Manila Standard - 2020 January 9 - Thursday

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VOL. XXXIII • NO. 329 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P18 THURSDAY, JANUARY 9, 2020 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Khameini: A slap in the face was delivered Mahathir: Time is right for all Muslim nations to come together Netanyahu: Anyone who attacks us will receive resounding blow

MISSILE RESPONSE. Protesters demonstrate outside the White House on Tuesday (Wednesday in Manila) in Washington, DC. Iran fired at least 12 missiles at two US bases in Iraq in response to the US drone strike that killed Revolutionary Guards commander Qassim Suleimani. The still image (inset top left) from an Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting video allegedly shows rockets launched from Iran against the US military base in Ein-al Asad in Iraq. AFP

Mandatory repatriation OKd Widodo asserts Iran strikes back, fires missiles DFA issues ‘crisis Alert Level 4’, orders evacuation of 4,000 OFWs claim vs. China INDONESIA has deployed fighter jets and warships to patrol islands near the disputed South China Sea, the military said Wednesday, escalating tensions with Beijing after a diplomatic spat over “trespassing” Chinese vessels.

President Joko Widodo also headed Wednesday to the fishing-rich waters around the Natuna islands, which border the South China Sea, most of which is claimed by China despite competing claims from other Southeast Asian nations including Vietnam, the Philippines and Malaysia.

The Indonesian military said it had deployed eight warships and four jet fighters ahead of Widodo’s visit in an apparent bid to assert its sovereignty over the region.

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IRAN fired missiles Wednesday at Iraqi bases housing the US military, officials in Washington and Tehran said, in the first act of the Islamic republic’s promised revenge for the US killing of a top Iranian general.

Iranian state television claimed that Wednesday missile strikes on bases in Iraq killed 80 Americans, in a report citing what it called an informed Revolutionary Guards source.

Iran launched 22 missiles overnight at the Iraqi bases used by US and other US-led coalition troops, the Iraqi army said.

“At least 80 American military [personnel] were killed in this attack,” the state television website reported.

In addition, it said, unmanned aerial vehicles, helicopters and other military equipment had been severely Next page damaged in the attack.

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HE Department of Foreign Affairs has raised “Crisis Alert Level 4” over Iraq, paving the way for the mandatory repatriation of some 4,000 Filipinos working there.

The alert, the highest among the DFA Airbase in Iraq, which houses American travel advisories, was issued after a US troops. drone attack killed a top Iranian general “President Rodrigo Duterte has directin Iraq on Jan. 3, prompting Wednesday’s ed all government agencies, including Iranian missile attack on Iraq’s al Asad Next page

170 killed in Ukraine jet crash A UKRAINIAN airliner carrying at least 170 people crashed shortly after takeoff from Tehran on Wednesday, killing all on board, Iran state media reported.

The Boeing 737 had left Tehran’s international airport bound for Kiev, semiofficial news agency ISNA said.

“Obviously it is impossible that passengers” on flight PS-752 are alive, Red

Traslacion: CP services on hold SMART and Globe will temporarily shut down their network services in parts of Metro Manila starting Wednesday for the annual Traslacion or the procession of the Black Nazarene on Thursday.

In an advisory, Smart Communications Inc. announced that the mobile phone services of its Smart, TNT, and Sun networks in Quiapo, Manila and along the route of the procession will be suspended on Wednesday and restored once authorities say it is safe.

“We are also temporarily stopping the operation of some of our cell sites in

By Rey E. Requejo, MJ Blancaflor, Francisco Tuyay and Macon Ramos-Araneta

Crescent head Morteza Salimi told semiofficial news agency ISNA, adding that 170 passengers and crew had boarded the plane.

State news agency IRNA said 167 passengers and nine crew members had boarded the aircraft, which was operated by Ukraine International Airlines.

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MILITARY-POLICE MEET. President Rodrigo Duterte presides over a joint meeting of the Armed Forces-National Police Command Conference at Malacañang Tuesday. Hours later, the government, through the Department of Foreign Affairs ordered the Philippine Embassy in Iraq for mandatory repatriation of Filipinos there.

Presidential Photo

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Water firms told: New deals won’t kill

By Rey E. Requejo

LONG LINE. Hundreds of Catholic devotees of the Black Nazarene queue up for the traditional kissing of the image’s feet at the bayside Quirino Grandstand in Manila on Wednesday. The Feast of the Black Nazarene is celebrated every Jan. 9. PNA

THE Justice department said Wednesday the new water concession agreements will not be fatal to the water concessionaires in Metro Manila.

It made the statement even as President Rodrigo Duterte said he had given the go signal to government lawyers to present the new water concession contracts to Maynilad and Manila Water.

“We’re facing problems in and out of our country. Grave problems. Locally, it’s the water issue and I have given the go signal to our lawyers to present it to Next page

PLANE WRECKAGE. People stand helplessly near the wreckage of a Ukrainian plane carrying 176 passengers and crew, all dead, which crashed near Imam Khomeini airport in Tehran on Wednesday. The aircraft was operated by Ukraine International Airlines. AFP

CA justice tapped for high court post

By MJ Blancaflor PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has appointed Court of Appeals Justice Samuel Gaerlan as the new associate justice of the Supreme Court, Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said Wednesday.

Gaerlan, who bested five other nominees, was among those who took his oath before the President on Wednesday afternoon in Malacañang.

The former CA justice will fill up the seat vacated by associate justice Francis Jardeleza, who retired on Sept. 26.

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News

THURSDAY, JANUARY 9, 2020

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‘Crime rate drop proves drug war gaining’ T

HE significant decline in the Philippines’ crime rate is proof of the Duterte administration’s victory in its campaign against all forms of criminality, particularly illegal drugs, an official said Wednesday.

“This is clear proof that President Duterte’s drug war is winning,” Lt. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar, chief of the PNP Directorial Staff, said in a statement.

“And we have been on the right path in the campaign against illegal drugs because the consistent decline in crime means a continuous improvement in the peace and order.”

Eleazar made his statement even as Vice President Leni Robredo stood pat that the Duterte administration’s war on drug was a “massive failure,” and that “only less than 1 percent of the country’s shabu supply and drug money was seized.”

She reacted to the claim of the Philippine National Police and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency that she got the wrong data and information about the drug situation in the country.

“If they [the authorities] say my data are wrong, well those were [all] sourced from them,” Robredo said.

A ranking member of the Liberal Party also slammed the PDEA head Aaron Aquino and PNP officer-in-charge Archie Gamboa for criticizing Robredo’s report on the government’s war on drugs.

“The data came from them,” said Erin

PCOO Instagram account hacked

Mandatory...

From A1

THE official Instagram account of the Presidential Communications Operations Office has been hacked, a Communications official announced on Wednesday.

PCOO Assistant Secretary for Global Media and Public Affairs Jusan Vincent Arcena denounced the attempt by the still unidentified individuals to have access to the Communications department’s Instagram page.

The hackers changed the account’s display photo and caption with Arabic letters and uploaded videos that showed a camel race.

The photos that were previously posted also disappeared, as well as the 18,900 followers.

But within the day the account’s contents had been restored, as well as the 18,900 followers.

Arcena told the public to ignore any Instagram posts on the PCOO page by the hackers.

“We decry the malicious act by unknown individuals who hacked the Presidential Communications Operations Office’s Instagram Page, with the handle @ pcoogov,” Arcena said in a statement.

“In the meantime, we ask our followers to disregard any present and future activities on our Instagram page, until such time that the matter is resolved.”

Arcena said the PCOO had already requested social media giant Facebook, which has control over Instagram, to lock its hacked account.

He assured the public that the PCOO was taking immediate action to address the issue.

“The account has been locked by Facebook’s team so that hackers will no longer be able to use the account, Arcena said.

“We are now looking into this matter and have coordinated with Facebook to resolve it immediately.” MJ Blancaflor with PNA

Widodo...

From A1

A Chinese coast guard vessel was spotted near the islands Wednesday, Indonesia said.

“We have deployed eight warships,” said Navy spokesman Fajar Tri Rohadi.

An AFP reporter confirmed with the air force that fighter jets had also been deployed.

It follows the deployment on Friday of around 600 personnel from the navy, army and air force to Natuna as the military launched what it called a regular patrol to secure the area due to the presence of foreign vessels in Indonesian waters.

Jakarta said it would also send hundreds of fishermen to the area to keep an eye out for foreign vessels.

The moves come after Indonesia summoned the Chinese ambassador last week and lodged a “strong protest” over a Chinese coast guard vessel escorting Chinese fishing boats around the islands in mid-December.

Beijing responded that it has “historic rights” in the region and that fishing boats had been carrying out “legal and reasonable” activities.

This week, China’s foreign ministry said the dispute was being handled diplomatically.

“China and Indonesia have been communicating on this matter through diplomatic channels,” ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said Tuesday, describing the two countries as “comprehensive strategic partners.”

“Both countries shoulder the responsibility of maintaining regional peace and stability,” he added.

Beijing lays claim to huge swathes of the South China Sea, where it is accused of building military installations and artificial islands—and ramming fishing vessels. AFP

CA...

From A1 Gaerlan is a graduate of the San Beda College of Law and a professor at the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila.

He was a lawyer at the Public Attorney’s Office before he entered the judiciary as a trial court judge.

Gaerlan bested CA Justices Ramon Garcia, Joseph Lopez, Manuel Barrios and Eduardo Peralta.

the Philippine Embassy in Iraq, for repatriation of Filipinos from here,” Philippine Chargè d’ Affairès Jomar Sadie said in Filipino over a Facebook Live video.

“The marching order for us is mandatory repatriation,” Sadie added.

The DFA also elevated the alert level in Yemen to Alert Level 4.

The DFA said there are at least 1,600 Filipinos in Iraq, more than half working in Kurdistan region and the rest in the Baghdad area.

In Baghdad, many are employed by the US and other foreign facilities, while some work for regular commercial establishments.

Under Alert Level 4, all Filipinos are asked to leave and join the ongoing evacuation being offered by the Philippine government.

Sadie stressed that overseas Filipino workers in Iraq should coordinate closely with the embassy for repatriation and other forms of assistance needed.

He said an exit visa and ticket should be secured from the workers’ employers.

He also advised Filipinos in Iraq to have their passports with them at all times.

Sadie also advised undocumented Filipinos in Iraq, including the victims of human trafficking, to coordinate directly with or call the Philippine Embassy so that appropriate travel documents can be issued to

Tañada, a human rights lawyer and the Liberal Party’s vice president for external affairs.

“Why are they criticizing the data mentioned

by Vice President Leni in her report when they were the ones who submitted these numbers during her short stint as co-chair of the InterAgency Committee on Anti-Illegal Drugs?

“Are they now disowning their own data?”

From July 2016 when the drug war was launched up to June 2018, PNP data showed a 21.5-percent decline in the country’s crime rate compared to the crime data from July 2014 to June 2016.

For the entire 2018, there was a 9-percent decrease in the crime volume compared to 2017. An average of 3 to 5 percent was also recorded in the first three quarters of 2019.

Metro Manila is one of the favorite playing grounds of drug syndicates due to its huge population.

Eleazar highlighted the importance of Metro Manila in the link between crime and illegal drugs since the country’s main region serves as a picture of the crime situation in the country.

In highlighting the importance of peace and order in gauging the impact of the drug war, Eleazar noted some of the observations by the PNP leadership.

One of them, he said, was that most of the criminal acts committed were drugrelated―either the perpetrators were high on drugs when they committed rape or murder, or those who engaged in robbery and snatching were doing it to have enough money to buy shabu.

He added that in a number of cases, some of the arrested or slain drug users and pushers were involved in multiple criminal cases.

“We should also not forget that it is the

people in the barangay themselves who were saying that the peace and order situation in their community has improved significantly because of the drug war. It is these people themselves who are now saying that the drug pushers and users, who used to be neighborhood toughies, are now scared,” Eleazar said.

Another proof, according to Eleazar, is that people in the community now have the courage to report to the police the drug users and pushers in their barangay because they see an ally in the police in running after suspects.

This is the reason, according to Eleazar, why the drug war continuously enjoys the trust and confidence of the public that eventually translated to high trust, satisfaction and popularity ratings of President Duterte in various surveys. Rio N. Araja and Macon Ramos-Araneta with PNA

them by the embassy.

In case of employers’ refusal to let Filipino workers go home, they may also ask for assistance from the embassy.

Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo admitted that it is impossible to impose mandatory repatriation, especially when the fighting begins.

“If there are open hostilities, repatriation is out of the question especially if there’s a shooting war. Our primary concern is to evacuate them into a safe place,” Panelo said in an interview with CNN Philippines.

“With respect to those who do not want to, how can we urge them if they do not want to? We cannot forcibly drag them to a ship or to whatever to bring them out,” Panelo added.

Meanwhile, Budget Assistant Secretary Rolando Toledo said P1.9 billion is available to repatriate Filipinos.

The fund is composed of P1.29 billion from the Department of Foreign Affairs, P100 million from the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration 2020 budget, and P500 million from the OWWA Fund.

Toledo said the Philippine government can also access its P13-billion contingent fund if the budget would be insufficient.

President Duterte earlier requested a “standby fund” that could be used to evacuate 1.2-million Filipinos from the Middle East.

“Even without the pronouncement of the President, we already have the budget for re-

patriation,” Toledo told Palace reporters in a press briefing.

Special envoy to Middle East Roy Cimatu is flying to the Middle East to help in the mandatory evacuation of thousands of Filipino workers and migrants.

He said Filipinos from Iraq would be airlifted or be brought by land to Jordan or Dubai in going to Qatar or back to the Philippines.

He said there are US bases in Qatar, Kuwait and Bahrain that could be possible targets of attacks by Iran.

“Being possible targets, we must be prepared for any eventualities,” he said.

At least 1,592 Filipino workers in Iraq have signed up for repatriation.

Cimatu said Filipino workers in Iraq must proceed to the Philippine Embassy, where they would be fetched for repatriation.

The affected Filipinos would be taken to airports in Qatar, Kuwait, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, he said.

“That will be my concern tomorrow (Thursday) to see if airports are okay,” he added.

The military has formed two battalions of elite personnel and is on standby alert for deployment in the Middle East to assist in the repatriation of some 7,000 Filipinos in Iraq and Iran in case a shooting war erupts in the volatile region.

Security officials led by Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana and Armed Forces Chief of Staff Gen. Felimon Santos Jr., said a battalion of Philippine Marines and one battalion from

the Army’s Special Operations Command (Socom) will be sent to Jeddah and Qatar to rescue Filipino workers who might be trapped.

The decision to deploy military contingents in the Middle East was based on the orders of President Rodrigo Duterte during Tuesday night’s command conference in Malacañang.

“The purpose of the military there, based on the President’s directive, is for us to prepare two battalions, not for war but to assist whatever the Department of Foreign Affairs needs,” Santos said.

“We have to place our forces there on strategic places so it could be nearer. We have some recommended places, countries for, as staging point just in case (the situation) worsen,” Santos said.

A Navy landing dock ship (LD-602) BRP Davao del Sur with a capacity of 500 persons, will also be sent to the Persian Gulf to ferry out stranded Filipino workers.

The government is also formulating other contingency plans for the Middle East crisis including the deployment of two C-130 cargo planes and a smaller cargo aircraft C-295 that can carry around 300 passengers.

Lorenzana said the government may also lease commercial planes and ships to accommodate the thousands of Filipinos that have to be repatriated.

There are about 1.2 million Filipinos in the Middle East—1,600 of them are in Iran while 6,000 are in Iraq.

Iran...

From A1 The Pentagon said it was still “working on initial battle damage assessments” after “Iran launched more than a dozen ballistic missiles against US military and coalition forces in Iraq.”

“It is clear that these missiles were launched from Iran and targeted at least two Iraqi military bases hosting US military and coalition personnel” at Ain al-Asad and Arbil, the Pentagon said.

The Revolutionary Guards source said at least 140 targets of the US and their allies had been identified in the region and would be attacked “if the Americans commit any kind of mistake again.”

The source said 15 missiles hit Ain Al-Assad base and none was intercepted by “radars of America’s terrorist army.”

Reporting no casualties as yet, the Pentagon said the facilities had been on “high alert” after days of steadily mounting tension and exchanges of threats of war.

US President Donald Trump, who visited al-Asad with First Lady Melania Trump in December 2018, his first trip to US troops deployed in a war zone, said initial casualty assessments indicated “all is well.”

He tweeted: “Assessment of casualties & damages taking place now. So far, so good!”

Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. said no Filipinos have been reported to have been hurt or killed in Iran’s missile attacks.

“So far US said no Filipinos found to have been hurt. But search and damage assessment not complete,” he said in his

Traslacion...

From A1 parts of Pasay, San Juan, Mandaluyong, Makati, Malabon, Caloocan and Quezon City that are near the procession route,” the advisory read.

Although Globe has yet to release an advisory for the suspension of its mobile services, both companies have been directed by the National Telecommunications Commission in a memorandum to suspend their operations in the procession route as part of safety measures requested by the Philippine National Police.

In the memorandum dated Jan. 6, 2020 and signed by NTC Commissioner Gamaliel Cordoba, both networks were directed to cut off all network services starting at 11 p.m. on Wednesday (Jan. 8) until 12 p.m. on Jan. 10.

On Monday, the Manila City government announced the suspension of classes at all levels and work in the local government in the city on Thursday in preparation for the expected massive influx of devotees for the religious event.

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority also announced the closure of five bridges in Manila to be used by the procession and due to ongoing rehabilitation works on the Del Pan Bridge, Jones Bridge, MacArthur Bridge, Quezon Bridge, and Ayala Bridge.

The National Capital Region Police Office, meanwhile, announced the suspension of all Permits to Carry Firearms Outside of Residence for three days in certain areas in Manila as part of security preparations for the Feast of the Black Nazarene on Thursday.

NCRPO acting chief, Brig. Gen. Debold Sinas, said this is to ensure that the

Twitter account.

Iranian state television reported an attack on one base housing US personnel, saying it was in response to Friday’s killing in a US drone strike of Iranian general Qasem Soleimani, one of the most important figures in the country’s government.

Also killed was a top Iraqi commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, who was with Soleimani just outside Baghdad international airport when the US drone overhead opened fire.

The Iranian Revolutionary Guards announced that the Ain al-Asad base was hit with dozens of missiles, warning a US counter-attack would be met with an even “more crushing response” and threatening to strike Israel and America’s “allied governments.”

But Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif seemed to indicate that the missile strikes were over for now.

“Iran took and concluded proportionate measures in self-defense” targeting a base from which a “cowardly armed attack against our citizens and senior officials” was launched, he said on Twitter.

The brazenness of the strike was highly unusual for Iran, which has tended to disguise attacks on US interests or troops through the use of proxy Shiite forces. This time, conventional, rather than guerrilla-style weapons were used and responsibility was rapidly claimed.

Oil prices immediately jumped on the news, with the benchmark WTI spiking more than 4.5 percent to $65.54 a barrel before receding slightly.

Iran’s supreme leader described the missile attack as a “slap in the face” on the United States.

“Last night, a slap in the face was delivered,” Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said in a speech broadcast live on state television.

Feast of the Black Nazarene will be free from firearm-related incidents and ensure the safety of the public as well as local and foreign tourists.

The memorandum, signed by Philippine National Police officer-in-charge, Lt. Gen. Archie Gamboa, covers the areas of the capital city specifically in Quiapo, Sta. Cruz, and Binondo and effective from 8 a.m. Tuesday (Jan. 7) until 8 a.m.

Friday (Jan. 10).

“Only members of the Philippine National Police, Armed Forces of the Philippines and other law enforcement agencies who are performing official duties and in agency-prescribed uniforms shall be allowed to carry firearms,” Sinas said.

No threat has been received by the NCRPO, Sinas said.

Sinas said that around 16,000 personnel will be joining forces to pave way for a safe and solemn procession of the Black Nazarene on Thursday.

The joint task force is composed of personnel from the National Capital Region Police Office, Bureau of Fire Protection, Metro Manila Development Authority, Coast Guard, and volunteers.

Sinas said the police force will cover the procession from the front and sides to prevent intrusion while leaving the back open for devotees.

This way, the procession will not be interrupted and fewer injuries are anticipated, he said in Filipino.

“I cannot guarantee that the police line will not be penetrated because people will really try to, but we will [also] do our best to hold the line,” Sinas added.

The military will also be deploying a thousand of its men, for the first time, to keep an eye on the Ayala Bridge, the only bridge that the procession will pass through this year. PNA

His remarks came after he had vowed “severe revenge” for a US drone strike that killed Soleimani.

“Military actions in this form are not sufficient for that issue,” Khamenei said, referring to the assassination.

“What is important is that America’s corrupt presence must come to an end in this region.”

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, meanwhile, warned that Israel would strike a “resounding blow” if attacked by arch foe Iran, as regional tensions soar.

“Anyone who attacks us will receive a resounding blow,” the premier told a Jerusalem conference after Iran launched a salvo retaliatory missile strikes on bases used by US troops in Iraq.

