Manila Standard - 2020 January 3 - Friday

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When do you start a decade?

BEEN three days when Jan. 1 knocked on the door of year watchers: Reflecting on the year just gone by and wondering what 2020 had in store ahead.

Many started reflecting on the “past decade” and the new one ahead. “Best of the decade” lists are everywhere. #10YearChallenges are all over social media. And people are eagerly gearing up to celebrate the end of the 2010s.

But there’s a slight problem. We might be celebrating a year too early, at least according to some people.

CNN goes further: “The question of when exactly the current decade ends and the new one begins seems to come up Next page

SECURITY ALERT. The Manila Police District and NCRPO bomb squad inspect the vicinity of the Catholic Church in Quiapo in Manila in preparation for the Black Nazarene procession on Jan. 9.

Norman Cruz VOL. XXXIII • NO. 323 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P18 FRIDAY, JANUARY 3, 2020 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Partial labor ban to Kuwait up 7 die in Lubao It may escalate to full stoppage if justice not served road accident HE Department of Labor and Employment will

By Vito Barcelo and Macon Ramos-Araneta

LUBAO, Pampanga—Seven people died on the spot in a multi-vehicle crash involving a pickup truck, passenger jeepney, and flatbed truck on New Year’s Day in Barangay San Agustin here.

Closed-circuit television footage showed that at about 5 p.m. Wednesday, a passenger jeepney with 22 passengers was en route to the City of San Fernando when a pickup truck suddenly appeared from the other lane and hit the jeepney.

Due to the strong impact, the jeepney landed on the opposite side of the road

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impose a partial ban on the deployment of household service workers to Kuwait following the death of another Filipino household worker in the Gulf state.

Labor Secretary Silvestre H. Bello III said the local placement agency that sent Jeanelyn Villavende to Kuwait faces possible cancellation of its license for its failure to act on her request for repatriation months before her violent death at the hands of her Kuwaiti employer.

Bello said the partial ban was recommended by Labor Attaché Nasser Mustafa and subject to the approval of the governing board of the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration, which Bello chairs.

Bello said the ban will cover only

first time workers who will serve as household service workers to Kuwait, and excludes skilled and vacationing workers.

“This should serve as a clear message to Kuwaiti authorities. The partial ban may ripen into total deployment ban if justice for Jeanelyn Villavende is not met,” Bello said.

Based on preliminary reports submitted by Mustafa of the Philippine Overseas Labor Office in Kuwait, Villevende was beaten to death, and was already dead when she was brought to a hospital. Attending nurses reported that she was Next page black and blue.

Jeanelyn Villavende

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Water supply cuts on despite rains

By MJ Blancaflor WATER service interruptions will likely continue in Metro Manila because the recent rains have not raised the water level at the Angat Dam, the National Water Resources Board said Thursday.

Angat Dam, the region’s main water source, was at 202.6 meters as of 6 a.m., said state weather bureau below the 212-meter normal high water mark.

In an interview over radio dzMM,

NWRB Executive Director Sevillio David Jr. said water supply would have to be managed until summer, until the rains come.

Parts of Metro Manila have been experiencing water service interruptions since October 2019.

On Thursday, the Palace said President Rodrigo Duterte would stay true to his word and slap syndicated estafa charges against Manila Water and Maynilad over their “onerous” water concession deals with the government.

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Drive vs. ‘crackers to push nationwide

By MJ Blancaflor and Macon Ramos-Araneta

JOLTING SCENE. Seven people die in a multi-vehicle accident on New Year’s Day in Barangay San Agustin, Lubao, Pampanga.

Nine others are hurt in the accident, seven of them rushed to the Pampanga Medical Specialist Hospital and two others at Jose Lingad memorial Hospital In San Fernando, Pampanga. Photo courtesy Emergency and Disaster Management Unit of the Diosdado Macapagal Memorial Hospital

Sotto sees Duterte sign budget as is House to ABS-CBN:

NO VETO is expected in the proposed P4.1-trillion national budget for 2020 that President Rodrigo Duterte is expected to sign on Jan. 6, Malacañang said Thursday.

Senate President Vicente Sotto III also said no provisions in the proposed budget would be vetoed by the President.

Davao City Rep. Isidro Ungab, chairman of the House of Representatives’ committee on appropriations, said the national budget would be reflective of President Duterte’s vision for inclusive economic growth to give Filipinos a more comfortable life.

Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said there was information from Sotto

that the proposed budget for 2020 would be signed next Monday. “”He [Duterte] told me that he will be sign it by the first week of January,” Panelo said.

“Senator Sotto, who appears to have received information, said it will be signed on January 6.”

Congress on Dec. 11 last year ratified the final version of the P4.1-trillion national budget bill for this year.

The pressure to pass the budget on time stemmed from the delayed passage of the 2019 budget that led to the national government’s use of a reenacted 2018 budget from January to mid-April Next page last year.

THE campaign of the Department of Health against the use of firecrackers was “relatively successful” following the 35-percent drop in fireworks-related injuries over the holidays, but President Rodrigo Duterte is still inclined to implement a nationwide firecracker ban, Malacañang said Thursday.

“It should be relatively successful given the fact that there has been a downtrend in injuries—35 percent. That’s huge. And there were no deaths. That’s significant,” Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said.

The DOH also said there were no cases of stray bullets and fireworks ingestion amid the celebrations.

The President, however, Dutertewould Next page

You get fair shake

By Maricel V. Cruz

ALBAY Rep. Edcel Lagman said Thursday he and other members of the House of Representatives will file a resolution calling for the immediate extension of ABS-CBN’s franchise.

The franchise will expire early this year, and Congress’s failure to renew it will result in the cessation of the broadcast network’s operations.

Lagman said President Rodrigo Duterte’s repeated threat to block the Next page

ILLEGAL ‘CRACKERS. Cavite Officer-in-charge Police Col. Marlon Santos leads the disposal of illegal firecrackers and pyrotechnics devices with a total value of P453,000 conducted at Camp General Pantaleon Garcia in Imus, Cavite on Thursday.

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FRIDAY, JANUARY 3, 2020

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Palace to Joma: 'Grab chance to meet Duterte' COMMUNIST Party of the Philippines founder Jose Maria Sison should grab the chance to hold a one-on-one meeting with President Rodrigo Duterte and be “elated” that he was still recognized as the leader of the rebel forces, Malacañang said Thursday.

Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said Sison, who has been in self-exile in The Netherlands, will not be arrested if he returns to the Philippines since this has been guaranteed by the President.

“Joma Sison should be elated by that development because we have been saying that he is no longer in control of the ground forces. Because you [Sison] talk about peace but you will attack government forces, Panelo said in a television interview.

“The President wants him, it means the President is recognizing him as the leader of these forces. Before, he's not been recognized as CPP leader. So, he should take opportunity. Take that opportunity,” Panelo said.

His remarks came after Duterte renewed his invitation for a one-on-one talk with Sison on Monday.

In a speech in Davao del Sur, Duterte said he wanted to ask his former professor what he wanted in exchange for ending the decades-long communist insurgency.

“We're trying to have a talk. But what I want, I told Sison, 'You come home and we will talk alone.' Just the two of us. I don't want a panel,” Duterte said.

Sison earlier rejected Duterte’s invitation to hold peace talks in the Philippines, citing security risks, but expressed willingness to meet the President in a neutral venue. MJ Blancaflor

Eastmincom head is new AFP chief P

By MJ Blancaflor and Francisco Tuyay

RESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has picked Eastern Mindanao Command chief Felimon Santos as the next head of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, replacing General Noel Clement.

An appointment letter from Malacañang dated Jan. 2 showed that Santos, a veteran intelligence officer and chief of the Eastern Mindanao Command based in Davao, was named AFP chief effective Sunday.

He will replace Clement, who served

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REPATRIATED. The Department of Foreign Affairs receive the remains of Arlyn Nucos, one of the two fatalities in the car accident at Lucky Plaza in Singapore, at the Clark International Airport in Pampanga on Jan. 1, 2020.

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“If the President says something, he will do it,” Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo told Palace reporters.

In his speech Monday, President Duterte said the two utility firms qualify for syndicated estafa.

“If they make a mistake, those morons, I will really jail them. You see, they do not react to any insult from me.

For sure, syndicated estafa,” Duterte said while he was in North Cotabato.

“They were only the distributor but as it turned out, they were the richest people as if they own water,” the President added.

He was expected to make an announcement on Jan. 6 regarding the matter.

The Department of Justice earlier said there were onerous provisions in the 1997 water deal.

Duterte has also threatened to file economic sabotage, plunder and graft charges against the people behind the concession deals and to order a military takeover of water distribution if the problem is not resolved.

The President earlier expressed his approval for the construction of the China-funded Kaliwa Dam and Razon-led Wawa Dam, saying the structures would be the “last resort” to stabilize water supply in Metro Manila.

Panelo said Duterte is willing to review the Kaliwa Dam project loan deal if indeed there are onerous provisions in the contract.

“If he sees that the contract is onesided just like the water concession agreement, he will review it since he does not like onerous provisions,” Panelo said.

This came after Bayan Muna Partylist Rep. Carlos Zarate claimed that the Kaliwa Dam project has provisions which supposedly put the government at a disadvantage.

“If somebody points out onerous provisions, the President will look at it,” Panelo said.

“We will also ask Villavende’s recruitment agency to explain their inaction. As early as September, she already complained about maltreatment and underpayment of salary. She also repeatedly requested the agency for repatriation, but they did not do anything,” Bello said.

Villavende’s family was last able to talk to her in October. On Dec. 13, the family again called Jeanelyn but her female employer was the one who answered the call and said that she was busy.

The exact date of Villavende’s death has yet to be determined. The employer is currently detained in Kuwait.

Overseas Workers Welfare Administrator Hans Leo Cacdac, who went to

The impending signing of the proposed budget for 2020 came despite Senator Panfilo Lacson’s recent claim that it contained 1,253 budget items amounting to P83.219 billion that would serve as the congressmen’s “source” of their “list” of 742 projects worth P16.342 billion.

Lacson earlier alleged that the provinces that had the biggest share of the alleged insertions were Albay (P670 million),

the 7th Infantry Division in Central Luzon based in Fort Ramon Magsaysay in Nueva Ecija. He has also served as head of the 11th Intelligence Service Unit in Davao City.

He has a masters degree in management and is a member of the Philippine Military Academy “Sinagtala” Class of 1986.

Among his batchmates in the PMA were former police chiefs Ronald dela Rosa and Oscar Albayalde, as well as Philippine Army chief Gilbert Gapay.

He began his career as an officer in the Army’s 39th Infantry Battalion in Mindanao.

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just over three months as military chief, when Clement reaches the mandatory retirement age of 56.

Santos will be the 53rd military official to head the 190,000 strong military force, which has been fighting the decade-old communist insurgency and

the international terrorists operating in Mindanao.

“I would like to thank President Rodrigo Duterte for his trust and confidence in me to lead the AFP. We will continue to support all the priority programs regarding the peace and security of the President,” Santos said.

Duterte will lead a change-of-command rites in Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City on Saturday to install Santos.

Santos, the Eastmincom chief since January 2019, has been in charge of battling the communist rebels in Davao, Soccsksargen and Caraga.

Santos was a former commander of

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Norala, South Cotabato to condole with Villavende’s family, said that death and burial benefits will be extended to her, while her family will receive livelihood assistance and a scholarship for her youngest sibling.

A pro-workers group, the Blas F. Ople Policy Center, called for a congressional investigation into Villavende’s death while working for a Kuwaiti government employee.

“The male employer works for the Ministry of Interior in Kuwait. He should have been the first to protect [the OFW] from the abusive behavior of his wife. By the time he brought the badly beaten OFW to Al Sabah Hospital, it was already too late,” said Susan Ople, president of the policy center.

“If even government personnel behave this way, then how can we expect better and more humane treatment for our OFWs in Kuwait?” she added.

renewal of ABS-CBN Corp.’s franchise, which expires in March 2020, “is ominously reminiscent of the unceremonious closure nationwide of 392 media outlets in 1972.”

The House has assured ABS-CBN it will be fair and objective in reviewing its application for the renewal of its franchise.

But Palawan Rep. Franz Alvarez, chairman of the House Committee on Legislative Franchises, reminded the media network that the franchise allowing it to continue its operations is a privilege and not a right.

Alvarez made it clear that his panel will thoroughly study and hear all sides regarding ABS-CBN’s application for its franchise renewal.

Lagman said he will lead the filing of a House Resolution on Jan. 6, 2020, or two weeks before Congress resumes session on Jan. 20.

Lagman said the resolution will urge

the House Committee on Legislative Franchises to report out without further delay for plenary action a consolidation of nine pending bills proposing the renewal of the media giant’s franchise.

“The President must institute with the proper judicial or administrative forum his personal grievances against ABS-CBN, instead of imposing an extrajudicial killing of the freedom of the press,” Lagman said.

“Any deliberate and arbitrary denial of the extension of ABS-CBN’s franchise will render jobless 10,955 regular and non-regular employees as well as talent and project-based workers, and freeze P84.6 billion in assets and investments,” Lagman said.

Lagman also said his resolution will appeal to the leaders and members of the House of Representatives, particularly the Committee on Legislative Franchises, to act independently in exercising exclusive congressional jurisdiction on the grant of franchises, and must not be cowed by the President’s rantings.

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

Panelo earlier guaranteed that Duterte would exercise his veto powers to remove the funds inserted in the proposed 2020 General Appropriations Act that will be found unconstitutional.

In his latest remarks, Panelo said he was not aware whether there were provisions that might be vetoed by the President.

“He has not mentioned anything to me,” he said when asked if the Presi-

dent was set to veto some unacceptable provisions of the proposed 2020 budget.

In the meantime, Duterte signed Republic Act 11464, which extends the validity of the 2019 national budget until Dec. 31, 2020, to allow the continuity of the appropriation of unobligated funds.

There are still at least P1.161-trillion unobligated funds under the 2019 GAA. About P324.758 billion of the P1.161-trillion unobligated funds are for maintenance and other operating expenses, while the remaining P339.53 billion is for capital outlays.

PNA, with Maricel V. Cruz

Senator Joel Villanueva, chairman of the Senate labor committee, said the Labor department should reach out to its counterparts in Kuwait and see how justice may be achieved for the slain Filipino worker.

“We call for justice into her senseless death,” also said Villanueva as he urged the authorities to pursue all available legal means to ensure her family attains justice they deserve.

Villanueva also questioned the implementation of the Kuwaiti bilateral agreement signed in 2018 that was supposed to protect Filipino workers in Kuwait.

“We all thought that when the government entered into the bilateral labor agreement, our workers there would have better protection against all forms of abuse, effectively stopping the senseless deaths of our overseas Filipino workers at the hands of their employers,” he said.

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Data from the DOH showed that kwitis (33 cases), luces (19), fountain (18), piccolo (13) and baby rocket (9) were the top five causes of injuries this year. Only one of these, piccolo, is illegal.

“Maybe we can avoid those injuries.

I cannot understand why we still have injuries if those were legal. Maybe carelessness,” Panelo said.

Health Secretary Francisco Duque noted that all firecrackers and fireworks, including legal ones, can cause injuries, as he pushed for a total firecracker ban.

Records from the Department of

and was rammed by an incoming fish truck.

Seven of the jeepney passengers identified as Marie Grace David, Rowel Flores, Linette Balite, Princess Quinto, Alex Razheed Nilayan, John Raven Astrero, and Mary Grace Castro died on the spot.

Nine others were hurt in the accident—seven of them were taken to Pampanga Medical Specialist Hospital and two others at Jose B. Lingad Memorial Regional Hospital in the City of San Fernando.

The passenger jeep was a total wreck.

Lt. Col. Michael John Riego, Lubao chief of police, said the driver of the pickup truck identified as Alexander Domingo, 68, is facing charges for reckless imprudence resulting in multiple homicide, physical injuries, and damage to properties.

Riego said that Domingo is now detained at the Lubao Municipal Police Station.

Meanwhile, two cousins drowned while two others were brought to the hospital during a family outing on New Year’s Day in Sta. Catalina, Negros Oriental.

A report from the Negros Oriental Provincial Police Office identified the fatalities as John Mark Belnas Fabro, 16, and Rona Gaudia Fabro, 21, both residents of Sitio Pinamgimnan, Barangay Obat, Sta. Catalina Negros Oriental.

The two others who are now recuperating at the hospital are Camille Binghil Fabro, 18, and Rhena Gaudia Fabro, 18, also residents of Sitio Pinamgimnan.

Rona Gaudia Fabro and Rhena Gaudia Fabro are siblings, said Chief M/Sgt. Edilberto Euraoba III, NOPPO Public Information Officer.

The police report said that at around 1:15 p.m. Wednesday, the Sta. Catalina Police Station received a call regarding a drowning incident at Sitio Guba in Barangay Poblacion Sta. Catalina, which prompted them to conduct a rescue operation. PNA

Health showed there were 288 fireworksrelated injuries from Dec. 21 to Jan. 2.

This was 57 percent lower than the fiveyear average (2014-2018) of 644.

No stray bullet injuries, fireworks ingestion, or death were reported.

Most of the cases occured in the National Capital Region followed by Region VI with 29 cases and Region 1 with 26 cases.

Calabarzon and Region III were listed as No. 4 and 5 with 22 and 19 cases, respectively.

Of the number of victims, 201 or 70 percent were male with ages ranging from 11 months to 72 years.

On Wednesday, the DOH reported a 35-percent decrease in fireworks-related injuries, but cautioned the public that these numbers may still increase due to late consultation.

When...

From A1 every time the year on the calendar moves from ending in 9 to ending in 0.

“It came up in 1989. And in 1999. Then again in 2009. And now.

“So is January 1, 2020, really the beginning of the decade? Or does it, in fact, begin a year later, on January 1, 2021? Let’s dive in, shall we?”

According to CNN, when exactly the decade begins and ends all depends on who you ask.

The US Naval Observatory, the agency that maintains the country’s master clock, tackled this question in 1999 as people debated when the new millennium would begin.

According to the astronomical dating system through which it measures time, the observatory stated that the new millennium would begin on Jan. 1, 2001.

The Farmers’ Almanac, America’s centuries-old go-to for weather predictions, astronomical data and more, takes a similar position.

“As you think about New Year’s resolutions, here’s one we should all make together: resolve to insist that decades begin with the year ending in the numeral 1 and finish with a 0,” an article on its website reads.

The Farmers’ Almanac insists on this because of how years are numbered in the Gregorian calendar, the system in official use throughout most of the world.

The anno domini era, or the common era, begins with year 1 on the Gregorian calendar.

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FRIDAY, JANUARY 3, 2020 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Du30 not feeling well; cancels two events in Davao del Sur PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte postponed his scheduled events in Malalag and Padada towns in Davao del Sur on Thursday because he was not feeling well, according to his spokesman.

Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo, however, assured the public that there was nothing to worry about the condition of the 74-year-old Chief Executive.

“It’s just ordinary. It’s just a 74-yearold not feeling well,” Panelo said in a press briefing.

“If you lack sleep, that’s natural. But after that, tomorrow, he will be okay,” he added.

Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, President Duterte’s former aide, said the President opted to rest in his hometown in Davao City.

The President would resume the event Friday, Go told Manila Standard in a Viber message.

This was not the first time Duterte canceled his public engagements due to sickness but the President himself has dismissed concerns about his health.

Duterte was last seen by the public on Monday during the wreath-laying rites in Davao City in commemoration of the 123rd year of Dr. Jose Rizal’s martyrdom.

He also visited the earthquake victims in M’lang, North Cotabato on that day.

Afterwards, he attended the anniversary celebration of Cor Jesu College in Digos City, Davao del Sur. MJ Blancaflor

Ursula-affected families rise to 600,000 THE number of families affected by Typhoon “Ursula,” which battered the country at the height of the Christmas season, has climbed to 600,142, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reported Thursday.

The NDRRMC 6 a.m. update showed that the death toll remained at 50, injured at 362, and five still missing.

The 600,142 affected families are equivalent to 2,431,821 persons residing in 2,702 barangays in Mimaropa (Region IV-B), Regions V, VI, VII, VIII and Caraga.

Around 19,553 families or 77,989 individuals are now being sheltered in 548 evacuation centers while 13,534 families or 55,918 persons are being aided outside.

Houses damaged by “Ursula” are placed at 428,781—106,722 houses were totally damaged and 322,009 only partially damaged.

Damage to infrastructure and agriculture were placed at P1.194 billion.

Meanwhile, the Department of Social Welfare and Development distributed a total of 11,039 family food packs as augmentation aid to towns ravaged by Typhoon Ursula in Eastern Visayas.

Relief operations started on Dec. 25 last year, a day after the typhoon crossed the region on Christmas Eve. The DSWD has poured out some P4.89 million worth of assistance to towns in the provinces of Samar, Eastern Samar, Leyte, and Biliran.

As of Dec. 30, the DSWD has released and transported 2,000 FFPs in Basey town, 400 in Calbiga, and 1,200 in Daram all in Samar; 500 each for Guiuan and Mercedes, and 2,000 in Salcedo in Eastern Samar; 470 in Batbatngon, and 1,000 each in Tacloban City and Barugo town in Leyte, while in Biliran province, a total of 1,969 relief packs have been distributed to affected families.

This is on top of the aid initially provided by the local government units worth P8.8 million. PNA

CLEARING OPS. Department of Public Services and Hawkers workers of Manila City hall conduct clearing operation along Hildago street, Quiapo, Manila on Thursday Jan. 2.

Norman Cruz

‘The best is yet to come’ under Duterte—Palace T

By MJ Blancaflor

HE best is yet to come even if President Rodrigo Duterte has done much halfway through his term, Malacañang said Thursday.

Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said the Filipino people can expect the “same number of significant achievements—if not more” in the remaining years of Duterte’s term.

“And as we often say, even as most of the Filipinos are in awe of PRRD’s accomplishments, the best is yet to come,” Panelo said.

