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VOL. XXXIII • NO. 266 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P18 THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2019 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

IT’S A DRUGS DEAL. Vice President Leni Robredo (inset) has accepted the offer made by President Rodrigo Duterte for her to be the co-chairperson of the Inter-agency Committee on Anti-Illegal Drugs, with more than 5,000 alleged drug dealers and users who fought back shot dead, like Aldrin, an alleged drug user mourned by his mother Nanette Castillio in this Oct. 3, 2017 photo, bouncing out from remarks of some government critics the appointment was just a trap. She said in Filipino: ‘They ask me if I am ready. My question is: Are you ready for me?’ AFP

Leni: Are you ready for me?

Militant groups VP’s first salvo as drug czar: • Stop EJKs • Arrest drug lords, ninjas, narcopols open offices to CHR inspection ICE President Leni

By Rio N. Araja, MJ Blancaﬂor, Maricel V. Cruz and Macon Ramos-Araneta

Robredo announced Wednesday she is accepting the post as drug czar, giving her first orders to stop the killing of innocent civilians.

By Maricel V. Cruz HUMAN rights and leftist groups opened their offices to inspection Wednesday, saying this would give the police little opportunity to plant evidence against them. The Commission on Human Rights inspected the Quezon City offices of Karapatan, Bayan the NationalUnion of People’s Laywers and Kodao Productions upon their request, days after police raided offices of their colleagues in Manila and Bacolod. Karapatan Deputy Secretary-General Roneo Clamor said the group asked

At a news conference, Robredo vowed to hold accountable officials involved in the drug war, including the so-called ninja cops, and those who have allowed the smuggling of shabu, and to run after big-time drug lords. “They ask me if I’m ready for this job. My question is, are they ready for me?” she said in Filipino. Next page

PH resumes stamp on Chinese visitors By Vito Barcelo THE Bureau of Immigration will resume stamping on the passports of visiting Chinese nationals, which was stopped by the Philippine government to protest Beijing’s expansive maritime claims in the South China Sea. The practice of stamping on Chinese passports was stopped by Immigration in 2012, at the height of the country’s Next page

XMAS IN UMBRELLAS. Christmas is breathing in almost every corner of the country, but one place—Miguelin Street in crowded Sampaloc, Manila—has installed colorful umbrellas instead of expensive lanterns in line with the beautification project of several barangays in Manila under Mayor Francisco ‘Isko’ Domagoso. Ey Acasio

Mindanao ML extension eyed; 3 bombers killed By Francisco Tuyay AS MARTIAL law in Mindanao nears its end, Presidential Peace Adviser Carlito Galvez Jr. said Wednesday he might recommend an extension, but only in selected areas in the region given the presence of ISIS terrorists in the country’s southern region.

He made his statement even as another official said two Egyptian suicide bombers and an Abu Sayyaf operative were planning to stage attacks in downtown Jolo for the death of ISIS leader Abu Bakr AlBaghdadi and the others who were killed by security forces in a shootout Tuesday. AFP Western Mindanao Command chief Cirilito Sobejana said the foreign

terrorists were part of the group ASG sub-leader Hatib Sawadjaan. Sobejana said the two Egyptian bombers were a father and son, identified only as Abduramil, 40 to 50 years old and Abdurahman, alias Josof, 18. Major Gen. Corleto Vinluan, commander of the Joint Task Force Sulu, said the Next page

DA ‘manages’ ASF outbreak By MJ Blancaﬂor THE Department of Agriculture on Wednesday said the spread of African swine fever is being “managed,” despite the confirmation that more hogs in the National Capital Region tested positive for the virus. Reildrin Morales, head of DA Crisis Management Team on ASF, said Next page

Quakes shift local units’ focus to disaster response

POST-QUAKE SCENARIO. A father and his son eat heated canned goods in an evacuation center in Makilala, North Cotabato (left) while Police Lt. Gen. Archie Francisco Gamboa and his men (top right) distribute relief goods to affected residents in Mindanao while a Tagabawa tribal elder (below right) looks after her baby sister at the Makilala evacuation center where she is having a headache. Geonarri Solmerano

LOCAL government units in earthquake-affected areas in Mindanao are cutting back on their anti-insurgency efforts to focus on disaster response, Interior Secretary Eduardo Año said Wednesday. In an interview with GMA News, Año said this shift of focus did not include the military or police, which will continue to provide security, 24 hours a day. A spokesman for the Army, meanwhile, said soldiers would give part of their subsistence allowance for November to the quake-affected victims in Mindanao. The initiative is in addition to the Army’s ongoing humanitarian assistance and disaster response operations in the province of Cotabato and other affected areas in the region, Col. Patricio Ruben Amata said in a statement. “The donations will be allocated to aid the individuals and families affected by the disaster. This command initiative is just a part of our response to our mandate to serve the Filipino people and we eagerly encourage everyone Next page

News

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2019

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Chief Justice deplores slay of IIocos judge By Rey E. Requejo CHIEF Justice Diosdado Peralta on Wednesday denounced the killing on Tuesday of Tagudin, Ilocos Sur Regional Trial Court Judge Mario Anacleto Banez, the 31st judge killed since January 1999. He urged law enforcement agencies to leave no stone unturned in their probe to arrest Banez’s killers. Following the assassination, Deputy Speaker Johnny Pimentel renewed his call for the creation of up to 3,000 new positions for armed judicial protection officers. “We cannot allow these brazen attacks on judges to go on without a forceful answer,” said Pimentel, a representative of Surigao del Sur. “Our judges deserve strong protection considering they have become increasingly vulnerable to aggression and violence, presumably from disgruntled and hateful litigants.” Bañez was attacked while he was on his way home in La Union and was declared dead on arrival at the Lorna Hospital in San Fernando City. With Maricel V. Cruz

Militant... From A1

for the inspection “to deprive the police any opportunity to plant evidence should a search warrant be suddenly served.” “We likewise want to put an end to these baseless and absurd accusations that our offices–with known addresses–are being used as safe houses,” he said. In the House, Minority leader Rep. Bienvenido Abante Jr. slammed the attacks against the left-leaning Makabayan bloc. “The Minority bloc is united in condemning the attacks on the members of the Makabayan bloc, and demand that these be stopped immediately. Such attacks have no place in a democracy,” Abante, representative of Manila’s Sixth District, said at a news conference Wednesday. “I speak for the whole Minority in saying that the Makabayan bloc is a productive and dynamic part of the House Minority and together we properly perform our role as a credible fiscalizer of the administration,” he said Abante noted reports that the simultaneous raids and mass arrests of members of Bayan Muna, Kilusang Mayo Uno and Gabriela Negros Center, and the Negros Federation of Sugar Workers involved planted guns and explosives and trumped up charges. The arrests were made a day before the All Saints’ Day holiday, preventing the accused from posting bail for the alleged crimes. The other night, Reynaldo Malaborbor, a Makabayan coordinator in Southern Tagalog, was shot dead around 9 p.m. by an unidentified gunman in front of his house at Cabuyao, Laguna. Around 1 a.m. Wednesday, police raided a Bayan office in Tondo, Manila and arrested three activists in the office. The same QC RTC Judge issued the search warrants for the raids in Bacolod City and Manila. International organization Oxfam, meanwhile, said it is a humanitarian organization that operates globally, in response to a Defense department allegation that the group was linked to “communist terrorist groups.” In a statement, Oxfam said they learned that the DND tagged its Philippine arm as a supposed front of local “communist terrorist groups” while its International and UK arm was branded as “foreign funding agencies wittingly or unwittingly providing funds” to “CTG front organizations.” “These allegations affect not only us, but also put the communities and partners we work at risk,” Oxfam said. It added: “In a country where poverty remains, and poor communities are continually struck by disasters, we strongly believe that organizations like ours should be encouraged, rather than hindered, from undertaking our programs.” Oxfam said it has been legally registered and has been working in the Philippines for more than 30 years. It added that it works in “accordance with humanitarian principles, international law and the laws of donor governments and have stringent systems in place to ensure... aid gets to the people who need it most.” With PNA

Mindanao... From A1

foreign suicide bombers were neutralized by alert troopers in Sitio Itawan, Kan Islam village in Indanan, Sulu, at 4:50 p.m. the other day. He said the terrorists, while traversing the national road in Indanan, Sulu, were flagged down by soldiers from the 41st Infantry Battalion and 1102nd In fantry Brigade, but they fired at the lawmen, prompt-

’Bus driver commits 500 violations’ This was one of the concerns raised by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority in seeking help from the Land Transportation Office to go against bus drivers who have committed hundreds of traffic violations since 2006. The MMDA said it will soon collect the records of traffic violators among private motorists and jeepney drivers as part of a crackdown against repeat and excessive traffic violators.

This came after the MMDA announced on Tuesday its goal to suspend 100 to 1,000 bus drivers after a probe found that more than 1,700 of those drivers had committed a minimum of 100 traffic violations since 2006. MMDA general manager Jose Arturo Garcia Jr. said the agency had accounted for more than 1,700 bus drivers based on its database. “I was alarmed by these erring PUB

drivers, so I immediately coordinated with the LTO. We will strictly enforce Republic Act 4136 against errant drivers,” he said. Garcia said that, based on MMDA records, one bus driver alone has committed 533 violations since the time of then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. Among the violations committed by the unnamed driver were obstruction, disregarding traffic signs, loading and unloading in the yellow lane and having his door open. Under RA 4136, also known as the Land Transportation and Traffic Code of the Philippines, a driver who commits at least three times of the same violations during a 12-month period may face automatic suspension of his/her driver’s li-

Leni:...

are politically motivated. Opinion polls say the drug war has the overwhelming backing of Filipinos, yet it has high-profile critics among opposition politicians, the powerful Catholic Church and advocacy groups. Foreign institutions have also stepped in to question the killing, including International Criminal Court prosecutors who have launched a preliminary probe. Drug agents say they have killed just over 5,500 alleged dealers and users who fought back during arrest, but watchdogs say the true toll is at least four times higher. Advocates allege the campaign is a war on the urban poor which has had the side effect of unleashing a rush of killings linked to everything from personal disputes to political rivalries. Duterte’s spokesman Salvador Panelo has denied the appointment was an effort to drag Robredo into the morass of the campaign to co-opt her. “Effectively, we’re giving her a ladder to the presidency. This is her chance,” Panelo said on Tuesday. Duterte has previously derided Robredo’s capability to potentially lead the country, which she would have to do if the president dies or cannot function. But in a turnaround labelled by critics as a trap, Duterte said in a speech last week that the drug situation has “worsened” with the police on the “brink of surrendering.” “It’s beyond my competence, but maybe she will do better,” Duterte told reporters last week. Several members of Duterte’s Cabinet said they would work with Robredo in good faith, but not all of them were so welcoming. “C’mon Leni, let’s try something new. Except legalizing the drug trade, rehabbing drug dealers instead shootin’ ‘em,” Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin wrote in a tweet. Malacañang welcomed Robredo’s acceptance of her appointment. “We welcome the acceptance of VP Leni to her appointment by the President as antidrug czar. We welcome her return to the Cabinet. This is her moment. She should seize this opportunity,” Panelo said. “By her acceptance, it shows she is much smarter than her colleagues in the opposition,” Panelo added. Panelo said Robredo should talk to President Duterte to determine her role as co-chair of the anti-drug body. The Palace official refused to answer reporters’ queries if Robredo, given her new role, could suspend anti-drug operations without President Duterte’s permission and if she will be granted appointing powers in drug-related agencies. Aquino, who had initially expressed doubts about Robredo’s ability to succeed in the job, said members of ICAD were “ecstatic” about her appointment. “The members of ICAD are happy and we expect that she will make a call within the week and hopefully we can brief her on the accomplishments that were made by ICAD for the past years,” said Aquino, who is her co-chair. President Duterte will extend help to Robredo if she needs it, Panelo said. “If the help of the President is asked, why not help?” Panelo told Palace reporters.

In a memo, Duterte asked drug-related agencies to extend their “full assistance and cooperation” to Robredo to ensure the government’s success in its anti-drug campaign. ICAD is composed of 21 government offices that is tasked to ensure that each member agency shall implement laws and policies pertaining to the antidrug campaign in an “integrated and synchronized” manner. Among the agencies were the Dangerou Drugs Board, Department of the Interior and Local Government, Department of Health, Department of Education, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Agriculture, and Department of National Defense. Also part of ICAD were Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, Philippine Information Agency, Public Attorney’s Office, Office of the Solicitor General, Philippine Coast Guard, Philippine National Police, National Bureau of Investigation, Bureau of Customs, Bureau of Immigration, Armed Forces of the Philippines and Anti-Money Laundering Council. Among its functions is to “ensure the effective conduct of all anti-illegal drug operations and arrest of high-value drug personalities” including “street-level peddlers and users.” The ICAD is also mandated to “cleanse the bureaucracy” of government personnel involved in illegal drugs and advocacy initiatives. It is also tasked to ensure the implementaion of the Barangay DrugClearing Program and National Anti-Drug Plan of Action 2015-2020. ICAD has four clusters: enforcement, justice, advocacy, and rehabilitation and reintegration. Aquino earlier said the Vice President could be a “good leader” for the ICAD’s advocacy and rehabilitation and reintegration clusters. “It doesn’t mean if she handles those 2 clusters she doesn’t have any say on the other two clusters that I’m handling. She can put any program or maybe do something for the betterment of our committee,” he said. An ally of Vice President Leni Robredo in the House of Representatives on Wednesday backed her decision to the anti-drug czar post offered to her by the President. Quezon City Rep. Jose Christopher Belmonte, a Liberal Party stalwart, said their reservations about Robredo’s appointment were dispelled by her sincerity and determination. “We had reservations... We know that for the administration, this is just politics,” Belmonte said during the minority bloc’s weekly press conference. “But VP Leni does not play high politics with the lives of our people. We know that her sincerity overcame her own doubts, and it overcomes ours,” he added. Belmonte also said the Vice President’s political party--Liberal Party--expected that she would take the offer as “she will never shrink from any responsibility to do what she can to make our people’s lives better.”

the company pulled out selected products and suspended operations at its pork processing facilities. The DA has also formed a zoning plan in a bid to contain and eradicate the highly contagious disease more than two months after it arrived in the country. “ASF can be controlled, managed and eradicated,” Morales said. The government has culled 70,000 pigs of total 12.5-million hogs nationwide since August, Morales said, but he assured the public that there will be no pork shortage come Christmas season where demand for it is expected to increase. On a global scale, a quarter of the world’s domestic pigs have died this year as a virus rampages across Europe and Asia.

The government has been implementing the 1-7-10 protocol, where ASF-afflicted pigs and others within the 1-kilometer radius are culled. Those within the 7-kilometer radius have limited movement, while pigs in the 10-kilometer radius are strictly monitored. The DA said that smuggled pork products tainted with ASF caused the introduction of the fatal hog disease in the country, as it made its way to backyard farms as swill. ASF is not harmful to humans but fatal to pigs. Reporting to the World Organization for Animal Health on Nov. 4, the Philippines said ASF has recorded 24 outbreaks of ASF. The previous report dated Oct. 30 cited only nine outbreaks.

By Joel E. Zurbano

HERE in the world can you ﬁnd a bus driver who has committed more than 500 trafﬁc violations but is still driving?

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Initially, she was hesitant to accept her designation as a co-chairperson of the

Interagency Committee on Anti-illegal Drugs, citing concerns that the appointment was not a serious one but was just a trap so that the Duterte administration could blame her for its shortcomings. “But in the end, the most important consideration for me is simple: if this is an opportunity to stop the killing of innocent people and hold accountable those who must be held accountable, then I will shoulder this responsibility,” she said. “I did not ask for this. It is the President [Rodrigo Duterte] who offered me this. At the end of the day, if that would just be the solution to end the [drug-related] killings, I accept the offer of the President,” she told reporters. In her speech, Robredo highlighted her longstanding differences with the President. “The President knows my position on the drug war: I am against the killing of innocent people, and I am against abusive officials. He knows my criticisms. He knows what I intend to fix,” she said. “So if the President thinks that in accepting this position, I will be silenced, he is dead wrong. From the start, we are ready to help for the good of the nation. But we will never surrender our principles. This is not a game. This is a serious discussion when lives are involved.” In an Oct. 31 memorandum, the President appointed Robredo to be the ICAD cochairperson with a Cabinet rank until June 30, 2022 unless sooner revoked. Saying the President is just left with “twoand-a-half years in your administration,” Robredo said “it is not yet too late for us to help one another.” “There is still a chance for us to fix this,” she added. Barry Gutierrez, Robredo’s lawyerspokesperson, said the Vice President’s next step is to know the scope of her work as ICAD co-chairperson, and functions and duties. He said she would soon meet with Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency director general Aaron Aquino, ICAD chairperson, and the other committee officials from different government member-agencies. “We would be dealing with the details of her new designation. It is important that we actually get the right information so we would know clearly the problem we would be facing,” he said. This puts Robredo in the cockpit of the President’s internationally condemned war on drugs. “I want to fix the campaign against illegal drugs, stop the killing of innocents and bring to account abusive officials,” Robredo told a press conference. Duterte critics were skeptical of the appointment, with Senator Leila de Lima calling it a “silly trap.” The President wants to “create the narrative of putting all the blame of his failures on someone else,” added De Lima, who is imprisoned on drug charges she says

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the spread of ASF within the Philippines is

“slower” compared to other countries. “At this point, ASF is still managed. The level of spread is what we call managed,” he said in a press briefing in Malacañang. So far, the DA has identified Rizal, Pangasinan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, and Cavite as areas with ASF. Some hogs in Malabon, Caloocan, and Quezon City also tested positive for the virus. On Monday, the skinless longganisa and hotdog of Pampanga-based Mekeni Food Corp’s tested positive for ASF as well. Even before the results were announced,

ing the government forces to retaliate. A military statement claimed that the terrorists were allegedly the husband and son of a foreign suicide bomber that attacked a military post in Kilometer-3, brgy Tagbak, Indanan, Sulu, last Sept. 8. “The suicide bombers killed yesterday were foreign terrorists that formed part of the ASG sub-group under Hatib Sawadjaan, so it can be a retribution for the recent neutralization of the ISIS leader in Syria,” Sobejana said.

PH... From A1

territorial dispute with China in the West Philippine Sea, the bureau said. Meanwhile, the Department of Foreign Affairs will file a diplomatic protest against China once security officials confirm the firing of warning flares at a Philippine military aircraft patrolling the West Philippine Sea.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. on Wednesday vowed to file the protest once the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency confirms the incident. “When NICA confirms, I file a protest,” Locsin said on his Twitter account. He said he could trust only the Armed Forces of the Philippines to tell the truth because civilian sources “lie as they breathe.” With Rey E. Requejo

cense for at least one to two years. “Our aim is to instill discipline among the bus drivers. Also, this is for the safety of passengers,” Garcia said. Garcia also warned bus operators against hiring bus drivers with many traffic violations. “Please exercise extraordinary diligence in hiring a bus driver or else we will impound your vehicle, he said. LTO Law Enforcement Service Deputy Director Roberto Valera assured the public that they will act as soon as possible and due process will be observed. Police Lt. Col. Emmanuel Tabuena, Chief of the PNP-Highway Patrol Group Traffic Enforcement Unit, said they will apprehend the suspended bus drivers once the list comes out. With PNA Senators on Wednesday welcomed Robredo’s acceptance of the offer to become co-chairperson of ICAD. Senate President Vicente Sotto III described Robredo’s decision as “a very good move.” “She can start by concentrating on prevention and rehabilitation. I’m willing to give her some ideas that have worked before,” he said. Senator Panfilo Lacson commended Robredo for accepting the position. “Kudos to VP Robredo. I take my hat off to her for accepting the daunting challenge,” he said. He said experience counts but sincerity and mental honesty, not to mention the willingness to learn should count more. “We should all give her the support she needs to contribute her share in battling this pestering problem of illegal drugs that destroys lives, families and the youth to whom we will bequeath the future of our beloved country. In my case, I am ready and willing to humbly share whatever modest law enforcement experience I gained in my previous life,” said Lacson, who was a former PNP chief. Senator Ronald dela Rosa, who used to lead the administration’s war on drugs, said he was happy that the vice president chose to help the government. “This is not just the problem of President Duterte. This is the problem of the whole Filipino nation so we need a whole nation approach to eradicate the drug problem.” Dela Rosa said he hopes that Robredo, in accepting the job, will share the solution she knows in the war against drugs. “We will be victorious in this war as a nation, undivided by political colors,” he said. Minority Leader Franklin Drilon said they have full confidence that she can carry out the task when she accepted the challenge. Being the leader of the opposition, he said Robredo will continue to watch over the government. “But in instances such as this, when she is called upon to do her share, she will not shirk from this challenge,” said Drilon. He said the task is enormous as the problems on illegal drugs continue to infect society and ruin lives and families. “I call on the Filipino people and government instrumentalities involved in the campaign against illegal drugs to rally behind the Vice President. Her success is the success of our nation,” he said. Senator Risa Hontiveros, a member of the minority bloc in the Senate, said she welcomes the vice president’s decision despite concerns that it could set her up for failure. “The vice president’s decision is extremely laudable. It demonstrates her readiness to lead and sacrifice for the people and provide better solutions to the country’s drug problem,” she said. “If Robredo is provided all the necessary powers and resources and given the full liberty to implement a public health approach coupled with a rights-based law enforcement strategy, she can do a much better job in responding to the drug problem, she added. With AFP

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to volunteer or extend support to help our fellow Filipinos in need,” Amata added. Every donation, he said, will be deducted from each Army personnel’s daily subsistence allowance of P150, equivalent to three meals a day at P50 each. Under the measure, Army troops will skip two meals worth P100 this month, which will be collected and donated to quake victims. Other contributions will be accepted, either in cash or in kind. After conducting rescue and evacuation operations, Army troopers also worked with government units and other stakeholders to provide the residents with temporary shelters and relief goods. Health officials on Wednesday said a total of 73 health facilities were damaged by the series of earthquakes that hit Mindanao recently. Of these, seven were destroyed. Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said the affected facilities have resumed operations, setting up temporary spaces for consultation areas, operating rooms, and delivery rooms to accommodate the surge of patients and casualties. Joel Zurbano, with PNA

News

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2019 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Reform to hike excise taxes must be up By Macon Ramos-Araneta AN INCREASE to the funding gap for the Universal Health Care Law means that the reform to increase excise taxes on alcoholic beverages, heated tobacco products, and vapor products must now be a priority measure, according to health advocates. Senator Manny Pacquiao noted the excise tax rates on alcoholic beverages, HTPs, and vape proposed by Ways and Means committee chairperson Pia Cayetano were higher than those filed by Pacquiao in his version of the measure. According to Cayetano, a significantly higher rate is necessary because the currently proposed 2020 budget for health is lower than expected, leading to a further increase to the funding shortfall for the UHC’s implementation. “The amount anticipated to be received through the GAA was P195 billion, but in fact, it is currently only P182 billion. Because of that, the gap increases,” Cayetano explained. Because of this, Sin Tax Coalition coconvener Dr. Anthony Leachon said that there must now be a greater urgency in approving the tax increase on alcohol and e-cigarettes. “We urge our senators to quickly approve the reform to raise taxes on alcohol and e-cigarettes. The UHC is a landmark health reform signed earlier this year, and securing the full funding for this is imperative; otherwise, we risk facing significant delays in achieving our milestones for health care,” Leachon said in a statement. Leachon also reiterated the coalition’s call to President Rodrigo Duterte to certify Senate Bill 1074 as an urgent measure.