Netanyahu has described the target of last week’s US drone strike, Soleimani, as a “terrorist-in-chief.”

Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad said Muslim countries should unite to protect themselves against external threats, after describing the US killing of Soleimani as immoral.

The world’s oldest premier, who has in recent months stoked diplomatic tensions by speaking out on issues concerning the Muslim world, also said the US drone attack on Soleimani was against international laws.

Soleimani’s killing in Baghdad last Friday has sparked fears of a broader conflict in the Middle East. Mahathir, 94, said it could also lead to an escalation in “what is called terrorism.”

“The time is right for Muslim countries to come together,” Mahathir told reporters.

“We are no longer safe now. If anybody insults or says something that somebody doesn’t like, it is all right for that person from another country to send a drone and perhaps have a shot at me.” Rey E. Requejo with AFP

Water...

170...

the concessionaires,’’ Duterte said in a speech during the oathtaking of new government officials.

Senator Imee Marcos urged the water concessionaires to study and accept the new contract of President Duterte.

She said it was the Filipino people’s human right to have reliable, affordable water.

“Any commercial interests can only be secondary to that right,” she said.

Senator Christopher “Bong” Go said since water is essential to life and very basic to people’s existence, it cannot be left to business corporations to decide.

Rep. Bernadette Herrera-Dy asked Malacañang to publish its proposed new contracts with the water distribution companies in the spirit of transparency.

“I request Malacañang to publish in full, on its official Facebook pages and possibly in a newspaper of general circulation, the Cabinet-approved proposed new water contracts with the MWSS concessionaires, Manila Water and Maynilad,” she said.

Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said the new deals would only excise old provisions considered to be highly disadvantageous to the government and replace it with “more equitable” provisions.

“A gun will kill you. It’s not something that we will offer to the water concessionaires,” Guevarra told the ABS-CBN News Channel.

“It’s something that will give life, life in the sense that it will be a better contract.

You remove all illegal provisions, you put in terms that will be more equitable to the government and to the people so that’s a good contract. It’s not something that will kill the water concessionaires.” With MJ Blancaflor, Macon Ramos-Araneta and Maricel V. Cruz

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed all those on board the plane were killed.

“According to preliminary data, all passengers and crew members are dead,” he wrote on Facebook of the Ukraine International Airlines plane, which was bound for Kiev.

The Red Crescent said teams were assisted by soldiers and firefighters in the effort to recover bodies.

“After six o’clock (0230 GMT) this morning we were informed that a passenger plane crashed in the vicinity of Shahriar,” said Shahin Fathi, the head of its search and rescue unit.

“All operational teams were dispatched to the area,” he told state television. “Unfortunately... we haven’t found anyone alive.”

Bodies scattered “Everyone is helping so that we can gather all the bodies that have been scattered in a wide area,” said Fathi.

Press TV, state television’s English-language news broadcaster, said the plane went down in the vicinity of Parand, a city in Tehran province.

The crash was likely to have been caused by “technical difficulties”, it reported, citing Ali Khashani, spokesman for Imam Khomeini International Airport.

“The plane caught fire after crashing,” said Press TV. A video aired by the state media broadcaster appeared to show the plane already on fire, falling from the sky.

American airline manufacturer Boeing tweeted: “We are aware of the media reports out of Iran and we are gathering more information.” With MJ Blancaflor, Macon Ramos-Araneta and Maricel V. Cruz

From A1

From A1

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 9, 2020 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Romualdezes welcome launch of Malasakit Center

By Maricel V. Cruz HOUSE Majority Leader Martin Romualdez on Wednesday lauded Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano and Senator Christopher Go for launching another Malasakit Center.

As principal authors of Republic Act 11463 or the Malasakit Center Act, Romualdez, and his wife, Tingog Party-list Rep. Yedda Marie Romualdez said the Malasakit Center in Taguig will speed up the delivery of basic services to the masses.

“It rolls out the red carpet for the establishment of a one-stop shop across the country where indigent patients will have widen access to quality medical and primary health care services that would complement the implementation of the Universal Health Care [UHC] program,” the Romualdez couple said in a statement.

This will reduce, if not eliminate, out-of-pocket expenditures of poor patients and ensure that its benefits reaches the grassroots, they said.

“With this law, we hope to fill the gaps in the service delivery of health care, especially for marginalized families unable to afford medical care,” they said.

“This way we can deliver basic services to communities in the most efficient, responsive and sustainable manner,” the two legislators said.

Rep. Martin said the Malasakit Center Act will also improve assessment for patients’ assistance and referral to provide much-needed system support for their condition.

“The law is a testament to President Rodrigo “Rody” Duterte’s commitment to make a comfortable life for Filipinos,” Rep. Yedda, for her part, said.

DOJ to probe death of Pinay OFW in Kuwait

TURNOVER. Presidential Assistant for the Visayas Secretary Michael Dino (second right) assisted by (from left) House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano, House Majority Leader and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez and Senator Christopher Go turned over the P5-million check from President Rodrigo Duterte to Taguig City Mayor Lino Cayetano (right) for the support of Malasakit Center in Taguig Pateros District Hospital during its launching Jan. 8 in Taguig City. Ver Noveno

BuCor chief acquitted on homicide case

B

UREAU of Corrections Director Gerald Bantag has been acquitted of the charge of homicide in connection with a blast that killed 10 detainees three years ago.

The decision was handed down on Jan. 8 by Branch 274 of the Parañaque Regional Trial Court, which dismissed the homicide case against Bantag and two other jail officers due to “insuffi-

ciency of evidence.”

Those killed include two Chinese who were meeting with Bantag, then warden of the Paranaque City jail, when the explosion occurred in his of-

fice on Aug. 11, 2016.

According to a police report, the inmates sought the meeting as a prelude to kidnap Bantag and break out of jail.

But this was denied by the wife of a slain inmate, who claimed that the blast was staged to summarily execute inmates.

The court said that Bantag, who was wounded in the blast, had faced “an actual attack...when the inmates or one of the inmates fired at him and about to throw him an unknown object later

DOH says no death occurred during Christmas, New Year

By Rey E. Requejo THE Department of Justice will investigate on whether the recruiter of overseas Filipino worker Jeanalyn Villavende could be held criminally liable for her death in Kuwait.

Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said the National Bureau of Investigation, an attached agency of the DOJ, will conduct an autopsy on the body of Villavende, which was expected to arrive at Ninoy Aquino International Airport at 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday.

“As to Villavende, the NBI will do its own autopsy even as the DOJ examines any possible liability on the part of Villavende’s recruiter,” Guevarra said in a text message.

According to a preliminary report submitted by Labor Attaché Nasser Mustafa, the victim was allegedly beaten to death and was already dead when she was brought to the hospital.

The nurses in the hospital also reportedly described her to be “black and blue.”

It was also reported that Villavende sought the help of her recruiter months before she was killed last Dec. 28.

Guevarra said the DOJ is willing to assist the Kuwaiti government in investigating the death of Villavende and prosecuting those who are responsible for her death.

“As to the crime itself, the Kuwaiti authorities have exclusive jurisdiction but we could provide any legal assistance that they may need, such as providing documents, affidavits of family members, autopsy report, email, text messages, photos, etc.,” the DOJ chief added.

As to reports that Villavende complained of unpaid salaries, the DOJ secretary said he would leave it to the Department of Labor and Employment to handle the matter.

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

ACCIDENT. Members of the Department of Public Office and Safety in Quezon City removed the SUV car which accidentally bumped a center island along Quezon Ave. corner Scout Albano, Quezon City, resulting heavy traffic in the area. Manny Palmero

Australian wildfire a harsh reminder of effect of climate change—Angara SENATOR Sonny Angara on Wednesday said the impact of the fires on the Australian wildlife, the images of which were seen by the entire world, has left nations with mental and emotional scars that will stay with them for the rest of their lives.

“We laud the wildlife welfare organizations for its efforts to help the injured animals and join in the appeal for donations to support the work they are do-

confirmed to be a fragmentation grenade.”

It added that the prosecution “presented no other evidence except the bare allegations of the private complainants.”

In September last year, President Rodrigo Duterte appointed Bantag to head BuCor, replacing Nicanor Faeldon, whom the President fired earlier that month due to alleged questionable release of several heinous crime convicts.

ing,” he said.

He noted that what is taking place in our regional ally is a harsh reminder of the stark reality of climate change and its effects on all of humanity.

He said temperatures are rising in many parts of the world and this poses a threat on the environment as we have seen in the case of Australia.

“We need to treat this phenomenon seriously and take the necessary steps

to address the situation, no matter how big or small these may be. The survival of nations depends on this.

Over 2,000 homes have been destroyed and lives have been lost due to the wildfires.

“We pray that the evacuees will be able to return to their normal lives soon.”

“We offer our prayers for Australia as it copes with one of the worst bushfires

in the country’s history.”

“Our heart breaks as we witness the scope of the devastation.”

He said that for over seven decades since diplomatic relations were established between the two countries, Australia has always been there for the Philippines whenever calamities strike.

Now at her time of need, the entire Philippine nation stands behind its ally Australia. Macon Ramos-Araneta

NO DEATH was reported yesterday by the Department of Health based on the Fireworks-Related Injury Surveillance from Dec. 21, 2019 to Jan. 6, 2020.

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said that there were also no reported case of tetanus due to fireworks-related injuries.

He said injuries usually peak on Dec. 26 and 27, then Dec. 29 to Jan. 1, and finally on Jan. 5.

He added that the National Capital Region and Regions VI and I had the most number of cases.

The FWRI Surveillance report revealed a total of 413 cases of FWRIs in 2019 where 411 injuries were due to fireworks, one firework ingestion, and one stray bullet injury case.

Majority (74 percent) of the cases are males, while ages of the cases ranged from 11 months to 77 years.

“The surveillance also showed an increase in cases in Cagayan Valley region (138 percent), NCR (62 percent), Bicol region (56 percent), CALABARZON (43 percent), Region III (25 percent), and CAR,” Duque added.

While the total number of injuries in 2019 is 41 percent lower compared to the five-year average (2014-2018) of 703 cases, the reported injuries in 2019 are 21% percent higher compared to 341 cases reported in 2018.

“We are glad that no fireworksrelated fatalities were reported this year. However, I continue to urge communities and local government units to further strengthen our campaign for safer and healthier ways to celebrate the holidays,” Duque said.

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Opinion

THURSDAY, JANUARY 9, 2020

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Press freedom is not the issue SANTA Banana, in my 70 years as a journalist, I have seen history in the making. In fact, many times, I was part of it!

I also saw the birth of television in the early 1950s, and with it the rise of the Lopez-owned radio and television network, and also of RPN-Channel 9 together with the partnership of Don Andres Soriano, who was then the owner of The Philippines Herald, with the Canoy-owned Radio Mindanao Network after buying out Don Vicente Madrigal, who used to own El Debate, Monday Mail, The Philippines Herald and Mabuhay.

The Soriano-Canoy partnership gave birth to International Broadcasting Corp. or IBC-13, where I had a talk show under the direction of broadcast icon Dick Taylor.

These were followed by the rise of the Roces-Prieto radio-television network, Channel 5, now owned by taipan Manny V. Pangilinan, and Bob Stewart’s RBN or Republic Broadcast Network, Channel 7.

The birth of television in the Philippines may well be attributed to an American, Jimmy Linderberg, who partnered with Antonio Quirino, who put up Alto Broadcasting System during the presidency of Tony’s brother, Elpidio Quirino. Thus, it can be said that Linderberg was the father of Philippine television.

Tony Quirino, however, did not have the financial resources to go it alone on television. He then partnered with the Lopezes, who had a newspaper called The Manila Chronicle, one of the three newspapers that dominated media. This partnership gave birth to ABS-CBN. My gulay, there were only two talk shows at that time—the late Doroy

Valencia’s Over a Cup of Coffee and yours truly’s Headline Now. Both of us were awardees of the Citizens Mass Media Awards, the precursor of the Catholic Mass Media Awards.

For the record, I was also the recipient of the CMMA for Best Radio Commentator.

Airtime is a privilege.

Santa Banana, I can’t believe it, but while I was writing columns daily as business editor at the Herald, I also had a radio and television program.

I was young then, about 30, and felt I could do anything.

Post-Martial Law, Philippine television has also changed. ABS-CBN was given back to the Lopezes after Marcos crony Roberto Benedicto managed and operated it during the martial law years. Santa Banana, the sequestration of RPN 9 and IBC 13 made the government practically the sole owner of these networks. There is also the government network, the People’s Television Network.

Stewart’s network became GMA7 when the triumvirate of Atty. Felipe Gozon, Menardo Jimenez and Gualberto Duavit bought it. *** I write about the rise of television in the Philippines in view of the fate of ABS-CBN if Congress does not renew its franchise, which will expire this March 30. Unless the President recommends a buyer for the network, this year might see its demise. It could also be that ABS-CBN would become a blocktime of Manny Pangilinan.

The probable end of ABS-CBN has nothing to do with press freedom as others insist. The grant of franchises to radio and television is a privilege

Adelle Chua, Editor

EDITORIAL

T

Dealing with China

HE Indonesian air force deployed four fighter jets to the South China Sea on Tuesday in a stand-off that has soured Jakarta’s generally friendly ties with Beijing, its biggest trading partner and a major investor.

The developments bear watching, not only because they have the potential of disrupting peace and stability in the South China Sea, a crucial global trade route, but also because they have some bearing on the way we have been dealing our giant neighbor to the north.

Indonesia, the fourth most populous country in the world, has already mobilized fishermen to join warships in the South China Sea to help defend against Chinese vessels, the government said on Monday, as the biggest stand-off with China for years escalated.

Last week, Jakarta said it was sending four more warships to the area to join the six Indonesian ships that were already there.

“There is no negotiation when it comes to our sovereignty,” said President Joko Widodo in an unusually strong statement.

China claims much of the South China Sea, home to rich fishing grounds and energy reserves, but Southeast Asian countries including the Philippines say such claims have no legal basis. In 2016, the Philippines won a landmark decision from the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague that upheld Manila’s rights over its exclusive economic zone in the South China Sea. Beijing, however, has refused to recognize the authority of the UN tribunal and its fishing vessels and coast guard ships regularly enter Philippine waters.

China’s stand-off with Indonesia began in mid-December when a Chinese coast guard vessel, accompanying Chinese fishing boats, entered waters off the coast of Indonesia's northern Natuna islands, prompting Jakarta to summon Beijing's ambassador.

On Monday, Indonesia's chief secu-

rity minister said about 120 fishermen from the island of Java would be sent to the Natuna islands, some 1,000 kilometers to the north.

"We want to mobilize our fishermen from the north coast and maybe in turn from other areas to operate by fishing there,” the minister, Mahud MD, said.

Instead of its usual bellicose warnings, China’s response seemed measured.

Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said on Tuesday that Beijing had "opened diplomatic channels" with Indonesia since the latest incident, and said "both countries shoulder responsibility for maintaining regional peace and stability."

How matters progress from here could prove instructive for the Philippines, which has had its fair share of run-ins with the Chinese in the South China Sea. Should we continue appeasing the Chinese, as we have done, or should we learn—and perhaps cooperate— with the Indonesians to protect our sovereign rights?

Turn to A5

Incredibly clueless THE other day, Mrs. Leni Robredo released her over-hyped report on the government’s war against illegal drugs which she claimed she has culled from her 18-day stint as co-chair of the Inter-Agency Committee on Illegal Drugs.

As usual, Robredo again tried to sound intellectual in her press conference, citing figure after figure in her effort to refute the government’s claim to limited success on its illegal drug campaign, and in the process, paint a doomsday scenario for the war on illegal drugs.

In her report, Robredo claimed the government’s success can only be pegged at one out of a possible score of 100. And if that was to be the basis of a grade, the government only scored a measly one percent.

As basis, Robredo flaunted figures as if they could effectively back up her claim.

Robredo claimed: “More than 1.2-million users had surrendered since 2016, while 300,000 had been arrested in police operations, for a total of 1.5 million. If we use the 4 million estimate of drug users and pushers, and only 1.5 million had been accounted for, where are the 2.5 million?”

Well, that alone betrays her cluelessness. How can she claim the government only scored one percent out of a possible 100 when the number of illegal drug users and pushers neutralized constitute 37.5 percent of the total 4 million estimated drug users and pushers?

Robredo adds that about P1.3 trillion worth of shabu is peddled in the streets annually. Now, if 1.5 million users and pushers have al-

ready been neutralized, then that leaves us 2.5-million users and pushers to divide the P1.3 trillion worth of meth among themselves.

And that would mean, they would be enjoying no less than P520,000 worth of shabu yearly.

Wow! Just where do these drug addicts get their “dough for drugs?”

I didn’t think we had that number of millionaires who waste their money on illegal drugs (I assumed they are millionaires as if they spend P520,000 yearly on drugs alone, they would still have to be spending more than, if not the same amount

Where did Robredo get her figures? for their illegal drug consumption on other expenditures).

And because of her “findings,” Robredo recommends the recalibration of the funding for the illegal drug campaign saying the campaign has been "lopsided" in favor of law enforcement.

What? So she wants the illegal drug campaign to be even for both the law enforcement and the users and pushers? Or even a reversal?

My God! Is she pushing for the illegal drug users, pushers and traffickers to score a victory over our law enforcers? Robredo must be really out of her mind!

I am not aware of what really transpired during her stint with the Inter-agency Committee on Anti-Illegal Drugs except for what is being aired and published in the news and for whatever came out from her mouth.

But as far as I remember, when she accepted the ICAD job, she Turn to A5

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A fair share IN THE past few months, the existing water concessionaires supplying Metro Manila have been under the spotlight for their failure in ensuring adequate water supply. The President has repeatedly expressed his dismay over these companies and his stance against oligarchs who have been in control of public utilities for so long a time.

Like our problematic situation with water, electricity is another important public utility that requires careful scrutiny, with an eye to public convenience and the general welfare.

Foreign control over our power industry casts doubt on the constitutional fidelity mandating nationalization of industries that are imbued with public interest.

Another thorny issue, Independent Power Producers (IPPs) under Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) contracts with government-owned and controlled corporations (GOCCs), benefit from the reduction of real

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

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

property taxes (RPTs) and condonation of interests. I saw this during

I call on the Executive to reconsider the benefits given to these power producers. the previous administration when former President Benigno Aquino III issued Executive Order (EO) No. 27 in 2011 and EO No. 173 in 2014.

The two EOs provide for reduction and condonation of real property taxes and interest/penalties assessed on the power generation facilities of

the said power producers. Under the Local Government Code, only GOCCs engaged in the production and transmission of power enjoy such exemptions/privileges with respect to real property taxes. However, the EOs have broadened their coverage to include independent power producers, to the prejudice of affected local government units.

What does this imply? Let us recall that real property tax is one of the sources of revenue by local governments. Through the collection of taxes, local government units are able to operate and fulfill their mandate to serve the public and make available and accessible goods and services needed by the people under their jurisdiction. The taxes are used to fund local programs such as, but not limited to, livelihood and agricultural projects, educational projects, scholarship grants, health care benefits, maintenance of peace and order, and Turn to A5

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

Managing Editor Associate Editors News Editor Opinion Editor

Emil P. Jurado

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

Chairman Emeritus, Editorial Board

Opinion VP Robredo’s report IN A scathing report, as she had promised, VP Leni Robrero declared that the anti-drug war of President Duterte is a massive failure.

Using data provided by the government, she said that only one percent of the total methamphetamine consumption of the country has been recovered. She likewise reported that only one percent or less of the more than one trillion drug money in the country had been frozen by the government. If we look at the anti-drug war in this limited prism, perhaps one could say that it is indeed a failure. She also pointed out that that the effort is too focused on street level enforcement that is why supply is not affected.

Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency chief Aaron Aquino countered that VP Robredo’s assessment was based on wild assumptions.

Aquino should have read the report more thoroughly. The Vice President was not making assumptions; she was making her own conclusions using government data.

Who is right and who is wrong?

If VP Robrero is wrong, then Aquino’s figures of having cleared 16,706 barangays of illegal drugs out of the total of 33, 881 or 49.13 of all barangays is truly outstanding. But if the disruption of the illegal drug supply is minimal as pointed out in the report, then there is something wrong with Aquino’s figure also.

The most effective and basic gauge of supply disruption is whether the price per gram of shabu has increased or decreased. And since there is no hard evidence that the street value of shabu has increased, this would seem to point to the validity of VP Robredo assertion that met supply has remained steady.

What is apparent from VP Robredo’s report and Aquino’s answers is the magnitude of the problem. In the

words of the President himself, six years might not be enough to eradicate the problem and he is absolutely right. The problem is much bigger and more complicated than what the people really realize. By people, I mean Law enforcers, lawmakers and policy makers. As the report of VP Robredo tells us, the drug money circulating is so huge which makes the eradication of the problem much harder.

And if we look at the history of the illegal drug problem and how it has developed in many countries in South America, Europe, North America and South Asia, and illegal drug industry has taken so much roots that it is hard to say whether eradication could still be possible.

Who is right and who is wrong?

