Manila Standard - 2019 September 30 - Monday

twitter.com/ MlaStandard

S

facebook.com/ ManilaStandardPH

Missed your copy of Manila Standard? Call or text our Circulation Hotline at 0917-8848655 or email: circulation@manilastandard.net

manilastandard.net

US ASSERTS RIGHT TO FLY, SAIL AMID SCS TENSIONS

By Rey E. Requejo ABOARD USS Ronald Reagan, South China Sea—The United States will not waver in its resolve to exercise freedom of navigation and overfly whenever there are “excessive” claims made on the South China Sea, a top American military official said Sunday.

Rear Admiral Karl O. Thomas, the Commander of Task Force 70 and Battle Force 7th Fleet that includes the USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76), said they conduct freedom of navigation operations here because they want to ensure maritime security and stability in the world’s most vital trade sea lanes, where $5.3 trillion worth of ship-borne goods travel every year.

“We conduct freedom of navigation operations wherever there are claims we feel as excessive,” Thomas told reporters who were invited by the US Embassy in Manila to experience the so-called “arrested landing and catapult assisted launch” of its C2A Greyhound on board America’s flagship aircraft carrier on Friday.

Next page

FORCEFUL PRESENCE. USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76), with its deck full of fighter planes, sails across the West Philippine Sea in this file photo provided by the nuclear-powered ship’s Public Affairs Office. Rear Admiral Karl O. Thomas, the Commander of Battle Force 7th Fleet that includes the Reagan, said the US Navy was ‘a stabilizing and securing presence in this part of the world.’

VOL. XXXIII • NO. 228 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P18 MONDAY SEPTEMBER 30, 2019 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

PH to UN: Don’t interfere DFA voices out Duterte stand on drug war

Senate resumes Senators’ bully tactics denounced drug probe

By Macon Ramos-Araneta, Rey E. Requejo

By Macon Ramos-Araneta and Rio N. Araja

THE Senate is ready for a showdown between former police official Benjamin Magalong and the “ninja cops” whom he has accused of recycling drugs seized in anti-narcotics raids, Senator Richard Gordon said Sunday.

Senator Christopher Go, a close aide to the President, said the Chief Next page

and MJ Blancaflor

SENATE President Vicente Sotto III on Sunday said the time when the United States could pull strings attached to financial aid is long gone.

“Mentoring us in the ways of democracy and due process smacks of racism and superiority complex,” Sotto said, reacting to US senators who banned from entry Philippine officials involved in the continued detention of Senator Leila de Lima, who they be-

lieve is being wrongfully held for political reasons.

“We are no longer the Commonwealth of the Philippines,” Sotto said.

The Commodore Deweys of today can no longer bully and deceive the Filipino, he said. “We have learned our lesson.”

He said the ban proposed by Senators Patrick Leahy and Dick Durbin can be seen as a bill of attainder, which is prohibited by the US and Philippine constitutions.

“Maybe the legal staff of the two

Next page

By Rey E. Requejo

T Locsin

Addressing the 74th session of the UN General Assembly on Sept. 28, Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. said the UN is not “free to interfere” whenever a state takes a hardline approach toward stamping out crime.

“Civil society is free to complain. Better yet, they should run for public office

HE Philippines on Saturday said the United Nations should not interfere when a country chooses to take strong arm tactics against criminality.

to gain legitimacy to be able to do something about it. But the UN is not free to interfere with the state in its defining function of protecting its citizens and stamping out threats,” Locsin said.

Exhorting other leaders and diplomats from various member-states, the Next page

UP seeks ‘gag order’ on hazing THE chancellor of the University of the Philippines-Diliman has called on the public to “stop posting and forwarding social media messages” about the hazing incident inside the Diliman campus, coming on the heels of a hazing death in the Philippine Military Academy that forced the resignation of two generals.

In a statement, Chancellor Michael Tan said a member of the UP Sigma Rho

Fraternity died, but declined to divulge the victim’s identity and specify the cause of death.

“I appeal to all students, faculty and staff, as well as other concerned parties in and out of UP Diliman, to stop posting and forwarding social media messages related to the death of one of the Sigma Rho Fraternity members implicated in Next page

Cities cancel classes, preempt strike

By MJ Blancaflor RIOT QUELLED. Prisoners at the Manila City Jail sit at the infirmary area to seek treatment for their injuries after a riot broke out Sunday morning between members of the Sigue-Sigue Sputnik and Batang City Jail gangs at the penitentiary. Guards were watchful (inset) and overall security was high as the riot left two inmates dead and 34 injured (Story on A3). Norman Cruz

Oil firms shift gears, cut pump prices WEATHER

By Alena Mae S. Flores MORE oil distributors will cut pump prices by as much as P1.55 per liter starting today, Monday, to reflect the movement of world oil prices.

Petro Gazz said it will implement a price rollback effective 6am on Oct. 1 of P1.55 per liter of gasoline

and P0.50 per liter of diesel.

Seaoil Philippines said it will cut its gasoline prices by P1.45 per liter and diesel by P0.60 per liter effective from 6a.m. today, Monday.

Phoenix Petroleum Philippines was the first to implement the price cut of P1.55 per liter and gasoline by Next page

‘Onyok’ gains strength

SEVERE Tropical Storm “Onyok” continued to intensify while moving northwestward over the Philippine Sea, the state weather bureau said.

As of 5 p.m. Sunday, the center of “Onyok” Next page

MOST cities in Metro Manila and towns in Luzon and Visayas suspended classes for Monday in anticipation of a nationwide transport strike led by the Alliance of Concerned Transport Organization .

Eight cities―Caloocan, Las Piñas, Marikina, Muntinlupa, Parañaque, Pasay, Pasig, and Valenzuela City―suspended classes in all levels, for both public and private schools, as ACTO president Efren de Luna said there was no Next page

MJ adds ‘flavor’ to chef’s menu ROME—A well-known Sicilian chef who was arrested with drugs at his home, justified their presence by saying he was looking for “new flavors” for contemporary cuisine, Italian media reported Saturday.

Turn to A3

A2

News

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2019 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

‘Budget’s small committee valid’

By Rio Araja and Macon Araneta

PH...

From A1

Philippines’ top diplomat appealed to

world leaders not to allow the UN body to be used as an instrument against their resolve to eliminate crimes in their respective countries.

“The nations here in United Nations should not let this platform be used to threaten others with accountability for taking a tough approach to crime,” Locsin said.

“The UN is a collection of sovereign states, not a sovereign collective itself. It is only as effective as its members make it. It harnesses sovereignties, not for some against others, but to common purposes of peace and productive cooperation,” he said.

The Philippines, being a founding member of the organization since it was established in 1946, has always been committed to the goals of the UN, with the belief that “the UN’s work must reflect the realities of the times,” Locsin said.

“Only then can the UN stay relevant and become effective. The aspiration of the vast majority of my people today—call them shortsighted or just plain wrong—is to be free of drugs and safe from crime. Is that so hard to understand? It seems impossible for some to accept. But the cartel can be persuasive in kind if not in reason,” he said.

“The United Nations is the core of the multilateral global order. As long as the UN exists, none can trumpet the end of multilateralism. But it must be a United Nations strengthened and capacitated in its every member, so that all collectively may achieve its aim of peace and safety,” he said.

The Foreign Affairs secretary made the call in defense of President Rodrigo Duterte’s bloody war on illegal drugs.

Reports indicate that more than 6,000 people have been killed in the Philippine National Police anti-drug campaign, but human rights groups said the numbers go much higher if vigilante-style killings are included.

Locsin earlier disparaged the impact of the UN Human Rights Council resolution authored by Iceland seeking to review the country’s war against illegal drugs for possible human rights violations.

The administration has said it will not cooperate with such an investigation and would not allow UN observers into the country for that purpose.

and constitutional, it is also practical and judicious to safeguard the national programs by regulating parochial concerns,” Gonzales pointed out. “ Imagine if you allow 300 lawmakers to introduce budget amendments in the plenary, do you think we can still approve the national budget?” he asked.

Gonzales was seconded by Salceda, House committee on appropriations vice chairman, who said “delegating to a small committee some of the duties that the plenary could otherwise perform is a practice that has been done in the past years, as far back as the 8th Congress, when the House deliberates on the General Appropriations Bill.”

“If we are to refresh the public’s memory, this is not the first time that the creation of the small committee was resorted to.

This is for facility and for practical purposes. Not all 300 members of the House of Representatives can sit down together and finalize all the amendments to the bill,” Salceda said.

“What is of paramount importance is

that the plenary authorized the small committee to receive and resolve amendments and that the small committee acts within the purview of the authority conferred upon it by the plenary. We appeal to the Senate to observe inter-parliamentary courtesy and allow us to do our work first.

Their turn to scrutinize the budget bill will come when we formally transmit to them the printed copy of the 2020 GAB on Oct. 1,” he added.

Angara for his part emphasized the need to pass the proposed P4.1-trillion national budget by Dec. 31 or earlier and that is the “biggest goal this year.”

“We were on a reenacted budget for six months. We have no new construction projects. We have seen how the economy suffered and its growth hampered,” said Angara in an interview over dzBB “It is important that by December 31, 2019, the 2020 budget should have been passed. So that when we enter January 1, we already have a new budget and government projects should already be ongoing,” he said.

is relevant to me is the potential backlash that these senators may suffer in their own From A1 country and abroad,” he said.

Earlier, Senator Christopher Go said he senators should study their Constitution,” would ask the President to ban Durbin and he said.

Leahy from entering the country.

A bill of attainder is defined as a The Palace on Sunday slammed Leahy legislative act that singles out an individual for ignorance of this country’s judicial or group for punishment without a trial. The rules.

Constitution of the United States, Article I, “The good US Senator is ignorant of our Section 9, paragraph 3 provides that: “No procedural rules subjecting a person charged Bill of Attainder or ex post facto law will be with the commission of a crime. Neither passed.” has he set foot in the country for the sole An opposition lawmaker, Albay Rep. purpose of personally examining the case Edcel Lagman, meanwhile, said he believed of De Lima that he may have a reasonable the move by the US senators “does not basis to buttress his proposal,” Presidential intrude on Philippine sovereignty.”

Spokesman Salvador Panelo said.

“The implementation of an immigration Panelo previously described the move as policy belongs to the host state’s exclusive a brazen attempt to intrude in the country’s sovereign jurisdiction. The basis of such internal affairs, and said it treats the exclusionary act of sovereignty is beyond Philippines as an “inferior state.” question by other governments or parties,” In respoonse, Leahy said his country Lagman said. provides a large amount of aid to the Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra on Philippines.

Sunday played down the move by Leahy “I assume President [Rodrigo] Duterte’s and Durbin, saying the two may suffer a spokesman who defended the wrongful backlash for interfering in the Philippines’ imprisonment of Senator De Lima does not internal affairs. consider our aid to be ‘interfering’ in their “I do not believe that the views and sovereignty,” Leahy said. opinion of a handful of US senators… reflect “Our aid is not a blank check, and when the sentiment of Philippine officials abuse the justice system the entire US Congress, majority of for the purpose of political retribution, whom exert great efforts to acquire full and we have a responsibility to respond,” the unbiased information before opening their American senator added. mouths, who practice what they preach Panelo, responding to Leahy, said aids about due process and the rule of law, and or grants are not a form of sovereign most especially respect the independence interference and given by a state for “comity of a co-equal sovereign nation,”Guevarra and friendship.” said in a text message.

“Grants or aids with attached conditions “These minority senators do not have to are anathema to the very purpose of such bother about what the Philippine government generosity and we reject them, for they may do in reaction to their public statements; clothe the donor the authority as well as the instead they have to deal with the reaction of gumption to meddle in our internal affairs their own constituencies and the judgment of thereby trampling our sovereign rights,” a whole thinking community of democratic Panelo said. nations,” he added.

“We remind Senator Leahy that the He said he did not subscribe to a proposal Republic of the Philippines is not a from some senators to institute a similar ban vassal nor a colony of America. It is an on Leahy and Durbin. independent state that is fiercely protective “It’s not important to me whether they can of its sovereignty and subservient to no other step foot in Philippine territory or not. What country,” he added.

US asserts... is America’s flagship carrier with 5,000 sailors, including 200 Filipino crew.

“We will exercise our right to fly and sail operations anywhere and so we do it here because, obviously there’s a lot of disputed territorial claims—water space, air space— in this part of the world and that is part of our job. And one thing that we do on a fairly routine basis is to exercise that not only for the US benefits, but for the entire region’s benefits,” Thomas said.

He also exhorted other countries to send their naval forces to conduct their own freedom of navigation and overfly operations in SCS, not only to maintain security, but also to promote peace and stability in the region.

“We encourage other countries to do the same thing so that we are all operating under international law,” Thomas said.

Without saying so, Thomas implied that the presence of US naval forces in the South China sea would act as a constraint on Beijing’s aggressive behavior, calling the 7th Fleet “a stabilizing and securing presence in this part of the world.”

China, meanwhile, said the maritime dispute between the Philippines and China in the South China Sea does not define the bilateral relations between the two states “It is our belief that South China Sea issue is not the sum total of China-Philippine relations, nor disputes, the sum total of South China Sea issues,” Chinese envoy to the Philippines Zhao Jianhua said Thursday during the embassy’s reception for China’s 70th founding year.

President Rodrigo Duterte met with Chinese leader Xi Jinping in August during a five-day visit to China to assert the country’s arbitral victory in 2016 that spelled out the Philippines’ marine entitlements and junked Beijing’s claims in the South China Sea. But Xi said China will not recognize the ruling of The Hague-based Permanent Court

of Arbitration.

President Duterte said he was not satisfied with Xi’s response but opted not to press the matter since the Chinese leader was then under stress due to the political unrest in Hong Kong.

Communications Secretary Martin Andanar said the relationship between the two countries is “better than ever” and that the government is “experiencing good economic trading strides” with China.

“We are also experiencing growth in tourism from China. We are exporting more of our agricultural products to China. We are seeing many businesses and investors come from China,” Andanar said during the celebration.

“Our government, and the government of the People’s Republic of China are working together,” he added.

Duterte has been criticized for his “economic pivot” to China as the government entered into several loans and agreements with Beijing under his term.

But Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Eduardo Malaya said the two countries have developed “close relations and mutual trust” in recent years.

“As with any journey, we might on occasion encounter challenges, but the road before us is broad. And as we continue moving forward in good faith, mutual respect, and cooperation between two friends, no obstacle should be insurmountable,” Malaya said.

Malaya, who spoke on behalf of Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr., who is in New York City for the 74th United Nations General Assembly.

In his speech before UN leaders, Locsin said member-states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations asked “mutual restraint” and “complete respect” for United Nations Conventions on Law of the Seas.

“We’ve all asked of each other—ASEAN members and China—for mutual restraint and complete respect for UNCLOS, to which we are signatories binding ourselves unqualifiedly thereto. Including China,” he said. With MJ Blancaflor

Senate...

Executive will make public the names of the ninja cops upon his return from a visit to Russia.

“I have talked to the President. And he plans to read [the list] and make it public when he returns from his Russia trip. He is just validating and he is digging deeper into their involvement,” Go said.

He said the President is consolidating the list with reports from different government agencies, including the Philippine Drug Enforcement Administration and the intelligence community.

“He has been asking for all of them to be cross validated,” he said.

Gordon, chairman of the Senate Blue Ribbon and Justice committees, said they intend to summon the police officers named

by Magalong, now Baguio City mayor, when the Senate probe into the Bureau of Corrections resumes Tuesday.

Gordon said they will immediately summon all those implicated in this illicit drug activity—“the foolish police officers who believe they are beyond the law,” so they will have jurisdiction over them.

He also underscored the importance of having a face-to-face confrontation between Magalong and the so-called ninja cops.

Gordon said President Rodrigo Duterte can announce the list first if he wants to because the police officers are directly under him.

Expressing his belief in the credibility of the Baguio City mayor, Gordon said

Magalong has nothing to gain in his expose since he was already retired from the service.

He added that they now have direct evidence against top ranking police officers and said he would reveal their names.

Before Magalong testified, PDEA chief Aaron Aquino had similar testimony about the recycling of illegal drugs, Gordon said.

The Senate earlier authorized the Blue Ribbon and justice committees to make public the information divulged by Magalong, during an executive session last week on policemen allegedly involved in drug recycling.

Metro Manila police chief Major General Guillermo Eleazar on Tuesday linked 16 ninja cops to a drug syndicate allegedly operating in the metropolis.

He said nine of the 16 were already dead, one was in jail, and the others were retired,

dismissed or absent without leave.

In an interview on Dobol B sa NewsTV, PNP spokesman Brig. Gen Bernard Banace said they were monitoring 22 so-called ninja cops, whose numbers were down from 87 in the last three years.

Meanwhile, Aquino said the arrest of a PDEA agent for illegal possession of shabu is proof that “crooked enforcers exist, even in PDEA.” In a statement, he denounced crooked agents and vowed to “pursue them to the full extent of the law.”

“PDEA will continue to support and cooperate with the Philippine National Police in our campaign against illegal drugs and PDEA also vowed to be stricter in the implementation of its internal cleansing to rid the agency of erring employees,” he said.

last week’s online exposé of the fraternity’s hazing,” he said.

“Let us do this out of sense of decency and respect for the privacy of the family,” he added. “Sensationalism is itself a form of violent assault and is not the solution to the fraternity culture of violence,” he said.

Supposed conversations among fraternity members leaked online a week ago.

The screenshots showed a group of persons preparing for what seemed to be a hazing ritual, along with some photos.

Tan said the school management was now investigating the incident.

At the PMA, another suspect in the hazing death of Cadet 4th class Darwin Dormitorio has surfaced, according to Baguio City chief of police Allen Rae Co, who added that police were preparing charges against the newly identified suspect for violation of the Anti-Hazing Law, and murder.

The seventh suspect was not involved in the hazing of Dormitorio on Sept. 17, but in previous incidents, police said.

Dormitorio was confined at the PMA Station Hospital from Aug. 20 to 27 after complaining of stomach and chest pains.

Dormitorio was laid to rest in his hometown of Cagayan de Oro City on Sept.

25.

The Anti-Hazing Law of 2018 prohibits all forms of hazing and metes out stiff penalties including life imrisonment against the perpetrator in case of the victim’s death.

Party-list Rep. Alfredo Garbin, author of the Anti-Hazing lLaw, said the stiff penalty will act as deterrent since it will be certain that the perpetrator gets prosecuted and penalized according to the offense. Rio Araja

‘Onyok’...

MJ adds...

Cities...

was estimated at 455 kilometers east of Calayan, Cagayan, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said.

Packing maximum sustained winds of 110 kms per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 135 kph, “Onyok” was moving northwest at 25 kph, PAGASA said.

The storm (international name “Mitag”) is less likely to make landfall in the country throughout the forecast period. It is forecast to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility Monday evening, the weather bureau said.

Tropical cyclone wind signal no. 1 was hoisted over Batanes and Babuyan Islands.

Onyok will bring scattered light to moderate rains over Cagayan Valley and Bicol region, PAGASA said. Although unlikely to make landfall, it might intensify into a typhoon within 24 hours.

Sea travel is risky, the bureau said, especially for small seacraft, over seaboards under the wind signal due to potentially rough sea conditions. Rio N. Araja

Officers found two two-meter-high marijuana plants and 500 grams of Indian

stopping their strike in protest of the government’s Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program.

Meanwhile, the Duterte administration said Sunday it will not be intimated or cowed by the nationwide strike as the modernization of the public transport system, led by the ubiquitous jeepney, “is long overdue.”

The City of Manila suspended classes only for college students, reasoning that

students in preschool to senior high school levels lived near their schools in the city. Quezon City did the opposite, suspending classes for preschool to senior high in celebration of World Teachers’ Day. In Luzon, Los Baños, Majayjay, Rizal, San Pablo City, and Santa Cruz in Laguna province, Tiaong in Quezon, the whole Pampanga province and Angeles City also declared class suspensions as of presstime.

On Saturday, the cities of Bacolod, Bago and Talisay in Negros Occidental and Iloilo City had declared suspensions, and Roxas City in Capiz joined them on

Sunday to round up the Visayas contingent.

The Department of Education said it was leaving it up to local governments to suspend classes as they saw fit.

In an interview with radio dzMM, De Luna said they were striking to protest the unreasonably high cost of P2 million for modern PUVs to replace their decades-old jeepneys.

“The government would refer you to Landbank, but after that, they’d leave you alone,” the ACTO chief said. “At P2.5 million each [modern PUV], what banks would lend you that money? That’s a shot at the moon,” he said.

and gasoline by P1.60 per liter. No data for LPG and kerosene. Prices can still change as there is still Friday trading, Dimagiba said.

He said the price cut would provide “a relief to all consumers” as world oil prices went up significantly last week due to the drone attacks on Saudi Arabia’s oil facilities.

“Average Dubai crude this week is $62.262 vs $63.06 last week over a period of Monday to Friday, Dimagiba said.

On Sept. 24, most of the oil companies implemented a price increase of P2.35 per liter of gasoline, P1.80 per liter of diesel and

P1.75 per liter of kerosene.

Reports that Saudi Arabia would be able to restore supply after the attack softened world oil prices last week.

The year-to-date adjustments now stand at a net increase of P7.86 per liter of gasoline, P5.82 per liter of diesel and P3.76 per liter of kerosene, according to the Energy department.

Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, chairman of the Senate Committee on Energy, earlier said he expected prices to normalize in the coming weeks when Saudi Arabian Oil Co. resumes its normal production by the end of the month.

T

WO ranking members of the House of Represenatives are pushing for the creation of a small committee, which will be tasked to accept or reject institutional and individual amendments to the 2020 P4.1-trillion national budget, stressing that it is valid, legal and constitutional.

Deputy Speaker Neptali Gonzales and Albay Rep. Jose Marte Salceda said the small committee can help speed up the process of amendments to the budget program and avoid a repeat of budget reenactment that had led to economic slowdown.

The congressmen maintained their position even as Senator Juan Edgardo Angara warned of the negative impact on the economy should the budget plan will be delayed anew.

Gonzales said there is nothing irregular in the creation of a small committee to process individual amendments despite

the passage of the national budget on third and final reading last Sept. 20.

The 1987 Constitution allows the plenary to approve the budget, sets procedures to ensure its swift passage and guarantee that the programs of the government are prioritized over the parochial concerns of 300 House members, he said.

“The plenary has the power to create and task the small committee as condition despite the budget approval to process some adjustments it deemed necessary.

The small panel helps us not to go to the rigors of individual amendments of every congressman. It is not only valid, legal

Senators’...

From A1

From A1

From A1

hemp inflorescences at chef Carmelo Chiaramonte’s home in Trecastagni, a village at the foot of Mount Etna.

They also found cannabis flavored wine, olives, coffee and tuna.

The 50-year-old chef, who has been released pending trial, told police he was an “agro-food consultant for third millennium cuisine.”

Chiaramonte also said he was “researching new flavors.”

Famous on his native island, the iconoclast chef was known for his cuisine at the Katane Palace Hotel restaurant in Catania.

He then made his name as a host on an Italian culinary TV show.

He has held shows all over Italy on “the history of produce and the tradition of Sicilian agriculture,” the regional daily La Sicilia said on Saturday.

In one of the shows called “Immoral Recipes and Aphrodisiac Foods,” the newspaper quotes him as having said: “A cook is a drug addict and an alchemist.” AFP

From A1

The USS Ronald Reagan is a Nimitzclass, nuclear-powered super carrier. It

From A1

Oil...

From A1

P0.50 per liter that took effect at 6 a.m. on Sunday.

Clean Fuel cut prices by the same levels as Phoenix but implemented it later at 4pm Sunday.

On Friday, Laban Konsyumer Inc. president Victorio Dimagiba said consumers may expect an oil price rollback next week as world oil prices had softened.

“Indicative rollback diesel by P0.75 per liter

UP...

From A1

News Panel finalizing list of ‘fugitive’ GCTA inmates

By Rey E. Requejo A DEPARTMENT of Justice oversight committee is finalizing the list of convicts prematurely released on account of Good Conduct Time Allowance Law but failed to turn themselves in to authorities before the ultimatum issued by President Rodrigo Duterte for submission to the Philippine National Police to carry out their arrest starting Oct. 1.

Justice Undersecretary Markk Perete on Sunday said the oversight panel vowed to meet the Monday deadline and submit the list of names of convicts to be subject of manhunt by the PNP. Perete said the members of their oversight committee would meet on Sunday to finish cleaning up the list of prematurely released persons deprived of liberty and submit on time to the Department of the Interior and Local Government.

“The Oversight Committee will meet today to further deliberate on the list of PDLs for rearrest to be transmitted to the DILG tomorrow [Monday],” he said in a text message.

