Manila Standard - 2019 December 12 - Thursday

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SEAG FINAL MEDAL TALLY GOLD SILVER BRONZE TOTAL PHILIPPINES VIETNAM THAILAND INDONESIA MALAYSIA SINGAPORE MYANMAR CAMBODIA BRUNEI LAOS TIMOR

149 98 92 72 55 53 4 4 2 1 0

117 85 103 84 58 46 18 6 5 5 1

121 105 123 111 71 68 51 36 6 28 5

387 288 318 267 184 167 73 46 13 34 6

CHROMATIC CLOSING.

Fireworks display (left) during the 30th SEA Games closing ceremony Wednesday at the New Clark City Athletic Stadium in Capas, Tarlac; the athletes from different countries (below); with Southeast Asian Games gold medallist Roger Casugay holding aloft the Philippine tricolors during the closing ceremonies. AFP

VOL. XXXIII • NO. 301 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P18 THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2019 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS Blaze of glory caps PH victorious campaign at the close of 30th SEA Games

By Peter Atencio

Ayala’s Manila still in hot water

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By Maricel V. Cruz, Rio N. Araja and Rey E. Requejo A JOINT congressional panel was asked Wednesday to investigate the role of Jose Rene Almendras, president of the Ayala-led Manila Water Company Inc. when it signed the concession agreement with the government in 2008, then joined the Aquino administration in 2010 as Energy secretary.

“As vice chairman of this committee, I’m looking at the different liabilities of the persons involved in government contracts,” said Cavite Rep. Crispin Remulla, vice chairman of the House committee on good government and public accountability, during a hearing late Monday.

ADAM’S ALE ISSUE. Senator Grace Poe (left), chairperson of the Senate Committee on Public Services, “I suggest that we investigate the matter of lobs questions at Emmanuel Salamat (center), administrator of the MWSS, and Jose Rene Almendras (right), Secretary Almendras being with Ayala and the president/CEO of Manila Water Company during the Senate public hearing Wednesday regarding the shortage of Next page

water in Metro Manila. Lino Santos

Reds scoff at safe-passage offer, bat for talks in ‘neutral country’

By MJ Blancaflor SELF-EXILED communist leader Jose Maria Sison on Wednesday urged the government to hold negotiations in a neutral country instead of the Philippines to prove that the offer to revive peace talks is not a trap.

In a statement Wednesday, Sison said the National Democractic Front could not trust the “no arrest” declaration of Malacañang.

“The NDFP cannot submit itself to any situation and process in which it comes under the duress, control and surveillance

APAS, Tarlac—As the national athletics team ended their campaign with a gold medal from decathlete Aries Toledo, the Philippines added to the highest medal count in 14 years at the close of the 30th Southeast Asian Games.

As the fire that blazed atop the cauldron for almost two weeks was doused, Toledo managed to retain the crown he won in 2017.

This gave the Philippines a total of 149 golds, 118 silvers and 120 bronzes when the overall tally was finally completed Wednesday.

The count was 36 golds higher than what the Philippines got in 2005 when the country last hosted the event. Back then, the Philippines had a 149-118-120, gold-silver-bronze haul.

Vietnam, which got its final gold from Tan Trieu Tran in his title conquest in the 10km open swimming meet, finished with a 98-85-105 showing.

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House, Senate ratify bicam report on P4-t budget

By Maricel V. Cruz and Macon Ramos-Araneta THE House of Representatives and the Senate on Wednesday ratified the bicameral conference committee report on the proposed P4.1-trillion General Appropriations Act for 2020.

The vote was held separately on the same day the bicameral conference committee approved the proposed 2020 budget.

Finance committee chairman Senator Juan Edgardo Angara endorsed the report to the plenary and it was ratified without opposition.

At the Lower House, Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano said the budget that was passed has “no pork, no parked funds, and no delays with full transparency.”

“2020 is a very symbolic year as it represents a perfect vision—a vision we share with President Duterte to provide a Next page

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Kidnap victim’s partner suspect—cops

By Joel E. Zurbano THE Makati City police will invite for questioning Chen Tangbin, the live-in partner of 28-year-old kidnapping victim Zhou Mei, to shed light on her abduction in front of the Salustiana D. Ty Tower Building on Paseo de Roxas and Perea in

‘Anti-terror law voids martial law’ THERE will be no need to again declare martial law in Mindanao as the Senate will pass the Anti-Terrorism Act to address the insurgency issues in the south, Senate President Vicente Sotto III said Wednesday.

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Legazpi Village on Monday night.

The screaming victim was dragged into a white van by at least two Chineselooking men.

Makati police chief investigator Maj. Gideon Ines Jr. said the van’s deed of sale document recovered at the crime scene Next page

BUDGET SIGNED. Bicam House Panel Chairman Rep. Isidro Ungab, assisted by Majority Leader and Rep. Martin Romualdez (9th right standing) and Bicam Senate Panel chairman Juan Edgardo Angara after the Bicameral meeting Wednesday at the Manila Polo Club in Makati City, after signing the approved P4.1-trillion 2020 national budget. Ver Noveno

Webster’s new word of the year—‘they’

Tomato ‘screams’ when stressed out

THE pronoun “they,” used by non-binary people who identify as neither male nor female, was named word of the year by US dictionary Merriam-Webster.

In the English language, more and more people are exercising their right

VEGANS or herbivorous, read.

Some plants, according to a report

by LiveScience, quoting Tel Aviv University scientists, emit an ‘ultrasonic’ scream when they’re stressed out.

The report said researchers placed

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News

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2019

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Solon: Death to massacre culprits

By Maricel V. Cruz

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ONGRESS has yet to pass a bill reimposing the death penalty for heinous crimes, But Maguindanao Rep. Esmael Mangudadatu said Wednesday he wanted the death penalty for the principal suspects in the Maguindanao massacre in 2009.

He made the statement when asked if he thought capital punishment would be the appropriate penalty for those found guilty in the case.

Meanwhile, the Supreme Court on Tuesday approved the requests by various media organizations to

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Philippine government and the conflict of interest attached to his office,” he added.

The Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System told the same joint committee on Wednesday that has decided to revoke a previous resolution approving the extension of the concession agreements with Maynilad Water Services Inc. and Manila Water from 2022 to 2037.

MWSS deputy administrator Leonor Cleofas made the disclosure as the joint committee on good government and public accountability and on public accounts continued its probe into the water concession agreements following President Rodrigo Duterte’s threat to scrap the deals with the two private water concessionaires.

At the joint hearing Wednesday, Cleofas said the MWSS board on Dec. 5 decided to revoke the extension of the concession agreement.

“It was on the agenda that the board should tackle the resolution on the approval of the extension of the concession agreement—that was in 2008 and 2009,” Cleofas told legislators.

“Based on the recent directive of the Office of the President and the Cabinet … they are now revoking ... the board resolution adopted in 2008,” she added.

The two water concessionaires earlier committed not to collect the P10.7 billion granted to them by the arbitral court in Singapore following President Duterte’s threat to scrap the concession agreements with the two companies.

The House joint committee conducted the hearing in response to a resolution filed by Dasmariñas City Rep. Elpidio Barzaga, Jr. In his resolution, Barzaga, chairman of the House committee on natural resources, said Manila Water claimed losses of billions of pesos, even though it posted a gross income of P6.5 billion, up 6 percent from the previous year.

On the other hand, he said, Maynilad reported a net income of P7.3 billion in 2018, up from P6.8 billion in 2017. According to its 2018 annual report, its core income increased by 5 percent due to the combined effect of a 3-percent growth in billed volume and several rounds of tariff increases. With Macon Ramos-Araneta

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by the armed minions of Duterte,” Sison said.

The communist leader also noted that the standing agreement between the government and the NDFP is to hold negotiations in a foreign neutral venue as stated in the Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees.

“The Duterte regime has to prove that it is not merely trying to put the NDFP in a trap in which his armed minions can murder consultants like the late Randy Felix Malayao and arrest them on trumped up charges and with planted firearms like Vicente Ladlad, Rey Casambre, Reynante Gamara, Adel Silva, Alex Birondo, his wife Nona and others in violation of JASIG,” Sison said.

He also maintained that the Duterte administration cannot gain the trust and confidence of the NDFP while it refuses to carry out “goodwill measures.”

These measures include the release of sickly and elderly political prisoners on humanitarian grounds and ceasefires during

allow live coverage of the Dec. 19 promulgation of a Quezon City court’s decision on the Maguindanao massacre in 2009, where 58 people― including 32 journalists―were killed.

Quezon City Regional Trial Court Judge Jocelyn Solis-Reyes earlier set

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Thailand, drawing its last gold from it men’s 4x100-meter relay team in athletics, finished with a 92-103-123 performance for third.

As volunteers and athletes from participating countries marched around the New Clark City athletics stadium for one last time at last night’s closing ceremonies, Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham Tolentino praised the hard work and dedication of Filipino athletes in toiling for hard-earned medals during the 11day meet.

“I am overwhelmed by the performance of our athletes in the 30th SEA Games. They showed us that with proper support and encouragement, they will deliver. I am proud that they proved that my faith in them was well-placed,” said Tolentino last night. Hip hop group Black Eyed Peas sang “Let’s Get It Started” during the closing ceremony Wednesday night while Ariel Pineda, frontman of the American rock band Journey, capped the evening with “We Are The Champions.”

Tolentino said the Philippines’ quest for excellence in the international stage does not end here.

“This is just the beginning. I see better things ahead for Philippine sports. And

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safe and comfortable life for all Filipinos.

Now more than ever is the best time to push for reforms to see this goal though,” Cayetano said in a statement.

“While there is no perfect budget, both the Senate and the House of Representatives have identified areas where funds have been underutilized for various reasons. Thus, both houses made adjustments so it can now be fully utilized for programs such as the Build, Build, Build and social welfare programs in furthering the goal of improving the quality of life of Filipinos,” he added.

House Majority Leader Martin Romualdez denied allegations of pork barrel inserted in the proposed national budget even after the bicameral meeting.

“We have not discovered [any alleged insertions] and there are no commentaries about it here in the bicam so we hope even that will be clarified,” Romualdez said.

Senator Panfilo Lacson earlier claimed

the promulgation for 9 a.m. on Dec. 19 at the Quezon City jail annex in Camp Bagong Diwa in Bicutan, Taguig City, after the Supreme Court granted her request for a 30-day extension to resolve the mass murder case.

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 Magu-

indanao Gov. Andal Ampatuan Sr. and his children.

As far as Mangudadatu was concerned, the suspects deserved “hundreds of years in jail for the death of 58 people, including his wife and 32 media practitioners.”

Mangudadatu earlier said he would resign from Congress if the accused in the Ampatuan Massacre case were not convicted.

He added he expected the court to rule in favor of the victims of the massacre in Maguindanao, a decadeold case labeled as one of the worst election-related mass killings in the country.

the Philippine Olympic Committee will partner with both government and private sectors to ensure this will indeed happen.

Next stop is the Olympics,” he said.

Tolentino added that long hours devoted in the planning stages, the sacrifices and challenges were worth all the wait. “As we bring to a close another chapter in the history of the Southeast Asian Games, one cannot but feel a sense of wonderment at how time went by so fast. It feels like yesterday that we went into the planning stages, the feverish preparations, the many challenges faced and hurdled, then the excitement of the competitions and the inevitable euphoria and despair at every match won or lost. And now, all too soon, we bid each other farewell,” said Tolentino.

Philippine Sports Commission chairman William Ramirez said the dedication that the athletes have shown is something worth praising.

“We all worked hard for this. The Philippine Olympic Committee, national sports associations, the organizing committee, the government, the private sector, and the Filipino people all came together to show our team that they have the whole nation behind them,” said Ramirez, before music and fireworks energized the big crowd that came to witness lively musical performances.

The official SEAG flag was later fi-

nally turned over to representatives from Vietnam, which will host the Games in 2021.

Classic rock bands KO Jones and Journey also entertained the crowd with a 20-minute set each.

President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday night met with gold medalist and “hero surfer” Roger Casugay, who earned praises for rescuing his Indonesian rival during the men’s longboard competition in the 30th Southeast Asian Games.

Casugay and the rest of the Philippine surfing team paid a courtesy call in Malacañang, as shown in photos released by the Palace. The Filipino surfer saved Indonesian Arip Nurhidayat who broke his leash during the competition in La Union on Dec. 6.

The 25-year-old athlete eventually won the gold medal in the men’s longboard on Sunday and he was the Philippines’ flag bearer for the closing rites of the games at the New Clark City Athletics Stadium on Wednesday.

Indonesia’s President Joko Widodo has expressed his appreciation for Casugay for helping Nurhidayat.

The Senate also commended Casugay for his heroism.

The Philippine Sports Commission will offer him a special plaque of recognition and a cash incentive on Friday.

With MJ Blancaflor

that there are still “lump sums” and “vaguely described projects” that are now part of the bicam report.

Lacson also noted that upon preliminary scrutiny of the last-minute insertions made by the House, it was discovered that the “Source File” is the list of 1,253 budget items worth P83.219 billion that was allegedly used as the congressmen’s “source” of their “list” of 742 projects worth P16.345 billion that were inserted in the bicam report.

“But of course, we always respect the views of each and every congressman and senator, and we share the same zeal and we are always with Senator Ping [Lacson] and those who want to rid the budget of any of those pork issues,” Romualdez said in a mix of English and Filipino.

Congress is hoping to have the proposed 2020 GAA signed by President Rodrigo Duterte on Dec. 20 before lawmakers go on break for the holidays.

Among the critical programs of the Duterte administration are measures to implement new laws and policies that provide socio-economic assistance to all Filipinos and enhance

security of the nation, such as the following: 1) full implementation of the Universal Health Care Act; 2) institutionalization of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program; 3) smooth transition to the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao; 4) implementation of the liberalization of rice importation; 5) creation of the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development; and 6) National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict.

Cayetano and Romualdez said the early approval of the budget provides the President ample time to review the bill’s provisions and ensure that it is aligned with the priority programs of the administration.

A critic of the budget process, Lacson stayed away from the bicameral conference committee meeting Monday night.

“Pork is here to stay. I hope the President will again exercise his political will in vetoing line items that will obviously waste people’s tax money,” Lacson said.

He said pork insertions could reach P83 billion.

“Bad habits are indeed hard to break,” Lacson said. With PNA

the Christmas season up to the first week of 2020.

Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III, the government’s chief peace negotiator, told the Manila Standard that he met with Sison in The Netherlands from Dec. 7 to 8 in a bid to revive peace negotiations which were terminated by President Rodrigo Duterte in November 2017.

Bello was joined by Hernani Braganza, who served as government negotiator for backchannel talks with the NDF while formal talks remained stalled, while Sison was accompanied

by NDF chairman Luis Jalandoni and NDF chief negotiator Fidel Agcaoili.

The agreements forged during their meeting have yet to be publicized.

Sison said the negotiating panels headed by Bello and Agcaoili are “conscientious and competent” and if there were no “disruptions and terminations” from Duterte, they can do their work “effectively and at the proper pace.”

“It is important to recognize the dangers and pitfalls and to take precautions. It is necessary to fulfill certain political, legal and security requirements,” Sison said.

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He supported President Rodrigo Duterte’s decision not to extend military rule in the area.

“I’m sure there will be pros and cons on the issue from Mindanao, but we can assure them that we will pass the Anti-Terrorism Act that will give the government more teeth in the area and so martial law will no longer be necessary,” Sotto told reporters.

Under the proposed measure, any “attack that cause death or serious bodily injury to any person” may be considered terrorism.

Suspected terrorists can be arrested without warrant and detained for up to 14 days.

A Senate panel earlier recommended the passage of tougher anti-terrorism policies ahead of Duterte’s expected rejection of a fourth extension of martial law in Mindanao.

“So doon sa mga nag-aalala dahil wala na ang martial law, ‘wag sila mag-alala dahil ‘yung anti -errorism act ipapasa namin,” Sotto said.

Former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV earlier slammed the passage of the Anti-Terrorism Act, saying it would “most likely be used as another tool of oppression.”

Trillanes blasted the government proposal to amend the anti-terrorism law, but Sotto said the Senate’s version had “all the needed safeguards” to protect the law from possible abuse.

“Hindi naman sila basta-basta aarestuhin ng kahit na sino. Kailangan they should go through the normal legal process,” he said.

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showed the name and address of Chen.

The authorities had made a visit to Cheng’s condominium unit, also in Legazpi Village, hours after the incident, but the security guard told them he was out to attend a “transaction.”

Aside from Chen, the police has another suspect who could also give them a lead to solve the case.

The police confirmed that Zhou and Chen are employees at a Philippine offshore gaming operators firm based in Makati.

In related developments: Zhou Mei is a “good” employee of a gambling hub, police said Wednesday, as the investigation focused on her partner and his friend.

Zhou Mei had no debt from or any offense against the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator where she is a manager entrusted with financial matters, according to her employers, Ines said.

The Justice department said Wednesday the Bureau of Immigration had been coordinating with the Chinese Embassy and the Philippine National Police to identify their nationals who may be involved in crimes, including kidnapping, so that immigration authorities would be able to prevent their entry here or to deport them.

Justice Undersecretary Markk Perete, who exercises administrative supervision over BI, said the bureau had been coordinating with the PNP Anti-Kidnapping Group and with the Chinese Embassy, through its Police Attaché, even before the recent reports about the kidnapping of Chinese nationals happened.

The Tourism department on Wednesday assured foreign visitors that the Philippines remains safe to tourists as coordination continues

between the agency and local law enforcement offices.

The assurance was made following the reported kidnapping cases in the country involving mostly Chinese nationals in Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators.

Makati City Mayor Abigail Binay on Wednesday urged her constituents to report crimes in the city using the Makatizen mobile application to gain instant access and quick response from law enforcers.

Binay reiterated her call following the alleged abduction of Zhou Mei. “When we witness a crime in progress, the best course of action should be to contact the authorities. We can instantly do it using the Makatizen app’s Maka-SOS feature that allows us to contact police hotlines with just one click,” she said.

Binay said the mobile app was created to bring information and public services, including emergency assistance and response, closer to the people who live, work, do business or spend their leisure time in the country’s premier financial center.

“The app empowers Makatizens to use their mobile phones to keep up with the latest developments at City Hall and to actively participate in the governance of the city. More importantly, it enables them to promptly contact the proper authorities in times of any kind of emergency that require urgent government assistance and intervention,” Binay said.

The Makatizen App was first launched during the 347th Founding Anniversary of Makati City on June 1, 2017, and was initially available for android phones via Play Store. It was the product of a groundbreaking public-private partnership agreement between the City and Neo-Converge ICT Solutions Inc. With Rey E. Requejo and PNA

China accounts for 48 of jailed journalists— press watchdog AT LEAST 250 journalists are jailed around the world, with the largest number held in China, amid a growing crackdown by authoritarian regimes on independent media, a press watchdog group said Wednesday.

Many of those imprisoned face “antistate” charges or are accused of producing “false news,” according to the report by the New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists which also cited Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Eritrea, Vietnam, and Iran for their jailing of journalists.

The press freedom watchdog said it counted at least 48 journalists jailed in China, one more than in 2018, as President Xi Jinping ramps up efforts to control the media.

That put China ahead of Turkey, which has 47 imprisoned journalists—and the largest number over the previous three years.

The report said the situation in Turkey, which had 68 journalists jailed last year, is not really an improvement but “reflects the successful efforts by the government of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to stamp out independent reporting and criticism.”

The CPJ said the Turkish government has shut down more than 100 news outlets and lodged terror-related charges against many of their staff, putting many reporters out of work and intimidating others.

“Dozens of journalists not currently jailed in Turkey are still facing trial or appeal and could yet be sentenced to prison, while others have been sentenced in absentia and face arrest if they return to the country,” the committee said.

The report said authoritarianism, instability and protests in the Middle East led to a rise in the number of journalists locked up in the region, with Saudi Arabia on a par with Egypt as the third worst jailer worldwide, each with 26 imprisoned.

In Saudi Arabia, no charges have been disclosed against 18 of the journalists behind bars, and CPJ expressed concern over reports of “beating, burning and starving political prisoners, including four journalists.” AFP

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to choose the pronoun by which they are identified, regardless of their sex at birth— such as “they” instead of “she” or “he.”

Two months ago, the dictionary added the word “they” as a non-binary pronoun that can refer to just one person.

“There’s no doubt that its use is established in the English language, which is why it was added to the MerriamWebster.com dictionary this past September,” the website said, adding that searches for “they” jumped 313 percent in a year.

Non-binary people are enjoying increased representation on television and in pop culture. Among them is British artist Sam Smith, who recently revealed a preference for “they/them” pronouns “after a lifetime of being at war with my gender.”

Tech giant Apple has added “neutral” emojis that don’t distinguish between gender to the latest version of its operating system. AFP

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microphones a few inches from tomato and tobacco plants, deprived them of water and cut their stems.

The plants eventually emitted an ultrasonic signal between 20 and 100 kilohertz, the researchers found.

According to their paper, which has not been reviewed by peers, when a tomato plant’s stem is cut, it emits 25 ultrasonic distress sounds over the course of an hour, and tomato plants made up to 35 distress signals an hour when deprived of water.

The researchers wrote: ‘‘These findings can alter the way we think about the plant kingdom, which has been considered to be almost silent until now.”

Previous research has shown that even brushing against a plant can ‘stress it out’—meaning it ‘warns’ nearby plants that something has happened, the researchers said.

The signals take the form of chemicals secreted by roots, which tell nearby plants they’ve been in contact with something.

Researchers believe the signals are ‘instructions’ on how to grow, based on whether nearby plants are relatives.

Led by Velemir Ninkovic from the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, the researchers stressed out corn seedlings by touching their leaves.

They then watched how nearby plants grew—and saw that they directed their resources into growing more leaves and fewer roots.

Lead author Dr. Ninkovic said: “Our study demonstrated that changes induced by above ground mechanical contact between plants can affect below ground interactions, acting as cues in prediction of the future competitors.” AFP

News Anti-sub ship sent to Palawan THE Philippine Navy will deploy its anti-submarine corvette, the BRP Conrado Yap (PS-39), to help secure Palawan waters.

In an update Tuesday, Navy flag-officer-in-command Vice Admiral Robert Empedrad said the South Koreandonated vessel is ideal for the “rough waters of Palawan.”

BRP Conrado Yap is the former Pohang-class corvette ROKS Chungju.

Also, having BRP Conrado Yap based in Palawan will allow the ship to help ongoing efforts to eradicate piracy in the Celebes and Sulu Seas due to its proximity.

Empedrad said BRP Conrado Yap will augment one of the Del Pilar-class offshore patrol vessel and the World War II-era Rizal-class minesweepers securing the waters.

Pohang-class corvettes, especially those designated as Flight II, are optimized for anti-submarine warfare missions.

The ship is armed with two 76mm Oto Melara automatic guns, two Oto Breda 40mm light cannons, depthcharge racks, and two triple torpedo tubes and surveillance systems like radar and sonar.

