Manila Standard - 2019 August 29 - Thursday

Missed your copy of Manila Standard? Call or text our Circulation Hotline at 0917-8848655 or email: circulation@manilastandard.net Prangkahin ko na rin po kayo, your image is beyond repair. Hindi po ikakaayos ng pagmumukha ninyo ang pagkontra ninyo sa interes ng mga Pilipino.

– Sen. Bong Go

Go’s ballistic reaction was unprovoked. I did not even mention his name when I asked the PCSO to provide the legal basis for its funding the Malasakit Centers...

Paucity of merit and reason cannot be concealed by unparliamentary language and malevolent innuendoes.

–Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman VOL. XXXIII • NO. 196 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P18 • THURSDAY, AUGUST 29, 2019 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Du30 warns of ‘little trouble’ SEA TRAGEDY. Some 245 people, visibly frightened by a dawn fire that hit

their overcrowded ferry cruising to Dapitan City from Cebu Wednesday, are rescued (inset) when the Lite Ferry 16 (above) was hit by a blaze which officials are investigating. The Philippine Coast Guard rescued the 245 passengers and crew— far higher than the 172 in the boat’s official manifest. AFP, Coast Guard

Asks military to put an end to insurgency

By MJ Blancaflor

W

ARNING of a “very radical change” that would lead to “a little trouble” in the coming months, President Rodrigo Duterte urged the military to end the communist insurgency, saying the government could not afford to pass the problem on to the next generation of Filipinos.

“I do not think that we can afford to wage a war another 53 years. So I am telling the military to kindly end it now,” President Duterte said Tuesday night in a speech in Quezon City. “We cannot afford to pass it on to the next generation. They might not be able to Next page

China shipper rues ramming

By Rey E. Requejo and MJ Blancaflor

3 killed, 245 rescued in Zambo ferry fire; search on for survivors THREE people were killed and 245 plucked to safety in the southern Philippines Wednesday after a fire tore through a crowded ferry, authorities said, as rescuers hunted for more survivors.

The blaze broke out before dawn as It is not clear how many passengers The boat’s official manifest listed just the Lite Ferry 16 was cruising to Dapi- were on the vessel, but the 172 passengers and crew. tan City from Cebu, prompting some of Philippine Coast Guard said 245 peoThe Philippines, an archipelago of the terrified passengers to throw them- ple had so far been rescued, and three more than 7,000 islands, is plagued by selves overboard, one witness said. confirmed dead.

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Fund lack threatens UHC rollout

By Maricel V. Cruz A NATIONWIDE rollout of the Universal Health Care Law is not possible for next year, Health Secretary Francisco Duque told lawmakers Wednesday.

“The strategic readiness of the DOH [Department of Health] in the implementation of the Universal Health Care, year one is 2020, and it is a progressive realization [that] it cannot be a national rollout,” Duque told a budget briefing at the House of Representatives Wednesday.

“We cannot do a national rollout because of budgetary constraints and also because of the readiness. We need to do capacity building in the different provinces, who under the law will be the convergence points of integration,” he said.

Under the UHC law, all Filipino citizens are automatically enrolled into the National Health Insurance Program as direct contributors or those who have the capacity to pay premiums, and indirect contributors sponsored by the government such as the poor and senior citizens.

THE owner of the Chinese ship that rammed and sank a Filipino fishing vessel in Recto Bank in June has apologized to the Filipino fishermen affected by the incident.

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Rody in China for talks over Hague ruling

By MJ Blancaflor PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte arrived in Beijing on Wednesday to discuss the South China Sea, and to invoke the 2016 arbitral ruling that rejected China’s sweeping claims in the area.

The government is hopeful that Chinese President Xi Jinping will have “open ears” when President Duterte raises the maritime is-

sues, Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo told reporters hours before the arrival of the Chief Executive.

“The President said he will raise it whether or not China likes it, but I think China will have open ears. After all, they Next page

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HOPE FOR ‘OPEN EARS.’ President Rodrigo Duterte has arrived in Beijing, high in the hope when he left Manila Tuesday night that Chinese President Xi Jinping will have ‘open ears’ when he raises bilateral maritime issues including the 2016 arbitral ruling that rejected China’s sweeping claims in the South China Sea. Presidential Photo

Ex-judge in Sanchez case wants Panelo to quit NEUTRAL DESKS. Left-handed students now have a legal shield in school, thanks to a new law signed by President Rodrigo Duterte aimed at providing neutral tables or armchairs which protect left-handed students from being at a disadvantage as they use chairs for right-handed people.

Iloilo STL owner gripes about ‘difficult’ rules SOME 2,000 Small Town Lottery bet collectors in Iloilo City may be displaced if the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office succeed in imposing on its STL authorized agent corporation or AACs in the city a cash bond deposit.

The new condition has been described by Iloilo City councilor Rommel Duron, legal counsel of Red Subay Next page

FORMER Pasig Regional Trial Court Judge Harriet Demetriou, who in 1995 convicted rapist and murderer Antonio Sanchez, said Wednesday Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo should resign from his post.

Demetriou, who sentenced Sanchez, then mayor of Calauan, Laguna to seven terms of reclusion perpetua for the 1993 rape-slay of UP student Eileen Sarmenta and killing of her friend Allan Gomez, insisted Panelo, one of Sanchez’s defense

‘Matcha-do’ about green tea FROM matcha ice cream to cake and chocolate, producers of traditional Japanese green tea are capitalizing on growing global interest in its flavor—even as demand for the drink declines at home.

At Shigehiko Suzuki’s tea shop in central Japan, adorned with a traditional “noren” drape, the customers are flooding in but more to scoop up gelato or cake than to sip the bright-green tea.

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lawyers then, had a hand in the possible release of his former client.

“As a public official, he showed his loyalty to Sanchez and not to the country he’s supposed to serve with utmost Next page

WEATHER ‘Jenny’ induces more rain

By Rio N. Araja TROPICAL storm “Jenny” might have left the Philippine Area of Responsibility, but the southwest monsoon will continue to spawn intermittent heavy rain in most parts of the country, the weather bureau said Wednesday.

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THURSDAY, AUGUST 29, 2019

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Navy 200 join naval war drill

By Francisco Tuyay

T

HE Philippine Navy will be sending a 200-man contingent to board the US-acquired Hamilton Cutter BRP Ramon Alcaraz for the five-day US-ASEAN Maritime Exercise that will be held on Sept. 2 to 6, 2019.

Lt. Commander Maria Christina Roxas, acting director of the Philippine Navy Public Affairs Office, said the contingent will be departing today, Thursday, for Thailand.

The Navy’s information office provided no other details of the maritime drill, but the navy exercise will involve at least eight warships and aircraft from the ASEAN at the Sattahip naval base in Chonburi province and extend to Vietnam’s tip of Ca Mau province.

The US will be deploying Destroyer Squadron 7, a forward-deployed naval force of the US 7th Fleet operating in

Southeast Asia.

The participating countries are Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

Meanwhile, Myanmar’s navy will join maritime drills with the US in Southeast Asia next week, a spokesman said Wednesday, in a rare show of military cooperation despite Washington slapping sanctions on top army brass over the Rohingya crisis.

The inclusion in the drills does not violate US travel bans against Myanmar’s commander-in-chief and three senior fig-

NBI charges 21 PhilHealth execs with graft over WellMed's claims

By Rey E. Requejo THE Justice department has been asked to prosecute the 21 officials and employees of Philippine Health Insurance Corp. for their alleged involvement in the processing of “ghost claims” by a dialysis clinic in Quezon City.

The National Bureau of Investigation made the plea following the allegations made by two whistleblowers who claim that WellMed Dialysis Center, the clinic they used to work for, perpetrated a fraudulent scheme by raking in payments from PhilHealth on behalf of dead patients.

But WellMed denied processing the PhilHealth claims of dead patients.

The Justice department is already prosecuting the owner of WellMed clinic and the two former employees who exposed the alleged scheme for estafa through falsification of official documents.

The NBI said prosecutors refiled the previously dismissed case before the proper court last week.

The NBI is seeking the indictment of 21 PhilHealth officers for graft and for violation of the National Health Insurance Act, and also holds them liable for

3Fromkilled,...

A1 poor sea transport, with badly regulated boats and ships prone to overcrowding and accidents.

Coast Guard spokesman Captain Armand Balilo said search and rescue operations were continuing as authorities worked to determine the exact number of people on the boat.

the administrative charge of gross inexcusable negligence.

NBI Deputy Director Vicente de Guzman III told reporters the accused are the members of the Accreditation Sub-Committee from PhilHealth Regional Office National Capital Region.

The NBI says the charges are based on the allegation that the accreditation subcommittee continued to process WellMed’s claims for a time despite a finding by the PhilHealth’s fact-finding department that the clinic had “committed fraudulent acts of filing benefit claims for dead individuals.”

The complaint claims that WellMed’s application for accreditation for 2019 had been approved by up to the regional vice president, but that the finding of fraud triggered meetings, resolutions and memorandums on whether this could lead to a denial or a withdrawal.

In May, the subcommittee allegedly resolved to continue processing WellMed’s claims based on an official’s memo that the clinic’s accreditation had already been granted and that its withdrawal “should be supported by evidence establishing” that the clinic “is absolutely at fault.”

“We have ordered the captain to explain the discrepancy,” Balilo told AFP. The ferry’s operator, Danilo Lines, said a team was deployed to assist the rescued passengers and tugboats dispatched to bring the stricken ferry back to port.

Some 30 years ago another Philippine ferry, the Doña Paz, collided with an oil tanker in an accident that claimed more than 4,000 lives in the world’s worst peacetime disaster at sea. AFP

China...

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‘Jenny’...

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The Philippine Embassy in China on Wednesday pointed to its memo to Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. containing the translation of a key portion of the apology from the Chinese ship’s owner.

“The shipowner of the Chinese fishing boat involved, through our association, would like to express his sincere apology to the Filipino fishermen,” read an excerpt of the English translation of the letter.

“We believe that, although this accident was an unintentional mistake of the Chinese fishermen, the Chinese fishing boat should however take the major responsibility in the accident,” it said.

The letter also requested the Philippine side “to file a specific appeal for civil compensation based on the actual loss.”

Malacañang accepted the boat owner’s apology.

“We welcome the owner’s humility to take responsibility and acknowledgment that compensation must be provided to cover the actual loss,” Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said in a statement.

The Chinese vessel hurriedly left the area after the June 9 incident, and the 22 crew members of the FB GemVir 1 were left stranded in open water for four hours until a passing Vietnamese vessel rescued them.

At least six domestic flights were canceled on Wednesday afternoon due to the rain spawned by “Jenny” and the southwest monsoon, the Manila International Airport Authority said.

“Jenny” was estimated 510 kilometers west of Dagupan City as of 5 p.m. on Wednesday.

Ex-judge...

From A1 fidelity,” Demetriou added.

In Malacañang, Panelo described Demetriou’s call for him to resign as “silly, if not absurd.”

In a statement, Panelo said: “I serve at the pleasure of the President, and as his alter ego, I will not be distraught nor derailed by any unfounded remark raised against me.

Iloilo...

From A1 Gaming Corp. as “very difficult.”

The AACs are required to deposit to the PCSO a cash bond equivalent to three months of the agency’s share in the guaranteed monthly retail receipts on top of their existing cash bonds.

According to Duron, Red Subay was required to:

Fund lack...

From A1 The program has a funding requirement of P257 billion, but was given an appropriation of only P217 billion under the 2019 national budget.

For 2020, the Department of Budget and Management has recommended a budget of P166.5 billion—P67.4 bil“I will instead continue to faithfully perform my duties in accordance with the law, the functions attached to my office as well as the directives given me by the President.

“At the inception of my being part of this administration, I have made it a point to provide legal advice to the President based solely on what the law provides and allows.

“It is for this reason that when the President asked for my opinion on whether Mr. Antonio Sanchez was

ures for overseeing a bloody campaign that drove 740,000 Rohingya Muslims into Bangladesh two years ago.

But there are growing calls to further isolate the military, expand sanctions and prosecute senior leadership for genocide against the stateless minority.

The drills come at a time of steppedup US engagement in the region and tensions between China and several Southeast Asian nations over rival claims in the South China Sea. “We were invited as part of ASEAN for the exercise,” said Zaw Min Tun, a spokesman for the commander-inchief’s office in Myanmar.

He said the exercise, starting in the Gulf of Thailand on Sept. 2, would focus on crime, piracy and security and the travel bans were separate issues.

“The sanctions imposed were personal and this exercise is a coordination between ASEAN and the US,” he said. With AFP

House leaders chime in on Villar's pork-free budget for 2020

By Maricel V. Cruz

Philippine Navy Vice Admiral Robert Empedrad explains to media that Chinese coastguards entering the Philippine territory are not a threat to the country during a press conference at the Navy headquarters at Roxas Blvd on Aug. 28, 2019. Norman Cruz

MAJORITY Leader Martin Romualdez of the House of Representatives on Wednesday welcomed the statement of Public Works Secretary Mark Villar that the proposed P4.1-trillion national government budget for 2020 was “pork-free.”

“We are committed to work for transparency and accountability on the national budget,” said Romualdez, representative of the First District of Leyte.

“The statement of Secretary Villar was an affirmation of President Duterte’s promise not tolerate any pork barrel and corruption.”

Romualdez said the House leadership under the stewardship of Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano was committed to pass the money measure that is constitutionally compliant.

“We will comply with the Supreme Court ruling that outlawed any form of pork barrel. Definitely, the pork barrel system is a thing of the past. Line item budgeting system will be strictly observed to ensure transparency and accountability in the disbursement of public funds,” Romualdez said.

“We also commend the President’s commitment through acting Budget Secretary [Wendel] Avisado to ensure an equitable and corruption-free distribution of government resources to further propel the economy.”

House Minority Leader and Manila Rep. Bienvenido Abante also rejected the critics’ claims that next year’s national budget was loaded with pork barrel.

“It is a line-item budget system and so there is no ‘pork’,” Abante said.

Romualdez’s statement came after Villar told legislators during the budget hearing of the department that next year’s money measure did not contain illegal pork barrel and the so-called ‘parked’ funds.

handle it. It has to be now.”

“I’m serving notice to everybody that in the coming months, it will be not really bloody, but there will be at least, a little trouble for our country,” he added.

Speaking at the 31st anniversary of the Department of Agrarian Reform before flying to China for a five-day visit, Duterte said such challenges made the government a “magnet for criticism,” with his critics waiting for him “to commit a wrong.”

“Revolution is no longer a vogue.

You cannot win a fight for social justice or for a better life in your country if you go to revolution. It won’t work.

You can’t even occupy one village. And in the coming days, there will be a very, very radical change in the behavior of government,” Duterte said in a mix of English and Filipino.

“You know, I am not challenging.

You might win or you may lose. That is something to be seen but I intend to call the attention of the military guys here,” he added.

Duterte had previously said the New People’s Army and the Communist Party of the Philippines had crossed the line by torturing and killing four police officers in Negros island, after a spate of killings in the province.

The President has offered millions of pesos in reward money to anyone who can pinpoint those responsible for the murders of the four police officers in Ayungon town.

His administration has also tried to entice armed communist rebels to surrender and go back into mainstream society by providing housing, livelihood, and educational assistance.

Recently, security officials also alleged that university campuses have become a hub for communist recruitment.

Addressing the communist rebels Tuesday, Duterte said: “We do not have that hatred in our heart. But for me, it’s about time that you stop this revolution.

If you want changes, it has to be through evolution. We should do it slowly.”

The President also emphasized that the country would never prosper if social ills such as the communist insurgency, criminality, and corruption are not curbed.

“I will not stay forever in this world, but these are two things which you must remember. If we cannot have law and order in this country and if we cannot stop corruption in government, there can be no—never will we rise to the next step as a nation,” Duterte said.

Aside from communist insurgency and corruption, Duterte also cited the need to put a stop to illegal drugs.

“We have to finish it, even drugs. And this will make us a magnet for all criticisms that are—they’re waiting...for us to do and commit a wrong,” Duterte said.

In March, Duterte officially announced the permanent termination of peace negotiations with the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front in favor of localized peace engagements.

He has also repeatedly urged communist rebels to “choose a better fight in life,” assuring them that the government will provide them with livelihood assistance as long as they laid down their arms.

Earlier, Duterte issued Executive Order 70 directing the creation of a national task force to end the communist armed conflict, and the adoption of a national peace framework that will contain policies addressing the root causes of insurgencies. With PNA

Packing maximum sustained winds of 77 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 90 kph, “Jenny” was moving west southwest at 40 kph.

Western Visayas, the Zamboanga Peninsula, Bangsamoro, the Mindoro provinces and Palawan― including Calamian and Cuyo Islands―will experience light to moderate heavy rain due to the southwest monsoon.

The weather bureau warned the

residents in those areas to take precautionary measures, to coordinate with disaster officials and to continue monitoring weather and rainfall updates.

Weather forecaster Benison Estareja said Metro Manila will experience cloudy skies and light to moderate rain.

The southwest monsoon is expected to trigger isolated rainshowers in the western sections of Central and Southern Luzon, he said. With PNA

• deposit a cash bond of P111 million, equivalent to one month of its presumptive monthly retail receipt.

• deposit P333 million guaranteed monthly retail receipts.

PCSO imposed the presumptive monthly retail receipt to ensure that STL operators would not be able to cheat the government on their sales and revenues.

Under Article IX, Section 36 of PCSO’s 2016 revised implementing

rules and regulations for STL, it is the PCSO’s Board of Directors that determines the PMRR of a particular area.

It must take into consideration, among others, the area’s location, population, national and local economic and growth targets and activities.

To determine an AAC’s PMRR, said Duron, 30 percent of the total registered voters in a province/city is multiplied with P2.50 and the result is again multiplied with three (draws). Maricel V. Cruz

kept on saying they are friends and friends can always talk on anything,” Panelo said.

Duterte, who will hold bilateral talks with Xi on Thursday, has vowed to assert Manila’s victory in the Permanent Court of Arbitration, which invalidated China’s claims in almost the entire South China Sea. After setting the ruling aside for his first three years in office, Duterte said the “time has come” for him to raise it in his talks with the Chinese leader.

“You just cannot talk air. They said don’t bring it up. I said no… Whether you like it or not, whether it will make you happy or not, I’m sorry. But we have to talk about the arbitral ruling,” he said in a speech last week.

He said, however, that he would not pick a fight with China, saying the country cannot afford to go against its military might.

“We cannot go to war against them.

I will just feed my military and police to the mouths of hell,” he said.

China has refused to recognize the ruling and occupies some areas in the disputed seas.

“We do not know how China will take it but I suppose, as I said earlier, they are open to that, whether they like it or not, they really have to talk about it because it’s causing irritants between the two countries,” Panelo said.

The Department of Foreign Affairs previously bared that it was Xi who invited Duterte to visit China barely four months after the latter’s recent trip. This marks Duterte’s fifth trip to China since he took office in 2016.

lion of which is for the National Health Insurance Program of the Philippine Health Insurance Corp., and P92.2 billion for the DOH. Duque said the DOH has identified provinces which will serve as the model for the implementation of the components of the UHC Law, covering service delivery, health regulation, health care financing, governance and performance accountability, and local health systems development.

Health Undersecretary Gerardo Bayugo said 33 areas around the country will serve as initial implementation sites of the UHC Law, namely: the National Capital Region: Valenzuela City, Parañaque City; Region 1: Dagupan City; Cordillera: Baguio and Benguet; Region 2: Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino; Region 3: Bataan, Tarlac; Region IV-A: Batangas, Quezon; Region IV-B: Oriental Mindoro; Region V:

Masbate, Sorsogon; Region VI: Aklan, Antique, Guimaras, Iloilo; Region VII: Cebu; Region VIII: Biliran, Leyte, Samar; Region IX: Zamboanga del Norte; X: Cagayan de Oro, Misamis Oriental; XI: Compostela Valley, Davao del Norte; XII: Saranggani, South Cotobato; Caraga: Agusan del sur, Agusan del Norte and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao: Maguindanao.

Du30...

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covered by the benefit granted to inmates under Republic Act No. 10592, I categorically stated that by express provision of the law, Mr. Sanchez and those similarly situated, meaning inmates charged and convicted of heinous crimes, as well as those recidivists, habitual delinquents, and escapees, are excluded from the coverage of the law.

On behalf of the Office of the President, I thereafter issued an official statement on the matter expressing such view.”

Macon Ramos-Araneta

‘Matcha-do’...

From A1 In 1998, Suzuki’s company Marushichi Seicha started making powdered matcha green tea—traditionally made using a bamboo whisk in a tiny room.

The firm now exports 30 tons of green tea to the US, Europe, Africa, Asia and the Middle East.

“The demand for matcha is rapidly growing in the world... There’s demand for

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ice cream, desserts and coffee,” Suzuki told AFP at his shop in Fujieda, 170 kilometers (105 miles) southwest of Tokyo.

Japan exported more than 5,000 tons of green tea—mainly to the United States—last year, 10 times more than two decades ago.

But in Japan, the consumption of green tea leaves for drinking dropped from 1,174 grams per household in 2001 to 844 grams in 2015, according to the latest government data—a trend Suzuki puts down to a more westernized diet. AFP

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THURSDAY, AUGUST 29, 2019 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Revoke POGO licenses now, Pangilinan urges gov’t

By Macon Ramos-Araneta SENATOR Francis Pangilinan on Wednesday called on the Philippine government to revoke the licenses of Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs) in the Philippines.

“China is correct here. Cancel the POGO licenses on concerns of criminality and corruption. Gambling is illegal in China. This means that Chinese criminals run the POGOs here in the Philippines,” Pangilinan said.

He said it is the Philippine government that is condoning the operations of criminal syndicates.

He added that the sincerity of the anticrime and anti-corruption campaign of the administration has been placed in serious doubt with Chinese criminal syndicates being allowed to conduct illegal businesses freely in the country.

Pangilinan also noted that the last few months saw an increase in crime reports involving POGO players and financiers who break the law but do not allow themselves to be subjected to the country’s laws.

“There were even reports of our local police being detained and were not allowed to investigate crime scenes.

This is the height of disrespect, which we should not take this sitting down,” the senator said.

Pangilinan also pointed out that the pervasive presence of Chinese POGO workers in the country’s neighborhoods has also fueled racial antagonism among local residents, who rightfully detest some of the foreigners’ dirty habit of smoking, among others.

According to Pangilinan, there are issues as well of exploited Chinese workers, fly-by-night operators, and non-payment of taxes in the industry.

He said that all these these should not be ignored.

At the same time, Pangilinan said that no less than Philippine defense officials have raised the possibility of these POGOs being used to spy on Filipinos.

