Manila Standard - 2020 January 29 - Wednesday

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VOL. XXXIII • NO. 349 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P18 WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 29, 2020 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

DOH keeps an eye on 24 patients for nCoV signs VIRUS MONITOR. A security personnel wearing protective clothing to help

stop the spread of a deadly SARS-like virus which originated in the central Chinese city of Wuhan (above) checks a passenger’s temperature at the entrance of a subway station in Beijing on Tuesday, while Health Secretary Francisco Duque III (top photo), with Dr. Rabindra Abeyasinghe, country representative of World Health Organization, gives an update (top left) on individuals being monitored in relation to the Novel Corona virus at the DOH. Norman with AFP

By Macon Ramos-Araneta, Rio N. Araja, Rey E. Requejo, Vito Barcelo and Maricel V. Cruz

Health as the death toll from the outbreak in China rose to 106 and the number of infected reached more than 4,000.

Most of the 24 patients are Chinese nationals who were found in Metro MaTWENTY-FOUR patients who have nila, Western Visayas, Central Visayas, traveled to Wuhan, China, are being Mimaropa, Eastern Visayan and Nothern closely monitored by the Department of Mindanao.

The DOH is awaiting the results of the screening and confirmation tests from the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine and Australia’s Victorian Infectious Disease Reference Laboratory.

In a press briefing, Health Undersecretary Eric Doming said there were no

WHO: Virus global risks ‘high’

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Admits underestimating nCoV Kobe chopper crash: Feds scour site for clues as China death toll rises to 106

FRIENDS, colleagues and fans mourned Kobe Bryant on Monday as federal investigators sifted through the wreckage of the helicopter crash that killed the basketball legend and eight other people, hoping to find clues to what caused the accident that stunned the world.

Bryant, 41, was traveling Sunday with his 13-yearold daughter Gianna and seven other passengers and crew when the Sikorsky S-76 slammed into a rugged hillside in thick fog in Calabasas,

northwest of LA. There were no survivors.

A five-time NBA champion for his only team, the LA Lakers, and a double Olympic gold medalist, Bryant was widely regarded as one of the greatest basketball players in history.

He was traveling on his private helicopter from Orange County, where he lived, to his Mamba Sports Academy in Thousand Oaks where his daughter was set to play.

Jennifer Homendy, a member of the National Transportation Safety Board, told a press conference that investigators would remain at the site of the crash throughout the week to collect evidence.

“It was a pretty devastating accident scene,” she said, adding that the wreckage was strewn across about 600 feet (180 meters).

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HE World Health Organization admitted Monday it underestimated the risks posed by the deadly coronavirus last week as the death toll from the outbreak in China soared to 106, with nearly 1,300 new cases confirmed Tuesday.

The health commission in central Hubei province, the epicenter of the epidemic, said 24 more people had died from the virus and 1,291 more people were infected, raising the total number of confirmed cases to more than 4,000 nationwide.

The global risk was now “high” rather than moderate, WHO said, noting that it remained unclear if the coronavirus spreading in China and beyond is contagious during its incubation period, before

symptoms appear.

The virus, which can cause a pneumonia-like acute respiratory infection, has in a matter of weeks killed more than 100 people and infected some 4,000 in China, while cases have been identified in more than a dozen other countries.

In a fresh report on the new virus, known as 2019nCoV, the UN health agency said current estimates put the incubation period for the virus at between two and 10 days.

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Gov. warns:Taal danger lingers

By Rio N. Araja nd Ronald O. Reyes BATANGAS Gov. Hermilando Mandanas on Tuesday urged his constituents to stay in evacuation centers even though the alert level in Taal Volcano has been lowered.

In a bulletin on Tuesday morning, Mandanas said the risks to health, property, and livelihood in the province remained high even after the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology

lowered the alert level to 3.

“Although residents in areas living beyond the seven-kilometer radius have the option to return to their homes, the province is still advising the residents to remain in evacuation,” Mandanas said.

“Sufficient food, water, clothing, medicines, and other personal hygienic needs are all available in evacuation facilities,” he added.

In its 6 a.m. update Tuesday, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Next page

Jurado sets book launch tomorrow KOBE MURAL. Visual artists from Tenement in Taguig City paint a mural of NBA legend Kobe Bryant and daughter Gianna at the center court of the housing unit on Tuesday as a tribute to the basketball legend and his 13-year-old offspring for their death in a helicopter crash on Sunday west of Los Angeles along with seven others including the pilot. Norman Cruz

Salacious shirts arouse anger

By Willie Casas

Sex tours via VUA zapped

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

THE women’s group Gabriela Women’s Party on Tuesday slammed the producer of the clothing line Kain Pepe for allegedly reducing women to objects of sexual desire in its latest series of T-shirt

SAYING women were like “Grabfood” being ordered in the app. by Chinese members of a chat group, Senator Risa Hontiveros on Tuesday called for the Bureau of Immigration to suspend its Visa Upon Arrival program for Chinese nationals.

“It’s like Grabfood, there’s a menu, there’s a price, then pimped women would arrive in your hotel or

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VETERAN and multi-awarded journalist Emil Jurado will launch his book on his memoirs of his 70 years as a journalist entitled “The Road Never Ends,” on Thursday (Jan. 30) at a cocktail party at the Manila Golf and Country Club, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. courtesy of House of Majority Leader and Philconsa (Philippine Constitution Association) president Martin Romualdez.

Jurado is now columnist of Manila Standard and chairman emeritus of the editorial board. He co-founded Manila Standard in 1987 with the late Rodolfo Reyes, also a veteran journalist and an icon in journalism.

Jurado is a multi-awarded journalist, having been a Journalist of The Year and best television and radio commentator. He was conferred a doctorate degree, honoris causa, Next page

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WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 29, 2020

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

News

Slain OFW’s employers face murder

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

M

URDER charges have been filed against the Kuwaiti employers of migrant Filipino worker Jeanelyn Villavende, Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said Tuesday.

“I was informed that the employers have been formally charged with murder,” Bello told the joint hearing of the Labor and Foreign Relations committees over the maltreatment of Filipino workers abroad.

Malacañang welcomed the news.

“That’s good, since we are seeking

justice. We welcome that,” Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo told reporters.

Bello said the employers were now in a detention facility for criminals.

Villavende allegedly was killed by her Kuwaiti employers, one of whom is a member of the Kuwait Ministry of

Interior, last December.

The murder took place only five months after Villavende left the Philippines to work in Kuwait.

NBI Medico Legal Officer Rolando Rodaje said a re-autopsy on Villavende showed there were signs of “physical abuse and sexual violence.” She also sustained “multiple, severe traumatic injuries.”

Rodaje also said there were indications the victim had long been subjected to physical abuse as there were healed wounds and wounds that were about to heal. Most of her injuries were at the back of the head.

He said the victim’s mother failed to recognize her as she was “malnourished.”

Bello said the Philippines had imposed a total deployment ban on Kuwait because of the incident. He said the gover nment would not lift the ban if Villavende was not be given justice and if Kuwait would not agree to signing a standard contract.

“The ban will stay if Jeanelyn will not be given justice and if they will not agree to harmonized standard contract,” he said.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Teddy Locsin said the suspects had initially offered P59 million in “blood money,” but this was rejected by the victim’s family and insisted on justice for Villavende.

With MJ Blancaflor

Palace presses Du30 ’under the weather,’ resets chat with Panelo US: Explain visa revocation MALACAÑANG on Tuesday maintained that the United States should state the reason it canceled the visa of Senator Ronald dela Rosa as “a matter of courtesy” and as a long-time ally of the Philippines.

Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo insisted that the Philippine government provided a reason why it banned several American senators from entering the country and Washington should do the same.

“We stated why we’re banning the senators from coming here as a matter of courtesy. And among allies, courtesy also requires, we’re not demanding, but as a matter of courtesy, they should have said it to us,” Panelo said in a press briefing.

Shortly after Dela Rosa’s visa was canceled, President Rodrigo Duterte ordered the scrapping of the country’s Visiting Forces Agreement with the United States.

Asked by reporters if special treatment was given to Dela Rosa, Panelo said: “We are merely asking for courtesy. No, not special because we told them why we banned their senators.

Oh, they’re banning also a senator!”

Earlier, the administration barred three US senators after they inserted a rider in the US State Department’s 2020 budget that bars entry into the United States any Philippine officials who were involved in the imprisonment of opposition Senator Leila de Lima, who is on trial on drug charges.

But Panelo said Dela Rosa was canceled even before this dust-up.

MJ Blancaflor

Jurado...

From A1

for Human Letters by the Angeles University Foundation for his role in founding the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster sa Pilipinas; the 365 Club, a gathering of journalists, politicians, businessmen and professionals; and the Philippine Inc. which serves as the business delegation of all President’ in their trips abroad.

Jurado’s book, “The Road Never Ends” is a must reading for all journalists. It portrays his life as a journalist, with all its risks and dangers.

Jurado calls journalism not a profession, but a calling where one cannot expect to become rich and a multi-millionaire.

Jurado said there’s no substitute for a good education, hard work, patience and perseverance to attain one’s goal in life.

And above all, Jurado added, faith in God and a lot of prayers to achieve one’s goals.

Jurado is also a lawyer, and a former professor at the old Ateneo de Manila at Loyola Heights and a professor of law subjects at the Philippine Law School where he took his Bachelor of Laws.

Jurado likewise is chairman emeritus of the Manila Overseas’ Press Club and lifetime member of the National Press Club.

DOH...

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Filipinos among the 24 patients, and most of them were Chinese nationals.

Earlier, the DOH discharged three patients, including a five-year-old Chinese boy, after their tests yielded negative results for the new virus.

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said 13 samples have been sent to the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine in Muntinlupa for screening, which is an initial test to verify if the samples are positive for non-specific pancoronavirus assay.

Those that test positive are then sent to the Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory in Australia to identify the specific coronavirus strain.

Duque and the World Health Organization say the Philippines still remains free from the 2019 nCoV, with no confirmed cases.

He said his department covened the first meeting of an interagency task force on emerging infections diseases, with representatives from the Foreign Affairs, Interior and Local Government, Justice, Labor and Employment, Tourism, Transportation and Information and Communications Technology departments.

Also among those present at the meeting were representatives from the Philippine

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has postponed anew his one-on-one interview with his spokesman and chief legal counsel Salvador Panelo yesterday as he was “not feeling well.”

The President on Tuesday was scheduled to discuss national issues in a televised têtê-a-têtê with Panelo at 5 p.m., which was supposed to air over state television network PTV-4.

“We are sorry that you had to wait for sometime for this têtê-a-têtê with the President. However, the President is presently under the weather,” Panelo said.

“He had several meetings yesterday and he had to pore on many documents, hence he doesn’t feel well today (Tuesday),” he added.

The Palace official said the interview

WHO:...

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“Understanding the time when infected patients may transmit the virus to others is critical for control efforts,” WHO said.

It did not immediately confirm assertions made by Chinese authorities that people who are infected can spread the disease before they show any symptoms of fever or respiratory difficulties.

“Detailed epidemiological information from more people infected is needed to determine the infectious period of 2019nCoV, in particular whether transmission can occur from asymptomatic individuals or during the incubation period,” it said.

WHO last week stopped short of declaring the outbreak a public health emergency of international concern—a rare designation used only for the worst outbreaks that would trigger more concerted global action.

The virus has caused global concern because of its similarity to Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), which killed hundreds across China and Hong Kong in 2002-2003 and was also traced to the wild game trade.

The new virus is believed to have jumped to people from animals in a Wuhan market, but it has since begun spreading between humans, although the exact mode of transmission has yet to be confirmed.

As with SARS and another deadly coronavirus known as Middle-East Respiratory Syndrome, or MERS, WHO suggested that the new virus could be spreading through droplets, for instance when people sneeze or cough, or through direct contact with infected people or with objects they have touched.

To reduce the risk of infection, WHO stressed the need to avoid close contact with people suffering from acute respiratory infections, frequently wash one’s hands, and avoid unprotected contact with farm or wild animals.

The agency also stressed the importance of practicing so-called cough etiquette, including maintaining distance and covering coughs and sneezes with tissues.

WHO has not recommended any international travel or trade restrictions, but does call for high levels of vigilance, including encouraging airport exit and entry screening for passengers leaving affected areas to check for fever and coughs.

The deadly new coronavirus will afflict a minimum of tens of thousands of people and will last at least several months, researchers estimate based on the first available data.

“The best-case scenario, you would have something... where we go through the spring into the summer, and then it dies down,” David Fisman, a professor at the University of Toronto who wrote an analysis of the virus for the International Society for Infectious Diseases, said.

“It’s not something that’s going to end the next week or the next month,” said Alessandro Vespignani, a professor at

Northeastern University. He is part of a group of researchers that manages an online dashboard about the outbreak.

The official number of cases is more than 4,000 in China, with more than 100 deaths, and some 50 confirmed infections outside the country.

But the actual number of Chinese cases, including those not yet detected, is likely to be more than 25,000, said Vespignani, according to the analysis of the group coordinated by Northeastern.

And researchers at the University of Hong Kong estimate that the number of actual cases has currently passed 40,000.

“It’s easy to get to twice or three times as much, even just in the city of Wuhan,” the virus’ epicenter, said Vespignani. “If we start to have other larger areas affected, then those numbers are going to be much, much bigger.”

China has quarantined millions of people and urged its citizens to delay overseas travel as it scrambles to stop the deadly coronavirus epidemic from spreading further.

Authorities also ordered schools and universities to remain closed on Tuesday after extending a national holiday by a week in a bid to contain an outbreak that has already killed more than 100 people and spread to a dozen countries.

Earlier, the government shuttered major tourist attractions from Disneyland to a stretch of the Great Wall and rolled out draconian transport restrictions in areas worst affected by the virus.

More than 56 million people are subject to travel curbs in Hubei province, where the virus was first detected.

Public transport has been stopped in 18 cities there, with train stations shut, events canceled and theaters, libraries and karaoke bars closed in some locations.

The epicenter of the outbreak is provincial capital Wuhan, the biggest city on lockdown, where the government has halted all travel out of the Yangtze River metropolis of 11 million.

Wuhan residents have been told to stay home and authorities have restricted car traffic in the city center.

Similar quarantine measures are being taken in nearby cities, with strict controls on weddings and funerals, temperature screenings for new arrivals, and the suspension of online taxi services.

Beijing, Shanghai and other megacities have suspended the entry and departure of long-distance bus services.

More than 400 inter-province train services were canceled—most until Feb. 8-9 but some for weeks.

China’s immigration agency has also asked citizens to delay international travel to stop the virus from spreading elsewhere overseas.

Authorities had already suspended both domestic and overseas Chinese group tours over the weekend.

Tourists from Hubei in Haikou, capital of the island province of Hainan, were told by the city government they had to spend 14 days in a hotel for centralized medical observation, and were forbidden to leave. AFP

Overseas Employment Administration, Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, Civil Aviation Authority, and Civil Aviation Board, Philippine Coast Guard and WHO officials.

WHO has classified the risk level for the spread of the 2019-nCoV as very high in China, and high at the regional and global levels.

During the Inter-Agency Committee meeting, members resolved and agreed to ensure support for Filipinos in China, as well as comprehensive transport and quarantine plans for Filipinos from Hubei province who wish to return to the Philippines.

The committee also agreed on proposing temporary restrictions on the issuance of visas for travelers from Hubei Province, and issuing advisories temporarily discouraging non-essential travel to China.

The health chief warned the public against believing random messages circulating online and through text about supposed cases of 2019-nCoV in the Philippines.

In the Senate, Senator Francis Pangilinan said the spread of the coronavirus and the increasing number of deaths due to it should prompt Philippine health and immigration authorities to preemptively ban visitors from Wuhan, if not from the most affected provinces of China.

While the Philippine health authorities

have not confirmed a case of the rapidlymutating deadly disease, he stressed that it is best for them to be more proactive especially since the country may not be able to contain a full-blown epidemic given the recent eruption of Taal Volcano.

He also said that a total 1,626,309 tourists from China visited the country from January to November 2019.

“That’s over 4,800 Chinese tourists every day,” Pangilinan said.

Bureau of Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente has ordered that the visa upon arrival facility be suspended following concerns on the spread of the novel coronavirus or 2019-nCoV. “The Civil Aeronautics Board has already suspended direct flights from Wuhan province,” said Morente. “We are now temporarily suspending the issuance of VUA for Chinese nationals to slow down the influx of group tours,” he added.

The VUA facility, said Morente, is often used by Chinese tour groups in visiting the Philippines.

A similar move was done by Taiwan immigration authorities.

However, Morente said there is no order barring Chinese nationals from entering the country. “We have not received any directive imposing policy changes on Chinese nationals,” said Morente.

would be rescheduled “perhaps next week.”

“We will let you know as soon as we know the specific date,” Panelo said.

This was the second postponement of the interview which was initially scheduled on Jan. 22 but was canceled then due to “pressing family matters.”

MJ Blancaflor

Kobe...

From A1

“We will be here about five days on scene to collect perishable evidence,” she said. “We are not here to determine the cause of the accident.

We will not determine that on scene.”

Homendy said the aircraft did not have a black box, which was not required on that type of helicopter.

Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva told reporters it would “take a while” to recover the remains of the victims because of the force of the crash and the rugged terrain.

He added that given the number of people trying to access the site unlawfully, his agency has had to resort to police on horseback or all terrain vehicles to secure the area.

Philippe Lesourd, a helicopter pilot and instructor who has been flying in California for 29 years, told AFP the heavy fog likely caused the pilot to lose control of the aircraft.

He said the pilot most probably suffered “spatial disorientation” after losing sight of the ground upon entering the clouds.

The fog was heavy enough on Sunday that the Los Angeles Police Department and the sheriff’s office grounded their helicopters for part of the day. AFP

Gov. warns:....

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Management Council said the number of families affected by Taal’s eruption rose to 104,645 or about 396,731 people from the provinces of Batangas, Cavite, Laguna and Quezon.

The number of families still being sheltered in 535 evacuation centers was placed at 39,076 while the remaining families are said to be residing in the houses of their relatives and friends.

Damage to infrastructure and agriculture in Batangas, Cavite, and Laguna was placed at P3.35 billion.

The amount of assistance extended to the affected families by the Department of Social Welfare and Development and the Department of Health amounted to P80.88 million.

NDRRMC executive director Ricardo Jalad, in an interview Monday, said the focus of the agency now is the rehabilitation and recovery of the affected communities as the families living outside the volcano’s seven-kilometer danger zone are now being given an option to return to their homes.

He said concerned agencies are gathering data on post-disaster needs assessments, which will be followed by the crafting of a rehabilitation and recovery plan.

PHIVOLCS on Tuesday said the emission of sulfur dioxide and the number of volcanic earthquakes continued to fall in the last 24 hours.

No other fissure was observed within the volcano, it added.

“But we are taking this proactive measure to slow down travel, and possibly help prevent the entry of the 2019-nCov,” he said.

An official of the Department of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday said Filipinos from Hubei province, China can fly back home voluntarily for as long as they agree to place themselves under quarantine following the virus scare arising from the novel coronavirus outbreak.

Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Brigido Dulay said Duque, as chairman of the interagency task force, came out with the decision that any Filipino who wants to come home will be allowed to come back, “except that they will be placed under quarantine for 14 days, also for their own protection as well as the protection of their families also.”

“In that respect, they are all free to go, we are now asking our missions to now collate the number of Filipinos, as well as the names of those who would like to come home under that condition,” Dulay said.

The official also said that the DFA will help in bringing the Filipinos home, if there is a need to repatriate them.

The Department of Justice on Tuesday said the Bureau of Immigration personnel conducting inspection of ships follow health security protocols to protect themselves from being infected by the novel coronavirus (2019-nCOV).

Rody partner’s cousin, ex-AFP chief named to gov't positions

By MJ Blancaflor PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has appointed a cousin of his partner Cielito “Honeylet” Avanceña and another military man to government posts.

He named Melissa Avanceña Aradanas assistant secretary of the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development on Jan. 21, according to a list of appointees released by the Palace Tuesday.

Aradanas was among the five members of the Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor, led by their chairman Terry Ridon, who were fired by the President in December 2017 for going on various trips abroad.

She had been a member of that commission since 1996 and one of the staff members of the Office of the Chairman.

Aradanas, however, was reappointed in 2018 by Duterte to another government post, as deputy secretarygeneral of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council, an agency under the DHSUD. Meanwhile, Duterte has also named former Armed Forces of the Philippines chief Benjamin Madrigal Jr. as a member of the Philippine Coconut Authority’s governing board.

Madrigal retired as AFP chief on Sept. 28 last year after reaching the mandatory retirement age of 56.

He was a member of the Philippine Military Academy Class of 1985 and was appointed AFP chief on Dec. 11, 2018.

Madrigal will join the growing number of military men appointed by the President to key government posts.

Duterte has repeatedly expressed his preference for military men in his Cabinet, saying they were “honest” and “hardworking.”

Aside from Aradanas and Madrigal, Duterte also renewed the appointment of Wendel Avisado as Budget ad-interim secretary.

Salacious...

From A1

designs that were uploaded on its Facebook page.

“Women are not objects of pleasure and satisfaction. This shameless advertising and display of merchandise that degrade, objectify and hypersexualize young girls contributes to gender stereotypes that trivialize violence against women and children,” the group said.

Gabriela said it was willing to provide Gender Sensitivity Training to the brand owners of KNPP to heighten their awareness of gender concerns.

“We urge the Kain Pepe clothing line to correct this damaging error. We also encourage women to register the widest indignation over the rampant misogyny and sexism pervading our society,” Gabriela said.

The group has invited the public to join the Eighth annual One Billion Rising on Feb. 14, a global strike to demand an end to violence against women.

Sex...

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condo,” Hontiveros described the prostitution of women catering to Chinese nationals, of whom the majority were Philippine Offshore Gambling Operators or POGO workers.

Malacañang said the Philippine National Police should take the lead in investigating the proliferation of prostitution linked to the growing number of Chinese nationals employed by Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators.

“We will have that investigated. If that’s true, then we have to do something about it,” Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo told reporters.

Hontiveros said Chinese nationals were a security threat to Filipino women and girls.

She underscored the need to suspend the Visa Upon Arrival scheme for Chinese nationals, adding it was a scheme producing Chinese criminals in the country.

She said Filipino girls and trafficked Chinese women were victims in the recent rise of prostitution dens catering to Chinese nationals residing in the country.

“We cannot be a haven for Chinese prostitution dens,” Hontiveros said.

The Senate inquiry also exposed a menu of sex services, including photos of trafficked Chinese women that were passed around through messaging apps Telegram and WeChat.

The Chinese super app WeChat used the codes “new tea” for girls and “fast food” for quickie sex to evade Beijing’s sensors.

In another chat group, a woman, seemingly new to the prostitution den, was even described as a “new car” to customers.

“There’s a menu of services like a restaurant,” said Hontiveros, chairman of the Senate committee on women, children, family relations and gender equality who conducted the hearing on POGO-related sex activities. With MJ Blancaflor

News

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 29, 2020

Anti-political dynasty in Cha-Cha opposed

By Maricel V. Cruz

T

WO lawmakers on Tuesday opposed the inclusion of an “antipolitical dynasty” provision in the proposed Charter change.

At the resumption of the Cha-Cha hearing conducted by the House committee on constitutional amendments, Representatives Antonio Albano of Isabela and Johnny Pimentel of Surigao del Sur dismissed as “anti-democratic” the proposed provision not to allow relatives within the

second degree of consanguinity to run in the same elections.

The two congressmen urged the House committee on constitutional aments, chaired by Cagayan de Oro City Rep. Rufus Rodriguez, to defer approval of the proposed anti-political dynasty provision as it is “a very contentious and very controversial issue.”

“This is very anti-democratic because there are families elected democratically,” said Albano, brother of Isabela Gov. Rodolfo Albano III. The congressman from Isabela said “strengthening of political reforms and educating people is more important than

limiting the democratic right of a person to run and be voted upon, whether he is a spouse, a son, a brother, or a sister.”