BRP Conrado Yap was formally turned over and commissioned to the PN last Aug. 5 during short ceremonies at Jinhae Naval Base in Changwon City, South Korea. PNA

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2019 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Docufilm on drug war launched

By MJ Blancaflor

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HE Presidential Communications Operations Office on Wednesday launched a docufilm and a magazine which feature the accomplishments and challenges of President Rodrigo Duterte’s anti-drug campaign, in a bid to address “inaccurate narratives” and fight the “negative press.”

PCOO Secretary Martin Andanar said it is the duty of his office to “tell the narrative of the government” pertaining to Duterte’s crackdown on illegal drugs which has been condemned by both local and international human rights groups.

The 50-minute docufilm titled “Gramo” seeks to enlighten the public on the

multi-dimensional approach of the government to eradicate the drug menace, by showing the “real stories of victims on the ground, transformation of former drug users, law enforcement operations and the crackdown of rogue cops.”

Meanwhile, the magazine “Saving the Future of a Nation: Countering Hard

Drugs” features the key performance indicators on the government’s antiillegal drug campaign.

“This will immortalize the Duterte legacy of providing Filipinos a dignified and comfortable life,” Andanar told Palace reporters.

Andanar also said he is hoping that the government’s narrative would reach “the different sectors in the international stage” through these initiatives.

Duterte’s “drug war” has been the administration’s flagship campaign which killed more than 5,000 drug suspects since its launch in 2016.

It was marred with controversies over alleged police abuses and vigilan-

tes targeting poor drug suspects.

In July this year, the UN Human Rights Council passed a resolution to probe into the human rights situation in the country amid Duterte’s anti-drug campaign.

Eighteen countries sponsored the Iceland-led resolution which drew the ire of Duterte, prompting him to order all government agencies to reject loans and grants from the states which backed the inquiry.

President Duterte has previously dared Vice President Leni Robredo to serve as the anti-drug czar, apparently irked by her criticisms on the campaign.

BUYBUST. PDEA-Region IV-A agents arrest two suspects following a buybust operation in Port Area, Manila. At least 1 kilogram of suspected shabu worth P6.8 million were seized from the suspects.

Norman Cruz

IN BRIEF Submit requirements, human rights victims told THE other victims of human rights during the martial law years under Republic Act 10368 have until Dec. 31 to submit their pending requirements, according to the Commission on Human Rights.

In an advisory, the commission said Ricarte Asucena, Guillermo Adorable, Solidad Ebala, Emeterio de Garcia, Diosdado Rosco, Teadoro Kusong, William Villacarlo, Alfonso Lumanda, Victor Lovely Jr., Felimon Belgian, Carmen Geraldine Planas, Norberto Escoltura, Ernesto Magcalas Jr., Lilia San Jose, Julita Barsana, Jacinto Bunyi, Delia Bermudez, Melchor Morada, Julius Orfila, Amado Mendoza, Brigida Arce, Fernando Barica, Dennis Marasiga, Fe Santos, Corazon Cayanan and Dorothy Crame have yet to claim their checks from the Joint Resolution Team at the CHR main office in Diliman, Quezon City at the soonest possible time. Rio N. Araja

‘Avoid Taguig roads affected by MIFF parade’ THE Metropolitan Manila Development Authority on Wednesday advised commuters and motorists to avoid major roads in Taguig City that will be affected by the Metro Manila Film Festival’s Parade of Stars.

Roads and areas to be affected by the parade beginning at 12 noon of Dec. 22 (Sunday) are Lakeshore, C-6 Road, M.L Quezon Avenue, MRT Avenue, Cuasay, Carlos. P Garcia (C-5) Service Road, Upper Mckinley Road, Lawton Avenue—5th Street, Mckinley Parkway, 32nd Street, 7th Avenue, 26th Avenue, 5th Avenue, LeGrand Avenue and Chateau Road.

In its advisory, the MMDA public information office stated that floats carrying celebrities of eight official entries in this year’s film festival will be featured in the parade to be hosted by the city government of Taguig.

Road closure will be implemented along ML Quezon (from Dr. A. Santos to MRT), along MRT (from M.L Quezon to Cuasay), along Cuasay (from MRT to C-5), and in C-5 Service Road cor. Cayetano Boulevard. Joel E. Zurbano

Probe fly-by-night courier services link to drug smuggling—solon REP. Jose Lito Atienza of Buhay PartyList has called for an investigation on the proliferation of unregulated courier services in the country which he said has opened the doors to more smuggling operations.

Atienza has filed House Resolution No. 481 urging the House of Representatives to look into freight and forwarding services operating in the country which have no license and are therefore unregulated.

The Philippine Drug Enforcement

Agency has recently revealed that illegal drugs being delivered via courier service saw a 775 percent increase in 2018 compared to 2017. PDEA said there were 35 incidents of foreign express delivery and domestic courier services as a mode of smuggling d a nge ro u s drugs into the

Philippines in 2018, much higher than the four recorded in 2017.

Atienza said this is also the reason why many overseas Filipino workers are being victimized by several freight and courier services because several of the freight companies do not have the required licensed from the Department of Information and Communications.

Atienza pointed that courier services used to be regulated by the Department

ABS-CBN loses damage suit vs. Revillame

By Rey E. Requejo

COA junks PhilHealth Calabarzon plea A PETITION for review filed by the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. in Calabarzon on the disallowance of various benefits received by employees and officials from 2012 to 2013 amounting to P37.495 million has been denied by the Commission on Audit.

COA chairperson Michael Aguinaldo and Commissioners Jose Fabia and Roland Pondoc on Nov. 22 in a decision said that all PhilHealth officials who approved the payments of benefits, as well as each employee who received them “are jointly and severally obligated to refund the amount so received.”

The officials determined to be liable under the notices of disallowance include regional vice president Alberto Manduriao, fiscal controller IV Feliciana Pastorfide, division Chief Miguel Macalinao, administrative officer Benjie Cuvinar and fiscal controller Erlinda Pronton.

According to the commission, based on the Administrative Code of 1987, every official or employee authorizing or taking part in illegal expenditures shall be liable to the government for the full amount paid or received.

“The obligation to refund the payment received falls upon both those directly responsible, i.e. the approving officers and those who actually received the disallowed benefit,” the COA said.

of Trade and Industry but the said function had been transferred to DICT under its Postal Regulations Division.

But with the advent of E-Commerce, many courier services operate unabated because of its profitability. “The growing number of internet subscribers in the country today has resulted to an increase of E-Commerce revenue from P44 trillion in 2018, from P36 trillion in 2017, with e couriers now worth P36 billion,” Atienza said.

PROMOTING SPORTS. After the pre-SEA Games glitches affecting arrivals of athletes and sports officials, Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat talked about promoting Sports Tourism among other DOT projects she discussed during Wednesday’s Kapihan sa Manila Bay at Cafe Adriatico in Remedios Circle, Malate. Lino Santos

New law expands health benefits for the poor

By Maricel V. Cruz A LEGISLATOR on Wednesday said President Rodrigo Duterte has provided the poor with more health benefits as he signed a law that institutionalizes the Malasakit Centers that are tasked with providing the indigent quality medical and primary health care.

The Malasakit Center complement the existing health facilities of the Department of Health and local governments in addition to facilitating the medical assistance offered by the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, Camarines Sur Rep. Luis Raymund

Villafuerte said.

Republic Act 11463 or the Malasakit Center Law, also complements the Universal Health Care Program and ensures that its benefits reach the grassroots, Villafuerte said.

“The Malasakit Centers will fill the gaps in the delivery of health care services in the country,” said Villafuerte, principal author of the bill. “We consider this an advance Christmas gift to our countrymen who find it hard to make ends meet and often have to borrow money to be able to receive medical care.”

The Senate version of the Malasakit Center Law was introduced by former

chief presidential aide and now Senator Christopher Go. In Villafuerte’s proposal, the Malasakit Centers will be “health system enablers” designed to improve patient assistance and referral and provide additional non-medical support to poor Filipinos in need of medical treatment.

Even with a UHC program in place, Villafuerte, a deputy speaker for finance, said “inefficiencies are expected to still abound in delivering quality health service to Filipinos, especially for marginalized families unable to afford medical care.”

THE Supreme Court has junked the damage suit for copyright infringement that giant network ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corp. filed against television host Willie Revillame and ABC Development Corp. or TV5.

In a three-page resolution, the SC’s First Division upheld the Sept. 5, 2011 decision and the April 26, 2012 resolution of the Court of Appeals, which dismissed ABS-CBN’s civil suit due to forum shopping.

Before the appellate court rendered its decision, Makati City Regional Trial Court Branch 66 Presiding Judge Joselito Villarosa issued an order stopping the airing of Revillame’s former show “Willing Willie” and allowed the civil complaint against the comedian, his production outfit Wilprod and TV 5, to proceed.

But the CA reversed the RTC’s ruling and ordered the dismissal of the copyright infringement complaint before the Makati RTC having been filed in violation of the rules against forum shopping.

The appellate court noted that the network filed a similar case before the Quezon City RTC. “Here, the petitioner committed forum shopping of the third kind—by splitting the same cause of action— when it filed separate cases with different reliefs but with both cases arising from a single cause of action,” the SC said, in sustaining the CA decision.

The high court ruled that the CA correctly held that Revillame’s refusal to honor his talent agreement by not working for a rival network “is the delict that purportedly violated the petitioner’s rights in the separate claims.”

A4

Opinion

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2019

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

The BCDA deal is a can of worms LAST Tuesday was a sad day for me.

I found out that my colleague, former editor-in-chief, fellow columnist and good friend Alejandro “Andy” del Rosario had died last Sunday at the age of 78.

Andy was also ambassador to Hungary and Poland under the Arroyo administration. He was a long-time member of the diplomatic corps, having served as adviser to former Foreign Affairs Secretary Bobby Romulo.

Andy was a true-blue journalist.

He used to be with the Daily Mirror as sportswriter, and at the Chronicle, he became managing editor. He even became president of the Philippine Sportswriters Association. Believe it or not, Andy trained at the Chicago Daily News, courtesy of the World Press Institute. Andy became my publisher when Ricky Razon bought the publication.

As his colleague and fellow columnist, I am an avid reader of his column. His pieces are always incisive and straight-to-the-point.

My sincerest condolences to his wife, Mary, and their children. His wife is also a regular at the 365 Club which meets every Saturday at the Holiday Inn Suites in Makati.

Andy will be missed. I bid him farewell.

I can never forget what Andy wrote as he endorsed my book: “Chronicling his over half-century in Philippine journalism, The

Adelle Chua, Editor

EDITORIAL

Road Never Ends is the pinnacle of Emil’s career, covering Philippine presidents from Carlos P. Garcia to Rodrigo Duterte, writing his insights on Malacañang Palace and passing them on to the readers of his column.

Emil Jurado belongs to the pantheon of Philippine journalism...with legends such as Doroy Valencia and Joe Guevarra.” ***

The Ombudsman must look, and look closely.

The Office of the Ombudsman, under former Supreme Court Associate Justice Samuel Martires, will soon start its investigation into allegations of graft and corruption in the funding of the recent Southeast Asian Games, even as President Duterte had cleared House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano of any wrongdoing. This means that the probe by the Ombudsman will involve the organizing body as a whole.

May I also suggest that the Ombudsman include the deal between the Bases Conversion Development Authority and the Malaysian firm MTD Capital Berhad which I said was questionable and anomalous on so many points.

What is the deal, anyway?

The joint venture was for the building at New Clark City in Capas, Tarlac, on a sprawling 9,500-hectare government office called the National

I

Dasvidaniya, Mr. Trump

N A historic move, House Democrats this week unveiled two articles of impeachment against US President Donald Trump, accusing him of abusing his office for personal political gain and obstructing the congressional impeachment inquiry.

It was only the fourth time in the 243-year history of the United States that impeachment charges have been brought against an American leader, and if he is indeed impeached, he will be only the third US president to have been so disgraced.

The first article charges Trump with abuse of power for pressuring Ukraine to assist him in his re-election campaign by damaging his Democratic rival, former Vice President Joe Biden. The second article charges him with obstruction of Congress for blocking testimony and refusing to provide documents in response to House subpoenas in the impeachment inquiry.

If the House judiciary committee approves the articles, they would go to the House floor for a debate and vote as early as next week.

The articles of impeachment are almost certain to be approved by the US House, where the Democrats hold 233 a majority of the 435 seats.

But Trump will just as certainly be

acquitted in the impeachment trial before the US Senate, where his Republic Party holds a majority, with 53 of the 100 seats. The Democrats, who hold only 45 seats, would need to win over at least 21 Republican senators to reach the 67 percent needed to convict—but not a single one has publicly acknowledged any wrongdoing on the US President’s part. On the contrary, his most vociferous Republican defenders continue to mouth Trump’s discredited conspiracy theories about Ukrainian meddling in the 2016 US elections and a “deep state” plot to oust him as a way to discredit the accusations against him—even though the entire US intelligence community and the US inspector general have dismissed these as nonsense.

So it is that the impeachment of President Trump appears to be a foregone conclusion because of the partisanship that attends it. He will be impeached—or charged—but not ousted.

From the outside looking in, the

most remarkable aspect to this entire episode is the utter refusal of Republican lawmakers and Trump supporters to even acknowledge there was anything wrong in having their leader solicit foreign help to discredit his political rival. Nor do they seem willing to accept the overwhelming evidence—including Trump’s own words—that he applied pressure on another country, the Ukraine, to achieve this goal.

Of course, Trump has done this before and got away with it, publicly asking for help from Russia—and getting it—to find dirt on his 2016 Democratic rival, Hilary Clinton.

The other remarkable aspect of the ongoing US impeachment is the indifference—at least according to opinion polls—that most Americans show in the face of clear wrongdoing by their president, and their willingness to swallow the lies that he continues to sow, in total disregard of the facts.

So, in the light of his impending acquittal by the US Senate and the hold he has over so many Americans, we say, Dasvidaniya, Mr. Trump. Until we meet again, post-impeachment.

Turn to A5

Finally, some good news, but...

SEEMS they’re finally giving in.

Yesterday, the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System announced it was revoking the resolution which accorded an extension to the concession agreements it had entered into with Maynilad Water Services Inc. and Manila Water Co. Inc. to 2037 from 2022.

‘An unjust contract is no contract at all.’

This came a day after both Ma Manila Water and Maynilad bared they are no longer pursuing the almost P11 billion that the Permanent Court of Arbitration in Singapore had asked the Philippine government to pay them.

Obviously, it was President Rodrigo Duterte’s tough stance which had softened them.

However, revoking their 15-year extension and waiving the P11-billion fine (which should not be honored anyway), is still far from exacting justice from these concessionaires, which for the longest time had been duping the Filipino people.

In her privilege speech last Monday, Bagong Henerasyon Rep. Bernadette Herrera, or simply BH, decried the agreement the government had entered into with Maynilad and Manila Waters, claiming they were “bursting with provisions of numerous illegalities and excessive misinterpretations all to the detriment of the Filipino people,” starting with the term used to describe both Maynilad and Manila Water—concessionaires or agents of MWSS. According to BH, to consider the

concessionaires as mere agents of MWSS is by all means farcical as they are in fact public utilities.

“For those who insist on their status as agents of MWSS, you are responsible for allowing these companies to pass on ‘business expenses’ and corporate income taxes that they should rightfully be paying, all to the consumers. These include the outlandish and ridiculous provisions in the concession agreements to pass on to the consumers all legal and arbitration expenses,” BH said.

In 2018 alone, BH bared that both Maynilad and Manila Water sought to pass on to the consumers by increasing rates to cover corporate expenses such as donations, travel expenses, sports expenses, legal and arbitration fees, and corporate income taxes.

Through this same “agency treatment,” BH said these companies have abused the system even further, determining that the maximum 12-percent limit rate of return imposed on public utilities do not apply to them as they are “mere agents.”

But not only that. According to BH, the government has bent over backward in favor of these companies as the so-called “innovation” of the MWSS Regulatory Office, in its interpretation of the Concession Agreement, allowed the concessionaires to collect fees via the water tariff capital investment plans and programs that have not yet been implemented or have already been abandoned.

They were allowed to bill consumers for projects that to this day have yet to be fully implemented.

To name only a few: (a) The Wawa Dam Project (P732 million); (b) The Laguna Lake Project (P100 million); (c) The Laiban Dam Project (P45.3 billion); (d) The Pinugay Sewerage Treatment Project (P600 million and overpriced); (e) The Angat Water Reliability Projects (P5.4 billion); and, (f ) The Earthquake Contingency Project Turn to A5

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Hoping for a cool 2020 IN TWO weeks, we will be celebrating Christmas. In this season of thanksgiving, we should be grateful for the many blessings, despite the challenges that 2019 brought our country and Quezon province.

A win-win solution is possible.

Among those challenges is the water shortage that remains problematic for our country.

December is one of the busiest

Former Chief Justice Reynato S. Puno Anita F. Grefal Baldwin R. Felipe Edgar M. Valmorida

Board Member & Chief Legal Adviser Treasury Manager Head—Ad Solutions Circulation Manager

months, where the demand for water goes up. Since last month, rotat rotating water interruptions have been implemented in selected areas in Metro Manila, ranging from two hours to eight hours of no water, while some experience low water pressure in their faucets. Despite the heavy rains brought by Typhoon “Tisoy,” the water level in Angat Dam has barely reached the spilling level, and remains below the year-

end target level of 212 meters. This must alarm the public.

As we enter the new year, summer season draws near and we expect fewer typhoons. By now, we can reasonably anticipate greater water shortage in 2020 than what we had this year. This may not only lead to further inconvenience but also problems in health and may consequently hurt the economy.

The government must act now. It has been months since the discussions began on addressing this water shortage. Recently, the President warned the water concessionaires of possible administrative liabilities and Turn to A5

Rolando G. Estabillo Publisher Ramonchito L. Tomeldan Chin Wong/Ray S. Eñano Joyce Pangco Pañares Adelle Chua

Managing Editor Associate Editors News Editor Opinion Editor

Emil P. Jurado

Honor Blanco Cabie Night Editor Jimbo Gulle City Editor Roberto Cabrera Chief Photographer

Chairman Emeritus, Editorial Board

Opinion We are at the bottom OUT OF 79 countries that took the Program for International Student Assessment test, we are either second to the last or last in reading, math and science. That is how far our educational system has deteriorated and we should try our very best to get out of this very shameful situation. Otherwise, there will come a time that we will be last in everything.

There was a time when our country was one of the leaders of the pack in Asia. The first to have an airline, the first to have a stock exchange. We were also leaders in education.

As a result of this PISA test result, the Department of Education has just announced that it will start implementing reforms ostensibly to upgrade education in the country as if the Education department is entirely clueless of the state of education in the country.

Surely, education officials must have had an inkling of what our students can do because the signs have been there for some time— Low teachers’ pay, too many students in a class, poor quality of teaching, corruption like the textbook scandal a few years ago, and the exodus of good teachers for better-paying overseas jobs.

Indeed, there are many other reasons. Up to the 1980s, the Teachers’ Camp in Baguio City would be full of teachers all over the Philippines taking courses during summer to improve teacher quality and skills.

Today, the Teachers’ Camp is more of a tourist facility for vacationing tourists or groups going up the summer capital. The summer programs for teachers then went a long way in upgrading teacher quality and we are not even mentioning the capability of officials running the department. Why, for instance, are they introducing reforms only now? Managing education normally involves constant reviews and evaluation so that the system will continuously be up-

Hoping...

From A4

amendment or revocation of their contracts if it will fail to resolve the water supply problem. No matter how the water concessionaires deal with this problem, it ultimately boils down to the available sources of water in the country.

It can be recalled during the 17th Congress, the Committee on Public Accounts sat down with the officials of the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage Systems, National Water Resources Bureau, Local Water Utilities Administration, and water concessionaires Manila Water Company Inc., and Maynilad Water Services Inc. to discuss sustainable measures that will solve the dire water situation in Metro Manila. The Sumag River Diversion Project was identified as one viable source to augment water supply in the Angat Dam by 188 million liters of water per day. The project has been suspended since 2016.

Another proposal was the tapping of Agos and Umiray rivers in Quezon. In 2017, Maynilad started the rehabilitation of the

Finally...

From A4

(P4.130 billion).

For the above-mentioned projects alone, a total of P56.26 billion have been billed in advance from the Filipino people, BH bared.

But the question is, according to BH, where are these projects today?

“Why is it that the benefits from these haven’t been felt by the people? How is it that this year alone, our own people suffered from a

graded instead of falling behind.

It would appear that nothing has been done along this line. Over the last several years, we have not seen anything resembling a significant reform being introduced.

The news item about the PISA test results of course, did not say whether the test was administered to public school students only or whether private school students were also involved. If they were and we are still in the bottom, then the situation is no less than cata-

strophic. When Education Secretary Leonor Briones was interviewed after the PISA test results were published, she compared her age being 79 years to our educational system which, according to her, has not changed much.

Maybe without intending it to be, Secretary Briones has put her finger on part of the problem. The Education department is one of the largest government bureaucracies, if not the largest.

The work involved in supervising the operations of the department could be very tough even to a much younger person and the good secretary is now nearing 80.

It makes me wonder whether her constitution can still cope to the demanding job of an Education secretary.

This is not to question her dedication. But perhaps the President should consider moving her to a less demanding position like a government corporation where she could reap the rewards of her long and distinguish government service and not end her career by refusing to let go of a position she really does not need anymore. The job of reforming our educational system is going to be a long term endeavor and it is doubtful whether she will still have the time to see it through. The first target should be our public elementary

and high school education which have unquestionably deteriorated. This is the reason why most parents would rather spend more to enroll their children in private schools instead of public schools in the hope of giving their children a better head start. I went to a public school for my elementary education and I am very proud of it. But things were a lot more different then but it also shows that we can have quality education in our public schools. *** From 2015 to 2018, the government was able to reduce poverty incidence in the country from around 23 percent to 16 percent which is something truly outstanding. No administration in recent memory has been able to achieve such a huge reduction.

This means that millions of families were taken out of poverty in the last three years. For years, our poverty rate have been stuck at over 20 percent and at one time went beyond 30 percent. Now, we are more or less aligned in the middle of the pack among all countries and could even go down further in 2022.

There are many reasons for the improvement. Our unemployment rate is at its lowest together with underemployment. It could also be that there is now less corruption because the funds being spent are going to where it is intended or at least most of the funds rather than the pockets of corrupt officials. In the last administration, our economy grew almost seven per cent but poverty incidence went up instead of contracting. If the Duterte administration could bring poverty rate further to the vicinity of 12 to 13 percent as it is promising, then even for that alone, President Duterte administration would have accomplished something that no other recent administration have done and that is to get millions of Filipinos out of poverty. Considering that the country is about to graduate to a higher bracket of middle income countries, reducing poverty incidence further will erase the black eye of the country for persistently having a very high incidence of poverty.

Angat-Umiray transbasin tunnel which aimed to convey water from Umiray River in Quezon to Angat dam. According to the MWSS, as of January this year, construction works were at 65 percent accomplished. Another potential source is the Agos River which was previously identified by a study of the World Bank in 2012 as an advantageous water source that will contribute to water security in Metro Manila. The National Water Resources Board has also conducted feasibility studies suggesting the utilization of Agos River by construction of a dam and a hydropower facility.

