Manila Standard - 2019 October 10 - Thursday

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Duterte keeps ‘very good’ rating—SWS

By MJ Blancaflor PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte maintained his “very good” net satisfaction rating despite a slip in the third quarter, a Social Weather Stations survey showed Wednesday.

President Duterte received a net satisfaction rating of +65 in September,

down by three points from his recordhigh +68 last June.

The nationwide survey also found that 78 percent of respondents were satisfied with his performance, while 13 percent were dissatisfied.

Meanwhile, 9 percent said they were undecided.

Following the poll results,

Malacañang called on government employees to “remain tireless and hardworking” as a payback for the public’s “outpour of affection” for President Duterte.

“It is indisputable that the Filipino people remain enamored with President Duterte, as well as in his policies Next page

VOL. XXXIII • NO. 238 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P18 THURSDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2019 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

PNP Chief Oscar Albayalde

Ex-general Rudy Lacadin

Top cop linked to drug raid Ex-general: A ‘little’ went to Albayalde

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

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RETIRED police general on Wednesday said Philippine National Police Chief Oscar Albayalde told him in a phone call that “only a little went to him,” apparently in reference to 13 of his men who were being investigated for keeping 160 kilos of shabu from a drug raid in 2013.

STRUCTURES DISMANTLED. NCRPO chief Maj. Gen. Guillermo Elezar and newly installed Bureau of Corrections director general Gerald Bantag oversee the demolition of illegal structures inside the maximum facility of the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City on Wednesday. The operation is an inter-agency effort led by the PNP and the BuCor to rid the facility of contraband items. Norman Cruz

In testimony before the Senate, former PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group director for operations Rudy Lacadin recalled that Albayalde called him up during the investigation, but could not remember the details of that conversation. “l cannot exactly remember the conversation, but what I recall is he said, ‘Sir, it seems like you’re investigating us,’” Lacadin said in Filipino.

He also recalled telling Albayalde that if he had nothing to hide, then he had nothing to worry about.

At this point, he said, he could not tell if Albayalde was joking.

“I said, I don’t know if jokingly, he said, ‘Actually, sir, konti lang naman ang napunta sa kin dyan (Only a little goes to me),” Lacadin said.

At this juncture, Senator Panfilo Lacson asked Next page

DOJ dares BuCor chief: Resist inmates’ bribe offers Isko padlocks Isetann mall

By Rey E. Requejo JUSTICE Secretary Menardo Guevarra on Wednesday said Bureau of Corrections chief Gerard Bantag must be able to resist the temptations of bribery in the national penitentiary, after acknowledging in a TV interview that influential inmates have offered bribes to his subordinates.

“Director General Bantag has personal knowledge of facts on the ground,” Guevarra said. “I am sure that inmates with

LRT lacks failsafe system, exec says

money will continue to buy convenience, luxury, and freedom to engage in nefarious activities while in detention. So that’s the challenge that Director General Bantag has to overcome.”

In a TV interview, Bantag said among those who have offered bribes to prison officers were convicted drug lords.

On Tuesday, the National Capital Region Police Office said the “quad-intel force” will provide Bantag with the names of BuCor personnel involved in

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for violating city ordinances

By Vito Barcelo MANILA City Mayor Francisco “Isko” Domagoso on Wednesday ordered the closure of Isetann Mall along Recto Avenue after discovering its management was allegedly violating city ordinances and misrepresenting applications for permits.

Domagoso himself served the closure order to the management of Tri-Union

Properties Inc. which was operating as a lessor allegedly without the necessary business permit.

He said the Tri-Union Properties, Inc. was also misrepresenting its actual business area since it declared it was only occupying 1,000 square meters.

“Does it look like this is 1,000 square meters? In fact, this is 20,000 square meters of shopping center,” he added.

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Tribunal rebukes Robredo camp

By Rey E. Requejo

By Maricel V. Cruz and MJ Blancaflor A LIGHT Rail Transit Authority official admitted Wednesday that the agency does not have a disaster recovery plan to deal with events such as the fire that forced the shutdown of three LRT 2 stations on Oct. 3.

“Sorry, sir, I don’t think we have one,” said Federico Canar, manager of the LRT Lines 1 and 2 Engineering Department, after Muntinlupa City Rep. Rozzano Rufino Biazon asked if there was a playbook to deal with such disasters.

Canar’s testimony was part of a hearing into the partial suspension of the LRT 2 conducted by the committee on transportation led by Samar Rep. Edgar Mary Sarmiento.

Reacting to Canar’s admission, Biazon said this was “a glaring gap” for critical infrastructure, since any breakdown, manmade or natural, would cause “a lot of havoc.”

Hernando Cabrera, corporate board

the operations of convicted drug lords inside the New Bilibid Prison.

NCRPO director Maj. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar said the names of the BuCor personnel and the NBP inmates are based on the information and intelligence reports obtained by the quadintel force, composed of the NCRPO, Philippine Drug Enforcement AgencyNCR, National Bureau of InvestigationNCR and the Joint Task Force-NCR of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

Leni Robredo

THE Supreme Court, acting as the Presidential Electoral Tribunal, on Wednesday rebuffed the camp of Vice President Leni Robredo for making statements on the pending election protest filed by former Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. in violation of the sub judice rule and the “gag order” it imposed earlier.

SC Public Information Office chief Atty.

Brian Keith Hosaka reminded the camps of Robredo and Marcos to respect the sub judice rules enjoining parties, including lawyers, from making statements regarding the poll protest pending resolution before the high electoral tribunal.

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MISREPRESENTING PERMITS. Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko” Domagoso closes the Isetann Cinerama Complex on Recto Avenue for violating city ordinances and misrepresenting applications for permits. Norman Cruz

Batteries power savants’ Nobel win

Whale whispers beat predators

STOCKHOLM, Sweden—Three researchers on Wednesday won the Nobel Chemistry Prize for the development of lithium-ion batteries, the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences said.

John Goodenough of the United

FEMALE Atlantic right whales lower their voices to a whisper when communicating with their young to prevent “eavesdropping” by predators, researchers said Wednesday.

Several species of adult whales rarely

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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2019

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Fund lack hampers nurses’ pay hike But the Court did not compel the government to implement Section 32 of RA 9173 because it will require the passage of a law allocating funds for the increase in the salary of government nurses.

In a decision written by Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio, the high court ruled in favor of the petitioner Ang Nars Party-list, represented by former Rep. Leah Primitiva

Samaco-Paquiz, declaring Section 32 [salary] of the Philippine Nursing Act in 2002 as valid.

But the Court did not grant the petitioners’ plea to compel the implementation of Section 32 since its implementation would require Congress to pass a law to allocate funds for the salary increase.

Named respondents in the case

were the Executive secretary and the secretaries of the Health and Budget departments.

In the petition, the Ang Nars Partylist questioned the validity of Executive Order 811 (EO 811), which was issued by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, and asked that the respondents be compelled to implement Section 32 of RA 9173.

Section 32 says “In order to enhance the general welfare, commitment to service and professionalism of nurses, the minimum base pay of nurses working in public health institutions shall not be lower than salary grade 15 prescribed under Republic Act No. 6758,

Top cop...

Lacadin if Albayalde was referring to the 2013 drug operations in Mexico, Pampanga where Pampanga police anti-drug operatives declared only 36 kilograms out of the estimated 200 kilograms of shabu seized from the raid.

Lacadin said he believed Albayalde was indeed alluding to the confiscated drugs as they were talking about the drug raid just before his remark.

But Albayalde asked Lacadin why it took him six years to come out with this information.

The PNP chief said he was being crucified, and that everybody was ganging up on him. He said he did not know why Lacadin would make such an accusation.

Before his revelation, Lacadin said Albayalde was his friend and former business partner in the water business.

“For the information of eveyrbody, General Albayalde is a friend of mine.

One time, we were partners in business,” Lacadin said.

At start of the 9th Senate hearing, Albayalde insisted that if he was involved in the controversial buy- bust operation, he should have been charged either criminally and administratively.

“Way back 2013, the case was investigated, I was investigated, I was relieved administratively. I was floating for eight months, after investigation [but it was ] very clear I was never charged, both criminally and administratively,” he said.

Then Region 3 police chief Raul Petrasanta confirmed Albayalde’s claim, saying that only the group of P/Maj. Rodney Baloyo was charged.

Baloyo was the head of the raiding team that conducted the drug bust at the house of suspected drug lord Johnson Lee. In 2014, the involved 13 Pampanga policemen in the 2013 Pampanga drug

bust, were found guilty of grave misconduct for failing to account for all the confiscated evidence.

The involved police officers were initially ordered dismissed, but this was changed to a one-rank demotion.

Two resource persons—Baguio Mayor Benjamin Magalong and then-Police brigadier general Graciano Mijares of Personnel Holding and Accounting Unit said Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency chief Aaron Aquino, who was Central Luzon police director at the time, did not sign the dismissal order on the 13 policemen accused of recycling illegal drugs.

They said Aquino did not act on the dismissal order after receiving a call from Albayalde, who was Metro Manila police chief at the time.

Magalong and Mijares said Aquino sat on the recommendation to junk their motion for reconsideration filed by the 13 policemen and affirming the November 2014 dismissal order.

Magalong, then head of the police force’s Directorate for Investigation and Detective Management, said he gave specific instructions to Mijares that the penalty for the 13 police officials should not be downgraded as it constitutes a serious offense. Mijares confirmed the instruction during the hearing.

Mijares then said the police initially suggested the downgrading of the dismissal order on the 13 policemen to demotion to one rank lower in August 2016.

This recommendation reached Aquino’s desk but he did not approve of and had it returned to the PNP legal department for review.

Mijares said that when the recommendation was sent back to Aquino’s office again three weeks later in September 2016, it was changed back to dismissal.

However, Aquino did not act on the recommendation for dismissal and instead deployed the 13 police officials

to Mindanao.

Albayalde admitted to making a call to Aquino but said it was not meant to influence him in any way, but to check on the status of his former subordinates.

Aquino denied that Albayalde’s call influenced his decision and said he could not remember if he made the call when the recommendation to dismiss the 13 policemen reached his desk.

He did admit, however, to not signing the recommendation.

Meanwhile, Magalong accused Albayalde of repeatedly lying about his involvement on the case of 13 policemen.

Magalong cited that Albayalde, during the deliberation on his promotion to become a one-star general, did not disclose that he asked Aquino about the status of the dismissal order against 13 of his former men.

“Sometime in 2016, when we were deliberating on his promotion to one star general, I objected. I requested for him to appear before the board to ask him about this particular incident, but all he did was deny knowledge. In the same manner, when General Aquino confronted him here, Aquino was very relaxed and said this is what he told me: not to implement the dismissal. Again he lied,” Magalong said.

Interviewed after the hearing, Gordon described as grave Lacadin’s statements against Albayalde. He also cited the conflicting statements of the PNP chief.

Gordon said he gave Albayalde the whole time to defend himself amid the many statements against him.

“So many contradicted him, all the generals. It is not a very, very secure place thar he has right now,” Gordon said.

The senator said Albayalde’s credibility has been tainted and it will be difficult for him to continue leading the PNP. “I was hoping he will say he committed a mistake, but he did not accept it,” he said.

Meanwhile, Senate President Vicente

Sotto III on Wednesday lashed back at Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo for saying the Senate panel’s investigation into “ninja cops” has been tainted with political color.

Panelo said the hearings are making it appear the administration is failing in its war on drugs.

“I think it’s being politicized,” Panelo told reporters.

But Sotto hit those who are not familiar with the Senate rules and sent them his message—“to just zip it.”

In the Senate justice and blue ribbon committees joint hearing Wednesday, Sotto called out “executive officials” who were wondering why the hearing “has moved to another issue.”

“There had been statements made by some and even executive officials that they’re wondering why this hearing has moved to another issue, the direct answer would be apparently you have not been monitoring the hearings,” he said.

“Because indeed the committee on justice and the Blue Ribbon committee started convening an inquiry into the GCTA [Good Conduct Time Allowance Law], which evolved into the influence in recycling and illegal activities in the BuCor [Bureau of Corrections] or the New Bilibid Prison,” he added.

The Senate leader noted that it could not be avoided that issues pertaining to illegal activities inside the BuCor would come up during the hearings.

“We just want to clear the air on the issue that this has been being turned to a political scenario,” he added.

But Sotto, who did not mention any executive official by name, said the Senate Blue Ribbon committee has the authority to conduct any hearing concerning any public official and “anything at all under the sun.”

He also said the events being investigated transpired in 2013 which did not even involve the current administration.

Isko...

LRT...

“The mall had a questionable number of employees because, under its valid business permit, it should only have 10 employees,” Domagoso said.

The mayor also observed that mall operator Trans-Orient Management Services Inc. was performing the property management functions and services but it had no valid and existing business permit.

He also revealed that only one of four operational cinemas inside the mall complex had a business permit.

Domagoso, however, said Isetann Mall might reopen once its management complied with the requirements of the local government. With PNA

secretary of LRTA, said the agency’s board would check if this is included in the company’s risk management plan.

On the investigation into the fire, LRTA Deputy Administrator for Operations and Engineering Paul Chua said arson has been ruled out and that the Bureau of Fire Protection, which would issue the final assessment, is currently investigating whether the fire was due to a lightning strike or equipment failure.

At the start of the hearing, Sarmiento apologized to the commuting public for the suffering that the worsening traffic problem in Metro Manila has caused them on a daily basis.

Sarmiento emotionally asked for the public’s forgiveness over the heavy burden that their daily commute has brought them.

He said: “From the bottom of my heart, as the chairman of the committee on transportation, including the vice chairmen, the members of the committee on transportation, to include the members of the 18th Congress chaired by Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano, we are asking for the people’s forgiveness for their suffering,” he said.

“You deserve better in life,” he added.

Sarmiento vowed that the government will find a solution to the mass transport problem in Metro Manila while he is the chairman of the House transportation panel.

“I am a little emotional because I can see the suffering of our constituents. A never-ending suffering and I wonder why, despite a P4.1-trillion budget duly passed by this House, we cannot even have the decency of an efficient mass public transportation system,” he said.

Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo on Wednesday denied suggestions that he was unaware of the “vexing daily commute” in Metro Manila, after drawing flak for declaring that there is no transportation crisis in the country.

Panelo, who also serves as President Rodrigo Duterte’s chief legal counsel, earlier dismissed the claim of militant group Bayan that there is a transportation crisis gripping the metropolis, after three of its railways bogged down last week.

Tribunal...

tal was reported to have said the VP’s camp has evidence showing that after the initial revision of votes in the three pilot provinces, namely Camarines Sur, Iloilo and Negros Oriental, the vice president increased her lead by 15,000 votes over Marcos.

“So we said this should already be dismissed. But there are speculations that even if there was no substantial [evidence], [the PET] would continue with the case. That does not seem right because under the rules if they do not see any anomaly in the three provinces, they would dismiss the case,” Macalintal said.

The lawyer wondered why the Su-

preme Court appeared to be not inclined to follow the rules.

Hosaka said he cannot comment on Macalintal’s claim since he has not yet seen or read the report submitted by PET member-in-charge Associate Justice Alfredo Benjamin Caguioa on the three pilot provinces to the tribunal.

“It is only the Justices who have information about this because this is confidential,” he stressed.

“Justices are carefully studying the case pending before the Tribunal because at stake is the second highest government position in the country, the vice presidency, and to determine who was the candidate really elected

by the people as their vice president,” Hosaka said.

“That is why the justices are thoroughly and carefully studying the report and in dealing with every issue and evidence of the case,” he explained.

On June 29, 2016, Marcos filed an election protest against Robredo seeking to declare Robredo’s victory as null and void; to conduct a recount of ballots in all of the 36,465 protested clustered precincts in 27 cities and provinces; and to declare the election results in Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, and Basilan as null on the grounds of terrorism, intimidation, and harassment of voters.

He said the names of inmates on the drug list will also be given to Bantag, who will craft security measures to deny them the opportunity to continuously supervise the operation of their respective syndicates despite being detained at the NBP. “This is part of the assistance from the Quad-Intel Force to the wide reforms of Director General Bantag at the NBP. If the inmates will continue with their illegal activities at the Bilibid with the help of corrupt personnel, the people, especially residents of Metro Manila will continue to suffer from the prevalence of illegal drugs and crime,” Eleazar said in a statement sent to reporters.

Eleazar, however, did not say how many BuCor personnel and inmates are on the list.

“What matters here is the good coordination and cooperation of every law enforcement agency to end the illegal drug menace in compliance with President Rodrigo Duterte’s order,” he said. With PNA

powerful battery is now used in everything from mobile phones to laptops and electric vehicles... [and] can also store significant amounts of energy from solar and wind power, making possible a fossil fuel-free society,” the jury said.

“Lithium batteries have revolutionised our lives since they first entered the market in 1991,” it said, adding they were “of the greatest benefit to humankind.”

The three will receive the prize from

King Carl XVI Gustaf at a formal ceremony in Stockholm on Dec. 10, the anniversary of the 1896 death of scientist Alfred Nobel who created the prizes in his last will and testament.

Last year, the honor went to US scientists Frances Arnold and George Smith and British researcher Gregory Winter for developing enzymes used for greener and safer chemistry and antibody drugs with less side effects. AFP

By Rey E. Requejo

T

HE Supreme Court has upheld the legality of a provision in Republic Act 9173, or the Philippine Nursing Act, that entitled government nurses to wages equivalent to Salary Grade 15.

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“I would like to remind the parties and their lawyers to respect the order of the Court for them not to issue statements or discuss the case with the media in violation of the sub judice rule,” Hosaka said in a text message to reporters.

In June last year, the high court had penalized both camps, imposing P50,000 fines on Robredo and Marcos and their counsels for violating the sub judice rule.

Hosaka made the statement after Robredo’s lawyer Romulo Macalin-

Whale...

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get hunted by predators in the wild owing to their size, but preying on their young is common.

A team of scientists used microphones attached by suction cups to look at the voice patterns of right whales— an endangered species with only around 500 known specimens remaining.

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They found that pairs of mother and calves reduced the number of loud, long-distance calls, compared to juvenile or pregnant whales.

The maternal pairings also increased the percentage of very quiet sounds they used to communicate.

Whereas a typical right whale call could be heard from roughly a kilometer away, the modified speech would only be audible at a range of 100 meters or so. AFP

Batteries...

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States―at 97 the oldest person to be awarded a Nobel prize―joins Britain’s Stanley Whittingham and Japan’s Akira Yoshino in sharing the nine million Swedish kronor (about $914,000 or 833,000 euros) prize sum equally.

“This lightweight, rechargeable and

otherwise known as the “Compensation and Classification Act of 1989: ‘Provided, that for nurses working in local government units, adjustments to their salaries shall be in accordance with Section 10 of the said law.”

On June 1, 2009, and June 2, 2009, the House of Representatives and the Senate, respectively, adopted Joint Resolution 4 that authorized the President “to Modify the Compensation and Position Classification System of Civilian Personnel and the Base Pay Schedule of Military and Uniformed Personnel in the Government, and for Other Purposes.” Thereafter, President Arroyo approved the same joint resolution.

High tribunal OKs lump sum in ‘14 budget THE Supreme Court has declared as constitutional the four lump-sum appropriations in the 2014 General Appropriations Act for having been allocated for a “discernible” singular purpose.

In an en banc decision, the high court dismissed for lack of merit the petition filed by former Manila councilor and now-Presidential Anti-Corruption Commissioner Greco Belgica assailing the constitutionality of the so-called “lump-sum discretionary funds” in the 2014 budget.

In particular, Belgica challenged the validity of the P139.9-billion unprogrammed fund, the P1-billion contingency fund, the P2.48-billion e-government fund, and the P405-million local government support fund, arguing they were contrary to the high court’s 2013 decision that declared the Priority Development Assistance Fund or pork barrel funds as unconstitutional.

But the high court said the four appropriations were “valid items with discernible singular appropriation purpose in compliance with the rule on singular correspondence.”

The Court ruled in its PDAF decision, where Belgica was also the petitioner, that items of appropriation must be characterized by singular correspondence, or the “allocation of a specified singular amount for a specified singular purpose, otherwise known as a ‘line-item.” Rey E. Requejo

Duterte...

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and actions of governance, to the consternation and envy of his incorrigible critics and detractors,” his spokesman Salvador Panelo said in a statement.

The nationwide survey was conducted on Sept. 27 to 30 through interviews with 1,800 adult respondents with a sampling error margin at ±2.3 percent.

The poll showed that the middle class and the richest Filipinos gave Duterte his highest rating among their class with 79 percent, slightly higher than 76 percent in June.

Seventy-three percent of respondents who belong to the poor were satisfied by his performance, down by eight points from last June’s 81 percent.

His rating increased in the Visayas and Metro Manila, but decreased in Luzon and Mindanao.

Among respondents from the Visayas, a record-high 84 percent were satisfied, significantly higher than 77 percent in June 2019.

In Metro Manila, 78 percent were satisfied with his performance. This surpassed his previous record of 73 percent in June.

His satisfaction rating stayed very good for the rest of Luzon with 71 percent satisfied, albeit lower than the previous quarter’s 78 percent.

DOJ...

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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2019 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

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‘Universal Health Care Law IRR out on Oct. 10’

MEDIA CONGRESS. Manila Mayor Francisco ‘Isko‘ Domagoso led guests during the Print Media Congress 2019: PRINTEGRITY at the Manila Hotel. Print media executives and

journalists include (from left) Badette Cunanan, PR manager of Tempo-Manila Bulletin; Sherly Baula, C&C manager of Chinese Commercial News; Angel Guerro, Publisher of Adobo Magazine; Jay Sarmiento, Sales and Marketing head of Business World; Barbie Atienza, head of External Affairs of Manila Bulletin; Jun Aluad, Advertising Manager of Pilipino Star Ngayon; Jong Arcano, Key Relations head, Philippine Daily Inquirer and Marvin Estisoy, VP for sales and marketing of Business Mirror. Norman Cruz

PACC seeks probe of NHA execs over ‘Yolanda’

By Rio N. Araja THE Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission is urging the Office of the Ombudsman to conduct its own investigation against 12 officials of the National Housing Authority over supposed anomalies in the ‘‘Yolanda’’ permanent housing program.

