Manila Standard - 2019 November 16 - Saturday

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“Say Thank You to the President you moron in a white MuMu. Without him, she’d be stuck with her retarded retinue and ecclesiastical idiots like you.”

— Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. on Twitter to Davao Archbishop Romulo Valles, Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines president, who had called for prayers for Vice President Leni Robredo following her appointment as co-chair of the country’s anti-drug panel.

Aquino debunks VP’s claim China top drugs source

By Rio N. Araja, MJ Blancaflor Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency drugs came from China, and eventusaid Friday. ally, there had been a geographical shift and Macon Ramos-Araneta

PDEA director general Aaron Aqui- to the Golden Triangle,” Aquino said.

Shabu, he added, was mistaken as THE Golden Triangle region border- no refuted the claim of Vice President Leni Robredo that most of the illegal coming from China because they were ing Laos, Thailand and Myanmar, and packed in Chinese teabags, he said. not China, is the top source of illegal drugs in the country are from China.

Next page “From 2017 and down, the illegal drugs that enter the Philippines, the Locsin

Valles VOL. XXXIII • NO. 275 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P18 • SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2019 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

PH records first vaping victim Female teen suffers lung injury due to e-cigarette smoking

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

T

HE Department of Health on Friday confirmed the country’s first reported case of lung injury related to vaping in Central Visayas, even as it warned that legal challenges to its authority over the industry was a step back for public health.

REMEMBERING THE FORGOTTEN. Maguindanao Rep. Esmael Mangudadatu offers a prayer Friday at the Ampatuan Massacre marker in front of the National Press Club in Manila, a few days before the 10th anniversary of the Nov. 23, 2009 massacre. More than 50 people, including 32 journalists, were killed in the massacre.

Norman Cruz

Health Secretary Francisco Duque told GMA News that the patient was a 16-year-old girl, while a DOH statement said the girl had been using e-cigarettes for 6 months while also smoking regular cigarettes.

“If you are currently using electronic cigarettes, you are at great risk for EVALI,” Health Undersecretary Eric Domingo said in a statement, using the acronym for electronic cigarette or vaping-associated lung injury.

“Ask your doctor about the best ways to quit, and stay away from its aerosol emissions.”

E-cigarettes vaporize a flavored solution that users inhale. Unlike regular cigarettes, they do not use tobacco.

The patient was admitted to the hospital on Oct. 21 after reporting severe shortness of breath, the DOH said. She Next page

Padaca gets 16 years for graft over rice deal

By Maricel V. Cruz

THE Sandiganbayan has convicted former Isabela Gov. Grace Padaca of malversation of public funds and graft and sentenced her to 14 years in prison.

The Ombudsman charged Padaca before the anti-graft court in connection with the grant of P25 million to a private entity for Isabela’s rice program during her watch as her province’s chief executive.

Next page

Mangudadatu to quit post if main massacre suspects walk

By Maricel V. Cruz

Cop gives up; tagged as killer of broadcaster A POLICE officer accused of being the gunman in the killing of Dumaguete City radio broadcaster and block timer Mercedario “Dindo” Generoso surrendered to authorities, an official said Friday.

Patrolman Roger Rubio, one of the four alleged suspects in Generoso’s murder, was presented to reporters in Malacañang.

But Brig. Gen. Valeriano de Leon, chief of the Police Regional Office in Central Visayas, said the alleged involvement of policemen in Generoso’s murder was “an isolated case.”

He said he had asked the Presidential Task Force on Media Security to treat Rubio with “utmost dignity” while the case was ongoing.

Next page

SAVOY IN MACTAN.

Property giant Megaworld Corp. formally opens the 547-room Savoy Hotel within the 30-hectare Mactan Newtown in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu, with officials gracing the occasion.

FOR QUAKE VICTIMS. House Majority Leader Martin Romualdez (left) and wife Tingog Party-list Rep. Yedda Marie Romualdez

(second from left) turn over a P500,000 check to 2nd District Cotabato Rep. Ferdinand Hernandez (right) and Dumper-PTDA Party-list Rep. Claudine Diana Bautista (second from right) as their donation for Mindanao earthquake victims during his 56th birthday bash Thursday at Conrad Hotel. Ver Noveno

Bar takers down to 7,691—SC the Supreme Court said on Friday.

This came after 554 examinees out of the 8,245 law graduates earlier acONLY 7,691 law graduates are qualified to take the 2019 Bar examinations credited by the SC failed to show up on the third Sunday, on Nov. 17, at the during the first day of the examinations Next page University of Santo Tomas in Manila,

By Rey E. Requejo

MAGUINDANAO Rep. Esmael Mangudadatu said Friday he would resign from Congress if the accused in the Ampatuan Massacre case are not convicted.

Mangudadatu also said he expected the court to rule in favor of victims of the massacre in Maguindanao, a decade-old case labeled as one of the worst election-related mass killings in the country.

“We expect that before December 20, there will be a promulgation that will favor the victims of the Maguindanao Massacre,” Mangudadatu said at the National Press Club in Manila, where he lit candles and prayed at a marker dedicated to the journalists killed in the Mindanao province.

On Nov. 23, 2009, the wife of Mangudadatu, her sister, lawyer and other relatives, and 38 journalists were on their way to Shariff Aguak to watch him file his certificate of candidacy for the gubernatorial race in the 2010 local elections.

That was when armed groups attacked them, killed them and even buried some of them alive on the orders of the Ampatuan patriarch, the late Maguindanao Gov. Andal Ampatuan Sr. and his children.

Mangudadatu said no one among the major suspects should escape responsibility.

He said an adverse ruling would be unacceptable.

“Its a heart-trending to see our Next page

8 soldiers injured, Abu bandits killed in Sulu clash

ZAMBOANGA CITY―Eight soldiers were wounded while the Abu Sayyaf Group suffered an undetermined number of casualties during a firefight in the hinterlands of Sulu, a top military official said Friday.

Lt. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, head of the Western Mindanao Command, said the clash took place Wednesday in Barangay Buhanginan in Patikul, Sulu.

Another official said that, based on a DNA test, three foreign suicide bomb-

ers were killed in separate incidents in Indanan, Sulu.

Citing information from the Police Regional Office 11 Crime Laboratory, the Joint Task Force Sulu said there Next page

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News

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2019

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Cops on full alert for SEA Games T

HE National Capital Region Police Office said Friday it will raise the full alert on Nov. 25 for the Southeast Asian Games.

“As recommended, we will start the full alert on Nov. 25 up to Dec. 14,” NCRPO acting director Debold Sinas told reporters.

coaches, foreign reporters, volunteers and spectators are expected to participate and watch the games.

The applications for special permits of point-to-point buses to shuttle participants across the venues is now being accepted, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board said.

In an advisory on Nov. 12, the LTFRB said the application was open to units covering routes with drop-off points on the different SEA Games sporting venues.

Sinas said more or less 8,000 Metro Manila policemen would be deployed for the sports event.

Earlier, the PNP said 27,440 personnel would be deployed for the SEA Games.

The opening ceremony of the SEA Games will be held at the Philippine Arena in Bulacan on Nov. 30.

The Rizal Memorial Sports Complex, Athletics Stadium and Aquatic Center in New Clark City as well as the Manila Polo Club are among the venues that will be used for the various sporting events.

Philippine National Police Officerin-Charge Archie Gamboa on Friday ordered an intensified implementation of the prohibition on the use of sirens, blinkers and unauthorized motorcycle escorts in the runup to the SEA Games and the holiday season.

“We are imposing existing measures

against the indiscriminate use of prohibited sirens, bells, horns, whistles or similar gadgets that produce staggering sounds,” Gamboa said in a statement.

This year’s SEA Games will open on Nov. 30 in Bulacan and will close in New Clark City in Tarlac on Dec. 11.

More than 10,000 athletes and their

Padaca...

From A1

7.1 quake in east Indonesia, but no tsunami in PH

Padaca, who was present during the promulgation, expressed surprise over the verdict as she maintained that she was innocent.

“All of that amount went to the farmers. I know that they are mired in poverty, having to get loans from traders and financiers. None of that money went to me,” an emotional Padaca said in Filipino.

The anti-graft court ordered Padaca, a polio survivor, to pay the Isabela government P18 million as fine.

She was convicted of graft for granting the P25-million contract to Economic Development for Western Isabela and Northern Luzon Foundation Inc. The court said the contract for the implementation of Isabela’s rice program was anomalous because the memorandum of agreement between the two parties was not approved by the Provincial Board.

Padaca said she will appeal the case, insisting the contract was aboveboard.

She said the Provincial Board gave her the authority to enter into a memorandum of agreement with EDWINLFI and that she has presented proof of it, including evidence that the farmers benefited from the program.

“It took one year to mark the evidence... contracts and receipts issued by the farmers proving that they received the money. I did not enter into a MOA without Sangguniang Panlalawigan authority and this was notarized,” Padaca said in Filipino.

The Sandiganbayan sentenced Padaca to 12 to 14 years of jail time for her malversation conviction; and another six to 10 years prison time for her graft conviction.

The anti-court set Padaca’s appeal bail to P140,000. The amount was double the P70,000 amount of bail she earlier posted for her temporary liberty. The court gave her 10 days to post the bail.

8Fromsoldiers...

A1 was a 99.9-percent match between the DNA samples of the young suicide bomber in the clash in Barangay Kan Islam on Nov. 5 and the female suicide bomber who exploded a bomb at the entrance gate of a military detachment in Barangay Kajatian on Sept. 8.

L. Col. Gerald Monfort said the young suicide bomber was identified as “Abduramil” or “Yousoph.” The female suicide bomber, who was believed to be Abduramil’s mother, was identified as Reda Mohammad Mahmud.

Sobejana said troops from the Joint Task Force Sulu were conducting security operations when they clashed with some 40 fully armed Abu Sayyaf bandits under the group of Hatib Hajan Sawadjaan and Radulan Sahiron.

Sobejana said the firefight lasted for about 40 minutes, after which the bandits fled dragging along their casualties.

He said the wounded soldiers were taken to Camp Teodulfo Bautista Station Hospital in Barangay Busbus, Jolo.

“I salute our gallant soldiers for their bravery and utmost dedication to their sworn duty, Sobejana said.

He said they will intensify the offensive to neutralize the remaining bandits in Sulu and “in all the provinces under the operational control of the command.” PNA

Cop...

From A1

Rubio, a 55, allegedly gunned down Generoso, 67, on Nov. 7 while Generoso was on his way to his radio program “Bai Radio” in Piapi village.

“This case is actually very isolated, De Leon told reporters.

Presidential Task Force on Media Security co-chairman and Undersecretary Joel Egco said Rubio, an active patrolman of the Negros Oriental Provincial Mobile Force Company, was the subject of a manhunt.

JAKARTA—A strong 7.1-magnitude earthquake hit off the coast of North Maluku province in eastern Indonesia early Friday, seismologists said, with the US tsunami warning center saying a tsunami was not expected.

The quake hit 140 kilometers (87 miles) northwest of the coastal town of Ternate at a depth of 45 km., according to the US Geological Survey.

The US tsunami warning center said a “destructive Pacific-wide tsunami is not expected.”

Immediately after the tremor struck, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said there is no tsuna-

mi threat to the country.

The Indonesian meterological and climatology agency, however, warned people to stay clear of beaches as a precaution.

The quake was felt strongly in the city of Ternate at 1:17 a.m. local time (1617 GMT), sending sleeping residents fleeing their houses.

Indonesia experiences frequent seismic and volcanic activity due to its position on the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” where tectonic plates collide.

Last September, a 7.5-magnitude quake and a subsequent tsunami in Palu on Sulawesi island killed more than 2,200,

with 1,000 more declared missing.

On Dec 26, 2004, a 9.1-magnitude earthquake struck Aceh province, causing a tsunami and killing more than 170,000 in Indonesia.

Indonesia’s meteorology and geophysics agency said in a message on its Twitter account it had lifted a tsunami alert after the powerful earthquake struck near the Moluccas islands on Thursday.

The quake had a magnitude of 7.1 and struck 139 km (86 miles) northwest of the city of Ternate at a depth of 45 km., according to the US Geological Survey.

Earlier, the agency put the magnitude at 7.4. AFP

PH records...

From A1

Without regulation of the industry, Domingo said there is little that stands in the way of unscrupulous persons to take advantage of the situation for financial gain.

He said there are few deterrents to creating e-cigarette products that do not conform to basic safety standards.

The DOH and Food and Drug Administration advise the public, especially persons under the age of 25, pregnant women, immunocompromised persons, the elderly, and those with heart disease, to avoid electronic cigarettes altogether.

Both agencies have reached out to the attending physician from Region VII to know more details of the first case of EVALI. Just last week, the DOH called on the public to beware of consumer products in the light of the recent explosion of a vaping device while being used by a 17-year-old boy.

Because of this incident, the DOH cautioned parents and guardians to be vigilant and to exert more effort in discouraging minors from using e-cigarettes/vaping devices, as well as accessing these devices from social media.

These devices are not toys and contain concomitant health and safety hazards which may lure teenagers into picking up the habit of smoking.

The DOH, through the Food and Drug Administration and in cooperation with the Department of Trade and Industry, shall continue to investigate and look into the safety and health issues of these products and devices including its online sale.

Currently, the FDA regulates e-cigarettes as medicinal products because of its nicotine content and no device/e-liquids have been registered nor evaluated by the agency for safety, efficacy, and quality.

The DOH encouraged medical practitioners, hospital facilities and the general public to report any injuries and accidents related to vaping use under its online national electronic injury surveillance system by calling the DOH Hotline 711-1001 and 711-1002.

According to the medical doctors at the East Avenue Medical Center, the patient suffered injuries to the lips, oral mucosa, palate, and tongue, as well as burns and hematoma in the upper and lower lids of the eye. He was admitted at EAMC last Oct. 30.

The victim’s mother said the batteries used were swapped and exchanged by the patient through acquaintances in social media.

However, the social media account used was already inactive when the family tried to access it. With PNA

“Because of their strict laws, China had implemented a crackdown against illegal drugs in 2017 or 2018, I think, and instead of manufacturing, they had just outsourced and smuggled drugs into our country,” he said.

Robredo, in her capacity as co-chairperson of the Interagency Committee on Anti-illegal Drugs, said the police had informed her that China was the top supplier of illegal drugs, and that most of the arrested drug traders were Chinese nationals or Filipino-Chinese.

Aquino said cocaine was entering the Philippines from Colombia and Peru, and ecstasy tablets came from the Netherlands and other European countries.

While the Philippine National Police said they have already controlled the operation of shabu laboratories, Aquino said “it will never stop.”

Robredo on Friday gave members of the Interagency Committee on Antiillegal Drugs until December to gather, consolidate and submit baseline data on the real situation of the government’s war on drug.

“Our target is until the end of the year so we could be able to have a clear picture,” she said.

“So that is the first agreement—to finish the baselines since after a while, there is nothing yet [to use]. That is still

not yet available,” she said.

The baseline data would include the number of arrested drug suspects, those who surrendered, those who went through rehabilitation and those who were charged, she added.

She said each agency-member of ICAD has its own data which would need to be consolidated.

“Just to gather, to harmonize and to vet would already take a lot of time. But I think it is really about time to come up with common baselines,” she said.

She cited the importance of the baseline data would provide a better picture of what has already been achieved, what works, and what does not work in the war on drugs.

Despite Robredo’s call for a new anti-drug program to replace Oplan Tokhang, a top PNP officials said Friday the knock-and-plead initiative— which has gained notoriety because of several high-profile cases of human rights abuses—would continue.

Brig. Gen. Valeriano de Leon, chief of Police Regional Office in Central Visayas, said the PNP would continue with Oplan Tokhang until they receive a direct order from Robredo halting it.

“We have not received formal instruction from the PNP hierarchy for us to suspend its conduct,” De Leon told Malacañang reporters in a press briefing.

Robredo earlier said the anti-drug program has been equated with unnecessary killings.

The anti-drug czar on Thursday said the

PNP welcomed her suggestion to rethink the Oplan Tokhang campaign, which now has a negative connotation for its association with the deaths of drug suspects allegedly at the hands of the police.

Under the guidelines, police personnel would visit only the houses of persons listed on the drugs watchlist.

They would be allowed to talk only with the house owners or drug suspects themselves outside the residence unless they are invited inside the house.

De Leon defended Oplan Tokhang, saying there is nothing wrong with the campaign.

“There’s nothing wrong with the Tokhang. We want to ensure that those who were in the list are no longer engaged in illegal drugs,” he told reporters.

In October 2017, President Rodrigo Duterte ordered the suspension of the Oplan Tokhang, which is under the Project Double Barrel. Three months later, it resumed with new safeguards.

Double Barrel is the PNP’s anti-illegal drug campaign plan which has been implemented since 2016.

It laid down a two-pronged approach, including Oplan Tokhang and Project HVT (high-value target), which aims to go after local and international drug traffickers.

Akbayan Senator Risa Hontiveros, meanwhile, expressed support for Robredo’s plan to use a public health approach in the government’s anti-drug campaign.

Egco said Rubio turned himself in before Lt. Col. Judi Mar Bonilla, the commanding officer of the Negros Oriental Provincial Mobile Force Company, around 6 p.m. on Nov. 13.

“This morning, we’re pleased to announce that Rubio is now in government custody,” Egco told reporters.

Generoso was killed while driving his Hyundai Elentra and passing Piapi village in Dumaguete City.

Rubio was said to have been aboard a Mitsubishi pick-up truck driven by a certain Teddy Salaw, and then transferred to a waiting motorcycle driven by former police Corporal Glenn Cor-

same to gun down Generoso.

Tomasino Aledro, the alleged owner of the pick-up truck, has been included in the Bureau of Immigration’s look-out list.

Corsame and Salaw were arrested on the same day Generoso was killed, while Aledro is still on the loose.

On Nov. 8, murder charges were filed against Rubio, Corsame, Salaw, and Aledro.

Lt. Col. Wilfredo Alarcon, officerin-charge of the Dumaguete City Police Station, said Rubio was identified as the gunman based on the exchange of text messages from Salaw’s cellphone. PNA with MJ Blancaflor

required oxygen supplementation and eventually admission to the intensive care unit.

Doctors thought the disease to be infectious, but confirmed it was EVALI after further evaluation, the health department added.

The DOH earlier called for a ban on vaping, noting e-cigarettes are used by 1 million Filipinos, most of them young, but a number of vaping companies have sued the department in Manila and Pasig courts to stop it from exercising its authority over the industry.

Domingo had said the department would abide by the preliminary injunction, but said he hoped the lawsuits could be resolved “with utmost urgency.”

Electronic cigarettes, he said, are also being used for the consumption of illicit drugs, exploiting the developing brains of adolescents who are susceptible to addiction, and skirting anti-smoking laws designed to protect the non-smoking public.

“As international evidence points out, every delay in regulating electronic cigarettes is a step back for public health.

The resolution of these legal issues is in everybody’s interest,” Domingo said.

Aquino...

From A1

Bar takers...

From A1 last Nov. 3 or failed to take the tests on three of the four subjects scheduled on the first two days of the tests.

If a law graduate fails to take any of the eight subjects in the examinations, he or she is automatically disqualified for the entire examinations.

The SC’s Office of the Bar Confidant revealed that a total of 545 law graduates did not show up on the first day of the examinations.

One of the 7,700 graduates who took

Storm ‘Ramon’ projected to hit north Luzon tip TROPICAL Storm “Ramon” (international name: “Kalmaegi”) is projected to graze the northern tip of Luzon— around Aparri, Cagayan—by Monday afternoon, Nov. 18, even as it weakened slightly while remaining almost stationary east of the country on Friday.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said the storm would hit the Cagayan-Isabela area by Sunday.

At 4 p.m., Ramon was 460 km east of Tuguegarao City, Cagayan, packing maximum sustained winds of 65 kph with 80 kph gusts, the weather bureau said in its 5 p.m. bulletin.

PAGASA forecast the storm’s position at 330 km east of Casiguran, Aurora on Saturday afternoon, 200 km east of Tuguegarao by Sunday, and 20 km east northeast of Aparri by Monday.

On Tuesday afternoon, it would be 110 km west northwest of Sinait, Ilocos Sur, curling downward and heading toward the West Philippine sea, the weather bureau added.

Signal no. 1 remained hoisted over in the eastern portion of Cagayan, the eastern portion of Isabela, and northern Aurora.

Gusty conditions could be experienced in northern Luzon, especially in coastal and mountainous areas as Ramon stirs rains from the northeast monsoon, PAGASA said.

Authorities closed landslide-prone roads and suspended classes in Cagayan and Isabela provinces.

Speaking on radio dzMM, Gov. Rodito Albano III said work in government and private offices in Isabela were also suspended.

The Isabela provincial government was monitoring Magat Dam to check if residents in low-lying areas need to be evacuated, he said.

Cagayan Gov. Manuel Mamba said his province has been on red alert since Thursday.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development field office in Legazpi City said its stockpiles were ready for tropical storm Ramon.

DSWD Regional Director Arnel Garcia said there are 23,143 family food packs available at the DSWD warehouse in this capital city of Albay and P3 million standby funds for disaster operations.

“Other food items at the DSWD warehouse are still for repacking which includes 1,470 sacks of NFA rice; 420 boxes of beef loaf; 556 boxes of sardines; 1,205 boxes of corned beef and 490 boxes of 3-in-1 coffee,” he added.

Non-food items are also on hand consisting of 79 sets of tents, 8,047 boxes of sleeping kit; five pieces of dignity kit; 1,093 boxes of family kit; 2,827 boxes of hygiene kit; 681 kitchen kits; 49,941 pieces of malong; 82 rolls of laminated sacks and 26,338 pieces of blanket.

On Friday, Senator Lito Lapid said he filed a bill providing free freight services for the transport of relief and in-kind donations to areas under a state of calamity.

Senate Bill No. 1151, also known as the “Free Relief Goods Transportation Act,” seeks to institutionalize a system that will facilitate duly recognized relief organizations in providing “speedy, reliable and unhampered delivery of relief goods” to areas that are hit by disasters through free transportation of humanitarian aid.

Macon Ramos-Araneta with PNA

Mangudadatu...

From A1 youngest cope with the loss,” Mangudadatu said.

He said he had forgiven the killers at the urging of his children during the 10th anniversary of the mass killing.

Mangudadatu added he respected the decision of the Quezon City Regional Trial Court to seek a 30-day extension after the case was submitted for resolution.

“Let’s not rush it. Maybe the judge wants to be careful in handing down the decision, he said. the examination on the first subject, Political and Public International Law, in the morning on Nov. 3 did not take the test on the second subject, Labor Law and Social Legislation, in the afternoon on the same day, and thus, only 7,699 examinees were accredited on the second day last Nov. 10.

But of the 7,699 examinees who were qualified to take the tests last Sunday, only 7,692 of them showed up for the first subject on Civil Law. In the afternoon, one of them failed to take the second subject, Taxation, leaving only 7,691 of them qualified to take the examinations this Sunday.

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SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2019

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Imee slams PITC plan to import more rice

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

LRT ART. Artists from different schools in Manila painted colorful designs near the LRT Central Station in Manila as part of the city’s beautification program. Lino Santos

Villar debunks Drilon’s claim of PH’s ‘dismal’ infra projects

By Vito Barcelo THE Department of Public Works and Highways contradicted opposition Senator Franklin Drilon’s claim that the Duterte’s “Build, Build, Build” program as a dismal failure, saying that since President Rodrigo Duterte assumed position in June 2016, a total of 9,845 kilometers of roads, 2,709 bridges, 4,536 flood control projects, 82 evacuation centers and 71,803 classrooms have already been completed under the Build, Build, Build program.

Drilon earlier called the performance of the Build, Build, Build infrastructure program "terrible," and a dismal failure as only 12 percent of the flagship projects are currently being constructed.

The senator cited data from the National Economic and Development Authority which showed that only nine out of 75, or two percent of the projects under Build, Build, Build have been started three years into the term of President Duterte.

However, Public Works Secretary Mark Villar refuted Drilon’s allegations as he claimed that the “Build, Build, Build” program is composed of thousands of projects meant to improve connectivity and facilitate growth in every province across the country.

“In DPWH alone, we are currently implementing at least 20,000 projects under the Build, Build, Build program,” Villar said.

“In 2018 alone, the DPWH disbursed P590 billion with an absorptive capacity of 92.6 percent. This is the highest recorded disbursement in the history of the Department,” he said.

Villar said that the Build, Build, Build program is in line with the government’s medium-term goal to increase infrastructure spending— from 5.4 percent of the country’s Gross Domestic Product in 2017, to 7.3 percent by the end of President Duterte’s term in 2022.

