Manila Standard - 2019 December 17 - Tuesday

twitter.com/ MlaStandard

facebook.com/ ManilaStandardPH

S

Missed your copy of Manila Standard? Call or text our Circulation Hotline at 0917-8848655 or email: circulation@manilastandard.net

manilastandard.net

‘Bato’ shrugs off loss of US visa, won’t appeal

By Macon Ramos-Araneta SENATOR Ronald dela Rosa said Monday he would no longer appeal the United States’ cancellation of his US visa if the Philippines would look pathetic as a result of it.

“Do you think the Republic of the Philippines would look pathetic if a senator

would appeal to be allowed entry again to the US?” Dela Rosa said when asked if he intended to appeal the cancellation “Isn’t that pathetic?”

Dela Rosa’s US visa was revoked by the US government in line with its intensified campaign against human rights violators.

As the former chief of the Philippine

National Police, Dela Rosa led President Rodrigo Duterte’s bloody war against illegal drugs. The Duterte administration itself has been accused of resorting to extra-judicial killings as a result of that war.

Dela Rosa said he had not inquired from US authorities about the veracity of the report involving the cancellation Next page

SENATOR RONALD DELA ROSA

VOL. XXXIII • NO. 306 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P18 TUESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2019 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Quake casualties mounting Six more bodies buried under collapsed store; search-rescue stepped up

P

ADADA, Davao del Sur—Authorities here on Monday said three people had been confirmed dead, two of whom had been recovered, following the magnitude 6.9 quake that hit the town and other areas on Sunday afternoon.

The figure brought to five the total number of victims killed in Sunday’s quake in Davao del Sur, including the six-year-old girl in Barangay Asinan in Matanao town, who was hit by falling debris.

Fire Senior Supt. Fred Trajeras, BFP 11, said the bodies of Elsa Ababon, 57; and Evangeline Artiaga, 67; were pulled out of the collapsed Southern Trade Commercial grocery store in Barangay Poblacion on Monday morning.

“The other confirmed casualty has not been pulled out yet,” Trajeras told reporters.

He said there were at least six persons inside the collapsed grocery store based on the account of a survivor.

Trajeras said this was the main reason they have shifted from plain recovery to search and rescue anew.

Mayor Pedro Caminero quoting the town’s police said only one family had reported about a missing relative. Next page

DAVAO QUAKE VICTIMS. Five people, including a six-year-old girl, die in Sunday’s magnitude 6.9 shock that hit areas of Davao del Sur, still reeling from deadly earthquakes in October. Victims (clockwise from left) include flower vendors at the public market pinned down by a concrete wall, the quake destroying a general hardware block, a car smashed by a falling slab, and police forensic probers working over bodies recovered from a collapsed building in Padada town. PIA Davao, AFP

Cha-Cha bound Pay hike for state workers priority—Duterte to fail? Senator By MJ Blancaflor taunts House

By Macon Ramos-Araneta SENATE Minority Leader Franklin Drilon on Monday taunted House members insisting on Charter change to ensure there is a return address on their bill.

“If the House of Representatives would insist on passing Cha-Cha, make it a point to include their return address, because the Senate and the Filipino people will not accept it,” Drilon said.

Drilon said the proposal to amend the Constitution is not a priority in the Senate, echoing a statement earlier by Senate President Vicente Sotto III. “Our counterparts in the lower house have the fighting spirit of a Filipino athlete. I do not want to dampen their spirit, but their Cha-Cha is doomed,” Drilon said.

Last week, a still unnumbered resolution was approved by the House committee on constitutional amendments in a closed-door meeting.

The resolution proposes, among others, to extend the term of congressmen and local government officials from the current three years to five years, and to add the phrase “unless otherwise provided by law” in economic provisions of the Constitution.

Drilon said the non-mention of ChaCha and federalism in the last State of the Nation Address was a clear message to Congress that Cha-Cha is no longer a priority of the administration. Next page

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has certified as urgent the proposed bill which seeks to increase the salaries of government employees.

In his letter to the Congress dated Dec. 13, the President said the salary hike is necessary to “address the need to further invigorate public service with efficiency and productivity by providing all govern-

ment civilian personnel a just and equitable compensation responsive to their economic needs.”

Under the Senate version of the proposed Salary Standardization Law of 2019, the salary adjustment will be given in four tranches starting January 2020 and will end in 2023.

The bill aims to grant 20 to 30-percent pay hike for employees under Salary Grade 10 to SG 15, and 8 percent for

Marcoses win P200-b lawsuit

By Maricel V. Cruz

government workers under SG 23 to 33.

The House of Representatives’ appropriations committee earlier passed a similar bill.

Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said on Monday that the Palace would not interfere with the legislature’s work.

Once a bill is certified as urgent, lawmakers can skip the three-day rule, allowing them to pass a measure on third Next page

THE year has turned to be fruitful for the Marcos family as it won another forfeiture case, this time amounting to P200 billion, filed against them 32 years ago.

In August, the Marcoses won a P102million forfeiture case against them and their alleged cronies in the Tantoco family, which owns Rustan’s.

Citing the lack of evidence, the Sandiganbayan junked the P200-billion forfeiture case against the late President Ferdinand Marcos and his surviving family members.

Next page

Reds’ sincerity put in question

By MJ Blancaflor THE communist rebels should stop their attacks if they are sincere about talking peace, Malacañang said Monday.

Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said the reported ambush of the New People’s Army in Borongan City, Eastern Samar, on Friday put the rebels’ sincerity in “question with respect to peace talks.”

That ambush resulted in the killing of a police officer and two civilians.

“If the NPAs really want to talk, they should stop what they are doing,” Panelo told reporters.

“When you do that, your sincerity is in question with respect to the peace talks.”

Meanwhile, despite the announcement of plans to revive the peace talks with the communist rebels, the Department of National Defense on Sunday said the efforts to whittle down their Next page

PNR TRAINS. DOTr Secretary Arthur Tugade inaugurates two (inset) newly acquired PNR trains, composed of six-diesel multiple unit motor coaches, at the Dela Rosa Northbound station in Makati City on Monday. They are part of the 37 rail cars and three locomotives acquired from PT Inka of Indonesia. Norman Cruz

A2

News

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2019

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Leni’s drug war ‘teaser’ draws flak

By Rio N. Araja

V

ICE President Leni Robredo on Monday postponed the release of her “discoveries” on the war on drugs of the Duterte administration.

Malacañang fretted over her decision.

“What‘s taking her so long? As the President said, “Bring it on, whatever you want to come out with,” Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said.

“It is difficult to release something you don’t have and if you are thinking what would you release. That will really take a long time.”

Meanwhile, though he felt awkward working with Robredo as co-chairman of the Inter-agency Committee on Anti-illegal Drugs, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency director general Aaron Aquino said he had all the respect for her.

He said contrary to Robredo’s statement that he was supportive in private but dismissive in front of the media, he was the one who advised

her to meet the four ICAD clusters one by one to better understand the committee.

“If you remember, I was even the one who asked the VP to join in one of our operations during the first ICAD meeting with the VP last Nov. 8 at her office in Quezon City, and for her to have a full understanding of what the law enforcers are doing,” he said.

Robredo declined to read her 40-page report, saying such disclosure was not appropriate after a powerful earthquake rocked Davao City.

“I beg off to defer it. It is not the right timing. We still have some other time. It would be best if we focused on helping our fellowmen,” she said.

“We can release it anytime, but I think we

have to be as one now and help one another pray for our fellowmen in Davao and Cotabato.”

A magnitude-6.9 earthquake hit Davao City and some other parts of Mindanao on Sunday at 2:11 p.m.

Robredo asked the public to donate tents, drinking water and generators to the local government to help those affected by the tremor.

On Nov. 24, the President sacked Robredo as ICAD co-chairman, but despite her removal, she said she would still publicly release her findings and recommendations on the anti-drug campaign of the President.

She said she would release her discoveries after the 30th Southeast Asian Games. With MJ Blancaflor

Ressa launches ‘offense-best-defense’ gameplan

PAO suffers budget cut, puts forensic efforts on hold FOLLOWING a P19.5-million budget cut to its budget, the Public Attorney’s Office on Monday announced the temporary suspension of its forensic activity.

At a media briefing, PAO chief Persida Acosta reiterated her appeal to President Rodrigo Duterte to veto a provision in the General Appropriations Act for 2020 slashing the P19.5-million budget for its Forensic Laboratory Division.

Lawyer Erwin Erfe, the designated director of the PAO Forensic Laboratory, said they decided to suspend their forensic activity pending a decision of the President whether to veto or not the provision deleting the budget for the forensic laboratory division’s equipment and the prohibition for the use of PAO’s MOOE expenses for operations.

“We will leave the future of the PAO Forensic Laboratory in the hands of the President,” Erfe said.

“Not to some members of the House of Representatives and Senate who protect the interest of their principals and clients by orchestrating the de-funding of the laboratory, disabling it and preventing the PAO forensic laboratory from helping the poor and the victims of crime.”

Acosta maintained the constitutionality of their forensic laboratory department composed of plantilla personnel.

She said the budget cut was violative of Article Section 1 of the 1987 Constitution.

She said Section 9 of the Anti-Torture Act giving PAO the power to investigate torture cases. Rio N. Araja

PHILIPPINE journalist Maria Ressa said Monday she would not be silenced as she launched her defense against a libel charge that press advocates call an attempt to curb her news site’s critical coverage of President Rodrigo Duterte.

Her site Rappler has written extensively and often critically on Duterte’s policies, including his deadly drugs war that rights groups say may amount to crimes against humanity.

“I can go to jail for 12 years for this [case], that is the maximum sentence,” she told reporters outside court after the hearing, notinggovernment investigators had initially dismissed the case.

“From track record you can see the political goals to shut Rappler up... but we haven’t shut up yet,” said Ressa, who is free on bail.

Besides the libel case, Ressa and Rappler have been hit with a string of criminal charges in the span of roughly a year,

prompting allegations that authorities are targeting her and her team for their work.

Ressa, named a Time Person of the Year in 2018 for her journalism, did not testify in court.

The case centers on a Rappler report from 2012 about a businessman’s alleged ties to a then-judge of the nation’s top court.

Government investigators initially dismissed the businessman’s 2017 complaint about the article, but state prosecutors later decided to file charges.

The legal underpinning of the charge is a controversial “cybercrime law” aimed at online offenses ranging from hacking and Internet fraud to child pornography.

In court on Monday, Ressa’s defense team highlighted investigators’ initial decision not to pursue the case, and her insulation from Rappler’s daily news decisions.

“As an executive editor, she does not really edit,” Chay Hofileña, a Rappler investigative journalist, told the court.

The government has repeatedly said the case has nothing to do with politics, adding that no one is above the law.

However, Duterte has in speeches lashed out at Rappler and other critical media outfits, including the Philippine Daily Inquirer newspaper and broadcaster ABS-CBN. He threatened to go after their owners over alleged unpaid taxes or block the network’s franchise renewal application.

Rights monitor Reporters Without Borders ranked the Philippines at 134 out of 178 countries on its annual “World Press Freedom” index this year, when at least three journalists were killed “most likely by agents working for local politicians.” AFP

Quake...

He did not say who was the missing though but said in total, six persons also suffered varying degrees of injuries from the tremor.

Caminero also said they were looking at liquefaction in the collapse of the grocery store, which he said was built around 20 years ago.

“It survived the previous major quakes with little damage or no damage,” he added.

Trajeras said they were using heavy equipment to safely remove debris and find the six missing persons.

He said search, rescue and retrieval teams are now using life detection and life finder instruments.

“We are trying to listen to heartbeats and movements to locate them. However, these instruments could also give false signs because it would detect the movement and heartbeats of other animals,” Trajeras added.

Locals milling around the collapsed

grocery store building said they believed that there are more people trapped inside as it was market day when the quake struck.

“The grocery store was a major place here. It would be full on Sundays that you would have difficulty moving around,” one local said of the three-story building now reduced to a single floor.

“I believe there are more people inside who are either dead or waiting to be rescued,” said another.

Caminero said despite the difficulties, they were trying their best to pluck out people alive.

Caminero said they were still uncertain of the amount of damage and assessments were still being done. But he said some government buildings are now useless, including the police office and the fire station.

In Digos City, several buildings that survived the series of quakes in October had either collapsed or suffered more damage.

Mayor Josef Cagas said they were also trying to assess the damage.

Across Davao del Sur and the near-

by Davao Occidental, the provincial governments declared the suspension of classes as aftershocks, some moderately strong, continued to be felt as of Monday.

Sunday’s tremor cracked schools, toppled homes and injured dozens but largely spared big cities on the island of Mindanao, which is still recovering from a string of deadly quakes in October.

The collapsed market building was near the epicenter of the 6.9-magnitude quake and is in the same region that was hit by three tremors above 6.0 in a matter of weeks in October.

Those quakes killed some two dozen people and forced tens of thousands into shelters as well as heavily damaging homes and offices.

Searchers were fanning out across the quake-hit areas of Mindanao to fully assess the damage, but have already reported several schools and hospitals were cracked.

President Rodrigo Duterte, who is from Davao and was there during the quake, was not hurt.

The government said it would provide assistance to the families affected by the 6.9-magnitude quake that jolted Southern Mindanao.

Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles said the government has mobilized all frontline disaster response and humanitarian assistance units to provide help for all the victims.

President Duterte is closely monitoring the progress of ongoing operations to thoroughly evaluate the damage of the quake, Nograles said.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology placed the epicenter of the magnitude 6.9 quake, west of Matanao in Davao del Sur. Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra on Monday approved the temporary suspension of work in the Davao provinces.

Guevarra said that the regional prosecutor covering the Davao provinces would give way to the inspection of the prosecutors’ office to ensure the safety of their prosecutors and other personnel in the area. MJ Blancaflor, with AFP, PNA

Cha-Cha...

Pay hike...

the Department of Budget and Management and the House leadership is too low because we have long been appealing for a P30,000 basic pay for public teachers,” Castro said.

But Ungab said the SSL V was based on a study conducted by the DBM, which they believed was “wellprepared.” Some P34 billion was allocated for SSL V’s implementation under the proposed 2020 national budget, he said.

Also on Monday, the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines warned that employers and business owners who don’t pay their employees the mandatory 13th month face bigger fines.

There are around 920,000 establishments employing 35 million who are rank-and-file employees in various major industry enterprises including agriculture, manufacturing and services sectors.

Employers who fail to give 13th month pay will be charged with money claims and would have to pay more with moral and exemplary damages if found guilty.

Non-compliant employers could also lose their ISO certification.

“It is revolting to know that many businesses, employers and labor middlemen are not paying their 13th month pay obligation with their rankand-file employees. We are inundated with workers’ rants over and over

every year. It is high time for TUCP to push government for a law that considers non-payment of overtime pay and 13th month pay as theft and robbery,” TUCP president Raymond Mendoza said.

“Christmas and the New Year... should be a happy season for the working people and their families. However, many employers spoil this by skirting away from their annual obligations by becoming a grinch and not paying their monetary obligation,” Mendoza said.

Mendoza said aggrieved employees may file complaint to the Department of Labor and Employment regional office or at the National Labor Relations Commission. They may also file a complaint at the Department of Trade and Industry or at the Bureau of Immigration in the case of foreign employer.

Employers and business owners in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao have only up to Dec. 24 to give the mandatory 13th month pay to their rank-andfile employees.

Presidential Decree 851 otherwise known as Thirteenth Month Pay Law requires all employers to pay their employees one month’s equivalent salary on or before Dec. 24 every year. However, with the consent of employees, employers may give half of the pay every June and the other half every December of the year.

In a decision dated Dec. 16, the antigraft graft court said the Presidential Comission on Good Government and the Ombudsman failed to attain “preponderance of evidence” in the documents they submitted to the court to prove the allegations against the Marcoses.

This means that the evidence that the Marcoses and their co-accused presented to prove that they did not do any wrongdoing was given greater weight by the court than the evidence submitted by the government.

Only 24 of the 188 pieces of documentary evidence submitted by the government prosecutors were were original copies. The rest were either certified true copy of the original, certified true copy, or photocopies.

“The bulk of the documentary evidence offered by the plaintiff are mere photocopies, most of which are barely readable. Thus, even if the Court were to defy the best evidence rule, it still could not fully ascertain the contents of these documents and make an intelligent evaluation therefrom,” the Sandiganbayan said.

In the same vein, the anti-graft court dismissed the counter charge of the Marcoses also for failure to attain preponderance of evidence in their claims.

The forfeiture case that has just been dismissed was docketed as Civil Case 002 and involved properties seized from the late Ambassador Roberto Salas Benedicto, a University of the Philippines College of Law classmate of the former President and believed to have been the major financier when he ran for the presidency in 1965.

Among the companies involved in Civil Case 002 were Aklan Bulk Carriers Inc., Fuga Bulk Carriers Inc., Coron Bulk Carriers Inc., and Ecija Bulk Carriers Inc.; appropriated revenues derived from the operations of RPN-9, IBC-13 and BBC-2.

The money involved in the case was allegedly used in the establishment of the California Overseas Bank.

In addition, the court said the government failed to submit evidence to prove that the late President, former First Lady Imelda Marcos extended loan accommodation to their co-accused in the case.

the Communist Party of the PhilippinesNew People’s Army would have a bearing on the government’s efforts to eliminate the insurgency Panelo could not tell yet if that attack would affect President Rodrigo Duterte’s decision to resume the peace negotiations with the communist leaders that he had terminated in 2017.

“Let’s see how the President will take it. I’lll ask him,” he said.

Presidential Peace Adviser Carlito G. Galvez Jr. also condemned the attack, saying it ran counter to the Duterte administration’s efforts to find a peaceful solution to the communist problem.

“As the government tries to address

the roots of the insurgency, the rebels continue to mount attacks. This is deplorable,” Galvez said.

He also vowed that justice would be served on the perpetrators of the attack that wounded 15 people including three children.

“Those who committed this crime will not escape the long arm of the law.

They will have to pay for the atrocities they committed,” Galvez said.

Panelo could not tell yet if President Duterte would declare ceasefire with the NPA this Christmas.

“The President defers to whatever recommendation those people on the ground give him,” he said.

Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III, the government’s chief peace negotiator, told the Manila Standard that he met with communist leader Jose Maria Sison in The Netherlands on Dec. 7 to 8 in a bid to revive the peace negotiations.

Bello was joined by Hernani Braganza, who served as government negotiator for the back-channel talks with the NDF while the 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.

With PNA

From A1

From A1

“Apparently, the message was lost on the members of the House of Representatives. I had said it before and I will say it once more, Cha-Cha is dead,” Drilon said.

The minority leader said it is a selfserving move on the part of the House members to propose an extension of their term.

“The term extension is ill-conceived. It extinguishes all the good intentions they may have in mind in pushing for Cha-Cha. We will oppose it,” he added.

Drilon also noted that majority of Filipinos were against the proposed shift to a federal system of government, citing a 2018 survey by Pulse Asia which showed that 67 percent of Filipinos opposed Charter change, with only 18 percent were in favor and 14 percent still undecided.

Sotto washed his hands of the socalled joint resolution on Charter change.

“We have nothing to do with it because it is not a priority in the Senate. It’s not in any of the committees…. we are not even talking about it, so the House can do whatever it wants, and perhaps if they decide on something, then they can transmit it to us,” Sotto said.

‘Bato’...

From A1

of his US visa, but he had heard about it long before it was reported by the media.

He might appeal his visa’s cancellation if that was possible, but Dela Rosa said he could not do anything about it if the US would not consider it.

Meanwhile, Dela Rosa said he would rather go to China.

From A1

reading immediately after it is passed on second reading.

The House of Representatives’ Committee on Appropriations on Monday approved the consolidated bill increasing the salary of government workers by 2020.

At the same time, the committee, chaired by Davao City Rep. Isidro Ungab, will ask President Duterte to certify as urgent House Bill 5712.

“We expect that the Office of the President might issue a certificate of urgency as soon as we are able to forward the committee report for plenary approval,” Ungab said.

But ACT Teachers Party-list Rep. France Castro said the salary increase being proposed in the bill was “insufficient.”

Under the bill, Salary Grade 1 employees will receive a P2,000 increase or P500 each year from 2020 to 2023. SG 1 will increase from P11,000 to P13,000 by 2023.

Castro also said the basic salary of public school teachers (Teacher 1) will increase from P20,754 to P27,000 after four years.

“This is P3,000 short of the teachers’ proposed salary hike… This proposal of

Reds’...

From A1

armed members, either by combat or peaceful means, will continue.

“Our efforts to bring them down to join the society for those who are willing [to reintegrate with mainstream society] will continue. Our combat operations against their armed components will also continue. No let-up even during the peace talks,” Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said in a message to reporters.

He made the comment when asked whether the planned peace talks with

Maria Ressa

Marcoses...

From A1

News

A3

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2019 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Stay away from water` firms issue, Leni is told VICE President Leni Robredo should not meddle with President Rodrigo Duterte’s tough stance against water concessionaires, Malacañang said Monday, saying “she does not know anything.”

This came after Robredo on Sunday said the government should pursue a “calmer” approach as the President’s verbal attacks against Maynilad and Manila Water might impact investments.

“Don’t meddle into something you don’t know about. I don’t think she knows anything about it,” Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said.

During her radio program, Robredo noted the government’s tirades against water firms had caused their stocks to dip, which may negatively impact the investments of the Social Security System and the Government Service Insurance System.

Robredo added that foreign direct investments might drop due to the President’s threats of lawsuits against the two water utilities and government takeover of water operations.

“If we don’t pursue calmer talks, this would leave a lot of collateral damage,” she said.

Duterte has repeatedly lambasted the two water firms over “onerous provisions” in the 1997 water concession agreement which he said were unfair to the government and Filipino consumers.

The contract carried a provision that says the government should pay the water concessionaires for their losses that result from the actions of the state regulator during the effectivity of contract.

The government cannot interfere either with water rates, as stated in the agreement.

