Manila Standard - 2019 October 15 - Tuesday

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VOL. XXXIII • NO. 243 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P18 TUESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2019 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

REVERENTIAL SALUTE. PNP chief Gen. Oscar Albayalde (second from right), and top police generals–Lt. Gen. Camilo Cascolan (right), Lt. Gen. Archie Gamboa (second from left), and Maj. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar (left)–execute a snappy salute during the flag-raising ceremony at Camp Crame Monday. Albayalde resigned Monday following allegations in a Senate hearing he intervened as a provincial chief in 2013 to prevent officers from being prosecuted for allegedly selling a huge quantity of illegal drugs. PNP Photo

DUTERTE TO ALBAYALDE: GO ON TERMINAL LEAVE

PNP chief gives up post • Senate won’t let him off the hook; • Gamboa is OIC

ASF-control measures set; protocol holds

By Macon Ramos-Araneta, Orlan L. Mauricio, Francisco Tuyay and Maricel V. Cruz

By Rio N. Araja

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THE Philippines, hit recently by the dreaded African swine fever, has approved deflecting measures, including movement controls for pigs and pork products as well as surveillance on live hog transport, to check the spread of the frightening fever. Agriculture Secretary William Dar himself has said “We must step up our surveillance and monitoring of transport of live pigs as well as pork products.” This, after President Rodrigo Duterte and his Cabinet on Oct. 11 approved a

ESPITE his resignation, Philippine National Police chief Oscar Albayalde is not yet off the hook, Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon said Monday.

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Palace snipes at traffic critics By MJ Blancaflor THE President’s spokesman on Monday urged critics to send proposals to solve the traffic crisis in Metro Manila instead of nitpicking on the Duterte administration. At the same time, Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo rejected a lawmaker’s proposal to require public officials to take public transportation Next page

LAST CEREMONY. Chief Justice Lucas Bersamin (middle) attends Monday his last flag-raising ceremony at the Supreme Court, four days before he officially retires on Friday. Bersamin, from Abra and the 25th Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, graduated from the University of the East College of Law in 1973, placed 9th in the 1973 bar exams with an average of 86.3 percent. Norman Cruz

Chief Justice bows out of office: No regrets By Rey E. Requejo “I HAVE faithfully served the people,” Chief Justice Lucas Bersamin said in a speech during his last flagraising ceremony at the Supreme Court on Monday, four days before he reaches the mandatory retirement age

of 70 on Oct. 18. As he bows out on Friday after 30 years in the judiciary serving in various capacities, including his 11-month stint as Chief Justice, Bersamin urged the Supreme Court’s officials and employees to remain loyal to the Constitution and to the rule of law.

“As that moment draws near, I experience a deep sense of personal satisfaction, no regrets,” Bersamin said and thanked his colleagues and the court employees for their support. Bersamin said he had “done everything within the bounds of the law” to Next page make his office accessible.

House delivers on Duterte agenda spite the hotly contested speakership race―and rumblings over the weekHOUSE leaders delivered President Rod- end that the term-sharing deal between rigo Duterte’s legislative agenda after House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano and processing 220 measures in 20 session Marinduque Rep. Lord Allan Velasco days, House Majority Leader and Leyte would be scuttled. Rep. Martin Romualdez said Monday. Those measures, said Romualdez as They approved the measures deNext page

By Maricel V. Cruz

Three economists win Nobel Prize MOTHER’S EYES. A mother has her eyes keen as a health worker (right) administers polio vaccine on her child during a vaccination drive in Manila on Monday. The campaign aims to boost immunization coverage against the disease to all children five years old and below. The Philippines detected last month its first case of polio since 2001. AFP

STOCKHOLM—A trio of American economists on Monday won the Nobel Economics Prize for their work in the fight against poverty, including with new approaches in education and healthcare, the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences said. Next page

“His continued stay as PNP chief has become untenable. His resignation ahead of his mandatory retirement, however, will not in any way clear him from his liability, both administratively or criminally, in connection with the Pampanga ninja cops issue,” Drilon said, referring to allegations that Albayalde intervened to stop the dismissal of 13 of his policemen accused of keeping 160 kilos of shabu from a drug raid for resale. Albayalde, who took over the PNP in April 2018, was set to retire by Nov. 8 but announced his immediate resignation Monday at the flag ceremony in Camp Crame, his last days in office tainted by controversy. In an exclusive interview with ABSCBN News, Albayalde said stepping down was the “best decision to protect Next page

Locsin apologizes for Mao tweets By Rey E. Requejo FOREIGN Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. has apologized to Beijing for a series of tweets ridiculing the late Chairman Mao Zedong, revered as the founder of the socialist People’s Republic of China. “My profound apologies to the People’s Republic of China, the Communist Party responsible for its unprecedented achievements and Ambassador Zhao [Jianhua,] for using the Great Helmsman’s name in vain,” Locsin tweeted on Sunday. All this revisionism makes me—as the first defender of “Red China”— forget my admiration,” he added. Next page

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News

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2019

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Robredo dares PET to stick to protest rules By Rio N. Araja THE camp of Vice President Leni Robredo is asking the Supreme Court, sitting as the Presidential Electoral Tribunal, to follow the rules in resolving the electoral protest filed by former Senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr. In a 23-page motion, Robredo’s lawyers cited Rule 65 of the 2010 PET Rules amid what they said were “rumors” on the outcome of the protest. “In summary, protestee Robredo still has the highest respect to (sic) the Honorable Tribunal that the rules will not be changed in the middle of the game, so to speak,” the vice president said. Under Rule 65, the examination of ballots from at most three provinces that “best exemplify” the “frauds or irregularities” alleged in a protest is allowed. Romulo Macalintal, Robredo’s lead counsel, said the non-compliance to Rule 65 would only violate their client’s right to due process, equal protection of the law, and constitutional mandate that bona fide candidates should be free from discrimination. Marcos identified Camarines Sur, Iloilo, and Negros Oriental as his pilot provinces for a manual recount. “In plain terms, should protestant Marcos fail to make any substantial recovery in his pilot provinces, the above-captioned election protest will be dismissed,” Macalintal said.

ASF-control... From A1

lock-down to cordon off infected areas in Bulacan and Pampanga. At the same time, the Department of Agriculture has increased its financial assistance to hog raisers affected by the African swine fever to encourage them to report and surrender their pigs within the one-kilometer radius from the site of infection or ground zero. Noel Reyes, spokesperson of Agriculture William Dar, said the agency had raised the cash aid from P3,000 per pig culled within the 1-7-0 kilometer protocol to P5,000 to prevent the ASF virus. Hog raisers who have received P3,000 per culled pig would still receive an added P2,000, he said. “That is one of the many ways to discourage the hog raisers from selling their pigs. That is the reason why we have increased it [aid]. The [previous] amount was small,” he said. “Please surrender your pigs, instead of selling them to traders,” he added. Backyard hog raisers are also covered by the increase, DA said. “We must step up our surveillance and monitoring of transport of live pigs as well as pork products,” Dar said. Hogs tested positive for the ASF virus rose from 7,400 pigs to 12,000 in August. The department said last week the numbers of pigs that tested positive for the virus had increased to 12,000 from 7,400 at the end of August. The Department of Budget and Management has approved the additional fund from the Office of the President’s emergency funds.

Three... From A1

Indian-born Abhijit Banerjee of the US, his French-American wife Esther Duflo and Michael Kremer of the US were honored “for their experimental approach to alleviating global poverty,” the jury said. “This year’s laureates have introduced a new approach to obtaining reliable answers about the best ways to fight global poverty,” the jury said. The three found efficient ways of combatting poverty by breaking down difficult issues into smaller, more manageable questions, which can then be answered through field experiments, the jury said. “They have shown that these smaller, more precise, questions are often best answered via carefully designed experiments among the people who are most affected,” it said. AFP

House... From A1

chairman of the House Committee on Rules, included the quick approval of the P4.1-trillion national budget for 2020 and the tax reform measures to promote the country as a viable investment destination. He said the House assured the public that the congressmen would continue to perform better. However, two other lawmakers said over the weekend that Cayetano was unlikely to be replaced given his current good performance as indicated by his recent high trust and approval survey ratings. Dasmariñas City Rep. Elpidio Barzaga Jr. said there would be “a groundswell among House members and the public” for Cayetano to stay on as Speaker, and Deputy Speaker Mikee Romero of 1-Pacman party-list said it would be “difficult” to replace the Taguig-Pateros lawmaker if he maintains his good performance and survey ratings.

Reparations for Marawi backed By Maricel V. Cruz

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T LEAST 94 congressmen have signed as co-authors of the bill providing compensation to the people of Marawi City who have been suffering from the effects of the siege in 2017.

Deputy Speaker and Basilan Rep. Mujiv Hataman, one of the primary authors of House Bill 3543 or the Marawi Siege Victims Compensation Act, and Anak Mindanao Rep. Amihilda Sangcopan, said the support to the measure made up more than 30 percent of the chamber. “Our fellow legislators believe there should be a measure that will provide compensation to the people of Marawi City who have suffered enough from the effects of the siege

two years back,” Hataman, a former governor of the now-defunct Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, said. Majority Leader and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez was among the lawmakers who sought co-authorship of the Marawi compensation measure. Hataman said the bill’s enactment was of utmost importance as the people of Marawi City commemorates the second anniversary of the liberation of the city from violent ex-

tremists on Oct. 17. However, a legislator who requested anonymity said the people of Marawi, “except for a few,” should not be given compensation because of their involvement in the siege. He said the “majority of the people there, either through acquiescence or active participation, were instrumental in the bringing in of weapons that were finally used on them.” The congressman said many residents even helped bring in heavy weapons “piece by piece” because they had relatives in the Maute Group. “And just because they were victimized by the very same group that they help we will compensate them? Better yet, those found to have actively supported the bandits should be prosecuted,” the legislator said.

‘Twin gold medals in world event reason to celebrate’ By Macon Ramos-Araneta FOR bringing honor to the country with their respective gold-medal victories in two world events, Senator Sonny Angara is set to file two resolutions congratulating gymnast Carlos Edriel Yulo, the first Filipino to win a gold medal in a world gymnastics event, and boxer Nesthy Petecio. Over the weekend, Angara said Yulo and Petecio gave the nation two big reasons to celebrate. “They have instilled so much pride in Philippine sports and served to inspire our athletes to excel in their respective fields,” Angara said. Yulo qualified for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics after his performance in the 41st FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Championships at Hans Schleyer Halle in Stuttgart, Germany. His ranking in the men’s individual allaround competition was what gave him his slot in the 2020 Tokyo Games, but he also

PNP... From A1

the morale of the police force, given the circumstances.” Senator Christopher Go, a close aide to President Rodrigo Duterte, said the Chief Executive had wanted Albayalde to go on terminal leave after he was linked to the ninja cops. It countered a statement made by Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo, who told the ABS-CBN News Channel the Palace did not pressure the police chief to step down. “I do not think so. I have not heard of anything leading or leaning to that,” Panelo told ANC on Monday. “Perhaps he has had enough of the accusations, innuendos, about his involvement in the drug case, given that his family is suffering from according to him, unfair and false allegations against him,” he added. Drilon was among the first to call for Albayalde’s resignation “to save the PNP from embarrassment.” He also said Albayalde might have had a hand in the ninja cops cover-up. “Albayalde’s continued defense, and his failure to condemn the acts, of Major Rodney Baloyo, and his men, in the face of the evidence indicated complicity in the criminal conduct of his men,” Drilon said. The Senate Blue Ribbon and justice committees learned of the so-called ninja cops from testimony by former police officials who said Baloyo and his men conducted a drug raid in Mexico, Pampanga, in 2013, but turned over only 38 kilos of the 200 kilos of shabu that was confiscated. In light of these controversies, Drilon urged a stricter vetting procedure for PNP officers. Senator Panfilo Lacson, a former police chief, said he has mixed feelings about the way Albayalde abruptly ended his service less than four weeks before his compulsory retirement. Being a graduate of the Philippine Military Academy like Albayalde, Lacson said he felt sad whenever a fellow graduates slug it out publicly over issue that hit the very core of the cadet honor system. On the other hand, Lacson praised Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong and retired general Manuel Gaerlan and other who testified in the committee hearings for spilling the beans on Baloyo and his men—and Albatyalde’s involvement. Senator Francis Pangilinan, however, said

“I am sure he will sustain that performance. There is no reason for him not to. So why change or swap horses in midstream? We might as well retain him as our Speaker for three years until June 30, 2022,” said Barzaga of Cavite. Romero, who heads the 54-solon Party-list Coalition, added: “Like before we elected our Speaker in July, most of us congressmen would listen to what the President would suggest on this issue. But I think he would also listen to what we House members collectively will have to say.” Under an agreement brokered by President Rodrigo Duterte last July, Cayetano would hold the post for 15 months or until October 2020, after which Velasco takes over the Speakership. Romualdez, a lawyer and president of the Philippine Constitution Association, praised both the majority and the minority’s “tough work ethic in doing their jobs creditably.” “The House as an institution performed its tasks commendably and with distinc-

capped this feat with a gold-medal victory in the floor exercise event. Last month, pole vaulter EJ Obiena also qualified for the Tokyo Olympics after clearing 5.81 meters in an athletics meet in Chiara, Italy. The Olympic standard for the pole vault is 5.80 meters. “We now have at least two qualifiers for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. With the way Yulo and Obiena have performed, we are all looking forward to seeing them compete with the best in the world in the quadrennial games,” Angara said. Petecio, took home the gold medal after beating hometown bet Liudmila Vorontsova in the featherweight division final of the 2019 Aiba Women’s World Boxing Championships last Saturday in Ulan-Ude, Russia. Petecio was only the second Filipina to win gold in the 2012 world championships in the featherweight division. “During these times when Filipinos are faced with so many challenges and bad news,

it is feats like these that give us hope and something to cheer for,” Angara said. The accolades aside, Yulo and Petecio are also entitled to cash incentives provided under Republic Act 10699, or the National Athletes and Coaches Benefits and Incentives Act. For qualifying to the Olympics, the 19-yearold Yulo is entitled to receive P500,000. The Philippine Sports Commission has announced that Yulo will be provided with an additional P500,000 for winning the firstever gold in gymnastics for the Philippines. Petecio will receive P1 million for winning gold while fellow boxer Eumir Marcial will get P500,000 for his silver-medal finish in the men’s middleweight division in the same event. Angara was one of the authors and the sponsor of RA 10699. He has also filed Senate Bill 330 creating the Philippine High School for Sports, which seeks to develop the country’s national athletes while providing them with quality education.

the administration had a habit of recycling officials who had disgraced themselves, instead of going after them for corruption or negligence. He said Albayalde and the rest should be charged for the very least enriching themselves using their government office. Instead of combatting illegal drugs, this administration has acted in the opposite direction and coddled the corrupt and those linked to the drug trade, he said. Senator Richard Gordon, who led Senate hearings into police corruption, said the findings and recommendations of his committee would be released Wednesday. Asked if the committee would recommend criminal charges against Albayalde, Baloyo and his men, Gordon said: “We will probe further on the whereabouts of the missing shabu because it is a serious threat to our peace and order; and we will definite make a recommendation to the Ombudsman on the criminal liabilities who ever they are.” In his testimony before the Senate, former Central Luzon police director Rudy Lacadin said Albayalde had called him to inquire on the status of the ninja cops case and reportedly told him he only got a small cut from their operation. Earlier, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency chief Aaron Aquino also testified that when he was still regional chief for Central Luzon, Albayalde called him up and asked him not to carry out the dismissal order against the 13 ninja cops, saying they were his men. Albayalde’s resignation comes days after two former police officials implicated him in a 2013 raid in which officers in a province near Manila allegedly seized and then sold parts of a large methamphetamine haul. One former official alleged Albayalde protected the officers from discipline, while the other claimed he received money from the drug sale. Albayalde, then the province commander, has vehemently denied any wrongdoing. “I thank President Rodrigo Roa Duterte for his trust and confidence,” Albayalde said in a message announcing his departure, which is effective immediately. Though the issue has been bubbling for weeks in Senate hearings, Duterte has remained largely silent on the matter. He had pledged to root out deep-seated corruption in the Philippines’ police but has repeatedly expressed frustration and anger with the extent of the problem.

“After careful thought and deliberation, I have come to the decision to relinquish my post as chief, PNP effective today and go on a non-duty status,” Albayalde said in his resignation statement. “I have submitted my letter of intent to Secretary [Eduardo] Año which he accepted and favorably endorsed to the President.” In a brief speech, Albayalde denied the allegations made against him. Año said Albayalde suffered “emotional distress” following the series of Senate hearings into the controversies, making it difficult for him to concentrate on the job. “What is good for the organization and he wanted to spare the President and the organization from all these controversies, so he opted and as a gentleman to vacate the post,” Año said. Lt. Gen. Archie Francisco Gamboa, the No. 2 man in the PNP hierarchy took over as acting PNP chief until the President appoints a replacement for Albayalde. Go said the President and Año talked Saturday about Albayalde’s fate. Go declined to say if Albayalde’s alleged involvement in the recycling of illegal drugs and switching of arrested drug suspects caused damage to the PNP. “If I say yes, it would mean that I am saying he is guilty,” he said. Año, who also serves as chief of the National Police Commission, said the developments in the Senate investigation on the ninja cops has “somehow affected” morale in the 190,000-strong police force. Meanwhile, Dasmariñas City Rep. Elpidio F. Barzaga Jr. said Albayalde is still considered innocent despite the statements of his detractors who have practically convicted him in the court of public opinion. “It is easy to cast aspersions on people, especially those in public service and the higher their positions are the more satisfying it is to destroy them. “But is this fair?” Barzaga said, saying there should be a constitutional presumption of innocense. Muntinlupa Rep. Rozzano Rufino Biazon said he believes Albayalde did the right thing for the PNP by resigning to insulate the organization from the controversy. But party-list Rep. France Castro of the left leaning ACT Teachers said the simple resignation of Albayalde is not enough and that he should still be held liable for his actions and involvement in the ninja cops case. Castro added that Albayalde’s resignation will not absolve him from the possible accountability in the light of the ninja cops case.

tion to deliver the legislative agenda of the President. We answered the challenges and demands of our duties and responsibilities,”said Romualdez, president of the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats. “This will usher us to a good start. Through the collective hard work and determination of House members under the leadership of Speaker Cayetano, we are always focused and committed to pass quality legislation at all times to make better the life of Filipinos,” Romualdez said after Cayetano got an impressive 64-percent approval and 62-percent trust ratings based on the September 2019 Ulat ng Bayan Survey of Pulse Asia. Before Congress went on a month-long Halloween break on Oct. 2, the House of Representatives processed 220 measures or an average of 11 measures per day during the 20 session days. From July 22 to Oct. 8, 2019, Romualdez said, the House of Representatives received 5,566 measures and 70 committee reports. Of those, 5,121 were bills and 445 were resolutions.

Chief... From A1

“Between this morning and my actual retirement on the 17th, I shall be in my office daily completing all the tasks that remain to be accomplished. All I ask as I exit from the service in the judiciary is just as forthright as that, nothing more,” he said. “Continue doing your assigned tasks and work, but please be constant in your loyalty to the judiciary as our institution and be steadfast in your fealty to the letter and spirit of the Constitution and to the rule of law.” A portion of Padre Faura Street in Manila, where the high court is located, was closed to traffic early Monday morning as Bersamin was greeted with arrival honors before the flag-raising ceremony. All the high court justices were present except for Associate Justice Jose Reyes Jr., one of the four incumbent magistrates aspiring to succeed Bersamin. The others were Associate Justices Diosdado Peralta,

Hataman also said the proposal to create a House sub-committee on Marawi under the House Committee on Disaster Management had been met with a favorable response from the House leadership. He said he, along with Sangcopan, met with civil society organizations in Marawi a few weeks ago, where they asked them to close ranks and speak in “one strong and loud voice” for a meaningful impact in the rehabilitation efforts. Among the concerns raised during last month’s meeting was the ongoing demolition of damaged structures in Marawi and the case of missing civilians. HB 3543 is currently making the rounds in the House of Representatives to gather more signatures.

Palace... From A1 on Mondays or suggestions that he commute not just once, but for another six months. “If the purpose is for officials to experience it, as I said, that’s no longer needed,” he said in a press briefing. “Just give proposals to help the government. That is the solution,” he added. Earlier, Iligan City Rep. Frederick Siao said he would file a bill mandating elected officials, Cabinet members and division chiefs to take tricycles, jeepneys, buses and trains on Mondays so that they would be “reminded of the suffering of the masses.” Panelo drew the ire of several groups after he denied the existence of a transportation crisis, despite the breakdown of major train systems. In a bid to silence his critics, Panelo on Friday accepted their challenge to take public transportation to his office, traveling 3.5 hours by jeepney and motorcycle. But this didn’t satisfy his critics, who said he should do that for another six months. Vice President Leni Robredo also slammed him for playing down the traffic problem and urged the Palace to admit that there is a transport crisis. “Enough with the criticism. What you should do, those who like to challenge, is to think of ways to help the government, good proposals,” Panelo said. Earlier, Panelo also drew flak by saying that Filipinos should wake up early to arrive at their destinations on time. In related developments: * Laguna Rep. Sol Aragones filed a resolution calling for a suspension of the collection of toll on the South Luzon Expressway amid hours-long traffic snarls caused by construction activities there. * The Light Rail Transit Authority said full operations of the LRT Line 2 would be restored in two to three months, after a fire damaged power rectifiers between Anonas and Katipunan stations.