In a one-page letter, PACC chairman Dante Jimenez “endorsed” to Ombudsman Samuel Martires the filing of administrative and criminal charges against lawyer Sinforoso Pagunsan, exNHA general manager and ex-procuring entity head; Froilan Kampitan, assistant general manager and bids and awards committee 1 chairperson; Ma. Alma Valenciano, BAC vice chairman; Lorna Seraspe, NPIT-C head and BAC member; Eleanor Balatbat, Romuel Alimboyao and Ma. Magdalena Siacon, BAC members; Susano Nonato, NPIT-A head and BAC member; Alvin Rey Calbario, supervising engineer A and technical working group member; Grace Guevarra, NPIT-C and TWG member; Victor Balba, BAC-2 chairperson; Felicisimo Lazarte Jr., BAC2 vice chairman.

“The Commission has likewise furnished the Office of the Ombudsman a copy of its resolution and findings for the latter’s appropriate action as regards the administrative aspect of the case pursuant to Section 5(e) of Executive Order No. 73, Series of 2018,” he said.

Based on the findings of the PACC’s intelligence service, there was “prima facie evidence” against the respondents for giving unwarranted benefits, advantage and preference to J.C. Tayag Builders Inc., which was found to have fraudulently misrepresented its technical capacity into entering contracts with the government for the nine projects for the Yolanda permanent housing program,” Jimenez said.

“The PACC will continuously receive complaints from the people of Region 8 and other provinces affected

by Typhoon ‘Yolanda’ until it reaches the brains behind this Yolanda housing fiasco,” he added.

Ruling party PDP lauds Alan-Martin leadership

By Maricel V. Cruz

T

HE ruling Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan at the House of Representatives on Wednesday commended the leadership under the stewardship of Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano and House Majority Leader Martin Romualdez.

Marinduque Rep. Lord Allan Jay Velasco, the party president in the House, made the statement following the result of a Pulse Asia survey indicating a 64-percent approval rating of the House leadership under its leaders.

“We congratulate Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano for his high approval and trust ratings in the latest Pulse Asia survey.

This shows that the public appreciates what he and the members of the House of Representatives have individually and collectively accomplished in the first two months of the 18th Congress.

“In record time, the House approved the national budget for next year and other priority measures of President Duterte,” Velasco said.

Velasco, chairman of the House committee on energy, said the House under the current leadership was able to

put forward the legislative agenda of the Duterte administration.

“While this indicator is important, equally important is communicating our accomplishments to our people.

In this respect, we are happy that Speaker Cayetano and the House leadership have been very effective in informing the public of what the House of Representatives has achieved and what we have set out to do,” Velasco said.

He added: “We are hoping that we will sustain our performance and the people will continue to appreciate it.

Earlier, the emerging dominant National Unity Party welcomed the results of the latest Pulse Asia survey showing the high trust and approval ratings for the House leadership.

NUP president, and Dasmariñas City Rep. Elpidio Barzaga Jr. said the high

ratings received by Cayetano only two months into the speakership post proved that competence and hard work paid off.

“The high approval and trust ratings received by Speaker Cayetano at this early stage of his term show that the people have noticed that he is really sincere and determined in his mission to transform the House of Representatives into the House of the People,’’ said Barzaga who represents Cavite’s fourth district.

“This achievement only proves once more that the NUP made the right choice in supporting Cayetano for the speakership post.

Barzaga recalled that the NUP was the first political party to express its support for Cayetano as Speaker way back in June. At the time, NUP chairman Ronaldo Puno said the party believed “in a speaker who has a principled approach in trusting the institution and protecting its integrity, which are essential in the things the NUP is fighting for.”

Cayetano received a 62-percent trust rating and 64-percent approval rating in the latest Ulat sa Bayan survey conducted by Pulse Asia, the highest received by a Speaker and also the first time a Speaker rated higher than the vice president under the Duterte administration.

Duterte is fit to run the country, DOH chief says PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte is fit to run the country.

This was the diagnosis issued by no less than Health Secretary Francisco Duque III, following the President’s admission that he is suffering from a neuromuscular disease called myasthenia gravis.

He also previously admitted that he has Buerger’s disease, a condition that causes constriction of the blood vessels due to nicotine, and Barrett’s esophagus, a disease involving the tissue in the esophagus.

“I think he is quite fit for the job because my personal assessment is that

he is a strong man to be able to do his job—very taxing, very demanding, high-pressure job, it is the most difficult job on earth, the presidency,” Duque said when asked on the President’s health condition at the Kapihan sa Manila Bay news forum.

“And he’s okay. He’s able to do many things that even the media practitioners are not able to follow, like he’s going to visit wakes, visit, you know, soldiers, police in hospitals in different parts of the country, his Cabinet meetings which last until on the average... 1 o’clock in the morning, 2 o’clock,” he said.

It was while in Russia, when the 74-year-old Duterte told the Filipino community there that he has myasthenia gravis.

Malacañang said Duterte is fine while several senators said there is nothing to worry about.

“There is no indication that the illness or illnesses being mentioned has any effect on the effectiveness, or this is not debilitating the President’s work, ability to function and work,” Duque said.

In a Social Weather Stations poll conducted last December, 66 percent of Filipinos expressed their concern over the President’s health.

Stay vigilant, DOLE urges OFWs in HK

By Vito Barcelo THE Department of Labor and Employment reminded anew all Filipino workers in Hong Kong to stay cautious and vigilant in the face of escalating protests and public disruptions in Hong Kong.

Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said he received reports of a series of protest actions resulting to disruptions in public transport and business activities in various parts of the region prompting him to appeal anew to overseas Filipino workers for their safety and security.

The Philippine labor office continues to monitor developments in the semiautonomous Chinese territory.

“We are again urging all our OFWs in Hong Kong to exercise caution by staying indoors and keeping away from the locations where protest activities are taking place,” the Labor secretary said.

In the latest advisory issued by the Philippine Consulate General in Hong Kong, among the reported areas where protests will be held are the following: Oct. 10, Tsim Sha Tsui Police; Oct. 12 at New Town Plaza Shatin; Oct. 13, Victoria Park and Edinburgh Place; Oct. 14, Edinburgh Place and Chater Garden; Oct. 16, Resumption of Legislative Council; Oct. 20, The Riverpark Tai Wai to Shatin; Oct. 21, Yuen Long MTR Station; Oct. 26, Tamar Park Admiralty and Oct. 31, Prince Edward MTR Station.

The Labor chief also discouraged Filipinos working in Hong Kong from wearing black or white-colored upper garments while on the streets to avoid being mistaken as protesters and prevent untoward incidents.

ON NINJA COPS. The Senate Blue Ribbon Committee resumed its hearing on

the alleged ‘ninja cops’. Attending the hearing as resource persons are former PNP chief Alan Purisima (rightmost), PDEA chief Aaron Aquino and former CIDG chief Gen. Benjamin Magalong in the proceedings presided by committee chairman Senator Richard Gordon on Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2019. PNA

HEALTH Secretary Francisco Duque III announced on Wednesday that the Implementing Rules and Regulations of the Universal Health Care Law will be signed on Thursday, Oct. 10.

Duque said the IRR will serve as a guide to the DOH and all its partner agencies, particularly PhilHealth, in implementing the law.

Duque announced the good news at the Kapihan sa Manila Bay news forum.

Under the law, which is now considered as a landmark legislation, all Filipino citizens are automatically enrolled into the National Health Insurance Program as direct contributors, or those who have the capacity to pay premiums, and indirect contributors, who will be sponsored by the government such as indigents and senior citizens.

Last August, Duque told Congress that the DOH cannot implement the law nationwide by next year because of “budgetary constraints” and “readiness,” saying that the rollout will instead be progressive.

President Rodrigo Duterte signed the UHC Law in February.

IN BRIEF 2 Chinese nabbed for bribe try on cops TWO Chinese nationals were arrested for trying to bribe police officers in exchange for the release of Philippine offshore gaming operator workers, who were earlier arrested in a prostitution den in Makati City, the National Capital Region Police Office said on Wednesday.

Maj. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar, NCRPO chief, identified the suspects as Zhang Xiuquang and Fan Jianping, who approached and negotiated with Maj. Gideon Ines Jr., head of Station Investigation and Detective Management of the Makati City Police, by offering P1.7 million to persuade them against filing charges.

In a report, the two suspects pulled out a huge amount of bribe money in Ines’ office, prompting police officers to arrest them.

“This serves as an opportunity to protect the good name of the organization by eliminating suspicions and speculations and these are the kind of policemen that we need to show our people that they can be trusted and that not all policemen are corrupt,” Eleazar said. PNA

Masbate town vice mayor shot dead TWO still unidentified assailants shot dead Batuan town in Masbate Vice Mayor Charlie Yuson III in Sampaloc, Manila on Wednesday.

Yuson’s two companions, identified as Wilfredo Pineda and Alberto Alforte, were wounded.

The poice said the victims were eating breakfast along Vicente Cruz St. in Manila when they were ambushed.

The Manila Police District said that the suspects arrived in the area aboard a silver gray van with plate number ACM 8804.

Yuson was the 20th local government official killed since President Rodrigo Duterte assumed office in 2016.

Solon sees OK on ‘ander de saya’ bill A LEADER of the House of Representatives on Wednesday said he is optimistic of the passage of the bill bill protecting the rights of partners in conjugal relationships.

Rep. Fidel Nograles of Rizal, principal author of House Bill 4888 or the Anti-Violence Against Partners and their Children Act, said the bill will lead to banning dominant partners in the relationship from confiscating the salaries of the weaker partner.

He said wives or female partners who are obligating or forcing their husbands to give them all their salaries to them can be held liable for economic abuse under the measure.

HB 4888 seeks to amend the AntiViolence Against Women and Their Children Act of 2004.

Nograles cited a provision in the bill that says one of criteria for economic abuse is “controlling the victim’s own money or properties or solely controlling the conjugal or common money or properties.”

“Economic abuse happens when one is totally financially dependent, leading to a situation that one can not longer provide the money needed for one’s needs,” Nograles said in media interviews. Maricel V. Cruz

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Opinion

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2019

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Adelle Chua, Editor

The final solution AS A journalist for almost 70 years, I can say I have met them all—the greats and the near-greats, and personalities I cannot forget.

One of the unforgettable and interesting personalities, who in fact became one of my best friends, was Benjamin “Kokoy” Romualdez, younger brother of the former First Lady Imelda Marcos and brother in law of the strongman Ferdinand Marcos.

Kokoy was perhaps the most misunderstood personalities during the martial law regime. But I respected and admired him.

Here’s how jail congestion and other ills can be, once and for all, solved.

Did you know that not a single case has been filed against him despite all alleged abuses during martial law?

I followed the career of Kokoy as Philippine ambassador to the United States, Egypt and Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and then as governor of the province of Leyte.

Many do not know that Kokoy was a regular at the 365 Club. Despite all the jokes that other regulars were hurling against the martial law regime, Kokoy did not utter a single defense in protest of them. Nor did he stop us. In fact, many times, he even laughed along with us!

What I liked about Kokoy was his demeanor during the martial law days. He was always friendly and down-to-earth.

When Marcos died in Honolulu, I went there to commiserate with Kokoy and the First Lady. In fact, I was with the group that brought the remains of Marcos back to the Philippines. President Fidel Ramos allowed it via Eva Air. It was Kokoy who took care of our group of newsmen.

When Kokoy died, I was the only journalist who attended his wake until his burial.

My wife became close to Kokoy.

Her mother was from Tacloban, and her first cousin was married to the cousin of Kokoy’s wife. *** The new director general of the Bureau of Corrections, Gerry Bantag, continues to undertake reforms at the bureau and the New Bilibid Prison in an attempt to end anomalies.

Bantag’s idea of reform is to re-

EDITORIAL

place all the security guards and BuCor officials, including corrupt doctors who sell hospital privileges to moneyed inmates.

The question is, how sure is Bantag that all these new faces will be less corrupt and more honorable than those they replaced?

The answer is obvious—he cannot. The lure of money will always be there.

Since there is already a plan to relocate the NBP together with the Correctional Institute for Women to Camp Laur, Nueva Ecija, why won’t Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra revive this plan? Remember, it had been approved in previous administrations. Three bidders had already pre-qualified, but former Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II junked it. I wonder why.

The whole plan is there, and Guevarra just needs to implement it.

I do not see why President Duterte needshould not proceed. All that are need ed are sincerity and political will. *** The Palace should not play down the sickness of President Duterte called myasthenia gravis—a malfunctioning of the nerves causing neuromuscular weakness.

Spokesman Salvador Panelo said that it was an ordinary disease. But doctors will tell you it is actually rare, and possibly fatal.

The billionaire Aristotle Onassis died of this disease.

Any ailment of the President is a national concern. There should be regular medical bulletins to keep the public informed. *** Santa Banana, at the rate the National Bureau of Investigation and the Philippine National Police are raiding suspected prostitution dens that cater to Chinese clients, one would think the Chinese have truly made the Philippines their playground. Prostitution, after all, is illegal in mainland China!

This is a double whammy for the Philippines since those offshore gaming operators are also illegal in China.

Meanwhile, they are proliferating here.

So what is the Bureau of Immigration doing?

The Chinese prostitution trade is operated globally by syndicates. They are able to come here easily owing to the “visa upon arrival” scheme, made possible by President Duterte’s desire to attract Chinese tourists to the Philippines.

We can stop their entry by requiring them to secure their visa only through the Philippine Embassy in Beijing.

My gulay, if we Filipinos have to go through the rigmarole to secure visas to mainland China, why do we make it so easy for them to do the same in our country?

The Chinese must really think we are so hungry for their money.

EvEryman

America deserves a better leader

By Val Abelgas BEYOND repugnant. Corrupt human tornado. Cheap extortion racket. Unpatriotic. Un-American. Abuse of power.

America is better than this.

These are some of the words of outrage expressed by prominent people describing US President Donald Trump’s phone call to Ukranian President Volodymyr Zelensky in which he asked the newly elected Ukrainian leader to dig for potentially damaging material on political rival former Vice President Joe Biden apparently in exchange for lifting the suspension on the release of $400-million military aid to his country.

The remarks were also in reaction to Trump’s nasty tweets following the revelation of the formal whistleblower complaint filed by an intelligence officer, who claimed that the President used his office to “solicit interference from a foreign country” to help himself in next year’s election.

Two of these remarks came from key Republicans. After Trump raised the possibility of violence if he is re-

moved from office echoing a pastor’s warning of a “Civil War-like” fracture if Trump is impeached, Illinois Republican Rep. Adam Kinzinger described Trump’s tweets as “beyond repugnant.”

He said he “never imagined imagined such a quote to be repeated by a President.”

Former Republican Sen. Jeff Flake said: “My fellow Republicans, it is time to risk your careers in favor of your principles. Whether you believe the president deserves impeachment, you know he does not deserve re-election. Our country will have more presidents. But principles, well, we get just one crack at those. For those who want to put America first, it is critically important at this moment in the life of our country that we all, here and now, do just that.”

The “stable genius” President has shown, in the words of Biden, that he is “desperate and defensive” when, in quick succession, he claimed that the whistleblower is a spy and committed treason and insinuated that he should be executed; that House intelligence committee Turn to A5

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Sal’s bliss

P

RESIDENTIAL Spokesman Salvador Panelo has denied the existence of a mass transport crisis, saying commuters are still able to get to their destinations.

“What do they mean by transportation crisis? We can all get rides,” he said.

Some groups claimed the Philippines was facing a transport crisis, after a fire at the LRT 2 recently stopped its operations. While the service has resumed, commuters can now only travel between Cubao and Recto. Three stations—Santolan, Katipunan and Anonas—will remain closed for repairs for at least nine months.

Then again, Filipino commuters are not new to such inconveniences. Riders of the Metro Rail Transit have become used to the breakdowns and kilometric queues that attend their daily commuting experience.

Hundreds of thousands of Filipinos rely on trains every day. Their constant difficulties do not in any way make these glitches more acceptable.

Those who take buses and jeepneys are not without their own woes.

The ban on provincial buses along EDSA has not been resolved. This would be a sound idea—if there were adequate

support facilities for commuters’ convenient transfer from both the north and south.

Metro buses, meanwhile, suffer from the boorish or opportunistic behaviors of their drivers, and the uneven maintenance quality of the units. During rush hour, these buses are packed, with passengers, standing for the duration of the trip.

Jeepney riders have to bear with the inability of many drivers and operators to modernize their vehicles to comply with newer standards. Occasionally, as was the case last week, they fall prey to petulant strikes by operators.

Those who have higher disposable income have the option of taking point to point buses, or application-based ride sharing vehicles, whose algorithms assign exorbitant rates to riders. But isn’t it objectionable that one must spend an unreasonable amount of hard-earned money for a little less aggravation?

The situation is compounded when it rains, when it is payday, when the holi-

days are around the corner, and sometimes, for no reason at all.

Actually, Mr. Panelo is right. People eventually get to their destinations. The question is, in what state do they arrive?

It is likely commuters never arrive at their destinations on time. If they do, it is because they factored in the anticipated inconveniences and included a ridiculous allowance in their travel time. These allowances come with a cost—lost sleep time, skipped meals, and precious opportunity to be with loved ones.

Certainly, people do not arrive at their workplaces or schools in the ideal disposition. Even before they begin their tasks, they are exhausted and irritable, and likely not in their best mental or physical state. This in turn affects their productivity and temperament, depriving them from doing their best and providing value to their organizations.

At the end of the day, they have to go through the same ordeal.

We doubt Mr. Panelo has taken public transportation to inform his statements.

The man does not know what he is talking about—this is why he speaks with such simplicity, arrogance and condescension.

Ignorance is bliss, the saying goes.

With his absolute lack of knowledge about realities on the ground, and a willingness to even start doing that, small wonder that Mr. Panelo is looking so happy these days.

Even in death, Uighurs feel long reach of Chinese state

By Eva Xiao and Pak Yiu with Andrew Beatty in Sydney CHINA is destroying burial grounds where generations of Uighur families have been laid to rest, leaving behind human bones and broken tombs in what activists call an effort to eradicate the ethnic group’s identity in Xinjiang.

In just two years, dozens of cemeteries have been destroyed in the northwest region, according to an AFP investigation with satellite imagery analysts Earthrise Alliance.

Some of the graves were cleared with little care—in Shayar county, AFP journalists saw unearthed human bones left discarded in three sites. In other sites tombs that were reduced to mounds of bricks lay scattered in cleared tracts of land.

While the official explanation ranges from urban development to the “standardization” of old graves, overseas Uighurs say the destruction is part of

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

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

a state crackdown to control every element of their lives.

“This is all part of China’s campaign to effectively eradicate any evidence of who we are, to effectively make us like the Han Chinese,” said Salih Hudayar, who said the graveyard where his greatgrandparents were buried was demolished.

“That’s why they’re destroying all of these historical sites, these cemeteries, to disconnect us from our history, from our fathers and our ancestors,” he said.

An estimated one million mostly Muslim ethnic minorities have been rounded up into re-education camps in Xinjiang in the name of combatting religious extremism and separatism.

Those who are free are subject to rigorous surveillance and restrictions— from home visits from officials to bans on beards and veils.

China has remained defiant despite escalating global criticism of its treatment of Uighurs. This week, the United States said it would curb visas for offi-

cials over the alleged abuses and blacklisted 28 Chinese firms it accuses of rights violations.

‘Religious persecution’ According to satellite imagery analyzed by AFP and Earthrise Alliance, the Chinese government has, since 2014, exhumed and flattened at least 45 Uighur cemeteries—including 30 in the past two years.

The Xinjiang government did not respond to a request for comment.

The destruction is “not just about religious persecution,” said Nurgul Sawut, who has five generations of family buried in Yengisar, southwestern Xinjiang.

“It is much deeper than that,” said Sawut, who now lives in Australia and last visited Xinjiang in 2016 to attend her father’s funeral.

“If you destroy that cemetery... you’re uprooting whoever’s on that land, whoever’s connected to that land,” she explained.

Even sites featuring shrines or the Turn to A5

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Chairman Emeritus, Editorial Board

Opinion Breaking bread with Russia LAST week, I joined the contingent of government officials who went on an official visit to Russia. Moscow is a beautiful place, rich in culture and history. After all, it is said that the weather of a country is similar to the demeanor of its people.

The same can’t be more untrue about Russia. Russians, to my experience, are not cold and aloof, quite the opposite in fact. Pleasantly surprising to me was the warm and kind reception of the people we met. During a random stroll down the street, people would greet us with sincere hospitality.

I was privileged to have met several officials from the government of Russia as well as ordinary Russian citizens. Russians are actually friendly, hospitable, and respectful. I noticed that the President Putin and President Duterte were quite friendly during a dinner.

Their good nature has been validated by the Filipino residents and workers who are married to Russians. I have spoken to a few Filipinos and they are happy

and satisfied where they are. The Russian government has assured us that the welfare of our overseas Filipino workers are protected.

The recent trip to Russia opened up opportunities for investments which, when tapped, will definitely contribute to our economic growth. In fact, the Presi-

The recent trip opened up opportunities for investments which, when tapped, will definitely contribute to our economic growth. dent came home with 10 agreements with the Russian government and business groups. Some of these agreements involve information exchange and collaboration on business development aimed at promoting trade and investment between the Philippines and Russia, exploring the potential of tapping nuclear power in the Philippines, and distribution and trade of agricultural products.

The President has reported that he has

$620 million worth of business from his recent trip. He was also able to pitch infrastructure investments in our country.

Definitely, our nations can benefit from maintaining good relations with Russia. This would have been unthinkable, during the period of the Cold War. The USSR, as it was then called, was perceived as an enemy of democracy.

Economic relations with them, at that time, would not have been possible. I am fortunate to have witnessed that coldness thaw.

It is a welcome development in our world’s history that we can determine our country’s relations not as dictated by the past, but by present realities. After all, we have much to learn from Russia.

They have a strong economy, are forward thinking, and use advanced technologies. heri As a nation, they are proud of their heritage—they preserve their cultures and observe their traditions. Russia is also resilient, and has survived serious challenges to their nation.

This was the President’s second trip to Russia. The seeds planted from his first trip bore fruit to greater relations and more developmental oriented discussions with the Russian government. With this, we can look forward to a relationship that is more evolved, politically mature and mutually beneficial.

