Manila Standard - 2019 August 24 - Saturday

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Duterte is angry at criminals [and] heinous crimes.

– Senator Christopher Go

VOL. XXXIII • NO. 191 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P18 • SATURDAY, AUGUST 24, 2019 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

PALACE: SANCHEZ ‘NOT ELIGIBLE’ FOR RELEASE, DUTERTE ‘FURIOUS’ Sanchez might be released early from jail, the Palace said Friday, declaring the former Laguna town mayor ineligible under the law that shortens PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte was prison terms as a reward for good furious when he had learned that con- conduct.

In his anger, Duterte ordered a revicted murderer and rapist Antonio

By MJ Blancaflor, Rey E. Requejo and Macon Ramos-Araneta

view of Republic Act 10592, which increases good conduct time allowance (GCTA) of prisoners, said Senator Christopher Go. “He is angry at criminals. Heinous crimes,” Go, who last spoke the President Aug. 21, told Manila Standard

in an online exchange Friday. He said Sanchez was not qualified for clemency.

Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said he is “not surprised” by the President’s reaction, noting the Former Mayor Antonio Sanchez (left) walks with a Next page

fellow inmate at the Bilibid prison. Norman Cruz

CHIONG SISTERS RAPE-SLAY

Convicts may avail of pardon

By Rey E. Requejo and Jimbo Gulle

L

IKE former Calauan Mayor Antonio Sanchez, other high-profile inmates—in particular Francisco Juan “Paco” Larrañaga and six others who had been convicted for the abduction and rape of sisters Marijoy and Jacqueline Chiong in Cebu in 1997— may also benefit from the adjusted good conduct time allowance under Republic Act 10592.

Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra hinted Friday that Larrañaga and other inmates can still benefit from the Supreme Court ruling that mandates the retroactive application of the “good conduct time allowance.”

This is even if the Spanish-Filipino is serving his sentence in Spain through the Transfer of Sentence Agreement because of his dual citizenship, after being

This photo collage taken from Esquire Philippines’ website, posted last year, shows the Chiong sisters Marijoy and Jacqueline (upper right), their mother Thelma (lower right), and primary suspect Francisco Juan ‘Paco’ Larrañaga (upper left) as the case that rocked the country 22 years ago unfolded.

found guilty for his involvement in the Chiong case that rocked the country 22 years ago.

The convicts, eventually dubbed the “Chiong Seven” by the media, were from prominent families in Cebu City.

Aside from Larrañaga, who is the greatgrandson of former President Sergio Osmeña Sr., they are Jozman Aznar, Rowen Wesley Adlawan, Alberto Allan “Pahak”

Cano, Ariel Balansag, James Andrew “MM” Uy and James Anthony Uy. “So, in this case we have agreement with Spain that [Larrañaga] would serve his sentence there, but the substantive law that will govern is still the Philippine law,” Guevarra said in an interview.

“So, in my opinion, he will still benefit [from the increased GCTA] because he was tried, prosecuted and

sentenced under Philippine laws,” the Justice chief added.

Guevarra also admitted that Larrañaga’s co-accused also could benefit from the new GCTA rule.

“As long as they are eligible, they will benefit from what is written under the law,” he stressed.

According to the Justice secretary, it Next page

By MJ Blancaflor and Rey E. Requejo

HK students set more protests, boycott schools HONG KONG—Hong Kong student leaders on Thursday announced a two-week boycott of lectures from the upcoming start of term, as they seek to keep protesters on the streets and pressure on the government.

The financial hub has been rocked by three months of unrest, with students making up a large number of the pro-democracy protesters taking to the streets almost daily.

Student leaders representing most of the city’s major universities said students will miss lectures between Sept. 2—the planned start of the new term—and Sept. 13.

They threatened further action if the government does not adequately respond to the protesters’ five demands, which include spiking a controversial extradition bill, universal suffrage and an independent inquiry into alleged police abuses during the protests.

“Two weeks should be enough for the government to really think through how to respond,” said Davin Wong, acting president of the Hong Kong University Students’ Union.

“As the situation has gotten more intense, we believe the social situation Next page

Du30 drops Fujian visit in China trip

NO TO LEFTISTS. Parents make a stand to condemn leftist groups that try to recruit their children as they launch a new association called League of Parents of the Philippines on Friday. Norman Cruz

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte’s trip to China has been cut short due to the postponement of his initial plan to visit Fujian province.

President Duterte’s visit was initially scheduled from Aug. 28 to Sept. 2, but the Department of Foreign Affairs announced his trip will end on Sept. 1.

In a Palace briefing, officials said Duterte’s plan to visit Fujian province where a school was built in honor of his mother, Soledad, has been postponed due to “logistical issues” and will be moved instead to a “more appropriate period in the future.”

Chief of Presidential Protocol Eric Borje, who joined the briefing, said the decision to postpone the Fujian visit “was made mutually” by both Philippine and Chinese government.

“It’s taken out of the schedule because the decision was made that it’s more appropriate to be held at a later time and not at the time,” Borje told Palace reporters.

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Asian nations urged to stand up vs. China’s ’bullish behavior’ in SCS AUSTRALIA’S prime minister on Friday urged nations in Asia to stand up for their “independence and sovereignty,” with tensions high in the disputed South China Sea where Beijing is under fire for increasingly bullish behavior.

Scott Morrison’s comments came af-

Rody to root for Gilas in Fiba

ter the United States slammed China for its “escalation” in the waterway, a key global shipping route where Beijing is accused of deploying warships, arming outposts and ramming fishing vessels.

Morrison was speaking during a trip to Vietnam, one of China’s most vocal

critics over competing claims in the resource-rich sea.

This developed as a Chinese survey ship seen sailing east of the Philippines earlier this month was spotted anew inside the country’s exclusive economic zone, maritime experts confirmed Friday.

US toymaker to buy ‘Peppa Pig’ for $4B

The Chinese oceanographic survey ship “Zhangjian” entered the Philippines’ EEZ on Aug. 20 a little north of Catanduanes, then moved southward along the country’s eastern coastline, and as of Friday it was still within the Next page

WEATHER Rainy weekend amid ‘Ineng’

EVEN if he previously said the country’s men’s national basketball team would lose to bigger opponents, President Rodrigo Duterte will watch the Gilas Pilipinas five in the 2019 Fiba World Cup

US toymaker Hasbro announced Thursday that it is acquiring studio Entertainment One, which owns popular cartoon series “Peppa Pig” among other children’s content, for approximately $4 billion.

Under the all-cash transaction, Entertainment One

MANILA—”Ineng” intensified into a severe tropical storm on Friday.

In its 5 a.m. severe weather bulletin, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said moderate to heavy rains may be experienced over Batanes, Cagayan (including Babuyan Group of Islands),

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News

SATURDAY, AUGUST 24, 2019

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

PCSO loses P1.25b in STL income

By Maricel V. Cruz

A

LMOST P1.25 billion were lost from this year’s total revenue of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office after the operations of its small-town lottery were suspended for a month, PCSO general manager Royina Garma said Friday.

operations, or a month since he stopped the PCSO’s gaming schemes over alleged massive corruption.

“We are happy to announce that pursuant to the recommendation of the PCSO, the President lifted the suspension of the operations of the STL, and the authorized agent corporations that are compliant with the conditions of their STL agency agreement,” Garma said in a video message posted on Facebook.

• The PCSO on Friday told legislators that the agency should be exempted from paying taxes for its charity programs, the provision of which was the

principal thrust of the agency.

During the House deliberations on the PCSO’s 2020 budget, Garma said the agency paid over P16 billion in taxes while only P9 billion was set aside for charity.

In 2018, Garma said, P33.6 billion went to prizes, P16.7 billion went to tax payments and P9 billion funded the PCSO’s charity programs.

• The Philippine National Police on Friday said it would continue the intensified monitoring of the illegal numbers game following Duterte’s order lifting the suspension on the operations of the STL. With MJ Blancaflor

Garma, at the sidelines of the budget deliberation on the PCSO’s budget, said the amount represented around five percent of the agency’s projected 2019 total revenue of P25 billion.

For the first half of 2019, Garma said, more than half of the PCSO’s total revenue came from the STL.

Last July, President Rodrigo Duterte ordered the suspension of all the PCSO’s gaming activities such as the STL, Keno, Peryahan ng Bayan and Lotto, among others.

In other developments: • President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday night lifted the suspension of STL

Palace:...

From A1

No Chinese firms running POGOs, PAGCOR claims

law categorically disqualifies those convicted of heinous crimes.

“Mr. Sanchez, under Republic Act 10592 is not eligible. The President, as the chief enforcer of the law, will have to follow the law,” he told Palace reporters.

Panelo was one of Sanchez’s seven lawyers in the 1993 rape-murder case of Eileen Sarmenta and the killing of her companion Allan Gomez, both students of the University of the Philippines Los Baños.

Sanchez was found guilty in 1995 and was sentenced to seven terms of reclusion perpetua or up to 40 years for each term.

Panelo suggested that the Bureau of Corrections may have overlooked the provision on exclusions.

The Department of Justice earlier said Sanchez was one of 11,000 prisoners that might be released early because of the application of RA 10592, triggering public outrage and anguish from the families of the victims.

In the face of public outrage, Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra and Bureau of Corrections Director General Nicanor Faeldon said in separate press conferences that Sanchez was not eligible after all under the 2013 law because he was convicted of a heinous crime.

Court records show that armed men took Sarmenta and Gomez just outside the UP Los Banos campus on June 28, 1993 and delivered Sarmenta as a “gift” to Sanchez, who was then mayor of Calauan.

Luis Corcolon, one of the convicted rapists and murderers, told the accomplices that the UP student’s beauty would “make their saliva drip.” With Rio N. Araja and PNA

Asian...

From A1 EEZ off the coast of Samar island.

This was confirmed by Ryan Martinson, Assistant Professor of the Chinese Maritime Studies Institute at the US Naval War College, who posted the ship’s position on Twitter.

Professor Jay Batongbacal, Director of the UP Institute for Maritime Affairs and Law of the Sea, and Jess Floren of the Karagatan Patrol confirmed the ship’s presence in the country’s EEZ, ABS-CBN News reported.

A Chinese survey ship has antagonized Hanoi since early July, sailing through waters near the Spratly Islands where Vietnam has several oil and gas projects.

The ship left for a brief period this month and then came back—prompting irate calls from Hanoi to vacate the area it says falls within its Exclusive economic zone.

On Friday, Morrison said Australia supports “the principle of international law,” without naming China and refusing to “take sides.”

“It is about ensuring that each and every nation in the region can have confidence in its own independence and sovereignty,” he told reporters on his three-day trip.

Earlier, Morrison had affirmed the Pacific region as one “of sovereign interdependent states, resistant to coercion,” in comments seen as aimed at China.

Vietnam’s Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc said he was “deeply concerned of recent complicated developments” in the South China Sea, urging neighbors not to use force. AFP

Rainy...

From A1 Ilocos Norte, and Apayao.

Light to moderate or intermittent heavy rains may prevail over Metro Manila, Central Luzon, Cavite, Batangas, Mindoro provinces, northern portions of Palawan (including Calamian and Cuyo Islands), and the rest of the Ilocos, Cordillera, and Cagayan Valley regions.

Gordon: Gov’t ‘accountable’ for dengue crisis

By Macon Ramos-Araneta SENATOR Richard J. Gordon said Friday the government must be held accountable for the medical nightmare sparked by the mass immunization of children with the anti-dengue vaccine Dengvaxia.

“The government must own up to its responsibility to the fact that they, albeit the previous administration, pushed Dengvaxia, an untested and largely experimental drug that cannot be used for mass immunization and caused a medical nightmare,” Gordon said.

“The government must be held accountable. In fact, the permit was only for prescription under doctors” supervision but the Department of Health, at that time under [former Health Secretary] Janette Garin, forced the issue and made it mass immunization.”

“You cannot leave the damage done to people who did not ask for it but were imposed on them by the government to take mass immunization, especially after Sanofi, although belatedly, and other experts before Sanofi said that they could be in danger of death or violent dengue.”

Gordon is the chairman of the Senate Blue Ribbon committee that conducted the hearings on the Dengvaxia controversy.

“We must look out for the people who introduced this, who forced this to our country and we must have the closure that is necessary,” Gordon said.

But he said it seemed people were afraid to make strong decisions in this country.

“And that is the reason why I posed it as ‘Acta non verba.’ Action, not words!” Gordon said.

THE Philippine Amusement and GamAG Interpacific Resources Limited ing Corp. said Friday there were no BestBetInNet Limited Chinese firms in Philippine Offshore Cosmic Ace Holdings Ltd. Gaming Operations or POGOs. Defun Global Investments Ltd. Victor Padilla, senior manager of Don Tencess Asian Services Solution PAGCOR’s policy and offshore gam- Inc. ing licensing division, was replying to Dynamic System Limited questions when asked how PAGCOR Far Eastern Capital Limited ensured that Chinese firms in the POFortuneport Enterprises Limited GOs were following Philippines laws Four Leaf Technology Inc. and paying the proper taxes.

Full Strength Trasing Limited “These are not Chinese corporations.

Genx Sports International Limited These are offshore companies with loGolden Dragon Empire Ltd. cal companies in the Philippines,” PaHigh Zone Capital Investment Group dilla said, addressing the question why Limited the Philippines was a safe haven for Imperial Choice Limited POGO when gambling is even prohibInner Strong Limited ited in China.

King Rich International Group Limited Although most players are Chinese, Kingwell International Group Limited Padilla said POGOs did not necessarily Kirschner Games International Inc. cater to the Chinese market alone.

Leading Reward Limited “We are sure that a lot of players are Lebo Limited Chinese because we all know that there Marco Polo Enterprises Limited are a lot of Chinese people all over MG Universal Link Limited the world and their culture is they like Micro Info Systems Ltd. gambling,”Padilla said.

Most Success International Group “But it does not automatically mean Limited that they are all from China. Players New Wave Infotech Limited are mostly Chinese, but we are not Newlink Pacific Limited sure if in fact they are all from ChiOG Global Access Limited na,” he added.

Oriental Game Limited Based on PAGCOR records, there Prestige IOM Limited are 58 accredited POGO businesses acPride Fortune Limited credited by PAGCOR. PT Transpacific Company Limited These are: Riesling Capital Limited

SA Dreamtech Group International Inc. Saint Wealth Ltd. SC World Development Group Limited Shaw Global Leisure Ltd. Smarc Group International Limited Smile World Global Limited Sohu Expert Int’l Management Solution Inc. Swanston Asia Inc. Synchronization Anywhere For You Inc. Tech Innovation Management Limited Vertex Digital Entertainment Technologies Inc. VIP Global Solutions Limited Wanfang Technology Management Ltd. Wilshire Worldwide Company Ltd Winherld Entertainment World Limited Ximax Holdings Limited Xionwei Technology Co. Ltd. Inc. Golden Dreamer Holdings Limited Dragon Wealth System Inc. Philippine Cockfighting International Inc. Great-Gaming International Corp.

Giant Isle Group Limited Benestar Co., Ltd. Times Square Premier Management Group Limited InfiniwebTechnology Inc. and Blessed Dragon Limited Four days ago, Pagcor suspended accepting new application for POGO licenses amid concerns that Chinese workers in POGOs did not have valid work permits.

Convicts...

From A1

dite the release of his son from jail in Spain.

But in a subsequent interview with SunStar Cebu, Thelma Chiong, mother of Marijoy and Jacqueline, said it is “impossible” for Larrañaga’s family to secure a presidential pardon considering President Rodrigo Duterte’s anti-crime stance.

Mrs. Chiong said the Larrañagas had sought executive clemency from the administrations of former Presidents Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and Benigno Aquino III as well, to no avail.

It was during the term of Arroyo that the 41-year-old convict was given the approval to be transferred to Spain It was also during GMA’s time that capital punishment was repealed, which spared Larrañaga and the rest of the Chiong Seven from death row, SunStar reported last year.

On July 11 last year, a netizen with the username “Case Review” started an online petition on Change.org, urging President Duterte and the Supreme Court to review or reopen the controversial case.

It dovetailed with the opening of a locally-produced movie, “Jacqueline Comes Home,” based on the tragic sto-

ry of the Chiong sisters.

Another documentary film, titled “Give Up Tomorrow” produced in 2011, showed Larrañaga’s side of the story, from the day of his arrest to relocation in Spain.

In the film, Larrañaga shared his frustration after not being given the opportunity to take the witness stand and air his side of the story. He said he was illegally arrested and portrayed as a leader of the gang.

In 2015, Larrañaga was reportedly allowed to work as a part-time chef in Spain, although he would return to his jail cell by evening. Only 19 years old at the time of his arrest, he was a student at a culinary school in Quezon City.

On May 5, 1999, the late Cebu Regional Trial Court Judge Martin Ocampo convicted Larrañaga and his six co-accused of kidnapping and illegal detention. He sentenced them to two life terms, instead of death.

The Supreme Court upheld Ocampo’s ruling and imposed the death penalty on Larrañaga, Aznar, Adlawan, Caño and Balansag on Feb. 3, 2004, until the government under Arroyo repealed the death sentence.

“That’s something that we’re working on but what’s definite is the President of course wants to support Team Philippines,” Chief of Presidential Protocol and Presidential Assistant on Foreign Affairs Robert Borje said during a briefing on Friday.

“I will be accompanied by the Vice President of China himself to watch the basketball game. That’s true. It’s a break in protocol, (the Chinese Vice

President himself),” Duterte said in his speech during the oath-taking rites of newly elected officers of the Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Inc. Based on World Cup first round schedule, Gilas Pilipinas will battle Italy on Aug. 31, Serbia on Sept. 2 and Angola on Sept. 4. The games will be held at the International Sports and Cultural Arena in Foshan City. PNA

Duterte himself announced last week that he will visit Fujian province to lead the inauguration of a school that was built in honor of his mother.

“The decision for the non-inclusion of this particular stop went through the vetting process of all agencies and this was the recommendation,” Borje told Palace reporters.

The President will arrive in Beijing on Aug. 28. The next day, he will have a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping. He has vowed to invoke the 2016 arbitral award that favored Manila over Beijing in their territorial dispute over the South China Sea. China has refused to recognize the decision.

Duterte and Xi are set to sign agreements in education, science and technology, economic and social development, said Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary Meynardo Montealegre.

“Both leaders will also witness the signing of a number of cooperative bilateral documents and memorandum of understanding which are all aimed to further increase the breadth and depth of our cooperation between the Philippines and China,” Montealegre said.

On Aug. 30, there were scheduled business meetings concerning the Department of Trade and Industry.

Duterte will head to Guangdong on Aug. 31 where he will meet Chinese Vice President Wang Qishan before watching the Fiba World Cup 2019 game between Gilas and Italy.

Wang has also been tasked by President Xi to accompany Duterte in the game, Borje said.

“The vice president is expected to be joined by the leaders of the Province of Guangdong,” Borje added.

in the weeks of protests that have rocked Hong Kong.

The demonstrations were sparked by an attempt by the city’s government to bring in a bill that would have allowed for extradition to China.

But they quickly morphed into a wider pro-democracy campaign, in a city where young people are boxed in by the soaring cost of living and worsening job prospects.

In Beijing, China’s state-run media have launched a co-ordinated attack on the company that runs Hong Kong’s train network for its perceived support of pro-democracy protesters, echoing a campaign against Cathay Pacific.

As hundreds of thousands of demonstrators in the financial hub approach their third month of rallying around democratic reforms, Beijing has upped its

rhetoric against the movement—and any organization appearing to support it.

On Thursday, Chinese state-backed outlets accused Hong Kong’s Mass Transit Railway company of abetting protesters by offering them a free and “exclusive” train to escape police, after a sit-in to mark a mob attack by suspected triad gang members one month earlier. AFP

does not matter if the inmate is high profile or not, as long as they will qualify, their GCTAs will be computed.

The Standard could not get the reaction of the Chiong family for comment at presstime.

Jacqueline and Marijoy were 21 and 19, respectively, when they disappeared outside Ayala Center Cebu in 1997. Two days later, the body of a young woman was found at the bottom of a ravine in Carcar City, which the Chiong family said was that of Marijoy.

In July last year, Larrañaga’s lawyer Sandy Coronel said his family had filed a formal petition seeking clemency from President Rodrigo Duterte, following an online petition started by an anonymous person to free the Spanish-Filipino that garnered over 75,000 signatures.

In an interview over radio dyLA, Larrañaga’s mother, Margarita, admitted that the President’s clemency could help expe-

Rody...

From A1 in China, with Chinese Vice President Wang Qishan accompanying him to one of the games.

According to the Department of Foreign Affairs, the President may also meet the players prior to their World Cup opener against the Italians.

HK students...

From A1 will bring more students into the boycott.”

Wong said students will be encouraged to take time to “understand what happened in our society... what we can do for our city’s future.”

Students have featured prominently “Ineng,” spotted 580 km. east of Tuguegarao City, Cagayan, has maximum winds of 95 km per hour from the previous 85 kph and gustiness of up to 115 kph, moving northwest at 20 kph.

Tropical cyclone wind signal No. 1 is up in Cagayan Valley, including Babuyan Islands, Isabela, Apayao, Kalinga, northern part of Abra and Ilocos Norte.

TCWS No. 2 is hoisted over Batanes, which means winds of 61 kph

to 120 kph are expected in the province in at least 24 hours.

“Ineng” is not expected to make landfall in Batanes but it may stay longer inside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR). It also enhances the southwest monsoon or habagat.

On Saturday, PAGASA said moderate to heavy rains may be experienced over Ilocos, Cordillera, Batanes, Cagayan (including Babuyan Group of Islands), and Mindoro provinces. PNA

US toymaker...

From A1 shareholders will receive £5.60 ($6.86) per share, according to a statement from Hasbro.

In addition to Peppa Pig, the pink swine with a British accent who loves jumping in muddy puddles, the purchase includes the successful children’s cartoon “PJ Masks,” about a trio of young friends who become superheroes at night.

Du30...

From A1

“The acquisition of highly profitable and merchandisable preschool brands is a strategic growth opportunity for Hasbro,” the company said.

“Peppa Pig” has extended itself to new profit streams that continue its success, it added.

Meanwhile “PJ Masks” growth outlook “is supported by new formats, its current rollout in China, the launch of new seasons in multiple regions, a live touring event and new toy lines.” AFP

News

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SATURDAY, AUGUST 24, 2019 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

JBC extends nomination period for CJ post aspirants

NEW SLAUGHTERHOUSE.

Manila Mayor Francisco ‘Isko’ Domagoso and Vice Mayor Honey LacunaPangan led the groundbreaking ceremony of the new Vitas Slaughterhouse Compound in Tondo, Manila.

