.4 The total amount of actual damages incurred by herein Plaintiff LEPATAN under the foregoing incident is in the total amount of PHILIPPINE PESOS: SEVEN HUNDRED EIGHTY ONE THOUSAND AND THREE HUNDRED FIFTY and 60/100 (Php781,350.60).

3.7 In addition thereto, Plaintiff LEPATAN should likewise be awarded a death indemnify for the death of his wife by reason of this incident and jurisprudence fixed in the amount of PHILIPPINE PESOS: FIFTY THOUSAND (Php50,000.00).

3.8 Further, under Article 2206 of the New Civil Code, it provides that: “Art. 2206. The amount of damages for death caused by a crime or quasidelict shall be at least three thousand pesos, even though there may have been mitigating circumstances. In addition (1) The defendant shall be liable for the loss of the earning capacity of the deceased, and the indemnify shall be paid to the heirs of the latter; such indemnify shall in every case be assessed and awarded by the court, unless the deceased on account of permanent physical disability not caused by the defendant, had no earning capacity at the time of his death;” [Underscoring and Stressed Supplied.]

3.9 In the case of People of the Phils. Vs. Joseph Asilan, G.R. No. 188322, April 11, 2012, the following factors in computing the amount of damages recoverable for the loss of earning capacity of the deceased were elucidated, to wit: a.) The number of years on the basis of which damages shall be computed. This is based on the formula (2/3 x 80 – age of the deceased at the time of his death = life expectancy), which is adopted from the American Expectancy Table of Mortality; and b.) The rate at which the losses sustained by the heirs of the deceased should be fixed.

Net income is arrived at by deducting the amount of the victim’s living expenses from the amount of his gross income.

3.10 At the time of her death, Ms. Eileen M. Lepatan was forty-eight (48) years old. She was then in a good physical condition and has no sickness. She has her own coffee shop business named: “Angelicafe Coffee Station” situated at the Ground Floor, Net 2 Building, 28th Street corner 3rd Avenue, Bonifacio, Global City, Taguig. Said business of the deceased Ms. Eileen M. Lepatan has an annual net sales of PHILIPPINE PESOS: FOUR MILLION FOUR HUNDRED NINETY NINE THOUSAND FOUR HUNDRED EIGHTY FOUR (Php4,499,484.00) as evidenced by the Annual Income Tax Return for the Year 2013 duly filed before the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) for the said business herewith attached and marked as Annex “K” and series.

3.11 Considering the untimely demise of Plaintiff LEPATAN’s wife, Ms. Eileen M. Lepatan, he is entitled to claim for the deceased’s loss of earning capacity which is hereunder computed based of the following: the life expectancy was pegged at sixty (60) years old and the gross annual income was reduced to PHILIPPINE PESOS: FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND (Php500,000.00).

Net Earning Capacity = life expectancy x [gross annual income – living expenses] = 2/3 [60-age at time of death] x [gross annual income – 50% of gross annual income] = 2/3 [6-48] x [P 500,000.00 – P 250,000.00] = 8 x P 250,000.00 = P 2,000,000.00 The foregoing amount of PHILIPPINE PESOS: TWO MILLION (Php2,000,000.00) represents the loss of earning capacity of the deceased Ms. Eileen M. Lepatan which should be included in the award of actual damages in the instant case.

3.12 Furthermore, still by reason of this incident, Plaintiff LEPATAN inescapably suffered physical suffering, mental anguish, fright, serious anxiety, wounded feelings, and moral shocks. Until now, Plaintiff LEPATAN is still grieving for the loss of his wife.

3.13 Pertinent to the award of moral damages are the following provisions of law, to wit: “Art. 2217. Moral damages include physical suffering, mental anguish, fright, serious anxiety, besmirched reputation, wounded feelings, moral shocks, social humiliation, and similar injury.

Though incapable of pecuniary computation, moral damages may be recovered if they are the proximate result of the defendant’s wrongful act or omission.”

Art. 2219. Moral damages may be recovered in the following and analogous cases: (1) A criminal offense resulting in physical injuries; (2) Quasi-delicts causing physical injuries; x x x x” 3.14 Verily, Plaintiff LEPATAN should likewise be awarded moral damages in the amount of PHILIPPINE PESOS: ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND (Php100,000.00) under the foregoing circumstances.

3.15 Furthermore, herein Defendants must be made to pay exemplary or corrective damages considering that they acted in a wanton, fraudulent, reckless, oppressive or malevolent manner under the foregoing circumstances. Thus, the New Civil Code provides in Article 2229 that exemplary damages or corrective damages are imposed, by way of example or correction for the public good in addition to the moral, temperate, liquidated, or compensatory damages.

3.16 Consequently, herein Defendants must be made to pay the amount of PHILIPPINE PESOS: FIFTY THOUSAND (Php50,000.00) as exemplary or corrective damages by way of an example or correction for the public good.

3.17 Furthermore, in order to protect the interest of Plaintiff LEPATAN the latter was constrained to engage the services of the undersigned law firm. Plaintiff LEPATAN had spent at least PHILIPPINE PESOS: ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND (Php100,000.00) to engage the services of the undersigned law firm and to pay for the initial costs of the instant suit, not to mention the amount as payment for appearance fees plus the payment of docket fees.

3.18 Herein Defendants SONER, MACRO STRUCTURE, ALL ASIA STRUCTURES, and PLDT should be held jointly and severally liable under the foregoing circumstances.

3.19 There is no denying that the proximate cause of the damages suffered by herein Plaintiff LEPATAN was due to the recklessness or negligence of Defendant SONER in driving the subject Fuso Tractor Head Truck. Take note that prior to the subject incident, specifically on 01 December 2013 at around 11:00 o’clock in the morning, herein Defendant SONER was already apprehended by the Land Transportation Office (LTO) enforcer at the North Luzon Express Way (NLEX) for “excess load.” See: Annex “F” of this Complaint.

