Manila Standard - 2019 October 7 - Monday

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VOL. XXXIII • NO. 235 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P18 MONDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2019 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

MURAL PARA LOS MUERTOS. At least 200 creative artists band together to repaint and refurbish the 500-meter long wall of the Manila North Cemetery along Bonifacio Ave. under the beautification project “Flores Para Los Muertos” (Flowers for the Dead) of Pinot Art Museum, Davies Paints and the City Government ahead of the All Saints Day on Nov. 1. Norman Cruz

551 cops take over Bilibid Solons reject meager aid to ASF-hit raisers

BuCor chief acts to end drug deals inside NBP

Rody confused: No generals, only colonel among ‘ninja cops’

By Rio N. Araja

By MJ Blancaflor, Rey Requejo and Macon Ramos-Araneta

QUEZON CITY Rep. Wilfrido Mark Enverga on Sunday urged the Agriculture department to raise its P3,000 financial aid per head of pig culled to P8,000 to every hog raiser whose livelihood has been affected by the African swine fever.

In a Dobol B sa News TV interview, Enverga, chairman of the House committee on agriculture and food, said the P3,000 was not enough to compensate for the loss of a hog raiser due to the Next page ASF.

DUE to his “ignorance” of police titles, President Rodrigo Duterte on Sunday admitted that he was wrong in his previous claim that there were two generals protecting so-called ninja cops who resell seized narcotics.

“No, no generals. I’m sure of that. In the report submitted to me, none. Maybe—colonel, I think,” Duterte told reporters during his arrival in Davao City after his five-day visit from Russia.

“You know, I must admit my ignorance actually. Those ranks became a trend since that sup-sup, superinten-

dent... So I said let’s go back to previous titles: police colonel, police major, police lieutenant, because everyone is confused with that sup-sup. It was superintendent. In Visayan, sup-sup is sucking ice drops.”

“I am confused with the superintendent position because the only superintendent I know is in school,” he said.

The President’s latest statement seemed to exonerate Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Oscar Albayalde, who had been linked to ninja cops in recent testimony before the Senate.

While he was speaking in a Russian forum Thursday, Duterte said that there are at least two generals involved in the Next page illegal drug trade.

T Gerald Bantag

In an interview with the ANC news channel, Metro Manila police chief Maj. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar cited the need to stop illegal drug operations that were being run by drug lords from the NBP. “In solving the problem in BuCor, we will solve the problem in illegal drugs

HE Philippine National Police (PNP) has temporarily assigned 551 Metro Manila policemen to the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) at the request of Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) chief Gerald Bantag.

not only in Metro Manila but also the entire country,” he added.

The PNP is also in an intelligence-sharing arrangement with the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency on the activiNext page ties of convicted drug lords.

Road tunnel to solve Edsa traffic mulled A LAWMAKER on Sunday made a pitch for a road tunnel underneath EDSA as a way to solve congestion on the main thoroughfare.

“We would urge the Department of Public Works and Highways to look into the feasibility of constructing under Edsa a dual-purpose channel patterned after Kuala Lumpur’s SMART,” said Pasig City Rep. Roman Romulo.

“Since we can no longer widen Edsa, the only options left are to put up an elevated road above and alongside the Metro Rail Transit 3, as proposed by SMC, or build a new motorway below Edsa,” Romulo said.

Malaysia built its four-lane, doubledecked Stormwater Management and Road Tunnel or SMART—a key national Next page

PUVs warned: Comply or lose franchises EDIFICE WRECKED. Fire investigators scour the wreckage of the Star City- DZRH complex for clues on the cause of fire that gutted the amusement center on Friday. They are angling at arson. (Story on A3) Norman Cruz

OFWs in Russia told : Behave

Duterte’s eyes: ‘Nerve malfunction’

TRANSPORT Undersecretary Mark de Leon on Sunday warned jeepney operators refusing to comply with the PUV Modernization Program until the 2020 deadline will face revocation of their franchises by the 2020 deadline.

“By 2020 you will be given notice, and if you will still refuse to comply we will

give your franchises to other operators,” De Leon told Dobol B sa News TV. “Let’s stick to the deadline, and if you will still refuse to comply, then sorry.”

De Leon made his statement even as Senator Win Gatchalian urged his department to go back to the drawing Next page

Dial 8 for MM landlines

By MJ Blancaflor

By Rio N. Araja

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte urged the Filipino community in Russia on Saturday to follow the rules there and

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte said Saturday night he had a neuromuscular disease, and that he inherited it from his grandfather.

EFFECTIVE Oct. 6, landline numbers in the National Capital Region with an area code of 02 will have eight digits.

In a radio interview, Department

Next page

Turn to A3

By MJ Blancaflor

Turn to A3

A2

News

MONDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2019 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Pump prices resume downswing

By Alena Mae S. Flores

M

ORE oil distributors are expected to cut pump prices on Tuesday after Cleanfuel and Phoenix Petroleum Philippines announced a price rollback of P1 per liter of diesel and P0.80 per liter of gasoline over the weekend.

Phoenix implemented its price cut starting at 6 a.m. on Saturday while Cleanfuel rolled back its prices at 4:01 p.m. on Sunday.

Unioil Philippines expects diesel pric-

es to go down by P0.90 to P1 per liter and gasoline by P0.40 to P0.50 per liter.

Oil companies usually adjust pump prices every Tuesday, but some make adjustments earlier.

Road...

551...

project—at a cost of $515 million.

SMART is basically a 4-kilometer motorway and 9.7-kilometer flood control system in one.

Under normal conditions without any rainfall, the tunnel serves as a road for light motor vehicles.

During the wet season, the tunnel has two modes. In the first mode, with light rainfall, some floodwater may be diverted into the lower bypass channel, while the upper section remains open as a motorway.

In the second mode – during heavy rains – even the upper channel is temporarily closed to all motor vehicle traffic and automated water-tight gates are opened to divert floodwaters.

After the flooding, the tunnel is cleaned via pressure-washing, and the motorway is reopened to traffic, usually within 48 hours of closure.

Meanwhile, an official from the ridesharing company Angkas said traffic in the Philippines has become so huge that one agency cannot hope to solve it alone.

At the recent Roads and Traffic Expo, Angkas Chief Transport Advocate George Royeca emphasized the importance of collaboration between the public and private sector in providing better transport options.

Eleazar commended Bantag for allowing the joint team to put up a liaison office inside the national penitentiary.

Eleazar met with Bantag on Friday, Oct. 4 and the two officials agreed to implement drastic reforms inside the NBP. He said the liaison office inside the NBP seeks to stop the operations of convicted drug lords and other syndicates inside the detention facility.

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Laban Konsyumer Inc. president Victorio Dimagiba said Friday the international movement of oil prices indicated a possible downward trend as confirmed by an oil player.

“According to one oil company, a rollback of diesel prices will from P0.85 to P1.10 a liter. Gasoline should [prices should go down] by P0.75 to P1 per liter,” Dimagiba said.

This would the second consecutive oil price rollback as the oil firms cut the price of gasoline by P1.45 to P1.55 per liter and diesel by P0.50 to P0.60 per liter from Sept. 29 to Oct. 1.

Meanwhile, 13 oil companies issued show-cause orders to explain why their oil price cuts were lower than government computations and why their increase in the price of cooking gas was higher than expected.

Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi earlier said the show-cause orders would provide the companies the opportunity to explain how they arrived at their respective oil price rollback calculations.

The department declined to name the 13 oil companies but gave them until Oct. 7 to formally respond to the government order.

Eleazar initiated the formation of the group, dubbed the “Quad-Intel Force,” composed of various law enforcement agencies to consolidate intelligence efforts against all remaining illegal drug syndicates, including so-called ninja cops operating in Metro Manila.

Aside from NCRPO, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA)NCR, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI)-NCR, and the military’s Joint Task Force-NCR are part of the formal alliance against illegal drugs.

Eleazar said it is the first time that in-

telligence units of various government law enforcement agencies are allowed to set up an office at the NBP for monitoring and intelligence-sharing with the BuCor. He said the liaison office will serve as the eyes and ears of the Quad-Intel Force inside the NBP against drug lords and other convicted felons who head other criminal syndicates.

In return, the Quad-Intel Force will provide the BuCor information about the criminal group operations that are possibly connected with convicted felons inside the NBP. PNA

CALOOCAN FESTIVITIES. Students from various schools in Caloocan City join the dance competition during the 4th Arangkada Motorsiklo Festival and Tourism Month along 10th Avenue in Caloocan City.

Andrew Rabulan

OFWs...

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avoid doing anything which will jeopardize the relationship of Manila and Moscow.

In his meeting with the community, Duterte reminded Filipinos that laws in Russia are strict.

“My prayer is just abide by the laws of Russia. Just follow the laws and we won’t have any problem,” he said.

“You know, the criminal laws of Russia are very strict. Even stricter than the Philippines. I’m pleading to you not to do anything that will jeopardize our relationship and put us in a bad light,” he added.

Duterte also assured his Filipino audience that Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III is working with the Russian Federation to ease restrictions on Filipino workers.

“They would be willing to make an arrangement. Secretary Bello is working on an agreement for those who are overstaying or have had problems,” he said.

He also asked those who have expired passports to renew theirs through the help of the Philippine embassy.

“You don’t have to come back to the Philippines. You can renew your passports here. No problem,” he said.

There are about 10,000 Filipinos in Russia and majority of them are undocumented, Ambassador Carlos Sorreta said.

The government is also working for a bilateral labor agreement to grant legal status to undocumented workers, the envoy said earlier.

President Duterte arrived at Francisco Bangoy International Airport in Davao City Sunday after his five-day visit.

He had separate talks with Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev in Moscow and President Vladimir Putin in Sochi.

He also delivered a speech at the Valdai Forum alongside other heads of states: Putin, Jordanian King Abdullah II, Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, and Azerbaijan President Heydar Oglu Aliyev.

The President defended his campaign against illegal drugs in the forum, as he slammed countries such as the United States for being critical of his policies.

Duterte also sealed 10 business agreements worth $12.57 million, including exports of Philippine products, intent to explore the prospect of constructing nuclear power plants, and importation of technological products from Russian companies.

The President was also conferred with an honorary doctorate degree (honoris causa)

by Moscow State Institute of International Relations University, a training ground for budding Russian diplomats.

The Chief Executive also met with Russian businessmen in a forum.

Rody...

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“And right now, even as I fly here and go back, there are about again two generals who are still playing with drugs,” Duterte said in theforum held in Sochi city as he defended his anti-drug campaign before leaders and top academicians.

Duterte also said the Philippine National Police should not confuse the public with ranks and titles.

Duterte, however, did not name the superintendent he was referring to in the press conference.

Before his departure for Russia, President Duterte ordered Interior Secretary Eduardo Año to validate the findings of the Senate panel on “ninja cops” before deciding on the fate of policemen, including Albayalde, who was linked to the ninja cops scheme.

The President said he will forward to Año a copy of the Senate report to validate its findings since the PNP is under the Department of the Interior and Local Government.

The issue stemmed from Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong, who identified Albayalde and 13 other policemen, as allegedly involved in recycling of illegal drugs.

In 2013, an anti-drug police team raided the residence of a certain Johnson Lee at Woodridge, Lakeshore View, Mexico town in Pampanga.

Supt. Rodney Raymundo Baloyo reportedly led the operation.

Baloyo’s team declared they confis-

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“The P3,000 is just too small... If we give P8,000 to P10,000, especially to those backyard raisers, they might as well [voluntarily report and] surrender their [infected] pigs,” Enverga said.

Even Agap party-list Rep. Rico Geron said the P3,000 was not enough.

“If you raise a pig, each could cost almost P14,000,” Geron said.

At least a third of the 20,000 pigs slaughtered in various areas in Luzon were infected by ASF, the Department of Agriculture said.

The rest of the 20,000 culled pigs were within the one-kilometer radius under the government’s 1-7-10 protocol.

Under the protocol, quarantine checkpoints are set up in areas within a one-kilometer radius of suspected farms. Within a seven-kilometer radius, authorities will conduct surveillance and limit animal movement while Farm

cated only 36 kilograms of shabu, but investigators said they held back some 164 kilograms for themselves to resell.

Lee was reportedly allowed to escape in exchange for P50 million.

Albayalde denied allegations that he intervened in the dismissal of the 13 cops and said ninja cops were “a thing of the past.”

In his remarks upon returning from Russia, Duterte said he would not fire Albayalde, who is scheduled to retire on Nov. 8, because the PNP chief is still presumed innocent under the law.

“I could not just do it in a knee jerk. I have to follow procedural due process and allow him time to answer. The right to be heard. It’s given to the criminals, to the kidnappers. It should be given to a general of the Philippine National Police,” he said.

The President said he has no name in mind yet to replace Albayalde, adding that he has to “consult everybody.”

Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon, meanwhile, said Albayalde should consider early retirement, given the scandal that has developed around the ninja cops.

“Without admitting anything, he will not admit that he’s guilty, but because the prestige and image of the PNP was tainted, because of this, he might consider early retirement,” said Drilomn.

“If only for some of the image of the PNP to be recovered, he may consider it,” added Drilon.

Earlier, senators had called on the embattled PNP chief to quit his post after being accused of former PNP-CIDG chief Benjamin Magalong, and later, by PDEA director Aaron Aquino of intervening in

the dismissal of his men from the Pampanga Provincial Police Office tagged in the irregular drug operations in Mexico, Pampanga in 2013.

Aquino revealed Albayalde, then pampanga police chief, asked Aquino to stop the dismissal order againat Rodney Baloyo and the other so-called ninja cops.

But Albayalde refused to heed the call of the senators, insisting he serves at the pleasure of the President.

Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra, meanwhile, said his department will reopen the case of the 13 policemen implicated in the 2013 drug raid in Pampanga, where the alleged ninja cops kept 160 kilos of shabu and P50 million in exchange for the freedom of suspected drug lord Johnson Lee. He said the new investigation was necessary in the light of new evidence.

Testifying before the Senate, former police official and now Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong said he got a whiff of the allegedly anomalous anti-drug drug operation after getting word that several officers, including now Albayalde, started buying new SUVs. Albayalde was the provincial director of Pampanga police when the drug sting took place in 2013.

According to the DOJ chief, the respondents will be given “ample opportunity to present additional evidence” during the reinvestigation.

Also on Sunday, Senate President Vicente Sotto III said there was a pressing need to update and modernize the government’s approach to stopping drug syndicates.

owners within a 10-kilometer radius are mandated to report any disease to the DA. Agriculture Secretary William Dar warned those who would transport pigs from areas affected by the African swine fever shall be dealt accordingly.

“All hog traders, the full force of the law will descend upon you. There are existing laws to follow and we hope that you would cooperate,” he said.

“I would like to appeal to the traders to please do not transport pigs from ASF-affected areas. Let us not play hide and seek. Please help the government, both national and local,” Dar added.

Four villages in Quezon City—Pasong Tamo, Bagong Silangan, Payatas and Tatalon—have already been affected by ASF. Aklan, Bohol, Cebu City, Cebu province, Davao City, Iloilo, Mandaue City, Misamis Oriental and Negros Occidental have arlready imposed temporary bans on the entry of

live hogs and processed pork from Luzon and countries affected by ASF. Pampanga also sealed its borders to prevent the entry of live hogs and all pork products from neighboring provinces.

The 20,000 pigs that so far have been culled or have died because of the disease, however, represent small fraction of the country’s swine herd that was estimated at 12.7 million heads as of July 1.

A highly contagious hemorrhagic disease, ASF infects pigs, warthogs, European wild boar and American wild pigs, according to World Organization for Animal Health.

While it may affect the swine industry, it poses no threat to human health.

“We want to reiterate to the public that ASF is not a threat to human health,” Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said.

The DA has already earmarked P78 million as emergency fund for biosecurity and quarantine operations.

POPE FRANCIS

Pope blames ‘destructive interests’ for Amazon fires POPE Francis opened a synod Sunday to champion the Amazon’s poverty-stricken and isolated indigenous communities by condemning the destructive “interests” he blamed for the fires that devastated the region.

“The fire set by interests that destroy, like the fire that recently devastated Amazonia, is not the fire of the Gospel,” he said before the bishops from the nine countries of the pan-Amazonian region and representatives of indigenous peoples.

“The fire of God is warmth that attracts and gathers into unity. It is fed by sharing, not by profits.

“The fire that destroys, on the other hand, blazes up when people want to promote only their own ideas, form their own group, wipe out differences in the attempt to make everyone and everything uniform.”

The global spotlight has recently been on the world’s largest rainforest, which is vital for the planet but is suffering from its worst outbreak of fires in years, due in part to an acceleration in deforestation.

The working document for the synod denounced in scathing terms social injustices and crimes, including murders, and suggested a Church action plan.

“Listen to the cry of ‘Mother Earth,’ assaulted and seriously wounded by the economic model of predatory and ecocidal development... which kills and plunders, destroys and devastates, expels and discards,” the 80-page document said.

The run-up to the three-week synod, or assembly, saw some 260 events held in the Amazon region involving 80,000 people, in a bid to give the local populations a voice in the document. AFP

PUVs...

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board and revisit its public utility vehicle modernization program or PUVMP amid the lukewarm reception from the majority of transport groups.

Gatchalian, chairman of the committee on finance (Subcommittee E), made the call when he presided over the hearing of the department’s ₱147-billion budget for 2020.

During the hearing, Gatchalian grilled the department on its goal to modernize and rationalize the country’s public transport system, which the government launched in 2015.

The PUV modernization program aims to phase out old jeepneys and replace them with Euro 4-compliant vehicles that can run on renewable energy. Each unit costs from P1 million to P2.2 million.

Under the program, P80,000 of the total amount will be subsidized by the government.

De Leon says his department is requiring operators the same route of operation to have a consolidated franchise to do away with the culture of competition in the transport service.

“Sa pamamagitan nito, magiging swelduhan na ang ating mga driver.

Kapag boundary system kasi ang ating mga driver, nagiging kumpetisyon sa kalsada dahil sa pagkuha ng mga pasahero,” he said.

With the PUV modernization program, De Leon hopes the transportation system in the country would be a lot easier.

Last week, transport groups staged a nationwide strike against the PUV modernization program.

Pinagkaisang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operator Nationwide president Mody Floranda said drivers and operators would not be able to comply with the department’s directives to handle financial risks and be part of a corporation or cooperative.

“Hindi kakayanin ng mga indibidwal na operator ‘yung halaga ng mga nilalako nilang sasakyan,” Floranda said.

When asked about the costly PUV unit, De Leon said: “Hindi naman po pwedeng maantala ang ating PUV modernization because of one specific area of concern.”

Macon Ramos-Araneta

News Lacson draws solons’ ire over ‘pork’ charges

By Rio N. Araja BUHAY party-list Rep. Joselito Atienza on Sunday took a dig at Senator Panfilo Lacson for making sweeping statements about Congress’ insertions of pork barrel in the proposed 2020 P4.1-trillion national budget.

He said the senator must be fair to members of the House of Representatives as they did ot insert discretionary funds or pork barrel in the 2020 national budget.

“We are appealing to Senator Lacson, don’t assert that there is such.

If you have any proof of this, I, as a committed anti-pork barrel legislator, will help you prevent it. You’re claiming P1.5-billion per deputy speaker and P700 million per legislator. I feel slighted. I am a legislator,” he added.

Atienza said that he was one of the lawmakers who fought against businesswoman Janet Lim Napoles, the alleged mastermind behind the P10-billion Priority Development Assistance Fund scam.

“We fought Napoles’ pork in my first month in Congress, denouncing it even months before the Supreme Court decision. Like you, we are also committed to reforming our legislative processes. You insist that there is pork barrel when you have not even read it. I have not even read it either,” he said.

Lacson earlier said members of the House of Representatives would get P700 million in allocations under the 2020 P4.1-trillion budget.

Congress approved the national budget on Sept. 20 and transmitted it to the Senate on October.

“Let’s provide each other information so that we can coordinate. I do mind when Congress is accused in a blanket manner. People are unnecessarily alarmed without reason. It is not fair for those who are trying their best to perform their patriotic task,” the party-list lawmaker said.

Meanwhile, Anakalusugan partylist Rep. Mike Defensor, House committee public accounts chairperson, said the House leadership is calling on Senate President Vicente Sotto III to ensure that all senators would observe the time-honored inter-parliamentary courtesy during the continued budget discussions, “especially against the spread of gossips and fake news.”

MONDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2019

‘DOH needs funds for vaccination’ S

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

ENATOR Sonny Angara, chairman of the Senate Finance committee, on Sunday raised the possibility that the P650 million advertising budget of the Department of Health (DOH) be rechannelled to support the government’s vaccination drive.

Angara said there are other developments or health crisis that the DOH has to take into account such as the outbreak of dengue and polio, which would require additional funding to address.

The proposed P160 billion budget of

the DOH, Angara said has already been taken up at the committee level. It will be subject to further scrutiny during the plenary debates on the 2020 national budget next month.

During the plenary debates, senators

would be allowed to introduce their respective amendments, which could mean augmenting or reducing particular items in the proposed budgets of the different agencies.

The DOH will have a total of P7.54 billion for its national immunization program in 2020.

Under the program, vaccines will be administered for free to children, pregnant women, men and women.

More or less 2.7 million infants will be given vaccines against tuberculosis, hepatitis B, diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, measles, rubella, influenza and polio. Two million of these infants will be given flu shots.