These provisions allowed the two companies to take the Philippine government to a Singapore-based arbitral tribunal which ruled that the state had to pay Maynilad P3.4 billion and Manila Water P7.4 billion for their respective losses. MJ Blancaflor

3 facilities built for heinous criminals CONVICTS of heinous crimes would be put in separate prison facilities after the Senate approved on third and final reading a bill seeking for their establishment.

The senators voted 21-0 during the Senate’s session Monday afternoon to approve Senate Bill No. 1055 which provides for the establishment of three Maximum Penal Institutions for heinous crimes—in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.

The measure covers all high-level heinous crime offenders who are at prison facilities of the Bureau of Corrections.

If signed into law, the Maximum Penal Institution would be built in a suitable location “preferably within a military establishment or [on] an island separate in the mainland.

The proposed measure also provides that the penal institution will have to be located “in a secured and isolated place ensuring that there is no unwarranted contact or communication with those outside of the penal institution.”

Macon Ramos-Araneta

Compliant jeeps to ply Metro COMPLIANT modern jeepneys will soon ply the streets of Metro Manila after a transport group expressed its plan to roll out at least 500 of these environment-friendly vehicles in the first half of 2020.

In an interview on Monday, Orlando Marquez, national president of the Liga ng Transportasyon at Operators ng Pilipinas, said the group was trying to convince its members and other transport groups to avail themselves of the first commercially-available Euro 6-compliant public utility vehicles in the country.

“First, it uses gas efficiently, you’ll save on gas. Second, there are almost no pollutants, so you won’t have to buy medicine,” Marquez said, adding the vehicles are cost-efficient and supports the administration’s PUV Modernization Program.

He said the plan was to initially roll out the new PUVs in the Quezon City Loop route—going through Timog Avenue, West Avenue, North Avenue, and East Avenue—beginning the second week of January.

He said the Certificate of Public Convenience for the route was yet to be issued by the Department of Transportation. PNA

‘Duterte not mandated to publicize his SALN’

By MJ Blancaflor

TAX HIKE. Over 200 advocates from medical societies, youth groups, senior citizens, urban poor communities, and other socalled civil society organizations gather outside the Senate building Monday to call for the immediate approval of SB 1074 or the tax increase on alcoholic beverages and heated tobacco products. Lino Santos

Groups want motorcycle taxi operators summoned

By Darwin G. Amojelar

C

OMMUTER groups on Monday urged Senate and Congress to summon motorcycle taxi operators and the members of the technical working group of the Department of Transportation for a committee hearing about the extension of the test run for motor taxis.

Lawyers for Commuter Safety Protection, Komyut, Transport Watch and Move Metro Manila questioned the TWG’s major decisions allowing the expansion of the pilot program to other motor taxi applications without “genuine consultations.”

“These are decisions that should not be kept from the public,” the commuter groups said.

“The public hearing will be a positive step towards legislatively addressing the issue of motorcyle taxis, address questions of transparency in the processes and will

provide information to the public of the planned expansion of the pilot currently being run by DOTr,” they added.

The commuter groups added the repeated exclusion of consumers, advocacy groups and other stakeholders from the TWG meetings shows a lack of transparency and an active effort to deny inclusion of civil society and to fully represent the public interest.

The test run for Angkas was supposed to end this month.

The LCSP earlier filed a petition for injunction with application for a

PCSO welcomes probe on Small Town Lottery THE Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office on Monday welcomed the probe conducted by the Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission against government officials allegedly involved in corruption in the agency’s Small Town Lottery.

“The records of PCSO are open for investigation.

We will cooperate with PACC because PACC and PCSO are one with the President in ensuring that funds due to the government must be collected and should go to the intended beneficiaries. PCSO welcomes the new development in the investigation of PACC,” PCSO general manager Royina MarzanGarma told reporters when sought for a comment.

On Friday, PACC revealed it would also be investigating high-ranking government officials outside PCSO. The PCSO general manager said those involved in the non-remittance and irregularities in the STL operation should face the full force of the law.

“If there are other officials outside of PCSO who are involved in the non-remittance or in the irregularities in the operation of STL, let them face the full force of the law,” she said.

Earlier, Garma said the officials of PCSO believed the result of the investigation would not only clear their names but also prove the integrity of the agency in providing exciting games to the gaming public and offering responsive and efficient financial and medical assistance to its mandated beneficiaries.

“Despite the corruption issues beleaguering the Office, the officials remain steadfast in their commitment to serve the PCSO and the public with integrity and transparency,” said Garma.

The PCSO serves as the principal government agency for raising and providing funds for health programs, medical assistance and services, and charities of national character.

The Individual Medical Assistance Program is considered the flagship program of the PCSO which was institutionalized in 1995 to provide timely and responsive financial assistance to individuals with health-related problems.

Aside from the IMAP, the PCSO’s other charity programs include the Endowment Fund Program, Institutional Partnership Program, Procurement of Medical Equipment, AFP/PNP Health Facilities Capability Building Project, Calamity Assistance Program, Milk Feeding Program, Integrated Health for Overall Productivity and Empowerment (I-HOPE), and Out-Patient Services Program (Medical and Dental Services), among others. PNA

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.

“Our objective in the LCSP is to ensure the safety and protection of the riding public,” Ariel Inton, a former Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board member, said.

“And we are worried that the new motorcycle players who will join the test run may just endanger the lives of commuters because they do not have the same stringent safety standards as what the riding public has been accustomed to in the initial test run,” he said.

“We in the LCSP call on the DOTr to ensure that the welfare of the riding public is given priority by ensuring that the new players the agency is considering to include in the announced test run extension undergo a thorough review and assessment much like what the TWG did back then for Angkas,” Inton said.

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte is not mandated to publicize his Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth as the Office of the Ombudsman was tasked for such job, Malacañang said Monday.

In a press briefing, Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo insisted the law did not require Duterte to personally and directly furnish a copy of his SALN since the Ombudsman was the “repository” for such documents.

“The law requires them to file their SALN. And the repository of those records is with the Ombudsman. That’s in the Ombudsman,” he said.

Last week, the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism reported the government had not released the 2018 SALN of Duterte, the first time in the last 30 years.

This, despite the Chief Executive’s repeated vow for transparency.

Since the SALN Law was enacted on Feb. 20, 1989, Duterte’s predecessors had publicly disclosed their annual SALNs “without fail, year on year, via either the Office of the Ombudsman or the Office of the President,” according to the PCIJ report.

“Maybe that’s their style. This President’s style is different. But he has not transgressed any law,” Panelo said.

Panelo also said the President had complied with the required timely submission of SALN and was not hiding “anything.”

“If he is hiding anything, he would have not filed any SALN,” he told Palace reporters.

The PCIJ said in its report that the requests for SALN “have been tossed back and forth” between the Office of the Executive Secretary and the Ombudsman.

“Invariably, all such requests filed in a series from June to November 2019 were denied because of an identical reason: The Ombudsman has yet to finalize its new guidelines on the release of the SALNs of the President and other senior officials,” the report said.

A4

Opinion

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2019

Father of Philippine rail transit

Adelle Chua, Editor

EDITORIAL

Somehow, he managed to convince the Ayalas to join MRT 3 and finance it subsequently, which made the project push through despite so many objections from the residents of Dasmariñas Village and Forbes Park. They said it DURING the first four-year term of would pollute their area. This was why the late strongman Ferdinand Marcos, MRT had to be underground in areas I met an Israeli named Eli Levin who near these villages. had married a Filipina.

Eli, a resident of the Philippines for He was introduced to me as the one the past 40 years, told me in confidence who conceived the first Light Rail that he and his associates submitted to Transit, and who later on convinced then-President Gloria Arroyo his largest Transportation Secretary Totoy Dans transit plan, this time for the MRT 7, to start the first transit railway system to start from San Jose del Monte in under the Marcos Bulacan to end administration. in Quezon City.

This was a It would have time when nine stations, Marcos was running along That’s Eli Levin, my also beginning Commonwealth friend. to build the Avenue and North Luzon on to EDSA. Expressway and Eventually it the South Luzon would connect to Expressway.

MRT 3.

Eli succeeded in convincing While Levin managed to sell the idea Secretary Dans, who also succeeded in to foreign investors, there was need convincing the President to build the for the majority to be owned by local first light rail transit in the country. investors. That became a problem for After the Marcos regime, Levin came him and his associates. up with the idea for the MRT 3 that runs The MRT 7 project went through the along EDSA from Quezon City to Pasay. eye of the needle in both the National It was at that time when Levin, Economic and Development Authority through mutual friends, told me that and the Department of Finance. Still, his main problem at that time was financing was its biggest problem. financing the project. He had some During the Aquino administration, willing friends, but he needed more somehow Levin was able to convince Turn to A5 money.

Keeping police abuse in check

A

T A recent Senate hearing, the officerin-charge of the Philippine National Police cautioned senators against assuming the worst about law enforcers when they draft a law on the use of body cameras.

Police Lt. Gen. Archie Francisco Gamboa said if the law were drafted on the premise, this might put too many limits on the operational efficiency of the police.

“I hope when crafting the body-worn camera law, it would not be premised that there is EJK (extrajudicial killings) in [the] Philippines, there are unsolved killings.

We should presume that the work of the government, especially the Philippine National Police, is regular,” he said.

“If the premise is that we are up to no good, the law will be crafted in such a way that it is too strict,” he added in a mix of English and Filipino.

The PNP OIC’s request is odd, given that body cameras have been introduced in several countries—Australia, Canada, China, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Sweden, Singapore, the United Arab Emirates, and the United Kingdom, precisely to improve police performance and to curb abuses.

So far, the record is mixed, with several

studies in the United States showing that the use of body cameras by police officers reduced the number of citizen complaints about them, and significantly cut the “useof-force” incidents. But body camera regulations in other cities showed little change in the behavior of police officers or the number of complaints against them.

In 2019, a team of researchers published the most comprehensive overview to date of the impact of body-worn cameras. They based their overview on 70 empirical studies, most from US jurisdictions, and focused on officer behavior, officer perceptions, citizen behavior, citizen perceptions, police investigations, and police organizations.

Studies in this office behavior mostly showed that officers wearing BWCs received fewer complaints than do those that are not wearing the cameras.

Use of force went down according to five of the rigorous impact studies. Four other studies, on the other hand, showed

no statistically significant effects.

At least 32 studies focused on officer attitudes about cameras, and found that once officers started using cameras, they felt positive about them.

Sixteen studies looked at citizen and community attitudes about BWCs. Citizens often have high expectations: police will be more accountable and citizen confidence in the police will increase. This can depend, however, on citizens background. The few studies that looked at fear—certainly a relevant finding in the Philippine context— showed that citizens who know they are being recorded express strong agreement that BWCs make them feel safer and more confident in the police.

Would the defenseless 17-year-old Kian delos Santos gunned down by Caloocan cops in 2017 have escaped his fate the murderous police officers were wearing body cameras that recorded their every action? There is every reason to believe so.

The PNP OIC errs if he believes a body camera law assumes that all cops are abusive—and he should acknowledge that safeguards must be in place for the very citizens he is mandated to protect.

And if the knowledge that their actions are being watched makes his men and women better police officers, he should embrace them instead of warning against hypothetical limits.

Do right with motorcycle taxis six months but, in May 2019, the guidelines were laid out to the public and the TWG was constituted composed of Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) Board Member P/Maj. Gen. I CITE and quote for this column Antonio Gardiola Jr. (ret.) as head, a petition I signed in my capacity together with Land Transportation as convenor of Transport Watch, a Office (LTO), the Inter- Agency citizen organization that promotes Council for Traffic (i-ACT), inclusive mobility. I signed this consumers, advocacy groups and petition also as a user of motorcycle other stakeholders, under the strict taxis and as a professor who sees supervision of the DOTr. many of my students and fellow This TWG was tasked to ensure professionals use such taxis, provided efficiency in the pilot implementation, safely by Angkas, as their principal and present the final report to the mode of transportation. I have also House of Representatives and the noticed that everywhere, commuters Senate. The TWG was mandated to in Metro Manila have resorted to this monitor the safety of the riders and mode of transportation—for the cost the riding public using data collected, or convenience (especially to beat

by Angkas, within a six-month period. traffic). Because of this, I consider Recent developments in the work the regulation of the TWG of motorcycle have alarmed taxis an us and made imperative that us concerned the government The regulation of about the future must urgently of motorcycle motorcycle taxis an address. taxis. I quote This necessity imperative for the verbatim from of proper government. our petition: regulation of “Despite motorcycle taxis r e p e a t e d is particularly requests from relevant as we the sector for the approach the termination of the pilot TWG to convene, a secret meeting period set by the memorandum order was conducted, last November 2019, of the Department of Transportation with solely government agencies in (DOTr) for motorcycle taxis to operate attendance, to make an assessment. in Metro Manila and Metro Cebu. In Hence, the consumers, advocacy the petition signed by Jason Salvador groups and other stakeholders, were for Legal Engagement Advocating for excluded from decision making. This Development and Reform (LEADER), prompted us to ask for updates from Toix Cerna for KOMYUT, Dr. Grace those who were present and pleaded Gorospe-Jamon for Move Metro that the complete TWG be convened Manila, and Attorneys Ariel Inton, in the future.

Raymond Fortun, and VJ Topacio for In the said secret meeting, the the Lawyers for Commuter Safety government members of the TWG and Protection (LCSP), and myself decided to extend the pilot period for for Transport Watch, we call for another six (6) months and allowed greater transparency and inclusivity the inclusion of other motorcycle taxi in the next steps being taken by the applications into the pilot program. government on the regulation of this Once again, on Dec. 12, 2019, important sector. the government members of the We recall our participation a year TWG proceeded with another ago, last December 2018, in a multimeeting without the consumers, stakeholder technical working group advocacy groups and other (TWG) convened by the DOTr to stakeholders. Aside from the meeting, look into the possibility of allowing they conducted site visits and motorcycle taxis to operate. It took Turn to A5

SEA Games in retrospect Our hosting was an unqualified success.

THERE’S no doubt now that the country’s hosting of the 30th edition of the Southeast Asian Games (SEAG) from November 30 to December 11, 2019 was an unqualified success. Credit for this should go to the Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee (PHISGOC), headed by Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano, that took care of the planning and actual supervision of the games held in various venues. In fact, Wei Jizhong, vice president of the Olympic Council of Asia, lauded the Philippines for its hosting of the

SEAG, saying that the country can definitely host “bigger scale” events after seeing with his own two eyes how the SEA Games unfolded.

PHISGOC demonstrated to all and sundry that it was capable of holding a big event such as the SEAG. The regional sports competition drew a total of 5,630 athletes from 11 countries who took part in 529 events in 56 sports in different venues, such as

the New Clark City Sports Complex, where the swimming and track and field events were held. The fully equipped, state-of-the-art facilities in the sports complex impressed foreign guests and participants alike.

Beyond the impressive opening ceremony at the Philippine Arena in Bulacan and the dazzling closing rites at the New Clark City in Tarlac, what the sports event also underscored was the consistent quest for excellence by our athletes, allowing the Philippines to emerge as the overall champion, winning 149 gold, 117 silver and 121 bronze, for a total of 387 medals.

Apart from this, our impressive hosting of the 30th SEAG also served to highlight the country’s new status as one of Asia’s fastest-growing Turn to A5

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

MEMBER

PPI

Philippine Press Institute The National Association of Philippine Newspapers

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

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 General preys on GMA 7 reporter

JUST as the Philippine National Police is trying to salvage its wretched image, coming off the shameful “ninja cops” scandal, the PNP’s Metro Manila regional chief P/Brig. Gen. Debold Sinas appears determined to ruin it altogether for the country’s 29-year-old law enforcement organization.

Sinas reportedly attacked a female GMA7 television newscaster who tried to interview him during the course of the ocular at the Quirino Grandstand, Rizal Park, the starting site of the Traslacion this coming January. The reporter was among the group of PNP beat reporters invited to accompany ranking PNP officials to the event last Friday.

The first time she tried to get a sound byte of Sinas, the official stopped her from talking by arrogantly placing his hand on her mouth and saying, “Mamaya ka na (I’ll get to you later.).”

Minutes later, the reporter approached the official again. Instead of responding to her, the NCRPO chief went ballistic and grabbed her by the face, forcibly shoving his hand over her mouth, almost suffocating her. And then Sinas blurted, “Di ba sabi ko sa iyo mamaya na (Didn’t I tell you we’ll talk later?).”

Having been extremely embarrassed

and humiliated, the GMA 7 news reporter abruptly left with her crew.

This incident has prompted widespread protests from the media sector led by the National Press Club, the oldest professional organization of journalists in the country. In a statement, NPC Vice President Paul Gutierrez, condemned Sinas’ criminal behavior that constitute “abuse of a woman,” a conduct unbecoming of a public official.

The incident is the latest in a series of “anti-media” action Sinas has figured in since he was designated NCRPO chief by PNP Officer-in-Charge General Archie Gamboa.

Apparently, he does not seem able to process the fact that he has landed the juicy NCRPO’s top post in a shakeup, a public relations move in the wake of the PNP’s most disgraceful scandal that cost the career and post of the most recent PNP Chief, retired General Oscar Albayalde.

Small wonder that the crime incidence in Metro Manila has risen, highlighted by kidnaping for ransom activities by Chinese mafia and their local cohort.

Illegal drugs trafficking are rampant, illegal gambling and prostitution, particularly in Quezon City where Sinas chose to hold a “satellite office,” are now widespread in the nation’s capital region.

The reporter has declined further public comment on her traumatic experience in the hand of this official,

Father...

From A4

Aquino’s biggest campaign contributor, Salvador “Buddy” Zamora, one of the three wealthy Zamora brothers, to buy into the MRT 7 project. But, my gulay, it seemed that the money of Zamora was not enough to convince the Aquino administration to approve the project.

It was at this time, close to the end of the Aquino administration, that Ramon S. Ang of San Miguel saw the potential of MRT 7 such that he bought out Buddy Zamora to finally finance and build the MRT7.

Having succeeded in building an expressway from Tarlac all the way to Pangasinan and this year to La Union, Ang believed that the MRT 7 project was both viable and doable.

Now the MRT 7 is no longer a dream but a reality. Ang is now even planning to extend the project all the way to Bocaue, Bulacan.

As for his TPLex project, my gulay, Ang is now even planning to extend it to Ilocos Sur. Unfortunately, Levin, after living in the Philippines for almost 50 years, died last year. At least he succeeded in realizing his vision to put up rail transits here in the Philippines. If there is anyone who can claim to be the Father of Philippine railway transit system, it would be Eli. *** There is a new phenomenon happening here. This is

SEA...

From A4

economies, as it now moving inexorably toward upper middle-income status in the years ahead.

For the PHISGOC chair, the Philippines was a winner not only in the Games, but also in what it meant for the economy.

“Not only did we win in the SEA Games, the economy also won.” Preliminary estimates indicate that the Games generated no less than P1 billion in tourism revenues.

While the entire country rooted for our athletes and lent moral support to Team Philippines in various sports disciplines, it appears that some members of the Senate are bent on carrying out an investigation of alleged corruption

by PHISGOC. Cayetano himself broke protocol in November to appear before the Senate and answer all concerns raised by senators about PHISGOC. If the Senate insists on conducting a probe, Cayetano has already said that PHISGOC has nothing to hide. He has even welcomed separate investigations by the Office of the Ombudsman and the Commission on Audit.

While it is true that there were minor glitches before the official start of the games, PHISGOC was able to pull off a spectacular opening ceremony. This event no doubt inspired all the athletes to give their all in breaking records and bringing honor and prestige to their respective countries. At the same time, it reflected the gains made by the country in sports development.

In his remarks at the closing ceremony, Cayetano heaped

Do right...

From A4

evaluations of new players into the pilot program.

The repeated exclusion of consumers, advocacy groups and other stakeholders from the TWG meetings shows a lack of transparency and an active effort to deny inclusion of civil society and to fully represent the public interest.

The TWG has made major decisions and even

pending an inquiry of the incident by GMA network.

“Sinas may have an attitude problem.

To my recollection, he’s the only chief who has ever acted this way against us,” Gutierrez said.

Sinas got off to a bad start when he unceremoniously threw out the NCRPO press corps from their long-time press office in QCPD station on EDSA, Kamuning.

The official has also publicly defended a group of his men who were caught actually trying to smuggle contrabands, including cellphones and cigarettes, into the New Bilibid Prison allegedly intended for imprisoned druglords.

We wonder whatever happened to the investigation on that case.

Lately, NCRPO beat reporters said the officials refuse to be transparent, unilaterally shutting down the reporters’ Viber group. So, what is Sinas trying to hide this time?

The NCRPO public information office, in a statement, justified Sinas’ actions, saying that the TV reporter unduly “butted in” during the official’s conversation with Quiapo Parish priest Msgr. Hernando Coronel.

Next thing you know, the NCRPO chief’s office would be justifying the rise of crime incidence, kidnaping-forransom, illegal drugs trafficking and illegal gambling in Metro Manila.

I hope the President realizes that Sinas is a liability to his administration.

the case of imported Chinese criminals who have come as tourists and foreign workers in the more than 100 POGOs here. They victimize their fellow nationals in kidnapping-forransom schemes.

There are real criminal syndicates from the Chinese mainland who somehow manage to bring in Chinese prostitutes to cater to Chinese clientele. Just how they do it is something to wonder about. Santa Banana, either the Bureau of Immigration personnel are in on it, or the Chinese criminal syndicates are just too clever that they get away with it.

I have two questions: First, why have these criminals from the Chinese mainland made the Philippines their playground?

Second, why have they prospered?

I asked some of my Chinese-Filipino friends. It appears that the Chinese syndicates believe they can get away with it because the perception among these mainlanders is that Filipino law enforcers are easily bribed. It could also be that law enforcers neither care nor mind.

This does not speak well of Filipinos. This means our image is not good.

Let’s go back to what has been happening with President Duterte’s pivot to China, and the relaxation of visas for the Chinese who enter the Philippines as tourists, with the visaupon-arrival policy.

We may not realize it, but the presence of POGOs—with hundreds of them not paying taxes because they are operating illegally—have contributed to the presence of criminal syndicates nationwide.

praise on Filipino surfer Roger Casogay: “When we went after the gold, we did it with all our hearts. But we didn’t allow the glitter of the gold to blind us….When an athlete’s life was at risk, it was clear to Roger Casogay what was more important than the gold.”