In a year-end report released by the Palace, the administration boasted its achievements in economy, infrastruc-

ture, poverty alleviation, among others, in 2019.

Panelo also noted that President Duterte signed landmark legislations last year, such as the Universal Healthcare Act, Mobile Number Portability Act, the 105-Day Expanded Maternity Leave, the Magna Carta for the Poor, the Student Fare Discount Act, the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, the Sagip Saka Act, and the Murang Kuryente Act. He claimed that the President also

invested in his political capital “wisely” with what he called “difficult but game-changing reforms,” such as the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion Law and the Build, Build, Build Program.

The Palace official also noted that Duterte still enjoys high satisfaction and approval ratings, higher than what was recorded by his predecessors.

“As proof to the Chief Executive’s stratospheric ratings, those that Duterte endorsed during the midterm elections won considerable number of seats in both chambers of Congress, thereby increasing the likelihood of the President’s pro-people reforms and laws be supported and passed at the soonest possible time,” Panelo said.

THE reforms instituted in the Department of Justice under the leadership of Secretary Menardo Guevarra have resulted to the resolution of more than 2,350 petitions for review in 2019, which is higher than compared the previous years.

Justice Undersecretary Markk Perete

By Vito Barcelo THE Bureau of Immigration reminded all foreign nationals registered with the agency to report in person to the nearest immigration office in their locality starting Jan. 2 until the end of February this year.

BI Commissioner Jaime Morente said the annual report of aliens is required under the 1950 Alien Registration Act, and that failure to comply may result in fines, cancellation of visas, or deportation.

The said act, Morente said, mandates all foreign nationals who have been issued immigrant and non-immigrant visas and were issued alien certificate of registration identity card (ACR I-Card) must comply with the annual report within the first 60 days of every calendar year.

The reporting may be done at the BI’s main office in Intramuros, Manila or the nearest participating BI field, satellite or extension office, the list of which can be accessed at their website www.immigration.gov.ph.

“Foreigners who are out of the country during the annual reporting period may make the report within 30 days from the date of their return to the country, provided they have valid reentry permits,” the BI chief added.

Senator wants Portability Act

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

BRIDGE MARKET. The EDSA—Muñoz footbridge in Quezon City is now occupied by vendors who sell various merchandise and goods. Manny Palmero

DOJ resolves 2,350 petitions for review in 2019, tops in 3 years

By Rey E. Requejo

Aliens told to file annual report at BI

said that Secretary Guevarra’s “decongestion project” aimed at substantially reducing the backlog of petitions for review have resulted in speedy resolution of pending petitions.

Petitions for review are appeals seeking the Office of the Secretary for the reversal of resolutions by the National Prosecution Service.

Justice Assistant Secretary Neal

Bainto said that for 2019, the DOJ has resolved 2,350 petition for reviews.

“For this year [2019] to date, the Department has resolved 2,350 petrev [petitions for review],” Bainto said.

Bainto pointed out that the number of petitions for review resolved in 2019 is way more than the 1,727 resolved in 2017 and the 556 resolved in 2018.

Perete, who concurrently serves

as spokesperson of the DOJ, said the large number of petitions for review resolved in 2019 can be attributed to efforts made at the DOJ aimed at greatly reducing the backlog of pending petitions for review.

Perete recalled that back in 2016, the backlog reached to “around 13,000 to 14,000 unresolved petitions for review.”

SENATOR Win Gatchalian has called on telecommunication companies to immediately put in place a mechanism for the implementation of the Mobile Number Portability Act now that telecom giants Smart and Globe, and newcomer Dito Telecommunity announced they agreed to get US-based Syniverse to provide mobile number portability services.

Gatchalian, principal author of the MNPA, said that mobile number portability should be available within six months from the promulgation of the Implementing Rules and Regulations, as provided under Section 11 of Republic Act 11202.

The law was signed in February 2019. The IRR was issued on June 11, 2019 and took effect on July 2, 2019.

Globe earlier said in a report that foreign countries which implemented mobile number portability took 27 months or a little over two years to make the shift beginning from the issuance of the IRR. But Gatchalian said that setting mobile number portability for the second half of 2021 is unacceptable.

He added that consumers need not to wait that long in order for them to be able to have that freedom to avail of the services they want.

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Opinion

FRIDAY, JANUARY 3, 2020

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Challenged but hopeful CROSSROADS J.A. DE LA CRUZ LET me begin my first piece at the start of the third decade of the 21st century by wishing one and all a peaceful, hopeful and blessed New Year. May the next decade bring us closer to our dream of becoming a mid-level developing nation, with increasingly solid and sustainable productive sectors employing a growing labor force and with stable governance institutions dedicated towards a truly harmonious and equitable society. We remain hopeful this can be achieved as we come around as a people united to meet the many challenges ahead.

Our people deserve no less.

So it is well that President Duterte has outlined his administration's unfinished business in the remaining two and a half years of his term.

Thus, while he remains committed to his robust war on illegal drugs and corrupt practices, he has vowed to more forcefully implement his Build, Build, Build program even as he has equally emphasized his desire to overturn, as it were, the bastions of avaricious and abusive structures which have socialized the unwarranted privileges and wealth of certain sectors on the back of the masses of our people.

Not that he or even the masses themselves are against the working rich, or those who have dedicated themselves to just and honest labor.

Not at all. The call is specific: it is against an environment which

Adelle Chua, Editor

EDITORIAL

unduly rewards passive, rent-seeking undertakings founded on manipulative practices. It is actually a call to level the playing field, so to speak, and ensure that opportunities for growth and, yes, profits are indeed available to those who truly contribute to productive operations and wealth creation. It is, in the final analysis, a call to conscience to ensure that the nation's resources and wealth are responsibly used and optimized for the greater good. The recently passed anti-poverty law should serve the administration in good stead as it outlines the steps towards lifting the masses of our people from the bondage of poverty and dehumanization.

In this regard, it may interest President Duterte and his administration to pay closer attention to the travails now affecting the world's pre-eminent economic and military power—the United States—as it struggles to sustain that age old adage of being the "land of the free, home of the brave and bastion of opportunity."

The book "The Rich and the Rest of Us: A Poverty Manifesto" written by award-winning public intellectuals, Travis Smiley and Cornel West, may serve as a guide.

As the book's blurb starkly states: "Record unemployment and rampant corporate avarice, empty houses but homeless families, dwindling opportunities in an increasingly paralyzed nation—these are the realities of 21st Century America, land of the free and home of the new middle class poor."

"With 150 million Americans of all races, colors and creeds...persistently poor or near poor, the highest numbers in over five decades, Smiley and West argue that now is the time to confront the underlying conditions of systemic poverty in America before it's too late."

"By placing the eradication of

New train line to the east

A

NEW rail line will serve thousands of commuters from Antipolo and the towns of Cainta and Taytay in Rizal province.

The eastern part of Metro Manila, specifically Rizal, is home to many Filipinos who work in Makati, Parañaque, Pasay and Manila.

They commute from their home on a laborious pace due to inadequate transport modes, and their one-way travel could last as long as three hours.

The new rail line, hopefully, will ease the plight of these commuters, as well as the heavy traffic along Ortigas Avenue Extension and Shaw Boulevard. The Department of Transportation expects to start the

construction of the P59.3-billion Metro Rail Transit Line 4 by 2021.

MRT 4 is a 15.56-kilometer railbased transit system that will connect LRT Line 2 in Sta. Mesa, Manila to Taytay, Rizal. The rail line, scheduled for operation in 2025, aims to address the worsening traffic and inadequate road capacity in the densely-populated areas of eastern Metro Manila that include parts of Quezon City, San Juan City, Mandaluyong City, Pasig City and the Ortigas Center.

The project, depending on its final design and coverage, will offer an initial daily ridership of around 234,433 passengers. It will consist of 11 to 13 stations with a right-of-way alignment along V. Mapa St., Shaw Boulevard, Ortigas Avenue and Taytay Diversion Road that will connect the suburban town to the Ortigas Center business district.

Commuters from the eastern part of Manila sorely need new rail lines that will link their homes and place of work. Makati, Mandaluyong, San Juan, Manila, Parañaque and Pasay have been attracting several workers from the eastern part of Manila, including Angono and Binangonan.

But the long trip is too taxing for these commuters given the monstrous road traffic on Shaw Blvd. and Ortigas Avenue Extension.

The Duterte administration, meanwhile, must accelerate its infrastructure program amid the increasing population and a rapidly growing economy. More roads, rail networks, airports, bridges and storage facilities will ease travel and increase productivity. They will open more job opportunities and will eventually reduce the poverty level in the Philippines.

Turn to A5

White-hot House HOW did the House of Representatives perform its lawmaking function since the 18th Congress opened in the second semester of last year?

No doubt, the economy will benefit in no small measure from the raft of bills it passed in such a short period of time.

In September, the House approved the Corporate Income Tax and Incentive Rationalization Act (CITIRA or Package 2 of the administration’s comprehensive tax reform program), which seeks to reduce the corporate income tax from 30 percent to 20 percent over time to make the Philippines more attractive to investors. This would also rationalize fiscal incentives to ensure that they benefit the economy and the Filipino people, and not just the businesses granted tax perks.

Then there's the Passive Income and Financial Intermediary Taxation Act (PIFITA or Package 4), which aims to make the taxation system in the financial sector simpler and fairer.

In the same month, the House also approved amendments to the Foreign Investments Act which would boost the entry of more investments from overseas to fund vital projects.

There's more. The Tobacco Tax Reform Bill, which is now Republic Act 11346 or the Tobacco Tax Reform Act, imposes higher taxes on cigarettes.

Another bill that imposes higher taxes on alcohol products and e-cigarettes now awaits the President’s signature.

The two measures will provide the additional funding needed to properly implement the Universal Health Care program that will benefit mostly low-income families. Raising excise taxes on sin products such as tobacco and e-cigarettes, as well as alcohol, will also discourage smoking and binge drinking, especially among the youth.

State workers have ample reason to

rejoice with the onset of the new year as the new Salary Standardization Law will raise their monthly pay.

But that's not all that the House has achieved since the second half of last year.

The proposed 2020 national budget was passed in record time. The House Appropriations Committee chairman, Davao City Rep. Isidro Ungab, considers the timely approval of the 2020 General Appropriations Bill that is “pork-free and without any parked funds” as “among the most notable achievements of the House during Cayetano’s first six months as Speaker.”

There are many positive changes in the House marked by the swift passage of priority bills of the administration.

We must preserve the truth Statement by Mateusz Morawiecki

At least six Deputy Speakers vouch for Cayetano's leadership. For Deputy Speaker and Surigao del Sur 1st District Rep. Prospero Pichay, “The House was productive under Speaker Cayetano not because of the quantity but because of the quality of the bills passed.”

Another Mindanao lawmaker, Misamis Occidental 2nd District Rep. Henry Oaminal said he is confident that Mindanao will not be left out and will continue to be developed not only through “the big-ticket railway projects under the President’s ‘Build, Build, Build’ (BBB) program but also through projects specific to communities that badly need infrastructure the most.”

For Cebu 3rd District Rep. Pablo John Garcia, the Speaker has made the House a better legislative chamber, instilling discipline among its members not by fear but by leading by example.

Sorsogon 1st District Rep. Evelina Escudero said that under the current Turn to A5

Prime Minister of Poland THE 20th century brought the world inconceivable suffering and the deaths of hundreds of millions in the name of twisted, totalitarian ideologies. The death toll of Nazism, fascism and communism is obvious for people of our generation. It is also obvious who is responsible for those crimes and whose pact started World War II—the most murderous conflict in the history of humankind.

Unfortunately, the more time passes since these tragic events, the less our children and grandchildren know about them. That is why it is so important that we continue to speak the truth about World War II, its perpetrators and its victims, and to object to any attempts at distorting history.

For Poland—the war's first victim—the memory of this evil is particularly salient. Our country was the first to experience the armed aggres-

sion of both Nazi Germany and Soviet Russia, and the first that fought in the defense of a free Europe.

However, resistance against these evil powers is a testament not only to Polish heroism—it is something vastly more important. This resistance is the legacy of the now free and democratic Europe that fought against two totalitarian regimes. Today, when certain individuals wish to trample the memory of these events in the name of their own political goals, Poland must stand up for the truth—not for its own interests, but for the sake of what defines Europe.

Signed on Aug. 23, 1939, the Molotov-Ribbentrop pact was not a “non-aggression pact”—it was a political and military alliance, dividing Europe into two spheres of influence along the boundary formed by three Polish rivers: the Narew, Vistula, and

San. A month later, the dividing line was moved to the Bug river as a result of the “German-Soviet Boundary and Friendship Treaty” of September 28, 1939. It served as a prologue to the unspeakable crimes that were committed on both sides of the line over the course of the following years.

The pact between Hitler and Stalin was immediately put into effect—on September 1, 1939, Nazi Germany invaded Poland from the west, south and north, and on September 17, 1939, the USSR joined the assault, attacking Poland from the east.

On Sept. 22, 1939, a large military parade was held in Brest-Litovsk—a celebration of Nazi Germany and Soviet Russia’s joint defeat of independent Poland. Such parades are not organized by parties bound to a non-aggression pact—they are Turn to A5

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Opinion San Miguel airport breaks ground Jan. 15 ON JAN. 15, San Miguel Corp. finally breaks ground for its P735.6-billion New Manila International Airport in Bulakan town, Bulacan province.

Top officials from President Duterte’s cabinet, the LGUs of Central Luzon, and of course, SMC Chair Eduardo M. Cojuangco Jr. and SMC Vice Chair andPresident Ramon S. Ang will grace the occasion.

With the groundbreaking, San Miguel will be making history.

Firstly, Bulakan, a 448-year-old coastal town, barely 31 kilometers north of Rizal Park in Manila and with a population of about 80,000, used to be the capital of Bulacan province and nearby Pampanga province, as well as of the entire Central Luzon, the richest region outside Metro Manila. In putting up NMIA there, SMC will in effect restore the town—and Bulacan province’s—preeminence as a capital hub.

Secondly, the NMIA is the largest and greatest enterprise ever in the Philippines to be undertaken by any single company or group of companies in the nation’s history.

SMC, the country’s largest and most diversified conglomerate, was given the go-signal on Sept. 18, 2019 to proceed with the development and construction of NMIA. It had been a long grind for SMC and for its president, Ramon S. Ang, to begin construction of NMIA. The project had faced many hurdles. It underwent months of government scrutiny, from the lowest level of the bureaucracy up to the Office of the President.

Even after SMC was given the NTP (notice to proceed) in September, Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez sought review by the Department of Justice to check its legal and economic viability. One cabinet member accused SMC of “building a white elephant in Bulacan.”

Aghast, in November, RSA sought an audience with President Duterte and his economic managers. “If indeed the project is a white elephant, there won’t be any international bank that will lend money to us,” he argued. Banks are lining up to provide credit lines. No. 2, RSA pointed out, “we are using San Miguel balance sheet against

the loan. There is no guaranty or subsidy from the government. So what seems to be the problem?”

One economic manager retorted: “But huge capital will get out of the Philippines!”.

“But that’s San Miguel money, not money of the government,” Ang replied, calmly.

“You could use that money for a better project,” insisted the economic manager.

“What could be better than a project that could serve needs of our OFWs (overseas Filipino expats)?,” cut in Ang, still calmly.

This will be history in the making.

Then the SMC president made his biggest point. “You know, sirs, San Miguel is into beer, food business, power business, oil, infrastructure. We funded all those with San Miguel earnings. We reinvest 100 percent of profits in the Philippines. We do that to create jobs, modernize the economy, make life better for Filipinos, make this country greater.”

Addressing Duterte himself, Ramon said: “Mr. President, this airport will be a feather on your cap.

This mega project is in support of your Build, Build, Build. Also, Mr. President, I have received offers from the super business groups in the world to join or participate in this project. They all want to invest in the Philippines.”

Ang disclosed he is inviting the sovereign funds of Singapore, Malaysia, and other large countries, and the major tycoons in the region, including India, to invest in the Philippines. “These direct foreign investments will strengthen the balance sheet of the country,” he explained. Other local companies, he noted, “just keep on borrowing ODA (loans from foreign governments) which could bring down the country (if unpaid or because of onerous provisions).”

After that meeting, the NMIA was listed among the expanded Build, Build, Build list of Duterte’s priority infra projects. The list used to have only 75. It now has 100 projects.

The San Miguel airport is No. 83, with project cost of P735.634 billion and as an unsolicited PPP (private-public sector project) under transport and mobility, and instruc-

tion to commence construction in six to eight months. Completion date is 2025 but RSA will probably operate at least one runway for Duterte to inaugurate before the President leaves office.

“NMIA will be the game changer,” declared RSA, upon the signing of the 62-page 50-year concession agreement midmorning of Wednesday, Sept. 18, at the headquarters of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) in Clark Freeport Zone.

On behalf of the national government, Department of Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade signed the SMC concession agreement.

It seems ironic the contract for Asia’s next most modern airport was signed inside Clark, a former American facility that is being developed by the government itself as a gateway international airport. consor In addition to Clark, a consortium of seven conglomerates is proposing to upgrade and operate NAIA over a 15-year period. The National Economic and Development Authority has yet to approve the project.

DOTr Secretary Tugade said multiple airports would benefit the public. “Let it be a battle of commercial competitiveness,” he said on Wednesday. “Having multiple airports is something that the world’s biggest economies do. Ideally, there should be a train service linking these airports, which is also being pursued by the government.

This complementation strategy was already part of the air transport roadmap from Day One. Rest assured, that’s what we are going to do,” Tugade pointed out.

The project of San Miguel Aerocity, Inc., SMC’s wholly-owned airport subsidiary, does not just involve land development, and the construction and operation of an airport.

The long-term strategy includes the construction of no less than 22 expressways over a ten-year period or longer. The scheme is called the NMIA Integrated Multi-Modal Transport Network.

Aerocity is aimed to attract 30 million tourists yearly beginning 2025 (from the present 7.1 million), drastically lower the cost of travel within the archipelago (a return ticket from Manila to the Visayas costs $500 because of runway congestion and traffic at NAIA), and contribute up to P1.5 trillion to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP or the total output of goods and services). biznewsasia@gmail.com

AI beats human breast cancer diagnosis

By Patrick Galey A COMPUTER program can identify breast cancer from routine scans with greater accuracy than human experts, researchers said in what they hoped could prove a breakthrough in the fight against the global killer.

Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers in women, and regular screening is vital in detecting the earliest signs of the disease in patients who show no obvious symptoms.

In Britain, women over 50 are advised to get a mammogram every three years, the results of which are analyzed by two independent experts.

But interpreting the scans leaves room for error, and a small percentage of all mammograms either return a false positive—misdiagnosing a healthy patient as having cancer—or false negative—missing the disease as it spreads.

Now researchers at Google Health have trained an artificial intelligence model to detect cancer in breast scans from thousands of women in Britain and the United States.

The images had already been reviewed by doctors in real life, but unlike in a clinical setting the machine had no patient history to inform its diagnoses.

The team found that their AI model could predict breast cancer from the scans with a similar accuracy level to expert radiographers.

Further, the AI showed a reduction in the proportion of cases where cancer was incorrectly identified—5.7 percent in the US and 1.2 percent in Britain, respectively.

Challenged...

From A4

poverty in the context of the nation's greatest moments of social

It also reduced the percentage of missed diagnoses by 9.4 percent among US patients and by 2.7 percent in Britain.

"The earlier you identify a breast cancer the better it is for the patient," Dominic King, UK lead at Google Health, told AFP. "We think about this technology in a way that supports and enables an expert, or a patient ultimately, to get the best outcome from whatever diagnostics they've had."

Computer ‘second opinion’ In Britain, all mammograms are reviewed by two radiologists, a necessary but labor-intensive process.

The team at Google Health also conducted experiments comparing the computer's decision with that of the first human scan reader.

If the two diagnoses agreed, the case was marked as resolved. Only with discordant outcomes was the machine then asked to compare with the second reader's decision.

The study by King and his team, published in Nature, showed that using AI to verify the first human expert reviewer's diagnosis could save up to 88 percent of the workload for the second clinician.

"Find me a country where you can find a nurse or doctor that isn't busy," said King.

"There's the opportunity for this technology to support the existing excellent service of the (human) reviewers."

The team said further research was needed but they hoped that the technology could one day act as a "second opinion" for cancer diagnoses. AFP

transformation—such as the abolition of slavery, women's suffrage and the labor and civil rights movements—ending poverty is sure to emerge as America's 21st century civil rights struggle."

Indeed, lifting the vast majority of peoples in any country, rich or poor, should be the most critical agenda of all countries as we enter this third decade of the 21st century.

Our people deserve no less.

FRIDAY, JANUARY 3, 2020

A5

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

We must...

From A4

organized by allies and friends.

And this is exactly what Hitler and Stalin were—for a long time, they were not only allies, but, in fact, friends. Their friendship flourished so much that when a group of 150 German communists fled the Third Reich to the USSR before World War II broke out, Stalin handed them over to Hitler as “a gift” in November of 1939, thus condemning them to a certain death.

The USSR and the Third Reich cooperated closely with each other throughout the entire war. During a conference held in Brest on Nov. 27, 1939, representatives of both countries’ security services discussed the methods and principles of cooperation used to fight Polish independence organizations on occupied territories. Other conferences organized by NKVD and SS officers on the matter of cooperation were held inter alia in Zakopane and Krakow in March of 1940. These were not talks on non-aggression, but on liquidating (that is, murdering) people, Polish citizens, and on joint, allied action to bring about a total destruction of Poland.

Without Stalin’s complicity in the partitioning of Poland, and without the natural resources that Stalin supplied to Hitler, the Nazi German crime machine would not have taken control of Europe. The last trains loaded with supplies left the USSR and headed for Germany on June 21, 1941—just one day before Nazi Germany attacked its ally. Thanks to Stalin, Hitler could conquer new countries with impunity, imprison Jews from all over the continent in ghettos, and prepare the Holocaust— one of the worst crimes in the history of humankind.