THE camp of Vice President Leni Robredo on Sunday remained unfazed by the looming resolution of the Supreme Court sitting as the Presidential Electoral Tribunal on electoral protest filed by ex-senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Romulo Macalintal, Robredo’s legal counsel, said that the forthcoming

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of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Undersecretary Eliseo Rio Jr. said “it has started at the first minute (of Oct. 6) at 12:01 a.m.”

A landline user must add the no.

8 before the seven-digit number for Philippine Long Distance Telephone line, while add the no. 7 to the existing seven-digit landline number for Globe Telecom, he said.

Under the National Telecommunications Commission’s Memorandum Order No. 10-10-2017, each telco was given an “identifier” as an additional prefix to add to existing phone numbers with the area code (02).

The no. 3 is assigned to Bayan Telecommunications.

According to the DICT, the change was implemented due to the increasing number of landline users in Metro Manila.

Rio said the change to the eight-digit landline numbers from seven-digit numbers is necessary to accommodate the huge number of landline subscribers.

“We really need to do that (migration) We are now experiencing the lack of seven-digit numbers for Metro manila. That is why we have to add another digit,” he said.

“Only area code 02 is affected,” he added.

The NTC earlier ordered telecommunications company to implement the migration on March 18.

The banking sector, however, requested a delay in the project implementation.

The Department of Education would be part of the program through the administration of vaccines against tetanus, diphtheria, measles and rubella to 2.4 million Grade1 and 1.9 million Grade 7 students.

Some 2.7 million pregnant women will be given anti-tetanus vaccines while for the elderly, two million flu shots and 500,000 units of pneumonia vaccines will be made available.

“Kung ano man ang kulang pa, sabihin sa amin ng DOH. Pero hindi nangangahulugan na dagdag-pondo kaagad. Baka pwede, lipat-pondo within the budget of DOH,” Angara said.

CONFERMENT. House Majority Leader and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez (3rd right second row) join in a selfie taken by House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano (3rd right 1st row) during the ceremony of conferring the title of Doctor Honors Causa upon the President of the Republic of the Philippines His Excellency Rodrigo Duterte at the Moscow State Institute of International Relations University in Moscow Russia, with them are from right first row Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, DFA Sec. Teddy Boy Locsin, Deputy Speaker LRay Villafuerte, DA Sec. William Dar, DOLE Sec. Selvestre Bello,Defense Sec. Delfin Lorenzana,Presidential Assistant for the Visayas Sec. Michael Dino (2nd right 2nd row) and Minority Leader Bienvenido Abante (4th right 2nd row).

Unfazed by PET resolution, lawyer insists Leni will remain VP

By Rio N. Araja

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decision of PET would only resolve if Marcos’ protest would proceed or not, and is not designed to remove the Vice President from her post.

“Whatever will be the forthcoming resolution or decision of the PET, VP Leni remains as Vice President,” he said.

“If the PET would say that Marcos has made a substantial recovery, then

the PET would rule that the (his) protest shall continue insofar as the ballots and election returns questioned by Marcos from 22 remaining provinces and five highly urbanized cities,” he added.

Should the PET rule that the former senator was not able to gain any substantial recovery from the ballot recounts in three contested provinces -Iloilo, Negros Oriental and Camarines

Sur, then his protest would be dismissed outright, according to Macalintal.

Marcos lost to Robredo in the 2016 vice presidential election by 260,000 votes.

Macalintal said they are confident that Marcos’ protest would be eventually dismissed.

“Leni’s victory will be affirmed,” he noted.

Take necessary precautions, DFA urges Iraq OFWs

INVESTIGATORS of the fire that gutted the Star City amusement park in Pasay City said the fire appeared to have been deliberately set on fire.

According to Pasay City Fire Marshal Paul Pili, the pieces of evidence and samples that they had collected inside the amusement park point to arson.

Pili said the investigation showed that parts of the gutted amusement park indicated that there “gasoline in an area where it should not be.”

The Star City erupted in flames at 12:22 a.m. Wednesday. The fire was believed to have started in the stockroom of plushies and an assortment of prizes.

The flames quickly spread to other parts of the building and huge plumes of smoke were seen billowing into the sky. The fire was brought under control after almost four hours at 4:30 a.m. on the same day.

Pili said they came up with the arson angle because of the way the fire spread inside the complex.

He added that a certain Mr. Wong along with some personnel went inside the Star City complex with sacks of cot-

ton on the day the fire happened. The personnel, however, did not log in.

“Bakit hindi nag-logbook? Nag logbook siya pero hindi niya ni-logbook mga kasama niya,” Pili said.

Pili said there is a possibility that the officers of the Star City Corporation themselves may have started the fire.

He, however, said that authorities have yet to obtain the amusement park owners’ testimony.

He said that Star City Corporation officers would be summoned to present financial documents given that the complex’s fire safety inspection certificate is set to expire in October this year.

This means that if a third party caused the fire, the building is still covered by insurance.

“We will look into it kung sila ba ay nalulugi o hindi. Doon makikita ‘yung motibo kasi mahirap i-pinpoint kung sino nagsunog,” Pili said.

The management of Star City, however, rejected Pili’s statement, saying That there was no reason for the owners to set the theme park on fire because business is good and the Christmas sea-

son would also mean more profit.

“We are not aware of any motive, including financial gain, that would induce the commission on arson specially on the part of Star City as the business is profitable and a bumper Christmas season was expected,” it said in a statement.

It added that the gasoline noticed by fire investigators was used to run a certain ride within the theme park.

The bringing in of cotton, on the other hand, is normal because cotton filling is used to stuff toys that serve as prizes in games.

“In fact, most if not all of the stuffed toys are filled with cotton.

Almost all theme parks, including those outside of the Philippines, sell or give as prizes, stuffed toys in the ordinary course of their business,” Star City said.

“We feel that it was inappropriate, to say the least, to release statements to media first regarding arson as the cause of fire when the investigation is not clearly concluded and before taking up such matter with Star City’s management, the principal party concerned,” it added.

FILIPINOS in Baghdad and other parts of Iraq are advised to take the necessary precautions in view of the ongoing unrest in the country, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said on Saturday.

“Filipinos, especially those in Baghdad, are advised to remain indoors and to avoid any movement especially in areas where demonstrations are taking place,” DFA Media and Public Affairs acting director Johann Andal said in an advisory.

“Filipinos are also advised to make sure they have enough food and water and to call the Philippine Embassy in Baghdad if they require assistance,” he added.

Meanwhile, families of the overseas Filipinos in the Philippines are requested to relay the advisory to their next of kin working in Iraq in view of the interruption in communication services.

They are also urged to reach the DFA-Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers’ Affairs or the nearest DFA offices should they need assistance.

Over the past few days, waves of anti-government protests flooded different parts of Iraq, where thousands of demonstrators raising arms over issues of corruption, unemployment, and poor public services.

According to reports, dozens of protesters have been killed and hundreds were wounded as security forces responded to the protests. PNA

Duterte’s eyes...

Duterte said.

“Look, the other eye is smaller. It’s small, right? It moves on its own. Actually it’s myasthenia gravis. It’s a nerve malfunction.

“I got it from my grandfather. He’s also like this. So I believe, really, in genetics.”

Myasthenia gravis is a chronic autoimmune neuromuscular disease that causes weakness in the skeletal muscles and usually affects eye and eyelid

movement, facial expression, chewing, talking and swallowing.

It has been listed by the National Organization for Rare Disorders or NORD as a rare disease.

Most people with myasthenia gravis have no family history of the disorder.

It appears to occur spontaneously for unknown reasons, according to NORD. However, 3 to 5 percent of patients may

have family members with it or other autoimmune disorders.

Its symptoms may include the drooping of one or both eyelids, blurred or double vision, a change in facial expression, difficulty swallowing, shortness of breath and impaired speech.

Those with myasthenia gravis may develop tumors in the gland, which are often harmless but may become cancerous.

Star City blaze set deliberately—Investigators

From A1

He made the statement before the Filipino community in Russia while poking fun at a singer he had a sung with in a duet earlier in a program.

“I have a talent. I can look at you, but my other eye would be moving down,”

A4

Opinion

MONDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2019

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Dick’s one-man show

Adelle Chua, Editor

EDITORIAL

his hearing that he got so excited and came up with the perfect excuse to take away all the heat from the GCTA mess.

Thus we now have the ninja cop issue, paired with a perfect fall guy, someones who’ supposedly responsible for the ninja cops – Philippine National Police chief NOTHING could be more irritating Director General Oscar Albayalde.

Even after just one hearing on the ninja than watching Senator Richard “Dick” Gordon grandstanding in his own show, cop issue, Gordon already came up with delivering those almost hour-long mo- the conclusion that Albayalde was sort of notonous opening remarks, outdoing an guilty in intervening in the investigation interrogator and eventually monopoliz- of the alleged ninja cops, possibly blocking their dismissal from service. He even ing his own hearing.

However, Gordon just outdid himself called for the PNP chief’s resignation.

Surprisingly, Gordon’s conclusion in his his hearing in aid for legislation over the alleged abuses of the Good Con- was based on the testimony of former duct Time Allowance Law (Take note of PNP Region 3 director and now PDEA the two major points: in aid of legisla- chief Aaron Aquino, who recanted his tion and the subject on the GCTA)—by own testimony only to insist on it again, reaching a conclusion before he could and former No. 2 cop, now Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong. even terminate his own investigation.

Aquino first testified that Albayalde As have been stated earlier, the original intention of his Senate inquiry was called him up when he was investigation to curb alleged abuses of the application the drug raid in Pampanga six years ago, of the GCTA Law which have resulted wherein the raiding cops were accused of in benefitting those convicted of hei- misdeclaring the amount of drugs confiscated and selling nous crimes. They on the streets part were supposed to of the drug seized. be excluded from Albayalde supposthe coverage of the Wow. Simply wow. edly asked to relaw. view their findings In the initial as he would want stage of the hearing, it seemed former Bureau of Cor- to know first what really transpired durrections chief Nicanor Faeldon would be ing the raid.

Magalong for his part, insisted that pinned down on the GCTA mess, having signed the release of several high-profile Albayalde had intervened to block the inmates found guilty of heinous crimes. dismissal of cops involved in the illegal These included former Calauan Mayor drug raid.

As it suited his desired result, Gordon Antonio Sanchez.

However, observers of the hearing accepted hook, line and sinker the testiclaim that Gordon effectively steered monies of both Aquino and Magalong. the hearing to divert the attention away In fact, he even came up with the statefrom Faeldon. While initially train- ment it was impossible for Albayalde to ing his guns on jailed Senator Leila de not have known the circumstances of the Lima under whose watch the GCTA big-time drug sting.

“After the operation report, obviously Law was implemented (but of course her implementation of the law should also there will be a lot who will evade the be probed), Gordom has successfully probe. He did not meddle with it and incaused the shift of his investigation from stead worked on how to spare his men, GCTA to the issue of ninja cops over al- who should not be spared because they [are] obviously… incompetent. Then they legations of drug-recycling.

Again, this is another welcome de- were promoted. All of it are indicative velopment as the investigation has now that they are being protected. If they are made the public aware of how corrupt not being protected, would they spill the policemen recycle the drugs they con- beans?” Gordon was quoted as saying.

Well, the senator is not known for his fiscate in raids to sell on the streets. No objectivity during hearings. But he could wonder the drug trade just won’t stop.

But then, Gordon apparently got over- have asked Magalong and Aquino some whelmed by his successful steering of key questions.

Turn to A5

A

Swift action required

RRIVING from a five-day visit to Russia, President Rodrigo Duterte will be greeted, not only by the usual accolades from his drum beaters, but by an urgent call to action to a blight on his vaunted war on illegal drugs.

The President himself referred to this during the Valdai Forum in Sochi, when he spoke of “two generals still playing with drugs.”

He offered no specifics, however. Nor did he say if these generals belonged to the military or the police.

This ambiguity was cleared up later by his spokesman, who said the President referred to Philippine National Police (PNP) generals who have been accused of protecting “ninja cops,” or policemen who resell illegal drugs seized in legitimate anti-narcotics operations.

During Senate hearings, two former police officials tagged PNP chief Gen. Oscar Albayalde as one of them, and related how in 2016, he sought to intervene in the dismissal of 13

of his men accused of pilfering 160 kilos of shabu during a drug raid in Mexico, Pampanga, in 2013.

In 2017, Albayalde’s men were not dismissed, as they should have been, but merely demoted one rank.

Albayalde has denied any wrongdoing, and attributed the allegations to some form of envy—a motive that doesn’t make all that much sense, given that one of his accusers is now mayor of Baguio City and the other, the chief of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency.

The PNP chief also insists that he still has the President’s trust—though such words would have carried greater weight coming from the Palace, not from Albayalde himself.

In the past, the Palace has said

the President would let Congress conclude its investigation into the so-called ninja cops before taking any action.

Increasingly, however, it is looking like he can no longer afford to wait.

There is talk that Albayalde, who retires in November, should be allowed to serve out his term, but doing so would suggest that such small courtesies are due, even when the offense is so serious.

If the ninja cops had indeed recycled confiscated drugs, they figuratively took the President’s anti-drug plans and defecated on them. Albayalde, as their superior officer, at best allowed them to do it, and at worst gave them the go-ahead to do it or even cheered as they did it.

Environmentalist that he is, this President has a penchant for recycling garbage—even disgraced officials who have done little to truly serve his government. We can only hope he will not make the same mistake here.

Bonds of friendship and some body wounds and therefore out of danger, our ATN staff reported that the collapsed bridge pinned down a fishing vessel where three Filipinos and another three Indonesians were trapped.

LITO The bridge collapsed at 9:30 in the BANAYO morning, and by noon, the rescuing divers from the Taiwan fire department THE week that just passed was quite and port authority could still hear raptrying for us Filipinos here in Taiwan. ping sounds from the sunken vessel, givIt started with a rainy weekend, and on ing us hope that the trapped fishermen Sunday, the government announced that could be rescued alive. work was suspended for Monday, 30 In the afternoon, no less than Taiwan September due to the expected heavy President Tsai Ing-wen visited ground rain and strong winds that Mitag, a pow- zero as well as the hospitals where the erful tropical storm, would bring. wounded were taken. Sympathizing But the whole day of Sunday was not with them, she handed out some finanas rainy as predicted, and for a few hours cial assistance in sealed envelopes to the in the morning, the sun even shone, al- wounded. Meanwhile too, the Ministry lowing me to take a leisurely walk in a of Foreign Affairs called me to extend nearby park. The crazy weather got me their sympathies and offering to assist nursing a bad cold. By dinner time, how- the concerned families through MECO. ever, the rains came, along with strong But it took quite some time to extricate winds. And by half the bodies from past ten Monday the vessel which night, the winds was cut in half started howling unand pinned down I was struck by the til perhaps two the by the heavy confollowing morning. crete bridge. By kindness and genuine By the time I concern of the midnight Tuesday, got to office on one Filipino and Tuesday the sixth, Taiwanese people. two Indonesians the news about the were recovered, cable-suspended but they were bridge in Nanfandead. Imagine begao port in Yilan County, about a two- ing trapped for 15 hours inside a sunken hour ride northeast from central Taipei, vessel. reached us. Several Filipinos were reBy four at dawn of Wednesday mornportedly injured and brought to nearby ing, another Filipino body was recovhospitals for treatment. ered, leaving one other unaccounted Our Assistance to Nationals section at four. Meanwhile, the other fishermen MECO, along with the welfare officer working in the sunken vessel lost all of OWWA rushed to Yilan. The wel- their belongings. The Filipino commufare officer, Dayang-Dayang Sitti Jaafar, nity in Yilan immediately got together went straight to the hospitals, while our to donate clothing and other personal efATN staff led by Nestor Mayo and Mi- fects, and the overseas labor office under chael So went to ground zero. our Labor Attache, Atty. Cesar Chavez While Welof Jaafar was quite relieved got in touch with the employment broto see that four out of five hospital- kers to ensure that the affected workers ized Filipinos suffered only superficial would get their benefits, as well as find Turn to A5 wounds, while another had a fracture jobs elsewhere.

SO I SEE

EVERYMAN

The absence of checks and balances

(Part 1)

By Ernesto G. Banawis THE grave problems confronting the country today will persist and worsen for as long as there are no checks and balances between the three branches of the government. The principle that the executive, legislative and judiciary should be co-equal, separate and independent from each other to check each other’s abuses is just theoretical and is not spelled out in the fundamental charter.

The preamble and declaration of principles in the present Constitution do not contain a definite statement about this precept. The exact parameters of the

powers of the three departments and their relationships with each other are not expressly demarcated.

The three branches were minutely described only in Articles VI, VII and VIII of the 1987 Charter.

Let us take a realistic assessment of the state of affairs in the three branches and a close look at the whole government machinery as it is today.

But first let us see what is common to the three.

The executive, legislative and judicial arms of our government today are all ridden with graft and corruption, inept and desultory in delivering public services, and completely under the control of the rich and powerful elite.

Today, to get what you want in any transaction with any government agency, what is required are not supporting pa-

pers but the crisp 500- or 1000-peso bills.

No one gets anything for free.

Since all the high public officials consider their positions as sources of livelihood, they cooperate with each other in looting the national treasury. While they snap at each other at times, the high officials of the three observe filial courtesies and protection for each other to put up a façade of honesty.

Let us start at the judicial branch.

It is the most inefficient among the three. Thousands of cases remain unresolved. The dockets of all branches of the judiciary are overloaded with criminal and civil cases.

Thousands have been victims of injustices by judges and justices who rendered decisions in favor of their kin, friends, and political patrons or in exchange for favors—in cash or in kind.

Turn to A5

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Opinion

MONDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2019

A5

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

The arrival of Christianity

High efficiency, low emission—now

oric, has expressed his desire to shift the focus of the celebration away from the arrival of the Spanish colonists, and instead on the bravery of the early Filipino hero, Lapu-Lapu, the defiant chieftain of Mactan. In fact, even on the Church side, there has been some discussion on what the focal date for the celebration should be—a choice between March 31, the day of the first Easter Sunday Mass in the Philippines or the baptism of Cebu’s Raja Humabon on April 14. As a result, many of the local stakeholders, both church and government, have been on a wait-and-see

renewable energy sources supplying 32 percent of total power requirements which is already well above the regional goal of 23 percent and 4 years ahead of target.

Cognizant of the rising demand for affordable and reliable electricity, the Environmental activist Greta Thun- government is right to implement a balberg’s “How dare you?” speech during anced and technology neutral power mix the United Nations Climate Action Sum- policy to ensure that there will never be a mit demanded real action from world repeat of debilitating the power crisis of leaders to avert what she passionately the ‘90s.

Department of Energy Secretary Aldescribed as “the beginnings of a mass fonso Cusi said, “We really need to deextinction.”

This speech has gone viral in social velop energy security…we’re still buildmedia platforms and global news net- ing our capacity that’s why DOE adopted works, punctuating what is a complex, technology neutrality. We need to fill up our capacity emotional and serito sufficient reous problem. serves.”

The Intergovernwith mental Panel on CliIncentives are not a thisConsistent policy is the mate Change, a U.N. Energy Regula-supported initiative bad idea. tory Commiscomposed of 1,300 sion’s (ERC) reindependent sciencent approval of tists, concluded in its Fifth Assessment Report that there is a more than 95 percent the country’s first coal-fired power plant probability that global warming has been using High Efficiency Low Emission driven by human activity. The report stat- (HELE) technology.

Replacing the country’s old and inefed that Industrial activities that developed our modern lifestyle have almost doubled ficient power plants with commercially the atmosphere’s carbon dioxide levels available HELE technologies is a big step from 280 parts per million to 400 parts per towards reducing greenhouse gas emismillion in the last 150 years. The scientists sions by as much as 20 percent. Emission also concluded that “human-produced” tests have proven that HELE power plants greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide, have greater efficiency and lower carbon methane and nitrous oxide, are the main and non-carbon emissions passing the causes or rising Earth temperatures over strictest emission regulations and now seeing increasing adoption in Asia and Europe. the past 50 years.

The International Energy Agency’s Developing nations like the Philip(IEA’s) Clean Coal Center in its 2016 repines are seen to be most vulnerable to the environmental and economic reper- port “An overview of HELE deployment cussions of climate change. There is now in the coal power plant fleets of China, a multi-sectoral clamor for real action to EU, Japan and USA” ranked J-Power’s develop resiliency to the increasing amid 600 megawatt Isogo Thermal Power the increasing frequency of extreme plant station in Yokohama Japan as the weather hits and changing weather pat- cleanest coal-fired plant in the world with terns. This will certainly threaten the levels comparable to a natural gas-fired world’s food supplies followed by insta- combined cycle plant.

General Electric (GE) is pioneering bility on a global scale. The message of Thunberg is clear, but we, like all devel- ultra-supercritical technology at the RDK oping economies, are heavily dependent 8 coal-fired power plant in Karlsruhe, on fossil fuels to supply the power and Germany with considerable success. Operated by German utility EnBW, the plant energy to fuel economic sustainability.

This environmental dilemma was an achieves 47.5 percent net thermal efficienunderlying issue in the recent Associa- cy while producing 912MW of electricity, tion of Electricity Supply Industry of East making it one of the world’s most efficient Asia and Western Pacific (AESIEAP) hard coal-fired steam power plants.

Nordjylland power station located in CEO Conference where delegates disNorthern Jutland, Denmark is touted by cussed how to reduce the region’s carits owner Vattenfall as holding the world bon footprint and the impact of the latest energy practices on sustainability and record for most efficient coal utilization inclusive growth. The conference was since it was commissioned in 1998.

Independent consumer advocacy attended by power industry players who group Philippine Business for Environshared various environmental sustainability and inclusive development advo- mental Stewardship (PBEST) welcomed the swift decision of the Energy Regucacies in the power sector.

