Manila Standard - 2020 January 8 - Wednesday

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Water firms face gov’t takeover

By MJ Blancaflor and Rey E. Requejo THE government will offer the two private water distributors new concession agreements, but if they reject the new deal, it will cancel their contracts, nationalize water services and sue them, the Palace said Tuesday.

“There is a time for reckoning. That time has come,” said Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo.

“Should Maynilad and Manila Water refuse to accept the new agreements, the Chief Executive will order the cancellation of their present water contracts, mandate the nationalization Next page VOL. XXXIII • NO. 328 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P18 • WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 8, 2020 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Duterte sides with US

But rules out fielding troops to join GI Joes

By MJ Blancaflor, Macon Ramos-Araneta and Maricel V. Cuz

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RESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has declared that the Philippines would side with its long-time ally the United States if Filipinos were harmed by Iranians, as tensions mount in the Middle East after a US drone attack killed the top Iranian general.

“We will not be neutral. The President was very specific in saying last night that if the Filipinos are harmed, he will side with the Americans,” Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said in a Palace briefing.

“If they will harm the Filipinos, then the President will not sit down idly and watch,” he added, quoting the President during Monday night’s Cabinet meeting.

But Duterte on Tuesday ruled out sending Philippine troops to join the Americans.

CABINET MEETING. President Rodrigo Duterte presides over the 45th Cabinet Meeting at the Malacañan Palace on Monday. No details on what was discussed were released by Malacañang. Presidential Photo

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Letter on US pullout from Iraq a ‘mistake’ AMERICA’S military strategy in Iraq was thrown into confusion Monday as the Pentagon admitted a letter from a general informing the Iraqi government of an imminent US troop pullout was sent by “mistake.”

The latest developments came as a sea of black-clad mourners in Tehran paid homage to Qasem Soleimani, the head of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards’ Quds Force who was killed in a US strike in Iraq on Friday.

US Brigadier General William Seely informed his Iraqi counterparts in a letter dated Sunday that American troops were preparing to leave Iraq.

“We respect your sovereign decision to order our departure,” said the letter, whose authenticity was confirmed to AFP by both Iraqi and US defense officials.

Seely said the US-led coalition would “be repositioning forces.”

“In order to conduct this task, Coalition Forces are required to take certain measures to ensure that the movement out of Iraq is conducted in a safe and efficient manner,” said the letter.

It said helicopters would be traveling in and around Baghdad’s Green Zone where the US Embassy is located as part of the preparations.

AFP could hear helicopters flying low over Baghdad Next page

Stampede at general’s funeral leaves over 30 dead

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Esperon: Junk Joma’s peace offer, go local

PRECAUTIONARY MEASURE. In this

image released by the US Defense Department, 82nd Airborne paratroopers march to board a civilian aircraft bound for the US Central Command area of operations from Fort Bragg, North Carolina, on Jan. 4, 2020. This deployment is a precautionary action taken to respond to increased threat levels against US personnel and facilities. Thousands more US troops were ordered to the Middle East on Jan. 3 after the US assassinated Iran’s military mastermind and Tehran promised ‘severe revenge.’ AFP

Immigration men on their toes after Kuwait deployment ban

By Vito Barcelo

THE Bureau of Immigration said it will not allow Kuwait-bound workers to leave after the government declared a ban on the deployment of newly-hired domestic workers in the Gulf state.

BI port operations division chief

Grifton Medina said immigration officers in the different international ports have been instructed to strictly enforce the ban imposed by the Department of Labor and Employment.

Medina said the ban applies to all newly-hired household service workers recruited for deployment to Kuwait.

He said that departing Kuwaiti-bound domestic workers whose overseas employment certificates were issued before the cut-off date of Jan. 3, 2020 as set by DOLE are still valid for deployment and thus will be allowed to leave.

The bureau carried out the ban after it received a copy of a Jan. 3 resolution

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6-m devotees seen flocking to Traslacion

By MJ Blancaflor PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte’s top security adviser has rejected the revival of the talks with the Communist Party of the Philippines, saying the government should pursue localized peace talks instead.

This came after CPP founding chairman Jose Maria Sison said the Duterte administration should start releasing political prisoners as a goodwill measure to resume the talks this month, adding their freedom will “ensure [the] success” of the meeting.

In a statement, Hermogenes Esperon Jr. said the peace negotiations were only being used by the communist rebels as a “period to rest when badly beaten, seek reinforcements, and initiate recruitment.”

“We have alternatives to the peace talks. We are now pursuing local peace engagements which have resulted in understanding and the mainstreaming of rebels,” Esperon said in a statement.

from the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration ordering a partial deployment ban.

In the resolution, the POEA also imposed a moratorium on the verification, accreditation, and processing of individual contracts and additional

By Vito Barcelo

AT LEAST six million devotees of the Black Nazarene are expected to join in this year’s “Traslacion” or the procession of the image of the Black Nazarene, a Quiapo Church official said on Tuesday.

Quiapo social communications coordinator Jonnaus Bautista said the procession on Jan. 9 Next page

BLESSING OF REPLICAS. Devotees, clad in maroon vests, participate in a parade and blessing of the replicas after the procession two days before the Traslacion on Jan. 9. Monsignor Hernando Coronel, rector of the Quiapo Church, led the blessing of the replicas. The Traslacion procession recalls the transfer of the Black Nazarene image from the Recollect Church in Intramuros, Manila to the Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene in 1787. Norman Cruz

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SC urged: Revisit recount results F though he was not given any opportunity to present his evidence in support of his pilot protest.

Marcos also questioned the ballots where the signatures of the Board of Election Inspectors were supposedly “glaringly different from the BEI signatures in other election documents and some ballots that were not shaded, which were allegedly counted as part of Robredo’s votes.

He accused the preliminary appreciation committee of adding the rejected ballots to Robredo’s votes “without first verifying the basis for the rejection of the ballot/s by the Vote Counting Machine and whether replacement ballots were issued to the concerned voter during the elections.

Marcos had identified the provinces of

Negros Oriental, Camarines Sur and Iloilo as his three pilot provinces the subject of the initial revision proceedings.

Under Rule 65 of the 2010 PET Rules, the protest may be dismissed “without further consideration of the other provinces if the protestant fails to make a substantial recovery during the initial recount proceedings involving the three pilot provinces.

However, Marcos assailed the application of this rule in his case, saying his third cause of action-the annulment of the election results in the provinces of Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur and Basilan―was “separate, distinct and independent from his second cause of action―the judicial revision, recount and re-appreciation of ballots―which the PET concluded last year.

Duterte...

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who would be displaced to prevent the “economic dislocation” of their families.

“The President is gravely concerned with the condition and safety of overseas Filipino workers in the Middle East, particularly in Iraq, Iran and nearby Arab countries,” Panelo said.

“He stressed that it is the paramount duty of the government to give protection to the Filipinos whenever their lives are in peril wherever they are,” Panelo added.

On Monday, Duterte urged the Congress to convene a special session and discuss a “standby fund” for the evacuation of Filipinos in the Middle East since he is expecting Iran to “retaliate soon” against the United States.

The House of Representatives is ready to accede to President Duterte’s request for Congress to convene in a special session to help map out contingency plans related to the ongoing tension in the Middle East, House Majority Leader and Leyte Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez said on Tuesday.

Romualdez said the chamber was still awaiting for Malacañang’s formal communication on the issue.

“Such communication is needed to guide us on what is expected of Congress during the special session,” Romualdez said.

“We agree with the President’s pronouncement that the rising tension in the Middle East is a major concern that needs urgent legislative attention. We are ready to clothe the executive with all the powers needed to make sure that every Filipino is safe and secure in these trying times,” Romualdez said.

Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri said if the President requests a special session to pass a supplemental budget for overseas Filipino workers, the Senate is prepared to act on his request.

“The President can also utilize for the meantime the billions of pesos of contingency funds in the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, available for repatriation immediately,” he said.

He said funds are readily available for these emergencies.

“We also support the President’s plan to set up a Crisis Committee in charge of the massive plan to bring back our OFWs in case war breaks out between Iran and the US and its allies such as Saudi Arabia, which hosts over a million Filipino workers,” he said.

“That is a gargantuan task, and we would need the support of all our government agencies to be able to bring home such a large number of people,” Zubiri added.

The Philippine National Police has ordered its aviation forces to intensify security in airports in the wake of escalating tensions in the Middle East.

Brig. Gen. Crizaldo Nieves, chief of the PNP Aviation Security Group, said 200 police officers are currently undergoing training and they plan to recruit 500 more.

Lt. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar, chief of the PNP Directorial Staff, said all airports must be secured to prevent any attacks in a possible proxy war.

While they have not yet received any credible threats, Eleazar said it would be better for the PNP to be on guard and take preemptive actions to prevent attacks from occurring. With PNA

Letter...

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throughout the night on Monday.

But Pentagon Joint Chiefs Chairman Mark Milley said on Monday the letter was a mere “draft” and “should not have been sent.”

“It was a mistake, an honest mistake, a draft unsigned letter, because we are moving forces around,” Milley told reporters in Washington.

US Defence Secretary Mark Esper said the letter was “inconsistent” with Washington’s position and denied there had been a decision to leave Iraq.

The US drone strike that killed Soleimani, as well as Iraqi military commanders, has sparked fury in both Iran and Iraq, with Tehran vowing revenge.

Iraqi lawmakers on Sunday urged the government to oust all foreign troops from Iraqi soil.

Trump threatens ‘retaliation’ Some 5,200 US soldiers are stationed across Iraqi bases to support local troops preventing a resurgence of the Islamic State group.

They make up the bulk of a broader coalition, invited by the Iraqi government in 2014 to help combat the jihadists.

On Monday, Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei fought back tears as mourners flooded the streets around Tehran University to honor Soleimani.

The targeted killing of the 62-year-old Soleimani saw Iran step back even further from the already tattered 2015 nuclear accord with world powers.

In an escalating war of words that has heightened international concern and rattled financial markets, Trump threatened yet more “major retaliation” if Tehran hits back, including strikes on Iranian cultural sites.

Writing in all-caps on Monday, Trump tweeted: “IRAN WILL NEVER HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON!” ‘Path of sobriety’ Iraq requested in a letter to the UN— seen by AFP—that the Security Council condemn the US drone strike, so that “the law of the jungle” was not allowed to prevail.

The operation represented “a dan-

gerous escalation that could lead to a devastating war in Iraq, the region and the world,” wrote the Iraqi ambassador to the UN, Mohammed Hussein BahrAluloom.

NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg warned Iran must avoid “further violence and provocations” after the alliance held emergency talks in Brussels.

“At our meeting today, allies called for restraint and de-escalation. A new conflict would be in no-one’s interest,” he said.

Saudi Arabia—an oil-rich US ally seen as vulnerable to Iranian counter strikes— also appealed for calm.

The European Union, whose foreign ministers will hold emergency talks Friday, said it was in Iran and Iraq’s interest to “take the path of sobriety and not the path of escalation.”

EU diplomatic chief Josep Borrell said he “deeply regrets” Iran’s latest step back from the nuclear deal.

The agreement had offered Tehran sanctions relief in return for curbs to prevent it acquiring nuclear weapons—but Trump’s withdrawal in 2018 dramatically weakened the deal.

Despite its latest step, Iran insisted it would continue to cooperate with the UN agency overseeing its atomic program.

Throngs of mourners The raw emotions sparked by the killing of Soleimani were on full display in Tehran, where state television said “several million” black-clad mourners filled the streets.

“The last time I remember such a crowd was at Ayatollah Khomeini’s funeral 30 years ago,” said Iranian journalist Maziar Khosravi.

As they marched down a main artery of Tehran, the mourners chanted “Death to America” and “Death to Israel”.

Soleimani, a beloved hero of the 1980s war with Iraq, will be laid to rest in his hometown Kerman on Tuesday.

Trump on Saturday issued a US strike list of 52 targets in the Islamic republic.

“Those who refer to the number 52 should also remember the number 290. #IR655 Never threaten the Iranian nation,” Rouhani tweeted, referring to 290 lives lost in July 1988 when a US warship shot down an Iran Air plane in the Gulf. AFP

Water firms...

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bring raincoats/ponchos in case it rains, and enough drinking water to avoid dehydration,” Duque said.

Meanwhile, the Metro Manila Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council is joining the Police and the Armed Forces in protecting the people and ensure peace and order during the Traslacion.

Danilo Lim, chairman of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority and concurrent MMDRRMC chief, said the Council was also on “blue alert” to ensure the safety and well-being of the devotees.

Bautista said the image of the Black Nazarene will pass through Ayala Bridge instead of Jones Bridge this year.

He said the procession may only take 15 to 16 hours, compared with last year that took almost 23 hours.

At least 13,000 policemen will be deployed to ensure the safety and security of the millions of devotees, said Police Lieutenant Colonel Reynaldo Magdaluyo, commander of Manila Police District Station 3.

Magdaluyo also assured the public that the “zero-vendor policy” ordered by Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko” Domagoso will be strictly implemented on the entire route of the Traslacion.

“Vendors are not allowed along the Traslacion route. They will be arrested,” Magdaluyo said.

Classes in all levels, both private and public, and local government work have already been suspended in observance of the Traslacion. With Macon RamosAraneta and Joel E. Zurbano

Immigration...

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By Rey E. Requejo

ORMER Senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has asked the Supreme Court, sitting as the Presidential Electoral Tribunal, to reexamine the preliminary results of the election recount arising from his poll protest against the proclamation of Vice President Leni Robredo in the 2016 vice presidential race.

In a memo filed on Dec. 19 last year, Marcos also urged the PET to proceed to his third cause of action seeking to annul the results of the elections in three Mindanao provinces.

Marcos’ memo was in compliance with the PET’s order last October for both parties to comment on its ruling

Stampede at Iran general’s funeral leaves over 30 dead A STAMPEDE broke out Tuesday at the funeral of a top Iranian general killed in a US drone strike, leaving more than 30 people dead as huge crowds of mourners packed his hometown.

The crush in the southeastern city of Kerman came as Iran prepared to bury Revolutionary Guards commander Qasem Soleimani, a hugely popular figure in the Islamic republic.

“Unfortunately because of overcrowding 32 of our citizens lost their lives in the procession... and 190 were injured,” the head of the country’s emergency services, Pirhossein Koolivand, told state television.

The injured were immediately transferred to hospital, he added.

AFP correspondents in Kerman said the streets were packed with mourners, while others took refuge on hillsides around the city.

Soleimani, the head of the Guards’ Quds Force foreign operations arm, was assassinated on Friday in a US strike near Baghdad international airport, an operation that shocked Iran.

“The enemy killed him unjustly,” the Revolutionary Guards’ top commander, Major General Hossein Salami said, adding the process of “expelling the United States from the region has begun.”

“Our will is firm. We also tell our enemies that we will take revenge, and that if they (strike again) we will set fire to what they love,” he told the sea of black-clad mourners.

“They themselves know well what places I am talking about.”

Schoolgirls joined chants of “Death to Trump” from the crowd, an AFP correspondent reported.

Tuesday’s funeral comes after days of processions through the southwestern city of Ahvaz and the shrine cities of Qom and Mashhad as well as the capital Tehran.

The assassination of Soleimani set off an escalating war of words between Iran and the United States.

In Tehran, President Hassan Rouhani on Monday warned Trump to “never threaten” Iran, after the US leader issued a US strike list of 52 targets in the Islamic republic.

On Tuesday, Iranian lawmakers voted to designate all US forces around the world “terrorists” over Soleimani’s killing.

Parliament also agreed to bolster the coffers of the Quds Force, which Soleimani led, by $244 million (200 million euros).

‘Boils the blood’ In Kerman, people converged from afar on Azadi Square where two flag-draped coffins were on display, with the second one reportedly containing the remains of Soleimani’s closest aide, Brigadier General Hossein Pourjafari.

“We’re here today to pay respects to the great commander of the holy defence,” said one of the mourners who came from the southern city of Shiraz to attend the funeral in Kerman.

“Haj Qasem was not only loved in Kerman, or Iran, but also the whole world,” Hemmat Dehghan told AFP. “The security of the whole world, Muslims, Shiites, Iraq, Syria, Afghanistan and especially Iran, all owe it to him,” said the 56-year-old war veteran.

Another mourner said Soleimani’s assassination “boils the blood of the Iranian people.” AFP

6-m devotees...

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may be faster this year than last year because of the new and shorter route.

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III on Tuesday placed all 16 of the department’s hospitals in Metro Manila on Code White Alert in preparation for the Traslacion.

Fourteen health emergency response teams will also be deployed in strategic areas along the route of the Traslacion to provide emergency medical services to the thousands of devotees expected to attend.

“I call on all devotees who will be joining the procession to wear comfortable clothes and protective footwear, and to wear hats and bring fans to combat the heat. Also,

that, based on the initial recount of three pilot provinces, Robredo’s lead over Bongbong Marcos even increased by more than 15,000 votes.

But Marcos said the preliminary appreciation committees “erroneously overruled his objections to the ballots counted in favor of Robredo “even

This, he said, is “out of the question, unless the national interest would demand” it.

He added that such a decision would also need the authorization of Congress.

Earlier, Duterte ordered top government officials to travel to the Middle East and check on the welfare of Filipinos there.

President Duterte asked Environment Secretary and former special envoy to Middle East Roy Cimatu to immediately fly to the region to lay the groundwork for the evacuation of some four-million Filipinos there if violence breaks out and endangers their lives.

The Chief Executive also instructed Presidential Adviser on Overseas Filipino Workers Abdullah Mamao to go to Iran and Iraq to convey to their governments his “urgent desire” that no Filipinos be harmed in the course of the ongoing conflict.

The military has also been preparing air and naval assets to bring home Filipinos in case fighting breaks out.

A special working committee was created to draw up measures for the repatriation of Filipinos.

The group is composed of Cabinet secretaries Delfin Lorenzana (Defense), Eduardo Año (Interior and Local Government), Teodoro Locsin Jr. (Foreign Affairs), Silvestre Bello III (Labor), Arthur Tugade (Transportation), and Hermogenes Esperon Jr., the national security adviser.

Duterte also ordered government agencies to come up with plans for those

of water services in their respective areas of operation and prosecute all those involved, directly or indirectly, in the arrangement that led to the present suffering of the Filipino people.

But Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said the new contracts may still be discussed and negotiated.

“There will be a process of discussion and renegotiation. It’s not a 100 percent take it or leave it thing. We are reasonable in so far as this matter is concerned,” Guevarra said in an interview over radio dzMM. He said there is no consolidated draft of the new contracts yet, but said his department is giving the matter a “high priority.”

“The inputs on the financial aspect will have to be discussed further and integrated later,” Guevarra said.

The Department of Justice and the Office of the Solicitor General previously reviewed the 1997 water concession deal with Maynilad and Manila Water and found unfair provisions in the deal which “violated every prohibited act in the anti-graft law.”

Metro Pacific-led Maynilad said it has yet to receive a copy of the amended contract, but said it reassured the President of its “continuing cooperation.”

Ayala-led Manila Water has not issued a statement yet.

“The Filipinos have lost enormously with the unabated collections by these concessionaires despite the latter’s dismal performance in supplying, delivering and distributing water,” Panelo said.

The President said it is up to the two companies if they will accept the new contracts.

“That’s not my problem... I have this draft, it’s either you accept it or not. You do not accept it? Then there is no contract,” he said in a chance interview with reporters.

Asked if there was a deadline for the two companies, Duterte said he is “not hurrying them up.”

He also maintained his position that he would not recognize the ruling of the Singapore-based tribunal that ordered the Philippines to pay Maynilad P3.4 billion and Manila Water P7.4 billion after the two companies took the government to court for not allowing them to raise their rates.

job orders for household workers.

Medina warned agencies against trying to circumvent the ban.

“Our system is integrated with POEA’s hence with a click of a finger, we would be able to verify an OFW’s records immediately,” he said.

Meanwhile, BI Commissioner Jaime Morente in a statement said that they are ready to implement any additional bans that might be imposed on deployments to Iraq, Iran and Libya.

The statement comes amid growing tension between the United States and Iran, after an American drone attack killed Qassem Soleimani, head of Iran’s elite Quds military force.

Robredo's bombshell goes ‘pfft’ —PNP, PDEA

By Rio N. Araja PHILIPPINE Drug Enforcement Agency director general Aaron Aquino on Tuesday took a swipe at Vice President Leni Robredo for her public report that the government’s war on drugs was a “massive failure.”

Interviewed over GMA-7’s “Unang Balita,” Aquino said he asked the Philippine National Police where Robredo based her assumption that the government was only able to seize less than 1 percent of the country’s shabu supply and drug money.

“That is sad and at the same time funny,” Aquino said.

The Philippine National Police on Tuesday also disputed Robredo’s claim.

“With all due respect, I beg to disagree with the public relations bombshell of VP Robredo on the national anti-drug campaign as a massive failure,” said PNP Officer-in-Charge Lt. Gen. Archie Francisco Gamboa.

“Whether her numbers are merely an estimate or the exact value, the figure derived at is totally wrong.

Senator Bong Go said the Filipino people should be the better judge of Robredo’s statement.

“They are our ordinary citizen who are the direct beneficiaries. They were the ones saying they are safer now than during the previous administration,” Go said.

Robredo, who acted as ICAD cochairman for 18 days, held a press conference earlier and said she would give the government’s campaign against illegal drugs a score of 1 over 100.

“Between one person using her own computation giving a grade of 1 percent and 79 percent of Filipinos who said they are satisfied with our campaign, I will choose to believe the latter, Go said.

