Manila Standard - 2019 December 24 - Tuesday

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PUMP PRICES RESUME UPSWING: DIESEL RISES BY P1.15

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US bans PH execs, Palace unfazed

By MJ Blancaflor, Rey Requejo and Macon Ramos-Araneta US PRESIDENT Donald Trump has approved Washington’s 2020 budget that includes a provision denying entry to those involved in jailing opposition

Senator Leila de Lima—an action that Malacañang says does not bother it.

The provision, an amendment in the 2020 State and foreign operations appropriations bill, was part of the US government’s 2020 budget signed into law by Trump Friday, Dec. 20 (Saturday in Manila).

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VOL. XXXIII • NO. 313 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P18 TUESDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2019 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Mindanao blasts injure 22 Duterte, LGUs slam attacks; NBI joins probe; terror groups blamed

By Rey E. Requejo

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SERIES of explosions rocked Cotabato City and Maguindanao town Sunday night, wounding 22 people, including soldiers, a military official said.

A hand grenade was thrown into a military truck patrolling Cotabato City, with eight soldiers and four civilians sustaining injuries from the bomb’s shrapnel.

It was quickly followed by an improvised explosive device (IED) blast in the nearby town of Libungan, wounding five civilians with one in serious condition, regional military spokesperson Maj. Arvin Encinas said.

Another explosion was recorded in the neighboring town in Maguindanao, although police are still gathering information on whether there are casualties.

The Department of Justice on Monday ordered the National Bureau of Investigation to conduct a parallel investigation into the series of bomb attacks.

Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said he would dispatch NBI agents immediately to the crime scenes before the

evidence was spoiled.

No groups have yet claimed responsibility for the attacks, which happened as the government planned this year to lift its military rule in the island over the improving security situation.

“We do not discount the possibility that Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters [BIFF] and Daesh-inspired groups are behind this,” Encinas said, referring to the Islamic State-linked militants.

The Palace on Monday condemned the separate grenade attacks in Cotabato and Maguindanao that wounded at least 22 people.

“We condemn in the strongest possible terms last night’s grenade attacks and explosion incidents in Cotabato and Maguindanao which left scores wounded, including soldiers who were conducting patrols,” Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said.

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Ver partner keeps Forbes mansion

By Rey E. Requejo THE Supreme Court has rejected the bid of a doctor-developer to have a long-time partner of a former Armed Forces chief evicted from a disputed Forbes mansion after he failed to comply with the doctrine of hierarchy of court.

The high court’s Second Division denied the petition filed by Daniel Vasquez seeking the Court’s immediate intervention to expel Edna Camcam, the longtime partner of the late former Armed Forces Chief Fabian Ver, from the property in compliance with the ruling of the Regional Trial Court of Makati and the Court of Appeals declaring him as the

real owner of the mansion.

“After a judicious study of the case, the Court resolves to dismiss instant petition filed by petitioner Dr. Daniel E. Vasquez for violation of the doctrine of hierarchy of court,” the high tribunal said.

While, the high court, the Court of Appeals and the Regional Trial Court have concurrence of jurisdiction to issue writs of certiorari, the high court said Vasquez cannot just choose which among the courts his certiorari petition should be filed.

“Instead, a becoming regard for judicial hierarchy dictates that petitions for the issuance of writs of certiorari against first level court should be filed with the Next page

BOMB BLASTS. At least 22 people were hurt in seemingly related bombings in Cotabato City and nearby Libungan town in North Cotabato after dusk Sunday but their identities were not immediately disclosed. In Cotabato City, 16 were injured, among them personnel of the Army’s 5th Special Forces Battalion guarding the premises of the Immaculate Conception Cathedral near the spot where an explosive went off. Photos Courtesy of the Office of the Cotabato City Mayor Cynthia Guioani-Sayadi

Reds’ hit list ‘false news’

8 killed, 265 sickened by ‘lambanog’

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

By MJ Blancaflor and Macon Ramos-Araneta NATIONAL Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr. and other officials are fed with wrong information communist rebels have a so-called “hit list” which includes President Rodrigo Duterte, Malacanang said Monday.

Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said the alleged list of targets for assassination was a “false news” since it Next page

WEATHER ‘Ursula’ intensifies

By Rio N. Araja TROPICAL storm “Ursula” is forecast to gradually intensify into a severe tropical storm before making Next page

THE Health department on Monday confirmed that the number of deaths due to methanol poisoning from drinking lambanog rose to eight from the initial two earlier reported.

Online and television reports, however, said the number of deaths had already reached 11 with 265 people hospitalized.

Undersecretary Eric Domingo, also officer-in-charge of the Food and Drug Administration, said the rushed or incorrect method of producing the distilled

palm liquor may lead to the production of methanol, which is poisonous.

Domingo called on lambanog manufacturers to ensure that they get FDA approval for their products.

“It is important that this product is registered, checked and tested. Backyard production is really difficult because the product is not regulated,” he said.

The DOH earlier said it is investigating reports that 265 persons have fallen ill with two confirmed deaths due to poisoning after drinking coconut wine or lambanog in Rizal and Laguna provinces.

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Richest lottery pays out 2b euros WINNERS of Spain’s “El Gordo” lottery were celebrating Sunday after more than two billion euros were paid out as the lucky numbers were announced live on national television.

“El Gordo”, or “The Fat One”, is the Next page

BOTTOMS UP. In this photo taken Monday, residents who fell ill after drinking coconut wine locally called ‘lambanog’ sit as they wait for treatment at the Philippine General Hospital in Manila. AFP

‘House of the people’ for growth

By Maricel V. Cruz HOUSE Majority Leader Martin Romualdez on Monday reaffirmed the leadership’s commitment to continue working on President Rodrigo Duterte to make a comfortable life for Filipinos by passing legislative measures that would propel the country’s economic takeoff.

Romualdez of Leyte’s First District said the House’s schedule will be full when sessions resume on Jan. 20, 2020.

“Our focus right now is to work hard on legislation and pass all the measures needed to improve the living condition of our people,” Romualdez said. Next page

PRIORITY MEASURES.

House Majority Leader Martin Romualdez (left), in a huddle with Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano during a committee meeting on priority bills Monday. Ver Noveno

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News

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2019

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Rody extends 2019 budget MOE P

By MJ Blancaflor

RESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has extended the availability of this year’s government funds until the last day of 2020 since he has yet to approve the proposed P4.1-trillion national budget.

President Duterte signed Republic Act No. 11464 on Dec. 20 to make appropriations for maintenance and other operating expenses under the 2019 national spending plan available for release until Dec. 31, 2020.

Army goes after ASG holding Indonesian

ZAMBOANGA CITY―The Western Mindanao Command has vowed to continue to pursue the Abu Sayyaf Group after government troops rescued two abducted Indonesian fishermen following two separate clashes with the bandits in Sulu on Sunday.

“We will continue to pursue and neutralize the militants [Abu Sayyaf] with our deliberate operations to rescue captives and thwart their hostile plans," Lt. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, Westmincom chief, said in a statement on Sunday.

Lt. Col. Gerald Monfort, Joint Task Force Sulu information officer, identified the two rescued Indonesian fishermen as Maharuydin Lunani and Samiun Maneu, who were kidnapped along with Muhammad Farhan by the bandits on Sept. 23 this year off Lahad Datu, Sabah.

Monfort said Lunani was rescued after the first clash around 4:43 a.m. on Sunday in Barangay Pugad Manaul, Panamao, Sulu. The firefight lasted for about 25 minutes.

Monfort said the firefight ensued while the Marine Battalion Landing Team-4 troops were checking the reported presence of the kidnap victims in Barangay Pugad Manaul.

He said a soldier and an Abu Sayyaf bandit were killed while two other soldiers were wounded during the first clash.

Westmincom identified the slain ASG bandit as Hairula Itum whose remains were recovered, including an M16 Armalite rifle and one M-203 grenade launcher.

Maj. Gen. Corleto Vinluan Jr., Joint Task Force Sulu commander, said government troops “are still in pursuit operations to recover Mr. Muhammad Farhan, the remaining Indonesian kidnapped victim.”

“I am confident that we will recover Mr. Farhan with the help of the peaceloving Tausugs who are actively reporting ASG’s presence in their communities,” Vinluan said.

Sobejana said the military had already cordoned off the area, adding they were optimistic “we can rescue Farhan” before the end of the year.” PNA

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Before Congress went on a month-long Christmas break on Dec. 21, Romualdez said the House processed a total of 900 measures or an average of 28 measures per day during the 32 session days.

From July 22 to Dec. 18, the House received a total of 6,562 measures and 186 committee reports. Of these, 5,889 were bills and 673 were resolutions.

Meanwhile, House leaders on Monday said the dramatic bump in the public approval and trust ratings of Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano in the latest Pulse Asia poll is the best proof yet that he has started to deliver on his pledge to transform the House of Representatives into a “relevant, responsive and reliable House of the People.”

In the survey conducted from Dec. 3 to 8, Cayetano got an approval rating of 80 percent, up 16 percentage points from his 64 percent rating in September.

Representatives Elpidio Barzaga Jr. of Cavite and Michael Defensor of Anakalusugan Party-list group also cited the high poll ratings, saying there was no need to honor the term-sharing agreement Cayetano had made with Marinduque Rep. Lord Allan Velasco “I don’t see the need to change horses in midstream,” Barzaga said. “If he is performing exceeding well, why do we need to replace him? We might as well retain him as our Speaker for three years until June 30, 2022.”

Albay Rep. Joey Sarte Salceda, House ways and means committee chairman, said Cayetano’s and the House’s ratings, which have both steadily risen, “demonstrate that the public appreciates what the House leadership and collective membership, and the focused work of its committees have achieved in a matter of six months. Our hard work did not go unnoticed; they ultimately paid off.”

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world’s richest lottery, paying out millions of euros every year to multiple winners.

A single lottery office in the resort town of Salou in the northeast Catalan region, shared out 320 million euros ($354 million), Spanish television station TVE reported.

Such are the riches that can be won, Spaniards spent more than 2.9 billion euros on lottery tickets in the hope of getting lucky—three percent more than the previous year, organizers said.

Children sang out the lucky numbers on the televised show.AFP

The measure would allow agencies to spend funds for daily operational costs and capital outlays until he signs the proposed 2020 national budget.

A report on these releases and obligations will be submitted to the the

leaders of the House and the Senate, the House committee on appropriations and the Senate finance committee.

Senator Panfilo Lacson earlier said 1,253 budget items worth P83.219 billion were included in the proposed 2020 General Appropriations Act as “source” of funds for pet projects of some congressmen.

The Palace has assured the public that the Chief Executive would wield his veto power to get rid of any pork insertions in the proposed budget.

The senator said the provinces that received the biggest share of the supposed insertions were Albay (P670 million),

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“I vehemently condemn these attacks on our fellow Cotabateños. Let us keep in mind that these terrorist acts aim to instill fear and to spread panic,” the governor said, as she called on everyone to remain calm and to stay vigilant.

She added that the provincial government would be closely monitoring the situation alongside security forces and concerned local government units, and will extend the necessary support to all partners in peace.

At least five persons were injured in the 6:30 p.m. bombing that occurred along the Libungan Bridge in Barangay Poblacion, Libungan, North Cotabato.

In Cotabato City, an update said the number of those wounded in Sunday’s blast incident in front of the Cotabato Cathedral has risen to 14—nine soldiers and five civilians.

The mayor said the police and military remain on top of the situation but still need the cooperation of the community to fight terrorism. With AFP, PNA

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after trial; if convicted after pardon. Resolutions by legislature/ executive—native or alien—are of no moment,” Locsin stressed.

“US can refuse visas to anyone it wants for any reason; the PH deported a nun in that way. It is an aspect of sovereignty,” he said.

• Senate President Vicente Sotto III slammed the United States for interfering with other countries’ justice system “without even investigating.”

The US Fiscal Year 2020 State and Foreign Operations Appropriations Bill has a visa ban on Filipino government officials found to be involved in De Lima’s detention.

Sotto said Trump’s act only showed that US meddled with other countries’ justice system without even investigating.

• Also in the Senate, Senator Panfilo Lacson said allowing and denying the entry of foreigners into the territory of the United States, or any country, was a matter of right of that host country.

“They don’t even have to justify it,” said Lacson. “ What is unacceptable is the passage of a resolution by the US Senate Committee on Foreign Relations that calls for the dismissal of charges against any respondent in a criminal case, in this case, Senator De Lima and Maria Ressa,” said Lacson.

He noted it was an affront to the integrity of the courts and the country’s judicial system.

He said even the President or any executive official, or any member of our Congress, could not issue a formal resolution that would encroach on the power of a coequal branch of government.

De Lima, in a press release sent to reporters last October, identified several government officials whom she claimed to be involved in her detention.

Included in her list was President Rodrigo Duterte whom she said “took a direct hand in controlling the inmates-witnesses” who testified against her alleged link in illegal drug trade when she was still justice secretary.

Panelo, who also serves as President Duterte’s chief legal counsel, was included in her list as he failed to advise the President that violating her human rights and depriving her of her freedom were “abuses offensive to justice and humanity.”

Also included were online bloggers Mocha Uson, Sass Rogando Sasot, and RJ Nieto who were part of “a daily public media demolition.”

De Lima also named lawmakers in the House of Representatives who were part of a probe where “criminal convicts were induced to testify” against her “in exchange for prison privileges and immunity, if not presidential pardon.”

These lawmakers were former Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez, former Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre, Solicitor General Jose Calida, Public Attorney Office Chief Persida Rueda-Acosta, Sandra Cam, Dante Jimenez, and Congressmen Rey Umali and Rudy Fariñas.

De Lima has been detained since February 2017 and repeatedly denied the accusations, calling the allegations against her as “political persecution.”

“Any attempt to sow fear, hatred and violence is doomed to fail. We will pursue the perpetrators and will harness all our might to crush all evil forces or enemies of the state, as well as their supporters,” he added.

The Philippine National Police said they are continuously monitoring the security situation in different areas under a “full alert” status.

Panelo also called on the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities and persons to authorities.

North Cotabato Gov. Nancy Catamco and Cotabato City Mayor Frances Cynthia Guiani-Sayadi condemned the attacks Sunday evening.

Catamco, in a statement, said the bombings in the municipality of Libungan, North Cotabato and Cotabato City have struck another blow to the people’s sense of security, coming in the wake of recent earthquakes.

The entry prohibition tasks US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to prohibit from entering the US the Philippine officials about whom he has “credible information [to] have been involved in the wrongful imprisonment” of De Lima.

The section “Prohibition on Entry” says the US Secretary of State “shall apply subsection (c) to foreign government officials about whom the Secretary has credible information have been involved in the wrongful imprisonment of.... Senator Leila de Lima who was arrested in the Philippines in 2017.”

The provision also calls for the same action against officials of the Egyptian government and government officials of Turkey, Egypt, or Saudi Arabia over “wrongful detention” of American citizens or locally employed staff of a US diplomatic mission.

Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo brushed aside the measure, saying there was no credible information to prove that the Duterte administration was behind the imprisonment of De Lima, a vocal critic of the government’s anti-drug campaign.

“We are not bothered by it. First, it’s their process; we cannot intrude [into], in the same way that we react when they intrude into our processes. Number two, the very provision says there must be credible information before they ban any official in the Philippines,” Panelo told reporters.

“It cannot just be imposed... There must be a credible information. If the information is not credible, then the US Secretary of State will not impose such sanction,” he added.

Asked if there was a credible information that would prove government officials were behind the charges against the senator, Panelo said: “There is none.”

The US State Department has yet to release a list of Philippine officials who will be banned from entering the US. In related developments: • Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said he was “shockingly disappointed” with Trump’s approval of the decision and left it to the Department of Foreign Affairs to make an official policy statement.

“I will leave it to our foreign affairs secretary to comment on this development.

This issue is much bigger than the prosecution of Senator De Lima on drug charges under Philippine laws. This involves issues of sovereignty and non-interference among co-equal nations,” Guevarra said in a text message sent to reporters.

“As for me, I don’t give a damn . . . if I’m included in the US list. I’m not the one who has to answer to my conscience,” said Guevarra.

• Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. agreed with Guevarra that the US ban on the entry of the so-called “persecutors” or “jailers” of De Lima had impact on the country’s sovereignty.

“Yes, it has to do with sovereignty which if we waive here we may as well waive it to China and give Subic and Clark,” Locsin twitted on Monday.

Nonetheless, Locsin downplayed the relevance of US policy on the De Lima case.

“The only way for accused to go free is

Reds’...

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was denied by the Communist Party of the Philippines.

“That report is false news. It has been denied by [communist leader] Jose Maria Sison himself...He [Esperon] was fed by a false information,” Panelo told Palace reporters.

But Panelo was quick to say “it is not farfetched” that communist rebels would try to eliminate key government officials, including the President.

“The very essence of a rebellion is to put the government down. So definitely that includes assassinating people running the government,” Panelo said.

“But we’re ready for t hat. T hey have been t r y i ng to do t hat for t he past 50 yea rs but t hey’ve failed ,” he added.

In the meantime, the Philippine National Police attributed to the New Peoples’ Army

an attack on a police patrol vehicle Monday in Tubungan, Iloilo.

PNP acting chief Lt. Gen. Archie Gamboa told a press conference in Camp Crame that “there’s a very big possibility” the NPA was behind an improvised explosive device ambush in Iloilo that injured two policemen.

The attack happened a day after the government and the CPP declared a long holiday ceasefire beginning Dec. 23 and will last until Jan. 7, 2020.

“For the past few days we had massive operations and we were pursuing the communist local terrorists, the NPAs, and probably there’s a very big possibility that they are behind this,” Gamboa said in a mix of English and Filipino.

DND spokesman Arsenio Andolong also said all units of the Armed Forces had been notified regarding the unilateral and reciprocal ceasefire that the government declared with the CPP.

Cavite (P580 million), Sorsogon (P570 million), Batangas (P502 million), Bulacan (P440 million), Pangasinan (P420 million), and Cebu (P410 million).

The national government was forced to operate under a reenacted 2018 budget in the first few months this year over supposed insertions in the P3.757-trillion budget for 2019.

The President was only able to sign the budget on April 15.

The delay in the budget’s passage was blamed for the slower growth in gross domestic product for the first two quarters of the year.

Ver partner...

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RTC, and those against the latter, with the CA, before resort may be filed before this Court,” the high court said, citing Section 4, Rules 65 of the Rules of Court..

“A direct invocation of the Court’s original jurisdiction to issue writs of certiorari should be allowed only when there are special and important reasons, therefore, clearly and specifically set out in the petition, which are absent in this case,” the SC resolution read.

The tribunal said the trial court’s decision to deny Vasquez’s motion to transmit records of the case was premature.

The high court said the trial court cannot transmit the records of the case before the High Tribunal considering that Camcam timely filed a motion for partial reconsideration and is still pending before the CA. “Settled is the rule that if a motion for reconsideration (including a partial motion for reconsideration) is timely filed by the proper party, the execution of the CA’s judgment or final resolution shall be stayed," the high court ruled.

Because of this, the high court said the pendency of Camcam’s motion for reconsideration stayed the Feb. 24, 2017 decision of the appellate court.

In that decision, the CA set aside the decision issued by the Regional Trial Court Branch 66 of Makati City on Feb. 10, 2014, which declared Vasquez as the rightful possessor of the subject property.

He said it was the Metropolitan Trial Court which has jurisdiction over the said property being an unlawful detainer case, thus, the RTC should not have decided on the merits of the case.

The CA also directed that the case be remanded to the RTC for further proceedings.

Prior to the controversy, Vasquez claimed that Ver asked him to provide Camcam and her children a home as they were returning to the Philippines from exile.

Being Ver’s long-time friend, Vasquez offered the Forbes Park mansion which was acquired from the United Coconut Planters Bank through Benjamin Bitanga.

On Sept. 27, 1994, Bitanga executed a Sale with Right of Repurchase over the property in favor of Vasquez.

Camcam on the same day issued the guaranty declaring Vasquez as the owner.

In their quest to wrest control of the property, Camcam and Bitanga questioned the original sale of the property from UCPB to Bitanga and then to Vasquez.

They said the real intention was to enter into a loan transaction and not a sale.

The lower did not buy the argument and said the two did not even bother to annul the document, taking cognizance of Camcam’s claim that she was a veteran banker and an expert in mortgage transactions.

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Health Secretary Francisco T. Duque III said a total of 66 people were brought to Philippine General Hospital for treatment and observation.

Of the 66, 49 (84 percent) were males.

Age of cases ranged from 13-65 years old.

Fifty-five or 95 percent of the victims were residents of Rizal, Laguna. All had a history of lambanog ingestion between Dec. 19 and Dec. 22.

Other affected individuals were brought to East Avenue Medical Center (62), Rizal Medical Center (82), Quirino Memorial Medical Center (13), and Batangas Medical Center (42) for medical management.

The FDA has repeatedly issued warnings to lambanog brewers over its high methanol content.

It also advised the public to exercise extreme caution in purchasing and consuming the alcohol beverage, and to buy only those registered with FDA. “Lambanog poisoning is caused by residual methanol, which in high levels becomes highly toxic for humans,” the FDA said.

Methanol is a naturally occurring substance present during the distilling process, that should be separated and removed afterward.

Duque said FDA regulatory inspectors have been deployed to the municipality of Rizal, Laguna to collect samples and investigate the alleged poisoning incident.

DOH has assigned teams to the different health facilities where affected individuals were referred.

Meanwhile, the owner of the distillery believed to be responsible for the poisoning cases surrendered to the authorities Monday, the police said.

Fred Rey, owner of “Rey Lambanog” in Batangas province, promised to help shoulder the victims’ expenses, Rizal police chief Capt. Lindley Tibuc told ABSCBN News.

Also on Monday, the town of Rizal in Laguna was placed under a state of emergency after several people died and hundreds of others were taken to hospital due to alcohol poisoning.

Labor group rejects limit to Angkas, zaps LTFRB

By Vito Barcelo THE labor group Partido Manggagawa on Monday called on the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board to withdraw its decision to reduce the number of Angkas drivers due to a cap set by the board.

The LTFRB Technical working Group has reduced the number of riders from Angkas to 10,000 from 27,000 by the start of the 2020.

“We call on the LTFRB to withdraw its decision. Almost 20,000 Angkas riders are facing a sad Christmas and a bleak new year,” PM spokesman Wilson Fortaleza said.

“Fostering competition in the motorcycle taxi sector is good, but it should not lead to a massive dislocation of riders.

These Angkas riders have already gone through months of training and practical experience in plying motorcycle taxis, and only for them to end up jobless due to an LTFRB decision.”

But LTFRB board member Antonio Gardiola on Monday claimed no motorcycle riders would lose their jobs even after the implementation of a cap on the number of riders allowed under the pilot run of operations.

In a statement, the LTFRB called on DBDOYC Inc., more popularly known as Angkas, to “stop deceiving the riders.”

“Please stop deceiving the riders because no one will lose his job. The technical working group has even increased the cap from 27,000 to 30,000,” the board said.

Senate President Ralph Recto slammed the board’s decision, saying unemployment was the saddest Christmas gift Philippine government could give, in the wake of the LTFRB’s decision to reduce the number of drivers for the motorcycle-ridehailing company Angkas from 27,000 to 10,000 by January.

“Christmas is the season of giving, not of taking away; of spreading cheer and not sowing unhappiness,” he said.

