Manila Standard - 2019 October 23 - Wednesday

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SPEAKER’S TERM EXTENSION PUSHED, SHARING DEAL SHAKY

By Maricel V. Cruz A LEADER of the House of Representatives on Tuesday said Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano should just continue with his leadership beyond the 15 months he was given under a term-sharing agreement with Marinduque Rep. Lord Allan Velasco brokered by President Rodrigo Duterte.

Anakalusugan Party-list Rep. Michael Defensor, chairman of the House

committee on public accounts, said he believes a leadership change is unnecessary, especially since the current leadership “is doing very well.”

“If the President is a basketball coach and Speaker Cayetano is a power forward, a small forward or a guard, and he’s doing very well in shouldering the scoring load, why would you bench him?” Defensor told the Ugnayan sa Batasan weekly news forum.

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VOL. XXXIII • NO. 251 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P18 WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2019 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

KARERA NO IGEN.

Emperor Naruhito (left) and Empress Masako attend the enthronement ceremony where the emperor officially proclaims his ascension to the Chrysanthemum throne at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on Tuesday—performed before hundreds of dignitaries in the Imperial Palace. AFP (Related story on B3)

Superbody on drug war eyed Lifestyle check on PNP brass proposed in wake of scandal

By Maricel V. Cruz and Macon Ramos-Araneta

T

HE Philippine National Police is considering pushing for the creation of a “superbody” that will take the lead in the government’s anti-narcotics drive.

The superbody, according to PNP officer-in-charge Lt. Gen. Archie Gamboa, will “oversee and undertake all drug operations” as well as review cases and set policies for drug busts.

“Pinag-aaralan din namin iyon [we are also studying that]. Probably next command conference in November, we

are going to propose that,” Gamboa said in a radio interview.

Meanwhile, a party-list congressman on Tuesday demanded that the officers being recommended to be the next PNP chief be subjected to a lifestyle check.

Rep. Eric Go-Yap of ACT CIS said the Next page

Kapa indicted for defrauding public

By Jenniffer B. Austria

THE PRESIDENT ARRIVES. President Rodrigo Duterte (inset) resting his forehead on a walking cane, minutes before arrival at the enthronement ceremony of Japan’s Emperor Naruhito at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on Tuesday. AFP

Rody in pain, cuts short Tokyo trip CHED exec faces

By MJ Blancaflor PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte cut short his official visit to Japan and returned to the country early evening on Tuesday due to “unbearable pain” in his spinal column near the pelvic bone as a result of a motorcycle mishap last week, the

Palace said Tuesday.

In a Facebook video taken inside a car, President Duterte said he cannot bear the pain around his hips.

He also spoke with a tired demeanor and a drooping right eye in the video posted by his long-time aide and now Senator Christopher Go. Next page

New tech fueling cybercrime cases in PH NEW technologies, such as live streaming, are contributing to the rising incidents of cybercrime in the Philippines, an alarming 80 percent of which is the online sexual exploitation and abuse of children, according to a consortium.

To fight the exploitation, the Austral-

ian Government-led consortium of leading child rights advocates, together with the Philippine Government, on Tuesday launched the SaferKidsPH campaign to raise national awareness on the extent and impact of online sexual exploitation Next page

THE Justice department has recommended the filing of criminal charges against the independent religious corporation Kapa-Community Ministry International or Kapa for defrauding the investing public.

The department made its recommendation as it affirmed the findings of the Securities and Exchange Commission

against the company.

In a resolution issued on Sept. 25, state prosecutors found probable cause to charge KAPA, its founder and president Joel Apolinario, trustee Margie Danao and corporate secretary Reyna Apolinario for violating Sections 8 (8.1), 26.1, and 28 of Republic Act 8799, or the Securities Regulation Code.

“The indictment of Kapa along with Next page

3-mo. suspension

By Rio N. Araja THE Office of the Ombudsman has ordered a three-month suspension on Commission on Higher Education executive director Julito Vitriolo for simple misconduct.

In an Oct. 4 order released to the media just Tuesday, Ombudsman Samuel Martires said Vitriolo was found guilty of simple misconduct and would be suspended for three months without pay.

Vitriolo had just been reinstated to his post based on a writ quo warranto issued by the Quezon City Regional Trial Court’s Branch 83 Judge Ralph Next page Lee.

WHERE SMOKE RISES. Firefighters work at the Quiricada area in Manila in trying to contain a pre-noon fire that broke out in an informal settlement block Tuesday. AFP

King’s consort falls from favor

Largest caldera found in Benham

THE very public downfall of the Thai king’s 34-year-old consort—stripped of all royal titles and military ranks by a late-night command—left the country open-mouthed Tuesday at the latest abrupt act from its mercuTurn to A3 rial monarch.

A FILIPINO scientist based in New Zealand and two others have published a research on what could possibly be the largest caldera—a large crater caused by violent explosion of a volcano—in the world.

IN THE mountainous northern Amazon, a tiny whiteplumed suitor turns to face his would-be paramour and belts out a deafening, klaxonlike call, reaching decibel levels equal to a pile driver.

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Loudest bird

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WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2019

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

New Coast Guard chief takes office

By MJ Blancaflor PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has appointed Vice Admiral Joel Garcia as the 28th commandant of the Philippine Coast Guard, succeeding Admiral Elson Hermogino who will retire this week.

Garcia will assume the post on Thursday.

Before his appointment, Garcia served as deputy commandant for administration and as director of the National Coast Watch Center under the Office of the President.

NCWC gathers surveillance data from the Coast Guard, Navy, Bureau of Fisheries and the police Maritime Group to provide a comprehensive picture of maritime security in the country.

Garcia graduated from the Philippine Merchant Marine Academy in 1985.

He obtained his Masters of Science degree in Maritime Safety Administration from the World Maritime University in Malmo, Sweden, and his Masters in Shipping Management from the PMMA. Garcia is also a professor in Maritime Administration and Environmental Economics at the PMMA graduate school.

From 2003-2010, he was a member of the Technical Panels in Humanities and Maritime Education of the Commission on Higher Education.

“We are confident that the incoming commandant, a man of vast knowledge, competence and integrity, will continue to lead and advance the PCG to greater heights,” Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said.

The PCG also thanked Duterte for appointing Garcia, whom they called a “visionary leader.”

“The Command is very thankful to the President for choosing a visionary leader who cares for the welfare of his subordinates and is passionate in accomplishing the PCG’s mandates, PCG Spokesman Captain Armando Balilo said.

Rody...

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“About four days ago, I fell off from a motor. All motorcycle riders experience falling off during their rides. Just like me,” Duterte said in Filipino.

“But I cannot bear [the pain] around the belt part. About three inches are painful,” he added.

Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo, who was with Duterte in Japan, told reporters the 74-year-old leader will see a neurologist on Oct. 23.

Duterte was in Japan to witness the enthronement of Emperor Naruhito along with dignitaries from other countries and he was scheduled to return to the country on Wednesday.

Panelo confirmed that the President attended the enthronement rites, albeit carrying a cane to assist him in his walk.

Photos from Malacañang showed the President holding onto a cane while talking with his daughter, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte.

“While this was unforeseeable, the public can rest assured that there is nothing to worry [about] as regards the physical health and condition of the President,” Panelo said.

Duterte suffered from bruises and wounds last week after he fell off a motorcycle but he attended his public engagements that week, including a business forum and the state visit of Indian President Ram Nath Kovind.

Because of his early departure from Japan, Duterte will miss the Emperor’s banquet on Tuesday and the prime minister’s banquet on Wednesday.

His daughter Sara will represent him in both events.

Also part of the Philippine delegation were his long-time aide and now Senator Christopher Go, Philippine Ambassador to Japan Jose Laurel V, Special Envoy to Japan for trade and market access Feliciano Belmonte Jr., and Chief Presidential Protocol Robert Borje.

Kapa...

From A1

its founder, officers and promoters is an affirmation of our unwavering commitment to championing investors and tackling abuses in the corporate sector,” SEC chairman Emilio B. Aquino said.

“This should also serve as a stern warning against other groups engaging in unlawful investment-taking activities and other predatory practices to the detriment of the investing public.”

The Justice department also indicted Marisol Diaz, Adelfa Fernandico, Moises Mopia and Reniones Catubigan for promoting and participating in the unlawful public offering and/or selling of

News

MWSS cleared to proceed with Kaliwa Dam project

By Rio N. Araja

The department gave its order through the Environment Management Bureau.

On Oct. 11, EMB director Metodio Turbella gave the new water source project the clearance to build and operate a gravity dam along Kaliwa River in Quezon and Rizal.

“With the issuance of this ECC [environmental clearance certificate], you are expected to implement the measures presented in the environmental impact statements intended to protect and mitigate the project’s adverse impacts on community health, welfare and the environment, a provision in the ECC says.

“However, you may proceed with the project implementation only after securing the necessary permits from other pertinent government agencies.

Environmental considerations shall be

incorporated in all phases and aspects of the project.”

The project proponents earlier submitted an environmental impact statement.

The ECC is a requisite allowing the project to push through to the next stage of project planning, including securing approval from other concerned government agencies.

But the EMB warned the project proponents—the MWSS and its contractor China Energy Engineering Corp.― to ensure full compliance with the law.

“Non-compliance with any of the provisions of this certificate shall be sufficient cause for its cancellation and/ or imposition of a fine in an amount not to exceed P50,000 for every violation thereof,” the ECC says.

The ECC said the MWSS must “ensure that the sacred sites and burial

grounds, as well as the culture and livelihood of the indigenous peoples are preserved and protected,” and that it must adopt mitigating measures to protect and preserve Tinipak Spring and Tinipak White Rocks.

The two areas are considered sacred to the IP communities.

Apart from these provisions, the ECC said the MWSS and CEEC must strictly implement an information and communication program to educate all stakeholders as to how to mitigate the environmental impact to be brought about by the Kaliwa Dam construction.

Moreover, MWSS must submit memorandums of agreement with concerned local government units for social development programs and the protection of the cultural heritage of the Dumagat tribes, and that an integrated watershed management plan must be developed to “ensure the structural soundness/stability of the dam through the compliance with internationally accepted structural dam design standards.”

The government said the Kaliwa Dam project would address the increasing demand for water in Metro Manila and its nearby provinces.

The proposed dam could add 600 million liters per day.

Superbody...

when their terms are about to end.

Meanwhile, Senator Richard J. Gordon guaranteed that the Senate will continue to keep an eye on the PNP. “I can assure you, the Senate is going to watch with eagle eyes and see whether this thing will stop,” he said, referring to the latest scandal to rock the PNP. He lauded President Duterte for ordering the revamp of the PNP after Senate hearings exposed the operations of the so-called ninja cops, and an apparent attempt to cover them up.

Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo confirmed Duterte’s disappointment over the ninja cops scandal.

PNP officer-in-charge Lt. Gen. Archie Francisco Gamboa announced that all officials of the PNP have been placed on a three-month probation starting Monday, Oct. 21, including those who hold key positions such as regional directors and chief of directorates.

The statement came following a massive reshuffling that redeployed at least 20 generals and two colonels.

Gamboa also gave orders to be implemented immediately, namely: no golf during weekdays; no presence in gambling joints, casinos, cockpits, and public drinking places; no take from gambling and drug groups; no use of confiscated vehicles; and no use of private vehicles without plate numbers.

The major revamp in the PNP was a result of the inquiries conducted by the Blue Ribbon and justice committees, both chaired by Gordon.

The investigations on the implementation of the Good Conduct Time Allowance (GCTA) Law exposed various anomalies and corruptions surrounding the PNP, the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor), and the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology.

Meanwhile, the head of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO)

said they are winding up their investigation against the 16 police officers allegedly involved in trafficking contraband in and out of the New Bilibid Prison.

Members of the NCRPO Regional Investigation and Detective Management Division (RIDMD) are now completing their interviews and investigation, and are expected to issue a final evaluation of the case on Friday, Oct. 25.

Some of the police officers involved reported on Monday before the RIDMD office where they submitted their respective counter affidavits.

NCRPO director Brig. Gen. Debold Sinas said his office will keep an eye on the policemen involved.

Sinas refused to identify the police officers while the investigation is being conducted. But he said the policemen were ordered relieved and were reassigned to the Regional Personnel Holding and Accounting Unit.

The policemen—formerly from the District and Regional Mobile Force Company—form part of the 551 officers detailed by the NCRPO to secure the premises of NBP’s Maximum Security Compound.

Reports showed that during inspection, the uniformed personnel were caught with contraband in their possession, including liquor, electronic gadgets and tobacco.

It also showed that confiscated packs of tobacco were placed inside boxes while two liters of alcohol were placed in iced tea bottles. The police officers reportedly sold the liquor to inmates for P10,000 to P20,000 per bottle.

The confiscated contraband is now under the custody of the BJMP. “This is saddening but we will not concede. This is just one of our continuing challenges. We will not relent in our reforms to cleanse our organization. We will never tolerate this illegal activity.

Discipline must prevail,” said Sinas.

Cayetano earlier hinted that he would not honor the term agreement when his term expires and would instead ask President Duterte, as head of the administration coalition, if he shouldn’t just stay on the job.

Under the term-sharing agreement brokered by Duterte, Cayetano would assume the post for 15 months while Velasco would occupy the post in the remaining 21 months.

Defensor said he has nothing personal against the other candidates for the speakership, “but it may be best for the country and for the realization of Presi-

dent Rodrigo Duterte’s legislative agenda if Cayetano will continue serving as the Speaker.”

Defensor said Cayetano’s 64 percent approval rating in a recent Pulse Asia survey showed the House leadership is doing very well.

“And I think for the best interest of the country, best interest of Congress, we should continue with the leadership of Speaker Alan Cayetano and the rest of the leadership of the House,” he added.

ACT-CIS Party-list Representative Eric Go Yap, chairman of House committee on games and amusements, said the term-sharing agreement was among the contenders and that all House members were not consulted about it.

“It is up to the House members whether

they want a new Speaker, and it should be done through election,” Yap said.

Earlier, two members of the Makabayan bloc urged Cayetano to abide by his term-sharing agreement with Velasco.

Party-list Reps. Arlene Brosas of Gabriela and France Castro of ACT Teachers said that the agreement will be a sham if Cayetano stays on and will not give way to Velasco as part of the agreement that was brokered by President Duterte shortly before the 18th Congress convened.

“It’s a gentleman’s agreement, I hope they will abide by it,” Brosas said.

Castro said the pronouncement of Cayetano that he will have to consult with the President is an indication that he will not step down after his 15-month term.

securities by Kapa.

On June 18, the SEC filed a criminal complaint against KAPA before the the department after uncovering the group’s unauthorized investment-taking activities.

Based on the SEC’s findings, Kapa enticed the public to invest at least P10,000 in exchange for a 30-percent monthly “blessing” or “love gift” for life, without having to do anything other than investing and waiting for the payout.

The group’s scheme involved the sale and offering for sale or distribution to the public of securities in the form of investment contracts as defined under Section 3 of the SRC, according to the SEC. The SEC also found Kapa to have

employed a Ponzi scheme, an investment program that offers impossibly high returns and pays investors using the money contributed by other investors. This qualifies as a fraudulent transaction prohibited under Section 26 of the SRC. The SEC initially issued an advisory against KAPA in March 2017. It would later issue a cease- and-desist order on Feb. 14, and an order revoking KAPA’s certificate of incorporation on April 3, 2019.

To protect the investors, the SEC, through the Anti-Money Laundering Council, likewise obtained a freeze order from the Court of Appeals on June 4, to preserve the assets linked to Kapa.

With Rey E. Requejo

T

HE Environment department has cleared the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System to proceed with the construction of the P18.7-billion Kaliwa Dam project.

From A1

lifestyle check will ensure a credible police force after controversy has hounded several PNP chiefs, including recently resigned Oscar Albayalde, who stepped down after being implicated during Senate hearings of involvement with ninja cops, policemen accused of reselling seized narcortics.

During the Aquino administration, PNP chief Alan Purisima was stripped of his rank and is still facing several criminal charges ranging from the mishandled Mamasapano, Maguindanao operation that resulted in the death of 44 Special Action Force commandos to the irregular grant of a messengerial services contract.

“What is needed maybe is a lifestyle check among the candidates for chief PNP to make sure that the next one to head the police force is deserving,” Yap, chairman of the House committee on games and amusement, said.

Earlier, Senator Christopher Go said President Duterte is choosing among three senior police officials on the shortlist submitted by Interior Secretary Eduardo Ano. Included in the shortlist, Go said, are Lt. Gens. Francisco Archie Gamboa and Camilo Pancratius Cascolan, who both belong to Philippine Military Academy Class 1986 and Maj. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar of PMA Class of 1967.

Go, and Party-list Rep. Michael Defensor of Anakkalusugan expressed belief that the President will be able to choose someone who could unite the fractious force and cleanse the police organization.

Go lamented that it has been a cycle that the in PNP, whenever the chief retires, he is always being linked to controversies.

He said PNP chiefs are not really subjected to close scrutiny and issues surface

Speaker’s...

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CHED...

From A1

In September, the Supreme Court affirmed the decision of the Court of Appeals to reinstate Vitriolo as CHED executive director.

The suspension order on Vitriolo stemmed from complaint of then CHED chairperson Patricia Licuanan, who accused him of issuing a memorandum to favor the release of a provisional permit to a private school in violation of an en banc resolution that disapproved the school’s application.

In 2017, the Ombudsman dismissed Vitriolo for grave misconduct and gross neglect of duty in a complaint filed by ex-faculty member Oliver Felix over his

New tech...

From A1

and abuse of children in the Philippines.

The SaferKidsPH campaign is in partnership with UNICEF, Save the Children Philippines and The Asia Foundation.

SaferKidsPH will engage the government, non-government agencies, special task forces and committees, civil society, communities and schools, the private sector, media and other like-minded donors to support and be part of innovative and sustainable solutions.

“Online sexual exploitation and abuse of children is a crime that transcends territorial jurisdictions. The SaferKidsPH campaign aims to bring more light to this issue, said Australian Ambassador Steven J. Robinson AO. “For the next six years, the Australian Government will support the Philippine Government’s efforts to raise national and local awareness on children’s online safety and promote child-sensitive investigation, prosecution and adjudication of cases.

“Awareness is the first step to vigilance and action. We can all work together to make the Internet a safe place for our children.

The campaign is part of the six-year SaferKidsPH initiative that addresses online sexual exploitation and abuse of children by raising national awareness of the problem and supporting stronger implementation of laws and policies that protect children.

“Online sexual abuse and exploitation of children (OSAEC) violates children’s right to protection, says Alberto Muyot, the chief executive of Save the Children.

“We believe that strengthening child protection systems is crucial in addressing the problem that has been affecting children, mostly in deprived situations.

“We are committed to working with local government units and civil society actors to ensure that there are policies, programs, services, budgets and school and community-based child protection mechanisms in place to address OSAEC. “We will also strengthen our work with children, their families and teachers to raise their awareness on this issue and mobilize them to help protect children in communities and schools.”

“The Asia Foundation will continue to help mainstream and expand child protection for all Filipino children.

This consortium will work with all actors in the justice system to ensure that the voice of Filipino children navigating the justice system in the Philippines is heard, and together we can help break down barriers to access to justice, said Sam Chittick, country representative of The Asia Foundation.

“Online sexual exploitation of children is a hidden crime. It happens in the homes, particularly in the bedrooms of our children, said Oyunsaihan Dendevnorov, UNICEF Representative.

“It is in the coming together of concerned agencies, from government and non-government, our children and their parents, our schools and local communities, of national and international partners, that we can bring this issue to light and stop this grave and egregious violation of our children’s rights.

SaferKidsPH is calling on the public to engage. Get to know the issue, join the discourse, report, support and be part of this movement demanding safety and protection for every child in all the spaces they are in, online and offline.”

The drivers of the online sexual exploitation of children include poverty, accessible internet and smartphones, prevailing social norms, change in parenting dynamics due to migration and ease in speaking English. In 2018, one in five Filipino children 13-17 years old reported to have experienced sexual violence while half reported to have experienced online violence such as online sexual violence or online bullying, according to the National Baseline Survey on Violence Against Children.

The involvement of children’s own families as crime facilitators and the increasing number of foreign perpetrators is alarming.

failure to investigate reports that the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Pilipinas was being used as a diploma mill.

At Tuesday’s news conference at CHED, Vitriolo through his lawyer Arnold Guerrero, said they have filed a motion to cite Cinderella Filipina Benitez-Jaro, whom he replaced following the lower court order, for contempt before Branch 83.

A hearing is set on Oct. 24.

CHED chairman Prospero de Vera III said Benitez-Jaro is still CHED executive director.

“Until the court decides on the motion for reconsideration, then the commission stands by its position that he [Vitriolo] is not the executive director,” he said in a statement.

But Vitriolo called on De Vera to respect the rule of law.

News

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WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2019 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

101 LGUs told: Show cause why you can’t be suspended

MASS IMMUNIZATION.

Mayor Mel Aguilar and Vice Mayor April Aguilar lead the launch of the Sabayang Patak Kontra Polio (Leaving No Child Behind Against Polio) Tuesday at the Las Piñas City Hall Grounds. The mass immunization campaign is a preventive measure and a move to ensure a polio-free Las Piñas City and part of the nationwide drive to vaccinate children below five years (zero to 59 months) to prevent the spread of polio virus. The LGU is mobilizing its trained personnel and barangay health centers in its door to door vaccination campaign.

Norman Cruz

House assures pay hike for gov’t nurses

By Maricel V. Cruz A PARTY-list lawmaker on Tuesday assured government nurses of getting their much-awaited salary increase by next year.

Rep. Michael Defensor of Anakalusugan, vice chairman of the House Committee on Health, said the Supreme Courtsanctioned P30,531 entry level monthly salary for nurses in the public sector would be implemented either be this year or next year.

Defensor also said Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano had taken up the matter with Senator Christopher Go, and hopeful that the Senate would support the House on the proposed pay hike for government nurses from Salary Grade 11 to 15.

“The House leadership through Davao City Rep. Isidro Ungab (chairman of the House appropriations committee) will coordinate with the DBM on this issue so that funds can be released for such purpose,” Defensor said.

In his fourth State of the Nation Address, the President had urged Congress to pass a new version of the SSL meant “to increase the salaries of national government workers, including teachers and nurses.”

The Supreme Court recently upheld the validity of the Philippine Nursing Act of 2002, which bumped up to Salary Grade 15 (P30,531) the minimum pay of nurses retained the national government, mostly in hospitals run by the Department of Health.

At present, their floor pay is pegged at Salary Grade 11 (P20,754).

“Through this you can see how President Duterte is concerned with the welfare of everybody. First, he signed the Universal Health Care Law, then he increased the budget for hospitals. And now, we are going to help our nurses,” he said.

“So, the government’s campaign is not just focused on peace and order, but also in health.”

Defensor ealier said the Senate and the House would pass a joint resolution authorizing the increase in the base pay of government nurses to avert further the mass exodus of these medical professionals who are in demand overseas.

Loudest...

From A1

Meet the white bellbird, which has just beaten out its rainforest neighbor, the screaming piha, for the title of the world’s loudest bird.

Biologist Jeff Podos at the University of Massachusetts Amherst and Mario Cohn-Haft of Brazil’s Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazonia described the record-breaking finding in a paper published in the journal Current Biology on Monday.

The researchers wrote that its calls are so loud, they wondered how white bellbird females listen at close range without damaging their hearing.

