Manila Standard - 2019 October 21 - Monday

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BRIGHT IDEA.

VOL. XXXIII • NO. 249 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P18 MONDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2019 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

DILG ruling key to Albayalde case

Manila has embarked on a beautification campaign to give a fresh and vibrant look to the city’s landmarks and historical sites like Jones Bridge where European-style lamp posts are being installed by city workers. Mayor Isko Moreno was quoted by ABSCBN as saying the project was funded with P20 million by Chinese traders.

Norman Cruz

Palace won’t act on Senate findings

By MJ Blancaflor

A

FTER a joint Senate panel recommended graft charges against resigned Philippine National Police Chief Oscar Albayalde over his alleged “coverup” of the so-called ninja cops in 2013, Malacañang said Sunday President Rodrigo Duterte will still wait for the recommendation of the Interior department on the issue.

“The President only said that the Senate has a discretion [to investigate the matter] but he will not act on it since he will wait for the investigation of the DILG since the PNP is under that, Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said in a radio interview.

Senator Richard Gordon on Friday released the first part of the panel report on its investigation on the anomalies within the New Bilibid Prison, saying Albayalde was very liable.

“By reasons of seniority, by reason of his moral superiority, his competence, he would not have reached the rank of a

general if he does not know anything. I think he is very liable, Gordon told reporters.

According to the report, Albayalde committed malfeasance for interfering in the implementation of the dismissal order against the 13 ninja cops led by Police Major Rodney J. Baloyo IV. During the Senate hearings, it was revealed that the 13 policemen, subordinates of then Pampanga police chief Albayalde, confiscated 200 kilograms of shabu in a 2013 operation but declared only around 38 kilos.

Next page

Rody’s new gear: Portable purifier Du30 to attend

By MJ Blancaflor Japan emperor’s enthronement AMID concerns about his health, President Rodrigo Duterte has been wearing a portable air purifier around his neck during public engagements.

“That is an air purifier, so he will be protected from persons within his proximity who have coughs and colds,” President Duterte’s spokesman, Salvador Panelo told reporters on Friday.

The 74-year-old leader wore the device during the launch of a coal power plant in Taguig City on Wednesday, a busi-

ness conference on Thursday, and when he welcomed Indian President Ram Nath Kovind in Malacañang on Friday.

Photos from Malacañang also showed that Duterte wore it during other events, such as the 42nd Cabinet Meeting on Oct. 11 and the military-police command conference on Oct. 15.

The air purifier removes airborne pollutants such as viruses, bacteria, and dust from the user’s personal space, according to AirTamer, which makes the purifier.

The device can be purchased online for Next page about P7,000.

Pinoy repatriation from HK ‘fake news’

PURIFIED AIR. Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte wears a portable air purifier around his neck as he speaks duting a joint press conference with his Indian counterpart Ram Nath Kovind (not pictured) at Malacanang Palace in Manila on Oct. 18. AFP

Tales of bravery at 75th Leyte rites PALO, Leyte―The commemoration of the 75th Leyte Gulf Landings on Sunday highlighted the gallantry of the World War II heroes that led to the liberation of the Philippines from the three-year Japanese occupation.

The US Coast Guard’s commanding officer, Admiral Karl. Schultz, started conducting a three-day visit to the Philippines to attend the commemoration of Next page

IT’S ASTROS VS NATIONALS IN WORLD SERIES SPORTS A7

THE Labor department said Sunday there is no truth to social media posts claiming that the government has imposed the mandatory repatriation of Filipino workers in Hong Kong amid the escalation of violent protests there.

In a statement, Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said his department has yet to receive an advise from the DeFormer Senate President Aquilino Pimentel

partment of Foreign Affairs on any alert level that would warrant a mandatory repatriation of Filipino nationals.

“Right now there is no communication from the DFA and even from the consulate of Hong Kong regarding the possibility of repatriation, either voluntary or mandatory. We are in close coordination Next page

By MJ Blancaflor PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte is set to fly to Japan to witness the enthronement of Japan’s new emperor Naruhito.

Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said Sunday the President will attend the ceremonies and state banquets.

“What I know is he’s there only for enthronement. He will participate in the first banquet and the prime minister’s banquet,” Panelo said in a radio interview.

This marks President Duterte’s fourth visit to Japan.

Malacañang previously said the President will skip the event because he is busy and may send a representative instead.

Later, Duterte said he will witness the enthronement and will bring along a “lean” delegation of officials. Next page

Nation mourns passing of a patriot

By Macon Ramos-Araneta THE nation mourned the death of former Senate President Aquilino Pimentel Jr. on Sunday, Oct. 20., hailing him as a true patriot, a freedom fighter and a champion of democracy, human rights and local governance. He was 85.

“Our beloved Tatay Nene has joined his Creator at 5 a.m. today, Oct. 20, 2019. We thank all those who have been a part of his life. We ask for prayers for the repose of Tatay Nene’s soul. Thank you to all,”

‘Abominable’ skips Malaysia

Baby Shark ringtone disrupts IMF meet

KUALA LUMPUR—Animated film “Abominable” will not be shown in Malaysia after its distributor Sunday said it could not comply with censors’ demands to cut a controversial scene showing Beijing’s disputed claims in Turn to A3 the South China Sea.

SERIOUS talk of trade wars and a slowing world economy fell victim on Saturday to a “Baby Shark” attack.

At a news conference at the conclusion of the International Monetary Fund annual meetings, a reporter in the front Turn to A3

posted his son, Senator Aquilino Pimentel III on his Twitter account.”

Pimentel, author of the Local Code of the Philippines that granted greater powers to local governments, had been in the intensive care unit since Oct. 14. He has been suffering from cancer, but succumbed to pneumonia.

Senate Minority Leader Fanklin Drilon said he lost not just a colleague with whom he shared nine colorful years in the Senate, but a true friend whom he respected Next page

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News

MONDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2019 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

PET majority of 11 overrules Caguioa report on poll protest

By Rey E. Requejo THE dissenting opinion of two justices of the Supreme Court, sitting as the Presidential Electoral Tribunal, does not constitute a ruling of the PET but the decision adopted by the majority of 11 magistrates who voted to reject the report of justice-in-charge Benjamin Caguioa, the Marcos camp said Sunday.

The report by justice-in-charge Benjamin Caguioa seeks to dismiss the poll protest filed by former Senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr. against Vice President Leni Robredo.

Vic Rodriguez, Marcos’ spokesman, also lashed out at the Robredo camp for allegedly trying to eclipse the actual ruling of the majority of the PET members that would pave the way for the resolution of the Marcos’ third cause of action.

He said the Marcos camp seeks to annul the result of the elections held in Lanao del Sur, Basilan and Maguindanao, but it was covered up by the minority opinion written

by Caguiao, which was backed only

by Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio and projecting it as if it was the actual decision of the tribunal.

“And the same decisive 11-2 vote ordered to open what the Robredo camp feared most―the third cause of action which will prove that terrorism and massive poll fraud in the three provinces of Mindanao contributed to her proclamation as vice president, Rodriguez said, in a statement.

Rodriquez said “that’s the reason why Leni and the yellow gangland are obviously in panic mode over the PET’s resolution ordering both parties of the poll protest to comment within 20 days on Marcos’ motion (from the day he filed the protest in 2016) to nullify the ballots in the provinces of Basilan, Maguindanao and Lanao del Sur.” Rodriguez also accused the camp of Robredo of receiving information from her “deep throat” in the PET, which apparently prompted her camp to claim victory even before the PET decided on the committee report submitted by Caguiao before the tribunal.

“Through her highly placed deep throat in the Tribunal, Robredo was receiving advanced information which she used in claiming a “fake victory in the recount without understanding first the contents of the PET’s October 15, 2019 resolution, Rodriguez said.

He said the resolution clearly implied that 11 of the PET’s 13 voting magistrates did not believe in Caguioa’s report and the opinion on the results of the manual recount of which Robredo and her lawyers were peddling bias and lopsided interpretations.

Du30...

From A1

The ceremonies on Oct. 22 will formalize Emperor Naruhito’s ascension to Japan’s Chrysanthemum Throne in the presence of dignitaries from over 190 countries.

Naruhito, 59, began his reign in May after his father Emperor Akihito became the first monarch to leave the throne in more than two centuries.

Emperor Akihito stepped down after saying he felt unable to fulfill his role because of declining health.

The ceremonies will begin with a private ritual. He will later appear alongside his wife, the former diplomat Empress Masako, in ceremonial outfits in the Imperial Palace.

Duterte previously met Akihito and Empress Michiko during their Manila visit in 2017.

Tales...

From A1

the famous Leyte Landing on Sunday, celebrating the 75th anniversary since US General Douglas MacArthur and Philippine President Sergio Osmeña landed on Leyte Gulf on Oct. 20, 1944.

In a low-key celebration at MacArthur Landing Memorial Park in this town, officials honored the bravery of the Filipino guerrilla fighters and Allied Forces.

US Embassy Charg D’ Affaires John Law called for reflection and gratitude for the 15,000 soldiers who sacrificed their lives during the Battle of Leyte Gulf.

“Those who fought paid the dreadful price for us to regain freedom and restore peace. It’s the debt that we can only pay by remembering as we do today, Law said.

Australian Ambassador to the Philippines Stephen James Robinson thanked the Philippines for acknowledging Australia’s role in the Liberation of Leyte with the

Palace: No to 2-year probation

By MJ Blancaflor

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ALACAÑANG on Sunday rejected a lawmaker’s proposal to extend the period of probationary employment from six months to two years.

Rep. Jose Singson Jr., a businessman, said the bill he had filed would enable all workers “to enjoy continuous employment for more than six months.”

He said employers could regularize workers any time within the two-year period.

He said House Bill 4802 does not mention any provision restricting employers from regularizing their

workers.

The proposal aims to extend the sixmonth probationary employment period to up to two years.

“If the proposed 24 months is passed, employees will not face termination [at once], and they will not lose their jobs,” Singson said.

“At least, they still have income instead of losing their jobs after five months or six

DILG...

“Whatever it is that should be filed, whether guilty or not guilty, depends on the courts, assuming that the case will pass on the prosecutor’s level, Panelo said.

Panelo, however, was mum if the President would still talk to Albayalde amid the allegations hounding him.

Albayalde relinquished his post last Monday to go into non-duty status, which means he will not perform any task as a police official until he officially retires from the police service on Nov. 8.

The next PNP chief will occupy the top post beyond Nov. 8, since only one policeman should have a four-star rank.

Duterte has yet to name his choice for the next PNP chief.

From A1

As of press time, Interior Secretary Eduardo Año have not yet released a recommendation to the President on the matter.

Meanwhile, Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said the Senate report on the probe on the ninja cops would be helpful in the reinvestigation being conducted by his department.

Panelo, who also serves as President Duterte’s chief legal counsel, said it was up to the prosecutors to assess the evidence to determine the cases to be filed against Albayalde.

Rody’s...

From A1

Duterte’s health has been the subject of much speculation, but Malacañang has repeatedly played down such concerns.

This month, he revealed he has a rare neuromuscular disease called myasthenia gravis, characterized by weakness in the muscles that control eye and eyelid movement and facial expression.

In his previous speeches, the President said he also suffered from migraines, nausea, a spinal injury, Buerger’s disease and Barrett’s esophagus.

On Thursday, he obtained bruises and wounds after he figured in a motorcycle accident.

Pinoy... with the DFA for any developments,” Bello said.

He added that the labor attaché in Hong Kong is updated on the date, time, and venue of the protests on a 24/7 basis and immediately issues a weekly advisory to Filipinos working there.

Bello encouraged the public to ignore the proliferation of fake news on social media and in other web pages and rely on the advisories and news bulletin issued by the Philippine consulate and by the Department of Labor and Employment.

“I urge the public to ignore this fake news on the Internet. For those spreading it, please stop and let us not aggravate the situation and endanger our OFWs,” he added.

Despite the civil disturbance, no OFW in Hong Kong has expressed willingness to come home or seek assistance for repatriation, Bello said.

Meantime, the Philippine consulate advised Filipino migrants in Hong Kong to follow the advisories of the government to stay indoors if necessary and avoid wearing white and black shirts in the streets to prevent being mistaken as protesters.

Filipinos who are planning to visit Hong Kong for tourism purposes are also encouraged to reschedule their trips if possible.

On Sunday, police fired water cannon and tear gas at Hong Kong protesters who defied authorities with an illegal march, their numbers swollen by anger over the recent stabbing and beating of two prodemocracy protesters.

Authorities had forbidden the march in Tsim Sha Tsui, a densely packed shopping district filled with luxury boutiques and

hotels, citing public safety and previous violence from hardcore protesters.

But tens of thousands joined the unsanctioned rally regardless, as the movement tries to keep up pressure on the city’s pro-Beijing leaders after nearly five months of protests and political unrest.

In a now-familiar pattern, the rally began peacefully but quickly descended into chaos as small groups of hardcore protesters hurled petrol bombs at a police station, subway entrances and at Chinese mainland bank branches.

Police responded with multiple volleys of tear gas.

At one point a water cannon truck chased thousands of protesters down Nathan Road, one of the city’s busiest shopping thoroughfares, leaving it streaked with blue-dye from the vehicle’s turrets.

The dye, used to identify protesters, also contains a pepper solution which burns the skin on contact.

As the protesters fled the streets, front liners stayed behind to slow the advance of riot police, setting fire to makeshift barricades.

Tensions were running high after the leader of the group organizing the weekend rally, Jimmy Sham, was hospitalized by men wielding hammers earlier in the week.

Then on Saturday night a man handing out pro-democracy flyers was stabbed in the neck and stomach, reportedly by an assailant who later shouted pro-Beijing slogans.

Many on Sunday’s march said they wanted to show they were unbowed by the attacks and authorities increasingly banning public gatherings.

“The more they suppress, the more we resist,” a 69-year-old protester, who gave her surname as Yeung, told AFP. “Can police arrest us all, tens of thousands of people?” With AFP

participation of 4,000 Australian soldiers.

“Your commitment and valor serve as a timeless example to us all. The battle reminds us to be ready to work whenever and wherever duty calls, Robinson said.

Yasushi Yamamoto, Charg D’ Affaires of Japan’s Embassy in the Philippines, condoled with the family members whose forefathers perished during the war.

“Since the war ended, Japan has consistently valued peace. My country has been dedicated to promoting peace and prosperity in Asia. Japan is determined to continue to make greater contributions to that end, Yamamoto said.

Since President Rodrigo Duterte assumed the post, there have been seven summit meetings held between Philippines and Japan. The past four years are considered as the ‘‘golden age of strategic partnership,’’ according to the Japanese official.

National Security Adviser Hormogenes Esperon described the commemoration as truly sentimental as the country

remembers the landing ofMacArthur, starting the Battle of Leyte and defeating the Japanese Imperial Army.

“Let us take this occasion to be grateful for the gallantry of troops. May their sacrifices inspire us to be decisive in confronting the challenges that we may face, Esperon said.

Leyte Gov. Leopoldo Dominico Petilla urged Leyte’s to always remember the stories of the Leyte Gulf Landings as part of their duty to keep alive the valor of the World War II heroes.

“Our veterans, both the departed and the living, deserve to be recognized for their heroism in times of war so that we may all live, Petilla said.

Some of the 105 surviving veterans and sons and daughters of guerrilla fighters attended the event.

It was on Oct. 20, 1944, when GMacArthur, together Osmeña and Gen. Carlos P. Romulo, again set foot on Philippine soil, their first after they left Corregidor in 1942. Rey E. Requejo with PNA

From A1

months. With such, they go around and around seeking another employment and spend [so much] just to find one.”

Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III earlier opposed a proposal that, he said would “deprive” employees of their right to security of tenure.

Malacañang echoed Bello.

“I agree with him. Precisely, we are against the six-month probationary period because you will prolong it,” Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said in a radio interview.

Bello said he will ask President Rodrigo Duterte to veto the bill if it is passed by Congress.

The proposed measure may lead to more cases of illegal contractualization or depriving workers of the benefits enjoyed

by a regular employee, Bello said.

Under existing laws, workers can only be placed under a probationary period of up to six months unless an apprenticeship agreement requires a longer time frame.

This provision has led to the controversial practice where employers hire workers for a period of less than six months.

President Duterte has vowed to end contractualization during his campaign in 2016, but halfway through his term he has yet to fulfill his promise.

The President earlier certified as urgent the Security of Tenure bill, but he vetoed it in July.

He said the bill destroys the balance between the conflicting interests of laborers and workers. With Rio N. Araja

Nation...

laws and the discipline to consistently do it.

“He was also a gentleman of the old school, where political differences are not allowed get in the way of real friendship. Today, our country lost a truly great man,” she said.

She said Pimentel was not only one of our most experienced and accomplished civil servants, he is also one of the greatest defenders of freedom and democracy in the history of the country.

“And his greatness was only eclipsed by his love for this nation and its people,” Hontiveros said.

“This is a void that will probably never be filled. But I know he would want us to continue the struggle for freedom, democracy, the defense of human rights and the rule of law, and so we shall,” she added.

Senator Panfilo Lacson said he always remember the late senator as the first Senate minority leader who called his attention to respond to the massive vitriolic attacks on his honor and dignity as a newly elected senator in 2001.

Senator Leila de Lima said Pimentel will be remembered for how he fought the martial law dictatorship, at the expense of his own freedom.

“Even after the People Power Revolution, Sen. Nene remained a fighter for good governance, letting go of the Senate presidency when the Senate refused to examine evidence in the impeachment of President [Joseph] Estrada,” she said.

As the country got back on its feet after the second People Power, she said Pimentel wasted no time in crafting meaningful legislation and led the minority as a constructive force that provided the checks and balances to the Arroyo Administration.

“He may be gone, but his legacy of wisdom in defending democracy will live forever in the hearts of the people,” she added.

Malacañang on Sunday expressed its condolences.

In a statement, the Palace thanked Pimentel for his “long, fearless and principled track record of public service.”

“He would forever be etched in our history as a giant among his peers who championed democracy and electoral reform and a visionary who espoused devolution of powers and strong local governance,” Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said.

Panelo also said the administration is grateful to Pimentel for joining the 25-member Consultative Committee tasked by President Rodrigo Duterte in 2018 to review the 1987 Constitution in a bid to draft a new charter that would pave the way for a federal form of government.

The committee presented its recommendations and proposals to President Duterte and the Congress.

“As we pay tribute and honor to this respected and courageous statesman, we fervently pray for the Almighty to grant Senator Nene eternal repose. May the perpetual light shine upon him,” Panelo said.

The committee’s “best tribute” to Pimentel would be to “work harder for federalism, his last advocacy for a better Philippines,” said its chairman, former Chief Justice Reynato Puno.

“It is not a coincidence that on Oct. 26 we are going to Cagayan de Oro, his home province, to push for federalism. Nene will always be with us even if he is now in the embrace of the Lord,” Puno said.

Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles also mourned the death of Pimentel whom he called a “true Mindanaoan.”

“Manong Nene was an inspiration when I ventured into politics,” he said.

“We mourn the passing of a champion of democracy and human rights, but we should all be comforted with the thought that Manong Nene’s accomplishments as public servant will continue to guide and inspire us and the many generations to come,” Nograles added.

The Commission on Human Rights also mourned Pimentel’s passing.

“Your work and words of wisdom will live on, Ka Nene,” said commission spokesperson Ann de Guia.

The commission recognized the late lawmaker four decades of service as a senator, assemblyman, and minister of Local Government. With MJ Blancaflor and Rio N. Araja

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and admired for his service to the nation and his countrymen.

“I consider it an honor and a distinct privilege to have been succeeded by Ka Nene as Senate President in 2000.”

“Ka Nene fought for our country with honor and pride. His name will forever be remembered in the halls of Congress and by our grateful nation,” he said.

Aside from his stint as Senate President, Pimentel also served as majority leader and minority leader.

Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto said while others sought comfort in numbers, Pimentel drew strength from his convictions.

He described the late senator as a maverick who could not resist a good fight, many of which waged on his own, in the belief that one man with courage was enough to make a majority.

“And he paid dearly for being true to his principles and to his people. He spent years in prison for fighting for the freedoms which were taken from the people he loved,” Recto said.

Later in his career, he said, Pimentel’s “incurable independent streak” lost him the chance to acquire greater power, for he refused to compromise the values he never sold out.

“But it is wrong to paint the man solely as a great dissenter,” Recto said, noting that Pimentel was also a great builder— of local autonomy, of just peace among a people fatigued by war, of grassroots democracy, of Mindanao development, and of ethics in public service.

Recto said the county’s many laws have been enriched by the wisdom of Pimentel, which he selflessly shared.

He said Pimentel acted as the people’s watchman in the Senate who guarded their interests, often as a one-man checkpoint who shone a lantern on the bills before they were passed.

“He was able to notch an impressive scorecard of laws because he had the courage to speak and the wisdom to listen. Nene was a sensei to many legislators in that bygone era when true grit was measured by hard work and not by likes, shares, and followers,” said Recto.

“The republic is diminished by the death of this great patriot,” he added.

Senator Richard Gordon said Pimentel was an elder statesman with a wide breadth of experience in the executive and legislative branches of government.

“He was committed to whatever causes he chose to advocate in his lifetime and persevered in pursuing them,” he said.

Through his years as delegate of the constitutional convention, mayor, assemblyman, senator, and Senate President, Gordon said Pimentel was a dedicated public servant, and even in retirement, continued to express his views on issues that mattered to him and that he believed were in the public interest.

Senator Juan Edgardo Angara said Pimentel was a Filipino who did not go gently into the night—whether it was during martial law or after he retired from the Senate.

“Whether it was a cry for freedom or a call for brave new laws, his was an influential voice in the public space which contributed immensely in making our country better,” he said.

“Never the bullhorn of the powerful, he instead lent his big voice to the small people. That has been the story of his life—an advocate for the down and out, a champion of the powerless and the persecuted,” he added.

Angara also acknowledged Pimentel as good in opposing abuses as he was in proposing solutions to the problems of the state.

He authored many laws which became disruptors for the greater good, like giving powers to the local government, land to the tiller, and military bases to their rightful owner.

Senator Grace Poe said Pimentel was a principled leader, patriot, statesman.

“Senator Nene always kept watch and put himself on the line for the sake of the Filipino people,” she said.

Senator Risa Hontives recognized Pimentel as the lawmaker’s lawmaker, both in intelligence to craft or critique

News

MONDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2019

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Carpio: Fight for WPS to continue S

By Rey E. Requejo

UPREME Court Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio has vowed to continue his crusade of defending the country’s exclusive economic zone, particularly in the West Philippine Sea, even after his mandatory retirement from the judiciary next week.

Carpio, who has been designated again as acting chief justice of the 15-member bench following the retirement of Chief Justice Lucas Bersamin Friday, will bow out after serving the High Court for 18 years when he reaches his mandatory retirement age of 70 on Oct. 26.

Although Carpio never became chief justice, except in acting capacity several times, the senior magistrate will have

the retirement privileges of one, former retired Chief Justice Artemio Panganiban said, citing a resolution adopted by the SC en banc.

“Like my partner [former Foreign Affairs] Secretary Albert [Del Rosario], I too will continue defending the West Philippine Sea. In fact, when I retire, I will devote most of my time defending our sovereign rights in the West Philippine Sea,” he said.

He said he would willingly give his opinion and recommendation if sought by the government.