“This is a gathering of influential latory Commission (ERC) to issue the CEOs and government leaders who are Provisional Authority to Operate (PAO), in the position to come up with transition giving the go for the country’s 1st HELE plans for the adoption of energy efficien- power plant, San Buenaventura Power cy, renewable energy and information Ltd. (SBPL) to begin operations and supcommunication technolo-gies,” said ply crucial 500 MW of baseload capacity AESIEAP Secretary and Meralco Pow- to the Luzon grid.

This is indeed great news anticipatergen Corp. (MGen) president General ing scheduled maintenance shutdowns Rogelio Singson. that would affect Luzon’s biggest power Meralco president and chief executive officer Ray Espinosa said, “We must de- generation suppliers cutting about 600 to velop and implement our energy transi- 1500 megawatts in the months of Octotion plan. We should leverage on tech- ber to December 2019.

The country’s biggest natural gas facilnological advancements of renewable energy (RE) and energy efficiency that ity, Malampaya, will likewise temporarily shut down on October 12 until October can be adopted in the whole region.”

“In our minds, we have set an agenda 15, 2019. Malampaya supplies more than whereby as we contract stable sources of 40 percent of Meralco’s power requirepower, our minds are actually focused on ment, and provides natural gas fuel for basically moving ourselves from a high- Sta. Rita, San Lorenzo, Ilijan, San Gacarbon to low-carbon footprint and hope- briel and Avion.

Considering this scenario, it looks like fully to a zero-carbon electricity, which is tapping renewables. The issue in the the government should move triple time Philippines is the abundance, whether it on operationalizing more HELE power can actually substitute fully for fossil fu- plants. Giving more incentives is not a els. That’s a big question,” said Espinosa. bad idea as the economic payback will be The Philippines leads the region with very positive for all sectors.

I WAS a first-year high school seminarian at the Sacred Heart Seminary when our local archdiocese of Palo in Leyte celebrated four hundred years of the evangelization of Leyte, which began with the establishment of the Jesuit mission in Carigara. The islands of Leyte and Samar were at first assigned to the Jesuits until their expulsion from the Spanish colonies, after which it was transferred to the Augustinians, then to the Franciscan friars. It was such an important event then, that the high point of the celebration was the mass celebrated by the pope’s representative in the country, Archbishop Gian Vincenzo Moreni, at that time, Papal Nuncio to the Philippines. The throngs of people coming from the different parishes of the region and the presence of both civil and ecclesiastical dignitaries was an overwhelming sight for a12-year-old like me who was just about to begin years of formation to the priesthood.

While I did not make it to the priesthood, the memory of that event, the personalities, pageantry and protocol instilled in me a great love for the institution that is the Catholic Church in the Philippines. The Church’s long history is intrinsically intertwined with that our own nation, and its moral and doctrinal teachings has influenced much of our social and cultural values. Its contributions to the education of the youth, the healthcare of the sick as well as its numerous charitable initiatives cannot be denied.

That explains my own personal excitement in anticipation of the quincentennial of the arrival of Christianity in the Philippines, which we will celebrate in 2021, two years from now. By then, it would have been five hundred years since the Portuguese navigator, Ferdinand Magellan “discovered” our country and claimed it in the name of His Catholic Majesty, the King of Spain. Until recently, that date connoted the beginning of Philippine history as we know it, and it was followed by three hundred years of Spanish rule, the longest period of colonial rule that Spain ever had. Those three hundred years shaped much of who we are as a nation – including making out of these many tribes, languages and islands – one of the first Westernized civilizations on this part of the globe.

But even the upcoming celebration of the quincentennial of the arrival of Christianity to the Philippines is not without controversy. President Rodrigo Duterte, with his usual staunch nationalistic rhet-

mode, on the lookout for a more precise guidance as to the heart and tenor of the celebration.

Many of those who would prefer to play down the celebration deplore the fact the arrival of Christianity to the Philippines also marked the beginning of Spanish colonial rule in these islands, and the centuries of injustice and oppression that followed. But to say that the quincentennial mean is no more than just the arrival of the Spanish conquistadores is to have a poor, if not flawed, understanding of the historical, political and economic significance of this episode in our nation’s history.

The truth that cannot be ignored is that—with the arrival of Christianity came about the birth of Philippine civilization as we know it. It is often said that if the Spanish came later by a few decades, Islam would have been a dominant religion, at par, if not more than Catholicism. Without the Spanish colonists, these seven thousand islands would have become one nation, and we would end up becoming a loose alliance of barangays, sultanates and rajanates, much like the islands that made up the Federation of Malaya before the British forced them into becoming modern-day Malaysia.

If the Spaniards did not come, Tagalog, Bisaya and other Filipino languages would sound just any other variant of the Bahasa of Malaysia and Indonesia.

But Spaniards did come, and by planting the cross on our soil, they also introduced not only their religion – but their language, culture and way of life.

They established cuidades and pueblos and taught the Filipino people not only the basics of reading, writing and arithmetic, but also the arts, agriculture and

sciences. They established schools and universities, for which reason Manila is home to the oldest university in Asia, the more than four-hundred-year-old University of Santo Tomas. They taught our forebears how to cultivate crops such as tobacco, cotton, sugar and cocoa, industries that until to our time are at the core of our agricultural economy. They did not only planned cities and towns, they built roads, bridges, forts and aqueducts.

While abuses and injustices during that time are of historical record, little attention is given to the fact that the Spanish government reformed the nobility and the indigenous class system and outlawed slavery in the country, thanks to the consistent prodding of the early Catholic missionaries, in contrast to how other colonial powers actually encouraged or to say the least turned a blind eye to the slave trade or at least exploited the existing caste system to ensure political control over the natives.

It may be unpopular a proposition, but the Spanish were among the most benign of the colonial powers of that time. The fact that they stayed for 300 years and their innumerable contribution to our culture, language and even national consciousness cannot be ignored, not even when at the end of those three hundred years, the fight for freedom began, only to be nipped in the bud by another colonial regime, that of the United States.

Celebrating the Quincentennial should encourage all Filipinos to learn how the past has shaped the past and how it will inspire our country’s future. Close to five hundred years after the arrival of Christianity, it is interesting to note how our roles have reversed. Recently, a Filipino, Fr. Gerald Francisco Timoner, OP, was elected to head the Dominican order, one of the very first Spanish Catholic missionary orders to work in the Philippines. Just a few weeks ago, Pope Francis appointed a Filipino archbishop, Most Rev. Bernardito C. Auza, who was once served as the permanent representative of the Holy See to the United Nations, to be his apostolic nuncio in Spain. Finally, millions of overseas Filipinos now fill up empty churches in Europe, from whence came the missionaries who constructed the prized Baroque churches in our country.

The failure to give the Quincentennial the focus, fanfare and funding that it requires is not only a huge opportunity loss for tourism and heritage development, it is will also result in a grave historical injustice to the fact that without that fateful event in 1521, Philippines would not become the nation that it is now, and we would not become the people that we are today.

After all, as Filipinos of Las Islas Filipinas, our people bear a name that will for always immortalize the memory of Spanish king.

had arranged for the flight of the next of kin of the two who were earlier retrieved, and made arrangements for the last, whose next of kin did not have a passport yet, to fly into Taiwan. The resident representative of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) in Manila got in touch with me to say that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was offering to shoulder flight and travel accommodations of the next of kin.

I thanked them for the kind offer but said that we had already made such arrangements.

Meanwhile, both Buddhist monks and Catholic priests offered prayer ceremonies and masses in different sites for the victims of the tragedy. On Thursday night, a mass was offered at St. Christopher’s in Zhongshan district in Taipei City, attended by many Filipino community members to pray for the unfortunate kababayans.

Even as MECO was holding a tourism investment forum at the Grand Hyatt Thursday and business-matching meet-

ings on Friday, we received expressions of sympathy from Taiwanese businessmen and even the doormen at the hotel.

The spontaneous expressions of sympathy touched us.

Through all of the trying moments, one thing that struck me, and will forever be enshrined in my heart is the kindness and genuine concern of the Taiwanese people for humanity, from the wife of the fishing vessel owner who was profusely crying when the first Filipino body was retrieved, telling all how these employees were like family to them, to solicitous officials of the government who offered immediate assistance, to ordinary Taiwanese who expressed genuine sympathy.

There was also the Filipino community in Taiwan as well, particularly in Yilan, who gathered together to assist the victims, and later condole with the arriving next of kin, our admiration for the show of unity and the bayanihan spirit.

Indeed in times like these, the bonds of friendship and love of fellows in the human community enrich the soul.

Congress is no longer the policy-making body of the government since most of its members serve their own and not the interest of their constituents.

The 12 new senators added neither prestige nor brilliance to the holdover solons. Some of them were recycled, others were products of pure media hype, still others were helped tremendously by the president and one or two do not deserve to be there for lack of credentials and stature in the national scene.

Most of the members of the House of Representatives do not deserve to be there in the first place. Several of them paid and fed the voters. A number of them belong to established dynasties who consider the seat as a private preserve, part of an heirloom which only an immediate member of the family can

inherit. Some feel at home and in their best element when back in the House of Representatives. We refer to the few who are veterans, serving for more than three terms.

Many of the party-list solons do not come from the sector they represent.

Most just want to be socially elevated, financially comfortable, and eager to use the prefix “Honorable” with their names.

Both chambers are not honestly earning their salaries, paid for by taxpayers.

They hold sessions in only a few months, for only three days a week, every year.

Deliberations at plenary are only for a few hours. The 24 solons and the 300 representatives do not deserve their pay.

And they still want to receive kickbacks from projects funded by pork inserted into their budget.

(To be continued)

The Spaniard introduced not only their religion—but their language, culture and way of life.

Bonds...

From A4

Aid started pouring in from all sectors, whether government or charitable foundations such as TzuChi Foundation and the TaiwanRed Cross. Even the chairman of Foxconn, the electronics giant, donated 10 million Taiwan dollars to speed up the rescue effort, and another attached firm, Sharp, gave an additional 1 million.

It took another day before the rest of the sunken vessel was opened up and the third Filipino fisherman’s body retrieved.

His brother-in-law, also an OFW in Taiwan, was present when the body was fished out.

The Executive Yuan (Taiwan cabinet) directed the Taiwan International Ports Corporation, a GOCC similar to our port authority in the Philippines, to donate 5 million Taiwan dollars to each of the families of the deceased. But as it would take some time to effect this, the TIPC immediately handed out 55,000 dollars to the next of kin, two of which had arrived in Taiwan by Friday.

Even as our MECO office in Makati

The absence...

From A4

The saddest and most helpless victims of injustice are the poor and disadvantaged litigants. They are convicted , even if innocent, because they could not afford to pay the services of a lawyer or even post bail. In civil cases, those who have more money for the judge or justice get the favorable ruling.

The prosecution arm and prison administration bureaus are as susceptible to bribery and pressure from the rich and powerful. Prisoners are treated according to their “means.” Only the poor and penniless suffer long prison terms. The moneyed convicts are housed in luxurious quarters, allowed to run their business from inside, and to enjoy privileges, including sexual ones.

The legal profession may have become less attractive, but it remains lucrative.

Dick’s...

From A4

First, Aquino is ahead of Albayalde, being a member of PMA Class 85 to the latter’s Class 86. So, the question: can his someone his junior influence a member of his upper class?

When Albayalde asked him if he (Aquino) could review first the result of the investigation, can he consider that as an intervention?

Now, for Magalong. He was head of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group when the raid was conducted. It was his office which investigated the raid.

In July 2015, he was promoted as chief of the Directorate for Investigation and Detective Management, and in December 2016, he was promoted as second highest ranking cop as Deputy Chief of Operations.

Clearly, he was in the position to relieve those suspected in the agaw-bato scheme perpetrated by the alleged ninja cops in the 2013 Pampanga drug raid.

Magalong claims to be a diligent officer.

But by failing to dismiss those allegedly involved in the agaw-bato or drug recycling scheme, he clearly displayed gross negligence.

He claims Albayalde influenced the in-

vestigation and the resulting recommendation? Wow! Simply wow! Albayalde’s highest rank that time could have been a Senior Superintendent or even just a Chief Inspector while his (Magalong’s) lowest rank then could have been a Chief Superintendent.

Again, how could a junior officer influence a senior officer?

And why only now? Why at a time when Albayalde is only a few days from retirement? Does this have something to do, as he claims, with the appointment of the next PNP chief?

Why did not Magalong expose it when he was still in the position and his rank still supersedes that of Albayalde?

Why did not Gordon ask all these basic questions?

Why is Gordon soft on Magalong and why is he hard on Albayalde?

There is no doubt the public wants the operation of these ninja cops exposed, as well as their identities and have them penalized.

But Gordon has to be fair. He can grandstand all he wants in his hearing – that is his show anyway. But at the very least, he has to be fair.

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News

MONDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2019 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Farm tourism can help boost income of farmers—Villar

By Macon Ramos-Araneta AMID reports of plunging prices of palay, Senator Cynthia Villar called for the full implementation of the Farm Tourism Development Act of 2016 to help farmers boost their incomes.

Villar, chairperson of the Senate Agriculture and Food committee, said farmers earn additional incomes from their produce or crops, from their farm when they convert it into a farm tourism site, and from their trainees when they put up a learning site or farm school.

“All of these three are encouraged under the law,” said Villar, principal author of the law.

“For those who really want to run their farm as a business, they will be supported because under the new law, the Department of Trade and Industry and the Department of Agriculture shall assist farm tourism operators

and practitioners in the marketing and distribution of their products, and link them with consumers’ cooperatives and organizations, and retailers. That is very important, especially to new farm tourism sites.” she added.

She also encouraged farm owners to turn their farms into farm schools or learning sites and training centers.

TESDA, she said, has been supporting the establishment of farm schools across the country.

“The Philippines—blessed with abundant natural resources, biological diversity and cultural heritage—has what it takes to take a strong lead in farm tourism,” she said.

“So now is really the perfect time to look into and seize the numerous opportunities in farm tourism in the Philippines. So spread the word to the world, farm tourism is more fun in the Philippines,” Villar added.

DEFIANT. Despite the African swine fever that has affected the

hog industry in the country, the Hotels and Restaurant Association of Baguio City created a record feat with the launching of the longest longganisa at 7.8 kilometers. The longganisa, created by 1,400 culinary students, consisted of 11,910 dozens of sausages made out from 3,633 kilos of lean pork. Dave Leprozo

CA clears Umali of P15-m ‘pork’ misuse T 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.

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

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:

Name 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

The CA’s Seventh Division resolved that Umali was still covered by the 1959 condonation doctrine because the abandonment of the doctrine in the 2015 decision of the Supreme Court was prospective in application.

The appellate court stressed that under the condonation doctrine, an elected public official cannot be removed for administrative misconduct committed during a previous term with his or her re-election to office by the same electorate.

However, the appellate court clarified the criminal prosecution concerning the same set of facts surrounding the administrative case are not barred or prejudiced by the ruling.

In resolutions issued in 2016 and 2017, the Office of the Ombudsman found Umali guilty in administrative cases filed against him in connection with his 2005 Priority Development Assistance Fund.

The anti-graft body ordered Umali’s dismissal from service and barred him perpetually from holding public office.

The Ombudsman found him administratively liable for diverting substantial funds from his PDAF and the Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization Program funds to the Masaganang Ani Para sa Magsasaka Foundation.

Inc. and the Samahan ng mga Manininda ng Prutas sa Gabi Inc. to implement his livelihood projects.

Investigation showed there were no purchases of agricultural implements such as liquid fertilizers as reported by the two livelihood firms which were the recipients of the funds.

Umali, who won as Nueva Ecija governor in May, elevated the Ombudsman’s rulings before the CA when he was prevented from assuming his post as governor.

The Department of Interior and Local Government earlier issued a regional advisory which mandates that local elective officials dismissed from service should serve the imposed penalty even after the said officials were proclaimed to have won in the last polls.

“While the May 2019 election cannot be considered as the act of condonation, it evidences, nonetheless, the proclivity of the body politic of the 3rd District of Nueva Ecija to put their trust on the petitioner. The petitioner was elected not once but four times from the time when he committed the acts complained of in 2005,” the CA said.

Mudslide victim’s DepEd’s school feeding body found in program gets P5.9b next yr Semirara Island

THE Department of Education’s School-Based Feeding Program will get a budget of P5.97 billion next year, P1 billion or 20 percent higher than this year’s P4.97 billion, Anakalusugan party-list Rep. Michael Defensor said on Sunday.

“We are all for the bigger allocation so that the program can target and cover a greater number of underfed school children,” he said.

Under the SBFP, undernourished children from kindergarten to Grade 6 are given deworming tablets and fed at least one fortified meal with doses of micronutrients in the form of pills, capsules or syrups, for at least 120 days in a school year.

“There’s no question the program has helped improve the nutritional and overall health condition of children, apart from encouraging more of them to stay in school,” Defensor said.

The SBFP targets mostly “wasted and severely wasted”

school children, or those deemed undernourished for their age.

“Right now, many school children from poverty-stricken families, even here in Metro Manila, continue to suffer from shortterm hunger,” Defensor said.

In its second-quarter survey, the Social Weather Stations found an estimated 2.5 million Filipino families experienced either “moderate” or “severe” involuntary hunger at least once in the past three months.

The SBFP is one of the three national feeding programs for undernourished children institutionalized by the Masustansyang Pagkain Para sa Batang Pilipino Act which President Rodrigo Duterte signed into law in June last year.

The two others are the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s Supplemental Feeding Program for Children in Public Day Care Centers and the Department of Agriculture’s Milk Feeding Program.

By Alena Mae S. Flores THE remains of the missing employee of Semirara Mining and Power Corp.’s coal mining facility in Antique province has been found.

“The Department of Energy is saddened to receive the report that the remains of Pepito Andapat, the missing operator of the PS27 Machinery, has been recovered (Oct. 4), after a three-day search and rescue operation,” the department said in a statement.

The department immediately launched an investigation on the mudslide incident at the coal mining facility in Antique province after the employee went missing on Oct. 2.

“As the DOE continues to conduct its investigation into the recent mudslide that occurred in Semirara Mining and Power Corporation’s Antique facility, the DOE is still in the process of thoroughly evaluating all available information on the incident, and will keep the public informed of subsequent developments on the matter.”

According to Semirara, the mudslide occurred in Southwest Tungao, Semirara Island at 1:05 a.m. on Oct. 2.

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.

HE Court of Appeals has exonerated Nueva Ecija Gov. Aurelio Umali of administrative liability over allegations of irregularity in the use of his P15 million pork barrel funds in 2005 when he was a member of the House of Representatives for the province’s third legislative district.

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

EXPO. The Central Luzon Growth Corridor Foundation Inc. in cooperation with the Department of Trade and Industry-

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

Region 3 launches the first ever Central Luzon Expo on Oct. 17 to 18 at the ASEAN Convention Center in Clark Freeport Zone with the theme “Central Luzon: Opportunities. Progress. The Future.” Present during the launch were (from left): Nueva Ecija provincial tourism officer Jose San Pedro; Edwin Ebdane, representing Zambales Gov. Hermogenes Ebdane Jr.; Labor regional officer Alexander Inza Cruz; Trade regional officer Judith Angeles; Bulacan Gov. Daniel Fernando; Tarlac Gov. Susan Yap; Pampanga board member Cherry Manalo; ex-Aurora Gov. Ramoncita Ong; Trade regional director Carolina Uy; and Bataan department head Zena Sugatain.

Sports Iijima

Robins

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MONDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2019 sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

Robins, Iijima eye Black Arrow repeat MITCH Robins and Manami Iijima of Guam gear up for a tougher, more challenging outing in pursuit of a second straight championship in the Black Arrow Express 5150 Triathlon which gets going Oct. 27 in Subic Bay. Robins put on a strong finish to outlast fellow Aussie Sam Betten and end the latter’s domination of the 5150 races here, snatching the men’s pro crown in searing heat last year.

The duo slugged it out on practically even terms in the swim and bike legs but Robins poured it all out in the last of the two-loop closing run event to get back at Betten and secure his second Philippine championship after winning in 2013 as a first-time Phl visitor.

But the 31-year-old Port Macquarie native is expecting a strong challenge from the rest of the bidders, who will be coming into the Olympic distance race all primed up for the 1.5K swim-40K bike-10K run event sponsored by Black Arrow Express and organized by Sunrise Events, Inc., now part of the IRONMAN Group.

Iijima, on the other hand, hopes to flaunt her swim skills the way she did in dominating the women’s side last year where she built a big three-minute cushion over former Subic 5150 champion Dimity Lee Duke, also from Down Under, in the opening leg before coasting to her biggest victory thus far in the country.

ON A ROLL. Tony

Lascuña (right) receives the glass trophy from Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc. executive director Narlene Soriano after fashioning out a wire-to-wire triumph in the ICTSI Apo Golf Invitational at the Apo Golf and Country Club last Saturday, completing a triumphant two-week campaign in Taiwan and Davao.

ASEAN confab for sports set

S

PORTS Ministers from 10 ASEAN membercountries and Japan gather in Manila today, as the 5th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Sports (AMMS-5) and other Related Meetings kicks off its series of gatherings spread across a five-day schedule.

The event, led by the ASEAN Secretariat on Education, Youth and Sports, is hosted by the Philippine Sports Commission.

PSC Chairman William Ramirez, who chairs the AMMS-5 from this year to 2020 said: “This is another chance to connect with our neighbors and together strengthen the foothold of sports in the everyday lives of our people.”