Apparently, we have such projects that will significantly augment the water supply in Angat dam. The government should revisit the Agos River projects and bank on their potential. There are empirical data that will show that these projects are sustainable and practical. We have safeguards to ensure the success of the implementation of these projects, and more importantly, I seek the commitment of our government agencies to full compliance to rules and regulations, particularly the

environmental laws and safety regulations. We must also ensure that the Constitutional rights of the indigenous peoples in the area are observed, and respected. As Governor, environmental integrity, ecological balance, the rights of the IPs and the surrounding communities are deal breakers.

We will insist that these are observed and respected, strictly.

That said, I am optimistic that a win-win solution is possible here.

Let us bear in mind that Quezon Province is in a position to help the rest of our country. In the spirit of the season, shouldn’t we share what we have?

This Christmas, I wish that more blessings pour in our families. More importantly, I wish that water continuously flow in our homes. With this, I urgently call on the government agencies responsible for our water supply to seriously look into this project. If this resumes immediately, we may be able to achieve stable water supply before 2020 ends. Let this be our gift to ourselves to lessen our worries, bring coolness to our days, and make our lives less burdensome in 2020.

massive systematic water shortage that disrupted the national capital region?” BH asks.

So, you think Maynilad and Manila Water are being generous when they decided to waive the P11-billion fine they were to collect from the government? Hell, no!

They still have the P56 billion they have already collected from us. And they still have their savings from the non-payment of taxes.

They have charged us for their various business expenses, and for

projects some of which are already abandoned or yet to be fully implemented.

These issues should not be allowed to rest with the simple revocation of their extension and the waiver for the fine. The agreement should reviewed, amended, and if necessary, revoked in its entirety.

As BH declared in the opening of her speech, “an unjust contract is no contract at all.” That clearly applies to the agreement the government had entered into with both Maynilad and Manila Water.

There was a time when our country was one of the leaders of the pack in Asia.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2019

A5

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

UK election: Will the remainers prevail this time?

FED UP with incessant pressure from the anti-European Union wing of his party—the Euroskeptics— Conservative Party leader David Cameron called in 2016 a national referendum on the issue of continued United Kingdom membership in the 28-nation group. Cameron was obviously confident of victory for the pro-EU citizens of Britain—dubbed the Remainers—but when the votes were counted, the young Prime Minister was shocked to learn that the Remainers’ opponents, the Leavers, had won, 52 percent to 48 percent.

Brexit (Britain’s exit from Europe) was born. From the moment of its birth Brexit has been a source of friction and discord for the British nation. It has been a highly divisive issue, with Leavers and Remainers exchanging charges of reckless behavior, wooly-headed thinking, irrationality and even treason. The UK has been totally distracted by Brexit during the last three years.

Unrelentingly opposed by the Remain-favoring Labour Party—the other major party in Britain’s Paliament—and deserted by the Conservatives’ Scottish Nationalist and Liberal Democratic allies, Cameron’s successor, Teresa May, sought the dissolution of Parliament and the holding of a general election.

May, who was originally a Remainer, was confident of achieving a victory that would strengthen her hand against the Brexiters. That was not to be, and May’s government ended up having to depend on a 10-seat Northern Irish party. That outcome complicated matters vastly because the EU-member Republic of Ireland shared an open border with Northern Ireland, which is a component of the UK. Enter the present Prime Minister, Boris Johnson. Unable to win Parliamentary approval for three successive Brexit plans, May decided to throw in the towel and ask Queen Elizabeth II to appoint a new Prime Minister. Her Majesty appointed the Conservative Party’s choice, Boris Johnson, the rambunctious former mayor of London.

As long as the Conservative Party did not have an outright Parliamen-

The BCDA...

From A4

Government Administrative Center and the sports facilities, consisting of a 20,000-meter athletic stadium, a 2,000-seater aquatic center and an athletic village.

What the Ombudsman should look into is, first, the building of the sports facilities. It is a build-transfer project embedded in the Joint Venture Agreement between BCDA and the Malaysian firm. Under the law, a public bidding is required for such arrangements.

In a joint venture agreement, all partners contribute. The BCDA contributed its 40 hectares. MTD Capital Berhad’s contribution was P8.5 billion. But did you know that no Malaysian funds were used in the process? The Malaysian firm borrowed P9.5 billion from the Development Bank of the Philippines!

Total cost of the project somehow ballooned to P11 billion.

If the Office of the Ombudsman looked more closely, it would find that the agreement was heavily skewed in favor of the Malaysia company.

The participation of the Office of the Government Corporate Counsel also needs looking into. It had earlier flagged the BCDA as both a joint venture agreement in which is embedded a build-transfer project. The question comes up, my gulay: Why did the OGCC end up saying that the building of the sports facilities was in compliance with the law? *** The House panel on constitutional amendments has four proposals to

tary majority, Mr. Johnson could not negotiate credibly with the EU on a Brexit deal before Jan. 31, 2020, the latest deadline for agreement on such a deal. Thus, the Prime Minister’s best recourse was the holding of another general election, the third in a span of two years.

The election will take place today. The two-month-long campaign has been a bruising affair, with the anti-Brexit parties taking the fight to Mr. Johnson and his staunch Brexiteers.

I’m prepared to wager that the majority of the voters in a fresh referendum, having in mind the turmoil and divisiveness of the past two years, will vote to keep the UK within the EU. Boris Johnson, Brexit Party leader Nigel Faraje and the rest of the Leavers almost certainly did not realize how difficult exiting from the EU would be. Predictably, the EU leadership was not going to give the Brexiteers an easy time in the negotiations. The UK—through Prime Ministers May and Johnson—has seen its proposals rejected, one after the other, by the UK. The past two years have been a time of humiliation for the nation whose national anthem once was Rule Britannica. London’s negotiations have cut rather pathetic figures in the halls and corridors of the EU headquarters.

Will the Remainers, who comprised 48 percent of the 2016 electorate, prevail today? If the Conservatives again fail to win a majority, and the Remain-favoring Labor Party emerges victorious, that is a distinct possibility. A large fraction within the Labor Party favors the holding of a new referendum on continued UK membership in the EU. I am not a betting man, but I’m prepared to wager that the majority of the voters in a fresh referendum, having in mind the turmoil and divisiveness of the past two years, will vote to keep the UK within the EU.

look into: First, the amendment of the restrictive provisions of the 1987 Constitution, specifically on foreign investments. This is the reason the Philippines is always at the bottom of the heap when it comes to investments. Our neighbors in the region have definitely overtaken us. We forget that more investments mean more jobs.

Second, the lifting of term limits for local officials. The suggestion is to extend the term to five years with only one reelection. I think this is a good move because it would allow local officials to pursue their initiatives for a longer period.

Third, the election of senators by region. I think all regions nationwide have to be represented in the Senate.

Finally, the election of the president and vice president in tandem.

This is to avoid instances where the vice president does nothing but criticize the President. *** Here we go again, Santa Banana!

I refer to renewed attempts by President Duterte to talk peace with the communists.

Does Duterte even know what he is doing? Does he not realize there have been many attempts before?

To me, the most contentious problem is the disarmament of the New People’s Army. Joma Sison and his followers will never agree to this.

And, truth to tell, all the communist fronts in Congress are still very much alive.

I don’t think there will ever be peace between with the government and the communists!

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK Manila

Standard

A6

TODAY

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2019

mst.daydesk@gmail.com N OTICE Notice is hereby given that MISAMIS ORIENTAL RENDERING CORP, is applying for registration with the Board of Investments (BOI) as New Producer of Feather Meal, Poultry Meal, Blood Meal and Poultry Oil with the following capacities: Products

Annual Capacities

Feather Meal

811,000 kgs

Poultry Meal

202,000 kgs

Blood Meal

608,000 kgs

Poultry Oil

608,000 kgs

on a Pioneer Status with project site located in Upper Puerto, Cagayan de Oro, Misamis Oriental.

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

(SGD) RAQUEL B. ECHAGUE

(MS-DEC. 12, 2019)

OIC-Director Resource-Based Industries Service

N OTICE Notice is hereby given that BRIA HOMES, INC. (FORMERLY: CASA REGALIA, INCORPORATED), with office address at LGF Bldg. B, Evia Lifestyle Center, Daang Hari, Almanza Dos, Las Piñas City, is applying for registration with the Board of Investments (BOl) as an Expanding Developer of Economic and Low-cost Housing project (Bria Flats Cagayan De Oro - Crimson Building) with a capacity of 80 units on a Non-Pioneer status, with project site at Kauswagan, Cagayan De Oro. Any person with valid objections on the abovementioned project may file his/her objection in writing, under oath, with the BOI within three (3) days from the date of this publication.

(SGD) ANGELITA F. ARCELLANA Director Infrastructure and Services Industries Service (MS-DEC. 12, 2019)

N OTICE Notice is hereby given that BRIA HOMES, INC. (FORMERLY: CASA REGALIA, INCORPORATED), with office address at LGF Bldg. B, Evia Lifestyle Center, Daang Hari, Almanza Dos, Las Piñas City, is applying for registration with the Board of Investments (BOl) as an Expanding Developer of Economic and Low-cost Housing project (Bria Flats Cagayan De Oro - Magenta Building) with a capacity of 80 units on a Non-Pioneer status, with project site at Kauswagan, Cagayan De Oro. Any person with valid objections on the abovementioned project may file his/her objection in writing, under oath, with the BOI within three (3) days from the date of this publication.

(SGD) ANGELITA F. ARCELLANA Director Infrastructure and Services Industries Service (MS-DEC. 12, 2019)

By Rio N. Araja

HE Social Security System has released P24.5 billion in salary loans to at least 1.16-million employed members in the first eight months of 2019.

More than 100,000 voluntary members ate up salary loan disbursements of P1.5 billion, while over 12,000 overseas Filipino workers were able to get P233 million only.

On the other hand, P109.7 million went to more than 13,000 self-employed members.

SSS has a total salary loan disbursement of P26.3 billion from January to August.

According to SSS and Chief Executive Officer Aurora Ignacio, the amount was 10.2-percent higher than last

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

THE state-owned Philippine National Railways unveiled Wednesday two sets of brand new diesel multiple unit trains bought from Indonesian firm PT. Industri Kereta Api (Persero) “PT INKA” for P485.31 million.

Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade, who led the unveiling rites at Manila’s South harbor, said the train units, each with three coaches, would be fully operational by Dec. 16.

“When we assumed [office in] the administration of President [Rodrigo] Duterte, there were only 17 routes. As we speak today, there are already 36 operating routes, and that is performance indeed,” said Tugade.

“By January next year, we are expecting to have a total of 40 operating coaches,” he added, referring to the expected arrival of the second batch of INKA DMU train, 4 sets with 4 coaches each.

The first two trains will ply the

SCN FORM NO. 1 (R.A. NO. 9139)

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON NATURALIZATION

N OTICE Notice is hereby given that BRIA HOMES, INC. (FORMERLY: CASA REGALIA, INCORPORATED), with office address at LGF Bldg. B, Evia Lifestyle Center, Daang Hari, Almanza Dos, Las Piñas City, is applying for registration with the Board of Investments (BOl) as an Expanding Developer of Economic and Low-cost Housing project (Bria Sta. Maria Phase 1A, 1B and 1C) with a capacity of 543 house and lot units on a Non-Pioneer status, with project site at Brgy.

Bulac, Sta. Maria, Bulacan.

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

(SGD) ANGELITA F. ARCELLANA Director Infrastructure and Services Industries Service (MS-DEC. 12, 2019)

N OTICE Notice is hereby given that COMMUNITIES BULACAN INC., with office address at LGF Bldg. B, Evia Lifestyle Center, Daang Hari, Almanza Dos, Las Piñas City, is applying for registration with the Board of Investments (BOl) as a New Developer of Economic and Low-cost Housing Project (Camella Sta. Maria) with a capacity of 532 house and lot units on a NonPioneer status, with project site at Brgy. Pulong Buhangin, Sta. Maria, Bulacan.

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

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

PETITION Pursuant to the provisions of Republic Act No. 9139, petitioner hereby submits a petition for naturalization to become a citizen of the Republic of the Philippines and respectfully declares: 1. My full name is ALDA NG TE GO , but I have also been known since childhood as Alda Ng Te or I have been judicially authorized to use the alias name(s) N/A .

2. My present place of residence is Upper Mandumol, Barangay Macasandig, City/Municipality of Cagayan De Oro, Province of Misamis Oriental, and all my former places of residence are (please indicate periods of residence) 272 Monteverde Avenue, Davao City Davao (1960 to 1965) A-208 C. Vamenta Avenue, Carmen, Cagayan De Oro ( 1966 to 1977) Comfoods Inc. Building, Osmeña St. Cagayan De Oro (1978 to 1984) Roa Cmpd. Carmen, Cagayan De Oro (1985 to 1989) Upper Mandumol, Macasindig, Cagayan De Oro (1990 to present)

4. My father's name is So Tuan Te and he was born on 31 March 1923, in Fujian, China. He is a citizen or subject of Republic of the Philippines. My mother's name is Maria Lim Ng and she was born on 23 March 1929 in Elcano, Manila, Philippines. She is a citizen or subject of People`s Republic of China.

5. My trade, business, profession or lawful occupation is Administrative Manager and from which I derive an average annual income of P977,307.69, inclusive of bonuses, commissions and allowances. My wife's/husband's trade, business, profession or lawful occupation is retired and from which she derives an average annual income of P1,200,000.00 (Where the above does not apply): I am exempt from the requirement of lucrative trade or occupation and from submitting income tax returns for the past three (3) years because I am a college degree holder [please state (1) degree obtained: N/A, (2) name of school: N/A and (3) years graduated: N/A who cannot practice my profession (the practice of which requires a government licensure examination) by reason of my citizenship.

6. My civil status is married, I was married on 23 Sep. 1984 in The Church of the Sacred Heart. My wife's/husband's name is William Tan Go and she/he was born on 14 March 1952 in Opon Cebu, Philipines. She/he is a citizen or subject of Republic of the Philippines and presently resides Upper Mandumol, Barangay Macasandig, City of Cagayan De Oro, Province of Misamis Oriental.

N OTICE

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

(SGD) ANGELITA F. ARCELLANA Director Infrastructure and Services Industries Service (MS-DEC. 12, 2019)

14. My character witnesses are Rosario G. Palingcod and Consuelo G. Tion both Filipino citizens, of legal age, and residing at Blk 4, L6, Pryce Ave., Puerto Heights Vill. and 20 Don Nicolas Ave., Capistrano Cmplx. Puerto, CDO respectively, who have executed sworn statements attached hereto in support of my instant petition, together with: (a) brief biographical data about themselves; (b) detailed statements on the dates they first came to know me, the circumstances of our initial acquaintance and the reasons and extent of our continuing familiarity; and (c) the number of times they have acted as character witnesses in other petitions for naturalization.

15. Attached hereto as annexes and made part of this petition are the duplicate originals or certified photocopies of the following documents (please check the appropriate box): [x] a. Petitioner's birth certificate [x] b. Petitioner's alien certificate of registration (ACR) [x] c. Petitioner's native-born certificate of residence (NBCR) [x] d. Petitioner's marriage certificate, if married [ ] e. Death certificate of his/her spouse, if widowed [ ] f. Court decree annulling his/her marriage or granting legal separation, if such was the fact [x] g. Birth certificates of petitioner's minor children [ ] h. ACRs of petitioner's minor children [ ] i. NBCRs of petitioner's minor children [x] j. Affidavits of financial capacity by the petitioner, duly supported by bank certifications, passbooks, stock certificates, or proof of ownership of other properties [x] k. Affidavits of at least two (2) credible witnesses who must be Filipino citizens of good reputation in petitioner's place of residence [x] l. Medical certificate from a government hospital stating that petitioner is not suffering from mental alienation or a user of prohibited drugs or otherwise a drug dependent and that he/she is not afflicted with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), or any incurable contagious disease. [x] m. School diploma and transcript of records of the petitioner from the school/s he or she attended in the Philippines [ ] n. Certifications stating that petitioner's minor children are enrolled in public schools or private educational institutions duly recognized by the DECS, where Philippine history, government and civics are taught and prescribed as part of the school curriculum and where enrollment is not limited to any race or nationality [x] o. Petitioner's income tax returns for the past three years [x] p. Petitioner's receipts of payment of income tax for the past three years 16. Other documents submitted by the petitioner in support of his/her petition: _____________________________________________ PRAYER

8. I have three (3) child/children, whose names, dates and places of birth and residences are as follows:

Dated at Makati City, Metro Manila, this 28 day of Oct, 2019.

Name Aldwill Te Go Shani Gail Te Go Liam Alden Te Go

Date of Birth 16 Sep. 1985 11 Oct. 1987 13 May 1989

Place of Residence Birth Mandumol, CDO Upper Brgy Macasandig, City/ CDO M u n i c i p a l i t y o f Cagayan de Oro, of CDO Province Misamis Oriental

9. I received my primary and secondary education from the following public schools or private educational institutions duly recognized by the Department of Education, Culture and Sports (DECS), where Philippine history, government and civics are taught and prescribed as part of the school curriculum and where enrollment is not limited to any race or nationality:

Name of School

Place of Dates of Highest Grade School Study Completed Corrales Avenue 1977 to 1981 College Cagayan de Oro Kauswagan 1967 to 1977 Cagayan de Oro

11. I have enrolled my minor children of school age in the following public schools or private educational institutions duly recognized by the Department of Education, Culture and Sports (DECS), where Philipine History, government and civics are taught and prescribed as part of the school curriculum and where enrollment is not limited to any race or nationality:

N/A

Name and Place of School N/A

ALDA NG TE GO Name and Signature of Petitioner Address: Upper Mandumol, Macasandig, Cagayan De Oro Telephone Number: (088) 855 6000

Right Thumbmark of Petitioner

Petitioner's signature and right thumbmark

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES) CITY/MUNICIPALITY OF TAGUIG) S.S.

High School

10. I am able to read, write and speak Filipino and/or any of the following dialects of the Philippines:Filipino (Tagalog)/ Cebuano (Bisaya)

Name of Child

Harry Sarundajang, who pledged support for the Philippines’ infrastructure thrust.

“It is my honor to witness the first delivery of train sets this morning… other Indonesian state-owned corporations look forward to supporting the ‘Build Build Build’ project of President Duterte to strengthen the Philippine economy,” he said.

The total allocation for the procurement of the new PNR trains is P3.5 billion from the 2018 General Appropriations Act.

I am not opposed to organized government or affiliated with any association or group of persons who uphold and teach doctrines opposing all organized governments. I am not defending or teaching the necessity or propriety of violence, personal assault or assassination for the success and predominance of one's ideas. I am not a polygamist nor a believer in the practice of polygamy.

I have not been convicted of any crime involving moral turpitude. I am not suffering from mental alienation or from any incurable contagious disease. The country of which I am a citizen or subject is not at war with the Philippines and grants to Filipinos the right to be naturalized citizens or subjects thereof.

WHEREFORE, it is respectfully prayed that petitioner be conferred Philippine citizenship pursuant to the provisions of Republic Act No, 9139.

Ateneo de Cagayan Kong Hua School

Notice is hereby given that COMMUNITIES PAMPANGA INC.), with office address at LGF Bldg.

B, Evia Lifestyle Center, Daang Hari, Almanza Dos, Las Piñas, is applying for registration with the Board of Investments (BOl) as a New Developer of Economic and Low-Cost Housing Project under the Preferred List - Mass Housing (Camella Subic) with a capacity of 154 house and lot units on a Non-Pioneer status, with project site at Brgy. Aningway-Sacatihan, Subic, Zambales.

Malabon and FTI route.

Each coach can accommodate 250 passengers per trip.

PNR general manager Junn Magno said the safeguards were in place to ensure that the trains would be reliable.

Despite the new purchases, PNR said it was not inclined to seek a fare hike, according to Magno.

Also present in the event was Indonesian Ambassador to the Philippines, Dr. Sinyo

7. I am legally separated from my spouse; my marriage was annulled, per decree of legal separation/annulment dated N/A granted by N/A. (please indicate the particular court which granted the same). I am a widower/widow and my spouse died on N/A in N/A.

Xavier University

(MS-DEC. 12, 2019)

million borrowers.

The bulk of the releases went to nearly 1.16-million employed members with a total of P24.50 billion worth of salary loans, followed by more than 104,000 voluntary members with P1.49 billion, 12,411 Overseas Filipino Worker members with P233.01 million, and 13,724 self-employed members with P109.72 million.

“From 2014 to 2018, we have recorded a yearly average increase of 7.3 percent in the amount of salary loan releases and 6.9 percent in the number of borrowers,” Ignacio said.

The salary loan is the most availed of the loan program of the SSS. Under the program, members may borrow a loan amount of up to twice the average of their 12 latest posted monthly salary credits.

It is payable in two years in 24 monthly installments with an interest rate of 10 percent per annum based on its diminishing principal balance.

13. It is my true and honest intention to become a citizen of the Philippines and to renounce absolutely and forever all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state or sovereignty, and, particularly, to People`s Republic of China of which at this time I am a citizen or subject. I will reside continuously in the Philippines from the date of the filing of this petition up to the time of my admission to Philippine citizenship.

IN THE MATTER OF THE PETITION OF ALDA NG TE GO to be naturalized as Filipino citizen pursuant to Republic Act No. 9139.

3. I was born on 18 November 1960 in Davao City, Davao, Philippines. I have been a resident of the Philippines since birth. At present, I am a citizen or subject of People`s Republic of China.

(MS-DEC. 12, 2019)

year’s P23.9 billion.

“From 2014 to 2018, we have recorded a yearly average increase of 7.3 percent in the amount of salary loan releases and 6.9 percent in the number of borrowers,” she said in a statement.

A salary loan is payable in two years for 24 monthly installments with a 10-percent interest rate per annum.

Earlier, Ignacio said over 2.83-million pensioners were able to get P12.71 billion in 13th month pension disbursements in 2019.

Meanwhile, SSS said more than 1.29-million members availed themselves of the short-term loan privilege of the pension fund through the SSS Salary Loan program from January to August 2019.

Ignacio said in a statement the pension fund disbursed more than P26.33 billion worth of salary loans in the first eight months of 2019.

This is 10.2 percent higher than the P23.89 billion recorded in the same period last year for more than 1.20-

PNR unveils 2 brand new diesel multiple unit trains bought from Indonesia

N OTICE

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

News

SSS releases P24.5b in salary loans T

SCN CASE NO. x------------------ x

Notice is hereby given that BRIA HOMES, INC. (FORMERLY: CASA REGALIA, INCORPORATED), with office address at LGF Bldg. B, Evia Lifestyle Center, Daang Hari, Almanza Dos, Las Piñas City, is applying for registration with the Board of Investments (BOl) as an Expanding Developer of Economic and Low-cost Housing project (Bria Flats Cagayan De Oro - Scarlet Building) with a capacity of 80 units on a Non-Pioneer status, with project site at Kauswagan, Cagayan De Oro.

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

I, ALDA NG TE GO of legal age and a resident of Upper Mandumol, Macasandig, Cagayan De Oro after being duly sworn, depose and say that I am the petitioner herein, that I have read the foregoing petition and know the foregoing petition and known the contents thereof, and that the same is true of my own knowledge.