“I’m always available to defend our sovereign rights in the West Philippine Sea; I don’t have to have any formal position,” Carpio said.

In various fora, Carpio has been advocating the country’s sovereignty over the West Philippine Sea, oftentimes cautioning the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte over its handling of the territorial dispute with China.

Carpio was one of the legal luminaries behind the filing of an arbitration case against China in 2016 which resulted in an arbitral award invalidating China’s massive claims over the South China Sea under its so-called nine-dash-line and clarifying the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone, in-

cluding the West Philippine Sea. Last year, Carpio said it was beside the point that his personal advocacy could cost him an appointment as chief justice.

“What is more important for the nation is that we preserve our sovereignty and sovereign rights because if we lose this, we lose that forever,” he said.

“That’s far more important that any position. That’s far more important that the presidency. I mean, the President can come and go, but our sovereignty should remain forever with us,” he added.

After 18 years as associate justice of the Supreme Court, Carpio said he will be retiring with a zero case backlog, which was achieved through “plain hard work” and “a mindset for excellence in one’s work.”

‘Ensure Boracay carrying capacity compliance’

GANDHI. In this handout photograph taken and released by India’s Presidential Palace on Oct. 20, Indian President Ram Nath Kovind and his wife Savita unveil the statue of a bust of Mahatma Gandhi at Miriam College in Quezon City. AFP

Mines bureau urges caution in landslide-prone areas

By Rio N. Araja THE Mines and Geosciences Bureau on Sunday urged local government officials and the public to exercise caution in landslide-prone areas following the magnitude 6.3 tremor that hit Mindanao last week.

“Earthquakes can loosen the top layer of soil, causing landslides,” MGB director Wilfredo Moncano said.

“It is more dangerous in high-slope areas, but can still be caused by earthquakes, depending on the intensity,” he added.

Apart from the communities in Mindanao which experienced the recent strong quake and its aftershocks, the MGB also

tagged 18 areas that have high susceptibility for landslides all over the Philippines, namely Benguet, Mountain Province, Abra, Nueva Vizcaya, Davao Oriental, Ifugao, Aurora, Apayao, Quirino, Kalinga, Camiguin, Southern Leyte, Sarangani, Siquijor, Quezon, Bukidnon, Romblon and Negros Oriental.

Many of these provinces are part of the Cordillera Administrative Region, which hosts six of the 18 tagged areas.

“This is based on an assessment of a number of factors including altitude and capacity for debris to flow,” Moncano said.

He also issued a warning following the devastating effects of Typhoon

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The decision comes after Vietnam pulled the Universal Pictures movie from theaters days ago and the Philippines’ foreign secretary called for the segment to be excised.

“Universal has decided not to make the censor cut required by the Malay-

THE country may hit an “A” credit rating before the term of President Rodrigo Duterte ends in 2022 as Congress works on the swift passage of the Comprehensive Tax Reform Program, House Majority Leader and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez said.

He said the tax reform measures that were approved on third and final reading before Congress went on a monthlong Halloween recess would further promote the country as a viable investment destination.

Among the measures were House Bill No. 304 or the Passive Income and Financial Intermediary Taxation Act and HB No. 4157 or the Corporate Income Tax and Incentive Rationalization Act. Romualdez, chairperson of the House committee on rules, said the surging economy earned the Philippines an up-

grade to BBB+, the country’s highest credit rating in history from Standard & Poor’s Global Ratings.

“We are notch away from ‘A’ territory rating after a vote of confidence by Standard & Poor’s, upgrading the country’s credit rating from ‘BBB’ to ‘BBB+’ with a stable outlook because of the robust economic growth,” he said.

“The passage on third and final reading of the bills under the Comprehensive Tax Reform Program will help us reach the ‘A’ credit rating goal of the Duterte administration,” Romualdez said.

Romualdez said Congress would continue to prioritize the passage of bills aimed at sustaining the economic growth momentum.

“The groundwork for fiscal reform has been set. President Duterte’s fiscal reform is expected to take our economy to the next level of development,” he said.

is removed”.

Beijing has based its claims to almost all the resource-rich South China Sea, which is home to important shipping routes, on historic documents. As well as the Philippines, Vietnam and Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan are rival claimants.

The movie was released in Vietnam on Oct. 4 but the country’s main cinema franchise CGV said it would no longer

show the film after it was notified about the map.

The cartoon also opened in Philippine cinemas earlier this month, with the adverse reaction not surfacing until later.

Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin said that “of course they should cut out the offending scene.”

A 2016 arbitral tribunal ruling said China’s claim was without basis, something Beijing has ignored. AFP

By Rio N. Araja

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‘Abominable’...

“Hagibis” in Japan that took the lives at least 78 lives and left thousands homeless due to flooding and landslides.

“The risks of any natural disaster are reduced by preparation and proper dissemination of information,” he said.

“If Japan, a developed country that is already highly-prepared in times of natural disasters, still suffered severely in the wake of Hagibis, then we must really double our efforts to prepare in case of a similar typhoon,” he added.

Moncano said the MGB is ready to assist local government units in assessing their communities and preparing for geohazards, such as landslides and mudslides.

IRANIAN beauty queen Bahare Zare Bahari is seeking for asylum in the Philippines to stop her deportation to Iran for fears she would be killed for breaking tradition and for speaking for the welfare of women in their country, an official of the Department of Justice said Sunday.

Justice Undersecretary and spokesman Markk Perete said they have terminated the exclusionary proceedings against the 31-year-old Bahare, who participated as Iran’s representative in the Miss Intercontinental 2018 pageant held in Manila.

“Based on information received from the Bureau of Immigration, Bahare Zare Bahari was prevented from entering the Philippines because of an Interpol Red Notice issued against her,” Perete said in a text message.

Perete said the assault complaint against Bahare was filed by a fellow Iranian national in Iran and this was used as the basis to issue an Interpol Red Notice against her.

“While the exclusionary proceedings against her has been terminated, Bahare remains in BI custody and could not be sent back to Iran as she has filed an application for asylum. Such application the Department of Justice shall resolve in due time,” he said.

“She won’t be sent back just yet and not until her application for asylum is resolved,” he added.

Perete is still waiting information from the BI as to when the Iranian national filed her petition for asylum.

The DOJ official explained that Bahare’s exclusion proceedings is different from a deportation case.

“Deportation pertains to the removal of an alien already in the country for cause, while exclusion pertain to the state’s refusal to allow an alien to enter its territory,” Perete said.

Bahare arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 onboard a Cebu Pacific flight from Dubai on Oct. 17.

Bahare has denied allegations that she was involved in an assault and battery case pending in Dagupan, Pangasinan.

PH eyes ‘A’ credit rating with passage of tax reform measures

Baby Shark... row received a telephone call, and the ringtone was the ubiquitous children’s song and earworm.

Amid an outburst of laughter, IMF chief Kristalina Georgieva continued her remarks with barely a glance at the offending mobile phone.

The bane of parents and teachers worldwide, the wildly infectious song “Baby Shark” soared from the children’s YouTube realm to the Billboard Hot 100 earlier this year, buoyed by a dance craze and hypnotically colorful video.

One US town played the song on a loop, while another, Florida’s West Palm Beach, used the annoying tune to try to discourage homeless people from congregating in a public area. AFP

Iranian beauty queen seeks asylum in PH

By Rey E. Requejo

By Macon Ramos-Araneta WITH the expected influx of tourists in Boracay in the coming months, Senator Nancy Binay called on the Boracay Inter-Agency Task Force to ensure strict monitoring and compliance of the carrying capacity of the island.

“The BIATF could perhaps give us an update about the status of the framework set in the monitoring of tourists and their evaluation and recommendations especially as we’re anticipating an influx of tourists in the coming months,” she said.

When Boracay was reopened in October last year, the government imposed a limit of 6,405 tourist entries a day.

“We should learn from our mistakes—in the non-implementation of laws, in ignoring the laws and in allowing unli-tourists,” said Binay.

Only 19,000 tourists will be allowed in Boracay at any given day and workers in the island must not exceed 15,000 per day to be able to maintain the 55,000 carrying capacity of the island.

Aside from strictly enforcing the daily limit on tourist arrivals, Binay also urged the inter-agency council to remain vigilant and ensure establishments in Boracay comply with environmental laws.

“Sana hindi ito ningas-cogon lamang. It would be a shame if we are not able to continue the reforms that were put in place,” she added.

One major component in the Boracay rehabilitation is the implementation of the “25+5-meter” easement along the beach. This means no structures are allowed to be put up within the 30-m area.

Structures that encroached on the easement along the white beach at the western side of the island have also been removed by the owners or demolished by the task force.

Boracay Island, which was previously described as ‘a virtual cesspool,’ was closed to tourists for six months from April 26 to Oct. 25 last year to undergo rehabilitation.

Bahare Zare Bahari

FOR KIDS AND KIDS AT HEART. With All Souls’ Day and All Saints’ Day fast approaching, a child takes a closer look at scary masks on display inside a mall in Quezon City. Manny Palmero sian censor board and as such will not be able to release the film in Malaysia,” United International Pictures Malaysia said in an email to AFP. The animated film about a Chinese teenager helping a yeti return to his home shows a chart featuring the “ninedash” line which sets out Beijing’s expansive claims to the flashpoint waters.

By including the U-shaped line, the movie—a joint production by Universal

Pictures subsidiary DreamWorks and China’s Pearl Studio —has stumbled into a festering row that has long been a source of friction between Beijing and Southeast Asia.

Malaysia’s film censorship board chief Mohamad Zamberi Abdul Aziz had said that the movie—due for release on November 7—could be screened in the country “with the condition that the map, which has become controversial,

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Opinion

MONDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2019 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

‘It ain’t over till it’s over’

THE title of this column is derived from an American saying about a baseball game not being over unless the last batter of the losing team has struck out.

The idea behind the Hail Mary homerun is that the game result could go the other way in the last inning.

This, however, is not the case for Philippine National Police chief Oscar Albayalde. He has retired from the service but Senator Richard Gordon who investigated his case of drug recycling warned that the former PNP director can still be charged for his role in the controversial Pampanga drug raid that involved his men.

What is next for Albayalde?

The remaining question, however, is whether Albayalde would have to re return all his financial benefits upon retirement if he is found guilty. The Ombudsman will now assume jurisdiction over his case using the Gordon Blue Ribbon Committee findings as basis.

The Senate committee does not have any law enforcement capacity; it only conducts inquiries in aid of legislation.

President Rodrigo Duterte, though, has not issued any statement for or against Albayalde indicating the police official still has his confidence. Three police generals which include National Capital Region General Guillermo Eleazar are in the short list of nominees by the National Police Commission. There are proposal to separate the Napolcom from the PNP because of its track record of not filing appropriate administrative and criminal cases against erring cops. But that’s another story that can be changed only with congressional approval.

The citizenry are concerned that many of the crimes committed are done by law enforcers. These have eroded their trust in uniformed personnel. There is an old joke that goes like this. The police are fast to arrive on the

Adelle Chua, Editor

EDITORIAL

crime scene because they are the perpetrators themselves. To be fair, there are honest cops whose reputations are sullied by the rogues in their own ranks like the ninja cops.

The subject policemen who were not charged in the dubious Pampanga raid were merely transferred to Antipolo where they were again exposed for a raid on a house without the proper search and arrest warrants. Recidivism happens when the guilty are not punished according to law. Somehow, they get the notion they are untouchable and above the law.

This errant behavior can be traced all the way from the police academy including the formerly reputable Philippine Military Academy in Baguio. The current case of fatal hazing of a plebe by upperclassmen has brought to light why policemen are prone to committing crimes. It is because they were not punished early on their training, when character building is important.

Meanwhile General Eleazar looks Allike the early favorite to succeed Al bayalde. Eleazar has gained a reputation for his surprise inspection of police precincts where he caught cops sleeping on the job. He must be the low-rankmost hated man among the low-rank ing policemen but he has caught the President’s attention for his no-nonsense performance of duty. We need more of his kind in the police force to instill discipline and keep cops on their toes all the time. *** The monstrous traffic problem in Metro Manila can be alleviated if policemen are harnessed to arrest errant drivers. Unfortunately, their role is primarily crime prevention. It is the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board and the Metro Manila Development Authority left to handle the traffic problem.

The proposal to build an elevated expressway on top of EDSA sounds good...but will it really work.? Just think of the traffic delay on the old EDSA below because of the construction to lay the pillars to support the new skyway on top. Metro Manila commuters, be prepared to suffer more delays and hardships until the end of Duterte’s term in 2022. Someone said the light at the end of the tunnel could be an oncoming train and that would be more disastrous.

I

More than bluster

T HAS been more than three years since President Rodrigo Duterte came to power on the promise that he would eradicate the illegal drug problem in just three months.

Despite the killing of thousands of suspects in a bloody war on drugs, the problem clearly proved more intractable than candidate Duterte believed. As President, he sought an extension to his own self-declared deadline when it was apparent that fulfilling his campaign promise would take a little longer than expected.

Nowadays, the President doesn’t even speak of deadlines. Rather, he uses bluster and threats of further violence.

On Thursday, the President told police Lt. Col. Jovie Espenido, who has gained notoriety for leading raids in which several narco-politicians were killed, that he is “free to kill everybody” in Bacolod, where he has been posted as deputy city director for operations.

“Bacolod is badly hit now and I placed Espenido there, the police officer that they fear,” the President said in a mix of English and Filipino.

“I said, ‘Go there and you are free to kill everybody. Start killing there.

Let’s just go to jail together.’”

This bluster and bombast are in sharp contrast to the President’s

low-key approach to his own former chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP), who resigned after being accused in Senate hearings as a protector of so-called ninja cops, 13 policemen accused of reselling millions of pesos worth of illegal drugs seized a raid in Mexico, Pampanga in 2013.

Albayalde, two former police officers testified, intervened in the dismissal order against the ninja cops, who worked under him when he was police director for Pampanga. He even admitted to one of the witnesses that he only got a small cut from their operations.

These offenses—the reselling of seized narcotics and the cover-up that followed—strike at the heart of Mr. Duterte’s anti-drug campaign, yet all he has said on the matter is that Albayalde, as chief of the PNP, deserved to be heard and presumed innocent.

The PNP, after Albayalde’s abrupt departure, has been equally non-committal, saying it will let “fairness and due process of law” take their course.

The PNP statement came a day

after the Senate Blue Ribbon and justice committees recommended the filing of criminal charges against Albayalde and the 13 policemen who served under him when he was still Pampanga police chief.

“The PNP will let justice, fairness, and due process of law take its [sic] course. All accused remain innocent until proven guilty,” the PNP said in a statement sent to reporters in response to questions about the Senate findings.

“We leave it to Police General Oscar Albayalde and the other concerned PNP personnel, with their respective legal teams to address the other side issues that may come with their possible criminal indictment as recommended by the Senate panel,” the PNP statement said.

Side issues? The ninja cops are not a side issue, they are a central problem in Mr. Duterte’s war on drugs.

At the very least, the President and the PNP should condemn the act of reselling confiscated drugs and any attempts to cover it up.

Instead, all we get are generalities about how the justice system is supposed to work—with no word on how time and again, it is circumvented by evil men.

Belt and Road benefits the Philippines

By David Wong SINCE 2013, the Belt and Road development plan initiated and implemented by President Xi Jinping and the Chinese government has laid steady roots on the continents and plough the waves in the broad ocean, making remarkable achievements and laying a solid foundation for high-quality development in the future. Let’s take a look at what has happened to Belt and Road over the past six years.

President Xi Jinping first proposed the silk road economic belt on Sept. 7, 2013, followed by the 21st century maritime silk road on Oct. 3, 2013.

In November 2013, the Chinese government took the construction of Belt and Road as a major state policy and put this strategy into an important document namely “the CPC Central Committee on several major issues concerning comprehensively deepening reform,” which clearly stated that it would “accelerate the construction of infrastructure connectivity with neighboring countries and regions, advance the construction of the silk road economic belt and maritime silk road, and form a new pattern of all-round opening up.”

By July 2019, the Chinese government had signed 195 intergovernmental cooperation agreements with 136 countries and 30 international organizations. Chinese companies have invested over us $100 billion in countries and regions

along the routes.

In a broad sense, “silk roads” can be divided into silk road and maritime silk road. In Chinese history, the silk road originated from 202 BC to 8 AD, when the emperor of the western Han dynasty sent Zhang Qian on a mission to the western region, starting from Xi ‘an, passing through Gansu and Xinjiang Provinces of China, to central Asia and west Asia and connecting the Mediterranean countries. Its primary function was to transport silk from ancient China. Later, the route for silk trade was called the silk road.

“Maritime silk road” was a maritime passage for communication, trade and cultural exchanges between ancient China and foreign countries. It was mainly centered on the south China sea, also known as “the south China sea silk road.”

The maritime silk road, formed in the Qin and Han Dynasties (206 BC), is the oldest maritime route with a history of more than 2,000 years.

China is an ancient civilization with an uninterrupted history of more than 5,000 years. It has been engaged in trade and cultural cooperation with other countries since more than 2,000 years ago, and formed what President Xi Jinping called a “mankind community of common destiny.” China’s development has never been based on war or aggression, but on mutual benefit and common development with people of other countries in pursuit of a happy life.

Turn to A5

Traffic Deal with the present and build, build, build for tomorrow.

THE year was 1986. It was my first visit to Bangkok. As postmaster-general, I also was secretary-general of the Asia-Pacific Postal Union, which was one of the regions under the Universal Postal Union.

We had a conference in that city which aside from its marvelous Buddhist temples and the grand royal palace, was a shopping mecca. It was even then bustling with foreign tourists.

The city had many similarities with Manila: the hot and humid weather, though with occasional afternoon rains that I had ceased to experience in Met-

ro Manila; the Chao Phrya river which reminds one of our very own Pasig; the hustle and bustle of a true metropolis.

But something that jots out in an occasional visitor’s senses about Bangkok was its traffic. Being a so-called VIP, my companions and I were assigned a van by the post office of the country, so we could move from one place to another.

One afternoon during the four-day conference, we asked to be brought to their “cheap” shopping centers at Indra from our hotel somewhere in the

Sukhumvit area. What looked like a short distance in the city map however took us almost an hour to navigate.

“Grabe pala ang trapik dito,” a Filipino postal official remarked.

An oldtimer from our post office, who had been to Thailand several times in the past for training stints, said caca sually, “pasama ng pasama; dati hindi “ ganito.” naman ganito.

Bangkok hosted the Asia-Pacific Postal Training Center, of which I was a trustee, and as such, I had to visit the city for annual conferences, among others. But the next year, 1987, saw me with my wife experiencing an even worse traffic experience.

Which is not so different from what we note in Metro Manila: the traffic gets worse and worse, not by the year, but by the month. Times there have Turn to A5

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

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Opinion The need for prophets (Part 1)

(WEEKS ago, several Catholic bishops from the Amazon region gathered in Rome upon the call of Pope Francis for the Special Assembly of the Synod of Bishops to discuss and address the pastoral and spiritual needs of the Catholic Church in the region, especially among the indigenous peoples of the Amazon.

It is anticipated that this gathering will result in a number sweeping reforms in the pastoral life of the local churches, including the ordination of married men—viri probati—to the ministry. This will perhaps be one of the pope’s most widely criticized acts, thus leading me to share these thoughts about Pope Francis that I earlier posted on my Facebook account.)

In this day and age, modern man appears to be in no need for prophets. In a time of ever-increasing technological sophistication, where social media has become the dominant instrument of connectivity and communication—in a world that grows smaller by the day —prophets have become a thing of the ancient past. Besides, who would have need for prophets at a time when contemporary society is obsessed with reason and logic, in our age; when all that most men seem to care about are comfort and convenience, if not greed, for personal profit? Why the need for prophets, when power—political, social and economic—provide contentment to the convenient, not necessarily the righteous, conscience? Why the need for prophets when people would rather listen to the idols of the own idiosyncrasies, of gods fashioned by the whims and wants of man. Why listen

Traffic From A4

been that coming from Makati or BGC at past ten at night, one still gets to experience hour-long traffic traversing to Manila.

Each morning, I eat upat least 40 minutes by car from my house near the boundary of Manila and Makati to Salcedo Village where I hold office, and that’s just about four kilometers apart.

But in 1998, for a tourism conference this time as head of the Philippine Tourism Authority, I was amazed at Bangkok’s management of their daily traffic situation. This time billeted at a hotel farther from the downtown area, the traffic was no longer snail-paced.

Even going to the airport was faster with new flyovers zooming above Bangkok’s narrow streets. A light rail transport system was about to be completed, while in Manila, our LRT traversing Baclaran to Monumento was finished in the last years of Ferdinand Marcos, and if I am not mistaken, that was a first among Asean countries!

Of course Thailand’s government is quite different from our rambunctious style of democracy. Theirs is a constitutional monarchy more often than not run by the military, despite a very healthy respect for individual rights and freedoms, and an economy grown through free enterprise.

But the monarchy under then reigning King Bhumibol who was revered almost as a god was able to impose a sense of nationhood and discipline quite unlike our country where everybody has something to say about everything. And being a parliamentary system where executive and legislative functions were fused, policy and program implementation, especially funding appropriations, came more efficiently.

Now I will not write about Singapore

Belt and Road...

From A4

In China’s modern history of more than 100 years, due to its weakness and disadvantage, the foreign powers in the world invaded China in turn, divided up its territory, plundered resources and exploited the people, causing the Chinese people to suffer humiliation, bullying and near-destruction of the country. China is deeply aware that a country cannot have dignity and happiness if it does not develop its economy and enhance its strength.

After 40 years of reforming and opening up, China has completed the process of economic development that western countries took more than 100 years to complete.

China has become a world economic power, and the Chinese peo-

to prophets when nations, societies and even families are more obsessed searching for what is expedient, acceptable or fashionable? Who would listen to prophets in a time when modernity has engulfed our society in a self-consumed understanding of everything around us, blinded by a self-referential standard of what is right, truthful and fair?

But listening to Pope Francis, the 266th successor to Peter the fisherman, one cannot be but surprised, inspired and even captivated by the freshness, the vitality and the relevance of a prophetic message. Just like a prophet, he presents the message of his mission without frills or pretenses, but with absolute honesty, sincerity and frankness. By just listening to his words (or reading them), one can clearly see through the clarity and courage of his conviction, a man who is consumed by the commitment he has for God and the Church.

Years have gone by since his election, and by now, there is no doubt that a period of renewal has come with the Bergoglio papacy. He taken a simpler and less formal approach to the papal office, being the first pope in many years not to reside in the papal apartments in the Vatican but instead chose to live close to his staff at the Domus Sancta Martha, in a desire to avoid isolation that comes with the high office.

Like a shepherd, he came to the papacy wanting to be with the lowly, the least

and lost in his flock – his first trip outside Rome, to the Mediterranean island of Lempedusa to meet illegal immigrants, many of them Muslims, who risked life and limb in search for a better life in Italy. During his first trip, he celebrated the Eucharist using a wooden chalice and with a wooden pastoral staff in hand—during which he called for a “reawakening of consciences” to counteract “global indifference.”