“The complex issues connected to POGO operations are critical and could outweigh the earnings government rake in,” he said.

Senator Joel Villanueva, for his part, said he is elated that the Bangko Sentral is taking action on POGOs after BSP Governor Benjamin Diokno commissioned a study on the online gaming industry.

He said this aligns with a resolution he filed earlier this month calling for an inquiry on the influx of foreign workers in the country, especially through the POGOs.

Gunman pleads guilty of killing trader Sytin THE assassin who shot and killed businessman Dominic Sytin has pleaded guilty for the murder, a Department of Justice prosecutor said on Wednesday.

Senior State Prosecutor Juan Pedro Navera, head of the DOJ’s panel of prosecutors handling the case, revealed that during his arraignment before the Olongapo City Regional Trial Court, accused Edgardo Luib pleaded guilty for murdering Sytin and for frustrated murder for injuring Sytin’s bodyguard Efren Espartero.

In his sworn statement, Luib detailed how the killing of Sytin was planned.

He implicated Sytin’s younger brother Dennis and former employee Ryan D. Rementilla alias Oliver Fuentes as those involved in the plot to kill Dominic.

The trial will continue on Sept. 11.

Navera said that the prosecution will still present evidence against the three accused despite Luib’s plea.

According to Navera, despite Luib’s pleading guilty, the trial court will still determine the voluntariness and full comprehension of his plea as required under the Rules on Criminal Procedure.

However, Luib can no longer be discharged as state witness.

“He already pleaded guilty. He cannot be discharged anymore,” Navera said.

The Olongapo City RTC earlier issued a hold departure order to stop Dennis from leaving the country.

Dennis stands trial for allegedly masterminding last year’s killing of his elder brother inside the Subic Bay Freeport Zone in Subic, Zambales.

Rey E. Requejo

CONGESTED. Leptospirosis

patients lie side by side with dengue patients at the congested San Lazaro Hospital in Manila. Inset photo shows that the hospital also set up a tent in anticipation of more dengue and leptospirosis patients in the coming days. Norman Cruz

SC ruling gives Ati tribe right to Boracay lands

By Rey E. Requejo

T

HE Supreme Court has upheld the “primary jurisdiction” of the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples in resolving ancestral domain cases.

With this ruling, the Ati ethnic group would get to keep a 2.5-hectare parcel of land in Boracay Island, where the cancellation of the original certificate of title of the property was sought by a couple before the Regional Trial Court, Branch 5, of Kalibo, Aklan instead of the NCIP. In a resolution, the SC’s First Division sustained the Court of Appeals decision dismissed the appeal of husband and wife Gregorio Sanson and Ma. Lourdes Tirol-Sanson in 2011 to have the title awarded to the Ati Indigenous Cultural Community for a 25,313-square meter property in

Barangay Manoc-Manoc on Boracay Island, Malay, Aklan canceled.

In 2011, the Sanson couple asked the lower court to cancel the original certificate of title that was granted to the Ati group in 2010.

However, when the lower court took cognizance of the case, the Ati indigenous peoples’ group brought the case before the Court of Appeals.

In 2015, the appellate court ruled that the Sansons should have filed their complaint for cancellation before the NCIP and not with regular courts, prompting the couple to run to the SC.

Du30 hits Aquino clan on CARP exclusion

By MJ Blancaflor PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has slammed the Aquino family anew for excluding the Cojuangco-owned Hacienda Luisita in the government’s land reform program, calling it the initiative’s “greatest aberration.”

“The greatest aberration in land reform, was the whole of the country [was placed in a] land reform program area. But they removed Doña Luisita,” Duterte said on Tuesday night.

The President made the statement at the central office of the Department of Agrarian Reform in Quezon City as the government distributed 112 hectares of Hacienda Luisita to over 100 farmers that were not covered by the previous administration.

He also expressed dismay at the November 2004 massacre in which seven farmers were killed near the gate of the Tarlac hacienda after a violent dispersal.

Hundreds of people were also injured, including women and children.

“Far and in between the years that it was fighting—I mean the tenants—many people died. A lot of people died, invested blood just to realize until late today the land was theirs,” he added.

This is not the first time that the Chief Executive has called out the late President Corazon Aquino for excluding her family’s sugar plantation in Tarlac in the government’s Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program.

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

But in his recent speech, the President had said that he had “nothing against the Aquino family” and said that the Dutertes even supported Corazon during her term as president.

“I’d like to put it in record, that for the first two Aquino presidents, we supported, our family in Davao because we believed in Corazon Aquino,” he said, referring to Corazon and his predecessor, Benigno Simeon.

FISHING WEATHER. Fishermen ready their fishing nets as they take advantage of the good weather to fish in the Navotas sea. Andrew Rabulan

In ruling against the couple, the SC held that the trial court committed grave abuse of discretion when it exceeded its jurisdiction by taking cognizance of the original case.

The high court said that the NCIP has “primary jurisdiction,” not “exclusive and original jurisdiction” as ruled by the CA, over the cancellation of certificates of ancestral domain title in accordance with the Indigenous Peoples’ Rights Act. “This jurisdiction is applicable whether the parties are non-ICCs/IPs [Indigenous Peoples] or members of different ICCs/IPs groups,” the SC declared.

The SC said the Sansons could have filed an appeal before the NCIP but records show that they did not.

“It would then appear that the complaint subsequently filed was an attempt to revive a lost appeal, which cannot be countenanced,” the high court held.

‘No homework’ for teachers, not students, pushed

By Maricel V. Cruz ‘‘TEACHERS should be spared of excessive reports, homework, too.’’

Deputy Speaker and Basilan Rep. Mujiv Hataman issued the statement in response to the bill filed at the House of Representatives prohibiting homework for students.

“Teachers should be the first to be spared of excessive homework,” Hataman said in a statement.

He said if the Education department is to consider a “no-homework” policy for public school students, if should first address the mountain of clerical work and reports teachers take home.

“How can teachers teach when a great deal of their time is devoted to preparing too many reports too often?”

Hataman asked.

He said the issue on “excessive homework” for teachers should take precedence over any discussion on the “no-homework” policy for students.

He said the DepEd should first find a solution to the undue volume of teacher’s work outside of teaching, either through trimming down the required reports or add personnel for these tasks.

Education Secretary Leonor Briones earlier said she supports the measure filed by Reps. Alfred Vargas of Quezon City and Evelina Escudero of Sorsogon who filed separate measures on no-homework policy for students.

Vargas’ bill prohibits homework during weekends while Escudero sought a no-homework policy for kinder to grade 12 students.

Briones said students lose time for rest and bonding with family and friends due to homework, which is sometimes completed by tutors or carers.

Du30 signs new school-related laws PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has signed new laws requiring schools to provide neutral desks for lefthanded students and ordering all state universities and colleges to craft and implement a land management plan.

He also signed a law professionalizing the fisheries profession through the formation of a regulatory board.

Republic Act 11394 or the Mandatory Provision of Neutral Desks in Educational Institutions Act orders both private and public schools nationwide to provide neutral tables or armchairs equivalent to 10 percent of the student population.

The law aims to protect left-handed students from being at a disadvantage as they use chairs for right-handed people.

The Department of Education, Commission on Higher Education and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority will formulate the penalties for non-compliance of the law.

Duterte also signed RA 11396 requiring SUCs to include the construction of dormitories for students and housing sites for faculty members and employees. MJ Blancaflor

Villar, Imee slam NFA on rice storage SENATORS Cynthia Villar and Imee Marcos on Tuesday castigated the National Food Authority for failure to buy palay from local farmers due to huge storage of imported rice in their warehouses.

Villar, chairman of the Senate committee on food and agriculture, and Marcos doubted the NFA deliberately prolonged the storage of rice to make it appear they were rotten.

With this condition, she said the NFA can sell the rice to their favorite rice traders.

Villar said this was done by the former NFA administration when they auctioned the alleged rotten rice and sold them at P22 per kilo.

Marcos, meanwhile, said there were 4.5 million bags of imported rice which were being stored by the NFA. She said this is equivalent to 225 million kilos or a total of P6.75 billion for P27 per kilo.

Macon Ramos-Araneta

DOH quizzed on FDA licensing DEPUTY Minority Leader Janette Garin on Wednesday questioned the decision of the Food and Drug Administration’s grant of a license to the Japanese encephalitis vaccine in a mere span of five days.

Garin addressed the question to Department of Health Secretary Francisco Duque III who appeared before congressmen Wednesday to defend the department’s proposed budget for 2020.

“If others are given a hard time, why did JE took just five days?” Garin asked Duque.

Duque disputed the claim of Garin, noting that the entire process of registration took four months.

But Garin said she finds Duque’s explanation unbelievable, claiming she has documents which show that the vaccine was licensed within a span of five days.

This prompted Garin to move to suspend the consideration of the DOH. But Garin withdrew her motion later in the hearing after Duque committed “to identify accountable officers to make sure that the information fed to me is actually accurate.” Maricel V. Cruz

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Opinion

THURSDAY, AUGUST 29, 2019

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Channels A FEW days ago, before President Rodrigo Duterte left for his fifth trip to China, Senator Bong Go, in reaction to several instances of Chinese vessels including warships passing through Sibutu Channel which is well within the Philippine territory, said the Philippine government would require vessels from other countries to notify Philippine authorities about their impending passage through territorial waters and get clearance from proper government authority well in advance.

President Duterte may as well raise the Sibutu passage issue with his Chinese counterpart.

Almost at the same time, Foreign Af Affairs Secretary Teddyboy Locsin said he had filed a diplomatic protest against China over the issue.

Palace spokesman Salvador Panelo readily agreed with the two saying the reported Chinese vessels passing through Philippine waters without clearance form the Philippine government is a violation of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea since they passed through our country’s “exclusive economic zone.”

However, the pronouncement from the three government officials are being contested by China claiming their vessels passage in Sibutu are “wellgrounded in law.”

In a statement coming from the Chinese Embassy, officials, quoting Dr.

Adelle Chua, Editor

EDITORIAL

Yan Yan, Director of Research Center for Oceans Law and Policy, National Institute of South China Sea Studies, say that not only the three government officials are confused about the status of waters around the Sibutu passage— whether they are territorial sea or exclusive economic zone or archipelagic waters. More importantly, there is no Philippine law yet requiring foreign vessels to get such clearance before passing through the waters within its archipelagic baseline.

Meanwhile, the Supreme Court in 2011 stated that Philippines sovereignty over the waters within the archipelagic baselines is subject to the rights of innocent passage and archipelagic sea lane passage as provided for under international law.

However, the Philippines has never enacted a law requiring clearance or prior notification of foreign vessels passing through the waters within its baseline.

China, Yan says, will respect Philippine laws and will notify relevant authorization if there’s such a legal requirement.

Consisting of more than 7000 islands and islets located around 600 miles off the south-eastern coast of the Asian mainland, the Philippines is an archipelagic state that made a significant contribution to the recognition of Archipelagic State status at the UN negotiation conferences of the UNCLOS. And while the 1987 Philippine Constitution says there is no difference between internal waters and archipelagic waters, the UNCLOS distinguishes between the two. In 2009, the Philippines updated its archipelagic baselines through Republic Act 9522, otherwise known as an Act to Amend Certain Provisions of Republic Act No. 3046, as Amended by Republic Act No. 5446, to define the Archipelagic Baselines of the Philippines, and for Other Purposes.

But even then, Yan noted, it did not

G

Putting out the fire

OVERNORS of nine Brazilian states most affected by the record number of fires in the Amazon rainforest have urged their president, Jair Bolsonaro, to accept the $22 million being offered by the seven most advanced economies of the world.

The pledge was made during the G7 summit held in Biarritz, France over the weekend.

But Bolsonaro says he will not accept the help unless the president of one member of the G7—France’s Emmanuel Macron—apologizes for what Bolsonaro says are insult’s to Brazilian sovereignty.

Macron has indicated that the fate of the Amazon would be the fate of everybody. Bolsonaro says the French president was treating Brazil as if it were a colony or no man’s land.

There have been 83,000 fires between January 1 and August 27 this year, estimates Brazil’s space agency, as reported by the BBC. The number represents a staggering 77 percent—some estimates peg it to

as high as 85 percent—increase from the fires in the same period last year.

BBC analysts also found that this year saw a sharp drop in fines handed out for environmental violations. While fires are common especially during the dry season, which is only beginning in Brazil, there are accusations the President is greatly encouraging illegal logging and mining. Deforestation by farmers, who use slash-and-burn means to set up their farms, is also blamed for the record fires.

The G7’s aid, which will primarily pay for more firefighting planes, will be available immediately. Individual countries, organizations and high-profile individuals have also pledged help.

That the Amazon is burning on an unprecedented scale is in itself a tragedy. It has been called the lungs of the globe, and rightly so. It helps mitigate the climate change by trapping carbon dioxide which will otherwise go to the atmosphere and warm the globe. It provides much-needed oxygen and hosts a wealth of species. So yes, it is Brazil’s, but there are no territorial bounds for the good it does the rest of us.

The spat between Macron and Bolsonaro compounds this tragedy and shows us how misplaced pride can slow down, even sabotage, efforts to contain the burning.

In this situation, every hour, every day is precious. Politicians’ egos— whether they claim to be proud nationalists or magnanimous donors and do-gooders—will never be quite so big as the huge and farreaching challenge that the Amazon fires bring. The emergency is bigger and more profound than all of them, combined.

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Maltreatment of our OFWs WHEN will our government take notice of what is happening to many of our domestic overseas workers in the Middle East and start planning for the eventual stoppage of their deployment to that region?

Do we no longer have any national pride left that in spite of the maltreatment of our citizens—mostly women— in the hands of abusive employers, the government continuous to turn a blind eye to what is happening?

The latest is the repatriation of about 100 workers who have been abused by their employers. This number is just what we know because they probably could no longer endure the abusive treatment that is why they chose to come back home.

There are a lot more cases that we do not know because many workers choose to remain silent, thinking wrongly that keeping mum is the only choice they have. There have already been a number of deaths, rapes and other cases that our workers are simply too ashamed to ever talk about. Maybe the foreign exchange that these people bring home is more important to the government than our dignity as a people. Yes, there are domestic helpers who are lucky enough to be employed by kind and caring employers. But the evidence so far point to a much bigger number of domestic workers suffering from abusive employers.

There is nothing wrong with leaving home to work overseas. Any kind of labor, as long as it is honest work, is something that we can all be proud of. But we should not send our women to countries whose own women are themselves treated badly. If the women in these countries do not have any civil rights, how do we expect our women to be treated with respect and dignity?

I do not know the exact amount that domestic foreign workers bring to our country but whatever it is, it is not enough to compensate for the damage it is causing to our national pride and to families due to separation. The way some countries view us Filipinos is often correlated with the

way we view ourselves as a people.

Was it not about two decades ago that a dictionary equated the word Filipino to domestic workers? Recall the violent reaction this prompted from us. If we want to send our citizens to work overseas, we should send them to countries with existing labor laws that ensure the protection of all workers and not to countries who may be richer but do not have labor laws that protect the rights of employees.

It is too much to expect that countries that do not give their own women civil rights will treat our women like the way they are treated here.

Where is our national pride?

The most common reason for Filipi Filipinos seeking their fortunes overseas is the lack of opportunities here or that the pay they earn here is not commensurate to the work that they do. This is true. This is perhaps the reason of some complaints that construction workers are now hard to come by because they are all working overseas. These workers like our nurses, engineers, and other professionals are better protected in their work places.

What is difficult and in many cases impossible to monitor are our domestic helpers who live in the homes of abusive employers. We only hear of the brutality after the fact because these workers often do not know where to go to complain or perhaps are just too embarrassed to admit their mistakes. In many instances, it is too late to do anything—and this is the reason they are brought home in coffins like the domestic helper who was killed by her employers and stuffed in a freezer.

There are now enough stories that have come out about domestic helpers not being fed for days or those being kept as virtual slaves. The government must start deploying fewer and fewer domestic helpers until we can finally stop it altogether in three to five years. We know of course that many of our women would still insist to go and Turn to A5

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Disaster risk resilience: Key to protecting vulnerable communities

By Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana GDP. Economic losses of such mag- oping States are five times more at risk THE past five years have been the hottest on record in Asia and the Pacific.

Unprecedented heatwaves have swept across our region, cascading into slow onset disasters such as drought. Yet heat is only part of the picture. Tropical cyclones have struck new, unprepared parts of our region and devastatingly frequent floods have ensued. In Iran, these affected 10 million people this year and displaced 500,000 of which half were children. Bangladesh is experiencing its fourth wave of flooding in 2019. Last year, the state of Kerala in India faced the worst floods in a century.

This is the new climate reality in Asia and the Pacific. The scale of forecast economic losses for the region is sobering. Including slow-onset disasters, average annualized losses until 2030 are set to quadruple to about $675 billion compared to previous estimates. This represents 2.4 percent of the region’s

Former Chief Justice Reynato S. Puno Anita F. Grefal Baldwin R. Felipe Edgar M. Valmorida

Board Member & Chief Legal Adviser Treasury Manager Head—Ad Solutions Circulation Manager

nitude will undermine both economic growth and our region’s efforts to reduce poverty and inequality, keeping children out of schools and adults of work. Basic health services will be undermined, crops destroyed and food security jeopardized. If we do not act now, Asia-Pacific’s poorest communities will be among the worst affected.

Four areas of Asia and the Pacific are particularly affected, hotspots which combine vulnerability to climate change, poverty and disaster risk. In transboundary river basins in South and South-East Asia such as the Ganges-BrahmaputraMeghna river basin, floods alternate with prolonged droughts. In SouthEast Asia and East and North-East Asia earthquakes, tsunamis and landslides threaten poor populations in the Pacific Ring of Fire. Intensifying sand and dust storms are blighting East, Central and Southwest Asia. Vulnerable populations in Pacific Small Islands Devel-

of disasters than a person in South and Southeast Asia. Many countries’ sustainable development prospects are now directly dependent on their exposure to natural disasters and their ability to build resilience.

Yet this vicious cycle between poverty, inequalities and disasters is not inevitable. It can be broken if an integrated approach is taken to investing in social and disaster resilience policies.

As disasters disproportionately affect the poor, building resilience must include investment in social protection as the most effective means of reducing poverty. Conditional cash transfer systems can be particularly effective as was shown in the aftermath of Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines. Increasing pre-arranged risk finance and climate risk insurance is also crucial. While investments needed are significant, in most countries these are equivalent to Turn to A5

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Opinion

THURSDAY, AUGUST 29, 2019

The Pacific beckons that Metro Manila is sinking at a rate of around 10 centimeters per year.

Reports indicate that some areas in Metro Manila have sunk from 27-53 inches or nearly four and a half feet from 1979 to 2009—and continue to INDONESIA recently announced its sink. intention to transfer its capital from Jakarta to the island of Borneo. Indonesia is not the first country to transfer General Nakar, its capital. Brazil transferred its capital from Rio de Janeiro to Brasilia in Quezon is an ideal new 1960 due to the steady growth of its location for national population which cannot be sustained government centers. by its limited space. Nigeria, Myanmar, Bolivia, and Kazakhstan have also moved their respective capitals.

Like Jakarta, Metro Manila is also The city of Jakarta is situated on swampy land, with 13 rivers passing densely populated. Recent estimates through it. With global warming and peg the number of residents at 12.8 climate change, the city has been sink- million. We also deal with heavy trafing and now sits below sea level. It is fic congestion, which, while being adregarded as one of the fastest sinking dressed, will not significantly improve cities, at an alarming average rate of in the near future.

At present, our national government 10 to 25 centimeters a year. This poses grave danger to its more than 10 mil- offices are distributed in various parts lion residents and threatens the safety of Manila and Quezon City. The sigof the various infrastructures built in nificant distance, compounded by the the city, especially the government traffic and floods, hinders the smooth buildings. Since the capital is the coordination between different agencenter of trade, commerce, and gov- cies which consequently adds to the ernance, economic activities are also problem of bureaucratic red tape and delays processing time and release of at risk.

Our country is in a similar situa- government documents.

Hence, we need to transfer our govtion to Jakarta. Experts have warned

ernment offices and establish a center of government where all national offices are in one area for convenience and efficiency. While the current plan is to transfer the capital to Clark, I have some reservations on this matter. Provinces north of Manila such as Pampanga and Bulacan are also said to be sinking by up to 6 centimeters every year since 2003. Pursuing Clark will end up in the same scenario as in Manila.

When I was in Congress, I proposed the relocation of the national government centers to General Nakar, Quezon and the construction of a circumferential road that will provide access of to the new capital. The Pacific side offers spacious and unpolluted room for the central government.

We need to plan and build for the future. Moving the center of government to General Nakar will decongest traffic, ease overcrowding, and improve the conditions of the Metro that have been burdened with exponential growth which we did not plan for. We cannot be two minutes too late on this.

We should move and start planning now. The deteriorating conditions of the Metro do not make for an ideal government center, and realistically, I see no improvement in our current situation. That said, let’s set our sights on areas with untapped potential.

UK shipyard braces for Brexit turmoil

By Dmitry Zaks WELSH businessman Stewart Graves is certain that a no-deal Brexit will shut down his marine renewable energy plant currently testing its prototypes in the Irish Sea. The entrepreneur's Milford Haven shipyard and its 80 workers also make sensitive communication masts that British warships will use to track enemy submarines.

Graves fears that many of these designers and engineers will soon be out of work.

"We are world leaders in renewable technologies and that is all going to waste," Graves told AFP during a tour of his Mainstay Marine Solutions.

The possibility of a no-deal Brexit on Oct. 31 would mean "this company will almost certainly have to go out of business," he said.

"They are prepared to let it die."

The dogma of Brexit It would mark a premature end for a leading company in a 205-year-old dockyard that has built royal yachts and warships.

Mainstay Marine Solutions and scores of other Welsh businesses depend on the help of investments from the European Union.

The money is meant to spur growth in one of the poorest corners of Europe—a region whose problems pushed voters to strongly back Brexit in 2016.

Graves's business is especially sensitive to the divorce.

Brussels has fed the plant with "match-funding" for projects harnessing the power of waves and tides into

Disaster...

From A4

less than half the costs forecast to result from natural disasters.

The use of technological innovations to protect the region from natural disasters must go hand in hand with these investments. Big data reveal patterns and associations between complex disaster risks and predict extreme weather and slow onset disasters to improve the readiness of our economies and our societies. In countries affected by typhoons, big data applications can make early warning systems stronger and can contribute to saving lives and reducing

electricity that feeds directly into the Some economists question the abilnational grid. ity of Johnson's "free ports" to actuGraves always knew the EU money ally stimulate trade. would dry up once Britain left the othSeven have been tried across Britain er 27 nations and doubts that London between 1984 and 2012. will step in when Brussels bows out.