But for 17,000 Angkas drivers and their families, he said, they got the saddest and meanest Christmas gift ever: Their livelihood being taken away.

The gift of unemployment, Recto said, was the most heartless of all, the worst Christmas bonus, one that even Scrooge would not even dare think of.

With Macon Ramos-Araneta

‘Ursula’...

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landfall over Eastern Visayas Tuesday afternoon or evening.

As of 5 p.m. Monday, “Ursula” slightly intensified while moving west northwestward toward Eastern Visayas.

The center of the storm was estimated at 670 kilometers east of Surigao City, Surigao del Norte.

Packing maximum sustained winds of 75 kms per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 90 kph, it was moving west northwest at 30 kph.

Tropical cyclone wind signal no. 2 was raised over Eastern Samar (Guiuan).

Signal no. 1 remained in effect over Quezon, Camarines Sur, Camarines Norte, Catanduanes, Albay, Marinduque, Romblon, Sorsogon, Masbate, including Ticao and Burias Islands, the rest of Eastern Samar, Northern Samar, Biliran, Leyte, Southern Leyte, Northern Cebu, Central Cebu, northeastern Bohol, Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Iloilo, Guimaras, northern Negros Occidental, northern Negros Oriental, Dinagat Islands and Surigao del Norte including Siargao Islands.

Light to moderate with intermittent heavy rains were expected over Quezon and the rest of Visayas, Bicol Region and Surigao del Norte.

Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal number 1 is hoisted in these areas: Eastern Samar Dinagat Islands insular municipalities of Surigao del Norte (Burgos, Sta. Monica, San Isidro, San Benito, Del Carmen, Pilar, Dapa, Gen. Luna, Socorro).

Metro Manila temperature ranges from 21-33 degrees Celsius; Tuguegarao City 21-30 degrees Celsius; Baguio City 15-24 degrees Celsius; SBMA 23-31 degrees Celsius; Lipa City 29-31 degrees; Metro Cebu 24-30 degrees Celsius; and Metro Davao 24-31 degrees Celsius.

Meanwhile, Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific Air on Monday announced they were cancelling 18 domestic flights scheduled Tuesday due to the bad weather condition brought by “Ursula.”

Among the PAL affected flights were PR 2671 Clark - Calbayog, PR 2672 Calbayog - Clark, PR 2234 Cebu - Tacloban, PR 2235 Tacloban - Cebu, PR 2238 Cebu - Tacloban, PR 2239 Tacloban - Cebu, PR 2927 Cebu - Legazpi PR 2928 Legazpi - Cebu, PR 2382 Cebu - Siargao and PR 2383 Siargao - Cebu “Affected passengers of the cancelled December 24 flights have been rebooked on the next available flights. Passengers with contact details on their Passenger Name Records will be notified on their new flight date through e-mail,¨said PAL spokesperson Cielo Villaluna.

The Cebu Pacific, on the other hand, cancelled eight flights at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport to and from Tacloban.

All affected passengers are requested to check the e-mail address provided upon booking.

“We urge passengers on flights that have already been cancelled to check for updates via their emails and refrain from proceeding to the airport,” said CEB management in a statement.

With Joel Zurbano and PNA

News PCSO to introduce new games in 2020 THE Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office is looking to introduce new games in 2020 to raise revenues for its charity programs.

Royina Marzan-Garma, PCSO general manager, said that aside from finding ways for their existing games, primarily the lotto and the Small Town Lottery games to produce more revenues, the agency has to introduce new ones to raise more funds for charity.

“Our gaming (Gaming, Product Development and Marketing Sector department) has to introduce new games and find ways for our existing games to produce more revenues,” Garma told reporters in a recent press briefing.

She said the games would raise more revenues for charity as most of its funds go to finance the Duterte administration’s flagship social services program, primarily the universal health care and the establishment of Malasakit Centers all over the country.

PNA

BI cited as most transparent agency THE Bureau of Immigration has been cited for championing freedom of information and being one of government’s most transparent agencies due to its high rate of response to requests for information from the public relative to its services and operations.

BI Associate Commissioner Aldwin Alegre and IT personnel Bernard Borgonos received on behalf of the bureau its FOI award as one of the top requested and performing agencies from the Presidential Communications Operations Office during a ceremony held in Makati City.

The PCOO has been giving the award every year to select government offices and non-government organizations that have made significant progress in affording citizens’ their right to access information on matters of public concern.

Vito Barcelo

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TUESDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2019 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Airports on high alert for holidays—CAAP

By Joel E. Zurbano

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IRPORTS operated by the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines were placed under heightened alert in anticipation of the volume surge of air travelers during the Christmas and New Year season.

This is in line with the directives of the Department of Transportation’s “Oplan Biyaheng Ayos: Pasko 2019,” which is running from Dec. 16 to Jan. 5, 2020.

CAAP chief information officer and spokesperson Eric Apolonio said security measures and maximum deployment of service and security personnel are now being observed at the airports to ensure safe, reliable, and convenient airport operations as Filipinos and tourists travel for the holiday season.

He said in line with this measure, all 12 area centers of the 40 CAAPmanaged commercial airports nationwide are also implementing a “no leave and day-off” policy during the period of heightened security.

Concerned government agencies operating at the airports, including the Office of Transportation Security and the Philippine National Police Aviation Security Group will also deploy personnel at areas of concern to ensure smooth passenger flow.

Meanwhile, in an effort to ensure

convenient and safe travels for the riding public, CAAP, in coordination with DOTr and its attached agencies in the aviation sector, has launched an intensified activation of the Malasakit Help Desks stationed in its airports. The help desks will serve as a one-stop shop for passenger assistance in airports.

The CAAP also coordinated with concerned airlines on the efficient processing of passengers, especially at check-in counters. Travelers are also reminded not to bring prohibited items to the airport and to stow all belongings in one’s carry-on baggage for faster processing at the screening checkpoints.

The CAAP has regularly prepared for the increase in passenger influx during the holiday season, which is expected to rise by 8 percent yearly. On Dec. 1 to 31 last year, CAAP airports welcomed 2.4-million domestic and international passengers and a total of 24.9-million passengers for 2018.

TUGUEGARAO CITY—A kilogram of cocaine worth P6 million was found off the shorelines of Barangay Bicobian in Divilacan, Isabela on Sunday.

Police Brig. Gen. Angelito Casimiro, Cagayan Valley regional police director, said fishers found the cocaine placed in a black rubberized plastic bag with brown packaging tape floating near the shorelines of the village.

CONSUMERS have to brace for higher pump prices of as much as P1.15 per liter effective 6 a.m. Tuesday to reflect the movement of prices in the world market.

The oil firms raised the price of diesel by P1.15 per liter and kerosene

by P1.05 per liter but did not move gasoline prices.

Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp., Phoenix Petroleum Philippines, Total Philippines and PTT Philippines announced the price hike while others are expected to follow suit.

“PTT Philippines to implement a P1.15 per liter increase on the price of diesel effective 6 a.m. Tuesday December 24. No changes on gasoline,” PTT Philippines said.

Global oil prices reacted positively to reports that the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries decision to continue to cut production and optimism over the US-China trade negotiations coupled with anticipated stronger demand in 2020.

On Dec. 17, most of the oil companies implemented a price increase on petroleum products. Diesel has increased by P0.3 to-P0.40 per liter and P0.60 per liter for kerosene.

No movement has been effected on gasoline.

According to the Department of Energy, year-to-date adjustments prior to the latest increase stand at a net increase of P6.46 per liter for gasoline, P4.17 per liter for diesel and P1.21 per liter for kerosene.

By Darwin G. Amojelar

EXCELLENT HAM. Excelente Ham in Quiapo is one of the most sought-after ham stores in Manila. Their store located along Carlos Palanca Street, in Quiapo, Meanila usually gets filled with people as Christmas Eve draws near. Their ham’s smoky, sweet, and savory flavor entice their loyal patrons back to their stores every year during the holiday season. Lino Santos

Fishermen find P6-m cocaine off Divilacan shores in Isabela

By MJ Blancaflor

By Alena Mae S. Flores

‘Expect 10% rise in vehicle volume at NLEX’

Bill filed against ‘counterfeit’ seeds A PARTY-LIST legislator on Monday pushed for the passage of a bill amending the two-decade Seed Industry Development Act (Republic Act No. 7308) and curb the proliferation of unlawful seed lots.

Party-list Rep. Sharon Garin of AAMBIS-OWA made the urging as she echoed the lament of private seed distributors on the spread of counterfeit seeds harming the interest of farmers and the Philippine seed industry.

“This measure will help bring highquality seeds to Filipino farmers.

Considering how vulnerable our country is to climate change, there is a need for us to bring drought-tolerant and climatesmart varieties closer to the farmers.

But how can we gain the confidence of investors if the sale of counterfeit seeds is rampant in the country?” Garin, author of House Bill 3591, said.

By definition, unlawful seed lots are those infested with pests or infected with diseases sold by dealers/producers with false documents.

Maricel V. Cruz

Oil firms hike pump prices

by P1.15/l today, Dec. 24

The fishers turned over the substance to the Naval Intelligence and Security Group-Northern Luzon and later, to the Divilacan police.

Col. Mariano Rodriguez, Isabela police director, and Captain Geriyell Frogoso, Divilacan police chief, gave the contraband to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, which has jurisdiction over drug cases.

The substance was confirmed to be cocaine in a series of tests by PDEA

chemist Jomar Concepcion.

Casimiro said the “bigtime accomplishment” was due to the good partnership of villagers and police in the area who have been “vigilant and hardworking.”

In February 2018, a blue container with 18 packs of cocaine worth P79 million was found in Barangay Dipudo, also in Divilacan, Isabela.

Meanwhile, a Social Weather Stations survey showed that many Filipinos remained satisfied with President Rodrigo

Duterte’s anti-narcotics campaign despite their doubts on policemen’s claims that killed drug suspects resisted arrest.

In the September 2019 poll released Sunday, 79 percent of respondents said they were satisfied with the war on illegal drugs while 15 percent were dissatisfied.

The remaining 6 percent were undecided.

This gives a net satisfaction rating of +64, classified by the SWS as “very good,” although it was six points lower than the +70 rating in June and March. With PNA

Palace hands off on Quiboloy’s cases

TERRORISM. Protesters burned an NPA flag condemning the 51 years of CPP-NPA

terrorism in the country. They also condemned the Dutch government for harboring and coddling CPP-NDF founder Joma Sison for more than three years in Ultrecht. They also protested against the latest barbaric and treacherous action of Sison and the NPA, the Christmas Party Massacre in Borongan, Samar, last Dec.13. The NPAs attacked a convoy of civilians, resulting in the death of two civilians, one of them newly married and the wounding of two innocent children. The attack also involved the use of landmine which under the Geneva convention is considered unlawful. Lino Santos

THE closeness of President Rodrigo Duterte with Kingdom of Jesus Christ founder Pastor Apollo Quiboloy would not affect the rape charges against the religious leader, the Palace said Monday.

Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo made the statement after Quiboloy was accused of rape, human trafficking, and child abuse by a former follower.

“The rule of law in this country always prevail regardless of who are involved,” Panelo said in a press briefing.

President Duterte previously admitted receiving valuable gifts from Quiboloy throughout the course of their three-decade friendship. The religious leader even provided private jets for Duterte’s 2016 presidential campaign.

The two are also shooting buddies and

motorcycle enthusiasts.

But they allegedly had a spat after the President reportedly refused to accept the pastor’s help in selecting Cabinet members, but they mended ties supposedly after the 2019 midterm elections.

Duterte has also appeared twice in Quiboloy’s program “Give Us This Day” for exclusive interviews.

Panelo refused to comment on the charges against Quiboloy, the selfproclaimed “appointed son of God.” “That should be a private matter involving the Pastor. So we will not intrude into that private domain,” he said.

In October last year, Quiboloy was also accused by a former follower of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ for running a “child sex ring.”

MJ Blancaflor

NLEX Corp. said it expects a 10-percent increase in the number of vehicle traffic at North Luzon Expressway and Subic Clark Tarlac Expressway during the holiday season.

NLEX said it has already mobilized additional traffic management and toll collection resources for the anticipated 10-percent surge in traffic volume from Dec. 19 until Jan. 6, 2020.

“As the peak travel season is already upon us, we are intensifying our customer facing services to help shorten the travel time of our motorists, so they can spend more time with their families and friends,” said NLEX Corp., president and general manager J. Luigi L. Bautista.

The traffic operations personnel will be on heightened alert and will render extended working hours to closely monitor traffic conditions at key toll plazas in Balintawak, Mindanao Avenue, Bocaue, San Fernando City, Tarlac City, and Tipo in Subic.

No lane closures will be implemented along the NLEXSCTEX expressway unless road safety repairs are required.

During the peak hours of Dec. 21, the Balintawak, Mindanao, and Tarlac toll plazas will activate up to 24, 10, and 21 collection points, respectively to accelerate customer toll transactions during the northbound provincial exodus.

From Dec. 26 to Jan. 5, NLEX Corp. will install up to 60 collection points in the main Bocaue Toll Barrier to accommodate Manilabound motorists.

Toll tellers at the Tarlac City and Tipo Subic toll plazas will be ready to issue pre-encoded transit tickets to reduce waiting time.

The tollway company will also be ready to manage traffic at the NLEX-SCTEX service areas and set up counterflow lanes as necessary to ensure smooth traffic flow.

Emergency medical services and incident response teams will also be augmented during the traffic surge.

A4

Opinion

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2019

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

The tale of The Son

EDITORIAL

But, the young man said: “Oh, no sir, I could never repay what your son did for me. It’s a gift.”

The father hung the portrait over his mantle. Every time visitors came to his home, he took them to see the portrait of his son before he showed them any of the other great works of art he collected.

The father died a few months later. There was to be a great auction of his paintings. Many influential people gathered, excited over seeking the great paintings and a having the opportunity to purchase one for their own collections. On the platform of the auction house sat the painting of his son.

The auctioneer pounded his gavel and said: “We will start the bidding with this portrait of the son. Who will bid for this painting?” There was silence in the back of the room.

There was shouting: “We want to see the famous paintings. Skip this one.” The auctioneer persisted. “Will someone bid for this painting? Who will start the bidding? $100, $200?”

Another voice shouted angrily, “We didn’t come to see this painting. We came to see the Van Goghs, the Rembrandts. Get on with the real bids!”

But the auctioneer continued. “The Son! The Son! Who will take The Son?’” Finally, a voice came from the very back of the room. It was the longtime gardener of the father and his son.

“I’ll give $10 for the painting.” Being a poor man, it was all he could afford. “We have $10, who will bid for $20?’ The angry buyers shouted, “Give it to him for $1. Let’s see the masters.” The auctioneer shouted and said: “$10 is the bid, will someone bid $20?”

There was no response. The crowd was becoming angry. They did not want the painting of the son they

A WEALTHY man and his son loved to collect rare works of art. They had everything in their collection, from Picasso to Raphael. They would often sit together and admire the great works of art.

When the Vietnam conflict broke out, the son went to war. He was very courageous, but died in battle while rescuing another soldier. The father was notified and he grieved deeply for his only son.

Any takers?

About a month later, just before Christmas, there was a knock at the door. A young man stood at the door with a large package in his hands. He said, “Sir, you don’t know me, but, I am the soldier for whom your son gave his life. He saved many lives that day, and he was carrying me to safety when a bullet struck him in the heart and he died instantly. He often talks about you and your love for art.”

The young man held out the package and said: “I know this isn’t much.

I’m not really a great artist, but I think your son would have wanted you to have this.”

The father opened the package. It was a portrait of his son, painted by the young man. He stared in awe at the way the soldier had captured the personality of his son in the painting.

The father was so drawn to the eyes that his own eyes welled up with tears. He thanked the young man and offered to pay him for the portrait.

Adelle Chua, Editor

C

All in the family

HRISTMAS is a time for togetherness. It is when families come together despite being separated the rest of the year. It is when those from abroad come home to experience the Philippine holidays. Or those from the city come home to their hometown.

The holidays are also a time to spend with friends we have not seen in a long time. They may be those we have made since childhood, or along the way as we grew older.

In our busy schedules we hardly connect, and our only connection is social media. During this time, we celebrate real friendships—not virtual ones. They are like family.

They sometimes know us better than we know ourselves.

Christmas is often associated with merrymaking. This is seen in the malls being full, or traffic being heavy. We say the Philippines is a poor country, but during Christmas season, it does not seem that way. It seems people have a lot of money to spend for

gift giving. But it is the people who are the real treasures.

The relationships are what have very high value among everything else.

Tonight as many Filipino families gather for their traditional meal, we should remember that it is the family, inspired by the family that sought shelter in a manger because nobody would take them in, that is the most important cause for celebration.

From the Manila Standard family, Merry Christmas to our readers.

Turn to A5

The Nativity

ON THIS day before Christmas, I quote at length from Pope Francis’ apostolic letter focusing on the importance of the nativity scene. In the letter he signed during his recent visit to the Italian town of Greccio, the Holy Father says: “The Nativity scene is like a living Gospel rising up from the pages of sacred Scripture.”

Contemplating the Christmas story is like setting out on a spiritual journey, “drawn by the humility of the God who became man in order to encounter every man and woman,” says Francis. So great is His love for us, writes the Pope, “that He became one of us, so that we in turn might become one with Him.” Pope Francis explains that the Christmas crèche moves us so deeply because it shows God’s tender love.

From the time of its Franciscan origins, “the nativity scene has invited us to ‘feel’ and ‘touch’ the poverty that God’s Son took upon Himself in the Incarnation,” writes the Pope. “It asks us to meet Him and serve Him by showing mercy to those of our brothers and sisters in greatest need.”

The Holy Father recalls the origin of the Christmas crèche as related in the Gospels. “Coming into this world, the Son of God was laid in the place where animals feed. Hay became the first bed of the One who would reveal Himself as ‘the bread come down from heaven’.” The nativity scene “evokes a number of the mysteries of Jesus’ life and brings them close to our own daily lives,” the Pope said.

The Christmas crèche is part of the precious yet demanding process of passing on the faith, concludes Pope Francis. “Beginning in childhood, and at every stage of our lives, it teaches us to contemplate Jesus, to experience God’s love for us, to feel

and believe that God is with us and that we are with Him.” Pope Francis then gives the meaning behind the elements of the Nativity crèche. According to him, the landscapes are “the visible sign of fallen humanity, of everything that inevitably falls into ruin, decays and disappoints.” This scenic setting tells us that Jesus has come “to heal and rebuild, to restore the world and our lives to their original splendor.”

The shepherds respond to God “who comes to meet us in the Infant Jesus by setting out to meet Him with love, gratitude and awe,” he adds. Mary is a mother who contemplates her child and shows Him to every visitor,” the Pope writes.

Here is Pope Francis on the importance of the nativity scene.

“In her, we see the Mother of God who does not keep her Son only to herself, but invites everyone to obey His word and to put it into practice.

Saint Joseph stands by her side, “protecting the Child and His Mother.” Joseph is the guardian, the just man, who “entrusted himself always to God’s will.” On the infant Jesus, the Holy Father writes: It seems impossible, yet it is true: in Jesus, God was a child, and in this way He wished to reveal the greatness of His love: by smiling and opening His arms to all.” The crèche allows us to see and touch this unique and unparalleled event that changed the course of history, “but it also makes us reflect on how our life is part of God’s own life.” And the three Kings remind us of every Christian’s responsibility to spread the Gospel, writes Pope Francis.

In another Apostolic Letter entitled

Turn to A5

A timely Christmas present THE latest Pulse Asia survey conducted Dec. 3 to 8 shows Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano's performance and trust ratings rising to unprecedented levels. His approval rating increased to 80 percent, up by 16 percentage points from 64 percent in September, while his trust rating stood at 76 percent, or an increase from 62 percent in the previous quarter.

What the survey results show very clearly is that Cayetano has effectively fended off allegations that the House of Representatives passed a 2020 national budget riddled with pork barrel funds and criticisms about the initial snags during the 30th SEA Games. He has emerged even stronger with high performance and trust ratings.

His fellow lawmakers marvel at how Cayetano has pulled this off since this is the first time that a Speaker’s performance obtained the approval of eight out of 10 Filipinos.

The overall public image of the House also benefited from Cayetano’s leadership, as its performance rating also jumped to 66 percent in the December survey from 60 percent in the third quarter.

Despite the many accusations thrown his way, Cayetano has remained focused on his work as Speaker. He is known as a workaholic, reporting for duty even on non-session days and on weekends, with some days extending even to the early morning hours.

This work ethic allowed the

House to approve 2020 national budget in record time. Cayetano stoutly maintains that the House-approved budget has no pork, illegal insertions or "parked" funds.

The overall public image of the House also benefited from Cayetano’s leadership.

Under his leadership, the House was also able to approve key tax reform measures prioritized by the Duterte administration, including the Corporate Tax Reform and Incentive Rationalization Act or CITIRA, the bill increasing taxes on alcohol and e-cigarettes to help fund the Universal Health Care program, the measure creating Malasakit centers throughout the country, and the new salary standardization plan for state workers.

The Speaker appears to have also inspired his fellow lawmakers to work hard enough to get these priority measures approved by the House before yearend.

These accomplishments apparently did not go unnoticed by the public,

who clearly expressed their approval of his work ethic and effective leadership in the latest survey.

The survey results also reflect the realization by the public that the House has delivered in a big way in its job of crafting laws needed to achieve political stability, sound economic growth and social development.

Cayetano's leadership style is marked by utmost transparency to show the public what he and his fellow lawmakers have been doing and have accomplished in Congress. He regularly posts live updates of his activities in and out of Congress in his Facebook page, which now has over 3.2 million followers.

Several Cabinet officials, among them Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez, has attributed President Duterte’s high ratings to the declining poverty rate and the euphoria over the recently concluded SEA Games in the country.

Cayetano is the man behind the SEA Games’ spectacular success.

But critics nevertheless threw everything at him, including the kitchen sink, over his chairmanship of the Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee (PHISGOC).

His detractors alleged that there were overpriced purchases, a P50-million games cauldron, and illegal transfer of public funds to PHISGOC. But these allegations did not hold water, if we're to go by the results of the Pulse Asia survey.

Turn to A5

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Opinion

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2019

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Year ends on a high note

Holy night

AFTER an entire decade, the long reach of Lady Justice has finally caught up with the infamous Ampatuan clan of Maguindanao, masterminds and perpetrators of the deadly massacre in November 2009 that claimed 58 lives and put a macabre twist to the innocuous name of the construction equipment called backhoe.

It wasn’t just the destruction wrought on innocent lives, so horrific that the 58th victim was excluded from damage reparations because he was identified only by his dentures. What drove the last nail into the coffin of public perception were the news photos of the sneering, glazed-eyed Ampatuan scion who orchestrated the killings on-site, reportedly under the inf luence of drugs on that day.

After six years of no movement under PNoy, the trial picked up speed under President Duterte, who as mayor of Davao at the time lent a helicopter to the responding security forces, allowing them to intercept the perpetrators in the act of backhoeing. That chopper was part of the forceful response of then-President Arroyo, who wasted no time in calling out the troops, ordering the arrest of her erstwhile allies, seizing their assets, and securing the evidence, all with the loss of not a single life or piece of evidence.