Villar said that in the past, the Philippines has only allocated an average of 2.4 percent of the country’s GDP for infrastructure in the span of

ISLAMIC CEMETERY.

Manila Mayor Francisco ‘Isko‘ Domagoso showed Moro National Liberation Front founding chairman Nur Misuari the proposed Manila Islamic Cemetery that will be constructed at the Manila South Cemetery. Misuari paid a courtesy call on Domagoso to discuss the project, among others.

Norman Cruz

4 PNPA cadets involved in hazing face criminal raps

T

HE Philippine National Police filed criminal complaints against four cadets of the Philippine National Police Academy who were the main suspects in the hazing incident against Cadet Fourth Class John Desiderio.

Silang, Cavite Police Chief Police Major Resty Soriano, Cade identified the suspects as Cadet Third Class Jovan Sernat, Cadet Second Class Clarence Cabucos, Cadet Third Class Aaron Dahryl Villanueva and Cadet Third Class Paul Birung.

They were charged with violation of Republic Act No. 11053 (Anti-Hazing Law) before the Office of the Provincial Prosecutor of Imus, Cavite.

Originally, five cadets were reported

to have been involved in maltreating Desiderio, but Police Lieutenant Colonel Byron Allatog, PNPA spokesman, explained that the fifth suspect would still be administratively charged on the incident.

“Sa administrative case po, may pananagutan pa rin ‘yung isa na wala doon sa criminal case,” Allatog said.

“Iba po kasi ang appreciation ng criminal charge eh, so kung baga sa evidence-based sila, wala silang

nakikitang probable cause na kuwan na kasama dapat ‘yung isa,” he added.

Desiderio reportedly suffered stomach pains as a result of the alleged maltreatment.

Allatog earlier said those involved would most likely be dismissed from the police academy, even as Soriano said that because of th criminal complaints, the cadets would be dismissed from the PNPA. “Malamang kasi for evaluation ng fiscal... pag may probable cause doon sa sinampa nating kaso, malamang ifafile in court po,” Soriano said.

Philippine National Police officerin-charge Police Lieutenant General Archie Francisco Gamboa, however, said the hazing incident in the PNPA is an isolated case.

Special jobs program for seniors launched Inspectors deployed to check foreign

By Maricel V. Cruz employment in PH RECOGNIZING the fact that millions of senior citizens still live in poverty despite the various discounts and other perks given to them by law, a party-list legislator has launched a special job program for them.

Party-list Rep. Ronnie Ong of Ang Probinsyano said the program aims to provide senior citizens new economic opportunities.

"They have discounts on food, medicine, transportation and even entertainment but what's the use of all these perks if our senior citizens do not have the money to spend? I really think that the government should open more economic opportunities for senior citizens and let them enjoy productive life even in their twilight years," Ong said.

Early this week, Ong forged a partnership with the Department of Labor and Employment to tap its Tulong Panghanapbuhay para sa Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers program to provide employment for senior citizens in various government offices including public schools and state universities.

Ong said this partnership will be initially launched at the Polytechnic

University of the Philippines which has entered into a Memorandum of Agreement with DOLE under Secretary Silvestre Bello III and Ong for the pilot implementation of the special employment program for senior citizens.

Ong said that senior citizens who will be hired to work at the PUP will do tasks that are important but not physically strenuous at least three hours in the morning and three hours in the afternoon. Employment will be given priority to senior citizens who live around the various PUP campuses and their salaries will be drawn from DOLE's TUPAD allocation.

The salaries of the senior citizen workers under this program shall be based on the minimum salary in each region. In the National Capital Region, for example, they would get P537 per day.

Ong said another MOA will be signed with University of the Philippines and he hopes that this program will be replicated in other state universities and public schools nationwide.

"I'm really happy because we can now test this program if it is truly effective in making life easier and better for our beloved senior citizens. This is our own little way of showing our gratitude for their sacrifices," Ong said.

THE Department of Labor and Employment deployed more than 400 new labor inspectors in key areas to inspect establishments employing foreign nationals, and verify the legitimacy of their employment.

Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III ordered 404 Labor and Employment Officers from 16 regions to conduct verification inspection until the second week of December this year.

The LEOs were joined by one regular labor inspector who serves as team leader to supervise the conduct of verification inspection. Bello also directed the regional directors to authorize the verification and inspection of identified establishments and workplaces.

In Luzon, 135 LEOs were dispatched in the National Capital Region, 12 in the Cordillera Administrative Region, nine in the Ilocos region, 42 in the Cagayan Valley region, 37 in the Central Luzon region, 34 in CALABARZON, 12 in MIMAROPA, and 12 in the Bicol region.

Meanwhile, 11 LEOs will conduct inspection in Western Visayas, 23 LEOs in Central Visayas, and 12 LEOs in Eastern Visayas.

In Mindanao, 12 labor inspectors were given authority to conduct verification inspection in the Zamboanga Peninsula region, 20 in the Northern Mindanao region, 12 in Davao region, 11 in SOCCSKSARGEN, and 10 in Caraga.

During the inspection, the inspectors will ascertain the legitimacy of the company as shown by the business permit and the Securities and Exchange Commission registration; and verify the roster of local employees and the foreign nationals actually working at the time of inspection.

The inspectors will also check the list of Alien Employment Permit applicants, if there are any, and the company representative should certify that they are indeed hiring the foreign nationals.

The labor inspectors will submit a report to the DOLE regional director one day after the conduct of verification inspection. Vito Barcelo

SENATOR Imee Marcos has denounced the plan of the Philippine International Trading Corpo. to import rice in behalf of local fastfood chains, grocery stores, and small supermarkets.

Marcos expressed dismay that a government-owned corporation under the Department of Trade and Industry would prioritize imports over local produce when rice farmers nationwide have been selling their harvest at depressed prices or even at a loss.

“The announcement of Secretary [Ramon] Lopez is insensitive and illtimed,” Marcos said.

She said cheaper imported rice is not worth a breakdown in the livelihood of Filipino rice farmers.

The DTI chief announced the plan to import rice for select businesses at an international rice conference in Makati earlier this week and also said that as many as 300 containers could be shipped to the country in the next few months.

“Where is our conscience and what got into the heads of these businessmen who choose foreign goods over our very own at a time of crisis?” Marcos asked.

“Have pity on our rice farmers who could hardly make a living. Just drop it!”

Marcos fumed.

Meanwhile, Senator Francis Pangilinan said Filipinos should all be deeply worried by news that the Philippines has surpassed China as the world’s biggest importer of rice.

IN BRIEF 4 suspects jailed for killing ad exec A LAS Piñas City court has sentenced to 40 years in jail four men in connection with the 2013 killing of advertising executive Kristelle Davantes who was found dead under a bridge in Cavite with multiple stab wounds in the neck.

The Regional Trial Court branch 253 also ordered Lloyd Benedict Enriquez, Samuel Decimo, Kelvin Jorek Evangelista and Jomar Pepito to pay the family of Davantes a total of P125,000 in indemnity and damages.

Court records showed that a group of men chanced upon the 25-yearold Davantes while she was about to open the gate of her house in Barangay Moonwalk.

The group held Davantes at gunpoint, dragged her back to her car and brought her to Tagaytay. The next day the victim was found dead. Joel E. Zurbano

Embrace digital age, Win tells LGUs SENATOR Win Gatchalian on Friday said that Local Government Units should embrace digital innovation to streamline the processing of business permit applications in their respective jurisdictions.

Valenzuela City recently launched “Paspas Permit” system, an online service which aims to process business permit applications in the city in just 10 seconds from the usual 15 to 30 minutes.

It will spare applicants from the cost and time required of the usual personal application process.

The online integrated permit application system provides a single platform for the application of permits and document requests.

Applicants can now register an account, fill out the online application form, submit the requirements then make payments. Macon Ramos-Araneta

CAAP trains new traffic controllers THE Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines announced on Friday it has started accepting applicants for the next batch of trainees to become air traffic controllers.

The agency will be launching its Comprehensive Air Traffic Service Course Batch 15 (CATS 15) this year to recruit young and competent individuals aspiring to be part of the country’s elite line of Air Traffic Management Officers.

“In support of the International Civil Aviation Organization's (ICAO) New Generation of Aviation Professionals (NGAP) initiative, CAAP has been working towards ensuring that there are enough qualified and competent professionals that will maintain the future of the country's air transportation system,” said CAAP chief information officer and spokesperson Eric Apolonio.

Accepted applicants, who must also pass a panel interview and physical examinations, will undergo training at CAAP's Civil Aviation Training Center in Pasay City. Joel E. Zurbano

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Opinion

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2019

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

World on the brink IN CHILE, for months now, massive protests against social inequality have continued without pause. The government was humiliated and had to cancel two important international meetings—the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit of leaders and the Conference of the Parties of the United Nations Framework on Climate Change. Under pressure, the government of President Sebastian Piniera had to withdraw the neo-liberal

Here’s a lesson for everybody: Impunity does not last forever. economic measures that ignited the unrest and has now agreed to amend its Constitution that institutionalized such a neo-liberal approach for Chile’s economic development. That approach has been credited with enabling economic stability in Chile but it has not succeeded in overcoming economic inequality in the country. Chile now has an opportunity to address this and my hope is that this will also give us in the Philippines ideas on how to overcome our own social inequality.

In Brazil, bad things are happening.

The Amazon is endangered; indigenous peoples, especially the uncontacted tribes and peoples, are threatened with extinction. But hope is in the air.

Last week, Lula da Silva, Brazil’s former president, was ordered released by the Supreme Court of Brazil pending final judgment in the corruption cases against him. While this was a

Adelle Chua, Editor

EDITORIAL

procedural decision, it was precipitated by the discovery of emails between the judge in the corruption cases, now the justice secretary in the Bolsonaro government, and the prosecutors where the former is coaching the latter.

The Da Silva scandal reminds us of what recently retired Supreme Court Associate Justice Antonio Carpio has described as “the grossest injustice” in our country: the detention of Senator Leila de Lima without any legal basis and absent any evidence that implicates her in the crimes they have charged her with. Many of the trial judges assigned to her case have retired or recused themselves and that I suspect is because they know they would have to acquit her or ordered her released—but that would come at great cost to their career.

De Lima would have been illegally detained for 1,000 days next Wednesday. It is time to release her.

In Bolivia, Evo Morales, the first indigenous person to become president of that country, has been ousted and forced to resign when the country’s armed forces withdrew its support for the government. This was precipitated by protests against his government for alleged cheating in its presidential elections.

Morales was not allowed to run in that election under the Bolivian constitution and his attempt to lift term limits was rejected in a referendum. But he ran just the same after the Bolivian Supreme Court allowed him to do so in the guise of a bogus and absurd argument that term limits are a violation of human rights. As expected, rightist and fascist forces took advantage of this insistence of Morales to perpetuate himself in power.

The result is Morales, who should have retired in glory earlier this year, is now in exile and Bolivia is in chaos with Morales’ supporters pushing back against the right.

Lessons learned for the Philippines:

W

Crushing corruption

E FIND the launching this month by the Duterte administration of an anti-corruption program most propitious, given that high corruption rungs have severely restricted the efficiency of businesses operating in the Philippines.

Some independent studies have shown that extensive bribery within the public administration, not to mention vague and complex laws which make foreign firms vulnerable to extortion and manipulation by public officials.

At the same time favoritism and undue influence are, according to these studies, widespread in the courts, which leads to time-consuming and unfair dispute resolutions, and to an uncertain business environment.

The studies, validated to some extent by experiences of some who transact business with agencies of the government, suggest that corruption plagues the Customs administration, and fraud “routinely occurs for companies when filing import and export documentation.”

Double-dealing and misconduct have also been observed in the police and military, the public services, land administration, among some areas where fraud and wrongdoing breathe like incorrigible monsters.

Analysts have identified some causes of corruption, jobbery or palm-greasing as greed of money and desires, higher levels of market and political monopolization, low levels of democracy, weak civil participation and low political transparency, higher levels of bureaucracy and inefficient administrative structures, low press freedom as well as low economic freedom.

But the launching of the anti-cor-

ruption program dubbed “Katarungan Desk” the government has said will serve as a reporting platform for the public can be a small step for an eventual giant stride.

It is in the reporting platform where the public—from Tawi Tawi to Batanes—can submit complaints against government irregularities.

We raise our hope that the desks will be properly manned and complaints submitted attended to immediately to let complainants feel they are getting justice, in line with the Filipino meaning of the Desk.

We believe Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission chief Greco Belgica when he said during the launch in Malacañang that the Desk is aimed at developing “a responsive and safe reporting platform that will address all complaints of injustice and corruption, and which will be placed in every barangay, city hall and other places.”

The Desk faces a challenge. Filipinos are watching.

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The draft Biak-na-Bato pact TRY studying Philippine history, it really is exciting. I particularly like discovering primary and secondary sources that have not yet been published.

Because of the thousands of people who were involved in the Philippine revolution against Spain and our war of independence against America, it is my belief that the truth we know about our past remains partial at best. Worse, historical truths many believe in are tainted by biases of modern-day “historians” who peddle misinterpretations and misrepresentations of past events.

Primary and secondary sources offer buried information that shed light on important events in our past.

Sometimes, unexpected and neverhave-been-k nown-to-have-existed documents offer pleasant surprises to present students of history like me.

These past weeks have been historically exciting for me. Last Thursday, colleagues in Tunay na Kasaysayan ng Pilipinas (TUKLAS), Inc. formally entered a contract with the National Historical Commission (NHCP) to publish “Talang Buhay ng Supremo And. Bonifacio sa Kabite.” The document was written by Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo narrating the events following the arrival of Supremo Andres Bonifacio in Cavite up to the time of his capture after the Acta de Naic. The whole manuscript is in the handwriting of Gen. Aguinaldo and will be transcribed by me.

The book will be launched on March 22, 2020 as part of the ending of Gen. Aguinaldo’s 150th and also his 151st birth anniversary.

Also, I had the chance to revisit some of the other historical documents that I have started working on. One of these is the scanned copy of a four-page note in the handwriting of Gen. Aguinaldo entitled “Ang Kasunduan sa Biak na Bato.” I have transcribed this earlier but did not really pay much attention because the content was clearly not the Biak-na-Bato pact signed between the parties of Aguinaldo and then Governor and Captain General Don Fernando

Primo de Rivera.

It will be remembered that the official pact of Biak na Bato took effect on Dec. 15, 1897. I was completely surprised when I reread the document I had. This manuscript written by Gen. Aguinaldo narrated the first visit and discussions with Pedro Alejandro Paterno and lawyers Jose Ner and Felix Ferrer, who, as claimed by Paterno, were sent to Biak na Bato by the Governor General to broker a peace settlement with the revolutionaries.

There were nine conditions for peace to prevail.

The first visit was on Aug. 4, 1897 or more than four months before the final pact was agreed upon. This document, upon closer scrutiny may contain the first draft of Aguinaldo’s and Paterno’s agreed terms for a pact! This in itself is amazing because it gives the present readers an opportunity to get some perspective on the mindset of Aguinaldo’s forces when they agreed to negotiate for a peace accord between the revolutionists and the Spanish colonizers.

What amazed me more were the actual contents of the first agreement with Paterno’s party, which, to me, were totally biased in favor of the revolutionists. This document tells me that Aguinaldo was asking for the moon when he started negotiating with Spain. This also makes me think that perhaps even if he agreed to negotiate, he did not believe that anything would come out of it. For why else would he make demands that would surely be rejected by Spain?

In this note, Aguinaldo said that they were forced to move the revolutionary headquarters to Biak na Bato in San Miguel de Mayumo, Bulacan in June 1897 owing to the defeat of Cavite because of the 40,000-strong Spanish infantry forces that attacked Aguinaldo’s home province.

Despite this, however, Spanish colonizers still could not defeat the revolution as it has already spread like Turn to A5

Cut and cut cleanly pany’s payment of its realty tax obligations.

Such violations could affect PECO’s temporary Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity from the Energy Regulatory Commission, which requires all distribuAPART from being without fran- tion utilities to comply with all legal chise, Iloilo City’s electricity distribution utility Panay Electric Co. is facing new legal cases following its The company should failure to renew its license and settle some P90 million worth of real estate have bowed out of taxes with the city government. business a long time According to Norman Tabud, head of the city government’s Business ago.

Permits and Licensing Office, PECO did not secure a business license to operate in 2019 in violation of the requirements for any business to opop city’s Tax Revenue Code on the rec- erate in any area. ommendation of the City Treasurer’s Recall that PECO is now operating Office for failing to pay an assessed under a two-year temporary CPCN P90 million, and additional penalties issued by the ERC to allow the new since March this year, in real estate distribution utility company issued a taxes. franchise by the Senate and the House In fact, Tabud adds that PECO has of Representatives, More Electric and failed to secure a business permit to Power Corp. a transition to its full operate since last year because of an takeover of the electricity distribution instruction from the City Treasurer’s operation in Iloilo City.

Office to hold in abeyance the issuWhile PECO had paid its other busiance of the permit pending the com- ness taxes arising from its operation.

PECO has contested the City Treasurer’s ruling in a case filed with the Iloilo City Regional Trial Court, thus a standoff exists on whether the city government could stop PECO from operating until it secures its business permit.

The other day, newspaper reports said the Iloilo City government put up for auction today PECO’s assets to cover its unpaid real estate taxes for two years.

This was after the city government rejected the settlement offer of PECO. Adding to its woes, PECO is facing investigation by the ERC because of a complaint filed by Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Trenas to address the continuing rising problem of its aged electricity poles posing danger to residents and houses in the vicinity after catching fire due to ageing transformers or overloaded old transmission lines.

Under ERC Resolution No. 5, Series of 2008, any distribution utility granted a CPCN to operate a distribution system in any area must comply with standards set under the Philippine Grid Code and the Philippine Distribution Code, especially Turn to A5

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Opinion

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2019

Patriotism and gratitude THE late John Gokongwei Jr. always reminded his daughter Robina G. Pe., the president and CEO of Robinson’s Retail Holding, Inc., that one has to work hard in order to eat. Perhaps not conscious that the adage was lifted from an old Marxist saying, it is nonetheless true that industry reaps its own reward.

One needs only to look at things positively. Good attitude provides a built-in incentive for success. He said, “Successes and failures are all part of life. Forget failures. Take them in stride and let them make you stronger. However, if something is likely to succeed, then pour all your energy and resources and focus to make success a reality.”

It is this formula coupled with a sense of practicality and determination that made him a leading tycoon.

In a full-page tribute, it described John as an industrialist, a philanthropist and a game changer. The brief description is most fitting because it gives us an idea who he is, that what he achieved transcends to what is expected from one deeply engrossed in business. He was an industrialist because he contributed, in his own way, to industrialize the country. He was not just contented in being a trader.

He wanted to go into manufacturing, which he knows is the foundation in establishing an industrial base. He was a farsighted and out-of-the-box businessman.

His first brush with the business titans was his bid for a board seat at San Miguel. Many noticed there was in him a hue of patriotism and love of country when he observed that many Filipinos are sending their money out of the country. As Filipino, he felt our money must be invested here. That was when he decided to purchase shares in the Philippines’ biggest corporations. The defeat marked the turning point in his determination to deviate from stereotype business tradition. He founded the JG Summit Petrochemical Corp. in 1994. In 2006, JGSPC opened the Philippines’ first Naphtha Cracker Plant and simultaneously expanded the Polymers Plant.

Commercial operation of the newly expanded JG Summit Petrochemicals Group started in November 2014. JG Summit Olefins Corp. produced ethylene, propylene, pyrolysis gasoline, mixed C4 and other by-products.

Another was the establishment of Handyman, a Robinson’s Retail Holdings, Inc. specializing in the sale of miscellaneous hand tools and equipment. It was neither a hardware nor a construction supply but one that would cater to the day-to-day needs of people for ordinary household repairs usually by themselves. The two

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wild fire to the provinces of Bulakan, Bataan, Pampanga, Nueva Ecija, Tarlak, Zambales, Pangasinan, besides Laguna, Batangas, and others.

This was the context within which Paterno’s party, claiming to have been sent by the Spanish GovernorGeneral Primo de Rivera, arrived in Biak-na-Bato. While Aguinaldo had no lawyers with him, he asked Paterno for a written authority from the Governor-General. To this, Paterno replied that he had none, only the verbal agreement with the highest Spanish official upon his request for him to go to Aguinaldo and try to broker a peace agreement by getting from the leader of the revolution the demands so peace can be achieved.

After much discussion, the parties agreed to these nine conditions for peace to prevail: “Paalisin ang lahat ng mga Frayle, at ibigay sa lahat ng Pareng Filipino ang la-

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those that concern public safety, the ERC stressed when it initiated an investigation on incidents of safety violation by PECO because of the

companies reflect the thinking of the man not to depend on the supply for all his needs. Either he has to do it or produce his own.

It was also mentioned that John was a game changer meaning that in business, there are implied norms one must observed to reach the top. He introduced businesses that challenged existing practices, compelling the rest to follow his rather orthodox approach. It may not be by the principle of survival of the fittest but by the value of frugality. When his father died at the age of 13, he practically had only 10 centavos in his pocket. That probably forced John to value every centavo he earns. With three feet by two feet stall in the market, he would

John Gokongwei Jr. was a tycoon who exemplified these virtues.

fly from the current 12 to one to a ratio of 6 to 1.

Gokongwei dared to venture into the well-entrenched mobile phone in 2003 when he established the Digitel Mobile Philippines bearing the brand of Sun Cellular. The concept was simple—offer to cell phone users “call and text” as much as they want for a fixed monthly fee of P250.

This means great savings of as much as 2/3 of their regular phone bills. It immediately gained traction upon introduction to the market. Sun reached one million customers causing a paradigm shift in the telecoms industry.

Now, Sun has 4 million subscribers and 2,000 cell sites around the archipelago. In a country where 97 percent of the market is pre-paid, it rightly hit the target.

Universal Robina Corp. introduced the green tea mixed with brown sugar as local beverage. It was a gamble, considering that the country has a cola drinking population more and that Filipinos often start their day drinking hot coffee instead of tea. The marketing strategy was unique. C-2 was marketed as “spa” in a bottle to refresh as it cools and cleanse the body.

Three years after it was launched, Filipinos drank around 30 million bottles per month, showing great indication that Filipinos are slowly shifting away from the traditional cola drinks acknowledged as a formidable challenge. C2 is now selling three-million bottles a month in Vietnam only after six months of market introduction.

Because it sees bright prospect, C2 will soon launch to other South East Asian markets. Even its Jack and Jill potato chips brand is slowly eroding a big chunk of the once Americandominated market product.

If there is anything that remains unmatched in the volume of values to the legacy left by John Gokongwei, Jr., it is his acknowledgement that life has been good to him, and wants to give back the blessings he received.

On the occasion of his 80th birthday coinciding with the holding of the company’s 50th anniversary, he donated half his fortune—at least P20 billion—to charity. The first recipient was his alma mater, San Carlos University in Cebu, which received P50 million for its new Gokongwei School of Engineering.

It is estimated that the Gokongwei Brothers Foundation has donated around P400 million in the last five years and more are coming in the years to come. As Filipinos, we are proud of him for his unparalleled philanthropic work. There was in him a deep sense of gratitude that as a Filipino of Chinese descent, he imparted to us love of country and to always look back and be grateful to where one comes from, something that every rich Filipino must emulate by heart and soul.

wake up at 5 o’clock to buy goods he can sell. Every day he earned about P20 in profit. That was more than enough to feed his family and kept the rest to allow him to plough it back as added capital, always having in mind of letting the business grow slowly but surely.

It was the circumstance of suddenly waking up without money that forced him to cherish the virtue of frugality.

Yet, while keeping on to that idealism, he was determined to break that cycle of being trapped in the drab and routine life of business. He always wanted to introduce innovations that would benefit first and foremost the customers through reduced prices, and recognize their need for it as a necessity. He called this the challenge in life. The incident where he failed to get a board seat at San Miguel by the decision of the Supreme Court became a defining moment in his life.

He took it as a challenge to operate an airline to compete the near monopoly of Philippine Airlines.

The eye-opener was the privatization of PAL. His theory was simple—reducing air fares to allow ordinary people to travel by air. The introduction of Cebu Pacific drastically changed the view of air travel to one of necessity. Cebu Pacific made possible the reduction of fare with the introduction of no-frills, no hot meals and no newspaper amenities. After all, airlines only guarantee safe and timely arrival. Easily Cebu Pacific got what airline commuters wanted. Today, Cebu Pacific flies more than five million passengers, with over 120 daily flights to 20 local destinations and 12 Asian cities. It is now the largest in terms of domestic fights and destinations, and is hoping to reduce the ratio of average Filipino who can afford to rpkapunan@gmail.com hat ng Curato at Obispado.” (Remove all Spanish priests and replace them with Filipino priests in all curates and dioceses.)