These were bound by the more stringent confines of EU regulations—and "There is little opportunity for us to all eventually shut down. survive losing 40 percent of our busiJones argues that Johnson's idea ness and having no market in Europe would work better if it was expanded to be able to go into because of tar- to cover entire cities or regions around iffs," he said. the port.

"If you really want to make Britain "Simplified planning, improved great, don't waste it on the dogma of connectivity and economic investBrexit and leaving on October 31." ments. It's a 'free port plus'," Jones Britain's business and energy de- said. partment did not respond to a request for comment.

Leading edge Yet the mood around Milford Haven Free ports port's businesses is dour.

Graves works out of a dockyard The fuel refinery looming on the opthat is one of 10 earmarked by Prime posite side of the bay from Jones's ofMinister Boris Johnson's government fice has joined Britain's five others in to become exempt from import tariffs warning Johnson that a no-deal could as a "free port"—a business-boosting threaten its operations. idea given greater freedom outside Johnson has promised to import EU EU rules. fuel into Britain tariffs-free to avoid Port of Milford Haven chief execu- price shock at the pump and avert tive Andy Jones sees some irony in inflation. Yet the fuel exported from new trade initiatives emerging just as Milford Haven would face a 4.7-perBritain is withdrawing from the rest of cent tax on entry into the EU. the Europe.

Local legislators fear that the com"It's taken Brexit for the ports indus- petitive disadvantage could see some try to be recognised for how important of the refinery's 500 workers lose their a role it plays in trade," Jones said in jobs. his office overlooking the towering And Graves knows that his shipyard chimneys of a fuel refinery on the op- cannot survive without London stepposite site of the bay. ping in and maintaining the same level "Global trade is going to continue of support as that offered by Brussels. regardless. It's a bit of a cliche, but "We're not talking about subsidizing we live on an island. Ninety-five a dying industry," Graves argued. percent of all trade in the UK goes "We're talking about investing in through ports and that's not going to technology in the leading edge in a change." field." AFP

damage. China and India are leading the way in using technology to warn people of impending disasters, make their infrastructure more resilient and deliver targeted assistance to affected farmers and citizens.

Asia and the Pacific can learn from this best practice and multilateral cooperation is the way to give scale to our region’s disaster resilience effort.

With this ambition in mind, representatives from countries across the region are meeting in Bangkok this week at the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) to explore regional responses to natural disasters.

Their focus will include strengthen-

RA 10592 of May 29, 2013, the law that might have granted Antonio Sanchez the chance to be set free, certainly From A4 created a media tempest. The news covwork as domestics abroad but regard- erage is as intense if not more as when less of what they want, the government the crime was committed in the early must do something to protect them from 1990s.

Before everyone goes bonkers, it themselves. might be well to remember that the law ***

Maltreatment...

ing Asia-Pacific’s Disaster Resilience Network and capitalizing on innovative technology applications for the benefit of the broader region. This is our opportunity to replicate successes, accelerate drought mitigation strategies and develop a regional sand and dust storm alert system. I hope the region can seize it to protect vulnerable communities from disaster risk in every corner of Asia and the Pacific.

Ms. Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana is Undersecretary-General of the United Nations and Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP).

was not passed for the specific benefit of Antonio Sanchez. The law was passed for the purpose of giving all convicted prisoners a second chance in life. In a way, the brouhaha created by the news that a convicted felon who was sentenced to life because of rape and double murder could be blessing because there is now a chance to take a second look at

A5

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Logistics no longer neglected sector of the demand for warehouse space.

A third—and certainly not the least—driving force behind the ongoing rise of the logistics sector is the Duterte administration’s infrastructure (Build, Build, Build) program.

WHENEVER they have thought The program has created a sharp inabout economic activity, Filipinos crease in demand for storage space have taken into consideration only for the equipment and supplies rethe two ends of the economic-activity quirements of the program. spectrum, namely, production and Clearly, warehousing is a key elconsumption. They have tended to ement in the ongoing upsurge of not consider that goods that are pro- the logistics sector. Apparently, the duced need to be readied and made point is slowly being reached where accessible to consumers. In short, there will be a deficit in the supply they have tended to not think of lo- of efficiently built and well located gistics as a key important component warehouse space. The business conof economic acglomerates retivity. alize this and As a result of have begun to such disregard, wareware The policymakers and include the components houses—inof the logis- the business community cluding waretics sector—the have seen the light. houses with facilities of refrigeration the processfacilities—in ing, customs their capex and brokering and forwarding serser- (capital spending) budgets. vices, storage and transportation Just how far the logistics upsurge industries—have been inadequate, has come can be seen in, among othinefficient and poorly maintained. er things, the rise in the Philippines’ Warehouses tend to be old and badly ranking in the World Bank LPI (Loconstructed, processing of goods is gistics Performance Index), which generally below par, customs broker- covers 160 countries. The Philippines ing and forwarding services are inef- used to be in 71st place; today it is ficient and transportation equipment No. 60. The WB-LPI found that the is notoriously poorly maintained.

Philippines had registered better perNo longer. Policymakers and the formance in four areas (tracking and business have at last realized that tracing, logistics competence, infrathe logistics sector of the Philip- structure and international shipment) pine economy has not been accorded out of six. the attention it deserves—a neglect Perhaps the biggest problem facwhich has proven costly for domes- ing the logistics sector is a deteriotic and foreign consumers of Filipino rating land-availability situation. products in terms of inflation and un- As urbanization proceeds, demand competitive exports. As they say, the for warehouse space is more incavalry is on the way, bringing the tensely competing with demand for needed resources and skills. land for commercial and residential There are several driving forces purposes. behind the at-long-last heightened At this point the leader in the drive interest in the logistics sector of the to provide first-rate warehouse space Philippine economy. The first and for in this country’s industry and foremost factor is the greater de- commerce is Double Dragon Propermand created by the now-higher pace ties Inc., a company affiliated with of GDP (gross domestic product) the Jollibee group of companies. growth; obviously above-6-percent In highly strategic fashion Double GDP growth is bound to require more Dragon has put up massive wareand better logistics than 4-5 percent houses—called Central Hubs—in growth.

Tarlac and Iloilo. The first is intended Another upward force is the con- to service the needs of the booming tinuing rise of e-commerce activ- Metro Manila-Clark-Central Luzon ity in this country. The entry of such mega-region; the second is intended online-selling giants such as Lazada, to service the needs of one of the ViZalora, Shopee and S&R Member- sayas’ most progressive islands. Apship Shopping has created a growing parently, other Central Hubs are on demand for space in which to ware- the drawing-board. house e-commerced items. A propThe policymakers and the busierty research company has reported ness community have seen the light. that during the period 2012-2017 the Hereafter the logistics sector will no industrial/retail business group was longer be the neglected component of the leading contributor to the growth the Philippine economy.

identify whether the waters within the baselines are archipelagic waters or internal waters, and it did not specify the breadth of the territorial sea. Moreover, while it is a consequence of acquiring archipelagic status to designate archipelagic sea lane passage, it has so far not submitted a proposal to the International Maritime Organization on the designation of archipelagic sea lane passage.

Now, the interesting part. According to Yan, Article 53 paragraph 12 of the UNCLOS states that “if an archipelagic State does not designate sea lanes or air routes, the right of archipelagic sea lanes passage may be exercised through the routes normally used for international navigation.”

The Sibutu passage is a deep channel about 18 miles wide, connecting the Sulu Sea with the Sulawesi Sea. It is one of the eight most important straits lying wholly within Philippine archipelagic waters. It is an important transit route for international trade between the Pacific and the Indian Ocean with around 15,000 annual ship passage.

Thus, Yan says the Sibutu passage is a route “normally used for international navigation” that all the vessels can sail through as an archipelagic sea lanes passage, including the Chinese warships.

In fact, Yan said China does require

foreign warships to apply for passage in its territorial sea according to the 1992 Law of Territorial Sea and Contiguous Zone and that if does not have to notify the Philippine government simply because there is no requirement from the government.

Early this month, President Duterte said he would bring the issue of the PCA ruling on the disputed territories with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

While the issue of the Chinese vessels’ Sibutu passage maybe outside the scope of the PCA ruling, it maybe a good idea to bring the issue as well as both sides maybe having a different interpretation of the matter.

But if indeed we have no law yet on archipelagic sea lane passage, nor have we defined yet our archipelagic sea lane before the IMO, the three aforementioned officials may have been crying wolf or crying foul for a non-existing offense. And with the political relation between China and the Philippines dramatically improving in the past three years, they may have to cease right away.

There seems to be no basis in confronting the Philippines’ largest trade partner since 2016 and its biggest investor since last year.

What we need now, as Yan suggests, is to work towards achieving a Code of Conduct in the near future or resolve the long-standing disputes in a peaceful way.

the law.

The law as passed just like many other laws seems to have many infirmities. It gives prisoners who have been convicted of capital and violent crimes the same opportunity as convicts who have committed lesser crimes. Perhaps, that was not the intention of the law. A second look by Congress should therefore be

able to remove objectionable provisions.

Also, the operative word in the initial news report was about the possible release of Sanchez and not the outright release. And with President Duterte against the release, there is zero chance of it happening.

So relax, folks. Sanchez will not be released anytime soon.

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Broadcast journalist denies hand in murder A BROADCAST journalist from Kidapawan City, Cotabato on Wednesday came forward, denying any involvement in the murder of Brigada News FM anchor Eduardo Dizon last July 10.

At a news conference in Quezon City, Bong Encarnacion, whose real name is Dante Tabosares, maintained his innocence, asking “why point to me as the mastermind behind Dizon’s death?”

Despite tirades between him and Dizon when he was still alive over controversies surrounding the Kapa Community Ministry International Inc., he said the two of them were not enemies and were not harboring an old grudge with one another.

“Even Mrs. [Madonna] Dizon was a friend,” he told reporters.

Tabosares is the radio manager and commentator of Radyo Bomba 99.5.

He tapped a Davao City-based lawyer, Peter Nugas, as his lead counsel, and another collaborating lawyer, Flor Sardido from Digos City, Davao del Sur, to defend him before the prosecutor’s office.

“I am at the same time a pastor. Why did the government said the case [of murder] is already closed?” he asked.

The real perpetrator of the crime continued to remain scot-free, he said.

“We have a good case [defense],” Sardido said.

The Malacañang task force looking into the murder of Dizon identified Encarnacion as the mastermind, Junell Gerozaga as the gunman, Jun Jacolbe as the right-hand man and Hilario Lapi Jr. as the lookout.

Lapi identified Encarnacion as the one who ordered the killing of Dizon in a meeting of 10 persons inside his office also on July 10.

The Presidential Task Force on Media Security said a case of murder was filed against Encarnacion last July 22.

Communications Secretary Martin Andanar said “the suspects, based on our witnesses’ affidavits, are Kapa members who are also media people themselves.”

Encarnacion, for his part, admitted he is a Kapa “defender and advocate.” Rio N. Araja

PDEA launches drug-free program 2 Koreans T arrested

By Rio N. Araja

HE Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency on Wednesday launched a program for drug-free workplace in hotels, restaurants, bars, condominiums, subdivisions and even warehouses in Makati City.

Director General Aaron Aquino said the anti-drug advocacy program was not mainly for the promotion of a drug-free workplace, but also to instill awareness on the modus operandi used by drug syndicates, such as using high-end subdivisions, hotels and condominiums as drug dens, laboratories and warehouses to conceal their illegal activities.

“One of the priorities of the program is to reintroduce and compel business owners to conform with the requirements of Dangerous Drugs Board Regulation 8 Series of 2003 which mandates all private establishments employing 10 or more workers to formulate and

By Maricel V. Cruz A LEADER of the House of Representatives has raised concern over the increasing number of suicides among Filipinos aged 13 to 25.

At the same time, San Jose del Monte City Rep. Rida Robes, chairperson of the House Committee on People Participation, called for a stronger health and educational program aimed at battling the malady, which she said had victimized 2,000 from 2000 to 2012.

In a privilege speech, Robes said depression was the common cause of suicide that had not been adequately addressed.

“I am alarmed that depression gets to become a ‘common cold’ in this country, affecting some 3,300000 Filpinos,” Robes said in her speech late Tuesday.

“The Philippines has the highest number of depressed people in Southeast Asia and a high number of these cases are observed among our young people, including career-bound young professionals,” she added.

Citing a 2017 World Health Organization report, Robes said suicide rates in the country was “about six for males and two for females per 100,000.

Majority of individuals who committed suicide are youths aged 15 to 29 years old, she added.

She lamented the fact that educational system of the country

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES

MEMORANDUM CIRCULAR NO._____________ Series of 2019 : PRESCRIBING THE IMPLEMENTING RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR SECTION 14 OF R.A. 11032 FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY (DICT) TO ESTABLISH, MANAGE AND MAINTAIN THE PHILIPPINE BUSINESS DATABANK (PBD)

WHEREAS, under paragraph 1 of Section 14 of Republic Act No. 9485 as amended by Republic Act No. 11032, the Department of lnformation and Communications Technology (DICT), in coordination with the concerned agencies, shall establish, manage and maintain a Philippine Business Databank (PBD) which shall provide concerned national government agencies (NGAs) and local government units (LGUs) access to data and information of registered business entities for the purposes of verifying the validity, existence of and other relevant information pertaining to business entities; WHEREAS, to ensure the attainment of the objectives of this Act, Anti- Red Tape Authority (ARTA) is empowered to monitor and evaluate the compliance of all government offices and agencies including local government units (LGUs), government-owned or -controlled corporations (GOCC’s) and other government instrumentalities, whether located in the Philippines or abroad that provide services covering business and nonbusiness transactions and issue notice of warning to erring and/or noncomplying government employees or officials; and WHEREAS, under paragraph 2 of the same Section, the DICT, in consultation with the Department of Trade and lndustry (DTl), Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Cooperative Development Authority (CDA), National Privacy Commission (NPC), Department of the lnterior and Local Government (DILG), Local Government Units (LGUs), and other concerned agencies shall issue the lmplementing Rules and Regulations on the establishment, management and maintenance of the PBD; WHEREFORE, the following rules are hereby promulgated.

PART I GENERAL PROVISIONS SECTION 1. Title. These rules shall be referred to as the “PBD Rules” or hereinafter the “Rules”.

SECTION 2. Definition of Terms. For the purposes of these Rules, the following terms are defined as follows: 1.

“Act” refers to Republic Act No. 9485, otherwise known as the “Anti-Red Tape Act of 2007”, as amended by Republic Act No. 11032, otherwise known as the “Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act of 2018”.

2.

“Administrator” or “PBD Administrator” shall refer to the DICT acting pursuant to its mandate to establish, manage and maintain the PBD.

3.

“Application Programming lnterface” or “APl” refers to a set of code and programming rules that allow software to connect with systems.

4.

“ARTA” shall refer to the Anti-Red Tape Authority.

5.

“Philippine Business Number” shall refer to the unique unifying identification number that will pertain to each business entity submitting Entity Data.

6.

“Business-related Transactions” refers to a set of regulatory requirements that a business entity must comply with to engage, operate or continue to operate a business, such as, but not limited to, collection or preparation of a number of documents, submission to national and local government authorities, approval of application submitted, and receipt of a forma certificate or certificate, permits, licenses which include primary and secondary clearances and such similar authorization or documents which confer eligibility to operate or continue to operate as a legitimate business as defined under the Act.

7.

“Common Entity Data” refers to information or documents of a business entity required and collected by all PBD Participants pursuant to business-related transactions or government services.

8.

“CDA” refers to the Cooperative Development Authority.

9.

“Council” refers to the PBD Advisory Council as may be created under these Rules.

10. “DILG” refers to the Department of the lnterior and Local Government.

11. “DlCT” refers to the Department of lnformation and Communications Technology.

12. “DTl” refers to the Department of Trade and lndustry.

13. “Entity Data” refers to information or documents of a business entity required and collected by PBD Participants pursuant to a business-related transaction or government service.

14. “Entity Data Guidelines” refers to the issuances of the Administrator relevant to the data fields and deadlines of submission by the business entities.

15. “Go-Live” means that the PBD has completed all necessary tests and is fully operational.

16. “Government Service” refers to the process or transaction between applicants or requesting parties and government offices or agencies involving applications for any privilege, right, reward, license, clearance, permit or authorization, concession, or for any modification, renewal or extension of the enumerated applications or requests which are acted upon the ordinary course of business of the agency or office concerned.

17. “LGU System” refers to the software to be used by local government units for the computerization of the business permit and licensing system.

18. “LGU” shall refer to the local government units.

19. “NGA” refers to National Government Agency.

20. “NPC” refers to the National Privacy Commission.

21. “Philippine Business Databank System” or “PBD” is the Database of Entity Data developed, operated, managed and maintained by the DICT to provide concerned national government agencies (NGAs) and local government units (LGUs) access to data and information of registered business entities for the purposes of verifying the validity, existence of and other relevant information pertaining to business entities.

22. “PBD Participants” refer to NGAs or LGUs engaged in business-related transactions and government services as defined under the Act. 23. “PCCI” shall refer to the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and lndustry.

24. “SEC” shall refer to the Securities and Exchange Commission.

25. “Task Force” refers to the Task Force as may be established under Part lll of these rules.

26. “TWG” refers to the Technical Working Group as may be established under Part lll of these rules.

27. “ULAP” refers to the Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines. ln addition, the definitions found under Section 4 of the Act are also adopted.

2.

3.

4.

By Vito Barcelo TWO more Korean fugitives wanted for justice in their country were arrested by immigration authorities at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, bringing the number to six Korean fugitives nabbed for the month of August.

The Koreans, identified as Hong Chan Woo and Jun Juman and both in the Interpol’s wanted list, were intercepted at the departure area of the NAIA 3 terminal.

Port Operations Division Chief Grifton Medina said the two were brought to the BI detention in Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig City pending their deportation proceedings.

“They were about to leave the country when our immigration officers saw that their names were registered hits in Interpol database showing that they have derogatory criminal records in Korea,” Medina said.

Hong was reportedly bound for Jakarta while Juman was going to Hanoi when they were offloaded from their flights and arrested.

According to lawyer Rommel Tacorda, Border Control and Intelligence Unit chief, Hong was wanted by authorities in Seoul for forging a private document and committing fraud.

The Korean court issued a warrant against Hong and and became the subject of Interpol’s red notice.

Hong is wanted for violating Korea’s game industry promotion act for engaging in online gaming activities in conspiracy with other suspects.

Jun and his cohorts allegedly amassed large sums of money amounting to hundreds of millions of Won, which the victims deposited to their bank accounts, by converting it to game money.

To design and build the PBD and to make available, through the PBD, Entity Data which have been submitted to it by PBD Participants; To maintain the PBD and ensuring service availability, by itself or through a contractor; To secure the PBD and ensure confidentiality, integrity and availability of the Entity Data contained therein as updated from time-to-time; To coordinate between and consult with LGUs and NGAs in relation to the orderly development, maintenance, operation and management of the PBD;

have focused efforts at “developing a man’s body and intellect by capacitating himself with knowledge and technical competence” but not on preparing a person to the “requirements of spirituality and immortality.”

“Thus, we have graduates with big minds but Lilliputian hearts. Education is not programmed to develop the will and emotions but is heavily tilted towards the development of the mind,” she noted.

She added an “alarming number of young Filipinos who have taken their own lives because of the feeling of hopelessness and meaningless existence.”

Depressed youths are denied quality time by their parents due to busy schedule while school life “has become source of high level stress.”

“Our senior high school students speak of difficulty coping with increased pressure and stress with the lumping of too many difficult subjects, too many academic requirements, lack of guidance and counseling, heightened competition and increasing level of expectation from teachers and parents,” said Robes, member of the House Committee on Basic Education.

In her speech, Robes urged the Commission on Higher Education and the Department of Education to lead in the formulation and implementation of an ethical orientation program “anchored on the process of moral choice with emphasis on the teaching of moral and philosophical values necessary for human survival.”

5.

To decide: 5.1 On system infrastructure, such as software or hardware upgrades; and 5.2 On adding, removing or otherwise modifying functionalities of the PBD; 6. To set and promulgate lT, technical, economic or other standards, relating to the use of the PBD. Such standards shall cover data collection, data format, access protocols, access pricing, and system connectivity; 7. To determine access rights to the PBD and the Entity Data contained therein considering applicable data privacy principles and relevant provisions of the Data Privacy Act of 2012. Being granted access should not mean access to all information of the Entity Data unless it is justified.

With this, different agencies shall have different access rights to the information considering their respective mandate ; 8. To ascertain the members of the TWG, Task Force or Advisory Council; 9. To effect the data privacy sharing and processing arrangements necessary for the lawful exchange of information among PBD Participants through the PBD; 10. To create and maintain records of PBD usage, including login data, changes made to the system and other metadata; 11. To secure the necessary funding to develop, manage and operate and maintain the PBD and; 12. To implement and give effect to the One Submission Policy found under the third paragraph of Section 14 of the Act which provides that documents already submitted by an applicant or requesting party to an agency which has access to the PBD shall no longer be required by other NGAs and LGUs having the same access. Documents or information shall be crosschecked and retrieved in the PBD. This shall be implemented through standards and technology used in the PBD. Unless otherwise provided, the functions of the Administrator shall be performed by an Undersecretary of the DICT, or as the Secretary of DICT thereof may determine.

SECTION 4, Administrative issuances. ln consultation with its stakeholders, the Administrator shall issue regulations, memorandum circulars, guidelines, standards, protocols and other administrative issuances necessary to carry out its functions under the Act and these Rules.

PART III THE PBD TWG, TASK FORCE, AND ADVISORY COUNCIL SECTION 5. Creation of PBD TWG, Task Force and Advisory Council. Pursuant to Section 19(d) of the Act, the Administrator may create TWG, Task Force or an Advisory Council to assist in the management and operation of the PBD. PART IV OBLIGATIONS OF PBD PARTICIPANTS SECTION 6. Responsibilities of PBD Participants. In the performance of its duties above, each PBD Participant shall be obliged: 1.

To provide the Administrator with Entity Data as provided in these Rules; 2.

To designate an authorized representative within its organization to coordinate with the Administrator and who can make decisions on the PBD Participant’s behalf in relation to its obligations under the Act and these Rules; the representative must be at least a third ranking official in the agency; 3.

To conform to and abide by technical standards and administrative issuances set by the Administrator; 4.

To refrain from using the PBD System for intellectual property violations, hacking and other unlawful or unauthorized activities, including those acts prohibited by the Data Privacy Act of 2012; 5.