Elevated freeway along EDSA IT CERTAINLY looks like San Miguel’s Ramon Ang was dead serious when he said that the company would build an elevated freeway along EDSA to solve the traffic congestion.

Ang is now going to submit an unsolicited proposal for a $3-billion elevated toll road that will start somewhere along Macapagal Avenue and end somewhere in Balintawak. He went on to say that Secretary Arthur Tugade of the DOTr seems interested.

I do hope that Secretary Tugade and his planning staff will have the sense to reject the proposal.

At first glance, the proposal looks like a spectacular idea. Upon closer examination, it is not. There is no questioning the motivation of San Miguel on the proposed elevated freeway. I am sure that the company simply wants to solve a serious traffic problem. But constructing an elevated freeway along EDSA will create so many problems. If allowed to do so, the congestion along EDSA will worsen for the next several years due to the construction. The freeway will also force all motorists to go through one corridor whether at grade level or up. The thing that should be done is to spread the road system in an urban sprawl so that motorists will be given choices on which road to use instead of them being forced to use one road corridor.

San Miguel is already very busy with the Skyway project that will eventually connect NLEX and SLEX. The company should simply fast-track the completion of the connector road and then see what happens. The Skyway should be able to absorb a sizable portion of the EDSA traffic, thereby easing the congestion along EDSA. The reason for this, even if no survey or study has been conducted on this aspect, is that the skyway will be able

up by buses and jeepneys is not going to solve the traffic problem. It will just add more vehicles on the road—which will worsen traffic congestion. It would be all right if these two bus terminals will be connected by rail, but this is not the case.

This is so elementary that it is difficult to see why the MMDA is insisting on what it wants. In the meantime, the agency should use the time before the completion of the Skyway to start planning on where to distribute the bus stations throughout the metro area to lessen the impact of the transfer on provincial bus passengers. *** Militant jeepney associations are bent on scuttling the government plan to phase out old jeepneys which are 15 years old or older. From the way the jeepney leaders were talking to the media during the recent strike, they implied that they can

paralyze urban transportation throughout the country if they wanted.

Many local government units were indeed forced to cancel classes and thousands of people using jeepneys to go to work were unable to take a ride or had to wait for hours. But if the intention of the strike was to force the government to abandon the phaseout of old jeepneys, they failed miserably because the government is standing ground and will go ahead with the program. The old refrain of the miltant jeepney associations is that the cost of replacing the old jeepneys is too expensive which individual operators cannot afford. But this cannot be the only reason because the program have been embraced by other operators already.

There must be other reasons that the militant association leaders do not want to admit. One reason is that the replacement program maybe a threat to their organization because operators will have to form cooperatives or companies, in which case there would be no need for associations like what they have now. They should realize that the jeepney as it is operated in this day and age is anachronistic to modernity.

These associations should instead sit down with the government so that their concerns can be addressed. Maybe a solution can be found. Ordinarily, it is the responsibility of the government to provide public transportation but in this country, anyone can go to the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board to get a permit to operate a public transport.

With public transportation in the hands of private companies, operators can threaten the government every time they do not like what the government wants to do.

Maybe this is one issue that Congress should study whether transportation in highly urbanized cities should now be taken over by government when it considers granting emergency powers to the government. We are perhaps the only country in the world whose public transportation is not operated by government in its capital city. Most of the capital cities around the world have public transportation operated by government.

the destruction of coffins in central Jiangxi last year to force locals to cremate.

But activists and scholars say the clearances are especially egregious in Xinjiang, where they parallel the erasure of other cultural and spiritual sites—including at least 30 mosques and religious sites since 2017, an AFP investigation found in June.

“The destruction of the graveyards is very much part of the wider raft of policies that are going on,” said Rachel Harris, who researches Uighur culture at the School of Oriental and African Studies University of London.

“From the destruction of holy shrines, the tombs of saints, to the destruction of tombs of families, all of this is disrupting the relationship between people and their history, and the relationship between the people and the land that they live on,” she said.

The official explanation for cemetery removal or relocation varies by site.

In Urumqi, the regional capital, a cemetery near the international airport was cleared to make way for an urban “reconstruction” project.

In Shayar, where the local government has built new cemeteries near some of the old sites, an official told AFP the pro-

gramme was aimed at “standardization.”

A sign by a new cemetery in Shayar, which replaced a graveyard from the 18th century containing about 7,500 graves, echoed this statement.

The rebuilt sites “saved space, protected the ecosystem” and were “civilized,” it said.

“The new cemeteries are standardized, clean, and they’re convenient for residents,” Kadier Kasimu, deputy director of Shayar’s cultural affairs bureau, told AFP. Human remains Tamar Mayer, a professor of geosciences at Middlebury College, who researches Uighur shrines and cemeteries, described the new sites as homogenous and tightly packed.

Families, which traditionally leave gifts by the graves, no longer have “space to mourn”, she said, adding the policy seemed to be an attempt to “sanitize the area from Uighurs.”

Aziz Isa Elkun, a Uighur activist in Britain whose father was buried in one of the many destroyed cemeteries in Shayar, agreed: “If you want to build new graves then you can, but you do not need to destroy the old ones.” AFP

to provide a choice for the motorists on which road to take going south or north.

This option is not available now.

It’s all about having choices and the Skyway, when completed, will be able to provide that. The problem now is a dearth of ideas coming from our government traffic and transportation managers. They seem to be clutching at every idea thrown to them—like cable cars, a specialized type of transport system and not ideal as a mass transport mode.

The MMDA should also look at pushing through with its plan to transfer the bus stations out of EDSA, but not insist on the use of the two so-called integrated bus terminals in Valenzuela City and Santa Rosa, Laguna. The MMDA planners should put it in their heads that requiring provincial bus passengers to get off in these two bus stations to be picked

Imagine the traffic that would be caused by the construction.

Even...

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tombs of famous individuals were not spared.

In Aksu, local authorities turned an enormous graveyard where prominent Uighur poet Lutpulla Mutellip was buried into “Happiness Park,” with fake pandas, a children’s ride, and a man-made lake.

Mutellip’s grave was like “a modern day shrine for most nationalist Uighurs, patriotic Uighurs,” recalled Ilshat Kokbore, who visited the tomb in the early 90s and now resides in the US. The “Happiness Park” project saw graves moved to a new cemetery in an industrial zone out in the desert. The caretaker there said he had no knowledge of the fate of Mutellip’s remains.

The Aksu government could not be reached for comment.

Destroying history In China, urban growth and economic development has laid waste to innumerable cultural and historic sites, from traditional hutong neighborhoods in Beijing to segments of Dali’s ancient city wall in southwestern Yunnan province. It is an issue Beijing itself has acknowledged.

The government has also been criticized for its irreverence towards burial traditions outside of Xinjiang, including

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2019

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Fiscal-sector macro fundamentals bear watching mestic debt (the portion of the national debt that is owed to Filipino creditors) to the external debt (the portion that is owed to foreign creditors). In the wake of the economic crisis of 1969WHEN they are asked nowadays 1970, the government, with the about the state of the Philippine encouragement of the IMF (Intereconomy’s health, the stock an- national Monetary Fund), set an swer of Philippine government of- indicative target for the share of ficials and private-sector analysts external debt in the total national is this: “The Philippine econo- debt, the purpose being prevenmy’s macro-economic fundamen- tion of the recurrence of another tals are sound.” Three of the mac- foreign exchange crisis. Through ro-economic fundamentals relate the ensuing years, the monetary to the Philippine government’s authorities have sought to prevent finances, especially its debt. Both the external debt from exceedare detering around minative of 35 percent of the level of the total nana the nation’s tional debt.

The administration’s creditworthiBSP (Bangko ness. borrowing for its ambitious Sentral ng One of infrastructure program has P i l i p i n a s ) the macroand DBCC e c o n o m i c greatly increased. are watching fundamenvery closely tals relating the moveto the pubment of the lic finances is the ratio of total external debt at a time when the national-government debt to the Duterte administration is engagGDP (gross domestic product). ing in increasingly heavy external This ratio is a telling indicator borrowing to finance its infraof the quality of management of structure program. the national finances; in all of The third macro-economic the post-World War II economic fundamental relating to the fiscal crises this ratio has been heavy sector is the ratio of short-term on the debt side. In its most re- obligations—those falling due cent report, the Bureau of the within a year—to medium-term Treasury—a component of the and long-term obligations. Again, Department of Finance—re- in the wake of the 1969-1970 ported that the debt-to-GDP ratio economic crisis, indicative limits was 43.7 percent—a figure low- were set by the monetary authorier than the 44 percent of 2019’s ties for foreign borrowings with first quarter but higher than the short maturities. This ratio has 41.8 percent of end-2018. A fig- been zealously maintained by the ure of 40 percent is regarded by monetary authorities, and approveconomic analysts of a country’s als of requests for short-term forcapacity to honor its obligations eign borrowings are granted only as they become due. The Cabi- under exceptional conditions. If, net-level DBCC (Development God forbid, this country is going Budget Coordinatioan Commit- to experience another foreign extee) has set a debt-to-GDP ratio of change crisis, it will almost cer38.6 percent for 2022, the end of tainly not be due to a bunching of President Rodrigo Duterte’s term. short-term maturities.

Given the financing requirement The macro-economic fundaof the Duterte administration’s mentals relating to the public fiBuild Build Build infrastructure nances have remained sound thus program, the DBCC is going to far in the Duterte era, but they be very difficult to attain. bear close monitoring in the face The other macro-economic of the administration’s increasfundamental relating to the fis- ingly heavy borrowing for its amcal sector is the ratio of the do- bitious infrastructure program.

America...

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chief Rep. Adam Schiff should be arrested for treason and be prosecuted; and repeating the pastor’s quote on “Civil War-like fracture.”

Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, whom Trump defeated despite the former winning the popular vote, called Trump a “corrupt human tornado.” Like Biden, Clinton apparently is also a victim of foreign interference in the 2016 elections based on the Mueller report that showed Russia provided the Trump campaign with damaging info in hacked emails.

Earlier, Clinton accused Trump of having “turned American diplomacy into a cheap extortion racket.”

“Now sadly we’ve known who Donald Trump is for some time now,” Clinton said. “We knew he was a corrupt businessman who cheated people. We knew that he and his campaign invited foreign adversaries to tamper with our elections. And now we know that in the course of his duties as president, he’s endangered us all by putting his personal and political interests ahead of the interests of the American people.”

During the campaign and in his first three years in office, Trump excited his followers by saying he would put “America first” and “Make America Great Again.”

But as shown by his controversial call to Zelensky, it was obvious that it is “Me first. America second.”

The State Department, the defense establishment, and Congress have all agreed that helping Ukraine in its conflict with Russia is to the best interest of the United States, that’s why the US has been sending millions of dollars to the former Soviet republic. But Trump set this aside by withholding the release of the $400 million aid prior to the Zelensky call.

He told Zelensky during the call that he would release the amount but added, “I would like you to do us a favor though.”

This is not the first time Trump has been accused of using his position as leader of the world’s most powerful nation for his personal interests. In the Ukraine call, he obviously put personal interest above national interest by pressuring a foreign country to damage his strongest political rival.

New York Times columnist David Leonhardt explained why Trump should be impeached, aside from the Unkraine call, “What hasn’t changed? Trump is unfit for office. He has repeatedly violated his oath of office, to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution. He has weakened America’s national security. He has used the presidency for personal enrichment. He has broken the law more than once. He has tried to undermine American democracy.”

Trump is a threat to America and to the world. He has relinquished America’s role as leader of the free world.

He has destabilized the Middle East by pulling out of the nuclear agreement with Iran and by showing extreme bias towards Israel and prejudice against Muslims. He has abandoned America’s role as leader in the war against climate change by withdrawing from the Paris Agreement and ignoring carbon emission laws. He has created chaos in the global economy by withdrawing from trade agreements and by intensifying his trade war with China and other nations. He has gone against long-held American values such as welcoming immigrants and refugees, justice and equality, and freedom of the press, and has instead promoted bigotry and racism.

Trump does not deserve another four years, not even another year in office.

America deserves a better leader.

Mr. Abelgas is a former editor of Manila Standard. He now lives in the United States.

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

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News

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2019 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

SoKor-PH to sign expanded FTA pact SOUTH Korea and the Philippines are expected to sign next month an expanded free trade agreement to further boost the two countries flourishing commercial trading, according to South Korean Ambassador Han Dong-man.

Han made the disclosure to diplomats attending the Korea National Foundation Day Celebration and Armed Forces Day held at Makati Shangri-La Tuesday night.

He said that in 2018 trade volume between South Korea and the Philippines reached US$15.6 billion, an increase by 9.3 percent compared to the previous year.

“To expand our trade relations, negotiators from Korea and the Philippines are working hard to reach a deal on a free trade agreement between our two countries,” Han pointed out.

“We are now approaching the conclusion of the bilateral trade agreement, which is poised to be signed by the end of November,” he added.

Han cited the leadership of Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez for the expanding trade relations between South Korea and the Philippines.

“I am confident that this bilateral deal will further enhance our business ties and benefit both economies,” he said.

With regards to “people-to-people exchange, South Korea is the Philippine’ largest source of foreign tourist visitors,” he said.

In 2018, some 1.6-million Koreans visited the Philippines and “I made a promise to President Duterte to bring up this number to two million per year during my term” and asked the President “to ensure the safety and security of Korean people.”

Han also disclosed that he always asks Korean businessmen “whenever I meet them, invest, invest, invest in the Phgilippines in accordance with President Duterte’s Build, Build, Build program.”

On the other hand, many Filipinos are also visiting Korea as Korean entertainers such as K-pop, Korean food and Kcosmetics are well-known all over the Philippines.

Han cited the good relations between Korea and the Philippines the past 70 years, and thanked the Philippines for sending combat forces to Korea during the Korean War, one of was former President Fidel V. Ramos, who is a Korean War veteran. PNA

ENERGY ADVOCATES. People for Power Coalition stages a protest in front of Sofitel in Pasay City, dressed as popular Japanese anime characters Pikachu, Naruto, Goku and Doraemon, with protesters marching in front of the venue where ASEAN Senior officials Meeting on Sports is being held. The group calls for Japan to stop using coal for energy and advocating renewable energy. Norman Cruz

Saudi policy on public decency up

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HE Department of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday advised overseas Filipinos to familiarize themselves with the new Saudi Arabia regulation on public decency to avoid violations and penalties.

“The Department of Foreign Affairs reminds Filipino travelers to Saudi Arabia to adhere to a new regulation related to public decency, which identifies 19 offenses punishable by fines,” it said in an advisory issued Wednesday.

The DFA said the new regulation helps ensure that travelers to Saudi

Arabia are reminded of laws that concern public behavior, including rules on immodest clothing, public display of affection, taking photos or videos of people without permission, playing music at prayer times, among others.

As for implementation, Saudi Arabia identifies the Saudi Police as the sole authority responsible for monitoring

offenses and imposing fines ranging from 100 Saudi riyals (P1,380) to SAR6,000 Saudi riyals (P83,000).

According to the DFA, offenders have the right to submit a grievance claim before the Common Courtesy Department and to appeal any penalties.

But any person harmed by offenders shall have the right to file a lawsuit, it noted.

For the complete list of public decency offenses and their corresponding fines, the agency encourages Filipino travelers to visit the link: https://docs.google. com/viewerng/viewer? url=https://www. arabnews.com/sites/default/files/userimages/20/violations.pdf. PNA

Pinay nanny freed from modern-day slavery starts a new life at 81 FOR 65 years, “Nanay Fedelina” lived like a modern-day slavery victim with her employer in the United States.

This year, at 81, she’s ready to begin the life of a free woman.

Nanay Fedelina was a nanny who was brought to the United States by the Filipi-

no-American family she was serving when she was just 16 years old.

She spent 65 years in servitude.

In a June 2019 interview with ABSCBN’s Balitang America, Nanay Fedelina narrated her ordeal with the family she served for four generations.

“I took care of the matriarch, I took care of the children, and then the mom, I watched over four grandchildren. I did everything alone—from cooking, cleaning, ironing clothes—I did N OTICE those alone,” she Notice is hereby given that DR. RAMON B. said in Filipino during GUSTILO HOSPITAL with office address at Provincial Road & National Highway, Brgy. 1-A, Manapla, the interview.

Negros Occidental is applying for registration with “I slept on the cold the Board of Investments (BOI) as New Operator of General Hospital-Level 1 under the Preferred Listfloor with my blanHealthcare Services including Drug Rehabilitation ket hole-ridden. The Centers (Dr. Ramon B. Gustilo Hospital) with a capacity of 38 beds on a Non-Pioneer status with mother and child were project site located at Provincial Road & National cruel,” she added.

Highway, Brgy. 1-A, Manapla, Negros Occidental.

“Now, I am happy Any person with valid objection/s on the and free. I am no above-mentioned project may file his/her objection in writing, under oath, with the BOI within three (3) days longer locked up, from the date of this publication. no longer abused by (SGD.) ANGELITA F. ARCELLANA people.”

Officer-In-Charge In a recent PhilipInfrastructure and Services Industries Service

pine Independence Day reception in Los Angeles she attended, Nanay Fedelina was hailed as “a symbol of courage and freedom, the very essence of the annual celebration of Philippine Independence.”

In 2018, the Pilipino Workers Center, through the help of US law enforcement, rescued her and helped pursue and win her case in court.

“Today, with the help of PWC, the Consulate General, and many other gen-

erous hearts in Los Angeles, Nanay Fedelina is ready to begin a new life at 81,” the Philippine Consulate General in Los Angeles said.

Nanay Fedelina wants to go home to Tacloban City and find her family. Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel Romualdez hopes to help her with her dream.

At present, Nanay Fedelina is staying at a Filipino-American retirement home for free. PNA

(MS-OCT. 10, 2019)

BANGKO SENTRAL NG PILIPINAS CURRENCY MANAGEMENT SECTOR DISPOSAL COMMITTEE NOTICE OF PUBLIC AUCTION The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), through its Disposal Committee, invites bidders to participate in the public auction for the sale, on an “as is, where is” basis, of the following: Item 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

Description 1 unit - Isuzu Crosswind XTI, 2010 Model, MIT, Diesel (SKC 379) Mileage: Not available 1 unit - Toyota Camry, 2006 Model, A/T, Gasoline (SHU 736) Mileage: 187,577 Kms. 1 unit - Honda Accord, 2006 Model, A/T, Gasoline (SHU 906) Mileage: 98,762 Kms. 1 unit - Honda Accord, 2011 Model, A/T, Gasoline (SKR 909) Mileage: 50,655 Kms. 1 unit - Toyota Altis E, 2010 Model, M/T, Gasoline (SKC 330) Mileage: 64,858 Kms. 1 unit - Toyota Altis E, 2010 Model, M/T, Gasoline (SKC 340) Mileage: 98,894 Kms. 1 unit - Toyota Altis E, 2010 Model, M/T, Gasoline (SKC 349) Mileage: 63,596 Kms. 1 unit - Toyota Altis E, 2010 Model, M/T, Gasoline (SKC 350) Mileage: 31,082 Kms. 1 unit - Toyota Altis E, 2010 Model, M/T, Gasoline (SKC 359) Mileage: 54,561 Kms.

Floor Price PhP91,804.00 PhP148,081.00 PhP142,349.00 PhP247,874.00 PhP96,416.00 PhP90,893.00 PhP98,487.00 PhP94,805.00

Contact persons: Ms. Ciara May E. Briones and Mr. Neil V. Sison Tei. No: 988 - 4534 3. Opening of Bids: 3rd Floor, Assembly Hall, Building E, BSP East Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City

Starting on : 11 October 2019 Date/Time : 11 & 14 October 2019 at 9:00 am and 1:00 pm (Bidders may proceed at the Multi-Level Parking along BIR Road)

Date/Time : 15 October 2019 at 10:00 am

The BSP reserves the right to accept or reject any bid, to declare the bidding a failure, to annul the bidding process and to reject all bids at any given time prior to award of contract, without thereby incurring any liability to the bidders.

Furthermore, the BSP reserves the right to waive any minor defect or formality and to accept the proposal most advantageous to the Bank.

(SGD) SARAH SEVERINA C. CURTIS Chairperson 04 October 2019

By Macon Ramos-Araneta SENATE Agriculture and Food Committee chairman Senator Cynthia Villar questioned an attached agency of the Department of Agriculture’s huge budget allocation for corn research, even taunting it as “crazy” over research.

“It would seem all your budget goes to research? You are too crazy to research.

What will you do with research?” Villar asked officials of the DA and the National Corn Program.

Under the National Corn Program’s proposed budget for 2020, P150 million was allocated for research.

“Fix this. Imagine, calamity assistance for P265 million? P150 million for research? That’s P400 million already,” stressed Villar during the Senate budget hearing of the Agriculture department’s attached agencies.

“It seems like all of your budget goes to research. You are so crazy about research. What will you do with those research?

Villar said that despite being a smart person, if she could not understand the research, what more of the farmers.

“Does a farmer want research? Don’t they want you to help them? Why is it that all of your budget goes to research?” she asked.

If she were a farmer, Villar stressed she would prefer to receive seeds or machinery instead of anything else.

But National Corn Program national coordinator Lorenzo Carangan said they give assistance to farmers under their proposed budget in the form of seeds and fertilizers.

In the case of technological demonstration projects and modern cluster, he said farmers are being assisted in the form of seeds and fertilizers.

In the same hearing, Senate Majority Leader Miguel Zubiri said the DA and the Sugar Regulatory Administration should thumb down the proposed liberalization of sugar importation.

Zubiri appealed to Agriculture chief Secretary William Dar to reveal his position on the looming tariffs on imported sugar.

“What is deafening is the position of the DA and the SRA on sugar import liberalization. We need a strong voice.

We do not want to happen what had happened to rice,” Zubiri said.

PhP107,000.00

The schedule of activities is as follows: 1. Issuance of Bid Documents Room 405, 4th Floor, Building A, BSP-QC East Ave., Diliman, Quezon City 2. Inspection of items for auction

PLAYING TIME. Paintings available for as low as P2,500 each at the Rajah Sulayman park in Manila’s Malate district with an unidentified toddler paying no keen attention to the premium masterpieces. Sonny Espiritu

‘Crazy over research,’ says solon on budget

(MS-OCT. 9 & 10, 2019)

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

Customs seizes refrigerant chemicals worth P4m

By Vito Barcelo THE Bureau of Customs seized refrigerant chemicals worth some P4 million without the necessary clearance from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources—Environmental Management Bureau.