Stalin engaged in criminal activities in the east, subduing one country after another and developing a network of camps that Alexander Solzhenitsyn, a Russian, called, “the Gulag Archipelago.” These were camps in which millions of opponents of the communist authorities were mercilessly exterminated through murderous torture.

The crimes of the communist regime started even before the outbreak of World War II—the starvation of millions of Russians at the beginning of the 1920s; the Great Famine, which led to the deaths of millions of inhabitants of Ukraine and Kazakhstan; the Great Purge, during which nearly 700,000 political opponents and ordinary citizens of the USSR, mostly Russians, were murdered; and the NKVD's so-called “Polish Operation," in which, primarily, USSR citizens of Polish descent were shot to death. Children, women and men were all destined to die. According to NKVD data, over 111,000 people were deliberately shot to death by Soviet communists during the “Polish Operation” alone. Being a Pole in the USSR at that time meant a death sentence or many years of exile.

This policy continued through crimes committed after the Soviet Union invaded Poland on Sept. 17,

1939—the crime of murdering over 22,000 Polish officers and representatives of the elite in places such as Katyn, Kharkiv, Tver, Kyiv, and Minsk; the crimes committed in NKVD torture cells and in forced labor camps in the most remote parts of the Soviet empire.

The greatest victims of communism were Russian citizens. Historians estimate that between 20 and 30 million people were killed in the USSR alone. Death and forced labor camps awaited even those for whom every civilized country provides necessary care—prisoners of war who returned to their homeland. The USSR did not treat them as war heroes, but as traitors. Soviet Russia’s “gratitude” for prisoners of war, the soldiers of the Red Army, was death and imprisonment in forced labor camps and concentration camps.

Communist leaders, especially Joseph Stalin, are responsible for all of these crimes. Eighty years after World War II started, attempts are made by today's President of Russia to redeem Stalin for political goals.

These attempts must be met with strong opposition from every person who has basic knowledge on the history of the 20th century.

President Putin has lied about Poland on numerous occasions, and he has always done so deliberately. Such slander usually occurs when Russian authorities are pressured by the international community for their actions, and that pressure is exerted not with regards to the historical geopolitical scene, but with regards to the contemporary one, instead. In recent weeks, Russia has suffered several significant defeats—it failed in its attempt to take complete control over Belarus, and the EU has once again prolonged sanctions imposed on it for the illegal annexation of Crimea. The so-called “Normandy Format” talks did not result in the lifting of these sanctions, and further restrictions were simultaneously introduced, this time by the U.S., significantly hindering the implementation of the Nord Stream 2 project. At the same time, Russian athletes have just been suspended for four years for doping-related incidents.

I consider President Putin’s words as an attempt to cover up these problems. The Russian leader is well aware that his accusations have nothing to do with reality, and that there are no monuments of Hitler or Stalin in Poland. Such monuments stood on our soil only when they were erected by the aggressors and perpetrators— the Third Reich and Soviet Russia.

The Russian people—the greatest victim of Stalin, who was one of the cruelest criminals in the history of the world—deserve the truth. I believe that Russians are a nation of free people, and that they reject Stalinism, even when President Putin’s government is trying to rehabilitate it.

We cannot accept turning perpetrators and those responsible for committing cruel crimes against both innocent people and invaded countries into victims. Together—in the name of those who perished and for the good of our common future— we must preserve the truth.

White-hot...

From A4

House leadership, the bill creating a Department of Disaster Resilience, another priority measure of President Duterte, was passed swiftly by the House committees on government reorganization and disaster management. She expects the House to approve the bill this year.

Ilocos Sur Rep. Deogracias Victor Savellano said “we had witnessed how Cayetano would work long hours, even on weekends, to get the job of the House done and done well."

Antipolo 1st District Rep. Roberto Puno said the image of the House as a responsible and reliable legislative body has been restored. “If we want to sustain this momentum of accomplishments that has earned the House the respect of the public, then we can all agree that keeping Alan as Speaker is the best way to do it,” Puno said.

Proof positive that Cayetano has been doing well in his new job is his excellent showing in the latest Pulse Asia survey covering 1,200 respondents across the country. His trust rating improved from an already respectable 62 percent in September by 14 percentage points to 76 percent in December. He also garnered an 80 percent performance rating, a historic high for a House leader and a remarkable improvement of 16 percentage points from his September rating of 64 percent.

The positive changes in the House marked by the swift passage of priority bills of the administration may have been mainly responsible for Cayetano's high ratings, but it was also partly the result of the success of the 30th Southeast Asian Games, which was organized by the Philippine SEA Games Organizing Committee (PHISGOC) that he chaired.

If Congress has been on fire in the last six months, the public can expect it to glow even more white-hot in the coming months as the House appears more than ready to accelerate reforms and help the national government's drive to attain the goal of a safe, secure and comfortable life for all Filipinos. ernhil@yahoo.com

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FRIDAY, JANUARY 3, 2020

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Reloadable beep cards now P10 more from P20

By Vito Barcelo

T

HE riding public will now have to pay P10 more for the card issuance fee charged for reloadable beep cards starting Jan. 1, 2020.

The reloadable beep cards can be one line to another. used at LRT 1, LRT 2 and MRT 3, The Light Rail Transit Authorproviding a seamless transfer from ity management said the reloadable

card issuance fee of the stored value tickets would be increased from P20 to P30 effective Jan. 1, 2020.

In an advisory, the LRTA said the increase was in compliance with Section 16.5.b of the concession agreement between the Department of Transportation and the AFCS Payments Inc. regarding the card issuance fee charged for stored value tickets.

The labor group Bayan said the price increase in the beep card was seen as a move by the LRTA to increase the fares in the LRT 1 and 2 systems and the Metro Rail Transit.

“Fares would have also gone up.

The government has previously assured LRT 1 private operator of a 10 percent fare hike every two

years, saying the P100 minimum card purchase may only be good for two rides,” he said.

He slammed the DoTR for supposedly failing to fulfill its mandate of protecting the interests of the riding public.

“Once again, DoTR failed in its mandate to uphold the interests of the people,” Reyes said.

Paleontologists debate: Did rex really exist?

GARBAGE HEAPS. Workers from the National Parks Development Committee continue Thursday to collect garbage at the sprawling Luneta Park in Manila after more than 14,000 families celebrated New Year at the bayside park. Norman Cruz

JoyRide taxi service to comply with DOTr guidelines

By Rio N. Araja EXECUTIVES of a new ride-hailing motor taxi service—JoyRide—on Thursday vowed to stay fully compliant with the guidelines of the Department of Transportation’s technical working group in their pilot test to ensure the safety of both passengers and the bikers.

At a news conference in Quezon City, JoyRide vice president for corporate affairs Noli Eala said they have well-trained bikers who are fully equipped with safety gear, and that they have accident benefits for their commuters and riders as well.

“We have been preparing for months before we applied last September before the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board. We have invested in our training facility and manpower, partnered with an insurance company for the riders and commuters, and complied with the guidelines of LTFRB and the technical working group for this extended testing for motorcycle taxis,” he said in a statement.

Manila

Standard

Moreover, Eala said “we do not have price surge even during peak period of Christmas.”

A JoyRide fare is even much cheaper than its competitor—Angkas, he cited.

As an example, a commuter could save P6 taking a ride from Makati City to SM Mall of Asia, P13 from Makati to Project 6, Quezon City compared from the other ride-hailing motor bike service, he cited.

“In some instance, a passenger could even save a difference of P132 against its (JoyRide) competition,” he said.

JoyRide is owned by Ralph Nubla Jr. and Bea Chua, who are “established businessmen with interest in real estate, banking and finance, and wholesale and retail industry,” and that it is being run by Richard Aruisu, a bank expert for 30 years; Rico Meneses from a safety training center; Sherwin Yu, an information technology expert and JoyRide president, and Edwin Rodriguez, who is into the logistics and trucking business, he said.

“Those in the business are reputable businessmen who just want to help the riding

community,” he added.

He maintained that “there should be no monopoly... not of business, but of ideas.”

“This being a study right now of the government. No one has monopoly of ideas,” he said.

“In other words, there must (be) a point of comparison for the government to use in crafting the urgent and necessary legislation, amend the law and allow the motorcycle taxi service,” he stressed.

The government has allowed JoyRide to operate in three months in Metro Manila.

According to Eala, JoyRide has 1,493 activated drivers operational on the streets, and that by January, it would have 7,000 riders and in February, 10,000 riders.

“We have 5,414 onboarded bikers waiting for their gear with a total of 6,907 riders registered with the technical working group,” he said.

He said they were compliant with the guidelines of DoTr, “hoping the government will allow us to run beyond the three-month pilot period.”

Yu denied that JoyRide is owned by Senator Christopher Go.

In The Name Of Allah Most Gracious Most Merciful

In The Name Of Allah Most Gracious Most Merciful

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES AUTONOMOUS REGION IN MUSLIM MINDANAO PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT OF BASILAN

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES AUTONOMOUS REGION IN MUSLIM MINDANAO PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT OF BASILAN

TODAY

BIDS AND AWARDS COMMITTEE

BIDS AND AWARDS COMMITTEE

Provincial Capitol Bldg., Isabela City, Basilan Province, 7300

Provincial Capitol Bldg., Isabela City, Basilan Province, 7300

InvItatIon to BId

InvItatIon to BId

PROCUREMENT OF CIVIL WORKS FOR THE IMPROVEMENT/CONCRETE PAVING OF TUMAHUBONG-PANSUL BASI ROAD PHASE 2 (STA 1+200.00 TO 2+200 CONCRETING ) SUMISIP, BOTH BASILAN PROVINCE UndEr BaC PUBLICatIon 001-002-2020 1 The Provincial government of Basilan, through the 20% Development Fund of 2020 intends to apply the sum of TWENTY MILLION PESOS (P20,000,000.00) being the Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) for the Procurement of Civil Works for Improvement/Concrete Paving of Tuamahubong-Pnasul Basi Road Phase 2 (STA 1 +200.00 to 2+200 Concreting) , Sumisip Basilan province. Bids received in excess of the ABC shall be automatically rejected at bid opening.

2.

The Provincial government of Basilan now invites Bids for the Procurement of Civil Works for Improvement/Concrete Paving of Tuamahubong-Pnasul Basi Road Phase 2 (STA 1 +200.00 to 2+200 Concreting) , Sumisip Basilan province, bids for:

SUPPLY AND DELIVERY OF CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS AND EQUIPMENT FACILITIES FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF RUBBER PROCESSING PLANT AT LAMITAN CITY, BASILAN PROVINCE. UndEr BaC PUBLICatIon 01-003-2020

for

Completion of the Works is required (10 c.d.). Bidders should have completed a contract similar to the Project. The description of an eligible bidder is contained in the Bidding Documents, particularly, in 3.

Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using non-discretionary “pass/fail” criterion as specified in the 2016 Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act 9184 (RA 9184), otherwise known as the “Government Procurement Reform Act.” Bidding is restricted to Filipino citizens/sole proprietorships, cooperatives, and partnerships or organizations with at least seventy five percent (75%) interest or outstanding capital stock belonging to citizens of the Philippines.

4.

Interested bidders may obtain further information from Provincial Government of Basilan and inspect the Bidding Documents at the address given below from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.

A complete set of Bidding Documents may be acquired by interested bidders on December 27, 2019 to January 21, 2020 from the address below and upon payment of the applicable fee for the Bidding Documents, pursuant to the latest Guidelines issued by the GPPB, in the amount of Ten Thousand Pesos (₱ 10,000.00) for the Procurement of Civil Works for the for Construction of Two (2) Storey Multi Purpose Center at Calugusan , Lamitan City and Twenty Five Thousand Pesos (₱ 25,000.00) for Procurement of Civil Works for Improvement/Concrete Paving of Tuamahubong-Pnasul Basi Road Phase 2 (STA 1 +200.00 to 2+200 Concreting) , Sumisip , Basilan , and another One Thousand Pesos (₱ 1,000.00) for the letter of intent.

It may also be downloaded free of charge from the website of the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PhilGEPS) and the website of the Procuring Entity, provided that bidders shall pay the applicable fee for the Bidding Documents not later than the submission of their bids.

1 5.

The Provincial Government of Basilan will hold a Pre-Bid Conference on 9:30 am January 8, 2020 at Provincial Hostel, PEO Compound, Eastside Barangay, Isabela City, Basilan Province, which shall be open to prospective bidders.

6.

Bids must be duly received by the BAC Secretariat at the address below on or before 10:00 am January 21, 2020. All bids must be accompanied by a bid security in any of the acceptable forms and in the amount stated in ITB Clause 18.

Bid opening shall be on 10:00 am January 21, 2020 at Provincial Hostel, PEO Compound, Eastside Barangay, Isabela City, Basilan Province. Bids will be opened in the presence of the bidders’ representatives who choose to attend at the address below. Late bids shall not be accepted.

7.

The Provincial Government of Basilan reserves the right to reject any and all bids, declare a failure of bidding, or not award the contract at any time prior to contract award in accordance with Section 41 of RA 9184 and its IRR, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder or bidders.

8.

For further information, please refer to: The BAC CHAIRPERSON LGU- BASILAN Bids and Award Committee C/O BAC Secretariat Provincial Hostel, PEO Compound, Eastside Barangay, Isabela City, Basilan Province, 7300 Fax No.: 062 200 3416 & 062 200 3417 E-mail Add: tigerlily_diamond@yahoo.com (SGD) INTAN GORDANA A. ABUBAKAR Chairperson, Bids and Award Committee 20 (MS-JAN. 3, 2019)

for

1.

The Provincial Government of Basilan ,through the 20% Development for 2020 intends to apply the sum of FORTY MILLION SEVEN HUNDRED SIXTY THOUSAND FOUR HUNDRED NINETY NINE PESOS AND 60/100 CENTAVOS (P 40,760,499.60) being the Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) to payments under the contract for Supply and Delivery of Construction Materials and Equipment Facilities for the Construction of Rubber Processing Plant at Lamitan City, Basilan . Bid received in excess of the ABC shall be automatically rejected at bid opening.

a.

The Provincial Government of Basilan, now invites bids for Supply and Delivery of Construction Materials and Equipment Facilities for the Construction of Rubber Processing Plant at Lamitan City, Basilan.1 Delivery of the Goods is required [within the required delivery date or expected contract duration]. Bidders should have completed, within [insert relevant period] from the date of submission and receipt of bids, a contract similar to the Project. The description of an eligible bidder is contained in the Bidding Documents, particularly, in Section II. Instructions to Bidders.

b.

Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using a non-discretionary “pass/fail” criterion as specified in the 2016 Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act (RA) 9184, otherwise known as the “Government Procurement Reform Act”.

Bidding is restricted to Filipino citizens/sole proprietorships, partnerships, or organizations with at least sixty percent (60%) interest or outstanding capital stock belonging to citizens of the Philippines, and to citizens or organizations of a country the laws or regulations of which grant similar rights or privileges to Filipino citizens, pursuant to RA 5183.

c.

Interested bidders may obtain further information from Provincial Bids and Awards Committee Office , Government of Basilan and inspect the Bidding Documents at the address given below during 8:00 am to 5:00 pm (during Office hours).

d.

A complete set of Bidding Documents may be acquired by interested Bidders on December 27, 2019 to January 21, 2020 from the address below in the amount of Fifty thousand Pesos (P50,000,00) and another One thousand pesos (P1,000,)) for the letter of intent It may also be downloaded free of charge from the website of the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PhilGEPS) and the website of the Procuring Entity, provided that Bidders shall pay the applicable fee for the Bidding Documents not later than the submission of their bids.

e.

The Provincial Government of Basilan will hold a Pre-Bid Conference on 10:00 am, January 8, 2020 at BAC Office, Provincial Capitol, Isabela City Basilan, which shall be open to prospective bidders.

f.

Bids must be duly received by the BAC Secretariat at the address below on or before 10:00 am, January 21, 2020 . All Bids must be accompanied by a bid security in any of the acceptable forms and in the amount stated in ITB Claused opening shall be on 10:00 am, January 21, 2020 at BAC Office, Provincial Capitol, Isabela City, Basilan province. Bids will be opened in the presence of the bidders’ representatives who choose to attend at the address below. Late bids shall not be accepted.

g.

Bids will be opened in the presence of the bidder’s representative who choose to attend at the address below. Late Bids shall not be accepted.

h.

The Provincial Government reserves the right to reject any and all bids, declare a failure of bidding, or not award the contract at any time prior to contract award in accordance with Section 41 of RA 9184 and its IRR, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder or bidders.

i.

For further information, please refer to:

2

The BAC CHAIRPERSON LGU- BASILAN Bids and Award Committee C/O BAC Secretariat Provincial Hostel building PEO Compound,,Eastside Isabela City Isabela City, Basilan Province, 7300 Fax No.: 062 200 3416 & 062 200 3417 (SGD) INTAN GORDANA A. ABUBAKAR Chairperson, Bids and Award Committee (MS-JAN. 3, 2019) 20

FOR three decades, paleontologists the world over have been split over a provocative finding: Did a dwarf species of Tyrannosaurus rex really once exist?

In 1988, paleontologist Robert Bakker and his colleagues at the Cleveland (Ohio) Museum of Natural History reclassified a specimen first discovered in 1942 and displayed at the museum.

It was, they said, the first known member of a small new species they baptized as the Nanotyrannus.

Then, in 2001, another team discovered the nearly complete skeleton of a small Tyrannosaurus near the town of Ekalaka in Montana, in the rich and intensively studied fossil formation known as Hell Creek.

They named the creature—barely bigger than a draft horse—Jane and soon classified it as a juvenile Tyrannosaurus rex.

But a minority of specialists continued to insist that it was part of the newly classified Nanotyrannus species. They pointed to the morphology of its skull and bones, which they said differed from T-rex adults.

In a study published Wednesday in the journal Science Advances, researchers led by Holly Woodward of Oklahoma State University performed a microscopic analysis on samples from the interior of Jane’s tibia and femur bones, as well as from a less complete set of bones from an animal dubbed Petey.

This technique, known as paleohistology, confirmed that the two were immature individuals—not adults, the scientists said.

By extension, the study’s authors said, the existence of the Nanotyrannus seems very unlikely.

“The really cool thing about fossil bones is that a whole bone fossilizes even down to the microscopic size,” Woodward told AFP. “We can infer growth rate, age [and] maturity level.”

The researchers took extremely fine slices from the bone samples—so thin that light could pass through them—and then studied them under powerful microscopes. AFP

Workers coat long bamboos DOZENS of workers toil through the night coating thin lengths of bamboo in herbs, spices and richly colored powders to create incense sticks that are spread out under the rising sun to dry.

It is an important time of year for the villagers of Yongchun county, a mountainous area of southeastern Fujian province that supplies much of the world's incense.

Now, the clock is ticking with the approach of the Lunar New Year holiday later this month, when countless Chinese will pray and CYAN burn incense at temples andMAGENTA in traditional YELLOW ceremonies.BLACK The craft of producing incense runs deep in Dapu town, where Hong Zhongsen operates a family business passed down through the generations.

"Making incense is very important for my family. It's not just a business. It's also to preserve an ancestral craft and a traditional religious culture," said Hong, 31, standing amid rows of brightly colored incense sticks.

The area's fortunes have long been tied to the nearby ancient city of Quanzhou, a key conduit for foreign trade for centuries.

It is believed that Arab traders brought incense to Yongchun, where the aromatic spices that they imported were combined with local bamboo.

Yongchun county is now home to around 300 manufacturers, according to Chinese media, employing more than 30,000 people.

Locals claim that one in every three incense sticks sold in Southeast Asia is made in Yongchun. AFP

Pope slaps woman’s hand, apologizes later POPE Francis apologized Wednesday for slapping a woman who had grabbed him as he greeted a crowd of devotees, shortly before he delivered a speech denouncing "every form of violence against women."

The image of a visibly annoyed Francis slapping his way free from the clutches of an admirer as he walked

by Catholic faithful on New Year's Eve instantly went viral on social media.

A personal apology followed.

"We lose patience many times," Francis confessed.

"It happens to me, too. I apologize for the bad example given yesterday," the head of the Catholic church said before celebrating Mass at the Vatican.

Twitter enthusiasts commented on the pontiff's prompt riposte to the exuberant woman.

Francis had greeted children before the Nativity scene on Saint Peter's square and was turning away when a woman who had crossed herself then cried out something, yanked his hand and almost caused him to fall.

The 83-year-old pope grimaced and scowled before managing to break free, slapping her hand twice as a security guard intervened.

The pontiff continued his tour, walking with some difficulty while maintaining a slightly greater distance from visitors, and gradually relaxed again as he met with other children.Twitter comments revealed some support for his instinctive reaction. AFP

Sports Tributes pour in for late former NBA Commissioner WASHINGTON—Magic Johnson and Michael Jordan were among the NBA legends stunned by Wednesday’s death of former league commissioner David Stern following a brain hemorrhage he suffered last month.

Stern, who was 77, spent 30 years as commissioner before retiring in 2014 and oversaw the NBA’s growth from a league whose finals weren’t televised live to a global sport empire with a worldwide following and talent.

“The world lost a legend today,” said retired NBA star Charles Barkley. “He is the greatest commissioner in sports history, plain and simple.”

Johnson, a five-time NBA champion with the Los Angeles Lakers who revealed in 1991 he had contracted the HIV virus, tweeted he was “devastated”

by Stern’s death, the 1992 US Olympic “Dream Team” star adding, “I loved and respected him.”

“David Stern was such a history maker. When I announced in 1991 I had HIV, people thought they could get the virus from shaking my hand. When David allowed me to play in the 1992 All Star Game in Orlando and then play for the Olympic Dream Team, we were able to change the world.”

