Manila Standard - 2019 August 31 - Saturday

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THREE IN RAPE-SLAY OF CHIONG SISTERS GRANTED RELEASE

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Xi jilts Duterte on sea claim

Won’t accept PH win in The Hague

By MJ Blancaflor, Julito G. Rada and Maricel V. Cruz

VOL. XXXIII • NO. 198 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P18 • SATURDAY, AUGUST 31, 2019 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

BEFORE THE BRASS TACKS.

Visiting President Rodrigo Duterte is accompanied by Chinese President Xi Jinping inside the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing prior to their meeting on Thursday.

Presidential Photo

B

EIJING told visiting Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte that its position on the South China Sea was not up for negotiation, a spokesman for the leader said Friday.

China claims most of the contested sea, including waters close to Philippine shores, and has rejected a UNbacked international tribunal ruling that said its assertion to the sea is without legal basis.

President Duterte is under growing pressure at home to challenge China— after largely setting aside the standoff for years—with tensions high after a Chinese fishing trawler hit and sank a Filipino boat in June in the contested waters.

In a meeting between the Philippine leader and Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday evening, Xi reiterated his government’s position of not recognizing the tribunal ruling “as well as not budging from its position,” said Duterte’s spokesman, Salvador Panelo, said.

The pair agreed to work together to “manage” the issue and recognized Next page

Rody demands sanctions vs. Chinese trawler crew Palace: Get convicts of heinous crimes already freed back in jail

By MJ Blancaflor and Macon Ramos-Araneta

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte told Chinese leader Xi Jinping he wanted the crew of the Chinese trawler that hit and sank a Filipino fishing boat on June 9 sanctioned so as to get closure on the incident, a Palace spokesman said Friday.

“I reiterate our desire for the filing or application of appropriate sanctions

against the Chinese crew in the interest of achieving closure, manifesting good faith and demonstrating China’s resort to prevent a repeat of the incident,” Duterte said in his statement, which was read by Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo on Friday.

Duterte also expressed appreciation to Chinese government for cooperating in the probe and its readiness to provide compensation to Filipino crew-

men of Gem-Ver who, were left adrift in the open sea after the Chinese trawler bumped their boat.

A day before the meeting between Duterte and Xi, the Department of Foreign Affairs revealed that the owner of the Chinese boat apologized for hitting the Filipino boat and leaving its Filipino crew of 22 fishermen stranded in open water, where they were rescued by Vietnamese Next page

“They can be rearrested and sent

By MJ Blancaflor, Rey E. Requejo back,” Presidential Spokesman Saland Macon Ramos-Araneta

vador Panelo told reporters in a press INMATES convicted of heinous crimes conference in Beijing.

Panelo was referring to thousands who were granted early freedom for their good behavior should be returned of inmates released under Republic to jail, Malacañang said Friday.

Next page

Fiba quest: Tall order to victory

By Peter Atencio IT’S A tall order, but Coach Yeng Guiao has the Gilas men’s basketball team ready to face Italy, which will have their big guns playing when they face the Philippines in the Fiba World Cup 2019 in China at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the Foshan International Sports and Cultural Arena.

The Italians, who are ranked 13th in the world, will be led by NBA veterans Marco Belinelli and Danilo Gallinari. The

Philippines is ranked 31st in the world.

Italy is well scouted by Gilas after playing 12 games in the European qualifiers for the World Cup. The coaches of Next page

Francisco ‘Paco’ Larranaga (seated, second from left) and the rest of the so-called ‘Chiong 7’ suspects in the rape-slay case.

3 in Chiong case set for early release under GCTA THREE convicts in the 1997 rape-slay of Marijoy and Jacqueline Chiong of Cebu have been granted early release this month, according to documents signed by Bureau of Corrections chief Nicanor Faeldon, CNN Philippines reported Friday.

CNN Philippines said it obtained copies of the release orders of Josman Aznar, Alberto Caño, and Ariel Balansag― three of the seven suspects in the controversial Chiong sisters’ case who benefitted from Marijoy and Jacqueline Chiong the Good Conduct Time Allowance, a pro-

vision in the Revised Penal Code which shortens jail time for good behavior.

The release orders, dated Aug. 16, said the three had served 40 years upon retroactive application of Republic Act No. 10592.

CNN quoted documents as saying the three convicts were “certified to have no other legal cause to be further detained” and “shall be released from confinement.”

Senator Panfilo Lacson, in a radio interview earlier in the day, said the release orders Next page

CHALLENGE TO SIZE.

PPI denounces ‘red-tagging’ of two journalists THE Philippine Press Institute denounced Friday the red tagging of two Mindanao-based journalists, a religious leader and a human rights lawyer.

The two journalists, Leonardo Vicente Corales, associate editor of Mindanao Gold Star Daily, and Froilan Gallardo of the Mindanews news service,

were labeled as communists in a flyer from a certain “Black Mamba” of the “MAT-NMR Press Club Chapter.

The suspected vigilante group claimed that Corales has a P1-million bounty on his head. It also named Iglesia Filipina Independiente priest Fr. Rolando Abejo and human rights lawyer

Beverly Musni as having links to communist rebels.

“The Philippine Press Institute finds the red-tagging of journalists and media organizations baseless and irresponsible. This does not only endanger the profession and render chilling effect but Next page

Filipinos, led by veterans in the Philippine team to the 2014 Fiba World Cup in Spain, are hopeful of demolishing the axiom that size matters when they meet the Italians, ranked 13th in the world, led by veterans Marco Belinelli and Danilo Gallinari at the Foshan International Sports and Cultural Arena tonight.

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SATURDAY, AUGUST 31, 2019

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PhilHealth to weed out ’mafia’ P

HILIPPINE Health Insurance Corp. has promised to continue its focus on operations while cooperating with the different probing committees on the ongoing investigation of the alleged fraudulent scheme of a dialysis clinic in Quezon City and the “mafia” inside the corporation.

PhilHealth president and chief executive Ricardo Morales told reporters the government-owned and -controlled corporation had been doing a balancing act as PhilHealth was still in hot water after different cases were filed against its executives and the coming implementation of the Universal Health Care Act. “Right now, PhilHealth is facing investigation from five agencies. In the meantime, we have to run the corporation. We are trying to do this at the same time,” Morales said.

“We are not the enemies and we are cooperating with the investigation.”

In other developments: The 21 PhilHealth officers involved

in alleged fraudulent schemes have released a statement after the National Bureau of Investigation asked the Department of Justice to prosecute the members of the Accreditation on SubCommittee from PhilHealth Regional Office-National Capital Region.

In a press briefing, Lolita Tuliao, an official of the accreditation on the sub-committee, rejected the accusation from the NBI as they were never given the proper due process in probing their part in WellMed Dialysis.

In the statement, Tuliao and the other officials denied the allegations and slammed the NBI after failing to inform the involved parties in releasing the

DoJ sides with SolGen as PNP-CIDG counsel in case vs. Leni, opposition THE Justice Department has ruled to allow the Office of the Solicitor General to act as a counsel for the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group.

The department made the ruling during the preliminary investigation of its complaint for sedition and other criminal charges against Vice President Leni Robredo and more than 30 opposition personalities allegedly involved in the plot to oust President Rodrigo Duterte.

In a resolution dated Aug. 23, the department’s prosecutors denied the motions filed by the respondents’ lawyers assailing the authority of the OSG to represent the PNP-CIDG. The prosecutors said the preliminary investigation was not the proper forum to settle the issue, and that they would still be able to carry out their tasks as investigating prosecutors even if they did not decide the OSG’s qualification.

They said the OSG’s representation of the PNP-CIDG might be the subject of an appeal or review in the future, but they could not speculate this early “lest we be misconstrued of prejudging the outcome” of the probe.

“The panel deems it prudent not to make any determination as to the quali-

fication or authority of the OSG to represent complainant CIDG as this issue remains particularly contentious,” the prosecutors said.

“In this view, the panel holds that it is not within its powers to disqualify the OSG from representing CIDG in these proceedings.”

Nonetheless, the prosecutors said, the denial of the motions was “without prejudice” to actions the respondents may take regarding the issue in the future “when they so desire” before a “proper forum.”

The lawyers of Robredo’s co-respondents earlier sought the disqualification of the OSG lawyers on the ground that the OSG had no such authority because its power was limited to representing the government in criminal cases before the Court of Appeals and the Supreme Court.

Senator Leila de Lima, former congressman Gary Alejano, and lawyers Jose Manuel “Chel” Diokno, Theodore Te and Lorenzo “Erin” Reyes Tañada III sought the OSG’s disqualification.

However, the OSG argued that the Administrative Code empowered it to represent the government “in any litigation, proceeding, investigation or matter requiring the services of lawyers.” Rey E. Requejo

names in the media before the charges were handed to them.

“We were not given the opportunity to explain, hence we were clearly denied due process,” the statement said.

Former PhilHealth Independent Director Anthony Leachon on Friday described as “selective” and “baseless” the cases filed against him and 10 others for allegedly re-accrediting an erring Cebu hospital.

Leachon said PhilHealth chairman and Health Secretary Francisco Duque III, Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III, Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez and SSS president Emmanuel Dooc also signed the PhilHealth decision that overturned a 2015 Court of Appeals ruling suspending Perpetual Succour Hospital Inc. for illegally extending the confinement period of a patient.

Morales said PhilHealth had been running its own internal probe of its employees to eradicate corruption.

PhilHealth senior vice president Jojo del Rosario remained open to welcome the filed cases against the corporation but asked for the proper authority to prosecute the people involved in the right way.

Del Rosario also said PhilHealth filed an administrative case against the WellMed Dialysis clinic that was fined P3.3 million and another P1.9 million for the second case with WellMed paying all the claims they received from the corporation.

PhilHealth has been dealing with 23,000 possible fraudulent claims with help from the authorities to file administrative cases and withdrawal of accreditation from the health clinics and hospitals.

In the wake of the WellMed Dialysis fraud claims, last Wednesday Duque vowed to speed up the reform of the IT system inside PhilHealth to organize documents inside the corporation and to fight fraud. Macon Ramos-Araneta and Charles Dantes

Rody...

From A1 fishermen hours after the incident.

“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,” the apology read.

“The Philippine side is requested to file a specific appeal for civil compensation based on the actual loss,” it added.

The Chinese government had long apologized through diplomatic channels, according to Philippine envoy to China Jose Santiago Sta. Romana.

In an interview with reporters, Panelo said the government will help the 22 Filipino fishermen in filing the damage claim and pursuing criminal charges.

Jonel Insigne, the captain of the Filipino boat, said on Thursday that he wanted a personal apology from the captain of the Chinese trawler.

He said the Chinese vessel should be made accountable for abandoning him and his crew members in the open sea after their boat was hit.

Meanwhile, Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. said he did not accept the apology of the Chinese captain but merely “noted” it.

This was contrary to Panelo’s previous statement that the government has

accepted the apology.

Panelo backtracked Friday, saying the Philippines mere “accepts the fact” that an apology was made.

Senators said the Chinese should pay damages despite the apology.

Senators Francis Pangilinan and Ralph Recto also observed that the apology referred to the Nansha Island group, instead of Reed Bank, which is inside the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone.

Senators Aquilino Pimentel III and Franklin Drilon emphasized that the Chinese needed to compensate the Filipino fishermen and pay moral damages because their lives were put in danger.

Senator Richard Gordon, on the other hand, noted that the apology did not acknowledge that Chinese did not mention their abandoning the Filipino crew in open water.

He said the abandonment issue is more serious than the property damage.

Senator Risa Hontiveros dismissed the apology, coursed through one of China’s fishing associations, as a “nonapology apology.”

“It is not an official and a formal statement from the Chinese government. It is simply an attempt at an apology to manage its foreign affairs crisis but without any official state approval, recognition or endorsement. Without such an endorsement, the so-called apology is nothing but an act of appeasement.”

vital waterway.

Duterte has refused to enforce the 2016 ruling because he said the country is no match against China’s military might. He also said Xi warned him of ‘trouble’ if he insists on the matter.

In a TV interview, the director of the University of the Philippines’ Institute for Maritime Affairs and Law of the Sea said Duterte’s actions were aimed at a local audience.

Panelo also said there is no need for the Philippines to seek international support to enforce the arbitral ruling.

“I think the President is very smart enough, he’s handling the conflict quite effectively. Those who may want to use other methods, I guess they have to run for [the] presidency,” he said.

Both leaders also agreed that a Code of Conduct in the WPS should be finalized during the remaining years of Duterte.

The code seeks to avoid tensions among countries that claim territories in the South China Sea and to resolve maritime disputes peacefully.

In 2002, ASEAN member countries and China signed the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties but the claimants–the Philippines, China, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan–have yet to craft a binding code more than 16 years later.

Duterte and Xi witnessed the siging of six agreements Thursday night, Panelo said. With AFP

PPI...

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Xi...

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also put the lives of those red-tagged and their families at risk,” PPI said in a statement.

“We urge the government to hold accountable the perpetrators of such false, malicious and dangerous propaganda,” PPI added.

Meanwhile, a ranking member of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict lambasted the communist group for purges that he said contributed heavily to the toll of missing persons.

“We commiserate with the family of missing persons, many of them gone as early as the purging years of the Communist Party of the Philippines in the 1980s,” said Maj. Gen. Antonio Parlade Jr., Armed Forces of the Philippines deputy chief-of-staff for civil-military operations, in a statement sent to the Philippine News Agency Friday.

An estimated 7,000 New People’s Army fighters and their supporters were reported tortured and killed by the CPP during a series of purges aimed at eliminating moles or undercover agents in the rebel ranks.

Parlade said families of these victims are still grieving from this atrocity perpetuated by the CPP-NPA against their loved ones. PNA

“the importance of self-restraint and respect for freedom of navigation in— and overflight above—the South China Sea,” he said.

The decision to raise the issue marks a turnaround for Duterte, who had revived once-icy diplomatic ties with Beijing after being elected in 2016 when he set aside the maritime ruling in favor of wooing Chinese aid, trade and investment.

Renato de Castro, professor of international studies at De La Salle University, said Duterte was expected to bring up the issue on his visit to “go through the motions.”

“At this point... he has nothing to lose because he has only three years to go”, he said.

“So [he] might as well raise it expecting that President Xi Jinping would basically ignore it or reject it. It’s... a classic charade.”

According to a statement from China’s foreign ministry, Xi said the two countries should “put aside disputes, eliminate external interference” over the South China Sea, and “make greater strides in the joint development of offshore oil and gas” in the region.

Parts of the South China Sea are also claimed by Taiwan, Brunei, Malaysia and Vietnam.

China invokes the so-called “ninedash line” to mark its historic rights to the territory, which is based on a vague map that emerged in the 1940s.

Despite the territorial issues, Manila and Beijing signed a series of agreements over joint cooperation in fields including education, and Duterte hailed the “friendship and the value of our ties” between the two countries.

During their meeting on Thursday, Duterte insisted that the Hague ruling was “final, binding and not subject to appeal,” but Xi merely reiterated his refusal to recognize the arbitral decision, which rejected Beijing’s claims to almost the entire South China Sea and spelled out the country’s marine entitlements, Panelo said.

Duterte was not surprised with Xi’s reaction, he added.

“From the very start, that was their [China] position even prior to the visit.

But nevertheless, as he [Duterte] committed himself to the Filipino people and to Mr. Xi himself, he raised that issue,” Panelo told reporters.

The government in 2016 won a case before the United Nations-backed court which invalidated China’s claim to sovereignty over most of the South China Sea, but Beijing did not recognize the ruling.

China dismissed it as “nothing more than a piece of waste paper” and accelerated its militarization efforts in the

Palace:...

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2013 due to the passage of the GCTA law.

Four Chinese drug lords were among the inmates released, Senator Panfilo Lacson said Thursday.

The Bureau of Immigration said the four Chinese drug lords were in its custody and awaiting deportation.

Panelo, who also serves as President Rodrigo Duterte’s chief legal counsel, earlier said that heinous crime convicts like Sanchez were disqualified from the law granting early release.

The possible release of Sanchez, convicted for the 1993 rape and murder of college student Eileen Sarmenta and the murder of her friend, Alan Gomez, has ignited a public debate on the application of the GCTA law.

Government officials initially said Sanchez was automatically eligible for GCTA law coverage but changed its tune after a public outcry.

Earlier, Senator Christopher Go said it was President Duterte himself who told Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra and Bureau of Corrections chief Nicanor Faeldon not to release Sanchez, saying the GCTA law should not benefit heinous crime convicts.

The Department of Justice recently suspended the processing and awarding of GCTA for 10 days, pending a review of the early release guidelines.

Guevarra and Interior Secretary Eduardo Año created a joint committee to undertake and complete the review in 10 days.

Guevarra admitted that the Palace has specifically requested that the processing of Sanchez’s case be held until factual and legal issues are resolved.

Lacson on Friday disclosed that three more foreign drug conficts have been released for good behavior.

Act 10592, which shortens jail time for good behavior. The law excludes from coverage those who were convicted of heinous crimes and those who attempted to escape.

“Obviously, they should be brought back to prison until they serve the full term of their service,” he said.

Justice and prison officials provoked public outrage when they initially said convicted rapist and murderer Antonio Sanchez, might be released early because of his earned Good Conduct Time Allowance (GCTA).

The Bureau of Corrections later acknowledged that almost 2,000 former inmates jailed for heinous crimes were among 22,049 inmates released since

Fiba...

From A1 Team Pilipinas have done their homework and have watched how the Italians play. Guiao hopes this familiarity will be an advantage.

Gilas will be led by veterans Andray Blatche, June Mar Fajardo, Paul Lee, Japeth Aguilar and Gabe Norwood, who were on the Philippine team to the 2014 Fiba World Cup in Spain.

New additions are Kiefer Ravena, Raymond Almazan, Mark Barroca, Troy Rosario and Roger Pogoy. PBA rookies CJ Perez and Robert Bolick also made the squad.

The Filipinos are in Group D of the tournament along with the Italians, Angola and powerhouse Serbia, which also boasts of NBA talents in big men Nikola Jokic and

Trillanes bucks new kidnapping, detention raps filed by woman

By Rey E. Requejo ASIDE from the pending sedition and inciting sedition charges, former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV and three others are also facing possible prosecution for kidnapping with serious illegal detention before the Justice department.

The kidnapping charge was filed by the Philippine National PoliceCriminal Investigation and Detection Group based on the complaint filed by a certain Guillerma Lalic Barrido, 43, a businesswoman from Davao City.

But Trillanes described the kidnapping charge as a “clear case of harassment and persecution,” saying he had never met Barrido.

“And where have you seen a case where a priest and a nun were with me in the kidnapping and we detained him in a convent?” Trillanes said.

Trillanes also wondered why the alleged kidnapped victim surfaced and filed her case only now when the kidnapping took place in 2016.

Trillanes aside, also named respondents were Fr. Albert Alejo, lawyer Jude Sabio and a certain Sister Ling of the Convent of Cannussian Sisters.

“It is clear from the foregoing that herein respondents feloniously, maliciously and intentionally put the complainant under detention for 14 days in order to force her to do something against her will,” the PNP-CIDG complaint says.

Barrido alleged that in 2017, Trillanes, a staunch critic of the Duterte administration, tried to bribe her to testify against President Rodrigo Duterte.

The private complainant narrated that she was detained from Dec. 6 to 21 of 2016, initially at the Cannussian convent until she was transferred to the Holy Spirit Convent in order to allegedly force her to sign a “readymade” affidavit to destroy the reputation of the Duterte administration.

Trillanes denied Barrido’s accusation. With Macon Ramos-Araneta

3FrominA1 Chiong... for the said convicts had been issued by the BuCor. Faeldon denied signing the documents.

In July 1997, the Chiong sisters were kidnapped, raped, and murdered in Cebu.

Aside from Aznar, Caño, and Balansag, other individuals convicted in the case were Francisco Juan Larrañaga, James Andrew Uy, James Anthony Uy, and Rowen Adlawan.

The “Chiong 7” were sentenced to reclusion perpetua and were initially put on death row but the death penalty was abolished in 2006 through Republic Act No. 9346.

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

This is even if the Spanish-Filipino is serving his sentence in Spain through the Transfer of Sentence Agreement because of his dual citizenship, after being found guilty for his involvement in the Chiong case that rocked the country 22 years ago.

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

Aside from Larrañaga, who is the great-grandson of former President Sergio Osmeña Sr., they are Jozman Aznar, Rowen Wesley Adlawan, Alberto Allan “Pahak” Cano, Ariel Balansag, James Andrew “MM” Uy and James Anthony Uy.

Boban Marjanovic and wingmen Bogdan Bogdanovic and Nemanja Bjelica.

Gallinari, 31, plays for the Oklahoma City Thunder. The 6’10” forward was selected 6th overall in the 2008 NBA Draft by the New York Knicks, and also played for the Denver Nuggets and the Los Angeles Clippers.

The 33-year-old Belinelli is a deadly shooter who plays guard for the NBA’s San Antonio Spurs.

Italy’s head coach Meo Sacchetti will also rely on Awudu Abass, Paul Biligha, Luca Vitali and Ariel Filloy. Other members of the squad who can contribute are Luigi Datome, Alessandro Gentile, Jeff Brooks and Daniel Hackett. Amadeo Della Valle, a shooting guard, also got noticed during the European Qualifiers.

Guiao, the national team mentor, said he likes how Team Pilipinas is preparing for the Italians.

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Consumer group slams SC ruling penalizing water concessionaires

FRIENDSHIP MEETS. House Majority Leader and Leyte (1st District) Rep. Martin Romualdez (left) expressed his gratitude to Singaporean Ambassador Gerard Ho Wei Hong

(right) for a friendship meeting during a courtesy call at the Manila Golf and Country Club in Makati City. Romualdez and Wei Hong vows to strengthen friendship between Philippines and Singapore. Right photo shows Romualdez as he is warmly welcomed by Australian Ambassador Steven J. Robinson (right) during a courtesy call at the Australian Embassy in Makati City. Romualdez and Robinson vowed to strengthen diplomatic relationship between Philippines and Australia. Ver Noveno

MARINA won’t OK wooden-hulled ships WOODEN-HULLED ships will not be accepted for registration, according to a new directive issued by the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA).