DOLE’s Bello faces criminal charge A PRIVATE individual on Wednesday filed a criminal and administrative complaint against Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III before the Office of the Ombudsman in connection with his 40 travels abroad. At a news conference, Adolfo Paglinawan, a broadcaster who claimed to be the lead convenor of the Solidarity for Sovereignty, said Bello should be held liable for violation of Section 3 of Republic Act 3019, extortion and robbery under the Revised Penal Code for alleged conspiracy with exundersecretary Dominador Say to receive benefits from a certain Azziza Salim, owner of a recruitment agency, some P5 million. He said the matter was brought to the attention of President Rodrigo Duterte, who ordered Say’s removal from his post. He said Salim filed a complaint with the Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission, to no avail. Moreover, Paglinawan said Bello received “gifts” from Amanda Araneta, owner and president of MMML Recruitment Services Inc., “two occasions,” and despite the cancellation of peace talks with the National Democratic Front of the Philippines in November 2017, Bello, along with a certain Jessica Gabriel Abad as a companion, “made a secret trip to the Netherlands to rendezvous and meet with Jose Maria Sison,” founder of the Communist Party of the Philippines. Rio N. Araja

HOUSE CONSULTATIONS. House Majority Leader and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez (right) and Negros Oriental Rep. Jocelyn Limkaichong (2nd right) lead the Consultative

Meeting with the Department of Education led by Secretary Leonor Magtolis-Briones (3rd right) and the Commission on Higher Education representatives on the concerns of the members of Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines, which has 1,525-member Catholic schools. Ver Noveno

Recto rebukes transparency lack in 2020 nat’l budget By Macon Ramos-Araneta and Maricel V. Cruz

ENATE President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto on Wednesday rebuked the lack of transparency in next year’s national budget, citing the absence of details in the “unprogrammed” part of the budget. “While every literature states that P4.1 trillion is the national budget for 2020, in reality, it is not.,” added Recto. In the House, Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano on Wednesday appealed to senators to finish their budget deliberations this month to enable bicameral meetings by the first week of December. “Well, we’re praying and we’re also urging Senate President [Vicente] Sotto [III] and Sen. [Juan Edgardo] Angara if they could finish it by the end of the month so that we can hold the bicam by the first week of December,” Cayetano told a radio interview. Recto said the real amount was P4,316.3 trillion, P216.3 billion higher than what is commonly stated. The P216.3 billion represents the Unprogrammed Appropriations. While the release of funds from this is governed by several “triggers”, Recto

said the authority to spend it came with the passage of the national budget. Because of this, he said the P4.316 trillion was the implied ceiling of the proposed 2020 budget. Once the latter becomes law, he stressed it confers standby authority to the executive to spend it, provided conditions are met. But barely discussed in this year’s budget preparation season is how the UA have been on steroids. “In just two years, it has grown in Incredible Hulk-like proportions and speed,” said the Senate leader. As this developed, Senator Christopher Lawrence Go said he would scrutinize the proposed 2020 national budget to ensure that no taxpayers’ money would be wasted and that it will be a “pork-free or cholesterol-free budget.” The senator, currently the Senate Finance Committee vice chairperson,

MMDA gears up for 30th Southeast Asian Games By Joel E. Zurbano THE Metropolitan Manila Development Authority is now gearing up in connection with the 30th Southeast Asian Games to be hosted by the Philippines from Nov. 30 to Dec. 11. Chairman Danilo Lim said his agency would deploy 2,000 personnel in key areas in the metropolis to supervise and help manage the traffic flow, and provide assistance during the event. He said the MMDA shall provide personnel and equipment along designated routes for seamless movement of delegates from airport to billeting hotels, sports venues and other engagement areas at the least inconvenience to the general public. “Aside from deployment of traffic personnel to strategic areas, we shall provide motorcycle and mobile car

escorts, ambulances, tow trucks as well as monitoring of road activities during the SEA Games,” said Lim. The 12-day event, according to Lim, is expected to gather thousands of athletes, sports ofﬁcials, coaches, spectators and guests at sports and non-sports venues within Metro Manila. Among the venues include the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex, Cuneta Astrodome, SM Mall of Asia Arena, SM MOA Skating Rink, World Trade Center, Philippine International Convention Center Forum, SM Megamall, Filoil Flying V Centre, Filinvest City, University of the Philippines Diliman Gym, Marine Corps, Muntinlupa Sports Complex, Starmall EDSA, Makati Coliseum, Manila Hotel tent, SM Megamall Ice Rink, World Trade Center, Philsports Arena, Amoranto Sports Complex, and Manila Polo Club.

Immigration appeals rules released by DOJ THE Department of Justice has released its new rules that disallow foreigners ordered deported to stay for more than 30 days even if they have pending appeals. Justice Undersecretary Markk Perete said the DOJ’s Omnibus Rules and Regulations on Appeals on Immigration and Immigration-Related Matters had been published in a daily on Wednesday, Nov. 6. “These rules will take effect after 15 days,” Perete said in an interview. According to the DOJ official, this is the first time the DOJ has such rules that truly reflected the Administrative Code. Under the new rules, Perete stressed that foreigners who appealed before the DOJ the deportation order against them before would have to leave within 30 days after the Bureau of Immigration issued the order. On the other hand, Perete assured that foreigners can return to the country if their appeal against deportation has been granted by the DOJ. Rey E. Requejo

emphasized that 2020 national budget would undergo scrutiny to make sure that government can maximize it for the betterment of Filipinos lives. “I’m in favor of pork-free, or cholesterolfree budget. I will be one of those who will dig into [the budget] since I’m the Vice Chair po of Finance,” Go said. “If there’s a need to drain the cholesterol, we’ll use water so the cholesterol will ﬂoat. We’ll do this. I want pork-free.” Go also stressed the budget should be given back to the people through quality and easily accessible basic services, such as healthcare which could greatly beneﬁt the indigent and those who are hit by calamities and disasters. “I’m for cholesterol-free budget. Return to the people what should belong to them like basic services [such as] health— these are the people affected by disasters, needing them. Return the people their money,” explained Go. Asked if he supports the adoption of the House version of the budget and the removal or vetoing of the reported “parked” funds, Go told that he will look into the matter carefully. In 2016, Recto said the UA was P67.5 billion, the same amount in 2017. It nudged a bit to P75.3 billion in 2018. But 2019 saw it ballooning to P197.1 billion.

To give way to the convoy of vehicles going to and from the said venues, stop-and-go traffic schemes will be implemented along Epifanio de los Santos Avenue and other major roads and intersections to facilitate the fast movement of the delegates. A temporary stop of traffic will also be observed as delegates’ convoy passes through roads and intersections. Occasional traffic disruptions also might be experienced on both directions of EDSA. On northbound, affected areas are: Roxas Blvd., Taft Avenue, Ayala, Buendia, Shaw Boulevard, Megamall, Santolan, SM North, Muñoz and Balintawak. On southbound, affected portions are Balintawak, Munoz, SM North, Cubao, Santolan, Ortigas, Shaw Boulevard, Boni Serrano, Buendia corner Macapagal, Ayala Magallanes, and Roxas Blvd.

Wastewater poses public health risks —US firm IN THE Philippines, less than 10 percent of the population have access to piped sewerage systems and 80 percent of the water consumed or used, commonly referred to as “wastewater,” drains out into the bodies of water. Consequently, years of neglect, poor management, and unimproved sanitation facilities have resulted in serious threats to public health, as well as increased damage to our ecosystems and biodiversity. Under the National Sewerage and Septage Management Program, about P200 million was made available as a subsidy for sewerage and septage projects that local government units can obtain for their sanitation program. “However, wastewater treatment and septage management is generally known to be so expensive and needs a lot of manpower to handle and maintain such services,” Eros Kaw, CEO of BioCleaner Inc., said in a press release. “We at BioCleaner want to come in and offer our services to help address these problems, and hopefully the LGUs, by providing affordable and effective wastewater treatment and septage management at a very minimal cost,” Eros added. In addition to the initial capital expenditure, these facilities incur huge operating costs and human resource requirement. Moreover, there are serious concerns over the hazardous nature of the wastewater management process that exposes the sanitation crew to health risks while sludge handling proved to be costly and can leave contaminants that poison the environment. However, US-based biotech company BioCleaner puts forward the most practical answer to the country’s sewerage and septage problem. “We are conﬁdent that our system can effectively and efﬁciently deal wastewater treatment and septage management with minimal costs that is also proven to be super safe to both people and the environment,” says Kaw.

Panelo says Du30 ‘needs to rest’ from tight sked By MJ Blancaflor

ORDINANCE VIOLATOR. Metropolitan Manila Development Authority General

Manager Jojo Garcia and Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte lead the closure of Baliwag Transit Bus depot in North Edsa in Quezon City for violation of City ordinance known as the Quezon city Revenue Code of 1993. Manny Palmero

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte appeared “overworked” during the recently concluded 35th Association of Southeast Asian Nations according to state leaders of the 10-member bloc, Malacañang said Wednesday. Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said the Chief Executive really “needs to rest” following his tight schedule. Senator Christopher Go, Duterte’s longtime aide, earlier said the President wanted to go home to Davao City where he would stay for a week to rest his “aching back.” “It’s up to the President [if he will take a leave]. But if you will ask me, he really needs to rest,” Panelo said. “There were comments from ASEAN leaders. ‘Your President looks overworked. Don’t let him work too much.’ That’s what they are saying,” he added.

Duterte returned to Manila early Tuesday after participating in the regional summit on Nov. 2 to 4. Panelo said the President would likely lessen his workload instead of taking a leave of absence. “Most likely he will lessen his volume of work so he won’t be too much pressured,” he said. Before the ASEAN Summit, Duterte ﬁgured in a motorcycle accident which caused him muscle spasms. The Palace said the incident was just a minor mishap, and that the President only sustained “slight bruises” from it. The incident has triggered speculations about the health of the 74-year-old leader, but the Palace dismissed concerns and reiterated that the President is well. Malacañang previously said the President went home earlier than expected from Japan shortly after the enthronement rites of Emperor Naruhito because he complained of an “unbearable pain” in his lower back.

Opinion

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2019

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‘Alalay’ or senator? WHEN I was writing a chapter of my book The Road Never Ends, which I said would be launched this month but would be really launched in January, I came across an item that some people, which included Geny Lopez of ABSCBN and former Senator Serge Osmeña, were detained at Camp Crame for supposedly plotting to assassinate President Ferdinand Marcos.

What is Bong Go, really? Santa Banana, I can no longer recall who else was involved in that plot! There were news reports that the two managed to escape, so much so that a movie called Eskapo was made of it. Still, there was inside information that the two did not really escape—rather, they were allowed to escape upon orders of Marcos. How could anybody escape from Camp Crame when Metro Manila was full of checkpoints at around that time? And how could Lopez and Osmeña have gone to the United States when they had no passports and visas? What I gathered was that Marcos allowed the two to escape because he did not quite know what to do with them. Perhaps he thought that would have been better to avoid speculation. *** I was rather intrigued by a news report yesterday that said House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano admitted he had personal objections to the renewal of the ABS-CBN franchise even as

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EDITORIAL

he promised that the House would be “fair” to the network. Cayetano did not elaborate on his objections. The franchise is said to expire in March 2020. Cayetano implied that the renewal was not priority legislation. My gulay, at least six bills have already been filed for the renewal of the franchise, but until now, the franchise panel led by Palawan Rep. Franz Alvarez has not tabled the measure for discussion. President Duterte has repeatedly threatened to block the renewal of the Lopez network’s franchise because it ran an advertisement adverse to him in 2016 and refused to air his own paid ad. I wonder how President Duterte will act on this matter. The President can veto any law passed by Congress, but both chambers can always override this by a two-thirds vote. As a journalist I believe that it would be to the best interest of the administration to renew the ABS-CBN franchise so that it would not be accused of being anti-media and anti-press freedom. *** Now that Vice President Robredo has accepted the challenge to take over the war against drugs, I think she would fail. Duterte’s offer for her to do the job in six months is a big joke. He himself has been doing it for over three years and yet the problem remains. Duterte has not succeeded because as I have repeatedly said, he is looking at the drug problem as a peace and order issue. But this is so wrong. Rather, the drug menace is a health issue. According to the President himself, there are between 7 million and 8 million drug users. That’s a lot in any language, Santa Banana! This is precisely the reason drug syndicates continue to thrive and smuggle

Hoping for the best

N A moment of pique, President Duterte has challenged his constant critic, Vice President Leni Robredo, to do better than he in winning the war on illegal drugs.

This he did officially by appointing Robredo to co-chair the Inter-agency Committee on Anti-Illegal Drugs (ICAD). As such, Robredo would coordinate with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, the Philippine National Police, the Dangerous Drugs Board, and other drug-related agencies to prosecute the government’s campaign against illegal drugs. Although she would share leadership of ICAD with the chief of PDEA, the position, the Palace says, entails a

Cabinet rank—a status she has not had since December 2016, when she resigned after being told not to bother attending Cabinet meetings. Although the Palace insists the offer is a “serious” one, the President’s shadow—now a senator by name— betrays its real intent. Upon the announcement of the offer, the senator urged Robredo to take the job so she could see how difficult it was. “You have been talking everywhere about this government’s failure on (sic) its drug campaign,” the senator said, clearly reflecting the President’s irritation at Robredo’s recent remarks to the international news agency Reuters in which she said the drug war as it was being prosecuted was not working. Now, the senator said, she should “kill all the drug lords”—or face his questions if she failed to do

so by the end of her term. “Try it, please try it so that you will know how the President works and how far-reaching is the problem of illegal drugs until your term ends on June 30, 2022. Let’s see if you will be able to sleep,” the senator said in Filipino. Inauspiciously, too, the PDEA chief has made clear he believes the vice president will fail, if she becomes the drug czar. Against these odds, the vice president on Wednesday accepted the appointment, a move welcomed by the Palace. We can only hope that this will be a positive step towards reconciliation that allows both the administration and the opposition to work together towards the common goal of eradicating the menace of illegal drugs. Only time will tell.

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The success of research: CRIC and LARO POP GOES THE WORLD JENNY ORTUOSTE TWO significant research conferences were held last month, showing the interest and enthusiasm among students, faculty, and independent researchers for venues that allow them to share the latest developments in their disciplines, connect and network with each other, and foster synergies that will encourage collaboration and cooperation. The 2nd Communication Research International Conference was held Oct. 17-18 at the University of the Philippines-Diliman Cine Adarna. Of the 112 abstracts received, 56 were accepted for presentation at 16 parallel sessions. CRIC, organized by the UP-D College of Mass Communication Department of Communication Research, was first held in 2016, and grew out of the National Communication Research Conference first staged in 2012 and the Communication Research Student Conference initiated in 2008. CRIC 2019 was a venue for students, faculty, and media professionals across and outside the Philippines to share and disseminate their studies in the field of communication and media. Among the many topics discussed were social media, group chats, mobile payment, online news, consumer behavior, disaster risk reduction and management, public shaming, and mental health. The keynote remarks were delivered by Hans Lopez-Vito, COO of BBDO Greater China, who spoke about the impact of the digital economy on brand communication and research. One of the plenary speakers was Florida State University Professor Mia Liza Lustria, who explained and explored the concept of mass inter-

personal persuasion brought about by the integration of web technologies into the communication repertoires of individuals. This has practical application in the design of persuasive systems or experiences related to social influence processes. Congratulations to the organizers— the UP-CMC Department of Communication Research and the Philippines Communication Society—and a shout-out to UP-CMC Commres Dept. chair and CRIC convenor Dr. Julienne Baldo-Cubelo for the successful and well-attended conference.

It was inspiring to see the high level of quality of research being produced by the game development students. Meanwhile, ludology—game studies—is having a moment now courtesy of game development teachers and gaming industry people who staged the country’s first academic research conference on the topic. Held Oct. 23 at SMX Mall of Asia and hosted by the Game Developers Association of the Philippines, the LARO (Ludology Academic Research Output) Conference showcased seven research papers in the morning, while industry-related forums were held in the afternoon. Presented to the attendees, mostly game development students, were researches by students from the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde, De La Salle University-Bacolod, Philippine Women’s University, and Asia Pacific College. Almost all the games discussed were educational and related to advocacies. Turtle Tale promotes ocean plastic waste reduction strategies; Nutrimania informs players Turn to A5

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The economics of cheating

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“THE more people rationalize cheating, the more it becomes a culture of dishonesty. And that can become a vicious, downward cycle. Because suddenly, if everyone else is cheating, you feel a need to cheat, too.” This quotable quote by Stephen Richards Covey (1932-2012), an American educator, author, businessman, and keynote speaker, speaks about how a culture of dishonesty evolves. This article, however, is not about Covey or his works. This is about University of the Philippines president Danilo Concepcion who regrettably appears to be propagating a culture of dishonesty in the state-run institution. Rumors are rife in the academic community and elsewhere that Concepcion was engaged in a shameless cover-up of cheating by a least three students of Economics. If true, his misdeed makes him a bigger crook than the students he was coddling. Boo Chanco, a noted newspaper columnist sarcastically remarked; “My alma mater is now breeding and training future crooks.” “Condoning cheating at UP sends

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the message that truth and integrity don’t count. This is dangerous specially in an era when truth is elusive and alternative truths abound,” Chanco warned. Dean Solita Monsod, in her own column on the issue, referred to UP’s motto “Honor and Excellence.” “Cheating is a dishonorable act. Worse if it is done in order to obtain excellent marks so one can graduate ‘with honors,’ not just to pass a course,” Monsod said. She herself is professor emeritus at UP School of Economics where the alleged cheating was committed.

Is there a price tag on dishonesty? It is disconcerting, to say the least, that UP, reputedly a seat of academic excellence in the country, is being rocked by this cheating scandal. The controversy is made more outrageous by the fact that the school’s president is front and center of this mess. I agree with Mareng Winnie that the school is currently in the grip of a credibility and integrity crisis, thanks but no thanks to Concepcion. Trouble started when the three stu-

dents allegedly cheated in an exam at the School of Economics. The honest students blew the whistle on the anomaly; reported it to their teacher who in turn reported it to the dean. Subsequently, a College of Disciplinary Committee (CDC) was formed and a three-month inquiry ensued. The affected dean adopted the recommendations of the CDC, forwarded it to the school’s Executive Committee which is composed of all the deans of all the colleges. The executive panel approved the report which was eventually sent to Concepcion’s office. To everyone’s surprise, Concepcion reversed the committee’s decision on one of the cheaters who got a clean bill of health. The president sat on the verdict for the two other erring students. There were suspicions that Concepcion did the unthinkable with a view to a substantial amount of investments into the university by unknown donors. How do we put a price tag on dishonesty? Anyway, at this point, the student body rose up in arms. In a manifesto, they declared; “The UPSE Student Council strongly condemns any form of academic dishonesty for we believe that it has no place in a university that prides itself in promoting honor and excellence. We collectively support and stand by our colleagues who were Turn to A5

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Opinion

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2019

Encouraging healthy habits through sports development IT HAS been part of our culture to take pride in our fellowmen who bring honor and glory to the country through their historic victories and recognition in the international scene. This year, we were amazed and thrilled by our national athlete, such as the gymnast Carlos Yulo and boxer Nesthy Petecio to name a few, who brought home world championships and medals from international sports events. While we celebrate their victories, it is inevitable to wonder about the current state of our Philippine athletes. Recently, Wesley So, a natural-born Filipino who later on transferred to the American Federation and represented the United States in Chess tournaments, became a world Chess champion in his victory against Magnus Carlsen. Remember how So became one of the youngest chess grandmasters of the world at the age of 14 when he was still playing for the Philippines. News outlets have cited that So lamented his unfortunate experience when he was still playing for the country. He said there was lack of adequate support

from the government. We are quick to celebrate when athletes bring home trophies and medals. However, the attention the government pours in to the development of sports and support to our national athletes run disproportional. For instance, Hidilyn Diaz, the 2016 Rio Olympics silver medalist in weightlifting, has earlier appealed for financial help and private sponsorship online to fund her journey to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. The Philippine Sports Commission has denied allegations of its shortcomings, but with such denial comes the increased awareness of the plight of our national athletes.

Let’s plant the seed. It is saddening that many of our ath athletes find better financial support from private organizations and companies. Every year, a portion of our budget is allocated to the improvement and development of sports in the country. Despite the annual allocation, it seems that this is not enough to provide support to our national athletes. While I recognize the talent of many of our athletes, I echo the concern of Senator

Pacquiao that we should focus more on sports where Filipinos have fighting chances to win. That way, we will be able to provide comprehensive assistance to the Philippine contingent for such sport that will assure us of better chances of winning. Nevertheless, the duty of the government to render support to Philippine sports remains. Sports has been long regarded as one of the most meaningful and productive means to veer the youth away from commission of crime and illegal drugs. It is only just that we continue to strive for the upgrading of our sports facilities, equipment, and training. It starts with our local sports events govsuch as provincial meets. Local gov ernment units play a crucial role in providing first-level backing and aid to our young athletes. Hence, reforms should start within the community. In Quezon, the provincial athletic meet will be held this November. This is an opportunity for our local athletes to showcase their talents, at the same time, an occasion to assess the capability of the LGUs to extend assistance. I call on our local government units to spearhead the necessary improvements in sports development in their own localities. In this way, we are planting the seeds that will surely bring fruitful victories in the future.