Current Lakers superstar LeBron James posted a tribute to Stern on his Instagram page.

LeBron, Jordan chime in “Your vision to make our game become WORLDWIDE was a vision only you could make happen,” James wrote.

“You did just that. Making our game the greatest sport in the world! Was a honor to know you personally.”

Stern became the NBA’s fourth commissioner in 1984, masterminding the league’s evolution into corporate sponsorships and global markets.

“Without David Stern, the NBA would not be what it is today,” six-time NBA champion Jordan said in a statement. “He guided the league through turbulent times and grew the league into an international phenomenon, creating opportunities that few could have imagined before.

“His vision and leadership provided me with the global stage that allowed me to succeed... I wouldn’t be where I am without him.”

Barkley noted the NBA’s average player salary when Stern became commissioner was $200,000.

“Now the average salary is $7.7 million. That’s because of David Stern.

He was an innovator. He was a great businessman.

“We all are fortunate, we’ve had great lives, because of David Stern. The money these players are making today is because of David Stern.”

Stern imposed a dress code and helped create drug tests and a salary cap that irked some players but helped boost the NBA brand and bottom line, easing sponsor fears as Jordan became an iconic brand.

“I think it’s important ... we remember where this country was in terms of corporate environment and race relations,” retired NBA star Isiah Thomas said on NBA TV of Stern’s early days as boss.

“David Stern pushed that envelope to say this game belonged to everyone, not just a few.”

Thomas said Stern built an environment that allowed current NBA commissioner Adam Silver to hold firm last year when China was uphappy over an NBA executive’s tweet supporting Hong Kong protesters.

“It gave Adam Silver the ability to stand up to another country today and say, ‘No, this is where we stand. This is what the NBA is all about,’” Thomas said.

Stern ‘innovator, icon’ Stern’s loss is deeply felt, retired star guard Reggie Miller told NBA TV. “It’s a huge loss for sports in general because ... he was the one who really marketed the stars,” Miller said. “He found a way to relate the superstars of our game to the common fan.

“David Stern was a true fan of the game and it showed in his work. Not only is this game global now because of him ... he was a true icon of the sport.”

Retired Chicago Bulls legend Scottie Pippen called Stern “an innovator who helped grow our sport into a global game and his impact will never be forgotten.”

“You will forever be missed,” tweeted Spanish NBA star Pau Gasol.

“The best commissioner to ever do it,” tweeted four-time NBA champion Shaquille O’Neal.

“The league wouldn’t be what it is today without you,” NBA scoring leader James Harden of Houston tweeted. “The entire NBA family and fans around the world will miss you.” AFP

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FRIDAY, JANUARY 3, 2020 sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

Stern’s NBA legacy lives on W

ASHINGTON—David Stern grew up in the 1950s working in his dad’s New York deli and became a basketball fan watching the hometown Knicks reach the 1951-53 NBA Finals.

In the 1960s, he went to college, became a lawyer, then began handling legal matters for the league as the Knicks won their only NBA crowns in 1970 and 1973.

Come 1978, Stern began working for the NBA and in 1984 took over as the league’s fourth commissioner, starting a three-decade run that saw the league that entertained him as a youth transformed into a global sport and business empire like nothing else America had ever seen.

So when Stern died Wednesday, nearly three weeks after a brain hemorrhage, the

NBA’s legendary players paid tribute to Stern’s ongoing legacy of global stars, a worldwide fan base and riches for team owners and players.

“RIP Mr David Stern the best commissioner to ever do it,” tweeted retired NBA star Shaquille O’Neal.

The NBA has annual revenues of $8 billion, Forbes magazine estimated last February, with the Knicks valued at $4 billion, the average club worth $1.9 billion and the average player earning an annual $7 million salary.

Seven teams were added during

Stern’s 30-year tenure. Six clubs relocated to new cities.

“His legacy will live on not only in what he did for the league but in what he did for the players,” former NBA star Chris webber said.

The NBA featured 108 players born outside of the United States from 38 nations when the 2019-20 campaign tipped off last October. There had only been 24 international players on opening night in 1994.

Milwaukee star Giannis Antetokounmpo from Greece is the reigning NBA Most Valuable Player. Slovenian Luka Doncic was last year’s NBA Rookie of the Year. Frenchman Rudy Gobert was last season’s NBA Defensive Player of the Year. Cameroon’s Pascal Siakam was the In this file photo taken on May 21, 1996 National Basketball Association Commisioner David Stern (left) congratulates Chicago Bulls guard Michael Jordan during the 1996 NBA Most Valuable Player trophy presentation.

Magic Johnson and Michael Jordan were among the NBA legends stunned by the death on Jan. 1, 2020 of former league commissioner David Stern following a brain hemorrhage he suffered last month.

Stern, who was 77, spent 30 years as commissioner before retiring in 2014 and oversaw the NBA’s growth from a league whose finals weren’t televised live to a global sport empire with a worldwide following and talent. AFP

DENR Warriors try to secure semis berth DENIED the last time Games Sunday to nail the second and (Paco Arena, Manila) last outright semis 3:30 pm – DENR vs PhilHealth berth, Department 5:00 pm – Malacañang-PSC vs Agriculture of Environment and Natural Resources tries again on Sunday when it battles PhilHealth in the 8th UNTV Cup at the Paco Arena in Manila.

Game time is at 3:30 p.m. with the DENR Warriors out to put behind a stinging 74-64 defeat to the streaking PITC Global Traders last month in their bid to secure a Final Four slot in the annual event for public servants.

DENR’s defeat two weeks ago put an end to an impressive six-game winning streak, while giving Judiciary, National Housing Authority and PITC slim hopes of advancing automatically to the semis.

On the strength of their 100-96 win over the PhilHealth Plus, the Benneth Palad-mentored Builders finished the second round with a 6-3 mark, slightly ahead of the streaking Judiciary Magis and Malacañang-Philippine Sports Commission Kamao.

Both the Magis and Kamao are sporting similar 5-3 records in the event offering P4 million to the chosen charity of the champion team with the runner-up’s own charity getting P2 million.

Already in the semis is defending champion Armed Forces of the Philippines which totes a 7-1 mark.

The Kamao can draw level with the Builders if they beat the also-ran Department of Agriculture Food Masters at 5 p.m.

The third to sixth placers will play another round in the quarters with the top two finishers completing the semis cast, while 7th and 8th placers will be eliminated outright in the event organized by UNTV President and CEO Dr. Daniel Razon.

NBA’s Most Improved Player.

“Over the course of 30 years as commissioner, he ushered in the modern global NBA,” current NBA commissioner Adam Silver said of Stern.

“Because of David, the NBA is a truly global brand -- making him not only one of the greatest sports commissioners of all time but also one of the most influential business leaders of his generation.”

Asked his greatest accomplishment in 2014 at his final news conference as commissioner before passing on the mantle to Silver, Stern couldn’t find an answer.

“I don’t have a good answer for that question,” he said. “I’ve been knocking myself out for 30 years, and we’ve had some good successes, we’ve had some difficulties. AFP

Kyrgios’ plea for help answered SYDNEY—Australia’s tennis chief announced a series of fundraisers for victims of raging bushfires on Thursday after an appeal from bad boy Nick Kyrgios.

Kyrgios, often a controversial figure in the sport, called for an exhibition tournament before the Australian Open Grand Slam, after blazes that have claimed 18 lives and forced mass evacuations.

“C’mon @TennisAustralia surely we can do a pre @AustralianOpen exho to raise funds for those affected by the fires?” tweeted the 24-yearold, who has handed a 16-week suspended ban in September after a series of outbursts.

Tennis Australia CEO Craig Tiley responded by saying fundraisers would be held during tournaments including the Australian Open and the ATP Cup team event, telling fans to “stay tuned” for details.

“For weeks we’ve been watching the devastation caused by bushfires across Australia and the people affected are constantly in our thoughts,” said Tiley.

“We want to help these communities in a meaningful way and will announce a number of fund raising and support initiatives that will be rolled out across the ATP Cup, Australian Open and our other events over the coming weeks.”

Kyrgios, in Brisbane for the inaugural ATP Cup team competition, said the tennis world now had the chance to do “something special”.

“Tennis Australia, obviously, has been pretty proactive about it,” Kyrgios said Thursday.

“I’m sure something will happen. I’m sure all of us will be involved in some way,” he added. AFP

Namssa...

From A8

Julius Casaysayan hopes to lead the Department of Agriculture Food Masters to victory against the Malacañang-PSC Kamao when they clash on Sunday in the UNTV Cup at the Paco Arena.

Asia and the world is a product of the NAMSSA National Sports Development program.

“A NAMSSA motocross event has always been a fan favorite and our final leg is no exception. And so we expect motocross fans to come out in droves to support their sporting heroes on two wheels,” said Carapiet.

The annual General Assembly of NAMSSA, open exclusively to its members, will also be conducted to discuss future plans and the current state of moto racing and affairs in the country.

For more information on the Supercross Championship and other NAMSSA organized/sanctioned events, visit www.namssa.com or the NAMSSA Secretariat Facebook page or text the organizers at 01978479795.

Trophies and cash prizes are up for grabs for the 14 national categories.

James’ triple-double helps Lakers hold off Suns LOS ANGELES—LeBron James had a triple double with 31 points, 13 rebounds and 12 assists as the Los Angeles Lakers built up a big first half lead then held on to beat the struggling Phoenix Suns 117-107 on Wednesday.

The Lakers, who own the NBA’s second best record behind Milwaukee, had to hold on in the second half after leading at one stage by 36 points.

With their reserves str uggling to maintain the big lead James and Anthony Davis had to return to the game and guide the offense after the Suns got within seven points.

“We have to do a better job of holding big leads,” said Lakers coach Frank Vogel. “We had a dominant performance in the first half. I was proud of how we came out.

“We didn’t play well enough in the

third and fourth quarter but you learn lessons when you win.”

The Lakers and other NBA host teams on Wednesday held a moment of silence to pay tribute to former league commissioner David Stern, who died Wednesday following a brain hemorrhage.

James said Stern leaves a superb legacy behind.

“We lost a great visionary,” said James in the Lakers’ locker room after the game. “His vision was to make this game global. I don’t know how many people believed in that with him or thought it could be done.

“This game is now watched in 200 or 250 countries all over the world. Look at the collective group of players we got, Giannis (Antetokounmpo), Dirk (Nowitzki), Manu (Ginobili) and now Luka (Doncic).

“You have to give him so much credit.

My prayers and condolences go to his family.

James posted his eighth triple double of the season and Davis scored 26 points and grabbed 11 rebounds as the Lakers won their third consecutive contest.

Kyle Kuzma added 19 points and Avery Bradley finished with 18 for Los Angeles.

Devin Booker finished with 32 points and Kelly Oubre had 26 for the hapless Suns, who lost their ninth game in their last 11.

The Suns have won just 13 games all year and are 14 games back of the first place Lakers.

Knicks rout Trail Blazers Elsewhere, Julius Randle scored 22 points and Mitchell Robinson made franchise history by shooting a perfect 11-of11 from the field as the New York Knicks

won their third straight by routing the Portland Trail Blazers 117-93.

The Knicks win spoiled the return to New York of former Knick Carmelo Anthony who scored a season high 26 points.

Robinson finished with 22 points while tying the Knicks’ record for the most field-goal makes without a miss. Bernard King (January 1984) and Johnny Newman (January 1988) were also 11-of-11 from the field.

The Knicks, who haven’t won three straight since November 2018, seized control of the contest in the fourth as they outscored Portland 34-16.

Randle, who also had 13 rebounds, posted a double-double while Marcus Morris (18 points), Bobby Portis (17 points) and Reggie Bullock (11 points) also scored in double figures. AFP

Sports

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

sports@manilastandard.net

sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

A8

FRIDAY, JANUARY 3, 2020

Novak calls for merger of ATP with Davis Cup BRISBANE—Serbian superstar Novak Djokovic said Thursday there was no point in having two men’s team tennis competitions and suggested the new ATP Cup should merge with the Davis Cup. The ATP Cup is about to kick off its inaugural edition, replacing a number of previous Australian Open warm-up tournaments with the new round-robin competition.

It comes six weeks after the revamped Davis Cup, which also has countries playing each other in a round-robin format, was held in Madrid.

Canadian Denis Shapovalov suggested earlier Thursday that the two events—one run by the men’s tour, the Association of Tennis Professionals, and the other by the International Tennis Federation—should combine.

“It’s a really similar event and it’s literally back-to-back from the other one, so it’s a little bit of a weird sensation coming from what felt like the world championships coming to play another world championship,” Shapovalov said.

“So for me I don’t see why they, the ATP and ITF can’t combine, can’t join, can’t come to some agreement and make just one, really unique and special tournament for everyone.”

When asked about the Canadian’s comments, Djokovic, who is on the ATP players’ council, agreed.

“We need to have one Super World Cup event, whatever you want to call it,” he said.

“That’s not going to happen next year as well. But if the two sides, the ITF, the Davis Cup, and the ATP get together very quickly, it can happen possibly for 2022.

“I hope it will happen because it’s kind of hard to get top players to commit to play both events, the Davis Cup and the ATP Cup. “And it’s six weeks apart, so they’re not really helping each other in terms of marketing, in terms of the value of the event.”

Djokovic’s concerns were shared by France’s Nicolas Mahut, who said having two men’s team competitions was “too much”.

“Obviously, we don’t need two competitions the same way. Two team competitions is too much,” he said. AFP

The big guns of tennis in Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer (left panel) continue to dominate the majors. AFP

Thiem sees fall of tennis’ Big 3

S

YDNEY—World number four Dominic Thiem Thursday expressed confidence a new Grand Slam champion will be crowned in 2020 outside the big three of Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer.

While the Austrian, Germany’s Alexander Zverev, Greece’s Stefanos Tsitsipas and others have had success at lesser tournaments, the big guns continue to dominate the majors.

Thiem, in Sydney for the inaugural ATP Cup team event, is one of the men tipped to make the breakthrough, with the first Grand Slam of the year, the Australian Open, just weeks away in Melbourne.

He said the younger players were getting close.

“I think we challenged them already a lot. We also beat them especially on Masters 1000 stages and the ATP Finals,” said Thiem, who was runner-up to Tsitsipas at the ATP Finals in London in November.

“I think the last stage we have to conquer is the Grand Slam stage, and I really think we’ll see a new Grand Slam champion in 2020.

“I really hope that it’s me, but you

cannot guarantee anything. There are also many other very strong guys who can achieve that.

“Maybe it’s also not happening and Big Three are taking all four,” he added.

“But we are trying everything to achieve top position, to achieve the biggest titles, Grand Slam titles.”

Thiem, 26, won five titles last year at Indian Wells, Barcelona, Kitzbuhel, Beijing and Vienna, but he had a mixed time at the majors, falling at the first hurdle at Wimbledon and the US Open and in the second round in Australia.

However, he reached the final at Roland Garros, only to be beaten by clay king Nadal.

“I was really happy how my game developed, especially in the last part of the season in 2019,” he said.

“So I just tried to improve that, to practise and keep improving the things which were going well and then add some new things to my game.

“I’ll try everything to do my best this year.”

Meanwhile, with wins over the big three of world tennis already under his belt in 2019, Greek star Stefanos Tsitsipas said Thursday he believed he had the ammunition to take the world number one ranking.

Tsitsipas became the youngest player to beat Rafael Nadal on clay and the youngest to record wins over Nadal, Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic during a stellar 2019 which saw him rise to world number five.

The 21-year-old heads into the inaugural ATP Cup ranked sixth, but said he was confident he could go all the way to the top.

“I mean, yeah, they are still there— they are doing really well,” Tsitsipas said about Nadal, Federer and Djokovic.

“For me, it’s very challenging to go out there and compete against them.

“I feel like there’s something extra to chase after when I play against them, plus I get to learn a lot when I play against them.

“I feel more of a complete player,” he added.

Shanghai Grey in wire-to-wire Chairman’s Cup win SHANGHAI Grey bolted out of the gates ahead of the pack and never wavered until the finish as it fashioned out a coast-to-coast victory in the 2019 Philippine Racing Commission Chairman’s Cup at the Saddle and Clubs Leisure Park in Naic, Cavite on Sunday.

Ridden by star jockey Kelvin Abobo, the Melanie Habla-owned Shanghai Grey was in command from the get go as it expertly mastered the field in the 2,000-meter race en route to a four-length win, achieved in 2:05 with quartertimes of 24, 23, 24, 24 and 26 seconds.

“Kailangan lang namin i-conserve ang energy niya (Shanghai Gray), buti na lang hanggang ultimo kuarto may lakas pa,” said Abobo of his three-yearold filly, which won the top prize of P1.2 million for its owner from the total pot of P2 million put up by the Philracom.

Real Gold, ridden by JP A. Guce and owned by C&H Enterprise, settled for the runner-up purse of P450,000.

The Accountant (jockey RO Niu Jr., owner Luis Aguila) and Weather Lang (JL Paano, Habla) placed third and fourth, worth P250,000 and P100,000, respectively, in the Chairman’s Cup held annually to honor past Philracom chiefs. This year, the honoree was the former Makati Mayor Nemesio I. Yabut, who spearheaded the racing body from 1978 to 1986.

Philracom officials, namely Chairman Andrew A.

Jockey Kelvin Abobo steers Shanghai Grey to a coastto-coast win in the Philracom Chairman’s Cup.

Sanchez, commissioners Reli de Leon, Dante Lantin and Lyndon Guce, together with Philippine Racing Club officials, led by Donnie Selda, were on hand to award the trophies and prizes to the winners.

Meanwhile, darkhorse Joyous Solution stunned the 3YO Imported/Local Challenge Series cast with an impressive burst of speed in the final 150 meters, before capping its feat with a three-length victory.

Joyous Solution’s stablemate Will To Win set the

pace for the most part of the 2,000-meter race before it became a three-horse battle with favorite and second-running Magtotobetsky. Coming on the outside, Joyous Solution overtook its two fading rivals in the homestretch for the stunning win that was worth P900,000 for owner Allan Keith Castro from the P1.5 million guaranteed prize money.

“Diniskartehan ko lang, medyo matulin ang mga kalaban. At kakampi ko naman ‘yung isa doon (Will To Win), so inagapayan ko muna siya. Pinakiramdaman ko lang ‘yung mga sumusunod, si Magtotobetsky. Nakita ko na kaya ko na, so dinahandahan ko, nagrekta na lang ako, sinigurado ko na mananalo,” said Guce of his threeyear-old colt.

Magtotobetsky of multi-titled owner Leonardo Javier Jr. and jockey AM Villegas settled for the secondplace prize of P337,500.

Will To Win (jockey MA Alvarez, owner Wally Manalo) and Queensboro (RO Niu Jr., Feliciano Tolosa) received P187,500 and P75,000, respectively, as third and fourth-placers.

Other winners of the Chairman’s Cup Racing Weekend were Viva Morena (Race 1), Celebrity (Race 2), Union Run (Race 4), Heaven Strikes (Race 6), June Three (Race 7), Iniki Runner (Race 8), Another Stunner (Race 9), Melliflous (Race 10), Dragon Butterfly (Race 11) and Batang Bangkal (Race 12).

Namssa Supercross final leg at Speedworld on Sunday IT WILL be coronation day for the Rider and Rookie of the Year as well as national overall and class champions when the Speedworld Circuit, located at the SM Bicutan Grounds, Philippines, hosts the final leg of the NAMSSA Philippine National Supercross Championships on January 5 (Sunday).

Held under the auspices of the National Motorcycle Sports and Safety Association, the final stop of the series is expected to lure elite riders from regional affiliates of NAMSSA clubs

from all over the country, including national campaigners, headed by past leg winners Bornok Mangusong, Motocross Rider of the Year Kenneth San Andres, up-and-coming Moy-Moy Flores, Jethrick Marquez and Gabriel “Bilog” Macaso, to name a few, “Everyone’s raring to give motocross fans another intense competition,” said Macky Carapiet, the NAMSSA chief, who was also elected as FIM Asia president.

The motocross extravaganza is sup-

ported by Foilacar, Karcher, Monark Cat, Shell Advance, Shell V-Power, SM Bicutan, ICTSI, Maynilad, Asia Brewery, KYT, Alpinestar, Partas Bus, YSS, Shakey’s and 4 BROS Racing.

The Speedworld circuit was designed and built under the supervision of NAMSSA, in accordance with the technical and safety standards of the FIM, the world governing body for motorcycle sports, of which the NAMSSA is the sole Philippine member. The race series is organized by the NAMSSA,

the sole governing body for two and three wheel motorsports in the Philippines, duly affiliated with the Philippine Olympic Committee, FIM Asia and the Federation Internationale de Motocyclisme of Suisse.

“We have to adhere to the high safety and rules’ standards set by the world federation and the Supercross track in Manila meets international homologation standards,” said Carapiet.

The rise of the Philippines’ talents in Turn to A7

“I kind of compare them to me to see what works for them and what should I work on more, and they’re just super humans in a way.

“But I’m trying to get there myself and I’m going to keep trying to do my best because I feel like I can surpass them, I can be better.

“It’s just a matter of time, patience, and dedication on what I do.”

Tsitsipas said he was in top shape heading into the new season and said he was playing pain free.

But he conceded he needed to work on his consistency across tournaments.

“I improved during my pre-season -- I feel like I’ve added a few elements in my game,” he said.

“Obviously, ups and downs, you can’t be consistent all the time (but) I’m going to try to be consistent as much as possible.

“I’m going to try to be even better than I was last year, but in the back of my mind I’ve concentrated on having a consistent balanced well-planned year with not many ups and downs.”

Tsitsipas gets his tournament underway against rising Canadian star Dennis Shapovalov on Friday morning. AFP

Nagai seeks National Stroke Play title repeat GEN Nagai braces for another tough challenge against a stellar international field but remains upbeat of scoring a repeat in the National Stroke Play Championship, which gets under way Jan. 7 at Riviera’s Langer course in Silang, Cavite.