Cayetano commended Casogay for not thinking twice in giving up his chance to win a gold medal, and helped instead a fellow competitor, Indonesian Arip Nurhidayat, who was injured and swept by strong waves during the surfing competition in La Union. Casogay later won the gold in the longboard event.

Casogay was also lauded by Indonesian president Joko Widodo, who said: “Winning the competition and upholding sportsmanship is important, but humanity is above all. My appreciation to Roger Casogay, a Filipino surfer who gave up the golden opportunity to help an Indonesian athlete who fell in the race. Greetings from Indonesia.”

Cayetano also told the mammoth crowd at the closing ceremony that following the Philippines’ impressive hosting of the SEA Games, the government will help fellow ASEAN member Vietnam organize the next one.

“We will help them. They are our brothers,” Cayetano said.

“We’re happy that this is the best SEA Games ever, but we’ll support the next host... to have an even better SEA Games,” he added.

A fitting end to the 30th SEA Games, we think, and a clear lesson in magnanimity that our own athletes should keep in mind when they wear the country’s colors in future SEA Games editions.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2019

A5

Cardinal Chito’s evangelists I can live with that, if the rest of the Islamic world—as most of it already does—follows the peaceable example of our Muslim brethren in the Philippines. The FIRST off, our warmest headlines understandably gravitate congratulations and best wishes to the noisy, even violent minority to our outgoing archbishop in whatever community we might of Manila, H.E. Luis Antonio be talking about. But here in our Cardinal “Chito” Tagle, who’s country—if we take away fractious been asked by the Holy Father economic issues like land disputes to take over the Congregation with Christian settlers in Mindanao for the Evangelization of and, more recently, the incursion Peoples (formerly known as the of international jihadists from Congregation for the Propagation wars they’re losing in the Middle East—absent these provocations, of the Faith).

I’ve been told by a friend that his there really is nothing standing mandate really only covers Asia between two major religions of peace. and Africa, I was which are ref o r c e f u lly garded as not r e m i n d ed yet majorWill this be a stepping of this by ity Catholic stone for the fi rst-ever a radio and therefore interview I Filipino Papacy? the appropriattended in ate focus of Tawi Tawi, evangelizain the course tion. This of of DILG’s course is a ongoing roadshow all over the product of the historical Euro-cencountry on behalf of Constitutional tricity of the faith, which by now is unfortunately no longer supported reforms. The lady DJ, Sister by the realities on the ground in Dayang Baby Lyn, was decorously the West: prevalent godlessness, dressed in a black nitab, showing moral relativism, and the reign of only her expressive eyes. But her proscribed practices like abortion, desk was lit up by a huge Christmas same-sex unions, and gender de- wreath, and the studio wall posters included one proudly announcing nial.

By comparison, the African their affiliation with CMN, the Church, though still relatively Catholic Media Network.

The station’s name is DXGD, small, is vibrant and fast-growing, which I suspect is simply how as dynamic as the underlying some conservatives prefer to demographics of that longspell the Divine name, G_D, so neglected continent. As for Asia, it isn’t fully articulated. Much it’s only the Philippines, together with the much smaller (and by of what the two religions share now bemedaled) Timor Leste, deserves to articulated more that’s home to a Catholic majority, forcefully, especially as the thanks to their respective Iberian fledgling Bangsamoro autonomous region feels its way forward. In heritages.

The diaspora of Filipinos has this season of peace, as Cardinal expectedly produced a wealth Chito packs his bags for a new of informal missionaries: in the assignment abroad, here’s hoping hospitals of Filipina nurses, the that all of us—whether we believe work camps of Filipino engineers in Him or not—will be comforted and technicians, the private and inspired by the message of the homes that employ Filipina Man of Peace. *** caretakers. This is a natural corps In the Advent run-up to of evangelists that is ready to be the Nativity, today’s Gospel systematized, supervised, and (Matthew 1: 1-17) simply sets funded by someone like Cardinal out the genealogy of Jesus, from Chito, perhaps after his mandate is redefined to include the newly Abraham—acknowledged as the father of the three great religions heathen regions of the world.

Will this be a stepping stone to come out of the Middle East— for the first-ever Filipino Papacy? down to Jesus Himself, a total of Obviously a lot of us are, and forty-two generations.

It is a dry accounting, so one should be, rooting for Tagle. But I suspect that the good cardinal will must turn to the first reading (Gn simply focus on the job at hand, 49: 2, 8-10) to understand the expanding—the Church’s—reach significance of Jesus’ lineage. while—hopefully also—shoring up Abraham’s grandson was Jacob, its influence in traditional bastions. and it was from Judah, one of At the end of the day, what could Jacob’s twelve children, that the be a better path to St Peter’s Seat royal Davidic line began. It is evident that Judah was one of the— than that? if not the only—favorite sons, of *** It’s not clear to me why my whom the book says: “The scepter friend didn’t mention the Middle shall never depart from Judah, or East as under the congregation’s the mace from between his feet, purview. Perhaps that region is until tribute comes to him, and he already included with Africa. But receives the people’s obedience.”

This is what Cardinal Chito’s even if it were being excluded, that mission is all about: gathering in would be perfectly understandable, people to the heavenly kingdom in view of the entrenchment there as well as the prevalence of non- on earth established by the Son of Catholics among the Christian Man. minority. To put it bluntly, the Readers can write me at gbolicost-benefit calculation might not var1952@yahoo.com. be acceptable.

ernhil@yahoo.com

allowed the expansion of the pilot program to other motorcycle taxi applications without genuine consultation. These are decisions that should not be kept from the public.

In line with this, we respectfully urge Congress, both the Senate Committee on Public Services under the chairpersonship of Senator Grace Poe, and the House of Representative Committee on Transportation under the chairpersonship of Rep. Edgar Mary S. Sarmiento to conduct a committee hearing to update the riding public and other

stakeholders on the discussions and concessions made during the TWG. The public hearing will be a positive step toward legislatively addressing the issue of motorcycle taxis, address questions of transparency in the processes, and will provide information to the public of the planned expansion of the pilot currently being run by DOTr. Due to the urgent nature of the issue, we request that this issue be addressed in the soonest possible period.”

Personally, I am not against having more companies provide the essential service of motorcycle taxis. Competition is a good thing, But we must do this right. If safety concerns are not addressed properly, there will be a backlash on this mode of transportation and we will all suffer because of that.

Let’s do right with motorcycle taxis because that is doing the right by the riding public.

Facebook: Dean Tony La Vina Twitter: tonylavs

A6

News

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2019

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

BI intercepts Canada-bound HK nationals with fake papers

By Vito Barcelo IMMIGRATION officers intercepted two Chinese and two Hongkong nationals who tried to leave for Canada with fraudulent travel documents at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

BI port operations chief Grifton Medina said the four aliens were caught at the NAIA Terminal 2 after they arrived aboard a Philippine Airlines flight from Hongkong.

Medina said the foreigners attempt were foiled when airline personnel who doubted their documents referred them to the BI’s travel control and enforcement unit for questioning.

According to BI-TCEU chief Ma. Timotea Barizo, two of the passengers, Hongkong nationals identified as Lam Mik Ho and Mak Hin Chun Adrian, were transiting in Manila, and were supposed to board their connecting flight to Toronto, Canada.

The two checked in with the airline's transfer desk upon landing, but airline representatives were surprised when two others, who were later identified as Chinese nationals Chen Kaihui and He Chaorong, presented Hong Kong passports bearing Lam and Mak's names.

"There were two sets of Lam and Maks who wanted to transit to Canada, both sets carrying the same documents," Barizo said Upon forensic document examination, it was discovered that Chen and He presented fake Hong Kong passports, and merely assumed the identities. Chinese passports were later discovered in their possession.

Canadian authorities likewise canceled the electronic travel authorization issued to Lam and Mak due to misrepresentation.

“These undesirable aliens should be banned from entering our country. They have no right to use the Philippines as a jump off point to enter other countries illegally. Let this serve as a warning. You will be caught,” Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente said.

The four were immediately sent back to Hong Kong and were barred from reentering the Philippines.

PNP to acquire new assault rifles T

HE Philippine National Police is set to acquire 17,048 new units of 5.56m Basic Assault Rifle amounting to P712,927,360 sourced from the 2019 General Appropriations Act, PNP officer-in-charge.

PNP officer-in-charge, Lt. Gen. Archie Gamboa on Monday said he had already signed the Implementing Arrangement with IMOD East Asia Regional Director Nuni Sella on December 11 for the procurement of the rifles from the Israel Weapons Industries, one of the leading arms manufacturers in the world.

The PNP National Headquarters Bids and Awards Committee has entered into a collaboration with the Israel Ministry of Defense through the ‘Government to Government’ mode of acquisition.

“The procurement through G2G was not an easy undertaking. We initiated this undertaking through various discussions and coordination with the Department of the Interior and Local Government, Department of National Defense, and Department of Foreign Affairs, the historical procurement was

given birth,” said Gamboa who used to chair the National Headquarters-Bids and Awards Committees.

Gamboa cited the Basic Assault Rifle has a price of only P41,820, which is much lower than the price per unit obtained through public bidding.

In a letter from DND dated March 18, the defense department said “the MOU is an executive agreement ratified by the President, it is applicable and may be utilized by the PNP for its procurement on a G2G arrangement with IMOD for which this Department fully support and recommend.”

To fully exercise the said accord, the PNP through the Procurement Management Committee and the PNP NHQ Bids and Awards Committee, has conducted market study and several deliberations on the latest procurement of Basic Assault Rifle and Light Machine Gun conducted

through by the PNP NHQ BAC Public Bidding. The study and determinations of the PNP NHQ BAC included the procurements conducted by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency.

Based from curated records, PDEA through public bidding has procured 600 units Galil Ace (Basic Assault Rifle) from IWI for a unit price of around PHP168,000.

In 2017, the PNP NHQ BAC through public bidding has procured 8,170 units of Basic Assault Rifle for a price per unit of P87,995.

Similarly in 2017, the NP NHQ BAC through Public Bidding has procured 698 units of Basic Assault Rifle for a price per unit of P82,000.

In 2018, the PNP through Public Bidding has procured 7,700 units of Galil Ace for IWI from a price per unit of P46,999.

In 2019, the PNP has procured 5,767 units Basic Assault Rifle for the same price of P46,999.

“These procurement projects were done through Competitive Public Bidding, and these projects passed the very

Consumers told to stop buying unsafe toys

BODY ARMOR.

Police Lt. Gen. Archie Gamboa, PNP officerin-charge fields questions during a Senate public hearing on Senate Bill No. 85—an Act requiring and regulating the use of wearable body cameras and dashboard cameras for law enforcement officers in the course of conducting a search or making an arrest.

Lino Santos

By Joel E. Zurbano

PNP targets zero incident of indiscriminate firing THE Philippine National Police on Monday said it aims to achieve zero-indiscriminate firing incidents as it announced that masking tapes won't be seen in the muzzles of police officers' guns for the Christmas and New Year revelries.

“Our ultimate target is to reduce the 33 incidents of indiscriminate firing and 12 cases of stray bullet injuries last year to zero this Christmas season,” PNP Deputy Chief for Operations, Lt. Gen. Camilo Pancratius Cascolan told reporters in a press briefing in Camp Crame.

Cascolan said the decision to do away with the practice of taping gun muzzles aims to prove police officers are responsible enough.

“During the previous years, [I think] no police officer has fired his gun or has been involved in indiscriminate firing during the holiday revelry," he said in Filipino.

The PNP stopped the practice of holidays back in 2016, under then top cop

Ronald dela Rosa.

Cascolan, however, said a one-strike policy will apply to all police commanders and chiefs of police who will fail to take appropriate action on cases of indiscriminate firing by their personnel within 24 hours.

This means the police commanders and chiefs of police will immediately be relieved even if only one of their personnel is caught involved in indiscriminate firing.

Cascolan also urged police commanders to intensify community partnerships in order to identify people in the barangay who possess loose firearms.

He said that in most cases, unlicensed guns are the ones being used in indiscriminate firing.

Cascolan said the same policy applies to communist rebel attacks with the expected escalation of attacks ahead of the founding anniversary of the Communist

Party of the Philippines on Dec. 26.

The CPP anniversary usually comes with rebel attacks on government forces.

Cascolan said the implementation of the one-strike policy would compel police commanders to intensify the security measures in their respective areas of jurisdiction.

"They should know what is going on in the communities under them in order to avert incidents like these," Cascolan said.

He cited a case in 2017 wherein a police station was caught off guard during a rebel attack. During the probe, it was found out that the rebels have been holed up in the houses near the police station a few days before the attack.

Cascolan said PNP officer-in-charge, Lt. Gen. Archie Gamboa has ordered all police units in Luzon and Visayas on full alert status effective Sunday for the entire holiday season until Jan. 5, 2020.

The full alert means the highest level of readiness in all police officers and units in

Luzon and Visayas.

“When we are on full alert, 50-50, 50 percent will have to be on duty, 50 percent will have to be on holiday season. If they are called for considering there is an emergency that arises everybody should report to their units,” Cascolan added.

Through the PNP Command Memorandum Circular “Paskuhan 2019’, 69,335 PNP personnel backed by 157,264 force multipliers would be deployed across the country for law enforcement and public safety operations.

Cascolan said “Paskuhan 2019” will also address law enforcement issues on illegal firecrackers and the dangerous practice of celebratory gunfire in the holiday revelry.

He specifically instructed field unit commanders to deploy mobile patrol units with blinkers turned on to visibly establish police presence but not necessarily create undue alarm to the public. PNA

Navy extends help in flood-hit areas THE Philippine Navy, through its Naval Forces Northern Luzon, will deploy all of its available resources to aid thousands of families in Isabela and Cagayan displaced by massive flooding.

In a statement Sunday, PN public affairs office chief Lt. Commander Maria Christina Roxas said humanitarian assistance and disaster relief missions will be conducted by NFNL units based in Naval Base Camilo Osias in San Vicente, Cagayan.

“Several areas in Isabela and Cagayan were put under a state of calamity because of the damages the flooding has brought to this part of the country.

PN personnel and assets are now ready to be deployed to provide humanitarian assistance and disaster response in some of the areas affected by this calamity,” she added The Navy official said this is a commitment of the PN to relieve the suffering of these disaster-stricken Filipino families.

For those who would like to donate, Roxas said these groups or individuals can directly coordinate with the Naval Operation Center at (02) 524-4981 and Manila 0917 8045092 and Civil-Military Operation Group, PN at (02) 524-2061 Standard loc 6133 and 09053926359/ 09206860377 and NFNL, NF3-09774596931/ TODAY NF7-09171230067.

Their donations will be transported by available logistic naval vessels, she added. PNA

LEGAL NOTICE Notice is hereby given to the public that an ExtraJudicial Settlement has been executed by the heirs of the late Pablo Caig Cueto, namely, Mercedita B. Cueto, Maria Agnes T. Cueto, and Maria Belinda Cueto Buenaventura, all of legal age, over personal and real properties, per deed executed on 24 November 2019, before Notary Public Atty. Rosalinda A. Montenegro per Doc. No. 241; Page No. 47; Book No. 27; Series of 2019

(MS-DEC. 3/10/17, 2019)

ENVIRONMENTALIST group Ecowaste Coalition on Monday urged consumers to refrain from purchasing improperly labeled and unsafe toys this holiday season.

The group’s latest toy safety reminder came on the heels of a recent advisory by the Food and Drug Administration saying that toys and child care articles lacking the required labeling information are deemed misbranded or banned hazardous substances and shall not be allowed to be distributed or sold in the market.

“To protect vulnerable children against hazardous toys, and to encourage industrywide compliance to toy safety standards and labeling regulations, we advise consumers to pick toys that are compliant to what the law requires. Stronger consumer demand for adequately labeled safe toys will compel toy manufacturers, importers, distributors and retailers to abide by the law, or lose customers and profits,” said Ecowaste chemical safety campaigner Thony Dizon.

Based on FDA Advisory No. 2019486, TCCAs are considered “misbranded” or “banned hazardous substances” if the following information are not duly indicated on the label: 1) License to Operate number issued by FDA; 2) age grading; 3) cautionary statement/warnings; 4) instructional literature; 5) manufacturer’s markings (name and address of the local company); and 5) item model /stock keeping unit (SKU) number.

The advisory is in line with Republic Act 10620, or the Toy and Game Safety Labeling Act of 2013, which seeks to protect children against potential hazards to their health and safety by requiring special labeling of toys and games.

“As children are prone to various environmental and health risks, we urge toy givers to watch out for toys in the market that may expose a child to harmful chemicals or cause choking, skin cuts and abrasions, strangulation and injuries to the eyes and ears,” Dizon said.

Village chief, tanod killed in N. Ecija

By Ferdie Domingo TALAVERA, NUEVA ECIJA—Despite the Launching of “Patrolya ng Bayan” campaign of the Nueva Ecija Provincial Police Office two days ago, a 45 year-old three-term Barangay Captain and a Bantay Bayan personnel were shot to death at close range by riding in tandem uspects while on their way home in Barangay Dimasalang Sur on Sunday.

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK Police Lt. Col. Alexie Dimasito, police station commander, identified the victims as TRAGEDY. Motorcycles are shown lying on their side after a nine-vehicle smashup that Christopher Antonio y Bondoc, 45 years old, resulted in the death of four persons and injury to five others in Barangay Biñang 1st, Bocaue, married, Barangay Captain and a resident of Bulacan on Monday, Dec. 16. Three of the victims died on the spot while the other passed away Barangay Dimasalang Sur, Talavera, Nueva while undergoing treatment at a hospital in Bocaue. Bocaue PNP Photo Ecija and Rey Dela Cruz y Enriquez, 55 years old, single, Barangay Tanod and a resident of same Barangay. The victims were rushed to Talavera Geneal Hospital but were pronounced dead on arrival by attending physicians. The victims suffered multiple gunshot wounds from an unknown caliber also provide them few days of interval to facili- calamities,” Salceda said. in different parts of their bodies.

The leave shall be made available upon the dectate the recovery, relief, and a chance to rebuild Dimasito said the the shooting incident their homes from the ground up and take care of laration of calamity by the President of the Philiptook place at around 5:05 after the victims pines or by any local legislative council. their families. were about to board a blue Kawasaki BaHowever, in case of a specific area was not deUnder the bill, every employee who has renjaj CT100 “Kolong Kolong”with license dered at least six months of service shall be entitled clared under a state of calamity but was nonetheless plate number IV-6843 when a lone gunto a two-day special emergency leave each year, severely affected by the natural calamity or disaster, man on board a black and green Yamaha with pay, in times of natural calamities or disasters. the head of the office or employer in his or her own 2019 MIO Motorcycle of unknown plate “This is to give them the time to recharge and sound discretion may grant the special emergency number overtook the victims’ vehicle and have their daily activities planned so they can leave to affected employees based on proof presentshot them several times. move forward after facing the harsh reality of ed or news account. PNA

Salceda files House bill granting workers 2-day calamity leave A BILL seeking to grant a two-day special emergency leave for all workers in the public and private sector directly affected by natural calamities has been filed at the House of Representatives.

Albay Rep. Joey Salceda filed on Dec. 10 House Bill 5775, otherwise known as the proposed “Calamity Leave Law.” A copy of the bill was sent to the media on Monday.

Salceda said the bill aims not only to provide help to Filipinos before and after a calamity, but

rigid and strict post-qualification procedures, test and evaluation, and acceptance requirements of the PNP,” Gamboa said.

He also noted the G2G mode of procurement has laid the path for the PNP to procure Basic Assault Rifle of the same superior quality for a price per unit of P41,000 only, far lower than the price per unit obtained through public bidding.

“Aside from its firm legal anchorage and transparency, backed up by intelligent market research, the Government-to-Government mode of procurement truly is transparent, corrupt-free and beneficial to the government,” he said.

The weaponry of the PNP is even made more superior and standardized through G2G as part of the continuing effort of the PNP leadership and the national government to enhance the firepower, mobility, and tactical capabilities of PNP operating units to serve and protect the Filipino people, Gamboa noted. PNA

Sports SEAG gold medalists banner PPS Dagitab cast SEA Games men’s doubles gold medalists Jeson Patrombon and Casey Alcantara bring their winning act to Cebu as they headline the elite cast clashing for top honors in the PPS-PEPP Dagitab Festival Open firing off today (Tuesday) at the City of Naga Tennis courts.

Mark Alcoseba, member of the winning soft tennis team in the recent biennial Games, is also in the fold, firming up the 64-player cast which also features top seed and multi-titled Johnny Arcilla and regular Open campaigners and third seed Vicente Anasta, Fritz Verdad, Leander Lazaro, Rodolfo Barquin Jr., Roel Capampangan and Arthur Pantino.

The second-ranked Patrombon and No. 4 Alcantara held off Treat Huey and Ruben Gonzales Jr. in an all-Filipino finale in the men’s doubles in the SEAG at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center with both raring to go for individual honors this time along with the rest of the crack field ready to vie for the top P40,000 purse in the event hosted by the City of Naga headed by Mayor Valdemar Chiong.

Alcoseba, on the other hand, teamed up with the likes of Mikoff Manduriao, Joseph Arcilla, Dheo Talatayod, Kevin Mamawal and Noel Damian Jr. to beat the Thailand side and deliver the third gold in soft tennis for the hosts.

Meanwhile, the Group I juniors division actually kicked off the annual event presented by Dunlop and put up by Palawan Pawnshop-Palawan Express Pera Padala through president/CEO Bobby Castro as part of its long running talentsearch. It kicked off weekend as part of the province’s Dagitab Festival celebrations with competitions in Legends category spicing up the tournament in the 40s men’s singles, and the 30s, 40s and 50s men’s doubles.

For details, contact PPS-PEPP Sports Program Development director Bobby Mangunay at 0915-4046464.

Others vying in the Open singles are rising young star John David Velez along with Jeremiah Necias III, Norman Enriquez and Allen Manlangit.