In a statement, 1,150 units of Koman Refrigerant chemicals arrived on September 7, 2019 at the Manila International Container Port from China.

The chemicals were consigned to Barcolair Philippines Inc. and were processed by customs broker Alex Talaboc Bayot but it was

found out that the importer had neither renewed their registration as an importer nor secured a PreShipment Importation Clearance resulting in the interception of their goods.

Refrigerant chemicals are widely used in air conditioners and refrigerators and the main

cause of destruction on the ozone layer compounded by its huge global warming potential.

The BOC said importation of refrigerant chemicals required all importers to register with EMB and must secure a PSIC before the entry of such chemicals into the country.

Sports

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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2019 sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

Weightlifters confident in SEAG

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HE Samahang Weightlifting ng Pilipinas (SWP) is hoping to snatch four to five medals in the upcoming 30th Southeast Asian Games which the country will host from November 30 to December 11.

Padiz named top rookie in UAAP Season 82 badminton NEWEST badminton sensation Solomon ‘Monchie’ Padiz Jr. of National University bagged his first major collegiate award as ‘Rookie of the Year’ in the just concluded University Athletic Association of the Philippines’ Season 82 Badminton Championship held at PNP Sports Center, Camp Crame in Quezon City.

The18-year-old Sports Education freshman smashed his way to his UAAP award by winning 13 straight matches in sterling fashion in the Team Tie Preliminary Round, notching seven wins in the men’s singles and six in the men’s doubles category.

The 2018 PNG Open badminton gold medalist then handily outsmarted veteran rival Keoni Asuncion of Ateneo de Manila University in Game 2 Finals in straight sets (2-0) 21-9, 2114 in a win that proved to be pivotal for his team, the NU Bulldogs’ title retention and “six-peat” in the University Athletic Association badminton event.

“Thank God for everything, for giving me this new breakthrough,” said Padiz, who played like a Most Valuable Player in the series.

“This ROY award inspires me more in my quest for glory in the coming Southeast Asian Games where I will represent our country in men’s singles badminton event,” added Padiz, who dedicated his latest milestone to his teammates, mentors, NU top brass Hans Sy and father, Solomon Padiz Sr., a former sepak takraw national athlete.

After his fruitful stint, the PBA Smash Pilipinas protege is currently in a closed-door training in Indonesia in preparation for his mission in the SEAG in November and December.

Cignal, Petron shoot for seats in PSL semis MALOLOS CITY—Powerhouse Cignal and Petron seek to formalize their entry in the semifinals while Sta. Lucia tries to stay alive in another explosive triple-header of the Philippine Superliga Invitational Conference Thursday at the Malolos Sports and Convention Center here.

Games Today (Malolos Sports and Convention Center) 2 p.m. – Cignal vs PLDT Home Fibr 4 p.m. – Foton vs Sta. Lucia 6 p.m. –Petron vs Marinerang Pilipina

Unbeaten in four starts, the HD Spikers tip things off when they collide with PLDT Home Fibr at 2 p.m. while the Blaze Spikers clash with lowly Marinerang Pilipina in the 6 p.m. featured encounter of this prestigious women’s club tournament.

Also seeing action are the Lady Realtors, who will shoot for their third win to grab a fighting chance of making it to the next round of this tourney that serves as a warmup for the members of the national squad before seeing action in the 30th Southeast Asian Games this November.

The Lady Realtors are in a precarious situation.

After teetering on the brink of yet another disappointing conference with a 1-2 win-loss card, the Lady Realtors decided to shake things up as assistant coach Eddison Orcollo was appointed as interim coach while head coach Babes Castillo was tapped as assistant manager, replacing Santi Edralin.

SWP President Monico Puentevella said his 10-strong Philippine weightlifting team, composed of Hidilyn Diaz (55kg), Mary Flor Diaz (45kg), Elien Rose Perez (49kg), Margaret Colonia (59kg), Elreen Ann Ando (64kg), Kristel Macrohon (71kg), John Fabuar Ceniza (55kg), Dave Llyod Pacaldo (61kg), Nestor Colonia (67kg) and Jeffrey Garcia (73kg), has what it takes to pull off a couple of surprises in the biennial meet.

“For the SEA Games, we’re aiming for four to five medals. I am hoping that we will get at least one or two medals for men, and four medals for

women,” said Puentevella, who revealed that the SEA Games is part of the Association’s long-term plan to send more Filipino lifters to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and hopefully even the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.

“My master plan from the beginning was, like what I did to Hidilyn, let them join all these competitions, in between SEAG and Tokyo Olympics. After siguro ng Tokyo, mas madami na (Filipino Olympic qualifiers).” said Puentevella.

Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Chairman William “Butch” Ramirez is also pinning the country’s hopes on the

weightlifters, saying they are among the athletes who can be counted on to spring surprises in the biennial meet.

“The PSC has done its part in giving the athletes the opportunity to train and gave them exposure,” Ramirez said.

“The National Sports Associations (NSAs) have made their assessments on their chances and we are counting on them.”

Of the group, Diaz has the most to prove even though she’s a silver medalist in the 2016 Rio Olympics and a gold winner in the 2018 Jakarta-Palembang Asian Games.

Diaz has yet to win a gold medal in SEA Games settling only for silver medals in the Women’s -58kg division at the 2013 Myanmar and 2011 Indonesia editions, and a bronze bronze medal in the 2007 Thailand meet.

The 28-year-old Diaz, a native of Zamboanga City, recently nailed two bronze medals in the 2019 International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) World Championships in Pattaya, Thailand.

“Hidilyn’s two bronze medals in Pattaya can be considered a silver, kasi ang nakatalo sa kanya dalawang Chinese.

In the Olympic rule, only one can represent a country,” said the SWP chief of his prized athlete, who has been training for years under Chinese coach Kai Wen Gao. Meanwhile, Olympian Colonia (-56kgs) hopes to bounce back from a fifth-place finish at the 2017 Malaysian edition, where only five men’s events were disputed, with Vietnam and Indonesia winning two gold medals each and Thailand with one gold.

Tokong advances to Siargao surf finals

JUVENILE STAKES RACE CHAMP. Bell Racing Stable’s Elmer de Leon (5th from left), owner of the Philracom Juvenile Fillies and Colts Stakes Race 1st leg winner Union Bell, displays the champion’s trophy. He is joined by Philracom Commissioner Reli de Leon, PRCI manager Oyet Alcasid, club handicapper Donnie Selda and representatives of the winning breeder and trainer. The victory, achieved in a minute and 11 seconds (23.4, 21.8, 25) netted the Bell Racing Stable the top purse of P600,000.

Bisera, Keoninh share lead on strong finishes DAVAO—Ramil Bisera and American Lexus Keoninh bucked the tough surface as they carved out a pair of 68s behind scorching finishes at the front to wrest a one-stroke lead over Ira Alido at the start of the ICTSI South Pacific Classic at South Pacific Golf & Leisures Estates here yesterday.

Bisera, one of the few unheralded players from talent-rich Davao who made just three cuts in seven tournaments in this year’s Philippine Golf Tour, put on his best card in years—a bogey-free 3434 marked by two birdies in the last three holes on each nine that stood as one of the course records, this being the first pro tournament at the newly-built 7018yard championship layout developed by Sta. Lucia Development, Inc. “The greens are very tricky,” said Bisera, who relied on sister-caddy Jacqueline’s help on the unreceptive surface that bedeviled the games of majority of the fancied names in the 72-hole championship organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc. “Everything actually clicked—off the tee, iron play and putting. I just hope to sustain my game and finally score a victory,” said the 45-year-old Bisera, backed

by long-time patron Hermie Martin.

Keoninh, whose form took a dip with missed cut stints at the PGT Pueblo de Oro and Del Monte legs and a 28th place finish in Apo the last four weeks, birdied the last three holes at the back to share first day honors in the P3 million

event capping the milestone 10th season of the circuit sponsored by ICTSI. “I had no problem with my game but the greens really puzzled me,” said Keoninh, who sizzled late with solid iron play that set up birdies inside 10 feet in the last three holes.

SIARGAO ISLAND, Surigao del Norte—Southeast Asian Gamesbound John Mark Tokong didn’t disappoint as he rode the waves mightily to enter the 25th Siargao International Surfing Cup finals Wednesday at the Cloud 9 here.

The 23-year-old Tokong benefited from near-perfect condition of the waves to dominate Indonesian rival Oney Anwar in the quarterfinals, before dispatching Costa Rican Tomas King in the semifinals, 19:05–15.30, to advance to the finals for the second straight year.

“It was great and fun,’’ said Tokong, who won this World Surf Leaguesanctioned event in 2015 before finishing second to deposed champion Skip McCullough of the United States last year.

To win the $5,000 champion’s purse, Tokong must continue his brilliant form and repulse the challenge of the magnificent Noah Beschen of Hawaii.

Beschen ousted Australian Callum Robsom in the quarterfinals before putting an end to the fairy-tale campain of 15-year-old Indonesian bet Bronson Meydi, 12.25-9.80.

The event which lured the world’s leading surfer is organized by Siargao Representative Bingo Matugas, and the provincial government, headed by Governor Francisco ‘’Lalo’’ Matugas.

PH rules...

From A8

and laser shoot course.

“This was a timed race, and no point were given because there were not that many events held. My athletes wanted to size their rivals from Thailand. So they took things cautiously today,” said de la Cruz.

Ormoc City Mayor Richard Gomez, who heads the Philippine Modern Pentathlon Association, said this will the first time that the sport will be staged in the country as an event of the 30th SEA Games.

And this is after he asked sports leaders from the Southeast Asian region for its inclusion following its successful staging at the Asian level.

Thai bet Loorjin Wichapon fought it out with Filipino rivals in the men’s division, and finished fifth.

Ramil Bisera

Liyab’s Enderr set to defend StarCraft II title in world games LIYAB Esports, the professional Esports team of Globe in partnership with Mineski, scored impressive wins in qualifying tournaments to book their spots in prestigious international tournaments set next month.

Liyab’s Caviar “Enderr” Aca mp a d o played a flawless game in the finals to rule the recentlyconcluded World Electronic Sports Games (WESG) StarCraft ll Enderr Southeast Asia Qualifiers at the High Grounds Cafe, Quezon City

last September 21 and 22, 2019.

Enderr routed eXoXtinct, 3-0 in the title game to book his return ticket to the World Electronic Sports Games (WESG) 2019 set at Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in November 2019.

Enderr is the defending StarCraft ll champion in the regional tournament founded and organized by Alisports, an international Esports gaming company based in Shanghai, China.

“I’m very happy with the way I played in the finals. Despite the score, my opponent gave me a good fight. I welcome the opportunity to defend my title but more importantly, the chance to participate once more in an international tournament gives me more confidence as I prepare for the forthcoming Southeast Asian Games,” Enderr says.

Ender, who is seeded in the main draw of StarCraft ll in the WESG, is also a member of the national Esports team that will see action in the 2019 Southeast Asian Games in Manila later this year.

In the WESG finals, Enderr is expected

to contend with other athletes who will also compete in the 2019 SEA Games.

“Aside from the experience, it will also help me gauge the level of the competition especially against Singapore, Malaysia and Vietnam,” Enderr adds.

Not to be outdone, Liyab made it a twinkill as its Arena of Valor squad, composed of team captain Kevin “Gambit” Dizon, Jeremiah “1717” Camarillo, Jevan Lorenzo “Bents” Delos Santos, Lawrence Anthony “Rubixx” Gatmaitan and Miguel Klarenz “Miggie” Banaag, was crowned as grand champions in the recently concluded, ESL MSP Championship in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia last September 21-22, 2019.

Liyab AoV drubbed M8Hexa of Malaysia, 4-0 in the finals to book their spot in the 2019 Arena of Valor International Championship 2019 set to unfold in Bangkok, Thailand next month. It was a sweet revenge for Liyab as they lost to M8Hexa in the last Valor Cup 2019: Road to the Arena of Valor World Cup at the start of the year.

“I told the team to remain focused and not be distracted with our first match against the Malaysians in the upper bracket finals. Fortunately our patience and teamwork gave us the important win in the finals,” Gambit explains.

Liyab AoV is also expected to meet M8Hexa’s star players Chan “Ryo” Choung Guan and Chin “TaintedOnes” Wei Song in the SEA Games.

Liyab is the professional Esports team of Globe in partnership with Mineski.

Liyab’s strong program, which balances both mental and physical strengths, has enabled its athletes to shine in both local and international competitions.

Enderr and the Liyab AoV’s moraleboosting wins in the past few weeks are strong affirmations of Liyab’s blueprint to a successful program.

Along with Enderr, Liyab AoV will banner the country’s bid for a historic gold in the biennial games. The Philippines is among the favorites to contend in six events as Esports becomes an official sport in the SEA Games.

Sports

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

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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2019

PH rules SEA Games pentathlon test event

By Peter Atencio SUBIC Bay—Team Philippines, made of student-athletes from Ormoc City, swept all three gold medals at stake on the first day of the 30th Southeast Asian Games modern pentathlon test event at the Boardwalk here.

Seventeen year old Princess Abilon claimed two gold medals after Team Philippines bested participants from Thailand, and after she topped the women’s individual and helped the two-member mixed relay squad to first place.

“I just stayed focused,” said Abilon, a student at the Ormoc City Regional Sports Academy.

In completing the laser-run event, which alternates four legs of a fourtarget, laser pistol shooting followed and an 800m run done four times, Abilon finished the women’s individual course in 12 minutes and 3.9 seconds.

Abilon bested Ivy Dino, who settled for the silver medal in 13:11.87, followed in third by Shira Mae Aranzado, 13:17.35.

With teammate Samuel German, they ruled the mixed relay in 10:39.85, with the duo of Dinoy and Michael Comaling placing second in 11:07.66.

Comaling, who is on his second international stint, topped the men’s individual event to finish with a gold and silver.

The 19-year old Comaling clocked 10:11.59, some 27 minutes ahead of second place Alne Tonada.

One of the national coaches, Rex de la Cruz said the final day of the event Thursday will be tougher, with participants doing a beach triathle, which is a 200-meter swim Turn to A7

UST Growling Tigers team captain CJ Cansino (71) glides to hoop as he attempts a layup against UE Red Warriors defender Alex Diakhite (23).

UST Tigers rout UE Red Warriors U

NIVERSITY OF Santo Tomas fired on all cylinders to down University of the East by 28 points, 101-73, in the UAAP Season 82 Men’s Basketball Tournament Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Zachy Huang typified the Growling Tigers’ deadly shooting as he buried six treys to finish with 22 points, five rebounds and an assist as the Tigers improved to 5-4.

Beninese high-flyer Soulemane Chabi Yo rebounded with 22 points, 14 boards, two assists, and a steal, while Sherwin Concepcion and Brent Paraiso combined for 20 points built on four triples.

In an earlier game, National University survived the challenge of Far Eastern University in overtime, 85-79.

Dave Ildefonso scored six of his 27 points in overtime and finished with 11

rebounds and two assists as well.

The Bulldogs scored a repeat win over the Tamaraws to snap a two-game losing streak. The Bulldogs stayed at the bottom of the standings with a 2-7 record.

Meanwhile, the Ateneo Blue Eagles preserved their immaculate slate with a scrambling 80-74 victory over the Adamson Soaring Falcons. Adamson actually led by three points at halftime, 3734, but could not contain the second half onslaught of the Blue Eagles.

It was a huge bounce back for UST after losing back-to-back games. Coach Aldin Ayo said that it was really a matter of the España crew going back to basics.

“We were able to release the pressure.

Yung past games namin, grabe yung pressure sa mga bata,” he said. “Binigyan lang namin yun ng pansin and this game, we were more relaxed. I told them to go back to having fun while playing and just enjoy the season.”

And it truly showed, with the Growling Tigers shooting 14-of-42 from downtown (33 percent) – an obvious step up

from their 28-percent shooting against Ateneo the last time out.

That allowed UST to erect a 34-point advantage, 72-38, after a Huang trey at the 4:59 mark of the third quarter.

UE rode the broad shoulders of Cameroonian big man Alex Diakhite, who got 24 points, 12 rebounds and three assists in the defeat.

Neil Tolentino added 11 points and four boards as the Red Warriors fell to 3-6.

The scores: UST 101 – Chabi Yo 22, Huang 22, Concepcion 10, Paraiso 10, Nonoy 9, Abando 8, Cansino 7, Subido 6, Ando 2, Bataller 2, Cuajao 2, Bordeos 1, Asuncion 0, Caunan 0, Cosejo 0, Pangilinan 0.

UE 73 – Diakhite 24, Tolentino 11, Manalang 10, Suerte 10, Conner 7, Antiporda 3, Apacible 2, Cruz 2, Lorenzana 2, Mendoza 2, Abanto 0, Camacho 0, Natividad 0, Pagsanjan 0.

Quarter scores: 26-18, 55-29, 74-54, 101-73.

Suyamin leads PH chess team PSC promises support for Obiena, Yulo to Thailand GENTRI chess team will compete in the Pattaya Chess Club Open 2019 (Youth division) set October 19 to 24 in Pattaya, Thailand.

The team will be led by nine-yearold Bonjoure Fille Suyamin, a grade 4 pupil of Del Rosario Christian Institute in General Trias City, Cavite.

“I hope to do well in the upcoming Pattaya Chess Club Open 2019 (Youth division),” said Fille, a consistent honor student and achiever since kinder.

Suyamin, playing under the guidance of Arnel Beltran Del Rosario, chairman/president of Del Rosario Christian Institute Foundation, Inc., three silver medals (standard, rapid and blitz) in the girls under-10 division of the 20th Asean Age Group Chess Championships in Mandalay City, Myanmar last June.

She is also won gold medal during the First Thailand Chess Festival at the Le Bali Resort and Spa in Pattaya, Thailand last July.

Suyamin is fresh from winning the gold medal in the 2019 General Trias City chess meet last September 24 to advance to the provincial meet.

Other members of the young Philippine chess squad headed by coach Ederwin Estavillo are seven-year-old Jeanne Marie Arcenue (grade 2, Academy of St. John); eight-year-old Yanie Ayesha Estavillo (grade 3, John Isabel Learning Center); 10-year-old Relghie Columna (grade 6, John Isabel Learning Center); 12-year-old Geraldine Mae Camarines (grade 7, Bethel Academy) and 12-year-old Adrian Klein Contamayor (grade 7, Maria Cristina Brando school).

STILL high over already having two Olympic 2020 qualifiers in EJ Obiena of athletics and Carlos Yulo of gymnastics, the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) announced it will increase its support, tailor-fitted to the requirements of the said athletes.

PSC also assured support to those in the elite list of possible Tokyo Olympians in the country’s bid to finally bring home its first Olympic gold.

Obiena, accompanied by his mother Jeanette and father-coach Emerson, a former athlete himself, visited PSC Chairman William Ramirez on Tuesday, and thanked the PSC Chief for the support that the agency has extended to him.

Ramirez congratulated Obiena for qualifying to the Olympics and assured him that the agency will back him on his Tokyo 2020 campaign.

“If this works, then we will adapt this in the next cycles,” said Ramirez adding jokingly that it can be called the “Obiena template.”

The pole vault champ will now have his own team composed of a physiotherapist, sports nutritionist and sports psychologist. The PSC will also provide him support to cover his housing and nutrition requirements.

He is being trained by celebrated coach Petrov Vitaly, while the elder Obiena assists during his

PSC Chairman William Ramirez (left) and EJ Obiena are both all smiles as they talk to the media when PSC announced its all-out support for Obiena’s stint in the Tokyo Olympics.

overseas training and ensures continuity while they are in Manila.

Obiena expressed his appreciation for the PSC’s support assuring them that he will give his all to perform at his best.

Ramirez, a long-time basketball coach, reminded Obiena to play without pressure and not forget to have fun. “When you like what you are do-

TNT trips stubborn Batang Pier

By Jeric Lopez LEAGUE leader TNT KaTropa got tested before narrowly escaping with a 103-100 victory over the NorthPort Batang Pier. TNT preserved its unblemished record with its fifth straight game in the 2019 Philippine Basketball Association Governors’ Cup at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City last night.

With the game on the line in the final two minutes, Troy Rosario knocked down a go-ahead triple from the right corner to give the

Tropang Texters the lead, 101100, with 1:06 remaining.

NorthPort had several chances to snatch back the lead but Kevin Ferrer and Mychal Ammons missed consecutive cracks at the basket with around seconds remaining.

After getting fouled, Rosario then sank two freebies to make it 103-100 for TNT. Still with a chance, the Batang Pier went to Sean Anthony in a bid to force overtime but his triple from the left elbow went astray, enabling TNT to stay immaculate.

Brilliant all game, Rosario finished with 22 points while KJ McDaniels was equally as impressive for TNT, taking gamehigh honors with 30 points, 18 rebounds and five assists for a double-double.

“We still have to keep working hard, keep improving,” said TNT coach Bong Ravena.” We escaped, it wasn’t perfect and we now move on.”

TNT stayed at the top with its improved 5-0 slate while moving closer to clinching a berth in the quarterfinals.

ing and you are happy, you perform better,” said Ramirez who is also Team Philippines’ Chef de Mission.

Presently only one other national athlete enjoys the privilege of having her own team, Olympic Silver medalist Hidilyn Diaz, a 2020 Olympic shoo-in. Ramirez informed that they will also sit down with Yulo to discuss building his own team.

San Sebastian Stags close in on Final 4 slot THE San Sebastian Stags now have good reasons to continue fighting for a slot in the Final Four semifinals of the 95th National Collegiate Athletic Association men’s basketball tournament.

And it came after an all-important win that the Golden Stags posted over the Lyceum Pirates, 73-71, last Tuesday.

Now that the Stags have improved their win-loss slate to 9-6, they have a big advantage going into their 4 p.m. meeting with the Mapua Cardinals today at the FilOil-Flying V Sports Center in San Juan.