Many stories have already been told on the media about this “Franciscan revolution” which very well echoes Saint Pope John XXIII’s vision of a new springtime for the Church. We have heard stories of his down to earth approach in meeting his flock, his very open attitude to dialogue even with people of different faiths or even those who profess none. There are news accounts of him personally calling through telephone the people who write to him about their problems and sufferings. He has also called for a renewal in the Roman Curia, the central administration of the universal Church and has expressed his preference for a greater participation of the local church, that is, the dioceses in the life, mission and activity of the entire Church.

But more than just the gestures, it is the very words of Pope Francis that encapsulate his prophetic mission. In a world that nowadays think evil is but an abstraction, on more than one occasion he strongly affirms that evil is real. In a world where people find an adverse obsession with power, he has captivated the world not only with his appearances of humility and simplicity, but his sincere and honest expression of his own “sinfulness” and his reliance in God’s mercy. In fact, in a world that is often cold and unforgiving, he never fails to remind people of the reality of God’s compassion and love.

(To be continued next week)

then and Singapore now, ow we would all weep.

What went wrong?

To begin with, people. And more and more people. People coming from the poverty-stricken countryside seeking better opportunities in the center, only to live in worse warrens of congested habitat, kept in the metropolis only by the fact that “isang kain, isang tuka” was at least assured provided one had a menial job.

But nowadays, even the daily meal is out-budgeted by the cost of transporting oneself from hovel to work in a hopelessly congested city, not to mention the toll on one’s body by the daily grind of man hours lost and nerves frayed.

Our legislators have always talked about decongesting the metropolis, but never got around to being first to move out. Lead by example.

And only the Duterte administration has now taken the first step, which is to begin moving the central government to a new “green” city in the foothills of the Caraballo.

We all knew that efficient mass transport was needed to move people, but it has taken us ages to add to Marcos’ LRT 1. MRT began with FVR, and Erap inaugurated LRT 2. It has taken us more than a decade to start LRT 3 which will start operations only after another two years. We ogled at Hong Kong’s efficient subways, but only Duterte (and Makati’s Abigail Binay) started implementing the same.

All these will take years to bear fruit.

Meanwhile, the agony of daily traffic continues to sap our personal energy and our collective wits.

We need more draconian steps in the meantime.

Get all the colorum buses out of the streets, regardless of who owns them, no matter how influential they may be or have been. Rationalize the number of buses plying the major thorough-

fares, and instill discipline among the drivers. On medium-term, study and finally do away with the onerous “boundary” system.

Medium-term because instant shift can be disruptive, and disruptions our public transport cannot take. (Just look at what happens every time the MRT bogs down).

Be very strict about the addition of more vehicles being registered. No parking place, no registration. This will give business to owners of idle lots, aside from clearing narrow streets of parked vehicles which can be used as alternative through passages.

Where possible, remove center islands, and use movable barriers which can be re-positioned when traffic is clogged in one direction but light in the other.

And start following Singapore’s COE restriction. Before anyone can buy a new car, he needs a certificate of entitlement, the cost of which is prohibitive as engine displacement and luxury class rises. Sure, that will bother those who have no cars yet but who aspire to own one. But we simply cannot willy-nilly increase the number of vehicles plying our streets.

And as leveling measure, the LTO can submit an inventory of registered vehicles belonging to one person or family, cross-reference the same through LGUs, and then compel the car-owners to retroactively get a COE for cars in excess of two. Mas maraming sasakyan, mas tatamaan.

Some will say the rich will not mind, just as they bought more and more cars to beat the odd-even scheme. So be it; at least they will bleed. And eventually, since most live in ritzy condos and exclusive gated villages, peer pressure will set forth.

There are so many ways and means, big and small, draconian or less, but altogether we must do something. Stop the blame game; stop looking back at the years of neglect. Just deal with the present and build, build, build for the future.

ple have regained their dignity and happiness. However, Chinese leaders have not forgotten the pleasant experience of the “silk road” that brought prosperity to China and the world more than 2,000 years ago.

Only by connecting the cooperation and development of all countries in the world can prosperity be shared and a mankind community of future be truly meaningful. China is making efforts to this mission, and we certainly hope that all countries will work together.

This year’s APEC summit will be held in Chile. As a member of APEC, the Philippines is taking the opportunity to actively participate in the development of Belt and Road and joining other countries in this event. In recent years, the Philippine government has greatly focused on economic development and improvement of people’s liveli-

hood. It is practical and wise to take Belt and Road as the entry point, and Belt and Road can benefit the Philippines a lot.

Over the last two years, China and the Philippines have reached various consensus through frequent high-level visits. In October 2016, President Duterte paid a state visit to China. Premier Li Keqiang paid an official visit to the Philippines in November 2017. President Xi Jinping paid a state visit to the Philippines in November 2018. In addition to President Duterte’s participation in the first “Belt and Road” international cooperation summit, as well as meetings and talks between leaders of the two countries on other multilateral occasions, the two sides signed a number of policy documents in various areas related to bilateral cooperation, which laid a good foundation for the improve-

It is the very words of Pope Francis that encapsulate his prophetic mission.

MONDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2019

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mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Stablecoins THE Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas estimates that 77 percent of Filipinos do not have bank accounts while the International Monetary Fund says that globally there are 1.7-billion people who are unbanked or underserved with respect to financial services.

Even for us who have bank accounts, “stablecoin” is an unfamiliar concept. The first thing that comes to mind is that it’s another alteration of cryptocurrencies or digital currency like Bitcoin.

As the name suggests, stablecoin is a sub-type of cryptocurrency but is pegged to a “stable” commodity or asset such as fiat currency (US Dollar) or gold. So, a stablecoin that you buy for 10 US dollars can be exchanged to the equivalent 1-to-1 value.

Building on the advantages of blockchain technology, the creation of the stablecoin digital currencies aims to solve the inefficiencies of the current financial system that continue to deprive billions of people globally of basic financial services and hedge against the volatility of cryptocurrencies.

The fast pace of innovations that are disrupting financial services such as new payment methods, remittances, interfaces and even credit on cloud-based platforms are rocking the foundations of government regulators struggling to get a handle of the risks to established financial institutions. Acting on what has become a global fintech concern, the International Monetary Fund created the G7 Working Group on Stablecoins to explore its effects on the world’s economies. The results of the recently released report of this working group led

by European Central Bank board member Benoir Coure proposes a viable framework for these new technologies and policy recommendations.

The report states that by linking stablecoin value to a pool of assets (such as fiat currency) might be more capable of serving as a means of payment and store of value, and they could potentially contribute to the development of global payment arrangements that are faster, cheaper and more inclusive than present arrangements but, being an emerging technology are still largely untested.

Furthermore, the report said that the potential benefits can only be realized if significant risks are addressed and that stablecoins, pose legal, regulatory and oversight challenges and risks related to: Legal certainty; Sound governance, including the investment rules of the stability mechanism; Money laundering, terrorist financing and other forms of illicit finance; Safety, efficiency and integrity of payment systems; Cyber security and operational resilience; Market integrity; Data privacy, protection and portability; Consumer/investor protection; and Tax compliance.

It added that on a global scale, stablecoin could pose challenges and risks to: Monetary policy, Financial stability, The Interna-

ment of the quality of bilateral cooperation.

The economic cooperation between China and the Philippines enjoys a sound foundation and great potential, which is worthy of the efforts of both countries to realize mutually beneficial development. In particular, the “Belt and Road” initiative and the Philippines’ “Mega construction” plans have turned into specific projects in transportation, water conservancy, construction, agriculture, environment and other infrastructure.

In addition, the increasing number of direct flights between China and the Philippines and the Philippines becoming a tourist destination for more Chinese tourists have not only boosted the vitality of the Philippine economy, but also made both countries realize the win-win results of mutually beneficial cooperation.

Since 2016, China has been the

tional Monetary System, and Fair Competition.

The G7 Working Group recommends the collaboration of relevant stakeholders to develop road maps for supporting and scaling up ongoing efforts to improve the efficiency and inclusiveness of payment and financial services such as cross-border payments, financial inclusion and support programs for less developed countries, strong regulatory cooperation, and harmonized standards between relevant local and international authorities.

“The Working Group recommends that finance ministries, central banks, international organizations, standard setters and other public authorities maintain the high level of international coordination and collaboration needed for cross-border policies and regulatory regimes that apply to stablecoins. Public authorities should also be mindful to forestall harmful regulatory arbitrage and to ensure a level playing field that encourages competition.

Close international coordination will help to reap the benefits of recent technological advances more quickly and efficiently and address the formidable challenges identified above,” the report said.

Are these the future of money?

Important issues on emergemerg ing fintech solutions were raised by the G7 report that can be addressed if standards set by regulators of global financial systems are met. New solutions, whether developed by technology companies, governments, banks or other entities must forge a path of co-existence with the current financial structure under a well-designed regulatory system.

I have often twitted government for its laggard attitude to the fast pace of technology innovations that ironically offer practical and immediate solutions to corruption and inefficient delivery of public services. The G7 report gives a viable process guide to both government regulatory authorities and stakeholders to ensure that adoption of new technologies are secure and complementing to existing financial systems. The leading stablecoin projects including the hotly discussed Libra are aligning toward this direction.

Financial division affects the poorest of society who do not access to the most basic financial services. This lack of financial opportunity negates efforts to fight poverty which adds to the already heavy lifting of government resources.

Is stablecoin going to be the future currency? The benefits are too big to ignore for our regulators. Banks and even the BSP with its goal of financial inclusion are now more open to these new fintech solutions. As mobile technologies are already in the hands of every Filipino, the risk of predatory apps victimizing click happy users should spur more urgency in getting our regulations ready for the potential global shift to stablecoin.

Philippines’ largest trading partner, largest source of imports and fourth-largest export destination.

According to the statistics office of the Philippines, bilateral trade between China and the Philippines reached US$30.093 billion in 2018, up to 18.1 percent year on year. To the surprise of many, the Philippines is China’s second-largest trade surplus in ASEAN region. The Philippines imported US$21.394 billion from China, up to 22.5 percent year on year, and exported US$8.699 billion from China, up to 8.5 percent year on year, with a trade deficit with China reaching US$12.696 billion. This trend is likely to continue.

Under the “Belt and Road” plan, I believe the Philippines can achieve greater development than before in its cooperation with China, which is what the Philippine people expect and is also beneficial to both countries.

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News

MONDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2019 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Lawmaker proposes ‘hybrid’ poll system

MARIJUANA PLANTATIONS.

Law enforcement units uprooted marijuana plants worth P17, 140, 000 in five plantations at Barangay Loccong, Tinglayan, Kalinga on Oct. 16 to 18. Aside from the 22,700 pieces of fully grown marijuana plants, 105, 000 grams of dried marijuana stalks were also found. All the illegal plants were destroyed on site.

The eradication was implemented under PDEA-CAR Oplan: ‘Linis Barangay XVII’ through the joint efforts of PDEA- CAR Provincial Office of Kalinga and Apayao, PDEA RO1, PDEA RO2, PDEA 4B Marinduque, Tinglayan MPS, 1st and 2nd COY KPFMC and the DEU/PIB Kalinga Provincial Police Office. Dave Leprozo

Resolution on pay hike for nurses pressed FOLLOWING a favorable Supreme Court decision of a wage increase for registered nurses, Anakalusugan Party-list Rep. Mike Defensor on Sunday urged Congress to pass a joint resolution that shall authorize the increase in the base pay of nurses in the public sector.

“The House of Representatives and the Senate have the option to pass a joint resolution putting into effect the higher starting pay of P30,531 for nurses employed by the national government,” he said.

Defensor is vice chairman of the House committee on health.

He said a joint resolution is one approach, and that depending on the overall cost, Congress could simply authorize the sourcing of the money from the lump sum miscellaneous personnel benefits fund in the budget.

“Congress did this in 2017, when it passed a joint resolution authorizing the increase in the base pay of military and uniformed personnel, and sourcing the cash from the MPBF,” he said.

“Our sense is, Congress is ready to implement the improved compensation for nurses, as provided for by law and upheld by the Supreme Court. It is just a question of how best to do it,” he added.

“In any case, for us to be able to fund the pay increase, the House committee on appropriations has to ascertain the extra money required, and Malacañang, through the Department of Budget and Management, may have to certify the availability of funds.”

Rio N. Araja

By Rio N. Araja

DOJ to NBI: Probe slay of Masbate vice mayor

By Rey E. Requejo

T

HE Department of Justice has ordered the National Bureau of Investigation to investigate the killing of Batuan Municipality, Masbate Vice Mayor Charlie Yuson III two weeks ago in Manila.

In a department order dated Oct. 18, Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra directed NBI Director Dante Gierran to conduct an investigation into the death of Vice Mayor Yuson.

“The NBI, through Director Dante Gierran is hereby directed and granted authority to conduct an investigation and case build-up on the killing of Vice Mayor Charlie Yuson III of Batuan, Masbate on 09 October 2019

in Sampaloc, Manila, and, if evidence warrants, to file the appropriate charges against persons found responsible therefor,” Guevarra’s department order stated.

Guevarra also instructed the NBI to keep the DOJ secretary informed on the developments of its investigation.

“Further, Director Gierran is directed to submit reports on the progress of the subject investigation and case build-up

directly to the Office of the Secretary,” he said.

At 8:45 a.m. of Oct. 9, Vice Mayor Yuson visited his brother Charlie Yuson Jr., a barangay chairman.

The Vice Mayor was having breakfast at a canteen along Vicente Cruz Street in Sampaloc, Manila when unidentified, armed men alighted from a van and reportedly fired shots at them.

The suspects reportedly shot and killed Vice Mayor Yuson while his companions Wilfredo Pineda and Alberto Alforte were injured. The victims were brought to the University of Santo Tomas Hospital along España, Manila for immediate medical treatment.

The police arrested four persons in connection with the ambush of Yuson but were soon ordered released by a Manila City prosecutor.

PCUP seeks discounts on fuel, medicines for poor THE Presidential Commission on Urban Poor wants a private sector partnership for discounts on fuel, medicine and even a review center for those identified as poorest of the poor.

At a media briefing, PCUP chairperson and chief executive officer Alvin Feliciano said it has partnered with Clean Fuel of Quezon City Rep. Jesus Manuel Suntay to provide motor bikers from the marginalized sector with a fuel discount not only in Metro Manila but all over the country.

“The poor do not own cars. Many of them own motorcycles because that is the cheapest unit of transportation,” he told the Manila Standard.

The government and the oil company have already agreed in principle, he said.

“We are working on the system and as to how much would the discount be as well as the issuance and design of the privilege card for such purpose,” he added.

A 5 percent or 10-percent discount for every liter of the pump product “means a lot for the poor,” he said.

According to Feliciano, one of his friends, the multi-awarded entrepreneur and author Dr. Carl Balita, has also agreed to offer a discount for poor students who would want to enroll at the Carl Balita Review Center.

“Our partnership is already on the pipeline. Many children from the poorest of the poor families could not afford to enroll for a review before they take civil service eligibility, board or

licensure exams. We must not deprive them of this kind of privilege,” he said.

He said the PCUP is designing a program for the destitute with at least five children to be able to avail of a discounted price for medicine from giant drug stores as part of their corporate social responsibility.

“We really have to closely coordinate with the Department of Social Welfare and Development to identify who the poorest of the poor are,” he said.

The PCUP commissioners have passed an en banc resolution asking the House of Representatives to author a bill in institutionalizing the agency’s adopt-a-poor community program and urban poor discount on select items.

Rio N. Araja

DOH to support mental health patients

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

LEAD-SAFE. Members of the EcoWaste Coalition gather at the Caloocan

City People’s Park to call attention to the right of all Filipino children to play in a lead-safe environment as the UN-backed International Lead Poisoning Prevention Week is observed from Oct. 20 to 26. The group urges local government units to replace lead-coated play equipment in public parks, and to follow the good example of Caloocan City, which recently inaugurated a lead-safe playground for the city’s kids. Manny Palmero

DEPARTMENT of Health-CALABARZON assured individuals living with mental health concerns they will be given full support.

Regional Director Eduardo C. Janairo said all persons with mental health problems in the region will be provided better access to mental health services through a better referral system.

“Once a patient is identified and diagnosed with mental-illness, he/she will be given proper care and treatment and this will continue even if they are admitted to a mental institution or outside the community,” he said.

He added that patients should know that somebody would guide them and would not abandon them.

“They would feel they can rely on somebody in times of their health needs.

That’s the essence of universal health care,” Janairo said.

“No health without mental health and no universal health without mental health,” he added.

DOH Undersecretary Myrna C.

Cabotaje said the country should move forward to implement the mental health law and unify efforts in the delivery of mental health services both in the health and non-health sectors “We must bring all key players together both in the government and private sectors, implementers, advocates and users of services alike, and forge a common understand and one direction to take in ensuring the delivery of an integrated mental health services in the country through a truly whole of government and whole of society approach,” she said.

THe DOH officiial also said it is about time to look back and assess the commitments along with the universal health care agenda, which aims to deliver health services that will ensure every Filipino family has access to both primary and specialty care services.

This includes the assessment of service users using the WHO Mental Health Gap Action Programme intervention guide and the provision of medicines when indicated or referral to the next level of care.

DEPUTY Speaker and Camarines Sur Rep. Luis Ray Villafuerte is batting for a hybrid election system toward a manual voting and counting of ballots at the precinct level, and an electronic transmission and canvassing of votes by the Commission on Elections.

He said the proposal would enhance the transparency and credibility of the almost decade-old automated election system, adding it is necessary to address the glitches that have cropped up ever since the automated election system was first adopted in the 2010 elections.

Villafuerte added that the Comelec has received 40 election-related complaints from 2010 to 2019.

“This condition cannot be allowed to continue unabated because the political and economic stability of our country is paramount,” he said.

He filed House Bill No. 3896 for a hybrid election system.

Under the proposed measure, “any attempts to manipulate the electronic transmission and canvassing of election results can always be checked and audited against the one true count made at each and every polling precinct across the country. The good old manual counting of the votes will effectively serve as the bulwark against the ever real and present danger of automated manipulation of election results.”

To adopt a combination of the manual and automated processes could enhance the transparency, auditability and credibility of the elections, and ensure full transparency and orderly balloting and counting from 2022 onwards, he cited.

“This bill seeks to overhaul the present automated election system by repealing the existing automated election laws and replacing them with a hybrid election system that combines both manual voting and counting and electronic transmission and canvassing of election results,” he noted.

The system would do away with the chaos, long queues and disenfranchisement that could accommodate 800 and 1,000 registered voters per precinct.

The bill bans contracting out or outsourcing the printing of official ballots as a stringent security measure against massive fraud.

IN BRIEF ‘Sanaysining’ Arts workshop staged THE Arts Research and Training Institute in Southern Tagalog Inc. (Artist Inc.) in partnership with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts will be holding Sanaysining Arts Workshop on Tour from Oct. 22 to Nov. 29.

Sanaysining Arts School is the regular art skills training workshop conducted yearly for artists, cultural workers, artist-teachers, educators, organizers, cultural researchers and pedagogue. It aims to develop the educational, artistic, research and organizational capabilities of the participants through handson-a activities, games, exercises and laboratory workshops.

When it launched in 1989, Sanaysining introduced 10 short courses on arts and culture. Since then, it developed 15 short courses that include trainings for students and teachers of arts and design track, special program for the arts, Music, Arts, Physical Education and Health (MAPEH) and other related subjects across curriculum.

Prioritize Vascular Health—PSVM THE Philippine Society of Vascular Medicine educated the public against the health risks of vascular diseases in the first-ever “Usapang Vein Health Tayo” held at VistaMall, Taguig City.

Chronic Venous Disease (CVD) is a common but under-recognized condition among adults in the Philippines. In a report from the National Nutrition and Health Survey of the Philippines, five out of 10 adult Filipinos suffer from CVD. The most prevalent symptom of CVD is leg heaviness or leg pain, which usually occurs upon prolonged standing or after a long work out. Other manifestations include spider veins, varicose veins, leg swelling, and darkening or brownish discoloration of the skin in the lower legs.

“Many people would mistakenly think that they have diabetes because of the non-healing nature of the wound.

The underlying problem in all these cases is vein valve reflux,” said Dr. David Raymund K. Salvador, PSVM president.

Sports

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MONDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2019 sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

It’s Astros vs Nationals in World Series

H

OUSTON—Jose Altuve hit a two-run walk off homer to lift the Houston Astros to a 6-4 win Saturday over the New York Yankees and punch their ticket to the World Series for the second time in three years.

Altuve’s dramatic blast with two outs in the bottom of the ninth came after the Yankees DJ LeMahieu had tied the contest with a home run in the top half of the inning.

His performance was backed up by superb defence from outfielders Josh Reddick and Michael Brantley, who made game saving diving catches in back-toback late innings for the Astros to clinch the AL Championship series in six games.

The Astros, who captured the World Series title in 2017, will host the upstart

Washington Nationals in the championship series starting Tuesday.

Altuve’s homer travelled 407 feet to left field and scored teammate George Springer, who walked to start Houston’s half of the inning.

Reddick made a clutch diving catch in the top of the sixth off the bat of Brett Gardner to preserve the Astros’ lead with the Yankees runners in scoring position.

Not to be outdone, Brantley made a similar diving catch in right field but he had the gumption to throw a laser to

first base to catch New York baserunner Aaron Judge for the double play to end the top of the seventh inning.

Yuli Gurriel smashed a three run homer in the first inning to open the scoring and the Astros also turned a double play to end the top half of the eighth inning and preserve a two run lead.

Houston starter Brad Peacock pitched 1 2/3 innings giving up two hits and one run before the relievers took over. The bullpen kept New York in check until LeMahieu tied it in the ninth with a tworun homer to right field.

Yankees starting pitcher Chad Green lasted just one inning after he surrendered the home run to Gurriel. Green allowed two hits and three runs and walked one.

First baseman LeMahieu won a

10-pitch confrontation, which included fouling off four two-strike pitches.

When Astros closer Roberto Osuna left a pitch over the middle of the plate,

The Houston Astros celebrate their victory. AFP

GOLF KING.

Aussie Tim Stewart (second from right) holds his trophy as he poses with (from left) ICTSI Public Relations manager Joop Kalambakal, Luisita Golf and Country Club general manager Jeric Hechanova and PGA of Taiwan (PGTA) chairman Xie Jinsheng after edging Clyde Mondilla in sudden death to claim the ICTSI Central Azucarera de Tarlac Open crown over the weekend.

Unified Tennis Philippines founder and president Jean Henri Lhuillier

High hopes for Filipino jr netters in China meet UNIFIED Tennis Philippines founder and president Jean Henri Lhuillier has high hopes for top-rank Filipino junior netters Alexa Joy Milliam and Justine Hannah Maneja as they compete against some of the best of the Under-14 (U14) and Under-16 (U16) players in the 6th Women’s Tennis Association Future Stars Finals at the Shenzhen Bay Sports Center in Shenzhen, China from October 20 to 28.

“Our WTA Future Stars qualifier champions Alexa and Justine gave us a spectacular tournament last September and I have great hopes that these promising young talents have a good shot at capturing that elusive WTA crown against their counterparts from the Asia Pacific region,” said Lhuillier, a longtime tennis patron and president and CEO of Cebuana Lhuillier.Milliam and Maneja dominated the finals of the Cebuana Lhuillier Girls’ Tennis Challenge last September at the Makati Sports Club, which serves as the qualifying tournament of the WTA Futures Stars Finals, sanctioned by UTP. Earlier this year, UTP rolled out its plans to stage a total of 104 tournaments including the Cebuana Lhuillier Girls’ Tennis Challenge as part of its mission to produce world-class Filipino tennis players and to popularize the sport at all levels in the country.