To adopt information systems capable of reflecting Entity Data under its custody in real-time, and in view thereof, to develop plans and programs to bring its information technology capabilities thereto; 6.

To ensure, at their level, with respect to their information systems: 6.1. Compliance with the Data Privacy Act, which includes in securing the consent of data subjects; 6.2. Appropriate information security; 6.3. Appropriate maintenance, updates, upgrades, and infrastructure; and 6.4. Front line customer support.

7.

To inform the Administrator of changes in their system that affects their PBD obligations such as system upgrades, change of vendors, and development of new technology; 8.

To arrange for their own connection to the PBD system; and 9.

To collaborate with the Administrator for the sustainability of the PBD. SECTION 7. Data Quality. The PBD Participant shall be responsible for data quality. Entity Data received from PBD Participants shall be made available by the Administrator on as-is-where-is basis.

PART V DEVELOPMENT OF THE PBD SECTION 8. Quality Manual and System Policies. The Administrator will issue a Quality Manual containing at least the following: Purpose and Background of the PBD, Definitions and Terminology, Management Requirements and Technical Requirements, Monitoring and Evaluation, and lnternal Audit Requirements.

SECTION 9. Features and Functions. The Administrator shall design and develop the PBD in accordance with the requirements as indicated in the PBD System Design (or Specifications) document in collaboration with the PBD Participants. The System Design (or Specifications) shall form part of the Quality Manual.

1. Person Responsible/System Administrator. The PBD Participants shall nominate their own System Administrator and it’s alternate to submit Entity Data as determined by the Administrator.

The System Administrator must be at least a third ranking official in the PBD Participant.

2. Data Collection. The PBD Participants shall submit Entity Data based on the PBD System Policies.

3. Access and Examination. The Administrator shall allow PBD Participants to access Entity Data submitted therein by other PBD Participants for purposes of verifying relevant information pertaining to business entities, subject to the technical guidelines to be issued by the Administrator.

The PBD may provide information to the public and the national government agencies, subject to guidelines of which shall be issued by DICT in a separate circular.

SECTION 10. Philippine Business Number.

1. Philippine Business Number. A Business Number shall be electronically generated for each business entity as provided by the PBD Participants.

2. Issuing body. The guidelines to implement the generation and use of the Philippine Business Number shall be jointly issued by DICT, DTl, SEC and CDA. SECTION 11. Entity Data.

1.

PART II THE PBD ADMINISTRATOR SECTION 3. PBD Administrator Roles and Responsibilities. The PBD Administrator shall be the DICT and shall have the following functions: 1.

at NAIA

Solon alarmed by rising suicide cases

DEPARTMENT OF INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY

SUBJECT

implement a drug-free workplace program, including mandatory drafting and adoption of company policies against illegal drug use,” he said.

During the launch, Aquino, along with Makati City Mayor Abbie Binay, urged all business establishments to implement a safe and drug-free environment in the workplace, pursuant to the Department of Labor and Employment Order 53-03 or the Guidelines for the implementation of a Drug-Free Workplace Policies and Programs for the Private Sector.

Earlier, PDEA dismantled a largescale clandestine laboratory in Oceanaire Luxurious Residences in Pasay

City on Sept. 25, 2018.

Aquino urged lessors of warehouses, condominiums and houses to regularly inspect their properties to prevent them from being used as drug laboratories and warehouses.

“PDEA has seen clandestine drug laboratories set up inside subdivisions and condominiums. Illegal drug transactions are actually happening inside hotel rooms, restaurants and bars because illegal drugs can be exchanged discreetly.

Some drug personalities were even billeted inside residential condominiums and apartelles, and use the place as drug dens where illegal drugs can be bought and used,” he said.

“We are one in promoting a working environment free from the influence of illegal drugs in the public and private sectors as this allows personnel better health and safety, at the same time increasing productivity. This is a winwin situation for both employers and employees,” he added.

Common Entity Data. Unless otherwise specified by the Administrator in subsequent issuances, the following Entity Data shall be submitted by the business entities: 1.1 Business Name 1.2 Regulatory Reference lD (e.g. SEC Registration Number, etc.)

1.3 Registration Date 1.4 Expiry Date 1.5 Status (e.g. active, dissolved etc.)

1.6 Address 1.7 City/Municipality 1.8 Zip code 1.9 Contact Number 1.10 Philippine Standard lndustrial Classification Reference 1.11 Tax ldentification Number 1.12 Agency/LGU Code (Unified Account Code Structure) 1.13 Business Owner/s

3.

agency that has access to the PBD shall no longer be required by other NGAs and LGUs having the same access.

Guidelines. The Administrator will issue further rules and circulars, as it may deem necessary for the period of submission of Entity Data (“Entity Data Guidelines”). PBD Participants and business entities are enjoined to cooperate for such purpose.

SECTION 12. Standards of Transmission.

1.

Administrator Obligations. The Administrator shall set the standards and issue the appropriate guidelines for the allowable modes of transmission of Entity Data.

2.

PBD Participants Obligations. The PBD Participants shall comply with the standards issued by the Administrator in transmitting Entity Data.

SECTION 13. LGU System. Pursuant to Section 11(c) of the Act, the Administrator shall make available to the LGU-PBD Participants the software for the computerization of the business permit and licensing system.

1.

2.

3.

Development. The Administrator shall use reasonable efforts to design, develop, and implement the LGU System to allow for the computerization of the business permit and licensing system.

For such purpose, the Administrator will issue such further guidelines specifying the timeline and deliverables.

Permitted purpose. The LGU-PBD Participant shall only use the LGU System for the purposes stated herein and under the Act. Expenses. The LGU-PBD Participant shall be responsible for any and all expenses for its use and access to the LGU System.

Section 14. Existing Systems. All PBD Participants, including LGU-PBD Participants with respect to business permit and licensing systems, which have existing systems and policies in place or being planned, must be amended and modified as may be necessary to conform to the standards issued by the Administrator.

PART VI DATA PRIVACY SECTION 15. Declaration of Policy. The processing of personal data by the PBD, including the PBD Participants, shall be in accordance with R.A. 10173, also known as the Data Privacy Act of 2012.

SECTION 16. Declaration of Public Function. Entity Data processed through the PBD is deemed information necessary in order to carry out the functions of public authority, insofar as the DICT is mandated under Section 14 of the Act to establish, manage, and maintain the PBD, and insofar as such data is required by PBD Participants in accordance with their respective controlling legislation.

SECTION 17. Consent of the Data Subject. lt shall be the duty of the PBD Participant to secure the consent of the data subject for the lawful processing of Entity Data, when such data is covered by the Data Privacy Act, before submitting the same to the PBD. The Administrator may rely on the presumption that such duty has been carried out regularly.

SECTION 18. lnformation Security. The Administrator shall implement reasonable and appropriate organizational, physical and technical security measures as required under the Data Privacy Act, and other applicable issuances, including data breach notification.

SECTION 19. Data Sharing Requirements. The Administrator shall put in place a common framework for data sharing, compliant with the Data Privacy Act, and other applicable issuances. All PBD Participants shall abide by the same.

PART VII REPORTORIAL REQUIREMENTS SECTION 20. PBD Participant Reports. Under Section 28 of the Act on the status of PBD implementation, PBD Participants shall submit periodic reports in writing to the Administrator.

Additional guidelines shall be issued by the Administrator to implement this provision.

SECTION 21. TWG, Task Force and Council Report. The body created under Section 5 of these Rules shall submit an annual report to the Administrator on meetings, resolutions, and other relevant matters discussed.

SECTION 22. Administrator Reports. The Administrator shall report to the Congressional Oversight Committee regarding the development of the PBD and its operation, including downtime and other financial or technical issues. The report shall include a discussion on the matters submitted by the PBD Participants and the body created as provided under Sections 20 and 21 above. Such reports shall be made from time to time, as the Administrator may deem necessary but in no case later than every six (6) months.

PART VIII Monitoring and Compliance of PBD Participants SECTION 23. Monitoring and Compliance. ARTA is empowered to monitor and evaluate the compliance of all government offices and agencies including Local Government Units (LGUs), government-owned or -controlled corporations (GOCC’s) and other government instrumentalities, whether located in the Philippines or abroad that provide services covering business and nonbusiness transactions and issue notice of warning to erring and/or noncomplying government employees or officials.

PART IX OTHER PROVISIONS SECTION 24. Applicability. These Rules shall apply to all PBD Participants and the Entity Data they respectively require and collect as defined herein.

SECTION 25. Access to lnformation. The PBD Participants as defined may access the PBD and the Entity Data contained therein. Other entities or persons as determined by the DICT may access the same. For this purpose, the DICT shall issue such other advisories or circulars for the proper implementation of the same.

SECTION 26. Coordination with ARTA - The DICT shall coordinate with the ARTA all business transactions as defined in the Act, as well as all existing and new policies for review and recommendation whether to repeal if the same is outdated, redundant and adds undue regulatory burden to the transacting public.

SECTION 27. Amendment. The DICT shall amend these Rules as it may deem necessary and as provided by law.

SECTION 28. Separability Clause. lf any clause, sentence, provision or section of these Rules shall be held unconstitutional or otherwise invalid, the other sections or provisions not otherwise affected shall remain in full force and effect.

SECTION 29. Transitory provision. All pending applications affected by the implementation of this Memorandum Circular shall be allowed to be completed under the previous system. All existing laws, rules and regulations, circulars, and advisories promulgated, issued or done not otherwise contrary to this IRR shall remain valid, legal, binding, and effective.

SECTION 30. Effectivity. These Rules shalltake effect ffieen (15) days after publication in a newspaper of general circulation in the Philippines and upon filing three (3) certified true copies with the ffice of the National Administrative Register, University of the Philippines Law Center.

APPROVED.

ELISEO M. RIO, JR. Acting Secretary Date:_______________________

2.

One Submission Policy. Entity Data already submitted by an applicant or requesting party to an (MS-AUG. 29, 2019)

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

Sports

A7

THURSDAY, AUGUST 29, 2019 sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

Fajardo’s journey began at BEST Center NEW Jersey-based Ella Fajardo, who saw action for the Gilas Pilipinas girls’ team that bagged the bronze in the recent FIBA 3x3 U18 tournament, looked back to the days when she started honing her skills through the Milo BEST Center grassroots program.

“I was nine years old when I first joined Milo BEST,” said the 16-year-old Fajardo during the Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum at the Amelie Hotel-Manila on Tuesday.

Fajardo, a standout with the New Jersey Sparks from seventh to ninth grades, brought with her the bronze medal she clinched in Malaysia last week, and was joined at the forum by her parents and siblings.

The Fajardo couple has made it a point to bring their daughter to the Philippines during summer so she could pursue classes at the Milo BEST, which stands for Basketball Efficiency and Scientific Training, and founded in 1978.

“I’ve finished all the levels. Now, my sisters are into it,” said the promising basketball player during the forum presented by San Miguel Corp., Braska Restaurant, Amelie Hotel-Manila and Pagcor.

Fajardo played a key role in Gilas Pilipinas’ campaign in Malaysia, which included a stunning 14-11 victory over 2018 champion China in the battle for the bronze. Australia won the gold, and Japan the silver. Other members of the

team are Kristine Cayabyab, Angel Surada and Camille Clarin.

Also at the forum were Milo BEST Center founder and chairman Nic Jorge, Milo Sports Executives Lester Castillo and Luigi Pumaren.

“Ella is just one of many players that we’ve produced at Milo BEST, which is the first basketball school in Asia,” said Jorge, who mentioned the names of Kobe and Andre Paras, and Kiefer and Thirdy Ravena.

Castillo said Milo is bent on continuing supporting the BEST program as well as the many other sports under its wings, a sponsorship that covers 20 sports and over 40,000 young athletes in 1,200 venues around the country.

Ella Fajardo with her parents and siblings, MILO BEST Center founder and chairman Nic Jorge, and MILO Executives Lester Castillo and Luigi Pumaren.

Nadal in swift win; Thiem, Tsitsipas fall

N

EW YORK—Rafael Nadal launched his tilt at a fourth US Open title Tuesday with a swift defeat of John Millman as other leading seeds in his half of the draw tumbled out in the first round.

Four players in the world’s top 10— Dominic Thiem, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Karen Khachanov and Roberto Bautista Agut—lost Tuesday to ease Nadal’s potential path to the final.

The Spanish second seed—US Open champion in 2010, 2013 and 2017—needed barely two hours to see Millman off 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 at Arthur Ashe Stadium with the world number 60 from Australia unable to reproduce the magic that saw him stun Roger Federer here a year ago.

“The beginning, the first match, is always a little bit new even if I’ve played

here plenty of times,” said Nadal, who meets Aussie Thanasi Kokkinakis next.

“I think I played well and in general am very happy with the way I started.

“He (Millman) showed last year what he’s able to do when he’s doing well and I came on court with a lot of respect.”

Two-time French Open runner-up Thiem was upset by Italian giant-killer Thomas Fabbiano 6-4, 3-6, 6-3, 6-2, the Austrian fourth seed slumping to another first-round exit, having lost at the same stage at Wimbledon.

“I got very tired and exhausted after

two sets. I’m far away from 100 percent,” an ailing Thiem said. “It was not the real me there on the court.”

Greek eighth seed Tsitsipas struggled with cramps and accused umpires of having “preferences” after he fell to a 6-4, 6-7 (5/7), 7-6 (9/7), 7-5 defeat by Next Gen rival Andrey Rublev in a gruelling fourhour slog.

Tsitsipas, for whom it was also a second successive Grand Slam opening-round defeat, was hit with a point penalty for a time violation in the final set.

“This chair umpire, I don’t know, he has something against me. I don’t know why,” said Tsitsipas, who snapped “you’re all weirdos” at French official Damien Dumusois during his match.

“I wish that all the chair umpires were like Mohamed Lahyani because I believe

he’s the best out in the game, and we need more like him in tennis because he’s fair to everyone. I feel like some of them have preferences when they are on the court.”

Osaka struck by nerves Russian ninth seed Khachanov lost to Canada’s Vasek Pospisil in five sets, with 10th seed Bautista Agut of Spain succumbing in similar fashion to Mikhail Kukushkin of Kazakhstan to leave that quarter of the draw wide open for Nick Kyrgios.

The volatile Australian eased past American Steve Johnson 6-3, 7-6 (7/1), 6-4 in a match that finished at 1:12 a.m. local time.

Alexander Zverev, seeded sixth, outlasted Moldova’s Radu Albot 6-1, 6-3, 3-6, 4-6, 6-2, while Marin Cilic, the 2014 champion, advanced in straight sets over Slovakia’s Martin Klizan. AFP

Iloilo coach Gonzales suspended for 2 games, fined FOR entering the court while the game was still in progress and drawing in contact with an opposing player, Iloilo United Royals’ coach Eric Gonzales has been slapped a two-game suspension and a P20,000 fine by the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League.

A memo signed by technical head George Magsino and approved by MPBL commissioner Kenneth Duremdes was released to team owners and team managers that Gonzales will be suspended for the next two games.

Although there was no intention to hurt on the part of Gonzales, such practice should not Gonzales be tolerated, according to Commissioner Duremdes.

“Coaches should respect the game above all, observed true spirit of sponsorship and lead by example,” wrote Duremdes in a statement.

According to Magsino, it was the first time he had seen such in a game and although there was no intention to hurt on the part of Gonzales, his actions should not be tolerated as it will set a precedent and made recommendations to Commissioner Duremdes on possible sanctions that will be given to Gonzales.

During the 6:36 mark of the third period of the game between the United Royals and the Stars Monday night at the San Andres Gym, Gonzales entered the court while the game was still in progress. He stopped Dionisio who was on his way for a transition play.

Gonzales was immediately thrown out of the game for his unsportsmanlike behavior.

“We don’t want to set a precedent,” said Magsino. “I know there’s no intention to hurt on the part of the coach, but a coach cannot draw contact with an opposing player, so immediately, we ejected him then studied the sanctions later on.”

Commissioner Duremdes believes the penalties imposed on Gonzales were severe enough.

“I think the sanction is severe enough. Para huwag gayahin,” added the Commissioner.

Racela defended Gonzales, saying that the coach was just simply making a statement over the non-call on Aaron Jeruta, who was hit several times by Chris Bitoon, while the latter was trying to go for a steal in the previous play leading to the Gonzales-Dionisio incident.

Blue Eagle Thirdy Ravena and Firefly Marketing Director Erik Riola display an Ateneo jersey with a Firefly logo symbolizing their partnership for the team’s campaign in the UAAP Season 82. With them are FELCO Assistant Brand Manager Christine Reyes, Ateneo de Manila University’s Assistant to the President for University Athletics Fr. Nemesio S. Que SJ and University Athletics Director Emmanuel T. Fernandez.

Alapag returns to Macao tilt EAST Asia Super League is thrilled to announce the return of coach Jimmy Alapag for the second year in a row, this time as an assistant coach with the San Miguel Beermen.

Coach Alapag is one of the most legendar y figures in Filipino basketball history. He’s won six championships, two gold medals, an MVP award, and has been named an All-Star 11 times across a 14year playing career.

The “Mighty Mouse” will bring his superhero qualities to Macao as the Beermen make their East Asia Super League debut. The Beermen have assembled their starting rosters and are on a mission to take home The Terrific 12 crown. The team looks to pick up momentum in preparation to chase the elusive grand slam back in the Philippines.

“The [East] Asia [Super] League is just a great melting pot for the top teams in Asia to get together and compete...The [East] Asia [Super] League provides that platform for teams to showcase the talent they have in these respective countries and an opportunity to play against the best,” said Alapag.

Last year, coach Alapag was a presenter at East Asia Super League’s Summer Super 8 Coaches’ Clinic where he shared his knowledge with over 55 coaches from all around the world including, China, Chinese Taipei, Hong Kong SAR, Japan, Macao SAR, the Maldives, South Korea, and the Philippines.

East Asia Super League is not only committed to increasing the level of club basketball competition and developing players but also helping the game of basketball flourish in the region by training coaches and giving them a quality environment in which to hone their core skills.

Firefly LED lights up Ateneo’s campaign in UAAP Season 82 FIREFLY LED, the leader and most trusted LED brand in the market, partners with the Ateneo Blue Eagles for the upcoming University Athletics Association of the Philippines Season 82 this year.

Firefly has chosen to partner with the Ateneo Blue Eagles Basketball team as it is one of the most trusted teams in UAAP, with proven track record of success.

The tie-up covers the senior and junior Men’s Basketball Team, as well as the senior Women’s Basketball Team.

The partnership was officially signed at the Blue Eagle Gym, Ateneo de Manila University Wednesday. In attendance were Ateneo de Manila University’s Assis-

tant to the President for University Athletics Fr. Nemesio S. Que SJ and University Athletics Director Emmanuel T. Fernandez, and Firefly Electric and Lighting Corporation (FELCO) Marketing Director Erik Riola and Assistant Brand Manager Christine Reyes.

“This is yet a start, hopefully, for a longer partnership we are looking at in the future,” Fernandez said.

Riola, on the other hand, said the partnership with Ateneo Blue Eagles will allow Firefly to reinforce the presence in the UAAP and to strengthen further its brand affinity.

“Firefly has been sponsoring premiere basketball league for several years now. We consider basketball as one of our equities because it is very much aligned

with our core target market,” Riola said.

Firefly LED is the first local lighting brand certified

by TUV SUD. TUV SUD is a world-renowned German Testing Institute that certifies the quality and safety of various consumer products. Customers can be assured that Firefly LED bulbs are Safe for the Eyes, Safe from Electrical Shock, and Safe from Power Surges.

Firefly LED is owned and distributed by Firefly Electric and Lighting Corporation, a lighting and electric solutions company established in 2001 that aims to provide Filipinos with high quality and affordable products. For more information, visit www.fireflyelectric.com.

All about game, gamers in Conqueror’s Manila

ASIAN SOFT TENNIS. Chien Ching Mi of Chinese

Taipei unleashes a forehand stroke against his Filipino opponents Joseph dela Cruz and Mark Luna during the opening of the 1st Asian Juniors’ Soft Tennis Championship held at the Colegio de San Agustin, San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan. Chien and partner Lai Yu Chun won, 3-0. Dennis Abrina

ALL is set for the biggest League of Legends (LoL) fan event in Southeast Asia to celebrate one of the most played games in the world and its ever-expanding community in the Philippines!

Globe and Garena promise to make Conquerors Manila 2019, which is set to unfold on Oct. 25 to 27 at the World Trade Center in Pasay City, more engaging not only to League gamers but also to the entire esports community as they watch, cheer and participate in several events designed to make their experience unique and unforgettable.

Select celebrities, bloggers and influencers will also take to the limelight as they battle in a friendly competition-fora-cause in the highly-anticipated “Celebrity Showmatch.”

Fans, on the other hand, are welcome to join the cosplay competition and visit the gaming merch store and various exhibits. As early as now, fans can purchase tickets to Conquerors Manila 2019 at all SM Ticket outlets with a 20% discount given if fans buy tickets for a two day pass, instead of one day, to watch the competitions. The discount will be given until Sept. 22 or until supplies last.

“Esports is one platform Globe is truly excited about. Its huge—and still growing—the global fan base of this enormous entertainment platform can’t be ignored. It is due to this why one of our major thrusts is to develop strategic partnerships with the best game developers and publishers

in the world like Garena and Riot to make the game more accessible to everyone in the Philippines. And with faster connectivity provided by Globe, gaming will be more exciting and competitions will be more challenging,” explains Ernest Cu, Globe President and CEO. “Fan acceptance last year was truly overwhelming so we decided to change the format to celebrate LoL fans themselves and their huge contributions to the growth of the game in the country in particular and the acceptance of esports in general,” Nikko Acosta, Globe SVP for Content Business Group and Product Management, says.

Jamie Lewin, Head of Strategic Partnerships for SEA —Riot Games, reveals how the Philippines has been one of the most high-performing markets in the region for Riot Games.

“Our focus in terms of gaming market development is really the Philippines, and we’re looking at how Filipinos will look at esports, especially now that it is included in the SEA Games Calendar this year. We’re truly excited about our prospects,” he adds.

Aside from the P3.5 million+ in prizes up from grab across competitions and activities during the two-day event, Conquerors Manila 2019 is also aiming to break last year’s attendance records where more than 16,000 fans trooped to watch the competitions live.

Sports A8

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

THURSDAY, AUGUST 29, 2019

The F2 Logistics Cargo Movers celebrate a point during their title showdown with Cignal.