Meanwhile, the Dangerous Drugs Board is asking the help of the Department of Social Welfare and Development to have a unified data and scientific basis on the important aspects of the anti-drug campaign.

“In order to validate the presentation of data, the DDB with the technical assistance of the DSWD is currently undertaking a data gathering initiative set to determine the nature and extent of drug use in the country,” the agency said in a statement to reporters.

Aquino said Robredo’s report did not contain the actual data from the law enforcement agencies.

“It is just like comparing an orange to an apple, or an estimate to an assumption of an actual figure. It is not an official figure. It is just a wild assumption,” Aquino said.

“That is where [her assumption of] 1 percent came from.”

Aquino said even the Inter-agency Committee on Anti-illegal Drugs had no clear data. “[But] It saddens us that for the past three years, they are making it appear that ICAD was inutile despite the confiscation of over P45 billion worth of illegal drugs [from 2016 to 2019],” Aquino said.

“How can she [Robredo] say that we are just running after street-level [pushers]?” With Francisco Tuyay and Macon Ramos-Araneta

Esperon:...

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Meanwhile, the National Task Force to End the Local Communist Armed Conflict has asked Duterte to release new funds for an anti-insurgency program that seeks to end communism in the villages nationwide, Malacañang said Tuesday.

The request for a new budget for the Retooled Community Support Program was made by Esperon, who concurrently serves as NTF-ELCAC vice chairman, during the 45th Cabinet meeting held in Malacañang on Monday night, Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said.

Panelo, however, failed to mention the exact amount the NTF-ELCAC sought for the continued implementation of the RCSP. Esperon noted that the Philippine government had over 40 rounds of peace talks with the CPP since 1986 in a bid to end the conflict, but to no avail, saying another round of negotiations would be futile.

“Engaging in another round of peace talks after all these years and all our efforts without significant changes is therefore pointless,” Esperon said.

“Let us be clear on what the objectives of the peace talks are. Are we going to hand over governance to the CTG or at least be in a coalition government with them? Are we going to demobilize and demilitarize the NPA or let them become part of the new government armed forces?”

During the Cabinet meeting Monday night, the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict has requested the release of new funds for the Retooled Community Support Program, an anti-insurgency initiative that seeks to end communism in villages nationwide.

With PNA

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PNP’s fitness policy ‘win-win’ for all

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

QUEUE NEAR QUIAPO. Catholic followers form an early line Tuesday for the

traditional 'Homage to the Black Nazarene' (inset) at the bayside Quirino Grandstand, after the send-off Mass attended by the Philippine National Police and Bureau of Fire Protection personnel, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority staff and Ghijos del Nazareno sa Traslacion 2020. Norman Cruz

Du30 appoints heads of PhilSa, Housing department

By MJ Blancaflor PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has appointed the heads of the newlycreated Philippine Space Agency and the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development.

In a list released by the Palace Tuesday, Joel Joseph Marciano Jr. was named as director general of the PhilSA while former military man Eduardo del Rosario was appointed as secretary of the Housing department.

The President has also reappointed Dante Ang, chairman emeritus of The Manila Times, as special envoy for international public relations.

Ang was first designated to the post on May 3, 2017. He was reappointed on Nov. 1, 2018 and served until Oct. 1, 2019.

Ang carries a hefty portfolio in highprofile public relations job and was PR consultant for Iraq during the Iran-Iraq War and for Kuwait during the IraqKuwait War. He also served as publicist to former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo from 1993 to 2003.

Probe parking thefts—solon A FEMALE lawmaker on Tuesday sought a congressional investigation into thefts in guarded parking buildings and lots.

ACT-CIS Party-list Rep. Niña Taduran made the call after her sports utility vehicle was ransacked by still unidentified suspects at the parking building of a shopping mall in Sta. Mesa, Manila.

She said the suspects took her laptop, mobile phone, pieces of jewelry and cash after smashing the rear window of her car.

“We pay exorbitant fees for parking and yet these establishments can’t provide the assurance that our vehicles will be safe from theft and damage,” Taduran said in a statement.

She said she would file a resolution on the matter as she believed the protection and safety of the consumers should be extended to their properties which are entrusted to the establishments.

She said she would initiate the crafting of a bill in Congress where “parking establishments should be liable for the losses and damage to vehicles inside their guarded premises.” Maricel V. Cruz

2009 massacre suspect arrested in Ampatuan C OTABATO CITY—Police arrested Monday a suspect in the 2009 Maguindanao massacre that killed 58 people, 32 of them journalists.

Capt.

Jemar delos Santos, spokesperson of the Police Regional Office–Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, identified the arrested suspect as Faisal Dimaukom alias Kagui Dimaukom, 42, a farmer-resident of Barangay Kabinge, Datu Saudi Ampatuan, Maguindanao.

“Seized from the house of Dimaukom was a fragmentation grenade,” Delos Santos said.

Members of the Regional Intelligence Division Police Regional OfficeBARMM, Regional Mobile Force Battalion and Datu Saudi Ampatuan police swooped down on the house of Dimaukom around 4 a.m. Monday and caught the suspect.

In a statement, Brig. Gen. Marni

Marcos, PRO-BARMM chief, said that Dimaukom is one of the 80 suspects who remain at-large in connection with the massacre, described as the worst electionrelated violence in the country so far.

Bai, the wife of Dimaukom, cried foul over the arrest of her husband, saying she has documents to prove that the latter was attending a Hajj in Mecca, Saudi Arabia at the time of the incident.

Delos Santos, however, said the suspect’s arrest was a result of an extensive intelligence gathering from their field operatives.

“Let us just wait and let the court decide on the fate of Dimaukom,” he said.

Dimaukom is currently detained at the Parang town police custodial facility

in the province pending his transport and presentation before Judge Jocelyn Solis-Reyes of the Regional Trial Court Branch 221 in Quezon City.

The RTC Branch 221 under SolisReyes has been handling the proceedings of the case since 2009.

On Dec. 19, 2019, the court handed down the guilty verdict on 28 principal suspects in the case that included Datu Andal Unsay Ampatuan Jr, former Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao governor Datu Zaldy Ampatuan, Datu Anwar Sajid Ulo Ampatuan and Datu Anwar Ipi Ampatuan Jr. They are sentenced to reclusion perpetua without the possibility of parole.

More than a dozen police officers at the time of the incident were also sentenced from six years to ten years imprisonment as accessories to the crime. PNA

Lawmaker urges Iloilo court to decide on PECO’s case

By Maricel V. Cruz A LAWMAKER has expressed optimism the Iloillo court will expedite the resolution of the case involving beleaguered distribution utility Panay Electric Company.

Iloilo Rep. Julliene Baronda said the long dispute over the right to provide the city’s power supply did not only affect the residential consumers but could damage Iloilo’s reputation as an investment and tourism destination.

Baronda made the appeal to Iloilo Regional Trial Court Branch 35 Judge Daniel Antonio Gerardo Amular in light with his November decision suspending the expropriation proceeding over the assets of PECO, the city’s former power franchise holder.

Baronda earlier expressed dismay over PECO’s operations citing numerous complaints that includes questionable billings, high rates and poor customer service.

“I have seen the highs and lows of PECO’s service.

I have seen and heard the Ilonggos’ lamentations.

Ninety-six years is a long time and is more than

enough opportunity to perfect one’s act,” Baronda, vice chairperson of the House Committee on Transportation, said.

Baronda said that it’s with the Iloilo court to decide on the expropriation case but she prays that the esteemed Judge will look into the merits thoroughly.

“I would rather that we wait for the decision than issue statements that might be construed as sub judice or intrusive into the province of the judiciary. But I pray that the esteemed judge handling the case will look into the merits thoroughly and will come up with a verdict that is beneficial to the Ilonggo people” Baronda said.

Judge Amular recently requested the Supreme Court that the expropriation case against PECO be transferred outside Iloilo City because it has become too politicized “The case has been observed to become too politicized. It may be respectfully suggested for the best interest of the parties...that this case be transferred outside the jurisdiction of the Regional Trial Court of Iloilo to be tried and heard by the designated judge therein”Amular said in a 3 page letter to SC Court Administrator Midas Marquez.

Maria Luisa Geslani, 68 MARIA Luisa Lapus Geslani, wife of Emmanuel S. Geslani, died Tuesday at the age of 68.

She left behind her husband and their children Claudia “Ginger” G. Suplito, Patricia “Pepper” G. Jimenez, Marcelina “Chili” G.

Aldana, her sons-in-law Atty.

Gary TG Jimenez and Felipe B. Aldana. The family and relatives request readers to pray for the eternal repose of her soul.

Her remains lie in state at the Our Lady of Fatima Church

Memorial Chapel, Phil-Am Village, Pamplona, Las Piñas City.

Her remains will be interred at the family mausoleum on Jan. 11 at the Malabon Public Cemetery, Tugatog, Malabon City.

THE fitness policy adopted by the Philippine National Police leadership is a win-win situation for all—except the criminals.

Senator Panfilo Lacson stressed this Tuesday as he lauded the PNP, which he headed from 1999 to 2001, for keeping alive what he considered his best legacy to the institution.

“I would like to think the best legacy I left in the police institution was the discipline that I instilled in my policemen who I enjoined to stop huffing and puffing with big bulging tummies.”

“Instead, they maintained a maximum waistline of 34 inches so they would be trim and thin when they chased robbers and other criminals,” Lacson said.

He was referring to the policy of PNP officer-in-charge P/Lt. Gen. Archie Gamboa to deny police officers schooling for promotion if they did not comply with fitness requirements.

Lacson, who as PNP chief personally led his men in physical fitness regimens, said the police personnel would benefit by way of being healthier. “Para sa kanila yan,” he said.

“For many pot-bellied police officers, their waistlines were reduced to a point that they became proud and confident of wearing their police uniforms once more,” he added.

But most importantly, he said the sight of fit and trim police officers pounding their beats would instill confidence in the public.

Lacson said this policy should be combined with intensified internal cleansing efforts to make sure rogue police personnel who betray their oaths “to serve and protect” are punished.

“If we have policemen and policewomen who are physically and morally fit, everybody indeed wins.

Only the bad guys will lose,” he said.

Solon lauds rejection of same-sex union FORMER communist leader turned evangelist Rep. Eduardo Villanueva of CIBAC Party-list group on Tuesday lauded the Supreme Court decision denying the legalization of same sex marriage in the country.

In its 113-page decision, the High Tribunal denied with finality any motion for reconsideration of petitions requesting to legalize same sex marriage in the Philippines because “no substantial arguments were presented to warrant the reversal” of the previous decision upholding the constitutionality of Family Code provisions which confine marriage to just between man and a woman.

Villanueva, a deputy speaker, said the high court’s decision “reaffirms our belief that we are in the right path when we stand to defend that marriage is just and must be confined between man and woman.”

“It is not only the divine will of God, it is also the standing spirit and will of the laws of our land,” he added.

According to Villanueva, “the Family Code was crafted to mirror the historical, traditional and religious values of Filipinos on marriage.

Marriage, as an inviolable social institution in Filipino life, has always been conceived between a man and a woman.

“Hence, to nullify such law which bears our values on marriage is tantamount to denying our identity as a people and betraying our deep-held morals. It is not only against God, it is also against ourselves as a people,” he said.

He said Articles 1 and 2 of the Family Code limited marriages between man and woman while Articles 46 (4) and 55 (6) mention lesbianism or homosexuality as grounds for annulment and legal separation.

Associate Justice Marvic Leonen in his ponencia said that invalidating the Family Code provisions on who can marry may disturb a barrage of gender-specific laws in many Philippine statutes, such as taxation, family relations, labor, and even penal laws. Maricel V. Cruz

A4

Opinion

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 8, 2020

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

War and panic THE year 2020 and the decade of 2020s began with an undeclared war launched by Donald Trump against Iran and its militia allies in the Middle East.

The trigger was the assassination by an American drone strike of Iran’s top commander, Qassem Suleimani, and a ranking Iraqi militia general, Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, of Kata’ib Hezbollah, early Friday morning (Jan. 3, 2020) in Baghdad, the Iraqi capital, some 2 kms from its airport.

This decade’s war will have no ground rules.

Suleimani was a senior Iran government official. That makes his killing illegal. The murder was done in another country. That violated the sovereignty of Iraq.

Trump’s advisers claimed Suleimani was planning an “imminent” attack, probably against US diplomats and US facilities in the Middle East.

Trump said he stopped, not started a war. Suleimani had killed hundreds of thousands of Americans, said the US President.

Indeed, according to the New Yorker, since the late 1990s, Suleimani “was engaged in trying to remake the Middle East to Iran’s advantage, directing his proxies to kill or dispatch anyone who impeded his vision of an Iranian-dominated sphere of influence stretching from Tehran to the Mediterranean Sea. He was remarkably successful, legendary even—certainly the most influential operative in the region in modern times. He was involved in sponsoring terrorist attacks, propping up despots

Adelle Chua, Editor

EDITORIAL

like Bashar al-Assad in Syria, helping to assassinate at least one foreign leader—the Prime Minister of Lebanon, Rafik Hariri—and killing hundreds of American soldiers along the way. In the latter years of the American war in Iraq, Suleimani’s militias deployed a particularly bloody weapon against U.S. soldiers—the ‘explosively formed penetrator,’ or E.F.P.— which tore through the armor of U.S. military vehicles and wreaked havoc on soldiers and marines. It was no small irony that he died on the road to the Baghdad International Airport, where so many Americans soldiers and Iraqis died by ambush.”

Also, said the New Yorker article, “he was not just the central figure in the country’s foreign policy and military; he was also considered a pillar of the Revolution itself. Since 1979, Iran has regarded its defense against foreign enemies, particularly the United States, as central to its survival. Suleimani’s vision of the region was formed in the1990s, during the Iran-Iraq War, which left more than a million people dead and for which the Iranians, not entirely without reason, blamed the U.S. and its allies. Suleimani, a veteran of that war, vowed that nothing like it would happen to Iran again, and he built the Quds Force—a wing of the Revolutionary Guard—into a small, mobile army capable of waging asymmetric warfare against the country’s enemies, including the US.” Was that enough justification for Trump to order Suleimaini’s extrajudicial killing? Trump’s predecessors, George W. Bush and Barack Obama did not think so, although the Iranian general was an easy target because of his prominence and very public appearances.

The first world war began in August 1914, triggered by the assassination of the Austrian archduke, Franz Ferdinand and his wife, on 28th June 1914 by Bosnian revolutionary, Gavrilo Princip.

F

It does not work that way

OR the United States president, the social media site Twitter has become a valid channel for feelings, thoughts, and ideas.

Following his Twitter posts is like gaining a window into his mind.

Over the weekend, for instance, Mr. Donald Trump tweeted that the US had “targeted 52 Iranian sites (representing the 52 American hostages taken by Iran many years ago), some at a very high level & important to Iran & the Iranian culture, and those targets, and Iran itself, WILL BE HIT VERY FAST AND VERY HARD. The USA wants no more threats!”

Trump was anticipating retaliatory attacks by Iran after he ordered the killing, through a drone strike, of Major General Qassem Suleimani, a ranking military official of the Iranian government, in what the White House claimed this was a pre-emptive strike. The Iranians have since warned of attacks.

Afterward, the secretary of state, Mike Pompeo, clarified Trump’s words and said whatever would be done in a military engagement with Iran would be within the bounds of the law.

Targeting cultural sites is prohibited by international conventions signed in Geneva and The Hague.

In 2017, the United Nations Security Council unanimously adopted Resolution 2347, which deplored the “unlawful destruction of cultural heritage, religious sites and artefacts, and the smuggling of cultural property by terrorist groups during armed conflict, affirming that such attacks might constitute a war crime and must be brought to justice.”

But on board Air Force One, after spending the holidays at his Florida resort, Trump was again adamant, telling reporters: “They’re allowed to kill our people. They’re allowed to torture and maim our people. They’re allowed to use roadside bombs and blow up our people. And we’re not allowed to touch their cultural sites? It doesn’t work that way.”

This time, Defense Secretary Mark

Esper said that the US will “follow the laws of armed conflict,” including those that ruled out targeting cultural sites.

Cultural sites are always sacred ground, and international laws that protect them must be heeded. They preserve a nation’s heritage that will tell future generations how they lived. They embody what is traditional and unique about a certain people, given their history, while celebrating the universality of art and beauty.

Indeed these should be spared from the ravages of war and other fleeting, foolish decisions made by those who believe their personal glory trumps everything.

Of course, nobody expects the US president to be mindful of international law at this point. After all, he did defy norms by ordering the assassination of an official of another government, and without following the usual chain of decision making as expected of a logical individual.

We hope Iran’s many cultural treasures—like the treasures of every other place on earth—will transcend the destruction caused by strife, violence, and ego.

Turn to A5

Fearless, principled CROSSROADS J.A. DE LA CRUZ AS IN life, Ninez Cacho-Olivares left in a blaze. Days before she wrote finis to a life well lived highlighted by a fancied journalistic career, she was still calling out the oligarchs lording it over almost all aspects of our lives in this benighted land for what they are: heartless, greedy and malevolent. In her usual caustic and fearless prose, of course.

Yes, the veteran writer/editor dedicated her very last columns to what she did best—pointing out the atrocious and contemptible manner by which the rights and welfare of the poor and downtrodden masses of our people have been and continued to be trampled upon by the rich and powerful.

How laws were bent to suit vested interests abetted by government officials who could not care less. Or, to use her own words, those who were slurping it up from the specially built troughs designed only for the animal farm.

She lived and died the way she advised in the newspaper she nursed to what it is today—The Daily Tribune— without fear. without favor. Indeed, Boss Ninez as I used to call her when I still wrote a column at the Tribune, was relentless in her vow to ferret out the truth, call out the malevolent and the greedy and nurse the wounded and the aggrieved. In a country like ours where aggression, bullying, public shaming and all kinds of atrocious behavior against individuals and groups are rampant, she has lent her talent and, yes, resources to bring sense, balance and more importantly, justice to those who needed it most.

And these are the vast masses whose only fault is being born outside of

those wielding wealth and power in a harsh, feudalistic and unwelcoming environment.

Like a true-blue editor she was quick to point out the best way to write a column in this day and age: chose a topic you are conversant with, preferably dealing with the issues of the day and about the foibles of men and nations, and call them out for what they really are. You have to serve a higher purpose, was what she always reminded me, beyond self, family and friends. We must be able in our small ways, she said, to bring about a better, more egalitarian world where each and every one is given an opportunity to grow, live and love.

Boss Ninez has done more than her share in building a better world.

Well, she has done more than her share in building that "better world."

She will be well remembered as she passionately blazed a trail of honest, courageous journalism with the noted charm and grace she will now bring as she lies in the bosom of the Lord Almighty.

A newer and better (?) Traslacion Tomorrow, Jan. 9, we will see whether the advisory of the authorities and the parish council of Quiapo Church which houses the Black Nazarene to expect a "better and more disciplined Translacion" will come to pass or not.

The annual procession in honor of the Black Nazarene which has gained millions of devotees and even similar rites in other areas like Cagayan de Turn to A5

Child cancer ward reveals ills of Russian healthcare

By Victoria Loguinova-Yakovleva UNDERFUNDING, corruption allegations, internal feuding, facilities in disrepair—flaws revealed at a Moscow pediatric cancer ward have shone a harsh spotlight on the afflictions plaguing Russia's public healthcare system.

The Blokhin cancer centre, housed in a brutalist 1970s-era compound in the south of the capital, is so notorious that some have taken to calling it "Blokhinwald" after the Nazi-era Buchenwald concentration camp.

"Children with cancer are being treated in atrocious conditions, with a lack of ventilation, mould on the walls and overcrowded rooms," the

hospital's former deputy director of pediatrics, Maxim Rykov, told AFP. Along with 20 of his colleagues, Rykov quit the hospital, which describes itself as Russia's biggest oncological clinic, in September, accusing its new chief of mismanagement.

A health ministry investigation cleared the hospital, but the accusations were hardly a surprise to the parents of children treated there.

"The air vents had to be blocked up because the ventilation ducts hadn't been cleaned for years," said Tamara Tsvetkova, whose five-year-old daughter Veronika spent a year at the center for leukemia treatment and is now in remission.

"In the rooms there were no lockers to put things, we had to buy them our-

selves, as well as camp beds so that we could sleep next to our children," Tsvetkova said.

An AFP request to visit the Blokhin clinic was refused.

The oncologists who resigned accused the new management, which took over in June, of cutting their salaries by 35 percent, as well as changing treatment regimes to save money.

Lack of transplant funding Following media reports, the health ministry opened an investigation that instead accused doctors of enriching themselves through opaque schemes to fund bone marrow transplants.

Contacted by AFP, hospital management refused to comment, saying Turn to A5

Rolando G. Estabillo Publisher ManilaStandard

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

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Opinion

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 8, 2020

Severe sanctions on the recruiter

Into the brink?

DISCOMBOBULATING is the best word to describe the latest act of irascibility of America’s Donald Trump.

Some are even afraid that the assassination of Iran’s Gen. Qasem Suleimani in the vicinity of the Baghdad airport in Iraq could trigger a World War III. Maybe not. Not at this time anyway.

The Iranian leadership is yet calculating its moves, even as what the world used to know as the Persians are mad as hell. They have poured out by the millions in most every Iranian city not only in grief over their powerful military chief, but in vengeful anger at the Americans.

And Donald Trump triggered it all by a move unprecedented in its lack of consultation with the US Congress and American allies, known only to a small coven of his trusted men.

The ostensible purpose, as Trump’s Secretary of State Mike Pompeo claims, is to prevent the “evil” plan of Suleimani to attack American targets in the Middle East. Preventive strike, kuno.