Velez is also competing in the junior division along with local bets Venz Alforque, Eric Longakit, Mitch Largo and Vincent Canete while Bliss Bayking headlines the girls’ roster that includes Mia Gemida, Claire Nocos, Hazel Coderos and siblings Khymberly and Ashley McKenzie.

PSA Forum tackles SEAG

A POST 30th Southeast Asian Games discussion along with the country’s newly crowned world boxing champion make up the final session of the Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum for the year 2019 at the Amelie Hotel-Manila.

Philippine Sports Institute National Training Director Marc Velasco and Philippine Sports Commission Executive Director Atty. Guillermo Iroy will be talking about the country’s recent campaign in the SEA Games in which the Philippines regained the overall championship after 14 years.

The two represents Team PH Chef De Mission and PSC Chairman William ‘Butch’ Ramirez in the weekly forum presented by San Miguel Corp., Braska Restaurant, Amelie Hotel, and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation.

Sharing centerstage with them is new World Boxing Organization bantamweight champion Johnriel Casimero and Manny Pacquiao Promotions President Sean Gibbons.

A7

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2019 sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

Pasay fetes SEA Games champs

By Peter Atencio

D

OUBLE gold medallist sailor Whok Dimapilis is expected to get a total cash windfall of at least P800,000.

His added incentive of P200,000 came from the Pasay City government after the Mayor Emi Calixto-Rubiano and members of the council decided to hand out cash bonuses to the medallists of the recent 30th Southeast Asian Games.

The 27-year-old Dimapilis’ earnings came after he and a six-member crew won two gold medals in the FE28ER match and fleet racing events of the bien-

nial meet’s sailing event at the Subic Bay Yacht Club.

Because of his blessings, Dimapilis said he will be able to finally have a new house in Cavite that he bought for his wife and kid renovated.

“Hindi ko pa masyadong naiisip.

Pero may nakaplano na. Balak kong ipagawa ang bahay ko na under renovation na para sa asawa at anak ko,” said Dimapilis, who did not expect the Pasay City government to give him and his fellow Pasayeno athletes recognition.

Dimapilis resides in the FB Harrison area.

The crew that won the two golds in sailing was captained by Joel Mejarito and composed of Ridgely Balladares, Rubin Cruz Jr.,Dimapilis, Richly Mag-

sanay, and Edgar Villapena.

“Natuwa ako dahil ‘di lang sila nagbigay ng honor sa Pasay City, kungdi sa buong Pilipinas,” said Mayor CalixtoRubiano during awards rites held for six Pasay City athletes who won medals during the biennial meet.

The Philippines won three golds in sailing after Emerson Villena and Troy Tayong ruled the men’s international 470 event.

Another Pasay resident Colleen Jem Ferrer, with teammate Gie Boyano, took a silver in the international 420.

Athletes of Pasay City brought home a total of three golds, one silver and two bronzes for the Philippines.

The other athletes who were honored were Jeddah Soriano (women’s arnis) and John Bobier (sepak takraw),

who are from Villamor Air Base and P. Villanueva, respectively.

Also feted were judo bronze winner Jeanalane Lopez and Joshua Bullo (sepak takraw).

More incentives are coming from the Philippine Olympic Committee, which got the commitment of San Miguel Corporation.

The POC will give out P200K for every individual gold medalist, aside from P50,000 for a silver and P30,000 for a bronze.

And it will happen in ceremonies that will held today at the Conrad Hotel in Pasay City.

The Games yielded 149 gold medals, 117 silver and 121 bronze for the host country, thereby giving the Philippines the over-all championship.

Ambassador Francis Chua

Shown here are (from left) sailor Whok Dimapilis, Mayor Emi Calixto-Rubiano, sepak takraw gold medallist John Bobier, arnis gold medallist Jeddah Soriano and judo bronze winner Jeanalane Lopez.

Wakeboarders try to make waves in world tilt ONE of the sports that quietly delivered and contributed to the success of Team Philippines in the 30th SEA Games was wakeboarding.

Little has been heard from this sport during the magical 12 days of the biennial meet but wakeboarding netted two gold, two silver and two bonze medals in what could be its most productive showing in years.

Winning two of five golds contested at the Deca Wakepark Clark were

Jhondi Wallace (men’s wakeskating) andSusan Larsson (women’s skating), while settling for silvers were Samantha Bermudez (wakeboarding) and Raphael Trinidad (wakeboarding).

The two bronzes were produced

by Ralph Villaro (wakeboarding) and Christian Joson (wakeskating).

“This has been our strongest showing yet in the biennial meet as the Thais and Indons dominated the previous tournaments. But we trained so hard for this

SEA Games and we glad we delivered,” said Bermudez. “And we are forever thankful to our competition manager JV Tanjangco and coaches Carlo Dela Torre, Carive Rodriguez and Andrea Tanjangco for our success.”

The two other golds were won by Thailand while Indonesia got one.

With its SEA Games success, the team is looking to make waves in the Cablepark World Championships inThailand next year.

Members of the PH wakeboarding team that produced 2-2-2 medals in the 30th SEA Games pose during the closing rites at Deca Wakepark Clark.

Cebuana...

From A1

BILLIARDS CHAMP. Billiard amateur player Che Guillermo Friera receives the championship trophy and the P10,000 cash prize from businessman Jojo Lobiano (left) after winning (Class B) the First Chairman (District 5) and Friends Billiard Tournament held recently at the Barako House in Malate, Manila. They are joined by tournament organizer Cesar Bobet Fiel Jr. (right). Sponsors of the event are Baydragon Shipping Agency Corp. and Barako House.

Memorial Stadium in Malate, Manila.

“Sir Jean’s done such a great job supporting Ruben and I. We couldn’t have achieved so many of the things we have done without his support. He has done so much for Philippine tennis. In fact, we have progressed as players because of him and we are thankful to him and Cebuana Lhuillier for that,” said worldranked tennis player Huey.

Lhuillier is also a staunch supporter of two-time Olympian swimmer Jasmine Alkhaldi, who raked in six bronze medals and two silver medals in the SEA Games’ various team and individual swimming events at the New Clark City Aquatics Stadium in Capas, Tarlac.

“To Cebuana and most especially to Sir Jean Lhuillier, thank you so much for all the support. I wouldn’t be here without your help and I will try my best each and every day to make you guys proud,” said Alkhaldi.

Cebuana Lhuillier athletes and coaching staff were given cash incentives as a reward for their hard work and valuable contribution to the country and the Philippine sports.

Lhuillier, through Cebuana Lhuillier Sports, will continue his sports advocacy by sustaining programs that support the national teams of softball and tennis and developing grassroots programs by continuously discovering and training fresh local talents all over the country.

Ambassador backs PISSA for 18th Gymnasiade

By Graham C. Lim PHILIPPINE Inter-School Sport Association President Alvin Tai Lian has designated Ambassador Francis Chua, a businessman-philanthropist, to be the Team Leader of the Athletics team to the 18th Gymnasiade to be held in Jinjiang City in Fujian, China in October 2020.

A former president of the Federation of Filipino Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industries Inc. , Chua accepted the position on the persistence of Angel Ngu, President of the Federation of School Sports Association of the Philippines.

Tai was very thankful that Ngu was able to convince Chua to join the Philippine delegation to the 18th Gymnasiade 2020, also known as the 18th School Summer Games 2020.

The Gymnasiade 2020 competitions, held every two years, will have 18 disciplines. These are Athletics, Archery, Badminton, Basketball, Chess, Diving, Fencing, Football, Aerobic Gymnastics, Artistic Gymnastics, Rhythmic Gymnastics, Judo, Swimming, Table Tennis, Taekwondo, Wrestliing, Wushu, and Jump Rope.

Tai said the PISSA intends to participate in 14 of the 18 sports events.

He expressed gratitude to Yang Hua Hong, the Chair and Chief Executive Officer of the Yatai International Corporation, which manufactures the popular OMNI Electrical and Lighting products.

Yatai International Corporation was the first corporate sponsor to partner with the PISSA in its participation in the 18th Gymnasiade.

As Head of the Delegaton to the 18th Gymnasiade, Tai was also delighted that Ngu accepted the appointment as the Philippines’ Flag Bearer to the Gymnasiade in October next year.

The PISSA is officially recognized by the International School Sport Federation, the global body that sanctions the 18th Gymnasiade 2020.

The Jinjiang Gymnasiade Sports Center will be the site of the event’s opening ceremonies on October 20 and the closing ceremonies on October 23.

PISSA Secretary General Joseph Amparo Sy is calling for a PISSA Executive Board meeting next week to discuss the division of work of the different working committees that will oversee the qualifying tournaments.

The PISSA Executive Board is composed of Felix Tiukinhoy (Vice President), Robert Milton Calo (Vice President), Ann Janeth Garcia (Deputy Secretary General), Cecil Sarmiento (Treasurer), Gladys Sia (Assistant Treasurer), Sean Elijah Siy (Wushu), Edgar Galeno (Swimming), Antonio Quiza, Fructuso Raytos, Raquel Padilla Lim (Special Projects), JC Clarito (Badminton), and Kert Bryan Ocampo (Tennis).

Sports

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

sports@manilastandard.net

sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

A8

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2019

Cebuana Lhuillier athletes lauded CEBUANA Lhuillier Sports athletes showed their true mettle against their foreign counterparts after winning a combined number of two gold, three silver, and six bronze medals in softball, tennis, and swimming in the recent 30th Southeast Asian Games.

“The impressive wins of our athletes is a testament to the grit and talent of the Filipino people. Their world-class performance deserves our patronage and support. I am very proud to be part of their journey and I call on others to rally behind them to bring honor and pride to our country,” said Cebuana Lhuillier president Jean Henri Lhuillier, who also sits as president of Amateur Softball Association of the Philippines and Unified Tennis Philippines.

Lhuillier has been a moving force behind the now 10-peat SEAG softball champion, the PH Blu Girls, as well as, their male counterparts and the equally talented RP Blu Boys who ended the games with a silver podium finish at The Villages in Clark, Pampanga.

“Salamat po sa walang sawang pagsuporta po na ibinigay ninyo sa amin kasi kung wala po kayo, hindi po kami magkakaroon ng pagkakataon na ipakita ang aming talento at mag-uwi ng karangalan sa bayan,” said Blu Girls’ pitcher Mary Ann Antolihao. This is the first SEAG tournament for the two-time University Athletic Association of the Philippines Best Pitcher Antolihao.

Aside from softball, Lhuillier is also a known patron of tennis. As president of Unified Tennis Philippines, Lhuillier provides international exposure to US-based Filipino top seeds Treat Huey and Ruben Gonzales and homegrown talents Jeson Patrombon and Francis Casey “Niño” Alcantara, who recently gave the country an all-Filipino finals at the SEA Games’ men’s doubles event with the tandem of Patrombon and Alcantara finishing off with a gold medal and a silver medal finish for the Huey and Gonzales duo at the Rizal Turn to A7

READY FOR OLYMPICS. The National Stadium (above, right), venue for the upcoming Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, is seen during a media tour following the the stadium’s completion in Tokyo. The stadium features use of lumber and other Japanese architectural tradition, seven months before the Opening Ceremony of the Olympic Games. AFP

NBA season a family affair for James as LA Lakers win L

OS ANGELES—LeBron James scored 32 points one day after taking a trip down memory lane as the Los Angeles Lakers won their seventh straight game with a 101-94 victory over the Atlanta Hawks on Sunday.

James made 12 of 21 from the field, and added 13 rebounds, seven assists and three blocks to help the Lakers extend their road winning streak to 14 games.

“Highlights: sometimes they happen, sometimes they don’t,” James said. “I try to play the game with a lot of joy.”

That kind of talk is a way for James to return to his basketball roots.

And he did just that on Saturday with a side trip to his homestate of Ohio so he could watch his son Bronny play a high school game in Columbus. James grew up 150 miles northeast in Akron.

James’ unexpected jaunt came a day after he scored 28 points in a win over his former team, the Miami Heat.

He never considered sitting out against the Hawks.

“I don’t know how many games I’ve got left in my career,” the 34-year-old James said. “I don’t know how many kids show up to come see me play. That’s my obligation. My obligation is to play.”

The Lakers also got 27 points and 13 rebounds from Anthony Davis, who picked up his 12th double-double.

Trae Young scored 30 points for the Hawks, who have lost four straight.

Young went nine-of-23 from the field and nailed three three pointers.

It was the 13th time Young has scored at least 30 points this season. Atlanta also got 12 points from Jabari Parker.

The Lakers’ 14 game road winning streak is the longest by the club since they won 18 straight away from home during their NBA record 33-game winning streak in 1972-73.

Their only road loss this season was at Staples Center, when the Clippers were designated the “home” team in the building they share.

The Hawks, who lost to the Lakers by 21 last month in Los Angeles, were in the game until the end.

De’Andre Hunter hit a pair of free throws with 19 seconds left to cut the Lakers lead to 98-96.

But James made one of two free throws with 15 seconds left to extend the lead to 99-96. Lakers’ Danny Green grabbed a rebound, was fouled and made two free throws to help seal the victory.

Meanwhile, Jonathan Isaac scored a team high 21 points as eight Orlando players finished in double figures as the visiting Magic handed the New Orleans

Mizuno closes in on Fil-A crown at Fil-Am Invitational golf meet X1R-Mizuno bucked the odds at the difficult Baguio Country Club course and came away with a 103 to virtually secure the Fil-A crown with a whopping 27-point lead over Che’Lus I in the 70th Fil-Am Invitational golf tournament in Baguio yesterday.

Gab Macalaguim scored 28 points at the tight, up-and-down par-61 BCC while Brixton Aw backed him up 27 points and Ace Stehmeier chipped in 24 points with either Justin Tambunting and King Stehmeier’s 23 points counting for the team’s output for a 54hole total of 356.

Che’Lus I drew 30 points from Ray Blas and 27 markers from Mike Castro but Jess Quenga and Warren Pelletier could only come up with 21 and 20 points, respectively, to finish with a 98 and a 329.

Uragun actually turned in the day’s second best score of 101 to move to third while crowding Che’Lus I for No. 2 with a 327 with Team Surigao I groping for 81 to drop to fourth at 318.

Over at Camp John Hay, Jaime Beech and Noel Beleran shot 34 points apiece as Philippine Navy Sunrisers assembled a 124 and stretched its overnight one-point lead to nine over Benlife— Producers Bank with a 322 aggregate in Am A division.

Mario Pagunsan and Edgar Barroga added 31 and 25, respectively for Navy.

Benlife shot 115 points built around Robert Barretto’s 32 points for a 313 while the Greenwater Golfers turned in a 113 for a 297.

Meanwhile, defending champion Manila Southwoods resumes its seven-peat quest tomorrow at the BCC course.

TNTshoots for 2-0 lead vs Meralco

By Jeric Lopez

Members of Team Camp John Hay, made up of (from left) Jimmy Borromeo, Ronnie Samaniego, Boysie Yñiguez, Jayson Yu and Raymond Bunquin, flash the thumbs-up sign, upbeat of their title chances in Fil B division of the 70th FilAm Invitational golf tournament at Camp John Hay and Baguio Country Club courses.

NU, 4 others advance in Freego Cup

NU’s Terrence Fortea drives against two La Consolacion College defenders during their 8th PSSBC-Freego Cup game Sunday which the Bullpups won, 109-82.

NATIONAL University launched its title-retention bid in style, dumping first-timer La Consolacion College, 109-82, to advance to the quarterfinals of the 8th PSSBC-Freego Cup Sunday at the SGS Stadium in Quezon City.

The Bullpups, also the reigning UAAP champions, dominated the first two quarters, slowed down a bit in the third before finally putting away the La Consolacion dribblers with one big salvo at the start of the payoff period to win pulling away in Group A elims.

With La Consolacion’s second defeat in as many games, NU towed opening day winner La Salle Greenhills to the next

Pelicans their franchise-worst 12th consecutive loss 130-119.

Isaac also had 11 rebounds and Nikola Vucevic scored 20 points for the Magic who made 17 of 34 shots from beyond the arc. Vucevic missed the previous 11 games with a ankle injury.

D.J. Augustin scored 17, while Evan Fournier had 16. Terrence Ross added 14, Mo Bamba 13 and Michael Carter-Williams and Markelle Fultz had 10 each.

Gentry tossed The Magic halted a three-game losing streak that came against some of the elite teams in the NBA—the Milwaukee Bucks, Los Angeles Lakers and Houston Rockets.

Jrue Holiday scored 29 points, JJ Redick added 23, Brandon Ingram had 21 and Josh Hart had 20 for the Pelicans, who haven’t won since November 21.

Pelicans coach Alvin Gentry was thrown out after being called for two technical fouls in the third quarter. AFP

round no matter what happens to their game Monday.

The Greenies, who lost to the Bullpups in the final last season, outlasted La Consolacion, 87-85, in the opener last Saturday.

Also securing berths in the quarterfinals of the event also sponsored by Poly-Gloss, IronCon Builders, Macbeth Underwear, Happy Toothpaste, Jumbo Plastic Linoleum, MEC Networks and Blackwater Sports were Ateneo, NCAA champion San Beda and Adamson.

Ateneo completed a twogame sweep of Group B with a 65-59 win over Fil-Chinese

champion Hope Christian HS while Adamson eliminated Xavier School, 103-77 in Group D elims.

Lyceum, which absorbed a 72-68 loss to Far Easter University on Saturday, kept its quarterfinal bid alive with a 93-87 win over Chiang Kai Shek College.

Adamson’s win likewise pushed San Beda to the next round of the event also backed

by Molten, Gerry’s Grill, Cherrylume, Sumo GI Sheet and Choi Garden.

The reigning NCAA champions also downed the Xavier Golden Stallions, 100-66, in the opener.

TNT KaTropa shoots for a commanding 2-0 lead as it looks to repeat against Meralco in the resumption of their semifinals series in the 2019 Philippine Basketball Association Governors’ Cup. Looking to move closer to the finals, the Tropang Texters want another one, while the Bolts look to equalize in their Game 2 meet at 7 p.m. at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

It was TNT which was able to draw first blood with a 103-94 triumph in Game 1 Sunday night.

Playing like a man on a mission, KJ McDaniels propelled the Tropang Texters to that first series victory with a game-high 38 points and 14 rebounds.

The Texters gave the Bolts a thorough beating, leading for most of the way before sealing the win.

TNT coach Bong Ravena knows the significance of that first win.

“We’re glad we took Game 1. It’s very important to be able to set the tone for ourselves,” said Ravena.

Still, he made it clear that the lead is not something to be satisfied about.

“Nothing to celebrate yet. We still have a long way to go.”

Meralco is looking to depend more on its locals as import Allen Durham did not get enough help in Game 1.

Meanwhile, NorthPort is currently gunning for its own 2-0 lead over Barangay Ginebra in their own semis clash at the other side of the fence.

IN BRIEF Aboitiz files 2nd suit against Ilocos town LUZON Hydro Corp., a wholly-owned unit of Aboitiz Power Corp., filed another petition to enjoin the municipality of Alilem, Ilocos Sur, from auctioning anew its real estate properties.

Luzon Hydro informed listed Aboitiz Power about the second petition for a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction against Alilem.

The company filed the petition with the Regional Trial Court, First Judicial Region Branch 25, Municipality of Tagudin, Ilocos Sur on December 12.

Luzon Hydro received a new notice of real property tax delinquency from the office of the municipal treasurer of Alilem, seeking to collect over P82 million in unpaid taxes and accrued penalties on seven properties covering 2004 to September 2019.

The municipal treasurer issued a notice of publication and auction sale covering five of the seven real properties and machineries.

Luzon Hydro owns the 70-megawatt Bakun AC run-of-river hydropower plant in Amilongan, Alilem, Ilocos Sur. The plant was constructed and operated under the government’s build-operate-transfer scheme.

Alena Mae S. Flores

Business

Novel risk insurance to free P2.3b to Bicol AN INNOVATIVE risk insurance the government has availed of could unlock at least P2.3 billion in partial payouts for provinces hit hard by Typhoon Tisoy, without the hassles of time-consuming field verification by insurance adjusters.

Albay Rep. Joey Sarte Salceda, House Ways and Means Committee chair whose office had helped tabulate data for the claims, said Bicol, the most ravaged by the recent calamity, could get an immediate P740 million partial payout, equivalent to 40 percent of its assessed damage, and possibly up to P1.9 billion on a ‘full trigger’ basis.

“It took all of ten days for the calculation of the insurance company to reach the trigger for partial payout of P163 million for Albay.

Insco will pay the funds to the National Treasury which in turn would release the funds to the covered provinces,” said Salceda.

A ‘coverage trigger’ is the event that must occur before a particular liability policy applies to a given loss. Under an occurrence policy, the damage brought by Tisoy is the trigger and liability will be covered under that policy if the injury or damage occurred during the policy period.

Salceda said the payout provided immediate funding for rehabilitation to avoid the liquidity trap suffered by many communities waiting for the long processing to be completed.

His Albay home province has already been ‘triggered’ to get P163.27 million in partial payout from the Parametric Risk Insurance coverage, which could reach P408.17 million on a full trigger.

Poor financial planning afflicts OFW families

RECIPIENTS of remittances in the Philippines run out of money because of poor financial planning and expenses made on non-essential luxury items, according to UniTeller, a US-based international payment company.

UniTeller said in a report titled “Both Sides of the Coin: The Receiver’s Story” that a big part of remittances received by Filipino households were used for dayto-day family needs (25 percent) and bill and loan repayments (25 percent).

“Also, much smaller sums are being apportioned to areas that may further economic progress, including education [13 percent] and savings [13 percent], and relatively high amounts are spent on non-essential luxury items [7 percent],” it said.

“This poor financial planning is exacerbated by almost one-in-five [19 percent] of remittance recipients in the Philippines saying they regularly run out of money,” it said.

UniTeller said the value of monthly remittances from family and friends working abroad averaged more than 2.5 times the monthly incomes of recipients.

The report is the first instalment of UniTeller’s research into the behavior and attitudes of low-income remittance recipients in the Philippines, India, Indonesia and Vietnam regularly receiving money from senders in Hong Kong, Singapore and the United States.