The sports chief hopes to further the country’s agenda in prioritizing “sports for all” with the members of

the ASEAN. Sar Sokha of Cambodia; Phouvanh Vongsouthi of Lao PDR; Tan Wei Ming of Singapore; Ahmad Shapawi Bin Ismail of Malaysia; Aminuddin Ihsan Pehn Dato HJ Abidin of Brunei-Darussalam; Mya Than Htike of Myanmar; Kumekawa Hirokazu, Japan; Le Thi Hoang Yen of Vietnam; and Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn of Thailand, lead their respective delegations in this important policy-setting event.

Pressing areas of discussions in-

clude the implementation of the regional projects and activities based on the ASEAN Work Plan on Sports for 2016-2020, the ASEAN bid for the FIFA World Cup, establishment of the eSports SEA Foundation, and the discussion of the decisions from the previous AMMS and SOMS meetings among others. The results of the initial assessments for the ASEAN meetings plus Japan will also be given focus.

In an initial meet-up with ASEAN Secretariat Representatives, Chandra Putra and Larasati Indrawagita, officials from the Education, Youth and Sports Division in June this year, preparations for this conclave was initiated, picking-up from issues and initiatives

raised in the edition held in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar.

Activities and conversations commence with the SOMS-9 on Monday.

Chairman Ramirez leads proceedings on Tuesday, October 8 which sees the first ever holding of the ASEAN plus Japan Meeting on Women and Sports. The same day also has the 2nd ASEAN Plus Japan SOMS in the afternoon.

The 2nd ASEAN Plus Japan Ministerial Meeting on Sports happens on October 9.

Delegates from UNESCO, SEARADO, FIFA, UN Women, ASEAN Chess Federation, ASEAN Para Sports Federation, ASEAN Football Federation, and Right to Play Thailand Foundation will also participate.

Ramos banners Pinoy surfers excel in Siargao international surfing Cangolf Amateur Open golf cast SEAN Ramos sets out not only for back-to-back title drive in the Canlubang Amateur Open Championship but also to toughen up for the SEA Games next month as he leads the stellar cast vying in the 19th staging of the event unfolding Wednesday (Oct. 9) at Cangolf’s North and South courses in Laguna.

Ramos bested John Hay’s Paolo Wong by three to rule last year’s edition of the annual tournament with the Camp Aguinaldo bet all primed up for a repeat in the three-day tournament which also serves as part of his buildup for the upcoming biennial games at Luisita Golf and Country Club in Tarlac.

Ramos clinched a berth in the national team by placing third in the grueling qualifier put up by the National Golf Association of the Philippines last June, joining the likes of Aidric Chan and Carl Corpus with Luis Castro nailing the fourth and alternate slot following his victory in the Indonesian Amateur Open last August.

Out to foil Ramos’ bid in the event backed by NGAP and hole-in-one sponsor The Turf Company and Texas Eagle, are Elee Bisera, who took the low amateur honors in the just concluded ICTSI Apo Golf Invitational in Davao, and fellow Luisita members Danilo Cruz and Jhondie Quibol, Southwoods’ Paqo Barron, David Guangco and Jung Jae Hyung, Lloyd Labrador and Ronel Tagaan of Apo Golf and Alabang’s Miguel Ilas.

Organizers are expecting a huge field of 150 players to vie in the event supported by Silver sponsors Pacsports Phl Inc., Mega Fiber and Bedarra Holdings, Inc., and Bronze backers MUST Consultancy and Emdee Chem Marketing Corp., including Nicole Abelar, Laurea Duque of Alabang, Flor Pastor of Fernando Air Base, Summit Point’s Kim Myo Sook, Riviera’s Min Seo Kwon, Dayun Kang and Tae Yon Kwon and club bet Jona Magcalayo.

“We look forward to a three-day of high powered action from our top amateurs over the two courses we prepared to their very best condition,” said Cangolf executive director Luigi Yulo.

SIARGAO ISLAND, Surigao del Norte—Seven Filipino surfers showed their world-class worth in the face of tremendous opposition as they entered the quarterfinals of the 25th Siargao International Surfing crowd, which a drew huge crowd at the famous Cloud 9 surfing club here.

John Mark Tokong, Kent Brian Solloso and Carlito Nogralo won both their heats to spearhead the Philippines’ bid to make its mark in this tournament, sanctioned by the World Surf League.

Top surfers from 20 countries are competing in the event primarily organized by Siargao Representative Bingo Matugas and supported by Surigao del Norte Governor Francisco ``Lalo’’ Matugas. ``The event will give our local surfers much-needed exposure and will help them earn points to qualify for the Olympics. Surging is a sport in which our locals can excel. With proper training and funding, our surfers can help us clinch an Olympic medal,’’said Representative Matugas. ``Considering that this is the 25th anniversary of the event, we would like to make the event grand and memorable and Globe’s valuable support will surely ensure the competition’s success.’’

Also advancing to the next round of the event presented by Globe Telecom and Sprite were local bets PJ Alipayo, Christian Araquil, and Neil Sanchez

Filipino surfers are shown after their tough battles.

and Jay R Esquivel , who finished second in their respective heats.

World Surf League Asia General Manager Steve Robertson and operations manager Gerry Degan described the organization of the event as a fantastic and stressed that the event is the biggest international surfing event in the country. Robertson praised the perfect condition of the wave as he described Siargao as having the most perfect waves in the world. ``The level of competition is extreme-

ly high,’’ said the 35-year-old Robertson, who as a growing boy in Australia already heard about the charm and beauty of Siargao.

The week-long event, actually, had its formal opening Saturday afternoon with the organizers and sponsors, including Representative Matugas, Gov, Matugas,top officials of the local government units, medical teams, law enforcers and Coca Cola Philippines Public and Corporate Affairs Director lawyer Juan Lorenzo Tanada in attendance.

Wu Lin Feng Global Fighting Championship coming to PH THE Chinese fighters are coming and their mission is not just conquer Manila, but to dominate the rest of the world.

They are also bringing good news to professional kickboxing fans.

The Wu Lin Feng Global Fighting Championship-Philippines, the firstever professional kickboxing competition in the country, gets underway on Oct.23 at the Cove in Okada, Manila.

The highlight of the blockbuster 10-fight promotion, presented by the MSM Promotion and sanctioned by the Games and Amusements Board, will pit defending titlist Fu Gaofeng of China against Philipp Engeroff of Germany in the 75-kg main event.

“It is with great honor to introduce to local fight fans the Wu Lin Feng Global Championships-Philippines, the first-ever professional kickboxing tournament to be held here in Manila,” said MSM Promotions’ head Maynard S. Marinas during the recent Media Launch at the Cove, Manila.

Marinas said professional kickboxing competitions have become popular since 2007, drawing a worldwide audience and attracting more fighters from the United States, Germany, Iran, Thailand, Russia and New Zealand, among others.

Participants have included K1 Fighters, mixed martial arts professionals, muay thai fighters and wushu and sanda practitioners.

“In 2013, the kickboxing promotion was ranked among the top 100 most viewed satellite and cable television programs in China,” said Marinas.

The promoter also introduced some of the foreign fighters in the fight card, which will pit “China against the Rest of the World.”

Also in the blockbuster promotion are the fights between Li Ning against Kanchit Chai; Zhao Chongyang against Osman Yannis; Zhang Chuyun against Alex Wellin and Zhuo Wei against Mehrab Sanneh.

Completing the cast are Pan Jiajun against Yousef Gorgis, Hu Zheng against Dmitri Mordvinov, Zhang Lanpie against Spyro Besri, Cai Hungbin versus Tofik and Guo Wentao against Javad Bigdeli.

The GAB, headed by Chairman Abraham “Baham”Mitra, will supervise the event.

Lady Falcons, Tigresses seal title tiff ADAMSON rebounded from a second set meltdown and dispatched St. Benilde in four while UST outfoxed Ateneo in a tense-filled fifth set to arrange a showdown for the PVL Collegiate Conference crown at the Filoil Flying V Center in San Juan yesterday.

Trisha Genesis sustained her Game 2 form and came away with 20 points, spearheading the Lady Falcons dominating performance in the last two frames for a 25-18, 14-25, 25-17, 25-15 over the Lady Blazers in sudden death of their best-of-three semis series.

St. Benilde took the opener but the San Marcelino-based school struck back in the next game behind Genesis’ explosive 24-hit production.

After bouncing back strong from a sec-

ond set defeat for a 2-1 lead, the Lady Falcons broke away from a tight 12-10 game in the fourth as Genesis scored off the block and delivered an ace to key a decisive 9-0 run on their way to victory.

Earlier, EJ Laure took charge late the Tigresses repeated over the Ateneo Lady Eagles, 20-25, 25-20, 25-17, 19-25, 1614, to clinch the first championship berth.

Game One of the fnals, another bestof-three series, starts on Wednesday.

Laure scored two of the team’s last three hits and ended up with 12 points.

She added 13 excellent digs and 10 receptions in another superb all-around performance.

Eya Laure topscored for UST with 21 points while rookie Imee Hernandez and Janna Torres added 14 markers apiece.

CAGE CHAMP. Members of the Holy Child Academy Elementary Basketball Team, led by its coach Arnold Buenaventura, are shown after winning the Athletic Association of Private Schools District 5 Quezon City Tournament last Saturday at the National College of Business and Arts Gym in Quezon City. The team beat Mater Carmeli School, 71-60, in the finals.

Archers crush Bulldogs for 4th triumph

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

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MONDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2019

Sports LAKERS WIN. Anthony Davis (right) of Los Angeles handles the ball against Draymond Green #23 of Golden State during a pre-season game won by the Lakers, 123-110, at Chase Center in San Francisco, California. LeBron James scored 15 points in limited playing time and his new sidekick Anthony Davis finished with 22 for the Lakers. This was the first taste of action for the duo since the Lakers acquired Davis in an offseason trade in June. AFP

Meralco Bolts rout Fuel Masters 2 PH divers strike gold in Indian meet

By Peter Atencio TWO Filipino divers Francisco Deorelar and Monique Ann Demaisip swept all the gold medals in the 3m Springboard diving open events recently at the 10th Asian Age Group Championships in India.

Deorelar ruled the boys' Group A, 18-above Open division, topping nine other divers from Asia with a gold medal win of 295.70 points.

India’s Sharma Ramananda and Pradeshi Siddharth settled for the silver and bronze medals with 287.75 and 2:82.15 points respectively.

The 25-year-old Deorelar are now getting ready for the 30th Southeast Asian Games.

Back in the 2017 SEA Games, Malaysia’s Tze Liang Ooi and Amsyar Azman Ahmad took the gold and silver medals with 458 and 432.25 points respectively, while Timothy Lee Han Kuan of Singapore bagged the bronze with 386.35 points.

Six divers from the Southeast Asian region who joined in Kuala Lumpur SEA Games were around.

Indonesia’s Aldinsyah Putra Rafi placed sixth with 314.55 points.

Demaisip's second gold medal came after she topped the girls' group C, 18-above Open Division with 214.40 points.

Kazakhstan’s Zhijravleva Juliya and Borova Yelizaveta took the silver and bronze with 207.25 and 156.15 points respectively.

Two years ago, Malaysia’s Yan Yee Ng took the gold with 342.90 points, while Dhabitah Sabr got the silver medal with 311.25.

By Jeric Lopez

F

OR the second straight game, surging Meralco cruised to a convincing victory, this time at the expense of Phoenix, 111-94, to continue its ascent in the 2019 Philippine Basketball Association Governors’ Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Sunday night.

The trio of Allen Durham, Baser Amer and Chris Newsome backstopped Meralco’s charge with splendid performances.

Durham had his usual double-double with a team-high 27 points and 12 rebounds, while Amer sank four triples on his way to 26 points.

Not to be outshone, Newsome produced a triple-double of 13 points, 12 boards and 11 dimes.

“We stayed in character and was able to have a good offensive and defensive

game at the same time,” said Meralco coach Norman Black. “I’m proud of how the guys came out” Locked and loaded, the Bolts had their A-game from the on-set and coasted the rest of the way without ever looking back.

An 11-0 run midway the first period set the tone for Meralco as it took a double-digit lead right away, 20-9, to start the game right.

The Bolts carried a 28-16 cushion into the second quarter.

Meralco continued to play disciplined basketball the rest of the way, keeping, Phoenix at bay on its way to another rout.

The Bolts took their second straight win to improve to 3-1 for fourth place.

On the other hand, the Fuel Masters slid to 1-4 near the bottom as their slow start continued.

A Nard Pinto trey with 10:37 remaining in gave Meralco its largest lead of 27, 88-61.

Eugene Phelps took game-high honors with 31 points and 24 rebounds for a solid showing in his team’s losing cause.

Even from the first frame, things just did not go well for Phoenix.

Fuel Master Matthew Wright injured his right foot in one of the game’s first plays and was forced to sit out most of the first half before returning to action in the second half.

BOUND FOR THE 30TH SEA GAMES: After winning the recent Everly Putrajaya Trifactor International Duathlon in Malaysia, members of the Standard Insurance Women’s Duathlon Team, led

by Asia’s duathlon queen Monica Torres (left) and veteran campaigner Jelsie Sabado (right), will represent the Philippines in the 30th Southeast Asian Games in December.

Torres and Sabado aim for a 1-2 finish in the women’s individual race. Duathlon will be included for the first time in the SEA Games. The women’s team was trained under the Triathlon Association of the Philippines’ coaching program, spearheaded by coaches Melvin Fausto and Bernie Llantada.

THE La Salle Green Archers were shooting below par.

But after controlling the boards at the both ends of the court, the Green Archers went on to outplay the National University Bulldogs, 85-61, yesterday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Justine Baltazar made up for the Green Archers’ less than average shooting percentage as they went on to post their first win in the second round of the 82nd University Athletic Association of the Philippines men’s basketball tournament.

With the Green Archers hitting just 38.1 percent of their field goals, the 6’8” Baltazar rose to the occasion with a season-high double-double of 25 points and 25 rebounds.

Andrei Caracut and Jamie Malonzo also made their presence felt for the Green Archers, who went on to post their fourth win in eight outings.

Meanwhilew, Wendell Comboy scored past his defender in the last 18.3 seconds to lift the Far Eastern University to an 80-79 win over University of the Philippines in overtime.

The game went into overtime at 69all after Javi Gomez de Liano converted off a steal for UP in the remaining 24.7 seconds in regulation.

FEU, which squandered a 16-point edge in the last three minutes, got 18 and 17 points from Ken Tuffin and LJ Gonzales in improving to 4-4, gaining a share of third with UST and La Salle.

UP, with Kobe Paras leading with 22 points, is still in second at 5-3.

Caracut had a season-high 16 points.

The Archers, who out-rebounded NU, 66-40, got eight points from Baltazar in the second period as they went on to take a 40-24 halftime edge.

“It’s just a good win for us. We wanted to have good momentum going into Sunday’s game (against Ateneo). But more than that, it’s more of us wanting to have a different approach going into the second round,” said La Salle coach Gian Nazario.

The Green Archers went on to take a 25-point edge off Brandon Bates’ layup, 79-54, with 2:05 left. Dave Ildefonso made 11 points for NU, which now has a 1-7 slate at the cellar. Peter Atencio

Golovkin survives scare, regains IBF title NEW YORK (AFP)—Gennady Golovkin reclaimed his IBF title on Saturday, defeating Sergiy Derevyanchenko by a unanimous decision in a bruising middleweight fight at Madison Square Garden.

Golovkin knocked Derevyanchenko down in the first round and cut him over the eye in the second but had to dig deep to beat the stubborn Ukrainian, who made his opponent look all of his 37 years.

“It’s a bad day for me but a huge experience,” said Golovkin. “After the first round I didn’t think this was an easy fight. I told myself this is a tough fight.”

With the vacant middleweight title on the line, Derevyanchenko fought a brave fight, landing solid body shots and getting Golovkin in trouble several times.

He recovered quickly from the knockdown but it didn’t help him in the scoring department in what was a surprisingly close fight.

One judge scored it 114-113 and the other two had it 115-112 for Golovkin.

The 37-year-old Golovkin improved to 40-1-1 as he regained the belt he first won in 2015.

Golovkin defended the title with wins against Dominic Wade, Kell Brook and Daniel Jacobs and a draw against Mexico’s Canelo Alvarez.

Golovkin was stripped of the IBF title last year when he failed to make a mandatory defence against Derevyanchenko, opting instead for a rematch with Alvarez—who handed Golovkin the first defeat of his career. AFP

AFP Cavs, DENR Warriors in contrasting wins DEFENDING champion Armed Forces of the Philippines scored another breezy win while newcomer Department of Environment and Natural Resources continued to impress in the 8th UNTV Cup held recently at the Pasig City Sports Center.

Games Oct. 13 (Pasig City Sports Center) 2 p.m. – GSIS vs Malacañang-PSC 3:30pm – Ombudsman vs PhilHealth 5 p.m. – Judiciary vs NHA

Through the impressive quarterbacking of former Letran star and 2007 PH team member Boyet Bautista, the AFP Cavaliers smothered the SSS Kabalikat, 100-86, and stayed undefeated in Group I elims of the annual tournament for public servants.

The DENR Warriors, on the other hand, took the solo lead in Group II elims with an 88-77 win over former champion Philippine National Police Responders.

DENR’s victory only showed that its

101-98 decision over the GSIS Furies was no fluke.

Department of Agriculture rolled to its second win in Group 1 by slipping past the PITC Global Traders, 68-64, thanks to another solid game from former PBA player Emerson Oreta and Christian Dematera, who tallied 16 and 14 points, respectively.

Ralph Lansang starred once against for DENR by posting 21 points, eight rebounds and seven steals in a fitting follow up to his 51-point explosion in the team’s opening game victory.

Led by former University of the East player Olan Omiping, the Responders took a 44-38 halftime lead, but were outscored in the third, 31-10, thus absorbing their second straight defeat.

Alvin Zuniga and Winston Sergio benefited mostly Bautista’s creative plays and finished with 18 and 17 points, respectively, in the event organized by UNTV president and CEO Dr. Daniel Razon.

The Scores First game

DENR 88 - Lansang 21, Bangal 21, Parreño 13, Rivera 11, Ayson 10, Gamboa 8, Atablanco 2, Abanes 2.

PNP 77 - Omiping 20, Tolentino 14, Flormata 13, Villanueva 10, Cabrera 8, Elopre 6, Decena 2, Misola 2, Nicolas 2.

Quarter s: 21-18, 38-44, 69-54, 88-77.

Second Game AFP 100 - Zuñiga 18, Sergio 17, Casulla 10, Rosopa 9, Pascual 9, Almerol 8, Araneta 8, Evidor 7, Bautista 6, Fernandez 3, Cordero 3, Lumongsod 2.

SSS 86 - Quiambao 41, Roman 16, Sarmiento 12, Guierrez 6, Paclibare 2, M. Rapadas 2, R. Zarraga 2, M. Hernandez 2, S. Trinidad 2, Puño 1.

Quarters: 28-19, 57-36, 81-53, 100-86.

Third Game AGRICULTURE 68 - Dematera 16, Oreta 14, Silva 11, Casaysayan 10, Mastelero 8, Lim 6, Tayer 3.

PITC 64 - Vasallo 13, Martin 13, Taplah 10, Porto 8, Regalado 6, Barbers 4, Gecale 4,Lopez 4, Juan 2.

Quarters: 12-10, 28-29, 39-45, 68-64.

Ralph Lansang of the DENR Warriors goes for a dunk during their recent game with the PNP Responders in the 8th UNTV Cup.

IN BRIEF PCCI seeks lower cost of rice imports MEMBERS of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry will recommend a lower importation cost of rice to stabilize prices and make the staple more affordable to the consuming public.

The lower import cost will be one of the resolutions that the PCCI is set to submit to President Rodrigo Duterte during the upcoming 45th Philippine Business Conference and Expo on October 16 and 17 at the Manila Hotel.

The group will also recommend the creation of a bilateral partnership with Myanmar for guaranteed rice supply to the Philippines and call on the Agriculture and Trade departments, the Sugar Regulatory Administration and the National Economic and Development Authority to rationalize sugar imports.

The PCCI said the importation of sugar should be based on a careful analysis of projected production against domestic demand and done in consultation with industry stakeholders. Othel V. Campos

BIR chief again warns delinquent POGO firms THE Bureau of Internal Revenue warned anew delinquent Philippine offshore gaming operators, or POGOS, saying they must be ready to face the harsh consequences of their actions if they continue to be noncompliant with tax laws in the country.

BIR Commissioner Caesar Dulay said over the weekend service providers of Pogos must cooperate and comply with the tax authorities to avoid revenue losses once they become subject for closure.

Dulay said Pogo service providers should be prepared to incur millions of losses if they will keep snubbing the bureau’s demand letters regarding their outstanding tax liabilities with the government.

“Tell them to cooperate and volunteer to pay. The problem is they don’t respond to our demand letters,” Dulay said, hinting there were still Pogo service providers that remained non-compliant with the tax laws and regulations despite government crackdown. Julito G. Rada

Mitsubishi launches new Montero Sports

Business San Miguel to spend $3b on EDSA toll road

By Alena Mae S. Flores

C

ONGLOMERATE San Miguel Corp. is set to submit within the next two weeks an unsolicited bid for a $3-billion elevated expressway along EDSA patterned after an Indonesian project.

“Maybe from Macapagal to Balintawak. It will reach around $3 billion or a little more, give or take. That’s just money. We will do that because we want to solve the traffic in EDSA,” San Miguel president and chief operating officer Ramon Ang said.

He said the plan was to submit the proposal to the Transportation Department once all the documents were finalized in one to two weeks.