“Paghihiwalay ng Pamahalaan at Sambahan ng Kabanal .” (Separation of Church and State.)

“Ang lahat ng mga Hacienda ng Frayle ay ibigay sa KaniKanyang bayang nakasasakop.” (Ownership of all estates shall be transferred from the priests to the municipalities that have jurisdiction over them.)

“Representacion o Kakatawanin ng Filipinas sa Corte ng España.” (Philippine representation in Spanish Court.)

“Pantaypantay na palagay ng Pamahalaan, sa Tagalog at Kastila.” (Tagalog and Spanish citizens shall be accorded equal treatment by government.)

“Ibigay sa Tagalog ang Kalahati ng mga Tungkulin sa Pamahalaan.” (Half of all government positions shall be given to Tagalogs.)

“Malayang pamamahayag ng isip at Kalooban ng Tagalog, Katulad ng Samahan at Imprenta.” (Freedom of speech and expression including freedom of assembly and of the press.)

“Palayain at ipahatid sa KaniKanila ang lahat ng Preso politico.” (Free all political prisoners and send them back home.)

“Tatlong Angao na piso (P3,000,000) ang ibibigay sa Pamahalaan ng Panghihimaksik.” (Three million pesos shall be given to the revolution.”

These demands were made in August 1897 and I am looking at these through my 2019 eyes. I cannot help but be amazed by our revolutionists’ desire for our people then to live free and democratic lives. Many of these demands for peace in 1897 remain relevant now, more than 120 years after. Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo and our revolutionaries were more progressive in 1897 than many of our leaders now, in 2019.

We should learn the lessons from our valiant history.

(Note: The copy of Gen. Aguinaldo’s handwritten note together with the transcripts will be posted on TUKLAS Facebook page.)

electricity pole fires.

Trenas asked the ERC to conduct the investigation and perform its function to protect consumer interests after the Iloilo City Fire Marshall and the BFP reported that in three days alone from Oct. 19 to 21, nine PECO electricity poles all around the city caught fire ei-

ther due to exploding transformers or severed transmission lines setting fire on the wood poles.

PECO had delivered electricity to the residents of Iloilo City for the longest time. As such, it would be safe to say it contributed a huge part in the development of the city. But when the

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Climate worry driving ‘cli-fi’ boom

By Riwan Marhic IMAGINE a world where storms inundate coastal megacities, entire species become extinct in the blink of an eye, and conflicts are fought over dwindling natural resources.

Not so difficult in 2019, perhaps.

After a year of devastating extreme weather and worldwide unrest over the emergency posed by climate change, topics that used to belong to the realm of science fiction are finding their way into mainstream storytelling.

Back in 2004, Roland Emmerich's disaster flick "The Day After Tomorrow" depicted a global weather catastrophe, with coastal areas devoured by the sea amid general meteorological mayhem.

Just 15 years on, scenes from the movie resemble images taken from real-life weather events today.

And as climate change makes superstorms, flooding, wildfires and droughts more likely, a new genre is gaining fatalistic fans the world over: "Cli-fi."

"It's catching on like wildfire," said US writer and cli-fi aficionado Dan Bloom.

He credited US President Donald Trump, who has said he will withdraw from the Paris climate deal, with helping promote the genre.

"There's a lot of people who say that climate change is not real," said Bloom.

"These people are making the rest of us very angry and as a result cli-fi is getting more and more power."

Andrew Milner, a professor of comparative literature at Melbourne's Monash University, said that clifi was yet to break out from sci-fi's yoke—most people get into the new genre because they like the old one.

"Both its texts and practitioners— writers, readers, publishers, film directors, fans—relate primarily to the science-fiction tradition," he said. "[But] it is very clear that the subgenre has grown very rapidly in recent years."

Global appeal

Global protest movements such as the Youth Strike for Climate and Extinction Rebellion have heightened public awareness of the issue.

For J.R. Burgmann, co-author of "Science Fiction and Climate Change: A Sociological Approach," cli-fi films and novels are a logical expression of an increasingly knowledgeable and concerned society.

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"This rise is a response to realworld concerns," he said. "And though I would argue that literature has been rather slow to respond to man-made climate change, it certainly appears to be making up for lost time."

And, because climate change is a truly global problem, cli-fi has become a worldwide, multi-lingual phenomenon.

In France, two major television series focusing on dystopian but conceivable futures have received popular and critical acclaim.

"The Last Wave" tells the story of 10 surfers who go missing in bad weather.

When they return they can't remember what happened but some have strange new powers.

And "The Collapse," set in a postapocalyptic world where fuel is scarce, nuclear sites are threatened and medicines are rationed, debuted this week.

Recent cli-fi works from around the world include "Blackout Island" by Icelandic author Sigridur Hagalin Bjornsdottir, a Canadian adaptation of Jean Hegland's "Into the Forest" and "Water Knife," by US author Paolo Bacigalupi.

In "The History of Bees", Norwegian author Maja Lunde's 2017 bestseller, humanity is forced to pollinate their crops by hand after pesticides have wiped insects off the face of the Earth.

"People are more and more worried about climate change and authors write about what scares them," Lunde told AFP last year.

Hard to ignore

Novels and films about climate change are nothing new, of course.

J.G. Ballard's "The Burning World" (1964) and John Brunner's "The Sheep Look Up" (1972) depicted a world ravaged by environmental damage decades before scientists fully understood man-made climate change.

Even John Steinbeck's generational "The Grapes of Wrath" (1939) is essentially a tale of the harrowing ordeal undergone by climate migrants from the Oklahoma dust bowl.

But, as leading cli-fi author JeanMarc Ligny explained, greater public awareness and a seemingly unending string of drought, wildfires and heatwaves have made climate a topic that's "hard to ignore."

"Climate change needs stories, and readers need them to be told," he said.

"There are figures, statistics, but these don't really say anything. Cli-fi makes people more aware of the situation."

AFP

work for consensus and not lead society to further discord.

In Lebanon, faced also with the similar protests as in Chile and Bolivia.

Prime Minister Saad Hariri righthly resigned and now the country’s leaders are working hard to find a political path forward that will not lead its factions to another civil war.

This brings me to Hong Kong. The possibility of civil war or an invasion

by China is increasing by the day. My heart and mind is with the students of Hong Kong, as it is with the youth activists of the Philippines. Whatever happens, I will be in solidarity with them.

The Philippines is also on the brink. We await a decision by the International Criminal Court on bringing charges against Duterte and his cohorts for crimes against humanity even as dynamic Vice President Leni Roberedo has quickly taken steps to change for the better the way the war against illegal drugs is being conducted. The police and the military, guided by extremely bad intelligence, is attacking everyone ironically in implementing a whole-of-nation approach to the insurgency. Marawi is tense because of the total failure of the government to rehabilitate it.

Metro Manila is paralyzed by traffic and no solutions are in sight.

Next year, the Philippines will commemorate 50 years since that great historical moment called the First Quarter Storm when the young showed us the way. What is in store for us?

(1) charter change or Supreme Court jurisprudence should not be undertaken to favor an individual (2) do not defy the will of the people especially on term limits; (3) the right (or left) and other countries like the United States will exploit opportunities when politicians make mistakes.

In the United States, President Donald Trump has recklessly conflated his own personal and political interest with that of the national interest of the country. As a result, because of his illegal actions on Ukraine, impeachment hearings are now under way in the House of Representatives.

I predict that Trump will be impeached before Christmas, only the third such vote in the 233-year history of the United States. Most likely, the two-thirds vote in the Senate to remove Trump would not be reached but there will be consequences for that in the 2020 elections.

From the Trump presidency, the lesson: things eventually catch up with reckless politicians. Impunity is not forever.

The United Kingdom is supposed to have its elections. The conservatives led by Boris Johnson are expected to win but that was also predicted by the polls in the last election when Theresa May lost her majority. The election is supposed to decide the Brexit issue once and for all. Some, however, doubt if it will do that.

A divided country is not good. Poli- Facebook: deantonylavs ticians, if they are true leaders, must Twitter: tonylavs

time came, its services was said to have slowly deteriorated due maybe to its aging equipment and support infrastructure, it should have embarked on its own modernization program. Who knows, maybe the incidents of alleged overbilling of up to 1,000 percent maybe due to its antiquated system.

But having failed to do so, or maybe deciding against modernization of its equipment and support infrastructure, PECO should have then decided on its own, to bow out of business a long time ago. In such a way, it could have avoided all the predicament it is facing right now.

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News

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2019

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Makati allots P18b for 2020

By Joel E. Zurbano

T

HE city government of Makati has allocated more than P8 billion for its social development program next year, Mayor Abigail Binay said Friday.

Health, education and social welfare programs will get the biggest chunk from the P18billion budget in 2020, which was signed by the city chief executive hours after members of the City Council approved the measure on third and final reading on Thursday.

Binay, who had certified the budget’s approval as urgent, said the 2020 budget reflected the priority thrusts and policies of her administration.

The programs and services under the Social Development Sector got the biggest allocation of about P8.07 billion, or 44.7 percent of the total budget of P18,047,460,000.

Based on the approved 2020 budget of the city,

Health got the biggest share of the total budget among the social sub-sectors, with P5.26 billion (29.17 percent), followed by Education with P1.43 billion (7.93 percent), and Social Welfare with P1.37 billion (7.59 percent).

“Our overarching goal is to provide citizens with fast and free access to quality health care, education, and social services which are indispensable to their overall development,” Binay said.

Binay said the city government had adhered to its ‘people first’ principle amid efforts to accelerate the city’s digital transformation through embracing modern technology. She cited public-private partnerships as an effective strategy to make progress with the city’s vision without compromising the city’s financial capacity to sustain priority programs.

“We have purposely teamed up with industry leaders in the private sector to implement digital initiatives without incurring added costs on the city coffers. The PPP strategy has allowed us to continue making substantial investments in social programs and services that

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e.

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enable Makatizens to reach their full potential and become not only self-reliant members of society, but empowered partners in nationbuilding,” said Binay.

The mayor thanked the City Council, led by Vice Mayor Monique Lagdameo, for approving the 2020 executive budget through City Ordinance 2019-A-110.

“The prompt approval of the budget has ensured that our beloved Makatizens will continue to receive timely and adequate services from the city in 2020. We are also optimistic about meeting our timelines for the implementation of new and continuing programs and projects,” Mayor Binay said.

Prior to the enactment of the appropriations ordinance, the Sangguniang Panlungsod through its Committee on Laws, Rules and Ethics and Committee on Appropriations and Budget had conducted a series of meetings for the Joint Committee Deliberation/Review of the proposed budget of each of the 36 city departments and offices from Oct. 28 to Nov. 5 at city hall.

Exchanges and Electronic Money Issuers; and Credit Card Issuers/Acquirers.

Securities and Exchange Commission: a. b.

SEC Memorandum Circular No. 20 Series of 2019

c. d.

GUIDELINES ON THE ADOPTION OF CENTRALIZED (ONE-STOP-SHOP) FRAMEWORK FOR ACCREDITATION/SELECTION OF EXTERNAL AUDITORS/AUDITING FIRMS OF THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION, BANGKO SENTRAL NG PILIPINAS AND INSURANCE COMMISSION’S REGULATED AND SUPERVISED INSTITUTIONS SECTION 1. POLICY STATEMENT The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) considers the external auditing profession as a partner in promoting the integrity of financial reports and transparency in the financial system. In this light, the SEC is issuing the guidelines on the adoption of a centralized framework for accreditation/selection of external auditors (individual practitioners and audit firms) in the financial sector in line with its cooperative arrangements with the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), Insurance Commission (IC), and Philippine Deposit Insurance Corporation (PDIC), under the auspices of the Financial Sector Forum (FSF). The guidelines aim to streamline the accreditation/ selection process for external auditors of institutions belonging to the financial sector and to promote the ease of doing business.

e.

Conditional accreditation – refers to the approval of the application with shorter validity period.

•

Delisting – refers to the revocation of the validity of inclusion in the Financial Sector Regulators’ List of Accredited/Selected External Auditors.

•

Engagement Quality Control Reviewer – refers to a partner who is responsible for the audit engagement quality control review.

•

Financial Sector Regulators – refers to the BSP, SEC, IC and PDIC constituting the FSF.

•

Financial Sector Forum - a voluntary interagency body that aims to:

•

•

a.

Facilitate consultations and the exchange of information among its members on matters relating to the supervision and regulation of financial institutions supervised and regulated by the BSP, SEC or IC or insured by the PDIC; and

b.

Coordinate the regulatory and supervisory policies and efforts of the member agencies.

Key Audit Partners – pertain to the engagement partner (or in most cases, the signing partner), the engagement quality control reviewer and other audit partners, if any, on the engagement team who make key decisions or judgments on significant matters with respect to the audit of the financial statements on which the firm will express an opinion.

Lead Partner – refers to the partner or other person in the firm who is responsible for the engagement and its performance, and for the auditor’s report that is issued on behalf of the firm, and who, where required, has the appropriate authority from a professional, legal or regulatory body.

•

Manager – refers to a managerial or supervisory staff engagement

•

Suspension – refers to temporarily barring the external auditor to conduct audit of covered institutions for a certain period of time.

b.

c.

d.

e. f.

of the audit

g.

In case of conflict between the above definition of terms and the definition of terms as provided for in the rules and regulations of the Financial Sector Regulators, the definition adopted by the concerned financial sector regulator shall prevail.

SECTION 3.

AUDITORS a.

COVERED INSTITUTIONS AND APPOINTMENT OF EXTERNAL

External auditors shall be classified into three groups or categories and shall extend their services to covered entities belonging to the same category or to categories lower than the category of the external auditor, as follows: 1.

Group A Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas: a. b. c.

Universal/Commercial Banks; Foreign Banks and branches or subsidiaries of foreign banks; and Banks, trust departments and trust corporations with additional derivatives authority.

h.

b. c.

d. e.

2.

e. f. g. h. i.

3.

a. b. c.

SEC: a.

Micro-MBAs; and General Agents.

The Financial Sector Regulators shall not be held responsible for any liability or loss that may arise from the accreditation/selection of the external auditor engaged by covered entities for audit or non-audit services.

The accreditation/selection of external auditor under this Guidelines shall be valid for five (5) years or for a shorter period prescribed by the Financial Sector Regulators, unless suspended or delisted by the Financial Sector Regulators based on their respective applicable rules and regulations. It is the responsibility of the accredited/selected external auditors to maintain the validity of their PRC/BOA Accreditation during the effectivity of their accreditation with the Financial Sector Regulators.

a.

b.

c.

a.

A notarized Application Form (Form 1 for Audit Firm; Form 2 for Individual External Auditor) shall be submitted by the applicant to the SEC, together with the following supporting documents:

1.

2.

3.

1.

2.

SECTION 5. QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS An accredited/selected external auditor shall have the following qualifications at the time of application:

3.

4.

5.

Accredited and licensed by the PRC/BOA; Has at least five (5) years experience in external audit as a manager, lead partner, engagement quality control reviewer or its equivalent (as previously/currently employed in an auditing firm); Has established adequate quality assurance procedures to ensure full compliance with recognized standards in accounting, and regulatory requirements; Has attended or participated in training for at least 120 hours in subjects like international financial reporting and auditing standards, corporate governance, taxation, code of ethics and regulatory requirements of the BSP, IC and SEC relevant to the practice and qualified as a form of compliance with the Continuing Professional Development Program of the BOA; and At the time of application, the applicant must have the following track record: BSP: a. b.

Insurance companies; Reinsurance companies; and Mutual benefit associations (MBA).

c.

For Category A, he/she must have audited at least one (1) covered client under Category A or at least five (5) BSP-Supervised Financial Institutions (BSFI) clients under Category B. For Category B, he/she must have at least two (2) covered clients under Category B or at least six (3) BSFI clients under Category C. For Category C, he/she must have at least three (3) covered corporate clients with total assets of at least P10 Million.

SEC: a.

Thrift Banks; Non-bank financial institutions with quasi-banking license; and Trust departments and trust corporations.

b.

Issuers of registered timeshares, proprietary and non-proprietary membership certificates, and corporations applying for the registration of such securities; Investment houses; Brokers and dealers of securities; Investment companies that are not in the process of registering securities or have no registered securities yet; Government securities eligible dealers; Universal banks registered as underwriters of securities; Investment company advisers; Special purpose corporations registered under the Securitization Act of 2004 and its implementing rules; and Such other corporations which may be required by law to be supervised by the Commission.

c.

For Group A applicant, he/she shall have had a minimum of five (5) corporate clients with total assets of at least Fifty Million Pesos (P50 Million) each, or such amount as may be prescribed by the SEC. For Group B, he/she shall have had a minimum of three (3) corporate clients with total assets of at least Twenty Million Pesos (P20 Million) each, or such amount as may be prescribed by the Commission.

For Group C, he/she shall have had a minimum of three (3) corporate clients with total assets of at least Five Million Pesos (P5 Million) each, or such amount as may be prescribed by the SEC.

IC: a.

b.

Trust for charitable uses; Pre-need companies; Health Maintenance Organizations (HMO) companies; and Insurance, reinsurance, pre-need and HMO brokers. c.

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas:

b.

Audit Firm

For Group A, the applicant must have audited at least five (5) ICregulated entities under Group A either as lead or engagement quality control reviewer, or at least ten (10) IC-regulated entities under Group B, or ten (10) corporate clients with at least Fifty Million Pesos (P50 Million) each. Provided further, there are no material findings on the quality of his/her audit work within the last three (3) years.

For Group B, the applicant must have audited at least three (3) IC-regulated entities under Group B either as lead or engagement quality control reviewer, or at least five (5) IC-regulated entities under Group C, or five (5) corporate clients with total assets of at least Twenty Million Pesos (P20 Million) each. Provided further, there are no material findings on the quality of his/her audit work within the last three (3) years.

For Group C, he shall have had a minimum of three (3) ICregulated entities under Group C either as lead or engagement quality control reviewer, or at least five (5) corporate clients with total assets of at least Five Million Pesos (P5 Million) each.

Provided further, there are no material findings on the quality of his/her audit work within the last three (3) years.

Copy of a valid PRC/BOA Certificate of Accreditation or PRC Accreditation under Philippine bilateral agreements, with attachment listing the name of qualified partner/s of the firm (as applicable); Notarized certification that the applicant has attended or participated in training for at least 120 hours in subjects like international financial reporting and auditing standards, corporate governance, taxation, code of ethics and regulatory requirements of the BSP, IC and SEC relevant to the practice and qualified as a form of compliance with the Continuing Professional Development Program of the PRC/BOA; Copy of the Quality Assurance Manual; and

For Renewal Application:

The external auditor shall fully meet the independence requirements provided under the Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants in the Philippines on a continuing basis.

1.

2.

For Group A, the applicant audit firm must have audited at least five (5) IC-regulated entities under Group A, or at least ten (10) ICregulated entities under Group B, or ten (10) corporate clients with at least Fifty Million Pesos (P50 Million) each. Provided further, there are no material findings on the quality of audit work within the last three (3) years.

For Group B, the applicant audit firm must have audited at least three (3) IC-regulated entities under Group B, or at least five (5) IC-regulated entities under Group C, or five (5) corporate clients with total assets of at least Twenty Million Pesos (P20 Million) each.

Provided further, there are no material findings on the quality of audit work within the last three (3) years.

For Group C, the applicant firm must have audited at least three (3) IC-regulated entities under Group C or five (5) corporate clients with total assets of at least Five Million Pesos (P5 Million) each. Provided further, there are no material findings on the quality of his/her audit work during the last three years.

For Initial Application:

SECTION 4. INDEPENDENCE OF EXTERNAL AUDITOR

Individual external auditor or Partner of an Audit Firm

For Group A applicant, he shall had a minimum of five (5) corporate clients with total assets of at least Fifty Million Pesos (P50 Million) each, or such amount as may be prescribed by the Commission.

For Group B, he shall have had a minimum of three (3) corporate clients with total assets of at least Twenty Million Pesos (P20 Million) each, or such amount as may be prescribed by the Commission.

For Group C, he shall have had a minimum of three (3) corporate clients with total assets of at least Five Million Pesos (P5 Million) each, or such amount as may be prescribed by the Commission.

SECTION 6. APPLICATION/RENEWAL DOCUMENTARY REQUIREMENTS

The suspension or delisting of the external auditors shall be the sole responsibility of each of the Financial Sector Regulators. The regulator concerned shall inform the SEC of the suspension or delisting of the external auditor.

a.

For Category A, the applicant firm must have audited at least five (5) covered clients under Category A or ten (10) covered clients under Category B. For Category B, the applicant firm must have audited at least three (3) covered clients under Category B or five (5) covered clients under Category C. For Category C, the applicant firm must have audited at least five (5) corporate clients with total assets of at least Fifty Million Pesos (P50 Million) each.

IC:

The approval or grant by the SEC of the application for accreditation/inclusion in the List of Accredited/Selected External Auditors of institutions supervised and regulated by the BSP and IC shall be subject to the prior clearance and concurrence of the BSP and/or IC, as applicable.

Issuers of registered securities which have sold class of securities pursuant to a registration under the Securities Regulation Code except those issuers of registered time shares, proprietary and nonproprietary membership certificates which are covered in Category B. This category shall also cover corporations applying for the registration of their securities; Issuers with a class of securities listed for trading in an Exchange; and Public companies or those which have total assets of at least Fifty Million Pesos (P50 million) or such other amount as the Commission shall prescribe, and having Two Hundred (200) or more holders each holding at least One Hundred (100) shares of a class of its equity securities; Clearing Agency and clearing agency as depository; and Stock and securities exchange/s and other Self-Regulatory Organizations.

Rural and Cooperative Banks; Non-stock Savings and Loan Associations; Pawnshops; Remittance and Transfer Companies (RTCs)/Money Changers/ Foreign Exchange Dealers (MCs/FXDs), including Virtual Currency

BSP:

Insurance Commission:

As required under the Revised Securities Regulation Code (SRC) Rule 68, the independent auditors or in the case of an auditing firm, key audit partners, as defined under this Guidelines, shall comply with the provisions on long association of personnel (including partner rotation) with an audit client as prescribed in the Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants in the Philippines as adopted by the Board of Accountancy (BOA) and Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) and such other standards as may be adopted by the SEC.

Group C

a. b. c. d.

4.

Lead partners and engagement quality control reviewers of the audit firms appointed by covered entities shall be included in the Financial Sector Regulators’ List of Accredited/Selected External Auditors. They shall be subject to the same accreditation/selection process in accordance with this Memorandum Circular. In the event that the selected partners leave the audit firm prior to the expiration of his/ her inclusion in the Financial Sector Regulators’ List of Accredited/Selected External Auditors, he/she may only audit covered institutions under Category C unless he/ she is subsequently included in the Financial Sector Regulators’ list of Accredited/ Selected External Auditors as an individual external auditor under another category.

Insurance Commission: a. b. c. d.

3.

c.

Securities and Exchange Commission:

b. c. d.

2.

Must be accredited with the PRC/BOA and the name of the partners applying for accreditation/selection should appear in the attachment to the certificate of accreditation issued by the PRC/BOA. Must have established adequate quality assurance procedures to ensure full compliance with the recognized standards in accounting, auditing and regulatory requirements; Must have partner/s, who are accredited/selected under the same category as the audit firm is applying for, at the time of application and during the validity of its inclusion in the Financial Sector Regulators’ List of Accredited/ Selected External Auditors: and At the time of application, the applicant firm must have the following track record:

a. b.

Group B.

a.

1.

Covered institutions shall engage the services of an external auditor included in the List of Accredited/Selected External Auditors for covered institutions supervised by the Financial Sector Regulators. In this respect, covered institutions shall only appoint an external auditor belonging to the same category or from higher categories than what is required for the covered institutions: Provided, that the respective Financial Sector Regulators may require covered institutions to appoint an external auditor from higher categories than what is required as part of its supervisory action on the covered institution.

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas: a. b. c.

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

A non-stock, non-profit corporation that is already scoped in by the above requirement can only be excluded if its annual donations or contributions and/or fund balance fall below Twenty-Five Million Pesos (P25 Million) and One Hundred Million Pesos (P100 Million), respectively, over the preceding three (3) years; and Such other corporations that the Commission may consider as imbued with public interest regardless of the lack of a requirement to obtain a secondary license from the Commission.