Norman Cruz

Ex-DFA chief Yasay rushed to hospital after arrest

By Vito Barcelo and Julito G. Rada FORMER Foreign Affairs Secretary Perfecto Yasay Jr. posted P240,000 bail but now confined at a nearby hospital after complaining of chest pains following his arrest Thursday afternoon for violating banking laws he allegedly committed between 2001 to 2009.

Members of the Manila Police District served a warrant of arrest against Yasay issued by the Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 10 for the four counts for conspiring with five other associates of the Banco Filipino Savings and Mortgages Bank from 2001 to 2009, to secure a P350-million loan for a certain Tierrasud Incorporated.

However, Yasay, who also served as chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission under former President Joseph Estrada, denied the accusations, and vowed to fight for justice and to prove his innocence.

In his Facebook post on Thursday, Yasay said he would not post bail until he was brought to the judge to question “this abuse of process and travesty of justice.”

Yasay was rushed to the Manila Doctors Hospital after he complained of chest pains while in detention.

Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 10 Judge Danilo Leyva directed Yasay to appear for the arraignment and pre-trial on Sept. 20 at around 8:30 a.m.

The former Foreign Affairs chief was charged for violating Republic Act 8791, otherwise known as the General Banking Law; and Republic Act 7653, otherwise known as the New Central Bank Act. But Yasay denied the allegations, explaining that the transaction occurred from 2003 to 2006, while he only joined the bank in 2009.

Cardema told to prove Guanzon’s extortion try

By Vito Barcelo

T

HE Commission on Elections on Friday said that disqualified Duterte youth nominee Ronald Cardema should show proof alleging poll commissioner Rowena Guanzon has extorted P2 million for the approval of his nomination.

Comelec spokesman James Jimenez said the former national youth commission chairman should come out with concrete evidence to show who is telling the truth.

“But as far as the Comelec is concerned, Cardema might be in trouble because he admits that he attempted to bribe an election official,” Jimenez said.

“Ultimately, what’s his point? If you commit wrongdoing, do you deserve a reward? And if you made any misconduct, don’t expect a reward,” said Jimenez.

“So, again, if he feels that he has

reason to file any sort of action or any legal recourse against an official of the Comelec or with a commissioner, I think he should go for it,” Jimenez said.

However, the Comelec spokesman said Cardema should prove his allegations in court and let the judgement fall where it should.

Cardema claimed Guanzon asked P2 million from his camp in exchange for a favorable vote on the accreditation of Duterte Youth party-list.

He said Guanzon’s emissary, a “congresswoman” delivered the money.

Unfazed by Cardema’s allegations,

Romualdez seeks swift passage of nat’l budget

By Maricel V. Cruz

SC junks amparo bid of bus owner vs. siblings

By Rey E. Requejo THE Supreme Court has dismissed the petition filed by the president of Vallacar Transit, Inc., which operates the Ceres Bus Lines that is at the center of an ongoing family feud, seeking for the issuance of a writ of amparo against officials of the Philippine National Police led by Police General Oscar Albayalde.

SC insiders revealed that the petition filed by Roy Yanson, president of VTI, has been dismissed during the Court en banc session on Tuesday due to lack of merit and violation of doctrine of hierarchy of court.

“The petition was also dismissed because there is no threat to disappearance, which is the function of a writ of amparo,” the source said.

Aside from Albayalde, also named respondents in the petition filed by Yanson were PNP-CIDG Director Maj. General Amador Corpus, Maj. General Reynaldo Biay, head of the PNP-Civil Security Group, Brig. General Rene Pamuspusan, regional director of PNPRegion 6, and Col. Michael John Dubria, the acting chief of the PNP Supervisory Office for Security and Investigation Agencies.

Guanzon said she would file her own charges against the former commissioner.

In an interview, Guanzon blamed Cardema for being “greedy” that affects the nomination of his wife who would have been qualified for the position.

“His wife was qualified, how many times do I have to say ‘stupid’ that your wife was qualified! But you kicked her out because you’re greedy! That’s the problem with people like you, you don’t follow the law,” Guanzon said.

Cardema’s wife, Ducielle Marie Suarez, became the last-minute substitute for his wife as Duterte Youth Party-list first nominee.

However, the Comelec First Division denied Cardema’s nomination in which Guanzon was one of the signatories.

In a television intrview, Guanzon Truth said there was way that she would reach out to Cardema, saying that the latter is a “lying, overaged, trying hard, pretender.”

“Ba’t kami magbabati? I don’t even know him. ‘Wag sya magpakita sa akin, baka suntukin ko sya,” she said.

BUDGET BRIEFING.

House Majority Leader and Leyte First District Rep. Martin Romualdez (left) discusses important matters with Department of Trade and Industry Undersecretary Ireneo Vizmonte during the budget briefing of the DTI at Belmonte Hall in the House of Representatives.

(Inset) Romualdez (right) congratulates Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office general manager Royina-Garma after the successful budget briefing of the PCSO at the House of Representatives. Ver Noveno

HOUSE Majority Leader and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez on Friday attended the budget briefings and hearings to guarantee the swift passage of the proposed P4.1-trillion national government budget for 2020.

“Under Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano’s leadership, it is our commitment to pass the national budget on time. We are working double time,” said Romualdez, chairman of the House committee on rules.

Romualdez attended Friday morning’s House committee on appropriations’ separate budget briefings and hearings of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office and the Department of Trade and Industry.

Observers said it was the first time that the chairman and his deputies at the House committee on rules were actively seen participating in the budget deliberations.

On Thursday, Romualdez, along with Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano and several other House leaders, attended the Development Budget Coordination Committee,, which presented the Duterte administration’s fiscal program, growth targets and macroeconomic assumptions.

In the afternoon budget hearings Friday, the House committee on appropriations chaired by Davao City Rep. Isidro Ungab heard the presentations of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. and the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development.

THE Judicial and Bar Council has extended the nomination period for the Chief Justice post to Sept. 2. “[This is] to invite more applicants,” Justice secretary and JBC ex-officio member, Menardo Guevarra, said in a message to reporters Thursday.

Associate Justices Diosdado Peralta and Estela Perlas-Bernabe have accepted their automatic nomination, being among the five most senior justices of the High Court.

Chief Justice Lucas Bersamin will mandatorily retire from the service upon turning 70 on Oct. 18.

Peralta and Bernabe, both 67, are the third and fourth senior justices in the 15-member high tribunal.

Peralta was appointed by former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to the high court in 2009. Bernabe was appointed by former President Benigno Aquino III in 2011.

While not one of the five most senior Supreme Court magistrates who are automatically nominated to the chief justice post, a third incumbent magistrate, Andres Reyes, 69, was nominated for the position.

“Justice Reyes was nominated by retired justices Jose Perez and Sesinando Villon,” Guevarra said.

A fourth magistrate, Associate Justice Jose Reyes Jr., has also joined those vying for the post, according to the JBC. He was appointed to the Supreme Court post by President Rodrigo Duterte on Aug. 9, 2018.

The two most senior magistrates, Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio, and Associate Justice Mario Victor Leonen have declined their automatic nominations. PNA

Bello asked to probe HK firm’s link with POLO AN ADVOCACY group has asked Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III to investigate a Hong Kong company with a registered capital of 10,000 shares worth only HK$100 was able to clinch a five-year contract with the Philippine Overseas Labor Office to establish and provide an online system for contract submission, processing, credentialing, welfare protection, and data storage.

The new online system will replace one that has been in place for 11 years and which has provided OFWs, employers, and accredited employment agencies data and information on POLO programs, projects, and services on real-time.

To pave the way for the new system, the POLO in Hong Kong, on Dec. 5, 2018 terminated the Service Agreement with EmployEasy Ltd., now Employeasy Group Ltd., the provider of the current online system, effective Dec. 30, 2018.

Vito Barcelo

Solon hits ‘doubling’ of OP’s intel funds A LEGISLATOR belonging to the Makabayan Bloc on Friday assailed the drastic increase in the intelligence fund of the Office of the President “makes the Philippines look like a de facto policemilitary state” since the money may be used to keep track of the perceived and real political opponents of President Rodrigo Duterte as well as suspected enemies of the State.

Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Zarate said this in the wake of reports which revealed the intelligence and confidential funds of the OP almost doubled, or from P1.25 billion each in 2017 and 2018, to P2.25 billion in 2019 to the proposed P4.5 billion in 2020.

Zarate said that the big allocations, when taken in the context of police and military pronouncements, “are indicative of an unannounced martial law.” Maricel V. Cruz

MMDA road works on major roads OKd THE Metro Manila Development Authority gave its go signal to the Department of Public Works and Highways to resume its weekend road works on major streets in the National Capital Region.

In its advisory, the MMDA public information office stated that the DPWHNCR road repair and reblocking will begin Friday evening until dawn Monday.

The road repair will cover the areas at Epifanio de los Santos Avenue southbound direction from corner Bulacan Street to Philam, 1st lane from center island; from Magallanes—Baclaran Bus Stop to Magallanes—Alabang Bus Stop, outer lane; and from Eugenio Lopez Drive to Scout Borromeo (desilting and construction of manhole); and at the northbound direction from Main Avenue to P. Tuazon, 1st lane from sidewalk.

Joel E. Zurbano

A4

Opinion

SATURDAY, AUGUST 24, 2019

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Heroines from different eras AT THE outbreak of the Philippine Revolution of 1898, countless Filipino patriots took up arms to fight for independence against the Spanish colonizers. As a patriot, she suffered privations in performing dangerous tasks only women could do undetected by the police. She was admired for her extraordinary courage and daring and for her alertness which saved

Meet Gregoria, Melchora, Lorena, Haydee, Leni, Gina and Leila. her from capture. She was married to Andres Bonifacio, supremo of the Katipunan. Later, after her husband was unjustly and brutally killed, she remarried and lived a long life raising her children with Julio Nakpil, also a revolution and composer of our first national anthem. She is Gregoria de Jesus, Aling Oriang to the Katipunan.

Revolutionaries are resilient. They are never defeated!

Despite her advanced age, she nursed the sick and wounded, fed and gave medical attention to the revolutionaries. For her contributions to the Philippine revolution, she is called the “Grand Woman of the Revolution” and the “Mother of Balintawak.” Melchora Aquino or Tandang Sora died at the ripe old age of 107.

May we like Tandang Sora be blessed with many years and opportunities to serve our country, fellow human beings, and God. The declaration of martial law prompted countless radicals to take

up arms against the government to fight against oppression and injustice. One of them is this woman who championed the rights of women.

She was a social activist and a top political prisoner during the tumultuous years of martial law. She founded the Malayang Kilusan ng Bagong Kababaihan (Free Movement of New Women) or MAKIBAKA, a militant women’s organization. She joined the guerrilla movement and was killed during a military ambush at the young age of 28 years old. She is seen as a symbol of the women’s movement. Her name is Lorena Barros. She lives in so many young and older women that continue to fight for the liberation of this country, espe especially its women, from injustice and inequality. Yes, Lorena lives!

After the People Power Revolution, she served as a national election commissioner, organizing elections in contested, far-flung areas of the country and lending her considerable reputation to the hopeful project of restoring integrity to the country’s electoral process. Then in 2001, she was appointed chair of the Presiden Presidential Commission on Good Government, or PCGG. During her watch, PCGG recovered for the national treasury U.S.$683 million from Marcos’s Swiss bank accounts. An outstanding public servant, she was recognized by the trustees of the Ramon Magsayasay Award for “her building confidence in government through service of exceptional integrity and rigor and her unwavering pursuit of the rule of law in the Philippines.”

She is Haydee Yorac, an exemplary public servant. There are many Haydees today in and out of government.

Thank you Professor Haydee for your example!

She is the wife of a popular city mayor who after the untimely death of her husband was elected to the second highest office of the land. A lawyer by profession, she engaged early on in social activism, lending her

Adelle Chua, Editor

EDITORIAL

W

E join the chorus: A vehement and resounding “no.”

Abhorrent It is also true that at first, the implementing rules and regulations said that the law would only have prospective application—meaning, it would only apply to cases after its passage. This, however, was challenged before the Supreme Court. The high court ruled that the law could also be applied retroactively.

This was how Sanchez was able to even contemplate a life outside of prison despite being consigned to centuries of incarceration—at least, in theory.

By any stretch of imagination, though, it is difficult to imagine how Sanchez could ever be deemed to have shown good behavior. In 2006, authorities found shabu and marijuana inside Sanchez’s jail during a surprise inspection. Years later, he again was caught with P1.5 million worth of shabu, concealed in a statue of the Virgin Mary—he claims to be a Marian devotee.

The deaths of the UP students shocked a nation that was not easily shocked by crime and misbehaving politicians. The sheer evil of what happened is now being

There is only outrage as the nation mulls a scenario where former Calauan, Laguna Mayor Antonio Sanchez walks out of jail despite serving a total of nine 40-year jail terms for his heinous crimes. He was sentenced to seven counts of reclusion perpetua for the rape and murder of Eileen Sarmenta and the murder of Allan Gomez, both students of UP Los Baños, in 1993. Two years earlier, he was convicted of two counts of murder for the deaths of Nelson and Rick Peñalosa, father and son.

It is true that Republic Act 10592, approved on May 29, 2013 by then President Benigno Aquino III, revises the rules for computing the Good Conduct Time Allowance given to inmates. That law amends certain portions of the Revised Penal Code with regard to deductions from actual sentences owing to socalled good behavior.

recounted in various articles circulating the Internet.

It does not help that the lawyer who argued for Sanchez’s defense in the 1990s has now morphed into a presidential spokesman. After all, this happened before Salvador Panelo even imagined he would be speaking for the highest official of the land.

The penal system is for rehabilitation and restoration. Ours, however, is far from perfect. How was Sanchez able to live in relative luxury in jail? How can we ascertain that those who vouch for his “good behavior” have not been persuaded? Where does he get the gall to maintain his innocence despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary? And what about thousands of others who were not given a fair trial, who continue to languish in jail, and who simply do not have friends in high places?

In an administration saddled with the baggage of double standards, impunity, inconsistency and ignominy, even the suggestion of freeing convicted rapist and murderer Sanchez makes us retch.

Turn to A5

Toilet talk TOILET talk spread like wildfire after the video showing the discrimination incident against transwoman Gretchen Diez went viral. You have to give it to Diez for her presence of mind and cool temperament throughout the incident.

She was her Ms. Congeniality self while documenting the event. This showed people an example of how harsh some of us can be against those we do not understand.

Quezon City has an anti-discrimination against LGBTQI+ ordinance. At least there, members of the community should not experience what Diez did but it still happened. Obviously, there is a need for the local government unit to do a massive education campaign on the ordinance because changing ways of doing things and how we regard people are long-term undertakings.

While culture is hard to change, it can be done. The incremental changes so far achieved by the feminist movements worldwide are living evidence to this. While there is a lot that remains to be done, norms are slowly changing towards the recognition that women’s rights are human rights.

The LGBTQI+ struggle is similar in the sense that it aims for a kind of culture that respects and recognizes LGBTQI+ rights as equal with those of all persons. This means that discriminatory and abusive practices based on sexual orientation, gender identity and expression (SOGIE) are eliminated.

While changing culture is a long process, having and properly implementing laws that challenge, reduce, and when needed, criminalize abuse and discrimination, significantly help.

Laws inform and influence culture.

They help hasten the achievement of difficult change that would, otherwise, take much longer to happen. There is no magic trick that will instantaneously create changes.

Preventing and reducing discrimination and abuse committed against

those in the LGBTQI+ community, as well as recognizing their rights, and equitably addressing needs are major reasons why the SOGIE Equality Bill is filed in both Houses of Congress.

The HOR has passed this bill on Third and Final Reading last Congress but the Senate derailed it.

The acute lack of understanding on what the LGBTQI+ community is fighting for was quite evident even among our senators during the first committee hearing held recently. Sadly, they are the ones who will decide on the fate of the bill. However, the willingness to learn shown by a few of the senators should be recognized unlike others like Pacquiao and Lapid who reject the bill outright.

Change is hard but it can be done.

As expected, the “toilet ques question” was raised during the hear hearing. This time, it was Sen. Bato de la Rosa who expressed concern that “real” women might feel uncomfortable with having transwomen in the same restroom. He also pointed out the possibility of men dressing up as women to harass women. The Committee Chair and the resource persons corrected Bato and said that transwomen are real women. They also very adequately responded to Bato’s toilet use concerns.

While we are on “toilet talk,” let me say that in an ideal world, toilet segregation is unnecessary. After all, this is our practice in our homes. Sure, we trust our families so we don’t mind sharing toilets with them. But abuse also happens between family members, right? Most cases of Violence Against Women (VAW) happen in homes and committed by male members of the family. Therefore, abuse and violence is not about the segregation of toilets. It is about people who believe that they can abuse others, and act accordingly.

Thus, Bato’s point that men can Turn to A5

Time to step in IT’S NO secret the Philippines is home to the one of the fastest-growing Internet populations with no less than 76-million Filipinos actively hooked on the web as per the result of a survey conducted by We Are Social.

With the growing number of Internet subscribers, e-commerce also rises. It will see a dramatic surge from 2016 with a projected annual growth of 101.4 until 2020. CNN, citing figures from Statista, reported the Philippine e-commerce market revenue grew to $844 million or P44 trillion in 2018 from $688 million or about P36 trillion in 2017.

This is where the government should step in. With the rapid growth of e-com-

merce, so goes the rise of the demand for courier and freight forwarding services, which has started sprouting like mushrooms. Such services are supposed to be regulated by the Department of Industry—for the accreditation and regulation functions for

How do we regulate these new couriers? domestic and international sea freight Inforforwarding, the Department of Infor mation and Communications Technology, specifically the Postal Regulations Division—for courier services and the Civil Aeronautics Board—for both domestic and international air freight forwarders.

Presently, there are only 354 air

freight forwarders with Certificate of Authority to Operate issued by the CAB (the figure may have since changed), 769 sea freight forwarders accredited by the Fair Trade Enforcement Bureau of the DTI and 113 couriers accredited by the DICT-PRD. But while the figures cited is said to be still too small to cater to the logistic needs of the whole country in view of the growing narket for e-commerce, it is quite alarming that outside of these numbers are unlicensed couriers which pose danger to the interest and welfare of local e-commerce clienteles.

These unlicensed couriers include small players like those catering to ondemand delivery, like Grab Delivery and Grab Food, Transportify, Angkas Delivery and Lalamove which can be availed by simply downloading their apps on smartphones.

Lacking the needed training and Turn to A5

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Opinion A law hatched in hell SO HOW many cold-blooded criminals are roaming in our midst now, after they were released from the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City by virtue of Republic Act 10592?

This question now lurks in the public mind in the wake of the alarming news about the possible release of former Calauan, Laguna mayor Antonio Sanchez along with six of his henchmen who were convicted of murder with rape and other charges in 1995.

Heroines...

From A4

legal knowledge to the benefit of the oppressed and the poor. As the second highest public officer of the land, she had the misfortune of being second fiddle to a president whose personality and leadership style are diametrically opposed to hers. As a result, this president tries to give her no substantial role in government, other than to perform her role as a constitutional successor, or as president-in-waiting which is not really much based on our political history. Not satisfied with her role as a do-nothing public servant and despite limited resources, her office has implemented anti-poverty programs to address the needs of poor families on education, food security, rural development, women empowerment, universal healthcare, and housing. As a leader of the opposition, she minces no words in calling out the president whenever she perceives that the policies of the government are anti-poor and anti-Filipino. We all know her as Vice President Leni Robredo.

Do not be deceived by her simple looks because underneath is a strongwilled and principled character. Let us all support her!

A scion of a powerful family who distinguished itself in business, she used her family’s wealth and connections to become a dedicated environmentalist and philanthropist. Her environmental advocacies made deep impact in various communities. Some of her programs include Bantay Bata 163, the country’s first media-based

Time...

From A4

qualifications, these unlicensed couriers and forwarders are prone to exploitation by unscrupulous individuals to apply, and later on steal, lose or damage the property of customers. Worse, customers are left uncertain with regard to whom to run after the value of their lost, damaged, or pilfered shipments.

There is no clear identity of the liable party, as these operators claim their drivers are simply independent contractors, which means these operators are simply facilitators. Like, has anyone asked who will be responsible for food poisoning should arise when one orders from a fastfood chain utilizing these kind of services?

Recently, newspaper reported of a Grab driver uncovering a scheme used by drug traffickers. Refusing to open the package he was tasked to deliver, the Grab driver reported directly to the police who discovered the package containing drugs.

In another instance, a TNVS driver was arrested while delivering another drug package to a consignee.

The Quiapo explosion in May 2017 was also traced to a package sent and carried by a Grab driver to its consignee.

This writer recently fell victim to an unscrupulous courier (or independent contractor) when a credit card supposed to be delivered to me was instead deliv-

Toilet...

From A4

dress as women, enter the restroom and go on abusing women does not hold water. And, if abuse happens, then those minding public toilets should be ready to respond. But the abuse is not because of the toilet, it is because someone wants to abuse another.

If demanding for genderless toilets that anyone can use is too much at this point, other measures can be taken but definitely transwomen should be wel-

Who wasn't flabbergasted by news reports that these demons might be freed in the near future as their supposed sentences were commuted under the provision of RA 10592 for "good conduct allowance."

That is preposterous as Sanchez cannot possibly be credited with good behavior after it surfaced that he was found in possession of P1.5 million worth of shabu or crystal meth inside his crib at the maximum security facility.

He and his followers were allegedly responsible for smuggling in shabu for sale inside the prisons, so how could he possibly be credited for good behavior?

Instead of commuting his sentence, he should be penalized with another life term behind bars.

Sanchez et al. were meted at least seven life sentences for the 1993 murder-rape of Eileen Sarmenta and the torture-killing of her friend Allan Gomez.

A notorious mayor at the time, Sanchez had Sarmenta for a "birthday gift" to himself when his brother and his goons abducted the 19-year-old girl.

Her schoolmate at the University of the Philippines-Los Baños, Gomez, was forcibly taken, tortured and killed.

Judge Harriet O. Demetriou of the Pasig City Regional Trial Court, Branch 70, found Sanchez guilty on March 11, 1995, describing the crime as "hatched in hell."

Now Sanchez et al. might be the beneficiaries of a law hatched in hell. The question is: How much?

hotline, Bantay Kalikasan, spearheaded the rehabilitation of the Pasig River and nearby urban streams through the Kapit Bisig para sa Ilog Pasig project and Save Palawan Movement for a petition for protection of key biodiversity areas and against mining.

When Gina Lopez was appointed environment secretary, I supported that, writing: “While I personally believe that responsible mining is doable, its principal enabling condition is strong environmental governance. She will assure us that the government will always be on the side of planet and people; she will require the highest standards of performance from her own colleagues in government and from the private sector. If such standards were followed, then indeed only mining consistent with sustainable development will be operating in the Philippines.” Earlier this week, she succumbed to brain cancer, leaving our world and country with the certainty that she gave us more than what she took—the ultimate compliment for a life well-lived. Her name is Gina Lopez. We mourn her but we promise to continue her work for people and planet. Ma’am Gina, fly and be forever free!