“We will submit but there are still financial studies lacking. Once that is completed, I think the idea is beautiful and I think Secretary [Arthur] Tugade likes it,” Ang said.

“Give us one to two weeks because there is the financial [side to it],” he said.

Ang said his company was in talks with the contractors of a similar project in Indonesia.

Ang previously announced plans to build a 10-lane elevated expressway on top of EDSA that would stretch from Macapagal Avenue in Pasay City to Samson Road in Caloocan City or Balintawak, Quezon City.

San Miguel currently operates the Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway, the Southern Tagalog Arterial Road, South Luzon Expressway, the Skyway System and the NAIA Expressway.

It is constructing the Skyway Stage 3, an 18.68-km, six-lane elevated expressway that will extend the existing Skyway from Buendia in Makati City to Balintawak, Quezon City and link the South Luzon Expressway to NLEX. The project aims to decongest major thoroughfares, including EDSA while creating new transport routes.

The company is also constructing Skyway Stage 4 which will start from the south of Metro Manila Skyway to Batasan Complex in Quezon City. It is expected to be completed by 2022.

San Miguel’s SMC Infrastructure is also building the 22-km Metro Rail Transit Line 7 from North Ave. in Quezon City to San Jose del Monte City, Bulacan.

Meanwhile, Ang called on power distributor Manila Electric Co. to allow the use of circulating-fluidized bed technology in the terms of reference for the rebidding of its greenfield 1,200-megawatt power supply requirement for 2024.

“Allow us to join the bidding. SMC must be able to join so the public will be able to see the real prices. If San Miguel joins, prices become very competitive which benefits the public,” he said.

Meralco held the CSP or bidding for its 20-year 1,200-MW requirement on Sept. 10 but declared it a failure after only Atimonan One Energy Inc. of Meralco PowerGen Corp. submitted a bid.

“If you want a fair-and-square bidding, SMC should be able to join. If SMC will not be allowed to join, the bidding will not be competitive,” Ang said.

The Energy Department has yet to approve the new terms of reference for the re-bidding but the previous TOR stated that only technologies that fall under the high efficiency-low emission category are allowed to participate.

Aside from expressways, SMC Infrastructure has interests in water, airport and port businesses. San Miguel as a conglomerate also has interests in power, food, oil, among many others.

MITSUBISHI Motors Philippines Corp. is looking forward to increasing sales of its medium-sized SUV segment by as much as 25 percent to 15,000 units after launching the all-new Montero Sports.

Mitsubishi president Mutsihiro Oshikiri said the all-new Montero was a notch better than the previous model, with better safety and additional power features.

“We are confident we’ll sell better than the previous model. With all the upgrades, we have maintained the same pricing level of P1.8 to P2 million (per unit),” he said during the unveiling of the new model Friday at the Okada Manila.

The company raised the price of its vehicle in 2018 amid higher taxes brought about the imposition of the tax reform program. Othel V. Campos

PSALM holding new bidding on Malaya thermal plant on Nov. 22 STATE-RUN Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corp. said it will rebid the 650-megawatt Malaya thermal power plant and its underlying properties in Pililla, Rizal on Nov. 22.

PSALM declared the bidding on Sept.

18 a failure after only one bidder submitted an offer.

PSALM said in a published invitation to bid that interested parties should submit letters of interest to the privatization, bids and awards committee not later than 5 p.m. on Nov. 6.

Interested parties will be allowed to conduct due diligence until two days before the bid submission deadline while a prebid conference will be held on Oct. 24.

A two-envelope system will be adopted during the bidding. Interested parties are required to post a bid security equivalent to P310 million in the form of irrevocable letter of credit.

PSALM president Irene Garcia earlier said the September bidding for the Malaya facility failed because only one bidder, AC Energy Inc. of Ayala Corp., submitted a bid.

“Under the PSALM bidding procedures, if only one bid is received by PSALM by the bid submission deadline, then there will be a failure of bidding.

There were actually four qualified bidders for Malaya, but only AC Energy Inc. submitted a bid,” Garcia said.

The other pre-qualified bidders for the Malaya power plant were DMCI Power Corp., D.M. Wenceslao and Associations Inc. and FGEN Reliable Energy Holdings Inc. “While it is unfortunate that the bidding failed, PSALM remains very much committed to privatize the Malaya power plant this year. Failure of the first round of bidding will not deter us from trying again, and again, until we are able to successfully dispose of this asset,” she said. Alena Mae S. Flores

TREE-PLANTING. Employees of Lopez-led First Gen Corp. conduct a tree-planting activity at the Masungi Georeserve in Baras, Rizal as part of efforts to rehabilitate the reservation area. Over 50 employees from First Gen’s head office in Pasig City and from the site of the company’s natural gas-fired power plants in Batangas City joined a two-kilometer trek from the base to the summit of the Masungi Georeserve where they planted over 300 narra, bignay and banaba saplings.

Ray S. Eñano, Editor Roderick T. dela Cruz, Assistant Editor business@manilastandard.net extrastory2000@gmail.com MONDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2019

B1

DOF expects GDP growth to pick up in 4th quarter

By Julito G. Rada THE Department of Finance expects economic growth to pick up in the fourth quarter, boosted by stronger consumer expenditures amid low inflation rate and higher infrastructure spending.

Finance Undersecretary Gil Beltran said the continuing drop in inflation gave monetary authorities room to loosen liquidity, enabling a cut in the policy rate by another 25 basis points.

“This plus a strong fiscal position coupled with efficient implementation of the catch-up spending program will boost economic growth in the last quarter of the year,” Beltran, who is also the DOF’s chief economist, said.

GDP growth averaged only 5.6 percent in the first half with the late implementation of the 2019 government budget which affected infrastructure spending. Beltran said with the budget implementation now on track and inflation rate settling below 1 percent, growth would likely be faster in the final quarter of 2019.

Inflation in September slowed to a 40-month low of 0.9 percent from 1.7 percent in August, pulled down by the decline in the index of heavily-weighted food and non-alcoholic beverages, the Philippine Statistics Authority said Friday.

Data showed it was the first time that inflation settled below 1 percent since the 0.9 percent in May 2016. The September 2019 inflation was also slower than the peak of 6.7 percent registered in September 2018.

This brought inflation in the first nine months to an average of 2.8 percent, below the mid-point of the target range of 2 percent to 4 percent this year.

Beltran said that for the rest of the year, assuming a month-on-month price growth of 0.2 percent at most as in September, “monthly inflation will be likely still below 1 percent in October before making upward corrections in the final two months.”

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Benjamin Diokno said the September inflation was within the BSP’s forecast range of 0.6 percent to 1.4 percent for the month and was driven by the continued decline in rice prices and electricity rates which offset the higher prices of petroleum and selected food products.

He said the BSP continued to expect average inflation to firmly settle within the target range of 2 percent to 4 percent for 2019 to 2021.

Pilipinas Shell building an integrated energy system in Batangas

By Alena Mae S. Flores OIL company Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp. said it will build an integrated energy system utilizing solar, natural gas and battery to power its 110,000-barrel-per-day refinery in Tabangao, Batangas City.

“This integrated solution is the result of collaboration between Pilipinas Shell and Royal Dutch Shell’s new energies business, to showcase Shell’s aspiration to thrive in the energy transition, and at the same time demonstrate opportunities to unlock value between conventional and new energy systems,” said Cesar Romero, presi-

dent of Pilipinas Shell and chairman of Shell Companies in the Philippines.

The energy system is expected to produce 2,400 megawatt-hours which is enough to power more than 850 homes, or roughly the size of a small barangay (community) once completed.

“Pilipinas Shell takes a broad perspective on the energy transition and will deliver commercially-viable energy solutions to our own sites. This started in our retail business, where there are currently 39 Shell retail stations in the Philippines already fitted out with solar panels and energy efficient equipment” he said.

The system is expected improve the

energy efficiency of Pilipinas Shell’s Tabangao Refinery while enabling the export of its excess and cleaner natural gas-generated power to the Luzon grid.

Pilipinas Shell is expecting to offset some 8,760 tons of carbon dioxide annually, equivalent to planting more than half a million trees.

Romero said the innovative energy system of the Batangas Refinery would showcase Pilipinas Shell’s commitment to and leadership in the energy transition through the use of cleaner energy technologies in the oil and gas industry.

“Pilipinas Shell takes a broad perspective on the energy transition and will deliver commercially-viable energy

solutions to our own sites. This started in our retail business, where there are currently 39 Shell retail stations in the Philippines already fitted out with solar panels and energy efficient equipment” he said.

Pilipinas Shell’s Tabangao Refinery will earn the distinction of being the first oil refinery with an industrial-scale solar farm in the Philippines and one of the largest battery storage projects in Southeast Asia.

Aside from the solar farm, Pilipinas Shell will also install a three megawatt-hour battery energy storage system at its manufacturing site in Tabangao, Batangas City.

Savoy Hotel Mactan set to open next month

By Jenniffer B. Austria MEGAWORLD Corp. said it is set to open next month its first hotel within the 30-hectare The Mactan Newtown in Lapu-Lapu City.

Megaworld said in a statement over the weekend the P1.7-billion Savoy Hotel Mactan would offer 547 guest rooms and suites targeting mostly business travelers and family vacationers.

“Savoy Hotel Mactan is just 15 minutes away from the airport, which makes it a perfect choice for business travelers. Its location also allows one to experience the beach and the township at the same time, where restaurants, cafes, supermarket, spa and other retail shops are just within easy reach,” said Raymundo Melendres, managing director of Megaworld Hotels.

The 18-story hotel will offer superior

and deluxe rooms, deluxe premier and junior suites that are fully equipped with essential amenities, in-room electronic safety box, 43-inch LED TV, coffee and tea-making facilities, mini-bar and wireless internet connection.

The hotel’s interiors are designed by world-renowned Hirsch Bedner Associates, the same firm that designed Marina Bay Sands and Fullerton Hotel in Singapore, Shangri-La Dubai and St. Regis Abu Dhabi in UAE. The hotel has a wide range of function and meeting rooms and food and beverage outlets such as the Savoy Café for breakfast and all-day dining, Lobby Café for coffee and pastries, Zabana Bar at the lobby area that offers cocktails and drinks, Pool Bar at the third level and the Patio, an outdoor dining area located at the second level.

TANDUAY EXPANSION. Tanduay Distillers Inc. signs a partnership agreement with Octopus Distribution Networks, the leading distributor ofß both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages in Singapore, to widen its international expansion plan.

Celebrating the event at the Octopus Building in Ubi Road 3, Singapore are Tanduay executives led by president Lucio Tan Jr. (center), executives and staff of the Octopus Group, F&B directors, restaurant owners, bar managers and members of the media.

B2

Business

MONDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2019 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Market likely to trade sideways S

By Jenniffer B. Austria

HARE prices are expected to trade sideways this week as investors continue to monitor developments overseas, especially the looming US-European Union trade war, for guidance.

“Movement (this) week for the PSEi should still be highly likely influenced by US market movement. Support remains at May’s low of 7,475,” said Gabriel Jose Perez, a trader from Papa Securities said.

Local investors, meanwhile, are awaiting how the two initial public offerings, Axelum Resources Corp. and All Home Corp., will perform during their listing this week.

Axelum is scheduled to list its shares on Oct. 7 while those of All Home will make its market debut on Oct. 10.

With inflation slowing down, analysts are expecting investors to turn into bar-

gain hunters on expectations of another interest rate cut from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas before the end of the year.

The government last week reported that the inflation slowed to 0.9 percent in September, or more than three-year low, from 1.7 percent in August.

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index declined 1.5 percent last week to 7,704.60 points, while the broader All Shares Index fell 1.1 percent to 4,675.60.

The index dropped to the 7,500-point level on Thursday before recovering to the 7,700 level on Friday as inflation eased in September.

Except for the financials index which inched up 0.1 percent, all other sub-indices ended in red, led by holding firms (-2.2 percent), services (-2.2 percent), property (-1.4 percent) mining and oil (-1.4 percent) and industrial (0.8 percent).

Foreign investors were net sellers for the week by P5.8 billion, while the average daily value traded stood at P7.57 billion from the previous week’s average of P6.3 billion.

Weekly top price gainers were Alliance Global Group Inc., which rose 3.5 percent to P11.28; SM Prime Holdings Inc., which climbed 3.4 percent to P37.75; and Aboitiz Equity Ventures Inc., which gained 1.8 percent to P54.50.

Weekly top price losers were Ayala Land Inc., which fell 6.3 percent to P46.20; San Miguel Corp., which dropped 6.3 percent to P164; and Ayala Corp., which lost 5.9 percent to P840.

European and US equities enjoyed

strong gains Friday following American jobs data that eased recession fears even as investors continued to expect more Federal Reserve interest rate cuts to boost the economy.

The report said the US added 136,000 jobs in September, while the unemployment rate fell to 3.5 percent, a 50-year low. But the pace of job creation slowed and wages fell.

Analysts described the report as a mixed bag.

“The unemployment rate may have dropped to its lowest level in 50 years but the labor market is weakening and not improving,” said BK Asset Management’s Kathy Lien.

“The job market is still the strongest in decades, but there’s no question that it is in the midst of a slowdown.”

The jobs data came on the heels of weak reports on the manufacturing and services sectors that had amplified worries over the US economy. With AFP

Manila Standard BuSineSS Weekly StockS revieW STOCKS

SEPTEMBER 30-OCTOBER 4, 2019 Close Volume Value SEPTEMBER 30-OCTOBER 4, 2019 FINANCIAL 368,936.00 1,000,431,190.00 765,200,773.50 127,250.00 115,570.00 78,387,220.00 1,590.00 390,594.00 20,220,628.00 15,534,930.00 9,263.00 19,820.00 219,550.00 1,252,850.00 902,945,469.00 2,234,410.00 4,777,320.00 2,090.00 29,245,385.00 1,318,357.00 478,580.00 1,449,075.00 1,057,070.00 493,106,901.00 1,645,350.00 20,252,594.50 401,670.00

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

MEDCO Holdings Metrobank Natl. Reinsurance Corp.

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

57.9 143.50 93.00 2.00 1.11 24.9 7.95 18.6 11.82 4.65 7.71 1.22 780.00 0.405 68 0.92 12.8 20.90 43.50 57.95 140 178.9 26.5 197.9 1880.00 59.05 1.15

6,630 7,123,810 8,334,690 65,000 104,000 3,146,100 200 21,300 1,697,400 3,161,400 1,200 16,000 290 2,640,390 13,403,900 2,477,000 367,700 100 670,200 22,480 3,420 8,170 39,800 2,564,670 890 343,180 365,000

Aboitiz Power Corp.

Agrinurture Inc. Alliance Tuna Intl Inc. Alsons Cons.

Basic Energy Corp.

Bogo Medelin 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.

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.

36.65 15.8 0.68 1.3 0.246 109 18.66 2.4 14.64 120 8.59 69 72.1 31.75 2.06 6 5.9 8.640 15.28 10.30 7.04 1.64 24.4 78.5 47.95 2.4300 14.40 7.79 1.490 220.20 5.47 3.53 8.25 19.8 13.02 18.36 0.189 367.00 5.45 1.68 4.45 5.02 9.90 2.16 11.00 32.7 5.3 5.10 1.83 2.28 1 11.4 90 7.33 0.122 1.04 157.7 2.42 1.21 16.00 1.03

6,740,100 985,800 1,315,000 1,144,000 6,700,000 730 96,800 15,130,000 1,523,300 130 4,597,200 13,230 10,120 12,500 211,000 380,700 360,400 31,750,600 283,600 2,036,000 23,022,400 8,000 7,049,900 3,477,350 376,700 27,366,000 2,013,700 2,088,400 385,000 3,251,450 898,400 25,000 8,500 9,708,800 1,784,700 3,216,100 610,000 877,220 6,400 45,951,000 60,000 6,946,500 202,100 83,667,000 254,900 1,342,200 1,058,200 1,165,300 13,084,000 70,000 701,000 1,731,500 919,830 308,800 1,630,000 2,559,000 8,280,230 86,000 22,898,000 1,000 55,405,000

INDUSTRIAL 254,619,570.00 15,616,574.00 881,270.00 1,486,440.00 1,645,100.00 78,686.00 1,791,914.00 36,267,010.00 21,860,046.00 15,600.00 40,021,542.00 930,541.00 758,697.50 388,875.00 428,080.00 2,322,291.00 2,132,557.00 281,480,609.00 4,315,120.00 21,656,338.00 163,728,469.00 13,180.00 171,221,890.00 278,110,297.00 17,593,240.00 66,788,820.00 29,039,912.00 16,582,837.00 585,440.00 714,268,574.00 4,896,707.00 86,250.00 70,175.00 193,976,030.00 23,247,714.00 59,094,664.00 120,040.00 320,647,494.00 33,503.00 77,867,100.00 256,940.00 34,872,935.00 2,019,650.00 184,317,120.00 2,810,532.00 43,609,385.00 5,610,152.00 5,939,940.00 25,637,860.00 161,180.00 708,720.00 19,721,964.00 82,922,943.50 2,274,665.00 200,720.00 2,700,260.00 1,259,788,130.00 208,120.00 27,213,990.00 16,000.00 58,589,740.00

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

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

0.840

65,520,000 25,887,000 3,784,990 66,516,600 3,285,000 43,200 48,900 6,808,000 424,000 2,038,170 6,719,000 2,396,600 41,857,400 2,000 400 856,400 930,000 257,800 820,400 8,191,640 5,100 4,900 100 1,617,000 2,562,000 12,730,500 2,447,000 82,381,000 40,700,000 531,000 14,000 1,458,980 6,000 2,524,280 213,000 639,000 14,320 110 1,440,000 1,740,000

HOLDING FIRMS 56,883,620.00 23,410,890.00 200,763,371.50 723,843,218.00 719,370.00 288,200.00 654,034.00 7,807,400.00 499,990.00 1,757,770,620.00 23,095,870.00 15,704,010.00 349,537,071.00 8,020.00 2,080.00 11,259,584.00 203,770.00 215,802,270.00 4,654,145.00 580,872,644.00 28,836.00 27,011.00 523.00 805,600.00 11,205,060.00 177,366,276.00 1,399,510.00 401,737,150.00 1,557,600.00 687,350.00 39,900.00 245,050,959.00 14,690.00 2,474,339,885.00 270,410.00 552,330.00 3,212,710.00 45,200.00 321,060.00 407,580.00

643,800 16,176,000 500 136,000 6,992,000 48,905,900 2,201,000 1,316,000 339,600 46,110,000 88,000 122,000 2,090,000 930,000 2,390,800 1,023,400 2,240,000 50,000 119,469,000 2,321,000 2,000 240,141,000 26,910,000 8,724,000 170,000 1,700,000

PROPERTY 9,674,588.00 13,555,200.00 5,010.00 258,530.00 6,063,160.00 2,314,679,385.00 4,550,230.00 6,156,730.00 2,118,382.00 24,902,980.00 64,240.00 100,980.00 443,870.00 360,650.00 23,410,464.00 20,658,677.00 988,650.00 6,050.00 182,019,360.00 2,721,940.00 94,200.00 1,064,841,950.00 8,087,450.00 11,762,700.00 70,900.00 629,450.00

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’

54.50 11.28 0.72 6.94 13.22 1.150 1.150 840 3.430 6.5 8.44 4.01 5.2 13.40 0.229 840 5.66 70.00 5.79 5.78 5.23 0.51 4.35 13.7 0.600 4.91 0.0380 1.290 2.85 164.00 2.44 990.00 1.27 0.86 223.000 440.00 0.2220 0.231 15.040 0.82 10.02 1.850 0.840 46.200 2.06 4.7 6.3 0.540 0.73 0.870 0.216 0.400 9.900 20.5 0.445 0.121 1.50 1.18 4.71 4.5 0.300 1.3500 0.4100 0.375

SEPTMBER 23-27, 2019 Close Volume Value SEPTMBER 23-27, 2019 55 145.00 91.80 2.00 1.12 25.05

5,960 6,089,280 7,250,890 42,000 167,000 458,100

328,583.50 870,346,307.00 661,862,260.50 85,280.00 188,680.00 11,636,135.00

18.6 12.1 5.19

76,300 2,018,100 3,192,200

1,410,238.00 24,214,250.00 17,168,125.00

1.26 755.00 0.435 66.9 0.95 13

184,000 510 350,000 11,706,980 330,000 466,000

226,580.00 385,100.00 152,100.00 788,800,970.50 307,130.00 5,850,186.00

44.40 58.5 129 179 26.95 198 1835.00 59.05 1.09

677,700 12,150 2,180 12,580 96,900 1,965,240 505 147,660 119,000

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

38.75 16.1 0.69 1.3 0.246

8,924,700 2,269,200 5,103,000 472,000 7,710,000

352,735,675.00 36,280,684.00 3,502,020.00 614,250.00 1,894,350.00

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 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

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 4,747,180 418,000 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

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 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

0.890

196,865,000

181,200,240.00

53.50 10.90 0.78 7.00 13.22 1.170 1.200 893 3.590 6.62 8.50

2,819,420 66,546,200 3,170,000 37,400 97,000 9,990,000 354,000 2,645,430 30,438,000 3,344,000 31,533,700

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 22,529,314.00 272,905,651.00

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 0.0390 1.300 2.85 175.00 2.59 1000.00 1.27 0.86 216.200 444.00 0.2280 0.240

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 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

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 1,972,230.00 276,265,810.00 481,200.00 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

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

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

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

STOCKS

SEPTEMBER 30-OCTOBER 4, 2019 Close Volume Value

SEPTMBER 23-27, 2019 Close Volume Value

Primex Corp.