The feat is all the more impressive given the species’ diminutive size: they’re about as big as doves, weighing around half a pound (a quarter of a kilogram).

The males are distinguished by a fleshy black wattle adorned with white specks that falls from the beak, while the females

’2-year probationary short-term slavery’

By Vito Barcelo

T

HE labor group Trade Union Congress of the Philippines on Tuesday described the proposed extension of six-month probationary employment period to two years as a short-term labor slavery and would force migration of Filipino workers to work abroad.

TUCP president Raymond Mendoza said the wide ranging implications of the proposed House Bill 4802 authored by Probinsiyano Paty-List Rep. Jose Singson Jr. was very dangerous and highly disadvantageous to workers because of its deleterious effect to working people and their families once it is enforced.

“We are at a time when we are struggling to close the gap between the rich and the poor by eliminating this short-term Endo (end-ofcontract) and to minimize all forms of contractualization employment scheme in the country and ensure a just and fair economic share for workers in a growing economy,” he said.

However, he said the HB 4802 practically empowered abusive

employment and business practice with a larger latitude and longer contractualization short-term work scheme.

Probationary employment period is a period of six months allowed by law for employer to observe the skills, qualifications and work attitude of prospective employee before being absorbed into the firm as regular employee.

The employer is also given power to fire or dismiss probationary employee within the period if employee is found unqualified for the job without indemnity or legal retribution such as illegal dismissal case.

Probationary employee is paid with basic pay and a few social protection

benefits.

They are not, however, entitled to higher wages and benefits that regular employee receives such as separation pay, thirteenth month pay, Christmas bonus, allowances, fringe benefits, sick leave, vacation leave, paternity and maternity leaves, etc, he said.

He also said that probationary employee have no security of tenure and not eligible to join a union due to their short-term work.

“Extending the probationary employment period to two years is a race to the bottom scheme because it will improve the current widely practiced Endo labor slavery system and will make contractualized work permanent in the country. Probationary employees have no chances to raise their salary, better benefits, cannot join a union, and have no security of tenure, unable to make longer life plans and no capacity to make investments to a stable family,” Mendoza said.

Once the two-year probationary employment period is operationalized, wages are pegged low and social protection benefits kept inadequate which would prompt workers to look for greener pasture abroad by seeking higher wages and better benefits there despite of risks working abroad entails.

Solon supports review of K to 12 program A PARTY-list lawmaker on Tuesday supported the House of Representatives’ plan to review the K to 12 basic education program conceived during the administration of Benigno S. Aquino III. ACT Teachers Rep. France Castro said the review was long overdue and that legislators must be able to look into the roots of the issues, including the chronic underfunding for the requirements of basic education, and immediately address them.

“We support the House leadership in their move to review the K to 12 program and its effectiveness. This overhaul of the country’s basic education system brought with it a myriad of issues as reported from the field by teachers and other school personnel, parents, and students,” Castro said. are green with dark streaks and wattle-less.

Podos told AFP he was lucky enough to witness females join males on their perches as they sang.

“He sings the first note facing away, and then he does this dramatic, almost theatrical swivel, where he swings around with his feet wide open and his wattle is kind of flailing around,” he said.

“And he blasts that second note right where the female would have been, except the female knows what’s coming and she’s not going to sit there and accept that so she flies backwards” by around four meters (13 feet).

It’s not clear why the females voluntarily expose themselves to the noise at such proximity, which reaches peak levels of 113 decibels—above the human pain threshold and equivalent to a loud rock concert or a turbo-prop plane 200 feet (60 meters) away achieving liftoff power.

“Maybe they are trying to assess males up close, though at the risk of some damage to their hearing systems,” Podos added. AFP

“We have already filed and refiled House Resolution 20 since the 17th Congress for the House to look into the issues that emerged due to the implementation of RA 10533 or the Enhanced Basic Education Act of 2013,” Castro added.

She said the additional two years in the four years of high school would be an additional burden for parents.

“The law mandated basic education to encompass one year of kindergarten education, six years of elementary education, and six years of secondary education, which includes four years of junior high school and two years of senior high school without addressing perennial problems already being faced by teachers and students before the enhanced basic education program,” Castro said.

Castro lamented that the budget for

the K to 12 program has been increasing every year without addressing perennial problems of shortages in classrooms, learning materials, teachers, education support personnel, among others.

“These shortages are endured everyday by teachers, other school personnel, parents and students who are forced to shell out from their own money to make school facilities and equipment available,” said Castro.

“We urge the House leadership to thoroughly review and investigate the K to 12 program and the myriad of issues it came with and realize that the program does not serve the interest of the Filipino youth and the people for decent jobs with decent wages and national industrialization,” Castro pointed out.

Maricel V. Cruz

King’s...

and had acted “against the appointment of the Queen (Suthida)... for her own ambitions.”

Her actions had also undermined the monarchy, it said.

Known as Koi, Sineenat is a qualified pilot and was the first woman to receive the consort title in nearly a century.

After she obtained it, the palace released images of a short-haired Sineenat in combat fatigues shooting weapons, flying a jet and preparing to parachute from a plane, as well as holding the king’s hand.

It was a vivid contrast to the swift dismissal, which has gripped Thai Twitter users. #SaveKoi was one of the trending hashtags, while one user said they felt “sorry” for Sineenat.

Thailand has a harsh royal defamation law that means media must self-censor when reporting on the palace.

Sineenat’s rapid fall from favour is not the only time the Thai public has been given a glimpse into the king’s dramatic personal life. AFP

From A1

Former royal bodyguard and army nurse Sineenat Wongvajirapakdi was dismissed from the rank of Chao Khun Phra, or noble consort, and accused of “disloyalty to the king.”

Her whereabouts are unknown but the announcement has set social media alight with speculation and intrigue sparked by the rare glimpse behind cloistered palace walls.

But it wasn’t the first time King Maha Vajiralongkorn has made his powerful presence felt since ascending the throne in 2016.

Here are five ways royal power has been displayed under Thailand’s new king so far, from beefing up his security to taking direct control of a fortune.

‘Disloyalty’ in palace The palace said Sineenat had not obeyed the king, had created conflict in the palace by going above her authority,

THE Department of the Interior and Local Government on Tuesday said 101 local government units had failed in their road clearing operations.

“The DILG has already issued the show cause orders to these 101 LGUs and we are awaiting their replies on why they were not able to comply with the President’s directive and why they should not be suspended,” DILG Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya said during a press briefing.

Malaya said that as of Oct. 15, the validation teams had validated 1,516 LGUs, higher from the previous figure of 1,245.

He added the number of “highlycompliant” increased by 18 percent or from 327 to 387.

Malaya said there was a 28-percent increase in the LGUs with “medium compliant” from 498 to 635 and another 22-percent increase in the “lowcompliant” from 323 to 393.

DILG chief Eduardo Año earlier disclosed the rating system used in the evaluation were: 70-percent and below - failure 70-80 percent - low compliance 81-90 percent - medium compliance 91-100 percent - high compliance Malaya also announced that authorities would conduct the next validation of LGUs by December.

“We expect the continued cooperation of all governors, city and municipal mayors and punong barangays nationwide. We anticipate that the results will be better during the December validation,” Malaya said.

During his fourth State of the Nation Address, President Rodrigo Duterte ordered the mayors and governors to reclaim public roads or they will face sanctions.

19 Filipinos injured in Rome mishap

By Rey E. Requejo THE Department of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday said 19 Filipinos were injured in a road mishap involving a public utility vehicle in Italy last week.

DFA’s Chargé d’Affaires Candy S. Cypres-Buazon said the accident happened in Via Cassia, north of Rome last Oct. 16.

The Philippine Embassy in Rome had identified and obtained the contact details of the 19 injured Filipinos.

Nine of the injured Filipinos said they suffered muscle trauma but were able to receive immediate medical attention, the DFA said in a statement.

Three of them sustained wounds on the forehead while two others had fractures.

“According to doctors who evaluated the Filipinos, no one was critically injured,” the DFA said.

“The Embassy will continue to coordinate with Italian authorities as conduct of investigation to determine the cause of the accident is still in progress,” it added.

The DFA expressed readiness to extend necessary assistance to the Filipinos.

Largest...

From A1

Jenny Anne Barretto, a New Zealandbased marine geophysicist, with Ray Wood and John Milson, claimed to have found a caldera with a diameter of around 150 kilometers in the undersea feature which is part of the Philippines’ continental shelf..

They said their discovery of the Apolaki Caldera—named after the Filipino mythical god of the sun and war—revealed the structure of the undersea feature for the first time within the Benham Rise east of the shoreline of Luzon.

“For comparison, Earth’s largest calderas, like the Yellowstone, is only about 60 kilometers. The size is comparable to shield calderas in Mars (Olympus Mons; 80 km x 65 km) and Venus (Sacajawea; 150 X 105 km),” the University of the Philippines Marine Science Institute said Monday in a Facebook post.

In their paper titled “Benham Rise unveiled: Morphology and structure of an Eocene large igneous province in the West Philippine Basin,” Barretto described Benham Rise as “an oceanic large igneous province at the western margin of the Philippine Sea.”

A4

Opinion

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2019

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

EDITORIAL

32,000 Pinoy dollar millionaires DID you know that the Philippines had 24,000 dollar millionaires as of 2018? That this number will swell in five years to more than 32,000? That the increase of 34 percent is the highest in ASEAN? That is according to the wealth report made by Knight Frank for 2019.

Filipinos are getting richer, especially those at the top 1 percent of the population pyramid.

Did you know that Manila property price hikes in the past two years of 11-12 percent per year have been the highest in the world? That is according to a separate wealth report for 2019 by Credit Suisse.

What do these numbers indicate?

Well, the economy is booming, with an average growth rate of 5.5 percent in GDP in the past 10 years. Consequently, Filipinos are getting richer, especially those at the top 1 percent of the population pyramid.

Meanwhile, ASEAN nationals are increasing their per capita wealth in double digits, in the 10-year 2000 to 2019 period, from a high of 62.3 percent in the case of the Vietnamese, to a low of 15.96 percent per year in the case of Singaporeans, according to an annual survey by Credit Suisse.

The average increase in per capita in the six major countries of

ASEAN in population has been 30 percent per year in the past 10 years, 2000 to 2019, according to the Credit Suisse data.

In its own wealth report 2019, Knight Frank put the number of dollar millionaires, worldwide at 19 million, far less than the 46.8 million figure of Credit Suisse. Both surveys claim to be reliable.

Per Knight Frank, there are 5.6 million millionaires in Asia. Of that number, 24,162 are in the Philippines. Filipino millionaires will number 32,563 by 2023, an increase of 34 percent from 2018.

The Philippines will show the highest increase in number of millionaires between 2018 and 2023— 34 percent to 32,563.

The increase in Singapore is 21 percent to 206,782 millionaires, Thailand 26 percent to 80,875, Malaysia 27 percent to 37,315, and Vietnam 28 percent to 15,776 millionaires.

Meanwhile, per Credit Suisse, overall worldwide growth in wealth was modest in the 12 months up to mid-2019.

Aggregate global wealth rose by US$9.1 trillion to US$360.6 trillion, a growth rate of 2.6 percent. Wealth per adult grew by just 1.2 percent to US$70,850 per adult in mid-2019.

By 2024, total global wealth would reach $459 trillion.

According to Credit Suisse, the number of new millionaires was also relatively modest, up 1.1 million to 46.8 million.

The United States added 675,000 new millionaires, more than half of the global total. Japan and China each contributed more than 150,000, but Australia lost 124,000 millionaires following a fall in average wealth.

Adelle Chua, Editor

Truly inane

T

HERE are few ideas that can be described as truly inane. The proposal by Probinsyano Ako Partylist Rep. Jose Singson Jr. to extend the maximum probationary period for workers from the present six months to two years certainly qualifies.

Although he claims otherwise, Singson clearly wants to help business owners enjoy cheap labor while dodging the responsibility of paying out benefits and having to deal with such pesky concepts as security of tenure.

Singson says the prevailing sixmonth probationary period “is not sufficient a period in order for the employer to determine if the probationary employee is qualified for regular employment.”

“Employers are left with no recourse but to end the probationary employment even when they are still in the process of evaluating the probationary employee to avoid the automatic regularization of an unqualified employee in their workforce,” Singson says in the explanatory note to his House Bill 4802.

He adds that the six-month probationary period "limits the right of the employer to secure quality employees."

Under current labor laws, workers can only be placed under a probationary period of up to six

months unless an apprenticeship agreement stipulates a longer timeframe. Unless they are let go, workers are automatically regularized when they reach their sixth month of employment.

This provision has led unscrupulous companies to practice “endo” (short for “end of contract”), hiring contract workers for just under six months then letting them go so they would not have to regularize them and pay them benefits.

But Singson argues that with his bill, “workers will be able to enjoy continuous employment for more than six months, which will enable them to qualify for some of the mandatory benefits under existing laws.”

He also says this would give workers the time to acquire skills, talents and other qualifications that would lead to their regularization.

“We are in effect creating better job security for the average probationary employee, who most often than not fall[s] victim to company practices that take advantage of loopholes in the law,” Singson says.

Thankfully,

Singson’s House Bill 4802 has received the drubbing it deserves, drawing no support from either the Palace or the Department of Labor and Employment.

If by some miracle Singson’s bill asses in the House, senators promise it will be dead in the water in the Senate.

This is as it should be.

After all, the congressman’s argument that a two-year probationary period would “protect workers from being fired every six months” as a result of endo is fallacious because employers can, in fact, be fired at any time, regardless of the length of the probationary period. Extending the probationary period does nothing to create better job security.

The argument that companies need more time to decide on employees is silly as well. One might easily argue that a company that cannot tell if an employee is worth keeping after six months probably shouldn’t be in business anyway.

You cannot claim to protect workers rights by taking away what they already have. Otherwise, what is to stop congressman Singson and like-minded lawmakers from legislating that it is all right for companies to pay their workers only half of what they deserve, or delay their salaries on a regular basis—on the twisted notion that this somehow "protects" them by keeping them employed longer?

Turn to A5

Catalan separatists MUSLIM separatists in Mindanao are temporarily appeased by the Bangsamoro Basic Law which supposedly accords them autonomy in certain areas in the South.

In Spain, an equally extreme form of separatism is being demanded in the Basque region of Catalan. Located in Spain’s northern part, Catalan has been seeking independence from Spain since the reign of the late Francisco Franco, known as “Caudillo.”

Franco kept Catalan under control until his death in 1975.

With the dictator’s demise, the flame of Catalan passion for a separate state raged anew. Pablo Picasso’s iconic painting of Guernica was inspired by the civil war between South and North led by Catalan separatists.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez is presently facing sharp criticism for his handling of the violent Catalan protests. Hundreds of people gathered in the square in front of Catalonia’s regional government in Barcelona for a rally by the center-right pro-union Ciudadanos party.

Waving Spanish, Catalan and European Union flags, the demonstrators called on Madrid to defend and restore the rights of Catalans opposed to independence. Addressing the supporters, Ciudadanos leader Albert Rivera accused Spain’s caretaker Socialist government of not doing enough to stop the chaos in Barcelona, one of Europe’s most attractive destinations. The Catalans, as observed by international analysts, are adopting the tactics of the Hong Kong protests which have been going on for months. In Barcelona, the protesters used trucks to barricade themselves against Spain’s government troops who used tear gas and water cannons to disperse the crowd.

How long the independence-seeking protesters can carry their cam-

paign depends on their resolve. With a different culture and language from the majority from the rest of Spain and the Madrid government, Catalans are hoping for outside support from the European Union. But the EU itself is rocked by the British plan to exit from the Union.

That’s another story which has divided the once-solid United Kingdom which could also see separatist movements from Scotland and Northern Ireland.

In Budapest where I was once posted as Philippine ambassador, there was an occasion when Spain’s envoy was from the Catalonia region. When I noted that he was Basque, he merely replied that he was representing Spain in Hungary. End of conversation.

Swift accountability

Is autonomy the answer?

Sanchez has rejected talks with the separatists and detained many of its leaders. He wants the Catalan leadership to condemn the separatist movement before any talks could begin.

But the separatists asked: What more do they have do to stop the disturbance in Barcelona? “Set Barcelona ablaze, they are already doing that every night,” the separatists claim.

“Spain needs a government that leads,” said Pablo Casado, the leader of the main conservative opposition Popular Party during a rally in Toledo, central Spain.

As a former colony of Spain, the Philippines somehow has an affinity with the country it fought to gain freedom and independence from. We hope for a peaceful resolution of the Catalans’ desire for independence without blood being shed.

The Spanish people and the Catalans, after all, are from the same country. Autonomy perhaps is the answer—if not a separate state the Catalans clamor for.

FIRST-TIME Filipino drivers here in Taiwan get the surprise of their lives when they receive traffic violation tickets for what they thought they could get away with, as is their wont back home.

Parking violations, beating the red light, over-speeding, swerving on the wrong lane and other infractions are caught by CCTV cameras and instantly recorded at the central traffic bureau of each city. The computers then issue printed violation tickets which are mailed to the registered address of the vehicle owner. The erring driver can pay, rather, should pay in any 7-11 convenience store.

If they fail to pay, their licenses eventually cannot be renewed. But not in the Philippines, where the operative rule is “makalusot” when nobody is looking.

Accountability is the norm, and just recently, the engineers and contractors of a building which fell during the strong 2017 earthquake in Hualien where a Filipina caregiver died, were sentenced by a court of justice to three years of imprisonment for violations of the building code.

The engineer was also punished separately for having had an expired profes-

sional license at the time the building was constructed.

In the Philippines? Dadaanin sa pakiusap o sa lakas, or through an under-the-table arrangement. Palalamigin muna ang issue until it recedes from public memory.

We wish this could be the norm here, as well.

And that was just two years back.

From investigation, to prosecution, to the filing of the complaint, to resolution and decision by a court of justice. Swift accountability.

Even now for instance, investigation is ongoing on what caused the recent collapse of the bridge in Nanfangao,

Yilan, where three Filipino fishermen died while inside a vessel underneath the bridge.

Some people or companies, whether in government or the private sector, will be held accountable, and the wheels of justice will grind, not ever so slowly as in our country, but swiftly to exact proper accountability.

Compensation for the victims also came swiftly. The outpouring of assistance, while not enough to pay for the loss in human lives, has been quite overwhelming.

From the Yilan County government, to the Tzu Chi Foundation, the Taiwan Red Cross, the insurance companies, and even the Taiwan Internation International Port Corp. (the equivalent of our Philippine Ports Authority), to even private sympathizers, there was im immediate response and adequate com compensatory relief.

By the end of this month, a cheque for five million Taiwan dollars (roughly P8.7 million) will be given

by TIPC to our labor officials for them to transmit to the victims’ immediate families. That’s just a month from the Turn to A5

Rolando G. Estabillo Publisher ManilaStandard

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

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2019

A5

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everyMan

Public service is not a competition for fame, fortune and power

By Ernesto Banawis SPORTS, entertainment and politics are today’s favorite springboards to fame, fortune and power. These three occupations or vocations have become similarly attractive that some have been successful in all three or two of these lucrative callings.

The best example is Manny Pacquiao who is an icon in boxing, a franchise owner in basketball, now a much sought-after lead actor in movies and now a senator and eagerly eyeing the highest office.

Joseph “Erap” Estrada successfully toyed around with the people’s idolatry for movie stars that he parlayed his box-office appeal to get elected as mayor, senator, vice president and, eventually, president.

The late Fernando Poe Jr. would have been a more luminous political figure than Joseph had he won the presidential derby in 2004. His daughter, Grace Poe, gracefully stepped in, won a seat in the Senate and even aspired to be president.

A number of other movie celebrities won elective positions while some politicians married the most popular and beautiful actresses. Kiko Pangilinan and Sharon Cuneta. Richard Gomez and Lucy Torres. Chiz Escudero and Heart Evangelista. They are among the most prominent crossovers.

Nothing is wrong with embracing two or more occupations or callings if one is qualified and capable with them. What is sad and regrettable is that those who intermingle these three vocations is creating a culture alien to our cherished values and beliefs. Most of those who are now glittering in these three fields of human enterprises are hardly worth emulating.

First of all, most of the movie stars and sports celebrities who entered politics are not qualified for the positions they sought. Many lacked the credentials to occupy a high and powerful public office. Some even have the temerity to get recycled or reelected.

Others made the positions their private preserves. They bestow the positions to their children or their wives as if these were family heirlooms that can be inherited.

Since they enjoy similar hobbies, vices, and habits, these prominent personalities readily engage in illicit relationships. A few end up in marriages.

But infidelities are not uncommon.

They also find it sporting to hurt each other’s feelings.

Every day, the newspapers, magazines, airwaves and social media give prominence and belligerence to stories about the top celebrities, including rumors about family quarrels.

The most startling news today is Manny Paquiao’s being eyed to star in a biopic on former Senator Macario Peralta Jr. Even if he is financing or producing the project, it will be a demonstration of hubris, ego-tripping, and indiscretion for Senator Pacquiao to portray the life of a legendary military figure and former senator even if he is occupying the same high office.

The late Senator Macario Peralta Jr, who was dubbed as ‘Chocolate Soldier” was a tall, dark and handsome man who walked with the dignity of a respected military officer. He organized and lead the guerrilla units in Western Visayas during World War II. His legendary exploits in the resistance movement reached the attention of Gen. Douglas MacArthur and who elevated him to the rank of general

in the military service. He was chairman of the Philippine Veterans Board which was created right after the liberation of the Philippines.

Pacman will be a miscast in this projected biopic. Senator Peralta was taller than Pacquiao and much more eminent than he is as a member of the Senate.

As secretary of national defense during President Diosdado Macapagal’s regime, Peralta undertook the conversion of Corregidor island into a national shrine. He was also responsible for the transfer of the remains of the Unknown Soldier from Intramuros to the Libingan ng mga Bayani in Makati.

As a boxer, Manny Pacquiao will always be remembered and revered as a national treasure for his legendary and extraordinary courage in the ring. It is an honor much more prestigious than being president. And he himself is perhaps conscious that he might not be as capable and competent in running the affairs of an entire nation than in winning the crown in eight boxing divisions.

With the country floundering on the high seas, buffeted by strong winds of graft and corruption, drug infestation, and moral decadence, our luminaries in sports, entertainment and politics should seriously review their positions in national society, come to terms with their limitations, and hole themselves in where they excel.

Nation building is a cooperative endeavor. Not a competition for fame, fortune, and power.

Ernesto Banawis is a former general manager of the Philippine Information Agency and a veteran advertising and public relations executive.

Mail Matters

Missed opportunity to help fight transnational crime THE 88th International Criminal Police Organization General Assembly was held in Santiago, Chile on Oct. 15 to 18.

INTERPOL is the world’s largest international police organization, enabling police around the world to work together to make the world a safer place.

Regrettably, however, Taiwan was not invited to attend the 88th General Assembly, and has been barred from accessing key intelligence information instantly shared through the I-24/7, a global police communications system and stolen and lost travel documents database.

Taiwanese police could not connect to the I-24/7 system to provide timely criminal information to other countries, creating a gap in the global law enforcement network, hampering efforts to capture members of the transnational crime syndicate, and causing financial losses to people in numerous countries.

Article 2 of INTERPOL’s Constitution states the organization’s aim, which is “to ensure and promote the widest possible mutual assistance between all criminal police authorities…” As transnational organized crime presents a serious threat and daunting challenge to almost every country, the cooperation of police agencies from all over the world is

needed, and Taiwan’s participation is essential to the realization of this objective.