Cebuano archer joins winning fray P

By Peter Atencio

UERTO Princesa City—An archer from Cebu and a long-distance swimmer from Cotabato Province joined two swimmers Aubrey Tom and Mark Bryan Dula in finishing their campaign with five gold medals each on Day 3 of the Batang Pinoy National Finals here. at the Ramon V. Mitra Sports Complex here.

There are now five quintuple gold medallists after gymnast Karl Eldrew Yulo conquered the men’s artistic gymnastics meet on Tuesday.

The 14-year-old Aldriner Igot Jr., who

went into serious training only last summer, tallied 328 points at the end of the 50-meter event as he completed a 5-of-5 finish in the Cub Boys’ archery event.

“It’s my training last summer. I was

not serious before,” said Igot, an eighth grader at the Don Carlos A. Gothong Memorial High School in Cebu City.

Igot, who got into archery because of his elder brother Orlando, who is in the national team, also topped the 20-meter, 30-meter, 40-meter and the Fita events, allow him to make up for his two-bronze medal haul last year.

Fifteen-year-old swimmer Alexander Talosig became the day’s first quintuple gold winner as he added a fifth gold in the 15-under boys’ category, ruling his final event in the 400-meter freestyle in 4:02.03.

Talosig, a fifth grader at the South-

ern Christian School, said he was tired because of his other events, where he submitted slow times.

His other gold medal conquests came in the 200-meter individual medley, 1500-meter freestyle, 400meter IM and the 200-meter freestyle.

Dula, a fifth grader from Masvile National High School in Paranaque, claimed his fifth mint in the 12-under 50-meter backstroke, hitting a time of 1:08.11, which is seven seconds faster than his Luzon qualifying time.

“Masaya po ako. Straight 5,” said Dula, who is heading for New Clark City for the coming the National Open.

F2 completes arduous climb to regain lost PSL glory F2 Logistics formally completed its return to glory when it dominated Cignal to capture the Philippine Superliga All-Filipino crown late Tuesday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

It has been a long journey for the Cargo Movers.

After ruling this mid-season conference in 2016, the Cargo Movers bowed to Petron in 2017 and 2018, prompting them to plot a surefire way to regain their lost glory in this prestigious women’s volleyball tournament that has Team Rebel Sports, SOGO, Eurotel, PCSO, Cocolife, UCPB Gen, Mueller, Senoh, Asics, Bizooku and One Sport as sponsors.

They decided to net the biggest fish in the free-agent market: Kalei Mau. With the prolific Filipino-American spiker at the attack zone, the Cargo Movers raced to an 11-game winning streak before a very familiar foe—Petron—denied them of a chance to sweep the conference. Their sorry setback was followed with another loss to PLDT Home Fibr to shut down the preliminaries with a 12-2 win-loss card.

But F2 Logistics remained defiant.

The Cargo Movers creamed Sta. Lucia in the quarterfinals before dominating Foton in the semifinals setting the stage to a finals showdown with Cignal, which shocked Petron in the Final Four.

In Game 1, Cignal played with fire on its eyes, towing the game to a deciding fifth set before succumbing with a 22-25, 24-26, 2518, 25-17, 8-15 loss that gave them the confidence to compete against the former champion in Game 2.

The Cargo Movers, however, refused to get intimidated.

Mau unleashed her fighting form while Aby Marano, Majoy Baron and Ara Galang were at their best as F2 Logistics crushed Cignal, 25-14, 25-16, 25-19, to clinch the title of this tourney that also has ESPN5 and Kapatid TV5 as broadcast partners.

De Jesus said it’s good to finally unload the monkey off their backs.

“I always tell my players that we’ve always been in the finals, but we fell short,” said de Jesus, who formally ended Petron’s championship dynasty.

“Now, we can call ourselves winners and it feels really good to finally reach our goal.”

De Jesus said Mau, who emerged as Most Valuable Player, provided the missing link in their attack.

“She was the missing link for us to be able to get back to this situation again,” said de Jesus, who immediately grabbed the hard-hitting former Arizona University spiker shortly after her club disbanded in the off-season.

“I’m thankful that she chose us despite offers from other teams.”

“But don’t get me wrong; even before Kalei’s arrival, F2 Logistics had always been a solid team. We are ready to play anytime and we have been in the finals in the past three years.”

Baltazar is new lead Archer in UAAP Season 82 THIS year, 6’7” veteran Justine Baltazar will take the lead for the La Salle Green Archers when the 82nd University Athletic Association of the Philippines men’s basketball tournament gets under way next week.

Baltazar, who averaged 13.4 points, 9.6 rebounds, 2.1 blocks, and 1.3 assists in 27.6 minutes, and was selected to the Mythical Team last season, will bring experience and leadership to the team.

Much is expected from Baltazar now that team captain Andrei Caracut has graduated.

This season, the Green Archers will be in a unique situation since they will be the only team that is without a foreign student-athlete.

Last year, Kiwi cager Taane Samuel manned the middle for the Green Archers before he went out because of an injury.

Joining Baltazar in the roster is FilipinoAustralian Brandon Bates, shooter Ralph Cu and newbie Christian Manaytay. There will also be a trio of Filipino-foreigners, 6’9” James Laput, 6’7” Jamie Orme, 6-foot Keyshawn Evans.

Baltazar, who is playing out of Pampanga, will be challenged when he matches up with the bigs of other rival schools, such as 6’11” Congolese Lenda Douanga of Adamson University, 6’10” Ivorian Ange Kouame of Ateneo de Manila University and 6’7” Emman Odjuola of Far Eastern University.

He should also watch out for 6’10” Senegalese Issa Gaye of National University, 6’9” Senegalese Adama Diakhite of University of the East, 6’8” Nigerian Bright Akhuetie of the University of the Philippines and 6’6” Beninese Soulemane Chabi Yo of University of Sto. Tomas.

Scoring guard Aljun Melecio is expected to do much in the scoring department for La Salle.

Coaching consultant Jermaine Byrd will be around to help coach Gian Nazario in calling the shots for the squad this year.

Peter Atencio

IN BRIEF

Mr. Jeff launches first franchise in Muntinlupa

MR. JEFF, Spain’s popular laundry company, formally opened its first franchise in the Philippines with a local partner in simple rites held at Alabang Hills, Muntinlupa City.

Mr. Jeff plans to tap over 100 franchise holders by the end of 2019.

“Washing clothes or taking them and collecting from laundry is very time consuming. With our service, we aim to free up people’s busy schedule who live in metropolitan cities, an offer that has turned out to be especially attractive to young people and busy professionals,” said Mr. Jeff Philippine expansion manager Luis Eduardo.

Eduardo said the Spanish laundry service sought to alleviate one of the most disliked household chores of consumers.

He said the service was available on demand and through monthly subscription options.

“Customers can avail of the service through Mr. Jeff’s website and mobile application. The services caters to independent youth, busy professionals and families who need help with the housework,” said Eduardo. Jess Malabanan

Business

Lopez rebuffs Plaza’s move to amend charter

PHILIPPINE Economic Zone Authority director general Charito Plaza expressed disappointment over the alleged indifference of the Department of Trade and Industry to amend the PEZA Charter and exempt it from tax reforms under the Comprehensive Income Tax and Incentive Rationalization Act (CITIRA), or TRAIN 2.

“The Trade Secretary Ramon M. Lopez was not bypassed about the PEZA management’s decision to propose amendments to its charter. Since about mid-2018, the Secretary was informed of the plan to amend the 24-year old PEZA law. We gave him a copy of the proposal,” said Plaza.

She said it was also discussed in the PEZA board meetings where the Trade Department was represented, and in several consultation-dialogues with partner ecozone industries, foreign chambers and business associations.

Lopez rebutted Plaza’s allegations, saying the PEZA director general did not have the endorsement of the board and that PEZA’s position on the tax reform and the moves to propose a new PEZA law were not officially endorsed.

Othel V. Campos

PH, Ireland start talks on avoiding double taxation THE Philippines and Ireland conducted the first round of talks on a proposed bilateral agreement to avoid double taxation on individuals and companies in both countries.

Finance Undersecretary Antonette Tionko said in a statement the discussions delved on avoiding double taxation on income and capital gains and the prevention of tax evasion and avoidance.

Tionko, who heads the revenue operations group of the Finance Department, led the Philippine delegation to the meeting.

“While there are other provisions that need to be considered by the Philippines like permanent establishment and entitlement to benefits, the provisions on persons covered, the taxes to be covered, provisions on residents and immovable property and business profits, among others, have already been mutually agreed upon,” Tionko said.

She said a working draft of a double taxation agreement between the Philippines and Ireland was being studied by both sides. Anne Margaret Gormley, director for the Tax Treaties Branch, Office of the Revenue Commissioners of Ireland, led the Irish delegation.

“The negotiation was conducted in a friendly atmosphere with mutual understanding, which allowed the two delegations to examine all of the Articles under discussion,” Tionko said.

She said both delegations were set to meet again to further deliberate on items that were not agreed upon during the initial round of talks.

Julito G. Rada

business@manilastandard.net extrastory2000@gmail.com THURSDAY, AUGUST 29, 2019

B1

ERC approves Meralco’s bid to withdraw 3 supply deals

By Alena Mae S. Flores

BSP did not endorse Kapa investment plan

THE Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas on Wednesday denied giving any approval to the investment scheme of controversial Kapa-Community Ministry International Inc. (Kapa), saying it does not belong to the bank’s supervised financial institutions.

The BSP in a statement advised the public that it had not released any statement or any issuance concerning Kapa or any of its affiliates.

“Kapa is not a BSP-supervised entity,” the regulator said.

“This clarification is being issued in view of reports, particularly on social media, falsely claiming that the BSP has issued a statement purportedly approving Kapa’s investment scheme or questioning delays on its approval by the Securities and Exchange Commission,” the BSP said.

The SEC issued a cease-and-desist order against Kapa in February this year and an order of revocation of its certification of incorporation in April 2019 after Kapa was found to have been soliciting investments from the public without the necessary license, and that its investment scheme qualified as a fraud and a Ponzi scheme. Julito G. Rada

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

GREEN FORUM. The Philippine International Convention Center signs a partnership with Green Architecture Advocacy Philippines to be the venue of the organization’s 16th Green Forum on Aug. 30 to 31, 2019. Attending the signing ceremony are (from left) PICC marketing officer Vianca Bocalan, deputy general manager Roberto Garcia, director for marketing and events management Dinah Gonzalez, assistant director for events management Elizabeth Aguila, assistant director for marketing Leonor Gertes, general manager Renato Padilla, GreenAP founding member, deputy chairman and global affairs director Lui Daya-Garcia, membership director Carmela Prado, founding member and green building ratings director Carmelito Tatlonghari, academic relations director Kathleen Runa and programs and institutional affairs director Alfredo Bautista.

11 firms offer to build Malolos-Clark railway

By Darwin G. Amojelar

L

OCAL companies Megawide Construction Corp. and EEI Corp. and nine foreign groups submitted bids for the three contract packages under PNR Clark Phase 2 (MalolosClark), the Transportation Department said Wednesday.

The department identified the nine international companies bidding for the P283.3-billion contract as Acciona (Spain), Daelim (Korea), Dong Ah Construction (Korea), Hyundai Engineering & Construction (Korea), Italian-Thai Development Public Company Limited (Thailand), PT Pembangunan Perumahan (Indonesia), PT Waskita Karya Tbk (Indonesia), PT Wijaya Karya Tbk

(Indonesia) and Sumitomo Mitsui Construction Corp. (Japan).

“Already the Asian Development Bank’s largest and fastest-moving project, the North-South Commuter Railway Project―which includes PNR Clark Phase 2―continues to set records with its high turnout from nine international and two local companies, bidding as seven different joint ventures and sole bidders,” the agency said in a statement.

PNR Clark Phase 2, which forms part of the North-South Commuter Rail, is a 53-kilometer line from Malolos, Bulacan to Clark, Pampanga. The agency said the construction of Clark Phase 1 (Tutuban-Malolos leg) was already in full swing.

This will feature the country’s first airport express railway service. Once completed, it will allow commuters to reach the Clark International Airport from Buendia in Makati in just 55 minutes, compared to two hours by private vehicle via expressway.

Contract package 1 covers civil works for 17 kilometers of PNR Clark Phase 2 including Calumpit and Apalit stations while the second contract covers 16 kilometers including San Fernando station. The third contract package spans 12 kilometers encompassing Angeles and ClarksStations.

Philippine National Railways general manager Junn Magno said the record turnout of bidders demonstrated the international infrastructure industry’s support to the “Build, Build, Build” program of the Duterte administration and their trust in the transparent, fair and corruption-free bidding process jointly implemented by the Transportation Department, the Budget Department and PNR. “We are very happy with the turnout of bidders for PNR Clark Phase 2. This vibrant participation from international and local companies is proof that they trust this government and the processes we institute,” Magno said.

Moody’s: Lower reserve requirement positive for banks

By Julito G. Rada GLOBAL debt watcher Moody’s Investors Service said Wednesday the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ move to reduce the reserve requirement ratio will be credit positive for local banks.

Moody’s said in its quarterly newsletter “Inside ASEAN” the lower reserve requirement would be credit positive because the banks would be able to deploy funds more efficiently.

“In addition, the release of liquidity, estimated at more than P200 billion, will ease tight domestic liquidity conditions. Capital pressure will intensify as we expect loan growth to recover in tandem,” it said.

Moody’s said banks would remain

well-capitalized because of high regulatory capital requirements and their proven access to capital markets.

The BSP cut the RRR by 200 basis points or 2 percent in May 2019 to 16 percent, still the highest in the region.

BSP Governor Benjamin Diokno said Tuesday during the economic forum organized by the Economic Journalists Association of the Philippines in Manila that further RRR cuts remained “a live issue.”

The RRR and policy rate reductions came at a time when real GDP growth decelerated to 5.6 percent in the first half and headline inflation settled within the target range.

“The RRR adjustment is also part of the central bank’s reform agenda to

raise efficiency in the financial system.

Net interest margins will get a boost as a result of the reduction. We estimate the net interest margin to expand by five to ten basis points for every 200 basis point cut in the RRR,” Moody’s said.

Diokno earlier said he was aiming for a single-digit level of RRR for the universal and commercial banks by the end of his term in 2023. Moody’s said this implied a “further increase in banks’ profitability if the progressive reduction is implemented as planned.”

Reserve requirement, also called cash reserve ratio, is a central bank regulation to requires banks to sets aside a minimum fraction of customer deposits and notes as reserves.

THE Energy Regulatory Commission said it approved the applications of power retailer Manila Electric Co. and three suppliers to withdraw their power supply agreements in the wake of the Supreme Court’s ruling on the competitive selection process.

ERC allowed Meralco to withdraw its respective applications for PSA approval with Redondo Peninsula Energy Inc., Atimonan One Energy Inc. and Global Luzon Energy Development Corp.

“In view of the Supreme Court decision cited by Meralco and A1E as the ground relied upon for their withdrawal, the commission grants the withdrawal of applicant’s joint application,” ERC said in a decision dated Aug. 13.

Meralco and the three power generators said they were constrained to move for the withdrawal of the joint applications for PSA after the Supreme Court ordered the conduct of CSP or public bidding in the procurement of supply of distribution utilities.

The SC ruled that all PSA applications submitted by distribution utilities to the ERC on or after June 30, 2015 should comply with the CSP. The SC acted on the petition of Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas stopping the ERC from approving Meralco’s PSA and seeking nullification of ERC Resolution No. 1 Series of 2016.

The ERC resolution sought to extend from October 2015 to April 2016 the effectivity of ERC Resolution No. 13 Series of 2015 directing all distribution utilities to conduct CSP in the procurement of their supply to the captive market.

Meralco and RP Energy, Atimonan One and Global Luzon filed their PSA applications on April 29, 2016. The applications formed part of 3,551 megawatts of PSAs signed

by Meralco with seven power generators.

Meralco earlier sought the approval of its supply agreement with RP Energy for the supply of 225 MW for baseload requirements which was supposed to have a rate impact reduction of P0.1327 per kilowatt-hour.

RP Energy, which is majority controlled by Meralco PowerGen Corp., is building a 600-MW coal-fired power plant in the municipality of Subic in Zambales province.

Meralco PowerGen is the power generation arm of Meralco. Other RP Energy shareholders are Aboitiz Power Corp. and Taiwan Cogeneration International Corp.

Meanwhile, Meralco agreed to purchase Atimonan One’s entire 1,200-MW electrical output with a rate reduction of P0.7799 per kWh. Atimonan One, also majority controlled by Meralco PowerGen, is putting up a 1,200-MW supercritical coal-fired power generating facility in Atimonan, Quezon.

Govt implements protocol vs swine disease

By Othel V. Campos THE Agriculture Department on Wednesday asked the Crisis Management Task Force to vigorously implement the so-called “1-7-10 Protocol” to contain the spread of a “suspected disease” that inflicted several swine farms.

Industry partners and stakeholders agreed to provide assistance and implement technical support measures, especially those from concerned local government units.

“We assure the general public that all necessary quarantine measures are in place,” said Agriculture Secretary William Dar. Under the 1-7-10 quarantine protocol, hogs within the one-kilometer radius of a suspected outbreak will be immediately culled and buried and the area will be disinfected. The next 7-km radius is considered the surveillance area for testing and sampling. Within the 10-km

radius, authorities will strictly monitor the transport of animals.

There were reports that a number of pigs in Rizal and Bulacan suffered from loss of appetite, vomiting and sudden death due to a suspected disease. The Agriculture Department has yet to verify if the incidents are related to the African swine fever.

The department said the protocol involves measures such as continued surveillance of swine farms, particularly backyard operations; and guidance to farmers on how to implement good husbandry practices, including bio-security measures, to promote good animal health.

It said it was strongly coordinating with the Finance, Transportation and Interior and Local Government departments; the Philippine National Police and the military; and concerned provincial governors and city/municipal mayors to strengthen the monitoring and quarantine services.

NEW CLARK CITY POWER SUBSTATION. Meralco energizes the new 69 kV-13.8kV interim substation in New Clark City—the country’s first smart, disasterresilient and sustainable city. The substation addresses the power demands of the NCC Phase 1A project covering 60 hectares and includes the New Clark City Sports Complex that houses the New Clark City Stadium and New Clark City Aquatic Center, which will be the venue of the 30th South East Asian Games later this year. Inset shows the Meralco working team represented by substation head Alberto Castillo and testing head Froilan Rofuli III. Joining the Meralco team are NCC assistant general manager Danilo Ancheta and Bases Conversion Development Authority project manager Miguel Mar fil.

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Business

THURSDAY, AUGUST 29, 2019 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Stocks rally; Megaworld climbs

T

HE stock market jumped Wednesday on bargainhunting after a big drop in the previous day, with select blue chips leading the rally.

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index surged 100.12 points, or 1.3 percent, to 7,847.50 on a value turnover of P8.4 billion. Gainers beat losers, 118 to 83, with 47 issues unchanged.

Now Corp., a telecommunications owned by the Velarde family, advanced 6.6 percent to P3.40, while Megaworld Corp., the biggest lessor of office spaces, climbed 4.2 percent to P5.01.

Conglomerate JG Summit Holdings Inc. of industrialist John Gokongwei rose 3.7 percent to P68.90, while Security Bank Corp., the sixth-larges lender in terms of assets, gained 3.6 percent to P193.

The rest of Asian markets swung Wednesday, gripped by uncertainty over the China-US trade talks, with warnings that Donald Trump’s unpredictability could be harming the chances of an eventual agreement.

Tokyo ended 0.1 percent higher, Seoul was 0.9 percent up and Sydney rose 0.5 percent, with gains also in Taipei, Wellington and Jakarta.

But Shanghai ended down 0.3 percent, Hong Kong and Singapore each shed 0.1 percent in the afternoon and Mumbai dropped 0.4 percent.

Trading has been volatile this week after the US president’s weekend outburst against Beijing and announcement of more tariffs on $550 billion of goods were followed Monday by him saying the two sides had spoken by phone, and negotiations would resume soon.

China, however, has not confirmed

any calls took place, while media in the country have played down the chances of more talks or the leadership’s need for a deal.

The developments are the latest in a series of moves by the White House that have seen it slam China before holding out an olive branch.

Analysts say traders are growing uneasy with the strategy.

Stephen Innes at Valour Markets said: “There remains a high degree of skepticism regarding the sincerity of Trump’s comments or even if the Chinese are willing to recommence negotiations.”

He pointed out that an inflammatory tweet on Friday in which Trump labelled Federal Reserve boss Jerome Powell and China’s Xi Jinping enemies of the US had resonated among traders.

“Risk-off remains in vogue as trade disputes continue to flare, suggesting

any risk assets recovery will remain extremely fragile.”

Michael Hewson, chief market analyst at CMC Markets UK, added: “Quite simply last Friday’s events appear to have done significant damage to investor appetite towards risk, and as such the bar to a turnaround is likely to be on the high side.

“It’s not difficult to understand investor reticence in this regard, with the frequent twitter interventions by President Trump going a long way to undermine confidence in the reliability of the US position on trade, with Friday’s events likely to have been a tipping point for some.”