The final list will contain the names of PDLs, who were convicted of heinous crimes and were prematurely released because of GCTA, but did not comply with President Duterte’s directive for them to surrender.

Last Sept. 26, Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said they would turnover to the DILG a cleaned up list of these PDLs by Sept. 30, as basis for the PNP and the military to start hunting them down and rearrest them.

The original date for the start of the rearrest of the PDLs was last Sept. 19 but Guevarra asked that the PNP and military operation be suspended until after the DOJ comes up with a cleaned list of PDLs who did not surrender to authorities.

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2019

A3

Finance eyes other loan providers T

By Julito G. Rada

HE Finance department is in exploratory talks with some of the Philippines’ international development partners to boost support for the projects adversely affected by the suspension brought on by the United Nations-sanctioned investigation into the Duterte administration’s campaign against illegal drugs, Secretary Carlos Dominguez III said over the weekend.

Dominguez has ordered Undersecretary Mark Dennis Joven, who heads the department’s International Finance Group, to review the affected projects and find ways these can be financed by other bilateral partners that did not support the resolution adopted by the UN Human Rights Council.

The council had sought a comprehensive written report on the Philippines’ human rights situation in relation to its tough war against illicit drugs and narco-trafficking.

Dominguez did not identify these potential donor-countries as his department’s talks with them are still in the preliminary stage.

“We are currently in exploratory talks with our other bilateral partners on how they can assist the Philippine government in funding the grants that were previously under negotiation but were suspended on orders of the President,” Dominguez said in a statement.

Argentina, Australia, Austria, the Bahamas, Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech

Republic, Denmark, Fiji, Iceland, Italy, Mexico, Peru, Slovakia, Spain, Ukraine, the United Kingdom and Uruguay all voted to adopt the resolution of the 47-member United Nations Human Rights Council. Fourteen others voted in the negative while 14 abstained.

France, Germany and Sweden were among the UNHRC non-members that backed the resolution.

Dominguez made it clear that the Palace order, signed by Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, only directed the concerned agencies to “suspend negotiations for and signing of all loan and grant agreements with the governments of the countries that co-sponsored and/ or voted in favor of the aforesaid resolution, pending the assessment of our relations with these countries.”

The suspension, according to Dominguez, does not mean a permanent cancellation of the talks, but only a deferment pending the assessment of the Philippines’ relations with these countries.

He said the assessment would be done by Foreign Affairs, which is the Cabinet department tasked to promote and protect the Philippines’ interests before the international community.

He said the suspension only covered those loans under negotiation, and would not affect the loans and grants already being implemented.

Dominguez said the proposed financing with the affected countries, except for a small project loan for the Metro Manila Bus Rapid Transit worth 21 million euros, covered technical assistance grants, “and hence will not significantly affect the infrastructure program of the government.

“In any case, multilateral development financial institutions and other bilateral partners have signified their willingness to finance the said 21 million euro project loan.”

Moreover, Dominguez said, the loan terms offered by the affected countries, if there were any, were no better than the rates offered by the MDFIs and the other bilateral partners.

29 Manila City Jail inmates hurt in riot

ADVANCED CELEBRATION. Malabon Zoo and Aquarium celebrated in advance World Animal Day on Oct. 4 with priest Jeyaseelan blessing Malabon Zoo founder Manny Tangco, lion cub Sara and around 500 pet lovers with their 200 dogs and birds. Andrew Rabulan

TWENTY-NINE inmates of the Manila City Jail were hurt in a riot that broke out between the members of two groups on Sunday morning.

Super Radyo dzBB’s Mao dela Cruz, quoting a jail official, said nine of those hurt were taken to a hospital.

Members of the Batang City Jail and the Sputnik Gang were involved in the riot, he said.

Initial investigation showed that the riot broke out at 6:28 a.m. but was quickly stopped with help from the police.

Jail officials said jail visits were suspended for the day while an investigation into the incident was being conducted.

A4

Opinion

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2019

EDITORIAL

The makings of war

THE Chinese ambassador to Manila, Zhia Jin Wa, claims China is not creating trouble in the South China Sea. Yet, China is stirring the pot for all the makings of a brew for. It is militarizing the area by making military bases out of the small islands and rock formations.

Will China learn from history?

China better be careful because while it is a rising world power, it is courting military action from the United States.

All the conditions for a war to happen are there. US President Trump with all his looming impeachment troubles could use a strike against China to distract developments in Congress.

China, too, might have pushed the limits of global patience because of its bullying tactics in the South China Sea. It must remember that the US considers itself as a Pacific power which was why General George Dewey sailed into Manila Bay to confront Spain—then already on the run from Filipino revolutionaries.

Adelle Chua, Editor

Is China capable of a confrontation with the US? I don't think so. Given all the fire power and nuclear capability of America, China could be blown to smithereens. The US is not one to hesitate in using its nuclear or atomic bomb as shown when it dropped them in Hiroshima and Nagasaki to end World War II, giving Japan no room but to surrender.

China may have like-minded countries like North Korea and Russia. But North Korea is only a puppet and proxy pitbull of China while Russia, with its own territorial dispute and differences with China, may not be too keen to join a war that would distract it from restoring itself into the former Soviet empire.

Besides, China, with its internal problems in the millions of Hong Kong protesters, plus restiveness in other parts of its own provinces, might be too much to handle at this time.

The US would or could intervene because China is threatening to impede the flow of cargo ships in the South China Sea. This would be a disaster for global trade due to cargo being carried such as oil, manufacturing supplies and finished products from Asia to Europe.

So much for the Chinese agenda for hemogeny in the region. The US will not allow or it will lose the confidence of US treaty allies like Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and the Philippines. These treaties plus other mutual defense pacts have been affirmed by US presidents who

A

A little knowledge

HANDFUL of American senators has caused quite the kerfuffle by banning from entry to the United States any Philippine official involved in the continuing detention of Senator Leila de Lima, who is facing drug charges before a Muntinlupa court.

US Senators Patrick Leahy and Dick Durbin, believing that De Lima is being wrongly prosecuted for her politics, have introduced an amendment to the State Department budget bill to impose the ban.

The Palace and a number of senators immediately took umbrage at the move, calling it a bald-faced attempt to interfere in domestic legal affairs and an insult to Filipinos.

"It treats our country as an inferior state unqualified to run its own affairs,” a Palace statement said. “All sensible Filipinos, regardless of their political or social association, should feel affronted and disrespected by this insulting and offensive act.”

Senator Panfilo Lacson said the ban makes no sense and questioned its application.

Does it mean, he wanted to know, that all the witnesses who testified against De Lima, all the state pros-

ecutors who found probable cause, the regional trial court judges who issued warrants for her arrest, and even the Supreme Court justices who voted with finality to affirm the senator's detention would be banned from entering the United States?

A similar proviso on legislation here would never be passed, Lacson added.

But opinion within the Senate was split down political lines, with De Lima's Liberal Party colleagues praising the US senators, and those allied with the administration condemning their interference.

Some called for retaliatory measures against the US senators; others denounced Leahy's move to link American assistance to the Philippines to the resolution of the De Lima case.

This division along political lines is telling.

Beyond the opposition Liberal Party and its allied rights groups, there has been no groundswell of support from the public to free De Lima, for the simple reason that few see her as the courageous champion of democracy and human rights that she portrays herself to be—and who the US senators believe her to be.

But these same US senators were not here when De Lima, as Justice secretary, defied the Supreme Court and disregarded its orders, so that she could throw into detention her former boss, former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, on charges the state failed to prove in the four years she was detained.

These same self-righteous US senators were silent when the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention recognized that the charges against Mrs. Arroyo—initiated by De Lima--were politically motivated and that her detention for four years was arbitrary and illegal under international law.

The US senators, who refuse to accept the legitimacy of our court system, do so without knowing all the facts and with only a little knowledge—and that, as we know, is a dangerous thing.

Turn to A5

Arenas on Manila Bay WHILE congressmen and Senator Panfilo Lacson were trading barbs about supposedly mind-boggling sums of pork barrel allocations, and while the Philippine hog industry is experiencing a crisis due to the infestation of the dreaded African Swine Fever (hogs, swine, pigs and pork barrel, ad nauseam), a representative from the third district of Pangasinan quietly refiled a bill to save Manila Bay from a gaggle of reclamation projects.

Rose Marie Baby J. Arenas is on the warpath against the Philippine Reclamation Authority and LGU officials of Manila, Pasay, Parañaque, Las Piñas and Bacoor for having entered into agreements to reclaim a total of 1,440 hectares along Manila Bay. She further states in the explanatory note of HB 3169 that the PRA, formerly called the Public Estates Authority has a “National Reclamation Plan” which aims to reclaim a total of 38,000 hectares all over the country. Of this nationwide total, the PRA plan calls for the reclamation of some 26,234 hectares of water along the coast of Manila Bay! That’s one-third of Metro Manila’s current size of 63,843 hectares. Put simply, PRA wants to increase the size of the present national capital region by landfilling on such a huge area of the bay.

This may be their funny way of decongesting the capital at the expense of what Congressman Arenas wants declared as a national heritage site, and rightly so.

The Supreme Court in its 2008 writ of kalikasan required the national government and local government units to “clean up, rehabilitate, and preserve Manila Bay, and restore its waters to make them fit for swimming and other forms of contact recreation.”

What reclamation will do is to obliterate the bay as its way of cleaning up the detritus of two generations of neglect. You want a clean Manila Bay? Fill it up with soil and gravel, and

upon the reclaimed land, build more buildings, albeit “green” as far as their sales brochures would claim.

Cleaning and rehabilitating is such a gargantuan task, they might as well create land in the water, and profit immensely as they sell land to developers who would then build condominiums for the uber-wealthy.

With land values in the metropolis having zoomed up to half a million peso levels per square meter, it is cheaper to reclaim the water and create islands for the rich, particularly foreigners, mostly the insanely rich Asians who want havens for their mega-dollars.

I hope saving it will become a legislative priority.

From a business standpoint, the developers will rake in so much profit, but at the expense of generations of Filipinos who will be deprived of the bay, its fabled sunset, and destroy an entire ecosystem.

Despite pronouncements of President Duterte and despite the intent of the Supreme Court in rehabilitating Manila Bay, developers and their cohorts in city governments as well as national government agencies persist in their grandiose reclamation schemes.

Thus, Congress needs to pass a law that would specifically ban in no uncertain terms, and make it a criminal violation, to allow further reclamation in Manila Bay, Arenas states in the prefatory note to HB 3169.

Apart from the protection of our marine ecosystem which affects food security, the dangers of liquefaction in the reclaimed areas given that the country is on the earthquake belt, my beef against reclamation is that it would actually congest the original inner cities of the capital region further with migration from the countryside.

In a previous article on this paper, I asked what happens to the thousands of workers who would be “imported” from all over the country, to comprise Turn to A5

Is he up for the job?

IS FORMER Senator Gringo Honasan really up for his newfound responsibilities as Information and Communication Technology secretary?

Despite the existence of a law regulating the logistics industry, Honasan is still seeking Congress assistance to help his agency crack down on illegal logistic service providers, particularly couriers preying on the public and depriving the government of income taxes. He is urging Congress to craft legislation purposely to regulate freight and courier services in the country.

In an interview at the sidelines of Congress, Honasan stressed it would be better if there is a law regulating or institutionalizing freight activities so that customers would be protected by law.

Since logistic service providers transport not only goods but also people, Honasan said he prefers a regulatory intervention through legislation first. Only then, he said would he go

after the illegitimate couriers through an effective executive action which he vows to implement.

The secretary need not wait for a new measure regulating couriers.

The attention of the DICT was called to address the proliferation of illegal and unlicensed foreign couriers that are affecting the income of the legitimate freight companies.

It was Buhay Party-list Rep. Lito Atienza who disclosed that the growing problem on the industry that is

putting the Filipino consumers and their cargoes at risk. And then, there are the unpaid taxes.

Honasan clarified that the agency’s concern is the fast and reliable connectivity or internet in the country which was being utilized by these freight and courier companies.

However, the logistics industry is already regulated under the present laws. Under the law, the accreditation and regulation functions for domestic and international sea freight forwarding falls under the jurisdiction of the Department of Industry, the domestic and international air freight forwarders under the domain of the Civil Aeronautics Board, while the courier services falls under Honasan’s agency—the DICT specifically its Postal Regulations Division.

It was actually the lack of action on the erring couriers during the watch of Honasan’s predecessor which prompted Atienza to vow to file a resolution Turn to A5

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

MEMBER

PPI

Philippine Press Institute The National Association of Philippine Newspapers

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

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

Ramonchito L. Tomeldan Chin Wong/Ray S. Eñano Joyce Pangco Pañares Adelle Chua

Managing Editor Associate Editors News Editor Opinion Editor

Emil P. Jurado

Honor Blanco Cabie Night Editor Jimbo Gulle City Editor Roberto Cabrera Chief Photographer

Chairman Emeritus, Editorial Board

Opinion Questions on the SOGIE bill THE FIFTH GOSPEL JUDE ACIDRE (Continued from Monday)

THIS is what is primarily problematic about the SOGIE bill—the underlying gender ideology that ambiguously defines gender identity as the personal sense of one’s own gender, which can either correlate or differ from the assigned sex at birth regardless of the socially accepted categories of gender identity. The question is, if gender identity is principally a subjective criterion, how can we apply it objectively? In fact, it is not that no one other than the person claiming a particular orientation can tell whether such a claim is authentic? If one freely chooses his or her sexual orientation, and given that the classification is basically fluid (transgender vs. lesbian, bisexual vs. homo/hetero, etc), who defines sexual orientation and gender identity?

It appears that the SOGIE bills ignore the ambiguity that persists in the social sciences as to the definition and origin of sexual orientation and gender identity. Enshrining heavily contested and politicized categories in the law poses problematic consequences for those whose moral and/or religious convictions conflict with rapidly evolving conceptions of sexuality.

What if the categorization is in conflict of another’s religious beliefs? For example, a business establishment that would refuse to cater to same-sex partners, because it is in conflict of their religious beliefs?

Would they be legally liable? How will their religious liberty be protected? Isn’t it possible that SOGIE will stigmatize moral convictions of people who do not agree with SOGIE rights? In fact the SOGIE Equality Bill could force the Church and faith-based organizations to provide services that conflict with their moral teachings and principles. These laws could also expose private business owners with religious convictions to lawsuits and criminal penalties.

For example, regarding racial discrimination, the color of a person’s skin has no relation to his or her moral action, while sexual orientation

The makings...

From A4

have gone on official visits to these countries.

Great Britain, despiteits own domestic woes in its plan to exit from the European Union, will not allow a violent crackdown in Hong Kong, its former crown colony. Britain is a traditional military ally of America since the US took the British side in World War II against Nazi Germany.

World War II started in 1939 when Nazi Germany invaded Poland.

Heady with its unopposed invasion of Poland, Germany decided to train its guns and bombers on Britain.

But enough is enough as the Germans learned when the US stepped in to help defend Britain.

US and Britain assembled an allied force to land on the beaches of Normandy and also liberate Nazi occu-

Is he...

From A4

calling for an in-depth investigation on this syndicate because of its effect to the legitimate courier and forwarding companies that are paying the right taxes to the government.

Atienza vowed to file a resolution seeking congressional probe on the industry which is now reported to be worth some P36 billion.

Atienza called on government agencies to look into these companies that are reportedly operating without proper license. Among the largest of such companies is Ninja Express which is reportedly holly owned by Ninja Logistics PTE, LTD—a Singaporean corporation. Another company, J&T, is a forwarder licensed by the DTI and

and gender identity do. Unlike race, sexual orientation and gender identity are known through conduct and personal lifestyle choices, which can and should be ethically evaluated. It appears that by penalizing offenders, the SOGIE bill would discriminate against those who do not agree with a regime of laws premised on a sexually permissive understanding of human nature that denies sexual complementarity. Would it not that the SOGIE bill create a new form of discrimination by socially isolating certain beliefs?

Would not the SOGIE bill elevate LGBTQ persons to a protected class status? Consequently, dissent on sexual orientation or gender identity would be considered particularly suspect and harmful. Would private enterprises would be absolutely prohibited from denying any good or service to persons on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity without leaving a room for accommodating the viewpoints of those have objected to providing their services for gay persons? For example, the prohibition on gay persons studying or working in Catholic institutions to cross-dress or participate in Pride parades.

Isn’t it not that the SOGIE bill leaves those people who dissent from the proposed legislation defenseless by failing to accommodate their sincere religious beliefs and by failing to distinguish between the dignity of gay individuals and the particular conduct in which some cannot in good conscience participate?

Since the SOGIE bill provides that “if an employer, whether from the private or public sector, includes sexual orientation or gender identity

in the criteria for hiring, promotion, transfer, designation, work assignment, reassignment, dismissal, performance review, selection for training, in the computation of benefits, privileges and allowances” would a Catholic school who refuses to hire, or terminates a teacher who crossdresses or in a stable same sex relationship—would that be considered discrimination?

If a school or any educational or training institution refuses to admit a student or participant or chooses to expel him or her solely on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity—would an all-girls exclusive Catholic school who refuses to admit a teenage transgender person who identifies as a woman, would that be considered discrimination?

If parents refuses to consent to their child’s decision to undergo a gender hormone therapy—would that under the SOGIE bill constitute discrimination?

If a priest or a pastor, in good conscience, preach against homosexual acts, would that under the SOGIE bill constitute discrimination?

ALL human rights, both those of LGBTQ or straight persons, should be protected. The equal protection clause of the Constitution already affirms that since every person has equal dignity and thus equal rights.

Expansive protections for some that lead to restricted liberties for others do not advance equality or tolerance.

Instead, they cause coercion and further discrimination.

There is no compelling reason to deny a gay individual access to his or her favorite restaurant. It is nonsensical to prevent a gay individual from purchasing batteries or being treated at a hospital. But that isn’t what the SOGIE Equality Bill attempts to fix, because those problems are extreme, and so rare as to be virtually nonexistent. The SOGIE Equality Bill instead paves over the consciences of those who cannot in good faith condone conduct they believe to be immoral.

It appears that SOGIE is not a step toward unity and compromise, but conformity. Far from fostering equality, the bill creates a class of citizens protected in a matter that is more advantaged than the general citizenry, precisely institutionalizing inequality in the long term.

pied France—and the rest is history.

Let us see if China will take a lesson from history and rethink its strategy in the South China Sea. Meanwhile, President Rodrigo Duterte is making a second visit to Moscow sometime this week. Let's hope he comes back with a reassurance from President Vladimir Putin that Russia will not widen the strife in th South China Sea by taking sides.

Russia will be a good market for Philippine products especially fruits and vegetables which the Russians cannot grow abundantly because of its harsh winter season.

What can we get from Russia?

Perhaps agricultural equipment like tractors and backhoes, to improve our agriculture output especially in Mindanao. Militarily, the Philippines can purchase weapons like the Kalasnikov, fighter jets and missiles for the country's self defense. If so, then the US might sell us more sophisticated

weapons instead of the hand-medowns that they give us.

As a journalist invited by the World Press Institute, I saw for myself the US capability for war starting from the launching of the first Apollo moonshot from Cape Canaveral, Florida, to the intricate tracking of US targets against enemies at NORAD inside the mountains of Denver, Colorado and the Strategic Air Command in Omaha, Nebraska.

Now, who wants war? The US would undoubtedly say "Bring it on."

Even if military war does not happen between China and the US, a trade war involving higher tariffs is already affecting Chinese manufactured goods to US and Europe. It cannot depend on local consumption alone.

The Chinese would rather spend money on food and believe it or not, on high end luxury goods like flashy imported cars and electronic gadgets.

the CAB but reportedly has no DICT approval to render domestic courier services.

A company called Black Arrow Express is licensed to operate in Metro Manila but has apparently extended its operations to Cebu and Leyte. The veteran solon also lamented there are instances when these couriers are being used illegally.

For example, there was a recent news report about drug packages being delivered through courier services.

Likewise, media reported a Grab driver uncovering a scheme used by drug traffickers. Refusing to open the package he was tasked to deliver, the Grab driver reported directly to the police who discovered the package containing drugs. In another instance, a TNVS driver was arrested while delivering another drug package to a

consignee.

The Quiapo explosion in May 2017 was also traced to a package sent and carried by a Grab driver to its consignee. Apart from consumer safety, some of these services are found to be violating constitutional limits on foreign ownership. Since they operate as a public service or convenience, logistics companies are supposed to be covered by the 60-40 ownership rule.

Honasan need not wait for a new measure regulating couriers. He is already empowered by the present laws. If there is need for new legislation, maybe it would have to cover the small players subcontracted by Grab, Lalamove and other facilitators. But not those big-time players preying on the public and evading paying taxes to the government.

Expansive protections for some that lead to restricted liberties for others do not advance equality or tolerance.

Instead, they cause coercion and further discrimination.

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2019

A5

Innovative Philippines Cooperation’s Cross Border Privacy Rules system, a regional, multilateral cross-border data transfer mechanism and enforceable privacy code of conduct developed for businesses by APEC member economies.

“This way our people and the peoA RARE assembly of thought leaders from the government and the private ple of Japan, for example, could sleep sector was held recently in Makati. soundly at night even if their data is beHosted by the Stratbase Group, the ing shared across borders to other comgathering conveyed incisive recommen- panies within the APEC economies, dations that highlight the value of har- knowing fully well they are secured monizing disconnected policies that are with an accepted level of protection frustrating the adoption of innovative recognized by their own authority is adsolutions to boost the country’s produc- equate,” Liboro said.

Microsoft Philippine’s country mantivity and competitiveness.

Professor Dindo Manhit, Stratbase ager, Andres Ortola, underlined the Group CEO and managing director said power of partnerships with government, that though this year’s Global Innova- institutions and citizens outlining six tion Index puts the country’s perfor- trends driving empowered governance: mance at 54th out of the 129 countries 1) Deliver fast services and eliminate is a significant jump in global ranking, labor intensive, manual processes, 2) the Philippines still lags behind other Meet complex regulatory requirements ASEAN neighbors such as Singapore and ensure security, 3) Do more with (8th), Malaysia (35th), Vietnam (42nd) less to ease budget constraints, 4) Modernize IT to increase collaboration and and Thailand (43rd).

“We believe that to promote innova- eliminate costly legacy technology, 5) tion, we should nurture an institutional Provide secure anytime, anywhere acframework that attracts business and cess to services, 6) Increase revenue fosters growth. The government for its and take action with advanced data analytics. part needs to proClare Amador, vide good goverHead for Public nance and correct Policy of Facebook levels of protection Fast connectivity Philippines, preand incentives,” is key. sented initiatives Manhit said. aimed to give more Department of people and busiInformation and nesses the power Communications Technology Secretary Gregorio B. Ho- to connect focusing on MSMEs as the nasan II, in his keynote speech stated backbone of the Philippine economy. that, “This is the time to shift from a They are now partnering with the DICT, mindset limited by short political time- DTI, DOT and local governments to lines to a strategically developmental launch Facebook Community Boost, a new initiative to empower local busiand competitive approach.”

“It is time for a new policy direction nesses and communities with digital that maximizes the benefits of available skills to help them engage successfully information, communications, and tech- and safely online.

A powerhouse lineup of industry nology [or ICT] solutions to cut through paper-based, multi-layered bureaucracy leaders gave their respective takes on that has unnecessarily burdened our how continuous innovation is crucial people, who are just trying to make a in growing the value and maintaining competitive edge of their respective living,” Honasan said.

He emphasized the urgency of imple- enterprises. The day was punctuated by menting the President’s mandate of pro- their frank and constructive insights in viding fast connectivity to the people an engaging open forum featuring the and streamlining the convoluted pro- senior vice president and Global Corcesses that bog down progress. Critical porate Head of International Container will be the operationalization of the Na- Terminal Services Inc., Christian Gontional Broadband Program aimed at de- zalez; Unionbank of the Philippines ploying pervasive broadband connectiv- chairman and president of Blockchain ity in remote places thru a convergence Association of the Philippines, Justo strategy utilizing public and private re- “Tito” Ortiz; president and CEO of Voyager Innovations, Orlando Vea; sources.

The DICT plans to give free Wi-Fi Country Director of the State Grid Corservices to 25-million users in unserved poration of China, Shan She Wu; and areas of the country. This will need the Principal in Tax of SGV & Co, lawyer building of 104,000 access points all Jonald “Jong” R. Vergara. All running over the country that will reduce costs extremely successful enterprises, they and boost connectivity speed of the have managed to navigate the complex whole government and the adoption of and unstable policy regimes of several cloud-based solutions to automate the administrations.

The only way for the economy to reoperations of all agencies and Local Government Units. Some 111 nodes ally take off is to transform the “opaque, will need to be activated in three years time consuming and expensive buusing the National Grid Corporation’s reaucracy” into what professor Manhit dark fiber network to cascade capacity proposed should be a more transparent, to identified growth areas in Luzon, Vi- more aggressive and incentivized approach realizing that with more innovasayas and Mindanao.