The Stags are two full games ahead of the College of St. Benilde Blazers and the Cardinals and are at fourth spot.

For both the Cardinals and the Blazers, who share similar 7-8 records, each of their three games will be a battle for survival.

“Kahit pangit yung start namin, the boys showed character. We also showed composure nung last minute. ‘Yung win ay credit to the boys,” said Stags coach Egay Macaraya.

Earlier, the defending champion San Beda Red Lions will try to stay unbeaten after 17 games when they meet the Blazers at 2 p.m.

In the junior division, the La Salle Greenhills Greenies take on the San Beda Red Cubs at 10 a.m., and a win will push the Greenies to a share of no. 2 spot next to the Lyceum Junior Pirates.

The Red Cubs are in the solo lead, and at 15-1, have already secured the top seeding in the Final Four.

The Junior Pirates, who have a 10-6 record, seek to keep their grip of the no. 2 seeding.

The San Sebastian Staglets (8-7) battle the Malayan Red Robins at 12 nn.

The Stags had a slow start, falling behind by as much as 19 points, with Allyn Bulanadi scoring 10 of his 28 points in the final canto.

RK Ilagan added 11 markers, while JM Calma hauled down nine boards.

Lyceum saw their six-game winning streak snapped to drop to 124, but they are still in solo second.

Peter Atencio PLAYER OF THE WEEK. Meralco Bolts guard Baser Amer (9) tries to dribble past Phoenix Pulse defender RR Garcia (12) during their game won by the Bolts. Amer was named PBA Player of the week by the PBA Press Corps. PBA Media

IN BRIEF

PH drops 8 places in competitiveness

THE Philippines dropped eight places from 56th last year to 64th out of 141 countries in the 2019 World Economic Forum Global Competitiveness Report.

The Philippines’ score―or its distance to frontier―was relatively flat at 61.9 from 62.1 last year, while other countries scored better and improved their ranking relative to the Philippines.

In 2018, WEF introduced a refined Global Competitiveness Index 4.0, a ‘composite indicator’ with 98 indicators distributed across 12 pillars, namely: institutions, infrastructure, ICT adoption, macroeconomic, health, skills, product market, labour market, financial system market size, business dynamism and innovation capability.

The Philippines posted improvement on Pillar 1: Institutions where the survey showed an increase in rank from 101st to 87th or +14 notches. Notable was the improvement on the sub indicator “future orientation of government” which rose from 77th to 60th.

Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez said this increase showed the significant headway made by government in terms of readiness towards digital economy and the challenges of Fourth Industrial revolution.

LRT 2 privatization possible, says Tugade

THE Department of Transportation on Wednesday said it is open to the privatization of the operation and maintenance of Light Rail Transit Line 2.

“Those are options that are open.

Whether it will materialize, only the future can tell,” Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade told reporters when asked if he would support the privatization of the line which suffered from a power-related shutdown on Oct. 3.

The government suspended the operations of two stations of LRT 2 until mid-2020 and said it would need more than P400 million to repair the damaged sections.

LRT 2 currently runs only from Cubao to Recto. The 13.8-kilometer mass transit line was built at a cost of P31 billion supported by soft loans from the Japan Bank for International Cooperation.

The government is also constructing the extension of the line to Masinag in Antipolo for P2.27 billion.

Darwin G. Amojelar

Business Romero buys Cojuangco’s 15.6% stake in Air Asia PH

By Darwin G. Amojelar

F

&S Holdings Inc. of the Romero family acquired the entire 15.6-percent stake of businessman Tony Boy Cojuangco in Air Asia Inc., raising its total shares in the Philippine unit of Southeast Asia’s largest budget carrier to 60 percent.

“We have successfully acquired 15.6 percent of the last remaining shares of [TNR Holdings]. We bought TNR Holdings which is owned by Tony Boy Cojuangco,” Deputy Speaker Mikee Romero, whose family owns F&S Holdings, told reporters after the company’s unveiling of its new headquarters at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3.

After the transaction, the shares of F&S Holdings in AAI will increase to 60 percent from 44.4 percent.

The company earlier acquired the 13-percent and 15.7-percent holdings of AAI from Ambassador Alfredo Yao and Marianne Hontiveros, respectively.

AirAsia Bread founders Tony Fer-

nandes and Kamarudin Menardum control the remaining 40 percent.

Sheila Romero, chairman of F&S Holdings and vice chairman of AAI, said they were optimistic about the company’s prospects in the next few years.

“We will be hitting P29 billion in revenues this year and P2 billion ub net income this year,” Sheila Romero said.

AAI earlier reported a net profit of P593 million in the second quarter, up from P68 million a year ago as revenues climbed 38 percent to P7.51 billion from P5.46 billion.

AAI chairman Joseph Omar Castillo said the company was deferring its planned initial public offering to next

year or 2021 from an earlier announcement of fourth quarter this year.

“There’s a number of things on the corporate side to prepare for this company to do an IPO but based on our timeline, we are looking at the third quarter of next year to first quarter of 2022,” Castillo said.

The company plans to raise $200 million. AAI tapped Citibank and BDO Capital and Investment Corp. as financial advisors.

The company plans to expand its fleet from 23 to 50 aircraft with the next three years.

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

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

Sales of substandard steel products drop

THE Philippine Iron and Steel Institute said the number of hardware stores selling uncertified and substandard steel products, including reinforcing bars, has declined “We noticed an improvement in compliance as the number of stores that had violations in our own monitoring activities dropped from more than 40 percent in 2018 to 25 percent as of endJuly or after the nationwide strike that the Department [of Trade and Industry] launched on substandard products,” said PISI president Roberto Cola.

A quarter of the stores continued to sell steel products that pose danger to the lives of people, he said.

“That’s still a lot of substandard steel out there. Thus, we support the Trade Department in its monitoring and enforcement activities until we have fully eradicated substandard products in the market,” Cola said.

The department earlier fined 34 hardware and business establishments for alleged sale of uncertified and substandard construction materials in the National Capital Region and the rest of Luzon.

Othel V. Campos

PEZA board agrees to back CITIRA bill THE board of the Philippine Economic Zone Authority agreed to accept the proposed Corporate Income Tax and Incentive Rationalization Act in its current form, according to Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez.

Lopez said he persuaded the PEZA board, including director-general Charito Plaza, to accept the second tranche of the tax reform program.

“I called a special board meeting of PEZA to emphasize the importance of the tax and incentives reform that we are pushing for, which has the mandate from our President and approved by the Cabinet. We had to explain fully that there are ongoing refinements in certain provisions of the bill to address the serious concerns of the stakeholders, especially the existing PEZA locators, and some senators who are equally concerned on minimizing any possible repercussion on jobs if some firms leave the country,” he said.

The Trade Department is currently discussing the number of years in the sunset provision for existing locators and the extra years of income tax holiday and lower tax rates for new projects in strategic, high-technology industries with preference on locating in least developed areas.

Lopez said the concerns of the stakeholders were being addressed.

“With these adjustments, the PEZA board together with its management led by the director-general, has officially aligned its position to give strong support to the CITIRA and its parameters of having longer performance-based, time-bound, focused and transparent set of incentives. PEZA DG will no [longer] ask for status quo or exemption from the CITIRA,” he said.

Othel V. Campos

KNIGHT FRANK CONFERENCE. Commercial real estate consultancy Santos Knight Frank is celebrating its 25th anniversary in the Philippines, with global partner Knight Frank choosing the country as the venue for the Knight Frank Asia Pacific Conference on Nov. 5 to 7 at the Okada Manila. Shown are SKF executives (from left) Jan Custodio, senior director of research and consultancy; Kash Salvador, director of investment and capital markets; Rick Santos, chairman and CEO; and Morgan Mcgilvray, senior director of occupier services and commercial agency.

Ray S. Eñano, Editor Roderick T. dela Cruz, Assistant Editor business@manilastandard.net extrastory2000@gmail.com THURSDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2019

B1

Maynilad allots P53.4b to build 425 km of sewers

By Othel V. Campos WEST zone concessionaire Maynilad Water Services Inc. is investing more than P53.4 billion to install 425 kilometers of new sewer lines from 2020 to 2037 to ensure the provision of sewerage services for its customers.

“With the invaluable assistance of local government units and the relevant government agencies, we can facilitate completion of our sewerage projects despite the difficulties posed by right-of-way conflicts and lack of land for treatment facilities. Only by working together can we truly realize the goal of rehabilitating the Manila Bay,” said Maynilad president and chief executive Ramoncito Fernandez.

The new sewer lines will be laid in various portions of the west concession from Caloocan to Cavite over the next 18 years and will enable Maynilad to catch wastewater generated by more than 9.6 million customers and convey it to sewage treatment plants.

About 20 percent of Maynilad’s water-served population are currently connected to the sewer network, up from only 6 percent prior to privatization of MWSS operations in 1997.

Those that are unconnected are provided septic tank cleaning services by Maynilad.

Maynilad chief operating officer Randolph Estrellado said that the laying of sewer lines would lead to some inconvenience for motorists.

“Sewer pipes have to be laid at a lower depth compared to water pipes―some as deep as fourteen meters below ground level―so wastewater projects take a longer time to complete. To minimize traffic congestion in our project sites, we will use trenchless technology where feasible, although said technology will significantly increase the cost to install the sewer network,” he said.

Maynilad is currently laying sewer lines in Valenzuela, Cavite City, Las Piñas and in barangays Cupang and Tunasan in Muntinlupa. Among the sewerage projects it completed recently are those in Pasay and Parañaque.

Under its approved business plan, Maynilad still has to spend almost P200 billion for wastewater projects from 2019 until the end of the concession period in 2037.

The west zone concessionaire currently operates and maintains 588 kilometers of sewer lines and 22 wastewater facilities that have a combined treatment capacity of about 664,000 cubic meters per day.

SSI Group secures deal to open Crystal Jade restaurants in PH

By Jenniffer B. Austria SSI Group Inc., the country’s largest specialty store retailer, said it will add Chinese restaurant chain Crystal Jade in its fast-growing food and beverage portfolio.

SSI said in a disclosure to the stock exchange it signed a territory agreement with Crystal Jade Management Pte. Ltd. for it to own and operate Crystal Jade restaurants in the Philippines.

This will include Crystal Jade’s successful international concepts Crystal Jade Golden Palace, Crystal Jade Hong Kong Kitchen, Crystal Jade La Mian

Xiao Long Bao and Crystal Jade Go. SSI said of the four international formats, it would initially open Crystal Jade Hong Kong Kitchen in the first quarter of 2020 at Central Square in Bonifacio Global City.

“The strategic partnership with SSI group is yet another proud moment for Crystal Jade,” said Douglas DeBoer, chief executive of Crystal Jade Culinary Concepts Holdings.

“We are excited to join in partnership with such a renowned specialty retailer which has successfully brought so many iconic international brands to the Philippines. Crystal Jade is dedicated to bring-

ing authentic, quality Chinese cuisine to contemporary audiences around the world, and we look forward to delighting consumers across the Philippines very soon,” DeBoer said.

SSI said the agreement was in line with the company’s thrust to bring the best of what the world has to offer closer to the Filipino consumers.

“We are very excited to be partnering with Crystal Jade to open their unique international Crystal Jade restaurant formats in the Philippines,” SSI president Anthony Huang said.

“The opening of Crystal Jade in the Philippines is aligned with our desire

to provide consumers with complete lifestyle offerings through global partnerships that cater to the eclectic and sophisticated taste of the Filipino consumer,” he said.

Since its foundation in Singapore in 1991, the Crystal Jade group has been recognized as a Michelin one star brand in Singapore for three consecutive years (2016 to 2018) and received multiple Michelin Bib Gourmand commendation awards for its locations in Shanghai and Hong Kong.

SSI’s food and beverage portfolio currently includes Shake Shack and TWG Tea.

PCC approves sale of AC Ayala’s shares in 552-MW coal plant

BLOOMBERRY’S AWARD. Bloomberry Resorts Corp. receives the award for Most Outstanding Company in the Philippines-Casinos & Gaming Sector during the Asiamoney Awards at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Singapore. Attending the awarding ceremony are (from left) Asiamoney’s Asia bureau chief Matthew Thomas, Bloomberry vice president for business development and corporate planning Fritz Lacap, Bloomberry treasurer and CFO Estella Tuason-Occena and Asiamoney editor-in-chief Clive Horwood.

THE Philippine Competition Commission said Wednesday it approved the acquisition of shares by an American company in GNPower Kauswagan Ltd. Co., the builder and operator of a 552-megawatt coal-fired power plant in Lanao del Norte, from three subsidiaries of AC Energy Inc. Proverbs 16 Inc. acquired indirect ownership of GNPower Kauswagan through the purchase of the shares in the three holding companies of AC Energy, namely BVI (Philco), ACE BVI (b) and ACE BVI (d).

The three subsidiaries hold a limited partnership interest in Kauswagan Power Holding Ltd. Co. which in turn has a limited partnership interest in GNPK. GNPK is the operator of the 552MW coal-fired power plant which is expected to be completed by the fourth quarter of 2019.

Following the completion of the

transaction, AC Energy said it would exit from its investment in GNPK’s power plant.

Proverbs 16 currently holds interest in GNPK through Power Partners Ltd. Co. and GNPower Holdings GP Corp.

Meanwhile, AC Energy Inc. is Ayala Group’s energy platform with renewable and conventional power assets and operations.

The anti-trust body said it issued the clearance after finding out that the said transaction would not likely result in a substantial lessening of competition in terms of power generation and sale of electricity in the relevant markets.

This is primarily due to competitive constraints exerted by other power plants in the Mindanao grid and the competitive pressure from other power providers nationwide when traded in the electricity spot market.

Othel V. Campos

B2

Business

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2019 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Market drops; Alliance Global up T he stock market retreated Wednesday after hefty losses in New York overnight owing to growing China-US tensions ahead of fresh trade talks.

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index dropped 75.47 points, or 1 percent, to 7,681.25 on a value turnover of P4.8 billion. Losers beat gainers, 114 to 60, with 58 issues unchanged.

International Container Terminal Services Inc., the biggest port operator, fell 2.5 percent to P116, while SM Investments Corp. of the Sy Group lost 1.9 percent to P987.50.

Metropolitan Bank & Trust Co., the largest lender in terms of assets, declined 1.9 percent to P66, but Alliance Global Group Inc. of tycoon Andrew

Tan rose 2.8 percent to P10.90.

Asian markets, meanwhile, mostly fell while the pound remained beaten down by fears Britain is on the verge of crashing out of the EU. The downbeat mood comes as investors fret over signs the global economy is slowing down, with the International Monetary Fund forecasting the weakest growth in a decade owing to long-running tariff disputes.

Days before high-level negotiations were due to resume, the US announced restrictions on 28 Chinese entities over human rights violations in Xinjiang province and imposed visa restrictions on some officials.

Then Bloomberg News reported unnamed Trump administration officials had said the White House was mulling new measures to curtail US investment in the country.

For its part, Beijing has hit out at

the decisions and moved to take steps against the National Basketball Association in a brewing row over a team manager’s remarks on Hong Kong’s protest movement.

A report this week had already said China had narrowed the issues it was willing to discuss at the talks, with observers saying leaders felt in a stronger position as Donald Trump faces an impeachment inquiry at home and a weakening economy.

“It will be interesting to see how it plays out this week between the US and China,” Andrew Balls, at Pacific Investment Management, told Bloomberg News.

The flare-up comes “at a time when we already see growth pretty weak in the first half of next year and you have at least some evidence of weakness in manufacturing spilling into services.”

While economic data has been in-

creasingly weak in recent months, hopes for this week’s talks have been providing some much-needed support. But the latest developments were a reminder that progress would likely be rocky.

All three main indexes on Wall Street sank and on Wednesday, Hong Kong fell 0.8 percent while Tokyo closed down 0.6 percent. Sydney was also off 0.7 percent, Singapore dropped 0.8 percent and Taipei lost more than one percent.

Wellington, Taipei and Jakarta were also in the red but Mumbai and Shanghai posted gains.

“The US tactics are undoubtedly a high risk, seeking to pressure the Chinese trade delegation before the main event really gets underway,” said Jeffrey Halley, OANDA senior market analyst for Asia-Pacific. “Financial markets certainly thought so, with Wall Street a sea of red. The very real danger is the whole process backfires.” AFP

Manila Standard BuSineSS daily StockS review wedneSday, octoer 9, 2019

VOLUME

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

NAME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

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

57 92.2 2 142.9 1.15 25 18.6 11.72 4.7 7.71 0.4 67.6 0.9 12.8 43.05 179 58 26.65 194.4 1,830 59.05 1.15

57 92.2 2 143.6 1.15 25 18.6 11.76 4.7 7.71 0.4 68.05 0.92 12.8 43.4 179 58 26.65 194.5 1,830 59.1 1.15

57 91.15 1.92 142 1.09 24.95 18.2 11.6 4.6 7.71 0.4 65.5 0.9 12.8 42.9 177 57.95 26.05 191 1,820 59 1.15

FINANCIALS 57 1,000 91.5 1,620,760 1.93 33,000 143.4 638,590 1.11 15,000 24.95 529,300 18.2 1,900 11.62 376,400 4.68 202,000 7.71 3,400 0.4 130,000 66 3,061,390 0.92 2,000 12.8 100 42.95 96,100 178.7 610 57.95 370 26.1 1,121,900 191 722,550 1,820 55 59 1,140 1.15 2,000

57,000 148,369,789 63,900 91,456,070 16,790 13,206,355 34,744 4,370,838 936,660 26,214 52,000 202,476,273 1,820 1,280 4,129,220 108,482 21,459 29,337,385 138,151,462 100,150 67,286.50 2,300

45,091,006 56,014,941 24,950 -25,480 632,472 -125,754,736 900 -1,770,500 -2,615 -26,213,881 -

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

37.55 15.92 0.68 1.3 4.6 0.25 2.49 14.98 8.19 17.26 32 71.95 78.9 2.03 6 5.94 8.6 15.48 10.04 6.99 24.45 79.55 46.8 2.34 14.46 7.8 1.45 226.6 3.41 8.3 20.2 13.02 18.2 363 1.7 4.3 5 9.6 2.36 10.8 34 5.31 5.1 1.9 1.03 11.3 89.1 7.4 0.122 1.05 159.8 1.19 1.11

37.55 15.96 0.68 1.3 4.76 0.255 2.49 14.98 8.4 18.74 32 71.95 78.9 2.04 6 5.94 8.6 15.48 10.2 7.06 24.45 80.95 46.8 2.41 14.48 7.98 1.58 231.4 3.53 8.3 20.2 13.1 18.2 363.2 1.72 4.3 5.07 9.75 2.36 11 34.2 5.31 5.1 1.99 1.03 11.4 91 7.47 0.123 1.05 159.8 1.2 1.11

36.55 15.6 0.68 1.3 4.48 0.247 2.39 14.9 8.1 17.26 31.25 71.9 77 2.03 6 5.5 8.4 15.3 10.02 6.99 23.9 79.45 45.1 2.33 14.3 7.8 1.45 225 3.41 8.3 19.98 13 18.02 360 1.66 4.2 5 9.5 2.27 10.76 33.85 5.3 5.1 1.87 1.03 11.14 89.1 7.35 0.122 1.03 156.4 1.18 1.07

INDUSTRIAL 37 883,900 15.88 89,000 0.68 128,000 1.3 10,000 4.54 24,625,000 0.255 150,000 2.43 1,048,000 14.94 897,500 8.33 97,700 18.74 500 32 292,000 71.9 90 78 640 2.04 50,000 6 1,500 5.9 1,600 8.4 2,128,900 15.3 96,200 10.04 509,500 7 5,399,000 24.1 544,600 79.55 52,720 46.05 78,900 2.39 5,542,000 14.46 236,000 7.98 22,400 1.48 171,000 229 555,720 3.45 5,000 8.3 100 20 1,854,000 13 392,900 18.02 629,700 360 66,020 1.69 1,346,000 4.3 47,000 5.02 112,800 9.5 44,600 2.3 3,453,000 11 39,400 33.95 231,400 5.3 101,000 5.1 1,000 1.91 2,854,000 1.03 6,000 11.3 199,400 90 26,240 7.36 27,500 0.123 570,000 1.03 94,000 157 143,960 1.19 842,000 1.1 838,000

32,636,180 1,417,576 87,040 13,000 112,904,680 37,680 2,541,330 13,401,162 809,125 8,778 9,337,585 6,474 49,819 101,700 9,000 9,244 18,081,797 1,472,534 5,125,992 37,792,550 13,106,400 4,194,858 3,593,825 13,188,820 3,409,448 177,913 258,650 127,721,270 17,210 830 37,081,830 5,109,896 11,366,486 23,832,344 2,280,780 199,850 566,837 428,710 7,937,380 430,446 7,862,445 535,500 5,100 5,504,430 6,180 2,247,476 2,360,009.50 203,045 69,610 97,960 22,621,792 999,020 907,980

-14,524,030 -7,984 167,280 -567,890 2,640,526 46,970 -8,260,310 -5,356,215 -470,912 287,014 -20,299,420 4,508,820 -1,046,633.50 1,323,030 1,147,550 -550,294 43,092 2,402,096 529,770.00 3,432,870 -8,805,220 -9,686,156 318,090 149,340 -1,027,360 1,427,675 203,296 -1,229,442.50 -7,245,459 169,290 -

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

0.88 53.85 10.62 0.69 6.65 12.68 1.12 1.16 864 3.49 6.59 8.71 13.4 0.216 855 5.67 69.6 0.52 4.39 13.52 0.58 4.9 0.038 1.38 165 1,001 404 230 0.225

0.91 53.95 10.98 0.7 6.65 13.18 1.14 1.17 864 3.49 6.69 8.8 13.42 0.216 855 5.67 70.55 0.52 4.39 13.7 0.58 4.95 0.038 1.38 165 1,005 404 230 0.225

0.86 53 10.52 0.69 6.65 12.4 1.12 1.16 857 3.41 6.59 8.53 13 0.216 834 5.65 68.55 0.5 4.34 13.34 0.58 4.76 0.038 1.32 160.7 987 404 230 0.224