As for our country, there might in indeed still be a chance to reduce it to the barest minimum but it is going be hard. Whom should we believe, VP Robredo or Aaron Aquino? Neither because the reality is probably in between. VP Robredo did point to valid issues while Aaron Aquino, who has taken the cudgels of defending the government, has pointed out that there is in fact some improvement in the situation.

More precisely, the ongoing illegal drug war is a work in progress. Calling it a total and massive failure is a bit of a stretch. Calling the program a complete success is not right, either.

Now is perhaps the best time to assess and review the program for the purpose of tweaking areas that need changes. If in fact it is already being done, the government must have a better way of marketing the program to both supporters and critics alike.

For one, the government must do better in grappling with the issue of extrajudicial killing because this issue, more than anything else, is the one weighing down the drug war.

Press...

From A4

given by the state for the use of airwaves. The state has dominion of this.

Both ABS-CBN and GMA have since become giants, with MVP’s Channel 5 a poor third. But if ABS-CBN’s franchise is revoked, GMA will become the dominant network. My gulay, that could be providential since GMA has neither bias nor vested interest. *** Having spent 70 years of my life in journalism, and having gone full circle in print and broadcast, I have seen how newspaper reporting has evolved from being objective to subjective. Then, it was always about the 5Ws. Today, media outfits do not mind if their biases show.

Santa Banana, when you read newspaper reports including headlines, it is almost the same as when you read the op-ed page. What I knew when I was young does not anymore apply today!

Journalists no longer observe what they learn in journalism school! *** Santa Banana, for the nth time I urge the Ombudsman

Incredibly...

From A4

herself declared she needed to attend its meeting so she can gather data on the government’s war on illegal drugs, a tacit admission she had no or just little information on the matter.

Which then leads us to the question: where did she get her figures when

A fair...

From A4

construction and repair of local roads and bridges.

Power generating companies situated in provinces, such as Quezon, occupy a vast amount of land and utilize various machineries for its operations. The reduction and/or condonation of real property taxes result in significant revenue losses for the local government units, which ultimately affect and delay the delivery of essential public goods and services.

From 2016 where a lot of deaths occurred, this has significantly gone down over the last three years. The government must be able to develop a doable, credible response to this issue instead of the very hard line approach that is currently being done. Relying on the very strong public support for the campaign is not enough.

At this stage of the ball game, perhaps the government could shift its attention to reducing the supply situation which we know is entering the country through our ports of entry without too much difficulty. One effective way of doing this is to enhance our law enforcement’s cyber capability to go after foreign players and local corrupt officials who are in cahoots with foreign drug suppliers.

From a law enforcement perspective, the government’s inability to reduce in significant terms the illegal drug supply is the major weakness of the government campaign, if one can call it that. Also, it has fallen on the shoul shoulders of the President to defend his signature program in his usual blunt and colorful way. This according to some critics of his is the reason why the President is sometimes his own worst enemy.

That may be true but it also an unmistakable fact that the reason that three years on, his approval rating is still over 80 percent, something that no other president in recent times could claim. This gives him the fodder to be able to do his own thing as he wants. The drug problem is such a big problem that it is a pity that our leaders from both the administration and the opposition cannot come together for a united and concerted effort to try to eradicate or reduce the problem to its barest minimum.

If there is anything that President Duterte has done, it is to highlight the magnitude and immensity of the problem. People are now more aware of the destructiveness of the problem and that if we remain complacent, we can go down like some countries that allowed the problem to take deep roots.

and even Malacañang, as well as anti-corruption agencies and the private sector, to look deeper into the reported joint venture between the Bases Conversion and Development Authority and a Malaysian firm called MTD Capital Berhad. It’s a can of worms!

Among the questions that need to be answered are: 1. Why did the BDCA consent to Section 8 of the draft agreement which says the Malaysian firm will be reimbursed for the cost of the construction of sports facilities at the New Clark City in Capas, Tarlac through a yearly installment for five years? The contract review done by government lawyers said this was supposed to be the contribution of the Malaysian firm to the joint venture.

2. Why did the BCDA make matters worse and insert Section 4.9 (n) in the draft agreement that the income will be divided 50-50? This provision was not in the unsolicited proposal originally agreed upon.

There was also an insertion that “once and for all, such advances have been repaid, the balance of such annual installment shall be payable to the winning PSP to cover the winning PSP’s reasonable costs and returns.”

Thus, MTD Capital Berhad would be entitled to receive from BCDA P2.490 billion as return on its investment.

This is onerous, don’t you think? I smell a rat in this joint venture.

she declared before the international community that more than 7,000 people were killed in the first year of the government’s anti-illegal drug war, which has now risen to more than 27,0000 per claim of her camp?

She also announced she refused to attend the briefing called for by her ICAD co-chair, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency chief Aaron Aquino, to address her request for the in-

Under EO 27 which covered the taxable period of 1997 to 2011, the amount which Quezon province could have collected reached P6.4 billion. The actual amount collected only reached P678 million. EO 173 reduced/condoned RPTs from 2012 to 2014; the amount of uncollected taxes that could have been used for public goods and services reached P1.2 billion, while actual collection was only P107 million or less than 10 percent of the tax condoned. Thereafter, three EOs were passed with the same effect. EO 19, promulgated in 2017 and reduced taxes for 2015 to

formation she was seeking then. So, where did she get her figures?

Whoever provided her the figures she had cited and whoever wrote the speech for her did an awfully great job of making her appear stupid.

And they have been consistent in making her look that way every time she opens her mouth.

Binabagayan lang personalidad niya.

2016, produced revenue loss of more than P678 million. EO 60, effective in 2018 and covered taxable year 2017, led to a P312-million loss of revenue to the local government, with only P31.6 million collected. The most recent, EO 88, approved in August 2019, condoning taxes for 2018, only generated P30.57-million revenue, P317.3 million condoned. It is undeniable that amounts from the continuous revenue loss are significant and could have produced networks of well-paved roads, hundreds of classrooms, thousands of scholars, quality medical equipment and facilities, and

THURSDAY, JANUARY 9, 2020

A5

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Metro Manila water situation up to 1995 have short memories.

The memories of the people of this country—and especially the memories of the residents of Metro Manila and some adjoining parts of Rizal and Cavite— EVERYTHING but the pro- need to be jogged with regard verbial kitchen sink is cur- to two things in particular. The rently being thrown at Manila first is the water supply situaWater Co. and Maynilad Cor- tion in those areas up to 1995; poration over the 25-year con- the second is the record of precession agreements that they 1995 adjustments in the price of entered into with the state- MWSS-supplied water.

Up to 1995, MWSS was one owned MWSS (Manila Waterworks and Sewerage System) in of the worst-performing and 1995. Not even in their wildest most reviled of government dreams can the officials of Ma- institutions. The performance nila Water and Maynilad have of MWSS (previously the NAimagined the things to which WASA) as a supplier of water they and their companies are and manager of water resources was abominable, with the water being subjected these days.

It is being said that the con- supply of Metro Manila, Rizal and Cavite c e s s io n residents unag reement s stable and are violative often conof the naTo say that the water taminated. tion’s sovsupply situation today Most of the ereignty on water pipes account of has vastly improved— installed certain pro- clean water available during the visions that 24/7—is to indulge in pre-Indepenare onerous understatement. dence era reto the govmained unreernment of placed—with the Philippines, including a provision that dire consequences in terms of prohibits interference by the leakage—and an estimated 30government in the rate-setting 40 percent of MWSS revenue process. In addition—and most was non-revenue water, i.e., serious of all—the officials of water flowing into illegally Manila Water and Maynilad are connected pipes. Little wonder being threatened with prosecu- that MWSS was one of the top tion for economic sabotage and public-sector recipients of government subsidies. To say that plunder.

Availing themselves of the the water supply situation toresort-to-arbitration provision day in Metro Manila, Rizal and of the concession agreements, Cavite has vastly improved— the two concessionaires filed clean water available 24/7—is cases with the Permanent Court to indulge in understatement.

Water rate adjustments? Anyof Arbitration of Singapore one who is inclined to do rewhen the government disalsearch on MWSS’ history will lowed rate increases sought put together a chronicle of the by them. To the government’s extreme difficulties that every surprise and chagrin, the court MWSS rate-increase proposruled in favor of Manila Water al was approved by Congress. and Maynilad, awarding them damages amounting to billions The legislators, heeding the of pesos. The government has claim of consumer advocates refused to pay the awarded that a reliable water supply damages. Believing in the wis- was a Constitutionally guardom of forbearing now in order anteed basic right. In almost to fight another day, the con- every instance the sought-after cessionaires have informed the rate increase was either votgovernment that they are waiv- ed down or, if approved, was ing their right to collect damag- substantially reduced. Is it any wonder that Manila Water and es that they won.

Does the government Maynilad, knowing fully well have a valid and strong case that they would have to spend against Manila Water Co. and much in improving MWSS’ Maynilad Corporation? Were physical infrastructure, sought the two companies legally cor- the inclusion of a no-interferrect in invoking the no-interfer- ence provision in the concesence-in-ratemaking provision sion agreements?

Two final points, which of their concession agreements likewise partake of memoand taking their case to the Sinry-jogging.

First, the concesgapore tribunal? sion agreements were negoSince these questions are betiated—repeat, negotiated by ing debated with great intensity two groups of bright people by the lawyers of the government—more specifically, the acting freely, without guns Department of Justice, OSG pointed at their heads. And, (Office of the Solicitor Gen- second, MWSS was hardly eral) and MWSS—and of the the most attractive investment two companies, I will refrain possibility open to the invesfrom trying to provide answers. tors of that day. Is national What I would rather do—and sovereignty necessarily inwhat is probably more useful volved when a government is for an interested observer like trying to unload a notoriousme—is bring back to the pre- ly inefficient, subsidy-guz1995 era the memories of Fil- zling government enterprise? ipinos who then were already Weren’t deal sweeteners all capable of discernment. Often that were involved in the cases is it said that most Filipinos discussed here?

even greater medical assistance in hospitals.

Since the leadership of former Governor David Suarez, big power companies have been included in the list of entities exempted from paying real property tax. It is incredibly unfair that as we exert effort to protect and maintain balance in the environment and care for the welfare of the people on the grassroots level, these companies do not pitch in to the province’s means of doing so.

Hence, I call on the Executive to reconsider the benefits given to these power producers. Undeniably,

the amounts could have augmented the budget of local government units in its provision of basic goods and services. Of course, consideration may be given to those independent power producers who are at the risk of shutting down operations or operating at a loss, or to small power companies relying on such benefits to be able to operate.

What we intend to prevent are the unreasonable advantages given to those big companies pursuant to the said EOs. This year, I hope that we require these companies to pay their fair share to the local governments.

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News

THURSDAY, JANUARY 9, 2020

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

BI barred 160 foreign sex offenders in 2019 A

By Vito Barcelo

T LEAST 160 foreign sex offenders were barred by the Bureau of Immigration from entering the country in 2019.

Immigration Commissioner Jaime “RSOs encountered at the airports are Morente said the number of registered immediately turned back and booked on sex offenders denied entry last year the first available flight to their port of was slightly higher than the 145 aliens origin,” the BI chief said. intercepted in 2018.

The country’s Immigration Act

expressly mandates the exclusion of foreigners convicted of crimes involving moral turpitude.

RSO refers to a foreigner previously convicted of a sex crime in his country, who has finished serving his sentence or is out on parole or probation.

Many are pedophiles charged and found guilty of raping or sexually molesting minors.

In the United States and other Western countries, governments maintain a sex offender registry that

allows authorities to trace activities and movements of RSOs. Statistics show that 128 Americans topped the list of the excluded aliens, followed by 11 Britons, six Australians, four Chinese, and two New Zealanders.

Also listed is a Cameroonian, a Canadian, a German, a Guatemalan, an Irish, a Korean, a Malaysian, a Russian, and a Taiwanese.

Morente vowed that the BI would continue to ban the entry of RSOs into

the Philippines which, he said, would always be off-limits to sex predators “who pose a serious threat to the wellbeing of Filipino women and children.”

Morente said the BI continued to receive information from its foreign counterparts on RSOs who might possibly travel to the Philippines.

He said these aliens were immediately placed in the Immigration blacklist and barred from entering the country upon their arrival in any Philippine port of entry

Nograles to Angkas: Stop your complaints

By Maricel V. Cruz A PARTY-LIST legislator on Wednesday said that motorcycle taxi operator Angkas had no business questioning the decision of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board to reduce its fleet of riders from 30,000 to 10,000 and should even be thankful that they were allowed to operate even without any governing law.

For one, Puwersa ng Bayaning Atleta Party-list Rep. Jericho Nograles said that documents showing Angkas was 98 percent foreign owned could already serve as basis to shut down its entire operation because their operation was a clear violation of the Constitution which requires that all public utility companies should be 60 percent Filipino owned.

Nograles said that the operation of Angkas was just a pilot stage and was not covered by any government franchise like all public conveyances and therefore the LTFRB could take any action they see fit to protect pubDRIED MARIJUANA. Police have arrested two suspects and seized from them some 37 kilos of dried marijuana with an estimated street value of P4.5 million in a buy-bust lic interest. operation at Brgy. 649, Baseco, Tondo on Tuesday. Inset, Vice President Leni Robredo Wednesday reiterates at a news forum in Manila that she stands by what she said that the govAnd since Angkas is on a “test ernment’s war on drugs has failed since the shabu supply in the country only decreased by 1 percent. PNA mode” and is provisionary in nature, Nograles said that the motorcyle taxi hailing app operator had no choice but to follow the directives of the LTFRB or they could be slapped with hefty fines for violation of existing law govResponding policemen and TACURONG CITY, Sultan mer mayor of Lambayong. erning public conveyances.

“Definitely, we are ready to soldiers rushed Recinto to the Kudarat—Officials have strongNograles said that the LTFRB hospital in this city but was proly condemned the murder of this offer [cash] rewards,” he said. could fine Angkas P6,000 per motorAgduma, a nephew of Re- nounced dead on arrival by atprovince’s former Vice Govercycle per day for operating without THE Department of Public Works are receiving reports that the presercinto, also urged the police and tending physicians. nor Rolando Recinto. any franchise. and Highways will conduct repair and vation of aging footbridges is being “He has no known enemies, Recinto, 62, was driving the military “to expedite the disNograles lamented that the absence retrofitting of all footbridges along na- left out,” Gregorio said. home to Lambayong, this prov- pensation of justice for my uncle he was everybody’s friend here, of any law that governs the operation “All structures built within the tional roads to ensure the safety of the he has retired from politics, why ince, from this city when shot who was brutally murdered.” of these ride-hailing services such as roads must be maintained to ensure public and motorists.

“Hot pursuit operation he was killed is a puzzle to us,” by motorcycle-riding gunmen Grab and Angkas is largely responDPWH Bureau of Maintenance safety of our motorists and pedestriaround 1:30 p.m. Tuesday had been going on, we are Agduma said. sible for the confusion in relation to chief Ernesto Grgorio Jr. said the de- ans in cases of earthquakes and other Former Gov. Pax Mangualong the national highway in following up leads,” said their existence and therefore, it is parpartment was studying proposals for calamities. Clearly there is a gap that Lt. Colonel Lino Capellan, dadatu also condemned the Barangay Bilumin. amount for Congress to expedite the the possible inclusion of footbridges needs to be addressed hence we are “This is barbaric,” Mayor spokesperson for the police in killing and called on authorideliberation and the passage of meanow looking into whether we can help in its Annual Maintenance Program. ties to bring justice to the fallen Ferdinand Agduma of Lam- the Soccsksargen region. sures that would set the parameters on “Starting January 2020, all DPWH the local government units [LGUs] Investigators found two emp- public servant. bayong said on the gun slay of the nature of their operation.

Regional and District Engineering Of- and include the funding for the mainRecinto served as mayor of ty shells of .45-caliber pistol at Recinto.

Nograles also advised Angkas that fices were required to submit an inven- tenance of degrading footbridges Lambayong town from 1989 to Agduma said the local the crime scene. apart from complying with the directory of all footbridges along national along national roads,” he said.

Quoting a report from Lam- 1998 and vice governor of this government would offer a tive of the LTFRB to bring down the The DPWH handles the design roads, including structures’ details and cash reward for anyone who bayong police, Capellan said the province from 1998 to 2001. number of their riders to just 10,000 and construction of new footbridges condition, and cost of repair,” he said.

He is the father of Lamcan provide information that victim was heading to the town from the 27,000 riders, it should also “While the construction, repair along national roads, which are then may lead to the arrest and pros- proper when two men riding in bayong Vice Mayor Francis address their issue on ownership beand retrofitting of national roads and turned over to the LGUs for mainteecution of the suspects in the killing tandem on a motorbike shot him Eric Recinto and town councause this too could be used as a basis bridges is in our yearly program, we nance. Vito Barcelo cilor Joseph Recinto. PNA of Recinto, who was also the for- at close range. to shut them down.

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

Footbridges included in DPWH repair sked

Manila

Standard

TODAY

CITYPLANS, INCORPORATED SYNOPSIS OF THE ANNUAL STATEMENT * As of December 31, 2018 ASSETS

Investments in Trust Funds Insurance Premium Fund Cash on Hand & in Banks Stocks Real Estate Accrued Investment Income Accounts / Notes Receivable Other Assets Total Assets

P

P

30,703,630.64** 200,000.00 109,904,338.09 12,115,340.42 133,123,175.57 718,846.78 23,940,355.78 20,806,095.48 331,511,782.76

LIABILITIES Pre-need Reserves Insurance Premium Reserve Other Reserves Planholders’ Benefits Payable Planholders’ Deposits Counselors’ Bond Reserve Accounts / Notes Payable Taxes Payable Accrued Expenses Other Liabilities Total Liabilities

P

P

30,394,126.46 129,182.59 10,836,530.00 3,150,589.35 7,212.21 2,733.30 4,662,144.92 171,504.74 861,028.44 2,159,136.29 52,374,188.30

P

137,500,000.00

P

(2,301,463.56) 7,908,634.99 136,030,423.03 279,137,594.46 331,511,782.76

S T O C K H O L D E R S’ E Q U I T Y Paid-up Capital Stock Special Surplus Funds: Fluctuation Reserve - Investments in Trust Funds Fluctuation Reserve - Stocks Retained Earnings Total Stockholders’ Equity Total Liabilities & Stockholders’ Equity CITYPLANS, INCORPORATED Consolidated Trust Fund Annual Statement As of December 31, 2018 ASSETS Government Securities Cash in Savings/Time Deposits Corporate Bonds Planholders’ Loans Stocks Real Estate Accrued Investment Income Other Assets

P

P LIABILITIES Trustee Fee Payable Accrued Tax Other Liabilities

P P

FUND EQUITY Trust Fund Fluctuation/Revaluation Reserve

P P

Pension 19,951,757.08 3,894,062.83 1,116,003.29 72,581.85 655,467.57 2,614,707.95 220,330.23 3,190,366.20 31,715,277.00 73,660.99 203,480.10 734,505.27 1,011,646.36 33,005,094.20 (2,301,463.56) 30,703,630.64 31,715,277.00

* This synopsis, prepared from the 2018 Annual Statement, approved by the Insurance Commissioner is published pursuant to Section 44 of the Pre-Need Code of the Philippines. ** Trust Fund Deficiency was subsequently covered up in full.

(MS-JAN. 9, 2020)

Officials condemn slay of ex-vice governor

House legislator bats for bill vs. food waste A LEADER of the House of Representatives has batted for the enactment of a bill that will lessen food waste.

Party-list Rep. Sharon Garin of AAMBIS-OWA, chairman of the House Committee on Economic Affairs pushed for the passage of House Bill 3370, or the Food Waste Reduction Act, that aims to reduce the country’s food waste through donations and waste recycling.

Garin made the statement following the recently published 2019 State of Food and Agriculture Report by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.

Echoing the results of the report, Garin underscored how food waste reduction could spur economic growth and improve agricultural production. However, the report also admits that it will come with a cost.

To make it happen, Garin acknowledged the pivotal role of public-private partnership investments. “The role of Congress now is to create an environment for private actors that will encourage them to invest in the effective implementation of food waste management and reduction,” Garin said.

House Bill 3370 calls for the mandatory donation of edible food surplus for charitable purposes and the creation of food banks.

Upon its enactment, owners of covered establishments such as restaurants, cafés, diners, fast food chains, or hotels; supermarkets with at least 500 square meters of selling space; and culinary schools will be required to segregate their edible and inedible food surplus.

The food surplus shall then undergo inspection of the LGU based on the standards to be set by the NNC and FDA. Only upon the certification of edible food surplus can it be donated to accredited food banks and distributed among food-insecure Filipinos.

The bill also seeks to create a system that will address the problem of food wastage in the country through a proposed education-information-communication campaign, with a comprehensive, multi-sectoral approach. Maricel V. Cruz

COURTESY CALL. Top officials from the Philippine National Police headed

by Officer in Charge Lt. Gen. Archie Gamboa (center) with Lt. Gen. Camilo Cascolan, Lt. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar and other officers during the New Year’s call on Interior Secretary Eduardo Año, with wife Jean Joselyn Año (seated) at Camp Crame. Manny Palmero

Sports Error-prone Nadal leads Spain into quarterfinals PERTH—World number one Rafael Nadal overcame an error-strewn performance and Yoshihito Nishioka’s brave challenge to lead Spain into the ATP Cup quarter-finals on Wednesday.