The committee, headed by Cagayan de Oro City Rep. Rufus Rodriguez, deliberated on the measure proposing to rewrite the Charter as well as proposed amendments submitted by the InterAgency Task Force on Federalism and Constitutional Reform composed of 11 member-agencies of the government.

Among the proposed aments was the prohibition of spouses or relatives within the second civil degree of consanguinity of an incumbent official to run for the same position in the suc-

ceeding elections; even as they are not allowed allowed to simultaneously hold positions for governor and vice governor as well as mayor and vice mayor.

Albano frowned on the proposed amendments as this "curtails" the right of the people to choose their leaders.

For his part, Pimentel, brother incumbent Surigao del Sur governor, Alexander Pimentel, echoed Albano's opposition.

“We are curtailing already the right of the ordinary citizen to vote. It is the right of the people to vote, to put in place who would be their congressman, their governor,” Pimentel said.

DAR to parcel 2,200 hectares for ex-rebels

By Rio N. Araja

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has di-

rected the distribution of 2,200 hectares of agricultural land to 262 former rebels in Leyte, according to Agrarian Reform Secretary John Castriciones.

He said the President gave the instruction during his recent visit to the province to meet with Leyte Governor Leopoldo Dominico Petilla and the rebel returnees.

Castriciones backed the claim of Petilla that 2,000 hectares of farms could be made available for the former rebels within the declared economic zone pursuant to Presidential Proclamation No. 247.

He said the President has advised the former rebels to encourage their comrades to return to the fold of the law.

Agrarian Reform Undersecretary Emily Padilla recently led a two-day assessment of the convergence on livelihood assistance for ARBs (agrarian reform beneficiaries) project.

The presentation and firming up of physical and financial accomplishments for 2019 by project development officers in collaboration with provincial CLAAP focal persons was one of the highlights of the event.

DEADLY VIRUS. People wore protective face masks to help stop the spread of a deadly SARS-like virus which originated in the central city of Wuhan are seen inside a subway train in Beijing on Jan. 28. The deadly new coronavirus that has broken out in China, 2019-nCoV, will afflict a minimum of tens of thousands of people and will last at least several months, researchers estimate based on the first available data. AFP

DepEd hit for excluding teachers’ group in DEACO Congress

By Willie Casas THE Alliance of Concerned Teachers Philippines denounced on Tuesday the Department of Education’s ‘conscious’ effort to discriminate legitimate teachers’ organizations, which represent the largest section of its workforce, in the 2nd DepEd Employees’ Congress organized by the DepEd Employees Association Coordinating Office.

The Congress was held on Jan. 28 to 30.

ACT Philippines said it is outright condemnable that legitimate teachers’ federations and associations, especially ACT unions which hold the status of being the sole and exclusive negotiating agent of public school teachers for a number of regions, were consciously and intentionally not invited to and not informed about the activity, while the activity purportedly aims to discuss Public Sector Unionism.

ACT Philippines has requested DepEd for a dialogue to clarify the issue and assert teachers’ rightful

representation in the activity but the agency leadership’s lack of response only proves its deliberate attempt to exclude ACT in the activity. The utterly biased and unprofessional conduct of Deped on the matter is unbecoming of a government agency that supposedly serves and answers to its constituents, the group said.

ACT leaders are active officers in various organizations as well and are undeniably known champions of the causes of the rank-and-file. As such, they were inevitably elected to important positions in the DEACO regional coordinating bodies.

The group said that the ‘willful’ effort of DepEd to keep out ACT from DEACO activities says a lot of the sham that DEACO really is.

It reveals of the office’s insincerity to truly hear out and consult the agency’s employees. It also makes suspect DEACO’s real agenda in the upcoming Congress.

After all, ACT has monitored not a few times that some agency officials are actively vilifying and red-tagging

ACT in seminars and conferences that DepEd recently conducted, they said.

“It is reprehensible that in its bid to take part in the Duterte Administration’s wrongful campaign of attacking legitimate organizations to boost its counterinsurgency campaign, the agency is censuring and endangering its own employees—the legitimate public school teachers,” ACT Philippines said.

“ACT Philippines and its member-unions cannot be gagged and will not tire in advancing the causes of teachers and the education sector. Neither will it be intimidated by the high-handed tactics of the education agency as great matters are at stake—our fight for decent salaries, ample benefits, and humane working conditions, as well as every Filipino child’s basic right to free and quality education,” the group said.

“Genuinely democratic consultations can never happen if there is no real inclusivity. Include ACT and other teachers’ groups in the DEACO 2nd Congress!,” the group said.

SMHCC lends helping hand to Taal evacuees MORE than being one of the most popular and beautiful attractions in the country, Taal Volcano, the island and its neighboring towns are home to hundreds of Filipino families who have lived there for generations.

Upon its eruption last Jan. 12, thousands of Filipinos were uprooted. Their homes, sources of income, and belongings were covered in a thick layer of ash as the volcano spouted violently and relentlessly.

In a wholehearted effort to aid those who have been abruptly affected by this devastating natural calamity, SMHCC has launched joint relief operations across its properties and centers.

SMHCC, SMX Convention Center, Park Inn by Radisson Clark, and Taal Vista Hotel have collectively initiated voluntary employee donation drives to help supply urgent aid as well as support other ongoing relief endeavors led by concerned units and local governments. The cumulative amount of these drives went toward providing canned goods and disaster relief food, clothes, hygiene kits, and mats to evacuation centers in Tagaytay City and Batangas.

Taal Vista Hotel successfully organized the donation of linens, towels, blankets, bread and pastries, fruits, and cooked meals to the NBI Evacuation Center and Our Lady of Lourdes Parish Evacuation Center in Tagaytay City.

To further significantly assist in the region's evacuation and relief programs, SMHCC, alongside SMX and Taal Vista Hotel, unselfishly volunteered at the Tagaytay Municipal Hall, Tagaytay Integrated

School, Guinhawa, Luksuhin, Alfonso, Cavite, providing urgent aid to more than 350 families.

Meanwhile, more deliveries of donations and goods are underway as Pico Sands Hotel secures contributions including towels, linens, and blankets. All of which will be sent to an evacuation center in Batangas.

In this time of ongoing uncertainty that persistently shakes the country, SMHCC stands firm by the Filipino people in proactively extending a helping hand to all those in need. SMHCC's joint relief operations will continue to serve as a much-needed response to the urgent call for the assistance of families and communities struck by this unfortunate natural catastrophe.

The cities of Tagaytay and Batangas have slowly started regaining whatever was lost as an aftermath of the eruption. In parallel, SMHCC persists to be a conscious partner in rebuilding these fabled cities not only as part of the community where our properties belong but more so as a conscious entity poised to help in further growing and developing the country.

SM Hotels and Conventions Corp.

(SMHCC) was established in April 2008 with the primary purpose of developing and managing the hotel and convention properties of the SM Group, one of the Philippines’ largest conglomerates with a market value of over US$20 billion.

SMHCC is guided by its mission to be the leading hotel and convention company in the Philippines and its vision to build and operate hotels and convention centers that take pride in Filipino warmth and hospitality.

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GUNNED DOWN. SOCO investigators check out the cadavers of two Chinese nationals identified as Ninjie Zhang and one alias Kauyu along with driver Noel Olimba who were gunned down by two unidentified motor riders while traversing along General Santos Ave. in Bgy. Upper Bicutan at Taguig city late afternoon of Tuesday, Jan. 28. Ey Acasio

House backs Du30 reforms to sustain PH growth THE House of Representatives under the leadership of Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano has backed the administration's effort to institutionalize the crucial reforms that are vital to deliver the “campaign promises” of President Rodrigo Duterte and sustain economic growth.

The recent SWS survey showed that majority of the Filipinos believes that the President will be able to fulfil most of his promises in the next three years of his term.

Cayetano expressed elation over the Duterte administration making a significant headway in pursuing measures to provide a safer and more comfortable life for Filipinos.

The administration’s efforts have started to make significant impact with 5.9- million Filipinos pulled out of poverty in 2018, as poverty incidence fell to 16.6 percent from 23.3 percent in 2015.

At the start of the session, the House leaders have reiterated that they will prioritize the passage of the bills creating three key vital departments: Department of Disaster Resilience, Department of Overseas Filipinos and Department of Water.

Cayetano also vowed to pass priority tax measures .

“We have good laws like the Universal Health Care, and Free Tertiary Education Act but we need to ensure that the they are properly funded hence we need to pass all these tax measures,” he said.

Last week, the President signed a measure imposing additional excise taxes on alcoholic beverages and e-cigarettes effective January 2020. The new law is set to generate around P24.9 billion in revenues for the government, which will be used for the implementation of the Universal Health Care program, Health Facilities Enhancement Program of the Department of Health and programs seeking to attain the country’s Sustainable Development Goals.

To ensure that the economic growth will be not greatly affected by the recent Taal volcano eruption, Cayetano has urged his colleagues to help craft longlasting, reliable solutions, programs and mechanisms to help the country cope with the effects of disaster.

“We need to speed up the rehabilitation efforts so that the government can effectively assist the affected victims and reinvigorate the CALABARZON local economy,” he added. Maricel V. Cruz

Ambush kills 3 near DOST office

By Joel E. Zurbano TWO Chinese nationals and their Filipino companion were killed while two children were hurt in an apparent ambush in front of Department of Science and Technology office in Barangay Upper Bicutan, Taguig City Tuesday afternoon, police said.

Initial reports from the Southern Police District said that the fatalities— Nin Jie Zhang, 42, of Bagong Silang, Caloocan City, and one Kau Yu, both Chinese nationals, and a Filipino companion identified only as Noel, a resident of Cavite—died on the spot due to multiple gunshot wounds in their bodies.

The wounded minors identified as Crystal Zhang, five-years old, and Hazel Zhang, 12, both residents of Bagong Silang, Caloocan City, were rushed to the Taguig Pateros District Hospital, also because of gunshot wounds.

SPD reports showed that four unidentified persons were responsible in the incident which happened in front of DOST office located along General Santos Avenue around 2:30 p.m.

It added that the victims were traveling along General Santos Avenue on board a black Toyota Vios with registration plate ABP 8026 when the incident happened.

Scene of the Crime Operatives were conducting investigation at the crime scene at press time. They said the right side of the car was riddled with bullets.

The incident also resulted into heavy traffic in the area.

PETCs warned of suspension over violations

By Darwin G. Amojelar THE Department of Transportation warned of suspending permits of Private Emission Testing Centers due to increasing number of violators.

“This increasing number of violators is a clear manifestation of their defiance to the law. Your accreditation as emission testing center is just a privilege given to you by the government. Do not wait for us to issue suspension orders or revocation of your

permits to operate,” DOTr Secretary Arthur Tugade said.

Tugade said violations committed by these testing centers endanger not just the lives of the public, but also harms the environment.

The agency also said that it is set to remit millions of pesos to the government’s coffers as it continues to impose stringent sanction against erring PETCs. PETCs are authorized private facilities of the DOTr which are engaged in testing the level of opacity and analysis of the gas-

eous emission of a motor vehicle in accordance with Republic Act 8749 or the Philippine Clean Air Act. DOTr, through its Investigation, Security and Law Enforcement Staff and Franchising Review Staff have recorded millions of pesos worth of fines collected from numerous PETCs nationwide with violations ranging from having no testing probes, no testing machines, to the non-appearance of vehicles for testing or falsification of test results.

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Opinion

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 29, 2020

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Kobe Bryant, 41 A KENNEDY moment is how US media describe the untimely death of basketball star Kobe Bryant in a helicopter crash Sunday, Jan. 26, 2020, in Calabasas, California. Bryant, 41, his second oldest daughter, Gianna, 13, and seven others died in the accident.

The Sikorsky S-76B helicopter was flying low against a mountain hill amid mist, fog and clouds when it crashed, barely 40 minutes after takeoff from Orange County. The impact broke the copter into several pieces with its debris scattered over a radius of 600 feet.

The tail and the rotor separated over 100 yards apart.

The youngest elected US president, John F. Kennedy was assassinated shortly after noon of Nov. 23, 1963, while riding in a motorcade in Dallas, Texas. His murder traumatized America and the entire world. Everyone remembers the moment he or she learned about JFK’s death and where he or she was.

The event is forever seared in everyone’s memory.

The helicopter crash shortly before 10 Sunday morning (around 2 a.m. Monday in Manila) most likely will have the same JFK effect today on everyone who loves basketball, who loves sports, and who can feel the pain of loss of from Kobe’s untimely death.

Kobe was the youngest player in the National Basketball Association, making his leap in 1996-97 from high school into a glittering 20-year career in professional basketball with a lot of flash, class, and flamboyance.

Lusting for blood, he was determined to surpass his idol Michael Jordan’s achievements. He became one of basketball’s greatest players.

Playing only for the Los Angeles Lakers, Kobe won the NBA championship five times, earned 18 All-Star Selections, a regular season Most Valuable Player Award in 2008, and two NBA Finals MVP awards, plus two Olympic gold medals. He was slated to be enrolled in the 2020 Hall of Fame in April.

Kobe was recruited by the Lakers team general manager Jerry West after noticing the teener’s prodigious talent in a series of one-on-one drills against the former Lakers defensive star Michael Cooper, the assistant coach.

“As West envisioned, Bryant indeed helped restore the Lakers to glory—albeit with no shortage of turmoil along the way. He did so first alongside the Hall of Fame center Shaquille O’Neal for three consecutive drama-filled N.B.A. championships in the 1999-2000, 2000-01 and 2001-02 seasons, then as the team’s unquestioned fulcrum for two more titles in 2008-09 and 2009-10. With a drive to rival Jordan’s and an ability to tune out critics who at times assailed his ball dominance and shot selection, Bryant was the central and enduring figure in one of the most gripping soap operas in modern professional team sports,” said the New York Times obituary.

Recalled the Washington Post’s Kent Babb: “In sports and in life, Bryant was an individual whose tirelessness and competitive drive were as notable as his ver-

EDITORIAL

satility and ambition. Known late in his career by the nickname ‘Black Mamba’, Mr. Bryant was one of the smoothest and most dangerous shooters in a league previously dominated by Jordan, Earvin ‘Magic’ Johnson and Larry Bird. When those players retired or their talents faded, Mr. Bryant took up their mantle. The 6-foot-6 shooting guard was named to the NBA’s all-star team in 18 of his 20 seasons, all with the Lakers, and he twice led the league in scoring.

“He scored 81 points during a game in 2006, the second-highest total in a game in league history.

“He and Shaquille O’Neal led the Lakers to three consecutive championships, from 2000 to 2002, though perhaps more impressive was Mr. Bryant’s ability to push the Lakers back into the league’s championship ranks after the departures of O’Neal and coach Phil Jackson, who had guided Jordan’s Chicago Bulls to six championships during the 1990s.”

Basketball and family Bryant’s 81-point production, mostly on jumpers, gave the Lakers a come from behind victory against the Toronto Raptors on Jan. 22, 2006 is said to be the most impressive in NBA history.

On April 12, 2013, with the score at 109-109 against the Golden State Warriors, Bryant shot two free throws despite a ruptured Achilles tendon and won the game for the Lakers. After that, Kobe did not play for the rest of the season and appeared in just 107 games in three seasons. He capped his career on April 13, 2016 by scoring 60 points to push lastplace Lakers past the Utah Jazz, a perfect ending, said The New York Times.

“Words can’t describe the pain I’m feeling,” Michael Jordan said in a statement Jan 26 afternoon. “I loved Kobe — he was like a little brother to me. We used to talk often, and I will miss those conversations very much. He was a fierce competitor, one of the greats of the game and a creative force.”

“Kobe was a legend on the court and just getting started in what would have been just as meaningful a second act,” said former president Barack Obama.

“To lose Gianna is even more heartbreaking to us as parents.”

In 1992, after South Africa with a team that had only one non-white player won the Rugby World Cup, Nelson Mandela, himself a driven athlete before he was jailed for 27 years, recited the power of sports. He declared: “Sport has the power to change the world,” Mandela said. “It has the power to inspire. It has the power to unite people in a way that little else does. It speaks to youth in a language they understand. Sport can create hope where once there was only despair. It is more powerful than government in breaking down racial barriers.”

To me, Kobe loved two things— basketball and his family. He had two formulas for success—hard work and discipline. biznewsasia@gmail.com

Feng shui, atbp.

THE Metal Year of the Rat is upon us, coming after a tumultuous end for the reign of the Pig, where we saw several calamities, from strong typhoons to strong earthquakes with eerie frequency, to ASF that affected pigs of all creatures, and now the novel corona virus that continues to plague the world, identified as having started at Wuhan, the capital of Hubei in central China, with initial investigations showing the contagion may have been started by rodents, a.k.a., rats.

What a way to introduce the Year of the Rat! *** The political fate of Donald the Trump is still on tenterhooks. As I write this piece, the US Senate will yet vote on

Adelle Chua, Editor

whether to accept new evidence that have sprung like spring in the dead of American winter, evidence that would prove beyond even the most reasonable of doubt that he is unfit to lead the land of the brave and the free, let alone act as constable of the world.

If the Republicans vote as a whole and none would cross party lines to ferret out the truth and nothing but, the whole impeachment saga will come to unceremonious end, with the most unfit continuing to reign in the Year of the Rat. Trump, who was born in the Year of the Fire Dog, is supposed to be lucky, or so the feng shui masters say of the dogs in this rodent year. And indeed, as we write, his lawyers are now unveiling sordid details about Hunter Biden, son of former Vice President Joe Biden, who became a member of the board of Burisma, a Ukrainian firm that was investigated for corruption. While this apparent scandal that happened before may be relevant to the November 2020 elections if Joe Biden becomes the Democratic candi-

M week.

What hatred can do ORE than 200 survivors of the Auschwitz concentration camp gathered to commemorate its 75th anniversary of its liberation earlier this

The survivors, now mostly octogenarians and nonagenarians, shared stories of their captivity and hardship, the loss of their loved ones and the dehumanizing experience they had at the hands of the Nazis.

Three quarters of a century on, the image of thin prisoners in blueand-white striped uniforms remains a powerful symbol of the evil that took place during World War II. Auschwitz, while it was just one of the many camps where atrocities took place, has come to stand for what humans at their worst are capa capable of doing to others they perceive to be not one of them.

The Jews, after all, came to suffer the way they did because they were seen as an inferior, undesirable race.

In the decades since the end of World War II, humanity has strived to correct its sins of commission and omission.

Trials have been held to put the architects and the implementors of the atrocities to justice. Manhunts were launched to track down those who have tried to escape their grim past and start a new life. History has condemned the leaders to shame and ignominy.

This is not to say that humans are not capable of committing the same evils in another form.

These days, the world remains on

date against re-electionist Trump, it is a separate matter that does not absolve the president from the impeachment charges.

But an impeachment trial is political, not judicial.

Is Trump the Dog indeed quite lucky?

We shall know in due time.

The rooster Duterte is not as lucky as the dog this year, again if we are to believe these purveyors of geomancy. But then again, the Philippines which he leads was born in the Year of the Dog (1898) and re-born after four decades of colonial rule in 1946, again in the Year of the Dog. My first initiation into the arcane “science” of feng shui was when a kind old master with his temple beside the Tondo church, showed me the map of the Philippines, and described the country as like a canine, with its mouth wide open (the Lingayen Gulf) and head in the Ilocano-speaking regions. Its body and stomach are in the rest of Luzon, where most of the wealth of the country lies. Palawan are its hind legs with Mindanao its butt, and the Visayan islands its ribs.

Ferdinand Marcos would consult the old feng shui master, called to the palace beside the stinking river in their prime.

Look closely at how the provinces of Apayao and Kalinga in the map were plucked out of the provinces comprising the Cagayan Valley and the former Mountain Province during the time of Marcos.

Notice the striking resemblance to the Marcos mane and forehead with the face gazing upon his beloved Ilocos in the resulting re-arrangement of provincial boundaries. Feng shui, or mere vanity? *** Will the doggedness of the Philippines conquer the many threats to its economy in the Year of the Rat? There is the novel coronavirus, sure to take its toll upon the number of tourists visiting the country in the first half of the year at the very least.

Already it has created panic and disturbed the otherwise happy traipsing of the Chinese in the Golden Week of the auspicious Lunar New Year. And as the virus re-

mains uncontrolled, travel will be affected.

Notice how airlines are offering extremely low ticket prices for the entire 2020, in anticipation of a lean year for travel, but hoping low prices will stem the expected decline in revenues.

1.63-million Chinese visited the country last year, besting the number of Japanese and North Americans (mostly balikbayans with US or Canadian passports) who come to the country. How many will visit in this Year of the Rat? Already, the Tourism Congress of the Philippines is proposing a temporary travel ban for visitors from mainland China. Wuhan is a transportation hub in central China, used by China Southern whose annual passenger volume within the country and all over the world runs into the millions.

A lot will depend on how Sec. Ping-

What interesting times we live in. koy Duque and his DOH as well as the Bureau of Immigration as well as airport authorities could successfully contain the spread of the disease into our shores, and how medical science could conquer the malady with instant and appropriate remedy. *** Thankfully, the volcanic tantrums of Taal have somehow abated. By this weekend, PHIVOLCS might allow residents to go back to their affected towns and life may return to normal. Imagine the economic consequences of a prolonged Alert Level 4 or 5, with hundreds of thousands cramped up in evacuation sites or relatives’ homes, unable to work, unable to pursue their means of livelihood.

In such respect, and keeping our fingers crossed, the Year of the Rat is an “auspicious” development for Batangueños and Caviteños. Tagaytay City’s domestic tourism business will rebound, and one

edge at various points, with groups of people pitted against others for religious, ideological, political reasons. Sometimes it appears there is no reason at all—just look at those who cast terror just for the sake of it, or those who indiscriminately attack others with no provocation at all.

The hatred is manifested, and spread, in numerous ways. Through technology, messages of hate and intolerance are transferred from one computer to another, targeting impressionable or malleable minds.

Lies are manufactured and spread, and revisionism threatens to change historical accounts. All these will be received without question or resistance by those who are not vigilant.

The world says “never again” to Auschwitz, but it must say a resounding “never” to acts of hate and lies.

of our major food supply centers for NCR will be back in harness, normalizing the prices of food. *** But I worry about rice trends for the rest of 2020. Oryza, the worldwide rice data chronicler, tells us that both Thailand and Vietnam face problems in sustaining their levels of production. Since these two countries supply 95 percent of the Philippines’ rice imports, we may face a perilous price situation in the middle to latter parts of the year.

As of this writing, we have no data on the volume of our summer crop, which should be harvested in April and May. The onslaughts of two strong typhoons in December upon rice-producing Panay, the Mindoros and Eastern Visayas affected newly planted palay crop, and though the Department of Agriculture has assisted these parts so they could replant, harvests should suf suffer delays. At a time when the interna international market is acting up.

Fortunately, we have an infinitely more competent man at the helm of the DA, whose quick and systematic handling of the ASF problem even when he was just appointed should be appreciated. It gives us confidence that things will be under control, and rice will not spike inflation as it did in 2018. *** But the feng shui masters assure us that the Year of the Metal Rat is going to be better in most respects than the Year of the Pig that just ended. Hopefully so.

The dog Trump is supposed to be luckier this year than the snake Xi Jinping. And so is the monkey just as lucky, and Taiwan’s Tsai Ing-wen was born in the Year of the Monkey. But the snake is a wise and wily reptile, ready to strike at a moment’s notice, catching its prey flatfooted.

How will these players act on the world stage in the Year of the Rat? And how will their actions or inaction affect the Philippines, a dog country led by one born in the Year of the Rooster?

Wo men huo zai chong man tiao zhan de shi dai.

We live in interesting times.

Rolando G. Estabillo Publisher ManilaStandard

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

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News

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Travel agency denies claims of smuggling through VUA

By Vito Barcelo A TRAVEL agency accredited by the Bureau of Immigration to process Visa Upon Arrival to Chinese tourists denied allegations of involvement to smuggle Chinese nationals into the country through fake VUA. Peter Paul Lai, president of Cloud Travel and Consultancy Services Corp., said his company never gave false information to facilitate the entry of Chinese nationals through fraudulent VUA, saying they were victims of a syndicate operating in mainland China.