Honasan further discussed the accel- tion, the responsiveness of government erated installation of more communica- to new opportunities spell the difference tion towers in cooperation with telecom- from being a laggard aor being a leader.

In closing, Manhit said, “Innovative tax munication companies, with total 104 IP radio systems and 105 repeater systems regimes are seen to be more compatible to be erected. Fiber cables to be laid out to emerging technologies and enabling in collaboration with electric coopera- creative firms to grow and produce positives, cable providers, and other major tive alternatives that: Address potential stakeholders, will connect more govern- health risks, use clean energy, use enviment agencies, public schools and col- ronment friendly materials, reduce solid leges, public hospitals, and local govern- waste, and power saving devices.

For as long as humans can come up ment units.

National Privacy Commissioner with new ideas the accelerating veRaymund E. Liboro in his speech an- locity of innovations will continue to nounced that the Philippines is pushing change our world. It is time for us to for better digital governance and will create the right environment for our soon become the 9th economy to be soft industries to prosper in a borderenrolled in the Asia Pacific Economic less tech driven world.”

Arenas...

From A4

the brawn of construction work in the reclamation projects.

Having earned more in construction jobs, albeit temporary, than what they could possibly eke out of tilling the soil in their provinces, would these workers go back, or stay in the metropolis? Surely they cannot afford to buy a few square meters of the land they helped reclaim, which is reserved for the mega-rich?

So they will repopulate the urban warrens of poverty in Manila, Pasay, Malabon, Navotas, Caloocan, Parañaque and beyond, renting hovels as they seek menial jobs in the urban jungle.

And yet, the present congestion in Metro Manila which has created monstrous traffic problems, urban squalor, and all sorts of social and economic problems for the country should mean de-populating the cap-

ital area by movement to the countryside. And we should start by moving the national government offices elsewhere, be it in Clark or the valleys west of the Sierra Madre, in the province of Rizal.

Certainly not by reclaiming more land and gouging out the waters of Manila Bay. President after president has urged Congress to create a National Land Use Policy, defining how best to optimize the use of land as a God-given resource, for the benefit of the majority, for ensuring food security, and for proper zoning. Till now, from the time of Cory Aquino, proposed legislation toward land use has gathered dust in the archives of Congress.

Hopefully, saving Manila Bay, which has contributed to the historical, political, economic and cultural development of the country, and which has become a symbol of its God-given beauty, will become a legislative priority, for the sake of generations of Filipinos yet to come.

ms.

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK Manila

News

Standard

A6

TODAY SEPTEMBER 30, 2019 MONDAY, mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Chavit to run for League of Municipalities’ top post

M

AYOR Luis “Chavit” Singson of Narvacan, Ilocos Sur, who led the then cash-strapped Philippine Councilors League transforming it into a vibrant body and leaving it with P85-million fund in the bank, is seeking the national presidency of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines.

With the election set next month already declared a free zone— since no political party is fielding a candidate, Singson is widely seen as a “sure winner” by the country’s more than 1,400 municipal mayors.

“He has always been an achiever, a leader who is constantly committed to higher goals” said Mayor Rey Buhisan of Magsay-

say town in Misamis Oriental.

“He has what it takes to lead LMP and usher outcomes for its general membership. His drive for excellence is a factor in his enduring success,” Buhisan added.

In his nearly 30 years of public service, Chavit has served Ilocos Sur as governor, congressman, councilor, and now as mayor of Narvacan.

Considered as pillar by his constituents, Chavit, along with Vigan City Mayor Eva Marie Singson-Medina, is instrumental in making Vigan City one of the “New 7 Wonder Cities” of the world.

Chavit also authored Republic Act No. 7171, or the law extending special support to the farmers of Virginia tobaccoproducing provinces, the law which brought billions of pesos in excise taxes to the beneficiary provinces.

The provincial chapter presidents of the LMP will hold its National Directorate meeting on the 2nd Monday of October in Manila per LMP’s By-Laws to elect a new set of league officers.

Restore cuts in DOH’s budget for health facilities—Recto

By Macon Ramos-Araneta THE two-thirds cut in the proposed budget of the Department of Health, specifically the allocation for the Health Facilities Enhancement Program, should be restored, Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto said Sunday.

In a statement, Recto said the HFEP is “the cure for the insufficient and deteriorating facilities in public hospitals.”

The HFEP budget this year is P15.9 billion, the senator said.

“But how much was prescribed by the DBM for HFEP for 2020? P5.9 billion. Two-thirds was slashed. It is the budgetary equivalent of cutting the calorie intake of a malnourished child,” Recto said.

He said the “usual reason” given for the deep cut is the DOH’s failure to spend its funds on time.

“But some agencies have worse fund utilization rates than the DOH, yet, have not been punished with a budget cut,” Recto said.

The same bogey—procurement—is being used again. But the projects in the HFEP menu are not hard to procure.

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES REGIONAL TRIAL COURT NATIONAL CAPITAL JUDICIAL REGION BRANCH 94, QUEZON CITY BRYAN G. SOBERON, Petitioner, -versus-

Civil Case No. R-QZN-19-03261-CV

MA. ZYREL C. MENDOZA, Respondent. x---------------------------------------x

SUMMONS BY PUBLICATION TO: MA. ZYREL C. MENDOZA Kumintang Ibaba, Batangas City GREETINGS: WHEREAS, a Petition for Declaration of Nullity of Marriage has been filed by petitioner Bryan G. Soberon against Ma. Zyrel C. Mendoza; WHEREAS, on July 23, 2019 petitioner through counsel filed “Ex-Parte Motion to Serve Summons by Publication”, which was granted on July 26, 2019. Consequently, the court directed that service of summons and the copy of the Order dated July 26, 2019 be effected upon respondent by publication; WHEREAS, in the Petition, the relief/s prayed for are hereby quoted as follows: “WHEREFORE, premises, considered, it is respectfully prayed of this Honorable Court that, after due notice and hearing, a declaration of ABSOLUTE NULLITY OF MARRIAGE between the Petitioner and Respondent be ORDERED on the ground of PSYCHOLOGICAL INCAPACITY, and ordering further that:

Mandaluyong City, Philippines February 27, 2019

(Sgd.) RIZALINA T. CAPCO-UMALI Judge COPY FURNISHED: SALGADO AVILA GORDOVE CHUANICO & ASSOCIATES Counsel for the plaintiff 4th Floor PSBank Center Building, No. 777 Paseo de Roxas Avenue Cor. Sedeno Street, Makati City

“2) Bryan Zyre Mendoza Soberon shall retain his legitimate status; “Petitioner prays for other reliefs and remedies, just and equitable under the premises.” (Italics in original).

NOW, THEREFORE, You, respondent MA. ZYREL C. MENDOZA, is hereby summoned and required to file with this Court your verified Answer or any responsive pleading to the Petition of herein petitioner within thirty (30) days from the last issue of publication, serving a copy thereof upon petitioner. If you fail to file your answer within the said thirty (30) –day period, petitioner shall take action as authorized under the law and ask from the Court the relief/s applied for in the said Petition.

RICHEL V. ALQUIZA NO. 60 DON BENITO HERNANDEZ SAN RAFAEL 76 ZONE 10 PASAY CITY RTC-OCC Mandaluyong City

PHILIPPINE SAVINGS BANK, Plaintiff,

WITNESS MY HAND SEAL of this Court, this 29th day of July, 2019 at Quezon City, Metro Manila.

-versus-

(Sgd.) Atty. MA. ADORACION J. BAETIONG Clerk of Court V

BRYAN G. SOBERON, Petitioner, CIVIL CASE NO. R-QZN-19-03261-CV

1. Plaintiff Philippine Savings Bank (PSBANK for brevity), is a thrift banking corporation organized and existing under Philippine Laws, with principal office and place of business at 4th Floor PSBank Center, #777 Paseo de Roxas cor.

MA. ZYREL C. MENDOZA, Respondent. x---------------------------------------x

ORDER When this case was called for hearing on the “Compliance and Motion” and the “Ex-Parte Motion to Serve Summons by publication”, the petitioner and his counsel, Atty. Generoso L. Turqueza, are in court. Prosecutor Arceli C. Ragsac appeared for the State.

2. Defendant/s RICHEL V. ALQUIZA, Filipino, of legal age, with given address at NO. 60 DON BENITO HERNANDEZ, SAN RAFAEL, 76 ZONE 10 PASAY CITY NCR-FOURTH DISTRICT 1600 01 1600, where she may be served with summons and other judicial processes;

As prayed for, the Psychological Evaluation Report of the petitioner is admitted and made part of the records of this case.

a) Where the respondent cannot be located at her given address or her whereabouts are unknown and cannot be ascertained by diligent inquiry, service of summons may, by leave of court, be effected upon him by publication once a week for two consecutive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation in the Philippines and in such place as the court may order. In addition, a copy of the summons shall be served on the respondent at his last known address by registered mail or by any other means the court may deems sufficient. b) The summons to be published shall be contained in an order of the court with the following data: (1) title of the case; (2) docket number; (3) nature of the petition; (4) principal grounds of the petition and the reliefs prayed for; and (5) a directive for respondent to answer within thirty days from the last issue of publication.

WHEREFORE, in view of the foregoing, let service of summons and a copy of this Order be effected upon respondent Ma. Zyrel C. Mendoza by publication at the expense of the petitioner once a week for two (2) consecutive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation to be chosen by raffle pursuant to P.D. 1079.

Respondent shall be given a period of thirty (3) days from the last issue of publication of the summons to file her answer serving a copy thereof upon the petitioner.

Likewise, let copies of this Order, summons and petition be sent to respondent at her last known address by registered mail.

SO ORDERED. Quezon City, Metro Manila, July 26, 2019.

(Sgd.) ROSLYN M. RABARA-TRIA Presiding Judge Copy furnished: ACP Arceli C. Ragsac Bryan Soberon OSG-134 Amorsolo St., Legazpi Village, Ma. Zyrel C. Mendoza Makati City Kumintang Ibaba, Batangas City Turqueza Law Office No. 4-E Maunlad St., Pinyahan, QC. (MStandard-Sep. 23 & 30, 2019)

PTR No. 6607752; 1-3-18; Makati City 1BP Lifetime Member No. ‘03789; 7/7/04; Pasig City Roll No. 38262 MCLE Compliance No. V1-0003256; 10-9-17

Magnitude 6.4 quake hits Davao Occ. A MAGNITUDE 6.4 earthquake rocked Davao Occidental on Sunday at 10:02 a.m.

Of tectonic origin, the quake had a depth of 14 kilometers.

The tremor struck 130 kilometers southeast off the coast of Jose Abad Santos town.

Intensity 4 was felt in General Santos City, while intensity 3 was experienced in South Cotabato’s Tampakan, Cotabato’s Makilala and Magpet; Davao City; Davao del Sur’s Magsaysay and Sta. Cruz; Panabo City; Misamis Oriental’s Gingoog City and Magsaysay, and Bukidnon’s Damulog and Kalilangan.

Intensity 2 was felt in Cagayan de Oro City; Misamis Oriental’s Balingasag, Jasaan and Villanueva; Cotabato’s Kabacan, M’lang and Tulunan, and Sultan Kudarat’s Columbio and Tacurong City. Rio N. Araja

FAINA E. PILAR-CHIANICO PTR No. 6896246; 6-1-18; Makati City 1BP Lifetime Member No. 07082; 1locos Norte Roll No. 42989 MCLE Compliance No. V1-0001666; 2-1-17

2 killed, 11 hurt in SK road mishap

NESTLE LYN M. PARDUCHO PTR No. 5520383; 1-3-18; Quezon City 1BP Lifetime Member No. 013309; Q.C. Roll No. 58331 MCLE Compliance No. V-0014217; 2-11-16

COTABATO CITY—Two persons died while 11 others were injured after a passenger vehicle fell off a cliff in Kalamansig town in Sultan Kudarat province on Saturday.

In a statement, the Kalamansig Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office said the victims were on their way to Balut Island, a swimming resort in Barangay Paril, Kalamansig, when the accident took place past 2 p.m.

In a separate report, village chief Victor Albaladejo of neighboring Barangay Sta. Clara, Kalamansig, who responded to the incident, said involved in the vehicular crash was a green Town Ace with license plate MAA-4365 loaded with about 13 people, mostly students. PNA

PTR No. 6607754; 1-3-18; Makati City Roll No. 51998; 1BP Lifetime Member No. 07324 MCLE Compliance No. V-0009712; 8-13-2015

RAYMUND JONAS C. FLORES PTR No. 6616218; 1-9-18; Makati City Roll No. 62391; 1BP Lifetime Member No. 11786; Makati City MCLE Compliance No. V-0006680; 3-04-15

GILBERT G. GORDOVE PTR No. 6607753; 1-3-18; Makati City 1BP Lifetime Member No. 04783; SAMAR Roll No. 44495 MCLE Compliance No. V-0003231; 8-12-14

NICEFORO L. AVILA IBP No. 038309, 3/22/18; Makati City PTR No. 6618211; 1-9-18; Makati City SUMMONS Roll No, 48,305 Pursuant to the court’s Order dated February 27, MCLE Compliance No. V-0020305; April 11, 2019 and in compliance with Sections 15 and 16, 2016 Rule 14 of the 1997 Rules of Civil Procedure, herein is the Plaintiff’s Complaint, to wit: AFFIDAVIT OF MERIT TO SUPPORT THE APPLICATION FOR WRIT OF REPLEVIN AND COMPLAINT CERTIFICATION OF NON-FORUM SHOPPING Plaintiff, by counsel, respectfully states that:

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES REGIONAL TRIAL COURT NATIONAL CAPITAL JUDICIAL REGION BRANCH 94, QUEZON CITY

“Sec. 6. Summons. – The Service of summons shall be governed by Rule 14 of the Rules of Court and by the following rules:

R-MND-18-01467-CV

RICHEL V. ALQUIZA & JOHN DOE, Defendants. x---------------------------------------------x

Cc: Turqueza Law Office – 4-E Maunlad St., Pinyahan, Quezon City Ma. Zyrel C. Mendoza – Kumintang Ibaba, Batangas City

After a careful perusal of the Ex-Parte Motion to Serve Summons By Publication dated July 23, 2019, this Court resolves to grant the same. It appears that this is one of the instances wherein summons by publication may be allowed. Section 6, A.M. No. 02-11-10-SC (Rule on Declaration of Absolute Nullity of Void Marriages and Annulment of Voidable Marriages in relation to Rule 14 of the Rules of Court) provides:

TODAY

NOLI A. CABRERA

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES REGIONAL TRIAL COURT NATIONAL CAPITAL JUDICIAL REGION MANDALUYONG CITY BRANCH ,212

Let this Summons and a copy of the Order dated July 26, 2019 be published by the petitioner at his expense once a week for two (2) consecutive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation, and likewise, to deposit copy of the same, as well as, of the Petition and its Annexes in the Quezon City Port Office, postage prepaid and by registered mail addressed at respondent’s last known address.

On July 23, 2019, petitioner filed an “Ex-Parte Motion to Serve Summons By Publication”, praying that summons be served by publication to the respondent considering the Sheriff’s Return of Summons dated June 19, 2019 which states that summons was not served upon the respondent because the respondent is no longer residing at her given address in Brgy. Kumintang, Ibaba, Batangas City.

Manila

its equipment, attachments and accessories from the defendants and its delivery to the plaintiff for purposes of foreclosure, to satisfy defendants’ obligation; .

2. Judgment be rendered confirming and ratifying as legal and valid the seizure of the mortgaged motor vehicle and its delivery to plaintiff for purposes of extra judicial foreclosure, in accordance with the provisions of the Chattel Mortgage;

President Duterte’s the presiding judges, while waiting for signing last Aug. 30 of Republic Act the appointment and assumption of the THE creation of the combined 150 11459 that created Judges-At-Large permanent judges.

-versusR-MND-18-01467-CV On the alternative cause of action, in the event positions for judges-at-large for reUnder Act 2019 intendedthatto the address themotor probmortgaged vehicle cannot be the law, these judges would RICHEL V. ALQUIZA and JOHN DOE, andcases. delivered to plaintiff, to render gional trial courts and municipal lem Defendants. have no permanent salas and may be of congestionrecovered of court judgment in favor of plaintiff, ordering defendants, x-----------------------------------------x trial courts will substantially declogORDER The newly signed law would lead jointly and severally, to pay plaintiffassigned the principal to assist judges. They would amount of P789,280.95 plus all accruing charges and speed up the resolutions be entitled to salaries, privileges, alto Motion the creation Acting of on cases the Ex-Parte for Leave of of 100 and 50 judges-atunder the Promissory Note with Chattel Mortgage Court to Serve Summons by Publication filed in various courts nationwide, Court large for RTCs and MTCs, lowances, benefits, rank and title befitfrom due daterespectively. until fully paid. by the plaintiff through counsel and pursuant Administrator Jose Midas Marquez still have where to Section 14 of Rule 14 of“We the Rules of Court, Otherareas appropriate relief arethe likewiseting prayedof for.either an RTC judge or MTC considering that defendant’s whereabouts is said on Sunday. courts are overburdened. We can eas- judge, depending on where they were unknown and cannot be ascertained by diligent Makati City for Mandaluyong City, 28 June 2018.

“The creation of 150inquiry, positions assign judges-at-large as assisting assigned. the instantof motionily is GRANTED. SALGADO AVILA GORDOVE CHUANICO & ASSOCIATES judges-at-large is a welcome develop- letjudges,” Only natural-born citizens, at least said.

ACCORDINGLY, summons Marquez to the Counsel of Plaintiff PSBank defendant be made by publication in a ment as it gives the Supreme Court the 30 years old and practicing law or held According to Marquez, those who 4th Floor PSBank Center Bldg., newspaper to be chosen in a raffle to be No. 777 Paseo de Roxas Avenue needed flexibility to immediately as-OCC,would conducted by the RTC of be Mandaluyong a public office that requires admission appointed as judges-at-large Cor. Sedeno St., tr1akati City City. sign judges where they are badly need- could also be temporarily assigned to law practice for at least five years to By: SO ORDERED. ed,” Marquez said, even the Supreme vacant courts where they DANILO can be appointed MTC judges-at-large. could S.act as SALGADO Court welcomed

By Rey E. RequejoPHILIPPINE SAVINGS BANK, Plaintiff,

“1) The Civil Registrar of San Juan City, Metro-Manila and the Philippine Statistics Authority shall cancel their Marriage Certificate from their respective Books of Marriage;

-versus-

Standard IN BRIEF

‘Judges-at-large’ declog courts of cases REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES REGIONAL TRIAL COURT NATIONAL CAPITAL JUDICIAL REGION MANDALUYONG CITY BRANCH 212

He said that in previous years, HFEP funds were for “sunk-in-the-ground projects,” like buildings, and were bugged by delays.

But for next year, the “spending theme” is equipment, some of which are off-the-shelf items which can be easily purchased.

Recto added that these are not “Build, Build, Build” items which cost billions of pesos.

In the first page of the HFEP list of projects in 2020 national budget, there will only be P150,000 worth of equipment to be distributed to 43 Barangay Health Stations in Abra, Apayao, Benguet.

In fact, in that list were BHS with only P27,000 allocation.

The entire HFEP budget for all LGUrun hospitals is P657 million.

Recto said that under this category, many frontline hospitals will receive a measly P500,000 each for new equipment.

Even large hospitals directly operated by the DOH will receive a pittance, like the East Avenue Medical Center in Quezon City, earmarked P75 million in HFEP money.

I, JOAN F. TAGNIPEZ, of legal age, Filipino and with postal address at 4th Floor PSBank Centre, 777 Paseode Roxas Street, corner Sedeno St., Makati City, after having been sworn in accordance with law, hereby depose and state that:

Ex-PCUP exec gunned down in QC

1. I caused the preparation of the complaint read the contents thereof; and allegations therein are true and correct based on my personal knowledge and authenticated record/documents under the possession of PSBank;

3. Defendant John Doe, whose real name and 2. That Plaintiff Bank is the mortgagee/assignee address is unknown to the plaintiff, is whoever under a Chattel Mortgage dated JUNE 15, 2017 maybe in actual possession of the motor vehicle of the motor vehicle described below: described below if it is not in the custody of the defendants; MAKE/TYPE: 2017 MITSUBISHI MIRAGE MOTOR NO.: 3A92UDS7501 4. For value received, the defendants jointly SERIAL NO.: PAEA13NJHHA000083 and severally executed and delivered to PEAK MOTORS PHILS., INC. (Dealer, for brevity) a with all its equipment, attachments and Promissory Note (ANNEX A) dated on June accessories which Defendants mortgaged to 15, 2017 with a face amount of P520,000.00 secure payment of a Promissory Note (Annex “A”, payable in 60 months at a monthly installment of Complaint) JUNE 15, 2017 with a face amount P12,942.00 beginning JULY 23, 2017 and on the of P520,000.00 payable in 60 months a monthly 23rd day of every succeeding month thereafter, installment of P12,942.00 beginning JULY 23, with late payment penalty of 5% per month from 2017 and on the 23rd day of every succeeding due date until the entire obligation is fully paid; month thereafter until fully paid; .

5. To secure the payment of the Promissory value of the mortgaged Note, the defendant also executed in favor of the 3. Theofestimated An extravagant parade where thousands youngmarket people dance on the streets as ‘angels dressed in Dealer, a Chattel Mortgage dated JUNE 15, 2017 motor vehicle is approximately P520,000.00; colorful and magnificent costumes’ asdescribed symbolbelow: of the choirs of angels coming down from heaven to walk on the streets over the motorand vehicle 4. In of thethe Promissory with Chattel Mortgage traversed by man. The parade is held every Sept. 29, the feast day town'sNote patron saint, San Rafael Archangel. Year 2002 MAKE/TYPE: 2017 MITSUBISHI MIRAGE stipulated among others that the default in the when the festival started, the event never fails to draw the attention crowd to stipulated witness the angels dance. The annual MOTOR NO.: 3A92UDS7501 paymentofofa massive any installment/other SERIAL NO.: celebration not only adds meaning toPAEA13NJHHA000083 the rich cultural heritagecharges of thedue town of the Sanviolation Rafaelof but and/or their also other intensifies and deepens the and conditions shall make Pelaez the unpaid together with the body built and or thatGuide may beof built devotion of people towards the Divine Healer theterms Christian pilgrim.

Teddy thereon and all the equipment, attachments and balance, at the time of such default, immediately accessories which may now or from time to time due and payable and shall entitle the plaintiff, be used with, added to or attached to the motor to obtain possession of the mortgaged motor vehicle from the defendant who are bound, on vehicle; demand, to deliver the same to the plaintiff for 6. On JUNE 15, 2017, the Dealer assigned to purposes of foreclosure and who may foreclose the Plaintiff all its rights, title and interest over the such mortgaged motor vehicle at any place Promissory Note with Chattel Mortgage through where it may be found or stipulated or where a Deed of Assignment (Annex A-1) dated JUNE the plaintiff as mortgagee/assignee may have its 15, 2017; principal or branch office;

ANGELS FESTIVAL.

A FORMER executive assistant of the Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor was shot dead by a still unidentified suspect in front of his residence in Quezon City on Saturday afternoon, a police official said.

Maj. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar, head of National Capital Region Police Office, identified the victim as Abdulrashid Ladayo Jr., 53, a resident of Barangay Sangandaan, Quezon City.

Based on a report from Quezon City Police District, the incident happened around 3:25 p.m. as Ladayo alighted from his vehicle, a Mitsubishi Pajero with plate number ZDV-159, when an unidentified suspect shot him several times before the gunman rode his motorcycle.

The gunman was followed by two other suspects who served as his backups.

Ladayo was rushed to a hospital but was declared dead on arrival. PNA

Villar asks DENR to stop big reclamation in Bacoor

far as Siberia as to the mangrove forest SAYING that Las Piñas7. InCity may go mation Authority. the Promissory Note with Chattel Mortgage, 5. Defendants defaulted/violated termsmarine and habitat. under water due to about meters fromin the massive flooding theand it iseight stipulated among othersAside that the default conditions of the Promissory Note and Chattel the payment of any installment/other stipulated “But how do you protect the wetland (equivalent to a three-storey building) that will submerge houses in Las PiMortgage when they failed to ‘ pay at least charges due and/or the violation of other terms two (2) its monthly installments andthere would be a reclamation park if floodwater, Senator Cynthia A. shall Vil-makeñas, also cited threat to thedue thereon and conditions the Villar unpaid balance and the time of such default, immediately due subsequently installments; lar asked the Department of Environ- Las Piñas-Parañaque Wetland Park, project in front of it?” Villar asked. and payable and shall entitle the plaintiff, to obtain In view of the defendants’ default/violationIn plaintiff the Senate finance subcommittee ment and Natural Resources stop a protected area6. under Republic possessionto of the mortgaged motor vehicle from the defendants who are bound, on demand, to has become entitled to the possession of the B deliberation on the DENR’s P25.5the 944-hectare reclamation project in Act 11038 which expanded the Namortgaged motor vehicle which the defendant deliver the same to the plaintiff for purposes to have wrongfully detained to defeatproposed 2020 budget, Villar of foreclosure, and whotional may foreclose such appearProtected billion Bacoor, Cavite.