Taiwan serves as a key hub connecting Northeast and Southeast Asia, and there are nearly 68.9-million travelers were recorded to have been entering, leaving, or transiting through Taiwan in 2018. In the 2018 Global Peace Index published by Australia’s Institute for Economics and Peace, Taiwan was ranked 34th out of 163 countries worldwide with regard to safety and was listed 31st worldwide in terms of reliability of police services in the Global Competitiveness Report 2018.

However, Taiwan’s efforts in fighting cross-border crime are seriously hampered due to its exclusion from the INTERPOL. Although Taiwan seeks to acquire updated criminal information through bilateral channels, countries are often reluctant to cooperate because of political factors. In 2017, Taiwan’s police agency made 130 requests to other countries seeking information or assistance in investigations, but received responses in only 46 cases. In a report released

by Taiwan’s Criminal Investigation Bureau in October 2019, it cited an instance of its cooperation with Filipino authorities wherein a suspect, involved in the murder of a Canadian National in New Taipei City, was ap-

prehended in the Philippines. Unable to access the I-24/7 system and other INTERPOL databases, Taiwanese police were prevented from gaining timely access to information on the suspect, which made the investigation more challenging.

Maintaining global security and social justice must take precedence over regional, ethnic, and political differences. Taiwan spares no effort in fighting cross-border crime, which not only serves as a strong commitment that Taiwan is willing and ready to work with all the related agencies in the world, but also manifests the importance of Taiwan’s participation in INTERPOL. Taiwan is willing and able to make the world safer. I hereby call on the Philippine government and its people to voice your endorsement of Taiwan’s participation in the annual INTERPOL General Assembly as an Observer, as well as meetings, mechanisms and training activities organized by INTERPOL and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime.

Only by doing so will the gap and breach in the global security network be filled and a safer world be created.

Swift...

formed his face. Now he can smile again, thanks to Tzu Chi. At a press conference on Thursday, Oct.17, 26 year-old Mahusay said he first discovered the bone-textured mass on his upper left jaw in 2015. Within two years, the tumorous growth had fundamentally altered his life: He had trouble eating and speaking, and had to cover his face with a bandanna in public.

On September 2017, Mahusay visited free medical consultation at Pedro Guevarra Elementary School in Manila, where doctors from the Tzu Chi International Medical Association recommended surgery to remove the tumor. They arranged for Mahusay to be brought to Taiwan and the Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital.

Though such tumors rarely exceed five centimeters, Mahusay’s tumor was 12 cm. wide, something quite rare. To

complicate matters, the size and depth of the tumor had deformed the bone structure of Mahusay’s jaw, nose and forehead, meaning that surgery presented a significant risk of blood loss.

Failure to extract the tumor completely though created a risk that the tumor would regrow.

Words are inadequate to describe Mahusay’s ordeal and the facial transformation after the series of surgical interventions. But the pictures show the immensity of the task the doctors performed.

It took a total of nine surgeries over four months, a complex and difficult process, but it was successfully done.

Mahusay can now eat and breathe without difficulty.

Thank you, Tzu Chi. Filipinos will always be grateful for the many ways you have assisted our people. This is just one of these.

From A4

date of the accident.

Incidentally too, MECO with the assistance of OWWA has been able to swiftly repatriate the remains of the unfortunate fishermen, and brought their next of kin to Taiwan right after the Yilan accident.

Speaking of the Tzu Chi Foundation which was among the first, if not the first foreign NGO to dispatch assistance to the victims of “Haiyan” or Typhoon “Yolanda” in November 2014, and provides continuous humanitarian assistance to the poor in the Philippines, we thank them once again for a very generous act of benevolence to a compatriot.

It is a very touching story.

For years, Michael Mahusay suffered from a rapidly growing tumor that de-

Peiyung Hsu Representative Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in the Philippines

A tribute to Senate President Aquilino ‘Nene’ Pimentel Jr.

By Ray Roquero FORMER Senate President Aquilino “Nene” Pimentel Jr. slipped silently in his last few days in intensive care, but he will forever be remembered as a voice of freedom in a time of oppression, and a warrior for civil liberties who defied a strongman and was clapped in prison for it.

Ka Nene Pimentel passed away Sunday at the age of 85, one of the last luminaries of a generation that refused to compromise with former President Ferdinand Marcos and founded a party, Partido Demokratikong Pilipino that carried the fight of the opposition uncowed by Marcos’ martial law powers.

In the long night that Filipinos spent under martial law, Nene Pimentel never slept.

He was mayor of Cagayan de Oro City when Marcos jailed him, and the political fighter of a virtually unknown city in northern Mindanao caught the attention of the Western press, casting Pimentel into the role of a national stalwart of the opposition that was looking for a few good men to lead the fight for freedom and justice.

Nene shunned violence advocated by the more extreme and increasingly politicized segment that went underground.

He chose instead to lead the battle in the parliament of the streets and in national and international forums, believing that the power of ideas, not the force of arms, would defeat Marcos.

An eloquent speaker who spoke with a sharp, splendid language and moral rigor, Nene will be remembered as a crusader not only for freedom but also for truth, decency and integrity in public office.

He was a deeply moral man, pure of thought and habit who never lost his bearings after Marcos had been overthrown and the once-fragmented opposition from the moderates to the extremists took on the reins of government.

He was Interior secretary of President Corazon Aquino, but his greatest contribution in a

32,000...

From A4

In 2018-19, according to Credit Suisse survey of 210 countries, the Philippines’ House Price Index increased by 12.9 percent, market capitalization by 18.5 percent, and the peso against the US dollar, by 4.2 percent.

The 12.9-percent change in house price index is the second highest in the world, after Argentina’s 45.1 percent. During the same period, Thailand’s house price index rose just 7.5 percent, the 10th highest in the world.

Indonesia’s rose by 2.7 percent, and Malaysia by 2.1 percent, while Singapore’s declined by 1.5 percent.

The 12.9-percent increase in per capita house index tallies with the 11.1 percent property price increase for Manila between 2017 and 2018.

The 11-percent price jump is the highest in the world, per the Knight Frank Wealth Report 2019.

The first 50 countries in the Credit Suisse survey account for 65 percent of the global population and 95 percent of global wealth.

According to Credit Suisse, Filipinos have average GDP per adult in 2019 of $5,421, average wealth per adult in 2000 of $3,118; and wealth per adult in 2019 of $10,063. Combined total wealth in 2019 was $764 billion, 2.3 times the total nominal GDP of $330 billion.

Between 2000 wealth per capita of $3,119 and 2019’s average Filipino wealth of $10,062 is an increase of $6,943 or 222 percent. That results in an average wealth increase of 22.26 percent per year.

Among the major countries of ASEAN, Vietnam has registered the highest average increase in per capita wealth, an astounding 62.3 percent

post-Marcos era was a landmark legislation he introduced during his first term as senator in the restored Philippine Congress.

His efforts, true to his deep roots in local governance, resulted in the enactment of the Local Government Code of 1991, a gem of a law that has led to the flowering of local autonomy, unleashing the forces of countryside development that freed up rural potentials for sustained growth.

That legislation has rewritten local and national politics and continues to shape and reshape the economic and political forces that are at play in the regions.

He personally worked on his bills, speeches and even news releases when he was senator. He had the intelligence, integrity and work habit that might have made him president.

Looking back on my friendship with Ka Nene, I had the opportunity, rare I now remember, of working with the senator as his media officer when Congress was restored in 1987.

We stayed in a hole of an office near a cul-de-sac in old Malate.

But the significant volumes of bills he skillfully chiseled alone in that tenement more than made up for its blighted appearance.

We will miss a giant of a man who has embedded his impeccable reputation into our consciousness with deep resonance.

We will miss his wit and grace, his hoarse and authoritative voice, his sharp mind an engaging sense of humor.

And we will sorely miss the rhythm and lyrics of the song he loved best to belt, “You are my sunshine, my only sunshine.”

To say that he was an exceptional human being and a visionary statesman would not do justice to this quintessential citizen of the country.

Goodbye, Ka Nene. Rest in peace.

Ray Roquero is currently special assistant to the CEZA administrator and CEO for investment and promotion. A former journalist and town mayor, he served as the media officer of Sen. Aquilino Pimentel, Jr. after the EDSA Revolution.

clip per year, from $1,618 in 2000 to $11,712.

Thailand comes next in highest growth, a robust 31.18 percent average, with per capita wealth increasing from $5,306 in 2000 to $21,854 in 2019.

Indonesians increased their wealth on the average by 25.7 percent in the past 10 years, from $2,952 to $10,545.

The Philippines is next to the last, in average growth of per capita wealth, from $3,118 in 2000 to $10,819 in 2019, up 246 percent in 10 years, or an average per year of 24.7 percent.

Singaporeans showed the slowest average per capita increase in wealth between 2000 and 2019—just 15.96 percent. Average wealth per capita during the period jumped from $114,719 in 2000 to $297,873.

For the past 10 years, the Credit Suisse Research Institute’s Global wealth report has been the leading reference on global household wealth.

It contains the most comprehensive and up-to-date findings on global wealth across the entire wealth spectrum—from the very base of the “wealth pyramid,” covering 2.9-billion adults with wealth below US$ 10,000, to those at the apex of the wealth pyramid, who comprise less than 1 percent of the adult population, but own 44 percent of household wealth.

During the 12 months to mid-2019, aggregate global wealth rose by US$ 9.1 trillion (2.6 percent) to a combined total of US$ 361 trillion.

Wealth per adult grew by a modest 1.2 percent, although global average wealth achieved yet another record high of US$ 70,850 per adult. biznewsasia@gmail.com

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News

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2019

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AFP, US, Japan end 9-day military exercise

By Rey E. Requejo

T

HE country renounces war as an instrument of national policy, but if it is facing external threat, the alliance of Armed Forces of the Philippines, United States and the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force are well-prepared to repel such warfighting scenario, a major milestone they achieved during the nine-day bilateral military exercise held in Manila.

Japan Ground Self-Defense Force AAVs to conduct a multilateral amphibious landing and attained significant advancements during bilateral air defense and threat reaction drills

These warfighting capabilities have been achieved by the AFP after it successfully launched its assault amphibious vehicles (AAVs) for the first time alongside US and

between American and Filipino forces, which support territorial defense training.

This came after the Philippines, the US and Japan forces concluded its joint military exercise dubbed as “KAMANDAG 3” during the closing ceremony held at Marine Barracks Rudiardo Brown, in Taguig City last Oct. 18, 2019.

KAMANDAG, which ran from Oct. 9 to 18, is an acronym for the Filipino phrase “Kaagapay Ng Mga Mandirigma Ng Dagat,” which translates to “Cooperation of Warriors of the Sea,” highlighting the strong friendship, partnership, and alliance between the Philippine and US militaries and peoples.

In a statement, the US Embassy in Manila said the ceremony marked the end of the Philippine-led, bilateral military exercise, which was designed to increase readiness, improve joint responsiveness, and enhance partnership and interoperability between Filipino, Japanese, and American forces.

“Our forces have enhanced capabilities, interoperability, and readiness through teamwork fostered by a true dedication to the attainment of excellence,” said Maj. Gen. Paul J. Rock Jr., 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade commanding general.

“Seeing the output of their hard work and expertise, I have the utmost confidence that

our forces stand prepared in their mission to uphold peace and security throughout the Indo-Pacific region,” the US officer added.

“This year’s KAMANDAG marked two major exercise milestones: the Philippine Marine Corps successfully launched its assault amphibious vehicles (AAVs) for the first time alongside US and Japan Ground Self-Defense Force AAVs to conduct a multilateral amphibious landing; additionally, significant advancements were made during bilateral air defense and threat reaction drills between Philippine and US forces, which support territorial defense training,” the embassy statement said.

SC to fund P2.8-b Manila City Hall of Justice project

APPRECIATED. Retiring Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio is given a certificate of appreciation for spearheading the construction of the P2.8-billion Manila City Hall of Justice project on Tuesday, Oct. 22, at the Supreme Court. With him (at left) is Associate Justice Alexander Gesmundo. Norman Cruz

THE Supreme Court has presented to the public the construction of the P2.8-billion Manila City Hall of Justice project, which is expected to be completed by June 2022.

In a ceremony held at the SC’s En Banc session hall, Associate Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo, chairman of the Halls of Justice Coordinating Committee for the City of Manila, formally introduced the MHOJ to the public.

During the event, Acting Chief Justice Antonio T. Carpio was also given a Certificate of Appreciation for his invaluable support for the construction of the MHOJ. “As a flagship project of the judiciary, and as the premier hall of justice of the Philippine capital city, Justice Carpio saw the importance of the Manila Hall of Justice project not just for judges, court personnel, and litigants in the City of Manila, he also saw it an opportunity to showcase it as the first self-funded infrastructure of the Judiciary,” Gesmundo said.

The plan to build a hall of justice in Manila started as early as 1982, but encountered obstacles along the way such as location, budget, strict compliance with the

Procurement Act and the National Cultural Heritage Act. "It is said that great buildings take time to plan and construct. It took the Colosseum of Rome 10 years just to construct, the Parthenon in Greece 17 years, St. Peters Basilica in the Vatican 144 years, St. Basils Cathedral in Moscow 125 years and the Taj Mahal 21 years. We will soon add the Manila Hall of Justice to these illustrious list," said Carpio, who was then acting Chief Justice during the 8th groundbreaking in 2012.

Originally, the MCHJ location was supposed to be the 6,470 square meter old Jai-alai building along Taft Avenue but it was then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo who issued a proclamation transferring the Arroceros lot (old GSIS building) to the Supreme Court.

“At that 2012 groundbreaking 7 years ago, I proudly announced that the title to the one-hectare Arroceros lot was already in the name of the Supreme Court and P1.83 billion needed to construct the building exclusive of equipment and furnishings was already deposited with LandBank. Rey E. Requejo

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

MIAA gears up for long lines for ‘Undas’

Manila

Standard

TODAY

By Joel E. Zurbano

Invitation to Apply for Eligibility and to Bid Invitation to Bid (lFB 32) Supply and Delivery of Goods and Services The Peninsula Electric Cooperative, Inc. (PENELCO) through its Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) for Goods and Services, invites suppliers/manufacturers/contractor to apply for eligibility and to bid for the hereunder project: I.

Supply and Delivery of Utility Trucks, Steel Poles, Wood Poles, Kilowatt-hour Meters, Fiber Optic Cables, Pole Hardware for Fiber Optic Cables and Passenger Bus

II.

Name of Project

:

Supplier and Delivery of Goods per Schedule

Source of Funds

:

PENELCO General Funds

Schedule

Description

Quantity

I II III IV V VI VII VIII IX X

Supply and Delivery of Utility Trucks Supply and Delivery of Long Steel Poles Supply and Delivery of Short Steel Poles Supply and Delivery of Kilowatt-hour Meters Supply and Delivery of Eucalyptus Maculata Wood Poles Supply and Delivery of Southern Yellow Pine Wood Poles Supply and Delivery of Fiber Optic Cables Supply and Delivery of Pole Hardware for Fiber Optic Cables Supply and Delivery of Wires Supply and Delivery of Passenger Bus

1 lot 1 lot 1 lot 1 lot 1 lot 1 lot 1 lot 1 lot 1 lot 1 lot

Approved Budget for the Contract, ABC (VAT Inclusive), in PHP 27,000,000.00 30,918,000.00 5,534,000.00 4,633,000.00 18,800,000.00 11,966,000.00 14,000,000.00 6,299,000.00 21,891,000.00 4,500,000.00

Supply of Services to the Construction of Primary and Secondary Distribution Line for Fiesta Communities, Inc. Subdivisions at Mariveles and Hermosa Name of Project

:

Supply of Services per Schedule

Source of Funds

:

PENELCO General Funds

Schedule

Description

Quantity

XI

Construction of Primary and Secondary Distribution Line for Fiesta Communities, Inc. Subdivision located at Balon Anito, Mariveles

1 lot

Construction of Primary and Secondary Distribution Line for Fiesta Communities, Inc. Subdivision located at Balsik, Hermosa

1 lot

XII

Approved Budget for the Contract, ABC (VAT Inclusive), in PhP 787,000.00

1,133,000.00

For the Supply of Services, the Prospective bidders should have at least ten (10) years experience in construction of electric distribution lines; PCAB license and registration with a minimum size range of Medium A (License Category B) and Specialty-SP-EE (Electrical works); DOLE Certificate of Compliance on General Labor Standards; DOLE Certificate of Compliance on Occupational Safety and Health Standards; heavy equipment (man-lift truck and, pole hauling truck and truck with 3 tons boom crane) and; completed projects similar to the contract to be bid that in compliance with the National Electrification Administration (NEA) standard.

All particulars relative to Eligibility Requirements, Bid Security, Pre-bidding Conference, Opening of Bids, Deadline of Submission, Evaluation of Bids, Post-Qualification, Performance Security and Award of Contract shall be governed by the pertinent provisions of IFB 32 bidding document.

The pre-bid conference is open to all interested parties who purchased the bid document only.

All bids must be accompanied by a bid security of not less than five percent (5%) of the total bid price or an equivalent amount in a freely convertible currency.

Bid Document (BD) will be available to prospective bidders only upon payment non-refundable fee per group indicated below that the Bidders wish to participate. The bid document is strictly non-transferrable.

Schedule

A B

I II III IV V VI VII VIII IX X

C D E F G H

XI I XII

Description Supply and Delivery of Utility Trucks Supply and Delivery of Long Steel Poles Supply and Delivery of Short Steel Poles Supply and Delivery of kwH Meters Supply and Delivery of Eucalyptus MacuIata Wood Poles Supply and Delivery of Southern Yellow Pine Wood Poles Supply and Delivery of Fiber Optic Cables Supply and Delivery of Pole Hardware for Fiber Optic Cables Supply and Delivery of Wires Supply and Delivery of Passenger Bus Construction of Primary and Secondary Distribution Line for Fiesta Communities, Inc. Subdivision located at Balon Anito, Mariveles Construction of Primary and Secondary Distribution Line for Fiesta Communities, Inc. Subdivision located at Balsik, Hermosa

Cost of BD, in PhP 25,000.00 25,000.00 5,000.00 25,000.00 25,000.00 25,000.00 25,000.00 5,000.00 5,000.00

The schedule of activities is listed as follows: Activities 1. Advertisement Period

Date/Time October 23,2019 and/ to October 27, 2019

2. Issuance of Bid Document (BD)

November 11, 2019 (Monday)

3. Pre-bid Conference

November 20,2019 (Wednesday), 2:00 PM Philippine Standard Time December 4, 2019 (Wednesday), 2:00PM Philippine Standard Time

4. Deadline of Submission and Opening of Bids

Venue Newspaper (National Circulation) NEA Website (www.nea.gov.ph) PENELCO website (www.penelco.com) and at Bulletin Board of every Municipality in Bataan PENELCO Main Office, Roman Superhighway, Brgy. Tuyo, City of Balanga,Bataan PENELCO Main Office, Roman Superhighway, Brgy. Tuyo, City of Balanga, Bataan PENELCO Main Office, Roman Superhighway, Brgy. Tuyo, City of Balanga, Bataan

PENELCO assumes no responsibility whatsoever to compensate or indemnify bidders for any expenses incurred in the preparation of the bid. Moreover, PENELCO reserves the right to reject any or all bid proposal at any time prior to contract award, declare the bidding a failure, or award the contract to the bidder whose offer is the most responsive, lowest calculated bid, and most advantageous to the co-op.

For further information, please refer to: Peninsula Electric Cooperative, Inc. - BAC Secretariat Roman Superhighway Tuyo, Balanga City 2100 Bataan, Philippines Tel. No. +63 472373512 to 13 Fax No. +63 477915103 E-mail Address:main@penelco.com;penelco_pbac@yahoo.com Website:www.penelco.com (SGD) ENGR. ANTONIO D. PAGUIO PBAC Chairman

(MS-OCT. 23 & 27, 2019)

Former Cabinet Secretary lawyer Harry Roque with his client whistleblower Edwin Roberto appeal to the media during the weekly forum in Pandesalan forum in Quezon City with regards to the exposed anomaly in PhilHealth in connivance with Wellmed. With them are (from left) Wilson Flores, forum moderator.

Manny Palmero

Hungary opens 510-m Euro credit hub for PH-Hungary biz

By Macon Ramos-Araneta HUNGARY has opened a EUR 510-million credit facility for Philippine-Hungarian businesses, said Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri, also the President of the Philippines-Hungary Parliamentary Friendship Association of the Senate, who led an interparliamentary visit to Hungary last week.

Zubiri said this will have a particular focus on water treatment, especially for post-disaster situations and agricultural modernization.

The partnership in trade, Zubiri said was among the fruitful outcomes of the visit to Hungary.

In the area of education, for one, Zubiri said the the Commission on Higher Education has partnered with Hungary’s Ministry of Human Capacities to open the Stipendium Hungarian Scholarship Program to Filipino students for the years 2018 to 2020.

This program will provide scholarships to 35 students every year.

In his meetings with Deputy Speaker István Jakab and the Hungarian members of the Association—the Honorable Andrea Varga-Damm, Madame Zsuzsanna

Trillanes, Sabio ask DOJ to junk cases FORMER Senator Antonio Trillanes IV and lawyer Jude Sabio on Tuesday asked the Department of Justice to junk the complaint for kidnapping and serious illegal detention filed against them by a Davao-based businesswoman.

Trillanes, Sabio and Jesuit priest Albert Alejo have been before the DOJ for kidnapping and serious illegal detention based on the allegations made by businesswoman Guillermina Barrido, who claimed that she was detained in two convents in December 2016 to force her to sign a “ready-made” affidavit against President Rodrigo Duterte.

Barrido also alleged that the former senator had attempted to bribe her to testify against the President.

In his counter-affidavit filed with the DOJ, Trillanes recalled that Catholic church workers and "Filipino online personalities" had approached him to consider Barrido as a whistleblower or witness but he did not personally meet or speak with the businesswoman. Rey E. Requejo

2008 ship tragedy trial to proceed THE Supreme Court has paved the way for the trial of one of the officials of Sulpicio Lines for reckless imprudence resulting to multiple homicides, in connection with the 2008 sinking of M/V Princess of the Stars where 227 people died and 592 went missing.

This came after the SC has ordered an entry of judgment of its Dece. 10, 2018 decision, which has become final and executory.

The copy of the entry of judgment made public on Tuesday referred to the decision penned by Associate Justice Jose C. Reyes Jr., which ordered the Manila City Regional Trial Court, Branch 5, to reinstate the criminal case for reckless imprudence against Edgar S. Go, SLI first vice president for Administration and team leader of the Crisis Management Committee.

Associate Justices Diosdado M. Peralta, Marvic Leonen, Alexander Gesmundo, and Ramon Paul Hernando concurred in the decision. Rey E. Requejo

APPEAL.

The Eligibility Check, as well as the Preliminary Examination of Bids, shall use a nondiscretionary “pass/fail” criterion and the awarding will be per schedule. Post-qualification of the lowest calculated responsive bid shall be conducted.

Group

THE Manila International Airport Authority is now gearing up to accommodate thousands of people going to and from Manila in time for the traditional observance of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day. The Authority has ordered the entire airport facility to be placed under alert before, during and after the holiday break to ensure the safety of passengers and stakeholders at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

The move came after the Department of Transportation directed to intensify operation of Malasakit Help Desks at all transport hubs in the country.