A new anti-drug czar AFTER a couple of weeks of verbal skirmishes between VP Leni Robredo and the Office of the President, President Duterte finally appointed VP Robredo as Co-Chair of the Inter Agency Committee on Anti-Illegal Drugs with full executive authority to manage the anti-drug war. This is in spite of the fact that the President has always derided the leadership and executive abilities of VP Robredo in the past. What caused the change? There are many ways to look at this sudden move. One is what the VP’s allies are saying and that it is a trap designed to fail. Robredo should not fall for this trap. Another is what the President’s Spokesman is saying that the VP might indeed have a trick or two up her sleeve on how to solve the drug problem and if she succeeds, it will be good for the country. Whether the VP can believe this is of course another matter. Whether one is a critic of the current anti-drug program or not, the appointment can be an opportunity for all the critics of the government to pull their resources together and help the VP wage a new approach to the problem. Still another is that it is also a chance for the VP to take the appointment as a challenge to show and demonstrate her capability in tackling complex problems, something that she has to do if she wants to be President. The move could also be interpreted as a way of quieting foreign critics of the President when it comes to the issue of extrajudicial killings. The move can show that he is flexible and open to change. This issue of EJK is one that refuses to die and this is understandable considering the number of people that have already died. Notwithstanding, 82 percent of the population still support the government’s anti-drug campaign. This of course does not necessarily mean that what the government is doing is right. There has to be a time when the government should take a pause to assess or review what has happened so far to

The economics... From A4

brave enough to step forward as witnesses in this case.” “Their courage is unmatched— championing the principle of honesty and integrity, no matter the circumstance. Further, we call for the UP administration to uphold the Code’s disciplinary measures, given that the in-

The success... From A4

about world hunger and what to do about it; Riffraff teaches the value of waste segregation and hygiene; and Fragments brings attention to

When the appointment came, one of the advisers of the VP said that VP Robredo has had no time to read the appointment because of a very busy schedule. It seems that her priority at the moment is to forward some kind of a recommendation to the Office of the President before doing anything. Apart from that, we will have to wait for the next move of the VP. I had thought Robredo would refuse the appointment. For one, she may be thinking that there is nothing to gain by her wading into a situation that has generated so much controversy locally and more importantly, internationally. The other thing is that there seems to be no position as Co-Chair of the ICAD. There is only the Chairman with the rank of Undersecretary in the person of PDEA Director General Aaron Aquino who has gone on record to say that VP Robredo is devoid of any law enforcement experience. This could be easily remedied with an Executive Order but it is hard to see how she can get the other government agencies engaged in the anti-drug war to see things her way considering that most if not all of these agencies are primed to the thinking of the President. Still,

miracles as they say do happen and the VP Robredo might go for it and take the challenge. *** The series of earthquakes that struck Mindanao and caused so much destruction and misery is showing the difficulty of providing and distributing relief goods especially in mountainous terrains. The TV footages of people lining up the roads asking for assistance is depressing. It gives the wrong impression that the government is incapable or unable to distribute enough aid as efficiently as it should. Figures that are coming out from the affected areas is showing that there is a lot more infrastructure damage than initially reported. A lot of school buildings have either been destroyed or heavily damaged which is an indication of the quality of construction. Since the 1990 Northern Luzon 7.7 earthquake, building construction was supposed to have been strengthened but this does not seem so in the affected areas. Watching some of the relief operations live on TV, brings back memories of the 1990 earthquake that devastated Baguio City and the Cordilleras. But the difference between what I am reading and seeing on TV and the Baguio quake is that in 1990, the whole might of the US 13th Air Force was available to help. There were many US helicopters crisscrossing the whole of the Cordillera Region delivering relief goods and evacuating wounded people. As the Provincial Commander of Benguet, I remember giving a briefing to President Corazon Aquino outside Mansion House while the ground was shaking because of the aftershocks that went on for months. In Mindanao, there is bound to be shortcomings. For one, our Armed Forces do not have that many helicopters capable of covering all affected area all at once. But even with meager resources, help will eventually come. With earthquakes, relief work will take weeks and reconstruction even much longer.

cident was clearly a violation of its regulations. Such violations must not be tolerated and, therefore, must be met with complete justice. We also challenge the Board of Regents to uphold academic integrity which must always be inherent in UP, and to abide by the very virtue that defines our University.” The faculty and the dean of the School of Economics, with the chancellor’s support, have appealed the president’s decision to the Board of

Regents, which has to calendar it for deliberation in their next meeting. The ball is now in the hands of the BOR. As of the moment, we can only hope for the best. But wait, there is more! There is a lingering whisper about UP funds in the billions of pesos invested in a “private” BPI account earning a measly one percent only. Well, ladies and gentlemen from the Senate and House of Representatives, take the cue!

see if there is a need to tweak the program as the VP is suggesting. Maybe this appointment of the VP is an indication of the willingness on the part of the President to try other methods.

Is Robredo up to the task?

the plight of street children. Pleaseed with the success of the event, DLS-CSB game development professor Dr. Beatrice Margarita V. Lapa and GDAP’s Bea Aranas said that they and the other event organizers will plan a two-day conference next year to accommodate

more researches. Lapa also said that they are developing an academic journal for ludology research. Taking center stage at the event were students engaging in worthy causes and using their skills and talents to educate others on important

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EEC was doing well without UK large ECSC into a full-blown, Western Europe-wide economic union. Thus was the EEC (European Economic Community) born. After 75 years of hostility and strife, around a dozen Western European FOR people with a keen sense of countries were willing and able to history, the ongoing Brexit (Britain embark on the Europe Project. With exiting from the European Union) a resurgent West German economy process brings back memories of leading the way, EEC was ready to the origin of the United Kingdom’s take on the economic power cenbecoming a member of the 28-mem- ters of the day—to wit, the US, the ber union of European countries. Russian-led Comecon (Communist With the UK’s departure—this has Economic Council) and Japan. All of this time, the UK, lying off just been deferred to early 2020— the coast of northwestern Europe, that number will go down to 27. The year of origin was 1952. was pretty much attending to its In that year the leaders of France own affairs and striving to effect a and Germany, which had fought full recovery from the financial devthe Franco-Prussian War of 1870, astation caused by World War II. Naturally, the pro-Europe, World War I of 1914-1919 and World War II of 1939-1945, decided non-insular-minded sector of Britthat their two countries should not ish society were watching with go to war ever again and, toward great interest the economic and political hapthat end, agreed penings on to create a mechthe other side anism for bindof the English ing their counPerhaps it would Channel. On tries together for the other hand, non-nationalistic have been better all many of Westendeavors. To- around if Britain had ern Europe’s gether with four not done joined and, were of their nearest instead, had just stayed leaders of the belief neighbors—Itathat a Western ly and the Ben- out. Europe withelux countries out Britain (Belgium, the historically Netherlands and Luxembourg), France and Germa- was a leading producer of manuny created the European Coal and factured goods and London was Steel Community (ECSC). At that one of the world’s two leading time France was led by wartime financial centers. In the view of hero Gen. Charles de Gaulle and these sectors the UK needed to be the head of the then-West German closely involved with its Western government was Chancellor Kon- European neighbors and a Western Europe truly would be Westrad Adenauer. De Gaulle, Adenauer and their ern Europe with the UK in it. After much discussion, debate ECSC partners agreed that the best approach to Western Euro- and negotiation, Britain was prepean solidarity and stability was vailed upon to join, and it acceptthe economic approach—bind ed the membership terms, of what the economies of the six coun- had in the interim become the EC tries tightly so that their managers (European Community). There was would focus on economic matters; pleasure and relief on both sides of politics could come later. ECSC the English Channel when, with apcould be expanded into a broader propriate ceremony, Britain’s Prime economic union among the Six, Minister affixed his signature to the which would then be the nucleus Treaty of Rome. Today, the world watches as the of a politic union among them. The economics-first approach sad and deplorable proceedings favored by De Gaulle, Adenauer for Britain’s exit from the Europeand their ECSC partners—notable an Union (EU) unfold in Brussels among whom were Italy’s Alcide de and London. The present British Gasperi and Belgium’s Paul-Hen- government thinks that Britain is ri Spark—proved to be the correct doing the right thing; EU’s leaders one, and by the end of the Fifties regret Brexit and believe that the ECSC was ready to take a big leap UK has taken a bad, bad decision. forward. The strong economic re- Looking back, EEC/EC was doing coveries of the Six from the devas- quite well, going from strength to tation of World War II, coupled with strength, before Britain signed the the desire of other Western Europe- Treaty of Rome. Perhaps it would an countries, notably Spain, Austria have been better all around if Britand Denmark, to become partners ain had not done so and, instead, of the Six, led to a decision to en- had just stayed out.

‘Alalay’... From A4

their goods into the Philippines. My gulay, it’s an issue of supply and demand! This is the reason I believe Robredo will also fail, not only because she does not have the mettle for it as Duterte does, but because the fight should be to stop the demand. The Vice President should just keep her mouth shut. Criticizing the President will not solve the problem. *** Together with detained Senator Leila de Lima, Senator Bong Go claims he is the poorest senator, if we go by the Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth. If this is so, where is Go getting all the money he is spreading around when he helps, say, fire victims. Question: Is he really a poor man? Recall that in September last year, the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism came out with a series of stories that claim Go and his family’s company had been awarded billions of pesos worth of projects in Davao. The PCIJ report said:

issues. For instance, one of Nutrimania’s creators, Nathaniel Gonzales, said, “Not everyone is privileged [enough] to eat away their hunger… Game developers can fight against world hunger by putting the challenge of zero hunger in our games.” It was also inspiring to see the

“In 2017, the first full years of the Duterte budget, CLTG won DPWH contracts worth a total of P399,336,326.72. In the same year, it won, through joint ventures, a total of P2.732,191,443,36 in DPWH contracts.” The report also said: “Two senior government officials and at least four contractors privy to procurement activities in Davao told PCIJ in separate interviews that backdoor deals are happening in order for certain companies to corner contracts even though they do not have the capability to take on projects. The result is a rather skewed spread of infrastructure projects awarded to supposed favored but incapable contractors. The sources have all requested anonymity because of the potential implication on their employment and business.” The lucky set of contractors in the Davao Region belong to two entities—CLTG Builders and Alfredo Builders—owned by the father and half-brother of Go. The expose was denied by the DPWH and by Bong Go. Shall we believe him? So Senator Go is a billionaire after all. Even the President said that.

high level of quality of research being produced by the game development students. Yes to Filipino research! Kudos at salamat sa mga baliw na baliw sa pananaliksik! /FB and Twitter: @ DrJennyO

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TODAY THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2019

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Chavit elected as president of LMP ‘Exempt Marawi rehab plan from procurement laws’ By Maricel V. Cruz A LEADER of the House of Representatives on Wednesday called on the Palace to grant the multi-agency Task Force Bangon Marawi implementing the Marawi Rehabilitation and Recovery Plan an exemption from strict procurement laws, especially ones that endanger funds intended for the city through expiration. Deputy Speaker Mujiv Hataman made the statement in the wake of what he described as a “very disappointing” congressional hearing of the House Sub-Committee on the Marawi Rehabilitation on the status of the rehabilitation efforts on Tuesday as resource persons from the task force came unprepared and presented a patchwork of incomplete facts and data. “It is very disconcerting to know briefing after briefing, the task force cannot give us the big picture on what’s going on in the Marawi rehabilitation,” Hataman, representative of Basilan, said in exasperation during the committee hearing on the Marawi Compensation Bill filed by the House leader and several other representatives. “I sense no urgency at all on the part of members of the task force. Our people in Marawi has been waiting for the much needed help from the government for two years now, and then we find out that a significant part of the rehab funds is in danger of expiration or will likely revert back to the National Treasury because of procedural lapses or lack of foresight on the limitations?” he added. Hataman also expressed dismay when he found out that over P4 billion out of the P10 billion earmarked for Marawi in 2018 remains unreleased by the Department of Budget and Management and in danger of expiring in a couple of months. He said Malacañang can issue an Executive Order granting the task force exemption from strict procurement laws, especially Executive Order 91, which implements a Cash Budgeting System for government spending. It states that any unobligated or undisbursed funds for any purpose will revert back after three months to the National Treasury.

By Joel E. Zurbano

HE League of Municipalities of the Philippines on Wednesday elected Narvacan, Ilocos Sur Mayor Luis “Chavit” Singson as its new president.

Of the 1,400 LMP members, only 68 were able to attend and participate in choosing their president and the new set of officers via “viva vice” election held at the New World Hotel in Makati City. Singson, who was nominated by his predecessor Socorro, Oriental Mindoro Mayor Ma. Fe Brondial, ran unopposed. His assumption as new LMP presi-

UNOPPOSED. Mayor Luis 'Chavit' Singson (center), of Narvacan, Ilocos Sur, along with the League of Municipalities elected executive committee were proclaimed as winners on Wednesday, Nov. 6 after the former Ilocos governor ran unopposed for President during the 1st LMP National Directorate meeting in Makati City. Ey Acasio

By Vito Barcelo THE Philippine Oversea Employment Administration warned Filipino workers in Japan to follow that country’s law on the proper use of visa or residence status or face severe penalties, including deportation. POEA Administrator Bernard P. Olalia said the consequences, other than detention and deportation, may include prison term and a ban to reenter Japan depending on the gravity of the violation of the residence status and forfeiting their right to pursue other employment opportunities in Japan. Olalia issued the warning after the Department of Labor and EmploymentPhilippine Overseas Labor Office in Tokyo reported some Filipinos were involved in unqualified activities in violation of the Immigration and Refugee Control Act of Japan. “Unqualified activity includes taking up a job or work which is beyond the limitation of the visa or the permitted work under the category of residence status of a foreigner in Japan,” Olalia said. According to Labor Attaché Marie Rose Escalada, there are engineers with engineering, humanities, international services visa who worked as laborers, factory workers, machine operators or kitchen helpers. “Some went to Japan as teachers or instructors but end up as babysitters or nannies in school or household of the supposed employer,” the POEA said. Other Filipinos holding a visa of an interpreter were found working as care workers in facilities for the handicapped or elderly, while international sales persons supposedly to market the products of the Japanese employer ended up as hotel cleaners or kitchen staff,” he said.

Bar exam takers down to 7,699; 50 aspirants withdraw By Rey E. Requejo

THE Supreme Court on Wednesday said that 7,699 of the 8,295 Bar candidates have managed to finish the first Sunday of this year’s Bar’s examination held at the University of Sto. Tomas in España, Manila. The SC Public Information Office said that 8,304 law graduates actually filed application to take the Bar exams but the tribunal denied the petitions of nine for various reaN OTICE sons, leaving just 8,295 who were Notice is hereby given that LAGUNA TECHNOPARK, INC. with office address at 2F, allowed to take exams on the first LTI Admin. Bldg. 1, North Main Avenue, Laguna Technopark, Biñan, Laguna, is applying for registration with the Board of Investments (BOl) as a New Operator of Domestic Industrial Zone (Laguindingan Technopark Phase 1) on a Non-Pioneer Status, with project site at Barangays Moog and Tubajon, Laguindingan, Misamis Oriental.

(SGD) ANGELITA F. ARCELLANA Director Infrastructure and Services industries Service

The Valenzuela Medical Center (VMC), through the General Appropriations Act/Income CY 2020, intends to apply the sum of Philippine Currency:Seventeen Million Four Hundred Six Thousand Seven Hundred Eleven Pesos and 60/100 Only, (PhP 17,406,711.60)being the Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) to payments for theProcurement of Various Medical Supplies Cy 2020 (1st Semester)under PB No. VMC – 2020 - 010. Bids received in excess of the ABC shall be automatically rejected at bid opening.

The VMC now invites sealed Bids from eligible Bidders for the procurement of the abovecaptioned package.The description of an eligible bidder is contained in the Bidding Documents, particularly, in Section II, entitled“Instructions to Bidders”.

Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using a non-discretionary “pass/fail” criterion as specified in the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act (RA) 9184, otherwise known as the “Government Procurement Reform Act” and is restricted to Filipino citizens/sole proprietorships, partnerships, or corporationswith at least sixty percent (60%) interest or outstanding capital stock belonging to citizens of the Philippines, and to citizens or organizations of a country the laws or regulations of which grant similar rights or privileges to Filipino citizens, pursuant to Republic ActNo. 5183 and subject to Commonwealth Act 138.

Only Bids from Bidders who passed the eligibility check will be opened. The process for the eligibility check is described in Section II of the Bidding Documents entitled, “ITB”. The Bidder with the Lowest Calculated Bid (LCB) shall advance to the post-qualification stage in order to finally determine the responsiveness of the bid submission to the technical and financial requirements of the project. The contract shall then be awarded to the Lowest Calculated and Responsive Bidder (LCRB) who was determined as such during the post-qualification procedure.

Interested bidders may obtain further information from theVMC and inspect the Bidding Documents at the address given below from 9:00am-11:00am and 2:00pm-4:00pm starting November 5, 2019.

The VMC will hold a Pre-bid Conference for this bidding activity on November 18, 9:00amat the Valenzuela Medical Center, Padrigal St., Karuhatan, Valenzuela City.Only those who have purchased the bidding documents shall be allowed to participate in the Pre-Bid Conference. Those who have not purchased the bidding documents may act as observers andsubmit written queries, subject to the guidelines as stated in the IRR of RA 9184.

A complete set of Bidding Documents may be purchased by interested Bidders from the address below and upon payment of a non-refundable fee in the amount as follows:

(MS-NOV. 7, 2019)

ABC to be Bid

N OTICE Notice is hereby given that PUEBLO PHILIPPINES LOGISTIC AND TRANSPORT SERVICES, INC. with office address at Punta Dulog Commercial Complex, St. Joseph Avenue, Pueblo De Panay, Brgy. Lawaan, Roxas City, is applying for registration with the Board of Investments (BOl) as an Expanding PUV Modernization Program - Land Mass Transport (Pueblo Modernized Mini Buses) on a nonpioneer status, with project site located at Punta Dulog Commercial Complex, St. Joseph Avenue, Pueblo De Panay, Brgy. Lawaan, Roxas City Any person with valid objections on the abovementioned project may file his/her objection in writing, under oath, with the BOI within three (3) days from the date of this publication. (SGD) ANGELITA F. ARCELLANA Director Infrastructure and Services industries Service

SC records likewise showed that of the 7,227 law graduates admitted to take the Bar in 2017, only 6,750 managed to complete the exams. Of this, only 1,724 passed and became new lawyers or 25.5 percent of the total takers who completed the exams. In 2016, of the 6, 831 admitted to take the Bar, only 6,454 finished the first Sunday of exam. Ten more gradually dropped out, leaving 6, 344 who completed the tests on all four Sundays. Of this number, 3,747 managed to passed the examinations and become full-pledged lawyers.

InvItatIon to BId Procurement of varIous medIcal suPPlIes cy 2020 (1st semester) PuBlIc BIddInG no. vmc – 2020 - 010

N OTICE

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

Bar examinations will cover Civil Law and Taxation while the third Sunday is Mercantile Law and Criminal Law. The last Sunday will cover Remedial Law and Legal and Judicial Ethics. In the 2018 Bar examinations, 1,800 of the 8,158 examinees passed what is dubbed as the most grueling licensure examinations in the country with a graduate from Ateneo de Manila University topping the exams. For that year’s examination, 8,701 law graduates were given permits to take the Bar but only 8,158 showed up for the first Sunday of the exam.

Padrigal St., Karuhatan, ValenzuelaCity Tel. No. 294-6711 to 16, Telefax 291-4259 Email address: valgen_hosp@yahoo.com

(MS-NOV. 7, 2019)

Notice is hereby given that PUEBLO DE PANAY, INC. with office address at Punta Dulog Commercial Complex, St. Joseph Avenue, Pueblo De Panay, Brgy. Lawaan, Roxas City, is applying for registration with the Board of Investments (BOl) as a New Operator of Tourism Accomodation Facility (Sitio Uno Residences) on a non-pioneer status, with project site located at Sacred Heart of Jesus Boulevard, Pueblo De Panay Township, Brgy. Lawaan, Roxas City, Capiz.

Sunday of November. However, 50 candidates opted to withdraw their applications even before the exams started. The SC said 545 law graduates were absent during the first Sunday of the examinations, leaving just 7,700 Bar takers who took the first part of the exams, which covers Political and International Law. However, a candidate dropped out on the second part of the exam in the afternoon that tackled Labor and Social Legislation, leaving 7,699 takers. On Nov. 9, the second Sunday of the

Republic of the Phillippines Department of Health National Capital Regional Office VALENZUELA MEDICAL CENTER

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

(MS-NOV. 7, 2019)

dent marked the first time in league’s history that a candidate for president faced no challenger from the 81 provincial chapter presidents representing the country’s more than 1,400 municipal mayors. “This is a rare show of unity by our municipal mayors,” said Singson, who offered his vision to make the municipal local government units “innovative and enterprising.”

During the election, Singson was given an authority to choose the LMP’s new set of key officials—executive vice presidents, treasurer, public relation officer, business manager, legal council and auditor. Among the new officers are Ma. Theresa Constantino (Malungon, Sarangani)—EVP for Operations; Ma. Esperanza Christina Frasco (Liloan, Cebu)—EVP Visayas; Rey Buhisan (Magsaysay, Misamis Oriental)—EVP Mindanao; Franklin Lim (Santiago, Agusan del Norte)—Treaurer; Mary Jean Te (Libertad, Antique) Auditor. Singson said he chose these officers because of their expertise and experiences, and most of them are lawyers.

Follow Japan’s laws on visa use, POEA urges OFWs

Maximum Cost of Bidding Documents (in Philippine Peso)

500,000 and below More than 500,000 up to 1 Million More than 1 Million up to 5 Million More than 5 Million up to 10 Million More than 10 Million up to 50 Million

500.00 1,000.00 5,000.00 10,000.00 25,000.00

It may also be downloaded free of charge from the website of the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PhilGEPS) and an electronic copy from BAC Secretariat’s Office provided that the bidders shall pay the applicable fee for the bidding documents not later than the submission of their bids 8.