Insurance Commission: a. b. c.

THE Department of Justice has been asked to prosecute four policemen for allegedly extorting money from the family of an arrested suspected illegal drugs trader.

The Philippine National Police-Integrity Monitoring and Enforcement Group (PNP-IMEG) presented the four policemen before Assistant State Prosecutor Susan Villanueva on Thursday afternoon for inquest proceedings.

The PNP-IMEG charged Corporals Nickson Mina, Juan Carlo Guzman, and Francis Mikko Gagarino, and Patrolman Tom Hikilan, all members of the Manila Police District Station 4, with kidnap-for-ransom and violating the anti-torture law.

The four were arrested Wednesday morning during an entrapment operation set-up by the PNP. During the operation, police operatives caught the suspects in the act of receiving P200,000 in marked money.

The PNP-IMEG acted on the complaint of the family of an arrested drug suspect.

The family alleged that the four policemen demanded P500,000 for the release of the drug suspect who allegedly also got tortured following his arrested last Nov.12.

b.

Securities and Exchange Commission: a.

By Rey E. Requejo

The Financial Sector Regulators may effect any modification or amendments to the above categories or groups as the need arises.

SECTION 2. DEFINITION OF TERMS •

Financing Companies whose assets in the preceding year are above Ten Million Pesos (P10 Million); Lending Companies whose assets in the preceding year are above Five Million Pesos (P5 Million); Transfer agents; Non-stock, non-profit corporations including foundations which solicit or receive annual donations or contributions and/or with fund balance amounting to more than Twenty-Five Million Pesos (P25 Million) and One Hundred Million Pesos (P100 Million), respectively, over the preceding three (3) years or such other amount that the Commission may set through order or guidelines.

Raps filed vs. 4 police for alleged extortion

3.

Copy of a valid PRC/BOA Certificate of Accreditation or PRC Accreditation under Philippine bilateral agreements, with attachment listing the name of qualified partner/s of the firms (as applicable); Notarized certification that the applicant has attended or participated in training for at least 120 hours in subjects like international financial reporting and auditing standards, corporate governance, taxation, code of ethics and regulatory requirements of the BSP, IC and SEC relevant to the practice and qualified as a form of compliance with the Continuing Professional Development Program of the PRC/BOA; and Copy of Amended Quality Assurance Manual (if any).

b.

The external auditor shall apply for renewal within the first six (6) months of the last year of validity of its inclusion in the Financial Sector Regulators’ List of Accredited/Selected External Auditors.

c.

The applicable fees currently collected by each of the Financial Sector Regulators shall apply in the applications for accreditation/selection of External Auditors until the same has been adjusted or increased by the SEC.

The procedures for the processing and approval of applications for accreditation of external auditors, as provided for under the Revised Securities Regulation Code (SRC) Rule 68 or subsequent amendments thereto shall govern for those who are applying for SEC accreditation.

However, the SEC Conditional Accreditation granted under this Memorandum Circular shall be for a period of one audit year only. The external auditors granted a Conditional Accreditation shall file a new application before the expiration of the same.

SECTION 7. REPORTORIAL REQUIREMENTS The external auditor included in the List of Accredited/Selected External Auditors shall adhere to the regulatory and reportorial requirements set out by the respective Financial Sector Regulators of the covered institutions.

SECTION 8. SUSPENSION AND/OR DELISTING OF EXTERNAL AUDITORS IN THE LIST OF ACCREDITED/SELECTED EXTERNAL AUDITORS An external auditor included in the List of Accredited/Selected External Auditors shall be suspended or delisted by the Financial Sector Regulator concerned based on its applicable rules and regulations The suspension or delisting of the external auditors shall be the sole responsibility of each of the Financial Sector Regulators. The regulator concerned shall inform the SEC of the suspension and/or delisting of external auditor, including the grounds for the same.

SECTION 9. TRANSITORY PROVISION External auditors whose validity of SEC accreditation will expire on or before December 31, 2020 are hereby given an extension of their accreditation therefore allowing them to engage in the audit of the 2019 financial statements.

SECTION 10. REPEALING CLAUSE The provisions of Revised SRC Rule 68, not consistent with the provisions of this Memorandum Circular, particularly the validity period of the SEC accreditation, the terms for the grant of Conditional Accreditation and training requirements for accreditation are hereby repealed or amended.

SECTION 11. EFFECTIVITY This Memorandum Circular shall become effective upon its publication in two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Issued this 11th day of November 2019.

Pasay City.

For the Commission en banc:

EMILIO B. AQUINO Chairperson (MS-NOV. 16, 2019)

Sports

Hitting Spree tries to make it 3 straight wins D EFENDING champion Hitting Spree tries to make it three in a row in the 2019 Ambassador Eduardo M. Cojuangco Jr. Cup on Sunday at the Saddle and Clubs Leisure Park Racetrack in Naic, Cavite.

The SC Stockfarm-owned Hitting Spree delivered an emphatic five-length victory in keeping her Ambassador Eduardo M. Cojuangco Jr. Cup crown last year at the same venue.

For the third straight year, Hitting Spree will be ridden again by jockey Kelvin Abobo in the prestigious 2,000-meter race offering a whopping total purse of P3,150,000 and held in honor of the San Miguel Corp. Chairman, a stalwart in the horseracing industry.

Twelve other thoroughbreds, led by Hitting Spree’s stablemate and Triple Crown winner Sepfourteen (jockey JA Guce), will be crowding the reigning titlist for the top purse of P1.8 million in the rich racing weekend put up by the Philippine Racing Commission.

Runner-up gets P675,000, while third-, fourth- and fifth-placers receive P375,000, P150,000 and P100,000, respectively.

Ambassador Cojuangco himself has donated special championship trophies to the winners and a medallion to the champion jockey.

Joining the fray are Bugle Notes

(jockey JB Hernandez, owner Bell Racing Stable); Certain To Win (CP Henson, Bingson Tecson); Christmas Sky (Pat R Dilema, C&H Enterprises, Inc.); Greatwall (FM Raquel, Jr., Robert Ramirez); Metamorphosis (CS Pare Jr., Francisco Paulo Crisostomo); Murika (RG Fernandez, Joseph Dyhengco); Super Sonic (JB Guce, Leonardo Javier, Jr.); Time and Again (Val R. Dilema, Napoleon Magno); Truly Ponti (PM Cabalejo, Narciso Morales); UND Kantar (Ro Niu, Jr., Melaine Habla); and Viva Morena (Dan Camañero, Bienvenido Pierre Niles III.) “The big guns are all here, making the Ambassador Eduardo M. Cojuangco Jr. Cup truly one of the year’s biggest races in terms of prize money and star power.

Racing enthusiasts will be in for a treat,” said Philracom Chairman Andrew A. Sanchez.

More big stakes races are still in the offing from Philracom in the coming months. After the Ambassador Eduardo M. Cojuangco Jr. Cup is the 2nd leg of the 3YO Imported/Local Challenge on Nov. 24.

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SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2019 sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

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Failure to c o m p l y by the Custodian Bank, Trust Entity or External Auditor as IOE

TODAY

SEC Memorandum Circular No. 21 Series of 2019 TO

:

INVESTMENT COMPANIES SUBJECT

Reprimand

In the case of orings B.

C.

D.

Definition of Terms

b. c.

d. e.

B.

II.

A.

Audit Committee of the Investment Company as IOE

B.

The members of the Audit Committee must have relevant background knowledge, skills and experience in the areas of accounting, auditing, finance, capital markets and/or other related fields.

The Chairman’s Cup is sponsored by Escala Tagaytay, Megaforce Security, Golforce and City Advertising with support fromElm’s Kapihan Group, JTen Sports Inc. and Luisita Golf and Country Club, Logitech PH, Metro Rail Transit and Klio International Marketing.

“We prepared a great tournament for them and we hope they enjoy the two days at Forest Hills, said general manager Raymond Bunquin of the event backed

by GAC, Turf Company, J-Ten Sports, Taishan Insurance Brokers Philippines, Hoher Inc., and Silicon Computers.

3.

4.

5.

Navo, Burgos fastest in triathlon TEENAGERS Richard Anson Navo and Erika Nicole Burgos led all competitors in their respective categories during 2nd MediCard Sprint Tri held recently at Fontana Leisure Park in Clark, Pampanga.

Navo registered the fastest time in the 600-meter swim—20 Kilometer bike—5 Km run event with 1 hour, 8 minutes and 46 seconds, earning himself the Male 15-17 title.

Next to him were two of his fellow age-group competitors Adrian Thomas Dionisio and Lorenzo Joaquin Solda with 1:09:46 and 1:10:45, respectively.

Among the ladies in the event supported by MediCard Philippines, Standard Insurance, Klean Athlete Nutritional Supplements, Smart, official timing partner Garmin, hydration partners Pocari Sweat and Sip Purified Water, recovery partner Air Relax Massage Guns Philippines, hotels Fontana and Royce Hotel & Casino, Erika Nicole Burgos was unbeatable in the Female 15-17 category with 1:24:26. Following Burgos was 18-24 champion Franchesca Ezzabella Joves with 1:26:49 and 25-29 champion Kath Lagusnad with 1:27:44.

Other champions of the race can be accessed at www.bikekingphilippines.com “Today’s triathlon was pretty good as several participants, including people I personally know, became triathletes for the first time. Aside from seeing the participants enjoy the race to stay healthy, it was inspiring also to see participants aged fifty and older finish the race with strong determination,” said MediCard President Dr. Nicky S. Montoya.

Among the highlights of the race was the successful finish of 78-year-old 1st-timer Ruben Del Rosario, who was greeted by his family and grandchildren near the finish line.

i.

ii.

Roles and Responsibilities of an IOE

2.

6.

7.

8.

D.

Description

Failure to comply by the Audit Committee as IOE

iii.

The Commission may prescribe a licensure exam which would replace the above-required certification or professionalization program on fund management and/or other relevant program or training.

IV.

Reprimand

Second Violation

₱20,000.00

Third Violation

The Fund Manager shall carry out the liquidation of assets on behalf of the Investment Company. In all cases of revocation of the Registration Statement and Certificate of Permit to Offer Securities for Sale, the Fund Manager must liquidate the assets within a maximum period of six (6) months from the receipt of the Investment Company of the Order revoking the Registration Statement and its Certificate. The Investment Company must wind up or amend its business purposes within one (1) year from receipt of the same.

In addition to the requirement of Rule 13.1.8 of the ICA IRR, the Fund Manager shall file a monthly report with the Commission, within ten (10) days after the end of every month, on the redemption of securities in the immediately preceding month. The report shall include the following: 1.

2.

3.

4.

₱50,000

Disqualification of the erring member as a director of the concerned I n v e s t m e n t Company, Fund Manager and such other Funds managed by the same Fund Manager for a period of two (2) years from disqualification

Number of shares redeemed; Number of shareholders or unitholders whose securities were redeemed; Number of shareholders or unitholders whose securities are yet to be redeemed; and The reasons why their securities are not yet redeemed.

In cases specified under Rules 5.1.10 and 13.1.2 (d) of the ICA IRR, where the Commission appoints a liquidator to facilitate the liquidation of assets, the liquidator shall file the report as specified above.

The failure of the Fund Manager or the liquidator to comply with any of the foregoing requirements shall subject it to a basic penalty of Twenty Thousand Pesos (₱20,000.00) for each violation and a monthly penalty of Five Thousand Pesos (₱5,000.00). The monthly penalty shall continue to accrue until the report is completed.

As to the redemption of funds, the Fund Manager or the liquidator may appoint a Transfer Agent or a Custodian Bank, who will act as a disbursing agent for the redeemed shares/units. The appointed Transfer Agent or Custodian Bank must be in operation for at least five (5) years.

V.

Fourth violation

Liquidation of Assets and Winding up of the Investment Company All Investment Companies, regardless of whether it transacts under cross-border agreements or not, shall ensure compliance with these rules on winding up.

For failure of the IOE to comply with any of its responsibilities, the penalty shall be:

First Violation

At least a Bachelor’s degree, or its equivalent; completed a Certification or Professionalization program on fund management and/or relevant program or training recognized globally or locally and acceptable to the Commission; and at least three (3) years of experience within the past five (5) years in fund management and/or related functions; Professional qualifications; completed a certification or professionalization program on fund management and/or other relevant program or training recognized globally or locally and acceptable to the Commission; and at least five (5) years of experience within the past seven (7) years in fund management and/or related functions; or If a qualified professional is appointed on a non-permanent basis: at least five (5) years of experience within the past seven (7) years in fund management and/or related functions; in lieu of professional qualifications, must have completed a certification or professionalization program or training recognized globally or locally and acceptable to the Commission; and obtained a prior approval from the Commission of his engagement as such.

The Commission shall be notified of the appointment or official engagement of the said key officer, through SEC Form ICA-IA, within five (5) days from appointment or official engagement, whichever is earlier. The same procedure and form shall also be applied in cases of disengagement/resignation of said key officer.

Penalties A.

An Investment Company, or the Fund Manager authorized by the former, who fails to appoint an independent entity that will calculate or cross-check the investment company’s NAV every dealing day shall be subject to a basic penalty of Fifty Thousand Pesos (₱50,000.00) and a monthly penalty of Five Thousand Pesos (₱5,000.00). The monthly penalty shall accrue until the Investment Company, or the authorized Fund Manager, appoints said independent entity. This is without prejudice to other administrative sanctions which may be imposed by the Commission.

i. Key officers, who are responsible for making investment decisions shall have any of the following qualifications:

Custodian Bank, Trust Entity or External Auditor as IOE

Exercise care and diligence when monitoring the transactions and functions of the Fund Manager; Oversee the transactions and functions of the Fund Manager to ensure compliance with the disclosures made in the Registration Statement (RS), prospectus, the Investment Company Act, Securities Regulation Code and their implementing rules and regulations (IRR). For cross-border offerings or transactions, in addition to the abovementioned, oversee the transactions of the Fund Manager in order to ensure that it also complies with the standards/requirements of bilateral or multilateral agreements allowing cross-border offering/transaction that the Philippines is party to; Oversee the subscription and redemption of shares or units facilitated by the Fund Manager and to approve the request of the Fund Manager in the case of suspension of redemption of shares or units whenever necessary for the protection of the investors subject to the rules on Suspension of Redemption provided under Rule 10.4 of ICA-IRR; Oversee the activities of the Fund Manager in order to ensure that it complies with the rules on investment restrictions/limitations, liquidity requirements and other regulations involving the operationalization of the investment objectives, investment policy or strategy of the Investment Company; Oversee the transactions of the Fund Manager to ensure that delegation will not result in unnecessary fees to be paid by the Investment Company and ensure that it will not delegate its function to the extent that it becomes a letter box such as when it no longer has the power to take decisions in the implementation of the investment policy and strategies nor retain the suitable processes to monitor, control the activities and evaluate the performance of the delegatee; If, in the reasonable opinion of the IOE, the Fund Manager has not complied with any of the laws, rules or regulations applicable to the Investment Company and/or it failed to report to the Commission the said non-compliance, notify the Commission of its opinion, including particulars of the non-compliance, not later than five (5) business days after forming the opinion or upon knowledge of the noncompliance. The notification shall be done by filing an SEC Form 17-C. It shall also notify, without delay, the members of the Board of Directors of the Investment Company of its opinion so that the Board can apprise the Fund Manager of the said non-compliance and address any resulting breach; Report to the Commission, any act of the Fund Manager which in its opinion may be detrimental to the interests of the shareholders or unitholders even if the said act is not in violation of any law, rule or regulation, not later than five (5) business days from knowledge thereof; and If necessary, recommend to the Board of Directors of the Investment Company that the Fund Manager be removed due to its inability to fulfill its functions.

The External Auditor shall not be the same as the one auditing the Investment Company and Fund Manager.

All Fund Managers of Investment Companies, which offer products either domestically or under a cross-border agreement, must comply with the professional qualifications requirements of key officers responsible in making investment decisions. The provisions of ICA Rule 5.1.1 (i) are hereby amended to read as follows:

The IOE shall: 1.

2.

Professional Qualifications of Key Officers Responsible for Making Investment Decisions

The Investment Company may appoint a custodian bank, trust entity or an external auditor as its IOE, subject to the same limitations under item II(A) (1-2) of this Circular, that it is not affiliated with the Fund Manager and Investment Company.

Cherrylume golf starts today AN Asian golf vacation package with hotel and airfare for two will be the grand raffle prize of the Cherrylume Chairman’s Cup, which starts today at the Forest Hills Golf Club in Antipolo City.

Local destination tours to Bohol, Boracay and Palawan would be also given away in this 17th edition of the event in honor of club chairman Atty. Ferdinand Santos.

Before that, the two-day golfest set at Forest Hills’ Nicklaus and Palmer courses, players can look forward to a GAC sedan, Texas Eagle cart, Cobra F7 driver and iron set, cash and GPS Tracker as holes in one prizes.

III.

The constitution of the Audit Committee, as well as its functions and responsibilities, shall be reflected in the Investment Company’s Manual of Corporate Governance.

C.

The Custodian Bank or Trust Entity must be duly licensed by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, provided that it does not hold directly/indirectly 10% or more of the total number of issued shares in the Investment Company, Fund Manager, or vice versa, nor have a common shareholder that holds directly/indirectly 10% or more of the total number of the issued share capital of the Investment Company or Fund Manager; and

The Investment Company is deemed to have failed to appoint the required independent entity and shall be subject to the same penalty upon discovery of the Commission that the Audit Committee or other service providers appointed are not capable of calculating the NAV.

A maximum cumulative term limit of nine (9) years shall be observed by independent directors serving as members of the Audit Committee pursuant to SEC Memorandum Circular No. 4, Series of 2017. No member of the Audit Committee may be removed as such by reason of his/her performance of duties under this Circular.

2.

1.

An Investment Company may engage for this purpose its Audit Committee acting as IOE, provided that it is capable of calculating the NAV, and other service providers capable of calculating the NAV, provided that they are not affiliated with the Investment Company and Fund Manager.

To qualify as an IOE, the Audit Committee must be composed of at least three (3) non-executive directors, the majority of whom, including the Chairperson, should be independent. In order to ensure independence and prevent conflict of interest, the members of the Audit Committee shall not be allowed to hold interlocking directorships in other entities involved in the operation of the Investment Company such as the Fund Manager, Fund Distributor, Fund Advisor, Transfer Agent and Custodian.

CYCLISTS READY. Members of the Standard Insurance-backed Philippine Cycling Team, managed by Ernesto “Judes” Echauz (4th from right), are shown after gracing a sports forum in Manila. The Filipino cyclists are eyeing at least six gold medals in the coming 30th Southeast Asian Games. Former SEA Games’ gold medalist Mariela Salamat, El Joshua Carino and Ronald Oranza and newcomer Jermyn Prado said they all have what it takes to rule the competitions scheduled in Nasugbu, Batangas. Also present during the forum are Underwater Hockey president Dennis Valdes, athletes JV Lim, Tops Policarpio and Ben Lim.

An Investment Company is required to engage an independent entity that will calculate or cross-check its Net Asset Value (NAV) every dealing day which may be the custodian bank, trust entity, external auditor, audit committee or other service providers capable of calculating the NAV. To be considered independent, the following criteria must be met:

An Investment Company may constitute its Audit Committee as its IOE or may engage the services of a custodian bank, trust entity or an external auditor to serve as such.

Upon the election of directors, the board shall promptly constitute its Audit Committee. The names of the members of the committee shall be reported to the Commission, through a Current Report (SEC Form 17-C), and reflected in the General Information Sheet (GIS), along with the results of the elections.

The continuous non-compliance with the requirements of these Rules shall constitute a ground for the imposition of penalties provided under the Securities Regulation Code (SRC), Revised Corporation Code (RCC), and their Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR), such as suspension and revocation of the subject entity’s registration and/or secondary licenses.

Independent Net Asset Value Calculation

Constitution or Engagement of an IOE

1.

Basic penalty: ₱20, 000.00 Monthly penalty: ₱2,000.00

The monthly penalty shall accrue until the appointment of a qualified member of the Audit Committee.

An Investment Company shall perform oversight over its Fund Manager. Hence, the former is required to have an Independent Oversight Entity which shall function as an impartial committee or entity tasked to monitor the transactions and functions carried out by the Fund Manager.

Executive Director – a director who is also the head of a department or unit of the Investment Company or performs any work related to its operation Non-executive director – a director who is not the head of a department or unit of the Investment Company nor performs any work related to its operation Independent Director – a person who, apart from his fees and shareholdings, is independent of management and free from any business or other relationship which could, or could reasonably be perceived to, materially interfere with his exercise of independent judgment in carrying out his/her responsibilities as a director Independent Oversight Entity (IOE) - an impartial committee or entity tasked to monitor the transactions and functions carried out by the Fund Manager Affiliate – refers to an entity that holds directly/indirectly at least 10% or more of the total number of issued shares in the Investment Company, Fund Manager, or vice versa, or have a common shareholder that holds directly/indirectly 10% or more of the total number of the issued share capital of the Investment Company or Fund Manager

The appointment of an unqualified entity or member of the Audit Committee as IOE shall subject the Investment Company to the following: i. ii.

Independent Oversight Entity (IOE)

a.

Basic Penalty: ₱50,000.00 Monthly Penalty: ₱5,000.00

The monthly penalty shall accrue until the necessary assistance has been provided.

To enhance the regulatory compliance of Investment Companies and their Fund Managers, and to ensure adequate protection for shareholders and unitholders, the following rules are hereby adopted:

A.

Failure to comply by the Fund Manager to provide the necessary assistance required by the IOE to enable it to perform its functions shall be subject to the following: i. ii.

Section 35(a) of Republic Act No. 2629, or the Investment Company Act (ICA), and Section 72 of Republic Act No. 8799, or the Securities Regulation Code (SRC), vest upon the Securities and Exchange Commission the authority to make, issue, amend, and rescind rules and regulations and orders which are necessary or appropriate to the exercise of the powers conferred upon it in the ICA and the SRC. For purposes of its rules and regulations, the Commission may classify persons, securities and other matters within its jurisdiction and prescribe different requirements for different classes of persons, securities or matters.

I.

₱50,000

In the case of an Audit Committee serving as IOE, all members of the Audit Committee shall be jointly and severally liable for the monetary penalty mentioned above. Each member is liable for the entire obligation but he/she who made the payment may reimburse or claim from his/her co-members the share which corresponds to each.

ALL INVESTMENT COMPANIES FUND MANAGERS OTHER ENTITIES DEALING WITH RULES ON THE APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT OVERSIGHT ENTITY, INDEPENDENT NET ASSET VALUE CALCULATION, QUALIFICATIONS OF KEY OFFICERS OF FUND MANAGERS, AND LIQUIDATION OF ASSETS AND WINDING UP OF INVESTMENT COMPANIES

:

₱20,000.00

Disqualification of the erring entity to act as IOE for all Investment Companies for a period of two (2) years from disqualification

Transitory Provision and Effectivity This Circular shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in two (2) newspapers of general circulation. Compliance with the Rules may be deferred by the Commission provided that the deferment shall not exceed more than six (6) months from the effectivity date.

Pasay City, Philippines. September 24, 2019.

For the Commission:

EMILIO B. AQUINO Chairperson (MS-NOV. 16, 2019)

Sports

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

sports@manilastandard.net

sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

A8

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2019

Wright triple lifts Phoenix past Elite five

By Jeric Lopez MATTHEW Wright capped his gamelong brilliance by knocking down an amazing game-winning triple in the left corner to lift Phoenix to a thrilling 120-117 escape win over Blackwater in overtime and exit its campaign the right way in the 2019 Philippine Basketball Association at the Smart Araneta Coliseum last night.

With the game tied at 117-all, the Fuel Masters went straight to the red-hot Wright in the final possession and the prolific gunner did not disappoint, calmly sinking the winning trey at the buzzer over two defenders to allow Phoenix to end its season on a positive note.

Phoenix was ahead 117-114 in the final minute, but Roi Sumang’s threepoint play with 3.7 ticks left tied it at 117.

However, Wright, who was also responsible for sending the game to overtime in the first place, was determined to lift the Fuel Masters.

He finished with 28 points, including five crucial triples down the stretch,with six rebounds and four assists, while Alonzo Gee had a game-high 34 markers and 12 boards as the duo powered Phoenix.

With both teams already eliminated and tied at the cellar entering the contest, the Fuel Masters and the Elite just wanted a respectful end to their dismal run in the conference.

It was Phoenix who wanted the feel good win more, despite the non-bearing circumstances.