The directive is in line with the conduct of "Oplan Biyaheng Ayos: Undas 2019," which will be ready to provide the public with assistance on their annual travel to the provinces from Oct. 25 to Nov. 4, 2019.

MIAA general manager Eddie Monreal tapped all department heads to ensure the deployment of enough personnel to assist travelers, especially the elderly passengers, persons with disability and those in need during emergency situation.

He said help desk, doctors and nurses, and staff from different units will also help organize things and assist passengers regarding their flight sched-

ules and information especially domestic flights.

All terminal managers and assistant managers will perform their regular functions even during the days declared as holidays, aside from MIAA officials and employees who have been authorized to support the management and operations.

MHDs shall serve as a one-stop shop for passenger assistance in airports, seaports, train stations, and land terminals.

Assistance ranges from handling transport-related inquiries, complaints, and requests for assistance such as Transport Network Vehicle Service/ taxi booking; facilitating refund of terminal fees; providing attestation of cause of trip cancellation or delays; delivering emergency medical assistance; to accepting reports of possible security threats, among others.

MHDs will also be distributing Help Kits especially to pregnant women, women with children, the elderly, and persons with disabilities (PWDs).

These kits contain drinks and light snacks, batteryoperated fans, face towels, foldable fans, wet wipes, hand sanitizer of permitted volume, and ballpens, among others, that are meant to make travel more comfortable.

Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade stressed the importance of heightened activation of MHDs throughout the country.

IN BRIEF

Gyurcsíkné Holop, and Chairman Zsolt Csenger-Zalan,—Zubiri made special note of thanking Hungary for voicing support for the Philippines at the United Nations Human Rights Council.

“At a time when the European Union has been quite critical of some of our domestic policies, Hungary stood by us,” he said.

“When other countries moved to adopt a UNHRC resolution mandating a comprehensive review of our government’s program against the proliferation of illegal drugs, Hungary was the only country in Europe that voted against it.”

“By that action, you honored the Philippines’ sovereign right to execute our policies in the way we deem best for our people. For that, we are grateful.”

The trip, which included a meeting with the senators’ Hungarian counterparts and a courtesy call on the Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly of Hungary, was made in line with the Association’s goals of strengthening inter-parliamentary ties between the two nations and continuing their 46 years of formal diplomatic relations.

DOH sets five-day mental health training THE Department of Health-CALABARZON (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon) started a five-day training for two batches on “Mental Health Global Action Program (mhGAP) Version 2” for municipal health workers, nurses and pharmacists of the region to bridge the gap between available resources and the significant need for services held at Ciudad Christhia Resort in San Mateo, Rizal.

“This training will allow health workers the tool to effectively manage and provide treatment to persons with mental, neurological and substance use (MNS) disorders using algorithm for clinical decision making as mandated by the WHO mhGAP in non-specialized setting,” Regional Director Eduardo C. Janairo said.

“We need to organize programs for our health system especially now we have the universal health care law,” said Janairo.

Macon Ramos-Araneta

Sports

A7

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2019 sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

Filipino karatekas deep in training T

HE Philippine National Karate team is currently training overseas in preparation for the 30th Southeast Asian Games, as well as the Olympic qualifying tournaments for next year’s Tokyo Olympic Games.

The Philippine Sports Commission sent the karatedo squad abroad for a twomonth international training and exposure to ensure their good performances in the SEA Games and the Olympic qualifying tournaments.

The National Kumite Team has been training in Turkey since last month under Turkish Coach Okay Arpa and will be back by October 30 in time for peaking

and the last stages of training preparations for the biennial games on November 30 to December 11.

The national Kata team has also been training in Japan since last month and will also be back November in time for the SEA Games.

“The PSC has extensively supported our athletes’ training, both at home and overseas,” PSC Chairman William

Ramirez said. “We are not dropping our chances. Athletes should get their training and exposure.”

Jamie Lim, a mathematics summa cum laude graduate of the University of the Philippines and the daughter of Philippine Basketball Association legend Samboy Lim, is among those being picked as a potential SEA Games’ gold-medal winner.

Lim won the gold in the -68kgs Kumite in recently concluded 2019 Amator Spor Haftasi Karate Championship in Sakarya, Turkey which is a very good indication of her possible domination in her weight class in the SEA Games, along with Filipino-American Jone Or-

bin and Filipino-Japanese Junna Tsukii and Sheriff Afif.

Other medal hopefuls include Miyuki Tacay, Rexor Tacay, Ivan Agustin, Mae Soriano, prince Alejo, Sharief Alejo and Eugene Dagohoy.

Karate Pilipinas President Richard Lim said that the SEA Games-bound Philippine Karate team is right on track with its training.

He also believes that Fil-Am karateka Jone Orbon and Filipino-Japanese Junna Tsukii have very good chances of qualifying in next year’s Tokyo Olympiad where Karate will be played for the first time as a regular sport.

Federation ‘Play with Masters’Team golf National under way Shootout finals at Villamor on Thursday THE country’s senior pros take center stage today (Wednesday) as they slug it out for top honors side-by-side with the amateurs in the “Play with the Masters” golf tournament at Villamor Golf Club.

Many-time Masters champion Robert Pactolerin banners the field that includes the likes of Mario Siodina, Caloy Nival and Mario Manubay, who have dominated the local golf scene during their prime, along with the other golfing seniors 50-years-old-and-above.

The 18-hole tournament also features the amateur division in both the men’s and ladies categories where participants will get the rare chance to play and learn from the former masters of the game. Tee-off is at 6 a.m. with one pro and three amateurs making up each flight.

The event, organized by the Senior Professional Golfers Association of the Philippines and backed by Ellesse, RMN Media and Marketing Ventures, Seven Echo, Serve Well, Lubestraders Corp., distributor of Shell Oil and GCAP Ventures Philippines, is also staged to raise funds for the training and upgrading of the senior pros’ teaching skills.

The amateur side will have two categories—the regular 54-years-oldand-below and the seniors 55-yearsold-and-above to be classified under Classes A, B and C to be played under the System 36 scoring format.

Cash prizes plus gift items will be staked in the centerpiece seniors pro division while trophies and prizes will be up for grabs in the amateur side.

Greenies...

From A8

to wrap up it elims campaign with a 6-12 record.

The Scores: CSB-LSGH (66)—Manansala 13, Palencia 8, Quiambao 8, Macalalag 7, Calimag 7, Valenzuela 6, Dimaunahan 5, Arguelles 4, Arciaga 4, Panlilio 2, Rivera 2, Reyes 0, Gagate 0, Estil 0, Torrijos 0.

Arellano (52)—Sahali 13, Recto 11, Templonuevo 8, Nepomuceno 7, Rellama 5, Sablaon 3, Lime 2, Tan 2, Lopez 1, Cuenco 0, Javier 0, Salinel 0, Villarante 0, Tolentino 0.

Quarterscores: 16-13, 37-20, 57-30, 66-52.

What A Feeling owner Allan Keith Castro (4th from left), jockey Mark A. Alvarez (5th from left) and trainer Wally Manalo (3rd from left) hoist their trophies after their 3YO colt won the 2019 Philracom 3YO Imported/Local Challenge Race at the San Lazaro Leisure Park in Carmona, Cavite. They are joined by Philracom Executive Director Andrew Rovie Buencamino (right), Manila Jockey Club manager Jose Magboo (left) and his deputy J-fel Cuevas and Lucky Lea Forbes.

Kentucky-bred colt wins Philracom race A KENTUCKY-BRED colt stamped its class in the 2019 Philippine Racing Commission 3YO Imported/Local Challenge Race at the San Lazaro Leisure Park in Carmona, Cavite on Sunday.

What A Feeling, whose parents Flashback (sire) and Rougeole (dam) are also Kentucky, USA horses, pulled off a one-length victory under the masterful guidance of jockey Mark A. Alvarez in the 1,600-meter race offering a total purse of P1,500,000 and offering P900,000 to the champion.

“Pina-remate ko lang ang kabayo ko. Split second lang po ang pag-iisip natin, sabi ko susugalan ko na lang ito, dahil sa isip ko, ‘yun ang ika-papanalo namin,” said Alvarez.

The gamble paid off as What A Feeling fended off To It’s Si Bing’s charge in the final 300, before putting on the jets and sticking to pole position in the last straight for the victory achieved in 1:43, with quarter-times of 24.2/24.4/25.6/29.

Refuse To Lose (owner Antonio F. Coyco, jockey OP Cortez) burst out of the gates with the lead, but Mark of Excellence (Tecson, EP Nahilat) swiftly seized control. What A Feeling came from the outside to seize the lead in the final 500 meters and never let go of control, with To

It’s Si Bing in close pursuit.

“Ang plano, either na mauna or susunod kami, pero ‘yung hindi namin plano ang natupad. Nagkaroon ng matulin na ere, so pinaremate ko ang kabayo ko. Sinabayan ko lang si To It’s Si Bing, alam ko siya ang matinding kalaban, sinabayan lang po ng remate. Sabi ko, tignan ko kung hanggang saan. Bago siya magkalahating kabayo sa akin, inunahan ko na siya,” revealed Alvarez, whose partnership with What A Feeling has never been defeated so far. “Pero ito ang pinakamalaki naming panalo. Abangan niyo kami. Simula pa lang ito.”

To It’s Si Bing of owner Bingson Tecson and jockey MM Gonzales took the runner-up purse of P337,500, while Will To Win of owner Wally B. Manalo and jockey CP Henson placed third, worth P187,500.

“It was a hard-fought victory for What A Feeling, a Kentucky-bred horse. Nakita niyo naman, we competed against very worthy opponents, lahat sila puweda manalo, pero maganda pagkadala ni ‘Black Superman’ Mark Alvarez. Talagang nakaadjust siya sa sitwasyon at nakaraos kami,” said owner Allan Keith Castro, who was on hand with his family to receive the What A Feeling’s trophy from Philracom Executive Director

Andrew Rovie Buencamino, Manila Jockey Club manager Jose Magboo and deputy J-Fel Cuevas.

“To God be the glory, it’s a team effort. Buong team namin, from hinete, trainer, grooms lahat ‘yan, pinaghirapan namin lahat,” added Castro.

Other winners Sunday were Buckingham Palace (Race 1), Yes Kitty (Race 2), Amelia (Race 3), Genie Hello (Race 5), Ifyourhonorplease (Race 6), Daan Bantayan (Race 7), Native American (Race 8), Cost Less (Race 9), The Accountant (Race 10), Magtotobetsky (Race 11) and Hamlet (Race 12) More big stakes races are still in the offing from Philracom in the coming months—such as the 2nd leg of the Juvenile Fillies and Colts Stakes Races on Nov. 3, the Ambassador Eduardo M. Cojuangco Jr. Cup on Nov. 17 and the 2nd leg of the 3YO Imported/Local Challenge on Nov. 24.

December proves to be the busiest horseracing month for big races with the Philracom’s holding of the 3rd leg of the Juvenile Fillies and Colts Stakes Races on the 1st, the Grand Sprint Championship on the 15th, the Chairman’s Cup and the 3rd leg of the 3YO Imported/Local Challenge Series on the 29th and the Juvenile Championship on the 31st.

Barraquias, McKenzie share PPS Buglasan tennis honors MACLEAN Barraquias wore down top seed Roel Capangpangan in a duel of power and baseline game as he hacked out a 6-4, 5-7, 10-6 decision to claim the men’s singles Open crown in the PPS-PEPP Buglasan Tennis Festival at the Praxevilla Tennis Courts in Dumaguete City last Sunday.

The No. 2 Barraquias later teamed up with sibling Keane to score a repeat over Capangpangan and Carmelo Cabaral, 8-6, and bag the doubles diadem to sweep the centerpiece division of the Group I tournament that served as part of Negros Oriental’s “Festivals of Festivals.”

Sharing top honors were Legends division winners Mories Mesiona and Gundel Orcullo, Randy Tatoy and Vardy Vincoy, and Rudy Cabatit and Tony Alviola, while young Khymbery McKenzie and Randy Tatoy II dominated the juniors division of the event put up by Gov. Roel Degamo in tie-up with Palawan Pawnshop-Palawan Express Pera Padala headed by president/ CEO Bobby Castro.

Mesiona and Orcullo routed John Lundqvist and Rameses Tolin, 8-3, in the 40s

finals; Tatoy and Vincoy trounced Angel Mahinay and Tolin, 8-4, for the 50s title; and Cabatit and Alviola crushed Glem Grapa and Chabby Saberon, 8-4, to pocket the 60s plum in the event presented by Dunlop and backed

by MCF Global.

McKenzie, meanwhile, stunned top seed Ellaine Bahonsua, 4-1, 0-4, 10-5, in the semis then held off sibling Ashley McKenzie, 6-4, 6-3, to clinch the girls’ 18-and-under crown while Tatoy II thumped top seed Lorenz Celis, 6-3, 6-1, in the boys’ 18-U finals.

Khymberly actually completed a rare “treble” as she ruled the 14- and 16-and-under classes over Faith Banico, 7-6(4), 4-2, and Ashley, 6-3, 6-4, respectively, while Tatoy II completed a double by blasting Philip Mesiona, 6-0, 6-0, in the 16-U finals.

Herman Illusorio fended off Kirby Ramacho, 6-3, 7-5, for the boys 14-U crown while Banico whipped Jean Patoc, 4-1, 4-0, and Ramacho ripped Kurt Barrera, 6-2, 6-1, in the 12-U finals; and David Sepulveda turned back top seed and doubles partner Pete Bandala, 6-4, 5-7, 10-6, in the 10-unisex championship.

MaClean Barraquias (left) holds his trophy as he poses with Roel Capangpangan (center) and Raneses Tolin of NOSDEP (Negros Oriental Sports Development Program) after winning the men’s singles Open crown in the PPS-PEPP Buglasan Tennis Festival in Dumaguete City last Sunday.

Manila...

From A8

exciting junior golf tournaments.

Both the camp and the tournament provide a positive fun environment that allows the players to take their game to the highest level through professionally run competition and highest-quality golf instruction.

The goal of both the junior golf camp and the tournament is to help young golfers get to the collegiate level and get them exposed to college coaches in the US. DreamBig and FCG attract more college coaches than most other junior golf tours.

Interested Junior Golfers may register here : https://fcg.bluegolf. com/bluegolf/fcg19/event/fcg1993/ index.htm

NBA games livestreamed for free on FB, Twitter THE National Basketball Association announced that select 2019-20 NBA regular-season games will be livestreamed in the Philippines for free on Facebook Watch and Twitter.

Games will also continue to be available on NBA League Pass, the league’s premium live game subscription service.

Starting Wednesday, Oct. 23, select games will be available to fans in the Philippines for the first time across the league’s accounts on Facebook (NBA Philippines) and Twitter (@NBA_Philippines), providing live and on-demand access to one game per day during NBA Tip-Off Week from Oct. 23-29, and one game every Monday and Thursday from Oct. 31 onwards.

“We are excited to celebrate the start of the new season by streaming games on social media for the first time in the country,” said NBA Philippines Managing Director Carlo Singson. “The Philippines is one of the world’s leaders in social media penetration and usage with over 17 million followers of the league’s social media accounts, making it an ideal platform to livestream NBA content. With NBA games on Facebook Watch and Twitter, we are empowering the digital lifestyle of our fans with the ability to enjoy the NBA anytime, anywhere. As the media landscape evolves, we look forward to introducing more ways to bring NBA games to a nationwide audience this season.”

Below is the complete schedule of NBA Tip-Off 19 games available on Facebook Watch and Twitter in the Philippines: NBA League Pass will once again provide fans with the most comprehensive live and on-demand access to a complete season of NBA games in highdefinition with live stats and multiple viewing options, including the NBA Mobile View, which delivers a closer shot of the action optimized for viewing on mobile phones, tablets and connected devices. Exclusive NBA TV programming headlined by flagship show NBA Gametime will also be featured in the League Pass package.

The NBA offers the League Pass, Team Choice and 3-Game Choice packages in annual and monthly pricing options for fans starting as low as Php 100, while weekly pricing is offered for the League Pass package. New users will be provided with a seven-day rolling free trial valid from tip-off until the end of the regular season.

Zion out up to 8 weeks after surgery NEW YORK—New Orleans Pelicans rookie forward sensation Zion Williamson will be sidelined up to two months after undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his right knee on Monday just as a new NBA season is about to begin.

The Pelicans play in the league’s opening game at defending champion Toronto on Tuesday, when Williamson’s debut was expected to be the main attraction.

Instead, it’s being put on hold after a smashing pre-season run in which Williamson averaged 23.3 points, 6.5 rebounds and 2.3 assists a game in four appearances for New Orleans.

The Pelicans said Williamson, the top pick in the 2019 entry draft, was diagnosed with a torn meniscus and is not expected to return for six to eight weeks.

Williamson, 19, had been on fire in the NBA preseason but underwent tests on the right knee on Friday when soreness persisted and doctors recommended surgery to fix the problem.

It’s the same knee that Williamson —who has excited NBA fans like no rookie since LeBron James—famously sprained in college when his Nike shoe exploded during a game.

“We have a deep team,” guard JJ Redick said. “We’ll hold it down as best as we can without him. Obviously we need him back. Hopefully he takes his time and recovers fully.”

Pelicans coach Alvin Gentry told reporters Friday that Williamson is “not dead, guys,” and rather is in good spirits after apparently suffering the injury against San Antonio last Sunday.

In the Vegas Summer League, Williamson played only nine minutes before he banged left knees in a collision and was benched for the remainder of the summer league NBA games. AFP

Sports

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

A8

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2019

Greenies rout Braves, claim last berth in NCAA Final 4 Games Nov. 5 (The Arena, San Juan) 10 a.m. - San Beda vs CSB-LSGH (Jrs) 1 p.m. - Lyceum vs SSC-R (Jrs) 4 p.m. - Letran vs SSC-R (Srs)

COLLEGE of St. Benilde-La SalleGreenhills crushed Arellano University, 66-52, to grab the remaining Final Four berth yesterday in the 95th NCAA juniors’ basketball tournament at the Filoil Flying V Centre.

Holding a slim 16-13 lead after the first 10 minutes of play, the Greenies held the Braves to seven points in the second quarter to build a commanding 37-20 lead at the break.

Arellano never recovered from there, as CSB-LSGH posted the biggest lead of the game, 57-30, at the end of the third period.

Jan Manansala led the Greenies with 13 points, eight rebounds and two blocks, while Kobe Palencia chipped in eight points, seven rebounds and four assists.

CSB-LSGH will face eliminationround topnotcher San Beda in the semifinals on Nov. 5 at the Cuneta Astrodome.

It was the Greenies that handed the Red Cubs’ lone defeat this season.

Lyceum of the Philippines University, which is in the Final Four for the first time, will play San Sebastian in the other pairing.

Holding a twice-to-beat advantage, the Red Cubs and the Junior Pirates need only to win once to advance to the best-of-three Finals.

Miguel Sahali paced the Braves with 13 points, five boards and three assists, while Chris Recto produced a doubledouble with 11 points and 12 rebounds.

Earlier, Leonel Policarpio had 22 points, 24 rebounds and four assists as deposed champion Mapua topped Emilio Aguinaldo College, 73-64, Turn to A7

UE Warrior Abanto suspended UPON review, University Athletic Association of the Philippines Basketball Commissioner Jensen Ilagan has upgraded an act by University of the East student-athlete Nick Abanto last Sunday (October 20) from a non-call to an unsportsmanlike foul.

With him also being assessed an unsportsmanlike foul with 2:03 left in UE’s game versus Ateneo, Abanto will be suspended during UE’s game against Far Eastern University on Sunday.

The said act happened with 6:33 left in the opening frame of the game that saw Abanto swing his left arm towards the head of Ateneo’s William Navarro during a rebounding battle.

No foul was called.

“Upon multiple reviews of the incident, we saw that there was intent by Abanto to hit Navarro, causing him to fall and eventually be carried off the playing court,” said Ilagan. “The action was unprovoked and his intention to hurt was apparent. Therefore, an unsportsmanlike foul shall be assessed against him.”

According to article 4.3 of the UAAP Basketball Rules, “The Commissioner has the power to impose additional penalties. This power may be exercised to non-calls but involve abhorrent acts in nature including, but not limited to, flagrant unsportsmanlike fouls, and conduct that involves dangerous and dirty tactics and supported by the official video.”

REFEREE TRYOUT. The Philippine

Basketball Association held a referees’ tryout at the JCSGO Gym in Cubao Quezon City, handled

by Deputy Commissioner Eric Castro, PBA Technical Head and International Referee Bong Pascual and PBA Technical Consultant Joey Guanio. The tryout was attended by 52 (3 female and 49 male attendees) out of 60 aspiring PBA referees. Here, the hopefuls’ endurance is tested.

Kyle Rivera of CSB-LSGH tries to score on a reverse layup against Brian Javier and Danren Nepomuceno of Arellano University.

‘PH athletes ready to deliver’ T

HE Philippine Sports Commission is making sure that the national athletes will be ready to deliver when the country hosts the 30th Southeast Asian Games from Nov. 30 to Dec. 11.

“The heart and soul of this SEA Games are the athletes and we are taking care of them. We have not been remiss,” said Philippine Sports Commission chairman William Ramirez in the Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum at Amelie Hotel Manila.

The sports official from Davao City also serves as Chef de Mission of Team Philippines, which is eyeing to duplicate the “Miracle of 2005” when the country won the SEAG overall title as host.

From a regular annual budget of P300 million, the PSC, following the directive from Malacanang, has spent thrice as much so far this year making sure the athletes are well-trained and highly motivated.

“We went beyond that (old budget). As of September this year, the PSC has spent P1 billion for our athletes,” said Ramirez, the bulk of which being spent on foreign exposure and equipment.

The PSC also increased the daily and meal allowances of the athletes (651 male and 462 female) and coaches (346), and

the PSC chief, referring to gymnast Caloy Yulo, female boxer Nesthy Petecio and pole vaulter EJ Obiena.

“With all our investment, I am confident that our athletes will deliver in this SEA Games,” added Ramirez.

worked on upgrading their living quarters and training facilities.

The Rizal Memorial Sports Complex, which was built in 1934, is undergoing a major facelift, and whether or not work is done for the coming SEA Games, the national athletes will benefit from this.

The Philsports Arena in Pasig and Teachers’ Camp in Baguio City, two other facilities that cater for the athletes, are undergoing major repairs. Ramirez said the PSC could not have done it without the help of PAGCOR. But Ramirez feels that it’s the foreign exposure that will bring out the best from the athletes when the country hosts the SEA Games for the fourth time in history after 1981, 1991 and 2005.

“Because of that exposure, malakas ang loob ko (I am confident). We can deliver a surprise in the SEA Games,” said Ramirez during the forum presented by San Miguel Corp., Braska Restaurant, Amelie Hotel and PAGCOR. “And it’s very inspiring to see the re- PSC Chairman Butch Ramirez sults. We have found new heroes,” said (Photo by Lino Santos)

Pagunsan joins hunt as ICTSI golf starts LIPA CITY—Juvic Pagunsan signed up for the ICTSI Summit Point World 18 Challenge, completing another power-packed cast of local and foreign talents in a Philippine Golf Tour Asia event unfolding today (Wednesday) at the Summit Point Golf and Country Club here.