The editor of the state-run Global Times said in a tweet that Beijing was “not putting so much emphasis on trade talks,” instead focusing on boosting the economy, and it was becoming tougher for the US to apply pressure. With AFP

MANILA STANDARD BUSINESS DAILY STOCKS REVIEW WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 28, 2019

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

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

56.45 87.1 2.06 144.8 1.15 26.25 18.2 11.6 4.9 0.53 0.445 70.7 0.91 13.1 45 187.5 57.85 27.55 186 59.05

56.45 87.5 2.07 146.4 1.15 26.35 18.2 11.76 4.95 0.53 0.45 72.1 0.93 13.1 45.25 189 57.95 27.55 193 59.15

56.45 86.6 1.9 144.6 1.15 25.9 18.2 11.52 4.78 0.53 0.44 70.6 0.91 13.1 44.8 185 57.85 27.5 185.1 59

FINANCIALS 56.45 200 86.95 2,082,440 1.9 21,000 145 1,832,410 1.15 31,000 26 79,300 18.2 3,000 11.58 1,607,900 4.81 653,000 0.53 4,000 0.45 240,000 71.8 3,692,090 0.93 414,000 13.1 29,000 45.2 257,300 188 5,690 57.95 1,750 27.5 3,800 193 749,260 59 74,730

11,290 181,125,991 42,230 265,896,190 35,650 2,069,130 54,600 18,646,532 3,152,280 2,120 106,900 263,088,463 378,600 379,900 11,589,055 1,060,156 101,242.50 104,555 141,579,101 4,410,428

-42,311,669.50 -17,150,443 -988,325 835,398 48,320 89,100 -114,939,200.50 -155,920 -9,188,355 -342,620 -2,750 -24,752,018 524,975

ABOITIZ POWER AGRINURTURE ALLIANCE SELECT ALSONS CONS BASIC ENERGY 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 LIBERTY FLOUR LMG CHEMICALS MABUHAY VINYL MACAY HLDG MANILA WATER MAXS GROUP MEGAWIDE MERALCO MG HLDG PANASONIC PEPSI COLA PETROENERGY PETRON PHINMA PHINMA ENERGY PHX PETROLEUM PILIPINAS SHELL PRYCE CORP RFM CORP ROXAS AND CO ROXAS HLDG SFA SEMICON SHAKEYS PIZZA SMC FOODANDBEV SPC POWER SWIFT FOODS TKC METALS UNIV ROBINA VICTORIAS VITARICH VIVANT VULCAN INDL

36 15.26 0.69 1.31 0.242 2.93 14.06 11.08 15.36 76 82.3 2.02 5.69 6.18 9.1 14.94 9.14 7.25 1.63 25.75 83.3 48 1.99 14.5 8.07 1.49 229.6 41.05 4.9 3.42 8.26 22.5 13.66 18.46 367 0.184 5.29 1.81 4.22 5.14 9.1 2.78 10.9 34.5 5.05 5.1 1.66 2.2 1.04 12.2 94.85 7 0.127 1.01 168.5 2.45 1.1 16.1 1.33

36.45 15.26 0.7 1.32 0.245 2.98 14.2 11.08 15.5 82.5 91.4 2.02 5.81 6.18 9.1 15.16 9.5 7.3 1.7 26.3 83.3 48.9 2.02 14.7 8.2 1.54 229.6 41.05 5.2 3.42 8.9 22.5 13.66 18.7 367.4 0.202 5.29 1.81 4.4 5.16 9.22 2.79 11.2 34.75 5.27 5.1 1.74 2.2 1.1 12.38 94.85 7.2 0.127 1.28 171.8 2.47 1.11 16.1 1.36

35.25 14.98 0.68 1.31 0.242 2.89 14.02 10.34 15 72.05 73.4 2.02 5.69 5.4 8.94 14.94 9.14 7.24 1.63 25.75 82.7 48 1.92 14.28 8.03 1.47 225.4 41.05 4.82 3.4 8.2 22.2 13.42 18.44 360 0.184 5.29 1.72 4.22 5.1 9 2.6 10.9 33.5 5 5.1 1.55 2.2 1.02 12.2 93.5 7 0.127 0.97 168 2.45 1.08 16.1 1.21

INDUSTRIAL 36.4 1,982,900 15.1 938,700 0.7 540,000 1.32 65,000 0.244 830,000 2.93 5,415,000 14.08 25,300 10.7 155,400 15 13,200 78 13,580 83.45 59,020 2.02 15,000 5.81 53,200 5.4 24,200 8.95 639,100 15.1 4,106,000 9.23 142,500 7.26 1,949,700 1.7 5,000 26.15 624,100 83 63,380 48.5 119,100 1.96 6,904,000 14.7 1,054,900 8.06 71,300 1.53 343,000 228.2 579,100 41.05 100 5.15 16,000 3.4 21,000 8.9 13,100 22.25 53,100 13.5 341,800 18.7 6,218,400 362 276,510 0.187 1,930,000 5.29 1,600 1.73 6,581,000 4.4 12,000 5.13 466,800 9.1 504,700 2.69 37,461,000 11.1 29,700 33.6 610,100 5.27 530,200 5.1 7,100 1.6 1,496,000 2.2 3,000 1.1 177,000 12.32 17,800 93.85 158,630 7.2 54,500 0.127 10,000 1.06 9,366,000 171.8 1,353,980 2.47 64,000 1.11 7,500,000 16.1 2,000 1.28 29,873,000

71,695,515 14,213,970 373,260 85,470 202,060 15,793,400 355,222 1,645,374 198,970 1,056,227.50 4,969,037 30,300 307,791 138,294 5,746,244 61,594,234 1,314,375 14,146,043 8,430 16,305,410 5,266,963.50 5,767,545 13,569,180 15,344,426 574,136 514,670 131,512,240 4,105 78,790 71,420 111,015 1,183,830 4,631,096 114,999,322 100,227,264 374,380 8,464 11,475,890 51,140 2,394,914 4,592,544 100,192,590 327,472 20,603,725 2,694,284 36,210 2,358,670 6,600 185,360 218,946 14,879,707 388,711 1,270 10,657,580 231,335,972 157,730 8,180,950 32,200 38,319,010

-16,863,385 1,064,936 -1,147,140 96,836 -37,428 789 -86,226 -1,726,200 330,326 -48,158 -10,463,147 5,248,975 -1,200,532 4,157,045 -5,316,590.00 -3,651,072 -167,433 -37,855,592 51,000 -615,225 54,422,356 37,744,356 672,400 -543,219 -4,550,000 469,130 -16,877,000 45,950 -26,260 -11,646,946 -49,790 58,892,607 2,450 -4,360 220,370

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

0.72 49.9 12.34 0.75 7 13.4 1.34 1.35 937.5 3.39 6.6 8.8 13.5 853.5 5.95 66.45 5.22 5.04 0.485 4.62 13.62 0.6 4.9 0.039 1.33 172.2 2.48 992 0.76 1.32 245.2 0.228 0.232

0.81 51.7 12.88 1 7 13.5 1.43 1.44 947 3.5 6.78 9.12 13.74 881 5.95 68.9 5.22 5.04 0.495 4.65 13.78 0.7 4.92 0.039 1.47 175.7 2.48 1,007 1.17 1.34 250 0.235 0.26

0.71 49.9 12.26 0.72 7 13.12 1.28 1.33 930 3.36 6.6 8.8 13.5 853 5.95 66.45 5.22 5.04 0.485 4.57 13.62 0.59 4.83 0.038 1.24 172.2 2.48 985.5 0.75 1.31 245 0.228 0.232

HOLDING FIRMS 0.8 40,447,000 51.7 1,870,350 12.76 8,412,500 1 55,411,000 7 2,400 13.3 43,600 1.31 21,505,000 1.38 1,113,000 947 391,440 3.5 2,258,000 6.76 236,900 8.9 13,397,600 13.74 1,600 881 56,800 5.95 5,400 68.9 1,761,170 5.22 600 5.04 1,500 0.495 60,000 4.65 2,232,000 13.7 1,311,100 0.63 3,985,000 4.84 36,954,000 0.039 18,300,000 1.39 1,488,000 175.3 226,660 2.48 6,000 1,007 302,150 0.94 50,630,000 1.31 94,000 250 2,250 0.235 300,000 0.26 9,420,000

31,443,270 95,351,635 105,048,192 50,154,170 16,800 576,014 29,540,960 1,534,550 367,287,810 7,763,190 1,590,699 119,350,667 21,824 49,637,940 32,130 120,473,049 3,132 7,560 29,450 10,370,230 17,959,148 2,583,820 179,471,260 701,100 2,053,620 39,708,914 14,880 301,755,550 53,485,030 123,980 554,064 69,120 2,352,450

4,398,890 -24,346,362.50 20,686,418 -916,130 44,994,380 994,210 518,863 -51,914,700 18,360,875 28,857,381.50 -8,440,870 -1,585,256 -33,000 -37,021,030 -8,220 -1,429,168 3,151,030 -41,020 13,200 -232,680 -309,800

15.34 0.77 1.84 0.83 47.25 2.14 4.7 0.55 0.71 0.82 0.228 0.39 8.7 22.5 0.455 0.125 1.54 1.21 4.82 0.31 0.44 1.3 0.38 1.99 53.8 24.05

PROPERTY 15.34 303,600 0.8 217,000 1.88 554,000 0.88 3,593,000 47.75 11,207,300 2.16 446,000 4.73 462,000 0.55 19,571,000 0.76 65,000 0.82 62,000 0.234 440,000 0.405 1,570,000 9.3 1,062,700 22.5 1,120,500 0.465 150,000 0.125 90,000 1.61 30,136,000 1.25 326,000 5.01 70,198,000 0.31 19,640,000 0.45 350,000 1.35 2,668,000 0.38 150,000 1.99 520,000 53.8 200 25.2 2,513,200

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

15.38 0.77 1.86 0.86 47.75 2.14 4.72 0.57 0.73 0.87 0.228 0.39 8.7 22.9 0.455 0.125 1.56 1.22 4.87 0.325 0.44 1.3 0.39 2 53.8 24.5

15.4 0.8 1.9 0.92 48 2.19 4.74 0.57 0.76 0.87 0.235 0.41 9.35 22.9 0.465 0.125 1.63 1.25 5.03 0.325 0.45 1.36 0.39 2.04 53.8 25.2

VOLUME

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

NAME

NAME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

VOLUME

VALUE

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

2.35 3.25 34.65 2.45 5.95 0.91 7.27

2.35 3.25 35.05 2.48 5.95 1 7.4

2.31 3.25 34.45 2.39 5.68 0.87 7.25

2.33 3.25 35.05 2.44 5.75 0.97 7.4

292,000 59,000 7,017,100 651,000 125,000 2,754,000 5,983,600

680,550 191,750 245,000,670 1,577,010 723,954 2,606,610 43,994,747

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

10.2 19.4 1.47 0.56 0.045 18.5 2.35 9.83 0.057 94 6.99 6.9 2.05 13.98 1,909 5.32 430 1.5 1.94 131.1 0.109 4.85 3.13 14.1 3.08 0.87 18.2 0.45 3 2.44 1.2 1.27 4.3 2.68 8.1 4.68 136 3 1,120 0.67 0.47 44 79.7 9.03 2.7 0.69 0.4 5.45 0.67 16.62

10.3 19.76 1.55 0.58 0.047 18.5 2.35 10.12 0.057 95.95 6.99 7.15 2.25 16.5 1,909 5.37 433 1.6 1.94 131.1 0.111 5.02 3.13 14.1 3.17 0.98 18.4 0.53 3.09 2.44 1.3 1.27 4.78 2.68 8.1 5.12 144.5 3.17 1,129 0.69 0.53 44.95 79.7 9.35 2.72 0.69 0.415 5.46 0.72 16.8

9.8 18.5 1.47 0.56 0.044 18.5 2.26 9.83 0.056 94 6.99 6.76 2.03 10.7 1,880 5.29 421 1.5 1.94 127.3 0.109 4.65 3.13 14 3.08 0.87 18.2 0.45 3 2.32 1.2 1.27 3.31 2.66 8 4.68 136 2.9 1,110 0.66 0.46 43.95 78.45 9.01 2.55 0.67 0.375 5.45 0.66 16.58

SERVICES 10.3 19.1 1.55 0.57 0.047 18.5 2.3 9.91 0.057 95.1 6.99 7.12 2.25 10.78 1,900 5.3 433 1.54 1.94 130 0.111 4.96 3.13 14 3.11 0.97 18.4 0.47 3 2.35 1.3 1.27 3.4 2.67 8.1 5.12 144 3.16 1,120 0.68 0.5 44.95 78.5 9.35 2.7 0.68 0.375 5.46 0.69 16.8

48,400 117,400 37,000 4,071,000 15,200,000 3,600 145,000 6,198,800 32,870,000 97,400 100 2,173,900 11,000 9,251,200 34,140 102,700 530 2,939,000 2,000 3,862,350 580,000 3,372,000 1,000 2,000 779,000 4,114,000 54,400 2,190,000 21,000 3,232,000 62,000 3,000 191,803,000 226,000 55,500 1,600 1,740 1,094,000 146,810 2,013,000 40,640,000 210,300 508,610 17,000 4,309,000 2,044,000 53,180,000 2,367,400 1,482,000 1,651,200

481,672 2,246,366 56,080 2,308,720 678,600 66,600 332,260 61,413,184 1,864,200 9,231,276 699 15,151,810 22,630 131,690,286 64,716,710 545,559 228,036 4,527,390 3,880 498,353,612 63,720 16,384,390 3,130 28,020 2,456,760 3,872,940 998,424 1,076,100 63,090 7,599,240 78,100 3,810 810,087,930 605,210 448,420 7,863 248,325 3,248,190 164,279,295 1,347,250 19,970,800 9,361,680 39,936,888.50 154,116 11,363,440 1,381,800 20,881,700 12,915,437 1,032,570 27,569,828

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

0.0017 1.26 2.61 12.4 1.15 2.7 0.28 7.89 1.42 0.203 0.109 0.115 1.02 2.53 1.03 0.49 0.82 0.011 0.011 7.17 3.71 13.48 22.9 0.0061

0.0017 1.31 2.61 12.4 1.15 2.7 0.28 7.89 1.43 0.204 0.11 0.115 1.04 2.55 1.05 0.55 0.85 0.012 0.012 8.81 3.8 13.6 23 0.0061

0.0016 1.26 2.61 12.4 1.15 2.69 0.28 7.75 1.41 0.197 0.107 0.111 1 2.42 1.01 0.47 0.82 0.011 0.011 7 3.7 12.98 22.75 0.0061

MINING & OIL 0.0017 208,000,000 1.29 3,563,000 2.61 5,000 12.4 3,300 1.15 14,000 2.7 899,000 0.28 70,000 7.75 6,700 1.42 1,043,000 0.204 1,390,000 0.11 3,900,000 0.111 30,000 1.03 1,238,000 2.48 2,438,000 1.03 58,000 0.47 1,590,000 0.84 467,000 0.011 50,400,000 0.012 55,900,000 8.81 6,942,400 3.72 1,282,000 13.5 3,201,800 23 432,400 0.0061 2,000,000

350,500 4,575,700 13,050 40,920 16,100 2,425,190 19,600 52,179 1,479,370 280,010 420,420 3,370 1,245,480 6,076,180 60,030 806,200 387,110 602,400 663,400 55,783,144 4,776,660 42,579,568 9,905,155 12,200

-215,900 -2,770 -3,370 200,000 -318,890 -856,166 59,970 2,258,460 4,336,125 -

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

17.58 496.4 500 101.3 101 105 505 5.2 980 1 101.1 1,022 109.9 1.4 79 76.45 76.2 77 76.5 77 76.5

18.1 496.4 500 102 101.1 107 505 5.2 980 1 101.2 1,044 109.9 1.4 79 76.45 76.5 77 76.9 77 77

17.58 496.4 499 101.2 101 105 505 5.12 980 0.98 101.1 1,022 109.9 1.4 78.9 75.5 76.2 77 76.5 75.6 76.5

PREFERRED 18.06 694,400 496.4 800 499 1,020 102 1,000 101 13,000 107 1,710 505 24,420 5.12 85,300 980 1,660 0.99 190,000 101.1 760 1,044 230 109.9 10 1.4 6,000 79 23,160 75.5 13,300 76.5 33,630 77 4,000 76.9 58,700 75.6 713,330 77 45,890

12,538,370 397,120 509,980 101,608 1,313,300 182,310 12,332,100 438,864 1,626,800 187,000 76,838 238,320 1,099 8,400 1,829,135 1,004,439 2,572,056 308,000 4,511,080 54,211,080 3,533,030

358,500.00 -63,540 -27,040 1,099 -

LR WARRANT

1.54

1.55

1.54

WARRANTS 1.55 19,000

29,320

ITALPINAS KEPWEALTH XURPAS

7.47 12.52 0.88

8 14.8 0.94

7.26 11.8 0.87

7.87 14 0.92

FIRST METRO ETF

117.2

118

117

USD DMPL A1 USD DMPL A2 USD TECH B2

10.34 10.1 1.02

10.34 10.1 1.02

10.3 10.1 1.02

MS 4,667,684 170,890 1,039,300 3,131,570 535,561,655 959,150 2,175,020 10,905,230 47,260 51,990 101,150 638,200 9,493,367 25,278,335 68,800 11,250 48,220,040 399,130 348,532,580 6,175,200 154,600 3,527,810 58,400 1,040,570 10,760 62,742,795

-297,936 130,190 -132,850,450 -825,180 -52,030 104,540.00 -39,140 2,143,191 -3,677,780 7,539,360 -22,500 -61,025,380 582,060 -2,105,490

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

TRADING SUMMARY

SHARES

FINANCIAL

13,891,223

INDUSTRIAL

132,436,813

HOLDING FIRMS

273,328,419

PROPERTY

198,286,370

SERVICES

398,708,280

MINING & OIL

346,043,915

GRAND TOTAL

1,380,916,068

SME

3,502,800 9,607,000 5,105,000

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 118 5,290 10.3 10.1 1.02

DDS

18,740 33,470 10,000

26,713,778 132,067,912 4,607,080

-52,814,240 210,320 105,680 -9,427,281 44,400 -41,761,809 1,327,509.50 -77,190 357,056 7,228,525 -51,960 -6,972,480 971,970 -108,100 -84,422.00 -282,550 -4,656,450 4,050 38,080 35,310 -45,263,870 -47,370 719,800 -5,773,370 -2,190,487.50 -608,410 -904,560 78,000 -1,506,110 21,897,102.00

404,068 188,458 -83,820

621,446

-

193,523.60 338,047 10,200

-

VALUE 1,800.32 (UP) 8.23 1,072,867,220.01 FINANCIAL INDUSTRIAL 10,943.80 (UP) 37.22 1,190,096,802.956 HOLDING FIRMS 7,777.51 (UP) 157.01 1,754,951,433.75 PROPERTY 3,996.75 (UP) 54.45 SERVICES 1,573.16 (UP) 5.02 1,550,141,428.83 MINING & OIL 8,179.16 (DOWN) 12.38 2,493,692,218.955 PSEI 7,847.50 (UP) 100.12 132,591,449.0336 All Shares Index 4,748.81 (UP) 42.01 8,358,357,688.79 Gainers: 118; Losers: 83; Unchanged: 47; Total: 248

Austal, Aboitiz sign agreement to bid for AFP’s 6 patrol vessels

By Darwin G. Amojelar ABOITIZ Construction Inc. signed a partnership agreement with Austal Philippines Pty Ltd. to bolster their bid with the Armed Forces of the Philippines to build six new offshore patrol vessels.

The agreement affirmed Austal Philippines’ confidence on Aboitiz Construction after it successfully designed, developed and constructed six assembly bays in Austal’s expanded shipbuilding facility in Balamban, Cebu. The newlyexpanded assembly bays will allow OPVs to be constructed right here in the country.

Under the agreement, Austal named Aboitiz Construction as the potential local subcontractor in the event it succeeded in the bid. Aboitiz Construction offers a competitive advantage because it operates a fabrication shop beside the Austal shipyard within the Balamban economic zone in western Cebu.

Aboitiz Construction will potentially do the cutting and fabrication of the OPV steel hulls.

The tapping of a Filipino contractor with proven track record in fabrication and steelworks like Aboitiz Construction is seen to strengthen the bid of Austal, which combines Australian marine technology and world-class Filipino workmanship.

Austal Philippines president Wayne Murray is optimistic about the collaboration with Aboitiz Construction.

“Since 2011, Austal Philippines has become an integral partner of the global Austal Group in building revolutionary high-speed ships for governments, navies, and ferry and offshore operators around the world and we can contribute our expertise to help modernize the naval fleet of the Armed Forces of the Philippines,” Murray said.

“We believe that we can pursue the bid with Aboitiz Construction as our preferred local contractor for this endeavor,” he added.

Aboitiz Construction president and chief operating officer Alberto Ignacio Jr. assured Austal Philippines of its strong support in the collaboration, citing the many years of experience of the company in fabricating hulls and other steelwork for clients in Japan, US and Canada.

Forbes includes eight PH firms in billion-dollar list

By Jenniffer B. Austria EIGHT Philippine conglomerates have been included in Forbes’ inaugural list of Best Over A Billion companies in the Asia-Pacific region with revenues of $1 billion or more.

The Philippine companies that made it to the list were Ayala Corp. ($5.22 billion), Cosco Capital ($3.19 billion), GT Capital Holdings Inc. ($3.79 billion), JG Summit Holdings Inc. ($5.32 billion), Jollibee Foods Corp. ($3.06 billion), Megaworld Corp. ($1.02 billion), San Miguel Food and Beverage Inc.($5.43 billion) and SM Investments Corp. ($7.99 billion).

Forbes in a statement released Wednesday said the new list was meant to complement the long-established Best Under a Billion list of the 200 bestperforming, small and mid-sized companies in the Asia-Pacific region with less than $1 billion in revenue.

From a pool 3,200 listed companies in the Asia-Pacific region with $1 billion or more in revenue in their latest financial year, Forbes reduced the list to just 200 names using several criteria, including average five-year sales, operating income growth, return on capital and projected growth over the next one to two years.

Forbes said unprofitable firms and those whose sales declined in the past five years were eliminated from the list.

Companies with long-term debt equal to or greater than half their capital and those with governance or legal problems were also excluded.

“Our goal is to find the region’s bestrun outfits that are doing well on not just one metric but across many of them,” Forbes said.

“While companies from China, Japan and South Korea naturally dominated the list due to the larger candidate pool, many came from smaller markets such as Indonesia, Malaysia and Vietnam.

The final result is a list that represents the best of Asia-Pacific’s big companies,” it added.

Manila

Standard

World

B3

THURSDAY, TODAYAUGUST 29, 2019 CESAR BARRIOQUINTO, Editor mst.daydesk@gmail.com

PREPARATION. An Indian artisan gives final touches to a sculpture of the Hindu Lord Ganesh ahead of the coming ‘Ganesh Chaturthi”’Hindu festival at a workshop in Hyderabad on August 28, 2019. The elevenday Hindu festival starts on September 2. AFP

IN BRIEF

Iran publicly hangs murderer

TEHRAN―Iran on Wednesday hanged in public a man convicted of murdering the leader of main weekly prayers in the southern city of Kazeroun, state news agency IRNA said.

Hamid Reza Derakhshandeh was executed at the scene where he killed the cleric on May 29, IRNA reported, citing the chief justice of Fars province, Kazem Mousavi.

Mohammad Khorsand suffered fatal injuries when attacked with a “cold weapon” while returning from a ceremony during Ramadan, the Muslim holy month of fasting, IRNA said.

The cleric had been the leader of Friday prayers in Kazeroun, the capital of Fars province, since 2007.

After his arrest, Derakhshandeh stood trial and “confessed to the premeditated crime in the presence of judicial authorities”, Mousavi was quoted as saying. AFP

First bishop ordained in China

Malaysia starts plunder trial of its ex-prime minister Najib

K

UALA LUMPUR―Malaysia’s ex-prime minister Najib Razak played a pivotal role in plundering the state’s 1MDB fund and channelled hundreds of millions of dollars into his own bank account, a prosecutor said Wednesday at the opening of his most significant graft trial.