Integrated Areas mortgaged motor vehicle at any place where it plaintiff’s mortgage lien thereon, when they failed quizzed DENR officials for entertainThe Bacoor local govenrment part- System. may be found or situated or where the plaintiff and/or refused to deliver the same to the plaintiff for purposesBacoor of foreclosure, despiteing oral the and/orBacoor reclamation project. may have its principal office; She said the proposed reclanered with Frabelle Fishing Corp.or branch written demands, contrary to the provisions of the 8. Defendants violated terms and conditions projectof will about cata“Why are you entertaining that? and Aboitiz for the reclamation proj- themation Chattelbring Mortgage; the Promissory Note and Chattel Mortgage when ect. The plan was among the 22 Ma- strophic damages, including damages What’s your reason for entertaining they failed to pay at least two monthly installments 7. The mortgaged motor vehicle has not been falling due onbeing JULY 23, to 2017 and subsequentwhich LPPCHEA, serves as a sancBacoor reclamation?” she asked. nila Bay reclamation projects taken for any tax assessment or finethat pursuant to installments plus other stipulated charges if any; or seized under an attachment or execution bird species from as Villar, who chairs the Senate enviprocessed by the Philippine Recla- tuary to migratorylaw, against the property of the plaintiff or if so seized, 9. Notwithstanding, the waiver of the defendant/s in the Promissory Note with Chattel Mortgage to receive a demand before the filing of . the complaint, plaintiff still sent oral and/or written demands upon the defendant/s to surrender the subject mortgaged motor vehicle for purposes of foreclosure to satisfy defendant’s obligation or to

ronment and natural resources committee, said she had worked hard for the declaration of the LPPCHEA as a protected area.

She also cited the petitions she filed before the Supreme Court to stop reclamation projects in the area.

“You want me to go file a petition for Writ of Kalikasan, and you want me to do this again, after spending almost 10 years to stop reclamation, now you are going to do another reclamation in front of us?” she asked.

Macon Ramos-Araneta

the same is exempt from such seizure; 8. Plaintiff is willing to file a good, sufficient and solvent bond executed to the defendants in an amount double the actual value of the mortgaged motor vehicle to warrant its return to (the

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

Sports

A7

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2019 sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

Cocolife Tigers dismantle Batangas in Dubai Invasion

PBA, BEEP INK PACT. PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial (seated second from left) and Danilo Evangelista, president/business development director of XYTRIX (seated third from left), officially launched the PBA collectible beep cards during a simple presentation last Saturday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. The PBA entered into a 3-year exclusive licensee agreement with XYTRIX System Corp., an authorized business and technology partner of AF Payments Inc. and the provider of beep’s unmanned loading kiosk and automated card dispenser. Also in photo are Jo Francisco, PBA Properties Inc. head (seated extreme left), Sharon Fong, beep business development head (seated extreme right) and (standing from left) Bing Barraquias, beep, business development; Cecile Cainag, admin manager; Scat Escatron, sales supervisor and Cynthia Evangelista, finance director.

KING Tiger Mark Yee displayed another sterling performance to lead Davao Occidental Cocolife in dismantling Batangas Athletics Tanduay, 67-57, in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League Lakan Cup-Dubai Invasion Friday night at Hamdam Sports Complex in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Frontliner Billy Robles, newcomer Ivan Ludovice and Yee took charge in the early goings with their perimeter snipings, while Bogs Raymundo and Emman Calo manned the boards on the other end to erect a 19-5 lead in the first quarter.

Yee, the acknowledged leader of the team owned by Mindanao Dumper Party List Congresswoman Claudine Bautista, backed by Cocolife President Atty. Jose Martin Loon, FVP Joseph Ronquillo, AVP Rowena Asnan and SVP Franz Joie Araque, was all business in the Dubai Invasion, highlighting his performance with

a rim-rattling dunk in the final minute to the delight of OFWs in the city known for its skycrapers and luxury shopping Batangas firestarter Jeff Viernes waxed hot, alongside Jason Milano and Mon Rogado, cutting the lead to single digits, but Robles and Yee cut short the Tanduay rally en route to the Tigers’ 14th victory in 16 outings.

Actor Derek Ramsay,who suited for Batangas, played for a brief moment.

“Ginawa lang namin ang instructions ni coach Don (Dulay), kaya umangat kami dito sa Dubai,” said Best Player of the Game Yee. Davao Cocolife management, through deputy team manager Ray Alao, acknowledged the warm welcome and cheers by basketball-loving Pinoy workers, who inspired the their players’ invasion of the league organized by Senator Manny Pacquiao..

Taguinod bags silver at Asian Age Group swimfest Pacquiao scores 42, lifts MPBL

By Peter Atencio PROMISING breaststoke specialist Jalil Sephraim Taguinod came up with good showings the 10th Asian Age Group Swimming Championships at the Padukone-Dravid Center for Sports Excellence in Bengaluru, India Taguinod broke the 16-year-old, 14-15 boys’ 50-meter national junior breaststroke record, a feat that earned him a silver medal.

The 14-year-old Taguinod submit-

ted a time of 31.10 seconds, erasing the 31.27-second mark, which Gerard Bordado held since 2003 at the 27th Southeast Asia Age Group Swimming Championships in the Philippines.

Japan’s Yamato Okadome took the gold with 30.26 seconds, while Kozhakhmetov Arsen of Kazakhstan timed 31.49 to clinch the bronze.

It was Taguinod’s second medal, after bagging a bronze on day one of the championships in 100m breaststroke event.

Earlier, Micaela Jasmine Mojdeh finished 5th in her pet event, the 200m butterfly, with a time of 2:21.77.

Eventual gold medalist, Audrey Lau Ping Yi of Hong Kong, fought her way to a 2:16.18 golden finish in the event.

Thailand’s Jinjutha Pholjamjumrus took the silver with 2:19.52; while Saaya Ota of Japan finished third with bronze medal time of 2:20.52 Marcus Johannes De Kam placed 4th in the boys’ 50m freestyle finals with a 25.23 clocking. Peter Atencio

DUBAI—Senator Manny Pacquiao proved his first game explosion was no fluke with a 42-point output that lifted the MPBL Executives past the Dubai All Stars, 107-101, on Saturday in an exhibition game of the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League Lakan Season at Hamdan Sports Complex here.

Burying six triples, Pacquiao surpassed his 35-point production in a 96-99 overtime loss to the All Stars, composed of Filipino standouts from all over the United Arab Emirates, on Friday.

Pacquiao, founder and CEO of the

MPBL, drilled in his first triple attempt to set the tone for the Executives’ romp as they zoomed ahead, 62-36, early in the third quarter before coasting to victory.

Emmer Oreta, the MPBL Operations Head, supported Pacquiao with 14 points, followed by David Sisson, Pacquiao’s personal assistant, with 12, all from threepoint zone, and Ronald Lamocha of the Davao Occidental Tigers with 10.

MPBL analyst Christian Luanzon added 9 points, all in the third quarter which the MPBL Executives took, 78-58.

Lascuña pulls it off by one at Taiwan golf T

AINAN, Taiwan—Tony Lascuña came through with two big shots to fend off two gutsy Thai rivals and withstand a charging Taiwanese in a flight ahead, winning the Nan Pao TPGA (PGA of Taiwan) Open crown by one with a bogey-free 70 at the Nan Pao Golf Club here yesterday.

Those bailout shots bucked the Filipino ace’s errant driving in the last two holes that made the title chase a lot more interesting and gripping as these gave Ratchapol Jantavara and Liu Yu-Jui a share of the lead at 17-under overall and a crack at the crown that was remained up for grabs until the final putt.

But Lascuña proved steadier in the end, coming through with a near-perfect lob shot from 45 yards on No. 17 after hooking his drive near the hazard to salvage a tap-in par, a brilliant save

Redemption tour continues for Petron six Games Today

(Filoil Flying V Centre) 2 p.m. – PLDT vs Foton 4 p.m. – F2 Logistics vs Marinerang Pilipina 6 p.m. – Generika-Ayala vs Petron PETRON continues its redemption tour when it clashes with dangerous Generika-Ayala in the Philippine Superliga Invitational Conference today at the Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan.

Action starts at 6 p.m. with the Blaze Spikers expected to go all out following a morale-boosting win over F2 Logistics in their previous game over the weekend at the Ynares Sports Center in Pasig City.

Prior to that, the Cargo Movers seek to bounce back when they clash with Marinerang Pilipina at 4 p.m. while Foton hunts its first win when it faces PLDT in the 2 p.m. appetizer of this explosive triple-header of the country’s premier women’s volleyball league.

After bombing out in the semifinals in the All-Filipino Conference last month, the Blaze Spikers opened the Invitationals with fire in their eyes.

Sure, star middle blocker Mika Reyes and setter Rhea Dimaculangan were not there due to injuries, but Petron managed to draw strength and firepower from Sisi Rondina and Aiza Maizo-Pontillas to pull off a 25-22, 25-23, 25-18 victory over bitter rival F2 Logistics.

Rondina fired 17 points while MaizoPontillas delivered 14 markers for the Blaze Spikers, who are looking to book a return flight to the finals of this tourney that was cut short to give way for the country’s hosting of the 30th Southeast Asian Games this November.

that somehow shattered Jantavara’s confidence as the Thai, who fought back from two strokes down to force a tie with a four-under card after 10 holes, flubbed a four-footer for par to drop back by one.

Another hooked Lascuna drive on the par-5 18th that rolled under a tree gave the long-hitting Thai—and Liu, who closed out with a 68 ahead of the final group—another shot at the lead.

But Lascuña pulled off another spectacular shot—drawing a 9-iron shot from 120 yards that rolled from the

front of the green to the right edge then raised his arms in triumph after completing a two-putt par in the $100,000 Tony Lascuña e v e n t which served as the fifth leg of Philippine Golf Tour Asia and sixth stop of TPGA. Counting his two birdies at the front, Lascuña closed out with a 34-36 for a 17-under 271 total worth $17,500 in a victory that washed away two years of struggle to regain the form that netted him a number of local titles and three PGT Order of Merit crown from 201314 and in 2016.

Highlands Ladies Cup golf to benefit Sisters of Mary THE Highlands Ladies Cup unfolding Saturday (Oct. 5) will not only be a tournament among country’s top golfing ladies and their guests from various sectors but also a fund-raiser for the Sisters of Mary boys and girls town center in Silang, Cavite.

The organizing Tagaytay Highlands Ladies Chapter (THLC) has been assisting the orphanage, where kids are fed and educated to be employed, the last few years by way of allotting part of the proceeds for the center as part of its social commitment to help the underprivileged youth fulfill their dreams.

Meanwhile, registration is ongoing with fee pegged at P3,500 for members and P4,500 for non-members, inclusive of green fee, cart, lunch, giveaways and raffle stub.

For details, call Midlands Golf Services at 0917-886-5226 (members) and Analaine Blas at 0966-713-5199 (non-members).

Over 150 players are seeing action in the annual 18-hole tournament, backed by DIA BAM, Inc., W Group, Auto Nation Group and Pacific Online as Diamond sponsors, which will have a shotgun start and will be played under the System 36 scoring format.

Aside from the centerpiece ladies division, other titles to be disputed are the men’s Classes A, B, C and seniors category, of the event supported by Platinum sponsors Security Bank, Smart Communications, Inc., ComWorks-Martin Leyeza, Powerball Gaming and San Miguel Corp. and Gold sponsors IMG and Fitness First.

City of Makati

Committee on Awards on Disposal 7th Floor, Makati City Hall Building II J.P. Rizal cor. F. Zobel Sts., Brgy. Poblacion, Makati City Tel. No. (02) 870-1793/1779 www.makati.gov.ph

INVITATION TO BID FOR THE SALE OF UNSERVICEABLE PROPERTY, PLANT & EQUIPMENT The CITY GOVERNMENT OF MAKATI, through its Committee on Awards on Disposal (CAD), wishes to announce to the public and all interested buyer/s to join the sale through Public Bidding of SEVENTY ONE (71) UNITS OF UNSERVICEABLE MOTOR VEHICLES on a “AS IS, WHERE IS” basis on October 8, 2019, detailed as follows: Items Motorcycles Sedans Wagon Coasters/Vans Buses Fire Trucks

No. of Units 11 14 25 11 4 6

Floor Price (PhP)

Locations 1. Basement, Makati City Hall Building II 2. Sultana Warehouse, Brgy Olympia 3. Pio del Pilar Warehouse, Brgy Poblacion 4. Botanical Garden, San Lorenzo Village 5. DepEd Division Office, Guadalupe Nuevo 6. Makati Central Fire Station, Brgy San Antonio

1,013,100.40

No bid shall be allowed lower than the said Floor Price.

Schedule of bidding as follows: Activity Issuance of Bid Documents

Inspection of Unserviceable Property

Pre-Bidding Conference Deadline for Submission of Bid Offer Opening of Bid Offer

Date September 26-27, 2019 Sept. 30 - Oct. 3, 2019 October 4, 2019 September 26-27, 2019 Sept. 30 - Oct. 3, 2019 October 4, 2019 October 4, 2019 October 8, 2019 October 8, 2019

Time 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM 8:00 - 9:00 AM 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM 1:00 - 5:00 PM 10:00 AM 10:00 AM 10:01 AM

Bid documents shall be issued only to interested bidders upon presentation of a Letter of Intent and a non-refundable fee of ONE THOUSAND PESOS (PhP1,000.00) to the Committee on Awards on Disposal Secretariat not later than nine o’clock in the morning of October 7, 2019.

Interested bidders are advised to conduct actual inspection of the unserviceable property subject for disposition.

The CAD will hold a Pre-Bid Conference on October 4, 2019, Friday, 10:00 AM at the Pio del Pilar Conference Room, 21st Floor, Makati City Hall Building I, J.P. Rizal St., Brgy. Poblacion, Makati City, to discuss the Eligibility Requirements and the Technical and Financial Components required. However, only those interested bidders who have purchased bidding documents are allowed to raise and submit queries or clarifications regarding the auction.

Deadline for the submission of bids is on October 8, 2019, Tuesday, 10:00 AM, at the Pio del Pilar Conference Room, 21st Floor, Makati City Hall Building I, J.P. Rizal St., Brgy. Poblacion, Makati City. The time for the deadline of the submission of bids shall be based on the Philippine Standard Time (PST) pursuant to R.A. 10535 otherwise known as “The Philippine Standard Time Act of 2013”.

Bids will be opened in the presence of the bidder’s representatives who choose to attend at the said address. All bids must be accompanied by a bid security in the form of Cash, Manager’s Check or Cashier’s Check in favor of Makati City Treasurer in the amount equivalent to at least Ten Percent (10%) of the bid.

Late bids shall not be accepted.

The winning bidder shall remove all 71 units of unserviceable motor vehicles within thirty (30) calendar days upon issuance of an approved Sales Invoice.

For further inquiries, interested bidder/s may call or contact the Committee on Awards on Disposal Secretariat at Tel. No. (02) 870-1793 / 1779.

PH NETTERS TO MALAYSIA. Members of Team Unified Tennis Philip-

pines are shown before leaving for Malaysia to compete in the ITF (International Tennis Federation) Juniors J5 tournament in Selangor on Oct. 1-6. They are (from left) coach Leander Lazaro, Sydney Enriquez, Macie Carlos, Eric Tangub, Denise Bernardo, Bliss Bayking, UTP general manager Jackie Tomacruz and UTP board director Gerard Maronilla. Other members of the squad backed by Cebuana Lhuillier, Micro Savings, Palawan Pawnshop, Dunlop, Enervon, STI, Buffalo Wild Wings, Bo’s Coffee and Madison Galeries Lifestyle Mall are Nio Tria and assistant coach Jun Tabura.

THE CITY GOVERNMENT OF MAKATI RESERVES THE RIGHT TO REJECT ANY OR ALL BIDS, TO WAIVE ANY FORMALITY THEREOF AND TO ACCEPT ONLY SUCH BIDS THAT ARE ADVANTAGEOUS TO THE GOVERNMENT.

ARNOLD C. MAGPANTAY Vice-Cnairman Committee on Awards on Disposal M. Standard – Sept. 26 & 30, 2019

Sports

Riera U. Mallari, Editor; Reuel Vidal, Assistant Editor sports@thestandard.com.ph; sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

A8

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2019

Erroll Spence Jr. (right) and Shawn Porter exchange punches during their IBF and WBC World Welterweight Championship fight at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. Spence Jr. won by decision. AFP

Ramirez: Let’s put value on values WITH the excitement building as the country comes near to the opening day of the Philippine-hosted 30th Southeast Asian Games in November, the hope of replicating our top-spot finish in 2005 also comes to peak.

Philippine Sports Commission Chairman Butch Ramirez on Wednesday reminded that we are faced with two big challenges for this SEA Games edition, one is to deliver an efficiently-run, well-executed event as hosts and the second is to perform at our utmost best as a participatingdelegation in the said Games.

Ramirez held in previous statements that the PSC is ready and has been giving its full support to both efforts.

The sports agency has allocated P600 million this year in support of SEAG-related trainings, competitions and expenses of national sports associations, plus another P600 million for training supplies and equipment.

“There will be a substantial amount of money which will be spent for our national team as well as for the hosting,” Ramirez shared, adding that while we can ensure presenting a good event “our final ranking is less within our control since the preparation of our opponents from other countries as well as their own sports landscape ultimately affect what we will see on the medal tally.”

The pressure to clinch the overall championship crown is ever present, and mounting, as expectations from different groups come in. Ramirez assures that Team Philippines is all heart and dedication in giving their best performance considering the rare opportunity to play in a highly competitive setting in front of their own countrymen.

“I have faith in our national athletes.

Lahi tayo ng mga bayani,” declared the Chef de Mission, citing the fighting spirit that was imbued by our forefathers and heroes.

Haymon shoots down Spence-Pacman fight L

OS ANGELES—Errol Spence successfully defended his IBF belt and seized the WBC title on Saturday, defeating Shawn Porter by a split decision in a welterweight unification fight.

However, there will be no fight against Filipino ring icon Manny Pacquiao.

Spence was thought to be in line for a fight against Manny Pacquiao but the promoter Al Haymon poured cold water on that mega showdown by having officials in the ring announce Spence would fight Danny Garcia next.

The 29-year-old Spence had to go the 12-round distance for the victory in a close slugfest with two belts on the line in one of the deepest divisions in boxing.

“I wanted to show everybody that I can sit there and bang with one of the roughest, toughest fighters in welterweight,” said Spence. “I feel like I am the bigger, stronger and smarter welterweight.”

The two fighters traded blows throughout, especially in close quarters where Spence did some of his best work in front of the crowd of 20,000 at the Staples Center.

He recorded the only knockdown in the 11th round when he hit Porter with a vicious left that wobbled the former WBC champ. Porter didn’t hit the canvas but his knees buckled and his left glove touched the ground, preventing him from going down.

But Spence (26-0, 21 KOs) failed to follow up with the knockout after Porter rose to his feet and said “let’s go”.

Two judges had Spence winning 116111 and the third gave it to Porter 115112.

Porter (30-3-1, 17 KOs) may have lost a close decision but he won the hearts of many boxing fans with his dogged, aggressive style. He would charge forward, at times trying to smother Spence with a barrage of blows. But it didn’t always work as by the middle rounds, Spence figured out he could step aside and land short left hooks to Porter’s head.

ON TO THE SEA GAMES.

The Standard Insurance national duathlon team was overwhelmed with joy after sweeping the recent men’s elite division at the Everly Putrajaya Trifactor International Duathlon in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. It was a 1-2-3 finish for the Philippines as top-caliber duathlon runner Emmanuel Commendador placed first, with Joey de los Reyes and Jarwyn Banatao placing second and third, respectively.

The men’s team has been training at the New Clark Sports Complex under Triathlon Association of the Philippines coaches Melvin Fausto and Bernie Llantada. The duathlon squad will represent the Philippines in the 30th Southeast Asian Games in December to be held at the Subic Bay Freeport.

Osaka wins BEIJING—Naomi Osaka said she had been “really riled up” as Japan’s two-time Grand Slam champion reached the second round at the China Open on Sunday despite being far from her best.

The 21-year-old former world number one racked up 26 unforced errors on the way to a 6-3, 7-6 (7/5) win over Jessica Pegula of the United States.

Fourth seed Osaka looked frustrated and disgruntled on several occasions against the 76thranked Pegula.

Osaka, who plays Andrea Petkovic of Germany next in Beijing, was disappointed that she was unable to replicate the form which won her the Pan Pacific Open in Japan a week ago.

“During tournaments, the first match is always the worst for me,” said the US-based star.

“But I was kind of expecting it to be better because I just played really well in Tokyo (actually Osaka). AFP

Some of the exchanges between the two were so wanton and the blows rapidfire that the fighters landed simultaneously punches to each other’s heads.

Spence said Porter’s mauling style made him uncomfortable at times.

“Porter is a rough fighter. I looked sloppy at times but give credit to Porter. He comes to fight,” said Spence.

On the undercard, David Benavidez regained the WBC super middleweight title with a ninth-round stoppage of fellow American Anthony Dirrell.

Benavidez, who was stripped of the crown after a positive drug test, was overpowering Dirrell when the champion’s corner threw in the towel.

The 22-year-old Benavidez improved to 22-0 with 19 knockouts. He was coming off a stoppage of J’Leon Love in March.

Dirrell, who was giving up 12 years to his rival, suffered a nasty cut over his right eye in the seventh round. By the time the fight was stopped, he could only see out of his left eye.

Dirrell took the vacant crown in February by beating Turkey’s Avni Yildirim. He suffered just the second loss of his career to go with 33 wins and one draw. AFP

NLEX rises to solo lead with 3rd win

By Jeric Lopez CONTINUING its hot start, NLEX stayed steady and disciplined as it systematically broke down Blackwater, 115-109, for its third straight win to gain solo leadership in the 2019 Philippine Basketball Association Governors’ Cup at the Sta. Rosa Multi-Purpose Complex in Laguna last night.

Olu Ashaolu hulked his way inside with a game-high 31 points and 10 rebounds to lead the way for NLEZ. Kiefer Ravena continue his comeback tour with a bang, flirting with a triple-double with 25 points, seven rebounds and seven assists for more firepower.

“It’s easier to play when everyone is touching the ball and everyone is a threat,” said Ravena.

The now 3-0 Road Warriors rose to solo first place.

On the other hand, the struggle continued for the Elite, dropping to 0-2.

After a shaky opening quarter, NLEX picked it up in the second to seize advantage but it was its solid run midway in the fourth closed the game out.

Leading for most part of the game but with the Elite staying in striking distance, the Road Warriors brought the hammer down in the payoff period to solidify their grip.

A key 9-1 spurt pushed NLEX’S lead to a vital 106-95 cushion after a Ravena step-back triple with 5:45 left.

While Blackwater tried its best with mini runs, the Road Warriors had answers until they finally iced another win in the bag.

Philip Paniamogan and Kenneth Ighalo each added 10 more points for NLEX. The two teams set a new all-time PBA record of most triples made in the game as they combined for a total of 37 hits from beyond the arc as they were shooting the lights out from deep the entire game.

Warriors get lift from Lee, stuns Bulldogs, 78-72

By Peter Atencio THE University of the East Warriors got inspiration from the presence of Gilas Pilipinas cager Paul Lee. The Warriors shot well all afternoon and repulsed repeated comebacks by the National University Bulldogs to post a 78-72 win Sunday at the Araneta Coliseum.

The Bulldogs struggled with their shooting and tried to make up for it with their defense, but the Warriors’ accuracy allowed them to claim their second win in seven games in the 82nd University Athletic Association of the Philippines men’s basketball tournament.

Lee fired up the Warriors by joining them in the dugout before the game, providing inspiring messages and tips.

Philip Manalang unloaded nine of his 13 points in the first period as the Warriors immediately took control with a 9-2 spurt and an 18-12 edge after a 10-minute span.

“Medyo pinalad kami ngayong araw.

We knew that if we should lose today, magiging imposible nang makabawi,” said Warriors coach Lawrence Chongson.

UE, which went on to finish with a 54.7% shooting clip, making 29 of 53 attempts for the highest field-goal percentage recorded this season by any team, climbed to fifth spot.