“We had already filed a complaint before the Chinese embassy in Manila against a certain Yi You who is based in Guangzhou, China, that engages the services of local travel agencies to facilitate VUA applicants. Unfortunately, You would duplicate an immigration approved VUA which he would issue to several Chinese tourists wanting to visit the Philippines,” he said.

The BI has deferred the accreditation of the agency after it was reportedly caught duplicating approved visa orders.

“The CTCSC has already submitted a written explanation to Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente, on why our accreditation should not be canceled and its cash bond should not be forfeited,” he said.

“In its five years of providing efficient service to its clients and transactions with the BI, Cloud Travel has never involved in any illegal activities. We would like to clear our name and reputation since we are also the victims of the syndicate in China,” he said.

The CTCSC also discovered that their company is being used by certain individuals to process Provisional Work Permit, he said, adding the bureau has already been informed of the incident.

TOKEN OF APPRECIATION. Finance Secretary Sonny Dominguez III (left) hands over a simple token of appreciation to House Majority Leader and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez during a short meeting and courtesy call at the office of the secretary in Manila on Tuesday.

Ver Noveno

Camacho 1 PH female commodore Solon raps A st

attack on UCCP Haran

By Willie Casas

ASISTANT Minority Leader and ACT Teachers Rep. France Castro condemned the attack and illegal entry of the Alamara paramilitary group into the United Church of Christ in the Philippines Haran compound in Davao City, where Lumad communities evacuated and sought refuge.

The solon also lambasted the police officials who allowed these paramilitary groups to attack UCCP Haran and the Lumad evacuees.

“We vehemently condemn in the strongest possible terms the attack of the Alamara paramilitary group against UCCP Haran and the Lumad evacuees. The paramilitary group Alamara forcibly entered UCCP Haran and tore down the wall protecting the sanctuary area of some 500 Lumad evacuees,” Castro said.

There was no immediate comment available from the military nor the police.

Castro said the attack against Lumad communities seeking refuge in the church compound was a result of the continued red-tagging of UCCP Haran from the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict from President Duterte’s Executive Order 70.

The illegal entry of these paramilitary groups came days after the regional Peace and Order Council issued a resolution demanding the closure of the church compound.

These are the same paramilitary groups carrying bolos and bows and arrows who harassed them when they tried to rescue Lumad students in Talaingod in 2018 which led to the police filing trumped up charges against them, said Castro.

PHILIPPINE Navy officer made history as the first woman to become a Commodore (equivalent to Brigadier General or one-star rank in the Army, Air Force, and Marines).

Promoted to the rank was Captain Luzviminda Camacho, chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Office of Legislative Affairs.

Aside from being the first woman to get the rank, Camacho is the first female chief of her office, the first woman to command a Philippine Navy ship and the first female commander of peacekeepers sent by the Philippines to Haiti.

Camacho was among the three senior officials of the AFP who formally donned their next higher rank in a

ceremony in short ceremonies at the General Headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City Tuesday.

AFP chief-of-staff Gen. Felimon Santos Jr., who just became a fourstar general Monday, presided over the donning ceremony.

Meanwhile, Maj. Gen. Roberto Ancan, Central Command head, was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant General.

He previously led the Zamboanga Del Sur-based 1st Infantry Division and is a member of the Philippine Military

Academy (PMA) Class of 1987.

Promoted to the rank of Major General is Brig. Gen. Ernesto Torres Jr., who is the current commander of AFP Civil Relations Service.

He is the former commander of Joint Task Force Haribon and deputy commander of Eastern Mindanao Command and a member of PMA Class of 1989.

Present during the donning ceremonies were senior military officers led by AFP vice chief-of-staff Vice Admiral Gaudencio Collado, Jr., and families of the newly-promoted officials.

Military honors at the General Headquarters Canopy were also rendered for Ancan who is the most senior of the newly-promoted officers.

Legislator pushes enactment of rice subsidy measure

By Maricel V. Cruz A LEGISLATOR on Tuesday pushed for the enactment of a measure authorizing the use of the rice subsidy provided to beneficiaries under the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)’s Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) through the national budget for the massive purchase of palay from local farmers.

Deputy Speaker Luis Raymund Villafuerte said Congress could help the country’s beleaguered rice farmers by reversing the continued plunge in farm gate prices of palay by enacting the bill that would let Government buy this year a sizable volume of the grain from local growers for use in the multibillion-peso annual rice subsidy program for low-income families.

“The administration’s goal of eradicating extreme poverty in the country by 2040, and lowering poverty incidence to just 11 percent by 2022 would get a significant boost if rural incomes go up by way of higher farmgate prices of palay, given that most Filipinos living below the poverty line live in the countryside,” Villafuerte of Camarines Sur’s Second District said.

Villafuerte, author of House Bill 5583, appealed to his colleagues at the Lower House as well as senators to consider what he described as “farmer-friendly proposal.”

Villar group helps farmers in Iloilo increase their rice yield and income

By Macon Ramos-Araneta MA’AM, YES MA’AM. A Philippine Navy officer makes history as the first woman to become a Commodore (equivalent to Brigadier General or one-star rank in the Army, Air Force, and Marines). Promoted to the rank was Capt. Luzviminda Camacho, chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines Office of Legislative Affairs.

WHEN ash and steam began to spew from the Taal volcano, no one expected that it will once again test the resilience and generosity of Filipinos. This has spurred industry leaders including Pilipinas Shell to do their part in providing help and assistance to those who are affected. As the need for relief operations continues, Pilipinas Shell has opened Shelter Stations to help affected Filipinos who have been displaced by the volcanic eruption. There are 14 sites in Batangas, 6 in Cavite, 7 in Laguna, and 19 in Metro Manila.

Shelter Stations are converted fuel stations that are open 24/7 to provide emergency drinking water, first aid kits, and free mobile charging services. More importantly, those whose vehicles have been affected by the ashfall can get assistance in properly cleaning them of any debris. Shelter Stations also accept relief good donations from the public. These are then collected, repacked, and transported to evacuation centers by the Association of Pilipinas Shell Dealers. Apart from mobilizing and organizing relief efforts, Shell companies in the Philippines also donated P4 million worth of food packs, potable drinking water, sleeping kits, hygiene kits, canned goods, sanitary napkins, diapers, and insect repellent, which were given to over 1,500 heads of families of the evacuees at the Batangas Provincial Sports Complex.

TO HELP farmers increase their yield and income through modern farming techniques, the Villar SIPAG established its first farm school in Iloilo, which is among the Top 5 rice producing provinces in the country.

Senator Cynthia Villar, director of Villar SIPAG, hopes participants in the trainings being offered for free by the farm school can help improve production in rice farms.

She also,said the participants could pass on the knowledge they could acquire from the trainings to their respective communities, cooperatives and farm schools, among others.

“That is our goal, why we prioritize trainers like yourselves, so you can pass on your learnings,” Villar said.

The chairman of the Senate committee on agriculture and food welcomed the farmers from Iloilo, Capiz, Aklan, Antique, and Negros provinces who were participants to the training program on Production of High-Quality Inbred Rice and Seeds and Farm Mechanization sponsored by Villar SIPAG and the Agricultural Training Institute Regional Training VI.

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‘Declare Manila Bay reclamation-free zone’

A

S THE Department of Environment and Natural Resources marks the first year of Manila Bay Rehabilitation Program with bragging about lower coliform levels in Manila city bayside, former Anakpawis Party-list Rep. Ariel Casilao urged Congress to pass House Bill 257 Declaring Manila Bay as “Reclamation-Free” Zone as serious measure for genuine rehabilitation.

Manila

Standard

their very own Manila Bay Rehabilitation Program,” the former lawmaker said in a press statement.

Also, DENR Secretary Roy Cimatu cited that the fecal coliform at the Padre Faura outfall in Manila is down to 920,000 most probable number per 100 milliliter

DAVAO LIGHT AND POWER COMPANY, INC., Applicant. x - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -x NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING TO ALL INTERESTED PARTIES: Notice is hereby given that on 10 December 2019, Davao Light and Power Company, Inc. (DLPC) filed an Application dated 13 November 2019, seeking the Commission’s approval to implement the new local franchise rate in the City of Davao and the Province of Davao Del Norte, and to recover local franchise taxes with prayer for provisional authority.

In the said Application, DLPC alleged the following, among others: Applicant is a domestic corporation duly organized and existing under and by virtue of the laws of the Republic of the Philippines with office address at C. Bangoy Sr. St., Davao City. It is a grantee of a legislative franchise under Republic Act No. 8960 to construct, operate and maintain an electric light, heat and power system in Davao City and Panabo City, and the Municipalities of Carmen, Sto. Tomas and Braulio Dujali, Province of Davao del Norte.

Davao City Local Franchise Taxes Applicant has been recovering local franchise taxes paid to the Government of the City of Davao at the rate of 82% of 1%, per the 2005 Revenue Code of the City of Davao (City Ordinance No. 185-05, series of 2005). This is also in view of the Decision dated 13 February 2008 of the Honorable Commission, entitled In the Matter of the Application for Authority to Recover Local Franchise Tax Rate of Davao City, with Prayer for Provisional Authority, docketed as ERC Case No. 2006-075 RC. On 9 October 2017, the City Council of the City of Davao enacted Ordinance No. 0291-17, series of 2017, amending the 2005 Revenue Code of the City of Davao. The said Ordinance effectively increased Franchise Tax in the City of Davao, to wit: Section 41. Franchise Tax. - There is hereby imposed a tax on business enjoying a franchise, at the rate of eightyseven percent (87%) of one percent (1%) of the gross annual receipts, which shall include both cash sales and sales on account realized during the preceding calendar year within the territorial limits of the city.

In case of a newly started business, the tax shall be one-twentieth (1/20) of one percent (1%) of the capital investment. In the succeeding calendar year, regardless of when the business started to operate, the tax shall be based on the gross receipts for the preceding calendar year or any fraction thereof, as provided herein. xxx

14. However, due to the implementation of the Provincial Tax Ordinance No. 2017-001, Applicant had to pay the Province of Davao del Norte an LFT under the new rate of 60% of 1%.1 The breakdown of the payment and the underrecovery is as follows:

A copy of the ordinance is attached as Annex “A” of this Application.

5.

However, in 2017 and 2018, Applicant billed LFT for the City of Davao under the previous rate of 82% of 1%.

5.1. In 2017, Applicant’s gross annual receipts in Davao City amounted to PHP15,327,899,870.87. Throughout the billing and collection cycles in 2017, Applicant billed the LFT from its Davao City customers at the old rate of 82% of 1%, or a total of PHP125,688,778.94.

5.2. Similarly, in 2018, Applicant’s gross annual receipts for its Davao City customers amounted to PHP17,137,830,363.97. Applicant billed LFT for the City of Davao from the sales at the old rate of 82% of 1%, or a total of PHP 140,530,208.98.

6.

Since LFT was billed at the old rate of 82% of 1% but Applicant had to pay the City of Davao LFT under the new rate of 87% of 1%, there were underrecovered amounts for the LFT paid for the 2017 and 2018 sales of Applicant in Davao City.

6.1. In 2018, Applicant paid PHP133,352,728.88, in four quarterly installments, for the gross annual receipts in 2017. The breakdown of the payment and the under-recovery is as follows: LFT paid (87% of 1%)

LFT billed (82% of 1%)

Under Recovery

Q1-2017

33,337,551.22

31,422,194.74

(1,915,356.49)

Q2-2017

33,337,551.22

31,422,194.74,

(1,915,356.49)

Q3-2017

33,339,444.22

31,422,194.74

(1,917,249.48)

Q4-2017

33,338,182.22

31,422,194.74

(1,915,987.48)

TOTAL

133,352,728.88

125,688,778.94

(7,663,949.94)

6.2. Similarly, in 2019, Applicant paid PHP149,099,124.17, in four quarterly installments, for the gross annual receipts in 2018. The breakdown of the payment and the under-recovery is as follows: LFT paid (87% of 1%)

LFT billed (82% of 1%)

Under Recovery

Q1-2018

37,274,781.04

35,132,552.25

(2,142,228.80)

Q2-2018

37,274,781.04

35,132,552.25

(2,142,228.80)

Q3-2018

37,274,781.04

35,132,552.25

(2,142,228.80)

Q4-2018

37,274,781.04

35,132,552.25

(2,142,228.80)

TOTAL

149,099,124.17

140,530,208.98

(8,568,915.18)

6.3. Note that the “TOTAL” in the “LFT billed” column in the tables above refers to the total LFT billed by Applicant in the preceding calendar year. They were broken down to correspond the quarterly installments of the LFT paid in 2018, but do not necessarily reflect the LFT billed on those quarters.

7.

8.

Since Applicant billed LFT payments from its Davao City customers at the previous rate of 82% of 1%, Applicant submits this Application to recover from the end-users of the City of Davao the amount of PHP16,232,865.12.

This is the under-recovery in 2018 and 2019, resulting from the increase in the local franchise tax rate of the City of Davao to 87% of 1%.

Further, since Applicant advanced money for the underrecovered amounts of LFT payment in both years, Applicant respectfully requests for authority to impose carrying charges amounting to PHP750,866.35 against end-users of the City of Davao. Thus, Applicant applies for authority to collect the total amount of PHP16,983,731.47 representing the under-recovered amounts in 2018 and 2019, and the carrying charges.

8.1. The carrying charge was computed based on the 364-day T-Bill rate at the time of payment, per the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas. The reference rate for 2018 was used for the LFT payments rendered for 2018, while the current rates for 2019 were used for the first two installments of the LFT made in 2019. These amounts were computed as of 31 October 2019.

8.2. Applicant submits that the carrying charge, as applied for, is not a static amount. The carrying charge increases in time because it represents the cost of the money advanced by Applicant to be able to pay for its Local Franchise Tax liabilities.

9.

4,426,604.60

4,057,720.88

368,883.72

The breakdown of Applicants under-recovered amounts in the 2018 and 2019 Davao City LFT and the respective carrying charge as of October 31, 2019, is as follows: Under Recovery

Carrying Charge

Total

2018

7,663,949.94

558,653.49

8,222,603.43

2019

8,568,915.18

192,212.86

8,761,128.04

TOTAL

16,232,865.12

750,866.35

16,983,731.47

Davao del Norte Franchise Taxes 10. Similarly, Applicant has been recovering local franchise taxes paid to the province of Davao del Norte at the rate of 55% of 1%, per Provincial Tax Ordinance No. 2011-001. The imposition of this rate has been the subject of the Honorable Commission’s Decision dated 17 August 2015 in ERC Case No. 2014-060 CF entitled In the Matter of the Application for Authority to

(2) To IMPLEMENT the local franchise tax from its customers residing in the Province of Davao del Norte, at the rate of 60% of 1% of the gross annual receipts of the preceding calendar year, from the time of its effectivity, pursuant to the Provincial Tax Ordinance No. 2017-001, and at such rate as may thereafter be imposed under any law, statute, or ordinance, if amended; (3) To RECOVER from end-users in the City of Davao differential local franchise tax payments made in 2018 and 2019, to the local government of the City of Davao, with applicable carrying charges as follows:

21. Applicant shall continue to bill LFT for its Davao City and Davao del Norte customers at a deficit until the Honorable Commission approves the collection of LFT at the new rate of 87% of 1% of its gross receipts for Davao City, and 60% of 1% of its gross receipts for Davao del Norte.

22. In view of the increased amount incurred by the imposition of new rates for the LFT, Applicant is constrained to file this application to recover the same as soon as practicable.

Recovery Rate for 2018 and 2019 Davao City LFT6 (PhP/kWh)

Under Recovery

Carrying Charge

Total

0.0015

0.0001

0.0016

25. In support of this Application, Applicant submits copies of the following documents: Annex

Document

In relation to LFT Payments for the City of Davao “A”

City Ordinance No. 0291-17, series of 2017

“B”

Office of the City Treasurer’s Business Tax Order of Payment No. 0173013 (2018, 1st Quarter)

“B-1” “C” “C-1” “D” “D-1” “E” “E-1” “F” “F-1” “G” “G-1” “H” “H-1”

OR No. 0006505852-A dated 19 January 2018 Office of the City Treasurer’s Business Tax Order of Payment No. 0216878 (2018, 2nd Quarter) with Tax Payment Details OR No. 0006516225-A dated 18 April 2018 Office of the City Treasurer’s Business Tax Order of Payment No. 0237513 (2018, 3rd Quarter, and differential LFT for the 1st and 2nd Quarters) OR No. 0006556735-A dated 18 July 2018 Office of the City Treasurer’s Business Tax Order of Payment No. 0252929 (2018, 4th Quarter)

Carrying Charge

Total

Amount in PhP

16,232,865.12

750,866.35

16,983,731.47

Recovery Rate (PhP/kWh)

0.00384

0.00018

0.00402

Under Recovery

Carrying Charge

Total

Amount in PhP

368,883.72

17,625.85

386,509.57

Recovery Rate (PhP/kWh)

0.0015

0.0001

0.0016

(5) To RECOVER differential local franchise tax payments and corresponding carrying charge that Applicant will incur from the time of filing this Application, until such time that this Honorable Commission grants provisional authority or final approval.

23. Applicant proposes a period of twenty-four (24) months to recover the amount representing the sum of actual LFT differential payments (for 2018 and for 2019) and the carrying charges incurred and paid by Applicant, from end-users situated in the City of Davao. Over the 24-month period, the impact of the proposed recovery is approximately as follows:

24. Similarly, Applicant proposes a period of twelve (12) months to recover the amount representing the sum of actual LFT differential payments and the carrying charges incurred and paid by Applicant from end-users situated in the Province of Davao del Norte. Over the 12-month period, the impact of the proposed recovery is approximately as follows:

Under Recovery

(4) To RECOVER from end-users in the Province of Davao del Norte differential local franchise tax payments made to the local government of the Province of Davao del Norte, with applicable carrying charges as follows:

20. Currently, Applicant continues to bill the LFT from its Davao City customers at the old rate of 82% of 1% of its gross receipts. Similarly, Applicant collects LFT from its Davao del Norte customers at the old rate of 55% of 1% of its gross receipts.

0.00402

Actual distribution revenues and breakdown sales/ receipts from the Province of Davao del Norte

(1) To IMPLEMENT the local franchise tax from its customers residing in the City of Davao, at the rate of 87% of 1% of the gross annual receipts of the preceding calendar year, from the time of its effectivity, pursuant to the 2017 Revenue Code of the City of Davao per City Ordinance No. 0291-17, series of 2017, and at such rate as may thereafter be imposed under any law, statute, or ordinance, if amended;

19. Furthermore, in ERC Case No. 2015-042 CF, the Honorable Commission has enunciated that DUs may be allowed to recover the LFT based on gross receipts assessed by the local government units.4

0.00018

Actual distribution revenues and breakdown sales/receipts from the City of Davao

WHEREFORE, it is respectfully requested that the Honorable Commission allow Davao Light and Power Company, Inc.:

18. In an Order dated 22 December 2003 in ERC Case No. 2001- 897 RC, the Commission held that the local franchise tax is a valid pass-through charge at the applicable rate. This was reiterated in the Decision dated 13 February 2008 in ERC Case No. 2006-075 RC.2 A similar pronouncement was made in the Decision dated 17 August 2015 for ERC Case No. 2014- 060 CF.3 In this vein, Applicant seeks the approval of the Commission for the pass-through of all LFT payments validly paid and incurred and those to be paid hereafter under the Davao City Ordinance No. 0291-17, series of 2017, and the Provincial Ordinance No. 2017-001.

0.00384

Summary of Payments for Davao City and Davao Del Norte

PRAYER

“A DU that intends to include in its retail rates the franchise and business taxes imposed on it by the LGU/s where it operates must first submit to the ERC the certified true copies of the valid tax ordinance/ s subjecting it to such taxes. In the case of Business Taxes, submissions shall include tax receipts for the payments made for the preceding year, data on its kWh sales for the previous year, and other relevant data. The DU shall await the ERC’s clearance, before the inclusion and imposition of such taxes in its customers’ retail rates.”

Recovery Rate for 2018 and 2019 Davao City LFT5 (PhP/kWh)

Board Resolution Authorizing the Filing of Application

“P”

30. In support of the prayer for the grant of provisional authority is the Judicial Affidavit of Annie C. Magno, as Annex “S”.

17. ERC Resolution No. 16, Series of 2009, Article 2, Section 6.2, last paragraph thereof provides that:

Total

Summary of Franchise Tax Computation for Davao del Norte

“O”

29. Given the foregoing, Applicant seeks provisional approval, pending trial on the merits, to: (1) implement the new rates of 87% of 1% of the gross annual receipts in the City of Davao, and 60% of 1% of the gross annual receipts in the Province of Davao del Norte; (2) collect/ recover the differential LFT as applied for, and, thereafter, (3) collect the differential LFT with the corresponding carrying charge, which Applicant will continue to incur from the time of filing this Application, until such time that this Honorable Commission grants provisional authority or final approval.

Recovery Scheme

Carrying Charge

Summaries of Franchise Tax Computation for Davao City

“N”

28. Any and all payments for the LFT to the local governments of the City of Davao and the Province of Davao del Norte, whether already made or still to be made, are actual, legitimate and necessary expenses, being a requirement by the local governments for the continued operation of the distribution system in the City of Davao and the Province of Davao del Norte.

Together with the carrying charges applied for, these are material costs, which have a material impact upon the finances and operations of Applicant.

The carrying charge was computed based on the 91-day T-Bill rate at the time of payment, per the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas and was computed as of 31 October 2019.

Under Recovery

“M”

27. Given the authority of the local government of the City of Davao and the Province of Davao del Norte to impose a local franchise tax under the Local Government Code, Applicant respectfully requests for authority to pass-through all payments for local franchise tax to the City of Davao at the new rate of 87% of 1%, and to the Province of Davao del Norte at the new rate of 60% of 1% of gross annual receipts, and be validly allowed to collect from Applicant’s relevant end-users from the time the new rates were implemented by the respective LGUs.

13. However, Applicant billed LFT for the Province of Davao del Norte under the previous rate of 55% of 1% in 2018, using the gross annual receipts in 2018 amounting to PHP737,767,432.61. Throughout the billing and collection cycles in 2018, Applicant recovered the LFT for the Province of Davao del Norte from its Davao del Norte customers at the old rate of 55% of 1%, or a total of PHP4,057,720.88.

Under Recovery

Receipt No. A0299537

26. Despite the enactment of Davao City’s Ordinance No. 0291- 17, series of 2017 and Davao del Norte’s Provincial Tax Ordinance No. 2017-001, Applicant continues to bill the LFT for Davao City under the old rate of 82% of 1% of its gross annual receipts, and LFT for Davao del Norte under the old rate of 55% of 1% of its gross annual receipts. In the absence of an approval from the Honorable Commission, authorizing Applicant to collect at the new rates, Applicant will again have to bill the under recovery of the LFT once the 2019 gross annual receipt amounts become final and subject to LFT in both LGUs.

12. The Provincial Tax Ordinance No. 2017-001 was enacted on 17 April 2017, and was applied to franchise tax payments for gross annual receipts accumulated in 2018. In 2019, Applicant paid franchise taxes to the Province of Davao del Norte at the new rate of 60% of 1%, for the 2018 sales of Applicant in the Province of Davao del Norte.

LFT billed (55% of 1%)

Receipt No. A0299536

“L-1”

ALLEGATIONS IN SUPPORT OF PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY OR INTERIM RELIEF

A copy of the ordinance is attached as Annex “J” of this Application.

LFT paid (60% of 1%)

Certification from the Province of Davao del Norte dated 15 August 2019

“L”

“R”

16. Further, since Applicant incurred carrying charges amounting to PHP17,625.85, Applicant respectfully submits the application for authority to pass through to end-users of Davao Del Norte such amount as carrying charges. Thus, Applicant respectfully applies for authority to pass through the total amount of PHP386,509.57.