Top-seed Milliam will represent the country in the 14-under category. Last year, Bacolod native Milliam ruled the singles’ and doubles’ division of the 13th Asian Tennis Federation tournament in Sarawak, Malaysia.

In April, Milliam won the World Juniors Tennis Championships AsiaOceania Final Qualifying tournament in Malaysia beating Japan ace junior tennis player Sakaya Ishii. The teen tennis sensation along with rising stars Alexandra Eala and Jenaila Prulla, is also part of the national team that earned the Philippines’ historic 5th place finish in the 2019 World Juniors Tennis Championships in Czech Republic last August.

Meanwhile, it will be the first international stint for the up-andcoming Arellano University junior Maneja, who will be representing the country under the 16-and-under category. The ace of Quezon City started making a name for herself four years ago, consistently as a finals contender year after year in various national age-group tennis tournaments.

The final rounds of the tournament will be held on October 27.

This year, the program will feature 56 players in the Asia-Pacific region with participants from Canada, Great Britain, and the USA. As a bonus, this year’s winner of the U14 WTA Future Stars competition will earn direct entry into the Les Petits As tournament in Tarbes, France.

PSC as government’s peace advocate PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has tasked the Philippine Sports Commission as one of the government’s instruments of peace, on top of its role as the top fund source of the country’s elite sports program.

PSC Chairman William Ramirez disclosed that the agency has given the government’s focus on grassroots sports extra attention, too, following the earlier cancellation of the country’s hosting of the 30th Southeast Asian Games.

The Marawi siege by terror Maute Group was the game-changer in the President’s decision to focus on the PSC’s grassroots program as he felt the need to include the children and youth’s welfare in the government’s rehabilitation program in Mindanao.

“Those were tough months. The country faced its biggest test yet under President Duterte, who did not take the challenge sitting down,” Ramirez said.

“The President wants total rehabilitation of Mindanao. He wants homes and businesses rebuilt. But most of all, the marching order he gave specifically to the PSC is help secure the future of the youth and children through education and sports,” Ramirez said.

“The earlier cancellation of the country’s hosting of the SEA Games made us focus on that challenge somehow,” Ramirez disclosed. “But when the hosting was revived, through Speaker and PHISGOC Chairman Alan Peter Cayetano, the PSC was ready as always to work with the PHISGOC and the POC in ensuring the event’s success,” he added.

The PHISGOC earlier named New Clark City and Subic as venues for the SEA Games, but as challenges met the PHISGOC preparations, other venues have also been tapped.

The PSC also met the challenge by taking in several events to be held at the fabled Rizal Memorial Sports Complex and the Philsports Arena, which were scheduled for rehabilitation anyway as ordered by President Duterte, himself.

The sprucing up of these venues are part of Malacanang’s program to give new life to other government-owned facilities, including the Teachers’ Camp in Baguio, where athletes are quartered for high-altitude training.

The PSC also completed the rehabilitation of the Mindanao State University and the University of the PhilippinesMindanao’s track ovals and sports facili-

LeMahieu drilled it 351 feet the opposite way just over the right field fence for a game-tying home run that silenced the crowd. AFP

ties for the region’s athletes and youth.

We prioritized UP indanao and MSU with their facilities and conducted Childrens Games and coaching programs to help ease their pain through sports,” Ramirez said. “The PSC also followed the President’s instructions to bring sports to places not usually or have not been touched by sports.”

The PSC also funded the Palarong Pambansa editions in Antique and Davao.

Other PSC programs like the Childrens’ Games, Indigenous Peoples’ Games, Laro’t Saya sa Parke, coaching on developing sports development programs for LGU, coaching courses and other programs to bolster government’s efforts to keep Filipinos active in sports.

The agency also gained headway in sports education via partnerships with USSA, UP and other institutions for scholarships on sports science, sports management and others.

The Batang Pinoy and Philippine National Games are PSC programs which have been consistently showing results on both groots and elite sports with the likes of Hidilyn Diaz, Caloy Yulo and Nesthy Petecio making it big on the global stage, starting from their BP and PNG and PP stints.

Yee sparks Cocolife Tigers past Iloilo Royals KING Tiger Mark Yee provided another spark to lead Davao Occidental Cocolife to a convincing victory, crushing host Iloilo United Royals, 89-76, in the Visayas Invasion of 2019-2020 Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League Lakan Cup second phase elimination at the City of Passi Arena in Iloilo City.

Yee affectively countered the desperate rally by the Royals with his timely offensive thrusts and defensive rebounding to prevent a potential upset by the host team.

Veterans Bonbon Custodio, Bogs Reymundo, Emman Calo and Billy Robles also delivered the goods for the team, owned by Dumper Party List Congresswoman Claudine Bautista and supported by Cocolife President Atty.

Jose Martin Loon, FVP Joseph Ronquillo, AVP Rowena Asnan and SVP Franz Joie Araque.

The team notched its 16th victory in 18 outings to remain on top of team standings in the south division.

It was an all-Tigers’ show in the first half, but the Royals ignited an uprising in the late stages of the third canto, led by the outside sniping of Eric Rodriguez and Richard Escoto, with Al Tamsi and Rey Publico operating inside to momentarily gain control at 68-67, with 7:45 left in the final period.

But it was cut short, sparked by Yee’s step-back triple and another from downtown by Marco Balagtas, and runand-gun baskets by Robles, Custodio and Saldua, en route to another smashing road game triumph by Cocolife in the league organized by Senator Manny Pacquiao.

“Stay focused lang sa game at sinunod lang namin ang instructions ng aming coaches kaya maganda ang resulta,” said the game’s Best Player Yee, who scored 23 points and hauled 16 rebounds for his 33rd double-double performance.

Duke out to reclaim 5150 Black Arrow Express crown DIMITY Lee Duke hopes to ride on the momentum of her recent victory but in a different course setup in search of redemption as she gears up for a fierce duel with Guam’s Manami Iijima and Laura Wood of New Zealand in the second Black Arrow Express 5150 set next Sunday (Oct. 27) in Subic Bay. Duke failed to match Iijima’s strong performance in the opening swim leg and came up short in her rally in the bike and run stages and settled for second in last year’s inaugurals of the event disputed over the Olympic distance of 1.5k swim-40K bike-10K run.

But her triumph in the first Penong’s 5150 reduced to a duathlon event last July should boost her confidence in regaining her old glory in the country’s triathlon capital where she last reigned in 2017 and at the same time getting back at the rising Guamanian star, who is expected to flaunt her swim skills again for another crack at the BAE diadem.

But Wood is also going all out to fuel her own drive for the crown in the women’s pro division of the event, put up by one of the country’s leading cargo movers and organized by Sunrise Events, Inc., now part of the IRONMAN Group, which offers

$10,000 to the champion.

The battle for the men’s title is also tipped to go down-to-the-wire among defending champion Mitch Robins and fellow Aussie and many-time Subic titlist Sam Betten and Czech Jakub Langhammer, who shared top honors with Duke in Penong’s duathlon.

Focus will also be on the Asian Elite for men and women which stakes a top purse of P200,000 and the Go for Gold Sunrise Sprint, a short distance triathlon series featuring a 750m open-water swim, 20km bike ride and a 5km run put up by Go for Gold to help Filipino athletes promote excellence For details, contact secretariat at blackar rowexpress@5150philippines.com. For pro athletes, contact preregistration@ironman. com.

Backers of the second BAE 5150 are Black Arrow Express as title sponsor, venue hosts Subic Bay, ACEA Subic Bay, TYR (official swim brand), GU (official energy gel), David’s Salon and F2P Sportswear as major sponsors, and media partners ONE Sports on Cignal, Manila Bulletin, Crosstrain.ph, MBody.ph, Tempo, Trilife, AsiaTri.com and FInisherPix with Alaska, AlcoPlus, Australia Harvest, Cetaphil, DeVant, Sanicare, Regent, Storck and Timex as marketing partners.

POC MEETS IOC. Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham

‘Bambol’ Tolentino (right) exchanges pleasantries with International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach in the sidelines of the Association of National Olympic Committees General Assembly in Doha, Qatar recently. Bach congratulated Tolentino on his election, while the POC chief invited his IOC counterpart to grace the 30th Southeast Asian Games late this year.

Sports

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

sports@manilastandard.net

sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

A8

MONDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2019

Wells powers Beermen past Columbian

By Jeric Lopez

SAN MIGUEL BEER imposed its championship might in the fourth to dodge an upset bullet and take down Columbian, 113-107, to bounce back and gain a share of second place in the 2019 Philippine Basketball Association Governors’ Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum last night.

Dez Wells once again went to work, pouring in a game-high 39 points with nine rebounds and five assists while June Mar Fajardo had a double-double with 19 points and 13 rebounds as the duo led the Beermen to victory.

“We played their (Dyip) game in the first half and we set up everything and made the adjustments in the second half,” said San Miguel coach Leo Austria. “We calmed down and played our game.”

“I’m just happy we fought hard to get the win. It was a grind,” said Wells.

“We kept our head in the game. We did what we needed to do, still.”

Getting its act together when it mattered, San Miguel manufactured a deciding 17-2 blast in the fourth to snatch the game away emphatically.

Two free throws from Wells gave the Beermen a comfortable 106-95 cushion with 2:49 left, a lead it did not relinquish.

The Beermen were still trailing 8993 with under seven minutes remaining until in suddenly turned on the heat to finish with a strong kick.

San Miguel improved to 5-1 for shared second place with idle NLEX as it moved closer to securing a berth in the quarterfinals.

The inconsistent Dyip lost its second straight game, dropping to 3-4 down the lower echelon.

The Dyip was actually giving San Miguel all kinds of problems for most part before faltering in the fourth.

Columbian led most of the way and unleashed a 15-4 run midway of the third canto to open a double-digit lead, 70-59, after two free throws from Juami Tingson at the 6:47 mark.

Ateneo Blue Eagles guard Matt Nieto (12) drives strong to the hoop against a UE Warriors defender. The Loyola dribblers put away the University of the East Warriors, 84-50, yesterday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.

Blue Eagles rout UE Warriors

By Peter Atencio

I

N what could be the best that defending champion Ateneo Blue Eagles can do in a game, the Loyola dribblers put away the University of the East Warriors, 84-50, yesterday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.

The Blue Eagles struck hard with their outside shooting, sinking 14 of 42 threepoint attempts—a healthy 33-percent shooting clip—to earn their 12th straight win in the 82nd University Athletic Association of the Philippines men’s basketball tournament.

Isaac Go banged in a season high 13

points—shooting 3-of-6 from three-point land—as the Blue Eagles went on to post one of the season’s biggest blowouts.

The Ateneo big man said he – like each player in the squad – is ready to step up when needed.

“I guess it’s just the embodiment of ‘Next Man Up’. Anybody is ready to per-

form when called upon. It just happens to be me today. But as you’ve seen through the course of the season, it’s been Chu (Geoff Chiu), Pat (Maagdenberg), Ange (Kouame). Everybody has stepped up.

Everybody has had great games. That just makes us a good team. Everybody from 1-16 can come out and play and perform. It’s up to them to uphold their standards. They work hard in practice.

They know they’re ready,” said Go. Angelo Kouame and Thirdy Ravena hit 11 points each for the Blue Eagles as they put the Warriors out of contention for the Final Four with their 3-9 win-loss slate.

Kuome also had eight rebounds and three blocks. Ravena tallied seven boards

Chooks-to-Go bows to Lyon in 3x3 tourney

Pinoy batters shoot for gold PHILIPPINE baseball is coming back to the Southeast Asian region in a big way thanks to a motley group of young batters from the collegiate ranks, its new leadership and the all-out support of the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC).

Philippine Amateur Baseball Association (PABA) president Chito Loyzaga is at the front and center of what he anticipates to be a baseball renaissance in the country, beginning with a looming gold medal in the coming 30th Southeast Asian Games, which the country is hosting.

“Our biggest competitors in baseball are Indonesia and Thailand because may mga programa rin sila sa mga lower age levels. But I will bet my name, siguradong gold tayo this time,” Loyzaga said of his wards in the sport of baseball that is making a comeback to the SEA Games after three absences.

The team is currently playing in the2019 Asian Baseball Championship in Taichung, Taiwan as part of its final preparations for the biennial meet.

“We are on schedule. When the men’s team

comes back (from Taiwan), I think we’ll have a few practices here and siguro mga two weeks before sometime in the middle of November, doon na sila mag-eensayo sa Clark para masanay na sila sa venue, sa talbog ng bola, sa lahat.”

After stunning China in the Asian tournament on Wednesday, 1-0, the Philippines bowed to South Korea, 2-12. On the same day, the Chinese beat the Koreans, 4-3, forcing a three-way tie at 2-1 (win-loss) among the Philippines, China and Korea. A better tie-break record, however, put South Korea and China in the super round, alongside Japan and host Chinese Taipei.

But for Loyzaga, son of Filipino basketball great Carlos Loyzaga, the message was loud and clear – the Philippines belongs in the big league.

“This is really part of their training program that they underwent in preparation for the SEAG. Doon sa Men’s Championship, nandoon ‘yung mga big countries, among them are Japan, Korea, and Chin. That was the game plan, to win over China,” said Loyzaga.

DYNAMIC DUO. LeBron James (left) and Anthony Davis of

the Los Angeles Lakers look on during the second half of a game against the Golden State Warriors at Staples Center in Los Angeles.

The Lakers have become one of the most compelling teams in the NBA with the powerhouse team-up of James and Davis. AFP

Gymnast Yulo’s younger brother ready to follow in his footsteps CARLO Yulo’s younger brother could train in Japan someday.

The Gymnastics Association of the Philippines is considering and studying this possibility of duplicating the success of the 19-year-old Yulo in the 2019 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships in Stuttgart, Germany.

GAP secretary general Bettina Pou bared that the young Karl Eldrew are among five other kids whom Japanese coach Munehiro Kugiyama are training to become world class gymnasts.

“The boys were under development since they were five years old. Now they are older,” said Pou. Pou said they will decide on the boys’ fate once they reach the junior level.

The 11-year-old Eldrew, who seeks to follow the footsteps of his older brother, is a three-time Palarong Pambansa champion, and will seek his fourth and final crown in the elementary boys’ level next year.

Yulo, who scored a personal-best 84.048 points, won an historic gold medal in the floor exercise finals with 15.3

points while in Stuttgart.

And this the first time a Filipino has won a gold at a world gymnastics event.

Pou said the current training program for kids at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex have been halted.

Repairs and renovations at the gymnastics gymnasium has compelled the GAP to relocated their training facilities at the Colegio de San Agustin in Makati.

Yulo became the second Filipino to earn a slot to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

He joins pole vaulter Ernest John Obi-

ena, who made it after getting ranked no.

10 in the world.

Japanese coach Munehiro Kugiyama, who has been training Yulo for the last four years, confirmed Yulo’s qualification following talks with Gymnastics Association of the Philippines president Cynthia Carrion.

“Caloy performed beautifully and he is no. 1 in the list in as much as Russia, China and Japan already qualified in Doha Qatar last year,” said Kugiyama.

Peter Atencio

UST Tigersharks poised to surprise UAAP swim leaders

Sacho Ilustre of La Salle knifes through the water on his way to victory in the 50m butterfly event.

LOS BAÑOS, Laguna—While La Salle and Ateneo were busy competing against each other, University of Santo Tomas silently set itself up for a three-way showdown in Day 3 of the UAAP Season 82 Swimming Championships, Saturday at Trace Aquatic Center here.

With the surge, the Tigersharks has a total of 220 points, only 23 points away from runner-up Ateneo (243 points) and 36 points away from leaders DLSU (256 points).

UST’s Christian Anor led the way for the Tigersharks with his

and two assists.

UE grabbed an early 4-0 lead which turned out to be its first and last decent stand in the game. Ateneo went on a 17-2 run to seize control of the game early.

It was over for the Warriors right in the first period, after Ateneo took control with their outside shots. Go knocked down two treys in the last 2:24 to give the Blue Eagles a 17-6 edge in the first.

Ravena fired six points, including a two charities in the second period to hand Ateneo a 40-23 spread.

Triples from Go and SJ Belangel in the closing minute of the third allowed Ateneo to move away by 30, 65-35, at the end of the quarter.

win in 100m Backstroke. Anor narrowly missed the standing UAAP record of 59.49 seconds with his time of 59.50 seconds.

DLSU’s Christian Sy (1:00.99) and Ateneo’s Aki Cariño (1:01.29) rounded out the podium.

Anor (1:57.04) also took home a silver medal in the 200m Freestyle behind runaway Most Valuable Player favorite Sacho Ilustre of La Salle, who topped the event in 1:53.30. Ateneo’s Miguel Barlisan finished third in the event with his time of 1:58.75.

Meanwhile, Ilustre also cap-

tured the 50m Butterfly title in 25.47 seconds to notch his sixth gold medal of the season. Jeremy Jizmundo (26.15 seconds), Reynald Cullentas (26.24 seconds) and Miguel Alvaran (26.24 seconds) all from UST shared the podium with him, the latter two ending up tied for third.

Jexter Chua of La Salle continued to rule the breaststroke events capturing the gold in the 100m Breastroke with a time of 1:06.39, ahead of Ateneo’s Rian Tirol (1:07.11) and Jiron Rotoni (1:07.33).

BALANGA Chooks-to-Go’s late rally fell short as the team lost to Lyon of France, 18-14, Saturday to bow out of the 2019 FIBA 3X3 Jeddah Masters in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia last Saturday.

The team from the Philippines finished winless in what is regarded as FIBA 3x3’s group of death event in this level 10 affair.

Earlier in the day, Balanga fell to world no. 2 Riga Ghetto, 11-22, while Riga defeated Lyon, 21-14 in their group stage encounters.

Both Riga and Lyon advanced to the knockout playoffs.

Balanga fought hard in their match with Lyon, and after being down by as much as eight, 8-16, with 1:09 left.

Chris De Chavez led for Balanga, and buried three straight deuces in a 6-2 blast to cut the lead down to three with 26 ticks remaining.

Hervé Touré then scored the winning basket.

Raphael Wilson and Touré had seven points each for Lyon.

Balanga will be back on Monday to join the season one finale of the MelMac Cup. The six-legged season two will start on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas 3x3 owner Ronald Mascariñas offered to help prepare the PBA 3x3 pool for the Southeast Asia Games.

“Players from Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas 3x3 are eager to share their experience and learnings competing in a number of high-level Fiba 3x3 international tournaments across the globe to help prepare the PBA 3x3 pool for the SEA Games,” said Mascariñas.

Though no one from the top 50 3x3 players in the country was selected for the SEA Games pool, Mascarinas believes the transfer of knowledge will be valuable for the players named.

The scores: Lyon 18—Wilson 7, Touré 7, Giaimo 4, Girma 0.

Balanga 14—De Chavez 6, Pasaol 5, Santillan 2, Dehesa 1.

Peter Atencio

IN BRIEF

ID system to help open bank accounts BANGKO Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Benjamin Diokno told American businessmen that the implementation of the Philippine Identification SystemAct will hasten the government’s efforts to include the marginalized and unbanked Filipinos into the financial system and make them contribute in the growing economy.

Diokno said in a speech during the World Bank Group/International Monetary Fund annual meetings in Washington D.C. that the law mandated the issuance of a unique, non-transferable card to all citizens or resident aliens registered under the PhilSys. “The law is beneficial for all Filipinos as it provides ‘a means of simplifying public and private transaction’ through a reliable and nationally-accepted proof of identity. Having this proof of identity has far-reaching benefits, particularly in promoting financial inclusion,” Diokno said.

He said with the “Philippine ID”, unbanked Filipinos would have a proof of identity which was a key requirement in opening a bank account. Julito G. Rada

GSIS offers subsidy to 10,000 students STATE pension fund Government Service Insurance System said it will open a yearly P100 million educational subsidy program for children or dependents of low-income members through the GSIS Educational Subsidy Program.

“In support of the social development policy of President Duterte to provide wider access to quality college education to the marginalized sector, GSIS aims to augment the means of its low-income members in sending their children or dependents to college through the grant of a P10,000 yearly allowance through GESP,” GSIS chairman and concurrent acting president and general manager Rolando Ledesma Macasaet said.

“To extend aid to more recipients, we are offering GESP to a wide number of members. We will select 10,000 children or dependents of members with the lowest annual basic salary from among the applicants nationwide, ” Macasaet said.

He said the program is open to all active GSIS members with permanent employment status who are occupying salary grade 24 (or its equivalent) and below with updated GSIS premium payments and no unpaid or underpaid loan amortization for more than three months for the duration of the grant. They should also have college student dependents in any year level who have been accepted in or taking up any four- or five-year course in any university or college recognized by the Commission on Higher Education.

SSS ditches checks in benefit payout

STATE-RUN Social Security System said it will no longer disburse benefit payouts to its members through checks.

SSS president and chief executive Aurora Ignacio said lump sum disability, death and retirement benefits, including employees’ compensation disability benefit, which were previously released through checks, are now mandatorily released through banks.

“This improvement allows the SSS to efficiently and safely administer the payment of benefits to its members and their rightful beneficiaries,” Ignacio said.

Under the program, lump sum benefit payments are remitted by the SSS to the member or claimant’s account in their preferred SSS-accredited bank.

SSS has 67 accredited paying banks such as Asia United Bank Corporation, Bank of the Philippine Islands, China Banking Corporation, Development Bank of the Philippines, EastWest Bank, Land Bank of the Philippines, Metropolitan Bank and Trust Company, Philippine National Bank, Philippine Veterans Bank, RCBC Savings Bank, Security Bank and Trust Company and Union Bank of the Philippines.

A qualified member or claimant for any of the said benefit programs will now be required to present to the SSS a bank document with his/ her name. These documents include a single savings account passbook, ATM card with name and account number, validated initial deposit slip or copy of bank certificate/statement.

Dominguez: Infra spending to keep economy growing

By Julito G. Rada FINANCE Secretary Carlos Dominguez III told American businessmen that the government’s accelerated spending on infrastructure and human capital will keep the country on a highgrowth trajectory despite the global economic slowdown.

Dominguez said in a Philippine economic briefing in Washington D.C. that the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte was spending heavily on “Build, Build, Build” program and on human capital development to drive growth.

He said these unprecedented public investments would provide the highest returns both in the short run and long term, complemented by game-changing reforms and strong macroeconomic fundamentals on the back of prudent fiscal management and a stable monetary policy.

Dominguez said the government was also banking on this three-fold strategy to counter the external headwinds that threatened efforts to keep the domestic economy among the fastest growing in the world.

“Forecasts for global growth have been cut successively over the recent months. The slowdown presents headwinds on our own efforts to grow our economy. But the Philippines continues to demonstrate strength, stability and resilience in adverse conditions,” he said.

“We hope to sustain our growth, relying on strong domestic demand to offset the general international uncertainty,” Dominguez said.

The roundtable lunch meeting was also participated in by representatives from the US government, various industries and sectors, economic thinktanks and the private sector.

The lunch meeting was held at the residence of Philippine Ambassador to the US Jose Manuel Romualdez.