I remember being on a cruise ship off Mexico when I got a call from the Palace urgently asking me to come back to my spokesman’s duties. Unfortunately no f lights out were available except a roundabout route through Alaska, of all places. To this day I regret not being the one to announce to the country that martial law was being declared—if only for just a month, and only in Mindanao. That privilege will belong solely to Marcos press secretary Kit Tatad from an earlier era.

I once shared TV studio space with Maguindanao mayor Toto Mangudadatu, a calm young man whose wife led the list of victims. I would like to think that his clan can find closure with this court decision. It would be a fitting holiday gift to the region that he helps to lead, one that is now embarked on a new path of autonomous peace and development—thanks again to Duterte—in which there can be no more place for blood debts and an endless cycle of reprisals. *** The latest Pulse Asia survey for the fourth quarter of this year will have the dwindling ranks of yellow forces tugging

A timely...

From A4

The Speaker's fellow legislators are glad because his high ratings and positive image are shining a light on them, as shown by the improved ratings of the House. But his accomplishments at the helm of the House could all go to waste if he is replaced by a term-sharing deal that

The tale...

From A4

wanted the more worthy investments for their collections.

The auctioneer said “Going once, twice sold for $10!” A man sitting on the second row shouted, “Now, let’s get on with the collection!”

The auctioneer laid down his gavel.

at their hair again. Duterte’s overall approval ratings soared from 78 percent in September to 87 percent in December. His improvement was virtually across the board, except for a 2-point drop in Metro Manila. Not surprisingly, this drop is what the Inquirer chose to highlight in its story.

Have a blessed Christmas!

Observers credited the eupho euphoria created by our successful hosting of the Southeast Asia Games during the week of the survey, as well as significant decline in poverty. As to the latter, though, one has to wonder why in that cas his popularity remained the same, 84 percent, among the poorest “E” class.

The latest news about the adverse effect of import tariffication on our rice farmers might be to blame. We’re now learning that the benefits of cheaper imported rice are being stolen by unscrupulous middlemen who’re playing the same hoarding game that they do with local rice.

In this holiday season, one might be alarmed by the popularity of a president who’s so vocally anti-Catholic. And yet the overt religiosity of our country has never been higher. It may well be that the Filipino’s mentality has two compartments, one for his church and one for his government. This lets him discount the statements made by one about the other—whether it’s a popular Duterte railing against priests, or the same priests pushing an Otso Otso senatorial state that went down to ignominious defeat this year.

This whole Church-State separation thing is a lot more complicated than it seems. Conversion is ideal, but not always practicable, and besides, it cuts both ways. Better to find the common ground—no matter how small it might be—that allows all of us to celebrate together the birth of a Child that not all of us may believe was Divine. *** Another president is headed into his own troubles, this time at the hands of a House of Representatives dominated by an opposition that wants to make him only the third head of state in his country to be impeached.

We’re talking of course about US President Trump, against whom two counts of obstruction of justice have been proffered by the Democrats in the House as the basis for impeachment. Nobody expects it to prosper when it comes up for trial in the Senate, which is controlled by his Republican party-mates. So why are the Dems even bothering?

It’s obvious that the real in-

a wanna-be Speaker hopes would be affirmed by the members and even

by President Duterte himself by June next year.

The House Speaker is the fourth person in the line of succession to the presidency. It stands to reason that whoever should occupy such eminent position should have impressive credentials, ample legislative experience and sterling leadership qualities. With the image of the

I am sorry, the auction is over.

When I was called to conduct this auction, I was told of a secret stipulation in the will. I was not allowed to reveal that stipulation until this time.

Only the painting of the son would be auction whoever bought that painting would inherit the entire estate, including the paintings of the masters and the collections. The man who took the son gets everything!

A5

tention is to cripple Trump’s reelection prospects next November against a field of Democrat nominees that still swings too far to the left of the American heartland. A booming US economy also helps his chances; according to Moody’s credit rating agency, only one postwar US president has failed to win reelection when the economy was doing well.

It’s revealing that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi insists that the Senate describe its own evidence and witnesses before she’ll send up the impeachment charge. Isn’t that placing the burden of proof on the innocent?

Keep in mind that the offense for which Trump is charged— allegedly asking the Ukrainian president to investigate a political rival of his, in exchange for US foreign aid—never really materialized, because that investigation in fact never subsequently happened, and the foreign aid was in fact delivered.

It’s looking more and more like the impeachment trial will fall apart from its own dead weight. In which case Trump will coast to victory next year as an aggrieved victim of Democrat machinations. And that will be simple justice rendered against the anti-Trump fanaticism of the bi-coastal cultural Left and the “deep state” inside the Beltway, many of whom are also the same guys who keep howling for Duterte’s head.

In this holiday season, it’s good to remember that “the Donald” is someone who’s not only likely to leave countries like us alone—if only because he’s really not interested in countries other than his—but who’s also not ashamed to put his religious beliefs (no matter how manufactured they might seem) out there for everyone to see: Against abortion, against same-sex unions, against gender denial. That’s a powerful bully pulpit that he speaks from. *** On the eve of Christ’s birth, these luminous words from the Gospel (Luke 1: 67-79) spoken

by Zechariah as he proclaimed the coming of the Son of Man for whom his own son, John the Baptist, would simply be the precursor: “[The Lord] has raised up a horn for our salvation within the house of David his servant, even as he promised through the mouth of his holy prophets from of old: salvation from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us…that, rescued from the hand of enemies, we might worship him in holiness and righteousness before him for all of our days.”

Have a blessed Christmas, dear reader!

Readers can write me at gbolivar1952@yahoo.com.

House of Representatives already starting to vastly improve based on the latest Pulse Asia survey, it would be a pity if this is irremediably reversed by a leadership change that would reward mediocrity rather than excellence, and give high marks to one's political and economic connections rather than solid accomplishments in legislation. ernhil@yahoo.com

God gave his son 2,000 years ago to die on a cruel cross. Much like the auctioneer, his message this Holy Week is: ‘The Son, the Son, who will take The Son?’ *** The promulgation of the verdict on the 10-year-old Maguindanao massacre case has revealed the flaws in our justice system. These need to be rectified.

MERRY Christmas, everyone! We thank God for all the blessings we received throughout the year, not only on personal terms but for all the good things that happened and benefited our fellow Filipinos.

We are still elated by the people’s overwhelming support to the Anti-Crime & Terrorism Through Community Involvement & Support (ACT-CIS) Party-list in the last May mid-term elections. It means a lot to me personally, as we worked so hard for it.

To me, the resounding vote for the candidates endorsed by President Duterte is a validation of his platform and vision that I’ve supported all along. My brothers and I were hard-hitting critics of previous administrations.

Conversely, it constituted the people’s outright rejection of the Liberal Party’s Otso Diretso mascots, who obviously didn’t get any boost from Jim Paredes’ viral sex-video scandal.

Essentially a most important intangible that year 2019 brought about is hope for better life for all Filipinos.

Mindanaoans better appreciate the significance of the establishment of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). The ratification of the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) and the induction of the 80 members of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) were milestone steps towards lasting peace in the Promised Land.

At last, justice is served after 10 years of indescribable agony of the families of the 58 victims of the Ampatuan-Maguindanao massacre in November 2009 with the recent conviction of the principal accused in this Philippine election violence that horrified the whole world.

This year, we were also shocked by earth-shaking news events, such as the tragedy of Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Cadet 4th Class Darwin Dormitorio, the exposé on “Ninja Cops,” and the investigation on the massive corruption in the Bureau of Corrections (BoC).

BuCor’s crooked officials had been exploiting the GCTA parole program releasing prisoners in exchange for hefty bribes, literally

The Nativity From A4

Admirabile signum, the Holy Father traces the origins of the traditional nativity scene, which in his words, is meant “to encourage the beautiful family tradition of preparing the Nativity scene in the days before Christmas, but also the custom of setting it up in the workplace, in schools, hospitals, prisons and town squares.” In this letter, Pope Francis spends a little time rehearsing the origins of the Nativity scene tradition, noting that it was very much a public affair, and involved the highest form of the Church’s official public worship of the Triune God, who took on human flesh for our salvation.

“On 25 December [in 1223], friars came to Greccio from various parts, together with people from the farmsteads in the area, who brought flowers and torches to light up that holy night. When [St] Francis arrived, he found a manger full of hay, an ox and a donkey. All those present experienced a new and in-

As reported, Malacañang was dismayed over the incarceration of so many individuals who were eventually acquitted. They wasted their productive years behind bars. Is it their fault to be in jail for a long time just because of the snail-paced system in our country?

The justice system is notorious in the case of poor people who cannot afford a lawyer to speed up their cas-

undermining President Duterte’s anti-crime and anti-illegal drugs drive.

Just as we needed the assurance of a reliable law enforcement to protect us from criminals, we learned that a number of Philippine National Police (PNP) personnel themselves have actually engaged in recycling illegal drugs.

2019 brought hope for better life for all Filipinos.

And, only months after the water crisis Metro Manila residents were subjected to, we are astounded by the decision of the Singapore-based international arbitral court ordering the government to pay the water firms billions of pesos in “lost profits.”

But the President stands firm on his position against honoring the "illegal contract" with Maynilad and Manila Water, who instantly backed down.

The President showed a sense of fairness to Leni Robredo who criticized the war on illegal drugs, appointing her as co-chair post at the Inter-Agency Committee on Anti-Illegal Drugs (ICAD). But apparently, she had a different agenda in mind which is to sabotage the government's drug war altogether. She deserved to be fired in two weeks.

At least 21 people died from the magnitude 6.6 earthquakes that rocked Cotabato and other parts of Mindanao in late October. And since the magnitude 6.9 quake rocked Davao del Sur on Dec. 15, the death toll has risen to 11. These natural calamities call for preparedness at all times.

Recently, a triumphant Filipino nation held its head up high, not only because Team Philippines emerged the overall winner in the 30th Southeast Asian Games (SEAG) but because we lived up to our renowned Filipino hospitality in hosting the prestigious sports event.

On a high note, nine in 10 Filipinos will welcome the New Year with hope and nearly half of them expect a “more prosperous” holiday season, according to the latest survey by Pulse Asia.

Little wonder that President Duterte remains the most trusted Philippine official, also according to a Pulse Asia survey.

describable joy in the presence of the Christmas scene. The priest then solemnly celebrated the Eucharist over the manger, showing the bond between the Incarnation of the Son of God and the Eucharist. At Greccio there were no statues; the Nativity scene was enacted and experienced by all who were present.”

These days, “living” Nativities are making something of a comeback. Even when they are still and statuary, however, crib scenes are a chance to exercise powers of fancy and invention. “Great imagination and creativity is always shown in employing the most diverse materials to create small masterpieces of beauty,” Francis says. “As children, we learn from our parents and grandparents to carry on this joyful tradition, which encapsulates a wealth of popular piety.

“It is my hope,” Pope Francis concludes, “that this custom will never be lost and that, wherever it has fallen into disuse, it can be rediscovered and revived.”

A blessed Christmas to all my readers!

es, much less pay for their bail bonds.

This is why I have been urging the Duterte administration to establish special courts to try those who have surrendered or who have been arrested in the war against drugs.

Another aspect is the case of the photojournalist Reynaldo Momay whose remains were never found.

Thus, his family was not qualified for indemnification.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2019 Standard A6 TODAY Manila

Class

Rate (VAT-inclusive) Php 4.50/km Php 9.00/km Php 13.50/km

Class 1 Class 2 Class 3

8. The TRB likewise confirmed the authority of the CALAX Concessionaire to charge the above VAT-inclusive approved-Initial Authorized Toll Rates5, subject, among others, to its compliance with existing laws, rules, and regulations, and the fulfillment of conditions for its implementation. The TRB Director’s Certificate dated 26 May 2014 is part of Annex “A” of the CALAX Concession Agreement.

1

. Capitalized words and expressions used in this Petition shall have the meanings set forth in Section 1.0 of the Concession Agreement. . Attached as Annex “A” of this Petition. . Subject to the approved Detailed Engineering Design and Independent Consultant certification.

4 . Attached as Annex “B” of this Petition.

5.

Should be read as Initial Base Toll.

2

3

9. In the interest of immediately opening the tollway facility to serve the motoring public, MPCALA is targeting the opening of Subsections 6, 7 and 8 of the CALAX to commercial operations on 17 December 2019. Progressive inspections have been conducted by representatives of the DPWH, the CALAX Independent Consultant, TRB, MPCALA, and its contractor.

10. As of date, civil works for Subsections 6, 7 and 8 are now 95% complete and MPCALA anticipates the issuance by the DPWH of the Certificate of Substantial Completion on 06 December 2019.

11. Pursuant to Section 2, Rule 4 of the 2013 Revised Rules of Procedure of the Toll Regulatory Board (“TRB Rules”), Presidential Decree No. 1112, and consistent with what is contemplated under the CALAX Concession Agreement, MPCALA most respectfully seeks the Honorable Board’s immediate issuance of a Notice to Start Collection effective 01January 2020, allowing the following: (i)

the implementation of the TRB-approved Initial Base Toll Rates for CALAX; and

(ii) the imposition of the corresponding Toll, computed by multiplying the Initial Base Toll Rates with the Road Section Lengths of the applicable Subsections, based on the Independent Consultant Certification and DPWH Certificate of Substantial Completion.

12. Furthermore, in view of the anticipated issuance of the Certificate of Substantial Completion by DPWH for Subsections 6, 7, and 8 of the CALAX and in accordance with the CALAX Concession Agreement, MPCALA most respectfully seeks for the Honorable Board’s issuance of a Toll Operation Permit, which will authorize MPCALA to operate the said Subsections in accordance with the CALAX Concession Agreement, including the collection of Toll.

ALLEGATIONS IN SUPPORT OF THE APPLICATION FOR PROVISIONAL RELIEF 13. The implementation of the Initial Base Toll Rates for CALAX is a contractual right to which MPCALA is entitled under the CALAX Concession Agreement.

Furthermore, it is necessary to ensure the sustainability and viability of the CALAX and the comfort and safety of motorists and other users of the toll expressways.

14. The immediate end-to-end opening of Subsections 6, 7, and 8 of the CALAX to motorists has become imperative in view of the growing traffic demand in the various areas of Laguna and the need to decongest Laguna Boulevard and Aguinaldo Highway.

Likewise, the collection of the provisional end-to-end toll will ensure that high standards of safety, performance, and reliability shall be provided to motorists.

15. Thus, in order to attain the above-mentioned objectives, MPCALA respectfully prays that pursuant to Rule 5, Section 1 of the TRB Rules, which authorizes the Honorable Board to motu proprio or upon verified petition or motion grant the application for approval of provisional toll rates, including the date of its implementation, this Honorable Board allow the implementation of the VAT-inclusive TRB-approved Initial Base Toll Rates and the collection of the corresponding provisional initial toll: Vehicle Class Initial Base Provisional initial toll for the entire Toll Rates 10.664km. length of Subsections 6, 7 and 8 Class 1 Php 4.50/km PhP47.00 Class 2 Php 9.00/km PhP95.00 Class 3 Php 13.50/km PhP143.00 *Inclusive of Value Added Tax

16. MPCALA most respectfully submits the attached affidavit issued by its authorized representative, incorporated in the Verification and Certification hereof, showing that the above provisional initial toll conform to the Honorable Board’s VAT-inclusive approved rates, as indicated in the TRB Director’s Certificate dated 26 May 2014,that the matter is of extreme urgency, and MPCALA will suffer great damage and/or irreparable injury before a decision on the merits can be rendered by the Honorable Board, and/or failure to immediately implement and collect the provisional initial toll would unduly affect the Concessionaire and the progressive completion of the remaining Subsections of CALAX. 17. Pursuant to Rule 5, Section 1 (c) of the TRB Rules, MPCALA is willing to post a surety bond in such amount and under such terms and conditions as the Honorable Board may prescribe, to guarantee the refund of the provisional initial toll to affected toll users in such manner as the Honorable Board may determine, in case it is finally ascertained that MPCALA is not entitled thereto.

18. Based on the foregoing, it is respectfully prayed that the Honorable Board issue a Notice to Start Collection and an Order approving the implementation of the TRBapproved Base Toll Rate effective 01 January 2020, pending the resolution of the Petition.

PRAYER WHEREFORE, the foregoing premises considered, MPCALA most urgently and respectfully prays that the Honorable Board: (a) Immediately issue an Order ex parte granting MPCALA’s prayer for provisional relief, i.e. an Order implementing the initial Base Toll Rates and the corresponding provisional initial toll, effective 01 January 2020, and authorizing MPCALA to collect the same, as follows: Vehicle Class Class 1 Class 2 Class 3

Initial Base Toll Rates Php 4.50/km Php 9.00/km Php 13.50/km

Provisional initial toll for the entire 10.664 km. length of Subsections 6, 7 and 8 PhP 47.00 PhP 95.00 PhP 143.00

*Inclusive of Value Added Tax

(b) Issue a Toll Operation Permit authorizing MPCALA to operate Subsections 6, 7, and 8 of the CALAX in accordance with the CALAX Concession Agreement, including the collection of Toll. (c) Upon the filing of this Petition, issue an Order:

DECEMBER 24, 2019

(i)

Republic of the Philippines Department of Transportation

TOLL REGULATORY BOARD 2nd Floor, Integrated Bar of the Philippines Bldg., Doña Julia Vargas Ave., Ortigas Center, Pasig City

Republic of the Philippines Department of Transportation TOLL REGULATORY BOARD Office of the Executive Director 5th Floor, The Columbia Tower, Ortigas Avenue Brgy. Wack-Wack, Mandaluyong City IN RE: PETITION FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF THE APPROVED INITIAL BASE TOLL RATES AND CORRESPONDING TOLL WITH APPLICATION FOR PROVISIONAL RELIEF,

an Order finding the Petition sufficient in form and substance; and

(ii) an Order requiring the immediate publication for three (3) consecutive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation, or on such date as the Honorable Board may direct, of this Petition, of the toll fees, and of a notice to all interested tollway users that they may file, within a period of thirty (30) days after the date of first publication, a petition for review of the corresponding Toll. (d) After due notice and publication, issue a Notice to Start Toll Collection of the provisional initial toll, authorizing MPCALA to implement the initial Base Toll Rates and collect the approved Toll effective 01 January 2020. (e) Issue an Order approving as final the Initial Base Toll Rates of the CALAX, and the corresponding Toll for implementation in all entries and exitsin Subsections 6, 7 and 8.

Other reliefs as may be just and equitable are likewise prayed for.

Makati City for Mandaluyong City, 06 December 2019.

TRB Case No. 2019-____

ELAINE ROSE Z. ESPIRITU Counsel for Petitioner MPCALA Holdings, Inc. 32nd Floor, Rufino Pacific Tower 6784 Ayala Avenue corner V.A. Rufino Street Legaspi Village, Makati City Roll of Attorneys No. 64615 PTR No. 7347683/1-10-2019/Makati City IBP No. 066749/1-10-2019/Pampanga MCLE Compliance No. VI-0017590/02-11-2019 E-mail address: ezespiritu@mptsouth.com

MPCALA HOLDINGS, INC. Petitioner. x---------------------------------------------------x PETITION (For the Implementation of the Approved Initial BaseToll Rates and corresponding Tollwith Application for Provisional Relief for theCavite-Laguna Expressway Project) Petitioner MPCALA HOLDINGS, INC. (“MPCALA”), by and through undersigned counsel, to this Honorable Board, most respectfully state: 1. MPCALA is a private corporation duly organized and existing under and by virtue of the laws of the Republic of the Philippines, with principal office address at 32nd Floor, Rufino Pacific Tower, 6784 Ayala Avenue corner V.A. Rufino Street, Legaspi Village, Makati City, where it may be served with notices and legal processes of the Honorable Board.

2. MPCALA is the Concessionaire and Facility Operator of the Cavite-Laguna Expressway (“CALAX”) Project by virtue of the Concession Agreement dated 10 July 20151 executed by and between the Department of Public Works and Highways (“DPWH”) and MPCALA. 3. The CALAX is an approximately 45-kilometer, four-lane expressway, which has two (2) Segments: (i) the Cavite Segment; and (ii) the Laguna Segment. It is composed of eight (8) Subsections, namely: Cavite Segment Subsection 1 Subsection 2 Subsection 3 Subsection 4 Laguna Segment Subsection 5 Subsection 6 Subsection 7 Subsection 8

Cavitex Connection to Open Canal Road Open Canal Road to Governor’s Drive Interchange Governor’s Drive Interchange to Silang Interchange Silang Interchange to Silang East Interchange Silang East Interchange to Sta. Rosa-Tagaytay Interchange Sta. Rosa-Tagaytay Interchange to Laguna Blvd. Interchange Laguna Blvd. Interchange to Technopark Interchange Technopark Interchange to Greenfield

4. Under the CALAX Concession Agreement, MPCALA was granted the exclusive right to undertake the Construction and Operation and Maintenance of the CALAX. This right includes the exclusive right to impose and collect Toll during the Operation Period as provided for in Section 13.1.1 of the CALAX Concession Agreement: “13.1.1 During the Operation Period, the Concessionaire is authorized to impose and collect Toll from the users of the CALA Expressway at the Toll determined in accordance with Annex A, except from vehicles that may be exempted from paying Toll under the TRB regulations, subject to any Toll Rate Adjustments authorized under Section 13.2.” [Emphasis supplied] 5. Annex “A”2 of the CALAX Concession Agreement, which sets out the Initial Base Toll for CALAX, provides the following: “A. Initial Base Tolls The initial tolls, inclusive of VAT and rounding, for the appropriate vehicle class for motorists travelling on the CALA Expressway (“Initial Base Tolls”) are set below: Vehicle Class Class I: Cars, Jeepneys, Pick-ups, Vans Class II: -Light trucks, Tourist/School and PUB Class I – above 7ft in height except Class I exceeding 7ft due to top load of recreational equipment such as bikes, surfboards, and the like, securely attached and not intended for commercial use

Initial Base Toll Php [4.50]/km Php [9.00]/km

Class III: Heavy and Multi-Axled Trucks, Trailers

Php [13.50]/km

6. Said Annex “A” further states that the Toll to be charged and collected from users of the CALAX shall be the corresponding Initial Base Toll for each vehicle class multiplied by the distance travelled on the CALAX, in accordance with the Road Section Lengths3 indicated therein.

7. In its Director’s Certificate dated 26 May 20144, the Toll Regulatory Board (“TRB”) unanimously adopted the resolution to approve the following rates for the CALAX:

VERIFICATION/CERTIFICATION REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES) PHILIPPINES ) CITY OF _______________

) S.S.

I, ROBERTO V. BONTIA, of legal age, with office address at 32nd Floor, Rufino Pacific Tower, Ayala Avenue corner V.A. Rufino Street, Legaspi Village, Makati City, after being sworn in accordance with law, hereby depose and state that: 1. I am the duly authorized representative of MPCALA Holdings, Inc. (“MPCALA”), the Petitioner in the above entitled Petition For the Implementation of the Approved Initial Base Toll Rates and corresponding Toll with Application for Provisional Relief for the Cavite-Laguna Expressway Project (“Petition”).

