Manila Standard - 2020 February 29 - Saturday

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HIGH COURT GETS TOUGH ON TROS, INJUNCTIONS

PAL LAYS OFF 300; PH, GLOBAL STOCK MARKETS PLUMMET AMID VIRUS SCARE

(Storyon onA2) B1) (Story

Travel ban on Korea enforced Bato: Drug lords killed BuCor lawyer

on Thursday.

Dela Rosa, who served as BuCor director before he ran for senator, came up DRUG lords at the New Bilibid Prison with this statement based on his own excould be behind the killing of Bureau of periences.

“Most likely, those behind the killing, Corrections former legal counsel Anthobased on my experience, the drug lords ny Fredric Santos, also a witness in the jailed in Bilibid ordered the killing of our Good Conduct Time Allowance anomaNext page

By Rey E. Requejo, MJ Blancaflor ly, and Barcelo saidVito Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa traveling to South Korea.

The task force also allowed permanent VOL. XXXIII • NO. 372 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P18 FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2020 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com residents of South Korea and those leaving HE travel ban to and from South Korea due to an for study there to travel to the country.

On the other hand, any person—except outbreak of the new coronavirus (COVID-19) there Filipinos and their foreign spouses and is now fully in force after authorities approved its children, permanent resident visa holdimplementing rules Friday. ers, and diplomatic visa holders—coming from the North Gyeongsang province, including the citiy Daegu and Cheongdo The Inter-Agency Task Force for the returning overseas Filipino workers, as Calida seeking to revoke ABS-CBN’s

By Maricel Cruz, MJ County, are temporarily banned from enManagement of Emerging Infectious long as they execute a declaration that franchise.

Blancaflor, Rey Requejo Next page Diseases exempted newly-hired and they understand the risks involved of tering the Philippines.

“What is important is, the President SPEAKER Alan Peter Cayetano said said, they should do something about the House is likely to delay hearings it. Meaning to say, do their job. If on ABS-CBN’s franchise until May or there is a pending application before August, even though President Rodri- Congress, then members of Congress go Duterte said he wants lawmakers to should deliberate on it and decide discuss the issue before the franchise whether or not to grant or to deny the expires on March 30. extension,” Panelo said.

In a press briefing, Presidential There are 11 bills seeking to extend Spokesman Salvador Panelo said the ABS-CBN’s franchise for another 25 President had nothing to do with the years are pending, but Cayetano said delay in Congress or the quo warranto the House would be able to tackle petition filed by Solicitor General Jose Next page

By Macon Ramos-Araneta and Rey E. Requejo

PH may also impose restrictions on Japan, Italy, Iran

House defers action on ABS-CBN

Nigeria’s case sparks fears in West Africa

T

Immigration man tags 5 in ’pastillas’ Syndicate behind scheme exposed in Senate probe

NIGERIA reported the first new coronavirus (COVID-19) case in subSaharan Africa on Friday, as the World Health Organization warned against the “fatal mistake” of complacency.

Residents of Nigeria’s economic hub Lagos—a city that was hit by the West African Ebola epidemic in 2014— scrambled for hygiene products Friday, after the chaotic megacity of 20 million announced the first confirmed case of new coronavirus in the region.

Health Minister Osagie Ehanire said in a statement overnight that the infected person was an Italian citizen who flew in from Milan, at the heart of Europe’s largest outbreak, earlier this week.

The low number of cases so far across Africa, which has close economic ties with China, the epicenter of the deadly outbreak, has puzzled health specialists.

Prior to the case in Nigeria, there had been just two cases on the continent—in Egypt and Algeria.

Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country with some 190 million people,

VOL. XXXIV • NO. 19 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P18 SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 29, 2020 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

By Macon Ramos-Araneta and MJ Blancaflor

F

ORMER airport officials and employees of the Bureau of Immigration are behind the “pastillas” system by which Chinese workers and fugitives enter the country by paying bribes, a whistleblower said Thursday.

In a Senate hearing on human trafficking and prostitution, Immigration officer Allison Chiong said these officials were behind the syndicate that facilitated the smooth entry of Chinese nationals who enter the country to work in Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators.

Chiong said these groups worked with China-based travel agencies, who send Next page them a list of names of people who are about to enter the country.

“The syndicated groups would often compete with each other to gain favor COVERING UP. Mask-clad commuters make their way to work during morning rush hour theChinese Shinagawa train station inChiong fromatthe travel agencies,” Tokyo on Friday. Tokyo’s key Nikkei index plunged nearly 3 percent at the open on Feb. 28 after US and European sell-offs with said. investors worried about the economic impact of the coronavirus outbreak. (above left) People wait in line to buy face masks from a He revealed theyingave rangdepartment store in Seoul on Friday. K-pop megastars BTS on Feb. 28 canceled four concerts they were duethat to hold Seoulbribes in April, ing from P50,000 and P200,000 so that their agency said, as the coronavirus outbreak spreads in South Korea. AFP the Chinese nationals—even those that I DO. Immigration officer 1 Allison Chiong (top left) tells a Senate committee hearing Thursday he is the source of the video showing officers facilitating the immigration process have been blacklisted—can freely enter for Chinese POGO workers at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport. Chiong named the current and former immigration officials involved in the bribery scheme as Traffic Control the country, passing through Immigration Enforcement Unit officers Bien Guevarra, Glenn Comia and Den Binsol. Chiong said these officials were under Ports Operation Division Chief Marc Red Mariñas. Ey Acasio counters without any question. Next page

Carpio: More Chinese aggression in WPS sans VFA Fund lack blocks move to develop Palace offers govt protection to controversial cop

By Rey E. Requejo and MJ Blancaflor

vaccines; Duque prefers buy option

By Macon Ramos-Araneta THE Philippines has no budget to develop its own vaccines, which would need billions and billions of pesos that it cannot afford, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said Thursday.

In an interview over radio dzMM, Duque said it was more cost-effective to buy vaccines from rich countries that have the capacity to develop the drugs.

“They have economies scale,” Duque said, adding that this made their vaccines cheaper.

He dismissed reports that developing countries are being sidestepped in the distribution of vaccines, saying big companies are mandated to lead in developing vaccines for diseases such as the new coronavirus (COVID-19).

Duque pointed to research in China

TERMINATING the Visiting Forces Agreement with the United States will

By MJtheBlancafl or other military render Philippines’ pacts with Washington useless andlet PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte will not would invite further Chinese aggression embattled Lt. Colonel Jovie Espenido to in the West Sea, retired be harmed, the Philippine Palace said Thursday after Senior Justice Antonio EspenidoAssociate said the government could go Carpio said Friday. after him since he was included in its drug Speaking watchlist. at a forum on the VGA, Carpio said President Rodrigo Duterte’s Presidential Spokesman Salvador Pannext might be to rescind elo move said Espenido could askthe forMutual protecDefense Treaty and Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA).

Carpio said the presence of US soldiers and military equipment in the country acts as a deterrent to armed aggression from China.

“Without such capability, we would (First of two practically be inviting the parts) enemy to seize whatever Philippine islands, rocks, reefs,

tion from the government if he feared for his life, and assured him that President Duterte would not hurt anyone ‘‘outside legal processes.

“If that is the fear of Colonel Espenido, then we cannot stop him from entertaining such apprehension. But the President will not allow anyone to be hurt outside legal processes or methods sanctioned by law, Panelo

told reporters.

“If Espenido would want to ask for any protective measure from the government, then he can so request just like any other citizen.

Meanwhile, Espenido welcomed the due process granted by Philippine National Police Chief Archie Gamboa to the policemen on Duterte’s latest drug watch list, including him.

Next page

’Calida’s plea vs. ABS-CBN wrong move’ Garbage crisis in Metro: A ticking time bomb Next page

THE petition by the government’s ABS-CBN? No,” Panganiban told lead lawyer was an incorrect way to ABS-CBN News’ Karen Davila. strip ABS-CBN Corp. of its franchise, In related developments: the former head of the judiciary said • Senate Minority Leader Franklin Friday as he urged lawmakers to Drilon on Friday opposed the opinion renew the license of the country’s of two retired Supreme Court justices largest media network. regarding the franchise renewal of A quo warranto should cite ABS-CBN, saying 11,000 jobs were abuses that were committed before at stake. a franchise is granted or an official “This issue on ABS-CBN cannot is appointed. The alleged violations be decided in a vacuum as the retired raised against ABS-CBN were justices want Congress to do. Our supposedly committed after it secured conscience will not allow us to do that its license,AGENDA. said former Chief Justice becauseisthe is, 11,000 are on SUMMIT The deadly coronavirus setreality to dominate thejobs agenda of Artemio Panganiban. the line here,” Drilon said. the high-level Vientianne summit Thursday, as China’s foreign minister meets with his “Is Asian the quo warrantowhose the countries’ right • Workershave of ABS-CBN Corp.

Southeast counterparts economies been hard-hit overon page to scrap the operation of taken Wednesday showing aNext fearsremedy of widespread contagion.

Inset is a photo laboratory

technician holding samples of virus at a laboratory in Hengyang in China’s central Henan province. AFP

VirusToday control orts working—China is a eff leap day: Its myths, tales

VIENTIANE, Laos―China’s efforts to control theBlanco deadly outbreak By Honor Cabieof a new coronavirus “are working,” Beijing’s top diplomat said attributing REMEMBER theThursday, traditional verse an easing “Thirty in new Days casesHath to his country’s mnemonic September” “forcefulofaction” against the illness.Tawigraders not long ago—from Speaking in Laos before talksaswith Tawi up to Batanes—memorized an peerstradition? from the 10 Southeast Asian oral (ASEAN) countries, Wangblock Yi said the It was a common memory among outbreakrecited was “controllable anddays curable” graders, in full: “Thirty hath despite the global hasNovember. seeded.

September, April, panic June itand

“China is not only protecting its own people alsohave the rest of the world,” he All thebutrest thirty-one, except told the summit Vientiane, referencing February alone, in which has twenty-eight a recent sharpexcept drop infor new cases of29. the virain or shine, leap year, rusToday insideisChina, where killed February 29,itashas if you didmore not than 2,100 people. know, which makes 2020 yet another Philippine Minister leap year, fourForeign years after 2016,Teodoro a leap Locsin Jr. thanked China its “unprecyear occurring every four for years. edented and quick There domestic are mythsmeasures surrounding leap action”―apparently referring the years: Get hitched during a leaptoyear, Next page page Next

By Jimbo Gulle

Next page

VISITING FORCES ISSUE. Ambassador Albert del Rosario, chairman Stratbase ADR Institu (right); Justice Antonio T. Carpio, former Supreme Court acting chief justice (center); and Ambassador Jose Manuel Romualdez, Ambassador of the Philippines to the US (left), in a huddle during the Stratbase ADR Institute Open Forum Pundits and Residences critics alike say theCity Naation, hePH-US said, had become unprecedented, at the Diamond in Makati on Post-VFA: Alliance Quo Vadis The tional Capital Region’s output a United Filipinos selfi shly threw their refuse Duterte administration hastrash officially sentisthe States a notice to terminate the evticking time bomb, indicative of a similar erywhere―mostly into water systems― Visiting Forces Agreement marking the start of the 180-day period from when the major problempact experienced across the country, massive clean-up drives only moved security will be effectively canceled.

Lino and Santos

and recent statements by government ofIF YOU think Metro Manila’s traffic is ficials have only underscored the issue. a problem, the garbage situation will, in Last December, Environment Secretary modern social media-speak, tell you to Roy Cimatu said the country was in the “hold its beer.” middle of a “garbage crisis.” Waste genermonths after he verbally ordered the

By MJ Blancaflor arrest of those who use e-cigarettes.

Duterte on Feb. 26 signed Executive PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has issued an executive order banning the Order 106, which also prohibits the manufacture, distribution, marketing and use of vapes in sale of unregistered e-cigarette products public places, in a bid to advance the people’s right to a and three

tons of litter from one place to another.

In an environmental forum that month, Cimatu said the Department of Environment and Natural Resources would issue,

EO bans vaping in public, restricts sale of e-cigarettes

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“balanced and healthful ecology.”

The new order expands the coverage of prohibited acts cited under EO 26, which he issued in 2017 and which directs establishments to have a designated area for those who would use vaping devices or traditional cigarettes.

Next page

Pag-IBIG boosts socialized housing THE Pag-IBIG Fund has financed 27,145 socialized homes for minimum-wage and low-income members in 2019, its top executives said recently.

The number of socialized home loans make up 28 percent of the total 95,276 home loans released by the agency last year.

LAKAS GATHERING. Officers and members of Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats led

by House Majority Martin the Meanwhile, in termsLeader of amount, Romualdez (center) pose for posterity during the lunch meeting of the party at the House of Representatives. has said the socialized home Romualdez loans totaled P10.64

party will always be a partner of the administration to ensure the swift passage of President Duterte’s legislative agenda. Ver Noveno Next page

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News

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 29, 2020

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Jimenez named ICAD co-chair vice Robredo

By MJ Blancaflor PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has named Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission chief Dante Jimenez as the new cochairperson of the Inter-Agency Committee Against Illegal Drugs, three months after Vice President Leni Robredo was sacked from the post.

The President named Jimenez as ICAD co-chair on Feb. 21, based on a list of appointees released Friday.

The post was briefly held by Robredo.

Duterte appointed her to the once nonexistent post after she said that the government’s campaign against illegal drugs should be examined.

President Duterte fired Robredo for committing “missteps” such as talking with groups and individuals critical of his campaign against illegal drugs.

Jimenez, on the other hand, was the founding chairman of the Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption before he assumed leadership of the PACC. The ICAD was created by President Duterte in March 2017 through an executive order to ensure the effective conduct of anti-illegal drug operations and arrest of “high-value drug personalities down to the street level peddlers and users.”

‘Calida’s...

From A1

Friday thanked President Rodrigo Duterte for accepting the network’s apology over an offense in 2016 as they asked lawmakers to grant the network a new franchise.

The broadcast license of the country’s largest media and entertainment company will expire on May 4. Duterte on Wednesday said a new franchise would be up to the lawmakers to decide.