3.20 Defendants MACRO STRUCTURE and ALL ASIA STRUCTURES are being impleaded herei and are equally liable under the foregoing in view of the fact that they are the registered owners of the subject Fuso Tractor Head Truck AND 40-footer trailer truck, respectively, being driven by herein Defendant SONER. Under the set-up, Defendant SONER is acting as an agent or employee of herein Defendants MACRO STRUCTURE and ALL ASIA STRUCTURES. 3.21 Article 2180 of the Civil Code provides: “x x x x Employers shall be liable for the damages caused by their employees and household helpers acting within the scope of their assigned tasks, even though the former are not engaged in any business or industry. x x x x” 3.22 As held in the case of OMC Carriers, Inc. vs. Spouses Nabua, G.R. No. 148974, July 2, 2010, the Most Honorable Supreme Court ratiocinated: It is thus clear that the employer of a negligent employee is liable for the damages caused by the latter. When an injury is caused by the negligence of an employee, there instantly arises a presumption of the law that there was negligence on the part of the employer, either in the selection of his employee or in the supervision over him after such selection.”

ANNEX “A”

LGUs

ANNEX “A-1” ManilaANNEX “B”

Standard

TODAY

ANNEX “B-1”

ANNEX “C”

ANNEX “D”

ANNEX “D-1”

ANNEX “D-2”

ANNEX “D-3”

ANNEX “E”

ANNEX “F”

ANNEXES “H” & “H-1”

ANNEX “E-2”

ANNEX “E-1”

ANNEXES “F-2 to F-5”

ANNEX “G”

ANNEX“H-2”

ANNEX “H-3”

ANNEX “H-4”

ANNEX“H-5”

ANNEX“H-6”

ANNEX“I”

ANNEX“I-4”

ANNEX“H-9”

ANNEX“H-7”

ANNEX“H-8”

ANNEX“I-3”

ANNEX“I-1” & “I-2”

ANNEX“I-6”

ANNEX“I-5”

ANNEX“J”

ANNEXES“J-1” & “J-2”

ANNEX“J-3”

ANNEXES“J-4” & “J-5”

ANNEX“J-6”

ANNEX“J-7”

ANNEX“K”

LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS

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Jimbo Owen Gulle, Editor lgu@manilastandard.net editor.lgustandard@gmail.com WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 21, 2019

Balanga Wetland to boost economic growth, tourism

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

T

HE people of Balanga City in Bataan can look forward to a boost in their tourism industry with the signing into law of a bill declaring their coastal sanctuary as a responsible, community-based ecotourism site.

“The enactment of this bill will redound significantly to the economic growth of the people of the City of Balanga and the Province of Bataan and to the tourism development in the area,” said Senator Cynthia Villar, chairperson of the Committee on Environment and principal sponsor of Republic Act No. 11365 or the Balanga Wetland and Nature Park Responsible Ecotourism Act. “It will also further promote environmental sustainability considering that BWNP is a known sanctuary of birds and fish,” she added.

The park covers 153,578 sq.m. of mangrove forest and 187,500 sq.m. of foreshore land in Barangay Tortugas.

According to a report of the Wild Bird Club of the Philippines, the area is home to some 9,500 resident and migratory birds.

Bataan 2nd District Rep. Jose Enrique Garcia said the park is a popular bird watching site where the annual Ibong Dayo Festival is held.

As a special ecotourism zone, BWNP will be accorded priority development by the departments of environment, tourism, and public works and the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority.

The law will pave the way for the creation of the Balanga Wetland and Natural Park Development Council headed by the city mayor. It will be responsible for the formulation and the implementation of an ecotourism development and management plan in consultation with local residents, businesses and other stakeholders.

“Sustainable tourism is the only option especially nowadays, where there are many well-documented incidents of damage to the environment or natural resources, including marine and aquatic resources in various tourism sites here and abroad. Tourism, without environment preservation and protection, is usually the cause of such,” Villar said.

3.23 In view of the aforementioned provision of law and jurisprudence, Defendants MACRO STRUCTURE and ALL ASIA STRUCTURES are indeed liable in the instant Complaint for damages.

3.24 As regards herein Defendant PLDT, the same is likewise answerable under foregoing by reason of the fact that it failed to properly ensure that is cable wire at the subject place of incident was in its proper and safe condition. Reports would show that the subject PLDT cable wire was already sagging and could be anytime hit by a truck which unfortunately happened in this case. For its lackadaisical failure to check and maintain its proper and safe condition of its cable wire under the foregoing incident, Defendant PLDT is jointly and solidarity liable together with the other Defendants in this case to herein Plaintiff LEPATAN for the damages incurred by the latter because of this unfortunate incident.

P R AY E R WHEREFORE, it is most respectfully prayed for this Honorable Court that judgment be rendered in favor of herein Plaintiff LEPATAN and against herein Defendants SONER, MACRO STRUCTURE, ALL ASIA STRUCTURES, and PLDT ordering the latter to pay, joint and severally, the following: a. The sum of PHILIPPINE PESOS: SEVEN HUNDRED EIGHTY ONE THOUSAND THREE HUNDRED FIFTY and 60/100 (Php781,350.60) as the total amount of actual damages plus legal interest; b. The amount of PHILIPPINE PESOS: TWO MILLION (Php2,000,000.00) representing the loss of earning capacity of the deceased Ms. Eileen M. Lepatan; c. The amount of PHILIPPINE PESOS: FIFTY THOUSAND (Php50,000.00) as death indemnify for the death of Plaintiff LEPATAN’s wife by reason of this incident; d. The amount of PHILIPPINE PESOS: ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND (Php100,000.00) representing moral damages; e. The amount of PHILIPPINE PESOS: FIFTY THOUSAND (Php50,000.00) as exemplary or corrective damages by way of an example or correction for the public good; f. The amount of PHILIPPINE PESOS: ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND (Php100,000.00) as payment for attorney’s fees plus payment for appearance and pleading fees; and, g. The cost of the suit.

Other reliefs, just and equitable under the premises, are likewise prayed for.

Pasig City for Quezon City. This 12th day of November 2014.