2. On behalf of MPCALA, I have caused the preparation and filing of the foregoing Petition.

3. I have read the foregoing Petition and hereby certify that all the allegations contained therein are true and correct of my own personal knowledge and based on authentic records in the possession of MPCALA. 4. The computation of the provisional initial toll in the Petition conform to this Honorable Board’s VAT-inclusive approved rates, as indicated in the TRB Director’s Certificate dated 26 May 2014. The matter is of extreme urgency, and MPCALA will suffer great damage and/or irreparable injury before a decision on the merits can be rendered by the Honorable Board, and/or failure to immediately implement and collect the provisional initial toll would unduly affect the Concessionaire and the progressive completion of the remaining Subsections of CALAX. 5. I certify the MPCALA has complied with all existing laws, rules and regulations being implemented by the Toll Regulatory Board and that MPCALA has no pending financial or monetary obligation in the form, among others, of supervision fees, concession fees, penalties and other charges with the Board.

6. In compliance with Rule 7, Section of the 1997 Rules of Civil Procedure, and with Rule 2, Section 2 of the 2013 Revised Rules of Procedure of the Toll Regulatory Board, I hereby certify that I have not commences any action or proceeding involving the same issued in the Supreme Court, the Court of Tax Appeals, the Court of Appeals or any other tribunal or agency.

7. If I should hereafter learn that a similar action or proceeding has been filed or is pending in the Supreme Court, the Court of Tax Appeals, the Court of Appeals, or any other tribunal or agency, I hereby undertake to report that fact within five (5) days from knowledge thereof to the Honorable Board.

IN WITNESS THEREOF, I have hereunto signed my name this ________________ in ____________________________, Philippines.

ROBERTO V. BONTIA Affiant Subscribed and sworn to before me this ___________________ in __________________, Philippines, affiant exhibited to me competent evidence of identity in the form of ______________________________ issued on ____________________________.

Doc. No. _______ Page No. _______ Book No. _______ Series of 2019.

; ; ; (MS-DEC 24, 30 & JAN. 6, 2020)

Sports 2-game ban for Wizards’ guard Thomas NEW YORK—Washington Wizards guard Isaiah Thomas was suspended two games without pay by the NBA on Sunday for entering the spectator stands to confront hecklers, the league announced.

Thomas was ejected with 2:53 remaining in the fourth quarter of Washington’s 125-108 loss at Philadelphia on Saturday after confronting the 76ers’ fans in the stands for what he later said were obscene comments and gestures.

NBA rules dictate ejections and potential fines and suspensions for players who enter the spectator areas during games—measures aimed at preventing altercations or hostile interactions between fans and players.

The verbal encounter between Thomas and the spectators did not escalate.

Two spectators involved in the incident with Thomas have been banned by the 76ers from the team arena for one year and had their season tickets revoked as a result of the confrontation.

Thomas will serve his suspension when the Wizards visit New York on Monday and Detroit on Thursday. He will be able to return when the Wizards host New York next Saturday.

Thomas, 30, is averaging 13.6 points, 4.8 assists and 1.7 rebounds a game for the Wizards, who are 8-20 after three consecutive losses. AFP

A7

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2019 sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

Scott ends 4-year title drought G

OLD COAST—A “stoked” Adam Scott won his first tournament in almost four years Sunday, keeping his cool on the back nine of the European Tour co-sanctioned Australian PGA Championship to clinch a two-shot victory.

The Australian world number 18 had posted more than 20 top-10 finishes since his last success at the WGC-Cadillac Championship in March 2016 and, in front of his home crowd at Royal Pines Resort on the Gold Coast, sank a birdie on the 14th and an eagle at the next to hold off New Zealander Michael Hendry.

It was Scott’s second Australian PGA title after romping to victory in 2013 ahead of American Rickie Fowler, and

partly made amends for his bitter disappointment at being on the losing team at last week’s Presidents Cup. “After a good save on 12 it was time to do something, I was behind,” said Scott after a three under par 69 gave him a 13-under winning total of 275.

“There were opportunities for everyone and I was the one who took them today.

“I’m stoked with it, it’s been a long time coming. I’m really happy to win an-

other PGA here,” he added.

The 39-year-old, who grew up on the Gold Coast, credited the crowd support for helping him finally get back into the winner’s circle.

“The support has been great, I’ve had friends and family here, a lot of familiar faces out there, a lot of familiar voices yelling at me,” he said.

“It was really fun and caps off a nice year for me. I drew on my experience.

“I’ve been seeing good things in my game for eight or nine months really,” he added.

“Belief is a big thing and eventually you just have to get it done and today was my opportunity.”

A gutsy Hendry, who has been strug-

LeBron-less...

From A8

Bigger...

From A8

the Esports community that went all out in supporting Esports as part of the official events in the biennial games.

The ESC also aims to build on recent triumphs of Philippines esports as continues to gain more supporters and acceptance following its inclusion in the 2019 SEA games, and the success of the Philippinen’s national contingent finish on the top of the medal tally for esports.

Team Liyab’s Caviar “Enderr” Acampado took home the gold medal for the Philippines in StarCraft ll at the expense of his Singapore rival. The Mobile Legends and Dota 2 squads likewise contributed one gold medal each to complete the stellar performance of the national esports team in the 30th edition of the SEA Games.

“The ESC is one of our key initiatives in continuing our mission to help the local Esports industry to grow further. Building from the successful inclusion of Team Liyab’s Arena of Valor and Starcraft 2 esports athletes, and how they proudly represented our country, we believe Esports will be even bigger in the next few years.

With the ESC, along with all of the programs we have in store, we aim to further fuel the development of Philippine esports.” Gerry Soler, Head of Globe Games and Esports, adds.

The ESC will be open to all Esports enthusiasts regardless of the level of their skills. Collegiate and Corporate teams will likewise have the chance to test their abilities against other teams by simply participating in the different leagues scheduled to be held in the next three months.

Newbies and newcomers are also welcome as clinics and programs mentored by known esports personalities and influencers will also be available.

Visit the ESC at Eastwood Mall in Libis for more information or details.

The ESC will be open until March 18, 2020.

gling with a rib injury, had a one-stroke lead at the 10th, but a bogey-bogey finish ruined his card.

He was fortunate to get through the day with the injury having got progressively worse through the week, causing him discomfort at the top of the backswing.

A group of five players tied for third, three behind Scott, including young Chinese big-hitter Yuan “Carl” Yechun and Australian Wade Ormsby.

Defending champion Cameron Smith finished with a 70 to end his tournament six adrift of Presidents Cup teammate Scott, while American 2009 Open Championship winner Stewart Cink hit a final round 71 to end his first Australian tournament in 16 years nine off the pace.

International Team player Adam Scott of Australia reacts after missing a putt on the final day of the Presidents Cup golf tournament in Melbourne. Scott went on to win the Australian PGA Championship a week later. AFP

Eagles crush Cowboys, seize edge in playoffs WASHINGTON—Philadelphia’s Carson Wentz threw for 319 yards and a touchdown Sunday as the Eagles won a gritty 17-9 home victory over Dallas, seizing command of their NFL playoff-berth battle.

The injury-hit Eagles improved to 8-7 but still need a victory next week over the New York Giants (4-11) to secure the NFC East division title and a playoff berth.

The Cowboys fell to 7-8 and need to beat arch-rival Washington (3-12) next week plus have the Eagles lose in order to reach the playoffs.

Wentz completed 31-of-40 passes without an interception and ran six times for 22 yards to spark the Eagles to their biggest win of the year despite an early rib injury that sidelined Eagles tight end Zach Ertz.

“It was a huge one for us,” Wentz said. “Guys made plays.

Defense down the stretch made great plays. Man this one feels good.

“Resilient bunch. Man goes down. Next man up. Guys keep believing. We never look down. We just keep going.”

Philadelphia seized the lead on Jake Elliott’s 36-yard field goal, and Wentz later flipped a 6-yard touchdown pass to Dallas Goedert for a 10-0 lead.

Kai Forbath answered for Dallas with second-quarter field goals of 32 and 49 yards to lift the Cowboys within 10-6 at half-time.

Wentz drove the Eagles 80 yards in 10 plays late in the third quarter, and Miles Sanders capped the march with a 1-yard touchdown run as Philadelphia took a 17-6 edge.

Forbath kicked another 49-yard field goal, and Dallas drove 65 yards in 11 plays late only for Eagles cornerback Sidney Jones to break up Dak Prescott’s fourth-down pass to Michael Gallup in the end zone to foil the final Dallas threat.

“The sky is the limit for this team,” Eagles coach Doug Pederson said. “I’m so happy.”

The Baltimore Ravens clinched the top seed and a first-round bye in the American Conference playoffs with a 31-15 victory at Cleveland.

Most Valuable Player candidate Lamar Jackson threw for 238

Jalen Mills #31 of the Philadelphia Eagles breaks up a pass intended for Michael Gallup #13 of the Dallas Cowboys during the fourth quarter at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Philadelphia Eagles defeated the Dallas Cowboys, 17-9. AFP

yards and three touchdowns and ran 17 times for 103 yards as the Ravens improved to an NFL-best 13-2 and stretched their win streak to a club-record 11 games.

San Francisco (12-3), who beat the Los Angeles Rams on Saturday, would claim the top seed in the National Conference with a triumph next Sunday over the Seattle Seahawks (11-4), who lost 27-13 to Arizona.

The last American Conference playoff berth remains unclaimed after Pittsburgh and Tennessee both fell to 8-7 with losses.

Sam Ficken kicked second-half field goals of 37 and 42 yards to give the New York Jets a 16-10 triumph over visiting Pittsburgh, dimming the Steelers’ playoff bid.

Tennessee owns a tie-breaker edge on Pittsburgh for the last AFC playoff berth despite a 38-28 loss to New Orleans. The Steelers need success at rival Baltimore next week and the Titans to stumble at Houston. AFP

Clippers in the off-season.

It was the Thunder’s third comeback victory from 18 points or more down this month and Oklahoma City’s fourth win in a row.

German guard Dennis Schroder scored 10 of his 28 points in the fourth quarter to spark the Thunder rally, which included a late 9-0 run to seize the lead for good.

“Everybody did a great job on the defensive end, locking down, making great steals,” Schroder said. “On the offensive end we were making great shots. That was a the key to winning.”

Raptors make epic rally Defending champion Toronto made the greatest comeback in club history, rallying from a 30-point deficit to defeat visiting Dallas 110-107.

Kyle Lowry scored 20 of his 32 points in the fourth quarter and also passed off 10 assists while Chris Boucher had a career-high 21 points to spark the Raptors’ comeback victory.

Down 85-55 late in the third quarter, the Raptors battled back over the last 15 minutes and made the first fightback from 30-down to win since Sacramento rallied past Chicago from 35 points behind 10 years ago.

Toronto’s fifth consecutive victory snapped a seven-game road win streak for the Mavericks, who were without guard Luka Doncic for the fourth straight game due to a right ankle sprain.

Jalen Brunson led Dallas with 21 points while Kristaps Porzingis had 19 points and 12 rebounds for the Mavericks.

“Very disappointing loss,” Dallas coach Rick Carlisle said. “We lost our aggression. They did a good job with the trap but that’s on me.”

Porzingis sank two free throws to put Dallas ahead 107-106 with 32 seconds remaining before Boucher answered with a dunk and added two final free throws to seal the triumph.

Bucks, Celtics romp NBA-best Milwaukee and Boston each captured lopsided home victories to keep pace atop the Eastern Conference.

Greek star Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 18 points, grabbed 19 rebounds, passed off nine assists and added two blocked shots and two steals in Milwaukee’s 117-89 win over Indiana.

Wesley Matthews led the Bucks (274) with 19 points while Domantas Sabonis led the Pacers with 19 points.

Boston’s Jayson Tatum scored 39 points on 15-of-29 shooting and grabbed 12 rebounds to spark the Celtics (20-7) over Charlotte 119-93.

Kemba Walker added 23 points against his former club while Devonte Graham led Charlotte with 23 points.

AFP

Pantino topples big guns, claims PPS title

ARTHUR Pantino enhanced a promising tennis career by upending two of the country’s top guns, stunning top seed Johnny Arcilla in the semis then upending No. 2 and SEA Games gold medalist Jeson Patrombon, 5-7, 7-6(3), 6-1, to clinch the PPS-PEPP Dagitab Festival Open crown at the City of Naga Tennis Courts in Cebu yesterday.

The 18-year-old University of San Carlos ace held his ground against the veteran Arcilla and pulled off a surprise 6-3, 6-4 victory then kept his poise against Patrombon, winning their thrilling baseline duel that saw him fight off three match points before dominating the decider to hack out the stirring triumph.

Pantino, who scored back-to-back victories in the ITF (International Tennis Federation) junior circuit and Arthur Pantino (right) holds his trophy after humbling SEA Games men’s doubles gold medalist Jeson swept the two-leg PHINMA juniors Patrombon (left) in come-from-behind fashion, 5-7, 7-6(3), 6-1, to snare the PPS-PEPP Dagitab Festival Open tennis crown in Naga City, Cebu over the weekend. With them is Atty. Rey Loyola of Tennis on Wheels. at the Manila Polo Club this year,

pocketed the top P40,000 purse in the event put up by Palawan Pawnshop Palawan Express Pera Padala headed by president/MEan Bobby Castro and presented by Dunlop.

“It’s inspiring to see young talents hold their own against the veterans and then coming out as winners. Pantino just showed that through hard work and determination, anything is possible,” said Palawan Pawnshop president/CEO Bobby Castro.

Ranked 10th in a field of 64, the Cebu-based Pantino rolled past Jolo Basa, 6-0, 6-2, repulsed No. 7 Leander Lazaro, then routed third seed Vicente Anasta, 6-1, 6-2, in the quarters.

Ranged against many-time Davis Cup campaigner Arcilla in the semis, Pantino didn’t flinch and carved out the straight-set win, but cracked against Patrombon in the finals, blowing a 5-3 first set lead by yielding the next four games and the set.

But down 3-5 in the second, Pantino held serve in the ninth game then rallied from 0-40 in the 10th by stringing five straight points then outlasting Patrombon in the tiebreaker to force the decider, which the former dominated as the latter lost steam while battling his younger, fired-up rival in long baseline rallies.

Patrombon, however, got back at his singles tormentor as he teamed up with Casey Alcantara to beat Pantino and Arcilla, 6-3, 7-6(6), to nail their second straight doubles crown after beating compatriots Treat Huey and Ruben Gonzales Jr. in the SEA Games.

Other winners in the event held as part of the province’s Dagitab Festival celebrations were Mark Alcoseba-Roy Tan (30s), Jonathan Largo-Eric Longakit (40s) and Mario Guillemer-Roy Tabotabo (50s) in the Legends division and Jayson Benitez in 40s singles.

Sports

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

sports@manilastandard.net

sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

A8

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2019

LeBron-less Lakers fall to Nuggets LOS ANGELES—With superstar LeBron James sidelined by a muscle strain, the Los Angeles Lakers suffered their most lopsided loss of the NBA season Sunday as injury fears were raised about star big man Anthony Davis.

Paul Millsap scored 21 points, Nikola Jokic added 18 and Will Barton had 14 points and 13 rebounds for Denver in a 128-104 road victory over the Western Conference-leading Los Angeles Lakers.

The Nuggets (20-8) won their sixth straight game to pull within three games of the Lakers (24-6), who dropped their third game in a row.

James missed his first game of the season due to a thoracic muscle strain, suffering the mid-section injury in the Lakers’ Tuesday loss at Indiana but playing Thursday and producing a triple double in a loss at Milwaukee.

Without James, the Lakers had 19 turnovers and a season-low 18 assists, eight off their average.

Davis was bothered by a right knee issue in the third quarter but kept playing and produced 32 points, 11 rebounds and four blocked shots.

He went to plant his right foot but it didn’t land solidly when he moved right to defend the basket and he fell to the floor.

Lakers coach Frank Vogel said Davis “tweaked it” but “felt good enough to go back in” and added, “I didn’t feel like he looked limited.”

Denver trailed 67-65 before going on a 37-15 run for a 20-point lead with 10 minutes remaining. Denver’s 73 second-half points were the most allowed by the Lakers in a half this season.

“We didn’t have enough juice defensively the whole game,” Vogel said.

“That’s why you see that kind of number.”

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 32 points, the 21-year-old Canadian guard matching his career high, while New Zealand center Steven Adams added 20 points and 17 rebounds to lead the Oklahoma City Thunder over the Los Angeles Clippers 118-112.

Paul George scored 18 points and received a warm welcome in Oklahoma City in his first visit since a blockbuster trade sent him from the Thunder to the Turn to A7

Anthony Davis of the Los Angeles Lakers handles the ball against the Denver Nuggets at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. AFP

Law benefitting athletes to be st implemented 1 quarter of ‘20

By Peter Atencio

T

HE full implementation of the Republic Act No. 10699 is expected to happen in the first quarter of the coming year.

The implementing rules and regulations of the Act, also known as the “National Athletes and Coaches Benefits and Incentives Act,” which gives discounts and other benefits to national athletes, is now being studied by both the Philippine Sports Commission and the Bureau of Internal Revenue.

PSC Chairman William Ramirez said he expects an IRR (Implementing Rules and Regulations) to be issued and implemented by the first quarter of 2020, in-

William Ramirez

Agatha Wong

volving Sections 4 and 5 of the Act. “We know this is long overdue, but rest assured we are doing what we can, coordinating with the concerned government agencies to effect the full implementation. We hope for the full implementation by the 1st quarter of 2020 so our athletes

could swiftly avail of the benefits,” said Ramirez in a statement.

There are eight major benefits covered by the Act. One of them is the granting “of a twenty percent (20%) discount from all establishments relative to the utilization of transportation services, hotels and other lodging establishments, restaurants and recreation centers and purchase of medicine and sports equipment anywhere in the country.”

The act also seeks a “minimum of twenty percent (20%) discount on admission fees charged by theaters, cinema houses and concert halls, circuses, carnivals, and other similar places of culture, leisure and amusement for the actual and exclusive use and enjoyment of the national athlete and coach.”

It also offers free medical and dental consultations in government hospitals and similar establishments anywhere in

‘20 PH Ladies open draws big international cast THE Philippines Ladies Open braces for another explosive staging next year with a stellar international cast tipped to clash for top honors on Feb. 18-20 at the Manila Golf Club in Forbes Park in Makati City.

Top and rising players from Thailand, Taiwan, Singapore, South Korea, Australia, Japan and the US are expected to crowd the country’s leading shotmakers in the 54-hole championship, eager to end the locals’ domination of the event organized and conducted by the Women’s Golf Association of the Philippines.

After the Thais posted an imposing 1-2 finish through Pimnipa Panthong and Kanyalak Preedasutthjit in the 2015 PLO at Wack Wack, the Filipina aces ruled the next four editions with Princess Superal winning in 2016 at Tagaytay Midlands, Bianca Pagdanganan scoring a record win in 2017, also at Wack Wack, before Yuka Saso swept the last two at Orchard and Manila Golf Club.

Meanwhile, registration is ongoing with fee pegged at P10,000 for local participants and $300 for foreign entries, inclusive of one prac-

tice round with organizers also targeting to draw Class A and B players. For details/reservations, email to Kathy_uy@yahoo.com or secretariat@wgap-golf.com. Entry forms can also be downloaded at www.wgap-golf.com.

Saso and Pagdanganan, along with Lois Kaye Go, won the team gold in the Asian Games in Jakarta in 2018 with Saso bagging the individual crown, a first in PLO history with the event serving as a venue for the young Filipina players to compete with other top golfers from across

Asia and elsewhere.

Pagdanganan also won the individual gold in the recent SEA Games and led the squad of Go and Abby Arevalo to the team championship, besting the country’s perennial rival Thailand.

But Superal has since moved to the pros while Pagdanganan and Saso are set to launch their pro debuts next year in different circuits abroad, leaving the likes of Junia Gabasa and young Rianne Malixi and Eagle Ace Superal as the likely spearheads of the host nation in the upcoming Phl Ladies Open.

Bigger, more engaging Esports Center back in Eastwood

Shown here are (from left) Nikko Acosta, Senior Vice President, Product Management and Content Business Groups, Globe; Christopher David, Chief Technology Officer, VeeR Immersive; Ronald Robins, Founder and CEO,Mineski; Ernest Cu, CEO and President, Globe; Kevin Tan, Chief Strategy Officer, Megaworld; Jarmine Borja, Country Manager, Logitech; and Albert de Larrazabal, Chief Commercial Officer, Globe at the official opening of the second Esports Center located at Eastwood Mall.

AFTER helping the country secure the overall championship in the 2019 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games for the first time in the last 14 years, esports gets another boost it truly deserves with the opening of the Esports Center in Eastwood Mall in Quezon City.

Powered by Globe in partnership with Mineski, Megaworld, and Logitech, the new facility promises to bring the whole Esports community to the next level and by opening its doors to more fans, esports athletes and future gamers by offering a wide array of experiential activities ranging from immersion programs, community leagues, mentorships and special appearances and engagements with influencers such as Team Liyab athletes who competed in the biggest sporting event in Southeast Asia.

“As the leader in the development

of the Filipino digital lifestyle, we continue to invest in the future of Esports in the country. By doing this, we continue to push the boundaries of digital entertainment for our customers, particularly the games and esports they are so passionate about.

With the Esports Center (ESC) we are giving the community, the Esports athletes and the fans a physical home to enjoy, share, improve and elevate their experience. The ESC is for everyone with a passion for games and Esports,” Nikko Acosta, Globe SVP and Head of Content Business Group says.

The first ESC was put up at UP Town Center early March this year and was very successful in rallying together the country’s foremost gamers and Esports enthusiasts. This gathering eventually formed the core of Turn to A7

the country.

Ramirez said that last February 27, the agency sent a letter to the BIR, seeking a follow-up on the implementation of the Republic Act 10699 in reference to the previous letters of the same nature that the PSC sent the bureau back in 2018.

The issue on the discounts for athletes was sparked by wushu champion and two-time Southeast Asian Games gold medalist Agatha Wong, who on Saturday, took to Twitter to seek for the strict implementation of Republic Act 10699.

“Can we make R.A. 10699 on the national athlete’s discount benefits an imposed and required law to abide by?”

Wong wrote in her post on Twitter.

Ramirez explained that legal counsel Atty. Michelle Labajana is in touch with the PSC on the regulation that has been submitted by the BIR to the Department of Finance.

Ryu gets 4-year Toronto deal NEW YORK—South Korean pitcher Ryu Hyun-Jin has agreed to a fouryear Major League Baseball contract worth $80 million with the Toronto Blue Jays, according to multiple reports Monday.

ESPN and MLB websites reported that the 32-year-old left-hander, who led the major leagues in 2019 with a 2.32 earned-run average, would join the Canadian club after playing for the Los Angeles Dodgers since his 2013 North American arrival.

Ryu missed the 2015 campaign with a left shoulder injury that required surgery—and was sidelined for nearly four months last year by a severe groin injury—but had an impressive showing this year.

He made his first MLB All-Star Game in 2019 and finished the season 14-5 with 163 strikeouts in 182 2/3 innings while surrendering only 24 walks and topping the ERA charts.

The deal would be the third-largest in total value in Blue Jays history, but also give Toronto a top-flight starter for a rotation that brought in Tanner Roark last week for $24 million over two years and Chase Anderson in a trade with Milwaukee last month.

Ryu pitched for seven seasons in the Korean Baseball Organization for the Hanwha Eagles before joining the Dodgers for the 2013 campaign.