HOLDING FIRMS 0.87 24,931,000 53 695,030 10.9 12,324,100 0.7 454,000 6.65 2,000 12.78 18,100 1.14 501,000 1.17 400,000 863 210,250 3.41 430,000 6.6 286,800 8.6 5,785,300 13.4 43,800 0.216 40,000 834 26,130 5.67 23,000 70.15 1,293,620 0.52 5,000 4.35 878,000 13.34 333,100 0.58 82,000 4.83 6,077,000 0.038 2,400,000 1.37 12,000 161.1 222,500 987.5 145,175 404 190 230 200 0.225 560,000

22,073,870 37,074,589.50 132,754,494 313,700 13,300 229,562 564,950 464,500 181,191,735 1,478,550 1,893,621 49,783,404 586,050 8,640 21,827,765 130,210 90,522,250.50 2,570 3,812,640 4,479,764 47,560 29,345,410 91,200 16,020 35,931,077 144,132,742.50 76,760 46,000 125,960

-1,944,540 -10,181,226 -31,539,132 348,500 -26,134,980 -409,110 -662,825 -33,591,671.00 -31,284 -19,645,255 -113,200 -9,176,546 -3,259,660 -2,705,730 47,560 -4,853,220 -1,370 -16,495,184 -36,995,640 -

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

15.04 0.84 1.85 0.87 46.35 2.02 4.65 0.54 0.87 0.206 0.38 9.75 20.7 0.44 0.121 1.53 1.19 4.56 0.305 1.35 0.385 2.04 45.05 24.6 2.3 38

15.06 0.84 1.85 0.87 46.6 2.05 4.7 0.55 0.87 0.206 0.395 9.75 20.85 0.445 0.121 1.53 1.19 4.61 0.305 1.36 0.385 2.04 53 24.65 2.3 38

15.04 0.81 1.8 0.83 46 2.02 4.65 0.54 0.83 0.206 0.375 9.5 20.5 0.44 0.121 1.5 1.18 4.54 0.3 1.33 0.38 2.01 45.05 24.3 2.28 37.5

PROPERTY 15.04 135,800 0.83 1,213,000 1.85 176,000 0.85 4,440,000 46.5 2,011,000 2.05 116,000 4.68 526,000 0.55 4,115,000 0.83 10,000 0.206 220,000 0.375 1,430,000 9.57 60,800 20.8 126,600 0.445 30,000 0.121 10,000 1.52 7,921,000 1.18 137,000 4.55 14,840,000 0.305 3,800,000 1.36 800,000 0.38 20,000 2.04 48,000 52.7 540 24.55 2,506,200 2.28 140,000 37.55 5,262,700

2,043,292 988,470 322,850 3,767,800 93,335,215 236,670 2,446,730 2,247,220 8,340 45,320 541,400 580,555 2,623,805 13,250 1,210 12,012,680 162,340 67,761,090 1,148,150 1,072,500 7,650 96,950 27,293 61,549,800 321,600 197,880,340

-93,248 3,360 -56,726,585 44,880.00 -79,560 -43,200 -5,810 190,000 62,330 2,085,900 -1,255,200 -15,787,430.00 -126,450 -777,305 32,411,190

NAME

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

VOLUME

VALUE

STA LUCIA LAND SUNTRUST HOME VISTA LAND VISTAMALLS

2.8 0.87 7.68 5.69

2.8 0.89 7.77 5.82

2.75 0.87 7.68 5.65

2.78 0.89 7.74 5.82

771,000 158,000 4,026,400 40,800

2,137,430 138,880 31,167,816 233,737

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

10.2 18.24 1.66 0.62 0.043 2.29 10.84 0.052 91.75 6.91 6.8 5.8 9.08 898 1,798 5.2 430 1.63 118.8 7.84 0.11 5 13.9 3.01 0.95 19 0.435 2.49 2.8 2.82 8.08 4.79 8.69 135.5 3.07 1,100 0.71 0.52 40.1 75.7 9.27 2.43 0.68 0.325 0.67 16.66

10.32 18.24 1.67 0.62 0.044 2.29 11 0.052 92.45 6.91 6.81 5.8 9.08 898 1,818 5.2 435 1.63 118.8 8.15 0.11 5.02 14 3.01 0.95 19 0.435 2.54 2.98 2.82 8.2 4.79 8.69 137.8 3.12 1,102 0.71 0.54 40.1 77.05 9.27 2.52 0.68 0.335 0.69 16.98

10.1 18 1.66 0.59 0.043 2.28 10.7 0.05 91.55 6.91 6.71 5.8 8.9 898 1,789 5.19 430 1.55 114.1 7.84 0.11 4.91 13.9 3 0.93 18.54 0.41 2.45 2.77 2.81 8 4.79 8.69 135.1 3.07 1,090 0.7 0.51 39.95 75.7 9.27 2.43 0.67 0.315 0.67 16.56

SERVICES 10.1 18 1.67 0.61 0.044 2.28 10.7 0.05 91.7 6.91 6.77 5.8 9 898 1,810 5.19 435 1.6 116 8.15 0.11 4.95 13.9 3.01 0.93 18.76 0.435 2.46 2.97 2.81 8.2 4.79 8.69 137.8 3.12 1,095 0.7 0.53 40 76.9 9.27 2.48 0.67 0.32 0.68 16.8

3,800 5,200 9,000 2,351,000 5,400,000 19,000 825,100 33,840,000 35,050 600 305,200 200,000 28,100 50 36,370 19,000 190 438,000 1,659,310 6,300 110,000 1,229,300 900 270,000 36,000 186,600 100,000 738,000 5,429,000 2,000 4,500 2,000 500 777,840 83,000 91,160 25,000 12,781,000 2,112,800 588,670 1,300 3,515,000 660,000 6,270,000 131,000 1,184,300

38,764 94,170 14,950 1,416,100 232,600 43,370 8,869,798 1,709,250 3,214,274 4,146 2,061,110 1,160,000 251,711 44,900 65,734,615 98,770 82,600 691,890 191,985,681 50,291 12,100 6,089,775 12,520 810,980 33,810 3,502,754 42,900 1,833,330 15,732,520 5,630 36,437 9,580 4,345 107,146,807 256,320 99,841,780 17,600 6,741,670 84,575,550 45,267,160.50 12,051 8,722,280 442,940 2,017,450 88,540 19,888,532

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

0.0017 1.15 2.5 12.7 2.6 0.275 1.68 0.219 0.106 0.106 0.009 0.01 1.14 4.13 1.11 0.485 0.89 0.011 0.012 0.011 9.48 3.57 12.24 22.95

0.0017 1.15 2.5 12.7 2.63 0.275 1.68 0.219 0.107 0.11 0.009 0.01 1.14 4.17 1.11 0.485 0.9 0.011 0.012 0.011 9.51 3.6 12.24 23.15

0.0016 1.13 2.5 12 2.6 0.275 1.65 0.21 0.105 0.105 0.009 0.01 1.12 4.05 1.05 0.48 0.89 0.011 0.012 0.01 9.06 3.51 11.9 22.85

MINING & OIL 0.0016 14,000,000 1.13 886,000 2.5 29,000 12.64 33,700 2.63 316,000 0.275 30,000 1.66 1,005,000 0.218 1,720,000 0.107 430,000 0.11 100,000 0.009 3,000,000 0.01 3,200,000 1.14 36,000 4.1 2,110,000 1.1 144,000 0.48 240,000 0.9 62,000 0.011 1,100,000 0.012 200,000 0.01 5,100,000 9.06 540,000 3.52 141,000 12 385,000 23 756,900

22,600 1,001,510 72,500 418,026 829,370 8,250 1,668,460 365,760 45,510 10,780 27,000 32,000 40,360 8,647,220 151,840 115,250 55,410 12,100 2,400 56,000 4,950,611 498,810 4,641,472 17,393,175

1,700 1,140 -149,400 10,800 -1,971,130 -308,036 4,540 96,140 -7,764,805

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

17.98 510 500 100.9 509 5.08 970 98 0.99 101.4 1,001 1,040 101 107 998 77.6 75 76.5 76 75.2 76

17.98 510 500 100.9 509.5 5.08 970 98 0.99 101.4 1,001 1,040 101 108 998 77.9 75 76.5 76 75.2 76

17.98 510 500 100.9 509 5.08 970 96.5 0.99 101.4 1,001 1,040 101 107 995 77.5 74.7 76.5 76 75.1 76

PREFERRED 17.98 25,000 510 40 500 100 100.9 3,000 509.5 1,020 5.08 1,700 970 5,000 98 10,700 0.99 1,222,000 101.4 150 1,001 10 1,040 965 101 190 108 910 995 2,020 77.9 49,160 74.8 45,960 76.5 1,000 76 2,090 75.1 13,400 76 111,020

449,500 20,400 50,000 302,700 519,200 8,636 4,850,000 1,033,802 1,209,780 15,210 10,010 1,003,600 19,190 97,770 2,009,970 3,812,485 3,436,759 76,500 158,840 1,006,385 8,437,520

-449,500 9,960 -

LR WARRANT

1.53

1.65

1.53

WARRANTS 1.64 8,000

13,020

ITALPINAS KEPWEALTH XURPAS

6.6 9.1 0.91

6.6 9.1 0.91

6.4 8.92 0.89

6.45 9.1 0.9

FIRST METRO ETF

115.9

116

115.4

USD DMPL A1 USD DMPL A2

10.36 10.1

10.36 10.1

10.36 10.06

MS Trading Summary

SHARES

FINANCIAL

8,563,959

INDUSTRIAL

57,579,140

HOLDING FIRMS

65,188,363

PROPERTY

59,525,858

SERVICES

93,922,456

MINING & OIL

35,574,005

GRAND TOTAL

321,841,461

SME

103,100 118,000 1,257,000

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 115.5 9,580 DDS 10.36 10.06

4,970 550

66,520 -1,641,500 3,050 -1,759,472 75,500 398,337 -4,146 -36,319 -26,173,465 -108,614,161 -1,395,043 9,030 8,460 -14,466 -46,800 451,870 0 -18,680 -26,665,930 1,090 63,394,300 12,120,805.50 -527,610 -50,320 16,000 5,724,892

-

663,905 1,070,375 1,132,610

32,150 -9,090 14,400

1,108,907

-

51,489.20 5,539

10,049.20 -

VALUE 1,780.83 (down) 11.58 633,020,006.10 FINANCIAL INDUSTRIAL 10,523.33 (down) 71.51 540,431,894.864 HOLDING FIRMS 7,539.15 (down) 99.90 930,823,013.06 PROPERTY 4,019.42 (down) 24.49 SERVICES 1,498.96 (down) 14.49 683,222,687.16 MINING & OIL 9,073.02 (down) 84.65 1,962,918,149.735 PSEI 7,681.25 (down) 75.47 41,085,902.51 All Shares Index 4,655.99 (down) 32.40 4,795,477,450.43 Gainers: 60; Losers: 114; Unchanged: 58; Total: 232

SMC power unit selling $500m worth of securities

By Alena Mae S. Flores THE board of SMC Global Power Holdings Corp. approved the sale of up to $500 million in undated senior perpetual capital securities based on prevailing market conditions.

“The securities will be constituted by a trust deed by and between the corporation and DB Trustees (Hong Kong) Ltd. and will be listed on the Singapore Exchange Securities Trading Ltd.,” the company said in a report to Philippine Dealing & Exchange Corp. on October 8.

SMC Global engaged Credit Suisse (Hong Kong) Ltd., Deutsche Bank AG, Singapore Branch, Merrill Lynch (Singapore) Pte. Ltd., JP Morgan Securities PLC, DBS Bank Ltd. and UBS AG Singapore Branch as joint lead managers, DB Trustees (Hong Kong) Ltd. as trustee and Deutsche Bank AG, Hong Kong Branch as paying agent.

The board in June approved the issuance of additional senior perpetual capital securities amounting to at least $200 million that will form a single series with the $500-million original securities.

“The additional securities will be identical in all respects with the original securities, other than with respect to the date of issuance and issue price,” SMC Global Power said.

The company said it would use the net proceeds from the issuance of the additional securities “for general corporate purposes, investments in power-related assets and repayment of indebtedness.”

The additional securities will be listed in the Singapore Stock Exchange.

The joint lead managers of the securities are Credit Suisse (Hong Kong) Ltd., Merrill Lynch (Singapore) Pte. Ltd. and UBS AG Singapore Branch.

“The securities have no fixed redemption date. Unless previously redeemed or purchased and cancelled in accordance with the provisions of Condition 5 (without prejudice to Condition 10), the securities will have no maturity date, unless the issuer elects to retain a fixed corporate term under its articles of incorporation,” the company said.

SMC Global Power, along with subsidiaries, associates and joint ventures, is one of the largest power companies in the Philippines, generating 4,197 megawatts of combined capacity as of end March.

Phinma suspends trading of shares amid stock rights

By Alena Mae S. Flores PHINMA Energy Corp. voluntary suspended the trading of its shares from Oct. 9 to Oct. 10 as the board discussed a share swap and stock rights offerings.

Phinma Energy disclosed to the Philippine Stock Exchange on Tuesday the board would discuss the share swap between the company and AC Energy Inc. The board will also deliberate on the issuance of shares of stock in the company in favor of AC Energy in exchange for stocks in several Philippine subsidiaries and affiliates within a share price range to be determined in a fairness opinion of a financial valuation firm.

It will discuss the stock rights offering and the authority to determine the final issue size and offer price within a prescribed share price range.

“The transactions are expected to be taken up and approved by the company (Wednesday) and may affect market activity with respect to PHEN shares,” it said.

It said the trading suspension would give shareholders and the investing public the opportunity to consider the disclosures of the company on information relevant to the transactions.

AC Energy, the energy platform of Ayala Corp., in June completed the acquisition of a combined 51.48 percent stake in Phinma Energy by Phinma Inc. and Phinma Corp.

AC Energy acquired the PHINMA group’s stake through a purchase of secondary shares for P3.669 billion.

AC Energy also subscribed to 2.632 billion Phinma Energy primary shares at par value.

Meanwhile, the mandatory tender offer for PHEN shares ended on June 19 involving 156,476 shares.

AC Energy acquired a total of 7.5 billion shares of PHINMA Energy corresponding to 68 percent for a total value of P6.3 billion.

The Philippine Competition Commission has approved the transaction on April 11.

World

B3

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2019 CESAR BARRIOQUINTO, Editor mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Iran’s women to see football match freely for the first time

PROTEST. Protesters block Marschall Bridge in the center of the German capital near German public TV station ARD during the

Extinction Rebellion climate protests in Berlin on October 9. Extinction Rebellion activists began gathering in cities around the world on October 7 to kick off a fortnight of global civil disobedience demanding governments take urgent action on climate change. AFP

Substandard PH steel products still proliferate IT SEEMS the Philippines is not yet ready to withstand powerful earthquakes. The 6.1 magnitude quake that rocked Pampanga and killed 18 people in April this year should have resulted in stricter construction rules to minimize damage to property and prevent the loss of lives.

But authorities so far have not delved into the structural defects of buildings that collapsed in the April temblor. The Chuzon supermarket in Porac, Pampanga caved in after that April earthquake. Until now, despite the fact that Chuzon building was only four stories high and clear evidence of substandard steel rebars was discovered by investigators at the site, no findings, or solutions against future stronger quakes, have been released by the relevant agencies.

The Department of Trade and Industry, the Department of Public Works and Highways and the Department of the Interior and Local Government have kept silent on the results of the investigation.

A lawmaker, however, has taken up the cudgels on behalf of the public. Rep. Lemuel Fortun (1st District of Agusan del Norte) filed a bill directing the House Committee on Trade and Industry to investigate the alleged smuggling and proliferation of substandard steel products in the Philippines due to the “collusion between large steelmakers and officials of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Bureau of Customs.”

Fortun urged the committee to look into the alleged connivance between the government and the biggest big steel manufacturer in the country.

Fortun’s bill is anchored on fears expressed over the past two years year by consumer groups, specifically buyers of high-rise condominiums across the country, over reports of the continued selling of substandard steel rebars by big steel manufacturers. The unabated sale may render thousands of high-rise structures unsafe in the event of a powerful earthquake.

The Agusan del Norte lawmaker expressed suspicion that the collapse of the four-story supermarket in Porac may have been “due to the use of Quenched Steel (QT) bars used in constructing the building.”

Investigators who combed the the Chuzon wreckage immediately after the quake found twisted remnants of QT rebars at the site with telltale markings of Steel Asia Manufacturing Corp., the biggest steel maker in the country.

Fortun said the committee should “determine the veracity of various reports to protect the welfare of the Filipino consumers, plug holes in the government revenue streams, clamp down on corruption, and if warranted, exact accountability on public officials involved in the aforesaid unscrupulous acts.”

He singled out the alleged collusion of local steel manufacturers with “avaricious and unconscientious officials of the DTI and the BOC to cover up the rampant deceitful replacement of Micro Alloy (MA) steel bars with QT steel bars, and the large-scale smuggling of steel bars.”

Fortunately, the BOC is now cracking down on undervalued steel importations amid reports that substandard steel products, which put the structural soundness of infrastructure in the country at risk, continue to flood the local market.

Assistant Customs Commissioner Philip Vincent Maronilla has conceded that four to five big steel companies were being audited by the bureau.

The BOC’s investigation followed an announcement by the Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission of a parallel probe into alleged corruption between several big steel manufacturers and officials of the BOC, who may have deprived the government of billions of pesos in tax revenues.

The PACC claimed that Steel Asia imported two million tons of steel billets last year, and might be responsible for over half a trillion pesos worth of lost revenues for the government due to systematic misdeclaration of importation figures.

The PACC suspects that big steel importers, in collusion with BOC officials, have been manipulating the HS codes (the universal code for export and import goods). Specifically, the steelmakers have been describing the imports of cast and prime steel billets used for steel manufacturing as Grade 60, when in fact the orders under the same code are a mix of Grade 40 (5sp) and Grade 33 (3sp). They are then allegedly able to misdeclare the imported billets at a lower value.

Emilio Morales, former chairman of Association of Structural Engineers of the Philippines has questioned in a study the structural stability of locally made QT steel bars for high-rise buildings.

“Being near the Pacific Ring is the main reason why certain types of steel materials are not recommended for use in high-rise buildings in the country,” he said. “Substandard construction materials, particularly QT rebars, would not withstand a magnitude 7.2 earthquake.”

E-mail: rayenano@yahoo.com or business@manilastandard.net or extrastory2000@gmail.com

TEHRAN―Thousands of Iranian women fans are to attend a football match freely Thursday for the first time in decades, after FIFA threatened to suspend the country over its controversial male-only policy.

The Islamic republic has barred female spectators from football and other stadiums for around 40 years, with clerics arguing they must be shielded from the masculine atmosphere and sight of semi-clad men.

World football’s governing body FIFA ordered Iran last month to allow women access to stadiums without restriction and in numbers determined by demand for tickets.

The directive came after a fan dubbed “Blue Girl” died after setting herself on fire in fear of being jailed for dressing up as a boy to attend a match.

Women were quick to get their hands on tickets to attend Iran’s 2022 World

Cup qualifier against Cambodia at Tehran’s Azadi Stadium on Thursday.

The first batch sold out in less than an hour, and additional seats were also snapped up in short order, state media said.

The sports ministry said the 100,000-capacity stadium―whose name means “Freedom” in Farsi―was ready to host even more women.

One of the 3,500 women to have secured a ticket was Raha Poorbakhsh, a football journalist.

“I still can’t believe this is going to happen because after all these years of working in this field, watching everything on television, now I can experience everything in person,” she told AFP. But Poorbakhsh said she was aware of many other women without tickets and some were expected to travel from as far away as Ahvaz in southern Iran in the hope of still getting one. AFP

Chinese media slam NBA ‘about-face’ on HK tweet S HANGHAI―Chinese state media slammed the NBA for an “about-face” Tuesday after the body said it would not apologize for a tweet by the Houston Rockets’ general manager supporting pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong.

The US league has drawn fire from Chinese broadcasters, sponsors and social media after Daryl Morey tweeted a message Friday saying “Fight for freedom. Stand with Hong Kong.”

After the NBA called Morey’s tweet “inappropriate” in a statement on Chinese social media platform Weibo,

league commissioner Adam Silver insisted at a press conference in Tokyo on Tuesday that the league would not apologize and would “support freedom of expression”.

In an editorial, the state-run China Daily accused the NBA of a U-turn and said Silver’s remarks showed the league’s earlier “honey-mouthed” statements had been “nothing but an attempt to prevent the hemorrhaging of profits made in China.”

It added that “Silver’s about face, which will definitely give a shot to the arms of the rioters in Hong Kong, shows his organization is willing to be another handy tool for US interference in the special administrative region.”

Beijing has often accused foreign forces of fueling the unrest in Hong Kong.

An editorial in the nationalistic Global Times also blasted the NBA for bow-

ing to “political correctness in the US”, saying there was now “little room for reconciliation” as the issue had escalated into a clash of values between China and the US. Silver “will only offend more people no matter what he tries to say,” the tabloid said.

The NBA commissioner said he hoped to discuss the situation with Chinese officials in Shanghai, where the Brooklyn Nets and Los Angeles Lakers are set to play an exhibition game on Thursday.

But a day after the NBA canceled a Nets publicity event in the city, NBA representatives told AFP that it had scrapped a similar public event involving the Lakers on Wednesday.

Separate training sessions by the teams on Wednesday that media had been invited to were also abruptly declared closed. AFP

IN BRIEF Panda died of heart attack

VISIT.

US reality television star Kim Kardashian visits the Tsitsernakaberd Armenian Genocide Memorial in Yerevan on October 8, 2019.

AFP

Expelled for damaging ‘Lennon Wall’ TAIPEI―Taiwan has expelled a Chinese tourist for damaging a “Lennon Wall” that was put up in support of Hong Kong’s democracy movement, a move likely to irk Beijing.

Hong Kong pro-democracy activists have put up Lennon Walls, covered with colorful sticky notes, posters and slogans, across the city, and they have been set up in Taiwan too -- mostly at university campuses.

There has been widespread support in Taiwan for the unprecedented protests that have shaken semi-autonomous Hong Kong for four months, but Beijing supporters have targeted rallies and installations backing the movement.