Nagai outduelled Thai Youth Olympics gold medalist Vanchai Luangnitikul in sudden death to claim the men’s crown last year with the Cebu-based Japanese gearing up for another grueling duel of power and mental toughness at the exacting par-71 layout in pursuit of back-to-back title feat in the country’s premier amateur championship.

Heading the crack roster of challengers for the Seton Hall University graduate are the SEA Games bronze medal team members Aidric Chan, Carl Corpus and Sean Ramos along with recent National Doubles winner Ryan Monsalve and Seton Hall U sophomore Peter Tyler Po, who also hails from talent-rich Cebu.

Others tipped to contend in the 72hole tournament sponsored by the MVP Sports Foundation and backed by Cignal, Metro Pacific Investments and Summit Ridge Hotel as official hotel are Leandro Bagtas, Aldo Barro, Paolo Barro, Elee Bisera, Dan Cruz, Weiwei Gao, Miguel Ilas, Gabby Macalaguim, Don Petil, Jacob Rolida and Paolo Wong.

Spicing up the cast are Finland’s Sean Avellan, Koreans Heasick Cho, Hur Jun Ha, Jun Byung Cho, David Jung, Kim Tae Soo and Lee Sang Min, Arnold Lee Jr. from Hong Kong, Japanese Tomo Kagawa, Takuma Sato and Mayuto Shiozuka and Marcus Lim from Malaysia.

TPLEX Rosario opening cuts Baguio travel by 30 minutes

By Darwin G. Amojelar THE Public Works Department said travel time to Baguio City was reduced by 30 minutes with the opening of the Sison-Rosario segment of the TarlacPangasinan-La Union Expressway project during the holidays.

Public Works Secretary Mark Villar said the 4-kilometer segment cut the travel time to Baguio by up to 30 minutes and eased the traffic bottleneck along Manila North Road towards Kennon Road.

“We opened the segment to provide ease to our tourists who want to experience the beauty of the City of Pines.

While significantly cutting their travel time, we also want to ensure that the expressway is in its utmost quality for their safety,” Villar said.

Motorists who traversed the SisonRosario segment of the expressway were given free access during the holidays.

San Miguel-led Private Infra Dev Corp. holds the concession for TPLEX, an 88.85-km, four-lane, highspeed toll road that connects Northern Luzon to Manila. It is designed to integrate with other major toll roads such as North Luzon Expressway and Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway.

The construction of TPLEX began in 2010 in three phases. The first was completed in April 2014, running from Tarlac City to Carmen, Pangasinan.

The second stretch from Carmen to Urdaneta was completed in December 2014. The third section is from Urdaneta to Rosario, La Union.

DPWH earlier granted an original proponent status to San Miguel Holdings Inc. after it offered to build the P23.95-billion TPLEX extension to San Juan.

San Miguel’s unsolicited project involves a 59.4-kilometer four-lane toll road from the exit of TPLEX in Rosario to San Juan. The Rosario section of the expressway is expected to be completed this year, while its Pozorrubio section opened in December 2017.

Business

By Julito G. Rada

INANCE Secretary Carlos Dominguez III said more tax and economic reforms will help the Philippines secure the “A” credit rating in the next couple of years.

Dominguez said in a statement Thursday the approval of the remaining packages of the comprehensive tax reform program and other economic reforms, such as the amendments to the Public Services Act, Retail Trade Act and the Foreign Investments Act would enable the country to obtain the coveted “A” credit rating in two years.

Dominguez said the government would

step up the implementation of reforms in 2020 and keep a low debt-to-GDP (gross domestic product) ratio as part of its “Road to A” initiative aimed at securing the “A” rating, which is accorded only to the world’s most stable economies.

He said the Department of Finance, Bureau of the Treasury, National Economic and Development Authority and the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas were

spearheading efforts to secure the “A” rating which would be crucial in offsetting the impact of the preferential interest rates that the Philippines would lose once it ascended to upper middle-income country status by 2020.

He said the unprecedented “BBB+” rating the country got from S&P Global Ratings in April 2019 and the successful bond floats in 2019 marked deeper investor confidence on the leadership of President Rodrigo Duterte.

Dominguez said these achievements followed the game-changing reforms carried out by the president to energize the economy and spread its benefits across all sectors.

S&P upgraded in April 2019 the Philippines’ long-term credit rating from ‘BBB’

RADIUS Telecoms Inc., a subsidiary of power retailer Manila Electric Co. through eMeralco Ventures, is expanding in Pampanga and Cebu, officials said.

“We continue to invest in the infrastructure of Radius. Our expansion includes the upgrade of the Core Ethernet Network. Once completed...it will be well-positioned with an all Cisco core network,” Meralco president Ray Espinosa said.

Radius delivers services on an end-to-end fiber optic platform, running on a robust, reliable and secure network.

Meralco invested in major network requirements of Radius such as the 500-kilometer fiber optic cable roll-out within the core network and last mile extension, client installation projects, among others.

“Radius is also expanding beyond the Meralco franchise area with network expansion in Clark Freeport Zone in Pampanga...and in Cebu,” Espinosa said.

Radius posted revenues of P1 billion in the first nine months of 2019, up 7 percent from the same period in 2018 primarily from the Enterprise market which now accounts for more than 55 percent of total revenues.

Alena Mae S. Flores

Ex-bank officials face criminal suits

THE Department of Justice filed criminal charges against the former chairman of the closed Accord Savings Bank Inc. who is also the former chief executive of the closed Philippine Farmers Bank Inc., according to state-run Philippine Deposit Insurance Corp.

It also filed charges against a former member of ASBI’s board and PFBI vice president for audit and risk management, for violations of Republic Act No. 3591, as amended, or the PDIC Charter.

The cases, based on the complaint filed by PDIC the DOJ, are now pending before the Regional Trial Court Branch 148 of Makati City.

Violation of the PDIC Charter is punishable with imprisonment of not less than six years up to 12 years and/or fine of P50,000 to P2.0 million.

The DOJ’s criminal information stated that the accused conspired with each other to use the funds of PFBI amounting to P69.5 million to acquire capital stocks of ASBI, causing material loss and damage to the depositors of both closed banks and the PDIC. ASBI was an 11-unit thrift bank while PFBI was a 14-unit rural bank ordered closed by the Monetary Board of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas and placed under PDIC receivership on April 17, 2009 and Sept. 17, 2009, respectively.

FRIDAY, JANUARY 3, 2020

B1

to ‘BBB+’, which is just a notch away from the coveted “A” rating.

The latest upgrade put the Philippines above countries like Italy and Portugal and just a step below countries like Spain and Malaysia. It also placed the Philippines on par with countries like Mexico, Peru and Thailand.

“Such a vote of confidence from one of the world’s most reputable credit rating agencies is a recognition of President Duterte’s unwavering commitment to bold reforms and sound economic policies as embodied in the 10-point socioeconomic agenda of the administration and his strong political will to get these tough initiatives done at the soonest possible time,” Dominguez said.

Isuzu turns over 25 modern PUVs to MetroExpress

By Othel V. Campos

JoyRide assures passenger safety

Radio Telecoms unveils expansion

business@manilastandard.net extrastory2000@gmail.com

PH eyes ‘A’ debt rating in 2 years F

IN BRIEF MOTORCYCLE ride-hailing firm JoyRide on Thursday assured passengers of safe trips and said it will not impose price surge despite the high demand.

“As early as October, we were already building our rider fleet, and we trained more than 6,000 bikers. All bikers undergo stringent process, vehicle inspection as required by the guidelines,” JoyRide vice president for corporate affairs Noli Eala said.

“Riders go through very strict assessment of skills and obstacle course inside the facility,” he said.

Eala said the company was compliant with the fare metric of the Land Transportation and Regulatory Board.

JoyRide had a total of 6,907 bikers as of December. Of the total, 1,493 bikers were activated and 5,414 on-boarded bidders waiting for activation. The total JoyRide app download reached 65,000.

“We have never gotten any riders from Angkas. If Angkas riders want to apply, they have to go through the same process as all other JoyRide bikers,” Eala said. Darwin G. Amojelar

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

FIRST TRADING DAY. The board of directors and management of the Philippine Stock Exchange Inc. and its subsidiaries usher in 2020 by ringing the opening bell on the first trading day of the year. (Related story on B2.) The first trading day festivities include a champagne toast and the traditional coin and candy shower. Joining the ceremony are (from left) PSE controllership and treasury division head Roberto Jose Jimenez, director Alejandro Yu, Securities Clearing Corporation of the Philippines COO Renee Rubio, PSE treasurer Omelita Tiangco, chief operating officer Roel Refran, president and CEO Ramon Monzon, chairman Jose Pardo, Capital Markets Integrity Corp. president Daisy Arce and PSE directors Eddie Gobing and Wilson Sy.

PanAsia plans to invest P63b in 1,700-MW LNG project

By Alena Mae S. Flores PANASIA Energy Inc. is investing P63 billion to build a 1,700-megawatt liquefied natural gas plant in Barangays Dela Paz Proper and Ilijan, Batangas City.

“Given the country’s rapidly growing economy, demand for power will outpace supply in the Philippines in the next years. The proposed project will help augment the demand for reliable and affordable baseload power supply,” PEI said in a filing with the Environment Department.

PEI is a subsidiary of Millennium Energy Inc., which owns and operates the 100-MW diesel-fired Millennium Gas Turbine Power Plant in Navotas Fishport Complex and the 540-MW oil-fired Bataan combined cycle power plant in Limay, Bataan.

PEI said the strong economic growth

and increased demand exerted pressure on the Philippines’ energy sector but the power supply from existing power plants was not enough to meet such rising demand.

“The proposed project will not only supply enough electricity to Filipino households and businesses but will also contribute to national development,” it said.

PEI cited the increasing power demand as indicated in the Energy Department’s power and supply demand outlook for 2014-2020 which showed an average annual growth rate of 4 percent to 5 percent.

It said that with the expected commercial operations by 2024, the proposed project’s capacity of 1,700 MW would be made available to the Luzon grid “With this projection, an additional capacity is needed on top of the already

committed power projects. In order to address the gap, the PEI has proposed to install its project at Barangays Dela Paz Proper and Ilijan, Batangas City,” it said.

PEI said there was no other alternative site considered for the project other than the 60-hectare property in the boundary of the two barangays.

It said one of the considerations in the site selection is the proximity to the existing LNG pipeline of Shell Malampaya which currently utilizes gas from the Malampaya gas field.

The company said it would utilize a combined cycle gas turbine technology with higher efficiency and lower emission levels.

It did not say where it would source its gas, although a number of energy players earlier expressed interest to build LNG terminals in Batangas.

ISUZU Philippines Corp. said Thursday it turned over the third batch of brandnew public utility vehicles to MetroExpress Connect Inc. consisting of 25 units that will serve passengers in the southern parts of Metro Manila and Cavite.

The fleet will ply routes of Las Piñas to Daang Hari; Kawit, Cavite to PITX; Tanza, Cavite to PITX; and General Trias to Daang Hari.

Isuzu president Hajime Koso said the company’s support of the government’s Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program would bring safer, more efficient, more convenient and more environmentally sustainable transport system to Filipinos.

“I have always believed that the Isuzu PUVs are truly a vehicle made by the Filipinos for the Filipinos, and we are confident that these units will be able to provide a more durable, comfortable and safe transport solution for the riding public,” he said.

MetroExpress started as a shuttle services group, with a fleet of no more than 20 shuttles servicing private subdivisions, providing quality transportation to communities, connecting them to commercial developments and city centers.

The transport firm later acquired bigger and bolder projects, widening their operation and choosing Isuzu PUVs as their transportation hub.

MCI will be able to guarantee its commuters a safe, seamless travel with support from Isuzu.

The country’s leading manufacturer and distributor of brand-new trucks encouraged other transport companies across the country to make the switch to safer, cleaner, more convenient and more reliable modernized PUVs. Isuzu’s modernized PUVs assembled using the Isuzu QKR77 platform and the PUV body designed and manufactured by Almazora Motors Corp. are equipped with the Euro IV-compliant 4JH1-TC diesel engine that delivers better fuel economy and cleaner emissions than jeepneys.

The modern manufacturing technology guarantees clients like MetroExpress to provide quality and reliable transportation, connecting passengers and communities to their destinations the easy way.

Gov’t debt decreased to P7.7t in November THE government’s outstanding debt declined P196 billion or 2.5 percent to P7.709 trillion as of end-November 2019 from the previous month’s level because of the net redemptions of domestic government securities, the Bureau of the Treasury said Thursday.

It said of the total debt stock, 33.6 percent were external debt while 66.4 percent came from domestic sources.

The Treasur, however, said compared to the November 2018 level, the government’s debt increased by P514.63 billion or 7.2 percent.

Domestic debt amounted to P5.115 trillion, down by P189.16 billion or 3.6 percent from the end-October 2019 level.

“For November, domestic debt decreased mainly due to the net redemption of government securities amounting to P189.15 billion and P0.01 billion effect of peso appreciation on onshore dollar bonds,” the agency said.

It said that on a year-on-year basis,

domestic debt climbed by P407.63 billion or 8.7 percent.

External debt went down by P7.28 billion or 0.3 percent to P2.59 trillion as of end-November from the previous month.

“For November, the decline in external debt resulted from the combined effect of local and third-currency foreign exchange adjustments which decreased the value of foreign debt by P0.56 billion and P6.18 billion, respectively,” the Treasury said. Net repayments of external loans amounted to P0.53 billion.

It said that on a year-on-year basis, foreign debt increased by P107.00 billion or 4.3 percent from November 2018.

Government guaranteed obligations decreased by P2.66 billion or 0.6 percent month-on-month to P475.00 billion in November as foreign exchange movements reduced the value of external guarantees by P1.61 billion.

Julito G. Rada

ONE-STOP-SHOP. General Trias City launches its ‘Business One-Stop-Shop’ program to attract investors to the progressive city in the heart of Cavite province.

Mayor Antonio Ferrer issued Executive Order No. 33 Series of 2019 streamlining the process of paying business permits.

B2

Business

FRIDAY, JANUARY 3, 2020 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Stocks down; Manila Water falls T HE stock market retreated in the first day of trading Thursday, with the benchmark index capping its losses at the close after dropping sharply in the early session.

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index fell 72.73 points, or 0.9 percent, to 7,742.53 on a value turnover of P4.5 billion. Losers beat gainers, 111 to to 60, with 66 issues unchanged.

Water-related issues took a new hit, with Manila Water Co. Inc. slumping 6.4 percent to P9.70. Metro Pacific Investments Corp., which is into water and electricity distribution, toll roads, hospitals and infrastructure, dropped 3.4 percent to P3.36.

JG Summit Holdings Inc. of the Gokongwei Group, shed 3.5 percent to P78, while Alliance Global Group Inc. of tycoon Andrew Tan declined 3.1 percent to P11.30.

The rest of Asian markets started the new decade on the front foot, with most rallying out of the blocks Thursday on lingering trade optimism, while China’s central bank announced fresh stimulus for the country’s stuttering economy.

The broad advances come as investors remain upbeat about the global outlook after Washington and Beijing eventually reached a trade agreement to ease tensions between the two, while Brexit uncertainty has essentially been removed.

However, geopolitical worries resurfaced following a warning from North Korean leader Kim Jong Un that moratoriums on nuclear and intercontinental ballistic missile tests had ended, with talks with the US going nowhere.

Shanghai and Hong Kong led gains

after the People’s Bank of China said it would lower the amount of cash lenders must keep in reserve, freeing up more than $100 billion for loans to small businesses.

The move comes as leaders try to kickstart growth in the world’s number two economy, which is running at its weakest for almost three decades.

“We expect the PBoC to continue to ease policy through 2020, trying to ensure growth remains around that six percent target,” Stephen Halmarick at Commonwealth Bank of Australia told Bloomberg TV. “Easier monetary policy across Asia and the Pacific is a theme for this year as well.”

Shanghai and Hong Kong both added one percent, while Sydney gained 0.1 percent and Singapore put on 0.7 percent. Taipei, Mumbai, and Bangkok also rose, though Jakarta retreated. Tokyo remains closed for the rest of the week.

Dealers were also being supported by

relief after Donald Trump said the mini China-US trade deal will be signed off in Washington on January 15, and he will later travel to Beijing for the next phase of talks.

The signing will smooth concerns that the pact could suffer a last-minute collapse, which has niggled some traders.

Seoul was down one percent after Kim declared a self-imposed moratorium was no longer needed, raising the possibility that the North could soon resume missile launches or nuclear tests.

He added that “the world will witness a new strategic weapon to be possessed by the DPRK in the near future,” referring to the country by its official name.

The announcement came after its end-of-year deadline for sanctions relief from the United States.

Lingering optimism continued to support oil prices, with signs of a pick-up in the global economy boosting hopes for demand. With AFP

Manila Standard BuSineSS daily StockS review thurSday, January 2, 2020

VOLUME

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

NAME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

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

54 86.1 1.85 153.8 1 25.1 8.49 18.42 12.04 3.84 0.7 1.15 849 0.365 65.85 0.83 20.45 35 177.8 57.5 23.9 193 1,830 57.7

54 88 1.85 154 1.01 25.1 8.49 18.42 12.04 3.84 0.7 1.15 849 0.365 66.1 0.83 20.45 36 177.8 57.5 23.9 194.9 1,830 58.3

54 85.95 1.83 152.1 0.85 24.95 8.49 18 11.74 3.82 0.68 1.15 849 0.365 64.9 0.8 20.3 34.5 175 57.45 23.5 186.2 1,830 57.7

FINANCIALS 54 150 88 781,910 1.85 26,000 154 1,663,060 1.01 1,113,000 25 672,800 8.49 100 18.42 1,100 11.78 308,800 3.82 62,000 0.68 4,000 1.15 1,000 849 230 0.365 30,000 65 2,795,490 0.83 3,000 20.3 16,000 35.7 101,200 175 1,020 57.5 2,680 23.5 5,100 186.6 381,240 1,830 360 58 2,300

8,100 68,422,713.50 48,000 254,829,721 1,112,650 16,850,560 849 20,020 3,660,504 237,920 2,760 1,150 195,270 10,950 181,875,777.50 2,460 325,580 3,574,365 180,028 154,067 120,440 71,587,600 658,800 133,385

3,219,745 -91,231,293 7,200 -2,614 -33,960 -116,084,792 0 -876,155.00 -47,906,812 -91,500 577

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

33.5 2.23 13.48 0.51 1.21 2.61 0.232 2.01 15.26 174 4.15 30 64.4 2.15 5 9.55 14.88 9.8 7.21 1.6 23.95 68.3 1.22 38 1.86 13.5 7.92 1.29 216 4.6 6.19 8.77 12.4 16.32 302.8 0.153 5.43 1.91 3.8 3.86 10.08 11.94 32.9 5.3 2.2 0.8 10.1 85 8.45 0.116 1.01 143.1 2.6 1.2 0.86

34.8 2.39 13.48 0.51 1.28 2.65 0.243 2.04 15.26 174 4.15 30 64.4 2.15 5 9.6 14.88 9.8 7.25 1.6 23.95 68.95 1.22 38 1.87 13.56 7.92 1.29 216.6 4.8 6.19 10 12.4 16.32 316 0.153 5.43 1.92 4.1 4 10.08 12 33.2 5.3 2.22 0.84 10.1 85 8.48 0.116 1.02 143.5 2.6 1.23 0.87

33.5 2.21 13.46 0.49 1.21 2.52 0.232 1.98 15.06 163.3 3.74 27.1 64.3 2.09 5 9.46 14.7 9.47 7.2 1.6 23 68 1.12 37.6 1.81 13.4 7.72 1.25 210.4 4.5 6.19 7.62 11.8 15.98 301 0.153 5 1.91 3.8 3.83 9.86 11.6 32.6 5.3 2.19 0.78 9.9 84 8.2 0.116 1.01 137 2.6 1.18 0.85

INDUSTRIAL 33.9 730,500 2.29 4,748,000 13.46 201,500 0.51 240,000 1.21 446,000 2.63 1,916,000 0.243 70,000 2.03 2,146,000 15.16 21,300 163.3 870 3.75 4,403,000 29.8 1,200 64.3 620 2.15 159,000 5 300 9.5 523,600 14.78 155,200 9.55 22,100 7.21 44,600 1.6 21,000 23 326,700 68 30,800 1.2 22,614,000 38 12,600 1.87 3,961,000 13.56 149,600 7.9 11,600 1.25 41,000 213 377,920 4.8 52,000 6.19 11,100 9.7 44,062,700 12 51,300 16.08 448,200 316 114,300 0.153 4,000,000 5 17,200 1.91 23,669,000 4.1 11,000 3.95 595,000 10 7,300 12 70,800 32.9 41,700 5.3 1,000 2.22 918,000 0.84 168,000 9.9 35,500 84.5 19,770 8.4 100,000 0.116 800,000 1.01 59,000 141.1 1,323,560 2.6 2,000 1.21 2,813,000 0.85 1,261,000

24,940,675 10,878,250 2,712,200 120,690 539,780 4,941,850 16,850 4,311,680 322,414 149,989 16,589,430 34,585 39,888 337,420 1,500 4,975,524 2,296,140 212,008 321,987 33,600 7,596,630 2,101,505.50 26,414,670 477,540 7,327,550 2,010,468 91,730 51,850 80,506,314 236,400 68,709 396,208,006 621,936 7,219,776 35,386,490 612,000 90,300 45,210,180 43,780 2,338,780 72,394 845,908 1,373,310 5,300 2,031,630 134,030 352,328 1,665,885.50 837,058 92,800 59,750 186,176,661 5,200 3,374,400 1,077,400