It said the average monthly remittance value sent back by low-income overseas Filipino migrants was about $446, compared to their receiver’s average monthly household income of $175. The Philippines is the fourth largest remittance destination in the world with $34 billion of inflows in 2018.

“With global mobility increasing, remittances are playing a more important role in the livelihoods of low-income families and communities.

As the reliance on remittances grows, a key challenge is ensuring this income translates to building sustainable wealth,” said UniTeller chief executive Alberto Guerra. Julito G. Rada

business@manilastandard.net extrastory2000@gmail.com TUESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2019

B1

Filinvest signs agreement to buy Thailand property firm

By Jenniffer B. Austria

Verzontal set to finish Antique airport in 2020 BICOL infrastructure giant Verzontal Infrastructure Corp. said it plans to complete the construction of the Antique Airport Development Project by the third quarter of 2020.

The P283-million project aims to connect the region with the capital and its neighboring cities seamlessly in the coming years.

The Antique Airport development project, which was awarded to Verzontal in December 2018, will include “Green Technology” that showcases louver type window panels, a green roof for better heat, rain absorption and air quality.

The “Green Building” will also have natural plants such as water lily stalks and banana bark, as wall placements for ventilation support.

“Together with the Department of Transportation (DOTr), Antique Airport will be one of the newest “Green Airport” present in the region, following Mactan Airport in Cebu, to bring further connectivity to the Filipino people” said VIC vice chairman and chief executive Bede Gomez. Darwin G. Amojelar

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

SKILL UPGRADE. The Trade Department signs a memorandum of understanding with the Labor Department and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority to prepare the labor sector for future production requirements in the manufacturing industry in light of Industry 4.0. Signing the agreement are (from left) TESDA Secretary Isidro Lapeña, Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III, Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez and Trade Undersecretary Rafaelita Aldaba.

Remittances increased 8% to $2.67b in October M

By Julito G. Rada

ONEY sent home by Filipinos working overseas increased 8 percent in October to $2.67 billion, the fastest expansion this year, from $2.47 billion a year ago, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas said Monday.

This brought cash remittances in the first 10 months to $24.858 billion, up 4.6 percent from $23.768 billion in the same period last year.

“By type of worker, cash remittances from land-based and sea-based workers increased by 3.8 percent to $19.4 billion, and 8 percent to $5.4 billion, respectively,” the BSP said in a statement.

The US registered remained the top source of remittances from January to October at 37.6 percent of the total. It was followed by Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Japan, the United Arab Emirates, the UK, Canada, Germany, Hong Kong and Kuwait.

Personal remittances, which include non-cash items, also expanded by 7.7 percent in October to $2.969 billion from $2.757 billion a year earlier. This brought personal remittances in the first 10 months to $27.612 billion, up 4.3 percent from $26.47 billion in the same 10-month period in 2018.

Personal remittances from land-based workers with work contracts of one year or more grew by 3.8 percent in the first 10 months to $21.1 billion from $20.3 billion in the same period last year.

The combined remittances of sea-based and land-based workers with short-term contracts increased by 7.5 percent to $5.9 billion.

ING Bank Manila senior economist Nicholas Mapa earlier said remittance flows provided a steady dose of peso purchasing power once converted by recipients and was expected to help drive the fourth-quarter growth print closer to the 6.7 percent fighting target of the national government.

“Remittances have been able to provide the Philippines a stable source of foreign currency to shore up dollar liquidity and in turn boost peso purchasing power to help drive the engines of domestic consumption,” Mapa said.

The peso gained 3.7 percent since the start of the year to close at 50.635 against the US dollar on Dec. 16.

Mapa said remittance flows were expected to be sustained for the balance of 2019 and into 2020 which would in turn boost growth momentum and cushion the peso from possible pressure if import demand became resurgent in 2020.

Cash remittances reached a record $28.943 billion in 2018, up 3.1 percent from $28.06 billion in 2017.

The BSP is eyeing a conservaManila tive 3-percent growth in remitStandard tances in 2019.

TODAY

FILINVEST Development Corp., the holding company of the Gotianun family, is acquiring Choengmon Real Estate Company Limited of Thailand for an undisclosed amount.

FDC said in a disclosure to the stock exchange it signed an agreement to purchase all the issued shares of CRE. CRE is a limited liability company established under the laws of Thailand and is currently developing an international five-star luxury quality resort.

The planned resort will be operated by FDC’s subsidiary under the Crimson brand.

“Closing and completion of the transaction is subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions precedent and completion requirements by each of the parties,” FDC said.

FDC is primarily engaged in real estate, hotels, financial services, sugar, infrastructure and power generation businesses. FDC’s hotel operations achieved a revenue growth of 25 percent in the first nine months to P2.5 billion, boosted by the opening of Crimson Resort and Spa Boracay in November 2018 and Quest Tagaytay in April 2019.

Filinvest Hospitality Corp. has a portfolio of six managed properties with 1,800 rooms under the Crimson and Quest brands. The group also has 2,600 rooms that are in the planning and construction stages, with a target of managing 5,000 rooms by 2023.

FDC is also developing two major townships in the high-growth Clark including the 201-hectare Filinvest Mimosa Plus Leisure City and the 288-hectare Filinvest at New Clark City.

Filinvest Mimosa Plus Leisure City has a 303-room Quest Plus Hotel, two championship 18-hole golf courses and two fully-leased out BPO office buildings.

The construction of additional two BPO office buildings, a strip mall and a new leasing concept called dormitels are ongoing.

Completion of Phase 1 of the Filinvest Innovation Park is expected in the first quarter of 2020. Phase 1, covering 64 hectares, is seen to serve as the economic base of the development.

UnionBank sees GDP picking up to 6.4% in Q4

UNION Bank of the Philippines expects the gross domestic product growth to reach 6.4 percent in the fourth quarter, below the government’s goal of 6.7 percent for the final quarter.

The bank’s economic research unit said “fourth-quarter GDP growth may settle at 6.4 percent, putting full-year 2019 GDP growth at 5.9 percent.”.

“This is supported by signals from the seven-year-low October imports and historically weak absorptive capacity of government agencies involved in infrastructure projects implementation including local government units,” it said.

UnionBank said both the fourth quarter and full-year 2019 GDP growth forecasts were considered “respectable and generally higher among its peers considering the sluggish global economic environment throughout the year.”

GDP growth averaged 5.8 percent in the first three quarters, underpinned by the 6.2-percent expansion in the third quarter following the sluggish 5.5-percent growth in the second quarter as the government ramped up fiscal spending especially on big-ticket

infrastructure projects under the “Build, Build, Build” program.

Economic managers earlier said to achieve the low end of the target range of 6 percent to 6.5 percent for the whole year, the economy should expand by at least 6.7 percent in the last quarter.

“Economic growth, so far this year, has been led by an industry sector recovery and the continued strength of the services sector.

Agriculture, with meager growth in the first half, has significantly recovered in the third quarter,” the report said.

“Private consumption has slightly recovered in the third quarter and is strongly believed to be growing further in the fourth quarter as domestic demand rises mainly because of the usual uptick of seasonal spending. The delayed 2019 national budget has clearly been the primary cause of the slowdown in government consumption in much of the first half of 2019,” the bank said.

The bank said capital formation or investments in the economy took a big hit registering huge negative growth in the second and third quarters. Julito G. Rada

PNR deploys six modern Indonesian rail cars

By Darwin G. Amojelar THE Philippine National Railways deployed on Monday six modern Indonesian rail cars or two train sets that increased the daily capacity of the line by 13,500 passengers.

The Department of Transportation said the six brand-new diesel multiple unit rail cars from Indonesia increased the capacity of PNR to 73,500 passengers a day from the previous 60,000 passengers.

Manufactured by Indonesian company PTINKA, the six brand-new DMU train cars were converted into two train sets of three railcars each. They are expected to add 18 to 20 more trips per day on the line’s routes from Tutuban (Manila) to FTI (Taguig City) and from Malabon to FTI. The PNR’s metro line runs from Tutuban in Manila to Los Baños, Laguna.

The two train sets aim to accommodate 13,500 additional passengers daily, bringing

the total capacity of PNR from 60,000 to 73,500 passengers per day.

Each of the new rail cars can carry 250 passengers. A total of 750 passengers can be accommodated in the three rail cars per trip.

“This is the manifestation of all our hard work and the start of the transformation of Philippine railways. And this is the reflection of the leadership this country have today, starting with the President, with our [Transportation] Secretary and the people behind this success,” PNR general manager Junn Magno said.

Magno said the two trains sets arrived ahead of the original February 2020 schedule.

Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade commended the PNR for actively working on the improvement of operations and services.

Tugade said that through the efforts of PNR, the number of operating stations increased to 37 from only 14 when he assumed office in 2016.

(MS-DEC. 17, 2019)

B2

Business

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2019 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Stocks tumble; Manila Water falls T HE stock market slumped Monday, pulled down by blue chip stocks and on prospects the two private concessionaires of regulator Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System will face bankruptcy if the government pursues the cancellation of the extension of their concession agreements.

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index tumbled 176.03 points, or 2.2 percent, to 7,701.60 on a value turnover of P6.2 billion. Losers overwhelmed gainers, 126 to 70, with 73 issues unchanged.

Maynilad Water Services Inc. vice chairman Isidro Consunji warned that

consumers would also deal with water shortages in the future with the suspension of the company’s capital expenditure program.

Manila Water Co. Inc. dropped 6.8 percent to P9.34, while parent Ayala Corp. fell 3.8 percent to P752.

Manila Electric Co., the biggest retailer of electricity, declined 4.7 percent to P303, while JG Summit Holdings Inc. of the Gokongwei Group retreated 4.5 percent to P78.20.

Asian investors, meanwhile, gave a cool welcome Monday to the muchhyped China-US trade agreement, with observers saying they were still waiting for details, while the pound built on gains after last week’s general election win for Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

Tokyo ended 0.3 percent lower, Hong Kong dropped 0.3 percent in the afternoon, and Seoul and Wellington each shed 0.1 percent. Bangkok and Mumbai also retreated.

But Shanghai rose 0.6 percent following forecast-beating data out of China on the key retail and industrial sectors.

Sydney climbed 1.6 percent, while Taipei and Jakarta rose.

The world’s two economic superpowers on Friday said they had finally reached a partial deal that will cool down their long-running tariffs row, canceling the imposition of fresh measures and winding back some others.

Anticipation that a pact was near helped fire global markets towards the end of last week, but selling began soon after the announcement was made with Wall Street finishing flat.

Under the agreement Donald Trump agreed to cancel tariffs due on Sunday and lower levies already in place, while China committed to purchases of US manufactured merchandise, energy goods and farm exports, with the text due to be signed early next month.

US Trade Representative Robert

Lighthizer hailed Trump’s “remarkable” achievement but Asian markets, which enjoyed huge gains Friday, struggled to gain traction at the start of the week as investors await specifics on the pact.

“There is a lot to be seen in the weeks and months ahead whether we are going to be able to actually deliver on the phase one deal that we just went through,” Ephie Coumanakos, Concord Financial Group managing partner, told Bloomberg TV. “We don’t know all of the specifics.”

“Yes, we have a deal, but trade negotiations will continue,” said Stephen Innes at AxiTrader. “For now, escalation seems to be off the table. However, the path to the comprehensive agreement is still miles away.

“Ultimately, the phase one deal fell short of market expectations and is probably not enough to fully restore business confidence or generate a meaningful recovery in exports or investment.” With AFP

Manila Standard BuSineSS daily StockS review Monday, deceMBer 16, 2019

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING),

FINANCIALS 54 50 87.3 1,813,340 1.85 63,000 157 1,759,630 0.94 8,000 24.95 162,300 7.95 200 18.42 800 13 286,600 4.13 41,000 7.01 100 0.6 3,000 1.15 6,000 835 200 0.37 180,000 66.2 1,553,810 0.83 2,000 12.7 201,100 20.5 100 35.8 162,600 178 1,010 112.1 10 58.35 2,420 23.95 50,300 195 309,670 1,786 5 58 27,860 1.05 2,000

2,700 159,774,564 116,030 277,524,946 7,520 4,048,970 1,411 14,612 3,729,616 161,610 701 1,660 6,900 167,000 66,850 103,362,961 1,610 2,553,970 2,050 5,846,385 175,374 1,121 138,745 1,208,390 60,650,904 8,930 1,611,723 2,140

-40,864,842.50 -55,500 -138,266,867 -1,296,585 -616 -1,810 2,028,096 -701 -1,130 -1,150 167,000 3,700 -34,758,431 -780 -2,541,270 -2,050 -2,379,325 -1,729 -1,121 -571.5 -386,895 -25,926,773 -8,930 -1,570,625 -1,050

33 2.25 13.32 0.54 1.25 2.78 0.23 2.13 15.26 170 4.18 18.5 26.15 68.05 66.55 2.01 5 5.16 8.9 14.44 9.59 7.19 1.6 24.3 67.2 1.13 39.9 2 13.6 7.73 1.27 222.4 41.55 3.03 7.13 9.01 11.5 16.56 299.4 0.153 5.05 1.9 3.9 4.02 9.75 11.1 33.35 5 5.3 2.08 1.88 0.86 10 87.5 7.71 0.113 1 141.1 2.44 1.13 15.5 0.89

INDUSTRIAL 33 997,300 2.28 1,206,000 13.5 414,600 0.56 388,000 1.25 1,000 2.83 1,040,000 0.233 910,000 2.19 973,000 15.36 424,600 170 30 4.25 59,000 18.5 9,000 28.1 400 69 620 67.5 2,070 2.02 21,000 5 100 5.16 1,500 9.1 5,127,800 14.44 79,700 9.99 191,700 7.19 18,900 1.6 8,000 24.7 498,900 67.25 186,620 1.14 12,153,000 40.5 15,900 2.02 4,118,000 13.9 321,500 7.73 91,200 1.38 3,000 223.6 1,003,110 41.55 100 3.44 3,000 7.54 6,900 9.34 7,863,100 11.8 16,900 16.88 476,700 303 375,070 0.153 10,000 5.05 400 1.9 4,338,000 3.9 11,000 4.02 3,635,000 10 87,000 11.48 73,900 33.5 259,800 5 27,800 5.3 25,200 2.12 1,307,000 1.88 6,000 0.87 122,000 10 948,600 88 52,010 7.72 158,600 0.12 240,000 1.05 19,000 141.1 529,060 2.57 4,000 1.13 995,000 15.5 5,000 0.92 1,102,000

33,356,355 2,770,400 5,605,306 211,910 1,250 2,932,820 212,500 2,113,820 6,509,434 5,120 249,980 166,654 10,850 42,561.50 142,552.50 42,410 500 7,740 46,639,970 1,157,044 1,883,316 135,897 12,800 12,374,195 12,810,822.50 14,043,940 643,380 8,298,330 4,471,168 707,097 4,040 225,058,522 4,155 9,770 52,098 75,036,548 196,268 8,029,788 114,473,898 1,530 2,020 8,243,820 44,300 15,023,760 868,260 836,310 8,702,250 139,222 133,992 2,794,990 11,280 105,580 9,492,416 4,568,087 1,240,405 27,550 19,550 75,621,148 10,150 1,134,200 77,512 997,030

-16,183,510 -78,340 99,424 -540 -1,250 1,419,870 -658,640 674,918 -1,700 84,880 -5,230 -2,010.00 0 -1,548 6,665,531 -58,070 -1,072,715 -26,603 -1,600 -3,298,325 -1,809,893 -129,580 506,420 -4,084,440.00 -1,820,934 -181,912 -1,270 71,828,214 -4,155 -3,030 -713 -32,859,902 -1,150 -2,608,608.00 10,937,072 -1,530 212,130 -3,900 -3,958,650 -2,010 -1,116 3,283,305 59,649 -125,982 23,320 -1,880 -860 -872,600 -942,826 -785 -1,140 -1,000 -21,013,659 -7,580 55,410 -77,512 -890

0.74 49.8 11.16 0.7 6.38 11.26 0.89 749 3.04 6.69 5.44 13.02 3.61 0.216 856 5.3 77.5 5 5.2 5.21 0.485 3.77 11.7 0.56 3.01 2.6 4.4 1.25 2.71 151.8 2.21 1,055 0.76 1.23 180 203.8 0.213 0.194

HOLDING FIRMS 0.75 4,880,000 49.8 1,052,390 11.38 18,540,500 0.72 102,000 6.72 600 11.86 900 0.95 951,000 752 1,271,110 3.04 1,127,000 6.7 9,266,600 5.55 18,917,100 13.26 48,000 3.61 1,000 0.216 50,000 856 83,200 5.3 353,300 78.2 2,355,890 5.4 77,300 5.2 100 5.21 2,000 0.5 24,000 3.78 1,679,000 11.8 844,400 0.58 378,000 3.05 144,807,000 2.6 1,000 4.5 38,000 1.32 320,000 2.71 1,000 155 191,230 2.21 1,000 1,055 333,580 0.8 2,000 1.25 2,000 190 1,230 216 3,170 0.213 810,000 0.194 170,000

3,667,680 53,259,955.50 210,538,240 72,450 3,997 10,474 866,410 961,275,670 3,475,670 62,064,923 106,572,473 636,452 3,610 10,800 72,110,175 1,887,691 184,436,288 414,962 520 10,420 11,685 6,346,690 9,962,760 214,170 449,890,420 2,600 171,650 404,060 2,710 29,217,303 2,210 352,801,120 1,560 2,480 232,041 671,922 172,530 33,540

-21,730 -28,535,230.50 51,717,400 -638 -1,126 -236,551,580 -236,080 -31,205,859 -28,612,528 -1,302 -3,610 -2,160 -41,396,975 -1,636,595 -110,416,895 4,900 -521 -485 -2,082,550 -4,754,214 -560 -62,163,610 -2,600 -2,230 -1,270 -2,710 -6,428,959 -2,210 -215,343,235 -760 -1,230 -1,820 -46,886 -2,130 -1,990

14.8 0.71 8.82 1.43 0.81 45.75 2 4.64 6.36 0.54 0.73 0.83 0.18 0.395 10 19.2 0.42 0.121 1.48 1.16 4 4.11

PROPERTY 14.8 320,600 0.73 78,000 8.82 100 1.44 115,000 0.86 1,612,000 45.75 11,468,500 2.04 254,000 4.64 354,000 6.47 500 0.56 20,094,000 0.73 1,000 0.86 11,000 0.188 290,000 0.395 10,000 10.2 76,100 19.22 110,200 0.42 40,000 0.121 110,000 1.48 10,372,000 1.16 77,000 4 31,000 4.11 22,837,000

4,754,940 55,760 882 165,800 1,345,750 541,705,245 509,840 1,654,020 3,224 11,123,540 730 9,160 53,450 3,950 771,694 2,134,424 16,850 13,310 15,490,220 89,320 124,110 95,333,830

-164,444 -882 122,735,955 63,490.00 79,270 -3,224 -56,540 -730 -25,200 -3,950 -96,524 211,168 -4,200 -1,210 -3,920,830 -1,160 -4,110 -32,247,910

NAME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

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

54 91 1.77 159.5 0.94 25 6.16 18.46 13 3.93 7.01 0.53 1.15 835 0.375 67 0.78 12.7 20.5 36.2 173 112.1 57.1 24.15 200 1,786 57.9 1.09

54 91 1.85 159.7 0.94 25.05 7.95 18.46 13.06 4.13 7.01 0.6 1.15 835 0.375 67.45 0.83 12.7 20.5 36.5 178 112.1 58.35 24.2 200 1,786 58.4 1.09

54 87.1 1.77 157 0.94 24.9 6.16 18.1 12.96 3.92 7.01 0.53 1.15 835 0.37 66.2 0.78 12.7 20.5 35.75 172.9 112.1 57.1 23.95 195 1,786 57.8 1.05

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

34.5 2.34 13.58 0.54 1.25 2.85 0.232 2.13 15.26 170 4.24 19.4 26.15 68.05 71.05 2.01 5 5.16 8.9 14.58 9.9 7.19 1.6 25.45 70.5 1.17 40.7 2.02 13.9 7.73 1.39 224 41.55 3.03 7.3 10.3 11.9 16.9 318 0.153 5.05 1.9 4.1 4.18 10 11.1 33.5 5.02 5.35 2.11 1.88 0.87 10 87.5 7.72 0.113 1.07 145.2 2.44 1.14 15.52 0.9

34.6 2.38 13.6 0.56 1.25 2.86 0.236 2.2 15.38 172 4.35 19.4 28.1 69 78.4 2.02 5 5.16 9.14 14.98 10.1 7.21 1.6 25.45 70.6 1.19 40.7 2.03 14 7.95 1.39 228 41.55 3.44 7.6 10.7 11.9 16.9 318 0.153 5.05 1.91 4.1 4.25 10.1 11.48 33.6 5.14 5.35 2.16 1.88 0.87 10.2 88.8 7.94 0.12 1.07 145.2 2.57 1.15 15.52 0.93

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

0.75 51.85 11.16 0.73 6.71 11.26 0.94 782.5 3.11 6.71 5.72 13.02 3.61 0.216 890 5.3 81.9 5 5.2 5.21 0.485 3.77 12 0.56 3.11 2.6 5 1.27 2.71 153 2.21 1,071 0.76 1.23 200 210.8 0.213 0.199

0.76 52.35 11.4 0.73 6.72 11.98 0.95 795 3.13 6.71 5.83 13.26 3.61 0.216 897 5.44 82.05 5.43 5.2 5.21 0.5 3.79 12 0.58 3.23 2.6 5 1.35 2.71 155 2.21 1,075 0.8 1.25 200 216 0.213 0.199

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 EVER GOTESCO FILINVEST LAND GLOBAL ESTATE KEPPEL PROP MEGAWORLD

14.84 0.72 8.82 1.45 0.84 47 2.04 4.7 6.47 0.55 0.73 0.83 0.18 0.395 10.2 19.46 0.425 0.121 1.51 1.16 4.11 4.32

14.84 0.73 8.82 1.45 0.86 47.9 2.04 4.7 6.47 0.56 0.73 0.86 0.189 0.395 10.22 19.54 0.425 0.121 1.52 1.16 4.11 4.36