Locsin... From A1 “Great Helmsman” is one of the titles accorded to Mao, the Chinese paramount leader from 1949 to 1976. Locsin had been making critical remarks about Mao in the last two weeks, including his suggestion to move on from philosophies of Vladimir Lenin, who founded the now dissolved Union of Soviets Socialist Republic, and Mao—whom he mocked as “Mao Che Tutung”—a play on word for the Filipino word for “burnt rice.” Locsin also commented on a book by the Dutch-born historian Frank Dikötter on China before communist rule under Mao, which Locsin described as a “horrifying long, long period of Chinese history.” In a separate tweet, Locsin referenced the famine under Mao when he claimed that Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo won in accepting the challenge of leftleaning organizations for him to commute to work. “It was a giant win for Sal Panelo because he answered the challenge and pulled it off and that was the point, right? Of course it is. Unless you’re a f****** communist then the only point is to take power and unleash a famine like Mao did,” Locsin tweeted. The Chinese government denies that Mao’s policies led to the Great Chinese Famine between 1959 and 1961, and instead blamed it on natural disasters during that period.

Estela Perlas-Bernabe and Andres Reyes Jr., who were automatically nominated for the judiciary’s top post. “I have always endeavored to be true to my oath of office and have always discharged my duties and responsibilities in the best lights that God has endowed me with,” Bersamin said. “Do I now have a better way of putting it except to say that I have faithfully served the people, conscientiously discharged my office, and dutifully fulfilled their trust.” Last week, Bersamin slammed the “gods of Padre Faura” tag for the high court magistrates, saying the guided tours in a judiciary memorabilia hall was put up through his initiative and was aimed at “demystify the court.” “Oftentimes, because of our vision for the Supreme Court, we’ve been tagged as gods of Padre Faura. That’s not good, as if we are carrying the 10 commandments.” Bersamin said he wanted the “image of the justices of the high court as an institution be respected, as the individual justices are all human and ordinary.”

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Opinion

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2019

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Visas upon arrival WHETHER or not there is a transport crisis is beside the point, even as Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo insists there is none. For commuters who have to take public transport every day, the controversy is irrelevant. Whatever is said, they would still have to spend two or three hours a day, one way, in traffic to get to their destinations. If they don’t want to be late, they have to leave earlier.

The practice brings way too many problems. Train riders will also have to utter a prayer that the LRT or MRT would not encounter a glitch. Otherwise, their travel time will get even longer. Panelo, who reminds me of a clown, pulled a stunt on Friday where he spent nearly four hours on the road as he took public transportation from his Marikina home to Malacañang. I do not think this did anything to lighten the daily struggles of commuters. Will there ever be a time when commuting would be easy and convenient? There could be, if, for instance, the government approves the unsolicited proposal to build a 10-lane expressway over EDSA. But since all unsolicited proposals have to go through the eye of the needle, and since the geniuses at the Investment Coordinating Council at the National Economic and Development Authority may make this difficult for San Miguel’s Ramon Ang, I am still crossing my fingers. We’ll see in three to five years. This was the problem of Bangkok many years ago. When my wife and I

Adelle Chua, Editor

EDITORIAL

traveled there, it took us hours to get from the airport to our hotel. Eventually, Bangkok built more expressways and railways, and now the traffic problem has been solved. *** Some people have been asking me whether President Duterte is sick. I don’t really know—I’m not his doctor. All I know is what the President has made publicly known—that he has Buerger’s disease because he used to be a heavy smoker, that he has a back ailment after falling from a motorcycle, and that he has been taking Fentanyl, a pain remedy more potent than morphine. Duterte has also said his migraine prevents him from attending many occasions. And then, we also see he has discoloration of the face. More recently, Panelo said the President had some sort of neuro-muscular sickness common to the elderly. Malacañang should come out with a regular bulletin. The people have the right to know how healthy, or not, our leader is. *** Senator Richard Gordon, chairman of the Senate blue ribbon committee investigating the so-called ninja cops, says nothing will stop him from filing appropriate charges against former Philippine National Police Chief Oscar Albayalde, who stepped down yesterday. Some generals have pinpointed Albayalde as having knowledge of the activities of ninja cops, when he was still chief of Region 3. Gordon says that even if Albayalde obtains the services of a lawyer like Estelito Mendoza, Marcos’ minister of justice, the evidence is still clear and sufficient to charge him. Do you know that just for accepting a case, Mendoza charges P1 million? Also, he charges by the hour. Albayalde must be very rich to afford that! Now whether or not Albayalde goes scot-free is immaterial,

C

By any other name

AREFUL with your words—it’s “relinquished his post,” not “resigned.”

Former Philippine National Police director general Oscar Albayalde announced Monday that he was relinquishing his post and going on non-duty status, weeks away from his November 8 retirement. Certainly, this was not the original plan. There would have been a celebratory sendoff, highlighting the gains and achievements of a long and storied career. Unfortunately for Albayalde, the ninja cops issue came to light, and an event that took place nearly six years ago, when he was still police chief of Region 3, came back to haunt him, drastically altering his retirement plans.

Non-duty status, we gather, is akin to a terminal leave that a worker in the private sector takes prior to the actual effectivity of resignation or retirement. Albayalde devoted a good part of his “relinquishment” statement to airing his side on the Senate investigation. What awaits him these next few days, and onward after his retirement? We hope that the investigation flushes out the truth on these ninja cops, their protector and benefactor, and if there were other similar incidents aside from the November 2013 raid in Mexico, Pampanga. If he is innocent, then he deserves to be able to clear his name; if he is not, then he should face the consequences of his actions, especially since he has been sworn to serve and protect the people,

not serve his own interest and protect the men who worked for him, right or wrong. The more important question is, what awaits the PNP, left in shambles by controversies surrounding its leaders? Many have come to see the PNP as overzealous in carrying out the President’s war on drugs, to the point of disregarding due process and human rights. Allegations of profiting from the same campaign they are supposed to be waging adds ignominy to the offense of violating their mandate and the people’s trust. The next PNP leader should inspire the organization to do better, to be better, notwithstanding the baggage of its past or the complexities of politics. The people need their police force to work for them and nobody else. No ambiguity or confusion about that.

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Water as a public trust THE Supreme Court could not be as clear in Maynilad vs. DENR, decided in August this year and which I summarized last Saturday: “Water is not a mere commodity for sale and consumption but a natural asset to be protected and conserved. Sanitation is its corollary constant […]” “We have a collective responsibility to preserve water resources and improve sanitation facilities for future generations.” This is a monumental decision, as the Court phrases it especially in the realm of environmental policy, public health, utilities regulation, concessionaire agreements, and privatization. Indeed, as I wrote in my previous column, this is probably the best environmental decision the Philippine Supreme Court has ever issued. It should affirm it in toto and not give the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System and the two private water utilities Maynila Water Services and Manila Water any leeway or pathway to escape liability. It should also not allow the companies to pass on the costs of the fines to consumers. Maynilad was a unanimous Supreme Court decision, with 12 of the 14 Justices then serving on the bench signing on to the brilliant and magnificent decision written by novice Associate Justice Ramon Paul L. Hernando. Assistant Court Administrator and SC Spokesperson Atty. Brian Hosaka said that Justice Diosdado M. Peralta and Justice Andres B. Reyes, Jr. did not take part in the case. Peralta’s wife, CA Justice Fernanda Lampas-Peralta, concurred in one of the cases that were subject of the petitions consolidated before the Supreme Court. Reyes was also a member of the division which ruled in one

of the cases when he was still with the Court of Appeals. The case of Maynilad is about the violation of the water concessionaires, Manila Water and Maynilad, of the Clean Water Act of 2004 (CWA), through its “blatant apathy” in complying with their obligations. They have failed to “provide, install, operate, and maintain adequate Wastewater Treatment Facilities (WWTFs) for sewerage system[s] resulting in the degraded quality and beneficial use of the receiv- i n g bodies of water leading to Manila Bay, and [for] which [they have] directly forestalled the DENR's mandate to implement the operational plan for the rehabilitation and restoration of Manila Bay and

The Supreme Court used the more established Regalian and parens patriae doctrines.

Aggrieved property owner seeks recompense

its river tributaries.” Such violation was in clear contravention of the five-year period mandated in the CWA’s Section 8. The allegations made were based from the findings stemming from the “test results of water samples taken from Manila Bay which showed that the quality of water near the area has worsened without improvement in all parameters.” To decide Maynilad vs. DENR, the Supreme Court connected the more established Regalian and parens patriae doctrines to the concept of public trust, using the latter to develop a more systematic and

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HOW would you feel if property you legitimately own suddenly becomes inaccessible and practically no longer yours? That's the sad experience of many a landowner in Metro Manila whose property has been taken over by squatters, or to use a politically correct term, informal settlers. We often hear of such stories, but there's a different one brought to our attention by a reader. This has to do with an elderly owner of a building in Quezon City. He rented out the building to a motel to the tune of P500,000 a month. Because of his advancing age, the owner decided to look for a buyer of his property. The owner soon found a buyer at a mutually agreed price. When he informed the motel of this develop-

ment, the management offered to buy the property at the same price.

Here is the sad story of an elderly building owner who rented out his property to a motel. The owner did not want to sell his property to the motel, but the management insisted on buying it, claiming

they had the right to match the price offered by another buyer. Since then, the motel no longer paid the rent for the property. The owner tried to collect the monthly rent, but he was repeatedly ignored by the management. One year passed and the motel had not paid a single centavo to the owner. Repeated demands by the owner for the motel to pay up went unheeded. This is quite unreasonable considering that the two parties had not reached a meeting of minds nor had drawn up a deed of sale for the motel to stop the payment of rent to the property owner. This appears to be a blatant abuse of a property owner who's an elderly citizen who should be Turn to A5

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Opinion

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2019

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Wanted: Honest, clean PNP chief WHILE President Duterte is hard pressed to pick a new chief of the Philippine National Police, General Oscar Albayalde must be enduring the most agonizing and “longest days” of his career. “They’re ganging up on me,” complained Albayalde after the latest Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing, referring to the testimonies against him from at least three retired police generals, all his upperclassmen at the Philippine Military Academy. He must feel like he is again undergoing PMA "hazing" which he had said is a “matter of perception” and which helped shape him to what he is today. On Monday, Albayalde said he was “relinquishing his post” and going on non-duty status. And with less than a month to his retirement this coming November 8, he can only wish that the “next big thing” happens to hog the headlines in place of the ninja cops scandal. After all, that has been trend in the arena of public opinion—one controversy, after the other, catching the people's short attention span. So, would this be just another case “whiff of corruption” that people would lost interest

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integrated framework of utilizing natural resources, one which is more consistent with sustainable development and environmental protection. To quote the Court: “The Regalian doctrine is an exercise of the State's sovereign power as owner of lands of the public domain and of the patrimony of the nation. Sources of water form part of this patrimony. The vastness of this patrimony precludes the State from managing the same entirely by itself. In the interest of quality and efficiency, it thus outsources assistance from private entities, but this must be delimited and controlled for the protection of the general welfare. Hand-in-hand with police power in the promotion o f general welfare is the doctrine of parens patriae. It focuses on the role of the state as a ‘sovereign’ and expresses the inherent power and authority of the state to provide protection of the person and property of a person non sui juris, Under the doctrine, the state has the sovereign power of guardianship over persons of disability, and in the execution of the doctrine the legislature is possessed of inherent power to provide protection to persons non sui Juris and to make and enforce rules and regulations as it deems proper for the management of their property. Parens patriae means ‘father of his country,’ and refers to the State as a last-ditch provider of protection to those unable to care and fend for themselves. It can be said that Filipino consumers have become such persons of disability deserving protection by the State, as their welfare are being increasingly downplayed, endangered, and overwhelmed by business pursuits. While the Regalian doctrine is state ownership over natural resources, police power is state regulation through

Aggrieved... From A4

accorded proper respect and not given the run-around by the motel management. So is it a go for the property owner to file a case in court? That's the right thing to do, from where we sit. Half-a million pesos a month in rent isn't peanuts, after all, especially since the elderly property owner needs enough financial resources in his twilight years. Drug war casualty Don't look now, but the latest casualty in the Duterte administration's bloody war on drugs could

in another day or two? Unfortunately, the news about a Taiwanese lady walking around Boracay naked with only “string bikini” that barely covered her private parts was not enough to bury the ninja cops controversy. In fairness to Albayalde, he has denied the imputations that he coddled and protected the 13 ninja cops under his command when he was Provincial Police Office commander in Pampanga in 2013 during which the cops looted multi-million peso worth of shabu seized from a Chinese drug dealer, Johnson Lee. The case was unearthed during the testimony of former CIDG chief General Ben Magalong on the Good Conduct Time Allowance (GCTA) parole program, under which hundreds of drug lords and drug dealers were released from prison by corrupt Bureau of Corrections officials. Albayalde strongly denied making that “ala-Garci phone call” to former Region 3 Police Office chief and now PDEA Director General Aaron Aquino, interceding on behalf of the 13 cops being subjected to summary dismissal. He also denied enjoying material gain from his men’s illegal drugs “recycling” operations despite allegations that he was one of those gifted with luxury SUVs after the questionable release of the suspect. He also denied making similar

“ala-Garci phone call” to former Region 3 Police Officer chief General Rudy Lacadin who replaced Aquino, also admitting “Kaunti lang naman napunta sa akin dyan.” It surfaced that there have been other previous Ninja “hulidap” operations by Alvayalde's men headed by P/Major Rodney Baloyo, who has been ordered detained by the Senate for contempt. It is important to note that Albayalde must be presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law though Senator Dick Gordon is convinced there is prima facie versus Albayalde. But, just like the dismissal case of his 13 ninja cops, his case will have to drag on until after he retires in a month, and he will have to bear with the stigma of being a ninja general. Meanwhile, there are at least three frontrunners vying for the top PNP post, all decorated generals. We cannot overemphasize the need for an honest officer and a gentleman with unblemished record to lead the 190,000-strong PNP, not ninja cops. And, as the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee veered away from the probe on the GCTA, another ninja general seems to be enjoying his retirement out of public eye. He is responsible for the missing P7 billion-plus worth of shabu smuggled through the Bureau of Customs and eventually became the Godfather of the drug lords and drug dealers released from the national prisons.

legislation, and parens patriae is the default state responsibility to look after the defenseless, there remains a limbo on a flexible state policy bringing these doctrines into a cohesive whole, enshrining the objects of public interest, and backing the security of the people, rights, and resources from general neglect, private greed, and even from the own excesses of the State. We fill this void through the Public Trust Doctrine.” Maynilad laid down the basic tenets of the “Public Trust Doctrine” as applied in our jurisdiction. The doctrine “speaks of an imposed duty upon the State and its representative of continuing supervision over the taking and use of appropriated water.” “Thus, ‘[p]arties who acquired rights in trust property [only hold] these rights subject to the trust and, therefore, could assert no vested right to use those rights in a manner harmful to the trust.’" As cited by the Court, “[i]n National Audubon Society v. Superior Court of Alpine County, a California Supreme Court decision, it worded the doctrine as that which—[the state had the power to reconsider past allocation decisions even though an agency had made those decisions after due consideration of their effect on the public trust. This conclusion reflected the view that water users could not acquire a vested property right in the water itself; they merely obtained a usufructuary right to the water].” Further elaborated in academic literature, and as cited by the Court, “that ‘[p]art of this consciousness involves restoring the view of public and state ownership of certain natural resources that benefit all. [... ]" Public trust holds “that certain natural resources belong to all and cannot be privately owned or controlled because of their inherent importance to each individual and society as a whole. A clear declaration of public ownership,

the doctrine reaffirms the superiority of public rights over private rights for critical resources. It impresses upon states the affirmative duties of a trustee to manage these natural resources for the benefit of present and future generations and embodies key principles of environmental protection: stewardship, communal responsibility, and sustainability." According to the Court: “The Public Trust Doctrine, while derived from English common law and American jurisprudence, has firm Constitutional and statutory moorings in our jurisdiction. The doctrine speaks f an imposed duty upon the State and its representative of continuing supervision over the taking and use of appropriated water. Thus, "[p]arties who acquired rights in trust property [only hold] these rights subject to the trust and, therefore, could assert no vested right to use those rights in a manner harmful to the trust. The public is regarded as the beneficial owner of trust resources, and courts can enforce the public trust doctrine even against the government itself. It is in this same manner that the right to distribute water was granted by the State via utility franchises to Maynilad and Manila Water, under express statutory regulation through its delegated representative, the MWSS. The State conferred the franchise to these concessionaires, working under the finn belief that they shall serve as protectors of the public interest and the citizenry. In this regard, water rights must be secured to achieve optimal use of water resources, its conservation, and its preservation for allocative efficiency.” I will discuss the implications of these statements in the next installment of this series.

well be the nation's erstwhile top cop, Police General Oscar Albayalde, that is, if the Senate Blue Ribbon committee's investigation of the so-called "ninja cops"—an offshoot of the main probe of the scandal at the Bureau of Corrections regarding the Good Conduct Allowance Act (GCTA)—turns up more evidence of alleged wrongdoing. Albayalde relinquished his post Monday. Three former police generals have implicated him in the controversy over a police operation in Pampanga where operatives seized 200 kilos of methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu but reported only 38 kilos to headquarters. The rest of the contraband, it turns out, was taken by the 13 police officers who took part

in the raid, ostensibly to be recycled and sold on the streets. With a gram of shabu said to be sold for P1,000 by street pushers, then the 160 kilos that would have been sold by the ninja cops would be worth no less than P160 million. Albayalde, then the Pampanga police provincial office director, is alleged to have made a call to then Region 3 Police Director and now Director General of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency Aaron Aquino asking him not to implement the dismissal order against the ninja cops. Then there's Benjamin Magalong, former chief of the PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group and now Baguio City mayor, who told the Senate hearing that Albayalde asked

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When a President attacks a central bank head time of slowdown, or downward, in a time of exuberance—the Fed should have leeway to influence producers and consumers to make appropriate investment and consumption decisions, Mr. Powell argued. The Fed will have little leeway if interest rates DURING his 33 months as chief ex- are already at too low or too high levecutive of the world’s most powerful els, he said. country, Donald Trump has done and Considering the impact of insaid things violative of the US Con- terest-rate changes on consumers’ stitution, offensive to America’s cul- welfare, President Trump could be ture and traditions and disruptive of forgiven if his intrusion into Fed dethe nation’s order and stability. One cision-making were motivated by of the worst—and, one of the most high-minded considerations. But recent—of Mr. Trump’s malfeasanc- America’s chief executive was not es relates to the decision-making being high-minded. The only motiprocess of the US’s central bank, the vation for his intrusion was politics— Federal Reserve System, popularly more specifically, his desire to protect known as the Fed. his chances for reelection in the 2020 In recent weeks America’s presi- US election. dent has been engaged in a running Donald Trump’s advisers are tellbattle with the chairman of the Fed, ing him—and he is apprehensive— Jerome Powell—his own appointee— that between now and the election’s over the US central bank’s posture approach America’s economic conon interest rates. ditions may deTrump has been teriorate and a publicly pressurrecession might Donald Trump’s ing Powell to use set in as 2020 his influence as attack on Jerome Powell progresses. Such chief monetary a turn of events policymaker to is unprecedented. would seal the get the Federal end of a PresReserve Board idency that is (FRB) to add ancurrently under attack from virtually other interest rate cut to the two suc- all sides. cessive cuts put in place by the Fed Trump’s onslaught against him has during the past year. Powell has been placed Powell in a very awkward poat the receiving end of a steady stream sition. The Fed chairman cannot afof tweets and statements delivered in ford to have the American people see public gatherings and press confer- their central bank as a non-independences. Donald Trump has come very ent institution. But an honest change close to characterizing the Fed chair- of Powell’s heart on the issue of inman as irresponsible and unpatriotic. terest-rate lowering could be seen by The current presidential onslaught them as capitulation of the Fed to the against Powell is unprecedented. Nev- White House. er in the 105-year history of the Fed The head of a country’s central has the occupant of the White House bank—the chairman, in the US, or attempted to influence Fed deci- the government, in most other counsion-making in so public and direct a tries—is the face of that institution manner. The Fed chairman doubtless and is the individual to be addressed did not expect to experience the cur- when issues of a monetary or finanrent situation in his wildest dreams. cial character, such as interest rates or Jerome Powell, who presides over prices, arise. But Donald Trump fora Board made up of the presidents of got, or deliberately ignored, the fact the 12 Regional Reserve Banks, has that the FRB, or his country’s Monbeen putting up a three-part defense etary Board, is a collegial body and against Trump’s brazen intrusion into that the Fed chairman—in our case Fed operations. One part is the stat- the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas govutory independence of the Fed. An- ernor—does not make decisions or other part is the current healthy state set policies himself. Donald Trump of the US economy: at 5.3 percent the was wrong in singling out chairman unemployment rate is at its lowest lev- Jerome Powell for attack. el in several decades, more Americans In every modern democratic nation are employed than ever before, the US there are public institutions that can economy lately has been growing at be assailed with no irreparable damclose to 3 percent and the inflation age done to the social fabric. The cenrate is historically low. tral bank—or whatever it is called— The third part of Fed chairman is not one of them. The independence Powell’s defense against Trump’s on- of the central bank must be protectslaught relates to the efficacy of Fed ed and defended at all times, and the interest-rate policy changes. To be head of that institution must never able to nudge economic activity is the be attacked personally in connection appropriate direction—upward, in a with his work.