Claims that Najib and his cronies pilfered massive sums from the fund and spent it on everything from real estate to artwork contributed to the defeat of his long-ruling coalition to a reformist alliance.

After losing power last year, the former prime minister was arrested and hit with dozens of charges related to 1MDB. He is expected to face several trials.

The first started in April but Wednesday’s is the biggest, with Najib accused

of 21 counts of money-laundering and four of abuse of power, centering on allegations that he illicitly obtained 2.28 billion ringgit ($540 million) from 1MDB. Opening the trial, lead prosecutor Gopal Sri Ram told the High Court in Kuala Lumpur that Najib was a key player in the plunder of 1Malaysia Development Berhad, a fund established with the ostensible aim of boosting Malaysia’s economy.

“His objective was to enrich himself,” the prosecutor told the packed courtroom, as he outlined a series of complex financial transactions between 2011 and 2014 he said were used to funnel cash to Najib.

Najib―who was also finance minister―put himself in “sole control” of the fund’s important affairs and used his position “to exert influence over the board of 1MDB to carry out certain abnormal transactions with undue haste”.

Gopal said the former premier was the “mirror image” of fugitive financier Jho Low, who has been charged in both Malaysia and the United States.

“Jho Low and the accused acted as one at all material times,” he said.

Low held no official positions at 1MDB but was believed to have ex-

erted a huge influence over its operations.

In addition, Najib “took active steps to evade justice. He interfered with the course of investigation of this case,” Gopal said.

The 66-year-old, who was in court for the start of the trial, denies all the charges.

The case relates to a crucial part of the 1MDB saga.

When reports surfaced in 2015 that huge sums linked to the fund had flowed into Najib’s bank account, it dramatically ratcheted up pressure on the leader and his inner circle.

The attorney-general later cleared Najib of any wrongdoing, saying the money was a personal donation from the Saudi royal family, and closed down domestic investigations. AFP

Japan orders 670,000 to flee heavy rain TOKYO―Two people were confirmed dead on Wednesday as heavy rains pounded southwest Japan, prompting flood and landslide warnings and orders for 670,000 people to seek safety.

Nearly a million more people were advised to leave their homes after the country’s weather agency raised the alert to its highest level for parts of northern Kyushu.

The emergency warning is issued “if there is a significant likelihood of catastrophes”.

Officials confirmed two deaths, one in western Saga prefecture where a man was found in a car that had been swept away. A second man died in Fukuoka as he tried to escape from a car trapped in rising floodwaters.

Government spokesman Yoshihide Suga said a third person, in Saga, was in a state of “cardio-respiratory arrest”―a term usually employed by Japanese officials to indicate a person’s death before it is officially confirmed by a doctor.

“There are many reports of damage in different areas due to flooding of rivers, landslides, and submerged houses, and there is a possibility of serious damage occurring in the coming hours,” Suga added.

Evacuation orders and advisories issued by local authorities are not mandatory, although officials urge residents to heed them.

For those leaving after such warnings, government shelters are available, and some choose to stay with friends and family as well.

The fire and disaster management agency said it had already received multiple reports of flooded houses in Saga and Nagasaki prefectures.

“We are seeing unprecedented levels of heavy rains in cities where we issued special warnings,” a spokesman for the Japan Meteorological Agency told reporters.

“It is a situation where you should do your best to protect your lives,” weather agency official Yasushi Kajiwara said. AFP

BEIJING―A Chinese Catholic bishop has been ordained with the joint approval of the Pope and Beijing for the first time under an agreement intended to encourage a rapprochement between China and the Holy See. China’s roughly 12 million Catholics have for decades been split between a government-run association, whose clergy were chosen by the atheist Communist Party, and an unofficial underground church loyal to the Vatican.

But under the terms of the deal agreed in September last year, both Beijing and the Vatican will now have a say in appointing Catholic bishops.

China’s official church, the Chinese Catholic Patriotic Association, said Yao Shun was ordained as bishop of the diocese of Ulanqab in north China’s Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region on Monday.

The law in China requires priests and bishops to register and align with the country’s official church.

But the Vatican said the bishop, who it named as Antonio Yao Shun, had also “received the Papal Mandate” at the ordination, according to a statement by Matteo Bruni of the Holy See press office. AFP

Russia aims high with new plane

ZHUKOVSKY―Russia is set to unveil on Wednesday its new passenger plane MC-21, billed as a competitor to Boeing and Airbus even as the project is overshadowed by sanctions and setbacks with its predecessor, the Superjet.

President Vladimir Putin formally opened the MAKS air salon outside Moscow Tuesday with Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who was enticed with Sukhoi fighter jets and treated to ice-cream as demonstration squadrons roared overhead.

The showpiece of this year’s MAKS is the new civilian aircraft, which will be formally shown to potential clients after more than a decade in the making and multiple delays.

Putin lauded Russia’s aircraft builders and their “unique traditions”, which permit the country to “remain among the flagships of the global aerospace industry” and produce “breakthrough projects” such as the MC-21 and Mi-38 and Ka-62 helicopters. AFP

N OTICE Notice is hereby given that CEBU AIR, INC. with office address at Cebu Pacific Building, Domestic Road, Barangay 191, Zone 20, Pasay City, is applying for registration with the Board of Investments (BOI) as a New Operator of Air Transport Services (A320 NEO #3 with CAB Registration No. RP-C3287 and Serial No. MSN9015) with capacity of 188 passenger seats on a non-pioneer status with home base at Airline Operations Center, Manila Domestic Airport, Pasay City.

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

(SGD.) ANGELITA F. ARCELLANA Officer-In-Charge Infrastructure and Services Industries Service (MS-AUG. 29, 2019)

N OTICE Notice is hereby given that AMANALAND CORPORATION, with office address 2F, Centromall Cabuyao, Barangay Pulo, Cabuyao, Laguna, is applying for registration with the Board of Investments (BOI) as a New Developer of Economic and Low-cost Housing Project (Montana Heights) with a capacity of 423 economic and low-cost units on a Non-Pioneer status with project site Brgy. Bucal, Calamba City, Laguna.

ALLEGED VICTIM. Jennifer Araoz (C), one of deceased financier Jeffrey Epstein’s alleged victims, and her attorney

Kimberly Lerner (R), finish speaking to the press outside the US Federal Court on August 27, 2019, in New York. Jeffrey Epstein, 66, had been charged with the sex trafficking of minors, a case that grew out of reports that he had been treated extremely lightly when he was arrested in Florida in 2006 for sex acts with underage girls. AFP

Poland seeks German reparations 80 years on WARSAW―Eighty years after the first Nazi bombs fell on Poland, echoes of the blasts can be heard in the bickering between Warsaw and Berlin over the possibility of billions of euros in war reparations.

It was only recently that the neighbors, allies within NATO and the European Union, had appeared to have turned the page on World War II. But that changed with the 2015 election of Poland’s Law and Justice (PiS) party, which sees wariness of the EU and Germany as a useful political tool. And the right-wing party has reopened discussion on reparations.

“Poland has yet to receive proper compensation from Germany... We lost six million people over the course of the war—many more than did countries that received major reparations,” Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said earlier this month.

“It’s not fair. This can’t continue.”

PiS leader Jaroslaw Kaczynski relaunched the issue in 2017, and since then, a parliamentary commission has been working on a new analysis of the extent of Poland’s wartime human and material losses.

The figures could be even higher than those drawn up by Poland in 1947, which are equivalent to around $850 billion (750 billion euros) today, according to the commission head, PiS lawmaker Arkadiusz Mularczyk.

“It’s been so many years since the war ended and Germany hasn’t reflected on its past. It’s more concerned with the stability of its budget than with observing the democratic guidelines of the rule of law and respecting human rights,” Mularczyk told AFP. He claims “discrimination,” saying Germany provides compensation to other war victims while there are still Poles alive “who experienced the

same suffering as the Jewish nation.” Berlin has accepted responsibility for the Nazi war atrocities but routinely rejects demands for reparations, be they from Poland or Greece.

“The German government’s position remains unchanged. The matter of German reparations is legally and politically closed,” said government spokeswoman Ulrike Demmer.

According to Berlin, Poland, then a Soviet satellite, relinquished its claims for reparations to the former communist east Germany—the German Democratic Republic—in 1953.

In 1990, Poland and a united Germany signed a border agreement after the Two Plus Four conference on the reunification of Germany, followed by a good neighbour agreement in 1991.

The question of reparations was never raised, leading Berlin to assume a tacit agreement that the matter had been settled. AFP

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

(SGD.) ANGELITA F. ARCELLANA Officer-In-Charge Infrastructure and Services Industries Service (MS-AUG. 29, 2019)

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

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

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

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

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

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

LGUs

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

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LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS

THURSDAY, AUGUST 29, 2019

NATIONAL COLORS. Wearing their best Filipiniana costumes, grade school students at the Rafael Palma Elementary School in Manila wait for their turn to perform during their ‘Buwan ng Wika’ celebration on Wednesday. Norman Cruz

QC dads want tax raise shelved Breastfeeding Olympics held at Lakeshore THE Taguig City government has initiated its first Breastfeeding Olympics held at the Lakeshore Hall in Barangay Lower Bicutan.

The Lakeshore Hall transformed into a hub for mothers during the one-minute milk-letting activity that promotes the importance of breastfeeding last Tuesday.

The Taguig-Pateros District Hospital also organized the event where the barangay with the most breast milk collected emerged as the winner in the competition.

Present during the event were Taguig 2nd Dist. Rep. Laarni Cayetano and the office of Senator Pia Cayetano, which conducted a seminar on breastfeeding and infant nutrition during the event.

Under the “The Expanded Breastfeeding Promotion Act of 2009,” the Taguig City Human Milk Bank was launched last 2015, the third established by a local government in the Philippines.

Its purpose is to screen, collect, process, store and distribute pasteurized breast milk to infants for whom human milk is prescribed.

Last year, the city government launched the Infant Care Project modeled after Finland’s baby box project, which has helped new mothers and babies and lowered infant mortality.

In Finland, the maternity package—a gift from the government—is available to all expectant mothers. It contains bodysuits, a sleeping bag, outdoor gear, bathing products for the baby, as well as nappies, bedding and a small mattress.

With the mattress in the bottom, the box becomes a baby’s first bed. Many children, from all social backgrounds, have their first naps within the safety of the box’s four cardboard walls.

The local version in Taguig is a 3-in-1 foldable baby bag that can transform into a diaper bag, a crib or a changing pad. Several compartments of the baby bag given away free of charge are filled with soap, alcohol, baby oil, wipes and diapers.

The Buntis Congress is a biannual gathering of soon-to-be mothers and postpartum mommies to give them the proper knowledge on safe motherhood, breastfeeding, immunization and family planning.

Joel E. Zurbano

By Rio N. Araja

Q

UEZON City Councilor Victor Ferrer Jr. of District 1 has filed a measure to suspend the ordinance raising the fair market values of real properties and basic unit construction costs—by as much as 500 percent—until 2022.

Freezing the implementation of Ordinance No. SP-2556 of 2016 for another two years would help QC constituents “to recover from the effect of the [recent] significant increase in the prices of commodities,” Ferrer said.

“For this purpose, the collection of real-property taxes until December of year 2022 shall be based on the 1996 schedule of fair market value under Ordinance No. SP-397, S-95 and Ordinance No. SP-1521, S-2005,” the councilor’s measure read.

SM, Bulakenyos tap spoken word for ‘Wika’ fete

Winners of the ‘ Kenyo: Tagalog Spoken Word’ competition are Claire Ann Castro of Malolos as Champion (third from left), Emmanuel Custodio of Malolos (second from right) and Jcel Grace Albania of Calumpit (second from left) as runners-up. Joining them are judges PCEP Director Joseph Cristobal (extreme left), UP professor Victor Emmanuel Carmelo Nadera Jr. (third from right) and BKFI Artistic Director Armando Sta. Ana. Jun David

By Jun David PULILAN, Bulacan― In time for the Buwan ng Wika celebration this month, SM Center Pulilan became a venue of the timely gathering of a new generation poets hailing from different towns in Bulacan.

10 Catanduanes health centers built

By Vito Barcelo THE Department of Public Works and Highways has completed the construction of 10 barangay health stations to provide primary health care to poor residents in Catanduanes, which lacks health facilities.

DPWH Region 5 Director Virgilio Eduarte said a total of P33.86 million has been allotted for the construction of the barangay health stations in multiple municipalities of Catanduanes to address the shortage of health facilities in the province.

The health stations are located in Barangay Buenavista in the municipality of Bato; Barangays Villa Aurora and Tambongon in the town of Viga; Barangay

Councilors Franz Pumaren of District 3, the council’s majority floor leader, and Eric Medina and Donato Matias of District 6 have co-introduced Ferrer’s proposal.

The committees on ways and means, and laws, chaired by Ferrer and Pumaren, respectively, are now studying and deliberating on Ferrer’s measure.

Three years ago, the 37-member City Council passed Ordinance No. SP-2556 mandating an updated schedule of fair market values of land

and structures.

The city government justified the increase, saying the last time fair market values were increased was in 1995.

This prompted the Alliance of Quezon City Homeowners Association Inc. to file a petition with the Supreme Court, which issued a temporary restraining order to stop the tax increase of lots and basic unit construction costs.

But in 2018, the high court through Associate Justice Estela Perls Bernabe dismissed the petition of AQCHAI with finality for its “lack of legal capacity to sue.”

Despite the SC’s ruling in favor of the city government, the city council passed an ordinance suspending the higher fair market values for two years, from 2018 to 2019.

Sicmil in Gigmoto; Barangay San Vicente in Bagamanoc; Barangay Dariao in Caramoran; and Barangay San Isidro in San Andres.

Funded under the Health Facilities Enhancement Program of the Department of Health, each health station was built with persons with disability friendly ramps, a sufficiently ventilated and well-lit treatment room, sanitary area, midwife office, receiving area, pantry, porch, and separate toilet for male and female.

In the municipalities of Bato and Virac, the RHU I and II in the Municipality of Virac includes provisions of a family planning room, dental clinic, laboratory, Municipal Health Officer room, records room, drug room, induction room, and TB DOTS room.

Dubbed as “Kenyo: Tagalog Spoken Word” the event celebrated the evolution of Filipino Literature through time, in a friendly competition.

Hailed as winners were Claire Ann Castro of Malolos as Champion, followed by Emmanuel Custodio of Malolos (second) and Jcel Grace Al-

bania of Calumpit (third place). Part of their award is the achievement of the Simbolikong Laurel ng Pagiging isang Makata.

Considered as an oral art, and a medium for self-expression, spoken word is a current form of Filipino poetry described as the dynamic use of words with a corresponding intonation, usually recited loud and clear in different styles and routines before an audience.

A joint project of SM Center Pulilan, National Commission for the Culture and the Arts, Philippine Cultural Education Program, and Barasoain Kalinangan Foundation, Inc., Kenyo: Tagalog Spoken Word, gathered 13 participants hailing from different towns in Bulacan.

Each took the stage to express their original spoken word compositions following the theme “Hugot ng Makatang Bulakenyo, Tatak Pilipinong Positibo.”

As home to National Artist for literature Virgilio Almario alias Rio Alma, cultural heroes like Francisco Baltazar (Balagtas) and José Corazon de Jesus (Huseng Batute), among others, Bulacan is known for its rich culture and history, making the occasion a meaningful one for Bulakenyos.

Spectators had a glimpse of genuine spoken word art and were able to ponder on certain issues raised during the competition including youth, family, love, education, and politico-social issues.

The competition aims to strengthen art and literature that which represents Bulakenyos, and to document the present situation of the society through the works of art from the competition.

Taguig 90% done with road clearing, says Mayor Lino

By Joel E. Zurbano THE Taguig City government is 90 percent compliant with the President’s order to “reclaim public roads which are being used for private ends.”

Mayor Lino Edgardo Cayetano said the accomplishment comes halfway into the 60-day deadline imposed by the Department of the Interior and Local Government for all roads in each city to be cleared.

The imposition of the deadline was in light of President Rodrigo Duterte’s recent State of the Nation Address, where he emphasized that all public roads being used for private ends be reclaimed.

“In Taguig, we have made sure that all roads are being used, accessed and and fully utilized by the public,” said Cayetano.

The city government has been conducting road clearing operations since 2010, he noted.

“This reminder and directive of the President, however, inspired the Taguig government to pass an executive order focusing on long term improved mobility in the city. The EO’s simple yet comprehensive goal is to make mobility in the city for pedestrians and vehicles safer and faster in the City of Taguig,” said Cayetano.

“We just intensified our clearing operations and we are continuing to work with the community so we can move to the next phase of our mobility operation,” he added.

The city government acknowledges that to sustain the cleared roads and making it a normal, there is also a need to improve policy, transform the culture of people and to create supporting infrastructure.

The existing Taguig Vehicle Pedestrian and Mobility Plan has been improved to include Mayor Cayetano’s ten-point agenda that emphasizes the need for a safe city.

Apart from the daily clearing operations then, the local government has opened Mabuhay Lanes, studied opening select villages to vehicles during rush hours, and designated PUV loading and unloading stops, among others.

To transform culture, seminars on traffic rules and regulations, driver etiquette, green driving; information drives on pedestrian walking, green walking; and the intensified presence of enforcers who will sanction errant motorists and pedestrians, among others, will continue to be done, the mayor said.

Mine firm FCF plants over 1.7-m trees in Runruno

By Ben Moses Ebreo BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya—For the past 10 years, FCF Minerals Corp. has planted more than 1.7-million trees as part of its biodiversity and tree planting program.

Ian Moller, the firm’s general manager for Sustainability, said Wednesday this was achieved through a series of massive tree planting activities in partnership with the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office and officials, students and villagers of barangay Runruno and Darubba in Quezon town.

Runruno hosts FCF Mineral’s goldmolybdenum project.

Moller said they have already planted trees in 196.65 hectares within and outside barangay Runruno.

“We also introduced the ‘Adopt a School’ Program where tree planting activities were participated by members of our company with the teachers, schoolers and parents of host schools,” he added.

Every tree planting activity, Moller said, is reinforced by advocacy sessions offering topics such as “Connecting People to Nature,” the Philippine Biodiversity and Bio-offsetting Program of the company.

“The responsibility of maintaining and caring for the trees and the environment comes after every tree planting activity. It should be inculcated continuously to our stakeholders,” Moller said.

‘IPONARYOS.’ More than

1.7-million Filipinos, including the ones pictured here, are now a step closer to financial freedom after opening Cebuana Lhuillier Micro Savings accounts.

Considered as ‘Iponaryos,’ the micro savings account owners are encouraged to follow the Iponaryo philosophy of saving at least P50,000 a year using their KaCebuana Ipon Diary.

To date, Cebuana Lhuillier, through its 8,000 employees, has taught the financial wellness philosophy to more than 10,000 individuals from far-flung barangays, schools, NGOs, LGUs, and cooperatives. By year-end, it aims to conduct at least 500 more cascades towards its thrust to convert at least threemillion Iponaryos nationwide.

Life

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

HOUSEHOLD

Happy Denuyo of the Philippine Lady Volcanoes says she looks forward to lying down on the Tempur mattress at the end of the day.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 29, 2019

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National Philippines Rugby team player and fitness coach Evan Spargo knows the importance of a great mattress in getting a quality sleep that results in better performance the following day.

Philippine Volcanoes’ secret to better performance on the field

R

ESEARCH says adequate sleep plays an important part in athletic performance; a good quality and right amount of shuteye is often key to winning, says the National Sleep Foundation.

When an athlete, or even any person in general, doesn’t get enough sleep, their stress hormone increases, while glycogen and carbohydrates—vital for energy use—decrease. Less sleep increases the possibility of fatigue, low energy, and poor focus during practice or actual game, and may also affect post-game recovery.

The country’s national rugby players, the Philippine Volcanoes and Lady Volcanoes have learned the importance of sleep in training and recovery.

“Sleep is essential to keep us focused when preparing for a game, and helps a lot for our recovery,” says Jaime Chuidian.

Ysabel De Fier ro seconds, sayi ng sleep keeps her focused du ri ng the game.

Rugby is an intense and, at times, brutal contact sport. Evan Spargo shares, “Our training is very hard because ours is such a fast sport. It has such high intensity with a lot of running, speed work, tackling, pressure work, and contact. So we have to train like we play.”

Hence, Spargo, who strives to get seven to nine hours of shuteye, says he values the importance of quality sleep in performing well.

“It’s the time when your body recovers and energy system is replenished.

It’s very important before and after training so we can continuously im-

prove and play according to the standard we want to.”

However, Philippine Volcanoes general manager Jake Letts reveals that while the team is aware of the connection of quality sleep to better performance, their conditions before did not allow them to get that vital factor.

Before, Letts relates, the team was only provided with only the basics at the training camp or even when they traveled to compete. “Each member of the team received a regular mattress and a pillow, and I know that these were not the most comfortable things to have especially after training two to four hours daily.”

When they partnered with Tempur in 2017, Letts noticed better performance of the team.

“We were up and down [the rankings] in 2013-2016. But come 2017, we’ve been moving up in the rankings,” says Letts.

The Philippine Volcanoes recently reached a new all-time high position in the World Rugby rankings at 42nd , moving 11 spots from its previous position. The Lady Volcanoes, on the other hand, recently won the gold in the 2019 Asia Rugby Women’s Sevens Trophy in Indonesia.

De Fierro notes how Tempur products have helped her a lot in getting a good quality rest. “It’s critical because at

training camp and during travel, ours is not the most ideal environment. During travel, it’s also important to support the neck the way Tempur does.”

Meanwhile, Nick Jones has also noticed that he wakes up without stiff neck and shoulders from trainings since using Tempur.

Chuidian, who grew up with parents who used Tempur adjustable beds, mattresses, and pillows at home, know fully well the benefits of the brand’s products.

“In all its technical aspects, it is beneficial to athletes like us who train so hard and compete harder. It adjusts to the shape of our bodies so we get rested more.”

Tempur is a unique, temperaturesensitive material that conforms to the shape of the body. The brand says it reduces discomfort caused by pressure points by redistributing pressure.

Spargo, who has been bringing his Tempur travel kit wherever he goes shares how much he loves the product.

“The travel mattress is so soft and it relaxes my body. I lie on it and I just get into a relaxation mode.”

In fact, even Stephen Sy, president of Focus Global Inc., the official distributor of Tempur mattresses and pillows in the Philippines, shares when he started sleeping using Tempur products, he’s had a hard time adjusting whenever he stays in hotels.

“My first night, I’ll have difficulty trying to get some sleep,” shares Sy. “The hotels have nice beds, but nothing feels like a Tempur.”