VOLUME

NAME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

VOLUME

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING),

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

0.222 0.41 1.28 0.33 2.01 26.8 2.14 3.25 41.8 2.45 1.13 7.41 5.24

0.225 0.445 1.28 0.33 2.02 26.9 2.14 3.26 41.9 2.45 1.14 7.41 5.56

0.205 0.41 1.25 0.33 2.01 26.2 2.11 3.15 40.8 2.42 1.05 7.27 5.22

0.212 0.445 1.26 0.33 2.02 26.2 2.11 3.2 40.8 2.43 1.09 7.41 5.56

17,520,000 50,000 528,000 70,000 127,000 1,038,600 24,000 23,000 7,439,300 110,000 4,068,000 4,326,200 82,400

3,744,560 20,900 667,380 23,100 256,120 27,479,915 50,700 73,660 306,228,370 268,000 4,434,450 31,986,217 450,939

-65,180 -4,100 -1,260 -3,300 -2,010.00 3,062,485 -6,330 -60,640 -2,654,745 -17,080 -1,110 -11,770,722 -526

2GO GROUP ABS CBN ACESITE HOTEL ALLHOME APC GROUP APOLLO GLOBAL ASIAN TERMINALS BERJAYA BLOOMBERRY CEBU AIR CENTRO ESCOLAR CHELSEA DFNN INC DISCOVERY WORLD EASYCALL FAR EASTERN U GLOBE TELECOM GMA NETWORK GOLDEN BRIA GRAND PLAZA HARBOR STAR IMPERIAL INTL CONTAINER IPEOPLE IPM HLDG ISLAND INFO ISM COMM JACKSTONES LBC EXPRESS LEISURE AND RES LORENZO SHIPPNG MACROASIA MANILA BULLETIN MANILA JOCKEY METRO RETAIL METROALLIANCE A METROALLIANCE B NOW CORP PACIFIC ONLINE PAL HLDG PAXYS PH RESORTS GRP PHIL RACING 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 16.4 1.53 11.46 0.44 0.042 18.5 4.15 10.98 92.3 6.9 5 5.11 1.96 8.3 890.5 1,978 5.25 418 9.51 1.18 1.66 126.8 7.78 6 0.098 3.34 2.04 12.74 2.66 0.89 17.06 0.39 3.35 2.11 0.99 1.03 2.6 2.5 7.5 2.69 5 7.66 140 2.55 1,001 0.59 0.39 40.5 74.5 8.75 2.49 0.64 0.28 0.62 18.5

10 17 1.56 11.48 0.445 0.042 18.5 4.19 11.06 92.3 6.9 5.05 5.59 2.02 8.39 891 1,978 5.25 438 10.54 1.21 1.66 130.8 9 6.2 0.098 3.4 2.22 12.74 2.68 0.9 17.18 0.39 3.39 2.26 0.99 1.03 2.62 2.5 7.99 2.69 5.08 7.66 141 2.69 1,004 0.59 0.39 40.5 74.8 9.09 2.52 0.66 0.29 0.62 18.5

9.72 16.2 1.48 11.42 0.415 0.042 18.5 4.1 10.8 89.45 6.9 4.91 5.11 1.95 8 890.5 1,935 5.2 417.8 9.51 1.17 1.66 125.2 7.78 6 0.098 3.29 2.04 12.74 2.56 0.89 16.86 0.39 3.35 2.1 0.99 1 2.52 2.5 7.5 2.69 5 7.66 132.6 2.55 985.5 0.57 0.335 39.5 74.1 8.75 2.48 0.64 0.275 0.61 18.32

SERVICES 9.72 16.2 1.5 11.48 0.42 0.042 18.5 4.11 10.8 89.55 6.9 5 5.59 2.02 8 890.5 1,935 5.24 436.6 10.54 1.17 1.66 127.9 9 6.2 0.098 3.29 2.22 12.74 2.68 0.9 16.86 0.39 3.39 2.15 0.99 1 2.56 2.5 7.99 2.69 5.08 7.66 132.6 2.6 990 0.57 0.37 40.25 74.1 9.08 2.5 0.66 0.275 0.61 18.5

15,700 156,500 17,000 2,441,900 2,610,000 700,000 30,000 1,192,000 2,814,200 58,570 100 709,600 500 16,000 23,600 130 21,660 69,400 80 200 232,000 7,000 1,844,850 40,900 19,300 20,000 1,640,000 2,000 100 407,000 101,000 198,700 20,000 19,000 508,000 7,000 71,000 1,385,000 10,000 22,200 1,000 9,500 33,700 760 243,000 75,280 379,000 19,450,000 116,600 472,710 14,100 623,000 783,000 2,110,000 31,000 1,635,400

156,198 2,623,062 25,690 28,005,244 1,117,100 29,400 555,000 4,917,950 30,704,606 5,264,768 690 3,543,694 2,747 31,320 190,206 115,770 42,266,420 364,069 34,376 2,005 274,570 11,620 236,694,007 338,980 116,460 1,960 5,453,840 4,260 1,274 1,056,120 90,890 3,366,718 7,800 64,050 1,094,720 6,930 71,530 3,544,860 25,000 166,657 2,690 47,508 258,142 100,934 634,340 74,900,870 219,660 7,283,500 4,687,180 35,194,768.50 128,015 1,555,170 504,130 582,500 19,060 30,141,116

5,868 -5,638,620 -38,500 -20,750 7,112,804 -1,703,675 -690 515,030 -511 -1,960 7,170 97,955 -4,757,200 -4,178 -951 -1,180 -1,660 6,640,004 -778 110,460 980 3,340 -2,040 -1,274 -263,080 -890 -2,804,660 -13,400 542,030 -21,530 200,780 -25,000 -750 -2,690 -500 -766 -50,472 -31,290 -20,790,572.50 -113,460 114,150 -513,610 -2,656,232 -875 322,930 136,920 -2,800 -610 82,390

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

0.0016 7.25 0.95 2.4 10.94 2.7 0.275 7.11 1.6 0.207 0.095 0.09 0.94 3.01 1.03 0.75 0.012 0.012 0.01 2.92 8.82 20.45 0.0055

0.0016 7.3 0.98 2.45 10.96 2.7 0.275 7.32 1.64 0.207 0.095 0.09 0.95 3.03 1.03 0.78 0.012 0.012 0.011 2.93 8.99 21.6 0.0055

0.0016 7.11 0.95 2.4 10.94 2.67 0.275 7.1 1.6 0.199 0.095 0.09 0.92 2.97 1 0.75 0.012 0.011 0.01 2.91 8.8 20.45 0.0055

MINING & OIL 0.0016 5,000,000 7.21 53,100 0.98 250,000 2.45 5,000 10.96 200 2.68 1,322,000 0.275 40,000 7.1 2,100 1.62 4,501,000 0.207 30,000 0.095 710,000 0.09 10,000 0.94 121,000 2.97 2,050,000 1.03 29,000 0.78 144,000 0.012 20,000,000 0.011 1,700,000 0.011 15,200,000 2.93 156,000 8.8 240,200 20.9 2,644,500 0.0055 1,000,000

8,000 382,646 239,940 12,050 2,190 3,551,040 11,000 14,958 7,279,490 6,130 67,450 900 113,130 6,151,210 29,090 108,090 240,000 20,300 167,100 454,660 2,122,626 55,947,845 5,500

23,775 -48,500 -2,690 -2,750 -711 -355,720 -1,990 -900 -654,370 -4,090 -750 -1,100 -1,000 -17,580 137,250 352,530 -5,500

ABS HLDG PDR AC PREF B1 AC PREF B2R ALCO PREF B DD PREF GMA HLDG PDR GTCAP PREF A GTCAP PREF B HOUSE PREF A LR PREF PCOR PREF 3A PCOR PREF 3B PNX PREF 3B PNX PREF 4 SFI PREF SMC FB PREF 2 SMC PREF 2C SMC PREF 2D SMC PREF 2E SMC PREF 2H

15.72 501 505 103.3 100.3 5.19 995 1,000 97.7 1 1,025 1,069 109 1,028 1.36 998.5 78.45 75.2 75.95 75.85

15.96 501 505 103.3 101 5.19 995 1,000 97.7 1 1,038 1,069 109 1,028 1.36 998.5 78.95 75.2 75.95 75.95

15.52 501 505 103.3 100.3 5.17 995 1,000 97.7 1 1,025 1,065 109 1,014 1.36 997 78.25 75.2 75.95 75.85

PREFERRED 15.52 98,000 501 1,020 505 1,930 103.3 100 100.4 37,530 5.17 1,100 995 200 1,000 7,460 97.7 1,000 1 18,000 1,038 290 1,065 250 109 30 1,014 110 1.36 1,000 997 1,140 78.25 17,490 75.2 2,700 75.95 31,190 75.95 3,500

1,534,132 511,020 974,650 10,330 3,784,683 5,702 199,000 7,460,000 97,700 18,000 299,070 266,330 3,270 112,340 1,360 1,138,080 1,373,137.50 203,040 2,368,880.50 265,725

-1,192,816 -1,003 -3,107 -1,360 -

LR WARRANT

1.2

1.27

1.2

WARRANTS 1.27 5,000

6,280

-

2,577,120 1,327,966 59,660 2,655,870

275,040 -28,940 -2,460 15,580

3,042,923

1,531,200

207,027.60

-

MS ITALPINAS KEPWEALTH MAKATI FINANCE XURPAS

4.02 9.7 2.46 0.86

4.02 10 2.6 0.86

3.85 9.69 2.46 0.82

FIRST METRO ETF

118.1

118.3

115.4

USD DMPL A1

10.26

Trading Summary FINANCIAL INDUSTRIAL

10.26

SHARES 7,994,964

54,372,993

HOLDING FIRMS

209,037,131

PROPERTY

109,282,438

SERVICES

43,673,810

MINING & OIL

55,304,300

GRAND TOTAL

483,735,206

10.02

4.02 9.86 2.6 0.83

SME

654,000 134,700 23,000 3,205,000

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 115.4 26,010 DDS 10.02

20,260

VALUE 1,858.37 (down) 44.80 743,130,675.13 FINANCIAL 9,540.80 (down) 181.28 INDUSTRIAL 943,809,311.614 7,449.38 (down) 183.93 HOLDING FIRMS 2,775,906,693.86 PROPERTY 4,101.95 (down) 91.99 1,504.59 (down) 20.60 SERVICES 1,153,644,175.75 7,550.74 (up) 83.85 MINING & OIL 530,236,629.725 7,701.60 (down) 176.03 PSEI 76,951,691.60 All Shares Index 4,581.89 (down) 80.18 6,233,440,876.97 Gainers:70; Losers:126; Unchanged: 73; Total: 269

Vista Land raises P10b from sale of peso bonds

By Jenniffer B. Austria HOMEBUILDER Vista Land & Lifescapes Inc. successfully raised P10 billion from the issuance of fixed-rate peso bonds due 2025.

Vista Land said in a disclosure to the stock exchange institutional investors bought P7.74 billion of the bonds while retail investors purchased P2.25 billion.

The series E bonds, which carry an interest rate of 5.6992 yearly, will be issued and listed on Philippine Dealing & Exchange Corp. on December 18.

Vista Land will issue P5 billion in bonds from its remaining shelf registration approved by the the Securities and Exchange Commission in 2017 and sell the oversubscription portion of P5 billion out of the P30 billion in new shelf registration approved by the regulator last month.

Joint issue managers and joint lead underwriters China Bank Capital Corp., PNB Capital and Investment Corp. and SB Capital Investment Corp. handled the bond sale.

Vista Land has been rated AAA by Credit Rating and Investors Services Philippines Inc., while the bonds were rated PRS Aaa by Philippine Rating Services Corp., both highest ratings.

Vista Land plans to use the net proceeds from the offering to fund the construction and completion of several malls, redevelopment of outlets, building of condominium projects and for general corporate purposes.

Vista Land is developing eight new malls in San Ildefonso (Bulacan), Korondal (South Cotabato), General Santos, Bulakan (Bulacan), Zamboanga City, Tugueragao (Cagayan) and Mactan (Cebu).

It is also redeveloping four malls, namely Starmall Edsa, Starmall Alabang, Starmall San Jose Del Monte and Vistamall Pampanga.

The firm early this month entered into a joint venture partnership with Mitsubishi Estate Co. Ltd., a leading comprehensive real estate developer in Japan, to develop a mixed-use condominium project along Taft Avenue, Manila.

The planned 32-story condominium offers more than 1,000 units, plus seven floors of parking spaces and one ground floor featuring several commercial establishments.

Century obtains nod of PSE to list preferred shares LISTED property developer Century Properties Group Inc. obtained the approval of the Philippine Stock Exchange to list P3 billion worth of preferred shares.

Century plans to use proceeds from the offering to fund expansion into the commercial leasing business, specifically a new office development, and the capital expenditures of leasing projects.

The PSE approved the listing of up to 30 million preferred shares to cover the follow-on public offering of the company at an offering price of P100 per share.

The offer includes the sale of 20 million shares to the public. The company said in case of an oversubscription, the sole issue manager, lead underwriter and sole book-runner reserved the right to increase the offer size by up to an additional 10 million shares.

Century set the dividend rate at 6.7177 percent a year. The offer period is scheduled from December 16, 2019 to January 3, 2020, with the target listing date set on January 10, 2020.

The company will pay the dividends quarterly, or every January 10, April 10, July 10 and October 10 of each year.

The preferred shares will be issued out of the unsubscribed capital stock of the company. It will be listed on the main board of the PSE under the trading symbol “CPGP.” China Bank Capital Corp. will act the sole issue manager, lead underwriter and sole book-runner of the transaction.

Century chief finance officer Ponciano Carreon said the offering was part of the company’s bullish business expansion.

From being primarily focused on high rise condominiums, the company rolled out a diversification program four years ago to enter into allied real estate segments, namely affordable horizontal housing business outside of Metro Manila through the brand PHirst Park Homes, commercial leasing to boost recurring revenue streams, and a new line of in-city developments with mediumrise buildings.

World

B3

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2019 CESAR BARRIOQUINTO, Editor mst.daydesk@gmail.com

NZ observes silence as PM warns of long volcano probe

PROTEST. Demonstrators shout slogans in the capital Beirut on December 15, 2019. Lebanese police clashed with anti-

government protesters in Beirut late Sunday, firing tear gas to prevent them from breaching the barricades near the parliament. AFP

WELLINGTON―New Zealand marked one week since the deadly White Island eruption with a minute’s silence Monday, as Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern warned grieving families they face a lengthy wait for answers.

At 2:11pm (0111 GMT)―exactly a week since the eruption―offices and shops fell silent as New Zealanders remembered the 16 international tourists and two local guides who died, along with at least 18 more now receiving intensive treatment for severe burns.

Flags flew at half-staff outside Wellington’s distinctive “Beehive” parliament building, while inside Ardern suspended a cabinet meeting and stood head bowed to reflect quietly on the disaster.

“Our thoughts continue to be with the families of those who have passed and those who are injured,” she said.

A total of 47 day-trippers and guides were on the island at the time, hailing

from Australia, the United States, Britain, China, Germany, Malaysia and New Zealand.

Whakatane mayor Judy Turner said authorities took grieving families out on boats to within a safe distance of the volcanic island to mark the event.

However, Ardern it would take time to determine why tour operators were allowed to take travelers onto the rim of an active volcano just days after scientists had raised its eruption threat level.

She said officials had advised her that a probe by workplace regulator WorkSafe New Zealand may take a year and a separate coronial inquiry was “also likely to continue for some time”.

“Look, as we’ve seen, inquiries can sometimes take more than that time, so it’s not for me to judge whether that’s an appropriate time frame,” she said.

“They need to do their job properly and it needs to be properly considered.”AFP

Obesity, poor nutrition stalks world IN BRIEF ‘Unwavering support’ for Lam

BEIJING―China’s premier told beleaguered Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam on Monday that she had Beijing’s “unwavering support” after a huge rally earlier this month and her government’s thrashing at recent local elections.

The city has been upended by six months of massive pro-democracy protests that have seen violent battles between police and hardcore demonstrators, as well as regular transport disruption.

Protesters have called for the unpopular Lam to stand down as leader, but Li Keqiang said Beijing would give “unwavering support” to her government to maintain the “long-term prosperity and stability in Hong Kong”.

“The central government fully recognizes the efforts you and the SAR (special administrative region) government have paid,” said Li, at a meeting with Lam in the Hong Kong Hall of the imposing Great Hall of People in Beijing.

He said Lam’s government had “tried its best to maintain social stability” amid “an unprecedentedly severe and complicated situation.”

But he also called for the Hong Kong government to “step up studies of the deep-seated conflicts and problems that hinder Hong Kong’s economic and social development” in order to restore calm to the city. AFP

P

ARIS―Low- and middle-income countries risk seeing their development progress slashed by the double-edged sword of obesity and undernutrition, both caused by a lack of access to affordable healthy food, a report in The Lancet warned Monday.

This “double burden of malnutrition”, or DBM, affects more than a third of some 130 countries classed as lowand middle-income, the report in the medical journal said.

More alarming, it is increasingly seen in the same household―most commonly an overweight mother and a child stunted by undernutrition living under the same roof.

Both forms of malnutrition are linked to health problems and premature death, weighing heavily on a country’s health system and labor productivity.

The report, compiled in collaboration with the World Health Organization, said being overweight can no longer be considered a rich country problem,

nor undernourishment a preserve of the poor.

“While more than 149 million children have stunted growth, childhood overweight and obesity are increasing almost everywhere, and suboptimal diets are responsible for one in five (22 percent) adult deaths globally,” it said.

“The economic, social, and environmental costs of inaction will hinder the growth and development of individuals and societies for decades to come,” it warned.

Nowhere has the prevalence of DBM grown more than in the poorest countries, the report found, mainly reflecting a rapid rise in overweight people adding to the long-standing

challenge of hunger.

It pointed to the rise in cheap, satisfying foods high in salt, sugar and fat, combined with a “major reduction” in physical activity at work, at home and in transportation.

The report said DBM was a feature in up to 35 percent of households in some countries, with the highest levels in Azerbaijan, Guatemala, Egypt, Comoros and Sao Tome and Principe.

Sometimes DBM is even measured in a single child―a combination of overweight and stunted development due to lacking nutrients. This rate was highest in Albania, at 15 percent.

Nearly all countries saw declines in child wasting or stunting, according to the research, but conversely, nearly all countries saw an increase in overweight women.

To report blamed “very rapid changes in the diets and food systems” of most low-to middle-income countries, with fresh markets increasingly making way for takeaway food retailers.

North Korea comments called hostile

Protests spread over ‘anti-Muslim’ law

NEW DELHI―Fresh protests were expected across India on Monday over a new citizenship law seen as anti-Muslim, after clashes overnight in the capital and days of unrest in the northeast that left six people dead.

The bill fast-tracks citizenship for non-Muslim immigrants from three neighboring countries, but critics allege it is part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Hindu nationalist agenda to marginalize India’s 200 million Muslims― something he denies.

On Sunday evening thousands took to the streets in the northeast, the scene of days of rioting and deadly running battles with police, while other protests were reported across India in Delhi, Aligarh, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Patna and Raipur.

In the capital officers fired tear gas and charged with batons as several thousand demonstrators marched, and rallied outside the Jamia Millia Islamia university and police headquarters. Four buses and two police vehicles were reportedly set ablaze. AFP

Boorish boars hog highways

HAIFA—A man approaches a group of wild boars rooting up roadside grass in Israel’s Haifa, shooing them away -- but after lazily trotting a few steps, they resume their activity.

Dozens of the beasts have taken up residence in the northern coastal city since it banned culling them.

The wild pigs rip up vegetation and rummage through bins, sparking a fierce debate between animal rights defenders and those in favour of driving them out or killing them.

The city nestles at the foot of the Carmel Mountains, home to boars, foxes, jackals and other animals, all protected

by Israeli law.

Boars have long entered Haifa at night looking for food and water.

But residents say in recent months they have been increasingly brazen, blocking traffic, digging up public gardens and even overturning large refuse bins.

Haifa mayor Einat Kalisch-Rotem has defended the ban on killing them, saying they are part of nature. AFP

“Offsetting the effects of any ultraprocessed food is difficult-eg. by drinking a 355 ml bottle of sugar-sweetened beverage, the consumer would be required to undertake a 2.4-kilometer walk or run for at least 15 minutes.”

A trial conducted by the US National Institutes of Health, it added, showed that adults of normal weight lost 0.9 kilograms when given a healthy “real food” diet for two weeks, and gained the same amount when fed ultra-processed foods.

In Latin America and the Caribbean, sales of packaged, processed food increased from about 10 percent of all food bought in 1990 to 60 percent in just ten years.

Breaking the trend will require “major societal shifts,” the Lancet report said.

Steps could include subsidies for healthy foods, providing nutritious meals at schools, and food education― including promoting the inexpensive and nutritious option of breastfeeding infants. AFP

SNOWFALL. A woman poses for another woman as snow falls at a park in Beijing on December 16, 2019. AFP

Battle of the Bulge heroes remembered 75 years on BASTOGNE, Belgium―Seventy-five years after the wooded hills of the Ardennes resounded with tank guns and the screams of troops felled by the thousand, dignitaries gather Monday to pay their respects.

A king, a grand duke, two presidents, two prime ministers and a defense chief from World War II foes turned modern allies will celebrate those who died defending Belgium and Luxembourg.

The Battle of the Bulge was the last German offensive of World War II, and the Siege of Bastogne was the scene of a heroic defense by American paratroopers that has been celebrated in film and literature.

Veterans, historians and military enthusiasts marked the now legendary close-quarters battle on a snowbound wooded plateau with a spectacular series of weekend re-enactments ahead of Monday’s ceremonies.

Bastogne’s rescue in late December 1944 by General George “Old Blood and Guts” Patton helped seal his reputation as an American military giant.

But the out-gunned paratroopers of

the 101st Airborne―who held the pocket for a week against advancing German armor―also claim a share of the glory.

The Belgian town of Bastogne, close to the Luxembourg border in the Ardennes hills, is the focus of the commemoration, as it was of the fighting.