Holder of a record streak of four on the PGT, Pagunsan hopes to make the most of a break from his Japan PGA Tour campaign as he seeks top honors against the best and the brightest in the $100,000 championship that features three aces eyeing to become the lone two-leg winner in the third season of Asia’s newest circuit and a mix of strong players Pagunsan from at least 15 countries.

They include Luisita and Taiwan leg champions Namchok Tantipokhakul and Wisut Artjanawat, both from Thailand, and Tony Lascuña, winner of the other Taiwan event last month, plus the likes of locals Clyde Mondilla, Jhonnel Ababa, Tony Lascuña, Jay Bayron, Reymon Jaraula, Keanu Jahns, Michael Bibat, James Ryan Lam and defending champion Joenard Rates.

Put in former PGT Asia leg titlist Damien Jordan and David Gleeson, both from Australia, Americans Brett Munson, Joshua Salah and Lexus Keoninh, Dutch Guido Van der Valk and Korean-American Micah Shin, the fight for the top $17,500 purse indeed couldn’t get any fiercer, tighter in the next four days.

While the power hitters have the edge at the Robert Trent

Jones Jr.-designed layout which features replicas of 18 of the world’s most renowned golf holes, the title could be decided on the final putt the way it was last year when Rates battled back from six strokes down in regulation then nipped Finland’s Janne Kaske in sudden death to end a long title spell.

But the diminutive shotmaker will be facing tall odds this time with Pagunsan tipped to recall the form he flaunted in stringing up four straight victories in the Bacolod, Negros, Iloilo and Riviera legs of the PGT last June and August. The smooth-swinging Negrense, who dominated the PGT Asia leg at Riviera last March, also shot a 64 to place joint 12th in the storm-hit Bridgestrone Open in Chiba, Japan two weeks ago.

Tantipokhakul and Artjanawat are also coming into the event confident of their respective chances for cracks at a second PGTA crown, so does Mondilla, fired up by his playoff loss to Aussie Tim Stewart in last week’s ICTSI CAT Open, also of PGTA, at Luisita.

Ababa also hopes to put up a strong start and fuel his bid for a fifth PGT Asia diadem while Lascuña, relieved of the pressure to deliver after posting three straight victories on the PGTA and PGT, is likewise expected to be in the early mix of contenders in the 72-hole championship organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc. and backed by PLDT Enterprise, Meralco, BDO and PGT Asia official apparel Pin High.

Beermen, Batang Pier clash after player swap

By Jeric Lopez SAN Miguel Beer and NorthPort meet for the first time in an anticipated match up after a surprise swap of prized big men last week in the resumption of the 2019 Philippine Basketball Governors’ Cup. The Beermen (5-1) look to take solo second place when they go head-tohead with the struggling Batang Pier (2-4) at 7 p.m. at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City tonight.

Preceding this is a battle between two ailing squads as Blackwater (2-4) and Rain or Shine (1-5) go all out for a win as they try to stay in good contention for a spot in the top eight.

San Miguel can overtake NLEX (5-1) and move closer to securing a berth in the quarterfinals with another victory.

In a one-on-one swap that no one saw coming, San Miguel Beer surprisingly sent prolific big Christian Standhardinger to NorthPort in exchange for Mo Tautuaa as the two former No. 1 picks switched places early last week.

Tautuua already made his debut as a Beerman, scoring 10 points and grabbing six rebounds in the team’s last win, a 113-107, conquest of Columbian Dyip last Sunday.

Despite a nagging knee injury, Standhardinger is determined to make his Batang Pier debut against no less than his former team.

“My knee is getting better and I’m very positive I can play,” he said.

Aside from Standhardinger, NorthPort will be parading a new import in Michael Qualls in hopes of salvaging its sagging campaign.

Qualls, a product of Arkansas, will take the place of the inconsistent Mychal Ammons.

The Batang Pier was actually coming off an 80-70 win over Phoenix over the weekend.

The Elite and the Elasto Painters are both aching for wins to keep their hopes of landing a post-season ticket alive.

Manila to host Callaway world golf qualifier DREAMBIG Events, the sports event company bringing worldclass golf coaches to Asia and the Philippines for the first time this December, has announced that it is holding the first-ever Future Champions Golf Tournament in the country just ahead of the Gold Series Golf Camp.

Called the FCG-DreamBig Golf Challenger Series, the tournament is open to all junior golfers aged 12 to 18 years old and will be held at Orchard Golf and Country Club, Manila from December 16 to 17.

The FCG-DreamBig Tournament in Manila is a qualifier for the FCG Callaway World Championship. The Winner of each age division will qualify for direct entry

to the FCG Callaway World Junior Golf Championship 2020 that will take place at Rancho Mirage, California on July 13 to 15, 2020.

Junior golfers in Manila are invited to join both or either of the Junior Golf Tournament and the Gold Series Golf Camp. Coaches from the top NCAA Division 1 universities—UCLA (University of California—Los Angeles), Columbia University and UC Berkeley—will be in town to oversee the tournament and conduct the camps. The camp is important for junior golfers to hone their skills to the highest degree possible.

“We decided to offer the FCG Junior Golf tournament in order to offer a complete package to junior

golfers in this part of the world.

The tournament is necessary because playing in competition conditions requires a completely different mindset from training.

Tournaments test both physical and mental agility and ability—which is critical in the development of an athlete” said Akshay Maliwal, Founder and CEO of DreamBig Events.

The FCG tournament, Maliwal said, affords talented junior golfers here the rare chance of qualifying in the Philippines instead of having to travel to the US to test their chances there.

Maliwal said FCG hosts some of the world’s largest and most

Turn to A7

IN BRIEF

CALAX’s Laguna side to open soon

THE Department of Public Works and Highways said Tuesday the Laguna section of the Cavite-Laguna Expressway is set to open to motorists on Oct. 30.

“The project is 90-percent completed. The remaining 10 percent are portions of the expressway that need to be harmonized. We are fast tracking those portions,” Public Works Secretary Mark Villar told reporters.

The first segment starts at the Mamplasan Barrier and passes through Laguna Technopark Interchange, Laguna Boulevard Interchange and all the way to Santa RosaTagaytay Interchange.

“We will ensure that CALAX will be passable and ready to serve motorists this Oct. 30 in time for Undas. We will open the entry and exit points at Mamplasan, Biñan Laguna and Sta-Rosa Tagaytay Road,” he said.

Villar said about 10,000 vehicles were expected to enter and exit through these two access points and would cut the travel time to about 10 minutes from 45 minutes.

Darwin G. Amojelar

Business

Gatchalian wants review of biodiesel

SENATOR Sherwin Gatchalian asked the Department of Energy to study the proposal to increase biofuel content in diesel to help absorb oversupply in the country’s copra industry.

Gatchalian, during the recent hearing on the DOE’s proposed P2.3-billion budget for 2020, called on Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi to immediately convene the National Biofuels Board and come up with a policy to bolster the growth of local biodiesel production.

Gatchalian, chair of the Senate committee on energy, said the DOE and NBB needed to study the long-term feedstock availability before rendering any decision on higher blend of coco methyl ester to diesel products.

“Bottom line is, let’s convene the Biofuels Board and let’s come up with an action plan. The last time you convened [the NBB] is Q2, but there was not action yet,” Gatchalian said.

Accor eyes 22 hotels in PH

ACCOR, the largest hotel group in Asia Pacific, said Tuesday it will expand its footprint in the Philippines to 22 hotels over the next five years after signing contracts to manage nine hotels in the country this year.

A leading hotel management corporation, Accor will manage the hotels as the brand expands to more than 5,500 rooms within the next five years from the current 2,127 rooms from eight hotels.

“We are delighted to showcase even more of the Philippines with a wider choice of accommodation that makes as much sense for our hotel owners as much as it does for our guests,” said Patrick Basset, Accor chief operating officer for upper Southeast and Northeast Asia.

The nine new hotels represent an additional 2,155 rooms, increasing the group’s total pipeline to 14 new hotels in the Philippines with more than 3,400 new rooms.

The 14 new properties include the introduction of six brands which will make their debut in the Philippines including Pullman Living, MGallery, Swissôtel, Novotel Living and Ibis Styles. Othel V. Campos

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2019

B1

By Julito G. Rada

RE/MAX GOES TO MINDORO. RE/MAX Tamaraw, a franchise of the world’s leading real estate brokerage firm RE/MAX, opens an office in Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro to take advantage of the strong economic growth in Mindoro Island. Attending the blessing and inauguration ceremonies are (from left) RE/MAX Tamaraw licensed real estate brokers Atty. Maria Joy Ting and Ma. Cecilia Jimenez; RE/MAX Philippines business development consultants Earl Ebriega and Miguel Naval; RE/MAX Philippines country manager Kenneth Stern; RE/MAX Tamaraw assistant general manager Jecille Anne Jimenez; RE/MAX Tamaraw chairman and president Jolly Ting; Calapan City Vice Mayor Gil Ramirez; RE/MAX Tamaraw general manager Atty. Edmund Dante Janda; RE/MAX Tamaraw directors Melody Lancaster and Ortrud Yao; Fr. Jun Bacit, SVD; and RE/MAX Tamaraw admin officer Sheila Cantos.

Big September spending pushed deficit to P178.6b

By Julito G. Rada

T

HE budget deficit swelled 85.5 percent in September to P178.6 billion from P96.2 billion a year ago on the back of a 39-percent increase in government expenditures, the Bureau of Treasury said Tuesday.

Data showed that expenditures in September reached P415.1 billion, up from P298.6 billion in the same month last year while revenues rose 16.89 percent to P236.5 billion from P202.4 billion.

This brought the budget deficit in the first nine months to P299 billion, down 20.95 percent from P378.2 billion a year earlier. It was also 18 percent short of the programmed deficit of P364.7 billion for the period.

“Government spending continued to pick up and notched its highest monthly growth, while revenue growth was second only to May of this year,” the Treasury said.

Government revenues in September amounted to P236.5 billion, or P34.2 billion better than a year ago. Total collections in the first nine months increased by 10.25 percent to P2.33 trillion, beating the target by P8.2 billion.

Collections by the Bureau of Internal Revenue improved 15.24 percent to P150.5 billion in September and 10.98 percent to P1.602 trillion in the first nine months. The BIR, however, was 4.2 percent behind the program.

Import duties collected by the Bureau of Customs reached P59.4 billion in September. Excluding the P594 million in tax refunds, Customs posted a net collection of P58.8 billion during the month.

“Growth for the month was attributed to higher imports and collections from the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion Law, Rice Tarrification Law and the National Food Authority tax expen-

diture collection,” the Treasury said.

Customs collections from January to September went up by 8.15 percent to P470.0 billion, but fell short by 2.29 percent or P11 billion of the program.

The Bureau of the Treasury posted a double-digit increase of 48.83 percent in September income, fueled by higher returns from Btr investments and deposits, interest on advances to governmentowned and –controlled corporations and government share from Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp.’s income.

The Treasury’s nine-month revenue hit P118.6 billion, or 31.05 percent higher than P90.5 billion generated in the first three quarters of 2018.

Meanwhile, the government disbursed P415.1 billion in September, equivalent to 39.01 percent year-onyear growth, the fastest in the first nine months of 2019. Cumulatively, government expenditures in the nine-month period increased by 5.51 percent to P2.626 trillion from a year ago. It was still 2.14 percent behind the program.

National Grid Corporation of the Philippines, in partnership with the University of the Philippines Los Baños Foundation Inc., initiates a program to empower communities through renewable technology. The company turns over four electric tricycles to officials of Barangay Macabud in Rodriguez, Rizal under NGCP’s Green Spark Program that addresses the need for transportation and power source for the community even during calamities.

CAPHRA confirms issuance of injunction against FDA, DOH A REGIONAL group confirmed that a Pasig regional trial court temporarily stopped the Department of Health and the Food and Drug Administration from implementing an administrative order that would have imposed restrictive regulations on electronic cigarettes or vapes.

Clarisse Virgino, a Philippine representative to the Coalition of Asia Pacific Tobacco Harm Reduction Advocates said the court issued a writ of preliminary injunction ordering Health Secretary Francisco Duque and Undersecretary and FDA officer-in-charge Rolando Enrique Domingo not to implement Administrative Order No. 2019-0007.

The AO entitled “Revised Rules and Regulations on Electronic Nicotine and Non-Nicotine Delivery System” was supposed to take effect on Oct. 24, 2019.

“This means that manufacturers, distributors, retailers, importers, and/or exporters of vaping products need not follow the provisions of the DOH-FDA administrative order unless the writ of preliminary injunction is lifted by the court,” said Virgino.

The court also ordered other persons acting on or for Secretary Duque and Undersecretary Domingo’s behalf or upon their authority not to implement the administrative order while the case was still being settled, and not to exercise jurisdiction over vaping products.

The court concluded that there was an urgent need to restrain the imposition of the administrative order.

business@manilastandard.net extrastory2000@gmail.com

POGO service firm reopens after agreeing to pay P45m

ISM seeks nod to change name

BUSINESSMAN Dennis Uy is seeking the approval of shareholders of ISM Communications Corp. to change its corporate name to Dito CME Holdings Corp., fueling speculations of a backdoor listing.

ISM said in a filing with the stock exchange it would seek shareholders approval to change its corporate name to Dito CME Holdings Corp. and increase its authorized capital stock to P12 billion from P2.8 billion.

“The change in the corporate name is made to reflect the appropriate name for the corporation’s intended subsidiaries,” ISM said.

ISM will also seek shareholders approval to grant the board of directors authority to issue shares via equity offering, private placement or similar transactions under the terms and conditions to be determined by the board.

“The rationale is to provide the corporation flexibility in the issuance of shares in order to accommodate the relevant capital expenditures and for general corporate purposes,” it said. Jenniffer B. Austria

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

Ghana terminates 20-year concession contract with Meralco venture

By Alena Mae S. Flores MANILA Electric Co. said Tuesday the government of Ghana terminated the 20year concession for the operation and maintenance of the assets of the Electricity Company of Ghana over alleged demand guarantee breaches.

Meralco said in a disclosure to the stock exchange it received information that the concession, which was suspended by the Ghana government on July 31, 2019 “had been terminated by the latter due to alleged material breaches in the provision of the demand guarantees by the Power Distribution Services Ghana Ltd., the special purpose vehicle created by the consortium that won the privatization bid”.

Meralco owns a 30-percent minority stake in PDS which was awarded the concession for the ECG in March 2019. Aside from Meralco through Meridian Power Ventures Ltd., other members of the PDS consortium are AEnergia SA, an Angolan company and Ghanaian companies TG

Energy Solutions Ghana Limited, Santa Power Ltd. and GTS Power Ltd. “Based on the letter signed by Minister Ken Ofori-Atta of the Ministry of Finance of Ghana, the forensic audit by the auditors chosen by the Millennium Development Authority indicated that the purported demand guarantees were issued without due authorization and in excess of the mandate of Al Koot Insurance and Reinsurance, Qatari insurance firm and were therefore invalid,” Meralco siad.

It said the demand guarantees were key prerequisites and condition precedent for the turn-over of the assets and facilities of ECG to PDS. “The same report also mentioned that there was no information available to forensic auditors to suggest that PDS committed fraud in relation to the demand guarantees. PDS has maintained that it procured the demand guarantees in good faith and that it has no knowledge of any issue with same until the suspension of the concession,” Meralco said.

Meralco said it would update the PSE as soon as it receivef the official notification for the reported termination of concession.

Meralco president and chief executive Ray Espinosa said earlier the Ghana investment was “filled with politics.”

“We are just waiting. It’s a Ghana government issue. Personally, I’m losing interest. We’re exposed to political risk and it’s too far away,” Espinosa siad.

“Our terms are good, but if we will be exposed to these types of uncertainties, we might as well pull out and just devote our attention to the country. And even in Asia, it’s more stable. Maybe we don’t have the constitution or the DNA for that kind of risk in Africa yet. But that’s where it stands today,” Espinosa said.

Meralco and other members of the PDS consortium announced in March their planned investment of more than $580 million to strengthen the operations of ECG which serve 80 percent of the population of Ghana through three million accounts.

ALTECH Innovations Business Outsourcing, an offshore gaming service provider that was padlocked by the Bureau of Internal Revenue last week for tax violations, was allowed to resume operations Tuesday after agreeing to settle P45 million in tax liabilities, the Department of Finance said.

The BIR said in a report to Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III that Altech Innovations vowed to pay its tax liability of P45 million, representing the unremitted withholding taxes of its foreign employees.

Based on BIR assessment in coordination with the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp., the Department of Labor and Employment and the Bureau of Immigration, Altech Innovations was employing 300 to 390 foreigners who were mostly Chinese.

Dominguez said Altech Innovations made an initial payment of P8.2 million to the BIR on Monday and would pay the rbalance of P37 million in November and December. The company also promised to update its 2019 income tax payments.

BIR Deputy Commissioner Arnel Guballa said the P45-million settlement only accounted for the employees’ income taxes and not the company’s liability for violating the value-added tax registration.

“The problem with these foreign workers, based on the data we gathered from PAGCOR, Immigration and DOLE, they have this ‘come and go’ scheme that’s why you can’t really determine their tax liabilities,” Guballa said.

Guballa assured that Altech Innovations’ tax payment was just the initial amount as the BIR continued to look into the books of the service provider for Philippine offshore gaming operators.

“We make things simple for now, we go after the foreign workers then the VAT. We can’t do all these things at the same time considering our limited manpower. Assessing the VAT liability is a tedious process,” he said.

NGCP launches Green Spark program in Rizal

By Alena Mae S. Flores GRID operator National Grid Corp. of the Philippines teamed up with the University of the Philippines to empower communities and promote livelihood skills, thereby helping uplift the lives of Filipinos.

NGCP, in partnership with the University of the Philippines Los Baños Foundation Inc., launched a program to empower communities through renewable energy technology. NGCP’s Green Spark Program and UPLBFI’s three-component project seek to address the need for transportation and power source for the community even during calamities.

Under the project, the parties agreed to develop renewable, stand-alone technology, tailor-fit to meet the specific needs of Barangay Macabud in Rodriguez, Rizal.

The pilot community has no source of electricity but hosts two NGCP transmission lines, namely the San Jose-Tayabas 500 kiloVolt and San JoseTaytay 230kV transmission lines.

Both transmission lines serve a large bulk of Metro Manila’s power requirements.

The company recently turned over one electric integrated solar and wind charging station, one electric hand tractor with cargo trailer and four electric tricycles to the un-energized community.

According to NGCP, the charging station will provide a renewable source of electricity. The tractor will allow the community to boost agricultural production and the e-vehicles will provide more mobility for the residents.

More than 10,000 residents in the area rely heavily on agriculture. During the rainy season, the dirt roads and rolling terrain make it difficult for farmers to transport their harvests.

B2

Business

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2019 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Market rises; JG leads gainers

S

TOCKS rose Tuesday on growing optimism that China and the US will sign a partial trade deal next month and dealers bet Britain will leave the EU with a Brexit agreement.

The Philippine Stock Exchange index, the 30-company benchmark, gained 64 points, or 0.8 percent, to close at 7,955.24. It was also up 6.5 percent since the start of the year.

The heavier index representing all shares also moved up 30 points, or 0.6 percent, to settle at 4,784.11, on a value turnover of P6 billion. Losers outnumbered gainers, 94 to 85, while 61 issues were unchanged.

Fourteen of the 20 most active stocks ended in the green, led by conglomerate JG Summit Holdings Inc. which climbed 2.7 percent to P73.50 and Bank of the Philippine Islands which rose 2.2

percent to P97.60.

Meanwhile, most Asian markets also traded higher Monday, after US President Donald Trump reinforced hopes that he and Xi Jinping will be able to put pen to paper on a mini pact, saying China had already begun promised purchases of farm goods and that the first part of a wider commitment was almost complete.

“We’ll be able to, we think, sign a completed document with China on phase one,” Trump said at the White House, adding they would then move on to the next phases.

Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer said efforts were being made for it to be ready when the leaders meet at the APEC summit next month in Chile.

And Trump’s economics adviser Larry Kudlow indicated tariffs planned to go into effect in December could be cancelled if the talks go well.

Increasing signs of progress in the

18-month trade war provided some much-needed relief to global markets, with all three main indexes on Wall Street ending higher and Asia taking up the lead.

Hong Kong rose 0.2 percent, Shanghai ended up 0.5 percent and Sydney gained 0.3 percent.

Singapore put on 0.9 percent and Seoul rallied more than one percent. Wellington, Taipei and Mumbai were also higher. Tokyo was closed for a holiday.

“Unlike previous trade talks where expectations centred on the view that something is better than nothing, this time around there appears to be a tangible and workable roadmap in place,” said AxiTrader senior market analyst Stephen Innes.

He said this was “supported by official confirmation that the US and China were both on the same page about the intent to work towards phase one of a ‘deal’ by mid-November”.

The “fact that phase two is even being discussed at this time... suggests that both the US and China may have finally found a bridge that isn’t too far”.

Traders are also keeping watch on events in London, where Boris Johnson will try on Tuesday to push his Brexit deal with the EU through parliament before next Thursday’s deadline.

Sterling rallied Monday to $1.3013— its highest since May—but ticked back after House of Commons Speaker John Bercow refused the prime minister’s request to put his bill to MPs. On Tuesday it edged back up against the dollar and euro.

And while many lawmakers say they need more time to read through the details, there is a growing expectation that the government can muster enough support to eventually push the bill through later Tuesday.