A Chinese visitor, identified as Li Shaodong, was deported late Tuesday for engaging in “criminal activities” after he was caught tearing up posters from a Lennon Wall on a university campus in Taipei on Monday, the National Immigration Agency said.

“Our government will not tolerate any illegal behavior that damages democracy and freedom with vicious intentions,” it

added in a statement.

He is now barred from visiting Taiwan for five years. This is believed to be the first deportation from Taiwan linked to the Hong Kong protests.

Taiwan has ruled itself since the end of a civil war in 1949, but China views the island as its territory and has vowed to seize it―by force if necessary.

Relations between the two sides have plummeted since President Tsai Ingwen’s election in 2016 as her government refuses to acknowledge that Taiwan is part of “one China”.

She has warned against any attempt to “provoke Taiwan’s democracy and the rule of law”, saying mainland Chinese who attack Hong Kongers or damage Lennon Walls will be barred from entering Taiwan.

Tsai has also pledged to assist Hong Kongers facing prosecution for involvement in anti-government protests who seek sanctuary in Taiwan, sparking a rebuke from Beijing to “stop meddling” in the affairs of the city, which was handed back to Beijing by Britain in 1997. AFP

BEIJING―A giant panda whose sudden death in Thailand sparked outrage in China last month died from a heart attack, according to a Chinese government agency.

China dispatched a team of experts to Thailand after 19-year-old Chuang Chuang died at the Chiang Mai Zoo on September 16.

Pandas can live up to 30 years in captivity.

The panda had been living in an air-conditioned enclosure with female Lin Hui. The pair were on loan from the southwestern Chinese city of Chengdu as part of Beijing’s so-called “panda diplomacy” and were supposed to be returned in 2023.

Chuang Chuang’s demise became a trending topic on China’s Weibo, a popular social media platform where people discussed the “suspicious circumstances” of his death.

Users criticized the zoo for giving him mature bamboo―usually harder and used to make furniture-as food, though it remained unclear if the photos shared were actually of Chuang Chuang.

After an autopsy, a joint group of Thai and Chinese experts “unanimously” concluded that there was no trauma on the panda’s body and no foreign body in his trachea, China’s National Forestry and Grassland Administration said on its Weibo account on Tuesday.

The cause of death was “an acute attack of chronic heart failure” resulting in a lack of oxygen, it said.

Chiang Mai zoo director Wutthichai Muangmun told reporters at the time that before his death, Chuang Chuang was doing what he liked best―eating bamboo. AFP

Malawi policeman stoned to death

LILONGWE, Malawi―A policeman was stoned to death Tuesday in Malawi during clashes between pro- and anti-government protesters ahead of President Peter Mutharika’s first public meeting since a disputed election, police said.

A wave of protests over the May poll has gripped Malawi since May and Msundwe―a trading outpost west of the capital―has been a hotbed of demonstrations.

“We have lost a police officer,” police spokesman James Kadadzera told AFP, adding that Superintendent Usumani Imedi had been stoned to death and “killed by rioters and criminals this morning.”

Anti-government protesters had blocked the main road in Msundwe to stop supporters of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party from traveling to Mutharika’s first rally in the city since his poll win.

An eyewitness told AFP police fired teargas to disperse the protests but demonstrators “kept regrouping and they fought back with stones.”

“In the ensuing chaos, they cornered one policeman whom they stoned to death,” Ulemu Phiri, who witnessed the chaotic scenes said.

So far 12 people have been arrested accused of breaching the peace.

Homeland Security Minister Nicholas Dausi said some of the protesters had put up a roadblock, throwing stones and injuring people. AFP

LGUs

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

B4

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2019

Navotas grants scholarships to 13 art pupils

LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS

U of Caloocan grads gain P5k cash incentives

By Jun David ABOUT 57 students who graduated from the University of Caloocan have received at least P5,000 in cash incentives from Caloocan City Mayor Oscar Malapitan.

“This is really intended for them. We were not able to give it to them before because of the election ban, but we still give it to them even as they have finished their graduation, the mayor said.

As this developed, Malapitan announced that the city government will soon start building the proposed University of Caloocan Bagong Silang Campus College of Engineering.

Four floors of the new building at the University of Caloocan Camarin Campus were inaugurated in August, the mayor said.

“All of this is for the development of our students as education is one of our priorities towards a more progressive city,” the mayor said.

Meanwhile, Malapitan has formally opened the fourth Arangkada Motorsiklo Festival in Caloocan City along 10th Avenue in Grace Park.

Organized and headed by the Caloocan City Cultural Affairs and Tourism Office and the Caloocan Cultural and Tourism Foundation, the celebration which was started at 8 a.m. was participated in by several motorcycle riders.

The yearly event aimed at showcasing the talent of the city’s residents as well as other participating teams from different areas cities in motorcycling and at same time improving the motorcycle industry of Caloocan which is dubbed as a “Motorcycle Capital” of the country, the mayor said.

A so-called “Festivaliwan” was held wherein motorcycle riders showed different motorcycle stunts and other abilities in motorcycling, concert, dancing by students from different schools in Caloocan, drag race, motor show, first aid course among others.

The Arangakada Festival is being celebrated every year to empower our motorcycle and tourism industry in the city, and open more opportunities to the public, Malapitan said.

Fratmen give aid to Nueva Vizcaya school

By Ben Moses Ebreo KASIBU, Nueva Vizcaya—Members of a school-based fraternity here recently gave assistance to the Kasibu East Central School in barangay Malabing here.

Reynald Tan, president of the Alpha Phi Omega International Service Fraternity and Sorority—Theta Epsilon Chapter Alumni Association said the activity was part of their yearly service to various schools in the southern part of the province.

“This is part of our objective to help schools in their quest for better educational facilities and environment,” he said.

APO Theta Epsilon Chapter is a collegiate fraternity based in Bambang town and recognized by the Nueva Vizcaya State University Bambang campus as one of its student service organizations.

Tan said the services rendered by the APO-TECAA members were the construction of the KECS flagpole base, establishment of its eco-garden, mural painting, tree planting and feeding activities for the school children, among others.

MUNTI HOUSING.

Muntinlupa City Mayor Jaime Fresnedi (left) turns over a certificate of unit award to a beneficiary with DILG Assistant Regional Director Juan Jovian Ingeniero (center) at the Awarding Ceremony of housing units at Harmony Ville, Purok 3 Aplaya, Cupang last Oct. 4.

At least 180 families received housing units in the ceremony.

Harmony Ville was constructed through the DILG and the city’s Urban Poor Affairs Office.

San Fernando halts Capital Town project

By Romeo Dizon

S

AN FERNANDO, Pampanga—The city government has stopped the multibillion-peso project involving the conversion of the former Pampanga Sugar Development Corporation Inc. into a modern township effective Monday.

Mayor Edwin D. Santiago said he ordered the halt of the project, called Capital Town, because of the failure of the developer to protect the city against traffic and flooding which are the two problems facing the city in the 21st century.

The P1.8-billion project of Megaworld Corp. on the 35.6-hectare Pasudeco lot was approved by the city council headed by Vice Mayor Jimmy Lazatin.

Santiago said the project, which started its ground development this year, had no sufficient flood control features like drainage that will protect and prevent the flooding of the city proper—including the city hall, the provincial capitol, and several villages surrounding the project.

The mayor said the developer plans to dump its sewerage and wastewater into the heavily silted San Fernando River,

which residents, barangay and city officials strongly oppose.

“Its underground water containment is too small for the project,” he said.

According to the mayor, the other failure of Megaworld is not opening a new road network to serve the complex, widening of other roads leading to it, and development of a children’s park.

“With these kinds of violations, I cannot allow the project to continue,” Santiago stressed.

He also clarified that San Fernando welcomes and recognizes the investor’s contributions in the city in terms of employment and additional taxes, but not “at the expense of the people’s interest and convenience.”

The city continues to attract investors

YOUNG Navoteños with exemplary talents in arts may now study for free following the signing of a memorandum of agreement for the third batch of NavotaAs Art Scholarship Program.

Ten senior high and three college Navoteño students will now receive educational assistance from the city government after being chosen as scholars in visual arts, music, dancing, theater arts, and creative writing o journalism.

“Our youth deserve all the help and support they could get to succeed in life. We hope that through this scholarship, they will be able to hone their talents and excel in their chosen field,” Mayor Toby Tiangco said.

Under the art scholarship program, beneficiaries will be provided with P16,500 transportation and food allowance as well as P20,000 worth of workshop and training grant per academic year.

Scholars, on the other hand, are expected to maintain good grades and conduct; perform at events and activities of the city government; and undergo workshops, tours, and other programs designed to broaden their artistic learning experience.

The city government established the NavotaAs Scholarship Program in 2011. The program initially covered students who excelled in academics and teachers who wanted to pursue graduate studies.

“The city government recognized that there are different kinds of intelligences. We want to honor and support not just those who excel in academics but also in other fields,” the mayor added. Jun David and businessmen in the area because of its strategic location as the regional center of Central Luzon. It has a total population of 320,000, but this increases to 1.2 million during office hours, Santiago explained.

At present, the capitol road in Barangay Sto. Nino, about 1.5 kilometers from the city proper, is becoming a bottleneck during rush hours, especially in the afternoon, as city and capitol employees converge in the same road going out of the city proper.

Santiago also warned that he will implement a “no garage, no permit” policy for those constructing new houses and repairing old ones, including business establishments, to prevent traffic congestion in the city.

‘Buy Local, Buy Smart’: Cultivating cooperation amid trying times WITH the massive drop in palay farmgate prices—recorded last month as the lowest in six years—millions of Filipino farmers have been losing income.

Among them is Perfecto Semperado of Barangay Manilano, Magdalena. He and other rice farmers from this fourthclass municipality in Laguna say they have been trying to earn extra by planting kamote and banana.

Tough as the situation is, he still manages to think of other low-income Filipinos who barely eat three meals a day. Their plight is not much different, he muses.

“We, farmers, are trying to endure the lower profits, because we are aware that many Filipinos don’t even have anything to eat,” Mang Perfecto says.

To alleviate the situation, consumers around the country have rolled out various projects to help farmers survive. They include employees of digital services provider PLDT and its wireless subsidiary Smart Communications (Smart), who eagerly supported the company’s recently launched Buy Local, Buy Smart campaign.

Under the company-wide initiative to patronize local produce and educate the public about making smarter buying choices, employees purchased freshly harvested premium white and brown rice directly from small-scale farmers—specifically from Magdalena for the pilot run.

Partners from the Municipal Agriculture Office helped mill unhusked rice and facilitated the delivery of the limited-time orders from Laguna to PLDTSmart’s head office in Makati City.

PLDT-Smart employee volunteers are all smiles as they carry sacks of rice bought under the ‘Buy Local, Buy Smart campaign’ from local farmers such as Perfecto Semperado (inset).

In the initial run, PLDT-Smart employees raised over P100,000 in sales in just one day, which will directly support rice farmers such as Mang Perfecto.

The Buy Local, Buy Smart campaign of PLDT-Smart was spearheaded by the team behind the Digital Farmers Program (DFP).

The company’s project with the Department of Agriculture - Agricultural Training Institute intends to empower Filipino farmers by providing access to digital tools and technologies that can help boost productivity and marketability.

DFP is aligned with the commitment Pru Life UK senior vice president and chief customer marketing officer Allan Tumbaga (right) turns over some of the 100 bikes to SBMA chairman lawyer Wilma Eisma.

of the PLDT Group of Companies to support the 17 Sustainable Goals of the United Nations.

“The project specifically gives emphasis to the UN’s No Poverty goal, as well as Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure,” says Darwin F. Flores, VP for Community Partnerships at Smart.

The initial run of PLDT-Smart’s Buy Local, Buy Smart campaign was facilitated in partnership with Smart Employees MultiPurpose Cooperative. Upon the arrival of the delivery trucks at the head office, employee volunteers assisted in carrying the

sacks to the releasing area.

“Purchasing directly from local farmers will significantly ease their burdens amid today’s trying times,” says PLDT-Smart Public Affairs Group Head Ramon R. Isberto. The team plans to run more rice orders throughout the remaining months of this year.

“In times of struggles, it is important to think of how can we all help each other,” Mang Perfecto points out.

“We thank those who bought our rice harvest, because buying rice directly truly helps boost profits,” he says.

Pru Life UK hands over 100 bikes to SBMA PRU Life UK has formally turned over 100 bikes to the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority as part of its initiative to promote cycling across the country.

Senior Vice President and Chief Customer Marketing Officer Allan Tumbaga represented the British life insurer in turning over the bikes to SBMA Chairman Atty. Wilma Eisma.

During the signing of the Deed of Donation, Atty. Eisma said the bikes will be distributed to respective SBMA departments for official use.

SBMA hosted the 2019 edition of the annual cycling festival PRUridePH in May. With over 2,500 participants coming over to the Subic Bay Freeport Zone, it is the biggest cycling fes-

tival in the country.

After this successful partnership, Pru Life UK looks forward to SBMA’s support in their future WeDO Health endeavors.

Tumbaga says Subic was the perfect venue for PRUridePH 2019 as its environment and transport system are conducive to cycling.

“The handing over of bikes is our sign of gratitude and support to SBMA’s mission of growing an environmentally sustainable Freeport community,” he adds.

“We hope that this partnership will encourage more people to preserve the environment and choose a healthy habit by promoting cycling.”

Life

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

HOUSEHOLD

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2019

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WHAT’S FOR CHRISTMAS?

Yuletide design ‘inspo’ for the home I

T’S beginning to smell like Christmas, which means ‘tis the time to bring out the holiday trimmings and start decorating. Decked out in holiday finery, luxury department store Rustan’s offers a wide range of gifts and décor for different kinds of Christmas theme.

All is bright

Put a more vibrant touch to the holidays with luscious, jewel tones like emerald, topaz, amethyst, and sapphire. Channel luxury with silverware from Christofle and champagne flutes from Kawali, which add more sparkle to the holidays.

Extend the exuberant spirit of the season with equally mesmerizing glass and crystal table accents from Vidro and Maleras, decorated with unique embellishments, delightful sculpted vases from Zanetti Murano.

Christmas delight

If your idea of a Christmas home is filled with the warm, delicious aromas of gingerbread houses and hot chocolate, complement the setting with a sweet Christmas tree that is as joyful and as bubbly as its homeowners. Add a touch of whimsy and playfulness with a bubble-gum inspired Christmas tree in pink that’s decorated with sweet treats such as plush donuts, cupcakes, tinsel, and balloons. Don’t forget the snow globes, too.

Holiday glam

Urban Christmas

Inspired by the concrete jungle, this stylish vignette brings together touches of gold, silver, and bronze with gray to create a refined Christmas scene. If space is a limitation, bring out your Christmas spirit by leveling up your tablescape with elegant, holiday-appropriate glassware, nativity scenes as centerpieces, and dainty snow globes.

The ultimate touch of luxury? Gold! The color palette is bold and simple, but super eye-catching with plates, champagne chutes, and silver settings from Christofle. Don’t deviate, and fill your living room with other illuminating accents in rose gold and yellow gold like golden eggs, gilded candelabras, and roundtables from Dome Deco.

Romantic

Nature scene

Put a modern twist to the classic green and signature red Christmas theme by incorporating different textures, accents, and prints. Keep it cozy with the usual bells and mistletoe, but play with proportion with oversized stars, ribbons, and such.

Build onto the Christmas scene with toys and other décor that are in same signature red.

Pink kiss

Little girls will squeal with excitement with this over the top pink pop explosion. Help her feel that this is a Christmas tree after her own heart with a delicate pink pearls and an array of unicorn inspired décor.

A more fitting set for the lady of the house, exude romance and refinement with a pastel pink and white holiday tree.

Decorated with gleaming oversized ornaments, gold and pink blooms with delicate swans, this Christmas setting has the feel of “home sweet home.” Complement the setting with an equally sophisticated tablescape with matching pastel China tea ware care of Christofle, Cristina Re, and Royal Albert. For that final touch, add plush pillows in soft peach.

City glam

Channel a white Christmas with a “snow-covered” tree made with frosted tips, silver tinsel, glittery snowflakes, and décor in stunning shades of blue, silver, and white.

Keep the palette consistent throughout the space with glass décor from Christofle, throw pillows in geometric patterns, and chic dinnerware from Kate Spade New York and vases from Guaxs.

Sweet indulgence

Bring together all your favorite Christmas treats like gingerbread houses, gingerbread men, and candy canes to decorate this exciting piece that will bring new life and energy to your living room. It not only looks good, but is equally tempting to taste.

CEBU CITY captures the best of the metropolitan life in a place surrounded by natural wonders.

The first class city entices with its pristine beaches and underground caverns, while exuding chic urbanity with state-of-the-art structures. Investors have taken notice of the city’s high potential for talent, infrastructure, and business environment, catering to higher standards of living that mirrors Manila’s urban flair.

Cebu’s rich and diverse culture is embodied in famous landmarks like the Mactan Shrine, and the Taoist temple, not to mention the Cebua-

Winter park

Walk into a winter wonderland with a brilliant and radiant tree. It’s a lush inspiration, creating a bouquet of peach blooms, beautifully embellished Christmas balls, and tinsel. But further bringing together the concept of nature are cute, little owls perched on branches.

Seasons

With a little wit and humor, show off your love and gratitude for this season of giving with a fantastic Santa-inspired tree. Cute climbing Jolly Old St. Nicholases, pine cones painted white like his bears, Christmas stockings, and fun pompoms in red and white make for a cheery set up that is sure to urge a smile and a laugh from your loved one’s face.

Winter royale

It’s a white Christmas indeed, but elevated. Fill your Noche Buena table and get it ready for the Christmas Eve feast with luxurious looking décor and elegant dinnerware such as handcrafted China, glass champagne flutes, and decadent silverware from Christofle, Lenox, and Koopman.

Urban conveniences with a rural charm

The influx of residents and foreign investors in Cebu creates a dynamic environment, making it an ideal place of home where urban conveniences and rural charm meet.

no’s signature gas gastronomic offerings.

The city’s booming economic climate has pinned down famous names in various industries, and most recently, even the iconic hoSumptuous Cebuano cuisine tel, Marco Polo.

The Marco Polo

Plaza Cebu has always been a go-to destination for its legacy, city views, and high-end flair. With the success of the hotel came the first-ever branded luxurious residential tower in the city, the Marco Polo Residences.

The four-tower Marco Polo Residences by Federal land, Inc. atop the exclusive Nivel Hills district successfully married the brand’s trademark of worldclass experience with Cebu’s provincial

charm. The fifth tower, Parkplace, is currently on the way.

For developer Federal Land Inc., Cebu’s perfect blend of urbanity and natural beauty makes it effortless for the Marco Polo brand to widen its presence down south.

General manager Thomas Mirasol said, “Cebu is a hub for tourism and commerce in the region, and it reflects in the rapid development of the province. The influx

of residents from Manila and neighboring cities, foreign investors, and expatriates in Cebu is creating a dynamic environment for the economy to flourish and the culture to deepen.

“Marco Polo Residences and the upcoming Parkplace Tower echo this inevitable economic rise in a very upbeat and naturally beautiful environment,” added Mirasol.

Life

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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2019 manilastandardlife@gmail.com

Sleep in luxury

The SynerFlex surface cradles every part of the body.

LUXURY LULLS. The ultra premium Posturepedic Presidential Grand Suite mattress is made of the latest spring technology ReST coil that provides three stages of support.

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ONSIDERING we spend a third of our lives sleeping, making it count should be a priority.

There are more things that make a good quality of sleep other than getting the right amount of it—the place where you do it, as in the mattress, plays a big role in the whole deal.

They say a good mattress is an investment. Sealy offers products that brings luxury to slumberland. It offers the ultra premium Posturepedic Presidential Grand Suite mattress.

The the mattress features the latest

spring technology called “ReST coil” (Responsive Support Technology) that uniquely provides three distinct stages of support.

The first stage is the SynerFlex surface that cradles every part of the body; the second is the SRx Innercore that senses the body’s weight and responds with initial conforming support; and the third stage is the extra deep-down support for the body.

Sealy’s inner springs, made of titanium alloy, are made to last while the twice heat-tempered ReSTcoils retain 98 percent of their height resulting in a more durable mattress.

The elite Sealy Posturepedic Presidential Grand Suite mattress’ color and material are exclusive to the Philippine market. Customers can even have their names exquisitely embroidered on their Sealy mattresses, uniquely calling it their own.

With a commanding presence spanning 130 years, Sealy has built a heritage of producing fine-quality mattresses by

emphasizing its steadfast commitment to research and development.

It is the only brand in the market that uses a revolutionary patented technology designed with the help of the Orthopaedic Advisory Board, a panel of eminent orthopedic surgeons, clinicians, and sleep experts.

The Sealy Posturepedic Presidential Grand Suite mattress is distributed

by Focus Global Inc. Its showroom is located at the Sealy Sleep Boutique on the 5th level of Shangri-La Plaza’s main wing.

Customers can have their names embroidered on their Sealy mattresses.

Award recognizes outstanding families

HSBC credit card holders get a chance to win a trip abroad when they fuel up at Caltex

Fuel up and fly LUCKY credit card holders of HSBC have a chance to win a trip when they fuel up at Caltex.

Dubbed Fuel Up and Fly, the promo is open to all primary and supplementary HSBC active credit card holders.

For every accumulated P1,000 fuel spend at participating Caltex stations using their HSBC credit card, motorists automatically get one electronic raffle entry for a chance to win one of the exciting getaways for two in select coun-

tries in Asia, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and USA. “Aside from providing motorists with premium and powerful Caltex with Techron fuels, we are also continuously finding ways to reward our loyal customers. Our partnership with HSBC already provides them with 3 percent rebate on their credit card bill every time they fuel up at participating Caltex stations,” says Chevron Philippines Inc. country chairman Louie Zhang.

Two winners will win two round trip economy value tickets to Taipei, Taiwan; Bali, Indonesia; or Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Two winners of two round trip economy value tickets to Auckland, New Zealand; Sydney, Australia; or Honolulu, Hawaii. And one winner of two round trip economy value tickets to San Francisco, USA; London, UK; or Vancouver, Canada booked via Philippine Airlines. Winners will be drawn on January 14, 2020.

Bria builds more homes in Visayas, Mindanao

Mass housing developer Bria Homes builds more residential communities in key cities in Visayas and Mindanao.