ALDA NG TE GO Name and Signature of Petitioner

Date of Enrollment N/A

12. I shall never be a public charge. I am of good moral character. I believe in the principles underlying the Philippine Constitution. I have conducted myself in a proper and irreproachable manner during the entire period of my residence in the Philippines in my relations with the constituted government as well as with the community in which I am living. I mingled socially with Filipinos and have evinced a sincere desire to learn and embrace the customs, traditions and ideals of the Filipino people. I have all the qualifications and none of the disqualifications under Republic Act No. 9139.

(MS-NOV. 28, DEC. 5 & 12, 2019)

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

PNR TRAINS UNVEILED. Transport DOTr Secretary Arthur Tugade, (second from left), Dr. Sinyo Harry Sarundajang, Indonesian Ambassador to the Philippines, and Junn Magno, General ManagerPhilippine National Railways, lead the unveiling of the Diesel Multiple Unit train of the Philippine National Railways during arrival ceremony at the Port Area in Manila on Wednesday. The 100 mph speed train was procured for P485 million from Indonesia. It has a capacity of 754 passengers. Norman Cruz

DPWH starts construction of bypass project in Basey

By Vito Barcelo TOURIST attractions in Basey, Samar will soon be more accessible to the public as the Department of Public Works and Highways started construction of the bypass road project connecting Barangay Magallanes and Barangay Guirang.

Home to the popular Sohotan National Park and Balantak Falls, the bypass road is expected to increase tourism in the town of Basey by reducing travel time from almost three-and-a-half hours to one-and-a-half hour.

Public Works secretary Mark Villar said the project’s implementation was undertaken by the

Regional Office 8 and Samar 2nd District Engineering Office under Director Nerie Buenor .

“We expect to complete the 5.15-kilometer bypass road, including the construction of a 564-lineal meter wharf by 2020 to open Basey to more tourists and business opportunities,” said Villar.

Villar also said that since Basey is known for different cottage industries like mat weaving, pottery, and furniture making, the project is also seen to open different kinds of business and job opportunities for the locals.

The P80-million road project is funded under the 2019 General Appropriations Act.

6 trafficking victims rescued IMMIGRATION officers intercepted six suspected female trafficking victims at the Iloilo international airport who attempted to leave the country for Lebanon where they were illegally recruited to work as domestic helpers.

BI Commissioner Jaime Morente said the women were stopped at the departure area of the Iloilo International Airport as they were about to board a Cebu Pacific flight to Hongkong.

“Upon arriving in Hongkong they were supposed to board their connecting flight to Beirut and end up working there as household service workers [HSWs] without the appropriate overseas work permits,” Ma. Timotea Barizo, BI-TCEU overall supervisor said Barizo said that the trafficking attempt was foiled after they were tipped off by informants about the trafficking attempt.

“A concerned citizen called the IACAT [Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking] 1343 action line to relay the information. Reports like these are really valuable to the council as they help us immediately identify the victims and conduct rescue operations,” she added.

“They all admitted that they were traveling to Lebanon to work as HSWs without the necessary documents,” the BI official said.

The women reportedly alleged that a certain “Alfred” facilitated the processing of their travel documents and that their work visas would be handed to them upon their arrival in Beirut.

Meanwhile, Morente reiterated his appeal to the public to report possible cases of human trafficking. “The IACAT 1343 action line is a very valuable tool in preventing human trafficking. We urge our fellow Filipinos to call and report so the council may investigate and rescue these poor victims who are duped by traffickers and illegal recruiters,” said Morente.

All of the women were turned over to the IACAT in Region 6 for assistance and further investigation. Vito Barcelo

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

Sports US captain Woods leads Presidents Cup defense MELBOURNE, Australia—Captain Tiger Woods will lead from the front when the United States begin their Presidents Cup defense after Wednesday picking himself and Justin Thomas for the opening fourball match at Royal Melbourne.

The 43-year-old Woods and world number four Thomas will tee off first on Thursday against Australian Marc Leishman and Chilean rookie Joaquin Niemann for Ernie Els’ International team.

“I think from our side, we had a game plan, who we wanted to start out, and we were committed to putting Justin and myself out there, and that’s who we’re rolling with,” said Woods.

“I got a chance to play all of yesterday.

Played a little bit today. Just to try to get a feel for this golf course.

“It is quick and it has dried out and hopefully the forecast will hold for each and every day. The preparation is very simple.”

Vice-captain Fred Couples said ahead of the draw that he expected Woods would play at least three matches over the four days of the biennial matchplay showdown.

Woods has a record of 24 wins, 15 losses and one half in matches at the Presidents Cup, second only to Phil Mickelson’s record of 26 wins.

Steve Stricker will be captain while he is on the course.

Woods resisted any temptation to leave Patrick Reed on the sidelines for the first day’s pairings after a row sparked by the two-stroke penalty for moving sand and improving his lie in the Bahamas last week.

But International captain Els did omit Australian Cameron Smith who became embroiled in the squabble by calling Reed a cheat. AFP

Morado posts back-to-back wins in East Asia chess TANAUAN CITY, Batangas—Reigning National Junior champion National Master Jeth Romy Morado scored back-toback wins after beating his countryman Jerish John Velarde in the Eastern Asia Juniors and Girls Chess Championships at the First Asia Institute of Technology and Humanities College in Tanauan City, Batangas on Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2019.

Playing white, Morado, a 2nd year college student taking up International Auditing at the Far Eastern University-Manila campus prevailed after 30 moves of Sicilian defense.

Morado, the 2017 Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia Asean Age Group Under-20 division champion improved to a total of 2.0 points to share 2nd to 5th places with International Master Marvin John Miciano and Michael Concio Jr. of the Philipines and International Master Gilbert Elroy Tarigan of Indonesia.

Morado earlier brought down his compatriot John Paolo Medina after 35 moves of Slav defense on Tuesday’s opening round.

In other matches saw, Miciano crushed Eric Labog Jr. while Concio defeated Mark Jay Bacojo after 48 moves of Catalan Opening.

Defending champion International Master Daniel Quizon trounced Robert James Perez after 45 moves of Larsen Opening to create a three-way tie for fifth with FIDE Master Daniel Hermawan Lumban Tobing of Indonesia and Mark Christian Daluz who drew their game after 27 moves of Sicilian skirmish.

A7

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2019 sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

2019 SEAG considered one of the best A MID the glitches and controversies early on, the justconcluded 30th Southeast Asian Games will definitely go down in history as one of the best sporting shows in the region.

Feel-good stories about every event— 530 in all—in the 56-sport biennial meet were enthusiastically told and re-told by every sports fan, including the heroism of surfer Roger Casugay and the historic win of the men’s volleyball team over powerhouse Thailand in the semis round.

The playing venues that served as prime witness to 11 exciting days of athleticism and bravery from more than 5,000 athletes were another great source of pride for millions of sportsloving Filipinos.

One of them was the enchanting Miguel Romero Polo Field in Calatagan, Batangas.

Surely, Brunei will not forget this polo field since this was where it achieved its biggest sporting triumph so far after ruling polo’s 0-2 goals division at the expense of Malaysia.

Apart from winning the gold medal, Brunei royalties, including Prince Jefri Bolkiah and son Prince Bahar, Princess Azemah and Prince Mateen—children of Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah—were all charmed by the world-class playing facility.

They, including Indonesia and Malaysian officials, were one in saying that the Miguel Romero Field will be hard to top in any future SEA Games

since it has almost everything.

Indonesian coach Nico Curto even likened the Romero Field to the best Polo field in the world not unlike the well-loved loved Palermo Polo Field in Argentina, saying: “the Miguel Romero polo field is one of the best I have seen in the world”.

Dato Mohammad Moise, president of the Royal Malaysian Polo Association, echoed Curto’s observation, adding that they are looking forward for other tournaments at the Miguel Romero Field after being awed by its world-class facilities especially its now iconic and architectural masterpiece—the Bamboo Pavillion.

“We feel at home here because we have known Mikee (Rep. Mikee Romero) for a couple of years already. We would like to come back and play here again,” added Curto.

For Brunei National Olympic Commit-

Prince Jefri (right) and Representative Mikee Romero show off their medals after the polo competition.

The prince led Brunei to a gold medal win in polo’s 0-2 goals division at the Miguel Romero Polo Field in Calatagan, Batangas.

Filipinos hold court in regional basketball CLARK—The Philippines men’s basketball team won their 13th consecutive Southeast Asian Games title on Tuesday night with a dominant display against Thailand as the biennial sporting extravaganza draws to a close.

After 10 days of competition since President Rodrigo Duterte and boxing lege nd Manny Pacquiao officially kicked off the biggest-ever SEA Games last Saturday, the host nation sits atop the medal table with 149 golds, ahead of Vietnam on 96 and Thailand on 92.

The basketball-loving home crowd at the MOA Arena expected their team to add to the Philippines’ golden haul—al-

ready their best ever—and the team delivered in style winning 115-81 to make it a run of 18 wins in 20 events since 1977.

They were boosted by the women’s team who earlier beat Thailand 91-71 in their final round-robin match to claim the gold medal in Manila.

In the final of the men’s football tournament, Vietnam cruised their way to the title with a routine 3-0 win over Indonesia.

The Golden Dragons, who went into the gold medal match as firm favorites, were rarely tested at the Rizal Memorial Stadium in the capital.

Tuesday was the last major day of competition at the SEA Games which has seen

Filipino players celebrate on the podium after winning the gold medal in the men’s final basketball event at the SEA Games (South East Asian Games) in Manila on December 10, 2019. AFP

thousands of athletes from 11 countries compete in a record 56 sports in venues across Clark, Manila and Subic.

It was a rocky start for the 30th edition of the Games, with organisational gaffes, a presidential apology and deadly Typhoon Kammuri forcing cancellations, but the schedule got back on track.

Only the last remaining beach handball games were to be played in Subic on Wednesday ahead of the closing ceremony in New Clark City.

In the final night of athletics at the new, 20,000-seat stadium in Clark, Vietnam won golds in both the men’s and women’s 4 x 400m relays, while Nguyen Thi Huyen took the women’s 400m hurdles title.

Filipino decathlete Aries Toledo finished top after a grueling schedule of 10 disciplines to claim gold for the home nation and compatriot Eric Cray won the men’s 400m hurdles.

The last gold medal for eSports, which was being contested for the first time at an Olympic-recognized multisport competition, was awarded to Thailand on Tuesday night, following a victory over the Philippines in the fighting game Tekken 7.

The host nation won golds in team battle games Dota 2 and Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, and Caviar Napoleon Acampado came top in the science fiction strategy game Starcraft II. Malaysia’s Yew Weng Kean won the card game Hearthstone, while Arena of Valor was won by Thailand’s team. AFP

Columbian ships Corpuz to Magnolia for Ramos

By Jeric Lopez THE wheeling and dealing in the Philippine Basketball Association continued as several trades were completed.

A swap of big men was finalized after the Magnolia Hotshots Pambansang Manok sent Aldrech Ramos to Columbian Dyip in exchange for Jackson Corpuz.

In another completed transaction, it was Alaska and Phoenix’s turn to swap players.

The Fuel Masters acquired forward Jake Pascual from Alaska for their 2020 second round pick.

Pascual’s acquisition is expected to be vital for Phoenix which lacks height and heft. Pascual adds

some additional size.

Veteran big men Doug Kramer and Willie Wilson recently retired after the season of the Fuel Masters ended, leaving a big void in the middle.

The deals were already approved by the PBA Commissioner’s Office.

Corpuz originally played varsity volleyball. The Philippine Christian University alumnus’ only shifted to basketball in his teens.

He was largely unnoticed and was left undrafted during the 2014 PBA Draft. However, he persevered and played in the PBA D-League. He was a solid contributor but not a star and bounced from one team to another. He was finally noticed by Mahindra coach Chris Gavina who tapped him to join the team in 2017.

Jackson Corpuz, then with Columbian Dyip, attempts a jumper against the Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings.

PBA

tee head and Sultan Hassanal’s brother, Prince Sufri Bolkiah said, “winning one of Brunei two gold medals in a worldclass facility such as the Miguel Romero facility will be one of the most memorable moments for the whole Bruneians.”

The facility, the ambiance and Romero’s hosting, according to Prince Mateen and Princess Azemah Bolkiah, will now be the standard for future polo events in the SEA Games.

The Philippine team settled for the bronze medal in the 0-2 goals division, but for Romero and company—Tonio Veloso, Noel Vecinal, Jam Eusebio, Santi Juban, Julian Garcia, Franchesca Eusebio and coach Anthony Garcia—the medal glitters like a gold.

“We fell short in our mission but we did our very best,” said Romero. “Good thing we received inspiring words so hopefully we can do better next time.”

Zamboanga sacrificed to become the best DENICE “The Menace Fairtex” Zamboanga is thrilled to be part of the ONE Championship promotion.

After all, she has sacrificed a lot to become the fighter that she is now.

Zamboanga was born and raised in Quezon City and her older brother, Drex, taught her and her three sisters the art of self-defense.

Drex is a karate black belt and champion who transitioned to mixed martial arts in 2013. Since making his debut, he has competed in Japan, South Korea, and his native Philippines.

When Zamboanga was 17-years-old, she trained in karate and proved to be quite adept to the martial art.

“I competed in some competitions in karate and kept winning. But in my last fight in karate, I lost by knockout—I got kicked in the face and lost consciousness.

After that, I told myself that I will never lose a fight ever again.”

Zamboanga would live up to those words in next phase of her martial arts career move.

In 2017, Zamboanga’s brother received a call from a local promoter asking if he knew a girl who was willing to engage in a mixed martial arts contest.

Drex immediately turned to his little sister.

“He told me to do it, and that he would train me,” she recalls.

“The Menace Fairtex,” as Zamboanga would later be called, won her pro debut in January 2017 via knockout in 44 seconds.

Zamboanga was so enthralled with her new martial arts career path that she abandoned her childhood dreams of becoming a doctor to pursue an Information Technology degree from the Polytechnic University of the Philippines.

After earning her degree, Zamboanga found a job in a government agency— and later, in a non-government organization— and earned a regular paycheck.

However, her thirst for competition only grew stronger. This thirst was finally rewarded when she was accepted by ONE Championship.

Cone says he cherishes latest title ARGUABLY the greatest coach in the Philippine Basketball Association, Tim Cone says the gold medal in the 30th Southeast Asian Games is one of the biggest highlights of his coaching career.

“You can’t go wrong with the gold medal.

My Gosh, a gold medal, that’s something you can remember forever,” said Cone after leading Gilas Pilipinas to the most important gold medal of the biennial meet.

“I mean, if you’re like (multi-titled swimmer) Mark Spitz and had 10 golds medals, maybe that’s something (normal) but if you got one, that’s going to be incredibly special.”

The two-time grand slam winning coach led his team to a 115-81 demolition of Thailand. He said waited 21 years for his chance to strike gold in an international tournament.

Cone coached the Philippine Centennial team in 1998 Asian Games which brought home a bronze.

“I’ve won a few championships in the PBA but this one ranks right up there about the top. The bronze in the Asian Games, looking back, was special as well, but just the whole experience of being here (SEAG) and being with these guys and the support of everyone in the country, SBP, Al Panlilio, Alfrancis Chua and the support of the players, these players were so phenomenal so it was a great experience all around,” said Cone.

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

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2019

PH beach spikers achieve historic feat IT WAS one Southeast Asian Games to remember for the Philippine women’s and men’s beach volleyball teams.

For eight days, the country’s top sand court players put a valiant stand in front of their home fans at the Subic Tennis Courts.

Rallying with the battle cry #Sambansa, their efforts were rewarded.

The women’s team of Sisi Rondina, Bernadeth Pons, Dzi Gervacio and Dij Rodriguez fulfilled their goal of bringing the country back to the podium for the first time in 14 years.

It was a breakthrough for Jude Garcia, Jaron Requinton, Edmar Bonono and James Buytrago, as they gave the Philippines’ its first-ever men’s beach volleyball medal.

“This has been such a historic feat for Philippine Beach Volleyball and we dedicate this win to our fellow Pinoy athletes who have sacrificed a lot to pursue what they love doing the most. We also dedicate this win to our Philippine Volleyball Community, which has continuously given us the strength and support to power through. Maraming salamat, Pilipinas!” said team manager Charo Soriano.

With five victories and producing a gallant effort in losses against traditional powerhouses Thailand and Indonesia, the Rebisco-backed Philippines side matched the 2005 bronze medal finish by Fil-Ams Heidi Ilustre and Diane Pascua.

There’s no way for the Filipinas but to go up, not only in the next SEA Games in Vietnam two years from now but also in future international competitions such as FIVB World Tour 1-star tournaments.

“We are so thankful for our sponsor, unang una ang Rebisco.

Natupad pangarap namin na makapaglaro ng maayos dahil sa kanila,” said Gervacio.

In a tough eight-team men’s field, the Filipinos made it to the semifinals for the first time since 2007 behind Parley Tupaz and Rhovyl Verayo.

After bowing to Thailand in the semis, the Philippines nipped Singapore, 2-1, for the bronze medal, as Garcia and Requinton took charge in the golden match.

Following the Christmas holidays, the Philippine sand court standouts will immediately resume training as they prepare for tough battles in domestic and the FIVB World Tour 1-star tournament this May. For more updates about the Philippine beach volleyball team, please check its social media accounts @ pilipinasbeachvolleyball on Instagram and Facebook, and @phbeachvolley on Twitter.

Casugay earns Fair Play Award CAPAS, Tarlac—Surfing champion Roger Casugay was handed the Fair Play Award at the close of the 30th Southeast Asian Games.

Casugay was recognized for the heroics that he did last week when he fought Arip Nurhidiyat in the men’s long board event at Monaliza Point in La Union.

Arip got into trouble in the big waves that day, when the Indonesian’s surfboard had its leash detached and he fell into the water.

It was Casugay himself who rescued Nurhidiyat without regards for the result.

Philippine SEA Games Organizing Committee chairman Allan Peter Cayetano and Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino were on hand to give Casugay his ward.

A swimmer from Singapore’s Zheng Wen Quah, who had four golds two silvers and Nguyen Thi Anh Vien of Vietnam, who had six golds in swimming, were named outstanding male and female athletes. Peter Atencio

Sports PRESIDENTIAL SUPPORT. President Rodrigo Duterte, again displaying his unwavering support of national athletes, strikes his signature fist forward pose with the Philippine Surfing team, led by Roger Casugay (front row, third from right) during a meeting at the Malacañang Palace. Presidential photo

SEAG ends in blaze of glory

By Arman D. Armero

T

HE 30th Southeast Asian Games started with a few minor kinks and ended in blazing glory.

The glory, of course, belonged to the athletes and the coaches, their families; friends and supporters, who rose above the din of discontent and disappointment to deliver sterling performances that once again placed the country on top of the sporting world.

At the close of the 11-day biennial meet, Filipino athletes won a record 387 medals broken down to 149 golds, 171 silvers and 121 bronzes.

It was a far cry from the measly 24 gold medals the Philippines took home in the 2017 SEA Games in Kuala Lumpur, now but a distant memory as the country celebrates its overall supremacy in the region once again.

“It was worth it,” said Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman and Team Philippines chef de mission to the 2019 SEA Games William “Butch” Ramirez.

“I dont have empirical research to show, (but) spending more than one billion this year for our athletes’ foreign exposures helped.”

It was likewise practically a treasure chest of jewels, made more special because for more than two weeks, Filipino athletes

did not only display their skills and talents in the sporting field, but showcased that distinct Filipino trademark of hospitality and welcoming spirit.

Forgotten were the initial birth pains that come with hosting of an event of this magnitude, even as politicians will now scramble to discover on what went wrong, if ever, and who made the most money out of the Games.

For the athletes, it was enough that they delivered what was expected of them. It was enough that they have given glory to their country and had proudly given their best.

The Filipinos’ hunt for the gold began in earnest, when triathletes John Chicano and Kim Mangrobang pocketed the gold medals in both the men and women’s side.

The win sparked an avalanche of gold medals, from arnis martial artists, to dancesports enthusiasts, wushu, sambo, taekwondo, gymnastics, karate, judo, pencak silat, track and field, aquatics, cycling, skateboarding, basketball and volleyball – all 56 of them.

Everywhere and every day, the Filipinos struck gold; some settled for silver and bronzes, but all did their utmost best.

More than a few athletes etched their names to immortality with extraordinary performances.

Two athletes immediately come to mind: pole vaulter EJ Obiena and Fil-American track star Kristine Knott.

Obiena, who had already secured a berth in the Tokyo Olympics, leapt to a new SEAG record of 5.45 meters, while Knott completed the 200-m race in 23.07 seconds, also a new SEAG mark.

But there were also performances that would be remembered because they were achieved for the first time, and accomplished despite great odds.

The men’s volleyball team is one perfect example. Facing world-class Southeast Asian opponents, they made it to the finals by beating the mighty Thais that assured them of a silver. The loss to the Indonesians’ notwithstanding, the team’s feat is one for the books, at least for Filipino volleyball players who had to continuously play second fiddle to basketball.

Basketball too had its own version of “miraculous” comebacks at least for the women’s team who finally broke through with a historic 91-71 victory over perennial champion Thailand in the finals for its first ever gold medal.

As expected, the men’s basketball team steamrolled past the opposition, and its 11581 rout of Thailand served as a mere coronation since it first showed up in the Games.

But victories in both the men’s and women’s 3x3 made it all sweeter for a nation obsessed with the sport, as Filipinos won’t be forgiving if we lose a basketball championship, at least in the SEAG level.

Team Lakay’s Iniong wins kickboxing gold GINA Iniong leaned on her veteran savvy to give the country another gold to highlight an outstanding performance by the country in the kickboxing event as the 2019 Southeast Asian Games comes to a close.

Iniong, a mainstay of Team Lakay and a Globe Ambassador, withstood the aggressive start of her Thai opponent Apichaya Mingkhwan, 3-0 to win the gold medal in the women’s 55 KG Kick Light category.

Iniong, a veteran mixed martial arts athlete who switched to kickboxing just for the 30th edition of the Southeast Asian Games, took her time to frustrate and even knocked down her Thai opponent several times in posting the convincing win.

“Hindi nasayang ang hirap at pagod namin sa training lalo na first time ko lumaban para sa bayan at dito pa sa kickboxing,” an elated Iniong said after her gold medal winning performance at the Cuneta Astrodome.

Iniong’s win gave Team Lakay a to-

tal of three gold medals in the biennial bracket while Karol Maguilde added event. the bronze in the men’s 51 KG full Teammate Jean Claude Saclag contact event. went all out against Mohammed Bin Mahmoud to win the gold in the men’s 63.5 KG Low Kick category.

Jerry Olsim earlier won the gold medal in the men’s 69 KG Kick Light finals after outclassing Sarayut Klinming, 3-0.

“It has been a wonderful Southeast Asian Games experience for Team Lakay and our athletes. They not only brought honor and fame for Globe, Team Lakay delivered and did their part to ensure that the Philippines will reign supreme once more in the region after several years of frustrations and defeats.

They made our countrymen proud.

Kaya naman pala talaga pag sama-sama tayo,” Ernest Cu, Globe President and CEO added.