But truly, it must have been a calculated act on the part of the amoral Donald Trump to prop up his sagging popularity at home in the face of a reelection campaign punctuated by his impeachment weeks ago.

As he faces trial in the US Senate, he now does a flag-waving exercise not only to gain sympathy from voters but also to reinforce his Republican strength in the Senate which will hear the charges soon.

He must have known likewise that some of his erstwhile key allies are itching to testify against him once the trial begins. As we write this, John Bolton, Trump’s former National Security Adviser has sent word to the Senate that he is ready and willing to testify should he be subpoenaed.

Nothing could be more irresponsi-

Child...

From A4

the conflict was "closed."

The medics denied any corruption, saying they arranged for private foundations to pay for transplants because of a lack of public financing.

"We do 50 or 60 transplants per year and the state pays for around 30. For the rest, either we abandon the patients or we look for a funding source," said surgeon Igor Dolgopolov, who resigned in November after a 20-year career.

Parents of child patients say they see the doctors who quit as victims of the system.

"They've saved so many children.

I can't condemn them," said Nailiya Tugusheva, whose five-year-old daughter Amira also has leukemia.

Growing dissent What causes the greatest alarm among parents of young Blokhin patients are changes in some treatment protocols.

Foreign-made medicines are being replaced with Russian equivalents, partly because they are cheaper but also due to a government requirement in place since 2015 to support the national pharmaceuticals industry.

About 30 parents have written to President Vladimir Putin asking him to reconsider the policy but "nothing came

Fearless,...

From A4

Oro City has always been such a sight, with throngs of people shoving, shouting and leaping even just to hold a part of the wooden figure. Clearly, cultural and religious undertaking is one like no other, showing raw devotion and faith in its most earthly manifestations.

But it has also been nightmarish for the authorities and church leaders. In previous years, the procession took almost the whole day snaking

ble than Trump’s pushing the whole world into the brink of conflict at this time. The American president does not have enough depth to navigate through geo-political hazards, and all he wants is to shield himself from his self-inflicted political troubles.

Now we all await with bated breath what Iran will do next. Already, the shockwaves have brought about an increase in the price of crude oil.

That is expected.

We all await with bated breath what Iran will do next.

When Rouhani told the daughter of the slain Suleimani who asked who would avenge her father’s death, that “all Iranians would avenge his death,” we should all be wary. Iran is likely to be more calculating; the wound upon their national pride quite deep, the insult from the US of A unforgivable.

A third world war is not likely, but the theater of conflict would be more widespread, and acts of terrorism both unpredictable and with increased frequency.

For us Filipinos, Trump’s act of selfish motivation is not just a matter of petroleum prices impacting on our inflationary levels; it is a concern for the thousands of our countrymen toiling in Iraq, Iran, and elsewhere in the Middle East which may be drawn into the immediate arena of conflict.

Already, President Duterte mobilized his officials to plan out a forced repatriation should this be needed by events unveiling quite fast.

That is the short term. In the medium- to long-term, I foresee the eventual creation of an anti-American axis that would redraw the balance of world power: an alliance among China, Russia and Iran, encompassing Eastern Europe through East Asia that would challenge not only America’s economic power, which has already been breached, but its military

of our message," Tsvetkova said.

The deaths in early December of two girls, aged 14 and 17, at the cancer centre after bone marrow transplants have only increased concerns, though no link has been established with the new drugs regime.

Russian doctors have generally avoided public disputes, despite very low pay by Western standards, but those at the Blokhin clinic are not the only ones speaking out and posting videos online.

In October, neonatologists—treating newborns—threatened to resign from a hospital in the city of Perm in the Urals mountains over low pay and long hours.

In the Kurgan region of Siberia, the closure of a tuberculosis centre led to protests.

And in Moscow in November, two renowned specialists in children's kidney transplants condemned the veto on foreign medicines, saying no Russian equivalents existed.

power as well.

Tremble at the thought when you look at the map of the world. The former republics led by Russia in the defunct USSR, with the exception of Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania, across the Asian land mass of Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, into China and Mongolia, plus the Shiite-majority nations of the Middle East.

With control over rich oil and gas resources, rare earth minerals, a third of the world’s territory and populapopula tion, and led by singularly authoriauthori tarian regimes, that prospect is quite frightening.

And having pushed his envelope towards the brink in a fit of irrationality led by selfish motives, Donald Trump has just made this scenario all too foreseeable in earlier time. *** Filipinos will appreciate the fact that Rodrigo Roa Duterte, from the very beginning of his presidency, weaned our foreign policy from being the lapdog of the Americans, and into an independent mode befitting a sovereign state imbued with the best interests of our nation and people.

The way Trump and his Republicans, along with their racist followers, are destroying all that America has through centuries stood for, thank God our President was prescient. *** A recent news article caught our attention: The Securities and Exchange Commission is seriously looking at the possibility that foundations and non-profit organizations such as socalled NGOs and people’s organizations are being used for money laundering.

Why not look as well into so-called religious organizations that wallow in too much wealth? Could all such wealth come from the “tithes” and contributions of their flock alone?

Our laws even give so many tax exemptions to such religious organizations which may be using “faith” for money-making objectives, or worse, as washing machines for foreign monies in search of “cleaning.”

‘Very little’ spent on health The government stresses the need to overhaul an inefficient health system, inherited from the Soviet era and hit hard by the economic turmoil of the 1990s.

Its so-called optimization drive over the last two decades to better allocate resources has led to the closure of smaller rural hospitals and a concentration of doctors in large multifunctional hospitals in major cities.

But in some areas "people have to travel 200 kilometers" (125 miles) for medical help, said Ivan Konovalov, of the Alliance of Doctors trade union.

And parts of the countryside often have no more than just first-aid dropin centers.

From 2000 to 2018, the number of hospitals fell from 10,700 to 4,390, according to official figures, while the number of beds per 10,000 Russians dropped from 115 to 71.

"Hospitals are short of medicines and patients have to buy them themselves," Konovalov said.

"In our country, a lot of money gets spent on the security forces, army and police and very little on health," he added.

Russia's health expenditure was 3.7 percent of GDP last year. That's much less than the 9.5 percent in France or Germany, according to Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development data.

Putin has acknowledged certain problems, notably a lack of facilities, equipment and staff, and announced an extra 150 billion rubles ($2.3 billion/2.1 billion euros) funding in total for a three-year period beginning this year.

Yet, medical student Darya Sosedova, who recently protested outside the health ministry, says she is not convinced by Putin's promises.

"People being fired, the low pay— when you see all that, you wonder if it's worth continuing your studies and staying in Russia," she said. AFP

around the callejons of Quiapo district and bringing in its wake unconscious devotees, injuries and even death. Which is why every year we have contingents of medical, para-medical and police crowd control personnel with their modern equipment and crowd control gadgets.

But times change so this time around, the new NCR Police Chief, General Devold Sinas, who used to be the top regional police officer in Central Visayas based in Cebu—a city which has its own Sinulog procession (for the Sto Nino/Child Jesus) similar

to tomorrow's procession—came out with new rules based on his experience in that city. There will be a translacion wall, as the police calls it, perhaps to hold back the crowd from pushing their way into the carosa carrying the Black Nazarene, a shorter route and more marshalls with police partners.

We will see if the new rules will bring more order and a better, accident free translacion, a situation which is, of course, welcome even as one known cultural guru said it would take the "flavor out of the entire faith based devotional undertaking."

A5

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

THE government must impose a ban on labor deployment to Kuwait following the brutal killing of yet another Filipino housemaid by her employer in the Gulf state.

I support Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III on the Department of Labor’s recommendation on implementing a partial ban subject to the approval of the board of the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration.

Bello, who chairs the POEA board, said the proposed ban would cover only new migrants who would work as domestic help in Kuwait and will not affect skilled and vacationing workers.

If imposed, such a moratorium of new DH recruits should send a strong message to Kuwaiti authorities, and may be upgraded to total deployment ban if justice for the latest victim, Jeanalyn Villavende, is not obtained.

According to a preliminary report submitted by Labor Attache Nasser Mustafa, 26-year-old Villavende was beaten to death and was already dead when taken to a hospital. Hospital personnel described her body as “black and blue.”

We are appalled by this tragedy, as voiced out by Malacañang, prompting the ban on the deployment of workers to Kuwait.

President Duterte is outraged as we all are by this violation of the agreement between the two countries for the protection of Filipino workers there.

The previous ban stemmed from the 2018 murder of Filipino housemaid Joanna Demafelis, whose body was found in a freezer in an apartment abandoned by her Arab employers in Kuwait City.

Demafelis’ employers fled Kuwait, but were arrested in Syria and sentenced to death. We expect a punishment at least as severe as this for Villavende’s death. Villavende is believed to have been killed on Dec. 30, but the exact date of her death will be known only after the autopsy. Her

killer employer is detained in Kuwait.

We demand protection for more than 264,000 Filipinos are working in Kuwait, more than 50 percent of them as maids. We must ensure their safety; the Kuwaiti authorities must guarantee the same.

Villavende’s tragedy highlights the disheartening plight of overseas Filipino workers who bear separation from their families to seek greener pastures abroad.

Presidential Spokesman Sal Pane Panelo said a complete ban on labor de deployment to Kuwait would depend on POEA’s recommendation, and would potentially strain diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Kuwait.

Villavende’s tragedy highlights yet again the disheartening plight of overseas Filipino workers who bear separation from their families to seek greener pastures abroad.

The labor authorities must impose severe sanctions on the local placement agency that had sent Villavende to Kuwait, including cancellation of its license for failing to act on the victim’s plea for repatriation months earlier.

Villavende sought the agency’s assistance as early as September, complaining about maltreatment and underpayment of salary but the recruiter did not do anything, according to Bello. “On December 13, the family again called Jeanalyn, but her female employer was the one who answered the call and said that the maid was busy,” he said.

This is outrageous, since recruitment agencies have a responsibility to monitor the welfare of the workers they deploy to other countries. They should check on their condition periodically. They must be made answerable for any labor violation committed by the principal employer since such agencies essentially represent the latter.

War...

From A4

Unlike the First and Second World Wars, this decade’s War will not be infantry and naval battles. The new war’s dimension is unprecedented and could include terrorism, cyberattacks, hostage taking, car bombings, more assassinations, and attacks on facilities, including nuclear, oil, and commercial shipping, of the warring participants. There will be no ground rules.

Civilians, including women and children as well as politicians, could routinely be collateral damage. It could drag known US allies like Israel, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar, and even perhaps Japan and the Philippines.

Unlike North Vietnam and Iraq, Iran is a different enemy state. It seems to have prepared for war with America since the 1979 Iranian Revolution that ousted the US-backed Shah. The Americans gave asylum to the Shah which triggered the hostage-taking of 52 US diplomats that lasted for 444 days and abbreviated the Carter presidency.

Until Obama entered into the 2015 agreement with Iran to limit, for five years, its nuclear production below the level of bomb-making, Tehran was on the way to becoming a nuclear power.

On Saturday, Iran said it will no longer comply with the limits. Its Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei also told his advisers retaliation against the US must be direct, proportional and done openly. That means the Revolutionary Guards, and not proxy militias in the region, will do the engagement.

So far, the Americans are in suspense just when and where the attacks will be. The Iranians, it seems, are in no hurry, preferring to let the Americans, in the meantime, stew themselves in the calumny of a cowardly assassination and the rage it has unleashed in the Middle East and elsewhere.

Meanwhile, Iraq has given signals to the US to begin pulling out (“repositioning” is the American word) its troops or at least limit their activities to something short of loitering. America is understood to have as many as 60,000 troops in the Middle East. Those troops are now on war footing. The US-led coalition in Iraq and Syria has also paused its fight against the ISIS to focus on a bigger enemy, Iran and its militias in the region.

For the Philippines, the war could have dire consequences. Some four million Filipinos are in the Middle East. In January-October 2019, Filipino expats in Iraq remitted $259,000; Iran $409,000; UAE $1.36 billion, and Saudi Arabia $1.78 billion. President Duterte has asked for billions of budget to prepare for the possible evacuation of Filipino expats in Iran (1,600) and Iraq (6,000).

Another problem is oil, whose price could spike to $90 a barrel, from the present below $70, if the crisis worsens. At the Strait of Hormuz, thru which passes 30 percent of the world’s oil supplies and of which 80 percent goes to Asia, Iran could disrupt their shipments. So far, the crude price has remained steady.

In yesterday’s briefing to the Tuesday Club, Bangko Sentral Governor Benjamin Diokno advised cynics and doomsayers: “There is no need to panic.” biznewsasia@gmail.com

A6

News

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 8, 2020

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Assorted food, meats seized at NAIA A

Kush weeds, liquid marijuana intercepted in Pasay

By Joel E. Zurbano

UTHORITIES at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport confiscated boxes of assorted food products and meat from a passenger who arrived from China on Tuesday.

CUSTOMS agents assigned at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport intercepted a shipment of kush weeds and liquid marijuana worth P200,000 at the Central Mail Exchange Center in Pasay City.

NAIA Customs district collector Carmelita Talusan said her men in cooperation with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency and NAIA InterAgency Drug Interdiction Task Group confiscated the parcel shipment misdeclared as “one pair of shoes and chocolate.”

Upon examination, the parcel from California, USA was found to contain four packs of kush weeds and 10 cartridges of liquid marijuana.

Talusan’s men “suspected the presence of prohibited substances due to the scent emitted by the parcel.” Previous apprehensions of marijuana were observed to have the same scent raising suspicion that the same was present in the parcel.

The authorities also arrested the claimant of the shipment identified as Xavier Martin Bulos, a resident of Sampaloc, Manila.

Bulos is now detained and was charged with violation of Republic Act 9165, also known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 in relation to RA 10863 or the Customs Modernization Tariff Act. Talusan warned the public against importing illegal goods as Customs and PDEA agents intensified their partnership in their anti-drug surveillance, intelligence, utilization of X-ray units and other equipment.

Last year, Customs agents also foiled an attempt of an international drug syndicate using the country’s postal system to smuggle liquid marijuana.

The authorities also arrested 27-yearold Filipino-American Hamre Tamayo Orion Alfonso, of Wisconsin, USA and temporarily residing at Merville Subd., Parañaque City, after he claimed the parcel of 30 vape cartridge containing the prohibited liquid substance from China at CMEC. Joel E. Zurbano

The 30 kilos of assorted food items—including peking ducks, frozen chicken feet and dumplings—was confiscated as part of the government’s measure to prevent the entry of African Swine Fever.

Fresh and frozen meat, cooked and uncooked processed products and byproducts from affected countries like China, Hong Kong, Vietnam, North Korea, Latvia, Romania, Hungary, Russia, Poland, Ukraine, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Moldova, South Africa and Zambia are strictly prohibited from entering the country.

The latest seizure was made after brand new X-ray scanning machines were put up the airport to prevent the entry of meat contaminated with ASF. President Rodrigo Duterte approved last year the utilization of the Quick Reaction Fund of the Department of Agriculture for the emergency procurement and installation of the meat and agri X-ray machines in the Customs area in all airports so that all hand-carried and checked in baggages of incoming passengers, especially those coming from ASF-affected countries, could be checked.

Philippine Quarantine Laws prohibit the entry of meat, fisheries and horticulture products, including planting materials, if these are not covered by Sanitary and Phyto-Sanitary Permits issued by both the BAI and the Bureau of Plant Industry.

Customs NAIA under the leadership of District Collector Carmelita Talusan said her team will continuously support the DA to prevent the possible outbreak in the country which may put the swine industry at risk.

She said that to date, some 5,000 kilos of meat and meat products were seized and turned over to Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) for proper disposal.

Airport officials reiterated that only importers with proper clearances and permits from government agencies tasked to regulate certain commodities such as the DA, Bureau of Animal

PNP ordered to explain Parojinog ‘leave’

By Rio N. Araja

FIFTH ALARM. Firefighters try to extinguish a fifth alarm blaze which gutted a commercial-residential building along Lakandula St. in Tondo, Manila on Tuesday morning. Norman Cruz

Death toll from typhoon ‘Ursula’ now at 53—NDRRMC THE number of deaths from the onslaught of Typhoon “Ursula” during the Christmas holidays has climbed to 53.

In its 6 a.m. update Tuesday, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said 362 people were injured while six others are missing.

The report signed and released

by NDRRMC executive director Ricardo Jalad said the fatalities and other casualties were reported in Regions 4-B (Mimaropa), 6 (Western Visayas), 7 (Central Visayas), and 8 (Eastern Visayas).

The number of fatalities are broken down into five in Oriental Mindoro; two

in Occidental Mindoro; six in Capiz; five in Aklan; 16 in Iloilo; one in Cebu; one in Southern Leyte; nine in Leyte; two in Biliran; five in Eastern Samar and one in Samar.

Meanwhile, the number of damaged houses were placed at 438,409 and these were reported in Mimaropa, Western Visayas, Central Visayas

and Eastern Visayas.

Of this number, 107,381 were totally damaged while 331,028 were partially damaged.

Also, damage to agriculture and infrastructure in Mimaropa, Bicol, Western Visayas, Central Visayas and Eastern Visayas was placed at P3.4 billion. PNA

GSIS-PRRD extended until Sept. 30 STATE pension fund Government Service Insurance System has extended the deadline for application to the GSIS Program for Restructuring and Repayment of Debts until Sept. 30, 2020.

GSIS-PRRD is the one-time condonation and restructuring program for members who are already out of government service to settle their outstanding loan balances in full or in part.

“GSIS is intensifying its efforts to recover and collect outstanding and non-moving loan accounts through the program. It likewise addresses the clamor of separated GSIS members and pensioners for a little more time to restructure their loans and pay the remaining balance through instalment,” GSIS Chairman and acting president and general manager Rolando Ledesma Macasaet said.

GSIS-PRRD availees may settle their balance until Dec. 31, 2020.

Industry, and Food and Drug Administration, among others can import meat products into the country.

The DA is implementing stringent quarantine measures comparable to those of advanced agricultural countries like Australia, New Zealand, Japan and the US. Animal Industry officials earlier urged overseas Filipino workers returning for the holiday season not to bring Maling pork luncheon meat or any canned goods, saying these items will be confiscated.

Canned goods and chocolates are among the top favorite ‘pasalubong’ of returning OFWs to their families and friends.

ASF is not a threat to human health but is a highly contagious disease for domestic and wild pigs. There is no vaccine against ASF and it is extremely devastating for the farming economy.

“We urge inactive GSIS members to apply for PRRD so they can pay their remaining balance free of penalties on an instalment basis at 10% interest per annum only,” the pension fund chief said.

GSIS-PRRD covers various service loans, which include Salary Loan, Restructured Salary Loan, Enhanced Salary Loan, Emergency Loan Assistance, Summer One-Month Salary Loan, Member’s Cash Advance/eCard Cash Advance/eCard Plus Cash Advance, Conso-Loan, Emergency Loan, Home Emergency Loan Program (HELP); Study Now, Pay Later and Fly PAL, Pay Later loans (did not avail of the condonation program in 2014); Education Assistance Loan (did not avail of EAL II), Stock Purchase Loan (did not avail of the condonation program in 2013); Policy Loan; and GSIS Financial Assistance Loan (for DepEd Personnel).

NEW AFP CHIEF. President Rodrigo Roa Duterte (right) handed over the Armed Forces of the Philippines Command Saber to newly-installed AFP Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Felimon Santos during the AFP Change of Command ceremony at Camp General Emilio Aguinaldo in Quezon City on Jan. 4. Presidential Photo

Poe to hold hearing on bills regulating motorcycles as PUVs

By Macon Ramos-Araneta and Rio N. Araja THE Senate committee on public services headed by Senator Grace Poe will conduct a public hearing on Jan. 14, Tuesday on bills proposing to regulate the use of motorcycles as safe and alternative public utility vehicles.

The hearing will begin at 10 a.m. at the Senate Session Hall and will tackle the four bills on motorcycle taxis filed

by Poe and fellow Senators Sonny Angara, Imee Marcos and Ralph Recto.

Poe said the long lines of commuters waiting for rides leave no doubt that we need alternative public utility vehicles.

“We hope this hearing will help find solutions to issues on safety, legality and other questions that need to be threshed out towards an efficient transport system as a whole,” Poe said.

At the hearing, Poe said she would ask for updates from the Department of Transportation on the pilot implementation of motorcycle taxis which started in June 2019.

“The results of the pilot run will be an important guide for the committee in crafting the final version of the bill,” she said.

“Our ultimate goal is availability, safety and comfort for our riding public,” Poe added.

The cap set by the regulator on the number of motorcycle taxis and issues concerning ownership will also be tackled in the hearing.

Under Poe's Senate Bill 128 or the proposed Motorcycles-for-Hire Act of 2019, operators of motorcycle taxis may utilize online ride-hailing or pre-arranged transportation platforms.

When passed into law, it will amend Republic Act 4136 or the Land Transportation and Traffic Code.

A new ride-hailing motorcycle taxi service—JoyRide— wants to convince the Department of Transportation and lawmakers that they are serious in providing another mode of transportation that is “safe and world-class” At a news conference, JoyRide vice president for corporate affairs Noli Eala said “we want to show that the motor-

cycle taxi service on the road can be a world-class industry.”

“We do not want to start [business] in the wrong direction,” he added.

Eala, along with banker Richard Aruisu, and Rico Meneses from a safety training center and information technology expert and JoyRide president Sherwin Yu, and logistics expert Edwin Rodriguez, on Tuesday toured the media in their 5,000-square meter facility in Antipolo City, Rizal to showcase how organized and systematic JoyRide is in assuring the public that they have welltrained bikers who are required to go through vehicle inspection and a seminar on basic road safety, road courtesy, and traffic rules and regulations.