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I think. In the minds of the people, he is as guilty as hell after witnesses established his connections with the ninja cops. *** During the first year of President Duterte, Finance Secreatry Carlos Dominguez, together with Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation chairperson Andrea Domingo, recommended the privatization of 47 Pagcor casinos nationwide. The government could use the proceeds to fund its Build, Build, Build program. Dominguez and Domingo know only

President Rodrigo Duterte not to implement a dismissal order against the Pampanga police officers. Albayalde denied this, but admitted that sometime in 2016, he called PDEA chief Aaron Aquino, who was then chief of the Central Luzon police, to ask for an update on the case of the Pampanga officers. Another witness, then CIDG deputy director and now retired police general Rudy Lacadin, claimed during the hearing that Albayalde called him up when he was investigating the 2013 drug operation and Albayalde told him that he "only got a little" from the 2013 drug operation. Albayalde stoutly denies all this: "I question the timing of this attack and smear campaign against me. Until

too well that Pagcor, as a gaming regulator, should not be running casinos. It is conflict of interest, pure and simple. Until now, however, there have been no efforts toward privatization. *** With Duterte’s pivot to China comes the easing of rules and regulations on the Chinese coming to the Philippines. Sometimes they get their visas only upon arrival. The visas are supposedly good for three months. There are other problems that go with this practice: Criminal activities, including prostitution. Many “tourists” get jobs at Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations. They end up staying indefinitely. We should stop the problematic “visas-upon-arrival” practice.

now, despite the Senate hearings conducted, no hard evidence was ever presented showing that I was involved in that drug raid in Pampanga in 2013. All statements made remain allegations, insinuations, and unsubstantiated." Albayalde is due to retire in November, but announced yesterday he was going on a non-duty status effective immediately. Indeed, the credibility of the entire institution has already been tainted, and its ability to implement the Duterte administration's war on drugs with transparency and adherence to the law put under a serious cloud of doubt. That makes Police General Albayalde himself a casualty in the government's war on drugs. ernhil@yahoo.com

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News

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2019

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Be wary of counterfeit PH money— NCRPO chief

Fish kill won’t affect Manila Bay rehab By Rio N. Araja

By Joel E. Zurbano

THE police on Monday warned the public anew on counterfeit money as enterprising criminals continue operating in various posh hotel resorts and casino in Metro Manila. Two South Korean nationals were arrested by the Pasay City police station on Sunday for possession of counterfeit Philippine currency at the Resort World Manila along Newport Boulevard in Barangay 183 Villamor, Pasay City. The suspects were identified as Seong Bok Min, 52, a call center manager and residing at 18C Infinity Condominium 25th Street, Barangay Pinag-sama, Bonifacio Global Taguig City; and Cheongyeo Yun, 49, a cosmetic industry officer and resident of Unit 12L Forbeswood Height Tower 6, also in BGC. The police arrested the foreigners based on the complaint lodged by Donna Del Valle, 29, a casino cashier of Resort World and resident of Pasay City, Rommel Almoite, 35, also a casino employee, of Old Sta. Mesa, Manila, and gaming officer Catherine Gaa, 34, of Cainta, Rizal. Recovered from the suspects were 15 pieces of counterfeit one thousand peso bill. Initial investigation showed that the suspects found in possession of counterfeit Philippine money when they tried to exchange the currency into casino chips. Police said that eleven pieces of counterfeit money were recovered from Cheongyeo and four more pieces from Seong Bok Min. In May, the National Capital Region Police Office called on the public to be wary of counterfeit money, after the Pasay City police arrested three men, also including a South Korean, for peddling fake currencies at the Resort World. “We advise the residents to carefully examine their bills, so as not to be victimized by this illegal activity. We also call on the public to call the authorities for information that will lead to the arrest of those behind these counterfeit money,” said NCRPO chief Maj. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar.

PACO FIRE. Firefighters attempt to put out a fire that broke out at a residential area in Paco, Manila past 6 a.m. on Monday. Norman Cruz

DOH sets mass vaccination to prevent spread of polio By Macon Ramos-Araneta

T

HE Philippines begins mass vaccinations after polio returns years of falling vaccination rates, made worse by the botched rollout of a dengue vaccine, culminated in an outbreak of the preventable disease in September.

“This is for the welfare of my child,” Ruth Miranda told AFP after the vaccine was squirted into her child’s mouth at the Manila slum they call home. Miranda’s child is among scores who are unprotected in the capital of about 13-million people, where vaccination rates of young children plunged from 77 percent in 2016 to a mere 24 percent in June. The atmosphere at the event in Manila was festive—with ice cream vendors and music—but the stakes for the cam-

paign are high. Polio, which can cause paralysis and can be fatal in rare cases, has no cure and can only be prevented with several doses of oral and injectable vaccines. Two cases were detected in September, the first polio infections in the Philippines since 2001, adding to the woes of a country already hit by deadly measles and dengue epidemic. The risk of the disease spreading within the Philippines is high, according to World Health Organization, due

to low immunization coverage partly blamed to a dengue vaccine scandal. The Philippines was the first nation to use Dengvaxia in a mass program in 2016, but a botched rollout led to claims that children had died after being vaccinated. A dramatic drop in vaccine confidence followed, with trust plunging from 93 percent in 2015 to 32 percent in 2018, according to a study led by the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. The Philippines polio outbreak has been traced back to the weakened form of the virus used in vaccines, which is excreted by people for a time after they receive it. According to the WHO, that form can mutate and spread in the surrounding community when immunization rates get too low. With AFP

IN BRIEF Manila launches ‘Kadiwa’ outlets THE city government of Manila and the Department of Agriculture launched on Monday a “Kadiwa” grocery outlet that would sell fruits, vegetables, and meat products at reasonably low prices at the inner court of the city hall. Mayor Francisco “Isko” Domagoso said the Kadiwa project is a “win-win solution for both poor consumers and struggling farmers.” “Ang mga tao ngayon, mabibigyan na sila ng katipiran. Maaari na silang makabili ng sariwa at malinis na gulay sa napakababang presyo dahil hindi na nila kailangan dumaan pa sa mga (People can now save money. They can now buy fresh and clean vegetables at very low prices without dealing with) middlemen,” Domagoso said in his speech during the launch. “Kapag ito ay isinagawa ng 1,600 plus municipalities, sa tingin ko bababa ang mga bilihin, gagaan ang pamumuhay ng mga tao at mas maraming savings para sa ibang mga bagay na tustusin (If the 1,600 plus municipalities implement this, product prices will go down, people would be in better position and will have more savings for other things they need to buy),” he added. PNA

Beware of fake online jobs—DOLE THE Department of Labor and Employment warned jobseekers against fake social media pages and accounts offering local and overseas job vacancies. The department issued the warning after a jobseeker was victimized by a certain “Arthur Villena” who claimed to be allegedly working at the labor department. The victim, a certain “Mary” said she got the details from a supposed ‘DOLE Job Assistance-Local and Abroad’ Facebook page bearing various posts for interested applicants for deployment in Canada, Australia, Singapore, London, and local jobs for CALABARZON and MIMAROPA as nurses, caregiver, managers, restaurant staff, and others,”: The DOLE said. The page also uses the official logo of DOLE, posting pictures of trainings, and a photo of former Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz. Vito Barcelo

THE Department of Environment and Natural Resources on Monday vowed to work to ensure that the recent fishkill in the cities of Las Piñas-Parañaque won’t affect the rehabilitation of Manila Bay. Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu assured the public that appropriate measures would be undertaken to make sure the recent fish kill in the Las Piñas-Parañaque wetland park would not affect the ongoing rehabilitation efforts in Manila Bay. The agency is “looking deeply” into the cause of the fish kill in the protected wetland area situated within the Manila Bay region, he said. “The DENR is now gathering more information on the extent and the cause of the fish kill in LPPWP,” the environment chief said. The Environmental Management Bureau-National Capital Region has already conducted tests in LPPWP for several key water quality indicators, he said. The results are being fast tracked “to enable us to determine what measures to undertake to mitigate adverse impacts over other marine life in the area,” he said. “We are also doing this because we want to make sure that the fish kill incident will not cause any delay to the ongoing Manila Bay rehabilitation efforts,” he said. According to DENR-NCR regional executive director Jacqueline Caancan, the water test results will be out “in the next few days.” The results, she said, would complement studies being done by experts from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources of the Department of Agriculture, and the city governments of Las Piñas and Parañaque. “While agriculturists initially assessed that the state of some of the fishes indicate dynamite fishing, our parameter tests on the water quality in the area could pinpoint other factors that may have contributed to the fish kill,” Caancan said. Last Oct. 9, residents near the LPPWP saw a portion of the waters surrounding the wetland turning “milky white” in color. Fish then gradually appeared along the shore, with some displaying an erratic “jumping” behavior. The large fish kill appeared the next morning, with tons of various marine species crowded along a half-kilometer stretch of LPPWP’s Long Island, and about half-ton spread out over Freedom Island.

Oil firms raise prices by P0.25 By Alena Mae S. Flores

GORDON’S TALE. Senator

Richard Gordon responded to questions by mediamen. At his side were San Rafael, Bulacan Mayor Cipriano Violago and Congresswoman Lorna Silverio of the 3rd District of Bulacan. Orlan Mauricio

Taipei seeks enhanced ties with Manila By Rey E. Requejo THE Taiwan government is seeking enhanced mutual cooperation and ties with the Philippines in the areas of trade, investment, agriculture, health, tourism among others, despite Manila’s standing “one China policy,” which limits the latter’s cooperation to cultural and economic affairs. In his speech during Taiwan’s 108th National Day celebration held last week at Sofitel Philippine Plaza, Ambassador Michael Peiyung Hsu said he is looking forward for the strong and enduring relationship between Taipei and Manila. “Taiwan is seeking to further enhance mutual cooperation and ties with the Philippines and across Southeast Asia,

and with the implementation of the New Southbound Policy, we have made important progress in expanding exchanges in such areas as trade, investment, agriculture, health, tourism, environment, disaster prevention, and higher education,” Peiyung Hsu said. Under the country’s diplomatic statute called the “One China Policy,” which was adopted in 1975, the Philippines would only recognize China as the sovereign state that resulted to downgraded ties with Taiwan to cultural and economic affairs. The One China Policy precludes Manila from cooperating with Taipei in the area of defense, diplomacy, and policy. It could, however, engage in trade, tourism, education, culture and

technological exchanges. The Philippine government created an administrative office called Manila Economic and Cultural Office, now headed by Chairman Angelito “Lito” Banayo, to manage the Philippine-Taiwanese affairs. MECO’s counterpart in the Philippines is the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office headed by Ambassador Peiyung Hsu. Peiyung Hsu emphasized that the close bond and friendship between Taipei and Manila “is a major factor behind Taiwan’s outstanding growth and development over the past year.” He noted that from Jan. 1 to Aug. 31 this year, more than 330,000 Filipino tourists visited Taiwan, representing an increase of 14 percent over the same period last year.

THE country’s oil firms raised the price of gasoline by P0.25 per liter effective 6 a.m. Tuesday but cut the price of diesel and kerosene by P0.10 and P0.40 per liter, respectively. “Petron will implement the following price adjustments effective 6 a.m. tomorrow, October 15: P0.25/li increase for gasoline; P0.10/li rollback for diesel; and P0.40/li for rollback for kerosene. These reflect movements in the international oil market,” the country’s biggest oil company said in its advisory. Aside from Petron, Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp., Chevron Philippines, PTT Philippines, Seaoil Philippines, Phoenix Petroleum Philippines,Unioil Philippines, Total Philippines also adjusted prices while other companies are expected to follow. World oil prices declined last week amid the worsening US-China trade war which could impact of global oil demand. Geopolitical tensions in the Middle East tempered the price decline. The world oil market also reacted to the report of the US Energy Information Agency which revised its oil price forecast to $57 per barrel in the second quarter next year. It also estimates a lower crude production for 2019 to 29.8 million barrels per day from 31.9 million barrels per day in 2018. Last Oct. 5, 6 and 8, most of the oil companies implemented a price rollback of P0.80-P0.85 per liter for gasoline, P1 per liter for diesel and P1.15 per liter for kerosene amid indications of a slowdown in US economic growth and weak earnings in Europe. Year-to-date adjustments stand at a net increase of P5.86 per liter for gasoline, P4.12 per liter for diesel and P1.21 per liter for kerosene.

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Yulo to receive P1m from PSC By Peter Atencio

G

YMNAST Carlos Yulo will now get an incentive of P1 million.

Philippine Sports Commission Chairman William Ramirez said the world gymnastics’ champion Yulo was supposed to only get a cash reward P500,000 under Republic Act No. 10699, also known as an “Act Expanding the Coverage of Incentives Granted to the National Athletes and Coaches.” But the PSC board decided to add another P500,000. “The other P500,000 is for setting a historic mark in gymnastics,” said Ramirez. The 19-year-old Yulo, who made heads turn late Saturday when he won a firstever gold medal for the Philippines in the men’s floor exercises of the 49th Artistic

THE PHILIPPINE NAVY. Standard Insurance Women’s Cycling Team will also represent the country in the coming 30th Southeast Asian Games for individual time trials and mass start to be held in Tagaytay City from Nov. 30 to Dec. 11. The squad recently swept the Four Stages Tour of Matabungkay after winning the championship of the Six-Stage Vietnam 20th AH Giang Women’s Tour. The overall general classifications standings were Jermyn Prado (champion), Marella Salamat (2nd place), Marianne Dacumos (3rd place), Mathilda Krog (4th place) and Kate Velasco (5th Place). Like the men’s cycling team, the women’s team is also managed Marine Col. Noel Beleran and coached by Bernie Llantada, Reinhard Gorrantes and Dante Cagas.

Gymnastics World Championships in Stuttgart, Germany, will make a courtesy call on President Duterte in Malacañang on Wednesday. During the world championships, Yulo scored a personal-best 84.048 points over the six apparatuses as he stood his own against top Russian gymnasts in the all-around. He became the second Filipino to qualify for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics because of this. Yulo will be joined at the palace by boxer Nesthy Petecio, Eumir Marcial and pole vaulter Ernest John Obiena for making it to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. The 27-year-old Petecio won over hometown bet Liudmila Vorontsova on points, 3-2, to claim the 2019 AIBA Women’s World Boxing Championships featherweight gold medal in Ulan-Ude, Russia also Sunday. For her feat, Petecio will receive P500,000 from the government, along with

UAAP lifts 3rd-game suspension on UP coach Perasol UNIVERSITY Athletic Association of the Philippines Basket Commissioner Jensen Ilagan lifted the third and final game suspension imposed on University of the Philippines head coach Bo Perasol. This comes after a meeting between Perasol and Ilagan last Saturday, in which the Fighting Maroons mentor expressed his sincerest apologies to the league, more importantly, to referee Jaime Rivano. “Last Saturday was the first time our office heard directly from Coach Bo and we appreciate his sincerity and evident humility in expressing his regret regarding the incident between him and referee Rivano which happened last September 29,” said Ilagan. “Coach Bo emphasized how he deeply regretted his actions towards the official and extended his apology towards the UAAP Board, organization, and the entire community.” With this, Perasol will make his return to the sidelines when UP takes on University of Santo Tomas on Wednesday, October 16 at 4:00 pm, SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City. The league, on the other hand, supports Ilagan’s decision in lifting the ban on Perasol. “The UAAP, through the Board of Manag-

ing Directors and Board of Trustees, maintains that it will support and respect the Office of the Commissioner with regard to any technical concern,” said Executive Director Rebo Saguisag. “It is also well within the Commissioner’s power to reconsider on the ground of newly discovered evidence and/or developments such as availing in this case.” During UP’s game versus Ateneo back in September 29, Perasol was handed two technical fouls with 6:23 left in the third quarter of the contest. Perasol displayed “continuous flagrant acts of aggression” towards Rivano. This resulted in a three-game ban. Ilagan reminds all the members of the community to exert restraint and discipline, not just towards officials but to everyone on the court. “Mr. Perasol and every member of the UAAP are hereby reminded that any further unsportsmanlike acts on their part will be dealt with the full extent of the league,” said Ilagan. The league is calling on the community to continuously strive for improvements moving forward. “Nevertheless, the parties recognize that there will always be room for improvement

Petron, F2 try to arrange finals’ duel MALOLOS CITY The big guns of local volleyball—Petron and F2 Logistics—seek to arrange a dream finals duel when they take on separate foes in the sudden-death semifinals of the Philippine Superliga Invitational Conference Tuesday at the Malolos Sports and Convention Center here. After topping Group C with a perfect record, the Blaze Spikers shift their title quest to a higher gear when they take on Foton at 3 p.m. while the Cargo Movers collide with Cignal in the 5 p.m. main encounter of the most prestigious women’s club tournament in the country. F2 Logistics, which finished the preliminaries with a 5-1 winloss mark, is tipped to go all out as it welcomes the return of Filipino-American spiker Kalei Mau, who missed five of their six matches due to an ankle injury. In their previous 25-22, 25-15, 25-15 win over Sta. Lucia, Mau was impressive, delivering 11 points to compliment the Cargo Movers’ balanced attack featuring Ara Galang, Kianna Dy, Aby Maraño and Majoy Baron. “Having Kalei back is a big advantage for us,” F2 Logistics head coach Ramil de Jesus said, adding that Mau gives them the versatility and a positive outlook they need for what looms to be another tight and grueling race for the crown. “Kalei gives us more options to executive our plays. She can score from all angles and her leadership inside the court was one of a kind.”

in the area of officiating which needs the full cooperation of everyone involved, particularly the coaches, players, and officials,” shared Saguisag.

PROPOSAL FOR DIRECT USE AS FOOD AND FEED, OR FOR PROCESSING OF TC1507xMON810xMIR162xNK603 MAIZE 1.

Applicant’s Name Pioneer Hi-Bred Philippines, Inc.

2.

Applicant’s Address 8/F iSquare Building 15 Meralco Avenue, Ortigas Center Pasig City, 1605 Philippines

3.

Telephone & Facsimile Nos./E-Mail Addresses of the Applicant Tel.: (02) 637-1234; Fax: (02) 687-5114 Email Address: arun.mittal@corteva.com; tony.alfonso@corteva.com

4.

Name of Responsible Officer/Authorized Representative Arun Mittal/Antonio Alfonso

5.

Description of the Regulated Article for Direct Use The product TC1507xMON810xMIR162xNK603 maize (OECD unique identifier: DAS-Ø15Ø7-1 x MON-ØØ81Ø-6 x SYN-IR162-4 x MON-ØØ6Ø3-6, was developed through conventional breeding methods combining the four single maize events TC1507, MON810, MIR162 and NK603. No new genetic modification has been introduced in the stack combinations. Maize plants that contain this stack event are resistant to the lepideptoran insect pests of corn, such as Asian Corn Borer (ACB, Ostrinia furnacalis) and are tolerant to the herbicides glyphosate and glufosinate.

(MS-OCT. 15, 20190

TC1507 maize and MON810 maize expresses the Cry1F and Cry1Ab proteins, respectively. Both proteins confer protection against certain lepidopteran pests, particularly ACB.

N OTICE Notice is hereby given that REPOWER ENERGY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION is applying for registration with the Board of Investments (BOI) as Renewable Energy Developer of Hydropower Resources [3.3 MW Piapi River Hydroelectric Power Project] in Barangay Cagsiay III, Mauban Quezon to avail of the incentives under the Renewable Energy Act of 2008 (RA 9513). Any person with valid objection/s on the above-mentioned project may file his/her objection in writing, under oath, with the BOI within three (3) days from the date of this publication.

NOTICE OF DISSOLUTION Notice is hereby given that the Amended Articles of Incorporation of Northbay Auto Parts Corporation shortening the term of existence, hereby dissolving the said corporation.

PUBLIC INFORMATION SHEET FOR DIRECT USE AS FOOD AND FEED, OR FOR PROCESSING

NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC

Public is hereby notified that the DA-Bureau of Plant Industry has issued on August 22, 2019 a biosafety permit for direct use as food and feed or for processing (FFP) to DP73496 canola owned and licensed by Pioneer Hi-Bred Philippines, Inc.

(MS-OCT. 15, 2019)

MIR162 expresses a vegetative insecticidal protein, vip3Aa variant, which confers resistance to feeding damage caused by lepidopteran insects by selectively damaging their midgut. The PAT enzyme expressed in TC1507 maize confers resistance to the herbicidal active ingredient glufosinate-ammonium and used as a selectable marker. On the other hand, NK603 maize expresses CP4 EPSPS enzyme which confers tolerance to the herbicidal active ingredient glyphosate. 6.

This will serve as notice to all concerned of the legal dissolution of the aforesaid corporation. (Sgd) Adelaida R. Balete Corporate Secretary

(MS-OCT. 1, 8 & 15, 2019)

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE FERTILIZER AND PESTICIDE AUTHORITY

FPA Bldg., B.A.I. Compound, Visayas Ave., Diliman, Quezon City P.O Box 2582 QC Tel. Nos.920-8173*920-8573*922-3361*441-1601 E-mail Add:fpacentral77@gmail.com Website:http://fpa.da.gov.ph

7.