Aside from the three gold medals, Renalyn Daquel gave the Philippines the silver in the women’s 48 KG kickboxing category. Jomar Balagui also took home the silver in men’s KG low kick Gina Iniong

Athletics team hits all targets

By Peter Atencio CAPAS, Tarlac—Athletics officials were right on track in their projection that the Philippines will have around 12 gold medals in the 30th Southeast Asian Games.

When action ended Tuesday, the Philippines raked in 11 gold medals, eight silvers and eight bronzes.

“There were many dark horses that came, and I missed two of them. In the end, we were right on track,” said national athletics coach Jojo Posadas.

The unexpected gold medals came from javelin thrower Melvin Calano and decathlete Aries Toledo.

The 110-meter hurdles feat of Clinton Kingsley Bautista, according to Posadas, came out of nowhere.

On the final day of athletics, Toledo, who earned the region’s “greatest athlete” tag in retaining the men’s decathlon gold.

The 26-year-oldToledo accumulated 7,033 points for his second gold since after winning in 2017.

Eric Cray ended days of frustration, bucked another false start by another runner this time to retain the gold medal in the men’s 400-meter hurdles on Day 5 of the 30th Southeast Asian Games athletics meet at the New Clark City stadium here.

Cray clocked 50.21second when he reached the finish line, and his time was almost two seconds below the 49.40 second performance he had when he won it for the first time back in 2015.

Butler, Adebayo post triple double as Heat defeat Hawks in overtime

Miami Heat guard Jimmy Butler (22) tries to dribble past Atlanta Hawks defender Trae Young (11) at American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida. AFP

LOS ANGELES, United States—Miami’s Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo both posted triple-doubles as the Heat rallied late and dominated overtime to beat the Atlanta Hawks 135-121 on Tuesday and remain unbeaten at home this NBA season.

Adebayo scored a career-high 30 points with 11 rebounds and 11 assists for his first career triple-double—producing double figures in three key statistical categories.

Butler scored 20 points with a career-high 18 rebounds and 10 assists for the Heat, who improved to 11-0 at AmericanAirlines Arena.

Meanwhile, the Philadelphia 76ers also remained perfect at home, notching their third straight victory 97-92 over the Denver Nuggets.

Sixers big man Joel Embiid scored 22 points, coolly draining two free throws with 15.3 seconds remaining to seal the victory.

Embiid added 10 rebounds and six assists

—with two steals and a blocked shot—and Tobias Harris added 20 points as Philadelphia improved to 13-0 at home with their seventh win in eight games.

Will Barton led the Nuggets with 26 points, after Denver’s top scorer Jamal Murray departed in the first quarter after a collision with Ben Simmons.

A change of scenery didn’t help the New York Knicks, who opened a four-game West Coast road trip with a 115-87 loss to the Trail Blazers in Portland.

Damian Lillard scored 31 points and Hassan Whiteside added 17 points and 15 rebounds for Portland, who led by as many as 32 points against Knicks team that lost their 10th straight game.

Portland’s Carmelo Anthony, a 10-time AllStar who joined the Trail Blazers in November after more than a year out of the league, scored 16 points against his former club. AFP

IN BRIEF

CA asked to lift TRO on AMA Bank takeover

STATE-RUN Philippine Deposit Insurance Corp. said Wednesday it asked the Court of Appeals to lift and dissolve the temporary restraining order prohibiting it from implementing the closure order of AMA Rural Bank of Mandaluyong Inc. It said that while the TRO was effective, “it shall have no access to bank records and documents used as basis to settle claims for deposit insurance of depositors of AMA Bank.”

According to PDIC, this became necessary as it found huge discrepancies in the bank’s deposit data.

The PDIC said that based on records seen on the day it took over AMA Bank on Nov. 8, 2019, and prior to the issuance of the TRO, the data available in the bank’s deposit system was as of April 30, 2019 with total deposits of P4.9 billion consisting of 11,535 accounts.

“These are significantly higher than the reported figures to the PDIC as of June 30, 2019 with total deposits of only P1,448,522,577.30 representing 8,434 accounts,” it said.

“Because of discrepancies in the data on deposits coupled with the absence of realtime recording of transactions on deposits in the deposit system, it becomes even more necessary for the PDIC to validate the bank’s records and documents,” it said.

Julito G. Rada

Early harvest saves P11b worth of crops

ABOUT P11.6 billion worth of crops were saved from Typhoon Tisoy because of a number of preparations delivered by the Agriculture Department prior to its landfall.

Agriculture Secretary William Dar said the volume of palay harvested three days before the onslaught of the typhoon translated into about P11.6 billion in cash value.

“We have an operation center at DA where we prepare bulletins based on the reports of PAGASA, and we relay these bulletins to the regions that will potentially be affected by any weather disturbance, “ he said.

The mechanism allowed the department to notify the regional offices, which then alerted the extension workers and technicians on the ground to inform the farmers of the latest weather update.

The early warning mechanism saved about 157,000 hectares of paddy rice from being ravaged by the typhoon.

For corn, about P109 million worth of produce were salvaged from the 2,000 hectares harvested before the typhoon struck.

Typhoon Tisoy, however, caused a spike in the prices of various commodities in the market, including fish and vegetables.

Othel V. Campos

Business Economic managers cut growth forecast for 2019

By Julito G. Rada

T

HE interagency Development Budget Coordination Committee on Wednesday reduced the upper end of its 2019 economic growth forecast to a range of 6 percent to 6.5 percent from the previous estimate of 6 percent to 7 percent amid the lingering trade tensions in advanced economies that are impacting global growth.

It retained the growth forecast of 6.5 percent to 7.5 percent from 2020 to 2022.

Meanwhile, the Asian Development Bank on Wednesday cut its economic growth forecasts in developing Asia this year and next year as growth as external and domestic factors are expected to weigh on China and India.

The ADB said in a supplement to its Asian Development Outlook 2019 Up-

date that the gross domestic product in the region would expand 5.2 percent in both 2019 and 2020, down from the September forecast of 5.4 percent growth this year and 5.5 percent next year.

“While growth rates are still solid in developing Asia, persistent trade tensions have taken a toll on the region and are still the biggest risk to the longerterm economic outlook,” ADB chief economist Yasuyuki Sawada said in a statement.

“Domestic investment is also weakening in many countries, as business sentiment has declined,” he said.

The ADB expects the Philippine economy to grow 6 percent in 2019 and 6.2 percent in 2020.

Global trade tensions are expected to affect Philippine exports. The DBCC reduced the goods export growth target to 1 percent for 2019 and 4 percent for 2020 because of the unresolved trade row between the US and China.

The assumptions for 2021 and 2022 were retained at 6 percent as global eco-

nomic activity is expected to recover in the medium-term.

“Assumptions in services exports growth were maintained at 9 percent from 2019 to 2022. The services imports growth projection for 2019 was adjusted downward to 2 percent in 2019, and fixed at 4 percent in 2020 and 5 percent in 2021 and 2022,” it said.

Revenue collections are projected to reach P3.15 trillion in 2019, equivalent to 16.8 percent of the gross domestic product, while disbursements are targeted to hit P3.76 trillion in 2019 equivalent to 20 percent of GDP. Revenuesin 2020 are projected to increase to P3.49 trillion, equivalent to 16.6 percent of the GDP, while disbursements are programmed at P4.16 trillion, or 19.8 percent of GDP. Projected revenue and disbursement are estimated to rise to P4.31 trillion (17 percent of GDP) and P5.12 trillion (20.2 percent of GDP), respectively, by 2022.

“The comprehensive tax reform program can help ensure a reliable revenue

Meralco sets 100% electrification target

POWER retailer Manila Electric Co. said it is intensifying the electrification program to attain 100-percent or total electrification of its franchise area by 2020.

“The focus for now is to provide distribution and connection service to underserved and unserved customers in Metro Manila and Batangas. To date, additional 38 sites were already energized,” Meralco said in a statement.

Meralco is the country’s biggest power distributor with nearly seven million customers in its franchise area.

“Serving all of its customers in its franchise, we have this zero unserved initiative right now...Our president does not want to have any customer in Meralco who does not have power connection that’s why we have this number of sites being identified to be energized within the year,” Meralco head of networks Ronnie Aperocho said.

The company identified 118 remaining sites for electrification covering 15,969 households costing P267 million. Of the said sites, 28 are under construction while around 70 are undergoing right of way resolution.

“That’s why we have this number of sites being identified to be energized within the year. This covers 118 sites, serving close to 16,000 households,” Aperocho said.

Alena Mae S. Flores

ADB approves $23.3-m loan to antitrust body THE Philippine Competition Commission secured a six-year project from the Asian Development Bank to boost the country’s competitive environment, narrow the gap on competition expertise in the country and build a domestic knowledge base for the effective implementation of the competition law.

The regional lender approved a $23.3-million loan on Dec. 5, setting in motion a program aimed at strengthening the antitrust authority’s institutional capacity, while furthering the culture of competition in other government agencies and in the academe.

Jose Antonio Tan III, ADB director for public management, financial sector and trade at ADB’s Southeast Asia regional department said the bank aimed to help the Philippines eliminate barriers to business entry and anti-competitive practices in many sectors of the economy, which affects prices for consumers.

“By fostering better enforcement of the competition law, this project will also help the government sustain economic growth in the Philippines, which, at an average of 6.3 percent annually from 2010 to 2018, is among the fastest in Southeast Asia,” Tan said.

“The PCC recognizes that its success as a young agency rests in its ability to strengthen the skills and competencies of its staff, work inter-operably across its network of competition champions and enforcers and vigorously engage the public and private sectors in competition advocacy. The project is strategically designed to address these three broad factors,” said PCC chairman Arsenio Balisacan.

Balisacan on Wednesday led the launch of the “Capacity Building to Foster Competition Project”, with ADB country director Kelly Bird, ADB Southeast Asia director for public management, financial sector and trade Jose Antonio Tan III and ADB Southeast Asia senior economist for public finance Cristina Lozano. Othel V. Campos

RESORTS WORLD’S AWARD. Travellers International Hotel Group Inc., the operator of entertainment and lifestyle destination Resorts World Manila, receives the prestigious corporate excellence award in the recent Enterprise Asia’s 2019 Asia-Pacific Entrepreneurship Awards. The award recognizes RWM’s first decade of providing guests with world-class hospitality, food service and tourism offerings. Receiving the award are (from left) RWM corporate communications director Joee Guilas, Holiday Inn Express Manila general manager Boy Beloso, RWM senior director for corporate sponsorship and theater management Ana Chua, chief integrated marketing officer Martin Paz, public relations manager Joy Andrade, director for marketing communications and special events Gerald Magtoto and assistant director for creative group Randy Tiempo.

Ray S. Eñano, Editor Roderick T. dela Cruz, Assistant Editor business@manilastandard.net extrastory2000@gmail.com THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2019

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November car sales rose 10% to 34,465 units

By Othel V. Campos VEHICLE sales climbed 10.3 percent in November from a year ago, representing the highest growth this year, two industry groups said Wednesday.

The Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines Inc. and the Truck Manufacturers Association said in a joint report automobile sales reached 34,465 units in November, up from 31,258 vehicles during the same month in 2018.

Data showed sales on a month-onmonth basis, rose 0.2 percent from the October figure, providing a positive sign of sustained demand.

CAMPI president Rommel Gutierrez said the growth was a positive signal for the recuperating industry.

“We are continuously working double time to achieve the industry’s overall sales target of 410,000 units which we believe remains achievable,” Gutierrez said.

Total sales in the first 11 months reached 336,226 units, up by 3.27 percent from 335,569 units sold in the same period last year. Passenger cars grew 0.1 percent to 99,951 units from 99,853 units while commercial vehicles increased 4.7 percent to 236,275 units from 225,746 units.

CAMPI and TMA account for 89 percent of the overall sales target, while the Association of Vehicle Importers and Distributors Inc. accounts for 11 percent.

CAMPI and TMA said sales of passenger cars in November rose 3.8 percent to 9,551 units from 9,197 units a year earlier while commercial vehicle sales went up 12.9 percent to 24,914 units from 22,061 units.

Gutierrez said the market demand for December was expected to remain robust, supported by continuous sales promotions and sustained positive economic outlook.

December usually posts the fastest growth in demand for vehicles every year as consumers, who get more income from the 13th month pay and year-end bonuses, are enticed by promotions given by car companies.

Top sellers in November were Toyota Motors Philippines Corp. with 42.85-percent of the market, Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corp. with 29.59 percent, Nissan Philippines Inc. with 11.67 percent; Ford Motor Company Philippines Inc. with 5.85 percent and Suzuki Philippines Inc. with 6.51 percent.

Commuters urge Congress to legalize motorcyle taxis after trial run

By Darwin G. Amojelar COMMUTER groups on Wednesday called on Congress to pass a bill legalizing motorcycle taxis nationwide as the six-month pilot test is set to end this month.

Lawyers for Commuter Safety and Protection, Komyut and Move Metro Manila―the original members of the technical working group of the Department of Transportation―asked the House of Representatives and the Senate to intervene in another six-month test run for Angkas and other motorcycle taxi operators.

Commuter groups said they were excluded from the decision-making process of the TWG that extend the pilot run for another six months.

“Why are they extending it? If they are convinced that the test run was successful, why not just direct Congress to come up with a law to regulate this service?” lawyer Ariel Inton of the LCSP, also a member of the TWG, said.

“We have to stop the testing. If we are convinced, go ahead, let Congress pass the law,” he said.

Toix Cerna, spokesperson of the commuters group Komyut, said: “Since August, we have been seeking for the

TWG to be convened to discuss the initial data, and experience of Angkas, but to no avail.”

“Our task was also to monitor and assess the results of the pilot so that we are informed of what to recommend for the legislative measures pending in Congress,” she said.

Raymond Gascon of Move Metro Manila said that, “in principle we agree with the need for the motorcycle taxi safety protocols to be extended to and applied to other motorcycle taxi service providers”.

“Competition is good and should be a welcome development. We are just con-

cerned with the process through which this decision was made without us having been call into a meeting at all,” Gascon said.

Move Metro Manila is a group of policy advocates organizing policy discussions on mobility.

The LCSP earlier filed a petition for injunction with application for a temporary restraining order and/or writ of preliminary injunction against five motorcycle taxi companies including We Move Things Philippines Inc. (Joyride), Habal Rides Corp., I-Sabay, Sampa-Dala Corp. and Trans-Serve Corp.

Metro Pacific acquires 67% interest in Butuan’s Manuel J. Santos Hospital

By Jenniffer B. Austria

ROBINSONS CARD. Robinsons Bank launches the new Robinsons Cashback Mastercard which provides cardholders with up to 3-percent rebate at all Robinsons stores and up to 1-percent rebate at all other merchants that accept Mastercard.

Attending the launching are (from left) Robinsons Bank chairman Lance Gokongwei, Robinsons Retail Holdings Inc. president and COO Robina Gokongwei-Pe, Robinsons Bank chief executive and president Elfren Sarte and Mastercard Philippines country manager Rowell Del Fierro.

INFRASTRUCTURE conglomerate Metro Pacific Investments Corp. said Wednesday its hospital unit acquired a 67-percent stake in Santos Clinic Inc., the owner and operator of Manuel J. Santos Hospital in Butuan City, Agusan del Norte.

MPIC said in a disclosure to the stock exchange Metro Pacific Hospital Holdings Inc. acquired 576,257 shares in SCI owned by the Santos, Vesagas and Villareal families.

MPHHI also offered to purchase the shares of other SCI shareholders for P563.77 per share.

MJSH is a 100-bed level 2 hospital located along Montilla Boulevard corner National Highway in Butuan City. It was founded in 1933 by the late Dr. Manuel Santos and his wife, the late Amparo Lopez.

We, the scions of Dr. Manuel J. Santos, are very pleased and excited to partner

with MPHHI, the largest private hospital network in the country, and we welcome the MVP Group to Butuan City,” said Dr. Terence Vesagas, one of the representatives of the partner families.

“We want to elevate further the healthcare services provided by MJSH by partnering with no less than the Metro Pacific Hospital Group. We chose a partner that we know preserves and enhances the legacy of the hospitals in its portfolio. We appreciate their thrust to always work with local stakeholders, understanding that a hospital will always be a local community’s anchor service.

We look forward to increasing our footprint in Northeastern Mindanao,” Vesagas said.

MJSH started as a 12-bed hospital and has continually expanded and upgraded its service capabilities, serving not just Butuan but the whole of Agusan provinces, thereby establishing itself as the premier hospital of northeastern Mindanao.

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Business

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2019 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Stock market rises; ICTSI advances

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HE stock market rose Wednesday along with the rest of Asia, but investors are growing nervous at the lack of news on China-US trade talks, with Washington yet to cancel tariffs on a swathe of Chinese goods planned for the weekend.

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index added 50.23 points, or 0.6 percent, to 7,786.41 on a value turnover of P5.3 billion. Gainers beat losers, 98 to 86, with 53 issues unchanged.

Manila Water Co. Inc. of conglomerate Ayala Corp. slumped 13.9 percent to P12.48, while Metro Pacific Investments Corp., which is into toll roads, electricity and water distribution, hospitals and infra-

structure, tumbled 13.1 percent to P3.19.

Manila Water and Maynilad Water Services Inc. , a unit of Metro Pacific, said they would not collect the P10.8 billion granted to them by the arbitral court in Singapore.

International Container Terminal Services Inc., the biggest operator, rose 3 percent to P120.50, while Bank of the Philippine Islands, the third-largest lender in terms of assets, climbed 2.9 percent to P89.

Asian markets, meanwhile, mostly rose Wednesday. US and Chinese Negotiators are still trying to hammer out a mini agreement and the mood on trading floors remains upbeat, while most observers are confident the two sides will eventually reach a deal, which has fed a global equities rally for weeks.

However, a fresh round of levies on $160 billion of Chinese exports to the US is due to be imposed on December 15, and there has been no word from the

White House on a possible delay to that date.

The removal of tariffs is a key demand of Beijing’s in the talks.

And on Tuesday Donald Trump’s top economics adviser Larry Kudlow warned that the measures remained in play for now.

“The reality is that those tariffs are still on the table,” Kudlow said, although he did say that Trump had struck a “constructive and optimistic tone” on China.

The uncertainty weighed on Wall Street, with all three main indexes edging down.

Still, Asian markets reversed early losses to sit in positive territory in the afternoon.

Hong Kong jumped 0.8 percent and Shanghai added 0.2 percent, while Sydney gained 0.7 percent. Seoul, Singapore and Taipei were also well in the green, with Mumbai starting on an upbeat note.

But Tokyo finished 0.1 percent lower,

with Bangkok also down.

“The fact the two sides are negotiating is a positive sign, as it’s when both sides are locked in a stand-off without communication, then traders get nervous,” said David Madden at CMC Markets UK. On currency markets the pound tumbled against the dollar after a fresh poll predicted UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s ruling Conservatives would win a much smaller majority than a previous projection.

The YouGov opinion poll said the Tories would win Thursday’s vote, with a majority of 28 seats, sharply down from the 68 forecast in a similar study at the end of November.

Sterling has surged in recent weeks— sitting at an eight-month high on the greenback and a two-and-a-half-year peak against the euro—on expectations Johnson would win a big enough majority to push through his Brexit deal. With AFP

Manila Standard BuSineSS daily StockS review wedneSday, deceMBer 11, 2019

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BANK PH ISLANDS BDO LEASING BDO UNIBANK CHINABANK COL FINANCIAL EAST WEST BANK FERRONOUX HLDG FILIPINO FUND MEDCO HLDG METROBANK NTL REINSURANCE PHIL NATL BANK PHIL STOCK EXCH PHILTRUST PSBANK RCBC SECURITY BANK SUN LIFE UNION BANK VANTAGE

87.9 1.85 159.9 25 18.46 12.76 4 7.03 0.375 67 0.8 35.7 173.5 112.1 58.65 24 196 1,800 57.5 1.08

89 1.85 159.9 25.05 18.46 13.02 4 7.03 0.375 68.2 0.84 36.95 174.5 112.1 58.65 24 200 1,800 58.05 1.08

86.75 1.85 157 25 18.46 12.72 4 7 0.37 66.95 0.77 35.7 173.5 112.1 58.65 23.95 196 1,800 57.5 1.08

FINANCIALS 89 991,040 1.85 25,000 157.9 1,037,570 25 78,000 18.46 4,800 13 178,500 4 34,000 7 1,900 0.37 280,000 68.2 1,794,540 0.84 38,000 36.3 156,800 174 1,080 112.1 20 58.65 1,120 23.95 12,900 199.5 365,150 1,800 95 57.5 41,850 1.08 700,000

87,967,335 46,250 164,024,776 1,950,510 88,608 2,311,392 136,000 13,315 104,350 120,946,251 30,410 5,698,400 187,900 2,242 65,688 308,965 72,320,116 171,000 2,410,664 756,000

36,629,974.50 -26,531,133 -515,000 306,420 8,000 44,400 39,609,296 -1,269,550 13,960 11,975 7,474,433 -313,464 -

ABOITIZ POWER AC ENERGY AGRINURTURE ALLIANCE SELECT ALSONS CONS AXELUM BASIC ENERGY CEMEX HLDG CENTURY FOOD CHEMPHIL CIRTEK HLDG CNTRL AZUCARERA CONCEPCION CONCRETE A CROWN ASIA DEL MONTE DNL INDUS EAGLE CEMENT EEI CORP EMPERADOR FIRST GEN FIRST PHIL HLDG FRUITAS HLDG GINEBRA GREENERGY HOLCIM INTEGRATED MICR IONICS JOLLIBEE LMG CHEMICALS MABUHAY VINYL MACAY HLDG MANILA WATER MAXS GROUP MEGAWIDE MERALCO MG HLDG PANASONIC 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 VIVANT VULCAN INDL

33.85 2.25 13.68 0.57 1.23 2.6 0.235 2.14 15.24 165 4.72 20.5 28 65 2.02 5.23 8.38 14.58 10.3 7.22 24.35 73 1.16 40 1.94 13.54 7.75 1.33 205.8 4.75 3.25 7.23 14.5 12.2 16.6 322 0.162 5.6 4 4.31 9.8 11 33.45 4.88 5.4 2.18 1.92 0.91 9.9 88.4 7.84 0.114 1.05 142 2.6 1.14 16.5 0.83

34.6 2.33 13.68 0.57 1.23 2.77 0.235 2.18 15.42 165 4.72 20.8 28.45 65 2.03 5.23 8.5 14.96 10.3 7.25 24.6 73.1 1.21 40.9 1.98 13.9 7.99 1.4 207.6 4.75 3.25 7.92 15.1 12.4 16.9 325 0.164 5.6 4 4.35 9.9 11.28 33.6 5 5.4 2.19 1.92 0.94 10.1 88.4 7.85 0.116 1.07 142 2.6 1.16 16.5 0.9

33.8 2.22 12.88 0.53 1.23 2.6 0.235 2.12 15.24 165 3.9 20.1 28 64.75 2.01 5.2 8.37 14.58 10.24 7.18 23.5 71.2 1.08 40 1.92 13.52 7.75 1.25 202.6 4.75 3.1 7.12 11.04 11.9 16.6 321.6 0.16 5.6 4 4.24 9.8 11 33.25 4.88 5.35 2.13 1.92 0.9 9.9 86.5 7.83 0.114 1.05 140 2.55 1.13 16.5 0.83