IN A bid to expand beyond the densely populated National Capital Region, a mass housing developer focuses on building residential communities in key cities outside Metro Manila.

To meet the demand for affordable and sturdy homes, Bria Homes, the subsidiary of Golden Bria Holdings, Inc., is expanding in Visayas and Mindanao.

According to the mass housing developer, of its more than 50 projects in the country, a large number of it is located in the progressive south.

In Visayas, Bria Homes can be found in Samar, Leyte, and Negros Occidental. In Mindanao, it has built communities in Cagayan de Oro, Misamis Oriental, Bukidnon, Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur, South Cotabato, and North Cotabato.

More developments are currently in the pipeline.

Bria Homes has provided homes for a lot of Filipinos by combining affordability and superior quality.

A unit is sold for as low as P1,897 per month, and is offered at convenient payment schemes such as Pag-IBIG and bank financing.

Aside from the affordability of its homes, Bria takes pride in its communities’ strategic location. Residents of its residential properties are ensured they are near key establishments such as schools, hospitals, business districts, commercial establishments, and major roads and highways.

Families can also take delight in each development’s amenities such as eco-friendly spaces and basketball courts.

Guarded entrances, 24-hour security, and perimeter fences also ensure their safety and security. Well-trained and courteous service staff is on hand for maintenance issues.

In addition to house and lot packages, the developer also offers condominium units.

Bria promises all its developments feature contemporary designs and cleverly laid-out interior spaces for the varying needs of Filipino households.

Call 0966-277-5944 for more information.

GOOD values starts in the family, then continues to the community.

A new set of exemplary Filipino families, whose values resonate in their communities through their initiatives, were recognized in the 9th Jollibee Family Values Awards.

Recognized for their family values-driven advocacies that fostered meaningful change in their respective communities, the 9th JFVA winning families included Dorotea Mansing and family of Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental for donating children’s books to public schools; Jerome and Zenaida Paler and family of Maasin City, Southern Leyte for starting a drug rehabilitation and recovery program; Alvin and Sandra Montano and family of Quezon City for conducting outreach and disaster training programs stressing capacity and resiliency building; Rey and Mary Grace Bufi and family of Taguig City, for teaching literacy and bringing the joy of reading to far-flung communities with scarce resources; Jeson and Fretzel Anne Viñas and family of Quezon City for giving free eye examinations to deprived and neglected school children; and Virigilio and Ana Maria Bacudio and family of Malate, Manila, who received a Special Citation for Education last year, and is now a main winner for further expanding their advocacy of providing libraries and other material donations to communities in Mindoro.

Jollibee also conferred special citations to families who are focused on specific advocacies.

The Special Citation for Education was presented to Edielon and Leticia Manuel and family of Solana, Cagayan Province for their I-Saved (Saving Vulnerable, Education, and Dreams) that offers programs to alleviate hun-

ger and other household problems in Aeta Communities and severely wasted children in Cagayan; Norma Plaza and family of Mati City, Davao Oriental who, through their Amihan sa Dahican, send underprivileged children to school while spearheading projects to protect and serve the marine wildlife of Dahican; Julieta Elago and family of Cabadbaran City, Agusan Del Norte help underprivileged students study college through Project Scholar while Project ADAMMS (Adopt a Mamanwa, a Manobo Student) provides scholarship support and other needs to indigenous people throughout high school; and Rhamley and Natalia Sali of Hagonoy, Bulacan and London, UK, who support environmental projects and tree planting programs through their One Child One Tree movement.

The six winning families each received a P300,000 cash prize, a brass trophy designed by renowned sculptor Michael Cacnio, and P10,000 worth of Jollibee gift certificates. The special citation recipients were each given P100,000 in cash, a plaque of recognition, and P3,000 worth of Jollibee gift certificates.

“Jollibee has always been championing positive Filipino values throughout the years and to know that there are more Filipino families all over the country and abroad who exemplify this is truly heartening,” said Jollibee Philippines president JJ Alano.

Alano continued, “Through the Jollibee Family Values Awards, it is our desire to give encouragement and support to these outstanding families who have done nothing but spread love, light, and joy to others through their respective community endeavors that are truly life changing, meaningful, and impactful.”

Virgilio and Ana Maria Bacudio and family of Malate, Manila return to the Jollibee Family Values Awards to receive a recognition for their advocacy of providing libraries and other material donations to communities in Mindoro.

Entertainment

Viva partners with Indonesian film outfits for 'Kita Kita' remake V IVA Communications, Inc. of the Philippines in partnership with Marsio Juwono and MM2, Reflection Pictures and Ideosource Entertainment of Indonesia has produced the Indonesian version of the critically acclaimed box-office blockbuster Kita Kita.

Exciting film selection for QCinema’s 7th installment A Rising Wave QCinema 2019 focuses on the strides Asian filmmakers have been making in world cinema, with Asian filmmakers bagging the Palm d’ Or award at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival for two consecutive years.

Furthermore, the theme recognizes the growing number of women filmmakers participating in competitions for documentaries and short films. To add, this year’s QCinema sections have female-centric themes.

As one of the leading festivals in Southeast Asia, QCinema is the launching pad for the world premieres, not only for the three Filipino features in the Asian Next Wave competition, but also for new local shorts & documentaries, who all received grants from QCinema, where filmmakers own the rights to their films.

Local Film Grantees QCinema recently relaunched its main competition, AsianNext Wave,

Xian Lim and Cristine Reyes play married couple in the suspense-thriller drama ‘Untrue,’ which serves as the opening film of QCinema's 7th edition.

CROSSWORD PUZZLE Thursday, October 10, 2019

56 Highchair attire 59 Urge persistently 61 Socrates’ forte 63 Informal wear 64 Woodwind 65 Implied 66 Garden implement 67 Hunger for 68 Companion DOWN 1 Showed distress 2 Shaft 3 Daze 4 Faucet word 5 Pierre’s brother 6 Dryer residue 7 Engrave 8 Telegraph syllable 9 Portrait 10 Speed gun 11 Kublai and Genghis 13 Much of Holland 15 Warns 18 — the Terrible 21 Caveman from Moo 23 Back again 24 Half a quart 25 Foreshadow 26 Many servers’ operating

system 27 Silent actor 28 Porch adjuncts 29 Easy pitch 31 Hungry for more 33 Lectern 34 Grease cutter 35 Cluckers 38 Flapjack chain 39 Overflow 42 Leisure wear 45 Vive le —!

47 General Bradley 48 Couple 49 Anvil user

nickie.standard@gmail.com

Indonesian star Shandy Aulia and comedian Dodit Mulyanto reprise the roles of Alessadra de Rossi and Empoy Marquez in the Indonesian remake of 'Kita Kita.'

to include three Filipino titles which each received a P1,500,000 seed grant: Arnel Barbarona’s Kaaway sa Sulod, Babae at Baril by Rae Red,and The Cleaners by Glenn Barit, which is his debut feature.

The QCShorts lineup features Judy Free by Jean Cheryl Tagyamon; Tokwifi by Carla Pulido Ocampo; Here, Here by Joanne Cesario; SPID by Alejo Barbaza and Mervine Aquino; Excuse Me, Miss, Miss, Miss by Sonny Calvento; and Isang Daa’t Isang Mariposa by Norvin De los Santos. The six filmmakers each received P200,000 production grants in the shorts competition.

Three new Filipino documentary features, recipients of post-production grants of P500,000 each, will premiere in the section, DocQC. They are For My Alien Friend (by Jet Leyco), A is for Agustin (Grace Pimentel Simbulan) and Spring by the Sea (Aleia Garcia).

International Selections Five other films will showcase Asian talents at the Asian Next Wave. These are Nakorn-Sawan (by Puangsoi Aksornsawang, Thailand); Ave Maryam (Robby Ertanto, Indonesia); Fly

By Night (Zahir Omar, Malaysia), The Long Walk (Mattie Do, Laos)

andSuburban Birds (Sheng Qiu, China).

Most of the directors are slated to attend their gala screenings.

Three critically-acclaimed Asian docs round up the non-competitive documentary section with The Future Cries Beneath Our Soil(Pham Thu Hang, Vietnam); Talking About Trees (Suhaib Gasmelbari, Sudan) and Kabul, City in the Wind (Aboozar Amini, Afghanistan).

Continuing its partnership with FDCP in promoting equality and representation, QCinema will screen six films representing the LGBTQ spectrum in the section, RainbowQC. These are Venice Queer Lion winner Jose (Li Cheng); Song Lang (Leon Le); Port Authority (Danielle Lessovitz); Where We Belong (Kongdej Jaturanrasamee); And Then We Danced (Levan Akin); and the Berlinale Teddy awardee, Brief Story from the Green Planet (Santiago Loza).

Part of the centennial celebration of Philippine cinema are two QCinema sections reflecting the rich heritage of classic and mainstream works by major directors, including the country’s national artists for film.

Centenial Classics will feature digitally restored films by ABS-CBN

Film Restoration Project and FDCP. Part of the list are Biyaya ng Lupa (Manuel Silos); Malvarosa (Gregorio Fernandez); Insiang and Maynila sa Kuko ng Liwanag (Lino Brocka); Noli Me Tangere (Gerardo de Leon); and Tisoy (Ishmael Bernal).

A Special Life Achievement Award will be presented to Vicente del Rosario Jr., who established Viva Entertainment as one of the main, enduring pillars in the entertainment industry for more than fifty years.

QCinema is presenting the section, Viva Classics, in recognition of his outstanding contributions of “Boss Vic”, as he is fondly called, to the industry.

Three of the previous decades’ wellloved hits will be shown here: Bituing Walang Ningning (Emmanuel H. Borlaza); The Flor Contemplacion Story (Joel Lamangan) and Working Girls (Ishmael Bernal).

Lastly, QCinema is screening again some of its Circle Film competition grantees. These are Oda sa Wala by Dwein Baltazar, Billie and Emma by Samantha Lee, and Medusae by Pamela Miras.

For more information and updates, visit qcinema.ph.

SunPiology...

is ongoing at www.sunpiology.com and will be open until Oct.14, 2019. The run period will be from Oct. 15 to Nov. 15 Sun Life Cycle PH: Family bonding on wheels Nurturing the Filipinos’ growing love for cycling, Sun Life Cycle PH is back to take cyclists on fun and exciting routes that will run from Bonifacio Global City to Pasay City. Participants of all fitness levels are welcome to join.

Categories for the Sun Life Cycle PH are: Tricycle Ride (100 or 500 meters) designed for children ages two to five; Kids Ride (30-minute Solo or Family Ride) for children between the ages six to 15; Short Ride (20 kilometers) for participants 10 years old and above; and Long Ride (40 kilometers) for participants 14 years old and above.

With partially closed roads and kidfriendly biking paths, the event can be a chance to bond with the entire family.

It may also serve as an introduction to races for cycling enthusiasts.

Sun Life Cycle PH will take place on Nov. 23. Registration is ongoing at sunlife.cycleph.com and will be open until Nov. 22.

Sun Life Resolution Run: Race to fight diabetes An exciting and energizing way to kick off Sun Life Philippines’ 125th anniversary in 2020, the Sun Life Resolution Run is a race that aims to get everyone into a healthy mindset as the year starts. Also hosted by Sun Life in select Asian countries, increasing awareness in diabetes prevention and management is one of the company’s advocacies that is especially crucial in the Philippines, as the disease has been declared as an epidemic in the country.

The Resolution Run will feature the “125 Xone,” where runners will pass through “xones” aligned with the diabetes prevention theme. Moreover, 125 lucky runners will also get to win electronic gift cards worth P1,250, which they can redeem in various partner stores.

Attended by some of the country’s brightest stars, the run will double as a charity event that will benefit the Hebreo Foundation, Noordhoff Foundation, and Star Magic scholars.

Sun Life Resolution Run will take place on Jan. 18, 2020, at Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City. Registration will begin on Nov.15 atwww. sunpiology.com and select Toby’s Sports Stores until race kit supplies last.

Race categories and further details will be released soon.

Race freebies await participants in the SunPIOLOgy Xone events.

“What sets SunPIOLOgy apart is the community it has built through the years,” Pascual said. “Each event is fun and exciting, and now, we are bringing the SunPIOLOgy brand of wellness to the virtual world so that we can motivate even more people. With this, I’m sure more Filipinos will experience what it means to live healthier and brighter under the sun.”

For more about Sun Life’s health and wellness initiatives, follow @ SunLifePH and @GoWellPH on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

From C4

ACROSS 1 Erode 5 Made a fast exit 9 Annoy 12 Glorify 14 Actress Hayworth 15 Nursemaid 16 Distant planetoid 17 Mexicali munchie 19 Bo Derek movie 20 Value 22 Meat avoider 23 Arctic ice mass 24 Kitchen gadgets 25 Unfair shake (2 wds.)

28 Pinch pennies 30 Stew ingredient 31 Oodles 32 Door frame 36 Gloomy 37 Sells off 40 Skiing champ Tommy — 41 Suit, for short 43 Roof angles 44 Citified 46 Engine covers 48 Wilts 49 Economize 52 Muslim mystic 53 Hawaii’s — Loa 54 Nevada lake

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Kita Kita was produced by Spring Films and had a tremendous impact on prevailing movie trends in the Philippines. Viva has now brought the tale to Indonesia where it is expected to also succeed at the box-office and open new doors for Filipino film remakes in other countries.

This is the first time that a local film has been picked up for production by a foreign producer and director. Viva is at present in negotiations for more Kita Kita remakes and that of other Viva titles in other countries.

Titled Love is Blind or Cinta Itu Buta in Indonesian, the remake is directed by Rachmania Arunita. The movie retells the same story of the blind girl Diah and of her caring neighbour Nik. Playing the leads are two of Indonesia’s top actors, the lovely Shandy Aulia and the popular comedian Dodit Mulyanto.

Cinta Itu Buta opened in Indonesia yesterday, Oct.10. More playdates will also be announced for other Southeast Asian countries like Malaysia, Singapore and the Philippines soon.

Directed by Sigrid Andrea Bernardo and starring Alessandra De Rossi and Empoy Marquez, Kita Kita was the runaway motion picture top-grosser of 2017.

It tells the love story of the blind girl Lea and of Tonyo, the kind-hearted man who made her see what is truly beautiful in life.

INTERNATIONAL and local films that are must-sees, that thrill, raise awareness, or spur the imagination are to be screened in the 2019 version of the QCinema International Film Festival (Qcinema).

Considered as a flag-carrying international film festival in the country, QCinema will feature cinematic treasures from Oct.13 to 22 at the Gateway Mall, Ayala Trinoma, Robinsons Galleria, UPFI Cine Adarna, Cinema 76 Anonas, and Cinema Centenario.

Opening and Closing Film Leading the roster are two much-awaited Asian titles. Sigrid Bernardo’s Untrue is Qcinema’s opening film while Wet Season, by Singaporean director Anthony Chen, will officially close the festival.

Christine Reyes and Xian Lim topbills the festival opener by Bernardo who is the director of the indie hit, Kita Kita. The Hooq-produced Wet Season is Chen’s follow-up to his critically-acclaimed film, Iloilo.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2019

50 Walk-on 51 Kashmir cash 52 Piece of plywood 54 Brass instrument 55 In a short time 56 — Raton, Fla. 57 Rolling — — (rich) 58 Memory unit 60 Drag behind 62 Male sheep

Sun Life Virtual Run: Run anytime, anywhere A new event this year, the Sun Life Virtual Run is a long-distance race that participants may complete anytime, anywhere. Participants from different parts of the country may challenge themselves to complete an accumulated distance of 50 or 125 kilometers which can be spread over 30 days. This way, runners can pace themselves and freely strategize in accomplishing their target distance within the prescribed period. Progress is tracked using a GPS watch, a fitness band, a running app on a smartphone, or by taking a photo of the progress on the treadmill and submitting it via www.takbo.ph.

Registration for Sun Life Virtual Run

Nickie Wang, Issue Editor nickie.standard@gmail.com

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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2019

ARANETA City will be presenting #IAMEnough, an exhibit to support World Mental Health Awareness Day with no less than Miss International 2016 Kylie Verzosa who is scheduled to cut the ribbon for its opening.

Happening today at the Gateway Mall Activity area at 10:00 a.m., the #IAMEnough exhibit opening will also be graced by Dr. Carolina Uno-Rayco, National Executive Director for the Philippine Mental Health Association; and Diane Romero, the Executive Director of the J. Amado Araneta Foundation (JAAF), the Corporate Social Responsibility arm of the Araneta Group.

Mental Health is an issue that has gained importance over the years, especially in the Philippines. According to the Department of Health, mental illness and mental retardation are ranked 3rd and 4th among the types of disabilities in the country. Young professionals

have also become victims of mental health illnesses, as intentional self-harm is the 9th leading cause of death among those aged 2024 years old.

Kylie, an international pageant title holder, has always advocated for awareness of mental health issues even before her days as a beauty queen. She has publicly admitted she was clinically depressed five years ago, even before she joined the Binibining Pilipinas pageant. She fought on despite this challenge and not only won an international title but also eventually joined show business after her reign.

She has also used her personal experience with mental health illness to launch an online support group entitled Mental Health Matters.

It’s a space created by Kylie, her sister, and select people, meant to provide support to people experiencing mental health illnesses.

The page also provides information with

regards to mental health, as education is the best way to create understanding and empathy towards those who battle with it.

As the recently rebranded Araneta City continues to build an inclusive community, projects like the #IAMEnough exhibit at the Gateway Mall are important additions to the many things the pioneering commercial district offers its visitors, residents, and employees within the City.

Aide from the messages from the esteemed guests, the exhibit hopes to bring attention to the reality of mental health illnesses. There will also be a photobooth and merchandise sold for the benefit of PMHA. This event is presented by Araneta City in partnership with JAAF and the Philippine Mental Health Association.

For more information and other Araneta City updates, follow @

Beauty queen and mental health advocate Kylie Verzosa

SunPIOLOgy celebrates another milestone

U2. Formed in 1976, the Irish rock band from Dublin is fronted by Bono with members The Edge, Adam Clayton, and Larry Mullen Jr..

The band is set to stage its first Manila concert in December at the Philippine Arena.

Why U2 should matter YUGEL LOSORATA

T

HE late George Harrison’s infamous criticism of U2, wherein he labeled the band’s work as “rubbish” and “egocentric,” sure sounded unsettling for fans.

No doubt The Quiet One earned respect as ex-Beatle who was ultimately behind “Here Comes The Sun” (by far the most streamed Beatles song) and “Something” (second most covered Beatles song). Both are key tracks from the Abbey Road album which just returned to the top of the UK charts.

Still, not even a Beatle could deny that U2 is revered by fans the world over. It is the group with the most Grammy Awards and one of the best-selling artists with estimated 170 million records sold worldwide.

Here in the Philippines, the high anticipation for their upcoming Dec. 11 show at the Philippine Arena reached fever pitch right on the day it was confirmed to happen.

The Joshua Tree Tour Manila leg marks the first time Bono, The Edge, Adam Clayton, and Larry Mullen Jr. will perform in the country. As stated in a press release, the concert of the Irish quartet is “expected to bring together music fans across generation.”

I wish to share my two cents’ worth as to why U2 generates fan excitement felt not since Michael Jackson did it in the late 90s. First, here’s a band that has certified hits from the new wave ‘80s and which remodeled themselves into a rock band with much credence. It kept them relevant as most bands

SNAPSHOT

'Mistress of Evil' US ACTRESS Angelina Jolie (center) poses with her children Shiloh (left) and Zahara (right) during the European premiere of Disney’s film Maleficent: Mistress of Evil.

The upcoming American dark fantasy adventure film is directed by Joachim Rønning, and written by Linda Woolverton, Micah Fitzerman-Blue, and Noah Harpster from a story by Woolverton. It is a sequel to the 2014 film Maleficent, with Angelina Jolie returning to portray the title role. AFP

from their breakthrough period categorically became hasbeens.

Reputation-wise, the band grew embracing activism and putting to good-use their celebrity for worthy causes. The charismatic Bono himself has received awards for his efforts, highlighted by being named Person of the Year in 2005 (along with couple Bill and Melinda Gates) and a honorary British Knighthood two years later. It had been reported that all proceeds from the Sweetest Thing single went to the Chernobyl Children’s Project.

Such development is as vital as the effort to progress their music anchored on anthemic quality “built on Bono’s expressive vocals and The Edge’s effects-based guitar textures.” It’s in sync with corporate sponsor Smart using for the show the hashtag #LiveYourAnthem.

As a live ensemble, U2 is a class all its own, with the 360 Degree Tour concluding (in July 2011) as the highestgrossing concert tour and having sold the most tickets for a tour. Even a Bono spiel could end up iconic after he once told a crowd, prior to performing a cover of Helter Skelter, that they were “stealing back” what Charles Manson “stole from The Beatles.” We all know the backstory once upon a time in Hollywood.

But one thing making them really admirable is the fact they have remained active and intact for the last 43 years!

Obviously, Filipinos can’t get enough rallying behind a lovable family staying together.

For more updates on the concert, follow Smart’s official accounts on Facebook (fb.com/SmartCommunications), Instagram (@liveSmart and @ReimaginePH) and follow the hashtags #SmartMusicLive and #LiveYourAnthem.

SunPIOLOgy proponent and Sun Life Philippines long-time ambassador Piolo Pascual, with event host Robi Domingo (left).

SUN Life Philippines and its long-time ambassador Piolo Pascual are once again joining hands for SunPIOLOgy, a sporting event that aims to encourage more Filipinos to live healthier lives.

Now on its 11th year, the event carries the theme “SunPIOLOgy Xone” and will feature the following highlights: Sun Life Virtual Run, Sun Life Cycle PH, and Sun Life Resolution Run. “Sun Life aims to offer Filipinos more avenues to pursue their health

Sun Life Health and Wellness Ambassador Enchong Dee

goals. With SunPIOLOgy, we are able to make the pursuit fun and engaging through a variety of sporting events, while the charity component makes it more meaningful and memorable,” Sun Life Chief Marketing Officer Mylene Lopa said.

“We are thankful that as we mark 11 years of SunPIOLOgy, we continue to grow our community and effectively promote the importance of living healthier lives,” she added. Continued on C3