Bids and eligibility requirements must be delivered to the address below on or before December 4, 2019,9:00am, at the VMC BAC Secretariats’ Office.

Bid Opening and Eligibility Check will be on December 4, 2019at 9:00am. Bids will be opened in the presence of the Bidders’ representatives who choose to attend at the address below. Late submission of bids will not be entertained. All bids must be accompanied by a Bid Security in the prescribed form, amount and validity period.

10. The Valenzuela Medical Center reserves the right to accept or reject any bid, to annul the bidding process, and to reject all Bids at any time prior to contract award, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder or bidders. For further information, please refer to: BAC Secretariats’ Office Valenzuela Medical Center, Annex Building, 2nd Floor, Padrigal St., Valenzuela City Telefax No. 294-4625 (SGD) JOSEPH T. NOCOM, MD, FPOA Chairperson, Bids and Awards Committee (MS-NOV. 7, 2019)

NO TO ILLEGAL VENDING. Pasay City Community Environment and Natural Resources

Office operatives dismantled illegal vending structures on Wednesday, Nov. 6 at Brgy. 145 in Sto. Nino St., Pasay City in line with the DILG’ s directive to clear city streets of obstructions to pedestrians and motorists. Ey Acasio

9th OFW and Family Summit set By Macon Ramos-Araneta SENATOR Cynthia Villar on Wednesday announced the holding of the 9th OFW and Family Summit on Tuesday, Nov. 12 at the World Trade Center in Pasay City. In a press conference at Tramway Bayview Buffet in Pasay, Villar said she expects thousands of overseas Filipino workers and their beneficiaries to troop to the World Trade Center just like the previous years. “My family and many OFWs always look forward to this event because it has evolved into an occasion where OFWs and their families gather and interact with private and government institutions for concerns ranging from access to financial services, social benefits, legal assistance, among others,” Villar said. This year, the one-day summit’s theme is “Kabuhayan sa Sariling Bayan.” Villar said the summit hopes to teach fi-

nancial literacy among OFWs, which will equip them with the necessary tools to grow their money in their homeland. Villar, who also serves as the director of the Villar Social Institute for Poverty Alleviation and Governance (Villar SIPAG) was also joined by Susan “Toots” Ople of the Ople Training Center during the press conference. “Aside from teaching our OFWs how to wisely invest their savings and grow their income, it is equally important to educate them how to protect their hard-earned money and how not to fall victims of human trafficking, illegal recruitment and investment scams,” Villar added. Among the personalities who are expected to grace the occasion are former Senate President Manny Villar, Las Piñas Rep. Camille Villar, DPWH Secretay Mark Villar, Pasay City Mayor Imelda Calixto-Rubiano, Department of Trade and Industry Secretary Ramon Lopez. CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

Sports PH volleybelles clash with PSL Sparkle today Games Today (Filoil Flying V Centre) 5 p.m. – PSL Shine vs University of Tsukuba 7 p.m. – PSL Sparkle vs National Team

AFTER displaying incredible chemistry and familiarity in its first game, the national women’s volleyball team takes on a different challenge as it clashes with PSL Sparkle in the Philippine Superliga Super Cup today at the Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan. Action starts at 7 p.m. with the Nationals looking to tie up the loose ends in this series of friendly matches that serve as warmup tourney before they march to the 30th Southeast Asian Games that the country will host from Nov. 30 to Dec. 11. In the first game, University of Tsukuba tests the mettle of PSL Shine following a dominant 25-8, 25-12, 25-20 win over PSL Sparkle in the opener of this pocket tournament that has Summit Hotel as official residence and Foton as official vehicle in cooperation with PSL clubs like Petron, Generika-Ayala, Cignal, Sta. Lucia, PLDT Home Fibr, F2 Logistics and Marinerang Pilipina. But all eyes will be on the Nationals. Despite the absence of Alyssa Valdez and Jia Morado, the national squad still delivered an impressive performance to post a 25-14, 25-18, 25-16 victory over a very competitive PSL Shine squad that is powered by MJ Philips, Denden Lazaro, Remy Palma and Ria Meneses. Mylene Paat delivered eight points while Ces Molina and Majoy Baron chipped in significant numbers for the Nationals, who displayed good chemistry at the defensive end with Maddie Madayag and Aby Maraño at the helm. Head coach Shaq Delos Santos liked what he saw, but asserted that reaching their peak form remains a work in progress with barely three weeks left before the biennial meet fires off at Philsports Arena in Pasig City. “Of course, we’re happy with the win, but we’re still a work in progress,” said Delos Santos, the noted Petron coach who is anticipating for the “real test” against the college girls from Tsukuba, the reigning champions in the All-Japan Intercollegiate League on Friday. “Despite having some absences, the rest of the team still helped each other and that is all that matters.” Meanwhile, Tsukuba head coach Nakanashi Yasumi stressed that PSL Sparkle pushed them to their limits so they are bracing for an all-our battle with PSL Shine. “We just got lucky on our first day because PSL Sparkle didn’t have combination plays,” said Yasumi, noting the selection team’s lack of cohesiveness and familiarity. “We took advantage of that and, fortunately, we won.”

One last... From A8

The volleyball career of Kampton started when he was in Grade IV at St. Joseph College in QC, under Coach Abner Genuino, who inspired him to play the sport. When he entered high school at Nazareth School (National University) in 2013, he was adjudged Rookie of the Year and Best Attacker, while becoming a UAAP Junior Volleyball Champion in 2014. Kampton, the only son of Melody Kampton and Nathan Jose, who are now based in the United States, was also a member of “five-peat” champion League of Southern Manila Schools (LSMS) from 2015 to 2019. “We are conditioning and training, eager to get that sixth consecutive championship, para maganda ang exit namin sa Perpetual. Together with Season 93 MVP Kirth Rosos, Dominique Gabito, Derick Germono, Kharyle Parce, we are all graduating this April, 2019,” said Kampton. “In College, I am planning to take IT or a Sports Science Course. Gusto ko din mag-try-out both sa UAAP and NCAA schools, including Perpetual Altas. I want to know, kung saan ako mag-fit na team and system nila,” Kampton added. The Perpetual Junior Altas volleyball team won 11 titles in 35 years as a member of the league. They won four consecutive titles from 1987 to 1990, back-to-back crowns in 2009 and 2010 and five straight titles, under Rieta and Sapin from 2014 to 2018.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2019 sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

PH volley team to train in Tokyo T

HE national men’s volleyball team quietly left for a 16day training camp in Tokyo in preparation for the 30th Southeast Asian Games that the country will host from 30 November to 11 December.

Head coach Dante Alinsunurin said that aside from getting exposure from various clubs and university teams in Japan, their main objective is to develop their camaraderie and improve their chemistry ahead of the prestigious biennial meet. The men’s squad is roaring for a better ﬁnish. The last time it emerged with a podium ﬁnish was when it clinched the bronze medal in the 23rd SEA Games that the country hosted in 2005. Then, it hibernated for 10 long years only to suf-

fer heartbreaks when they played in the Singapore and Kuala Lumpur edition of the Games in 2017 and 2019. This year, hopes are high on the Nationals. Larong Volleyball sa Pilipinas, Inc. Vice President and National Team Program Director Peter Cayco said they are hoping for nothing but a podium ﬁnish for the men’s squad, which has been training regularly for almost one year. Alinsunurin said their Japan trip would deﬁnitely help them realize their goal. “This trip would give us the experi-

ence and improve our camaraderie and chemistry on and off the court,” said Alinsunurin, also a former member of the national team. “We want to test ourselves in realgame situations. We want to know how we would react and how we would adjust when we’re facing a superior and more talented team.” He said Japan is a perfect training venue. “The Japanese are quick and smart. They may not be tall, but their system is very effective, something that we can adopt for the SEA Games, where we would face other talented teams like Thailand, Indonesia and Vietnam.” LVPI Secretary General Ariel Paredes said the trip would not be possible without the support of the Philippine Sports

Commission. In fact, the government sports agency doled out a total of almost P11 million on top of volleyball equipment that they could use in the training and preparation of their men’s and women’s team. “Like other NSAs (national sports associations) who are preparing for the SEA Games, the LVPI is also very thankful to the PSC and our other partners,” said Paredes, a ranking ofﬁcial of the Philippine Superliga. “The PSC, through chairman William Ramirez and its board of commissioners, have been with us from the time we sent the women’s team for the ASEAN Grand Prix in Thailand up to now that our men’s team will be training in Japan. They also donated volleyball equipment that could help us in our preparation.”

North, South aces brace for golf Duel VI

North’s Jobim Carlos and Clyde Mondilla of Team South hope to lead their respective team’s bid in The Duel VI

Globe vows to continue supporting Eala ALEXANDRA Eala’s bid to crash the elite Top 10 of the International Tennis Federation’s Juniors World Ranking for Girls 18 and under years old received a tremendous boost after Globe reiterated its support to the newest tennis phenom of the country. Eala is the highest ranked female Southeast Asian athlete in the current ITF World Juniors after rising to career best 13th last month. The 14-year-old tennis sensation, however, is not stopping there. Eala is setting her sights in competing in the junior events of the four grand slam events-- the Australian, French, Wimbledon and the US Opens-- next year. To realize her dream, Globe reiterated its support of the country’s newest tennis star. In her courtesy call to Ernest Cu, President and CEO of Globe, Eala expressed her gratitude for the support she has received from the telecom company for the last six years. “I have always been very close to Globe. I’ve virtually grown up with them! They’ve sponsored me since I was 8, supporting me whether the tournament was local or at a Grand Slam. I’m very grateful that they saw the potential in me even at such a young age. Hopefully, they will keep on supporting me throughout the rest of my career,”

Eala says. For his part, Cu is calling on all Filipinos to rally behind Eala as she continues to play and bring honor to flag and country. Cu is also very happy and proud of what Eala has accomplished in her short but impressive career. He, however, cautions Eala not to let her current success get into her head. “Just ignore the noise and focus on your game and your goals,” Cu says. Moreover, Cu promises to help Eala realize her goal of joining the Grand Slams next year. “Do not worry about other things. Kami na ang bahala,” he adds. Eala is the first Filipino to qualify for a Grand Slam tournament since Jeson Patrombon in 1991. She is also the youngest among the top 50 junior netters in the world. From her #247 rank last year, Eala rose to rank #13 after posting impressive runs the past few months. She made it to the second round in the US Open Juniors last August then won the Grade A ITF Tournament in South Africa in September and clinched a runner-up finish in the World Super Juniors Tennis Championships Osaka Mayor’s Cup in October. Eala has been a Globe Ambassador since 2013. Eala is flying back to Spain to resume her training and preparations at the Ernest Cu, President and CEO of Globe, with prestigious Rafael Nadal Tennis Academy. rising tennis star Alexandra Eala

THE men of the Philippine Golf Tour wrap up the milestone 10th season of the country’s premier circuit by clashing in team play where the best from Luzon slugs it out with the top guns from the Visayas and Mindanao in The Duel – North vs South on Nov. 13-15 at Sta. Elena Golf Club. The North team scored a wire-to-wire triumph in the last edition of the event at Camp John Hay in 2017, cutting the South squad’s lead to 2-3 in the series that kicked off in 2012 at Alabang featuring the top 24 players in the PGT Order of Merit ranking at the close of each season. Heading to next week’s battle in the country’s version of the Ryder Cup put up by ICTSI, the Northerners hope to come up with another strong start in the four-ball (better ball) and foursomes (alternate shot) and sustain their pace in the deciding singles in an attempt to level things up in the series also held to further foster camaraderie among the country’s leading players and showcase their skills in team competition. Last year’s PGT OOM winner Jobim Carlos banners Team North handled by coach Cookie La’O with Miko Alejandro as assistant with former PGT Asia leg winners Justin Quiban, James Ryan Lam and Joenard Rates backstopping the squad. Other members are former Phl Open titlist Gerald Rosales, Mars Pucay, Jun Bernis, Fidel Concepcion, Eric Gallardo, Michael Bibat, Keanu Jahns and Ira Alido. But Team South coach Charles Hong and assistant Ruﬁno Bayron remain conﬁdent of getting back at their counterparts with a veteran crew led by reigning Philippine Open champion Clyde Mondilla, former four-time OOM winner Tony Lascuña, Jhonnel Ababa, the winningest player on PGT Asia with four victories, former Masters titlist Jerson Balasabas and multi-titled Jay Bayron. Completing the South cast are Elmer Salvador, Albin Engino, Pueblo de Oro leg champion Reymon Jaraula, Zanieboy Gialon, Arnold Villacencio, Nilo Salahog and former PGT Asia leg winner Rene Menor. Team South ruled the event’s inaugurals with a 16-12 decision but the North squad fought back with a thrilling 14 1/2-13 1/2 win the following year before the former routed the latter with a 20-8 romp in Duel III in Cebu. Outplayed in team play, the Southerners dominated the singles to snatch a 12 1/2-11 1/2 victory and keep the crown in 2015 at Wack Wack before the organizing Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc. made the series a biennial affair.

Maroons clinch no. 2 spot, twice-to-beat edge with STATS apparel THE University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons have put themselves back in a good position to return to the championship round of the UAAP men’s basketball tournament for the second straight season and you could see the outpouring of joy from the entire school community. Bo Perasol, head coach of the Fighting Maroons and the rest of the squad, felt the early struggles but they were able to hurdle the challenges as they saw themselves contending for a potential championship round return via the step ladder phase of the tournament. “This is the product of the program that we built three years ago and we’re now reaping the fruits of it,” Perasol said. “But the reason why we were so happy to make it to the step ladder was the fact that we were able to do it despite the struggles we had early in the season. It’s not easy.” The entry of young, talented players like Kobe Paras and Ricci Rivero has turned UP into a stacked team, yet it even made it more challenging for Perasol and his troops.

“My job here is not just to coach the team, but to manage them,” added Perasol. “Alam mo naman sa basketball, hindi puwedeng maraming bida. So the challenge for me is paano koi ma-manage ‘yung mga bida to play as one. Nandiyan si Kobe, nandiyan si Ricci, nandiyan pa si Bright (Akhuetie) and nandiyan rin si Juan (Gomez de Liano). So it was really a struggle for us, yet we were able to reach this far kaya I can understand the emotions.” UP ended with the second best record in the UAAP by the end of the double-round eliminations and will be carrying a twiceto-beat advantage against the winner of the University of Santo Tomas and Far Eastern University tussle in the step ladder phase. For JJ Atencio and Edrin Panganiban of STATS, UP’s staunch supporter over the past three seasons, seeing the Fighting Maroons secure the No. 2 spot at the end of the elimination round, summed up the successful partnership between their apparel brand and the up and coming collegiate squad that is determined to go all Members of the UP Fighting Maroons are shown here with STATS chairman JJ Atencio after the way. securing the No. 2 spot and the twice-to-beat advantage in the UAAP

Sports

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

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2019

Solons visit Rizal complex, give PSC a thumbs-up PHILIPPINE Sports Commission Chairman William I. Ramirez is moved by the support of the members of the House Committee on Youth and Sports Development after a site visit at the ongoing rehabilitation of the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex (RMSC) in Malate, Manila on Wednesday morning. Among the Congressmen who took time to visit the construction sites were Chairperson Eric Martinez, joined by Representative Faustino Michael Carlos T. Dy III (5th District of Isabela), Rep. Strike Revilla (2nd District of Cavite), Hon. John Rey Tiangco (Lone District of Navotas City) and Hon. Jose Teves Jr. from the Talino at Galing ng Pinoy (TGP) Party-list. “It’s a good sign that we really value this historical landmark of Philippine sports known as the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex. We welcome our Congressmen, this is your home...” said Chairman Ramirez during a press brieﬁng held at the RMSC press conference room. The Rizal Memorial Coliseum which will be the venue for gymnastics competition, the Ninoy Aquino Stadium where the weightlifting and taekwondo tournaments will be played, then the RMSC Football Stadium and the Tennis Center were the areas visited by the ofﬁcials in RMSC. “Thank you Chairman Ramirez for hosting us. Nandito po ako noong 1991 (SEA Games) closing ceremony, malayong-malayo na. This will be the most prepared in terms of facilities and icing on the cake will be the overall championship. Kaya tulong-tulong po tayo para sa ating mga atletang Pilipino.” said Chairperson Martinez. “Tandaan po natin na 1935 pa nagkaroon ng major facelift itong Complex na ito. It took us 80+ years to see massive improvement and hopefully this would be the dawning of a new era in sports, the renaissance of the country as the Powerhouse in Sports.” added Martinez. Other House Committee Representatives also expressed their thoughts after the visit. “I would like to congratulate the PSC, nakakatuwa. Although nakikita natin na malaking challenge pa rin itong ginagawa natin ngayon, naniniwala naman ako na kakayanin natin ito.” said Rep. Revilla. “Natutuwa po tayo na nakikita nating world-class facilities itong pinapagawa natin. Aside from hosting, gusto nating manalo yung Pilipinas. Aside from dun sa manalo yung country po natin, sana ay maging inspiration sa mga kabataang mga manunuod po rito, eventually sila yung mga maglalaro at maging representative ng ating bansa.” added Rep. Tiangco. “Nagpapasalamat po tayo kay Chairman Ramirez sa pagpapaikot samin sa historic venue ng Philippine Sports. 1935 pa po itong facility na ito at buti po na-preserved po ng maganda at maayos for the future generations of athletes. Para ma-inspire po sila to work harder and to aim for gold for our country.” commented Hon. Dy III. “Thank you everyone, thank you Mr. Chairman Ramirez. Alam nyo, napakasarap tingnan, kapag ang pera ng gobyerno ay napupunta sa ganitong mga project. Ito po ay nagpapakita lamang ng isang magaling na lider kaya wala na tayong masasabi. Hindi masasayang ang pagbibigay ng pondo ng Kongreso sa PSC. Kaya sa lahat, go go go as one!” expressed Hon. Teves Jr. Meanwhile, Chairperson Martinez also encouraged the members of the media to help President Rodrigo Duterte, the PSC and the Congress to bring youth into sports.

LAKERS WIN.

LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers grabs the rebound against the Chicago Bulls at United Center in Chicago, Illinois. James scored 30 points, grabbed 10 rebounds and passed off 11 assists, leading the Lakers to a 118112 comeback NBA victory at Chicago with his third consecutive triple double. AFP

Rep. Faustino Michael Carlos T. Dy III (5th District of Isabela), Rep. Eric Martinez (2nd District of Valenzuela City) and Chairperson of House Committee on Youth and Sports Development, PSC Chairman William Ramirez, Rep. Strike Revilla (2nd District of Cavite), Rep. John Rey Tiangco (Lone District of Navotas City), and Rep. Jose Teves Jr. Talino at Galing ng Pinoy (TGP) Party-list are shown at the RMSC Football stadium on Wednesday.

Fajardo lifts Beermen past Elite By Jeric Lopez

N All-Filipino San Miguel Beer side arrested its two-game skid after a tough 99-96 squeaker over gritty Blackwater in the 2019 Philippine Basketball Association Governors’ Cup at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City Wednesday night. June Mar Fajardo went full MVP mode, carrying the Beermen on his broad back with a conference-high 30 points and 13 rebounds. A decisive 6-0 run down the stretch in the extension gave San Miguel a vital 9892 lead with 1:10 remaining after a layup from Terrence Romeo. The Elite countered with a 4-0 run, inching to within two, 96-99, with a second left but it eventually ran out of time, enabling the Beermen to escape. The win placed San Miguel back in the top four as it improved to 6-3 for fourth place. On the contrary, the loss booted

Blackwater out as it remained at the bottom with a 2-8 slate and a game left before its season ends. Romeo was likewise brilliant all game long, ﬁnishing with 20 points to help out Fajardo, while Arwind Santos added 13 more markers for the Beermen. It seemed like San Miguel was headed for an easy ﬁnish when it led 88-79 with just over two minutes left in regulation. However, three straight triples from Blackwater, two from Nino Canaleta, suddenly evened the count at 88-all with 56 ticks left in the fourth. Fajardo still had a chance to win it for the Beermen in regulation, but his lay-up

did not ﬁnd the mark, enabling the game to go to an extra period. Despite playing minus import Dez Wells, the Beermen used their might down the stretch to hack out the needed victory. Wells missed the game as he is yet to fully recover from his ankle injury. Blackwater was led by Marqus Blakely’s team-high 24 points and 18 rebounds. The Elite started its life after former star Bobby Ray Parks, who was dealt to TNT KaTropa in a blockbuster deal last week. The scores: San Miguel 99 - Fajardo 30, Romeo 20, Santos 13; Lassiter 11, Cabagnot 8, Pessumal 7, Nabong 6, Tautuaa 4, Rosser 0, Ross 0. Blackwater 96 - Belo 25, Blakely 24, Trollano 14, Canaleta 13, Cruz 8, Javier 6, Tolomia 4, Sumang 2, Dario 0, Desiderio 0, Cruz 0, Al-Hussaini 0, Salem 0. Quarterscores: 11-16, 34-37, 64-62, 88-88, 99-96.