Finally, we have a feisty and intelligent woman senator. She is now in detention after being accused of masterminding the traffic of drugs inside the national penitentiary although there is no evidence to substantiate the charges. Because she tried to investigate then Mayor Duterte for his involvement in the extrajudicial killings in Davao City, she earned the ire of the President who vowed to pursue

her until she is destroyed. Even in jail, she remains an implacable critic of the Duterte administration. Her unrelenting quest for the truth and justice has caused her to suffer so much humiliation, indignity and persecution. They do not release her even when there is no basis for detaining her but they are eager to free a convicted rapist and murderer and many drug lords distorting a law that was meant to benefit people who have truly changed.

As I have written before, the United Nations has chronicled how her rights, as a detainee and accused, were and are being violated. According to the UN Working Group, the evidence and charges against this senator were manufactured and fabricated upon the orders from the highest official of the land. Worse, according to the UN Working Group opinion following the President’s orders, the Secretary of Justice pronounced her guilt in public even before any formal government investigation had been conducted against her. But despite strong evidence that her right to a fair trial has been violated, and the calls by local and international organizations for her release, the Duterte administration refuses to budge and release her from detention.

She is Leila de Lima, a senator of the Republic, the most prominent political detainee of the Duterte regime, heroine of our times. Together, loudly, let us shout until even those in the heavens hear us: Free Leila! Free Leila now!

ered to another individual and was used to make online purchases using the card issued to my name.

But aside from these small players, big-time players have also invaded the logistics services sans any license to operate.

Among them are Ninja Express Tech Philippines, or Ninja Van; the PH Global Jet Express, Inc or J&T Express and the AAI Logistics Cargo Express, Inc. or Black Arrow Express.

According to the accreditation list released by DTI-FTEB last April 30, Ninja Van has no accreditation to operate.

It has also reportedly failed to secure a Certificate to Operate from CAB. Aside from that, Ninja Van, according to its General Information Sheet, is 99.995 percent owned by Ninja Logistics PTE, LTD, a Singaporean firm.

But as it is aware of the provisions in the articles in the National Economy ad Patrimony in the constitution requiring a 60-40 sharing of local and foreign ownership, Ninja Van reportedly acquired 40 percent of the total shareholdings of Wall Street Courier Services Inc. a local company accredited by DICT-PRD. However, a copy of a sales invoice issued by the company to one of its clienteles is said to bear the name of Ninja Van, and not that of Wall Street.

In the case of J&T Express, while the company had recently secured a license as forwarder from the DTI-FTEB and the CAB, it reportedly still has no li-

cense as a courier from the DICT-PRD. And yet it supposedly renders courier services to unsuspecting clienteles.

Black Arrow, for its part, might be guilty of operating outside the area it is allowed to operate. Black Arrow is supposedly allowed to operate only within the National Capital Region but is said to be maintaining warehouse in areas as far as Mandaue City and Tacloban City.

Sadly, while these companies may have been operating illegally for years, the responsible government agencies have been doing nothing to put a halt to their unlawful operations.

Has their monitoring mechanism failed or they are simply turning a blind eye on these alleged illegal courier/ forwarding companies, in the process, endangering the security, interests and welfare of the people whom they are bound to protect?

With the DICT now under the helm of former Senator Gringo Honasan, we expect his agency to be more serious in monitoring and even controlling the logistics service industry, totally eliminating the so-called colorum couriers and forwarders.

It also prayed that Congress revisits the outdated laws regulating and controlling the operations of couriers and forwarders and amends the law to ensure the protection of those who avail of these services.

It’s about time the different concerned agencies step into the matter, seriously, firmly and aggressively.

come in women’s toilets. As very aptly put during the committee hearing, transwomen are WOMEN. Personally, I still have to develop the confidence in having men in the same toilet I am in. My knowledge on VAW has a lot to do with this. I know that VAW can happen anywhere and the abuser can be any man. However, I also recognize that a significant number of VAW cases are perpetrated by men who are not strangers to the women they abuse. This is how complicated this “toilet use” issue is.

It should also be pointed out that butch lesbians (assigned female at birth

who identify as a woman, attracted to women, and dress/appear like men) also commonly face discrimination in terms of toilet use. They are often told to go to the men’s CR. When they use the women’s toilets, many times, other women’s eyes are on them with questioning, sometimes, derisive looks.

Often, we react to things almost automatically. Often too, there is no intention to be rude or to discriminate against others, but unfortunately, we do not know any better. This is why education and consciousness-raising are very important. Patience is extremely necessary if mindsets are to evolve.

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SATURDAY, AIUGUST 24, 2019

A5

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The fuss about the Sibutu Strait commit us to the free passage of navigation under international law.

It was rather exaggerated for Esperon to characterize the number of Chinese vessels in the South China Sea as “swarming.” Maybe he has his in mind bees attacking us from all sides.

AFTER the accidental ramming of our The Chinese vessels simply navigated fishing boat by an unidentified Chinese through the strait which we uncannily vessel near the disputed Scarborough are making a loud noise of protestaShoal, which saw the local media howl- tions. Other warships—US, Australia, ing like toddlers in decrying the incident the UK and Japanese navieshave been as “bullying” and Leni Robredo cashing passing through it but we never made in for media mileage, now here we go an issue of their passage, for underagain protesting the passage of Chinese standably, they are our allies and have warships, led by China’s aircraft car- not violated the conditions regarding rier CV-16 Liaoning, claiming to have the right of innocent passage.

It would be undiplomatic for Presiviolated our territorial waters by passing through the Sibutu Strait and Balabac Is- dent Duterte to take up the matter of Chinese warships with China’s Presiland without prior notification.

According to Western Military Com- dent Xi Jinping.

First, the subject matter of passage is mand Chief, Lt. Gen. Carlito Sobejana, there have been 13 instances of Chi- trivial that China did not even consider nese warships passing through the nar- that an incident, except of course for row strait since June 2019, and in all in- those anti-Chinese hecklers. Second, stances, the Chinese warships turned off China would be appalled at our move their automatic identification system and much that Chinese vessels complied the rules concerning the passage of could not be contacted though radio.

As described by National Security vessels in straits enjoying the right of Adviser Hermogenes Esperon, there innocent passage. Third, clearance and has lately been a “swarming” of Chi- permission from the host state is not nese vessels in and around the islands required under the UNCLOS. Fourth, occupied by the Philippines in the to insist on our new regulation would South China Sea. Defense Secretary unduly strain our relations with China to the delight of the Delfin Lorenzana US. then suggested to In fact, the US President Rodrigo Navy has been Duterte to take up The noise may be crisscrossing the the matter with Philippine archiPresident Xi Jin- intended to embarrass pelago anytime of ping during his the President. the year, ignoring visit to China. our archipelagic For the clarifidoctrine, plying cation of many, Sibuto Strait is a narrow passageway through the great bodies of territorial with an 29-kilometer distance separating waters separating the islands of Palathe Philippine island of Tawi Tawi and wan, Negros and Mindanao, and using Borneo. The Washington Treaty on No- as their passageway to enter the South vember 7, 1900 delineated Cagayan, Sulu China Sea though the narrow channel and Sibutu as the boundary of the archi- separating Sorsogon and Samar in San pelago acquired by the US from Spain. Bernardino, and the Bashi Channel that The Sibuto Strait is recognized by the separates Taiwan and the Philippines.

Moreover, we cannot even compel United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea as an international waterway the US navy that before entering Philwhere ships of all flags, through custom- ippine territory, to declare that its warary international law, enjoy the right of ships do not carry any nuclear weapons pursuant to Section 5, Article II of the innocent passage.

In the West’s Encyclopedia of Amer- Constitution. Rather, the US merely ican Law, it defines a strait as a narrow refuses to confirm or deny such query body of water connecting two areas from the Philippine government.

According to Presidential Spokesof the high seas, and is used in international navigation. There shall be no man Salvador Panelo, “Beginning tosuspension or stoppage of foreign ships day, all foreign vessels passing through passing through the strait. Because of our territorial waters must notify and the acuteness of the international wa- get clearance from the proper governterway, vessels passing though it can- ment authority. “Either we get complinot avoid “trespassing” or “violating” ance in a friendly manner or we enforce the territorial waters of the adjacent it in an unfriendly manner.” But did it state which, under international law, not come to his mind as lawyer that extends up to 12 miles. As customary we do not have that right to demand practice, passing vessels are allowed compliance under the UNCLOS conwith certain limitations that they can- vention? Panelo even failed to anticinot suspend/stop from navigating while pate that diplomatic protocol demand that vessels passing through the strait within the passageway.

The fact that some straits have be- should observe the rules and limitacome necessity to international ship- tions, and not for the sovereign state to ping, commerce and navigation, seek the permission of the host state. international law conventions “inter- This is assumed because countries that nationalized” them, and that includes geographically have narrow straits and the Sibutu Strait. Permission or clear- is used by countries for international ance for passage from the adjacent or navigation as members of UNCLOS host states is no longer necessary. The know the rules upon which passing internationalization of the strait by cus- vessels must observe.

The howl made by Lorenzana, Carpio tomary practice or through convention such as our ratification of the UNCLOS and Batongbacal are misplaced. Some has somewhat made the host coun- suspect that their noise is intended to try or adjacent state to partially lost embarrass the President. Batongbacal their right to claim full jurisdiction on as head of the UP Institute for Marithose waters adjacent to their shoreline time Affairs should know what he is like preventing those vessels passing talking about. Vessels passing through through, just as vessels can assert their an international waterway need not seek permission from the host state or right to innocent passage.

The passage of Chinese warships much would more for states to give its through the Sibutu Strait and Balabac consent because their adherence and Island may have traversed our territo- ratification of the convention already rial waters. Even that, there is no need amounts to that. In fact, we can even for us to enact a law that would declare say that it should be the US that should the Strait an international waterway as be prevented from passing through the suggested by Supreme Court Associate Sibuto Strait for the simple logic that it Justice Antonio Carpio. Such proposal has refused to ratify the UNCLOS, and would only make us ridiculous, more so that means it rejects all the provisions if the intent of the law is to selectively regarding the use of straits and inland allow and/or prevent other vessels from navigable rivers. passing through it. Our ratification of the UNCLOS is more than enough to rpkapunan@gmail.com

Concepts surrounding SOGIE are not easy to grasp especially with the everincreasing, ever-evolving acronyms.

Admittedly, it is not easy to keep up with all the development.

Because the LGBTQI+ community needs all possible allies, questions should be answered patiently and concepts explained, if needed, repeatedly. I know that many groups are doing serious education initiatives in schools and communities and these should be strengthened.

However, there are also reports of undue aggression that comes from members of the community. This is unnecessary and as much as possible, should be prevent-

ed. Even if the bill passes, the struggle will go on because passing a law is but a first big step forward. The need to make people understand will not go away just because a law is in place.

SOGIE equality goes well beyond toilet talk. This is about the rights and lives of those belonging to the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, + community. This is about having a society that accords everyone their human rights. The SOGIE Equality bill must pass. @bethangsioco on Twitter Elizabeth Angsioco on Facebook

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TODAY AUGUST 24, 2019 SATURDAY,

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‘Makati revenue target on track’ REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES REGIONAL TRIAL COURT NATIONAL CAPITAL JUDICIAL REGION BRANCH 217 – QUEZON CITY IN RE: CANCELLATION OR CORRECTION OF ENTRIES IN THE CIVIL REGISTRY, PARTICULARLY,IN THE REPORT OF MARRIAGE, ROSE MARIE C. BUENTIPO, Petitioner, -versusSP CASE NO. R-QZN-19-08763-SP PHILIPPINE CONSULATE GENERAL OSAKA-JAPAN THROUGH THE DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS, THE CIVIL REGISTRAR GENERAL OF THE PHILIPPINE STATISTICS AUTHORITY, ROSAURO A. DELA ROSA, and All persons who have or claim any interest Which would be affected hereby, Respondents. x-----------------------------------------------x

ORDER

This is a verified petition for cancellation or correction of entries in the Report of Marriage appearing in the Civil Registry Records Book of the Philippine Consulate GeneralOsaka Japan of the petitioner filed by petitioner herself.

This petition alleges that she is fiftytwo (52) years old born on January 26, 1967 in Moncada, Tarlac to parents Roman B. Buentipo and Virginia T. Cala; that in 2006, she went to Japan to work as an overseas contract worker; that while working in Japan, she met Temoteo A. Transmonte and they contracted marriage on October 17, 2007 at the Philippine Consulate General, Osaka, Japan; that prior to their marriage and unknown to petitioner, Transmonte represented and disguised himself as Rosauro A. Dela Rosa; that it was after the marriage of petitioner and Transmonte and while they were freely cohabiting in Japan as husband and wife when petitioner learned the representation and disguise of Transmonte; that the parties lived together as husband and wife in Japan for more than five (5) years until Transmonte contracted a disease that caused his death on February 27, 2013; that in No. 09522007 registered at the Consulate of the Civil Registry Record Book, it appeared that petitioner was married to Rosauro Dela Rosa when in truth and in fact it was Temoteo A. Transmonte whom she

married; that Rosauro A. Dela Rosa never applied for entry nor set foot in Japan and never appeared before the Philippine Consulate General Osaka, Japan to contract marriage with petitioner and live in Japan; that in view of the death of Transmonte, petitioner now desires to correct the entries in her Report of Marriage; and, that petitioner prays that the entries in the Report of Marriage of petitioner be cancelled or corrected and a Certificate of No Marriage be issued in her favor.

Wherefore, the petition is hereby set for hearing on September 6, 2019 at 8:30 in the morning before this Court located at Room 238, Second Floor, Hall of Justice, Diliman, Quezon City at which place and on which date and time, all interested persons must appear and file their opposition/s to the petition.

Let a copy of this Order be published once a week for three (3) consecutive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation throughout the Philippines.

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

SO ORDERED. Quezon City, Philippines, June 28, 2019. (Sgd.) SANTIAGO M. ARENAS Judge Cc: Atty. Meynard R. Job Counsel for the petitioner 2731-C Bruger Street, Bruger Subdivision,1772 Putatan, Muntinlupa City Philippine Consulate General Osaka-Japan Department of Foreign Affairs Manila Office of the Solicitor General Makati City Office of the Local Civil Registrar Quezon City Philippine Statistics Authority PSA Complex, East Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City Office of the City Prosecutor Quezon City Rosauro R. Dela Rosa Castelo Street, NBP Reservation Poblacion, Muntinlupa City

By Joel E. Zurbano

T

HE Makati City government has met 83 percent of its P17.1 billion full-year revenue goal for 2019 after it posted a total P14.2-billion collection as of July.

Mayor Abigail Binay said her administration was on track with its revenue target of P17.1 billion for the year, noting that Business Tax had the biggest share with P7,839,128,771.19, or 80 percent of target.

“Business tax remains to be our biggest sharer of revenues, and I am glad that our efforts to make it easier and more convenient to do business in the city have translated to sustained revenue growth,” she said Friday.

Binay recalled that the city had attained 56 percent of its revenue target last February, collecting a total of P9.51 billion which topped by 11 percent the amount collected in the same period last year.

The city chief executive also noted that the city has already surpassed its target revenue collection from real property tax, posting P4,843,474,149.46 as of end-July, or over one percent higher than the target of P4,785,000,000.

“We are expecting the figures for realty tax to go higher in the coming months, especially since we will soon publish the list of delinquent properties

(MStandard-Aug. 24, 31 & Sep. 6, 2019)

that will be put up for public auction sometime this November,” she said.

Binay reminded real property owners with delinquent tax payments to immediately coordinate with the Realty Tax Division and settle their tax obligations before their properties are put up for auction.

Based on the report of City Treasurer Jesusa Cuneta, the city’s revenue collection reached P14,239,800,251.81 as of end-July, with the bulk coming from Business Tax, followed by Realty Tax. Income from other sources included P627,894,080.06 from Fees and Charges, P95,934,341.76 from Economic Enterprises, P142,588,603.34 from Interest Income, and P691,780,306 from Internal Revenue Allotment.

Data from the Business Permits and Licensing Office showed that as of Aug. 22, there are 3,466 new business registrants in the city, with combined capital investment amounting to P34 billion. In the same period, 34,755 have renewed their business permits, with combined gross sales of P1.4 trillion.

IN BRIEF Solon insists: ‘Jabidah’ real

Recently, officers and members of the Makati Business Club praised Mayor Binay for her initiatives to raise Makati’s competitiveness, particularly in business permit processing and issuance.

On the mayor’s orders, the city BPLO streamlined the process of renewal and application for new business permits to three steps, allowing applicants with complete requirements to obtain a business permit within 35 minutes.

At present, the city government is developing the enhanced Business Permit and Licensing System or e-BPLS, a computerized system that will provide easy access to business permits through different platforms.

It was during Mayor Abby’s first term that the city institutionalized the “Business One-Stop-Shop,” wherein the ground floor of the Makati City Hall Building II has been designated as a common site to process applications and payments and issue licenses, clearances, and permits.

For two consecutive years, the city has earned the highest audit rating of an “unqualified opinion” from the Commission on Audit for its fair and honest presentation of its financial statements for 2017 and 2018.

Declared as the country’s richest local government unit, Makati’s total assets to date amount to P230 billion.

Republic of the Philippines REGIONAL TRIAL COURT Fourth Judicial Region BRANCH IX Balayan, Batangas WILL OF TERESITA G. RAMOS, SPEC. PROC. NO. 5540 Probate of Will

A LEGISLATOR from the Southern Philippines on Friday insisted the alleged Jabidah Massacre that triggered the creation of the Moro National Liberation Front really happened.

Deputy Speaker Mujiv Hataman issued the statement following the statement of the Armed Forces of the Philippines Civil Relations Service commander, Maj. Gen. Antonio Parlade, the so-called massacre was “fake news” that was exploited by anti-government groups as propaganda to “agitate the young to rise against the government.”

“We Moros have been commemorating this unfortunate incident in our history year after year. The Jabidah Massacre cost dozens upon dozens of young Moro lives.

It is an extremely dark occurrence in the Moro history, and is considered by the Bangsamoro people as one of the tipping points of our struggle for justice and selfdetermination,” Hataman said.

“We should be careful with what we say, as these statements may only fuel radicalism. It comes at a time when we are at a crucial transition for a meaningful and genuine autonomy in the Bangsamoro region following the ratification of the Bangsamoro Organic Law that gave birth to the new Bangsamoro Government,” Hataman, who represents Basilan in the House of Representatives, said.

“This revisionism of history does not help our transitional efforts for justice—one that aims to continue healing the country, especially for the families of casualties in the conflict in Mindanao. The last thing we need right now is the denial and erasure of our history as a people in this country,” he added.

The alleged Jabidah Massacre on March 18, 1968 was exploited by the political rivals of then President Ferdinand Marcos to ensure that he would lose his reelection bid in the 1969 elections. He won that election against then Senator Sergio Osmeña Jr. Maricel V. Cruz

TERESITA G. RAMOS, Petitioner, x-----------------------------------------x

Dar to adopt Isabela policy

PETITION Petitioner thru counsel and unto this Honorable Court respectfully avers: 1.

That petitioner Teresita G. Ramos is a Filipino of legal age, single and resident of 435 Plaza Burgos, Brgy. 9, Balayan, Batangas;

2.

That last November 25, 2017, petitioner executed a holographic will in her own handwriting in English, a copy of which is attached and made an integral part hereof as Annex “A”, the original thereof to be presented to this Honorable Court at the time of probate;

3.

That petitioner herself will attest to the fact that she wrote the said will in her own handwriting and that she was of sound mind and memory without any undue influence, violence fraud or intimidation of whatever kind;

4.

That petitioner owns several untitled real properties located in Lucena City and Sariaya, Quezon willi a total assessed value of One Hundred Thousand Six Hundred ninety Thousand pesos (PI00,690.00) as per tax declaration attached herewith as Annex “B-1. B-2, B-3 & B-4” and a personal property located in Balayan, Batangas and a peso savings account at the Bank of the Philippine Island (BPI) with Account No. 0903-262-923 amounting to a few thousand pesos which petitioner give. devise and bequeath to her nephew Renato R. Ramos. Jr.

5.

That petitioner has a brother, Ramon G. Ramos Jr, who resides at 328 Bansalangin St, United Parañaque City and a sister, Ofelia G. Ramos who resides at Rotor Apt., Blk. 59, lot 1, San Rafael St., Villa San Pablo, lbabang Iyam, Lucena City.

6.

Petitioner has nephews and nieces namely; Renato R. Ramos JR. a resident of 50 Quezon Avenue; Ext., Brgy. Cotta, Lucena City, and Restituto R. Ramos, a resident of Rotor Apt., Blk. 59, lot 1, San Rafael St., Villa San Pablo, Ibabang Iyam, Lucena City, Anicia P. Ramos and Vanessa P. Ramos, address at Gomez Hardware c/o Consuelo G. Ramos, Brgy. Cotta Lucena City.

Wherefore, it is respectfully prayed that after due notice and publication, this Honorable Court fix the date for the probate of said holographic will.

Petitioner prays for other relief necessary for the probate ofthe attached holographic will.

Lucena City for Balayan, Batangas 9 July 2018 Respectfully, submitted: CESARITO C. VILLARIBA Counsel for the Petitioner PTR No. 17950631 1/3/2018 Lucena City IDP OR NO. 1031621 12/28/2017 Lucena City MCLE Cert of Exemption No. V - 002346 April 14, 2019 58 St. Therese Bldg. Allarey St., Lucena City VERIFICATION AND CERTIFICATION OF NON-FORUM SHOPPING I, TERESITA G. RAMOS is a Filipino of legal age, single and resident of 435 Plaza Burgos, Brgy. 9, Balayan, Batangas, after being sworn to in accordance with law depose and say that: 1.

That I am the petitioner of this case;

2.

That I have caused the preparation and filing of the foregoing Petition and hereby certify that the allegations therein are true and correct to the best of my own personal knowledge and based on authentic records on hand;

3.