Go to ph.tempur.com to know more.

SLEEP WELL, PLAY BETTER. The Philippine Volcanoes, the country’s representative to the international rugby stage, values a great sleep, which is a huge part of training and recovery.

The 57-story Vion Tower offers future homeowners spacious units.

Future home for young families, professionals in Metro Manila UNDERSTANDING the need of young families, professionals, and nextgeneration achievers to be in a space where accessibility, convenience, and inspiration all converge, property giant Megaworld has unveiled its latest residential condominium development in Edsa-Chino Roces.

Touted as Edsa-Makati’s tallest residential tower to date, the 57-story Vion Tower is strategically located along Edsa corner Chino Roces Avenue, making it an ideal address for those working in Taguig, Pasay, the Makati Central Business District, and other thriving hubs within Metro Manila.

Set to rise just a stone’s throw away from the future Magallanes Transport Hub, Vion Tower offers residents a chance to enjoy every moment in the city, fulfill their passions, and achieve the things they lined up for themselves all at the same time.

With an illuminated tower crown that stands out and can be seen from kilometers away, it is designed to be a one-of-a-kind architectural piece that will dot the Makati skyline.

It offers studio (up to 31 square meters), one-bedroom (up to 51 square meters), and two-bedroom units (up to 71 square meters).

At the end of a long day, future residents can take in the glorious view of the cityscape as some of the units will also feature their own balconies.

The property also has generous amenities exclusive to its residents, which include a 25-meter lap pool and wading pool, function hall, fitness center, outdoor fitness area, children’s playground, day care center, relaxation lounge, and a library.

It also comes with future-ready facilities such as a Smart Parcel Delivery System, which allows an automated receiving, claiming, and storage of parcels.

A unit’s master bedroom

A 25-meter lap pool is among the amenities the Megaworld property offers exclusively to residents.

Accessibility is also one thing future residents can enjoy at Vion Tower as it is less than 10 minutes away to and from Ninoy Aquino International Airport via Skyway, less than 15 minutes away from the Entertainment City and Manila Bay area, and only 20 minutes away from Quezon City via MRT at the Magallanes station that sits right beside the property.

The tower will also offer retail shops in two levels, as well as a multilevel podium parking for both residents and guests.

Visit www.megaworldcorp.com /residences/vion-tower for more information.

Life

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THURSDAY, AUGUST 29, 2019 manilastandardlife@gmail.com

Tie the knot in the midst of nature

The glass chapel is located at Hamilo Coast, a premier residential beach resort surrounded by nature and enveloped in fresh, serene ambiance.

The St. Therese of the Child Jesus Chapel offers a sweeping 360-degree view of the stunning surroundings in Pico de Loro.

35th Wedding Expo Philippines features over 400 exhibitors

A

COUPLE of hours away from Metro Manila is a beautiful breathtaking glass chapel with views not even the most-advanced cameras can give justice to.

Nestled atop a hillside in Pico de Loro Cove, the St. Therese of Child Jesus at Hamilo Coast is a glass chapel that combines modern architecture with nature’s awe-inspiring beauty, providing a superb backdrop for one of life’s most memorable occasions.

Designed by renowned FilipinoColombian New York-based architect and urban design consultant Carlos Arnaiz, the chapel’s contemporary façade has a modern design that blends seamlessly with nature. The wide blue sky, expansive and stunning views of the sea, of the sun on the rise or as it sets dramatically, the intimate and romantic ambience, can be enjoyed at this chapel on the hill.

Picture this: As the bride walks down the aisle to meet her groom, the blue waters and sun-kissed horizon in front greets her, as if ushering her to her future and happy ever after. As the groom excitedly awaits his bride walking slowly down the aisle, framed against a backdrop of lush forest trees swaying to the beat of the West Philippine Sea winds, he is held in awe of the woman he is destined to be with. The chirping birds, mingling with the wedding ceremony’s melody, flawlessly complement

the union taking place.

The exchange of vows and the newly married couple’s first kiss become even more riveting and romantic, with the 360-degree picture-perfect view of the stunning surroundings.

Being atop a cove, the glass chapel is free of surrounding distractions, creating a serene setting.

Further, its subtle yet modern architectural structure was designed to blend harmoniously with its natural backdrop.

The roof expands and folds over the

glass terrace, acting as a source of shade to the balcony below.

The transparent walls that encapsulate the airconditioned chapel, create a tranquil and tropical atmosphere that makes guests feel close to nature.

It frames the panoramic view of nature.

OVER 400 wedding suppliers will showcase their products and services in the upcoming Wedding Expo Philippines on Sept. 7-8 on the ground floor of SMX Convention Center, SM Mall of Asia.

The Themes and Motifs-organized wedding fair features a full studio set up where soon-to-wed couples can check out Nice Print Photography, a major sponsor of the event.

Wedding Expo Philippines introduces the Wedding Expo Specials: special offers, promos, discounts, add-ons, etc. that soon-to-wed couples may avail of exclusively at the event.

These are not available anywhere else and at any other time, thus, soonto-wed couples are encouraged to bring their checkbooks, be prepared to pay in cash for their reservation fees and downpayment to be able to maximize their budgets. On top of this, they will also get the chance to win a free honeymoon trip.

As the country’s launch venue of choice for wedding-related products and services, exciting public debuts of never-before-seen wedding fineries will

Soon-to-wed couples are invited to the 35th Wedding Expo Philippines on Sept. 7-8 at SMX Convention Center in SM Mall of Asia.

also dazzle soon-to-weds. They will enjoy special giveaways and/or discounts.

Finally, participants to the wedding fair are in for hourly raffle draws courtesy of the generous exhibitors of Wedding Expo Philippines.

Go to Wedding Expo Philippines’ website to download the free e-ticket and for more updates.

Tips for searching budget-friendly homes

Pick a stylishly designed home, complete with the essentials and additional amenities.

EVERYONE aspires to have a home they can call their own. But not everyone gets to see this dream come true.

Most ordinary Filipino workers, for instance, believe that owning a home is beyond their reach. They are anxious about getting into debt and this fear deters them from taking the first big step towards achieving their dream.

Several residential property developers have made it possible for more Filipinos to own a home.

For as low as P1,897 a month, and

through flexible payment options such as Pag-IBIG and bank financing, Bria says even blue collar workers can acquire a house and lot package or condominium unit.

After cost has been considered, the mass housing developer says there are more important factors to think about before choosing a home to buy.

Pick a stylishly designed and welllaid-out home that best suits the needs of your family. Condominium units and house and lot packages vary

Make sure your home is part of a safe and secure community, complete with a guarded gate and 24/7 CCTV security.

in sizes and features. Knowing what the family needs before buying a home can help everyone make the right choice.

Choose a strategically located home. Bria says one’s place of residence must be within convenient distance to schools, hospitals, churches, and retail establishments. For ease in travel, the chosen community must likewise have access to major roads and highways.

Such features will save time, energy, and precious resources.

Make sure that your home is part of

a safe and secure community. It must have a guarded entrance, perimeter walls, and 24/7 CCTV cameras—amenities that guarantee family’s well-being at all times.

The community must offer recreational facilities such as a basketball court and a kiddie play area— and lots of green spaces for residents to stroll around.

It may seem a challenge to find all these positive features and offerings in one mass housing development, but

Bria Homes claims it makes it possible and achievable for all ordinary Filipinos out there who aspire to have their own home.

To date, the developer has built over 50 housing projects spread across progressive towns and cities in the country.

Bria Homes is a subsidiary of Golden Bria Holdings, Inc., considered the third largest real estate company in terms of market capitalization valued at more than P200 billion.

Entertainment

Elmo Magalona makes music comeback

THURSDAY, AUGUST 29, 2019

C3

nickie.standard@gmail.com

Elmo's got a new 'Crush,' the 25-year-old has just a new single under Universal Records.

S

INGER-RAPPER and actor Elmo Magalona returns to the music scene with his latest single “Crush,” which, upon its release, immediately achieved a number of feats on various platforms.

The single topped the iTunes Philippines All Genre Chart, joining top hits of OPM and world music alike. Since its release, the song has already garnered more than 120,000 streams on Spotify, with Elmo having been featured as the face of New Music Friday Philippines on the week of the song’s debut. On top of this, the track has also been included in several playlists around Asia such as Singapore, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand.

The modern track revolves around the typical high school crush and “getting bit by the love bug”—having such strong feelings for someone, yet so unsure of how they feel about you.

“Crush” was produced in Hawaii, and allowed Elmo to step out of his comfort zone and try new things. As he is still in the process of finding his sound. He says that this song is “a gateway to an unexplored Elmo.”

Prior to this song, Elmo released a self-titled album back in 2016, and recently collaborated with Hawaiian-Filipino artist MiMi, on the song entitled “Keke Love.”

With its fresh new vibe and the return of Elmo, “Crush” is definitely a track not to miss out on. The official music video for the latest track will be out soon.

Do you want to spend a night at Taiwan’s Presidential Office Building?

In the official video for the event, President Tsai Ing-wen, the leader of Taiwan, invite people to visit the country and experience the warmth of its hospitality.

Very Wang...

From C4

working on a television series. Making a movie like Cuddle Weather, portraying a role as a sex worker is a new experience.

It’s not every day that I get to play this kind of role,” he says.

RK Bagatsing, who is part of the toprating television series in ABS-CBN On the process before shooting the now, is happy to be chosen to play the film, “We studied their lifestyle and their role. life in general, paano sila magmahal “Doing films is really different from sa kabila ng paghuhusga ng mga

CROSSWORD PUZZLE Thursday, August 29, 2019

ACROSS 1 Took steps 6 Revise text 10 Nudges 14 Dry land 15 Warrior princess 16 Asian nanny 17 Ridicule 18 Citrus fruit 20 Living spaces 22 Cornered 23 Omitting none 24 Montreal’s prov.

25 Raid 29 More filthy 34 Strong brown paper 35 Charmer 36 Sierra Madre gold 37 Old car concern 38 Balked 39 Blunt end 40 Autumn mo.

41 Loose change 42 Hang loosely 43 Teasing 45 Browns 46 “Westworld” name 47 Have the flu 48 Carried, as by the wind 51 Bit by bit 57 Most troubled

31 Tiny specks 32 Expel 33 Loose garments 35 Goatee site 38 Growing medium 39 Mexican Mrs. 41 Detectives’ leads 42 Gloomy 44 Generator DOWN 1 Italian wine city 45 Nervous twitch 47 Hartford rival 2 Jackie — of 48 Australian martial arts region 3 Solicit brazenly 4 Osprey kin 5 Take away 6 Praise highly 7 Letter starter 8 Taverns 9 Song refrain 10 Jostled 11 Fifi’s friend 12 Nuisance 13 Lost fur 19 Debussy music 21 Kind 24 — pro quo 25 City near Canton 26 Temporary peace 27 Sample 28 Toward the rear of a ship 29 Prompting 30 Country addrs.

59 Young mare 60 — dunk 61 Chestnut or bay 62 Palette color 63 Injection 64 Tuneful Paul — 65 Renter’s document

tao sa paligid nila. Nakausap namin ‘yung mga totoong tao at respeto ang maibibgay namin sa kanila. This is the message that we wanted to tell people through this film,” RK asserts.

“My first reason in making this film is to examine sex, its beauty, and tragedy, through a love story of two sex workers who don’t make love until the latter part of the film” director and writer of

“SPEND A Night @ Taiwan’s Presidential Office Building” is an international marketing program created by the General Association of Chinese Culture (GACC) in collaboration with the Office of the President, Tourism Bureau and Taiwan Visitors Association.

The objective is to invite foreign nationals to experience the beauty of this historic landmark and Taiwan’s unique democracy.

The teaser video opens with President Tsai Ing-wen sending out a global invitation to sign up for the program, to promote Taiwan internationally and increase the number of travelers and backpackers visiting Taiwan, thus driving tourism industry development.

For those who may wonder if the Office of the President is running an illegal hotel or B&B, the GACC emphasized that the Office of the President is not a hotel business. A hotel business provides unspecified persons day-long or weeklong stays or rooming services or resort services for profit. In practical terms, these businesses provide travelers with accommodation facilities and services.

The “Spend A Night @ Taiwan’s

Presidential Office Building” program is a nonprofit experiential activity, and clearly different from a for-profit hotel business, it is not considered part of the hotel and B&B industry regulated by the Act for the Development of Tourism and therefore is not in violation of the law.

Program details are scheduled for public release by the end of August.

Foreign backpackers will be invited to submit proposals on how to promote Taiwan. Since the program is a limited offer and free of charge, each applicant is required to enter the selection process.

In order to be selected, applicants will not only be required to follow safety regulations, but also to fulfill the obligation of promoting Taiwan tourism on the international stage.

It is on these terms that the Office of the President agrees to accommodate selected travelers on a limited basis.

The organizer will select the 20 most suitable candidates (parties) to stay at the Office of the President for one night free of charge. The program is scheduled to welcome its first participant this fall for an overnight stay, followed by the next participant the following week, and so on.

‘hugot’ books,” the film director Rod Marmol shares.

“Lastly, I believe that with the advent of dating apps and websites, the current generation is the most sexually-active. However, we remain to be the loneliest and least responsible.

It is high time to scrutinize the inverse correlation of intimacy and happiness and there are no better characters to

face that question than those who are experts at sex”, he adds.

Cuddle Weather is produced by Regal Entertainment, Inc., and line produced

by Project 8 San Joaquin for Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino 2019.

Follow Regal Entertainment Inc on Facebook and Youtube Channel.

Twitter: @RegalFilms Instagram: @ RegalFilms50.

Make...

From C4

49 Exclusively 50 Cut grain 51 Unskilled worker 52 Ms. Dinesen 53 Silent actor 54 Corsica neighbor 55 Porter and stout 56 Stringed instrument 58 Tax shelter

From the Hai Shin Lou kitchens to the Marco Polo Plaza banquet halls, enjoy an authentic marvelous Cantonese feast paired with the excellent service of the hotel’s seasoned event specialists and banquet team.

Select from carefully curated set menus or a menu customized to your preference and enjoy meaningful gatherings with your family and friends. May it be for a wedding, birthday, family occasion or corporate event, trust that Marco Polo Plaza and Hai Shin Lou value your celebrations and traditions!

This is for a minimum of 50 persons or a maximum of 700.

To request for the Chinese Banquet Menus and other inquiries, email bqt. ceb@marcopolohotels.com or call (032) 2531111 local 8109. Visit the website at www.marcopolohotels.com. For realtime updates, like the Facebook page at facebook.com/marcopolocebu or follow on Twitter at @5StarInCebu.

Nickie Wang, Issue Editor nickie.standard@gmail.com

C4

Entertainment

THURSDAY, AUGUST 29, 2019

Bloke from Dublin YUGEL LOSORATA AS WE here in Manila go gaga over the highly anticipated concert by U2 from Dublin, Ireland, let’s be reminded that the place where Bono and the boys came from is also hometown to other notable artists like Westlife, Sinead O’ Connor, Boomtown Rats, and the late Stephen Gately of Boyzone fame.

Another guy from Dublin, probably not that notable but definitely noteworthy, is landing in Manila two months ahead of U2. For some people, he already landed a good spot in the field of dreams. In fact, his Spotify streams have already reached 250 million.

His name: Gavin James.

I won’t be surprised if you wonder who he is. We Pinoys in general qualify one as famous when already a household name.

Maybe it’s the result of being an everstruggling race that many of us are not keen on digging real deep head-on before judging an act. Since it’s easier to bet on someone undeniably popular, a great artist may not be quickly worthy of Filipino attention unless he or she becomes a hot topic in social media circles.

Thus, it should make sense that a foreign act is scrutinized by how he is in the global picture, especially when Filipino fans have yet to get into the frame.

Gavin, 28, already opened for Ed Sheeran and Sam Smith. He had guest appearances on talk shows featuring hosts James Corden and Jimmy Kimmel. Corden described him to his 10 million followers as “a new artist with a voice and talent that stop you in

In 'Cuddle Weather,' it's love at first 'sound' when Adela Johnson (Sue Ramirez), an experienced prostitute, met Ram (RK Bagatsing), a newbie call boy.

Gavin James, the Irish singer-songwriter with around 250 million Spotify streams, will perform in New Frontier Theater, Araneta Center on October 4 for his first concert in Asia.

your tracks.”

Then there’s the nod from K-pop idol Jimin who did a live video of his song “Nervous” that earned three million views. The BTS Army immediately expressed interest to follow him and put his songs on their playlists.

Now, this Dublin dude has two albums to boot, namely, 2016’s Bitter Pill and last year’s Only Ticket Home. His latest song is called “Faces” and his Spotify monthly listeners currently count at more than 7 million and 240 thousand.

Come Oct. 4, he will perform at the New Frontier Theater in Araneta Center, Quezon City for his first concert in Asia. Filipino concertgoers who will be on hand to see him perform live in person may take pride in answering the ‘were you there at Gavin James concert’ question when such thing eventually pops up in local music fan chat.

Be among them for this man is the type of a voice that can capture a large crowd with just a guitar accompaniment. It’s a voice easily strong to lift a good song to higher grounds by sheer strength and emotional push.

His single “Always” touches on a topic Filipinos find cinematic and relatable. Gavin relates, “It’s about ending a relationship and immediately regretting it.”

That being said, looking closely into his talent showcase is anything but regrettable.

(Tickets to Gavin James concert in Manila are available at www.ticketnet. com.ph).

Three GMA dramas find audience in different Burmese channels

explore the world of lovemaking sans the love part VERY WANG

D

NICKIE WANG

O HOOKERS ever fall in love?

Yes, of course!

But when they make love, do they do it with genuine intimacy? Now, this needs some discussions.

Barbie Forteza and Derrick Monasterio of 'Inday Will Always Love' with an international title, 'Happy Together.'

GMA dramas continue to gain popularity in Myanmar through successful partnerships between GMA Worldwide, Inc., (GWI) the network’s content distribution subsidiary, and prominent broadcasters and content aggregators in the country.

GMA’s hit primetime series Heart and Soul (Kambal Karibal) is currently being shown on Channel 7, the second free-toair channel of Myanmar’s Forever Group Co., Ltd. It is a fantasy drama about two sisters whose bond is tested even in the afterlife. It features the tandem of Bianca Umali and Miguel Tanfelix who were also paired in primetime dramas Once Upon A Kiss and Sahaya. The series also launched actress Kyline Alcantara who later on headlined Written in the Stars.

Meanwhile, Happy Together (Inday Will Always Love You), GMA’s toprating romantic comedy series is airing on Myanmar National TV Channel (MNTV), a free-to-air TV channel seen in most major cities in the country by an estimate of 25.3 million viewers. It stars Barbie Forteza (Meant To Be, Kara Mia)) as a simple girl whose life becomes

SUE RAMIREZ, RK BAGATSING

complicated when she becomes an instant millionaire.

Lastly, Angela (Haplos), one of the network’s most successful 2018 daytime dramas, is currently shown on MRTV Entertainment ME Channel, a free-to-air channel owned by state-run Myanmar Radio Television (MRTV). It stars Sanya Lopez (For Love or Money) and Thea Tolentino (The Half Sisters) as halfsisters who both possess superpowers: one can heal with her touch while the other causes pain.

Other GMA dramas that recently aired in Myanmar include the epic fantasy series Encantadia, romantic comedy My Sweet Heart, and revenge dramas The Stepdaughters and Contessa. The dramas are aired in the original Filipino language and subtitled in Burmese.

The continuous demand for GMA’s top-rating content is one of the many things that strengthen the economic and cultural ties between Myanmar and the Philippines. GWI looks forward to continuing its presence in the country by providing quality Filipino dramas sure to captivate Burmese viewers.

There are a few iconic films that feature the world’s oldest profession. We have Pretty Woman (1990), Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1961), Night Shift (1982), and Risky Business (1983), just to name of few. And they are a constant reminder that amid the nature of their job, they’re also humans who are capable of love.

Now here comes Cuddle Weather, a movie that stars Sue Ramirez where she plays a prostitute. The film is an official entry to the upcoming Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino.

According to the young actress, her role as Adela Johnson is “the most fearless role that I’ve taken on.”

The movie released a very intriguing poster and teaser that it became a trending topic. The poster shows Sue and her co-star RK Bagatsing in a very suggestive and daring position, which immediately gives an idea what the movie is about. This is not surprising because the movie tackles a sensitive topic but which also exists in the community.

In the movie, Sue and RK portray characters who are in the prostitution industry. But despite the seriousness of the film’s subject, it falls under the romantic-comedy genre. This is a first for Sue, who is known for maintaining a wholesome image, and will take on a daring role for the first time.

“It’s a different side of me.

It’s something that I’m afraid of, but kinagat ko and kapag nandon ka na, you’re going to have that urge to

Sue Ramirez and RK Bagatsing play daring roles in the romance film 'Cuddle Weather.'

do well at it. That’s how I treat every challenge that comes my way,” she muses.

Since she and RK are portraying prostitutes, it is inevitable that they need to do love scenes. Sue admits that she felt nervous with these scenes. Fortunately, RK acted like a true gentleman and made her feel comfortable.

“I feel safe around RK, so that’s a great partnership when you’re working in a film. You have to be really comfortable.

You have to feel safe with each other.

Imagine Ram, his character, taking a shower in a scene, then my character is watching him. That’s comfortable we

were on the set,” she relates.

Asked how much she is willing to bare, Sue replies, “As far as they need me and as far as Star Magic will allow me. But the character of the movie, has a beautiful journey. The audience will feel the romantic side of her, they will see her weaknesses and strengths. Marupok din is Adela,” Sue says.

Sue also takes pride in the movie because of its brilliant story: a serious and socially relevant issue told in a comedy. “It’s funny, it’s very witty, it’s not your typical hugot film, hindi lang huhugot, babaon pa sa inyong mga puso,” she beams. Continued on C3

Make your milestones memorable at Marco Polo Plaza in Cebu THERE’S nothing quite like a meticulously prepared dinner and seamless service to bring people together. And when you’re celebrating something momentous, this combination is a must.

For Chinese Banquets, Marco Polo Plaza has teamed up with Hai Shin Lou to deliver the perfect celebration combination of authentic Cantonese food and unparalleled customer service.

The interior of Hai Shin Lou at Marco Polo in Cebu

Headed by three Hong Kong chefs in charge of the wok, Dim Sum and roasting, Hai Shin Lou Cebu prides itself in serving authentic Chinese dishes made from the freshest of ingredients.

Marco Polo Plaza has more than a decade’s worth of excellent hospitality and arguably the city’s most celebrated event venue. Continued on C3