The directive is part of the Department of Transportation move to modernize the industry and ensure passenger safety at seas.

“We have to phase out the woodenhulled... We issued directive na we will not anymore register ‘yung mga bagong wooden hull,” MARINA officer-incharge Administrator Narciso Vingson Jr. said at the sidelines of the Maritime Safety Summit in Manila on Friday.

Vingson said they issued the directive two weeks ago.

“Kasi kapag di namin ini-stop tuloy tuloy pa rin ang paggawa ng wooden hull,” he said.

Vingson said that they will aslo stop the renewing the registrations of existing wooden-hulled passenger boats and simply wait for it to expire.

“Existing wooden-hulled boats with registration they have an expiration for five years and after that we will not be renewing,” he said.

Villar says RCEF a must in tariffication SENATOR Cynthia Villar on Friday warned that without the Rice Competitive Enhancement Fund, farmers will lose more under a tariffied system.

“Now that Philippine authorities can no longer limit the entry of imported rice, we impose tariffs and collect the amount to spend for programs that will help improve our farmers’ productivity and profitability under the RCEF,” Villar said.

He reminded parties opposing the law enacted as government’s response to the expiration of the quantitative restriction on rice importation to also consider the plight of local farmers who stand to lose more as cheap rice imports start flooding the market without any support program in place.

Villar, chairman of the Committee on Agriculture and Food, noted that after becoming a member of the World Trade Organization in 1995, the Philippines secured a preferential trade deal in the form of the quantitative restriction on rice importation.

Macon Ramos-Araneta

CHR hits bid to put cops in universities THE Commission on Human Rights on Friday took a swipe at government proposal to increase military and police presence in university and school campuses as one of the interventions to prevent the recruitment of students by political organizations.

In a statement, lawyer-spokesperson Jacqueline de Guia said while it is the police and military’s mandate to maintain peace and security, the commission upholds that safety policies within school campuses must be in close coordination and consultation with the university administrators.

“It should be in accordance with the law and other agreements between security forces and academic institutions,” she said.

“These measures must guarantee the utmost protection of civil and political liberties of all individuals concerned and must be observed in all circumstances,” she added.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines earlier said the entry of the military and police officers in schools to counter alleged leftist recruitment would not lead to militarization and curtail academic freedom. Rio N. Araja

More vehicles pass thru EDSA in 2019—MMDA

By Maricel V. Cruz and Joel E. Zurbano

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EHICLES passing through Epifanio delos Santos Avenue increased by 5.75 percent, or an average of 405,882, for the first eight months this year, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority reported on Friday.

MMDA Spokesperson Assistant Secretary Celine Pialago, in a report sent to the media, said this is an additional 22,054 vehicles as compared to 2018 data, which posted an average of 383,828 vehicles.

Starting September until December, the number of vehicles plying Edsa is expected to increase by 20 percent, or 487,058 vehicles, especially during the Christmas season, Pialago said.

To address the expected increase in traffic volume, she said the MMDA would continue its strict enforcement of existing policies and create new ones in consultation with the Metro Manila Council.

“Strict enforcement of existing policies until such time magkaroon ulit tayo ng pagkakataong makapagpresent sa MMC ng (We’ll have strict enforcement of existing policies until such time we’ll have the chance to

present to the MMC) new policies,” Pialago said.

The vehicular volume data was based on vehicular counts by MMDA personnel on an almost daily basis.

“Kapag nagpapa-vehicular count, halos everyday gagawin to make sure na tama ‘yung figures or at least mag-come up ng average (When vehicular counts are done, we do it almost everyday to make sure our figures are accurate or at least get an average),” Pialago said.

Of the average number of vehicles passing through EDSA in 2019, 110,167 were motorcycles, 255,732 were cars, and 2,166 were public utility buses.

Meanwhile, a lawmaker at the House of Representatives welcomed Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade’s green light for the detailed planning of the proposed synchronized bus dispatch system on Edsa and other major thoroughfares that is envisioned

to end the traffic problem on EDSA and Metro Manila.

“The ultimate solution to the traffic problem is volume reduction.

However, to attain it, we have to augment the railway system with the centralized and synchronized bus dispatch system,” Samar Rep. Edgar Mary Sarmiento said.

“Once the commuting public will finally realize that with the train and the bus working hand in hand efficiently in moving passengers and the riding public, then we can now introduce other volume reduction measures,” he added.

Sarmiento said the proposed synchronized bus dispatch system is in compliance with the National Economic and Development Authority National Transport Policy to come up with the Philippine Transport System Master Plan which guide the development of an intermodal transport network, and bus system is one component of it.

For the semi-bus rapid transit system to become effective, Sarmiento suggested to rationalize the service route of the buses that plies along EDSA. Sarmiento said that the DoTr under Tugade has already agreed to work together with the MMDA and the House Committee on Transportation to put together a more detailed plan and timeline on the implementation of the bus dispatch system. With PNA

CONSUMER advocacy group CitizenWatch.PH warns of water rates spiking P12 to P16 per cubic meter because of “the Aug. 6 decision of the Supreme Court that will cause serious consequences to consumers.”

In a press briefing, the High Court announced a ruling imposing almost P1-billion penalties each to MWSS concessionaires invoking Sec. 8 of the Clean Water Act which required MWSS, Maynilad and Manila Water to connect existing sewer lines of households and establishments to their network within five years, or by May 2009.

The consumer group’s legal team aired serious concern of what they see as another case of the country’s unstable policy environment and cited a prevailing ruling, G.R. Nos. 17194748, in February 2011 which issued an extended resolution that directed MWSS and its concessionaires to put up the necessary wastewater treatment facilities until 2037 because government agencies failed to deliver on what was required of them by the law.

“This clearly clashes with the recent press announcement of the Supreme Court and will tend to scare away badly needed investments for the government’s infrastructure projects,” the group said.

For instance, all local government units in Metro Manila were required to allocate land for the sewerage treatment plants and to identify all establishments and households that are not compliant with the law and refuse to connect their sewer lines.

Just like in getting cable TV, the subscriber pays for the cost to connect to the main line.

The group said that the Department of Public Works and Highways was also required to first prepare the master plan to guide the concessionaires and MWSS. “Where is this plan? Is this being implemented?” it asked.

“Other government agencies were also mandated to do their part, but no one complied so why single out the concessionaires when we know a contractor cannot build unless there is a plan and there is land?”

CitizenWatch said.

PNP to undergo major reshuffle; Albayalde retires MMDA, DOH unite Duterte signs law regulating Islamic banks in November in bid to regulate vapes, e-cigarettes

By Joel E. Zurbano THE Metro Manila Development Authority is joining the Department of Health in its campaign against the use and sale of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) and vaping devices in public places.

Under Administrative Order 20190007 signed by Health secretary Francisco Duque III on June 14, manufacturing, distribution, and sale of e-cigarettes and vapes will be regulated.

The AO stated that e-cigarettes, including both Electronic Nicotine and Non-nicotine Delivery Systems, are used to deliver aerosolized solutions to the lungs, which is similar to the act of smoking.

MMDA Chairman Danilo Lim said his agency recognizes the efforts of the DOH-Food and Drug Administration for the effective regulation of those products as it poses harmful effects to human health.

“I hope that the order will be strictly enforced to support our smoke-free environment campaign,” he said.

Lim assures the public that the MMDA will help in the inspection of vape shops within 100 perimeters of public and private schools in the metropolis.

There is an increasing number of vape shops in Metro Manila. Based on the inspection conducted by MMDA Environmental Enforcers within 100-meter perimeter of schools in Metro Manila, a total of 681 vape stores were found located near schools in 2018.

Based on 2017 reports submitted by Business Permit and Licensing Offices of local government units showed that there are only 73 vape stores registered in Metro Manila.

A WEEK before he went to China, President Rodrigo Duterte has signed Republic Act No. 11439, which aims to provide greater financial access to Muslim businessmen with financial arrangements that adhere to Shari’ah principles.

The new law will pave the way for a regulatory framework for Islamic banking in the country following the creation of an expanded Bangsamoro Region.

The law was signed by President Duterte on Aug. 22, but a copy of which was released only on Friday.

Under the new law, Islamic banks are put under the supervision of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas.

The BSP thus has the power to

regulate and organize Islamic banks.

According to BSP Governor Benjamin Diokno, the law is expected to widen access to banking services for Filipino Muslims including those from the Bangsamoro region.

“With a well-defined regulatory framework now in place, the BSP looks forward to seeing greater participation in Islamic financing by both domestic and foreign banks,” he said.

“This is a great stride in our financial inclusion mandate,” Diokno said.

The law defines Islamic bank as a business with objectives and operations that do not involve interest or riba, which is prohibited by the Shari’ah.

With PNA

PLARIDEL’S BIRTHDAY.

The 169th birthday of Filipino patriot Marcelo H. del Pilar was remembered on Friday (Aug. 30, 2019) by the Association of Philippine Journalists–Samahang Plaridel, in cooperation with the Manila City government, with a simple flower offering at his monument at the corner of M.H. del Pilar Street and Quirino Avenue, Malate, Manila.

Del Pilar, who used Plaridel as pen name, is considered as the father of Filipino journalism and patron of Samahang Plaridel that promotes high professional and ethical standards among local mediamen. Del Pilar was born on Aug. 30, 1850 in Bulakan, Bulacan.

CAMP OLIVAS, Pampanga— National police chief General Oscar Albayalde said on Friday that the organization will undergo major reshuffle with the retirement of some senior officers holding key positions in the Philippine National Police. “...by September two Directorate for Integrated Police Offices and other senior officers will received their retirement papers,” said Albayalde on the sidelines of 118th Police Service anniversary ceremonies held in this regional police headquarters.

Albayalde did not mention the specific areas to be affected by the reshuffle but hinted that DIPO’s will surely be replaced by star-rank police officers.

He said Central Luzon will be spared from the revamp as Police Brigadier General Joel Napoleon Coronel is barely eight months in the positiion as regional director of Police Regional Office 3.

Albayalde, who will step down from the service on Nov. 8 this year when he reaches the 56-year mandatory retirement age, declined to name his successor while pointing to Malacañang as the final authority to replace him.

“Wala pa sinasabi ang Presidente kung sino ang papalit..let’s just wait kung sino ang mapipili ng Pangulong [Rodrigo] Duterte,” Albayalde said.

Meanwhile, the PRO3 initiated its own version of reshuffle affecting Police Colonel Oscar Jacildo who was unceremoniously relieved as chief of the Police Community Relations Division. He was placed on floating status at the Regional Holding Administrative Unit.

Jacildo was replaced by Police Lt. Colonel Donato Bait, former deputy chief of the Regional Operations and Plans Division.

Police Colonel Narvin Mangune, director of Angeles City Police Office, will retire on Sept. 9. With PNA

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Opinion

SATURDAY, AUGUST 31, 2019

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Disqualifying Sanchez from GCTA IN 2013, then President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino signed into law Republic Act No. 10592 or the Good Conduct Time Allowance Law. This amended several articles under the Revised Penal Code, including Article 97 which lays out the allowance for good conduct for persons deprived of liberty (PDLs). In a capsule, the GCTA allows for deduction of sentences of

The law is not the problem but our executive officials’ interpretation of it.

PDLs, depending on how well they abide by rules and regulations inside “any penal institution, rehabilitation, or detention center or any other local jail.” It essentially awards good behavior and recognizes rehabilitation. The GCTA also expanded its application to the preventive imprisonment period, increased the number of days that may be credited, and allowed additional deductions, among others.

The GCTA law initially was planned to prospectively cover convicted inmates. The Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of the law, under Section 4 thereof, provides “for new procedures and standards of behavior for the grant of good conduct time allowance…and require the creation of a Management, Screening and Evaluation Committee.” However, several

Adelle Chua, Editor

EDITORIAL

National Bilibid Prison (NBP) inmates and human rights lawyers filed a petition which assailed this provision before the Supreme Court on the ground it, “discriminates, without any reasonable basis, against those who would have been benefited from the retroactive application of the law.”

In 2019, the Supreme Court granted the petition by giving the GCTA law a retroactive application. This was a correct decision, consistent with basic constitutional principles and longstanding jurisprudence.

By initial estimates, thousands of inmates are set for mass release under the new interpretation of the law. That is a good thing.

Certainly, the GCTA is a good law, a much-needed reform to decongest our jails and to give another opportunity for people who have made a mistake in their lives. This is particularly important in the Philippinnes where we penalize many acts that are trivial and petty. In fact, one essential reform is also to decriminalize many acts that do not really inflict significant harm on society or on people.

The furor erupted when Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra opined that former Calauan, Laguna Mayor Sanchez “may actually be released.” In another occasion, he said the convict “is very likely for release.” Sanchez committed heinous crimes that merited his conviction in relation to the deaths of the two UPLB students and a father and son in Laguna.

The GCTA law could cut down by up to 19 years the sentence of an inmate jailed in the 1990s if he had behaved well throughout his term. For every month of sustained good behavior, an inmate earns points, whose total, by the time of the effectivity of the law, will be used to determine the number of days by which his sentence will be reduced.

In an apparent volte face, Justice

M

Miscalculations

ETRO Manila police chief Guillermo Eleazar says there appears to be no connection between the death of Ruperto Traya who worked at the Inmates’ Document Processing Division of the Bureau of Corrections, and the current furor over the aborted release of convicted rapist-murderer Antonio Sanchez, former mayor of Calauan, Laguna.

In the same breath, however, Eleazar said they were still investigating Traya’s killing. How he could deny any connection while the investigation is going on is beyond us.

Instead, Eleazar hinted that the murder—described by local police as “definitely wellplanned”—was related to Traya’s alleged involvement in illegal drugs.

But Traya, with the rank of Chief Administrative Officer III, is said to have had a direct hand in the recomputation of the GCTA of the inmates, including Sanchez. A mere coincidence?

President Rodrigo Duterte ordered the release of Sanchez

stopped after public outrage at the mere thought of the man walking free. Sanchez had been given seven life sentences for raping and killing a UP Los Baños student and killing her friend. He was also given two earlier life sentences for murdering a father and son.

Sanchez was initially deemed— at least by BuCor officials—eligible under the retroactive application of the Good Conduct Time Allowance Law, passed in 2013 to push for restorative justice and to decongest jails.

This week, however, Sanchez’s family surfaced to claim they had been given notice of their father’s Aug. 20 release. A son claimed to have

spoken personally with BuCor chief Nicanor Faeldon, and some officials even congratulated the family for the coming release. Sanchez’s bags had been packed and the release documents had been ready, the family said. All this before the public got wind of the story.

It is not difficult to imagine, therefore, how a public in shock at the audacity and impunity of a murder could easily connect what happened to Traja to the storm inside the national penitentiary, long known to be a hotbed of crime, corruption and other shady transactions that run contrary to the notions of restoration and rehabilitation.

A swift and independent investigation is in order. The murder of one government employee simply trying to do his job is bad enough. It gets grimmer when compounded by the reminder that a place meant to serve justice and to reform criminals itself harbors greater, more insurmountable evils, making a mockery of right and wrong.

Turn to A5

No homework policy: Clap or crap?

“Kyla,” a student, tweeted, “I remember being so stressed because of homeworks. Lahat ginagawa sa bahay, barely sa school. Pati mga projects, sa bahay rin. Sobrang kulang sa tulog, tipong less than four hours of sleep lang.”

For the other side, Far Eastern UniverSEVERAL lawmakers are advocating sity Institute of Law dean Mel Sta. Maria a policy that either limits or does away tweeted, “For the record, I am against with a traditional educational method any proposed law recommending a NO that has been used since the start of the HOMEWORK POLICY for elementary/ modern era. highschool students every weekend. Not Through their proposed bills prevent- only will this idiotic bill violate a school’s ing teachers from assigning homework academic freedom, it may make your on certain days to specified grade lev- children idiots.” els, these solons want young students to “SN”, a teacher, tweeted, “Di ko maienjoy quality time at home rather than wasang manggigil sa bill na ito lalo kung spending their free time on school work. maisasabatas na. They forgot or (maybe) House Deputy Speaker Evelina Escu- they really don’t know the essence of dero wants to do away with homework HOMEWORK. We, as teachers give for kindergarten to Grade 12 students, homework not to punish the students. while Quezon We give homeCity Rep. Alfred work either as Vargas and SenENRICHMENT ator Grace Poe or as PREPARAOver the long run, is it want to limit it to TORY.” weekdays. for the best?

The Teacher’s Education Dignity CoaliSecretary Letion, through its onor Briones afchairperson Benjo firmed her supBasas, said in a statement that homework port for the bill. All “formal” work, as “is not intended to make life difficult for she termed it, should be done in school— our students… the value of homework...

“Assignment, project, whatever. Pag-uwi [is] about discipline, responsibility, and nila libre na sila, free time nila to be with continuity of learning.” their parents, with their friends.”

When it comes to ‘no homework,’ FinShe also claimed that when she as- land has made itself the world standard sumed leadership of the Department of for best practices. Finnish teachers have Education, she had already made ‘no not given homework for years. An Auhomework’ a policy, but it seems not to gust 2017 article on Leadprep.org states have been implemented. “[Meron] pa that Finland’s high school graduation rate ring mga schools na nasanay talaga sa is 93 percent compared to 75 percent for pagbibigay ng homework,” she said. the United States.

She implied that giving homework is I can find no similar statistics on the pointless because in some instances it is Philippine Statistics Authority website, not the student who does the homework although some sources say that fewer stubut a relative, caregiver, or other adult. dents were able to graduate high school “Alam naman natin ang bata talaga after the K-12 policy was implemented. kung minsan si lola, si mommy, si yaya After the adoption of new educational ang nagtutulong o gumagawa mismo, si policies, Finnish students have shown tutor, ng homework kaya minsan kung better outcomes than their peers in other ano nasa isip ni yaya ‘yan ang lumala- countries: Two out of three Finns go on bas sa homework ng bata,” Briones said. to college, and their mean test scores While some sectors lauded the sugges- dominate everyone else (in 2006, the tion (students, predictably), others (teach- Finns scored almost double over the next ers, equally predictably), objected to it.

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Fighting Ebola with children on the frontline

By Grace Matsiko BEFORE dawn, Congolese teenager Doneka Kabowo sets off for school in Uganda, negotiating miles of jungle, the threat of armed militias and an international border to reach her classroom.

Every weekday morning, yet another obstacle stands in the way of 15-year-old Kabowo and hundreds of other boys and girls from the Democratic Republic of Congo on their way to school in Uganda.

They must undergo daily health checks for Ebola.

“It’s tiring, but we’re getting used to it. It is to stop Ebola from crossing over,” Samuel Baini, another 15-year-old student, told AFP after his health check at Mpondwe, the busiest crossing point between Uganda and the DR Congo.

An Ebola outbreak in DR Congo has killed more than 2,000 people since last August, health officials said Friday.

Ugandans, fearing the deadly virus could breach the porous border, are taking no chances.

A nine-year-old Congolese girl who tested positive for Ebola at Mpondwe died early on Friday morning, Yusuf Baseka, the health director in the southwestern Ugandan border district of Kasese, told AFP. The girl is the fourth victim diagnosed with Ebola in Uganda to have died from the haemorrhagic fever.

In June, three members of a single family tested positive for Ebola in Uganda after entering from DR Congo.

Two died in Uganda, while the third succumbed to the disease after returning to DR Congo.

Up to 18,000 people make the journey every day between eastern DR Congo— the epicenter of the Ebola outbreak— and Uganda, according to government figures.

All must be methodically screened at

the border to ensure they are free of the virus. Temperatures are taken and hands disinfected. Anyone recording a fever is kept for additional checks.

High vigilance Among the travelers between the neighboring countries are thousands of school children making the journey alone.

Their parents send them from remote and poor villages thousands of miles from the DRC capital Kinshasa, to Uganda, where job and educational opportunities are greater, and cultural and family ties strong.

The children can be seen running towards Mpondwe early every morning, some barefoot and in tattered uniforms as they join the rush.

Younger children are helped by older students to line up as health workers in gloves, face masks and goggles check temperatures and instruct them to lather Turn to A5

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Opinion Stench of corruption in BuCor A CAN—in fact, a barrel—of worms has been opened by the exposé on the plot to release murderer-rapist Antonio Sanchez, along with his six henchmen.

Just after I posed the question on how many heinous criminals may have been released by virtue of Republic Act 10592 whereby prisoners are awarded credits for “good conduct,” it surfaced that at least 1,914 convicts responsible for monstrous crimes have been freed. Among them were convicts for murder, rape, armed robbery, illegal drug trafficking, and kidnapping.

Thousands more hardened criminals stand to gain freedom under the law signed in 2013 by former President Noynoy Aquino, concocted by his cohorts Mar Roxas and Leila de Lima, and the dupes in the 15th Congress.

Now, the Senate is poised to investigate the whole issue involving the Bureau of Corrections as there appears

Disqualifying...

From A4

Secretary took a different stand, now saying that if a person [is] charged with a heinous crime, [he is] not qualified at all.” The Palace is now also saying that it will not allow the release of convicted rapist-murderer Antonio Sanchez, as the justice department has already deemed the former mayor not qualified for a shortened prison term under the GCTA due to the gravity of his offense. Spokesperson Salvador Panelo clarified that review of RA 10592 showed the law’s categorical exclusion of recidivists, habitual delinquents, escapees and persons charged with heinous crimes from its coverage.

“This is the letter and the spirit of the law.”

BuCor Director General Nicanor Faeldon followed suit in changing his tune, saying that Sanchez may be disqualified from the good conduct and time allowance (GCTA) rule based on several grounds. Previously, he commented that while Sanchez is eligible to avail himself of the GCTA, he might still have to stay in Bilibid for several years because of misdemeanors he reportedly committed, like stashing drugs in his jail cell and smuggling in luxuries like kubol, television, and air conditioning unit. Even this interpretation of Faeldon is wrong.

My sense is that BuCor is interpreting good conduct in a mechanistic way, disregarding context and the spirit of

Fighting...

From A4

hands with sterilizing wash.

Most of the children are already accustomed to the procedure.

But it is not without inconvenience.