Robinson’s Land `B’ Rockwell Shang Properties Inc. SM Prime Holdings Sta. Lucia Land Inc. Suntrust Home Dev. Inc. Vista Land & Lifescapes Vistamalls

2.03 24.40 2.25 3.28 37.75 2.58 0.880 7.690 5.800

1,242,000 8,361,100 829,000 101,000 33,518,200 7,792,000 3,675,000 17,850,600 196,100

2,497,900.00 202,568,645.00 1,903,820.00 325,900.00 1,231,514,810.00 20,093,890.00 3,294,060.00 137,032,937.00 1,126,908.00

2.05 24.05 2.37 3.29 36.50 2.57 0.930 7.730 5.820

1,324,000 6,171,200 270,000 173,000 148,090,100 7,202,000 246,863,000 22,214,700 159,000

2,681,440.00 151,165,185.00 629,870.00 566,710.00 5,317,079,135.00 17,833,100.00 216,548,850.00 170,368,850.00 918,745.00

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 Broadcasting Manila Bulletin Manila Jockey Metro Retail MetroAlliance A 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 Waterfront Phils.

Wilcon Depot

10.1 18 1.64 0.570 0.046 18.5 2.35 10.92 0.0540 91.1 7.2 7.2 6.05 2 9.19 890 1783 5.16 435.00 11.78 1.55 121 1.76 8.12 3.89 0.109 5.0000 2.85 13.54 3.01 0.90 18.84 14.26 0.430 3.4 2.38 1.13 2.790 2.9 8.25 2.77 4.79 140.00 2.95 1098.00 0.510 0.700 38.40 76.00 9.29 2.62 0.680 0.325 0.670 16.940

26,700 754,600 782,000 82,418,000 41,100,000 1,597,200 272,000 25,358,000 135,880,000 435,140 7,300 3,126,800 300 28,000 167,300 300 164,885 523,500 37,040 6,000 2,461,000 11,425,010 65,000 153,700 4,000 4,690,000 7,981,900 7,000 31,700 765,000 857,000 800,300 2,500 490,000 89,000 1,501,000 99,000 29,119,000 276,000 34,700 5,000 42,500 51,430 2,322,000 352,850 56,012,000 10,555,000 12,292,500 2,747,920 12,333,300 8,304,000 7,974,000 29,710,000 5,776,000 13,837,700

SERVICES 269,101.00 13,682,216.00 1,310,150.00 48,911,230.00 1,888,100.00 29,134,254.00 624,350.00 274,017,532.00 7,297,450.00 39,295,351.00 51,750.00 21,294,137.00 1,832.00 56,150.00 1,587,146.00 267,065.00 296,929,545.00 2,711,758.00 16,230,320.00 66,336.00 3,819,320.00 1,367,146,447.00 114,070.00 1,148,750.00 14,330.00 515,190.00 39,847,469.00 19,950.00 440,688.00 2,298,920.00 785,930.00 14,875,742.00 32,070.00 214,800.00 306,910.00 3,524,920.00 112,180.00 82,058,660.00 793,670.00 276,233.00 13,850.00 208,245.00 7,199,662.00 6,976,330.00 392,750,465.00 30,371,630.00 7,402,960.00 470,261,890.00 210,715,335.00 108,353,683.00 22,684,650.00 5,409,900.00 9,672,900.00 3,835,110.00 229,878,618.00

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

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

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

0.445 3.45 2.36 1.15 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 0.690 16.580

690,000 381,000 3,342,000 231,000 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 3,733,000 6,839,500

311,500.00 1,299,730.00 7,998,010.00 278,810.00 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 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 1.14 2.50 11.90 1.1500 1.1500 2.62 0.275 7.90 1.660 0.226 0.107 0.110 0.0091 0.0097 1.15 4.07 1.13 0.5200 0.9000 0.0120 0.0110 3.51 11.52 0.0110 8.4200 21.85 0.0061

99,000,000 3,194,000 87,000 50,200 8,000 18,000 9,695,000 110,000 60,300 23,685,000 5,030,000 4,950,000 1,310,000 104,000,000 205,800,000 1,056,000 49,238,000 737,000 260,000 294,000 30,000,000 24,800,000 5,020,000 2,816,900 71,700,000 3,273,900 4,178,400 15,000,000

MINING & OIL 164,500.00 3,659,800.00 218,300.00 582,036.00 9,250.00 20,700.00 25,454,660.00 30,750.00 461,045.00 46,775,310.00 1,134,080.00 527,640.00 143,050.00 1,028,400.00 2,042,300.00 1,173,680.00 192,647,310.00 806,080.00 133,290.00 257,180.00 341,600.00 276,200.00 18,111,940.00 32,365,906.00 738,900.00 27,261,354.00 92,683,425.00 94,800.00

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

3,273,000,000 6,734,000 270,000 11,700 31,000 11,000 3,562,000 280,000 6,500 106,085,000 48,840,000 10,740,000 25,200,000 12,600,000 161,100,000 971,000 29,365,000 5,727,000 447,000 1,242,000 41,600,000 268,500,000 4,405,000 4,711,900 86,900,000 4,365,600 3,721,300 18,000,000

5,564,100.00 7,869,660.00 680,480.00 138,656.00 35,920.00 12,870.00 9,448,610.00 79,150.00 51,423.00 184,293,970.00 12,256,240.00 1,154,400.00 2,661,180.00 119,690.00 1,819,900.00 1,114,250.00 122,707,560.00 6,882,220.00 224,930.00 1,124,940.00 478,600.00 2,955,700.00 16,803,490.00 56,097,974.00 906,700.00 39,150,711.00 83,531,170.00 119,400.00

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

17.88 103 101.1 511 503.5 101 110 490 505 5.13 970 995 98.5 1 100.3 1000 1028 1013 1062 101 108 995 77.8 75.3 75 76.6 75.35 75.5 76.5 1.4

118,500 20,020 1,000 660 13,180 5,910 8,018,790 160 70,980 51,400 5,020 10 107,510 279,000 10,820 6,010 1,005 20,980 2,650 310 4,970 10,770 264,530 124,840 88,350 175,270 56,910 28,900 442,160 2,000

PREFERRED 2,079,534.00 2,009,320.00 101,100.00 330,840.00 6,651,970.00 597,055.00 868,043,925.00 78,400.00 35,529,925.00 263,876.00 4,967,280.00 9,950.00 10,426,977.00 277,230.00 26,354.00 6,010,510.00 1,033,500.00 21,926,710.00 2,843,280.00 31,610.00 536,770.00 10,716,650.00 20,594,746.50 9,371,182.50 6,550,445.00 13,318,580.00 4,288,678.00 2,186,440.00 33,561,761.00 2,800.00

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

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

LR Warrant

1.530

81,000

WARRANTS & BONDS 123,220.00

1.520

318,000

501,760.00

SME 16,681,869.00 13,401,973.00 7,531,720.00

6.9 10.14 0.93

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

42,822,388.00 29,595,951.00 9,663,820.00

Italpinas Kepwealth Xurpas

6.41 9.55 0.9

2,591,200 1,369,700 8,276,000

First Metro ETF

115.7

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 71,120 8,197,672.00

117.2

32,190

3,798,793.00

10.36 0.98

DOLLAR DENONIMATED SEC. 22,200 113,282.00 1,030,480 998,943.20

10.4 1.01

57,200 65,000

593,933.80 65,650.00

USD DMPL A1 USD TECH B2

WEEKLY MOST TRADED STOCKS Megaworld Manila Mining `B’ Boulevard Holdings Filinvest Land,Inc. Manila Mining `A’ Abra Mining Phinma Energy APC Group, Inc. Metro Pacific Inv. Corp.

Philodrill Corp. `A’

VOLUME 240,141,000 205,800,000 135,880,000 119,469,000 104,000,000 99,000,000 83,667,000 82,418,000 82,381,000 71,700,000

STOCKS SM Investments Inc. Ayala Land `B’ Ayala Corp `A’ I.C.T.S.I. Universal Robina SM Prime Holdings Megaworld Banco de Oro Unibank Inc. Metrobank First Gen G

VALUE 2,474,339,885.00 2,314,679,385.00 1,757,770,620.00 1,367,146,447.00 1,259,788,130.00 1,231,514,810.00 1,064,841,950.00 1,000,431,190.00 902,945,469.00 868,043,925.00

Lucio Tan’s daughter joins board of PAL, eyes changes

By Darwin G. Amojelar THE daughter of taipan Lucio Tan has been appointed to the board of flag carrier Philippine Airlines to focus on the airline’s return to profitability.

The appointment of Vivienne Tan, concurrently PAL executive vice president for treasury, treasurer and chief administrative officer to the airline’s 15-man board, was part of a reorganization to bring PAL back on the road to recovery.

“With this added responsibility, I shall continue to be focused in steering the company to profitability,” Tan said in a statement.

PAL president and chief operating officer Gilbert Santa Maria said the management would work hard to achieve its goal to turn around the company.

Santa Maria said the flag carrier would embark on digital transformation initiatives to ensure the airline’s needs were met by the most ideal technology solutions—a move seen to pave the way for the company’s rightsizing and return to profitability.

Tan’s daughter, along with Santa Maria and his team, in the last three months has been mapping out strategies to reduce costs, enhance customer experience and increase revenues. The next few months will be crucial as the new PAL management introduces major changes in the 78-year old airline.

In addition, the PAL board accepted the resignations of seniors officers Angelito Alvarez and Siegfred Mison, and board member Cirilo Noel.

PAL Holdings Inc., the parent firm of PAL, earlier posted a net loss of P3.01 billion in the first half of the year from a loss of P661.56 million year-on-year.

PAL Holdings said consolidated revenues in the January-to-June period amounted to P81.25 billion, up 8.6 percent from P74.85 billion on year, on increased flights and sales.

Earlier, Japan’s ANA Holdings Inc., the Japanese parent company of All Nippon Airways, invested $95 million for a 9.5-percent stake in PAL Holdings.

ANA HD acquired the shares from Trustmark Holdings Corp., which is owned by the family of billionaire Lucio Tan and the largest shareholder of PAL Holdings.

PDEX says bond listings in 2019 to hit record P300b PHILIPPINE Dealing & Exchange Corp., the operator of the country’s fixed income market, sees bond listings this year to hit a record P300 billion.

PDEx president Antonio Nakpil said in a recent interview bond listings in the first nine months of the year reached P260 billion, up 109 percent year-on-year.

The nine-month bond listing figure already exceeded the P256.4-billion amount recorded in the whole of 2018.

Nakpil said at least six to eight more companies were expected to conduct bond listings during the last quarter of the year and push the total to P300 billion.

“We have chance to probably reach around P300 billion because right now we are at P260 billion. This is not totally unexpected because we have expected banks to come in with their bank bond issuance program,” Nakpil said.

He said the upcoming bond listings were mostly in the banking sector.

“The bank bond issuance program has been the main driven for bond listing after regulators eased the rules.

Banks were given lot of incentives given by regulations for them to shift their deposits to long term funding via bonds. The deregulation they released were very ‘incentivising’ for the banks,” Nakpil said.

Among the banks that issued bonds this year were BDO Unibank Inc., Metropolitan Bank & Trust Co., Philippine National Bank, Robinsons Bank, Philippine Savings Bank and Rizal Commercial Banking Corp.

Ayala Land Inc. and San Miguel Corp. also listed their respective bond offerings last week.

ALI raised P3 billion from five-year bonds while San Miguel generated P10 billion. The two latest bond listings lifted the total outstanding amount of listed corporate securities to P1.32 trillion.

“These are positive strides for the depth of the bond market and a good foundation for the next challenge, to spread the breadth to more include issuers and widen the variety of instruments,” Nakpil said.

Jenniffer B. Austria

Business/World

B3

MONDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2019 CESAR BARRIOQUINTO, Editor mst.daydesk@gmail.com

IN BRIEF

Xi and Kim hail their relationship

Voting begins in Portugal

FISHING ON THE JETTY. This photo taken on October 5, 2019, shows people fishing on the Punggol jetty overlooking Pasir Gudang, the Johor port on the Malaysian side of the border. AFP

LISBON―Voting got underway in Portugal’s general election on Sunday, with outgoing Prime Minister Antonio Costa’s Socialists tipped to win the most votes but without the necessary majority to govern alone.

Polling stations opened at 8:00 am (0700 GMT) and will close at 7:00 pm in mainland Portugal (1800 GMT), with exit polls results after 8.00 pm (1900 GMT).

Under Costa’s watch, the budget deficit has shrunk and the economy has grown above the European Union average even as he reversed some of the unpopular austerity measures imposed by his center-right predecessors in return for a 78-billion-euro ($85 billion) international bailout.

Costa’s Socialists, who have governed for the past four years with the support from two hard-left parties, had enjoyed a double-digit lead over the center-right Social Democrats (PSD) for many months but the gap between Portugal’s two main parties shrunk in the final stretch of the campaign.

Final opinion polls published Friday gave the Socialists 36-39 percent percent support, compared to 25-30 percent for the main opposition PSD, which led the previous coalition government that implemented the bailout program.

Under Portugal’s proportional representation system, an absolute majority in parliament has previously been achievable with 42 percent to 45 percent of the vote, so that would mean Costa will likely need the support of at least one other party in order to govern. AFP

BEIJING―Chinese President Xi Jinping has promised to promote a “longterm, sound and stable” relationship with North Korea, state news agency Xinhua said Sunday, as the two countries mark 70 years of diplomatic relations.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un also sent a message to Xi saying their countries’ “invincible friendship will be immortal on the road of accomplishing the cause of socialism,” said Pyongyang’s state news agency KCNA on Sunday.

North Korea was among the first countries to recognize the People’s Republic of China after it was founded in 1949.

Xi said the relationship between the Asian neighbors had played an “important and positive role in maintaining regional peace and stability,” said Xinhua.

Since March 2018, Xi and Kim have met five times.

Xi was the first Chinese leader to visit the reclusive North in 14 years when he made a highly symbolic trip to the nuclear-armed state in June.

Kim said the two countries would “steadily defend the cause of socialism and preserve peace and stability of the Korean peninsula and the world,” according to KCNA. The warm words from Beijing follow its huge military parade Tuesday to mark the 70th anniversary of the founding a Communist China, and come a day after the latest round of nuclear talks between the US and North Korea ended in Sweden. AFP

More protests as mask ban appeal is rejected H

ONG KONG―A Hong Kong court rejected on Sunday a challenge to an emergency law criminalizing protesters wearing face masks as democracy activists hit the streets again in defiance of the ban despite half the city’s subway stations remaining closed.

Thousands of protesters have staged unsanctioned flash mob rallies across the strife-torn city―some vandalizing subway stations and shops―after Hong Kong’s leader outlawed face coverings at protests, invoking colonial-era emergency powers not used for half a century.

Pro-democracy lawmakers went to the High Court on Sunday seeking an emergency injunction against the ban, arguing the emergency powers bypassed the legislature and contravened the city’s miniconstitution.

But a senior judge dismissed their injunction demand.

As the ruling was being delivered, two unsanctioned rallies were kicking off on both sides of Victoria Harbor, with thou-

sands of masked protesters gathering in torrential downpours.

After four months of huge and increasingly violent protests, the city’s unelected pro-Beijing leader Carrie Lam invoked a sweeping colonial-era law on Friday allowing her to make “any regulations whatsoever” during a time of public danger.

She used it to ban masks―which protesters have used to hide their identity or protect from tear gas―and warned she would use the powers to make new regulations if the unrest did not abate.

The move was welcomed by government supporters and Beijing.

But opponents and protesters saw it as the start of a slippery slope tipping the international finance hub into au-

thoritarianism.

“I would say this is one of the most important constitutional cases in the history of Hong Kong,” lawmaker Dennis Kwok told reporters before the ruling.

“If this emergency law just gets a pass just like that Hong Kong will be deemed into a very black hole,” he added, previously likening Lam to the autocratic English monarch Henry VIII. Hong Kong has been battered a summer of rage as widespread public anger seethes over Chinese rule and the police response to protests.

The rallies were ignited by a nowscrapped plan to allow extraditions to the mainland, which fueled fears of an erosion of liberties promised under the 50-year “one country, two systems” model China agreed ahead of the 1997 handover by Britain.

After Beijing and local leaders took a hard line, the demonstrations snowballed into a wider movement calling for more democratic freedoms and police accountability. AFP

BEAUTY AWARDS.

Indian Bollywood actress Janhvi Kapoor poses as she attends the 'Elle Beauty Awards 2019' in Mumbai on October 5, 2019. AFP Manila

Standard

Activists start Emerging governance models of sustainable tourism global protests RAYMUND B. HABARADAS over climate Green LiGht PARIS―Hundreds of climate activists barricaded themselves into a Paris shopping center for hours ahead of a planned series of protests around the world by the Extinction Rebellion movement.

Campaigners faced off against police and some inconvenienced shoppers as they occupied part of the Italie 2 mall in southeast Paris all day on Saturday, staying put into the early hours of Sunday.

They unfurled banners with slogans like “Burn capitalism not petrol” above restaurants and the window displays of fashion boutiques.

The protest comes ahead of planned disruption to 60 cities around the world from Monday in a fortnight of civil disobedience, from Extinction Rebellion (XR), which is warning of an environmental “apocalypse.”

As the center tried to close up on Saturday evening, security forces ordered the protesters to leave the area, activists told AFP. According to images broadcast on social networks, police then tried to enter the building while protesters blocked entrances with tables and chairs.

“I am with XR to say stop this crazy system before it destroys everything,” one young woman told AFP, giving only her first name Lucie.

The demonstrators said they eventually chose to leave at around 4am (0200 GMT).

Other campaign groups also joined in with the Paris shopping center demonstration, including some members of the “yellow vest” anti-government protest group. AFP

GREENING the tourism value chain is a com complex and dynamic undertaking that involves different sectors, namely the private sector, the government, civil society, the local community and the tourists themselves. Given that the activities involved in the tourism value chain are closely interrelated, there is a need for a viable mechanism to coordinate the activities of the various players and to ensure that these activities strengthen the economic, social, cultural and recreational pillars of sustainable tourism.

In a study on sustainable tourism that I conducted with my colleague Jonna Baquillas, we uncovered several alternative governance mechanisms that can contribute to the greening of the tourism value chain, each one emerging in response to prevailing conditions and circumstances: (a) regulation-driven governance (b) business-driven governance and norms-driven governance.

Regulation-driven governance is characterized by the dominant role played by the state or regulatory body in the conservation of the natural environment, and in establishing strict parameters for the activities of business establishments and of the local community within its area of control. This is the model followed by the Sabah Parks Management, which is responsible for ensuring the conservation of the Kinabalu National Park, Malaysia’s first UNESCO World Heritage site. KNP is home to Mt. Kinabalu— the highest mountain on the island of Borneo, which attracts climbers from all over the world.

Under this governance model, Sabah Parks Management has successfully controlled logging encroachment, closed mining activity near the borders, and has effectively controlled significant threats through enforcement and prosecution. Thus, KNP remains in an excellent conservation state.

However, the park management’s narrow focus on environmental sustainability has restricted the private sector’s role and potential for contributing to the development of the protected area. By limiting the number of people allowed to climb Mt. Kinabalu, for instance, the park’s management has effectively imposed limits on the opportunity to generate profit, thus discouraging further investments in tourism facilities and services.

Nevertheless, the park’s management, influ-

enced by the recommendations of the Inter International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and the pressure exerted by the local community, has reconsidered some of its poladicies. New developments are now slowly ad tourdressing the other pillars of sustainable tour ism (e.g. privatization of the management of lodging facilities, introduction of community use zones).

Business-driven governance is characterized by the central role played by a large private business, which has integrated sustainability in its business model, and which coordinates the efforts of other players in the tourism value chain to make its business model viable. Under this governance model, the creativity and innovative spirit of the private sector is unleashed to achieve multiple goals—economic viability, environmental protection, community development and cultural preservation.

This governance model is exemplified by Indochina Junk, a cruise company that sails around the mostly unexplored Bai Tu Long Bay, the quieter side of Ha Long Bay and Cat Ba Archipelago in Vietnam. Established in 2002, Indochina Junk consciously adheres to responsible travel—advocating community relations through its projects, promoting environmental protection through company-initiated programs and offering employment opportunities for locals.

For example, the company brings guests who take part in a Ha Long Bay cruise to Yen Duc Village, where they are treated to a traditional water puppet show that features Quan Ho folk songs. Tourists can participate in a homestay program, which allows them to better understand life in a farming village. This has led to the revival of local culture and to a more vibrant community life.

It must be noted, though, that Indochina Junk is able to offer sustainable tourism packages effectively because it has undergone various training on sustainability management, and on monitoring and managing impacts, among others. It is also operating within the ambit of the IUCN–Cat Ba Alliance, a three-year initiative for the environmental management and protection of Ha Long Bay. Norms-driven governance is characterized by a loose adherence of local businesses to sustainable practices and by a strong community spirit.

The experience of The Circle Hostel (TCH) and the community in Sitio Liwliwa, San Felipe, Zambales in the Philippines is a good illustration of how this governance model emerged.

When TCH was established in 2011, the community mainly relied on fishing and surfing lessons for livelihood. Tourism in the area started

in 2008 when surfers started coming for the waves. Thinking that TCH will take away business from them, the locals were initially apprehensive of the hostel’s presence. TCH decided to partner with members of the local community, opening up opportunities for micro enterprises to offer their products and services (i.e., locals who provide surfing lessons, neighboring restaurants, local tricycle drivers, and a local vendor who sells quirky souvenirs). This has led to a friendly and symbiotic relationship among the businesses around Sitio Liwliwa.