Last year, he became the first South Korean pitcher to start in a World Series game. The Dodgers were beaten by the Boston Red Sox in the 2018 MLB best-of-seven championship series. AFP

IN BRIEF

Duty Free, BI sign online shopping deal

DUTY Free Philippines Corp. signed a memorandum of agreement with the Bureau of Immigration to install a validation system that will verify if online shoppers have already arrived from abroad.

Signed by Duty Free chief operating officer Vicente Pelagio Angala and BI Commissioner Jaime Morente in Taguig City, the new system will go live by January 2020.

“Convenience is the main factor why many prefer to shop online, and that’s exactly our customers will experience when they shop through our online store,” said Angala.

Customers must set up an account at dutyfreephilippines.ph. Buyers must upload proof of travel, including passport and boarding pass. The BI will then verify the information.

Angala also assured customers on the agency’s strict compliance to the Data Privacy Act of 2012, which means data processing will be transparent to customers and confidentiality will be maintained.

The online shopping website has over 1,000 items to choose from perfumes, cosmetics, home furnishing, confectionery, groceries, toys, electronics, cigarettes, wines, liquor and Filipino export-quality products.

IPOPHIL, BBW launch copyright awareness

THE Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines is collaborating with the world’s biggest book sale holder to foster an appreciation of the copyright system and help Filipinos develop a love for reading through affordable books.

IPOPHL Director General Josephine Santiago signed a memorandum of understanding with Big Bad Wolf (BBW) Books’ executive director Jacqueline Ng. Under the agreement, IPOPHL and BBW Books will jointly launch programs and projects that will raise awareness and appreciation of the copyright system among authors, publishers, and readers, and cultivate a culture of reading among Filipinos.

“One of our main goals is to create programs to grow the local publishing industry by providing them with the tools and knowledge to jump-start their businesses. One of the main stumbling blocks for local authors in the Philippines is that they don’t know where to start,” Santiago said. Othel V. Campos

Business

NEDA expected to approve P22.4-b Tagaytay Expressway in first quarter

By Darwin G. Amojelar THE Public Works Department said it expects the National Economic and Development Authority board to approve the P22.4-billion Cavite-Tagaytay-Batangas Expressway project by first quarter next year.

“In the next few months, first quarter definitely. There’s no guarantee but I think we can get it on the first quarter next year,” Public Works Secretary Mark Villar said.

The agency last year granted the original proponent status to Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. for the construction of CTBEX. CTBEX is a 50.4-kilometer expressway that will connect Cavite and Batangas, with a spur road to Tagaytay City and ultimately terminating in Nasugbu and another spur road to Tuy, Batangas.

CTBEX would decongest about 23,000 vehicles daily from existing thoroughfares.

The project will start at Silang East Interchange of the Cavite-Laguna Expressway. The alignment will traverse the towns of Silang, Amadeo, Mendez, Alfonso and Tagaytay in Cavite and Nasugbu in Batangas.

MPCALA Holdings Inc., a subsidiary of MPTC is also constructing the P35-billion Cavite-Laguna Expressway―a four-lane, 47-kilometer closed-system toll expressway connecting Cavitex and South Luzon Expressway.

The expressway will start from Cavitex in Kawit, Cavite and end at SLEX-Mamplasan Interchange in Biñan, Laguna.

business@manilastandard.net extrastory2000@gmail.com TUESDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2019

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Fitch watching water deal dispute T agreements exemplified the high regulatory risk which contracts between the government and private organizations HE government’s were subjected to. decision to revoke “We believe investors will be concerned the concession over the possibility of similar instances of extension agreements with government intervention which would create uncertainty for their business opManila Water Co. and erations. As such, there is a possibility that Maynilad Water Services foreign direct investments may take a hit will undermine the investor in the short term,” the report said.

“This incident also shows that the confidence in the short government has acknowledged the term, Fitch Solutions Macro weaknesses in the current contracting process, especially for PPPs,” it said.

Research, a unit of credit Fitch Solutions said investor confidence rating firm Fitch Group, said would gradually improve over the longterm as the Philippines continued to imMonday.

Fitch Solutions said in a report the prove on frameworks for public-private revocation of the concession extension partnerships. It said the cancellation of

By Julito G. Rada

water concessions illustrated that the government was willing to exercise executive power which overrides contractual agreements if it deemed necessary.

“Authorities will be able to gain experience and move up the learning curve and improve on processes and frameworks to allow for fairer, more transparent and flexible agreements in the future,” Fitch Solutions said.

The government awarded the concessions for the provision of water and waste services for Metro Manila to Manila Water Co. and Maynilad Water Services in 1997 and extended the contracts in 2009 by an additional 15 years from 2022.

The lengthy legal dispute between the government and the concessionaires and years of sub-par services which in some cases, led to water crises within Metro

Manila, had invoked the attention of the Philippine government.

President Rodrigo Duterte ordered for the concession extension agreements to be stripped and renegotiated this month.

The government had alluded to ‘onerous provisions’ within the existing concession which ‘disadvantaged taxpayers’, as a basis for revocation, review and re-negotiation.

“While this may suggest that such concessions lack robust, well-thoughtout provisions and pricing mechanisms as well as provisions which allow for reviews in the event the mechanics and details of these provisions become outdated, similar, though inadequate provisions were actually present in the agreement between MWSS and the two companies,” it said.

PSALM taps PwC to study NAPOCOR lot development

By Alena Mae S. Flores

Salceda slams LTFRB for being anti-consumer ALBAY Rep. Joey Sarte Salceda, chair of the House Ways and Means Committee slammed the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board on its “arbitrary” decision to reduce the number of licenses granted to biker-partners of the ride-hailing firm Angkas, calling it an anticonsumer and anti-competitive behavior.

The LTFRB’s move to trim the number of licenses from 27,000 down to 10,000 at the start of Angkas’ extended pilot run from December 23 March 23 next year threatens to throw some 17,000 bikers out of work in Metro Manila.

Salceda said “something’s not right with LTFRB’s policy behavior with respect to Angkas. Why don’t they just open the market to new players? And why the arbitrary reduction of licenses? (You favor somebody) at the expense of consumers’ choice and welfare.”

Salceda earlier cited the role of motorcycles in enhancing mobility and easing traffic.

The proposed amendment to the Motor Vehicle Road Users’ Tax precisely exempts the transport sector from the road users tax.

He said Congress would look into the issue amid complaints from biker-partners of Angkas and suspicions that the LTFRB was favoring some transport companies to ferret out the truth behind the arbitrary decision.

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

ISO CERTIFICATION. The Tourism Promotions Board Philippines approves a commitment toward the improvement of its management systems by successfully maintaining its ISO 9001:2015 certification. The audit performed by the Certification International Philippines Inc. showed that the quality management systems in place at TPB has seen remarkable improvements and discovered no non-conformities in the organization’s existing processes on design, development and provision of Philippine tourism marketing and promotions versus the ISO standards. An attached agency of the Department of Tourism, TPB exists to market and promote the Philippines domestically and internationally as a world-class tourism and MICE destination.

Strong spending hiked budget deficit to P60.9b in November THE government’s budget deficit widened by 55.64 percent or P21.8 billion in November to P60.9 billion from the P39.1-billion shortfall a year ago, on the back of strong government spending, according to the Bureau of the Treasury.

Data showed government spending jumped 22.36 percent in November to P365.6 billion, while revenue collection improved 17.4 percent to P304.7 billion.

The figure brought the fiscal deficit in the first 11 months to P409.1 billion, or P68.1 billion lower than the P477.2billion gap in the same period last year.

“The catch-up performance in November boosted spending for the first eleven-months to P3.303 trillion, lifting the cumulative disbursement growth to 6.73 percent year-on-year or P208.2 billion,” the Treasury said.

“Primary expenditures [net of interest payments] was responsible for much of the increase as non-interest spending jumped 27.06 percent YoY to P348.3 billion. YTD primary expenditure of P2.971 trillion was likewise firm at 7.08 percent above last year’s level,” it said.

The Treasury said revenue collection grew 10.55 percent, or P276.2billion, in the 11-month period to P2.894 trillion,

with taxes making up 93.39 percent of the total collection.

The Bureau of Internal Revenue collected P232.1 billion in November, up by 20.83 percent from a year ago, marking BIR’s best growth performance for the year. Cumulative collection by the agency from January to November reached P2.012 trillion, higher by 11.77 percent or P211.9 billion than year’s 11-month total.

Collections by the Bureau of Customs amounted to P50.8 billion in November, with P374 million in tax refunds. The resulting net collection of P50.4 billion was up by 5.24 percent or P2.5 billion compared to last year’s outcome. This brought the agency’s 11-month collection to P578.1 billion, up by 7.36 percent or P39.6 billion over the comparable figures in 2018.

“Total income generated and collected by the Bureau of the Treasury expanded by 16.30 percent year-on-year to P5.5 billion due largely to higher income from BSF/SSF investments, NG dividends from shares of stocks and share from PAGCOR income,” it said.

This drove the Treasury’s year-to-date income to P134.7 billion, up by 30.03 percent or P31.1 billion from P103.6 billion raised in the first 11 months of

Dominguez describes 2019 as year of ‘great achievements’ for the DOF FINANCE Secretary Carlos Dominguez III said 2019 is a year of “great achievements” for the Department of Finance.

He said these achievements included revenue and dividend collections and the pursuit in Congress of the remaining packages of the comprehensive tax reform program that would help the government fund priority programs on infrastructure and human capital development.

Dominguez said in his message during the DOF’s yearend party the agency managed to pursue policy reforms that resulted in a palpable improvement in the lives of the Filipino people.

“The task of bringing forth change is a long and painful one. We will have to deal with the vagaries of our politics, the inertia of the bureaucracy, and the resistance of those who would rather have things stay as they are,” Dominguez said.

“The reforms we seek to achieve will require resilience, endurance and per-

sistence. I ask you to remain firm in the tasks we have to accomplish, especially next year as we push for the remaining packages of the tax reform program,” he said.

Among the DOF’s accomplishments in 2019 were the passage of the tobacco tax reform bill, the increased revenues from taxes and cash dividends remitted by government owned- and -controlled corporations, the progress in the remaining CTRP packages sent to the Congress and the highly concessional loan financing sealed for projects under President Rodrigo Duterte’s signature “Build, Build, Build” program.

He also mentioned the country’s credit rating upgrade of “BBB plus” and the successful offshore issuance of bonds with tight spreads over the benchmarks, along with the collection of taxes from errant Philippine online gaming operators service providers and their foreign employees. Julito G. Rada

2018. The BTR said that as of endNovember, it had already surpassed its P73.9-billion full-year target by 82.31 percent or P60.8 billion.

Non-tax revenue from other offices posted a growth of 14.86 percent to P14.6 billion. Meanwhile, collections as of end-November went down by 4.87 percent to P147.0 billion.

Data showed that debt interest payments totaled P17.3 billion in November, down 29.90 percent from the previous year because of matured bonds and the receipt of settlement premia from the re-issuance of outstanding series. The resulting cumulative interest payments of P331.8 billion grew by 3.67 percent or P11.7 billion against the amount paid in last year’s 11-month period.

“For the month, the government registered a primary deficit of P43.6 billion, more than thrice the amount recorded in November 2018. YTD primary deficit, on the other hand, went down 50.78 percent to P77.4 billion, underscoring the general slowdown in non-interest spending which occurred primarily on the first half of the year owing to the delayed passage of the budget compounded by the election ban,” the Treasury said. Julito G. Rada

STATE-RUN Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corp. tapped PwC Philippines to conduct the feasibility study on the development of the 5.195-hectare Diliman property in Quezon City.

“The notice of award was issued today because we had to complete first the post-qualification process. The next step is for PwC to secure the performance bond, and upon submission to us, PSALM will then issue the notice to proceed and sign the contract,” PSALM president Irene Garcia said.

PwC is a global network of firms delivering world-class assurance, tax and consulting services for businesses.

PwC is the brand under which member firms of PricewaterhouseCoopers International Limited operate and provide services.

Garcia said the feasibility study would determine the property’s marketability, validate the cost of investment and identify appropriate privatization schemes for the Diliman property to attract prospective developers.

PSALM said the winning architectural conceptual design for the development of the Diliman property would be subjected to the said feasibility study.

PSALM previously selected the architectural conceptual design submitted by WTA Design Studio as the winning design for the Diliman property after a three-day rigorous selection process in July.

The winning entry of WTA Design Studio titled, “The East Grid” aims to develop PSALM’s 5.195-hectare Diliman property into a mixed-use office development integrated with wellness and commercial elements and combined with energy efficient systems and innovative, sustainable design ideas.

PSALM manages the assets and liabilities of National Power Corp. as mandated under the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001. The Diliman property currently hosts the office of Napocor and National Transmission Corp.

OUTSTANDING UP ALUMNUS. Atty.

Michael Toledo (second from right), managing director for the MVP Group of Companies Media Bureau, receives an award as University of the Philippines Manila 2019 Most Distinguished Alumnus for the College of Arts and Sciences during the general alumni homecoming of the UP Manila Alumni Association. On hand to present the award to Toledo are (from left) Rene Madarang, UPMAA immediate past president; Dr. Carmencita Padilla, UP Manila chancellor; and Deputy Speaker Deogracias Victor Savellano, UPMAA president. Manila Mayor Francisco ‘Isko Moreno’ Domagoso delivered the keynote speech.

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Business

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2019 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Stocks extend rally; MPIC climbs T HE stock market surged Monday, extending an early Santa Clause rally and pushing the benchmark index toward the 8,000-point mark.

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index rose 99.48 points, or 1.3 percent, to 7,872.60 on a value turnover of P8.3 billion. Gainers overwhelmed losers, 128 to 58, with 54 issues unchanged.

Manila Water Co. Inc. jumped 15.2 percent to P8.57, while Metro Pacific Investments Corp., which is into toll roads, water and electricity generation, hospitals and infrastructure, advanced 4.9 percent to P3.42.

Manila Electric Co., the biggest

electricity distributor, climbed 4.8 percent to P299.80, while Jollibee Foods Corp., the largest fast-food chain, rose 3.3 percent to P220.

The rest of Asian markets fluctuated Monday with activity thinning out as investors wind down for the Christmas break, while confidence remains buoyed by relief at the China-US trade deal.

Global equities are enjoying a flourish at the end of the year, having been on a roller-coaster ride for 12 months owing to the long-running trade row and Brexit.

And observers say that with those two major issues cleared up for now, 2020 could see a healthy run-up in prices, boosted by looser central bank monetary policy as well as signs of improvement in economies around the world.

Wall Street provided yet another record-breaking lead after data

confirmed the US economy enjoyed reasonable growth in the third quarter, while other reports showed personal income and consumer confidence improving.

The New York gains lent some support to Asian markets but dealers there struggled to build any momentum.

Hong Kong finished up 0.1 percent and Tokyo was barely moved.

Shanghai sank more than one percent despite news that China had slashed import tariffs on a range of goods from computer and phone parts to medicines and food including pork. While the move is not linked to the US trade deal, analysts said it does highlight the government’s desire to appear to be freeing up its markets Sydney fell 0.5 percent, while Singapore rose 0.2 percent and Seoul was flat.

Mumbai dropped but there were small gains in Bangkok, Wellington, Taipei and Jakarta.

With very little by way of marketmoving events on the horizon, analysts are expecting a quiet week.

“Short of a significant headline bomb... Asia is likely to be in extended lunch mode ahead of the midweek break globally,” said Jeffrey Halley, senior market analyst at OANDA. Oil prices extended Friday’s losses as Kuwait and Saudi Arabia close in on a deal that will see them restart output in a shared zone along their border.

Production has been on hold in the region for about four years and the restart could see as much as 500,000 barrels hit the market.

Still, prices are up around a fifth over the year, with support coming from news of the China-US trade deal. With AFP

Manila Standard BuSineSS daily StockS review Monday, deceMBer 23, 2019

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING),

FINANCIALS 53.25 2,510 87.5 1,674,260 157 1,874,640 0.85 38,000 24.95 18,900 8.49 1,200 18.1 10,000 12.24 195,000 4 16,000 7.02 300 66.6 2,037,080 0.82 51,000 12.7 5,000 20.5 4,200 34.1 244,200 172.1 1,770 115 20 57.4 590 186.6 1,913,760 1,825 150 58 7,050

133,907.50 145,604,768 293,818,243 32,300 471,960 9,759 181,028 2,370,004 62,040 2,106 135,695,825.50 39,820 63,500 85,950 8,399,600 306,075 2,300 33,866 353,275,388 273,750 409,795

-107,157.50 30,106,761.50 -17,509,954 39,820 898,276 -37,899,759.50 -5,396,290 36,330 -33,866 -61,556,266 -299,295

33.2 2.26 13 0.5 1.23 2.54 0.239 1.94 15.1 162.2 3.82 16.5 28 64.45 66.65 2.14 5.01 9.32 14.06 9.5 7.19 1.6 22.9 66.6 1.06 39 1.86 13.56 7.81 1.31 213 3.5 6.13 7.46 11.7 16.38 290.4 1.91 3.9 3.84 9.97 11.48 33.05 5 5.2 2.1 1.76 0.77 9.85 85.15 8.2 0.113 0.97 140.3 2.57 1.13 0.87

INDUSTRIAL 33.5 1,883,000 2.27 2,658,000 13.4 341,200 0.51 3,389,000 1.28 11,000 2.58 8,049,000 0.243 2,160,000 2.03 1,807,000 15.3 962,500 169.9 510 4 164,000 17.52 2,000 28 400 64.45 960 72.95 260 2.14 347,000 5.01 5,700 9.5 4,543,300 14.14 14,400 9.65 335,200 7.21 50,800 1.6 12,000 23.75 1,055,400 67 69,500 1.18 33,570,000 40 95,600 1.9 3,498,000 13.88 21,800 7.89 1,034,800 1.33 41,000 220 394,710 3.5 1,000 6.29 25,500 8.57 37,346,000 12.12 339,400 16.6 586,000 299.8 395,320 1.91 1,949,000 4.09 15,000 3.85 717,000 10 5,105,700 11.8 150,000 33.2 16,400 5 902,200 5.28 47,100 2.15 1,211,000 1.8 24,000 0.87 238,000 10 355,000 85.2 144,570 8.21 48,700 0.12 220,000 1.02 40,000 151.9 555,750 2.57 1,000 1.17 47,454,000 0.88 216,000

63,080,915 6,076,650 4,532,050 1,723,700 13,580 20,999,200 520,410 3,567,990 14,624,054 84,724 648,900 34,418 11,200 61,876 18,050.50 758,390 28,657 43,184,001 211,638 3,239,557 366,000 19,200 24,670,365 4,668,338 38,180,350 3,817,140 6,664,050 302,180 8,153,951 54,430 86,248,724 3,500 158,287 308,678,383 4,098,148 9,701,230 116,515,476 3,722,690 60,330 2,772,020 50,935,856 1,765,370 545,405 4,511,090 246,643 2,605,660 42,330 188,360 3,545,911 12,328,048 401,821 25,000 39,150 82,125,159 2,570 54,157,290 188,960

-6,532,085 -9,240 -4,150,450 30,100 4,763,000 -1,021,590 -1,610,028 -116,180 -2,800 -1,005,023 -149,936 -1,573,575 -83,468 -3,274,580 -2,368,841.50 904,930 3,056,070 -80,560 -109,590 8,054,667 -4,148,430 -21,812,413 -1,665,642 -8,478,216 8,473,688 -920,620 -830,110 -49,890,000 -1,113,730 -33,055 -4,350,000 12,020 19,300 -3,324,389 -1,273,235 1,200 20,424,362 -61,350.00 -

0.87 52 11.54 0.71 6.42 10.82 0.94 0.97 780 3 6.75 6.51 13.4 0.212 855 5.26 82 5.89 5.18 0.5 3.75 12 0.57 3.48 4.4 1.21 160 1,080 0.79 1.23 189.9 214 0.192

0.83 50.15 11.42 0.65 6.42 10.42 0.92 0.94 768.5 2.95 6.65 6.34 13.2 0.202 824.5 5.24 80.5 5.89 5.18 0.485 3.7 11.5 0.54 3.3 4.22 1.21 155 1,056 0.74 1.22 188 206.8 0.19

HOLDING FIRMS 0.87 21,304,000 1,811,520 52 11.46 1,768,900 0.69 471,000 6.42 10,000 10.82 6,400 0.94 1,124,000 0.97 303,000 779 401,280 2.99 252,000 6.7 2,638,100 6.4 16,924,600 13.3 314,700 0.202 100,000 854 105,950 5.24 103,600 81.7 1,276,310 5.89 1,000 5.18 1,100 0.5 2,000 3.7 478,000 11.5 2,043,700 0.57 126,000 3.42 41,111,000 4.4 3,000 1.21 50,000 160 191,100 1,078 214,485 0.79 2,000 1.22 17,000 188 190 211.6 2,890 0.19 200,000

18,166,510 93,264,459.50 20,275,714 315,410 64,200 67,134 1,044,050 284,910 311,082,675 753,660 17,661,146 108,441,810 4,178,404 20,490 89,665,465 544,460 104,273,137.50 5,890 5,698 985 1,775,630 23,698,370 68,440 140,304,550 12,840 60,500 30,154,937 230,744,565 1,530 20,750 35,905 615,866 38,040

-113,000 2,343,670.50 -7,498,700 282,000 34,516,690 -104,840 -12,662,421 14,383,069 -12,717,865 -157,500 35,093,299.50 5,890 -1,493,790 -17,322,866 -51,275,190 2,635,930 20,662,235 -226,576 13,300

14.78 0.71 1.42 0.8 47.25 1.98 4.8 6.98 0.55 0.76 0.86 0.179 0.385 10 19.1 0.41 1.52 1.19 4.11 0.193 0.425 1.29

14.72 0.7 1.28 0.78 45.1 1.97 4.73 6.47 0.54 0.76 0.81 0.179 0.38 9.95 18.9 0.41 1.49 1.16 4.03 0.19 0.425 1.24

PROPERTY 14.76 6,016,300 0.71 600,000 1.36 64,000 0.8 499,000 47.25 9,842,900 1.97 109,000 4.75 792,000 6.98 357,200 0.55 8,844,000 0.76 2,000 0.86 3,000 0.179 30,000 0.385 400,000 9.97 441,900 19 360,000 0.41 50,000 1.51 4,514,000 1.19 17,000 4.03 21,733,000 0.192 4,150,000 0.425 120,000 1.27 196,000

88,800,574 421,770 83,140 395,910 455,105,990 214,900 3,784,310 2,412,507 4,794,780 1,520 2,480 5,370 153,500 4,405,992 6,852,836 20,500 6,844,320 19,750 88,032,140 795,060 51,000 245,420

-118,048 23,956,900 -108,350 52,250 2,234,888 248,400 2,238,696 1,601,092.00 4,981,260 26,997,860 -

NAME

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LOW

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

53.5 86.4 157.8 0.85 25 8.1 18.1 12.32 4.04 7.02 67.9 0.78 12.7 20.45 34.6 173 115 57.4 181.9 1,825 58.5

53.5 87.5 159.8 0.85 25 8.49 18.38 12.32 4.04 7.02 67.9 0.82 12.7 20.5 34.7 173 115 57.4 187.7 1,825 58.5

53.25 86 153.1 0.85 24.9 8.1 18.1 12 3.84 7.02 66.2 0.78 12.7 20.45 34.1 172.1 115 57.4 181.9 1,825 58