The 19-time Grand Slam winner made 36 unforced errors before beating Japan’s Nishioka 7-6 (7/4), 6-4 in two hours and seven minutes.

Unbeaten Spain—who won the revamped Davis Cup in Madrid in November—finished top of Group B with world number 10 Roberto Bautista Agut downing Go Soeda 6-2, 6-4 to secure the tie.

Nadal has yet to drop a set but he looked sluggish at times ahead of the Australian Open, where he aims to equal Roger Federer’s record tally of 20 Grand Slam titles.

The long exchanges against an unwavering Nishioka seemed to take a physical toll on Nadal, who appeared weary in Spain’s first day-session tie in the hot Perth conditions.

“It’s the first time I played under these heavy conditions, so the feeling on court is completely different,” Nadal said. “I played against an opponent who has started the season on fire.”

Nadal struggled to find his rhythm against the defensive prowess of 24-year-old Nishioka, who counterattacked superbly to break twice in an engrossing first set, but couldn’t close it out in the 10th game.

Nadal capitalised and drew first blood after claiming a tense tie break.

The 33-year-old remained under pressure in the second set and was forced to fend off three break points in the sixth game, before eventually pulling away.

Japan surprisingly finished second in Group B after world number 13 Kei Nishikori and Yasutaka Uchiyama, their third best player, withdrew before the tournament and they are still in the mix to advance to the knockout stages in Sydney.

World number 72 Nishioka has steadily become a fan favourite after earlier beating higher ranked players Nikoloz Basilashvili and Pablo Cuevas.

In the earlier singles, world number 10 Bautista Agut has had a soft start to the season, losing just three games against ATP Tour debutants Franco Roncadelli and Aleksandre Metreveli.

He was made to work harder against world number 119 Soeda, but proved far too strong and broke three times in the 79-minute match.

“I’m happy about the way I played today, as it was my first match (this season) in the heat in Australia,” he said.

Uruguay play Georgia in the later Group B tie with both teams out of contention.

Sharapova handed Aussie Open wildcard MELBOURNE—Five-time Grand Slam winner Maria Sharapova said it was “very special” after being handed an Australian Open wildcard Wednesday as she attempts to resurrect her career after an injury-plagued 2019.

The 32-year-old, who won the tournament in 2008, has slipped down the rankings to 147, outside automatic qualification, and was bounced out of the Brisbane International this week in the first round.

But the Russian remains a big name and she will line up at Melbourne Park for a 16th time since her debut in 2003.

“To be in the draw of the Australian Open is incredible,” Sharapova said.

“I’ve had wonderful experiences there, from holding the championship trophy to losing some very tough finals as well -- there’s been a lot of ups and downs in Australia.

“So to have another chance, another opportunity, to compete on all those courts is very special.”

She reached the fourth last year, upsetting defending champion Caroline Wozniacki in an epic third round win.

Until Brisbane, Sharapova had not played since a first-round loss to career-long rival Serena Williams at the US Open in August, with her season ruined by a shoulder injury.

“It was a long match. I think this is going to be a good test for my shoulder, not so much right now, but maybe tomorrow and the day after to see how I feel,” she said after her Brisbane defeat on Tuesday. AFP

A7

THURSDAY, JANUARY 9, 2020 sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

Busy year for Rizal Coliseum T

HE historical Rizal Memorial Coliseum is expected to welcome several events in its newly-refurbished facility this 2020.

“We are very optimistic. There are a lot of events lined up in our calendar and we are excited to host them here inside this historical coliseum,” said PSC Chairman William Ramirez.

Last year, the coliseum was finally back in the spotlight after its major makeover in July when the majority of the facilities in the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex were renovated as part of the agency’s masterplan.

In the recent 30th Southeast Asian Games hosted by the country last Nov. 30 to Dec. 11, five out of 56 sports were played at the 93-year-old complex.

One of those was gymnastics which held its competitions at the leveled-up Rizal Memorial Coliseum.

The 6,100-seating indoor arena used to be the main sporting hub for the University Athletic Association of the Philippines, National Collegiate Athletic

Association and PBA games in the past.

The PSC expects to house these tournaments once again after the venue’s renovation.

This January, the PSC will celebrate its 30th year and as another milestone unfolds in the agency’s story, the highest local sports body plan to organize a simple, yet meaningful celebration inside the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.

“This is a milestone for PSC. As we celebrate our 30th year, we want it to be inside the Rizal Coliseum which has seen many significant events in Philippine Sports,” said Ramirez.

Aside from the PSC’s 30th anniversary, the agency is also considering to hold both the Batang Pinoy and Philippine National Games this year in the RMSC and its another complex in Pasig City, the Philsports Complex. If this pushes through, it will be the first time that Batang Pinoy is held in Manila in its 12 editions.

The fourth enshrinement of the Philippine Sports Hall of Fame is being considered to be staged in the said coliseum.

The event will honor another batch of Filipino sports greats on November 27.

Davis injury scare as LA routs New York Knicks

The majority of the facilities in the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex, including the Rizal Memorial Coliseum (above), were renovated as part of the Philippine Sports Commission’s masterplan.

Ex-Xavier stars to play for Mighty Sports FORMER Xavier School stars are looking forward to a happy reunion as Mighty Sports tries it luck again in the Dubai International Basketball Championship slated later this month in the ultra-modern city of United Arab Emirates.

Then bannered by Ginebra resident import Justin Brownlee and two-time NBA champion Lamar Odom of the Los Angeles Lakers, the country’s sports apparel and accessories ball club fell short in its bid to win the prestigious event last year after settling for third place.

But team owner Alex Wongchuking and Joseph Yeo, who both left indelible marks during their respective eras with the premier learning school, are convinced the team—sponsored by Go for Gold, Oriental Group, Creative Pacific of Bong Cuevas and Gatorade—can do better this time around.

“I think we’re more prepared this time than last year,” said Wongchuking.

“Aside from former Xavier stars, we have a good mix of young and veteran players in the team.”

Ye said the lessons they’ve learned since their initial foray in the annual tournament will serve them in good

Joseph Yeo

Chris Tiu

stead in their search for a third major international title.

Mighty Sports has created quite a buzz after winning Taiwan’s Jones Cup via an 8-game sweep twice, including last year.

Other Xavier products in the team are coaches Charles Tiu, TY Tang, Joaqui Manuel, Gab Banal, and Jarrel Lim. “The chemistry we built playing for Mighty in the past will again play

an important role in our campaign,” added Yeo. Mighty Sports’ third place finish last year was already a big achievement considering it won only once during the 2017 edition.

But Mighty Sports capped the year with a bang by winning the Jones Cup – thanks to the brilliant stewardship of Tiu – one of the fast-rising coaches in the country today.

LOS ANGELES—The Los Angeles Lakers stretched their winning streak to six games with a rout of the New York Knicks on Tuesday but were given a scare as Anthony Davis hobbled off with a back injury.

The Western Conference leaders cruised to a 117-87 win against a Knicks team who remain near the foot of the Eastern Conference with 10 wins and 27 losses.

LeBron James led the scoring for the Lakers with a 31-point haul that included six three-pointers as well as five rebounds and five assists.

But the main talking point from a one-sided game came after Davis fell heavily while making an attempted block with just under three minutes remaining in the third quarter.

The 26-year-old center—who alongside James has transformed the Lakers into the best team in the Western Conference this season—writhed in pain on the Staples Center court after the fall.

Davis eventually rose unsteadily with the help of team-mates and limped away gingerly to the locker room without returning for the remainder of the game.

The Lakers later said X-rays had come back negative, with Davis suffering a sacral contusion. It was not immediately clear how long Davis may face on the sidelines.

With Davis sidelined, James received support from the Lakers benchwith Kyle Kuzma adding 16 points and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope 15.

R.J. Barrett led the Knicks with 19 points.

The Lakers improved to 30-7 to extend their lead at the top of the Western Conference standings, 4.5 games ahead of the second-place Denver Nuggets.

Vintage Melo stuns Raptors Elsewhere Tuesday, Carmelo Anthony rolled back the years with 28 points and a last-gasp winner as the Portland Trail Blazers upset the Toronto Raptors 101-99.

Anthony finished with seven rebounds to continue an impressive run of recent form which included 26 points in last week’s loss to the New York Knicks.

The 35-year-old 10-time All Star had not played for more than a year when he signed for Portland in November.

Yet the veteran drew on all of his experience to help Portland stage a fourth-quarter fight-back at Toronto’s Scotiabank Arena. AFP

Perpetual Help Lady Altas ready for NCAA Season 95

By Dennis Abrina LAST year’s finalist Perpetual Help heads into battle fully prepared as it faces College of St. Benilde at 2 p.m. in the National Collegiate Athletic Association Season 95 women’s volleyball tournament today (Friday) at Fil Oil Flying Centre in San Juan City.

Coach Macky Cariño is optimistic that his wards are now battle ready when they face his former squad, the Lady Blazers, whom them beat in the playoffs last season.

Meanwhile, the Lyceum of the Philippines University Lady Pirates of Intramuros, Manila will challenge defending champion Arellano Lady Chiefs in the 12 noon game.

Cariño, who will get help from assistant coach Marcelo Joaquin Jr., will parade five graduating tossers and six holdovers from last year’s line up to go with three rookies coming from the Perpetual Help pool.

He will rely on Team Captain

Shyra Umandal and Charina Scott as the middle blockers, Bicolana Jonah Rosal and Dana Persa as opposite hitters, libero Allysa Sanggalang and setter Jenny Gaviola to fill the post left by Necelle Gual, who finished her playing year with the Lady Altas, together with Cindy Imbo, now in the Philippine Navy, Jowie Verzosa and Hershey Llorente.

Ranked no. 4, Lady Altas entered the finals after defeating Lady Blazers twice in the semis last season, 23–25, 21–25, 25–20, 23–25 and 25–17, 27–29, 19–25, 26–24, 16–14.

The Tony Tamayo-owned learning institution in Las Piñas won Game 1 in the Finals (21–25, 25–17, 25–21, 25–20) against Arellano University, but lost the next two games (23–25, 25–9, 25–18, 22–25, 15–12 and 25–22, 15–25, 18–25, 18–25) to settle for runner-up honors.

“We are now in final stage of our training to face Lady Blazers in the opening match, ito ‘yung aming battery test, kung matibay ang team

Necelle Gual shouts for joy after the Perpetual Lady Altas beat the St. Benilde Lady Blazers in the playoffs last season. Dennis Abrina

ko,” said Cariño.

Royce Tubino, April Sartin, Jane Diaz, The Lady Altas won the crown in Sandy delos Santos, Janice Abar and li2012, 2013 and 2014 during the era of bero Jheck Dionela.

Sports

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

A8

THURSDAY, JANUARY 9, 2020

Basilan 5 tames Pasig in overtime MALOLOS, Bulacan—The Basilan Steel proved to be durable in the homestretch and subdued the Pasig Sta. Lucia Realtors, 89-83, in overtime on Tuesday in the Chooks-toGo/Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League at Bulacan Capitol Gymnasium here.

Forced into extension when Robbie Manalang knocked in an open three, 74-74, the Steel relied on Dennis Daa and Hesed Gabo to rise to fourth spot in the South division with a 16-9 record.

Daa canned two free throws while Gabo nailed the dagger triple, 88-82, with 41 seconds to go for the Jumbo Plastics-supported Steel, who drew 19 points from Jerald Bautista and 15 from Gab Dagangon.

The 6-foot-5 Daa wound up with 13 points and 8 rebounds, Gabo finished with 12 points plus 8 assists, and Jonathan Uyloan contributed 12 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists for coach Jerson Cabiltes.

The Realtors tumbled to 14-10 and seventh spot in the North division despite the 22-point, 10-rebound output of Leo Najorda and the 23-point, 9-rebound line of Jeric Teng.

Manalang ended up with 10 points like Josan Nimes and Alfonso Gotladera, who snagged 13 rebounds.

The Muntinlupa Cagers clustered 12 points in the fourth quarter to repulse the Imus Bandera, 9066, in the opener between also-ran teams.

With Dave Moralde drilling in five of his 16 points, Paeng Rebugio making four of 12, and Edzel Magisa adding three, the Angelis Resortbacked Cagers surged ahead at 85-77 coming from a four-point deficit to improve to 7-19.

John Kevin Ortuoste topscored for Muntinlupa with 26 points, all coming in the first three quarters.

Blanked for 5 minutes and 42 seconds in that crucial span in the fourth, the Bandera fell to 6-21 despite the 18-point effort of Jay-ar Ng Sang, the 17 points of Jayjay Helterbrand, the 14 of Jeric Nacpil and the 11 of JR Cawaling.

The Bulacan Kuyas weathered a stiff challenge from the cellar-dweller Socsargen Marlins before prevailing, 76 -69, and extending their win run to four in the nightcap.

BIG J IN BETTER WORLD TONDO. Former Barangay Ginebra San Miguel playing coach and Philippine Basketball Association legend Robert Jaworski, Sr. joined Ginebra San Miguel Inc. marketing manager Ronald Molina and 30 employee-volunteers during the Ginebra Shoebox of Malasakit gift-giving activity at the Better World community in Tondo recently. Some 300 students and members of the food bank and learning facility opened by San Miguel Corporation received boxes containing school supplies and other gift items.

In previous years, families in Tenement Taguig and Gawad Kalinga San Rose community in Pasig City received gifts and Barangay Ginebra San Miguel basketball jerseys.

PH sends 2 bets to winter games

By Peter Atencio

T

HE Philippines is sending two Fil-American standouts in Julian Macaraeg and Ana Wahleithner to the 2020 Winter Youth Olympics

Macaraeg will see action in the short track speed skating event when the Games are held from January 9 to 22 in Lausanne, Switzerland.

On the other hand, Alpine skier Wahleithner is now in Lausanne.

Macaraeg, who hails from the New York, is on his final stages of preparations.

The 16-year-old Macaraeg will be heading for Lausanne on January 14, in time for his event Macaraeg Wahleithner scheduled event set from January 18 to 22.

Montreal, Canada.

In his Facebook messages, MacPreparations and training were held araeg said that he has been training hard under coach Marc Gagnon, and then for the past seven months. at the Flushing Meadows, New York, Summer preparations, accord- under Serhiy Lifyrenko and Valentin ing to Macaraeg, were done in Danilovsky.

He also trained under coach Elena Sklutovsky in Danbury, Connecticut.

Macaraeg’s coach Serhii Tkachenko and his parents are joining him to Lausanne.

Meanwhile, the 17-year-old Wahleithner, who is from California, will serve as the flag bearer of the PH delegation.

She will carry the Philippine flag in the parade of nations in Thursday’s opening ceremony, together with Chef de Mission Bones Floro.

Wahleithner’s coach Mamie Phela has been training the FilAm at the Diablerets, the venue of the Alpine skiing event, which is slated from January 10 to 15.

Wahleithner, the country’s first female Winter Youth Olympian, is entered in the girls’ slalom on Jan 12. She will take part in the giant slalom on Jan 14.

Her mother is Angela Reynado Wahleithner, a Davaoena, who is married to an American.

Juvenile champion Union Bell ready for Triple Crown UNION Bell delivered an impressive finishing kick to an undefeated season, winning the 2019 Philippine Racing Commission’s Juvenile Championship recently at the San Lazaro Leisure Park in Carmona, Cavite by five lengths and declaring itself ready for the bigger challenge of the new year— the Triple Crown series.

The Jonathan B. Hernandez-steered Union Bell (sire Union Rags, USA; dam Tocqueville, ARG) notched its fourth straight win in the Juvenile series for twoyear-old horses, while grabbing the rich championship purse of P1.5 million for owner Elmer de Leon.

The two-year-old colt started its amazing streak with an emphatic five-length win in the 1st leg of the Juvenile Fillies and Colts Stakes Race at the Saddle and Clubs Leisure Park in Naic, Cavite last October, before making it two in a row in the 2nd leg at the Metro Manila Turf Club in Malvar, Batangas the following month.

Proving that it is one of the country’s fastest-rising young horses, Union Bell completed a hat trick of sorts by winning the Juvenile Colts Stakes Race at the San Lazaro Leisure Park in December, before capturing the overall Juvenile crown during Philracom’s last offer- Union Bell bolts to a five-length win in the Juvenile Championship. ing for the year.

“Ready na ito sa Triple Crown, mas magaling ito of the way, before Union Bell made its move at the next year,” said Hernandez.

700-meter mark. Exponential turned it into a threeAfter Party set the tone of the race a third way battle for the lead from there, but Union Bell be-

gan pulling away in the final 600 meters, bolting to the finish for a five-length victory that affirmed its status as one of the best horses to watch out for in the new racing season.

Union Bell submitted a clocking of 1:42.8, with quartertimes of 24, 25, 26, 27 seconds.

“Ang instruction sa akin, bahala na lang ako, so ang desisyon ko, inuna ko na noong magkaroon ng pagkakataon, para at least, kapag gumigil siya, nasa harapan ko siya,” said Hernandez.

Exponential (jockey PM Cabalejo, owner Raymund Puyat), which was expected to give Union Bell a run for his money, placed a far second and received P562,500, while third placer Lucky Savings (jockey JA Guce, owner Antonio Coyco) got P312,000.

Other winners of Philracom’s final race offering for the year were Looksmart (Race 2), Since When (Race 3), Yes Kitty (Race 4), Two Timer (Race 5), Money Gain (Race 6), Full Steam (Race 7), Certain to Win (Race 8, Kaka and Bachi (Race 9), Gonzee’s Bet (Race 10), Double Rock (Race 11) and Jawo (Race 12).

Philracom Executive Director Andrew Rovie Buencamino handed the trophies to Union Bell’s winning connections, led by De Leon and Hernandez. The Philracom allotted a total guaranteed pot of P2.5 million in the 1,600-meter race.

Foton Crossovers want better PSL finish WITH new faces coming in, the Foton Chery Tiggo Crossovers will seek to improve on their fortunes this year in the 2020 Philippine Super Liga women’s volleyball season.

Veteran spiker Mylene Paat leads the six newcomers, who have been acquired by the team when they take on the challenges of the coming tournaments, starting with the 2020 PSL Grand Prix on Feb. 15.

The 5’10” Paat will bring forward to the Crossovers the experience and leadership that she gained playing for Cignal HD Spikers in the past.

The Crossovers, who changed their name from the Foton Tornadoes, are hoping to have a better finish this time after placing sixth the last time around.

“We fell short last season. And by adding players in our lineup, we hope to do better,” said Crossovers’ coach Aaron Velez.

Velez spoke of the team’s outlook during yesterday’s team presentation at the Ponce’s Restaurant in Quezon City.

Among the newbies joining Paat in suiting up for the Crossovers are Jasmine Nabor, Janine Navarro, Joy Dacoron, Rachel Austero and Ria Duremdes.

The team is also expecting the return of the Santiago sisters, Jaja and Dindin Manabat, who are finishing their contracts with club teams in Japan.

Making up the rest of the squad are Shaya Adorador, Laizah Bendong, Marian Buitre, Justine Dorog, Elaine Kasilag, the Laure sisters Eya nd EJ, Maika Ortiz and Gyzelle Sy. Last season, the F2 Logistics Cargo Movers won two of the three conference titles at stake, while the Petron Blazers topped the Grand Prix. Peter Atencio

Korean cuts loose in National Stroke Play ; Malixi takes command

Gwon Min Wook

KOREAN Gwon Min Wook kept his mastery of Langer’s feared backside and closed out with a second two-under 34 to save a 73 as he stormed away by seven over new pursuers Aidric Chan and Weiwei Gao halfway through the National Stroke Play Championship at the Riviera Golf and Country Club in Silang, Cavite yesterday.

But Lois Kaye Go failed to sustain an impressive 68 start Tuesday and blew a huge five-stroke lead with a horrible frontside 42 in overcast skies and windy conditions.

She hardly recovered her rhythm and bearing at the back and hobbled with a 40 for an 82 that dropped her to joint third and enabled young Rianne Malixi to seize control with a 70 in women’s play.

The 17-year-old Gwon, who matched Go’s opening three-under card to take charge by two over Ryan Monsalve in the premier men’s division of the kickoff leg of this year’s PLDT Group National Amateur Golf Tour season, actually

reeled back with a bogey-triple-bogey mishap from No. 7 but regrouped and birdied the first four holes at the back in stirring fashion to stay in firm control in a rain-hit day.

But he slowed down with two bogeys in the last five for that 39-34 and a 36-hole total of 141, seven shots ahead of Chan and Gao, who pooled identical 148s after 71 and 75, respectively, even as Monsalve never recovered from a bogey-bogey start and stumbled with a 79 to fall to solo fourth at 149.