As advocates of environmental sustainability, the owners of TCH designed the hostel with much ventilation and less [need for] air-conditioning. Guests are also constantly reminded about the water and energy conservation efforts being practiced in the hostel. It is interesting to note, though, that being environmentallyconscious seems to be an emerging norm in Liwliwa. According to TCH’s hostel manager Aldrin Orqueta, “there are different movements here to take care of the environment. Each establishment has its own initiative and advocacy.

We have the same goal of creating awareness among our visitors about taking care of the environment.”

It is not clear, though, whether this governance model will continue to work with the influx of new businesses, some of which might be owned by people who do not share the same values. The challenge is how to get the local government and the community leaders to work closely with each other to jointly enforce existing environmental laws and regulations, and to institutionalize the beneficial norms that have emerged in Sitio Liwliwa over the past few years.

It is probable that there are other existing governance mechanisms that we have yet to uncover. However, we are hopeful that other communities faced with the challenge of greening their tourism value chains can draw useful lessons from the above-mentioned cases.

Raymund B. Habaradas is a Full Professor at the Management and Organization Department of the Ramon V. del Rosario College of Business of De La Salle University (DLSU), where he teaches Methods of Research, Qualitative Research, and Management Action Research. He is also the holder of the Ramon V. del Rosario Professorial Chair in Entrepreneurship, and the Director of the DLSU Center for Business Research and Development (CBRD). He welcomes comments at rbhabaradas@yahoo.com.

The views expressed above are the author’s and do not necessarily reflect the official position of DLSU, its faculty, and its administrators.

TODAY NOTICE OF DISSOLUTION

The public is hereby notified that EA GROUP INTERNATIONAL, INC., a corporation organized and existing under Philippine laws, with registered address at RM 602, 6th Flr. RCI Bldg. Rada Street, Legaspi Village, Makati City, Philippines, will be DISSOLVED through shortening of corporate term in accordance with Section 136 of the Revised Corporation Code.

The corporation’s dissolution will take effect upon approval by the Securities and Exchange Commission of the amendment made on the corporation’s Articles of Incorporation to shorten its corporate term.

(MS-OCT 7/14/21, 2019)

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

NOTICE OF CALL FOR PAYMENT OF ANY OR ALL ERC STOCK SUBSCRIPTIONS To All ERC Stockholders: PIease be informed that the Board of Directors of Educational Resources Corporation (ERC), in a meeting held on July 27, 2019 at Cucina, Marco Polo, unanimously approved the following resolutions: RESOLVED THAT: 1. The authorized capital of Educational Resources Corporation be raised from P4,000,000.00 to P10,000,000.00.

2. The twenty five percent (25%) of P6,000,000 additional authorized capital or P1,500,000.00 be offered for subscription to ERC stockholders of record as of October 1, 2019 in proportion to their stock ownership of the corporation.

3. The Twenty five percent (25%) of the twenty five percent (25%) of the additional authorized capital subscribed be paid in full not later than November 30, 2019.

4. All unpaid shares of ERC stock as of November 30, 2019 shall be dedared delinquent and shall be distributed to stockholders of record and fully paid as of December 1, 2019 in proportion to their percentage of ownership of ERC shares of stock.

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

(SGD) ATTY. LACANDOLA S. LEANO Corporate Secretary (MS-OCT. 7, 28 & NOV. 18, 2019)

LGUs

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

B4

MONDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2019

LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS

Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries help GARBEMCO manage a rubber plantation in Goodyear, Kabasalan, Zamboanga Sibugay, which is currently one of the major rubber producers in the area.

6k sworn into Partido Federal on anniversary

By Nash B. Maulana KORONADAL CITY—More than 6,000 people swore en masse before the Philippine flag to pursue political aspirations to federalize the country, as they officially joined the new Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP), which celebrated its first founding anniversary here on October 5.

The PFP won 238 elective posts in the May 2019 elections, after the Commission on Elections granted it accreditation on October 5, 2018 as the country’s newest political party.

South Cotabato Gov. Reynaldo Tamayo Jr., PFP national president, said the party has launched its free education and free health services programs to give back to the community in direct social services to the people.

Local observers have said a viable local party can reverse the political tide of a traditionally centralized character in the selection of members by any party in power, and the irony of local rivalries for national party support.

Off-political season, the PFP is assessed this early to possibly field few locally known candidates for national elections, such as the senatorial race.

Sworn PFP members vowed that their aspiration and the fight for a federal Philippines will ever continue.

Tamayo, a former municipal mayor of Tupi town, said he currently carries the PFP banner as governor of South Cotabato, together with two vice governors, four city mayors, six congressmen, 34 municipal mayors, and l26 vice mayors, as well provincial board members city and town councilors nationwide.

Vizcaya PENRO scored for disqualifying bidder

By Brenda Jocson

B

AYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya—The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) have been questioned for disqualifying the lowest winning bidder in four Agroforestry Support Facility (ASF) projects here worth a combined P173 million.

The winning bidder, Jann Norris Construction and Supplies Inc., had appealed to the PENRO Bids and Awards Committee to reverse its decision for the projects. It then formally protested the decision to PENRO OIC Edgar T. Martin when its motions for reconsideration with the BAC were denied.

The projects are all concreting road projects, namely: 1) a 7.476-km access road in Barangay Pallas in Bam-

bang with an approved budget of P67,696,229.23; 2) a 1.735-km road in Brgy. Canabay with overflow bridge in Dupax del Sur with an approved budget of P27,002,801.38; 3) the 1.52km Lazar-Kalinga access road in Brgy.

Palabotan, Dupax del Sur with an approved budget of P27,002,801.38; and 4) the 4.1-km Sitio Abuang access road with two overflow bridges at Brgy. Banila, Dupax del Sur, with an approved

budget of P52,476,647.19 The four ASF projects were bid out on the morning of August 13 at the 24/7 Inn and Resort in Solano, Nueva Vizcaya, records showed.

BAC Chair Melody B. Manzo, in an interview with Manila Standard, said the construction firm based in Valenzuela City was disqualified for alleged misrepresentation, or not listing all of its ongoing projects in public or private in its statement of contracts.

Manzo said the winning bidder should “abide with the rules because these projects are from JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency). They are so strict, that’s why we are very careful. After seven calendar days their protest became invalid, because they didn’t pay the protest fee worth more than P1.3 million nonrefundable.”

Officials of Cauayan City and PLDT-Smart shake hands after signing an agreement where PLDT and Smart would upgrade their fixed and mobile networks to transform Cauayan into a full fiberized and Smart LTE-powered city. Mayor Bernard Dy (inset) has been at the forefront of Cauayan’s smart city initiatives.

Cauayan to spark national ‘Smart City’ movement with PLDT tieup FOR many, the term ‘smart city’ evokes a first world, highly urbanized metropolis with driverless cars on the streets.

But Cauayan’s vision of a smart city for its citizens, particularly for its farmers, is more down-to-earth.

The northern Luzon city of Cauayan in Isabela, one of the country’s premier agro-industrial hubs, is also one of the Philippines’ first smart cities. It has its

own citizen app, a unified electronic payment system across the town, and free Wi-Fi in its barangays to help the local government deliver its services to citizens more efficiently.

“Smart cities can be as complex as having sensors in every street, in every aspect of the city. It can be as complicated and futuristic as having laws and ordinances passed to allow driverless,

SM Center Dagupan opens doors DAGUPAN City’s name is a take-off from the word pandaragupan, which means “gathering place” in the local dialect. Located on the Lingayen Gulf on the northwest-central part of Luzon and within the fertile Agno River Valley, it is a major commercial and financial center north of Manila.

Historically, Dagupan was a center for salt making in numerous salt evaporator beds in the low-lying swampy areas close to the Lingayen Gulf. Beginning in the 19th Century, some of the salt making operations gave way to the pond culture of fish, most prominently, the milkfish, or bangus, for which the city has become famous. Fisheries, aquaculture, and processed fisheries products are an impor-

unmanned vehicles on the streets. But it can also be as simple as informing the farmers if it’s going to rain or not,” said Cauayan City Mayor Bernard Dy, who has been at the forefront of Cauayan’s journey toward being a smart city for the past years.

For Dy, the core of a smart city is using technology to ultimately improve the lives of the people. “These simple

tant mainstay of the city’s economy.

The popular Bangus Festival is an annual celebration in Dagupan to promote the city’s milkfish aquaculture industry. The celebrations typically go on for 10 days and involve a mixture of sport events, trade fairs, and street parties.

Today, Dagupan is the economic center of Pangasinan and one of the centers of modern medical services, media, and communication in North-Central Luzon.

A regional market center for centuries, it recently welcomed another gathering place with the opening on SM Center Dagupan last Friday, October 4. It is SM Prime Holdings’ 74th mall and the third in Pangasinan after SM City Rosales and SM City Urdaneta Central.

things—as simple as getting information through technology—really change the lives of people and improve them in ways that we cannot imagine,” Dy said.

“We have really embraced technology and used it to make our citizens’ lives more convenient,” Dy added. “For example, if the farmers know that it is going to rain, then they won’t leave their produce out to dry and risk spoiling them.”

Landbank backs rubber-tree ARB co-op in Sibugay FOR a community of 312 Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs) in Kabasalan, Zamboanga Sibugay, a 1,000-hectare plantation of rubber trees is the primary source of income and livelihood.

These ARBs have established a profitable system of maintaining the rubber trees, gathering produce and selling them, thanks to the organization they formed in 1992, the Goodyear Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Multi-Purpose Cooperative (GARBEMCO).

The cooperative generates employment in the community. In 2018, GARBEMCO provided jobs to 321 individuals. They harvest around 600 bales of crumb rubber per week, which are packed at 33.33 kilos per bale. GARBEMCO sells these bales at P60 per kilo, mostly to the local market, and some to areas in Cebu and Cagayan de Oro. According to GARBEMCO General Manager Lilia Manuel, the rubber plantation has been a profitable venture for the co-op, as supplemented by other businesses including credit operations, fishpond operations, abaca production, handicraft making, consumer store, rice field rental, rice milling and trading, and hauling services.

To help the co-op enhance its business, LANDBANK approved a new loan on Sept. 17, 2019 to finance its working capital requirement for rubber production, rice milling and trading, consumer store, and fishpond and abaca production. Through the years, LANDBANK has been supportive of GARBEMCO’s endeavors, as the growth of the co-op benefits its ARB members.

GARBEMCO and LANDBANK’s relationship can be traced back to 1995. The Co-op was still in its early years and was suffering from low production due to hectares of senile rubber trees. When the Bank extended an agricultural production loan, the Cooperative was able to rehabilitate its plantation and overcame the challenges in its operations.

Parañaque learns urban farm tourism

AS PART of its sustainable development initiatives, the City of Parañaque recently underwent an Urban Farm Tourism Workshop with the International School of Sustainable Tourism (ISST) in Silang, Cavite.

The three-day course is based on the Farm Tourism Development Act of 2016, which aims to help broaden the understanding on organic urban gardening to help augment the daily vegetable requirement and educate people on the productive utilization of vacant spaces.

The event gathered 65 participants from the city government offices, barangay captains, and Paranaque city residents engaged in farming and were clustered into 6 groups to achieve the required supply of products that will be introduced in their barangays.

According to Parañaque Mayor Edwin Olivarez, the city is pioneering the urban farming program to help ensure food security and contribute to the greening of the metropolis, the workshop being the first among Metro Manila local government units.

He said that a joint team from the ISST and the Mayor’s office will inspect the status and results of the project after 3 months, to identify the assistance needed by the different barangays.

Resource persons to the workshop were ISST president Mina Gabor who talked on Defining Farm Tourism and Opportunities in Urban Farm Tourism, David Balila of Gulayan and Bulaklakan, Research and Training Center who discussed Sustainable Best Practices, and Michael Galang and Rizalie Galang of the Marikina Watershed Kaysakat Association who presented on “Natural Farming Methods” and “Maximizing Small Space in Urban Farming”, respectively.

Pangasinan Vice Governor Mark Lambino (2nd from left) and Dagupan City Vice Mayor Dean Bryan Kua (2nd from right) grace the opening of SM Center Dagupan (inset). They are joined by SM Chairman for Executive Committee Hans T. Sy and SM Prime Holdings President Jeffrey Lim (right) with Most Reverend Bishop Socrates Villegas, Archdiocese of LingayenDagupan (center).

Life

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

FOOD

MONDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2019

C1

Sumptuous selections from Eastwood to Manila Bay T

HERE is no shortage of dining options in Metro Manila. From global chains to homegrown outlets, there’s always a place that caters to a specific craving. Scrumptious choices are also aplenty in premier hotels in the metro. Here are some of them.

Filipino ingredients meet global flavors Eastwood Café+Bar, Eastwood Richmonde Hotel’s all-day dining restaurant, offers an upgraded menu that utilizes more locally sourced ingredients and made using cooking techniques that further enhance the flavor of each dish.

The new menu debuts a number of original and exciting must-try items that showcase the best of Filipino ingredients, feature global flavors, and are healthy to boot.

There’s the Red Cabbage Chicharon, which is vegan-friendly and a nutritious alternative to the usual cracklings. The Adlai Bisque is made with a gluten-free rice substitute straight from the fields of Mindanao and seasoned with shrimp bits, vegetables, and cream.

Also available is Dapithapon, which is made of carrot hummus, black quinoa, and roasted vegetables, a unique and flavorful salad that was given special recognition in last year’s 12th National Food Showdown.

Executive Chef Victor Barangan gives the Philippine sea bass or apahap the distinction of being a house specialty—served whole with torched Choron sauce, the Baked Bass is definitely a seafood entrée not to be missed.

Meat lovers, on the other hand, may

opt for the Lamb Carbonade, a stew of slow-cooked lamb shanks, onion soubise, and beer sauce.

Popular dishes like Baked Oysters and Cevichow (tuna ceviche) get delectable twists to bring new flavors. While best-selling classics like fried chicken, hamburger, clubhouse sandwich, and French toast are transformed into extraordinary signature dishes. Wellloved international dishes were also given yummy upgrades.

Being a homegrown brand with an all-Filipino team, Richmonde takes pride in promoting Pinoy comfort food like Kare-Kare, Chicken Inasal, Sinigang, Lechon Liempo, and Crispy Pata to its foreign guests.

EC+B’s new menu also features an array of tasty meat-free and vegan selections. Using Quorn products made of Mycoprotien, Chef Vic created guiltfree nuggets, sausage pizza, burgers, and banger and mash.

Diners get 20 percent discount on all items in the ala carte menu until Oct. 31.

Eastwood Café+Bar is located on the ground floor of Eastwood Richmonde Hotel in Eastwood City, Bagumbayan, Quezon City.

Dapithapon salad made of carrot hummus, black quinoa, and roasted vegetables.

Eastwood Café+Bar’s new menu includes (from left) Quorn Vegan Burger, Cevichow, and Nasi Goreng.

Gustatory trip around the world

Novotel Araneta City’s f&b outlets serve authentic Italian fare prepared by its new executive chef Massimiliano Pauletto.

It’s a food trip at New World Manila Bay as each of its four dining outlets features unique dishes from different parts of the world today until December.

Market Café is recreating a unique culinary tradition featuring a popular Mongolian staple. Cooked a la minute on a solid iron griddle, diners may choose from a selection of fresh meat as well as seafood favorites mixed with vegetables. Load some carbs with either egg noodle vermicelli or rice and complement it with different kinds of sauces such as the famous Mongolian sauce and the delicious peanut sauce. Top it off with sweet chili or Schezuan sauce.

Mongolian station is available at the dinner buffet priced at P2,600 net per person, Monday to Thursday.

Li Li, which specializes in Chinese cuisine, brings back its hearty Clay Pot Rice. Each bowl is filled with crispy scorched Thai Jasmine rice, deliciously marinated meat or seafood and freshly

steamed vegetables, seasoned with authentic Asian herbs and spices. Price starts at P588.

The Fireplace serves a special dish famously known among royalties— England’s Beef Wellington. The dish features a luxurious hunk of beef tenderloin rolled in rich duxelles and wrapped in golden puff pastry.

The Wagyu Beef Wellington priced at P3,880 net and Angus Beef Wellington priced at P3,300 net are served with carrot purée, sautéed green beans, and truffle jus.

Gourmet pica-pica, best shared with friends, are served at The Lounge. The pica-pica sets feature Buffalo-style chicken wings, calamari, nachos, and fish and fries complemented with homemade dressings and dips. Prices start at P1,000.

Market Cafe, Li Li, The Fireplace, and The Lounge are located at New World Manila Bay in Pedro Gil St., Malate, Manila.

Authentic Italian specialties Novotel Araneta City’s new executive chef Massimiliano “Massi” Pauletto brings his expertise in Italian cuisine to the hotel’s five food and beverage outlets.

Hailing from Castellanza in Varese, Italy, Chef Massi grew up in a traditional Italian family way of preparing food and festively dining together.

He, alongside f&b director Matt Salcedo will oversee the operations of Food Exchange Manila, Gourmet Bar

by Novotel, Sabor Bar de Vinos, Indulge Gelato, and the 6th Pool Bar and Lounge, as well as all events and meetings banquet requirements.

Applying his strong culinary background, Chef Massi has started introducing techniques that reinforce the global f&b team of Novotel Manila Araneta City in order to provide better quality dishes and unique dining experience.

“My team are fantastic. Basically, I just push them in the right direction.

I always tell them, ‘you guys carry on and I will come from the other side and slowly we’ll go together,’” he shared.

A whole week of risotto specials as well as Italian antipasto at the bruschetta bar are available at Food Exchange

dinner buffet today until Oct. 9. Buffet rate is P1,688 from Sunday to Friday and P1,888 during Seafood Saturday.

On Oct. 10-16, affogato will be available for P160 nett at the Indulge Gelato.

While Sabor Bar de Vinos will serve an assorted cold cuts and cheese platter paired with a special bottle of Fantini Sangiovese wine for P1,500 nett on Oct. 17-23.

Food Exchange Manila, Indulge Gelato, and Sabor de Vinos are located at Novotel Manila Araneta City in Cubao, Quezon City.

Clockwise: The Fireplace’s Beef Wellington, Mongolian spread at Market Café, and Li Li’s Clay Pot Rice

Life

C2

MONDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2019 manilastandardlife@gmail.com

Largest FamilyMart to open in Manila

Japanese convenience store FamilyMart announces the opening of its largest store in Manila, located on the ground level of UDENNA Towers in Bonifacio Global City.

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HILIPPINE FamilyMart CVS, Inc. announces the opening of the world’s largest FamilyMart in Manila. The 400-squaremeter store is soon to open on the ground level of UDENNA Towers in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig.

The largest FamilyMart outlet, as with the other branches of the Japanese convenience store here in the country, will feature a more youthful, vibrant, and engaging design. The food counter will be the central area of the retail space, and its menu aims to ensure that there is an exciting variety of authentic Japanese cuisine as well as Filipino favorites.

“We are aiming to be more relevant to the market we believe needs to be served,” says PFM general manager Bernard Suiza.

It seeks to cater to the demographic of ex-

tremely busy urbanites who end up eating daily meals outside—from breakfast, lunch, and dinner, to snacks in between. An increasing number of city dwellers are also opting for transitory homes within the metro, such as dorms and apartments, who are seeking alternative and better food establishments for daily sustenance.

While still making other everyday offerings easily available, FamilyMart has zoomed in on food, taking cues from the role that the brand plays in its strong markets such as Japan, where commuters treat convenience stores or konbini as a haven for

Famichiky breaded chicken fillet

FamilyMart offers freshly cooked hot meals whose viands include (from left) Pakbet, Kaldereta, and Pork Sisig.

daily sustenance.

“This is the pivot to food that we are embarking on here in the Philippines— going back to the essence of what konbini is, which is hearty, home-cooked meals,” explains Suiza. He articulates this strategy as “ready to eat, ready to heat, take and bake” food.

This entails a stronger focus on edible items in terms of variety, flavor, and quality. Thus, an integral part to achieving this is having a hot kitchen in each FamilyMart store.

“Our hot meals are served freshly cooked and prepared,” notes Suiza. While stores also offer ready-to-eat or microwaveable meals, fresh meals will be a trademark that FamilyMart hopes to create.

This strategy also means FamilyMart

will be focusing on key urban areas in the Philippines where there are dense populations of BPO employees, office workers, condo dwellers, and other similar types of urbanites.

As such, its concentration of stores will be in areas such as Makati, Bonifacio Global City, and Quezon City.

According to Suiza, they are currently embarking on expansion in these areas.

PFM is working closely with FamilyMart Japan for research and development of its menu and offerings.

Also coming into play is valuable synergy with other business units within PFM’s parent group, Udenna.

Well-loved Filipino restaurant brand Conti’s will provide expertise in commissary production of meals, while Chelsea Logistics through its wholly

FORKS UP

owned affiliate Worklink will provide vital supply chain support.

Little but thoughtful touches will make the Japanese konbini experience even stronger. The trademark entrance chime of FamilyMart stores in Japan, for instance, will soon be played in its Philippine counterparts.

Its international best-selling Famichiky breaded chicken fillet has also been slowly introduced to the local market, gradually gaining cult following among Filipino foodies.

Further making the case for a stronger food and drink lineup, and in line with the booming beverage market, Suiza adds that FamilyMart will soon be launching its own signature brewed coffee blend in partnership with Japanese brand UCC.