-6,403,570 -941,500 -6,720 3,630 -1,208,700.00 -627,360 -15,442 8,100 -68,800 1,500 40,184 1,429,372 -103,240 -20,178 -33,600 -4,358,040 -1,627,143 -147,600 95,415 82,050 -488,668 22,960 1,578,462 -25,479,314 -25,320 -2,716,032.00 -6,000,502 -42,825,470 -515,620 -10,080 -378,435 28,860 4,000 -170,390 -2,325 5,927 -90,464,640 691,200 8,500

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 LODESTAR LOPEZ HLDG LT GROUP MABUHAY HLDG METRO PAC INV PACIFICA HLDG PRIME MEDIA REPUBLIC GLASS SAN MIGUEL CORP SM INVESTMENTS SOC RESOURCES SOLID GROUP SYNERGY GRID TOP FRONTIER WELLEX INDUS ZEUS HLDG

0.86 51.45 11.54 0.68 6.59 10.44 0.93 0.95 790 2.98 6.71 6.5 13.48 0.204 849 5.2 79.05 6.18 0.485 3.71 11.98 0.55 3.37 4.69 1.18 2.95 163.8 1,015 0.75 1.26 191 214 0.202 0.2

0.92 52.25 11.54 0.69 6.59 10.44 0.93 0.96 790 3 6.82 6.76 13.48 0.206 856 5.2 80.5 6.65 0.5 3.72 12 0.59 3.38 4.69 1.2 2.99 164 1,058 0.81 1.29 204 214 0.202 0.2

0.85 51.25 11.3 0.66 6.59 9.94 0.91 0.95 759 2.92 6.63 6.16 13 0.203 843 5.2 75.9 6.18 0.485 3.7 11.52 0.54 3.2 4.22 1.18 2.95 160 1,011 0.75 1.26 189 214 0.201 0.19

HOLDING FIRMS 0.9 19,081,000 52.25 749,930 11.3 5,195,600 0.68 36,000 6.59 1,300 10.06 32,800 0.93 426,000 0.96 202,000 770 312,530 2.94 976,000 6.75 995,100 6.7 13,376,600 13.2 79,500 0.206 1,080,000 854.5 26,480 5.2 8,500 78 1,200,040 6.64 8,100 0.5 2,000 3.7 717,000 12 530,600 0.59 212,000 3.36 23,307,000 4.3 91,000 1.2 1,070,000 2.99 20,000 164 59,860 1,039 356,730 0.81 11,000 1.29 52,000 204 470 214 20 0.201 17,000,000 0.191 380,000

17,062,570 39,031,131.50 59,072,076 24,250 8,567 330,243 395,390 191,920 240,749,680 2,867,980 6,704,275 87,230,348 1,038,324 222,120 22,504,300 44,200 93,654,455 50,585 985 2,654,680 6,357,368 116,530 77,920,260 396,520 1,263,400 59,440 9,770,070 367,713,300 8,310 65,700 90,090 4,280 3,433,300 72,640

-298,500 -145,079.50 -32,800,558 190,000 -31,828,245 -237,960 -279,987 28,428,245 -12,606,275 -45,879,046.50 -445,240 -1,684,000 27,944,130 -22,610 -8,940 -4,038,143 -100,001,535 -

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

14.74 0.71 1.31 0.81 45.2 1.98 4.83 6.8 0.55 0.72 0.81 0.4 9.55 18.88 0.42 1.52 1.15 4.03 0.191

14.76 0.71 1.35 0.81 45.3 1.99 4.83 6.8 0.55 0.77 0.85 0.4 9.9 19.04 0.435 1.52 1.19 4.08 0.191

14.74 0.7 1.26 0.79 43.5 1.98 4.74 6.5 0.53 0.72 0.81 0.4 9.55 18.86 0.42 1.49 1.15 3.92 0.185

PROPERTY 14.74 254,900 0.7 44,000 1.35 237,000 0.8 505,000 44.9 8,624,300 1.98 30,000 4.74 601,000 6.5 38,400 0.54 1,231,000 0.77 8,000 0.82 34,000 0.4 50,000 9.8 51,000 18.86 75,800 0.435 30,000 1.5 5,883,000 1.19 13,000 3.92 21,722,000 0.187 9,450,000

NAME

HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

VOLUME

VALUE

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

1.25 2.08 44.9 27.3 2.1 3.21 42 2.48 1.23 7.7 5.66

1.26 2.11 44.9 29 2.18 3.21 42.25 2.48 1.25 7.7 5.7

1.2 2.04 44.9 27.2 2.1 3.12 41 2.4 1.14 7.54 5.55

1.26 2.09 44.9 29 2.1 3.12 42.25 2.48 1.18 7.6 5.66

833,000 249,000 500 1,514,400 209,000 10,000 8,397,900 116,000 4,388,000 2,652,400 42,900

1,009,450 517,200 22,450 43,109,710 449,110 31,920 350,068,670 286,460 5,184,660 20,144,476 242,219

-33,880 -12,527,670 -259,420 -100,645,245 -16,805,905 -

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

10.4 15.4 1.4 11.64 0.39 0.042 18 5 11.32 89.5 7.08 5.49 4.88 7.79 890 2,000 5.32 438.4 1.09 1.66 128 7 0.1 3.52 12.74 2.42 0.87 16.96 0.36 3.33 2.12 0.95 1 2.52 2.5 7.85 5 2.56 996 0.59 0.34 39.75 79.8 9.26 2.78 0.6 0.27 0.58 18

10.4 15.7 1.4 11.64 0.39 0.042 18.5 5 11.32 90.45 7.08 5.74 4.88 9.4 890 2,048 5.39 438.8 1.09 1.66 131.9 7.05 0.103 4.01 12.74 2.42 0.87 16.96 0.39 3.33 2.12 0.95 1 2.62 2.5 7.85 5 2.6 998 0.59 0.345 40.45 79.95 9.26 2.78 0.6 0.28 0.6 18

9.8 14.8 1.39 11.52 0.385 0.042 18 4.01 10.74 88 7.08 5.48 4.88 7.76 890 1,990 5.32 438.4 1.02 1.66 128 7 0.099 3.52 12.74 2.37 0.86 16.6 0.36 3.33 2.09 0.9 1 2.41 2.5 7.11 4.8 2.49 988 0.56 0.325 39.4 77.9 9.26 2.69 0.59 0.265 0.58 17.9

SERVICES 10.1 15.7 1.39 11.64 0.385 0.042 18.5 4.35 10.84 88 7.08 5.7 4.88 9 890 2,048 5.35 438.4 1.05 1.66 130 7 0.103 3.88 12.74 2.4 0.86 16.9 0.385 3.33 2.11 0.95 1 2.5 2.5 7.79 5 2.52 994 0.57 0.34 40.05 79.95 9.26 2.72 0.6 0.28 0.6 17.94

303,600 152,500 36,000 855,200 530,000 6,800,000 190,400 1,623,900 2,791,000 67,470 100 1,875,900 10,000 432,300 2,580 18,055 372,000 570 1,070,000 10,000 1,975,660 2,900 8,460,000 12,931,000 200 148,000 125,000 4,100 190,000 30,000 114,000 313,000 43,000 1,691,000 10,000 2,200 506,500 150,000 107,530 1,677,000 2,810,000 2,080,500 54,990 2,000 315,000 814,000 2,560,000 220,000 868,300

2,976,060 2,335,472 50,390 9,924,298 205,300 285,600 3,427,400 7,212,514 30,297,882 6,020,149.50 708 10,579,272 48,800 3,824,856 2,296,200 36,484,995 1,990,507 249,932 1,117,660 16,600 256,390,042 20,385 838,080 49,670,570 2,548 355,030 107,750 68,846 73,400 99,900 239,640 297,200 43,000 4,231,640 25,000 16,361 2,531,320 375,330 106,930,635 950,370 931,500 83,265,710 4,391,808 18,520 854,680 485,900 698,950 131,730 15,586,742

-1,747,234 3,420,000 108,250 -11,669,116 -3,266,139.50 -192,150 -18,687 1,309,220 135,908 53,410 -13,245,193 -1,030 -743,880 14,220 -20,414 -302,610 -2,500 -2,145 -20,020 27,617,260 -285,120 33,100 162,005 -1,075,754.50 1,359,538

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

0.0015 7.33 0.99 2.5 10.96 1.13 2.9 0.27 1.81 0.201 0.094 0.0075 0.98 3.46 1.02 0.74 0.011 0.011 0.01 2.84 8.64 22.1 0.0052

0.0015 10.1 1.03 2.5 10.96 1.13 2.9 0.27 1.86 0.201 0.094 0.0075 0.99 3.48 1.02 0.74 0.011 0.011 0.011 2.85 8.64 22.25 0.0052

0.0012 7.33 0.99 2.5 10.6 1.13 2.86 0.27 1.76 0.196 0.094 0.0074 0.97 3.16 0.98 0.72 0.011 0.011 0.01 2.81 8.41 21.45 0.0052

MINING & OIL 0.0014 414,000,000 9.88 2,754,200 1.03 1,150,000 2.5 1,000 10.88 75,800 1.13 4,000 2.89 603,000 0.27 120,000 1.79 1,671,000 0.201 60,000 0.094 130,000 0.0074 5,000,000 0.98 48,000 3.25 5,586,000 1.02 4,000 0.74 25,000 0.011 22,000,000 0.011 4,600,000 0.011 62,000,000 2.85 568,000 8.5 229,700 22 254,000 0.0052 67,000,000

582,800 25,047,300 1,159,820 2,500 803,972 4,520 1,738,300 32,400 2,999,450 11,920 12,220 37,100 47,120 18,605,340 4,030 18,310 242,000 50,600 635,100 1,606,310 1,950,603 5,540,415 348,400

-601,405 -20,960 162,360 -136,850 -57,000 -488,146 -163,380 -

ABS HLDG PDR AC PREF B1 AC PREF B2R DD PREF FGEN PREF G GLO PREF P HOUSE PREF A MWIDE PREF PCOR PREF 3A PCOR PREF 3B PNX PREF 3A PNX PREF 4 SMC FB PREF 2 SMC PREF 2C SMC PREF 2F SMC PREF 2H SMC PREF 2I

14.96 510 507 100.1 111 500 97.6 100.2 1,031 1,050 100.6 1,022 997 77.4 76 75.05 75.2

15 510 507 100.2 111 500 99.75 100.2 1,031 1,050 102.1 1,034 997 77.4 76.1 75.05 75.2

14.96 510 507 100.1 111 500 97.6 100.2 1,026 1,050 100.6 1,022 997 76.7 76 75.05 75.2

PREFERRED 15 3,300 510 10 507 10 100.1 3,710 111 100 500 10 99.75 360 100.2 20 1,026 1,350 1,050 200 102.1 240 1,034 55 997 700 76.7 7,750 76.1 1,920 75.05 5,000 75.2 13,100

49,372 5,100 5,070 371,407 11,100 5,000 35,480 2,004 1,386,335 210,000 24,297 56,810 697,900 598,940 145,940 375,250 985,120

15,220.00 -

ITALPINAS KEPWEALTH XURPAS

3.79 9.8 0.76

3.79 9.8 0.78

3.6 9.43 0.76

3.61 9.7 0.78

228,000 124,500 771,000

828,910 1,188,903 595,830

12,402 -

FIRST METRO ETF

117.2

117.2

115.1

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 116.1 11,930

1,383,777

4,055

USD DMPL A1

10.26

10.26

10.26

MS 3,757,234 30,860 305,270 403,220 382,323,420 59,510 2,896,570 250,635 653,660 5,960 27,670 20,000 495,818 1,435,026 12,750 8,824,910 15,070 86,339,840 1,764,030

-229,944 3,960 -117,203,280 992,540 -530,000 -2,251 306,524 -1,246,260 2,774,800 20,460

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

OPEN

Trading Summary

SHARES

FINANCIAL

10,017,054

INDUSTRIAL

124,047,416

HOLDING FIRMS

87,634,704

PROPERTY

78,641,513

SERVICES

55,397,301

MINING & OIL

588,763,318

GRAND TOTAL

945,642,953

SME

DDS 10.26

3,000

30,780

-

VALUE 1,832.01 (down) 31.64 826,276,118.83 FINANCIAL INDUSTRIAL 9,487.47 (down) 147.60 890,524,276.77 HOLDING FIRMS 7,517.53 (down) 74.54 1,043,325,789.84 PROPERTY 4,145.12 (down) 9.40 SERVICES 1,534.30 (up) 3.20 1,009,984,747.71 MINING & OIL 8,009.96 (down) 82.02 649,181,123.385 PSEI 7,742.53 (down) 72.73 61,489,106.3714 All Shares Index 4,618.75 (down) 30.92 4,484,798,449.33 Gainers: 60; Losers: 111; Unchanged: 66; Total: 237

SEC clears proposed rules on short selling of securities

By Jenniffer B. Austria THE Securities and Exchange Commission cleared Thursday the proposed guidelines of Capital Markets Integrity Corp. on securities borrowing and lending and short selling.

The regulator’s approval will enable the local bourse to introduce new investments products in the stock market.

The SEC said the approval was still subject to the adoption of certain amendments outlined by the SEC Markets and Securities Regulation Department.

“With the implementing guidelines on short selling in place, we look forward to more robust activity in the stock market,” said SEC chairperson Emilio Aquino.

“The Commission, however, notes that it shall not balk at exercising its authority to suspend or prohibit short selling in an exchange when necessary for the protection of investors.”

An investor in short selling views a security as overpriced and anticipates its price will go down. He or she borrows the security from another person and sells it. When the price goes down, he or she buys it back and delivers it to the lender. The investor profits from the price difference while the lender benefits from the transaction by receiving fees similar to loan charges.

The SEC earlier approved the Philippine Stock Exchange’s guidelines on short selling transactions in an en banc meeting on June 5, 2018.

Under an agreement with PSE, CMIC will remain responsible for and retain full jurisdiction over the implementation and enforcement of trading rules on short selling.

The SEC said the implementing guidelines of CMIC would address concerns over the effect of SBL and short selling transactions on the books and records, and error transactions trading participants and the possible impact on their risk-based capital adequacy (RBCA) ratio.

The implementing guidelines says short sale transactions will limited to “eligible securities,” or securities of companies comprising the PSE index, and exchange traded funds.

Trading participants have the responsibility to ascertain that parties had entered into the necessary borrowing arrangements prior to making a short sale transaction.

Ng is new PhilWeb president; Valdez joining Alphaland PHILWEB Corp. announced Thursday the election of Brian Ng as new president effective February 1, 2020.

Ng will replace Dennis Valdes, who resigned and will be moving to Alphaland Corp., the real estate company of businessman Roberto Ongpin.

Ng is currently senior vice president for gaming, a post he has held since joining the company in January 2011.

He was formerly connected with Affinity Express Philippines Inc., RR Donnelley Global Outsourcing, SPi, and the Print Town Group of Companies.

He has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy from the Ateneo de Manila University and an MBA from the Ateneo de Manila Graduate School of Business.

“We are very pleased with the election of Brian to the post of president.

His capable handling of our gaming operations over the past years gives us great confidence that he will bring fresh ideas and renewed energy to the task of propelling PhilWeb to new heights, especially as we continue our dual push in e-casino and e-bingo,” Valdes said.

PhilWeb had 89 electronic gaming outlets as of end of 2019, either directly owned or under management control, comprising of 66 e-Games and 23 e-bingo branches.

PhilWeb is an accredited service provider to Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. for its network of electronic gaming outlets. Its wholly-owned subsidiaries include BigGame Inc. and Easy E-Bingo Inc., which operate eGames and e-bingo outlets respectively.

Philweb in the first nine months of 2019 reported a net loss of P26.79 million, significantly down from a loss of P70.84 million year-on-year.

Nine-month gross revenues rose to P394.9 million from P296.9 million in 2018. Jenniffer B. Austria

World

B3

FRIDAY, JANUARY 3, 2020 CESAR BARRIOQUINTO, Editor mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Officials order forced evacuation S YDNEY―Australia authorized the forced evacuation of residents Thursday amid a mass exodus of tourists from fire-ravaged coastal communities, as the country braces for a weekend heatwave expected to fan deadly bush fires.

Catastrophic blazes ripped through the country’s south-east on New Year’s Eve, killing at least eight people and stranding holidaymakers.

New South Wales (NSW) Premier Gladys Berejiklian declared a sevenday state of emergency that allows for forced evacuations beginning Friday,

IN BRIEF Top military man killed in chopper crash TAIPEI―Taiwan’s top military chief was killed in a helicopter crash on Thursday, the defense ministry said, just days before the island goes to the polls to elect a new president.

The chief of the general staff, Shen Yiming, was among eight senior officers― including three major generals―who died when their Black Hawk helicopter smashed into mountains near Taipei.

The 62-year-old general and his entourage were on a routine mission to visit soldiers in northeast Yilan county when the incident happened.

“Five have survived while the other eight of our colleagues on board were killed. We are deeply saddened ... and give our condolences to their families,” Air Force Commander Hsiung Hou-chi told reporters.

President Tsai Ing-wen’s office announced that she will cancel all campaign activities for three days after the tragedy.

“As commander-in-chief President Tsai and the cabinet team will focus on the rescue operations as well as clarifying the cause of the incident,” it said in a statement. AFP

for the third time in Australia’s most populated region this fire season.

“We don’t take these decisions lightly but we also want to make sure we’re taking every single precaution to be prepared for what could be a horrible day on Saturday,” she said.

It came after the NSW Rural Fire Service declared a “tourist leave zone” stretching about 200 kilometers from the popular holiday spot of Bateman’s Bay along the picturesque coast to neighboring Victoria state, where people are also being urged to flee.

At least 18 people are now known to have died in one of Australia’s most devastating bush fire seasons yet, and there are growing fears the toll could rise dramatically, with officials in Victoria saying 17 people were missing in the state.

Visitors are being warned to leave

affected areas before Saturday, when another heatwave is expected to sweep across the country, with gusting winds and temperatures above 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit).

That weather will create conditions officials say will be as bad as—if not worse than—Tuesday, the deadliest day in a months-long bush fire crisis.

Many tourists and residents spent two nights isolated with no electricity or telecommunications, before authorities on Thursday declared some roads safe to use.

NSW Transport Minister Andrew Constance called it the “largest evacuation of people out of the region ever”, with a queue of cars stretching along the highway toward Sydney as thousands flee the area.

One driver told AFP it had taken her three hours to travel just 50 kilometers.

NSW Rural Fire Service deputy commissioner Rob Rogers said firefighters would be unable to extinguish or even control the raging blazes.

“The message is we’ve got so much fire in that area, we have no capacity to contain these fires,” he told ABC. “We just need to make sure that people are not in front of them.”

John Steele, 73, who lives outside the south coast town of Merimbula, told AFP some people were “panicking” amid the warnings to evacuate.

“There’s so much misinformation on Facebook and on the web,” he said.

Steele said the region had been “chaotic” in recent days as fresh produce and fuel supplies ran low, but he and his wife were staying put for now. AFP “We’re happy to see every man and his dog leave town,” he said. “We are cautious, we have our bags packed.” AFP

HERCULEAN TASK. A helicopter

drops water on a bush fire outside BatemansBay in New South Wales on January 2, 2020. Australia authorized the forced evacuation of residents on January 2 amid a mass exodus of tourists from fire-ravaged coastal communities, as the country braces for a weekend heat wave expected to fan deadly bush fires. AFP

Bush fire smoke turns NZ glaciers brown WELLINGTON―Smoke from Australia’s bush fires has created a haze across New Zealand thousands of kilometers away with normally white glaciers turning a shade of caramel, according to social media posts Thursday.

The acrid-smelling smoke first appeared in the country early Wednesday when in many areas the sun appeared as either a red or golden orb, depending on the thickness of the haze.

“Smoke which has traveled around 2,000km across the Tasman Sea can clearly be seen,” New Zealand’s official forecaster MetService tweeted.

“Visibility in the smoke haze is as low as 10km in the worst affected areas.”

A Twitter user called Miss Roho tweeted: “We can actually smell the burning here in Christchurch.”

Another woman, Rachel, posted a photo of the Franz Josef Glacier―more than 2,000 kilometers away―with its usual pristine white taking on a brown hue.

“Near Franz Josef glacier. The ‘caramelized’ snow is caused by dust from the bush fires. It was white yesterday,” she said in a post Wednesday.

Comedian Jemaine Clement posted a photo of a golden orb.

“All the way over in NZ the Australian bush fire smoke in the atmosphere giving us this strange sun,” he said. AFP

Netanyahu asks for immunity JERUSALEM―Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday asked parliament for immunity, weeks after the embattled premier was indicted on a range of corruption charges.

Netanyahu, Israel’s longest-serving premier, is fighting for his political survival on two fronts―the corruption allegations and stiff opposition from a new centrist party.

The immunity request is expected to delay the start of court proceedings for months, as lawmakers are not due to vote on the matter until after March 2 elections.

The request is “in line with the law... [and] with the goal of continuing to serve you, for the future of Israel,” Netanyahu told reporters in Jerusalem.

His spokesman Ofer Golan later confirmed the request had been submitted to the speaker of Israel’s parliament, the Knesset.

Netanyahu was charged by the attorney general in November with bribery, fraud and breach of trust in three separate corruption cases.

The leader of the right-wing Likud party denies the allegations and accuses prosecutors and the media of a witch hunt.

Reacting to the premier’s announcement, his rival Benny Gantz, the leader of the centrist Blue and White party, said “Netanyahu knows that he is guilty.”

Gantz said his own party will do everything it can to “prevent immunity”.

“In Israel, nobody is above the law”.

AFP

Puppets keep Egyptian satire alive CAIRO―In an era of on-screen entertainment,a simple glove puppet named Aragoz still lures Egyptian audiences with comic sketches showing how wits and skill can defeat the thuggish and corrupt.

Recounting stories with a thoughtprovoking moral in their tale, puppeteers evoke peels of laughter from spectators, mainly children, as they enact Aragoz’s exploits, some of which date back centuries to Ottoman times.