“Because of your response, we were relieved especially since we have long been concerned for our jobs and future,” the ABS-CBN Rank and File Employees’ Union told President Duterte in a statement.

Solicitor General Jose Calida asked the Supreme Court in a quo warranto petition to nullify ABS-CBN’s franchise, set to expire on May 4, due to alleged abuses like illegal pay-per-view offering and foreign ownership.

The House of Representatives has yet to tackle several bills seeking the renewal of ABS-CBN’s license to operate. The Senate held a hearing on Monday on the network’s compliance with its current franchise, where ABS-CBN executives clarified it did not violate license provisions.

House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano had said discussing ABS-CBN franchise was “not that urgent” because it could operate until 2022, the end of the 18th Congress.

But on Wednesday, the House franchise committee asked the National Telecommunications Commission to give the media giant a “provisional” permit to operate past its franchise expiration.

The NTC previously gave provisional permits to Philippine Telegraph and Telephone Corp., Smart Communications Inc. and the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines, Panganiban said.

EO...

From A1

Under EO 106, it is considered unlawful to smoke and vape within enclosed public spaces, whether stationary or in motion, unless the designated smoking or vaping area is fully compliant with the requirements of the order.

It also notes that there should be a ventilated area between the door of designated smoking or vaping areas to protect non-smokers from inhaling second-hand smoke.

The new EO also prohibits people-incharge to “allow, abet or tolerate smoking or vaping in places.”

The order also requires all e-liquids, solutions or refills forming components of vapes or heated tobacco products to register with the Food and Drug Administration.

All devices forming components of these products should also be subjected to the product standards imposed by the Department of Trade and Industry and the FDA. The FDA and the Trade department are directed to coordinate with the Bureau of Customs in the formulation of the guidelines, requirements and procedures for the regulation of the entry and importation of e-cigarettes and tobacco products into the Philippine market.

The use, sale or purchase of e-cigarettes and tobacco products by a person below 21 years is not allowed, according to the EO. A “clear and conspicuous” statement which bars the sale, advertisement and promotion of e-cigarettes and tobacco products should also be displayed in schools, public playgrounds, youth hostels and recreational facilities for minors.

Onus on LGUs to clean waste The law specifically prohibits the use of open dumps for solid waste disposal (hence the closure of the Payatas dumpsite in Quezon City, which used to be Metro Manila’s preferred trash bin, in 2017), and enjoins the LGUs to convert their open dumps into sanitary landfills.

Materials Recovery Facilities (MRFs) are a crucial mandate of RA 9003, as every village in every locality is required to have one for processing recyclable and biodegradable waste.

But as of 2016, the National Solid Waste Management Council reported that just one-third of the country’s 42,000 barangays had a functioning MRF serving them, with Metro Manila’s rates unclear.

The law also requires at least 25 percent

of all solid wastes from waste-disposal facilities to be diverted or recovered through reuse, recycling, composting, and other resource-recovery activities.

However, the diversion rate for solid waste in Metro Manila as of 2015 is just 48 percent; outside NCR, the rate is 46 percent, according to a paper by the Senate Economic Planning Office in November 2017.

That means the other half of the solid waste LGUs should be processing in their areas is going elsewhere—and, as one Asian Development Bank officer noted in a paper in 2017, a crucial limitation to building municipal solid waste (MSW) facilities was local officials’ own “Not in My Back Yard” (NIMBY) mentality.

“The biggest constraint to establishing proper urban waste disposal facilities in the country is refusing to accept them in your own city,” noted Aldrin B. Plaza, ADB Urban Development Officer. “It’s like saying ‘yes, we need dumpsites, but please put them somewhere else.’”

That’s another reason why waste-toenergy (WTE) technologies hold much allure to officials looking for new ways to treat and dispose solid waste without burning it—another no-no under RA 9003. In fact, two senators recently submitted bills to adopt WTE across the country.

Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, who heads the Senate energy committee, filed Senate Bill 363 that seeks to provide a framework for the entire value chain of WTE facilities, and, in turn, ensure the uninterrupted supply of waste as feedstock for renewable energy (RE) generation.

Senator Francis Tolentino has also filed SB 401, which seeks to establish guidelines for the use of WTE technology to reduce solid waste and increase energy generation.

The dumpsite in Capas, incidentally, has Germany technology in place that would help it transition from being just a sanitary landfill to become a high-tech recycling and RE operation via WTE, said Metro Clark Waste Management president and CEO Rufo Colayco.

“Garbage is a by-product of economic prosperity. As the Philippines’ economy

Travel...

The Bureau of Immigration said it would enforce the ban with the release of the IATF guidelines.

BI Port Operations Division Chief Grifton Medina said the Korean government pledged to issue a certification to distinguish if a passenger is coming from the areas of concern.

Meanwhile, immigration officers have been instructed to carefully scrutinize arriving passengers from South Korea and require the Resident Registration Certificate (RRC) and their National ID to be able to screen passengers from those areas.

“While it is a challenge to identify which passengers from South Korea actually came from said areas, the Korean government is doing measures to ensure that the virus stops spreading to nearby regions,” said Medina.

Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente also clarified the bureau did not deliberately delay the implementation of the travel ban as ordered by Malacanang on Tuesday.

“We had to thresh out implementation issues, as this travel ban is different compared to the previous ones issued,” said Morente.

“We are one with the government in ensuring that this health scare does not spread

in the country, by implementing policies properly and efficiently,” he added.

Reports showed that South Korea has 256 new COVID-19 cases, bringing the total number of infected in the country to 2,022, according to the Korea Centers for Disease and Control and Prevention.

Of the new cases, 182 were in Daegu, the location of a church at the center of South Korea’s outbreak, the agency reportedly said. Thirteen virus-related deaths have been recorded so far.

Health officials on Friday said Filipinos who may be repatriated from Macau and South Korea will not be required to undergo a 14-day quarantine at the New Clark City, but undergo home quarantine.

Health Assistant Secretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said their situation is different from those who have been repatriated from China’s Wuhan City and the Diamond Princess cruise ship in Japan.

She added, however, that they would be strictly monitored as well.

Duque on Friday also said the public should refrain from concluding that persons who have recovered from COVID-19 could catch the infection again.

A woman working as a tour bus guide in Japan tested positive for the coronavirus for a second time, weeks after recover-

ing from the disease, the Osaka prefecture government said on Thursday.

But in a radio interview, Duque said the report has yet to be validated.

On Friday, the Health department reported that two more Filipino repatriates from Japan were transferred to hospital after showing symptoms of respiratory illeness while under quarantine at New Clark City in Tarlac.

“There are two more repatriates who were brought to our facility because of sore throat,” Duque said.

“Their specimens were collected and sent for testing at the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine.”

The two Filipinos brought to five the total number of symptomatic repatriates among the 445 Filipinos who arrived in the Philippines earlier this week. They were all from the coronavirus-hit Japanese cruise ship Diamond Princess.

On Thursday, three repatriates from Japan were brought to a hospital in Central Luzon for having sore throats and coughing. Two of them already tested negative for COVID-19.

Duque said should any of the repatriates test positive for the virus, the case would be considered an imported one and will not be counted as a case of local transmission.

would be those most dependent on Chinese tourism, such as Hong Kong and Macau, Thailand, Cambodia and the Philippines, researchers found.

• A pet dog was quarantined at an animal center in Hong Kong after it tested positive to low levels of the new coronavirus, officials said Friday, in the first such case in the city. The canine, which belongs to a 60-year-old woman infected with the virus, has no “relevant symptoms,” the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department said.

But “nasal and oral cavity samples were tested weak positive to COVID-19 virus,” a spokesman said, without explaining why they tested the animal in the first place.

The virus has killed more than 2,800 people and infected over 83,000 worldwide—the vast majority in China— since it emerged apparently from an animal market in a central Chinese city in late December.

The number of deaths and new infections has been tapering off in China, following unprecedented quarantine efforts locking down tens of millions of people in the worst-hit cities.

But infections elsewhere have started to surge, with Iran, Italy and South Korea becoming the major new hotspots and cases being confirmed in around 50 countries.

WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said Thursday the world was at a “decisive point” and countries could still contain the epidemic if they “act aggressively now.”

“No country should assume it won’t get cases; that could be a fatal mistake, quite literally. This virus does not respect borders,” Tedros said in Geneva.

The WHO has voiced particular concern about Africa’s preparedness, warning that the continent’s health care systems were ill-equipped to respond to a COVID-19 epidemic.

The International Monetary Fund and World Bank said Thursday they were ready to provide countries in need with immediate emergency funding to fight the coronavirus outbreak.

However, US President Donald Trump has played down he risk of a major epidemic in his country, and accused some media outlets of needlessly causing panic.

But his government’s own health officials told communities to prepare for an epidemic.

Authorities in California said Thursday they were monitoring 8,400 people for the virus, after officials confirmed a woman had contracted the disease without travelling to outbreak-hit regions.

Still signs in China offered hope that the outbreak could be contained.

China reported 44 more deaths on Friday, raising its toll to 2,788, with 327 new cases—the lowest daily figure for new infections in more than a month. AFP

for members who earn up to P15,000 a month within the National Capital Region and those who earn up to P12,000 a month outside Metro Manila. Under the AHP, the Pag-IBIG Fund offers a subsidized rate of 3 percent per annum for socialized home loans up to P580,000.

Pag-IBIG Fund Chief Executive Acmad Rizaldy Moti said the 3-percent rate was the lowest in the market, and which the agency was able to offer due to its tax-exempt status as prescribed under Republic Act 9679, or the Home Development Mutual Fund Law of 2009.

“Because of our Charter, Pag-IBIG Fund can afford to offer the lowest rates for the home loans of minimum and lowwage workers,” Moti said.

“We first offered the 3-percent rate in May 2017, and until now that rate still stands as we seek to help more members realize their dreams of owning a home.”

Carpio:...

to Russia to talk to Putin and tell him that there are three of us against the world— China, Philippines and Russia. It’s the only way,” Duterte had said.

“America has lost now,” the President continued. “With that, in this venue, your honors, in this venue, I announce my separation from the United States. I have separated from them. So I will be dependent on you for all time. But do not worry. We will also help as you help us.”

Carpio said the statement was telling.

“We thought it was just nothing. But he is actually doing it now,” Carpio said.

“We should have taken it from there.

When he told the Chinese host ‘I shall be dependent on you for all time,’ he was pledging allegiance to the Chinese.”

On Thursday, Carpio told students at the Ateneo de Manila University that without allies, China would seize areas of the South China Sea that the Philippines claims.

“Without allies, we will lose the West Philippine Sea. That’s for sure,” Carpio said.

He said he believed China would occupy and reclaim Scarborough Shoal once the US forces leave with the termination of the VFA. He said that three years after the US bases in the Philippines were closed in 1992, China seized Mischief Reef.

He said China backed down from reclaiming Scarborough Shoal in March 2016, after then US President Barack Obama warned Chinese President Xi Jinping of “serious consequences” if China moved on Scarborough.

By Jimbo Gulle

W

(Conclusion, continued from yesterday)

HILE the efforts of private firms like Metro Clark Waste Management Corp. to build world-class engineered landfills are to be lauded, Republic Act 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act—a law crafted 20 years ago—places the onus on local government units (LGUs) for effective and efficient solid waste management in their areas.

From A1

The temporary travel ban also applies to persons—except those falling under the same exceptions—who have been to North Gyeongsang, Daegu and Cheongdo within 14 days immediately before they arrived in the Philippines.

The task force stressed that the approved rules are effective immediately, subject to “close monitoring” for the task force within the next 48 hours.

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III criticized the Bureau of Immigration for failing to enforce the travel ban earlier, pending the release of the rules.

Duque said that with the threat of a coronavirus outbreak, time is of the essence and the travel restriction should have been enforced right away to prevent the spread of the deadly virus in the country.

A Palace official, meanwhile, said the government is considering expanding the temporary travel ban to Japan, Italy and Iran, as those countries reported more infections.

Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles said the IATF was monitoring the situation in these three countries, which had reported a rapid increase in COVID-19 cases.

Nigeria’s...

From A1

is viewed as one of the world’s most vulnerable to the spread of the virus given its weak health system and high population density.

Switzerland became the latest country to announce drastic measures on Friday, saying all events with more than 1,000 participants would be suspended until March 15.

The ban forced the cancellation of the Geneva International Motor Show—a major item on the global auto industry calendar—that was due to start next week.

In related developments: • The deadly coronavirus epidemic will cost world tourism at least $22 billion owing to a drop in spending by Chinese tourists, the head of the World Travel and Tourism Council said Thursday.

The economies most likely to suffer

Pag-IBIG...

From A1

billion, which is 12 percent of the recordhigh P86.74 billion home loans released by the agency in 2019.

“The Affordable Housing Loan Program, which is Pag-IBIG Fund’s socialized housing loan program, is designed specifically to help minimum and low-wage workers buy or build a home of their own,” said Eduardo del Rosario, chairman of the 11-member Pag-IBIG Fund board and secretary of the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development.

“This is our way of adhering to President Rodrigo Roa Duterte’s call for government institutions to carry out programs that address the needs of the underserved sector.”

The Affordable Housing Program is

Today...

From A1

when girls are dime a dozen; being born on February 29 can be extremely unlucky, with Scottish believing that if you are born on the Leap Day your life will have an everlasting floodway of suffering.

And one may not have one’s birthday on that day every year, no thanks to the existing computer systems.

While you are reading this, others elsewhere in the metropolis and the archipelago may be thinking leap years are silly.

After Pope Gregory XIII instituted the

Gregorian calendar in 1582, the idea of adding February 29th every four years seemed so ridiculous that a British play joked it was a day when women should trade their dresses for “breeches” and act like men.

Leap Day proposal The play was meant as satire, but some early feminists must have been inspired; by the 1700s, women were using Leap Day to propose to the men in their lives.

The tradition—now called Bachelor’s Day or Sadie Hawkins Day—peaked in the early 20th century and and continues today in Britain, where some retailers even offer discount packages to women popping the question.

From A1

it desires to seize in the West Philippine Sea,” Carpio said.