I have not commenced any other action or proceeding involving the same issues in the Supreme Court, Court of Appeals or In any other tribunal or agency and to the best of iny knowledge, no such action or proceeding is pending in the Supreme Court, the Court of Appeals or any other tribunal or agency; If ever I should thereafter learn that a similar action or proceedings has been filed or is pending before the Supreme Court, the Court of Appeals or any other tribunal or agency, I undertake to report that fact within (5) days there from to the Court or agency wherein the original pleading and sworn certification contemplated herein have been filed

MILITARY TRIBUTE. Armed Forces of the Philippines Tribute to the (boxing Champion) Senator Emmanuel ‘Manny’ Pacquiao during the awarding of medal and plaque at the Lapu-Lapu grandstand in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City. Photo shows AFP chief of staff Gen. Benjamin Madrigal Jr. (left), to the right of Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, giving the medal to Pacquiao, who holds the rank of full Colonel in the Army Reserve Command. Manny Palmero Republic of the Philippines Department of Environment and Natural Resources ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT BUREAU DENR Compound, Visayas Avenue, Diliman Quezon City 1116 Telephone Nos.: (632)927-15-17, 928-37-25; Fax No.: (632) 920-22-58 Website: http://www.emb.gov.ph / Email: mail@emb.gov.ph

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto signed my hand this _______________ at Lucena City.

TERESITA G. RAMOS AFFIANT SUBSCRIBED AND SWORN to before me this ___________ at Lucena City. Affiant exhibiting to me her __________________.

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING On the ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT (EIS) of the proposed SOUTH PULANGI HYDROELECTRICPOWER PLANT PROJECTof PULANGI HYDRO POWER CORPORATION (PHPC) to be locatedin the MUNICIPALITIES OF DANGCAGAN, DAMULOG, KIBAWE AND KITAOTAO ALL IN THE PROVINCE OF BUKIDNON. Notice is hereby given to all parties who wish to give their opinion regarding the implementation of the proposed SOUTH PULANGI HYDRO ELECTRIC POWER PLANT PROJECT to attend the Public Hearings scheduled as follows: Date

Republic of the Philippines REGIONAL TRIAL COURT Fourth Judicial Region BRANCH IX Balayan, Batangas IN THE MATTER OF THE PETITION TO PROVE THE HOLOGRAPHIC WILL OF TERESITA G. RAMOS, TERESITA G. RAMOS, Petitioner. x- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -x

11 September 2019 (Wednesday) 11 September 2019 (Wednesday)

SP. PROC. NO. 5540 ORDER

During today’s scheduled initia l hearing, present were petitioner’s legatee Renato Ramos, the representative of legatee Ramon Ramos in the person of Rustico Ramos and the counsel for the petitioner.

To establish compliance with the jurisdictional requirements of the instant petition, the counsel for the petitioner marked the following exhibits, viz: Exhibit Exhibit Exhibit Exhibit Exhibit Exhibit Exhibit Exhibit

“A” - the petition: “B” - the Order of the Court dated April 2, 2019: “B-1” - LBC receipt addressed to Ramon Ramos: “B-2” - LBC receipt addressed to Renato Ramos: “B-3” - LBC receipt addressed to Ofelia G. Ramos; “B-4” - LBC receipt addressed to Anicia G. Ramos; “B-5” - LBC receipt addressed to Resituto G. Ramos; “B-6” - LBC receipt addressed to Office of the Clerk of Court, Regional Trial Court, Balayan, Batangas; and Exhibit “B-7” - LBC receipt addressed to Vanessa P. Ramos.

The Court noted, however, that there were no requirements for posting and publication in the initial Order of the Court.

WHEREFORE, let this Order and a copy of the petition be posted at the Bulletin Board of the Hall of Justice, Regional Trial Court, Balayan, Batangas, and at the Bulletin Boards of the Municipal Building of Balayan, Batangas, Lucena City a nd Sariaya, Quezon.

Furnish the Office of the Solicitor General and the Office of the Public Prosecutor, Balayan, Batangas with a copy of the petition and its annexes. The said offices may, if they so desire, file their opposition within fifteen (15) days frorn receipt hereof or frorn the last date of publication.

Let a copy of this Order and a copy of the petition be published at the expense of the petitioner once a week for three (3) consecutive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation in the country.

Pending compliance with the said directive, let this case be set for the continuation of hearing for the purpose of establishing full cornpliance with the jurisdictional requirernents on October 2, 2019 at 8:30 in the morning.

Time 8:00 AM (Registration starts at 7:00 AM) 2:00 PM (Registration starts at1:00 PM)

Venue Kitaotao Tennis Court, Municipality of Kitaotao Lucky 9 Resort Function Hall, Municipality of Dangcagan

12 September 2019 (Thursday)

8:00 AM (Registration starts at 7:00 AM)

Kibawe Municipal Gymnasium, Municipality of Kibawe

12 September 2019 (Thursday)

2:00 PM (Registration starts at 1:00 PM)

Municipal Function Hall, Municipality of Damulog

The Public Hearing is being conducted in connection with the review of the EIS of the aforementioned project by the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

All interested parties who wish to attend or participate in these Public Hearings should preferably confirm their attendance/participation and may give their opinion(s) in a concise position paper to the ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT AND MANAGEMENT DIVISION (EIAMD) of this Office through mail or through email at eiamd.emb.co@gmail.com, at least three (3) days before the Public Hearing schedule. Those who will not be able to register or submit written positions may be given the opportunity to share their issues on the day of the hearing itself.

The project’s EIS and Executive Summary for the Public are downloadable at our website: www.eia.emb.gov.ph (kindly access the Notice of Public Hearing/ Consultation link found in our website) whilecopies will be available in this Office.

SO ORDERED.

For more details, please contact the EIAMD Division at this Office at telephone number (02) 920- 2240 to 41 through the project casehandlersEngr. Lene Ramboyong and Mr. Xairus Guzman.

Given in open Court this 25th day of July 2019 at Balayan, Batangas.

Copy furnished: Prosecutor`s Office Atty. Cesarito C. Villariba Petitioner CFDJ/gmvb

CAROLINA F. DE JESUS Presiding Judge (MS-AUG. 10, 17 & 24, 2019)

CAUAYAN CITY, Isabela—Agriculture Secretary William Dar has said he will adopt the agriculture policy of Isabela.

“I am going to adapt the agriculture policy of the province of Isabela as model for the design on how to operate provincial agriculture systems that would be funded by World Bank with an initial $500 million,” he said in a speech here.

Dar delivered the keynote speech during the the 4th Organic Agriculture Scientific Conference hosted by Cauayan City Mayor Bernard Dy at Japi Traveller’s Hotel and Restaurant in Cauayan City in partnerships with the Department of Agriculture Regional Office led by Director Narciso Edillon.

It is Dar’s first visit to Isabela since his appointment as DA chief on Aug. 5, 2019.

Dar said he was impressed with the agriculture policy of Isabela crafted by Vice Governor Faustino G. Dy III on his first term as governor of the province in 2010.

Dubbed as Bojie-Rodito Opportunities, the policy includes the enrollment of more than 5,000 small farmers to the Social Security System, P3.50 rice and corn price subsidy, farmer’s congress caravan per municipality, interest free loan assistance package and the more or less 16,000 college scholars of the province coming from small holder farmer/laborer to 11 Isabela State University campuses province wide. Brenda Jocson

Gov‘t should have plan if flu now in PH—Recto

“We must be ahead of the curve.

We should be ready for every imaginTHE Philippine government should able scenario,” he said, adding doing have contingency plan to help people such a thing was not to be alarmist, in the P280 billion a year hog indus- but simply to be prepared.

He said readying an assistance try if tests prove the deadly African Swine Flu is already in the country, package for hundreds of thousands dependent on the local hog industry Senator Ralph Recto said Friday.

“I think a study group should “is beyond the mandate” of the DA. “Of all the powers of the DA be convened to assess the financial fallout in the event of a worst-case secretary, the power to appropriate or to release allotments is not one of scenario,” said Recto.

He noted the hog industry, next to them,” he said.

“It is something that is discussed rice, was the biggest in terms of value.

He also said the Philippines’ in the highest levels of government, hog industry was eighth biggest in in the Cabinet, in both houses of Congress, more so if it requires a the world.

“While Department of Agriculture huge amount of money and bridge and Department of Health protocols financing,” Recto said.

The hog industry is a pillar of to contain the diseases are in place and have been rehearsed, how to mitigate Philippine economy, with millions the financial disaster is, I think, an un- earning a living on the swine supply chain, he said. explored area,” Recto said.

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

P6.8-m shabu seized in Marawi

COTABATO CITY—After several days of surveillance, anti-narcotics operatives arrested on Thursday two suspected big-time drug peddlers in Marawi City and seized some P6.8 million worth of illegal drugs.

Director Juvenal Azurin of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao identified the suspects as Alexander Aliponto, 45, of Tamparan, Lanao del Sur, and Adam Pandiin, 42, a resident of Marawi City.

Azurin said the suspects were immediately handcuffed after one of them handed over an estimated one kilogram of suspected shabu to a poseurbuyer carrying a paper bag with P2.2 million worth of “boodle money.”

“Boodle money” consists of a few original Philippine paper bills and bundles of photocopied money bills.

Azurin said the drug buy-bust transpired along Amai Pakpak Avenue in Barangay Poblacion, Marawi City at 3:30 p.m.

“They were our high-value targets. We have been tailing them for several days already,” Azurin told reporters in a phone interview Friday.

He said the suspects tried to back off after sensing they were dealing with a poseur buyer but were immediately handcuffed by PDEA agents.

Soldiers and police officers who stayed a few meters away from the deal site quickly surrounded the duo. PNA

CYAN CYAN MAGENTA MAGENTA YELLOW YELLOW BLACK BLACK

Sports

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SATURDAY, AUGUST 24, 2019 sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

Falcons soar past Wildcats for 2nd win

Creamline eyes payback vs PetroGazz

Games Sunday

Games today (Saturday)

1 p.m. – PLDT vs San Sebastian 3 p.m. – UST vs Arellano 5 p.m. – NCBA vs Emilio Aguinaldo College

ADAMSON twice survived National College of Business and Arts’ gutsy stand as it hacked out a 25-23, 25-15, 25-23 victory to wrest control in Pool A in the Spikers’ Turf Season 4 Open Conference at the Paco Arena in Manila last Thursday.

The Falcons leaned on their superb court coverage to defuse the Wildcats’ superb blocking, clinching the 67-minute victory even with Royce Bello and George Labang emerging as the team’s top scorers with seven hits apiece.

But Carlo Jimenez, Geffrey Alicando and Francis Casas produced six points each and Adrian Viray and skipper Leo Miranda each chipped in five markers to underscore the team’s balanced scoring.

The victory came on the heels of the San Marcelino-based squad’s five-set escape over Emilio Aguinaldo College last week, putting Adamson in the early lead in Pool A of the four-division tournament featuring 24 teams.

NCBA drew 10 points from Baden Pabalate and came through with eight blocks, five more than the Falcons, but struggled with their hitting, posting just 23 attack points as against their rivals’ 36.

In other results, Eco Oil blasted Centro Escolar U, 25-18, 25-17, 2519, in Pool B action while Sta. Lucia also came away with a straight-set win over Mapua U, 25-8, 25-19, 25-21, in Pool D play.

Meanwhile, PLDT faces San Sebastian at 1 p.m. while UST takes on Arellano at 3 p.m. and Emilio Aguinaldo tangles with NCBA at 5 p.m. in tomorrow’s (Sunday) resumption of the men’s volley hostilities.

USA wins but defense still a big concern MELBOURNE—United States basketball coach Gregg Popovich says his team has to improve its defence and communication ahead of the World Cup despite an impressive 102-86 victory over Australia.

The reigning world champions posted a 31-point third quarter on the back of a barrage of three-pointers to overwhelm the Boomers Thursday evening after a tight first half.

Boston guard Kemba Walker sank 23 points, the Indiana Pacers’ Myles Turner added 15 with 14 rebounds while Utah Jazz star Donovan Mitchell scored 13 with three assists in front of 51,000 fans in Melbourne.

Team USA is missing a host of top NBA names who have opted out of the World Cup, and the squad is still gelling as they target a sixth world crown in China, with the tournament tipping off on August 31.

Veteran San Antonio Spurs mastermind Popovich said the Patty Mills-led Australians were a tough team to play, running a fast offence that was hard to guard against.

“They do a great job moving and cutting. We’ll watch the film, and I think we’ll learn a lot from what we had to guard. I give them a lot of credit, really impressive,” he said.

The Americans ended the first quarter 22-20 in front and despite racing to an 11-point advantage in the second, they allowed the Boomers to trim the margin to just one point, 44-43, at the half-way mark.

“Our transition defence was poor, and they got three 3s in a row and that’s what happened down the stretch in the second quarter,” he said.

“Every coach moans and groans about transition defence. It’s a game of mistakes. But our communication wasn’t great in the first half in transition, better in the second half.

“But one thing we did do was board the whole game. We hit the boards hard, and that’s been a little bit of a problem for us. So, it was nice to see us do well in that regard.”

He was also pleased with how the world number one team reacted after letting their lead slip, going on a 10-0 spree early on the third quarter to regain control and comfortably close out the game.

“One of our big mantras has been composure and poise. Things are going the other way in some games, and the way you respond to that is really the measure of how you are going to do,” he said.

4 p.m. – Chef’s Classic vs Choco Mucho 6 p.m. – Creamline vs PetroGazz

His Excellency Philippine Ambassador to India Ramon Bagatsing Sr. (third from left) is shown during the awarding ceremonies of the 11th Mayor Ramon D. Bagatsing Memorial Racing Festival. He is joined by (from left, front row) Lea Forbes, DJ Bagatsing, Kabaka members, (back row) trainers Ernesto Roxas and Julius Roxas and jockey JB Hernandez.

Bagatsing racing festival nets P27.4 million in sales

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HE 11th Mayor Ramon D. Bagatsing Memorial Racing Festival, hosted by the Manila Jockey Club, Inc., at the San Lazaro Leisure Park in Carmona, Cavite recently, was the highest-grossing racing event of the year with sales reaching P27.4 million.

The weekend of action-packed horse races featured the country’s top thoroughbreds at the premier horse racing club, netting record number of viewers, participants and sales both on and off the race track.

Proceeds of the event, held for the benefit of the marginalized poor and the less privileged in Manila, will fund the KABAKA Foundation to bring social and medical assistance for free.

The late former Manila Mayor, Ramon D. Bagatsing Sr. established the KABAKA Foundation to make these social and medical assistance easily accessible to those who truly need it. The Bagatsing family continues the legacy of selfless service to Manilenyos, who have helped more than 50,000 residents of the capital.

Featuring 16 stakes races and luring major corporate sponsors and partners, the racing festival has raised a whopping cash prize of no less than

P6,000,000 evenly distributed to all the champions.

Dubbed as a Repeat-Revenge-Redemption Race, it was both revenge and repeat for Hitting Spree in the Resorts World Manila Challenge of Champions, which tested the mettle of both local and imported 4-year-old horses in a 1,750-meter race. Hitting Spree claimed a second straight Challenge of Champions win, while getting revenge at its recent tormentor Viva Morena.

The primary racing event of the weekend, the Mayor Ramon D. Bagatsing Sr. 3 YO Open Classics, pitted local and imported 3-year-olds against one another in this 1,50- meter high stakes race, with Boss Emong, the winner of the 2nd Leg of this year’s Triple Crown Series, being crowned champion.

The Resorts World Manila Challenge of Champions and the Mayor Ramon D. Bagatsing Sr. 3 YO Open Classics

gave out a total of P1.9 million in cash prizes.

A long-time tradition of the racing festival, the winning horses’ groom or “sota” received cash gifts from the Bagatsing family. This tradition continues to honor and invigorate unsung heroes and the backbone of the horseracing industry.

The cash prizes, along with the traditional gift prizes for the team of the winning horse, will be awarded by major sponsors Resorts World Manila, Philippine Racing Commission, the Manila Jockey Club, Inc., Manila Cockers Club Inc., Solaire Resort & Casino, Fundador.

City of Dreams, F.R. Sevilla Industrial and Development Corporation, and the San Jose Builders Inc. The Bagatsing Family also thanked their longtime supporters Cong. Tony Calixto and Bing Tecson for sponsoring the added prizes for the grooms and other aspects that add to the renowned Bagatsing Cup’s festivities.

One of MJC’s most prestigious events in its racing calendar, the Bagatsing Racing Festival continues to reinvigorate the passion of the Filipinos to enjoy a day in the track with their families watching the sport of kings—horse racing.

CREAMLINE gets the chance to get back at Reinforced Conference title tormentor PetroGazz, at least in the early going of the Premier Volleyball League Season 3 Open Conference as they clash tonight (Saturday) in what promises to be an explosive matchup at the Filoil Flying V Center in San Juan.

Behind a pair of explosive imports, the Angels foiled the Cool Smashers’ title-retention drive in the recent first conference but the former would need to muster everything they could get down to the last player to stop the in-form defending champions in their 6 p.m. encounter.

Creamline somewhat erased the stigma of that final setback by sweeping their first four games in the all-Filipino tourney with the Cool Smashers raring not only to make it five-in-row but also get some semblance of payback against the Angels.

Unlike Creamline, PetroGazz had a rather shaky start this conference, dropping a four-setter to BanKo-Perlas before recovering to blast BaliPure in three last week.

But Jeanette Panaga, Jovielyn Prado, Paneng Mercado and Jonah Sabete must raise the level of their games and Cherry Nunag must check an early slump for the Angels to at least measure up with the Cool Smashers, who swept Air Force, Motolite and Chef’s Classic before repulsing BanKo-Perlas in four last Wednesday.

For one, multi-titled Alyssa Valdez has been dishing out explosive games, including a 26-point barrage against the Perlas Spikers with the former Atneeo star also drawing solid backup from the likes of Michele Gumabao, Risa Sato and Jema Galanza and ace playmaker Jia Morado anchoring the team’s superb offense.

Meanwhile, Choco Mucho and Chef’s Classic tangle in the 4 p.m. clash of the league’s newcomers with the Flying Titans shooting for their second win in three starts against the struggling Red Spikers, winless in two starts in the league organized by Sports Vision and backed by Mikasa, Asics and KFC. A sister team of Creamline and made up of former Ateneo stalwarts, Choco Mucho is slightly favored to get past the San Beda-reinforced Chef’s Classic with Maddie Madayag and Kat Tolentino tipped to lead the Flying Titans’ charge again.

PH muay fighters claim 10 medals in East Asia tourney

Members of the Philippine muay team are shown after their East Asian Muaythai Championship stint in Hong Kong.

PHILIPPINE Muay fighters showed their readiness for the coming 30th Southeast Asian Games, winning 10 medals, including three golds in the recent East Asian Muaythai Championships in Wan Chai, Hong Kong.

Colleen Saddi and Jenelyn Olsim came up strong against local opponents in the women’s 48 and 54 kgs., respectively, while Ariel Lee Lampacan defeated Yu Xi Chen of ChineseTaipei in the men’s 54 kgs. as the nationals matched their medal haul in last year’s edition.

Saddi won over Hoi Ni Heley Chan, while Olsim beat Ching Yee Tsang.

“We are very happy with the results, but I know that Team Bagsik can do better. And that’s what we promise the Filipino people in the coming SEA Games. We will dominate the opponents and show no mercy,” said Pearl Managuelod, secretary general of MuayThai Association of the Philippines.

“Last year, sweep din namin ‘yung 10

events, lahat ng fighters natin nag-uwi ng medalya.”

Other finalists who came up short were Islay Erika Bomogao in the women’s 45 kgs.; Philip Delarmino in the men’s 57 kgs.; Hanzel Bilog in the 60 kgs.; Ryan Jakiri in the 63 kgs. and Jerry Olsim in the 71 kgs.

Newcomer Sid Anthony Capuchino and Liane Benito made it to the podium in the men’s 51 kgs. and women’s 51 kgs. classes, respectively.

“There’s no doubt we will do well in the SEA Games. ‘Yung preparation at motivation ng ating mga fighters almost nasa peak na in time for the coming biennial meet in November,” said Managuelod, a Sports Psychology graduate at the University of Ottawa in Canada.

National coach Onmula Yllib was awarded ‘Best Coach’ by the organizers of the tourney, which attracted athletes from nine countries.

Crowe slams ‘joke’ seating at USA-Aussie pre-World Cup showdown MELBOURNE—Oscar-winner Russell Crowe led a chorus of criticism Friday of the seating arrangements at a basketball clash between the United States and Australia, with many fans paying big money to see very little.

The pre-World Cup showdown, on Thursday evening at Melbourne’s Marvel Stadium, was played in front of 51,000 fans—the biggest crowd ever to watch a game of hoops in Australia.

But in a venue that usually hosts Australian Rules and football, a raised basketball court was dropped in meaning those on white plastic seats at ground level had restricted viewing, including Crowe. “$1500 a ticket for this view. AUS v USA. Jokes on me,” tweeted the Hollywood star after Australia were beaten 102-86. “If you weren’t among 50,000 there and

you chose to watch it on tv at home, good decision.”

He later added: “The only thing achieved by @BasketballAus was enjoining with the promoters in ripping off well meaning lovers of the sport. It was a farce.”

Plenty of other fans agreed.

“It’s called greed! There is a stadium across town which is purpose built for this kind of event called Rod Laver Arena capacity of 15,000. Play 2-3 games there everyone goes home happy,” said one Twitter user.

The visit of Team USA was already embroiled in controversy, with Australia’s consumer watchdog launching a probe into the use of absent NBA superstars to promote their exhibition games.

While the USA boast a host of top young talent guided by San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich, they lack top names used to sell the event

after a series of player withdrawals.

A change.org petition for refunds attracted more than 2,700 supporters claiming they had been ripped off, with a fresh flood of complaints about the seating fiasco.

Australian Competition and Consumer Commission chief Rod Sims said it was investigating whether people had been misled.

“We did have discussions with the promoters, and out of those discussions there was a suggestion from them of refunds,” he told reporters, referring to the pre-game advertising.

“We’ve now added to that investigation whether or not consumers have been misled over the seating and the quality of the seating.”

He added that the commission takes such allegations “very seriously” with the potential penalties “significant”.

Riera U. Mallari, Editor; Reuel Vidal, Assistant Editor

sports@manilastandard.net

sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

A8

SATURDAY, AUGUST 24, 2019

Sports

Games Today (Smart Araneta Coliseum) 4 p.m. – Foton vs Petron 6 p.m. – Cignal vs F2 Logistics

SBU’s Calvin Oftana (left) scores against College of St. Benilde’s Kendrix Belgica in an NCAA game won by the Lions, 88-57.

Lions bludgeon Blazers by 31

By Peter Atencio

T

HE defending champion San Beda University Red Lions played tough from the start and quickly threw the College of St. Benilde Blazers off their pace to come away with an 88-57 smashing yesterday at the FilOil-Flying V Sports Center in San Juan.

The Red Lions’ 31-point victory turned out to be the third biggest blowout game of the season as San Beda University went on to notch their eighth straight victory in the 95th National Collegiate Athletic Association men’s basketball tournament.

And it came two weeks after the Red Lions pulled off the season’s biggest win a 102-56 crushing of the University of Perpetual Help Altas.