“You now have seen our facility. What about the other competitors? Have you been invited to see theirs? We are very transparent compared to others,” Rodriguez told reporters.

According to Eala, more than anything else, JoyRide is after the safety of both riders and the passengers.

With an initial investment of P30 million, he said, JoyRide is taking a risk.

A QUEZON City lower court wants the Philippine National Police to explain why ex-Ozamiz City mayor Nova Princess Parojinog of Misamis Occidental was given a one-day furlough in 2018 without a court order.

Branch 228 of the Quezon City Regional Trial Court ordered the warden of the PNP-Custodial Center to explain why he must not be cited for contempt for allowing Parojinog to leave her detention facility "without the proper authority from this Court" on Nov. 12, 2018.

The court said Parojinog herself also failed to ask permission.

Parojinog, along with her brother— Reynaldo Jr.—was arrested in a 2017 in raid inside their house for illegal possession of drugs.

‘BARRM allowed to engage with foreign investors’ THE interim chief of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao said that under the law, the BARMM allowed to directly engage with foreign investors and other nations with diplomatic ties with the Philippines.

Al Haj Murad Ebrahim, who is also the head of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, issued the statement after Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. slammed Ebrahim’s meeting through social media with Turkish diplomats last month.

Locsin, however, did not push through his plan to file a diplomatic protest on the matter.

Ebrahim explained that his trip to Ankara from Dec. 11 to 16 was official and that he was given permission from the Office of the President.

“Under the BOL [Bangsamoro Organic Law], there are provisions allowing us to directly engage with foreign investors and countries with diplomatic relations with the Philippines,” Ebrahim said.

“There is no provision in the BOL wherein...after we [secure a] travel permit with the Office of the President, there is no provision we will still need the permission from the foreign ministry.”

Ebrahim expressed surprised by Locsin's remark because the Turkish ambassador in Manila had said that she had sent a note verbale to the Department of Foreign Affairs.

“I did not think that will happen because the fact that I met with the consul general in Ankara shows that there’s a coordination with the foreign ministry,” he said.

Ebrahim said he thanked the Turkish government for its continuing assistance to the region and for being “very helpful in the peace process.”

He added that he had informed the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process about the issue, as it also heads the Intergovernmental Relations Body, which handles Bangsamoro’s relations with the national government.

Ebrahim said the BARRM had secured some P4.153-billion investment from Malaysia, China, Japan, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey, among others in 2019.

Sports

A7

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 8, 2020 sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

Junior golfers impress US NCAA coaches DASMARINAS, Cavite—US NCAA Division 1 Coaches Andrew Larkin of UCLA, Richard Mueller of Columbia University and Christopher Massoleti of UC Berkeley expressed admiration for the 35 young Filipino golfers who joined the DreamBig Gold Series Golf Camp at Orchard Golf & Country Club, Dasmarinas on Dec. 16 and 17.

Besides the skills that the junior golfers showed, the coaches said it was their attitude towards the game that impressed them the most.

“Filipino players, compared to other players we’ve conducted the camp with are more eager and willing to learn.

They’re more open to instruction and also to criticism. I never had to repeat myself because no one was interrupting.

Everybody was eyes on when I was giving a demonstration. There was instantaneous attention to detail and they also asked very intelligent questions. To me, that was very impressive. There’s a lot of talented players that will definitely play high level golf in the U.S.,” said UC Berkeley Coach Chris Massoleti.

Meanwhile, Akshay Maliwal, Founder/CEO of DreamBig Events said: “It was a brilliant opportunity for golfers in the Philippines to get an evaluation about their golfing ability and whether they would have a chance to get recruited to one of these colleges in the future.

We have many more events coming to Philippines annually. Stay tuned!”

DreamBig continues its premier camps with the Gold Series Tennis Camp set to open January 2020 at the Manila Polo Club.

Chua named bowler of year a 5th time KENNETH Chua claimed an unprecedented fifth straight Prima Pasta bowler of the Year award recently during the 2019 Team Prima Annual Awards at the V Corporate Centre in Makati City.

Chua, 28, capped off last year with a silver medal in the men’s bowling team event of the recent 2019 Southeast Asian Games in Mandaluyong City after ruling several tournaments nationwide.

He also captured last year’s titles in the open master division of SCTBA Open Championship, the first PBF National Matchplay Open Championships, last year’s TBAM Open Masters competition and the PBA Open Masters Champion.

“Champions work hard until they get it right,” said Chua after receiving the award in the annual event organized by Team Prima Chairman Alexander Lim, who also gave special citations to other Prima athletes, who excelled in the SEA Games.

Also honored were Prima cyclists Jerrick Farr and Lea Denise Belgira, who won the gold in the cycling downhill competition men’s and women classes; and cue artist Rubilen Amit, who won nine-ball singles’ gold and nine-ball doubles’ gold, to go with the 10-ball silver medal in the SEAG. Krizzah Tabora Macatula was awarded the Female Bowler of the Year, while the Junior Bowler of the Year Male and Female winners were national youth member Merwin Tan and Dale Lazo, respectively.

Senior Bowler of the Year Male and Female achievers were Bonnie Solis and Lou Laforteza, respectively.

San Juan, Manila rout MPBL foes

The junior golfers are shown with US NCAA Division 1 coaches.

PSC committed to build PH Sports Training Center T

HE Philippine Sports Commission gives full-time commitment for the realization of the Philippine Sports Training Center.

Almost a year ago, President Rodrigo Duterte signed Republic Act 11214 or the Philippine Sports Training Center Act. The law is designed to establish a state-ofthe-art sports training facility with amenities that will be suitable and conducive for our national athletes, coaches and referees to achieve a high-level and quality training that will eventually results to best per- Ramirez formances when they compete in various international sports competitions including the prestigious Summer Olympic Games, where the national athletes are aiming to win our first-ever gold medal.

“We are doing our best to make this

long-time dream come true” said PSC Chairman William Ramirez.

According to RA 11214, the PSC will own the PSTC and will oversee the operation when it comes to the administrative work, security, as well as assigning of personnel to supervise the overall function of the facility.

The amount of P3.5 billion from the General Appropriations Act is appropriated for the establishment and construction of PSTC. Initially, the Municipality of Rosales, in the province of Pangasinan has expressed interest to be the main hub for the PSTC. Aside from Pangasinan, also express-

ing intentions are the provinces of Tarlac and Bataan.

“We are grateful for the support and interest that we are receiving from different LGUs. We are studying possibilities and best options” added Ramirez.

Meanwhile, the PSC is working alongside with United States Sports Academy in order to strengthen the country’s human resources in sports.

This March, the first of a series of short sports courses will be held. This is part of the PSC’s plans to continue upgrading the knowledge and skills of our coaches, trainers and sports professionals in the country.

USSA shall provide the education and training programs for individuals and groups designated by the agency.

“We are also arranging plans with the Commission on Higher Education and the University of the Philippines,” informed the sports Chief.

Information and forms on the PSCUSSA International Certificate for Sports Management Course can be access via http://www.psc.gov.ph under Philippine Sports Institute Programs.

THE San Juan Knights and Manila Stars lived up to hype and trounced their opponents in the resumption of the MPBL Lakan Season Monday (Jan. 6) at San Andres Sports Complex.

The Knights, the North division and overall pacesetters, drubbed Navotas Uni-Pak Sardines, 112-95, to climb to 21-3, while the second-running Stars clobbered the Rizal Golden Coolers, 116-69, to rise to 21-4.

Nueva Ecija caused a buzz with an 85-81 conquest of skidding Batangas City in the opener.

Sinking all of their eight free throws, including the game’s last four points, the Rice Vanguards improved to 7-16 while handing the Tanduaybacked Athletics their third straight loss and a 13-10 record in the South division.

Burly John Paul Sarao drilled in four of four charities while Tonino Gonzaga added two, his total for the night, in the last six seconds to seal the victory for the Vanguards, who were cheered on by busloads of supporters.

James Martinez topscored for Nueva Ecija with 18, followed by Sarao with 14, Adrian Celada with 12 and Maclean Sabellina with 10.

While the Rice Vanguards gutted it out, the Go for Gold-backed Knights and the Frontrow-supported Stars, both assured of playoff spots, frolicked against lowly opponents.

With Orlan Wamar firing 21 points, including six triples, John Wilson contributing 17 points, 7 rebounds and 4 steals, and Mike Ayonayon chipping in 12 points, San Juan moved beyond recall at 101-78 and pulled down Navotas to 9-16.

Chris Bitoon shone for the Stars, who stretched their win run to four, with 28 points and got support from Mark Dyke with 16, and Gabby Espinas and Aris Dionisio with 14 each.

Scoring 41 points from fast breaks, the Stars zoomed ahead at 92-57 and sent the Golden Coolers to their 19th loss in 23 starts.

The MPBL visits the Bulacan Capitol Gymnasium on Tuesday with Imus battling Muntinlupa at 4:15 p.m. Other games pit Basilan against Pasig-Sta. Lucia at 6:45 p.m. and Bulacan against Sarangani at 8:45 p.m.

Smoke delays unlikely at Australian Open, say organizers

This handout photo from the Australian Department of Defence shows plant operators of the Australian military’s 22nd Engineer Regiment using a backhoe to clear fire-damaged trees from the great Alpine road between Bairnsdale and Omeo in Victoria, as part of bushfire relief operations. Firefighters raced to quell massive bushfires in southeastern Australia on January 7, taking advantage of a brief drop in temperatures and some muchneeded rainfall before another heatwave strikes later this week.

The bushfires initially threatened to disrupt the opening of the Australian Open. AFP

SYDNEY—Smoke from bushfires is unlikely to delay the Australian Open tennis Grand Slam, organisers said on Tuesday, insisting they have pulled out all the stops to protect the health and safety of players.

With the opening major of 2020 due to start at January 20, Melbourne has been blanketed by haze in recent days from blazes burning to the east—part of Australia’s bushfire crisis that has left 25 people dead.

Novak Djokovic, president of the ATP players council, said organisers should consider delaying the tournament, as a last resort, if conditions did not improve.

But Tennis Australia chief Craig Tiley said he did not see this as likely.

“There has been a lot of speculation about whether the smoke from the bushfires will affect the Australian Open,” he said.

“All the information we have at the moment, with qualifying coming up next week, is that the forecast is good, we don’t expect

Weightlifting corruption, doping allegations ‘very serious’

any delays and we’ve implemented additional measures to ensure the Australian Open will be able to run as scheduled.”

Tiley said that while images of the fires, which have destroyed hundreds of properties, were distressing, there was no danger to people in Melbourne.

“The closest fires are several hundred kilometres (miles) from the city,” he said, while stressing that the health and safety of players, staff and fans was a priority.

“We’ve committed substantial extra resources to analysis, monitoring and logistics to ensure this throughout the tournament,” he said.

“There will be meteorological and air quality experts on site to analyse all available live data and assess in real-time the air quality at Melbourne Park, and we always work closely with our medical personnel and other local experts.”

‘Super-sad’ Any smoke hazards would

be treated in a similar way to extreme heat and rain, with umpires able to stop play if air monitoring shows it is too dangerous to continue.

But as Melbourne Park has three roofed stadiums and eight other indoor courts, the chances of major delays appear minimal.

The fires have been a key talking point at the ongoing ATP Cup in Sydney, Brisbane and Perth with tennis stars and other sports personalities getting behind a drive to raise money to help.

Every ace hit at the tournament will see Aus$100 ($69) donated to victims, while several players have individually pledged more.

Tennis Australia has also arranged a fund-raising exhibition match at Melbourne’s Rod Laver Arena on Jan. 15, ahead of the Australian Open, with “the world’s top players” taking part.

World number one Rafael Nadal indicated he would be one of them, calling the bushfire devastation “a super-sad situation.” AFP

Pumaren...

From A8

LAUSANNE—The International Olympic Committee described as “very serious and worrying” accusations made by a German broadcaster of corruption and doping cover-ups at the International Weightlifting Federation.

ARD, who broke the story on Russia’s state doping scandal, claim prominent weightlifters were rarely subject to tests, while some controllers were allegedly taking cash to accept manipulated urine samples.

The ARD programme also cited documents allegedly showing at least $5 million (4.5 million euros) in funding flowing from the IOC to the IWF were transferred into two Swiss accounts, of which only federation president Tamas Ajan had oversight.

“The IOC takes note of the ARD report. The accusations are very serious and worrying,” the IOC said on Monday.

“The IOC wants to clarify that—contrary to what ARD is claiming—it was not in possession of ‘most of the documents’ on which the film is based. This applies to the documents regarding the doping statistics and those regarding the alleged financial irregularities.”

Later Monday, the World Anti-Doping Agency said its independent investigations department “is aware of all the allegations” and would continue to look into “potential breaches” of the anti-doping code.

The IWF told AFP it was examining the allegations made in the broadcast

whilst Hungary’s anti-doping authority said on Monday it had been “maliciously targeted” in the documentary.

The case is set to feature during the IOC’s executive commission as it meets on Wednesday in Lausanne.

The ARD programme also filmed Thailand’s Olympic bronze medallist Rattikan Gulnoi admitting to using steroids when she was 18 years old—something that could see her stripped of her prize.

WADA in their statement described the allegations of doping of weightlifters in Thailand as “new and of great concern”.

It said it would be following up with the IWF, the Doping Control Agency of Thailand “and other stakeholders to gain a clearer picture” of the situation.

Dwight Lago in the roster.

Season 54 was a painful final season for Pumaren back then.

La Salle came out on top with a 12-2 win-loss record in the eliminations, giving them a twice-to-beat incentive in the finals.

They won an 80-77 victory over FEU. With La Salle ahead, officials working the game committed a technical error in the last 2:26, when they failed to notify the referees of the game that Green Archer Tony Espinosa already committed his fifth and final foul against Johnny Abarrientos.

Espinosa was still able to play for a few seconds more before Valenzona and team manager Anton Montinola approached the table officials to point out the mistake.

The game was delayed for about five minutes. When play resumed, UAAP commissioner Boy Codiñera and his officials failed to slap the necessary technical foul on La Salle.

The Green Archers went on to win the contest. But FEU placed the game under protest and the UAAP board deferred the traditional postgame award.

They wanted to wait until a decision on FEU’s protest could be reached.

UAAP officials ordered a replay of the championship match, but La Salle never showed up for the championship rematch.

Sports

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

A8 WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 8, 2020

Spurs shock Bucks with barrage of 3-pointers

DeMar DeRozan #10 of the San Antonio Spurs handles the ball during the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. AFP

Wide-open race for PBA Best Player

By Arman Carandang FOR the first time in 26 years -- or since the best player of the conference award was first instituted to become a regular feature in PBA program -there is no official candidate for the plum coming from two teams playing in the finals.

The teams of the top two in the statistics department did not make the semifinals, with the number 2 in the list unable to lead his team to the playoff, noted PBA statistician Fidel Mangonon III. The BPC award is given to the best local player at the end of each conference which was first awarded during the 1994 All-Filipino Conference, with Jerry Codinera of finalist Coney Island becoming the first recipient of the award.

“It’s now a wide-open race,” said Mangonon, referring to the BPC race which will be awarded on January 15 during Game 4 of the best-of-7 series for the Governors’ Cup between Meralco and Barangay Ginebra.

Owing to his sheer dominating performance, June Mar Fajardo is on top of the statistics and that’s despite failing to lead San Miguel Beer to the semifinal stage of the season-ending conference.

The most dominating center to ever make the pro-league, Fajardo, however, narrowly beat CJ Perez of Columbian Dyip with his average of 38.8 statistical points.

Perez showed why he was the top pick during the Rookie Draft of the season that’s about to end, coming away with a 37.2 average stats points, but even that failed to lead the Dyip to the playoff round.

Rounding out the top five leading candidates are NorthPort’s Christian Standhardinger, NLEX’s Kiefer Ravena and TNT KaTropa’s Jayson Castro.

Standhardinger (35.1 SPs) and Castro (31.6 SPs) are two candidates who were able to carry their teams to the semis, with Ravena, making up for lost time following his long FIBA suspension, coming in fifth at 34.5 SP. Three Ginebra stalwarts in Stanley Pringle (30.8), Japeth Aguilar (29.9) and LA Tenorio (28.0) narrowly missed the Magic Five, together with TNT’s RR Pogoy (30.4) and Meralco’s Chris Newsome (29.8).

Pumaren returns as La Salle coach

By Peter Atencio

D

ERRICK Pumaren, who should have been the architect of La Salle’s first three-peat, is back as head coach of the Archers in the coming Season 83 of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines men’s basketball tournament.

The 60-year-old Pumaren is returning after 29 years to coach a squad that missed a trip to the finals in the last two years.

The Green Archers’ squad was a hurting team when he left them in Season 54, the year when La Salle forfeited a crown that it should have won against the Far Eastern University Tamaraws.

FEU went on to take the title after Pumaren refused to order the team to show up in the replay of Game 1 on Oct. 12, 1991, with Tamaraws’ coach Arturo

Valenzona instead getting the victory ride over the Green Archers’ no-show.

Coaching the University of the East Warriors from 2014 to 2017 and the Centro Escolar University Scorpions from 2017 to 2019 has readied Pumaren for the big task ahead of rebuilding the team.

Fondly called “Manong Derrick,” Pumaren will be taking over coaching staff members Jermaine Byrd and Gian Nazario, who both served as head coaches before him. School officials, though, said Byrd and Nazario will stay

on to help the Green Archers.

The school formally made Pumaren’s appointment known only last Monday, a week after he officially came on board last Jan. 1.

The Green Archers will play on with graduating seniors Justine Baltazar and Aljun Melecio on board.

Other members of the team, who could come back are Encho Serrano, Joaqui Manuel, Kurt Lojera, Jordan Bartlett, Tyrus Hill, Don Lim, Francis Escandor and Ralph Cu. Senegalese center Amadou Ndiaye is also expected to suit up.

Pumaren handled the Green Archers from 1986 to 1991, winning back-to-back crowns in 1989 and 1990, with Johnedel Cardel, Tonyboy Espinosa, Teddy Monasterio, twotime MVP Jun Limpot, Elmer Lago, Gee Abanilla, Dindo Pumaren and Turn to A7

Korean, Go set pace with 3-under 68s

Wook Gwon Min

KOREAN Wook Gwon Min banked on a superb backside start while Lois Kaye Go sizzled on a frontside finish as they shot identical three-under 68s to wrest control in the first round of the National Stroke Play Championship at Riviera’s Langer course in Silang, Cavite yesterday.

Wook thrived in the privacy of an early morning tee-off, birdying two of the last three then bucking a bogey on the second hole with birdies on Nos. 6 and 9 to gain a two-stroke lead over in-form Ryan Monsalve in men’s play of the 72-hole championship kicking off the 2020 PLDT Group Amateur National Golf Tour.

Monsalve, riding the momentum of a runaway triumph in the National Doubles with Lanz Uy two weeks ago, also tamed the tough backside of the par-71 layout with a 34 but missed forcing a tie with the Korean with a double bogey mishap on No. 7 for a 70.

The rest, including defending champion Gen Nagai of Japan and national team mainstays Carl Corpus and Aidric Chan, struggled as the wind

whipped up at noon with Weiwei Gao fumbling with a 73 for third although Sean Ramos fought back from a frontside 39 with a closing 35 to save a 74 for joint fourth with Japanese Kyosuke Yoshida.

Like Monsalve, Go kept her good run of form going coming off a SEA Games stint, anchoring her strong start on superb putting, her birdies on Nos. 6 and 7 netting her a 33-35 round that featured three other birdies against two bogeys at the back.

She stood five shots clear off Samantha Martirez and two others in the women’s side she ruled by humbling the likes of LPGA Tour-bound and SEAG gold medalist Bianca Pagdanganan and world No. 1 Atthaya Thitikul of Thailand last year.

“I feel really contented with my game and I thought I played pretty solid,” said Go, member of the Asian Games and SEAG gold medal winning teams. “I made a couple of mistakes but recovered well with birdies.

The key to my game was putting. I made putts from 15 to 20 feet and was able to save par when I needed to.”

Ceres-Negros tries to qualify in AFC Champions League group stage THREE-time Philippines Football League champion CeresNegros is setting lofty goals this year, starting with qualification to the group stage of the AFC Champions League.

The country’s most successful football club kicks off its quest for a place in Asia’s most prestigious club competition as it clashes with Shan United of Myanmar on Tuesday at Rizal Memorial Stadium.

The Busmen came close to reaching the group stage two years ago when they stunned Brisbane Roar of Australia in the second round only to fall short in the final phase against Tianjin Quanjian of China. Last year, Ceres fell at the first hurdle to a Myanmar side Yangon United at Panaad Stadium.

Appearing at the first Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum for 2020 at the Amelie Hotel in Manila, Ceres coach Risto Vidakovic tempered expectations with the Busmen, starting their preparations only last Monday following a three-month break.

“We cannot promise anything, but we will represent the country in the best way possible,” said Vidakovic, who steered the Busmen to the AFC Cup Asean zone title in 2017.

“We are going to fight until the last minute to reach the next round. It’s a very hard competition. But we are going to try. We will give our best so I hope everyone will support us.”

For the first time in their brief history in continental competitions, the Busmen will be playing their home games at Rizal Memorial Stadium, with the Panaad Stadium un-

Members of the Ceres-Negros Team at the PSA Forum

dergoing renovation. The Busmen regularly attract 5,000 at home in Bacolod City and striker Bienvenido Marañon hopes the team gets as much as crowd support in Manila.

“We’re all excited,” said the Spanish striker, who was the top scorer of the AFC Cup last year with 10 goals.