One last ride for Kampton, Jr Altas By Dennis Abrina GRADE Twelve (Senior High) Noel Michael Kampton and the Perpetual Junior Altas of Caviteno coaches Sandy Rieta and Jason Sapin are gunning for a sixth straight title in the coming National Collegiate Athletic Association Season 95, which unfurls on Jan. 4, 2020. The 19-year-old, 6’2” Kampton and his teammates want to graduate from their beloved Alma Mater with an unprecedented “six-peat” in the oldest collegiate athletic association in the country. Kampton, who averaged 15 points per game in Season 94, was awarded as the 2nd Best Outside Spiker when the Altas clinched a ﬁfth straight championship in the league. Kampton also teamed up with Cebuano Dominique Gabito as they won the Season 94 beach volleyball championship by defeating the Letran Squires at the SM by the Bay Sand Court in Pasay City last February, 2019. He was named MVP of the tournament. He was also one of the members of the Team Junior Altas Spikers from 2016 to 2018, together with Tropang Palanan Boys EJ Casana, now playing for the Altas Spikers of Coach Sammy Acaylar, Jody Severo now with PATTS, libero Carlo Isidro and open spiker Ivan Encila now playing with the Arellano University Chiefs and Ryugi Etorma, now at Tytana College. He was also tapped in 2017 and 2018 by Palarong Pambansa champion team Calabarzon in their ASEAN University Games’ campaign in Singapore and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, respectively. They captured the bronze in 2017 and settled for fourth the following year. Kampton was awarded Most Valuable Player and Best Attacker in the Palarong Pambansa 2016 in Legaspi City, Bicol, while his Team Las Pinas, representing NCR, captured the High School Boys’ Volleyball Plum. To A7 Noel Michael Kampton soars for a smash. Dennis Abrina

Catalan is up to the task By Peter Atencio IT’S one of those rare moments when two Filipino fighters will fight for the crown in the ONE Championships. Strawweight title holder Joshua Pacio and Rene Catalan will be duking it out in the main event of ONE: Masters of Fate at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay. For the 40-year-old Catalan, he does not relish the thought of fighting for honors against a fellow Filipino. But the former national Rene Catalan wushu champ said he will be up to the task when the he confronts Pacio. “Ayokong lumaban sa kapwa ko Filipino dahil gusto ko itayo lagi ang banderang Pilipino. Pero dahil marami na ring nagsasabi sa akin na ituloy ko mula sa mga fans, na-accept ko na ang offer,” said Catalan, who hails from Iloilo City. Catalan said this following an open workout held by many other Filipino fighters who are involved in ONE: Masters of Fate at the Elorde Sports Complex in Sucat, Paranaque. Coming into his showdown with Pacio, Catalan has a record of six straight wins wins and two losses. All his victories were against foreign opponents, including a win by technical knockout in the 4:32 mark of the first round against Yoshitaka Naito last March. On the other hand, the 23-year-old Baguio-based Pacio will be going for his second consecutive triumph since knocking out Yosuke Saruta last April. “Putting on a show for all the Filipino people, it’s always something I am excited for. Rene Catalan is a worthy challenger. He’s riding a sixbout winning streak and is full of confidence. I am expecting only the best from him,” said Pacio. In the co-main event, Eduard Folayang will start his road to redemption against Mongolian opponent Amarsanaa Tsogookhuu. Geje Eustaquio will face Toni Tauru in a much-awaited rematch.

Berkeley captures SBP Luzon cage crown JOHN Paul Dionisio rushed a layup with six seconds left to lift home team Berkeley School past Lucena City representative International School for Better Beginnings, 55-54, for the Small Basketeers Philippines Luzon crown over the weekend at the Easter College court in Baguio City over the weekend. All the host squad needed to do after that was clog the lanes and force the visitors to take a harried attempt from beyond the arc which failed, denying ISBB of a chance to keep the crown it won last year.

ISBB made sure it did not go home empty-handed, however, as it successfully defended the Passerelle crown over Don Bosco Technical Institute, 75-63. Berkeley School and ISBB will march into the national finals of this tournament organized by the BEST Center (Basketball Efficiency and Scientific Training Center), sponsored by Milo and backed by Rain of Shine, Chris Sports and SKLZ. The national championships will be held in Roxas City on a date to be announced by BEST

Center founder and president Nic Jorge soon. Also seeing action in the national ﬁnals of the SBP are La Salle-Greenhills (NCR) and Corpus Christi School of Cagayan de Oro (Mindanao). The national Passerelle championships will have Nazareth School of National University (NCR) and Xavier School Junior High School of Cagayan de Oro (Mindanao). The Visayas Regional Finals will be held at the Pototan Astrodome in Iloilo on November 9 and 10.

IN BRIEF

Exports dropped 2.6% in September

THE trade deficit narrowed 22.5 percent in September to $3.12 billion from $4.02 billion a year ago, as imports dipped for the sixth month and exports snapped a five-month positive streak, the Philippine Statistics Authority said Wednesday. Data showed that exports decreased by 2.6 percent in September to $5.898 billion from $6.053 billion a year ago while imports dropped 10.5 percent to $9.017 billion from $10.076 billion. This brought the trade-in-goods deficit in the first nine months to $28.092 billion, down 9 percent from $30.874 billion in the same period last year. ING Bank Manila senior economist Nicholas Mapa said the pullback in imports and the surprise string of five months of gains for exports meant that the trade deficit would likely not weigh on overall growth momentum in the third-quarter GDP. “Third-quarter 2019 saw a 24-percent improvement from the same period in 2018 and this development should help bolster the GDP print to a substantially better print,” Mapa said. Julito G. Rada

Business

RCBC’s earnings surge 41% to P4.5b

RIZAL Commercial Banking Corp., the ninthlargest lender in terms of assets, said Wednesday unaudited consolidated net income surged 41 percent in the first nine months to P4.5 billion from P3.2 billion a year ago, as the bank’s focus on strengthening core businesses bore good results. “Our double-digit income growth is a reflection of the bank’s prudence in tapping the right prospects in the market, while expanding capacity and enhancing customer experience in the core business,” RCBC president and chief executive Eugene Acevedo said in a statement Wednesday. Interest income from loans and receivables grew by 24 percent to P24.1 billion as loans to consumers―including mortgage loans, automobile loan and credit cards―increased by 18 percent to P126.3 billion. Gross outstanding credit card receivables expanded by 43 percent to P27.9 billion as of September 2019 with an active card base of 836,000, higher by 26 percent than last year. Julito G. Rada

TV5 set to launch digital network

TV5 Network Inc. said Wednesday it plans to roll out digital terrestrial television network in Metro Manila next year in preparation for the industry’s shift from analog TV. “We are going to launch our own DTT network. We’re on the process. We should be awarding it very soon to a winning supplier, and we should start to build within the year, and it’s going to be a joint build by Cignal and TV5,” TV5 president and chief executive Jane Basas said. “The Mega Manila [analog TV] shutdown will happen end of 2020, and then certain parts of Luzon in 2021, certain parts of Visayas and Mindanao in 2022, and all over the country by 2023,” she said. Basas said the DTT allows the network to offer multiple channels. ABS-CBN Corp. and GMA Network Inc. already upgraded their etwork transmissions into digital TV from analog. TV5 earlier said it was planning to overhaul its programming strategy next year to boost advertising revenues. Darwin G. Amojelar

NEDA committees endorse revised list of 100 infra projects By Othel V. Campos THE Investment Coordination Committee-Cabinet Committee and the Committee on Infrastructure Cabinet Level jointly approved the revised list of 100 infrastructure flagship projects on Wednesday. Presidential adviser for flagship programs and projects secretary Vince Dizon presented the revised list during the meeting of the two committees under the National Economic and Development Authority. Dizon is also the president and CEO of state-run Bases Conversion and Development Authority. “Continuity is what is most important for President [Rodrigo] Duterte. This is why all of the 100 flagship projects will be started under his term, with a significant number completed while some will be partially operational by 2022. The rest will have significant progress moving into the next administration,” said Dizon. “The ‘Build, Build, Build’ program was never just about the Duterte administration. It’s about building for the future to propel the Philippines to a developedcountry status by 2040 and make the lives of Filipinos more comfortable,” he said. The 100 flagship projects cover five categories, with transport and mobility as the top priority. The other four are power, water, information and communications technology and urban development and renewal. Included in the list are the Metro Manila Subway Project, North South Commuter Railway, Clark International Airport Expansion Project, Cebu Monorail System, Panay-Guimaras Negros Bridge, Samal Island-Davao City Connector Bridge and the Mindanao Rail Project.

business@manilastandard.net extrastory2000@gmail.com THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2019

SMIC’s profit climbed 26% to P33.1b in first 9 months

MPIC’s nine-month income hit P11.8b

METRO Pacific Investments Corp. said Wednesday net income fell 5 percent in the first nine months to P11.8 billion from P12.88 billion in the same period last year as the company felt the impact of higher interest costs and foreign exchange losses. The company said, however, that nine-month core net income improved 2.5 percent to P12.5 billion from P12.2 billion as core businesses posted a 6-percent growth in earnings contribution. Power accounted for P9.0 billion or 55 percent of net operating income followed by toll roads with P3.7 billion, water with P3.2 billion and hospitals with P681 million. “Our 6-percent growth in contribution from operations is due to meaningful volume increases in our businesses, and the quality of our management in raising operating efficiencies,” said MPIC president and chief executive Jose Ma. Lim. MPIC chairman Manuel Pangilinan said he was expecting the 2019 core net income to exceed the P16.1 billion posted in 2018. Jenniffer B. Austria

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

By Jenniffer B. Austria

MODERN JOLLIBEE STORE. Jollibee Foods Corp. opens its first Level Up Joy Store in Katipunan, Quezon City. The reopened branch features the brand’s most modern store design with the coolest murals and exciting innovations that bring joy to customers. Leading the store opening are (from left) Jollibee global brand CMO and marketing head Francis Flores, Metro North RBU head Joan Aquino, Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte, Jollibee Philippines president JJ Alano and brand ambassador Joshua Garcia.

Agriculture rebounded by 2.87% in 3rd quarter

HE agriculture sector rebounded with a 2.87-percent growth in the third quarter from an 0.87-percent contraction a year ago, data from the Philippine Statistics Authority show.

It was also faster than the 0.1-percent growth registered in the second quarter on increased crop harvests and poultry production. “This is a much better performance. We will continue to enhance the proper and sustained implementation of programs and projects of the Department of Agriculture to further elevate the growth of the agriculture sector,” Agriculture Secretary William Dar said in a statement. “We were expecting between 2 percent and 2.5 percent. This shows that the farmers and fishers are showing a resilient performance with the programs and projects of the DA,” Dar said.

The sector which accounts for about 7 percent of the gross domestic product also grew by 0.77 percent in the first three quarters, an improvement from the 0.14-percent increment in the same period last year. Crop production which accounts for 45.19 percent of the total agricultural output rose 2.01 percent in the third quarter. Among the major crops, production of corn increased by 23.47 percent while palay production decreased by 4.53 percent amid low buying prices offered by local traders. The PSA said that because of the lower volume of production and buying prices, the value of palay production declined by 29.82 percent in the third quarter. “The presence of low-priced imported rice in the market also contributed to the drop in palay price,” the PSA said. Corn production recovered from the previous year’s decline and posted a 23.47-percent increment in the third quarter. “Expansion of harvested areas was noted in Cagayan Valley as corn

farmers recovered from the damage brought by typhoon “Mangkhut” [Ompong] in 2018,” the PSA said. Coconut output barely grew by 0.27 percent in the third quarter while tobacco production increased 12.77 percent as additional areas of native variety were harvested in Northern Mindanao in response to higher price during the period. Sugarcane registered the biggest drop in production at 60.01 percent with Western Visayas reporting stunted growth of canes and contraction in harvest area because of drought. “The intense heat during the vegetative stage and lesser application of fertilizer resulted in smaller canes harvested in Central Visayas,” the PSA said. Meanwhile, livestock production grew 1.63 percent in the third quarter and contributed 18.67 percent to the total agricultural output. Uptrends in production were exhibited by hog at 1.96 percent and dairy at 6.48 percent, before the outbreak of the African swine fever.

CONGLOMERATE SM Investments Corp. said Wednesday consolidated net income climbed 26 percent in the first nine months to P33.1 billion from a year ago on the strong performance of banking and property units. SMIC said in a disclosure to the stock exchange consolidated revenues increased 14 percent in the nine month-period to P350.7 billion from P307.4 billion a year ago. “Our core businesses continue to deliver notable performance led by banking and property. We are satisfied with our financial results as these reflect the continued growth in our core businesses. This quarter, we are also pleased that our efforts to strengthen our environment, social and governance practices are being recognized,” SMIC president Frederic DyBuncio said. Banks accounted for 44 percent of SM’s reported net earnings from January to September, followed by property at 39 percent and retail at 17 percent. Retail operations under SM Retail Inc., which consist of both food (SM Markets) and non-food (SM Store and Specialty Retail), booked a net income of P7.8 billion, down 1 percent from a year earlier. Total revenues were up 12 percent to P253.9 billion. SMIC said the decline in SM Retail’s net income was due to the effect of the implementation of the Philippine Financial Reporting Standards 16 which this year. Excluding the impact of PFRS 16, net income grew by 8 percent. SM Retail had a total of 2,693 stores, including 64 SM Stores, 1,565 specialty retail stores, 58 SM Supermarkets, 51 SM Hypermarkets, 199 Savemores, 56 WalterMarts and 700 Alfa-mart stores as of end-September. Property arm SM Prime Holdings Inc. earlier reported an 18-percent growth in consolidated net income to P27.6 billion as consolidated revenues rose 14 percent to P85 billion, boosted by strong mall and residential revenues.

Maynilad spending P2b to ease water problem in the west zone MAYNILAD Water Services Inc. will spend at least P2 billion to implement five programs to alleviate the water problem within its concession area in Metro Manila. Maynilad president Ramoncito Fernandez said in a news briefing the five mitigating measures were meant to 233 million liters per day of water to its current supply of 2,000 MLD water and 300 MLD from Putatan water treatment plant. Maynilad expanded the production of Putatan Plant 2 to 150 million MLD

from 100 MLD and increased the output of Putatan Plant 1 to 160 MLD from 150 MLD. It also reactivated the decommissioned deep wells that would add 52 MLD by next month. Maynilad said it was working to reduce non-revenue water to recover 94 MLD by February 2020 and started to tap small dams in Cavite and install mobile treatment plants to add 27 MLD to its current supply by April next year. Fernandez said Maynilad started to

implement water interruption in some areas because of reduced water allocation from Angat Dam. The water level in Angat Dam was at 188.34 meters, still below the yearend target of 210 meters―the level required to ensure adequate supply during the dry months. Based on the simulation conducted by Maynilad with National Water Regulatory Board, Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System and Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services

Administration, Angat Dam’s water level would be between 185 and 189 meters. “We support the call for new water sources like Kaliwa. If he government has approved our previous proposals for them to build Laiban and Agos River by 2016, Laiban should have been operational but unfortunately that has not been approved by the previous administration and this is one the reasons why we have supply shortage,” Fernandez said. Jenniffer B. Austria

Business

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2019 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Market tumbles; Bloomberry up T HE stock market tumbled Wednesday on profit-taking after share prices advanced in the previous session ahead of the release of third-quarter gross domestic product figures today.

The Philippine Stock Exchange slumped 190.80 points, or 2.3 percent, to 8,025.88 on a value turnover of P5.9 billion. Losers beat gainers, 109 to 74, with 49 issues unchanged. Ayala Land Inc. fell 4.1 percent to P47, while SM Prime Holdings Inc. of the Sy Group declined 4.4 percent to P38.80. Metro Pacific Investments Corp., which is into toll roads, electricity and water distribution, hospitals and infrastructure, lost 4 percent to P4.75, but ca-

sino operator Bloomberry Resorts Corp. of tycoon Enrique Razon Jr. rose 2.1 percent to P10.82. The rest of Asian investors moved cautiously on Wednesday as optimism over the China-US trade talks was offset by profit-taking after a recent rally. Another record close on Wall Street provided another positive lead for regional traders, who are keeping tabs on progress in the tariff negotiations, with expectations a deal could be signed this month. The US gains came after data showed a better-than-forecast increase in activity in the key US services sector last month, which added to signs the world’s top economy was stabilizing. Reports that the US is considering removing tariffs on more than $100 billion of Chinese imports in order to get a mini pact done sent Asian markets surging Tuesday. And signs of progress helped support

the Chinese yuan, which was holding above seven to the dollar on Tuesday, around its highest levels since May. However, Stephen Innes at AxiTrader said investors could be reaching their limit for more gains until there is more movement on the trade talks. “Sentiment is extremely optimistic and it could be that we are nearing the peak of the sentiment wave, and a phase one Sino-US deal is fully priced,” he said. “So the big question for equity investors from this point forward: are they confident enough to back up the truck into stock markets.” In afternoon trade Hong Kong was up 0.1 percent while Tokyo finished 0.2 percent higher, with Singapore putting on 0.4 percent. Taipei and Seoul each gained 0.1 percent, while Mumbai and Bangkok were also higher. But Shanghai closed down 0.4 percent, Sydney shed 0.6 percent and Wel-

lington dropped 0.8 percent. But Rodrigo Catril at National Australia Bank sounded a note of caution about the trade talks. “The latest news has added further fuel to the notion that a... phase one trade deal looks imminent,” he said in a note. “The final decision, however, lies with President Trump and what is also unclear is whether China’s position on the removal of tariffs is all or nothing. “It is clear now that the US will need to remove some tariffs in order to strike the deal, but if China doesn’t give more concessions in exchange, President Trump runs the risk of being criticized as ‘going soft’ on China ahead of the election.” Oil prices, which reached six-week highs Tuesday on trade and economic hopes, slipped back in Asian business as investors fret over demand after data pointing to a jump in US stockpiles fuelled further demand worries. With AFP

Manila Standard BuSineSS daily StockS review wedneSday, noveMBer 6, 2019

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

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

55 100 2.01 160 1.15 25.45 18.5 12.82 4.56 1.25 780 0.4 67.6 0.88 12.7 45.8 175.1 58.1 25.9 204 1,840 61

55 100 2.02 160 1.16 26.2 18.6 12.92 4.66 1.25 810 0.4 67.9 0.88 13.1 45.8 175.6 58.1 26.2 204 1,840 61.5

55 96.2 1.94 156.5 1.15 25.4 18.5 12.72 4.5 1.25 780 0.4 67.4 0.88 12.7 44.9 175 57.3 25.9 200 1,835 60.75

FINANCIALS 55 1,000 96.6 2,391,940 1.94 29,000 158 680,540 1.15 106,000 25.7 176,600 18.5 2,500 12.82 764,700 4.66 34,000 1.25 2,000 805 500 0.4 100,000 67.55 851,460 0.88 132,000 13.1 4,500 45 35,000 175 1,580 57.4 1,810 25.9 520,400 202 177,310 1,835 160 61 28,840

55,000 234,252,668 58,430 107,474,032 121,970 4,568,125 46,360 9,797,462 153,530 2,500 397,600 40,000 57,550,717.50 116,160 58,550 1,583,560 276,837 104,221 13,590,325 35,783,922 293,850 1,759,895

-39,592,504.50 19,401,882 626,100 -24,050 -1,086,476 38,489,385.00 -65,120 -942,955 -75,293 -881,220 5,719,518 -128,450 -1,529,828.50

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

39.95 2.74 13.94 0.66 1.28 4.15 0.242 2.57 15.06 120 8.47 31 65.35 71 2.14 5.59 8.36 15.22 10.66 7 1.65 25.5 79 47.6 2.28 14.58 8.21 1.48 233 46 3.55 9.34 19.18 13.28 17.68 350 1.73 5.05 9.4 10.82 33.8 5.4 5.51 1.81 1.95 0.99 11.42 92.9 7.58 0.129 1.1 157.5 1.27 1.09

39.95 2.76 13.94 0.67 1.28 4.16 0.246 2.58 15.2 120 8.47 31 68.7 75.2 2.14 5.59 8.4 15.28 10.66 7 1.65 25.95 79 49 2.3 14.58 8.24 1.48 234.2 46 3.55 9.34 19.2 13.3 17.8 350 1.76 5.07 9.5 11 33.85 5.4 5.51 1.85 1.96 1 11.7 92.9 7.94 0.129 1.1 157.5 1.3 1.1

38.85 2.65 13.36 0.65 1.28 4.04 0.241 2.54 15.02 120 7.86 30 65.35 70 2.12 5.41 8.36 15.22 10.4 6.99 1.65 25.2 78.9 47.5 2.25 14.5 8.01 1.47 226 46 3.55 9 19.1 13.2 17.36 343.4 1.69 5.01 9.4 10.82 33.5 5.36 5.47 1.74 1.94 0.94 11.42 90.05 7.58 0.126 1.06 155 1.27 1.08

INDUSTRIAL 39.15 2,753,200 2.66 9,062,000 13.78 199,700 0.66 1,923,000 1.28 20,000 4.07 4,251,000 0.243 130,000 2.56 980,000 15.1 1,199,100 120 90 8 1,164,800 31 156,500 67 450 75.2 430 2.12 329,000 5.41 2,700 8.38 2,489,700 15.22 20,600 10.4 123,600 7 612,100 1.65 1,000 25.95 897,200 78.9 30,700 49 48,000 2.29 3,621,000 14.52 301,900 8.18 105,300 1.48 59,000 227 672,150 46 100 3.55 5,000 9.01 8,100 19.16 725,000 13.22 16,800 17.8 1,319,200 344 156,830 1.69 3,003,000 5.01 768,900 9.5 13,100 11 6,400 33.5 397,400 5.36 121,400 5.47 30,800 1.83 3,499,000 1.96 91,000 0.98 328,000 11.6 228,800 90.05 416,730 7.9 186,000 0.126 440,000 1.09 81,000 155 324,370 1.28 2,440,000 1.09 3,348,000

107,785,045 24,443,140 2,725,000 1,268,790 25,600 17,390,830 31,500 2,509,900 18,108,850 10,800 9,372,067 4,830,275 30,172 30,302 700,230 14,915 20,846,361 313,568 1,290,806 4,283,976 1,650 23,192,140 2,423,469 2,338,360 8,252,930 4,383,606 858,623 86,880 154,317,320 4,600 17,750 73,161 13,894,502 222,358 23,099,046 54,038,586 5,160,170 3,860,223 123,492 70,108 13,354,090 655,144 168,855 6,219,620 177,180 312,090 2,630,884 37,918,131 1,456,477 55,800 86,260 50,334,745 3,140,370 3,678,140

-19,851,475 -1,503,720 898,686 4,654,430 -210,630 -562,936 147,253 -838,485 -14,915 12,902,016.00 238,948 125,760 -4,034,430 3,338,880 -1,171,507 841,765 1,068,710.00 -3,384,648 13,065 -29,054,244 -6,657,598 35,696 -14,193,956 -11,448,122 -358,340 -1,257,733.00 1,176,990.00 -540,000 -5,430 40,180 -14,121,742.50 790 -14,749,152 -298,410 1,090

ABACORE CAPITAL ABOITIZ EQUITY ALLIANCE GLOBAL ANGLO PHIL HLDG ANSCOR ASIABEST GROUP ATN HLDG A 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 SEAFRONT RES SM INVESTMENTS SOC RESOURCES SOLID GROUP TOP FRONTIER WELLEX INDUS ZEUS HLDG