“It was very hard today (yesterday),” said Wook, referring to her triple bogey on the par-3 No. 8 off an errant tee-shot into the deep roughs, where he needed two shots to get to the green before missing a short putt for double-bogey.

But he recovered big at the back, bucking tough pin placements to birdie the 10th and 11th inside four feet. He then chipped in for another birdie from 10 yards on the next before drilling a 15-footer for another birdie on No. 13.

Carl Corpus carded a 75 for 150 while Japanese Atsushi Ueda and Kyosuke Yoshida moved to joint sixth at 151 after 75 and 77, respectively, and Elee Bisera also shot a 75 for joint eighth at 153 with Sean Ramos, who wobbled with a 79.

Japanese Gen Nagai also failed to rebound and hobbled with a second six-over 77, virtually kissing his title-retention bid goodbye with a 154, 13 strokes behind Gwon heading to the last 36 holes of the tournament organized and conducted by the National Golf Association of the Philippines.

Other 154 scorers were Kim Tae Soo and Leandro Bagtas, who skied with identical 79s.

The 12-year-old Malixi, meanwhile, firmed up her bid for another championship after winning three last year as she likewise defied the odds to shoot a 70 and grab the lead at 143, two up on Abby Arevalo, who improved from a 73 with a 72 for a 145.

IN BRIEF Modern agriculture to stabilize prices

ONE of the effective ways to tame inflation is the modernization of the agriculture sector that will result in stable prices of food in the future, Finance Undersecretary Gil Beltran said Wednesday.

Beltran, who is the chief economist of the Department of Finance, said in an economic bulletin month-on-month price change should be at most 0.3 percent a month for inflation to fall within the target range, “Productivity programs for agriculture will ease seasonal food price increases in the future,” Beltran said.

“The Department of Agriculture has set up programs to modernize agriculture, build farm-to-market roads, develop value chains and enhance research and development,” Beltran said.

The bulletin said the general price level accelerated by nearly 0.7 percent monthon-month in December, mainly on account of fish and vegetables. Boosted by holiday demand, fish prices surged month-onmonth by 5.0 percent and vegetables by 3.7 percent. Julito G. Rada

Arthaland may top expansion target ARTHALAND Corp., a leading green building developer, said it may exceed the target of expanding its development portfolio by five times by 2024.

Arthaland president Jaime Gonzalez said in a press briefing the company was on track to reach 500,000 square meters of development portfolio over the next five years with the recent acquisitions of two properties in Makati and one in Cebu.

The group has other properties in its land bank that have yet to be developed, including a 35-hectare lot in Tagatay and five hectares in Batangas.

“With the overwhelming positive response towards our green developments in 2019, we are on track to grow our development portfolio by 5 times by 2024,” Gonzalez said.

“But I would not be surprised if we exceed our target because we have other properties in the pipeline and there are other companies that are interested in partnering with us,” he added.

Arthaland this year is set to launch two residential projects in Makati and one residential tower in Cebu within the Cebu Business Park. Jenniffer B. Austria

Business Property price surge presents risks to banks

By Julito G. Rada

G

LOBAL debt watcher Fitch Ratings said Wednesday a sustained surge in Philippine property prices over the past three quarters, driven by a boom in online gaming operations, presents rising risks to the country’s banking system.

The New York-based credit rating firm said in a report recent data were pointing to speculative activity that could affect market stability if unchecked.

“To the extent that the increase in prices has been driven by a boom in the Philippine online gaming operator sector, it may also expose banks and the property industry to greater policy risk,” it said.

Fitch said residential property prices in the Philippines experienced some of the strongest growth of any major real-estate market since 2010 in real terms, and the pace of increase accelerated in recent months.

It noted that the national residential real-estate prices rose 10 percent yearon-year in the third quarter of 2019 while condominium prices in Metro Manila leaped “by an unsustainable 34 percent year-on-year.”

Fitch said the surge partly reflected a 75-basis-point decline in Philippine policy interest rates since April 2019, but

also the strong demand from the POGO sector which accounted for around 30 percent of Metro Manila office demand from 2018 to the third quarter of 2019.

Fitch said this activity likely had spillover effects on nearby residential property prices. “Prolonged rapid house price inflation tends to spur borrowers to take on more debt to afford increasingly expensive homes, particularly if the trend stimulates further speculative price appreciation. It could also lead developers to over-invest in future supply, risking an inventory overhang if demand weakens,” Fitch said.

“Both trends have a tendency to raise private-sector leverage, making the economy more susceptible to downside risks. Studies show that asset bubbles fueled by credit booms typically lead to deeper and longer downturns,” it said.

Philippine banks’ exposure to the realestate sector remained broadly stable

at around 20 percent of total bank loans since 2015, but credit growth reached 14 percent from 2015 to third quarter of 2019.

The growth of real-estate lending was 13 percent during the period. Moreover, commercial real-estate lending saw a notable pick-up in growth in recent months.

“A higher reliance on the POGO sector to drive real-estate demand exposes banks and property firms to greater policy risks. In July 2019, the Chinese authorities signaled an intention to crack down on Philippine POGOs which are reported to employ many Chinese nationals and provide services to Chinese clients. Increased scrutiny or a clampdown on the sector by Chinese or Philippine authorities could call into question the growth and viability of the industry and may ultimately lead to knock-on effects on domestic property demand and the broader economy,” Fitch said.

“However, some major property developers have placed internal limits on their direct exposure to POGO operators which should help mitigate downside risks to the sector,” it said.

It said the credit implications of the surge in property prices for Philippine banks would depend partly on their underwriting standards.

CarDekho Group of India raises $70m INDIA’S leading auto-tech company CarDekho group, which recently acquired Carmudi Philippines, has raised $70 million from leading investors in China and Europe to expand operations in the Philippines.

“With this fund raise, we will deploy part of the capital raised to South East Asia and look to scale up our operations in Philippines,” said Umang Kumar, co-founder and president, CarDekho Group.

“We are committed to help consumers throughout their car buying and selling journey and have come a step closer in building a platform which provides endto-end auto solutions to them,” Kumar said.

CarDekho’s Series D investments mainly comes from Ping An Global Voyager Fund, an investor arm of Chinese financial services behemoth Ping An, and Sunley House Capital Management, a subsidiary of global private equity firm Advent International, along with the participation of investors Sequoia India and Hillhouse.

This is the second round of fund raised for the company in 2019. Earlier in 2019, CarDekho group raised $110 million in series C. Darwin G. Amojelar

Angkas agrees to change pricing of motorcycle taxi

By Darwin G. Amojelar MOTORCYCLE taxi service provider Angkas said Wednesday it will no longer impose a price surge to comply with the government’s revised rules on the implementation of pilot run for motorcycle taxis.

“The reason for our dynamic pricing is essentially to be able to encourage more bikers on the road to meet the demand. But because it is not allowed in the pilot, we will comply,” Angkas chief transport advocate George Royeca said in a news briefing.

“We just want to give a heads up that this may result in bikers going back to ‘habal-habal’ and that there’d be substantially fewer Angkas bikers on the road,” he said.

Royeca said Angkas also ceased operations in General Santos City and Cagayan De Oro City. “We have complied, there were no operations in CDO and GenSan. I hope we could still run our padala service…We are now focused on Metro Manila and Metro Cebu,” he said.

Angkas made the announcement after the inter-agency technical working group of the Department of Transportation warned the app provider of possible blacklisting over the alleged violations of some provisions of the guidelines.

Under the guidelines, the government removed the indication for dynamic pricing and threatened to blacklist ride-hailing platforms operating outside the pilot run.

The LTFRB guidelines also included We Move Things Philippines Inc. (Joyride) and Move It in the extension of the pilot run from Dec. 23 to March 23.

OUTGOING ADB PRESIDENT. President Rodrigo Duterte awards Asian Development Bank outgoing president Takehiko Nakao the Order of Sikatuna, the Philippines’ highest civilian recognition, with the rank of Grand Cross, or Datu at Malacañang Palace.

The Order of Sikatuna, the country’s national order of diplomatic merit, is given to individuals who have rendered exceptional services to the Philippines in developing and strengthening relations with the country. Nakao stepped down as ADB president this month after leading the bank since 2013. Presidential Photo

Ray S. Eñano, Editor Roderick T. dela Cruz, Assistant Editor business@manilastandard.net extrastory2000@gmail.com THURSDAY, JANUARY 9, 2020

B1

Meralco says January power rates declined

By Alena Mae S. Flores MANILA Electric Co. said Wednesday power rates will decline P0.41 per kilowatt-hour in January, translating into a reduction of P82 in the monthly bill of a typical household consuming 200 kWh. Meralco said overall power rates would decrease to P9.4523 per kWh in January from P9.8623 per kWh in December. It is also P0.3862 per kWh lower than the January 2019 rate of P9.8385 per kWh. The power retailer attributed the lower generation rates in January to the lower charges from power supply agreement suppliers, which dropped

by P0.2928 per kWh to P4.9039 per kWh from P5.1967 per kWh in December.

The company secured 49.4 percent of its power requirements from PSAs during the period.

“Lower PSA charges were brought about by a reduction in capacity fees as a result of the annual reconciliation of outage allowances done at the end of each year under the PSAs approved by the Energy Regulatory Commission. The early completion of annual capacity payment for Sual Unit 1, Ilijan, Pagbilao Unit 1 and Panay Energy resulted in savings immediately passed on to consumers by way of lower electricity rates,” Meralco public information office head Joe Zaldarriaga said.

The cost of power from Meralco’s independent power producers also decreased by P0.0634 per kWh because of improved dispatch and strengthening of the peso against the US dollar.

Around 96 percent of IPPs costs were dollar-denominated. Meralco sourced 41.2 percent of its supply requirement from IPPs. Meanwhile, charges from the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market, the country’s trading floor of electricity, increased by P1.7031 per kWh driven by tighter supply condition in the Luzon grid.

Grid operator National Grid Corporation of the Philippines placed the grid under yellow alert from Nov. 26 to 28 and on Dec. 16 because of the forced and scheduled outages of various power plants.

The Luzon grid was also placed on red alert on Dec. 3 with the limited availability of plants in Batangas and Quezon because of Typhoon Tisoy.

Meralco sourced 9.4 percent of its requirements from the WESM during the December supply month.

Economy likely grew faster in the fourth quarter, says First Metro THE economy likely grew stronger in the fourth quarter of 2019 compared to the 6.2-percent expansion in the third quarter, lifted by robust consumption, benign inflation and higher government spending on infrastructure projects, economists said Wednesday.

Economists from First Metro Investment Corp. and University of Asia & the Pacific said in a joint report the addition of 193,000 jobs in the fourth quarter bolstered economic activities during the

period.

“This, together with an expected strong rebound in infrastructure and capital outlays in the last two months of 2019, should boost investment spending in the fourth quarter,” they said.

The report said recent economic indicators were pointing to a stronger gross domestic product growth in the fourth quarter and in 2020, with positive employment print and poverty data indicating better investment numbers.

“Household consumption would still benefit from softer inflation [on average] and low interest rates. The national government will continue to ramp up infrastructure spending amidst the stilllarge fiscal space,” they said.

The private sector, through publicprivate-partnership projects and robust residential and commercial building demand, should further drive capital goods investments, they said.

Data showed that economic growth

accelerated to 6.2 percent in the third quarter from 5.5 percent in the second quarter because of the government’s higher fiscal spending. This brought the average growth in the first three quarters to 5.8 percent, near the low end of the target range of 6 percent to 6.5 percent.

Economic managers earlier said the economy should grow by at least 6.7 percent in the fourth quarter to hit the low end of the full-year target.

Julito G. Rada

Gov’t expects to generate 3.2m jobs in the construction sector until 2030

By Othel V. Campos

DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION. Engaged to multiple large-scale businesses, the Villar Group taps Multisys Technologies Corp., a leading software solutions company, to deliver game-changing solutions that will benefit its consumers. Leading the agreement signing ceremony are (from left) Vista Land president and chief executive Manuel Paolo Villar, Villar Group chairman and founder Manuel Villar Jr. and MultiSys president and chief executive David Almirol Jr.

THE construction sector is expected to add 3.2 million jobs over the next 10 years or until 2030, according to a private sector study supported by the Trade Department.

Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez said while the construction sector lost some people to the business process outsourcing industry in recent years, the competitive salaries offered by private companies would woo them back to the building sector.

“The construction sector had been losing people to BPOs. With the roadmap, they [workers] will realize it is better to work in the sector where their skills are matched with their jobs,” Lopez said Wednesday at the sidelines of the 4th Philippine Construction Industry Congress.

“Under this administration, there

was a sharp expansion in the number of construction workers, recording a 1.5-million increase during the 2016 to 2019 period. In 2019 alone, out of the 1.27 million new jobs generated, 287,000 were in the construction sector alone,” he said.

The study said that from 3.9 million workers in 2018, the construction industry is expected to employ 7.1 million by 2030. Construction value is also projected to jump from P2.3 trillion in 2018 to P21.4 trillion by 2030.

He said that by 2030, the construction sector would employ about 800,000 professionals, 4.4 million highly-skilled workers and 1.9 million unskilled laborers.

The Trade Department also predicted that the average construction worker in 2030 would produce 500 percent more work compared to the work produced in 2018.

B2

Business

THURSDAY, JANUARY 9, 2020 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Stocks slump; Manila Water drops T HE stock market plunged Wednesday amid warnings of a possible war that could engulf much of the Middle East following the killing of Iran’s top general by US forces.

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index slumped 104.46 points, or 1.3 percent, to 7,736.24 on a value turnover of slightly over P5 billion. Losers overwhelmed gainers, 126 to 60, with 52 issues unchanged.

Manila Water Co. Inc. tumbled 6.1 percent to P10.12, while GT Capital Holdings Inc. of the Ty Group fell 3.5 percent to P835.

Universal Robina Corp., the biggest snack food maker, declined 3.3 percent to P145, while Jollibee Foods Corp., the

largest fast-food chain, dropped 3.1 percent to P210.20 The rest of Asian markets, meanwhile, pared their morning losses and oil prices came down slightly from their earlier gains after Iran said it had “concluded” for now its missile attacks on US targets in Iraq following the killing of its top general.

Safe haven assets also rose Wednesday as investors dumped stocks and headed to the hills.

Gold was up more than two percent, surging above $1,600 an ounce for the first time in six years, before falling back slightly.

Analyst Stephen Innes, chief Asia market strategist at AxiTrader, noted that a further escalation is likely to attract more safe-haven flows to gold.

He cautioned that “surges in geopolitical risk can, by their nature, be shortlived and volatile.”

“Still, it’s tough not to get encapsu-

lated by the heat of the moment when it comes to the fog of war,” he said.

The Japanese yen, where investors traditionally take refuge in times of uncertainty, was also up, adding fuel to the fire in Tokyo, where the Nikkei 225 index fell 1.57 percent to 23,204.76 at the close of the day, while the broader Topic index went down 1.37 percent to 1,701.40.

“Though we’ll see the market react to the latest strike today, we don’t see that as a long-term risk-off theme,” said Chen Haoyang, a managing director at Shanghai Leader Capital Co. However, a possible market rout faded as Asian bourses got going in earnest, with early declines slowing.

By around 0700 GMT, Sydney was down 0.43 percent and Shanghai’s main index had lost 1.22 percent, or 37.91 points, to close at 3,066.89.

Tehran said it had halted its reprisal over commander Qasem Soleimani af-

ter it targeted US forces in Iraq with a missile strike, with Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif tweeting that the country does “not seek escalation or war.”

The Pentagon said it was still “working on initial battle damage assessments” after bases at Ain al-Asad and Arbil in Iraq—which house US and coalition forces—were targeted by more than a dozen ballistic missiles.

There were no immediate reports on casualties. US President Donald Trump said the assessment was underway, but added on Twitter: “So far, so good.”

Further instability came after a Ukrainian Boeing 737 had crashed shortly after taking off from Tehran airport, killing at least 170 people.

West Texas Intermediate and Brent Crude later pared their gains. At around 0700 GMT WTI sat at $63.20 up 0.80 percent, and Brent was at $68.93, 0.97 percent up. With AFP

Manila Standard BuSineSS daily StockS review wedneSday, January 8, 2020

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ASIA UNITED BANK PH ISLANDS BDO LEASING BDO UNIBANK BRIGHT KINDLE CHINABANK COL FINANCIAL EAST WEST BANK FERRONOUX HLDG MANULIFE METROBANK NTL REINSURANCE PB BANK PHIL NATL BANK PHIL STOCK EXCH PHILTRUST PSBANK RCBC SECURITY BANK UNION BANK VANTAGE

53.1 86.5 1.94 153 0.9 25 18.48 11.88 3.81 850 64.5 0.78 12.5 34.85 175 130 57.5 22.4 186.1 58.4 1.05

53.1 86.5 2.05 153.7 0.92 25 18.48 11.96 3.95 850 64.95 0.81 12.5 34.85 175 130 58.4 22.45 189 58.4 1.05

53.05 84.15 1.94 151.5 0.9 24.75 18 11.82 3.8 845 64.1 0.78 12.5 34.2 175 112.7 57.5 22.25 186 58 1.05

FINANCIALS 53.1 8,570 85.4 2,088,170 2.05 95,000 152 2,494,720 0.9 27,000 24.75 109,400 18.4 4,400 11.96 126,600 3.95 49,000 845 200 64.6 1,950,680 0.81 190,000 12.5 24,700 34.25 215,700 175 10,990 112.7 40 58.4 110 22.25 12,100 186 416,120 58.25 17,660 1.05 14,000

454,692 178,185,706.50 189,850 379,870,650 24,420 2,710,295 79,416 1,510,604 186,560 169,750 125,804,499 148,260 308,750 7,427,005 1,923,250 4,681 6,334 270,520 77,451,618 1,026,296.50 14,700

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

34.7 2.37 13.3 0.54 1.2 3.03 0.239 1.86 15.24 170 5.59 32.3 63.2 73.95 2.12 5 4.9 9.2 14.2 9.31 7.22 1.59 21.8 67.2 1.38 38.4 1.95 13.9 7.66 1.22 214.4 3.2 6.2 11 11.7 16.54 309 1.91 4 4.31 10.02 11.76 33.5 4.84 5.28 2.28 1.8 1 9.9 81.55 8.79 0.114 0.96 148 2.5 1.21 15.12 0.87

35.35 2.37 13.38 0.57 1.22 3.03 0.245 1.86 15.24 170 6.34 32.3 64.5 73.95 2.15 5 4.9 9.4 14.22 9.31 7.22 1.59 22.4 67.2 1.44 38.4 1.96 13.9 7.81 1.44 214.4 3.45 6.25 11 11.94 16.54 309 1.92 4.24 4.35 10.02 11.9 34 4.94 5.28 2.28 1.8 1.05 9.95 83 8.93 0.125 0.99 148 2.58 1.23 15.12 0.9

34 2.25 13 0.54 1.2 2.88 0.235 1.81 15.1 170 5.05 32.3 63.1 73.95 2.11 5 4.85 9.02 14.08 9.06 7.21 1.59 21.4 66.6 1.33 37 1.88 13.64 7.5 1.22 210.2 3 6.04 9.72 11.4 15.6 300.4 1.91 4 4.2 9.85 11.76 32.05 4.84 5.28 2.2 1.75 0.95 9.4 80 8.5 0.114 0.96 143 2.4 1.16 15.12 0.87

INDUSTRIAL 34.5 749,900 2.33 2,696,000 13 307,700 0.56 1,498,000 1.2 621,000 2.96 4,105,000 0.245 7,760,000 1.82 7,964,000 15.2 532,200 170 100 5.99 10,836,200 32.3 1,100 63.1 660 73.95 10 2.15 51,000 5 200 4.9 10,000 9.06 443,800 14.08 365,200 9.06 370,200 7.22 349,900 1.59 25,000 21.85 2,284,400 66.6 50,260 1.38 25,448,000 38.25 9,800 1.95 3,366,000 13.88 1,463,100 7.81 372,100 1.3 2,272,000 210.2 414,790 3.1 50,000 6.25 13,800 10.12 35,424,600 11.52 22,900 15.62 526,800 301.8 174,490 1.92 1,496,000 4.24 15,000 4.21 3,076,000 10 6,600 11.9 6,500 32.05 614,700 4.84 1,325,000 5.28 1,500 2.2 1,700,000 1.75 100,000 1.02 837,000 9.6 473,800 83 266,340 8.72 272,800 0.125 750,000 0.99 4,000 145 490,650 2.58 207,000 1.16 4,933,000 15.12 3,800 0.9 260,000

25,788,880 6,237,300 4,109,494 831,750 745,360 12,145,720 1,888,660 14,578,440 8,087,152 17,000 63,712,779 35,530 41,734 739.5 108,700 1,000 48,800 4,028,030 5,165,450 3,367,081 2,525,151 39,750 49,865,330 3,361,020.50 35,215,210 366,205 6,488,870 20,303,420 2,848,080 3,041,730 88,064,150 153,590 85,640 360,379,306 265,334 8,306,014 52,816,442 2,871,410 60,240 13,163,800 65,960 76,896 20,317,725 6,413,140 7,920 3,785,280 177,050 848,780 4,579,362 22,003,472 2,381,436 92,140 3,870 71,264,947 501,020 5,823,060 57,456 227,490