The said Ordinance took effect in December 2017. Thus, beginning January 2018, Applicant paid franchise taxes to the City of Davao at the new rate of 87% of 1%, for its gross annual receipts in Davao City for the preceding calendar year.

Davao Light & Power Co. 2018 Franchise Tax Computation

“Q” and series

Section 91. PAYMENT OF FRANCHISE TAX. The tax on franchise shall be payable on or before the twentieth (20th) day of January of each year. Any person, or persons or corporations initially enjoying franchise and operating after the month of January must, however, pay the full tax before engaging therein. However, such person or persons or corporations before engaging in the business with franchise shall secure first a permit from the Office of the Provincial Governor. (Emphasis supplied).

16.1

Provincial Tax Ordinance No. 2017-001

Other Documents

15. Since Applicant recovered LFT payments at the previous rate of 55% of 1%, Applicant submits the application for authority to pass through to end-users of the Province of Davao del Norte the amount of PHP368,883.72. This is the total differential payment in 2019, resulting from the increase in the local franchise tax rate of the Province of Davao del Norte to 60% of 1%.

xxxx Section 43. Time of Payment. - The tax imposed in this Article shall be due and payable in quarterly installments to the City Treasurer, within the first twenty (20) days following each quarter. In the case of a newly started business, the tax shall be paid before the business starts to operate. (Emphasis supplied).

“J” “K” “K-1”

Section 89. IMPOSITION OF TAX. There is hereby imposed a tax on business enjoying a franchise tax, at a rate of sixty percent (60%) of one percent (1%) of the gross annual receipts, which shall include both cash sales and sales on account realized during the preceding calendar year within the territorial jurisdiction of Davao del Norte excluding the territorial limits of any city located within the Province.

2018

In the case of a newly started business, the tax shall be three-twentieth (3/20) of one percent (1%) of the capital investment. In the succeeding calendar year, regardless of when the business started to operate, the tax shall be based on the gross receipts for the preceding calendar year, or any fraction thereof, as provided herein.

4.

OR No. 0006648799-A dated 04 October 2019

In relation to LFT Payments for the Province of Davao del Norte

ARTICLE M. FRANCHISE TAX

ERC CASE NO. 2019-033 CF

3.

Office of the City Treasurer’s Business Tax Order of Payment No. 384410 (2019, 4th Quarter)

“I”

11. On 17 April 2017, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Davao del Norte enacted Provincial Tax Ordinance No. 2017-001, amending Provincial Tax Ordinance No. 2011-001. The said Ordinance effectively increased Franchise Tax in the Province of Davao del Norte, to wit:

IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION TO IMPLEMENT THE NEW LOCAL FRANCHISE TAX RATE IN THE CITY OF DAVAO AND THE PROVINCE OF DAVAO DEL NORTE, AND TO RECOVER LOCAL FRANCHISE TAXES, WITH PRAYER FOR PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY

2.

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

“I-1”

San Miguel Avenue, Pasig City

1.

LEGACY carrier Philippine Airlines has announced it will launch on March 20 its first non-stop flight service to Perth, Australia.

“Starting March 20, 2020, the first nonstop service to Perth, Australia shall start.

The four-times-a-week flights will utilize the 168-seater Airbus A321neo aircraft,” said PAL spokesperson Cielo Villaluna.

She said the airline first flew to Perth, the capital and largest city of Western Australia, via Darwin in 2013 and it is currently operates 19 weekly flights to three Australian gateways—Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.

By taking the non-stop flight to Perth, travelers will save at least four hours and a half in travel time vs. taking other airlines that require a stopover and flight connections.

Flight PR 223 (Manila-Perth service) will depart from Manila every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday beginning

Recover Local Franchise Taxes (LFT) in the City of Panabo and the Province of Davao del Norte.

Republic of the Philippines

ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION TODAY

March 20, 2020, at 12:05 a.m., and arrive in Perth Airport at 7:20 a.m. local time.

The returning flight PR 224 (PerthManila service) will leave Perth’s Terminal 1 International at 8:40 a.m. local time and touch down in Manila at 3:50 p.m. on the same days.

“We are thrilled to welcome Perth to our network,” said PAL’s chief sales and chief marketing officer Eugene Go. “Our pioneer nonstop flights will allow us to vigorously promote the Philippines as a top-notch tourist experience for residents of Western Australia, and we look forward to extending our gracious Filipino hospitality to them from the moment they step on board our brand-new planes flown by our experienced professional crew.”

PAL’s 168-seater Airbus A321neo has 12 seats in business class and 156 seats in economy class. The business class cabin boasts generous seat pitch (legroom) of 60 inches and seats that are up to 23 inches wide and recline to become full flat beds, measuring 78 inches in length.

By Joel E. Zurbano

(MPN/100mL), which was the lowest among with at Rajah Sulayman/Remedios drainage and at the Manila Yacht Club outfall, but is far away from its supposed level at 100 MPN/100mL to fall under the Class SB for coastal and marine water, as set by the Environmental Management Bureau.

At the same time, the urban poor group Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (KADAMAY)-Metro Manila on Tuesday condemned Cimatu’s “antipoor” remarks on massive evictions of urban poor near Manila Bay. Maristel Garcia, Kadamay Metro Manila spokesperson, questioned the degrading remarks of Cimatu against the poor and for blaming them as the core reason of the problem.

By Willie Casas

“DENR’s claim is so narrow that it could only cite positive indicators on the bay within the city of Manila, when legally it involves a coastline of 190 kilometers and near 200,000 hectares, from Bataan province in the north to Cavite in the South and they did so cited (sic) on

PAL’s non-stop flight to Perth March 20

Further, Applicant respectfully prays that the Honorable Commission PROVISIONALLY AUTHORIZE Applicant to collect the aforementioned amounts and to collect local franchise tax from its end-users in the City of Davao and the Province of Davao del Norte at the new local franchise tax rate of 87% of 1% for Davao City, and 60% of 1% of Davao del Norte.

Other relief just and equitable under the premises are likewise prayed for.

The Commission has set the Application for determination of compliance with the jurisdictional requirements, expository presentation, Pre-Trial Conference, and presentation of evidence on 11 February 2020 (Tuesday) at two o’clock in the afternoon (2:00 P.M.), at the ERC Hearing Room, 15th Floor, Pacific Center Building, San Miguel Avenue, Pasig City.

All persons who have an interest in the subject matter of the instant case may become a party by filing with the Commission a verified Petition to Intervene at least five (5) days prior to the initial hearing and subject to the requirements under Rule 9 of the 2006 ERC Rules of Practice and Procedure, indicating therein the docket number and title of the case and stating the following: 1) The petitioner’s name and address; 2) The nature of petitioner’s interest in the subject matter of the proceeding and the way and manner in which such interest is affected by the issues involved in the proceeding; and 3) A statement of the relief desired.

All other persons who may want their views known to the Commission with respect to the subject matter of the case may file their Opposition or Comment thereon at any stage of the proceeding before Applicant rests its case, subject to the requirements under Rule 9 of the 2006 ERC Rules of Practice and Procedure. No particular form of Opposition or Comment is required, but the document, letter, or writing should contain the following: 1) The name and address of such person; 2) A concise statement of the Opposition or Comment; and 3) The grounds relied upon.

All such persons who wish to have a copy of the Application may request from Applicant that they be furnished with the same prior to the date of the initial hearing. Applicant is hereby directed to furnish all those making such request with copies of the Application and its attachments, subject to the reimbursement of reasonable photocopying costs. Any such person may likewise examine the Application and other pertinent records filed with the Commission during the standard office hours.

WITNESS, the Honorable Chairperson and CEO AGNES VST DEVANADERA and the Honorable Commissioners ALEXIS M. LUMBATAN, CATHERINE P. MACEDA, and PAUL CHRISTIAN M. CERVANTES,, Energy Regulatory Commission, this 20th day of December 2019 in Pasig City.

OR No. 0006564187-A dated 8 October 2018 Office of the City Treasurer’s Business Tax Order of Payment No.320242 (2019, 1st Quarter)

JOSEFINA PATRICIA A. MAGPALE-ASIRIT Oversight Commissioner for Legal

OR No. 6603439-A dated 29 January 2019 Office ofthe City Treasurer’s Business Tax Order of Payment No. 344876 (2019, 2nd Quarter) OR No. 0006626255-A dated 10 April 2019 Office of the City Treasurer’s Business Tax Order of Payment No. 362739 (2019, 3rd Quarter) OR No. 0006634680-A dated 11 July 2019

1 2 3 4 5 6

The Province of Davao del Norte has a mechanism of “self-assessment.”

See page 5, ERC Decision dated 13 February 2008 in ERC Case No. 2006-075 RC. Decision dated 17 August 2015, p. 16. 0.00402 See par. 3, page 10, ERC Decision dated 13 September 2017 in ERC Case No. 2015-042 RC. Based on the 2017 and 2018 kWh sales of DLPC for Davao City of 2,038,509,967 kWh and 2,186,671,753 kWh, respectively.

Based on the 2018 kWh sales of DLPC for Davao del Norte of 250,521,269 kWh. (MS-JAN. 29, 2020)

Sports

A7

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 29, 2020 sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

Pressure cranks up for Barty

M

ELBOURNE—Ashleigh Barty said Tuesday that she prefers the quiet life but there is no chance of that after Australia’s world number one reached the semi-finals of her home Grand Slam for the first time.

The top seed plays 14th-seeded American Sofia Kenin in the last four after surviving a tough first set to defeat Petra Kvitova 7-6 (8/6), 6-2 in the quarter-finals.

There is intense pressure on the 23-year-old Barty, the last remaining Australian in the tournament, to deliver the first homegrown women’s champion since Chris O’Neil in 1978.

She is the face of the Australian Open

Federer heads into unknown in Aussie Open MELBOURNE—Roger Federer is on a collision course with Novak Djokovic at the Australian Open but must first avoid an upset against Tennys Sandgren, while women’s top seed Ashleigh Barty carries home hopes in Tuesday’s quarter-finals.

The first Grand Slam of the year is approaching a climax and some of the biggest names are chasing milestones that would write them another chapter in the tennis history books.

Swiss great Federer has faced most of the top players but never Sandgren, the world number 100 who stands in the way of a potential semi-final with holder Djokovic.

Federer, who is chasing a 21st Grand Slam title, is wary of the strapping 28-year-old American.

“It was impressive how he was competing,” he said of Sandgren’s gritty victory in the last 16 in Melbourne over 12th seed Fabio Fognini.

“I’m looking forward to a tough one,” added Federer, who has reached 14 Australian Open quarter-finals— and never lost.

The winner will face the victor of the other quarter-final on Tuesday between 32nd seed Milos Raonic and Djokovic, the second seed.

Raonic’s weapon is his exocet missile of a serve—he has played 59 service games and is yet to be broken, pumping down 82 aces.

But history is with the Serb having never lost to Raonic in nine previous meetings.

In the women’s draw, world number one Ashleigh Barty shoulders Australian hopes and is aiming to be the first home-grown women’s winner since Chris O’Neil in 1978.

The 23-year-old Barty is the sole remaining Australian after Nick Kyrgios was defeated by Rafael Nadal late on Monday.

But Barty faces a stern test in the form of two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova, the Czech seventh seed.

The other women’s quarter-final is between 14th seed Sofia Kenin —who ended the fairytale run of fellow American Coco Gauff in the last round—and unseeded Tunisian Ons Jabeur. AFP

Federer

and her picture is on billboards all over Melbourne.

But Barty said: “I’d prefer to just be sitting at home just living my quiet little life.

“I mean, no offense, but not having to chat to you guys every day would be pretty good,” she told reporters, smiling. “I feel like I have nothing to say, I’m talking in circles a little bit.”

But Barty said having the focus on her

in Melbourne was inevitable and “a part of the journey that I hate it and I love it”.

Beating the Czech seventh seed Kvitova was revenge for Barty, who was beaten by the two-time Wimbledon champion at the same stage last year.

But the down-to-earth Australian is a better player than 12 months ago, winning the French Open last year and hitting the top of the rankings for the first time.

‘Exceptional competitor’ Kvitova, 29, who suffered severe injury to her left playing hand in a knife attack at her home in 2016, and Barty went toe-to-toe in a crucial seventh game of the first set.

In a game stretching to nearly 10 minutes, Barty fought off five break points to hold serve at Rod Laver Arena, to roars of approval.

In a tense encounter they went to the tie-break, but it was Kvitova who blinked, shanking a forehand long to give Barty the set in 69 high-quality minutes.

Barty, who once gave up tennis to play professional cricket, clenched her fist. Kvitova tossed her racquet into air.

Barty pulled away in the second set as Kvitova wilted in the Melbourne sun.

The Australian sealed the deal with her trademark minimum fuss, booking her spot in the last four with an ace. AFP

Australia’s Ashleigh Barty hits a return against Czech Republic’s Petra Kvitova during their women’s singles quarter-final match on day nine of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne. AFP

PSC starts budget planning for 2020 THE Philippine Sports Commission has scheduled a series of budget hearings with national sports association starting Tuesday next week to finalize their budget for 2020.

“The PSC, as mandated by law, is here to support each of our NSAs. With the assistance coming from the President and PAGCOR, we want to know their budget proposals and programs and see where we are headed,” said PSC Chairman William Ramirez.

Special attention will be given

plans for NSAs with Olympicbound athletes or potential Olympic qualifiers, given the serious campaign of the government to finally win that Olympic gold.

Aside from the annual budget, each NSAs priority programs and major international events will also be tackled, as well as each of their grassroots sports programs, updates on their International Federation (IF) and Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) accreditation, and their athlete’s profile.

Each commissioner will be leading the hearing for the respective sports under their charge. Gymnastics and Athletics, which already have Olympic qualifiers in Caloy Yulo and EJ Obiena, are scheduled February 6 and 12 respectively.

Last year, the PSC approved a 600 million total budget for NSAs but exceeded this by over 100% given the country’s hosting of the 30th Southeast Asian Games and the unanimous goal to finish with the overall crown.

Mighty Sports rolls to 3 straight Dubai win rd

JUAN Gomez de Liaño and Thirdy Ravena combined forces to give Mighty Sports-Creative Pacific a third straight win – an 8466 rout of Tunisia’s ES Rades in the 31st Dubai International Basketball Championship late Monday at the Shabab Al Ahli Club in the United Arab Emirates.

The former collegiate rivals combined for six triples, with Gomez de Liaño of the University of the Philippines posting an impressive 4-of-5 shooting from the 3-point area for 12 points while Ravena, former Ateneo superstar, added 8 points on 2-of-5 shooting from the same area aside from providing the intangibles to help the Mighty Sports-Creative Pacific post its first blowout win after two tough wins.

The PBA hopefuls struck hardest in the third that saw Mighty Sports-Creative Pacific post a 63-54 lead going into the payoff period.

Naturalized Filipino Andray Blatche and World Cup veteran Renaldo Balkman then took charge in the middle of the fourth to finally break the game wide apart to the delight of team owners Alexander Wongchuking and Bong Cuevas and hundreds of wildly-cheering Filipino fans.

“It’s a good win for us,” said coach Charles Tiu who immediately dedicated the win to NBA legend Kobe Bryant who died in a helicopter crash Sunday in LA. “I’m happier this time because two of our local standouts finally showed what they are capable of,” said Wongchuking.

For the third straight game, the 6-foot-10 Blatche tallied in double-double with 18 points and 13 boards apart from registering five assists while Balkman also finished with 18 points and six boads but turned the ball seven times for the team also backed by Go for Gold, Gatorade and Discovery Primea.

Tiu hopes to use the win as an added motivation when they battle last year’s runner-up Beirut Sports Club for Group B’s top seeding on Tuesday at 9 p.m. (1 a.m. Wednesday PH time).

Though already assured of a quarterfinals berth, Mighty Sports-

Thirdy Ravena of Mighty Sports-Creative Pacific is fouled by a Tunisian defender during this play.

Creative Pacific needs to prevail over the Lebanese squad to face the No. 4 team in Group A of 11-team tournament.

“We need to sweep our group elims for better chances in the semis,” said Wongchuking.

Basilan, Iloilo boost playoff drives; Caloocan five stays alive ANTIPOLO CITY—Basilan is officially in, Iloilo is virtually in, and Caloocan is desperately trying to sneak in.

This is the Chooks-to-Go MPBL Lakan Season playoffs situation after Monday’s elimination round games at Ynares Center here.

Flaunting their firepower in the fourth quarter, the Basilan Steel routed the Rizal Xentro Mall Golden Coolers, 103-85, for their fourth straight victory and an 18-10 record that tightened their hold of third spot in the South division.

The Iloilo United Royals needed to fend off

Binan City Luxxe White Krah, 67-64, to climb to joint fifth in the South with a 17-11 slate.

Trailing by nine points with less than five minutes left, the Caloocan Supremos held the Muntinlupa Cagers scoreless the rest of the way while coming through with 10 points, eight by Paul Sanga, to pull off a 6362 squeaker and injected life to their dying playoffs bid in the North division.

With Sanga making only 1 of 14 attempts, the Supremos lagged behind at 52-63. Sanga, however, found his bearing when needed most, drilling in two triples and two charities in the final assault that raised their card to

15-13, just behind the eighth-ranked Pasay Voyagers (15-12) in the chase for the eight playoff berths.

Sanga finished with 15 points and 5 rebounds, followed by Cedric Labing-isa with 14 points, 9 rebounds plus 7 assists; and John Carlos Escalambre with 12 points.

Held to a 67-70 count after the third quarter, the Steel relied on Allyn Bulanadi to preside over an 18-4 run that sealed the outcome, 88-71, midway of the final period.

Bulanadi tallied 25 points and 5 rebounds for the Jumbo Plastics-backed Steel, who are now gunning for a top four slot, according to

head coach Jerson Cabiltes.

The top four finishers after the single round-robin eliminations will enjoy the homecourt edge in the 8-team playoffs of both divisions.

Other major contributors for Basilan were Gabriel Dagangon with 17 points plus 5 rebounds, Hesed Gabo with a double-double 12 points, 11 rebounds, and Bobby Balucanag with 12 points.

All the losers were also-runs with Rizal (4-22) at the North bottom, Binan at 12-17 in the South, and Muntinlupa at 7-22 also in the South.

PSL teams to test mettle of visiting Japanese THREE teams get a chance to test their mettles against a powerhouse team from Japan when the Philippine Superliga holds a preseason tournament at the Imus City Sports Center in Imus City starting Monday.

Sta. Lucia, Cignal and GenerikaAyala are tipped to parade their overhauled rosters against a selection team from West Japan University in this pocket tourney that serves as the opening salvo of the most prestigious women’s volleyball league in the country.

Mika Reyes will get a first taste of action in Sta. Lucia’s jersey while Rhea Dimaculangan makes her debut for Generika-Ayala in this event that is co-hosted by the city government of Imus headed by Mayor Emmanuel Maliksi.

Aside from serious competition, the league and the city will also display their “bayanihan spirit” as they provide aid to the victims of the recent Taal Volcano eruption.

With that, instead of selling tickets, organizers will give free access to the games in exchange for relief goods like used clothes, canned goods, bottled water and facemasks.

“There are around 1,500 families who evacuated to our city from nearby areas affected by the explosion of Taal Volcano,” Maliksi said.

“We laud the PSL for coming up with the idea of turning this event into a relief drive for the victims of the volcano eruption. Aside from giving fans a glimpse of what to expect in the upcoming PSL Grand Prix, they are also helping those in need.”

Aside from giving free tickets in exchange for donations, PSL stars from other teams like Petron, Marinerang Pilipina, PLDT Home Fibr, Chery Tiggo and F2 Logistics as well as two key players from the Japanese squad will also auction their respective jerseys to raise fund for the evacuees on Wednesday.

Prior to that, the Japanese players will visit the evacuees to personally hand their donations on Tuesday.

PSL chairman Philip Ella Juico said this is their way of giving it back to the community.

“This is our way of helping those in need,” said Juico, the former Philippine Sports Commission chairman who now leads the Philippine Amateur Track and Field Association.

“We are lucky to have the city of Imus as our partner in this very noble endeavor.”

PruRide PH set in March ONCE again, insurance and investment firm Pru Life UK is presenting its awardwinning cycling event, the PRURide PH, from March 11 to 15.

The event, which was launched in 2016, is expected to draw more then 2,500 cyclists, including local and international professionals, that will vie 10 high-octane categories.

“We are excited to launch PRURide PH 2020 after the success of our first three editions,” said Pru Life UK senior vice president and chief customer marketing officer Allan Tumbaga in yesterday’s PSA Forum at Amelie Hotel Manila.

The challenging three-day race is accredited by the Union Cycliste Internationale, the world-governing body in the sport, as a 2.2 stage race. It will be the first UCI-sanctioned race in the Philippines this year and for the second straight year is included in the UCI world calendar.

Also gracing the forum presented by San Miguel Corp., Braska Restaurant, Amelie Hotel Manila and PAGCOR was race director Ian Alacar. He said Stage 1 in Clark will cover 120 kms on a 30 km loop, Stage 2 in Mt. Samat in Bataan and Stage 3 on a 15 km loop inside Clark.

The route will feature flat roads, uphill and downhill stages.

“We aim to offer the best PRURide PH yet to professional and recreational cyclists from the Philippines and Asia,” added Tumbaga of the event that aims to engage the growing cycling community in the country and raise awareness on cycling as a sustainable alternative mode of transport and promote health and wellness through its We DO Health Advocacy.

Alacar added that 13 international teams will vie against five local teams. The lineup will be finalized on Feb. 10. More than P2 million in cash prizes will be at stake.

Among the celebrity ambassadors of PRURide PH are Gretchen Ho, Kim Atienza and Zoren Legaspi.

Sports

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

A8 WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 29, 2020

Italy weeps for a legend, a global icon forged overseas

MILAN—Kobe Bryant was a global icon, an American basketball superstar, but one formed in Italy where he spent seven years of his childhood.

Bryant died Sunday when a helicopter he was travelling in crashed in thick fog, killing all nine people on board including his 13-year-old daughter Gianna.

The 41-year-old’s death plunged legions of fans around the world into mourning and his passing sent shockwaves through Italy where he spent his formative years.

“Italian sport is in mourning. Kobe Bryant is the son of Italy, in all respects,” said Italian Olympic Committee president Giovanni Malago.

“He grew up in Italy. We are all devastated by pain.

“One of the greatest sporting personalities of all time, not only sport since he had also won an Oscar and was also very committed to social issues,” continued Malago.

“He had elegance and an infinite class.”

A woman cries in front of a makeshift memorial for former NBA and Los Angeles Lakers player Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna Bryant, who were killed with seven Bryant lived in Italy between the ages others in a helicopter crash on January 26, at LA Live plaza in front of Staples Center in Los Angeles. AFP of six and 13 while his father, former NBA player Joe “Jellybean” Bryant, played professional basketball before he returned to Pennsylvania for high school, and spoke fluent Italian.

The family first moved to the central city of Rieti.

They later moved to Reggio Calabria in the south of Italy, Pistoia in Tuscany and Reggio Emilia in the north.

It was in Reggio Emilia that Bryant himself said “my story began”.

“It’s where my dream of playing in the NBA started,” he said.

Bryant entered the NBA draft straight out of high school in 1996.

OS ANGELES—NBA players paid tribute to Kobe had a career-high 50 points from 12th“From you I learned to be a basketball LOS ANGELES—NBA superstar year veteran Eric Gordon in a 126-117 Bryant at Monday’s games, with the Minnesota LeBron James said Monday he was player,” Bryant, an 18-time NBA Allvictory over Utah. But he was still Timberwolves recalling an iconic moment in the late “heartbroken and devastated” over Star who won five championships struggling to wrap his thoughts around superstar’s legendary 20-year career. the death of Kobe Bryant while vowduring a 20-year career with the Los Bryant’s death. ing in an Instagram post to continue Angeles Lakers, said of his Bryant, a five-time NBA champion in throws on December 14, 2014, to move Bryant’s championship legacy with time in Italy. two decades with the Los Angeles Lakers, past Michael Jordan and become the the Los Angeles Lakers.

“Forever one of us,” died Sunday aged 41 in a helicopter crash NBA’s number three all-time scorer.