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 DEL MONTE DNL INDUS EAGLE CEMENT EEI CORP EMPERADOR EUROMED FIRST GEN FIRST PHIL HLDG FRUITAS HLDG GINEBRA GREENERGY HOLCIM INTEGRATED MICR IONICS JOLLIBEE MABUHAY VINYL MACAY HLDG MANILA WATER MAXS GROUP MEGAWIDE MERALCO PEPSI COLA PETROENERGY PETRON PHINMA PHX PETROLEUM PILIPINAS SHELL PRYCE CORP RFM CORP ROXAS AND CO ROXAS HLDG SFA SEMICON SHAKEYS PIZZA SMC FOODANDBEV SPC POWER SWIFT FOODS TKC METALS UNIV ROBINA VICTORIAS VITARICH VULCAN INDL

34 2.31 13.3 0.52 1.23 2.55 0.239 1.96 15.5 162.2 3.82 17 28 64.45 73.9 2.19 5.03 9.32 14.06 9.99 7.2 1.6 22.9 68.2 1.07 40.05 1.89 13.58 7.88 1.33 213 3.5 6.21 7.5 12.16 16.5 290.4 1.91 3.9 3.86 9.98 11.48 33.1 5 5.27 2.14 1.77 0.82 9.85 85.2 8.28 0.113 1.03 144 2.57 1.14 0.89

34 2.34 13.4 0.53 1.28 2.67 0.245 2.03 15.5 169.9 4.05 17.52 28 64.5 73.9 2.21 5.03 9.65 14.8 9.99 7.25 1.6 23.75 68.25 1.18 40.05 1.93 13.88 7.89 1.33 220 3.5 6.29 8.73 12.36 16.72 300 1.92 4.09 3.96 10 11.8 33.4 5.08 5.35 2.18 1.8 0.87 10.06 86.4 8.28 0.12 1.03 151.9 2.57 1.17 0.89

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

0.83 51.65 11.5 0.71 6.42 10.82 0.93 0.94 779.5 2.96 6.75 6.38 13.2 0.212 838 5.26 80.9 5.89 5.18 0.485 3.72 12 0.55 3.3 4.22 1.21 157 1,056 0.74 1.22 189.9 214 0.192

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

14.76 0.7 1.42 0.8 45.1 1.97 4.79 6.47 0.55 0.76 0.81 0.179 0.385 10 19.06 0.41 1.51 1.16 4.04 0.193 0.425 1.24

VOLUME

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LOW

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VOLUME

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING),

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

0.3 2.07 45 27.4 2.09 3.1 41.1 2.39 1.17 7.3 5.49

0.32 2.13 45 28.75 2.12 3.1 41.95 2.46 1.2 7.35 5.6

0.3 2.07 45 27.3 2.08 3.03 40.9 2.39 1.15 7.26 5.45

0.31 2.12 45 27.8 2.12 3.06 41.95 2.46 1.2 7.35 5.6

310,000 1,126,000 2,000 2,860,800 74,000 351,000 6,651,400 104,000 23,424,000 2,634,800 149,300

96,000 2,335,010 90,000 79,990,545 155,930 1,074,830 275,479,825 252,350 27,669,200 19,329,512 828,260

-637,360 -922,320 89,394,265 -5,946,071 -

2GO GROUP ABS CBN ACESITE HOTEL ALLHOME APC GROUP APOLLO GLOBAL BERJAYA BLOOMBERRY CEBU AIR CHELSEA DISCOVERY WORLD EASYCALL FAR EASTERN U GLOBE TELECOM GMA NETWORK GOLDEN BRIA GRAND PLAZA HARBOR STAR INTL CONTAINER IPEOPLE IPM HLDG ISLAND INFO ISM COMM JACKSTONES LEISURE AND RES LORENZO SHIPPNG MACROASIA MANILA BULLETIN MANILA JOCKEY METRO RETAIL NOW CORP PACIFIC ONLINE PAL HLDG 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

9.5 15.84 1.49 11.46 0.39 0.042 4.47 11.04 90.4 4.91 2.03 7.75 890.5 2,012 5.25 436 10.66 1.02 126.6 9.49 6.2 0.097 2.93 2.05 2.44 0.89 16.52 0.37 3.35 2.15 2.34 2.5 7.2 5 8.7 147 2.43 1,000 0.56 0.32 39.5 75.75 8.74 2.68 0.63 0.275 0.6 17.84

9.78 15.84 1.49 11.5 0.395 0.042 4.7 11.2 92 5.06 2.03 7.85 890.5 2,030 5.27 436 10.66 1.04 129.9 9.49 6.5 0.098 3.1 2.25 2.44 0.9 16.6 0.37 3.4 2.15 2.37 2.5 7.5 5 8.99 148 2.45 1,020 0.58 0.335 39.95 77 9.05 2.76 0.63 0.275 0.61 17.84

9.5 15.68 1.49 11.42 0.385 0.042 4.34 10.9 88.9 4.91 2.03 7.75 890.5 1,996 5.25 435 10.66 1 126.6 9.49 6.2 0.092 2.87 2.05 2.42 0.83 16.4 0.335 3.35 2.05 2.33 2.46 7.2 5 8.7 145.5 2.35 999.5 0.56 0.31 39 74.9 8.74 2.61 0.59 0.27 0.57 17.2

SERVICES 9.78 15.8 1.49 11.5 0.395 0.042 4.58 11.1 88.9 5.06 2.03 7.85 890.5 2,012 5.26 436 10.66 1.03 128.3 9.49 6.5 0.095 3.1 2.25 2.44 0.85 16.6 0.335 3.4 2.13 2.34 2.46 7.5 5 8.99 145.5 2.4 1,020 0.57 0.33 39.95 77 9.05 2.75 0.62 0.275 0.61 17.7

8,800 50,200 10,000 1,535,700 160,000 900,000 2,622,000 1,161,300 316,170 728,000 1,000 7,000 1,120 31,625 158,100 170 100 525,000 2,567,870 1,400 11,900 390,000 3,235,000 2,000 243,000 315,000 251,600 200,000 39,000 180,000 2,457,000 38,000 3,200 5,000 300 150 373,000 91,005 907,000 16,090,000 586,200 123,020 1,533,200 1,191,000 9,154,000 910,000 242,000 4,100,600

84,580 792,962 14,900 17,647,610 62,450 37,800 11,891,100 12,866,046 28,297,805 3,639,810 2,030 54,930 997,360 63,590,755 831,689 73,980 1,066 538,300 329,646,494 13,286 76,420 37,050 9,676,230 4,300 592,700 277,600 4,159,544 71,800 131,550 374,000 5,775,880 94,190 23,370 25,000 2,668 22,065 881,120 92,170,647.50 513,840 5,218,900 23,291,235 9,443,072.50 13,400,623 3,232,500 5,662,000 247,050 138,870 72,383,496

-7,600 -3,079,524 -11,600 5,360 3,046,170 -5,780,144.50 7,264,785 -23,781,981 3,400 25,650 671,160 2,440 -1,588,076 158,440 -71,870 -23,630 8,072,950 -197,170 64,400 -7,747,865.00 -5,893,310.50 2,209,880 -5,285,210 4,200 28,137,160.00

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

0.0015 7.33 0.91 10.96 2.69 0.27 6.91 1.73 0.2 0.093 0.0074 0.87 3.01 0.99 0.73 0.012 0.01 2.69 8.13 21.6 0.0053

0.0015 7.33 0.92 10.96 2.7 0.27 7.32 1.83 0.204 0.093 0.0074 0.89 3.28 1 0.76 0.012 0.011 2.75 8.64 21.9 0.0053

0.0015 7 0.91 10.96 2.68 0.27 6.91 1.73 0.198 0.091 0.0074 0.84 3.01 0.97 0.7 0.012 0.01 2.69 8.13 21.6 0.0053

MINING & OIL 0.0015 13,000,000 7.15 180,100 0.92 115,000 10.96 200 2.7 334,000 0.27 150,000 6.92 1,000,400 1.8 6,319,000 0.204 170,000 0.091 930,000 0.0074 3,000,000 0.89 818,000 3.2 13,620,000 1 18,000 0.75 302,000 0.012 100,000 0.011 400,000 2.7 123,000 8.4 286,300 21.8 1,129,800 0.0053 3,000,000

19,500 1,288,588 104,830 2,192 898,730 40,500 6,912,846 11,284,100 33,890 85,190 22,200 713,070 43,006,020 17,640 217,840 1,200 4,100 332,470 2,355,350 24,611,865 15,900

4,682 3,680 -776,150 9,363,830 -1,860 2,000 2,710 156,503 5,056,940.00 -

ABS HLDG PDR AC PREF B1 AC PREF B2R ALCO PREF B DD PREF FGEN PREF G GMA HLDG PDR GTCAP PREF A MWIDE PREF PCOR PREF 2B PCOR PREF 3A PCOR PREF 3B PNX PREF 3A PNX PREF 3B PNX PREF 4 SFI PREF SMC PREF 2C SMC PREF 2D SMC PREF 2E SMC PREF 2F SMC PREF 2G SMC PREF 2I

14.7 510 505 102.5 101 108.1 5.19 995 101 1,023 1,048 1,057 102.3 109 1,028 1.36 77.8 75.2 77 76.9 75.95 75.2

15.1 510 510 103.3 101 108.1 5.3 995 101 1,023 1,050 1,057 102.3 109 1,031 1.36 77.8 75.2 77 76.9 75.95 75.2

14.7 510 505 102.5 100 108 5.19 995 101 1,023 1,048 1,055 102.3 109 1,028 1.36 77.8 75.2 77 75.55 75.95 75.2

PREFERRED 15 107,000 510 10 510 2,800 103.3 3,090 100 390 108 2,260 5.3 217,000 995 50 101 510 1,023 50 1,050 3,045 1,057 25,515 102.3 710 109 100 1,031 4,530 1.36 1,000 77.8 700 75.2 870,000 77 10 75.55 1,400 75.95 600,010 75.2 805,590

1,606,700 5,100 1,420,200 319,037 39,219 244,188 1,142,959 49,750 51,510 51,150 3,195,240 26,952,345 72,633 10,900 4,668,360 1,360 54,460 65,424,000 770 105,833.50 45,570,759.50 60,580,368

-1,606,700 -50,500 -20,500 1,033,239 50,500 51,150 54,460 -

LR WARRANT

1.2

1.2

1.2

WARRANTS 1.2 11,000

13,200

-

ITALPINAS KEPWEALTH XURPAS

3.6 9.84 0.77

3.69 10.14 0.78

3.51 9.8 0.76

3.6 10.1 0.77

1,032,800 2,310,848 767,860

172,820 -2,984 -

FIRST METRO ETF

116.4

117.4

115.6

843,151

35,023

NAME

MS Trading Summary

SHARES

FINANCIAL

16,030,499

INDUSTRIAL

165,683,464

HOLDING FIRMS

98,931,821

PROPERTY

96,842,336

SERVICES

54,861,977

MINING & OIL

45,070,710

GRAND TOTAL

478,946,962

SME

288,000 231,400 995,000

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 117.4 7,240

VALUE 1,849.34 (UP) 6.18 1,643,012,319.75 FINANCIAL 9,654.32 (UP) 286.73 INDUSTRIAL 1,190,417,452.32 7,681.07 (UP) 81.42 HOLDING FIRMS 3,407,842,624.76 PROPERTY 4,207.91 (UP) 68.37 1,531.69 (DOWN) 1.65 SERVICES 1,071,142,839.21 7,855.40 (UP) 268.66 MINING & OIL 886,986,161.91 7,872.60 (UP) 99.48 PSEI 91,977,438.0336 All Shares Index 4,645.33 (UP) 46.50 8,296,349,450.79 Gainers:128; Losers:58; Unchanged: 54; Total: 240

Aboitiz unit interested in sale of CBK hydro plants

By Alena Mae S. Flores SN ABOITIZ Power Corp., a joint venture between SN Power of Norway and Aboitiz Power Corp., expressed interest to participate in the impending privatization of the 797.92-megawatt Caliraya-Botocan-Kalayaan hydro plant.

“We are very interested. We feel we’re very well positioned to acquire that asset and to optimize it,” SN Aboitiz president and chief executive officer Joseph Yu said Monday.

State-run Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corp. is working out a technical assistance agreement with the Asian Development Bank on the planned privatization of the independent power producer contracts of the CBK hydro plant and the 150-MW Casecnan hydro facility.

PSALM plans to privatize the assets by next year.

“We think it’s a very good fit to the portfolio that we have today. We would be very interested if CBK would be privatized,” Yu said.

SN Aboitiz owns one of the biggest hydro projects in the country today. The company owns and operates the 388 -MW Magat hydro on the border of Isabela and Ifugao provinces, the 8.5-MW Maris hydro in Isabela, the 105-MW Ambuklao hydro in Benguet, and the 140-MW Binga hydro in Benguet.

It is also keen on developing the proposed $550-million 390- megawatt Alimit hydropower complex in Ifugao province.

PSALM president Irene Garcia earlier said the CBK power plant would likely be privatized followed by the Casecnan power plant.

“We’re going to start studying the two because as you know, the power plants, they have different structures... We are seeking the assistance of ADB to look at the technicalities of that. Hopefully by next year, we will be able to decide on priva structure,” Garcia said.

Garcia said they hope to engage ADB on the privatization of the two power assets.

“We are fine tuning if the scope of the coverage of the study of ADB, so that by next year they can start the study. I’m not very certain how much time they need, but I’m thinking that’s around six months before they come up with the study,” the official said.

SEC approves Arthaland’s green bonds worth P6b

By Jenniffer B. Austria THE Securities and Exchange Commission approved the P6-billion ASEAN green bonds shelf registration of boutique property developer Arthaland Corp.

Arthaland said in a filing Monday with the SEC it planned to issue the first tranche of green bonds worth up to P2 billion with an oversubscription option of P1 billion.

The green bonds will be issued in scripless form, in denominations of P50,000 and in multiples of P10,000.

They will be traded in denominations of P10,000 in the secondary market.

BDO Capital and Investment Corp. and ING Bank N.V., Manila Branch will serve as joint lead underwriters and joint book-runners while PNB Capital and Investment Corp. will act as co-lead manager.

Philippine Rating Services Corp. assigned the green bonds a “PRS Aa minus” rating with a “stable” outlook.

Arthaland may redeem in whole the outstanding green bonds before the maturity date. The company may get back the bonds at 101.00 percent of face value on the third year or 100.50 percent on the fourth year.

Arthaland will use the proceeds to finance construction of green projects in accordance with Green Finance Framework.

The property company identified two eligible green projects, namely Arthaland Century Pacific Tower and Savya Financial Center.

The SEC has been encouraging companies to take advantage of green financing in order to pursue projects and investments with positive impact on the environment.

The SEC in August 2018 issued the “Guidelines on the Issuance of Green Bonds Under the ASEAN Green Bond Standards” to improve awareness and appetite for green financing in the local market amid a surge in global capital looking for sustainable investments.

World

B3

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2019 CESAR BARRIOQUINTO, Editor mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Four decades on, veterans still think about Soviet-Afghan war

VISITOR. An owl is seen at the Familia

Geisse vineyard in Pinto Bandeira, Rio Grande do Sul state, Brazil, on December 3, 2019. Pinto Bandeira is one of the areas where the increasingly recognized Brazilian sparkling wine is produced. AFP

KABUL―At his home in the mountains north of Kabul, former mujahideen fighter Shah Sulaiman closed his damaged eyes, took a sip of green tea and thought bitterly of Afghanistan’s war against the Soviet Union that started four decades ago.

“When we fought against the Soviets, we were expecting a good future,” said the 62-year-old father, who was blinded in one eye and suffered a leg wound when he trod on a land mine during the conflict in 1985.

“Unfortunately things turned out for the worst.”

This month marks the 40th anniversary of the Soviet Union’s “intervention”―or invasion―of Afghanistan, the beginning of a decade-long guerrilla war that killed up to two million Afghans, forced seven million more from their homes and led to the deaths of more than 14,000 Soviet troops. “[It] brought only misery and de-

struction to Afghans and Afghanistan,” recalled Sulaiman, who commanded a unit of 12 men in the Panjshir valley, a heartland of mujahideen resistance north of the capital.

In the decades since the war, which ended in 1989, Afghan veterans like Sulaiman and former Soviet soldiers have had to grapple with the physical and emotional wounds of a bloody conflict whose purpose and consequences remain angrily contested.

While the war was a mujahideen victory, what came next saw Afghanistan plunge deeper into misery and fighting, with veterans blaming the conflict for the rise of the Taliban and the ongoing violence that besets the country to this day.

In Russia, former Soviet soldiers are still trying to make sense of a war the public condemned at the time and that observers say hastened the collapse of the Soviet Union. AFP

Modi tells India’s Muslims not to worry IN BRIEF Galapagos fuel spill ‘under control’

QUITO―Ecuador officials announced Sunday that a fuel spill in the Galapagos Islands, caused when a barge sank carrying 600 gallons of diesel fuel, was “under control.”

Authorities had activated emergency protocols earlier Sunday to contain the environmental impact of the spill in the Galapagos archipelago, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that is home to one of the most fragile ecosystems on the planet.

“The situation is under control, and a series of actions have been deployed to mitigate the possible effects,” the presidential communications office said in a statement, adding the response operation had “controlled” the spill.

The accident, in which one person was injured, occurred in a port on San Cristobal Island, the easternmost island in the chain, when a crane collapsed while loading a container holding an electric generator onto a barge.

The falling container destabilized the ship, which was carrying 600 gallons of diesel fuel, causing it to sink.

The generator and the loading crane were also submerged.

The Emergency Operations Committee took “immediate action to reduce the environmental risk” in the so-called Enchanted Islands.AFP

Volcano death toll rises to 19

WELLINGTON―The death toll from New Zealand’s devastating White Island eruption has risen to 19, with police confirming Monday another death in hospital.

The toll includes two people whose bodies have not been recovered.

A police spokesman said they were informed that a person had died late Sunday in an Auckland hospital.

There were 47 people, mainly Australian tourists, on the island when it erupted on December 9, and 25 remain in hospital. Many are still in a critical condition.

The sea search for the two missing people continues, although it has been scaled down.

“We haven’t given up,” deputy police commissioner Mike Clement said after telling the families why they believed the bodies were not on the island.

“But we are literally in the hands of the sea... the reality is we cannot be precise.

“I think the family understands as time passes it means less chance but not, no chance.” AFP

Mali crisis talks end

BAMAKO―Talks on finding a political solution to Mali’s deepening crisis ended Sunday with calls to hold new elections and revise the country’s constitution, an AFP journalist said.

But the gathering notably did not urge dialogue with jihadists, who have been waging a bloody insurgency in the troubled West African country for seven years.

President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita convened the “national inclusive dialogue” on December 14 in a bid to regain momentum after a recent surge of ethnic and jihadist violence, although the talks were boycotted by most opposition groups.

Islamists have killed more than 140 Malian troops since September, in a widening insurgency that has also inflamed bloodshed between Fulani herders and sedentary farmers in the country’s centre.

The jihadist attacks form part of a Sahel-wide insurgency which national armed forces, backed by 4,500 French troops and UN peacekeepers, are struggling to contain. AFP

N

EW DELHI―Prime Minister Narendra Modi sought Sunday to reassure India’s Muslims over a new citizenship law that has sparked deadly protests and put his Hindu nationalist government under pressure like never before.

At least 25 people have died in almost two weeks of demonstrations and violence after Modi’s government passed the law criticized as anti-Muslim.

More protests took place on Sunday in the Hindu-majority nation.

Addressing party supporters in New Delhi―who cried “Modi! Modi!” at the mention of the law―the prime minister said Muslims “don’t need to worry at all” provided they are genuine Indians.

“Muslims who are sons of the soil and whose ancestors are the children of

mother India need not worry,” Modi, 69, told the crowd of thousands.

Accusing the main opposition Congress party of condoning the violence by not condemning it, Modi said opponents were “spreading rumors that all Muslims will be sent to detention camps”.

“There are no detention centers. All these stories about detention centres are lies, lies and lies,” he said.

Despite the prime minister’s assertion, the northeastern state of Assam has six detention centers holding more than 1,000 alleged illegal migrants, and plans another 11.

India’s junior home minister has told parliament that 28 detainees have died in the camps in recent years.

The Home Ministry in June issued a “2019 Model Detention Manual” to states, asking them to set up camps in major entry points.

Two centers were planned near the cities of Mumbai and Bangalore.

Modi also said that there had been “no discussion” about a nationwide “register of citizens”, which many Muslims in India fear is targeted mainly at them.

Home Minister Amit Shah, Modi’s right-hand man, has said repeatedly that such an exercise will take place aimed at removing all “infiltrators” from India.

The ruling party also promised in their 2019 national election manifesto to implement NRC in a “phased manner in other parts of the country”.

This year such a register in Assam state left off 1.9 million people unable to prove they or their forebears were there before 1971. They now face possible statelessness.

Demonstrations against the citizenship law have been largely peaceful but protesters have also hurled rocks and torched vehicles, while heavy-handed police tactics including the storming of a Delhi university a week ago have fuelled anger.

Tens of thousands of protesters gathered late Saturday in the southern city of Hyderabad. Other large demonstrations took place on Sunday, including in Jaipur and Mumbai.

In Bangalore other protesters gathered to support the law.

It gives religious minority members―

Prison clashes leave 36 dead in Honduras

CRUELTY ON DISPLAY. This photo taken on November 17, 2019, shows baby elephant Ploy training to perform tricks at the Ban Ta Klang elephant village in the northeastern Thai province of Surin. Separated from their mothers, jabbed with metal hooks, and sometimes deprived of food—Thai elephants are tamed by force before being sold to lucrative tourism sites. AFP

Thailand elephants ‘broken’ for lucrative animal tourism BAN TA KLANG, Thailand―Separated from their mothers, jabbed with metal hooks, and sometimes deprived of food―many Thai elephants are tamed by force before being sold to lucrative tourism sites increasingly advertised as ‘sanctuaries’ to cruelty-conscious travelers.

Balanced precariously on hind legs, two-year-old Ploy holds a ball in her trunk and flings it towards a hoop, one of many tricks she is learning in Ban Ta Klang, a traditional training village in the east.

Here young elephants are “broken” to interact with tens of millions of tourists who visit Thailand every year, many eager to capture social media-worthy encounters of the kingdom’s national animal playing sports, dancing and even painting.

Villagers in Ban Ta Klang who have been working with the large, gentle animals for generations say taming is necessary for safety reasons and that the force is not excessive.

“We do not raise them to hurt them... if they are not stubborn, we do nothing to them,” said mahout Charin, as he stroked Ploy’s head affectionately and

Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Parsis, Christians and Buddhists―from three neighboring Islamic countries an easier path to citizenship, but not if they are Muslim.

Islamic groups, the opposition and others at home and abroad fear this forms part of Modi’s aim to marginalize India’s 200 million Muslims and remold the country as a Hindu nation.

Authorities have imposed emergency laws and blocked internet access across the country in an attempt to contain the unrest.

More than 7,500 people have either been detained under emergency laws or arrested for rioting, according to state officials.

Five thousand of them are being held in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh state where 17 people have been killed.

The state’s government has said it will confiscate and auction properties of those involved in arson and destruction of public properties to recover damages.