“We are happy to play in Bacolod, but we’re also happy to play at Rizal Memorial.”

LOS ANGELES—DeMar DeRozan scored 25 points and Patty Mills put aside concern about the deadly fires in his native Australia to help the San Antonio Spurs to a 126-104 upset of the NBA-leading Milwaukee Bucks on Monday.

Mills—who has been using his social media accounts to offer updates on the bushfires—made six three-pointers as the Spurs drained a season-high 19 from beyond the arc and turned the tables on Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks, who had beaten them on Saturday.

Mills said facing the powerhouse Bucks twice in quick succession was actually a good thing.

“You can kind of lock in a little bit in a smaller version of a playoff series,” Mills said. “You can hone in to their strengths and weaknesses.”

But even as he focused on the task at hand, Mills said Monday he had been “keeping a close eye” on the news from Australia.

“It’s very devastating what’s happening,” he said. “It’s one of those disasters and a national crisis that is hard to comprehend.”

San Antonio hit 12 of 20 three-point attempts in the first half, tying a club record for most made three-pointers in any half.

They handed the Bucks their first defeat since an upset loss to Philadelphia on Christmas Day. It was also the Bucks’ first loss this season to a team without a winning record, but Milwaukee maintained the best record in the league at 32-6.

The Spurs, who improved to 15-20, are fighting to hang onto eighth place in the Western Conference.

Reigning NBA Most Valuable Player Antetokounmpo led the Bucks with 24 points, 12 rebounds and eight assists.

Dallas’ MVP candidate Luka Doncic delivered his league-leading 11th tripledouble of the season with 38 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists to lead the Mavericks to a 118-110 victory over the Chicago Bulls.

Doncic scored 21 points in the third quarter as the Mavs took charge of a close game.

Chicago lost forward Wendell Carter Jr. with 8:25 remaining in the third, when he suffered an apparent right ankle injury.

In Atlanta, Denver center Nikola Jokic scored 47 points to lead the Nuggets to a 123-115 victory over the Hawks. AFP

Women’s 3x3 league in the works MEMBERS of the Gilas Pilipinas team welcomed the idea of having a 3x3 league for women in the coming months.

Team member April Bernardino said this after she and her teammates and the coaching staff as well received incentives totaling P600,000 for making history in the 30th Southeast Asian Games.

Each of Bernardino’s teammate got P100,000 each for winning the gold medal in the 3x3 basketball women’s division of the biennial meet.

A tournament for women, according to Bernardino, will keep her from going abroad, playing for squads that are looking for imports.

“Siyempre, mag-stay ako,” said Bernardino, who played for the Valkyrie Hatchers in a Malaysian league two years ago.

Bernardino talked about her plans during a meeting at the Ortigas center with 3x3 league owner Ronald Mascarinas, who personally handed the national squad its cash incentives.

Bernardino, Jack Animam and Clare Castro got their bonuses with assistant coach Mark Solano.

Pontejos unable to make it, along with coach Patrick Aquino due to other commitments.

The Filipinas went 4-1 in the preliminary stages before beating Vietnam, 21-12, in the semifinals. Then, they got back at Thailand in the gold medal game, 17-13.

The win of Gilas Pilipinas in the 3x3 competitions has inspired Mascarinas to draw up plans to expand the local Pilipinas 3x3 League to the women’s side.

The women’s 3x3 meet will go side by side with the men’s 3x3, when it tips off in February.

“We renewed our commitment.

We’re looking at making a 3x3 league for women,” said Mascarinas.

Mascarinas added that now that a men’s squad is set to join a qualifier this March, the time is right to shift their focus on the formation of a women’s league.

And Mascarinas has hopes that qualification will come for the Philippines in 2024. Peter Atencio

IN BRIEF Manufacturing sector dropped in November

THE manufacturing sector declined both in value and volume in the month of November 2019, the Philippine Statistics Authority said Tuesday.

Based on the preliminary results of the Monthly Integrated Survey of Selected Industries (MISSI), the Volume of Production Index (VoPI) dropped 6.1 percent in November from its annual growth rate of 1.9 percent a year ago.

“The decline in VoPI was mainly influenced by the decreases in the indices of eight major industry groups led by furniture and fixtures (-41.2 percent), basic metals (-29.5 percent), miscellaneous manufactures (-22.1 percent), petroleum products (-21.8 percent), transport equipment (-16.7 percent) and electrical machinery (-13.0 percent),” the PSA said.

The Value of Production Index (VaPI) also continued to decline, reflecting an annual drop of 5.8 percent in November from an increase of 2.3 percent a year ago.

Five major industry groups had twodigit decreases, namely basic metals (-36.2 percent ), petroleum products (-25.6 percent), miscellaneous manufactures (-20.7 percent), transport equipment (-20.6 percent) and electrical machinery(-16.6 percent). Julito G. Rada

Business

DOF vows to adopt strict loan standards

THE government will continue to uphold strict standards in dealing with foreign lenders for the government’s ‘Build, Build, Build’ infrastructure program, the Department of Finance said Tuesday.

Finance Undersecretary Mark Dennis Joven made the assurance in response to a statement made by Deputy Minority Leader and Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Isagani Zarate, who claimed the loan agreements for the Kaliwa Dam and Chico River Pump Irrigation Projects contained “onerous” provisions and should be reviewed by Malacañang.

Debunking the opposition solon’s charge, Joven said the basic structure of the water concession agreements, which are essentially public-private partnership contracts, was very different from the official development assistance financing agreements. Julito G. Rada

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 8, 2020

B1

By Julito G. Rada

OPSYTECH-JINXI DEAL. Opsytech Corp. and Jinxi Philippines Real Estate Development Corp., the local wing of a multibillion peso company based in China, sign a P1-billion contract. Jinxi is into real estate development in the Philippines and China, and is active in the promotion of economic and cultural exchanges between the two countries. Signing the agreement at the Bonifacio Ballroom of The Shangri-La at the Fort Hotel in Taguig City are (from left) Jinxi’s overseas division representative Fan Ming and Opsytech president and CEO Carl Chao.

JG Summit acquires P7-b additional stake in PLDT

By Darwin G. Amojelar

J

G Summit Holdings Inc. of the Gokongwei Group said Tuesday it acquired another 3.26-percent stake in PLDT Inc. worth $138.53 million, or P7.05 billion, raising its total interest in the country’s largest telecom company to 11.23 percent.

The holding company of the Gokongwei family said in a disclosure to the stock exchange it bought 7.046 million common shares of PLDT at a price of $19.70 apiece through the purchase and conversion of 7,046,979 ADRs (American depository receipts) of PLDT. As a result of the additional 3.26-percent shares, the shareholdings of JGS in PLDT reached 11.23 percent.

“JGS considers this transaction as a valuable investment since PLDT Inc. has historically paid good dividends,”

the conglomerate said.

“The acquisition of the common shares of PLDT Inc. will not have any adverse effect on the financial condition of JGS,” it said. The Gokongwei family sold its own telecom business to PLDT in 2011.

JG Summit has interests in airlines, banking, food manufacturing, hotels, petrochemicals, power generation, publishing, real estate and property development and logistics.

PLDT earlier reported a net income of P16 billion in the first nine months

of 2019, down 2 percent from the same period in 2018.

Core income increased 1 percent in the nine-month period to P19.4 billion, excluding the impact of equity in losses from Voyager and gains from the sale of Rocket Internet shares.

Consolidated service revenues rose 8 percent to P116.3 billion, the highest nine-month revenue ever attained by PLDT and surpassing the 2014 peak.

The company’s three major business groups―consumer wireless, PLDT Home and PLDT Enterprise―generated P109.4 billion in revenues, up 11 percent from a year earlier and making up 94 percent of total service revenues.

Consumer wireless set the pace, climbing 20 percent to P52.6 billion.

Data and broadband, representing 66 percent of total service revenues, jumped 20 percent to P76.7 billion.

INFLATION rate in December climbed to a six-month high of 2.5 percent from 1.3 percent in November on faster increases in food and beverage prices during the holiday period, data from the Philippine Statistics Authority show.

The PSA, however, said the December inflation was slower than 5.1 percent registered a year ago. This brought the full-year inflation to 2.5 percent, slower than the average of 5.2 percent in 2018, and within the government’s target range of 2 percent to 4 percent for the year.

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Benjamin Diokno said in a statement the December 2019 inflation was within the forecast range of 1.8 percent to 2.6 percent for the month.

“The latest inflation outturn is consistent with the BSP’s prevailing assessment that inflation is expected to approach the midpoint of the target range in 2020 and 2021,” it said.

“The risks to the inflation outlook are on the upside for 2020, but are tilted to the downside in 2021. The volatility in global oil prices and the potential impact of the African Swine Fever outbreak are the main upside risks to inflation,” the BSP said.

Meanwhile, the impact of global trade and policy uncertainty as well as geopolitical tensions continued to be the main downside risks to inflation, it said.

“The BSP will consider all the latest economic developments here and abroad in the Monetary Board’s assessment to ensure that the monetary policy stance remains consistent with the BSP’s price stability objective while being supportive of economic growth,” it said.

Economic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia said the recovery and rehabilitation plans for the typhoonaffected areas should be immediately implemented while the production support programs for the affected farmers and fisherfolks should be fast-tracked.

“Over the medium to long-term, the agriculture, forestry and fisheries sector must increasingly adopt climate and disaster-resilient technologies and best practices. Climate and disaster risks should also be considered in the program and project designs in the sector,” Pernia said.

Grab to revive motorcycle taxi service in PH

DA plans to raise 2020 rice harvest by 3% to 19.6m MT

By Othel V. Campos THE Agriculture Department expects palay or paddy rice harvest to increase 3 percent this year to 19.6 million metric tons as farmers begin to reap the initial benefits of the government’s Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund.

“We aim to harvest 19.6 million metric tons of palay, net of damage due to adverse weather conditions. Our 2020 palay yield forecast would be 3 percent more than the estimated 2019 palay output of 19 million MT,” said Agriculture Secretary William Dar. “We expect that initial benefits of interventions under the P10-billion RCEF program, particularly on inbred rice seeds given free to farmers, will be realized during the dry and main season crops starting this year,” he said.

Inbred certified palay seeds produce an average of 4.54 MT per hectare, compared to farmer home-saved seeds’ yield of 3.50 MT/ha and traditional seeds’ yield of 2.13 MT/ha, according to the Philippine Rice Research Institute.

“Hence, with RCEF seed intervention, we would generate an incremental yield of at least one million MT, as we will provide farmers nationwide, tilling a total of one million hectares, free certified palay seeds,” Dar said.

PhilRice started distributing certified palay seeds in October 2019 for the dry-season planting in 947 riceproducing towns and cities in 57 provinces.

Under RCEF, P3 billion is set aside each year for certified seeds up to 2024, where farmers will receive 40 kilograms per hectare of certified rice seed varieties for every planting season.

business@manilastandard.net extrastory2000@gmail.com

Inflation rate climbed to 2.5% in December

SEC urged to probe Mañosa property scam

BUSINESSWOMAN Marisol Ramirez asked the Securities and Exchange Commission to look into the case involving the heirs of the late National Artist Francisco Mañosa for allegedly running an investment scam.

Ramirez said in a statement other individuals might have been duped by the Mañosa family.

Ramirez alleged that Francisco Mañosa Jr. enticed her, being a family friend, to invest in an upcoming project called “Anahaw Park” in Alabang Hills, Muntinlupa.

Mañosa sent an “Investment Term Sheet” through email, designating Ramirez as “Investor” and Mañosa as “Investee.”

The opening line of the signed document stated that the signatory (representing the company), was “pleased to present an opportunity to invest in Mañosa Properties, Inc.” Ramirez met the Mañosa family in 2011, and was lured to invest P50 million in 2017. Ramirez was promised a return of 8 percent a year, or the option to buy two houses in the project at a 15 percent discount after two years.

Months before the investment reached its maturation date, Ramirez informed Mañosa that she was exercising the 8 percent per annum return option. When Mañosa was unable to pay, Ramirez investigated further, and discovered that no such “Anahaw Park” project existed in Alabang Hills.

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

STUDENT SUBSIDY. Land Bank of the Philippines president and CEO Cecilia Borromeo (third from left) and Commission on Higher Education and Unified Student Financial Assistance System for Tertiary Education governing board chairman J. Prospero de Vera III lead the signing of the memorandum of agreement for the Tertiary Education Subsidy program. With them are (from left) Association of Local Colleges and Universities vice president Elena Presnedi, UniFAST officer-in-charge executive director Carmelita Yadao-Sison and LandBank senior vice president Ramon Monteloyola.

Diokno downplays impact of US-Iran tension on local economy

By Julito G. Rada BANGKO Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Benjamin Diokno on Tuesday downplayed any significant impact on the Philippine economy of the tension between the United States and Iran.

“What I can say is let’s not be alarmist here. Let’s not be alarmist,” Diokno said at a breakfast forum of the Tuesday Club at Edsa Shangri-La Hotel in Mandaluyong City.

“They were pointing out huge surge in the price of oil. They did surge for a few dollars. But you know, for the oil prices to make a difference in our forecast, it has to hit $90 per barrel,” Diokno said.

He said the Dubai price of oil was still below $60 per barrel.

“So let’s not panic with this, okay?

Secondly, on the impact on remittances, as you know, our deployment in the Middle East is largely going to Saudi Arabia, rather than Iraq or Iran.

So let’s not panic about this. It is too early to make any prediction at the moment,” Diokno said.

Global oil prices climbed by over 4 percent following Pentagon’s confirmation that an airstrike in Baghdad international airport on Jan. 3 targetted top Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani. Brent rose 4.4 percent to $69.16, while WTI increased 4.3 percent to $63.84, according to Agence France Presse.

The Energy Department said earlier it was hoping the US-Iran conflict would not affect global oil supply which could trigger an increase in oil prices.

President Rodrigo Duterte appealed to Congress to set aside a day or two to tackle the impact of the conflict, which he called an “evolving crisis.”

Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corp. said Tuesday that global uncertainties and geopolitical tensions would continue to be among the major risks to economic growth this year, but the Philippine economy would remain resilient.

Fan Cheuk Wan, HSBC managing director and chief market strategist for Asia, said in a briefing in Taguig City that the Philippine economy would grow by 6.4 percent in 2020 and 6.5 percent in 2021, faster than the estimated 5.8 percent in 2019.

She said growth would be driven by robust consumption amid slow inflation and the rebound in investments.

GRAB Philippines is seeking the government’s approval to revive its GrabBike service by participating in the pilot run of motorcycle taxis in Metro Manila and Cebu.

“In light of the recent conversations around motorcycle taxis in the Philippines, Grab would like to reiterate its interest in participating in the motorcycle taxi space to help provide affordable and agile transport solutions to hundreds of thousands of Filipino commuters,” Grab said in a statement.

Grab used to operate GrabBike in the Philippines until mid-2016 when the service was discontinued in compliance with the government regulations.

“As the government is seriously looking into a possible regulation for motorcycle taxis, Grab is seriously considering to re-invest in the motorcycle taxi denomination and relaunch its GrabBike service in the Philippines, with the blessing of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board and the Department of Transportation,” Grab said.

The service in other countries where Grab is present complements TNVS, having two distinct market segments.

Grab said it prepared its approach for reviving the GrabBike service and was ready to present the proposal to the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board and the Department of Transportation.

GrabBike is Southeast Asia’s largest bike-riding hailing provider, offering a faster and more reliable way of getting around in traffic-congested cities.

It recorded 2.55 billion bike rides, with 1.49 million bike driver partners all over Southeast Asia in 2019.

Darwin G. Amojelar

B2

Business

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 8, 2020 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Stocks climb; Metro Pacific gains T HE stock market bounced back Tuesday as fears of a Middle East conflict abated for now, but investors remained on alert for any escalation after the US assassination of a top Iranian general.

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index rose 42.83 points, or 0.6 percent, to 7,840.70 on a value turnover of P6.5 billion. Gainers beat losers, 94 to 85, with 64 issues unchanged.

Water-related stocks led gainers, with Manila Water Co. Inc. advancing 12.3 percent to P10.78 and Metro Pacific Investments Corp., which owns Maynilad Water Co. Inc., climbing to 4 percent to P3.63.

DMCI Holdings Inc., which partly

owns Maynilad Water, rose 4.3 percent to P6.98, while PLDT Inc., the biggest telecommunications firm, increased 4.2 percent to P1,050.

The rest of Asian equities, meanwhile, rebounded while safe havens such as oil and gold retreated Tuesday.

With few major developments in the crisis fueled by the killing of Qasem Soleimani last week, traders were able to turn their attention back to the global economic outlook and the China-US trade deal signing planned for January 15.

Wall Street provided a positive lead, with all three main indexes reversing early losses to end in the green as traders welcomed strong service sector data from the US, Europe and Britain that provided hope that the worldwide growth slowdown was easing.

Asian markets were broadly higher, with Tokyo ending 1.6 percent up, Hong

Kong adding 0.5 percent and Shanghai rising 0.7 percent.

Sydney climbed more than one percent, while Seoul jumped one percent and Singapore put on 0.7 percent. Mumbai and Bangkok were also up, while Wellington was marginally higher and Taipei eased slightly.

Observers said the limited impact on markets was mostly because the standoff is not expected to have a massive impact on global growth.

The shift back to riskier assets saw oil prices retreat, having rallied almost seven percent in the previous two days.

Gold slipped from six-and-a-half-year highs.

“Putting to one side the heat and noise of the events of the last few days, and in the absence of further violence and escalations, the reality is that very little has changed,” said CMC Market analyst Michael Hewson in a note.

But analysts warned that the mood could change in a split second, with Donald Trump warning of a “major retaliation” if Iran carries out any revenge attacks.

“It’s wait-and-see mode here,” said Steve Chiavarone, at Federated Investors. “How much, if at all, do things escalate with Iran and does it ultimately impact the global economic outlook? Right now, not so much. Could it change? Sure.”

Tapas Strickland, at National Australia Bank, added: “The potential for this to spiral into a cycle of retaliation remains and markets will likely remain cautious.”

The strike on such a high-profile member of the Iranian regime has also raised the question of when and how— not if—Tehran will retaliate, which experts say will likely continue to support crude. With AFP

Manila Standard BuSineSS daily StockS review tueSday, January 7, 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 COL FINANCIAL EAST WEST BANK FERRONOUX HLDG FIRST ABACUS IREMIT MANULIFE MEDCO HLDG METROBANK NTL REINSURANCE PB BANK PHIL NATL BANK PHIL STOCK EXCH PSBANK RCBC SECURITY BANK SUN LIFE UNION BANK VANTAGE

54 87.55 1.86 155.9 0.92 25 18.42 12.1 3.81 0.68 1.16 850 0.36 64.5 0.81 12.5 36.65 173 57.3 22.45 186 1,848 58.4 1.05

54 88.45 1.9 158.6 0.92 25 18.48 12.1 3.87 0.68 1.16 850 0.36 65.45 0.83 12.5 36.65 173 57.5 22.45 189 1,848 58.4 1.05

54 86.55 1.85 154 0.9 24.7 18.4 11.84 3.81 0.68 1.16 850 0.36 64.25 0.78 12.02 34.75 173 57.3 22.4 186 1,830 58.2 1.05

FINANCIALS 54 9,010 86.55 865,530 1.9 55,000 155 1,871,160 0.9 184,000 25 94,400 18.48 13,900 11.96 94,000 3.87 7,000 0.68 2,000 1.16 1,000 850 120 0.36 30,000 65.1 1,339,140 0.78 445,000 12.5 80,800 34.85 156,200 173 60 57.5 990 22.4 28,500 189 329,430 1,830 110 58.4 1,630 1.05 18,000

486,540 75,597,266 103,120 290,192,203 167,240 2,350,370 256,068 1,123,080 26,730 1,360 1,160 102,000 10,800 87,061,285.50 350,990 1,008,224 5,477,415 10,380 56,801.50 638,815 61,915,069 201,730 95,094 18,900

-12,052,139 -53,712,615 -674,640 178,784 59,974 -25,500 -30,130,001 3,120 -3,111,560 -9,506,457 -183,250 -

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

34.9 2.38 13.2 0.52 3.14 0.237 1.82 15.2 170 4.7 18.8 31 63.7 67 2.2 5 5 9.18 14.74 9.4 7.23 22.55 68.4 1.44 38 2 13.62 7.55 1.19 213 41.55 3.32 6.38 9.93 11.5 16.66 314.8 5.39 1.92 4.26 4.37 10.06 11.9 33.85 4.88 5.3 2.17 1.78 0.88 9.97 82.3 8.49 0.114 0.95 147.5 2.5 1.18 0.93

34.9 2.41 13.44 0.56 3.18 0.244 1.88 15.4 170 5.7 18.8 32 63.7 67 2.2 5 5 9.24 14.74 9.4 7.23 22.85 68.4 1.45 38.5 2 13.9 7.85 1.2 217 45 3.47 6.38 11.06 11.94 16.66 314.8 5.39 1.92 4.26 4.37 10.06 12 34.1 4.9 5.3 2.29 1.84 1.03 9.97 82.3 8.69 0.116 1.01 150 2.5 1.22 0.93

34.4 2.34 13.2 0.52 3.03 0.235 1.76 15.08 170 4.54 18.8 30 63.5 67 2.12 5 4.82 9.06 14.2 9.31 7.21 21.65 67.1 1.37 37.5 1.93 13.6 7.54 1.17 213 41.55 3.3 6.1 9.93 11.5 16 305 5.39 1.91 4.25 4.21 10 11.72 33.4 4.84 5.25 2.17 1.78 0.85 9.9 81 8.49 0.114 0.95 145.6 2.5 1.16 0.87