Bryant, a five-time NBA champion local basketball team PalBryant kept that spot on the NBA career near Los Angeles that claimed nine lives in 20 seasons with the Lakers, died lacanestro Reggiana points list until just hours before his death, in all, including Bryant’s daughter Gigi.

Sunday at age 41 in a helicopter crash posted, alongside pic“Kobe was a trailblazer, someone I when he was passed by current Lakers suonly hours after Lakers star James tures of Bryant as part of looked up to my entire childhood wanting perstar LeBron James. overtook him for third on the league’s its youth team.

Sacramento defeated Minnesota 133to be like him, wanting to hit last-second all-time scoring list.

“Kobe Bryant grew up “I’m heartbroken and devastated shots like him,” said Minnesota’s Karl- 129 in overtime, but just as in host Chihere and he was a ‘Regmy brother,” James posted. “Man I cago’s 110-109 win over San Antonio, Anthony Towns. giano’ for all of us. He love you big bro.

In pre-game introductions, Detroit Pis- heartache over Bryant’s death tempered left us today. A basketball “I promise you I’ll continue your tons players wore jerseys with only the the joy of victory. legend that our whole legacy man! You mean so much to us “There will never be another Kobe numbers 8 and 24, but they lacked Kobe’s city will remember forall here especially #LakerNation and magic on the court, falling to visiting Bryant,” Chicago’s Zach LaVine said. ever with affection and A note is seen among flowers and candles at a it’s my responsibility to put this shit “There’s only one person like that ever.

Cleveland 115-100. gratitude. Ciao Kobe,” the makeshift memorial as fans mourn the death of NBA on my back and keep it going!!

Games began with teams exchanging He made an impact on people off the court legend Kobe Bryant. AFP mayor of Reggio Emilia, “Please give me the strength from 24-second shot clock violations or eight- and in basketball as well.

Luca Vecchi wrote on Facebook. the heavens above and watch over “I’m still hurting for that,” Gordon “Kids growing up in the 1980s, they second violations for not advancing the me! I got US here!”

Vecchi later announced that a new said.

“I’ve known him since I was in colball beyond the mid-court line—an hom- wanted to be like Mike (Jordan). We all The NBA postponed Tuesday’s square in the city would be named lege. It’s a tough day for everybody.” age to 24 and 8, the two jersey numbers wanted to be like Kobe.” scheduled Lakers game against the ‘Piazza Kobe Bryant’ in his honour.

The Rockets were without NBA Dallas won 107-97 at Oklahoma City Bryant wore for the Lakers.

Los Angeles Clippers in the wake of Another former team, NPC Rieti, At Minneapolis, the T-Wolves put a with the host Thunder playing without for- scoring leader James Harden, out with Bryant’s tragic death. The Lakers’ posted a childhood photo of the player, a thigh bruise, and Russell Westbrook, unique spin on the idea after winning an ward Chris Paul. He missed his first game of next scheduled game is at home Frisaying: “You made us dream, moved us the season mourning the death of Bryant, his taking a planned rest game. Gordon led opening tip-off against Sacramento. day against Portland. and made us cry and cheer but above all Minnesota’s Andrew Wiggins took the friend and teammate on the 2008 and 2012 the Rockets in beating a Jazz club that James also made it clear he is still you made us fall in love. had won 14 of 15 prior starts and nine in ball and placed it on the free throw line US Olympic gold medal squads. trying to process the shocking death “We are proud to have been the a row at home.

AFP At Salt Lake City, the Houston Rockets upon the very spot Bryant sank two free of an iconic long-time rival and dear first to see you tread the basketball friend long before they had expected courts. We will never forget you to say farewell, the crash having killed Kobe Bryant, idol of the Rieti, of nine people in all, including Bryant’s Italians and of all those who thanks daughter Gigi. to you, try to fly high.”

“I’m Not Ready but here I go,” Bryant forged strong links with Italy James said to start his message. “Man and regularly returned. His four daughI sitting here trying to write something ters with his wife Vanessa all have Italian for this post but every time I try I benames, including Gianna Maria-Onore, gin crying again just thinking about a promising basketball player who also you, niece Gigi and the friendship/ died in the crash. bond/brotherhood we had!

His three other daughters are Natalia “I literally just heard your voice Sunday morning before I left Philly to Diamante, 16, three-year-old head back to LA. Didn’t think for one Bianka Bella, and seven-month old bit in a million years that would be the Capri Kobe Bryant. last conversation we’d have. WTF!!”

‘A boy who played here The Lakers have won 16 NBA titles A minute’s silence will be obin team history, one shy of the Bosserved before all games in Italy to ton Celtics’ all-time record. Bryant honour Bryant, who Italian Basketwon five titles in seven NBA Finals ball Federation president Giovanni The Detroit Pistons (above) and the Minnesota Timberwolves (left) honor Kobe Bryant by appearances, taking crowns in 2000, Petrucci said “has been and will alwearing numbers “8” and “24” on their jerseys prior to their NBA games against the Cleveland 2001, 2002, 2009 and 2010. AFP ways be linked to Italy”.

Cavaliers and the Sacramento Kings, respectively. AFP “It’s a small but heartfelt and deserved gesture to honour the life and memory of Kobe Bryant, an absolute champion who always had Italy in his heart,” Petrucci said.

Bryant’s death “has affected the FOUR players are in the running in the race the Governors’ Cup, while Perez contended seventh, followed by Wright (29.0), Magnowhole city,” said the mayor of Pistoia, for the Philippine Basketball Association for the top player award in two conferences. lia’s Ian Sangalang (28.7) and SMB’s Moala Alessandro Tomasi.

Stats-wise, Fajardo and Perez led the Tautuaa (27.5) to round out the Magic 10.

Season 44 Most Valuable Player, featuring “The whole city has been hit by this In the race for the Mythical First Team the season’s Best Player of the Conference pack, with the SMB star piling up a whoptragic news because many of my generawinners and the top rookie that wowed the ping statistical points average of 39.6 and and Second Team are players in the Top 25. tion, I am his age, played basketball with Others making the list Troy Rosario the Columbian Dyip super rookie coming league like a grizzled showman. him, attended school with him, went out (TNT), Scottie Thompson (Ginebra), Alex June Mar Fajardo is on line to stretch his through with 33.47 SPs per game. with him, met the father who played Perez even led all comers in scoring, Cabagnot (SMB), Robert Bolick (Northrecord reign as PBA MVP to a sixth straight here,” said Tomasi. year as the San Miguel Beer ace behemoth emerging as the league’s new scoring Port), Rashawn McCarthy (Columbian), “For us he is not only the great chamis in the exciting MVP race versus TNT champ with 20.8 ppg. Matthew Wright was Jeron Teng (Alaska), Chris Ross (SMB), pion, he is not only the legend, but he is a KaTropa’s Jayson Castro, NorthPort’s a close second with 18.89, followed by Fa- Paul Lee (Magnolia), LA Tenorio (Gineperson, a boy who played here and who bra), Poy Erram (NLEX), Chris Banchero Christian Standardinger and Columbian jardo (18.87). trod our courts.”

Castro barely missed the Top Five with (Magnolia), Arwind Santos (SMB) and Dyip’s CJ Perez.

Bryant was also a lifelong AC Milan The season’s top performer will be 31.5 per outing, while Standhardinger came Greg Slaughter (Ginebra). football fan, growing up watching the As MVP contender, Perez is the top faawarded with the coveted ware during the in 16th with 26.7. likes of Ruud Gullit, Marco van Basten NorthPort’s Sean Anthony (33.46), Gine- vorite for the Rookie of the Year award.

Leo Awards that usher in PBA Season 45 and Paolo Maldini.

His closest rivals are Bolick, Javee Mobra’s Stanley Pringle (31.8) and TNT’s RR inaugurals on March 1.

“We have no words to express how Fajardo bagged the Philippine Cup BPC Pogoy (31.7) finished third, fourth and fifth in con and Bobby Ray Parks. shocked we are to hear of the tragic The Leo Awards also feature the winners of award, Castro took the BPC honors in the the stats race, thus, putting themselves in good passing of one of the greatest sportsthe Most Improved Player, the Sportsmanship midseason Commissioner’s Cup, Stand- positions to make the Mythical Selections. men of all time and Rossonero fan, Ginebra’s Japeth Aguilar (29.9) came at Award and the All Defensive Team. hardinger had his own BPC coronation in June Mar Fajardo Kobe Bryant,” the club said. AFP

Devastated LeBron vows to continue Kobe legacy

NBA, fans pay tribute to trailblazing Bryant L

Fajardo, 3 others slug it out in Season 44 Most Valuable Player race

IN BRIEF

ERC okays lower feed-in tariff rate

THE Energy Regulatory Commission allowed state-run National Transmission Corp. (TransCo) to collect from consumers a feed-in tariff (FIT-All) allowance of P0.0495 per kilowatt-hour for calendar year 2019.

The regulator issued a statement on Tuesday that it approved a lower FIT-All compared to the application of TransCo. “The ERC-approved 2019 FIT-All is lower by P0.1976 per kWh vis-à-vis TransCo’s proposed rate of P0.2471, and will reflect a P0.1731 per kWh reduction from the current (2018) FIT-All rate of P0.2226/kWh,” ERC chairperson and chief executive officer Agnes Devanadera said.

The FIT-All mechanism was established pursuant to the Renewable Energy Act of 2008, which aims to spur the development of emerging renewable power sources such as wind, solar, run-of-river hydro and biomass facilities.

The FIT-All is a uniform charge in peso per kWh payable by all electricity users and is calculated and set annually.

Distribution utilities, grid operator National Grid Corporation of the Philippines and retail electricity suppliers serves as collecting agents. Alena Mae S. Flores

Business

Aboitiz Power clears P9.55-b bond issue THE board of Aboitiz Power Corp. approved the issuance of up to P9.55 billion in fixed-rate retail bonds out of the P30billion bonds it registered in 2017.

Aboitiz Power disclosed to the Philippine Stock Exchange on Tuesday the fixed rate bonds was the fourth trance of its P30billion bonds under the shelf registration program of the Securities Exchange Commission.

“Subject to ßmarket conditions, the fourth tranche bonds is expected to be offered to the general public in the second quarter of 2020 and shall be listed with the Philippine Dealing and Exchange Corporation (PDEx) as and when issued,” the company said.

The board of Aboitiz Power delegated to the management the final determination of the issue amount, interest rate, offer price, tenors, and other terms and conditions of the bonds including the parties that will manage or otherwise be involved in the offer.

“Proceeds of the fourth tranche bonds will be used to finance planned acquisitions, future investments, and/or other corporate requirements,” the company said.

Alena Mae S. Flores

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 29, 2020

B1

By Othel V. Campos

HYUNDAI ANGELES. Hyundai, the No. 1 Korean automotive brand in the Philippines, unveils its newest full-service passenger car dealership in Angeles City, Pampanga on January 23, 2020. Leading the unveiling of the marker of Hyundai Angeles Pampanga are (from left) HARI chairman Edward Go, HARI president and chief executive officer Maria Fe Perez-Agudo, HAP chairman Angelo Hizon Jr., HAP deputy chief operating officer Yves Amiel Hizon, and HAP executive vice president and COO Marco Hizon.

Govt sells P134b worth of retail treasury bonds T

By Julito G. Rada

HE Bureau of the Treasury on Tuesday awarded P134 billion worth of retail treasury bonds with a coupon rate of 4.375 percent in an auction nearly five times oversubscribed.

The huge demand prompted the committee to raise the acceptance from the initial offering of P30 billion. It was the 23rd issuance of RTBs by the government and the first for 2020.

The bonds will have a three-year tenor and be offered to the general investing public for minimum denominations of P5,000 from Jan. 28, to Feb. 6, 2020.

National Treasurer Rosalia de Leon said the increasing participation in the RTBs and in the maiden offering of the Premyo Bonds “tells us that we are charting the right path in terms of mak-

ing basic investment products accessible to Filipinos.”

“The Republic first launched the RTBs in 2001, and since then, it has not only become a staple fund-raising exercise for the national government’s priority programs, but has also provided an avenue for the investing public to work together with the government to promote the advancement of the economy,” she said.

The government has been issuing RTBs as part of efforts to support financial inclusion and literacy among Filipinos by making basic investment instruments accessible to the public.

The marketing and issuance of RTBs is in line with the move of the Republic to encourage the country’s unbanked population to open bank accounts as well as save and invest their money.

RTBs are generally considered lowrisk for investors, allowing them to earn a fixed interest based on prevailing market rates and are paid quarterly during the term of the bond. In late 2019, the BTr issued the Premyo Bonds, which

raised close to P5 billion.

The Premyo Bonds were received enthusiastically by the public, with 90 percent of the investors being individuals, some of whom had to open a deposit account so they could participate in the offering.

Proceeds from the issuance of RTBs will be used for general budgetary purposes, including critical infrastructure projects and social services. Interested investors of RTBs should have a peso account with selling agent banks accredited by the BTr. It is through this peso bank account that investors will receive their quarterly interest payments and principal amount on maturity.

To invest, one may approach their bank branch of choice or visit the BTr website via its online ordering facility.

For the latest transaction, the BTr is also introducing an exchange offer program where bond holders of RTB 3-08—the RTBs issued in April 11, 2017 maturing on April 11 2020—will be allowed to exchange their RTB 3-08 holdings for this latest RTB offering.

THE price of regular-milled rice fell 12.3 percent in the first week of January to P36.53 per kilogram to P41.63/kg in the same week of December, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority.

The Agriculture Department noted the price was the lowest in a six-year period since the third week of January 2014 when it declined to P36.46/ kg.

“Consumers are now reaping the benefits of a lower price of rice, which is the heart and soul of the rice tariffication law,” said Agriculture Secretary William Dar. The average price of well-milled rice was cheaper by 11 percent at P37.24/kg in the first week of January compared with P41.82/kg during the same period in January 2019.

Dar assured consumers and farmers that the Department would pursue the efficient implementation of the four component programs of the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund as called for under the RTL. “We are pleased to hear the PSA report on the declining rice prices, benefiting millions of our countrymen. From hereon, we will even work harder to sustain reasonable rice prices, coupled with efforts to empower our farmers by providing them quality seeds, needed farm machinery, credit, modern technology and training,” he said.

He added the major components of the rice fund were in full swing. They include the provision of farm machinery, quality seeds, credit, package of technology and training, backed up by an assured funding of P10 billion yearly for the next six years.

The Department’s Philippine Rice Research Institute has to date obligated a total of P2.56 billion for seeds and distributed P552.6 million worth or around 893,433 bags to thousands of farmers in 557 out of 798 municipalities nationwide.

Under the mechanization component, identification, evaluation and field validation of farmers’ cooperatives are ongoing. They will be granted with P3 billion worth of various farm machinery starting first semester of 2020.

Merrymart of Sia Group raising P1.6b from IPO

70% of index stocks in bear levels—COL ONLINE brokerage firm COL Financial Inc. said it expects the bellwether Philippine Stock Exchange Index to trade between 7,000 and 7,800 points this year as overall investor sentiments remain weak due to heightened regulatory risks.

COL chief technical analyst Juanis Barredo said in a presentation while the market was not yet on bear territory, 70 percent of the index stocks were in the bear levels, or where share prices have fallen below 20 percent, over the past several weeks.

Barredo said one major factor that the index had not come down 20 percent from its high of 9,058 points was the performance of a few stocks, like SM Prime Holdings Inc., BDO Unibank Inc., SM Investments Corp., International Container Terminal Services Inc., Robinsons Land Corp. and JG Summit Holdings Inc. The prices of these stocks accounting for 50 percent of the PSEi have not gone down significantly.

Barredo, however, said there was also the possibility of the index rising to the 8,000-point level this year as many stocks had already reached oversold levels.

But if things remain gloomy, Barredo said the market’s worst case scenario would be the index hitting 6,800.

Meanwhile, COL Financial research head April Lynn Tan said during the same briefing while sentiments on the country’s fundamentals remained robust, certain issues like the heightened regulatory risks, environmental uncertainties and growing irrelevance of the Philippine market in the emerging market basket.

Jenniffer B. Austria

business@manilastandard.net extrastory2000@gmail.com

Price of rice down by 12% in first week of January

Sales of imported vehicles nearly flat SALES of member of the Association of Vehicle Importers and Distributors Inc. dropped slightly in 2019 to 87,984 units from 88,430 units in 2018.

Despite the marginal drop in annual sales, the December figures proved promising with 8,089 units sold, up 12 percent from 7,211 units year-on-year.

“AVID’s performance in the last month of the year augurs well for the automotive industry as we begin the Year of the Metal Rat and the new decade. The continued easing of inflation rates, lower fuel prices, and increased government spending will only bolster sales for the group. We will complement these positive indicators with new models, value-packed service offerings, and easier ownership schemes,” said AVID president Ma. Fe Perez-Agudo.

Sales of passenger cars in 2019 dipped 0.5 percent to 30,726 units from 30,876 units in 2018.

Hyundai Asia Resources Inc. sold more vehicles in this segment than all AVID members combined with a total of 17,761 units in 2019. Suzuki followed with 8,621 units. Othel V. Campos

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

By Jenniffer B. Austria

LA TRINIDAD CITED. La Trinidad, Benguet, a municipality that has benefited from Community-based Disaster Risk Reduction and Management training by the Aboitiz Foundation and Aboitiz Power subsidiary Hedcor, is recognized as one of the country’s most outstanding first-, second- and third-class municipalities in the fields of DRRM. Councilor Guiller Galwan, Mayor Romeo Salda (center), MDRRM officer Yoshio Labi and MDRRM project engineer Felipe Esnara Jr. receive the awards.

NAIA Consortium offers new contract on NAIA rehabilitation

By Darwin G. Amojelar THE Department of Transportation said Tuesday the NAIA Consortium submitted a revised concession agreement for the P102-billion rehabilitation of Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

“We received submission [on Monday] and MIAA [Manila International Airport Authority ] is still reviewing submission,” said Transport Undersecretary for Planning Ruben Reinoso said.

The NAIA consortium of seven received the go-ahead from the board of the National Economic and Development Authority to proceed with the NAIA rehabilitation project, subject to a Swiss challenge.

The project was proposed by NAIA

Consortium that includes Aboitiz InfraCapital Inc, AC Infrastructure Holdings Corp., Alliance Global Group Inc., Asia’s Emerging Dragon Corp., Filinvest Development Corp., JG Summit Holdings Inc. and Metro Pacific Investments Corp.

Swiss Challenge, which is a form of procurement, is usually required in an unsolicited project, where other parties are given an opportunity to challenge the bid of the proponent.

Prior to the Swiss challenge, MIAA, as the primary grantor, and the NAIA Consortium will first negotiate on the terms and conditions of the concession agreement based on the parameters prescribed by the NEDA board.

MIAA will then submit the results of the negotiation to the NEDA board and

the negotiated draft concession agreement to the Office of the Solicitor General and the Department of Finance for comments within 10 days.

The project aims to alleviate the worsening air traffic congestion at NAIA and resolve its capacity constraint by reconfiguring and renovating facilities and enhancing operation and maintenance. This will allow for the accommodation of more traffic.

The rehabilitation project also aims to broaden NAIA’s role as a key economic and tourism driver for Manila and the whole Philippines, deliver capital infrastructure investment to improve the airport’s efficiency and increase its capacity to meet the growing passenger demand from the Philippines and the Asia Pacific Region.

MERRYMART Consumer Corp., the grocery chain owned by businessman Edgar Sia II, plans to raise as much as P1.6 billion through an initial public offering to achieve its target of 1,200 stores by 2030.

Merrymart said in a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission it would sell up to 1.59 billion common shares at a price of up to P1 apiece.

The company is pursuing a 2030 vision to have 1,200 stores operational nationwide, consisting of 200 Merrymart groceries and markets and 1,000 Merrymart outlets.

The company estimates that 1,200 stores would generate P120 billion in systemwide sales by 2030.

Merrymart operates and owns four Merrymart branches with an aggregate selling space of 5,316 square meters.

A total of 27 operating branches are expected by the second quarter this year and the 100th branch is expected to open by the fourth quarter of 2021 next year.

“Our family initially had no plans to expand the retail business, but our recent experiences made us realize the need for us to be in the modern retail business, and we believe we will be in it while the transition from traditional retail to modern retail is still ongoing,” said Sia, who chairs MerryMart Consumer Corp.

“We believe this step will further strengthen the market grip of all the industries that our group is involved in,” he added The company based on the preliminary prospectus filed with the regulator plans to start the offering period on March 23 to March 27, 2020 and list the shares on April 2, 2020.

B2

Business

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 29, 2020 extrastory2000@gmail.com

PH, Asian markets extend slump P HILIPPINE and the rest of Asian markets tumbled again Tuesday, extending a global sell-off as the toll from a rapidly spreading Chinese virus spiked to more than 100 dead and thousands infected, with investors fretting over the impact on an already fragile world economy.

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index sank 118.93 points, or 1.6 percent, to 7,468.70 on a value turnover of P4.4 billion. Losers overwhelmed gainers, 121 to 65, with 42 issues unchanged.

Jollibee Foods Corp., the biggest

fast-food chain, fell 3.8 percent to P205, while PLDT Inc., the largest telecommunications company, dropped 3.7 percent to P1,006.

On-line gaming firm PhilWeb Corp., slumped 7 percent to P3.83, while SM Prime Holdings Inc. of the Sy Group declined 3 percent to P39.75.

Traders have been running for the hills as the coronavirus is reported in more countries, with oil also tanking on expectations that demand in China, the world’s top consumer of the commodity, will be hammered.

The outbreak comes during the Lunar New Year break when hundreds of millions of people criss-cross China and spend huge amounts of money.

The government has sealed off Wuhan, the epicenter of the outbreak, and other cities in Hubei province, effectively trapping tens of millions of people, including thousands of foreigners, in a bid to contain the virus.

It has also extended the holiday, initially due to end on January 30, for three days to limit population flows.

Analysts said there were growing fears the crisis could become as bad as the SARS outbreak that hammered markets and the global economy 17 years ago.

The VIX “fear” index, which measures market volatility, soared by a quarter Monday to its highest level since October, when investors were worried about the China-US trade talks.

The crisis comes just as the world economy was showing signs of stability after a long-running growth slowdown.

“Given that China has rapidly increased its role in the global supply chains, the market continues to price in the worst case, negative growth shock scenarios,” said AxiCorp’s Stephen Innes.

“For the most part, traders are flying blind, knowing nothing about the actual implications of (the virus) for global

growth,” he said, adding that “there remains a growing sense in the market that contagion levels could get worse before they get better”.

Seoul plunged more than three percent and Singapore shed more than two percent while Sydney was off 1.4 percent as investors in those markets returned from a long holiday weekend.

Jakarta and Wellington both lost more than one percent, while Tokyo ended 0.6 percent down.

The losses tracked hefty selling in Europe and New York.