Police said they sealed 70 shops owned by accused rioters in the state’s Muzaffarnagar district, where two protesters were killed on Friday. AFP

spoke of her as part of his family.

Charin makes about $350 a month in a profession that was handed down from his father and grandfather.

“I have always lived with them,” he added.

But animal welfare advocates argue the taming technique―where babies are removed from the care of fiercely devoted mothers at the age of two―is cruel and outdated.

It is also little-known, one of many murky aspects of an evolving elephant tourism trade often kept from view of tour operators and travelers.

Elephants were phased out of the logging industry about 30 years ago, leaving their mahouts unemployed.

So they turned to Thailand’s flourishing tourism industry, a burgeoning sector of amusement parks offering elephant rides and performances.

A tamed elephant can now fetch up to $80,000, a colossal investment that then requires gruelling hours of work and increasingly bizarre stunts to be recouped.

Mae Taeng park in the northern city of Chiang Mai receives up to 5,000 visitors per day and charges an entrance fee of about $50.

Many come to see Suda, who holds a brush in her trunk and paints Japanese-style landscapes for visitors who can later buy the prints for up to $150 before taking an elephant ride through the hills.

As tourists become more aware of the potential cruelty of such activities, a growing number of places have opted to use the term ‘sanctuary’ or ‘refuge’.

Many do not permit rides or animal performances. Instead tourists are encouraged to feed, groom and care for elephants, gaining an unforgettable experience with one of nature’s most majestic creatures.

But charities warn that even seemingly benign options, like bathing them, could still be problematic.

“Bathing with elephants...is often stressful for elephants and mahouts especially when dealing with groups of excited young people,” Jan SchmidtBurbach of World Animal Protection told AFP. “The best option is to leave it to the elephant to decide if and how to bath and ask tourists to stand back to observe and enjoy this moment without interference.” AFP

TEGUCIGALPA―At least 36 people were killed in weekend clashes in Honduran prisons as the military and police try to regain control after a spate of murders linked to the criminal gangs plaguing the country.

On Sunday afternoon, 18 gang members died in a clash between inmates at El Porvenir prison, 60 kilometers north of the capital Tegucigalpa.

“Firearms, knives and machetes” were used in the brawl, which also left 10 wounded, Lieutenant Jose Coello, a spokesman for the National InterInstitutional Security Force (Fusina), told local media.

On Friday night, 18 prisoners died and 16 were wounded in a shooting at the prison in the port town of Tela, northwest of the capital.

The killings came shortly after President Juan Orlando Hernandezgrappling with a wave of prison killings―ordered the army and the police on Tuesday to take control of the country’s 27 prisons, which are badly overcrowded with some 21,000 inmates.

The security forces later said they were deploying about 1,200 military and police in 18 facilities classified as “high risk.”

Hernandez announced the crackdown after the killings on December 14 of five members of the feared MS13 gang by a fellow detainee at the high-security prison in La Tolva, east of Tegucigalpa.

That came just a day after Pedro Idelfonso Armas, the warden of Honduras’s main high security prison in Santa Barbara, El Pozo, was shot dead in the south of the country.

The security ministry had suspended Armas shortly before his death, amid an investigation into his presence during the October 26 murder of Magdaleno Meza, a drug kingpin whose confession and notebooks linked him to the president’s brother, Juan Antonio “Tony” Hernandez.

Meza’s account books were used as evidence in the New York trial of Hernandez, who was subsequently convicted on four counts of drug trafficking. He faces sentencing―possibly for life-in January. AFP

LGUs

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

B4

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2019

Parañaque City, China’s Anshan in sisterhood pact

LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS

Parañaque City Mayor Edwin Olivarez (second from left) shows the signed agreement with Vice Mayor Gao Lin and other officials of Anshan Municipal People’s Government at Parañaque City Hall on Monday.

Taguig supports MMFF through Parade of Stars THE Taguig City government affirmed its commitment to Philippines cinema as it hosted for the first time the Metro Manila Film Festival’s starstudded Parade of Stars.

“The city of Taguig affirms its commitment to the arts, to culture and to promoting Filipino films,” said Mayor Lino Edgardo Cayetano in a speech welcoming the throng that gathered at Taguig Lakeshore Park, where the parade originated on Sunday.

“On the part of the City of Taguig, with Vice Mayor Ading Cruz, to my colleagues in the industry, we would like to emphasize the deep commitment of the City Government of Taguig for the growth of culture and the arts in the city and the country as a whole,” explained Cayetano, who is also an acclaimed director and producer.

From Taguig Lakeshore Park, the parade passed through M.L. Quezon Avenue, MRT Avenue and C5 Road. It then entered the McKinley Hill township via Upper McKinley Road, then moved on to McKinley Parkway, 32nd Street, 7th Avenue, 28th Avenue, 5th Avenue, then Lawton Avenue, LeGrand Avenue and Chateau Road. The parade concluded at McKinley West Open Ground.

The MMDA, which organizes the much anticipated yearly event, said the route makes the parade the longest in the history of the MMFF, synonymous to more eyes on the floats featuring the eight titles competing for the awards.

“The growth of and support for Philippine cinema is important,” said Cayetano, a television director by profession. “Taguig believes that in supporting culture, arts and Philippine cinema, we will have a wider and more comprehensive understanding of the issues and many other things. These will help us in our goal of unity.” Joel E. Zurbano

THE Parañaque City government and the City of Anshan, Liaoning Province, People’s Republic of China have agreed to enter into a sisterhood agreement to boost their relations and promote sharing of best practices in good governance.

The friendship between the two cities was sealed by Parañaque City Mayor Edwin Olivarez and Vice Mayor Gao Lin of Anshan Municipal People’s Government, held at the city hall on Monday.

Also present during the formal signing were Su Xiaofeng, Deputy Secretary General, Anshan Municipal People’s Government; Anshan Municipal Commerce Bureau’s Zhang Jing (director), Li Bing (section chief), and Zhang Nina (vice section chief, interpreter); Parañaque City administrator Ding Soriano, and PIO chief Mar Jimenez.

As provided in the MOU, a sisterhood tie can create opportunities for mutual growth, since both cities share similar environmental protection and tourism endeavors.

Other objectives include providing for better cooperation in conducting reciprocally planned and sanctioned programs geared towards the improvement of government administration, tourism, cultural preservation, environmental protection, education, technology, arts, and the holding of various endeavors mutually beneficial to both parties.

Officials of both cities will maintain an open line of communication through focal persons who would promote the programs and initiatives relative to the sisterhood agreement.

Makati gets top OPV marks

By Joel E. Zurbano

T

HE City of Makati has achieved, for the second time this year, the highest oral polio vaccine (OPV) coverage rate among 17 cities and municipalities in Metro Manila from Nov. 25 to Dec. 8, according to the Department of Health.

DOH report dated Dec. 8 showed that a total of 69,739 children aged zero to 59 months were vaccinated during the second round of the OPV drive or 140.54 percent of the city’s target population, which is 49,623.

A total of 1,404,517 children received the OPV in Metro Manila or 109.99 percent of its target population of 1,276,984.

“This achievement shows that Makatizens have extended their full cooperation to the city government by having

their kids vaccinated. The city is fully committed to keeping our kids safe and healthy,” Mayor Abigail Binay said.

She said doctors and MHD staff have been conducting house visits since October 14 to provide OPV to children who are vulnerable to polio.

Apart from the OPV, the mayor urged parents to have their children inoculated with BCG (Bacillus Calmette-Guerin) vaccine, Hepatitis B vaccine, Pentavalent vaccine, PCV (Pneumococcal Conjugate

Vaccine), Hib (Haemophilus Influenzae Type B) vaccine, MR (Measles and Rubella) vaccine, and MMR (Measles, Mumps and, Rubella) vaccine.

The city’s 26 health centers give these vaccines to infants and children aged 0 to 59 months, free of charge.

MHD chief Dr. Bernard Sese explained that newborns must receive BCG and Hepatitis B vaccine to prevent diseases such as Hepatitis B and to prevent complications of tuberculosis such as extrapulmonary TB. He said infants between six and 14 weeks old must be inoculated with Pentavalent vaccine, PCV (Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine), HIB (Haemophilus Influenzae Type B) vaccine, and Inactivated Polio Vaccine (IPV) to protect them from diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, influenza B, pneumonia, and polio.

NEW HEALTH CENTER.

SM Foundation officially turned over the newly-renovated Ampid Health Center to the local government of San Mateo, Rizal over the weekend. At the ribbon cutting rites are (from left) SM Regional Operations manager Dennis Martel, SM City San Mateo mall manager Lorna Paderon, SM Foundation senior assistant vice president Connie Angeles, Brgy. Ampid 1 Capt. Hector Reyes, and San Mateo Councilor Norbie Rivera. Manny Palmero

Myanmar envoy lauds SEARCA for scholarships to his countrymen

By Brenda Jocson

LOS BAÑOS, Laguna―His Excellency U Lwin Oo, Ambassador of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar to the Philippines, expressed appreciation for the scholarships that the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture has

provided to Myanmar nationals during his visit to SEARCA. He was received by Dr. Glenn B. Gregorio, SEARCA Director and Joselito G. Florendo, SEARCA Deputy Director for Administration on Dec. 19.

Ambassador Lwin Oo was recently appointed to the Philippines, having presented his credentials to President

Rodrigo R. Duterte on Dec. 4.

Dr. Gregorio briefed him about SEARCA and its programs, many of which are regional in scope and include projects and activities covering Myanmar such as the ongoing project “Agricultural Transformation and Market Integration in ASEAN Countries: Responding to food security and inclusiveness concerns.”

In particular, Myanmar has been actively engaged with SEARCA’s Graduate Education and Institutional Development Program.

Dr. Gregorio said exactly 100 Myanmar nationals have been awarded SEARCA scholarships for master’s and doctoral studies, 83 of whom have completed their graduate programs.

Babies who are nine months old must be vaccinated with MR vaccine to protect them against measles and MMR vaccine to protect them against mumps.

This is followed by school-based immunization of MR (Kinder to Grade 7), Tetanus and Diphtheria (TD) vaccine (Grade 1 to 7), and HPV at Grade 4 (9 to 14 years old), Sese said.

Mayor Binay also urged parents and school administrators to keep their surroundings clean to prevent kids from contracting communicable diseases.

“Community involvement is very important to prevent these diseases. Residents, students, and employees may report dirty households, campuses, business establishments, and offices to their respective barangays for proper action,” she added.

Boys Town gets help from Rotary Club of Manila THE housing complex inside the Boys Town property in Marikina City will soon be expanded, thanks to the Rotary Club of Manila Bay. The City of Manila, which owns Boys Town, and the Rotary Club of Manila Bay signed last Dec. 13 a memorandum of agreement tasking the latter to provide for the property’s rehabilitation.

“We are grateful that private sector organizations heeded to our call for help,” said Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko” Domagoso when he met with Rotary Club of Manila president Andrew Buencamino.

Boys Town is a non-profit orphanage for the homeless, abandoned, forgotten and voluntarily surrendered children, teenagers and senior citizens in Manila.

Under the agreement, the City of Manila will provide space in the 4,000-square meter property along Narra Blvd. to build five housing units for the elderly.

Buencamino, who is also the executive director of the Philippine Racing Commission, said the Rotary Club Manila will fund the project to the tune of P12.5 million.

“We proposed a project to the City of Manila through our good Mayor for the improvement of Luwalhati na Maynila,” said Buencamino.

Lyceum-Northwestern marks 50th year in Dagupan fete LYCEUM-NORTHWESTERN University (L-NU), the first medical school established in the north, culminated its celebration of its 50th Founding Anniversary on Dec. 6 at the CSI Stadia in Dagupan City.

The Grand Golden Jubilee and Alumni Homecoming is a milestone that celebrates the university’s humble beginnings, present victories, and future endeavors.

The university administration, faculty, staff, alumni, and guests gathered to officially end the yearlong celebration of L-NU’s golden year and open the next chapter of its existence.

University president Dr. Luz T. Duque-Hammershaim and Vice President for Student Affairs and Alumni Relations Dr. Eugene Reyes welcomed everyone to L-NU’s Golden Year-Gala.

Sen. Christopher Lawrence “Bong”

Tesoro Go was Guest of Honor to the gala night. He commended the University for its exceptional contribution to the immediate community of Dagupan, the outskirts of the city, the country, and even globally.

Stellar performances from the university’s cultural and performing groups spiced up the grand event highlighted by the recognition of its outstanding alumni, whose contributions in various industries and notable private accomplishments continue to bring pride to L-NU. The affair was meant to honor, give back, and express gratitude to these awardees for continuously upholding the values of integrity and excellence in their respective profession.

Outstanding Jubilarians were given awards in the following fields: Public Service, Allied Health, Academe, Busi-

ness and Management, Culture and Arts, and Humanitarian Service.

As it looks ahead to the next century, L-NU continues to fulfill its vision to be a model of excellence in integrated instruction, research, and public engagement, tied with its mission to produce ethically and socially responsible employees of choice, entrepreneurs and leaders in both public and private institutions.

In her closing speech, L-NU Federation of Alumni Associations Foundation Inc. vice president, Dr. Bernadette V. Abella, expressed gratitude and appreciation to the organizing committee, faculty, and guests for coming together to celebrate L-NU’s milestone.

Abella accepted, on behalf of the association, the challenge of taking part in realizing inclusive development in the country.

Manila Mayor Francisco ‘Isko’ Domagoso (center) is surrounded by Rotary Club of Manila Bay president Andrew Buencamino, Past President Mark Dayrit and other Rotarian members.

Life

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

HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENT

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2019

C1

A story of miracle and recovery

O

VER a year ago, a major surfing accident put the life of JM Quiblat, a multimedia artist, performer, and surfer, in a critical condition. But miraculously, he pulled through, little by little, with the help and support of his family, friends, and the people who continue to help him get fully recovered.

It was October 4, 2018, just before sundown, he and his friends, Miguel Vasquez, Justin Allen, and Hutch Sabater, decided to surf through the waves of General Nakar in Quezon before calling it a day.

“My friends were starting to go out of the water but, Migs (Vasquez) and I decided to have one last surf. And then, I passed a wave. The tide gain low and big waves came towards me, knocking me off—that is when I lost my consciousness,” recalled Quiblat.

Luckily, Vasquez felt Quiblat’s hair and managed to pull him ashore. For four minutes, he was not breathing. With his faint pulse, his body also turned purple.

But his friends did everything to rescue him. Fortunately, Sabater knows how to administer cardiopulmonary resuscitation, a critical procedure to restore immediate spontaneous blood circulation and breathing.

As he regained his breath, the group took him to the nearby hospital. But the attending physician told them that he needed more stringent attention so, they rushed him to a hospital in Manila.

Breathing a new life

CPR had extended Quiblat’s life, but he wasn’t far from death. He continued to cough blood as he also incurred lung damage from the accident. Seconds after being admitted to the hospital, he fell into a coma and experienced a seizure.

Quiblat suffered from Status Epilepticus, a continuous state of seizure with a very high mortality rate. Most of those who suffer from this condition do not recover because the longer time of the seizure, the heavier it could toll the brain. Because of this he had to be paralyzed by doctors by inducing hypothermia, so his brain would not get further damage.

Anticipated to be up to God, the following hours determined if he would live or hit the bucket. His family prepared for the worst, as the severity of his injuries was already realized.

But then a miracle against overwhelming odds happened—JM Quiblat woke up from coma. His body was too

SURF’S UP, HOPES UP. After surviving an accident that nearly took his life, surfer JM Quiblat is continously recovering—to hopefully be able to surf again—with the help of a special physical therapy rehabilitation program. resilient and his pulse kept pumping, Fortunately he and his mom, Jocelyn, enabling him to cling to life. learned about Santé Fitness Lab (SFL), a premier one-stop fitness center offerRecovering from the accident ing holistic training programs as well as After few months and a couple of op- innovative recovery and sports rehabilierations, Quiblat woke up from coma tation. and then underwent physical therapies According to Rheysonn Cornilla, to get fully recovered from the accident. Quiblat’s coach and physical therapist at At first, the sessions were intended SFL, among the latter’s concerns were to at least get him to move and, some- his troubles with sudden and vigorous how, live a normal life. But he showed maneuvers. He was missing movement great progress—standing and balancing components because of his severe brain were just some of things he immediately injury. Somehow, the trauma made him achieved after some sessions. forget the basics in moving some parts

Children from an Aeta community in Floridablanca, Pampanga take turns shooting during Making the Invisible Visible outreach event’s sports clinic.

of his body—his legs, in particular, and hopes for athletic activity would be impossible to do.

To solve Quiblat’s motion problems, an intricate program was readied for him so he can be reminded of even the small details lost due to his coma.

“We assessed JM based on his needs, and we tied it up with his goals. He wants to go back surfing but with his current state, it would be impossible,” shared Cornilla.

The coach continued, “To achieve the difficult tasks, we needed to rein-

tegrate him the basic pieces—the little steps that add up to accomplish more complex movements. The program for his goal will teach him to balance himself out, learn how and when to move his feet, and how to correctly shift his weight—these things were lost due to brain injury.”

Since Quiblat’s recovery program is tailor-fit to his needs, every session also entails an evaluation to prepare for the next one. This set up ensure that he slowly regains what he had lost.

Turn to C2

Christmas is for the children ERCY SANTOS, a 14-year-old scholar of Talaturu Ipus ning Mayap a Pastol (TIMP) wants to become a flight attendant and dreams to go to different places.

“Nag-aaral akong mabuti at ayaw kong mag-absent sa eskwela dahil gusto kong makatapos ng pag-aaral. (I study hard and don’t want to miss school because I want to finish my studies.)”

However, according to a study by the Department of Education and the University of the Philippines, head lice infestation is the second biggest health problem among students 7 to 12 years old, after tooth decay. It was recorded in 2000 that about nine million Filipino school students were found infested with the parasite.

The problem causes many children to miss school, hence personal hygiene and home care products manufacturer Lamoiyan Corporation, for the past 30 years, has been promoting personal hygiene and oral hygiene to the general population.

The company recently went to San-

Lamoiyan Corporation treats children to a fun-filled day that lets them hone their skills and learn more about personal hygiene, all while receiving special gifts.

tos’ community in Floridablanca, Pampanga to donate P280,000 worth of Lamoiyan products as part of its outreach event dubbed Making the Invisible Visible.

In partnership with North Sector 1 Singles Districts of Ligaya ng Panginoon (LNP), a Catholic community in Metro Manila, at least 700 Aeta families composed of a total of 3,500 individuals received basic items such as rice and milk, art and sports materials for children, and hygiene products such as Licealiz Head Lice Treatment Shampoo and Hapee Toothpaste.

With the lack of healthcare access in the area, Lamoiyan Corporation aims to help the community alleviate the cases of tooth-related problems and head lice infestation among kids and adults.

“Masaya kami na makita at makilala kayo. Maraming salamat sa mga regalo ninyo sa amin ngayong Pasko.” (We are delighted to see and meet all of you. Thank you very much for your gifts to us this Christmas),” enthused Santos.

C2

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2019 manilastandardlife@gmail.com

Life

New healthcare center opens in Pampanga P

AMPANGUEÑOS are provided with new access to top quality, efficient, and seamless healthcare services as Maxicare Healthcare Corporation recently opened a Primary Care Center (PCC) at SM City Clark in Angeles.

“The main purpose of Maxicare PCCs is to provide convenient healthcare services to our patients. We want to reach out to them as much as we can. With the opening of our newest PCC, our members in Central Luzon are no longer far from the help that they need,” said Maxicare president and chief executive Sean Argos.

The new PCC in Pampanga is equipped with state-of-the-art medical facility administered by expert medical professionals. It houses certified healthcare professionals and primary care physicians who specialize in Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, Cardiology, Obstetrics-Gynecology, OB Sonography, ENT (ear, nose, throat), Dermatology, and Ophthalmology.

Services include consultation, laboratory tests, X-ray, ECG (electrocardiogram), and Ultrasound.

Upon entering the center, patients will be immediately greeted by welltrained customer service associates. The center features a cozy waiting lounge, free Wi-Fi Internet access, and charging stations to ensure homelike relaxation.

The average medical visit spans only 30 minutes.

Maxicare Primary Care Center is located at SM City Clark, Tech Hub 6, Manuel A. Roxas Highway, Clark Freeport, Angeles, Pampanga. Go to www.maxicare.com.ph for more information.

The newly opened Primary Care Center in Angeles, Pampanga provides Maxicare members and other patients convenient healthcare services.

The center is equipped with state-of-the-art medical facilities administered by expert professionals.

Strengthening diabetes awareness in PH

ALARMS are being raised worldwide sage that we are concerned about our with diabetes, “It’s difficult to care for due to the dangerous increase of people communities. We are concerned about a diabetic patient if the family is not involved. The whole family should be eatbeing diagnosed with diabetes. In the the health of every Filipino.”

Dr. Jeremy Robles, president of the ing the same food as the diabetic patient.

Philippines for instance, 3,721,900 were Philippine Society of Endocrinology, A diabetic’s diet is not complicated. There diagnosed with the disease in 2017.

While no one dies from diabetes itself, Diabetes, and Metabolism, during the are just some things we prohibit such as the complications of this condition leads World Diabetes Day media forum sugar, honey, and salty food. But it’s simto debilitating and even fatal consequenc- shared that the pre-diabetes stage is as ply a nutritious diet, which can prevent so es such as blindness, amputation, heart at- important as being diagnosed with dia- many illnesses.”

During the press conference, Johanah betes, because pre-diabetic patients are tack, stroke, and kidney failure.

Efforts to prevent and control diabe- also at risk of acquiring the complica- Co, a patient who has been living with type 1 diabetes for 18 years, shared how tes start with awareness and education, tions of the chronic disease.

“Pre-diabetes occurs mainly in the she faced several challenges that were experts opine.

During the recent celebration of younger population and those at risk. detrimental to her health and the emoWorld Diabetes Day, global healthcare These are the ones who have fam- tional burdens diabetes has caused her.

But now, as a diabetes patient advocate, company Novo Nordisk Philippines to- ily members who are already diabetic, gether with the Lions Clubs of the Phil- those who are overweight and obese, she stressed the importance of having a more positive outippines, Quezon look and called on City local governfamilies, commument, American nities, and the govAssociation of ernment to support Clinical Endocridiabetic patients. nology, Institute “We are advofor the Study of cates because we Diabetes Foundahave embraced and tion Inc., Diabetes owned up to our Philippines, Indiabetes. We also stitute of Reprohave seen those ductive Health, who struggled beand communities cause they cannot in Metro Manila afford medication. gathered to show From our governsupport for the ment, we hope for cause of promoting insulin and test diabetes prevenstrips reimbursetion, control, and ment just like in management. other countries To mark this adwith universal vocacy with the healthcare,” she goal of winning said against diabetes, Medical organia Guinness world zations are dorecord attempt was ing their part in made at the Quezon City Memorial In celebration of World Diabetes Day in the Philippines, 3,347 people simultaneously opened spreading information campaigns Circle where 3,347 blue umbrellas while in circular formation at the Quezon City Memorial Circle to send a about diabetes, people simultane- message of unity. sending specialists ously opened blue those who have polycystic ovarian syn- to aid government hospitals, putting up umbrellas while in a circular formation.