PANGULAYAN & ASSOCIATES Counsel of Plaintiff LEPATAN Unit 1104, Pacific Center, San Miguel Avenue, Ortigas Center, Pasig City, Telephone Nos. (632) 638-7251, (632) 514-5558 By: (Sgd.) LUIS M.C. PANGULAYAN IBP No. 952517/1.07.14/QC PTR No. 9081893/1.08.14/QC Roll of Attorneys No. 38176 MCLE Compliance No. IV-0019439/04.30.13

(Sgd.) INOCENCIO R. VIVERO, JR. IBP No. 952518/1.07.14/PPLM PTR No. 9081894/1.08.14/QC Roll of Attorneys No. 52138 MCLE Compliance No. IV-0019055/04.26.13

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES } CITY OF PASIG } VERIFICATION AND CERTIFICATION OF NON-FORUM SHOPPING I, CARLO Y. LEPATAN, of legal age, with office address at #10 Capricorn Street, Carmel 5, Tandang Sora, Quezon City, under oath depose and say: 1. That, I am the Plaintiff in the instant case; 2. That, I have caused the preparation and filing of the foregoing Complaint.

That, I have read and understood all the contents of the same and further attest that the allegations therein are true and correct to the best of my own personal knowledge and based on authentic records; and, 3. That, other than the criminal case for Reckless Imprudence Resulting to Homicide, Double Physical Injuries, and Damage to Property instituted by the government in the case entitled “People of the Phils. Vs. Nelson Soner, Criminal Case No. 190-13 pending before 67, Regional Trial Court, Paniqui, Tarlac,” I have not commenced any action or filed any case involving the same issues in any court, tribunal or quasi-judicial agency and, to the best of my knowledge, no such action or claim is pending and should I thereafter learn that the same or similar action or claim has been filed or is pending, I shall report such fact within five (5) days therefrom to this Honorable Court.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 18th day of November 2014, Pasig City, Philippines.

(Sgd.) CARLO Y. LEPATAN Affiant SUBSCRIBED AND SWORN to before me this 18th day of November 2014, at Pasig City, Philippines, by Carlo Y. Lapatan, who has satisfactorily proven his identity through his Driver’s License No. N02-87-076036 that he is the same person who personally signed the foregoing document before me; and, acknowledged that he executed the same.

Doc. No. 203;

Page No. 42;

Book No. I;

Series of 2014.

(Sgd.) LUIS MEINRADO C. PAÑGULAYAN Appointment No. 166 Notary Public for Pasig City Until December 31, 2014 Pañgulayan & Associates Law Office Unit 1104 Pacific Center, San Miguel Avenue Ortigas Center, Pasig City 1605, M.M. PTR No. 9081893; 01-08-14; Quezon City IBP No. 952517; 01-07-14; Quezon City Roll No. 38176

Republic of the Philippines REGIONAL TRIAL COURT National Capital Judicial Region Branch 100, Quezon City CARLO Y. LEPATAN, Plaintiff, -versus-

R-QZN-14-11748-CV

NELSON C. SONER, ALL ASIA STRUCTURES, INC., and MACRO STRUCTURES, INC., Defendants. x--------------------------------------------x

ORDER For resolution is plaintiffs’ Motion for Leave of Court to Serve Summons by Publication to defendants.

In support thereof, plaintiff stated that previously it filed a similar motion before the Regional Trial Court, Quezon City, Branch 76 because of the Sheriff’s Return of the impossibility of personal and substituted service to defendants. But the same was denied in the Order dated 16 May 2016. Hence, diligent efforts were made by plaintiff and the Court’s Sheriff to locate for defendants at their known and given addresses. However, it appears that defendants were evading service of summons. It is believed that all efforts were in vain. Hence, this motion.

The Order dated 02 April 2019 for defendants to file comment were all returned to this Court with notation either, “moved, left no address” or “unknown at the given address.”

The Court resolves to grant the motion.

From plaintiff’s narration of circumstances of the attempts and labor it made with the assistance of the Sheriff of Branch 76 to locate for defendants to serve the Summons, Complaint and annexes, the same, however, remained futile. Obviously, defendants’ whereabouts are unknown and cannot be ascertained by diligent inquiry. Under Section 14, Rule 14 of the Rules of Court, service of summons may be effected on a defendants by publication, with leave of court; SEC. 14. Service upon defendant whose identity or whereabouts are unknown. In any action where the defendant is designated as an unknown owner, or the like, or whenever his whereabouts are unknown and cannot be ascertained by diligent inquiry, service may, by leave of court, be effected upon him by publication in a newspaper of general circulation and in such places and for such times as the court may order.

WHEREFORE, premises considered, plaintiffs’ Motion for Leave of Court to Serve Summons by Publication is GRANTED. Accordingly, let the Summons, together with the Complaint and its annexes be published together with a copy of this Order at plaintiff’s own expense twice in a newspaper of general circulation in the Philippines, chosen by raffle, pursuant to Section 14, Rule 14 of the Rules of Court. The defendants are hereby ordered to file their Answer in Court within sixty (60) days after notice hereof.

Also, let also a copy of the Summons, Complaint and its annexes and this Order be sent to defendants by registered mail at their last known address, all at the expense of the plaintiff.

SO ORDERED. 04 June 2019, Quezon City, Metro Manila.

(Sgd.) EDITHA G. MINA-AGUBA Presiding Judge Copy furnished: Atty. CERIZAR VICENTE S. TORIO Counsel for Plaintiff NELSON C. SONER Defendant ALL ASIA STRUCTURES, INC. Defendant MACRO STRUCTURES, INC. Defendant

(MStandard - Aug. 21 & 28, 2019)

A NEW HOPE. Some 49 inmates at the Navotas City Jail have earned diplomas through the Alternative Learning System. “Avoid involvement in drugs and other nefarious activities. Make your time here productive and worthwhile. Learn new skills and prepare for the day you will regain your freedom. By then, you should be ready to create a new and better life for you and your family,” said Mayor Toby Tiangco.

Gov’t to meet Nov. deadline for San Vicente airport projects

By Joel E. Zurbano THE government is rushing the ongoing construction works at the San Vicente Airport to meet its deadline before the end of the year.

According to the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines, the infrastructure development project at the facility is now 36 percent complete.

CAAP spokesperson Eric Apolonio said the ongoing works include the construction of an administrative building, powerhouse, security fence, frangible fence, service entrance pole and cistern water tank.

The airport development project, he said, also covers runway extension, con-

creting of the vehicle parking area, and the provision of a drainage system and water line.

Targeted for completion in November this year, the project aims to improve existing airport infrastructure to accommodate larger aircraft, thereby boosting connectivity to and from Palawan.