Business Wipro BPO shelves PH expansion over CITIRA

By Othel V. Campos

W

IPRO Philippines Inc., a business process outsourcing company from India that employs around 8,000 Filipinos, shelved its expansion plan in the country amid worries over the proposed second tranche of the comprehensive tax reform program known as the Corporate Income Tax and Incentive Rationalization Act. Officials of Wipro sought to find “clarity” on the second part of the tax reform program during the state visit of Indian President Ram Nath Kovind in Manila.

“As an investor who is keen on generating employment here, we want stability in policies,” said Wipro Philippines country head Aseem Roy at the sidelines of the two-day Philippine-India Business Conclave and the 4th ASEAN-India Business Summit.

The business summit, which was a part of President Kovind’s state visit, gathered both government and business leaders for cooperation and possible agreements to broaden

trade and investment opportunities for both countries.

Roy said the company’s expansion plan was put on hold until the legislative deliberations on the CITIRA bill was over.

“We had a dialog with our officers to determine where we should put out money in. I’m sure that the government does not want employment to decrease in the provinces to which we all agree.

We want clarity and don’t tell us that after one year the incentives are gone,” he said.

Wipro has a facility in Manila and another in Cebu which both employ a workforce of 8,000 people.

Roy clarified that the company had no plan of leaving the country after having an impressive year in 2018.

He said Wipro added 2,000 to 2,500 individuals to its talent pool last year, compared to the annual average of 400 to 500 heads.

Roy said while the company was scouting for new sites in the provinces, the expansion plan would be dependent on the future of the CITIRA bill.

“We have been more conservative with our expansion because of CITIRA. If there’s a customer who’s doing business, they’re not going to simply sign here. That is now holding us back. It doesn’t make sense right now,” Roy said.

He said the government should have planned accordingly and made sure that foreign companies operating here were covered against changes in policies.

“Because when you sign a deal with a customer, you know that there’s going to be no changes. The tax incentives are going to stay as they are. All we are seeking is clarity. We will put a date and time and see how it is going to be in 2020,” Roy said.

AXA-GCASH PARTNERSHIP. AXA Philippines, one of the country’s leading insurance providers, is the underwriter of GCash Insure, the new comprehensive yet affordable insurance product with life and personal accident insurance coverage of up to P200,000 and daily hospital income insurance up to P10,000. Available to GCash users, the new insurance product is powered by technology from MicroEnsure. Signing the agreement are (from left) AXA Philippines president and CEO Rahul Hora, GCash chief data officer Jean-Francois Darre and MicroEnsure country manager Roger De Pedro.

Ray S. Eñano, Editor Roderick T. dela Cruz, Assistant Editor business@manilastandard.net extrastory2000@gmail.com MONDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2019

B1

Romero readies big investments in energy sector

By Darwin G. Amojelar HOUSE Deputy Speaker Rep. Michael Romero, the richest congressman who recently gained majority control of Philippines Air Asia Inc., disclosed his group’s plan to acquire power plants in Luzon and Mindanao that will “surprise” the energy sector.

Romero, who represents 1-Pacman partylist in the House of Representatives and controls Crown Investment Holdings Inc., said his group wanted to expand into the power sector.

Crown Investment won the bidding for the takeover of debt-ridden Zamboanga City Electric Cooperative Inc. in September 2018 and expressed interest to bid for Malaya Thermal Power Plant.

“The power business is the business that I’m very, very excited in. We are putting up a couple of power plants in Mindanao. We will report by next year as a surprise in the power sector. We will surprise a lot in the power sector,” said Romero who sold his stake in Manila North Harbor Philippines Inc. through Harbor Center Port Terminal Inc. to rival International Container Terminal Services Inc. of Enrique Razon last year.

“We are currently buying one hydro [plant] and we are finalizing one. We are putting another RE [renewable energy] with a capacity of 100 MW,” Romero said.

Romero said the memorandum of understanding to acquire a hydropower plant was already signed and was expected to be completed before the end of the year.

“We will also bid in Malaya Thermal Power Plant,” he said.

Romero and his wife Sheila Romero who control F&S Holdings Inc. earlier raised its stake in Philippines Air Asia to 60 percent from 44.4 percent, after acquiring the 15.6-percent stake of Tony Boy Cojuangco.

AirAsia Bread founders Tony Fernandes and Kamarudin Menardum control the remaining 40 percent.

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

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

DOTR to proceed with approved Metro Manila subway route THE Department of Transportation said it will work with the approved route of the Metro Manila Subway Project despite the issues raised by Sen. Grace Poe. DOTR Secretary Arthur Tugade said the alignment of the multi-billion-peso project could no longer be changed as it was already approved by the National Economic and Development Authority Board.

“We cannot change the alignment because it was already approved per study,” Tugade said.

The NEDA Board approved in 2017 the Metro Manila Subway Phase 1

which will run from Mindanao Ave. in Quezon City and terminate at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Parañaque City.

Tugade’s statement came after Poe, the chairperson of the Senate committee on public services, questioned the alignment of the subway, saying there was no traffic master plan from the DOTR. Tugade said the P355.6-billion Metro Manila Subway Project, one of the big-ticket infrastructure projects of the Duterte administration, already broke ground in February 2019.

The project is expected to start partial operations by 2022 with three stations

at North Ave., Mindanao Ave. and Tandang Sora in Quezon City. Full operations are expected by 2025.

The first phase of the project is a 25-kilometer underground railway, costing P355.6 billion with a total of 14 stations from Mindanao Ave. to Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

The project also involves the construction of a 28-hectare training center and depot and other related facilities.

The government signed a loan agreement with Japan International Cooperation Agency amounting to P51.3 billion in March 2018.

Darwin G. Amojelar

Tugade

3 plants get clearance for grid impact study

By Alena Mae S. Flores THE Energy Department allowed three large power projects in Batangas province with combined capacity of 3,360 megawatts to proceed with grid impact study.

A clearance for a grid impact study is a requisite for the construction of a power project.

The department allowed First Gen Ecopower Solutions Inc. to conduct the system impact study for its planned 1,260-MW Santa Maria combined-cycle power project.

It also approved the request of Panasia Energy Inc. for the same study for its 1,200-MW combined cycle power plant in Barangay Ilijan, Batangas City The department cleared Lloyds Energy Philippines Inc. to conduct the study for its planned 1,200-MW floating power plant in San Pascual, Batangas.

Batangas hosts the country’s natural gas facilities powered by the Malampaya project in northwest Palawan. These include the 1,000-MW Santa Rita, 500MW San Lorenzo, 420-MW San Gabriel, 97-MW Avion and 1,200-MW Ilijan natural gas plants.

Several coal plants are also located in Batangas such as South Luzon Thermal Energy Corp.’s 224-MW coal plant in Calaca and the coal plants of Semirara Mining and Power Corp.

Batangas also has several renewable energy project such as the Maibarara geothermal project and some solar projects.

Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi said there was a need to augment power supply in the Luzon grid.

“We need to continuously augment our reserves through building new plants, increasing grid capacity and investing more in transmission lines,” Cusi said earlier.

SIGNIFY’S AWARDS. Signify, the world leader in lighting, receives five awards in the 2019 Sustainability Business Awards. Signify Philippines is recognized in four major categories: Best in Strategy and Sustainability Management, Best in Energy Management, Best in Climate Change and Special Recognition in Waste and Material Productivity. These recognitions led the SBA to award Signify as one of the overall winners in sustainability in business, along with Ayala Land. Receiving the five major awards from Global Initiative and PricewaterhouseCoopers Philippines is Signify Philippines country manager Jagan Srinivasan (right).

B2

Business

MONDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2019 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Market expected to sustain gains S

By Jennifer B. Austria

TOCKS are expected to sustain their upward momentum this week in anticipation of positive third-quarter corporate earnings.

“Market players are betting that with the lower inflation and interest rates, margin recoveries are more evident this time than in 2Q19,” BDO Unibank Inc. chief investment strategist Jonathan Ravelas said.

Trading, however, will likely remain thin as some investors opt to stay on the sidelines while waiting for new catalysts that could push the market forward.

“Expect the bounce to stretch towards the 7,900/8,000 levels in the near term. Failure to try the 8,000 level could cause some profit-taking and retest the 7,700 level,” Ravelas said.

Foreign investors are seen to keep their exposure in the local market after turning into net buyers for the past two weeks.

The Philippine Stock Exchange index, the 30-company benchmark,

rose 0.45 percent last week to close at 7,885.23 on Oct. 18, while the broader all-share index inched up by 0.29 percent to 4,755.04 despite the thin volume.

Four of the six sectoral indices registered week-on-week gains, led by property (up 1.15 percent), financial (1.1 percent), services (0.26 percent) and holding firms (0.08 percent). Mning and oil declined by 2.95 percent while industrial lost 0.32 percent.

Foreign investors were net buyers

by P1.4 billion last week. Average daily value turnover fell to P5 billion

from the previous week’s average of P7.3 billion.

The top gainers last week were Macay Holdings Inc. which climbed 38.1 percent to P10.80, Phinma Energy Corp. which advanced by 23.5 percent to P2.84 and Alliance Global Group Inc. which went up 7.9 percent to P11.64.

Heavy losers included Nickel Asia Corp. which declined 7 percent to P3.85, Robinsons Retail Holdings Inc. which dropped 4.2 percent to P76.55 and Global Ferronickel Holdings Inc. which retreated 3.4 percent to P1.68.

Manila Standard BuSineSS Weekly StockS revieW STOCKS

OCTOBER 14-18, 2019 Close Volume

Value

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

MEDCO Holdings Metrobank Natl. Reinsurance Corp.

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

57.4 145.60 95.10 2.00 1.26 24.95 7.95 18.6 12.24 4.72 0.53 1.27 760.00 0.400 70.9 0.91 12.8 22.55 43.85 58.2 116.1 176.6 26.8 199.5 1835.00 59.00 1.09

15,610 3,690,700 12,306,530 21,000 24,000 374,000 200 302,200 3,387,600 1,464,000 86,000 217,000 1,280 150,000 18,395,710 418,000 63,200 11,400 274,500 14,250 4,950 2,810 2,596,500 3,698,840 215 30,390 10,000

FINANCIAL 892,370.00 546,005,389.00 1,191,271,188.00 42,670.00 29,590.00 9,340,140.00 1,407.00 5,614,568.00 41,433,656.00 7,019,990.00 45,150.00 268,070.00 966,960.00 60,550.00 1,119,857,355.50 372,290.00 809,028.00 234,295.00 10,627,555.00 824,975.00 572,348.00 501,264.00 67,887,180.00 734,086,061.00 386,215.00 1,795,372.00 10,920.00

Aboitiz Power Corp.

Agrinurture Inc. Alliance Tuna Intl Inc. Alsons Cons.

Axelum Basic Energy Corp.

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

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

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

Pepsi-Cola Products Phil.

Petroenergy Res. Corp.

Petron Corporation Phinma Corporation Phinma Energy Phoenix Petroleum Phils.

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

Swift Foods, Inc. TKC Steel Corp.

Universal Robina Victorias Milling Vitarich Corp.

Vulcan Ind’l.

39 15.9 0.69 1.3 4.4 0.265 18.24 2.6 16 120 8.96 70 73 31.8 2.06 5.8 5.49 8.300 15.14 10.44 7.00 1.6 25 79 48.30 2.4700 14.86 8.1 1.490 230.00 50.00 5.25 3.51 10.80 20.2 13.48 17.9 0.187 360.60 5.48 1.85 4.12 5.05 9.41 2.84 11.00 33.1 5.4 5.09 2.02 2.22 1.03 11.2 91.5 7.35 0.127 1.10 156.3 2.61 1.29 1.15

8,543,100 649,600 2,759,000 138,000 34,171,000 13,800,000 7,300 6,819,000 4,984,900 1,830 3,142,600 2,310 950 47,800 109,000 50,000 146,600 23,846,100 262,900 557,800 5,047,800 2,398,000 10,506,700 460,850 495,200 33,363,000 1,141,300 2,710,900 1,155,000 2,014,720 8,290 107,400 22,000 906,200 3,813,400 1,506,800 6,744,900 360,000 918,240 500 24,789,000 155,000 3,613,900 399,200 225,427,000 114,900 2,576,700 1,114,400 87,400 11,708,000 163,000 156,000 1,990,900 1,407,530 502,200 300,000 1,998,000 3,358,480 3,000 36,263,000 9,552,000

INDUSTRIAL 332,071,205.00 10,283,028.00 1,933,140.00 179,270.00 151,159,950.00 3,554,720.00 132,540.00 17,063,040.00 77,727,062.00 219,428.00 28,170,620.00 159,515.00 69,315.00 1,536,215.00 222,950.00 296,500.00 809,879.00 201,509,509.00 4,037,634.00 5,823,694.00 35,382,547.00 3,836,640.00 263,443,865.00 36,445,008.00 23,911,240.00 80,882,570.00 16,964,136.00 22,451,773.00 1,716,800.00 470,164,400.00 419,310.50 558,816.00 72,620.00 10,020,241.00 76,928,768.00 19,551,916.00 121,474,204.00 68,220.00 333,534,356.00 2,737.00 44,617,380.00 651,780.00 18,378,808.00 3,762,249.00 610,109,730.00 1,259,280.00 85,997,225.00 6,019,772.00 445,235.00 23,174,210.00 363,870.00 157,700.00 22,294,810.00 127,442,045.50 3,677,364.00 36,650.00 2,171,710.00 534,374,207.00 7,830.00 45,872,680.00 10,954,200.00

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

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

Lopez Holdings Corp.

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

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

0.900 53.60 11.64 0.71 6.62 12.7 1.150 1.170 855.5 3.770 6.39 9.10 3.76 13.40 0.227 873 5.67 72.60 5.06 0.51 4.36 13.72 0.590 4.85 0.0380 1.400 2.98 167.60 2.4 1003.00 1.26 0.86 224.200 403.00 0.2200 0.231

58,195,000 1,834,620 39,221,300 1,466,000 11,500 101,700 2,633,000 1,167,000 1,891,290 11,290,000 8,122,900 58,729,700 107,000 88,400 550,000 423,720 557,400 5,291,560 26,800 155,000 1,966,000 4,131,200 1,079,000 263,448,300 11,300,000 2,500,000 62,000 645,250 216,000 2,220,965 112,000 783,000 2,120 150 940,000 2,080,000

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

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

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

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

Robinson’s Land `B’

15.000 0.85 9.99 1.850 0.860 49.000 2 4.65 6.28 0.590 0.73 0.870 0.205 0.465 9.810 20.45 0.440 0.122 1.62 1.20 4.50 4.8 0.300 1.3800 0.4050 0.380 52.95 2.04 25.50

3,233,400 3,310,000 7,100 73,000 4,091,000 24,106,100 10,518,000 1,850,000 11,200 101,719,000 64,000 209,000 3,380,000 20,290,000 345,800 678,300 1,220,000 340,000 92,933,000 1,051,000 17,000 104,518,000 18,110,000 4,554,000 8,430,000 950,000 960 506,000 8,895,100

OCTOBER 7-11, 2019 Close Volume Value 57.4 147.00 92.95 2.09 1.28 24.95

10,530 5,136,300 8,652,420 53,000 737,000 804,100

601,235.00 736,495,666.00 801,509,274.00 103,860.00 875,900.00 20,051,630.00

18.58 12.04 4.87

21,500 1,621,300 768,000

397,326.00 19,080,794.00 3,583,680.00

1.21 770.00 0.400 68 0.91 12.8 20.50 42.85 57.95 135 175.5 26.5 198 1820.00 59.00 1.15

3,000 100 1,510,000 10,930,090 456,000 177,900 13,700 786,900 3,540 2,030 3,660 1,865,800 1,954,640 75 66,670 2,000

3,690.00 77,150.00 603,050.00 735,804,295.00 407,920.00 2,277,120.00 287,355.00 33,991,380.00 204,088.00 255,375.00 647,086.00 48,788,835.00 380,120,155.00 137,070.00 3,934,624.00 2,300.00

38.35 15.88 0.69 1.32 4.5 0.250 18.58 2.41 15.08 112 8.92 71.45 77.9 32 2.03 6 5.65 8.580 15.6 10.46 7.00 1.59 25.25 79.3 47.00 2.4000 14.90 8.42 1.520 231.20

6,048,100 587,600 1,058,000 132,000 300,742,500 3,310,000 18,900 6,850,000 2,917,700 400 2,348,000 2,250 3,560 456,600 244,000 125,300 129,300 14,456,800 1,586,600 2,249,000 15,172,500 70,000 6,086,400 152,460 627,900 35,568,000 2,511,200 705,300 676,000 4,451,440

224,583,320.00 9,335,046.00 713,330.00 170,510.00 1,405,929,995.00 819,080.00 343,340.00 16,628,770.00 43,635,344.00 44,820.00 20,186,479.00 150,735.00 262,749.00 14,574,120.00 498,860.00 757,058.00 721,228.00 123,047,060.00 24,546,956.00 22,753,102.00 106,217,272.00 112,460.00 150,503,545.00 12,110,841.50 29,245,575.00 84,693,500.00 36,413,752.00 5,732,373.00 1,010,880.00 1,003,937,960.00

5.28 3.52 7.82 20.25 13.08 18.1 0.201 365.20 5.04 1.7 4.30 5.10 9.44 2.30 11.00 34.2 5.48 5.10 2 2.33 1.03 11.2 89.95 7.35 0.122 1.04 158.5 2.56 1.19 1.11

266,200 28,000 10,100 4,535,700 596,100 6,510,700 700,000 416,610 3,900 11,010,000 154,000 5,450,400 140,900 31,882,000 174,100 3,191,500 814,300 43,000 14,751,000 17,000 80,000 1,515,900 879,090 232,500 920,000 970,000 4,647,200 15,000 18,740,000 12,500,000

1,391,323.00 94,320.00 80,030.00 91,000,429.00 7,788,898.00 118,578,836.00 130,230.00 150,984,422.00 20,820.00 18,589,870.00 637,250.00 27,414,599.00 1,347,497.00 72,799,030.00 1,904,344.00 108,400,825.00 4,361,357.00 218,765.00 28,592,650.00 39,570.00 81,030.00 17,094,904.00 78,930,987.00 1,709,887.00 112,340.00 995,060.00 734,712,947.00 36,920.00 22,274,040.00 13,577,330.00

HOLDING FIRMS 52,030,170.00 98,496,069.00 451,160,226.00 1,036,870.00 76,118.00 1,290,302.00 2,995,960.00 1,355,570.00 1,649,436,405.00 41,026,520.00 53,505,819.00 522,163,734.00 407,480.00 1,172,176.00 119,790.00 363,423,585.00 3,144,651.00 386,029,118.00 141,753.00 75,280.00 8,477,140.00 56,954,498.00 641,210.00 1,310,782,884.00 431,000.00 3,497,800.00 181,450.00 107,432,753.00 525,990.00 2,225,087,242.50 141,150.00 662,630.00 465,786.00 60,888.00 208,760.00 483,220.00

0.860 53.20 10.78 0.71 6.60 12.66 1.140 1.150 870 3.490 6.8 9.00 4 13.38 0.216 844 5.63 72.00 5.56 0.51 4.38 13.28 0.600 4.95 0.0380 1.470 2.82 164.00 2.44 1010.00 1.27 0.84 220.600 404.00 0.2230 0.230

56,638,000 3,144,510 66,464,100 2,717,000 30,200 123,400 6,960,000 972,000 1,355,560 29,935,000 4,923,600 40,069,400 120,000 158,300 60,000 261,270 207,800 3,745,110 6,800 429,000 2,005,000 5,707,400 1,582,000 55,363,000 21,300,000 2,600,000 4,000 712,810 308,000 1,752,735 84,000 476,000 6,050 200 1,820,000 4,170,000

48,727,900.00 168,270,422.00 717,256,582.00 1,887,400.00 200,877.00 1,562,460.00 7,810,730.00 1,121,880.00 1,169,832,730.00 102,049,960.00 32,582,234.00 350,934,120.00 480,000.00 2,092,928.00 12,960.00 220,329,945.00 1,170,694.00 262,897,228.00 34,752.00 211,215.00 8,707,030.00 76,311,912.00 929,920.00 271,367,990.00 814,000.00 3,771,720.00 11,280.00 116,312,731.00 751,520.00 1,744,111,527.50 105,930.00 401,320.00 1,359,120.00 80,800.00 419,090.00 931,100.00

PROPERTY 48,556,450.00 2,695,540.00 66,899.00 129,590.00 3,522,270.00 1,172,200,910.00 21,310,780.00 8,551,430.00 70,446.00 57,774,550.00 46,720.00 181,740.00 692,170.00 9,024,150.00 3,386,815.00 14,011,310.00 531,600.00 41,210.00 149,511,080.00 1,264,880.00 76,720.00 497,683,040.00 5,410,500.00 6,209,400.00 3,490,650.00 355,900.00 51,104.00 1,021,980.00 226,085,620.00

15.040 0.82 10.00 1.880 0.870 47.950 2.04 4.72 6.29 0.550 0.73 0.870 0.215 0.395 9.820 20.5 0.440 0.121 1.55 1.20 4.61 4.62 0.305 1.3600 0.4400 0.380 50.00 2.03 25.35

611,700 12,072,000 800 767,000 14,102,000 22,050,500 1,969,000 2,400,000 11,900 35,369,000 30,000 517,000 530,000 1,440,000 547,300 906,200 1,610,000 10,000 108,200,000 798,000 20,000 108,076,000 33,170,000 3,905,000 510,000 660,000 840 390,000 18,189,900

9,201,020.00 9,796,900.00 8,000.00 1,393,580.00 11,924,190.00 1,028,387,225.00 4,009,980.00 11,201,040.00 74,034.00 19,439,830.00 21,700.00 449,270.00 109,460.00 545,350.00 5,317,865.00 18,605,080.00 702,650.00 1,210.00 163,740,540.00 943,380.00 92,200.00 493,983,870.00 9,898,350.00 5,240,150.00 220,700.00 248,400.00 42,593.00 786,300.00 451,990,865.00

STOCKS

OCTOBER 14-18, 2019 Close Volume

OCTOBER 7-11, 2019 Close Volume Value

Value

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

2.3 3.27 38.75 2.7 0.920 7.730 5.650

581,000 184,000 29,066,800 6,752,000 433,000 15,568,000 287,000

1,318,390.00 599,860.00 311,342,428,964.00 18,067,470.00 390,230.00 119,558,979.00 1,614,082.00

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

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

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

Pacific Online Sys. Corp.

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

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

SSI Group STI Holdings Transpacific Broadcast Waterfront Phils.