0.84 56.5 11.8 0.74 6.89 13.2 1.13 878 3.61 6.93 8.35 13.4 910 5.61 79.05 0.51 4.37 13.38 0.55 4.95 0.038 1.41 171.3 2.34 1,091 0.89 1.3 226.6 0.217 0.23

0.84 56.95 11.8 0.75 6.89 13.2 1.14 878.5 3.64 6.97 8.41 13.4 914 5.65 79.05 0.51 4.37 13.56 0.57 4.96 0.038 1.46 171.3 2.34 1,091 0.89 1.39 226.6 0.226 0.23

0.82 54.4 11.5 0.73 6.61 12.92 1.1 858 3.6 6.93 8.26 13.36 900.5 5.61 77.35 0.495 4.29 13.08 0.55 4.75 0.038 1.4 167.8 2.34 1,055 0.87 1.3 225.2 0.212 0.23

HOLDING FIRMS 0.82 2,097,000 54.4 929,800 11.5 10,149,100 0.73 115,000 6.89 6,950,500 13.12 12,700 1.13 1,681,000 862 354,440 3.6 347,000 6.95 5,944,300 8.3 15,518,300 13.4 5,500 905 66,850 5.61 79,500 78.1 623,200 0.5 21,000 4.32 281,000 13.08 6,107,600 0.57 36,000 4.75 31,931,000 0.038 200,000 1.44 362,000 168.5 169,490 2.34 103,000 1,057 219,775 0.87 2,000 1.34 599,000 226 560 0.212 1,020,000 0.23 100,000

14.88 0.81 9.58 1.78 0.86 46.75 1.99 4.58 0.58 0.77 0.84 0.206 0.455 10.2 20.2 0.465 1.63 1.25 4.86 0.29 0.39 1.53 0.38 2.01

PROPERTY 14.88 527,000 0.82 178,000 9.58 20,000 1.78 1,000 0.88 318,000 47 13,879,600 2 1,243,000 4.59 309,000 0.58 20,031,000 0.77 32,000 0.87 4,000 0.206 100,000 0.455 7,140,000 10.22 94,100 20.4 218,500 0.47 1,330,000 1.63 10,986,000 1.25 122,000 4.86 14,800,000 0.295 840,000 0.415 1,130,000 1.55 1,043,000 0.38 10,000 2.03 196,000

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

14.88 0.82 9.58 1.78 0.87 49 2 4.58 0.59 0.77 0.84 0.208 0.475 10.36 20.8 0.465 1.65 1.26 4.98 0.295 0.4 1.53 0.38 2.04

14.9 0.82 9.58 1.78 0.88 49 2 4.66 0.6 0.77 0.87 0.208 0.48 10.36 20.8 0.47 1.65 1.26 4.98 0.295 0.415 1.57 0.38 2.04

VOLUME

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

NAME

HIGH

LOW

VOLUME

VALUE

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

27 2.26 3.31 40.6 2.66 1.45 7.67 5.56

27 2.26 3.33 40.6 2.66 1.61 7.72 5.56

26.15 2.25 3.31 38.8 2.55 1.43 7.67 5.35

26.3 2.26 3.33 38.8 2.59 1.53 7.69 5.49

2,596,200 11,000 14,000 7,057,700 339,000 57,682,000 1,837,500 6,500

68,269,525 24,820 46,360 277,766,360 879,220 88,446,700 14,130,629 35,221

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

11 18.6 1.54 11.48 0.51 0.041 2.56 10.6 96.7 6.9 6.67 5.9 9 1,880 5.29 430 1.62 122.8 0.106 4.79 3.03 0.91 21.15 0.42 3.45 2.51 3.55 2.7 8.19 2.66 4.88 150 3.07 1,133 0.68 0.48 40.5 77.3 9.05 2.71 0.67 0.33 0.67 16.94

11 18.72 1.62 11.48 0.53 0.041 2.6 10.84 96.7 6.9 6.76 5.9 9.1 1,886 5.29 430.8 1.62 124 0.11 4.83 3.21 0.95 21.15 0.42 3.45 2.59 3.57 2.79 10.5 2.66 4.88 150 3.07 1,133 0.68 0.5 40.8 77.3 9.15 2.76 0.68 0.33 0.68 17.2

10.8 18.3 1.54 11.4 0.5 0.041 2.54 10.4 95.5 6.9 6.59 5.9 9 1,824 5.25 419 1.58 122.2 0.105 4.74 3.02 0.91 19.72 0.42 3.45 2.51 3.44 2.7 8.19 2.65 4.85 150 3 1,108 0.67 0.475 39.7 76.05 9.05 2.68 0.66 0.32 0.66 16.84

SERVICES 10.86 18.58 1.54 11.42 0.52 0.041 2.55 10.82 96.15 6.9 6.59 5.9 9.05 1,824 5.26 430.8 1.58 123.7 0.109 4.77 3.2 0.94 19.9 0.42 3.45 2.59 3.51 2.79 8.88 2.65 4.85 150 3.03 1,121 0.68 0.485 40 76.25 9.05 2.69 0.67 0.32 0.67 17.2

10,400 225,200 54,000 11,534,200 2,181,000 3,800,000 325,000 36,727,800 118,040 200 868,100 1,900 18,900 30,380 40,600 2,740 844,000 965,640 3,530,000 1,635,000 1,026,000 246,000 1,435,300 30,000 92,000 2,065,000 5,057,000 71,000 827,000 10,000 7,000 172,210 373,000 64,050 927,000 8,110,000 1,840,800 537,080 24,000 2,826,000 807,000 7,730,000 501,000 3,004,200

113,090 4,175,978 83,750 131,711,078 1,113,820 155,800 834,480 392,970,628 11,348,469.50 1,380 5,755,523 11,210 170,564 56,230,320 214,059 1,166,018 1,342,980 119,294,610 371,660 7,809,590 3,245,620 229,940 28,845,813 12,600 317,400 5,239,340 17,771,360 191,880 7,931,899 26,580 34,010 25,831,500 1,124,240 71,728,395 623,350 3,977,900 74,067,655 40,963,457 218,300 7,685,200 540,940 2,504,050 335,940 51,315,160

-71,512,732 510 12,800 -138,911,638 2,397,743.50 -56,359 -25,790,940 8,600 28,043,333 306,850 -232,860 -3,936,436 3,730,580 941,940 2,700 -168,135 24,250 0 -108,510 -1,482,260 -79,060 165,550 1,013,220 -6,399,238 1,689,000 -416,500 25,258,476.00

ABRA MINING APEX MINING ATLAS MINING ATOK BENGUET B CENTURY PEAK COAL ASIA HLDG 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 UNITED PARAGON

0.0016 1.12 2.58 12 1.12 2.59 0.28 7.59 1.97 0.207 0.104 0.108 1.11 4.04 1.08 0.84 0.012 0.011 10.3 3.46 12.4 23.1 0.0059

0.0017 1.14 2.59 12.28 1.12 2.59 0.29 7.77 2.06 0.214 0.104 0.11 1.14 4.07 1.08 0.84 0.012 0.011 10.7 3.47 12.5 23.25 0.0061

0.0016 1.12 2.58 12 1.1 2.56 0.28 7.2 1.97 0.206 0.104 0.108 1.11 3.9 1.05 0.83 0.011 0.01 10.3 3.46 12.04 23 0.0059

MINING & OIL 0.0017 2,000,000 1.12 2,392,000 2.59 20,000 12 35,700 1.1 9,000 2.56 270,000 0.29 130,000 7.76 109,400 2.05 58,480,000 0.21 810,000 0.104 220,000 0.11 30,000 1.14 361,000 3.95 18,097,000 1.07 61,000 0.83 250,000 0.012 18,600,000 0.01 11,200,000 10.54 386,300 3.46 136,000 12.28 1,353,200 23.05 238,900 0.0061 4,000,000

3,300 2,687,220 51,790 428,574 10,000 694,800 37,600 797,884 117,986,890 169,030 22,880 3,280 404,490 71,586,950 64,740 207,870 218,000 119,000 4,080,370 470,600 16,517,874 5,506,880 24,000

1,700 -572,220.00 9,122,130 -14,912,480.00 51,624 -757,188 -412,970 -

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

17.7 501 101 101 109.5 5.14 990 970 99.5 1.03 101.5 1,012 1,050 998 78.5 75.35 75.3 76.2 75.2 75.7

17.7 501 101 101 109.5 5.14 990 971 99.5 1.03 101.9 1,034 1,050 998 78.5 75.35 75.3 76.2 75.2 75.7

17.3 501 100.1 100.5 109.5 5.14 990 970 99.5 1 101 1,012 1,050 998 78.15 75.35 75.3 76.05 75.1 75.7

PREFERRED 17.36 169,700 501 200 100.1 8,530 101 80,240 109.5 18,700 5.14 14,400 990 20 971 190 99.5 90 1 6,000 101 21,290 1,034 110 1,050 1,480 998 660 78.15 33,070 75.35 3,700 75.3 2,380 76.05 64,760 75.15 52,290 75.7 135,000

2,975,566 100,200 854,347 8,091,760 2,047,650 74,016 19,800 184,460 8,955 6,030 2,151,594 111,540 1,554,000 658,680 2,584,512 278,795 179,214 4,926,682 3,927,853.50 10,219,500

-1,257,460 -2,047,650 4,975 23,475 -2,237,340 -

LR WARRANT

1.57

1.67

1.55

WARRANTS 1.64 124,000

199,850

ITALPINAS KEPWEALTH XURPAS

6.46 11.8 0.99

6.46 12.02 1.11

6.32 11.7 0.98

SME 6.39 11.78 1.11

1,218,176 3,097,792 48,918,950

33,925 -125,500

FIRST METRO ETF

122.9

120

870,423

145,170

USD DMPL A1 USD DMPL A2

10.28 9.9

10.3 10.2

10.28 9.8

124,727 141,648

MS 1,739,770 51,156,146.50 117,794,380 84,630 45,942,945 164,900 1,872,820 306,794,990 1,255,740 41,311,240 129,018,934 73,648 60,693,535 446,175 48,730,530.50 10,430 1,212,850 81,135,802 19,880 153,285,650 7,600 520,220 28,537,316 241,020 234,276,885 1,760 802,910 126,570 217,940 23,000

-93,110 6,693,065.50 20,112,498 -45,939,500 -130,666,075 112,010 -6,323,129 -26,266,112 -6,688 47,596,800 -434,955 30,473,411 -984,260 -12,643,684 10,506,230 -88,450 -18,384,923 1,900,195 -45,200 -

7,841,762 144,340 191,600 1,780 275,950 657,967,955 2,485,450 1,431,650 11,838,590 24,640 3,390 20,660 3,300,750 967,258 4,457,385 619,600 17,930,300 153,490 72,636,630 246,050 444,550 1,616,290 3,800 395,430

-61,006 -374,955,530 -1,514,000 -198,490 -13,570 -22,750 261,380 46,500 -603,300 -26,471,830 -

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

OPEN

Trading Summary

FINANCIAL

6,917,113

INDUSTRIAL

49,666,579

HOLDING FIRMS

86,418,441

PROPERTY

156,349,996

SERVICES

131,074,262

MINING & OIL

119,240,960

GRAND TOTAL

595,799,418

190,600 261,100 45,669,000

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 120 7,150 10.3 10.2

DDS

12,120 14,430

29,660,805 -6,780.00 -32,708,540 15,600 -6,696,934 -

VALUE 1,935.76 (down) 28.75 592,995,272.34 FINANCIAL INDUSTRIAL 10,503.14 (down) 120.56 764,134,808.23 HOLDING FIRMS 7,922.14 (down) 190.45 1,418,003,671.99 PROPERTY 4,119.20 (down) 154.98 SERVICES 1,547.16 (down) 7.84 1,577,741,142.97 MINING & OIL 9,134.71 (down) 27.63 1,260,159,913.87 PSEI 8,025.88 (down) 190.80 222,125,968.68 All Shares Index 4,804.36 (down) 83.01 5,889,273,880.77 Gainers: 74; Losers: 109; Unchanged: 49; Total: 232

Aboitiz Equity registered net profit of P15.7b in nine months By Alena Mae S. Flores CONGLOMERATE Aboitiz Equity Ventures Inc. posted a net income of P15.7 billion in the first nine months, down nine percent from ₱17.3 billion year-on-year. AEV said in a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange it recognized nonrecurring losses of ₱155 million, lower than the previous year’s ₱407 million, representing net foreign exchange and derivative losses. Without the one-off losses, AEV’s core net income in the first nine months reached ₱15.9 billion, 10 percent lower that ₱17.7 billion on year. “Despite challenges in our power business, better operating performance in our non-power businesses provided resilience to our investment portfolio. As we fund our growth projects, we look to further broaden and strengthen our diversification in the Philippines and overseas,” said AEV president and chief executive officer Erramon Aboitiz. AEV recorded consolidated earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, and amortization of ₱44.8 billion in the first three quarters, down 2 percent from ₱45.5 billion on year. Power accounted for 60 percent of the total income contributions, followed by banking and financial services (25 percent), food (six percent), Land (five percent), and Infrastructure (four percent). Aboitiz Power’s net income in the first nine months reached ₱13.5 billion, 19 percent lower than ₱16.7 billion recorded on year. The company’s core net income was also lower at ₱13.7 billion, down 26 percent from ₱18.4 billion in the same period last year, due to the higher volume and cost of purchased power, lower spot market revenues and reduced plant availability. “It has been a tough year for Aboitiz Power with the supply issues that resulted in the high cost of replacement power for our customers. The company has also generated lower revenues from the spot market due to challenges that caused some of our power plants to shut down,” said Aboitiz Power chief operating officer Emmanuel Rubio.

Cal-Comp again postpones P10.7b of public offering By Jenniffer B. Austria CAL-COMP Technology (Philippines) Inc. deferred a planned P10.67-billion initial public offering due to weak market response and volatile market conditions. “After careful consideration, including extensive discussions with the underwriters, the company has decided not to pursue the Offering at this time. The company believes that the initial valuations indicated by the market does not fully reflect the company’s strong performance and growth prospects,” Cal-Comp said. “Furthermore, due to volatile market conditions, the company has decided that it will be in its best interest to defer its Offering and re-evaluate its listing plans. In the meantime, the company will continue to focus on the growth of its business in the Philippines and ensure that its targets continue to be met,” it added. This is the second time that CalComp deferred the planned IPO. CalComp first filed an IPO application in June 2018 with the Securities and Exchange Commission. It was looking at that time to raise as much as P6.77 billion in proceeds from the IPO. But in September of the same year, it decided to defer its IPO ,citing “poor market conditions.” It re-filed a new IPO application in September this year. The company had planned to use the net proceeds from the IPO to fund expansion, capital expenditures, research and development, debt repayment and working capital requirements. Cal-Comp is mainly engaged in the design, development and manufacture of consumer electronic products, such as data storage products, calculators, pachinko displays, smart home appliances and smart beauty products. It forms part of Taiwan-based New Kinpo Group, which manufactures a broad range of key electronic product lines, including storage, printers, network-attached storage, wireless and broadband, digital home appliances, consumer electronics, wearables, 3D printing, robotics, power management and smart grid, industrial, automotive, security, medical/healthcare and emerging technologies.

Business/World

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2019 CESAR BARRIOQUINTO, Editor mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Rebuke for Trump in races seen as barometers for 2020

REHEARSAL. Russian servicemen dressed in historical uniforms rehearse for a parade on Red Square in Moscow on November 5.

AFP

China’s rising telecom influence worrisome CHINA’S expansion into the infrastructure backbone of the Philippines deserves a second look. From its determined push to control the entire West Philippine Sea to its foray into the Philippine power sector, China now is aiming its sight on the local telecommunications sector. China’s economic powerhouse status is a given. It is expected to dominate foreign trade, along with the United States and Japan. Its rising influence over foreign trade partners is not unexpected, with its material wealth and booming economy,. China’s attempt to gain a foothold in the Philippine telecommunications industry is also welcome as long as it fosters competition. But operating telecom facilities inside Philippine military camps is disturbing. Third telecommunications player DITO Telecommunity Corp., the joint venture of Udenna Corp. of businessman Dennis Uy and China Telecom, has signed a co-location agreement with the Armed Forces of the Philippines, raising fears that the deal could be a springboard for espionage activities. Critics say the agreement involving DITO and partner is a threat to national security and a violation of the Filipinos’ right to privacy and security of data. Party-list Ako Bicol Rep. Alfredo Garbin Jr. and Rep. Manuel Cabochan both raised security concerns, and noted the apprehension of the US on the ambitious digital infrastructure initiative of the country’s third telco player. Analysts are one in saying that the dominance of businesses and industries in other countries point to a centralized program of the state of China’s politburo. From telecommunications to infrastructure and finance, it’s been a long-standing policy of China to become the undisputed global power. The Philippines, thus, should take a cautious stance on business deals with China. The Philippine government should recognize its people’s sovereign rights and freedoms. The AFP defended the DITO agreement, saying it passed scrutiny before being signed by the military. AFP spokesperson Marine Brig. Gen. Edgard Arevalo allayed the fears of some sector that the agreement could be used for espionage activities. “The signing of the MOA between AFP and Dito Telecommunity, [formerly Mislatel] must be taken in the light of three reasons. Number one, this passed thorough government scrutiny when it comes to its fitness to do business in the Philippines... there are government regulatory agencies like Securities and Exchange Commission and the National Telecommunications Commission,” he said. Cabochan, a retired Philippine Navy officer, noted that the US government has its own concerns on the 12,800-kilometer, crossPacific data cable linking one of America’s key cities to China’s Special Administrative Region in Hong Kong. “As I see it, the undersea cable poses security concerns for the US, very much like Dito Telecommunity’s co-locating its facilities near or in AFP installations and camps. Hence, delivery of service is questionable plus the threat it poses to our privacy and national security [is a concern],” Cabochan was quoted as saying. Cagayan de Oro 2nd district Rep. Rufus Rodriguez has his own suspicions. “[The AFP’s] goal is to secure the sovereignty of the State and the integrity of the national territory,” Rodriguez said during his interpellation of the Department of Information and Communications Technology’s budget, citing Section 3 of Article 2 of the 1987 Charter. “The deal allowing Dito [Telecommunity] to establish its facilities inside military camps will violate our national security and endanger our sovereignty. It is therefore unconstitutional and should not be allowed,” he said during the House plenary deliberations. DITO will need all the government support it can harness. It is aiming to capture 30 percent of the market within the first few years of operations after signing new partnerships with two tower companies. But DITO’s ambitious plan will likely encounter bumps on the road after hitting a sensitive nerve. The country’s security is at risk, to say the least. E-mail: rayenano@yahoo.com or extrastory2000@gmail.com or business@manilastandard.net

WASHINGTON―US President Donald Trump and his Republican allies suffered stinging defeats Tuesday as Democrats were projected to win closely-watched elections in two states, results that signal troubling headwinds for his 2020 re-election campaign. The Republican Governor Matt Bevin in deep-red Kentucky was ousted by his Democratic challenger Andy Beshear, who led by less than half a percentage point with 100 percent of the vote counted, the official overseeing the election declared. Doubling the hurt, Trump’s party also lost control of both chambers of the legislature in increasingly blue Virginia, US media including The New York Times projected. “We have called it for Attorney General Beshear to be the Kentucky governor-elect,” Secretary of State Alison Lundergan Grimes said on CNN.

The US president tweeted that Bevin “picked up at least 15 points in last days, but perhaps not enough [Fake News will blame Trump!].” Beshear, whose father was the last Democratic governor in the state, claimed victory, but Bevin did not throw in the towel. “This is a close, close race. We are not conceding this race by any stretch,” the governor said. Should Bevin’s loss be certified, it would be a shock defeat for a conservative in a southern state that Trump won by 30 percentage points in 2016. In Virginia, Democrats will now hold all major statewide offices and rule the state assembly, a comprehensive consolidation of power not seen in the state since the 1990s. Democratic leadership swiftly portrayed the night as a massive boost for the party heading into next year’s monumental battle against the president. AFP

Pro-Beijing HK politician wounded in knife attack H ONG KONG―A firebrand proBeijing politician in Hong Kong was wounded in a knife attack on Wednesday, the latest titfor-tat political violence to break out in a city engulfed by seething pro-democracy protests.

The stabbing came as the city’s unpopular leader Carrie Lam said her resolve to crack down on the protesters had been bolstered by a recent meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping. The international finance hub has been convulsed by five months of huge and increasingly violent protests calling

for greater democratic freedoms and police accountability. With Beijing and Lam refusing to offer a political solution to the protesters’ grievances, violence has spiraled on both sides of the ideological divide. In the latest incident a man holding a bouquet approached pro-Beijing lawmaker Junius Ho on Wednesday morning as the politician was campaigning in his constituency of Tuen Mun, a town on the outskirts of Hong Kong near the border with China. Footage posted online showed the man handing Ho the flowers and asking for a picture. He then pulled a knife from his bag before striking his victim in the chest. Police said three people were wounded in the incident, including the attacker, who was subdued by Ho’s aides as he shouted in Cantonese: “Junius Ho, you scum!”

A police source, who declined to be named, told AFP that Ho received a stab wound to the left side of his chest and the attacker was arrested. Ho, 57, was conscious when he got into the ambulance. His bloodstained white shirt and wound dressings could be seen on the ground in the aftermath of the attack. The stabbing came as Lam wrapped up a series of talks in mainland China with top Communist Party officials, including President Xi who threw his support behind the beleaguered leader when they met on Sunday, according to state media. “President Xi’s trust and support to me and the Hong Kong government has strengthened our resolve to stop the violence and curb the chaos,” she said on Tuesday as she met in Beijing with Vice Premier Han Zheng. AFP

IN BRIEF Xi, Macron back climate pact

PREMIERE.