SVA officially opened to light aircraft in June 2017, while chartered flights from Air Juan were launched a month after.

Seen as the country’s first Flagship Tourism Enterprise Zone, the booming town of San Vicente, a first-class municipality, is home to the longest white beach in the Philippines, an amazing stretch of 14 kilometers spanning the coastline of four barangays.

Life

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

FASHION AND BEAUTY

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 21, 2019

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Athlete-designed athletic apparel

By Bernadette Lunas

T

HEY say “experience is the best teacher.”

A person learns their capacity and preferences by going through something than by just reading or being taught about it. For example, you wouldn’t know which best outfit to wear unless you haven’t had the experience of donning several—from decent to worst.

Edrin Panganiban has worn virtually all kinds of jerseys and shorts playing basketball. After all, he started early—at Grade 3. The worst one he had put on?

“Yung parang sakong binutasan lang.

Sobrang uncomfortable; ang luwag sa body, ang sikip ng arm holes. (It was like a plastic straw sack fashioned into a jersey uniform. It was extremely uncomfortable; the body part was loose, and the arm holes were tight),” he told Manila Standard in a one-on-one interview.

It was this former basketball league player-turned-startup business owner’s first-hand experience with athletic apparel that motivated him to create STATS, his sportswear label, which was actually his thesis in college. He took Entrepreneurship at Southville International School and Colleges Manila.

He might not had won the Best Thesis award, but he got something just as good, if better: a thriving brand that offers quality and functional activewear made of local materials.

It all started with a pair of shorts

Panganiban founded STATS in 2016 equipped with motivation, experience, and basic design know-how.

“I started with custom wear, during which I made a pair of jersey shorts with pockets,” the 29-year-old entre-

Basketball and Frisbee player Edrin Panganiban understands what makes an activewear great, thus he founded a sportswear brand that offers pieces that are functional and comfortable.

Back from the ‘90s

Court Slam features a perforated leather upper with suede insets.

LACOSTE digs from its archives to create its latest unisex sneakers collection, Court Slam.

Inspired by the Tennis 91, the Court Slam asserts a unique personality.

Born in tennis courts in the 1990s, it has been revived as a lifestyle sneaker with a daring and contemporary aesthetic design.

The sneakers are available in a onecolor version (black, white, navy) and in white highlighted with colored details (blue, green, red) on the sole, heel, and reinforced lace holes. The new kicks feature a perforated leather upper with suede insets, giving each pair a casual, sporty look while retaining its original technology for optimum stability and comfort.

The Court Slam will be available at Lacoste stores and lacoste.com.ph starting August 28.

preneur related. “Nilagyan ko ng pockets because I noticed after ng liga, yung mga players ibinibigay na yung shorts kasi di na magagamit since impractical; wala man lang pockets. (I put pockets because I noticed after every basketball league, the players returned their shorts because they were impractical to use again since they didn’t have pockets).”

The simple added feature in the trousers launched STATS into a fullfledged RTW label.

“When I added pockets, I noticed they used it after,” he enthused.

Panganiban clarified, however, the pockets were not put senselessly, just for the sake of having little sacks where wearers can put their keys or phones.

“They were made using one whole fabric so they would not break easily, and they have small holes—which are small enough to let water out when you’re using it for swimming, but big enough that small items like earrings won’t fall out.”

Panganiban also put smart overlapping slits on the sides of the shorts that allow better, unrestrained movement. “They’re straight when you’re standing up, but when you squat, they expand. They don’t restrict your movements,” he explained.

After several design tweaks, come the Blade shorts, currently STATS’ bestselling product.

“Prior to this, I didn’t have a background in design, that’s why I was surprised when they liked the product,” Panganiban said with a boyish smile.

In fact, when he was starting his company, he shared, he did almost everything, except cutting and sewing. “I did the design, I took the photos, I handled our social media, and sometimes I even delivered orders.”

From a staff of three, STATS now has 10. Panganiban happily reported he now has a designer helping him.

Smart sportswear

Lacoste’s latest unisex sneakers Court Slam

Practical features and functions have won the hearts of many STATS’ loyal patrons. The label is currently the official outfitter of UP Fighting Maroons and supplier of the university game shirts worn by students.

You see, Panganiban said he wanted, from day one, to create activewear that actually made sense.

“I focus on functions and features, my designs are simple,” he proudly admitted.

“Gusto ko yung gamit maraming functions, at least may second function siya (I want everything to have multiple functions, or at least a second function).”

Panganiban said all STATS apparel could be worn for multiple activities, as the company name suggests: Sports,

The activewear label offers T-shirts and shorts for women, too.

STATS’ bestselling Blades shorts have overlapping slits that allow better, unrestrained movement.

Training, Athleisure, Technology, and Swimming. This means the clothes, from the active tee to the sports bra, to the leggings, to the bestselling shorts can be worn for various sports activities or outside the gym/court.

Or as he put it, “You only have one pair of shorts but it covers 80 percent of your activities—you can use it for swimming, outdoor activities, indoor sports, and more.”

Premium can be affordable and made locally

STATS focuses more on the real and essential—putting premium on function and continuous research and development—and less on superficial elements such as tags and packaging.

The local brand offers products on par with those from more popular and established global sportswear labels. It uses locally sourced premium blend polyester fabric, which, by the way, Panganiban said, was much better than the old Dri-Fit technology.

“Premium blend polyester fabric is moisturewicking, which means it dries faster and does not stink; and it’s lightweight and more comfortable but durable,” he explained.

Aside from using local materials, he keeps prices down by manufacturing locally. STATS also does away with fancy packaging, and it currently operates online, available only on Facebook (STATS Performance Apparel) and Instagram (@statsph). Panganiban plans to join pop-ups in the last quarter of the year to further promote the company.

Prices range from P700-1,800, or about 30-50 percent less than international sportswear brands.

Even its models are “real” people, too—ordinary individuals who lead an active lifestyle and have grown to love the brand.

Behind the startup is Januarius Holdings, Inc., the investment and asset management company of businessman JJ Atencio, which focuses on developing startups and SMEs like STATS. “What we like about STATS is that it is essentially athletic apparel designed by athletes who know what kind of apparel athletes need to wear for better performance in the areas of material, design, stitching, and quality,” Atencio said in a statement.