INDUSTRIAL 33.8 285,300 2.26 4,616,000 13.4 597,400 0.53 424,000 1.23 23,000 2.74 4,593,000 0.235 10,000 2.12 426,000 15.24 198,400 165 240 4.33 416,000 20.3 27,100 28.3 1,100 64.75 310 2.03 101,000 5.2 20,900 8.45 5,587,000 14.6 4,700 10.3 202,100 7.2 429,400 23.6 498,600 72.8 147,730 1.1 38,908,000 40.9 19,000 1.96 1,361,000 13.9 60,700 7.99 3,300 1.4 301,000 207.6 259,440 4.75 4,000 3.25 9,000 7.7 27,800 12.48 6,161,700 11.9 69,700 16.9 340,100 323.4 64,420 0.16 2,700,000 5.6 100 4 1,000 4.31 4,807,000 9.89 87,700 11.28 166,000 33.45 630,400 5 1,600,500 5.4 20,200 2.13 1,340,000 1.92 5,000 0.9 21,000 9.96 62,400 88 82,000 7.83 26,000 0.115 1,240,000 1.06 19,000 141.5 499,040 2.55 5,000 1.15 7,121,000 16.5 1,400 0.88 537,000

9,678,310(4, 10,491,110 8,123,672 231,840 28,290 12,551,720 2,350 910,950 3,058,284 39,600 1,834,050 547,155 31,055 20,135.50 204,180 109,157 47,055,650(19 68,680 2,079,884 3,089,294 11,952,805 10,729,335.5(5, 44,579,510 761,170 2,650,650 839,868 25,599 384,460 53,462,656 19,000 28,500 208,144 85,231,504 833,744 5,741,696 20,810,852 433,080 560 4,000 20,819,140 859,600 1,866,540 21,106,860 6 8,002,488 108,679 2,898,320 9,600 19,190 623,310 7,169,118 203,805 143,010 20,030 70,579,646 12,800 8,187,520 23,100 475,650

731,330.0002) 109,390.00 -3,710,886 2,037,280 -223,670 47,244 18,690 64,960.00 ,496,934.9998) -59,884 -65,666 -2,316,478 -96,945 419,170.4999) 214,790 108,000 180,570 -381,474 2,325 19,924,066 9,750 -16,550 3,192,338 -152,126 257,480 4,150,160 -320,000 -1,090,000 -9,890 -112,800 ,030,885.0003 -7,500,000 -27,999 -529,362 -2,674,112.50 31,330 9,116,207 -47,150 -

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

0.76 51.95 11.12 0.69 6.72 12 0.92 0.95 820 3.04 6.84 5.97 12.98 873 5.31 79 5.35 0.495 3.77 11.6 0.58 3.72 5.06 1.36 157.7 1,052 1.23 199.8 207 0.214 0.215

0.77 51.95 11.26 0.71 6.72 12.1 0.94 0.97 823 3.13 6.89 6.18 13.26 884.5 5.31 79.3 5.35 0.5 3.84 11.86 0.58 3.9 5.24 1.38 157.7 1,079 1.25 228 217.8 0.216 0.215

0.74 50 11.06 0.68 6.72 11.8 0.92 0.95 784 3.04 6.77 4.95 12.98 873 5.3 78.5 5.35 0.485 3.76 11.6 0.56 3.13 4.8 1.35 155 1,052 1.23 180 205.6 0.214 0.2

HOLDING FIRMS 0.75 1,048,000 715,370 51.5 11.1 12,672,800 0.71 1,129,000 6.72 900 11.98 8,800 0.93 532,000 0.97 155,000 790 292,900 3.05 2,014,000 6.8 488,700 5.11 66,135,200 13.26 71,200 874 27,300 5.3 50,000 79.3 1,449,860 5.35 1,000 0.5 9,000 3.76 291,000 11.84 636,600 0.58 32,000 3.19 131,833,000 4.8 121,300 1.38 240,000 155.1 165,620 1,068 189,900 1.25 15,000 198 6,750 214 1,670 0.216 890,000 0.2 900,000

786,970 36,729,987.50 141,273,140 773,380 6,048 104,452 495,440 147,350 233,117,635 6,216,580 3,327,880 359,764,902 933,376 23,871,945 265,010 114,763,928.50 5,350 4,455 1,104,920 7,505,670 18,160 447,264,180 606,518 330,560 25,925,680 202,622,410 18,520 1,358,338 353,454 191,740 180,640

1,570 5,179,483.50 -40,775,560 6,800 -142,500 -40,729,795 301,840 811,967 -88,233,711 -7,175,215 -106,000 8,478,750.50 -782,070 -1,950,256 39,501,860 99,070 -72,610 -807,552 -58,104,475 10,100 10,898 -

14.8 0.7 8.82 1.36 0.81 44.65 2 4.67 6.26 0.52 0.74 0.84 0.18 0.39 10.06 19 0.415 1.49 1.16 4.2 4.26 0.181

PROPERTY 14.8 414,100 0.72 1,001,000 8.82 300 1.44 21,000 0.84 1,365,000 45.45 5,165,800 2.01 256,000 4.74 504,000 6.43 42,600 0.56 33,572,000 0.75 18,000 0.86 45,000 0.19 30,000 0.39 30,000 10.2 110,200 19.28 192,900 0.425 3,730,000 1.51 11,071,000 1.17 570,000 4.2 10,000 4.31 14,311,000 0.195 21,050,000

6,141,236 709,080 2,782 29,090 1,131,540 235,308,375 515,170 2,373,860 273,032 18,565,490 13,460 38,620 5,600 11,900 1,114,570 3,701,956 1,567,150 16,726,200 670,650 42,000 61,548,840 4,125,790

-257,770 -22,992,435 -26,460 -251,820 150,211 -96,730 -439,114 4,026,740 1,231,700 58,500

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

14.98 0.72 9.5 1.47 0.81 44.8 2.02 4.7 6.45 0.52 0.78 0.86 0.18 0.4 10.24 19.16 0.43 1.5 1.18 4.2 4.27 0.181

14.98 0.74 9.5 1.47 0.84 45.9 2.03 4.8 6.47 0.57 0.78 0.86 0.19 0.4 10.24 19.28 0.43 1.53 1.19 4.2 4.35 0.204

VOLUME

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

NAME

NAME

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

VOLUME

VALUE

PHIL ESTATES PHIL INFRADEV PRIMEX CORP PTFC REDEV CORP ROBINSONS LAND ROCKWELL SHANG PROP SM PRIME HLDG STA LUCIA LAND SUNTRUST HOME VISTA LAND VISTAMALLS

0.42 1.32 2.01 45 25.5 2.14 3.24 40.9 2.45 1.14 7.48 5.24

0.42 1.32 2.01 45 26.6 2.15 3.24 41.95 2.47 1.17 7.49 5.5

0.395 1.22 2.01 45 25.3 2.11 3.24 40.2 2.36 1.1 7.45 5.21

0.41 1.26 2.01 45 26.6 2.12 3.24 41.95 2.47 1.12 7.48 5.5

40,000 2,171,000 298,000 6,500 2,329,200 153,000 3,000 6,175,400 61,000 3,144,000 4,261,300 126,500

16,200 2,746,340 598,980 292,500 61,584,580 327,940 9,720 255,640,455 147,700 3,543,200 31,847,900 679,126

-127,770 22,883,865 279,180 131,809,055 -7,867,856 -

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

9.8 16.74 1.52 11.44 0.455 0.041 18 3.91 10.4 91.35 5.49 5.2 2 8.31 891 1,936 5.19 427 1.13 118 7.73 0.1 3.63 13.1 2.72 16.9 0.385 3.39 2.12 1 1.03 2.75 2.53 7.52 4.46 158.8 2.65 1,001 0.59 0.415 38.9 74.8 8.82 2.5 0.64 0.29 0.61 17.98

9.8 16.9 1.56 11.5 0.455 0.045 18 4.17 10.98 91.35 5.49 5.75 2 8.75 891 1,980 5.25 427 1.19 121.7 8.29 0.102 3.66 13.1 2.72 17.2 0.39 3.39 2.13 1 1.03 2.75 2.53 8 4.5 158.8 2.66 1,018 0.59 0.435 39.6 75 9.12 2.54 0.65 0.29 0.61 18.08

9.7 16.36 1.5 11.44 0.43 0.04 18 3.91 10.4 89.85 5.27 5 2 8 890 1,933 5.16 417.2 1.13 117.2 7.73 0.1 3.21 13.1 2.69 16.62 0.385 3.39 2.09 1 1.03 2.45 2.43 7.3 4.46 140 2.58 1,001 0.57 0.415 38.8 74 8.77 2.48 0.64 0.28 0.6 17.9

SERVICES 9.7 16.36 1.5 11.48 0.43 0.043 18 4.1 10.9 91 5.27 5 2 8 890.5 1,980 5.24 417.2 1.19 120.5 8.29 0.102 3.35 13.1 2.7 17.18 0.39 3.39 2.1 1 1.03 2.48 2.5 7.5 4.5 149.4 2.64 1,003 0.58 0.43 39.5 75 9.12 2.53 0.65 0.29 0.6 17.96

11,300 284,800 4,000 3,368,600 2,350,000 58,800,000 98,100 2,775,000 3,894,600 50,360 1,359,000 491,200 15,000 34,400 700 27,260 56,000 250 939,000 1,140,780 3,000 30,000 9,534,000 900 576,000 74,600 650,000 30,000 1,949,000 17,000 18,000 3,959,000 99,000 19,600 5,100 1,233,570 824,000 78,050 1,251,000 840,000 449,000 238,240 18,200 1,713,000 5,377,000 2,500,000 489,000 4,829,000

109,960 4,749,742 6,100 38,667,760 1,020,850 2,505,500 1,765,800 11,365,080 41,078,346 4,554,868.50 7,275,990 2,510,478 30,000 282,955 623,130 53,454,370 290,656 104,398 1,101,020 137,515,313 23,750 3,040 32,249,190 11,790 1,554,930 1,270,086 251,300 101,700 4,112,290 17,000 18,540 10,311,590 247,440 147,914 22,946 172,700,082 2,154,310 78,472,620 728,360 359,350 17,471,620 17,865,284 160,514 4,301,600 3,472,570 708,650 293,520 86,908,080

14,238,162 -48,900 -412,100 1,765,800 -218,310 32,805,172 -1,876,502.50 -17,593 5,190 213,720 14,447,390 170,000 23,853,359 28,130 1,350,000 -19,942 -521,610 -297,940 -25,300 0 -26,230 -50,051,945 -128,590 -4,300 -784,200 15,869,950 2,035,010 -2,296,840 -8,056,910

43,500 5,081,976 777,220 26,510 3,220 2,026,900 37,800 10,364,753 3,485,810 14,160 446,080 8,000 19,550 7,507,380 3,080 279,450 180,000 483,400 1,785,870 9,157,691 21,822,290 32,900

243,311 -91,950 -9,640 1,445,250 -130,190 -235,710 69,307 401,605.00 -

1,224,520 1,503,000 200,510 50,650 9,800 5,180 3,160,000 63,762.50 2,115,370 3,756,630 5,939,292 1,906,940 2,792,950 9,486,345.50 301,600 836,515.50 1,761,786 2,023,860 4,695,370

-812,420 5,180 1,855,540 -376,938 -

MS ABRA MINING AC ENEXOR APEX MINING ATLAS MINING ATOK CENTURY PEAK COAL ASIA HLDG DIZON MINES FERRONICKEL GEOGRACE LEPANTO A LEPANTO B MARCVENTURES NICKEL ASIA NIHAO OMICO CORP ORNTL PETROL A PHILODRILL PX MINING PXP ENERGY SEMIRARA MINING UNITED PARAGON

0.0015 7.74 0.99 2.41 11.04 2.79 0.27 7.56 1.51 0.209 0.094 0.1 0.93 2.99 1.04 0.455 0.012 0.01 2.96 9.06 20.3 0.0054

0.0015 7.75 1.01 2.41 11.04 2.79 0.27 7.56 1.51 0.209 0.097 0.1 0.95 3.01 1.04 0.46 0.012 0.011 2.96 9.1 20.5 0.0059

0.0015 7.18 0.97 2.41 10.12 2.65 0.27 7.02 1.49 0.2 0.094 0.1 0.93 2.88 1 0.45 0.012 0.01 2.93 9 20.15 0.0054

MINING & OIL 0.0015 29,000,000 7.18 688,400 0.98 785,000 2.41 11,000 11.04 300 2.65 751,000 0.27 140,000 7.05 1,467,300 1.49 2,328,000 0.207 70,000 0.095 4,730,000 0.1 80,000 0.95 21,000 2.92 2,536,000 1.04 3,000 0.46 620,000 0.012 15,000,000 0.011 46,500,000 2.95 606,000 9.08 1,016,100 20.4 1,072,200 0.0059 6,000,000

ABS HLDG PDR AC PREF B1 AC PREF B2R ALCO PREF B FPH PREF C GMA HLDG PDR GTCAP PREF B HOUSE PREF A MWIDE PREF PCOR PREF 3A PNX PREF 3B PNX PREF 4 SMC FB PREF 2 SMC PREF 2C SMC PREF 2D SMC PREF 2F SMC PREF 2G SMC PREF 2H SMC PREF 2I

15.6 501 502 101.3 490 5.18 1,000 97.65 100.1 1,026 107 1,028 997.5 78.4 75.3 77.4 75.4 75.8 76.1

15.8 501 502 101.3 490 5.18 1,000 99.6 100.1 1,026 109 1,028 997.5 78.45 75.5 77.75 78 75.8 76.1

15.6 501 501 101.3 490 5.18 1,000 97.65 100 1,025 105 1,028 997 78 75.3 77.4 75.35 75.8 76.1

PREFERRED 15.8 77,700 501 3,000 501 400 101.3 500 490 20 5.18 1,000 1,000 3,160 99.55 650 100 21,150 1,025 3,665 105 56,290 1,028 1,855 997 2,800 78.45 121,540 75.5 4,000 77.75 10,800 75.5 23,090 75.8 26,700 76.1 61,700

ITALPINAS KEPWEALTH XURPAS

3.89 9.71 0.87

4.06 10.38 0.88

3.84 9.71 0.86

4 10 0.87

FIRST METRO ETF

116.2

117

116.2

USD DMPL A2

10.3

10.3

10

Trading Summary

SHARES

FINANCIAL

8,832,816

INDUSTRIAL

87,575,905

HOLDING FIRMS

229,968,820

PROPERTY

112,297,035

SERVICES

112,640,322

MINING & OIL

113,662,397

GRAND TOTAL

666,151,973

SME

403,000 266,300 501,000

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 116.7 3,770 10

DDS

5,900

1,595,210 2,668,222 433,610

-7,150 -

439,839

15,197

60,170

-

VALUE 1,885.88 (UP) 13.67 753,626,060.50 FINANCIAL INDUSTRIAL 9,560.49 (UP) 29.25 562,737,274.59 HOLDING FIRMS 7,588.03 (DOWN) 25.58 2,444,747,742.47 PROPERTY 4,152.45 (UP) 58.62 SERVICES 1,501.95 (UP) 15.14 712,224,670.79 MINING & OIL 7,471.67 (DOWN) 41.48 746,280,710.38 PSEI 7,786.41 (UP) 50.23 63,599,672.556 All Shares Index 4,623.66 (UP) 13.65 5,288,355,937.49 Gainers: 98; Losers: 86; Unchanged: 53; Total: 237

Korea’s Lotte eyes takeover of Pepsi PH in P4.2-b bid

By Jenniffer B. Austria SOUTH Korea’s Lotte Chilsung Beverage offered to acquire shares that it does not own in soft drinks maker Pepsi-Cola Products Philippines Inc., a deal valued up to P4.2 billion.

PCPPI said in a disclosure to the stock exchange Lotte Chilsung wanted to buy 2.134 billion common shares, representing 57.78 percent of the company’s total issued outstanding capital stock at a tender offer price of P1.95 apiece.

The price represents a 39.3-percent premium over the stock’s closing price of P1.40 per share on Tuesday.

Trading of PCPPI shares was halted to give market investors time to evaluate the new development.

In 2010, Lotte Chilsung, one of the biggest beverage companies in South Korea, acquired a significant stake in PCPPI after purchasing the combined stakes of Guoco Inc., Hongway and other minority shareholders.

Lotte Chilsung holds an approximately 38.8-percent stake in PCPPI while US beverage giant PepsiCo Inc. owns 25 percent.

Assuming Lotte Chilsung acquires all 2.134 billion shares in PCPPI, the public float of the the bottling firm will drop to less than 10 percent, which could subject the company for a possible delisting.

All listed companies are required to comply with the 10-percent minimum public float.

Meanwhile, PCPPI said it would continue to strengthen its core business lines in the beverage sector after the company formally discontinued manufacturing locally-made snacks under the trademark Cheetos.

“Successfully reaching this agreement allows PCPPI to advance and renew its focus and commitment to a more sustainable future, while optimizing and strengthening the production and distribution of carbonated and noncarbonated beverages to millions nationwide,” PCPPI said.

PCPPI said PepsiCo would continue to import and sell Cheetos in the Philippines, along with other brands of snacks.

PCPPI in 2015 said it would produce PepsiCo’s world-famous snacks brands locally, in line with the company’s thrust of becoming a premier food and beverage company in the Philippines.

New Trans-Asia ferry to operate Cebu-CDO route

By Darwin G. Amojelar TRANS-ASIA Shipping Lines Inc., a subsidiary of Chelsea Logistics and Infrastructure Holdings Corp., said its brand new passenger ferry will serve the Cebu-Cagayan de Oro route.

“With the addition of M/V TransAsia 20, Trans-Asia’s 9th RoPax, fleet size has now increased to 16 vessels currently serving 11 ports in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao,” said Chryss Alfonsus Damuy, president and chief executive of Chelsea.

“We hope our stakeholders see our genuine commitment to continuously modernize our fleet. We’d like our passengers to really feel “At Home Ka Sa Biyahe” with our ‘bag-o gyud’ (brand new) vessel offering,” he added.

Built in Kegoya, Japan and uniquely designed for Philippine waters, M/V Trans-Asia 20 recently arrived on Cebu.

It can carry a total of 690 passengers, 22 buses and six trucks.

Measuring a gross tonnage of 5,100 metric tons, M/V Trans-Asia 20 is Trans-Asia’s second brand new vessel, following M/V Trans-Asia 19 which started operating on February 18, 2019 on the Cebu–Tagbilaran–Cagayan de Oro–Tagbilaran–Cebu route. MV Trans-Asia 20 boasts of a state- ofthe-art modern equipment and advance safety features.

With two main and three auxiliary engines, its 16.5 cruising speed will bring passengers to their destination in utmost comfort and style.

“We are proud and excited to share to the riding public and customers the MV Trans-Asia 20 experience. Built in Kegoya, Japan but specially designed for Philippine waters. With this, we elevate the standard of sea travel to delight our consumers,” said Trans-Asia president Kenneth Sy. Chelsea Logistics is engaged in shipping and logistics businesses with key segments divided into charter, passage, freight, tugboat services and logistics services.

World

B3

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2019 CESAR BARRIOQUINTO, Editor mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Trump on impeachment brink but appears far from falling

CLIMATE EMERGENCY. Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg (C) attends a high-level event on climate emergency hosted by the Chilean presidency next to Spanish minister of energy and climate change Teresa Ribera (R) during the UN Climate Change Conference COP25 at the ‘IFEMA - Feria de Madrid’ exhibition center in Madrid on December 11, 2019. AFP

IN BRIEF

Bougainville voters back independence

BUKA―Bougainville has voted by a landslide for independence from Papua New Guinea, according to official referendum results released Wednesday, a major step toward creating the world’s newest nation.

Bertie Ahern, chairman of the Bougainville Referendum Commission, said 176,928 people―98 percent of voters―had backed independence with just 3,043 supporting the option of remaining part of Papua New Guinea with more autonomy.

The result of the referendum must be ratified by Papua New Guinea’s parliament― where there is some opposition to the move―but the scale of the victory for the pro-independence side will heap pressure on Port Moresby to recognize the result.

Speaking in Buka, Ahern urged all side to recognize the result and said the vote was about “your peace, your history, and your future” and showed “the power of the pen over weapons”.

The historic vote caps a decades-long peace process and a long recovery from a brutal civil war between Bougainville rebels, Papua New Guinea security forces and foreign mercenaries that ended in 1998 and left up to 20,000 people dead—10 percent of the population.

“The referendum is one part of that ongoing journey,” said Ahern.

The former Irish prime minister was picked for the role having shepherded the Northern Ireland peace process.

Voting began on November 23 with ecstatic residents―some festooned in grass garlands―forming makeshift choirs that stomped through the streets, waving independence flags, blowing bamboo pipes and chanting in chorus. AFP

Somali hotel attack kills five

MOGADISHU―Five people including three civilians were killed when jihadist militants stormed a hotel in Somalia’s capital, police said Wednesday, adding that all five attackers had also died after an hourslong siege.

The attack on Tuesday evening, claimed by the Islamist group al-Shabaab, took place at a hotel in Mogadishu popular with politicians, army officers and diplomats.

“Our brave security forces ended the terror attack on SYL hotel rescuing more than 80 people” including government officials and hotel guests, police said in a statement.

“The number of the dead we have confirmed is five, among them two members of the security forces and three civilians. Nine other civilians and two soldiers were also wounded slightly”.

Several witnesses told AFP that the assailants were dressed in police uniform, which allowed them to approach the hotel without arousing suspicion.

They then opened fire and threw grenades, triggering an armed response from security forces guarding checkpoints leading to the nearby presidential palace.

After several hours of siege, police killed the two last attackers holed up inside the hotel, which has suffered three previous deadly attacks, all claimed by al-Shabaab. AFP

cal mess engulfing Trump.

And less than a year from the 2020 presidential election, he’s also struggling in the polls.

But Trump is protected by two things.

The first is that he presides over a booming economy, historically a surefire way to re-election.

The second is more personal: Trump loves to brawl, and with impeachment he has found a brawl that matches his formidable energy.

President Richard Nixon resigned in 1974 before Congress could even take its impeachment vote over the Watergate affair. Trump, by contrast, is fighting back at every step.

Almost daily he brands impeachment a “hoax,” or as he said in Pennsylvania—with a typical flourish of vivid, often violent language—a “big, fat, disgusting fraud.”

He has flat-out refused to allow government employees to testify in his case or to release documents to investigators.AFP

Experts quit Hong Kong police probe

H

ONG KONG―An international panel of experts hired to advise Hong Kong on the police response to huge pro-democracy protests announced Wednesday they were quitting, saying the watchdog was not fit for purpose “in a society that values freedoms and rights”.

The group’s damning conclusion is a blow to Hong Kong’s government, which has insisted its Independent Police Complaints Commission is capable of holding the force to account over snowballing claims of brutality.

“We ultimately concluded that a crucial shortfall was evident in the powers, capacity and independent investigative capability of IPCC,” the experts said.

Critics have long charged the body lacks adequate powers, is stacked with pro-establishment figures and has been toothless when it comes to keeping the police in line.

The watchdog can only handle complaints forwarded by the police themselves and it cannot subpoena documents or compel witnesses to testify.