Alex Diakhite shot 22 points and had 13 points for UE Red Warriors, who exceeded their win total of one from last season.

On the other hand, NU dropped to its sixth loss in seven matches.

Lim’s DARPY bags MCC championship CARMONA—Manila Cockers Club, Inc., the country’s cockfighting industry game changer, witnessed another solo champion in Dicky Lim in the 3rd season of the 2019 15th MCC 7-Stag Breeders Festival recently at the Cockers Arena in Carmona, Cavite.

Lim, the top Thunderbird endorser, and his entry DARPY, emerged victorious after going head-to-head with the club’s toughest entries in the championship leg.

Lim faced WOW BIRD of Victor Gregorio, JAILBIRD JDR of Jebe Gayanelo, and JLB GF 4 / ERICH GF of Geffrey Gatica in the eliminations, where he scored 2.5 points (win, draw, win) to advance to the finals.

He successfully claimed the solo title after scoring an impressive 6.5 points against ANGAS NG BATANGAS 2 of Dino Marivic during the championships.

The Winslet Gamefarm pioneer is a regular participant in the MCC Breeders Festival stag series. He believes that the new technologies and innovation introduced by the Manila Cockers Club is key to further develop the sport of cockfighting, and popularize it in the global stage.

According to Lim, “Lemon to Radio Kelso Lemon to Dan Gray Lacy Roundhead Claret to Bankiya White Lemon Kelso to Blueface High Action” are the lines used to compete in the derby, a combination of lines to produce a winning

“combination of lines.”

Lim will be competing in the MCC BER MONTHS P70 MILLION Circuit Derby from September to December. This will guarantee him a spot in the 25th MCC 10 STAG MEGA DERBY on Dec. 11-21.

For more information about the Manila Cockers Club and its derbies, you may call the MCC hotline at (02)696 1120 or (63)917 582 2615.

Interested parties may also visit our website, www.manilacockers.com. Should fans wish to watch MCC’s weekly derbies, visit the Cockers Arena located at the G/F Turf Building of the San Lazaro Leisure Park, Barangay Lantic, Governor’s Drive, Carmona, Cavite.

Manila Cockers Club President Ding Magboo (left) awards the championship trophy toDicky Lim (right), Thunderbird endorser and owner of DARPY.

IN BRIEF

Hyundai’s auto sales rose 19% in August

HYUNDAI Asia Resources Inc. said over the weekend vehicle sales rose 19 percent to 2,539 units in August from 2,136 units in July.

“Our sustained performance amid external challenges is a result of our neverending effort to provide excellent aftersales services and premium products for Filipino motorists. Challenges come and go but we go the extra for our customers who will never forget their positive experience with the Hyundai brand,” said HARI president and chief executive officer Ma. Fe Perez-Agudo.

Sales hit 22,329 units in the first eight months of the year, down 0.8 percent from last year’s 22,511 vehicles.

HARI still remains one of the top-selling automotive brands with strong sales coming from the Reina, Accent, Kona and H-100.

Sales of Hyundai’s LCV segment increased 19 percent in the eight-month period to 9,864 from 8,288 units on year.

The subcompact SUV Hyundai Kona led the growth with a 231-percent increase.

Othel V. Campos

DTI taps PayMaya as payment option

THE Department of Trade and Industry tapped digital financial services leader PayMaya to give business name registration applicants several online payment options.

Launched along with the department’s new business name registration system, the digital payment options provided by PayMaya aims to make the process more convenient to the public.

“Long queues, inefficient and slow services in government will soon be a thing of the past. Our agreement with ePayment platforms completes our business name registration system as we are now able to provide our citizens the convenience of having to transact with DTI through their mobile phones at the comfort of their homes, or wherever they are, 24/7,” said Trade secretary Ramon Lopez.

PayMaya empowered the Trade Department to accept all forms of non-cash payments such as Visa, Mastercard, and JCB credit, debit, and prepaid card payments for business registration fees.

For those without a payment card, they can sign up for a PayMaya account by downloading the PayMaya app on their iOS or Android devices. Othel V. Campos

Business DOF pursues reforms on PH fiscal incentives T

By Julito G. Rada

HE Department of Finance over the weekend vowed to continue fighting for fiscal incentives reform despite the strong opposition of Philippine Economic Zone Authority directorgeneral Charito Plaza to the Corporate Income Tax and Incentives Reform Act.

CITIRA, approved on Sept. 13 by the House of Representatives, aims to lower the corporate income tax rate from 30 to 20 percent and rationalize fiscal incentives.

“There is no way we will stop fighting for fiscal incentives reform,” DOF Undersecretary and chief economist Gil Beltran said in response to what he said was a spate of strongly-worded statements made by Plaza against CITIRA. “Director-General Plaza said they are ready for war, but we would at least expect them to be armed with correct information,” Beltran said, adding the statements made by Peza had been “largely erroneous and misleading.”

“We are not against incentives, and we are not trying to remove Peza,” Beltran said. “We are simply trying to fix a long-broken system. When the government grants incentives, we want to do so for the right reasons—such as for job creation, investment in less-developed areas, and investment in infrastructure,” he said.

In a recent briefing, Plaza reiterated her desire for Peza to be exempted from

the incentive scheme proposed under Package 2 of the comprehensive tax reform program, which the House approved as House Bill No. 4157.

In response to claims that CITIRA might drive away potential investments, Beltran said the government must “look at the bigger picture.”

“Foreign direct investments have been on an upward trend since 2011. There is no doubt about that. Looking at the data, we will even find that these FDIs are increasingly non-reliant on incentives. While more and more investments are coming into the country, the level of investment pledges through Peza, which are pledges made with the expectation that incentives will be granted, have been going down,” Beltran said.

“Since our fundamentals are in place, incentives are becoming less and less of a factor for investment. Even before CITIRA or TRABAHO (Tax Reform

Meralco tests battery energy storage mode

MANILA Electric Co., the biggest retailer of electricity, is pursuing battery energy storage system that will help manage its distribution network.

Meralco inaugurated the San Rafael BESS facility in Bulacan early this month.

“That’s a pilot. From a DU perspective, we want to understand how battery energy storage really works and how it will help the network. We’re grateful to Hitachi for providing us 2 MW of battery storage energy system,” Meralco president Ray Espinosa said.

Meralco signed an agreement with Hitachi in 2017 in a bid to become the first distribution utility to deploy a grid-scale BESS in the distribution system in the Philippines.

The company wanted to demonstrate the potential of BESS to manage peak demand and energy, improve service reliability and power quality, and compensate for the intermittency of renewable generation.

“That would acquaint our network engineers on how we can use this energy storage system as a way of stabilizing renewables,” Espinosa said.

Alena Mae S. Flores

Ray S. Eñano, Editor Roderick T. dela Cruz, Assistant Editor business@manilastandard.net extrastory2000@gmail.com MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2019

DTI offers options on investment approvals

By Othel V. Campos THE Department of Trade and Industry proposed the approval of investments amounting to $3 billion or below by promoting agencies and those above $3 billion by the Fiscal Incentives Review Board under the final draft of the Corporate Income Tax and Incentive Rationalization Act, or CITIRA. Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez said over the weekend the proposal aimed to lessen the pressure on FIRB and maximize the capacity of investment promoting agencies.

“I was telling the Finance Department to leave all the projects that fall below the threshold of $3 billion to IPAs with FIRB as oversight authority for these lower bracket investments. The FIRB can concentrate on the approval of investments beyond the threshold. There are so many investments that fall under the threshold and this may slow down the assessment rate of FIRB,” he said.

The Trade Department for the meantime is awaiting the recommendation of the Board of Investments on the final value of investments that will fall on IPAs and those for approval by the FIRB. The department offered two approaches to extending the transition period of investors from the current set of incentives to the proposed reform package.

For high value and employmentintensive industries, the Trade Department proposed an minimum of transition of seven years to a maximum of 10 years, while projects with less investment values and lower employment will be given a minimum of five years and maximum of seven years.

“Frankly, I’ll be happy with 5 minimum and maximum of 8 years transition period. That’s reasonable enough.

By that time, the lowering of tax rates would have continued. But for the regular transition, I’d be okay with 5 to 7 years. Although, I still could not discount what Senator Migz Zubiri proposed for the high export and labor intensive industries which was a minimum of 7 and a high of 10,” Lopez said.

Labor intensive projects are identified as those employing at least 3,000 people and more.

The Trade Department is in discussions with Finance Department on the transition period.

The transition would also give enough time for the development of the new infrastructures to mature, Lopez said.

ERC approves Pasay substation project of NGCP

POST-HARVEST FACILITY. Agriculture Secretary William Dar (middle, with orange hard hat) is shown with Rod Bioco (with green hard hat), retired chief operating officer of Mindanao Grains Processing Inc., PhilMaize president Roger Navarro (fourth from left), Department of Agriculture Northern Mindanao regional director Carlene Collado (fifth from left) and other MinGrains and DA officials during the DA chief’s visit to MinGrains corn facility in Malaybalay, Bukidnon on September 16, 2019. MinGrains, which also owns and operates a modern post-harvest facility in Reina Mercedes, Isabela, has offered to provide drying and storage facilities for palay that will be bought from Isabela farmers by the National Food Authority and the Isabela provincial government this main harvest season.

By Alena Mae S. Flores

Budget releases funds to DBP and LandBank to assist rice farmers

THE Energy Regulatory Commission approved the P12.9-billion Pasay substation project of National Grid Corp. of the Philippines subject to certain conditions.

The ERC, in a 40-page ruling, cleared NGCP’s option one that will directly benefit the consumers of Pasay, Las Piñas, Parañaque, Muntinlupa, Taguig and some parts of Manila, as well as commercial establishments in the area.

“The Pasay 230 kV under Option 1 will likewise support the seven existing substations that serve Metro Manila.

Consequently, through the accommodation of additional demand and enhanced reliability of the transmission and distribution system, this substation will benefit several types of customers within Metro Manila,” ERC said.

The ERC said option one, or the Pasay 230 kV substation project, entailed the installation of a nine-kilometer underground cable and 11 230kV PCBs (power circuit breakers).

It said the option would cater to the loads of the Las Piñas 230 kV substation by accommodating the distribution assets of Manila Electric Co. but also loads coming from Manila (Navotas ) substation and loads from proposed Bataan-Cavite-Metro Manila 230 kV transmission line project.

But the ERC rejected the second option the project, which involves the development of the Las Pinas 300 MVA 230 kV/115 kV transformer bank No. 5, saying while it was cheaper, the first was technically feasible to relieve overloading of the Las Pinas transformers.

“Option one offers a long-term solution to the ever growing demand of Metro Manila, as it allows further expansion of the distribution and transmission assets within the region. Ultimately, option one offers a long-term solution that addresses projected loads beyond 2023,” the regulator said.

THE Department of Budget Department, through the Agricultural Credit Policy Council, released P244.6 million to the Development Bank of the Philippines and P180 million to the Land Bank of the Philippines for the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund-Credit Program.

The loans are to be released eventually to fund agriculture modernization and assist individual farmers and agricultureaccredited cooperatives and associations to cope up with the rice liberalization law.

For the RCEF-Seed Program, the Budget Department also released to the Philippine Rice Research Institute P2 billion to

promote, acquire, and distribute certified seeds of NSIC Rc222, Rc160, Rc216 and 16 other location-specific varieties in the regions.

Funds for the mechanization and extension services programs will be available soon following the Budget Department’s issuance of the special allotment release order to Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization, Agricultural Training Institute and Technical Skills Development Authority.

For seed distribution, farmers will be able to procure seeds on October for period covering the dry season of 2019-2020.

The project will cover 57 provinces, with a total area of more than 1 million hectares. Farmers will receive a maximum of 80kg of certified inbred rice seeds for two consecutive seasons, depending on the size of the farm.

Agriculture Secretary William Dar has instructed implementing agencies to speed up the rollout of RCEF assistance to rice farmers.

An agreement with local seed grower associations and cooperatives as seed suppliers is already in place to ensure the availability and positioning of seeds for October to December distribution.

The DBP signed a memorandum of

B1

agreement with Nagkakaisang Magsasaka ng Isabela Agricultural Cooperative and PayMaya Inc. to provide financial services to rice farmers through e-wallet cards.

“With the provincial government of Isabela, we are currently gathering data in barangays for bank account opening of beneficiaries,” Dar said.

Land Bank has received loan applications from 97 individual farmers and seven cooperatives with a total loan amount of P38.07 million.

The loans released were part of the P10billion fund allocated for RCEF in 2019.

Othel V. Campos

ICTSI still eyeing expansion opportunities

By Darwin G. Amojelar INTERNATIONAL Container Terminal Services Inc. is looking for more opportunities despite the global economic slowdown, while exercising prudent spending.

“We will spend very prudently but we will continue to be very active looking for projects. When there’s little confidence in the global economy it makes a lot of opportunities for us,” Christian Gonzalez, senior vice president and Global Corporate head of the ICTSI Group, told reporters on Friday.

The International Monetary Fund in its World Economic Outlook in July said global growth remained subdued, forecasting a 3.2-percent economic expansion this year, 0.1 percentage point lower than its projection in April this

year. The global economy is projected to grow 3.5 percent in 2020.

ICTSI in June won a 25-year contract to develop, operate and maintain a port terminal in Africa.

ICTSI owned by tycoon Enrique Razon Jr. said it was declared the preferred bidder for the concession to develop, operate and maintain the MultiPurpose Terminal of the Port of Kribi by the Port Autonome de Kribi on June 14.

The Port of Kribi is located in Cameroon, Central Africa. It is a newlybuilt port with deep draft. The Multipurpose Terminal consists of 265 meters of berth and 10 hectares of yard.

Gonzalez said ICTSI was negotiating its contract in Cameroon. The concession contract has a duration of 25 years, or until 2045.

SHISEIDO PARTNER. Shiseido Company Ltd. is expanding its presence in the Philippines within the first year of partnership agreement with Luxasia Partners Pte. Ltd. The companies merged synergies to create Shiseido Philippines Corp., or Shiseido Philippines, to expand the business and the presence of the brand not only in the A market but to the consumer or mass market as well. Shown at the launching of the partnership are (from left) Shiseido Philippines managing director Koji Nakats, Shiseido Asia Pacific president and chief executive officer Jean-Philippe Charrier and Luxasia chairman Patrick Chong. Othel V. Campos

B2

Business

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2019 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Market consolidation continues T

By Jenniffer B. Austria

HE Philippine Stock Exchange Index is expected to consolidate between 7,700 and 7,800 points over the near-term period with lack of catalysts in the local front.

Analysts said investors might also look for overseas foreign guidance on how the stocks would move this week.

“While we remain a buy on the index, we’ve been flagging the past few days that we would prefer to wait near its recent lows at the 7,620 level given the off technical indicators,” Papa Securities trader Gabriel Perez said.

“With a lack of catalysts in the local

scene in the near-term, movement could likely be dictated by US market movement and foreign flows,” he added.

Meanwhile, two initial public offerings, namely Axelum Resources Corp. and All Home Corp., could perk up the market in October.

Axelum will be listed with the PSE on Oct. 7 while All Home has been scheduled for listing on Oct. 10.

The PSEi last week dropped 0.7 percent to close at 7,819.22 ,while the All Shares Index went slipped 0.9 percent to 4,728.81 on continued foreign selling.

The recent move of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas to cut the policy interest rates failed to boost the market.

Four sectoral indices ended in the negative territory, led by mining and oil which fell 4.3 percent, followed by industrial which slumped 3.5 percent, services which dipped 2.8 percent and holding firms which lost 1 percent.

In contrast, the property index rose 2.1 percent, while financials rose 1 percent.

Foreign investors were net sellers during the week by P1.94 billion, while the average daily value traded was flat at P6.3 billion.

Weekly top price gainers were SM Prime Holdings Inc., which rose 5 percent to P36.50; BDO Unibank Inc., which advanced 3.3 percent to P145; and Ayala Land Inc., which gained 2.9 percent to P49.90.

Weekly top price losers were Alliance Global Group Inc., which declined 11.1 percent to P10.90; Manila Water Co. Inc., which dropped 9 percent to P20.10; and Universal Robina Corp., which fell 6.8 percent to P157.50.

Meanwhile, reports that US President Donald Trump is mulling severe new restrictions on investment in China shook Wall Street on Friday, sending stocks

into the red.

The downward shift in New York was an about-face from the general upward movement seen earlier in Europe, where markets climbed as analysts said fresh optimism about the US-China trade talks was taking hold.

Multiple US media reports said the White House is considering proposals to de-list Chinese companies from US stock markets or block US investment in China, threats that appear intended to ratchet up pressure on Beijing to strike a bargain as the trade war stretches into its second year.

Trump has said in recent weeks that Beijing may be holding off on reaching a trade deal, betting that he will not be re-elected next year.

A batch of lackluster economic data released Friday, which underscored the strains the trade war has created for the United States, did not help. With AFP

MANILA STANDARD BUSINESS WEEKLY STOCKS REVIEW STOCKS

SEPTEMBER 23-27, 2019 Close Volume Value

Asia United Bank Banco de Oro Unibank Inc. Bank of PI China Bank BDO Leasing & Fin. INc. Bright Kindle Resources COL Financial Eastwest Bank Ferronoux Holding First Abacus I-Remit Inc. Manulife Fin. Corp.

MEDCO Holdings Metrobank Natl. Reinsurance Corp.

PB Bank Phil. National Bank Phil. Savings Bank Philippine trust Co. PSE Inc. RCBC `A’ Security Bank Sun Life Financial Union Bank Vantage Equities

55 145.00 91.80 25.05 2.00 1.12 18.6 12.1 5.19 0.53 1.26 755.00 0.435 66.9 0.95 13 44.40 58.5 129 179 26.95 198 1835.00 59.05 1.09

5,960 6,089,280 7,250,890 458,100 42,000 167,000 76,300 2,018,100 3,192,200 3,000 184,000 510 350,000 11,706,980 330,000 466,000 677,700 12,150 2,180 12,580 96,900 1,965,240 505 147,660 119,000

FINANCIAL 328,583.50 870,346,307.00 661,862,260.50 11,636,135.00 85,280.00 188,680.00 1,410,238.00 24,214,250.00 17,168,125.00 1,590.00 226,580.00 385,100.00 152,100.00 788,800,970.50 307,130.00 5,850,186.00 30,236,855.00 698,855.50 263,255.00 2,261,951.00 2,603,385.00 386,042,765.00 927,125.00 8,719,321.00 130,100.00

Aboitiz Power Corp.

Agrinurture Inc. Alliance Tuna Intl Inc. Alsons Cement Corp.

Alsons Cons.

Basic Energy Corp.

C. Azuc De Tarlac Cemex Holdings Century Food Chemphil Cirtek Holdings (Chips) Conc. Aggr. ‘A’ Conc. Aggr. ‘B’ Concepcion Crown Asia Da Vinci Capital Del Monte DNL Industries Inc. Eagle Cement EEI Emperador Euro-Med Lab First Gen Corp.

First Holdings ‘A’ Ginebra San Miguel Inc. Greenergy Holcim Philippines Inc. Integ. Micro-Electronics Ionics Inc Jollibee Foods Corp.

Liberty Flour LMG Chemicals Mabuhay Vinyl Macay Holdings Manila Water Co. Inc. Maxs Group Megawide MG Holdings Mla. Elect. Co `A’ Panasonic Mfg Phil. Corp.

Pepsi-Cola Products Phil.

Petroenergy Res. Corp.

Petron Corporation Phinma Corporation Phinma Energy Phoenix Petroleum Phils.

Pilipinas Shell Pryce Corp. `A’ RFM Corporation Roxas and Co. Roxas Holdings SFA Semicon Shakeys Pizza SMC Food and Beverage SPC Power Corp.

Swift Foods, Inc. TKC Steel Corp.

Universal Robina Victorias Milling Vitarich Corp.

Vivant Corp.

Vulcan Ind’l.

38.75 16.1 0.69 1.3 1.3 0.246 19.10 2.63 14.1 120 9.2 71.9 77.1 31.5 2.09 6.05 5.9 8.950 15.72 10.90 7.08 1.65 24.6 80.5 47.80 2.5500 14.30 8.16 1.560 220.20 26.40 5.4 3.54 8.38 20.1 13.38 18.48 0.206 363.00 5.20 1.72 4.24 5.00 10.50 2.31 11.00 32 5.34 5.10 1.85 2.45 1 11.62 90.2 7.32 0.123 1.09 157.5 2.42 1.1 16.94 1.21

8,924,700 2,269,200 5,103,000 174,000 472,000 7,710,000 113,000 8,097,000 6,704,600 20,870 3,812,200 3,970 8,350 309,300 990,000 48,500 99,200 4,408,200 9,182,000 3,579,400 14,044,100 8,000 12,116,300 1,190,800 645,700 48,709,000 605,100 547,100 339,000 4,747,180 800 418,000 30,000 20,800 6,129,300 863,600 2,362,800 1,130,000 754,470 10,900 72,535,000 37,000 11,304,700 458,500 111,839,000 489,700 4,056,200 313,200 306,200 9,191,000 171,000 3,692,000 2,923,100 1,286,120 303,300 960,000 1,813,000 6,920,120 48,000 41,949,000 1,000 9,666,000

INDUSTRIAL 352,735,675.00 36,280,684.00 3,502,020.00 226,220.00 614,250.00 1,894,350.00 2,103,936.00 21,592,680.00 94,125,560.00 2,463,379.00 37,689,518.00 287,767.50 644,853.50 9,696,760.00 2,101,520.00 297,730.00 586,570.00 40,055,952.00 144,366,378.00 38,786,896.00 99,839,152.00 13,260.00 298,302,865.00 96,434,010.00 30,741,745.00 121,814,030.00 8,609,814.00 4,503,575.00 520,950.00 1,042,133,004.00 35,460.00 2,250,882.00 103,980.00 177,814.00 127,165,565.00 11,700,090.00 44,009,418.00 216,820.00 277,478,430.00 59,366.00 136,939,380.00 158,400.00 56,743,787.00 4,867,178.00 276,782,240.00 5,339,304.00 135,005,450.00 1,636,735.00 1,561,788.00 17,270,400.00 419,050.00 3,784,100.00 34,101,112.00 116,554,686.50 2,252,437.00 119,250.00 1,957,560.00 1,102,580,222.00 116,260.00 49,925,740.00 16,500.00 17,670,230.00

Abacus Cons. `A’ Aboitiz Equity Alliance Global Inc. Anglo Holdings A Anscor `A’ Asiabest Group ATN Holdings A ATN Holdings B Ayala Corp `A’ Ayala Land Log BHI Holdings Inc. Cosco Capital DMCI Holdings F&J Prince ‘B’ Filinvest Dev. Corp.

Forum Pacific GT Capital House of Inv. JG Summit Holdings Jolliville Holdings Keppel Holdings `A’ Keppel Holdings `B’ Lodestar Invt. Holdg.Corp.

Lopez Holdings Corp.

LT Group Mabuhay Holdings `A’ Metro Pacific Inv. Corp.

MJCI Investments Inc. Pacifica `A’ Prime Media Hldg Republic Glass ‘A’ San Miguel Corp `A’ Seafront `A’ SM Investments Inc. Solid Group Inc. South China Res. Inc. Top Frontier Transgrid Wellex Industries Zeus Holdings

0.890 53.50 10.90 0.78 7.00 13.22 1.170 1.200 893 3.590 1718.00 6.62 8.50 5.2 13.60 0.229 836 5.89 73.50 5.79 5.87 5.23 0.53 4.39 14.5 0.590 4.89 2.89 0.0390 1.300 2.85 175.00 2.59 1000.00 1.27 0.86 216.200 444.00 0.2280 0.240

196,865,000 2,819,420 66,546,200 3,170,000 37,400 97,000 9,990,000 354,000 2,645,430 30,438,000 5 3,344,000 31,533,700 1,000 251,300 780,000 523,570 179,500 5,372,500 2,600 125,900 200 4,174,000 4,757,000 6,695,800 3,320,000 56,017,100 1,000 12,400,000 914,000 46,000 1,183,050 1,000 1,238,425 400,000 3,146,000 314,860 10 2,030,000 17,350,000

HOLDING FIRMS 181,200,240.00 153,686,947.50 755,305,338.00 2,435,430.00 255,430.00 1,277,380.00 11,653,420.00 415,580.00 2,365,818,865.00 107,385,570.00 8,590.00 22,529,314.00 272,905,651.00 5,200.00 3,398,880.00 178,990.00 443,525,485.00 1,060,983.00 401,138,978.00 14,953.00 695,331.00 1,046.00 2,163,910.00 20,955,120.00 97,685,038.00 1,972,230.00 276,265,810.00 2,890.00 481,200.00 1,195,310.00 133,430.00 210,182,811.00 2,590.00 1,245,703,080.00 509,500.00 2,811,140.00 72,021,078.00 4,440.00 459,470.00 4,478,380.00

8990 HLDG A. Brown Co., Inc. Anchor Land Holdings Inc. Araneta Prop `A’ Arthaland Corp.

Ayala Land `B’ Belle Corp. `A’ CEB Landmasters Cebu Holdings Century Property City & Land Dev. Cityland Dev. `A’ Crown Equities Inc. Cyber Bay Corp.