He added, “And then there’s the creative twist of crossing over to leisure wear that makes the sports apparel practical, functional, and appealing to a wider market.”

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Life

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 21, 2019

manilastandardlife@gmail.com

Criselda Lontok holiday 2019: As elegant as nature Filipina designer Criselda Lontok presents her eponymous brand’s holiday 2019 collection.

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RISELDA LONTOK’S racks at Rustan’s this holiday season will be filled with stunning ensembles inspired by nature.

Her holiday 2019 collection captures the elegance of the environment, the serene sense of calmness, the beauty of green accented by bursts of floral, materialized into gowns and separates made for refined women.

As with previous collections, Lontok brings her signature elegance and thoughtful aesthetic for structure, function, and form.

To showcase the stunning looks for the season, the acclaimed designer recently held a fashion presentation at The Gallerie of Rustan’s Makati.

Muses and some of the society’s most stylish, including Joy Rustia, Marga Nograles, Jojo Ocampo, Liza Chan Parpan, Penny Lopez, and Ria Fernandez, wore Lontok’s latest pieces as they walked the runway.

The latest collection from Criselda Lontok captures the elegance of nature as seen in colors, prints, and silhouettes used.

Criselda Lontok (center) with (from left) Liza Chan Parpan, Marga Nograles, Joy Rustia, Penny Lopez, Jojo Ocampo, and Ria Fernandez.

Criselda Lontok is exclusively available at Rustan’s Makati, Shangri-La, Alabang, Gateway, and Cebu.

WHAT’S NEW IF KOREA has “glass skin,” Japan has mochi hada or “rice-cake skin,” which, unlike the former, focuses on suppleness more than dewiness.

The Japanese skin care routine is all about thorough but gentle cleansing and the application of hydrating products.

Instead of multiple serums, lotions are used after toner and before moisturizer.

One of the cult-favorite facial lotion in the Land of the Rising Sun comes from Hada Labo.

The multi-awarded Hada Labo Hydrating Lotion has been the no. 1 facial lotion in Japan for 12 consecutive years, selling over 55 million units. According to the brand, it is also one of the top 3 drugstore skincare brands in Taiwan, Singapore, and Malaysia.

The facial lotion harnesses the power of a combination of four types of Hyaluronic Acid to deeply hydrate skin, help preserve its moisture balance, and prepare it for enhanced absorption of other skin care ingredients.

Hada Labo, which is Japanese for “skin laboratory,” says the facial lotion is fragrance-free, has balanced pH levels, and features a refreshing texture.

The Hada Labo Hydrating Lotion is now available in the Philippines exclusively at Watsons stores nationwide.

The 30ml bottle retails at P195, while the 170ml bottle is priced at P685.

Other Hada Labo products now availa-

Japan’s no. 1 facial lotion promises hydrated, supple skin

Hada Labo brings to the Philippines the cult-favorite Hydrating Facial Lotion as well as other products under the hydrating line and more.

ble in the country are the Hydrating Face Wash (P385), which contains double HA to help restore and preserve skin’s natural moisture; the Hydrating Light Cream (P850), whose Aqua Oil Volume Matrix technology and aloe vera gives skin an instant surge of suppleness; The Ceramide-enriched Hydrating Water Gel (P850) that forms a moisture-protecting shield on the skin; the Hydra and Whitening Face Wash

(P295), which makes skin brighter and fairer with the help of Resveratrol; and the Deep Clean and Pore Refining Face Wash (295), which harnesses the power of Japanese Green Tea extract and Bentonite Clay to control excess oil and absorb dirt and impurities from pores.

First-time users of the brand may try the Hydrating Line trial set (P465) which comes with facial wash, lotion, and light cream.

7 PH fashion brands join Paris trade show SEVEN notable and well-loved Filipino fashion accessories and ready-to-wear brands are heading to Paris to participate in the Premiere Classe fashion trade show on September 27-30.

Held annually since 1989 and happening in the midst of Paris Fashion Week, Premiere Classe showcases fashion design and accessories by brands and designers from all over the world. The event registers over 10,000 visitors each year, including buyers and media editors over the course of four days.

It serves as an international platform for fashion accessory designers to present their products in categories that include jewelry, footwear, bags, leather goods, and RTW. The Department of Trade and Industry’s Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions will bring Aranáz, Beatriz Accessories, Mele + Marie, Joanique, and Zacarias 1925 to present their bags and accessories; Merriam Batara for jewelry; and Filip + Inna for its ready-to-wear line.

Aranáz, founded by Becky, Amina, and Rosanna Aranaz in 1999, has enjoyed a steady local following over the years and continues to gain popularity internationally. The brand’s handmade bags have perfected that signature balance of polished and artisanal while bringing to the spotlight the use of indigenous materials like abaca, raffia, and wicker.

Beatriz Accessories, led by founder and chief designer Carissa Cruz Evangelista, offers a more luxurious take on handcrafted bags with clutches made with vibrant color combinations and eye-catching graphic details. This is true for Mele + Marie’s elegant purses, as well. Created by the husband-andwife team of Melecio and Rosemarie Oamil, the brand’s bags boast refined artistry through the use of iridescent abalone shells and lightweight acrylic.

Founded by designer Malou Romero in 2011, Joanique creates contemporary bags and accessories with a cultural ref-

VANITY CORNER Comfortably matte

Careline Play to Slay palette

Play to slay Young makeup enthusiasts can play with colors and create looks that “slay” with Careline’s new makeup palette.

The Play to Slay palette comes with one highlighter, two blush shades, and 12 eye shadow shades in matte and shimmer varieties. Careline said the entire set is made to complement multiple skin tones, and the formulation is highly pigmented, easy to blend, and long-lasting.

This new makeup palette is available at Lazada.

Australian cosmetics brand BYS offers an ultra-matte line of lipstick that promises to stay all day sans flaking and discomfort.

The BYS Luxe Lips Ultra Matte is designed with a creamy, weightless, and long-lasting formula that delivers intense color and strong matte finish without flaking, fading, or feathering after application. It is available in 12 shades that promise to flatter all skin tones.

This line of lipstick is available at Watsons and SM Beauty stores, and BYS Luxe Lips Ultra Matte in Queen online at beautybeat.ph. of the Night and Vibes.