The Fuel Masters ended its campaign at 3-8 for 11th place, while the Elite, as a result of the loss, finished dead last at 2-9.

Down 107-99 in the final minute of regulation, the Fuel Masters uncorked a torrid 10-2 run anchored by three straight triples by Wright to even the count at 109-all with two seconds remaining in the fourth.

PH judo confident of winning 4 golds in 30th SEA Games JUDO could also be a source of gold medals when Team Philippines competes in the 30th Southeast Asian Games that opens on November 30 at the Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan.

Philippine Judo Federation President Dave Carter said they are confident to win at least four gold medals, especially now that Kiyomi Watanabe and the rest of the team are all in great fighting condition.

The 23-year-old Watanabe is a bright gold medal potential.

She has won the mint in the women’s -63kg class in the Naypyitaw, Singapore and Kuala Lumpur editions of the meet and is all primed to clinch a spot in the Tokyo Olympics next year.

In fact, she is already at No. 23 in the world ranking and just needs to figure prominently in various international competitions to maintain her status inside the top 26 until the cut-off in May next year.

Aside from Watanabe, Carter is also pinning his hopes on Mariya Takahashi, Heisi Nakano, Shugen Nakano,Shin Matsumura and Riyoko Salinas.

“The national judo team is ready— not just for the SEA Games, but also for the Olympics,” Carter said, adding that the Philippine Sports Commission has been generous in providing everything they need.

MVP Calvin Oftana of San Beda University and Fran Yu of Letran stumble to the ground as they fight for ball possession in Game 2 of the NCAA Season 95 Men’s Basketball Championship Finals at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City. Dennis Abrina

Lions force deciding Game 3

By Peter Atencio

T

HE defending champion San Beda Red Lions will get a chance to go for a four-peat.

Fil-Canadian James Canlas, also known as James Kwekuteye, drilled in a game-high 21 points, including two key charities in the last 4.5 seconds, sending the Red Lions to a 79-76 victory over the Letran Knights Friday night at the Mall of Asia Arena.

SBU tied its best-of three finals series with Letran at 1-all in the 95th National Collegiate Athletic Association men’s basketball tournament, forcing a deciding Game 3 on Tuesday.

The Knights, who won Game 1, 65-64, lost key player Fran Yu to cramps in the

last four minutes. They then blew their chance to force an overtime when Jerrick Balanza mishandled a long pass from Larry Muyang as time expired.

Forward Calvin Oftana, who was hailed as the season MVP, shot 17 points with Clint Doliguez, putting the Red Lions in front, 77-76, with his three-point play off Edson Batiller’s fifth foul.

“Letran did a good job. They have been ready for us. Fran Yu, wow. We’re just lucky, he got cramps. That’s why he could not get back in the game. I salute that guy.

But again, a win is a win. We’ll take this one. I’m just happy we got over Game 2,” said Red Lions’ coach Boyet Fernandez.

Letran refused to fold in the final quarter and fought its way out of a 66-72 deficit.

With Game 1 hero, point guard Yu battling cramps, the Knights grabbed a 72-all deadlock on a 6-0 run, which Jeo Ambohot capped with a layup off Batiller’s pass.

Before the 5’10” Yu left the court, he showed the way with 23 points, including 14 in the third period, where the Knights battled back from a 25-37 halftime deficit.

Yu capped a 7-0 blast with a jumper that yanked Letran out of 59-all deadlock and into a 66-59 lead with 7:40 left.

He was good for only five points in the final canto, when Yu had to leave the game exhausted and with leg cramps with 3:41 to go.

Earlier, Mclaude Guadana unloaded 19 points, including a crucial triple in the last 41 seconds to help lift the Lyceum Junior Pirates to a 79-74 win over the San Beda Red Cubs in Game 2 of the junior division finals.

Guadana’s trey allowed the Junior Pirates to gain some distance in the dying seconds, 76-71, and the Junior Pirates will have a chance to go for the crown, now that their best-of-three series is tied at 1-1.

“Talagang all-out na yung mga players

North repeats vs South, ties Duel series STA. ROSA, Laguna—Team North took the best dished out by some of the country’s best from the South and proved they’re better—individually— dominating the singles, 8 1/2-3 1/2, to repeat as The Duel—North vs South champions at Sta. Elena Golf Club here yesterday.

Unfazed by their rivals’ edge in depth, led by three top guns who swept the last four legs of this year’s Philippine Golf Tour, the Northerners relied on their big fighting heart and resolve, taking five of the first seven matches while squaring off in one to all but rule their sixth faceoff in the country’s version of the Ryder Cup, 14 1/2-9 1/2.

North’s strong start likewise turned what was expected to be a down-to-thewire finish into a runaway triumph after South forced a tie at 6 points after fighting back, 4-2, in foursomes Thursday.

“It’s a question of making the right match-ups and they did well,” said North coach Cookie La’O, whose wards also beat Team South by three at John Hay in 2017. “It’s a job well done.”

It was, indeed, as each winning member received P80,000 plus trophies and medals from organizing Pilipinas Golf Tournaments Inc. executive director

Lei Dominique Sarmiento of the JAF Racing Team, one of the young lady drivers of the National Slalom Series, waits for her turn.

Tigers to see a different Eagles today

By Peter Atencio

Members of Team North hoist their huge trophy after beating Team South for the second straight time to level their Duel series with Team South at three wins apiece.

Narlene Soriano and Sta. Elena’s Rico Tantoco during awards rites. The South members took P40,000 each.

North, which won the opening fourball, 4-2, Wednesday, thus completed a back-to-back title romp and squared off their series at three wins apiece in the

biennial event which served as highlight of the PGT’s 10th season.

South ruled the inaugurals in 2012 in Alabang but North struck back in 2013, also at the Muntinlupa layout, before South won the next two editions in Cebu and Wack Wack.

Varron wins overall best time in Phoenix Slalom

FRANZ Varron of Jemag Racing Team bagged overall and front wheel best time of the day with 47.02 seconds in the recent 10th leg of the RACE Motorsports Club Phoenix Pulse Technology National Slalom Series at NE Pacific Mall Cabanatuan City.

ko, kasi wala naman kaming choice. Dahil kung hindi, tapos na ang finals. Gusto talaga nila patunayan na kaya na lumaban dito. Of course, first time namin to play in the finals. Pero nakapag-adjust kami, and we executed well on offense and maganda din ‘yung naging depensa ng team,” said Junior Pirates coach JC Docto.

Jarolan Omandac contributed 18 points and had five rebounds for the Junior Pirates, while Yukien Andrada and Justin Sanchez made 18 and 15 points for the Red Cubs.

The Scores: SAN BEDA 79—Canlas 21, Oftana 17, Doliguez 17, Carino 7, Nelle 5, Soberano 5, Cuntapay 3, Tankoua 2, Abuda 2, Bahio 0, Noah 0 LETRAN 76—Yu 23, Muyang 17, Batiller 11, Ambohot 9, Balanza 9, Caralipio 7, Olivario 0, Ular 0, Mina 0, Reyson 0, Balagasay 0, Sangalang 0.

Quarters: 18-7, 37-25, 53-56, 79-76

Estefano Rivera, using a borrowed car, placed second with 47.72, while Rod Chang of JAF Racing Team came in third with 48.22.

Leonard Cristoba placed fourth with 48.56, JP Polintan came in fifth with 48.96 and Powee Base of PMMS REnnsport Racing Team ranked sixth with 49.94.

Joseph Ortega got the Rear Wheel Production best time of 52.24.

Meanwhile, Chang brought home the novice best time of 39.23, followed by JP Polintan with 48.96. Leonard Cristobal came in next with 48.56.

The 2019 RACE Motorsports Club Phoenix Pulse Technology National Slalom Series with enhanced power and accelera-

tion is also supported by major sponsors Federal Tyres and 3K Batteries. It is also backed

by Starbright Body Kits, Auto Transporter, media partners Stoplight TV, C! Magazine, Mayor Myca Vergara and Eugene Mintu, who provided the Ambulance for the event, and Pacific Mall.

The event was participated in

by Tough Gear Racing Team, PMMS Rennsports, JEMAG Racing Team, JAF Racing Team, Pongga Racing Team, Garahe ni Juan and Speedjav, The 11th leg will be held on Nov. 17 at Robinsons Antipolo, while the 12th and final leg for the year will be on Dec. 7 or 8 in Cabanatuan City.

For details, contact Bing Bang Dulce at 09178119337 or like the

event’s Facebook page racemotorsportsclub.

Some of the official Results: Novice Stock Injected: 1st Glen Suba 53.74; 2nd Ivan Limueco 60.82; 3rd Lei Sarmiento 65.46 Novice Stock Carburated: 1st John Carlos Allarde 71.44 Novice Modified A: 1st Lorenz Rivera 51.96; 2nd Carlo de Guzman 52.84; 3rd Glen Suba 53.98; 4th Ivan Limueco 54.26; 5th Marc Varron 54.92; 6th John Carlos Allarde 70.48 Novice Modified B: 1st JP Polintan 48.96; 2nd Leonard Cristobal 49.10; 3rd Rod Chang 52.74 Novice Modified C: 1st Leonard Cristobal 49.18; 2nd Rod Chang 50.04; 3rd JP Polintan 50.92

THE defending champion Ateneo Blue Eagles are coming off a 15-day break when they meet the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers today in Game 1 of the 82nd University Athletic Association of the Philippines men’s basketball finals.

The long layoff following a 14game sweep of the eliminations could make the Blue Eagles’ performance rusty when Game 1 of their best of three finals with the Growling Tigers reels off at 4 p.m. today at the Araneta Coliseum.

But the Blue Eagles could still turn out to be a different team after coach Tab Baldwin and his coaching staff met behind closed doors after the elimination round to come up with a battle plan that the Growling Tigers have never seen before on the floor.

“We will put some new stuff in, that teams won’t be able to go back and review our films and say that we’re going to see the same team.

That’s one of our advantages of the break and we’re gonna have some fun,” said Baldwin.

The Blue Eagles, who have a thriceto-beat advantage, rank high as a defensive team after limiting their rivals to 59.5 points per game.

The Growling Tigers are fourth in their defensive efforts, allowing the opposing squads to score an average of 74.94 points.

With their thrice-to-beat bonus, the Blue Eagles will be full of confidence against the Growling Tigers, whom they will face in the finals again after seven years.

“We need to cherish these three weeks. We need to be productive in these three weeks. I’m really confident that we can build a better basketball team that we have with this time so that’s what we’re going to do.

I don’t think there’s a question about managing it, we’re gonna go to practice and we’re going to improve,” added Baldwin.

IN BRIEF

October ‘hot money’ recorded at $104.5m

REGISTERED foreign portfolio investments, or “hot money,” posted a net inflow of $104.53 million in October 2019, a reversal of the $67.83-million net outflow a year ago, as fund managers reacted positively to the domestic and global developments during the period, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas said Friday.

“Domestic and international developments for the month included the progress on the US and China trade discussions; initial public offerings by firms in the industrial and services sectors; the BSP’s decision to reduce the reserve requirement ratio for universal/commercial and thrift banks by 100 basis points; and further slowdown of headline inflation to 0.8 percent in October from 0.9 percent in September,” the BSP said in a statement.

The October net inflow was also a turnaround from the $231.71-million net outflow a month ago. The figure brought hot money to a net outflow of $1.225 billion since the start of the year, a reversal of the $93.89-million net inflow a year ago. Julito G. Rada

Business

Business group seeks faster power auctions

THE Federation of Philippine Industries called on the Department of Energy and other industry players and stakeholders to speed up the next round of biddings for the much-needed greenfield base load capacity.

The group said the successful power supply agreements (PSA) two months ago that will deliver 1,200 megawtss and 500 MW of capacity effective December 26, 2019, should be followed as soon as possible by another round of Competitive Selection Process bidding.

The FPI also requested DOE and the Energy Regulatory Commission to urgently approve the current PSAs to prepare their implementation and effectivity.

FPI chairman Jesus Arranza lauded the signing of the additional contract capacity but questioned the long timeline for the PSA approval process.

“FPI welcomes the news of this muchneeded additional power, to meet the growing demand of our country. We just wish the government and regulator would act swifter on the PSA approvals,” he said.

October rice import volume down sharply

By Othel V. Campos RICE imports have declined significantly after the government imposed more stringent sanitary measures.

Agriculture Secretary William Dar said rice importation volume dropped to 85,000 metric tons in October from a monthly average of 254,000 MT in the first nine months of the year.

“We will continue to be strict and continue to elevate [food safety] measures before the issuance of sanitary and phytosanitary import clearance (SPSIC),” Dar said.

He stressed the department would continue to implement the measures, especially during harvest season, to protect local palay farmers from the further influx of cheaper imported rice.

The government has informed Vietnam and Thailand, the main sources of Manila’s rice imports, on the tighter measures.

“We are not afraid because we are after food safety,” Dar said.

Manila to date has imported 2.9 million MT. Dar said the review of the Rice Tariffication Law was premature amid calls by lawmakers and farmers, noting that the surge in volume of imported rice was a natural market reaction as a result of trade liberalization of the staple.

“In fact, a surge in imports is natural for any commodity being traded in a newly liberalized market. Give the law a chance. We want RTL to work for both farmers and consumers. At the end of the day, this is a reform that has been long wanting and should be implemented now,” he said.

The government started imposing tariff on imported rice in March in lieu of import quotas to ease inflation.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2019

B1

PAL’s losses jumped 139% to P7.86b in nine months

By Darwin G. Amojelar

Pag-IBIG Fund home loan payments up 12%

BUOYED by the strong collection of home loan payments in the last nine months, Pag-IBIG Fund’s performing loans ratio climbed to an all-time high, its top executives said.

The agency collected P38.56 billion from January to September, up 12 percent or P4.17 billion year-on-year. The amount is also a record high in terms of home loan payments collected by the agency for any January-to-September period.

“Collections remain robust as we sustained our momentum from 2018, which is our best year yet. We still have another quarter to go before this year ends but we are confident that 2019 will be another banner year because we continue to grow at a double-digit pace,” said Secretary Eduardo del Rosario, who heads both the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council and the 12-member Pag-IBIG Fund board of trustees.

“In the third quarter alone, home loan payments grew 20 percent year-on-year to P13.98 billion. Strong collections not only reinforce Pag-IBIG Fund’s financial sustainability, but also benefits our members because the amount we collect are then plowed back to our housing portfolio so that more members can avail of affordable home loans from Pag-IBIG Fund,” he added.

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

BAMBERTON CENTER. Bamberton Center, a 3,069 square-meter office development, will soon provide work spaces and commercial units to business corporations and retailers in Arca South in FTI, Taguig City. Leading the ground-breaking ceremony are (from left) Ever Bilena chief operations officer Silliman Sy, Bank of the Philippine Islands corporate banking team head for Visayas Raymond Go, JLL Philippines director Christophe Vicic, Bamberton chief executive and president Dioceldo Sy, Gerry Sy, ASYA president and architect Albert Yu, Ayala Land Inc. senior division manager Stephen Comia and Maxblocks CEO Kelvin Go.

JG Summit, LT Group, FDC register big profits C

By Jenniffer B. Austria

ONGLOMERATES JG Summit Holdings Inc., LT Group Inc. and Filinvest Development Corp. registered double-digit profit growths in the first nine months of the year amid tame inflation and the low interest rate environment.

LT Group, the listed holding company of beer and tobacco tycoon Lucio Tan, said net income in the nine-month period stood at P14.72 billion, up 17 percent from P12.57 billion year-on-year.

LT Group’s tobacco business accounted for P9.57 billion or 65 percent of the total income, followed by banking unit Philippine National Bank, which contributed P3.64 billion or 25 percent.

Eton Properties Philippines Inc. delivered P626 million while liquor unit Tanduay Distillers Inc. accounted for P509 million. Asia Brewery Inc. contributed P254 million while the group’s 30.9-percent stake in Victorias Milling Company Inc. accounted for P148 million.

JG Summit of the Gokongwei Group reported a consolidated net income of P22.5 billion in the nine months end-

ing September, up 52 percent on year.

Nine-month consolidated revenues rose 11 percent to P239.6 billion.

Core net income, which excludes the impact of forex and mark-to-market adjustments, climbed 11 percent year-onyear to P19.7 billion.

JG Summit said group revenues in the third quarter jumped 12 percent to P81.2 billion, fueled by higher sales from the property and airline businesses.

“We are happy to report another solid quarter and the business continues to post strong top line and profit growth for the year,” said JG Summit president and chief executive Lance Gokongwei.

“Growth was mainly driven by our core businesses in food, real-estate and airlines while challenges still remain in some of our business units like petro-

chemicals. Overall, the diversity of our portfolio including our minority investments has resulted in the group’s increase in earnings,” he said.

FDC, the listed holding company of the Gotianun family, posted a 16-percent increase in net income to P9 billion in the first nine months of 2019 from P7.7 billion on year.

The strong performance was on the back of a revenue growth of 15 percent, with its core businesses in property and banking, along with power and sugar, registering notable increases.

FDC said the property business, composed of the real estate and hospitality segments, remained a solid source of growth for the group, contributing more than half of FDC’s bottom line.

The group’s banking and financial services subsidiary, East West Banking Corp., contributed P4.4 billion in profit, up 44 percent on year.

Powr unit FDC Utilities Inc. contributed P2 billion in net income, up nine percent on year.

“We are pleased with the year-to-date performance of the group, with each of the reported business lines contributing positively to the bottom line,” said FDC president and CEO Josephine G. Yap.

REVOLUTION HIGHLANDS.

Prop-tech company Revolution Precrafted signs a partnership with SouthGroup Properties Inc. to develop an 8.5-hectare property in Lipa, Batangas and sell some 531 homes that will generate at least P3.1 billion in sales revenues.

Branded as “Revolution Highlands,” the project is a celebrity-curated residential complex that will feature curated homes, amenities and home interiors by both global and Philippine celebrities.

Sealing the agreement are Revolution Founder and CEO Robbie Antonio (left) and SouthGroup Properties Inc. vice president Kate Gardiola-Katigbak.

Payment of insured deposits in AMA Bank may face delay—PDIC

By Julito G. Rada STATE-RUN Philippine Deposit Insurance Corp. on Friday warned that the payment schedule of insured deposits of closed AMA Rural Bank of Mandaluyong Inc. could be delayed because of the bank’s refusal to turn over records to the liquidator agency.

PDIC took over AMA Rural Bank on Nov. 8 after the Monetary Board of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas ordered its closure a day earlier.

“Since then, the bank employees refused to account for and turn over to the PDIC the records under their individual accountabilities. Without these, the PDIC will be unable to immediately pay the claims of depositors for insured deposits,” PDIC executive vice president Ma. Ana Carmela Villegas told reporters in a briefing in Makati City.

Based on reports submitted to the PDIC as of June 30, 2019, the bank’s total deposits amounted to P1.4 billion involving 8,434 deposit accounts. Villegas said for a closed bank of this size, the PDIC pays the depositors up to 15 working days from the takeover date.

She said AMA Bank employees on the takeover date were enjoined to account for and turn over records and other accountabilities to the PDIC but they refused.

She said PDIC gave the bank employees 24 hours from receipt of the written demand (from Nov. 15) to report to the receiver.

“Until the bank employees comply, the payment schedule of insured deposits shall further be delayed,” Villegas said.

She said under Section 26 of the PDIC Charter or RA3591, as amended, refusal

to turn over or destroying or tampering bank records by any director, officer, employee or agent of a bank were considered criminal acts.

These are punishable with imprisonment of not less than six years up to 12 years or a fine of not more than P10 million, or both, at the discretion of the court.

PDIC officials, however, declined to divulge the name of the officials of AMA Rural Bank. They said PDIC issued 65 demand letters to comply as of Nov. 15.

“We will not hesitate to use the full force of the law... If we have bases to file cases we will do so. But after we publicized the identities [of the officials of the bank],” she said. Villegas added if bank employees continued to refuse to cooperate, PDIC “would have to reconstruct the records,” but that would take some time.

THE parent firm of Philippine Airlines said net loss ballooned by 139 percent to P7.86 billion in the first nine months of the year from a total comprehensive loss of P3.29 billion year-on-year on higher operating expenses.

PAL Holdings recorded a comprehensive loss of P4.85 billion in the third quarter, up 85 percent from a total comprehensive loss of P2.63 billion on year.

Consolidated revenues in the January-to-September period amounted to P117.92 billion, up by 5.6 percent from P111.62 billion on year.

“The increase was mainly from passenger and ancillary revenues due to additional frequencies and new routes which resulted to the growth in passenger volume,” PAL Holdings said.

This was partly offset by the decrease in cargo revenues by 7.9 percent.

Consolidated revenues in the third quarter reached P36.67 billion, slightly lower by 0.3 percent from last year’s same period figure of P36.78 billion.

PAL Holding’s consolidated operating expenses rose 2.2 percent to P117.13 billion from last year’s P114.67 billion.

“This was due to the increase in maintenance expense by 8.8 percent and aircraft and traffic servicing expenses by 2.7 percent driven by the growth in fleet, passenger and network operations. Reservation and sales likewise increased by 10.7 percent due to the growth in passenger volume,” the company said.

Lucio Tan Jr., the namesake of his father, was appointed as the new president of PAL Holdings before he died this week.

PAL made the announcement in late October after the resignation of Gilbert Santa Maria.

Sta. Maria, however, will remain as president and chief operating officer of PAL, the operating unit.

PAL executive vice president for treasury, treasurer and chief administrative officer Vivienne Tan, along with Santa Maria and his team, are mapping out strategies to reduce costs, enhance customer experience and increase revenues.

BSP: September remittances rose by 6.3% to $2.4b MONEY sent home by Filipinos working overseas in September this year rose 6.3 percent to $2.4 billion from $2.23 billion a year ago, despite global headwinds and the threat of a worldwide slowdown in economic activity.

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas said in a statement Friday the figure brought cash remittances in the first nine months to $22.2 billion, up 4.2 percent from $21.3 billion a year ago.

“By type of worker, cash remittances from land-based and sea-based workers increased by 3.2 percent to $17.3 billion, and 8 percent to $4.9 billion, respectively,” the BSP said.

By country source, the United States registered the highest share of total remittances during the Januaryto-September period 37.5 percent. It was followed by Saudi Arabia, Singapore, United Arab Emirates, Japan, the UK, Canada, Hong Kong, Germany and Kuwait.

The combined remittances from these countries accounted for 78.3 percent of total cash remittances during the period.

Personal remittances, which include non-cash items, also increased 6.3 percent in September to $2.64 billion from $2.49 billion a year ago. The amount brought personal remittances in the first nine months to $24.64 billion, up 3.9 percent from $23.7 billion a year ago.

“Growth in personal remittances during the nine-month period was driven by steady remittance inflows from land-based OF workers with work contracts of one year or more, which grew to $18.8 billion from $18.2 billion in the same period last year,” the BSP said.

Remittance inflows from sea-based workers and land-based workers with short-term contracts also contributed higher at $5.3 billion this year compared to $4.9 billion a year ago.

Julito G. Rada

B2

Business

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2019 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Stocks end flat; Security Bank up T HE stock market closed flat Friday, as investors wait for a catalyst that could lift the benchmark index back to the 8,000-point level.

The Philippine Stock exchange Index shed 0.75 point, or less than 0.01 percent, to 7,932.96 on a value turnover of P6.8 billion. Losers beat gainers, 109 to 61, with 63 issues unchanged.

Major property developer Ayala Land Inc. fell 2.2 percent to P45.95, but parent Ayala Corp. rose 1.5 percent to P830.

Security Bank Corp., the sixth largest lender in terms of assets, gained 2.1 percent to P200, while SM Prime Holdings Inc. of the Sy Group added 1.5 percent to P39.90.

The rest of Asian markets mostly

rose Friday as trade hopes were given a boost by Donald Trump’s economic aide saying “enormous progress” had been made in talks with China, easing recent concerns that they were stumbling.

Tokyo ended 0.7 percent higher, Sydney jumped 0.9 percent, Seoul climbed 1.1 percent and Singapore was up 0.1 percent. Taipei, Mumbai and Jakarta also posted gains.

Shanghai finished down 0.6 percent, while there were also losses in Bangkok and Wellington.

Hong Kong added 0.3 percent in afternoon trade, having shed almost five percent over the previous four days as the city was wracked by violent protests, with police saying the rule of law was on “the brink of total collapse.”

The increasingly violent standoff has also fanned concerns about possible intervention by Beijing, with Xi Jinping warning Thursday that Hong Kong’s

cherished “one country, two systems” principle was being threatened by the protests, which are in their sixth month.