On December 16, 1944, German forces―which had been falling back before the Allied advance from France since June’s D-Day landings-counterattacked.

Their goal was to seize the port of Antwerp to deny it to Allied resupply ships, and five of their roads north converged on the small Belgian town.

By December 20, the battle-hardened but lightly armed US paratroopers were surrounded and a German Panzer general demanded their surrender.

“Nuts!” was the one-word reply from the US commander, and the ensuing week-long siege lasted until Patton’s Third Army came to the rescue.

On Monday, Philippe King of the Belgians and Belgium’s prime minister Sophie Wilmes will be joined at the Mardasson Memorial by US Secretary

of Defence Mark Esper and Germany President Frank-Walter Steinmeier.

Poland’s President Andrzej Duda will also be there, along with envoys from Britain, Canada and France.

In the afternoon, the convoy will cross the border to the Luxembourg Military Cemetery and Memorial in Hamm, Patton’s last resting place.

The general died in a road accident during the 1945 occupation of a defeated Germany, but was buried in the Ardennes with comrades from his famous victory.

His granddaughter Helen Patton has spent the days leading up to the memorial greeting veterans on battlefield visits.

There they will be received by Luxembourg’s Grand Duke Henri and Prime Minister Xavier Bettel.

Mathieu Billa, historian director of the Bastogne War Museum, told AFP that the then 59-year-old Patton reached the summit of his glory when he relieved Bastogne.

The 18,000 encircled men had fought bravely against enormous odds, but risked being overrun. AFP

SEOUL―The top US representative in talks with North Korea on Monday slammed Pyongyang’s demands as hostile and unnecessary as its endof-year deadline approaches, but held open the door for fresh negotiations.

The North has insisted that Washington offer it new concessions by the end of 2019 with the process largely deadlocked since the collapse of a summit in Hanoi in February.

Pyongyang has issued a series of increasingly strident declarations in recent weeks, and US special representative Stephen Biegun told reporters in Seoul: “We have heard them all.”

“It is regrettable that the tone of these statements towards the United States, the Republic of Korea, Japan and our friends in Europe have been so hostile and negative and so unnecessary,” he said.

“The US does not have a deadline, we have a goal.”

Tensions between the US and the nuclear-armed North―whose forces and their allies fought each other to a standstill in the 1950-53 Korean War―reached a peak in 2017, with their leaders Donald Trump and Kim Jong Un trading mutual insults and threats of renewed conflict.

A rapid diplomatic detente followed, climaxing with the Singapore summit when the two men signed a vague statement on denuclearization, but Washington still stations 28,500 troops in South Korea to protect its ally from a new invasion by its neighbor.

Pyongyang has said that if Washington fails to make it an acceptable offer, it will adopt a so far unspecified “new way”.

It has carried out a series of static tests at its Sohae rocket facility this month, after a number of weapons launches in recent weeks, some of them described as ballistic missiles by Japan and others―which Pyongyang is banned from testing under UN sanctions.

Biegun, who also met Monday with South Korean President Moon Jae-in, said the US was “fully aware of the strong potential for North Korea to conduct a major provocation in the days ahead”. AFP

LGUs

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

B4

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2019

Isko orders crackdown on Recto forgery

By Vito Barcelo

LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS

Navotas grants P10k bonus to city workers NAVOTAS City government employees will receive P10,000 bonus this Christmas, Mayor Toby Tiangco announced Monday.

Together with Vice Mayor Clint Geronimo and members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod, Tiangco signed City Ordinance 2019-27 and 28, granting a one-time “Angat Navotas” economic assistance and service recognition incentive.

Among the beneficiaries are regular, casual, contractual and job-order employees of the city government and the teaching personnel of Navotas Polytechnic College.

Meanwhile, bereaved families in Navotas no longer have to bear the brunt of funeral expenses, as the city government now offers complete cremation services for poor Navoteños.

The service is part of the city’s “libreng libing” (free burial) program, as Tiangco said it will help lessen the burden of indigent families and address the lack of burial space in the NavoHimlayan public cemetery.

“We all worked hard to achieve, if not exceed, the goals we have set this year. It is only right that we recognize your contribution towards the continued progress of our city,” Tiangco said.

Navotas has received a number of awards and recognitions in 2019, including the Seal of Good Local Governance, a Commission on Audit unqualified opinion, the Seal of Good Education Governance, and Seal of Child-Friendly Local Governance.

The city, through the Navotas City Hospital and City Health Office, was also conferred the Silver Trailblazer Award and PhilHealth Strong Partner in Health Service Delivery. It was also recognized for having the best programs in oral health, tuberculosis control, and lifestylerelated diseases prevention and control.

Navotas scored perfectly in the 2018 Anti-Drug Abuse Council Performance Audit for Highly Urbanized Cities. The DILG-National Capital Region gave the city an “Ideal” rating for its exemplary efforts in eradicating the problem of illegal drugs.

“The Christmas bonus we received came from the taxes that Navoteños paid the city government. In return, let us show them our gratitude through continued genuine public service and excellent governance,” Tiangco stressed. Jun David

FEEDING PROGRAM. Mothers and their young children sit at a long table to demonstrate Malabon City’s supplemental feeding program under the name Karinderia para sa Kalusugan ni Chikiting. Targeting undernourished kids five years and younger and nutritionally at-risk pregnant women, the Malabon city government is partnering with local eateries that will cater to children for 120 days.

Inset shows Malabon Mayor Lenlen Oreta with one of the babies under the KKC program.

Malabon top NCR LGU in revenue collection

By Jun David

T

RANSPARENCY, accountability and prudent utilization of fees has landed Malabon City as the top local government unit in Metro Manila in revenue collection efficiency.

Malabon was recognized anew as Top 1 in the Collection Target for Fees and Charges, besting 16 other LGUs in the National Capital Region. It received the same award last year.

The city collected more than P240 million in fees and charges, exceeding its target of P144 million and posting a collection efficiency rate of 166.15 percent.

Mayor Lenlen Oreta thanked the Malabonian taxpayers for supporting the city’s continuing commitment for an honest government.

“I assure you that every centavo goes

to the people. Ito ay pera ng mamamayan kaya naman maingat at tapat itong ginagasta para tiyaking nabibigyang kalinga ang bawat Pamilyang Malabonian,” Oreta added.

Awarded annually, the Department of Finance-Bureau of Local Government Finance recognizes LGUs who excelled in their revenue collection efforts towards better local governance and efficient public service.

Malabon City Treasurer Amalia Santos and other city officials received the citation during the awarding ceremo-

nies held at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City on Dec. 12.

Meanwhile, the city government will donate P4 million to victims of Typoon “Tisoy,” Oreta announced.

“Malabonians sympathize with our countrymen affected by the storm. We want to help them get back on their feet and we will extend whatever assistance we can give,” Oreta said.

Upon the recommendation of the Malabon Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council and adopted by the Sangguniang Panlungsod led by Councilor Enzo Oreta, Malabon will donate P1 million each to the provinces of Albay, Sorsogon, Oriental Mindoro, and Northern Samar.

The LGUs of these provinces have already declared states of calamity.

YEARLY TRADITION. The Mandaluyong City Government headed by Mayor

Menchie Abalos (second from left) with husband Benhur gives Christmas gifts to the people of Mandaluyong over the weekend at city hall. About 65,000 gift packs were turned over to city residents (right). Manny Palmero

Drones light up sky, ‘dance’ to Christmas music at SM City Marilao APPEARING like fireflies, a swarm of drones recently light up the sky to bring magic and holiday merriment at SM City Marilao in Bulacan.

Thousands of shoppers came to witness the “Sparkling” light show as drones synchronized to music and morphed into a stunning aerial show in the night sky.

“We are so thrilled for this fantastic holiday display,” said SM City Marilao asst. mall manager engineer Janette Aguilera.

“The first drone show here at SM City Marilao is a shining example of the new things the mall has in store for shoppers,” she added.

Vignettes included larger-than-life

holiday images such as 3D snowflakes, Christmas lights, and fireworks.

The moving image of a reindeer enthralled the audience as it left everyone staring at the celestial show. Capping the sparkling light show is a star of hope that changes color, as it moved seamlessly to the well-known Christ-

mas carol “O Holy Night.”

Produced by Platinum Fireworks Inc., “Sparkling” is a 15-minute display that soars up to 300 feet along pre-programmed routes. More environmentally safe than fireworks, the drone light show is defined by 15 watts of LED lights in different colors. Jun David

MANILA Mayor Francisco “Isko” Domagoso on Monday ordered a crackdown against manufacturers of fake college diplomas, government receipts, identification cards for senior citizens and persons with disabilities, and drivers licenses, among others, along Recto Avenue or the so-called “Recto University.”

Domagoso warned owners of these enterprises producing counterfeit documents and licenses—including forgery of National Bureau of Investigation clearances—they would face criminal charges should they continue with their nefarious trade.

“Stop printing fake documents. Those in Recto should stop printing fake Manila government receipts,” the mayor said during Monday’s flag ceremony.

“Aren’t you ashamed making fake senior citizen ID and other government documents, including school diplomas? Remember that I will rid you all,” he said.

Domagoso was irked after finding out that even official local government receipts are being illegally produced in the area.

“You’re forging even the local government’s receipts. You are angry at the corrupt government employees.

But you are getting money intended for the city coffers,” Domagoso said.

The Manila police recently raided a stall along Recto for manufacturing fake IDs and government receipts.

Domagoso reminded various local government offices to “inspect well” the receipts they are receiving.

“Inspect the receipts being given to you. The life of the local government is in there,” he added.

Parol Festival honors Las Piñas lantern makers

By Macon Ramos-Araneta LOCAL Christmas lantern makers and young performers took the center stage during the 14th Las Piñas Parol Festival held at the newly-inaugurated Tent at Vista Global South.

The Parol Festival was a brainchild of Senator Cynthia Villar when she was still Las Piñas congresswoman in a bid to boost the city’s lanternmaking industry.

“The Las Pinas Parol Festival has become a most-awaited tradition during the Christmas season not only for Las Pineros but also for residents of other areas who troop to our city to take part in the festivities,” Villar said.

This year’s parol contest had 17 entries from Samahang Magpaparol ng Las Pinas for lanterns that measure 8 feet to 10 feet. Prizes for the contest are: First Prize, P20,000; Second Prize, P15,000; and Third Prize, P10,000.

The festivities also included a street dancing competition with six groups participating: Group 1: Talon Elem. School Moonwalk Elem. School, MES Golden AcresAnnex and MES-Mikesell Annex; Group 2: CAA Elementary School, CAA Elementary- Annex and Gatchalian Elem. School; Group 3: Vergonville Elem., Dona Manuela Elem., Pulanglupa Elem.

School and Pulanglupa Elem. SchoolCamella Annex; Group 4: Pamplona Elem. School, Pamplona Elem. School-Unit 1, Zapote Elem. School & Talon 3 Annex; Group 5: Manuyo Elem., Daniel Fajardo Elem., Ilaya and Las Pinas Elem.-Central; and Group 6: Almanza Elem. School, Almanza Elem. School-Annex and Pilar Village Elem. School These groups are made up of 30 to 55 persons and are elementary students currently enrolled in Las Pinas.

Cash prizes at stake are Champion, P50,000; First Runner up, P30,000; and Second Runner up, P20,000.

The Parol Festival also features the Samahang Magpaparol booth, Higantes Belen and lantern parade.

JCI Olongapo starts Red Dot tack

By Butch Gunio

OLONGAPO CITY―In response to the growing number of human immunodeficiency virus cases in the city, the Junior Chamber International Olongapo chapter and the local government, through the city health office, have successfully staged the Red Dot campaign.

The program aims to stop the stigma on HIV testing, focusing on ways how to prevent the disease by increasing

awareness among young people.

Dr. Cynthia Mendoza of the city health office shared the reasons on why people engage in risky sexual behavior and gave the audience a medical background about HIV, the virus that causes AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome).

Alona Ongue, Project Chair of Red Dot shared: “We are thankful to all our partners for making this event a success.

A problem as big as HIV requires our concerted effort as a community, and we are very happy to see you onboard.”

LARC ANNIVERSARY. Laguna Water District Aquatech Resources Corp. launches an exhibit that showcases its achievements for the past year. At the ribbon cutting on Dec. 10 were (above, from left) engineer Emil Q. Puerto, LARC general manager; engineer Mat Wilson B. Ramos, LARC president; Elenita F. Ramos, LWD director; and Fr. Cecilio L. Magsino, along with the winners of the students’ poster making contest (left). Roy Tomandao

Life

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

HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENT

@MStandardLIFE TUESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2019

C1

Bono’s

passion

‘‘

TO THE RESCUE. Logistics company Zipline is bringing its blood delivery service via autonomous drone to the Philippines to aid in providing blood and other critical and life-saving medical products to those living in geographically isolated disadvantaged areas. (Inset) A Zipline drone takes off from a distribution center.

By Bernadette Lunas

I

T WASN’T Sunday but the topic was “bloody” as U2 frontman Bono, together with Philippine Red Cross chairman and chief executive Richard Gordon and Zipline chief executive Keller Rinaudo, on Dec. 10 announced the launch of a delivery service of blood via drones in the Philippines.

The Irish rock and roll icon and philanthropist (also known as Paul David Hewson) was in the country last week together with his bandmates David Evans (The Edge), Adam Clayton, and Larry Mullen, Jr. as part of their The Joshua Tree Tour 2019 concert—their first time in the Philippines.

But before hitting the stage at the Philippine Arena, Bono joined the official signing between PRC and Zipline, where he is a board member.

“Music is my passion, but Zipline is where all my other passions come together,” he said.

Launched in October 2016, Zipline is an automated logistics company whose mission is to provide everyone with instant access to medical supplies through on-demand instant delivery by autonomous drone.

The drones take off from and land at Zipline’s distribution centers. Each drone can carry 1.8 kilos of cargo and fly up to 145 kilometers an hour.

During the launch at the PRC headquarters in Mandaluyong, Zipline announced plans to establish three distribution centers in Visayas, which are expected to fulfill hundreds of deliveries per day to thousands of health facilities.

PRC and Zipline said the service is

“Where you live should never decide whether you live.”

- Bono, U2 frontman and Zipline board member

Rock and roll icon and philanthropist Bono (middle) joins Keller Rinaudo and Senator Richard Gordon in the official signing of the partnership between Zipline and the Philippine Red Cross.

expected to launch in the summer of 2020, beginning with blood deliveries, but will soon expand to more than 150 critical and life-saving medical products, including vaccines.

“Millions of people in the Philippines can’t access the vital medical products they need because of lastmile transportation challenges,” said Rinaudo. “Zipline’s instant drone delivery service was designed to help

solve that problem.”

“This is the idea that commerce should serve people, not people should serve commerce,” asserted Bono, who Rinaudo said has been instrumental in Zipline’s mission to help save tens of thousands of lives worldwide.

“He has been fighting social injustice and working on global public health since before I was born,” said the 32-year-old Rinaudo. “Bono led the

way in terms of combating the HIVAIDS pandemic. There are not very many people, I think, who have really talked the talk and walked and walked the walk as he has.”

Bono takes issues on health programs “very seriously,” especially the fight against AIDS and preventable diseases.

“I have a little bit of background in global health, fighting HIV-AIDS pandemic,” the rockstar said of his advocacies.

Four people, same quality of sleep SLEEP is one of our common denominators. As in, we all need it to survive, regardless of the person’s lifestyle, routine, responsibilities.

These four people made the decision to invest in the essentials necessary to achieve quality sleep.

James Deakin

Alice Dixson says goodbye to back pain.

Alice Dixson

Fabulous but frenzied best describes the life of Alice Dixson as an actress, a digital media producer, and a popular endorser with her own charitable advocacies. At the end of a busy day, she sleeps in an instant, which she owes to her Tempur mattress and pillows.

“I had been using a Tempur mattress for over a decade in the States. And I purchased my first pillow in Canada as recommended by my chiropractor,” she shares.

Dixson relates the brand was recommended by her chiropractor because of a degeneration of her C-4, 5, 6 cervical vertebrae due to wrong posture.

She also had a lumbar tear. The pillow helped relieve the pain in her neck, the mattress provided therapeutic reprieve for her back pain. Her Tempur Hug Pillow, meanwhile, aided in correcting her posture while sleeping on her side.

News anchor and road safety advocate James Deakin admits that he used to consider a bed merely a means to an end, until he purchased a Tempur mattress.

“They say the biggest investments that people will make in their lives are one, their home, and second, a car. For me, the third biggest investment is a good mattress,” explains Deakin.

Even his wife is grateful for Tempur because it’s almost like having two single beds. He shares, “Tempur is not your traditional mattress where, when the other side tilts, you end up rolling into each other. That’s fine in a honeymoon but we’re married 25 years, so it’s nice to have a little bit of your own space when you’re sleeping.”

James Deakin invests in good quality mattress.

Bono cofounded (RED), which aims to raise public awareness about the AIDS crisis, as well as ONE, a global movement campaigning to end extreme poverty by means of lobbying legislators around the world.

“I saw it once, I saw up close how it was, not to get access to life-saving anti-retroviral drugs. I felt that ache, I felt that space between the need and the supply for that need,” he shared.

Especially beneficial to those living in over 4,000 geographically isolated disadvantaged areas or GIDA in the country, health workers simply need to place their orders by text message and receive their deliveries in 30 minutes on average.

Each Zipline distribution center, the company said, can deliver to an area of more than 20,000 square miles serving population of up to 12 million people.

“Your access to healthcare should not depend on the GPS coordinates of where you live,” Rinaudo said.

Bono seconded, “Where you live should never decide whether you live.”

Desiree Swan

Retired from teaching, Desiree Swan ensures her six to eight hours of sleep is of quality, especially due to her condition.

“I have the Tempur adjustable bed, the original mattress, a symphony pillow, leg spacer, and the eye mask. I got all these because someone with asthma like me is not advised to lie down flat. I have to be inclined,” she shares.

Swan adds, “And because I have phlebitis, my legs also have to be elevated. So my Tempur bed tilts up my head and raises my legs. Also, I needed a bed that supports my lower back. My bed and pillows really cater to my health needs and lifestyle.”

She used to have wedges to support her legs, back, and head but she found these implements too hot and did nothing but add pressure to her spine.

The brand’s sleep innovations trace their roots to the 1970s when NASA developed a pressure absorbing material to help cushion and support astronauts during lift-off.

Customized bed for Greg Slaughter.

Greg Slaughter

“My health is always a top priority and sleep is a very big factor when it comes to that,” says professional basketball player Greg Slaughter. “It helps me recover, mentally and physically, and gives me the ability to go back to work fresh.”

Growing up in the US, Slaughter is familiar with Tempur. “It started out with one Tempur pillow and then a body pillow,” he shares.

Slaughter is seven-foot tall and since most beds are usually just six feet, sleeping has always been a struggle. “So I contacted Tempur and they said they could get me one that was customized to suit my size and height.”

His customized Tempur mattress is six feet wide, 10 inches thick, and longer than seven feet.

Tempur is exclusively distributed in the country by Focus Global, Inc.

Desiree Swan lounges in comfort.

Life

C2

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2019 manilastandardlife@gmail.com

GIFT GUIDE

N

Wearables for wellness OTHING says you care better than a gift designed to aid the recipient on their journey towards wellness. It’s a plus if the gift comes with smart features and is stylish, too. You know, like these smartwatches and fitness trackers.

Spoil yourself Fitbit’s range of innovative fitness trackers and smartwatch caters to a variety of budgets and needs. Good news is some of them are on sale today until Dec. 27 at Digital Walker and Fitbit official store on Lazada.

Charge 3 (now P6,890 from P9,890) A swim-proof and advanced fitness tracker, it automatically recognizes different exercises such as runs and swims.

It also comes with smartphone notifications feature, and seven days battery life.

Versa 2 (P12,890) It comes with a stylish AMOLED screen and always-on display mode. Fitbit’s newest OS 4.1 update arriving this December makes this the most effective Fitbit smartwatch yet.

Its features include Smart Wake, new and improved algorithm for 24/7 PurePulse heart rate tracking, and others.

Splurge a little Designed with style in mind, Garmin’s next-generation lineup of hybrid looks like a traditional timepiece, with real ticking hands and elegant dial details, but actually has hidden smart screen that can be revealed with a flick of the wrist.

Key features include smart notifications, 24/7 advanced health monitoring, GPS, and other fitness features. They will be available at Garmin brand stores and other retail outlets by the end of December

vivomove Luxe (P29,995-P32,995) This premium hybrid smartwatch has a 42mm stainless steel bezel and stainless steel casing with either Italian leather or Milanese metal strap, and comes with sapphire crystal lens. It features hidden dual AMOLED color touchscreen displays with moving hands that interact with smartwatch graphics.

Inspire HR (now P4,690 from P6,290) An easy-to-use, sleek fitness tracker that provides 15+ goalbased exercise modes, guided breathing sessions, 24/7 heart rate tracking, and reminders to move.

vivomove 3 (P16,595) Available in a 44mm case size, with a stainless steel bezel, a selection of colorful silicone bands, and a hidden touchscreen display.

Millennials are loco for coco

Marine ‘Guardians’ in action to protect, inspect, and conserve the marine and coastal life of Puerto Galera.

COCONUT products, especially those ingested, are getting a renewed interest thanks to the largely wellness conscious millennial market, which comprise over 50 percent of the local workforce.

In a series of focus groups organized by New Nutrition Business, results revealed that millennials aged 24-33 liked the taste of coconut, expressing how much they enjoyed coconut-based products.

Recent studies show that virgin coconut oil, which was once shunned for its high saturated fat content, is now considered a “superfood” as it is rich in lauric acid, which the body converts into monolaurin that serves as an antimicrobial agent.

Following trends and extensive research, local coconut producer ProSource Coconut, Inc. (ProSource) and

its international brand NUCO, respond to a significant change in market behavior over the past 15 years, shifting from offering only virgin coconut oil into a multi-product venture offering non-traditional coconut products that will cater to the growing concern for health and wellness relevant in today’s generation.