Merriam Batara accessories

Bucket bags

by Aranaz

Beatriz Accessories’ clutch with graphic design

erence. Its Maskara collection of minaudières mimic the intricate designs and carvings of the masks featured in the Masskara Festival of Bacolod.

Zacarias 1925, on the other hand, references architecture, art, and even cinema in its progressive designs. Designer Rita Nazareno cleverly mixes materials like leather and shaped rattan to add more personality to her pieces.

Jewelry designer Merriam Batara hails from a family with a background in crafting fine jewelry and handbeaded accessories. Her work emphasizes the immense detail and precision of hand beading, as seen in her collection of shoulder-grazing earrings.

Finally, Lenora Cabili’s clothing label Filip + Inna applies to each garment ageold and traditional techniques of weaving and embroidery and incorporates these into more current silhouettes.

Entertainment

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 21, 2019

C3

nickie.standard@gmail.com

K-pop sensation MONSTA X gets animated in ’We Bare Bears’ '13th of September' is a reimagination of Lanie Robertson's 'The Insanity of Mary Girard,' a book first published in 1979.

‘13th of September’ premieres at Erehwon Center for the Arts

K-pop sensation Monsta X makes yet another mark as it becomes the first Korean act to guest star in Cartoon Network's 'We Bare Bears.'

M

ONSTA X, one of the world’s most popular K-pop groups, is getting animated in an all-new episode of Cartoon Network’s Emmy-nominated We Bare Bears premiering in the Philippines Aug. 26 at 9:00 a.m..

Panda (voiced by Bobby Moynihan) is a huge MONSTA X fan and he is in for the surprise of a lifetime thanks to his thoughtful Bear Bros. In “Panda’s Birthday,” Grizz (voiced by Eric Edelstein) and Ice Bear (voiced

by Demetri Martin) mastermind a creative scheme to help Panda meet his favorite K-pop band on his birthday.

MONSTA X and Ice Bear eventually meet for the first time; Ice Bear (who

is surprisingly fluent in Korean) successfully places himself via travel luggage in the group’s hotel room.

Regarding this special collaboration, MONSTA X member I.M tells Billboard, “We are absolutely thrilled and honored to be in an episode of We Bare Bears. It’s one of the most beloved animated series in the world! We put in a lot of effort into this collaboration and hope our

‘One Summer Night’ with Jung Hae In

Korean actor Jung Hae In in a scene from the romantic drama 'While You Were Sleeping.'

K-DRAMA fans are in for a treat as Korean actor Jung Hae In is coming back to Manila on Sept. 28 for his One Summer Night Fan Meeting Tour 2019 at the New Frontier Theater.

The award-winning Korean actor flew to Manila around the same time last year to spend time with his well-loved fans in the Philippines.

Jung Hae In made his K-drama debut in 2014 via the series Bride of the Century. He eventually gained more popularity in 2017 with his performances in the fantasy romance series While You Were Sleeping and black comedy series Prison Playbook. Then, Jung Hae In bagged his first starring role in Something in the Rain, a 2018 Netflix original series. This year, Hae-In took on the lead role of another Netflix original and romance drama series, One Spring Night.

For tickets to One Summer Night Fan Meeting Tour in Manila, visit TicketNet.com.ph, any TicketNet outlets or Call TicketNet hotline 911-5555. Presented by Wilbros Live, fans can follow update and conversation via #JungHaeInMANILA2019.

CROSSWORD PUZZLE Wednesday, August 21, 2019

ACROSS 1 Break in 4 Trapshooting 9 Protozoan (var.)

14 One, to Conchita 15 Row of shrubs 16 Tempts 17 Hitchcock’s title 18 — salts 19 Alternate name 20 Fruit ice 22 Omen 24 Not moving 25 Delicatessen purchase 27 “The Mammoth Hunters” heroine 28 Quick 29 Bluish-green 33 High standards 35 Jousting weapon 36 Forbidden 39 Flung 40 Skips past 41 Take over the plane 44 Hull plank 45 Toxic gas 46 — — sorry!

50 Provoke 52 Slug cousin 53 Holiday quaff 56 Fell behind 57 Shore indenta-

28 Bunk 30 USN rank 31 Poker card 32 Took by the hand 34 — Plaines, Illinois 35 Place (abbr.)

36 Archer’s need 37 Doctors’ org.

38 Zip 39 Get some sun DOWN 1 Chagall’s home- 41 Truck drivers 42 Passports, etc. land 43 Coffee in a 2 Like some bagels 3 Keg 4 Cheap ghost costume 5 Held on to 6 Bradley and McBain 7 I, to Claudius 8 Pagodas 9 Bedside noise 10 Doing more than one thing at a time 11 Barge canal of yore 12 Chili ingredient 13 Off. helper 21 Difficult puzzles 23 Lummox 25 Mexican Mrs. 26 Feel awful tion 58 Social mores 61 Before, in combos 62 Lady’s wear 63 Reddish horses 64 Capone foe 65 Easy mark 66 Waterlogged 67 Have a snack

fans, as well as We Bare Bears fans, can truly enjoy it.”

Following the breakout success of their first album Take.1 Are You There?, MONSTA X is currently on a worldwide tour to promote their next album Take.2 We Are Here.

The special episode will air on Cartoon Network available on Cignal Digital TV Channel 220 (HD), Sky Direct Channel 15 (HD), SkyCable Channel 178 (HD), and Destiny Cable Channel 178 (HD Digital) and will be available for viewing on the Cartoon Network Watch & Play app as well.

Stay tuned about your favorite We Bare Bears characters by following the Cartoon Network Asia official Facebook page, or visiting the Cartoon Network website.

diner 45 Vive le —!

47 Trinket stealer 48 Rugged mountain range 49 Stalest 51 Tattered 52 Smartmouthed 53 Trace of smoke 54 Singer/composer Paul — 55 Cut 56 Yearn 59 In addition

ANY play can, practically, be “based on a true story” but The Insanity of Mary Girard is one of the few that took real-life events into a haunting and highly theatrical piece.

Mary Girard (1758–1815) was committed to an asylum in 1790 where her husband declared her legally insane. During her confinement, she gave birth to a baby girl—unsure who the father was—who died five months later.