“This is now a sell first, ask questions later situation,” Alec Young at FTSE Russell said. “Markets hate uncertainty, and the coronavirus is the ultimate uncertainty—no one knows how badly it will impact the global economy. China is the biggest driver of global growth, so this couldn’t have started in a worse place.” With AFP

Manila Standard BuSineSS daily StockS review tueSday, January 28, 2020

VOLUME

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

NAME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

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

52.15 82.7 155 25.15 8.48 18.48 12.12 4.3 1.19 841 0.41 64.65 0.83 20 33.3 178.8 54.9 22 187.5 61

52.15 83.25 155 25.25 8.48 18.48 12.14 4.32 1.19 841 0.41 64.75 0.83 20.8 34.3 178.8 54.9 22.1 189 63

52.15 81.85 152.5 25.1 8.48 18.02 11.9 4.1 1.15 841 0.38 64.45 0.8 20 33.1 170.3 50.35 22 186.5 61

FINANCIALS 52.15 120 83 745,580 153.5 1,497,920 25.25 331,500 8.48 100 18.48 30,100 11.9 164,800 4.19 14,000 1.15 4,000 841 10 0.38 1,700,000 64.6 2,592,630 0.8 179,000 20.8 12,000 33.6 729,800 170.5 640 54 13,520 22 23,200 187 164,950 62 108,460

6,258 61,654,078.50 229,740,791 8,326,995 848 556,110 1,981,376 59,540 4,640 8,410 674,600 167,505,240.50 145,670 248,640 24,594,270 109,266 721,717 510,415 30,882,671 6,753,612

-637,458 -23,875,691 535,920 -593,090.00 -62,418,546.50 0 248,640 -7,050,510.00 37,530 -6,000,075 -

ABOITIZ POWER AC ENERGY AGRINURTURE ALLIANCE SELECT AXELUM BASIC ENERGY CEMEX HLDG CENTURY FOOD CIRTEK HLDG 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 LMG CHEMICALS MABUHAY VINYL MANILA WATER MAXS GROUP MEGAWIDE MERALCO PEPSI COLA PETROENERGY PETRON PHINMA PHX PETROLEUM PILIPINAS SHELL PRYCE CORP ROXAS AND CO SFA SEMICON SHAKEYS PIZZA SMC FOODANDBEV SPC POWER SWIFT FOODS TKC METALS UNIV ROBINA VICTORIAS VITARICH VULCAN INDL

33.15 2.12 12.1 0.56 3.39 0.233 1.6 15 11.44 61.7 65 2.16 5.02 5.28 8.98 13.7 8.99 7.22 1.61 21.2 66.5 1.78 36.55 2 12.84 7.74 1.31 213.2 4.9 3.15 10.24 11.14 15.48 293 1.82 4.15 3.9 9.71 11.92 31.5 4.71 1.65 1.29 9.6 73.9 9.3 0.118 0.99 158.5 2.43 1.27 0.95

33.15 2.12 12.1 0.56 3.45 0.244 1.66 15.02 11.5 61.7 65 2.16 5.4 5.3 8.98 13.7 8.99 7.23 1.61 21.75 66.9 1.78 37.1 2.02 12.9 7.89 1.34 213.2 4.9 3.15 10.4 11.14 15.48 298 1.87 4.15 3.9 9.93 11.92 31.5 4.71 1.7 1.3 9.8 75 9.3 0.118 1.02 159.9 2.43 1.31 1.04

32.5 2.03 11.94 0.53 3.17 0.232 1.58 15 9.67 61.6 65 2.13 5.01 4.95 8.88 13.18 8.86 7.22 1.6 21.1 66.5 1.64 36.55 1.96 12.7 7.65 1.27 204.4 4.9 3.15 9.95 11 14.8 282 1.82 4.15 3.85 9.48 11.74 30 4.71 1.65 1.14 9.52 73 8.85 0.118 0.98 155.6 2.42 1.26 0.95

INDUSTRIAL 32.65 1,430,900 2.03 3,959,000 12.08 694,400 0.53 750,000 3.23 6,030,000 0.243 4,520,000 1.66 13,195,000 15.02 167,700 9.8 7,005,800 61.6 200 65 1,070 2.15 66,000 5.39 26,500 5.05 172,200 8.92 566,100 13.18 15,200 8.86 64,300 7.23 22,600 1.61 54,000 21.1 880,200 66.65 51,880 1.65 55,938,000 37.1 200 2.01 8,365,000 12.9 526,400 7.65 76,500 1.33 228,000 205 795,770 4.9 2,000 3.15 1,000 10.3 9,066,900 11 144,100 14.98 1,686,700 282 166,530 1.82 147,000 4.15 2,000 3.86 832,000 9.93 20,100 11.92 55,600 30.05 266,300 4.71 9,000 1.69 90,000 1.14 2,703,000 9.7 57,400 73.5 86,830 9.14 128,400 0.118 130,000 1.02 268,000 157.5 805,570 2.42 6,000 1.26 6,596,000 0.96 4,472,000

46,720,945 8,205,570 8,351,100 404,640 19,768,680 1,076,740 21,518,180 2,515,792 73,623,044 12,335 69,550 141,700 136,443 871,748 5,050,975 201,500 570,880 163,202 86,780 18,797,075 3,456,081 95,357,000 7,365 16,705,170 6,741,136 586,902 292,680 163,332,396 9,800 3,150 92,262,211 1,585,648 25,244,792 47,591,650 270,680 8,300 3,214,870 192,134 660,500 8,156,790 42,390 152,240 3,247,720 559,052 6,387,427 1,167,802 15,340 263,380 126,885,645 14,560 8,424,590 4,433,850

-20,979,055 202,970 4,947,340 151,410 13,980 -3,741,850 1,023,008 39,058 32,500 -20,226 1,640,893 -9,390 -280,106 -11,552 345,850 1,971,585.50 1,836,890 -5,101,240 -78,030 -32,925,970 13,643,508 -968,016 -10,313,766 -34,439,234 -23,750 -820,900 -32,076 -347,290 121,380 -264,465.00 -4,261,213.50 -136,184 9,440,149 95,400 -9,900

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

0.89 52.8 10.92 0.71 6.25 10.8 0.92 0.95 738 2.65 6.48 6.18 13.2 0.206 783 75.45 6.72 0.52 3.76 10.56 0.58 3.22 4.45 1.24 148 2.1 1,025 0.82 190 183 0.205 0.231

0.89 52.8 10.92 0.74 6.25 10.8 0.95 0.98 739.5 2.65 6.51 6.18 13.2 0.206 783.5 75.45 6.77 0.52 3.78 10.56 0.6 3.32 6.1 1.24 149.6 2.1 1,025 0.83 190 199 0.21 0.231

0.87 50.9 10.82 0.71 6.25 10.32 0.91 0.94 721 2.58 6.41 6.05 13 0.206 752.5 73.15 6.72 0.5 3.74 10.42 0.58 3.18 4.45 1.13 143.9 2.1 1,012 0.8 190 183 0.205 0.215

HOLDING FIRMS 0.87 6,664,000 50.9 477,400 10.88 6,858,900 0.72 569,000 6.25 70,700 10.64 10,100 0.94 2,236,000 297,000 0.97 727.5 226,870 2.58 1,370,000 6.48 237,300 6.09 1,700,600 13 35,200 0.206 20,000 752.5 54,940 74.25 687,760 6.77 129,200 0.52 128,000 3.78 429,000 10.46 3,527,200 0.6 110,000 3.25 19,806,000 5.82 627,000 1.23 607,000 147 175,610 2.1 4,000 1,015 214,510 0.81 27,000 190 130 199 1,620 0.21 170,000 0.225 260,000

5,826,760 24,455,212.50 74,519,974 408,470 441,875 106,372 2,050,350 280,900 165,047,380 3,616,980 1,537,789 10,354,021 459,640 4,120 41,851,605 50,901,964 870,847 65,620 1,614,990 36,880,716 64,040 64,488,240 3,444,950 708,520 25,531,843 8,400 218,226,220 21,850 24,700 318,496 35,590 57,270

-90,740 -13,856,120.50 2,527,758 980 -1,891,495 -63,570 56,925 -3,628,838 -23,513,610 -30,292,513 -808,140 -11,643,952 -4,683,140 26,970 12,300 -13,822,364 -130,635,060 -

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

14.72 0.69 1.96 0.8 41.1 1.7 4.67 6.4 0.53 0.84 0.182 0.39 9.23 17.92 0.41 0.101 1.53 1.1 4.26 0.236 0.395 1.23 0.35

14.72 0.72 1.96 0.81 41.75 1.7 4.69 6.55 0.53 0.87 0.188 0.39 9.25 18 0.42 0.105 1.53 1.1 4.26 0.236 0.4 1.24 0.35

14.72 0.69 1.73 0.8 40.75 1.66 4.67 6.4 0.51 0.83 0.182 0.39 9.15 17.68 0.405 0.101 1.5 1.07 4.13 0.225 0.395 1.22 0.35

PROPERTY 14.72 453,900 0.7 159,000 1.81 1,114,000 0.81 495,000 41.5 14,436,200 1.67 808,000 4.68 98,000 6.55 1,400 0.53 4,513,000 0.87 4,000 0.188 730,000 0.39 500,000 9.22 237,500 17.76 509,500 0.41 370,000 0.105 70,000 1.51 9,679,000 1.07 1,221,000 4.15 26,191,000 0.225 20,500,000 0.4 2,000,000 1.24 2,371,000 0.35 110,000

NAME

HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

VOLUME

VALUE

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

2.12 27.5 2.06 3.19 41 2.58 2.01 7.29 5.64

2.17 27.55 2.06 3.19 41 2.58 2.07 7.29 5.64

2.08 26.85 2.05 3.15 39.75 2.55 1.81 7.23 5.5

2.11 27.2 2.05 3.15 39.75 2.57 1.84 7.29 5.5

1,065,000 1,509,800 25,000 68,000 8,836,800 162,000 15,196,000 575,100 110,400

2,240,240 41,128,780 51,360 214,920 353,482,695 415,860 29,122,870 4,182,773 610,580

210,000 -3,604,220 57,420 -118,266,360 -11,700 -731,277 2,240

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

9.5 16.8 1.34 11.28 0.415 0.047 3 9.87 83.4 7.04 5.4 8.89 2,000 5.28 437 13.48 1.3 1.56 131.5 7.92 0.107 3.76 12.92 2.59 0.88 11.4 0.405 3 2.1 1.11 1.19 2.48 2.28 7.36 4.3 8.03 141 4 1,038 0.57 0.41 39.5 79.25 9.2 2.53 0.63 0.275 0.61 18.9

9.6 16.92 1.34 11.28 0.425 0.05 3 10.12 83.5 7.04 5.4 8.89 2,008 5.32 448 13.48 1.39 1.62 133.3 7.92 0.107 3.76 12.92 2.64 0.95 11.46 0.42 3.15 2.1 1.29 1.3 2.56 2.28 7.5 4.3 8.03 142.5 4.25 1,040 0.57 0.415 39.75 79.3 9.2 2.53 0.65 0.285 0.61 18.9

9.39 16.5 1.34 11.18 0.41 0.047 2.85 9.81 82.6 7.04 5.23 8.57 1,962 5.28 432.2 13.48 1.28 1.56 131.5 7.9 0.104 3.6 12.9 2.52 0.88 11.02 0.405 3 2.04 1.09 1.06 2.36 2.1 7.35 4.3 8.03 141 3.79 1,006 0.55 0.375 39 77.5 9.11 2.43 0.62 0.275 0.59 18.8

SERVICES 9.39 16.9 1.34 11.22 0.42 0.049 2.88 9.85 83 7.04 5.23 8.59 1,962 5.32 432.2 13.48 1.38 1.62 131.9 7.9 0.104 3.62 12.92 2.52 0.95 11.2 0.405 3.15 2.05 1.09 1.14 2.37 2.1 7.4 4.3 8.03 142 3.83 1,006 0.56 0.375 39 79.2 9.19 2.44 0.63 0.275 0.59 18.84

6,000 194,200 2,000 1,045,600 1,980,000 89,600,000 868,000 6,145,300 70,360 200 307,100 6,000 17,075 65,100 560 100 3,724,000 7,000 890,070 22,400 1,280,000 2,648,000 6,600 340,000 29,000 2,357,700 100,000 196,000 321,000 749,000 229,000 2,833,000 670,000 3,800 1,000 3,300 370 30,739,000 75,795 2,333,000 15,970,000 357,100 33,380 28,100 1,688,000 7,146,000 3,080,000 668,000 915,600

56,899 3,272,934 2,680 11,724,454 825,450 4,395,400 2,519,930 60,927,312 5,830,034.50 1,408 1,611,727 52,130 33,825,365 345,145 248,260 1,348 5,050,110 11,040 117,436,609 177,166 134,280 9,667,250 85,252 870,340 27,010 26,534,842 40,950 589,410 659,430 862,400 273,550 6,857,150 1,444,120 28,227 4,300 26,499 52,580 122,211,720 77,617,900 1,305,430 6,207,000 13,966,180 2,638,578.50 256,740 4,139,320 4,520,110 852,250 395,650 17,249,778

3,267,328 -14,750 4,218,966 -2,085,578 -581,785 -17,768,530 -2,700 -3,071,726 230,750 3,876 32,670.00 -11,600,106 8,140 24,960 64,680.00 58,550 -22,189,825 -194,370 -106,900 -4,808,490 627,951.50 -1,005,290 567,000 15,058,522

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

0.0015 7.9 1.08 2.6 11.96 1.1 3.06 7.2 1.51 0.21 0.095 0.0079 0.83 3.09 1.03 0.011 0.011 0.01 3.11 9.1 21.65 0.0056

0.0015 8.2 1.14 2.6 11.96 1.1 3.2 7.24 1.52 0.21 0.095 0.008 0.83 3.17 1.05 0.011 0.011 0.011 3.17 10.34 21.65 0.0056

0.0015 7.7 1.08 2.5 11.96 1.1 3.06 7.16 1.5 0.201 0.095 0.0079 0.8 3.04 1.03 0.01 0.011 0.01 2.94 8.77 20.65 0.0056

MINING & OIL 0.0015 5,000,000 8.17 552,700 1.09 4,102,000 2.55 740,000 11.96 100 1.1 20,000 3.15 2,466,000 7.17 3,200 1.52 1,716,000 0.201 770,000 0.095 10,000 0.008 3,000,000 0.81 158,000 3.15 4,987,000 1.05 10,000 0.01 6,000,000 0.011 100,000 0.011 5,500,000 2.95 783,000 9.76 6,952,100 20.65 217,100 0.0056 1,000,000

7,500 4,423,254 4,538,660 1,853,540 1,196 22,000 7,685,960 23,006 2,590,570 155,800 950 23,900 127,970 15,453,420 10,320 65,000 1,100 60,000 2,391,180 68,617,341 4,567,130 5,600

2,764 -1,519,790 -1,750,040 22,000 1,971,110 52,880 -1,915,040 158,480 1,389,926 -735,505 -

ABS HLDG PDR AC PREF B1 AC PREF B2R ALCO PREF B CPG PREF A DD PREF GTCAP PREF A MWIDE PREF PCOR PREF 3A PCOR PREF 3B PNX PREF 3A PNX PREF 3B SMC FB PREF 2 SMC PREF 2C SMC PREF 2H

15.5 505 504 103.1 101.9 100.6 970 100.1 1,049 1,050 102 108.9 990 76.8 75.9

15.7 505 504 103.1 101.9 101 970 100.5 1,050 1,065 102 108.9 990 77 75.9

15.5 505 504 103.1 101.9 100.6 970 100 1,040 1,050 102 108 990 76.8 75.9

PREFERRED 15.6 582,700 505 60 504 20 103.1 200 101.9 7,300 101 20,020 970 50 100.1 31,010 1,050 3,520 1,060 2,475 102 300 108 1,230 990 1,000 77 30,990 75.9 1,000,350

9,089,160 30,300 10,080 20,620 743,870 2,020,480 48,500 3,104,215 3,694,200 2,601,875 30,600 133,047 990,000 2,380,370 75,926,565

-5,010,460 -187,300 108,000 -

LR WARRANT

1.25

1.28

1.24

WARRANTS 1.25 156,000

196,580

ITALPINAS KEPWEALTH XURPAS

4.07 11.8 0.92

4.08 12.78 0.93

3.93 10.6 0.87

SME 3.93 10.84 0.89

1,286,480 60,213,522 2,297,500

-81,510 15,818 44,000

FIRST METRO ETF

113.8

114

112

2,354,879

1,154,329

USD TECH B2

0.95

0.95

0.95

MS 6,681,408 112,320 1,988,610 397,220 599,061,755 1,357,200 458,690 8,990 2,378,460 3,370 132,920 195,000 2,186,389 9,053,776 150,950 7,270 14,612,020 1,309,610 109,548,870 4,717,990 795,000 2,925,610 38,500

136,060 106,630,630 166,790 28,050 -593,658 -2,046,362 -121,750 -3,988,460 96,300 -65,683,820 114,500 -8,600 -

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

OPEN

Trading Summary FINANCIAL INDUSTRIAL HOLDING FIRMS

SHARES 8,665,618

133,430,596 88,895,603

PROPERTY

114,660,577

SERVICES

180,518,988

MINING & OIL

44,901,548

GRAND TOTAL

579,045,296

320,000 5,036,400 2,591,000

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 112 20,800 0.95

DDS

31,500

29,925

-

-

VALUE 1,803.12 (down) 11.26 589,028,410.10 FINANCIAL INDUSTRIAL 9,414.57 (down) 180.31 837,676,472.367 HOLDING FIRMS 7,180.52 (down) 115.93 1,067,154,670.69 PROPERTY 3,906.16 (down) 63.59 1,515.86 (down) 18.48 1,213,173,636.55 SERVICES MINING & OIL 7,812.78 (down) 163.20 557,190,826.41 PSEI 7,468.70 (down) 118.93 112,641,237.999 All Shares Index 4,435.67 (down) 59.67 4,443,031,349.62 Gainers: 65; Losers: 121; Unchanged: 42; Total: 228

PXP Energy starts drilling Marina well in offshore Peru

By Alena Mae S. Flores

LISTED PXP Energy Corp. said Tuesday the consortium holding the Marina-1 exploration well in Block Z-38 Tumbes Basin, Peru has started drilling activities in the area.

PXP Energy disclosed to the Philippine Stock Exchange operator Karoon Gas Australia Ltd. began drilling Marina-1X well in in offshore Peru.

“The drilling operation is estimated to take 30 days and shall drill to approximately 3,000 metres subsea,” PXP Energy said.

Peru Block Z-38’s Marina prospect has a best estimate prospective resource of 256 million barrels (64 million barrels net to Pitkin). The prospect will be the first well to be drilled in Block Z-38.

Pitkin is carried in the cost of Marina-1X and a second future well under a farm-in agreement signed with Karoon in 2008.

Pitkin Petroleum Ltd., a 53.43-percent subsidiary of PXP Energy, holds a 25-percent participating interest in Peru Block Z-38 offshore Peru.

PXP Energy earlier said the Stena Forth Drillship arrived in the Port of Callao in Lima, Peru to refuel and change the crew before sailing to the Marina-1x well location.

“The well is expected to spud during the last week of January 2020,” PXP Energy said.

Aside from the offshore Peru exploration asset, PXP Energy directly and indirectly owns oil and gas exploration and production assets in the Philippines.

Forum Energy Ltd., in which PXP holds a direct and indirect interest of 78.98 percent, has a 70-percent participating interest in SC 72 in Northwest Palawan, through wholly-owned subsidiary Forum GSEC. PXP has a total economic interest of 53.1 percent in SC 72 or the Recto Block, which is still under force majeure by the government pending a resolution of the territorial claims over the West Philippine Sea between China and the Philippines.

RCBC to establish rural bank focusing on digital banking

By Julito G. Rada RIZAL Commercial Banking Corp., the ninth-largest lender in terms of assets, plans to put up a wholly-owned rural bank that will focus on purely digital banking business.

RCBC said in a disclosure to the stock exchange Tuesday its board of directors approved the plan in a regular meeting held on Monday.

It said high-ranking officials approved the “establishment of a wholly-owned rural bank with electronic payment and financial services and cloud-based core banking licenses from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, which will engage in purely digital banking business in the Philippines.... “ RCBC said the plan would be subject to regulatory approvals from the BSP and Securities and Exchange Commission.

The board also approved the increase in the size of the bank’s medium term note program from $2 billion to $3 billion.

Just last year, thrift bank arm RCBC Savings Bank merged with RCBC in a move seen to improve the latter’s financing and operational cost efficiencies.

RCBC said earlier the merger would facilitate for the RCBC Group more efficient capital deployment, efficient compliance with the Basel 3 liquidity ratios, optimal coordination between the branch banking networks of RCBC and RCBC Savings, mediumterm improvement in the funding economics, and operational cost efficiencies.

RCBC is one of the leading banks in the country that offers a wide range of banking and financial products and services.

RCBC posted a 41-percent increase in net income in the first nine months of 2019 to P4.5 billion from P3.2 billion a year ago, driven by the bank’s focus in strengthening its core business, consistently generating double-digit growth in net interest income.

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK Manila

Standard

World

TODAY

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WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 29, 2020 CESAR BARRIOQUINTO, Editor mst.daydesk@gmail.com

IN BRIEF Reporter barred from Pompeo trip

ESCAPE. People with their belongings piled on a makeshift trailer pulled by two donkeys flee their villages on the road from Barsalogho to Kaya on January 27, 2020.

Barsalogho is a small town in northern Burkina Faso that hosts 10,000 displaced people and refugees fleeing the resulting jihadist and inter-community violence. Burkina Faso, which borders Mali and Niger, is facing jihadist attacks, which have killed more than 750 people since 2015. Under-equipped and poorly trained law enforcement agencies in Burkina Faso are unable to stop the violence. According to the United Nations, jihadist attacks in Mali, Niger and Burkina have resulted in 4,000 deaths in 2019. AFP

Bolton roils impeachment trial W ASHINGTON―Donald Trump’s lawyers, eager to attain his swift acquittal, pushed back forcefully Monday against explosive new allegations from former national security advisor John Bolton, insisting the US president’s dealings regarding Ukraine were not impeachable.

The defense also injected Joe Biden and his family directly into the argument for why the president should not be ousted.

At only the third impeachment trial in US history, they stressed that Trump’s requests to Ukraine to investigate his potential Democratic White House challenger were motivated by concerns about corruption.

Republicans faced fresh pressure to subpoena Bolton as a firsthand witness at Trump’s Senate impeachment trial following new revelations, which could amount to damning evidence about the presi-

dent’s actions.

As Clinton impeachment investigator Ken Starr and Harvard constitutional expert Alan Dershowitz defended the president, three Republican senators indicated they could favor hearing testimony from the 71-year-old Bolton.

According to The New York Times, Bolton, in a draft of his forthcoming book, says Trump told him in August that he wanted to freeze military aid to Ukraine until Kiev helped with investigations of political rivals including Biden, his potential election opponent.

The allegation that Trump withheld the aid for his own political purposes was at the heart of Trump’s December impeachment by the Democratic-controlled House of Representatives for abuse of power and obstruction of Congress.

Dershowitz argued emphatically that such charges were “unconstitutional grounds” for impeachment.

The 81-year-old also directly sought to neutralize the Bolton developments.

“Nothing in the Bolton revelations, even if true, would rise to the level of abuse of power or impeachable offense,” Dershowitz said.

And he sought to downplay the controversy over Trump’s pressure campaign against Kiev.

“Quid pro quo alone is not a basis for abuse of power,” Dershowitz added. “It’s part of the way foreign policy has been operated by presidents since the beginning of time.”

Bolton’s manuscript leak has rattled the Senate trial, where lawmakers will vote this week on whether to accept witnesses.

Four Republicans would need to join Democrats in the Senate, where Republicans hold a 53-47 edge, to allow testimony from Bolton and others.

“It’s increasingly apparent that it would be important to hear from John Bolton,” Republican Senator Mitt Romney told reporters.

Senate Republican Susan Collins said the Bolton reports “strengthen the case for witnesses,” while Senator Lisa Murkowski allowed that she has been “curious” about what Bolton might say.

Chief Democratic prosecutor Adam Schiff welcomed the news.

“You can’t have a trial, a meaningful trial, without witnesses and you certainly can’t have one without John Bolton,” Schiff said. AFP

Volunteers replant Tunisia forests SILIANA―Around 40 young Tunisian volunteers gather on a bare hill in the central region of Siliana. Their weekend mission—revive a burned forest by planting Aleppo pine shoots.

Hamdi, from the eastern city of Sfax, gets straight to work after traveling 250 kilometers to the marginalized region.

A camping and hiking enthusiast, he found out about the initiative on Facebook. “It’s a chance to have fun and do something good together,” says the student.

He is part of a network of nature lovers who have joined forces with Tunisian authorities for an ambitious venture; plant 12 million trees across the country by the end of this year.

That target equates to one tree per Tunisian citizen.

“We can only get there together,” says Baya Khalfallah, one of the heads of the Soli&Green association, which launched the campaign in November.