Second stringer Calvin Oftana scored seven points in the first period as the

2 Filipino swimmers fall short TWO Filipino bets preparing for the 30th Southeast Asian Games failed to advance to the men’s 50-meter backstroke semifinals of the 7th FINA World Junior Swimming Championships on Thursday in Budapest, Hungary.

Men’s backstroke specialists Jaden Christian Olson and Jerard Dominic Jacinto had their chances after the former clocked 26.18 seconds and the latter submitted a time of 26.34 in the heats of the 50-meter preliminary, according to results posted on the event’s website.

Olson and Jacinto ranked 20th and 25th, respectively, out of 85 swimmers entered.

They missed the cut as only the top 16 swimmers advanced to the semifinal round.

The 17-year-old Olson, who was 18/100ths of a second short of his best time, made a memorable performance when he clocked the current national record of 26 seconds two weeks ago in the National Club Swimming Association Summer Swimming Championships in Indianapolis, USA. So far, Daniel Coakley is the first and only Filipino swimmer who managed to advance to the semifinal round at the World Juniors, both in the 50-meter freestyle and 50-meter butterfly in the first edition of the championships in Brazil.

Earlier, 15-year-old Jeremiah Tandingan, broke her own 100m freestyle 14-15 year-old girls’ Philippine junior national record when she clocked 58.49 seconds in the preliminaries This was an improvement on the 58.90-second she submitted in the 43rd Southeast Asian Age Group Swimming Championships in Cambodia last June.

This also put Tandingan up against Xiandi Chua for a slot in the national squad, which will have its final qualifiers in the national open next month, according to swimming officials.

Chua registered a SEA Games’ qualifying time of 58.4 seconds at the Philippine Swimming Long Course Grand Prix National Championships last month. Peter Atencio

Cignal seeks to go all the way in PSL

Lions grabbed a 20-9 advantage going into the next quarter.

Oftana went on to finish with 27 points and nine rebounds for the Red Lions, who went on to match the San Sebastian Stags’ winning margin when they clobbered the Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers, 82-51, last July 9.

“Medyo kinakabahan ako kasi good start ang CSB. But, I’m happy the players came out strong and played well,” said Red Lions’ coach Boyet Fernandez.

The Red Lions, who drew 14 points highlighted by four triples from AC Soberano, moved two notches ahead of the Blazers, who fell behind with their 5-2 win-loss slate.

Soberano’s triple and drive in the last 6:47 of the second period helped propel the Red Lions to a 17-point spread, 32-15.

Treys from Soberano and Clint Doliguez midway in the third provided the Mendiola dribblers fuel to push them to their biggest edge, 62-31.

TY Tang ejection So pissed was Blazers’ coach TY Tang of the Red Lions’ lead that he lost his cool was ejected from the court on two technicals in the last six seconds of the third period.

This was after Tang entered the court to question a non-call and for making faces

at the referees with his hand signals.

“I feel that it was our mental toughness against top teams. All of a sudden, there are things in our game plan that we could not follow,” said a frustrated Tang.

Justin Gutang and James Pasturan tallied 10 points each for the Blazers, who fell to third behind the Lyceum Pirates (6-2).

Later, the San Sebastian Stags celebrated the return of coach Egay Macaraya with a 107-90 clobbering of the University of Perpetual Help Altas.

Allyn Bulanadi chipped in a gamehigh 31 points that sent the Stags to their fourth triumph in seven matches.

Macaraya was suspended for an unsportsmanlike act during the Stags’ game with the Lyceum Pirates.

Two junior games were called off because of bad weather.

Korean foils Ikeda, wins Ladies’ golf title

Hwang Min-Jeong displays her trophy.

HWANG Min-Jeong stayed true to her vow, winning The Women’s Championship at Summit Point crown by one over Chihiro Ikeda as the Korean prevailed in a duel of faltering finishes with a 71 at the Summit Point Golf and Country Club here yesterday.

Hwang, 17, birdied three of the first four holes to break off a tie with Thai Nemittra Juntanaket then watched Ikeda’s blistering rally in a flight ahead fizzle out to clinch the victory, her second in

a young pro career she launched in winning fashion at Splendido last January.

“This championship means so much to me, I gained so much confidence from this win,” said Hwang, who had hinted at getting the trophy after shooting a 69 and forcing a tie with Juntanaket after 36 holes Thursday. The 2018 Philippine Amateur Open winner assembled a 54-hole total of eight-under 208 worth P150,000.

“But one thing I learned this week is that you have no time to relax till the last hole. The

Thai (Juntanaket) is really good and when I saw on the boards that Ikeda is making a rally, I got nervous. I thought I lost it or I would go to a playoff after holing out with a bogey. I’m so glad to win it all,” said Hwang, who also credited his father-caddie-driver Hwang Byung Sug’s role for her victory.

Ikeda nearly spoiled Hwang’s bid as the Fil-Japanese rallied from four down on a stirring three-birdie binge from No. 12, the last netting her a two-shot swing after Hwang bogeyed No. 14 to force a tie at nine-under overall. But the Midlands playoff winner last July bogeyed No. 15 to fall behind again and holed out with another bogey on the 18th in her desperate bid to land a birdie and force a playoff.

She finished with a 69 for second at 209 and received P90,000 while Juntanaket kissed her bid for a second straight Ladies Philippine Golf Tour title after ruling the ICTSI Mount Malarayat Classic last week with bogeys on Nos. 15 and 16 for a 73.

“I gave it my best shot but I came up short,” said the multi-titled Ikeda while stressing the need to work and train hard to achieve another championship.

Tiranan Yoopan pulled to within two with back-to-back birdies from No. 12 but the comely Thai campaigner failed to ride the pressure in the featured flight and bogeyed the par-3 17th. She settled for joint third with Juntanaket at 210 with a 71.

The Country Club’s Eagle Ace Superal closed out with a 72 for joint 11th at 224 with Korean Kang Da Yun, who fumbled with a 77, and took the low amateur trophy for the second straight week.

AFTER shocking reigning champion Petron in the semifinals, Cignal seeks to go all the way and win the title when it clashes with F2 Logistics in Game 1 of their Philippine Superliga All-Filipino Conference best-of-three finals series today at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Action erupts at 6 p.m. with the HD Spikers looking to essay a Cinderella story following a dramatic rally in this prestigious women’s club league bankrolled by Team Rebel Sports, SOGO, Eurotel, PCSO, Cocolife, UCPB Gen, Mueller, Senoh, Asics, Bizooku and One Sport.

Prior to that, Petron and Foton collide in the bronze-medal match at 4 p.m.

The HD Spikers’ journey to the finals is one for the books.

After emerging as fifth seed with a 7-7 win-loss mark, Cignal knocked down fourth seed Generika-Ayala in the quarterfinals to book a semifinal duel with Petron, the two-time champion which is coming in with a twice-to-beat advantage after posting a 13-1 card in the preliminaries.

But the HD Spikers played with hunger and intensity.

In their first encounter, veterans Rachel Anne Daquis and Jovelyn Gonzaga provided the spunk, towing the HD Spikers to a heart-stopping 25-20, 1025, 16-25, 27-25, 15-11 win that sent the series to a deciding game.

With pressure mounting on Petron, Daquis and Gonzaga stormed back, firing 22 and 17 points, respectively, as Cignal booked a dramatic 30-28, 25-21, 17-25, 23-25, 15-8 victory to complete the shocking upset late Thursday at the Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan.

This is the first time for the HD Spikers to reach the All-Filipino finals since joining the league in 2013, making their semifinal victory one of the greatest upsets in Philippine volleyball.

“This is it. We have completed our climb from fifth place to the championship,” said Cignal coach Edgar Barroga following their stunning victory that was witnessed by a large weekday crowd.

“We’re excited because we already addressed our lapses. Hopefully, our magical run continues.”

But if conquering the semifinals was hard, winning it all would be very difficult.

Blocking Cignal’s path to glory is F2 Logistics, another strong team that was made even powerful by the presence of former Arizona University star Kalei Mau.

NCAA table tennis starts Saturday SAN BEDA seeks to extend its reign jn the women’s division for a seventh straight season, while College of Saint Benilde sets its sights for a sixth straight men’s crown in the 95th NCAA table tennis tournament today at the JRU Gym. The Lady Red Paddlers blanked Letran, 3-0, to complete another perfect campaign last year, with Angel Sanchez winning the tournament MVP award.

The Blazers hope to continue their dynasty even without five-time MVP Ryan Jacolo, who has already graduated. St. Benilde turned back the Knights, 3-1, to retain the crown last season.

In the juniors’ division, Letran, which beat San Beda in the Season 94 Finals behind MVP Matt Andrew Ramos, is tipped to remain in the throne.

Djokovic could face Federer in US Open semis, Nadal in finals NEW YORK—Top-ranked defending champion NoHe could be tested by South African Kevin Anvak Djokovic could face Roger Federer in the semi-fiderson or Swiss Stan Wawrinka in the fourth round nals and Rafael Nadal in the final under the US Open and face in-form Russian fifth seed Daniil Medvedraw unveiled Thursday at Flushing Meadows. dev in a quarter-final.

Djokovic, who defeated Federer last month in “Most of the players study the draw to be honest,” an epic Wimbledon final for his 16th Grand Slam Djokovic said. “You look at your section to see who is in crown, had the 20-time Grand Slam champion and there. Most of the players look further than the first round third seed dropped into his half of the draw. but the focus of your attention is on the first round.”

“The finals against Roger in Wimbledon was Djokovic defended his title at Wimbledon, the probably top-two in the most exciting matches I’ve fifth time he has managed the feat at a Grand Slam ever been a part of,” Djokovic said. “It took me but one he has not achieved at Flushing Meadows some time... to get back on track.” after wins in 2011, 2015 and last year.

Federer Nadal Djokovic The other match cited by the 32-year-old Serbian “You have that additional pressure and expectaFederer and Nadal, who have never played at the US star was his five-set victory over Nadal in the 2012 tions,” Djokovic said. “Over time I guess you get Open, could only meet in the final.

Australian Open final. more used to it.

Djokovic, who beat Juan Martin del Potro in last Djokovic is 26-22 all-time against Federer and 28“It’s a paramount challenge, to defend a Grand Slam 26 for his career against Nadal in matches among the year’s US Open final, will play his first-round match title. These are the tournaments you want to win the against Spain’s 76th-ranked Roberto Carballes Baena. most. This is where you want to shine.” AFP Big Three.

IN BRIEF

Hyundai sales rose by 1.6% in 7 months

HYUNDAI Asia Resources Inc., the official distributor of Hyundai vehicles in the Philippines, sold 19,790 units in the first seven months of 2019, up 1.6 percent from 19,478 units year-on-year.

“This year has been challenging for the automotive industry but Hyundai’s modest growth reflects its resilience and strong brand anchored on reliable and comfortable vehicles, superior customer service, and continuing programs to ensure worryfree ownership,” said HARI president and chief exeuctive Ma. Fe Perez-Agudo.

The company said it would continue the upward trend until the end of the year with key programs in the pipeline.

Sales of the passenger car segment declined 15 percent to 10,566 units from 12,487 units on year, but those of light commercial and commercial vehicles rose 28 and 140 percent, respectively.

The market, however, remains strong for compact sedans, with sales of the Reina and the Accent accounting for over half.

Othel V. Campos

Business

Lower House lauded on higher alcohol tax

SEVERAL sectors have praised the Lower House for its swift approval of HB 1026, which seeks to increase taxes on alcohol and electronic cigarettes, barely three weeks after President Duterte endorsed the passage of the remaining packages of the Comprehensive Tax Reform program.

The measure goes on record as the first to be passed by the 18th Congress.

Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez lauded the House Ways and Means Committee chaired by Albay Rep. Joey Salceda for its fast action on the bill, which cleared the way to its speedy approval at the plenary level after going through just a single panel hearing. The Sin Tax Coalition led by co-convener Dr Anthony Leachon has thanked Salceda for the measure’s swift passage because “alcohol and tobacco products are leading causes of non-communicable disease, and this measure will be a positive step in discouraging Filipinos from excessively consuming these products.”

The House approved on August 20 HB 1026 with a 184-2-1 vote during the committee’s first hearing in the 18th Congress.

It was the same version crafted by Salceda and endorsed by the committee on alcohol excise tax and passed by the chamber during the 17th Congress, said Dominguez.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 24, 2019

B1

By Darwin G. Amojelar

The Dam Nai Wind facility in Ninh Thuan province, southern Vietnam, is among the first successful wind power projects in the country.

Aboitiz Power buys wind farm in Vietnam for $46m

By Alena Mae S. Flores

A

BOITIZ Power Corp. signed an agreement to acquire 100 percent of Mekong Wind Pte. Ltd. from Armstrong Southeast Asia Clean Energy Fund Pte. Ltd for $46 million, marking the first time it expanded into the international energy market.

Aboitiz Power’s acquisition, through wholly-owned subsidiary AboitizPower International, included all legal and economic interests in Mekong Wind, which holds a 99.9999934-percent direct interest in Dam Nai Wind Power JSC. Dai Nam Wind owns and operates the 39.4-megawatt onshore wind pow-

er facility in Ninh Thuan province in southern Vietnam. Ninh Thuan boasts of some of the most attractive sites for wind energy in Vietnam.

Dam Nai Wind is one of the first wind power projects in Vietnam to have been successfully brought online with commercial operations starting in late 2017.

“This transaction is a milestone for Aboitiz Power and sets the tone for our expansion in the international market.

We have announced our intentions to go international some time back and we have been prudent in looking for the right opportunity that will bring the best value for the company and our shareholders. This is such a transaction,” Aboitiz Power president and chief executive officer Erramon Aboitiz said in a statement.

The acquisition is subject to customary closing conditions and is expected to be completed in the fourth quarter.

The transaction builds on Aboitiz Power’s investments in the rapid growth of renewable energy and marks its

entry into one of Asia’s most attractive markets.

The investment is also in line with Aboitiz Power’s goal to reach 4,000MW net attributable capacity by 2020 through its balanced mix strategy.

Aboitiz Power said Vietnam, with a robust economic growth backed by strong government support, created an attractive environment for the company to increase its commitment and contribution to energy supply security in Southeast Asia through its wide experience and expertise in the power sector.

“We are excited for this opportunity not only to expand beyond the Philippines but to also bring our experience in the power generation sector, especially in the renewable energy space, to Vietnam. We are proud of what we have done with our Cleanergy brand in the Philippines and we will bring the same level of expertise and dedication to the Vietnam market,” said Aboitiz Power chief operating officer Emmanuel Rubio.

PSALM sells lot of La Union diesel plant for P524.2m STATE-RUN Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corp. said Friday it concluded the sale of parcels of land underlying the Bauang Diesel Power Plant to the provincial government of La Union.

PSALM sad it officially transferred ownership of the asset consisting of 92 lots to the La Union provincial government through the signing of the deed of transfer on August 14.

The province acquired the property for P524.2 million through a government-to-government transaction following PSALM’s policies on transfer of real estate assets.

“This undertaking is a mutually beneficial activity for PSALM and the Provincial Government of La Union. On the part of the Provincial Government, it will be able to now pursue their provincial development goals and plans relative to this valuable piece of property,” said PSALM president and chief executive officer Irene Joy Garcia.

“For PSALM, the sale of the property will help us raise much needed revenues to settle our financial obligations assumed from the National Power Corporation,” she added.

The Bauang Property, located in Payopoc Sur, Bauang, La Union, has an aggregate area of 261,349.32 square meters.

PSALM, tasked to manage the assets and liabilities of National Power Corp., is aggressively pursuing the privatization of real estate properties starting this year.

The agency earlier announced that it was privatizing two real property assets with a combined minimum bid price of P739 million to raise revenues for the government.

Alena Mae S. Flores

business@manilastandard.net extrastory2000@gmail.com

Chelsea gets green light on P16-b Sasa port modernization

Phoenix okays P4.9-b investment in Duta Inc.

PHOENIX Petroleum Philippines Inc. said Friday its board approved the investment of P4.9 billion in Duta Inc. for three years.

“We would like to announce that the company’s board of directors has approved the investment of P4.9 billion worth of corporate funds in Duta, Inc. over a period of 3 years,” the company said in a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange.

Duta is a wholly owned subsidiary of Phoenix and its property holding company.

Meanwhile, in a separate disclosure, Phoenix said it was applying for registration and listing of up to P7 billion worth of preferred shares subject to approval from the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PSE. The company said it was selling the shares for “raising funds for permanent working capital and for general corporate purposes.”

Phoenix pegged the offer price of the the preferred shares at P1,000, or “at a premium to the offer share’s par value per share of P1.”

Phoenix earlier said it increased the company’s planned issuance of perpetual preferred shares to P7 billion from the previously approved P5 billion.

Alena Mae S. Flores

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

SM PRIME CITATION. SM Prime Group is named one of Asia’s best companies to work for by HR Asia. HR Asia, owned by Business Media International, is one of Asia’s leading business-to-business publishers. Maria Margarita Guevara (center) accepts the HR Asia Award on behalf of SM Prime Holdings Inc. on June 21 at the Marriott Hotel Manila.

July budget deficit dropped by 13% to P75.3b—Treasury

By Julito G. Rada THE government’s budget deficit in July declined 13 percent to P75.3 billion from a gap P86.4 billion year-on-year, amid the 9.25-percent growth in revenue collection and the 3.43-percent acceleration in government spending, the Bureau of the Treasury said Friday.

In a statement, the Treasury said the figure brought the budget deficit in the first seven months to P117.9 billion, down 58 percent from P279.4 billion in the same period last year.

Nicholas Mapa, senior economist of ING Bank Manila, said the government started the second half of the year “on the right foot,” showing a decent pickup in expenditure by 3.4 percent while revenue collection remained

strong at 9.3 percent.

“With the budget back online, government expenditures were up 23 percent from June and 3.4 percent up from the July 2018’s spending spree where national government spending was up 34 percent,” Mapa said.

He said with the administration looking to chase a 6-percent growth for 2019, the July numbers mirrored the “stark drawdown in the funds parked with the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas with the Treasury Single Account seeing a decrease of roughly P100 billion.”

Data showed that government revenues in July rose 9.25 percent year-on-year to P264.1 billion. The cumulative revenues from January to July also climbed to P1.81 trillion from the P1.652 trillion raised in the same period last year.

Tax revenues, comprising 89.70 percent of the total collections for the period, grew 9.9 percent or P145.4 billion year-on-year.

The Bureau of Internal Revenue collected P180.3 billion for the month, increasing 9.96 percent or P16.3 billion over the 2018 level. Year-to-date revenues of P1.246.7 billion are up from last year’s collection of P1.128 trillion by 10.47 percent.

Collections by the Bureau of Customs reached P54.6 billion in July, a 4.79-percent increase from the P52.1 billion registered in the same month in 2018. Cumulatively, BOC’s total collection of P357.7 billion in the first seven months improved as well by 7.88 percent or P26.1 billion compared to actual collections in the same period last year.

CHELSEA Logistics and Infrastructure Holdings Inc. of Davao-based businessman Dennis Uy received an original proponent status from staterun Philippine Ports Authority on the P16-billion Sasa Port Modernization Project.

The grant of the OPS was contained in the the Certificate of Successful Negotiation dated August 19, 2019, following the successful negotiation on the scope and details of the project in accordance with government’s joint venture guidelines.

The 25-year joint venture agreement on the modernization of Davao Sasa Port will run in five phases, with phase 1 and phase 2 to be completed in 2021 and 2023, respectively.

The project aims to expand port capacity, improve the flow of waterborne commerce and inter-island seaborne commerce and foreign trades, and streamline, enhance and optimize port maintenance and operations.

It will also promote regional development through the dispersal of industries and commercial activities throughout the region.

Sasa Port is designed for break bulk cargo vessels. About 500,000 metric tons of steel, wheat, fertilizer, motor vehicles, heavy equipment and other cargo not suitable for containers went through Sasa Port in 2014, according to PPA data.

Davao Integrated Port and Stevedoring Services Corp., an operator at the Sasa port, said the current capacity of Sasa was about 700,000 twenty-foot equivalent units.

“We thank the PPA and the Department of Transportation for working closely with us in finalizing the requirements and design of this huge project. As a country’s shipping and logistics industry, Chelsea has been given the opportunity to further upgrade the supply chain management landscape of the country,” said Chelsea president and chief executive Chryss Alfonsus Damuy.

DBP increased first-half income by 12% to P3.1b STATE-RUN Development Bank of the Philippines, the eighth-largest lender in terms of assets, said net income in the first half rose 12 percent to P3.1 billion from P2.76 billion a year ago on the strength of its core businesses.

DBP president and chief executive officer Emmanuel Herbosa said the improved fiscal position of the bank put it in a prime position to support the various growth initiatives of the Duterte administration.

“The remarkable financial performance of DBP has fortified its stance and resources to fund the priority development programs of the national government,” Herbosa said in a statement.

DBP lends to strategic growth sectors such as infrastructure and logistics; micro, small and medium enterprises; social services and community development; and the environment.

Gross loan portfolio increased 19.8 percent to P368.33 billion from P307.47-billion in the previous year.

“Total assets grew to P667.91billion from the P617.87-billion last year and net worth increased by 16.33 percent to P56.78-billion,” Herbosa said. “Our capital adequacy ratio stood at 14.03 percent, which is higher than the industry average of 12.12 percent.”

DBP expanded its deposit levels to P464.83 billion in the first six months from P431.65 billion reported in the same period last year, driven by the aggressive marketing and financial inclusion initiatives undertaken through its expanded branch network.

DBP has 137 branches that include 10 branch-lite units that cater to underserved and underbanked areas in the country.

Herbosa underscored DBP’s continued support to strategic sectors of the economy such as the infrastructure and logistics sector, which received nearly P143-billion in funding assistance. Julito G. Rada

B2

Business

SATURDAY, AUGUST 24, 2019 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Stocks end flat; PLDT advances T HE stock market closed nearly flat Friday in cautious trading, with investors biding their time ahead of the much-anticipated speech of Federal Reserve boss Jerome Powell.

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index slipped just 3.81 points, or 0.05 percent, to 7,845.02 on a value turnover of P4.6 billion. Losers overwhelmed gainers, 133 to 69, with 34 issues unchanged.

Alliance Global Group Inc. of tycoon Andrew Tan lost 4.1 percent to P12.28, while Filinvest land Inc. of the Gotianun Group fell 1.8 percent to 1.65.

PLDT Inc., the biggest telecommunications firm, however, rose 2 percent to P1,153, while newly-listed Kepwealth

Property Phils. Inc. rallied 13.5 percent to P20.80.

The rest of Asian markets headed into the weekend on a cautious note Friday, while the pound held the previous day’s rally fueled by rekindled hopes for a soft Brexit.