DM Wenceslao Double Dragon Empire East Land Ever Gotesco Filinvest Land,Inc. Global-Estate Keppel Properties Megaworld MRC Allied Ind. Phil Infradev Phil. Estates Corp.

Phil. Realty `A’ Phil. Tob. Flue Cur & Redry Primex Corp.

Robinson’s Land `B’

15.040 0.85 10.08 1.910 0.900 49.300 2.09 4.75 6.2 0.530 0.75 0.860 0.227 0.390 9.720 20.25 0.450 0.121 1.59 1.20 4.71 4.46 0.305 1.3900 0.4200 0.375 53.00 2.05 24.05

1,396,300 212,949,000 5,300 430,000 14,723,000 38,292,500 3,335,000 3,263,000 264,300 60,896,000 180,000 151,000 210,000 2,950,000 901,100 1,041,200 3,400,000 230,000 70,321,000 3,809,000 22,000 170,064,000 38,240,000 6,702,000 910,000 1,050,000 400 1,324,000 6,171,200

PROPERTY 21,084,826.00 180,933,320.00 53,136.00 820,280.00 13,200,020.00 1,877,774,615.00 7,045,270.00 15,768,700.00 1,658,804.00 33,460,470.00 131,080.00 127,810.00 45,700.00 1,144,200.00 8,770,389.00 21,136,243.00 1,535,500.00 27,830.00 113,321,360.00 4,579,610.00 103,620.00 796,360,040.00 11,812,200.00 9,533,980.00 389,550.00 399,300.00 20,589.50 2,681,440.00 151,165,185.00

SEPTMBER 16-20, 2019 Close Volume Value 56.05 140.40 91.10 25.7 2.02 1.16 18.6 12.1 5.56

1,400 11,982,310 18,222,120 1,242,800 7,000 61,000 4,100 2,336,600 6,842,400

78,560.00 1,681,744,373.00 1,695,778,290.50 31,984,355.00 14,810.00 70,830.00 76,220.00 28,011,540.00 38,763,501.00

1.32 760.00 0.440 67.5 0.93 13.1 45.80 57.8 118 180 27.2 199 1835.00 59.00 1.14

666,000 2,620 520,000 12,946,440 711,000 104,800 669,600 14,600 480 15,680 108,300 2,948,890 945 167,150 43,000

865,520.00 1,989,200.00 229,150.00 885,263,315.50 663,810.00 1,366,598.00 30,847,535.00 840,395.00 56,552.00 2,818,303.00 2,969,580.00 589,488,069.00 1,726,330.00 9,929,514.00 47,380.00

39.95 15.84 0.74

11,020,200 1,020,600 8,659,000

437,923,375.00 16,223,274.00 6,269,870.00

1.32 0.250 18.98 2.67 14.02 121.7 10.22 75.45 78 31.7 2.11 6.13 5.94 9.290 15.84 10.50 7.18 1.77 24.8 81.4 49.50 2.4000 14.16 8.5 1.550 220.00

355,000 7,670,000 115,400 10,606,000 7,433,300 6,240 4,212,600 2,880 2,980 340,500 1,978,000 71,500 207,300 1,930,700 8,667,500 1,524,500 8,623,900 17,000 13,226,400 551,920 349,230 48,466,000 2,083,100 1,282,100 190,000 2,797,390

464,550.00 1,904,760.00 2,075,406.00 28,451,010.00 104,218,032.00 727,521.00 44,042,192.00 210,786.00 235,018.00 10,896,515.00 4,140,510.00 431,417.00 1,250,389.00 17,670,014.00 136,156,556.00 15,943,540.00 62,054,628.00 29,580.00 340,518,585.00 45,104,196.00 17,421,077.00 116,743,640.00 28,617,172.00 10,978,801.00 296,410.00 626,172,060.00

5.3 3.56 8.60 22.1 13.86 18.92 0.189 371.00 5.30 2.08 4.48 5.14 12.00 2.69 11.00 33.15 5.2 5.14 1.87 2.2 1.11 11.84 91 7.4 0.127 1.10 169 2.42 1.26 16.10 1.32

423,000 69,000 16,300 4,355,400 1,298,500 3,378,000 150,000 1,064,000 65,000 31,053,000 90,000 21,635,100 935,600 149,288,000 1,237,400 23,810,600 533,000 572,700 4,752,000 848,000 1,385,000 4,387,800 1,330,170 226,200 2,790,000 3,601,000 4,215,670 92,000 18,084,000 2,500 14,447,000

2,222,172.00 237,620.00 136,100.00 95,639,840.00 18,073,548.00 64,399,368.00 28,510.00 394,520,228.00 338,900.00 64,065,960.00 396,310.00 115,830,574.00 11,447,551.00 413,267,060.00 13,194,506.00 799,671,740.00 2,808,636.00 2,942,898.00 8,664,610.00 1,971,990.00 1,501,970.00 52,499,444.00 121,148,145.00 1,590,164.00 360,790.00 4,049,100.00 708,503,976.00 222,640.00 23,215,980.00 40,250.00 18,842,240.00

0.950 55.60 12.26 0.80 6.90 13.42 1.200 1.210 895 3.500

82,651,000 5,798,610 25,758,500 2,846,000 22,900 137,200 8,729,000 1,203,000 1,996,290 15,995,000

76,222,950.00 318,001,965.50 319,784,130.00 2,243,460.00 158,159.00 1,823,148.00 10,489,260.00 1,464,900.00 1,795,672,030.00 56,597,370.00

6.78 8.40

5,250,500 28,564,400

35,675,369.00 256,981,399.00

13.70 0.242 880 5.86 75.30 5.4 5.1 5.2 0.52 4.47 14.72 0.650 5.01

219,200 230,000 557,750 638,800 10,229,320 111,900 3,800 800 1,827,000 2,252,000 7,307,600 830,000 86,597,500

2,991,994.00 54,000.00 495,652,695.00 3,743,294.00 763,860,966.00 606,598.00 19,524.00 4,160.00 929,910.00 10,179,800.00 106,079,840.00 531,580.00 437,034,266.00

0.0390 1.350 3.09 179.10 2.44 1000.00 1.29 0.88 232.000 449.80 0.2300 0.260

27,300,000 1,176,000 34,000 1,232,520 27,000 2,201,230 817,000 1,416,000 6,070 90 620,000 10,250,000

1,050,300.00 1,626,030.00 104,830.00 217,536,118.00 65,900.00 2,209,462,752.50 1,051,050.00 1,210,650.00 1,401,894.00 40,482.00 142,000.00 2,580,040.00

15.180 0.88 9.90 1.870 0.950 47.900 2.15 4.95 6.1 0.570 0.76 0.870 0.220 0.405 9.830 20.5 0.455 0.130 1.65 1.22 4.71 4.92 0.320 1.4900 0.4400 0.390

3,230,200 18,578,000 3,000 324,000 35,068,000 55,322,000 4,121,000 7,120,000 17,400 66,902,000 90,000 392,000 2,480,000 820,000 1,637,900 770,700 770,000 310,000 39,168,000 2,708,000 51,000 64,935,300 16,090,000 8,242,000 1,220,000 510,000

49,207,292.00 16,149,030.00 28,750.00 597,570.00 33,093,310.00 2,695,337,620.00 8,889,080.00 35,195,800.00 102,906.00 37,299,120.00 66,980.00 330,010.00 546,880.00 327,000.00 15,840,594.00 16,237,585.00 349,650.00 37,620.00 64,373,360.00 3,382,730.00 231,140.00 326,522,327.00 5,073,200.00 12,460,920.00 535,950.00 199,550.00

2.09 25.05

2,751,000 10,609,100

5,688,190.00 266,272,220.00

STOCKS

SEPTEMBER 23-27, 2019 Close Volume Value

SEPTMBER 16-20, 2019 Close Volume Value

Rockwell Shang Properties Inc. SM Prime Holdings Sta. Lucia Land Inc. Starmalls Suntrust Home Dev. Inc. Vista Land & Lifescapes Vistamalls

2.37 3.29 36.50 2.57 5.93 0.930 7.730 5.820

270,000 173,000 148,090,100 7,202,000 104,600 246,863,000 22,214,700 159,000

629,870.00 566,710.00 5,317,079,135.00 17,833,100.00 620,508.00 216,548,850.00 170,368,850.00 918,745.00

2GO Group’ ABS-CBN Acesite Hotel APC Group, Inc. Apollo Global Asian Terminals Inc. Berjaya Phils. Inc. Bloomberry Boulevard Holdings Cebu Air Inc. (5J) Centro Esc. Univ.

Chelsea DFNN Inc. Discovery World Easy Call “Common” FEUI Globe Telecom GMA Network Inc. Golden Haven Grand Plaza Hotel Harbor Star I.C.T.S.I. Imperial Res. `A’ IPeople Inc. `A’ IPM Holdings Island Info ISM Communications Jackstones LBC Express Leisure & Resorts Lorenzo Shipping Macroasia Corp.

Manila Bulletin Manila Jockey Metro Retail MetroAlliance A MetroAlliance B NOW Corp.

Pacific Online Sys. Corp.

PAL Holdings Inc. Paxys Inc. PH Resorts Group Phil. Seven Corp.

Philweb.Com Inc. PLDT Common PremiereHorizon Premium Leisure Puregold Robinsons RTL SBS Phil. Corp.

SSI Group STI Holdings Transpacific Broadcast Travellers Waterfront Phils.

Wilcon Depot

10.1 18.32 1.7 0.630 0.047 18.24 2.37 11.30 0.0550 93 6.9 7 5.80 2.14 9.80 919 1835 5.24 434.80 10.88 1.60 122.5 1.75 9.48 4.25 0.113 4.9700 2.86 14.18 3.05 0.90 19.00 0.445 3.45 2.36 1.15 1.20 2.870 2.8 8.36 3 5.00 140.00 3.03 1127.00 0.550 0.710 40.40 79.00 9.08 2.77 0.690 0.325 5.42 0.690 16.580

50,000 746,200 1,005,000 246,385,000 36,600,000 1,900 1,272,000 15,451,900 59,970,000 507,600 19,200 3,906,600 27,386,900 11,000 433,600 1,120 239,375 696,400 4,030 10,700 3,033,000 8,182,690 114,000 10,000 6,000 2,190,000 13,512,600 6,000 700 1,413,000 1,581,000 421,100 690,000 381,000 3,342,000 231,000 29,000 20,533,000 348,000 68,800 1,000 58,200 46,970 3,215,000 354,495 79,846,000 20,168,000 2,522,300 1,452,780 41,500 9,182,000 3,573,000 42,160,000 7,500 3,733,000 6,839,500

SERVICES 506,757.00 13,790,978.00 1,776,350.00 173,423,890.00 1,728,600.00 34,690.00 2,947,700.00 173,767,006.00 3,341,230.00 47,220,501.00 131,703.00 27,502,115.00 167,045,075.00 22,340.00 4,304,356.00 1,029,350.00 443,420,430.00 3,642,084.00 1,732,360.00 105,604.00 4,875,720.00 1,039,500,346.00 207,070.00 91,938.00 26,190.00 245,670.00 69,243,336.00 17,300.00 9,818.00 4,360,390.00 1,429,350.00 8,006,798.00 311,500.00 1,299,730.00 7,998,010.00 278,810.00 35,410.00 62,192,150.00 982,080.00 551,522.00 3,000.00 284,019.00 6,535,677.00 9,857,320.00 397,310,125.00 44,204,690.00 14,884,520.00 103,200,265.00 113,572,919.00 378,635.00 25,333,230.00 2,509,950.00 14,307,400.00 40,663.00 2,539,330.00 110,703,434.00

Abra Mining Apex `A’ Atlas Cons. `A’ Atok-Big Wedge `A’ Benguet Corp `A’ Benguet Corp `B’ Century Peak Metals Hldgs Coal Asia Dizon Ferronickel Geograce Res. Phil. Inc. Lepanto `A’ Lepanto `B’ Manila Mining `A’ Manila Mining `B’ Marcventures Hldgs., Inc. Nickelasia Nihao Mineral Resources Omico Oriental Peninsula Res. Oriental Pet. `A’ Oriental Pet. `B’ Philex `A’ PhilexPetroleum Philodrill Corp. `A’ Phinma Petro Semirara Corp.

United Paragon

0.0017 1.19 2.50 12.04 1.1500 1.1700 2.63 0.280 7.81 1.670 0.239 0.107 0.110 0.0095 0.0110 1.11 4.05 1.12 0.5000 0.9000 0.0120 0.0110 3.78 11.86 0.0120 8.8300 22.05 0.0066

MINING & OIL 3,273,000,000 5,564,100.00 6,734,000 7,869,660.00 270,000 680,480.00 11,700 138,656.00 31,000 35,920.00 11,000 12,870.00 3,562,000 9,448,610.00 280,000 79,150.00 6,500 51,423.00 106,085,000 184,293,970.00 48,840,000 12,256,240.00 10,740,000 1,154,400.00 25,200,000 2,661,180.00 12,600,000 119,690.00 161,100,000 1,819,900.00 971,000 1,114,250.00 29,365,000 122,707,560.00 5,727,000 6,882,220.00 447,000 224,930.00 1,242,000 1,124,940.00 41,600,000 478,600.00 268,500,000 2,955,700.00 4,405,000 16,803,490.00 4,711,900 56,097,974.00 86,900,000 906,700.00 4,365,600 39,150,711.00 3,721,300 83,531,170.00 18,000,000 119,400.00

ABS-CBN Holdings Corp.

Alco Preferred B Alco Preferred C Ayala Corp. Pref `B1’ Ayala Corp. Pref ‘B2’ DD PREF First Gen G FPH Pref C GLOBE PREF P GMA Holdings Inc. GTCAP PREF A GTCAP PREF B House Preferred Leisure and Resort MWIDE PREF PCOR-Preferred 2A PCOR-Preferred 2B PCOR-Preferred 3A PCOR-Preferred 3B PF Pref 2 PNX PREF 3A SMC Preferred 1 SMC Preferred B SMC Preferred C SMC Preferred D SMC Preferred E SMC Preferred F SMC Preferred G SMC Preferred H SMPFC Preferred

17.86 105.1 105 511 505 102 107.5 500 500 5.15 994 995 99.55 0.99 100.3 1025 1030 1058 1081 100 109 995 78 75.05 75.6 76.5 75.95 75.2 75.6 1.6

522,700 13,460 2,520 12,910 30,380 50,860 29,680 10 55,820 73,200 5,180 1,370 128,710 3,433,000 22,510 230 780 10,910 3,885,540 10,000 7,950 5,180 229,710 1,139,580 820,980 1,927,370 632,750 1,051,210 945,550 10,000

LR Warrant

1.520

318,000

PREFERRED 9,439,400.00 1,364,360.00 264,600.00 6,528,160.00 15,322,845.00 5,175,363.00 3,215,965.00 5,000.00 27,912,590.00 375,605.00 5,060,120.00 1,346,200.00 12,559,773.50 3,398,810.00 2,283,717.00 230,500.00 801,550.00 11,539,375.00 37,140,365.00 1,001,810.00 861,710.00 5,145,680.00 17,916,248.00 85,636,395.50 62,084,970.00 148,195,985.00 47,708,130.00 79,866,341.50 72,262,801.00 16,480.00

WARRANTS & BONDS 501,760.00

2.38 3.3 34.75 2.47 5.99 0.920 7.650

350,000 118,000 48,979,500 5,830,000 1,518,600 495,000 15,515,700

830,380.00 566,050.00 1,702,747,150.00 13,914,290.00 8,971,548.00 456,430.00 118,824,887.00

10.14 19 1.83 0.710 0.048 18.26 2.37 11.10 0.0570 94 6.6 7.34 5.80 2.17 10.22 920 1910 5.25 430.00 9.86 1.63 131.4 1.85 9.2 4.50 0.113 5.4100 2.87 14 3.19 0.91 19.40 0.445 3.45 2.50 1.16 1.24 3.300 2.85 8.12 2.76 5.03 137.70 3.20 1147.00 0.560 0.720 42.00 80.35 9.18 2.82 0.700 0.345 5.72 0.710 16.280

61,900 1,010,000 2,944,000 235,224,000 5,690,000 300 846,000 10,180,400 35,310,000 928,120 4,900 5,936,900 5,500 174,000 753,200 9,610 232,770 695,900 1,480 500 7,027,000 5,959,540 60,000 3,200 81,200 8,790,000 11,994,600 7,000 4,000 2,023,000 955,000 1,306,300 550,000 159,000 2,231,000 489,000 71,000 14,969,000 279,000 29,800 2,000 16,900 444,130 3,480,000 521,995 78,646,000 6,427,000 4,538,200 1,567,230 62,800 7,539,000 1,904,000 77,780,000 19,497,700 3,546,000 18,430,200

631,576.00 19,759,898.00 5,181,210.00 160,468,270.00 271,280.00 5,478.00 2,064,650.00 112,608,402.00 1,994,920.00 84,974,812.00 32,932.00 42,182,770.00 32,238.00 359,880.00 7,744,806.00 8,584,140.00 446,957,610.00 3,679,836.00 636,414.00 4,930.00 11,916,290.00 785,280,585.00 112,460.00 29,648.00 382,710.00 1,001,460.00 64,130,990.00 20,090.00 56,238.00 6,536,180.00 885,970.00 25,563,742.00 255,500.00 545,010.00 5,616,940.00 588,430.00 88,350.00 50,082,220.00 781,650.00 243,291.00 5,520.00 80,348.00 61,952,766.00 11,325,220.00 604,252,085.00 44,570,750.00 4,618,820.00 192,161,490.00 125,521,991.00 574,954.00 21,183,550.00 1,326,860.00 28,260,500.00 107,047,734.00 2,471,230.00 303,319,860.00

0.0017 1.20 2.55 12.14 1.1800 1.1700 2.68 0.295 7.97 1.710 233.000 0.110 0.110 0.0120 0.0120 1.17 4.32 1.16 0.5400 0.9200 0.0120 0.0120 3.90 12.30 0.0120 9.7000 23.05 0.0064

2,465,000,000 9,232,000 90,000 28,600 12,000 5,000 4,782,000 2,690,000 142,400 134,567,000 5,080,000 5,010,000 2,990,000 170,500,000 175,400,000 772,000 76,098,000 550,000 917,000 4,061,000 147,700,000 19,200,000 1,532,000 6,625,900 28,900,000 11,980,800 18,633,100 25,000,000

4,191,900.00 11,297,150.00 230,280.00 354,784.00 14,290.00 5,890.00 12,801,510.00 771,600.00 1,110,682.00 239,732,450.00 1,185,520.00 552,260.00 328,800.00 1,691,650.00 2,140,900.00 913,250.00 321,373,610.00 621,960.00 482,230.00 3,684,460.00 1,774,900.00 230,400.00 6,087,370.00 84,153,348.00 325,700.00 114,945,068.00 437,151,070.00 161,800.00

18.5 102 106 510 502 102 107

751,500 4,260 10,500 17,740 1,440 39,840 15,520

13,926,628.00 434,360.00 1,077,000.00 8,983,670.00 724,345.00 4,056,365.00 1,660,737.00

500 5.09 994 980 96.6 0.99 101.5 1005 1026 1054 1090 100 109 982 77.6 75.05 76.5 77 75.25 76 76.75

5,000 486,500 1,260 3,090 56,020 6,400,000 8,500 110 1,555 1,455 1,275 12,810 320 1,930 62,120 19,500 242,550 5,620 55,070 44,780 73,630

2,498,500.00 2,483,099.00 1,226,480.00 2,998,600.00 3,841,060.50 6,336,020.00 853,186.00 110,340.00 1,593,110.00 1,527,460.00 1,112,410.00 1,285,412.00 34,880.00 1,924,630.00 4,877,221.50 1,471,895.00 18,413,556.00 435,690.00 4,145,707.00 3,393,405.00 5,606,242.50

1.620

215,000

351,970.00

SME 6,310.00 42,822,388.00 29,595,951.00 9,663,820.00

2.3 6.79 10.88 0.99

6,000 10,963,600 9,804,000 21,078,000

13,800.00 75,124,075.00 119,494,392.00 21,064,960.00

Makati Fin. Corp.

Italpinas Kepwealth Xurpas

3.09 6.9 10.14 0.93

2,000 6,080,100 2,841,200 10,231,000

First Metro ETF

117.2

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 32,190 3,798,793.00

117.8

27,370

3,246,985.00

10.4 10.3 1.01

DOLLAR DENONIMATED SEC. 57,200 593,933.80 480 4,944.00 65,000 65,650.00

10.38 10.02 0.98

7,090 35,620 5,000

73,554.20 360,602.00 4,904.00

USD DMPL A1 USD DMPL A2 USD TECH B2

WEEKLY MOST TRADED STOCKS Abra Mining Oriental Pet. `B’ Suntrust Home Dev. Inc. APC Group, Inc. A. Brown Co., Inc. Abacus Cons. `A’ Megaworld Manila Mining `B’ SM Prime Holdings Phinma Energy

VOLUME 3,273,000,000 268,500,000 246,863,000 246,385,000 212,949,000 196,865,000 170,064,000 161,100,000 148,090,100 111,839,000

STOCKS SM Prime Holdings Ayala Corp `A’ Ayala Land `B’ SM Investments Inc. Universal Robina Jollibee Foods Corp.

I.C.T.S.I. Banco de Oro Unibank Inc. Megaworld Metrobank

VALUE 5,317,079,135.00 2,365,818,865.00 1,877,774,615.00 1,245,703,080.00 1,102,580,222.00 1,042,133,004.00 1,039,500,346.00 870,346,307.00 796,360,040.00 788,800,970.50

AllHome set to hike store network to 70 by next year ALLHOME Corp., the soon-to-belisted home improvement retailing company of billionaire Manuel Villar, plans to increase its network to 70 stores by 2020.

AllHome investor relations head Robirose Abbot said during a recent investors’ briefing the company was scheduled to open 20 stores in the second half of 2019 to end 2019 with 45 outlets.

By 2020, AllHome will open another 25 new stores to hit the target 70 outlets with over 460,000 square meters of store space.

Abbot said most of the stores slated for opening in the second half of this year year were nearing completion stage while those scheduled for opening in 2020 were various stages of construction.

Abbot said the company also secured signed lease agreements over areas covered by the expansion, adding the properties were owned by the Villar Group.

AllHome also plans to expand in inhouse brand products.

In-house brands as of the first half of the year contributed 4.7 percent to total revenues. With the move to bring in more in-house brands, AllHome expects revenue contribution of the sector to increase 10 percent to 20 percent by 2020 and beyond.

Meanwhile, underwriters of the AllHome initial public offering reported that the international and institutional portion of the P14.9-billion initial public offering was three times oversubscribed.

Gerry Valenciano, president of local lead underwriter PNB Capital and Investment Corp., noted a strong interest for AllHome shares because the price of P11.50 per share meant that they “left money on the table for investors.”

AllHome is offering 750 million new common shares along with 375 million existing common shares currently held by AllValue Holdings Corp., which has the option to offer 168.75 million more shares.

Of the 1.125 billion firm shares, AllHome offered 70 percent to international investors and qualified domestic institutions. Jenniffer B. Austria

Big Boss Cement raising production to decrease prices BIG Boss Cement Inc., a 100 percent Filipino-owned company, plans to be a significant player in the industry with a production capacity of 10 million to 12 million cement bags a month over the next five years.

Big Boss president Gilbert Cruz said in an interview over the weekend the company also aimed to reduce cement prices to P100 per bag once the company reached the production target.

“We are trying to change the rules of the game and we are confident that our product is a game changer. It isa disruptor,” Cruz said.

“Eventually once we built the economies of scale and presence is felt nationwide, our visions is to sell the cheapest cement,” he added.

Big Boss sells cement at P150 to P160 per bag, which is already cheaper compared with P175 per bag sold by competitors.

Since starting operation last year, Big Boss is operating two kiln lines in its cement plant in Pampanga province, capable of producing 2.5 million bags a month.

Big Bos before the end of the year will open a cement plant in Roxas, Zamboanga del Norte with capacity of 1 million bags a month.

The cement plant in Zamboanga is expected to supply the requirements of the infrastructure projects that the government and private sector will implement to rehabilitate Marawi City.