“Sometimes we get to school late, because we have to be in line for checking and it takes time,” said Doreane Kambari, a 16-year-old attending high school in Bwera in Kasese.

“The smell of the chemicals used in the water takes a long time to go away,” she added, referring to the precautionary chlorine wash all travelers undergo when passing through Mpondwe.

However, children were also using unofficial routes into Uganda until warned of the consequences, said Rajab Kasero Bezza, director of studies at the government-run Nyabugando primary school.

“We told them unless they get checked for Ebola they would lose their opportunity to get an education,” he told AFP.

No homework...

From A4

highest, Hong Kong).

But it’s not just not having homework that accounts for this educational success, and these other factors, infrastructure among them, must be considered.

Finland has a high teacher-student ratio, at 1 to 12. In the Philippines for school year 2017 to 2018, it is 1:31 for the elementary level, 1:36 for Junior High School level, and 1:31 for Senior High School level. I teach two undergraduate classes in a private university, and in one I have 41 students, and in the other 44.

Class size is crucial—in March 2018, DepEd Undersecretary for Planning and Field Operations Jesus Mateo admitted

to be grave abuse in processing and granting prisoners the benefits under RA 10592.

The identities of all those released from the New Bilibid Prison must be divulged publicly, particularly those who were supposed to be excluded from RA 10592!

However, BuCor officials said a court order is needed to compel them to divulge the names of those inmates who have been released and the thousands more awaiting for their freedom.

Indeed, the stench of this good conduct time allowance (GCTA) has reached all the way to the Senate halls.

Senators Ping Lacson, Dick Gordon and other lawmakers strongly sense irregularity in BuCor in the Sanchez case, except for former BuCor chief Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, who said Sanchez “deserves a second chance.”

Dela Rosa’s successor at BuCor, former Bureau of Customs chief Nicanor Faeldon, has a lot of questions to answer in his return engagement at the Senate Blue Ribbon committee.

But just how can one convicted to nine counts of reclusion perpetua, who even figured in shabu smuggling in

National Penitentiary, be included as beneficiaries of RA10592 “for good conduct?”

Actually, the exact question is, “Magkano?”

RA 10592 proves to be a law hatched in hell just as how retired judge Harriet Demetriou described the crime that killed then 19 year olds Eileen Sarmenta and Allan Gomez in 1993 in Calauan, Laguna.

In 1995, Demetriou imposed seven life sentences for Sanchez et. al. which was eventually affirmed by the Supreme Court.

While already in Death Row, Sanchez and his fellow convict Luis Corcolon in the Sarmenta-Gomez case were again convicted to additional life sentences for the double-murder of father-and-son Nelson and Rickson Peñalosa, supporters of the former mayor’s political rivals.

Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra has also disclosed that among those possible RA 10592 beneficiaries are the seven convicts in the 1997 abduction and rape-murders of sisters Maryjoy and Jaqueline Chiong in Cebu.

What is this travesty of justice that we have to put up with?

the law which reward authentic good behavior.

I am not ready, however, to say that all those who have committed heinous crimes are automatically exclude from the GCTA. It is still their conduct in prison that must determine the coverage. Overall, it is a better system that treats prisoners humanely. Politically though, it might be better for those convicted of heinous crimes to be rehabilitated, not through a GCTA approach, but via the pardon and condonation route where the accountability for the decision is at the highest level.

Amid the cacophony of clashing opinions, I dare say, just do it and disqualify Sanchez and drug lords who have been running their businesses from jail. Those convicts, for example, who falsely accused Senator Leila de Lima of bribing them (no, they never accused her of drug trafficking, which inexplicably is what the Department of Justice charged her with) admitted that they were running their drug empires from jail. Like Sanchez, they should not be allowed to benefit from the GCTA. Let Sanchez and the convicted drug lords plead their cases before the Supreme Court who I am sure will find an interpretation of law that is good for society.

There is a truism that says difficult cases with particular and unique facts make for bad law. Either way, the result of this Sanchez situation will result badly for law. Either way, the law will suffer and will be implemented badly and in a flawed manner. Thus, we might as well do the lesser evil or

less undesirable option and not apply the law on reduction of prisons terms for good conduct on Sanchez.

There is enough basis for doing that based on his behavior in prison. Remember that Sanchez was found in possession of a sachet of “shabu”(crystal meth) and a bag of marijuana leaves in his cell in 2006. In 2010, prison guards confiscated P1.5 million worth of shabu stashed in one of the former mayor’s Virgin Mary statues and in 2015, he was found illegally keeping appliances in his cell. This fact in itself makes Sanchez ineligible to apply for the benefits of GCTA. All my law students, who I require to read the writings of my Yale Law School mentor W. Michael Reisman know this: Law is not arithmetic where 1 + 1 = 2. Black letter law does not operate in a vacuum but in a concrete context. There is no such thing as automatic and mechanistic application in applying a law. The operational code, which diverges from the black letter law, is more real to people. If the executive officials deny Sanchez and the drug lords the reduction, they are not doing something new or unique.

I am sure a wise Supreme Court will find a good solution that will uphold a good law but will not allow the likes of Sanchez to distort the law and benefit from it.

The GCTA is not the problem; it’s how our executive officials are interpreting it.

Fighting stigma The World Health Organization (WHO) declared Uganda free of the disease in late July but the latest positive case underscores the challenge of containing the virus in DR Congo.

The death toll from the outbreak there—the second worse Ebola epidemic in history—has risen to more than 2,000.

The virus also recently spread to another province further south that shares a land border with Rwanda and Burundi.

Screening is vital, but imperfect.

Ebola can take up to three weeks to incubate and cannot be spread until the infected person has symptoms, the WHO says. But it can be difficult to clinically tell Ebola from malaria, typhoid fever or meningitis.

Francis Tumwine, an International Committee of the Red Cross worker at Mpondwe, said creating public awareness of the disease was critically important to quashing the rumors around it.

“The fear of Congolese children bringing Ebola into schools was very real,” he told AFP.

“But we taught people about the virus, and they now know what to do.”

At Nyabugando school, where around 100 students come and go from Congo every day, teachers and health workers have been combating stigma around Ebola and educating the wider community about the realities of the disease.

Ugandan parents initially feared their children could catch the virus from Congolese playmates, not understanding how transmission occurred, Bezza said.

“In the beginning, there was a negative attitude towards children from DRC... but this has changed,” said Bezza.

Doctor Baseka, the director of health services in Kasese, said the Congolese children had become ambassadors of change, helping quash myths about Ebola back in their home communities.

“People there thought Ebola was witchcraft. But now their children are learning from our Ebola awareness teams at school that the disease is real and deadly, a message they pass on to their parents,” he told AFP. “We have seen behavioral change.”

AFP

that class sizes need to be reduced for learning to be effective.

Finland has also done away with standardized tests. Much school work, including homework, prepares the student to pass standardized tests, which many studies have found are not a good measurement of a learner’s true level of knowledge and skill. Finland also does not use multiple-choice tests, unlike here; students have to know the answer.

Will less or no homework benefit students? Yes, in certain and immediate ways. For one, those in Metro Manila will have more time to relax after their hellish commutes. Some students will indeed spend more time with family and friends.

Those with part-time jobs will have extra hours for work.

But over the long run, is it for the best?

Critics of the proposed policy say that there is no assurance that students will use their extra free time productively. Many will spend it bent over mobile phones or watching TV, whereas in Finland, they are encouraged to play in nature, play music, do crafts, and other creative work.

The policy should be studied further because it may do more harm than good. A trial run might yield useful data, but the potential for injury, even over a short-term experimental period, is great.

Our educational system is elitist to begin with—those who can afford private schools receive better education than those in public schools. Without homework, can that gap be ever bridged?

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SATURDAY, AUGUST 31, 2019

A5

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Tax the communists on their source of funds alize that objective, it encouraged the support of citizens’ participation in promoting free and fair elections in the Philippines. The Co-Convenors are Atty. Jose Vicente B. Salazar, National President of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines, and Atty. Carlos P. MediTHE Catholic Church is not only sym- na, Jr., Chief Legal Counsel of One pathetic to the CPP/NPA. It is also the Voice and Executive Director of the Atmain funder. It carries a formidable eneo Human Rights Center. In 2013, it weapon, for aside from being exempt- received a grant of $47,000 from NED. For the media is the Philippine Cented from paying taxes, it has become their vocation to slander the govern- er for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ). ment. They already crossed the limit Its task is “to strengthen the media’s of their freedom. Beyond the issue ability to analyze and report on the of tax exemption, it has become their culture of impunity, focusing on the invocation to castigate the government terrelated issues of governance, money for human rights violation, interfere politics, media killings, political clans, in our electoral exercise to ensure an and development. The Board of Editors “honest” election, demand a share in are: David Celdran, Chairman; Howie government revenue to subsidize their G. Severino, Vice Chairman, Malou educational institutions, prescribing Mangahas, Secretary/Executive Direcschool curriculum and textbooks, and tor; Dominick NA Danao, Treasurer; worse even sought to revise and tamper members: Sheila S. Coronel (Founding our history like erecting monuments, Executive Director) and Cecile C.A. naming streets and towns in honor of Balgos. In 2013, PCIJ received a grant saints and persons considered by many of $50,000 from NED. Another is Rappler, headed by Maria as traitors.

Today, Catholic-front NGO does Ressa who is now facing charges for tax have become the most convenient high- evasion. This is a media organization way to funnel and launder funds to var- intended to cater to internet users. Rapious front organizations like the CIA. pler is being funded by Pierre OmidThe role of NGO is classic to the ap- yar, and to escape liability for violating plication of “AC-DC.” The Church en- the nationality principle of ownership joys tax exemption from its businesses, in mass media, Omidyar abruptly dowhile freely supporting the CPP, NDF nated $1.5 million in a last ditch atand NPA. It is the only organization that tempt to evade prosecution of Ressa.

The same can be does not contribsaid of Vera Files ute a centavo to headed by Ellen the government.

Tordesillas. This Yet, the Church agency is receives fundThey already crossed news operating mainly ing from various the limit of their through the interforeign operated net. Like Rappler NGOs and even freedom. is also funded by from the CIA. It NED. is through their The Ateneo operated colleges School of Govand universities that money from the oligarchs and the ernment. Its objective is “to encourage CIA freely mixes but under its effective political engagement among the Filipino youth in civic life. The members control.

The collapse of the Soviet bloc and of the board of directors are: Victor the increased influence of neoliberal- S. Claravall; Grace Camacho-De Jeism virtually erased the delineation that sus; Joyce Christine A. Castillo; Ma. separates the communists from the so- Lourdes Flores-Mercado; Julia Criscalled “lovers of freedom and democ- tina A. Morata; Roderick R. Torres; racy.” The neoliberals initiated this by Richard Ryan Caluya; Ronald Allan L. forming their so-called color revolution Cruz; Rhett Francis M. Mallen; Philipp funded by private philanthropist like M. Gotico; Eduard Edwynn D. CapaGeorge Soros and Pierre Omidyar. As cio; Maria Asumcion P. Fider; and. substitute, the CIA created the National Joseph Andrew C. Serafica. In 2011, it Endowment for Democracy (NED). It received a grant of $56,209 from NED. The Center for International Private was an eye-catching organization to entice “Support for Freedom around Enterprise (CIPE). Its objective is “to promote the understanding and imthe World.”

In the Philippines, the so-called res- plementation of corporate governance toration of freedom saw the popping among publicly-listed and non-public out of various NGOs. NED openly col- firms in the Philippines.” In 2011, CIPI laborated with the government to “mo- scored and ranked firms from the varitivate” people from the various sectors ous sectors based on their compliance of civil society. NED programs impart with corporate governance standards. the basic philosophy that working peo- For that it received a grant $147,164 ple could best served under a system from NED. Foreign-funded NGOs, aside from of free enterprise, class cooperation, collective bargaining, minimal govern- what many believe as a CIA-controlled ment intervention in the economy and electronic counting machine called opposition to socialism. Among the Smartmatic, openly operate to intervene in our electoral system to manipulate the leading NGOs are: The Center for Media Freedom & result. They put in place “poll surveys” to Responsibility, Inc. (CMFRI). Its ob- condition the minds of the people of canjective is “to advance press freedom didates likely to win. Even if they did not and promote responsible journalism participate in the commission of fraud, in the Philippines.” The officers are: nonetheless they are guilty of deception Melinda Quintos de Jesus, Executive for falsely conditioning the minds of the Director; Prof. Luis V. Teodoro, Dep- people that their projected candidates are uty Director; and the members of the likely to win.

Survey outfits such as the Social Board of Trustees are: Maria Isabel G. Ongpin; Tina Monzon Palma; Vergel Weather Stations (SWS) and Pulse O. Santos; Carlos H. Conde; and Lorna Asia are designed to subtly influence Kalaw-Tirol. Leaders of the press com- the voters. One can easily deduce this munity and CSOs in the Philippines by their platform of government, policy who served in the Board previously in- pronouncement, and stand which are clude: Dr. Jose Abueva, Dr. Lydia Bal- often amenable to US policies dubbed atbat-Echauz, Fr. Joaquin Bernas, S.J., as pro status quo, and avoidance of conMr. Santiago Dumlao Jr., Atty. Fulgen- troversial issues.

During election there are various cio Factoran Jr., and Paulynn Paredes Sicam. In 2011, CMFRI received a civic organizations that work side by grant of $79,000 and $76,000 in 2012 side with the Comelec to assist in the preparation, holding, counting and refrom NED. The International Center for Innova- lying of results. Such organization was tion, Transformation and Excellence originally headed by the Movement in Governance (INCITEGov) Inc. IN- for Free Election (Namfrel). For the CITEGov Inc. Its main task is “to em- fact that Namfrel was discredited as a power and mobilize an informed public CIA-front, various groups lead by the and a community of reformers dedi- Church-based Parish Pastoral Councated to advancing sustainable, demo- cil for Responsible Voting PPCRV, cratic reforms through the practice of LENTE, Teachers Dignity Coalition linking democratic politics, good gov- and PPSTA were soon created to reernance, and development outcomes.” place Namfrel. LENTE is also funded Its founding trustees are: Florencio by NED while the PPCRV has been “Butch” Abad; Emilia “Emy” Boncodin linked to the commission of electoral (deceased); Teresita “Ging” Quintos- fraud that saw Leni Robredo fantastically Deles; Victoria “Vicky” Garchitorena; overtaking by almost 2 million the votes Jose Luis “Chito” Gascon; Alberto of Bongbong Marcos by daybreak.

Foreign media have also infiltrated “Bert” Lina; Imelda “Mely” Nicolas; Guillermo “Willie” Parayno, Jr.; Ce- our local news organizations. What is sar Purisima; Juan “Johnny” Santos; disturbing is they have put up their own Corazon “Dinky” Juliano-Soliman and TV stations and have linked to local staRene Villa. Its Executive officers are: tions to rebroadcast foreign news. The Maxine Tanya Hamada, Paola Deles, concern of many is they broadcast news Johanna Delos Reyes, Janice Almine, and commentaries often critical to the May Ann Chu, Cecilia Oleza, Dion government. For one, CNN and to some Lorenz Romano, and, Josielyn Linga. local radio stations such as DZFE and In 2012, INCITEGov received a grant DZRJ to broadcast hourly news from the of $90,000 and $100,000 in 2011 from Voice of America and BBC. They need only pay a station to drum up the support NED. Another is the Legal Network for and endorsement of the local listeners on Truthful Elections Inc. or LENTE. Its a particular issue. avowed purpose is “to protect the credibility of the electoral process. To re- rpkapunan@gmail.com

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK Manila

News

Standard

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TODAY AUGUST 31, 2019 SATURDAY,

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Lacson: Corruption hounds BuCor’s Faeldon

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

S

ENATOR Panfilo Lacson said Friday he was baffled by the anti-corruption battle cry of President Rodrigo Duterte following the alleged corruption at the Bureau of Corrections.

HOSPITAL VISIT. (from left) Noby Fesway, wife of Manila Police District Cpl. Edmar Fesway (in bed), Manila Vice Mayor Honey Lacuna, Chinese General Hospital president James Dy, Manila Police District Director General Vicente Danao, Florante Dy, Chairman Emeritus of Philippine Chinese Charitable Association Inc. and Robert Yang, Philippine Chinese Charitable Association Inc. director visit Fesway at the Chinese General Hospital in Manila. Fesway was shot while conducting ‘Oplan Sita’ in Baseco in Port Area Manila.The Chinese General Hospital said it would shoulder all the expenses of the policeman and give P50,000 to the family through the effort of Dr. James Dy. Lino Santos REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES REGIONAL TRIAL COURT NATIONAL CAPITAL JUDICIAL REGION BRANCH 217 – QUEZON CITY IN RE: CANCELLATION OR CORRECTION OF ENTRIES IN THE CIVIL REGISTRY, PARTICULARLY,IN THE REPORT OF MARRIAGE, ROSE MARIE C. BUENTIPO, Petitioner, -versusSP CASE NO. R-QZN-19-08763-SP PHILIPPINE CONSULATE GENERAL OSAKA-JAPAN THROUGH THE DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS, THE CIVIL REGISTRAR GENERAL OF THE PHILIPPINE STATISTICS AUTHORITY, ROSAURO A. DELA ROSA, and All persons who have or claim any interest Which would be affected hereby, Respondents. x-----------------------------------------------x

ORDER

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“Yeah, I can’t understand anymore the anti-corruption battle cry of the President,” Lacson said.

“It seems that wherever [BuCor Director Nicanor] Faeldon is assigned, corruption issues hound him.”

In 2017 Lacson accused Faeldon of receiving a P100-million “welcome gift” when he assumed his post at the Bureau of Customs.

But Faeldon denied the charge and filed a complaint against Lacson before the Senate’s Ethics committee.

Lacson also said moneyed convicts were being released like former Calauan Mayor Antonio Sanchez, the Chinese drug lords and those involved in the Chiong sisters’ kidnapping.

“I was informed that money talks in the NBP [National Bilibid Prison],” Lacson said.

He told dzBB radio three more foreign drug convicts had also been released for good behavior as he urged Immigration to stop the deportation of five other Chinese drug lords released from the New Bilibid Prison the past months.

“Aside from the five, there were three others released from the Davao Penal Colony. It was a Taiwan drug lord. In Palawan, two more, also drug lords, were released last April,” Lacson said.

He said Chen Tiz Zang, a convicted Chinese/Taiwanese drug lord, was released from the Davao Penal Colony in April. He said two other Chinese drug convicts were freed from the Palawan Penal Colony also in April.

Lacson said Chinese drug lords were being released using the Good Conduct Time Allowance, a reward for an inmate’s good behavior and deducted from the jail term the inmate needs to serve.

Earlier, Lacson said at least four Chinese nationals convicted of drug offenses were released by the Bureau of Corrections last June.

He said another Chinese drug lord was turned over to Immigration for deportation.

Groups accuse German firm in LTO IT contract, PH partners 3A GERMAN company and its three local associates who act as suppliers for an information technology infrastructure project of the Land Transportation Office have been accused by a civic group, and private corporations.

The groups claimed the accused entities committed irregularities and issues when the foreign and local suppliers failed to comply with the agreed delivery of goods and services stipulated in the contract, documents provided by the complainants showed.

Under the banner of Bayan Makulay Foundation, the complainants called on

the Office of the President and Congress to scrutinize the multibillion-peso contracts awarded to Dermalog Identification Systems GmBH and local partners Holy Family Printing Corp., Microgenesis Business System, and Verizontal Builder’s Inc. There was no immediate reaction from the accused firm and its local associates.

This was due to their “anomalous and egregiously illicit” deals, plus their “questionable reputation” to deal with government projects, the group said in a statement.

Makati Rep. Kid Peña, the House Committee on Transportation vice chair-

man, has told the complainants to surface and lob their charges before the Office of the Ombudsman before their calls will be entertained by his committee.

Dermalog had won the bidding for the Department of Transportation-Road Transportation IT Infrastructure ProjectLTO Component A, which was awarded a P3.19-billion contract in 2018 that was supposed to be completed last May. According to the document provided by one of the complainants, who requested anonymity, a Notice to Proceed said the German firm was “responsible for performing

House panels review policy on glass product imports

By Maricel V. Cruz TWO committees in the House of Representatives are reviewing the standards set by the government on glass products in the market.

This, as the joint House committees on economic affairs and trade and industry conducted deliberations on several measures proposing to amend Republic Act 7041 or the Foreign Investment Act of 1991.

Department of Trade and Industry Sec-

retary Ramon Lopez told legislators that the department would move for the lifting of a court order stopping it from implementing new regulations that set strict quality standards on local and imported glass.

Lopez, at the sidelines of the congressional hearing conducted by the joint House panel said the DTI would hear concerns from stakeholders affecting the glass market.

While the government is open to further discussions or adjustments to regulations governing flat glass, Lopez said there is a

need to lift the court injunction first.

Lopez, during the hearing, also supported efforts at the Lower House to sustain economic growth by enacting laws such as the consolidated bill proposing to amend Republic Act 7041 or the Foreign Investment Act of 1991.

“Relaxing laws to attract more foreign investors in the country should not be misconstrued as easing restrictions that would ensure quality standards on importation of various products,” Lopez told legislators.