Still, with the vote likely to be tight, traders are moving cautiously. AFP

Manila Standard BuSineSS daily StockS review tueSday, octoBer 22, 2019

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

FINANCIALS 57 2,390 97.6 3,090,660 148.4 1,279,420 1.16 117,000 24.95 43,300 18.6 12,800 12.18 1,119,700 4.7 105,000 7.71 100 1.23 1,000 765 280 0.4 200,000 71.9 4,960,630 0.89 48,000 12.8 13,500 45 509,800 177.3 840 130 190 58.3 840 26.15 27,600 202 401,260 1,850 620 59.15 1,230

135,469.50 298,831,106 189,354,512 135,740 1,081,005 237,104 13,627,348 495,990 771 1,230 214,200 82,150 352,718,628 43,160 172,800 22,837,755 148,870 24,787 49,008 721,730 80,322,826 1,146,900 72,887

147,569,800.50 -10,221,636 -551,850 439,040 2,091,094.50 -815,335 -705,830 -10,225,333 -157,250 -32,560

38.9 15.2 0.67 1.29 4.37 0.26 2.62 15.36 8.49 17.32 31.95 78 2.05 5.52 8.58 15.12 10.38 6.99 24.7 78.95 48.45 2.49 14.8 8.09 1.49 226.2 50 5.24 9.51 20 13.18 17.2 362.6 5.11 1.75 4.07 5.05 9.31 2.72 10.84 33.1 5.4 5.12 1.9 1.01 11.26 91 7.3 0.122 1.09 159 2.41 1.24 16.86 1.15

INDUSTRIAL 38.95 944,500 15.76 503,800 0.69 323,000 1.32 15,000 4.37 1,872,000 0.27 3,430,000 2.63 1,720,000 15.5 744,900 8.74 296,200 17.9 7,900 31.95 400 78 100 2.05 105,000 5.52 10,800 8.75 2,934,000 15.12 45,900 10.44 150,500 7 2,896,300 25 907,300 79 177,320 48.5 13,900 2.53 9,531,000 14.88 495,000 8.09 62,200 1.49 22,000 227.2 404,690 50 140 5.24 100 10.08 32,600 20 1,217,000 13.2 107,000 17.22 3,319,600 364 108,910 5.11 100 1.78 3,102,000 4.24 610,000 5.05 325,400 9.4 5,100 2.75 29,233,000 11 50,500 33.2 2,936,000 5.4 51,000 5.12 57,000 1.94 3,732,000 1.01 41,000 11.28 25,700 92 37,850 7.35 9,000 0.122 10,000 1.12 407,000 159 621,340 2.41 71,000 1.25 2,460,000 16.86 400 1.17 715,000

37,019,100 7,869,232 221,200 19,530 8,222,400 919,600 4,544,290 11,521,148 2,555,637 139,710 12,780 7,800 215,650 60,246 25,641,781 695,956 1,583,684 20,296,924 22,503,495 14,011,845.50 678,695 23,967,430 7,355,480 503,846 32,880 92,171,532 7,150 524 317,797 24,343,575 1,415,018 57,353,880 39,622,306 511 5,545,800 2,482,870 1,648,090 47,553 82,194,250 555,442 97,939,150 275,400 291,890 7,422,300 41,410 292,462 3,474,072 66,061 1,220 452,150 99,030,895 171,860 3,094,110 6,744 832,410

8,768,165 -419,056 8,760 -792,680 -2,124,260 -409,891 -12,780 -41,568 6,491,732 340,352 438,756 -11,458,852 -6,226,200 -11,579,142.50 405,805 -1,992,010.00 115,857 -27,947,316 -6,864,840 54,120 -41,388,996 669,668 141,000 -124,489 -11,483,320 -6,508,590 -201,746 40,510 -274,286 80,270 4,420 24,749,209 159,720 319,560 -4,600

0.9 53.45 11.72 0.7 6.6 12.5 1.12 1.16 860 3.65 6.51 8.94 13.06 857 5.63 71.95 0.48 4.3 13.58 0.6 4.89 0.038 1.4 166.1 998.5 0.88 1.26 216.2 0.221 0.224

HOLDING FIRMS 0.92 8,949,000 915,870 54.85 11.98 5,332,900 0.71 176,000 6.6 25,000 12.76 282,600 1.13 422,000 1.16 100,000 870.5 368,440 3.65 2,742,000 6.63 720,100 9 4,991,600 13.4 1,700 880 110,120 5.63 18,200 73.5 2,168,050 0.51 209,000 4.31 218,000 13.6 640,700 0.6 27,000 4.99 26,230,000 0.038 2,500,000 1.46 1,467,000 166.1 67,560 1,014 1,186,165 0.88 8,000 1.26 63,000 220 2,430 0.222 290,000 0.236 560,000

8,186,080 49,956,205 63,611,754 124,120 165,000 3,533,340 476,750 116,000 320,585,325 10,068,720 4,759,359 44,875,143 22,690 96,491,720 102,536 158,448,385.50 102,300 940,400 8,723,692 16,240 129,947,370 95,100 2,152,030 11,253,828 1,187,251,722.50 7,040 79,380 529,626 64,110 128,030

-314,840 22,968,936.50 34,602,080 116,000.00 1,343,120 624,010 1,221,321 13,085,031 -1,306 16,197,515 -56,300 48,697,069.50 -51,720 -1,226,952 49,549,440 -7,983,091 32,196,430 -

14.9 0.82 1.76 0.86 48.65 1.99 4.45 6.1 0.57 0.73 0.86 0.2 0.45 9.58 20.5 0.43 0.121 1.59 1.2 4.8 0.295 0.4 1.4 0.38 2.05

PROPERTY 14.9 26,800 0.83 181,000 1.8 218,000 0.89 1,191,000 48.8 8,801,700 2.01 526,000 4.58 1,244,000 6.29 47,000 0.58 4,755,000 0.75 22,000 0.86 7,000 0.205 400,000 0.46 5,490,000 9.81 144,800 20.9 226,100 0.43 430,000 0.121 310,000 1.6 10,064,000 1.2 387,000 4.9 18,488,000 0.3 1,010,000 0.415 70,000 1.42 1,549,000 0.38 10,000 2,655,000 2.13

399,328 150,140 384,760 1,043,660 430,113,710 1,052,770 5,558,070 295,292 2,772,540 16,300 6,020 81,510 2,521,700 1,418,994 4,668,660 186,400 37,520 16,108,160 464,400 89,900,160 300,500 28,650 2,192,510 3,800 5,548,950

-21,080 9,584,685 -218,900 44,700 99,760.00 7,300 941,566 1,218,110 -164,700 -11,116,820 -312,000 26,280,920 -267,730 -42,000

NAME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

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

55.05 95.45 147.5 1.18 25 18.52 12.24 4.85 7.71 1.23 765 0.415 70.8 0.91 12.8 44 177.5 132 58.35 26.5 199 1,840 59.95

57 97.8 148.8 1.18 25 18.6 12.3 4.85 7.71 1.23 765 0.42 71.9 0.91 12.8 45.05 177.5 132 58.35 26.5 202 1,850 59.95

55.05 94.95 146.8 1.16 24.95 18.52 12.12 4.7 7.71 1.23 765 0.4 70.7 0.89 12.8 43.95 177 130 58.3 26.1 198 1,840 59.15

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

39 15.8 0.68 1.29 4.4 0.26 2.68 15.54 8.74 17.32 31.95 78 2.06 5.66 8.58 15.12 10.6 6.99 24.8 79.75 48.85 2.54 14.9 8.15 1.49 226.4 55 5.24 10 20 13.6 17.66 364.6 5.11 1.82 4.07 5.1 9.31 2.85 11 33.45 5.4 5.14 2.02 1.01 11.5 91 7.35 0.122 1.09 159.7 2.5 1.25 16.86 1.18

39.5 15.8 0.7 1.32 4.47 0.27 2.68 15.54 8.83 17.9 31.95 78 2.06 5.66 8.85 15.36 10.6 7.03 25.15 79.95 48.95 2.54 14.9 8.15 1.52 229.2 55 5.24 10.18 20.25 13.6 17.66 366.6 5.11 1.84 4.24 5.1 9.4 2.87 11 33.55 5.4 5.14 2.07 1.01 11.5 92 7.35 0.122 1.12 160 2.5 1.27 16.86 1.18

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

0.9 53.75 11.8 0.71 6.6 12.86 1.13 1.16 869 3.75 6.6 8.96 13.06 860 5.64 71.95 0.51 4.32 13.66 0.61 4.9 0.038 1.45 167.9 1,004 0.88 1.26 217 0.221 0.224

0.92 54.85 12 0.72 6.6 12.86 1.13 1.16 873 3.75 6.64 9.01 13.4 890 5.64 73.7 0.51 4.33 13.8 0.61 5 0.039 1.49 168 1,014 0.88 1.26 220 0.222 0.238

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

14.92 0.84 1.78 0.87 48.8 2.04 4.5 6.1 0.58 0.75 0.86 0.2 0.49 9.8 20.5 0.435 0.122 1.61 1.2 4.81 0.295 0.41 1.43 0.38 2.05

14.92 0.84 1.8 0.89 49 2.04 4.58 6.29 0.59 0.75 0.86 0.205 0.49 9.82 20.9 0.44 0.122 1.61 1.2 4.91 0.3 0.415 1.44 0.38 2.15

VOLUME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

VOLUME

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

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

25.5 2.29 3.16 38 2.7 0.92 7.71 5.65

25.8 2.3 3.18 38.75 2.7 0.96 7.73 5.73

25.3 2.29 3.16 38 2.65 0.91 7.66 5.64

25.6 2.3 3.18 38.5 2.68 0.92 7.7 5.7

3,326,100 50,000 10,000 7,857,700 542,000 3,131,000 3,515,400 58,800

85,105,530 114,540 31,780 302,122,995 1,444,510 2,873,410 27,059,489 331,943

18,501,700 29,614,790 26,500 1,900 -19,925,997 -

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

10.4 19.02 1.54 11.54 0.56 0.042 17 2.4 10.6 95 6.9 9.03 920 1,890 5.22 430.4 10.02 1.65 121.6 7.88 0.109 4.81 2.55 13.5 3 0.94 18.8 0.42 3.4 2.41 1.1 3.11 2.83 8 4.86 139 3.1 1,115 0.68 0.52 40.05 76.6 9.25 2.67 0.68 0.325 0.67 16.44

10.7 19.36 1.63 11.58 0.57 0.043 17 2.43 10.66 96.85 6.94 9.28 920 1,900 5.25 430.8 11.06 1.65 123.7 7.88 0.11 4.93 2.55 13.5 3.05 0.94 18.82 0.42 3.4 2.41 1.15 3.15 2.86 8.2 5.16 139 3.12 1,138 0.69 0.55 41.1 77 9.25 2.67 0.68 0.33 0.69 16.44

10.2 18.86 1.53 11.52 0.55 0.042 17 2.39 10.26 93.45 6.8 9.03 920 1,873 5.22 430.4 10.02 1.6 121.3 7.88 0.109 4.79 2.55 13.5 3 0.91 18.62 0.415 3.4 2.37 1.1 3.04 2.83 8 4.85 139 3.03 1,106 0.67 0.52 40.05 76 8.44 2.62 0.67 0.32 0.66 16

SERVICES 10.7 18.9 1.54 11.56 0.56 0.043 17 2.4 10.4 96 6.83 9.2 920 1,896 5.23 430.6 11.06 1.64 123.7 7.88 0.11 4.86 2.55 13.5 3.01 0.91 18.72 0.415 3.4 2.4 1.15 3.07 2.85 8.2 5.16 139 3.06 1,120 0.68 0.54 41 76 9.24 2.65 0.67 0.325 0.68 16.4

136,100 375,300 158,000 6,708,600 5,546,000 200,000 400 85,000 6,594,700 246,990 386,200 17,000 30 23,825 19,900 220 500 476,000 1,756,410 500 150,000 3,348,000 8,000 500 377,000 141,000 133,900 20,000 20,000 208,000 2,000 2,964,000 22,000 3,900 11,600 1,440 515,000 98,600 1,090,000 41,778,000 510,500 2,288,430 79,900 1,407,000 1,679,000 3,170,000 500,000 1,934,400

1,444,890 7,189,854 245,220 77,489,928 3,081,050 8,500 6,800 204,980 68,990,580 23,561,686.50 2,640,477 154,658 27,600 45,079,410 103,976 94,762 5,322 767,740 215,195,181 3,940 16,450 16,226,590 20,400 6,750 1,135,640 132,270 2,504,268 8,350 68,000 495,990 2,250 9,168,920 62,780 31,420 56,311 200,160 1,583,030 110,677,415 740,960 22,324,490 20,892,205 174,394,180 688,768 3,724,790 1,136,670 1,026,900 339,080 31,364,394

-38,333,738.00 108,080 -93,760 -42,494,618 10,148,740.50 -1,041,394 871,755 16,400 -12,973,111 -185,790 3,000 -47,670 928,690 46,075 200,160 -193,720 -15,599,245 -58,900 -1,980,240 -10,793,205.00 -19,342,068 -5,544 -1,410,970 -716,830 -12,334,484

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

0.0016 1.12 2.52 11.6 1.12 2.62 7.5 1.66 0.21 0.106 0.109 1.17 3.75 1.01 0.84 0.011 0.011 9.85 3.63 12.1 22.75

0.0017 1.13 2.52 12.4 1.12 2.62 7.79 1.67 0.21 0.107 0.109 1.17 3.92 1.06 0.84 0.012 0.011 10.72 3.68 12.38 23.1

0.0016 1.12 2.51 11.6 1.12 2.62 7.45 1.65 0.202 0.106 0.109 1.12 3.75 1.01 0.84 0.011 0.011 9.85 3.61 12.1 22.75

MINING & OIL 0.0017 13,000,000 1.12 522,000 2.51 141,000 12.28 700 1.12 1,000 2.62 200,000 7.79 700 1.66 1,298,000 0.209 130,000 0.107 1,240,000 0.109 390,000 1.15 164,000 3.91 10,543,000 1.05 152,000 0.84 27,000 0.012 11,400,000 0.011 3,300,000 10.52 1,821,900 3.68 434,000 12.2 201,300 23.1 1,522,400

20,900 585,410 354,910 8,540 1,120 524,000 5,274 2,156,220 26,780 132,670 42,510 186,670 40,920,100 157,530 22,680 132,000 36,300 18,979,334 1,577,680 2,453,104 35,102,505

-194,870 -342,360 -139,660 39,200 18,812,330 221,690 418,970 -220,596 1,806,785

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

18.04 500 103.4 100.5 107.7 498 970 99.25 0.99 101 1,015 1,025 1,062 100.4 108 78.5 75 75.6 77 75.5 75.5 75.6

18.04 500 103.4 101 109.5 498 971 99.25 0.99 101 1,030 1,025 1,065 100.4 108 78.5 75.1 75.6 77 75.7 75.5 75.7

17.8 500 100.7 100.4 107.7 498 970 99.25 0.99 100.7 1,002 1,025 1,055 100.4 107.5 77.8 75 75.6 76.6 75.5 75.5 75.6

PREFERRED 17.9 191,700 500 6,020 100.7 300 101 60,300 109.5 1,780 498 50 970 2,000 99.25 170 0.99 12,000 101 1,190 1,030 520 1,025 1,220 1,055 8,465 100.4 2,000 108 420 77.9 30,330 75.1 49,510 75.6 1,000 76.6 41,370 75.5 46,600 75.5 7,100 75.7 166,300

3,449,850 3,010,000 30,480 6,073,820 192,516 24,900 1,940,400 16,872.50 11,880 120,181 522,770 1,250,500 8,987,025 200,800 45,350 2,367,484 3,717,201 75,600 3,180,010 3,523,626.50 536,050 12,588,410

-2,893,068 -49,275 -

ITALPINAS KEPWEALTH MAKATI FINANCE XURPAS

6.7 11.8 2.51 0.9

6.9 11.8 2.78 0.91

6.59 11.38 2.51 0.9

SME 6.6 11.38 2.78 0.9

181,900 669,600 10,000 359,000

1,207,939 7,681,530 25,470 323,960

-6,850 -

FIRST METRO ETF

118.2

118.8

118.2

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 118.7 10,770

1,275,623

-10,692

10,020 34,908.80 97,097

-

NAME

MS USD DMPL A1 USD DMPL A2 USD TECH B2

10.02 10.04 0.97

Trading Summary

10.02 10.1 0.97

SHARES

FINANCIAL

12,045,039

INDUSTRIAL

79,144,128

HOLDING FIRMS

61,174,363

PROPERTY

81,334,422

SERVICES

86,979,419

MINING & OIL

46,794,867

GRAND TOTAL

368,703,605

10.02 10.04 0.97

DDS 10.02 10.1 0.97

1,000 3,460 100,100

VALUE 1,873.51 (UP) 16.70 983,699,208.51 FINANCIAL INDUSTRIAL 10,668.93 (DOWN) 21.18 807,117,745.506 HOLDING FIRMS 7,772.23 (UP) 100.62 2,133,848,542.88 PROPERTY 4,165.60 (UP) 21.01 1,537.23 (UP) 0.30 1,012,106,018.49 SERVICES MINING & OIL 9,016.60 (UP) 145.18 994,171,861.90 PSEI 7,955.24 (UP) 64.11 103,455,928.071 All Shares Index 4,784.11 (UP) 30.36 6,044,915,391.31 Gainers: 85; Losers: 94; Unchanged: 61; Total: 240

Phoenix set to sign final contract with CNOOC Gas

By Alena Mae S. Flores PHOENIX Petroleum Philippines plans to formalize a joint venture agreement with CNOOC Gas and Power Group Co. Ltd., a subsidiary of China National Offshore Oil Corp. for an integrated liquefied natural gas project this year.

Phoenix signed a memorandum of understanding with CNOOC Gas for the construction of a new integrated LNG import and regasification terminal in Batangas in April 2018.

Phoenix said a prospectus submitted to the stock exchange that a formal joint venture agreement was “expected to be entered into between the parties during the second half of 2019.”

CNOOC is the largest offshore oil and gas company in China and one of the largest independent oil and gas exploration and production companies in the world.

“Discussions [are] still ongoing with CNOOC. In parallel, we are exploring other routes to market LNG leveraging on our existing capabilities as a trading/marketing company. We continue to engage various stakeholders for the project for potential commercial partnerships,” Phoenix senior vice president Raymond Zorrilla said.

Phoenix said the company planned to own a 40-percent stake in Tanglawan Philippine LNG Inc. with the remaining 60 percent of shares in Tanglawan to be held by CNOOC Gas. Phoenix, on the other hand, will own 60 percent of shares in Liwanag Philippine Property Management Inc. with the remaining 40 percent of shares to be held by CNOOC Gas. Both Tanglawan and Liwanag are special purpose vehicles. Tanglawan will be responsible for the construction, operation and maintenance of the LNG facilitywhile Liwanag will be responsible for the land and other permit requirements related to the LNG project.

Tanglawan secured a notice to proceed from the Department of Energy on Dec. 21, 2018 which stipulated that the LNG project would be located on a plot of land in Bauan, Batangas.

“Formal agreements relating to the LNG facility project, such as a project development agreement and both shareholder agreements for Tanglawan and Liwanag are still ongoing,” Phoenix said.

Phoenix said it would pursue the LNG project, cognizant of the increasing demand for cleaner and more secure energy alternatives.

Globe deploys free Wi-Fi to Makati City Hall

By Darwin G. Amojelar GLOBE Telecom Inc. teamed up with the Makati City government to improve the telco’s connectivity and increase the digital adoption of the city.

Under the memorandum of agreement, Globe will provide fast and free Wi-Fi access via GoWiFi to 27 barangay health centers inside the Makati City Hall and University of Makati as part of the memorandum of agreement between the two parties.

Globe will also install antennas on poles owned by the city government to improve the mobile signal in more than 100 strategic sites where the processing of permits will be fast-tracked based on the public-private partnership agreement approved by the city council.

“Makati is a great example of an LGU that recognized the need for network infrastructure to enhance connectivity that will benefit its residents,” Globe president and chief executive Ernest Cu said.

Cu said Makati became the first city to adopt financial inclusion in partnership with Globe since 2017 that empowered 1,000 micro small medium entrepreneurs to use the GCash QR Codes payment facility such as Jollijeeps, select sari-sari stores and some of the city’s transport system.

Globe and Makati City will also recognize the 100,000th Makati GCash card holder during the GoWiFi MOA signing.

Cu thanked Mayor Abigail Binay for supporting the company’s education drive on health safety of the cell sites to homeowners association in Makati during the roadshows.

B3

World

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2019 CESAR BARRIOQUINTO, Editor mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Naruhito completes ascension to the Chrysanthemum throne

PROTEST. Bolivian opposition protestors set on fire the electoral offices in Sucre on October 21, 2019. Mesa, the main rival of Bolivia’s President Evo Morales, refuses to recognize the election result in Bolivia on October 21, 2019. Meanwhile, election monitors from the Organization of American States expressed ‘deep concern and surprise at the drastic and hard-to-explain change in the trend of the preliminary results after the closing of the polls’ in Bolivia’s presidential election, as incumbent Evo Morales closed in on victory. AFP

TOKYO―Japan’s Emperor Naruhito completed his ascension to the Chrysanthemum throne on Tuesday in a ceremony steeped in the traditions and grandeur of a monarchy that claims 2,000 years of history.

The rituals cemented a transition that began with his father’s abdication earlier this year, and drew royalty and political leaders from around the world.

A public parade for the event was postponed after a deadly typhoon, but the government went ahead with the granting of pardons for more than half a million people convicted of minor offenses including traffic violations.

The main event took place in the Imperial Palace’s Pine Room, where royal attendants drew back purple curtains hanging from two heavily adorned structures housing the imperial thrones, revealing the emperor and empress standing inside.

“I hereby declare my enthronement at home and abroad,” Naruhito said, dressed in a voluminous draped robe topped with a copper overcoat.

Empress Masako, a Harvard-educated former diplomat, stood silently before

Boeing’s 737 MAX crisis raises calls for a leadership shakeup N

EW YORK― The pressure was mounting Monday on Boeing as newly-surfaced documents deepened doubts about the company’s ability to return a top-selling jet to service soon and amplified calls for a leadership shakeup.

Shares tumbled for a second day in a row after the Federal Aviation Administration on Friday sharply criticized Boeing for withholding key documents for months in probes following two crashes that killed 346 people.

The FAA rebuke added to the travails facing Boeing seven months after its top-selling jet was grounded, prompting Wall Street analysts to downgrade the

company and raising speculation that it could be forced to temporarily halt production entirely on the jet.

Boeing’s board of directors was set to conclude a two-day meeting later Monday ahead of the company’s earnings release later this week and a congressional hearing at the end of the month.

Earlier this month, Boeing stripped Chief Executive Dennis Muilenburg of his title as chairman, sparking speculation that he could soon be ousted from the company.

The newly-released documents raise questions about what Boeing knew about a key flight handling system implicated in crashes of Lion Air and Ethiopian Airlines flights and whether the company has been forthcoming with regulators.

UBS downgraded Boeing, slashing its target price by $95 to $375 per share, citing “potential slippage” in the 737 MAX schedule, which has been ground-

ed since mid-March. The matter also “heightens the potential of incomplete disclosure, which inherently puts more money/trust & time at stake.”

Another delay could “very well mean” a production pause on the 737 MAX, UBS said.

Boeing has previously described a production pause -- which could potentially affect staffing and suppliers -- as possible but not a likely course of action.

Shares of Boeing finished at $331.06, down 3.8 percent, extending losses from Friday’s 6.8 percent drop.

The latest twists in the MAX crisis stem from a November 2016 instant message conversation involving Boeing’s chief technical pilot for the 737, Mark Forkner, over the performance of the Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System during a simulation.

The MCAS is a flight-handling mechanism believed to be at the center of two MAX crashes, which led to the plane’s

Trudeau’s Liberals hold on to power by winning vote OTTAWA―Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s Liberal Party held onto power in a nail-biter of a Canadian general election on Monday, but as a weakened minority government.

Television projections as of 2 am Tuesday (0600 GMT) declared the Liberals winners or leading in 156 of the nation’s 338 electoral districts, versus 122 for his main rival Andrew Scheer and the Conservatives, after polling stations across six time zones closed.

As early as Tuesday, Trudeau will have to form an alliance with one or more smaller parties in order to govern a fractured nation.

The first test of his future government will follow in the coming weeks with a speech to parliament outlining his legislative priorities and a confidence vote.

“From coast to coast to coast, tonight Canadians rejected division and negativity,” Trudeau said. “And they rejected cuts and austerity and voted in favour of a progressive agenda and strong action on climate change.”

He reassured Quebec that his Liberal government, despite an electoral setback in the French-speaking province, “will be there for you.”

He also spoke directly to a growing sense of Western Canada’s alienation within the federation, telling those in Saskatchewan and Alberta provinces: “I’ve heard your frustration.”

The 47-year-old former school teacher dominated Canadian politics over the four years of his first term, but faced a grilling during the 40-day election campaign, which he described as one of the “dirtiest and nastiest” in Canadian history.

Trudeau and Scheer exchanged barbs as attack ads and misinformation multiplied.

Trudeau evoked the bogeymen of past and current Tory parties fostering “politics of fear and division” while Scheer called the prime minister a “compulsive liar,” “a phony and a fraud.”AFP

grounding since mid-March.