Sofia Carson attends the Premiere Of Lionsgates’ ‘Midway’ at Regency Village Theater on November 05, 2019, in Westwood, California. AFP

BEIJING―Chinese leader Xi Jinping and French President Emmanuel Macron declared on Wednesday that the Paris climate pact is “irreversible”, after the United States formally withdrew from the accord this week. Major powers expressed regret and concern after President Donald Trump went ahead with the pullout despite mounting evidence of the reality and impact of climate change. Washington presented its withdrawal letter to the United Nations on Monday, the first possible date under the accord negotiated by Trump’s predecessor Barack Obama, making the world’s largest economy the sole outlier from the agreement. In a joint statement released after Xi and Macron held talks in Beijing, the two leaders reaffirmed “their firm support for the Paris accord which they consider as an irreversible process and a compass for strong action on climate”. Without directly naming the US, Macron said he “deplores the choices made by others” as he sat next to Xi following the talks. AFP

Suspected rebel attacks kill 15

Vienna orchestra toasts 50th birthday VIENNA―When Vienna’s ORF Radio Symphony Orchestra marks its 50th anniversary with a special concert on Wednesday, it will be under the baton of its new chief conductor who, for the first time in Austria, is a woman. Top-tier orchestras in Vienna―arguably the world capital of classical music―are traditionally a predominantly male preserve. But industry observers see the arrival in September of US conductor Marin Alsop at the helm of the ensemble as a sign that even deeply conservative Vienna is beginning to change with the times. The 63-year-old American―who has previously been chief conductor of orchestras in Bournemouth in Britain, Baltimore in the United States and Sao Paolo in Brazil―said her reception in the Austrian capital has been “very warm”. “I haven’t felt this kind of welcome in a long time,” she told AFP after a recent rehearsal.

Globally, only four percent of conductors are women and the situation is no different in Vienna. The city’s world-famous Vienna Philharmonic, whose New Year concert is broadcast to more than 90 countries across the globe, started admitting women only in 1997. And men still vastly outnumber women on the podium of that orchestra’s home, the legendary Musikverein concert hall. More than half of Vienna’s music students are female, but they are still a relatively rare sight in conducting classes. In the rarefied world of conducting, sexist stereotypes—that women lack the necessary strength and authority to lead an orchestra—are deep-seated. In 2017, the renowned Latvian maestro Mariss Jansons caused a storm when he said in a newspaper interview that seeing a woman on the podium was not “my cup of tea”, a remark he quickly apologized for. AFP

YALA, Thailand―At least fifteen people were killed in attacks by suspected Muslim militants in Thailand’s violencewracked south, an army spokesman said on Wednesday, the latest incident in the 15-year bloody insurgency. Thailand’s three southernmost provinces have been in the grip of a conflict that has killed more than 7,000 people, as Malay-Muslim militants fight for more autonomy from the Thai state. The region is under martial law, heavily policed by the military and sometimes staffed with trained civilian volunteers, with residents and rights groups accusing them of heavy-handed tactics. Late Tuesday militants struck two checkpoints in Yala province manned by civil defense volunteers, opening fire on them as a group of villagers stopped to talk, southern army spokesman Pramote Prom-in told AFP. In the largest death toll in years, “twelve were killed at the scene, two more (died) at the hospital, and one died this morning,” said Pramote, adding that five others were injured. The attackers took M-16 rifles and shotguns from the checkpoints, he said. “These acts were by militants.” Nails were also scattered on the roads in an apparent effort to slow the security forces, the army said in a separate statement. AFP

LGUs

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

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2019

LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS

PDRF ramps up private sector aid for Mindanao By Romeo Dizon

CLARK FREEPORT, Pampanga— The Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation continued to provide relief goods and other assistance to earthquake-hit Mindanao, as it activated its Emergency Operation Center eight-company cluster to support the national government’s relief operations in the region. In a statement, the PDRF said its clusters on food and nonfood; water, sanitation: power, fuel, energy; finance, insurance; search and rescue, medical; logistics, information communication and technology; and infrastructure will further help the disaster victims. The clusters are part of the 150 companies of the foundation that immediately assisted the earthquake victims in Mindanao as mandated by the PDRF. “Teams were already deployed in the affected areas to assess the needs there and coordinate the response effort of the private sector,” the statement said. The assistance, worth several million pesos, consists of relief goods like food packs, water, and sanitation materials, among others. They were immediate dispatched to the disaster areas of Mindanao. PDRF also said it assisted the national effort by providing air and ground support to reach about 188,000 victims in scattered and far-flung areas and evacuation centers.

PECO facing new legal woes due to permit failure By Alena Mae S. Flores PANAY Electric Co. may be facing new legal cases due to its failure to renew its business permit and settle its real estate taxes to the city government. “For PECO to be issued business permit renewal, they have to settle first their real property tax as matter of procedure pursuant to our local revenue code,” said Norman Tabud, head of the Iloilo City Business Permits and Licensing Office. Tabud said PECO was not able to secure a business license to operate in 2019 in violation of the city’s Tax Revenue Code on the recommendation of the City Treasurer’s Office for failing to pay its real estate taxes. “[PECO] had failed to secure a business permit to operate since last year [2018] because of an instruction from the City Treasurer’s Office to hold in abeyance the issuance of the permit pending the company’s payment of its realty tax obligations,” Tabud said. The city assessed PECO’s real estate tax dues at P90 million and additional penalties since March this year. PECO’s tax obligations arose from a new ruling from the City Treasurer that the lot on which PECO’s electricity poles are located are also taxable real estate. City Treasurer Jinny Hermano, in a memorandum to the Iloilo City BPLO dated March 12, stated that all businesses can only secure business permits to operate after it had settled all obligations to the city government, including real estate taxes, citing Section 252 of Tax Ordinance No. 2007016 or the Local Revenue Code.

Officials of San Vicente, Palawan, led by Mayor Amy Roa Alvarez (second from right) and Coca-Cola representatives sign the agreement to turn-over the Barber Surf Rake machine to the municipal government.

Rolie Jamil, a member of Nickel Asia’s Emergency Response Team, lifts a sack of rice as he was among the first responders to the earthquake in North Cotabato. The NAC-ERT team, composed of 58 volunteer-employees of Nickel Asia, assisted families affected by a landslide caused by the quake in Barangay Bato.

Nickel Asia ERTs first to respond to quake-hit area THE Provincial Government of Cotabato has acknowledged the first responders to Makilala, a town in North Cotabato reported to be hardest hit by the recent series of earthquakes that devastated some parts of Mindanao. The Emergency Response Team from Nickel Asia Corporation’s operating company is one of them. The NAC miners were among the first responders when Cotabato called for help. Taganito Mining Corp., a subsidiary of NAC, was among the first to send an ERT, arriving a day after the magnitude 6.5 quake shook Makilala and its adjacent towns. Following suit and bringing more food and water were two other NAC subsidiaries—Cagdianao Mining Corp., which travelled all the way from Dinagat Island, and Hinatuan Mining Corp. from Surigao del Norte. The expertise of NAC ERTs was quickly put to use when they were assigned to barangay Bato, where a landslide caused at least six casualties. The team transported to safety some 127 residents together with their remaining possessions, including pigs and pet dogs. The NAC teams performed first aid and distributed food packages and drinking water, mosquito nets, and hundreds of meters of blue canvass sheets as tent material to other families. The ERTs train regularly and extensively to be able to respond quickly and efficiently during disasters such as earthquakes and strong typhoons, the company said in a statement. Makilala is located in the southeast of Cotabato Province, next to Davao City. The town has 38 barangays. According to Ailyn Tocmo, a government employee from Barangay Kisante who was assigned to the registration center in Makilala: “All barangays were badly affected with some people continuing to stay outdoors, afraid that more aftershocks would hit.”

Navotas sweeps DOH awards By Jun David

UST hours after receiving the Seal of Good Local Governance, the Navotas city government again garnered trophies and cash prizes for its exemplary public health programs. During the Department of HealthNational Capital Region the Gabi ng Parangal, the city bagged the awards for Best in Oral Health Program, Best in Tuberculosis Control Program, and Best in Lifestyle-Related Diseases Prevention and Control Program. The city received P300,000 per award or P900,000 in total, which will be used as additional funding for the same health services. “We are honored to receive recognition for our health programs. Awards, however, are only secondary to our ultimate goal of providing the best service we could give to our constituents,”

Mayor Toby Tiangco said. “We are glad that our public health programs have been proven effective. Yet, we also recognize that we need to constantly improve our services to ensure the wellbeing of our people,” he added. Navotas achieved 69 percent out of the 100-percent national target for the number of orally fit children 12 to 71 months old, the highest among local government units in Metro Manila. The city used the dental bus donated by the DOH to entice young Navoteños to have their teeth checked and treated. The city also partnered with the Department of Education-Navotas, day care centers, and private organizations such as Colgate-Palmolive Inc. and Save the Children to reach its targets on oral health care. For TB control, Navotas had a 94 percent case detection rate in 2018, 2 percent higher than the national target of 92 percent. Its 91-percent treatment success rate also exceeded the national target by one percent. Earlier this year, Tiangco and other city officials committed to intensify the search, treatment and care for residents with tuberculosis.

“TB is contagious but curable. We will exert all efforts to ensure the sick are treated and cured, and those vulnerable, including children and the elderly, are protected from it,” the mayor said. Navotas was also cited for its programs that promote a healthy way of life. The city regularly conducts health risk assessments, medical caravans, zumba activities, eye health promotions and cancer awareness fun runs. The city also established health clubs for residents with hypertension and diabetes and provided free vaccinations to senior citizens and assistive devices to persons with disabilities. In 2018, the city revised its ordinance on tobacco control, making implementation stricter and penalties severe. This year, it launched its Women and Children Protection Unit at the Navotas City Hospital. Navotas also scored perfect in the 2018 Anti-Drug Abuse Council Performance Audit for Highly Urbanized Cities. Constant case findings, screenings and Bidahan seminars led the city to receive an “Ideal” rating from the Department of the Interior and Local Government.

WINE EXPERIENCE. Marriott

Hotel Manila recently hosted the pre-event of the 19th Grand Wine Experience—the biggest wine pairing event in the country—for the media, the Philippine Wine Merchants (PWM) and their partners at their HUB outlet. Pictured (from left) are PWM directors Ronald, Ryan, Robi and Raymond Joseph (right) with Marriott F&B Director Mo Ali and Joee Guilad, Resorts World Manila director of corporate communications. The event on Nov. 15, at the hotel’s grand ballroom in Pasay City, will showcase 700 branded wines around the world and international cuisine by Marriott Executive Chef Meik Brammer.

Coca-Cola, Palawan town ink pact SAN VICENTE, Palawan—The Coca-Cola System in the Philippines, as represented by Coca-Cola Beverages Philippines Inc., the licensed bottler of Coca-Cola products in the country, and the Coca-Cola Foundation Philippines are turning over the top-of-the-line Barber Surf Rake beach-cleaning equipment to the municipal government here. With the grant, the town, led by Mayor Amy Roa Alvarez, would ensure responsible environmental conservation of San Vicente’s top tourist attraction—an approximately 15-kilometer-long stretch of fine white sand beach that rivals the best beaches in the world. “San Vicente has been rightly drawing tourists from across the Philippines and across the globe for its sights and for

the warmth of its people,” said Cecile Alcantara, president of the Coca-Cola Foundation Philippines. “We at Coca-Cola want to contribute to the health of its tourism sector, by helping institutionalize ecological stewardship and environmental protection to better ensure that San Vicente can sustainably maintain the beauty of its resources and attractions for generations to come,” she added. Coca-Cola signed a Memorandum of Agreement with the municipal government last October to formalize its partnership toward championing sustainability here. The ceremony was witnessed by Miss Earth 2019 candidates, who share the same goals of environmental protection.

Las Piñas starts free parking for seniors, PWDs on December 1 SENIOR citizens and persons with disability in the City of Las Piñas are set to enjoy the privilege from an ordinance granting them an exemption from paying parking fees for the first three hours in all business establishments and offices in the city effective Dec. 1. City Ordinance No. 1623-19, or the Senior Citizens and Persons with Disability Free Initial Rate Parking Fee Ordinance of 2019, as proposed by Vice Mayor April Aguilar, grants the privilege to the elderly and PWDs who are either driving a vehicle or on board one that will park in any commercial or pay parking areas in Las Pinas. Las Piñas has more than 80,000 registered senior citizens and 15,200 PWDs who are enjoined to avail of the privilege and other benefits as mandated by Republic Act No. 7432, known as the Senior Citizens Act of 1995. “This is one way of providing social services to our senior citizens and PWDs because their welfare is one of our priorities,” Aguilar said. She acknowledged the cooperation and support of the city’s business establishments in granting the exemption to senior citizens and PWDs. The exemption covers the first three hours of the prescribed parking fee, while a corresponding rate shall be imposed for succeeding hours. No charges shall be collected in the case of a flat-rate parking policy, provided it does not exceed four hours. Parking booth attendants or cashier who may be found violating the ordinance shall be meted penalties ranging from P1,000 to P3,000 with 30 days to a maximum of six months imprisonment, depending on the discretion of the court. Aguilar welcomed the passing of the ordinance by the City Council. “The ordinance will contribute to the ‘Tuloy-tuloy na Serbisyo Program’ of our administration in promoting the welfare of the senior citizens and the PWDs of Las Piñas,” she said.

Life

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

HOUSEHOLD

@MStandardLIFE THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2019

FROM FARM TO TABLE. Saturday market Urban Farm at Greenfield District Central Park offers shoppers a variety of fresh, healthy, and organic food items, as well as household products.

Morning shopping

Saturday market opens at Greenfield District from farmers and producers are a popular choice among city folk looking for ATURDAY morning, it’s items not usually available in huge supermarket chains. time for shopping. Driving the growth of weekend markets are families looking for healthy Urban weekend markets offering and organic ingredients, as well as milhealthy goods, artisanal fare, and other lennials who value, not only products ready-to-consume products straight straight from their sources, but also the

By Steph Llarena

experience of shopping and mingling with both sellers and fellow shoppers. Right in the heart of Metro Manila, a new weekend market aims to transform urban shopping by providing farm-totable experience. The Urban Farm, located at the Greenfield District Central Park provides shoppers with fresh produce

Kelly Misa shops with her son.

By Ayunan G. Gunting

Ready-to-eat food from local businesses.

Fresh produce straight from the farm.

along with ready-to-eat products and household items. The newly launched Saturday market is open from 6:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Shoppers can fill their canvas or any other eco-friendly bags with gourmet coffee, breads, organic produce, jams, jellies, cured meat, cheese, olive oils, spices, pies, pastries, muffins, mushroom chips, honey, truffle, poultry, seafood, meat, and rice varieties available at the market. Healthy and organic does not have to be expensive as Greenfield said the aforementioned products are available at “wet market price.”

In addition to food, household items such as plants, handcrafted goods, and wooden pieces are also ready for purchase. Pet parents can also shop for gourmet pet food and merchandise. Shoppers who want to take a breather after hours of walking around or those who want to eat breakfast or brunch with families and friends are welcome to Greenfield Urban Farm’s outdoor dining area. “Urban Farm is not just another weekend market. With its vast array of curated selections, it ensures consumers a premium shopping experience,”

A romantic Maranao wedding in Cagayan de Oro

SORAYA Hanifa “Maika” Adiong, daughter of Lanao del Sur Governor Bombit Adiong and my late best friend Raifa Raki-in, made a most resplendent bride when she married her 20-year-old groom, Bin Khalifa Lucman “Jimboy” Pansar in Cagayan de Oro City in October. Maika and Jimboy chose to have a traditional but modern Maranao wedding, and they made sure they adhered to the customs that make a Maranao wedding so intimate and memorable. Among the rites that were observed was the “kawing,” which has the groom announcing his intentions to Bombit, the father of the bride. Jimboy pledged his loyalty and support for Maika to his father-in-law, the leader of prayers called the “imam,” and the wedding guests. The ceremony was held at the Xavier Estates Clubhouse, and when Governor Adiong accepted the groom’s The bride with her father, Lanao Del Sur commitment, they went to the bride’s Governor Bombit Adiong. shelter for the batal or the affirmation Maika Adiong and Jimboy Pansar tie the knot in a traditional but modern Maranao ceremony. of the marriage. The house of Maika’s grandparents (mother side) served as the batal. Following the custom in Maranaw Islamic weddings, Jimboy touched Maika’s forehead as a formality. The lovely couple was then driven back to the clubhouse for the reception. There, the couple received the blessings from both the father of the groom, Butig Mayor Dimnatang Labay Pansar, and the father of the bride, Governor Adiong. Maika looked stunning in a white embroidered lace gown and hijab (headdress) designed by Manila-based Eliza- Senator Cynthia Villar (second from left) poses with Governor Soraya beth Hallie. Jimboy donned a modern Adiong, Princess Monjierra A. Disini, and other guests. Siettie Adiong, Rowanisa Guro Usman Raki-in, and their kids.

Turn to C2

black tunic with silver embroidery and a matching wedding taqiyah or cap. The family of the groom wore traditional Maranao attire while the bride’s friends and family were garbed in formal contemporary attire. Among the principal sponsors were Senators Miguel Zubiri, Cynthia Villar, Ronald dela Rosa, Former Gensan Mayor Darlene Antonino-Custodio, AnakMindanao partylist Amihilda Sangcopan. Other principal sponsors such as Senators Juan Edgardo Angara, Francis Tolentino, Bong Go, Ramon Revilla Jr., and Grace Poe sent their proxies. No doubt, the Adiong-Pansar nuptial is Mindanao’s wedding of the year. The list of sponsors and guests included congressmen, diplomats, governors, and BARMM ministers. Also present were the bride’s relatives such as former governor Soraya A. Adiong, former Asec. Mocamad Maglangit Raki-in Sr., Maramanai Sani-Raki-in, Princess Monjierra Alonto Dissini, Bai Normallah Alonto Lucman, Diamond Lucman, and others. Also seen at the reception were Deputy Speaker Mujiv Hataman and other high-profile Lanao mayors and congressmen. The setting of the reception was opulent. The ballroom was adorned with swags of diaphanous fabrics, fringes of ribbons, garlands, and cutwork lanterns on the ceiling. White panels of carved okir or curlicued patterns and mamandiang, a special Maranao wedding fabric, gave the venue a distinctive look that is unmistakably Maranao. And as a tribute to Maika’s mother, the late Raifa Raki-in, each table was adorned with red roses, which was the favorite flower of the bride’s mother. Also, on display were the dowries, Turn to C2

Life

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2019 manilastandardlife@gmail.com

Sharing shoes with a community

ANY of the children and families in the small town of Diasan in Echague, Isabela never had the chance to step foot in a mall due to the long distance, steep terrains, and rough roads one needs to pass through to get into the main city. Away from the busy city life, families in this area, of about 600 residents, live a life of simplicity and rely on agricultural resources as their means of livelihood. But through The SM Store’s Share Shoes program, 140 children beneficiaries had the chance to experience shoe shopping—just like inside a real department store. “We are here to show the residents that while they may be far from the city, they are never forgotten by SM; that is why we are bringing Share Shoes here,” said The SM Store Cauayan assistant branch manager Cielito Velasquez. The Share Shoes program is part of the SM Share Movement campaign, one of the ways that SM and its customers team up to support and donate to little communities like Barangay Diasan. Through the help of employee volunteers, the classroom of Diasan Elementary School was transformed into a shoe store. Volunteers assembled shoe racks and filled the room with various shoe styles: sneakers, clogs, flats, and slip-ons. And just like real shoppers, kids were assisted by employee volunteers as they happily looked around, tried out shoes, and chose their preferred shoe styles. Employee volunteers also taught the kids about proper hygiene; they washed

ALL SMILES. Employee volunteers help the ‘little shoppers’ from Diasan, Isabela choose their preferred footwear at a makeshift store mounted for the Share Shoes program of The SM Store. their feet with soap and water before putting on their new footwear. According to Father Carlito Sarte, social action director of the Diocesan Social Action Center of Ilagan, the shoes will benefit many children who walk barefoot on rough roads for at least one hour every day just to go to school. “We appreciate that despite the longdistance travel ay nagpunta ang SM dito para makapagbahagi sa mga kababayan natin. Dito, pumapasok ang

A mass housing developer enables more Filipino families to live in well-designed homes in secure and strategically located communities.

mga estudyante nang nakapaa (We appreciate that SM went here despite the long-distance travel to provide shoes to the children. Most of the students in Diasan attend school barefoot), and this is their first time to get shoes so we really appreciate that there are partners like SM,” enthused Sarte. Diasan Elementary School head teacher Domenador Mayuyo Jr. expressed optimism that the new shoes will serve as inspiration for children to

go to school every day. “Yung mga bata kasi hindi naman nakakabili ng sapatos. Ngayon, meron na silang pagkakataon makapagsuot ng shoes para ma-encourage sila na pumasok sa school araw-araw (The children here have no means to buy shoes, but now that they have, these could encourage them to go to school everyday),” he said. Aside from new shoes, kids were also treated to fun games, exciting prizes,

and grocery items courtesy of SM Savemore. Further, The SM Store also partnered with SM Foundation, Caritas Philippines, and DSAC to lead medical mission for the whole community. Families of Barangay Diasan had free access to medical and dental consultations, laboratory tests, X-rays, and ECG exams through the aid of SM’s mobile clinic. Most of the little children and elderly were also given free medicines.

Camping

with children CHILDREN these days are born into the world of technology, spending most of their time hooked on screens. Most of them have not even experienced the joy of outdoor activities. A fun camping trip is a good way to let kids get in touch with the beauty of Mother Earth. Want to give it a try? Here are five tips to prepare parents and their children for an exciting camping adventure.

Practice camping at home

Camping is an outdoor activity that involves overnight stays away from home. If children are outdoor newbies, it might come off as a shock to them to be sleeping in a different environment. Pitch a tent in the backyard or in the living room. Let them hang out inside and suggest for them to try to sleep in it to become comfortable with a new environment.

Holistic living WHEN it comes to choosing a home, it has become the norm for average Filipino families to settle for whatever is available—to manage with less, to lower their expectations. Many are willing to forego aesthetics for an idyllic location or waive access to modern day conveniences for comfort and security. And often, they equate affordability with inferior quality. A home developer has been working to change this notion, offering Filipinos a holistic living experience in a community where they can “have it all.” Considered the fastest-growing mass housing developer in the Philippines with over 50 projects in the country to date, Bria Homes goes beyond making Filipino families’ dream of owning a home come true with the help of its winning formula that combines affordability and quality. Bria said well-designed homes in a

modern and secure community go for as low as P1,897 per month. Flexible payment schemes such as cash, bank financing, and Pag-IBIG financing are available for convenience. Despite the affordability, the developer’s communities are strategically located close to retail establishments, hospitals, schools, religious institutions, and major roads and highways. Aside from providing high-quality homes in convenient locations, Bria Homes takes pride in its family-friendly recreational amenities such as basketball courts, green spaces, guarded entrances and exits, 24/7 CCTVs, and perimeter fences. Future residents are also assured of efficient administrative and maintenance services.