After residing in the insanity ward for 25 years, she was laid to rest somewhere on hospital grounds, her grave unmarked.

Three actors will be bringing life to the “furies” on the last night of Mary Girard in 13th of September: Adore Dominguez, a hair and makeup artist at ABSCBN and Chairman of SiningLani Poly Repertory Alumni at present; Marco Edward Calilao, actor and production staff; and Lao Rodriguez, a television and film actor.

With the help of institutions such as Erehwon Center for the Arts, BOGT had a head start to establish and start pursuing their goals. True to its mission and vision, Erehwon provided a space for the team to “advance art to a new and higher level” and to “strengthen art as a means of communication and understanding among people”.

Hence, BOGT is launching the Philippines’ official entry to the 9th Festival international de Théâtre de Mont-Laurier, “13th of September” on August 10, 2019 (4pm) for guests of Erehwon and August 11, 2019 (7pm) for the press, sponsors, and patrons of BOGT at Erehwon Center for the Arts: The People’s Art Center.

Be Our Guest Theatricals’ 13th of September is a reimagination of Lanie Robertson’s The Insanity of Mary Girard chosen to represent the Philippines and be a part of the 9th Festival international de Théâtre de Mont-Laurier at

Quebec, Canada on Sept. 5 to 11.

Be Our Guest Theatricals is a team of professional theater and film practitioners based in Manila, Philippines. The group’s major goal is to create and produce shows for different international theater festivals and this year, a door was opened to the group to start achieving it. The theater company wants to boost the presence of the Philippine theater in the international realm and at the same time, bring home and share their learnings to Filipino professional and school-based theater companies.

Only 25 companies from over 20 countries were selected to join and present their plays during the biennial theater festival. The Philippines is the only country from Southeast Asia who was selected to join the festival since its launch in 2003.

13th of September is written

by Eljay Castro Deldoc and directed by Riki Benedicto.

Fundraising shows, which are in partnership with BGC Arts Center, will also be held on Aug. 31 to Sept. 1 (4:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.) at Zobel De Ayala Recital Hall, Maybank Performing Arts Theater.

Proceeds of these fundraising shows will go to the actors’ and production staff’s travel expenses to the said festival in Quebec, Canada on 5-11 September 2019 where they will be performing as the country’s official delegation.

Tickets are available at www. ticketworld.com.ph.

Erehwon Center for the Arts is a member of the Philippine Performing Art Centers Consortium (PhilPACC), a project of the CCP. It is located at 1 Don Francisco St., Villa Beatriz, Old Balara, Quezon City, operating hours are from Monday to Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.. For inquiries, email: info@erehwonartcenter. com; or call (02) 294-5286; mobile: (+63) 917 657 9932.

GMA...

From C4

Produced by GMA Public Affairs, One of the Baes is tagged as a millennial fairytale where audience will be taken to a journey of love and dreams. It will also showcase the ups and downs of our Filipino Seafarers thru the story of Jowalyn (Rita) and Grant (Ken).

Grant is a rich yet kindhearted environmental vlogger whose main goal while exploring the sea is to look for her princess, while Jowalyn is a goal-oriented girl who dreams of being the captain of a ship someday.

“We are happy to join our Kapusong Dabawenyos in this year’s Kadayawan Festival by bringing some of today’s sought-after Kapuso stars,” says GMA Regional TV Vice President and Head Oliver Amoroso.

“Amid their busy schedules, the stars of Bihag, Love You Two, The Better Woman, and One of the Baes are taking a break to fly to Davao and treat their fans as their way of thanking the loyal Kapuso viewers for their support. We hope to see our Kapusong Dabawenyos in Gaisano Mall Toril and SM City Davao this Sunday for a fun-filled afternoon,” he ends.

All the freshest news, events, and updates about GMA Regional TV are now available on www.gmaregionaltv.com. FollowGMA on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ gmanetwork and GMA Regional TV at www.facebook.com/GMARegionalTV and on Twitter and Instagram via @GMARegionalTV.

Entertainment

Nickie Wang, Issue Editor nickie.standard@gmail.com

C4

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 21, 2019

GMA brings stellar line-up to KADAYAWAN FEST GMA Network, through GMA Regional TV, gave Kapusong Dabawenyos more reasons to celebrate this year’s Kadayawan Festival when it brought a stellar line-up of Kapuso stars to Davao on Aug. 18 with the lead actors of GMA’s much-talked-about series Bihag, Love You Two, The Better Woman, and the upcoming primetime show, One of the Baes.

Fresh from the successful run of their Afternoon Prime series Bihag, Jason Abalos and Mark Herras treated their fans to a Kapuso Mall Show in Gaisano Mall Toril on Sunday at 2:00 p.m..

In City Davao at 4:00 p.m. on the same day, Gabby Concepcion the heartwarming romantic comedy series Love You Two, which also stars Jennylyn Mercado, entertained his fans.

Further heating up the Kapuso Mall Show were the lead stars of the primetime series The Better Woman—Derek Ramsay and Andrea Torres.

Definitely making the afternoon more fun and lovable were the uber-cute teamup of RitKen—Rita Daniela and Ken Chan—the upcoming primetime series tagged as millennial fairytale One of the Baes.

Bihag brought viewers action, mystery,

and suspense through a thought-provoking tale of how one mistake can lead to another. The series saw outstanding acting performances by Max Collins as Jessie, a simple and loving wife to Brylle (Jason Abalos) and mother to Ethan (Raphael Landicho), and Sophie Albert Reign, the woman who was caught between Jessie and Brylle.

Meanwhile, top-rating Kapuso series Love You Two to charm viewers as Gabby and Jennylyn’s characters, Jake and Raffy respectively, finally affirmed their feelings for each other.

The Better Woman is Derek’s first project as a Kapuso and the role of Andrew de Villa is tailor-fit for him.

Andrea, meanwhile, convincingly switches between two very different roles, twin sisters Jasmine de Villa and Juliet Santos-de Villa aka Elaine Reyes. Since its premiere, both of them have been applauded by Kapuso viewers for their undeniable chemistry and outstanding portrayals of their characters.