The 1951 MDT commits the Philippines and the United States to come to each other’s aid if either comes under attack.

EDCA, signed in 2014, allows the prepositioning of US defense equipment and materials in strategic locations in the Philippines.

Carpio said he believed the President needed Senate approval to abrogate the VFA, but said if the Supreme Court upholds President Duterte’s authority to unilaterally terminate the agreement, the MDT and EDCA would be next to go.

He also questioned Duterte’s claim of wanting an independent foreign policy.

“What is the motive of the President in terminating the VFA? He said he wants to make an independent foreign policy, at least independent from the US but dependent on China for all time and be a protectorate of Russia,” he said.

Duterte ordered the termination of VFA following the cancellation of the visa of his ally, Senator Ronald dela Rosa over his alleged involvement in the extrajudicial killings during his stint as Philippine National Police chief.

Carpio added that Duterte’s Oct. 16 pronouncement in Beijing was tantamout to pledging allegiance to China.

“I’ve realigned myself in your [China] ideological flow and maybe I will also go

improves, we will only continue to produce more and more garbage. Where will all this be dumped?” he said last November.

ADB’s Plaza, however, observed that apart from NIMBY, financing and governance are other hurdles for LGUs planning to operate their own landfills. He also noted that the Philippines is the only country globally that bans incineration of solid wastes, “which eliminated a viable alternative to landfilling.”

“The investment costs and management burden of a comprehensive MSW management system are too burdensome for many cities. But the law does not cite specific enforcement actions, and many LGU officials lack management and technical competency,” Plaza added.

Unlike their peers in the countryside, Metro Manila’s mayors may not lack in experienced executives and consultants to help figure out their gargantuan garbage problem. But Navotas is still the only city in NCR with an engineered landfill in its area (operated by Phil Ecology Systems Corp. in Barangay Tanza) while it and the Rodriguez dumpsite are close to being filled.

In other words, Metro Manila, MMDA and the national government are short on time, both to avoid the continued destruction to the environment and from being engulfed in a tidal wave of trash—not unless a better alternative is set in place.

News Nograles plays down oust move vs. Speaker PUWERSA ng Bayaning Atleta Partylist Rep. Jericho Nograles said Friday played down the alleged ouster move against Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano.

Nograles also said that a coup plot against Cayetano does not make any sense especially when Marinduque Rep. Lord Alan Velasco, whom he tagged as the one behind moves to unseat him, is only a few months away from taking over the leadership as part of a term-sharing agreement brokered

by President Duterte as coalition party leader.

Nograles added that House members will not support any move to break the term-sharing agreement between Cayetano and Velasco because this would be in defiance to President Duterte’s position.

“The members of Congress are generally expecting a change of leadership [because that was the agreement brokered by the President between Cayetano and Velasco],” he added.

Deputy Speaker and Camarines Sur Rep. Luis Raymund Villafuerte took the cudgels up Cayetano.

He said Velasco’s assurance that he would honor the term-sharing agreement should not be taken at face value.

“It does not make sense for any sane person to take Rep. Lord Velasco at his word, given that he now swears to high heavens that he did not mastermind the failed coup against Speaker Alan Cayetano, even if 20-plus House members have separately told us that they had been offered by Rep. Velasco himself with committee chairmanships and extra budgetary allocations in our chamber in exchange for supporting his assumption as Speaker ahead of the 1521 term-sharing leadership change later this year,” Villafuerte said. Maricel V. Cruz

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SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 29, 2020 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Purisima beats Sandiganbayan case

By Maricel V. Cruz

F

ORMER National Police chief Alan Purisima has been acquitted of perjury charges in connection with the alleged false statements and omissions he committed in the Statements of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth he submitted.

On Friday, the anti-graft court’s Second Division dismissed the eight counts of perjury in connection with the SALNs he filed from 2006 to 2009, and from 2011 to 2014.

Purisima was acquitted despite the denial of his demurrer to evidence filed in April 2019.

A demurrer to evidence seeks the outright dismissal of the case because the prosecution’s evidence, if not re-

butted, cannot sustain a guilty verdict.

Early this year, the Sandiganbayan also dismissed charges against Purisima and former Special Action Force commander Getulio Napeñas in connection with the killing iof 44 SAF troopers following a raid to neutralize Islamic militant bombers in Mamasapano, Maguindanao.

Purisima, who allegedly supervised the operation was suspended at the

time while Napeñas allegedly acquiesced despite knowing the fact that Purisima was suspended and not supposed to get involved in National Police matters.

The anti-graft court said there was “lack of probable cause,” for the graft and usurpation of authority charges filed against the two.

However, the court said the charges against the accused “are dismissed without prejudice to the filing of the appropriate charges again.”

Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales filed the original Mamasapano cases against former President Benigno Simeon Aquino III, Purisima and Napeñas over the January 2015 Mamasapano operation that resulted in the killing of the 44 police commandos.

2 town mayors facing administrative complaint

By Rio N. Araja TWO municipal mayors are facing an administrative complaint before the Office of the Ombudsman for their failure to clear major roads of obstruction.

Secretary Eduardo Año of the Department of the Interior and Local Government yesterday ordered the filing of complaint against Mayor Benido Balao-as and Mayor Renato Cabael of Abra’s Boliney and Samar’s Motiong, respectively, for neglect of duty and grave misconduct.

In the complaint, he said the two chief executives failed to respond to his showcause order seeking an explanation for being not able to comply with the directive of President Rodrigo Duterte to clear roads of obstructions.

“The municipalities of Motiong and

Boliney obtained a total score of not more than 50 points in the indicators set by the DILG. Such score translated to their glaring failure to follow the rule of law that public streets are for public use,” the complaint read.

“We mean it when we said that cases will be filed against negligent local execs. Unless local chief executives get their acts together and take the President’s instructions to clear roads seriously, they will be held accountable and face charges,” the DILG chief said.

According to the department’s assessment and inspection of the validating team in Motiong, nine roads were still found with illegally parked vehicles, barangay structures, store encroachments, shanties, garbage dumps, canal obstructions, plants and construction materials as obstructions.

The validating team found out that Boliney failed to present an inventory of the provincial, municipal and barangay roads in their area, while an identified provincial road was also found with extended canopies and obstructions.

Año said both mayors failed to come up with any rehabilitation and sustainability plans nor set up a grievance and feedback mechanism on clearing of road obstructions.

In October 2019, he issued showcause orders on 97 local government units, asking for an explanation for their non-compliance with the directive based on the DILG’s assessment and validation.

The first batch of 12 mayors were sued for administrative cases for gross neglect and grave misconduct before the Ombudsman last January.

Du30 wants awareness on hazing

By MJ Blancaflor PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has declared the second week of February of every year as “National Hazing Prevention Week,” to increase awareness of the importance and value of hazing prevention.

Under Proclamation 907 signed Feb. 21, the Commission on Higher Education is tasked to lead the nationwide observance of the National Hazing Prevention Week.

All other national government agencies, including state universities and colleges, are directed to provide assistance to CHED for the successful conduct of programs, projects and activities relative to its observance.

“Throughout the years, there has been an alarming number of hazingrelated deaths in the Philippines despite the passage of the Anti-Hazing Act,” according to the proclamation.

Local government units, as well as the private sector, relevant civil society organizations and professional groups, are also encouraged to actively participate in the celebration and provide support to CHED. The necessary funding for the implementation of the proclamation would be sourced from the respectively available appropriations of the concerned agencies.

For the succeeding years, the necessary funding shall be programmed in the respective budget proposals of the said agencies.

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Opinion

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 29, 2020

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Is ABS-CBN credible?

EVERY morning since the outbreak of COVID-19, I ask myself “what now?” every time I open the newspapers.

My wife and I are not so concerned about ourselves since at our age, we are already at the pre-departure area waiting the last call for our flight to the great beyond. Still, we are worried about our children and grandchildren.

At the rate the virus is spreading in many countries, it is not far off that the World Health Organization will soon declare a pandemic. So far, only Antarctica has not been infected.

It has a very clear political agenda.

What worries me most for us Filipinos is the possibility of transmission at the community level. This is a very real prospect given the large number of informal settlers who lack basic facilities and knowledge of hygiene.

This is why I have been calling on the Duterte administration to have a massive information and education campaign on the virus.

Santa Banana, Filipinos should be thankful that COVID-19 has not yet affected us the way it has other countries.

I have been told that San Francisco is set to declare an emergency, having the biggest Chinatown in the United States. *** Apparently there is a lot of confusion in connection with the May 4 expiration of the franchise of the Lopez-owned ABS-CBN radio-television network.

It’s sad to think that most of the confusion has been coming from Congress itself, with some legislators saying that a joint resolution from both Houses is

Adelle Chua, Editor

EDITORIAL

all there is to it in granting ABS-CBN the license to continue operating. Thus, the Senate is moving to file a resolution to give that authority to the NTC. Coming right down to it, what is needed is not just a resolution or joint resolution but a law. This is according to former Supreme Court Chief Justice Reynato Puno.

What surprises me is that if both chambers of Congress can pass a resolution, why can’t they enact a law extending the franchise of ABS-CBN? When ABS-CBN president and chief executive officer Carlo Katigbak admitted the network’s shortcomings in not airing the political advertisements of then-candidate Rodrigo Duterte, it became very clear that the network was taking sides. It was apparent that it was behind the Yellow candidate Mar Roxas, whose wife is a network talent and journalist.

That struck into the credibility of ABS-CBN; it clearly had a political agenda. That’s one reason the grant of a new franchise is in question.

Once a news outlet has a political agenda, its franchise, which is a form of public service, becomes vested.

This is the reason I have not supported ABS-CBN completely as many of my colleagues in media have. When a broadcast network shows some political or vested interest, it’s a clear violation of the law. *** I was amused when I heard that President Duterte was trying very hard to justify his abrogation of the Visiting Forces Agreement. He asked whether Filipino soldiers could do the same as American forces in fighting terrorists and helping the government during and after disasters.

He said Filipino soldiers can do it alone without the Americans. But how can you fight terrorism without American equipment and surveillance devices? What baloney!

What also bothers me is that Presi-

T

Buzzer-beater

HE starting gun for the bill seeking to create a national high school dedicated for the training and development of future generations of Filipino world champions has been approved on third and final reading in the Senate.

Twenty-one senators were unanimous in supporting Senate Bill 1086, or An Act Creating and Establishing the Philippine High School for Sports and Providing Funds for adequate training of students with athletic abilities for competitive sports.

The bill, which now goes to Malacañang for presidential signature or veto, aims to establish the Philippine High School for Sports which will offer a secondary course with special stress on developing the athletic skills of the students through subjects pertaining to physical education and sports development.

We share the view of Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, chair of the Senate committee on education, arts and culture, who said the PHSS would be a world-class educational and athletics facility which is at par with international standards.

He has noted that while Filipinos

love sports, the Philippines has been lagging behind other countries in sporting competitions and events.

We note that the Philippines has been joining the Summer Olympic Games since 1924, or some 96 years, but Filipino athletes have only garnered 10 medals, and not a single gold medal.

Of the 13 Philippine athletes to participate in the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, the silver-medal garnered by Hidilyn Diaz in the women’s weightlifting was the country’s only sport in the podium in any event.

It is a sad commentary that Filipino athletes lack the support due them in conversely the same situation where athletes of other nations get full support from their governments.

We underline what Gatchalian has said: “The end view of this legislation is to unleash the potential of young Filipinos who have shown early potential

of excelling in sports for a sportsrelated career.”

Under the measure, the Bases Conversion and Development Authority will provide the land for the PHSS at the New Clark City in Capas, Tarlac, and will be in charge of the construction of classrooms, dormitories, other sports facilities and related amenities.

The PHSS shall offer full or partial scholarship programs to students who have demonstrated the potential of excelling in sports—given that many of the country's youth have shown and continue to show exceptional potential in sports.

We remember the Latin phrase Mens sana in corpore sano. usually translated as "a healthy mind in a healthy body"—widely used in sporting and educational contexts to express the theory that physical exercise is an important or essential part of mental and psychological well-being.

The well-known motto, first used in 1861 by the Englishman John Hulley, stands for the ideal of versatility, where a person is only healthy when he is occupied both intellectually and physically.

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Supremo Andres Bonifacio in Cavite PHILIPPINE history, particularly the period covering the Philippine revolution against Spain and the PhilippineAmerican war, while very important, is replete with controversy. For those of us who study our history, the controversies are seen as mysteries waiting to be solved. At best, we are left with incomplete and scattered records and documents pretty much like puzzles to be completed.

Many of the important primary documents during this era are out of the country. Those in government possession are not readily accessible to students of history as one has to personally go to the archives and dig through the records. In this digital age, one would think that these important records have been digitized and made publicly available.

Time and again, primary documents from the period surface, and if these are not auctioned to the highest bidder right away and kept in private collections, we use these as parts to complete the puzzles of and better understand our collective past.

Much of the controversial aspects of our past involve the revolutionary General and first president of the country, Emilio Aguinaldo y Famy.

He successfully led many battles against Spain to the point of establishing the province of Cavite as free from our colonizers. Cavite became the cradle of the country’s independence for several months and Filipinos from other towns flocked to the province to experience being free.

Gen. Aguinaldo led and fought two wars against the powerful Spain and America, a feat that very few Filipinos can equal. He declared our independence from Spain, gave us our flag and national anthem—these are national

symbols that we all cherish. I dare say that no other Filipino, living or dead, can equal the General’s gifts to us and our nation.

Yet, many consider Aguinaldo as a traitor to the country mainly based on very limited, if not outright wrong information fed to them. He was a traitor because allegedly, he had Supremo Andres Bonifacio, the militant Left’s idol, and the hot-tempered Gen. Antonio Luna, said to be a great general despite not winning a single battle, killed.

These controversies surrounding Aguinaldo are among the puzzles that need solving.

This, in the eyes of Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo.

I have written several times that I have the fortune of having access to some of Gen. Aguinaldo’s unpublished writings. Many of these are handwritten manuscripts, or typewritten ones with the General’s notations and edits. I have transcribed some of them and the process gave me insights on what was going on during the time of the revolution and the war against the Americans.