Morning...

“It is brought to the center of the metro to encourage people to live a healthier lifestyle,” he said. According to Andan, the carefully selected lineup of tenants features local and small businesses. More than offering wide range of choices, it is also “set in finding ways to make the weekend shopping experience plastic-free and zero-waste,” said Andan. “Though not there yet due to a lot of challenges,” he admitted, “Urban Farm’s sustainable journey has started and the team behind it is coming up with different ways to cut down on waste and plastic usage.” For additional attraction, GDC said the Saturday market will also be a venue of shows, art fairs, and other activities.

From C1

said Michael Andan, Greenfield Development Corporation head of marketing communications. GDC said the accessible location of Urban Farm allows more city dwellers to live a healthy lifestyle. It is near major transportation routes and options since it is located along Edsa corner Shaw Boulevard. People living in condominiums and other residences near the Greenfield District, as well as those who live in Mandaluyong and Pasig will have the easiest access to the Saturday market.

Call 0966-277-5944 or go to its social media accounts to know more.

Ed Stafford takes his wife Laura and their 2-year-old son on a month-long adventure.

dle that excitement for the trip. Make sure to keep ready-to-go snacks that are accessible when traveling and at the campsite.

Research on activities

dren that we need to do our part when it comes to saving and protecting the environment. Teach them to respect wildlife, segregate and dispose the trash properly, and not deroot the plants. Let them help out when it comes to simple things like setting up tents, making campfires, or cooking meals. Share fun facts of the plants and trees that you come across.

Activities could be something as simple as watching the stars during night time, roasting marshmallows Prepare the things around the campfire while sharing stoyou need together ries or singing songs, or going on hikAllow the children to help when it ing trips or going fishing. Make sure to Prioritize safety and have fun comes to preparing the things needed plan appropriately to avoid hearing the Once in the campsite, make sure to for the trip. Give them the responsibil- dreaded “I’m bored” from them. set some ground rules for where the ity to pack their items in their bags. Let children can roam. Set some boundthem help in packing the snacks that the Find teaching moments aries. Give them whistles and teach group would be bringing along to kinIt’s the parents’ job to remind chil- them to whistle if they get separated from the pack. At night, make sure Practice that everyone has access to flashcamping lights or lamps. Each campsite has at home or different hazardous areas to take in familiar note of. Keeping children safe is the places to help top priority but it’s also important to kids become comfortable have fun. in a new environment.

A romantic... From C1

which included a brand new Ford Ranger Raptor! The menu was composed of pollo ajillo, roast beef, grilled tanguigue, and braised mixed vegetables. The wedding cake was created by Cake Mapping Philippines, which is the favorite wedding decorator of many celebrities. It was a joyous affair. Everyone at the reception was so elated over the union. Maika’s brother, Miko Adiong gave his blessing: “We are happy that our princess is getting married to the man who has proven that he’s capable of loving and taking care of our sister the way, we do.” I for one was so happy to be a witness to this beautiful wedding. The mother of the bride had been a close friend and

Families can take cues from Ed Stafford who takes his wife Laura and their two-year-old son on an epic adventure by living off the grid on an Indonesian island for a month. Catch their story on Ed Stafford: Man Woman Child Wild on Discovery. the last time I saw her alive was three years ago, also at a wedding. At that time, it was their son who married. When I received the invitation from Governor Bombit Adiong, I was deeply moved. I hadn’t seen the Adiong children since the passing of their mother. I dropped everything in Manila so I could witness this solemn rite in Cagayan de Oro. It was worth the effort to see the lovely bride—the daughter of the two friends whom I adore—marry the great love of her life. When Jimboy met Maika, it was at a family gathering. He was 17 and she was 20. They learned they were fourth cousins. Although he was attracted to her he felt too shy to make a move. As it happened, they were both students at Xavier University-Ateneo de Cagayan. He got to know her better at an outreach program for children studying at the madrasah (Islamic religious

school). The program was organized by a Muslim organization in Xavier. Jimboy was then the org president and the program was coincidentally sponsored by Maika’s brother, Lanao del Sur Vice Governor Mujam Raki-in Adiong. Jimboy fell for what he described as “Maika’s bare-faced simplicity and inner beauty.” “She had all the reasons in the world to be arrogant but she was so humble and sincere,” he said. Thus, Jimboy asked permission from Maika’s father and brothers to court Maika. Their respective families, however, advised the couple to finish their studies first before getting serious. They did just that, and now the newlyweds have started with their new lives together. Maika will be running the family business while Jimboy will be attending law school. A businesswoman and lawyer make a great combination indeed!

Entertainment

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2019

nickie.standard@gmail.com

‘A Night At The Theater’ with Ely Buendia Very Wang... B

EFORE a new decade begins, iconic singer-songwriter Ely Buendia will once again reveal another side to his vast creative arsenal previously unwitnessed by fans.

This time around, the Pinoy rock icon tries his hand at something new in A Night At The Theater on Dec. 8, 8:00 p.m. at the Newport Performing Arts Theater in Resorts World Manila (RWM). Known as the frontman for numerous influential alternative bands in the country including the four-piece that made its mark as the Philippines’ own Beatles in the ‘90s, Ely’s upcoming performance is born out of the recent success of RWM’s hit musical Ang Huling El Bimbo this year. For the concert, Ely will be joined by some of the musical’s cast members in celebration of friendship and camaraderie that continues to endure through the songs – Gian Magdangal, Oj Mariano, Jon Santos, Carla Guevara-Laforteza, Reb Atadero, Boo Gabunada, Topper Fabregas, and Tanya Manalang. In this one-of-a-kind show, fans will be treated to a night that recaptures a generation’s favorites, bringing the songs to the stage just as how we remember them and then some. While the show’s concept and other highlights remain hush-hush at the moment, fans can expect Ely to bring in his A-game as the cast of Ang Huling El Bimbo reprise their characters from the musical for one more night of theater magic. A Night At The Theater also features writer Dingdong Novenario with the direction of Jamie Wilson. Tickets for A Night At The Theater are now available at the RWM Box Office at the ground floor of Newport Mall and all TicketWorld outlets. For more upcoming shows and events in RWM’s Grand Fiesta Manila celebrations, visit www. rwmanila.com or download the RWM Mobile App.

GMA Network... From C4

Consistently dominating Urban Luzon’s list of top-rating programs is no other than Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho (KMJS). The award-winning magazine program similarly led the list of top 30 shows in National Urban Philippines. Its Halloween special episode “Gabi ng Lagim” was again top-trending worldwide last Oct. 27 and garnered a people rating of 16.8 percent. Following KMJS in the list of top programs for October were 24 Oras, The Clash, The Gift, Pepito Manaloto, Beautiful Justice, Daig Kayo ng Lola Ko, Magpakailanman, One of the Baes, Daddy’s Gurl, Amazing Earth, Prima Donnas, Wowowin, Eat Bulaga, and the recently-launched afternoon series Magkaagaw. Likewise in Mega Manila (with ofﬁcial data from Oct. 1 to 26), GMA Network recorded 32.6 percent average total day people audience share as compared to ABS-CBN which only managed to get 29.5 percent. Meanwhile, Kapuso shows took 16 spots out of the top 30 shows in the said area, which accounts for 60 percent of all urban viewers in the country. Nielsen TV Audience Measurement’s client pool covers a total of 32 clients/ subscribers consisting of 6 local TV networks including ABSCBN, TV5, Aksyon TV, and CNN Philippines, among others; three regional clients; two blocktimers; and 21 agencies (17 media agencies, three consulting agencies, and one digital agency).

From C4

In 'A Night at the Theater,' Ely Buendia will be joined by some of the cast members of the musical 'Ang Huling El Bimbo' in celebration of friendship and camaraderie.

Visiting the ﬂagship K-Beauty zone in SM Makati is like being in Myeongdong without having to leave the Philippines. Achieve the perfect K-Beauty look with the help of these bestsellers: Skin Care – CosRx, Dear Klairs, Neogen, Mediheal, Leaders, Banila Co, AHC, Esfolio, The Saem, Dewytree, Face Republic, iWhite, Seoul White, Luxe Organix, Fresh, Bling Pop, Jayjun, and SNP; and Cosmetics – BLK (Korean line), Yadah, Club Clio, Peripera, Vice BT21 line “SM Beauty’s K-Beauty Playground is a wonderful place to discover, experience and play with Korean beauty products to help achieve the signature doll-like makeup and glowing hydrated skin. We are glad to be the preferred destination of K-Beauty lovers in the Philippines. There’s going to be a lot more brands that we will bring in in the coming days for our customers to try” said Viki Encarnacion, Customer Director of Watsons/SM Beauty. For anything K-Beauty related, visit SM Beauty at any The SM Store.

FA from Legaspi wins Miss Asia Awards 2019 KAYESHA Clauden Chua, a flight attendant from Legaspi City, Albay was named Miss Asia Awards 2019 winner on Sunday night in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Chua, who was crowned by last year’s winner, Enerelsuren Peniyanchuluun of Mongolia, won $5,000 prize money, a limited 2019 Miss First Foundation diamond pendant, a one-month stay in Korea and other prizes. Chua, who is turning 27 this month, reigned as Miss Bicolandia 2017 and was Top 25 in Bb. Pilipinas 2018 and Top 20 in Miss World Philippines 2019. She works as a stewardess in Saudi Airlines. An advocate for animal welfare and protection, Chua is the girlfriend of Ginebra player Aljon Mariano Mariano. “I feel tired but very happy, I’m having mixed emotions since this is coronation night and the last day with my sisters. I just hope that we would remain friends after the pageant,” Chua answered when asked the final question “how do you feel right now?” During the pageant, Chua also won best in national costume, made it first among the Top 11 finalists and then was first named in the Top 2 with Miss Korea. Miss Vietnam was awarded the 2nd runner-up prize and Miss Korea was named Semi Winner (or 1st Runner up). On its 6th year edition, the Miss Asia Awards 2019 was held along with the Asiabeautopia Beauty/Wellness Expo 2019, hosted and organized by First Foundation company, headed by Joseph Kim, president and chief promoter. Miss Asia Awards campaigns on a slogan “Beyond the beauty pageant,” through cultural and communication exchange of delegates around the world. *** Single mom named Mrs. Philippines Globe 2019 Mariz Songcuan, a 26-year-old

Winners of Mrs. Globe Philippines

single mother from Pangasinan, was named Mrs. Philippines Globe 2019 besting 24 other candidates during the coronation night held at Marquis Events Place in BGC, Taguig City on

Sunday. Songcuan, who works as sales executive, was crowned by last year’s titlist Ann Acuña and earned a trip to Shenzhen, China to compete in Mrs. Globe 2019 in December. Songcuan also bagged the Simone Swimwear Body Beautiful and Colours Woman of Style special awards. Also crowned was Julieta Mirasol as Mrs. Philippines Globe Classique 2019. Mirasol, a 46-year-old, public accountant from Pampanga, will be sent in Mrs. Globe Classique 202 (age bracket 4455) to be held in the US to follow Ivy David who will represent the country in Mrs. Globe Classique 2020. Mirasol also won the Career Woman of the Year and Most Elegant Woman special awards. Other winners were Woman of Substance 2019 Andrea Tan of Cebu City Woman of Substance-Classique 2019 Jennifer Flores from Bacolod City. Runners up wereJeilianne Villacuarto of Negros Occidental, ﬁrst runner-up; Jane Jarencio of Capiz, ﬁrst runner-upClassique; Joscille Obaob of North Cotabato, second runner-up; andJoyce Villa of Manila, third runner-up. Mildred Vitangcol and Carla Cabrera, Mrs. Philippines Globe president and national director, respectively, made the announcement of the winners. The pageant was hosted by Miss Earth Philippines 2013 Angelee Delos Reyes. Proceeds from Mrs. Globe Philippines 2019, presented by MVVMCC International Co., will go to the Women In Need (WIN) Foundation. *** Malaysian beauty crowned Miss Tourism Queen Worldwide 2019 Miss Malaysia Yingwei Chuah won

Kayesha Chua (center) wins Miss Asia Awards 2019

Miss Tourism Queen Worldwide 2019 at the grand coronation night held recently at the AFP Theater in Quezon City. Chuah, who was the former Miss Multinational Malaysia and Miss Teen Malaysia 2018, also bagged best in long gown and was crowned by last year’s winner Huynh Vyof Vietnam. Miss Vietnam Duong Yen Nhung took the Miss Tourism Global Queen International 2019 title while Miss Mexico Felisa Cepeda was named Miss Tourism Grand Queen International 2019. Miss Philippines Theresa Diana Pazcoguin was named ﬁrst runner-up; with Miss Morocco Chaima Heijam, Miss USA Jenniferr Millett, and Miss Zimbabwe Tania Aaron Tania Tatenda ﬁnished 2nd, 3rd, and 4th runners-up, respectively. Winners of Continental Queens were Miss Hong Kong Qui Yijing, Miss Tourism Queen Worldwide Asia 2019;

Miss Poland Janozsek Natalia, Miss Tourism Queen Worldwide Europe 2019; Miss Nigeria Chijioke Chiamaka, Miss Tourism Queen Worldwide Africa 2019; Miss Upper Myanmar Nhang Aung, Miss Tourism Petite Worldwide; and Miss Malaysia 2 Nurul Asyiqin Faisal, Miss Tourism Queen Worldwide Queen of Peace. Other special awards winners were Miss Korea, Best in National Costume; Miss Vietnam, Best in VTR; Miss USA, People’s Choice Award and Miss China, Miss Photogenic. The Miss Tourism Queen Worldwide 2019 was participated by 27 delegates from around the world. “The pageant looks for global beauties who will help advance responsible and sustainable tourism worldwide, to promote diversity and harmony through the delegates countries’ festivities, food, customs, traditions, and arts,” saidAmy Sunio-Abarquez, international director of the pageant.

The new Miss Tourism Queen Worldwide and her court

Entertainment

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

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2019

Lovi Poe, Joem Bascon

strip off in

‘THE ANNULMENT’ VERY WANG NICKIE WANG

N REGAL’S newest offering, The Annulment, lead stars Lovi Poe and Joem Bascon get really steamy. The two, who said they were so comfortable working with each other, are heating up the screens with passionate love scenes that depict the stages of a married couple’s sex life.

“The movie shows sex in the different stages of the relationship of a couple. First is the honeymoon stage when the relationship is new, very intense and passionate. Then as the relationship sours, we show here how they do it. There’s forced sex, too,” Lovi told the press during the movie’s press conference. “It helps that I feel very comfortable with Joem. We’ve worked several times before and we’re neighbors. Also, I completely trusted our director,” she added. Lovi said that she and Joem have already watched the love scenes they did for the movie and they’re all happy with the outcome. “Now I must accept roles that will challenge me as an actor,” Joem started. “I’m this movie, I had to do many love scenes, which surpassed the kind of love scenes I did in my past films. My love scenes here in The Annulment are daring,” he continued. The film is a timely movie that tackles the challenges and trials that relationships go through along the process. It is a highly relatable film that resonates with people in relationships. It explores the joys, pleasures, pains, and hardships that committed people experience within the commitment. Like in many marriages, there comes a time when that union is tested, one way or the other. There will be instances or situations that will occur to test how strong is its foundation and these trials will determine if the couple will decide if they will stick together or go their separate ways. In the movie, Lovi plays Gari who is born with a silver spoon in her mouth. She is a woman of ambition, who strives to achieve her dreams and succeed in life. Meantime, Joem is Sherwin. He is a simple guy and is a college dropout,

American teen singersongwriter Billie Eilish

EXTRA INTERNATIONAL

Billie Eilish wins best song at MTV EMA, disappointment for Ariana Grande AMERICAN singer-songwriter Billie Eilish won best newcomer and best song for “Bad Guy” at the MTV Europe Music Awards Sunday, while Ariana Grande failed to bag any of her seven nominations. Taylor Swift won best video for “ME!” and Canadian singer Shawn Mendes took home best artist at the star-studded evening in Seville, Spain that also gave a special “Rock Icon” award to Oasis frontman Liam Gallagher and saw Korean boy band sensation BTS take home three gongs. “Hi MTV EMA, I want to say thank you so much for winning the best song, I love you,” 17-year-old Eilish said in a

pre-recorded video. The American singer became the ﬁrst artist born in the 2000s to top the Billboard 200 in the US last August with her breakout album When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?. Ahead of the glitzy bash, football superstar Cristiano Ronaldo paraded on the red carpet in a red suit and white trainers with his girlfriend, model Georgina Rodriguez. The MTV Europe Awards are one of two mains events organized by the American music channel, alongside the prestigious Video Music Awards in the US that have been held annually since 1984. AFP

Girl with Down Syndrome crowned Miss Possibilities 2019 Lovi Poe and Joem Bascon get steamy in Regal's latest sexy drama entitled 'The Annulment.'

who has no big dreams and simply wants to build a family. Fate leads Gari and Sherwin on the same path and they instantly feel the attraction. Eventually, their lives get entangled in a whirlwind romance and passion. Deeply elated by these feelings, they eventually decide to tie the knot. A couple of years in the marriage, problems in the relationship come to the surface. Gari’s frustrations and Sherwin’s unfulfilled promises for a better relationship and better life urges her to come to a decision. But Sherwin won’t hear any of it and tries everything that he can to make Gari change her mind. Sherwin tries to woo Gari and win her heart again, but the latter is determined that the only way that her husband could make her happy is if he agrees to get an annulment. The film also stars Myrtle Sarrosa, JC Tiuseco, Laurah Lehmann, Dianne Medina, Erika Padilla, Nikka Valencia, Manuel Chua, Nico Antonio, Matt Daclan, Jon Leo, Naya Amore with Johnny Revilla and Ana Abad Santos. The film is directed by McArthur C. Alejandre and will open in cinemas on Nov. 13. ***

wellness. Korean beauty companies are well known for their use of innovative ingredients in their products like snail mucus, tomato, kale, coptis root, licorice root, and many others. So here’s the good news for lovers of K-Beauty: SM Beauty at The SM Store has a wide range of the Korean beauty brands carefully curated at special K-Beauty zones nationwide. While there are already Korean brands in the Philippines, only SM Beauty has brought together multiple brands under one roof. Continued on C3

Bringing K-Beauty brands under one roof The biggest buzz in pop culture these days starts with a K. From K-Drama to K-Pop to K-Beauty, the world has fallen in love with all things Korean. K-Beauty has taken the whole world by storm with its sheet masks and a skincare tradition characterized by simplicity, efﬁcacy, and

Watsons Personal Care Stores Marketing Controller Sharon Presbitero-Decapia, Sunny Kim, and Watsons Personal Care Stores Senior Category Manager Aimee Pernia

GMA Network maintains Urban Luzon, Mega Manila TV ratings advantage GMA Network kept the upper hand in the TV ratings competition in its bailiwick areas Urban Luzon and Mega Manila according to the latest data from ratings service provider Nielsen TV Audience Measurement. For the month of October (with Oct. 27 to 31 based on overnight data), GMA posted an average of 32.3 percent total day people audience share in Urban Luzon, outscoring ABS-CBN’s 31.1 percent. The said viewer-

rich area accounts for 72 percent of all urban TV viewers in the country. The Kapuso Network continued to beat competition in the afternoon block with 33.0 percent people audience share while ABS-CBN registered 31.6 percent. GMA also won in the evening block with 34.9 percent versus ABS-CBN’s 32.9 percent. Continued on C3

A TALENTED 14-year-old girl with Down Syndrome is the titleholder of this year’s Miss Possibilities, a Filipino beauty pageant for young women with special needs. Organized by Miss Possibilities Foundation and supported by SM Cares, the pageant attracted young women with special needs from different parts of the Philippines and even from a province in Thailand who competed during the coronation night which was held at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City. Cielo Marie Guico - the youngest of ﬁve siblings and dubbed as the pageant’s Miss Perfect - brought home the crown with her heartwarming talent in singing. She also impressed the audience during the Q&A portion when asked who her favorite singer was, which she replied with “Ariana Grande”, after which she sang a few lines of the pop star’s song. The Miss Possibilities Pageant aims to celebrate beauty without limits, and to promote a more inclusive society. The event also gave recognition to private organizations that support the differently-abled such as Accenture Philippines, which encourages PWDs to practice their profession and maximize their skills by employing them; and SM Kids which featured children with special needs as models for one of its campaigns that promote inclusivity. Aside from Guico, the other nine participants received special awards: Ms. Charming Lis Alexandra Flores; Ms. Congeniality Tielo Princess Paller; Ms. InspirationalVell Baria; Paller Ms. Unstoppable Aeryk Eessabelle Perez; Ms. Spirited Benecee Pratharn; Perez Ms. Limitless Angel Mae Sison; Ms. Fashionista Chelsea Joy Disuanco; Ms. Amazing Angela Gayle Angeles; and Ms. Photogenic Darryl Gwen Fernandez. Fernandez Another highlight of the event is the inclusive Fashion Show with celebrities that featured prominent media personalities who walked alongside children with special needs. Some of the celebrities present

Miss Possibilities 2019 Cielo Marie Guico with Nina Ricci Alagao (left) And Miss Possibilities Foundation Founder Suzanna Yuzon (right).

were Miss International 2005 Lara Quigaman and husband Marco Alcaraz, Michael Flores, ABSCBN reporter Jeff Canoy, Denise Laurel, Vicky Morales, Bettina Carlos, Patricia Javier, Pen Medina, and Judy Ann Santos-Agoncillo. Founded in 2015, the beauty pageant aims to convey the message that everything is possible for girls, even those with special needs. This message of social inclusion is aligned with the thrust of SM Cares, the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) arm of SM Prime Holdings, Inc., that promote a disability-inclusive environment in its malls. Annual activities like Happy Walk for Down Syndrome and Angel’s Walk for Autism are some of the projects that SM Cares supports, in its bid to support communities and promote inclusion. To know more about SM Cares, you may visit www.smcares.com.ph, www. facebook.com/OfﬁcialSMCares, or send an e-mail to smcares@smsupermalls. com.

The Clash' judges Lani Misalucha, AiAi delas Alas and Christian Bautista with program hosts Julie Anne San Jose.