FPA BIOTECH CORE SERVICES

The proteins expressed in this stack product maize do not present the characteristics associated with allergenic proteins. No interactions among the gene products or negative synergistic effects are expected in the stack hybrid product.

N OTICE

APPLICATION FOR REGISTRATION OF BIOTECH PLANT-INCORPORATED PROTECTANT (PIP) (Attached All Data Requirement as Specified in FPA Memo. Circ. No. 10,s of 2017 and FPA Pesticide Policies and Implementing Guidelines, 2nd Edition, 2001)

1.

Institution/Business Name & Business Address/Applicant Syngenta Philippines, Inc. 12th Floor, Two World Square, 22 Upper McKinley Hill McKinley Town Center, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City

2.

Name of Transformation Event/Stack Bt11 x MIR162 x MON 89034 x GA21

3.

Name of Active Ingredient/Protein in PIP A. Cry1Ab for Bt11 B. Vip3Aa20 for M1R162 C. Cry1A.105 and Cry2Ab2 for MON 89034

4.

5.

□ Renewal

□ Resubmission

IN THE MATTER OF THE PETITION FOR JUDICIAL RECOGNITION OF THE DECREE OF DIVORCE ON THE MARRIAGE BETWEEN MARIA CLARISSA ARROYO-GASPI aka MA. CLARISSA S. ARROYO AND HONESTO MORIEL BAZAR GASPI ISSUED BY THE CIRCUIT COURT OF FAIRFAX COUNTY, STATE OF VIRGINIA, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AND FOR A CHANGE OF STATUS FROM MARRIED TO DIVORCE Case No. R-QZN-19-11641-CV

Remarks______________

PIP Use Category

MARIA CLARISSA S. ARROYO-GASPI a.k.a. MA. CLARISSA S. ARROYO, ` Petitioner x------------------------------------------------x

ORDER

x Insecticide □ Fungicide □ Others, Specify______________ 6.

(MS-OCT. 15, 2019)

(SGD.) NESTOR P. ARCANSALIN Director Resource-based Industries Service

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES REGIONAL TRIAL COURT NATIONAL CAPITAL JUDICIAL REGION BRANCH 225, QUEZON CITY

Registration Applied for: x New

A verified petition was filed by petitioner through counsel on August 1, 2019 praying that after due notice and hearing, judgment be rendered:

Name and Address of Technology Developer/Formulator/Manufacturer of Transformation Event/Stack (same as No. 1 above)

1). Recognizing the Decree of Divorce rendered on the marriage between MARIA CLARISSA S. ARROYO-GASPI a.k.a. MA. CLARISSA S. ARROYO and HONESTO MORIEL BAZAR GASPI declaring as dissolved;

7.

Name and Address of Source of Protein/Stack (same as No. 1 above)

2). That such Decree of Divorce be properly recorded, registered and annotated with the Local Civil Registrar of Manila and the Philippine Statistics Authority; and

8.

Applicant`s Signature/Authorized Representative

3). That the status of herein petitioner be change from “Married” to “Divorce”.

Name:

Jet Marcial G. Parma

Title:

President and Commercial Unit Head

Nutrient composition studies showed that the proximates, fiber, fatty acids, amino acids, minerals, vitamins, secondary metabolites and anti-nutrients of grain derived from TC1507xMON810xMIR162xNK603 maize were comparable to grain derived from the near isoline control maize. The compositional equivalence assessment demonstrated that the nutrient composition of its grain and forage is comparable to that of non-GM maize with a similar genetic background, indicating that this stack product is as safe and nutritious as non-GM maize for use in food and feed.

Notice is hereby given that REPOWER ENERGY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION is applying for registration with the Board of Investments (BOI) as Renewable Energy Developer of Hydropower Resources [10.6 MW Pulanai River Hydroelectric Power Project] in Barangay Lumbayao, Valencia City, Bukidnon to avail of the incentives under the Renewable Energy Act of 2008 (RA 9513).

Office of the Executive Director (02) 920-8173

Brief Summary of Potential Effects on Human and Animal Health and the Environment All the inserted genes in the stack event TC1507xMON810xMIR162xNK603 and their gene products have history of safe use and have been assessed by various countries and local regulators for food and feed safety.

(SGD.) NESTOR P. ARCANSALIN Director Resource-based Industries Service

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

If to be imported, Country (ies) of Origin of the Regulated Article TC1507xMON810xMIR162xNK603 maize will be imported from countries that have authorized this event for commercial cultivation such as the United States and Canada.

This announcement will serve as notice to all concerned of all legal dissolution of the aforesaid corporation. Notice of dissolution of North Auto Parts Corporation . Notice is hereby given that the Board of Directors and Stockholders of North Auto Parts Corporation at a special meeting held on September 19, 2019 have approved the dissolution of the Corporation and the amendment of the Articles of Incorporation to shorten its corporate term up to October 31, 2019.

Marcial, who bagged a silver medal at the 2019 AIBA Boxing World Championships in Ekaterinburg, Russia last month. Obiena became the first Filipino to earn a slot to the Tokyo Olympics when he reset his own Philippine record in the men’s pole vault for the third time this year last September in Chiari, Italy. He got the Olympic slot when he cleared 5.81meters and surpassed the Olympic standard of 5.80m. Yulo will continue to train in Japan with his coach Munehiro Kugiyama when he returns to Tokyo by Friday. Yulo also resumes his studies as a scholar at the Teikyo University. Ramirez said he learned of Yulo’s feat over the weekend following a call from his son Omar, who is in London. That’s when the PSC chief made efforts to organize a welcome party for him on Tuesday and prepare a cash bonus for Yulo.

TC1507xMON810xMIR162xNK603 maize exhibits agronomic characteristics similar to its conventional counterpart and at the same time exhibits resistance to ACB and tolerance to glyphosate and glufosinate herbicides. It does not exhibit characteristics that increase its fitness compared to conventional maize. 8.

Brief Summary of Potential Benefits In countries where lepidopteran pests, such as the ACB, cause significant reductions in maize yield, TC1507xMON810xMIR162xNK603 maize provides farmers with an economical and effective means to control these insect pests and weeds. It is an important tool to help farmers keep pace with increasing demand for maize globally for multiple downstream uses for feed, food and fuel.

9.

Countries Where Approvals Have Been Granted Type of approval and Year Approved

Country Argentina Australia /New Zealand Brazil Canada Colombia European Union Honduras Japan Korea Mexico Paraguay Philippines South Africa Taiwan United States Uruguay

Environment 2012 2010 2010 2013 2015 2010 2014 2018 2013 2012

Food and/or Feed 2012 2009 (Food) 2010 2010 2014 (Food), 2013 (Feed) 2013 2015 2010 (Food), 2010 (Feed) 2010 (Food), 2011 (Feed) 2011 2014 2010 2012 2011 (Food), 2017 (Feed) 2013 2012

The public is hereby invited to submit their comments to the BPI Director (within 60 days from date of publication) on the Proposal for the Importation of TC1507xMON810xMIR162xNK603 maize for direct use as food and feed, or for processing. Director Bureau of Plant Industry San Andres, Malate, Manila Telephone Number 404-0409 local 203 Fax Number 404-0409 local 203 E-Mail bpibiotechsecretariat@gmail.com

Finding the verified petition to be sufficient in form and substance, the Court gives due course thereto. WHEREFORE, let copy of this Order be published in a newspaper of general circulation in the Philippines once a week for three (3) consecutive weeks at petitioner’s expense, upon coordination with the Office of the Clerk of Court, Regional Trial Court, Quezon City. Hearing on the verified petition is hereby set on November 28, 2019 at 2:00 o’clock in the afternoon at Hall of Justice Annex Building, Quezon City, at which time and place, any person having interest in the petition may appear.

Signature: _____________________________

Let copies of this Order be posted by the Branch Sheriff/Process Server thirty (30) days before the hearing date at the following places at the expense of petitioner: 1. At the main entrance of the City Hall Building of Quezon City; 2. On the Bulletin Board of the Court, Hall of Justice Annex Building, Quezon City, and 3. At the Barangay Hall of the barangay where the petitioner resided. Let copy of this Order be furnished the Office of the Local Civil Registrar of Quezon City and Manila, the Embassy of the United States of America, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), and the Philippine Statistics Authority. SO ORDERED. August 9, 2019, Quezon City, Metro Manila (Sgd.) MARIA LUISA LESLE G. GONZALES-BETIC Presiding Judge (MS-OCT. 15, 2019)

(MStandard-Oct. 15, 22 & 29, 2019)

Approved for Publication

___________________ GEORGE Y. CULASTE Director Bureau of Plant Industry Date

SUBSCRIBED AND SWORN TO before me this __________ day of ____________2019, affiant exhibiting his Employee ID No. 0001 issued onAugust 10, 2017 at Malate, Manila.

Doc. No.: Page No.: Book No.: Series of:

(MS-OCT. 15, 2019)

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

Sports

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

A8

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2019

Kamao five, Builders win in UNTV Cup Games Sunday (Pasig City Sports Center) 2 p.m. – PITC vs SSS 3:30 p.m. – AFP vs Agriculture 5 p.m. – Malacañang-PSC vs PNP

PhilHealth’s Mark Pedroso goes for a basket during their UNTV Cup game with Ombudsman on Sunday at the Pasig City Sports Center. The PhilHealth Plus scored a 118-110 win over the Graftbusters.

Taiwanese boost PGTA CAT Open cast THIRTY-six mainstays of PGA of Taiwan (TPGA), headed by four in the top 16 of the TPGA Order of Merit ranking, seek redemption from failed bids at home as they slug it out with the country’s best and the leading Philippine Golf Tour Asia campaigners in the Central de Azucarera Open unfolding tomorrow (Wednesday, Oct. 16) at the Luisita Golf and Country Club in Tarlac. No. 5 Wang Wei-Lun, No. 11 Chiu Han-Ting, 12th-ranked Yeh Wei Tze and No. 16 Wang Tsung Chieh along with Chen Po-Hao, who placed sixth in the recent PGTA event in Taiwan topped by Tony Lascuña, spearhead the Taiwanese charge in the $100,000 tournament which drew a full-packed field of 125 from 18 countries. The TPGA’s move to send a powerhouse cast here also underscores the PGT Asia’s growing status as one of the emerging circuits in the region with bets from Scotland, Singapore, India, Spain, Venezuela, Argentina, South Africa, Korea and Japan beefing up one of the strongest casts ever assembled outside of the Philippine Open. They include former PGTA leg winners David Gleeson and Damien Jordan of Australia and American Tarik Can, regular PGT and PGTA campaigners Lexus Keoninh, Brett Munson, Joshua Salah, George Twyman, Micah Shin, Greg Gonzalez and Charles Lee of the US, Aussie Tim Stewart, and Thais Pachara Sakulyong, Ratchapol Jantavara, Donlaphatchai Niyomchoi and Tawan Phongphun. But the locals are ready to defend their turf, led by Lascuña, who is hot on a three-win streak, including victories at Apo and South Pacific the last two weeks. Though ranged against a stellar international field, the Davaoeño shotmaker remains upbeat of his chances for another triumph in the circuit put up by ICTSI and co-sanctioned by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc. and TPGA.

Suarez, water polo team at PSA Forum COMEBACKING national boxing team member Charly Suarez and the Philippine men’s polo team talk about their respective campaigns in the 30th Southeast Asian Games in today’s session of the Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum at the Amelie Hotel-Manila. Suarez will be the first Filipino pro boxer eyeing to compete in an international multi-sports event after he was named part of the boxing team to the SEA Games. He will be accompanied in the 10 a.m. session by coach and former national team member Delfin Boholst. Also appearing in the forum presented by San Miguel Corp., Braska Restaurant, Amelie Hotel, and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation are some members of the water polo team that finished fifth in the FINA Water Polo Challengers’ Cup over the weekend in Singapore. The session is livestreamed via the PSA Facebook page fb.com/PhilippineSportswritersAssociation and aired on a delayed basis over Radyo Pilipinas 2 from 1-2 p.m. and later at 6:30 p.m.

PH archers intensify training for 3 big meets

T

HE Philippine National Archery team is gearing up for three major tournaments in the next two months. The 16-man archery team has intensified its training in preparation for the Asian Championships and the Continental Olympic Qualifier next month and the 30th South East Asian Games (SEA Games) in December. The whole squad has been in a camp at the F.R. Sevilla Archery Range in Novaliches, Quezon City since September right after the Asia Cup, which also served as the SEA Games Archery test event, in Clark, Pampanga. The Pinoy Archers have been under-

going daily rigid training and weekly evaluation under the watchful eyes of national coaches Clint Sayo, Joy Marino and Foreign coach Chong Yap Lee of Malaysia. Archery’s Secretary General Ròsendo Sombrio noted that the athletes continue to improve on their scores as the competitions draw near. Sombrio said that with the full support of the Philippine Sports Commission, the Philippine Archery Team will have a two week international training camp from November 6-21 in Bangkok Thailand, where the Asian Championships and the Continental Olympic Qualifier are also set to take place on November 22-29. “It is our duty to support the national athletes. The archery team is also a recipi-

ent of the PSC’s support as we prepare for the country’s hosting of the SEA Games in November to December,” PSC Chairman Willam Ramirez said. The men’s recurve team is composed of Luis Gabriel Moreno, Florante Matan, Jason Feliciano, and Carson Hastie while the distaff side is made up of Kareel Meer Hongitan, Pia Elizabeth Bidaure, Gabrielle Monica Bidaure and Phoebe Amistoso. The men’s compound team includes Paul Marton Dela Cruz, Johann Olano, Arnold Rojas and Robert Badiola while Jennifer Chan, Andrea Robles, Rachelle Anne Dela Cruz and Abigail Tindugan make up the women’s compound team. The 30th Sea Games will be held from November 30 to December 11.

Taguig Generals win NBL finals’ opener TAGUIG beat Pampanga, 92-82, on Sunday to capture Game 1 of the National Basketball League Season 1 at the Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center in San Fernando, Pampanga. The Generals snatched the homecourt advantage away from the Delta to grab the best-of-three series opener. Taguig can sweep the finals series on Sunday at home to be held at the Hagonoy Sports Complex. Kean Caballero scored 20 points, and Rickson Gerero had 19 points for Taguig, which stole Game 1 after outscoring Pampanga, 25-13, in the fourth period. Jonathan Lontoc was also key for Taguig as he had 15 points and six rebounds, four on the offensive, to claim the victory on the road. The Generals trailed 69-67 entering the fourth when they opened the quarter with a 10-0 run on baskets by Lontoc, Caballero, and Gerero. Tamayo cut the deficit to one, 83-82, but Hel Francisco converted a tip-in to stop Pampanga’s run. Gerero scored a jumper and Caballero hit two free throws to seal the win. Mark Tamayo finished with 16 points, and Bryan Santos tallied 14 points for Pampanga but the Delta will look to force a do-or-die finals match in Game 2 next weekend. Scores: TAGUIG 92 – Caballero 20, Gerero 19, Lontoc 15, Alcantara 12, Francisco

M A L ACA Ñ A N G - P H I L I P PI N E Sports Commission scored a comfortable win, while National Housing Authority needed two extra periods to prevail in Group B elims of the 8th UNTV Cup held over the weekend at the Pasig City Sports Center. The Malacañang-PSC Kamao used a balanced attack in overpowering the GSIS Furies, 102-69 while the NHA Builders got crucial baskets from Tibay twins—Waldermar and Ralph—to complete a stirring 108-101victory over the Judiciary Magis. The lone Group A match also ended in overtime with PhilHealth nailing its first win in three games with a 118-110 win over the Ombudsman Graftbusters in the event organized by UNTV president and CEO Dr. Daniel Razon. Joseph Besa led five Kamao players in double figures with 19 points while Michael Ignario and Ian Garrido contributed 17 and 14 points, respectively, as the team bucked the absence of leading scorer Erick dela Cuesta. Former Letran star Jonathan Aldave, on the other hand, starred for the PhilHealth Plus by exploding for 38 points apart from posting seven boards and two assists. Backing him up was Mark Pedroso who tallied 19 points, 9 assists, five rebounds and three steals. The Builders of coach Benneth Palad trailed in the first three quarters before the Tibay twins joined forces with Alvin Vitug to force the extra period. NHA then pounced on the disqualifications of former PBA players Chester Tolomia and Warren Ybanez on fouls in the second overtime to pull through for a 2-1 record. The Magis slipped to 1-2 in the event offering P4 million to the chosen charity of the champion team. The scores: First Game MALACANANG-PSC 102—Besa 19, Ignario 17, Garrido 14, N. Javier 11, Punzalan 11, V. Javier 9, M. Antonio 9, R. Abalos 2. GSIS 69—Bunyi 18, Ilano 13, Gonzalez 9, R. Laurel 8, Banzali 8, Dorato 4, Nuyana 4, Hernandez 2, Gementera 2, Cacatian 1. Quarter s: 21-18, 48-34, 81-50, 102-69.

SMBeermen trade Standhardinger for NorthPort’s Mo By Jeric Lopez

Jonathan Lontoc of Taguig

10, Cambaya 6, Sampurna 4, Oliveria 2, Mayo 2, Pumaris 2, Quintana 0, Ajero 0, Gilbero 0, Mamalumba 0. PAMPANGA 82 – Tamayo 16, Santos 14, Francisco 13, Ganiya 12, Manaloto

12, Bautista 6, Diangson 4, Villarente 3, Orbe 2, Tungcul 0, Dizon 0, Dela Pena 0, Lapena 0, Ocampo 0. Quarterscores: 23-25, 46-43, 67-69, 92-82.

IN A surprising deal, Grandslam-seeking San Miguel Beer sent Christian Standhardinger to NorthPort in exchange for Mo Tautuaa in a swap of former top picks in the Philippine Basketball Association. The blockbuster trade was completed yesterday with many in shock as both bigs have become valuable for their respective now former teams. The PBA already approved the transaction outright, deeming it was an equal deal for both parties. Standhardinger, despite being second fiddle to five-time Most Valuable Player June Mar Fajardo, has helped the Beermen in their two championships thus far this season. On the other hand, Tautuaa has emerged as a solid big man in the middle for the Batang Pier as he is slowly but surely proving his worth as a former No. 1 pick. Tautuaa was 2015’s top choice while Standhardinger was called first in the 2017 draft.

Eagle Ridge wins National Team Shootout EAGLE Ridge showed that its pre-tournament hype was not a fluke after running away with the overall crown with a three-stroke victory over Tagaytay Midlands in the 2019 Federation National Team Shootout held at the Riviera Golf Club in Cavite recently. Carrying a team handicap of 5 and bannered by three former club champions, An Youn Hwan, Kim Dong Hee, Jung Kyung Young and Ana Jung made eight birdies for a net score of 59 under the Scramble format at Riviera’s challenging Couples course. The tournament, which had 23 teams this year, was organized and presented by the Federation of Golf Clubs in the Philippines, Inc. Board headed by chairman Richie Garcia president Ogie Manalo and overall tournament chair Pablo Soon. The triumph also netted the Eagle Ridge players a 4-day, 3-night golf package in Bangkok, Thailand

all-expenses (airfare, hotel and two rounds of golf) paid plus Titliest bundle consisting on a golf bag, Boston bag, a box of balls and a cap from co-presenter Empire Golf Sports. Tagaytay Midlands, with RJ Rizada, Jenz Tecson, Celso Montalla and Danny Carpio in the roster, was runner up with a 62 and won by count back against dethroned champ Cebu Country Club. Each member received a P10-k worth of gift certificate from Empire. The other scores were: Negros Occidental 63, Orchard-II 63, Riviera-II 63, Forest Hills-II 63, Forest Hills-I 64, Royal Northwoods 64, Malarayat 64, Riviera-I 65, Orchard-I 65, Sta. Elena 65, Alabang 66, Rancho Palos Verdes 66, Summit Point 66, Wack Wack 67, Iloilo 68, Tagaytay Highlands 68, Alta Vista 69, Valley-II 69, Manila Golf 71 and Valley-I 72.

Team champion Eagle Ridge poses with Fedgolf president Ogie Manalo (third from right), treasurer Arsenic Laurel, overall tournament head Pablo Soon, director Epifanio Torre, host Archie Lacson and rules official Henry Arabelo.