1,676,460 42,750 4,019,660 -111,760 -437,640 -2,358,610 2,318,176 238,741 ,018,230.9997 -4,753,952 -3,187,434 -2,278,456 -25,934,200 -2,111,854.50 437,270 3,530 -145,270 -15,020,472 1,433,162 -29,880 7,404,714 -77,595,571 -12,702 -7,358,524 -12,365,220 -72,900 -6124409.9997 -1,949,855 -498,560 -5,808 10,850 -2768571.0001 -1,584,493 19,312 -12,532,861 434,400 806,850 -1,512 -

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

0.85 52.4 11.02 0.69 6.39 10.24 0.91 780 3.01 6.6 6.97 13.1 0.205 860 80.1 5.5 0.52 3.92 12 0.56 3.63 4.24 1.24 2.99 163 1,064 0.77 1.23 187 206.4 0.203 0.195

0.88 52.4 11.14 0.71 6.39 10.24 0.93 796 3.01 6.68 7.07 13.3 0.205 863.5 81.4 5.5 0.52 3.95 12 0.58 3.63 4.25 1.24 2.99 163.8 1,064 0.77 1.23 192 206.4 0.203 0.196

0.84 50.55 11.02 0.67 6.39 10.06 0.91 775 2.92 6.58 6.5 13.1 0.205 835 78.4 5.5 0.5 3.85 11.5 0.56 3.5 4.04 1.22 2.99 160.9 1,042 0.77 1.22 185 203.6 0.203 0.195

HOLDING FIRMS 16,157,000 0.88 51.85 674,890 11.02 5,712,200 0.7 111,000 6.39 1,200 10.06 8,800 0.93 233,000 790 207,540 2.97 10,821,000 6.59 134,200 7 26,369,400 13.2 106,800 0.205 110,000 835 89,710 79.5 1,260,590 5.5 100 0.5 4,000 3.85 668,000 11.78 677,100 0.58 103,000 3.55 20,196,000 4.19 68,000 1.24 37,000 2.99 6,000 161 91,600 1,055 183,430 0.77 3,000 1.22 50,000 190 540 204 700 0.203 180,000 0.196 300,000

13,922,830 34,874,381 63,049,460 76,320 7,668 88,634 214,540 163,087,130 31,934,730 884,037 182,611,314 1,407,760 22,550 75,471,575 100,467,890 550 2,030 2,588,230 7,953,224 57,700 71,841,990 283,070 45,640 17,940 14,764,961 193,545,155 2,310 61,030 100,980 143,134 36,540 58,510

-63,790 -1,328,510 -14,485,454 41,560,435 -80,260 -131,416 -1,054,310 -43,703,795 -51770298.5 -634,070 -1,552,190 -623,400 -5,600,544 35,489,460 4,880 7,480 -20,386 -

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

14.76 0.7 8.82 1.35 0.79 43.2 2 4.75 6.7 0.53 0.74 0.83 0.182 0.39 9.7 19 0.415 1.52 1.15 4.13 0.21 0.405

14.76 0.71 9 1.4 0.8 44.35 2 4.8 6.7 0.54 0.77 0.85 0.182 0.39 9.7 19.2 0.415 1.55 1.2 4.29 0.21 0.425

14.7 0.69 8.82 1.35 0.78 42.6 1.99 4.69 6.7 0.52 0.74 0.83 0.182 0.39 9.43 18.72 0.415 1.49 1.14 4.1 0.199 0.4

PROPERTY 14.7 508,500 0.69 435,000 9 5,700 1.4 4,000 0.78 944,000 44.05 8,829,300 1.99 89,000 4.7 336,000 6.7 1,100 0.54 2,290,000 0.77 5,000 0.85 4,000 0.182 60,000 0.39 110,000 9.45 228,300 18.72 396,600 0.415 10,000 1.55 12,954,000 1.14 787,000 4.29 29,872,000 0.2 16,380,000 740,000 0.4

7,490,190 302,790 51,049 5,450 737,660 388,187,500 177,180 1,590,670 7,370 1,203,310 3,730 3,340 10,920 42,900 2,161,869 7,527,104 4,150 19,761,220 905,740 125,493,910 3,299,960 296,750

-224,910 51,049 -105,832,480 -371860.0001 252,280 2,960 850 -1489894.9999 -1,259,232 -10,765,280 35,674,950 120,100 -200,500

32,403.50 -11695368.5 -93,218,550 311,188 -85,000 -19007951.5 -5,502,425 -1,919,750 -29,838,204 -642,758 -

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VOLUME

VALUE

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

1.17 2.18 28.4 2.13 3.23 41.6 2.38 1.36 7.46 5.92

1.2 2.24 28.45 2.13 3.23 41.85 2.38 1.4 7.5 5.92

1.15 2.12 27.7 2.05 3.23 41.45 2.34 1.31 7.42 5.6

1.2 2.2 28.1 2.08 3.23 41.45 2.34 1.37 7.5 5.87

2,266,000 1,063,000 970,500 67,000 3,000 8,351,000 132,000 3,333,000 9,426,800 51,100

2,683,890 2,333,900 27,161,035 140,030 9,690 347,184,675 310,280 4,531,060 70,636,880 299,058

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

9.72 19.2 1.35 11.5 0.41 0.043 18.3 3.3 10.58 87 5.31 8.8 2,010 5.54 440 1.24 130.1 7 0.101 3.7 2 12.3 2.46 15.54 0.4 3.31 2.15 2.5 2.5 7.75 5.14 148 2.42 1,050 0.58 0.37 39.9 78.3 9.25 2.67 0.59 0.26 0.59 18.2

9.72 20 1.35 11.58 0.42 0.044 18.3 3.49 10.58 87 5.31 8.8 2,024 5.54 440 1.24 132.1 7 0.102 3.74 2 12.3 2.51 15.58 0.4 3.31 2.15 2.51 2.5 7.75 5.14 149.8 2.63 1,056 0.59 0.375 39.9 79 9.25 2.68 0.61 0.26 0.61 18.26

9.52 18.96 1.33 11.48 0.41 0.043 18.3 3.21 10.26 86.55 5.15 8.65 2,002 5.45 440 1.19 128.1 6.9 0.101 3.58 1.9 12.3 2.38 15.4 0.39 3.31 2.09 2.42 2.46 7.65 5.14 139 2.42 1,033 0.57 0.355 39.5 77.5 8.7 2.62 0.59 0.25 0.59 17.98

SERVICES 9.52 19.3 1.34 11.56 0.41 0.043 18.3 3.41 10.58 86.65 5.3 8.65 2,020 5.46 440 1.19 131.8 6.9 0.102 3.64 1.9 12.3 2.47 15.5 0.4 3.31 2.15 2.45 2.46 7.65 5.14 140 2.55 1,045 0.58 0.365 39.75 78.5 8.73 2.63 0.6 0.255 0.59 18.1

26,500 1,877,900 223,000 1,332,500 340,000 6,500,000 427,900 1,315,000 4,305,800 420,370 1,334,800 37,300 30,980 131,900 50 2,012,000 1,809,940 10,000 350,000 2,190,000 78,000 100 267,000 555,500 530,000 93,000 632,000 1,393,000 75,000 1,300 200 18,700 1,608,000 147,205 1,251,000 3,670,000 580,500 266,050 169,500 1,137,000 1,657,000 12,110,000 131,000 623,700

253,776 36,240,230 299,140 15,378,070 139,750 280,200 7,830,570 4,435,220 44,621,890 36,439,638.50 6,980,455 324,828 62,460,420 723,867 22,000 2,414,540 237,843,571 69,712 35,500 8,037,800 148,800 1,230 661,100 8,599,764 210,050 307,830 1,326,010 3,413,580 186,000 9,973 1,028 2,617,831 4,091,770 154,093,195 728,240 1,325,250 23,074,805 20,874,131.50 1,486,588 2,996,790 984,110 3,079,500 78,140 11,272,274

ABRA MINING ACE ENEXOR APEX MINING ATLAS MINING ATOK BENGUET B CENTURY PEAK COAL ASIA HLDG 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

0.0015 9.88 1.15 2.49 10.92 1.19 3.07 0.27 1.67 0.201 0.106 0.102 0.0086 0.0097 0.9 3.03 1.02 0.48 0.72 0.012 0.011 0.011 3.21 9.3 22.05 0.0054

0.0015 10.18 1.18 2.49 10.94 1.2 3.18 0.27 1.67 0.202 0.109 0.107 0.0086 0.0097 0.9 3.15 1.02 0.48 0.72 0.012 0.013 0.011 3.31 9.3 22.05 0.0062

0.0014 9.28 1.11 2.49 10.92 1.1 3 0.27 1.61 0.198 0.103 0.101 0.0085 0.0097 0.81 2.96 0.99 0.48 0.67 0.011 0.011 0.01 3.21 8.82 21.9 0.0054

MINING & OIL 0.0014 84,000,000 9.55 1,431,500 1.13 2,070,000 2.49 4,000 10.94 2,100 1.2 39,000 3.04 3,127,000 0.27 20,000 1.65 3,580,000 0.198 140,000 0.103 8,270,000 0.102 6,210,000 0.0085 7,000,000 0.0097 1,000,000 0.9 300,000 3.15 7,214,000 1.02 3,000 0.48 40,000 0.72 664,000 0.012 1,300,000 0.012 1,220,100,000 0.011 17,000,000 3.3 1,720,000 9.01 577,100 22 683,900 0.0061 8,000,000

119,400 14,079,602 2,377,960 9,960 22,958 45,540 9,645,480 5,400 5,858,850 27,820 881,320 639,290 60,100 9,700 262,600 22,000,520 3,030 19,200 449,840 14,600 13,541,300 185,500 5,625,900 5,187,625 15,042,130 46,800

-1,830 10,170.00 -129,640 -200,750 -552,230 2,170,680 14,400 13,400 -11,700 1,157,140 -1,048,369 1,966,610 -

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

18.02 502 501 103.1 100.1 111.5 930.5 995 100.7 1,049 1,050 100 108 1,028 78 75 76.1 75.95 76

18.2 507 501 103.1 100.8 111.5 930.5 995 100.7 1,049 1,055 100.5 108 1,028 78 75 76.1 75.95 76

17.9 502 490 100.1 100 111.5 930 995 100.7 1,049 1,041 99.2 108 1,026 77 75 75.8 75.15 75

PREFERRED 18 2,107,300 507 1,020 500 12,800 100.1 17,160 100.4 11,900 111.5 20 930 1,050 995 250 100.7 2,500 1,049 20 1,055 2,500 100.5 10,730 108 160 1,027 1,905 78 8,390 75 1,360 75.8 21,090 75.15 25,000 75 50,010

37,919,464 512,140 6,286,260 1,718,734 1,190,841 2,230 977,005 248,750 251,750 20,980 2,629,550 1,067,315 17,280 1,957,540 653,330 102,000 1,601,518 1,878,910 3,800,750

6,456,568 50,000 -

LR WARRANT

1.21

1.21

1.2

WARRANTS 1.2 75,000

90,300

MS ITALPINAS KEPWEALTH XURPAS

3.93 10 0.82

4.08 10.2 0.82

3.85 9.69 0.79

FIRST METRO ETF

117.3

117.3

116

USD DMPL A2

10

10

10

Trading Summary FINANCIAL INDUSTRIAL HOLDING FIRMS PROPERTY SERVICES

SHARES 9,269,548

127,468,576 84,959,716 103,588,206 54,834,500

MINING & OIL

1,375,547,432

GRAND TOTAL

1,759,797,060

4.06 10 0.8

SME

485,000 278,300 3,356,000

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 116.2 3,030 10

DDS

11,700

1,942,710 2,732,845 2,674,520

-598,800 -2,951,875 9,690 -41,999,350 -20,304,746 -143,328 -2907793.9997 3,649,020 3,340 -482,762 -19047150.5 58,670.00 16,370,510 88,050 43,867,319 61,420 -384,030 -44,310 -5,041,346 -100 -186,000 -422,734 -450 36,472,755 -220329.9997 -36,000 2,291,930 18,277,932.50 2,080,200 230,100 10,200 -47,740 -660,372

-80,000 -31,000 -676,800

353,080

72,286

117,000

-

VALUE 1,804.45 (down) 26.42 900,358,666.75 FINANCIAL INDUSTRIAL 9,440.03 (down) 226.51 951,722,917.01 HOLDING FIRMS 7,606.20 (down) 122.31 1,205,911,825.321 PROPERTY 4,090.05 (down) 26.58 SERVICES 1,544.93 (down) 3.07 1,142,553,887.33 MINING & OIL 8,083.22 (up) 80.55 867,149,802.968 PSEI 7,736.24 (down) 104.46 96,185,679.051 All Shares Index 4,595.58 (down) 52.77 5,171,609,349.34 Gainers: 60; Losers: 126; Unchanged: 52; Total: 238

Filinvest buys reclaimed land in Cebu City

By Jenniffer B. Austria THE Filinvest Group and a partner acquired a 19.2-hectare reclaimed land in South Road Properties Cebu City for P6.7 billion.

Filinvest Land Inc. said in a statement a consortium composed of Filinvest companies and Sytengco-owned firms signed a deed of absolute sale with the Cebu City government for the acquisition of the property.

The group paid P6.7 billion for the property on December 19, 2019 and received a certificate of full payment from the Cebu government on the same date.

The Filinvest consortium won the public bidding held by the local government in July 2015 on the Lot 1 19.2-hectare property within SRP. “We welcome the new developments and opportunities that Filinvest consortium will bring to SRP and to the City.

The purchase payment will help the City to finally retire the SRP loan and provide basic services to its constituents. Our city strives to maintain the business-friendly environment that has made us one of the top investment havens in the Philippines,” said Cebu City Mayor Edgardo Labella.

Filinvest plans to develop the property into mixed-use development with residential, office, commercial and retail components.

The Filinvest Group said the development of the 19.2-hectare property would two projects in Cebu, namely the 40-hectare joint venture with Cebu City called City di Mare, and the 10-hectare Il Corso commercial development along Pond F of the SRP. “We were the first investor in SRP, the first to see its high growth potentials, and the first to believe in it. We are very happy with the fulfillment of this acquisition,” said Filinvest Development Corp. president and chief executive. Josephine Gotianun Yap. “We now have a total developable land size of around 70 hectares which is the biggest share owned by any developer in the SRP. We are excited about what we can develop given the large size of land we have and influence the trend and development directions in SRP to maximize its growth potentials.” Yap added.

Global-Estate sees sales of P1.4b from new Cavite project GLOBAL-ESTATE Resorts Inc., a unit of Megaworld Corp., expects to generate P1.4 billion in sales from a newlylaunched residential village within its 251-hectare Arden Botanical Estate in Cavite province.

GERI said in a disclosure to the stock exchange the 17-hectare The Lindgren would initially offer 123 prime lots, with options of two-story duplex, twostory single detached and three-story single detached homes.

Lot sizes range from 159 square meters to 252 square meters, with prices ranging from P10 million to P13 million.

“The Lindgren is a community designed to nurture one’s overall wellbeing. With the richness of the surroundings, it is an ideal place to grow a family, bond with loved ones, be active, and eventually retire,” said Rowena Espiritu, head of sales and marketing of Megaworld Global-Estate Inc. “Our concept is to make everyone feel the community vibe. There will be several areas for personal relaxation and socialization where community members can work, play, and grow together,” Espiritu added.

Among the amenities that future residents can enjoy at the Village Clubhouse are multi-purpose hall, fitness center, adult pool, kiddie pool, Jacuzzi, sauna, daycare center, children’s playground, multi-purpose court, outdoor bar and cabana, convenience store and Collab Space.

Forty percent of the entire village will be allocated for green and open spaces, as well as other play amenities, including a mini-botanical garden for the enjoyment of future residents and homeowners. The turnover of house and lots will start in 2025.

The company earlier committed to spend P18 billion to develop the entire Arden Botanical Estate. The whole development is highlighted by an expansive variety of gardens and natural parks around the development.

It will have its own flower farm, flower tunnel, and children’s garden.

Jenniffer B. Austria

Business/World

B3

THURSDAY, JANUARY 9, 2020 CESAR BARRIOQUINTO, Editor mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Snipers to cull up to 10,000 camels in drought-hit areas

COLD IN LAHORE. People sit around a fire along a street during a cold and foggy morning in Lahore on†January 8, 2020. AFP

SYDNEY―Snipers took to helicopters in Australia on Wednesday to begin a mass cull of up to 10,000 camels as drought drives big herds of the feral animals to search for water closer to remote towns, endangering indigenous communities.

Local officials in South Australia state said “extremely large” herds have been encroaching on rural communities -- threatening scarce food and drinking water, damaging infrastructure, and creating a dangerous hazard for drivers.

It comes after Australia experienced its hottest and driest year on record in 2019, with the severe drought causing some towns to run out of water and fueling deadly bushfires that have devastated the country’s southeast.

The five-day cull in the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY) Lands-home to about 2,300 indigenous people in the north-west of South Australia―is the first in the state, local media reported.

“These [camel] groups are putting pressure on the remote Aboriginal communities in the APY Lands and the pastoral operations as the camels search for water,” the APY Lands executive committee said in a statement.

South Australia’s environment department, which is supporting the aerial cull, said the drought had also created “critical animal welfare issues” as some camels have died of thirst or trampled each other as they rush to find water.

“In some cases dead animals have contaminated important water sources and cultural sites,” a spokesperson added.

Camels were first introduced to Australia in the 1840s to aid in the exploration of the continent’s vast interior, with up to 20,000 imported from India in the six decades that followed.

Australia is now thought to have the largest wild camel population in the world, with official estimates suggesting more than one million are roaming the country’s inland deserts. AFP

Face-recognition case puts Big Brother on trial

S

HANGHAI―Facialrecognition technology has become embedded in China, from airports to hotels, e-commerce sites and even public toilets, but a law professor had enough when asked to scan his face at a safari park.

Guo Bing took the wildlife park to court, raising the temperature in a growing debate about privacy and abuse of personal data in an increasingly digitised society.

IN BRIEF UK rapist sparks shock in Indonesia JAKARTA―The father of an Indonesian student described as Britain’s most prolific rapist said his son’s life sentence “fits the crimes”, as the lurid case sparked shock and disgust in his native country.

On Monday, a judge in Manchester sentenced Reynhard Sinaga, a 36-yearold doctoral student, to life in prison and called him an “evil sexual predator” who preyed on drunken young men on nights out.

The court heard he may have attacked as many as 195 men, luring them into his flat with the offer of a place to stay or alcohol.

Sinaga was found guilty of 159 offenses, including 136 rapes and eight attempted rapes, at four separate trials, according to the Crown Prosecution Service, making him “the most prolific rapist in British legal history”.

“We accept the verdict. His punishment fits his crimes. I don’t want to discuss the case any further,” Sinaga’s father Saibun told BBC Indonesia.

The family could not be immediately contacted by AFP. The Jakarta Post reported that Sinaga was born in Sumatra’s Jambi province but spent time in Depok on the outskirts of Jakarta. AFP

UK condemns Iran missile attacks

LONDON―Britain on Wednesday condemned Iran’s missile attacks on Iraqi bases housing coalition military, and voiced concern over “reports of casualties” from the strikes.

“We condemn this attack on Iraqi military bases hosting Coalition-including British―forces,” said Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab.

“We are concerned by reports of casualties and use of ballistic missiles.”

Iran fired missiles overnight at Iraqi bases housing the US and British military, officials in Washington and Tehran said.

It was the first act of the Islamic republic’s promised revenge for the US killing of top Iranian general Qasem Soleimani last week.

Launched from Iranian territory and

by Iranian forces not a proxy, the attack marked a new turn in the intensifying confrontation between the United States and Iran.

The Pentagon said it was still “working on initial battle damage assessments” after more than a dozen ballistic missiles were launched, with no immediate reports on casualties.

The Iraqi military said it sustained no casualties in 22 missile strikes on bases housing US troops.

Raab urged Iran to show restraint going forward.

“We urge Iran not to repeat these reckless and dangerous attacks, and instead to pursue urgent de-escalation,” he added. AFP

China’s government has thrown its support behind companies that develop facial recognition and artificial intelligence for commerce and security, part of a drive to become a world leader in advanced technologies.

Surveys have indicated a broad public willingness to surrender some privacy in exchange for the safety and convenience that technology can bring.

But that’s changing as the collection of biometric data such as fingerprints and facial scans mounts.

Domestic media have called Guo’s suit against the Hangzhou Safari Park in eastern China, filed in October, the first of its kind in the country, and the public

reaction has exposed fears that technology is outpacing legal safeguards.

Online posts regarding the case on the popular Weibo platform have garnered more than 100 million views, with many users calling for a ban on collecting such data.

The sentiment stems in part from the rampant abuse of personal data in China, ranging from outright financial fraud to the common leaking of mobile phone numbers to phishing operations.