By February next it will open a third kiln in Pampanga. Another kiln will be completed in May, which will boost production capacity to 4 million to 5 million cement bags a month.

Big Boss has invested P7 billion for the Pampanga cement facility, with the Zamboanga plant requiring a capital investment of P1.5 billion.

Cruz said the company aimed to build cement plants in General Santos, Negros, Iloilo and all other key islands “so we can spread out this new technology.”

Big Boss launched two bulk cement products that will strengthen its foothold in the local cement industry.

Jenniffer B. Austria

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK Manila

Standard

Business/World

TODAY

B3

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2019 CESAR BARRIOQUINTO, Editor mst.daydesk@gmail.com

IN BRIEF

Trump deportation policy rejected

WASHINGTON―A US federal judge has dealt a new blow to President Donald Trump’s anti-immigration efforts, blocking a measure meant to relax the criteria for deporting undocumented migrants.

The ruling concerns a policy known as expedited removal under which migrants previously found within 100 miles (160 kilometers) of the border within 14 days of their arrival were deported without appearing before an immigration judge.

In July, the Department of Homeland Security implemented a policy to expand the measure to include immigrants found within two years of arrival and located anywhere in the United States.

The decision issued late Friday evening

by US District Court Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson prohibits the DHS from applying the expanded criteria.

The move, she said, would leave those affected by the expansion “irreparably harmed.”

“The Trump administration intended to deport as many non-citizens as possible using a process that is profoundly flawed and puts non-citizens, including asylum-seekers, at serious risk of wrongful deportation,” said Trina Realmuto, directing attorney of the American Immigration Council (AIC) which was one of the plaintiffs in the case.

According to the AIC, some undocumented migrants potentially exempt from deportation due to security risks in their country of origin would be denied due process under the expansion. AFP

THE PROTEST CONTINUES. Hong Kong police detain a man after protesters gathered in the Causeway Bay shopping district in Hong Kong on September 29, 2019. Hong Kong descended into a second day of clashes between pro-democracy protesters and riot police as activists step up their nearly four-month campaign ahead of the 70th anniversary of communist China’s founding. AFP

HK unrest threatens to spoil China’s party EIJING―China’s tightly choreographed 70th birthday bash next week risks being upstaged by the pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong, which offer a starkly different take on the strength and power of the Communist Party being feted in Beijing.

B

As President Xi Jinping gets ready to preside over a huge military parade and gala event on Tuesday, the former British colony is in tumult over the erosion of its special freedoms by Beijing.

Hong Kong has been rocked by the worst political unrest since its handover to China in 1997, with police firing tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse increasingly violent protesters.

The city’s summer of discontent―first triggered by an extradition bill to the mainland that has since been shelved―has morphed into a call for free elections and

IAN BENEDICT R. MIA

GREEN LIGHT THE clock strikes noon. I’m walking along a pavement sprinkled with lush greenery and carefully placed blocks of stone and tiny lamps. I pass by a building covered with vines from top to bottom—a commune with nature I rarely see in city buildings. Within a hallway, I’m led to a bigger space with shoots of bamboo dangling from the ceiling.

Towards the corner, a mural depicting Mother Nature’s beauty and charm captivates my eyes. When finally reaching my destination, I’m greeted by smiles and welcoming hands as we begin the day’s activities.

I was fortunate to co-facilitate a workshop with MakeSense Philippines in Foundation University, Dumaguete City that teaches college and senior high school students how to create their own social initiatives. After the workshop, the students had brilliant ideas on plastic waste solutions, solid waste management, and solving unintended teen pregnancy, among many others.

The workshop also came in at the right time for the students as they are beginning to be more aware and proactive with the issues facing their local communities. As Dumaguete City becomes more urbanized, they experience the same issues as other cities, ranging from air pollution to the improper disposal of plastic and other wastes.

The role of schools One thing I learned in the workshop was that schools should be among the forefront of providing opportunities to the youth to engage in social initiatives. These are not only limited to community engagement requirements, but also to the core curriculum and basic classroom activities.

When speaking with the youth of

less intervention from Beijing.

With tanks and military aircraft to parade in Beijing on October 1, Hong Kong protest organizers have promised their own major rallies.

“It’s safe to say that the Hong Kong protests have already wrecked the [Communist] Party’s party even before it’s begun,” said author and activist Kong Tsunggan.

Under the policy of “one country, two systems”, China has offered tiny Hong Kong certain liberties denied to citizens on the mainland―including freedom of expression, unfettered access to the internet and an independent judiciary.

But the arrangement is due to expire in 2047.

The financial hub has seen waves of civil disobedience over the last decade, particularly the 2014 Umbrella movement, when demonstrators occupied major intersections and government buildings demanding universal suffrage.

These protests have undermined the party’s closelycrafted narrative that the masses would settle for prosperity without political rights, Kong said. AFP

Schools and the youth: Pedestals for environmental protection

today, I can confidently say that they are more aware and creative than any of the previous generations.

Schools just have to give them the chance and the right environment to unleash their creative potential— not just their academic aptitude.

Gone are the days of pure classroom instruction, paperwork or recitation—the youth of today need to move, and they need to be taught how to move fast. It is not enough anymore that schools teach the youth how to articulate themselves and engage in intellectual discourse.

In the world of forms that we live in, action and engagement reign supreme.

The youth and tomorrow The protection and restoration of the environment is the defining issue of today’s generation. Across the world, the youth are getting more and more involved with movements going against inaction and passivity on environmental issues. The likes of Autumn Peltier, Isra Hirsi, Xiuhtezcatl Martinez and Greta Thunberg—all youth below 20 years of age—have already jump-started global movements of their own.

They are inspiring the youth like me to create ripples of positive change, wherever we are and however simple or complex it may be. No one is ever too small to make a difference.

In FU, the youth have the same sentiments. They hunger for change and they want it fast. They are taking matters into their own hands and are starting to create initiatives in their local communities. One group of students I talked to wanted to create a machine that would recycle plastic bottles as well as incentivize with cash those who donate the plastic bottles. Initiatives like these are something that schools need to support—and it needs to be done fast. The students need to be ex-

posed and engaged with the innovation ecosystem within their local communities and beyond.

Biosphere consciousness I recently watched a documentary by social and economic theorist Jeremy Rifkin where he says that the world is now entering a state of ‘biosphere consciousness’ or simply put, a spike in the increase of environmental awareness across the world.

If schools—among many other actors in the ecosystem—could provide more opportunities for students to engage with this changing world order, then we can have better chances of supporting and advancing it.

One way this can be done is by teaching the youth how to create their own social initiatives. It does not have to be only for the environment, because when we refer to the planet’s biosphere, everything under it is involved, from politics, culture, economics and technology, to name a few.

While the clock is ticking for the environment, together we will need to move faster than ever. Schools and the youth are among the pedestals for such change.

Mr. Ian Benedict R. Mia is a research and technical assistant of the Center for Business Research and Development of De La Salle University. He blogs about his insights and experiences on sustainability through berdeboy.blog.

He also volunteers for non-profit organizations such as Alexa Mira Society, Inc. and MakeSense Philippines. Contact him at ianbrmia@ gmail.com.The views expressed above are the author’s and do not necessarily reflect the official position of DLSU, its faculty, and its administrators.

Indonesia’s quake death toll rises to 30

SCN FORM NO. 1 (R.A. NO. 9139)

evinced a sincere desire to learn and embrace the customs, traditions and ideals of the Filipino people. I have all the qualifications and none of the disqualifications under Republic Act No. 9139.

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON NATURALIZATION IN THE MATTER OF THE PETITION OF DE JESUS, JOSHUA LINSANGAN to be naturalized as Filipino citizen pursuant to Republic Act No. 9139.

PETITION Pursuant to the provisions of Republic Act No. 9139, petitioner hereby submits a petition for naturalization to become a citizen of the Republic of the Philippines and respectfully declares: 1. My full name is JOSHUA LINSANGAN DE JESUS, but I have also been known since childhood as JOSH or I have been judicially authorized to use the alias name(s) .

N/A 2. My present place of residence is Block 2 Unit 3 Windgate Villas, Visayas Ave., Brgy. Culiat City/ Municipality of Quezon City Province of NCR and all my former places of residence are (please indicate periods of residence) 1988-#6 Happy Homes, Campo Sioco, Baguio City 1988-1990- #18-B Phase 6, Green Valley Subd. Baguio City 1990-1996-150 A. Valino St., Aduas Sur, Cabanatuan City 3100 1996-1998/2005-Present-Blk 2, Unit 3 Windgate Villas, Visayas Avenue, Brgy. Culiat, Q.C. 1998-2005-936 A. Valino St., Aduas Sur, Cabanatuan City 3100 3. I was born on February 07, 1988, in Baguio City, Philippines. I have been a resident of the Philippines since birth. At present, I am a citizen or subject of United States of America.

4. My father's name is Rodrigo Hernandez De Jesus and he was born on September 15, 1946, in Balayan, Batangas.

He is a citizen or subject of United States of America. My mother's name is Ma. Eloisa Correa Linsangan and she was born on April 23, 1951 in Cabanatuan City. She is a citizen or subject of Philippines/United States of America.

5. My trade, business, profession or lawful occupation is N.A. and from which I derive an average annual income of N.A. inclusive of bonuses, commissions and allowances.

My wife's/husband's trade, business, profession or lawful occupation is N/A and from which she derives an average annual income of P N/A .

(Where the above does not apply): I am exempt from the requirement of lucrative trade or occupation and from submitting income tax returns for the past three (3) years because I am a college degree holder [please state (1) degree obtained:Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology, (2) name of school: University of Santo Tomas and (3) year graduated: 2010 who cannot practice my profession (the practice of which requires a government licensure examination) by reason of my citizenship. (1) Juris Doctor (2) University of The East (3) 2018 6. My civil status is SINGLE, I was married on N/A in N/A. My wife's/husband's name is N/A and she/he was born on in N/A. She/he is a citizen or subject of N/A and presently resides N/A 7. I am legally separated from my spouse; my marriage was annulled, per decree of legal separation/annulment dated N/A granted by N/A. (please indicate the particular court which granted the same). I am a widower/widow and my spouse died on N/A in N/A. 8. I have N/A child/children, whose names, dates and places of birth and residences are as follows:

N/A

Date of Birth N/A

Place of Birth N/A

Residence

Little Merry Hearts Montessori Center Montessori Child Learning Center Little Merry Hearts Montessori Center Little Merry Hearts Montessori Center

Place of School Mulawin I, Bitas, Cabanatuan City 116 Visayas Avenue Brgy.

Culiat. Q.C. Mulawin I, Bitas, Cabanatuan City Mulawin I, Bitas, Cabanatuan City

Dates of Study 1993-1996

Highest Grade Completed Grade I

1996-1998

Grade III

1998-2001

Grade VI

2001-2005

4th Year High School

11. I have enrolled my minor children of school age in the following public schools or private educational institutions duly recognized by the Department of Education, Culture and Sports (DECS), where Philipine History, government and civics are taught and prescribed as part of the school curriculum and where enrollment is not limited to any race or nationality:

N/A

15. Attached hereto as annexes and made part of this petition are the duplicate originals or certified photocopies of the following documents (please check the appropriate box): [ x ] a. Petitioner's birth certificate [ x ] b. Petitioner's alien certificate of registration (ACR) [ x ] c. Petitioner's native-born certificate of residence (NBCR) [ ] d. Petitioner's marriage certificate, if married [ ] e. Death certificate of his/her spouse, if widowed [ ] f. Court decree annulling his/her marriage or granting legal separation, if such was the fact [ ] g. Birth certificates of petitioner's minor children [ ] h. ACRs of petitioner's minor children [ ] i. NBCRs of petitioner's minor children [ ] j. Affidavits of financial capacity by the petitioner, duly supported by bank certifications, passbooks, stock certificates, or proof of ownership of other properties [ x ] k. Affidavits of at least two (2) credible witnesses who must be Filipino citizens of good reputation in petitioner's place of residence [ x ] l. Medical certificate from a government hospital stating that petitioner is not suffering from mental alienation or a user of prohibited drugs or otherwise a drug dependent and that he/she is not afflicted with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), or any incurable contagious disease. [ x ] m. School diploma and transcript of records of the petitioner from the school/s he or she attended in the Philippines [ ] n. Certifications stating that petitioner's minor children are enrolled in public schools or private educational institutions duly recognized by the DECS, where Philippine history, government and civics are taught and prescribed as part of the school curriculum and where enrollment is not limited to any race or nationality [ ] o. Petitioner's income tax returns for the past three years [ ] p. Petitioner's receipts of payment of income tax for the past three years 16. Other documents submitted by the petitioner in support of his/her petition: Affidavit of Support, Boy Scouts of the Phil. Certificates BIR Certification of Non-Filing of Income Tax Return (ITR) BPI Statement of Account for US Dollar.

BPI Statement of Account for Peso

PRAYER WHEREFORE, it is respectfully prayed that petitioner be conferred Philippine citizenship pursuant to the provisions of Republic Act No, 9139.

Dated at Makati City, Metro Manila, this 22nd day of MAY, 2019.

JOSHUA LINSANGAN DE JESUS Name and Signature of Petitioner Address: Block 2 Unit 3 Windgate Villas, Visayas Ave., Brgy. Culiat, Q.C. Telephone Number: 0977-8506822 Right Thumbmark of Petitioner

Petitioner's signature and right thumbmark REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES) CITY/MUNICIPALITY OF QUEZON CITY) S.S.

10. I am able to read, write and speak Filipino and/or any of the following dialects of the Philippines:Tagalog

Name of Child

14. My character witnesses are Pedro Dela Rosa and Renato Justo Abila both Filipino citizens, of legal age, and residing at Area 5-A, Sitio Cabuyao, Brgy. Sauyo, Q.C. and 15 Mars St., Zytex, Pasong Tamo, Tandang Sora, Q.C. respectively, who have executed sworn statements attached hereto in support of my instant petition, together with: (a) brief biographical data about themselves; (b) detailed statements on the dates they first came to know me, the circumstances of our initial acquaintance and the reasons and extent of our continuing familiarity; and (c) the number of times they have acted as character witnesses in other petitions for naturalization.

N/A

9. I received my primary and secondary education from the following public schools or private educational institutions duly recognized by the Department of Education, Culture and Sports (DECS), where Philippine history, government and civics are taught and prescribed as part of the school curriculum and where enrollment is not limited to any race or nationality:

Name of School

I am not opposed to organized government or affiliated with any association or group of persons who uphold and teach doctrines opposing all organized governments. I am not defending or teaching the necessity or propriety of violence, personal assault or assassination for the success and predominance of one's ideas. I am not a polygamist nor a believer in the practice of polygamy. I have not been convicted of any crime involving moral turpitude. I am not suffering from mental alienation or from any incurable contagious disease.

The country of which I am a citizen or subject is not at war with the Philippines and grants to Filipinos the right to be naturalized citizens or subjects thereof.

13. It is my true and honest intention to become a citizen of the Philippines and to renounce absolutely and forever all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state or sovereignty, and, particularly, to USA of which at this time I am a citizen or subject. I will reside continuously in the Philippines from the date of the filing of this petition up to the time of my admission to Philippine citizenship.

SCN CASE NO. x------------------ x

Name

JAKARTA―The death toll from a powerful earthquake that rocked Indonesia’s remote Maluku islands rose to 30 on Sunday, including several toddlers, the disaster agency said.

On Thursday, terrified residents ran into the streets as buildings fell in around them when the 6.5-magnitude tremor struck, sparking landslides that buried at least one of the victims.

Among the confirmed dead were three young children, with many people killed by falling debris in and around quakestruck Ambon city.

The region’s governor has declared a state of emergency until October 9, the agency said.

“As of Sunday morning, 30 people died and 156 were injured,” said national disaster mitigation agency spokesman Agus Wibowo.

On Friday, the agency had revised down the official death toll of 23 to 19 after officials realized some of the deceased has been doublecounted.

At least 25,000 people had to flee because their houses were damaged by the strong jolt, Wibowo said previously.

Hundreds of houses, offices, schools and public facilities were also been damaged in the disaster. Authorities have set up emergency tents and public kitchens for the evacuees in several districts.

The US Geological Survey said the quake struck about 37 kilometers northeast of Ambon in Maluku province at a depth of 29 kilometers. AFP

Name and Place of School N/A

I, JOSHUA LINSANGAN DE JESUS of legal age and a resident of Block 2 Unit 3 Windgate Villas, Visayas Ave., Brgy. Culiat, Q.C. after being duly sworn, depose and say that I am the petitioner herein, that I have read the foregoing petition and know the foregoing petition and known the contents thereof, and that the same is true of my own knowledge.

JOSHUA LINSANGAN DE JESUS Name and Signature of Petitioner SUBCRIBED AND SWORN to before me at Quezon City this 22nd day of May 2019.

Date of Enrollment N/A

12. I shall never be a public charge. I am of good moral character. I believe in the principles underlying the Philippine Constitution. I have conducted myself in a proper and irreproachable manner during the entire period of my residence in the Philippines in my relations with the constituted government as well as with the community in which I am living. I mingled socially with Filipinos and have

(MS-SEPT. 23, 30 & OCT. 7, 2019

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

Hundreds of street dancers in colorful costumes celebrate the province’s history, culture and tradition during the Singkaban Festival at SM City Marilao. The mall recently capped off the biggest festival in Bulacan with 80 participating contingents from the different towns and cities of the province parading through the mall in colorful theme-inspired costumes. Jun David

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

B4

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2019

SM City Marilao caps Singkaban fest with parade

LGUs LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS

Parañaque: A safe haven for seniors THE Office of Senior Citizen Affairs of Parañaque City has facilitated the quarterly pension for 900 indigent senior citizens in compliance with Republic Act 9994 or the Expanded Senior Citizen Act of 2010, to augment their daily subsistence and medical needs.

The beneficiaries came from barangays Marcelo Green, Merville, Sun Valley, San Martin de Porres, BF and Don Bosco. They received P6,000 each for the first up to fourth quarter this year, according to Dante Pacheco, Osca director.

“Parañaque is a safe haven for seniors under the administration of Mayor Edwin Olivarez,” Pacheco said.

On his last term as city’s chief executive, Olivarez amended the “OSCA Cares Program” to include other factors that will benefit the city’s elderly.

The senior cash transfer program will grant them P500 in cash as a birthday gift, as well as a P500 yearend cash gift. Seniors celebrating their birthday from January to June will get their cash gift in June, and the rest will receive theirs in December.

On the other hand, the year-end cash gift will be doled out every October.

Under the program, the city government allotted privileges as oneyear movie pass on Mondays and Tuesdays in Parañaque SM cinemas, free medicine and grocery booklet for discount assistance.

The city government also granted specific benefits such free dentures, dental services, and ophthalmic services and free laboratory examinations and medical check-ups during birth months.

Aside from these, the city government also initiates various forums exclusively for senior citizens such as aging gracefully, wellness, health and nutrition, and political and spiritual programs.

Keep QC roads clean, Joy tells village chiefs

By Rio N. Araja

Q

UEZON City Mayor Joy Belmonte on Sunday directed village executives to sustain the gains from road clearing operations.

“As leaders of our city, it is our responsibility to keep our streets clean and organized,” she said.

“From the mayor down to the barangay, working together is crucial to achieve and sustain this goal. This is not just for 60 days but longer,” the mayor added.

Earlier, Belmonte said the city government was 100 percent done with its clearing operations.

She emphasized the crucial role of barangay officials in keeping roads cleared, especially in problematic areas,

where constant monitoring for illegal vendors and other forms of obstruction is needed.

The mayor identified those areas as West Avenue, Timog Avenue, Banawe Road, and Aurora Boulevard.

As part of her objective to hold barangay officials accountable, Belmonte said the city government on Monday shall delegate to them the duty of sustaining the accomplishments from the clearing operations.

According to Belmonte, she is em-

powered under Section 63(a)(3) of Republic Act 7160 or the Local Government Code to impose preventive suspension on barangay officials who fail to maintain public order within their jurisdiction.

Village executives have the power to enforce laws and ordinances that are applicable in their areas and to maintain public order.

“We call on local residents to cooperate with the local government in keeping our roads cleared of any obstruction,” Belmonte said.

She urged the public to report through hotline 122 any unusual incident or activity that will derail the product of local government’s effort to clear primary, secondary, and Mabuhay lanes.

The elderly from six barangays in Parañaque City queue for their P6,000 pension for the whole year from the Office of Senior Citizen Affairs.

Mayor Edwin Olivarez amended the OSCA Cares Program to include other factors that will benefit the city’s elderly.

Carabaos in spotlight as Nuang Festival marks 70th Araw ng San Agustin

By Jessica M. Bacud SAN AGUSTIN, Isabela—The country’s Crossbred Capital celebrated its 15th Nuang Festival marking the 70th Araw ng San agustin of this bustling town in the province of Isabela.

In an interview, Mayor Cesar Mondala said San Agustin has more than 5,000 hybrid carabaos where they get our dairy products.

“We are famous for being the number one producer of Murrah buffalos or carabaos in the Philippines as

Iskolar ng Bataan adds 5,358 scholars

By Butch Gunio BALANGA CITY—The Iskolar ng Bataan program has new 5,358 college beneficiaries this academic year.

Vice Governor Cris Garcia recently welcomed the new scholars and was joined by Board Member Rey Ibe, Sangguniang Panlalawigan chairman of the Committee on Education.

The two officials expressed appreciation to the parents who accompanied the scholars in the orientation activity held at Peoples’ Center, capitol compound.

“Take the opportunity to earn education with the scholarship program of the provincial government,” Iskolar ng Bataan coordinator Ramon Canas

quoted the vice governor as telling the new scholars.

Each college scholar from the province receives P5,000 per semester.

However, each scholar from Balanga City gets P7,000 per semester, and from Morong town P6,000 per semester, said Canas.

Before becoming vice governor, Garcia was the original coordinator of the Iskolar ng Bataan. She now serves as adviser of the scholarship program.

The late Governor Tet Garcia and then 2nd district congressman currently Gov. Garcia hatched in 2005 the Iskolar ng Bataan program benefitting ever since thousands of college students from the province.

well as the prime supplier of carabao milk,” he said.

“Furthermore, the officialdom of San Agustin is delighted of what our town has so far achieved in terms of its contribution in the carabao upgrading program which is implemented by

FACULTY CENTER.

Public Works Secretary Mark Villar (center) pays a surprise visit during the groundbreaking ceremony and construction of the eight-story Faculty Center at the University of the Philippines Diliman campus in Quezon City under MESICAT Construction. Joining Villar (from left) are engineer Kenneth Ordono, engineer Ronnie Marcos, MESICAT president engineer Mike Sicat, UP president Danilo Concepcion, engineer Daryl Capua, Royce Em Cadda, Engr. Crystel Catubig, and Engr. Filda Caro. Norman Cruz

the Philippine Carabao Center (PCC),” Mondala said.

To give tribute to farmers’ best allies, the Nuang Festival showcases the finest breed of buffalos every 28th of September.

Nuang is the Ilocano term for buffalo.

SM City Marilao recently capped off the biggest festival in Bulacan with 80 participating contingents from the different towns and cities of the province parading through the mall in colorful theme-inspired costumes.

In celebration of Singkaban or “Sining at Kalinangan ng Bulacan”, the contingents danced their way along the 93,909.84 square meter parade route bringing throngs of shoppers witnessing the live street dance, unique performances, and grand procession.

Since SM Supermalls opened its 1st mall in the province of Bulacan in 2003, SM City Marilao has become a part of every Bulakeños lifestyle and most awaited festivals. SM in Marilao continues to embody the perfect blend of urbanization and rural charm of the town by holding festivals that would boost tourism while giving everyone a renewed interested on the rich cultural heritage of Bulacan.

“Like a city that keeps on growing, SM City Marilao will continue to serve the changing needs of our customers by being a catalyst for employment, business opportunities and also a gateway of information for the generations to come” shares SM City Marilao Mall Manager Engr. Emmanuel Gatmaitan.

The ‘Singkaban’ festival is celebrated annually, during the month of September to pay tribute to history, culture and tradition of the 441-year-old province of Bulacan. Jun David

Navotas bags Wealth Center forum award

By Jun David

THE Navotas City Government has received another citation for good governance.

Besting 37 contenders, Navotas bagged the Wealth Center award during the 2019 Philippine Model Cities and Municipalities forum and awards event at the New World Manila Bay Hotel.

Mayor Toby Tiangco, together with Vice Mayor Clint Geronimo, City Treasurer Encarnacion Santiago, and other department heads, received the award.

“The recognition we received is the outcome of the collaborative effort of all city employees and personnel. It validates the positive results of our fiscal management and the steadfast support of our constituents,” Tiangco said.

“This award brings not only recognition and esteem; it also inspires us to further our efforts to improve the lives of Navoteños,” he added.