In both crashes, the MCAS pointed the plane sharply downward based on a faulty sensor reading, hindering the pilots’ ability to control the aircraft after takeoff, according to preliminary crash investigations.

In the message to a colleague, Forkner describes the MCAS system as “running rapid in the simulator” at a lower speeds, adding that the performance was “egregious.”

Forkner had not conveyed this MCAS issue to the FAA, “so I basically lied to the regulators [unknowingly],” he added.

Eight months earlier, Forkner had sought approval from the FAA to not mention the MCAS in the flight manuals.

The FAA, believing during certification that the MCAS system would activate only in rare cases and did not pose a threat to plane safety, gave the green light. AFP

STILL IN POWER.

Liberal Leader and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau waves alongside his wife Sophie GrÈgoire Trudeau after delivering his victory speech at his election night headquarters on October 21, 2019, in Montreal, Canada.

Trudeau remains in power with a Minority Government. AFP

Meet the pirarucu: the giant prized fish of the Amazon RIO DE JANEIRO―Its white flesh is tender and tasty, it can measure up to three meters long and weigh more than 200 kilograms: meet the pirarucu, one of the world’s largest freshwater fish, and native to the Amazon.

The enormous animal, once threatened with extinction, is now on dinner plates in Rio de Janeiro’s fanciest restaurants, thanks to a number of chefs who have championed the delicacy, and the indigenous communities who ensure its continued survival.

“Without them, there would be nothing left,” says Frederic Monnier, the head chef at the city’s hip Brasserie Rosario.

“What they’re doing for the Amazon is priceless,” adds Jessica Trindade, the Brazilian chef at Chez Claude, an institution in the city’s restaurant scene.

Chef Marcelo Barcellos uses pirarucu in his moqueca, a fish stew swimming in palm oil and seasoned with coriander that is a signature Bra-

zilian dish originating in the northeastern state of Bahia.

Served with a toasted manioc flour mixture and nuts that come straight from the Amazon basin, the moqueca delights foodies’ taste buds and eyes, as the white fish contrasts with the yellow flour and green spices.

The taste is akin to that of other saltwater whitefish like pollock or cod.

Barcellos, the executive chef and owner of the restaurant Barsa, is one of several Rio chefs who have happily added pirarucu to his menu.

But not that long ago, before pirarucu made it to the top tables in the Marvelous City, Arapaima gigas -- or Amazonian cod, as it is sometimes called -- almost vanished from menus.

It was brought back from the brink of extinction thanks to the establishment at a nature preserve of a sustainable fishing program with strict quotas.

Pirarucu can only be fished from July to November, the non-mating season.

Raising the pirarucu’s profile with Rio’s top chefs has certainly helped.

The Taste of the Amazon project has helped do that. Recently, nine chefs traveled to northern Brazil to observe how the Paumari tribe has established sustainable practices for harvesting pirarucu.

Through their contact with the indigenous fishermen, the chefs learned which parts of the fish are the best. That knowledge ended up on their menus.

“It’s an excellent product, with a fabulous flavor, without that earthy taste that some freshwater fish have,” Trindade says.

For Ricardo Lapeyre of the Michelinstarred Laguiole Lab, the experience surpassed his expectations.

He figured he would take the trip just to learn a bit more about how to cook the fish, and bring some new ingredients back to his kitchen.

In the end, he is on board the pirarucu train, and is one of its biggest fans.AFP

her throne in a similar, smaller structure, wearing a multi-layered kimono and a highly stylised hairpiece.

Naruhito pledged to “pray for the happiness of Japanese people and world peace” and “fulfil my duty as the symbol of Japan and of the unity of the people of Japan.”

Standing before him, flanked by royal family members also wearing heavily decorated traditional robes, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe promised the people of Japan would “respect your highness the emperor as the symbol of the state and of the unity of the Japanese people.”

He then raised his hands three times, shouting “Banzai!” or “Long live the emperor!”

The solemn ceremony was conducted almost entirely in silence, with royal family members gliding wordlessly into the room and standing throughout.

Only the sounds of a gong and drum signalled the stages of the ritual, with a low, loud beat indicating to guests representing around 180 countries and institutions that it was time to stand and hear the proclamation. AFP

IN BRIEF Violence breaks out in Bolivia

LA PAZ―Violence broke out in several Bolivian cities Monday after the main opposition candidate rejected presidential election results that seemed set to give victory to long-time incumbent Evo Morales, as international monitors voiced “deep concern.”

Rival supporters clashed in the capital La Paz, while in the southern city of Sucre an angry mob set a local electoral authority’s headquarters on fire, TV images showed.

Protesters clashed with police in the mining city of Potosi and attacked the local electoral authority as well as local government offices.

Riot-police dispersed a crowd who tried to storm the electoral offices in the Andean city of Oruro, south of La Paz. Clashes were also reported in Tarija in the south, Cochabamba in the center and Cobija in the north.

Carlos Mesa, who came a close second to Morales in Sunday’s polls -- forcing a run-off, according to preliminary results -- denounced revised results released by election authorities as a “fraud.”

“We are not going to recognize those results that are part of a shameful, consummated fraud, that is putting Bolivian society in a situation of unnecessary tension,” said Mesa.

Mesa, a former president of the country between 2001-2005, accused Morales of colluding with the Supreme Electoral Tribunal to tweak delayed results and avoid a run-off. AFP

Veterans retrace Falklands conflict

STANLEY―With rain, sleet and snow stinging their faces, a group of British veterans clambered up a rocky hill, retracing the hard yards they trudged nearly four decades ago during the Falklands War. The ex-Royal Marines returned to visit the scene of fighting in the Falklands Islands, a remote British territory in the south Atlantic that was invaded by Argentina in April 1982.

For 74 days, the 3,400 inhabitants of the islands -- in British hands since 1833 -- lived under occupation before British troops came to the rescue.

Almost four decades on, the locals have not forgotten the debt they owe.

“The welcome’s been fantastic: we were sat in the pub the other day watching the England rugby match, and one of the locals came up and invited us to a 40th birthday party,” said Stuart Mann, a 55-year-old formerly of 42 Commando.

He was part of “L Company” that attacked a heavily guarded Argentine post on Mount Harriet on the night of 11-12 June, 1982.

The battle lasted about five hours before the Argentine troops surrendered.

Two other strategic peaks just outside the Falklands capital Stanley were taken that night, and two days later, the war was over.

“The weather was a lot like this that night,” said Nick Fry, 55, as gusts of wind almost blew him off balance.

Like Mann, he was just 18 at the time of the battle and vividly remembers the whole company was suffering from dysentery.

Under bleak skies, the marines retraced the routes taken by their own unit and that of another, “K company.” AFP

Tourist attacked by a shark

PAPEETE, France―A French tourist has been seriously injured in a rare shark attack in the palm-fringed Pacific islands of Polynesia, emergency services said Tuesday.

The 35-year-old woman was swimming during a whale-watching trip on Monday in the French overseas territory when the oceanic whitetip shark tore into her chest and arms.

“Luckily for her, there were two nurses on the scene who could deliver first aid,” firefighter Jean-Jacques Riveta told AFP. The woman lost both hands and a lot of blood in the attack and was airlifted to hospital, he said. AFP

LGUs

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

B4

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2019

LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS

Have kids take polio vaccine, QC’s Joy pleads

By Rio N. Araja QUEZON City Mayor Joy Belmonte has ordered a mass vaccination in the locality’s 142 barangays and intensify efforts against polio.

She appealed to families living in gated subdivisions and condominiums to allow doctors into their vicinities.

“We strongly seek the cooperation of home-owners associations and building officials to ensure that all children under five are vaccinated.

Please allow our doctors to implement our citywide efforts even in private subdivisions and high-rise condos,” Belmonte said.

She added there would be continuous a house-to-house vaccination effort, and fixed vaccination areas in barangays, malls and even bus stations.

The second round of vaccinations is set on Nov. 25 until Dec. 7.

Belmonte recently spearheaded the synchronized oral polio vaccination (or Sabayang Patak Laban sa Polio) as part of the mitigating efforts against the reemergence of the polio virus in the country after 20 years.

To support the Department of Health’s nationwide campaign against the highly infectious disease, the city government has started its vaccination drive for children from five years old and younger.

As of Oct. 20, the city’s health department, DOH and its partner agencies have successfully vaccinated 160,000 children during the first round, or 60 percent of its overall target of 274,785 children in the city.

Manila rakes in P144m in taxes in just 7 weeks

By Vito Barcelo THE Manila city government has collected more than P144 million in real estate and business taxes in just seven weeks, after the city government implemented an amnesty program for thousands of delinquent taxpayers in the capital.

In a statement, the city government waived around P71.5 million in real estate and business taxes to more than 14,000 taxpayers.

The City Treasurer’s Office revealed that from Sept. 2 to Oct. 17, a total of P144,907,474 was collected through the amnesty program.

Mayor Francisco “Isko” Domagoso signed on July 31 an ordinance declaring a tax amnesty program in Manila.

It was enforced only on Sept. 2.

Ordinance No. 8566 granted a general amnesty on all delinquent business taxes, real property taxes, regulatory fees, and other service charges.

The tax amnesty program will end on Dec. 20, 2019, Domagoso said.

As a result of the amnesty, the treasurer’s office said a total of 4,003 real property taxpayers applied for amnesty, resulting in the collection of P103,802,552 after the city government waived P49,011,423.

The office also said 900 taxpayers availed of the amnesty for business taxes. They paid P22,624,493 after the city waived P12,751,550.

A total of 9,327 individuals applied for amnesty in the payment of other taxes, fees and charges.

TOP SPOUSES. The newly elected officers of the Metro Manila Mayors’ Spouses Foundation, Inc. take their oath of office before Metropolitan Manila Development Authority Chairman

Danilo D. Lim at the MMDA offices in Makati City on Oct. 16. Janet Olivarez, wife of Parañaque City Mayor Edwin Olivarez, was reelected president of the MMMSFI, followed by Melissa S. Oreta of Malabon, vice president; Edna R. Malapitan of Caloocan City, treasurer; Las Piñas City Vice Mayor April Aguilar-Nery, secretary; and Jenine B. Ponce of Pateros, auditor. Not in photo is Fille Saint Merced C. Cayetano of Taguig City. Also present during the induction is RAM Party List Rep. Aloysia Lim (left), MMMSFI adviser.

MGB: Tampakan mine to go in full swing soon

G

ENERAL SANTOS CITY—The $5.9-billion copper-gold mining project of Sagittarius Mines Inc. in Tampakan, South Cotabato, is expected to go in full swing in the coming months, with the fresh endorsement from the national government reportedly coming out soon.

Engineer Felizardo Gacad Jr., director of the Mines and Geosciences BureauRegion 12, revealed over the weekend that a timeline has been released for the reactivation of SMI’s Environmental Compliance Certificate.

“As of the latest, there is already a timeline for the lifting of the suspension of the ECC because the Office of the President has already decided to that effect,” he said in an interview over radio station Radyo Bida in Koronadal City.

He did not provide further details on

the timeline but noted that the resumption of the project is already in the works.

The company’s ECC was revoked three years ago after President Rodrigo Duterte imposed a country-wide ban on open-pit mining as recommended by the late former Environment Secretary Gina Lopez.

SMI, which is controlled by the Alcantara Group, had signified to utilize the open-pit mining method for the project that straddles the provinces of South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Saran-

gani, and Davao del Sur. Gacad said they are set to hold dialogues with the provincial government of South Cotabato and other stakeholders regarding the prevailing open-mining ban in the province as what has been set in the province’s Environment Code.

He reiterated that the open-mining ban in the area runs contrary to national laws, referring to the provisions of Republic Act 7942 or the Philippine Mining Act of 1995.

Gacad said they are treating the existing provincial Environment Code as a major obstacle to the Tampakan mining project.

“There are instances that local ordinances go against our national laws.

We, in the DENR, believe that national laws should prevail,” he said. PNA

FOR TEACHERS.

House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano (center) joins Taguig Mayor Lino Cayetano (right) in the ribbon cutting of the newly constructed Teachers’ Lounge at Em’s Signal Village Elementary School at Barangay Central Signal, Taguig City on Oct. 17.

Norman Cruz

San Fernando hailed for work on zero waste

By Romeo Dizon CLARK FREEPORT, Pampanga—The City of San Fernando, Pampanga was awarded as one of the leading cities of the Asia Pacific for its 93 percent smart implementation of the Zero Waste Management that contributes in the reduction of the greenhouse emission to 1.5 C to protect global warming.

The International Panel on Climate Change recommended ten steps to local cities and communities to reduce greenhouse emissions and reduce, reuse and recycle waste materials.

The award was received by Mayor Edwin D. Santiago together with other category awardees from different countries of the region during the International Zero Waste Conference held at the Light Hotel Penang, Malaysia last Oct. 14.

The award was given after three years of on-the-spot monitoring by zero waste groups in the city.

The first ever international award given to the city of San Fernando, which is also known as the giant lantern capital of the Philippines, was given by the Zero Waste International Alliance.

The ZWIA aims for the conservation of all resources by means of responsible production, consumption, reuse, and recovery of products, packaging and materials without burning and with no discharge to land, water or air that threatens the environment or human health.

During a media forum here, Santiago said the city was cited for its smart implementation of zero waste segregation management as provided for under the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000 or Republic Act 9003, through the help of the city’s residents and 35 village leaders.

Decena marks first 100 days as Enrile mayor, stresses ‘Ohana’ program

By Jessica M. Bacud ENRILE, Cagayan—Mayor Miguel B. Decena Jr. recently delivered his first State of the Municipality Address here, highlighting a 10-point agenda built on the principle of “Ohana” (Family), which entails “No one forgotten, No one left behind.”

Decena underscoring the gains and progress made on the priority projects

and programs of the locality from the time he assumed the top post in a speech at the Municipal Hall.

The core of his SOMA was about moving up the government actions, and adopting and institutionalizing the principle of “Ohana” or “Awan na Matalan, Awan nga Kalippanan” as the guiding principle of the municipality.

“When I entered the political arena, I Local officials of Sta. Maria, Laguna prove their meat is diseasefree by sampling a lechon. They are (from left) Councilors Eddie Montales, Jose Masacupan, Raul Nitro, and Rocelle Arcillas, Vice Mayor Virginia Tuazon, Sta. Maria Mayor Cindy Carolino, Councilor Lorna Alban, Gayle Marion Rosales (representing the Office of the Provincial Veterinarian), Municipal Assessor Lucita Sevilla, and Rev. Fr. JD Manalo.

Roy Tomandao

was keenly aware of the huge challenges ahead. But I was not ready for what I have eventually discovered. The problems and issues are not only huge but enormous and immense,” Decena said.

“This needs focused commitment!

Thus, in my first 100 days, I said, we need to prioritize the problems and implement urgent solutions,” he added.

Decena cited compassion, people em-

powerment, transparency and accountability, leadership and servant hood, professionalism and integrity as his guiding principles.

“With our tagline ‘One Enrile,’ it clearly sums up the vision of Ohana, where Enrilenos should be united as one big happy family and work as one toward a common vision, regardless of social status, religion, educational background, and political leanings,” Decena said.

With lechon, town proves it’s ASF-free

By Roy Tomandao SANTA MARIA, Laguna—The Hog Raisers organization, local officials and residents of this town showed through a lechon boodle fight that their pork is free from diseases and safe to eat.

At a gathering at the town covered court last Friday, Sta. Maria Mayor Cindy Carolino joined townsfolk, the Sangguniang Bayan, the Association of Barangay Chairmen, Department of Agriculture representatives and the Municipal Veterinary Office to feast on the traditional roast pig.

Carolino said it was safe to eat pork in Sta. Maria, where they are

also controlling pig importation from neighboring provinces.

The town remains observant of the threat of African swine fever not only in Laguna but elsewhere, he assured.

Travelers have no problem bringing the town’s meat products to their place, Carolino assured, as they are also feasted on longganisa, tocino, and hot dog during the gathering.

The mayor echoed his directive for local hog raisers to have their permits and certifications complete, as he thanked his townmates for their cooperation in preventing the ASF virus from entering their town.

Life

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

FASION AND BEAUTY

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2019

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ALEXA CHUNG: partly androgynous,

chic

absolutely

By Monica Sanchez

B

RITISH model and writer Alexa Chung exudes understated chic and elegance regardless of the pose.

In her latest campaign for Italian shoe brand Superga, of which she’s been the brand ambassador since 2011, Chung lends her effortless elegance while seated on the floor, posing on a stool, laying on a classic leather sofa.

The new Superga advertising campaign for the fall/winter 2019 season encapsulates the most authentic spirit of the brand, which is rooted in timeless, effortless, laid-back refinement.

Photographer Robin Galiegue captured Chung charmingly posing on a neutral background at London’s Spring Studios.

The essential atmosphere enhances

the distinctive, evergreen attitude of the Superga offering. The footwear is further exalted by the slightly androgynous, urban, and definitely chic looks of slick blazers, slim denim pants, mannish suits, and striped shirts worn by Chung and styled by Virginie Benarroch.

Chung wears some of Superga’s most iconic styles such as the brand’s hero product, the 2750 tennis shoe in white canvas. Challenging the logo mania trend, the 2790 sneaker features the platform embellished with the eyecatching Superga lettering.

ANDROGYNOUS ALEXA. British

model and writer Alexa Chung lends her understated elegance in slim denim pants, mannish suit, and tennis shoes for Superga’s fall/winter 2019 campaign.

Turn to C2

Photographer Robin Galiegue captures Chung in her element at a neutral colored set at London’s Spring Studios.

Maranao pride in casual wear

By Ayunan Gunting WEARING nation’s pride is currently on trend. And womenswear brand Ziya is wearing its Maranao pride with its latest collection, dubbed Ziya Artisan, emblazoned with Maranao motifs.

Known for its tunics, wraparound pants, loose tops, and easy-fitting jackets, the label’s latest collection features inaul, a tra-

Fatima bolero

Lilang top

ditional woven fabric known for colors and patterns that symbolize virtues.

Other garments are infused with langkit, the Maranao decorative strip with okir, traditional curlicues and geometric patterns. It serves as a trim for jackets or straps for denim tops.

Born to parents from Marawi, Ziya founder Nor Pacasum collaborated with weaving groups Sinagtala and Maranao Collectibles to help in the rehabilitation

of Lanao del Sur’s war-ravaged capital.

Sinagtala was formed by journalist Jamela Alindogan during the Marawi siege. In an evacuation center, she met a weaver who needed to continue earning. Initially wanted to help, Alindogan devised a grander plan—to teach women how to weave as a means of livelihood. Women who joined the training program not only learned a new skill, weaving kept their minds off from the bombings.

The Sinagtala weavers produced the inaul for Ziya Artisan which has been made into chic, loose jackets.

Meanwhile, entrepreneurs Salika and Jardin Samad established Maranao Collectibles to preserve Maranao culture, particularly its weaving tradition. It specializes in langkit used on medals and graduation sashes. During the fivemonth armed conflict, the weavers devised their own looms in evacuation centers.

“We want the weaving tradition to grow by collaborating with these weavers.

We’ve asked them to update the colors and patterns. Ziya Artisan shows the contemporary uses of these woven products,” said Pacasum.

The inaul blazers are affordably priced at P5,900, while the cotton blouses accented with langkit starts at P1,500, and the denim and linen pants cost P3,000.

“Ziya Artisan is a premium collection because of the fabrics and the hand-woven elements,” explained Pacasum.

The brand also features resort wear which consists of cover-ups, sarongs, and wraparound pants.

“Our look is bohemian and fussfree. The clothes are easy to slip on.

Turn to C2 Normalah blazer

Life

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WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2019 manilastandardlife@gmail.com

J. Patch, a children’s wear collection by Ericka Juliet dela Cruz, Angela Malazarte, and Erika Mae Ng.

Allana Nicolas’ Deep Sea Horror collection

Fashion sustainability meets technology T

HE local fashion industry’s technology and sustainability efforts were highlighted at the recent Sinulid Epilogue at SM Megamall Mega Fashion Hall.

A joint project of De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde’s Fashion Design and Merchandising Program and SM Megamall, Sinulid Epilogue is the final installment of the Sinulid trilogy which started in the Sinulid Prologue held in April at the DLS-CSB’s School of Design and the Arts, followed

by Sinulid: Altered Translation, an annual fashion show and exhibit held in July at SM Aura Premier.

Sinulid Epilogue featured a series of talks, exhibits, activities, and an upcycling competition all focused on the concepts of sustainability and technology. One of the highlights of the event was the gathering of educators from the top fashion Benilde’s School of Design and the Arts dean Dottie Asela, Fashion Design and Merchandising chairperson Christine Benet, and associate dean Cynthia Funk with SM senior vice president for marketing communications group Millie Dizon (second from left).

The beauty of convenience WE ARE living in a world where everything can be reached with a few taps and clicks. Need a ride home? Book it. Need something to eat? Order it. Need a haircut or massage? Book an appointment and let the stylist or masseuse come to you.

schools and programs in the country to discuss “The Impact of Education in Fashion and Sustainable Development,” among other talks.

Participants included Benilde, School of Fashion and the Arts, University of the Philippines, Institute of Creative Entrepreneurship, Fashion Institute of the Philippines, and Fashion Institute of Design and the Arts Cebu.

The top 10 collections from DLS-CSB-Fashion Design and Merchandising Program and children’s wear collection were also shown as part of the exhibit. A fashion upcycling contest was held with items from American retailer Forever 21.

The event showcased a 3D Body Scanner from the Philippine Textile Research Institute which aims to produce a Philippine Standard Sizing System. There were also exhibits from industry providers including Lectra, Norde, Reviva, Triple K, and Manila Fashion Supplies.

Uniqlo and JW Anderson fall/winter 2019 collection features a modern update to classic British patterns such as tartans, among others.

GrabSalon In partnership with Toni&Guy and L’Oréal Professionnel, Grab makes home hair salon service more accessible as customers can have their hairstylists go to their homes either on-demand or scheduled.

Customers simply choose the service from the list provided and type in their address of where they intend the service to be conducted.

Services include haircut for both men and women, as well as root retouch and color. Haircut is priced at P1,000 while root retouch and color starts at P3,000.

GrabSalon will be available on the Grab app, while the service will only be available in Makati, Taguig, Pasay, Quezon City, and Alabang.

Need haircut? No problem. Grab app users can now book a haircut or hair color courtesy of Toni&Guy Salon via the GrabSalon feature.

How they do it in Britain

SIF As the country’s first self-improvement app aggregator, SIF offers offer grooming, beauty, wellness, and other services on-demand or by appointment.

Services include basic blow dry, haircut, and makeup by Jesi Mendez Salon.

Users can choose either an in-house staff or a Jesi Mendez stylist for their hair and makeup needs. SIF offers 50 percent off on services by Aesthetica, a Jesi Mendez brand for slimming treatments, drips, fillers, and other aesthetic services.

Nutritional counseling and lab tests for cholesterol, electrolyte, and more are accessible through SIF. Additionally, a holistic approach to understanding yourself and overcoming challenges in life is offered by certified hypnotherapist Sapna Uttam.

Full body massage, Ventosa therapy, and hot stone massage are also available in the app. Users can also book private yoga sessions with Yoga Academics by Cinty.

The SIF app is available on App Store or Google Play.

Self-improvement app aggregator SIF offers beauty and wellness services, among others, which users can book on-demand or by appointment.

Maranao...