Wilcon Depot

10.1 19.4 1.66 11.58 0.570 0.042 17 2.41 10.64 0.0530 92.7 6.91 6.9 5.50 9.10 925 1875 5.22 439.00 11.50 1.66 121.7 1.76 8 3.61 0.110 4.8600 2.5 13.52 2.99 0.94 18.84 13.00 0.415 3.33 2.39 1.10 1.07 3.090 2.86 8.23 2.77 5.17 8.69 139.00 3.19 1106.00 1110.00 0.520 0.680 41.30 76.55 9.00 2.64 0.670 0.32 0.690 16.400

50,300 1,041,000 129,000 80,277,700 36,268,000 28,100,000 86,300 121,000 12,868,300 164,230,000 2,452,860 700 2,751,100 77,000 148,000 210 271,485 375,000 1,510 2,600 3,146,000 7,553,090 2,000 12,300 1,000 2,280,000 11,615,300 1,641,000 3,300 1,352,000 535,000 1,474,700 700 320,000 192,000 2,176,000 256,000 240,000 17,907,000 240,000 17,400 9,000 149,500 300 990,110 2,057,000 87,545 226,145 12,159,000 25,234,000 8,634,900 2,079,880 224,300 11,615,000 6,016,000 15,230,000 4,613,000 5,709,800

SERVICES 511,460.00 19,952,150.00 208,110.00 925,973,442.00 20,982,580.00 1,181,900.00 1,470,090.00 288,060.00 136,521,664.00 8,355,480.00 232,856,738.00 4,863.00 19,272,635.00 432,328.00 1,349,290.00 191,240.00 504,272,750.00 1,955,772.00 657,214.00 27,450.00 5,089,190.00 917,212,715.00 3,520.00 100,005.00 3,610.00 246,300.00 56,888,250.00 4,185,010.00 50,888.00 4,048,790.00 482,160.00 27,211,980.00 9,100.00 131,950.00 644,980.00 5,224,540.00 282,190.00 265,000.00 54,887,370.00 688,810.00 143,779.00 25,520.00 751,934.00 2,569.00 132,748,729.00 6,510,320.00 97,184,210.00 251,115,055.00 6,312,230.00 14,431,750.00 349,894,535.00 161,234,647.50 2,056,154.00 29,643,130.00 4,085,410.00 4,870,150.00 3,122,870.00 93,586,040.00

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

United Paragon

0.0017 1.14 2.50 12.44 1.1000 1.1200 2.63 0.280 7.69 1.680 0.210 0.107 0.106 0.0098 0.0110 1.15 3.85 1.06 0.4750 0.8500 0.0120 0.0110 3.64 12.36 0.0110 10.3000 22.50 0.0060

MINING & OIL 858,000,000 1,454,500.00 4,062,000 4,609,870.00 413,000 1,034,790.00 76,200 937,646.00 13,000 14,620.00 18,000 20,240.00 1,831,000 4,770,580.00 170,000 47,600.00 20,200 151,953.00 90,661,000 155,222,580.00 19,880,000 873,690.00 3,970,000 418,940.00 2,290,000 245,930.00 12,400,000 122,950.00 26,700,000 275,000.00 455,000 516,010.00 39,436,000 155,788,260.00 508,000 521,030.00 350,000 166,150.00 1,163,000 989,920.00 40,700,000 475,000.00 15,200,000 177,200.00 1,169,000 4,250,250.00 2,484,700 30,610,808.00 28,600,000 320,300.00 10,545,500 112,810,460.00 1,605,500 36,482,880.00 238,300.00 39,000,000

ABS-CBN Holdings Corp.

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

18.12 103.8 101.2 500 500 100.5 107.7 503 5.15 971 99.8 0.99 101 1025 1055 1079 101.5 108 997 77.75 75 76 76.6 76 75.7 75.7

860,200 34,810 220 10,610 30 274,250 21,150 4,280 726,600 360 70,180 4,470,000 46,080 705 14,075 4,995 11,950 200 3,960 143,700 37,850 90,230 65,300 25,950 88,920 818,370

LR Warrant

1.560

58,000

PREFERRED 15,677,348.00 3,512,398.00 22,264.00 5,308,150.00 14,860.00 27,657,475.00 2,293,246.00 2,170,260.00 3,668,327.00 354,290.00 6,934,844.00 4,426,230.00 4,656,922.00 726,050.00 14,791,875.00 5,364,970.00 1,217,875.00 21,600.00 3,946,090.00 11,171,063.50 2,851,850.00 6,825,021.00 5,026,030.00 1,969,570.00 6,775,560.00 61,909,498.00

WARRANTS & BONDS 92,160.00 SME 504,530.00 15,947,426.00 180,978,650.00 3,802,710.00

2.32 3.25 38.80 2.75 0.930 7.600 5.750

294,000 325,000 44,989,200 16,600,000 1,599,000 32,894,900 238,700

679,810.00 1,055,640.00 1,715,185,545.00 45,320,090.00 1,423,140.00 251,531,177.00 1,360,642.00

10.3 18.28 1.66 11.54 0.590 0.043 17.24 2.38 11.00 0.0500 92.2 6.91 6.92 5.71 9.24 898 1818 5.20 440.00 10.96 1.61 120 1.76 8.15 3.50 0.108 4.9800 2.84 15.5 3.03 0.93 18.82 14.22 0.440 3.4 2.44 1.15

37,600 101,500 132,000 276,533,900 63,191,000 22,800,000 16,700 489,000 51,096,000 139,530,000 327,230 3,000 2,284,000 202,200 337,500 50 126,980 448,400 1,880 3,000 1,977,000 10,713,510 20,000 26,500 14,000 2,170,000 7,704,900 5,000 8,500 1,609,000 881,000 1,196,700 700 260,000 18,000 63,553,000 21,000

380,927.00 1,838,260.00 216,300.00 3,186,834,520.00 37,501,500.00 987,800.00 293,262.00 1,124,530.00 560,656,480.00 7,006,470.00 30,083,666.00 20,940.00 15,474,038.00 1,172,562.00 3,047,774.00 44,900.00 229,586,470.00 2,329,183.00 817,238.00 31,086.00 3,139,180.00 1,274,739,905.00 35,250.00 211,693.00 49,870.00 233,790.00 38,156,704.00 14,200.00 121,648.00 4,812,210.00 804,850.00 22,468,302.00 9,344.00 110,900.00 60,610.00 150,915,450.00 23,820.00

2.980 2.88 8.29

15,411,000 238,000 30,600

44,385,820.00 673,280.00 248,422.00

4.99 8.69 138.00 3.16

40,000 500 885,740 2,244,000

194,960.00 4,345.00 122,036,859.00 6,920,060.00

1108.00 0.530 0.700 40.60 79.90 9.20 2.51 0.680 0.32 0.690 16.780

333,190 35,983,000 2,412,000 5,758,200 5,010,430 34,100 15,370,000 3,110,000 26,240,000 3,320,000 3,506,600

368,474,765.00 18,648,485.00 1,677,860.00 229,388,140.00 385,946,714.50 316,437.00 38,160,420.00 2,093,180.00 8,304,400.00 2,279,210.00 58,880,814.00

0.0017 1.14 2.51 12.60 1.1200 1.1300 2.6 0.280 7.89 1.740 0.215 0.106 0.110 0.0097 0.0110 1.14 4.14 1.05 0.4800 0.8500 0.0120 0.0120 3.70 12.30 0.0110 10.5000 22.90 0.0062

559,000,000 5,769,000 145,000 134,200 28,000 2,000 2,029,000 110,000 400 50,107,000 8,380,000 4,360,000 530,000 107,000,000 43,700,000 510,000 32,645,000 1,067,000 1,245,000 649,000 30,300,000 300,000 2,186,000 5,088,300 74,200,000 8,286,200 4,982,500 18,000,000

949,000.00 6,573,690.00 363,600.00 1,644,380.00 31,370.00 2,260.00 5,317,260.00 30,600.00 3,087.00 85,698,190.00 1,769,150.00 462,030.00 56,470.00 971,500.00 433,490.00 582,360.00 135,710,380.00 1,114,730.00 608,040.00 563,100.00 361,800.00 3,600.00 7,913,730.00 62,247,534.00 814,200.00 80,627,081.00 114,141,285.00 110,900.00

17.64

98,200

1,749,770.00

106 502 500 100.3 109 509.5 5.17 995 98.25 0.99 101.4 1001 1050 1079 102 108 995 77.65 75.5 75.6 76.5 75.9 75.7 75.65

370 4,110 2,210 27,290 342,640 1,020 127,500 20 23,740 3,408,000 10,490 90 7,595 10 1,610 2,490 3,520 218,740 89,040 1,250 70,700 96,590 130,100 437,600

39,220.00 2,059,685.00 1,104,996.00 2,754,368.00 37,348,774.00 519,200.00 657,441.00 19,900.00 2,293,894.00 3,373,540.00 1,063,690.00 93,980.00 7,870,150.00 10,795.00 163,450.00 268,410.00 3,504,465.00 16,991,860.50 6,671,222.00 94,500.00 5,383,015.00 7,321,140.00 9,809,615.00 33,152,559.00

1.640

35,000

54,660.00

6.44 11.4 0.9

975,000 6,200,000 7,770,000

6,301,141.00 64,255,190.00 6,928,000.00

Makati Fin. Corp.

Italpinas Kepwealth Xurpas

2.79 6.83 11.7 0.9

203,000 2,362,300 14,916,000 4,248,000

First Metro ETF

118

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 17,440 2,061,663.00

117.5

32,690

3,790,691.00

10.3 9.9 0.98

DOLLAR DENONIMATED SEC. 20,320 206,272.00 13,940 138,641.60 221,000 215,120.00

10.36 10.1 0.95

15,080 3,890 25,000

155,524.80 39,257.00 23,963.00

USD DMPL A1 USD DMPL A2 USD TECH B2

WEEKLY MOST TRADED STOCKS Abra Mining Metro Pacific Inv. Corp.

Phinma Energy Boulevard Holdings Megaworld Century Property Filinvest Land,Inc. Ferronickel AllHome DMCI Holdings

VOLUME 858,000,000 263,448,300 225,427,000 164,230,000 104,518,000 101,719,000 92,933,000 90,661,000 80,277,700 58,729,700

STOCKS SM Prime Holdings SM Investments Inc. Ayala Corp `A’ Metro Pacific Inv. Corp.

Bank of PI Ayala Land `B’ Metrobank AllHome I.C.T.S.I. Security Bank

VALUE 311,342,428,964.00 2,225,087,242.50 1,649,436,405.00 1,310,782,884.00 1,191,271,188.00 1,172,200,910.00 1,119,857,355.50 925,973,442.00 917,212,715.00 734,086,061.00

DMCI Homes buys 9,695-sqm property in Cebu CEBU CITY―DMCI Homes, the real estate arm of DMCI Holdings Inc., expanded its landbank with the acquisition of a 9,695-square-meter property in Barangay Lahug in this city.

The Lahug property is the second land acquisition made by DMCI Homes in Cebu after acquiring a lot in Barangay Guadalupe where another residential community will rise.

“Cebu is one of the fastest-growing economies in the Philippines. Expanding here is a natural step for us,” said DMCI Homes president Alfredo Austria.

With the two acquisitions, DMCI Homes now has a total Cebu landbank of 55,617 square meters.

DMCI Holdings president Isidro Consunji said the group’s real estate unit aimed to replicate its success in Metro Manila to other areas.

“We are now in the stage of replicating DMIC Homes’ projects in several markets in the country,” Consunji said.

DMCI Homes plans to venture into horizontal developments next year by offering socialized and economic housing projects target the low-income market.

DMCI Homes is initially looking at Bataan and Calaca, Batangas for the horizontal projects.

Meanwhile, the two upcoming developments in Cebu will be high-rise condominium communities that will bear the company’s hallmarks of innovative design and engineering coupled with resort-inspired amenities such as lush landscaping and spacious recreational facilities.

“We are very excited to bring the DMCI Homes brand to Cebu. We believe the discerning local market will find our value-for-money proposition very attractive,” said Austria.

Austria said the Cebu projects will be launched in 2020.

DMCI Homes has been providing quality homes and resort-inspired communities nationwide since 1999.

To date, the company has launched more than 70 projects.

Meanwhile, the Cebu Link Joint Venture of Acciona, First Balfour and D.M. Consunji Inc. invested 5.3 million man-hours to build 47 percent of the Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway, a toll bridge that will connect the mainland Cebu from Cebu City to Cordova town in Mactan Island.

Jennifer B. Austria

Meralco subsidiary takes 40% stake in P4.25-b Bulacan solar power project

By Alena Mae S. Flores MGEN Renewable Energy Inc., the renewable energy subsidiary of Meralco PowerGen Corp., acquired a 40-percent stake in PowerSource First Bulacan Solar Inc. which is developing a P4.25-billion solar power project in Bulacan province.

Meralco PowerGen president and chief executive Rogelio Singson said the Bulacan project would be the company’s first solar investment.

“We are committed to undertake 1,000 megawatts of renewable energy projects in the next five to seven years.

This start is one of the lego pieces that will make a thousand,” Singson said in a statement.

PFBSI executed an engineering, procurement and construction contract with SUMEC Complete Equipment & Engineering Co. Ltd. for the 50-megawatt solar plant in San Miguel, Bulacan on Friday.

The solar project will sell energy to Manila Electric Co., Meralco PowerGen’s parent firm under an approved power supply agreement.

Other shareholders of PFBSI are PowerSource Global Holdings Corp.

(36 percent) and Singapore’s Sunseap International Pte. Ltd. (24 percent).

MGEN plans to develop large-scale solar, wind and hydropower projects to provide reliable and environmentfriendly power at competitive prices without the need for subsidy.

The company plans to put up a 110-MW floating solar project in the Laguna Lake. It is also looking at other floating solar projects around the country.

Aside from advancing renewable energy prospects, Meralco PowerGen is also focused on utilizing high-efficiency, low-emission technology for baseload power plants.

Manila

World IN BRIEF Rescued elephant now in Brazil CHAPADA DOS GUIMARAES, Brazil―An Asian elephant that spent decades performing in South American circuses has started a new life in an open-air sanctuary in Brazil, after traveling thousands of kilometers by plane and truck from a Chilean zoo.

Ramba’s much-anticipated arrival at the 1,133-hectare Elephant Sanctuary Brazil in the central west state of Mato Grosso late Friday was broadcast live on Facebook and viewed thousands of times.

The elephant, estimated to be more than 52 years old, worked in circuses in Argentina and Chile before she was rescued by activists in 2012.

She was then kept in a roadside zoo in Rancagua, in central Chile, while her rescuers searched for a new home.

Her ordeal left her with abscesses as well as kidney and liver problems.

Ramba was flown to the Viracopos international airport near Sao Paulo on Wednesday―a day before heavily armed gunmen raided the cargo terminal in a daring heist.

She was then transported by flat-bed truck to the sanctuary in Chapada dos Guimaraes, which was opened in 2016 with the help of US-based Global Sanctuary for Elephants (GSE)―the first of its kind in Latin America.

Ramba joins two other female Asian elephants, Rana and Maia, also former circus performers.

Videos of Ramba’s road trip in Brazil were posted online. One shows her munching on watermelons in a metal crate on the back of a truck.AFP

Standard MONDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2019

Democracy crowds defy police ban after attacks H ONG KONG— Large crowds of Hong Kongers defied a police ban and began an illegal march on Sunday, their numbers swollen by anger over the recent stabbing and beating of two pro-democracy protesters.

Authorities had forbidden the march in Tsim Sha Tsui, a densely packed shopping district filled with luxury boutiques and hotels, citing public safety and previous violence from hardcore protesters.

But thousands joined the unsanctioned rally regardless as the movement tries to keep up the pressure on the city’s pro-Beijing leaders after nearly five months of rallies and political unrest.

Tensions were already running high before the march was banned.

On Wednesday night the leader of the group organizing the weekend rally, Jimmy Sham, was hospitalized by men wielding hammers.

Then on Saturday night a man handing out pro-democracy fliers was stabbed in the neck and stomach.

Footage posted on social media showed the alleged assailant shouting shortly after the knife attack: “Hong Kong is part of China... [You] messed up Hong Kong”.

Figo Chan, from the Civil Human Rights Front―Sham’s group―said democracy supporters needed to show they remained unbowed.

“If we don’t come out tomorrow, then violence will prevail and escalate: the violence inflicted by the regime, the police and local triads,” he told reporters Saturday.

Vigilante violence has mounted on both sides of the ideological divide.

In recent weeks pro-democracy supporters have badly beaten people who vocally disagree with them—although those fights tend to be spontaneous outbursts of mob anger during protests.

In contrast, pro-democracy figures have been attacked in a noticeably more targeted way, with at least eight prominent government critics, including politicians, beaten by unknown assailants since mid-August.

Protesters have labeled the attacks “white terror” and accused the city’s shadowy organized crime groups of forming an alliance with Beijing supporters.

Beijing has denounced the protests as a foreign-backed plot and condemned attacks on those voicing support for China.

But it has remained largely silent on the attacks carried out against prodemocracy figures.

Security was ramped up ahead of Sunday’s march with key subway stations near the gathering shuttered early and a ring of steel thrown up around a nearby terminus for high-speed trains to mainland China.

Hong Kong has been battered by 20 weeks of pro-democracy protests which have seen millions peacefully take to the streets. AFP

Niger floods displace 23,000 NIAMEY, Niger―Floods in southeast Niger have forced 23,000 people to flee their homes since early October, officials said Saturday, threatening a new humanitarian crisis in a region already wracked by Boko Haram Islamist violence.

Heavy rains have caused the Komadougou Yobe river that flows through the semi-desert Diffa region into Lake Chad to burst its banks, inundating villages, flooding fields and damaging crops.

Two villages near the city of Diffa were “completely submerged” and 2,500 households have been forced to move, according to national radio the Voice of the Sahel.

Some 400 families were sheltering in a gym in the city, it added.

“We have been fighting for days to stop the water rising, but it’s not working,” Amadou Issa, a rice farmer, told AFP. “The sandbags we’ve been using to keep the water out are completely under water.”

Extreme weather events are common in Niger, one of the world’s poorest countries.

Between June and September 57 people were killed and more than 130,000 affected by flooding according to government figures.

The capital Niamey was hit badly in September, with the waters of the Niger river -- the third biggest in Africa -- rising to a level not seen in more than 50 years and swamping parts of the city.

Last year, drought and flooding led to food shortages in a crisis which, exacerbated by jihadist violence, left more than 10 percent of the population needing humanitarian aid.AFP

Boeing wants 737 MAX to fly but travelers fear the plane NEW YORK―On September 12, Boeing started putting out 30-second videos in which employees tout its planes’ safety, hoping to reassure travelers about the 737 MAX that’s been grounded worldwide since two crashes that killed 346 people.

“Safety is at the core of our business.

We have put hundreds of engineers to work to ensure that this airplane is 100 percent ready,” says Jennifer Henderson, chief test pilot for the 737, in one of the clips.

“When the 737 MAX returns to service I will absolutely put my family on this airplane,” she stressed.

But on a Facebook page for Boeing enthusiasts where the clip was posted, the response is negative.

“Well, I think she could not say it would be unsafe,” one member quipped, as Boeing faces the Herculean task of trying to regain the confidence of civil aviation authorities and the public, seven months after the crash of an Ethiopian Airlines MAX that killed 157 people.

That came after the downing of a Lion Air MAX in Indonesia in October 2018, killing 189, with the plane’s MCAS antistall system being blamed in both accidents.

It’s not known when the MAX will return to service. Boeing, which still has not submitted a modified version of the MCAS system to regulators, hopes it will be before the end of the year.

“The 737 Max is, for now, an ‘airplane non grata’―a plane passengers do not want to fly,” said Henry Harteveldt, president of Atmosphere Research Group in San Francisco.

“Travelers aren’t merely scared of the 737 MAX, they’re terrified of it.”

Just 19 percent of business travelers and 14 percent of leisure travelers would willingly take the 737 MAX within six months of returning to the sky, according to an Atmosphere survey.

Nearly half of the 2,000 respondents said they would pay more to avoid the MAX. Faced with this distrust, airlines are adapting.

“We will be transparent―and communicate in advance―with our customers who are booked to fly on a MAX aircraft, will rebook those who do not want to fly on a MAX at no charge, and for some time will not swap aircraft to a MAX if a change of aircraft is required,” said a spokesperson at United Airlines, which owns 14 MAX aircraft. AFP

NOTICE OF DISSOLUTION

Longest non-stop flight arrives SYDNEY―The longest non-stop passenger flight touched down in Australia Sunday morning after more than 19 hours in the air, a milestone journey from New York that Qantas hopes to parlay into commercial success.

Qantas flight QF7879 took 19 hours and 16 minutes to fly direct from New York to Sydney in the first of three “ultra long-haul” journeys planned by the airline this year.

The national flag carrier is operating the test flights―which also include one from London to Sydney―as it weighs a roll-out of regular services on marathon routes from the United States and Britain to Australia.

Just 49 people traveled on the Boeing 787-9 to minimiZe the weight on board and give the plane sufficient fuel range to travel more than 16,000 kilometers without refueling.

Qantas CEO Alan Joyce called it “a really historic moment” for both the airline and world aviation.

“This is the first of three test flights that’s going to come up with recommendations about how we manage pilot fatigue [and] how we actually manage passenger jet lag,” he told reporters after arriving in Sydney.

“After 19 hours on this flight, I think we’ve gotten this right. It feels like we’ve been on a flight a lot shorter than that.”

Qantas partnered with two Australian universities to monitor how jet lag affected the health of passengers and crew members as they crossed multiple time zones.

After boarding the flight, passengers set their watches to Sydney time and were kept awake until night fell in eastern Australia with lighting, exercise, caffeine and a spicy meal. AFP

B3

TODAY CESAR BARRIOQUINTO, Editor mst.daydesk@gmail.com

ONSTAGE. Aquaria performs during RuPaul’s Drag Race: Werq The World 2019 at Hammerstein Ballroom on October 19, 2019 in New York City. AFP

China talks up tech prowess in face of US rivalry WUZHEN, China―China on Sunday said it aims to become a “great power” in the online world and took a swipe at Washington on trade, kicking off its annual conference promoting the Communist Party’s controlled and censored version of the internet.

US-China rivalry is increasingly playing out in the digital sphere, as Beijing pursues dominance in nextgeneration technology while Washington takes measures to cripple Chinese tech firms like Huawei.

China heavily monitors and censors its internet, with US titans Facebook, Twitter and Google all hidden behind a so-called “Great Firewall” that also blocks politically sensitive content.

At the yearly World Internet Conference, held in the picturesque ancient canal town of Wuzhen since 2014, Chinese officials talked up the country’s tech prowess.

“We have become a cyberspace power of 800 million netizens,” the head of the Communist Party’s propaganda department, Huang Kunming, said in a keynote address.

Huang added that in the future, Chi-

na “will unceasingly expand the fruits of internet development and forge ahead from a cyberspace ‘big power’ to a cyberspace ‘great power’”.

The propaganda chief also denounced “cyber-hegemony and bullying” by other countries—using language typically reserved for the United States—which he said were behind confrontation in the high-tech world.

The US is threatening crippling sanctions on Huawei, which is expected to be a leading player in the advent of ultra-fast 5G communications that will make many new technologies possible.

“Some countries have placed restrictions on and suppressed other countries and companies, escalating uncertainty and even antagonism in cyberspace,” Huang said, without naming the United States directly.

The US commerce department also earlier this month said it will blacklist 28 Chinese entities it says are implicated in rights violations and abuses in China’s Xinjiang region, where an estimated one million mostly Muslim minorities are held in internment camps.

President Xi Jinping has previously sketched out plans for China to gain dominancewith heavy assistance from the government -- in key future technologies by 2025, a strategy that has caused US alarm.

The conference has faced foreign criticism as an attempt to whitewash the Communist Party’s cyberspace controls in the name of “internet sovereignty” rather than viewing the web as an open global resource.

In the past, the event has drawn leading US tech CEOs such as Apple’s Tim Cook and Google’s Sundar Pichai.