Kuya J’s Crispy Pata

Local favorites for delivery HOMEGROWN casual dining restaurant Kuya J now delivers its beloved dishes in selected cities in Metro Manila and Rizal.

Customers simply need to dial #8000 to order bestsellers such as Crispy Pata, Grilled Scallops, Kare-Kare, Beef Cal-

dereta, Halo-halo Espesyal, and more.

Kuya J’s delivery service is available at its branches in Valenzuela, Caloocan, Quezon City, Manila, Parañaque, Las Piñas, Muntinlupa, Marikina, Antipolo, Taytay, Cainta, Mandaluyong, San Juan, Pasig, Makati, and Taguig.

Feasts for 2

Shake Shack is opening its second PH store at the Mega Fashion Hall in SM Megamall.

Shake Shack to open at SM Megamall THE news burger fans in the eastern metro are waiting is finally here: Shake Shack will open its second PH store at the Mega Fashion Hall in SM Megamall.

Shake Shack Megamall will serve the brand’s famous burgers, hot dog sandwiches, and frozen custard, among others.

The second Philippine brand is expected to open before the end of the year, as construction has already kicked off with a board up made by artist Kris Abrigo.

The interactive board up features a reimagined Ortigas skyline showcasing gradient colors as day shifts into night, and a multi-faceted community through textures and geometric shapes.

Fans are invited to uncover surprises hidden behind its moveable panels during a series of 12 activities leading into the opening, from Oct. 9 to Nov. 14.

Players who find the ShackBurger icon win the game for the day.

Shroom Burger

MAX’S Restaurant offers a special promotion for two dining guests this October.

An order of Double Feast, priced at P499, comes with two plates with one rice and two viands each—a Fried Chicken Leg Quarter and a bowl of Sinigang na Baboy or Sinigang na Tiyan ng Bangus. Each plate also comes with a glass of Pepsi.

Meanwhile, the Deluxe Double Max’s Fried Chicken and Sinigang na Baboy Feast, priced at P599, comes with two dishes of Fried Chicken Leg Quarter with rice, two cold glasses of Pepsi, and Max’s newest dishes—Seafood Kare-Kare and Lechon Sisig.

“We bundled all our diners’ favorites so they can always come to Max’s Restaurant, dine in like a boss, and savor in sulit yet completely filling meals,” said Max’s Restaurant chief operating officer Paolo Serrano.

The Double Feast meals are available for dine-in in all stores every Monday Max’s Fried Chicken and Kare-Kare to Thursday until Oct. 31.

Entertainment

MONDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2019

C3

nickie.standard@gmail.com

SNAPSHOT

Stars arrive in Busan for Asia’s largest film festival THE night sky cleared over Busan Thursday after days of rain and wind as the city prepared to host Asia´s largest film festival and to welcome a glittering array of stars from across the movie world.

Local A-listers Jung Woo-sung and Lee Hanee took to the stage as hosts and welcomed international cinema heavyweights including Philippine screen queen Judy Ann Santos, who arrived in Busan for the world premiere of Mindanao with director Brillante Mendoza.

British Oscar nominee Mike Figgis (Leaving Las Vegas) was in town to head the jury for the

festival´s main New Currents award, and said he was “excited by the journey ahead of us” over the next 10 days.

Host Lee urged guests—and the tens of thousands of fans who flock to the festival each year -- to celebrate the “diversity on offer and discover unknown films.”

Other stars gracing this year´s festival across its run include Oscar-nominated Call Me By Your Name star Timothee Chalamet, Indian Oscar winner A.R. Rahman of Slumdog Millionaire, and France´s Ariane Ascaride, fresh from her best actress award at Venice for Gloria Mundi. AFP

Philippine screen queen Judy Ann Santos (3rd from right) arrives in Busan for the world premiere of 'Mindanao' with director Brillante Mendoza (2nd from right).

PH Cinema continues

100 year celebration at Busan IFF

From left: Soliman Cruz, Allen Dizon, Jansen Magpusao and director Arden Rod Cortez of 'John Denver Trending,' producers Darlene Malimas and Joel Saracho, Platform Busan delegates Janina Gacosta and Tin Velasco, FDCP Philippine Film Export Services Office director David Fabros, and FDCP International Relations Division Head, Jo Andrew Torlao.

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FTER last year’s incredible participation of the Philippine Delegation in Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) as Country of Focus, Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) continues the momentum with a powerhouse lineup in the BIFF 2019.

FDCP once again leads the delegation at BIFF, as well as the Asian Film Market and its several programs like Asian Project Market and Platform BUSAN. FDCP Chairperson and CEO Liza Diño is more than happy with the representation of the Philippines to Busan.

“This year, we bring again a strong lineup in Busan in terms of films, film projects and Filipino companies. Our goal to bring the Filipino content in Asia and to the world is slowly happening and with that, FDCP stays true to its goal that we will be supporting them every step of the way as part of our legacy for the next 100 years,” she said.

The Busan International Film Festival runs until Oct. 12 in Busan, South Korea.

The latest film from Brillante Mendoza, a Lav Diaz film, an internationally-acclaimed film that will represent the Philippines to the Oscars, and a new wave independent films compose this year’s Philippine entries for screening, world premiere, and competition.

Mindanao The film will have its World Premiere at BIFF. It is the latest offering of Brillante Mendoza.

Starring Judy Ann Santos, the film

tackles the story of a mother to an ailing child of cancer. She’s also a wife to a combat medic deployed in an offensive war in the southern Philippines. The story is merged with the epic tale of the warrior brothers Raja Sulayman and Indarapatra against the two firebreathing sea serpents.

Ang Hupa Known for the length of his films about the social and political struggles, Lav Diaz has garnered the admiration of the international festival circuit.

His film Ang Hupa (The Hault) is set in the year 2034 AD and Southeast Asia has been in the dark for the last three years, literally, because the sun hasn’t shone as a result of massive volcanic eruptions at the Celebes Sea in 2031. Madmen control countries, communities, enclaves and bubble cities. Cataclysmic epidemics razed over the continent. Millions have died and millions have left.

Lingua Franca Isabel Sandoval is a New York-based Filipina filmmaker who has produced, written and directed two full-length feature films, including the Filipinolanguage Señorita (2011), which premiered in competition at the Locarno Film Festival in Switzerland. Señorita also won the Emerging Director Award at the Asian-American International Film

CROSSWORD PUZZLE Monday, October 7, 2019

ACROSS 1 — blanche 6 Door post 10 Wander 14 Greek market 15 Emir or sheik 16 Region 17 Weaker, as an excuse 18 Porkers 19 Small hotels 20 Mooch 22 Sled runner 23 Have 24 Seraglio 26 Young pigeons 30 False fronts 32 Postal meter unit 33 Tiny particles 34 Main point 36 Senseless 37 DEA agents 38 Cooler or jug 39 Tavern order 40 Rabbi’s reading 41 Ice hockey gear 42 Baloney 44 Followed closely 45 Epics 46 Veer 47 Quaffs 49 Least chic 54 Gray wolf

55 Great disappointment 57 City on the Mohawk 58 Woody’s son 59 Loud cry 60 Take a powder 61 Adult, almost 62 New singles 63 Leitmotif DOWN 1 Baby whale 2 Thickening agent 3 Forum site 4 Genealogy chart 5 Hoop’s place 6 Geisha’s place 7 Like the Mojave 8 Newsstand buy, briefly 9 Air rifle ammo 10 Complained bitterly 11 Decorative 12 Market 13 Move gingerly 21 Startled cries 22 Swimsuit tops 24 Door in a plane 25 Queen beaters 26 Coca-Cola or Pepsi

27 Second thought 28 Incapable of being done 29 Perform 30 Raid 31 Apartment 33 Spots and stains 35 Nurtured 37 Director — Ephron 38 Do christies 40 Gives a ticket to 41 Carpenter’s sweepings

43 Pool 44 Prize marble 46 Caterwauls 47 Thin board 48 Became threadbare 49 Allot 50 Have poison ivy 51 Colleen’s home 52 Defraud 53 Like a house cat 55 “So long!”

56 Caesar’s law

Actress Meryll Soriano and newcomer Jansen Magpusao in a scene from 'John Denver Trending.'

Festival in 2012.

Sandoval’s film Lingua Franca follows Alex, who is recently back in Brighton Beach after a familyimposed sabbatical in Russia. He finds work at a slaughterhouse while looking after his grandmother Olga, who suffers from dementia. He finds himself drawn to Olga’s Filipino caregiver, Olivia. When he realizes that she’s an undocumented trans woman, Alex must decide whether to help Olivia with her predicament.

Verdict Trained well throughout his career

by Brillante Mendoza and became his protégé, Raymund Gutierrez as a screenwriter, is guided by the founder and teacher of Found Story, Armando “Bing” Lao - a unique storytelling that is applied in both his and Brillante’s films.

The film Verdict centers on Joy and

her six-year-old daughter Angel live in Manila, with her husband, Dante, a small-time criminal. As so often in the past, Dante comes home drunk at night and beats Joy brutally. This time, he also hurts Angel. Joy grabs her daughter and flees to the local police post to finally get him sent to jail. Justice, Joy learns, takes time at best and is impossible to get at worst. Not without reason, she feels that she and her daughter are increasingly under threat.

John Denver Trending Arden Rod Condez hails from Pandan, Antique and has been a writer of ABS-CBN Corporation.

His award-winning film John Denver Trending follows the story of a 14-year-old farmboy whose life suddenly upended when a video of him brutally attacking a classmate went viral.

The Generals...

From C4

FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano, (34.9 percent) which celebrates its fourth year on television, continued to top the chart of most-watched programs of Filipinos nationwide.

The hit reality singing TV competition The Voice Kids (34.2 percent) emerged as the preferred TV show on weekends by viewers, while the action-drama The General’s Daughter (32.2 percent) kept its grip on the list of most watched shows for its adrenaline-fueled scenes.

Also completing the roster of most-watched shows in September are the Kapamilya network’s weekday and weekend programs, including Wansapanataym (30.6 percent), Parasite Island(30.4 percent), Maalaala Mo Kaya, (29.2 percent), TV Patrol (27.6 percent), Home Sweetie Home: Extra Sweet (25.8 percent), and Rated K: Handa Na Ba Kayo? (23.7 percent).

Meanwhile, ABS-CBN also won alltime blocks in September, asserting its lead in primetime (6:00 p.m. to 12:00 mn) where it recorded 47 percent share, versus GMA’s 33 percent; in the afternoon block (3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.) with 48 percent, compared to GMA’s 32 percent; in the noontime block (12:00 nn to 3:00 p.m.) with 48 percent, versus GMA’s 29 percent, and in the morning block (6:00 a.m. to 12:00 nn) with 37 percent, in contrast to GMA’s 29 percent.

Likewise, the Kapamilya network also emerged triumphant again Metro Manila as it registered 41 percent share, beating GMA’s 25 percent. In Mega Manila, ABS-CBN registered 36 percent, while GMA got 32 percent.

In Total Luzon, ABS-CBN earned 41 percent, versus GMA’s 34 percent. It also won in Total Visayas with 57 percent, beating GMA’s 24 percent, as well as in Total Mindanao with 51percent, trailing GMA’s 28 percent.

Multinational audience measurement provider Kantar Media uses a nationwide panel size of 2,610 urban and rural homes that represent 100 percent of the total Philippine TV viewing population.

Web series...

From C4

Egerton, Taylor-Joy, and Emmanuel are joined by a star-studded ensemble cast featuring fellow movie and TV stars Jason Isaacs, Helena Bonham Carter, Lena Heady, Alicia Vikander, Natalie Dormer, Simon Pegg, Sigourney Weaver, Andy Samberg, and Bill Hader, to name a few.

The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance has already been highly acclaimed for its monumental production, which includes finely crafted puppets and elaborate costume designs, incredibly detailed sets and special effects.

The web series is already available to stream on Netflix, which you can enjoy seamlessly when you charge your subscription to your PLDT Home Fibr. To link your subscription to your PLDT Home account, follow these easy steps: 1. Go to pldthome.com/netflix.

2. Click register and log in using your myHome ID. 3. Read and accept the terms and conditions.

4. Create/log in your Netflix account.

5. Start streaming your favorite shows.

Filipino families can also enjoy seamless viewing and world-class entertainment with PLDT Home TVolution Lite, powered by PLDT Home Fibr, the country’s undisputed fastest and most reliable fixed network—as awarded by globally renowned internet testing companies – Ookla and OpenSignal.

For more updates and information, like PLDT Home’s official Facebook (facebook.com/PLDTHome) and follow PLDT Home on Twitter and Instagram at @PLDTHome.

Nickie Wang, Issue Editor nickie.standard@gmail.com

C4

Entertainment

MONDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2019

‘The General’s Daughter’ ends on high note; ‘Ang Probinsyano’ still leads most-watched shows ACTRESS Angel Locsin had the viewers strapped in for a rollercoaster of action scenes, thrilling stunts, and moving moments in The General’s Daughter when her character scrambled to complete her final mission in the top-rating series’ finale on Friday, Oct. 4.

In the last week of the biggest teleserye of 2019, Rhian (Angel) finds herself desperately seeking justice and stopping Tiago (Tirso Cruz III) from gaining absolute political power.

A staunch believer in violence, Tiago intends to kill thousands of innocent lives to fulfill his long-time dream of destroying the army and the government and leading the country. With a detailed and deadly strategy to achieve this, he uses his mole Cinco (Mercedes Cabral), who poses as an aspiring senate president who detests terrorists.

But time is running out for Rhian, Franco (Paulo Avelino), and her father Marcial (Albert Martinez), who are currently at large and being hunted by the authorities.

While Corazon (Eula Valdez) is worrying about the safety

VERY WANG

S

NICKIE WANG

HOW business is not for everyone. For some celebrities, it takes years of perseverance, patience, and hard work playing bit and support roles before making it in showbiz.

This was the case for Arra San Agustin, who didn’t mind waiting for four years before finally getting her biggest break on television.

Arra was one of the top 6 finalists of the sixth season of StarStruck, a realitybased talent search on GMA Network.

And since then, she’s played a few roles that paved the way for her becoming one of the network’s reliable dramatic stars.

The 24-year-old actress now gets to play her first title role in a TV series via Madrasta, which premieres today.

In the television drama, Arra plays Audrey, an optimistic nurse and a responsible daughter who tries her luck abroad but gets swindled instead by an illegal recruiter; this unfortunate turn of event steers her into the life of a man whose children she will nurture as her own.

“This is a gift I will never forget. I can’t thank the network enough for believing in me. When I look back later, I will always think of this as the biggest thing that happened to me,” Arra toldManila Standard during an interview right after the drama series’ media launch last week.

“Sometimes people get frustrated asking themselves why things are taking so long. In my case, I knew I was just starting and that I needed stronger foundation—I needed to hone my skills,” she explained.

Arra considers her role in Madrasta challenging for a few reasons. Her character pushes her limits when it comes to acting and since it’s a new experience, she tries her best adjusting to the requirements of her character.

“It challenges me to get out of my comfort zone. I like how it feels - it’s oddly unsettling kasi siyempre panibagong experience pero masaya siya kasi may bago, hindi nagiging dull ‘yung naeexperience ko. May mga bago akong gustong i-explore,” she said.

Adding color to Audrey’s journey are: Manilyn Reynes as Grace, doting mother of Audrey who is against her daughter’s relationship with a married man; Thea Tolentino as Katharine, ambitious and cunning wife of Sean who only uses the latter to satisfy her lavish lifestyle; Juancho Trivino as Sean, cosmetic surgeon and owner of RejuveNation Aesthetic Clinics who is a loyal husband; Almira Muhlach as Shirley, greedy mother of Katharine who exploits her daughter for her own materialistic goals; Phytos Ramirez as David, Sean’s best friend who secretly fancies Katharine; Kelvin Miranda as Barry, Audrey’s younger brother who fakes his social status so as not to taint his image as a self-proclaimed influencer; Divine as Debbie, Audrey’s close confidant who sticks up for her through ups and downs; Faye Lorenzo as Joan, Audrey’s friend who coaches her about the ins and outs of working in the medical field; and Ms. Gladys Reyes as Elizabeth, strict but caring mother of Sean who at first suspects Audrey’s true intentions for helping her son.

Madrasta also highlights the special participation of Isabelle de Leon as Judy, two-faced friend of

of her husband and daughter, Amelia (Janice De Belen) has resolutely decided to leave Tiago to get away and start a new life with their son.

Since The General’s Daughter premiered in January, viewers have unwaveringly watched and supported the series, which has consistently topped nationwide ratings, earned praises for the performances of its all-star cast, and generated discussions on social media.

Some of the most talked-about moments from the series include Angel’s thrilling scenes where she did her own stunts, her character Rhian uncovering the truth about her real identity as Arabella, and the deaths of Elai (Arjo Atayde) and Sabel (Maricel Soriano) in the hands of Tiago.

Meanwhile, viewers nationwide prefer to catch relevant news and inspiring TV series on ABS-CBN as the network registered an average audience share of 45 percent, or 14 points higher than GMA’s 31 percent, based on data from Kantar Media. Continued on C3

Arra San Agustin’s

Angel Locsin and Paulo Avelino on the red carpet during 'The General's Daughter' finale press conference.

BIG BREAK

from Lisbonne, is an F I F T Y- F I V E Early Child Education delegates from student and a volunteer around the world for Red Cross Youth. are in town ETON competing for Reigning Miss CONCEPCION Asia the title of Miss Pacific Asia Pacific International Sharifa International Akeel of the Philippines 2019. Headlining its season campaign will crown her successor at the Grand #LoveTheDifference to embrace Coronation Night on Oct. 9 set at the individuality and championing Newport Performing Arts Theatre, appreciation for different facets of Resorts World Manila, to be telecast diversity. live via Foxlife Channel.

Continental Queens winners to be chosen from their submitted advocacy videos will advance automatically to the Top 10. As a tradition, here are the Standard’s Hot Picks: Miss Costa Rica Fiorella Cortez Arbenz, 25, from San Jose, works for Lifthing Hands Foundation which aims to eradicate poverty and any form of discrimination in society.

Miss Spain Chaiyenne Huisman, 20, from Madrid, advocates for use of social media for women empowerment.

Miss Dominican Republic Eonna Constanza, 24, from Distrito Nacional, is a model and Child Psychology major.

PAGEANT CONCEPT

Miss Honduras Zully Paz, 22, from San Pedro, Sula, is a student who volunteers teaching English to young student.

Miss Russia Uliana Mullina, 21, from Yakutia, is a model who loves to paint and works for school for young kids.

Miss Indonesia Santi Yaniss Yuliani, 23, from Denpasar, is an advocate of religion differences tolerance.

Miss Israel Noy Ben Artzi, 22, from Tel Aviv, loves to travel and an LGBT rights’ supporter.

Miss Italy Nicole Marian Severo, 18, from Milan, volunteers for PWDs and children summer centers.

Miss Philippines Klyza Castro, 19, from Davao Oriental, advocates for inclusive education where no one is left behind.

Miss Portugal Jacqueline Alves, 25,

Arra San Agustin gets to play her first title role in 'Madrasta,' four years after she became one of the finalists in the network's reality 'artista' search.

The young dramatic actress with her leading man Juancho Trivino

Who will win Miss Asia Pacific International 2019?

Arra admits feeling nervous when she got the role most especially when the camera started rolling and met with the other stars who are part of the cast.

The entire cast of the television drama, 'Madrasta,' during a press conference where Arra San Agustin is introduced as the network's newest bet on the drama front.

Audrey who stole George from her; Ahron Villena as Gian, Katharine’s one great love and the reason for her decision to leave Sean; Anjo Damiles as George, Audrey’s ex-boyfriend who cheated on her.

The show’s creative team is composed of creative director Aloy Adlawan; creative head Suzette Doctolero; creative consultant Des Severino; headwriter Marlon G. Miguel; writers Tina Velasco and Ma. Zita Garganera; and brainstormers Kenneth Angelo Enriquez, John Paul Bedia, and Cynthia Paz. This original series, created by the GMA Drama group, is headed by the SVP for En-

tertainment Group Lilybeth G. Rasonable, VP for Drama Redgie A. Magno, AVP for Drama Cheryl Ching-Sy, Senior Program Manager Ali Marie Nokom-Dedicatoria, and Executive Producer John Mychal Feraren. It is under the helm of esteemed Director Monti Parungao.

Madrasta airs weekdays, after Prima Donnas on GMA Afternoon Prime.

Premieres om across the globe can also catch their favorite Kapuso shows via GMA’s international channels GMA Pinoy TV, GMA Life TV, and GMA News TV International. For the program guide, visit www.gmapinoytv.com.

Costa Rica's Fiorella Cortez Arbenz is a model and a foundation volunteer

Web series inspired by a 1982 classic streams on Netflix WHETHER you’re a kid who grew up in the 1980s or a fantasy buff from a later generation, The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance—Netflix’s revival of Jim Henson and Frank Oz’s 1982 classic—is a grand, can’t-miss original series.

Powered by amazing, masterful puppeteering by the groundbreaking Jim Henson Company, The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance takes fans and viewers back to the planet of Thra, homeworld of the elf-like

Gelflings and odd Podlings who are ruled over by their overlords, the bird-like Skeksis.

The 10-episode story revolves around three young Gelflings: Rian (Taron Egerton of the Kingsman series), Brea (film star Anya Taylor-Joy), and Deet (Nathalie Emmanuel, of Game of Thrones fame), who all stumble into events that begin to unravel the truth behind the Skeksis’ rule and spark a rebellion. Continued on C3

Netflix's 'The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance,' which has renewed a love of puppetry, first appeared in the original film from 1982.