One of the documents was entitled, “Talang Buhay ng Supremo And. Bonifacio sa Kabite” (Supremo Andres Bonifacio in Cavite). The paper covers the arrival of Supremo Andres Bonifacio and his party in Cavite up to his arrest after his attempts at putting up a separate government outside of the one established by the Tejeros Convention, the Acta de Naic, and the ransacking of the town of Indang. Important events during the period, including how the Supremo was welcomed in Cavite as an icon, several major battles, the deaths of great revolutionists including Generals Edilberto Evangelista and Crispulo

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From dust to life IN HIS traditional General Audience in St. Peter’s Square on Ash Wednesday, Pope Francis called on the faithful to reflect on how the coming 40 days are a good time to make room for the Word of God in our lives. “It is the time to give up useless words, chatter, rumors, gossip, and talk and to speak directly to the Lord,” he said, it is a time in which to dedicate ourselves to an ecology of the heart,” he said.

In his homily on the same day, Pope Francis also said that: “Lent is not a time for useless sermons, but for recognizing that our lowly ashes are loved by God. It is a time of grace, a time for letting God gaze upon us with love and in this way change our lives. We were put in this world to go from ashes to life. So let us not turn our hopes and God’s dream for us into powder and ashes. Let us not grow resigned. You may ask: “How can

I trust? The world is falling to pieces, fear is growing, there is so much malice all around us, society is becoming less and less Christian…”

According to Francis: “All around us, we see the dust of death. Lives reduced

Lent is not expiation but a celebration but only if we allow ourselves to be loved, so that we can give love in return. to ashes. Rubble, destruction, war. The lives of unwelcomed innocents, the lives of the excluded poor, the lives of the abandoned elderly. We continue to destroy ourselves, to return to ashes and dust. And how much dust there is in our relationships! Look at our homes and families: Our quarrels, our inability

to resolve conflicts, our unwillingness to apologize, to forgive, to start over, while at the same time insisting on our own freedom and our rights! All this dust that besmirches our love and mars our life. Even in the Church, the house of God, we have let so much dust collect, the dust of worldliness.”

But Pope Francis reminds us that we are worth so much more and live for so much more, being meant to make God’s dream a reality. We are called and meant to love. The ashes on our heads sets our hearts on fire with love. After all, we are citizens of heaven and our love for God and neighbor is our passport to heaven. Indeed, “Our earthly possessions will prove useless, dust that scatters, but the love we share—in our families, at work, in the Church and in the world—will save us, for it will en endure forever.”

In the Gospel reading for the first Sunday of Lent, the tempter tries to seduce the Lord three times. First is to appeal to the spirit of hedonism by telling Jesus, as the Son of the Father, to Turn to A5

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Opinion Resisting a national tragedy

By Ambassador Albert del Rosario

seas is incomprehensible and harmful to our country and our people.

There is no rationality for such a move except to put into reality the President’s personal sentiments when he publicly declared that “I simply love Xi Jinping.”

Terminating the VFA would serve to actualize our pivot towards China against the strong and vehement objections of our people.

While the VFA is admittedly an imperfect agreement, its termination would interrupt the benefits of the MDT with regards to the joint training and exercises, the pursuit of modernization, achieving interoperability, providing assistance during natural calamities and being effective partners in addressing our challenges in respect of counterterrorism.

If we may also recall, the quick US relief response during the Yolanda disaster was made possible by the VFA. Other countries wanted to immediately respond but were constrained by the lack of legal arrangements for their troops to enter the Philippines. At its peak, the US military efforts included more than 13,000 military personnel, 66 aircraft and 12 naval vessels. The US

delivered more than 2,500 tons of relief supplies and evacuated over 21,000 people.

What is unfolding before us is a national tragedy which should be resisted. As a democratic and republican country, we do not believe that one man alone can make this damaging choice for our people. We therefore appeal to our esteemed institutions such as Congress and the Supreme Court to help us resist this tragedy. We appeal to the conscience of our military whose duty under the Constitution is to defend the integrity of our national territory.

We must reject the notion that maintaining the Philippine-US alliance is subservience to the US. In the international community, countries must forge alliances to protect their own interests. We must maintain the alliance between the Philippines and the US, not for sake of the US, but for the sake of our countrymen who want to protect their country’s territory.

We must be with responsible nations with whom we share our core values of democracy, respect for human rights and the rule of law. To stand otherwise is not what Filipinos are; it is not what we do; it is not what is right.

Our people must take a stand. We must speak up. In the famous words of a pastor during the period of Nazi tyranny in Germany: “First, they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a socialist. Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a trade unionist. Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out— because I was not a Jew. Then they came for me, and there was no one left to speak for me.”

It is our earnest hope that we will not see the day when no one will be left to speak for us.

lying by China.

We can’t do it alone. Does Duterte really believe we do not need the Americans?

Nobody could be happier with this development than China. *** A lot of corruption is going on at some of the government-owned-andcontrolled corporations. This comes in the form of anomalies committed

by Malacañang-appointed directors.

These have gone unnoticed by the President.

These abuses involve GOCC directors giving themselves fat allowances and even privileges to own a car at government expense, or to travel abroad frequently. These deeds go unnoticed because Last year, the former government corporate counsel who had

overall jurisdiction over these GOCCs discovered this form of corruption, which prompted the Commission on Audit to flag these agencies and some of lawyers. But instead of investigating the anomalies amounting to billions of pesos, some people in Malacañang just told the President to fire the former government counsel for misdemeanor—a baseless charge. Santa Banana, now these corrupt lawyers are lording it over the Office of the Government Corporate Counsel!

Now you know why government corruption does not end.

Speaking of government corruption, sometime ago the COA also redflagged excessive allowances given to lawyers of the Office of the Solicitor General. What ever happened to that report? I wonder.

monk and author, once wrote: “The purpose of Lent is not only expiation, to satisfy the divine justice, but above all a preparation to rejoice in His love. And this preparation consists in receiving the gift of His mercy—a gift which we receive insofar as we open our hearts to it, casting out what cannot remain in the same room with mercy. . . . Now one of the things we must cast out first of all is fear. Fear narrows the little entrance to our heart. It shrinks up our capacity to love. It freezes up our power to give ourselves. If we were terrified of God as an inexorable judge, we would not confidently await His mercy, or approach Him trustfully in prayer. Our peace and our joy in Lent are a guarantee of grace.”

In journeying towards Easter, according to Pope Francis, we can make two passages: first, from dust to life, from our fragile humanity to the humanity of Jesus, who heals us. He con-

tinues: “We can halt in contemplation before the crucified Lord and repeat: ‘Jesus, you love me, transform me…

Jesus, you love me, transform me…; And once we have received his love, once we have wept at the thought of that love, we can make the second passage, by determining never to fall again from life into dust.”

Lent is a good time to avail of the sacrament of Penance, because in Francis’ words—“there the fire of God’s love consumes the ashes of our sin.”

Lent is not expiation but a celebration but only if we allow ourselves to be loved, so that we can give love in return. Pope Francis exhorts us to stand up and walk towards Easter —“Then we will experience the joy of discovering how God raises us up from our ashes.”

Below are the closing remarks of Ambassador Albert del Rosario Chairman of Stratbase ADR Institute, during a discussion of the Visiting Forces Agreement held Feb. 28, 2020 THANK you for joining us today to discuss the abrogation of the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA). For my closing, please allow me to be brief.

The termination of the VFA by President Duterte removes one of the focal points that underpin the longstanding alliance between the Philippines and the United States.

Worse, as Malacañang has mentioned, this may only be the first step to ultimately putting an end to all Philippine-US defense agreements such as the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) and the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT). This will effectively upend the Philippine-US Alliance as we know it.

The Philippine-US Alliance is one of the oldest and enduring defense partnerships in Asia.

Along with the valiant efforts of our Filipino heroes, this alliance has helped our country maintain its integrity against foreign aggression during World War II and now against Chinese incursions in the South China Sea. Our recent experience shows that the Philippine-US alliance appears to be the only deterrent against China’s reclamation of Scarborough Shoal, a territory which belongs to the Philippines throughout centuries.

As we had previously expressed, this shift in foreign policy of casting aside a reliable ally in favor of an aggressive northern neighbor that wants to deprive us of our land and

Is ABS-CBN...

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dent Duterte abrogated the VFA because of a flimsy reason—the cancellation of the US visa of his friend, Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa.

I believe that Duterte could not abrogate the VFA on his own. It is a treaty that was ratified by the Senate. This is why I support the move of Senate President Vicente Sotto III and Minority Leader Franklin Drilon to contest Duterte’s move.

To me, what the country actually lost is American help in fighting terrorism and dealing with calamities.

Besides, the VFA assures us of American aid in the wake of continued bul-

From...

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turn the stones into loaves of bread.

The second temptation is to appeal to egoism by telling Jesus to throw himself down the parapet of the temple and command the angels to come to his aid. And the final and third temptation is by appealing to the lures of the eyes (materialism) by showing the Lord all the kingdoms of the world in their magnificence which will be granted to Him should He worship the Evil One. Jesus not only severely rebuked the tempter but teaches us the best way to respond to temptation. By His example, He shows us that we do not live by bread alone but by every word of God; not to put the Lord, God, to the test; and to worship God alone and him alone shall we serve.

Thomas Merton, the Trappist

Supremo...

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Aguinaldo (Gen. Emilio’s older brother), Supremo Bonifacio’s several refusals to help the Magdalo in battle, and how Gen. Aguinaldo discovered and addressed the Supremo’s Acta de Naic are vividly described. For me, it was like being in the moment.

Finding this manuscript gave me goosebumps. It is entirely in Gen. Aguinaldo’s handwriting using intermediate pad, and unlike most other

documents I have been checking, this one has been kept intact with the pages chronologically arranged under a cardboard cover with the title, and complete with a metal fastener.

It was as if Gen. Aguinaldo meant for this to become a stand-alone paper.

When the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) team led by its Deputy Executive Director for Programs and Projects Alvin Alcid saw and examined the manuscript, they immediately expressed interest in publishing it into a book. It was a timely offer because Aguinaldo@150 was

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being commemorated in 2019 and there was no new publication on the General thus far.

And the rest is history. The book “Talang Buhay ng Supremo And. Bonifacio sa Kabite” will make public Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo’s handwritten manuscript (as he perhaps wanted) and will be launched on March 22 at the Aguinaldo Shrine in Kawit, Cavite as culmination of Aguinaldo@150 and in commemoration of Hen. Miong’s 151st birthday.

I did the transcription of the manuscript and Giney Villar translated it to English for those who do not under-

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 29, 2020

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mst.daydesk@gmail.com

POGOs PHILIPPINE Offshore Gaming Operators now appear to be a festering problem between this country and China. Many of our countrymen have expressed their concern about the deleterious effect of this hi-tech variation of gambling for the simple reason that a large number of Chinese nationals visiting this country posing as tourists are in fact engaged in gambling done by the use of cross-border telecommunication facilities to place their bet. Most countries consider this as essentially constituting the crime of illegal gambling.

Many Filipinos and some politicians wanting to ride on this issue easily blame China for the fact that most are Chinese nationals. Seldom do our grandstanding politicians consider that the site and/or operation is taking place right here in our own backyard.

Taking this into account, the burden of containing or eradicating this vice is therefore on us, being the situs or location of the gambling operation.

Of course China’s Ministry of Public Security carefully screens its nationals wanting to travel to the Philippines, but that merely serves as a safeguard until one has actually violated the law like engaging in what we now call crossborder telecommunications fraud.

The greater burden remains in us to prevent them from for violating our own laws. Anticipatory measures may be taken by us like preventing the entry of known POGO gamblers and/or operators, but that would be silly and could seriously affect our tourism industry and even violate the law our President protested when the US barred the entry of Philippine officials to the US for alleged violation of human rights in the Philippines.

I remember three years ago, China’s Vice Minister of the National Bureau of Corruption Prevention and Director General of the Department of International Cooperation of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection of the Communist Party of China, Liu Jianchao, visited the country to secure closer cooperation to prevent the commission of crimes by each country’s nationals. At that time, the issue of offshore gambling had yet to get the attention of the local media. This was why he probably did not mention that even as he surely had an eye on the problem.

The problem actually begins with us. Since this type of gambling is one of commercial transaction involving the use of telecommunication, we are duty bound to impose stricter rules on the use of our banking facilities like the prevention of fraud and other forms of swindling; the prevention of money laundering and insuring that whatever amount of tax paid by the POGO operators and bettors are promptly collected by the government.

Likewise, facilities being used for offshore gaming without permit, nightclubs which are sometimes used as fronts for prostitution may be padlocked. Notably, the consequence of heavy gambling often leads to the commission of crimes like illegal on-line gambling, meaning operating outside and without the permit of the POGO operator itself, money laundering, illegal employment mostly aliens, kidnapping, extortion, torture, murder which affect the legitimate rights and interests of the two countries to promote friendship.

Only by taking these stringent measures will we be able to under-

stand Filipino, especially old Tagalog.

The book design was by the awardwinning book designer Ige Ramos and the foreword was written by renowned historian and author (and formerly an Aguinaldo critic) Dr. Reynaldo Ileto.

Included in the book are comments from Sen. Sonny Angara, Fundacion Santiago’s Executive Director Chaco Molina, and one of the officers of Tunay na Kasaysayan ng Pilipinas (TUKLAS), Inc. Virgilio Leynes, a.k.a.

Basilio Ibabawan. This book would not have been possible without the active coordination of Angelo Jarin Agui-

stand where we stand and squarely deal on this vice that dissipates the economy and moral fibers of our people. But it seems we are barking up the wrong tree. A deeper analysis of this particular problem, will tell that it is financially dissipating to the economy of China, yet this country is not doing anything to protect its own interest not really with an eye of cashing in on this vice but to collect the revenue and income for the use of our territory as site for their operations. China is doing everything to regulate this kind of vice so that their operations will not be derailed to illegality or lead to the commission of crimes.