INDUSTRIAL 34.65 608,100 2.37 2,731,000 13.38 1,185,400 0.53 1,420,000 3.14 5,348,000 0.244 3,740,000 1.87 17,378,000 15.26 632,400 170 150 5.4 8,896,000 18.8 1,000 32 5,700 63.7 760 67 490 2.12 243,000 5 4,800 4.82 65,000 9.18 552,800 14.6 69,100 9.31 105,500 7.22 261,700 22.05 2,106,600 67.2 25,870 1.4 25,481,000 38.5 6,400 1.94 11,051,000 13.84 211,100 7.66 188,400 1.2 372,000 217 777,460 44.95 1,800 3.3 3,000 6.25 7,800 10.78 63,030,800 11.7 614,000 16 218,300 309 126,720 5.39 100 1.91 1,822,000 4.25 13,000 4.27 1,981,000 10 900 12 64,500 33.4 288,300 4.85 150,000 5.28 13,200 2.28 3,346,000 1.84 121,000 1.01 1,331,000 9.91 105,600 81.5 96,330 8.69 168,400 0.116 260,000 1 51,000 150 365,300 2.5 2,000 1.21 6,690,000 0.9 454,000

21,053,965 6,496,570 15,889,846 758,880 16,598,280 903,410 31,556,050 9,646,234 25,500 47,139,510 18,800 174,150 48,349 32,830 527,420 24,000 314,200 5,042,726 1,008,748 986,183 1,889,225 46,497,510 1,742,390 35,935,930 1 242,555 21,859,450 2,907,540(1, 1,450,038 441,390 166,509,560 78,925 10,090 48,224 668,238,963 7,181,014 3,507,900 39,151,972 539 3,480,400 55,270 8,432,910 9,024 768,568 9,711,535 727,360 69,714 7,528,360 217,440 1,309,190 1,046,078 7,857,597 1,446,447 30,040 49,220 54,404,298 5,000 8,067,820 404,870

-143,900 -271,960 9,707,224 -5,500 388,410 263,100 2,879,666 -519,730 130,900 23,000 53,452 -102,170 -321,484 -1,017,826 -23,165,410 -361,726.50 ,883,320.0001 -22,755 -12,826,520 238,661.9997) 69,389 14,160 14,708,930 27,549,846 -297,362 785,430 -15,382 -970,010 -3,189,210 -60,604 -1,328,510 -126,100 -51,243 -17,630 -593,384 -1,671,964 -8,490 11,655,652 -499,850 -

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

0.87 52 11.08 0.7 6.5 10.14 0.93 0.97 784 2.93 6.65 6.75 13.46 875 5.16 81.9 6.55 5.2 0.51 3.84 12.18 0.56 3.49 1.27 165 1,040 0.8 1.23 200 206.6 0.196

0.89 52.85 11.26 0.7 6.5 10.46 0.93 0.97 800 3.01 6.7 7.09 13.46 878 5.18 81.95 6.59 5.2 0.53 3.89 12.24 0.58 3.65 1.28 165 1,078 0.8 1.23 200 206.8 0.196

0.86 51.65 11.02 0.65 6.2 10.04 0.93 0.97 780.5 2.91 6.6 6.68 13.2 862 5.1 80.8 6.55 5.2 0.5 3.83 11.86 0.56 3.41 1.21 161.1 1,040 0.8 1.22 190 206.6 0.195

HOLDING FIRMS 0.86 7,706,000 52.5 530,390 11.2 2,496,600 0.69 1,040,000 6.25 21,900 10.08 21,400 0.93 434,000 0.97 10,000 800 224,330 3.01 1,403,000 6.6 1,325,100 6.98 22,601,400 13.3 27,100 865 56,970 5.11 140,000 81.8 882,100 6.59 72,700 5.2 2,800 0.5 40,000 3.88 718,000 11.92 2,119,700 0.58 25,000 3.63 123,082,000 1.24 113,000 164 165,370 1,067 225,720 0.8 16,000 1.22 7,000 200 1,400 206.6 2,750 0.195 200,000

6,681,180 27,769,479.50 27,896,396 682,400 137,680 217,868 403,620 9,700 178,039,565 4,162,520 8,798,726 156,725,899 358,176 49,359,725 717,830 72,016,003.50 478,350 14,560 20,600 2,781,320 25,325,182 14,150 435,552,940 141,350 27,115,071 240,247,315 12,800 8,550 273,950 568,162 39,050

725,740 -3,468,266 -17,612,018 -37,310 10,180 21,311,105 -138,890 -2,940,301 -17,072,043 13,340 -33,269,225 -204,400 31,964,575.50 -460,600 -493,220 -14,108,732 -153,909,890 -1,360,045 -2,476,310 7,320 -351,228 -

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

14.8 0.72 8.82 1.4 0.78 44.15 2 4.77 6.6 0.53 0.74 0.84 0.187 0.4 9.76 18.78 0.42 1.51 1.2 4.13 0.22 0.43

14.8 0.73 8.82 1.4 0.81 44.55 2.02 4.8 6.8 0.54 0.77 0.84 0.187 0.4 9.78 19 0.42 1.53 1.2 4.3 0.22 0.43

14.7 0.68 8.82 1.35 0.78 44.15 1.99 4.65 6.6 0.52 0.74 0.84 0.182 0.4 9.5 18.7 0.41 1.51 1.16 4.13 0.21 0.4

PROPERTY 14.76 475,200 0.72 428,000 8.82 1,800 1.35 42,000 0.81 190,000 44.2 12,564,400 2 342,000 4.75 37,000 6.7 106,200 0.54 2,274,000 0.77 2,000 0.84 2,000 0.182 500,000 0.4 20,000 9.6 170,400 18.96 449,900 0.42 200,000 1.52 8,350,000 1.16 522,000 4.17 43,954,000 0.212 13,220,000 0.43 430,000

7,000,758 299,540 15,876 57,100 150,170 555,954,515 684,620 ( 176,060 713,607 1,199,640 1,510 1,680 91,370 8,000 1,648,132 ( 8,497,184 83,050 12,669,170 606,320 185,438,280 2,818,590 176,400

-217,644 -190,470,965 326,069.9998) 4,770 528,010 310,180.9997) -68,030 425,640 -31,317,710 95,350 -

NAME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

VOLUME

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

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

1.19 0.325 2.16 28.75 2.06 3.23 42 2.45 1.27 7.55 5.93

1.21 0.325 2.18 29 2.12 3.23 42.05 2.45 1.4 7.55 5.95

1.17 0.325 2.11 28.35 2.03 3.23 41.6 2.38 1.25 7.46 5.71

1.17 0.325 2.18 28.5 2.03 3.23 42 2.4 1.39 7.5 5.92

2,933,000 90,000 1,308,000 2,159,600 244,000 141,000 7,377,000 135,000 10,750,000 2,939,000 54,200

3,475,420 29,250 2,825,660 61,707,175 504,530 455,430 309,259,875 323,870 14,252,800 22,059,421 313,873

-274,560 -77,760 -13,249,980 6,180 -54,910 -38,931,695 50,200 -347,500 -10,578,383 -

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

9.54 17 1.38 11.56 0.41 0.043 18.5 3.76 10.28 87 5.53 5.17 8.88 891 2,026 5.49 425.2 1.21 133.3 8.15 0.102 3.63 12.3 2.4 0.88 16 0.445 3.31 2.19 11.5 2.57 2.5 7.8 141 2.4 1,010 0.59 0.35 39.8 79 8.77 2.64 0.6 0.265 0.61 18.38

9.78 19.26 1.38 11.6 0.41 0.043 18.5 3.83 10.6 88 5.62 5.18 9.04 891 2,034 5.51 449.6 1.23 134.9 8.15 0.104 3.7 12.3 2.45 0.88 16 0.445 3.31 2.19 11.5 2.6 2.5 7.8 141 2.52 1,054 0.6 0.375 40.25 79.05 9.25 2.68 0.6 0.265 0.61 18.38

9.54 16.72 1.35 11.48 0.4 0.043 18.5 3.3 10.26 87 5.27 5 8.73 891 2,008 5.4 425.2 1.17 130.3 8.14 0.101 3.49 12.3 2.37 0.88 15.5 0.405 3.31 2.1 11.5 2.51 2.5 7.75 139 2.38 1,010 0.57 0.35 39.8 78.3 8.71 2.64 0.59 0.26 0.59 17.98

SERVICES 9.78 19.02 1.35 11.58 0.4 0.043 18.5 3.32 10.46 87.2 5.36 5 8.86 891 2,008 5.5 440 1.23 132.5 8.14 0.102 3.7 12.3 2.41 0.88 15.52 0.405 3.31 2.15 11.5 2.51 2.5 7.75 140 2.43 1,050 0.57 0.365 39.95 79 9.25 2.65 0.59 0.265 0.6 18.3

1,400 1,027,700 100,000 1,095,100 600,000 1,400,000 700 2,463,000 16,576,200 478,030 1,343,300 236,000 46,300 10 40,395 453,000 15,730 3,548,000 2,538,490 4,700 2,200,000 3,866,000 100 269,000 100,000 844,000 800,000 2,000 347,000 300 1,223,000 20,000 900 190,610 261,000 139,145 5,347,000 12,240,000 1,694,000 372,600 69,800 1,489,000 904,000 5,950,000 204,000 134,900

13,466 18,476,652 135,320 12,653,032 240,200 60,200 12,950 8,628,500 172,473,670 41,733,471 7,261,361 1,222,090 411,618 8,910 81,631,640 2,474,005 6,906,956 4,265,900 335,988,656 38,278 223,740 13,880,690 1,230 643,690 88,000 13,179,946 332,700 6,620 740,330 3,450 3,090,810 50,000 7,015 26,685,880 634,300 145,463,960 3,102,660 4,465,500 67,675,505(7, 29,427,547 620,641 3,947,090 535,340 1,554,450 121,910 2,450,130

-1,191,554 -22,120 82,944,516 -9,528,231.50 -10,720 12,312,530 311,600 6,340,753 -2,442 187,830 -296,170 -9,578,486 9,970.00 -50,000 4,690,860 34,531,800 -1,020,170 226,650 740,150.0001) 16,423,223 2,385,330 293,988

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

0.0014 9.2 1.14 2.42 10.94 2.87 7.29 1.67 0.203 0.104 0.101 0.0091 0.0088 0.9 3.16 1.02 0.435 0.74 0.011 0.012 0.01 3.18 9.12 22 0.0053

0.0014 9.98 1.14 2.5 10.94 3.1 7.29 1.7 0.203 0.104 0.103 0.0091 0.0088 0.93 3.16 1.02 0.485 0.74 0.012 0.013 0.011 3.2 9.27 22.25 0.0053

0.0014 9.05 1.07 2.36 10.94 2.84 7 1.66 0.198 0.1 0.097 0.0085 0.0088 0.9 3.06 0.99 0.43 0.74 0.011 0.011 0.01 3.07 9 21.9 0.0053

MINING & OIL 0.0014 2,000,000 9.8 993,200 1.08 1,798,000 2.5 89,000 10.94 100 3.07 4,277,000 7.06 4,700 1.67 1,668,000 0.203 30,000 0.102 1,850,000 0.103 1,850,000 0.0085 15,000,000 0.0088 1,000,000 0.9 205,000 3.06 3,490,000 1.01 5,000 0.485 130,000 0.74 1,000 0.012 95,700,000 0.012 1,344,300,000 0.011 158,800,000 3.08 900,000 9 767,300 22.2 466,300 0.0053 1,000,000

2,800 9,553,122 1,956,530 216,670 1,094 12,833,260 33,199 2,793,570 6,040 186,880 183,230 131,700 8,800 184,530 10,776,970 5,020 60,850 740 1,059,500 17,265,600 1,736,300 2,818,370 6,953,441 10,348,165 5,300

-2,800 -89,853 -96,700 -39,660 -53,890 -5,940 -8,800 -4,548,850 -12,950 -1,993,200 -61,600 963,782 1,308,735 -5,300

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

16.86 500 500 103.1 100.2 508 5.44 99 101 1,028 1,050 100.7 108 1,029 78.95 75.95 75.05 75.95

18.02 501 500 103.1 100.2 508 5.49 99 101 1,028 1,050 102.1 108 1,029 78.95 75.95 75.1 76.5

16.5 500 500 103.1 100 508 5.4 99 101 1,028 1,050 100.5 108 1,028 78 75.95 75.05 75

PREFERRED 18.02 562,800 501 12,250 500 20 103.1 1,050 100.2 10,040 508 10 5.49 49,300 99 14,530 101 810 1,028 80 1,050 7,450 100.5 1,110 108 640 1,028 2,165 78 17,830 75.95 430 75.05 28,400 75 86,720

9,768,070 6,127,250 10,000 108,255 1,004,272 5,080 269,106 1,438,470 81,810 82,240 7,822,500 111,671 69,120 2,227,220 1,391,471.50 32,658.50 2,131,933.50 6,583,204

1,264,620 267,486 -

LR WARRANT

1.19

1.19

1.19

WARRANTS 1.19 11,000

13,090

ITALPINAS KEPWEALTH XURPAS

3.75 10.44 0.81

4.06 10.6 0.86

3.65 10 0.8

3.93 10 0.81

FIRST METRO ETF

117

117.5

116.4

USD DMPL A1 USD DMPL A2 USD TECH B2

10 10 0.91

10.26 10 0.91

9.8 10 0.85

MS Trading Summary FINANCIAL

SHARES 7,760,218

INDUSTRIAL

165,452,332

HOLDING FIRMS

166,106,216

PROPERTY

122,315,227

SERVICES

78,168,430

MINING & OIL

1,636,698,785

GRAND TOTAL

2,186,913,159

SME

761,000 548,100 9,088,000

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 117.5 4,940 DDS 10.26 10 0.85

25,440 3,380 4,500

2,944,620 5,688,312 7,529,420

21,590 -121,240

578,270

-

259,912 33,800 4,018

-

VALUE 1,830.87 (down) 4.36 695,606,102.03 FINANCIAL INDUSTRIAL 9,666.54 (up) 76.14 1,409,950,577.859 HOLDING FIRMS 7,728.51 (up) 101.44 1,519,980,679.35 PROPERTY 4,116.63 (down) 6.42 1,548.00 (up) 4.92 1,625,481,572.702 SERVICES MINING & OIL 8,002.67 (down) 45.49 1,142,919,209.29 PSEI 7,840.70 (up) 42.83 79,143,690.014 All Shares Index 4,648.35 (up) 15.02 6,489,852,967.70 Gainers: 94; Losers: 85; Unchanged: 64; Total: 243

SMC power unit OKs sale of securities worth $500m

By Alena Mae S. Flores THE board of SMC Global Power Holdings Corp. approved Tuesday the issuance of up to $500 million in undated senior perpetual capital securities to finance battery energy projects and other general corporate activities.

SMC Global Power said the new securities would be in addition to the outstanding $500 million in senior capital securities issued on April 25, 2019, $300 million in senior perpetual capital securities issued on July 3, 2019 and $500 million in senior perpetual capital securities issued on November 5, 2019.

“The net proceeds from the issuance of the securities will be used and applied by the corporation for the development and completion of its battery energy storage systems (BESS) projects and for general corporate purposes,” the company said in a report to the Philippine Dealing & Exchange Corp. on January 7.

The company plans to put up BESS in several areas in Bulacan, Cagayan de Oro, Caticlan, Iloilo, Isabela, Ilocos Norte, Albay, Leyte, Bataan, Davao Occidental, Cebu, Pampanga, Mindoro, San Roque/San Manuel, Butuan, Zamboanga, Navotas, Negros Occidental, Cagayan, Compostela Valley, Zambales, Misamis Oriental, Rizal, Samar, Tarlac and Pangasinan, Zamboanga del Sur and Bohol.

The securities will be constituted by a trust deed by and between the corporation and DB Trustees (Hong Kong) Ltd. as trustee. They will be listed on Singapore Exchange Securities Trading Ltd. SMC Global engaged Credit Suisse (Hong Kong) Ltd., DBS Bank Ltd., JP Morgan Securities PLC, Mizuho Securities Asia Ltd., Standard Chartered Bank and UBS AG Singapore Branch as joint lead managers, DBS Trustees (Hongkong) Ltd. as trustee and Deutsche Bank AG, Hong Kong Branch as paying agent.

SMC Global Power, along with its subsidiaries, associates and joint ventures, is one of the largest power companies in the Philippines.

It has a diverse portfolio of fuel sources, including natural gas, coal, hydro and recently BESS. SMC Global Power is controlled by

Roxas sells P282m worth of real estate assets to trim debt

By Jenniffer B. Austria ROXAS & Co Inc., the listed holding company of the Roxas Group, said it sold P282 million worth of real estate assets in Batangas to boost net income and reduce the group’s overall debt level.

Roxas said in a disclosure to the stock exchange it sold its 6.67-hectare Natipuan beachfront property in Nasugbu, Batangas to Sta Lucia Land Inc. and a highly sought-after 12.9-hectare ecotourism property along the TagaytayNasugbu Highway.

RCI’s wholly owned subsidiary, Roxaco Land Corp., also sold a 2.8-hectare commercial property within the Nasugbu town proper to the SM Group for P98 million.

Roxas unit Roxaco-Asia Hospitality Corp. in December also raised P411 million from the sale a hotel in Cubao.

“Proceeds from the sale of Cubao of about P411 million will be used to improve existing sites and lower the subsidiary’s outstanding debt until a new site has been identified,” the company said.

RAHC operates five budget hotels under the Go Hotel franchise. These are located in key areas in Metro Manila, including Parañaque, near the three international airport terminals, North EDSA, Timog Circle, Cubao and Malate.

Roxas reported a P384.68-million net loss in the first nine months of 2019, higher than the P316.58-million loss year-on-year, due to higher higher interest expenses and the equity in net loss from sugar milling unit Roxas Holdings Inc. Nine-month revenues amounted to ₱624.42 million, up 61 percent against last year’s ₱387.47 million. Revenues were higher across all business units, which include real estate sales, coconut exports and both Go Hotels and Anya Hotel.

World

B3

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 8, 2020 CESAR BARRIOQUINTO, Editor mst.daydesk@gmail.com

US ties with Iraq, allies take a hit after deadly drone strike

PROTEST. People hold placards as they shout slogans to protest against the US authorities for the killing of Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani in Ira, during a demonstration near the US embassy in New Delhi on January 7, 2020. AFP

IN BRIEF India suffers hottest decade

NEW DELHI―The last decade was India’s hottest on record with the national weather office calling the impact of global warming “unmistakable” and extreme weather killing more than 1,500 people last year.

India, home to 1.3 billion people, is at the forefront of climate change, suffering devastating floods, dire water shortages and baking temperatures. The southern city of Chennai last year declared “day zero” as taps ran dry.

The temperatures between 2010 and 2019 were 0.36 degrees Celsius (0.65 degrees Fahrenheit) above the long-term average, the hottest decade since records began in 1901, the Indian Meteorological Department said on Monday.

Extreme weather also claimed more than 1,500 lives last year, the seventhhottest, the IMD said.

They included 850 people killed by heavy rain and flooding and another 350 in summer temperatures of up to 51 Celsius (123.8 Fahrenheit). Lightning and storms claimed another 380 lives.

India’s five warmest years on record all fell in the last decade, with 2016 the hottest. Eleven of the 15 warmest years were also during the past 15 years, the IMD said. The average for 2019 would have been higher were it not for record cold in northern India in December. AFP

now,” the diplomat said.

Most ambassadors were still outside Baghdad for end-of-year holidays on the day of the strike, so political staff still in Iraq began a flurry of outreach to Iraqis.

They declined to comment due to the sensitive nature of current ties with Washington but expressed outrage at a statement by US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.

“Frankly, the Europeans haven’t been as helpful as I wish that they could be,” Pompeo told Fox News hours after the drone strike.

“The Brits, the French, the Germans all need to understand that what we did, what the Americans did, saved lives in Europe as well,” he said.

Even at the military level, the strike strained ties between the United States and its other partners in the coalition fighting the Islamic State jihadist group.

“As for our Western allies, in the grand scheme of things, it appears we screwed them over,” a top US defence official deployed in Iraq told AFP. AFP

Iranians mass for Soleimani’s burial

K

ERMAN, Iran― Iranians gathered in Kerman for the burial Tuesday of top general Qasem Soleimani in the final stage of funeral processions after he was killed in a US strike in Iraq.

The massive number of mourners in the hometown of the slain commander of the Revolutionary Guards’ Quds Force foreign operations arm appeared to match the huge turnout seen in the cities of Tehran, Qom, Mashhad and Ahvaz.

A hugely popular figure in the Islamic republic, Soleimani was killed outside Baghdad airport on Friday in a drone strike ordered by US President Donald Trump, ratcheting up tensions with archenemy Iran which has vowed “severe revenge”.

“The martyr Qassem Soleimani is more powerful... now that he is dead,” said the Revolutionary Guards’ top

general, Major General Hossein Salami.

“The enemy killed him unjustly,” he told the sea of black-clad mourners.

Schoolgirls joined chants of “Death to Trump” from the crowd, an AFP correspondent reported.

The assassination of Soleimani set off an escalating war of words between Iran and the United States.

In Tehran on Monday, President Hassan Rouhani warned Trump to “never threaten” Iran, after the US leader issued a US strike list of 52 targets in the Islamic republic.

People converged from afar on Azadi Square where two flag-draped coffins were on display, with the second one reportedly containing the remains of Soleimani’s closest aide, Brigadier General Hossein Pourjafari.