Republic of the Philippines Department of Environment and Natural Resources ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT BUREAU DENR Compound, Visayas Avenue, Diliman Quezon City 1116 Telephone Nos.: (632)927-15-17, 928-37-25; Fax No.: (632) 920-22-58 Website: http://www.emb.gov.ph / Email: mail@emb.gov.ph NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING On the ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT (EIS) of the proposed SOUTH PULANGI HYDROELECTRICPOWER PLANT PROJECT of PULANGI HYDRO POWER CORPORATION (PHPC) to be located in the MUNICIPALITIES OF DANGCAGAN, DAMULOG, KIBAWE AND KITAOTAO ALL IN THE PROVINCE OF BUKIDNON. Notice is hereby given to all parties who wish to give their opinion regarding the implementation of the proposed SOUTH PULANGI HYDRO ELECTRIC POWER PLANT PROJECT to attend the Public Hearings scheduled as follows: Date

Time

Venue

11 September 2019 (Wednesday)

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

Kitaotao Tennis Court, Municipality of Kitaotao

11 September 2019 (Wednesday)

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

Lucky 9 Resort Function Hall, Municipality of Dangcagan

12 September 2019 (Thursday)

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

Kibawe Municipal Gymnasium, Municipality of Kibawe

12 September 2019 (Thursday)

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

Municipal Function Hall, Municipality of Damulog

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

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

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

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

(MS-AUG. 31, 2019)

GLOBAL FRAMEWORK. Sagiv Massad (center), president of Israel Chambers of Commerce of the Philipines and advocacy partners show their Thumbs Up gesture during the Herald Forum at Club Filipino in Greehills, San Juan City. Sagiv Massad tackled the global framework, productivity, competitiveness and sustainability of enterprises and organization. Manny Palmero

NCR police officer nabbed in buy-bust

By Joel E. Zurbano AUTHORITIES arrested in Muntinlupa City an AWOL (absent without official leave) police officer for his alleged involvement in drug trafficking.

Nabbed during a police buy-bust operation on Thursday was Victor Bustamante Jr., 37, a policeman formerly assigned at the National Capital Region Police Office.

Recovered from the suspect were five grams of shabu worth P68,000, a P10,000 marked money, two empty magazines of .9-mm Glock pistol, a sling bag and a mobile phone during the police operation.

Metro Manila police director Maj. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar said his men from the NCRPO Drug Enforcement Unit conducted the drug sting around 2:45 p.m. near the Minimum Security Compound of New Bilibid Prison in Barangay Poblacion.

He added the NCRPO made the entrapment

in close coordination with officers and men of the Muntinlupa City police station, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency and PNP Integrated Monitoring and Enforcement Group.

Eleazar said an undercover agent managed to purchase five grams of shabu in two plastic sachets from Bustamante.

Records showed that Bustamante was recruited as Police Officer 1 by PNP NCRPO in 2011, then re-assigned to the Southern Police District but gone AWOL last February.

“He was monitored to be engaged in the illegal drug trade, hence a buy-bust operation was conducted to arrest him,” said Eleazar.

Bustamante is now detained at the NCRPO detention cell in Taguig City and is facing criminal charges for violation of Sections 5 and 11, Article II of Republic Act 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002).

the services under the terms and conditions of the Agreement and in accordance with the Amended Schedule of Requirements.”

The notice was dated May 28, 2018 and signed by LTO Assistant Secretary Edgar Galvante and Marivic Resuello, an authorized representative of Dermalog and its suppliers.

“Records showed that last year, the LTO awarded the aforementioned contract to Dermalog joint venture to upgrade the IT infrastructure of LTO last May 2018.

This was supposed to replace the current system being used,” the foundation said.

Jordanian arrested for beating his wife

By Vito Barcelo IMMIGRATION agents arrested a Jordanian for repeatedly beating his Filipina wife in Davao City and was also found working in the country without a permit.

BI Intelligence Division Acting Chief Fortunato Manahan Jr. said that Kamal Isam Kamal Abu Beih, who was arrested by operatives from the bureau’s Mindanao Intelligence Task Group would be deported for being an undesirable alien and banned from returning to the Philippines.

Immigration chief Jaime Morente issued a mission order for Abu Beih’s arrest after his estranged wife complained that her husband physically assaulted her two months ago.

“Her husband continued to threaten and harass her at the police headquarters where she filed a complaint and reported the incident,” Manahan said.

“He will be deported because we cannot allow undesirable aliens to physically harm and trample on the dignity of our Filipino women,” he added.

BI Intelligence Officer Melody Gonzales, BI-MITG head, said the Jordanian was also engaged in gainful activity without the proper visa as it was found that he owned and operated a shawarma business at the Roxas night market in the city.

She added that the couple’s relationship turned sour after the Jordanian left his wife, with whom she is legally married since 2007, to live with another woman.

The victim claimed the Jordanian attacked her during a heated argument in their house last June in the presence of their minor children where she was strangled and almost choked to death.

She also alleged that her husband slammed her to the sliding door, banged her head and slapped her several times.

“Even when they were already at the police station, subject continued to threaten her, disrespecting the police officers who investigated the incident,” Gonzales said.

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

Sports

A7

SATURDAY, AUGUST 31, 2019 sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

UAAP year 82 starts Sunday, to be aired on ABS-CBN S+A THE University Athletic Association of the Philippines, the country’s premier collegiate league, is ready for another year of exciting games and inspiring stories featuring the finest student-athletes in the land this UAAP Season 82.

Fans all over the Philippines and the world can watch the opening ceremony this Sunday (Sept. 1) at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City starting at 4 p.m. on ABS+CBN S+A and online via iWant or TFC.tv.

Season host Ateneo De Manila Unversity is bringing OPM rock bands SpongeCola and Itchyworms together to sing this year’s anthem “Ang Ating Tagumpay” in the season kick-off that will also feature like the Blue Babble Battallion Drumlime, Speed, CADS, and other “blue-blooded” performers.

Meanwhile, games will commence on Sept. 4 with the first triple-header of the season, which will happen every Wednesday.

The University of Sto. Tomas Growling Tigers go up against the University of the East Red Warriors at 10:30 a.m., followed by the Far Eastern University Tamaraws against Season 81 finalists University of the Philippines-Diliman Fighting Maroons at 12:30 p.m.

The Ateneo Blue Eagles team, which is gunning for a three-peat against a vastly-improved field this UAAP Season 82, will see action at 4 p.m. in an aerial battle with the Adamson University Falcons 4 p.m.

All games will be airing on S+A and streamed live on iWant and sports. abs-cbn.com.

Aligned with this season’s theme “All for More,” ABS-CBN Sports is also going all out in its coverage of the games with a broadcast panel led by veteran anchors Mico Halili, Anton Roxas, and Boom Gonzalez, and analysts Christian Luanzon and Marco Benitez, who will now be joined by NCAA, MPBL, and UPFront anchor Martin Javier, and former Maroons Mikee Reyes and Jett Manuel.

There will also be five new courtside reporters to join holdovers Frannie Reyes (ADMU), Aiyana Perlas (DLSU), and Makyla Chavez (UST) in giving player and team updates from the sidelines and on social media. The new kids on the block are Rain Matienzo (AdU), Mariz Domingo (FEU), Baileys Acot (NU), Jaime Ascalon (UE), and Yani Mayo (UP), who will also be producing vlogs on top of their usual reports during the games.

Fans can also expect to see and know more about their teams and players with interviews on S+A’s flagship program “The Score,” where Mico Halili and his squad discusses the latest news and trending topics in sports. Award-winning lifestyle magazine show “UPFront” will also show the other side of athletes, while “University Town,” now on its fourth season, will feature each school’s history, culture, and notable students and alumni.

Online, ABS-CBN Sports Digital will also livestream post-game interviews and offer live stats, game highlights, and exclusive UAAP content on ABS-CBN Sports’ social media accounts.

For news on UAAP, follow @ABSCBNSports on Facebook and Twitter and visit sports.abs-cbn.com. For updates, follow @ABSCBNPR on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram or visit www.abs-cbn.com/newsroom.

Nazareth five sweeps all 5 SBP games NAZARETH School of National University swept all five games in the Passerelle Division, while La Salle Greenhills-A accomplished the feat in the Small Basketeers Philippines to march into the semifinals of the Best Center’s twin tournaments over the weekend.

Nazareth School of NU routed La Salle Greenhills (2-2), 57-27, for its fifth straight win in the Passerelle, then saw San Sebastian College-Recoletos notch its first win in four games at the expense of winless Casimiro A. Ynares Sr. Memorial National High School, 68-34.

LSGH-A, however, made up for its other team’s loss by clinching its fourth straight win and the top semifinals seeding in Group A of the SBP Division with a 54-23 demolition of San Beda College (2-2).

College of San Benildo leveled its record at 2-2 with a 41-25 scuttling of Claret School (2-2) to make the semis.

Claret and San Beda fell into the semis consolation round of this twin tournaments sponsored by Milo and supported by Rain or Shine, Chris Sports and SKLZ.

Banawa chessfest set; Antonio is speaker

By Arman Armero

SOFT TENNIS CHAMP. Yu Sung Chang of Chinese Taipei celebrates after defeating Sora Hirooka of Japan (3-3, 7-5) in the finals of the men’s Under-21 singles, winning the title in the 1st Asian Juniors Soft Tennis Championship at the Colegio de San Agustin Covered Tennis Court in San Jose, Del Monte, Bulacan, Friday. Dennis Abrina

Super League to feature 11 national team players

E

AST Asia Super League is thrilled to announce that The Terrific 12, the FIBA-recognized premier preseason event of the summer, hosted at Macao’s Tap Seac Multi-Sport Pavilion on Sept 17 to 22, will feature eleven national team players from seven clubs across China, Japan, South Korea and the Philippines.

Before colliding in Macao to compete for The Terrific 12 crown and lucrative cash prizes with their club teams, national team players will first compete in the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 in China. A record 32 national teams meet throughout eight Chinese cities from Aug. 31 to Sept. 15.

After a year’s worth of fighting for the top positions in their respective leagues, twelve (12) of the top clubs throughout East Asia have assembled their best lineups and national team players to clash in The Terrific 12. Fans can catch the following national team players participating in The Terrific 12 as well as the FIBA Basketball World Cup: • China: Guo Ailun (Liaoning Flying Leopards), Sun Minghui (Zhejiang Guangsha Lions) and Zhao Jiwei (Liaoning Flying Leopards) • Japan: Kosuke Takeuchi (Utsunomiya

Brex) and Makoto Hiejima (Utsunomiya Brex) • South Korea: Choi Jun-yong (Seoul SK Knights), Kim Sun-hyung (Seoul SK Knights) and Lee Jung-hyun (Jeonju KCC Egis) • Philippines: June Mar Fajardo (San Miguel Beermen), Roger Pogoy (TNT KaTropa) and Troy Rosario (TNT KaTropa) National team players will then re-join their professional clubs for The Terrific 12. Participating club lineups will also boast top foreign imports such as former NBA players Aaron Jackson (Zhejiang Guangsha), Jack Cooley (Ryukyu Golden Kings), Jameel Warney (Seoul SK Knights), K.J. McDaniels (TNT KaTropa), Lance Stephenson (Liaoning Flying Leopards), Pierre Jackson (Shenzhen Aviators) and Shabazz Muhammad (Shenzhen Aviators).

June Mar Fajardo

GRANDMASTER Rogelio “Joey” Antonio Jr. has been invited as guest of honor and speaker I the Open Kitchen Rapid Chess tournament, also known as the IM Joel Banawa Chess Cup, which kicks off on Sunday. at the Open Kitchen, Rockwell Business Center-Sheridan, Highwayhills, Greenfields District in Mandaluyong City.

The tournament, held in honor of the late IM Rolly Martinez, will be divided into two divisions: kiddies and juniors.

After a short message, the 13-time Philippine Open champion Antonio will lead the ceremonial moves during the opening rites slated at 10:30 a.m., which will usher in hostilities in the tournament sanctioned by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines and supervised by arbiters from Chess Arbiter Union of the Philippines.

Major backers for the one-day event are Open Kitchen, Phoenix Chess Academy, Three Knights Printing Services, ChiliJuan, Otsuka-Solar Philippines Inc. (Pocari Sweat), Core of Dreams, Mega C, Ripples Daily and PTV Sports.

Also expected to grace the event is National Chess Federation of the Philippines Director Atty. Cliburn Anthony Orbe.

GM Antonio and Atty. Orbe will occupy the top boards during the ceremonial moves.

Other invited guests include Philippine Executive Chess Association president Dr. Jenny Mayor, China Aurelio and Mimi Casas of Open Kitchen, Emz Forrosuelo of Otsuka-Solar Philippines Inc. (Pocari Sweat) and Jerome Intac of ChiliJuan.

According to Mc Daniel “Danilo” Ebao of Three Knights Printing Services, organizer of the chess event, Antonio is a perfect choice as guest speaker. “Most of the young kids today look up to him as their idol,” Ebao said.

Antonio recently topped the Open Kitchen tournament last August 5, and followed it up by winning the senior’s event of the IGB Dato’ Tan Chin Nam International Chess Open at the Cititel Mid Valley held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia last Aug. 18, as well as the 2nd Torrevillas Knights Cup Open Rapid chess tournament held at Samar College in Catbalogan City, Samar last Aug. 21.

Antonio, 57, is scheduled to represent the country in the FIDE (World Chess Federation) World Seniors Chess Championship to be held on Nov. 11 to 24 in Bucharest, Romania.

Blazers arrest 2-game slide

FIBA WORLD CONGRESS. Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas President Al Panlilio (left) and Executive Director Sonny Barrios (right) are with FIBA Secretary General Andreas Zagklis at the FIBA World Congress in Beijing.

THE College of St. Benilde Blazers let four key players do the heavy lifting as they turned back the Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers, 74-66, Friday at Filoil Flying V Centre.

Edward Dixon, Prince Carlos, Justin Gutang, and Yankie Haruna scored from the free throw line in the last 40 seconds to carry the Blazers to their sixth win in eight games in the 95th National Collegiate Athletic Association men’s basketball tournament.

The Heavy Bombers were within range, 62-67, with 46.3 ticks to go when they ran into foul trouble.

That’s when Dixon, Carlos, Gutang, and Haruna sent in all but one of their eight freebies to keep JRU at bay once and for all.

Gutang powered CSB with 14 points on top of eight rebounds and two assists, while Dixon and Haruna chipped in 10 and nine markers, respectively.

The win came with head coach TY Tang serving a one-game suspension, and with

court general Jimboy Pasturan out for the year due to a dislocated shoulder.

The win also arrested back-to-back losses, with the Blazers now seeking a second straight win with their showdown with Letran.

“That’s huge for us. We’re dreaming of a top two spot and if we beat Letran, we will be no. 2 to end the first round,” assistant coach Charles Tiu. Earlier, Kobe Palencia starred as the La Salle Green Hills Greenies stayed ahead in the junior division at the expense of Jose Rizal University High School, 78-62.

Palencia buried 27 points and had five rebounds, three assists, and three steals for the Greenies, who are in solo third.

San Sebastian College-Recoletos avoided an upset in beating the Emilio Aguinaldo College Brigadiers, 86-81, in overtime.

Louise Concha had 16 points while Milo Janao, who led the way in the extra time, made five of 14 points in the extra period to stop the Staglets’ four-game skid. Peter Atencio

Dakak Golf Club nearing completion THE one-of-a-kind course of Dakak Golf Club is nearing completion.

Started five years ago, the Greg Norman-designed layout has one of the most unique features in a golf course-seven holes on the front nine facing the Sulu sea.

Located 20 minutes away from Dipolog Airport, the Dakak golf course, found inside the sprawling, largely untouched portion of the famous beach resort, had its front nine already in play for three years.

On Nov. 24, the other half of the course will be formally inaugurated with the inaugural Chairman’s Cup tournament, in honor of former Rep. Romeo Jalosjos, whose vision started this project.

“Construction process on our ‘Ocean 9’ is now reduced to shaping and grass turfing on the three fairways, with cart path development and landscaping on-

going and scheduled to be ways was grown nearby. mostly completed by the Training for employed loend of September,” said cals was upgraded.

Dakak Golf president “The transition of Rick Gibson. our umbrella girls into “The Habagat seasonal fully trained caddies is winds have brought welon-going, with the addicome rain showers to tional benefit of many of assist the grow-in of our our young ladies becomnewly-planted tees, fairing respectable golfers ways and greens, and a as well,” added Gibson, newly adjusted maintea former Asian Tour nance program has great- Rick Gibson, former Asian champion. “Competition ly improved the condition Tour champion on-course within the and playability of the greens on our now staff is becoming fierce, while revealin play ‘Hillside 9’,” said Gibson. ing talents otherwise hidden before the Modifications were also made along introduction of golf at Dakak only a the way to maximize the topography few short years ago.” of the area. Paths and natural bridges The Dakak Golf Club Monthly Medal to connect islets for more challenging tournament was started in July, with the greens were created. Grass for the fair- second edition held last Aug. 18. The

champion of each tournament received free entry into the Chairman’s Cup. Dakak Golf Academy design has been completed by John Cope of Cope Design Group, and the site is merely awaiting further fill materials before shaping, drainage, irrigation and grassing are completed before the end of 2019. The design includes options to play either a three-hole practice course or a nine-hole par 3 course, along with covered hitting bays for driving range practice and a short game practice area. The space will have lights to allow play and practice at night, a convenience rarely found in the Philippines.

International golf organizations have already inquired about holding tournaments at Dakak Golf when it is fully operational. The goal is for Dakak Golf to become an international golfing destination in the next few years.

Sports

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

sports@manilastandard.net

sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

A8

SATURDAY, AUGUST 31, 2019

Rivals sense chance to end American reign at World Cup SHANGHAI, China—Basketball’s World Cup launches on Saturday in China with two-time defending champions the United States missing their biggest stars and looking uncharacteristically vulnerable after surrendering their long winning streak.

The chief threat to the LeBron Jamesdeprived Americans looks likely to come from Serbia, but Spain, France, Australia and Greece—led by NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo—are all snapping at Team USA’s heels.

A total of 32 countries will begin in eight groups of four spread across cities in China, from Shenzhen in the south to the capital Beijing, where the final will be held on September 15.

Just a few days ago the United States under their respected coach Gregg Popovich were odds-on favorites to make the final and win it for the third time in a row, no matter the opponent.

But last weekend they were stunned 98-94 by Australia in Melbourne, the hosts ending the USA’s run of 78 consecutive wins in major competitions and exhibition games.

Then followed another setback with Los Angeles Lakers forward Kyle Kuzma ruled out of the World Cup with an ankle injury.

San Antonio Spurs mastermind Popovich has been forced to name a young squad after numerous highprofile NBA stars opted out including James, Kawhi Leonard, Stephen Curry, James Harden, Anthony Davis, Russell Westbrook and Paul George.

Kevin Durant, Kyle Lowry and Klay Thompson are injured.

The Americans bounced back in Australia to beat Canada 84-68 in their last warm-up match before jetting over to China, but their aura of invincibility has dimmed and the players have admitted that they are still getting to know each other.

Myles Turner, a center with the Indiana Pacers, said that his teammates needed to adapt fast to the international game.

“A lot of times in the NBA you sort of wait until the fourth quarter to turn it on,” said Turner.

“You have to turn it on from the jump here. AFP

Kemba Walker (26), Team USA’s lone NBA All-Star, protects the basketball against Australia’s Patty Mills during their practice game in Melbourne, Australia ahead of the World Cup. AFP

Igot powers Cebu to Batang Pinoy win

By Peter Atencio

P

UERTO Princesa—Winning eight gold medals is more than enough for Aldener Igot Jr. and Team Cebu to redeem themselves from a disappointing campaign last year.

The 14-year-old Igot sloshed his way through the muddy grounds of the Ramon V. Mitra Sports Complex archery range and claimed two more medals on the final day of competitions in the 2019 Batang Pinoy National Finals here.

Finding his timing as moderate winds became unpredictable at times, Igot emerged as the most bemedalled athlete after towing Team Cebu to the mixed and boys’ division crowns.

Teaming up with Khalil Jusper Abella and Kien Torreon, Igot and his crew got off a 4-all tie deadlock and beat Team General Santos’ Renato Joaquin, Nino Sabile and Allyson Quiepo, 6-4, in a shootout for the Cub Boys gold.

Igot and then hooked up with Densil

Shane Denopol and scored a 6-2 victory over Team Dumaguete’s Naina Tagle and Matt Bajado in taking the Mixed mint.

“Pabago bago ang direction ng hangin.

But with the win, we are able to bounce back from what happened last year,” said Cebu coach Michael Solier.

Last year, Team Cebu got stranded at the Philsports Complex following a typhoon, and were late in going to Baguio City for the national finals and this threw their preparations off.

“Confident po ako na makuha ang team. Wala po akong binago sa approach ko,” said Igot, a grade 8 student of the Don Carlos Gothong Memorial National High School.

Igot earlier swept the gold medals in the

20m, 30m, 40m, 50m, FITA and Olympic rounds in the early rounds of this weeklong meet organized by the Philippine Sports Commission and backed by Milo.

So far, Baguio hauled a total of 48 golds, 36 silver and 51 bronze medals to run away with the overall crown with still a day left.

Cebu City is in far second with a 2722-29 gold-silver-bronze haul, followed

by Quezon City (22-22-21), Davao City (21-23-22) and Pasig (18-19-16) at second to fifth places, respectively.

Baguio had a big harvest of golds in wushu with 14, with muay thai claiming 10.

Aleca Dumseng (female 1st set chang quan, female 1st set qiang shu and female 1st jian shu) led Baguio’s gold medal collection, along with Andrei Albert (male 1st set chang quan, male 1st qiang shu/ gun shu and male 1st set dao shu) and Alyna Lomibao (female 1st set nan quan and female 1st set nan dao).

Townsend stuns Wimbledon champion

Taylor Townsend of the US celebrates after beating Simona Halep of Romania during their Round Two Women’s Singles match at the 2019 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York. AFP

NEW YORK, United States—Critics said Taylor Townsend was too heavy. She couldn’t win big matches. Her game wasn’t good enough. Now she is being called something else at the US Open: giant killer.

The 23-year-old American captured the biggest victory of her career Thursday (Friday Philippine time), defeating Wimbledon champion Simona Halep 2-6, 6-3, 7-6 (7/4) to reach the third round at Flushing Meadows with her first triumph over a top10 opponent after 10 prior losses.

“This was a huge, monumental moment,” Townsend said. “It was a very defining moment for me to realize that I belong here.

“I’ve had a lot of people doubting me being able to break through. It’s just confirmation more for myself that I’m on the right path, doing the right things.”

The 116th-ranked qualifier, who matched her deepest Grand Slam run from her debut at the 2014 French Open, broke into tears on the court after the match.

“This means a lot. It has been a long journey,” she said, wiping away tears.

Townsend will next face another Romanian, 106th-ranked Sorana Cirstea.

Townsend squandered a match point at Wimbledon and lost to Dutch fourth seed Kiki Bertens in

the second round, a loss that literally woke her in the middle of the night.