Such limitations, the expert panel

said, do not “begin to meet the standards citizens of Hong Kong would likely require of a police watchdog operating in a society that values freedoms and rights”.

Protests have rocked Hong Kong for more than six months, with up to two million people taking to the streets, initially against a now-shelved extradition bill.

Latterly, one of the core demands of protesters―alongside fully free elections―has been an inquiry into the police, who have been left to battle increasingly violent black-clad activists and are now loathed by significant chunks of the deeply polarized population.

But both chief executive Carrie Lam and the police have repeatedly rejected

Six dead in NY shootout

JERSEY CITY―Six people including a police officer and two suspects were killed during an hours-long shootout across a New York suburb not far from the Statue of Liberty, local officials said.

“Our officers were under fire for hours,” Jersey City Police Chief Michael Kelly told reporters after the latest high-profile US shooting.

In addition to the officer and the suspects, three civilians were killed in the incident that began around midday at a cemetery and ended in a store, Kelly said.

Bomb squad officers were examining a stolen U-Haul vehicle “that may contain an incendiary device,” he added.

No clear reason for the shooting has been given.

Five of the dead were found inside a store, said Kelly.

“We believe that two of them are bad guys,” while the other three are civilians, he said, describing the crime scene as “very extensive, three locations at least.”

Two other officers were wounded, Kelly told reporters.

“I heard fighting outside, then ‘Boom!

Boom! Boom!’” the New York Daily News quoted a food store worker two blocks from the shooting as saying.

“I saw people running outside―men, women, children in the street. These people were scared.” AFP

WASHINGTON—For a man on the brink of becoming only the third US president to be impeached, Donald Trump sure sounds confident.

“You’re so lucky I became your president,” he boomed to cheering supporters late Tuesday in Hershey, Pennsylvania.

“A regular president would have been under the table, thumb in mouth, saying ‘take me home, Mommy, this is too tough for me.’”

Hours earlier in Washington, Democratic leaders unveiled two impeachment charges against Trump that the full House of Representatives, dominated by Democrats, will likely confirm in the near future.

The Republican businessman is now so entangled in controversy that it takes a hardened Washington politics junkie merely to unravel the strands.

Russia collusion, Ukraine quid pro quo, foreign emoluments clause, deep state coup―the terminology alone illustrates the increasingly exotic politi-

those calls.

Pro-democracy lawmaker Tanya Chan described the resignation of the expert group as a “vote of no confidence” in the IPCC and the interim report it is expected to produce next year.

The panel was announced in September and was chaired by Sir Dennis O’Connor, who was tasked by the British government to write a report on the police after the 2011 London riots.

It included current or former police watchdog chiefs from Canada, Australia and New Zealand, and a British specialist on crowd behavior.

A month ago, a leaked statement from the group revealed they felt the police watchdog was not equipped to carry out a proper investigation, and suggested a fully independent inquiry would be better suited.

But their frank assessment was not welcomed by Anthony Neoh, the IPCC’s head.

He gave an interview to a mainland Chinese media outlet rebuking the panel, saying they “do not understand Hong Kong’s situation”.

On Sunday, an estimated 800,000

PROTEST.

Demonstrators raise placards at a climate protest rally in Sydney on December 11, 2019. Up to 20,000 protesters rallied demanding urgent climate action from Australia’s government as bush fire smoke choking the city caused health problems to spike.

AFP

Australians protest as bush fire haze sparks health fears SYDNEY—Thousands of protesters rallied in Sydney on Wednesday demanding urgent climate action from Australia’s government, as bush fire smoke choking the city caused health problems to spike.

Sydney has endured weeks bathed in toxic smoke as hundreds of blazes have raged across the countryside, with hospitals recording a 25 percent increase in the number of people visiting emergency departments last week.

On Tuesday smoke alarms rang out across Australia’s biggest city, with thick haze triggering smoke alarms and forcing buildings to be evacuated, school children to be kept indoors, and ferries to be canceled.

The devastating fires have focused attention on climate change, with scientists saying the blazes have come earlier and with more intensity than usual due to global warming and a prolonged drought.

Around 5,000 people gathered as the demonstration began, voicing anger at the government’s silence in the face of the crisis.

“The country is on fire” said 26-year-

old Samuel Wilkie attending his first climate protest. He described politicians’ response as “pathetic”.

“Our government is not doing anything about it,” said 29-year-old landscape gardener Zara Zoe. “No one is listening, no one is doing anything.”

Prime Minister Scott Morrison― a staunch backer of Australia’s vast coal industry―has said little about the smoke since the crisis began, preferring to focus on fire-hit rural communities.

Organizer Chloe Rafferty said that had created anger at the conservative government’s inaction.

“I think the wider public can see that we are not expecting the climate crisis in the future but we are facing the climate crisis now,” she told AFP. “People are experiencing it in their day-to-day lives.”

As well as a rise in people visiting hospitals with smoke-related health symptoms, the number of emergency calls for ambulances spiked 30 percent last week.

“For most people, smoke causes mild symptoms like sore eyes, nose and throat,” top health department official Richard Broome said.

“However, people with conditions like asthma, emphysema and angina are at greater risk because the smoke can trigger their symptoms.”

Smoke from bush fires is one of the biggest contributors to air pollution in Australia, releasing fine particles that can lodge deep within people’s lungs and cause “severe” health impacts over time, according to scientist Mick Meyer from government-funded scientific research agency CSIRO. “The impact of smoke on people remote from the fires may, on occasion, substantially exceed the direct injury to people within the fire zone,” he wrote in The Conversation.

“But we currently lack the operational tools to understand the extent of these impacts or to manage them.”

Six people have been killed and more than 700 houses destroyed in bush fires this fire season.

Though the human toll has been far lower than the deadliest fire season in 2009—when almost 200 people died — the scale of this year’s devastation has been widely described as unprecedented.

AFP

people marched peacefully through the city’s streets Sunday in a movement that has become a popular revolt against Beijing’s authoritarian rule.

The last three weeks have seen a rare lull in the violence and vandalism after pro-democracy parties won a landslide in local council elections.

“Do not waste time, and please grab this golden opportunity to persuade Beijing... to support an independent commission of inquiry,” lawmaker Chan added.

An end to violence is something Lam has insisted must be a precursor to meaningful dialogue.

But she has shown no sign she is willing to budge, leading to fears clashes could resume.

In her weekly press conference on Tuesday she dismissed protesters’ demands once more as she announced plans to go to Beijing this weekend where she is expected to meet with Chinese leader Xi Jinping.

China has publicly thrown its support behind both Lam and the city’s police, even as their approval ratings take a hammering. AFP

Germany on alert as swine fever nears its border BERLIN―Sniffer dogs, drones and electrified fences: Germany is deploying a full array of defenses to stop boars from bringing swine fever into the country and avert a disaster for its thriving pork industry.

“The question is no longer if swine fever will come to Germany but when,” Torsten Reinwald, a spokesman for Germany’s hunting federation, told AFP. The virus is not harmful to human health but can cause deadly bleeding in domestic pigs and boars.

The only way of getting rid of it is through mass culling at farms-a nightmare for German farmers.

Half of Germany’s pork production of five million tons a year goes to foreign markets, making it Europe’s biggest exporter of the meat.

It is feared that even a single case could wreak havoc.

“The probability that countries like China impose a total import ban is very high,” said Sarah Dhem, a representative of Germany’s meat products association.

Dhem gave the example of a total Chinese import ban following a few outbreaks in Belgium last year.

Losses could run into billions of euros and the European market would be flooded with cut-price pork.

Farmers first began to worry when swine fever was identified at a pig farm in western Poland in November.

But it was the discovery of a boar with the fever near the town of Nowogrod Bobrzanski―just 40 kilometers from the German border―that really raised the alarm.

As a result, German regions are pulling out all the stops.

In Saarland, near the French border, packs of sniffer dogs are being sent out to find dead boars so as to quickly remove any potential carriers of the virus.

In Saxony, which neighbors Poland, vets and emergency workers are holding drills in case of an outbreak and using drones and infrared cameras to find sick boars. AFP

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

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2019

Malapitan fetes 24 new CPAs from Caloocan

By Jun David CALOOCAN City Mayor Oscar Malapitan has congratulated 24 new Certified Public Accountants from the University of Caloocan City who passed the examination given this year, as he gave them cash gifts for their efforts.

Among those receiving gifts was Ronald Allan Macasero, who was in joint fifth overall with a grade of 89.17 percent in the October 2019 CPA exam.

“We are very grateful for the overwhelming support of our parents, teachers and the university headed by our mayor,” Macasero said.

Macasero graduated Magna Cum Laude and was Class Valedictorian of the UCC graduates last March.

At the same time, UCC was declared the Top 9 Performing School (with at least 50 examinees), getting a passing rate of 33.33%.

“We are happy because we have seen our students are triumphant and being the first in their fields of endeavor. The city government of Caloocan will always be supportive of a quality education,” the mayor said.

Cavite holds seminar on seniors’ laws

TO ELABORATE and review the benefits and privileges of a Filipino Centenarian and senior citizens, the Provincial Government of Cavite conducted an Orientation Seminar on Laws for Senior Citizens recently at the Cavite Collaboration Center for Public Health Auditorium at Trece Martires City.

The Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office and the Provincial Council for the Elderly spearheaded the event.

Ciriaco Angeles, Regional Federation president of Senior Citizens Association of the Philippines (Region IV A) warmly welcomed all the participants.

Provincial Administrator for Community Affairs Alvin S. Mojica reiterated the continuous support given by the provincial government led by Governor Jonvic Remulla for the implementation of programs and activities intended for the senior citizens.

During the program, Cefronia A. Majuello of the Department of Social Welfare and Development Region IV A discussed the salient features of Republic Act 10868.

RA 10868 is the Act Honoring and Granting Additional Benefits and Privileges to Filipino Centenarians, and for Other Purposes, also known as the Centenarians Act of 2016, while RA 9994 is An Act Granting Additional Benefits and Privileges to Senior Citizens.

Majuello also tackled RA 7432, “An Act to Maximize the Contribution of Senior Citizens to Nation Building, Grant Benefits and Special Privileges and For Other Purposes.”

She emphasized that the social pension should only be given to an indigent senior citizen who has no regular income. The grant will be an additional government assistance to senior citizens to augment their daily maintenance and other medical needs. Benjamin Chavez

LGUs LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS

MEDICAL-DENTAL MISSION. Senator Cynthia A. Villar reminds residents of Caloocan City to be extra careful to avoid getting sick as she hands out medicines to several beneficiaries in a recent medical-dental mission. Villar cited the reemergence of polio and other prevailing diseases like dengue that can be prevented through clean surroundings and proper hygiene.

She also underscored the collaborative efforts of residents and barangay leaders to maintain a clean environment. Lino Santos

NLEX Harbor Link’s new ramp to open in January

T

HE Department of Public Works and Highways is looking to open the Dagat-Dagatan Ramp of the North Luzon Expressway Harbor Link in January next year.

Public Works Secretary Mark Villar announced it Tuesday after conducting a progress inspection of the ongoing construction of the 2.6-kilometer NLEX Harbor Link (R10 Section) and the 8-km NLEX Connector elevated expressways in Camanava (CaloocanMalabon-Navotas-Valenzuela).

“We are committed to fully opening this January the new off-ramp that will bring motorists directly from NLEX to Dagat-Dagatan in Malabon City,” Villar said.

“24/7 construction will be undertak-

en to complete the 2.6-kilometer section which stretches west from the new Caloocan Interchange to Radial Road 10,” the secretary added.

The Harbor Link is intended to facilitate direct access between the Port Area and Northern and Central Luzon via the NLEX. “Motorists, especially those in the commercial trucking sector, will enjoy a hassle-free elevated expressway alternative to the choke points of EdsaBalintawak, A. Bonifacio and C3/5th Avenue,” he said.

“It is also envisioned for truckers who will be spared from the truck ban and subsequently experience quicker turn around,” Villar added.

The secretary and NLEX Corporation president and general manager J. Luigi Bautista also witnessed the full blast foundation works of the first five-kilometer section of the NLEX Connector expressway at the new Caloocan Interchange.

This section will extend to the future Sampaloc Interchange near España Boulevard, Manila.

A total of 223 piers will be built to support the all-weather, all-vehicle NLEX Connector which will eventually interconnect with the Metro Manila Skyway Stage 3 in Sta. Mesa, Manila.

Ka-Globe volunteers provide aid to families affected by Typhoon ‘Tisoy.’

Globe, affiliates pack meals for ‘Tisoy’ victims EMPLOYEES of Globe and its affiliates dedicated time and effort in creating 90 meal boxes for 2,880 families in Isabela and Albay who were affected by Typhoon “Tisoy.” which hit the country severely early this month.

Each meal box consisted of 36 meal packs that are enough to feed 180 people.

They will be distributed to 1,440 families or 7,200 individuals in Ilagan City, Isabela and 1,440 families or 7,200 individuals in Albay. Recipients for the remaining meal box are still to be announced.

The activity, which coincided with the celebration of International Volunteer Day, was participated in by over 300 employee-volunteers from Globe, Kickstart, Global Telehealth, Asticom Technology, Yondu, and Mynt.

Rise Against Hunger produced the healthy food packs for calamity response and facilitated the packing activity to enable large groups of volunteers to take part in relief operations.

“Globe has a very engaged employee workforce that is always ready to help communities in times of disaster. We are extremely grateful to our employees across the Globe Group for their generosity,” said Yoly Crisanto, Globe Chief Sustainability officer and SVP for Corporate Communications.

Globe is at the forefront of espousing employee engagement by providing more opportunities for them to live out the company’s service principles and create a culture of social responsibility.

These, in turn, motivate employees to be better at work and to create a positive change in the communities.

Aside from providing meals for the calamity victims, Globe has also set up Libreng Tawag and Charging stations in the provinces of Samar, Mindoro, Sorsogon, Quezon, Camarines Sur, Albay, Romblon, and Tuguegarao City to assist in their communication needs.

Pampanga gives P2.8m, food packs to over 1k Aetas in IP summit

By Romeo Dizon SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga—Members of Indigenous People groups numbering about 1,122 received financial and food packages totaling P2.8 million during a summit held at the Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center here.

Elizabeth G. Baybayan, Provincial Social Welfare Development officer, said among those who received assistance were high school and college students, leaders, elders, and others who are part of the IP population of the province, mostly Aetas.

Baybayan said 19 college students received P10,000 each, while 920 high

school students received P2,500 each, 36 tribal leaders got P5,000 each, and elders gained P1,000 each.

The beneficiaries come from the municipalities of Porac and Floridablanca and the city of Mabalacat, Baybayan said.

The social welfare officer said it is a continuing policy of the provincial

government under Gov. Dennis Pineda to lift the living conditions of Aetas through education.

Attended by members of different government agencies, the police and the military, the summit aims to educate Aetas on their rights and the justice system of country outside their own customs and traditions.

CANVAS, website hold special sale

CANVAS aims to distribute one million books to one million children in disadvantaged communities, while upcycled tote bags made from tarpaulin banners are displayed at the UP Sunken Garden during CANVAS’ annual outdoor banner exhibit.

THE Center for Art, New Ventures & Sustainable Development (CANVAS) has teamed up with the website www.lookingforjuan.com to offer premium and meaningful gifts this Christmas, infused with art images of some of the best Filipino artists.

“When companies buy from us, they are also helping us with our advocacy,” revealed Gigo Alampay, CANVAS Founder and Executive Director. To date, they have given away more than 250,000 books to communities from Ifugao to Basilan.

“We partner with individuals and organizations who work directly in the field and with communities all over the country. They make it possible to get our books to children in all corners of the Philippines. Communities visited by horrific calamities, both natu-

ral (such as Typhoon Yolanda) and caused by man (like the armed conflict in Zamboanga) are some of the beneficiaries of this initiative,” he shared.

On the website, buyers can find art cards, journals, fans, notepads, art magnets, limited edition art prints, and stickers. Ecofriendly upcycled tote bags are also available. Requests for customized items for corporate gifts are accommodated too.

Because it’s Christmas, the website is running a seasonal promo of buy-one-getone on books if you use the discount code L4JPASKO2019 before you check out. The more you buy, the bigger your contribution to the “One Million Books for One Million Filipino Children” campaign which aims to inspire in children a love for reading.

Life

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

HOUSEHOLD

@MStandardLIFE THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2019

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Merry magical season JUMP HIGH! Denmark’s Got Talent Golden Buzzer Jonathan Bendtsen and professional acrobat and juggler Daniel Bendtsen wow the audience with their breathtaking teeterboard act during the launch of SM Megamall Christmas.

H

ERE at home, it is usually the malls that usher in the holiday season—leading the community in decking the halls, decorating the trees, and turning the lights on. For a nation that takes Christmas seriously, these establishments pull out all the stops just to delight and excite.

SM Megamall, for instance, launched its Christmas in London decoration with a spectacular circus show.

Performing amid a thousand fairy lights and red and gold holiday trimmings were a father-and-son duo freestyle acrobat, the Sky Fairy’s Aerial Chandelier act, and giant gift tournik gymnast act.

Denmark’s Got Talent Golden Buzzer Jonathan Bendtsen and professional teeterboard acrobat, juggler, and dance acrobat Daniel Bendtsen also wowed guests Mandaluyong City councilors Benjamin Abalos III and Charisse Abalos-Vargas (second and third from left), (from left) SM senior vice president for marketing Jonjon San Agustin, with their breathtaking teeterboard act.

The performances aptly opened a dischief operating officer Steven Tan, and assistant vice president for operations Christian play that features a 40-foot Christmas Mathay, with the children from Nayon ng Kabataan Orphanage.

Acrobats and air dancers delight guests to the launch of SM Aura’s resplendent holiday display.

A NURTURING community complete with creature comforts. A lush escape not too far away from urban conveniences. A place that is as modern as it is refreshing. Balanced living, they say, can be achieved, when the residence checks these marks.

Property experts believe that people would always find ways to look for a sweet escape while still yearning a well-balanced lifestyle.

A few miles away from the bustling metropolis is a community that nurtures its residents with just the right amount of luxury and holistic living.

Horizon Terraces, a thriving condo-townhouse development in Tagaytay Highlands, sets the bar high in mountain view living.

Tucked in the nature’s best offering, residents of Horizon Terraces enjoy a modern yet refreshing take of the residential areas complete with postcard sceneries of the Taal Lake and Volcano and Mount Makiling.

This enclave of a 3.2-hectare land inspired by Modern Asian architecture is the first integrated development that features both Garden Suites and Garden Villas in its roster of residential lineup.

The Garden Villas, ideal for close-knit families, has a generous floor space of 136 to 168 square meters. More space can be used for extra family time and bonding as its cross-functional den can be converted into either an entertainment area or a guest room.

Family members are also in for a treat with a cool mountain breeze and breathtaking nature views visible from the large windows at the living room, dining hall, and kitchen spaces.

Meanwhile, private bedrooms with ample modular closets, shelving system, and en-suite bath-

tree adorned with string of gems, crystals, snowflakes, and metal ornaments; the interactive Mega Crystal Room; and other life-size installations such as a red telephone booth.

Little flappers and young “Gatsbys” graced the holiday launch at S Maison.

During the event, inspired by the Jazz Age of the 1920s, guests were treated to performances by Julie Borromeo Performing Arts Foundation and the Brass Pas Pas Pas Pas Orchestra, as well as a special appearance of Santa Claus who came all the way from the North Pole.

The highlight of the event was the light-

ing of S Maison’s Christmas tree, embellished with big and small gold and silver snowflakes, huge crystal balls, three smaller Christmas tree lamps made of crystal beads, and more.

Over at SM Aura Premier, a resplendent phoenix rises and shines amid the splendid holiday display and festivities.

Jugglers and acrobats delighted the mall guests during the launch of the holiday display, including the interactive two-part Flight of Lights installation.

Amid the festivities, SM Foundation has launched Bears of Joy 2019: Share a Bear this Christmas project. For P200, customers can purchase a pair of toy bears, one for themselves and another they can donate to a child in need.

The Share a Bear project is ongoing until Dec. 25 at selected SM Supermalls Toy Fair booths and Toy Kingdom stores nationwide.

Santa Claus poses for photos with children dressed in their best 1920s attire by S Maison’s gold and silver Christmas tree.

Well-balanced life in Tagaytay Three-story Garden Villas has units with a generous floor space ranging from 136 to 138 square meters.

Residents of condo-townhouse Horizon Terraces in Tagaytay Highlands are afforded modern yet refreshing living spaces with a side of postcard sceneries of the Taal Lake and Volcano and Mount Makiling.

rooms on the third floor are accessible via modern staircases for an added feel of a grand rural living.

Lush private gardens and a seamless access to the central park add to the total refreshing ambience for the homeowners.

An urban escape perfect for every family, Garden Suites, meanwhile, is a low density five-story luxury condominium inclusive of one- to two-bedroom

units of 43.12 to 68.35 square meters of living space.

The large panel window in every Garden Suites unit allows the use of natural lighting and fresh mountain breeze that soothes body and mind.

The first residential condominium building of Garden Suites is slated to be topped off in December, while the rest of the buildings are expected to be completed by next year.

A holistic urban escape complete with facilities offers families ample opportunities to enjoy their time together.

Life

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2019 manilastandardlife@gmail.com

INTERIORS

Posh holiday celebrations at home H

OSTING a Christmas dinner or holiday gettogether?

to offer and inspire ideas on how mallgoers can dress up their homes for a season of gatherings and holiday festivities.

It is co-presented by real estate develAyala Malls presents Stylescapes, a oper Avida Land. showcase of different themed vignettes An integral part of the Christmas of luxurious holiday home celebrations, campaign “Awaken the Season,”

it gathers and curates the various items from Ayala Malls’ home and specialty stores in eye-catching sets styled by celebrities and renowned interior designers.

The vignettes are displayed at Glorietta, TriNoma, and Ayala Center Cebu today until January 2020.

Dreamy tea parties in‘Alice in Wonderland’by Dr. Aivee Teo and Gideon Hermosa.

Festive fantasies for the young at heart

Cebuano arts and crafts in ‘Colonial Cebu’ by Teresin Mendezona and Eva Gullas.

An homage to heritage

Jump down the rabbit hole of a fantastical holiday with the “Alice in Wonderland” Stylescape at TriNoma, styled by Dr. Aivee Teo and events stylist Gideon Hermosa.

The vignette brings to life the classic Lewis Carroll novel with quirky elements, fun and hip details, and just the right touch of madness to make holiday gatherings—from tea parties to Christmas and New Year’s Eve dinners—feel like the most wonderful dreams.

“We would like to transport people’s imagination to a magical, mysterious yet festive ambience, as they will be bedazzled with colorful, fascinating, and enchanting design elements that will truly create a fun and memorable experience,” shares Teo.

Down south at Ayala Center Cebu, Teresin Mendezona and Eva Gullas present “Colonial Cebu.” Inspired by the Queen City’s rich history and culture, this Stylescape highlights Cebuano arts and crafts, with capiz and burdado details as some of the prominent elements that celebrate heritage and traditions.

“The old families of Cebu celebrate Noche Buena as an opportunity to use the best cutlery and china,” explains Gullas. “The entire household, from the help to the lady of the house, prepare the midnight feast, and the kitchen fire is kept burning from the early hours until just after midnight mass, when the holiday meal is finally enjoyed.”