Hong Kong enjoyed a much-needed leg-up after a bruising week but sentiment remained fragile after the city endured another night of violent protest, with the transport network partially shut down and many businesses closed for a fifth day.

The broad regional gains came after top White House adviser Larry Kudlow said that the long-awaited mini trade deal with China was on track as part of a wider pact.

“The deal is not complete but we’ve made enormous progress,” he told reporters, adding that the talks were “coming down to the short strokes.”

His comments follow a week of unease about the much-vaunted talks, after Trump dismissed Chinese claims of a plan to roll back tariffs as the negotiations progress, while reports said

Beijing was uneasy about some aspects of the developing deal.

And on Thursday, China’s commerce ministry had said the US lifting of tariffs was a “condition” to reaching the preliminary deal—suggesting it was not imminent.

“Maybe, just maybe, we are finally nearing a long-awaited indication from President Trump that the protracted period of market adversity is mercifully nearing its end,” said AxiTrader chief Asia market strategist Stephen Innes.

But he added that “the big question should be about what comes next. How long will phase two take?”

He also pointed to “some recriminations, with the US claiming that China is delaying the deal, which would seem to play into the view that President Trump is under pressure, having effectively announced a deal a couple of weeks ago.” With AFP

Manila Standard BuSineSS daily StockS review Friday, noveMBer 15, 2019

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING),

FINANCIALS 54.5 3,070 96 2,827,590 156 685,510 1.2 5,000 25.35 33,800 18.6 200 13.4 517,200 4.45 104,000 849 1,100 0.39 500,000 67.9 2,643,530 0.85 127,000 43.25 127,000 173.1 1,500 116.3 10 63.5 6,010 25.7 414,100 200 634,710 1,825 370 60 3,470 1.09 50,000

165,859 268,919,422.50 107,068,340 6,000 856,195 3,720 6,853,122 452,970 887,750 196,450 179,467,814.50 107,970 5,513,080 261,645 1,163 361,810 10,642,385 126,824,733 682,585 208,164.50 54,500

-3,784 24,770,603.50 -17,500,754 -283,915 3,495,934 26,100 89,425,011.50 0 -1,710,840 -18,925.50 -10,590,970 49,042,313 -43,873 -

36.7 2.56 13.92 0.59 1.23 3.66 0.237 2.54 15.08 7.2 18.6 30 65.05 69 5.35 5.35 8.75 15.02 10.3 7.2 23.95 78.35 44 2.1 14.24 8.02 1.44 202 45.4 8.8 19.14 12.68 16.72 335.8 5.17 1.44 4.2 4.9 9.4 10.92 32.2 5.1 5.4 1.86 2.01 1.02 11.52 90.3 7.78 0.127 1.1 150.5 2.41 1.2 1.03

INDUSTRIAL 36.95 1,082,100 2.59 26,593,000 15 290,300 0.61 1,714,000 1.25 270,000 3.68 3,207,000 0.243 610,000 2.55 4,232,000 15.12 64,600 7.28 1,677,800 18.6 600 31 3,100 67.85 650 69 280 5.36 49,400 5.35 300 8.8 1,218,300 15.04 40,200 10.3 811,700 7.24 583,200 24.1 2,646,200 78.35 78,750 44 156,700 2.18 6,664,000 14.4 122,300 8.03 31,700 1.46 51,000 202 1,104,080 45.4 700 9.13 6,900 19.26 502,900 12.68 47,900 17 2,430,500 338 195,350 5.3 7,000 1.45 13,563,000 4.2 1,000 4.91 760,000 9.6 48,300 11.08 12,500 32.4 494,700 5.25 32,900 5.47 104,400 1.92 419,000 2.01 1,000 1.06 563,000 11.52 40,900 91 5,590 7.89 38,300 0.127 14,720,000 1.17 5,601,000 151.1 667,800 2.46 20,000 1.2 12,606,000 1.04 2,101,000

39,938,230 70,156,400 4,211,678 1,030,040 337,400 11,934,030 145,680 10,867,250 975,682 12,703,970 11,160 95,710 42,350 19,380 265,134 1,605 10,725,408 606,034 8,426,800 4,230,327 63,960,265 6,170,332 7,005,645 14,261,840 1,754,396 256,803 73,520 225,016,248 31,780 61,597 9,658,280 609,126 41268094 66,011,298 36,255 20,056,910 4,200 3,732,660 455,408 138,424 16,049,335 171,753 567,865 782,250 2,010 581,180 475,990 506,440.50 300,031 1,929,200 6,528,380 101,040,970 48,340 15,616,760 2,190,940

-14,006,240 -768,120 1,668,196 -331,250 -332,520 6,828,090 348,800 -202,052 -74,400 -5,335,559 156,330 -5,495,756 -3,933,446 -33,861,875 -5,680,445 2,021,695 1,193,420 -518,010 51,969.00 -73,678,924 -3,857,380 -188,048 -25055826.0001 -5,237,204 49,220 -2,086,460 -1,354,595 25,140 -342,961 102,000 -62,370 -172,929.50 -2,710 -43,390.00 -53,243,601 -3,117,410 -4,220

0.81 51.7 11.4 0.71 6.8 12.22 1.04 1.1 820 3.62 6.92 7.44 13.12 0.206 889 76.1 5.09 5.7 0.495 4.15 11.98 0.54 4.63 0.036 1.29 2.6 162.1 2.25 1,050 0.85 1.22 225 0.219 0.23

HOLDING FIRMS 0.83 10,947,000 53 1,389,390 11.54 6,660,800 203,000 0.74 6.8 600 12.46 25,300 1.04 6,112,000 1.1 167,000 830 561,380 3.62 2,493,000 6.95 3,162,900 7.59 21,202,800 13.4 94,400 0.211 50,000 900 106,100 77.8 7,166,270 5.75 4,300 5.7 1,500 0.51 30,000 4.15 162,000 11.98 2,739,000 0.57 229,000 4.65 15,587,000 0.036 54,100,000 1.3 665,000 2.9 58,000 162.5 80,310 2.25 57,000 1,060 332,730 0.85 36,000 1.23 17,000 225 150 0.225 460,000 0.23 3,380,000

9,025,330 72670929.5 76,858,384 145,460 4,080 311,998 6,430,410 183,700 465,873,855 9,121,570 21,981,751 160,076,548 1,255,062 10,350 95,411,370 556,647,195.50 22,101 8,610 14,880 674,510 33,034,458 127,160 72,643,370 1,965,900 866,280 151,400 13047881 128,250 352,236,125 30,700 20,900 33,760 102,090 795,390

-1,718,000 -41274766.5 4,275,650 -27,500 -51,628,095 4,125,350 11,572,141 -74,795,527 -1,217,606 27,552,915 -2,539,731.50 -187,900 -5,121,136 -280,260 -10469396.0001 -19,527,365 1,220 4,740

14.84 0.79 8.86 1.64 0.88 45.95 2 4.82 0.58 0.76 0.84 0.196 0.44 10.02 19.8 0.455 1.54 1.23 4.74 0.27 1.4

PROPERTY 14.84 34,300 0.8 449,000 8.87 2,500 1.64 66,000 0.9 2,681,000 45.95 6,893,400 2.02 869,000 4.83 116,000 0.59 58,993,000 0.76 1,000 0.87 15,000 0.197 1,600,000 0.44 1,170,000 10.22 116,700 19.82 232,400 0.46 520,000 1.56 35,806,000 1.26 550,000 4.78 13,691,000 0.27 7,510,000 1.41 2,259,000

510,272 356,200 23,087 108,770 2,416,240 317,917,450 1,754,090 565,320 35,255,320 760 12,720 318,360 518,450 1,190,282 4,645,638 237,600 56,294,560 685,200 65,420,780 2,038,600 3,204,820

-4,452 -174,328,100 830,060.00 1,770 118,800 1,022,024 304,066 22,750 -11,960,020 -3,720 -27,368,460 -709,330

NAME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

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

54 95.4 156 1.2 25.5 18.6 13.26 4.37 840 0.405 68 0.85 43.9 175 116.3 57.9 25.7 195.9 1,861 60.1 1.09

54.5 97 157 1.2 25.5 18.6 13.4 4.46 849 0.405 68.15 0.86 43.9 175 116.3 63.5 25.85 205 1,861 60.1 1.09

53.85 93.6 155.2 1.2 25.15 18.6 13.02 4.32 805 0.38 67.6 0.85 43.05 173.1 116.3 57.25 25.7 195.9 1,825 59.6 1.09

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

36.7 2.65 14.2 0.6 1.23 3.85 0.24 2.64 15.1 7.9 18.6 30.05 65.2 69 5.38 5.35 8.87 15.34 10.7 7.25 24.7 79 46.8 2.2 14.24 8.1 1.45 202.6 45.4 8.8 19.18 12.8 17.2 337 5.17 1.53 4.2 4.95 9.8 11.08 32.45 5.15 5.4 1.88 2.01 1.05 11.7 90.5 7.89 0.131 1.1 152 2.42 1.29 1.07

37.35 2.7 15 0.62 1.25 3.85 0.243 2.64 15.12 7.99 18.6 31 67.85 72 5.38 5.35 8.87 15.36 10.7 7.35 24.7 79 46.8 2.2 14.4 8.2 1.46 208.8 45.4 9.17 19.28 12.8 17.2 340 5.3 1.55 4.2 4.95 9.8 11.08 32.55 5.25 5.48 1.95 2.01 1.07 11.7 91 7.89 0.137 1.21 154.8 2.46 1.3 1.07

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

0.84 52.5 11.58 0.72 6.8 12.72 1.08 1.1 821 3.66 6.95 7.62 13.32 0.206 898 77.9 5.1 5.8 0.51 4.17 12.44 0.54 4.63 0.037 1.32 2.6 163.4 2.25 1,070 0.86 1.22 226 0.219 0.25

0.84 53 11.66 0.74 6.8 12.74 1.1 1.1 838 3.71 6.96 7.68 13.4 0.211 900.5 77.9 5.75 5.8 0.51 4.18 12.48 0.57 4.69 0.037 1.33 2.9 163.4 2.25 1,070 0.86 1.23 226 0.225 0.25

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 INFRADEV

14.98 0.79 9.2 1.72 0.91 46.8 2 4.82 0.61 0.76 0.84 0.2 0.445 10.18 20 0.455 1.62 1.24 4.85 0.275 1.43

14.98 0.8 9.97 1.72 0.92 46.8 2.03 4.9 0.62 0.76 0.87 0.2 0.445 10.24 20.2 0.46 1.62 1.26 4.85 0.28 1.47

VOLUME

NAME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

VOLUME

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING),

PHIL REALTY PRIMEX CORP ROBINSONS LAND ROCKWELL SHANG PROP SM PRIME HLDG STA LUCIA LAND SUNTRUST HOME VISTA LAND VISTAMALLS

0.375 2.02 26.25 2.2 3.28 39.5 2.49 1.58 7.67 5.54

0.375 2.03 26.55 2.2 3.28 39.9 2.54 1.6 7.69 5.54

0.37 2.02 25.6 2.2 3.28 39.4 2.41 1.47 7.64 5.33

0.37 2.03 26.55 2.2 3.28 39.9 2.49 1.5 7.69 5.49

250,000 170,000 17,293,600 46,000 2,000 7,417,900 1,088,000 20,907,000 1,311,000 27,200

93,050 343,440 453,990,670 101,200 6,560 295,375,500 2,661,750 31,814,480 10,058,641 147,662

-20,200 -1,869,560 -4,400 143,066,940 -5,340,505 -

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

10.42 17.66 1.52 11.36 0.49 0.038 2.58 11.38 94.3 6.61 1.95 8.94 1,935 5.3 431.8 1.51 120.5 8 0.105 4.69 2.42 13.98 3.01 0.91 19.06 2.4 1.06 3.22 2.72 7.9 2.98 1,100 0.66 0.465 39.5 75.8 9.01 2.8 0.68 0.335 0.66 18.3

10.8 17.8 1.68 11.48 0.5 0.04 2.6 11.38 94.3 6.64 2.04 9.14 1,935 5.3 432 1.53 122.8 8 0.11 4.72 2.42 13.98 3.08 0.91 19.08 2.4 1.06 3.3 2.72 8.19 2.98 1,108 0.67 0.465 40 75.8 9.01 2.86 0.69 0.34 0.67 18.38

10.4 17.62 1.52 11.36 0.485 0.038 2.58 11.24 91 6.5 1.95 8.94 1,904 5.25 419.2 1.45 120.5 8 0.105 4.61 2.42 13.98 3 0.91 18.58 2.35 1.05 3.1 2.69 7.85 2.81 1,097 0.65 0.44 39 75.1 8.97 2.78 0.67 0.325 0.64 18.26

SERVICES 10.4 17.62 1.68 11.48 0.5 0.04 2.59 11.28 91.95 6.5 2.04 8.95 1,917 5.25 419.2 1.47 122.2 8 0.106 4.67 2.42 13.98 3.02 0.91 18.6 2.35 1.05 3.1 2.69 8.19 2.91 1,104 0.65 0.45 40 75.45 8.97 2.8 0.67 0.325 0.64 18.3

13,300 84,200 48,000 32,318,500 2,537,000 5,500,000 223,000 3,720,000 162,250 349,400 4,000 26,700 32,380 92,500 340 2,614,000 1,242,200 3,300 1,410,000 1,351,000 2,000 100 150,000 139,000 735,600 1,707,000 17,000 5,107,000 40,000 12,500 1,246,000 54,240 1,001,000 8,930,000 138,700 608,750 10,000 3,561,000 899,000 9,930,000 3,197,000 3,940,600

139,588 1,485,404 74,790 369,336,050 1,244,480 215,600 576,380 41,962,710 14,964,572.50 2,284,876 7,890 239,010 62,053,010 486,297 144,632 3,893,120 151,383,307 26,400 150,590 6,317,420 4,840 1,398 451,750 126,490 13789328 4,030,540 18,000 16,130,250 108,020 98,459 3,593,570 59,802,405 660,610 4,042,250 5,474,580 45937328.5 89,900 9989270 609,600 3,304,050 2,068,650 72,132,368

-4,664,260 -27,930 -2,590 -3,931,724 -10,176,848 -223,856 2,013,120 7,400 -9,649,779 -319,960 -5,460 -416843.9997 -1,027,880 14,840 -70,010 -12,517,465 -304,130 -526,300 -3,544,520 -16971619.5 -3950820.0001 -1,000 320,000 36,409,624

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

0.0016 1.11 2.55 12.02 2.54 0.29 1.86 0.213 0.104 0.108 1.03 3.55 1.06 0.5 0.81 0.012 0.012 0.011 11.8 3.45 12.28 23.7 0.0058

0.0017 1.11 2.55 12.26 2.55 0.29 1.86 0.213 0.104 0.108 1.05 3.55 1.06 0.53 0.83 0.012 0.012 0.011 12.5 3.45 12.28 23.9 0.0058

0.0016 1.1 2.55 11.56 2.54 0.29 1.8 0.207 0.104 0.108 1.03 3.32 1.03 0.5 0.81 0.011 0.012 0.011 11.58 3.37 12.04 23.4 0.0058

MINING & OIL 0.0017 113,000,000 1.1 882,000 2.55 21,000 11.96 10,200 2.55 300,000 0.29 70,000 1.82 2,595,000 0.211 150,000 0.104 680,000 0.108 20,000 1.05 221,000 3.32 10,052,000 1.06 43,000 0.53 7,013,000 0.83 55,000 0.012 26,300,000 0.012 8,900,000 0.011 1,100,000 12.5 1,106,700 3.37 899,000 12.2 178,600 23.9 1,122,700 0.0058 1,000,000

192,000 976,370 53,550 120,178 764,000 20,300 4,729,940 31,300 70,720 2,160 229,990 34,038,060 44,380 3,506,720 44,610 313,400 106,800 12,100 13,514,252 3,044,440 2,167,092 26,708,010 5,800

-451,880 292,270 -2,160 36,920 -435,296 67,400 324,826 1,264,090 -

ABS HLDG PDR AC PREF B1 DD PREF GLO PREF P GMA HLDG PDR GTCAP PREF A GTCAP PREF B LR PREF MWIDE PREF PCOR PREF 3A PCOR PREF 3B PNX PREF 3A PNX PREF 3B PNX PREF 4 SMC FB PREF 2 SMC PREF 2C SMC PREF 2F SMC PREF 2G SMC PREF 2H SMC PREF 2I

17.4 508 101 506 5.12 995 990 1.02 102 1,050 1,060 102 109.5 1,029 1,000 78.3 76.15 75.25 75.05 75.5

17.4 508 101 506 5.12 995 994 1.02 102 1,050 1,060 102 109.5 1,029 1,000 78.3 76.5 75.25 75.05 75.5

17.02 503 101 506 5.09 975.5 990 1.02 100.1 1,050 1,060 101.9 109.5 1,021 1,000 77.9 76.15 75.25 75.05 75

PREFERRED 17.02 35,100 503 2,120 101 9,900 506 320 5.09 158,200 975.5 520 994 270 1.02 15,000 100.1 200 1,050 60 1,060 100 101.9 19,860 109.5 190 1,024 5,720 1,000 1,460 78 16,240 76.5 5,000 75.25 16,500 75.05 18,000 75.05 60,260

599600 1,069,140 999,900 161,920 808,536 512,525 267,780 15,300 20,210 63,000 106,000 2,023,735 20,805 5,859,460 1,460,000 1,266,561 381,187.50 1,241,625 1,350,900 4,520,983

-592719.9998 -51,100 -

LR WARRANT

1.53

1.53

1.51

WARRANTS 1.52 46,000

70,170

-

ITALPINAS KEPWEALTH XURPAS

5.23 14.02 1.03

5.88 15.02 1.03

5.23 13.26 0.97

SME 5.59 13.26 0.98

23,481,789 59,041,256 13,501,950

-23,762 78,160 2,000

FIRST METRO ETF

118.8

119

118.5

798,371

4,748

USD DMPL A1 USD TECH B2

10.1 0.96

10.1 0.96

10.06 0.96

75,538 9,984

-

MS Trading Summary

SHARES

FINANCIAL

10,241,435

INDUSTRIAL

110,870,916

HOLDING FIRMS

154,985,036

PROPERTY

183,202,937

SERVICES

103,082,942

MINING & OIL

175,925,162

GRAND TOTAL

760,224,698

4,213,100 4,133,100 13,563,000

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 118.7 6,720 DDS 10.06 0.96

7,500 10,400

VALUE 1,920.85 (up) 12.63 860,354,911.16 FINANCIAL 10,082.34 (down) 38.83 INDUSTRIAL 932,610,101.219 7,810.42 (down) 13.00 HOLDING FIRMS 2,200,979,928.36 PROPERTY 4,119.84 (down) 18.59 1,547.47 (down) 0.42 SERVICES 1,339,481,873.395 8,742.14 (down) 167.36 MINING & OIL 1,325,748,779.12 7,932.96 (down) 0.75 PSEI 90,704,955.77 All Shares Index 4,751.81 (down) 5.92 6,846,705,329.02 Gainers: 61; Losers: 109; Unchanged: 63; Total: 233

AllHome’s 9-month profit jumped 225% to P746.2m

By Jenniffer B. Austria ALLHOME Corp., the newly listed one-stop shop home store chain of billionaire Manuel Villar Jr., said Friday net income in the first nine months of the year surged 225 percent to P746.2 million from P229.7 million year-onyear.

Revenues increased 72 percent to P8.2 billion from P4.8 billion a year ago, the company said in a disclosure to the stock exchange.

“We are very pleased with the company’s continued strong growth in our bottomline numbers as well as the surge in our total revenues for the first nine months of the year,” said AllHome chairman Villar.

“AllHome continues to deliver solid performance which brings us closer to our full year target. As we have previously mentioned, the home improvement industry in the Philippines is still under penetrated and we are taking advantage of such by aggressively opening AllHome to more locations across the country,” he added.

The company earlier opened three new stores in October to boost its store network to 30.

The three new stores are in Starmall Alabang, Starmall San Jose del Monte Bulacan and Vista Mall North Molino.

AllHome vice president Camille Villar said the company was on track with the store expansion program for the year and the next that will double net selling space by the end of 2020.

“Expansion is focused on Mega Manila for now, but the longer-term plan is to bring AllHome to the rest of the Philippines. For October alone, the Company opened three new stores in Alabang, Bulacan, and in Cavite,” she said.

AllHome made a debut in the Philippine Stock Exchange through an initial public offering on October 10. It is the fourth listed company of the Villar Group.

Other listed firms owned by the Villars are Vista Land & Lifescapes Inc., Vistamalls Inc. and Golden Bria Holdings Inc. Share price of AllHome on Friday added 0.9 percent to P11.48.

San Miguel Food set to sell P15b in fixed-rate bonds SAN Miguel Food and Beverage Inc., the food and beverage unit of conglomerate San Miguel Corp., plans to raise P15 billion from the issuance of fixedrate retail bonds next year.

San Miguel Food said Friday in a disclosure to the stock exchange it filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission an application to offer P15 billion worth of retail bonds due 2025 and 2027.

The company will use the net proceeds from the offering to redeem the outstanding Series 2 Perpetual preferred shares it issued in 2015.

San Miguel Food plans to redeem the perpetual preferred shares in March 2020 at a price of P1,000 per share.

The company engaged BDO Capital & Investments Corp., BPI Capital Corp., China Bank Capital Corp., Philippine Commercial Capital Inc., PNB Capital and Investments Corp. and SB Capital Investment Corp. as joint lead underwriters and book runners of the offering.

San Miguel Food plans offer the bonds from February 10 to 19, 2020.

The bonds will be listed with Philippine Dealing & Exchange Corp. on February 26, 2020.

San Miguel Food’s net income in the first nine months of the year was flat at P22.9 billion as higher sales due to sales volume across all segments of the group were offset by higher costs stemming from increased raw material costs and bigger operating expenses following its expansion initiatives.

Net income of the beer and nonalcoholic beverages segment rose 12 percent to P19.84 billion from P17.76 billion year-on-year, while the profit of the spirits segment jumped 68 percent to P1.32 billion from P789 million a year ago.

However, net income of the food segment decreased 60 percent to P1.75 billion from P4.37 billion in 2018. Consolidated sales increased by 10 percent to P226 billion from P206 billion in 2018.

But consolidated cost of sales increased at a faster rate of 12 percent to P156 billion. Jenniffer B. Austria

Manila

Standard

World

B3

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2019 CESAR BARRIOQUINTO, Editor mst.daydesk@gmail.com

TODAY

Dead pig infected with African swine fever ends up in Taiwan BEIJING―A floating dead pig infected with African swine fever washed up in Taiwan last week, according to a UN report, which also recorded a fresh mainland China outbreak and an attempt to illegally transport infected pigs.

China’s swine herd has been devastated by the outbreak of the disease, first reported by the government in August last year.

An update on the crisis from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations dated Thursday said the dead pig was found floating on November 6 near Taiwan’s Xiaojinmen Island―also known as Lieyu―close to the mainland province of Fujian.

It said the pig tested positive for the same strain of swine fever that has unleashed havoc in mainland China.

The FAO said this is the first floating dead pig reported since June, and pointed out that the last reported outbreak in Fujian was last December.

AUTUMN. A worker sweeps fallen leaves in the autumn at Dikmen Valley in Ankara on November 14, 2019. AFP

HK protesters defy Xi with rallies IN BRIEF H Lithuania pardons Russian spies

VILNIUS―Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda on Friday pardoned two Russians jailed by Vilnius for espionage, an official statement said, paving the way for a possible spy swap with Moscow.

Nauseda signed the decree to pardon Nikolai Filipchenko and Sergei Moisejenko who are serving prison terms for espionage in the Baltic EU and NATO state, according to the statement published on his official website.

Both Russians were sentenced by Lithuanian courts in 2017. They could be exchanged for two Lithuanian citizens, Yevgeny Mataitis and Aristidas Tamosaitis, convicted of spying in Russia in 2016, the Baltic News Service said.

A Norwegian, Frode Berg, convicted of spying and jailed in Russia could also be part of the swap, BNS said, quoting senior officials who requested anonymity.

Nauseda’s decree said the Russians were pardoned in line with a new law on spy swaps.

Presidential spokesman Antanas Bubnelis declined further comment when contacted by AFP on Friday. AFP

Lam slams ‘attack’ on her minister HONG KONG―Hong Kong’s leader Carrie Lam on Friday condemned a “barbaric attack” on her justice minister, who fell while being surrounded by a crowd of jeering pro-democracy protesters in London.

It was the most physical confrontation involving a member of Lam’s cabinet since the protests, now in their sixth month, erupted in the international finance hub.