While telecommunications gam-

We better start looking at ourselves. bling is not allowed in China, the Chinese government is extra careful not to dictate what measures we are going to take like telling us what to do. The Chinese government is more concerned in prohibiting their nationals suspected to have committed long-term telecommunications fraud crimes from committing them here.

If they managed to elude their predeparture screening, that side of the obligation is now on us. We cannot deport them unless they violated our laws or that the Chinese government has sought their extradition under our treaty obligation with China.

Theoretically it is their money that flows out through the facilities of cross-border telecommunication. For clearer understanding of the modus operandi, it simply means that no money is actually taken out of China, or that the money refers to bank deposits made in a third country. On our part, while we are supposed to understand that the players are here to gamble, many of us are complaining that we virtually get nothing in terms of revenue. Some say the amount collectable is estimated to be more than P50 billion.

In truth that money never physically entered the country or was handed to the bettor. The amount placed as bet is all theoretical as one might say. So, if we could not get hold of the money at least for tax purposes, the best that we can do is ban, prohibit and penalize the bank or telecommunications owner or operator for allowing him to use his facilities.

We should do more to refocus our attention to reaping the positive aspects like what PAGCOR has been doing. While gambling is not the main purpose, the tourists that come means added and more purchases during their stay. Remember, it remains our duty to ensure that their operations here are well within the bounds of what is legal and permissible. To decry the presence of the Chinese tourists engaged in offshore gambling is not the solution.

We have to take advantage of their influx while the economy is on the upsurge.

Gambling is definitely a contributory source of revenue. As our trade with China and with the rest of our neighbors continue surge, tourism will naturally increase. This means there are more places to visit and more products to buy, provided we are able to maintain our peace and order. There is nothing for us to be sorry about POGO the same way we discarded the Laurel-Langley Agreement with the US in 1974. rpkapunan@gmail.com

naldo and TUKLAS’ research guys, Virgilio, Jojo Yuviencio Manarin, and Jomar Encila.

This publication may become controversial and may be criticized by those who are rabidly pro-Bonifacio. However, this is a primary document written by one of the most significant personalities in Philippine history and his voice must be heard.

Let Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo’s words be given its due. @bethangsioco on Twitter Elizabeth Angsioco on Facebook

A6

News

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 29, 2020

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

IN BRIEF Ex-UN envoy backs termination of VFA FORMER United Nations ambassador Reynaldo Arcilla on Thursday backed the termination of the Visiting Forces Agreement, saying both VFA and the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement with the United States of America are violating the 1987 Constitution.

"Even the US Senate refused to sign the agreements, therefore VFA and EDCA were "null and void ab initio," he maintained.

He cited Article 18 Section 25 stating that after the expiration in 1991 of the agreement between the Philippines and the US concerning military bases, foreign military bases, troops or facilities shall not be allowed in the Philippines, except under a treaty duly concurred in by the Senate and when the Congress so requires, ratified by a majority of the votes cast by the people in a national referendum held for that purpose, and recognized as a treaty by the other contracting State.

Arcilla served the Department of Foreign Affairs for more than 30 years, and as deputy permanent representative (with a rank of ambassador) to the UN. "The Philippines can be self-reliant when it comes to enhancing its military's defense capabilities without the USA," he said.

Chinese nabbed for countryman slay

By Joel E. Zurbano

T

WO Chinese nationals were arrested for killing a fellow Chinese and injuring another inside a restaurant in Makati City late Thursday night.

The Southern Police District identified the suspects as Yang Chao Wen, 32, and Yan Wu, 29. They are now detained at the Makati City police station pending the filing of criminal charges against them.

The authorities arrested the two foreigners for the killing of Yin Jian Tao, 33, and injuring his companion Zheng Kai, 25, inside a VIP room of Jiang Nan Hot Pot Restaurant along Garcia Street in Barangay Bel-Air around 10 p.m.

Recovered from the suspects were one Dessert Eagle .9mm (with magazine and live ammunition); one Colt cal. 45 (with magazine and live ammunition); and one Cal. 45 (with magazine and live ammunition), and a bag with P345,000 cash.

Witnesses said the five Chinese men and a woman were having dinner at the

restaurant when the shooting incident transpired.

Responding members of the Barangay Bel-Air Bantay Bayan nabbed two of the three suspects who were about to escape.

Initial investigation showed that one of the suspects entered into a transaction with Yin but did not materialize. The two initially met somewhere and later at the restaurant where the victim agreed to hand over P345,000 cash for the transaction.

Police are conducting follow-up operations to track down the third suspect.

The case was the latest crime incident in southern Metro Manila involving Chinese nationals.

In 2019, a number of Chinese nationals —mostly employees of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator companies—were

arrested for their alleged role in kidnapping, drugs and human trafficking, and prostitution and illegal gambling den operations, among others, in the cities of Makati, Parañaque, Pasay and Las Piñas.

Those cases triggered the Philippine National Police to consider having Chinese complaint desks to address the problem.

The Immigration bureau has said that Chinese nationals topped the agency’s list of foreigners who have been arrested in 2018 for violating immigration laws.

Data provided by the bureau also showed that Chinese nationals topped the list of foreign nationals who were prevented from entering the country for displaying rudeness and disrespect towards immigration officers.

“We need the cooperation of the Chinese people through their embassy. We will establish Chinese desks and cross training on language, on the culture so that mas maintindihan natin why they are doing this and how they’re going to do it,” said PNP chief Archie Gamboa.

Japanese gov’t hit for ship virus crisis THE country's largest workers group Trade Union Congress of the Philippines assailed the Japanese government for making the Filipino crew of Diamond Princess cruise ship as sacrificial lambs to the highly contagious coronavirus disease following an admission of its top executive that the quarantine measure for the ship was f lawed resulting to the contamination of its crews and passengers virus.

"It is now clear the Japanese government knew that the quarantine procedures for the crew—many of whom were Filipinos—were both inadequate and imperfect and would likely result in further spreading of the nCoV virus endangering everyone's life-and-limb," TUCP vice president Louie Corral said in a statement.

Dr. Norio Ohmagari, the director of the Disease Control and Prevention Center at the government-funded National Center for Global Health and Medicine and is a member of government panel of experts advising Tokyo on the novel coronavirus outbreak said that the quarantine of the cruise ship "may not have been perfect."

The "tough decision," he said, had been made by the Japanese government to allow the cruise workers to keep working aboard the vessel, despite the risk of infection, to ensure the smooth running of the cruise ship.

He said that by failing to isolate the crew of the Diamond Princess from the beginning of the quarantine,infected workers may have passed on "secondary or tertiary" infections to their fellow crew members and passengers, thereby exacerbating the deadly outbreak.

Vito Barcelo

BI reshuffles 800 officers at NAIA THE Bureau of Immigration has reshuffled nearly 800 officials in the midst of an investigation over an alleged bribery scheme for the illegal entry of Chinese workers into the country.

The suspected immigration officers involved in the alleged bribery were accused in a Senate probe last week of asking P10,000 for every Chinese national they allowed to enter the country as tourists and work later in gambling dens.

In reshuffling its personnel, the BI adjusted the shift and airport terminal assignment of some 800 officers, and replaced all team chiefs, according to Immigration Spokesperson Dana Sandoval.

Sandoval, however, said that the reshuffle is not expected to cause a shortage of personnel before the expected rush of travelers ahead of the Lenten break.

PORT AREA SHOOTING. Officers of the Manila Police District or MPD SWAT in Intramuros, Manila struggle to cuff one of suspects in the shooting incident at the Railroad in Port Area Manila, yesterday, Feb. 28. Norman Cruz

‘CHR not backing recruitment of child soldiers’

By Rio N. Araja and Willie Casas tations, especially if it veers away from CHR will not be weaponized by any party THE Commission on Human Rights on

Friday assured a group of parents that it "does not support the recruitment of child soldiers in armed conflict consistent with the principles of the International Humanitarian Law and other domestic pieces of legislation pertaining to the protection of children."

Jacqueline Ann de Guia, CHR lawyerspokesperson, said concerned parents belonging to the Liga ng mga Magulang recently held a protest rally in front of the CHR central office in Quezon City, asking the commission to look into the alleged recruitment of minors to the Communist Party of the Philippines' New People's Army armed struggle.

She said they accommodated the group, led by Remedios Rosadio, along with Relissa Lucena, who was airing her grievances that her daughter, Alicia, could have been recruited and kept away by organizations linked to the communist group.

"CHR, as independent national human rights institution, tirelessly advocates that everyone be given the opportunity to enjoy and exercise the full extent of their rights. But, at the same time, we equally stress that such exercise of rights has limi-

the precepts of the rule of law," she said.

"As such, while CHR supports activism as an exercise of one's freedom of speech and expression, we do not support armed conflict," she added.

De Guia vowed that the CHR would always stay impartial in the performance of their mandate.

"Faithful to its mandate, CHR will continue to be open to all persons—regardless of their race, color, gender, creed or political affiliation—who continue to seek truth in every human rights violation," she said in a statement.

"The public can always expect independent and impartial investigations, including alleged cases minors being recruited to take part in armed conflict by any group, as well as on working on concrete policy reforms and recommendations for government to consider and apply to improve the protection of children in the Philippines," she added.

De Guia said they would never be intimidated nor be allowed to be used by any person or group.

"CHR will continue to speak out against abuses and violations even if it is unpopular. With our strong commitment to our independence and to the rule of law,

or group. We shall remain in service of human rights and dignity of all," she said.

Meanwhile, the militant ACT Teachers Party-list group has urged the House of Representatives to investigate the legality of the Kabataan Kontra Droga at Terorismo dialogues, lectures, and seminars of the Philippine National Police in various high schools, which it claimed violated the "safe schools principle" of the Department of Education.

"The 'Kabataan Kontra Droga at Terorismo' program of the Philippine National Police is said to be in accordance with the campaign against illegal drugs and terrorism of the government but reports from teachers and students who have seen and heard their seminars and lectures described the seminars as nothing but a program that adheres to Executive Order 70 or the Wholeof-Nation approach which built the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict [NTF ELCAC]," Rep. France Castro, of Act Teachers, said after filing House Resolution 737.

Castro said their seminars contain vilification, red-tagging and terror tagging of progressive individuals and organizations targeting elementary and high school students.

Mandaluyong RTC judge ‘usurping’ ERC power—solon

By Maricel V. Cruz A REGIONAL trial court judge in Mandaluyong City is under fire from three committees of the House of Representatives for allegedly usurping the exclusive power of the Energy Regulatory Commission over disputes involving electricity rates.

Leyte Rep. Vicente Veloso frowned on the decision of RTC Branch 208 to entertain a case filed by South Premier Power Corp., an affiliate of San Miguel Corp., contesting P23.9 billion in accumulated billings sent to it by state-owned Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corp. for SPPC’s administration of the 1,200-megawatt Ilijan power plant in Batangas.

The case, filed in 2015, is still pending. The Mandaluyong RTC has prohibited PSALM from terminating its contract with SPPC. Veloso, chairman of the committee on justice, said the law does not allow courts lower than the Court of Appeals to meddle in cases involving electricity rates and other power-related issues.

“RTC judges should not entertain such petitions. I will bring up this matter of intervention with the Supreme Court,” he said. His committee has oversight function over the judiciary.

He quoted Section 43 of Republic Act No. 9136, or the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001, which provides that the ERC “shall have the original and exclusive jurisdiction over all cases contesting rates, fees, fines and penalties imposed by the ERC…and over all cases involving disputes between and among participants or players in the energy sector.”

Veloso, a Court of Appeals (CA) justice for 11 years, said the law also provides that ERC decisions can be appealed with the CA. Several legislators and members of the committee on public accounts and the committee on good government and public accountability shared Veloso's view as they expressed dismay over interventions made by some regional trial courts in electricity rate cases.

QC okays new MRT above-ground design

By Rio N. Araja QUEZON City Mayor Joy Belmonte on Friday lifted the cease-and-desist order against the above-ground construction of Metro Rail Transit 7 Quezon Memorial Circle station after ironing out issues with the project proponents and various stakeholders.

On Friday, Belmonte announced the decision after a meeting with representatives from the contractor EEI Corp. developer San Miguel Corp., Department of Transportation, the Avenceña-Quezon family, National Housing Authority, environmentalist groups, urban planners, heritage advocates and park goers as well.

During the meeting, EEI and SMC showed a revised design wherein the area of the above-ground construction was dramatically reduced to 426 square meters from almost 11,000 square meters and the height to just six meters from 12 meters, she said in a statement.

The above-ground structure is proposed to be only a utility room, the city government said.

Pasig River free ferry service extended—MMDA THE Metropolitan Manila Development Authority announced on Friday that the free ride to the Pasig River Ferry Service is extended for another one month.

“We are happy to hear that people are enjoying the ferry ride going to their destinations and commuting by ferry have become a way of life to Metro Manila residents. That is why we are extending the free ride until March 31,” said MMDA Chairman Danilo Lim. Lim said the ferry service accommodates an average of 700-1,000 passengers a day, a sign that people opt to use the ferry service as an alternative mode of transportation to the already congested Metro Manila road network.

Anticipating an increase in the number of passengers, MMDA deputy chairman Frisco San Juan Jr., said more ferry boats will be added and ferry stations will be put up soon to better serve the public with the support of both national and local government units of Metro Manila.

“I am optimistic that our future plans will further boost the ferry’s commuter patronage,” said San Juan.

San Juan said local government officials in the National Capital Region and private entities have pledged to provide additional boats.

Also, there are plans to construct three more ferry stations, namely: Quinta Market in Manila, Circuit Makati in Makati, and Kalawaan in Pasig to further expand the operations are also underway.

Some private groups have also expressed their intention to put up their own ferry stations to serve their immediate areas.

At present, the PRFS has eight boats which can accommodate varying number of passengers.

Aimed to help address the traffic problem in Metro Manila, the relaunch of PRFS has the backing of President Rodrigo Duterte who approved a proposal to institutionalize the Pasig River Ferry Convergence Program, which include adding more stations for the ferry system.