In a recent article posted online that generated wide discussion in China, Lao Dongyan, a law professor at prestigious Tsinghua University in Beijing, called abuse of facial recognition data “a deal with the devil”.

“The wanton promotion of facial-recognition technology will open Pandora’s box. The price we pay will be not only our privacy, but also the security we strive for,” Lao wrote.

Guo, a professor at Zhejiang Sci-Tech University in Hangzhou, said in his civil complaint that collection of data like facial scans, “if leaked, illegally provided or abused, will easily endanger consumers’ personal and property safety”.

A hearing date is yet to be announced.

Guo could not be reached for comment.

A newspaper published by the Ministry of Science and Technology said the safari park’s “rash and rough attitude showed indifference” to public sensi-

US insists it will not send home its troops in Iraq WASHINGTON―The United States has no plans to withdraw its troops from Iraq, the White House and Pentagon insisted Tuesday, as Iraq premier Adel Abdel Mahdi said he had received a US letter signaling a pullout.

President Donald Trump said withdrawing the more than 5,000 US troops in Iraq would be the “worst thing” for that country.

Defense Secretary Mark Esper said US policy had not changed, dismissing as a mere “draft” the unsigned letter from a US general to Iraq’s government saying Washington would redeploy troops “in due deference to the sovereignty” of the country.

“At some point we want to get out, but this isn’t the right point,” Trump said. “It’s the worst thing that could happen to Iraq.”

“Our policy has not changed. We are not leaving Iraq,” Esper told reporters.

“There is no signed letter, to the best of my knowledge,” Esper added.

Washington continued to defend itself from the fallout from its drone strike last Friday killing powerful Iranian General Qasem Soleimani just after he arrived in Baghdad from Damascus.

The killing of the key Iranian player in regional politics and security drew outrage from Iran and Soleimani’s many supporters in Iraq.

On Sunday the Iraqi parliament voted in support of expelling US troops, and the idea gained force Monday when the letter from the head of Task Force-Iraq, US Brigadier General William Seely, announcing a US exit was revealed.

Seely wrote the US-led coalition would “be repositioning forces in the coming days and weeks to prepare for onward movement.”

Trump and Esper strongly denied pullout plans, and Trump even suggested the letter could be a “hoax.”

But its existence continued to ripple through Iraqi and US politics, with no explanation of why it was circulated.

“It was an official letter written in such a manner,” Abdel Mahdi told a televised cabinet meeting Tuesday.

“It’s not a piece of paper that fell off the printer or reached us by coincidence,” he said.

The letter discussed “redeploying with an aim to withdraw from the country. The expressions were very clear,” he said.

But Trump warned that a US departure would leave a gap that would be filled by Iran, whose powerful political influence in Iraq was spearheaded by Soleimani. AFP

tivities. Laws must be used to prevent “overreach”, it added.

On December 30, the government issued a directive specifying a range of practices related to the collection and use of personal information via mobile phone apps that it considered to be unlawful.

China still lacks a specific set of laws governing personal data. Legislation is now being formulated, but it remains unclear when it could be introduced.

China is constructing a massive hightech surveillance state marked by ubiquitous security cameras, which authorities say is necessary to fight crime and ensure public safety. AFP

Putin visits Turkey to talk about gas, Libya and Syria

SCREENING. Kristen Stewart attends a Special Fan Screening Of 20th Century Fox’s ‘Underwater’ at Alamo Drafthouse Cinema on January 07, 2020, in Los Angeles. AFP

Costa Rica protests US travel advisory SAN JOSE―Costa Rica on Tuesday vehemently objected to the US government’s decision to raise the alert level for tourists visiting the Central American country due to the risk of crime.

“We express energetic protest on the part of the Costa Rican government for the decision to change the recommendation level for American tourists,” said foreign minister Manuel Ventura.

Ventura’s statement came shortly after the US government issued a new travel advisory for visitors to Costa Rica.

According to the alert, “petty crime is the predominant threat for tourists in Costa Rica.”

But the advisory warns that “armed robbery, homicide and sexual assault” could also occur.

Costa Rica also rose from Level 1, the lowest level, to Level 2 on the US State Department’s travel alert scale.

The highest is Level 4, which recommends no visiting.

The Central American country, known for its natural resources and beaches, attracts 1.2 million US tourists each year, according to official figures.

In 2019, a total of more than 3 million foreign tourists visited.

“The change is surprising, because it puts Costa Rica -- which ended 2019 with a rate of 11 homicides per 100,000 inhabitants -- on par with countries on the continent that are among the most violent in the world,” the Costa Rican foreign ministry said in a statement.

Data from the Ministry of Public Service indicates that there were 688 cases of theft of mobile phones, passports and money from tourists in 2019 -- only 0.02 percent of visitors to Costa Rica.

Tourism in Costa Rica has been shaken in recent years by several murders of female tourists, as well as sexual violence, including a Venezuelan-American woman who was killed near her hotel outside of the capital San Jose. AFP

ISTANBUL―Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will host Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin on Wednesday to inaugurate a new gas pipeline, with tensions in Libya and Syria also on the agenda.

Putin arrived late on Tuesday after paying a surprise visit to Syria―his first to Damascus since the war began―at a moment of acute uncertainty in the Middle East following the assassination of top Iranian general Qasem Soleimani by the United States.

Russia’s leader will seek to boost his credentials as a regional power broker at the symbolic opening of the TurkStream pipeline, which brings Russian gas to Turkey and southern Europe via the Black Sea. TurkStream and the Nord Stream pipelines under the Baltic allow Russia to increase gas supplies to Europe without having to rely on Ukraine.

But Moscow’s increasing domination of European energy markets has worried the US, which last month sanctioned firms working on TurkStream and the almost completed Nord Stream 2.

The ceremony in Istanbul, due to start at 1200 GMT, reflects a dramatic improvement in ties between Russia and Turkey -- two countries seemingly on the verge of war less than five years ago after Turkey shot down a Russian jet.

They remain on opposing sides in the Syria conflict and could be on a collision course in Libya.

Last week, Turkey sent its first troops to help defend the UN-backed Tripoli government, which is under siege from strongman Khalifa Haftar.

Erdogan says 2,500 Russian mercenaries are among those supporting Haftar―claims denied by Moscow.

But Russia so far seems unfazed by the Turkish deployment in Libya, said Mariana Belenkaia, of the Carnegie Centre in Moscow.

“The two countries will likely be tempted to share the Libyan burden,” she said.

Syria remains a potential powderkeg for Erdogan and Putin’s relationship.

Syrian government forces -- backed

by Russia -- have ramped up bombardment of the last rebel strongholds in Idlib province in recent weeks, sending hundreds of thousands fleeing towards the Turkish border.

Erdogan has called for a truce in Idlib, following previous temporary halts to the fighting brokered with Russia in late 2018 and updated in August last year. AFP

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

B4

THURSDAY, JANUARY 9, 2020

LGUs LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS

Residents of MS The World, the largest privately-owned residential yacht in the world, explored the various cultural heritage sites in Ilocos Norte, including the Port of Currimao and St. Augustine Church, a UNESCO World Heritage Site (inset).

World’s largest residential ship docks in Ilocos ABOUT 200 residents of the MS The World, the largest privately owned residential yacht in the world, explored the various cultural heritage sites in Ilocos Norte on Monday.

Docked at the Port of Currimao, MS The World is operated by ROW Management Ltd. It is equipped with 165 luxury apartments and world-class features such as a casino, a full-size tennis court, a golf simulator, a jogging track, and a theater, among others.

The passengers had the opportunity to visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site St. Augustine Church, the Malacañang of the North in Paoay, and other tourist attractions in the Cities of Laoag and Batac, and the Municipality of Badoc.

Angel Lao, president of Ilocos Norte Travel and Tours, hoped to further expand The World’s itinerary to the different tourist sites including the northern part of the province.

“They had limited time. The passengers have a maximum of eight hours to go around. Hopefully in the future, if The World has longer time the ship goes overnight, we can bring the passengers as far as Pagudpud.”

After its maiden arrival in the province, The World’s next stop will be in Cebu before it will return to Hong Kong.

On the same day, the Spectrum of the Seas of the Royal Caribbean International completed its second call at the Salomague Port in Ilocos Sur with thousands of international passengers visiting the Ilocos provinces. Its next arrival is on Feb. 26 this year.

Tech for Makatizens

By Joel E. Zurbano

M

AKATI City Mayor Abigail Binay has expressed optimism the city’s technology-enabled programs would benefit more residents this year, owing to increased revenue collection and her fresh, overwhelming mandate in the 2019 polls.

“I am glad to tell you that we have surpassed last year’s revenue target by 10 percent as of December 31. Our business sector continues to make the biggest contribution to the city’s coffers,” Binay said in her State of the City Address before the Rotary Club of Makati Tuesday.

Based on the City Treasurer’s yearend report, the city’s actual total revenue collection in 2019 has reached P18.77 billion, which topped the 2018 collection by 5 percent and surpassed the revenue goal for the year by 10 percent.

“Makatizens can look forward to better health and social services since I am confident that our new set of councilors will help us attain our goal to improve the quality of life of residents,” said Binay.

She shared her administration’s major achievements in 2019 as well as priority projects and programs aimed to spur the city’s digital transformation and sustainable development.

The city chief executive said the new Ospital ng Makati in District 1 is set to be completed in 2022, adding that it is envisioned to have a Cancer Institute “that will be at par with the region’s best.”

“We are currently in talks with key health institutions in Singapore on how we can make this a reality. What I want is to provide the best care at the least cost,” she added.

Binay also revealed plans to store medical records in a database and computerize prescriptions for patients. Also on the list is the establishment of an e-health system, which automatically transmits the medical records of patients in barangay health centers.

She said that this year, Health got the biggest share of the total budget among the social sub-sectors, with P5.26 billion or 29.17 percent of P18-billion budget for social services.

The mayor also revealed plans to build a well-equipped “digital school” with fast and reliable Internet connection and to upgrade existing learning centers to hone the competencies of students and teachers.

In addition to complete school gear and supplies provided for free to public school students including SPED and ALS learners, Binay said the city will soon provide nutritious meals to them so their parents need not worry about their daily allowance.

DA: Ecija buys P200m in palay from farmers

By Romeo Dizon SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga—Nueva Ecija has started buying palay from farmers using local funds amounting to P200 million to cushion the impact of the Rice Tariffication Law in the region, the Department of Agriculture in Central Luzon reported.

Benjamin Baltazar, DA-CL operations officer, said Nueva Ecija is the first province to help 2,000 rice farmers using its own funds.

The current prices of palay vary per region. from P13 to P15 per kilo, which is the farmers’ main complaint to the government for financial assistance for the next planting season.

Baltazar said the financial assistance includes buying palay at an additional P2 per kilo.

The funds were provided by Gov. Aurelio Umali under provincial Executive Order 05-2019, which also created the Provincial Food Council to assure food security in the province, known as the rice granary of the country.

Based on February 2019 data of the regional office of the Philippines Statistics Authority in Central Luzon, the region contributing one-fifth to the country’s total palay production in the first semester of 2018.

For the same period, Central Luzon’s volume of palay production was estimated at 1.8 million metric tonnes or about 20.8 percent of the country’s total production.

Nueva Ecija alone contributes about 52.2 percent of the region’s production, followed by Tarlac and Pampanga with 14.7 percent and 13.7 percent, respectively, Baltazar said.

Pampanga, meanwhile, has promised to give farmers drying equipments to prevent the use of national and provincial roads as drying areas, he said.

Life

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

HOUSEHOLD

THURSDAY, JANUARY 9, 2020

Minimalist mountain living T

HE calming geometric lines and the freshness and tranquility of mountains merge in a residential community in breezy Tagaytay.

Exclusive mountain resort and residential complex Nob Hill in Greenlands, Tagaytay Highlands provides residents peaceful living amid nature and modern conveniences in the city.

It offers houses featuring contemporary architectural design—heavily highlighting minimalism and geometric lines—on sizeable lot cuts. Metal and wood finishes used in the construction exude both sophistication and comfort.

The tastefully designed homes of Nob Hill are spread across 7.7 hectares of land. Here, 117 lots, with sizes ranging from 300 to 722 square meters, offer the luxury of space to prospective residents who seek a refuge from the congestion in the metro.

Located at the highest point of Greenlands, with an elevation of 250 to 256 meters above sea level, the residential community offers stun-

CONTEMPORARY COOL. Modern homes featuring contemporary architectural design, which highlights geometrical lines, stand amid tranquil nature at Nob Hill residential community in Greenlands, Tagaytay.

SHOPPING Buy one, take one promo at the Kid’s Wear Section.

Bags and luggage are offered up to 50 percent off.

Wallets and pouches sold at P300 and below.

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ning views of the mystical Mt. Makiling and Mt. Maculot—and the rest of the Highlands. The elevation likewise enables residents to savor the cool mountain air in their cozy homes.

Valuing environmental sustainability, Nob Hill boasts an abundance of trees—providing a lush backdrop for its homes. Circuit pathways, a central park, and a gazebo are just a stroll away.

Other features in this posh and peaceful community include linear parks along the main road, trellises, a palm court, a children’s play area, atriums, and pocket gardens. A fitness station for jogging, running, and biking complements its naturecentric facilities.

The gated community is also equipped with 24-hour security, underground utilities, ample water supply, 100 percent emergency power supply, in-house landscaping and full housekeeping services, and 24-hour emergency medical and fire-fighting teams.

Homeowners also benefit from proximity to the Driving Range, Bistro Saratoga, Pick n’ Pay, Tagaytay Midlands Gold Club, and the Lucky-9 golf course— the mountain resort’s second nine-hole course after Tagaytay Midlands.

Nob Hill residents also have access to Tagaytay Highlands amenities and facilities, such as the topnotch Highlands and Midlands Golf Clubs, the Country Club, the Spa and Lodge, world-class restaurants, sports and recreational activities, and indoor and outdoor event venues.

Access to Nob Hill is via the Suplang gate, through the SLEx Batino exit.

FILIPINO music is alive and can be used to furnish interiors—literally—as seen on the furniture pieces designed by a group of college students.

The exhibit, entitled “MusiKasangkapan: Obra ng Pinoy Milenyal,” features over 50 exquisite furniture, showcasing the seamless interpretation and transformation of the beauty of Filipino music, from its rich tradition to the current pop culture.

The collection from the Interior Design Program of the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde includes outdoor lounges that relive the beauty of the Filipino courting harana; armchairs reminiscent of a classic vinyl record player; accent chairs inspired by the charm of wind chimes; a furnishing that portrays indigenous instrument from T’boli.

Pieces such as hammocks and coffee tables put into shape the iconic songs of all-time favorite performers such as Rey Valera, Regine Velasquez, ‘90s rock band Eraserheads, as well as today’s leading artists such as Moira dela Torre and Ben & Ben. The gallery likewise features a special section that celebrates the legacy of Philippine National Artist for Music Ryan Cayabyab. Inspired by the renowned maestro’s notable tracks such as Paroo’t, Parito, Kay Ganda Ng Ating Musika, Nais Ko, and Limang Dipang Tao, the showcase features designer fittings that radiate the musician’s remarkremark able rhythm and warm emotions.

Each piece was made from scratch using locally sourced materials such as rattan, bamboo, woven buri (palm leaf) strips, T’nalak textiles, and polished ‘Liwayway’ by Ranelle Juince Yulo and Arielle Marie Noelle Pascual is inspired by the Capiz shells.

Eraserheads song ‘Easy Ka Lang.’

Furnish your home with music

Everyday bargain at Sucat outlet store

SHOPPERS in Parañaque and nearby areas can score bargains every day with the opening of the first-ever SM Outlet Store in SM City Sucat.

Sale happens all year round at the store whose items are available at lower prices, up to 50 percent off. Stylish men’s and women’s apparel, kids’ wear, shoes, accessories, and more go for as low as P100.

Designed by The Retail Element, the storefront entrance offers custom-

ers a clear look into the store with display windows on both sides for a dramatic show window display.

Shopping is made easy with the store’s clear sight lines, open floor plan, and clear and cohesive signage; combining great design and great retail.

Check out the SM Outlet Store on the third level of SM City Sucat in Parañaque.

‘Kundiman’ by Jherimie Anne Salvador is based on Rico Blanco’s ‘Your Universe.’

‘Paraiso Lounge Chair’ by Mark Jayvee Begaso is inspired by Ryan Cayabyab’s ‘Paraiso.’

Life

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 9, 2020 manilastandardlife@gmail.com

Mindful holiday treat to children with autism

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HRISTMAS is the season of twinkling lights and yuletide carols, of bright entertainment and cheery medleys. It is the norm for many. But for kids with autism, the “merry and bright” holiday season can be overwhelming.

“Christmas can be a stressful time for children on the spectrum—the crowds, the noise, the lights,” said Mona MagnoVeluz, national president of Autism Society Philippines To make sure children with autism still get to experience the warmth and fun spirit of the holidays, SM Cares, the corporate social responsibility arm of SM Supermalls, hosted a special meet and greet for the kids at its several premier malls across the country. The event was held in partnership with Autism Society Philippines.

The event was sensory friendly in nature, as the participating malls opened as early as 8:00 a.m., and had dimmer lights and softer music than usual.

The kids, together with their parents, met Santa Claus without the stressful long lines of Christmas crowds. They were also able to interact, play, and have their photos taken with St. Nick together with their families, in a calmer and more mindful environment.

They were also given tokens of appreciation, which included SM Bears of Joy plushies. In some of the participat-

Children with autism, together with their families, enjoy a sensory friendly Christmas celebration, complete with a Santa meet and greet.

Kids enjoy free rides at the mall’s attractions, sans the crowd and the noise.

Lee Kum Kee panda in Manila

ing malls, the children were treated to free rides.

“This initiative from SM Supermalls to open their doors to our community so the kids can have these memorable Christmas experiences is testament to how they have genuinely embraced disTHE panda mascot of Lee Kum Kee was recently seen in Manila promoting the 130-year-old Asian sauces and condiments brand.

Acting as an envoy of the company, Lee Kum Kee’s panda mascot has been visiting various countries to bring awareness of the brand.

She’s already visited the United States, Hong Kong, Australia, and Malaysia prior to her visit in the Philippines.

To make sure the mascot knew where to go to, she was accompanied by the brand’s other ambassador, supermom Karla Estrada.

Estrada brought along the panda mascot to Manila’s must-see tourist spots and, of course, tried delectable delights along the way.

Lee Kum Kee’s panda mascot also held a meet and greet with Filipinos who shared the same love of oyster sauce and Chinese cuisine. The event, dubbed as “PandaRito, PandaRoon,” had both the panda mascot and Estrada gamely taking selfies with fans and engaging the sizable crowd. Lee Kum Kee also held a social media contest to coincide with the event.

TV host Karla Estrada tours Lee Kum Kee’s panda mascot around Manila’s must-see tourist destinations during the latter’s visit in the country.

Center helps parents spot their kids’ ‘gifts’

ability inclusion. We pray more retailers emulate this example,” enthused Magno-Veluz.

Engr. Bien Mateo, senior vice president for operations of SM Supermalls, and program head of SM Cares Program on PWDs, said, “Our goal is to

create a barrier-free and more inclusive environment for families who have kids with special needs, so that everyone can enjoy and create wonderful memories in our malls. SM is a mall for all, and we do our best to make sure no one is left out.”

Recycle Build Brazil founder Maria Kuzma receives the Water Research Prize from Lixil chief design officer Paul Flowers.

Rainwater harvesting system wins Water Research Prize

LEADING global brand for bathroom and kitchen solutions Grohe, together with the World Architecture Festival, recognized the research initiative Recycle Build Brazil under The Water Research Prize.

The program was developed from the World Architecture Festival’s research program in Amsterdam, Netherlands.

The research initiative won for its proposed sustainable architectural solutions for a school in the Brazilian Saõ José dos Campos area. By using recycled materials and implementing intelligent rainwater harvesting systems, the project not only improves the lives of the schoolchildren but also raises awareness of their interaction with water.

Starting with the school building as a pilot project, there is also a longer-term proposal for the enhancement of the local 400 low-income housing units.

The Recycle Build Brazil was chosen from a shortlist of 15 outstanding projects by a panel of expert judges.

“The quality of this year’s entries

was phenomenal but this one specific project caught our imagination due to the educational approach. The project not only builds a school but also takes young people on a journey to understand the relevance of water as a local source and motivates them to interact mindfully with this limited resource,” noted Paul Flowers, chief design officer of Grohe’s parent company Lixil.

Flowers continued, “The concept starts as a pilot project and from there will be rolled out to more than 400 low-cost houses in the area. This is an amazing opportunity to make a tangible difference and it reflects perfectly Grohe’s brand ethos.”

Maria Kuzma, founder of Recycle Build Brazil, was quoted as saying, “We’re delighted to have been awarded with such a prize for our work on Recycle Build Brazil. We are looking forward to taking next steps to improving the collective awareness of water use as well as realizing environmentally friendly and decentralized solutions to waste water issues in the urban environments.”

Parents can take the Spot the Gift Test that lets them determine their children’s talents at the Talent Development Center in KidZania Manila.