From C1

career women buy our clothes to make them feel confident. Our market doesn’t follow trends. They march to their own drums,” shared Pacasum.

A graduate from the University of

the Philippines, Pacasum ventured into Ziya out of her love for fashion.

She opened her first store at a mall in Taguig in 2004. Ziya then moved to Mall of Asia and has since opened seven branches and an online store www. shopziya.com.

The launch of Ziya Artisan was graced by Vice President Leni Robredo

who brought her anti-poverty program to Marawi. In her speech, Nor’s sister, Samira Gutoc, a consultant for Robredo, explained the importance of the weaving heritage. “Weaving is the story of women who are survivors. Every thread that is woven by each woman is life that binds a community which has survived for centuries.”

THE fourth collaboration of Japanese fashion retailer Uniqlo and British fashion label JW Anderson features styles inspired by the “Great British Outdoors.”

Drawing inspiration from the town of St. Ives in Cornwall, England—which is known for its seamless blend of art and nature—the new LifeWear offering fuses traditional British elements with the modern designs of JW Anderson “I liked this idea of pops of color to make the heritage British patterns and colors feel a bit more modern. Contrasting pops of color and tartan are very present,” Jonathan Anderson said about the launch of the new collection for the fall/winter 2019 season.

Inspired from his childhood memories, traditional British patterns such as tartans and warm Nordic designs are the main patterns for outerwear, skirts, innerwear, and accessories. Patterns with a classic feel are adorned with

borderlines and fringes to emulate the playful character of the British brand.

The fourth season of this collaboration includes the reversible items that have become a collaboration standard.

New this season are down jackets and coats with splashes of vivid yellows and greens over an earthy base.

Down jackets for both men and women feature neutral and classic tones on the outside, with contrasting colors on the inside, which are some of Anderson’s favorite items.

Heattech Warm Easy Pants are lined with Heattech fleece, with exceedingly practical features including a webbing belt that can be easily adjusted with one hand and side pockets accented with colorful bungee cords. Women’s AIRism leggings and half-zip tees prevent stuffiness and maintain comfort even in winter, with striking triple color borderline designs that give edgy accents to traditional collection items.

Alexa...

loved mule design crafted from white leather and embellished with multicolored grommets.

In the Philippines, Superga is located at Central Square in Bonifacio High Street Central, Ayala Center Cebu, Estancia Mall, Greenbelt 5, Robinsons Magnolia, Rustan’s Alabang Town Center, Rustan’s Glorietta 3, Rustan’s Shangri-La, SM Megamall, and 158 Designer’s Boulevard Mall of Asia.

From C1

The campaign also puts the focus on some of the styles included in the new Superga x ALEXACHUNG collection, including the signature high-top and low-top sneakers worked in black satin and burgundy suede, respectively, as well as the fashion icon’s be-

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Entertainment

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2019 nickie.standard@gmail.com

DZBB anchors (from left) Susan Enriquez, Melo del Prado, Arnold Clavio, Mike Enriquez, Ali Sotto, and Joel Reyes Zobel

Super Radyo DZBB dominates Mega Manila’s AM radio GMA Network’s flagship AM radio station, Super Radyo DZBB 594, reigned supreme in Mega Manila as it emerged as the listeners’ station of choice based on the latest data from Nielsen Radio Audience Measurement.

In September, DZBB posted a total week average audience share of 31.5 percent, which surpassed DZMM’s 25.3 percent and DZRH’s 16.1 percent.

Revved up by its strong weekday morning line-up, DZBB dominated the airwaves through its top-ranking news programs beginning at 5:30 a.m. with Melo Del Prado sa Super Radyo DZBB posting a 37.1 percent audience share, followed by Super Balita sa Umaga, Nationwide with 33.4 percent anchored

by GMA News Pillar Mike Enriquez with Joel Reyes Zobel.

Continuing to hold the listeners’

attention, Zobel’s news commentary Anong Say N’yo? registered 34.7 percent while the on-air tandem of Arnold Clavio and Ali Sotto on Dobol A sa Dobol B was also well-loved with 38.1 percent.

Kay Susan Tayo! Sa Super Radyo DZBB hosted by Susan Enriquez likewise ranked first in its slot with an impressive 50 percent audience share as well as Orly Trinidad and Lala

STANDARD'S CHOICE

Miss Earth 2019 top 10 hot picks W HO WILL be Miss Earth 2018 Phuong Khánh Nguyen’s successor? Find out among the 85 environmental beauty delegates vying for the title at the grand coronation set in Cove, Okada Manila, to be telecast live on Foxlife on Oct. 26, and with delayed telecast on ABSCBN’s Sunday’s Best on Oct. 27.

Here are Manila Standard’s Hot Top Ten picks: Miss Czech Republic Klara Vavruskova is an advocate for the preservation of culture and nature. The 5-foot-night beauty is the top bet of pageant critics to win this year’s coveted crown.

Miss Belarus Alisa Manenok is a model and graduate from Kazan State University of Culture and Arts. Dubbed the “most beautiful volleyball player in the world,” she won Miss World Beauty Queen 2018, and placed in the Miss International 2016 and Supermodel International 2016.

Miss Portugal Bruna Silva is an 18-year-old Brazilian-born Portuguese model and student of Socioeconomics at Vila Verde Secondary School. She loves the outdoor and advocates preservation of nature.

Miss Puerto Rico Nellys Pimentel is a 21-year-old and Marketing and Psychology student. The towering brunette model is one of the tallest candidates in this year’s batch.

Miss USA Emanii Davis is a law program graduate and currently pursuing a Master’s in School Counseling. The 25-year-old beauty is co-chair of the Greenhouse Project and the founder of her own non-profit organization called Modern Enlightenment.

Miss New Zealand Tashan Kapene is a 19-year-old model and actress.

She won Miss Gandang Ricky Reyes and advocates campaign against animal cruelty especially protection of threatened dolphins.

Miss Ghana Abena Appiah is a 26-year-old singer and model. She completed high school education in USA and was Ghana’s representative in Miss Universe 2014.

Miss India Tejaswini Manogna is a 23-year-old doctor advocating global awareness on protection of

Glenn Barit...

From C4

In the QCShorts competition, Judy Free won best short film for Che Tagayamon, a recent UP film graduate.

Judy Free is about a young girl whose reality is intruded when her father, an overseas Filipino worker, brought home an animated doodle figure.

The Special Jury Prize was awarded to Bontoc-based filmmaker, Carla Pulido Ocampo. The comedy short Excuse Me Miss Miss Miss by Sonny Calvento garnered the audience choice award for shorts.

This year’s batch of winners is an affirmation of the festival’s theme, Rising Wave, which recognizes debuting and

PAGEANT CONCEPT ETON CONCEPCION

the environment. She is a recipient of Prime Minister and President’s Medal for excelling in the Youth wing of the Indian Armed Forces.

Miss Venezuela Michell Castellanos is a 24-year-old model and graduate of management and engineering in production systems. Castellanos is one of the controversial candidates in this year’s batch after receiving criticisms when she won her national crown.

Miss Philippines Janelle Tee is a 28-year-old Mass Communications graduate of Ateneo de Davao University. She is a former co-host in Willie Revillame’s Wowowin and ANC’s Chinoy.

Roque’s Super Balita Sa Tanghali, Nationwide with 42.4 percent.

More DZBB programs kept their winning streak throughout the weekday such as The Longtall Howard Medina Show, Bidang-Bida sa Dobol B, Bigtime Balita, 24 Oras TV Newscast, and Saksi.

Meanwhile, top-rating weekend programs for the month were Headline Balita, Super Balita sa Tanghali, Francis ‘Kiko’ Flores on Board, Super

Celebrity visits amplify Studio XP’s ‘Onederful’ anniversary FANS are definitely in for a “onederful” time at the ABS-CBN Studio Experience this last quarter of 2019 as Kapamilya performers from It’s Showtime and Tawag ng Tanghalan” are set to frequent ABSCBN’s indoor theme park in celebration of its first anniversary.

The Meet and Greet experience commences this month with electric vocal performances at Studio XP’s Kapamilya Theater courtesy of “Tawag ng Tanghalan” Season 3 third placer John Michael dela Cerna on Nov. 10, and grand champion Elaine Duran on Nov. 24.

Visitors will also be treated with a Meet, Greet and Play encounter with It’s Showtime family members Ate Girl Jackie (Oct. 27), Ion Perez (Nov. 17), and Bidaman winner Jin Macapagal (Dec. 1), as they take the fun atmosphere of the much-loved noontime show to the studio city. The gift of giddiness continues on Dec. 8 with a Meet and Greet session with the other Bidaman finalists.

Last September, several celebrities already spent time with their supporters to celebrate Studio XP’s milestone, such

From left: DLS-CSB Center for Campus Art (CCA) Director Architect Gerry Torres, Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte, and FDCP Liza Diño-Seguerra, director Ed Lejano, and ABS-CBN Film Restoration Office Head Leo Katigbak.

TV host...

female filmmakers.

The international set of jury for the Asian Next Wave is headed by renowned screenwriter Ricky Lee. The members are Richard Bolisay, Toshiyuki Hasegawa, Phan Dang Di, and Claire Marty.

The QCShorts competition jury members are Sari Dalena, Jun Sabayton, and Benjamin Tolentino.

Also, for the first time in seven years, QCinema recognized the contribution of one of the living pillars of the film industry.

The Lifetime Achievement Award went to Vic del Rosario or "Boss Vic" of Viva Films.

This 7th edition of QCinema is its biggest yet, with 73 titles contained in 10 sections.

Twelve of these have received generous grants, which are three full-feature films, six shorts, and three documentaries.

The festival ran until Oct. 22 at Gateway Cineplex 10, Robinsons Movieworld Galleria Ortigas, Ayala Malls Cinema Trinoma, Cinema Centenario, Cinema 76 Anonas, and Cine Adarna.

Brocka, Bernal, and the City exhibition goes to QCinema Through the support of the Film Development Council of the Philippines and the Quezon City International Film Foundation, Brocka, Bernal and the City, a special exhibition that features the interesting lives and impressive works of Philippine National Artists for Film Lino Brocka and Ishmael Bernal, was on view at the Gateway Gallery in Gateway Tower Araneta Center as part of the annual QCinema International Film Festival.

The display continued to honor the legacies of two of the most iconic auteurs

'Isa Pa With Feelings,' which stars Maine Mendoza and Carlo Aquino, had its grand media conference at ABS-CBN Studio XP Theater.

as top loveteam MayWard (Maymay Entrata and Edward Barber) who bonded with their fans last Sept. 21, while enjoying the indoor theme park’s attractions.

The Starhunt Academy trainees also gathered and even performed for the guests of the studio city. PBB Otso’s Batch 4 Big 4 Wealand, Akie, Kiara, and Argel with special guest Gino likewise celebrated Studio XP’s “onederful” anniversary with their fans last month.

Isa Pa With Feelings leads Carlo Aquino and Maine Mendoza also dropped by last Sept. 30, while the cast of Pamilya Ko had a great time with visitors last Sunday (Oct. 13).

These exciting celebrity encounters are part of ABS-CBN’s commitment to bring unique Kapamilya experiences in engaging and interactive attractions through its subsidiary ABS-CBN Themed Experiences.

Rovilson hosts the award-winning and long-running infotainment program Ang Pinaka on GMA News TV. Every week, Ang Pinaka lists down the top 10 of anything worth "listing", touching on topics that range from pop culture, entertainment, politics, travel, food, social media, music, trivia, and others.

Now on its phenomenal 15th year on Philippine television, some of the topics the show featured were the oddest proposed bills and ordinances, amazing animals with super powers, national historical figures, amazing natural wonders, urban legends, and popular showbiz love teams, among others.

“That is the genius of our writers and our production team,” Rovilson proudly expressed. “They still keep it fresh— we’ve literally aired brand new episodes every week for 52 weeks, and rarely do we have repeat episodes. That’s just kudos to them for always reinventing the show.

I have the easy job; I just get to basically read out their work and, of course, what

is vital is the participation of our viewers and our readers. We always engage them and they let us know what they want to watch and that’s what keeps it fresh.”

Aside from hosting, Rovilson is also an appointed National Peace Ambassador of the country, the Philippines’ first National Ambassadors for World Wide Fund (WWF) along with Marc Nelson. He is also Hong Kong & Singapore Tourism Board’s Ambassador of Goodwill to the Philippines and Earth Hour Philippines Ambassador.

Ang Pinaka has won various local and international awards including Best Lifestyle Program at the Alta Media Icon Awards 2019, Best Adult Educational/ Cultural Show Award at the 2012 Catholic Mass Media Awards, a Silver Screen Award in the Educational category at the 2007 US International Film and Video Festival, and a Certificate for Creative Excellence in the Entertainment Category at the 2007 US International Film and Video Festival.

Continue watching infotainment at its finest, hippest, and coolest via Ang Pinaka every Sunday, 6:30 p.m. on GMA News TV.

and introduce them to the new generation.

Apart from creating some of the country’s finest films and commencing the remarkable cinematic journeys of the industry’s leading actors and actresses, both Brocka and Bernal were known as street parliamentarians during the dictatorship whose narratives encapsulated advocacies, battled political censorship, championed film workers’rights, shared comprehensive gender depictions, and demonstrated the power of the artist in initiating social change.

Curated by De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) Center for Campus Art Director Architect Gerry Torres, the exhibition once again examines how the two creative geniuses used Manila as a milieu that greatly impacted the lives of Filipinos.

Likewise featured was the original

wide array of recorded interviews from the individuals who have worked with the filmmakers on and off the camera including scriptwriter Clodualdo del Mundo Jr., and actors Bembol Roco, Cherie Gil, Gina Alajar, and Ronnie Lazaro.

Film scholar Ed Cabagnot, directors Nonon Padilla, Peque Gallaga, the late Mel Chionglo, and Benilde Digitial Filmmaking (DFilm) Program Chairperson Jose Javier Reyes also imparted their insights. Piolo Pascual and Raymond Red likewise shared how the works of Brocka and Bernal motivated them as artists.

The installation was first featured at the DLS-CSB School of Design and Arts (SDA) Campus and was opened to public at the Gateway Gallery, 5th Floor, Gateway Tower Araneta Center, Cubao, Quezon City until Oct. 22.

From C4

Miss Czech Republic Klara Vavruskova

Balita sa Hapon, Boses ng Balita, 24 Oras Weekend, Presinto 5.9.4., Radyo Romantiko, Buena Manong Balita, Super Balita sa Umaga Sunday Edition, Dobol B Bantay Balita sa Kamara, MMDA sa GMA, and Dis Is Manolo.

Super Radyo DZBB 594 kHz also airs on television via Dobol B sa News TV from 6:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon on GMA News TV via free TV channel 27 and GMA News TV International.

Entertainment

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

C4

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2019

SNAPSHOT IF THERE’S an adjective better than grand then that would be the best word to describe Sharon Cuneta and Regine Velasquez’s two-night Iconic concert.

The two music superstars shared the stage together on Friday and Saturday to the delight of thousands of screaming fans who flocked to the Araneta Coliseum in Cubao, Quezon City.

It’s the first time that Sharon and Regine performed a full-length concert together.

For Sharon, who is celebrating her 40th year in the business, her concert partner is the best singer on the local

‘Iconic’ concert of the year music scene. She was all praises to Regine all throughout the concert.

“Ang boses mo, abot kay San Pedro.

Ako kay Venus lang,” Sharon told Regine, who obviously tried to blend and adjust her voice during their duet.

The two opened the show with the classic “Bituing Walang Ningning,” and rendered a few of their hits in succession, with gaps to talk to the crowd and to express their mutual admiration for each other.

Some of the songs they performed were “You Are My Song,” “Ikaw,” “Dear Heart,” “Mr. DJ,” “Dadalhin,” and

“Kailangan Ko’y Ikaw.”

The duo closed the show with ‘80s dance hits medley “Breakout,” “Get Into the Groove,” “I Wanna Dance With Somebody,” “Gloria,” “Enough is Enough” and “I’m So Excited.”

With its magnificent stage embellished with hundreds of led lights, Iconic was the best local concert we’ve seen this year. Fans could only be thankful for Sharon and Regine for delivering a superb performance dishing out songs mostly from their own catalog. Clay Moreno

The Queens’ choice M

Pia Wurtzbach's secret to a youthful, glowing complexion is a long and deep (beauty) sleep.

ISS Universe queens Gloria Diaz and Pia Wurtzbach had their “longest brief chat” for the first time. The latter considered it a golden moment having learned so much from the country’s first Miss Universe titleholder while they sit on a table together.

Pia and Gloria at the opening of LuxeHome showroom in BGC

“We’ve met a few times before, but today was the first time that we’re able to talk and exchange numbers. And it’s amazing that I’ve already learned so much from her considering we only had a few minutes to talk,” the statuesque Pia told Manila Standard in an interview when she and the 1979 Miss Universe attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony of LuxeHome, which opened its BGC showroom on Oct. 12.

They did the honor of officially opening the LuxeHome BGC showroom with Taguig Mayor Lino Cayetano.

According to Pia, they talked about designing her home. Since she recently moved into a condominium at Century City in Makati, she was able to get a few tips from Gloria.

“It’s actually a fitting conversation.

We’re here and that’s what we were talking about. It opened my eyes to the world of furniture and interior design.

I have a new sense of appreciation for home decor, including beds and other furniture,” Pia started.

The 30-year-old beauty queen shared that she’s getting a lot of good advice for her mid-century modern home. And the one she got from Gloria was surely something she’d consider doing.

“She told me to test out beds in the morning, the time when your body isn’t tired yet. If you did it in the afternoon, every single mattress would feel good,” she said.

Gloria Diaz is a proud user of a Derucci mattress and bed while Pia is set to know more about the Healthy Sleep System that Derucci offers to its users.

“It’s a good choice. Here, they have premier European brands like the Italian brand of luxury mattresses and bedroom fixtures Derucci, the German heritage lifestyle products Domicil, the Netherlands produced custom pillows Pillowise, and some other imported brands like Australia's premium feather and down filed pillows Downia, and Relax Studio that scouts and brings in the latest technologies in ergonomic and relaxing chairs from around the world,” Pia shared.

The best advice Pia received from Gloria Diaz though was not really about the furniture and the bed she could use in her home.

“It’s about getting enough sleep. She sleeps eight hours a day. That’s what I do, too. And that’s the best beauty advice I can share with others, too. When you are well-rested it will reflect on your skin. If you have good skin, sometimes makeup is no longer necessary,” she concluded adding a nice comfortable bed can help that happen.

LuxeHome is located at the 32nd Street cor. Justicia Drive, BGC Fort, Taguig City and open to the public daily from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.. Visit their websites www.derucci.com.ph/www.pillowise.ph to know more about their products.

*** Gloc-9 live at Winford Manila Filipino rap icon Gloc-9 is set to perform live at Winford Manila Resort & Casino (WMRC) on Oct. 26 at 8:00 p.m..

Bannered under the Saturday Special concert series held at Hippodrome Bar & Lounge, the one-night-only performance is free for casino floor viewing for all WMRC members and guests who are 21 years old and above.

For those after a more intimate concert experience, VIP tickets are available for only P1,250 nett per person. Each ticket includes a prime seat near the Hippodrome stage and is inclusive of food and drinks.

Having collaborated with such respected musicians as Parokya Ni Edgar, Ely Buendia, and the late great Francis Magalona, Gloc-9 is one of the few recording artists in the local music scene who has won an award for every album he has released.

Visit www.winfordmanila.com for more information or call the hotline at +63 (2) 528-3600 for inquiries. Follow Winford Manila on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for the latest updates on special events and promotions.

Rap icon Gloc 9

Sharon Cuneta and Regine Velasquez share the stage together for a full-length concert for the first time.

‘Maleficent’ scares up at the box office In third place was new Sony DISNEY'S new Maleficent: Mistress of Evil topped the North American release Zombieland: Double Tap, box office for the weekend with an at $26.7 million. With a star-laden estimated take of $36 million despite cast including Woody Harrelson, Emma Stone, Luke Wilson, falling far below the original 2014 and Rosario Dawson, film, an industry group reported the zombie comedy Sunday. is expected to remain The original strong through the Maleficent, also month-end Halloween starring Angelina holiday.

Jolie, took In fourth in $69.4 was another million in Halloweenits debut friendly film, weekend, United Artists' going on The Addams to earn Family, at $16.1 $ 7 5 8 million. The million computerg l o b a l l y. animated Both films movie, which follow f o l l o w s the evil the spooky sorceress A d d a m s of Sleeping Angelina Jolie as Maleficent and Sam Riley as Diaval family and some Beauty fame; Michelle Pfeiffer plays a creepy relatives, features the voices scheming Queen Ingrith in the latest of Oscar Isaac, Charlize Theron, Snoop Dogg, and Bette Midler. A movie.

Slipping to second in its third week live-action version in 1991 grossed out was Joker from Warner Bros., $113.5 million in the US. And in fifth was Paramount's at $29.2 million for the Friday-toSunday period, Exhibitor Relations Gemini Man, starring Will Smith as said. It stars Joaquin Phoenix in a a retired hitman who must face off backstory about the rise of Batman's against a younger clone of himself. It took in $8.5 million. AFP maniacal nemesis.

TV host Rovilson Fernandez remains a Kapuso TV HOST Rovilson Fernandez remains a loyal Kapuso after 12 years as he renews his contract with GMA Network on Oct. 18.

Joining Fernandez in the signing were GMA Network Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Atty. Felipe L. Gozon; Senior Vice President for News and Public Affairs Marissa L. Flores; and Senior Assistant Vice President for Public Affairs Neil B. Gumban.

“Rovilson is one of the sought after hosts on TV. Siya actually ang pinakamaging. Ang kailangan sa Pinaka ay pinaka rin ang maghohost,” Gozon expressed.

On the other hand, Rovilson shared how grateful he is to be with the Kapuso Network for over a decade now.

“Just an absolute blessing. I’ve been happily employed by GMA and I’m going on twelve years now since the QTV days.

It’s been nice to be part of this family. This moment is the kind of contract signing I would see on TV or on the newspapers, and for them to extend the same courtesy to me as well and to our show, I’m so grateful,” he said.

Continued on C3

TV personality and hos Rovilson Fernandez

Glenn Barit’s debut film wins top award at QCinema 2019 A FILM made of photocopied stills and hand colored with highlighter pens wins big at QCinema International Film Festival.

Cleaners of debuting filmmaker Glenn Barit won best film, besting seven other films in the QCinema’s main competition section—Asian Next Wave.

The nostalgic coming-of-age film Cleaners, set in school year 2007-2008 in a high school in Tuguegarao, also bagged audience choice award and best screenplay.

Two other new directors bagged major awards.

Chinese Qui Sheng won the NETPAC Jury Prize for Suburban Birds and Rae Red brought home the best director award for her first solo-directorial work,

Filmmaker Glenn Barit accepting the award for Best Film

Babae at Baril. The film, Babae at Baril, also won the Gender Sensitivity Award.

Janine Gutierrez, who plays the titular lead in Red’s film, got her first international acting award as best actress while Por Silatsa of the Laotian film The Long Walk won best actor.

Lee Chatametikool of the Thai and German film Nakorn-Sawan was recognized for his artistic contribution in film editing.

It is the first time QCinema pitted its local grantees against Asian directors in this competition section, Asian Next Wave (ANW) Competition. It put in ANW's wing the former cluster—Circle Competition, which was for the Filipino Continued on C3 filmmakers.