“To reach our objective, we are counting on all the (community) organizations, our partnership with the government—and, obviously, on those who are environmentally conscious,” she adds.AFP

Weinstein accuser details attack NEW YORK―One of Harvey Weinstein’s main accusers told his rape trial Monday that the ex-Hollywood producer forcibly performed oral sex on her in a children’s bedroom in his New York home.

Defense lawyers ferociously challenged Mimi Haleyi’s account during cross-examination, saying emails she sent Weinstein showed the pair were in “a consensual relationship.”

Haleyi, a production assistant on reality TV show “Project Runway,” cried as she told the Manhattan court that Weinstein sexually assaulted her in July 2006 while she was on her period.

She described how the “Pulp Fiction” producer, then three times her weight, initially appeared “friendly” before backing her into a bedroom with children’s drawings on the wall.

“He was kissing and fondling me,” Haleyi, 42, said.

“I expressed to him the entire time that I don’t want this to happen,” she, added, sobbing.

Weinstein pushed her onto the bed and forcibly performed oral sex on her after pulling out her tampon, she said during the fourth day of testimony in the trial symbolic to the #MeToo movement.

“Physically I was trying to get away (but) I figured it was pointless and I basically checked out,” Haleyi told the court.

More than 80 women have accused Weinstein of sexual assault since allegations against him first ignited the #MeToo movement in October 2017. AFP

Jihadists target key Nigeria road MAIDUGURI—The bus driver sensed straight away that he and his six passengers were in trouble when the gunmen, dressed in Nigerian army uniforms, stopped their vehicle at a checkpoint.

They were on the main road connecting the city of Maiduguri in volatile northeast Nigeria with the rest of the country.

For weeks there had been reports of jihadists disguised as soldiers abducting travelers.

Now his own luck had run out.

“They took us at gunpoint into the bush,” the driver told AFP, asking that his name not be used for his own safety.

“I spent four days in detention. I have never in my life felt the fear and trauma that I passed through in those four days.”

The kidnapping around two weeks ago was part of a wave of identical attacks targeting the key Damaturu road —the main lifeline linking Maiduguri and its roughly two million people to the outside world.

Since early December jihadists disguised as soldiers have been setting up checkpoints to snare and abduct unsuspecting passengers.

They appear to focus on Christians, aid workers and military personnel.

Some of those seized were executed on the spot. Others were taken as captives.

In late December the jihadists released a gruesome video showing them shooting and slitting the throats of 11 abducted Christians.

The bus driver and his passengers were kept in cells in a camp ringed with iron railings.

“The psychological torture was indescribable. I was living by the minute because I felt I would be taken and shot at any moment,” he said.

A “judge” would come to hear the cases of those being held and deliver a verdict within minutes.

When he ordered a hostage be dressed in an orange jumpsuit it meant they were sentenced to die. AFP

WASHINGTON—A correspondent for National Public Radio in the United States has been excluded from Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s plane for a trip this week, after a tense exchange between him and another NPR journalist.

The association that represents correspondents covering the State Department reported on Monday that Pompeo, the top US diplomat, had removed NPR’s Michele Kelemen from his trip that begins Wednesday in Britain. He will also visit Ukraine and other countries.

“We can only conclude that the State Department is retaliating against National Public Radio” as a result of Pompeo’s exchange with the other NPR journalist, the State Department Correspondents’ Association said, protesting the decision.

It came after NPR journalist Mary Louise Kelly, in an interview, pressed Pompeo about the Ukraine issue at the heart of the impeachment trial of President Donald Trump.

According to Kelly, after the interview a staffer invited Kelly to Pompeo’s private living room, without her recorder.

There, Pompeo “was waiting and... he shouted at me for about the same amount of time as the interview itself lasted,” Kelly said.

“He was not happy to have been questioned about Ukraine,” Kelly said, adding that the secretary asked her, “Do you think Americans care about Ukraine?” in an exchange peppered with profane words. AFP

JOYRIDE. People enjoy a ride on an inflatable towed by a motor boat during Jal Mahotsav (water carnival) in Hanuwantiyma, some 140 km from Indore in Madhya Pradesh on January 28, 2020. AFP

Indonesia’s Aceh unveils new female floggin squad BANDA ACEH―The masked woman nervously approaches her target, shuffles into position and then unleashes a flurry of lashes -- proving herself as the newest member of the first female flogging squad in Indonesia’s Aceh province.

The new recruit initially needed some coaxing to punish the offender― an unmarried woman caught in a hotel room with a man.

Such behavior constitutes a morality crime in Aceh, the only region in the world’s biggest Muslim-majority nation that imposes Islamic law― known as Sharia. Those found guilty of breaches are often publicly whipped with a rattan cane.

But despite her reticence, she persevered and delivered her first flogging.

“I think she did a good job. Her technique was nice,” Banda Aceh Sharia police chief investigator Zakwan, who uses one name, told AFP. The controversial punishment

enrages rights activists and generates heated media debate, as well as among politicians.

Indonesia’s president has issued a call for the public floggings to stop but he has little say over what happens in Aceh, a deeply conservative region on Sumatra island.

Unlike the rest of the nation, Aceh follows religious law as part of a 2005 autonomy deal agreed with the central government that ended a decades-long separatist insurgency.

Here, public whipping remains a common punishment for scores of offenders for a range of charges including gambling, adultery, drinking alcohol, and having gay or pre-marital sex.

But the job has always been done by men. Until now.

More and more women are being charged for morality crimes such as public affection or premarital sex, experts say, as greater internet access and globalization bring clashes with local cultural and religious norms.

Enforcement too has increased and now Aceh says it’s trying to follow Islamic law, which calls for women to whip female perpetrators. This is already what happens in neighboring Malaysia.

But convincing women to participate has been no easy task, and it’s taken years to assemble the first female squad, according to Safriadi, who heads provincial capital Banda Aceh’s Sharia Implementation Unit.

Eight women—all Sharia officers —agreed to be floggers and were trained in the appropriate technique and advised how to limit injury.

Previously, a dozen men performed all the whippings in the city for an unspecified fee.

For security reasons, Aceh officials declined to let AFP speak with the floggers, who are outfitted in cloth masks and loose fitting brown uniforms to hide their identities.

“We train them to make sure they’re physically fit and teach them how to do a proper whipping,” Zakwan said. AFP

NOTICE Notice is hereby given to the public that an Extrajudicial Settlement of Estate was executed by the legal heirs of the spouses Raul A. Bautista, Sr. and Divina Viola Bautista in an instrument sworn before Notary Public Atty. Noelle Riza D. Castillo, as per Doc. No. 413; Page No. 84; Book No. II; Series of 2019.

(MStandard-Jan. 29, Feb. 5 & 12, 2020) Republic of the Philippines REGIONAL TRIAL COURT National Capital Judicial Region Office of the Executive Judge Hall of Justice, Pasay City

NOTICE OF HEARING Notice is hereby given that a summary hearing on the PETITION FOR APPOINTMENT as NOTARY PUBLIC for and in the City of Pasay of ATTY. EFREN S. CUDAL with office address at the OFFICE OF THE AIR JUDGE ADVOCATE, HEADQUARTERS PHILIPPINE AIRFORCE, COL. JESUS VILLAMOR AIR BASE, PASAY CITY, METRO MANILA, shall be held on FEBRUARY 13, 2020, at 2:30 O’CLOCK IN THE AFTERNOON at the OFFICE OF THE EXECUTIVE JUDGE, RM. 207 HALL OF JUSTICE BUILDING, F.B. HARRISON STREET, PASAY CITY, METRO MANILA. Any person who has any cause or reason to object to the grant of petition may file a verified written opposition thereto, received by the undersigned before the date of the summary hearing.

Let this notice be included in the raffle for publication on January 23, 2020, at 2:00 o’clock in the afternoon, to be published once in Manila Standard, a newspaper of general circulation and to be posted in three (3) conspicuous places in the Office of the Executive Judge, Office of the Clerk of Court and in the lobby of the Hall of Justice Building.

Pasay City, Metro Manila, January 21, 2020.

(Sgd.) ATTY. DIVINA GRACIA L. PELIÑO Executive Judge

(MStandard-Jan. 29, 2020)

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

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

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WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 29, 2020

LGUs LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS

HPG, OPTE TO THE RESCUE. The Philippine National Police Highway Patrol Group led by Brig. Gen. Dionardo B. Carlos (upper right photo) conducts a relief operation and outreach activity for Taal Volcano eruption victims in an evacuation center in Alitagtag, Batangas (lower right) in partnership with Buddys restaurant from Lucban, Quezon. The HPG NCRPO led by newly promoted Col. Wilson Doromal and HPG Region 4A chief Lt. Col. Alejandro Espiritu aided the effort. Above photo shows volunteers of SM City San Pablo and SM Foundation’s Operation Tulong Express (OPTE) distributing relief goods to evacuees in San Pablo Central School in San Pablo, Laguna.

Roy Tomandao

‘Video karera’ in PNP’s sights T HE National Capital Region Police Office on Tuesday ordered police officers to arrest owners of establishments with “video karera” (horse racing video game) machines during operations.

This followed an order from Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte on Monday to QC Police District’s Col. Ronnie Montejo to run after illegal gambling operations in the city.

NCRPO chief Maj. Gen. Debold Sinas, in a press briefing at the QCPD, said the mere confiscation of these machines alone is not enough.

“The owner of the establishments

housing these machines should also be charged. For example, the machines were in a store. The store owner should also be arrested, probed and charged,” Sinas said.

Sinas said those leasing their spaces to video karera operators get a huge profit from this activity.

“Most of the stores allow it because as per our source, they received 20 percent of the total profit. It is really big and yet

they still deny it,” he said.

Meanwhile, QCPD chief Montejo denied that illegal gambling is rampant in the city, noting that authorities are strictly implementing rules against it.

Montejo made the remark after Philippine National Police chief Gen. Archie Gamboa said he received information about alleged rampant illegal gambling operations in Quezon City.

Montejo said he already met with Mayor Belmonte and barangay officials to intensify the campaign in curbing illegal gambling in the city.

From Oct. 12, 2019 to Jan. 19, 2020, Sinas said the five Metro Manila police districts confiscated a total of P1,508,658

cash from 2,587 operations against various forms of illegal gambling, including video karera, and arrested 7,926 persons.

The five districts covered by the NCRPO are the Manila Police District, Quezon City Police District, Northern Police District, Southern Police District, and Eastern Police District.

“I don’t think it is rampant and of course, we do not stop in performing our duty to arrest illegal gambling operators,” Montejo said during press briefing held QCPD Station 10.

Montejo encouraged the public to report to authorities if they know illegal gambling operations in the area so that the police can immediately respond to it. PNA

Rio Tuba bets on coffee from mining areas THE ash that the restive Taal Volcano has been spewing for days is hurting coffee growers in Batangas and Cavite. According to news reports, the Department of Agriculture has pegged the damage at P74 million, as of last week.

The damage to agricultural properties will not only affect coffee growers in these areas but the Philippine coffee industry as a whole, so the government is stepping up efforts to help the farmers. Other coffee farming communities should help in any way they can, officials said.

Thus, Rio Tuba Nickel Mining Corp. has announced its communities’ successful venture into coffee farming as a livelihood source. Eight barangays around Rio Tuba have allotted 152 hectares for planting coffee and RTN added 48 hectares more, for a total of 200 hectares for coffee alone.

With years of preparation needed before the land is able to yield coffee beans, RTN and its partner barangays collaborated with Rocky Mountains Arabica Coffee for the transfer of technology, and with the Palawan Cooperative Union and the Cooperative Development Aide Authority for the training and sharing of best practices in coffee farming.

Bong dela Rosa, RTN Community relations manager, said they have started harvesting Liberica beans, known locally as “kapeng barako,” and are finding ways to perfect the processing of these beans to produce coffee from a mining community that would live up to the quality that Philippine coffee is known for.

“Hurdling the first and the biggest challenge of being able to grow coffee in a lateritic mining soil is already a huge success! Thanks to the help of coffee farming experts from the Cavite State University, the center of coffee research in the country, we are now greatly encouraged, we are inspired,” says Dela Rosa.

Donald Dungog, Department of Education Lapu-Lapu Division information and communications technology head, tries out the virtual reality game during the #CyberSmart caravan in Cebu.

Smart boosts cybersecurity skills of Cebu teachers MORE than 150 teachers in Cebu enhanced their knowledge on cybersecurity and data privacy at the #CyberSmart caravan held recently at Soong Elementary School in Mactan, Lapu-Lapu City.

The caravan featured a series of learning activities on Internet safety, social engineering, online child protection, and fake news, among other hot topics.

PLDT wireless unit Smart Communications Inc. organized the #CyberSmart caravan to help strengthen the knowledge of teachers on timely issues such as online safety and cybersecurity.

By enhancing their cyberskills, the teachers will be better equipped to safe-

guard their students on the perils of using the Internet.

During the activity, the teachers went around the various interactive installations; joined virtual reality games, online quizzes, and relay races; and listened to talks by subject matter experts, who also encouraged the participants to ask questions.

“There are many possibilities now when it comes to the capabilities of the internet. With the #CyberSmart caravan, we hope to impart to teachers skills that they can also use to guide their students, who are increasingly online and have access to more and more information,” said Darwin Flores, Smart community

partnerships head.

The resource speakers included Elijah Mendoza of Smart public affairs, Geri Cauilan and Yvette Tuazon of Smart cybersecurity operations, Max Limpag of InnoPub Media, and Pamela Uy of Bidlisiw Foundation.

“The lesson here is that we are already in this digital space, so we have to inform the children how to be safe online. It’s not just about getting Internet access, but it’s also how to access the Internet safely,” said Uy. Cebu is among the provinces with high incidents of cybercrimes, including those committed against children.

Verzontal, Canada firm ink pact for water infra

Photo shows a water treatment plant constructed by Filtrum of Canada, which has teamed up with Bicol-based Verzontal Infrastructure Corp. for water source and wastewater construction projects in the country.

BICOL Region-based Verzontal Infrastructure Corp. and Filtrum Construction of Canada recently signed a memorandum of understanding to strengthen its partnership in water infrastructure and develop water source and wastewater construction business that will serve the Philippines.

Signing the agreement were VIC’s CEO Bede Gomez and Filtrum president François Noël.

“As we continue our business venture to the water and wastewater industry, we recognize the opportunity to expand and improve our services by leveraging on international partners and sharing insights that could potentially change the wastewater system in the country,” Verzontal

chairman Dennis Macandog said.

Filtrum of Canada, a water and wastewater specialist, has 40 years of experience in cost-effective solutions for industrial and municipal developments worldwide.

VIC and Filtrum will work on several projects in the country including the development, engineering, procurement and construction and maintenance of water and wastewater infrastructure and related utilities, Gomez said.

“This project development will pave the way for more opportunities to develop communities and ensure Filipinos access to safe and sustainable water resources and sanitation facilities,” Noel added.

Manila nurses elect new set of officers THE Manila Health Department Nurses’ Association recently held its elections and voted in a new set of officers to lead the organization.

Michael Sam C. Lu, RN, of the City Government Employee’s Clinic, in the central office, was elected as president of the organization.

The other officers elected are Juan Miguel DLR. De Jesus, RN, of District 3, vice president; Christian Jade U. Maceda, RN, of District 6, secretary; Rona Meara L. Suarez, RN, District 2, assistant secretary; Jennifer M. David, RN, District 6, treasurer; Lolita L. Unico, RN, District 5, assistant treasurer; and Nanette L. Padua, RN, District 4, auditor.

Elected as public relations officers were Marivic P. Bagallon, RN, Family Planning, and Lorda May C. Delima, RN, District 5.

Elected as board members were Christine Mary A. Bernal, RN, District 3; Krysette Joy P. Brey, RN, District 1; Maria Lourdes P. Handa, RN, School Health; Maria Elizabeth DG. Lopez, RN, School Health; Ma. Rafaela M. Lu, RN, District 2; Jennifer V. Tan, RN, District 1; and Myrna M. Velasco, RN, District 4.

For the Central Office in Manila City Hall, elected as president of the MHD Nurses Association was Marivic P. Bagallon, RN. Others elected were Michael Sam C. Lu, RN, vice president; Marie Claudio, RN, secretary; Katrina Natividad, RN, assistant secretary; Susan G. Belisario, RN, treasurer; and Jackie Sevilla, RN, assistant treasurer.

Sumalo elders petition Duterte for RDC land HERMOSA, Bataan―About 100 village elders in Barangay Sumalo here signed on Thursday a petition asking President Rodrigo Duterte to convert the land within the Riverforest Development Corp. property here from agricultural to industrial.

“We have lived in this land for so many decades. Now, we want our children to live in a progressive Sumalo,” the elders wrote in the petition.

They said for more than three decades, the development of the area is being blocked by a group of “fake farmers” led by Sumalo barangay captain Rolando Martinez.

“They are not genuine farmers as they claim. Their group illegally sells rights of parcels of lot, which is titled in the name of RDC,” the petitioners wrote.

“Sadly, the group of pseudo-farmers positioning themselves as ‘victims’ was able to dupe and got backing from the local Catholic Church parish,” they added.

Martinez could not be contacted for comment at presstime.

In 2011, RDC already started issuing Deeds of Donations of lots to qualified beneficiaries in Sumalo, which was opposed by Martinez’s group, the elders said.

“The Department of Agriculture that conducted a study in 1994 recommended that the Sumalo property is best suited for purposes other than agricultural,” they added.

The petition also said the Supreme Court, in August 2006, affirmed the first resolution of the Office of the President approving the application of the Litton family for the conversion of the RDC property from agricultural to industrial.

Butch Gunio

Life FASHION AND BEAUTY

Life

Natori x Angara Amethyst Indochine Bamboo Ring (left) and Hexagonal Indochine Bamboo Pave Set Black Diamond Ring

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

HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENT

TUESDAY, JANUARY WEDNESDAY, JANUARY14, 29,2020 2020

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Josie Natori on jewelry: Try, explore, experiment

By Bernadette Lunas

F

ASHION designer Josie Natori couldn’t possibly choose just one piece of jewelry to wear if it all came down to it.

“That’s impossible!” she said when ally meets west as Natori collaboratManila Standard asked the hypo- ed with a New York-based designer, thetical question. the wife of Ankur Daga, the founder “I can’t just wear one piece [of jew- and chief executive officer of Angara elry]. Why? Because diamonds!” the which manufactured Natori’s fine Filipino-born American designer en- jewelry. thused as she stood behind the counNatori has partnered with ter at a department store where direct-to-consumer jewher debut line of fine jewelry elry firm Angara in are currently available. creating the debut line, At the launch of Natori’s combining the two lafine jewelry collection, the bel’s design aesthetic designer wore a pair ofMuralist state- and environmentalist AG Saño andled a team manufacturing WILDLIFE ON WALLS. of PLDT-Smart employee volunteers in painting over 3,000 square feet of plant species animal life on the walls of the company’s headquarters in Makati City.

The mural ment and round dragon earrings expertise through 3Daims to spread awareness of environmental protection. in midnight silver with a huge printing—technology gemstone in the middle, which that is currently disruptshe revealed she has been ing the jewelry industry wearing “a lot because it’s by enabling faster manuvery unique; it stands facturing. out.”

Angara uses CAD/CAM Natori—known to translate Natori’s defor her eponysigns into wax models mous label of which then go through a By MonicaapSanchez intimate casting machine to transparel, sleepform them into molds into Angara chief executive Ankur Daga is flanked by SSI Group, Inc. president Anton Huang and Rustan’s president Donnie Tantoco.

RTIST-ACTIVIST (“artivist”) AGwhich Saño at again. wear, readytheismetals would be to-wear, and poured.

The renowned muralist and environmentalist has used made through time-intensive hand- have to be a bit more daring. I think haven’t worn a big jewelry, I tell them home acIn our interview with crafted pieces can still be achieved— it’s about exploring, not only one way; to try it! It makes you look cooler, his paintbrushes to send an important message about better, practically speaking, as younger.” cessories— Daga, he said this process the environment, encouraging everyone to make better choices much “Fine jewelry is the next natural captures her of manufacturing allows the whole process takes less time and for tomorrow. progression in our mission to create “East-meetsthem to use any kind of less to no mistake.

“If you look at the dragon collecEast-meets-West lifestyle concepts,” West” design metals, ideally silver and Natori said in a statement. principle in a gold, as well as precious tion, when you look at the scales, you Saño led the team of employee vol- field research community “You have to be a “I am thrilled we found a bestpretty straightandand semi precious empowstones. can see each piece’s super fine deunteers from PLDT-Smart to paint erment through bit more daring. in-class partner in terms of not only forward manner.

“Butenvironment if you did education it with tails,” said Daga. “You’d get them if over 3,000 square decades design and product development, but The debut line feet of plant species and arts for almost plastictwo it would probably they’re done by hand, but it would just [Jewelry] is about and animal life on the walls of the dig“Having seen firsthand theprocess,” degrada- take longer.” also e-commerce and supply chain,” features three be a different exploring, not only one ital servicesicons: company’s headquarters tion of different ecosystems and wit3D printing allows the brand to she added, referring to Angara. distinct he clarified. in Makati. dragon, and nessing the rise Precision of problems way; you have to be Pieces include earrings, pendants, Indochine, andinvolving accura- manufacture pieces within a week.

PLDT-Smart Gabay Kalikasan’s climate change,cyI’ve realized that the experimental because The jewelry line is distinctly Natori: necklaces, rings, and bracelets, made kamon—symbols that are the selling point “SmART for Nature” has its general of- creatures that comprise nature have be- Nature’ mural the need fora stewardship pillar of PLDT-Smart’s ments #SaveOurHome, fine, bold, andsymbolize sophisticated—each with yellow gold, white#SmartPlanet, gold, rose are distinctly east— of 3D printing in jewit can change your fice’s Legazpi vulnerable,” Saño said more protection.” newly established Sustainability Of- and #SustainableEnterprise—referring to statement piece in itself. gold, silver, midnight silver, diainjected intofrontage, piecesDela Rosa walk- come extremely elry manufacturing. look.” way, and Gallardo back entrance awashed in a statement.

The concept can also be seen in Safice, Gabay Kalikasan upholds the PLDT Group’s various business units.

Much like her alluring ready-tomonds, pearls, and precious and semiwith contemporary “The accuracy level in in the name of spreading Hence each of is the animals muralsleepwear in Paseo de Roxas “The impact of climate wearanother and sultry and lin- concept behind Saño’s creation and precious stones.

Priceschange rangeaffects from feelcolors, that’salldistinctly higher painted when ño’s awareness and engaging the public to do wears an armor. underpass, entitled “Art in Defense of encourages the public to make better everyone pervasively.

This includes our $300 to $58,000. west. “When you they are machine gerie that are anything but dull and something about our He explained, “Since their natural He has painted over 700 mu- choices for tomorrow—acknowledg- safety, ouratexistence, hence drab, Natori believes in always trying Theyour arehealth, available Silver Vault at say ‘East-West,’ it’senvironment. made,” Daga Nature.”

The mural features animals thriving defense mechanisms are not enough to rals in 16 countries; his body of work ing that better environmental practicthe need to raise environmental awareright for everyone,” pointed out, add- something out of the ordinary, even you have to be experimental because Rustan’s Makati until Jan. 31 before Josie Natori ventures into the jewellery in nature wearing Sañowith saidher thedebut protect them from theing dangers hu- showcases his topassion are change crucialyour to sustain through the mural,” saidatPLDTwhen it comes jewelry.for environ- es it can look.” the services ness the line’s officially launch retail business line manufactured explained Natori.armors. that thethat same mural, and other murals he has created, mans created, the armors that cover the mental protection. that nature provides.

Smart chief sustainability officer Chaye through high-tech 3D printing.

“You have to try it,” she said. “You She shared, “If clients tell me they stores in New York City.

East also litercomplex details were born after being exposed to the animals throughout the ‘SmART for Representing the environmental The mural also features the state- Cabal-Revilla.

Nature on the walls A

‘‘

TheWhat cold won’t bother you to do during and after ashfall

GOING on a winter adventure? Bundle up in gear that won’t let cold bother you.