IN BRIEF NGCP declares ‘yellow alert’

GRID operator National Grid Corp. of the Philippines placed the Luzon grid under yellow alert for several hours Monday after 4,744 megawatts of power generation capacity became unavailable. “NGCP has placed the Luzon grid under yellow alert Oct. 14, 2019 from 10:01 a.m. to 11 a.m. and from 1:01 p.m. to 4 p.m. This is due to insufficient operating reserve brought about by power plant outages,” power retailer Manila Electric Co. said in its advisory. Meralco said a yellow alert is raised when reserve power is low. The company asked participants of its interruptible load program to prepare the use of their generator sets to help prevent/minimize incidents of power outages. “We are closely monitoring the situation. The power bureau is on this,” Energy Undersecretary Felix William Fuentebella said. Data showed that of the total 4,744 MW that became unavailable, 2,955 MW or 62.3 percent came from unplanned outage of power plants. Around 33.9 percent was due to the derating of power plants while 3.8 percent was due to planned outage. Alena Mae S. Flores

Cavitex gets nod to increase toll

Cavitex Infrastructure Corp. said Monday it secured the approval of the Toll Regulatory Board to increase the toll for the enhanced Manila-Cavite Toll Expressway Project and C-5 Link Expressway. The Toll Regulatory Board approved the initial toll for the first 2.2 kilometers of the Segment 3A-1 portion of the C-5 Link Expressway which forms part of the MCTEP. The initial toll will be collected upon the issuance of the TRB of a notice. CIC and Philippine Reclamation Authority, the joint venture partners in MCTEP, filed a joint petition for the initial toll at C-5 Link Expressway and Segment 3A-1 on July 4, 2019. Under the approval, motorists traversing Segment 3A-1 will pay the following amounts based on the new toll matrix: Class 1 vehicles (ordinary cars), P22; Class 2 vehicles (buses and small commercial trucks), P44; and Class 3 vehicles (large trucks/trailers), P66. The approval granted by the TRB is valid initially for six months from the date of the start of actual collection. Darwin G. Amojelar

AF launches QR transport ticketing

AF Payments Inc., a consortium of Metro Pacific Corp. and Ayala Corp., on Monday implemented the first QR code transport ticketing system in the Philippines. Metro Manila-based BGC Bus and Cebubased Topline Express Ferries will shift to using QR code technology for payment and passenger ticketing. “This is a new era in transport ticketing. It’s a smart solution where both operators and commuters enjoy the efficiency and ease of use associated with QR technology,” said Joey Lim, chairman of the board of AF Payments Inc. “We are grateful to our partners for supporting the initiative and hope to replicate the same elsewhere in the Philippines,” he said. “We are proud to say that our technology is developed in the Philippines, by Filipinos, for Filipinos.” Rene Almendras, president of AF Payments, said to accelerate the growth of QR ticketing and payments in the country, “we are opening our QR ticketing ecosystem to other market players”. “We invite transport operators, payments companies and developers to work with us in widening the reach of QR ticketing,” he said. Darwin G. Amojelar

Business

business@manilastandard.net extrastory2000@gmail.com TUESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2019

B1

AC Energy forms venture to invest $30m in Myanmar By Alena Mae S. Flores

45TH BUSINESS CONFERENCE. Top officials of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry announce the staging

of the two-day Philippine Business Conference and Expo on Oct. 16 and 17 at the Fiesta Pavilion of Manila Hotel. Leading the media launch are (from left) PCCI director Renato Simbulan, honorary chair and treasurer Sergio Ortiz-Luis Jr., chairman emeritus and director of international affairs Dr. Francis Chua, president Ma. Alegria Sibal-Limjoco, director and 45th PBC&E overall chair Dr. William Co, chairman George Barcelon and CSR chair Nora Lacuna. With them at the back row are SME chair Apolinar Aure and assistant treasurer Bernardo Benedicto.

SEC requires 102 firms to raise public ownership By Jenniffer B. Austria

M

ore than 100 publicly-listed companies including San Miguel Corp. and its subsidiaries will be affected by the order of the Securities and Exchange Commission to increase the minimum public ownership of these listed firms to 25 percent. Philippine Stock Exchange president Ramon Monzon said that of the 267 listed firms, 102 had public floats below 25 percent. Public float refers to the percentage of shares in the hands of public investors or those held by people apart from the company owners, management and insiders. Monzon said he was supporting the SEC’s move to raise to 25 percent the MPO from the current 10 percent as this would significantly boost liquidity in the stock exchange. “We have been pushing for this as an exchange, and we have following it up with the SEC,” Monzon said. Under the plan, the SEC will allow

the affected companies five years to comply with the 25-percent minimum public float. SEC commissioner Ephyro Luis Amatong said in a recent interview that San Miguel group needed to sell the most shares to meet the 25-percent MPO. San Miguel’s public float is currently at 15.94 percent while its units have floats below 25 percent. San Miguel Food and Beverage’s public float was only 11.24 percent while Top Frontier Investment Holdings Inc. has public float of 11.9 percent. Ginebra San Miguel Inc.’s public float is 22.3 percent. Other listed companies with public

float below 25 percent include Filinvest Development Corp. (10.7 percent), Eagle Cement (11.5 percent), LBC Express Holdings (15.4 percent), PAL Holdings Inc. (10.33 percent), Emperador Inc. (14. 9 percent), Rockwell Land Corp. (13 percent) and Vistamalls Inc. (10.3 percent). BDO Capital president Eduardo Francisco said the SEC’s plan to increase the MPO would boost the liquidity in the stock market. Francisco said that while the market index was stable at 7,800 to 8,000 level, the volume remained low compared to regional peers. The average daily trading value was only P5 billion to P6 billion this year. Francisco said the five-year compliance period might be too long which could encourage some companies to comply with the MPO in the fifth year. “It is too long. They all might do it on the last day,” Francisco said. The SEC initially decided to increase the MPO to 25 percent in 2016 but shelved the plan as the stock market turned volatile.

AC ENERGY Inc., the power arm of conglomerate Ayala Corp., said Monday it formed a joint venture with Yoma Strategic Holdings Ltd. to develop 200 megawatts of renewable energy capacity in Myanmar. Under the agreement, AC Energy and Yoma Strategic will establish a 50:50 joint venture that will invest at least $30 million in Yoma Micro Power (S) Pte. Ltd. The new joint venture will jointly explore developing around 200 MW of additional renewable energy projects in Myanmar including participation in large-utility scale renewable projects. AC Energy Renewables chief operating officer Patrice Clausse said the partnership would bring the company closer to its 2025 renewable energy goal. “This is a very meaningful investment for AC Energy, as we intend to participate in Myanmar’s renewables sector in a significant way. We are delighted to partner with Yoma Strategic who shares the same aspiration to build a meaningful portfolio in renewable energy and together, be able to contribute to creating an environmentally sustainable future,” Clausse said. Electricity consumption in Myanmar is expected to grow at an average annual rate of 11 percent until 2030, according to the World Bank. “Our combined expertise, strong financing capabilities and AC Energy’s commitment to shore up presence in the fast-growing region will provide a critical platform for growth in the country,” Clausse said. Yoma Strategic chief executiveMelvyn Pun said electricity supply is one of the largest opportunities in Myanmar and one of the biggest bottlenecks for economic development. “We are excited to have AC Energy as our partner to drive sustainable and inclusive economic growth. AC Energy’s international expertise in the renewable energy sector and the access to funding will be invaluable as we work together to service this huge, underserved market in Myanmar,” Pun said. Total electrification in all households in Myanmar will require investments of around $2 billion per year.

PNB expects Q3 growth to stay below 6%

BIR expedites audit of nearly 30,000 co-ops

By Julito G. Rada

By Julito G. Rada FINANCE Secretary Carlos Dominguez III ordered the Bureau of Internal Revenue to fast-track the audit of around 30,000 registered cooperatives to weed out those that have abused the tax incentives granted to them. The BIR said in a report to Dominguez that it had sent audit notices to 474 cooperatives resulting in tax assessments amounting to P1.62 billion. It said the government so far collected P250.35 million. BIR deputy commissioner Arnel Guballa said during a recent DOF executive committee meeting that there were 29,623 registered cooperatives whose tax compliance amounted to P3 billion in 2017. The figure declined by 5.4 percent to P2.84 billion in 2018. Upon hearing the BIR’s report, Dominguez directed the BIR to intensify its efforts to determine which cooperatives were true to their mandate of promoting self-reliance and social change and which ones apparently organized themselves into cooperatives as a ruse to exploit the tax benefits granted to such organizations. “You have the right to audit already, so please exercise it,” Dominguez told BIR officials led by commissioner Caesar Dulay. Guballa said the ongoing audit had uncovered enterprises with business models that are not cooperatives, but claimed to be so to enjoy tax perks. He cited, for instance, a “cooperative” that the BIR had discovered to own several gasoline filling stations.

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

ECONOMIC FORUM. Senior economists express confidence about the country’s growth prospects during an economic briefing hosted by RCBC. Leading the briefing are (from left) ING head of research and chief economist Robert Carnell, ING senior economist Nicholas Mapa and RCBC head of equities research Raul Ruiz. The annual economic briefing which tackled global and domestic economic trends along with critical risks for 2019 was hosted by RCBC Treasury Group for bank clients.

Bangko Sentral to release P20 coins next year By Julito G. Rada THE Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas said it will circulate 20-piso coins to replace the existing 20-piso banknotes in 2020, following a ceremonial launch in December. A study conducted by the University of the Philippines revealed that the 20-piso banknote is the most-used denomination for payments across the country. “Because of this, the 20-piso banknote is easily rendered unfit for circulation and returned to the BSP for replacement. As such, the issuance

of a coin in lieu of a banknote is more cost-efficient in terms of currency production in the long run,” the BSP said Monday. Official photographs and specifications of the 20-piso New Generation Currency coin will be presented by BSP Governor Benjamin Diokno during its launch. To date, the BSP has not released any official image of the proposed 20-piso coin. The BSP said the latest addition to the NGC Coin Series will retain major elements of the 20-piso banknote. The design and features of the new 20-piso coin will make it easily distinguish-

able from the rest of the denominations in the NGC Coin Series. “Once circulated, the new 20-piso coin shall co-exist with the 20-piso NGC banknotes as legal tender. The 20-piso banknote shall be gradually removed from circulation through natural attrition,” it said. Apart from the 20-piso coin, the BSP will also release in circulation an enhanced 5-piso NGC coin to make it more distinct from other denominations in the NGC Coin Series. The changes were based on studies on the design, security features and specifications of the new coins.

PHILIPPINE National Bank, the fifth-largest lender in terms of assets, said economic growth in the third quarter would likely stay below 6 percent, given the anemic demand for imports during the period. PNB said in a report Monday that the lethargic re-stocking among local producers coupled with easing capexrelated expenditures for much of the third quarter hindered local demanddriven imports. “On this note, we sense broadbased, mediocre demand remains entrenched in 3Q19 that’s likely to mirror 3Q GDP growth of less than 6 percent. This less-than-ideal demand condition through weaker imports curbed the risk of a deteriorating trade shortfall,” PNB said. Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority showed that the country’s trade-ingoods deficit narrowed by 33 percent in August to $2.4 billion from $3.6-billion a year ago, as exports rose 0.6 percent while imports fell 12 percent. This brought the trade deficit in the first eight months to $24.7 billion, down 8 percent from $26.8 billion a year ago. Local demand-driven imports succumbed to weakness in August as reflected by lower purchases of capital goods (down 9.8 percent year-onyear), fuel/lubricants (-11.9 percent) and consumer goods (-0.3 percent). Raw material imports posted the heftiest decline (-18.7 percent), led by manufactured goods (-22.6 percent) such as iron and steel imports which suggested de-stocking in construction-related and in other materials.

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Business

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2019 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Market extends gains; AGI up

S

TOCKS rose for a third day as investors cheered a partial trade deal between China and the United States, sending regional markets rallying.

The Philippine Stock Exchange index, the 30-company benchmark, gained 34 points, or 0.4 percent, to close at 7,884.29 Monday. It was also up 5.6 percent since the start of the year. The broader all-share index picked up 17 points, or 0.4 percent, to settle at 4,759.09 on a value turnover of P3.8 billion. Gainers outnumbered losers, 96 to 74, while 71 issues were unchanged. Fifteen of the 20 most active stocks ended in the green, led by Kepwealth Property Philippines Inc. which climbed 6.1 percent to P12.10 and Megaworld Corp. which advanced 3 percent to P4.76. Alliance Global Group Inc. went up 2.6 percent to P11.06.

Meanwhile, most Asian markets also traded higher Monday. Dealers took their lead from a strong performance on Wall Street after top-level negotiators ended two days of talks saying US tariffs due to take effect this week would be put off and China would ramp up its purchases of US farm products. They also agreed on other issues including intellectual property, financial services and currencies. The news provided some much-needed support to Asian markets, with Hong Kong up 0.8 percent and Shanghai jumping more than one percent despite data showing Chinese imports and exports fell more than forecast in September.

Sydney and Singapore both put on 0.5 percent, while Taipei and Seoul also rallied more than one percent. Wellington, Mumbai, Manila and Jakarta saw healthy advances. While the deal was welcomed by Trump as “the greatest and biggest deal ever made for our Great Patriot Farmers in the history of our Country”, analysts were a little more guarded. “Let’s not get carried away,” Raoul Leering, head of international trade research at ING Bank NV, told Bloomberg News. “There is a very tough journey ahead for the US and Chinese negotiators to cut a deal that really has substance.” Tai Hui, chief market strategist for Asia at JP Morgan Asset Management, warned that “market optimism may not be well supported by economic reality”. He added: “While we are still waiting on the details on concessions made by both sides, it seems these are still the low-

hanging fruits that Beijing has offered in the past. “Some of the more challenging issues, such as the US blacklisting of Chinese tech companies and possible limits on US institutional investors investing in Chinese equities, don’t seem to be on the agenda.” In early European trade, London was down 0.1 percent while Paris and Frankfurt each shed 0.4 percent. On currency markets, the dollar dipped against most higher-yielding, riskier units owing to improved optimism. The pound, however, was suffering selling pressure after European leaders appeared unmoved by a hailed Brexit breakthrough on the Northern Irish question between the leaders of Britain and Ireland. The sterling rallied last week after British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and his Irish counterpart Leo Varadkar said after talks they could see a route towards striking a possible divorce deal. With AFP

MANILA STANDARD BUSINESS DAILY STOCKS REVIEW MONDAY,

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

57.5 92.95 2.05 147 1.2 25 18.6 12.04 4.83 1.22 770 0.41 68.45 0.89 12.8 21.9 43.25 176.1 111.6 57.85 26 197.9 1,795 59

57.5 93.8 2.05 148.2 1.27 25 18.6 12.08 4.96 1.22 770 0.41 68.95 0.89 12.8 21.9 43.5 176.1 139.9 58 26.3 199 1,795 59.5

57 92.6 2.05 147 1.2 24.8 18.58 12 4.72 1.22 770 0.41 68 0.89 12.8 21.9 42.9 176.1 111.6 57.5 26 196.6 1,795 59

FINANCIALS 57.3 6,100 93.4 1,721,510 2.05 7,000 147.3 584,660 1.27 23,000 24.95 54,100 18.58 54,800 12.08 257,300 4.78 271,000 1.22 6,000 770 20 0.41 10,000 68.3 1,542,600 0.89 242,000 12.8 100 21.9 100 43.4 42,600 176.1 390 136 130 57.5 1,830 26.1 21,600 197.5 217,630 1,795 135 59.05 4,390

348,497 160,762,121.50 14,350 86,200,208 28,330 1,349,260 1,018,578 3,097,194 1,319,020 7,320 15,400 4,100 105,391,305.50 215,380 1,280 2,190 1,833,170 68,679 15,279 105,906 564,610 42,967,755 242,325 259,343

114,600 -44,558,623 15,052,682 2,495 968,360 -464,612 -16,679,838 7,120 -55,150 -8,805 -339,985 -13,748,776 -200,244.50

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

38 15.8 0.69 1.29 4.5 0.25 2.4 15.08 119.9 9.19 18.58 32 2.05 5.6 8.6 15.6 10.4 7.03 1.59 25.25 79.3 47 2.4 14.96 8.42 1.5 232 5.17 8.3 20.25 13.08 18.1 365 0.182 1.7 4.2 5.14 9.27 11 34 5.52 5.1 2 2.33 1.03 11.4 90 7.38 0.122 1.03 158.5 2.61 1.19 1.11

38.8 15.8 0.72 1.32 4.57 0.255 2.46 15.12 120 9.46 18.58 32 2.05 5.7 8.6 15.6 10.54 7.03 1.59 25.3 79.95 48.8 2.45 14.96 8.76 1.54 235 5.28 8.3 20.25 13.34 18.6 365.2 0.182 1.78 4.3 5.14 9.32 11 34.1 5.52 5.1 2 2.33 1.03 11.4 90.5 7.38 0.122 1.06 159.7 2.61 1.2 1.11

38 15.6 0.69 1.29 4.43 0.25 2.4 15 119.9 8.74 18.58 32 2.01 5.6 8.4 15.4 10.4 6.99 1.59 24.85 79.05 47 2.36 14.7 8.42 1.47 232 5.17 8.3 20.2 13.06 18.02 362.2 0.182 1.7 4.15 5.09 9.27 10.84 33.85 5.4 5.05 1.91 2.33 1.03 11.22 89.95 7.3 0.122 1.02 157.4 2.61 1.18 1.1

INDUSTRIAL 38.6 659,000 15.8 96,500 0.71 685,000 1.32 40,000 4.47 10,544,000 0.255 750,000 2.46 1,297,000 15.08 469,300 120 1,460 8.87 1,268,000 18.58 4,200 32 10,600 2.03 56,000 5.69 30,700 8.4 3,052,700 15.42 14,000 10.5 261,000 7 684,300 1.59 15,000 25 1,568,600 79.05 56,820 48 21,000 2.45 5,174,000 14.9 259,300 8.62 612,000 1.54 325,000 234.6 366,980 5.28 4,600 8.3 1,000 20.25 599,600 13.1 28,300 18.1 777,600 365 39,930 0.182 10,000 1.78 4,158,000 4.3 38,000 5.1 1,629,900 9.32 5,500 11 10,100 33.95 307,400 5.41 35,200 5.1 2,800 1.98 1,778,000 2.33 5,000 1.03 21,000 11.28 51,200 90.3 267,340 7.35 146,900 0.122 20,000 1.06 55,000 158.5 202,360 2.61 1,000 1.2 684,000 1.1 1,045,000

25,414,105 1,519,578 485,790 52,200 47,340,070 187,600 3,159,610 7,058,826 175,188 11,557,244 78,036 339,200 114,060 172,227 25,922,830 216,276 2,737,768 4,799,052 23,850 39,236,230 4,502,580.50 1,009,745 12,475,940 3,861,792 5,298,422 479,900 86,025,520 23,793 8,300 12,141,575 371,690 14,246,698 14,560,794 1,820 7,260,410 159,400 8,314,230 51,168 110,240 10,441,130 191,418 14,265 3,473,210 11,650 21,630 577,258 24,144,029.50 1,080,651 2,440 56,410 32,054,535 2,610 818,160 1,151,020

14,244,285 88,004 -34,500 -6,698,670 291,970 2,518,582 72,438.00 -339,200 -169,977 -4,720,824 75,596 1,781,158 -1,918,007 19,021,040 -1,245,680 321,620 -619,830 98,624 1,544,490 -50 36,350,654 -10,805,450 -128,334 -6,204,424 -1,344,596 104,250 1,571 -6,270,040 -97,000 -430,598 9,992,206 214,020 -5,966,006 44,030 42,900

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

0.87 53.5 10.82 0.71 6.61 12.8 1.13 1.17 880 3.51 6.76 9.01 13.38 848 5.64 72 5.4 0.51 4.4 13.46 0.6 5.1 0.038 1.5 2.93 165 2.44 1,001 0.86 440 220 0.223 0.23

0.87 53.85 11.16 0.72 6.61 12.9 1.14 1.17 884 3.56 6.8 9.03 13.38 865 5.64 72.9 5.4 0.52 4.4 13.86 0.6 5.2 0.039 1.5 2.94 166 2.44 1,019 0.86 440 220.6 0.223 0.23

0.85 53.2 10.82 0.69 6.61 12.2 1.12 1.16 871.5 3.5 6.64 8.79 13.2 844 5.63 71.65 5.4 0.51 4.33 13.46 0.58 5.02 0.038 1.41 2.93 164.1 2.41 1,001 0.84 440 220 0.223 0.23

HOLDING FIRMS 0.87 3,500,000 53.55 236,390 11.06 4,288,400 0.71 406,000 6.61 1,200 12.68 30,800 1.13 228,000 1.16 255,000 877.5 597,620 3.55 1,329,000 6.74 497,200 8.82 8,239,800 13.38 14,500 849 52,960 5.64 56,900 72 1,283,490 5.4 18,000 0.51 6,000 4.4 175,000 13.54 625,500 0.58 102,000 5.06 60,339,000 0.039 1,700,000 1.45 633,000 2.94 6,000 166 85,360 2.41 197,000 1,010 107,205 0.86 134,000 440 10 220.6 280 0.223 190,000 0.23 10,000

3,020,430 12,665,847 47,464,220 288,780 7,932 387,090 257,180 295,840 524,439,430 4,711,520 3,366,004 72,851,966 193,554 45,009,105 320,636 92,701,757 97,200 3,070 763,220 8,488,086 61,160 306,764,020 64,700 915,310 17,610 14,096,977 480,350 108,289,170 113,340 4,400 61,750 42,370 2,300

-520,460 -2,884,295.50 -23,018,518 12,300 175,160 16,262,725 213,400 119,210 -38,489,681 -7,992 -18,358,310 -298,076 21,927,664 -248,160 1,472,214 -22,645,890 -8,820 -1,291,430 -6,444,720 11,030 -2,300

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

15.06 0.82 1.8 0.85 47.9 2.06 4.72 0.55 0.73 0.205 0.39 9.8 20.7 0.435 0.122 1.57 1.19 4.66 0.305 0.42 1.35 0.375 2.02 25.4

15.06 0.82 1.85 0.89 48.2 2.07 4.79 0.55 0.73 0.207 0.395 9.82 20.75 0.44 0.122 1.6 1.2 4.77 0.305 0.42 1.36 0.385 2.03 25.5