But with the US-China tensions simmering, this year’s conference lacks any high-profile US figures.

Silicon Valley has also been embroiled in recent efforts by Beijing to step up pressure on foreign companies deemed to be in support of Hong Kong’s pro-democracy movement.

Earlier this month Apple removed an app criticised by mainland China for allowing Hong Kong protesters to track police, a move which sparked fierce criticism and accusations of bowing to China. AFP

The public is hereby notified that EA GROUP INTERNATIONAL, INC., a corporation organized and existing under Philippine laws, with registered address at RM 602, 6th Flr. RCI Bldg.

Rada Street, Legaspi Village, Makati City, Philippines, will be DISSOLVED through shortening of corporate term in accordance with Section 136 of the Revised Corporation Code. The corporation’s dissolution will take effect upon approval by the Securities and Exchange Commission of the amendment made on the corporation’s Articles of Incorporation to shorten its corporate term.

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

Republic of the Philippines Department of Finance Securities and Exchange Commission IN THE MATTER OF

: REGISTRATION PAPERS : : : x---------------------------------x

OF

COMMERCIAL

CITYLAND, INC.

NOTICE Notice is hereby given that on 7 October 2019, a sworn Registration Statement was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on behalf of CITYLAND, INC., for the registration of Eight Hundred Fifteen Million Pesos (Php 815,000,000.00) worth of Commercial Papers.

According to the papers presented, the following persons are the Directors/Officers of the corporation: Name Stephen C. Roxas Dr. Andrew I. Liuson Grace C. Liuson Josef C. Gohoc Peter S. Dee Helen C. Roxas Emma A. Choa Rudy Go Melita M. Revuelta Melita L. Tan Romeo E. Ng Rosario D. Perez Winefreda R. Go Atty. Emma G. Jularbal Dorothy U. So

Position Director/Chairman of the Board Director/Vice-Chairman of the Board Director/Deputy Vice-Chairman of the Board Director/President Independent Director Director Executive Vice President/Treasurer Senior Vice President/Chief Financial Officer/ Compliance & Corporate Information Officer & Data Protection Officer Vice President/Assistant Corporate Secretary/ Alternate Compliance Officer & Alternate Corporate Information Officer Vice President Vice President Vice President-Executive Affairs Vice President-Purchasing Department Vice President-Legal Affairs/Corporate Secretary Asst. Vice - President - Head of Internal Audit Department

The Company is still in the process of selecting the replacement of Mr. Paul Y. Ung, an Independent Director.

Said registration statement and other papers/documents attached thereto (collectively known as “RS”) are open to inspection by interested parties during business hours, and copies thereof photostatic or otherwise, shall be furnished to any party, upon request, at such fees as the Commission may prescribe.The RS and the Prospectus dated 7 October 2019 and the corresponding updated version may be downloaded from www.cityland.net.

VICENTE GRACIANO P. FELIZMENIO, JR. Director Markets and Securities Regulation Department (MS-OCT. 16 & 21, 2019)

LGUs

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

B4

Young Lanao vice governor builds on hope

MONDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2019

By Ayunan G. Gunting

LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS

Davao Norte gains PCCI biz plum T

HE provincial government of Davao del Norte recently bested other provinces in the country as it won the Most Business Friendly Local Government Unit Award (Provincial Level) from the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Under the leadership of Governor Edwin I. Jubahib, Davao del Norte for exemplifying commendable initiatives towards good governance reforms that promote trade and investments and significantly contributing to local economic development.

The PCCI award was given to Jubahib by no less that President Rodrigo Duterte during the 45th Philippine Business Conference and Expo at The Manila Hotel on Oct. 17.

Rosanna Tuason-Fores, President and CEO of Davao-based Hijo Resources Corp., said the new trade and economic policy of the Jubahib administration “inspires us and other major economic players to be more aggressive.”

“He considers the business sector as partners for development, there is a major shift in the economic agenda here since he assumed office, it has been opened to investors,” she added.

On September 15, Tuason-Fores led the launching of Hijo Central, which is building projects in agribusiness, port and logistics, property development, leisure and tourism, and renewable energy.

Aside from being the Most Business Friendly LGU, the Department of Interior and Local Government has also bestowed the Seal of Good Local Governance to the province.

Davao del Norte is the only province in Region XI to receive the award. The DILG awarding has yet to be scheduled.

The Tagum City Chamber of Commerce

President Rodrigo Duterte congratulates Davao del Norte Gov. Edwin Jubahib (right) as he receives the Most BusinessFriendly LGU Provincial Level Award during the 45th Philippine Business Conference and Expo at The Manila Hotel on Oct. 17. Assisting the President is Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez. Jubahib later stands with the certificate with PCCI officials (inset). Presidential Photo

and Industry Inc nominated Jubahib and the provincial government, as they witnessed the transformation of the economic policies and directions of the new administration.

Jubahib said that since assuming office, he opened the doors of the province to all investors and has instituted measures and programs that would en-

tice capitalists to come, including the tax holidays and other incentives.

During the panel interview last September in Manila, the PCCI evaluators, asked Jubahib what his economic policies and directions would be. The governor then submitted all documents and audio-visual presentations relative to

his socio-economic policies as the new leader of the province.

“I share my first national award to the people of Davao del Norte, it reaffirms our dedication and sincere effort to uplift the economic condition of our people and pump prime the local economy,” Jubahib stressed.

Coca-Cola inks pact with Siargao towns to fight beach waste

The Sun Crew Co-founder and Manager Wemar Bonono (left) receives the Coke Barkada Award with a P30,000 grant from CocaCola Philippines Corporate and Regulatory Affairs Director lawyer Juan Lorenzo Tañada.

MANY twentysomethings are uncertain about their future. But third-generation politician Mohammad Khalid Raki-in Adiong—Mujam to friends—has always wanted to be a public servant.

At 25, Adiong is the youngest Vice Governor in the history of Lanao del Sur. “My grandfather and father were my role models who brought changes in our province,” says Vice Gov. Mujam Adiong Adiong.

Since childhood, he saw his grandfather, Mamintal Sr. (Mike), then a congressman in the ‘90s, upgrade the provincial hospital into a medical center.

When Mike became Lanao del Sur Governor from 2001 to 2004 until his demise, he built roads and bridges.

Meanwhile, the younger Adiong would tag along with his father, Mamintal Jr. (Bombit) -- who is on his third term as governor -- as he addressed the needs of conflict-affected areas and poor communities, arbitrated clan conflicts called “rido,” and completed the “dream road” project, which was 60 years in the making.

The national highway shortened the travel time from the towns of Wa-o and Amai Manabilang to the capital city of Marawi from eight hours to 90 minutes.

When Bombit was vice governor, Mujam joined his father’s staff and assisted him in his duties.

“I took notes as I accompanied my father. I felt that helping people was my calling. If he could do it, so can I,” he says.

21k Taguig kids get free vaccines for polio via NIP

By Joel E. Zurbano

COCA-COLA Philippines is taking its World Without Waste vision to the shores of the island of Siargao through a partnership with the local government in championing sustainable tourism and environmental protection of the island.

In recent years, Siargao has faced a major boom in tourism, dubbed as the country’s surfing capital and one of the most beautiful destinations in the Philippines because of its perfect waves and pristine beaches. However, along with the spike in visitor arrivals arises a need for the development of an improved waste management system for the island.

Hence, Coca-Cola Philippines collaborated with the nine municipalities on the island of Siargao, with the support of Rep. Bingo Matugas and the provincial government of Surigao del Norte headed by Gov. Francisco “Lalo” Matugas, to preserve a litterfree island and promote sustainable tourism.

“We are firm in our World Without Waste goal of collecting and recycling every single bottle or can we sell, because it is unacceptable for us that our packaging ends up littering places like the shores of Siargao,” shared Atty. Juan Lorenzo Tañada, Coca-Cola Beverages Philippines Inc. Corporate and Regulatory Affairs Director.

“This is why we are working very closely with local government, and also hopefully with local NGOs, to assist with the environmental conservation and sustainability efforts and strengthen recyclable PET plastic bottle collection in the island,” he added.

MORE than 21,000 children below five years old in Taguig City have received free vaccines to help them fight the deadly polio virus.

National Immunization Program city coordinator Dr. Jennifer Lou de Guzman said her team, in close coordination with various agencies and the city government of Taguig, have also started making the rounds in barangay health centers and houses throughout the city for two weeks, to ensure that every resident is given bivalent oral polio vaccines for free.

The campaign, according to De Guzman, was in partnership with St. Luke’s Hospital and Medical Center - Bonifacio Global City, Medical Center Taguig, Taguig City Medical Society through Cruz Rabe Hospital, Philippine Army, Philippine Navy, Philippine Marine corps, Philippine National Police, UNICEF, and the Philippine National Red Cross.

The activity is pursuant to the Department of Health’s Memorandum No. 2019-0318 reiterating the conduct of the Synchronized Oral Polio Vaccination from Oct. 14 to 27 (first round of vaccination) and Nov. 25 to Dec. 7 (second round of vaccination) in the National Capital Region.

De Guzman said a total of 16,667 residents were vaccinated on the first day of the event.

C. Luzon biz earn Early Christmas gift for Eastern Samar school from SM arm P70m from expo

By Romeo Dizon SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga— Joyful Organic Farm in Bulacan is the top seller among the 173 exhibitors who joined a five-day trade exhibit recently and raked in a combined P70 million order from local and foreign buyers.

Warren Serrano, information officer of the Department of Trade and Industry in Central Luzon, said the total order was composed of cash, orders with down payment, and negotiated contracts from local and foreign buyers.

Out of the total P70 million, Serrano said about P20 million went to San Ildefonso-based Joyful Organic Farm and P2 million went to Edelyn’s Homemade Nuts of Pampanga.

The rest was divided among the small and medium-sized businesses who joined the five-day event on the 21st Likha ng Central Luzon held at the SM Megatrade Hall in Mandaluyong City from Oct. 2 to 6.

CHRISTMAS came early for the students and teachers of Pedro E. Candido Memorial National High School in Hernani, Easter Samar, as they received a fully furnished two-story, 10-classroom school building from SM Prime and Global Hope Foundation, through SM Foundation, last September 27.

This school building is more than double the usual size of an SM school building—normally a two-story, four-classroom structure only—to cater to the big population of PECMNHS. The school caters to the 11 barangays of Hernani plus its neighboring barangays.

Present at the event were Global Hope Foundation Founder Dr. Yong Cho, Hernani Mayor Amado Candido, DepEd Education Program Supervisor Robert Guira, SM Supermalls Vice President for Operations-Visayas Michelle Leslie Llanos, SM Foundation Executive Director for Education Linda Atayde, and other officials and representatives from SM, its partners, and the local government.

The new building came with 500 armchairs— some designed for left-handed students—complete with teachers’ desk sets, wall fans, blackboards, wall clocks and restrooms in each classroom. The building will be used by Grade 9 pupils on the ground floor and Grade 10 on the second floor.

Special features of the building are the PWD ramps and toilets, emergency-ready features like

SM and Global Hope Foundation formally handed over the symbolic key for the school building (inset) to the students of Pedro E. Candido Memorial National High School.

emergency lights at both staircases, and fire and earthquake alarm bell.

At the ground floor is a music hub—the first in all SM Foundation school building donations—where the popular musical talents of PECMNHS students

can be further honed.

Currently, the school has six school buildings that are occupied by almost 1,200 students, with 40 to 45 students per classroom; before it was up to 60 students per classroom.

Life

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

FOOD

MONDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2019

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By Bernadette Lunas

W

HAT’S your favorite paella? The one with chicken and pork?

The one with mixed seafood?

The one cooked with squid ink?

To each his own, they say; it’s a matter of going for something familiar and comforting.

Chef Luis Chikiamco recognizes how familiarity and comfort play an important role in food. So in developing new items on the menu of Discovery Primea’s all-day dining outlet Restaurant Tapenade, he introduces comfort Mediterranean food, which the establishment offers, but with a bit of a twist—a juicy, beefy twist.

The over a month and a half research and development of Chef Luis’ team has brought to the table new signature dishes that have been part of the core menu of Tapenade since Oct. 1. “[The new items are] still Mediterranean, comfort Mediterranean,” Chef Luis told a group of media during an intimate lunch. “Not really out there, but something different, something familiar and comforting.”

Quite notable addition to the menu is the Wagyu Beef and Mushroom Paella— pan-fried rice topped with luscious strips of premium Wagyu beef. Only a few weeks since its launch, Chef Luis reported it has been enjoying quite a following.

“I think when people see Wagyu on the menu, they are just drawn to it especially if it’s affordable, that’s why we tried something new like that,” shared the executive chef of Discovery Primea.

“And so far,” he said, “it’s one of the most popular items.”

According to Chef Luis, they experimented with a lot of paellas—notwithstanding rigid paella rules (don’t add chorizo, they said)—as well as different ways to cook chicken, which resulted in the Roast Chicken and Chorizo Paella, another new dish on the menu.

The paella dish features crispy roast chicken, chorizo, green beans, and rosemary.

Paella with wagyu, roast chicken BEEFY TWIST. Tapenade serves Wagyu Beef and Mushroom Paella, a new item on the menu, made of pan-fried rice and luscious strips of premium Wagyu beef.

Also part of the new additions are new appetizers such as Mozzarella and Friends, a perfect pairing of mozzarella with basil pesto, black olive tapenade, romesco dip, and fruits mostarda. Prosciutto and Company, on the other hand, is served table side and includes an assortment of cantaloupe melon, fresh mango, and asparagus which complement the slices of prosciutto.

Tapenade also serves the new crowdfavorite Patatas Crunchy with Mojo

Roast Chicken and Chorizo Paella

Dip—crispy potatoes seasoned with lemon salt.

Seafood dishes cooked with flavorful ingredients take center stage in the form of Shrimps en Gambardina, which is Spanish-style tempura served with Guindilla aioli dip; and Prawns Saltimbocca made with garlic, lemon, parsley risoni, and prosciutto crisp.

During the menu development, Chef Luis said they chose from a couple of pasta dishes but landed on new spe-

cialties Rigatoni al Sugo, cooked with Italian guanciale, fennel sausage, and smoked bacon with tomato sauce; and Salmon Linguini with dill cream sauce and fresh spinach. The rigatoni pasta is among the recent favorites.

Of the Mediterranean mains, a must-try is the US Pork Milanese, thin pork loin chops delicately topped with soft-boiled egg, black truffle cream, and chives.

In addition to the restaurant’s new

menu is the enhanced Salad Bar. The spread features a fine selection of local and imported produce, charcuterie, cheeses, composed salads, and playful sandwiches. It’s available daily during lunch and dinner for P888++ per person.

Restaurant Tapenade is on the ground floor of Discovery Primea in Makati. It is open from 6:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. for breakfast, 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. for lunch, and 6:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. for dinner.

Clockwise: Salmon Linguini, Rigatoni al Sugo, Shrimps en Gambardina, Mozzarella and Friends

BITES Blushing cookie

Jollibee Buko Pie

For your buko pie cravings

Loco for coco? Fast food giant Jollibee heard you as it brings the well-loved buko pie to its stores nationwide.

Promising delight in every bite, Jollibee Buko Pie is made of chunky buko filling and delicious sweet custard enveloped in crispy pie.

“We wanted to introduce a brand new but totally familiar local flavor to Jollibee’s selection of well-loved desserts and snacks,” shares Kay Segismundo, Jollibee senior marketing manager for complementary products.

“There’s no better treat to offer at Jollibee than the delightfully tasty Buko Pie, and we’re glad to make it easily accessible to anyone who craves it.”

This new dessert offering is available in solo (P30) and in three piesto-go option (P89) for dine-in, takeout, drive-thru, and delivery.

What happens when you pay a cookie a compliment? It turns red. Like Oreo Red Velvet, a new limited edition variant of the cookie brand.

It features a red velvet-flavored cookie and cream cheese filling.

“It’s reminiscent of the delicious cream cheese flavor we have all come to love, blended with everyone’s favorite Oreo Cookie,” says Mondelez Philippines brand manager Kristine Enriquez.

Oreo has partnered with Lazada for the Oreo Compliment Music Box, a special music box that records music and compliments using an actual Oreo.

The limited edition Oreo Red Velvet is available in supermarkets nationwide, at P76.50 (multipack) and P41.50 (slug). It is available until January next year.

Oreo Red Velvet

Yellow Cab Sweet and Salty Sale

Sweet and salty

Two flavors come together in one meal.

Yellow Cab offers the new Sweet Salty Sale that features a 14inch 2-in-1 Hawaiian and New York Classic pizza, a trio of crispy chicken wings (Hot Chix, Sweet Soy, Sriracha), and a pitcher of Mountain Dew all for P999.

“With this new bundle, we want to offer our diners a different kind of satisfaction by combining two of our bestselling pizza flavors in one irresistible deal,” says Yellow Cab Co. marketing head Charlene Sapina.

The Sweet and Salty Sale is available nationwide until Nov. 15 for dine-in, takeout, delivery, and curbside pick-up.

Life

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MONDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2019 manilastandardlife@gmail.com

A

More choices at the food court

S PART of its ongoing redevelopment, Makatibased Glorietta mall reopens Food Choices, which now features a fresh look and more than 30 options to cater to different kinds of craving.

Located on the third level of the mall, Food Choices boasts an exciting dining experience in a cozy setting with warm wood details, chic chairs and tables, and subtle monochromatic palette brightened up by neon-lit signages.

The revamped dining hall amps up the usual food court ambience.

Food Choices features a curated mix of familiar favorites, fusion cuisine, and delightfully wicked sweets.

For those who want a taste of Filipino home cooking, there’s Reyes BBQ Glorietta reopens Food Choices, which features a new look and over 30 dining options.

Neon-lit signages brighten up the food court.

Some of the sumptuous food options available at Food Choices located on the third level of Glorietta in Makati.

for that inihaw and java rice meal fix. Mabini’s Kainan Kapihan is set to serve a revolutionary menu, while Mesa Steak Sizzlers serves hearty, meaty meals.

Asian flavors are covered courtesy of Kraken Takoyaki, Sushi Nori’s sushi rolls and poke bowls, Maisen’s katsu sets, Banh Mi Vietnamese sandwiches, Taiwanese-style meals from Mr. Chops, sizzling sets from Pepper Lunch Express, and familiar Chinese food favorites from El Presidente of Binondo.

Meanwhile, Thai food from BKK Express, Singaporean-Chinese offerings from Wangfu Express, and Korean specialties from Kosoo will soon add to the Asian mix of food merchants.

Chicken cravings will be sated at Birdhouse, Rotisserie, and World Chicken. Shawa Wama is set to serve up its popular pita wraps soon. For carbo-loading on great pasta, there’s Farina’s. For more health-conscious diners, there are good food options from the Farmery’s salads and smoothies, Juicy Fresh Juice Bar, and

Peppy Olive’s heart-healthy Mediterranean delights.

A new way to enjoy caffeine in a form of cold brew is available at Nitro 7 Coffee and Tea Bar. Pure Nectar’s juice cleanse sets are also available for those who want to drink up on healthy stuff.

If something stronger is needed, diners can unwind with a glass or two of good vino from Totide Wine Bar. Dessert is always a good idea, hence sweet temptations, ranging from Taho Manila’s take on a street food favorites, to Cassalu’s Filipino cheesecakes, Dulcinea’s bestselling churros con chocolate, and Lord Stow’s egg tarts are ready to delight those with sweet tooth.

Mall-goers who want to cool off after hours of shopping may order Jungle Joy’s Banana con Hielo or Wooyoo Premium Milk Frost’s lineup of Korean bingsu choices.

Bring some sweet stuff home from Mary Grace and Sans Rival, as well as Mo’s Cookies that will soon delight cookie lovers with its mouthwatering treats.

SIP

Johnnie highball concoctions THOSE who say whisky should only be enjoyed neat or on the rocks sure have not tried a good highball concoction yet.

“What’s so great about the highball is that there are virtually unlimited ways to prepare one. By simply adjusting the measurements, or maybe switching up a mixer or the blend, people can unlock different kinds of taste experiences—ideal for people who think they don’t like the liquid, or have yet to discover it,” shares Diageo Reserve brand ambassador Rian Asiddao.

Blended Scotch whisky label Johnnie Walker promotes its highball cocktails.

A Johnnie Highball consists of Johnnie Walker whisky, a mixer, and a garnish. It is best served in a chilled tall glass filled with a generous amount of ice.

Bottoms up with the Johnnie Highball Collection:

Johnnie and Lime

Meet you at Lotus Coffee Corner Coffee and biscuits are served for free at the Lotus Coffee Corner in SM Makati.

Best enjoyed using Johnnie Walker Red Label or Black Label, the Johnnie and Lime Highball is smoky with a kiss of citrus. To make, add 40ml or about one shot glass of Johnnie Walker Red Label or Black Label to a chilled tall glass filled with ice, and then top with 120ml lemon lime soda. Garnish with a slice of lime.

Johnnie and Ginger

A drink perfected by using Johnnie Walker Double Black as base, it is a delicious mix of spicy and smoky flavors. Simply add 40ml or about one shot glass of Johnnie Walker Double Black to a chilled tall glass filled with ice, and then top with 120 ml ginger ale. Garnish with an orange slice.

COFFEE is best enjoyed with biscuits and good company.

The famous Belgian Lotus Biscoff biscuit opens a pop-up coffee shop where anyone can sit back and relax after hours of shopping and walking.

The Lotus Coffee Corner, located at Snack Exchange in SM Makati, offers Americano, Cappucino, and Latte with Lotus biscuit for free. Customers can also take home the exclusive and limited edition Lotus coffee cup available for every P300 single receipt purchase of Lotus products.

The coffee corner is open until Oct. 31.

For the whole month of October, customers can also buy two Lotus Biscoff packs (250 grams) and get the second

pack at 50 percent off. Offer is valid at selected SM Snack Exchange branches in Metro Manila.

Founded by the Boone brothers in 1932 in Lembeke, Belgium, Lotus Biscoff is a sweet biscuit known for its unique caramel taste and crunchy texture. The term “biscoff” is a combination of the words “biscuit” and “coffee.”

Aside from its famous biscuit, Lotus also has another irresistible treat—the Lotus Biscoff Spread, which comes in smooth and crunchy variants.

Mommy blogger Angela Mae Abad enjoys her latte with a side of Lotus Biscoff biscuits.

EAT OUT How to get 45-peso pancake or waffle

Johnnie and Apple

The luxuriously smooth taste and creamy notes of vanilla and dark fruit in Johnnie Walker Gold Label Reserve blends impeccably with the tartness of apples. Make one by simply adding 40ml or about one shot glass of Johnnie Walker Gold Label Reserve to a chilled tall glass filled with ice, top with apple juice, and then garnish with an apple slice.

To introduce the Johnnie Highball Collection, Johnnie Walker is taking over the country’s biggest cultural hotspots and bars until the end of the year. It’s coming to Siargao on Nov. 5-17, Pasig on Nov. 8-9, Quezon City on Nov. 22-23, BF Parañaque on Dec. 6-7, and BGC Taguig on Dec. 13-14.

As part of its 45th anniversary celebration, Pancake House treats dining customers to discounted pancakes, waffles, soup, and milk shake.

Diners ordering Pancake House’s House Special Set A or B may choose one addon for P45. The promo includes the fluffy Mini Classic Pancakes and the classic and crisp Golden Brown Waffle.