The ferry service runs from Pinagbuhatan in Pasig City to Escolta in Manila, with 11 stations: Pinagbuhatan, San Joaquin and Maybunga in Pasig City; Guadalupe, Valenzuela in Makati City; Hulo in Mandaluyong City; and Lambingan, Sta. Ana, PUP, Lawton, Escolta in Manila City. Joel E. Zurbano

CALOOCAN BEAUTIES. The City Government of Caloocan under the leadership of Mayor Oscar Malapitan together with the Caloocan Cultural and Tourism Foundation Inc. introduced 19 candidates for the Miss Caloocan 2020 during the Media presentation held at the Bulwagan ng Katipunan in Caloocan City Hall. Andrew Rabulan

Sports

sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

A7

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 29, 2020

Manila

Standard

TODAY Republic

of the Philippines GOVERNMENT SERVICE INSURANCE SYSTEM GSIS Building, Financial Center, Roxas Boulevard, Pasay City 1308

Navymen try to stay ahead

By Peter Atencio

T

ARLAC CITY— After taking the overall lead halfway in the LBC Ronda Pilipinas 10th anniversary race, multi-titled Ronald Oranza hopes that he and his teammates will be able to keep it up.

This is what the Philippine Navy-Standard Insurance team will try to do when Stage 6 takes place today with a 111.9-km Stage 6 run after a day’s rest. The race will begin at the capitol and finish at the Tarlac Recreation Center here.

Oranza, who took the overall championship twice already in 2016 and 2018 and was hailed as the best local rider last year, said he and his teammates will now change their plans from hereon after what happened in Stage 5 on Thursday.

There were no plans for the Navymen to grab the overall leadership and claim a stage win when they dominated the 128.5-km Stage 5 from Lucena to Antipolo last Thursday.

But after other teams took the leadership role in the stage when rains and slippery roads slowed riders down in the first 12 kilometers, the Navymen saw an opportunity and took control at the front.

“First option lang kasi na sumunod kami sa kanila kasi nasa harap kami. Pero ako na rin nagsabi na i-pursige natin ito,” said Oranza after the team showed that it can take on the mountainous route along the Lucena City diversion road and into the uphill route along Lucban, entering Pagsanjan, Laguna.

When Stage 5 was over, George Oconer moved up from second to first place in the general classification race.

Oconer’s sixth-place finish allowed him to gain a clocking of 17 hours, 43 minutes and 13 seconds, allowing him to ease out ArmyBicycology’s Mark Julius Bordeos for the lead.

This put Oconer a minute ahead of teammate Oranza, who is currently at second in 17:55:28.

Stage 2 winner Ronald Lomotos and Stage 5 champion John Mark Camingao follow the two at third and fourth spots, ahead of teammates Junrey Navarra (fifth) and El Joshua Carino (sixth).

BASKETBALL PACT. National Capital Region Athletic Association

general manager Buddy Encarnado (right) and Chooks-to-Go president and GM Ronald Mascariñas seal their partnership at Taipan Place in Ortigas recently for the league’s 27th season celebration which kicks off at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Bandala, Padilla banner PPS Zambo del Norte cast COMING off a pair of imposing stints in Sindangan, Pete Bandala and Judy Ann Padilla go for multiple wins anew in Liloy, also in Zambo del Norte, as they banner the cast in the PPS-PEPP Mayor Roberto Uy Jr. national age group tournament which got going yesterday (Friday).

The 10-year-old Bandala tries to make it two-in-row in the 10-unisex and 12-and-under categories which he ruled in emphatic fashion last week with the Dipolog star also going all-out to duplicate his two-title feat in doubles play of the Group 2 tournament presented by Dunlop.

Foiled in her own three-peat bid, Padilla tries it again in her side of the draw this week, including the 16-U diadem she lost to Sindangan’s Rica Labrador, who is also in the roster along with Jalia Elumba, Christine Gulagula and Chole Omos, all ready to spoil the rising

star from Ozamiz City.

Padilla is also bracing for a fierce fightback from top seed Sydney Enriquez in the premier 18-U singles category after the latter failed to live up to her billing and bowed to doubles partner Labrador in the semis.

She, however, is tipped to roll past her rivals in the 14-U division of the event serving as part of the Mindanao swing of the country’s longest talent-search put up by Palawan Pawnshop-Palawan Express Pera Padala headed by president/ CEO Bobby Castro.

Keen competition is also seen in the boys’ side with Eric Tangub, Al Dree Pan, Russel Daarol and Nash Agustines expected to slug it out for top honors in the 18-U section with Agustines gaining the top seeding in the 16-U play that also features Aslan Carbonilla, Neo Maratas and Daarol.

highest bidder, he/she shall adjust his/her initial deposit based on the bid amount of the declared highest bidder. He/she must also pay the adjusted deposit on the day of bidding.

GENERAL GUIDELINES: 1.

Disposal of GSIS Investment Properties – Retail Units (IP-RUs) is through a competitive public bidding process. Acceptance of Purchase Offers shall start on the scheduled bidding date and time.

2.

Dropping of sealed bid envelopes will be on the date of bidding from 8:30 AM to 10:00 AM only.

Opening of Bids will immediately follow. Late bid envelopes will not be accepted.

3.

Disposal of GSIS IP-RUs is on an “As-Is, Where-is” basis. Interested bidders are enjoined to personally inspect the GSIS IP-RUs for sale. “As-Is, Where-Is” is defined as the present physical condition of the retail unit that GSIS is selling and the buyer is buying, “with all attendant faults, if any,” whether or not immediately apparent and without any express or implied warranty. The buyer takes this condition at his or her own risk, without recourse against the GSIS as to their condition. This includes knowledge by the buyer of the presence of occupants in the retail-unit being purchased.

4.

Strictly, “One bidder, One specific property” only, which means that a bidder cannot submit two (2) or more bids for one property. A bidder may submit one bid each to as many properties as he/she wants to buy, as long as, he/she posts the required 10% bid deposit of the total bid price for each property. The bidder must present valid government IDs upon registration on the date of public bidding.

5.

Pursuant to Republic Act (RA) No. 10963 or the Tax Reform Act for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Act, the selling price of GSIS properties above PhP2.5 million shall be subject to twelve percent (12%) Value-Added Tax (VAT).

6.

Purchase offers are only accepted through CASH basis payable within thirty (30) calendar days from receipt of the Notice of Approval of Sale (NOAS), without privilege of extension.

7.

A downloadable bid form shall be properly accomplished with the following data: A. B. C. D. E. F. G.

8.

9.

10.

Date of Bidding Name of the bidder Exact address of property you are interested to bid Transfer Certificate of Title No. Mode of Payment Amount of bid (in numbers and in words) Signature of the bidder/representative

14.

The declared highest/winning bidder shall submit within fourteen (14) calendar days of the actual bidding, the following documents: A. If the winning bidder is an individual, a. duly accomplished Personal Profile (with attached recent two (2) pieces of 2x2 ID pictures of the winning bidder) b. photocopies of two (2) valid IDs (at least one should be a governmentissued ID) B. If the winning bidder is a corporate entity or partnership, a. duly accomplished Company/Corporate Profile b. Registration Certificate from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) c. Articles of Incorporation (if corporation), Articles of Partnership (if partnership), General Information Sheet, and By-Laws duly certified by the SEC d. Current Mayor’s Permit issued by the city or municipality where the principal place of business of the winning bidder is located C. If the winning bidder is a cooperative, a. duly accomplished Company/Corporate Profile b. Cooperative Development Authority Registration or any proof of such registration c. Current Mayor’s Permit issued by the city or municipality where the principal place of business of the winning bidder is located

15.

A Notice of Approval of Sale (NOAS) shall be issued to the highest/winning bidder on the day of bidding. The Bidder’s deposit of the other non-winning bidder/s shall be returned immediately.

16.

The deposit equivalent to at least ten percent (10%) of the Bid Offer plus 12% VAT. The 90% balance of the bid amount plus 12% VAT shall be paid either in cash or in manager’s check within thirty (30) calendar days from receipt of NOAS, without privilege of extension.

Sample Computation: Bid Amount is PhP2,610,000.00 Deposit - (10% of PhP2,610,000.00) + 12% = Balance - (90% of PhP2,610,000.00) + 12% =

17.

Non-compliance with the terms and conditions stated in the NOAS will result in the forfeiture of the bidder’s total deposit.

Bidders’ deposit equivalent to at least 10% of the Bid Offer plus the 12% VAT, if applicable, shall be in the form of a MANAGER’S CHECK payable to the Government Service Insurance System.

18.

ALL participating bidders must insert: a. properly accomplished BID FORM b.

MANAGER’S CHECK payable to Government Service Insurance System representing deposit equivalent to at least 10% of the Bid Offer plus 12% VAT, if applicable.

In case the highest/winning bidder fails to comply with the requirements within the specified time, the said NOAS shall be deemed automatically revoked and the highest/winning bidder shall be informed in writing. The second highest bidder, if any, shall be informed in writing if he/she is still interested to acquire the property. If still interested, he/she must remit the required non-refundable 10% deposit within three (3) working days after receipt of notice from GSIS.

19.

GSIS reserves the right to waive any formality or to reject any or all bids received. The list of properties available for sale may be updated without prior notice.

20.

For bidding inquiries, you may call the Real Property Accounts Management Department (RPAMD) at trunk line numbers (02) 8479-3600, and (02) 79764900 local numbers 3228, 3374, and 3396.

The following shall be inserted in a bid envelope:

Baseball5 tryouts slated

A.

THE Amateur Softball Association of the Philippines will be holding tryouts fon Feb. 29 and March 1 for the Baseball5 Tournament slated to happen this April at Kuala Lumpur Malaysia.

According WBSC President Ricardo Fraccari, “Baseball5 is the new five-on-five, five inning street version of the game of Baseball/Softball that can be played anywhere. This faster urban discipline will help drive baseball and softball to new places not possible before.”

The tryouts, to be held at Rizal High School in Pasig City from 9 a.m. to 12 noon, are open to male and female players with a Philippine passport.

“This is the first ever WBSC Baseball5 World Cup and I am more than thrilled to announce that we are holding tryouts for this tournament. We are in search of new talent and I am confident that our pool of local players will show their mettle and make the country proud,” said ASAPHIL President Jean Henri Lhuillier.

The two categories at the tournament will be the Open Mixed Team and U15 Mixed Team composed of eight players made up of four male and four female players and two delegate/officials, who will be the coach and team manager. Players who would like to try for the U15 Mixed category must be born January 1, 2005 onwards.

The tournament that will be held in Malaysia is the first ever continental qualifier in the Baseball5 World Cup and all Asian members have been invited to participate. There will be two World Cup qualifiers, where teams can qualify for the 2020 World Cup slated to happen in Mexico in December of this year. Each country/territory can send one team per category and the Asian team who will be the champion in each category will be granted a spot in the World Cup.

B.

If the bidder is being represented by an authorized representative, a corresponding Special Power of Attorney (SPA) must also be included

C.

If the bidder is the occupant of the subject property, two (2) proofs of occupancy must also be inserted. These are: a.

Barangay certificate that the bidder is occupying or residing in the subject property; and b.

Valid Government Issued ID with an address showing that the bidder is currently residing in the subject property, or the Latest Billing Statement under the Bidder’s Name that shows he/she is currently residing in the subject property.

The following information shall be clearly written outside the sealed bid envelope (mailing envelope).

Revised dated January 31, 2020

Revised dated January 31, 2020

CERTIFICATION I/We certify that the information given and any or all statements made herein are true, correct, complete and updated to the best of my/our knowledge and belief. I hereby certify under pain of perjury that my/our signature/s appearing herein is genuine and authentic. I/We agree that any material misrepresentation or falsity can be used by Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) to pursue civil and/or criminal liabilities against me/us.

BID FORM FOR CASH BASIS

I/We hereby certify that I/we have exercised due diligence by verifying all documents pertaining to the above mentioned property with other government agencies (i.e. Registry of Deeds, Assessor's Office, Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology, etc.) before tendering this bid offer.

Date of Bidding: Name of Bidder:

11.

PhP 261,000.00 + 31,320.00 = PhP292,320.00 PhP2,349,000.00 + 281,880.00 = PhP2,630,880.00

Bid proposal shall be written in words and in figures and must not be lower than the Minimum Acceptable Offer of the property. Should there be a difference in the amount in words and in figures, the amount in words shall prevail.

Are you the present occupant of the property?

1) to purchase the property an "As-is, Where-is" basis which I/We have inspected the property including whether it is unoccupied or occupied, and as a consequence, I/We will take full responsibility in taking legal measures to eject the illegal occupant/s of the property.

PARTICULARS OF THE PROPERTY Block/Unit No.:

Lot No.:

Phase/Area:

Name of Subdivision: City/Municipality:

2) to hold GSIS free and harmless from liabilities of whatever kind and nature arising out of any legal claims which may be filed by third persons involving the property.

Once declared as the winning bidder, I/We will accept the physical and legal condition of the property without seeking assistance from GSIS and waive my/our right to rescind/cancel the sale and ask for refund of payments made to GSIS by reason or any defect therein.

Province:

TCT/CCT No.:

"FOR OCCUPANTS ONLY"

I/We hereby agree to the following:

NO

YES

Date of Bidding: ___________________________________ Name of Bidder/Company/Organization: ____________________________________________________________________________________________

MATCHED BID AMOUNT

Bid Offer of the declared highest Bid Amount: _____________________________________________________ Further, I/we authorize and give consent to collect, store, transmit, use, distribute, disclose, share, retain, (amount in figures) dispose, destroy, and process my/our personal information contained in my/our record or any other form or document that I/we have or will submit to GSIS for the purpose of acquiring a GSIS acquired asset/s as prescribed by the ______________________________________________________________________________________ (PhP______________ ) Republic Act No. 10173 also known as the "Data Privacy Act of 2012" and its implementing rules and regulations.

Property Classification:

BID PROPOSAL

(amount in figures)

(amount in words)

Bid Offer:

PhP

At least 10% of the declared highest Bid Amount: _________________________________________________________ Signature:

BID DEPOSIT 10% of Bid Offer:

(amount in words)

Date:

______________________________________________________________________________________ (PhP______________ )

PhP

(amount in figures)

(amount in words) 12% VAT:

THIS PORTION IS FOR GSIS USE ONLY

PhP

Deposit (Managers Check):

PhP

BIDDER INFORMATION (Please write in BLOCK LETTERS

Remarks:

NOAS No.