“Just to be able to get over the hump, it’s such an amazing feeling because after Wimbledon, I was devastated after I lost to Bertens after having a match point,” she said.

“That woke me up out of my sleep. Oh, dropshot.

I put my head down and just worked really hard and just tried to take the positives from it, just continue to press forward.”

In 2012, the US Tennis Association asked Townsend, then the world’s top-ranked junior woman, to skip the US Open girls tournament because of her weight and denied her request for a wildcard into the US Open.

Townsend paid her way to qualifying, didn’t make the girls field and dropped USTA coaching. She’s now coached by family friend Donald Young Sr. “It’s really hard to deal with that stuff when personal issues are publicized,” Townsend said.

“It has been a long road. A lot of haters, a lot of people who weren’t sure. I’ve heard it for a really long time that I was never going to make it, that I wasn’t going to be able to break through or do this or do that. AFP

Chinese MMA fighter inspired by Rousey SHENZHEN, China—Zhang Weili steps out today, Saturday as the first Chinese fighter to compete for a UFC title and with one person to thank for her remarkable rise in the sport: Ronda Rousey.

“I just want to be like her,” said the 30-year-old Zhang. “She showed us all what is possible in this sport. She has the strength and power that we all wish we had.”

Zhang will on Saturday face the Brazilian strawweight title-holder Jessica Andrade as part of the UFC’s Fight Night 157 event at the Universiade Sports Centre in the southern Chinese metropolis of Shenzhen.

Zhang trained in martial arts as a child but wasn’t really sure where her life was headed —until the moment she saw Rousey become the UFC’s first women’s world champion by

defeating fellow American Liz Carmouche at bantamweight in 2013.

“Right then was when I decided I wanted to be an MMA fighter,” Zhang explained.

Zhang had resisted her parents’ suggestion that she become a hairdresser and had been dabbling in MMA while jumping between part-time jobs in the hospitality industry before she saw that Rousey fight. Since then her whole life has been MMA. For her part, Rousey has taken to Instagram over the past week to declare she felt like a “proud mama” watching how Zhang —and women’s MMA—had grown.

“Women from all walks of life, from all over the world are rising to the challenge and showing the world what it means to fight like a girl. Weili Zhang is a prime example

of overcoming adversity —fighting not just through the ranks, but to also get noticed and stand out,” posted Rousey.

Zhang said it had been an honour to see those words written by her “idol and role model.”

The Zhang-Andrade bout is the third time this year that female fighters have topped the card at an event staged by the world’s biggest mixed martial arts organisation, with one more on the horizon before the end of 2019.

Parity between the sexes in sport has been a simmering issue for decades that was brought to the boil during this year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup, and a very public campaign led by American captain Megan Rapinoe as she led her nation to victory. The American team are still locked in an equal-pay lawsuit with the governing USA Soccer body. AFP

Cocolife Tigers subdue Sharks REIGNING southern division champion Davao Occidental and Pasay went through different routes late Thursday night, but managed to sustain their winning runs in the MPBL Lakan Season following contrasting wins over their rivals.

The Cocolife-backed Tigers walked the tightrope before pulling the rug from under a tough Cebu Sharks squad, 65-61, to extend their winning streak to eight.

But Davao Occidental had to do it the hard way and needed a heroic performance from Joseph Terso, who knocked in all of his team’s last eight points and powered the Tigers to their 10th win in 11 games to keep the solo lead in the southern division of this tournament put up by Senator Manny Pacquiao with PBA legend and former MVP Kenneth Duremdes serving as commissioner.

On the brink of losing for the second time this season, Davao Occidental looked for a spark entering the final two-minute mark and Terso responded.

His triple in the 1:25 mark of the fourth, shoved his team within striking distance, 61-60.

Terso was not done yet, hitting another cold blooded trey that put the Tigers on the driver’s seat and capped his endgame brilliance with two more charities that ensured the win for Davao Occidental.

If Davao had to do it via the backdoor, Pasay had an easier time disposing of winless SOCCSKSARGEN, 70-54, in the other game.

It was the fourth straight win of the Voyagers, who climbed up to sixth spot in the tough northern division.

Pasay improved its win-loss record to 7-5 while handing the Marlins their 11th loss in as many games.

Chinese mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter Zhang Weili (left) trains at a gym in Beijing in this file photo.

Zhang steps out on August 31, 2019 as the first Chinese fighter to compete for a UFC title and with one person to thank for her remarkable rise in the sport: Ronda Rousey. AFP

IN BRIEF Hitachi’s Aqua-Tech, Filinvest teaming up

FILINVEST Development Corp. of the Gotianun Group and Hitachi Aqua-Tech Engineering Pte. Ltd., a unit of Hitachi Ltd., signed Friday a joint venture agreement creating a water solution company to serve water and water-related needs of the public.

“With the technical expertise of the Hitachi group and the nationwide reach of Filinvest, we look forward to solidifying our participation in the Philippines water industry,” said FDC president and chief executive officer Josephine Gotianun-Yap. The partnership, she noted, would complement the company’s investments in power and infrastructure,.

FDC has been garnering water management knowledge through its water unit, Countrywide Water Services Inc., which distributes water to several Filinvest real estate projects.

It serves the middle market segments where water is still underserved and with great potential for growth.

Hitachi Aqua-Tech brings over 40 years of experience in the water industry to the joint venture. Othel V. Campos

Islamic banking law unlocks opportunities

BANGKO Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Benjamin Diokno said the new Islamic Banking Law signed by President Rodrigo Duterte last week will unlock the full potential of Islamic financing in fostering inclusive economic growth in the country.

Republic Act 11439, or “An Act Providing for the Regulation and Organization of Islamic Banks,” was signed into law by the President on Aug. 22, 2019.

It mandates the BSP to exercise regulatory powers and supervision over the operations of Islamic banks and issue the implementing rules and regulations on Islamic banking.

“R.A. No. 11439 will unlock the full potential of Islamic financing in fostering inclusive economic growth. With a well-defined regulatory framework now in place, the BSP looks forward to seeing greater participation in Islamic financing by both domestic and foreign banks,” Diokno said in a statement Friday.

“This is expected to widen opportunities for Muslim Filipinos, including those from the Bangsamoro Region, in accessing banking products and services. This is a great stride in our financial inclusion mandates,” he said.

Julito G. Rada

LGUs urged to back renewable projects

SENATOR Sherwin Gatchalian on Friday urged local government units to band together in clusters to ensure continued supply of feedstock for waste-toenergy projects under a proposed bill.

Gatchalian proposed Senate Bill No. 363, or the Waste-to-Energy Act, to support the growth of WTE in the country. The bill seeks to provide a framework for the entire value chain of WTE facilities, and, in turn, ensure the uninterrupted supply of waste as feedstock.

“For example in Metro Manila, we can cluster North Metro Manila, South Metro Manila... The most difficult thing is how you convince the local governments... From a business standpoint, it’s so much uncertainty, so we want to eliminate uncertainty by allowing national government to be the initiator of this type of WTE projects,” he said during a forum on WTE organized by the Public Private Partnership in partnership with the Asian Development Bank.

Alena Mae S. Flores

Business

business@manilastandard.net extrastory2000@gmail.com SATURDAY, AUGUST 31, 2019

B1

DTI to help India’s Hinduja in finding local auto partner

By Othel V. Campos THE Department of Trade and Industry committed to help India’s Hinduja Group of Companies find a local partner in the company’s bid to join the government’s Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program if it decides on a partnership model for the project.

Hinduja Group chairman Prakash Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez (center) commits to help the Hinduja Group of Companies find a local partner on its plan to manufacture buses under the Philippines’ Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program. Lopez on Aug. 23 welcomes Hinduja Group (Europe) Hinduja welcomed government’s chairman Prakash Hinduja (third from left) during a visit to the offices of the Department of Trade and Industry. The group owns Indian support in a recent meeting with the automobile company Ashok Leyland, the fourth largest bus manufacturer in the world. With them are (from left) BOI-International department late this month Investments Promotion Service Asia division head Jean Traballo, Hinduja Group resident director for corporate affairs Ajit Kumar, Hinduja Hinduja Group is one of the largest Global Solutions Philippines president and CEO Pushkar Misra, Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce Philippines president Rex diversified groups in the world, with Daryanani and DTI Assistant Secretary Angelo Taningco. investments in automotive, oil and gas, real estate, power, healthcare, trading, information technology, media, banking and finance.

The group owns the Indian automobile company Ashok Leyland, the fourth largest bus manufacturer in the world.

It has presence in the Philippines through an IT-BPO subsidiary, Hinduja Global Solutions Philippines, employing 9,000 people. It operates in 11 sites in Quezon City, Muntinlupa prices of selected food items,” it said. ber last year due to higher prices of rice City and Iloilo City.

By Julito G. Rada The BSP said it would remain watch- and other food items. But it eased to 6 Hinduja said he earlier met with ful of economic and financial develop- percent in November and 5.1 percent in the Department of Transportation, HE Bangko Sentral ments that could affect the inflation en- December, as the immediate measures which informed his company that it vironment in line with its commitment implemented by the government to curb ng Pilipinas said needed over 100,000 vehicles for the to price stability conducive to long-term excessive prices took effect. modernization program. inflation rate in economic growth.

The board last year hiked the policy The Trade Department also urged August likely eased further The policy-making Monetary Board of rates by a total of 175 basis points conthe Indian company to manufacture the BSP on Aug. 8 cut the overnight borrow- tain the accelerating inflation rate. The to as low as 1.3 percent modern jeepneys and electric vehicles ing rate by 25 basis points to 4.25 percent, raise was on top of the 200 basis-point from 2.4 percent in July due taking into account mainly the continued cut in reserve requirement to 18 percent. in the Philippines.

The DTI aims to boost the Philippine Earlier this week, BSP Governor to lower prices of rice, fuel downward trajectory of inflation rate. manufacturing sector to create jobs, The interest rates on the overnight Benjamin Diokno said another 25-baand power rates. answer domestic and export demand, deposit and lending facilities were re- sis point cut in policy rates to 4 percent and lessen the country’s dependence The BSP Department of Economic duced to 3.75 percent and 4.75 percent, could be expected before the year ends. on imported products.

He also said credit and liquidity conResearch in a statement Friday saw the respectively.

Hinduja Group may explore The July infl ation was also signifi ditions in the country remained supportAugust 2019 inflation settling within opportunities in other e-vehicle cantly slower compared with 5.7 per- ive of economic growth. the 1.3-percent to 2.1-percent range. platforms and see if progress can Diokno, in his presentation during the “Lower domestic prices for gasoline, die- cent a year ago. The figure brought the coincide with the upcoming visit sel and kerosene, the continued decline in average in the first seven months to 3.3 Economic Journalists Association of the rice prices as well as the downward adjust- percent, well within the government’s Philippines forum in Manila this week, of Indian President Shri Ram Nath ment in electricity rates dampened inflation official target range of 2 percent to 4 said credit grew 10.5 percent as of endKovind to the Philippines. percent for the year.

June 2019 while domestic liquidity pressures during the month,” it said.

Inflation peaked to a nine-year high expanded 6.4 percent during the same “These could be partly offset by the recent depreciation of the peso and higher of 6.7 percent in September and Octo- period.

BSP: August inflation likely dropped to 1.3%

T

China’s Xi stops short of asking for POGO ban

E-cigarette firm prohibits sale to minor smokers ALL Juul Labs kiosks and authorized stores strictly prohibit the sale of Juul devices and pods to individuals below 18 years old.

Nilo Mapa, president of Better For You Corp., Juul Labs’ exclusive distributor in the Philippines, made the assurance amid concern from the Department of Health on possible youth access to e-cigarette products.

“Since Juul Labs was officially launched in the country last June, we have implemented a stringent age verification process, as part of our commitment to prevent youth from gaining access to our products, which have been specifically designed for current adult smokers,” said Mapa.

The Philippines is home to over 16 million adult smokers, which make up 23 percent of the adult population.

Roughly 10 Filipinos die every hour due to illnesses stemming from the use of combustible cigarettes, such as lung cancer, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease.

The smoking epidemic every year translates into roughly P270 billion in healthcare costs and productivity losses, equivalent to 1.9 percent of the country’s gorss domestic product.

The Philippines continues to have one of the highest rates of smoking in Asia, prompting the DOH to refer to continued tobacco dependence as a key development issue that impacts on the well-being, productivity and overall quality of life.

And while tobacco use among Filipino adults has dropped roughly 6 percent from 2009 to 2015, the Global Youth Tobacco Survey revealed that underage smoking has increased among children aged 13 to 15 years old.

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

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT. SM leaders led by Hans Sy (fifth from left), board adviser to SM Investments Corp. and SM Prime Holdings Inc. chairman of the executive committee, and Frederic DyBuncio (sixth from left), SMIC president and chief executive officer, join over 300 CEOs, sustainability professionals, corporates, thought leaders, government regulatory bodies and development partners in driving the importance of sustainability in business during the recently concluded Sustainability Summit held in Conrad Manila. With them are (from left) Joey Mendoza, SM Supermarket president; Alex Escucha, China Banking Corp. senior vice president and head of Investor and Corporate Relations; Manuel Gana, president and CEO of Belle Corp.; Ponciano Manalo, SM Retail president; Debbie Sy, SM Foundation executive director; Mario Deriquito, BDO Foundation president; Waldo Basilla, 2GO chief operating officer; and Roy Deveraturda, Carmen Copper Corp. president and CEO.

Flour millers want dumping duty on Turkish flour extended PHILIPPINE wheat flour millers want another five years of dumping duty imposed on Turkish flour, claiming the product remains a threat to the local industry still recuperating from losses caused by the import.

The Philippine Association of Flour Millers, in a letter to the Department of Agriculture, requested the agency to endorse to the Tariff Commission the local flour millers’ request to initiate an expiry review of the anti-dumping duty on wheat flour from Turkey.

The TC announced the initiation of expiry review Thursday. The preliminary conference is scheduled on Sept. 9.

The TC first imposed the dumping duty on Turkish flour on January 8, 2015 after determining that dumped Turkish flour posed a threat to the local industry.

The duty will end on January 8, 2020, five years after it was imposed.

An expiry review will determine if there is a need to extend the dumping duty imposition. The Philippine AntiDumping Law (Republic Act 8752) requires that a petition for extension be filed at least six months before the expiry date PAFMIL claims that there exists a need to extend the dumping duty on Turkish flour due to the likelihood of recurrence of dumping and again becoming a threat to the local industry, which is still recovering from losses caused by dumped Turkish flour in the past.

PAFMIL quoted Turgay Unlu, chairman of the Turkish Flour, Yeast and Ingredients Promotion Group, as saying in 2017 that Turkey was

targeting the Philippines as an export market, especially since Turkey had “important studies especially in the Philippines (in terms of increasing flour exports).”

Unlu also disclosed that that the Turkish government invested in a new global certification scheme for its wheat flour, which will be launched in the Philippines first and to be followed by other countries.

PAFMIL also cited reports showing Turkey to be the world’s leading flour exporter, processing 18 million tons of flour for domestic and export market while still having very high idle capacity.

According to PAFMIL, the Philippines is the third biggest export market for Turkish flour, behind Iraq and Syria.

FINANCE Secretary Carlos Dominguez III said China respected the Philippines’ sovereignty over the government’s policy on gambling during the meeting between President Rodrigo Duterte and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing this week.

Dominguez said in a statement Friday he accompanied Duterte during a two-and-a-half hour bilateral meeting with Xi, and that the Chinese leader did not ask or request to ban offshore gaming operations in the country, which mostly employ Chinese nationals.

According to Dominguez, President Xi raised during the meeting Beijing’s concern about Philippine offshore gaming operators that lure Chinese gamblers to play online casinos.

“President Xi basically said that gambling is totally banned in China except in Macau where they tolerate gambling,” Dominguez said.

“He [President Xi] applauded the moratorium on new licensees in the Philippines,” Dominguez said, referring to the recent order by the staterun Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. that stopped the issuance of additional POGO permits.

But Dominguez added President Xi commented that the Chinese government would appreciate it more if additional actions were taken by the Philippine government against online casinos catering to Chinese players.

Dominguez said President Xi’s statement on POGO during his meeting with President Duterte was just “a comment,” noting the Chinese leader knew and respected the Philippines’ sovereignty.

“President Duterte, however, took note President Xi’s comment,” Dominguez said.

Ahead of the meeting, Philippine Ambassador to China Jose Santiago Santa Romana said China could not dictate on the Philippines to ban all online gaming operations. Julito G. Rada

B2

Business

SATURDAY, AUGUST 31, 2019 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Market climbs; PLDT, Globe rise T HE stock market extended a rally for the third straight day Friday on renewed hopes for trade talks between the US and China.

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index rose 86.85 points, or 1.1 percent, to 7,979.66 on a value turnover of P9.7 billion. Gainers overwhelm losers, 126 to 72, with 35 issues unchanged.

PLDT Inc., the biggest telecommunications firm, advanced 4.8 percent to P1,179, while rival Globe Telecom Inc. climbed 5.5 percent to P2,030.

International Container Terminal Services Inc., the largest port operator, gained 4.5 percent to P135.80, while Megaworld Corp., the biggest lessor of

office spaces, rose 2.4 percent to P5.13.

Most Asian equities, meanwhile, gained Friday after China said it would not retaliate against the latest US tariffs, setting up a positive end to a volatile week.

However, the arrest of activists in Hong Kong fueled fresh worries about violent protests in the city.

With huge levies on goods worth hundreds of billions of dollars due to kick in over the weekend, the long-running trade war between the world’s top two economies steps up a gear, and observers are fretting the row could drag on.

But Beijing on Thursday appeared to want to dial down the tensions, saying it would hold off on responding in kind, as it has previously warned it would do.

“The escalation of the trade war is not beneficial to China, and it is not beneficial to the United States,” commerce

ministry spokesman Gao Feng said.

Later, President Donald Trump said talks between the two were planned for later Thursday, though there was no indication any had taken place by early Asian trade.

The news came as a big relief for markets, which have been hit by volatility over the standoff after both sides last week unveiled fresh tariffs, with Trump slamming Beijing but days later saying they had held phone talks and negotiations would resume soon.

“The more measured tone in deciding to focus on next month’s meeting to discuss removing the extra duties has seen some optimism start to creep back in,” said Michael Hewson, chief market analyst at CMC Markets UK. All three main US indexes ended with steep gains, which filtered through to Asia.

Tokyo rose 1.2 percent, Sydney and Taipei each piled on 1.5 percent, Seoul jumped 1.8 percent and Wellington gained 1.7 percent. Bangkok and Jakarta also posted healthy gains.

However, after starting the day more than one percent higher, Hong Kong went into reverse in the afternoon as investors fret over the reaction to the arrest of leading democracy campaigners ahead of a major demonstration at the weekend.

“Now people really fear emergency law could be implemented in Hong Kong,” said Jackson Wong, asset management director at Amber Hill Capital.

“Property stocks are sold most, because if Hong Kong is not different from other Chinese cities, it’s hard to retain talent.

And property prices won’t find support.”