After a positive start to the week sparked by China-US trade hopes, investors have taken a wait-and-see approach ahead of Powell’s address, which will be parsed for an idea about the central bank’s plans for monetary policy.

There are hopes he will outline further cuts to borrowing costs, having done so last month for the first time since the financial crisis, but with the US economy in much better health than most others, analysts warn there could be some disappointment.

“One thing to reiterate going into tonight’s speech is that markets seem very clearly positioned for some very dovish

guidance from Mr Powell on US interest rates,” said Jeffrey Halley, senior market analyst at OANDA. “It is a dangerous assumption to make and the corrections across various asset classes if he disappoints could make for a very emotional finish to the week’s trading session.”

That was a sentiment reiterated by New York Mellon chief strategist Alicia Levine, who pointed out that minutes from the Fed’s July meeting showed policymakers were split on the way forward owing to recent upbeat data on the economy.

“The markets want more than the Fed is going to give here,” she told Bloomberg TV. Still, Asia’s main indexes were in positive territory. Tokyo closed 0.4 percent higher, while Hong Kong added 0.6 percent in the afternoon and Shanghai finished up 0.5 percent.

Sydney rose 0.3 percent, Taiwan put on 0.1 percent and Bangkok was 0.6 percent higher.

However, Seoul, Wellington, Mumbai and Jakarta were all lower.

The broadly positive performance followed a soft lead from Wall Street, where traders took note of another inversion of the US Treasury market—when the return on 10-year notes fell below that of two-year notes, which is seen as a sign of a possible recession.

On currency markets, high-yielding, riskier units were broadly lower as traders move into the relative safety of the dollar.

The pound slipped from three-week highs after French President Emmanuel Macron echoed German Chancellor Angela Merkel in allowing Britain to find a solution to the Irish border that has dogged negotiations since 2017.

With AFP

MANILA STANDARD BUSINESS DAILY STOCKS REVIEW FRIDAY, AUGUST 23, 2019

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

FINANCIALS 54.8 6,280 89.9 1,722,970 2.06 4,000 148.2 2,319,740 1.21 183,000 25.9 313,900 18.2 28,500 11.7 223,300 4.85 550,000 1.29 24,000 0.435 100,000 72 1,152,240 0.94 227,000 13.1 111,700 20.7 200 44.85 326,100 189.4 2,190 120 170 57.95 2,950 28 9,200 189.8 566,160 59.05 122,490 1.11 126,000

357,938 153,719,018.50 8,280 339,065,524 205,710 8,170,255 518,700 2,598,542 2,646,750 28,670 44,650 82,606,959.50 209,060 1,463,370 4,140 14,648,525 406,657 20,102 171,053 253,910 106,715,772 7,227,051.50 140,110

-1,118 -15,716,390 -16,396,790 -3,630 -4,821,700 -129,976 -48,650 25,660,678.50 -3,470 -12,636,980 -7,576 -63,759 9,231,549 4,475,621 -

35.4 14.9 0.65 1.31 0.232 109 2.88 14.02 10 15.52 74.4 82.05 2.02 5.31 5.8 8.9 15.06 9.26 7.24 1.63 26 83.2 49.95 1.87 14.5 8 1.48 222 4.7 8.21 22 13.52 18.52 357 0.183 1.73 4.2 5.11 8.56 2.79 10.8 34.65 4.9 5.09 1.7 2.2 1.03 12.4 95.8 7 0.124 0.97 166.1 2.45 1.04 1.1

INDUSTRIAL 37 1,599,200 15 1,541,200 0.68 649,000 1.31 1,000 0.239 940,000 109 20 3.06 8,823,000 14.04 800,600 10.4 581,500 15.98 1,100 75.4 18,290 85.5 30,550 2.02 59,000 5.7 12,000 5.9 26,800 8.9 498,400 15.1 54,700 9.51 56,600 7.25 2,762,100 1.63 5,000 26.55 998,200 83.25 101,400 50.85 254,370 1.9 2,741,000 14.74 1,070,400 8.01 79,800 1.48 74,000 230 603,580 4.75 184,000 8.21 6,800 22.45 521,900 13.56 127,300 18.66 489,700 362 194,890 0.184 490,000 1.81 14,714,000 4.2 49,000 5.11 2,307,800 9.23 12,100 2.81 23,160,000 11.28 76,100 35.5 697,700 5.1 12,072,200 5.09 1,000 1.7 3,125,000 2.2 2,000 1.08 293,000 12.4 186,300 97.5 118,880 7.15 98,400 0.125 1,080,000 0.97 968,000 171 1,517,430 2.45 16,000 1.07 16,698,000 1.13 2,917,000

58,534,070 23,342,864 430,360 1,310 219,240 2,180 26,123,670 11,263,644 6,184,646 17,118 1,374,953 2,570,314 119,180 67,604 157,285 4,455,978 825,914 531,508 20,027,162 8,150 26,410,595 8,455,329 12,837,099.50 5,218,520 15,665,816 639,153 110,610 136,646,342 893,920 55,883 11,547,195 1,735,858 9,130,420 70,694,548 89,750 26,307,140 210,880 11,936,990 106,177 66,112,430 855,500 24,493,980 76,379,519 5,090 5,391,810 4,400 313,560 2,317,558 11,565,192.50 693,630 134,370 965,770 258,357,297 39,200 17,692,140 3,278,930

18,157,770 2,061,946 4,512,010 2,643,550 -48,614 -17,239 -3,619,955 -143,356 -129,047 -19,562,612 3,260 2,170,590 274,565 4,405,768 -775,480 -7,438,162 118,197 5,278,106 8,220 -1,391,905 68,180 7,845,300 27,630,234 494,170 -1,106,147 5,188,860 -36,460 -10,013,830 -9,202,512 70,940 10,400 1,395,966 -7,294,754 3,562 -37,617,517 36,750 -8,051,960 3,330

0.76 50.05 12.06 0.64 7 13.08 1.28 1.29 922.5 3.5 6.7 9.01 13.5 0.222 850 6 65.65 3.8 0.475 4.6 13.46 0.58 4.9 0.038 1.31 173.1 987 0.76 1.38 242 0.227 0.22

HOLDING FIRMS 0.77 43,164,000 51.3 1,099,230 12.26 19,819,300 0.68 344,000 7.01 33,400 13.26 113,900 1.3 6,977,000 1.31 499,000 955.5 447,380 3.54 3,861,000 6.83 238,600 9.22 3,960,200 13.6 537,500 0.233 80,000 864 93,980 6.28 700 68.8 2,033,770 5.5 28,100 0.49 130,000 4.61 1,218,000 13.62 331,700 0.61 660,000 4.98 24,356,800 0.038 5,200,000 1.36 757,000 175 171,660 1,004 313,215 0.79 684,000 1.41 103,000 251.4 17,740 0.236 3,020,000 0.23 2,320,000

33,749,300 56,222,561 243,504,490 231,840 233,846 1,534,584 9,036,350 649,550 423,306,665 13,661,020 1,605,958 36,058,078(12 7,312,016 18,120 80,575,930 4,228 138,037,119 152,303 63,600 5,691,330 4,502,014 388,190 121,478,634 199,600 1,026,660 29,991,236 311,659,950 531,560 144,010 4,463,332 693,730 522,790

167,680 6,972,613.50 -125,571,700 136,000 -40,080 310,700 37,697,695 10,420 -162,260 ,488,151.0001) -7,192,640 -6,371,645 -628 25,834,580 -2,578,380 -1,124,632 1,752,592 -1,006,228 -73,284,020 56,250 -3,659,924 -

15.46 0.78 10.4 1.87 0.88 47.75 2.15 4.7 5.83 0.56 0.73 0.88 0.226 0.385 9 23 0.45 1.59 1.24 4.74 0.295 0.45 1.31 0.38 1.99 23.85 2.33 3.3

PROPERTY 15.46 996,900 0.79 503,000 10.4 2,000 1.91 453,000 0.92 7,150,000 48.9 12,861,400 2.19 295,000 4.71 724,000 6.16 200 0.58 19,152,000 0.76 59,000 0.88 26,000 0.226 710,000 0.4 4,410,000 9 2,426,000 24 1,196,300 0.465 210,000 1.59 83,070,000 1.27 1,216,000 4.8 61,611,000 0.295 23,840,000 0.465 4,350,000 1.33 3,419,000 0.38 10,000 2.03 772,000 24.6 4,086,700 2.35 130,000 3.3 60,000

15,437,110 396,090 20,800 854,890 6,365,370 622,555,250 641,380 3,451,870 1,199 11,012,460 ( 43,980 23,100 160,460 1,785,150 22,286,328 28,147,110 94,800 133,767,100 1,531,990 295,391,520 7,110,850 2,006,800 4,584,280 3,800 1,544,650 99,319,455 308,590 198,000

-580,926 -9,350 716,970 -125,509,125 -56,550 -2,128,410 353,770.0003) 28,520 -15,360,908 23,219,065 -76,714,460 -88,506,580 -42,150 -9,200 22,790 -17,694,745 -

NAME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

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

57 88.45 2.08 147 1.12 26.2 18.2 11.58 4.91 1.13 0.43 71.65 0.91 13.1 20.7 45 187.1 115 57.85 27.3 187.4 59.05 1.12

57 89.95 2.08 148.2 1.21 26.2 18.2 11.78 4.91 1.29 0.45 72 0.94 13.2 20.7 45.1 189.4 121.9 58.05 28 191 59.1 1.12

54.8 87.25 2.06 144.3 1.12 25.85 18.2 11.58 4.74 1.13 0.43 70.3 0.91 13.1 20.7 44.85 185 115 57.85 27.25 185.2 59 1.11

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

35.95 14.96 0.67 1.31 0.233 109 2.95 14.2 11.4 15.52 76.3 89.45 2.02 5.31 5.9 9 15.16 9.5 7.25 1.63 26.75 84.3 50 1.9 14.76 8 1.54 225 4.78 8.46 22.15 13.84 18.52 357 0.183 1.77 4.4 5.27 9.1 2.85 10.8 35.7 6.78 5.09 1.77 2.2 1.1 12.4 96.7 7.15 0.127 1.05 170 2.45 1.08 1.14

37 15.24 0.68 1.31 0.242 109 3.07 14.2 11.4 15.98 78 89.45 2.02 5.7 5.9 9 15.16 9.65 7.3 1.63 26.75 84.3 51.95 1.96 14.76 8.1 1.54 230 4.94 8.46 22.45 13.84 18.68 366 0.184 1.85 4.4 5.27 9.23 2.93 11.28 35.8 7.38 5.09 1.77 2.2 1.12 12.54 98 7.2 0.127 1.05 171.6 2.45 1.09 1.19

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

0.82 50.5 12.76 0.64 7 14.24 1.29 1.29 932.5 3.62 6.8 9.06 13.8 0.235 850 6 67.4 6.99 0.495 4.65 13.58 0.58 5.05 0.039 1.39 175 989 0.76 1.41 242 0.23 0.22

0.82 51.75 12.8 0.68 7.09 14.6 1.32 1.31 955.5 3.62 6.83 9.22 13.8 0.235 866.5 6.28 68.8 6.99 0.495 4.8 13.62 0.61 5.07 0.039 1.4 176 1,004 0.82 1.41 254 0.236 0.23

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 FILINVEST LAND GLOBAL ESTATE MEGAWORLD MRC ALLIED PHIL ESTATES PHIL INFRADEV PHIL REALTY PRIMEX CORP ROBINSONS LAND ROCKWELL SHANG PROP

15.5 0.79 10.4 1.9 0.9 48.45 2.15 4.78 5.83 0.58 0.77 0.89 0.226 0.385 9.41 23.6 0.455 1.67 1.27 4.85 0.305 0.45 1.38 0.38 2.01 23.9 2.41 3.3

15.5 0.8 10.4 1.91 0.93 49 2.21 4.79 6.16 0.58 0.77 0.89 0.226 0.43 9.41 24 0.465 1.67 1.27 4.93 0.305 0.48 1.4 0.38 2.03 24.85 2.41 3.3

VOLUME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

VOLUME

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

SM PRIME HLDG STA LUCIA LAND STARMALLS SUNTRUST HOME VISTA LAND

34.7 2.39 5.72 0.98 7.45

35 2.39 5.88 0.99 7.47

34.45 2.33 5.56 0.88 7.37

34.8 2.38 5.81 0.91 7.42

7,672,700 1,023,000 85,900 4,472,000 7,032,700

266,930,820 2,412,850 482,817 4,133,040 52,217,710

-14,084,685 -325,850 -22,613,072

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

10.5 20.15 1.47 0.54 0.045 18.5 2.32 10.44 0.058 95.5 6.4 8.6 1,890 5.31 413 1.65 1.86 129.9 5.2 0.108 4.72 2.9 14.6 3.2 0.86 18.78 0.47 3 2.45 1.42 15.16 2.14 2.75 8.1 2.9 4.62 3.09 1,128 0.68 0.5 44.3 77 9.09 2.7 0.68 0.34 5.46 0.67 16.62

10.5 20.15 1.53 0.62 0.047 18.5 2.35 10.44 0.058 96.9 7.25 8.6 1,900 5.35 426 1.65 1.86 132.3 5.2 0.108 5.25 3.09 14.6 3.2 0.86 19 0.47 3.03 2.45 1.42 15.16 2.16 2.75 8.1 2.9 4.62 3.09 1,156 0.69 0.5 44.3 80.5 9.09 2.8 0.68 0.36 5.46 0.68 16.66

10 18.52 1.47 0.53 0.045 18.5 2.24 10.12 0.057 94.8 6.22 8 1,890 5.29 413 1.56 1.83 128.9 5.2 0.107 4.52 2.82 14.6 3.13 0.85 18.78 0.45 3 2.4 1.42 15.16 2.1 2.64 8 2.84 4.62 2.95 1,116 0.67 0.48 43.5 76.9 9.03 2.68 0.66 0.335 5.45 0.66 16.54

SERVICES 10.2 18.56 1.53 0.59 0.047 18.5 2.35 10.12 0.058 96.25 7.15 8.22 1,899 5.34 426 1.59 1.83 132.3 5.2 0.107 5.04 3.07 14.6 3.18 0.85 19 0.45 3.03 2.4 1.42 15.16 2.13 2.7 8 2.84 4.62 3.05 1,149 0.68 0.49 44 80.5 9.03 2.79 0.66 0.35 5.46 0.68 16.66

19,800 300,900 4,000 48,985,000 4,200,000 600 401,000 6,102,800 5,740,000 407,730 5,722,600 68,900 47,525 54,100 360 1,353,000 110,000 1,657,610 400 900,000 7,259,000 20,000 300 314,000 352,000 19,200 50,000 28,000 1,712,000 4,000 100 1,482,000 139,000 61,900 263,000 2,000 2,596,000 146,335 1,997,000 16,465,000 1,513,400 82,970 10,000 5,225,000 3,654,000 14,020,000 3,905,800 1,070,000 1,258,500

205,050 5,789,017 6,000 28,820,980 193,500 11,100 913,330 62,084,218 329,730 39,269,712 39,094,957 568,824 90,232,180 287,628 151,246 2,150,410 202,920 216,744,356 2,080 96,800 34,931,470 58,130 4,380 994,420 300,750 361,082 23,300 84,660 4,137,160 5,680 1,516 3,136,890 376,000 498,828 751,480 9,240 7,790,680 166,597,005 1,353,900 8,033,885 66,520,350 6,612,045 90,584 14,404,870 2,436,270 4,864,650 21,304,781 714,620 20,888,782

-42,500 11,100 -25,930,340 27,462,392 -1,042,664 1,507,935 7,950 35,041,153 365,980.00 -41,500 12,720 10,720 37,600 -41,210 19,050 -202,640 315,060 -11,600,025 -567,370 4,449,430 -486,560 -44,200 -54,600 161,040 13,336,798

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

0.0017 1.28 12.68 2.72 0.27 7.88 1.43 0.207 0.112 0.112 0.01 1.09 2.6 1.03 0.465 0.81 0.011 0.012 0.011 10.8 3.9 13.76 22.8 0.0062

0.0017 1.29 12.68 2.76 0.27 7.88 1.45 0.207 0.112 0.114 0.011 1.09 2.6 1.04 0.465 0.82 0.012 0.013 0.011 13.4 3.9 13.76 22.95 0.0062

0.0016 1.21 11.54 2.72 0.27 7.74 1.42 0.2 0.11 0.111 0.01 1.01 2.46 0.98 0.455 0.81 0.011 0.012 0.01 7.7 3.69 12.46 22.5 0.0062

MINING & OIL 0.0017 127,000,000 1.25 11,143,000 12.58 8,200 2.76 54,000 0.27 110,000 7.85 1,200 1.43 1,085,000 0.204 410,000 0.112 1,100,000 0.114 3,450,000 0.011 3,900,000 1.05 348,000 2.5 3,227,000 1.03 5,000 0.455 170,000 0.82 356,000 0.011 8,500,000 0.013 3,300,000 0.011 134,900,000 7.84 48,666,300 3.7 1,110,000 12.74 4,034,100 22.65 297,000 0.0062 3,000,000

215,700 13,956,500 96,956 148,110 29,700 9,373 1,555,520 82,280 122,050 392,310 41,500 355,740 8,067,130 ( 5,100 77,850 289,810 100,300 42,800 1,395,900 528,196,485 4,162,430 52,296,796 6,730,370 18,600

-217,000 148,750 -294,120 89,890 264,680.0003) 42,800 1,436,198 192,460 4,451,354 1,545,220 -

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

18.28 499.4 500 101.1 107 499 505 5.29 1,000 980 100 0.99 101.1 1,020 1,030 1,040 109.5 1,008 76 78.5 75.5 75.95 76.9 75.75 75.05 75.7

18.3 500 500 101.5 107 499 509.5 5.29 1,000 1,000 100 1 101.1 1,020 1,030 1,040 109.5 1,008 76 78.5 75.5 75.95 76.95 75.75 75.05 76.4

17.4 499.4 500 101 105.5 499 505 5.29 1,000 980 100 0.99 101.1 1,020 1,030 1,030 109.5 1,008 76 78.5 75.45 75.95 76.9 75.7 75.05 75.7

PREFERRED 17.4 245,500 500 5,050 500 20 101 17,000 105.5 29,920 499 160 509.5 4,660 5.29 100 1,000 10 1,000 3,240 100 640 1 3,000 101.1 10 1,020 450 1,030 480 1,030 50 109.5 10 1,008 20 76 250 78.5 42,940 75.5 25,000 75.95 8,000 76.95 16,510 75.7 2,610 75.05 3,400 76.4 7,460

4,312,706 2,524,976 10,000 1,724,992 3,157,040 79,840 2,353,525 529 10,000 3,178,530 64,000 2,980 1,011 459,000 494,400 51,700 1,095 20,160 19,000 3,370,790 1,887,470 607,600 1,269,944.50 197,577.50 255,170 564,729

-3,104,242 -39,250 -

LR WARRANT

1.52

1.55

1.51

WARRANTS 1.55 81,000

123,590

-

59,277,099 892,328,393 4,999,280

-137,182 1,208,479 -1,327,880

789,172

-11,680

176,220.80 10,300

-

NAME

MS ITALPINAS KEPWEALTH XURPAS

6.9 23 0.96

8.23 27.35 0.97

6.86 13.02 0.92

FIRST METRO ETF

117

118.2

116.8

USD DMPL A1 USD TECH B2

10.32 1.03

10.34 1.03

10.32 1.03

TRADING SUMMARY FINANCIAL

SHARES 8,432,362

INDUSTRIAL

109,574,302

HOLDING FIRMS

146,530,659

PROPERTY

258,223,661

SERVICES

140,121,826

MINING & OIL

356,188,073

GRAND TOTAL

1,075,392,054

7.9 15 0.94

SME

7,674,300 43,345,800 5,292,000

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 118.2 6,740 DDS 10.34 1.03

17,050 10,000

VALUE 1,827.12 (UP) 13.32 748,607,256.69 FINANCIAL INDUSTRIAL 10,997.00 (UP) 22.20 1,328,763,108.174 HOLDING FIRMS 7,772.54 (UP) 58.89 1,908,267,557.35 PROPERTY 4,016.69 (DOWN) 18.00 1,589.89 (UP) 10.77 1,737,243,836.42 SERVICES MINING & OIL 8,074.00 (DOWN) 196.93 861,382,618.28 PSEI 7,889.41 (UP) 40.58 618,422,724.522 All Shares Index 4,770.38 (UP) 13.23 8,160,096,623.47 Gainers: 93; Losers: 109; Unchanged: 48; Total: 250

San Miguel’s P10b worth of bonds acquire highest rating

By Jenniffer B. Austria CONGLOMERATE San Miguel Corp. obtained the highest credit rating of PRS Aaa from Philippine Rating Services Corp. on its planned P10 billion bond offering scheduled in October.

PhilRatings also maintained a rating of PRS Aaa on San Miguel’s outstanding fixed-rate bonds worth 50 billion.

Obligations rated PRS Aaa are of the highest quality with minimal credit risk.

The obligor’s capacity to meet financial commitment on the obligation is extremely strong.

In assigning the rating, PhilRatings considered the conglomerate’s steady cash flow generation that is seen to further strengthen as revenues from finished energy and infrastructure projects start to trickle in.

PhilRatings cited the company’s adequate liquidity and financial flexibility, well-entrenched market leadership and solid track record of subsidiaries, backed by stable demand due to the growing domestic economy.

PhilRating said the group’s experienced management team also provided assurance that the conglomerate’s aggressive growth strategy would be soundly executed.

“PhilRatings shall continuously monitor developments relating to SMC and may change the ratings at any time, should circumstances warrant a change,” the rating agency said.

The P10-billion bond offering represents the fourth and final tranche of the company’s P60 billion three-year bond shelf registration program earlier approved by the Securities and Exchange Commission. The bonds maturing in 2024 will carry a fixed interest rate per annum.

San Miguel has tapped BDO Capital and Investments Corp., China Bank Capital Corp., PNB Capital and Investments Corp. and RCBC Capital Corp. as joint lead underwriters and book runners of the bond offering.

San Miguel plans to use net proceeds from the bond offering to fund the redemption of the outstanding preferred shares of the company maturing next month or refinancing or re-denomination of existing loan obligations.

“PhilRatings also notes the SMC group’s historical success in tapping the debt market, with previous issuances of peso-denominated bonds and notes seeing strong market reception,” the rating’s agency said

AEV’s construction unit sees revenues hitting P7.5b by ‘20

By Darwin G. Amojelar THE construction unit of Aboitiz Equity Ventures Inc. has projected revenues to reach P7.5 billion in 2020, driven by new contracts from big infrastructure projects.

“We are forecasting before the end of the year we will end with about another P6.5 billion and P7.5 billion for next year,” said Aboitiz Construction Inc. president and chief operating officer Albert Ignacio Jr. Aboitiz Construction last year posted a total revenue of P5.5 billion.