“We’re here today to pay respects to the great commander of the holy defence,” said one of the mourners who came from the southern city of Shiraz to attend the funeral in Kerman.

“Haj Qasem was not only loved in Kerman, or Iran, but also the whole world,” Hemmat Dehghan told AFP. “The security of the whole world,

Muslims, Shiites, Iraq, Syria, Afghanistan and especially Iran, all owe it to him,” said the 56-year-old war veteran.

Another mourner said Soleimi’s assassination “boils the blood of the Iranian people”.

“He was seen as a great man who was ready to serve his people both then in the war and now. He must certainly be avenged,” said Sara Khaksar, an 18-year-old student.

Friday’s assassination of the 62-yearold Soleimani heightened international concern about a new war in the volatile Middle East and rattled financial markets.

Iraq’s parliament has demanded the government expel the 5,200 American troops stationed in the country in response to the drone attack which also killed top Iraqi military figure Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis.

Baghdad requested in a letter to the UN -- seen by AFP -- that the Security Council condemn the US drone strike, so that “the law of the jungle” was not allowed to prevail.

The operation represented “a

dangerous escalation that could lead to a devastating war in Iraq, the region and the world,” wrote the Iraqi ambassador to the UN, Mohammed Hussein BahrAluloom.

World financial markets have been on edge over the crisis.

“The new year has started with a bang in so far as volatility is concerned,” said Fawad Razaqzada at Forex.com.

“This is mainly due to the escalation of tensions between the US and Iran after Trump ordered the assassination of Iranian military commander Qasem Soleimani.”

On Sunday night, the United States mistakenly notified the Iraqi government of an imminent troop pullout in a letter that sparked confusion in Washington.

“We respect your sovereign decision to order our departure,” said the letter, whose authenticity was confirmed to AFP by both Iraqi and US defense officials.

In the letter, US Brigadier General William Seely said the US-led coalition would “be repositioning forces”. AFP

Planet hunter finds Earth-sized world

Hyundai to make flying cars for Uber

LAKE PLACID.

LAS VEGAS―Hyundai announced Monday it would mass produce flying cars for Uber’s aerial rides-hare network set to deploy in 2023.

The South Korean manufacturer said it would produce the four-passenger electric “vertical take-off and landing vehicles” at “automotive scale,” without offering details.

The deal announced at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas could help Uber, which is working with other aircraft manufacturers, to achieve its goal of deploying air taxi service in a handful of cities by 2023.

Jaiwon Shin, head of Hyundai’s urban air mobility division, said he expects the large-scale manufacturing to keep costs affordable for the aerial systems.

“We know how to mass produce high quality vehicles,” Shin told a news conference at CES. He said he expected the partnership to allow for the short-range air taxis to be “affordable for everyone.”

Eric Allison, head of Uber Elevate, appeared at the CES event with Hyundai to discuss the partnership.

“By taking transportation out of the two dimensional grid on the ground and moving it into the sky, we can offer significant time savings to our riders,” Allison said. AFP

Lake Michigan is seen on January 6, 2020, from the shore of Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

The 2020 Democratic National Convention, in which delegates of the United States Democratic Party will choose the party’s nominees for president and vice president for the 2020 United States presidential election, will take place in Milwaukee from 13th to 16th of July 2020. AFP

Bush fire visible in Chile, Argentina SANTIAGO―The cloud of smoke caused by raging bush fires in Australia has been spotted more than 12,000 kilometers away in Chile and Argentina, weather authorities in the South American countries said on Monday.

In the early hours “the effect was seen in the sun through red tones. This effect was produced by a cloud of smoke that comes from the fires,” Chile Meteorology chief, Patricio Urra, told AFP. The cloud has risen to 6,000 meters above sea level and there is no meteorological reason for it to fall back to earth, said Urra.

It poses no threat to Chileans.

The Argentine Meteorological Service published satellite images of the cloud saying it had been “transported by frontal systems that move from west to east.”

However, it added that all that would be visible was “a sun that’s a little redder.”

Regional meteorological company Metsul said the cloud could even reach Rio Grande del Sur state in Brazil.AFP

BAGHDAD—A deadly US drone strike in Baghdad has rocked America’s ties with allies on the ground, left diplomats scrambling to contain the fallout and Iraqi officials outraged at the airspace violation.

The strike on the outskirts of Baghdad’s airport early Friday killed Iranian General Qasem Soleimani and top Iraqi commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, among others.

The US has hailed it as a win for “peace and stability” in the region, in contrast to Western diplomats and US military officials in Baghdad.

None had received prior warning of the pre-dawn strike and learned of it when they woke up, sending them into crisis talks to salvage ties with Iraqi officials.

“The strike was such a surprise to all of us,” one Western diplomat said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

“Speaking to the Americans now is extremely complex. We’re talking a lot together as the European Union but the Americans have their own problems

WASHINGTON―NASA said Monday that its planet hunter satellite TESS had discovered an Earth-sized world within the habitable range of its star, which could allow the presence of liquid water.

The planet, named “TOI 700 d”, is relatively close to Earth—only 100 light years away, NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory announced during the annual American Astronomical Society meeting in Honolulu, Hawaii.

“TESS was designed and launched specifically to find Earth-sized planets orbiting nearby stars,” said Paul Hertz, NASA astrophysics division director.

TESS initially misclassified the star, which meant the planets appeared larger and hotter than they actually are. But several amateur astronomers, including high school student Alton Spencer—who works with members of the TESS team—identified the error.

“When we corrected the star’s parameters, the sizes of its planets dropped, and we realized the outermost one was about the size of Earth and in the habitable zone,” said Emily Gilbert, a graduate student at the University of Chicago.

The discovery was later confirmed by the Spitzer Space Telescope.

A few other similar planets have been discovered before, notably by the

former Kepler Space Telescope, but this is the first discovered by TESS, which was launched in 2018.

TESS stabilizes on one area of the sky to detect whether objects—planets —pass in front of stars, which causes a temporary drop in the stars’ luminosity.

This allows TESS to infer the presence of a planet, its size and orbit.

Star TOI 700 is small, about 40 percent of our Sun’s size and only about half as hot.

TESS discovered three planets in orbit, named TOI 700 b, c and d. Only “d” is in the so-called habitable zone, not too far from and not too close to the star, where the temperature could allow the presence of liquid water.

It is about 20 percent larger than Earth and orbits its star in 37 days. “d” receives 86 percent of the energy that Earth receives from the Sun. It remains to be seen what d is made of. Researchers have generated models based on the size and type of star in order to predict d’s atmospheric composition and surface temperature.

In one simulation, NASA explained, the planet is covered in oceans with a “dense, carbon-dioxide-dominated atmosphere similar to what scientists suspect surrounded Mars when it was young.” AFP

South Korea’s Moon seeks Kim Jong Un’s visit to Seoul SEOUL―South Korean President Moon Jae-in on Tuesday called for better relations with the North so leader Kim Jong Un can visit Seoul, despite Pyongyang’s abandonment of its nuclear and missile test moratoriums.

Moon’s appeal came after Kim threatened a demonstration of a “new strategic weapon” at a four-day ruling party meeting last week, where he never mentioned South Korea.

Since the breakdown of Kim’s summit with US President Donald Trump in Hanoi last year―which left the nuclear negotiations largely deadlocked― Pyongyang has repeatedly lashed out at the South, saying it has “nothing to talk” about any more with Seoul.

One senior official has gone as far as describing the South’s presidency as a “shy dog barking more wildly”.

But Moon, who has long favored engagement with the nuclear-armed North, doubled down on his dovish approach.

“I hope South and North Korea can make efforts together so that the conditions for Chairman Kim Jong Un’s reciprocal visit can be arranged at an early date,” Moon said in his annual New Year address.

The invitation for Kim to visit Seoul dates from the two leaders’ last summit, in Pyongyang in September 2018, when the peninsula was basking in a diplomatic rapprochement.

Analysts suggested Moon’s call was

now unrealistic.

“I’m willing to meet repeatedly and talk ceaselessly” with the North, Moon said in his half-hour speech, which was broadcast live.

He also suggested Pyongyang and Seoul should consult on fielding a unified team at the Tokyo Olympics in July, which would march together at the opening ceremony.

The two Koreas’ athletes took part together at the opening and closing ceremonies of the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics in the South two years ago, and subsequently formed a series of joint teams in other events.

A possible joint bid for Seoul and Pyongyang to co-host the 2032 Sum-

mer Games has even been mooted, with Moon on Tuesday calling the prospect “a golden opportunity for the South and North to show to the world that we are one people”.

But the two capitals have held no discussions on the candidacy, and sporting ties have since entered a deep freeze— North Korea gave up any prospect of its women’s football team playing in Tokyo rather than take part in a qualifying competition in the South next month.

Pyongyang has also demanded the demolition of South Korean-built tourism facilities at Mount Kumgang in the North, saying it will operate tours there itself, and rejected discussions with Seoul on the issue. AFP

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

‘Tondominiums’ to rise for Manila homeless—Isko

B4

By Vito Barcelo

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 8, 2020

Bicol Airport to open, PNR South on track THE P4.8-billion Bicol International Airport in Daraga, Albay finally opens this year, and the region which will also witness the construction kick-off of the P175-billion Philippine National Railways South Haul that stretches from Calamba City in Laguna to Matnog in Sorsogon.

Albay Rep. Joey Sarte Salceda, who chairs the House Ways and Means Committee, said Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade has assured him of the two events this year.

Long stalled by various constraints, both projects are deemed vital keys to development and are set to unlock the economic potential of Southern Luzon, particularly via tourism.

Hailed as the country’s “Most Scenic Gateway,” Salceda said BIA will play a huge role in the Department of Tourism’s drive to bring foreign ambassadors to the country’s globally known yet less- visited destinations.

“Tourists flying in via BIA will land right at the heart of Bicol’s tourism hub, Albay province, home to the world’s iconic Mayon volcano and the Cagsawa Ruins without traveling far from the airport to visit them,” he pointed out.

Salceda had patiently worked on the projects for years, from his earlier stint in Congress and later as Albay governor and Bicol Regional Development Council chairman for nine years.

The BIA project started in 2005 but construction began in earnest only in 2009. It is expected to play a major role in achieving a target potential of 20 million tourist arrivals in the country annually.

“There is now reasonable optimism the executive decisiveness of the Duterte administration could deliver the BIA, a vital infrastructure to the main potential of Bicol and Southern Luzon, and which is also crucial to country’s development program,” Salceda noted.

BIA is designed to accommodate two million passengers annually with its expanded and state of the art facilities. It is expected to transform Albay, the regional center of Bicol, into an economic powerhouse.

Also, the first phase of the PNR South Long Haul project that runs from Calamba City in Laguna down to Legazpi City in Albay, is set to start construction in the second quarter of 2020.

The bidding for the 408-kilometer railway segment has already been completed November last year, and will be awarded to the winning contractor in April 2020.

Salceda said the PNR South Long Haul compliments the BIA, and will further boost Bicol’s tourism by as much as 30 percent which forms part of the predicted 24 percent economic returns it brings to the countryside when fully operational.

The PNR Long Haul stretch consists of a 639-km standard gauge railroad tracks from Manila to Sorsogon, which cuts the Manila-Legazpi travel time down to less than five hours. It is a component of the PNR Luzon System program.

LGUs LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS

FIT FOR 3 KINGS. Fireworks light up the sky above the Baguio Country Club Christmas Village on Monday to mark the Feast of the Three Kings, which traditionally ends the Christmas season. Locals and tourists flocked to the theme park to watch spectacular shows on the Nativity, Dancing Santas, and Hollywood-themed cosplayers performing Game of Thrones and The Avengers. Dave Leprozo

P’que to ban single-use plastic starting in June P

ARAÑAQUE City is banning single-use plastic in all commercial through our city,” Quiogue said, exestablishments in the area starting in June, following the lead of plaining that the Paranaque River serves as the mouth of Manila Bay. other cities in Metro Manila.

Any uncollected plastic waste from

In an online post, Parañaque’s City Environment and Natural Resources Office announced that the ban will be effective six months after the publication of City Ordinance No. 18-40.

“This is in support of the Manila Bay rehabilitation,” Engineer Teresa Quiogue, supervising environmental management specialist, told ABS-CBN News.

The ban will help prevent single-use plastic from entering Metro Manila’s waterways and reduce the 20 to 30 percent of plastic waste they collect from the city’s residents and business establishments, she said.

“Plastic is a major problem for us because Parañaque is a catch basin. The water (from river tributaries and flooding) coming from other cities passes

the waterways end up in Manila Bay, she added.

The city is now preparing for other effects of the single-ban, including the increase in paper bag waste, which should be addressed by their materials recovery facility, Quiogue said.

She said they will be following the example of their neighboring city Muntinlupa, which banned single-use plastic in 2011.

Cross-dressing men of Minalin, Pampanga parade in the streets for the Aguman Sanduk Festival, an 89-year-old tradition to welcome the new year.

Bernard Supetran

P27-m Tiblac bridge finished, to help Ambaguio upland farmers AMBAGUIO, Nueva Vizcaya—A major bridge construction project has been completed in this town to provide easy access for upland farmers in transporting their products to the

market.

Mayor Arnold Dinungon said farmers in the municipality are upbeat following the completion of the P27-million Tiblac Bridge, which was funded

Robinsons Supermarket Division Merchandising Manager Ardee Arieta (left) and Merchandising Director Lyn De Jesus (center) award certificates of recognition to (from left) Abel Sublino (Shalom Farms), Grace Pinza and Nilda Broncano (Golden Sprouts Marketing), Tonette Retona (Dizon Farms), Nilda Broncano (Golden Sprouts Marketing) and Jayson Manaligod (Metolius Valley Inc.). Arieta and De Jesus later (inset) hand over the donation to FNRI Director Dr. Mario Capanzana, Chief Science Research Specialist and OIC Dr. Milflor Gonzales, Supervising Science Research Specialist Idelia Glorioso, and Science Research Specialist II Dexter de Leon.

through the national government’s calamity fund.

“The bridge was given priority concern by the national government after the recommendation of our lo-

cal government, provincial as well as regional development bodies because of its significance to our agricultural potentials,” he said.

Ben Moses Ebreo

HIGH-RISE condominiums will soon change the skyline of Tondo and Binondo districts as Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko” Domagoso plans to build several buildings in that area to house informal settlers in the capital city.

In a television interview, Domagoso said he plans to build several 14-story condominium-like public housing for the city’s homeless.

He said the “Tondominiums” will have elevators and would be very affordable.

Tondo is the largest and most densely populated district of Manila’s 16 districts with an estimated 631,313 residents in 2015, and consists of two congressional districts.

To realize the project, the Manila chief executive said the city government will borrow about P5 billion from the Development Bank of the Philippines and loan another P2 billion from LandBank.

He said the in-city housing project is part of his “vertical and social amelioration program.”

“The 42-square meter rooms will have two rooms, a bathroom and a living room, very similar to the condominiums being built in Metro Manila,” Domagoso said.

“Because Manila has very limited space, we will show the people how to build in-city vertical housing program. In highly-urbanized cities, space is rare. That’s why we’re going to utilize whatever space that we have,” he added.

The city government has already acquired a 3,000-meter lot in Binondo and another 2,000 square-meter lot in Tondo where the buildings will be built.

The condominiums are expected to provide around 1,000 new homes for the capital’s ever-expanding population.

Domagoso said living in high-rise buildings is becoming “increasingly accepted” and is already prevalent in Metro Manila.

Cross-dressers come out for Aguman Sanduk

By Bernard Supetran CROSS-DRESSING men of Minalin town in Pampanga recently paraded in the streets for the Aguman Sanduk Festival, an 89-year-old tradition to welcome the new year.

Held in the afternoon of Jan. 1, the festivity is said to have started in the 1930s by two men who paraded around the town wearing women’s clothes to cheer the townsfolk when they suffered the worst drought.

Literally meaning “the fellowship of the ladle” to symbolize the abundance of food, Aguman Sanduk celebrates the people of Minalin eventually overcoming the drought, and the townsfolk have been celebrating the event as a sign of their resilience and fun-loving nature.

In addition to the street dancing which brings to the audience, the parade also showcases intricatelydesigned floats representing the participating barangays.

Minalin is regarded as Central Luzon’s “egg basket” because of its large-scale production of eggs and chickens.

It is home to the Santa Monica Parish Church, a National Cultural Treasure declared by the National Museum because of the mixture of pre-colonial architectural motifs and European iconography.

‘Farm to Table’ campaign unveiled ROBINSONS Supermarket has launched a “Farm to Table” campaign to showcase fruits and vegetables sourced and grown locally by farmers, towards raising awareness on the sustainability of supporting local farmers.

During the event held at Robinsons Place Magnolia, officials of Robinsons Supermarket awarded certificates of recognition to Dizon Farms, Sanctuario Nature Farms, Tublay Organic Farming Practitioners Association Inc., Alexis Lily Farm Enterprises, and Greenery Salad and Herbs for supporting local farmers and participating in the Farm to Table campaign.

At the one-day event, shoppers were treated to a wide array of fresh produce at bargain prices from Robinsons Su-

permarket’s suppliers.

Also present at the activity were officials of the Food and Nutrition Research Institute of the Department of Science and Technology headed by Dr. Mario Capanzana.

They received over P100,000 worth of donation for FNRI’s Nutri T.E.K (Teknolohiya, Edukasyon at Kabuhayan) Para Sa Lahat program.

The program aims to teach participants how to make plant-based delicacies like vegetable kutsinta, squash siomai and home-made chocolates. The donation was collected through Robinsons Supermarket’s “Eat the Rainbow” program that encourages consumers to eat multi-colored fruits and vegetables.

Life FASHION AND BEAUTY

Bernadette Lunas, Issue Editor manilastandardlife@gmail.com @manilastandardlife @MStandardLIFE WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 8, 2020

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Best-dressed stars

at Golden Globes 2020

By Bernadette Lunas

T

HE stars landed on the red carpet of Beverly Hilton Hotel in California for the 77th Golden Globes. This year’s awards season kicked into high gear with dozens of trophies handed over to winners, and best-dressed tags awarded to the most stylish, bold, and unforgettable men and women of the night.

Ana de Armas

Scarlett Johansson

The star of Marriage Story may have appeared in a red Vera Wang ballgown, but she surely didn’t disappear on the red carpet. Scarlett Johansson exuded Old Hollywood glamour in her strapless, plunging neckline number with a dramatic train. Slick-back hair and 120 carats worth of Bulgari jewels were enough to seal the look.

Laura Dern

Somewhat contrary to her character as the h i g h - p owe r e d divorce lawyer Nora Fanshaw in Marriage Story, Laura Dern looked like a boho queen in a sheer Saint Laurent maxi gown. The deep V-neck cut of the embroidered number was balanced by its long sleeves.

Kerry Washington

Body chain on her bare body definitely was a bold choice, but Kerry Washington was able to “bring it” and keep it elegant with a black Altuzarra blazer, a high-slit skirt, and heels from Magda Butrym.

Reese Witherspoon

Best Actress nominee Ana de Armas brought her A-game to her first Golden Globes attendance.

The Knives Out star was looking gorgeous in a Ralph and Russo gown in midnight blue. While the silhouette is rather simple, the color and her matching blue jewels from Tiffany & Co. made for an exquisite look.

The Best Actress nominee proved that you can opt for sleek and simple and still land on the best-dressed list.

Reese Witherspoon wore a white Roland Mouret oneshoulder column gown with ruffle detailing.

Taylor Swift

How does one stand out in a sea of monochrome looks? Wear prints!

Tay-Tay made sure she stood out from the pack in an Etro navy and yellow silk floral ballgown with a keyhole cutout, open back, and long train. The Cats star’s hair styled up with a few loose strands complement the fresh and summer-y pattern.

Leonardo DiCaprio

Here’s a rule thumb when it comes to black tuxedo: it should be tailormade; not ill-fitting, not oddly proportioned. Quite simple, really, and the Once Upon a Time in Hollywood star nailed it. Leo was looking dapper in black Giorgio Armani trouser suit and a white shirt.

Move like Steph Curry

Steph Curry gets extra lift and energy return in the new Curry shoes.

AMERICAN sportswear brand Under Armour launches its latest footwear which was designed based on Stephen Curry’s on-court play.

The Curry 7 is made of technologies that promote energy return and movement fluidity.

“Like a lot of players, I’m always working on movement and fluidity, my range of motion, and how I can be more efficient with my footwork and balance,” shared Curry.

While developing the two-time MVP’s seventh signature shoe, the Under Armour design team worked to match his innovative style of play thereby making all players better on-court.

Paul Winsper, Under Armour vice president of Athlete Performance said, “We are constantly analyzing data around Stephen’s game and use those insights to inform his footwear each season.”

The design team took the data from Curry’s one of-a-kind game and started working from the inside out when ideating on the Curry 7.

The data pointed to a need for a system that would be as dynamic as the baller’s on-court play, but adaptable to any athlete; enable anyone in the shoe to cover more ground, respond faster, and stay quicker longer.

The result is the unique combination of two proprietary and acclaimed Under Armour foam technologies—UA HOVR and Micro G. According to Under Armour designer Leon Gu, “The Curry 7 is the first Under Armour Basketball shoe to combine the UA HOVR and Micro G cushioning technologies, and the first Curry signature shoe to feature Micro G.” “We started with UA HOVR foam at the top and then added Micro G at the bottom. Both materials are separated and perfectly balanced by the flexible plate. UA HOVR foam is made up of several layered

Helen Mirren

Dame Helen Mirren can do no wrong, schooling those on the red carpet how to do Old Hollywood glamour right. The star of the miniseries Catherine the Great graced the Golden Globes in a deep red Dior dress with off-the-shoulder cut and a skirt— with a tulle underneath—that demands a twirl.