It also includes the comforting bowl of Today’s Heartwarming Soup and the sweet and creamy Milkshake Upgrade.

This offer is valid for dine-in transactions until Oct. 31 in participating Pancake House stores nationwide.

Diners ordering Pancake House Special Sets may choose one add-on for P45.

Entertainment

MONDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2019 nickie.standard@gmail.com

C3

Sarah G opens ABS-CBN TVplus gathering with a bang

American pop-rock band Boyce Avenue is staging a concert in Manila in February 2020 with (inset) December Avenue and I Belong To The Zoo as special guests.

AVENUES OF MUSIC Boyce Avenue, December Avenue, I Belong To The Zoo in big concert

T

HE “Boyce” are coming back due to popular demand.

acoustic roots and consists of the three Manzano brothers - Alejandro (lead vocals, guitar, piano), Fabian (guitar, vocals) and Daniel (bass, percussion, vocals). The band was formed in 2004 and in 2007 they began posting their videos on YouTube to great success.

To date, they have over 4.8 Billion YouTube views and over 13.2 Million subscribers, making their channel one of the most popular in the world. The band frequently tours North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Australia, the Middle East and visits new countries every year.

OPM band December Avenue, with their current light and soft rock sound, is best known for their massive hits

One of the biggest independent bands in the world – Boyce Avenue, are returning to Manila for a one-night Valentine’s weekend concert on Feb. 16, 2020 at the Araneta Coliseum.

This time, they will be joined by two of today’s most streamed local artists in the Philippines – December Avenue and I Belong To The Zoo. Boyce Avenue is a Florida-based band whose name is a combination of two streets they grew up on in Sarasota.

The band is popular for its strong

“Sa Ngalan Ng Pag-Ibig”, “Bulong”, “Huling Sandali”, “Dahan” and “Kung ‘Di Rin Lang Ikaw” which features Moira, who successfully toured with Boyce Avenue in 2018. They are also joined by solo folk-acoustic artist, I Belong To The Zoo, popular for his chart-topping hits like “Sana”, “Balang Araw” and “Patawad, Paalam”.

Catch Boyce Avenue with December Avenue and I Belong To The Zoo in this one of a kind concert experience performing your favorite love and hugot songs on the Valentine’s weekend. Tickets go onsale on Saturday, Oct. 26 at 10:00 a.m. via TicketNet.com.ph or call 89115555 for more information.

Aniston, Apple explore ‘messy’ world of TV news after #MeToo WHEN Jennifer Aniston signed up to help launch Apple’s new streaming TV service with a star-studded drama set in the colorful, cutthroat world of morning news, it seemed straightforward enough.

Then #MeToo happened.

Aniston, preparing for her first return to television since Friends, watched along with the rest of America in 2017 as anchors from NBC’s Matt Lauer to CBS’sCharlie Rose lost their jobs after being accused by women of sexual misconduct.

“Once #MeToo happened, obviously the conversation has drastically changed—and then we just incorporated it,” said Aniston, who stars in The Morning Showalong with Reese Witherspoon.

Both actresses are also executive producers of the series, which will premiere on Nov. 1 when Apple TV+ goes live.

“We all really sat and thought about how the tone would be. And we wanted it to be raw and honest and

vulnerable and messy and not black- negligent,” Ehrin added. and-white,” Aniston told journalists at She describes the show’s characters a Los Angeles press conference. as “in many ways, dark people, The result is an edgy, humorous messed up.” AFP and—at times— surprisingly dark look behind the scenes at a fictional New York-based morning news show.

In events which uncannily mirror Lauer’s real-life dismissal, the pilot sees Aniston’s character announce on-air the dismissal of her male coanchor, played by Steve Carell, following multiple, anonymous accusations.

It sets the scene for a battle over who will replace him—and prompts questions about how much the group of fiercely ambitious journalists and executives knew about his actions.

“I feel like what the heart of it is about, it’s about how people lie to themselves,” said showrunner and writer Kerry Ehrin (Friday Night Lights) .

From left: Steve Carell, Reese Wither“It’s impossible to talk about spoon and Jennifer Aniston speak at morning news and not deal with the Apple TV+ launch in March 2019 in #MeToo—it would be somewhat California.

‘Modern Love’: Amazon show based on Times column offers escape

US actress Anne Hathaway attends the New York premiere of Amazon's TV series 'Modern Love,' which is based on the column in The New York Times.

EVERY week, devotees of Modern Love—a Sunday column in The New York Times—read all kinds of love stories: heartwarming, heartbreaking, inspiring, infuriating.

Now, fans can get even more of the cult favorite: Amazon has adapted some of the most uplifting accounts into a feel-good series premiering Friday that runs counter to the dark, sarcastic tone of much of today’s peak TV. “I hope that when people watch this, their heart is opened up because I think it can’t hurt” said actress Cristin Milioti, who plays a woman seeking advice from her doorman.

Modern Love first appeared in October 2004 with an installment entitled “She dumped me.” Since then,

nearly 800 stories have followed.

Not all are about romantic love.

Some are about platonic love, sibling love or even love for a pet.

And in some columns, love hurts.

A podcast version of the wildly popular column debuted in 2016, which only served to reinforce the popularity of the stories’ format: short, poignant and intimately told by one of the people involved.

And now it comes to television, with a host of boldface names like Oscar winner Anne Hathaway, Tina Fey, Dev Patel, Milioti, singer Ed Sheeran and more.

It is not the Times’ first foray on the small screen: it recently launched The Weekly, a documentary series. AFP

KAPAMILYA stars, led by Popstar Royalty Sarah Geronimo, treated over a thousand Kapamilya patrons to a funfilled afternoon in the first ABS-CBN TVplus Fun Familya Day at the Vista Mall Taguig last Saturday (Oct. 13).

The ASAP mainstay electrified the stage as she sang her hit song “Tala” while Hashtag members Mccoy de Leon, Maru Delgado, Tom Doromal, and Jameson Blakegot everyone off their seats with their sexy dance moves.

The crowd went wild as PBB Otso Batch Four Big Four exhousemates, Kiara Takahasi, Wealand Ferrer, Argel Saycon, and Akie Poblete with PBB Otso Batch Three ex-housemates Ashley del Mundo, and Tan Rocal performed a song and dance number in the event.

‘Bidaman’ finalists, Wize Estabillo, Ron Macapagal, Eris Gonzaga, and Team ‘Yey’ kids roused the audience with various games promoting the channels of ABS-CBN TVPlus, YeY, Cinemo, Movie Central, and Asianovela Channel.

Completing the treats for families were Jeepney TV which promoted its upcoming 7th anniversary with games while Trabahanap had a mini job fair. ABS-CBN TVplus Go, on the other hand, did a raffle of TVplus Go merchandise with a performance of its Team GV Ronda.

The chance to give joy to families proved to be an exhilarating experience for Kiara, who reminisced her

Very Wang...

From C4

Likewise, Former Senate President Manny B. Villar said, “I congratulate Mr. Wilson Lee Flores of Kamuning Bakery Café for spearheading the celebration of ‘World Pandesal Day’ which coincides with “World Bread Day’ on Oct. 16. Mr. Flores is what I call a social entrepreneur because he is primarily driven by his desire to address the needs of our people and our society.

In this case, he is courageously trying to rebuild the historic Kamuning Bakery whose existence has been threatened by fire and by advances in baking technologies. He is also, through the ‘World Pandesal Day’, trying to elevate the simple everyday bread as an important marker of our collective heritage.

“The pandesal has a very special place in my life. When I was young I would help my Nanay Curing in selling shrimp and fish in Divisoria. And I would wake up early in the morning, take a quick breakfast of nilagang kape and pandesal before walking to the market. The smell of coffee and hot pandesal triggers fond memories of my childhood. And I am certain that pandesal has become part of the Filipino life too. I wish you a successful celebration of World Pandesal Day. And I sincerely pray for God’s help as you revive an important pillar of our culture and history,” Villar added.

GMA Network, Inc. Chairman and CEO Atty. Felipe L. Gozon, who was a consistent guest and patron of the bakery said in his message, “I first stepped into the doors of Kamuning Bakery Café a long time ago upon the invitation of my friend, Wilson Lee Flores. The smell of freshly baked pan de sal and brewed coffee evoke warm memories of home.

The bakery and I share something special. This year, we both turn 80 years old. Congratulations Wilson and team for shining the spotlight on our country’s humble yet popular bread and for celebrating by sharing your blessings with others.

Atty. Gozon added: “From its humble

Philippines...

From C4

To qualify, production cost in the Philippines must be at least P8 million ($155,000). Upon approval, as much as P10 million ($193,000) cash rebate may be availed through FLIP or ICOF. “There is no better way to underscore the celebration of the One Hundred Years of Philippine Cinema than to finally give our Filipino filmmakers and the Philippines the leverage that it needs to be globally competitive,” FDCP Chairperson and CEO Liza Diño-Seguerra says of the new FilmPhilippines incentive program.

The Let’s Create Together campaign was officially launched during the Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) this October. The possibilities are endless for creative content—from reality series, animation, and even documentaries, this campaign anchors on seven key reasons why the country is a premier choice for international producers. They are: 1 Locations—Composed of more than 7,000 islands and diverse cultural wonders, the Philippines is a broad spectrum of settings for practically every story, inspiring hits then and now from Apocalypse Now to The Bourne Legacy; 2 English-Speaking Talent and Crews

experience as a fan.

“Very honored and happy kasi iba yung feeling na nakakapagpasaya ng tao. I was just an audience before so alam ko yung nararamdaman na nanood ka tapos nakikita mo yung iniidolo mo sumayaw at nagpeperform sa harap mo at now na kami naman ang nagpapasaya so super happy,” the PBB Otso second placer shared.

Sarah G singing her hit 'Tala' at the inaugural ABS-CBN TV plus Fun Family Day.

beginnings in 1939, Kamuning Bakery Café has grown and its legacy of serving traditional, no-preservatives, proudly Filipino style bread remains. It is also home to diverse leaders, intellectuals, writers and celebrities. Even after it was burned to the ground last year, it remains undaunted and full of hope.

It could have chosen the easy way out, but it did not. Like the pan de sal, it has remained resilient and constant---serving the same delicious bread over the past 80 years. Yan ang Serbisyong Totoo.”

“It is people like Wilson and the master bakers of Kamuning Bakery that nourish Philippine history. We share in your dream of bringing out the best in every Filipino through world-class artisanal baking. Under your inspired leadership and mastery of craft, you have preserved culinary heritage today and for the generations to come,” he carried on.

Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce & Industry, Inc. (FFCCCII) President Dr. Henry Lim Bon Liong said, “Kamuning Bakery Café has a long, fine heritage to be proud of. By satisfying the basic need of baking affordable breads to save people from hunger and malnutrition, you are doing a valuable service to our people. We are also glad to be your partner in conducting a free medical and dental mission in Kamuning Bakery Café this Oct. 27. “ Kamuning Bakery Café’s partners for #WorldPandesalDay include the Chinese General Hospital & Medical Center led by President Dr. James Dy on Oct. 6, Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce & Industry, Inc. (FFCCCII) led by President Dr. Henry Lim Bon Liong on Oct. 27 Sunday 8 a.m. to 12 noon; San Miguel Mills, Philippine Foremost Milling Corp., Eden Cheese, Mega Sardines, Fly Ace Corp., Hobe Noodles, Clara Ole fruit jams, Caltex Iba Malhacan Meycauayan Exit, Cathedral Cargo Movers Trucking, Lily’s Peanut Butter, King Sue Hams, and others.

For Inquiries, pls. text or Viber 09178481828 or 09188077777.

– Blessed with a supreme English literacy, the local workforce promises better understanding, teamwork, and rapport; 3 One-Stop-Shop for Permits, Visas, and Tax-Free Importation—Ease of doing business has never been better with integrated services, thereby saving time and energy; 4 Skilled Artists and Technicians – A newly-instituted National Registry, a database of film professionals, provides a broad selection of film industry manpower; 5 Available and Dependable Equipment and Facilities—Smooth planning, coordination and execution of all production activities while in the country shall be ensured with the assistance of accredited Filipino line production companies; 6 Enhanced Security in Cities and Countryside—Assurance in safety is well coordinated whether they be in urban or rural areas; and 7 A Location Incentive that Cuts your Costs—A financing grant designed to optimize the potential of a film project whether it’s undergoing pre-production, production, or post-production phase.

With all these in place, there’s no wonder why it’s more fun to film in the Philippines.

For more information, visit http:// www.filmphilippines.com/.

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

C4

Entertainment

MONDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2019

Philippines lands starring role in film tourism under DOT, FDCP partnership THE Philippines’ cinematic arts industry is a vital part of the growth of the nation’s well-being because it promotes, enriches, and disseminates Filipino values, culture, and heritage.

For the past hundred years, Pinoy Cinema has been the vessel of various voices and an agent of change, so much so that no less than the President acknowledged its importance by proclaiming Sept. 12, 2019 to September 11, 2020 as the Centennial Year of Philippine Cinema.

In support of this cultural milestone, the Department of Tourism (DOT) broke yet another barrier in marketing the Philippines by linking hands with Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) in its filmmaking support program aimed at local and foreign film production partnership.

Under DOT’s Branding and Marketing Communications department together with FDCP’s FilmPhilippines office, the agencies crafted and launched the “Let’s Create Together” campaign to promote film tourism in the Philippines.

“The campaign aspires to feature the country’s cinematic spots and talents through the screens around the world—boosting international awareness of the Philippines as a premier tourist destination while generating tourism-driven income for the local creative workforce in the process,,” said Howard Uyking, DOT’s Assistant Secretary for Branding and Marketing Communications.

The Program shall offer two incentive options for foreign producers, provided that they work with duly-registered Philippinesbased line producers or coproducers.

A TALE of LOVE and VENGEANCE

M

AGKAAGAW, GMA Network’s latest afternoon drama, has an ordinary premise, that is if we are talking about stories told on local TV. But what makes it different is the cast and how the director promises to make the drama exciting as the conflict unfolds on our television screens beginning today.

DOT and FDCP's 'Let’s Create Together' campaign promotes film tourism in the Philippines.

These are: Film Location Incentive Program (FLIP), where feature films in any genre, television series, and web content may be applied for; and International Co-production Fund (ICOF), applicable for feature films in any format (live-action, documentary, or animation). Continued on C3

Let It Be at The Estate Makati

Let It Be is considered the most authentic Beatles tribute band and show in the world.

SMDC and Federal Land, Inc. are celebrating what is quintessentially British by hosting an exclusive onenight-only performance like no other.

For the thanksgiving event for investors and buyers of The Estate Makati, the luxury high rise development on the last residential plot on Ayala Avenue designed by awardwinning British architectural firm Foster + Partners led by its founder, Norman Foster, the two biggest real estate developers in the country have flown in from London’s West End the revamped production of Let It Be: A Celebration of the Music of the Beatles.

The theatrical performance is about the possibility of the Beatles reuniting 10 years after the break-up. While the first half of theatrical performance is comprised of favorites from the Beatles career, the all-new second half imagines a world in which the Beatles re-united.

Relive the past from Ed Sullivan to Abbey Road, with favorite hits including “Hard Day’s Night,” “Day Tripper,” “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band,” “Twist and Shout,” “Get Back,” “I Wanna Hold Your Hand,” “Strawberry Fields,” and imagine the

The lead cast of GMA 7's latest afternoon drama, 'Magkaagaw.'

reunion that never was.

Seen by more than two million people worldwide, Let It Be: A Celebration of the Music of the Beatles made its North American debut in the Spring of 2015 with an eight-week run throughout the U.S. and Canada.

Now, based on the Broadway show praised as “by bar the best Beatles show yet” (New York Times), Annerin Productions brings audiences “part 2,” a new, revamped show for its 2016 touring season.

The original production, which established itself as one of the West End’s most popular shows when it opened in 2012, also recently celebrated having performed over 1,000 shows, showcased the music of the world’s most successful rock’n’roll band that charted the band’s meteoric rise from their humble beginnings in Liverpool’s Cavern Club, through the height of Beatlemania, to their later studio masterpieces that was packed with all your favorite hits.

For more information on The Estate Makati, visit www.theestatemakati. com, or email contact@theestatemakati. com. For more information on the tour, visit: letitbelive.com.

VERY WANG NICKIE WANG

Klea Pineda and Jeric Gonzales are introduced in 'Magkaagaw' as the network's newest love team.

In the series, two successful women will be caught in the traps of infidelity leading to the immeasurable pain of an innocent daughter. Former on-screen rivals in Bakekang and two of the industry’s sought after-actresses, Sheryl Cruz as Veron and Sunshine Dizon as Laura reunite in the most intriguing drama harped on vengeance that will heat up Kapuso Magno, AVP for Drama Cheryl Ching-Sy, senior program manager Camille Hermoso-Hafezan, and executive viewers’ afternoon.

“I’m very happy because it’s been a while and maganda ‘yung producer Jojo Aleta.

Under the helm of esteemed director Gil Tejada, Jr., catch team up namin ni Sunshine all the time. I also have to thank the world premiere of Magkaagaw after Eat Bulaga on GMA GMA for this project because it’s a different character—it’s my first time portraying a role of having an affair with a younger Afternoon Prime. *** man,” Sheryl said.

Big names in full support “It’s a reunion project with Sheryl so that’s very exciting. We ‘World Pandesal Day’ are also working with Direk Gil (Tejada Jr.), who is our director Artisanal, 80-year-old Kamuning Bakery once again in Bakekang. What makes Magkaagaw unique is first time mata-tackle dito ‘yung character ni Laura na hindi sinasadyang spearheaded the celebration of World Pandesal Day last Oct. maging kabit. She was blind-sided and put in a situation na wala 16 highlighted by the giving away of more than 70,000 free siyang laban kasi hindi niya alam. She did not intentionally ruin pandesal to residents of Quezon City.

Big names in show business and politics graced the occasion a relationship,” Sunshine revealed.

The original drama also introduces the freshest team in support of the worthy endeavour, a brainchild of Kauming up of StarStruck 6 Ultimate Female Survivor Klea Bakery owner, realty entrepreneur and writer Wilson Lee Pineda as Clarisse and Protégé Season 2 winner Jeric Flores.

“World Pandesal Day is a civic and cultural project that hopes Gonzales as Jio in their most daring roles yet.

Joining the stellar cast of Magkaagaw are: Polo Ravales as to honor the humble yet great Filipino bread pandesal, it is Oliver, Laura’s suitor who is actually a con artist; Dion Kamuning Bakery Cafe’s thanksgiving for continuous public Ignacio as Zander, Clarisse’s officemate who secretly fancies patronage since 1939 despite rise of many giant bread factories her; Dennis Padilla as Mark, Jio’s comical uncle who acts and modern bakery chains, also despite a destructive 2018 fire as his moral booster; Lovely Abella as Suzi, Laura’s kikay which heavily damaged it. KBC seeks to also highlight the but supportive best friend; Isay Alvarez as Fely, Laura’s problems of hunger and poverty.

As part of the month-long celebration of Pandesal Month, doting mother; Patricia Tumulak as Gilda, Veron’s cousin who conspires with her against those who have wronged Kamuning Bakery Café also organised two free medical, dental her; and Joanna Marie Tan as Sheila, Clarisse’s confidante and optical missions in its premises in Q.C. on Oct.r 6 and the next one will be on Oct. 27 Sunday from 8 a.m. to 12:00 noon. who sticks up for her through ups and downs.

Wilson Lee Flores said although Kamuning Bakery Café is just Magkaagaw also highlights the special participation of actorpolitician Alfred Vargas as Mario, Veron’s unfaithful husband a small business when he bought and revived it four years ago, he was inspired to start “World Pandesal Day” charities due to the Bible who pursued Laura and unknowingly made her a mistress.

Veron (Sheryl) has always been ambitious and career-driven. story of a humble boy who shared 5 loaves of breads and 2 fishes, So when a big career opportunity abroad presented itself, she which Jesus Christ multiplied to feed over 5,000 men plus many decides pursue it—despite her husband Mario’s (Alfred) pleas women and children. Oct. 16 is also World Bread Day. Despite suffering a destructive fire last year caused by a for her to stay. It wasn’t long before their marriage suffered amid the long distance. Back home, Mario met Laura (Sunshine), neighboring resto bar and now still recovering, Kamuning Bakery a loving and kind real estate sales agent whom he develops Cafe continues its various unique philanthropic projects like feelings for. In the end, Mario leaves Veron and chooses Laura. this annual “World Pandesal Day”, the non-partisan “Pandesal Heartbroken and alone, Veron decides to focus on her career, Forum”, the World Poetry Day every March 21, donations to but the pain she has felt from her husband’s betrayal remained. many orphanages and marginalized groups, to name a few.

Ever since Wilson Lee Flores bought and revived it four Twenty-five years later, she becomes very influential in the corporate world as the Country Director of McKella Philippines. years ago, Kamuning Bakery Cafe has also donated four public Here, she meets her new employee Clarisse (Klea), an ambitious, schoolbuildings in rural areas, like for Sta. Rosa Elementary School in historic seaside Balangiga town in Eastern Samar determined, and strong young lady.

Veron then crosses paths with the dashing Jio (Jeric) and province, the Villa Bacolor Elementary School in Tarlac City of romance blossoms between the two, not knowing that he is the Tarlac province and others.

The pandesal-giving ceremonies started at 8:30 a.m. where husband of her promising mentee Clarisse. Veron soon discovers that the latter is the daughter of Mario and his mistress Laura. residents lined up as early as 5:00 a.m. to receive 70,000 free She plots her revenge and makes Clarisse pay for the sins of her pandesal breads and other food gifts at Kamuning Bakery Cafe mother by stealing her husband. The legal wife Veron, in the at No. 43 Judge Jimenez Street corner K-1st Street, Barangay name of pain and revenge, is now turning into the kind of person Kamuning, Q.C. VIP guests who attended the event include Senator Cynthia she hated the most, a desperate and unwanted mistress.

How far would Veron go to avenge her pain? What would Villar, Senator Risa Hontiveros, Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello happen to Clarisse when she finds out that she is a daughter of a III, Manila Mayor Isko Moreno, Regal Films founder mistress? And what would happen if Clarisse finds out that her Mother Lily Y. Monteverde, among other surprise guests.

President Rodrigo husband has a mistress?

R. Duterte also sent his The show’s creative team congratulatory message. Excerpt is composed of creative from the message is as follows: director Aloy Adlawan; “My warmest greetings to creative head RJ Nuevas; the Kamuning Bakery Cafe as creative consultant Jojo it celebrates World Pandesal Tawasil Nones; Day... As you honor our history headwriter Richard Cruz; and heritage by showcasing the writers Luningning remarkable skills of Filipino Ribay, Renato Custodio; bakers, I encourage you to and brainstormers Gilda create more job opportunities Olvidado Marcelino, for our people. I also call on Nehemrey Dallego. you to engage in corporate This original series, social responsibility and pursue created by the GMA Drama initiatives that will improve group, is headed by the the lives of your workers and SVP for Entertainment our localities... I wish you a Group Lilybeth G. successful and joyous event.”

Rasonable, VP for Mother Lily Monteverde is joined by entertainment writers and Continued on C3 Drama Redgie A. editors at Kamuning Bakery Cafe for the World's Pandesal Day.