Teresa Cheng, Hong Kong’s deeply unpopular Secretary for Justice, was ambushed by around a dozen masked demonstrators as she prepared to attend a speaking event on Thursday night in London.

They shone torch lights on her while calling her a “murderer” and shouting slogans of the Hong Kong pro-democracy protest movement.

A video of the incident showed Cheng falling to the floor during the melee―although it was not immediately clear if she was pushed by protesters.

She regained her feet moments later and was escorted away with no visible signs of injury.

Cheng suffered “serious bodily harm” during the altercation, Chief Executive Lam said in a statement.

Cheng, whose department is in charge of prosecuting protesters who have filled city streets for months, is the first senior Hong Kong official to be injured in scuffles since the unrest began in June. AFP

ONG KONG―Thousands of pro-democracy protesters took to Hong Kong’s streets Friday, defying a warning by Chinese President Xi Jinping, as a campaign of mass disruption extended into a fifth straight day.

Black-clad protesters also occupied university campuses, while office workers endured another day of transport chaos with suspensions on the vandalized train network and roads blocked by barricades.

Hong Kong has seen relentless protests since June as many in the city of 7.5 million people have vented fury at eroding freedoms under Chinese rule.

Those protests had been mainly in the evenings and on weekends, allowing the international financial hub to still function relatively smoothly during the week albeit with its economy dragged into recession.

With China offering no concessions, protesters switched tactics on Monday when they launched a “blossom everywhere” campaign to cause as much disruption as possible across Hong Kong and overwhelm the police force.

Their actions through the week have caused chaos across Hong Kong and been accompanied by intensifying violence from both sides―two people have died in a week in incidents linked to the protests.

The five-day ‘strike’ has also seen major universities become a hub for the protesters—the first time a movement characterized by its fluidity and unpredictability has coagulated in fixed locations.

Violence from both sides has also escalated, and tensions have spilled

out overseas.

On Thursday night Hong Kong Justice Secretary Teresa Cheng fell in London after being surrounded by prodemocracy protesters, in the most physical confrontation involving a member of cabinet since the unrest began.

Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam on Friday condemned the incident, describing it as a “barbaric attack.”

Cheng walked away from the confrontation without any visible signs of injury.

On Friday a “Lunch With You” event saw thousands of mainly office workers take to the city’s streets, many chanting “Stand with Hong Kong” and raising an open hand with five fingers splayed.

It is a reference to the five demands of the protest movement, which include the right to freely elect Hong Kong’s leaders, as well as an independent inquiry into alleged police brutality.

“The government did not respond even when two million residents marched peacefully,” a 25-year-old office worker who gave her surname as Wong said in the city’s Central district, in reference to huge rallies that were a feature of the start of the movement.

“Now when the police are abusing their power the government... only thinks protesters are the problem.”

The unrest was triggered by opposition to the Hong Kong’s government plan to introduce a law allowing extradi-

The report also documented that a vehicle illegally transporting infected piglets across provinces was intercepted earlier in November on an expressway in the southwestern municipality of Chongqing.

There was also a fresh outbreak in China’s southwestern Yunnan province this month, the FAO said, totaling 163 outbreaks in 32 provinces and regions.

Beijing has been battling to get a grip on the crisis, which has sent pork prices soaring.

Around one million pigs have been killed since the first outbreak of swine fever last August, according to official statistics, but that is widely considered to be an underestimate.

One pig farmer told AFP last month that some affected farmers were quietly selling or disposing of dead pigs rather than declaring them to the government.

AFP

N OTICE Notice is hereby given that VIFEL ICE PLANT AND COLD STORAGE, INC. is applying for registration with the Board of Investments (BOl) as New Operator of Cold Storage and Blast Freezing Facilities with the following capacities:

tion of criminal suspects to mainland China.

Cold Storage - 1,962,240 pallets/year or The government belatedly 1,373,568,000 kgs/year withdrew the bill months into the Blast Freezing - 14,600,000 kgs/year unrest, but by then it had morphed on a Non-Pioneer Status with project site located in into a much wider campaign for Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental democratic freedoms and against Any person with valid objection/s on the abovethe police. mentioned project may file his/her objection in writing, Chinese President Xi on Thursunder oath, with the BOI within three (3) days from the date of this publication. day backed Lam and the police force, while warning the protest (SGD) NESTOR P. ARCANSALIN movement was threatening the “one Director Resource-Based Industries Service country, two systems” principle (MS-NOV. 16, 2019) governing the semiautonoNOTICE OF LOST mous city.

STOCK CERTIFICATE Hong K o n g has been Notice is hereby given that Stock Certificate No. 000472 ruled by representing one (1) corporate share of THE SUBIC BAY a unique YACHT CLUB. INC. (“Club”) which is registered in the system name of VISION AIR & SEA SERVICES, INC. has been guaranlost. Any person who may come into possession of said teeing stock certificate is advised to immediately deliver the greater freedoms same to the Club’s offices at Rizal Highway cor. Burgos than on St., Subic Bay Freeport Zone. the mainland since After the expiration of one (1) year from the date of last its handopublication of this notice, if no contest is presented to the ver from Club regarding Stock Certificate No. 000472, the right British to contest shall be barred and the Club shall cancel in rule to China in its books Stock Certificate No. 000472 and issue a new 1997. certificate to VISION AIR & SEA SERVICES, INC. If any Xi said contest is presented to the Club or is pending in court, “stopping the issuance of the new certificate will be suspended v i ol e n c e until the final decision by the court regarding ownership and conhas been made. t rolling chaos” was the top priority. AFP Republic of the Philippines (MS-NOV. 16, 23 & 30, 2019)

Department of Health Center for Health Development IV-A CALABARZON BIDS AND AWARDS COMMITTEE QMMC Compound, Project 4, Quezon City Tel.: 440-3551/440-3372 INVITATION TO BID

The DOH CENTER FOR HEALTH DEVELOPMENT IV-A CaLaBaRZon, QMMC Compound, Project 4, Quezon City, through the General Appropriations Act intends to apply the budget allocation for the herein indicated projects. Bids received in excess of the ABC shall be automatically rejected at bid opening.

Contract Reference No.

Project Description/ Facility Name

Location

Construction of Drug Abuse Treatment and Osario RD, Rehabilitation CP C29-19 TreceMartires, Center with Cavite Furnitures, Fixtures and Equipments Total amount of Package:

ABC

Contract Duration

Cost of Bid Document

777,376,312.12

360 CD

75,000.00

777,376,312.12

The activities are as follows: BAC Activities

Schedule,

1. Advertisement

November 15 , 2019(PhilGeps& Daily Inquirer)

2. Issuance of Bid Documents

November 15, 2019 onwards BAC Secretariat – Tel No. 8249-2000 loc. 4411 Project Management Unit - Tel. No. 8249-2000 loc. 4420

3. Pre-Bid Conference

November 25, 2019; 10:00AM, 3rdFlr. Conference Room

4.Submission and Opening of Bids December 9, 2019; 10:00AM, 3rdFlr. Conference Room

The prospective bidder must have an experience of having completed at least one (1) contract that is similar to the contract to be bid, and whose value, adjusted to current prices using the NSO consumer price indices, must be at least fifty percent (50%) of the ABC to be bid.

PRESENT. BENTLEY POMERANIAN attends SYLVANIA SMART+ Presents Mashup LA on November 14, 2019, in Los Angeles, California. AFP

Two killed in California school shooting, teen held SANTA CLARITA―A teenage boy gunned down fellow students at a California high school on his 16th birthday Thursday, killing two and wounding another three before turning the pistol on himself.

The gunman was taken into custody in “grave” condition, police said, as officers stormed Saugus High School in Santa Clarita―the latest in a relentless cycle of classroom shootings in the United States that have left around 300 youngsters dead over two decades.

The chilling scene played out even as lawmakers in Washington were debating the latest attempt at gun control legislation that has stalled in Congress for months.

Terrified students described barricading

themselves into classrooms while others fled as word rapidly spread of the unidentified Asian boy opening fire with a .45 caliber semiautomatic.

“Detectives reviewed the video at the scene, which clearly show the subject in the quad withdraw a handgun from his backpack, shoot and wound five people, and then shoot himself in the head,” homicide captain Kent Wegener told a news conference.

The teen was found among the wounded by first responders, said Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva.

No motive has yet been established, but a message reading “Saugus, have fun at school tomorrow” had been posted on “what we believe to be the subject’s Instagram account,”

Wegener confirmed.

It was removed by another person following the incident, he added.

The FBI said there was no sign of an ideological motive, or any co-conspirators.

The dead were a 16-year-old girl and a 14-year-old boy. The other three wounded― one boy and two girls―were aged between 14 and 15.

The shooting at the school of 2,300 students was first reported shortly after 7:30 a.m. (1530 GMT).

The school―65 kilometers north of Los Angeles―was locked down, and witness descriptions and surveillance footage identified the suspect within an hour of the shooting. AFP

Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using a nondiscretionary “passed/failed” criterion as specified in the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act (R.A.) 9184, otherwise known as the “Government Procurement Reform Act.” The ITB and Checklist of requirements and complete set of the bidding documents may be purchased by eligible interested bidders from the address above and payment of the stated non-refundable fees.

Interested bidders may obtain further information from the Project Management Unit, Administration Building, QMMC Compound, Project 4, Quezon City at the address provided during 8:00 am to 5:00 P.M. Bids must be delivered to the address and time herein stated accompanied by a bid security in any of the acceptable forms and in the amount stated in the ITB. Bids will be opened in the presence of the Bidders’ representatives who choose to attend at the address below. In case of a representative, he/she must be duly authorized thru an SPA, Board Certificate or Cooperative Resolution as the case may be, executed on that particular purpose. Late bids shall not be accepted.

The DOH CHD IV-A assumes no responsibility whatsoever to compensate or indemnify bidders for any expenses incurred in the preparation of their bids.

DOH CHD IV-A reserves the right to waive any minor defects of formality and to accept the proposal most advantageous to the agency.

Furthermore, DOH CHD IV-A reserves the right to accept or reject any Bid, to annul the bidding process, to reject all Bids and may not award the contract without incurring any liability and make no assurance that a contract shall be entered into as a result of the bidding when the funds for the program/project activity has been withheld or reduced through no fault of the DOH at any time prior to contract award, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected Bidder or Bidders.

(SGD) PAULA PAZ M. SYDIONGCO, MD, MPH, CESO IV Chairperson, Bids and Awards Committee (MS-NOV. 16, 2019)

B4

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2019

Joel D. Lacsamana, Editor jdlacsamana@gmail.com

Demand for loudspeakers tug Bose into PH market

TROPICAL HEAVEN ON TAP. At the LG launch held at the SMX convention center in Pasay City, were (from left to right): brand ambassador James Deakin, LG air solutions business development manager Rod Astoriano; air solutions sales manager Joohoon Kim; electronics commercial air conditioner business leader Junsuk Lee; vice president for air conditioners and energy solutions Young Park; and air solutions sales head Michael Piccio

COOLING, THE SMART WAY

L

G ELECTRONICS launched this week its new 2020 line up for single commercial air conditioners (CAC).

The new line addresses the very real issue of sky-high electricity prices (the Philippines ranks a lowly 92nd in the global competitiveness report of the World Economic Forum in terms of electricity costs), and utilizes innovative technology to help bring down power costs for a myriad of customer segments LG’s line up, perfect for restaurants, small and medium-sized stores and offices, as well as homes, include the floor standing, ceiling mounted cassette, oneway ceiling cassette, ceiling suspended, and ceiling concealed duct. The products are rigged with LG’s revolutionary R1 compressor and smart inverter.

ELECTRICITY BILLS PLUNGE 25% LOWER With its innovative technology, the R1 compressor resolves the problem of low efficiency in the widely used rotary compressor ACs, and improves the tiling motion of scroll. It also lowers the noise to 4dB, and reduces its weight by 20%.

The LG smart inverter reduces the annual price of electricity bills by 25% compared to an on/off model.

It also enables air flow to cool a long distance: the floor standing unit can reach up to 20 meters.

A five-step air cleaning feature reduces maintenance costs and makes upkeep simple and fuss-free. In terms of performance, it has a wide operation range as low as -15°C and as high as 48°C outdoor temperature.

CASSETTES TO DIE FOR LG also introduced the dual vane cas-

sette, an upgraded version of the fourway ceiling cassette and round cassettes which is equipped with an innovative dual vane technology.

The dual vane cassette, with its eight vanes, manages air flow more precisely and provides optimized air flow for users, using six different modes, including three patented ones.

The round cassette provides threeway air flow, is equipped with crystal vanes, enabling the user to control the direction in six steps. Moreover, the 3D fan increases air flow rate by 5% while lowering noise. With a larger air flow rate, cooling rate becomes 30% faster.

“LG’s HVAC Division will continue to develop the world’s best HVAC for contributing to conserve the environment as well as creating better living conditions for everyone,” said Inkwun Heo, managing director of LG electronics Philippines.

PAYING HOMAGE TO LOCAL DESIGN. WeWork—a platform for creators that provides the space, community— reinforces its strong design approach with its newly opened Menarco Tower location, alongside an upcoming location at Milestone at 5th Avenue in Bonifacio Global City (BGC). Slated to open in December, the new locations aim to build a strong community, featuring key art pieces at Menarco Tower, accompanied by visible accents from vernacular architectural elements and materials with modern interpretation. Clad with Terracotta tiles, the Menarco Tower pantry island design is welcoming gathering spot, paying homage to traditional Philippine homes that were inspired by Spanish architecture (Seen here). Contemporary neon lighting also complements the space, a design influence that represents the “bayanihan” spirit. The lounge includes canvases of a whale shark, iconic to Cebu and its coastal scenes.

IDEAL WAY OF LIVING. P.A.Hankyu One, the joint venture between homegrown P.A. Properties and Osakabased Hankyu Hanshin Properties Corp., recently welcomed its first batch of proud homeowners to their new homes at Idesia Dasmariñas. “The hand-over ceremony signifies the start of our homeowners’ new life in a community where they will experience the serenity of countryside living while enjoying the convenience of urban lifestyle,” said P.A. Properties president Jonathan G. Lu. Idesia Dasmariñas is the flagship project of the joint venture. The 37-hectare township is a masterplanned community that will cater to urbanites; startup, growing or middle-income families; and those who seek to upgrade their total community living. Apart from affordable yet attractive dwellings, they will get to live in a property that preserves the original greenery of the site, plus the addition of more trees and flowering plants.

Construction of the housing units is ongoing, as well as amenities which include reading, picnic and leisure areas; jogging path; indoor and outdoor gyms; basketball and badminton courts; and a provision for an outdoor cinema.

HIVE OF ACTIVITY. Engineering and infrastructure conglomerate Megawide, and MySpace Properties, recently kicked-off the construction of The Hive Tower D, the fourth and final tower in The Hive, a mid-rise residential development in Taytay, Rizal. Tower D is a 16-storey condominium with 336 units and upper-level parking. “We are very excited to begin our newest project with MySpace Properties, The Hive,” said Eric Tan, Megawide’s deputy head of construction (Seen in photo, 3rd from left). Tower D will be built with the help of Megawide’s advanced formwork systems, which enable faster and more precise construction. “For The Hive Tower D, we use formwork systems to build sections like retaining walls, shear walls, and slabs,” revealed Tan. “Formworks are cost efficient primarily because of its data-driven, reusable, and repairable nature.” MySpace Properties, Inc. vice-president for Sales & Marketing Gigi Alcantara (second from left) said that The Hive is created with the intention of providing balance for their residents. “When we hear the word “hive”, we automatically think of busy bees,” she explained. “But the hive is also their place of rest. Therefore, we are developing a sustainable community that has an interplay of work, rest, and play.”

The Hive is located in Ortigas Avenue Extension, Taytay, Rizal.

SUBLIME SOUND. Versatech and Bose Professional demonstrated the capabilities of the brand’s professional-grade loudspeakers during its launch event last week. They also demonstrated their EdgeMax and DesignMax loudspeakers (Inset). At the launch were (from left to right): Jessa Dasas, Versatech VP of marketing; Neo Cheng Yi, Bose territory manager; Stephen Yu, Versatech executive VP, and Christian Liebenberg, Bose regional manager.

THE professional business unit of audio equipment maker Bose recently entered the Philippine market, with local firm Versatech International as its official distribution partner.

Bose Professional develops innovative loudspeakers, electronics, and software to meet the needs of demanding professional audio applications.

The brand plans to rally its market presence in the Southeast Asian market with the announcement of Versatech as its partner in the country.

BURGEONING DEMAND “The Philippines market has for many years, been strategically important for Bose Professional,” Bose Professional regional exec Christian Liebenberg told the Manila Standard.

“When considering the very impressive year on year GDP growth of over 6% per annum, our strategy is to grow our business rapidly by significantly expanding our local customer base,” he explained.

The total demand for loudspeakers in the Philippines in 2019 is estimated

at 163,200 units, with the market forecast to grow at an average yearly rate of 20%.

As an ICT solution-based distribution and marketing company, Versatech has carried global brands for the tech market in the Philippines. It has a network of 2,000 resellers in the market.

“PARTNERSHIP IS THE KEY” “Versatech is proud to partner with Bose Professional,” declared Stephen Yu, executive vice president of Versatech. “This partnership fits in line with our overarching direction to complete our company’s premier audio video distribution portfolio.”

“I’ve been asked many many times why did we consider Versatech as the partner for Bose,” said Liebenberg.

“And the word partner is really the key to the whole equation. It’s not about distribution, it’s not about putting products on the market place, it’s really about how we can work together in the market place and add value to customers, to business partners to anybody in the value chain.”

MANAGING YOUR FACILITY THE SMART WAY FACILITY Management system (digiFMS) for buildings is an emerging trend in online computing applications. digiFMS is a computer-based system which is used to monitor the many activities of

a regular residential metropolitan building / multiple buildings. The concept of digiFMS took root from the fact that various large building complexes need monitoring and maintenance for their various day to day activities. In a normal residential society, the day to day chores include maintenance of the society, plumbing, parking allocations, waste management, security facilities, tracking dues, vendor management, tenant management, asset management, visitor management, maintenance requests, inventory management etc. The major advantage of digiFMS is that a high level of automation can be introduced. which not only reduces risks of errors but also helps solve all the problems. CTC Consolidated Services, Inc. was recently appointed by Amaze One as the authorized reseller and distributor of digiFMS in the country. Amaze One is the software company and the developer of digiFMS. At the contract signing (from left to right): Roopa Kumar, chairman of Amaze One; Kumar Anand, president and CEO; Charlie Casas, president and CEO of CTC Consolidated Services, Inc.; and Jerkins Canoy, IT head.

Life

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

ARTS AND CULTURE

Text and photos by Diana B. Noche

THEY START YOUNG. A child volunteer paints a part of the colorful mural by Nini Andrada Sacro along Symphony Drive at Circuit Makati. cer survivor).

The Circuit Makati mural is riotous with glowing colors, loose and light, playful, romantic but not sugary, feel-good, and runs free as a child’s imagination that brings a happy relaxation and

Volunteer artists of various ages help finish Sacro’s designs.

EXHIBIT

‘Kusina’ by Manny Baldemor

Philippine culinary heritage on display MAMA Sita Foundation, the social arm of homegrown food brand Mama Sita, stages an exhibition that explores the roots of Filipino food, agriculture, and generosity.

In partnership with Art Circle Gallery, the show, entitled “Patikim! The Art of Filipino Hospitality,” opens on Dec. 9 and will run until Dec. 19, from 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the Art Gallery in SM Megamall Building A, Mandaluyong City.

The exhibit continues the legacy of Teresita “Mama Sita” Reyes, a lifelong advocate of the culinary heritage of the Philippines.

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An artist of her time

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OST museums are intimidating and do not appear genuinely welcoming, but one look at Nini Andrada Sacro’s murals and all eyes promenade with pleasure.

It’s the perfection of her compositions, the rich colors, and the advocacy behind all the artful efforts that achieve the kind of community sodality many museums and artists can only dream about.

Sacro did the mural across the Makati Medical Center under a commission from the Makati Commercial Estate Association. When she said yes to the offer, she had only one thing in mind: she would do it for the benefit of the country’s remote mountain communities.

While Sacro was immersed in the mural project, nurses and patients from the third floor of the hospital who wanted a share of the high spirits they saw in her while painting came down the next day and invited themselves into the project.

Other people and street children in the area took it to themselves and picked up paintbrushes too, and pledged to keep an eye on their artwork for possible vandals.

Recently, the same spirit of creativity and community goodwill was seen at Circuit Makati.

The Ayalas of Makati—delighted at the people’s response to the mural across the Makati Medical Center—asked Sacro to enliven the otherwise inanimate Circuit Makati wall along the Symphony Drive with another cultural presence.

As expected, the second mural project drew a bigger crowd, with donations of school supplies from teen artists, dabblers in a variety of age; and kids grasping their first paintbrush, weaning themselves from the usual crayons and coloring books, to find out about everything from team building to some instinctive bits of art lessons.

Sacro has, to good purpose, put her mural across like the heart-melting pleasure of children doing exactly what pleases them. Her doodles have successfully enlivened the walls. The floral motifs, repeated like a beautiful pattern of a gift wrapper, march across the wall surfaces like magic.

She has created a new aesthetic, the spirit of today’s popular modern art, out of her own fears and a variety of other distractions (she herself is a can-

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2019

Participating artists were tasked to express this proud heritage by channeling the fecundity of the Philippine land and seas, as well as the creativity of its kitchens and dining tables.

Proceeds from the fundraising event will go to a scholarship program for deserving aspiring chefs who will be awarded free tuition to the Filipino Cuisine classes by Chef Cecilia de Castro at the Academy of Culinary Education.

Guests will enjoy food samplings and refreshments during the opening on Dec. 9.

gaiety into each panel.

There are no grotesqueries, no images teetering to politics and social commentaries; just a happy zone of warmth created from a handful of elements with terrific output down to the smallest detail.

Good things happen when they come from the spot deep inside us. Money isn’t always the inducement. It’s mostly about listening to the heart.

Sacro’s murals look like a promise of a future for a new echo signal for street art.

The Circuit Makati mural features playful and colorful doodles of various elements.

69th Palanca Awards names winners, inducts Insiang co-writer into Hall of Fame THE 69th Carlos Palanca Memorial lon (“Form and Content: Sandata sa Awards for Literature honored 56 writ- Panahon ng Disimpormasyon at War ers for their literary excellence. on Drugs”) in Sanaysay, and LamberOf this year’s winners, 32 are first- to Antonio (“Turno Kung Nokturno at time awardees, two of the authors each iba pang Tiyempo ng Rilyebo sa Pagbagged prizes in two separate catego- berso”) in Tula. ries, with one being a first-time winner.

Also besting the competition in their Decorated writer Lamberto E. An- categories are John Romeo Venturero tonio, who co-wrote the screenplay for (“Ganito Sa Pabrika” - 2nd prize) in Tula Lino Brocka’s film Insiang, was induct- Para Sa Mga Bata, Chona Fernando ed into the prestigious Palanca Hall of (“Beach House” - 2nd prize) in Dulang Fame for winning his fifth First Prize May Isang Yugto, Dustin Edward CeAward this year. lestino (“Ang Duyan ng Magiting”) in The foundation also presented a Dulang Ganap ang Haba, and Mary posthumous award to Milagros Palan- Honeylyn Joy Alipio (“Teatro Pacifica-Furer, who is the proponent of the co”) in Dulang PampeliCarlos Palankula. ca Memorial In the regional Awards for Litdivision, first prize erature. She was winners are Roehl instrumental in Joseph Dazo (“Binignit”) in Short helping spur creative writing in Story Cebuano, the country.

Alice Tan GonFirst place zales (“Si Ena sa winners this Kasisidmon”) in year include MaHiligaynon, and rielle Calicdan Edison Tobias (“El Quinto”) in (“Echo Mula Sa Ilokano.

Gatilyo”) in Kabataan Sanaysay English division winners category, Enrico nca 69th Carlos Pala are Kathleen Miguel Pe Aguirre Winners of the ds for Literature Osias (“James Perez (“Thoughts Memorial Awar medal is th e iv rece Machine”) on Eden”) in Kain Short Stobataan Essay, Eros ry, Juanita Roxas Singer Atalia (“Si Etot”) in Maikling Kuwento, Luis Gatmaitan (“Pretty Peach and The Color-Match(“Maselan ang Tanong ng Batang si ing Kaleidoscope”) in Short Story for Usman”) in Maikling Kuwentong Children, Jocelyn Nicolas (“The Age Pambata, Marianne Mixkaela Villa- of the Missing”) in Essay, Regine

Lamberto E. Antonio receives his Hall of Fame award after winning his fifth First Prize in Tula category this year.