Turn to C2

Curry 7 is the first Under Armour Basketball shoe to combine the HOVR and Micro G cushioning technologies.

materials that provide reinforcement in zonal areas for comfort, stability, and mobility. Micro G is bouncy and responsive. The combination allows for extra lift and energy return.”

“Key for me when we were building the Curry 7 was the combination of energy return from UA HOVR and responsiveness underfoot for quickness on-court,” said Curry.

The Curry 7 is available at Under Armour stores in SM Mall of Asia, SM Megamall, Bonifacio High Street, Greenbelt 3, and Trinoma.

Life

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WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 8, 2020 manilastandardlife@gmail.com

Football Club Internaziole Milano (Italy)

Real Madrid (Spain)

Champion means boss

FC Bayern (Germany)

F

OUR soccer teams prove they are not only champions, they are also “the Boss.”

Underscoring the attributes of quality, confidence, and excellence, German luxury fashion label Boss is sponsoring the formal and casual wear of members of Real Madrid F.C., Paris Saint-Germain, FC Internazionale Milano, and FC Bayern.

The players will wear pieces designed to be mixed and matched, as all tailoring is from the

Paris Saint-Germain (France)

Boss Create Your Look collection, which allows the players to create an impeccably tailored look by combining jackets and trousers of the same fabric across different sizes and fits.

The suits are cut from pure double-dyed wool that has natural stretch for high comfort and flexibility. For the players, these tailored looks are finished with slim ties featuring club logos.

Sports tailoring is highlighted by combining the elegance of tailoring with functionality inspired by the performance found in sportswear. The result is a fusion of style and quality with a comfortable feel and relaxed look.

A hub for beauty

John Pratts shares his love of sneakers through the hashtag #PrattyShoes.

Celebrity-approved sneakers WHEN it comes to sneakers, actor-director and self-avowed “sneakerhead” John Pratts prefers the classics—at least at the moment.

“I express my style with sneakers like now I’m more into classics, classic-looking sneakers,” shared Pratts, whose growing sneaker edit on Instagram (#PrattyShoes) features his favorite kicks.

The former teenage heartthrob considers himself a sneaker-lover since his school days.

The hashtag started from Pratt’s love of footwear and his desire to share his passion with others.

Through #PrattyShoes, he shares his buys almost every few weeks. “It feels so good kapag mayroon kang bagong (when you have new) shoes.

Doon nagsimula ‘yung ‘PrattyShoes’ na hashtag (That was where the National University courtside reporter Baileys Acot in Saucony Jazz. hashtag originated).

Model Geng Maderazo in Shadow Original Black Gold.

One of his recent favorites is Saucony Jazz from the Saucony Originals, new iterations from the brand’s beloved silhouettes.

Even National University court-side reporter Baileys Acot wears the new “retro” sneakers.

Jazz Vintage is a celebration of Saucony’s rich history in retro running.

It utilizes the original features of the brand’s most iconic silhouette, delivering a timeless style. It now comes in styles with red and blue accents.

Also available is Jazz Original Vintage olive, which features a much muted color scheme.

Meanwhile, taekwondo artist Japoy Lizardo and model Geng Maderazo are looking sleek in Shadow Original Black Gold, a unisex style that features gold accents on black, for a touch of elegance.

WHEN stress and pollution take a toll on our skin, a soothing and pampering treatment is a great thing.

Nicely tucked in a corner, on the third level of the Victory Food Market in Baclaran, Parañaque is Hayfa Skin and Body Care clinic. The skin care center offers a variety of treatments.

“Hayfa offers effective skin care, slimming treatments, spa services that will enhance one’s natural beauty, as well as promote well-being through relaxation,” said managing director Anne Gagarin.

Hayfa, in Arabic means slender and beautiful woman. Now in its fourth year of delivering pamper and care, it continues to ensure its growing clientele glow with self-confidence in every visit.

“I love skin care so taking care of our clients’ skin is a natural progression for me. And so is this business,” said Gagarin, who opened the clinic after working as a franchise manager for a skin care brand.

“Me and my business partner opened Hayfa. We complemented our services with nails and massage thereafter. Hayfa uses imported, as well as locally sourced solutions. We are a value for money proposition.”

Treatments begin with education. “For clients who know what they want or need, we explain how our services are done. For those who are in for expert advice, we first analyze their skin. We then evaluate each new client and suggest if what they need is a one at a time procedure or something that could be done altogether,” shared Gagarin.

Hayfa begins the year right by offering the promotional price of P700 for its Signature Facial. It’s a pleasurable skin cleaning regimen that involves facial massage steaming, clay masque for skin rejuvenation, pricking of blackheads and whiteheads (with the slightest sting), diamond peel, laser toning, peel-off mask, and the soothing cold hammer to tighten pores.

The center promises clients feel lighter on the face right after each session, as expertly trained staff take away all the deep-seated dirt from the skin.

“Hayfa renders service with a heart. We give detailed attention to each and every client and offer only effective and affordable services and beauty treatments that are within

Best-dressed...

From C1

Billy Porter

Feathers are always in as long as Billy Porter wears them on the red carpet. The Pose star was a sight to behold in a custom white tuxedo jacket with dramatic feather train designed by Alex Vinash. He kept the look pristine with a white button-down shirt, white trousers, and custom Jimmy Choo boots. He finished off the look with a Tiffany & Co. necklace.

Hayfa’s Signature Facial is a multi-step skin cleaning regimen that involves facial massage steaming and diamond peel, among others.

reach,” enthused Gagarin.

The center’s extensive service and treatment options include facials, skin lightening, anti-aging and skin rejuvenation, slimming, nail spa, massage, eyelash extension, threading and waxing, semi-permanent makeup, lash lift, lip spa, and other professional services like warts removal.

Aside from its Baclaran location, Hayfa has another branch in Antipolo located on the third level of Victory Park and Shop.

For appointments and inquiries, dial (02) 8-656-3577 or 0998-8553116 for Antipolo, or (02) 8-668-9614 or 09271780112 for Parañaque City.

Joey King

Best Actress in a Limited Series nominee Joey King made sure her Golden Globes debut was memorable as she wore an Iris Van Herpen creation that looked like a wearable art.

With something as eye-catching as this dress, the 20-yearold star only needed Jimmy Choo heels and a few Harry Winston jewels.

Photos from AFP

Entertainment

Bulgarian ‘Captain America’ back in Manila

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 8, 2020 nickie.standard@gmail.com

SNAPSHOT

HBO wins big at Golden Globes HBO received four wins, the most awards for the night, at the 77th annual Golden Globe Awards held in Los Angeles Sunday night (Monday in Manila). Both Chernobyl and Succession both won two Golden Globe®awards each, including Best Television Limited Series or Motion Picture Made for Television and Best Television Series – Drama, respectively. Both series are streaming on HBO GO.

Man of the World 2019 Daniel Georgiev Georgiev of Bulgaria has captured the hearts of Filipino pageant fans who call him Captain America.

A

FTER winning Man of the World 2019 in July, Bulgarian model Daniel Georgiev returned to pursue modeling in Manila.

“It’s really good to be back, I love Manila,” Georgiev enthused during a press conference held at Vikings Makati recently.

Georgiev is under contract with PEPPS Foundation, Inc., headed

by Carlo Morris Galang, to fulfill his duties as the reigning Man of the World. He is also being launched by the Contact Network Group International as its official international brand ambassador.

“Daniel is the perfect symbol of our company and with Man of the World connections internationally, I believe this partnership will bring tremendous gains for both our brands,” said Emerilyn Suya, president of Contact Network International.

The 25-year-old heartthrob from the Balkans city of Sofia, has walked the runways of fashion capitals around the world for popular brands including Dolce and Gabbana. He works with the Independent Model Management, one of the most recognized and professional modeling agencies in Milan, Italy.

A graduate of the University of National and World Economy, Georgiev spends his free time playing football, his favorite sport.

“I am a fan of (the great Portuguese player) Cristiano Ronaldo,” said Georgiev who has a namesake in Montana midfielderDaniel Atanasov Georgiev.

Georgiev, who was called by his followers “Captain America” during the Man of the World pageant, said he admires actorDwayne Johnson. He has appeared in Bulgarian-produced movies in minor roles and has a contact with Universal Pictures.

Georgiev first competed in Manhunt International in 2012 in Thailand as an 18-year-old, but lost to the Philippines’ June Macasaet. *** JAMS Top Model Philippines 2019 search Three hundred aspiring models coming from across the country are competing to become the next JAMS Top Model Philippines 2019. These models have anticipated the training

and preparations and have strutted their way to their dream to become JAMS’ next top models.

JAMS Top Model Philippines 2019 is looking for top models to represent their places’ tradition and culture through the use of the runway.

JAMS Top Model Philippines, presented by JAMS Artist Production, was founded by Maricar Moina and Jojo Flores. It has become a home to diverse pool of artists and was accredited by ABS-CBN since 2013.

A one of a kind competition catering to youth empowerment, it has three categories for ages 5 to 9, 10 to 15 and 16 to 25 who will be judged on poise and bearing, overall look, X-Factor and audience impact.

Prizes at stake are P500,000 for the grand winner for each category, P300,000 and P100,000 for the 1st and 2nd runners-up, respectively, on top of a modelling contract for the top 3.

JAMS Top Model 2018 winners include Liann Xndrah Gappi, Louise Cruz, Ancient Trinity Tabora, Maharlika Santos, Miguel Enrico Gochuico, Alecsa Julie Cang, and Shiena Fitzsimmons.

The JAMS Top Model Philippines 2019 will have its finals night at the Mall of Asia (MOA) Arena, Pasay City on Jan. 28 with guest performances from various popular artists.

Young model wannabes vie for JAMS Top Model Philippines title to have the chance to become the next big thing on the modeling scene.

Jollibee has releace a new TV inspired by its iconic ‘Isa pa, Isa pang Chickenjoy’ '90s ad.

and catchy “isa pa, isa pa, isa pang Chickenjoy!” chant first heard in commercials featuring actors Aga Muhlach and Serena Dalrymple back in the ‘90s. This short video highlights Chickenjoy by showing young Filipinos doing the chant, along with their family.

The ad underscores how the chant still has a place in the hearts of the current younger generation of Filipinos, because after all these years, who could resist having one more of the crispylicious, juicylicious, and best-

'Chernobyl' star Stellan Skarsgård wins Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a series, limited series or motion picture made for television.

Showcasing Philippine art and culture in China

The Bayanihan Dance Company

A FILIPINO cultural delegation led

by Cultural Center of the Philippines president Arsenio J. Lizaso is set to visit Jiangxi province in China to showcase the various facets of Philippine art and culture through a performance by the world-renownedBayanihan Dance Company, a CCP resident company, on Jan. 8 at the Jiangxi Centre for Performing Arts in Nanchang City.

The event is part of a series of celebrations for the 45th anniversary of the establishment of the diplomatic relations of the two countries, as well as aimed at promoting and strengthening cultural cooperation between them through exchanges in the field of performing and disciplinary arts.

The outreach performance in China is made possible through the efforts of the Cultural Center of the Philippines president Arsenio Lizaso in cooperation with the Jiangxi Provincial People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (JXPAFFC).

Both CCP and JXPAFFC carry out mutual visits and performances in line with the Executive Program of the Cultural Agreement between the Philippines and the People’s Republic of China for 2019-2023. Under the agreement, partnerships on the areas of High-level and official exchanges; Cultural Heritage and Exhibitions; Performing and Interdisciplinary Arts; and Publications, Literary Arts, Language and Translation are among the areas of cooperation.

JXPAFFC is a people’s organization of Jiangxi Province of the People’s

Fast-food chain relives iconic TVC FOR generations, Filipino families— have had only one thing on their mind when dining out: the goodness of the Jollibee Chickenjoy, and having as much of it as they want.

And over the years, there’s been many ways to express the desire for some wonderful and satisfying Chickenjoy—and wanting even more of it after having it—but there’s only one way that’s simple, direct, and even legendary.

If you were already thinking of it, you’re right: Jollibee’s latest video ad brings back the iconic

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tasting Chickenjoy?

“Jollibee Chickenjoy is so beloved among generations of Filipinos that reviving ‘isa pa, isa pang Chickenjoy’ still resonates so much with everyone after all this time,” says Cathleen Capati, Jollibee Marketing AVP for the Bestsellers Category. “There’s still no better fried chicken in the country, and certainly no other chicken that’ll make you want to have one more piece.”

Chickenjoy is available for dine-in, take-out, delivery, and drive-thru in all Jollibee stores nationwide.

Republic of China and a group member of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries.

In business, it is guided by the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries. Its purpose is to promote understanding and friendship between the people of Jiangxi and peoples of the world, promote international exchanges and cooperation, maintain world peace and the reunification of the motherland, and promote common development and prosperity.

Through the years, the CCP had paved the way for numerous Chinese cultural presentations, including the Jilin Art Troupe’s Happy Chinese New Year presentation in March 2015, the National Ballet of China performing Raise the Red Lantern in October 2016, and the Qingdao Peking Opera performance of the Monkey King Wreaking Havoc in Heaven in May 2018.

The Filipino-Chinese epic historical film Hari sa Hari, Lahi sa LAHI was shown in 1987, which was a coproduction between the Philippines and the People’s Republic of China.

Production of the movie, about the meeting between the Filipino SultanPaduka Pahala and Chinese Emperor Zhu Di of the Ming Dynasty during the early 15th century, was implemented through the Cultural Center of the Philippines and the Beijing Film Studios, and had its world premiere in August 1987 at the Manila Film Center.

Entertainment

Nickie Wang, Issue Editor nickie.standard@gmail.com

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WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 8, 2020

‘Star Wars’ rules cinematic universe for third straight week

Actor Daisy Ridley (left) meets a young admirer at the Hollywood premiere of 'Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker' on Dec. 16,

STAR Wars: The Rise of Skywalker has continued to rule the cinematic universe, keeping its top ranking in North American theaters this weekend with an estimated take of $33.7 million, industry watcher Exhibitor Relations reported Sunday.

That brought the three-week domestic total for the Disney film -- marketed as a grand finale of the nine-film Skywalker Saga -to $451 million. It has taken in $468 million overseas.

Holding onto the second spot again was Sony’s Jumanji: The Next Level, an action sequel with Dwayne “The Rock” Johnsonand Kevin Hart, which took in $26.5 million for the Friday-throughSunday period.

Overall, it was an impressive weekend for Sony, which had three films in the top five. Its Little Women moved up from fourth last weekend to third, with a take of $13.6 million.

The Greta Gerwig-directed version

of Louisa May Alcott’s classic novel has drawn strong reviews -- and the ire of some critics who say it deserved a best-director or best-film nod in tonight’s Golden Globes. (Saoirse Ronan did get a best actress nomination for her role as Jo March.)

Yet another Sony movie, new release The Grudge, placed fourth at $11.3 million. The supernatural horror film is a remake of a 2002 Japanese movie. It got a rare “F” rating from audiences, only the 20th film in 40 years to do so, according to the CinemaScore website.

Disney grabbed the fifth spot with Frozen II. The animated musical about Queen Elsa and her gang took in $11.3 million in its seventh week out-and with an accumulated global total of $1.3 billion has become the top-grossing animated film of all time, surpassing The Incredibles 2, according to Hollywood Reporter. AFP

Julie Anne, Martin del Rosario among top artists nominated at the 24th Asian TV Awards

Julie Anne San Jose is nominated in the Best Actress in a Leading Role category for GMA-7’s animated series Barangay 143

Martin del Rosario is nominated in the Best Leading Male Performance - Digital category for the series Born Beautiful by Cignal TV.

THE best and brightest TV stars and artists of the region are nominated at the 24th Asian Television Awards, which will be held at the Newport Performing Arts Theaters at the Resorts World Manila in Pasay City from Jan. 10 to 12.

ATA, considered as Asian TV’s most celebrated gathering of industry professionals, has been honoring and recognizing hundreds of Asian actors, directors, producers, hosts and presenters since its founding in 1996.

The Philippines, the host country of the 24th Asian Television Awards, received 20 nominations in categories such as Best Leading Male Performance - Digital (for Martin Del Rosario of the series Born Beautiful by Cignal TV), Best Actress in a Leading Role (for Julie Ann San Jose for GMA-7’s animated series Barangay 143).

Cathy Yang (of the ABS-CBN News

Channel’s Market Edge with Cathy Yang) and Cito Beltran (for Cignal TV’s Agenda) are both nominated in the Best News Presenter or Anchor category, while Mark A. Reyes is nominated in the Best Direction (Fiction) category for his work in the digital series Mystified.

The Philippines also dominated the Best Theme Song category; all five nominees came from the country.

Some of the most acclaimed and most popular artists of the region also received nods in the 24th edition of the Asian Television Awards. Among the stars to be nominated include Thailand’s Purim Rattanaruangwattana and Attaphan Poonsawat (for Best Actor in a Supporting Role), Taiwan’s Nicolas Teo and William Hsieh (Best Actor in a Leading Role), South Korea’s Kim Hye-Ja (Best Actress in a Leading Role), and China’s Zhu Yi Long (Best Actor in a Supporting Role), andAngelababy (Best Actress in a Leading Role), among many others.

Other nominees include Chanon Santinatornkul (best known for his role in the hit 2017 Thai movie Bad Genius) andKorapat Kirdpan (a popular TV actor from Thailand who has starred in the famed youth series Hormones).

Winners of the 24th Asian Television Awards will be announced during the Award Ceremonies which will be held on Jan. 10 and 11.

This year’s ATA will be hosted by Filipino personalities, actor Mark Neumann and TV journalist Cathy Yang, popular Thai model-actress Ase Wang, and Singapore media personality Wallace Ang. The Jan. 11 ceremony will feature a red carpet event, where the region’s best and most popular stars are expected to attend.

A concert will cap off the awards festival on Jan. 12 featuring top Asian performers headlined by Indonesian star Anggun and Filipino artists Martin Nievera, Kris Lawrence, 4th Impact, and Morisette, to name a few.

Over 300 international delegates, composed of filmmakers, TV producers, actors and TV hosts, are expected to arrive in the Philippines to grace the threeday event. The 24th ATA event will be streamed live on Facebook via @asiantvawards.

To see the complete list of 24th Asian Television Awards nominees, visit their website:https://www.asiantvawards.com/ nominees/2019-nominees.

Tickets to the Awards Night, After Party, and Concert of the 24th Asian Television Awards are available atwww.ticketworld.com.ph. For more information about the event, follow @asiantvawards on Facebook and Instagram.

Coleen Garcia and EA Guzman in a scene from the romantic comedy filmed in Rio Tuba, Palawan.

Local cinema’s opening salvo OR filmmaker Chris Cahilig of Insight 360 Films, there’s no specific formula when it comes to making a movie that will be commercially successful. What’s imperative is for the film to have integrity and be of good quality.

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“There’s no formula in making it big at the tills, that’s why we just deliver the best story and we just let the audience decide whether or not we’ve presented a good film,” Cahilig told reporters during a press conference held at Limbaga 77 in Quezon City.

“It’s a couple of weeks away from the love month. We’re presenting a preValentine special. We believe people have missed a good romcom so our film is a nice opening for the year. Walang bastos, hubaran, children can watch it.

Malalim ang pelikula, people can learn a lot of things from the narrative. We talk about love, nature, and family,” he added.

Mia, the title of the film, is helmed by award-winning director Veronica Velasco and stars Coleen Garcia and Edgar Allan Guzman.

To date, the official trailer, which was launched last Nov. 11 on various prominent

YouTube and Facebook channels, has become viral, garnering over six million organic views on Facebook, and close to 500,000 on YouTube.

Comments on the different sites also show how Mia is truly one of the most anticipated films of 2020, citing the exceptional on-screen chemistry of its lead actors Coleen and EA, its relatable plot, and its arresting cinematography

by Noel Teehankeethat observers noted as comparable to Hollywood and South Korean films.

Netizens also expressed their love for the film’s official soundtracks titled “Sa Iba Na Lang” performed by duo B.O.U. and “Ikaw Na Nga Talaga” by 1:43. Both songs were written

by Jayson Dedal and arranged in Sonic State Audio Studio.

Produced by Chris Cahilig in partnership with Viva Films, Mia tells the tale of a self-destructive alcoholic,

The cast and director of 'Mia,' which unspools in cinemas nationwide on Jan. 15.

Mia (Coleen), a doctor struggling to heal from the tragedy of her fiance’s death, and Jay (EA), who transforms mined-out land into rainforests.

With its screenplay co-written by Velasco and Jinky Laurel, the film shows that conflict can sometimes lead to something beautiful, as Mia and Jay’s clashes also show that their chemistry is undeniable.

“The humor of the film is for everybody. Any age group can easily relate to our film,” said Coleen.

Apart from the acting prowess of the lead actors, netizens are also intrigued by the film’s unique and realistic take on love and healing, and are eager to watch the movie to see how the story will unfold.

Other cast members include Yayo Aguila and William Martinez, Billy Crawford, Star Orjaliza, Jeremy Domingo,Sunshine Teodoro, Pau Benitez, and Xenia Barrameda.

Two days prior to its much-awaited showing on cinemas nationwide on Jan. 15, Mia will hold the National Mia Day at the Cinema 1 of SM Megamall where lucky women named Mia will be given free tickets to attend the film’s special screening.

The cast and crew lead by Coleen and EA will likewise be holding a series of mall shows in SM Dasmarinas (Jan. 11) and Fishermall Malabon and Quezon Avenue (Jan. 12).