“I fell in love with Aragoz as I grew up. Everyone loves it actually,” said Sabry Metawly, one of a diminishing band of veteran puppeteers still putting on performances of Egypt’s most adored folk figure.

“It has clicked with the people because it represents them. It succeeds where they cannot by challenging and winning against rivals.”

The squeaky-voiced puppet, with a wooden head, red conical hat, thin painted mustache and a bright red cloth cloak, was recognized by UNESCO in 2018 as part of the planet’s intangible cultural heritage.

“Aragoz humorously criticizes the actions of the powerful and resists the corrupt during the plays,” said Nabil Bahgat, founder of the Wamda troupe, of which Metawly is also a member.

“But it does not target specific figures of current politics or leaders.”

Outspoken, mocking, stubborn and often vulgar, the Aragoz character has long been viewed as a reflection of popular Egyptian society.

The troupe―which comprises only six members―has been drawing weekly audiences for more than a decade at the Ottoman-era Beit alSehimi building in Cairo.

But it has not faced any censorship despite the ongoing crackdown on freedom of expression since President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi took power in 2014.

“Performers usually deal within the allowed limits of freedom,” Bahgat stressed. AFP

Indonesia floods leave 23 dead, several missing JAKARTA―Indonesia’s disaster agency warned Thursday of more deaths after torrential rain pounded the Jakarta region, triggering floods and landslides that killed at least 23 and left vast swaths of the megalopolis underwater.

Tens of thousands of residents have been evacuated to temporary shelters in the area, home to some 30 million, with scores of homes damaged.

Images from across the region showed waterlogged homes and cars covered in muddy floodwaters, while some people took to paddling in small rubber lifeboats or tyre inner-tubes to get around.

At least 21 people died in greater Jakarta, while two more were killed by flash floods in neighbouring Lebak regency at the south end of Java island.

“The latest toll is 21 dead,” Social Affairs Minister Juliari Peter Batubara told reporters on Thursday.

“We hope the toll won’t keep going up,” he added.

In Lebak, the local disaster agency said it had confirmed two residents died and it was investigating reports that three more people perished.

Police in Lebak said that they were searching for as many as eight people who could still be missing from the area.

Around Jakarta, an eight-yearold boy killed in a landslide and an 82-year-old pensioner were among the confirmed victims.

Those killed died from drowning, hypothermia and being covered by landslides, while one 16-year-old boy was electrocuted by a power line.

“The floods hit without warning,” Munarsih, who goes by one name, said from her waterlogged neighborhood in Jakarta’s western outskirts where dozens of local families fled to safety.

“The water came very fast and it rose quickly. We couldn’t manage to get our stuff out, including my car,” she added.

On Wednesday, electricity was switched off in many Jakarta districts to prevent more electrocutions, with some train lines and one of the city’s airports also shut. AFP

With pro-Iran groups at helm, Iraq ‘risks becoming pariah’ BAGHDAD―The US embassy siege by pro-Iran protesters in Baghdad lasted just over a day, but analysts warn it could have lasting implications for Iraq’s complex security sector and diplomatic ties.

Baghdad had been struggling to keep up its precarious balancing act between its allies Tehran and Washington as tensions spiraled following the US withdrawal from the 2015 nuclear pact with Iran.

The regional rivalry was partly playing out among Iraq’s security forces: the US has trained army units and elite troops, while Iran has assisted the Hashed al-Shaabi force.

On Tuesday, hundreds of Hashed supporters stormed the high-security Green Zone and besieged the US embassy.

The ease with which they breezed past US-trained forces demonstrated the Hashed’s dominance in Iraq, said Harith Hasan, an expert at the Carnegie Middle East Center.

“A political-military faction imposed its will on everyone and commandeered all decisions,” Hasan wrote.

As a result, he predicted, “this new

SKYLINE. This general view shows the skyline of the financial business district in Singapore on January 2, 2020. Singapore’s tradereliant economy grew 0.8 percent in the fourth quarter to December, according to advance estimates by the trade ministry on January 2. AFP

year will be the beginning of Iraq’s lean years, leading to its isolation.”

Founded in 2014, the Hashed is formally part of Iraq’s government forces and its nominal head, Faleh al-Fayyadh, also serves as the country’s national security advisor.

But the US fears the network’s Shiitemajority units—many of which fought American troops following the US-led invasion in 2003—is being used to exert Iran’s clout.

Those tensions boiled over last week when a US contractor working in Iraq was killed in a rocket attack blamed on Kataeb Hezbollah, a hard-line and proIran Hashed faction.

It was the latest in a string of attacks on American troops and the embassy in Iraq that the US has blamed on groups loyal to Tehran.

A senior American defence official had told AFP that the US was frustrated that Iraqi troops were either “unable or unwilling” to put a stop to the rocket attacks.

“We are concerned the Iraqi security infrastructure is compromised,” the official said.

“There is what we believe to be a Hashed overmatch of the Iraqi security forces. So sometimes our Iraqi partners say, what can we do?” he added.

Both US and Iraqi officials told AFP they were especially alarmed to see Hashed units deploy in recent weeks inside the Green Zone, home to government buildings, United Nations offices and key foreign embassies.

The clearest sign of the Hashed’s effective control of the zone came during the embassy attack, when its backers breezed past US-trained units to reach the embassy.

An Iraqi special forces fighter guarding the Green Zone said he had to let the Hashed supporters through as he had no orders to intervene, telling AFP: “Our hands are tied.”

“The Hashed is now the most influential of Iraq’s forces because the military and political leaders are allowing it to play this role,” he said.

Among those marching on Tuesday were top figures in Iraq’s security apparatus: Fayyadh, his deputy Abu Mahdi alMuhandis, and Hashed commanders Qais al-Khazaali and Hadi al-Ameri. AFP

LGUs

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

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FRIDAY, JANUARY 3, 2020

GenSan targets 9k firms in biz renewal listup

LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS

Munti fetes biz permit renewal early taxpayers E

ARLY taxpayers have received incentives and grocery packages in the 2020 Muntinlupa Business Permit Renewal program that will run until Jan. 20.

Mayor Jaime Fresnedi awarded certificates of recognition and grocery packages to the Top Ten Early Taxpayers in this year’s Business Permit Renewal last Jan. 2.

Top Ten Early Taxpayers were the following: Abraham Tiro (Mama Nene Store), Lani Santos (Lito and Lani Food House), Josielyn Delez (E.J.D. Mini Store), Josephine Dejan (FDA Dejan Construction Services), Cesar Bronola Lastrilla (Mercy Salon), Milagros Sal-

vador (Mila and Noli Scrap Woods), Elizabeth Sabalboro (Beth Sari-Sari Store), Ma. Pinky Lynsey (MPLG Begona Trading), Cynthia Olaes (Cynthia’s Sari-Sari Store), and Cherrie Flores (Mini-Mini Store).

Fresnedi thanked the business owners for their punctuality in paying their dues and renewing their businesses in the city.

The mayor also urged other locators to avoid penalties and skip “rush days”

of registration nearing the deadline.

Currently, there are 15,708 registered business in the city. The Muntinlupa Business Permits and Licensing Office recorded an increase of over 187 percent in business tax collection over the past seven years.

A One-Stop Shop arrangement in the Business Permit Renewal Hub has been installed in the venue for the convenience of taxpayers. Requirements from Barangay Halls and Regulatory Offices can be acquired at the Renewal Hub, as representatives of the agencies will be rendering service simultaneously.

Taxpayers can also pay using Debit Cards in the renewal event. Mobile

ATMs and a Closed Circuit Television System are also installed across the venue. Business owners registering in the renewal may also access the Internet through a free Wi-Fi connection.

Free shuttle service is provided for clients going to the venue. Pickup points are located at Muntinlupa City Hall Quadrangle in Putatan and Muntinlupa City Public Market in Alabang.

The list of requirements is posted in Muntinlupa BPLO Facebook page at fb.com/bplo.muntinlupa. For inquiries, you may call the department’s hotline at 8317-9964 or e-mail at bplo.muntinlupa@yahoo.com.

Ten ‘Early Bird’ Taxpayers in the 2020 Muntinlupa Business Permit Renewal receive certificates of recognition and grocery packages from the City Government. Mayor Jaime Fresnedi later meets early taxpayers and extended his gratitude to the business owners for renewing their businesses in the city last Jan. 2.

GENERAL SANTOS CITY—The city government is eyeing to serve over 9,000 businesses in the annual renewal and registration of business permits this month, which opened on Thursday.

Geraldine Zamora, head of the business permits and licensing division, said they established anew a one-stopshop at the city’s Investment Center building to fast-track the processing and issuance of business permits.

Zamora said the local government has improved its business permits and licensing system to ensure that they meet their target until the end of the registration period on Jan. 20.

In the entire 2019, the city government issued a total of 11,438 business permits, covering new and existing business.

“Normally, around 80 percent of the registered business renews their permits during the period. So we’re expecting to cater that, plus the new business,” she told reporters.

Zamora said they started releasing the application forms for renewal and application of permits in the third week of December to speed up the process.

She said their clients may process their required documents at the onestop-shop, which hosts various offices involved in the processing of permits: BPLD, City Treasurer’s Office, City Health Office, Office of the Building Official, City Assessor’s Office, Waste Management Office, City Planning and Development Office, and the Bureau of Fire Protection.

She said they have allotted spaces for the 26 barangay councils, which are required to issue clearances for all businesses, and that they have streamlined the processes and reduced the documentary requirements to facilitate the faster issuance of permits.

She said the basic requirements are barangay clearance, occupancy permit, zoning clearance, proof of ownership or lease contract for building or office, and certificates from the Department of Trade and Industry, Cooperative Development Authority and Securities and Exchange Commission.

Other requirements such as registrations with the Social Security System, Pag-IBIG Fund, Philippine Health Insurance Corp. and the sanitary permit may be processed within 90 days.

Existing businesses with complete requirements may proceed with the assessment, billing and payment at the CTO, and the issuance of the permits at the BPLD. “Last year, we were able to issue 92 percent of the business permits in just two hours and we’re continually working to further improve that,” Zamora said. PNA

Malay town LTO Central Visayas vows to be more proactive against traffic violators regains power, gas supply ILOILO CITY—After bearing the brunt of Typhoon “Ursula” (international name “Phanfone”) on Christmas Day, operations in Malay town, Aklan are getting back to normal as its mayor said electricity and gas supply is “under control.”

In a phone interview Thursday, acting Malay town mayor Frolibar Bautista said gas supply and the lack of electricity became the challenge for the mainland and the Boracay Island days after the typhoon.

“The problem in Boracay on the 25th, 26th and 27th [of December] is fuel because tankers cannot enter since there are obstructions in the roads from Iloilo to Capiz. But now, the situation of the supply of gas has been normalized,” he said, adding that all roads are passable and fuel companies continue to deliver the town’s fuel needs.

Bautista said toppled electricity posts also interrupted power supply in the town.

He said electricity has been restored in some areas of town on Thursday.

Bautista assured the lack of power has not hampered the operations at the local government unit.

Meanwhile, bank operations have also been interrupted due to the power outage but the problem was resolved on Thursday.

“Operations on one of the banks in town came back to normal and it was accessed by the locals for cash needs,” Bautista said.

He added there were delays in garbage collection because of some problem with the contractor.

Bautista said the LGU has coordinated with haulers in the municipality to help in hauling wastes and debris left by the typhoon.

He reminded Malay locals not to burn garbage left by the typhoon as the law prohibits it. PNA

CEBU CITY—The top official of the Land Transportation Office in Central Visayas on Thursday vowed to be more proactive against traffic law violators who are up to challenge the agency’s enforcers and deputized agents in 2020.

Victor Emmanuel Caindec, regional director of LTO-7, said he is saddened by the increase of traffic law violators who were caught in 2019 as compared to the figures in 2018.

“I couldn’t say that I’m happy with the result but I want to inform the pub-

lic that we have a serious problem last year,” Caindec said in Cebuano in a radio interview.

He said the almost 18,000 apprehensions in 2018 have increased to almost 40,000 in 2019 which either means the number of motorists who do not respect the traffic rules have grown or “just now that they have strict law enforcement operations that got caught.”

Among the violations that the LTO-7 will work on this year will be against drunk drivers, which, Caindec said, is

one of the causes of most road crashes in the region.

He said former Dangerous Drugs Board Undersecretary Paul Clarence Oaminal raised to him the issue on Republic Act 10586, or Anti-Drunk and Drugged Driving Act of 2013, which was challenged before the Regional Trial Court in Toledo City, Cebu.

In this case, the court issued a temporary restraining order against the implementation of the law which delists drug test result as a prerequisite in obtaining

or renewing a driver’s license and refocused LTO’s on-road inspection against drivers who are either drunk or have taken illegal drugs.

“Andam na pud ang atong law enforcement side. Duna na tay 16 kabuok alcohol breath analyzers (We are ready in the law enforcement side. We already have 16 breath analyzers),” he said, adding that in 2019, the LTO partnered with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency and the Philippine National Police in random drug testing.

Full ban on plastic use starts in CdO

Dr. Rowena Cristina Guevarra, DOST Usec. for Research and Development (first from left, front row) leads the ribbon cutting for the opening of the NVS ‘Sabatan’ Exhibit in Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya, featuring technology innovations to help budding micro entrepreneurs in the province. Ben Moses Ebreo

NVSU offers local technologies for micro entrepreneurs

By Ben Moses Ebreo BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya—The Nueva Vizcaya State University will be offering locally-made technologies to help budding micro entrepreneurs to manage their businesses in the province.

Dr. Cristina Salvosa, campus administrator officer-in-charge and project leader, said the NVSU Technopreneurs Hub was launched early in December last year to execute a Technology Business Incubator that would help start-up technology-based businesses by providing a range of resources, services and

facilities needed during their development stage.

“The goal of the TBI is to produce firms that will leave the incubation program financially viable and able to sustain operation and compete in the market,” she said.

Also dubbed NVSU ‘Sabatan’ (an Iluko term for meeting place), the hub is the first TBI in the province.

It was established under the Department of Science and Technology’s Higher Educational Institution Readiness for Innovation and Technopreneurship development program.

“It will serve as a venue for the transformation of bright ideas into viable business technologies and inputs,” Salvosa added.

Jonathan Nuestro, DOST provincial head, said the NVSU-TH helps address the current problems of micro entrepreneurs in the province, particularly on expensive equipment and insufficient knowledge in running a business.

“Our micro entrepreneurs will benefit from this project through the introduction of innovations and fabrications of imported equipment and tools, which will be offered at affordable prices for our budding entrepreneurs,” he added.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY—The local government here started enforcing Thursday a full ban of plastic use in all commercial establishments.

Through the City Local Environment and Natural Resources Office, the implementation is part of the City Ordinance 13378-2018 or the Integrated Ecological Solid Waste Management Ordinance.

Signed into law last year, the ordinance partially banned the use of “single-use” plastic carry-on bags for a year to give residents and businesses more time to comply with the total plastic ban.

Clenro chief Armen Cuenca said full implementation means all the ban now includes transparent plastic wrappers.

The ban covers all business establishments, she said, including “fast food outlets, pharmacies, food kiosks, ‘sari-sari’ stores, and ambulant vendors” in the public markets.

Cuenca said the only that time transparent plastic wrappers (cellophanes) can be used is when buying meat, fish, fruits, and vegetables.

He said the ordinance also prohibits the use of plastic bags on wet goods that are “already packed in plastic wraps, pouches, bags as part of product packaging.” PNA

Life

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

YOUNG LIFE

FRIDAY, JANUARY 3, 2020

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UZVIMINDA LEAÑO, 19, from Bulacan, considers herself a fighter.

Losing both of her parents at an early age and facing financial hurdles, she was uncertain if she could finish high school, let alone attend college.

“We were at such a low point that we were seeking financial help from our relatives, so completing high school was a major accomplishment for me,” recalls Leaño, who is now in the care of her retired grandmother.

Aware that she couldn’t rely on her grandmother’s measly pension, Luzviminda applied for a college scholarship in the hopes of achieving her dream of becoming a lawyer someday.

She is among SCG's Sharing the Dream 2019 scholars who are given a chance at a better life and is now a freshman taking up BS Legal Management at the Bulacan State University.

Now that she’s under the program, Leaño feels that a huge burden has been taken off her grandmother’s shoulders. “She is always prioritizing my sister’s and my needs, so she has nothing left for her own necessities. Because of this scholarship, she can now focus on her health and pay for her medications,” she shares.

“My determination to succeed is my strength,” says Leaño.

She admits, however, that her confidence and manner of speaking need work. “I’m quite shy at times, so I tend to come across as rude and insensitive when I try to communicate with people,” she explains.

Scholars dream

of a better future Just like Leaño, Dece Chris Ruiz realizes that she should work on her confidence—something that she is going to need in her long journey to becoming a doctor.

Ruiz, one of three children of a construction worker and a counter checker from Taguig, knows that achieving this dream will require blood, sweat, and tears.

Despite her family’s financial hardships, the 18-year-old scholar is determined to pursue her dream. With her faith in God and determination, Ruiz studied well and applied for a scholarship with SCG. Now in her first year at the Taguig City University as a BS Biology student and an SCG Sharing the Dream awardee, she plans to work while in college and save up to support her studies.

“The cost of studying medicine is no joke, but with the help of SCG, my The second batch of SCG Sharing the Dream College scholarship awardees. (Inset) Luzviminda Leaño, a scholar, studies hard to become a lawyer.

parents don’t have to worry about that anymore. I will be able to build a good future and hopefully get my family out of poverty,” says Ruiz hopefully.

This scholarship has given her the opportunity to build her confidence and self-esteem with its various skills development programs, which she believes will increase her chances at succeeding in her career.

SCG Sharing the Dream not only aims to produce academically accomplished students but also intends to mold them into successful professionals armed with the soft skills they need to become capable leaders for the future.

The conglomerate organizes annual workshops and trainings for its scholars on different topics ranging from leadership and financial literacy to communication skills and personality development.

For Leaño, Ruiz, and hundreds of other SCG scholars, Sharing the Dream has given them not only a helping hand through college but also a stepping stone leading to the life that they have always dreamed of for themselves and their families.

Toys for young girls and boys SPOIL the young ones a little with these new toys.

For girls, there are play sets and doll houses of their favorite heroines—Barbie as well as Elsa and Anna of Frozen.

They will also enjoy playing big sister to Baby Alive dolls in Shimmer ‘n Splash Mermaid designs and Baby Lil’

sounds version. Fancy toy surprises also await young little girls with Hatchimals’ Colleggtibles Christmas Pack and Surprise Sparkle Series.

Boys, on the other hand, are in for action-packed playtime with Hot Wheels and Lego play sets, Nerf guns, and all new Star Wars masks.

Darth Vader and Stormtrooper masks

There are also Marvel-inspired finds such as Spider Man, Captain America, and Iron Man plush toys that kids would love to hug.

These new toys are available at Toy Kingdom stores and Toy Kingdom Express outlets in SM Supermalls nationwide.

Limited edition Jollibee and Hetty Funko POP

Twice the Jolly fun Clockwise from top left: Barbie at her Malibu beach house, Elsa and Anna plush toys, Hot Wheels City T-Rex Rampage, Huggable Avengers, and Nerf’s Fortnite SP-L

JOLLIBEE joins forces with everyone’s favorite cheerleader Hetty in the limited edition Funko POP. Exclusively available at Jollibee stores, the two-pack Funko POP! icons feature Jollibee holding a Chickenjoy bucket

together with Hetty. It’s available for P1,100 with every value meal purchase.

Head over quick to the fast food chain’s participating branches as this new collectible is only available until Jan. 15.

Entertainment

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FRIDAY, JANUARY 3, 2020 nickie.standard@gmail.com

Golden Globe nominated HBO movies streaming on HBO Go

Charo Santos in a scene from the film helmed by young director Mikhail Red.

IN CHARACTER. Sarah G playing James Reid's (right) grandma in the hit local adaptation of 'Miss Granny.'

HOLIDAY bingeing on HBO Go just got interesting with seven HBO favorites nabbing 15 Golden Globe Awards nominations.

The historical drama Chernobyl leads the pack with four nominations including Best Television Limited Series or Motion Picture Made for Television; Best Performance by an Actor in a Series, Limited Series or Motion Picture Made for Television (Jared Harris); Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Series, Limited Series or Motion Picture Made for Television (Stellan Skarsgård) and Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Series, Limited Series or Motion Picture Made for Television (Emily Watson).

Jessie Armstrong’s Succession nabbed nominations as Best Television SeriesDrama; Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series – Drama (Brian Cox) and Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Series, Limited Series or Motion Picture Made for Television – Drama (Kieran Culkin).

Award winning actress Meryl Streep, on the other hand, added another one to her long list of career nominations with the Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Series, Limited Series or Motion Picture Made for Television nod for Big Little Lies while her co-actress, Nicole Kidmann received a Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series – Drama nomination for the same series. The show also got a

Best Television Series nomination.

Tying with Big Little Lies is Barry, which also got three nominations namely Best Television Series–Musical or Comedy; Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series–Musical or Comedy (Bill Hader); and Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Series, Limited Series or Motion Picture Made for Television (Henry Winkler).

George Clooney’s Catch 22 meanwhile, gained two nominations, Best Television Limited Series or Motion Picture Made for Television and Best Performance by an Actor in a Series, Limited Series or Motion Picture Made for Television (Christopher Abbott).

Kit Harington’s character as Jon Snow in the hit series Game of Thrones also made the mark as he is one of the nominees in the Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series – Drama category while Helen Mirren of Catherine the Great is nominated in the Best Performance by an Actress in a Limited Series or Motion Picture Made for Television.

Catch these movies and more on HBO GO, HBO’s online streaming service which gives users access to HBO’s library on on-demand content as well as livestream HBO, HBO Hits, HBO Family, HBO Signature, Red by HBO and Cinemax, anytime and anywhere using any device. HBO GO is available to SKY Fiber, SKYcable and Skydirect postpaid subscribers for as low as P99/ month. For more details, visit mysky. com.ph/hbogo.