Miren Cabato (“Notes from the Field”) in Poetry, Mia Buenaventura (“What Magical Fur is This? And Other Poems” - 3rd prize) in Poetry for Children, Peter Zaragoza Mayshle (“Dolorosa”) in One-Act Play, and Justin Michael Naniong (“Changelings”) in Full-length Play.

Novel winner is Reine Arcache Melvin for “The Betrayed,” while Nobela grand prize winner is Jerkin Guzman Pingol for “Agaw-anino.”

Life

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SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2019 manilastandardlife@gmail.com

Conchitina Bernardo and Vicky Zubiri join the celebration.

I

Sunshine Place founder Felicidad Tan-Sy and president Lizanne Uychaco award Juanita Palma Best in Attendance in Music category.

Felicidad Tan-Sy (center) is flanked by Sunshine Place member Nancy Ty and senior vice president for warehouse Rose Siaco.

Senior recreation center turns 5

T WAS an evening of music, friendship, and fun during the 5th anniversary celebration of senior recreation center Sunshine Place.

The Philippine Opera Company de- “Harana” suite, the Beyond Steps Class lighted members and friends with its swayed to the beat of Katy the Musi-

cal, and the recreation center’s staff and instructors performed a medley of national rural folk dances as a way of thanking their members.

The highlight of the event was the awarding ceremony, led by Sunshine Place founder Felicidad Tan Sy and

Members Teresita Castañeda, Bella Pilapil, Marilou Prudente, and Maricor Mendoza with Sunshine Place dance instructor Danny Vinculado and fitness instructor Danica Bautista.

Sunshine Place Art Class Top 3 Best in Attendance with their art instructor Art Association of the Philippines president Fidel Sarmiento (second from left).

president Lizanne Uychaco, of the Top 3 Sunshine Place members who actively participated in the center’s classes in Art, Dance, Fitness, and Mindful Movement / Meditation.

The Sunshine Place is a venue for adults to live actively through engaging

in recreational classes and age-appropriate physical training programs.

The center is located at No. 56 Jupiter St., Bel-Air, Makati City. Call (02) 856-4162 or (0917) 515-5656, or email seniorhubjupiter@gmail.com for more information.

Members Dorothy Tay and Lourdes Vanasco

BULLETIN BOARD FEU promotes textile heritage Inspired by Far Eastern University Chair Emeritus Dr. Lourdes R. Montinola’s commitment to the local textile industry, the Philippine Textile Council and the university’s Institute of Architecture and Fine Arts recently hosted competitions that promoted local weaving.

The Lourdes Montinola Piña Weaving competition aims to showcase traditional weaving. The recently held 2019 edition continued the original intention of the event—revitalizing traditional piña cloth production and welcoming fresh ideas from young talents.

This year’s winning entry was made by Raquel Elserio.

Her inventive piña-silk shawl enhances the smoothness of the fabric by juxtaposing it with clever knotting of the individual fibers.

Meanwhile, senior students took the reins of this year’s Hibla fashion show, whose theme “Pamana Para sa Kinabukasan” sought to promote culture and heritage preservation.

The event had five categories: casual wear, semi-formal, formal, couture, and accessories and jewelry. Student groups in each category were tasked to collaborate on reinventing fabrics of the different regions in the country.

Winners of the semi-finals will advance to the final round of the National Music Competitions for Young Artists on Nov. 26-29.

Piña cloths exhibited at the Likhang Habi Market Fair.

The winners took their inspiration from the versatility of Mindanao fabrics such as the Maguindanao textile and T’nalak-inspired accessory pieces. Others were inspired by the symbolic diversity of Iloilo’s Hablon fabric.

Benilde mounts Martial Law exhibit The many faces who fought for freedom at the time of Martial Law were honored through “Ang Tanda-Tanda Mo Na, Sinungaling Ka Pa Rin!,” an exhibition of a series of hand-sketched portraits of victims.

The large-scale artworks, currently on display at the De La Salle University College of Law, Rufino Campus, were produced by student-artists from DLS-CSB Fashion De-

Hand-sketched portraits of victims of Martial Law on display at ‘Ang Tanda-Tanda Mo Na, Sinungaling Ka Pa Rin’ exhibit.

sign and Merchandising and Production Design programs, under the guidance of Ramon Manuel De Leon.

According to Benilde, the collection exemplifies precision on the craft and the five perceptual skills in illustration as applied to Portraiture: The Perception of Edges, Spaces, Relationships, Light and Shadows, and Gestalt.

“Ang Tanda-Tanda Mo Na, Sinungaling Ka Pa Rin!” immortalizes the images of the individuals who, after speaking out during the dreaded period, have either gone missing, tortured. or killed.

It aims to prevent historical revisionism and disprove the statement that no one was arrested and no one was executed during the Martial Law era—other than suspected drug lord Lim Seng—due to their political or religious beliefs or criticism on then President Ferdinand Marcos.

NAMCYA finals at CCP

IT’S the last stretch of this year’s National Music Competitions for Young Artists, as the four-day finals round begins on Nov. 26.

The National Finals Competition is happening at the Cultural Center of the Philippines. Semi-finals round started on August 30 in Metro Manila and continued in Visayas and Mindana regions in September.

Three concerts are slated after the finals.

Concert for Solo Winners will be

The exhibit is on view until Nov. 30 at the De La Salle University College of Law, Rufino Campus, 38th Street, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City.

Semi-final event at Emilio Aguinaldo College.

held at CCP on the Nov. 30, simultaneous to the Traditional Music and Rondalla Outreach Concert at Rizal Park Open Air Auditorium in Labs Kita Sabado program. Meanwhile, the Concert of Winners is scheduled on Dec. 1.

The competition and concerts are open to the public and all free of charge.

Tickets are available at the CCP lobby.

Contact NAMCYA Secretariat at (02) 8836-4928 for more information.

Entertainment

Beauty guru introduces innovative way to highlight natural beauty

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eauty and hair innovator Ricky Reyes does it again—solving every Filipina’s immediate beauty problem with a groundbreaking hair treatment that highlights more your natural beauty. a new product and technique was introduced lately by the hair expert called Straight Xpress, and as the name implies, Reyes promises that women can have long silky straight locks with this revolutionary hair treatment.

Straight Xpress is the result, a worthy result of Reyes’s long period of close collaboration with personal care laboratories abroad that helped him formulate this straightening innovation that leaves hair no damage and further solve women’s hair woes. the result is stunning. Now, with Ricky Reyes, Straight Xpress, women can have perfectly straightened hair that is smooth and manageable as well.

What is more important is that Straight Xpress lessens processing time to less than an hour and at a fraction of a cost of rebonding. as Reyes said, “there’s a big demand

Hair and beauty expert Ricky Reyes

for long, straight hairstyle among Filipino method delivers all that. I want our women women. It’s no fun if it isn’t smooth, silky to have that winning looks of a true beauty and manageable. our new Straight Xpress queen, truly Filipina, truly fabulosa.”

geek culture to the streets together with our friends and family. this year’s theme is all about voicing our inner heroism to reach our full potential. you’re going to love it,” enthuses Jia Salindong-Du, country manager of WarnerMedia entertainment Networks in the Philippines.

Rally your friends and come dressed as your favorite hero! From art to music, talks to games and activities, there’s plenty to enjoy. Making a comeback will be the artist alley, Maker Center as well as the Heroic training Grounds where heroes are born. Measure your endurance and see just what it takes through physical

From C4

GMa Chairman and Ceo atty. Felipe L. Gozon, GMa President and Coo Gilberto Duavit Jr., President of GMa Worldwide, Inc. and GMa Network Films, Inc. atty.Annette Gozon-Valdes were in attendance, along with Chief Marketing Officer Lizelle Maralag, Senior

Havana Nights with Kapuso personalities Arnold Clavio, John Estrada and wife Priscilla Meirelles, and Derek Ramsay

After many years, have they finally escaped the harsh world that took away their childhood? as I-Witness celebrates its 20th anniversary, Kara sets out on a journey to

French song first.

Fewer still -- not even in France, where the credit often goes to the singer Claude Francois -- are aware that Revaux wrote the original. yet half a century after he wrote the first draft of the classic, and despite being elbowed into the shadows not just once but twice, the 79-year-old Revaux is still happy he did it his way.

The prolific songwriter scribbled down a number about a couple falling out of love titled “For Me” in his own rather idiosyncratic english in 1967 when he was 27.

He took it first to the “French Bob Dylan”, Hugues Aufray, who said, “Bloody hell, it’s good, but it’s not for me,” Revaux told AFP. the British singer Petula Clark and the egyptian-born diva Dalida also turned it down before Revaux—who by then had penned a string of hits—bumped into French megastar Francois in the Riviera resort of Cannes that summer. AFP

Disney+ signs up 10 million in day

Havana...

From C4

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Regrets that ‘My Way’ songwriter had

He WRote the music for “My Way”, one of the world’s most popular songs, but Jacques Revaux would like to mention a few of his regrets.

For one, “I don’t even have a photo with Frank Sinatra,” the French songwriter laughed. the legendary american crooner may have made the song a global hit, but not many people know it was actually a

Warner TV is taking geek culture to the streets of Eastwood City Open Park and Central Plaza on Sunday, Nov. 17.

Kara David...

nickie.standard@gmail.com

I did it my way: French musician and composer Jacques Revaux, who wrote the music for "My Way"

Bigger, bolder, braver Warner TV Pop Expo

WaRNeR tV Pop expo has become one of the most anticipated events in the Philippines yearly as it created a common ground for Filipinos to celebrate pop culture. and tomorrow, Warner tV is taking geek culture to the streets of eastwood City open Park and Central Plaza. entry is absolutely free.

In 2018, more than 10,000 enthusiasts and fans assembled from the various worlds of comics, art, coffee, gaming, tV, cosplay, tech, and DIy. “ after two very successful runs of Warner tV Pop expo, it’s time to be even braver and bolder. It is just right to bring

saturday, november 16 2019

games such asArrow-inspired “archery attack”, Swordplay and Shooting Range. test your knowledge on facts and let’s see how well you know Sheldon Cooper from The Big Bang Theory and Young Sheldon. Channel your inner-Monica and bring the rest of your barkada over to celebrate the 25th anniversary with a “We are F.R.I.e.N.D.S.” interactive photo area. Did we mention that it features the iconic couch from Central Perk shipped in from the u.S.? and as the Caped Crusader celebrates his 80th anniversary, don’t miss the “Batman-By-Us” interactive graffiti exhibit where expo-goers will be able to get creative in this awesome surprise. everyone’s fave ghost-hunting dog, Scooby-Doo, is also celebrating a milestone birthday this year, although he doesn’t look a day over 50. together with special guests from Cartoon Network’s We Bare Bears and The Powerpuff Girls, there’ll be plenty of cute photo opps. tons of on-stage activities and board games will test your geekiness. and outstanding performances from some of the country’s biggest musical acts are scheduled throughout the day. and because you asked for it, Warner tV is bringing the Pop talks to the main stage so that everyone can attend and learn. Speakers will be announced soon so stay tuned.

If that isn’t enough, a lucky few will also have the chance to take home some exclusive goodies. Don’t miss the biggest, boldest and bravest geek culture expo of the year.

Vice President for News and Public affairs Marissa Flores, and other GMa executives. atty. Gozon took the opportunity to express his gratitude to everyone present at the darling event, “Tonight there is no officer, there is no artist. everybody is equal. We are all a Kapuso here.

I have to tell you, our only mission tonight is to enjoy together. this is a nice way to show that each and every artist is important to the Network. We will always be behind you, we are proud of you and your achievements.”

EA de Guzman, Rodjun Cruz, and Jason Abalos

Cavite, Batangas, and Camarines Norte to once again meet Jones, Charlie, Edrian, and Ekang.

“It’s [also] our way of celebrating their lives because I-Witness would be this successful if not because of their story,” says Kara of this anniversary special. “We owe I-Witness to these

people. Sila ang tunay na I-Witness.

Sila ang tunay na lifeline ng programang ito kasi wala kaming mailalabas sa telebisyon kung wala sila.”

Kara also want the viewers to recognize the people behind the camera who made I-Witness to be what it is

WaLt Disney Co.’s new streaming television service Disney+ got off to a roaring start by signing up 10 million subscribers on its first day, the company announced Wednesday.

Disney said in a statement it has seen “extraordinary consumer demand” and “has already reached a major milestone, achieving a remarkable 10 million signups since launching.” the news comes despite a launch marred by glitches that prevented many customers accessing titles from Mickey Mouse cartoons to Star Wars.

Disney+ marks a huge bet by the media-entertainment giant, pitching it into direct conflict with on-demand services such as Netflix and Amazon Prime which have disrupted the Hollywood media landscape.

It went live tuesday across the uS, Canada and Netherlands, featuring

thousands of movies and tV episodes from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Lucasfilm and National Geographic.

Disney chief Bob Iger called the launch “a historic moment for our company that marks a new era of innovation and creativity.” AFP

At least 10 million customers signed up for the Disney+ streaming serving within a day of the launch, the company said.

PELÍCULA Spanish Film Festival wraps up in Iloilo

By Seymour Barros Sanchez tHe 18th PeLÍCuLa Spanish Film Festival concluded with the screening of Rodrigo Sorogoyen’s El reino at the Cinematheque Center in Iloilo City last Nov. 9.

For three days, starting Nov. 7, Instituto Cervantes showed a selection of films from the festival, in their original Spanish version with subtitles in english, at the venue for free.

The festival’s final leg kicked off with the argentinean black comedy El cuento de las comadrejas (the Weasels’ tale), which won the “Premio del Público” (audience Choice award) of PeLÍCuLa 2019 at Greenbelt 3 in Makati City last month.

The film, which was directed by oscar-winning filmmaker Juan José Campanella, tells the story of a famous actress, an actor, a film director and screenwriter who were popular during the Golden age of Cinema, as they do the impossible to preserve the world they have created. on Nov. 8, PeLÍCuLa screened Gastón Duprat’s Mi obra maestra (2018), which focuses on two friends with very different personalities: arturo, a charming and unscrupulous art dealer, and Renzo, a sullen painter whose fame has declined.

In the film, Arturo tries to relaunch the artistic career of Renzo, but things get from bad to worse, until they come up with an extremely ludicrous plan.

The film got the Audience Award at the Valladolid International Film Festival last year.

El mejor verano de mi vida (2018), directed by Dani de la Orden, was screened on Nov. 9. the popular Spanish comedy delves into the life of Curro, an unlucky salesman burdened with debt, as he tries to fulfill his promise to his son to go on an unforgettable summer holiday.

PeLÍCuLa closed with the drama El reino (2018), which has received more than 30 awards worldwide. Highlighting a very interesting insight into contemporary politics and corruption, the film is about a Spanish politician who enjoys the good life, while enriching himself with public funds.

When a friend and fellow member of his political party gets accused of corruption, he tries to cover up for him, against the directives of the leaders of his party. the Spanish Film Festival was presented by Instituto Cervantes along with the embassy of Spain, aeCID, uP Film Institute, turespaña and the Film Development Council of the Philippines. the event was also made possible by Rustan’s, the PtC Group of Companies, Cinematheque Center Iloilo, Spanish Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines, TBA Studios, Netflix, and Spanish restaurants La Picara, Barcino, Bar Pintxos, tapella and Pablo Bistro.

now—the country’s longest-running and award-winning documentary program.

“I wouldn’t have done it if my whole team is not invested in this show. It’s totally a team effort. We (hosts) are just the face of the show, kami lang ang boses, kami lang ang nagsusulat ng voice over—pero hindi kami yung

I-Witness. I-Witness is everybody.

From the Pa to the cameraman to the editors, directors, executive producers—everyone,” she ended.

Join Kara tonight as she revisits some of the documentaries her team produced over the years. I-Witness airs after Studio 7 on GMa-7.

Entertainment

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

C4

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 16 2019

‘Havana Nights’ with Kapuso stars, personalities

(From left) GMA President and COO Gilberto R. Duavit Jr.; Heart Evangelista; GMA Chairman and CEO Atty. Felipe L. Gozon and wife Mrs. Teresa Gozon

Faye Lorenzo, Kim Domingo, Analyn Barro, Ashley Rivera, Sheena Halili, and Denise Barbacena

LIGHTS billowed from the ceiling in a romantic drape. The music was upbeat, lively, and reminiscent of nights in Havana – aptly so. Cheer and laughter were evident in the air as guests streamed in the room dressed in bright colors and fun patterns. There’s no mistaking it—the night was a celebration.

Last Nov. 7 at the Manila Polo

Club, GMA Network honored its dear artists with a fun-filled Thanksgiving Party.

Themed “Havana Nights,” Kapuso oncam personalities and network executives came ready to dance the night away and bond with each other. Some of them gamely sang on stage and performed for their fellow artists. Continued on C3

Arjo Atayde O

N WEDNESDAY, the second season of Bagman, the socio political thriller produced by Dreamscape Entertainment and Rein Entertainment for iWant, premiered on the popular streaming site.

Picking up from where the previous season left off, which sparked conversations and resonated with viewers, who applauded its unapologetic and eye-opening exploration of relevant social issues, lead star Arjo Atayde returns to his role as the streetsmart and power-hungry Gov. Benjo Malaya, a barber-turned-bagmanturned-politician who was fighting for his life after his attempted assassination.

Arjo is joined by Carlo Aquino who both find a formidable foe in each other as they put their lives on the line in the new season of the socio-political statement piece.

Fortunate to survive the blow, Benjo pulls out all the stops to determine the mastermind behind the plan, as well as the hitman who tried to kill him, Emman (Carlo), while continuing to carry out

wants

‘BAGMAN’ to go places

Itzy is a South Korean girl group formed by JYP Entertainment, consisting of members Yeji, Lia, Ryujin, Chaeryeong, and Yuna.

‘Itzy? Itzy!’ showcase tour in PH GLOBE continues to bring the best of Korean entertainment to the country by partnering with JYP Entertainment and PULP Live World for Itzy Premiere Showcase Tour Itzy? Itzy! in Manila on Dec. 8 at the New Frontier Theater in Quezon City.

Rookie girl group, ITZY is a new Korean girl group under JYP Entertainment. The group debuted in early 2019 and are composed of Yeji, Lia, Ryujin, Chaeryeong, andYuna. They gained global recognition with their single “Dalla Dalla” and “Icy.” ITZY is unstoppable—with two successful album releases and recognitions such as the 2019 Genie Music Awards’ Female New Artist, 2019 Soribada Best K-Music Awards’ Rookie Award, and 2019 Brand of the Year Awards’ Female Rookie Idol of the Year, it is set to end 2019 with a bang through its showcase tour.

First dibs on concert tickets and a chance to win an exclusive VIP concert experience are in store for Globe Prepaid, Globe Postpaid, and Globe At Home Prepaid WiFi customers.

Join the K-mmunity PH Facebook group

Atayde family supporting Arjo at the special screening of 'Bagman.'

'Bagman' is a socio-political thriller produced by Dreamscape Entertainment and Rein Entertainment for iWant.

Arjo Atayde with co-star Carlo Aquino

his responsibilities as the governor of Magdiwang.

Meanwhile, Emman (Carlo) faces the consequences of his failure to end the life of Benjo and grows desperate to prove his worth by once again carrying out the mission under the orders of Rep. Ricardo Matias (Romnick Sarmenta).

Benjo’s and Emman’s crooked paths repeatedly cross, and Benjo starts to put together the clues that will lead him to discovering the identity of his killer.

As Benjo and Emman sacrifice their principles and get their hands dirty to one-up each other, who will come out alive?

“I want Bagman to go places and expand into many seasons. There are a lot of things that we could do with the story and the characters. There are so many plots to explore,” Arjo told Manila Standard during a brief chat after the special screening of the digital series held at Santolan Town Plaza cinema.

“We’re glad that the series had a second season and of course we wanted to have an extension. Who wouldn’t want that?” he added.

Bagman remains to be the most streamed content on iWant and Arjo couldn’t thank his fans and supporters enough for promoting the series.

“It happened through word of mouth and it makes me proud that the series stands out because of the plot and how it is executed,” he shared.

The series’ return not only marks another deep-dive into the brutal world of politics and corruption but also the coming together of two of the most acclaimed young actors of today.

The eight-part series is written and directed by Shugo Praico. Also part of the cast are Irma Adlawan, Rez Cortez, Joel Saracho, Mon Confiado, Rollie Inocencio, Menggie Cobarrubias, Chanel Latorre, and Rosanna Roces.

Watch Arjo and Carlo face off in the new season of Bagman, streaming on the iWant app (iOs and Android) or iwant. ph for free. For updates, like www. facebook.com/iWant, and follow @ iwant on Twitter and @iwantofficial and @dreamscapedigital on Instagram, and subscribe to www.youtube.com/ iWantPH. ***

Palaboy, Kapuso kiddie star Leanne Bautista, Ella Cristofani, Jerick Dolormente, Radson Flores, Rere Madrid, and Starstuck princess Lexi Gonzales.

In tomorrow’s episode, find the answers to these questions: Is there any type of mater that can stop a glass filled with explosive black powder from exploding?; How can you get a giant wooden cable drum to roll in a different direction?; How can you clean a bottle using magnets?; Can you build a sturdy bridge without any nails and without using any tools?; and Can you build a soda tower with the help of spaghetti sticks?

Discover the answers in the Street Genius experiments: “Cylinder Blaster” and “Ramp and Roll.”

For her Huling Hirit, Lexi shows us how to wrap a gift pretty enough to put it up as a Christmas display in her Holiday Lollipop Lifehack.

Make your Sunday mornings more fun and educational with iBilib.

Making your Sunday more educational Tomorrow, learn about science and have fun as you watch iBilib featuring Street Genius.

Join the cool experiments with award-winning host Chris Tiu, James and Roadfill of Moymoy

'iBilib' host Chris Tiu with his special guests

to get details on the Globe Exclusive PreSale and Ultimate Stan Experience. Be the first to know more about upcoming K-Pop events, and interact and bond with fellow K-Pop fans by joining the K-mmunity PH group at glbe.co/KmmunityPH. Public selling of tickets started on Nov. 10 at TicketNet outlets nationwide and online through www. ticketnet.com.ph. Plus, another 10 lucky members will win the Ultimate Stan Experience and receive VIP tickets, and a Special VIP experience to the venue on concert day.

Most recently, Globe has brought massive KPop acts like GOT7, EXO, TWICE, BLACKPINK, Wanna One, and Super Junior to the country to delight Filipino K-Pop fans. With more exciting artists like ITZY lined up, Filipino fans are sure to experience world-class music entertainment—a commitment that Globe will continue to strengthen for years to come. For more information, join the K-mmunity PH group at glbe.co/KmmunityPH or follow Globe ICON on Facebook and Instagram.

For more about Globe Telecom, visit www.globe.com.ph.

Kara David revisits former case studies in ‘Sa Mata ng Bata’ SINCE she started in 2002, awardwinning broadcast journalist and I-Witness host Kara David has done numerous documentaries and closest to her heart are those that tackled issues on child labor. Kara told touching stories about children who chose to work at an early age, instead of going to school or playing.

Doing documentaries for I-Witness has made a big impact to Kara’s life. “Lagi kasing sinasabi ng mga tao na nababago ang buhay ng mga case study dahil sa ginagawa ng media sa kanila,” Kara said. “But they don’t realize that our lives also change because of them (case studies), because of their stories.”

Kara revealed that it was because of I-Witness that she decided to put up her foundation. “Because they entrust me with their stories, nagkaroon ako ng mas malalim na malasakit sa bansang ito,” she says, adding, “I realize na doon sa kasuluk-sulukan ng Pilipinas kung

saan wala masyadong access to electricity, walang access to basic services, grabe ang mga tao, buhay na buhay ang malasakit nila sa isa’t isa.”

As part of I-Witness’ 20th anniversary, Kara David goes back to some of the stories she did years ago.

Kara first met Jonel when she made the documentary “Gintong Putik” seven years ago. Back then, he made a living by diving in a mud pit in the hopes of getting bits of gold. In her documentary “Pulo’t Pukyutan” last 2014, Kara met brothers Charlie and Edrian who climbed trees to collect honey from beehives.

While in her documentary “Sa Mata Ni Ekang” in 2007, Kara saw the world through the eyes of then three-year-old Ekang, whose father was a robber, her mother a drug runner, and her grandmother a former sex worker turned pimp. Continued on C3 Broadcast journalist Kara David