Ignacio said the growth driver would come from new market opportunities, such as infrastructure and logistics.

He cited that JG Summit Holdings Inc. was expanding its propylene plant in Batangas.

“It’s a big project, and I think because of the size, they need to have their own power plant. Right now we are working inside, we are doing significant work inside the plant—electrical, mechanical, erection of structures—we are doing it for JG Summit. (Before construction is finished), they (will) need more power, so they plan to build their own power plant, we are also looking at that,” Ignacio said.

Early this month, Aboitiz Construction completed the expansion of the shipbuilding facilities of Austal Philippines that involved the design and construction of six assembly bays, including the recently-inaugurated John Rothwell Assembly Bay, all based in Austal’s shipyard in Balamban, Cebu.

Aboitiz Construction’s work covered Bays 4, 5, 6, 7, 9 and 10. The expanded facility aims to meet the growing demand for commercial and defense vessels, including the manufacture of large, high-speed aluminum passenger and vehicle passenger ferries.

The John Rothwell Assembly Bay is an impressive structure measuring 120 meters long, 43 meters wide and 41 meters tall. It is designed to accommodate large vessel projects for hull assembly, final outfitting and painting capacity.

World

B3

SATURDAY, AUGUST 24, 2019 CESAR BARRIOQUINTO, Editor mst.daydesk@gmail.com

IN BRIEF Putin opponent Navalny released

MOSCOW―Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny was released on Friday after serving 30 days in jail for planning opposition protests, which have grown into a movement that has shaken Moscow since last month.

Police were present outside the prison on his release but made no move to re-arrest him, as they have when other opposition figures were freed recently.

Navalny emerged from jail smiling, wearing a sweatshirt and sports trousers and with a bag slung over his shoulder.

The opposition leader and anti-corruption campaigner immediately condemned “acts of terror” by Russian authorities in putting down protests in Moscow in recent weeks.

“The movement will continue to grow and the regime will strongly regret what it has done,” he told journalists.

Navalny was arrested in Moscow on July 24 as he left his home to go jogging and buy flowers for his wife’s birthday.

The move came as authorities sought to crush a new wave of opposition protests over the exclusion of several opposition figures, including allies of Navalny, from local Moscow polls on September 8.

As he enters his third decade in power, President Vladimir Putin’s approval ratings have dropped significantly and critics say the authorities fear any outlet calling for wider political change.

Navalny, 43, a Yale-educated lawyer, was sentenced to 30 days in jail for violating laws on the organization of demonstrations.

During his incarceration, he was treated in hospital for what doctors called a “severe allergic reaction”, while Navalny said he might have been “poisoned.” AFP

Indonesia’s convicts return to prison

SORONG, Indonesia―More than 270 inmates―including convicted murderers― who bolted from a prison torched during violent riots in Indonesia’s Papua region have returned to finish their sentences, a corrections official said Friday.

The convicts are even helping build a temporary office for their jailers, he added, after parts of the building in Sorong city went up in flames this week.

About half the prison’s 500 inmates fled Monday as protesters outside set the jail and other buildings ablaze.

“But they weren’t trying to escape― they just wanted to save themselves from the fire,” prison spokesman Elly Yuzar said Friday.

“They also worried about their families... Even convicted murderers have come back voluntarily,” he added, without elaborating.

The riots and demonstrations in the restive region were triggered by the weekend arrest of dozens of Papuan students in Indonesia’s second-biggest city Surabaya, where they were also targeted with racial abuse.

In Sorong, search teams had fanned out across the city of some 220,000 in a bid to find the escaped prisoners or contact their families, Yuzar said, adding that a dozen were still on the run.

But why would anyone return to prison in a country with notoriously overcrowded and unsanitary jails? AFP

FESTIVAL.

Children dressed as the Hindu deity Krishna pose at an event to celebrate the Janamashtami festival, which marks Krishna’s birthday, in Hyderabad on Aug. 23, 2019. AFP

Hong Kong protesters get inked Tears, fear H as Russian ONG KONG―As a tattooist’s black ink fills the petals of Hong Kong’s Bauhinia flower on her upper thigh, ‘C’ says the indelible act of rebellion will forever serve as a reminder of the city’s summer of defiance.

“No matter how many years pass, I’ll remember this year; I decided to stand up to fight for my freedom and to fight for what I really care about,” said the finance worker who asked to be identified only by an initial.

From umbrellas and Chinese calligraphy, to gas masks and helmets, people are getting their bodies inked as a sign of solidarity with a protest movement challenging the city’s government and its Beijing backers.

The Bauhinia flower is the emblem of Hong Kong and normally colored red, but is represented in black in C’s tattoo as a mark of the troubles clouding the city.

The five stars on the flower’s petals, which usually represent China and its ruling Communist Party, are also missing―a move commonly made by

Hong Kongers who want to separate their identity from the mainland.

Since June when the largest protests to hit Hong Kong in decades erupted, tattoo studios have received a surge in requests for protest-related artworks.

They include a so-called ambigram that from one angle reads “Hong Kong” and from another “add oil”―a Cantonese expression of encouragement that has become one of the catchphrases of the unrest.

“Tattooing is an action to show that you have control over your own body,” said Iris Lam, a 28-year-old tattooist recognized for her calligraphy-like style.

“It helps people think about freedom of speech and even freedom of thought.”

One of Lam’s clients, a 40-year-old protester, had requested a full sleeve tattoo depicting scenes of Hong Kong’s demonstrations but decided to hold off until the protests are over.

“He doesn’t want to get hit by tear gas with a big wound on his body,” she explained. “It would be painful and trouble to take care of, so he wants to do his tattoo after the protests.”

Many protests have seen violent clashes, with police using tear gas and rubber bullets, and hardcore demonstrators throwing bricks and

molotov cocktails.

The crisis began with protests against plans to allow extraditions of suspects to mainland China, then morphed into a broad pro-democracy campaign that has seen hundreds of thousands of people march regularly through the streets.

The magnitude of the ongoing protests is what has brought people together, said Vincent Yau, another Hong Kong tattoo artist.

“A lot of people want to commemorate this,” Yau said, and tattoos are a way to “say to yourself that you were part of a movement this big.”

Yau said his studio had been doing most of the tattoos for free.

“It’s our way of supporting this movement.”

Lam said the tattoo community has banded together tightly over Hong Kong’s protests.

“Art is power, to spread an idea or to touch people or to inspire people,” she said.

Lam is also involved in creating Hong Kong pro-democracy propaganda posters and art.

Asked if she feared repercussions from being so strongly supportive of the protests, Lam was unfazed.

“No,” she shrugged. “I can still tattoo from jail.” AFP

Rivals trade barbs over new arms race UNITED NATIONS―Russia and the US traded accusations at the United Nations Thursday of risking a new arms race as China said it would play no part in any new missile deal.

The United States and Moscow ditched the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) treaty after blaming each other for violating the accord.

Deputy Russian Ambassador to the United Nations Dmitry Polyanskiy told the Security Council that Washington’s testing of a groundlaunched missile earlier this week showed “America is ready for an arms race.”

Russia had requested the meeting after the US tested a type of missile that was banned under the 1987 INF agreement, which restricted such mediumrange weapons.

Polyanskiy added that Russia, on the other hand, was ready for “serious dialogue” over arms control, accusing European countries of tolerating the US’s actions.

“The Russian Federation and China would still like a world where the United States exercises self-restraint while they continue their arms buildups unabated and unabashed,” said his US counterpart Jonathan Cohen.

“US flight tests to develop a groundlaunched, conventional capability are neither provocative nor destabilizing.

We will not stand idle,” he added.

The missile tested on Sunday was a version of the nuclear-capable Tomahawk cruise missile. The groundlaunched version of the Tomahawk was removed from service after the INF was ratified. AFP

STILL AT IT. From left, Mick Jagger, Ronnie Wood, Charlie Watts and Keith Richards of The Rolling Stones perform onstage at Rose Bowl on August 22, 2019, in Pasadena, California. AFP

youth jailed over protests

MOSCOW―In a court on the outskirts of Moscow, fellow students of Yegor Zhukov started weeping as he delivered a speech via a video link from jail.

“I don’t know if I’ll become free myself,” he said, “but Russia definitely will.”

The 21-year-old is among a group of young protesters with bright futures risking criminal convictions and lifechanging jail terms as Russia attempts to quell dissent.

Zhukov is the most prominent among them thanks to his popular YouTube clips where he criticizes President Vladimir Putin’s regime and backs the anti-corruption campaign of opposition leader Alexei Navalny.

In recent weeks tens of thousands of protesters have taken to the streets of Moscow after authorities blocked Navalny’s allies from running in next month’s election for the city parliament.

Police have arrested around 3,000 people at the biggest demonstrations the country has seen in years, but most were released shortly after.

However, around 10 remain in pretrial detention and face up to eight years in jail for participating in what prosecutors call “mass disorder”. Several others are facing related charges such as attacking police.

Zhukov, who was due to begin fourth-year studies at the prestigious Moscow Higher School of Economics (HSE), saw dozens of HSE students and teachers come out to support him at his recent appeal hearing, but the judge ruled he must stay in prison pending trial.

“Many students feel that they could easily be in his place,” said HSE postgraduate Armen Aramyan, 22, condemning what he called “lawless actions by this repressive machine.”

Anastasia Solovyova, a 20-year-old student, said she was still emotional after the judge’s ruling.

“I’m very upset right now,” she said, adding that she was one of those who cried during the hearing.

First-year law student Boris Karpyshev said, “You fear a lot for your future.” AFP

UN, France raise concern over Amazon wildfires ‘crisis’ SALVADOR, Brazil―Paris and the United Nations called Thursday for the protection of the fire-plagued Amazon rain forest as Brazil’s right-wing president accused his French counterpart of having a “colonialist mentality” over the issue.

Official figures show nearly 73,000 forest fires were recorded in Brazil in the first eight months of the year―the highest number for any year since 2013.

Most were in the Amazon.

The extent of the area damaged by fires has yet to be determined, but smoke has choked Sao Paulo and several other Brazilian cities in the past week.

UN chief Antonio Guterres said he was “deeply concerned” by the fires.

“In the midst of the global climate crisis, we cannot afford more damage to a major source of oxygen and biodiversity,” he said on Twitter.

“The Amazon must be protected.”

France’s President Emmanuel Macron said the wildfires were “an international crisis” and called on the globe’s most industrialized nations to address it at their summit this weekend.

“Our house is on fire. Literally. The Amazon, the lung of our planet which produces 20 percent of our oxygen is burning,” Macron said on Twitter.

“It is an international crisis. Members of the G7, let’s talk in two days about this emergency.”

That did not sit well with Brazil’s President Jair Bolsonaro.

“The French president’s suggestion that Amazon issues be discussed at the G-7 without participation by the countries in the region evokes a colonialist mentality that is out of place in the 21st century,” Bolsonaro wrote on Twitter.

Neighboring Peru, which contains much of the Amazon basin, announced it was “on alert” for wildfires spreading from the rain forest in Brazil and Bolivia.

Paraguay and Bolivia are battling separate wildfires that have devastated large areas of their rain forests.

Environmental specialists say the fires have accompanied a rapid rate of deforestation in the Amazon region, which in July quadrupled compared to the same month in 2018, according to data from the National Institute for Space Research (INPE).

Bolsonaro instead attributes the fires to increased drought, and accuses environmental groups and NGOs of whipping up an “environmental psychosis” to harm Brazil’s economic interests. AFP

Mitsukoshi Nihombashi Main Store

Mitsukoshi Ginza

Isetan Shinjuku Main Store

High-end mall to bring ‘Japanese aesthetic’ to Manila’s shopping scene

Artist’s Perspective of Mitsukoshi Façade along 36th Street

world—spanning all categories from clothing to food—in addition to presenting design, service, and attention to detail that are second to none.

By Hector Zabala

D

ESPITE the growing popularity of the country’s online retail industry, one thing remains constant: brick and mortar stores are here to stay.

NEDA, the Department of Finance and Nielsen have reported that prospects for the retail industry remain positive, bolstered by economic growth and strong domestic demand. As consumers become aware of local and international trends, their purchase decisions have evolved from simply transactional to more experiential.

The positive industry outlook for Philippine retail prompted foreign retailers to partner up with local companies, and establish their presence in the Philippines. One of them is Isetan Mitsukoshi Holdings, Ltd., one of Japan’s largest department store groups.

The Japanese retailer partnered with premiere real estate developer Federal Land, Inc. to develop and operate the four-storey Mitsukoshi located at the latter’s integrated use project in Bonifacio Global City, Grand Central Park.

Collaborative corporate culture “We are very positive about the rapidly growing market in the Philippines. The consumption and taste is definitely maturing and we believe that there is a chance for Mitsukoshi to be part of the Philippine retail landscape.” Isetan Mitsukoshi Holdings, Ltd. Real Estate Development Headquarters Overseas Real Estate Promotion Dept General Manager Daisuke Kobayashi explains.

“GT Capital Holdings, which is affiliated with many Japanese companies, has a diligent and collaborative corporate culture. This culture made us consider the Philippines and start a business with them,” he adds.

Guided by more than 300 years of experience, Isetan Mitsukoshi creates extraordinary retail environments for shoppers and retailers, as well as communities and investors.

Its portfolio includes 24 department stores across Japan and 34 retail fronts on international shores, a few of them in major cities in Southeast Asia. Each of these stores gives consumers more than what the traditional shopping mall has to offer, purveying high-end merchandise from Japan and around the

Beauty Apothecary at Isetan Shinjuku Main Store

Artist’s Perspective of the Supermarket

Artist’s Perspective of the Food Court

From kimono-making to an internationally acclaimed brand The history of Mitsukoshi dates back to 1673, when it was founded by Takatoshi Mitsui. On the other hand, Isetan, founded by Tanji Kosuge, first opened its doors in 1886. Both companies were originally kimono drapers. The two companies merged in 2008 to form Isetan Mitsukoshi Holdings, Ltd. Three key stores in Tokyo are particularly popular in the Isetan Mitsukoshi portfolio—the Mitsukoshi Nihombashi Main Store, the original Mitsukoshi flagship that is celebrated for being Japan’s first modern-day department store; the Mitsukoshi Ginza Store, a defining landmark in the chic Ginza neighborhood of Tokyo that disseminates the latest Japanese and international trends; and Isetan Shinjuku Main Store, acclaimed as the ideal retailer for those who wish to stay abreast of cutting-edge styles and modern fashion.

Soon to be a world-class destination The country’s first Mitsukoshi in BGC is set to become a world-class destination. It will be offering dining, leisure, and entertainment choices that will delight shoppers from different age groups, with distinct areas for families, young children, and Metro Manila’s most discerning shoppers.

An entire floor will be dedicated to Japanese food, housing a food hall, premium restaurants, and a supermarket that will sell high-quality ingredients. Another floor will be devoted to cosmetics and fragrances, as well as beauty-related services. In addition, the mall will also have a dedicated Kids and Nursery Room, where parents can care for their toddlers and babies in between rounds of shopping.

Mitsukoshi in the Philippines is a collaboration between Federal Land, Inc., Nomura Real Estate Co., Ltd, and Isetan Mitsukoshi Holdings, Ltd. It will anchor The Seasons Residences, a four-tower residential development that will introduce Japanesestyle living to BGC. Mitsukoshi in the Philippines is slated to open in 2021.

For more information, call our hotline at (632) 359-6756, email us at digital.mktg@federalland.ph, or visit the showroom at 7th Ave. cor. 34th St., Grand Central Park, North BGC, Taguig City (across the Lexus Manila Showroom).

Life

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

ARTS AND CULTURE

SATURDAY, AUGUST 24, 2019

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HE exotic sights, scents, and sounds of Marrakesh are captured in one festival happening here in Metro Manila.

Ongoing until Sept. 1, Rustan’s is staging its second Moroccan festival, Fall in Love with Morocco.

The festival, happening at Rustan’s Makati and Rustan’s Shangri-La, lets shoppers and curious mall-goers discover charming pieces for the home, fashion items, and local food that are distinctly Moroccan.

The upscale department store has scoured the souks and boutiques of Marrakech to bring delightful service ware and drinkware such as beautifully embellished tea sets, plates, bowls, saucers, and the widely regarded national treasure, tagines.

Masterfully crafted rugs and carpets with their intricate Arabian designs, as well as poufs and pillow covers made from luxurious fabrics also await gracious homemakers. The iconic designs of Morocco come fully alive through the colorfully embellished lanterns and lamps with tables and fountains, which blend perfectly well with vibrant cactus FROM MOROCCO, WITH LOVE. The Moroccan festival at Rustan’s features home pieces, fashion items, and cuisines from the vibrant and charming North African country. plants that add that pop of green. lend its miraculous beautifying benefits In the fashion section, bejeweled to every woman. shawls, slippers, kaftans, and D’jellaba A special culinary presentation will are available to offer comfortable and take place at Rustan’s Makati, on the 5th luxurious everyday wear. level, as Café Casablanca, which will Argan oil, harvested straight from the open soon, will be headed by Moroccan heart of the desert, is also available to chef Rachida Bousta. Diners can travel through their taste buds, starting from the richly spiced lamb and beef roasts, to sweet and nutty deserts.

On August 27, restaurateur Happy Ongpauco-Tiu will lead an intimate, hands-on workshop exclusive to HSBC premier cardholders about how to create their own Moroccan-inspired spread.

While interior decorator Rachelle Wenger will share tips and techniques on tablescapes on August 30 at the Grand Atrium in Shangri-La Plaza.

A heart-thumping belly dancing performance is happening at Rustan’s Makati on August 31. Complimentary tickets will be given to customers with a minimum single-receipt purchase worth P10,000 of Moroccan merchandise bought from August 7 to 31.

Meanwhile, HSBC offers its cardholders 0 percent interest for six months for minimum single receipt purchases of P10,000 and X10 FSP points on Moroccan merchandise. While those who wish to fly to Morocco may check out the travel fair at Rustan’s Makati on August 24-25 and Assorted Moroccan carpets and poufs Comfortable to don, Kaftans are ideal for everyday wear. at Rustan’s Shangri-La on August 30-31.

A Moroccan dream

Filipino design collective joins Maison et Objet KINDRED, a design collective of 13 Filipino designers and manufacturers will head to Paris in September to participate in this year’s Maison et Objet international trade fair.

Maison et Objet, happening on Sept.

6-10, is one of the biggest events and lifestyle shows that brings together a complete product offering of décor, design, furniture, home accessories, tableware, and even fragrances.

A melting pot of creativity for designers, manufacturers, exhibitors, and visitors, it is a prestigious venue for showcasing Filipino design and talent to

the rest of the world, most notably the European market.

This year’s participants are gathered to embody the theme “Kindred: A Design Collective,” curated by creative directors Rita Nazareno and Gabby Lichauco who were appointed by the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions.

“Kindred is a design collective of like-minded designers and manufacturers,” explained Nazareno, adding, “This year, we wanted to focus on objects and contemporary design with a specialist, simple, smaller, straight-

forward approach to both the booth and the design.”

In addition, Lichauco said, “Kindred highlights the craftsmanship of each of the Filipino designers and manufacturers, but in a refreshing and innovative approach.”

Focusing on home accessories like tabletop décor and lighting, as well as a sampling of fashion accessories, this year’s Philippine delegation will include a combination of Maison first timers and seasoned entrants alike: Vito Selma, Schema, E. Murio, Finali, Nature’s Legacy, Turn to C2 The mall-based art fair, Art For Everyone aims to bring budding and seasoned artists and their artworks closer to the public.

Art fair features works by student, seasoned artists

Tali Handmade’s Corky bags

Vito Selma furniture

Furnishings by South Sea Veneer

EIGHTEEN malls across the country Megamall’s art galleries is currently on showcase works of art made by a cu- display until August 25. Artworks of rated lineup of budding and renowned students and enthusiasts will be showcased from August 27 to Sept. 1. artists.

Art for Everyone 2019 is also at Dubbed Art for Everyone, it is, SM SM Sucat (Aug. Supermalls senior vice president 18-31), SM Anfor marketgono (Aug. 19ing Jonjon 30), SM San Agustin said, Jose Del Mon“SM’s way te (Aug. 19of reaching 31), SM Cebu out to the art(Aug. 26 to loving public.”

Sept. 4), SM “We want Lanang Preto feature all mier (Aug. types of art26 to Sept. ists and con7), SM Lenect them with gazpi (Aug. different audiMall-goers are treated to an 26 to Sept. 8), ences, and this exhibition featuring a variety of artists.

SM Marikina includes both (Aug. 26 to student and seasoned artists. The artworks also inspire Sept. 8), SM Novaliches (Aug. 26 to a refreshing vibe in the malls as shop- Sept. 8), SM CDO Downtown Prepers and their loved ones bond over mier (Sept. 1-7), The Podium (Sept.

2-15), and in following malls from art,” added Agustin.

The art fair was launched on Au- Aug. 19 to Sept. 1: SM Mall of Asia, gust 22 at the Mega Fashion Hall. A SM Aura Premier, SM Batangas, SM retrospective of Juvenal Sansó’s Feli- Bacolod, SM Molino, SM San Pablo, cidad Sy series and of art from SM and SM Telabastagan.

Life

C2

SATURDAY, AUGUST 24, 2019 manilastandardlife@gmail.com

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Instituto Cervantes brings Miguel Hernández exhibition in Manila

NSTITUTO Cervantes de Manila offers a peak into the life of Spanish literary icon Miguel Hernández as it brings the exhibition, “Miguel Hernández, a plena luz,” in its center in Intramuros.

Ongoing since July 25 until Sept. 15, the exhibit is one of the projects done in commemoration of the 75th anniversary of the death of Hernández, who hailed from Orihuela, Alicante.

In a statement, Instituto Cervantes said it aims to raise public awareness of his literary legacy, which is safeguarded

by Jaén’s provincial government (the show’s organizer) through the Instituto de Estudios Giennenses.

Curated by Centro Andaluz de las Letras director Juan José Téllez, “Miguel Hernández, a plena luz” was first opened in Jaén in December 2017.

The following year, the exhibit went on an international tour, taking the poet to three continents. It has been at Instituto Cervantes branches in London, Manchester, New York, Chicago, and The ‘Miguel Hernández, a plena luz’ exhibition, ongoing at Instituto Cervantes de Manila, offers viewers a glimpse of the life of the Spanish literary icon through photos and interactive Dublin. After Manila, the only Asian devices which display copies of his works and various documents. city included in the tour, the exhibit will man conditions in 1942. be heading to Toulouse and Paris.