Shanghai was also hit, ending down 0.2 percent. With AFP

MANILA STANDARD BUSINESS DAILY STOCKS REVIEW FRIDAY, AUGUST 30, 2019

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

FINANCIALS 57 130 87.95 3,410,650 1.93 1,000 149 2,499,900 1.15 82,000 26.15 20,700 18.4 200 11.9 907,500 4.89 16,000 7.71 10,200 0.46 260,000 70.9 3,036,880 0.94 189,000 46.9 85,300 186.5 470 57.9 33,720 27.6 12,300 204 1,339,130 60.05 21,720 1.11 1,000

7,410 299,361,065.50 1,930 370,584,948 94,300 542,080 3,680 10,656,090 76,540 78,705 117,400 216,942,315.50 175,200 3,961,225 87,868 1,952,945 334,380 268,810,922 1,304,775 1,110

-57,904,375 140,536,391 -125,825 -602,790 29,145,747 -765,235 -26,108 -1,289,433.50 151,104,602 -1,164,270.50 -

37.55 15.1 0.7 1.3 0.241 3 13.9 10.5 15 32.05 76.95 78.05 2.02 5.81 5.45 8.95 15 9.82 7.24 26.1 82.15 49 2 14.64 8.01 1.5 235 4.9 3.32 8.25 22.15 13.5 18.8 363.2 1.8 4.15 5.09 8.58 2.79 10.98 31.4 5.02 5.05 1.59 1.06 12.3 89.6 7.18 0.126 1.03 168 1.17 1.23

INDUSTRIAL 38 3,908,500 15.5 1,305,900 0.72 1,147,000 1.31 107,000 0.249 920,000 3.05 11,135,000 13.9 1,313,200 10.7 1,455,800 15 4,000 32.05 48,300 76.95 100 81 2,940 2.02 22,000 5.83 9,100 5.7 1,000 9.17 2,228,300 15.1 5,928,700 10.1 1,580,100 7.25 6,554,900 26.4 2,775,900 82.15 175,230 50 161,840 2.06 12,349,000 14.78 974,500 8.19 375,000 1.58 60,000 237.8 1,522,100 4.9 60,000 3.32 7,000 8.69 5,600 22.5 638,500 13.88 71,900 19 1,724,600 365 286,700 1.9 27,150,000 4.25 545,000 5.09 1,898,500 9.22 507,700 2.83 22,925,000 11.2 46,300 31.4 2,311,100 5.15 129,500 5.1 3,400 1.62 81,000 1.08 137,000 12.38 57,500 90 397,230 7.2 40,600 0.126 560,000 1.04 588,000 173 1,587,180 1.18 2,238,000 1.25 4,966,000

147,915,335 20,074,558 813,050 140,150 226,400 33,843,300 18,333,866 16,634,020 60,306 1,602,825 7,695 231,927 44,440 52,971 5,625 20,434,836 89,406,508 15,912,984 47,522,473 74,133,215 14,543,799.50 8,093,366 25,419,850 14,362,578 3,108,695 93,430 361,308,824 295,250 23,360 46,904 14,297,760 996,230 32,785,114 104,852,366 50,943,250 2,315,670 9,704,599 4,669,265 64,284,260 516,362 73,756,150 657,304 17,290 130,480 148,030 710,364 35,797,982 293,815 70,560 617,370 273,432,995 2,633,770 6,191,820

49,681,215.00 2,234,430 -1,320 -7,362,870 1,016,972 114,558 -482,775 1,201,353 1,474,972 13,082,661 -47,454,311 16,165,595 -2,218,797 4,479,757.50 -722,930 -7,829,048 -625,704 184,694,286 9,960 327,190 -65,288 21,606,360 27,226,112 -8,535,820 -4,251,872 -4,600,000 -3,006,860 -41,162 -55,325,575 22,292 -15,250 322,670 -22,895,355 141,088 -274,950 -298,000

0.93 53.9 13.16 0.9 7.02 14.78 1.33 1.37 944.5 3.57 6.95 9.21 13.72 0.295 914 71.95 6.48 5.2 0.56 4.64 14.88 0.67 5 0.04 1.49 180 2.41 1,037 0.9 1.32 459.8 246.8 0.255 0.265

0.82 52 12.6 0.79 7 13.62 1.27 1.31 925 3.43 6.8 8.98 13.5 0.241 890 70.2 5.3 5 0.49 4.52 14.2 0.63 4.87 0.039 1.38 172.5 2.41 1,007 0.85 1.28 415 236 0.229 0.25

HOLDING FIRMS 0.91 65,545,000 53.9 3,207,590 12.7 11,598,500 0.8 11,986,000 7 624,400 14.6 68,600 1.28 3,239,000 1.31 264,000 925 269,120 3.55 1,732,000 6.94 1,325,900 9.05 9,591,900 13.7 41,100 0.26 8,580,000 908 210,620 71.95 3,128,970 6.48 1,100 5 3,600 0.5 250,000 4.64 1,213,000 14.78 3,515,500 0.66 607,000 4.95 44,553,000 0.039 16,900,000 1.39 2,024,000 180 685,790 2.41 1,000 1,026 541,565 0.85 1,100,000 1.28 349,000 459.8 150 246.8 840 0.236 5,390,000 0.25 2,610,000

58,244,230 170,320,627.50 147,823,060 9,919,730 4,370,802 981,378 4,188,340 352,910 250,285,000 6,124,010 9,134,072 86,834,110 556,546 2,318,790 191,159,510 222,450,189.50 6,045 18,200 132,150 5,558,960 51,316,714 391,020 219,421,010 661,000 2,901,600 122,077,953 2,410 555,273,930 946,180 451,890 62,698 199,022 1,297,810 669,200

3,088,930 -35,795,714 -12,005,984 38,140 811,300 66,000 -95,213,060 27,520 -3,116,880 -595,734 -79,694 -92,350.00 60,434,400 86,198,659 -3,147,990 -2,504,136 25,859,190 -3,270 12,299,801 -84,763,155 86,000 25,800 -40,260 16,240 -

15.34 0.8 1.9 0.88 48.2 2.19 4.72 0.58 0.75 0.86 0.24 0.4 9.6 22.2 0.465 1.67 1.29 5.2 0.325 0.47 1.48 0.4 2.2 25.9

15.32 0.78 1.9 0.86 47.3 2.18 4.68 0.56 0.74 0.84 0.234 0.4 9.36 21.6 0.455 1.61 1.23 5.05 0.31 0.46 1.39 0.385 2 25

PROPERTY 15.32 206,800 0.8 863,000 1.9 222,000 0.88 2,458,000 47.3 25,166,000 2.18 205,000 4.72 575,000 0.57 17,813,000 0.74 32,000 0.85 34,000 0.238 3,820,000 0.4 50,000 9.46 102,700 21.65 1,121,800 0.455 1,560,000 1.62 40,848,000 1.26 854,000 5.13 76,562,600 0.325 7,540,000 0.47 780,000 1.41 4,798,000 0.4 140,000 2.1 2,196,000 25 4,199,500

3,169,192 684,690 421,800 2,156,020 1,198,873,190 448,800 2,699,660 10,187,040 23,740 28,780 908,330 20,000 977,007 24,511,915 714,200 67,133,780 1,070,230 394,371,589 2,406,050 360,900 6,889,630 55,400 4,639,620 106,082,950

-904,280 -2,640 -108,206,255 -32,740 864,750 -195,710.00 83,300 77,365 -334,805 -704,900 -209,610 -588,590 103,099,548 102,400 -25,500 10,660 -25,102,780

NAME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

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

57 87.6 1.93 146.8 1.15 26.45 18.4 11.62 4.77 7.73 0.44 71.25 0.93 45.5 187.2 57.85 27 194.9 60.05 1.11

57 88.3 1.93 149.5 1.15 26.45 18.4 11.9 4.89 7.73 0.46 72.75 0.94 47.7 187.2 58 27.6 204 60.1 1.11

57 87.05 1.93 145.6 1.15 26 18.4 11.62 4.77 7.71 0.435 70.9 0.92 45.25 186.5 57.85 27 192.5 60 1.11

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

37.55 15.3 0.74 1.3 0.255 3 14.08 10.76 15.2 33.5 76.95 79.35 2.02 5.81 5.45 9 15 9.84 7.25 26.1 83 51 2.02 14.72 8.01 1.55 235.8 5 3.33 8.25 22.15 13.6 18.8 369.8 1.8 4.15 5.19 9.22 2.82 11.2 32.35 5.1 5.1 1.61 1.1 12.4 90.4 7.2 0.126 1.08 172.5 1.18 1.25

38 15.5 0.74 1.32 0.255 3.08 14.1 12.5 15.2 33.5 76.95 81 2.02 5.83 5.7 9.3 15.18 10.38 7.26 26.95 84.4 51.1 2.13 14.8 8.48 1.59 239.4 5 3.41 8.69 22.55 14.1 19.1 369.8 1.92 4.26 5.2 9.22 2.85 11.28 33.4 5.15 5.1 1.66 1.1 12.58 90.9 7.25 0.126 1.08 173 1.19 1.27

ABACORE CAPITAL ABOITIZ EQUITY ALLIANCE GLOBAL ANGLO PHIL HLDG ANSCOR ASIABEST GROUP ATN HLDG A ATN HLDG B AYALA CORP AYALA LAND LOG COSCO CAPITAL DMCI HLDG FILINVEST DEV FORUM PACIFIC GT CAPITAL 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 SYNERGY GRID TOP FRONTIER WELLEX INDUS ZEUS HLDG

0.87 52 12.98 0.89 7 14.1 1.31 1.37 944.5 3.43 6.85 9.1 13.5 0.241 891 70.65 5.3 5 0.53 4.6 14.2 0.67 4.89 0.04 1.4 175 2.41 1,027 0.9 1.3 415 241 0.237 0.265

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

15.32 0.78 1.9 0.88 48.05 2.18 4.7 0.57 0.75 0.84 0.235 0.4 9.4 21.75 0.465 1.61 1.23 5.05 0.315 0.47 1.43 0.385 2.04 25

VOLUME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

VOLUME

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

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

2.36 3.3 35 2.44 5.75 0.94 7.42

2.36 3.35 35.8 2.44 5.8 0.94 7.7

2.35 3.3 35 2.29 5.65 0.87 7.37

2.35 3.3 35.3 2.4 5.8 0.89 7.7

77,000 188,000 19,065,400 2,112,000 76,200 881,000 11,606,400

181,490 620,450 675,298,710 4,941,570 434,470 789,420 88,147,933

-223,803,780 139,900 17,019,256

2GO GROUP ABS CBN ACESITE HOTEL APC GROUP APOLLO GLOBAL ASIAN TERMINALS BERJAYA BLOOMBERRY BOULEVARD HLDG CEBU AIR CHELSEA EASYCALL GLOBE TELECOM GMA NETWORK GOLDEN BRIA HARBOR STAR IMPERIAL INTL CONTAINER IPEOPLE ISLAND INFO ISM COMM JACKSTONES LEISURE AND RES LORENZO SHIPPNG MACROASIA MANILA BULLETIN MANILA JOCKEY METRO RETAIL METROALLIANCE A NOW CORP PACIFIC ONLINE PAL HLDG PAXYS 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

10.04 19.8 1.55 0.59 0.045 18.4 2.38 10.04 0.057 96.8 7.06 10.42 1,901 5.38 419 1.68 2.07 132.7 9.23 0.115 4.92 2.96 3.14 0.96 18.3 0.475 3.09 2.37 1.16 3.45 2.73 8.05 3.02 4.31 144 3.08 1,124 0.68 0.61 43.8 78.5 9.39 2.75 0.7 0.38 5.45 0.7 16.88

11.2 21 1.56 0.59 0.047 19.84 2.4 10.58 0.06 98.9 7.12 10.42 2,030 5.38 435 2.17 2.07 135.8 9.65 0.115 5.18 3.07 3.19 0.96 19.1 0.475 3.2 2.47 1.16 3.55 2.73 8.08 3.02 5 144 3.2 1,179 0.71 0.63 44.35 78.5 9.39 2.79 0.7 0.38 5.46 0.74 17.1

10.04 19.8 1.53 0.57 0.045 18.4 2.33 10.04 0.057 96.8 6.9 9.78 1,901 5.36 419 1.68 2.07 132.1 9.22 0.11 4.87 2.96 3.13 0.94 18.3 0.475 3.09 2.37 1.14 3.21 2.63 8 3.02 4.31 144 3.08 1,121 0.68 0.57 43.8 76.7 9.11 2.66 0.69 0.36 5.45 0.69 16.8

SERVICES 10.2 20.2 1.56 0.58 0.047 19.84 2.33 10.34 0.059 98 7.06 10.2 2,030 5.37 435 1.82 2.07 135.8 9.65 0.112 5.15 3.07 3.15 0.94 19 0.475 3.2 2.45 1.16 3.23 2.68 8.08 3.02 5 144 3.13 1,179 0.7 0.58 43.9 78 9.11 2.79 0.7 0.37 5.46 0.69 16.9

87,400 774,000 37,000 2,013,000 300,000 300 119,000 6,036,300 9,630,000 866,730 707,200 381,300 97,255 115,900 2,430 60,764,000 4,000 1,854,410 118,700 15,940,000 3,233,000 9,000 120,000 381,000 353,400 90,000 39,000 1,028,000 92,000 9,950,000 38,000 99,900 1,000 13,300 80 483,000 190,395 2,508,000 80,015,000 1,697,600 1,543,300 9,000 4,770,000 380,000 6,120,000 2,144,300 7,482,000 2,567,700

936,372 15,774,434 57,290 1,176,450 13,800 5,664 281,970 62,418,454 564,030 84,837,445 4,961,154 3,792,938 192,794,490 622,562 1,055,632 119,656,070 8,280 249,784,704 1,095,613 1,796,610 16,369,150 26,750 378,040 359,420 6,667,490 42,750 122,530 2,485,500 105,500 33,009,210 101,190 804,550 3,020 60,010 11,520 1,507,890 220,626,910 1,748,340 47,356,210 74,589,385 119,898,985 82,860 13,160,990 265,650 2,234,500 11,692,756 5,358,140 43,596,108

7,140.00 8,505,108 42,150,836.50 4,714 65,328,960 146,090 127,636,673.00 71,490 -32,040 -94,500 3,050,782 -61,600 497,700 2,680 3,020 -123,440 67,325,965 -665,130 19,521,715 -33,414,092.50 618,800 -2,370,660 36,000 13,380,900

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

0.0018 1.32 2.56 11.14 2.72 0.28 7.85 1.45 0.231 0.11 0.115 0.0095 1.04 2.64 1.05 0.83 0.011 0.012 0.011 8 3.89 12.3 23.1 0.0065

0.0018 1.32 2.56 12.38 2.72 0.28 7.86 1.5 0.234 0.111 0.12 0.0095 1.1 2.75 1.05 0.85 0.012 0.012 0.012 8 3.9 12.3 23.2 0.0069

0.0017 1.23 2.53 11.14 2.67 0.28 7.75 1.44 0.216 0.108 0.115 0.0095 1.04 2.62 1.01 0.82 0.011 0.012 0.011 7.45 3.79 11.2 22.95 0.0064

MINING & OIL 0.0018 334,000,000 1.24 8,580,000 2.53 203,000 12.22 4,400 2.71 561,000 0.28 20,000 7.85 3,000 1.47 2,462,000 0.218 12,800,000 0.108 8,160,000 0.12 40,000 0.0095 17,000,000 1.1 1,743,000 2.74 10,488,000 1.01 28,000 0.84 480,000 0.011 34,800,000 0.012 10,000,000 0.011 2,100,000 7.56 1,687,300 3.82 1,550,000 11.6 8,757,100 23.2 1,707,300 0.0065 26,000,000

569,500 10,768,500 514,950 52,432 1,508,360 5,600 23,443 3,628,590 2,853,560 887,580 4,650 161,500 1,905,140 28,269,000 28,460 399,310 394,700 120,000 23,600 12,763,885 5,953,450 102,836,540 39,346,240 169,100

81,070 -240 48,600 832,030 110,430 -33,000 -307,260 68,880 150,000 -1,347,430 11,591,986 -17,137,650 -

ABS HLDG PDR AC PREF B1 AC PREF B2 DD PREF GLO PREF P GTCAP PREF B PCOR PREF 3A PCOR PREF 3B PNX PREF 3B SFI PREF SMC FB PREF 2 SMC PREF 2B SMC PREF 2C SMC PREF 2D SMC PREF 2F SMC PREF 2G SMC PREF 2H

18.5 498 504 101 500 980 1,035 1,035 109 1.72 990 76.1 78.5 75.3 76.05 76.8 76.95

19.1 502 504 101.5 500 980 1,035 1,035 109 1.72 990 76.1 78.5 75.45 76.95 77 76.95

18.36 498 504 100.5 500 980 1,032 1,033 109 1.4 990 75.3 78.5 75.3 76.05 76.8 75.55

PREFERRED 18.36 788,600 502 1,070 504 10 101 25,200 500 2,560 980 5,000 1,035 1,100 1,033 1,285 109 490 1.4 14,000 990 10 75.3 360 78.5 430 75.45 1,000,500 76.3 30,880 77 1,000 75.55 1,500

14,802,798 532,980 5,040 2,540,775 1,280,000 4,900,000 1,138,200 1,327,935 53,410 22,910 9,900 27,214.50 33,755 75,487,650 2,363,335 76,900 114,725

-3,179,852 -5,040 10,100 53,410 -

LR WARRANT

1.6

1.6

1.6

WARRANTS 1.6 28,000

44,800

-

ITALPINAS KEPWEALTH XURPAS

7.64 12.82 0.94

7.89 13.04 1.04

7.4 10.58 0.94

SME 7.64 10.92 0.98

7,002,066 45,226,246 17,520,840

438,902 -346,458 -110,630

FIRST METRO ETF

118.5

119.6

118.5

525,804

-

74,263

-

NAME

MS USD DMPL A1

10.3

10.3

TRADING SUMMARY

SHARES

FINANCIAL

12,193,704

INDUSTRIAL

125,424,000

HOLDING FIRMS

202,211,234

PROPERTY

240,146,259

SERVICES

226,228,250

MINING & OIL

483,269,206

GRAND TOTAL

1,311,862,573

10.3

922,100 3,899,100 17,562,000

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 119.6 4,420 10.3

DDS

7,210

VALUE 1,833.28 (up) 23.39 1,213,700,280.07 FINANCIAL INDUSTRIAL 11,126.30 (up) 59.43 1,685,095,410.657 HOLDING FIRMS 7,922.86 (up) 80.01 2,210,180,850.32 PROPERTY 3,998.00 (up) 7.14 1,623.75 (up) 48.32 2,961,480,535.24 SERVICES MINING & OIL 8,250.52 (down) 16.01 1,383,405,506.65 PSEI 7,979.66 (up) 86.85 213,209,870.396 All Shares Index 4,809.48 (up) 43.71 9,737,352,714.19 Gainers: 126; Losers: 72; Unchanged: 35; Total: 233

DoubleDragon says recurring revenues to hit P10.8b by 2021

By Jenniffer B. Austria DOUBLEDRAGON Properties Corp. aims to generate P10.8 billion in recurring revenues by 2021, saying it remains on track to hit 1.2 million square meters of leasable space by next year.

DoubleDragon chairman Edgar Sia II said Friday in an interview following the annual stockholders’ meeting the company would generate P4 billion in recurring revenues this year and increase the sales to P5.4 billion in 2020 before doubling to P10.8 billion in 2021.

The recurring revenues will come from four core leasing businesses, namely commercial malls, office leasing, hotels and industrial warehouses.

With recurring revenues hitting P10.8 billion, Sia said the company would be able to start declaring dividends starting 2021.

Meanwhile, DoubleDragon is also unfazed by the uncertainty of Philippine POGOS in the country.

“While we would like that to continue because we get better yields from POGO (Philippine offshore gaming operators), under the worst case scenario, we are covered because have a diversified leasable space,” said Sia. He noted that the company’s office space leased to POGO were fully covered, with lease contracts locked in for 12 months.

The location of office spaces leased by offshore gaming operators in the bay area in Pasay City is also a prime location that makes it easier for the company to lease out the office space to other locators in the event offshore gaming operations are no longer allowed in the Philippines.

“The location where we have POGO is very prime. One year will be more than enough to replace POGO,” said Sia. POGOS account for 60 percent of the company’s 130,000 sq. m of total office leasable space. Of this, 80 percent are Chinese gaming operators while the rest are Korean and European gaming operators.

State-owned the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. last week suspended the acceptance of applications for offshore gaming licenses pending a review of the operations of POGOs.

AirAsia PH’s income jumped to P593m in Q2

By Darwin G. Amojelar THE Philippine unit of Southeast Asia’s largest budget carrier said net profit jumped 777 percent P593 million in the the second quarter of the year from just P68 million year-on-year on higher passenger revenues.

Air Asia Inc. said revenues amounted to P7.51 billion in the period, up 38 percent from last year’s P5.46 billion.

“In terms of profitability, we are excited to see the turnaround of AirAsia Indonesia and the improved performance of AirAsia Philippines,” said Bo Lingam, AirAsia Group head president said.

AirAsia attributed the increase in profit to the 22-percent rise in passenger traffic to 2.2 million. The airline’s load factor stood at 91 precent, up by 4 percentage points from 87 percent last year.

Air Asia Philippines earlier announced plans to expand its fleet from 23 to 50 aircraft within the next three years and increase revenues from P30 billion this year to P50 billion in the same period.

The airline has planned to conduct an initial public offering by November or December this year to raise $200 million to fund expansion.

The airline operates several flights to and from Manila, Davao, Cebu, Kalibo, Caticlan (Boracay), Tacloban, Tagbilaran (Bohol), Puerto Princesa (Palawan), Clark and Iloilo in the Philippines.

It operates international flights to and from Shanghai, Taipei, Incheon (Seoul), Hong Kong, Macau, Kuala Lumpur, Kota Kinabalu, Guangzhou, Vietnam, Shenzhen, Kaohshing, Bali, Shenzhen, Indonesia, Singapore and soon Japan.

F&S Holdings, owned by Rep. Michael Romero and his wife Sheila, earlier acquired 28.8-percent shares in AirAsia Inc., bringing their total equity to 44.4 percent from just 15.7 percent.

World

B3

SATURDAY, AUGUST 31, 2019 CESAR BARRIOQUINTO, Editor mst.daydesk@gmail.com

IN BRIEF

FESTIVAL.

Trump’s personal assistant resigns

WASHINGTON―Donald Trump’s personal assistant Madeleine Westerhout resigned on Thursday after she shared information about the president’s family with journalists, US media reported.

Westerhout’s unexpected departure came after Trump learned that she had talked about his family and White House matters with reporters at an off-the-record session during the president’s recent working vacation in New Jersey, The New York Times reported citing unnamed sources.

Later, other outlets―including CNN and Politico―also reported her departure citing unnamed sources.

CNN said Westerhout had failed to make clear during the interaction with journalists that her comments were off the record, and one reporter disclosed the conversation to the White House.

Westerhout’s office was in front of the Oval Office and she had been described as Trump’s “gatekeeper” in US media. She had been his personal assistant from the beginning of his presidency.

The Trump administration has been particularly sensitive about staff leaking information to the media, with the president railing against both officials and journalists over reports about the state of affairs in the White House.

The New York Times said Westerhout was now a “separated employee” and would not be allowed into the White House.

A former administration official described Trump and Westerhout’s relationship as “close”, CNN said, but added that talking about his family was “a red line”. AFP

Fuel shortage cramps Haiti

PORT-AU-PRINCE―Haiti’s long-suffering population has faced an extra burden for more than a week: closed service stations and lines of motorists hoping to buy even a few drops of gas during a fuel shortage that’s getting worse.

From the capital Port-au-Prince to smaller towns around the Caribbean country, car drivers and motorcyclists wait in line at the few gas stations still selling fuel, albeit at rising prices.

Haiti is one of the world’s poorest countries that has faced months of political turmoil.

“I have been in this never-ending line for hours,” a driver of one of Port-au-Prince’s ubiquitous motorbike taxis complained.

“When the service stations aren’t closed, those that are still selling gasoline are doing it drop by drop.”

The president of the National Association of Petroleum Product Distributors, David Turnier, confirmed to AFP that “there is a scarcity of petroleum products in the local market.”

A gallon of gasoline which normally sells for about 224 gourdes ($2.33) has more than doubled to 500 gourdes ($5.20) in some areas.

A source close to a prominent petroleum product importing company told AFP there is a cash flow problem.

“The Haitian state does not have the economic means to pay its debts to the companies that import gasoline to the country,” the source said on the condition of anonymity. “And for us, when we don’t have money, we can’t place orders.”

Venezuela’s PetroCaribe program, plagued by allegations of corruption but which had allowed Haiti to buy petroleum products more cheaply and on credit, has been suspended for more than a year because of deteriorating relations between Venezuela and the United States. AFP

Nepali Hindu devotees perform rituals for the Kuse Aunse festival, to commemorate fathers, at Gokarna on the outskirts of Kathmandu on August 30, 2019. During the festival Nepali Hindus from all over the country whose fathers have passed away come to the Gokarneswar Mahadev Temple to worship, take holy baths and present offerings.