The NUCO Coconut Wraps, which comes in four different flavor variants: Original, Moringa, Turmeric, and Cinnamon, is an all-natural alternative to breads and wraps used in burrito, for example.

The brand also offers the NUCO Coconut Crunch Cereal, a gluten- and grainfree snack best eaten with almond or coconut milk, or as a topping on salads.

In addition to these all-natural and organic coconut food items, personal care commodities like ProSource Co-

Guarding Galera’s marine resources

TOP diving spot Puerto Galera is regarded by conservationists as the “center of the center of marine biodiversity” with its remarkable aquatic life in the heart of the world’s “Coral Triangle” in Southeast Asia.

Its bay is sanctuary to 152 coral species, over 180 species of nudibranches, and 19 mangrove species, as well as nine out of the world’s 16 seagrass species. It was named in 1973 as a UNESCO Man and Biosphere Reserve and inducted in 2005 into the Most Beautiful Bays of the World Club.

In a bid to preserve and protect its resources, Metro Pacific Investments Corp. and the Municipal Government of Puerto Galera recently launched its Marine Protection, Inspection, and Conservation (MPIC) Guardians Program as part of the conglomerate’s decade-old private-public partnership.

Nine fishermen and Bantay Dagat members from the local government unit committed themselves to protecting, inspecting, and conserving both marine and coastal life under Shore It Up, the environmental flagship program of MPIC. The newly inducted MPIC Guardians underwent two phases of training sessions in preparation for their environmental deputization, which included an

open water scuba diving certification.

Based on the memorandum of understanding with Puerto Galera, Metro Pacific has committed P1.5 million over three years to provide the local Bantay Dagat with the technical knowhow through scuba diving training, uniforms, and equipment such as global positioning system (GPS) trackers, GoPro Hero 7s, two-way radios, and search lights, to better protect the town’s aquatic resources.

“The Marine Protection, Inspection, and Conservation Guardians of Puerto Galera will pioneer the alliance of Marine Guardians patrolling the Verde Island Passage with other key areas like Marinduque, Tingloy, and Mabini in Batangas,” says Metro Pacific Investments Foundation, Inc. president Melody del Rosario, who presided over the launch.

She added that the 10-year-old Shore It Up program looks forward to more years of championing nature, anchored on a shared vision in the pursuit of environmental sustainability.

Puerto Galera vice mayor Marlon Lopez expressed its thanks to the conglomerate chaired by Manuel V. Pangilinan for partnering with the municipal government in this environmental endeavor.

Virgin coconut oil is now considered a ‘superfood’ as it is rich in lauric acid, which the body converts into an anti-microbial agent.

cogugo Shampoo, ProSource Extra Virgin Coconut Soap, and ProSource Extra Virgin Coconut Calming Oil are popular with those who pine for smooth and moisturized skin and hair without harmful chemicals.

Coconut Wraps

Coconut Crunch Cereal

All ProSource and NUCO products are available at prosourcecoconut.com and on BeautyMNL and Lazada.

Maricar Reyes-Poon versus melasma

Actress and model Maricar Reyes-Poon takes care of her skin with the help of an oral depigmentation solution.

ACTRESS and model Maricar Reyes-Poon owes her flawless skin to a healthy regimen of proper sleep, healthy diet, and plenty of water, which she supplements with an oral depigmentation solution.

An advocate of natural skin care methods, Reyes-Poon reveals that Pynocare keeps her skin clear and healthy, an essential tool in her trade.

“As an actress and model, healthy, glowing skin is important. But long hours under the sun during taping and shoots, and lack of sleep can also wreak havoc on the skin,” she shares.

Pynocare is the world’s first oral natural depigmentation solution specially designed to lighten and prevent melasma, a skin condition resulting in brown, uneven patches on the face due to overproduction of the skin pigment

melanin. While often caused by direct exposure to the sun’s UV rays, hormonal changes and pollutants can also trigger the condition.

Pynocare softgel capsules consist of a powerful blend of organic extracts that are lab-tested and proven by medical experts to lighten melasma in as fast as eight weeks. Ingredients include vitamin C, Beta Carotene, D alpha tocopheryl acetate, and procyanidin—all effective antioxidants that decrease hyperpigmentation, promote skin healing, and protect the skin from harmful UV rays that cause dark spots and premature skin aging.

Pynocare is created by MEGA Lifesciences, a leading health and wellness company specializing in safe and effective nutritional and herbal products.

Entertainment

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2019 nickie.standard@gmail.com

C3

Safdie brothers offer film snapshot of NY with ‘Uncut Gems’

Benny and Josh Safdie, the directors of ‘Uncut Gems,’ based their main character on a man who worked with their father, with the film’s stars Adam Sandler and Idina Menzel.

WITH Uncut Gems, directing duo Josh and Benny Safdie offer a pure slice of life in their native New York, with an explosive tale about diamonds, basketball, the Jewish community, and gambling.

The film stars New Yorker Adam Sandler, who made his name in the Big Apple as a young comedian on Saturday Night Live.

Sandler is now firmly ensconced in middle age, and drama is not his usual fare. But the film offers him a chance to stretch his acting muscles, and there is plenty of Oscar buzz.

Alongside Sandler are, in no particular order, retired basketball superstar Kevin Garnett, singer The Weeknd and actress Idina Menzel, who etched her place in history as Elsa in Disney’s animated megahit Frozen.

Leave it to the mercurial Safdie brothers to unite them on screen in a film that defies labels and takes the viewer from the diamond mines of Ethiopia to the Diamond District in Manhattan.

The pair spent a decade putting together Uncut Gems, which hits US theaters on Friday and will be distributed by Netflix abroad in January.

In the interim, they made four films— two documentaries and two feature films including Good Time starring Robert Pattinson, which was shown at the Cannes Film Festival in 2017.

“Gems was our North Star for the past 10 years, and everything that we made in the journey of trying to get this made was a footnote of the film,” Josh Safdie said at a screening in Santa Barbara.

“Not to discredit any of those movies, but they were detours.”

Uncut Gems is the story of charismatic diamond dealer Howard Ratner (Sandler), a character inspired by a man who employed the Safdies’ father.

“I was very nervous. They were constantly telling me how much they loved Howard and how big of a hero Howard was,” Sandler

explained.

Howard, who leads a relatively comfortable life, gets his hand on an exceptionally rare jewel—one that could change someone’s life.

But nothing happens as expected for a man convinced he can always end up getting out of any jam in which he finds himself.

Sandler’s Howard is a man in perpetual motion—a colorful businessman, a practicing Jew, an unfaithful husband and a gambler with a problem.

The 53-year-old actor is best known for comedies that are somewhat lacking in nuance, such as Happy Gilmore or The Waterboy.

But in Uncut Gems, he flies out of his comfort zone and even initially refused the role before finally taking it on.

“I was reading it, and I was going: this guy is kind of a bad guy, and he was a hero to these guys. I couldn’t figure it out.

But we just jumped in together,” Sandler said. AFP

ABS-CBN bags five Anak TV seals of approval LEADING media company ABS-CBN continues to be the choice for children as the Kapamilya network’s programs and personalities received a total of 24 awards at the recent Anak TV Awards.

Long-running drama anthology Maalaala Mo Kaya, iconic musical variety show ASAP Natin ‘To, hit daytime TV series Nang Ngumiti Ang Langit, popular talent reality showWorld of Dance, and well-loved daytime talk show Magandang Buhay all gained Anak TV Seals of Approval for its kid- and family-friendly content.

Meanwhile, other programs such as ABS-CBN flagship newscast TV Patrol, top-rating noontime program It’s Showtime, afternoon drama favorite Kadenang Ginto, and primetime staples FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano and The General’s Daughter were presented with the Household Favorite awards. Nang Ngumiti Ang Langit was also given the same citation, making it as a double-winner in the event.

Aside from the leading media and entertainment company’s shows, its stars also made a splash in the Anak TV awards, receiving 13 total Makabata Star recognitions, led by box-office stars Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla.

Aside from the popular loveteam, other Kapamilya stars handed Makabata Star citations were Halik leading man Jericho Rosales, Alone/Together actress Liza Soberano, The Voice Philippines coach Lea Salonga, Kadenang Ginto stars Francine Diaz and Beauty Gonzalez, FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano’s Yassi Pressman, and Susan Roces, Minute to Win Ithost Luis Manzano, PBB Otso host Robi Domingo, Bagani star Matteo Guidicelli, and The Killer Bride star Joshua Garcia.

The Anak TV Awards is an annual national recognition given by the Anak TV honoring child-sensitive programs and personalities in the Philippines. This year’s awarding ceremony was held at the Soka Gakkai Building in Quezon City.

How Daniel overcomes separation anxiety TRAVEL SNAP. Daniel Padilla holds Kathryn Bernardo’s hand in a photo taken in one of their latest overseas trips.

I

N A recent interview with the popular late-night showbiz gabfest Tonight with Boy Abunda, Daniel Padilla admitted that he really felt scared when he was physically separated from girlfriend Kathryn Bernardo when she was shooting for the film Hello Love, Goodbye opposite Alden Richards.

He said he won’t deny that such situation was something new to him.

“She was away for a month. I found it difficult that we’re not physically together during those times. I guess that’s just but natural since we’ve been working for eight straight years together.

Both on and off-cam, we were together.

Then, all of a sudden, she would be away that long?” he shares.

DJ knew though that it was all about work. He was aware that the reason for their temporary separation was that she’s going to do a movie.

“But you see, its theme is about love.

Of course, on my part being a guy, your reaction will be, ‘Oh, my! She will have a different partner. And it’s in a far place like Hong Kong!’ So, the fear was there.

To alleviate what I felt, I flew to their set and made a surprise visit.”

Did he really get jealous of Alden?

“Jealous? I think that’s a shallow term. Actually, it’s not envy, it’s more of it’s a different feeling you just experienced for the first time.”

Fortunately, having gone through

such predicament has brought about positive things in his relationship with Kathryn.

“Most definitely! We were really put to test. The good thing is, our relationship became more secure and tight. When she left, I can say that it was the dark times of my life. I couldn’t ignore it and say that it was just okay,” he admitted.

“Sometimes, I’m in the bathroom and I would stay there for hours. I just couldn’t explain the source of all the pain I felt when I got separated from Kathryn during that period. What’s clear though is the love I have for her.”

“There were moments when you’ll think, ‘What’s happening there?’ It’s not that I don’t trust Alden. It’s not that. As I repeatedly say, the situation is just different. And I just couldn’t call Kathryn any time I want. They’re shooting. So, I could only talk to her in the morning and evening. In between those times that there’s no Kathryn to talk to, what would I do?” explained Daniel.

Given the great love he has for his lady love, does he already plan to marry Kathryn in the near future?

“I guess it’s not yet the right time. For one, I still need to save for that momentous event in our lives. My savings is

not yet enough at this point. Marriage is something that you have to work on and prepare for seriously,” he ended. *** If given another opportunity, Judy Ann Santos would still want to work with critically-acclaimed director Brillante Mendoza whom she collaborated with in the film Mindanaowhere she clinched her first international acting award via the recently-concluded Cairo International Film Festival.

“That’s for sure,” she avers. “For one, he works systematically. He works fast.

When he says we will pack-up in a certain time, we really do! When you arrive on the set, he will shoot right away. In the process, you learn a lot of things. Like your love for your craft, your passion as an artist, you will realize you still can improve and hone it to the fullest.”

Juday salutes Direk Brillante’s working style.

“I like how he values his respect for people. He doesn’t scream on the set nor become angry. But amazingly, everybody’s obeying him and he has their utmost respect. He doesn’t resort to anger just to make people listen to him and obey him. It’s in the way he treats them with respect.”

Judy Ann Santos with ‘Mindanao’ director Brillante Mendoza

Francine Diaz and Beauty Gonzalez are Makabata Stars

People...

From C4

For his part, PLDT Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Manuel V. Pangilinan said, “We as Filipinos have a powerful motivation to be active when it comes to taking care of our planet. We are at the frontlines of climate change.

Several recent international studies have warned that the Philippines is among the countries that are being most adversely affected by the changing climate,”“Let us take action to protect our planet. And let us create hope for a better future for our people,” he added.

“At this critical point for our environment, we commit ourselves to provide impassioned, stronger, and more proactive campaigns that will allow us to conduct our business in ways that will secure the future of our children. And to protect these future generations, it has become crucial that we protect our home, our Earth. More than for compliance, we want Sustainability embedded in PLDT and Smart’s DNA and culture,” Revilla added.

She also said, “We are committed to doing our part in trying to reduce our carbon footprint by continuing to plant trees, support forest regeneration protection of mangroves and coral reefs and encouraging our employees and stakeholders to contribute individually or through programs like the planned prohibition of single use of plastics, proper cycling and disposal of batteries, among others.”

PLDT and Smart’s sustainability efforts have been ongoing since 2015— long before the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) mandated all Philippine-listed companies to publish in 2020 their Sustainability Reports for yearend 2019.

“PLDT and Smart’s Sustainability Program is part of the companies’ continuous effort in making substantial contributions towards attaining key sustainable development goals,” MVP,

Child stars Miguel Vergara and Sophia Reola from ‘Nang Ngumiti Ang Langit’ at the Anak TV Awards

who had given Chaye his vote of confidence for this endeavor, said. To this end, the Sustainability Group mobilizes PLDT and Smart employees, as well as its top management executives, to boost the companies’ environmental stewardship efforts anchored on PLDT-Smart’s seven Sustainability Pillars.

These Sustainability Pillars— continuous innovation, responsible and efficient operations, awesome customer experience and quality of service, environmental stewardship, corporate social responsibility and community relations, good labor practice and people management, and good governance and ethical business practices–are aimed at future-proofing PLDT-Smart’s business and serve to reinforce and contribute to the triple bottomline espoused by Sustainability: Profit/Progress, People, and Planet.

Revilla may take on a different hat with the company’s Sustainability Program, but she remains to be the guiding force in Gabay Guro and with it is the promise that they will continue to find innovative programs consistent with the seven pillars of education—classroom donation, scholarships, teachers’ training, livelihood programs, connectivity, computerization, teachers’ tribute, and digital innovations.

In its 12 years thus far, Gabay Guro has held training programs for over 60,000 teachers, built 47 classrooms, and provided over 2,000 scholarship grants.

Its grand gathering remains to be its muchawaited activity every year, drawing tens of thousands of teachers from all over the Philippines to take part in one whole day of fun, prizes, surprises and world-class entertainment. The teachers’ tribute has so far been brought to the following provinces: Agusan, Bulacan, Bataan, Iloilo, Navotas, Laguna, Davao, Metro Cauayan, Cebu and Quirino and is expected to come to four or more provinces in 2020.

“Gabay Guro is not just a program, it’s a movement. Kindness is infectious. If you’re able to influence others in a good way, there’s a ripple effect. A lot of lives will change,” Revilla concluded.

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

C4

Entertainment

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2019

GMA executive joins Southeast Asia Video Film Festival for Children jury GMA Network Vice President for Corporate Affairs and Communications Angela Javier Cruz represented the Philippines as one of the jurors at the Southeast Asia Video Festival for Children (SEAVFC) from Nov. 27 to 30 in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

SEAVFC is an annual video competition that celebrates the best in children’s television across the region. Cruz joined an expert panel of media professionals from 10 countries–Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.

Other jurors from the Philippines include ABS-CBN Vice President and Head of Integrated Corporate Communications Kane Errol Choa and veteran broadcast journalist Jiggy Manicad.

As a juror, she reviewed videos created for and by the children.

The entries mirror the youth’s aspirations and desires as well as pride in family and traditions.

“Representing the country and GMA Network as a juror in this festival strengthens national pride during this time when we truly need to have more of it. The sharing and exchange of ideas among the participating c o u n t r i e s further enriched everyone’s knowledge of the Southeast Asians’ diverse yet

comparable cultures. I thank Anak TV for this opportunity to serve the organization and to support its vision of ensuring child-sensitive and age-appropriate video programs in the Philippines and beyond,” Cruz said.

Apart from being represented in the Southeast Asia jury, GMA Network also won the Heart Award (Professional Category) for its television series Sahaya. The series was topbilled by young actress Bianca Umali and showcased the richness of Philippine indigenous culture from the eyes of the Badjao people. The Philippines bagged four awards in the international film festival.

SEAVFC was inspired by the 2016 Prix Jeunesse International held in Munich, Germany. This festival is known for advocating excellence in children’s television around the world. Since its establishment in Germany in 1964, it has been promoting, celebrating and honoring the highest quality in youth and children’s television.

Seeing the limited representation of Southeast Asia in the festival and recognizing that the region has a vast young population which will benefit greatly from such a project, Anak TV Inc., through its president Elvira YapGo, proposed the first Southeast Asia Prix Jeunesse.

The Philippines hosted the first two editions of SEAVFC.

GMA Network Vice President for Corporate Affairs and Communications Angela Javier Cruz

‘The Outsider’ starts to intrude on HBO Go BASED on Stephen King’s bestselling novel of the same name, The Outsider is a new drama series that explores the investigation into the gruesome murder of a local boy and the mysterious force surrounding the case.

Debuting same time as the U.S. on Jan. 13 at 10:00 a.m.with two episodes back-to-back on HBO Go and HBO with an encore telecast on the same day at 10:00 p.m. on HBO, new episodes of this ten-episode series will premiere every Monday at the same time.

The series follows police detective Ralph Anderson (Ben Mendelsohn), as he sets out to investigate the mutilated body of 11-year-old Frankie Peterson found in the Georgia woods. The mysterious circumstances surrounding this horrifying crime leads Ralph, still grieving the recent death of his own son, to bring in unorthodox private investigator Holly Gibney (Cynthia Erivo), whose uncanny abilities he hopes will help explain the unexplainable.

The cast includes Emmy and Golden Globe nominee Ben Mendelsohn (Bloodline, Ready Player One) as Ralph Anderson; Tony Award winner and Golden Globe nomineeCynthia Erivo (The Color Purple, Harriet) as Holly Gibney; Bill Camp (Emmy-nominee for The Night Of) as Howie Salomon; Mare Winningham (Oscar nominee for Georgia) as Ralph’s wife Jeannie Anderson; Paddy Considine (HBO’s upcoming The Third Day) as Claude Bolton, manager of a local strip club; Julianne Nicholson (HBO’s upcomingMare of Easttown) as Glory Maitland; Yul Vázquez (Divorce) as Georgia Bureau of Investigation detective Yunis Sablo; Jeremy Bobb (CINEMAX’s The Knick) as Alec Pelley, a private investigator hired

by Howie; and Marc Menchaca (The Sinner) as detective Jack Hoskins; with Emmy and Golden Globe winner Jason Bateman (Ozark, Arrested Development) as Terry Maitland.

'The Outsider' lead cast members Ben Mendelsohn (left) and Jason Bateman

The force behind Gabay Guro, now the hand that leads Gabay Kalikasan Chaye CabalRevilla expands her role in PLDTSmart advocacies with her recent appointment as Chief Sustainability Officer (CSO)

PEOPLE NICKIE WANG

enjoys unprecedented success is mainly because this institution has always been powered by a team of committed and sincerely devoted volunteers who took this mission to heart.

Revilla has led a team of volunteers

diligently and persistently and was able to steer the institution steadily and progressively towards this direction.

Gabay Guro today has grown to become a by-word among Filipino teachers and students since its inception 12 years ago for doing its share in nation-building, honing the skills and improving the life of the Filipino teacher, and inevitably upholding the quality of education of the Filipino student.

That’s why, it didn’t come as a surprise to hear of Revilla’s expanded role in PLDT-Smart advocacies with her recent appointment as Chief Sustainability Officer (CSO) for the leading telco and digital services provider and its wireless subsidiary.

As such, Revilla takes the helm in the company’s continued and stronger commitment in creating a more sustainable future for families, communities, and the country. No doubt, Revilla will be bringing with her on the new job, her unquestionable dedication to help and courage to fight for the betterment of the life of the Filipino family.

The newly-institutionalized PLDTSmart Sustainability Group also launched its program dubbed “Gabay Kalikasan” coinciding with the National Climate Change Awareness Week and the 91st anniversary of PLDT. “PLDT and Smart go beyond business. Caring for our environment is just as important as taking care of our people and hitting our profit targets.

The impact of climate change affects everyone pervasively. This includes our safety, our health, our existence.

This is personal to me because I am a mother,” she said. “ What we will do from here on will spell the difference in ensuring our abilities to leave a lasting legacy for the future generation or not. I believe that this cause should be personal to all of us and it is imperative that we act on it together,” Revilla continued. Continued on C3

P

LDT Chief Sustainability Officer (CSO) Chaye Cabal-Revilla recognizes the contribution and the clout of celebrities as ambassadors to wellmeaning causes. She said, without celebrities, it would be difficult for corporate personalities like her to connect with the masses.

Thus, in a recent event where leading telco and digital services provider PLDT Inc. and its wireless subsidiary Smart Communications, Inc. announced its continued and stronger commitment in creating a more sustainable future for families, communities, and the country, they tapped local artists and celebrities to join them in their initiative.

Singer-actress Pops Fernandez, along with musical artists Joey Ayala, Unique Salonga, Rice Lucio and Telay Robles, were among those names who joined Revilla and PLDT Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Manuel V. Pangilinan at the launch of PLDT’s latest Sustainability Program, Gabay Kalikasan.

“When we collaborate with celebrities, we get the public’s attention almost immediately. That’s the reason why we chose to work hand in hand with them. Apart from their clout as famous personalities, they can easily encourage people to join in our efforts to make a difference in our community,” Revilla said.

But Revilla still trains the spotlight on the people who work tirelessly behind the scenes. She said the reason why Gabay Guro (the flagship advocacy program and education arm of PLDT-Smart Foundation)

Local artists Unique, Rice and Telay join in the recent launch of Gabay Kalikasan, another initiative of leading telco and digital services provider PLDT Inc. and its wireless subsidiary Smart Communications, Inc.

Chaye Cabal-Revilla (third from left) with (from left) Manila Times' Tessa MauricioArriola, entertainment columnist Lolit Solis, Manila Standard's Nickie Wang, Daily Tribune's Dinah Ventura, Malaya's Gie Trillana, and publicist Shirley Pizarro