Centering on Miguel Hernández as an The international tour is currently icon of poetry and enlightenment, the displayed at the Manila center’s library exhibition offers viewers a glimpse of named after the poet. his life through photos and interactive Considered as one of the most audevices which display digital copies of thentic figures in 20 th-century Spanhis works and various documents. ish literature, the literary beginnings It also showcases original pieces of Hernández were marked by religisuch as manuscripts, letters, book osity, which was predominant during editions, photographs, and other perthat period, and a self-taught literary sonal objects, which were acquired education based on the classics of the by the Provincial Government of Jaén Spanish Golden Age. through the writer’s heirs.

His book, El rayo que no cesa (1936) made him famous in the poetry circles The exhibit is open to public for free at of Madrid, where he had decided to Instituto Cervantes de Manila located in move in order to try his luck as a poet.

San Luis Complex, Intramuros, Manila.

The Spanish Civil War did not disrupt his literary career and in fact, during this time, he published Viento del pueblo (1937) and El hombre aceThe exhibit showcases original cha (1938). pieces such as manuscripts, letters, After the war, he was arrested and imbook editions, photographs, and prisoned, where he had died in subhuother personal objects.

Johnnie of different eras THE Striding Man of Scotch whisky brand Johnnie Walker walks back to the past for the limited edition Vintage Design Pack Collection.

For this collection, the Red, Black, Double Black, and Gold Label Reserve variants of the Diageo-owned Scotch whisky label come in unique packaging design inspired by the ‘20s, ‘70s, ‘90s, and late 2010s, respectively.

The limited edition collection, Diageo said, is a celebration of the decades of art, fashion, and culture, during which “the iconic Scotch maker proves that it is a drink that never goes out of style.”

“Johnnie Walker has been doing a lot of progressive and modern things, the #JohnnieWeekend Series, the Johnnie Walker House, and the White Walker

by Johnnie Walker bottle being just some of them,” shares Fatima Espineda, marketing manager for culture and advocacy of Diageo Philippines.

“But despite all that, Johnnie Walker has never lost sight of its heritage, and that’s why we chose to celebrate it with the Vintage Design Pack Collection.”

Johnnie Walker Red Label, aptly named the Pioneer Blend, draws inspiration from the roaring ‘20s, an era known for prolific oil painting. Taking cues from an era of opulence and strong attention to detail, the packaging delivers a work of art where the Striding Man dons a flashy red coat with ornate The Vintage Design Pack Collection features Johnnie Walker variants in unique packaging design inspired by the ‘20s, ‘70s, ’90s, and late 2010s.

Church-run Radyo Veritas mounts ‘Mary and the Saints in the Year of the Youth’ exhibit at Shangri-La Plaza in Mandaluyong.

Johnnie Walker celebrates its heritage with several promotions.

gold outfit accents.

The 1970s was a huge era of change and newness, as more expressive and adventurous choices in fashion, movies, and music were introduced to the market. Johnnie Walker chooses to pay tribute to this decade with Johnnie Walker Black Label’s pop cultureinspired design, featuring muted and subdued colors.

Meanwhile, Johnnie Walker Double Black stands in stark color contrast with the rest of the collection

as it takes everyone back to the ‘90s: the TV and VHS era, and the climb towards the digital age. Showcasing modern technology in its earliest form, the Intense Blend’s package design features digital analog artifacts.

Symbolic of Johnnie Walker’s progressive spirit, the Scotch brand goes full circle with Johnnie Walker Gold Label Reserve’s minimalist look. Celebrating the present and the future, the 2019 packaging represents the modern aesthetic dominating the world today.

Radyo Veritas mounts 17th Marian Healing exhibit CHURCH-RUN Radyo Veritas invites Catholic faithful seeking healing and other petitions to visit and take part in the 17th Marian Healing Exhibit with Saints.

Ongoing until Sept. 13 at ShangriLa Plaza in Mandaluyong City, the “Mary and the Saints in the Year of the Youth” exhibit that features canonically crowned and popular venerated images of Mary from various parts of the country, including Our Lady of Manaoag and Our Lady of Fatima, as well as images of the saints with devotion to and writings of healing such as St. Padre Pio and many others.

“We encourage the Catholic faithful to visit and support the Marian exhibit

and foster devotion to Mary Blessed Virgin, Mother of God and Mother of Church, because she is the path towards salvation and peace,” said Radio Veritas president Rev. Fr. Anton C.T. Pascual.

The Catholic Bishop’s Conference of the Philippines has set 2019 as the Year of the Youth as part of the nine-year preparation period for the celebration of the 500th anniversary of the arrival of Christianity in the Philippines in 2021.

The exhibit is free and open to public during mall hours from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. For inquiries, call Renee Jose at (02) 925-7932 to 39 local 129.

Filipino...

woven rugs, to wire mesh lighting fixtures, solid wood accessories, and even recycled plastic, the one-stop-shop booth at M&O will allow buyers to easily peruse the products and visualize how items of different manufacturers, aesthetics, and visions can be styled together.

“Gabby and I are both looking forward to showing these special objects at ‘Kindred: A Design Collective’ presented by CITEM at Maison et Objet.

The breadth of specialties, materials, aesthetics we are working towards is quite exciting,” enthused Nazareno.

“We are grateful to be part of CITEM’s initiative and we hope to continue exposing local objects globally.”

From C1

CSM Philippines, CDO Handmade, JB Woodcraft, Southsea Veneer, Halo Halo, Tali Handmade, Weave Manila, and Zacarias 1925.

Through the guidance and direction of seasoned designers and exporters Nazareno and Lichauco, Kindred’s 13 exporters will showcase newly developed products. These were made with each of their signature styles, techniques, and local materials, and some in collaboration with each other.

From fine bone china décor and abaca

Entertainment

Ruru Madrid

finds voice in solo single

‘Nawawala’

Arias...

From C4

Also, best efforts often earn disastrous results. In the movie, Joy is a nurse that became a domestic helper, a reality that happens on a daily basis.

Chances that the job you land matches your skills and expertise is almost next to impossible with realities such as ending up with a good employer is not even guaranteed all the time and unfortunately, some are even victimized by illegal recruiters while others end up as “trade goods” in human trafficking activities.

Link Asia Manpower Solutions Corporation, a registered land-based recruiting agency in the country, recently made its partnership with STERNA, a mobile application that seeks to ease recruitment methods by replacing the conventional or ‘old school’ way of processing job applications with ICT-based solutions.

This mobile app also helps in eliminating illegal recruiters, therefore, making it more reliable, convenient, and a safe way of landing jobs abroad.

STERNA was launched in Mexico in 2017. A year after, the mobile app was introduced in Colombia. It continued its expansion in Tunisia and Morocco and is now in the Philippines.

With STERNA, it is guaranteed that more Filipinos will be able to find a good job abroad.

The process of linking workers to possible employers is done with a systematic approach which made the process faster.

Couch Potato...

From C4

Television heartthrob Ruru Madrid breaks into the music scene with the release of his solo debut single,' Nawawala,' under GMA Music.

A

CTOR and singer Ruru Madrid launched his first-ever solo single entitled “Nawawala” under GMA on Aug. 16.

The single is composed by Kettle Mata, Roger Alcantara, and Enzo Villegas. The song is described as emotional, expressing ‘hugot,’ which gives Filipino listeners delight in today’s music scene.

According to Ruru, he got a stream of emotions upon hearing the musical arrangement. He shares that there is a lesson behind the lyrics.

Touchbass...

From C4

Members Sejun, Josh, Stell, Ken, and Justin all expressed sincere intention to serve the Filipino cause, having become the first Pinoy boy group trained under ShowBT Corporation that breathes through the motto “Power to transform culture.” Founder and CEO Geong Seong Han obviously looked upbeat for them.

“SB stands for Sound Break, meaning, they will break into the Philippine music scene with their fresh style and unique brand of music. 19 figuratively represents the gap between the two countries based on area codes,” explains their brochure.

“The first time it was given to me, I was really surprised. I felt the emotions of the song almost instantly.

Everytime na may ginagawa tayo sa buhay natin, i-aapply natin ‘yung mga natutunan natin sa past,” Ruru said if the song.

The Kapuso star attributes his early musical influence to his dad who used to be a member of a band

South Korea’s code is 82 while the Philippines is 63. Do the simple math.

Late last year, the group’s ballad “Tilaluha,” lyrics penned by the members themselves, came out, followed up by Go Up last July.

The latter is described as a breakout single composed and produced by renowned K-Pop music creator Ohwon Lee. “The goal of this song is to inspire people, especially the younger generation, to never give up on their dreams,” implied one of the boys.

SB19 is quickly making a headway, with thousands of likes and followers on Facebook and Instagram, respectively.

Over 30 media outlets have featured the group and counting, all interested

CROSSWORD PUZZLE Saturday, August 24, 2019

ACROSS 1 Opera solo 5 Munch, as a pony 10 Some youngsters 14 Folksinger Ives 15 Actress — Zellweger 16 Mr. Kazan 17 Iffy attempt 18 Place to wed 19 Yodeler’s place 20 Chalet features 22 Plunge about 24 Border 26 Oahu neighbor 27 Lewd 28 Touching 32 Cuzco builder 33 Former teen 35 Neutral or first 36 — degree 37 Chemical suffix 38 Big carnival city 39 Bead 41 Hen 43 Sentry’s command 44 Crusaders’ foes 46 Lessens 48 Soaks 49 Tickled 50 Infant’s wear 53 Sketches 54 Flu symptom 55 Chopin piece 57 Dangle

61 Solar plexus 62 One who governs 63 Singer — Adams 64 Consumer advocate — Myerson 65 Cuff links 66 Mortgage or car loan DOWN 1 Tummy muscles, in the gym 2 Same old routine 3 Saccharin discoverer — Remsen 4 Montana neighbor 5 Yen 6 Most beautiful woman 7 Busy insects 8 — culpa 9 Be relevant 10 Stance 11 Earthen jar 12 Small barks 13 Window frame 21 In time gone by 23 Greet warmly 24 Chant 25 Moor 26 Tended the

lawn 27 Gales 28 Bodies of water 29 Tend the aquarium 30 Fastened shut 31 Jogs 34 Jockey’s need 40 Plains tribe 41 Improves 42 Complains 43 Gave a hard time 45 Hook shape 47 Style for long hair

49 Facilitated 50 Zinger 51 Ess molding 52 Bolt holders 53 Humdinger 56 Egyptian boy-king 58 Lyric poem expressing exalted emotion 59 Rights-movement word 60 Permit

when he was young. He has had previous recordings including “Let the Love Begin,” the theme song of the GMA primetime series with the same title and “Sa Yakap Mo” for the primetime soap Sherlock Jr., both in duet with Kapuso actress Gabbi Garcia.

The music video of “Nawawala” is directed by Miggy Tanchanco, featuring Kapuso star Kelley Day. Catch it on GMA Music’s social media pages and on digital streaming platforms such as Spotify and Apple Music. to know how the guys underwent the training process.

The impact can be clearly heard and seen on the way they sound and move.

The group is basically a bunch of Filipino boys doing the Korean act that has, well, attracted the attention of the world.

To a purist this should mean like an affront to the ideals of being a true Pinoy act. But wait. SB19 will always think and talk like Filipinos. Nothing can take away their humble Filipino backgrounds and their roots are right deep into the mix. It’s just a matter of raising the bar to meet and live up to the challenge.

For one, these Koreans must be doing something okay that their shots at glory, more often than not, go in.

Many men have yet to be as open as Richard to talk about investing in themselves this way. Over the past few years, Ultherapy has paved the way for various women’s beautiful stories to be heard. With Richard speaking up now, hopefully more men will feel more confident about taking care of every area of their life.

“Alam niyo naman, tayong mga lalaki, kailangan natin ma -sustain kagwapuhan natin!” Richard said.

“My skincare routine used to just be washing my face with soap and water, and I would just go to the dermatologist whenever Lucy would schedule something for me.”

In the end, it was Lucy who inspired him to try taking care of himself with Ultherapy.

Since then, he’s become more involved in the process. “When she had the treatment done, I had a lot of questions for her. I wanted to know what the results would be. Lucy said it would help improve my wrinkles and define my jawline. Syempre, gusto ko rin naman na pogi pa rin ako for her!”

With so much on his plate, another major consideration was how the treatment would fit into his schedule. “I was eventually reassured naman that it takes very little time to go through the process and I only have to do it once a year!”

“We have to be more open to these things. Hindi naman vain to want to look good!” Richard said. “You’re just pushing yourself to be a more confident version of yourself.”

Pageant Concept...

From C4

Tyra Goldman, 18, from Nevada, USA, and Louise Janica An, 24,

SATURDAY, AUGUST 24, 2019

C3

nickie.standard@gmail.com

Examples of their job offers include: Land Vehicle Mechanic, Land Vehicle Aesthetics, Boat & Ship Mechanics and Maintenance, Aerospace Maintenance, and Aerospace Inspection.

Though most are based in Canada, they look forward to opening more opportunities in other developed countries.

Bruno Paradis, CEO of Sterna shared: “An app will be launched soon. We hope that it will be the most comprehensive application that will let them gather all the necessary documents and other requirements.

With the app, it will help lessen the need to go back and forth from agencies just to submit them.

Link Asia is Sterna’s exclusive partner in the Philippines, with Eric Corpuz, President of LAMSC said Eric Corpuz, divulging: “We do our best to make transactions, day-to-day management true to these conditions.

And so we are happy to partner with Sterna for the launching of the app, to take recruitment one step further.

That will a long way in empowering both applicant and employers to make the right choices career-wise and opportunity-wise.”

He also added that applicants will of course, must produce their passports and other pertinent documents needed for the job they want.

Corpuz concluded: “To make the world available to the Filipino workers while staying in the convenience of their cell phones. This is our dream for the Filipino workers, this is our goal, and this will be our achievement.”

The STERNA app is slated to be available this October.

Alden’s new look Many are asking if Alden Richard’s new look is simply because of Belo’s Ulthera and his diet?

Well, well, if that is so, then many actors would also want to undergo the same procedure to enhance their look.

Indeed, it it so, I call it “miraculous.”

Alden looks a bit different since I met him seven or eight years ago. He wasn’t fat then. Young, yes, but when he added more pounds as he was growing older, his face remained the same.

Belo’s magic “wand” did something to alter his physiognomy. His nose became a bit narrower and he now has a tip, unlike in previous years. His jawline also became narrower unlike in the past.

Well, whatever, Belo did for Alden to achieve that kind of look, the clinic did it for the better. And yes, he deserves a billboard for the procedure.

Kuya Escort denies relationship with Vice Uh, oh! Now Kuya Escort or Ion Perez has denied he and Vice Ganda have what the French call une liason dangereuse.

But what the audience see in the noontime show It’s Showtime, is nothing but for show? Is that what Kuya Escort was trying to imply when he answered a writer who asked about his relationship with Vice Ganda? They have also photos on Instagram showing how not normal for a straight guy and a gay guy they are.

So, those who think they have something more than friendship have malicious minds? Is that what he and Vice would like to think?

Well, let them be malicious! born and raised in Naga City before migrating in California, USA in 2007, and now a student at California State University—Northridge in Civil Engineering, were named Mutya Pilipinas Tourism International 2019 and Mutya Pilipinas Overseas Communities 2019, respectively.

Cyrille Payumo of Pampanga and Maxinne Nicole Rangel of Padre Garcia, Batangas were named first and second runners-up, respectively.

Payumo won Best in Evening Gown while Rangel won Best in Swimsuit and the People’s Choice special award.

Other special awardees were Lady Justerinnie Santos, Miss Photogenic; Maricres Castro, Miss Friendship; and Irish Silades, Best in Talent.

The Top 12 were Lesley Anne Ticaro, Dionne Sade’ Nicha, Andrea Fe Gomez, Keinth Jensen Petrasanta, Ysabel Napiza, and Karla Claudine Lasquite. Rounding out the Top 20 were made which included - Mariah Gelina Lequin, Ella Cayabyab, Andrea Acibo, Nina Angeli Bernedo, Irish Silades, Jigg Kirsty Ang, Maria Angelica Pantaliano, and Camille Maha Marie Fabro.

The board of judges included 1979 Miss International Melanie Marquez, fomer Pasig City mayor Imelda Calixto-Rubinao, Philippine Ambassador to Monaco Fortune Ledesma, Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Koji Haneda, and Panamanian Ambassador to the Philippines Rolando Guevarra Panamian.

Entertainment HOOQ wins big Nickie Wang, Issue Editor nickie.standard@gmail.com

C4

SATURDAY, AUGUST 24, 2019

at country’s biggest indie fest

Richard Gomez joins Lucy Torres in an innovative skincare endorsement

Richard Gomez

looking better than ever SAW the billboard Now, I know of Ultherapy on why Richard’s the façade facing new look is vastly north of Guadalupe different from the C o m m e r c i a l photos I’ve seen in IVY ROSSINI Complex on my way the previous years. to Makati recently.

Yes, Richard There’s this huge is the first male photo of actor Richard Gomez (now ambassador of Ultherapy. mayor of Ormoc City in Leyte Province, “We’re very excited to welcome Richard the hometown of his wife) with Lucy to the Ultherapy family,” said Jorge Torres Gomez. Both are endorsing the Libanan, Merz Philippines Country procedure called Ultherapy.

Manager during the procedure’s press event Ultherapy, I learned, is a non-invasive recently. “Ultherapy has been a treatment or non-surgical option to lift the brow so many have enjoyed already, and we or generally used in lifting without the want to continue to encourage everyone, use of needles or injections for a more especially men, to embrace a better version youthful look on the eyes. of themselves.” Continued on C3

COUCH POTATO

The cast members of 'Mina-Anud' pose for a selfie during the red carpet celebrity premiere of the film at Greenhills Theatre Mall Cinema. (Inset) Jerald Napoles and Dennis Trillo on the set of the HOOQ Original movie, co-produced with Regal Entertainment and Epicmedia.

Pinoy talent, Korean training

S

SOME observers believe that the kind of training they undergo have enabled South Korean basketball talents to shoot the lights out against their Filipino counterparts.

Besides, unless you do it routinely and in a way different from others, you can’t calmly hit a three pointer at the buzzer while your team is down by two. A Korean point guard did that 17 years ago, depriving us of at least an outright Asian Games silver medal finish.

That’s not to undermine the efforts of Filipino trainers handling Filipino talents. It’s not about them. It’s about these Koreans with mindset and

OUTHEAST Asia’s leading video-on-demand service delighted film fans and critics with two new acclaimed HOOQ Originals at the recently concluded Cinemalaya Film Festival 2019.

Jennifer Batty, Chief Content Officer, HOOQ said, “The Cinemalaya Film Festival has such a long, rich history of bringing independent Filipino films to the forefront of Pinoy cinema.”

“It is the pinnacle of indie cinema in the Philippines, presenting a kaleidoscope of content from the country, and we are thrilled to have two of our originals showcased at this year’s event,” the executive added.

Iska, co-produced with Firestarters Productions, Central Digital Lab and Uncle Scott Global Productions, is directed by Theodore Boborol, and stars veteran actors Soliman Cruz and Ruby Ruiz.

The film is a true-to-life story of a loving but impoverished grandmother of an autistic child who tragically loses everything and turns into something society reckons her to be. The powerful drama challenges conventions and explores the more gritty realities of dealing with autism. Iska bested all other entries–winning Best Actress, Best Sound Design and Best Screenplay.

In addition to Iska, another HOOQ Original movie, MinaAnud, co-produced with Regal Entertainment and Epicmedia, was invited to close the festival with an early screening for attendees.

The highly anticipated feature film tells the story of two surfers who find three tons of cocaine washed up on the shores of a peaceful seaside community

discipline apparently working out in global competition.

On this note, I have already jumped into YUGEL the world of K-pop, LOSORATA its capacity to capture the fascination of Filipinos, and efforts being made to bridge the gap between South Korea and the Philippines.

Last Friday at Luxent Hotel in Quezon City, Filipino boy group SB19, trained under a Korean-owned company specializing in entertainment production and talent management, was presented to the media, looking like they went through a lot and out to conquer the world. Continued on C3

'Iska' tackles the story of a loving but impoverished grandmother of a child on the autism spectrum.

in Eastern Samar, Philippines. It’s then up to them to decide if the lure of a richer tomorrow is really worth risking both family and freedom.

Directed by relative newcomer Kerwin Go, Mina Anud stars seasoned actors, Dennis Trillo and Jerald Napoles as co-leads alongside a talented ensemble cast including Matteo Guidicelli, Alvin Anson, Mara Lopez, and Lou Veloso.

The screening took place ahead of the film’s theatrical release on Aug. 21.

Jeffrey Remigio, Content and Programming Head of HOOQ Philippines said, “In recent years, Pinoy cinema has come a long way, with highvalue productions earning nods across the international film circuit. As well as

working with the big production houses and studios, we’re strengthening our relationships with local filmmakers to help bring their artistic visions to life on HOOQ, so they can share the stories that need to be told.”

In the last six-months, HOOQ has produced four originals in the Philippines, including recent smashhit feature Ulan, co-produced with Viva Films, starring Nadine Lustre and Carlo Aquino.

In addition, HOOQ introduced the quirky and daring 10-episode series titled, Sex Talks with Dr. Holmes. The show is a helpline for those who have questions and concerns about sex and how it figures in their daily lives.

Job hunting abroad made easy IF JOY, the character given life by Kathryn Bernardo in the mammoth box office hit and critical success that is Hello, Love, Goodbye, was a person for real and she happens to be my friend, she no longer needs to toil her way to realize her Canadian dream. I would simply ask to be patient and wait for October, when STERNA arrives in the Philippines.

SB19 is a Pinoy boy group that trained in Korea under a company specializing in entertainment production and talent management.

Davaoeña tops Mutya Pilipinas 2019 A PAIR of homegrown beauties and two from overseas were named winners at the 51st Mutya Pilipinas during the Grand Coronation Night held Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena, hosted by actor Matteo Guidicelli with delayed telecast on ABS-CBN. Klyza Castro, a 19-year-old native of Davao del Sur, and April May Short, a 24-year-old accountant and

native of Zamboanga City, were crowned Mutya Pilipinas Asia Pacific International ETON 2019 and Mutya CONCEPCION Pilipinas World Top Model Philippines 2019, respectively.

Short, a semi-finalist in Bb. Pilipinas 2019, will vie at the World Top Model International 2019 in Monte Carlo, Principality of Monaco on Dec. 14. Continued on C3

PAGEANT CONCEPT

With families to feed, students to send to school, securing a home and providing ALWIN comfort and welfare IGNACIO that extend to the next of kin, just like Bernardo’s feisty persona in the Cathy Garcia Molina blockbuster picture, majority of Filipinos wish to go abroad to earn better salaries and give financial security to the loved ones they left behind.

ARIAS

STERNA is a job hunting app, arriving in October, to help local applicants find jobs overseas.

Mutya Pilipinas winners with this year's queen Klyza Castro of Davao