AFP

Hong Kong police arrest activists Australia H downgrades ONG KONG―Prominent democracy activists were arrested Friday in a dragnet across Hong Kong―a move described by rights groups as a well-worn tactic deployed by Beijing to suffocate dissent ahead of key political moments.

The sweep comes after a major rally planned by a civil rights group on Saturday was banned by police on security grounds.

Hong Kong has been locked in three months of political crisis, with increasingly violent clashes between police and protesters that have prompted an escalating public relations campaign from China.

Protesters had planned yet another mass rally on Saturday -- the fifth anniversary of Beijing’s rejection of a call for universal suffrage in the semi-autonomous city, a decision that sparked the 79-day Umbrella Movement in 2014.

But organizers on Friday afternoon said they would not march, complying with the police banning order.

Earlier, two of the Umbrella Movement’s leaders, Joshua Wong and Agnes Chow―both well-known among the city’s youth―were arrested in dawn swoops both accused of “inciting others to take part in unauthorized assembly” among other charges. The pair were due in court on Friday afternoon.

Hours before another vocal independence campaigner was detained at Hong Kong’s airport.

The arrests are a sign of the “spread

of ‘white terror’ towards Hong Kong protesters”, said Issac Cheng of Demosisto party, co-founded by Wong, using a term for China’s efforts to fragment the protest movement.

More than 850 people have been arrested in connection with protests since June, including prominent independence campaigner Andy Chan who police detained at Hong Kong airport on Thursday night on suspicion of rioting―a charge which carries up to ten years in prison.

Chan’s small independence party was outlawed last year on the grounds it posed a national security threat, the first such ban since the former British colony returned to Chinese rule in 1997.

Chinese state-media described the three arrested as “independence” advocates.

A fourth pro-democracy campaigner, Rick Hui a counselor for the working-class Sha Tin district, was also detained by police on Friday, according to a post on his Facebook page, without detailing why.

Amnesty International decried the “the ludicrous dawn swoops”, condemning the arrest of Wong and Chow as an “outrageous assault on the rights

to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly” and as “scare tactics straight out of Beijing’s playbook”.

The arrests come as Hong Kong’s crisis-hit government scrambles to find an appropriate response to the unprecedented pro-democracy protests, which have by turns seen millions march, closed the airport and left city streets strewn with bricks and shrouded in tear gas.

The protests started as a kickback against a bill allowing extraditions to mainland China, but quickly billowed out into wider calls for democracy and police accountability.

Permission for another mass rally on Saturday was denied on security grounds, raising the likelihood of another weekend of clashes between police and protesters.

In a letter to rally organizers the Civil Human Rights Front (CHRF), police said they feared some participants would commit “violent and destructive acts”.

After an appeal to hold the rally was rejected, Bonnie Leung of the avowedly peaceful CHRF said “no option but to cancel the march tomorrow”.

But pockets of protesters swiftly vowed to hold creative events at the scheduled time and place of the rally, including a mass shopping trip, football match and impromptu religious gatherings in downtown Hong Kong, while a YouTuber with 800,000 followers called a fan meeting. AFP

North Korea gives Kim more power SEOUL―North Korea has elevated leader Kim Jong Un to a status approaching his grandfather, the country’s founder Kim Il Sung, analysts said Friday after Pyongyang revised its constitution to reinforce his authority.

Kim was under 30 when he inherited power in late 2011 on the death of his father Kim Jong Il, but has since firmly established his authority, ruling the country with an iron fist, overseeing four of its six nuclear tests and executing his uncle for treason.

Kim is officially chairman of the ruling Workers’ Party and chairman of the State Affairs Commission (SAC), the top government body, although his late grandfather remains the country’s Eternal President despite dying in 1994.

The Supreme People’s Assembly, the North’s rubber-stamp parliament, approved a series of constitutional changes on Thursday to ensure what the legislature’s head Choe Ryong Hae called Kim’s “monolithic guidance”.

The new clause declares the SAC chairman the “supreme leader of the Party, state, and armed forces of the DPRK in accordance with the unanimous will and desire of all the Korean people, both in name and reality”, Choe was quoted as saying by the official Korean Central News Agency.

DPRK are the initials for North Korea’s official name.

As the SAC chairman, Kim was authorized to issue decrees and appoint or recall diplomatic envoys.

His status “has been further consolidated to firmly ensure the monolithic guidance of the Supreme Leader over all the state affairs”, Choe added. AFP

PRESS CONFERENCE. Demosisto vice chairman Isaac Cheng arrives with fellow members to a press conference on the arrest of party leaders Joshua Wong and Agnes Chow in Hong Kong on August 30, 2019. Prominent Hong Kong democracy activists were arrested on August 30 in a dragnet that came as the protesters planned to rally this weekend in defiance of a police ban. AFP

outlook for Barrier Reef

SYDNEY―Australia downgraded the Great Barrier Reef’s long-term outlook to “very poor” for the first time Friday, as the world heritage site struggles with “escalating” climate change.

In its latest five-yearly report on the health of the world’s largest coral reef system, the government’s Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority singled out rising sea temperatures as the biggest threat to the giant organism.

“The significant and large-scale impacts from record-breaking sea surface temperatures have resulted in coral reef habitat transitioning from poor to very poor condition,” the government agency said.

“Climate change is escalating and is the most significant threat to the Region’s long-term outlook.

“Significant global action to address climate change is critical to slowing deterioration of the Reef’s ecosystem and heritage values and supporting recovery,” it said.

But the agency added that the threats to the 2,300-kilometer reef were “multiple, cumulative and increasing” and, in addition to warming seas, included agricultural run-off and coral-eating crown of thorns starfish.

The agency said the outlook downgrade from “poor” in 2014 to “very poor” now reflected the greater expanse of coral deterioration across the massive reef, notably following back-to-back coral bleaching events caused by sea temperature spikes in 2016 and 2017.

“The window of opportunity to improve the reef’s long-term future is now,” it said.

The conservative Australian government has faced criticism from environmentalists for favoring an expansion of its massive coal mining and export industry over action to curb climate change.

Friday’s reef report coincided with the release of new government data showing that Australia’s emissions of greenhouse gases blamed for climate change continued a four-year rising trend during the first half of 2019.

The government insists it is meeting its emissions targets as set under international protocols, including the Paris climate agreement, and argues that Australia’s total greenhouse gas output remains far below that of major polluting nations. AFP

Brazil’s burning ban takes effect as the Amazon fires rage PORTO VELHO, Brazil―A 60-day ban on burning in Brazil took effect Thursday after a global outcry over fires raging in the Amazon and data showing hundreds of new blazes in the rain forest.

The decree issued by President Jair Bolsonaro comes after escalating international pressure over the worst fires in the Amazon in years, which have ignited a diplomatic spat between Brazil and Europe.

But activists quickly doused hopes that the ban would work.

“The people who burn without a license are not going to obey,” said Rodrigo Junqueira of the SocioEnvironmental Institute.

Thousands of troops and firefighters have been deployed since the weekend to combat the fires, along with two C-130 Hercules and other aircraft that are dumping water over affected areas in the country’s north.

Police on Thursday arrested three people for burning more than 5,000 hectares (12,350 acres) in a conservation area in Para state.

More than 1,600 new fires were ignited between Tuesday and Wednesday, taking this year’s total to almost 85,000 -- the highest number since 2010, official data shows. Around half of them are in the vast Amazon basin.

Bolsonaro however claimed in a live broadcast on Facebook that “this year’s fires are below the average of recent years.”

UN chief Antonio Guterres on Thursday mooted a meeting of key countries to drum up support to tackle the fires that have also devastated swaths of Bolivia.

“We are strongly appealing for the mobilization of resources and we have been in contact with countries to see whether, during the high-level session of the General Assembly, there could be a meeting devoted to the mobilization of support to the Amazon,” Guterres told reporters.

Brazil’s foreign ministry said it was not aware of the proposal.

It urged “foreign authorities” to learn more about the country’s environmental policies, the situation in the Amazon and measures taken to combat the fires “before proposing new initiatives.”

International offers of help for combating the fires is a hot-button issue in Brazil, with Bolsonaro and others insisting on the country’s sovereign rights over the Amazon.

Bolsonaro on Wednesday accused France and Germany of “buying” Brazil’s sovereignty after the G7 offered $20 million in Amazon fire aid. AFP

PA-HANKYU

HOLDS GROUNDBREAKING FOR IDESIA DASMARIÑAS B4

SATURDAY, AUGUST 31, 2019

D

Joel D. Lacsamana, Editor jdlacsamana@gmail.com

ASMARIÑAS, Cavite – PAHankyu One Inc., the joint venture between Laguna-based developer P.A. Alvarez Properties (P.A. Properties) and Japanese real estate firm, Hankyu Hanshin Properties Corp. (HHPC), recently launched a project to build a 9.18-hectare residential communitiy called Idesia Dasmariñas Phase 2, and the 5.64-hectare Idesia Heights. Both are additions to the 11-hectare Phase 1 that was launched in 2017.

Idesia Dasmariñas is the flagship project of the joint venture, and is the third overseas project of HHPC in the Southeast Asian region.

The 37-hectare Idesia Dasmariñas township is a masterplanned community that will cater to urbanites; startup, growing or middle-income families.

Idesia Dasmariñas Phase 2 will have 648 housing units, and is expected to generate PhP2B in total sales. Price ranges from PhP2.80M to PhP7M. INSPIRED LIVING Idesia Heights will have 300 housing units available in 120sqm, 82.98sqm, 96sqm and 63.3sqm cuts. Prices range from P5 million to P8 million.

“We have worked toward this end over the past year and being able to break ground for Idesia Phase 2 and Idesia Heights is most gratifying,” said Romarico “Bing” Alvarez, P.A. Properties chairman.

Idesia Dasmariñas will be introducing expansive green spaces.

“With its modern Asian aesthetics, coupled with environmentallyfriendly features, Idesia is simply a warm, welcoming place people would truly want to live in,” Alvarez added.

COMMUNITY DEVELOPER. The Idesia showroom and sales office.

as well as educational institutions such as De La Salle University – Dasmariñas, Lyceum of the Philippines University (Cavite campus), and St. Paul College Dasmariñas.

NEW IDESIA SHOWROOM A new showroom was also inaugurated after the groundbreaking. “Advancing the way service is delivered to potential customers requires state-of the-art facilities designed,” Alvarez pointed out.

Apart from accommodating sales inquiries, the new showroom will also showcase the materials used in housing construction, three-dimensional scale models of the housing units and the entire master-planned community as well.

SHARING THE SAME VISION. Key executives from P.A. Properties & Hankyu Hanshin Properties Corp. lead the ceremonial turning of the soil. (Second from the left) Jonathan G. Lu, president, P.A. Properties; Romarico “Bing” T. Alvarez, chairman, P.A. Properties; Elpidio Barzaga Jr. , Congressman, Dasmariñas Cavite; Yusuke Kusu vice president, Hankyu Hanshin Properties Corp; and Yasuki Fukui, director, Hankyu Hanshin Properties Corp.

Located near two main arteries going to and from Cavite and into Metro Manila, the community is within the usual route of provincial buses and express vans, and within a reasonable distance from Coastal Road and South Luzon Expressway.

Shopping malls like SM City, Robinsons Place, and Waltermart in Dasmariñas are within reach from Idesia

COMMITTED PARTNERSHIP AND SHARED PURPOSE P.A. Properties – Hankyu One, Inc. is set to further develop the Idesia community in the coming months.

In addition to building housing units, the partnership is also planning to include a commercial component to the communities.

“We are thrilled to expand our partnership with P.A. Properties, who is executing well in all its projects and has gained an impressive reputation as a community developer in areas south of Manila,” said Masahiko Toda, Hankyu Hanshin Properties overseas business division general manager.

ONE-OF-A-KIND CLUBHOUSE. Driving through the south side of South Forbes Golf City’s Nirwana Bali village, one comes across an Asian-style roofed pavilion surrounded by tall palm trees and vibrant tropical plants. As you step into the pavilion, you see a long staircase. Considering its length, you’ll wonder whether it’s worth it to trek down the natural stone path. Walk down and your eyes catch a glimpse of several structures that echo the pavilion upstairs. The effort to traverse the sloping terrain is worth it to reach the Balinese-style tropical resort heaven that this clubhouse offers. The clubhouse’s architects -- Lawrence Santos, UAP and Ma. Liza Caguiñgin, UAP, Managing Partners at SC&A Architects & Planners – agree that the concept enhances the dramatic site, the high point of a sloping hill and the edge of a cliff with a view of an old-growth forest on the other side of the river. The private retreat, built by Cathay Land, is an exclusive amenity for residents of Nirwana Bali. The project offers lot sizes ranging from 150 sq.m. to 565 sq.m., with prices starting at P3.9 million.

GATEWAY TO THE SOUTH. In Sta. Rosa, Laguna, Eton City makes a strong case for people who want to enjoy the benefits of living in a suburban community, but still want to be close enough to the urban comforts and conveniences that surround the area. Developed by Eton Properties Philippines, Inc., the real estate arm of the Lucio Tan Group, each village in Eton City takes inspiration from various architectural influences, creating premium-themed communities that give way to elegant living. The themed residences of West Wing Residences, TierraBela, Riverbend, and South Lake Village will be investments that grow as individuals, families, and communities do. South Lake Village, shown here, is inspired by Dubai’s Palm Island, Nevada’s Lake Las Vegas, and California’s Foster City. The project is a 70-hectare residential development that features 18 distinct island lots, surrounded by a 35-hectare man-made lake.

TAX ONESELF NO LONGER.

In Metro Manila, an emerging chain of business-lifestyle hotels is addressing the needs of business travellers with its convenient branch locations and efficient service. The Privato Hotel Group has all its branches in the heart of key commercial districts, making them an ideal choice for travelers with packed schedules. The Ortigas branch of Privato is strategically located across Capitol Commons and the Ortigas Central Business District.

In Quezon City, you can find Privato at the heart of Tomas Morato, minutes away from the city’s major landmarks.

Privato Quezon City, in particular, recently won a Trip Advisor Award for consistently garnering excellent guest reviews. As a whole, the Privato Group specializes in a balance between the convenience of business and the small luxuries of casual leisure.

Life

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

ARTS AND CULTURE

SATURDAY, AUGUST 31, 2019

C1

By Neil Doloricon

S

CRIBBLING, doodling, drawing, painting… these are the things that DengCoy Miel does whenever he is not resting or sleeping.

Deng is one of the most celebrated editorial cartoonists and illustrators of our time, both here and abroad.

He was a National Cartoonist Society Awardee in 2001, a painting major at the University of the Philippines College of Fine Arts, and he has worked at The Straits Times, the most widely circulated newspaper in Singapore.

Keeping abreast with what’s happening back home, he shares insights and comments on the historical probabilities that could have unfolded during the 1896 Philippine Revolution.

In his recent solo exhibit at Pinto Art Museum, entitled “Cuentos Interruptus,” which opened on August 18, Deng delves into the complexities of historical controversies that haunt the first Asian anti-colonial revolt, whose leadership was stolen by a dubious character.

As history is said to be written by the victors, these dubious victors have yet DengCoy Miel’s ‘Prusisyon’ (2019) tackles Filipino religiosity. to wait how history will bare their true character, or how history could be redrawn on fresh canvas.

In the fertile mind and the able hands of Deng, art interrogates Philippine history.

He poses a different scenario: What might history be with Andres Bonifacio leading his men to a victorious bloodletting against the old and new colonizers?

In his painting “Boni Parti: Andres + ing Maragondon,” Deng adopts JacquesLouis David’s “Napoleon Crossing the Alps,” where Bonifacio is depicted in a Napoleonic posture, a victorious and glorified presentation of a conqueror.

The likeness is perhaps lost on Deng’s comparing a true Filipino freedom fighter to a conqueror of Europe, someone who died of cancer while in exile and not in battle. Bonifacio had not been able to conquer the conqueror, but he was able to conquer the hearts and minds of the Filipino people and inspire them to pursue the unfinished revolution of 1896 that was hijacked by the Magdalo at the Tejeros Convention in Cavite.

Meanwhile, in one of his oeuvres, entitled “Prusisyon,” Deng tackles Filipino religiosity. Instead of presenting the body of venerated saints or God the son, he presented a magnified cross section of a dermis carried by the faithful in a procession.

The idea here, according to Deng, is to examine its scientific cell makeup.

That is investigating the materiality of a metaphysical world, because it is from that materiality of an iconic figure that believers take the power of faith. In religious parlance, materiality might be equated with being worldly or greedy.

The fact and the truth about the workingman is rendered invisible to the viewer of earthly material realities that have succumbed to the hypnotic spell of wealth possession and the means of maintaining its reign.

Deng also made a painting about fatalism, entitled “Kapit sa Fatalism/ Patalim,” which deplores the Pinoy defeatism—accepting that our life

CUENTOS INTERRUPTUS:

DengCoy Miel’s

alternate universe

‘Gnomon ni Rizal: Patnubayan mo po kami’ (2019), oil on canvas

‘Boni Parti: Andres + ing Maragondon’ (2019), oil on canvas

has been predetermined and governed by divine providence. This belief has been used by feudal landlords to enslave peasants into submitting their fate to them.

The central image in the painting is the carcass of a figure spread like wings, clutching a blade, further stressing desperation at life’s edge. Small images in the background bolster the message of betrayal.

Deng may have been inspired by Icarus in the Greek mythology who was drawn into the water after his wings melted after attempting to get closer to the sun. It describes the fatalistic tendency of people pushing their limits because, in the end, if it’s your destiny it will happen.

Less the certainty of destiny, but more the folly and the obstinacy of those whose quests are best exemplified by superhuman forces. Portrayals such as this could be questioned no end as to real intent, if not understanding.

But that is indeed a premature conclusion. Deng’s redemptive “Gnomon ni Rizal: Patnubayan mo po Kami,” the Rizal monument becomes a structure for informal settlers, whose abodes are dependent on the said monument. The seeming suggestion is that when things are at bottom low, there is no other way but up. But up it may be, that foundation would also mean that the people’s hope might be at the mercy and grace of divine providence or promises of our leaders.

Turn to C2

Salcedo Auctions director Richie Lerma (second from left) presents Félix Resurreccion Hidalgo’s ‘La Pintura,’ the highlight of the Important Philippine Art sale in this year’s ‘The Well-Appointed Life’ auction.

Norman Cruz

‘La Pintura’ to go under the hammer SALCEDO Auctions founder and director Richie Lerma presents Félix Resurreccion Hidalgo’s masterpiece, “La Pintura,” the highlight of the Important Philippine Art sale in this year’s “The Well-Appointed Life” auction on Sept.

21-22 at the Rigodon Ballroom of The Peninsula Manila.

The painting, which depicts a woman standing in front of an unfinished painting was last seen in public at the Natural History and Ethnographic Exhibition at the Museo Arqueologico Nacional in Madrid in 1893.

In a statement on its Facebook page, Salcedo Auction says, “This artwork has clear and sterling provenance, having remained in the same family, the descendants of Don Jose Vazquez Castiñeira.

The Castiñeiras previously owned Juan Luna y Novicio’s “España y Filipinas” and “Boceto for Spoliarium.”

Auction preview is scheduled on Sept.

13-20 at the Upper Lobby of The Peninsula Manila. Call (02) 823-0956 or 09188846869 or email info@salcedoauctions. com for inquiries and more details.

Life

C2

SATURDAY, AUGUST 31, 2019 manilastandardlife@gmail.com

‘Bahala na si Batman,’ by Borgy Mecate

T

‘Blinds’ by Purok 1

A glimpse of socio-political issues in the Philippines

HE Philippine representative in the 2019 Universeum Conference in Brno, Czech Republic, presented an exhibition of commissioned collaborative artworks centered on the journey of nation-building of the Philippines.

Led by Universeum, an international organization of university and college museums, this year’s edition followed the theme “University Museums and Collections as Networks for Understanding the World: Shaping Narratives of Knowledge for the Past, Present, and the Future.” It was organized and hosted by the Mendel Museum of Masaryk University in Brno, together with Charles University in Prague, Czech Republic and the University of Bratislava in Slovakia.

The four-day series of discussions and lectures served as a platform for the participants to establish networks and engage in a discourse in light of digital

initiatives, student engagement, and the preservation of contemporary heritage.

The sole presenter from the Philippines was Architect Gerry Torres, director of the Center for Campus Art of De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde, Torres brought with him, through the “Stations of a Nation” project, the institution’s contemporary and innovative approaches to bringing to light the country’s socio-political issues such as unfair labor practices, corruption, poverty, homelessness, and the crisis concerning China, among others.

The “Stations of a Nation” project by visual and video artist Manny Montelibano together with Benilde’s students

‘Train’ by Windy Jarloc

‘Kapit sa Fatalism/Patalim’ (2019), oil on canvas

and updates from home is not hard to come by, homesickness, longing for From C1 home seems insufficient illumination to sharpen figures on canvas, one that We are left contemplating what has can inescapably and ably join what become of Deng’s view of home from media and brush would produce for the way out there, out there in Singapore, viewing public. that is.

Though the Philippines is really Cuentos Interruptus is on view at Pinto within reach from Singapore, and news Art Museum in Antipolo City until Sept. 1.

Cuentos...

from the design, arts, deaf education, and consular and diplomatic affairs programs, drew inspiration from the traditional Catholic Stations of the Cross and the president’s State of the Nation Address.

Responding to the question “What does it mean to be a Filipino today?,” the apprentices, under the guidance of Montelibano, conceptualized and designed 14 installations using different mediums set in various strategic spaces at the School of Design and Arts Building.

Their works turned whatever space available into an area of artistic expression and reflection. Currently, 11 out of 14 art installations are on view while the remaining three artworks are presently in production.

In September, the “Stations of a Nations” will once again be presented by Architect Torres at the upcoming UMAC (University Museums and Collections) Tokyo Seminar at the Keio University Art Center in Tokyo, Japan.

‘Sala’ by Lauriz Seachon

‘Okra Durian Pie’ by Purok 2

REVIEW

Cabie, a man truly possessed by the Muses

By Virgilio S. Almario

It reads as musings on ordinary occurrences at home, in the office, while commuting, during visits to the province, and on special events.