15.04 0.8 1.8 0.85 47.75 2.04 4.68 0.54 0.73 0.203 0.39 9.8 20.5 0.435 0.121 1.56 1.19 4.66 0.3 0.42 1.33 0.365 2.01 25.1

PROPERTY 15.04 149,500 0.81 822,000 1.85 9,000 0.88 1,309,000 48 3,923,000 2.04 286,000 4.7 66,000 0.55 9,651,000 0.73 5,000 0.207 1,310,000 0.395 970,000 9.8 104,300 20.7 234,000 0.44 960,000 0.121 260,000 1.59 16,497,000 1.2 142,000 4.76 19,204,000 0.305 1,380,000 0.42 100,000 1.36 709,000 0.37 380,000 2.03 93,000 25.45 937,100

2,249,586 666,260 16,300 1,136,790 188,356,545 586,330 ( 310,290 5,282,490 3,650 267,080 383,050 1,022,257 4,814,545 417,650 31,470 26,222,330 169,510 91,224,640 416,100 42,000 955,730 141,550 187,180 23,818,835

-97,760 12,750 33,385,590 414,839.9999) -42,240 29,700 718,190 43,500 5,042,590 8,911,200 -42,000 147,190 13,510,250

NAME

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

2.37 3.27 38.8 2.74 0.93 7.6 5.65

2.37 3.27 39.25 2.75 0.93 7.66 5.76

2.3 3.27 38.8 2.65 0.91 7.57 5.65

2.3 3.27 39.2 2.7 0.91 7.65 5.75

67,000 75,000 7,940,500 1,751,000 21,000 1,679,200 26,200

157,950 245,250 310,527,705,174 4,724,220 19,270 12,818,244 149,081

,530,829.9999 -6,167,995 -

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

10.3 18.32 1.67 11.56 0.59 0.042 17.26 2.35 11.06 0.048 92.5 6.94 5.74 9.29 1,820 5.2 440 9.86 1.61 1.76 119 8.15 0.107 4.98 3.01 0.9 18.8 0.41 3.4 2.44 1.15 3 2.89 8.3 2.76 4.86 139 3.18 1,107 0.71 0.52 41.2 78 9.27 2.54 0.67 0.315 0.69 16.8

10.32 19.1 1.67 11.72 0.62 0.044 17.26 2.41 11.06 0.05 95 7.18 5.74 9.3 1,855 5.23 440 10.76 1.61 1.76 122 8.15 0.113 5.08 3.05 0.93 18.8 0.41 3.4 2.46 1.15 3.16 2.89 8.3 2.98 5.12 139 3.19 1,125 0.71 0.53 41.2 79 9.3 2.54 0.68 0.32 0.7 16.8

10.1 18.32 1.67 11.54 0.59 0.042 17.2 2.35 10.7 0.045 92.35 6.94 5.72 9.1 1,820 5.2 440 9.86 1.58 1.76 119 8.15 0.107 4.96 2.98 0.9 18.46 0.41 3.4 2.41 1.15 2.92 2.8 8.29 2.76 4.86 139 3.04 1,107 0.68 0.51 40.5 78 9.27 2.47 0.67 0.31 0.68 16.2

SERVICES 10.12 19 1.67 11.56 0.6 0.044 17.2 2.35 10.84 0.049 94.45 7.12 5.72 9.3 1,844 5.22 440 10.76 1.6 1.76 121 8.15 0.107 5.01 3 0.93 18.48 0.41 3.4 2.43 1.15 3.13 2.89 8.29 2.98 5 139 3.05 1,116 0.69 0.52 40.55 78.2 9.3 2.48 0.68 0.32 0.69 16.22

18,800 221,700 10,000 17,184,800 6,837,000 5,700,000 8,500 24,000 2,486,600 35,330,000 366,410 940,700 11,000 27,900 23,575 107,900 60 500 145,000 2,000 1,046,970 1,900 360,000 1,650,000 150,000 13,000 291,200 170,000 8,000 438,000 10,000 5,909,000 73,000 11,000 7,000 35,000 7,490 560,000 28,945 1,239,000 4,628,000 405,100 932,700 9,900 1,436,000 182,000 3,510,000 558,000 1,158,300

191,438 4,180,238 16,700 199,514,336 4,119,790 240,400 146,310 57,440 26,972,044 1,677,980 34,532,915.50 6,674,882 62,950 257,279 43,495,815 563,247 26,400 5,020 231,080 3,520 126,713,508 15,485 38,640 8,276,470 449,290 12,030 5,388,820 69,700 27,200 1,063,110 11,500 18,246,600 210,690 91,199 19,980 177,360 1,041,110 1,751,490 32,385,990 851,830 2,369,130 16,451,215 73,008,997 91,920 3,579,580 ( 122,950 1,115,750 383,600 18,969,790

-75,112,754 -819,220 -6,600,072 47,000 19,397,710 6,291 -599,350 11,060 -16,827,262 196,350.00 2,980 72,458 -48,560 321,910 -8,060 -35,030 16,680 -59,730 -1,833,285 -13,000 -90,550 -5,083,110 46,377,739 447,579.9997) -6,250 -8,456,290

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

0.002 1.13 2.51 12.7 1.14 2.62 0.28 7.7 1.75 0.216 0.106 0.105 0.010 0.01 1.15 4.14 1.07 0.85 0.012 0.012 0.012 10.52 3.74 12.32 22.9

0.002 1.15 2.52 12.7 1.14 2.62 0.28 7.89 1.76 0.216 0.106 0.109 0.01 0.011 1.16 4.19 1.07 0.88 0.012 0.012 0.012 10.62 3.74 12.68 23

0.002 1.13 2.51 12.2 1.14 2.59 0.28 7.59 1.71 0.209 0.106 0.104 0.010 0.01 1.11 3.98 1.05 0.84 0.012 0.012 0.012 10.1 3.66 12.26 22.9

MINING & OIL 0.002 89,000,000 1.15 985,000 2.52 100,000 12.6 25,900 1.14 8,000 2.59 463,000 0.28 120,000 7.88 500 1.74 15,728,000 0.215 800,000 0.106 290,000 0.109 220,000 0.01 12,000,000 0.011 26,700,000 1.15 54,000 3.98 8,896,000 1.06 20,000 0.88 285,000 0.012 5,200,000 0.012 10,000,000 0.012 400,000 10.1 1,519,000 3.69 205,000 12.3 568,100 23 134,100

148,800 1,127,070 251,500 ( 320,082 9,120 1,202,860 33,600 3,894 27,309,300 167,800 30,740 23,180 119,200 275,000 61,030 35,972,370(6, 21,050 242,260 62,400 120,000 4,800 15,663,912 756,630 7,057,732 3,077,915

-28,800 -352,200 125,499.9999) 198,330 100,000 650,589.9999) 4,250 -2,400 918,488 140,050 648,902 -897,145

ABS HLDG PDR AC PREF B1 ALCO PREF B ALCO PREF C DD PREF HOUSE PREF A LR PREF MWIDE PREF PCOR PREF 2B PCOR PREF 3A PCOR PREF 3B SMC FB PREF 2 SMC PREF 2C SMC PREF 2D SMC PREF 2E SMC PREF 2F SMC PREF 2G SMC PREF 2H SMC PREF 2I

17.92 509 103.5 101.2 100.3 98.2 1 101.5 1,036 1,050 1,079 995 78.25 76 75.65 76.5 76 76 76

18.6 509 103.5 101.2 100.3 98.2 1 101.5 1,036 1,050 1,079 995 78.25 76 75.65 76.5 76 76 76

17.92 502 100 101.2 100.3 98.2 0.99 101.1 1,036 1,023 1,040 995 77.8 76 75.5 76.5 76 76 75.7

PREFERRED 18.5 39,400 502 210 100 13,800 101.2 220 100.3 2,500 98.2 100 0.99 445,000 101.1 3,670 1,036 5 1,050 1,680 1,079 750 995 600 77.8 15,450 76 1,000 75.55 20,800 76.5 30 76 5,700 76 520 75.7 160,170

713,200 105,490 1,387,080 22,264 250,750 9,820 441,060 371,132 5,180 1,761,300 787,585 597,000 1,202,230.50 76,000 1,571,030 2,295 433,200 39,520 12,126,420

-736,760 -625,790 -

LR WARRANT

1.6

1.6

1.6

WARRANTS 1.6 17,000

27,200

ITALPINAS KEPWEALTH XURPAS

6.35 11.6 0.91

6.5 12.2 0.91

6.35 11.6 0.88

FIRST METRO ETF

117.8

118.3

117.8

USD DMPL A2

10.1

10.1

TRADING SUMMARY

SHARES

FINANCIAL

6,130,920

INDUSTRIAL

42,393,402

HOLDING FIRMS

85,594,062

PROPERTY

71,659,537

SERVICES

95,159,483

MINING & OIL

173,735,908

GRAND TOTAL

479,837,352

10.04

6.42 12.1 0.9

SME

219,200 3,679,900 1,263,000

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 118.3 1,220 DDS 10.04

1,870

-

1,409,767 44,076,638 1,134,110

-30,620 -60,540 3,560

144,149

-8,253

18,799.20

-

VALUE 1,825.63 (up) 4.46 521,266,322.43 FINANCIAL INDUSTRIAL 10,705 (up) 28.41 451,632,561.066 HOLDING FIRMS 7,704.12 (up) 33.743 1,263,920,146.25 PROPERTY 4,156.86 (up) 27.18 SERVICES 1,529.12 (up) 2.8 700,322,108.036 MINING & OIL 9,091.95 (down) 86.41 678,681,009.76 PSEI 7,884.29 (up) 34.35 678,681,009.76 All Shares Index 4,759.09 (up) 17.6 3,756,664,341.69 Gainers: 96; Losers: 74; Unchanged: 71; Total: 241

Aboitiz Power gets approval to list P7.25b worth of bonds By Alena Mae S. Flores ABOITIZ Power Corp. said it secured the approval of the Philippine Dealing and Exchange Corp. to list P7.25 billion worth of securities representing the third tranche of its P30-billion debt securities program. “The PDEx approval paves the way for the secondary market trading of the Series D fixed-rate bonds, with a fixed interest rate of 5.2757 percent per annum maturing in 2026,” Aboitiz Power said in a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange Monday. Aboitiz Power earlier said it would use the proceeds from the third tranche of bonds to repay short-term loan obligations and general corporate purposes. Aboitiz Power chief finance officer Liza Luv Montelibano said the listing “enables AboitizPower to fund its growth aspirations, while simultaneously providing debt investors with an opportunity to take part in a growth story they believe in.” “Aboitiz Power is here to provide our country with reliable power, at reasonable cost, and in a responsible manner in support of the country’s growing energy needs. While the purpose of this third offering is to refinance and repay some of our existing loan obligations, it is part of a larger goal of generating 33 tWh [terrawatt-hours] of energy by 2025,” Montelibano said. PDEx president and chief operating officer Antonino Nakpil welcomed Aboitiz’s bond listing which “marks the seventh listing over the past four weeks.” “It is doubly pleasing to see APC retain its visibility within the investor community through the traffic of issuances and listings,” Nakpil said. He said the Aboitiz Power listing brought the total amount of corporate bonds listed to P1.243 trillion, which Aboitiz Group’s total of P87.25 billion representing a 7-percent share.

SEC shuts down 12 more online lending operators By Jenniffer B. Austria THE Securities and Exchange Commission said Monday it ordered the closure of 12 more online lending operators for allegedly operating without the necessary licenses. The SEC said that on Oct. 10, it issued cease and desist orders against A&V Lending Mobile, A&V Lending Investor, A.V. Lending Corp., Cashaku, Cashaso, CashEnergy, Happy Loan, Peso Pagasa, Vito Lending Corp., Phily Kredit, Rainbow-Cash and Rainbowcash.Ph Lending Corp. It also directed the owners and operators of the online lending applications, their agents, representatives and promoters and the owners of their hosting sites to immediately cease and desist, under pain of contempt, from engaging in, promoting and facilitating unauthorized lending activities. The regulator also ordered the online lending firms to stop from offering and advertising their lending business through the internet and to delete or remove promotional presentations and offerings of such lending business from the internet including the lending applications that they operate. “Considering that the online lending operators are not incorporated entities or have no certificate of authority to operate as lending companies or financing companies, the lending activities and transaction are illegal and have to be stopped immediately by this commission,” the order stated. “Moreover, the abusive collection practices engaged in by unlicensed online lending companies constitute unfair debt collection practices which the commission expressly prohibits under SEC Memorandum Circular No. 18, Series of 2019 [Prohibition on Unfair Debt Collection Practices of Financing Companies and Lending Companies] which took effect recently,” it said. Investigations by the SEC Enforcement and Investor Protection Department confirmed the existence and operation of the online lending applications which have been advertising on social media. The EIPD found that the online lending operators had gained access to personal information stored in borrowers’ mobile phones, including social media accounts, contact numbers and email addresses through their mobile applications.

World IN BRIEF Wrongly jailed, awarded millions SYDNEY—An Australian economist who wrongfully spent nearly two decades in prison for the assassination of a highranking police officer was awarded more than Aus$7 million (US$4.75 million) in compensation on Monday. Former public servant David Eastman was convicted in 1995 of killing Australian Federal Police officer Colin Winchester and sentenced to life imprisonment. Eastman, who had always maintained his innocence and mounted several appeals, was freed in 2014 after his conviction was quashed. The Australian Capital Territory Supreme Court ordered the jurisdiction’s government to pay him just over Aus$7 million. Eastman had sought at least Aus$18 million in compensation. The 74-year-old told the court that not only had he lost the opportunity to have a family and pursue his career, his mother and sisters died while he was behind bars. The court also heard that he witnessed a murder during his incarceration and still suffers vision impairment in one eye after he was assaulted by another prisoner in 2006. AFP

B3

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2019 CESAR BARRIOQUINTO, Editor mst.daydesk@gmail.com

HK violence prompts no division H ONG KONG―Hong Kong’s more hard-line prodemocracy protesters have embraced increased violence towards private property, businesses and even people, triggering some soul-searching within the movement. But few moderates are willing to abandon their more radical comrades. Even by the standards of Hong Kong’s summer of rage, the last fortnight has been brutal. After months of focusing their anger towards police, local government and symbols of Beijing’s rule, hardcore protesters went on an unprecedented citywide vandalism spree after the city’s leader invoked emergency powers to ban face masks. The subway system—viewed as an enemy for ferrying police and shutter-

ing stations―was crippled, with some 2,400 ticketing machines and turnstiles vandalized alongside 900 CCTV cameras in 83 of the city’s 94 metro stations. Businesses perceived to be mainlandChinese owned or Beijing loyalist were trashed with color-coded lists detailing which companies were fair game and which should be left alone. And multiple clashes showed demonstrators beating their ideological

opponents. In one incident, a Chinese JP Morgan employee was punched in the face as a crowd shouted “Go home!”. In another, a man who tried to stop protesters defacing a Chinese flag was repeatedly assaulted. A movement initially founded on defending Hong Kong’s independent judiciary from the authoritarian mainland was now increasingly meting out street justice. The scenes have provoked debate on the online forums used to organize the largely leaderless protests. One post―which received more than 9,000 upvotes―asked whether radicals were going after the wrong targets. “Continuing to escalate vandalism will only help public opinions on the opposite side and lose our support from

Nobel season wraps up with prize in economics

Trump attacks media figures WASHINGTON―An internet meme that depicts Donald Trump shooting and stabbing media characters and political opponents was shown at a conference for his supporters, the New York Times reported Sunday. In the clip, the US president’s head is superimposed on a man opening fire in the “Church of Fake News” at people whose faces have been replaced with the logos of outlets including CNN, the Washington Post and NBC TV. As the rampage continues, the Trump character fends off worshipers, strikes late senator John McCain in the back of the neck and torches the head of Senator Bernie Sanders, a Democratic presidential rival. He throws Republican senator Mitt Romney to the ground and strikes former president Barack Obama in the back and slams him against a wall. The organizer of last week’s “American Priority” event, which was held at Trump’s resort in Miami, said the clip was part of a “meme exhibit.” “American Priority rejects all political violence and aims to promote a healthy dialogue about the preservation of free speech,” Alex Phillips told the Times. AFP

Hagibis death toll rises to 35 TOKYO―Tens of thousands of rescue workers were searching Monday for the survivors of powerful Typhoon Hagibis, two days after the storm slammed into Japan, killing at least 35 people. Hagibis crashed into the country on Saturday night, but brought hours of heavy rain even before it arrived, causing landslides and filling rivers until they burst their banks. The destruction forced the Rugby World Cup being hosted by Japan to cancel several games, but the “Brave Blossoms”, as the national team is known, lifted spirits with a stunning 28-21 victory over Scotland on Sunday that put them into the quarter-finals of the tournament for the first time. More than 110,000 rescuers, including 31,000 troops, worked through the night and into Monday, a national holiday, searching for people trapped by the disaster. Local media said at least 35 people had been killed, with the Kyodo news agency reporting nearly 20 people were missing. Government figures from Sunday night were lower, though updates were expected on Monday. While Hagibis, one of the most powerful storms to hit the Tokyo area in decades, packed wind gusts of up to 216 kilometres per hours (134 miles per hour), it was the heavy rains that caused most damage, with 21 rivers bursting their banks. AFP

international community,” the author wrote, fretting that radicals risked being seen as a new iteration of Mao’s violent “Red Guards.” At a press conference on Friday night, anonymous protesters hinted at concerns some of the violence might be counter-productive. “I hope fellow companions will not be controlled by hatred,” a spokesman said. But there was little let up in the chaos Sunday with more vandalism and fights erupting across the city. Meanwhile, China’s leader Xi Jinping said during a state visit to Nepal that any attempts to split China would result in “bodies smashed and bones ground to powder”. Yet the violence appears to have done little to dent mainstream support. AFP

MUSEUM REOPENS. A visitor looks at pre-Colombian art work displayed at The Americas museum (Musee des Ameriques) in

Auch, southern France, on October 13, 2019. The Musee des Ameriques, the second biggest collection of pre-Colombian art in France after the Quai Branly-Jacques Chirac museum, reopened after years of renovation works. AFP

US ‘medical tourists’ seek cheap health care TIJUANA―When Veronica Merrill decided to undergo stomach surgery for weight loss, she found two options: pay $12,000 at home in the United States, or have it done in Mexico for $4,000. She packed her suitcase. Her insurance would only cover the operation if she was morbidly obese and suffering from diabetes and hypertension. This was not the case for the 50-yearold, who weighs 210 pounds but aspires to slim down to 160―precisely because she wants to avoid ending up with those medical conditions. “It’s sad that I have to come to another country” for the procedure, said Merrill, who drives a school bus in rural Arizona and is highly critical of the US health system―the most expensive in the world. “We shouldn’t have to do that. That’s crazy. And we’re the only ones [with this system], and that is depressing.” After researching medical tourism options, she saved up the money and contacted a specialist agency to organize her trip over the border to Tijuana, where weight-loss operations and dental

treatments are popular. Others travel to the Mexican city for treatment of cardiovascular conditions or cancer, orthopedic work and fertility care, as well as to buy medications. “If I only could have done it in the US... [but] I can’t pay that much money,” she told AFP. “I just want to be healthy.” Each year, an estimated 20 million “medical tourists” seek treatment around the world, according to Patients Beyond Borders. About 1.9 million of those people are Americans. Mexico and Colombia―which many Americans associate more with drug trafficking than health care―are among the most popular destinations, along with Costa Rica and the Dominican Republic. They all offer lower costs and highquality infrastructure. Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren, two prominent Democratic candidates for the 2020 presidential election, have proposed universal health coverage―an idea that Merrill considers “logical.”