The Wealth Center award is given to the city with a commendable investment and tax collection program.

Navotas was recognized for the growth of its tax collections which was anchored on the implementation of the city’s 2018 Revised Revenue Code.

The city implemented a staggered collection of real property taxes for industrial and commercial assets for three years. Meanwhile, business tax rates remained the same.

Records showed that revenues from local sources increased by 28 percent from June 2017 to June 2018, when the city earned P690,058,733, to P884,206,762 in June 2018 to June 2019.

The collected revenues were then prudently spent and invested in infrastructures, programs, and services responsive to the needs of Navoteños.

Life

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

FOOD

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2019

C1

Pesto and pistou BASIL’S BEST. Basil-based sauces, pesto and pistou, are featured in Mövenpick Boracay’s October menu that includes tagliolini with walnut-basil pesto (left) and seafood soup with tarragon pistou.

T

WO classic European sauces take center stage— or in this case, the center of the table—throughout the month of October at a premier hotel in Boracay.

Pesto from Italy and pistou from France are both based on the aromatic herb, basil, with olive oil and cheese.

Italian pesto, which originates in Genoa, the capital city of Liguria, Italy, is blended from garlic, basil, pine nuts, grated pecorino cheese (or sometimes parmesan), and olive oil, while its French cousin, pistou, is a Provençal cold sauce with similar ingredients, but without the pine nuts and with or without cheese.

“The seasonality of using pesto and pistou is important to us, as basil is traditionally harvested in late summer Black cod with pesto rosso and risotto

Ahi tuna with olive and eggplant pesto

and preserved into these rich, oil-based sauces that are full of color, flavor, and healthy omega 3s—perfect for brightening up our cuisine, and our spirits, amid the cooling weather,” shares Chef Ameer Al-Ali, executive chef of Mövenpick Resort and Spa Boracay.

Chef Ameer, who heads the culinary team at Mövenpick Boracay, will lead the kitchen in preparing the pesto and pistou based dishes.

Savory favorites will include seared ahi tuna with olive and eggplant pesto and seafood soup with tarragon pistou.

For dessert, a sweet treat with a real difference—Bundt cake with chocolatemint pesto, served alongside a frothy Mövenpick Espresso.

“We are excited to work with these luscious basil-based sauces, introducing them to guests in ways they have not Beef fillet with red cabbage pesto

Bundt cake with chocolate-mint pesto

Turn to C2

Corn chicken breast with bell pepper pesto

Food is memory and love

ISAH RED embodied cariño brutal.

He’d berate you for sloppy work or crack a half-meant joke about you being mired in poverty or something similar, and then he’d feed you generously.

More than a decade ago, when Manila Standard still held office at the Port Area, he called the attention of our sports editor, Riera Mallari, who had then just bought a brand new Honda City. “You should get your windows tinted. Have them in super black,” he said. “Nakakahiya kasi,” he added before bursting in contagious laughter.

Sir Isah, of course, was then driving a BMW. Riera laughed at himself and at the not-so-subtle ribbing, and had his windows promptly tinted super black.

Once, according to Nickie Wang, his protégé who would later succeed him as our entertainment editor after he retired, sir Isah blew his top during a presscon in Tomas Morato in Quezon City as the restaurant did not have enough plates.

“Ano ba itong restaurant na ito? Kulang sa plato. Magsara na kayo,” he told the

when we did not have any food, he said in jest, “Kawawa naman kayo. You’re poor.” He then went to his room, fished out several gift certificates from a nearby restaurant, and instructed us to order whatever we wanted to eat.

He was not picky when it came to our office merienda. Hot pan de sal with cheese or Spam or Maling was enough to make him smile. He loved the lumpiang shanghai prepared by Daddy Hen, husband of our layout artist Vickie, even if he knew it could trigger his GERD. Sometimes, he would even prepare egg sandwich for us from scratch. But once, when I tried to experiment on sopas, his discerning side surfaced. “Ano ito? Is this food? Kung restaurant ka, Sir Isah was the reason why this column exists; he even came up with the name for it. nagsara ka na.” But he finished his cup anyway, waiters. The owners of the restaurant and said in his pampareached out to him after, and invited lubag-loob voice, “Pwede him to try their dishes again, this time na rin.” with a promise of better service. Sir Turn to C2 Isah eventually became friends with them, and the much-improved restaurant has since become a go-to place for events and press conferences.

At the office (now in Makati), you’d always associate his presence with food, and rightly so. From the walangkamatayang pansit and donut to cakes and pizza, he was not one to think twice about sharing food. He had a soft spot for the Pantry Gang—what we call ourselves in the editorial team due to our fondness for going to the pantry to eat together. During one of those days

Sir Isah with the Pantry Gang

Isah Red was many things: an editor, a writer, a mentor, a friend, a media luminary. For us, he will always be remembered and loved for his candor and generosity and so much more.

Life

C2

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2019 manilastandardlife@gmail.com

Prime New York Sirloin Steak

Wolfgang’s Steakhouse brings its delectable offerings closer to discerning diners via a mobile kitchen truck made for catering services and events.

T

Steak in a truck

HE food truck experience just got a couple notches more sizzling as New York’s famous Wolfgang’s Steakhouse brings to the Philippines, for the first time, its premium USDA Prime DryAged Steak and more in a mobile kitchen truck.

Wolfgang’s delectable offerings can now be savored anywhere. The mobile kitchen truck, which allows catering services or events, are fully equipped with the same broilers used at the stores.

The catering service has set menu packages.

The Taste of New York set menu at P2,750 comes with 400g of USDA Prime Dry-Aged Sirloin, mashed potatoes, creamed spinach, and NY-Style Cheesecake, while the Wolfgang TBone Course Set for two starts at P2,988 per head and comes with a choice of soup or salad and a 700g USDA Prime Dry-Aged T-Bone Steak paired with mashed potatoes and creamed spinach.

But should customers prefer different options, customizable menus are available upon request.

According to Wolfgang’s, to ensure that only the best is served to discerning customers, not only is the meat

Wolfgang’s Steakhouse president and managing partner Peter Zwiener and Wolfgang’s Steakhouse Philippines executive chef Chris Oronce

flown weekly from the US, but they are also chosen specifically to ensure that the steaks served are part of the top 2 percent that has attained the USDA Prime rating.

Wolfgang’s Steakhouse also has its own aging room—a space where factors such as temperature, humidity, and airflow are controlled to make the meat more tender and flavorful—where quality beef is dry-aged for an average of 28 days; this guarantees the best of the best for all its diners.

Wolfgang’s Steakhouse’s Shortloin is composed of three cuts: The Porterhouse, the T-Bone, and the Prime New York Sirloin. Wolfgang’s Steakhouse’s signature cut is the Porterhouse steak—also known as the king of all steaks—which has two parts: the tastier part which is the sirloin, and the leaner and more tender portion that is the tenderloin. The T-Bone, still with both parts but smaller at 700g. The Prime New York Sirloin is available at 400g or 600g.

Wolfgang’s Steakhouse is currently present in three locations in Metro Manila: Newport Mall in Resorts World Manila, The Podium Mall, and the newly opened One Bonifacio High Street.

The brand’s outlets in Bonifacio Global City and The Podium now offers W Nights, a night where customers can unwind and chill with friends to the beats of top DJs in the country every Friday. `

Paulo Avelino indulges Paulo Avelino takes a bite of Red Ribbon’s chocolate cake.

A YEAR after the release of Goyo: Ang Batang Heneral, Paulo Avelino continues to receive acclaim for what is his biggest film role to date. After starring in numerous blockbuster films and teleseryes, he has truly come full circle as an actor.

Avelino’s deep passion for excellence in his craft is captured in Red Ribbon Chocolate Cake Creations, a selection of beautifully designed round cake variants, made with the finest chocolate ingredients.

Red Ribbon’s Chocolate Indulgence has layers of rich and moist pound chocolate cake interspersed with chocolate mousse filling, infused with chocolate bits. It is designed with rich chocolate drippings and sweet icing swirls, garnished with a special chocolate ornament that sits at the center of the cake.

Chocolate Mousse is a timeless favorite. Its ice-creamy, fudgy chocolate cake layers, topped with velvety whipped cream and chocolate chips, make it a classic choice for chocolate

cake and ice cream aficionados.

For chocolate lovers, Rocky Road is the newest addition to Red Ribbon’s Chocolate Cake Creations line. It is made with chocolate chiffon cake, filled with creamy chocolate icing, and infused with the perfect balance of crunchy cashew nuts and soft vanilla mallows.

Food..

ter more than a decade of covering the Malacañang beat, he suggested that I, who only knew how to write about politics and security, should start writing about demi-glace and julienned carrots, at least, once a week.

“Sawa na ako sa mga food columnists na payat. Parang hindi naman sila credible. Ikaw na lang tutal mahilig ka naman kumain,” he said while laughing out loud. I thought he was only teasing me with his crazy idea, but he was serious enough to even come up with my column name, The Joyce Of Eating, and

the rest, as they say, is history (or in this case, a weekly gastronomic adventure).

Sir Isah was deeply loved, and he will be sorely missed. In the movie Ratatouille, the food critic Anton Ego said that food is memory. For Anton, the scent of a beloved dish can evoke happy memories of a mother serving her young son his favorite food. So it is with sir Isah and his generous heart. He left us with lots of fond memories to remember him by.

From C1

Sir Isah was a lot of things. He was feared by a lot of PR practitioners even as he was fast friends with the best of them. He was a mentor to Nickie and Bernadette Lunas, who succeeded him as our lifestyle editor when his time to retire came.

He was also the reason why my column exists.

When I joined the desk in 2015 af-

These indulgent chocolate cakes are available at all Red Ribbon branches nationwide.

Top 5 finalists McRhyan Rodrigo, Jan Daryl Doculan, Mario Semblante, Roseller Fiel II, and June Rey Tunog.

The road to finding the first Kitchen Hero

LOOKS like the country has a new culinary master after LPG brand Solane named the first-ever winner of the Solane Kitchen Hero Chef’s Edition, a nationwide cooking competition that aims to discover a new generation of local talented chefs.

After a series of regional competitions, Solane gathered a total of 15 talented chefs from all over the Philippines who rustled up their best dishes at the competition’s grand finals held at Eton Centris in Quezon City, Metro Manila.

“Throughout the competition, we were awed by the exemplary dishes we have encountered, as well as the outstanding level of culinary expertise we have seen from our chefs,” said Isla LPG Corp. chief executive officer Ruben Domingo.

“We said in the beginning that we aim to recognize these chefs who can bring Filipino cuisine to the world stage, and I think we have successfully achieved that,” he enthused.

The regional winners competed in the semi-finals where the top 5 qualifiers moved on to the grand finals for the final cook-off until one of them was hailed the champion.

At the end of the competition, Chef Roseller Fiel II from Region IX bested the other contestants with his threecourse meal composed of a salad of Kilawin na Baboy with butter-poached lobster, grilled talong and ampalaya, and coconut vinaigrette; a main dish of Humba Bisaya with brown rice pilaf; and a dessert of Dodol with caramel tisa sauce and peanut-ginger brittle.

The other chefs in the top 5 include

Pesto...

From C1

I’m at joyce.panares@gmail.com.

likely experienced before,” enthuses Chef Ameer.

Mövenpick’s versions add new surprising ingredients to the blend, while preserving the essence of both Mediterranean specialty sauces to create seven pesto/pistou-inspired dishes.

In addition to ahi tuna with olive and eggplant pesto, seafood soup with tarragon pistou, and Bundt cake with chocolate-mint pesto, there are—tagliolini with walnut-basil pesto, black cod with pesto rosso and risotto, beef

Solane Kitchen Hero Chef’s Edition 2019 winner Chef Roseller Fiel II

McRhyan Rodrigo, Jan Daryl Doculan, Marlo Semblante, and June Rey Tunog.

The culinary creations were judged by renowned chef and Solane Kitchen Hero ambassador Chef Sau del Rosario, bestselling author and Solane Kitchen Hero competition director Nancy ReyesLumen, along with other accomplished food experts and chefs. Winners were judged based on two criteria: 50 percent featured ingredients and 50 percent originality and creativity.

Fiel took home P100,000 and he will embark on a culinary trip to Japan with customized stops at different food and drink destinations.

fillet with red cabbage pesto, and corn chicken breast with bell pepper pesto “While our guests and our local fans love to return for their favorite classic Mövenpick dishes, we always seek to surprise and delight with seasonal offerings or special food related events. We are certain that our Pesto and Pistou menu will excite the palates of even the most experimental foodies, while providing a fitting send-off to summer with a tribute to the flavors that conjure up Mediterranean sun and sea,” says general manager Andre Brulhart.

Call (036) 288-2256 for inquiries.

Entertainment

‘The Crawl’ scours NYC for the best eats

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2019

C3

nickie.standard@gmail.com

SNAPSHOT

Stunning Priyanka

GET ready to be up all night on a full stomach and with a renewed sense of wanderlust as outstanding chef Margarita Forés and cohost Edu Manzano embark on Metro Channel’s The Crawl in no less than the city that never sleeps—New York.

The delectable trip is surely not to be missed as Chef Margarita, who was recognized as 2016’s Best Female Chef in Asia, returns to “The Crawl” to taste the best of The Big Apple with her fun, stylish and charismatic co-host Edu Manzano. From the finest all-American fare to Filipino cuisine, the tandem definitely cooked up something special for the viewers.

Witness the pair’s visit to some of the city’s world-famous sights and their experience along the bustling streets of New York, including the vibrant Times Square. For those seeking calm and some time to reflect, “The Crawl: New York” hosts also took the time to wind down at Central Park and the World Trade Center site.

Of course, given that New York City is the ultimate melting pot, the duo didn’t waste time feasting on a variety of gastronomies fit for the ultimate food trip.

Chef Margarita and Edu dropped by well-established and budding Filipino restaurants at the East Village of Manhattan like Jeepney Gastropub, which boasts of its diverse set of bomb cocktails like Ayala Avenue, Juice Mary Joseph, and Pinay Colada and most famous for its original Chori Burger with double patty (half of which is longganisa).

In addition, they also savored some good-old escabeche and bone marrow salpicao at The Ugly Kitchen and the fiery spicy sisig at Mama Fina’s.

On the other hand, the food crawlers didn’t pass up the opportunity to chomp down the best eats from the prominent restaurants in the Manhattan borough such as the legendary New York hotdogs of Gray’s Papaya, one of the city’s best bagels at Russ & Daughters, and the renowned old school American steak at Peter Luger in Brooklyn.

Dig in with Margarita and Edu on The Crawl: New York, which premiered on Sept. 25 on Metro Channel, the home of chic living from the country’s authority in style, Metro. Other airing dates are Oct. 1 (Tue) at 4:00 p.m., and Oct. 2 (Wed) at 7:00 a.m..

FARHAN Akhtar (left in photo) and Priyanka Chopra Jonas promote the upcoming biographical Hindi film The Sky is Pink in Mumbai. The film is Hindi-language biographical feature directed by Shonali Bose and co-produced by Siddharth Roy Kapur, Ronnie Screwvala, and Priyanka under the banner of RSVP Movies. The film marks the return of Priyanka after a break of three years from Bollywood. It is based on the love story of a couple spanning 25 years, told through the lens of their spunky teenage daughter who was diagnosed with a Pulmonary fibrosis. AFP

Kapamilya stars make a splash at GenSan tuna fest

Ronnie Alonte, Loisa Andalio, JC De Vera, Paulo Avelino, and Arjo Atayde bond with Kapamilyas in Gen San

Edward...

From C4

Edu Manzano in New York City

The director says in an interview that he “makes films that (he himself) would like to watch.” He injects humor in his storytelling because he “doesn’t like melodramatic films that much” and that he “(aims) for realism, the truth”. According to him, “In reality, even when you’re sad, you don’t spend every minute sulking. Here, I try to see the humor in the character of a teenager— how does a child see the world as a playground?”

When Louise Abuel came to audition, Direk Thop saw him in the waiting area and knew instantly that he looked perfect for the role. “I was praying during his

CROSSWORD PUZZLE Monday, September 30, 2019

ACROSS 1 Out of range 5 Puts on the radio 9 Be gloomy 13 Western necktie 14 Take potshots 16 A Karamazov 17 Bright idea 19 Make shore 20 Veer 21 Not their 22 Rustics 24 Heavyweight sport 25 Pedro’s aunt 26 Kind of biology 29 Reached across 33 Part of Asia’s border 34 The Banana Boat Song (hyph.)

35 Shorten an article 37 Stray dog 38 Femme fatale 39 Eland cousin 40 Swiss artist 42 Bean hulls 43 Gloss 45 Art gums 47 Stylist’s goop 48 Canape topper 49 Flag holder

50 Refer to 53 Stock on hand 54 — — brisk pace 57 John Glenn’s state 58 Accidental 61 Grooming aid 62 Toss 63 Turnpike 64 Variety 65 Telegraph syllables 66 Sets a price DOWN 1 Advice columnist 2 Roman marketplaces 3 — — unto itself 4 French monarch 5 Gather 6 Lead-in 7 Popular cruise stop 8 Agile 9 Distance 10 Elongated circle 11 Reviews harshly 12 Come to a conclusion 15 Feeling 18 Names of things 23 Young goat

24 RSVP word 26 Slime 27 As — — (generally) 28 Not as common 29 Minstrels 30 Deli loaves 31 Moves cautiously 32 Enjoys a feast 34 Designer label 36 Ditty 38 Step on the gas (2 wds.)

41 Hoop’s place

43 Crack the case 44 Tint tone 46 Worthless coin 47 Year divisions 49 Emergency 50 Sailor’s cry 51 Floppy 52 Wife of Geraint 54 Hubbubs 55 Veneer wood 56 Augments 57 Harvest moon mo.

59 Give — — rest!

60 Firearms lobby

entire audition that he’d deliver what we were looking for”, he said. True enough, the 15-year-old boy proved that he is meant to play Edward. Louise was part of the 2011 ABS-CBN TV series 100 Days to Heaven.

Viva artist Ella Cruz admits that she was hesitant to accept the role of Agnes because the character is feisty, blunt, and uses cuss words, which is so different from her usual sweet roles. She expressed her gratitude to Vic and Vincent del Rosario for their encouragement, and to Direk Thop and Joyce Bernal for their trust in her ability to play Agnes.

With its meaningful narrative and wonderful actors, Edward deserves to be seen in the cinemas. The awardwinning film unspools in cinemas on Oct. 2.

T

HE stars of the hit series The General’s Daughter proved that a packed schedule is not a problem as they squeezed in time to bond with Kapamilyas in General Santos to join in the city’s celebration of the annual Tuna Festival for the abundant harvest of fish in Sarangani Bay. Ronnie Alonte and Loisa Andalio’s magnetic chemistry made over 2,000 Kapamilyas go wild in the Kapamilya Karavan event held at the KCC Mall Events Center, while the dashing duo of Arjo Atayde and JC De Vera made hearts flutter as they serenaded the audience.

Kapamilya heartthrob Paulo Avelino also sent a tidal wave of ‘kilig’ among Kapamilya fans during his

performance on stage. Although The General’s Daughter lead star Angel Locsin was unable to join the celebration due to a medical condition, fans were touched when she called during the Kapamilya Karavan and promised to visit the Tuna Capital of the country.

Kapamilyas in GenSan were also treated to fun games and were entertained by the lively hosts of ABSCBN’s “Magandang Umaga South Central Mindanao” Dyll and Joey C, as well as MOR DJs- Justine and Betina.

Meanwhile, last Friday (September 20), happenings of the Penafrancia Festival aired on television via ABSCBN Naga, including the Regional Military Parade. Viewers also got to watch the traditional Fluvial Procession via livestream last Sept. 21 on the Choose Philippines YouTube channel.

The fun and love didn’t stop as the Kapamilya Karavan heads to Naga City for the Penafrancia Festival with the stars of FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano led

by Coco Martin with Yassi Pressman, Basilyo, Smuglazz, PJ Endrinal, and Empoy on Sept. 28.

The Kapamilya Karavan is a program of ABS-CBN Regional that brings Kapamilya stars and viewers closer together during annual festivals and celebrations. ABS-CBN Regional is the network’s arm that produces and airs local news broadcasts and current affairs programs that meet the needs of Filipinos in different areas outside Metro Manila. Aside from ensuring that Filipinos in various corners of the archipelago get important news and information, it also provides immediate public service and assistance to local communities.

Nickie Wang, Issue Editor nickie.standard@gmail.com

C4

Entertainment

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2019

The phenomenal

RitKen is back W

E SAW how VERY the onscreen WANG chemistry of Rita NICKIE Daniela and Ken WANG Chan blossomed in My Special Tatay and how their legion of fans started “shipping” their love team while making them trend on social media even after the final telecast of the top-rating series.

It’s true that RitKen is an “accidental meant to be paired as a romantic couple love team.” They were not initially but their compelling chemistry, their

The cast of 'One of the Baes,' which starts airing tonight on primetime.

A scene from the award-winning Cinemalaya film featuring its principal cast

Rita Daniela and Ken Chan reunite on the boob tube via the primetime series that launches RitKen as an official love team.

romantic compatibility on the boob tube was so evident that it was fate that decided RitKen should have the spotlight trained on them.

“We try to be genuine as possible with the way we interact with the people around us. On and off cam, what you see is what you get,” said Rita.

“We click so much because of our passion for work. Rita has changed me in so many aspects of my life. I’m just thankful that she’s around to help me out whether it’s work or personal matters,” Ken shared.

Today, the well-loved duo, now known as RitKen, is back. The first-ever primetime series of the RitKen love team sets sail as GMA Network launches its latest Telebabad offering One of the Baes.

Half a million Filipinos are manning ships all over the world, but rarely has a female been at the helm. The Kapuso Network’s latest romantic comedy series dubbed as “millennial fairytale” does just that —empowering women, this time, on the high seas.

Jowalyn (Rita Daniela) is bent on making waves to achieve her dream of becoming a ship captain. She is so focused on making this a reality that she avoids romantic entanglements.

Meanwhile, Grant (Ken Chan) is convinced he already met his one great love during his childhood and is

on the verge of meeting her again. He sets out to look for her, vlogging his way around the world.

When a pragmatist and a hopeless romantic meet, will it be smooth sailing or will they need to brave the rough seas?

The fun, light, and family-oriented series features some of the country’s veteran actors including Roderick Paulate, Amy Austria, Tonton Gutierrez, Melanie Marquez, and Jestoni Alarcon. Joining them are Maureen Larrazabal, Edgar Allan Guzman, Rodjun Cruz, and Joyce Ching together with the hilarious ensemble of Archie Alemania, Buboy Villar, Kenneth Medrano, and James Teng.

Incidentally, the program aims to pay tribute to our Filipino seafarers.

Real-life maritime students from Maritime Academy of Asia and the Pacific (MAAP) are participating in the production of this romantic comedy series.

Produced by the GMA News and Public Affairs Team under the supervision of Senior AVP Neil Gumban, Program Managers Joni Mosatalla and Joseph Conrad Rubio, One of the Baes is directed

by King Marc Baco and Michael Christian Cardoz.

Sailing every night on GMA Telebabad, One Of The Baes begins airing tonight on primetime.

‘Edward’ coming to the big screen AN OVERCROWDED, hot and stifling hospital is no place for a teenage boy, but Edward has long been stuck in this miserable setting as he is the designated companion of his ailing father. What transpires in this boy’s daily life in the public hospital is a story that captured Cinemalaya Film Festival aficionados last August. This October, Viva Films gives all moviegoers the chance to get to know Edward as well.

Directed and co-written by Young Critics Circle awardee Thop Nazareno (for 2016 Best Feature Film Kiko Boksingero), Edward stars Louise Abuel in the title role and Ella Cruz as Agnes, also a hospital patient. Cruz showcased a powerful performance, thus earning her this year’s Cinemalaya Best Supporting Actress Award.

Edward treats the hospital premises as his playground. While gallivanting with his friend Renz (played by Elijah Canlas), he sees Agnes in the Emergency Room. In her terrible state, she becomes part of the harmless but naughty game Edward and Renz play—betting on whether a patient will live or die.

When Agnes moves to the female ward, Edward is drawn to this mysterious beauty who is a bit older than him, so he starts hanging out with her. Unlike Renz who exposed him to random vices, such as drinking and smoking, Agnes opens his mind to her interesting views in life. Because of her, Edward’s days brighten up. But at night there’s nothing cheerful about sleeping under his father’s hospital bed. And it doesn’t seem like his father is being nursed back to health.

Edward is a coming-of-age movie which serves as a mirror image of the healthcare system and the government-funded hospitals in the Philippines.

Instead of a place where the sick are supposed to feel comfortable, the movie shows how the lack of both medical staff and effective equipment actually adds burden to them and the individuals who watch over them. Continued on C3