The tone is confessional, oftentimes conversational and uneven, but persistently honest. It does not pretend to be profound as it offers pragmatic and practical observations on everyday situations and problems.

It does not use modernist techniques but is instead direct, sentimental, and ordinary in approaching ordinary aches and pleasures of a city man.

Cabie’s pieces are not remembrances “recollected in tranquility,” but logged monologues on an immediate past.

Sometimes they appear like spontaneous notes, like that of a newspaperman’s, jotted down while witnessing the event. Consider this lament (Sonnet 231) written while resting several meters away in front of the Rizal monument at the Luneta one evening:

WRITING sonnets almost seems to be second nature to Filipino poets.

Of all the Western forms introduced at the turn of the 20th century, the sonnet fascinated our writers in Spanish, English, Tagalog, and other native languages.

Fernando Maramag, our “first major poet in English,” contributed a Shakespearean “sonnet” to our literature as early as 1911. Francisco Tonogbanua and Trinidad L. Tarrosa-Subido devoted much time to fashioning their expressions in 14-line rhymes.

Up to the present, our poets continue producing cycles that range from adolescent ecstasies to metaphysical pains.

This natural preference for an imported form goes beyond the mere desire to imitate Petrarch or the Bard of Avon. For every structure of the sonnet seems close to some autochthonous roots of our lyrics discourse.

The movement of the octave in oh evening breeze that blows the classic Italian sonetto with its across the park volta in the succeeding sestet alwhere the children run and most corresponds to the melodic play, where lovers date pattern of our kundiman. The among unmindful eyes and layering of ideas and emotions in corners dark, three quatrains summarized by a please stay with me before the couplet in the English mold suits night gets late; the didactic impulse of our salawikain and pasyon. despite the stereo music and Just as the French and English the lights, adopted the sonnet by reinventthe dancing fountain and the ing its metric pattern, our sonnetspeeding cars eers have also been working with that make the night alive, i long the form to make it Filipino. for heights It should not surprise us then where i don’t feel alone, where to read Beyond Images (New Day lie my stars; Publishers, Quezon City) of Honor Blanco Cabie. Subtitled “100 beside the whistling water roses Selected Sonnets,” Cabie’s colbloom lection is but another revelation of and yet i do not know but where our poets’ continuous claim to the i take Filipinization of the sonnet. a deeper look i feel some sense The subtitle at once suggests of gloom that Cabie has written more than among their petals and this what the collection offers. In fact, makes me quake; the book opens with sonnet number 144 and closes with number oh evening breeze, please kiss 293. If Cabie truly numbers his their grief away, sonnets serially, he must have at that i myself shall enjoy no end ‘Beyond Images’ by Honor Blanco Cabie this day. least 300 sonnets to select from.

There is yet a bigger surprise. Cabie not only numbers his sonnets.

There is a noticeable spell of RoHe also orders them chronologically. mantic gloom in the poem.

Sonnet 144 is dated November 2, 1979 while Sonnet 293 But rather than looking for echoes of Keats or Wordswas completed on May 10, 1980. The collection therefore worth, we should appreciate the effortlessly chosen images only gives us a glimpse of those written in a span of eight of the park. The details as presented are not something conmonths (there are some pieces dated June 1980). jured or contrived to produce what we initially apprehend.

Sometimes, as his dates attest, Cabie was inspired to creThey are objective facts gathered by a tired Metro Maniate more than one in a day. If he is consistent in his devo- lan who seeks brief respite in the crowded, noisy park. The tion to the sonnet (and knowing that he has been writing for loud stereo music, the roaring vehicles and the dark cormore than a decade), Cabie must have accumulated several ners are “here and now” verities as the dancing fountain and hundreds by now. pairs of lovers.

But what propels him to such extreme dedication to Cabie is merely reporting what he immediately saw and the form? felt, perhaps after a hard day at the editorial desk. The sad Nothing similar to the sacred meditations of San Juan de apostrophe further accentuates the spontaneity by which the la Cruz or the passions of Dante for his Beatrice. newsman/poet reacts to this kind of moments in his life.

Cabie simply writes them as one fills his diary. As eviBut the effort lies in molding the reportage into the denced by his footnotes under every piece and the very Shakespearean rhyming scheme. In other sonnets, Cabie content of some pieces, his sonnets are journals of his composes according to the Italian octave-sestet pattern. daily encounters.

His ultimate joy, it seems, is to show that one can write Cabie is a journalist by profession—here the newspaper- one’s journals in rhyming 14-lines. It is something akin to man/poet is playing with his role as keeper of daily public/ converting our daily lives into poetry, and we should praise personal record—and his versified “diary” is expectedly Cabie for indulging in this very difficult job. reflective of a city man’s life.

Here is a man truly possessed by the Muses.

Entertainment

SATURDAY, AUGUST 31, 2019

C3

nickie.standard@gmail.com

Call for entries to 2021

Cinemalaya Film Competition

E

NTRIES are now being accepted for the Full-Length Film category of the 2021 Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival and Competition.

All Filipino filmmakers are welcome to submit their entries for the Cinemalaya main full-length competition. Interested filmmakers must submit their application on or before Oct. 25, 6:00 p.m., to the Film, Broadcast and New Media Division of the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP).

Application must include: duly accomplished 2021 Entry Form, which can be downloaded from the CCP and Cinemalaya websites; synopsis in Filipino or English; detailed sequence treatment; two recent photos of proponent/s; and sample of a short film (5 to 20 min in DVD format), directed

by the proponent/s. All applications must be submitted in six copies in a long brown envelope properly labeled with the proponent’s name, title of the film entry and contact details.

For entry forms and complete guidelines, visit www.cinemalaya. org, www.culturalcenter.gov.ph or call the CCP Film, Broadcast and New Media Division at 832-1125, local 1705 and 1702. You can visit CCP FBNMD during office hours (9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.), from Tuesday to Friday, at 4/F CCP Main Building, CCP Complex, Roxas Boulevard, Pasay City.

The 10 finalists for the Cinemalaya

Pageant Concept...

From C4

Rocket scientist wins Mr. World 2019 The world’s most desirable man title went to England’s Jack Anthony Heslewood after he bested more than 70 candidates from all over the world to win the Mr. World 2019 title during the pageant’s coronation night held at Smart Araneta Coliseum, in Quezon City.

Heslewood, a 27-year-old Aerospace Engineering graduate of Kingston University with a Business diploma from Stanford University, was crowned by reigning Mr. World Rohit Khandelwal of India after Julia Morley, CEO of MWO, announced the winners.

Mr. South Africa Fezile Mkhize was named 1st runner-up while Mr. Mexico Brian Faugier finished as 2nd runner-up. Brazil´s Carlos Franco and Dominican Republic´s Alejandro Martínez made it to the Top 5.

Mr. Philippines Jody Bines ‘JB’ Saliba was among the Top 12 semi-finalists and was named one of the Continental winners as Mr. World Asia-Pacific, along with Austria’s Alberto Nodal, Mr. World Europe; South Africa’s Mkhize, Mr. World Africa; Mexico’s Faugier, Mr

Cinemalaya 2019 Best Actor Jansen Magpusao ('John Denver Trending' ) and Ricky Davao (bottom), who won the Best Supporting Actor for 'Fuccbois'

Couch Potato...

From C4

Arias...

From C4

“During my younger years, all I wore were the classic tidy whities but now, I like wearing boxer briefs and boxer shorts on a daily basis,” the Kapuso carries on.

He swears not yet experiencing wearing a t-back designed intimate apparel but is open to the idea in case in the nearest future, a role requires him to don one. Jockstraps, he finds too compressing.

Daez admits, “I already tried wearing a bahag. It was fun, but quite cold in the bottom part of my body.”

With him being an underwear model, does he mind being objectified?

“Well, that is bound to happen. I am a

guy, the bulge that people see in my print ads or billboards is part of my body, my biology. You know, it is easy to put malice on things na dapat wala naman.”

The nicest compliment he has received as a model of men’s undergarments: “I would say na binili ko ang under wear dahil sa iyo. You know, that is really the goal, right? My image helps move the product in the market. That makes me happy.”

Final query, has any woman gave you underwears as gifts with the promise that she will help him wear them?

Mikael’s swift reply: “You know, that has never happened.

That is a great idea. I-tweet mo si Megan mamaya para maexperience ko iyan,” he ends his reaction with a hearty guffaw.

CROSSWORD PUZZLE Saturday, August 31, 2019

ACROSS 1 Jug 5 Honor in style 9 Bradley and McBain 12 Gentle exercise 13 Sound off 15 Grime 16 Interstate 17 Grinding machine 18 “Kon- —” 19 Swirled 21 Wizard 23 Persia, in modern times 25 Yul’s film realm 26 Small number 29 Used plastic 31 Valuable fur 35 Quiet — — mouse 36 Rescued 38 Colorful transfer 39 Nile goddess 41 Oman neighbor 43 Prescription info 44 Had status 46 Unpaid factory worker 48 Racehorse 49 Computer network 51 Ricci or Foch 52 Underhanded

53 Complaint 55 Recipe amts.

57 Ran into trouble (3 wds.)

61 Make a getaway 65 With, to monsieur 66 Complete reversal (hyph.)

68 Roman poet 69 Limp, as hair 70 Feudal workers 71 Carry around 72 Come to the conclusion 73 Fellow 74 Ballet lake DOWN 1 Bronte governess 2 Lumber 3 I say!

4 Arm bones 5 Collapsible bed 6 Baseball stat.

7 Works on a bobbin 8 Social mores 9 Sultan’s cousin 10 Noble title 11 Blend 14 Chilling 15 Halted 20 Winged god 22 Joker or ace 24 On no occasion

26 Trade shows 27 Short literary composition 28 Postpones action 30 Evil spirit 32 Computer graphics 33 Twangy, as a voice 34 Mournful poem 37 Red-ink entry 40 Delay 42 Baloney 45 Poor grades

47 Touches lightly 50 Toolbar items 54 Destined 56 Highlanders 57 Nathan the patriot 58 One of the Greats 59 Lean toward 60 Hindu teacher 62 Acknowledge 63 Pocket bread 64 Churchill successor 67 Rural addr.

I am, so far, in the middle of the episode, where the lead character Crown Prince Lee (Sun Yoo Seung-ho) is now trying to get back into the palace of the capital (it is set in the ancient city of Joseon) with the help of Master Woo Boo (Park Chul-min) and take the crown from his former friend, the commoner Lee Sun (Kim Myug- so).

There’s also a budding love triangle among the Crown Prince, the fake Crown Prince and Lady Han Gae-yun (Kim So-hyun). And there’s another triangle betwee Gae-Yun and Kim Hwa-gun, the granddaughter of Kim Dae-mok (the leader of the evil group Pyunsoo group.

While I admire the acquisition team of GMA network for closing deals with Korean broadcast company MBC for most of its best-selling titles, I just hope they could put up an HD format broadcast that can be carried by cable

full-length film competition will be announced on Aug. 16, 2020 during the Awards Night of the 16th edition of the film festival.

Established in 2005, Cinemalaya is an all-digital film festival and competition that aims to discover, encourage and honor cinematic works of Filipino filmmakers. Considered the country’s biggest indie film festival, it has supported and promoted the production of 156 full feature independent films and 138 short films; many of these films have won awards in local and international competitions and festivals. Through the annual festival, Cinemalaya has showcased over 1,000 works by independent filmmakers including full feature films, shorts, documentaries, Filipino film classics, and art films.

World Americas; and Dominican Republic’s Martinez, Mr. World Caribbean.

Reigning Miss World, Vanessa Ponce de Leon of Mexico, and 2016 winner Stephanie del Valle, of Puerto Rico, were among the judges. Miss World 2013 Megan Young and Mikael Daezhosted the finals with guest performances by Kris Lawrence, Reina Hispanoamericana Philippines 2018 Alyssa Muhlach Alvarez and Miss Multinational Philippines 2018 Kimi Mugford. *** ‘Pet Universe 2018’ Shamcey relinquishes title Toy poodle and reigning “Pet Universe 2018” Shamcey will relinquish her title in October at Fisher Mall Malabon. Shamcey, named after Miss Universe 3rd runner-up Shamcey Supsup-Lee, won the Pet-Universe title last year wearing a costume which won ‘best pet costume’ designed by Philippine fashion icon, Renee Salud. The adorable toy poodle continued to shine in pet shows/pageant-competitions winning several more in record fashion. She has won a record four consecutive titles at the prestigious PCCI-organized dog costume contests bringing to 33 her total Grand Wins/Champions in just two years.

TV services (not necessarily Sky) to firm up its audience that loves to watch Korean telenovelas. They’re definitely losing out on the Kapamilya network on this aspect. *** Smartphone leader in PH According to the report released

by Canalys, OPPO is officially one of the smartphone brand leaders in the Philippines besting its known competitors in terms of market share.

OPPO gained 28 percent of the share; while Samsung cornered a total of 19 percent; and Vivo earned 17 percent of the share for the second quarter of 2019.

The report also stated that SEA achieved the most growth in Asia, and Greater China. OPPO shipped 7.3 million units in Q2 of 2019 in SEA, close to Samsung’s 7.7 million units record.

“We are humbled by this achievement given that we just came into the country just five years ago. As innovation is at the core of the OPPO brand, we value the importance of being able to provide

only the best smartphones that will enable the Filipinos to move forward to achieve their goals. We promise that this is just the beginning as we’re fully committed to continue bringing the best smartphones we can offer to the Filipino people,” shared by Zen Han, OPPO Philippines Vice President for Channel Sales.

Recently, IHS Markit also released its list of the world’s top smartphone makers for the Q2 of 2019 where OPPO overtakes US-owned Apple to the 3rd spot joining the ranks of smartphone giants Samsung and Huawei which occupies the first and second spots respectively. OPPO is largely present *** ‘A Black Lady Sketch Show’ renewed on HBO HBO has renewed the sketch comedy series A Black Lady Sketch Show for a second season, it was announced by Amy Gravitt, executive vice president, HBO Programming.

A Black Lady Sketch Show, which debuted same time as the U.S. on August 3, is a narrative series set in a limitless magical reality full of dynamic, hilarious characters and celebrity guests. The show presents sketches performed by a core cast of black women, including creator Robin Thede, Ashley Nicole Black, Gabrielle Dennis and Quinta Brunson. Thede executive produces, writes and stars and Issa Rae executive produces.

Laugh-out-loud funny and not afraid to be controversial, A Black Lady Sketch Show touches on such culturally relevant themes as social norms, anxiety, religion, sex, dating and relationships. Each episode consists of five to six sketches, showcasing the comedic talents of Robin, Quinta, Ashley and Gabrielle portraying an array of dynamic and varied characters, as well as hyper versions of themselves in interstitials featuring four friends stuck in a house during an end-of-the-world event.

Unprecedented in sketch comedy TV history, the show is created by, written by, directed by and starring an array of black women.

Stream the last two episodes same time as the U.S. on Saturdays at 11:00 a.m. and catch up on all past episodes from Season 1 exclusively on HBO GO.

Entertainment

Nickie Wang, Issue Editor nickie.standard@gmail.com

C4

SATURDAY, AUGUST 31, 2019

By Clay Moreno

ARIAS ALWIN IGNACIO

Brief encounter

Actor and Hanford ambasssdor Mikael Daez

KAPUSO actor and underwear brand ambassador Mikael Daez is definitely on a roll.

Many were surprised to see him with a full moustache with his cheeks, jaw line and chine adorned with lots of facial hair. His experimentation bears good fruit, the hair made him look better and definitely sexier. It also to Mikael’s advantage that when you converse with him, you know that something is between his ears.

Daez reacts, “Oh my, thank you for liking it. All of these, the long hair which I still have to grow, the facial hair, salamat naman at buo na ang bigote ko. It’s in preparation for my character in Love of My Life.”

The new drama Mikael is talking about also stars Rhian Ramos, Carla Abellana, and Coney Reyes.

“You know, I have been cleanly shaven forever. Even in my eight years as being a Kapuso, in all my roles. Finally, I will be doing something different, I am offering a side of me, through my character, that they have not watched before,” he continues.

His significant other, Megan Young’s reaction to his new look? Mikael confesses, “At first she hated it, hassle when I kiss her on the cheeks or on her lips. Now, she finds it sexy so I am super happy with it.”

Designing an underwear line for Hanford wherein he is the image model and brand ambassador for half a decade makes him ecstatic.

“I’m amazed that I have my own line and very proud of it. Last year, we really started developing it,” he says.

His underwear collection is comprised of seven items: boxer briefs, boxer shorts, and compression attire. Daez, gamely regales the author with his underwear history.

“My waistline is 32 inches, so for my underwear, my size is supposed to be medium.

But, since I have a big behind, for Hanford, my size is large,” shares the brand ambassador.

COUCH POTATO IVY ROSSINI

G

MA Network has introduced a new set of powerhouse performers who now form the latest girl group that is set to spice up the already vibrant local music scene.

Composed of Riel, Dani, Lyra, and Mel, collectively known as XOXO, they were selected after a series of workshops. They also happen to be part of the program by the network, The Clash, which has already become a source of fresh and up-and-coming music talents.

Young, dynamic and raring to show what they’ve got, the group can take you way up high with their chandelier breaking vocals but can get you dancing as well with the latest R&B hits. These promising artists combine talent and edgy personalities, with such irresistible harmony to its audience.

“We have different musical styles and influences, and that what makes us unique. And despite our differences in terms of preference and background, when we perform, when we sing, we give our music a different flavor. We complement each other’s style,” a member of the group told the press during their media launch.

Riel, who hails from Cagayan de Oro, has come a long way after the competition. She will showcase her superb vocals and strong yet lovable personality as XOXO’s “The Diva.”

A proud Cebuana, Dani is “Fierce and Sexy.” Her sultry looks and grooves will surely take your breath away.

Meanwhile, Lyra will make her presence known as the “Tough Girl.”

This Davaoeña is set to bring her

XOXO The new girl

group in town

Miss Universe Philippines 2019 Gazini Ganados

PAGEANT CONCEPT ETON CONCEPCION

Gazini Ganados’ homecoming takes Cebu by storm graceful attitude to the group with every sizzling performance.

Mel will be the soul of the group as the “Sweet Girl.” She will make her hometown Bulacan proud as she will pour her heart and soul out in each performance.

XOXO is set to release its own single soon under GMA Music. Make sure to catch their grand launch this tonight at 10:00 on GMA’s Studio 7.

Follow them on Instagram and Twitter (@xoxo_gma) and Facebook (www. facebook.com/XOXOGMA.) #XOXO

NEW GIRLS ON THE MUSIC BLOCK. Riel, Dani, Lyra, and Mel, collectively known as XOXO, a girl group GMA is officially launching today.

MISS Universe Philippines 2019 Gazini Ganados made a triumphant homecoming in Cebu after winning the crown in June.

Ganados, who hails from Talisay, Cebu, was met with a boisterous, supportive Cebuanos during the motorcade around downtown Cebu City, on Aug. 24, where she wore the pink phoenix gown by Cary Santiago that won for her the best in long gown award, and in the meet-and-greet held at SM Seaside City Cebu, wearing a red dress, where she was almost mobbed by her proud fans.

“Leap of faith and belief in yourself.

I took a leap of faith and trusted them. I believed in them, my fellow Cebuanos. All of you are my strength in this battle,” said Ganados when asked by meet-and-greet host Maria Gigante on where she got her strength to succeed.

“I now have bigger shoes to fill as Miss Universe Philippines. I would still continue on my cause of ‘activation and elderly care’ and I urge everyone to have the heart and compassion to serve the elderlies, to touch their lives, make them smile and happy,” Ganados said on her personal platform and advocacy.

The 23-year-old Tourism graduate has been seen as not so outspoken among the new batch of Bb. Pilipinas winners. This she attributed to her being an introvert and shy by nature.

“My biggest competitor is myself. I may be hard on the outside, but soft on the inside. I’m not perfect, I have my flaws, and I just have to embrace them, to stay true to myself,” Ganados said in fielding reporters’ queries.

“I can’t wait to meet the candidates of Miss Universe. I have started online communications with Miss Mexico and I hope to do with the others,” Ganados said adding that she would be happy to have the pageant held in the country in front of her fellow Cebuanos.

Ganados, who also graced the Pasigarbo sa Sugbo Festival at Cebu City Sports Complex held on Sunday, thanked her fans in her post taking pride in bringing home to Cebu the Miss Universe Philippines crown after 52 years, referring to fellow Cebuana, actress Pilar Pilapil who won the title in 1967. Continued on C3

‘The Emperor Owner of the Mask’ on Netflix

I WAS curious about the Korean series that ended last Thursday on GMA. The network titled it The Emperor Ruler of the Mask (a literal translation in English of the Korean title Gunju – Gamyeonui juin) starring Yoo Seung-ho, Kim So-hyun, Kim Myung-soo, Yoon So-hee, Heo Joon-ho, and Park Chulmin.

This was aired in Korea in 2017 but Netflix has acquired it and is now available for streaming.

I didn’t bother to watch the Tagalog-dubbed version on GMA for two reasons: one, it’s not telecast on HD. When it’s not, the images are distorted. If you have a flat screen monitor bigger than 32 inches, you will see the faces of the actor in a different perspective (the broadcast term for it is “stretched” which they look chubbier than when it’s in the normal aspect ratio); and

second, I can’t relate to the translation from Korean to Tagalog.

I’d rather watch it in its original language (soundtrack) with English subtitles (which are fairly okay and understandable).

What a discovery, I should say, this Korean series. While it is a costume drama, the intense dramaturgy wants you to binge watch so you can reach the end.

In the GMA telecast, the series has ended and if you like to watch it again, you can’t because I think the network’s contract with the Korean companies that own the series is good only for one viewing. But it’s still on Netflix and you can watch it from Episode 1 till the end and you can watch the episodes again if you miss out on details to fully understand the plot development, character development, and the subtexts of each episode. Continued on C3

A scene from 'The Emperor: Owner of the Mask' with lead stars Yoo Seungho and Kim So-Hyun.