At least 10% of the declared highest Bid Amount less: Submitted 10% deposit in Manager's Check

(PhP __ (PhP __

) )

Required Additional deposit equivalent to at least 10% of the Bid Amount (Cash or in Manager's Check): (PhP

)

I/We the occupant exercises the Right to Match the offer of the declared highest bidder. Further, I/We hereby agree to pay the required deposit based on the bid amount of the declared highest bidder on the day of bidding.

12.

A. B. 13.

My/Our failure to settle the said deposit within the day of the bidding shall automatically cancel and revoke my/our declaration as winning bidder. I/We understand that the first declared highest bidder shall be the new winning bidder.

The existing tenant or occupant or his duly authorized representative through a valid Special Power of Attorney (SPA) has the right to match the offer of the declared highest bidder, provided: He/she participated in actual bidding and Inserted the two (2) proofs of occupancy inside his/her bid envelope as indicated in Number 9 of these guidelines

If the occupant will exercise his/her Right to Match the offer of the declared

(Signature over Printed Name of the Bidder/Authorized Representative)

Remarks

*** THIS PORTION IS FOR GSIS USE ONLY *** NOAS No.

2nd Highest Bidder: Page 1 of 2

Page 2 of 2

3rd Highest Bidder:

(MS-FEB 29, 2020)

Sports

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

sports@manilastandard.net

sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

A8

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 29, 2020

Canlubang, Luisita tied going into last round BACOLOD CITY—Defending champion Luisita outscored Canlubang at the Bacolod Golf Club Friday to draw level going into the final round of the 34th Philippine Airlines Senior Interclub golf team championships.

Benjie Sumulong and Rodel Mangulabnan, bouncing back from poor performances Thursday, each carded 51 points to lead the Luisita fightback.

Raffy Garcia added 47 as the Tarlac-based squad pooled 149 points for 426 overall.

Canlubang drew 145 points from Tommy Manotoc (49), Abe Rosal (48) and Rene Unson (48) to match Luisita’s total output.

“At least we got the job done by beating them on the third day,” said Luisita captain Jeric Hechanova. “It’s going to be fun and exciting tomorrow.”

“It’s good.

We are excited to play tomorrow,” said Canlubang skipper Tony Olives.

Cebu Country Club was 20 points down in third place with Rosal NOGCC settling for fourth with 400.

CCC drew 50 points from Kyu Ok On, 46 from Kwang Seok Kim and 44 from Ramontito Garcia.

NOGCC, on the other hand, leaned on Jimmy Yusay (44), Alec Lustre (43) and Stephen Paduano (42).

In the Founders division, Del Monte Golf Club retained an 18-point lead over Orchard after both squads finished with 136 points apiece.

Led by Raul Minoza’s 50 points, Del Monte now has 411 points.

In third place was Eagle Ridge with 388 points.

Meanwhile, Kenneth Kim of Orchard aced the 18th hole at the Bacolod Golf Club to win a set of Titleist AP2 irons and one business class round-trip ticket.

The other category leaders were Villamor in Aviator with 381, Van City in Sportswriter with 342 and Bacolod in Friendship with 314.

Hosted by Philippine Airlines, the international event is backed by platinum sponsors Asian Air Safari, Vanguard Radio Network, Fox Networks Group, Radio Mindanao Network, Inc., Asian Journal Publications Philippines, Inc., Auto Nation Group, Inc. (Mercedes Benz), and SMDC. Major sponsors include The Boeing Company, University of Mindanao Broadcasting Network, Avolon Aerospace Singapore Pte Ltd, Manila Broadcasting Company, Primax Broadcasting, RollsRoyce Singapore Pte Ltd, CIGNAL TV Inc., Travellers International Hotel Group Inc. (Resorts World), and Airbus.

Other supporters are Uniglobe Travelware Co., Inc. (The Travel Club), Philippine Manila Standard Publishing Inc. (Manila Standard), Officine Corporation, GE Aviation, SEDA Hotels, BDO Unibank, Smart Communications, Inc., People Asia Magazine, A+E Networks Asia (History), Allianz PNB Life, Phoenix Petroleum Philippines, Tanduay Brands, Rockwell Land Corporation, Petron Corporation, Splash Corporation, AB Heineken Philippines Inc., and Asia Brewery Inc.–Summit.

Activists stage a protest in front of the headquarters of the International Olympic Committee against the holding of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games under the state of nuclear emergency in Lausanne. AFP

IOC fully committed to Olympics T

OKYO—The International Olympic Committee is “fully committed” to holding the 2020 Games in Tokyo as planned despite the widening new coronavirus outbreak, the body’s president has pledged.

The IOC “is fully committed to a successful Olympic Games in Tokyo starting July 24,” Thomas Bach told Japanese media in a conference call late Thursday, according to Kyodo News.

The comments came as the viral outbreak across Japan and dozens of other countries has fuelled concerns about the Summer Games, with a swathe of other sports events postponed or cancelled.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has stepped up national measures to contain the virus, calling on organisers of large events to consider cancelling or

delaying them.

Everything from football matches and music concerts to the rituals that mark the opening of the March sumo tournament have been affected.

On Thursday, Abe requested a nearly month-long closure of schools in a drive to curb the spread of COVID-19, linked to four deaths so far among nearly 200 known infections among the general Japanese public.

Some 700 infections were also detected among about 3,700 passengers and crew on a cruise ship that was quarantined off

Japan after one of its former passengers tested positive.

Bach avoided directly addressing comments by senior IOC member Dick Pound, who hinted the Games could be cancelled if health authorities block travel.

Pound also said, however, there has been no formal discussion among IOC members about cancelling the Games.

In an interview with AFP, Pound said the Tokyo Games will go ahead as scheduled “absent some very serious and specific admonitions or regulations stemming from the WHO or the appropriate regulatory authorities”.

“Unless there is a world situation that is so serious that the games cannot be held or that the regulatory authorities prohibit travel or that sort of thing, we’re carrying on,” he said.

Mondilla confident, but wary of tough field CLYDE Mondilla has spent the last three weeks enhancing his driving and short game in preparation for what promises to be a slambang duel of power and iron play in The Country Club Invitational firing off March 4 at the TCC course in Laguna.

The Del Monte star actually kicked off the new season with a stirring victory in the Philippine Golf Tour Asia at Pradera Verde last month, rallying from five down in regulation and coming out triumphant of the most crowded playoff battle (five) in PGT and PGTA history. But heading to the P5 million event, he said he would need more than momentum given an elite roster of rivals and a dreaded course.

“I like my chances but it isn’t that great since there are so many strong players around,” said Mondilla. “The course is also very challenging, tough.”

He said the big hitters have the slight edge at the Tom Weiskophdesigned layout although he stressed a lot of factors will also have to be considered owing to the course’s hazards, roughs and sleek putting surface with the wind also likely to come into play in all four days of the event put up by ICTSI president/chairman Ricky Razon in 2003 to honor the memory of his father and ICTSI founder Don Pocholo.

That should give the likes of veterans Jay Bayron, Jhonnel Ababa, Michael Bibat and Jerson Balasabas and young turks Ira Alido, James Ryan Lam and Reymon Jaraula some kind of an edge along with American Lexus Keoninh and Marcos Pastor of Spain for their length off the tee.

But that doesn’t relegate the others to the background in pursuit of the top P1.5 million purse with Tony Lascuña expected to bank on his superb short game and putting to offset his lack of distance. The 49-yearold multi-titled Davaoeño is also coming into the event brimming with confidence after regaining his Asian Tour card two weeks ago.

Meanwhile, Joenard Rates joins the select roster made up of the top 30 players in last year’s PGT Order of Merit ranking vice Elmer

AFP, DENR clash for UNTV Cup title EXCPECT a fierce duel as Armed Forces of the Philippines and newcomer Department of Environment and Natural Resources start their best-of-three title series Sunday in the 8th UNTV Cup at Paco Arena in Manila.

Match is set at 5:30 p.m. with the AFP Cavaliers hoping to become the first back-to-back champion in the annual event designed for public servants.

Though the Cavaliers are already proud owners of three titles, no team has ever won two straight championship and to accomplish the feat will be the biggest challenge for the defending champions.

For one, the DENR Warriors are looking to win the title during their maiden stint in the event organized by UNTV through its president and CEO Dr. Daniel Razon.

Razon said the chosen charity of the champion team will receive a tax-free P4 million top prize while the foundation selected by the runner-up will get P2 million. The charities of the third and fourth placers will get P1 million and P500,000 prizes, respectively.

The league, meanwhile, will launch its 3x3 tournament starting at 3 p.m.in support of the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas which is trying to popularize the event which will be played in the Tokyo Games.

AFP and DENR, which finished 1-2 in the two-stage elims, arranged a projected title series after sweeping Judiciary and National Housing Authority in their respective best-of-three series.

Games on Sunday

(Paco Arena, Manila) 3 p.m. – 3x3 elims 3:30 p.m. – NHA vs Judiciary 5:30 p.m. – AFP vs DENR 6 p.m. –3x3 Final

Boyet Bautista is expected to lift AFP to 4th UNTV Cup title.

Mondilla

“But it would be irresponsible to carry on without having at least in the back of your mind that something might happen.”

Bach said the priority now “is to ensure the qualification procedure and protecting the safety of athletes at the same time”, according to Kyodo.

“This is what we’re doing in cooperation with the Japanese authorities, the World Health Organization, the Chinese Olympic Committee and many NOCS,” Bach said, referring to national Olympic committees.

Disruption caused by the virus has affected Olympic qualifying in several sports, including football, boxing, badminton, handball and wrestling and sailing.

Tokyo’s Olympic organisers have repeatedly said they are focused on holding a safe Olympics and Paralympics with the IOC’s full backing. AFP

New-look Petron opens 3-peat bid Games Today (FilOil Flying V Centre) 4 p.m. — Opening ceremony 5 p.m. — Petron vs Generika-Ayala 7 p.m. — PLDT vs Sta. Lucia

Saban, who pulled out of the event the other day. Others in the fold are Guido Van der Valk of the Netherlands, Kei Matsuoka of Japan, Rufino Bayron, Nilo Salahog, Richard Sinfuego, James Ryan Lam, Fidel Concepcion, Rico Depilo, Albin Engino, Rene Menor, Paul Echavez, Mhark Fernando, Gerald Rosales and Art Arbole.

Eala makes pro debut at Tunisian net tourney

By Peter Atencio WORLD no. 4 junior netter Alex Eala could make her professional debut at the $15,000 ITF Women’s Futures in Monastir,Tunisia.

The 14-year-old Eala has been put in the reserve list of the tournament, which takes place from March 2 to 8.

World no. 39 Darya Vidmanova of the Czech Republic, another junior girl standout, is also in the same roster with Eala.

Eala was awarded one of the two automatic slots to the main draw reserved for players at the ITF top 100 junior ranking.

The netfest will feature world 400th-ranked Nastja Kolar of Slovenia, Rosa Vicens Mas of Spain and Czech Monika Kilnarova.

And Eala will test herself when she plays many top-ranked pros on hard-court surfaces.

Her participation was made possible through the Rafa Nadal Academy in Mallorca Spain, Last month, Eala claimed a historic Grand Slam doubles’ victory with Indonesian Priska Nugroho and reached the third round in the singles at the Australian Open Juniors.

She was given a chance to turn pro early after reaching the top 10 in the world junior ranking this year.

Eala will also join the juniors’ tourney as well.

NEW-LOOK Petron opens its threepeat campaign while Sta. Lucia parades its retooled lineup when the Philippine Superliga Grand Prix fires off today at the Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan.

After losing its stars, the Blaze Spikers essay a new chapter as they tackle Generika-Ayala at 5 p.m. while the Lady Realtors face PLDT Home Fibr at 7 p.m. to cap a pair of explosive double-header of this prestigious women’s club league bankrolled by Cocolife, Sogo, Eurotel, Sweet and Fit Stevia, UCPB Gen, Team Rebel Sports and Bizooku.

Prior to that, there would be a simple opening ceremony where all eight competing teams will parade with their respective imports and male escorts to usher in the brand-new season of this tourney that also has Gerflor, Senoh, Asics, Mikasa and Mueller Sports as technical partners.

The league will also announce its newest ambassador, who would follow the steps once taken by Gretchen Ho, Cha Cruz, Mika Reyes, Aby Maraño and Rachel Anne Daquis.

Still, all eyes will be on Petron and Sta. Lucia.

After winning back-to-back Grand Prix titles, the Blaze Spikers lost their core of Denden Lazaro, Sisi Rondina, Bernadeth Pons, Carmela Tunay, Chloe Cortez, Rhea Dimaculangan and Reyes in the off-season. Even their champion coaches in Shaq Delos Santos and Ian Fernandez walked away, kicking off a new era under seasoned mentor Emil Lontoc.

“Looking at the composition of Petron, it lost its main core that dominated the Grand Prix for the past two years,” said Lontoc, a living legend in the coaching circle.

“Many people are counting us out.

But I’m optimistic. I know these new set of players will step up the way they did during tuneups and practices.”

With more than half of the team gone, import Katherine Bell made a return together with Remy Palma, Aiza MaizoPontillas and Frances Molina, who will join new recruits like Rebecca Rivera, Ging Balse-Pabayo, Jem Gutierrez, Roselle Baliton and Angela Nunag.

IN BRIEF

DBP’s 2019 net profit rose 5.9% to P6.06b STATE-RUN Development Bank of the Philippines, the 10th argest lender in terms of assets, said Friday net income in 2019 rose 5.9 percent to P6.06 billion from P5.72 billion in 2018.

DBP president and chief executive Emmanuel Herbosa attributed the increase on the healthy returns in its lending and investment activities, with interest income growing 28 percent to P29.64-billion from P23.22-billion in 2018.