Finally, One of the Baes is the firstever primetime project of RitKen following their phenomenal team-up in My Special Tatay where they played the popular characters of Boyet and Aubrey. Continued on C3

‘The Ghosting’ lead stars Khalil Ramos and Andrea Brillantes

‘THE GHOSTING’ not a love story VERY WANG

A From left: Derek Ramsay, Andrea Torres, Gabby Concepcion, Rita Daniela, and Ken Chan join in the festivities at Kadayawan in Davao.

SM Little Star 2019 winners named SOME Thirty cute, talented, and adorable kids competed in the Grand Finals of the SM Little Star pageant at SMX Convention Center, Manila on Aug. 18.

The Grand Finals was the culmination of a month-long search wherein more than 5,000 kids aged four to seven all over the country registered to join the contest.

In its twelfth year of celebrating talented Filipino kids, SM Little Stars shines brighter with over P9.5 million worth of prizes at stake, including brand new cars, international trip, college scholarship, and artist management contract plus cash prizes and gift certificates.

For the Grand Prize winner took home a brand new Chevrolet Sail MT, exclusive artist management contract with Regal Entertainment Inc., P100,000 worth of cash and SM Gift Certificates (P 50,000 cash and P50,000 worth of gift certificates), a five-day and four-night trip to

China for two including airfare, hotel accommodations, and tours, a fouryear College Scholarship Grant from National University, and P30,000 worth of Toy Kingdom Gift Cards.

For the Grand Finals, this year’s winners were chosen by celebrity judges singer and actress Karylle, movie director Joey Reyes, TV personality Tuesday Vargas, and SM Little Stars 2013 third prize winner Esang de Torres on the following criteria: star quality 40 percent, personality 20 percent, and talent 40 percent.

“Through SM Little Stars, we celebrate our commitment to making mall-going experiences fun, nurturing, and rewarding for the whole family, and to spark moments that kids will treasure today and in the coming years,” said Jonjon San Agustin, SM Supermalls SVP for Marketing.

SM Little Stars 2019 is one of the many exciting events of the SM Supermalls.

SM Little Stars 2019 Grand Winners Danaielle Haley R. Magtoto of SM City East Ortigas and Nyle Quinzel G. Tapdasan of SM City North Edsa

NICKIE WANG

T THE media launch of The Ghosting, stars Khalil Ramos and Andrea Brillantes were asked if they are being paired in the movie as a love team. The two immediately answered that they are playing non-romantic roles but their characters will have numerous encounters in the story, which the audience should watch out for.

“It’s a horror film. Though the title is now commonly used on social media for people who were left hanging by someone they used to love, and not necessarily by a ghost, the story is really horror. And my character here is way older than the character that Andrea portrays, so there’s no chance of any romantic angle,” Khalil explained.

The mystery-horror movie from Reality Entertainment is about the Solante urban legend of a little girl carrying a headless doll who asks passersby to help her get home, which happens to be a mysterious red house visible only to her and her unassuming victims.

In the movie, Ken (Khalil) knew that Grace (Andrea) met the little girl but dismisses it as coincidence. The red house doesn’t exist, the curse is not real. Ken believes the girl and the house have something to do with weird deaths in the neighborhood, including Grace’s eventual disappearance, but no one else believes him.

“In the story, I play the role of a man living in an isolated community. He investigates the disappearance of his friend and suspects an urban legend has something to do with it,” narrated Khalil who finds the character challenging.

“When I do a scene, I want to look raw or organically afraid, like, I’m really afraid. To be effective, I try to be scared but subconsciously, I know that I’m just dealing with an actor. So, what I found more effective is to think of horrors in real life. I thought of real stuff that makes me scared and I thought of those in my scenes,” he shared.

Meanwhile, Andrea, who said that she doesn’t get scared at all even if she’s experienced a few unexplained “ghost encounters” in the past, tries to internalize as well.

“It’s not easy for me because I don’t easily get scared in person. So, I had to think of really scary stuff to make my acting believable,” the teen actress said.

The Ghosting is also the debut of one

of Reality Entertainment’s promising it will still work and be as entertaining as directors, Joey de Guzman. Catch it in the Filipino version,” Lana told Manila cinemas starting Aug. 28.

Standard in an interview. *** Ang Babaeng Allergic sa WiFi, which Ambition drives IdeaFirst stars Sue Ramirez, Jameson Blake, to create world-class films and Markus Paterson, is streaming on The IdeaFirst Company founders Netflix beginning today. And the film Perci Intalan and Jun Robles Lana being acquired by the streaming giant is are uncompromising when it comes a testament that validated the producers’ to producing films. Hence, they feel idea of what a universal movie should be invigorated by the fact that their movies when they conceived the project.

“The story is universal and timely. are created not for a specific purpose, yet, they make waves in somehow Around the world, people are dependent on technology. The story wanted to unexpected ways.

Take Ang Babaeng Allergic sa WiFi, tackle the question, what if we removed a sweet, romantic comedy produced by technology in our lives and go back to Cignal Entertainment, October Train the traditional way, would we still find Films, and The IdeaFirst Company, for love?” shared Intalan.

Apart from Ang Babeng Allergic sa example.

The film which Lana directed follows WiFi (translated as The Girl Allergic To the story of Norma, a popular girl in high WiFi), IdeaFirst has been preparing for school who ends up being diagnosed something big this year. They have a with Electromagnetic Hypersensitivity few projects in the offing.

“We are quite ambitious when it comes Disorder (EHS).

Unable to use or be around any gadget, to our projects. You have to be ambitious Norma is sent to a remote location without if you want to be competitive,” Robles any mobile signal to help her recuperate asserted, “That’s the reason why we are from the rare condition. Unfortunately, doing this big-budget film, a retelling of the long-distance, as well as the lack of Noli me Tangere and El Filibusterismo. communication with her boyfriend, puts The script is written by Lourd De Veyra. a strain on their relationship.“When we It’s already done, we are in the revision conceived the project, we thought that stage. But people are asking why we’re it’s a kind of story that resonates with doing an expensive film these day. We the audience globally. It’s a story that simply say, we are quite ambitious you can relocate to any country. The because we believe in the project, it’s a characters don’t have to be Filipino and passion project.”

The IdeaFirst Company founders Jun Robles Lana (right) and Percy Intalan

Lana and Intalan with 'Ang Babaeng Allergic sa WiFi' stars Jameson Blake and Markus Paterson (3rd and 4th from left)