For now, Merrill turned to a company called Medical Tourism Corporation to organize every detail of her trip -- including her flight from Phoenix to San Diego, the driver who took her across the border and a luxury hotel. Altogether, the tickets, hotel and surgery―at the Oasis of Hope hospital, right by the border―cost her $3,880. She paid in cash. “We do the coordination... [we] have a destination manager in those cities who would help a patient with the language, the local logistics and things like that,” said Deepak Datta, who founded Medical Tourism Corporation 13 years ago. The company sends 60-70 people abroad each month to countries around the world, mainly Mexico. “I operate on two or more foreigners every day,” said surgeon Luis Cazares, who removed 80 percent of Merrill’s stomach. He said his greatest flow of patients is during the tax refund season in the United States, after April. AFP

STOCKHOLM―This year’s Nobel season has only honored one woman― Polish writer Olga Tokarczuk in Literature―with just one prize left to be announced on Monday: the Economics Prize, which has only once gone to a woman in its 50 years of existence. Unlike the other Nobels awarded since 1901, the Economics Prize is the only one not created by the prizes’ founder, philanthropist and dynamite inventor Alfred Nobel, in his 1895 will. It was devised in 1968 to mark the 300th anniversary of Sweden’s Central Bank, and first awarded in 1969. The name of the winner or winners will be revealed at 11:45 am (0945 GMT). There are no public short lists for any of the Nobel prizes, but the profile of the economics laureate is perhaps the easiest to predict: a white male, over the age of 55, and of US nationality. In the past 20 years, three-quarters of winners have matched that description. The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences never gives any clues as to which way it is leaning, but university corridors are full of speculation about possible laureates for this 50th edition. Israeli-American Joshua Angrist, professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in the US and an expert on labor economics and the economics of education, is among the favorites this year, according to analysts. Harvard professor Elhanan Helpman of Israel and Princeton professor Gene Grossman of the US are also front runners, Hubert Fromlet, a Linnaeus Univerity economist in Sweden, told news agency TT. Both are experts in international trade and growth. Columbia University professor Jagdish Bhagwati, who specialises in free trade, is also among those mentioned. Born in India in 1934, he has played “a large if subtle role in keeping protectionism from becoming respectable,” according to one of his former students, Paul Krugman who won the 2008 prize, in line with the Academy’s predilection for free market and free trade economists. AFP

Atwood, Rushdie vie for Britain’s 50th-anniversary Booker Prize LONDON―Britain’s storied Booker Prize will pit literary giants Margaret Atwood and Salman Rushdie against four emerging stars when it unveils the winner Monday on its 50th anniversary award. The title of best work of English-language fiction published in the United Kingdom and Ireland has launched careers and courted controversy since its creation in 1969. Past laureates have ranged from celebrated writers such as Ian McEwan and Julian Barnes to Kazuo Ishiguro and Roddy Doyle. Paul Beatty became the first American winner when the Booker bowed to pressure and began including authors from outside the British commonwealth, Ireland and Zimbabwe in 2013. This year’s shortlist features six novelists―four of them women―born across four continents. It is also no longer called the Man Booker because of a

sponsorship change. The five-judge panel includes the writer-broadcaster Afua Hirsch and the British-Chinese novelist and filmmaker Xiaolu Guo. Canadian author Atwood’s sixth Booker nomination comes for “The Testaments”, a best-selling sequel to her 1985 dystopian classic “The Handmaid’s Tale”. The Guardian said the book, which picks up the tale of three women 15 years on, presents “Atwood at her best”. “It’s a question of things escaping from a book to the real world and the author has zero control,” the 79-yearold said upon its release last month. Nominated for the 1986 prize, “The Handmaid’s Tale” became an awardwinning TV series in 2017, and sales of the English-language edition have topped eight million copies worldwide. AFP

PROTEST. A woman shouts on October 14, 2019, outside Lledoners jail in Sant Joan de Vilatorrada, where Catalan leader Oriol Junqueras is jailed, after Spain's Supreme Court sentenced nine Catalan leaders to prison terms ranging from nine to 13 years for sedition and misuse of public funds for their role in a failed 2017 independence bid. AFP

LGUs

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

B4

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2019

LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS

Malabon Mayor Lenlen Oreta (center) stands with this year’s Gawad Galing Malabonian awardees during the 4th Malabon Business Forum.

1.2k QC scouts join 1st Nature Explore Day By Rex Arcadio R San Diego II THERE are many ways to introduce environmental concepts and awareness among the young, and it includes approaches that make it more fun and enjoyable to the participants. Close to 1,200 scouters from Quezon City were treated to a day of learning and enjoyment as the Boy Scouts of the Philippines-Quezon City Council collaborated with the Manila Ocean Park for the First Nature Exploration Day last Oct. 12. The activity, spearheaded by BSPQCC Council chairman Godofredo Liban III and District-1 Committee chairman Elizabeth Delarmente, was supported by Quezon City Councilors Jorge Banal and Eric Medina. “Kids should experience and appreciate the value of nature conservation,” shared Antonio C. Merino, Scout Executive of the BSP Quezon City Council during a break in the activity. Merino, who mentioned initial apprehensions about the project being approved, noted that the Ocean Park experience allows the participants a chance “to enjoy learning while acquiring awareness on the importance of nature and its constituents.” Merino also appealed for improved support to the Scouting movement as he announced future joint international networking projects with scouts’ councils based in Singapore, Thailand, Japan and South Korea. Explore nature conservation, experience marine interaction With the theme “Ginting Butil ng Kaalaman mula sa Kalikasan,” the sightseeing and interactive activities featured visits to the park’s attractions such as the Oceanarium, Trails to Antartica, World of Creepy Crawlies and the Jellies Exhibit. It included educational shows featuring the park’s sea lions and trained birds which even demonstrated to the audience steps on how to help keep the environment clean. As explained by Lolita Malaza, BSP-QCC Deputy Commissioner for the Kids Scouts, skills and discipline are not just learned in the classroom. “Scouting activities, such as this Nature Expedition project, provide kids new opportunities to better appreciate the environment, and how they can help protect it,” shared Malaza.

BARMM hikes disaster readiness via training

C

OTABATO CITY—The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao has scaled up its disaster preparedness by enlisting diverse sectors’ participation in its Incident Command System for rescue and safe evacuation of residents in times of calamities. Naguib Sinarimbo, BARMM Interior and Local Government Minister, said the region has initially trained 50 individuals from diverse fields of community involvement to help run their local ICS. The trainees graduated last week, after having completed ICS Course on Basic ICS and Integrated (ICS Course 1 and 2). Distinctly in BARMM, emergency situations are triggered by either manmade-calamity in armed conflict, or natural calamity in disaster—or both occurring simultaneously in skirmishes and floods, said Sinarimbo, who also heads the region’s Rapid Emergency

Action on Disaster Incidents (BARMM-READi). Sinarimbo said the regional government has trained 50 more volunteers to become part of its ICS network of rescuers, as well as for enlistment of community volunteers in times of calamity and other humanitarian situations. He said the regional ICS has trained 50 individuals from the Mindanao Humanitarian Team, the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces, local government units, BARMM agencies, Bangsamoro Islamic Women Auxiliary

HMR Calumpit opens in time for Yuletide By Orlan L. Mauricio

HMR Philippines CEO for Retail Sharlene Carman (second from right) joins HMR Calumpit franchise owner Eric Illescas (left), store manager Jun Miranda and Ms. Esther Illescas (right) in leading the ceremonial ribbon-cutting of the 29th HMR store in the country. Inset shows Eric Illescas picking up items at the personal gadget section. Orlan Mauricio

SM Foundation fixes Zambo hospital

CAMP Edwin Andrews Airbase Hospital in Zamboanga City has been upgraded and accredited as a Level 1 Hospital by SM Foundation. The 29-bed Hospital, which operated as an infirmary catering to the health needs of 3,816 uniformed personnel and their dependents, was renovated and refurbished by SM Foundation and turned over last October 10, coinciding with the 11th Founding Anniversary of the Tactical Operations Command. Connie Angeles, SVP and Executive Director of Health and Medical Programs of SM Foundation, turned over the donation to Lt. Gen. Rozzano D. Briguez, Commanding General of the Philippine Air Force, in simple ceremonies held at the spanking new hospital. Edwin Andrews Airbase Hospital is SM

Brigade (BIWAB), and civil society organizations (CSOs). “This unique batch will create a powerful synergy in dealing with disasters or any event requiring the application of skills drawn from this training,” Sinarimbo said. They will become part of a community network of volunteers who will be automatically called to volunteer during calamities and other humanitarian situations, he said. BARMM-READi will train another group of ICS disaster volunteers in Lanao del Sur, Sinarimbo said. Meanwhile, in Rajah Buayan, Maguindanao, residents and local leaders feted a Philippine Army general with an honorary traditional title of “Datu Didagen” for helping sustain peace and keeping terrorism at bay. Nash Maulana

Foundation’s 34th improved military health facility and the 157th wellness center. Aside from serving military personnel and their dependents, the hospital also serves the surrounding community, including its stakeholders in Zamboanga, Basilan and Tawi-Tawi. The renovation improved the Pharmacy, OR/ DR Complex, Emergency Room, Laboratory, Rehabilitation Section, X-ray Room, Out-Patient Department, Military Ward, Dependents Ward and Isolation Room of the hospital. Likewise, a Breastfeeding Room and Mobile Play Cabinet Station for children dependent were installed as part of the renovation. A new reception area with a waiting lounge was installed for those seeking medical help from the doctors assigned to the hospital.

MALOLOS CITY—A new haven for bargain hunters for quality and affordable imported and local goods has opened its doors in Calumpit, Bulacan just in time for the Yuletide shopping and gift-giving for Christmas. HMR Express Calumpit opened over the weekend to provide a clean ‘hunting ground’ for quality but less expensive commodities instead of wrestling with the crowds of shoppers in Divisoria or Greenhills and adding to the traffic nightmares in Metro Manila. “HMR is not just an ordinary retail store of gadgets, household, office or just about anything but a mini-mall where you can get the best finds at the lowest prices, guaranteed,” the company said in a statement. Guaranteeing that it sells the lowest priced item was an assurance made by no less than HMR Retail CEO Sharlene Carman. She assured buyers that if they can find the same item at a lower price in other stores, they will sell it at 10 percent lower. Carman told Manila Standard that this lowest-price guarantee prevails for all the 28 HMR Trading Haus in the north (14 branches) and South Luzon including Metro Manila HMR Express stores. HMR-Calumpit is a franchise and the 29th store, owned by engineer-developerbusinessman Eric Illescas.

4th Malabon Biz Forum shows city’s wins, vision THE City Government of Malabon recently held its 4th Malabon City Business Forum at Luxent Hotel in Quezon City. More than 300 businessmen, investors, and guests graced the event that highlighted the victories and vision of the local government this year. In his message, Mayor Lenlen Oreta reported that the city implemented various policies and programs to promote business competitiveness and ensure the continuous economic development of Malabon. “I can assure you that each centavo we spend will go to projects that will help each Malabonian family,” said Oreta, a known health and nutrition advocate. The mayor thanked the business sector for their support to the programs of the local government and called for a “beautiful beginning of a long-lasting partnership.” Oreta also tackled the successes of the city government on education, tourism and public-private partnerships. Meanwhile, five companies were given recognition by the City Government of Malabon in the Gawad Galing Malabonian Awards. Remilly’s Yema Cake was awarded the Tagumpay ng Malabonian Award, MC Master Siomai Hut, Inc. the Asensong Malabonian Award, and the Malabon Soap & Industrial Company, Inc. the Tatak Malabonian Award. Moreover, Manila Plastic Products was given the Pamilyang Malabonian Award while Manly Plastics, Inc. received the Lingkod Malabonian Award. Malabon City Representative Jaye Lacson-Noel, Councilor Enzo Oreta and City councilors, barangay captains and department heads were also in attendance.

Aguilar commits to keep Las Piñas’ high compliance LAS Piñas City Mayor Imelda T. Aguilar committed to rid Zapote-Alabang Road and secondary roads of any obstruction to ensure safety and ease traffic as the Department of the Interior and Local Government rated the city with “high compliance” in its road clearing operations. Mayor Aguilar and Vice Mayor April Aguilar on Monday again called on members of Task Force Kaayusan, barangay officials, homeowners’ associations to sustain the gains of the clearing operations. Las Piñas was among the 12 Metro local government units which got a “high performance” rating, meaning with 91 percent to 100 percent cleared roads and sidewalks. The mayor cited the improved flow of traffic along Zapote-Alabang Road, which is the city’s main thoroughfare, as well as removal of sidewalk vendors and demolition of overlapping structures, including the unfinished excavations by various service utilities. “These obstructions must be permanently out from our main thoroughfare and the inner roads since the sidewalks are for the pedestrians and the roads to motorists,” Mayor Aguilar said. Prior to the DILG directive, TF Kaayusan was already convened by Mayor Aguilar in July immediately after her reelection. The task force, composed of the Estate Management and Development Office, City Engineering Office and the local Philippine National Police, being spearheaded by the Mayor’s Office conducted clearing operations to address concerns on traffic and road hazards. She also ordered the traffic enforcers to strictly implement City Ordinance No. 577-02, which prohibits all forms of traffic violation and obstructions along the roads and sidewalks. The renovated patient lounge of Camp Edwin Andrews Airbase Hospital in Zamboanga City will help serve its constituents better. SM Foundation also improved the hospital’s pharmacy, OR/DR complex, emergency room, laboratory, rehabilitation section, x-ray room, outpatient department, military ward, dependents ward and isolation room.

Life

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

HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENT

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2019

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Versa 2: Move with it, dream with it, talk to it By Bernadette Lunas

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INCE the launch of its first entry to the smartwatch market, Fitbit has been continuously developing new exciting wearable products with fitness at the core, powered with connectivity features and more.

Following the success of the Versa smartwatch, the company has rolled out its improved version—Versa 2—the smartwatch designed to be worn while on the move and while sleeping. Fitbit has taken the features that made the first edition of Versa a bestseller: lightweight and simple interface, then simplified it even further while adding new functions. Unlike its older sister with a multibutton set-up, Versa 2 only has one button through which all interactions are controlled. It also sports much pleasant OLED screen, a few notches of update from the previous LCD panel, which results in a brighter and more colorful display. It also features a relatively larger screen—no more Fitbit brand below the screen. Louis Lye, Fitbit regional lead for Southeast Asia, Hong Kong, and Taiwan told Manila Standard Versa 2’s battery can last up to more than six days, but with a caveat: “Don’t use the always-on display feature.” Always-on basically allows the wearers to see the clock at all times without having to tap the screen or push the but-

Fitness instructor to the stars Arnold Aninion leads a quick workout program during the launch of Fitbit Versa 2. A Fitbit user, Aninion emphasizes the importance of good quality of sleep.

Fitbit launches a new and improved version of its best-selling Versa—the Versa 2 comes with innovative sleep features, on-device microphone, and Spotify feature.

SOME of the world’s most marginalized people pick untreated waste to make a living. These waste pickers, many of whom are women, often live below the poverty line, working in appalling conditions. Yet they form a critical line of defense in stopping plastic from entering our rivers and oceans. This has motivated The Body Shop to launch its first Community Trade recycled plastic, in partnership with Plastics for Change. The brand intends to use plastic recycling to help transform lives. The Body Shop has launched its first Community Trade recycled plastic on

World Fair Trade Day in Benglaru, India. The Body Shop and Plastics for Change will work alongside with India’s local organizations such as Hasiru Dala and Hasiru Dala Innovations who are dedicated in fighting for the rights and creating employment opportunities for the waste pickers, who will receive a fair price for their work, a predictable income, and access to better working conditions. They will also get help in accessing services such as education, financial loans, and healthcare services, and the respect and recognition they deserve. “As a company, we’ve always had the conviction to stand up for our principles

ton to wake the smartwatch. But should the wearer opt to enable the always-on feature, Lye said Versa 2’s battery will only last two days. A new and exclusive battery- and sleep-friendly feature of the new smartwatch is the Sleep Mode, which disables screen display and silence notifications for a night free of disturbances. It’s also helpful at times when interruptions can be the bane of productivity. In keeping with the innovative sleep features, Versa 2 also comes with Smart Wake. This feature, which officials said will be available to all Fitbit smartwatches, uses machine learning to wake the wearer during an optimal time while in light or REM sleep based on a preselected 30-minute interval. For example, when the wearer sets their alarm at 7:00 a.m. it starts to monitor their sleep stage 30 minutes before

it goes off. “When it sees you in light sleep at 6:47 a.m., it starts to wake you up,” explained Lye. Versa 2 also comes with Sleep Score, which sends a nightly score or insights in the Fitbit app to help wearers determine their sleep quality based on heart rate (sleeping and resting), restlessness, time awake, and sleep stages. Another added smart feature in Versa 2 is the voice-enabled quick reply. Enabled by Fitbit’s first on-device microphone, users can send out replies by pressing the button and speaking into the microphone. Lye said the voice reply has no word or time limit (“as long as the microphone is turned on”), but clarified that the feature is made for quick replies. Spotify is also—finally—in Fitbit. “This is the most often requested feature from our customers when we

launched Versa,” shared Lye. However, at the moment, it can only be used online. The Spotify app lets wearers control playback on-the-go, as long as the smartwatch is connected to their phone via Bluetooth. Versa 2 is available for P12,890 in black with a carbon case, petal with a copper rose aluminum case, and stone with a mist gray case. The Special Edition retails at P14,590 and comes in navy and pink with a copper rose aluminum case, and smoke with a mist gray case. Fitbit has also launched Fitbit Premium, a paid subscription service in the app that utilizes users’ data to provide quality health and fitness tools, and personalized guidance and coaching. It is designed for those looking for extra motivation and support.

Plastics for a better world

The Body Shop’s Ginger Shampoo bottle is made of 100 percent recycled plastic.

Women waste pickers from Bengaluru, India are the beneficiaries of The Body Shop’s tie up with Plastics for Change.

when it comes to helping empower people, especially women, while protecting our planet,” says Lee Mann, global community trade manager for The Body Shop. Mann continues, “Our new Community Trade partnership will not only

help support waste pickers but also champion plastic as a valuable, renewable resource when used responsibly. We want to use plastic recycling to help transform lives.” The Body Shop has started using

Community Trade recycled plastic in some of its 250ml haircare bottles. Over time, it aims to increase the usage of recycled plastic including its best-selling Ginger Shampoo with one bottle sold every four seconds.

Life

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TUESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2019 manilastandardlife@gmail.com

Don’t (always) blame it on puberty W

Helping parents make sense of ‘teenage angst’

HEN a teen has been mopey for weeks on end, refuses to socialize with family and friends, oversleeps or stays up all night, and eats too much or too little, parents—or older folks—tend to chalk it up to hormonal changes that happen during puberty. It’s all “teenage drama,” some folks say.

IT’S NOT ALWAYS DRAMA. Dr. Anna Josefina VasquezGenuino advises parents to be wary of their teenage children’s behavior—such as withdrawal from family and friends—which could be signs and symptoms of clinical depression.

Unfortunately, shifting hormones may not always be the cause of teenagers’ immense and unexplainable sadness, and for some parents, this realization comes too late. To raise awareness of mental health Dr. Anna Josefina Vazquez-Genuino of Makati Medical Center’s Section of Psychiatry, identifies the mental health red flags exhibited by teens, and what parents can do to support their kids through this dark and trying time.

Warning signs

When is it clinical depression—and when is it just a case of “the blues”? “Admittedly it can be hard to distinguish, but the following behavior indicates it’s more serious than simply waking up on the wrong side of the bed,” says Dr. Vazquez-Genuino. According to the psychiatrist, these are the clinical signs and symptoms of clinical depression that are present almost every day for at least two weeks that may require psychiatric consultation based on the DSM V (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) published by American Psychiatric Association): -Depressed mood most of the day -Diminished interest or pleasure in almost all activities -Extreme eating habits (increase or loss of appetite that may cause weight gain or loss)

-Increased or decreased sleep -Psychomotor agitation or retardation -Fatigue or loss of energy -Feelings of worthlessness or excessive/inappropriate guilt -Difficulty in concentration that may lead to decline in school performance -Withdrawal from family and friends -Recurrent thoughts of death or suicide with or without plan for committing suicide Other red flags may include the following: low self-esteem, feelings of hopelessness, misuse and abuse of drugs and alcohol, multiple body aches and pains that are excuses for not going to school, and delinquent or belligerent or quarrelsome behavior. Dr, Vazquez-Genuino warns: Sometimes when a teenager has been depressed for several weeks then suddenly becomes cheerful, this should be fur-

ther evaluated as this may actually be a sign thatthey have found a solution to their problem (i.e. by committing suicide) which should never be taken lightly but should be immediately referred to a psychiatrist for therapy. What should parents do? Those unsure about the state of their teen’s mental health are advised to consult with their child’s pediatrician, or child and adolescent psychologist or psychiatrist. They are recommended to describe the behavior that troubles them and ask what they should do. Talk to family and friends who may have had similar problems with their children. Ask the observations of their teachers and guidance counselor. “Seeking professional help for your teen’s mental health is nothing to be ashamed of; in fact, it is a brave and positive step towards getting better!”

explains Dr. Vazquez-Genuino. She adds, “Ask for recommendations and don’t just settle for any doctor. What works for one teen may not work for yours, and for something as sensitive as your child’s mental health, it’s important to build a relationship with a professional whom you and your teen are comfortable with and trust.” The medical expert suggests that parents should avoid discussing marital conf licts in front of their children or within their hearing distance. Also avoid: -family arguments -pressuring them regarding their academic performance -comparing your child with yourself when you were his/her age, other siblings, or others -discouraging words, derogatory comments, or judgmental labels

If there’s ever a time a teen needs their parents, it’s now. Dr. Vaszquez-Genuino says it is important to “take the time to talk to them, show your care and concern, and reassure your teen of your love and acceptance. Try your best to be more patient and understanding of your teenager. Each child is different. Don’t think of him/her as a problem but as someone who needs your help and attention.” “More importantly, assure your teen that you are there for him or her, and that things will improve once you get through this challenging time together,” Dr. Vazquez-Genuino concludes. Contact MakatiMed On-Call at (02) 8888-999, email mmc@makatimed.net. ph, or visit www.makatimed.net.ph for more information.

PH celebrates World Contraception Day

From left: DOH cancer control program manager Dr. Clarito Cairo, PBCS president Dr. Victor Gozali, breast cancer survivors Bibeth Orteza and Melissa de Leon, and host Suzie EntrataAbrera discuss the importance of breast cancer prevention and intervention during the Pink Ribbon for Breast Cancer.