The color blue represents the flag of drome, and people who are sedentary diabetes clinics, and reaching out to farflung communities. the United Nations which created the and don’t exercise,” said Dr. Robles.

The Quezon City local government Meanwhile, Dr. Marcelino Lim of the UN Resolution on Diabetes in 2006, while the circle is the symbol of World Institute for Studies in Diabetes Founda- also proudly took part in the World DiaDiabetes Day that signifies positivity, tion Inc. added, “When I talk of diabetes betes Day event and reiterated its comprevention, it’s very basic. Eat healthy, be mitment to prevent and control diabetes. unity, and strength against diabetes.

“We are creating more educational “We believe that half of the people more active, and maintain ideal weight. who live with diabetes are not aware It’s never too late to start on this regimen programs that we can bring to the barangay level,” said Quezon City Vice they have diabetes, and of the half who to prevent the onset of diabetes.”

Dr. Theresa Faller, president of the Mayor Gian Sotto. “We have monitorknow they have diabetes, only half get treatments,” lamented Cihan Serdar American Association of Clinical ing of blood sugars in all medical misKizilcik, vice president and general Endocrinology-Philippines Chapter sions we conduct. But we can’t do this manager for Novo Nordisk Philippines. cautioned the youth, especially those alone. We have three million population Kizilcik continued, “More than 400 in their mid-twenties to early thirties, in Quezon City, that’s why we really million people in the world have diabetes. to be more mindful of their lifestyle, need all the help we can get.”

The Ambassador of Denmark to the In the Philippines, the numbers are in- because doctors are seeing more peocreasing. It’s important that we recognize ple in this age group having diabetes. Philippines Ambassador Grete Sillasen “We get 28-year-olds and patients who also graced the event and expressed diabetes so that it can be prevented.”

“We’re not just trying to set a world are a little below 35 years old who get her support for raising awareness of record of thousands of people open- heart attacks and stroke, and a prima- diabetes in the Philippines. She shared ing blue umbrellas at the same time,” ry factor is because of diabetes and a some of the milestones the city of Copenhagen has achieved in order to have pointed out Generoso Del Rosario, dis- very bad lifestyle.”

Dr. Grace Ko Delos Santos, president healthier communities such as the contrict governor of the Lions Clubs of the Philippines. “We are forming this blue of Diabetes Philippines also emphasized struction of bike lanes to encourage circle because we want to send a mes- how families can care for their loved ones people to exercise daily.

Vita Coco coconut water is made of natural ingredients.

The season to hydrate naturally AMID all the parties and binging on food, it’s only but important to remember to hydrate with something natural and packed with necessary nutrients.

Vita Coco coconut water is a natural beverage with nutrients and electrolytes. It is locally made in General Santos City.

For every purchase, P5 goes to Hope In A Coconut, a program designed to help Filipino farmers by building classrooms for their communities and providing quality seedlings. Since the start of 2019, Vita Coco has helped more than 500 farmers.

It its available at 7-Eleven, Family Mart, Ministop, Mercury Drug, and The beverage is packed with nutrients Pan De Manila outlets nationwide. and electrolytes.

A story...

From C1

For his mom, SFL somehow answered her prayers. “I call them the “Eagle Eye.’ By just looking at JM, they can point out what my son needs to relearn. It is only in SFL that I learned that movement requires particularity— that when you can move normally, you will not realize it since it is all-natural to you. I am grateful for JM’s progress.

After three sessions, he can already walk; after the fourth, he started running!” she enthused.

To surf again

Before attending the program at SFL,

being able to surf again was impossible. Quiblat almost faced death, and it took more than a miracle to bring him to what he can do now.

He is still undergoing the rehabilitation program, and there is no definite time as to when he will regain all his motor skills. But to surf again is his current goal.

“I’m not a pro surfer. I just love the ocean. As Filipinos, we’re living in an island nation, so I think it’s important for us to have a relationship with the ocean. I couldn’t find enough words to thank God as well as all of the people who got involved in giving me my second life. Soon, with the help of SFL, I will be back in the water, riding the waves,” he declared.

Entertainment

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2019 nickie.standard@gmail.com

C3

Star-studded premiere for Brilliant Mendoza’s

‘MINDANAO”

Angelica Panganiban and Coco Martin

Angelica is Coco’s newest leading lady IT’S confirmed that Coco Martin will headline a new potboiler under Star Cinema opposite Angelica Panganiban. This can be considered as the popular actor’s homecoming project for the film outfit since after Super Parental Guardians in 2016. Coco has been appearing in movies produced by his own CCM Productions just like the reboot of Panday, which was even fielded in the annual Metro Manila Film Festival.

In a recent interview, the 38-year-old actor revealed that Love or Money is the working title for the movie and it will be helmed by Mae Cruz.

“We just had our story conference. This will be Star Cinema’s Valentine offering for 2020. I’m thrilled because it’s my maiden screen pairing with Angge,” says Coco.

“Although I already had a guesting stint in Ang Probinsyano in 2016,” Angelica says.

It’s good that Coco still has the time to shoot a movie considering he’s very much hands-on with Ang Probinsyano where he’s not only the main lead star but director as well.

“Well, it’s just a matter of proper scheduling. As of now, I still can manage.

I’ve been directing the soap for four years now and so far, everything’s running smoothly. Actually, I’m used to doing films while acting and directing Ang Probinsyano. As I’ve said, it all depends on proper scheduling and time management. Our goal is to wrap-up the project in time for its Valentine release,” Coco admits.

Meanwhile, Angelica says in jest, “ I’m the only one who can stop the tapings for Ang Probinsyano’ to give way to the shooting of Love and Money.”

Interestingly, Coco admits he feels some pressure with his latest big-screen outing.

“I’m really tensed with Love and Money. For one, my screen pairing with Angge is a new combination and definitely, it’s something very different from the usual stuff viewers see in me in Ang Probinsyano. The film is a mixture of romance, drama, and comedy and I’m glad that I’m doing drama again after quite some time. Apart from these, everybody knows that Angelica excels both in drama and comedy so I have to sort of put up with her. But I’m sure we’ll help each other in every scene.”

For Angelica, it’s exciting to work with someone like Coco.

“His show is airing for four years already and it’s a huge feat. Looking back, I had a guesting stint with ‘Ang Probinsyano’ a few years ago but it was kind of short. As far as I can remember, it lasted for just a month. Surely, it will be a different and memorable experience to collaborate with him in a film project!”

Interestingly, the concept of Love or Money came from Star Cinema Managing Director Olivia Lamasan.

“According to Direk Mae, it has been with Star Cinema for a long time already.

It was an original concept by Direk Olive.

Everyone waited for the right time to have the final concept and the actors who will comprise the cast. Luckily, Angelica and I were picked to top-bill the film and that’s when they realized it’s the outfit’s perfect Valentine presentation in 2020,” ends Coco. *** It seems that Bianca Umali’s career will zoom higher in 2020. After the ratings success of her last soap opera Sahaya over at GMA-7, she’s set to shoot a new series for HBO Asia titled, Halfworlds.

The pretty actress is very excited with this new project in which she was the only Kapuso artist who auditioned for the part.

It was learned that many stars from rival network ABS-CBN also auditioned but it was Bianca who was chosen to play the lead part.

“Of course, I’m so happy and proud that the role landed onto my lap,” she avers.

“It’s really a huge honor and privilege to do this series for HBO Asia. Actually, ‘Halfworlds’ is already on its third season.

The first was shot in Thailand then the second one was in Indonesia. Now, they picked the Philippines as the location for the third. It’s such a big boost to my career!”

Interestingly, what’s the concept of the show?

“Well, Halfworlds focuses on the folklore of each country it presents. So, for the third season, there will be lots of mythical creatures from our country like the ‘aswang’, ‘kapre’, ‘manananggal’, ‘tiyanak’ and ‘engkanto.’ It’s simply exciting!”

This is the reason why for the past month, Bianca flew to Sinagapore several times.

“Yes, to meet with HBO people.

We engaged in workshops there along with my director Mikhael Red,” she states.

One of the highlights of the event was the awarding of the Best Artistic Contribution Award for Director Brillante Mendoza (2nd from left) and the Best Actress Award for Judy Ann Santos (center) during the recent 41st Cairo International Film Festival. They are shown with Solar Entertainment CEO Wilson Tieng (2nd from right), SM SVP for Marketing Millie Dizon (left) and Allen Dizon (right).

F

RIENDS from the movie industry and the media recently gave a warm welcome to internationally acclaimed filmmaker Brillante Mendoza’s Mindanao during the film’s premiere at The Podium Director’s Club Cinemas.

Mindanao, starring Judy Ann Santos-Agoncillo and Allen Dizon, is one of the feature films in competition at the 45th Metro Manila Film Festival 2019, showing in SM Cinemas and theaters nationwide starting tomorrow, Dec. 25.

A joint project of Solar Entertainment, Center Stage Productions, and SM Cinemas, the premiere gave guests an exclusive screening of Director Mendoza’s latest masterpiece.

One of the highlights of the event was the awarding of trophies for the Best Artistic Contribution Award for Director Brillante Mendoza and Best Actress Award for Judy Ann Santos from the recent 41st Cairo International Film Festival held in Cairo, Egypt. It is the oldest and only internationally accredited annually running film festival in the Arab World, Africa, and the Middle East.

No less than National Artist for Film Kidlat Tahimik, along with Isabela City, Basilan Province Mayor Sitti Djalia Turabin Hataman, and Solar Entertainment CEO and PresidentWilson Tieng, graced the event. Megastar Sharon Cuneta was also there to give support to her good friend Judy Ann and the film.

Mendoza’s colleagues in the film industry Directors Chito Roño, Laurice Guillen, Bb. Joyce Bernal, Lawrence Fajardo, Daniel Palacio, Jason Paul

National Artist for Film and Broadcast Arts Kidlat Tahimik with Director Brillante Mendoza and Millie Dizon

Laxamana, Jim Libiran, Ronald Carballo, Ralston Jover, Zig Dulay, and Rica Arevallo were also present.

Cannes Best Actress 2016 Jacyln Jose, who starred in Mendoza’s internationally acclaimed Ma Rosa was there along with actors Gina Alajar, Ricky Davao, Richard Kuan, Ina Feleo, Agot Isidro, Kathleen Hermosa, Kiko Matos, Vance Larena, Zanjoe Marudo, Sue Prado, Chanda Romero, Jerry O’hara, Pewee O’hara, Harleen Bautista, and Joel Saracho.

Directed by Brillante Mendoza and written by Honee Alipio, Mindanao follows the story of Saima (Judy Ann Santos-Agoncillo) and how she spends the final days of her sickly daughter Aisa (Yuna Tangog) at the House of Hope in Davao City while waiting for her husband Malang (Allen Dizon), a combat medic, to come home from an offensive operation in the province of Maguindanao.

Saima mirrors the harrowing life in Mindanao by retelling the epic tale of Rajah and Sulayman to Aisa - story of two warrior brothers who fight against the dragons, Ginto and Pula. The crayon images of the tale interweave the battle realms of Malang and of Aisa.

Judy Ann Santos-Agoncillo with husband Ryan Agoncillo

This is the first film of Director Brillante Mendoza that features animation, “I envisioned the epic tale to be in animated images,” he says. “We took time in the development of the animation, and I am happy with the rendition of the animators, truly we can be proud of their craft and talent, and I may say this film is also a tribute to the animation artists of our country. “ Apart from Cairo, Mindanao also had a World Premiere in Busan, a Japanese Premiere in Tokyo, and also competed in Kolkata. Mindanao is also officially selected for Taipei Golden Horse Festival, as well as the on-going International Film Festival in Beijing.

Be sure to Like and Follow www. facebook.com/MindanaoTheMovie on Facebook and Center Stage Productions at www.facebook.com/cspco.ph on Facebook, @cspco.ph on Instagram and @ cspcoph on twitter for the latest news and updates about Mindanao. Don’t forget to support Mindanao at The Gabi ng Parangal of the 45th Metro Manila Film Festival 2019 on Dec. 27.

The Mindanao Red Carpet Premiere is one of the exciting events at The Podium Director’s Club.

‘Write About Love’ holds campus tour

Write About Love's Miles Ocampo (front row, center) with the students of Adamson University

By Seymour Barros Sanchez

Actor Rocco Nacino with Write About Love director Crisanto Aquino at Barcelona Academy in Marilao, Bulacan.

STARS Miles Ocampo, Rocco Nacino Nacino, Yeng Constantino, and Joem Bascon visited different campuses, apart from conducting the usual mall tours and TV guestings, to promote their new film Write About Love with director Crisanto Aquino, producer Lexter Tarriela, editor Vanessa de Leon Leon, and the TBA Studios team.

Write About Love, one of the eight finalists in the 2019 Metro Manila Film Festival, is a romantic comedy about a newbie (Ocampo) and an experienced writer (Nacino) who, despite their clashing personalities and different perspectives, collaborated in finishing a script. Just Us, the story they are working on, is about a couple (Constantino and Bascon) who is struggling to sustain their relationship.

Written by Aquino and Janyx Regalo, Write About Love takes a closer look into how film scripts are made and how writers deal with their personal issues while doing their scripts.

The film’s cast and crew visited Colegio de San Juan de Letran, Barcelona Academy in Marilao, Bulacan State University, University of the EastCaloocan, St. Dominic College of Asia,

Manila Tytana Colleges, Centro Escolar University-Manila, Adamson University and University of Makati, among others.

The team shared tips and insights about filmmaking and scriptwriting to students.

They entertained questions from the audience and encouraged them to watch their film. As an added treat, they also chose and read love letters written by members of the audience as part of their promotional tour.

“Writing love letters was an idea of the TBA team to give our millennial/student audience a medium to express their love to anyone or anything,” Aquino shared.

The writer-director revealed that he was overwhelmed by the love letters they have received from them.

“We read letters on different kinds of love—about family, friends, relationships, or even secret love,” he added.

“What really surprised me was a letter I read from a female senior high school student. She was really devastated. I decided not to read her name and that of the guy. The audience was quiet after I read the letter. It’s serious and painful. I told the students that pain is always there when we love, and we need to be strong.

I announced that whoever made the letter should meet me backstage after the

program. I met her, hugged her, and talked to her the best way I can. I hope I made her feel better,” he disclosed.

On the other hand, SDCA student Ryle Sofe, whose love letter was read in one of the tour stopovers, did not expect his note to be personally chosen by Nacino himself.

“He read all the entries, but my letter captivated him. When they were holding the papers, I knew that the paper that Rocco was holding was mine because it was the only paper that was crumpled and the only one written with blue ink,” he said.

“Instead of writing the usual letter, I came up with a romantic poem that details my everyday moments with my crush.

At the end of the poem is a stanza that’s telling my crush that I’m fine with us just being friends. I knew it would strike a chord with a lot of students,” the BA Communication sophomore said.

“My heart jumped, and when he started reading it, I felt proud of myself and honored. I was so happy seeing the audience react to every sentence that they’re hearing from my letter. I felt like it was a small success, but I felt so happy,” Sofe concluded.

Write About Love opens in cinemas nationwide tomorrow, Dec. 25.

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

C4

Entertainment

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2019

Elisse Joson leads beauty campaign CATHY Doll Ready 2 White ambassadress Elisse Joson graces the brands’ recent meet and greet held at Watson’s store 1 of SM Mall of Asia.

Hosted by DJ Maki, fans and supporters are delighted to be part of the event as they are treated with fun games, loot bags and enjoyable bonding with the Star Magic talent. #CathyDollR2WxElisse is the campaign name of Cathy Doll Philippines with Elisse Joson. With a sweet, thoughtful and caring personality that radiates confidence, Elisse embodies the brand Cathy Doll, a brand that is praised by Filipinas for its quick and

effective results, budget-friendly price, and creative packaging designs.

The brand carries with it beauty innovation that matches the Asian skin and has been a favorite of many beauty enthusiasts.

“Cathy Doll Ready 2 White Series is for every Filipina who wants to get their glow on and achieve radiant, glowing skin. Each product helps brighten and smoothen skin instantly, reduce red and dark spots, as well as fade off wrinkles to help achieve that youthful glow,” says Elisse.

The 23-year-old star adds that the brand

has a variety of facial skincare products including a boosting cream, the first white boosting cream in the Philippines and the product series’ best-selling item.

Cathy Doll Ready 2 White series is available at Watsons Stores, 7-Eleven Stores, Mercury Drugstores, Robinsons Department Stores, SM Stores Rose Pharmacy and other leading department stores, supermarkets nationwide and online stores like Shopee, Zalora, and BeautyMNL. To know more about the products, follow Cathy Doll Philippines on Facebook @cathydollphils.

The shape of best things to come:

Vehnee Saturno composes song for HK child artist Yumi Chung SEASONED Songwriter Vehnee Minsan,” to name a few.

Saturno is impressed at how Yumi Vehnee also became active as a record Chung, a young Filipino-Chinese artist producer and worked with more bigin Hong Kong, can effortlessly carry a name stars. tune that he right away offered to write Yumi, on the other hand, is an a song for her. accomplished singer, dancer, commercial Yumi was in Manila recently to and print model and TV and movie record Vehnee’s new composition titled actress in Hong Kong. She can speak “Say Hello.” in Cantonese, Mandarin, English, and Yumi was only seven years old when Tagalog. her Pinay mom, Joanne, enrolled her The young artist is excited to perform at the Vehnee Saturno Music Training on the local stage in the coming days. In Center while they were on vacation in fact, Vehnee posted on his Facebook page her hometown Laguna. It was Ladine that Yumi will soon release her first single Roxas, the school’s managing director under Star Music. and Vehnee’s wife, who introduced Yumi to her husband.

“She has a good voice, a very beautiful girl and there’s really a lot of potential in her in the entertainment industry. With more vocal trainings, I’m sure she has the making to also become a singing star here (in the Philippines),” said Vehnee who is also certain that Yumi’s cover version of “Pasulyapsulyap” will make music fans sit up and notice the 13-year-old’s vocal talent.

“Pasulyap-sulyap” was among the many hits that he composed and originally sung by Tootsie Guevarra.

Vehnee became popular as a songwriter after he wrote “Be My Lady,” the same song that catapulted Martin Nievera to stardom. He also provided original songs that became careermaking hits to Donna Cruz with ”Only Me and You”;Jaya, ”Dahil Tanging Ikaw”; Jessa Zaragoza, “Bakit Pa?”; Randy Santiago, “Para Sa ‘Yo”; Rachel Alejandro, “Mr. Kupido”; Sarah Geronimo, “Forever’s Not Enough”; andAriel Young singer Yumi Chung with hitmaker Vehnee Rivera, ”Sana Kahit Saturno

SNAPSHOT

‘Star Wars’ struggles in a country far, far away: China

WHILE Star Wars fans from around the world waited in line for days to catch The Rise of Skywalker, the sci-fi series has struggled to woo film-goers in the increasingly important Chinese market.

Special previews of the longawaited Star Wars film in Beijing last week drew just a handful of fans.

ABeijing bar hosted a screening Tuesday last week of previous Star Wars films ahead of Friday’s China release -- but the special room was mostly empty.

By the time Chinese audiences were introduced to the franchise, “the technology seemed old,” a fan from a Beijing-based science fiction reading group, told AFP. AFP

Elisse Joson is the face of Cathy Doll Ready 2 White, a Thai beauty brand whose products are designed for Asian skin. (Inset) The Star Magic talent with fans in a recent meet and greet event held at Mall of Asia.

Dingdong Dantes and Jennylyn Mercado in 'Descendants of the Sun'

GMA unveils powerhouse 2020 lineup

I

N ITS effort to sustain its lead on evening viewing, GMA Network has released its powerhouse titles to banner its primetime block in 2020.

The first quarter of the year looks promising for the network with allnew primetime offerings fronted by the television adaptation of a 1984 hit movie.

Anak ni Waray vs. Anak ni Biday kicks off the year with Barbie Forteza, Kate Valdez, Snooky Serna, and Dina Bonnevie as principal cast members.

Barbie and Kate are set to portray best friends Ginalyn and Caitlyn.

Unbeknownst to them, their mothers – Amy (Snooky Serna) and Sussie (Dina Bonnevie)—are mortal enemies who fell in love with the same man, Joaquin (Jay Manalo), who is also the father of both Ginalyn and Caitlyn.

Joining them are Teresa Loyzaga, Migo Adecer, Faith Da Silva, Benedict Cua, and Celia Rodriguez. Max Collins and Lovi Poe make the project more exciting as the young Snooky Serna and young Dina Bonnevie.

Anak ni Waray vs. Anak ni Biday is directed by Mark Sicat dela Cruz.

Meanwhile, viewers should also watch out for the premiere of the much-awaited series, Love Of My Life.

Top-billed by some of the network’s brightest stars – Carla Abellana, Mikael Daez, and Rhian Ramos; also starring Coney Reyes and Tom Rodriguez in a very special role – the inspirational drama harks on the tale of three intriguing women who will do anything and everything for the love of their lives.

Love of My Life is under the direction of Don Michael Perez.

The highly-anticipated local adaptation of hit Korean series, Descendants of the Sun (DOTS), also hits Philippine TV screens this 2020.

Headlined by Dingdong Dantes and Jennylyn Mercado, DOTS tells the emotional love story of alpha team leader Captain Lucas

The cast of family drama 'Love of my Life'

Barbie Forteza (left) and Kate Valdez in 'Anak ni Waray vs. Anak ni Biday'

Sen. Bong Revilla in 'Agimat ng Agila'

Manalo or ‘Big Boss’ and Dr. Maxine dela Cruz a.k.a. Beauty.

Joining them are Rocco Nacino as Diego Ramos or ‘Wolf’ and Jasmine CurtisSmith as Moira Defensor.

To rightfully represent the country’s military forces, GMA’s Entertainment Group inked a partnership with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) for this very important flagship project.

Joining them is a highly-talented cast composed of the Soldiers Team: Lucho Ayala, Jon Lucas, Paul Salas, Prince Clemente, Ricardo Cepeda, and Antonio Aquitania; the Doctors and Nurses Team: Andre Paras, Chariz Solomon, Nicole Donesa, Jenzel Angeles, Reese Tuazon,

and Renz Fernandez; also starring Neil Ryan Sese, Ian Ignacio, Rich Asuncion, Marina Benipayo, Hailey Mendes, and Roi Vinzon; plus a host of exciting artists in cameo roles.

Esteemed director Dominic Zapata is at the helm of this ambitious project.

After many years, Sen. Bong Revilla, Jr. makes his much-awaited comeback to GMA-7 next year.

Kapuso fans who are eager to watch his return on-screen will be able to join him as he takes flight via drama-fantasy program, Agimat ng Agila. In this thrilling and action-packed series, Sen. Bong will take viewers on vivid and whimsical adventures that will illuminate moral lessons and tackle societal issues.

Completing the stellar roster of primetime offerings is the muchawaited comeback of Marian RiveraDantes and her team up with Gabby Concepcion in First Yaya.

In the series, Gabby steps into the shoes of the Vice President of the Philippines who soon finds himself falling for the endearing yaya, brought to life by Marian.

The romance is challenged by the PSG (Presidential Security Group) Head, played by Pancho Magno.

As early as now, netizens and fans are buzzing with excitement to witness the on-screen chemistry between two of the Network’s prime stars. The light, romantic-comedy series will showcase a heart-warming tale about love and how it binds every family together.

Gabby Concepcion and Marian Rivera in 'First Yaya'