‘EERIE,’ ‘MISS GRANNY’

among most watched titles on Netflix

S

TREAMING platform giant, Netflix, has revealed its end of year list for the Philippines. While the list is dominated by foreign titles, three local movies emerged as hit among local patrons.

Netflix’s Original 6 Underground is this year’s most watched title in the country. The action thriller is directed

by Michael Bay and written by Paul Wernick and Rhett Reese. It stars Ryan Reynolds, Mélanie Laurent, Manuel Garcia-Rulfo, Adria Arjona, Corey Hawkins, Ben Hardy, and Dave Franco.

Next on the list is Murder Mystery.

Directed by Kyle Newacheck and written by James Vanderbilt, the comedy mystery film was released on the platform in June 2019. It stars Adam Sandler, Jennifer Aniston, and Luke Evans, and follows a married couple who are caught up in a murder investigation on a billionaire’s yacht.

Filipino movies such as Mikhail Red’s Eerie, Viva Films’ Miss Granny, and Ang Babaeng Allergic sa Wifi rank among the most popular movie titles in the country.

Eerie, starring Bea Alonzo and Charo Santos-Concio, is the most popular local title on Netflix. The

film, produced by Star Cinema in partnership with mm2 Entertainment in Singapore, was first released in the city state as a premiere during the Singapore International Film Festival.

Miss Granny ranks fourth on the list, following The Perfect Date (starring Internet’s boyfriend Noah Centineo and Laura Marano) in no. 4.

The local adaptation of the hit South Korean blockbuster stars pop queen Sarah Geronimo with Nova Villa, James Reid and Xian Lim. The film, which was the second most talked about Filipino feature of 2018 on Twitter, only behind the reigning highest-grossing Filipino film of all-time The Hows of Us, earned Sarah G her second best actress award.

Ang Babaeng Allergic sa Wifi, about an internet-obsessed teen who develops a rare illness that forces her to move to a remote town where she must navigate her relationships without technology, ranks at no. 9 trailing behind The Silence, Isn’t It Romantic,

Sue Ramirez with Jameson Blake in 'Ang Babaeng Allergic sa WiFi'

and Always Be My Maybe.

The Sue Ramirez starrer film directed by Jun Lana, is followed

by Secret Obsession that rounds up the Top 10.

Meanwhile, The Witcher dominated the most popular series for 2019. The Filipinos’ love for Korean titles is further validated by the inclusion of Hotel Del Luna, Kingdom, and Love Alarm to the most popular series list for 2019.

Several other fan favorite Netflix Original Series such as Umbrella Academy, Sex Education, and Stranger Things also made it to this year’s list.

This year’s lineup of top titles shows the quality, diversity, and variety of entertainment choices that Filipinos enjoyed on Netflix in 2019, from Filipino to Hollywood and Korean movies and shows, and across multiple genres including sci-fi fantasies, live action, romantic comedies and more.

These lists are ranked by the number of accounts choosing to watch at least two minutes of a series, movie or special during its first 28 days on Netflix in 2019.

For series, Netflix counts only the most popular season. At least two minutes is the same way Netflix calculates its daily Top 10 lists in the UK and Mexico - and similar to the way in which the BBC compiles its iPlayer rankings.

The uber popular 'Game of Thrones' is about nine noble families waging war against each other in order to gain control over the mythical land of Westeros.

'Succession'is an American satirical comedy-drama television series, created by Jesse Armstrong, that premiered on June 3, 2018, on HBO

A worry-free holiday getaway with discounted Smart GigaRoam FLYING abroad for the holidays? You are in for an awesome treat as Smart offers discounted GigaRoam promos for prepaid and postpaid subscribers until Jan. 6.

Under the promo, Smart subscribers traveling in over 100 countries may avail of Smart GigaRoam at a much more affordable price. Subscribe to Smart GigaRoam 999 for only P599 (from the regular price of P999) and enjoy 1 GB of open-access data roaming, valid for 5 days.

For longer vacations or more data needs, subscribers can also register to the newest data roaming offer Smart GigaRoam 3GB with an introductory price of P1599 valid for 15 days (from the regular price of P1999).

Subscribing to a Smart GigaRoam is simple and easy: 1. When outside the country, turn off Wifi on your smartphone, 2. Turn on the mobile data and data roaming in the network settings 3. On your phone’s browser, go to roam.smart.com.ph 4. On the page, select Data Packs, then choose the GigaRoam promo you want and suits your needs, and click Subscribe 5. Now you can enjoy being connected abroad!

With Smart GigaRoam, there’s no need to worry about keeping in touch with your loved ones anytime while you’re out of the country or updating your friends about your vacation in real-

time.

You also don’t have to fret about going overbudget—because you choose the GigaRoam promos you subscribe to, you know exactly how much you’re spending.

Moreover, the Smart GigaRoam page has a Data Roaming Manager, which lets you monitor your data usage until you have used it up. Per DTI Fair Trade Permit No. FTEB-24741

Entertainment

FRIDAY, JANUARY 3, 2020

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nickie.standard@gmail.com

Paris Opera musicians chime in with strike concert

On Christmas Eve, dancers in white tutus performed from "Swan Lake" on the steps of the Garnier Opera, in scenes that quickly went viral on social media.

PARIS Opera musicians on Tuesday last week gave a symphonic show of support for the grinding transport strike over the French government’s pension overhaul.

The orchestra musicians set up on sunlit steps outside the Bastille Opera to play for several hundred passers-by, many capturing the concert on cellphone cameras as cars clogged the nearby roundabout.

It chimed in with the protests that have led to a crippling transport strike that has greeted President Emmanuel Macron’s reform, which would also remove the opera employees’ right to early retirement.

“We still refuse to participate in any parody of negotiations,” a musician told the crowd before the start of the concert.

The repertory included classics like “The Damnation of Faust” by Hector Berlioz and “The Dance of the Knights” from the Romeo and Juliet by Sergei Prokofiev, and ended with a rousing rendition of the “La Marseillaise,” France’s national anthem.

Paris Opera employees are covered by one of France’s 42 separate pension schemes, which often offer early retirement and other benefits to mainly public-sector workers.

T

HE quality of sleep affects the quality of life. It is widely accepted that a good night’s rest positively affects one’s health, memory, and mood. Tempur users wholeheartedly agree as they talk about their experiences with the premium brand mattress.

Their plan, introduced by king Louis XIV in 1698, allows them to benefit from a pension as early as 42, to compensate for the strains on bodies during careers that can begin while people are still in their teens.

The government has already indicated that a single points-based system sought by President Emmanuel Macron would apply only to employees hired after January 2022, according to a letter from government officials to the head of the Paris Opera seen by AFP. But so far that doesn’t appear enough to appease the troupe, which largely has refused to perform since the beginning of the strike on Dec. 5.

That has led to cancellations of dozens of performances at the Bastille and Garnier opera houses, costing at least eight million euros ($9 million) in lost revenues, the Paris Opera said last week.

“We refuse to be the gravediggers of our own retirement system,” the musicians said in their message.

On Christmas Eve, dancers in white tutus performed from Swan Lake on the steps of the Garnier Opera, in scenes that quickly went viral on social media. AFP

What gives Nadine extreme sleeping comfort Multi-media artist Nadine Lustre is Tempur Philippines' brand ambassador

Award-winning actress and recording artist Nadine Lustre says that her showbiz lifestyle can take a toll on her health. “We are always busy.

There are days when I can only get three hours of sleep. Traveling through traffic also affects my back because of long hours sitting in the car.

Sometimes, I even find it hard to dance because of the pain. I’ve had back pain since I was a kid because I was always slouching and had bad posture. “ Nadine recalls that the first Tempur products she bought were the car comforter and the Symphony pillow. Then, she decided to purchase a mattress and couldn’t be happier. “My mattress has changed my life in so many ways. It’s the best thing ever!” she gushes. “I wake up feeling great. It’s amazing! I’m thinking to myself it’s crazy how a good night’s sleep can improve one’s day so much.”

For someone whose schedule is always full, Nadine says that quality sleep after a tiring day is a must. “Your body regenerates when you sleep,” she says. “Since I’m always up and about the whole day interacting with people, nakakapagod.” Nadine is very focused in what

Nadine is ready to face another day, thanks to Tempur.

A SHORT film, which is about a political family trying to make use of their household help’s pregnancy to bolster the patriarch’s campaign, will compete in the WOW International Film Festival at the Maison De Culture Ibn Zaydoun in Tunisia from March 2 to 8.

Grasya, a film directed by recent Far Eastern University Communication graduate Audrey Vicencio, has been officially selected out of 3,150 films from 119 countries that the film festival has received.

In the film, which was produced as a requirement for their Cinema Production or CNM2 class, the family matriarch (Tanie Lambohon Capiral) finds out that their housekeeper (Hannah Pelobello) is pregnant. The latter claims that she is pregnant with God’s child.

The family plans to use her as part of their election campaign amid the protest of their eldest son (AJ Sison). Pelobello and Sison are both members of the FEU Theater Guild. The late Anjo Padilla played the role of the patriarch in one of his last films.

“The whole experience was an experiment. The story itself was far from ordinary. It challenged me in terms of how I will show the story in a way that ‘this’ can happen or ‘what if’ it is happening,” Vicencio, who also served as Chief Photographer of the school’s official student publication FEU Advocate, shared.

she does and tries to give each task 110 percent all the time. Her mind functions smoothly when she’s had a good night’s rest—thanks to Tempur.

Asked to rate her Tempur experience from 1 to 10, Nadine exclaims “11! For real!” “It’s the best feeling ever. It’s like lying down on a cloud.”

Tempur invited Nadine to try the outstanding motion-absorption capacity of Tempur mattress through a wine test and she was delighted with the result. Even with her vigorous jumping, the wine glass, which was placed on the mattress, did not spill.

Nadine believes that investing in a quality mattress is very important. “It’s your body for the rest of your life. Take care of it.”

It is said that once one has slept on Tempur, one realizes that it is an unrivalled and incomparable mattress. Its materials adapt and respond to every shape, weight and temperature to deliver sleeping comfort.

Tempur is exclusively distributed in the country by Focus Global. Inc. To know more about the product, check out website: ph.tempur. com; Facebook: TempurinthePhilippines; Instagram: tempurph

FEU student film ‘Grasya’ vies in Tunisia

'Grasya' cinematographer Andrew Kyle Aquino and director Audrey Vicencio

'Grasya' production team with mentor Seymour Sanchez

“To add a concept that the household is a metaphor of the government here in the Philippines pushed me to dig deeper in their characterization and to show it as realistic as possible,” the filmmaker added.

Vicencio collaborated with her CNM2 classmates, director of photography, editor, storyboard artist and colorist Andrew Kyle Aquino, producer and production manager Shaina Xena Legaspi, writer and assistant director

Patricia Rigodon, assistant camerawoman Ramri Rivota, production designers Maurich Macatangay, Donita Borre, Melbrick Renz Morillo, Valerie Ann Manalo and Diospyrus Levi Barros, casting directors Yvonne Baltazar and Barros, and script continuity supervisor Angelica Altera.

Festival director Elmahdi Souissi revealed that the organizers want “to project films around the theme of women” to honor them through the event.

Apart from being an opportunity to meet filmmakers and producers from

different nationalities, the event also aims to promote art and cultural tourism to build a way for the future film collaborations.

The film festival will award the Best Feature Film, Best Short Fiction Film, Best Direction for Fiction Film, Best Documentary, Best Animation and other prizes.

Grasya also competed at the Josiah Media Festival in San Antonio, Texas, USA last Oct. 17, Africa International Film Festival in Lagos, Nigeria last Nov. 10, and The Lift-Off Sessions in Pinewood Studios last Dec. 8

RAMON L. TOMELDAN Editor

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FRIDAY, JANUARY 3, 2020

Motoring Dakar Rally seen boosting Saudi tourism

HARI’S NEW JEWEL. Since its launch in January 2019, the Hyundai Reina has become HARI”s top-selling model, clinching the no. 2 spot in its segment. Media representatives had the opportunity to test the Reinaís capabilities along the winding roads of Marilaque and onto the picturesque Pililla Wind Farm recently.

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Hyundai ends year on an upbeat note

NE of the country’s leading automotive players, Hyundai Asia Resources, Inc. sold 2,981 units in November or a 4.4% growth from the previous month’s 2,856 units. HARI’s November sales marked its third highest month in 2019.

Total sales in November breached the 30,000 mark hitting 30,599 units, but went 6.9% lower compared than that in the same period in 2018.

The company was confident it would surpass the 3,000 sales level for December to usher in the new decade on a high note.

“December is historically a good month for HARI due to increased consumer spending. Coupled with lower interest rates and inflation, we expect our sales to be further bolstered. Beyond these factors, our main drivers remain the quality, reliability, and ease of maintenance of Hyundai passenger cars and commercial vehicles,” HARI President and CEO Ma.

Fe Perez-Agudo said.

In November, sales in the Passenger Cars (PC) segment grew by 6.8% with 1,556 units sold spearheaded by its dynamic duo – the Hyundai Reina (PC Segment A) and the Hyundai Accent (PC Segment B). Since its introduction in late January, the Reina has consistently grown in sales and for November, has become the top-seller for HARI. The Reina is now a strong No. 2 in its industry segment. The segment topping torque combined with its fuel-efficiency and reliability of the Accent has allowed it to sustain its No.3 position in this volume driving segment.

A total of 16,116 Hyundai passenger cars were sold in the first 11 months of 2019.

Month-on-month, Light Commercial Vehicles (LCV) slightly increased to 1,365 units with the Hyundai Kona (Sub-compact SUV) and Hyundai H-100 (Light Truck) leading the way. These two models are the No. 1 sellers in their respective segments. Recently, the company launched the hard-working variant of the H-100. Dubbed the “KapitanKargo,” this model outperforms other similar vehicles in terms of power, fuel efficiency, payload, and safety.

Year-to-date November 2019, LCV sales dipped by 2.55% with 13,696 units sold.

Nonetheless, other acclaimed Hyundai LCVs such as the Hyundai Tucson (Compact SUV), Grand Starex (Passenger Van), and Santa Fe (Mid-size SUV) all showed month-on-month growth fueled by Hyundai’s industry-first 5X5 campaign.

HARI’s Commercial Vehicles (CV) business continued its surge with a 50% growth in November versus the previous month. Year-to-date, sales of Hyundai’s Trucks and Buses (HTB) grew signifi-

cantly by 79.7% with 787 units sold. This segment is expected to grow even more with increased demand from the public transport sector. Recently, the company opened its 5th dedicated CV dealership for 2019 in Cainta. The inauguration of HTB-Cainta was highlighted by the signing of MoUs for the order of 1,200 units of Hyundai HD50S Modern Jeepneys Class 1, Hyundai H-100 Modern Jeepneys Class 2, and Hyundai County Buses.

The company hinted that it was preparing to inaugurate more dealerships in both the PC and CV business in 2020.

“Based on current market demand and the untapped potential in key growth areas, there is a need to further expand Hyundai’s presence to serve more customers while driving economic activity in local communities. We have several facilities in various stages of completion that will be opened throughout 2020. This supports our outlook that the automotive industry is set come back strong next year,” Agudo said.

Toronto’s historic streetcars leave the rails TORONTO, Canada’s biggest city, is known for a few things: the iconic CN Tower, the ice Hockey Hall of Fame, great food from around the world and its historic streetcars.

But by year’s end, the trolleys will be retired and replaced with sleek new trams —a decision that has been met with a mix of sentimental sadness and scorn.

“I like these streetcars because they have a history in Toronto,” says 37-yearold Kenneth, riding at the back of one of the old trams on line 511, running along Bathurst Street.

“They’re an icon.”

Toronto’s original 19th century trolley cars were pulled by horses, before the cars were powered by electricity in the 1920s.

The historic tall, narrow, red and white streetcars, formally known as Canadian Light Rail Vehicles (CLRV), were commissioned in the late 1970s.

To board, riders must climb three big steps. To request a stop, one pulls down on a yellow cord pinned to windows running the length of the trolley car.

Toronto is one of the rare major cities in North America, along with San Francisco, to have maintained major tramway networks. Lines still exist in a handful of cities including Cleveland and New Orleans.

The Toronto system serves an average of 65 million riders a year.

‘Weird and unique’ Streetcars were once the main form of public transit in the continent’s cities, but after World War II, cars and buses took over, and hundreds of kilometers (miles) of tracks were ripped out.

After years of debate at city hall and under pressure from activists, Toronto decided in 1972 to maintain its network, which is now composed of 11 lines running through the heart of downtown.

The old-time streetcars are now celebrated and an emblem of the city, appearing on t-shirts and posters in souvenir

SAUDI Arabia’s sports chief says the controversial 2020 Dakar Rally, to be hosted by the country for the first time, will help showcase the austere kingdom’s tourism potential.

Organisers of the 12-day marathon through the Arabian desert, which starts on January 5, have admitted they have qualms about bringing one of motor racing’s most gruelling adventure rallies to the Gulf kingdom, which has been under fire over human rights abuses.

But Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki alFaisal, chairman of Saudi Arabia’s General Sports Authority, said the race would help spotlight attractions as the ultraconservative kingdom opens up to international tourists amid a push to boost non-oil revenue.

“With the launch of the Dakar Rally here in the kingdom, the world will see the picturesque nature of our country and its wonderful desert,” Prince Abdulaziz told reporters in Qiddiya, close to the capital Riyadh.

“The world will come closer than ever to the people of the hospitable kingdom (that is) looking forward to welcoming the world.”

The 2020 Dakar will set off from Jeddah on January 5 and end 7,800 kilometres (4,800 miles) and 12 days later in Qiddiya.

The race, involving more than 550 drivers from around the world, will pass through a host of sites –- from NEOM, a $500 billion futuristic megacity under construction, to the heritage site of AlUla and the sand dunes of the vast Empty Quarter desert.

In September, Saudi Arabia began offering tourist visas for the first time.

Kickstarting tourism is one of the centrepieces of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s Vision 2030 reform programme to prepare the biggest Arab economy for a post-oil era.

But the conservative country, which forbids alcohol and is notorious for sex segregation, is seen as an unlikely destination for global tourists aside from Muslim pilgrims visiting holy sites in Mecca and Medina.

The Dakar started its history as a rally between Paris and the capital of Senegal in West Africa, then switched to South America when security became a concern. Organisers say it will remain in the Arabian peninsula for at least five years.

Last year’s winner Nasser al-Attiyah of Qatar is among the favourites in his Toyota with Carlos Sainz and Stephane Peterhansel, a 13-time winner in bikes and cars, expected to pose a strong challenge in their Minis. AFP

Peugeot, Fiat star in megabuck deal

shops and on toy shelves.

“Toronto can be a little bit plain sometimes, and streetcars are one thing that has made us kind of different,” Mark Fiorillo, who has lived in the city his entire life, says with a hint of nostalgia.

“No other streetcar looked like that: like beasts or tanks,” he said. “They were quite cool.”

Fiorillo heads up a charity called CityFund, that focuses on getting Toronto residents to be more engaged in their city.

With the support of the city’s transit commission, Fiorillo launched an art project called “A Streetcar Named Toronto”—a nod to the Tennessee Williams play.

One of the old hulking trolley cars was splashed in brightly colored paint and is one of a handful still in circulation. The final day of service will be December 29.

Most of the rest of the streetcars have already been replaced by new trams built

by Bombardier.

In 2009, the Montreal-based company won a contract from the city for more than Can$1 billion (US$750 million) to provide 204 new streetcars.

After several delays, the company accelerated assembly work and promised to complete the order by the end of December. Nearly all of them have been delivered.

More passengers For Scott Haskill, manager of project development at the transit commission, the old trams—which were aging and not adapted to those with disabilities—had “come to the end of their natural life.”

The new Flexy Outlook streetcars, with softer curved features that echo new Bombardier models already in use in Berlin and Brussels, have low floors and no steps.

They are also longer and wider and can hold more passengers, Haskill told AFP.

“We needed bigger streetcars because the routes are so busy and we needed more capacity,” he explained.

Not everyone is sad to see the old streetcars go.

“I don’t care,” says Bernadette Beaupres, a 61-year-old commuter who rides public transit an hour each day and describes the experience as “absolutely horrible.”

Because the streetcars share space with cars and bicycles in a greater metropolitan area that is home to six million residents, they contribute to, as well as suffer from, gridlock.

The new trams are “fancy looking,” Beaupres admits as she steps off a new streetcar on Queen Street, which runs almost the entire length of the city.

“But we’re such a congested city that the streetcars are actually very slow,” she said, adding that if one breaks down, 10 more will get stuck behind it on the track.

AFP

FRENCH carmaker PSA and US-Italian rival Fiat Chrysler have signed an agreement to create the world’s fourth largest automaker, they said in a joint statement.

“Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and Peugeot SA (Groupe PSA) have today signed a binding combination agreement providing for a 50/50 merger of their businesses to create the fourth largest global automotive original equipment manufacturer by volume and third largest by revenue,” the statement said.

It added there would be “no plant closures resulting from the transaction.”

The combined group will have a workforce of more than 400,000, total revenues of close to 170 billion euros ($190 million) and annual unit sales of some 8.7 million vehicles of the brands Fiat, Alfa Romeo, Chrysler, Citroen, Dodge, DS, Jeep, Lancia, Maserati, Opel, Peugeot and Vauxhall.

The joint entity will have “the leadership, resources and scale to be at the forefront of a new era of sustainable mobility,” PSA and Fiat Chrysler said.

The tie-up will “deliver approximately 3.7 billion euros in estimated annual synergies.”

The merger was expected to be completed in 12-15 months, the statement said.

The combined group would be headquartered in the Netherlands, and continue to be listed on the Paris, Milan and New York stock exchanges.

Fiat Chrysler chief John Elkann will be chairman and PSA’s Carlos Tavares chief executive. AFP