Fighting breast cancer with early detection THE Philippines has a huge fight against breast cancer. We have, among other Asian countries, the highest incidence of the disease— that one in every 13 Filipino women is expected to develop the disease in her lifetime, according to the Philippine Cancer Society. But experts said the strongest defense and weapon against breast cancer is early detection. “Breast cancer cannot be prevented but the risk can be lowered by changing our lifestyle. Our best defense is still early detection. This is the goal of our Pink Ribbon Campaign, to promote breast cancer awareness and early detection,” said Dr. Melanie Cruz, secretary of the Philippine Breast Cancer Society. Pink Ribbon for Breast Cancer is an annual event held in observance of Breast Cancer Awareness Month every October. The opening activity was held at the event center of SM City San Lazaro, and was spearheaded by the Philippine Breast Cancer Society and SM Cares, the corporate social responsibility arm of SM Prime Holdings. It was supported by the Department of Health. Attended by hundreds of women, advocates, and volunteer doctors, this year’s Pink Ribbon for Breast Cancer focused on educational talks and sharing of experiences by breast cancer warriors. DOH cancer control program manager Dr. Clarito Cairo conducted a talk on the importance of breast cancer

awareness, and at the same time taught women how to detect and be protected against the risk. “Every year, the number of patients suffering from breast cancer continues to rise. This is why we hold the Pink Ribbon for Breast Cancer yearly, to continue educating women that early detection and early intervention is very important,” asserted SM Cares Program on Women and Breastfeeding director Bernadette Velasco. Suzi Entrata-Abrera hosted the event, and inspirational talks from film director Bibeth Orteza and actress Melissa de Leon—both wellknown breast cancer survivors— were featured. Free clinical breast examination was also administered by volunteer health professionals. Pink Ribbon for Breast Cancer is also happening on Oct. 15 at the event center of SM City Telabastagan. The Philippine Breast Cancer Society, founded in 2009, is a medical organization dedicated solely to the management of breast cancer. Its members are made up of doctors under different specialties who are kept up-to-date on breast cancer management through annual Breast Cancer Symposium. Other SM Cares initiatives for women include institutionalizing breastfeeding stations across all SM Supermalls nationwide. In August, SM Cares Program on Women supported breastfeeding Pinays and DOH in the annual celebration of “Hakab Na!” in observance of Breastfeeding Awareness Month.

THE “power of options” was highlighted during the country’s recent observance of World Contraception Day in Zamboanga City. According to the 2017 National Demographic and Health Survey, Filipino women, on average, have one child more than intended; the figures are highest among women from the lowest wealth quintile and lowest educational attainment. Data showed roughly one in 10 women aged 15-19 have begun childbearing and 17 percent of women aged 15-49 want to practice family planning but do not have access to the methods. This year, The Commission on Population and Development, in partnership with Bayer Philippines, staged the forum for Family Planning and Development. And the Philippine Obstetrical and Gynecological Society will bring the national celebration to the grass roots level. Health and family planning services will be offered to individuals from barangays in Zamboanga City. The city will also be showcased as the second “Advocate City” for this year, as its unmet need for family planning increased from 21 percent in 2013 to 24.6 in 2017, according to the 2017 NDHS. POPCOM executive director, Undersecretary Juan Antonio A. Perez III said, “Family planning is not just about access to contraceptives but also a human development issue, as we empower women and couples to make informed choices about their sexual and reproductive health and rights.” Usec. Perez stressed that the govern-

According to the 2017 National Demographic and Health Survey, Filipino women on average have one child more than intended.

ment is determined to respect, promote, and ultimately fulfill the promise of the Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health law. “FP (family planning) campaign materials launched today will be disseminated all over the country as part of our expanded mandate in the implementation of the Philippine Population Management Program. Working together with various stakeholders that have a common interest in family planning and sexual health is the best way to

move forward. We believe that joining the World Contraception Day coalition is a strong effort in the implementation of the PPMP,” added Dr. Perez. POPCOM together with its regional offices, will organize local events such as health caravans, trainings, workplace orientations, press conferences, and social media campaigns with intensified strategies supported by various materials to generate widespread attention about family planning and World Contraception Day.

Zamboanga City Vice Mayor Rommel Agan receives Your Life plaque from Valenzuela City representative Dr. Bernadette Bordador (center). With them are (from left) Commission of Population and Development regional director Reynaldo Wong, Bayer Philippines country medical director Dr. Carmela Luisa Pagunsan, Rosalie Mendoza from Zamboanga City Health Office, and Zamboanga Health Office medical coordinator of family planning program Dr. Myra Aranan.

Entertainment

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2019 nickie.standard@gmail.com

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K-Pop’s BTS rocks out in ultra-conservative Saudi THE Saudi capital burst into life with the cheers of young fans of Korean pop group BTS as they performed in the kingdom seeking to transform its ultra-conservative image. The seven members of the wildly popular K-pop band were sweating it out as they danced and sang Friday night in front of thousands of Saudis and expatriates in Riyadh’s 70,000-capacity King Fahd International Stadium. “I am very happy that they are here in Saudi Arabia for the first time,” said a young girl, Amira, who wore a veil loosely over her head. “I hope that there will more of these kinds of concerts,” she told AFP. Many welcomed the group’s decision to perform in Saudi Arabia, which has loosened decades-old restrictions on entertainment as part of a push to improve its image and attract tourists in a broader plan to diversify its economy away from oil.

But others criticized BTS for performing in the kingdom due to its oft-criticized human rights record and targeting of dissidents and homosexuals. While the contentious liberalization drive has also seen women gain some more freedoms, including being able to drive and travel more independently, the crackdown on rights campaigners and dissidents has intensified at the same time. As Saudi Arabia boosts its entertainment offering, its record has put off some artists, including rapper Nicki Minaj, who pulled out of the Jeddah World Fest in July, citing human rights concerns. Janet Jackson, 50 Cent, and Chris Brown were among artists who did not turn down the kingdom’s invitation to perform. But fans on Friday were excited about the prospect of future events, as children and their parents waited in anticipation outside the

The Saudi capital burst into life with the cheers of young fans of BTS as the K-pop band performed in the kingdom seeking to transform its ultra-conservative image.

stadium in the kingdom that rarely pulsates to the beats of pop songs and throngs of young people. “I feel like this is supporting our country and our economy. Also, that we are showing everyone that we welcome everyone,” said a young man, who said he was an amateur YouTuber who produces art and music.

Is NADINE leaving Viva, too? Nadine Lustre plans to slow down after doing a string of movies this year.

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CCORDING to Nadine Lustre, it is her personal choice not to be included anymore in the project Miracle in Cell #7, Viva’s official entry to the 2019 Metro Manila Film Festival which could have been her maiden screen team-up with award-winning actor Aga Muhlach.

Instead, she was replaced by another Viva artist, Bela Padilla. “Actually, I decided to lie low at this point. After weighing things, I realized that my workload has been very hectic for the past year. Like, I started shooting the film Ulan in 2018 until middle of this year. I guess, I have to give the rest of the remaining year to myself,” she says. Is she saying that she feels drained? “No, it’s not like that. Let’s just say that I’m the creative type of person. I need to take care of my creativity or else, I will get depressed eventually. I have to do something creative that will relax my senses like traveling, listening to good music or just reading a good book.” Many ask if she will be seen in a grand potboiler again in 2020. “I don’t know yet. I can’t give a concrete answer as of now. Let’s see.” How about a new TV show? Her last regular program was the ABS-CBN soap Till I Met You in 2016. “I have a new show titled, Your Moment in which I share the screen with Billy Crawford and Mr. Boy Abunda.” Nadine further adds that the show is a talent search with a twist. It’s an interesting show that will start airing in November. It was learned from the critically-acclaimed young actress that one activity which occupies her time these days is songwriting. Can fans expect a new recording album from her soon? “Well, let’s see. It’s difficult when you are the one writing the song---going to the studio, sit there and discuss with your producer. It’s not easy.” Nadine reveals that the song she’s writing at present is

under the music label of reel and real-life boyfriend James Reid called Careless Music Manila. “I haven’t released many songs yet under the label. Maybe, we’re just waiting for the right time!” Now that she opted to lie low from doing projects, the popular lass admits that it has a positive effect. “I’m happy with this development. I feel very refreshed. It feels great that you are able to rest and just do which you only want to do. Like in my case, I’m also attending to financial matters now that I’m not that busy.” Expectedly, she is asked as to the real reason why James left Viva. “Well, all I know is that his contract with the agency already expired.” As for her, does she also have plans of leaving her home studio in the coming days? “I don’t see it coming. I’ve been with Viva for the past 10 years and I can say we’re okay,” Nadine ends. *** Kapuso actress Thea Tolentino says she will never get tired playing ‘contravida’ roles on screen like in her latest project for GMA titled, Madrasta. “Well, apart from the fact that I enjoy breathing life to bitchy characters on screen because I find it challenging, I’m also given the chance to give each character a distinct look. I’m really excited every time I have a new villain part. As early as in the story conference, I already think of innovations especially in the physical aspect like, different hair, makeup and clothes. I always want to give something new to the viewers,” she states. It’s her first time to work with Arra San Agustin who plays the titular role. “I’m excited because after Kris Bernal, Janine Gutierrez, Maine Mendoza, Sanya Lopez, and Barbie Forteza, it’s Arra this time. It’s her launching vehicle as a solo female lead and I’m proud to be part of the show.” Have they already shot fighting scenes together? “Yes! We’ve already done very physical fights which involve slapping faces and hair-pulling. Actually, I’m proud because Arra and I have chemistry. We know our timing. Off screen, we do chit-chats but when the cameras start grinding, she knows when I become ferocious and she’s prepared for it. Ha-ha-ha!” says Thea.

Nearby was a group of three Filipinos, who made the trip from Jeddah, about 800 kilometers (500 miles) west of Riyadh. “We’ve been waiting for such an event for so long,” one of the young women told AFP before she bolted with her friends to listen to their “favorite” song. AFP

Spanish-Filipino flair in one existential stage performance UNRAVEL the essence of man’s existence in a heavyweight production that celebrates and intertwines the distinct characteristics of the Spanish classic drama and the Filipino contemporary theater. Ang Dakilang Teatro Ng Daigdig is a seamless Filipino and Spanish fusion of the 1967 oneact play Hoy, Boyet by the multiawarded Filipino playwright, lyricist, psychic journalist, portraitist, game designer, and artist Tony Perez and the Carlos Palanca Memorial Awardee George de Jesus III’s Filipino translation of the 1634 masterpiece El Gran Teatro del Mundo (The Great Theater of the World) by the reputable dramatist, poet, and writer of the Spanish Golden Age Pedro Calderon de la Barca. Under the direction of Philstage Gawad Buhay Awardee Nonon Padilla, Ang Dakilang Teatro Ng Daigdig combines the obra masetra of creative geniuses into one new creation and promises to be a refreshing showcase starred by distinguished thespians and industry veterans Frank Rivera and Manny Castañeda. Joining them are the budding student-artists from the Theater Arts, Music Production and Information System Programs of the School of Design of Arts (SDA) of the De La Salle-College of

Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB). Ang Dakilang Teatro Ng Daigdig is an allegorical depiction of one’s place in the world following the Catholic Church doctrine and spills the reality of the philosophical concept of impermanence. It is an awakening that life on Earth is a swift test while the true and perpetual being only begins in the afterlife. In this re-evaluation and reflection, the characters and the audience will understand the value of life and free will and accept that the so-called fate is shaped by actions and decisions. Ang Dakilang Teatro Ng Daigdig will have shows at 1:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. from Oct.17 to 19, and Oct. 23 to 26. Theater enthusiasts can likewise watch the play’s special performance during the Gala Night on Oct. 26, 7:00 p.m.. Tickets are priced at P500 for the Gala Night, P350 for regular screenings and P250 for students, senior citizens, and persons with disabilities (PWDs). It will be on view at the 5/F SDA Theater, School of Design and Arts (SDA) Campus, De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) Pablo Ocampo Street (formerly Vito Cruz Street), Malate, Manila. For ticket reservations, contact +63906-4018531 or email benildetheatrearts@gmail.com.

Ang Dakilang Teatro Ng Daigdig is a seamless Filipino and Spanish fusion of the 1967 one-act play ’Hoy, Boyet.‘

Nickie Wang, Issue Editor nickie.standard@gmail.com

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Entertainment

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2019

Shawn Mendes charms fans at Mall of Asia Arena By Clay Moreno GRAMMY-NOMINATED, multiplatinum singer/songwriter Shawn Mendes returned to the Philippines and showcased his new music via a concert at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City on Thursday night. The Manila leg of the 21-yearold pop heartthrob’s second world tour was made possible by promoter MMI Live. The much-awaited return of “Treat You Better” and “Mercy” singer was in support of self-titled album released in 2018. The MOA was packed to the brim with a passionate crowd that welcomed Mendes walked on stage to perform the hits like “There’s Nothing Holdin’ Me Back,” “Nervous,” and “Stitches.” He also did a remix of the massive hit “Senorita,” and some notable performance of “Treat You Better,” “Falling All In You,” and “Youth.” The Canadian hitmaker released his third studio album, which follows 2015’s Hand- w r i t ten and 2016’s Illuminate. “In My Blood” was released as the selftitled album’s lead followed by “Lost in Japan,” “Youth,” which features

American singer Khalid, “Where Were You in the Morning?” and “Nervous.” The album debuted at no. 1 on the Billboard 200 album chart as well as multiple additional worldwide markets, including Australia, Canada, Mexico, Belgium, Holland and shot to no. 1 on iTunes in more than 80 countries immediately upon release. The album became one of the top best-selling album debuts of 2018 and made Shawn the third youngest solo artist to ever have three consecutive #1 albums. Worldwide, he has sold over 15 million albums, 100 million singles, and has amassed over 20 billion song streams and five billion YouTube views. Shawn has completed two sold-out world tours with over one million tickets sold, selling out legendary stadiums and arenas including NYC’s Madison Square Garden and London’s O2 Arena in minutes. On his tour, Shawn Mendes: The Tour, he sold out his firstever stadium show in minutes at Rogers Centre in his hometown of Toronto. The tour began in March 2019, with over 100 dates currently announced across the UK, Europe, North America, Latin America, Asia, and Australia/New Zealand, with more to be announced soon.

Megastar Sharon Cuneta and Asia’s Songbird Regine Velasquez promise their audience that they will not upstage each other during their 'Iconic' concert.

Setting up the stage for Regine and Sharon’s

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‘iconic’ concert

WO of the country’s most VERY celebrated divas, Regine WANG Velasquez and Sharon NICKIE Cuneta, are set to tell their stories WANG in a concert entitled Iconic, as they sing a medley of their hits and other unexpected song choices that showcase their versatility, vocal range, and own style of performance.

Canadian songwriter and singer Shawn Mendes, 21, comes back to Manila to stage a concert in support of his eponymous studio album.

Lee Seung Gi

wins the hearts of Pinoys SOUTH Korea’s Ballad Prince—Lee Seung Gi—was greeted by his fans in Manila on Saturday evening for the Philippine leg of his Vagabond Voyage Asia tour. “Hello, Philippines! Are you ready? The day we’re finally going to meet is getting closer. Just the thought of meeting Filipino Airens makes my heart flutter,” he said in a video shared by CDM Entertainment on Facebook. Lee Seung Gi’s Vagabond Voyage tour marks his 15th year since he started his career in entertainment. His Manila tour, produced by ABS-CBN Events and CDM Entertainment, was the Hallyu star’s first chance to meet his Filipino fans. The triple threat star, who is known

for his acting, singing, and hosting skills, initially became famous in the Philippines in the K-drama My Girlfriend is a Gumiho back in 2011. He once again captured local audiences in the action-fantasy Hwayugi: A Korean Odyssey, which aired last year on ABSCBN. Lee Seung Gi’s Manila tour was one of the thrilling shows produced by ABSCBN Events, bringing the Kapamilya experience closer to Filipinos with outstanding and unforgettable live shows, concerts, and fan meets. After his much-awaited Manila encounter, the Vagabond star headed to Bangkok, Singapore, and Kuala Lumpur to continue his Asia tour.

Fans had a glimpse of Korean actor Lee Seung Gi on Saturday at the New Frontier Theater at the Araneta Center in Cubao, Quezon City.

Billed as the biggest and the grandest local musical show of the year, the joint concert is a two-night affair happening at the Araneta Coliseum on Oct. 18 and 19. “I’m a big fan of Ate Sharon even before I entered showbiz,” says Regine. “I joined the queue in Meycauayan for her movie Bukas Luluhod ang mga Tala in 1984. So, when I joined showbiz, I was so starstruck with her,” the vocal queen narrates. Regine further says that having a concert with Sharon is a dream come true for her. “The idea started years ago, whenever we see each other, we would say, ‘Let’s go, let’s do a concert. Pero laging hindi na tutuloy, that’s why we really look forward to this show,” the songbird carries on. In turn, Sharon says that sharing the stage with Regine is also a privilege. She considers the vocal powerhouse a better singer. “We have two different styles, but we’re coming together in this show for different reasons and they are all valid. We should not be compared kasi it’s like comparing apples and oranges. It’s like putting a dark cloud on something full of sunshine and rainbows. I have so much respect and admiration for Regine,” Sharon explains. The megastar adds that their show is a collaboration of two different voices and two different personalities. ***

Drew Arellano continues his journey as a Kapuso

Award-winning TV personality and host Drew Arellano looks forward to continuing his journey as a Kapuso as he renews his commitment to GMA Network in a contract signing event held on Tuesday, Oct. 8. Present during the signing were GMA Network Chairman and CEO Atty. Felipe L. Gozon, Senior Vice President for News and Public Affairs Marissa L. Flores, First Vice President for Public Affairs Nessa Valdellon, and Asian Artists Agency representative Rowena Salido. Vice President for Corporate Affairs and Communications Angela Javier Cruz, Senior AVP for Public Affairs Neil Gumban, Assistant Vice President for Public Affairs Jaileen Jimeno, Biyahe ni Drew Program Manager Karen Lumbo, and AHA! Program Manager Mildred Ablanque-Irum were also present. Atty. Gozon only had good things to say about the AHA! and Biyahe ni Drew host who has been a loyal Kapuso for 14 years. “His 14 years in the network is wellappreciated. He’s one of the great

talents of Public Affairs. At tayo naman ay talagang galak na galak na pinili na naman niyang manatili sa ating istasyon,” Gozon said. Drew shared that working with the Kapuso Network does not feel like a job. “You know what they say. If you love your job, it doesn’t seem like a job. I get to travel with the entire Biyahe ni Drew crew or make kids learn through AHA!,” he said. During the contract signing and the media interview that followed, both Biyahe ni Drew and AHA! teams were in full attendance to show their support to the Kapuso host. Drew, on the other hand, expressed his gratitude to his GMA Public Affairs family by giving credit to the production teams for the success of his programs throughout the years. “I think anyone can produce a travel show but not everyone can have my team. Our chemistry is pretty solid that’s why we are very efficient with our work. It’s a fine group of people that you will be happy with for 14 years and will probably be happy for another 14 years,” Drew said. He also revealed that it was actually in GMA 7 that he met his wife—Iya Villania-Arellano—after working with her in the youth-oriented show Click. Fourteen years later, not only is Drew still a loyal Kapuso, he and Iya are now parents to 3-year-old Primo and 1-year-old Leon. But even before getting married, Drew says he knew he wanted to be a good father. To accomplish this, he scaled down his work to three times a week. Today, instead of going out with friends, he says he’d rather spend quality time with his wife and children. Aside from Click, Drew was also part of the longest running morning show Unang Hirit. In 2005, Drew hosted QTV’s travel show Balikbayan which later had an offshoot program Weekend Getaway on GMA News TV. Five years later, he further showcased his versatility in hosting via AHA!, a GMA Public Affairs’ award-winning infotainment show. “For AHA!, it’s not just about learning. It’s about having fun while learning and I think that is the most effective tool so that your kids will learn. Our goal is to be an edutainment type— educational at the same time, entertaining.

That’s what we’ve been doing for the past 10 years,” Drew said. With the tagline, “Ang happy place ng mga batang smart,” AHA! explores the science and technology behind everyday things, experiences, and viral activities through the help of credible experts. It makes sure that viewers will find fun in learning through entertaining treatments, language and exciting animations. Over the years, AHA! has ventured into full length live animation segments. After the production of its AHA! Animation Originals special episode in 2017, it regularly produced animation segments such as the #KuwentongAHAmazing, a full-length animation of Pinoy stories being told by top Kapuso personalities including Jessica Soho, Bianca Umali, and Ken Chan. Next year, AHA! will explore more composite media, like stop-motion and 3D animations. Kapuso viewers have also seen Drew explore islands, jump from the highest cliffs, and eat the most exotic dishes in his travel program Biyahe ni Drew, which began airing on GMA News TV in 2013. “I feel that we, the Biyahe ni Drew crew, are in a very lucky position. We bring our cameras and get to feature super isolated places and share it to our viewers,” Drew shared. Aside from featuring beautiful destinations in the Philippines, Biyahe ni Drew has taken viewers to various Asian destinations such as Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Japan, Brunei, Malaysia, and Hong Kong. It also explored Africa namely Kenya, Zimbabwe and Zambia, as well as Israel and Jordan. The show has successfully launched the Biya-Hero and Sustaina-Goals campaign. Both AHA! and Biyahe ni Drew have established a strong online presence. AHA’s Facebook page is close to hitting 1 million ‘likes’ while Biyahe ni Drew’s has more than 1 million ‘likes’. AHA! and Biyahe ni Drew have also been recognized by various local and international award giving bodies. Drew Arellano says that having a great team is the reason behind the success of his shows on GMA.