MORE than an inconvenience, a nuiVolcanic ash consists of very fine Surplus offers cozy coats, statement-making jackets, classic trench coats, sance, ashfall, rock.

According to the US pea coats, andwhich dufflecurrently coats in plagues timeless particles styles thatofcan last several cold seaCalabarzon and Metro Manila, poses National Weather Service, it is abrasons. potential health risks. and styles corrosive thus with can subtle irritate The store also offers a wide range of sive versatile or pieces The Department of Health onthat Sunandthan lungs, cause minor to matwists and some playful details lookeyes cooler the temperature. day told the public to be vigilant about jor damage to vehicles and buildings, the conditions thatavailable may arise the stores contaminate disrupt These pieces are atafter Surplus located atwater most supplies, SM Supermalls. exposure to volcanic ash, after the sewage and electrical systems, and Taal Volcano in Batangas spewed an damage or kill vegetation. ash column which prompted the Phil“Ash is different from ordinary house ippine Institute of Volcanology and dust. Its sharp, crystalline structure Seismology to raise its status to Alert causes it to scratch and abrade surfaces Level 4 (“hazardous eruption” may when it is removed by wiping or brushoccur within hours to days). ing,” said the International Volcanic

DURING • Stay calm and stay indoors unless absolutely necessary.

• Wear masks that block small particles of ash— ideally N95 mask or damp cloth.

• Wear protective eye gear, especially when going outside.

• Close doors and windows of house and car.

• Place damp towels or cloth on door opening and other open areas to avoid infiltration.

• Keep pets in closed shelter • Avoid low-lying areas and those downwind from the volcano.

• Observe traffic notifications and road safety measure.

• Listen to news for updates.

• Ensure food and water to be consumed are safe.

Cover water containers to avoid contamination.

Tailored plaid coat for women

Health Hazard Network.

The DOH said exposure to ashfall may result in throat irritation, coughing, bronchitis-like illness, discomfort while breathing, eye irritation, and minor skin problems.

The World Health Organization in the Philippines seconded, adding trauma and injuries, skin burns and irritation, and gastrointestinal problems to the adverse effects of volcanic eruptions.

PHIVOLCS, WHO, and DOH share the following reminders on what to do during and after ashfall:

Long puffer jacket in navy

Stay calm and stay indoors unless absolutely necessary during ashfall.

AFTER • Wear effective dust mask or wet cloth and goggles before undertaking clean-up operations.

• Take caution when walking outside as volcanic ash can be slippery.

• Carefully scrape the ash from the roof of house or car to prevent damage.

• Moisten the ash with sprinkler, use shovels to remove thick deposits or stiff brooms for lesser amounts.

• Keep collected ash in heavy-duty plastic bags or containers, don’t dump in gardens or roadside.

• When cleaning inside, open all doors and windows to promote ventilation.

• Use soaked cloth or sponge for glass, porcelain, and acrylic surfaces. Those covered with fabrics must be rinsed under running water.

• Have the car and air conditioner professionally cleaned.

Cropped puffer coat for men • Ensure water is clean before drinking.

Classic duffle coat in navy blue

Printed puffer jacket with faux fur

Carefully follow guidelines in cleaning up after ashfall; it is best to wear masks and goggles when cleaning.

Photos By Nico Candelario

Life

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WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 29, 2020 manilastandardlife@gmail.com

S

KILLS and talent are important in any field. But so is adaptability to the changing landscapes. In fashion’s case: capturing the attention of the generation whose eyes are always glued on the screens of their gadgets.

Want to make it in fashion?

Put it on Instagram

The answer it appears is simple: Instagram.

Fashion innovator, mentor, and style icon Andre Chang, during a talk before a crowd of fashion design and merchandising students of De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde, emphasized the importance of the ability to adapt.

“Social media plays a very huge part in fashion, and Instagram is always the most effective channel in the online platform today,” confirmed Chang, “If you want to make it big in terms of digital, you better use Instagram to build and establish your brand.”

He cited the photo- and video-sharing app’s wider reach and more vivid visual compared to other venues such as Twitter and Facebook, thereby making it the better channel to showcase aesthetic creations.

Chang, whose first business venture started on the now-defunct social networking service Friendster, recalled how people used to only rely on fashion shows, fundraising events, and glossy magazines. But social media, he said, changed the landscape.

“There was no way before to promote your products online unless you have your own website.”

He further expressed that technology allows direct access to things that Abraham Guardian, co-founder of Ha.Mü an experimental clothing brand that uses were once challenging to reach, such Instagram to reach local and international clients. as affairs of fashion, which can now be rently has over 18,000 followers on his followers. Instagram has greatly assistlivestreamed.

“Digital transformation and innova- Instagram where he regularly posts his ed us in reaching out not just in Manila but also in other parts of Luzon,” retion allows fashion to become democra- looks and styling creations.

Benilde FDM alumni Abraham vealed Guardian. “It successfully contized. You must also build your reputation within the industry for the general Guardian and Mamuro Oki seconded nected us with buyers and other stylists public to respect you whatever your pro- Chang’s statements, citing how Insta- who expanded our brand.”

Oki said the social networking serfession is,” said Chang, adding that cre- gram helped them reach more audience vice has been one of the marketing ating a brand is more than just uploading for their experimental brand Ha.Mü.

“It was initially challenging to gain strategies of their fast-evolving line. photos and gaining followers. He cur-

Three sisters and an aesthetic center THREE sisters from a big, close-knit family share their love of beauty and wellness through their skin and body clinic.

“We were thinking of a business that is connected to something we love to do.

Aside from traveling, we love beautification!” shares Anna Reyes, chief operating officer of KimRey Face and Body Contouring Lounge, the clinic she cofounded with Claire Kimble, chief executive officer, and Vanessa Lee, president.

Its flagship clinic recently opened in Quezon City.

The three sisters, who spent their formative years in the United States, came together to start a business that offers a host of state-of-the-art, minimally invasive cosmetic procedures to Filipinos.

“We love going to salons and we know it’s not affordable for regular working people, so we came up with an aesthetic center we can market to the working class,” says Reyes.

KimRey Face and Body Contouring Lounge seeks to provide the finest services at fair prices.

“KimRey has first-class machines and customer service. [It] allows everyday Filipinos to be within reach of state-ofthe-art service for beautification,” said the co-founders.

They added, “We make sure that we

Stylist and style icon Andre Chang emphasizes the importance of utilizing social media, particularly Instagram, in building and establishing fashion brands.

“It is through our Instagram account that local and international clients see our products,” he shared.

Chang reiterated that one of the main advantages of being on Instagram is that anyone can easily get a grasp of the brand. “Visual is important,” he posited.

Guardian and Oki, however, clari-

fied that they do not solely rely on the digital platform to market their brand.

“For those who do not use Instagram, we reach out to them by how we dress up,” shared Guardian. “I am a maximalist person and whenever I go to an event, I put on whatever I want. It is easy if they see things instantly.”

Animal love Elephant phone case

KimRey Face and Body Contouring Lounge founders Anna Reyes, Claire Kimble, and Vanessa Lee.

provide excellent customer service, while maintaining a strong bond among our staff We make sure we nurture both the company and the people—the employees and customers alike.”

KimRey Face and Body Contouring Lounge’s clinic is at Unit 8 and 9 3/F Richmond Centre 8001 E. Rodriguez Jr. Ave. Bagumbayan, Quezon City. Contact 0917-119-5816 for more information.

TWO playful animals inspired two luxury brands in creating these lovely premium items.

Embodying Loewe’s playfulness and leatherwork expertise, each iPhone case was expertly handcraft-ed from soft calfskin folded into the shape of an elephant, with long trunk, large ears and dotperforated eyes.

An embossed Loewe anagram in the bottom corner completes the design.

The Elephant cover’s adjustable, detachable tonal calf calfskin strap allows it to be worn around the neck—which is how it was styled in the spring/summer 2020 men’s runway collection—around the wrist, or simply held in the hand. It can also be used as a phone stand, both horizontally and vertically, supported by the trunk.

Loewe Elephant iPhone case

Loewe is located at Shangri-La Plaza Mall East Wing.

Mouse foulards SALVATORE Ferragamo welcomes the Year of the Rat with auspicious foulards with varying earth mouse motifs against different colors. Also available is a red silk scarf illustrated with beautiful floral blossoms.

Small leather goods from the collection are emblazoned with a stylized House logo. Completing the range are a few leather belt options.

Salvatore Ferragamo is located at Greenbelt 4, Rustan’s Shangri-La, Rustan’s Makati, and Solaire Resort and Casino.

The face and body center offers minimally invasive procedures using state-of-the-art products and technology at reasonable rates in a bid to make beautification available for more working class Filipinos.

Salvatore Ferragamo silk scarf

Entertainment

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 29, 2020

Very Wang...

From C4

Ice Bucket

Hard Rock Café enlivens concert circuit in January H ARD Rock Café Manila started the year on a high note with bands that rocked the start of a new decade.

On Jan. 2, 7, 9, and 20, the restaurant chain was filled with ‘80s and ‘90s tunes of Verse Two while patrons were entertained by the sizzling retro tunes of Spirit of 67 on Jan. 15, 12, 22, and 23. The group will be back on stage on Jan. 29 and 30.

Blue Grass band, meanwhile, graced the stage all Sundays of the month as it regaled with the best

of The Rolling Stones, Aretha Franklin, with hints of bluegrass, rock, and jazz.

Patron jammed to the tunes of The Beatles as Love Me Dudes rocked out to its greatest hits on Jan. 17.

Grooving on the fastlane was Highway 54 with its 60s, 70s, and 80s retro music—with a mix of other genres. They took the crowd on a

Another sensational adaptation viewers should look forward to is the remake of the 1989 award-winning blockbuster movie by Regal Films, Bilangin ang Bituin sa Langit, topbilled by Superstar Nora Aunor in the iconic character of Cedes. The series also stars Mylene Dizon and Kyline Alcantara as Magnolia Dela Cruz and Maggie.

Joining them are Zoren Legaspi, Gabby Eigenmann, Ina Feleo, Yas ser Marta, Divina Valencia, and Isabel Rivas. The series is directed by Laurice Guillen.

Making his long-awaited comeback to GMA-7 is Sen. Bong Revilla, Jr., in Agimat Ng Agila. In this dramafantasy series, fans will be able to join him soar as he takes them along on action-packed adventures as he protects the earth and the environment while tackling moral lessons and various societal issues.

More captivating dramas are in store for Kapuso viewers: the muchawaited series First Yaya, which features the first pair-up of two of the network’s prime stars—Marian RiveraDantes and Gabby Concepcion, together with Pancho Magno; the ground-breaking series Legal Wives,

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topbilled by Dennis Trillo and Bianca Umali; the heart-tugging drama Babawiin Ko Ang Lahat, starring John Estrada, Pauline Mendoza, and Carmina Villarroel; love and revenge take a different spin in Seed of Love, headlined by award-winning actress Glaiza de Castro, Valerie Concepcion, and Mike Tan; while romance and action mix in Sanggang Dikit, which reunites onscreen reallife couple Derek Ramsay and Andrea Torres.

Meanwhile, award-winning GMA News pillar Vicky Morales takes on a new role in the reality-drama program Ilaban Natin ‘Yan!. Viewers will see a new side of Vicky as she helps families resolve their issues by reaching out to the people in the barangays, getting into the root of their problems, and encouraging them to make positive changes in their lives.

Ilaban Natin ‘Yan! will employ experts and resource persons who will help ordinary Filipinos share and resolve their issues that they can relate to such as social media and gaming addiction, teen suicide, sibling rivalry, inheritance disputes, juvenile delinquency, child support and custody battles, adultery and other problems.

From the team that produced wellloved TV series I Heart Davao, Inday Will Always Love You, TODA One I Love, and One of the Baes,

trip down memory lane on Jan. 14, 18, 21, 25, and 28.

Ice Bucket rocked the stage on Jan. 4, 6, 11, and 13 belting out favorite ditties from Queen, Led Zeppelin, Aerosmith, and other rock music icons.

Hard Rock Café Manila is at the 2nd Level of S Maison at Conrad Manila, Mall of Asia Complex, Pasay City. Contact us at +639162524119 or (02) 89909809 and follow us on our social media accounts and be up-to-date with the latest: (Facebook – Hard Rock Café Manila; Instagram - @ hardrockcafemanila.

The cast of the upcoming family drama, ‘Love of My Life.’

GMA Public Affairs proudly presents its top-notch primetime offerings this 2020 that include the mystery-drama series Lolong and two upcoming romantic comedy series Owe My Love and Taiwan and Only.

Lolong sees Ruru Madrid in his biggest break to date as he takes on the titular role Lolong, a young man whose identity is shrouded in mystery. Joining Ruru in the series are Sanya Lopez and Kim Domingo.

GMA Network amps up the noontime fun and entertainment via All-Out Sundays, which debuted last Jan. 5. Complete with incredible musical performances, dance numbers, and comedic skits, #AOS made waves both on social media and TV ratings.

Avid viewers will have the chance to spend more time with well-loved host Willie Revillame as he extends the fun, suspense, and excitement of the country’s top-rating variety program Wowowin until Saturdays via Wowowin Primetime.

It’s all about non-stop entertain-

ment on the upcoming game show Catch Me Out Philippines; while dreams come true anew on the third season of The Clash. And finally, discover a new breed of talent on Centerstage and Sing 4 Hearts.

This 2020, expect nothing but world-class entertainment as the station with a heart celebrates seven colorful decades of making a difference in the lives of Filipinos all over the world.

Interestingly, Jeric sees something with his short film Jodilerks Dela Cruz, told myself that perhaps, it’s because our Employee of the Month, which compet- show is popular and doing well at the positive about the rumor.

“Actually, I felt glad when I heard ed at the Cannes Film Festival in 2017. ratings chart so people talk about us.”

“Definitely, this movie is a breath of fresh air for me. It has a different feel which makes it very exciting. I’m very sure the public will like it,” Daniel ends. *** Magkaagaw co-stars Sheryl Cruz and Jeric Gonzales both nixed the rumor that allegedly, they’re playing beautiful music together.

This is to disprove the report that Jeric and his non-showbiz partner broke up in December 2019 while taking a vacation in Japan. Rumor has it that Sheryl allegedly sent a sweet message to Jeric with the word “Baby” which caught the attention of the latter’s partner. This allegedly caused the split-up of the couple.

“How can that happen when in the first place, I don’t have a girlfriend right now? How can that be possible when I’m very much single at the moment?” says Jeric.

Meanwhile, Sheryl just laughs it off.

“That’s true! When I first heard of the rumor, I couldn’t help but laugh. I just Are Jeric Gonzales and Sheryl Cruz making good music together?

of the rumor. It means that people find our portrayals as secret lovers in ‘Magkaagaw’ effective,” he ends. *** After her participation in the highly successful The General’s Daughter, Maricel Soriano has a follow-up project in ABS-CBN. It was learned that the Diamond Star will top-bill the soap opera titled What Matters Most, which had its story conference recently. Her co-stars in the said show are Jodi Sta. Maria, Iza Calzado, Zaijian Jaranilla, and Chantal Videla.

The new soap is under the helm of FM Reyes whose track record as a director is impressive. Among his past hit programs were Lobo, Magpahanggang Wakas, Maging Sino Ka Man, and Nang Ngumiti ang Langit.

This is Maricel’s second grand project with the Kapamilya after she decided to make a comeback in 2018. Prior to this, she has appeared in a major soap titled, Ang Dalawang Mrs. Real in rival network GMA-7 alongside Dingdong Dantes and Lovi Poe.

Bluegrass

The Love Me Dudes

Shticks...

From C4

“I’m proud and at the same time challenged with this project. For one, I’m sharing the frame with Ma’m Charo Santos-Concio whom we all know is a very good actress,” he says.

“It’s great working with her. When you have an acting stalwart like her as the person you’re doing the scene with, you can’t help but be in your best elements. I can say that she is bringing out the best in me. We help each other in each scene and it’s simply awesome. Again, I’m really blessed, thankful and humbled to be working with Ma’m Charo!”

The material is also something new for Daniel. According to the 24-year-old actor, the plot is very timely and relevant.

“It’s about the plight of the survivors of Typhoon Yolanda in 2013,” she shares.

Kun Maupay Man It Panahon (Whether the Weather is Fine) is directed by Carlo Francisco Manatad, who hails from Tacloban. He gained attention

Mulatto

‘Wowowin host’ Willie Revillame

Entertainment

Nickie Wang, Issue Editor nickie.standard@gmail.com

C4

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 29, 2020

Khalil, Elisse explore stories of love and bitterness

Elisse Joson and Khalil Ramos banner ‘Adik’ episode of ‘Ampalaya Chronicles,’ which currently streams on iWant.

IT STARTED out as a live show that features a collection of monologues about love, heartbreak, and bitterness – as written by Mark Ghosn. Called Ampalaya Monologues, the show is based on real stories of individuals who have tasted the different kinds of bitterness that love has to offer.

After the show has gone viral, being so popular among young audiences for its musings about the pains of love, streaming platform iWant turned these monologues into a serialized anthology and gave it a new flavor and a new title, Ampalaya Chronicles. iWant brings bitter and relatable love stories in its original ‘hugot’ anthology series starring Khalil Ramos and Elisse Joson in the pilot episode that tackles one-sided love.

The pilot episode titled “Adik” re-

volves around shy yet romantic poet Carlo (Khalil), who only wishes to get close to his longtime crush Nina (Elisse). He luckily gets his chance when Nina appears on his doorstep, hoping to get him to help her write and perform poems for her talent portion in an upcoming beauty contest.

As the two get closer, Carlo can’t help but hope that Nina develops feelings for him. However, he painfully realizes that his dream relationship may only seem beautiful in poems.

“Adik” is based on the piece with the same title by spoken word artist Carlo Hornilla, which garnered 8.2 million views on Facebook and is the first-ever Filipino spoken word performance to go viral on Spotify.

The episode is directed by Real Florido, written by Florence Henzon,

and produced by Firestarters Production.

“This series talks to a specific generation but at the same time, it has a universal message. Love is universal and it will surely strike a chord to everyone who’s going to watch it. We speak different languages, I mean, the millennials speak a different language, they’re behavior is different, but the series ties every generation because of the story of love,” Florido said during a press conference, Stream Ampalaya Chronicles for free on the iWant app (iOs and Android) or iwant.ph . For updates, like www.facebook. com/iWant, and follow @iwant on Twitter and @iwantofficial and @dreamscapedigital on Instagram, and subscribe to www.youtube.com/iWantPH.

A NEW DECADE OF CUTTING-EDGE ENTERTAINMENT

‘Bad Boys’

still hot at the box office

SONY’S Bad Boys for Life stayed on top of the North American box office over the weekend, while war film 1917 held at second even as it continued racking up honors, industry watcher Exhibitor Relations reported Sunday.

Bad Boys, with popular actors Will Smith and Martin Lawrence reprising their roles as two wise-cracking detectives, took in an estimated $34 million for the three-day weekend, a surprising success for a sequel that kept fans waiting for 17 years.

Universal’s World War I drama 1917 continued its march forward, selling $15.8 million in tickets to remain in second place while passing the $100 million mark domestically since its release.

The Sam Mendes film has piled up the awards, including top honors Saturday from the Directors Guild of America, and is considered an Oscar favorite.

In third place was Dolittle, Universal’s take on the beloved children’s

book about a veterinarian who can talk to the animals. It took in $12.5 million, a small fraction of its net budget of $175 million, according to Hollywood Reporter. The cast includes Robert Downey Jr., Emma Thompson, Antonio Banderas, and Marion Cotillard.

Fourth spot went to new release The Gentlemen, an action-comedy from STX that took in $11 million. The Guy Ritchie movie, with a star-studded (and mainly male) cast including Matthew McConaughey, Hugh Grant, Henry Golding, and Colin Farrell, tells the story of an American in London who encounters a series of complications when he decides to sell off his lucrative cannabis empire.

And in fifth, down one spot from last weekend, was Sony’s Jumanji: The Next Level, at $7.9 million. Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and Kevin Hart star in the action sequel. AFP

Actors Will Smith (left) and Martin Lawrence attend the Jan. 14 Hollywood premiere of their film ‘Bad Boys For Life’

SCHTICKS JOSEPTH PETER GONZALES

Daniel ecstatic as he stars in new potboiler

GMA Network rings in 70th anniversary with world-class programs B

ROADCAST giant GMA Network upholds its perennial legacy of bringing pioneering and innovative programs as it welcomes the new decade with a solid line-up of world-class offerings.

For its 70th anniversary, the country’s most trusted TV network proudly brings together Filipinos worldwide through heartfelt stories of love, hope, and breakthroughs bannered by the biggest names in the industry.

The TV adaptation of the popular 1984 Regal Films movie, Anak ni Waray vs. Anak ni Biday brings together a remarkable cast composed of Barbie Forteza, Kate Valdez, Snooky Serna, and Dina Bonnevie.

Anak ni Waray vs. Anak ni Biday, which also features Migo Adecer, Jay Manalo, Jean Saburit, Teresa Loyzaga, Faith Da Silva, Tanya Montenegro, Benedict Cua, and Celia Rodriguez, is a dramedy series that revolves on the lives of Ginalyn (Barbie) and Caitlyn (Kate), and their mothers Amy (Snooky) and Sussie (Dina).

The series also features Lovi Poe and Max Collins in special appearances as young Dina Bonnevie and young Snooky Serna together with Jason Abalos, Pinky Amador, Mike ‘Pekto’ Nacua, Yanna Montenegro, and Franco Gray Nerona. Mark Sicat dela Cruz is at the helm of this primetime soap.

All set to do anything and everything for love are the intriguing characters of the much-awaited series, Love of my Life, topbilled by Carla Abellana, Mikael Daez, and Rhian Ramos; also starring Coney Reyes and sought-after leading man Tom Rodriguez in a very special role. Despite his mother, Isabella’s (Coney) wishes, Stefano (Tom) marries the love of his life, Adelle (Carla).

Just as they were getting settled, his ex-girlfriend, Kelly (Rhian), barges into their lives with a shocking surprise.

Things get even more complicated with the arrival of his brother, Nikolai (Mikael). Don Michael Perez directs this

VERY WANG NICKIE WANG

‘Bilangin ang Bituin sa Langit’ is headlined by Kyline Alcantara with Nora Aunor.

‘Centerstage’ host Alden Richards

Making his long-awaited comeback to GMA-7 is Sen. Bong Revilla, Jr., in ‘Agimat Ng Agila.’

‘First Yaya’ features the first pair-up of two of the network’s prime stars, Marian Rivera-Dantes and Gabby Concepcion.

SCREEN star Daniel Padilla is overjoyed with the latest movie he is filming. Titled Kun Maupay Man It Panahon (Whether the Weather is Fine), the young actor has nothing but good words to describe the latest project including the set of “amazing cast” he’s working with.

Continued on C3

‘Descendants of the Sun’ is based on a 2016 South Korean television drama series of the same title. Directed by Dominic Zapata, it stars Dingdong Dantes and Jennylyn Mercado.

inspirational family drama.

Showcasing an endearing love story like no other is the local adaptation of the global hit, Descendants of the Sun (DOTS), headlined by Dingdong Dantes as Captain Lucas Manalo or ‘Big Boss’ and Jennylyn Mercado as Dr. Maxine dela Cruz a.k.a. Beauty.

Joining them in reporting for duty are Rocco Nacino as Diego Ramos or ‘Wolf’ and Jasmine Curtis-Smith as Moira Defensor; together with the soldiers team: Antonio Aquitania, Ricardo Cepeda, Paul Salas, Lucho Ayala, Jon Lucas, Prince Clemente; the doctors and nurses team: Andre Paras, Chariz Solomon, Renz Fernandez, Nicole Donesa, Jenzel Angeles, Reese Tuazon.

DOTS also stars Neil Ryan Sese, Ian Ignacio, Rich Asuncion, Marina Benipayo, Hailey Mendes, and Roi Vinzon. Viewers should also look forward to surprise cameo appearances of exciting artists. This flagship project of the network is under the direction of Dominic Zapata.

Continued on C3