East meets West in ‘British Party’ vignette of Zenas Pineda and Derek Ramsay.

‘Trends for 2020’ is inspired by Tessa Prieto-Valdes’ personality.

‘Halo-Halo Noche Buena’ is a Filipinothemed vignette designed by Sofia ZobelElizade and Zenas Pineda.

Modernity and tradition

Over at Glorietta, Sofia Zobel-Elizalde and award-winning events stylist Zenas Pineda present a feast for the senses with their Filipino-themed “Halo-Halo Noche Buena.”

Taking cues from the yummy and vibrant colors of the worldfamous Pinoy dessert, this Stylescape is inspired by “Halu Halong Pasko,” a recent piece that Zobel-Elizalde created for Ayala Malls.

“Dance has been a part of my life,” she says. “The music features classic Philippine songs rearranged by brilliant songwriter, composer, and Pinoy artist Joey Ayala.”

With the source material presenting an audiovisual delight, Zenas has created a vignette that integrates bright holiday hues with textures and details such as T’nalak cloth and local weaves, capturing the feel of a modern Filipino Christmas.

SHOPPING Prepaid home Internet on sale at Shopee 12.12 GLOBE at Home joins Shopee’s 12.12 Big Christmas Sale with two promos.

During today’s sale, Dec. 12, Globe at Home’s Prepaid Wi-Fi is priced at P1,299 from the original SRP of P1,499. A unit of the world’s first all-in-one Internet TV box, Streamwatch Xtreme Prepaid Wi-Fi retails at P2,999, from the regular price of P4,999.

Globe Streamwatch Xtreme Prepaid upgrades the total home digital experience with its Android TV, Google Assistant, and karaoke-ready features.

It also allows users to watch clear free to air local TV channels.

“We want to make this year’s Christmas even better by giving more opportunities to customers to give

Cross-cultural exchanges

Usher in 2020 with Alabang Town Center’s Stylescape, which will be on exhibit from Jan. 6 to 31, 2020. Curated and styled by actor Derek Ramsay and Zenas Pineda, it will showcase a décor with “British Party” theme as recognition to Ramsay’s English lineage.

“The idea is ‘East meets West,’” describes Ramsay, referring to his half-English, half-Filipino cultural background. “My inspiration is my family.”

Globe at Home products on sale.

the gift of Wi-Fi to their loved ones,” shared Winsley Bangit, vice president at Globe at Home Prepaid.

55% discount on Careline cosmetics at Lazada 12.12 LOCAL cosmetics label Careline’s at Lazada’s 12.12 sale. biggest sale of the year is happening Up to 55 percent off on all items on Dec. 12 from 12:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m. and from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. The sale continues on Dec. 13 from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Some of the products on sale include new and all-time favorites like the Play to Slay Palette and Glow Getter for P123.75; Multi Pot for P74.25; Stain Gloss for P56.25; Strobe Stick for P89.55; Kiss Sticks for P78.75; Oil Control Blush-on for P42.75; Graph-Ink Linker for P74.25; Soft Suede Lipsticks for P74.75; Lip and Cheek Tint for P42.74; and Best Brow Liner for P67.50.

Some of the discounted Careline cosmetics.

“CHRISTMAS is something we look forward to as a family,” shares Jay Buensuceso. “Anna decks out our home with lights and décor, and we’ll have Christmas Jazz and Classics playing through the entire house.”

Suffice to say, holiday decorating is a household activity filled with fond memories for them.

A lot of work goes into their Christmas celebration. “I really look at every detail when it comes to the holiday season—from how the house looks on the outside, to every garland we have inside, down to having that pine and mistletoe scent!” shares Anna Moncupa.

With so many trimmings and details, making space during and after the holiday season is a challenge.

“There are numerous challenges: from clearing out space to make room for decorations, then pulling stuff out of storage, and of course, putting it all together nicely and making it ‘Pinterestworthy’,” says Moncupa.

Before she and Buensuceso founded Keepr Storage PH, she says she “used to just stuff everything in a closet or our garage, which of course is basically kalat (clutter) when not in use.”

Keepr Storage PH is a full-service, storage solution that combines high-level security and strategic logistics into an

A taste of things to come

It’ll be all about “Trends for 2020” at the Greenbelt Stylescape, where Tessa Prieto-Valdes and Cyndi Fernandez of Moss Manila will present modern and luxe interior design ideas shaping the new year.

“The main inspiration is really Tessa’s personality—Eclectic and Glamorous,” explains Fernandez. It will be on exhibit from Jan. 6 to 23, 2020.”

Clutter-free Christmas

Keepr Storage PH offers households a smart way to store their Christmas decorations after the holiday season.

easy-to-use mobile app.

To use the app, users simply need to schedule the pick-up and delivery of their items.

“We want families to have a clutterfree space and really enjoy their homes while making wonderful memories together,” says Moncupa.

She continues, “Keepr allows them to safely store their items to create that

warm Christmas environment. Even after the holidays, seasonal décor can be safely kept in our warehouse without worrying about deterioration, dust, and of course taking up unnecessary space at home.”

Keepr Storage PH is available on the App Store and Google Play. Storage solutions start at P399 a month.

Users can safely store their items in Keepr warehouse, and have them delivered to their homes should they need them.

Entertainment

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2019

C3

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Ending homelessness

Jeffrey Tam, Lovely Abella, Kakai Bautista, and Joross Gamboa helped in surprising the family of Rosario “Baby” de Guzman.

‘Hello, Love, Goodbye’ cast brings the joy of Christmas to OFW family

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HIS Christmas season, we can always find joy in our family.

That’s why SKYdirect and Star Cinema brought together the cast members of Hello, Love, Goodbye—the highest grossing Filipino movie of all time that has been noted for tackling the lives of our OFWs in Hong Kong—to bring joy to a chosen OFW family here in the Philippines.

Jeffrey Tam, Lovely Abella, Kakai Bautista, and Joross Gamboa helped in surprising the family of Rosario “Baby” de Guzman, a Hong Kongbased domestic helper of 24 years who has missed countless Christmas celebrations with her family. The HLG Barkada brought early Christmas joy to

Baby’s family whom she misses dearly.

They got to enjoy a simple salu-salo, early Christmas gifts, and their very own SKYdirect subscription.

“I am so happy because my wish came true! They already have SKYdirect. And also thank you to all of you, I am given the opportunity to make them happy and feel their sincerity in return. To SKYdirect and the “Hello, Love, Goodbye” family, I am so grateful,” Baby said after the surprise of HLG Barkada to her family.

Joy is definitely here with SKYdirect, as it brings families more chances to bond together, with its array of top-rating and exclusive channels in high definition.

Through its “Joy is Here” campaign, new SKYdirect subscribers will have free access to Hello, Love, Goodbye pay per view, plus 10 extra channels —ABS-CBN HD, ABS-CBN Sports+Action HD, Yey,

Cinemo, DZMM Teleradyo, Knowledge Channel, Jeepney TV, GMA, TV5, and CNN Philippines—even without the initial load. For new subscribers who will load Plan 150 and up for the first time, they will be given free plan upgrade of the next higher plan. All these and more for only P2,599.00 initial cash-out.

To watch how the HLG Barkada brought joy to Baby’s family, and to know more how you can bring joy to your own families anywhere in the Philippines, visit mysky.com.ph/joyishere.

SKYdirect is the direct-to-home satellite service of SKY Cable Corporation which brings happiness and important information because of the various cable channels made available for Filipino families anywhere in the country.

For more information, go to mysky.com. ph or follow SKYdirectph on Facebook.

Mr. World Noble King 2019 to crown Three Kings TWENTY-ONE gorgeous candidates from around the world are in the country to vie for the Mr. World Noble King 2019 title, “A Man with a Noble Purpose” pageant presented by MegaStar Production headed by ETON CEO Ovette Ricalde and general manager Jeffrey CONCEPCION Caballero.

At stake are three international titles, Mr. World Noble King, Mr. Universe Noble King and Mr. International Noble King.

The delegates are from Algeria, Armenia, Australia, El Salvador, Gambia, India, India East, Japan, Liberia, Mexico, Myanmar, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Thailand, USA, Fil-USA, Fil-South, and the Philippines.

The Philippines has two representatives in Arnel Peña Colis and Fil-South John Cedie Batalla.

Colis, a native of Mexico, Pampanga is a graduate of BSED Secondary Education in MAPEH and works as a model under the Middle-East-based Face Model International. The Ginoong Pilipinas KSA 2016 and Mister COSMO OFW 2018 is the cousin of Miss Globe 2015 Anne Colis.

At the Cultural and Swimwear Competition held in Camp Benjamin in Alfonso, Cavite, the candidates wore Barong Tagalog by Edwin Rosas Visda and Swimwear by MegaStar collection. They also reached out to some BJMP inmates to help these persons who are deprived of liberty.

The coronation of the first Mr. World Noble King 2019 is set at Tanghalang Pasigueño, Pasig City, on Dec. Philippine representatives Arnel Peña Colis and John Cedie Batalla.

15 at 7:00 in the evening.

PAGEANT CONCEPT

A first...

From C4

Following the success of Un Corazon Especial, TC Television launched another GMA drama, this time on its primetime block. GMA’s top-rating drama The Way To Your Heart (Onanay), with Spanish title El Amor Mas Grande, premiered on Nov. 19 and airs Monday to Friday at 8:00 p.m. (Ecuador time).

The series tells the story of Onay, a mother with achondroplastic dwarfism longing for the acceptance of her daughter.

On social media, the drama is shaping up to be another hit, with viewers expressing their excitement over the series.

Roxanne Barcelona, GWI Vice President, is thrilled with the positive reception of GMA dramas in Ecuador.

“Our dramas rate well in the countries where they are shown because while retaining common elements like family, romance and relationships, our content features unusual themes that keep viewers engaged and boost ratings for the broadcasters,” she said.

“In Latin Media Corporation, we have found a dedicated partner who is truly

committed to the propagation and success of GMA’s dramas in Latin America,” she added.

Latin Media CEO Jose Escalante is also delighted with the high ratings of Un Corazon Especial.

“We feel more motivated than ever after learning about the extraordinary ratings of this drama that addresses a subject as sensitive, but at the same time, important as autism is in our societies.

The treatment that the drama has given to this issue is fundamental that it has penetrated so deeply into the hearts of viewers,” he said.

ACTOR Will Smith performed onstage during The World’s Big Sleep Out event in Times Square in New York.

The rapper also read a bedtime story for the crowd in sleeping bags while there were performances, speeches and poems from Jake Bugg, Frank Turner, The Script, Charlotte Church and Meghan Trainor all over the globe.

In Time Square, Will Smith urged the public to think about those who “don’t have a place to call home” in a video promoting a mass sleep-out to help end homelessness.

T h e Hollywood star, 51, is joined by Helen Mirren, 74, and Coldplay singer Chris Martin, 42, in calling for people to support The World’s Big Sleep Out, international event that aimed to see around 50,000 people spending the night outside in their respective cities on Dec. 7 to raise awareness of the issue. AFP

DIGITAL

HBO GO launched in the Philippines WANT to binge-watch all seasons of Game of Thrones this holiday season? Or watch the latest episodes of Watchmen the same time as the U.S.? Stream and download your favorite HBO Original series on your mobile phone and connected devices with the HBO GO app. No contract or TV subscription required.

Download the HBO GO app now at App Store or Play Store for only P149 a month with a seven-day free trial to start enjoying unlimited access to thousands of hours of non-stop and uncut entertainment or watch it on your computer by clicking on https:// www.hbogoasia.com/.

Stream the latest Hollywood blockbusters, exclusive original content from HBO, HBO Asia, and CINEMAX, Asian movies and series, and all-time favorite kids’ programs over multiple connected devices anytime, anywhere with WarnerMedia’s streaming service, HBO GO. Never read about another spoiler again as HBO Original programs premiere the same time as the U.S. on HBO GO. Watch the debut episodes of highly-anticipated HBO Original series like His Dark Materials and the latest and last season of Silicon Valley simultaneously as viewers in the U.S. No internet connection? No problem! Download your favorite movie or series and watch it when you are not connected to the internet.

Choose from HBO’s complete library of unedited, original versions of HBO Original content (series, movies and documentaries) from the U.S. and Asia, as well as Cinemax Originals.

Binge-watch complete seasons of award-winning and criticallyacclaimed HBO Original series like Chernobyl, Big Little Lies, and Sex in the City in their original version

and get access to exclusive series like The Handmaid’s Tale and The Deuce which are only available on HBO GO. With the live TV function, stream all six of HBO Asia’s suite of TV channels – HBO, HBO Signature, HBO Hits, HBO Family, Cinemax and RED BY HBO, live via HBO GO simultaneously on your internetconnected devices.

Missed Erik Matti’s episode of the HBO Asia Original anthology series Food Lore? Don’t fret. Catch up on it anytime, anywhere on HBO GO, along with all the other award-winning HBO Asia Original productions such as Halfworlds, The Teenage Psychic, and The World Between Us. With a vast library of Hollywood blockbuster hits such as Fantastic Beast: The Crimes of Grindelwald, A Star Is Born, and Crazy Rich Asians, to Asian hit movies like Extreme Job, Ramen The, and Europe Raiders 2, and popular and beloved familyfriendly series including We Bare Bears, The Powderpuff Girls, and Sesame Street, there is something for everyone on HBO GO. Potterheads can binge-watch all eight movies from the Harry Potter franchise while Tolkien fans can look forward to the Lord of the Rings trilogy on HBO GO. Subscribers can also look forward to Aquaman and The Lego Movie 2coming soon to HBO GO. Each HBO GO account can be viewed on two concurrent streams across five registered devices and the service has Airplay and Chromecast functionalities.

Viewers will also have access to additional HBO Original content such as behind-the-scenes exclusives and trailers. Download up to 20 pieces of content for each account across all registered devices, subject to storage capacities for each device.

Watch the debut episodes of highly-anticipated HBO Original series like 'His Dark Materials' on HBO GO.

Entertainment

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

C4

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2019

Netflix’s ‘Marriage Story’ tops Golden Globes nominations MARRIAGE Story, Netflix’s heartwrenching divorce saga, topped the Golden Globe nominations Monday with six nods including best drama, kicking off the race for the Oscars.

The Irishman, Martin Scorsese’s three-and-a-half-hour gangster epic, and Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, Quentin Tarantino’s nostalgic love letter to 1960s Tinseltown, were hot on its heels with five each.

The nominations traditionally see the stars and movies destined for awards success start to break away from the competition—the Globes are seen as a

key bellwether for February’s Academy Awards.

Marriage Story earned nominations for its stars Scarlett Johansson and Adam Driver, and for its screenplay, but director Noah Baumbach missed out.

Scorsese was nominated for best director for Irishman but there was no best actor nod for his leading man Robert De Niro. Instead, Al Pacino and Joe Pesci were both selected for supporting roles.

Netflix’s Vatican drama The Two Popes also performed well, while

dark comic book tale Joker received recognition in best drama, best actor and best director.

The 77th Golden Globes, which also honor television, will take place in Beverly Hills on Jan. 5, two days before voting for Oscars nominees ends.

Monday’s nominations were announced at an early-morning Beverly Hills ceremony by actor Tim Allen (Toy Story) and actresses Dakota Fanning (I Am Sam) and Susan Kelechi Watson (This Is Us).

The gala will be hosted by British comedian Ricky Gervais. AFP

Aga Muchlach makes fashionable MMFF comeback

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T’S almost three decades ago when Aga Muhlach’s films Bakit Labis Kitang Mahal (1992) and May Minamahal (1993) became part of the annual Metro Manila Film Festival.

The first film saw his team up with Lea Salonga, and the latter with Aiko Melendez. Both films gave him the rare opportunity to bag the Best Actor plum.

In this year’s MMFF, Aga’s back in a very fashionable way with Miracle in Cell No. 7, a local adaptation of the South Korean drama starring Ryu Seung-ryong, Kal So-won, and Park Shin-hye.

On Nov. 12, the teaser was released in various social media pages of Viva Films and garnered three million views in just five hours. The views more than doubled to seven million in 16 hours, then reached 9.6 million in just 24 hours of its release.

Two weeks later, as of Nov. 25, record shows an impressive 18.4 million views across all media platforms.

“This social media thing is very new to me. I’m a very traditional actor. And this makes me feel extremely excited to be part of the MMFF again after 28 years since I last joined,” the actor told the press during the movie’s grand media launch.

Miracle in Cell No. 7 is set to unfold on the big screen this Christmas, and this early, the publics reaction to this movie top-billed by Aga is nothing short of phenomenal. Is it a miracle to have that kind of enthusiasm from the audience?

Maybe not, especially when many are already familiar with the original version, the heart-wrenching, highest grossing film in South Korea in 2013 and currently ranks No. 7 in the list of Korea’s highest grossing domestic films of all time.

VERY WANG NICKIE WANG

Aga Muhlach ais back in the MMFF with a family drama playing the role of a mentally challenged father in 'Miracle in Cell No. 7.'

Directed by Nuel C. Naval (A Secret Affair, This Time), this official entry to the 2019 Metro Manila Film Festival stays faithful to the original plot.

Aga plays a mentally-ill man who is wrongfully charged with sexually assaulting and murdering a little girl who happens to be the daughter of a high-ranking official (Tirso Cruz II).

Joselito, the character played

by Aga, has a loving daughter named Yesha (Xia Vigor) who is left with nobody now that he is now incarcerated.

In all his innocence, Joselito wishes to be with Yesha even in prison. With his fellow inmates already softening up on him, they device a plan to smuggle his young daughter inside the cell. Their success in pulling it off, the bond that is formed between Joselito and the men, the affection they have for the little girl, and how she brings out the best in them—all these put together may be the miracle in cell no. 7.

Their strong connection lives on even years later The cast of the Philippine adaptation of one of South Korea's highest-grossing films, 'Miracle in cell No. 7.' when Yesha, already a lawyer

(Bela Padila), is determined to clear his father’s name.

The appeal of Miracle in Cell No. 7 to Pinoy audiences is not just in the storyline, but in the humor and in the allstar cast as well.

Playing Aga’s inmates are critically acclaimed character actors Joel Torre as Boss Sol, Jojit Lorenzo as Bong, Mon Confiado as Choi, JC Santos as Mambo, and Soliman Cruz as Tatang Celso. Award-winning actor John Arcilaassumes the role of the prison chief, Johnny.

Aga expressed his gratitude for the experience in a super fun set, giving special mention to the film’s director.

The most crucial part of the movie is set at Christmastime, and it will surely tug at everyone’s heartstrings.

One dramatic scene revealed in the teaser is that of Yesha feeling sorry for not having a Christmas gift for her father. Joselito then points out that Yesha is already a gift just as she is because he feels very much loved by her.

“It’s a very touching, heart melting movie. I suggest you watch this beautiful movie,” Tirso Cruz III wrote on Instagram when he posted a photo with Aga. That father-daughter scene alone already proves his statement to be true.

Aga’s brilliance is not lost on Bela Padilla, who calls this opportunity of working with him a “dream come true.”

In an interview conducted by ABS-CBN News, Bela said, “There’s really a magic

From left: Golden Globe Ambassador Dylan Brosnan, Actress Dakota Fanning, Actor Tim Allen, Actress Susan Kelechi Watson and Golden Globe Ambassador Paris Brosnan pose on stage after the 77th Annual Golden Globe Awards nominations announcement on Dec. 9.

Signed of the times THERE were four and more reasons why the atmosphere was upbeat during last week’s Christmas party hosted by Warner Music Philippines to announce its signing of select homegrown artists.

That Thursday evening, all four, namely, Quest, Keiko Necesario, Leanne & Naara, and St. Wolf, spieled gratitude and their anticipation that 2020 promises to be a big year not only for them but for the record label bent to push Filipino artists to international prominence.

“This is like a statement that a lot has happened to the label and everything is in place for its run to go global in the next decade,” echoed Quest, the rapper-singer behind the hit “Sige Lang” and certainly the most established of the lot.

The party was held at 19 East bar in Sucat last Dec. 5, with live performances rendered by the signees, each brandishing uniqueness and appeal that made them deserving of the break.

Being signed means Warner will be around to market their songs and co-handle their affairs including gig bookings and song placements. It’s what separates them from artists who signed purely digital distribution deals with no guaranteed promo backing.

Keiko, in her talk with the press, stressed the kind of support that the label is willing to provide for an artist it decided to fully support. “I was flew in to London to meet foreign producers and find the right one for my next album.”

Well, Keiko, whose songs comprised the original motion soundtrack of Ang Babaeng Allergic sa Wifi, has the

YUGEL LOSORATA bragging rights to really go international after her version of “Both Sides Now”

by Joni Mitchell was featured on the British TV series Ackley Bridge.

The men and women behind Warner Music Philippines voiced out their confidence over the chosen few, insisting these artists have what it takes to make it really big and make a name for themselves abroad. It’s implied that it’s only the tip of the iceberg as more deserving acts will follow suit.

Leanne & Naara, with their single Again having topped the Spotify charts and ranked number 12 in its Global Viral Charts, seemed to have been a shoo-in even before the shortlist was decided.

Their rendition of Nina’s now-classic Someday is justice prevailed.

St. Wolf, on the other hand, exemplifies the kind of band act prevalent these days—theatrical and gadget-savvy. The group got a spot in the Coke Studio Philippines series.

Quest related, “I just want to be able to expand as an artist and be prepared enough to go abroad.”

The fact he evolved from being a traditional rap act to one singing with more melodies and backed by a permanent set of band players proved his desire to progress.

“I like the feel of live music, not canned. I like to feel the kick,” he said.

2020 is clear vision. Warner surely looks forward to that. Drum rolls.

(For more information, follow Warner Music Philippines @warnermusciph on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram).

Warner Music Philippines showcased its signed artist roster (from left) St. Wolf, Keiko Necesario, Leanne & Naara, and Quest during its Christmas party last week (Dec. 5) at 19 East bar.

A first in history: Local dramas air in Ecuador

Child star Xia Vigor

around Kuya Aga. Kahit look test lang he sparks something onscreen. I was watching his videos and I was so amazed.

Wala pang lines humanga na ako.

Viva Films’ Miracle in Cell No. 7 is an official entry to this year’s MMFF and will start screening on Christmas Day.

SPANISH-DUBBED versions of Filipino dramas continue to rate well in Ecuador. For the first time, two GMA dramas will be airing concurrently on Ecuadorian television, made possible by the partnership between GMA’s content distribution subsidiary, GMA Worldwide, Inc. (GWI) and Latin Media Corporation (LMC).

The Spanish-dubbed version of GMA’s phenomenal daytime drama The Heart Knows (My Special Tatay) premiered on Nov. 12 as Un Corazon Especial on Ecuador’s TC Televisión.

The drama about Boyet, a young father with autism immediately captivated Ecuadorian audience and delivered high ratings, averaging almost nine points on weekdays at 5:30 p.m.. It is among the most-

watched programs on TC. Continued on C3

GMA's phenomenal daytime drama 'My Special Tatay' premiered in November as 'Un Corazon Especial' on Ecuador's stateowned network, TC Televisión.