THROUGH a test available at a play center, parents can discover their children’s gifts.

Children’s milk brand Promil Four recently launched its Talent Development Center establishment at KidZania Manila to help parents determine what “jobs” fit their kids’ interests and talents as they take the Spot the Gift test alongside their kids at the establishment.

The test, created by Professor Thomas Armstrong, Ph.D., Multiple Intelligences expert and executive director of the American Institute for Learning and Human Development, requires moms and dads to answer personality-based questions designed to discover their

child’s unique gifts that would unleash their full potential.

The Spot the Gift test will allow parents to know if their children have the gift and inclination for music, bodily-kinesthetics, spatial relations, naturalist, interpersonal, intrapersonal, linguistic, and logical-mathematical abilities.

With over 90 role-playing activities at KidZania Manila, children can explore its mini-metropolis and try the recommended jobs for themselves based on their test results.

They can visit Promil Four’s partner establishments, including National Book Store’s Bookstore and Art Studio,

Star Magic’s Acting Academy, and Star Music’s Music Studio.

“Promil Four’s Talent Development Center is our way to help parents discover their child’s interests. With the guidance of their parents, the goal is to make every child nurture their gifts and keep them motivated through activities that will help them bring out the best in them,” said Jocelyn Lacida, Wyeth Nutrition marketing director for premium.

She added, “We acknowledge the need to help them discover and nurture these gifts to transform them into excellent individuals in the future. We trust that our partnership with KidZania Manila will help us fulfill this advocacy.”

The project’s water sports equipment storage and wastewater garden concepts.

(Photos courtesy of Recycle Build Brazil)

Entertainment

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Atty. Jose Malvar Villegas, Jr., producer of the biopic Malvar that stars Sen. Manny Pacquiao.

Camera to start rolling for

‘MALVAR’

producer of Malvar, Sec. Salvador S. Panelo, presidential chief legal counsel and presidential spokesman, has accepted the invitation to be the keynote speaker in the JMV Film Production Christmas Assembly Seminar, which “intended to light the torch toward the correct history of the 1896 Philippine Revolution.”

Meanwhile, director Jose “Kaka”

Balagtas said that the movie will show how hundreds of thousands of Filipino civilians were massacred by the American Invading Force, notably the Balangiga Massacre in Samar, which after having been denounced by Pres. Duterte, the American Government finally returned the three Balangiga Bells, after refusing to do so for more than a century.

‘acousticized’

Deine Farbe...

From C4

The road scenes are beautifully shot, and the visual tapestry woven between the two cities, despite a heavy concentration on understated but picturesque suburbia, is still nothing short of poetic. The acting, though it occasionally drifts towards melodrama, is an uncomfortably spot-on mirroring of the times. Schümann’s Karl, in particular, is a revelation: a breeze in talky sequences, and volcanic in the more tension-filled passages.

He’s already appeared in some low-key Hollywood starrers—Taxi (2015) with Peter Dinklage, The Aftermath (2019) with Keira Knightley, and a portentous appearance in Wim Wenders’ Submergence (2017), which had Alicia Vikander and James McAvoy in its stellar marquee—but his turn as one-half ofDeine Farbe’s beautifully vulnerable duet of leads is deserving of a quick reassessment of his powers.

Maria Diane Ventura, meanwhile,

nickie.standard@gmail.com

Queen of Hearts Foundation Queens beauty titlits

‘90s Frontmen blaze the concert scene IN THE ‘90s, Filipino bands undoubtedly ruled the airwaves, released hit songs and dominated the musical landscape of the time. Heralded as the most prolific era for bands in the Philippines, the music of the nineties continues to bridge the generations, up to this day, ringing loud and clear in the ears of listeners, both young and old alike.

On Jan. 31 and Feb. 1, four male vocalists from that illustrious period will come together in a two-night concert, 90s Frontmen Acousticized. Jett Pangan of The Dawn, Dong Abay ofYano, Basti Artadi of Wolfgang and Wency Cornejo of AfterImage will perform together onstage for the first time.

The two-night concert happens at the Music Museum and promises a nostalgic return to the music the four male artists created nearly three decades ago.

Jett is the charismatic lead singer of Filipino rock band, The Dawn, considered to be one of the most respected artists in the Philippines. The group is known for such hit songs as “Enveloped Ideas,” “Salamat,” “Love (Will Set Us Free)’ and “Isang Bangka Tayo.”

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Philippines wins Mrs. Tourism Ambassador International

AWYER Jose Malvar Villegas, Jr., founder-chairman emeritus of the two millionstrong Citizen Crime Watch (CCW) and the grandson of national hero Gen. Miguel Malvar, said during the Christmas party of the CCW at Max’s Restaurant Ermita, Manila that he has decided to produce Malvar because of an “unfinished business.”

The film, which is based on the story of Gen. Miguel Malvar (to be played

by Sen. Manny Pacquiao), was first conceptualized 20 years ago. It did not materialize on the hesitation that the American government would be offended by the producer.

According to Villegas, Malvar shall show the atrocities committed by the American forces during the 18991902 Philippine-American War where Gen. Malvar led the Filipino forces as Supreme Commander of the 1898 Philippine Revolutionary Republic, replacing Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo as head of the First Philippine Republic in Asia.

Villegas added that it is only now that many are supporting the Production of the movie because of Pres. Rodrigo R. Duterte’s advocacy for an Independent Foreign Policy, which will cut the stranglehold of the Americans on the lives of the Filipinos.

“They have continuously done so, for more than a century. The American government controls the destiny of the Filipino people and established a neocolonial Republic in the Philippines,” he said.

Villegas who is also chairmanpresident of the Labor Party Philippines (LPP), the fifth major political party in the Philippines, emphasized that the Filipinos continue to fight foreign intervention on the affairs of government and the democratic lives of the people in the choice of their leaders, destroying our culture, heritage, and nationalistic spirit all-together.

According to Camarines Sur Vice Gov. Imelda Papin, president of the Actors Guild of the Philippines and line

THURSDAY, JANUARY 9, 2020

FRONTMEN. (From left) Wency Cornejo, Basti Artadi, Dong Abay, and Jett Pangan.

Dong is the former lead singer of the alternative rock band, Yano, formed in 1992. After the group members parted ways in 1997, the eccentric vocalist went solo and performed with his group, DAMO (Dong Abay Music Organization). His timeless rock classics from the nineties include “Banal na Aso, Santong Kabayo,” “Tsinelas” and “Esem.”

Basti provided lead vocals for the heavy rock band, Wolfgang. Known for releasing their albums internationally, scoring platinum sales in the late nineties, Wolfgang came up with such hits as “Darkness Fell,” “Center of the Sun” and the head-banging classic, “Halik ni Hudas.”

Multi-awarded singer-songwriter Wency Cornejo and former vocalist of the After Image Band, is the unmistakable voice of such gigantic hits as “Habang May Buhay,” “Mangarap Ka,” “Next in Line” and “Tag-ulan.” After going solo in 1997, Wency released his own albums in the 2000s and achieved hits like “Magpakailanman” and “Hanggang.”

90s Frontmen Acousticized is a production of Advantage International Marketing. Ticket prices are at P3,500 (orchestra center), P2,000 (orchestra side), P1,000 (balcony) and available at TicketWorld and Music Museum or call the A.I.M Office at 8-7265466 /8-7366740 / 0927-2682656 / 09177771213.

bravely eschews her previously established storytelling turf of psychological thrillers to make way for a more straightforward, more introspective commentary on class, privilege, mental health, self-perception, self-preservation, and, above all, friendship. On top of this, she is working with a cast and a milieu that’s far from her comfort zone.

“I dream of making films in places whose cultures differ from my own.

Ultimately, I want to prove that despite our fundamental differences, emotional experiences are universal. I want my work to be a testament to my belief that barriers are illusory and unity is attainable if we approach every idea and disparity with tolerance and acceptance,” she shares.

Of Deine Farbe’s chilling appraisal of the digital life, meanwhile, she asks, “Does social media really foster connection or does it just further exacerbate our detachment and disconnect? I don’t intend to preach. I just hope we retain the ability to self-reflect and decide the role

of social media in our lives, given that it is such a powerful medium.”

Deine Farbe is slated for exhibition at the second Diorama International Film Festival & Market in New Delhi, appearing alongside 19 other entries in the International Diorama category and competing in 21 award categories.

The film is also set for international release in 2020. More than an acting or a narrative vehicle, Ventura feels strongly about its sublime messaging, a far cry from didactic megaphone-isms.

“In our current world where punitive measures and grave intolerance are the immediate courses of action for anything deemed opposing to what we perceive to be the ‘right’ way, I hope that realizing we are essentially the same could help us be more empathetic, or at least lead to discussions that make us more open to understanding how people are the way they are instead of immediately casting judgement, further perpetuating a polarized climate,” she ends.

MYLA Villagonzalo Tsutaichi won Mrs. Tourism Ambassador International 2020 at the Mrs. Tourism Ambassador Universe 2020 pageant held at Ming Garden Hotel in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia recently.

The former Mrs. International Global Philippines 2018 was also awarded Sri Andaman Butik Ambassador.

The 44-year-old native of Baliuag, Bulacan works as a massage therapist and Kimono teacher in Japan where she met and married her Japanese husband. A mother of three, Tsutaichi put up a health and beauty massage service in Japan after she completed studies in therapeutic Massage studies at the Ampai Institute in Chiang Mai, Thailand.

Tsutaichi took up Kimono lessons for three years at Hakubi Kyoto Kimono School and earned her international license as Professional Kimono Teacher in 2016, the first and only Filipino to achieve the distinction. She was awarded World Class Oustanding Kimono Teacher in Fukuoka, Japan and Most Outstanding Kimono Teacher at the Gawad America Awards in California, USA. A philanthropist, Tsutaichi is the founder and chairman of the Kimono Global Friendship Organization which promotes Japanese culture and tradition and holds charity works for orphans and elderlies in Japan and the Philippines. *** Queen of Hearts Foundation beauties give back The Queen of Hearts Foundation Inc., a non-government (charity) organization, marked its first anniversary dubbed ‘A White Christmas Celebration’ with a Thanksgiving & Awards Night, held recently at The Grand Bar and Lounge Resorts World.

Presided

by Mitzie Go

Gil, CEO and President of MMG Queen of Hearts Foundation Inc., the anniversary celebration was graced by the Queen of Hearts titleholders Mrs. Asia Pacific Global 2019 Avon Viray Morales, Mrs. Philippines-Asia Pacific Intercontinental 2019 Glynes Olbes, Mrs. PhilippinesAsia Pacific Tourism 2019 Marjorie Orito, Mrs. Philippines-Asia Pacific Cosmopolitan 2019 Mary Chris Camacho, Miss Lumiere International 2019 4th runner-up Megan Argoncillo, Miss Philippines-Tourism Worldwide 2019 Mary Joy Araracap, Mrs. Philippines-Asia Pacific All Nation 2019 Limpayen Sibug-Las, Mrs. Worldwide 2019 2nd runner-up Llena Tan-Arcenas, and Miss Philippines-Global Universe 2020 Layla Adriatico.

The Foundation also held its Queen of Hearts Queens and Media Friends Christmas Party and Awards Night at the Red Cloud Karaoke Family KTV, Araneta Center.

Queen of Hearts Foundation has been busy with its charity works recently that included the Alay sa Batang Pilipino - Pamaskong Handog, For the welfare of Filipino children and youth in Brgy Pooc, Santa Rosa Laguna; and sending of relief goods for the earthquake victims of Kidapawan City and Malasila Makilala City through the efforts of all the queens led by the founder of the Queen of Hearts Foundation, Mitzie Go-Gil and by Mrs. Philippines-Asia Pacific All Nation 2019 Limpayen SibugLas, NCIP Commissioner for Central Mindanao.

Extra International...

for best actress in a limited series or television movie.

“As women and as girls, things can happen to our bodies that are not our choice,” the Fosse/Verdon star told the audience.

“So women, 18 to 118, when it is time to vote, please do so in your own selfinterest... It is what men have been doing for years, which is why the world looks so much like them. Don’t forget we are the largest voting body in this country. Let’s make it look more like us,” she added.

On the brink of war Arquette also used her moment in the spotlight to decry heightened tensions between the United States and Iran, after the US strike that killed a top Iranian military commander.

When future generations “look back on this night in the history books, we will see a country on the brink of war,” Arquette said, accepting her award for The Act. “The United States of America, a president tweeting out a threat of 52 bombs including cultural sites... People not knowing if bombs are going to drop on their kids’ heads—and the continent of Australia on fire.”

She also ended her speech appealing to viewers to vote in the upcoming November election.

52-year-old marriage Bernie Taupin described his songwriting career with legendary singer Elton John as a “52-year-old marriage,” as the duo won a Golden Globe for best original song for “(I’m Gonna) Love Me Again” from the biopic Rocketman.

“This is a song we wrote for a movie which deals with our relationship and it’s a relationship that doesn’t happen very much in this town—it’s a 52-year-old marriage,” Taupin said to applause.

John added that winning with Taupin was “one of the most emotional moments of my life.” AFP

From C4

We need to act Russell Crowe used his win at the Golden Globes to send a powerful message about the devastating fires in Australia and climate change—despite not being in the room.

Crowe stayed in his home country “protecting his family from the devastating bushfires,” presenter Jennifer Aniston explained, before reading his message.

“Make no mistake, the tragedy unfolding in Australia is climate changebased,” wrote the actor, who won for Showtime’s The Loudest Voice about Fox News founder Roger Ailes.

“We need to act based on science, move our global workforce to renewable energy and respect our planet... That way, we all have a future.”

Pierce Brosnan, Laura Dern, and Patricia Arquette also addressed climate change, at a gala when organizers chose to serve only vegan food.

Allahu Akbar Egyptian-American actor Ramy Youssef doubtlessly raised a few eyebrows as he took to the stage after winning the first Golden Globe of the night for best actor in a comedy series for Ramy.

“I would like to thank my God. Allahu akbar. Thank you, God,” the Muslim actor said.

The phrase, which means “God is greatest,” is an everyday expression in the Muslim world, but for some in the West, it has been twisted and is associated with extremist attacks.

Go out and vote Michelle Williams urged women to go out and vote in this year’s US presidential election as she accepted a Golden Globe

Mrs. Tourism Ambassador International 2020 Myla Villagonzalo Tsutaichi

Nickie Wang, Issue Editor nickie.standard@gmail.com

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Entertainment

THURSDAY, JANUARY 9, 2020

YUGEL LOSORATA

P

ERHAPS people in the live audience of Ireland’s Got Talent felt they were in for a good ride when they learned that 13-yearold Shaniah Rollo came from the Philippines. She got the crowd right at hello, or once her voice rolled in to sing the Cyndi Lauper classic “True Colors.”

The 2018 clip proves that true talent emerges on cue. Once again a young singer of Filipino roots shone brightly in front of foreigners. “ Shaniah’s voice is meant to create a ripple effect in the music industry,” said talent development executive Rosabella Jao-Arribas who vowed to help the prodigy gets more exposure to remind everyone of her presence and gift.

Her Ireland-based friend Nathaniel Cabanero, a composer in his own right, was instrumental in discovering the girl from Sta. Cruz, Laguna.

Shaniah made waves at the 2018 Ireland’s Got Talent and was adjudged semi-finalist. The same year she composed and sang an original Irish Gaelic song for the 2018 Ireland Junior Eurovision Song Contest.

Small wonder she was invited and interviewed to join the ABSCBN Pinoy Big Brother Teens. Then August last year, she appeared as guest on the network’s iWant ASAP. “Her phenomenal talent is meant to be heard,” added Rosabella who founded RJA Productions LLC to handle deserving talents.

Shaniah, whose musical influences include seasoned acts Mariah Carey, Celine Dion, and Shaniah Twain, no doubt possesses the skill, potential, and even a colorful background. She belongs to the pool of talented Pinoys who by fate got to relocate to an arguably more prosperous country but whose star quality eventually shows off for kababayans back home to revel about.

Her growing number of fans should look forward to her first album that will showcase more her depth as a singer and grasp for language and culture. Insiders say that her rendition of the French song “La Vie En Rose” (Edith Piaf’s signature song) is “an incredible feat only a true, talented singer can successfully sing in its original language.”

The young charmer is likewise an A-grade student, being a consistent class achiever at St. Mary’s Secondary School in Glasnevin, Dublin. Even with a brewing international singing

She’s got

talent

Shaniah Rollo, the Laguna-born who stunned judges at the 2018 'Ireland’s Got Talent,' will soon release her first album.

US actor Leonardo DiCaprio was one of the many stars in host Ricky Gervais' firing line.

How the Golden Globes lived up to its reputation HOLLYWOOD’S Golden Globes ceremony lived up to its reputation on Sunday, with plenty of memorable moments served up to its A-list audience as they guzzled champagne at the Beverly Hilton.

Here are some of the key moments: Gervais strikes out British comic Ricky Gervais used his fifth and final stint as host to fire off one-liners on a slew of topics haunting the entertainment sector including #MeToo, lack of diversity and the streaming wars.

“Look, talking of all you perverts, it was a big year—Surviving R. Kelly, Leaving Neverland, Two Popes,” Gervais joked, referring to two documentaries about sexual abuse and

career, she intends to pursue business and accounting in the future.

To hone her talent she sings videoke at home or at every opportunity. She is part of a group of Filipino singers called Brightlights that joins and triumphs at singing competitions in Ireland. Apart from singing, she also plays ukelele, guitar, and piano. She usually plays music with her dad.

Raised in a close-knit family, Shaniah has remained cutely Pinay in every way, looking forward to her mom’s home-cooked Filipino dishes like adobo and dinuguan.

She expressed missing her grandparents and older siblings Mia and Gian a lot. It is her hope that she can be reunited with her siblings and their families in her new home country.

Her voice is paving the way for that to sync in.

one of this year’s best drama contenders.

Nominee Leonardo DiCaprio—and his string of young model girlfriends— was another target for Gervais.

Once upon a Time... In Hollywood— nearly three hours long. Leonardo DiCaprio attended the preview and by the end, his date was too old for him,” said the host.

And he poked fun at tech giant Apple, noting: “Apple roared into the TV game with The Morning Show, a superb drama about the importance of dignity and doing the right thing made by a company that runs sweatshops in China.”

But his performance drew criticism, with Deadline calling him “weakly cheeky” and Variety labelling it a “a tame, mildly political outing.” Continued on C3

British composer Bernie Taupin (left) and British musician Elton John celebrate their long friendship and their Golden Globe win.

‘Deine Farbe’ debuts strong in German filmfest, set to compete in New Delhi next

A scene from Maria Diane Ventura's 'Deine Farbe (Your Color)'

The filmmaker taking a selfie of her actors and crew at a location shoot.

AFTER several wins for her previous feature, the genrebending Mulat (Awaken) (2016)—snagging directorial and acting citations from the International Film Festival in Manhattan, a Best Narrative Feature conferment at the World Cinema Festival in Brazil, not to mention an “A” rating from her native country’s Cinema Evaluation Board—New York-based filmmakerMaria Diane Ventura, who first got her start as a music producer, remains unflagging as a promising new voice in world independent cinema.

Proof of this is the recent sold-out premiere of her character-driven European-postcard jaunt, Deine Farbe (Your Color), at the Hofer Filmtage in Germany.

The festival, informally dubbed as “House of Films (HoF)” by Wim Wenders, is perhaps one of the most important film festivals in Germany, and has been associated with such notables as Wenders himself—a major figure in New German Cinema who directed Cannes breakthroughs Paris, Texas (1984) and Wings of Desire (1987)—as well as Peter Jackson, who famously helmed the film adaptations of J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings novels.

Auteurs such as Werner Herzog and Jim Jarmusch, to mention but a few, also held their premieres at HoF, which served as the kick-off platform for their respective international careers. Thus the festival’s reputation as being a hub for new discoveries. The inclusion of Ventura’s international film debut among a veritable pantheon of

modern classics is, indeed, a triumph in itself.

Deine Farbe is the story of two friends, Karl (Jannik Schümann) and Albert (Nyamandi Adrian), both dealing with being stuck in a small-town rut of predetermined futures and limited life choices. And they are playing the hand they’ve been dealt as any late-teen or early-twentysomething would: by commiserating with their closest friend, going on a knee-jerk road trip to a foreign city, and, of course, documenting everything on camera.

To any citizen of the internet, updates, selfies, and “stories” are like proxy confessionals, unwitting echo chambers not just for our woes but also our neuroses, and Karl and Albert are the same. This naturally begs a discussion of their racial, economic, and social differences, which may be few and far apart but are terribly pivotal. When they hie off from their unbearably stifling small town existence to Barcelona on the pretext of arresting their perceived descent into futurelessness, a promising life of adventure and possibility awaited. Or so they thought.

“Finding myself in yet another country with a culture very different from my own made me realize that we all are Albert and Karl somehow. At one point in our lives, we’ve all been lost, rebellious, and desperate for meaning and purpose. None of us have gone through life without suffering or mistakes,” the filmmaker muses. Continued on C3