“DBP boosted its lending activities in 2019, in support of the national government’s goal of increasing investments in the infrastructure sector, so as to further build up the economy and promote inclusive growth especially in areas outside of traditionalurban centers,” Herbosa said.

DBP has been designated as the country’s infrastructure bank by the government. The bank provides credit support to four strategic sectors of the economy— infrastructure and logistics, micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), social services and community development, and the environment. Julito G. Rada

Business

Air Asia PH reports earnings of P1.87b

AIR ASIA Inc., the operator of Philippines Air Asia, has turned profitable last year on the back of higher domestic and international passenger traffic.

“We are pleased to share that AirAsia Philippines turned profitable in the fourth quarter and fiscal year 2019,” acting chief executive and president (Airlines) of Airasia Group Berhad Bo Lingam said.

AAI posted a net profit of P1.87 billion in 2019, a turnaround from the P3.51-billion loss in 2018.

The company’s revenues rose 31 percent to P27.35 billion last year from P20.96 billion in 2018.

The airline carried 8.55 domestic and international passengers last year, up 25 percent from 6.86 million passengers a year earlier.

Load factor grew 3 percentage points to 88 percent from 85 percent.

The company plans to raise $200 million this year or in early 2021. AAI tapped Citibank and BDO Capital and Investment Corp. as financial advisors.

The company plans to expand its fleet from 23 to 50 aircraft with the next three years. The airline operates several flights to and from Manila, Davao, Cebu, Kalibo, Caticlan (Boracay), Tacloban, Tagbilaran (Bohol), Puerto Princesa (Palawan), Clark and Iloilo in the Philippines.

Darwin G. Amojelar

B1

By Darwin G. Amojelar

ABOITIZ SUPPORTS PAWD. Aboitiz InfraCapital Inc., along with water business units Apo Agua Infrastructura Inc. and Lima Water Corp., affirm their support for water resilience and security at the Philippine Association of Water Districts Convention in Davao City on February 4 to 6. Aboitiz InfraCapital chief operating officer for water Roman Azanza (far right) hosted the convention organizers, the Davao City Water District board and officers, during the latter’s visit at the Aboitiz InfraCapital booth.

PH, Asian stock markets plummet on virus worries

By Jenniffer B. Austria

T

HE stock market plunged Friday, along with the rest of Asia, as the coronavirus spread rapidly around the world with the WHO warning the deadly epidemic was now at a “decisive point.”

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index sank 179.93 points, or 2.6 percent, to 6,787.91, its lowest level in 38 months, on a value turnover of P11.4 billion. The index last closed at the 6,700-point level in December 2016. Losers overwhelmed gainers, 160 to 50, with 36 issues unchanged.

Jonathan Ravelas, chief investment strategist from BDO Unibank Inc., said the market decline was expected to persist, with the index likely hitting 6,500 points and possibly 6,000.

“The bloodletting is far from over for the outbreak is yet to peak and economies are yet to deal (with) the epidemic’s full damage,” Ravelas said.

“You need foreign funds for a substantial and sustainable rebound. Corporate earnings must show the Philippines

is less affected by the virus for that to happen,” he added.

Christopher Mangun, head of research at AAA Equities, said the market could go down further if the virus infection got worse. “The market is already down and we don’t even have an outbreak in our shores,” he said.

Bank of the Philippine Islands, the thirdbiggest lender in terms of assets, slumped 7.4 percent to P74.10, while parent Ayala Corp. tumbled 5 percent to P662.50.

JG Summit Holdings Inc. of the Gokongwei Group fell 3.4 percent to P67.50, while Jollibee Foods Corp., the largest fast-food chain, shed 2.6 percent to P170.

The rest of Asian markets spiraled downwards Friday, extending a collapse in New York and Europe that has wiped trillions of dollars off valuations.

Tokyo, Shanghai, Sydney, Singapore and Seoul were among the bourses that fell more than three percent while Jakarta was hammered more than four percent.

After Thursday’s battering, Asia picked up the baton. Tokyo tanked 3.7 percent, Shanghai dived 3.7 percent, Seoul gave up 3.3 percent and Sydney dropped 3.3 percent.

Hong Kong retreated 2.9 percent, while Singapore sank 3.1 percent, Jakarta dived 4.1 percent and Bangkok lost 3.4 percent.

Mumbai was 3.1 percent down and Wellington eased 1.5 percent.

The casualties have put equities around the world on course to record their worst week since the global financial crisis more than a decade ago as investors run to the hills on fears the virus will smash the global economy.

And while the panic has already caused a bloodbath on trading floors, there are warnings there could be worse to come.

The Dow suffered its worst points loss on record, shedding almost 1,200 points, while its 4.4-percent drop marked the worst performance in two years. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq also tanked more than four percent, with London, Frankfurt and Paris all posting losses of more than three percent.

The VIX “fear” index is now at its highest level since 2011 during the European debt crisis.

President Donald Trump blamed the market plunge on the media coverage of the coronavirus and worries about Democrats winning the White House race.

The heavy selling came as authorities in California said they were monitoring some 8,400 people for COVID-19 after officials confirmed a woman had contracted it without traveling to any of the outbreak-hit regions. With AFP

Inflation rate likely declined to 2.4% in February—BSP THE Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas said inflation in February likely slowed to as low as 2.4 percent from 2.9 percent in January due to lower power, fuel and rice prices during the month.

The BSP’s Department of Economic Research saw the February inflation settling within the 2.4-percent to 3.2-percent range.

“Lower prices of petroleum products, electricity, and rice as well as other food products are expected to temper price pressures in February. Looking ahead, the BSP will remain watchful of economic and financial developments to ensure that its primary mandate of price stability conducive to balanced and sustainable economic growth is achieved,” it said.

Inflation in 2019 stood at 2.5 percent, lower than the midpoint of the target range of 2 percent to 4 percent for the year due to the stabilization of food prices. Inflation stood at 2.5 percent in December, significantly slower than 5.1 percent a year ago.

The manageable inflation environment compelled the BSP to cut the policy rate by 25 basis points to 3.75 percent during the Feb. 6 Monetary Board meeting.

BSP Governor Benjamin Diokno said latest baseline forecasts indicated a broadly steady path of inflation for 2020 and 2021, with the average remaining within the target range of 2-4 percent.

He said upside risks to inflation over the near term could emanated mainly from potential upward pressures on food prices, owing in part to the African swine fever outbreak and tighter international supply of rice.

Julito G. Rada

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 29, 2020

PAL lays off 300 workers amid losses, rising costs

China Bank posts income of P10.1b

CHINA Banking Corp., the sixth-largest lender in terms of assets, said Friday net income in 2019 rose 24 percent to P10.1 billion from a year ago, driven by the sustained robust growth of its core businesses.

The bank said in a disclosure to the stock exchange the performance translated into an improved return on equity of 11.04 percent and a return on assets of 1.10 percent.

“2019 was an outstanding year for China Bank. Our financial performance exceeded our projections and puts China Bank, 100 years-strong this year, in a better position to meet the opportunities and challenges ahead,” said China Bank president William Whang.

Net interest income rose 14 percent to P26.1 billion, while fee-based income jumped 49 percent to P8.4 billion, driven mainly by service charges, fees and commissions, as well as trading and securities gains.

The ongoing upgrading of systems, processes, infrastructure, and manpower resulted in a higher total operating cost of P20.3 billion, up 13 percent. Julito G. Rada

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

PHILIPPINE Airlines on Friday said it laid off about 300 employees due to continued losses.

The Lucio Tan-led airline said it was pursuing business restructuring to increase revenues and reduce costs.

“The streamlining will strengthen the company in the wake of losses sustained in 2019, aggravated by the ongoing travel restrictions and flight suspensions to areas affected by COVID-19,” PAL said.

PAL under the program implemented a voluntary separation initiative for long-serving employees and a retrenchment process completed on February 28, resulting in the separation of about 300 ground-based administrative and management personnel.

PAL said affected employees would receive appropriate separation benefits, additional trip pass privileges and assistance in the form of career counseling and outplacement support.

“Other initiatives include revenue generation from an optimized route network and new ancillary products, more aggressive cost-management efforts, and investment in digital technology,” the airline said.

PAL added it was focusing on managing the risks related to the COVID-19 situation, in the interest of public health and safety.

“In fulfillment of its flag carrier duties, PAL has assisted in bringing home Filipinos from affected areas via recent repatriation flights from Xiamen and Tokyo,” PAL said.

“The flag carrier will continue to take delivery of additional aircraft for regional flights, and is gearing up to launch new Cebu-Los Angeles nonstop flights and routes to Perth, Pagadian, Kota Kinabalu and Manado,” it added.

PAL Holdings Inc., PAL’s parent firm, earlier reported a net loss of P7.86 billion in the first nine months of 2019, up 139 percent from a total comprehensive loss of P3.29 billion in 2018.

Diokno says PH economy in good shape

By Julito G. Rada

PANGUIL BAY BRIDGE. The joint venture group of three major Korean construction firms are all set to begin the design, build and construction of Panguil Bay Bridge Project of the Department of Public Works and Highways. DPWH Secretary Mark Villar (center) presides over a kick-off meeting at the DPWH Central Office. Joint venture contractor Namkwang-Kukdong-Gumgwang represented by chief executive officer and president Geun Young Kimtheir expressed its readiness to officially start construction of the bridge that will connect Tangub City in Misamis Occidental and Tubod town in Lanao del Norte.

SM Investments increased net profit by 20% to P44.6b in 2019 CONGLOMERATE SM Investments Corp. of the Sy family registered a net income of P44.6 billion in 2019, up 20 percent from P37.1 billion in 2018, on robust growth from core banking, retail and property businesses.

SM Investments said in a disclosure to the stock exchange consolidated revenues increased 12 percent to P501.7 billion from P449.8 billion in the previous year.

“We had a good year in 2019 with all our core businesses delivering strong revenue and profit growth. The retail group added over 400 stores nationwide whilst the property group sustained its growth momentum led by residential and commercial developments. The banking group had a particularly good year as net income improved,” said SM Investments president Frederic DyBuncio.

“We are confident about the long term growth potential of the country and we will continue to expand. We are committed to maintain a strong balance sheet that gives us the financial flexibility to fend off short term risks and to take on opportunities that may come our way,” DyBuncio added.

The group’s retail business under SM Retail Inc. reported a 10-percent increase in net income to P12.5 billion, while revenues rose nine percent to P366.8 billion.

The food group, which includes SM Supermarket, SM Hypermarket and Savemore, Alfamart and WalterMart, added 248 new stores in 2019, while the non-food group added a total of 412 new outlets in 2019.

SM Retail had a total of 2,799 outlets by the end of the year.

Property unit SM Prime Holdings

recorded a consolidated net income growth of 18 percent to P38.1 billion, while consolidated revenues increased 14 percent to P118.3 billion.

SM Prime’s mall revenues rose eight percent to P57.8 billion while the residential group, recorded a revenue growth of 24 percent to P45.2 billion.

SM Prime as of end 2019 had 74 malls in the Philippines spanning 8.5 million square meters of gross floor area and seven malls in China with 1.3 million sq. m.

Banking units BDO Unibank Inc. posted a net income of PP 44.2 billion, up 35 percent, while China Banking Corp. reported a net income growth of 24 percent to P10.1 billion.

Total assets of SM Investments increased eight percent to P1.1 trillion.

Jenniffer B. Austria

BANGKO Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Benjamin Diokno said Thursday night the Philippine economy is in a “pretty good shape right now” despite the risks posed by the dreaded coronavirus disease (COVID-19) that is affecting the tourism industry.

“We are growing for 84 quarters uninterrupted and despite the global uncertainties. Key economic indicators show that the country’s robust macroeconomic fundamentals remained intact. We are in a very nice place right now... ,” Diokno said in his speech during the induction ceremony of the new set of officers of the Economic Journalists Association of the Philippines at the BDO Unibank Inc. headquarters in Makati City.

He said the economy would continue to grow by at least 6 percent this year, with the official target set 6.5 percent to 7.5 percent, while inflation was projected to settle within the target range of 2 percent to 4 percent.

He cited the all-time high gross international reserves of $87.84 billion as of end 2019, the fairly stable exchange rate, sound and strong domestic banking system, and the declining debt to GDP ratio.

“There is nothing to complain about...

I can tell you that we are the envy of other countries. In other countries, interest rate is negative and they have problems coping with that. Now we are in good shape as I said. We have monetary and fiscal space,” Diokno said.

“So despite this coronavirus [disease], let us not be so much affected by this. I tell you, that we can do more projects, the ‘Build Build, Build’ if necessary, and we can cut interest rates if necessary. In the next three or four years, the Philippines will be growing at around 6 to 7 percent,” Diokno said.

“The Philippines is right now one of the fastest and most resilient countries not only in Asia but in the entire world,” he said.

B2

Business

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 29, 2020 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Security Bank ups profit to P10.1b

By Julito G. Rada

S

ECURITY Bank Corp., the seventhlargest lender in terms of assets, said net income in 2019 jumped 17 percent to P10.1 billion from a year ago.

The bank said in a statement Friday total revenues increased 33 percent to P33.9 billion as core business income sustained its growth momentum.

Net interest income from customer loans and deposits/peso bond issuance grew 43 percent to P22.5 billion. The growth was driven by rising retail loans and low-cost deposits.

Retail loans rose 56 percent and now account for 29 percent of total loans

from 20 percent a year ago. Wholesale loans decreased 2 percent due to tempered loan demand and disciplined pricing.

Total loans increased 9 percent to P456 billion. Low-cost deposits climbed 19 percent and grew to 45 percent of total deposits, up from 38 percent in 2018. Net interest spread on loans and deposits/peso bond issuance in 2019 improved to 5.53 percent, up 112 basis points year-on-year.

Total net interest income increased 29 percent to P26.8 billion, while net interest margin in 2019 improved to 3.93 percent, up 66 basis points yearon-year.

Service charges, fees and commissions rose 40 percent to P4.1 billion. Fee income was driven by credit cards, loan fees, deposit charges and bancassurance.

Securities trading gains amounted to

P1.5 billion, up 320 percent from P366 million in 2018. Total non-interest income increased 49 percent to P7.1 billion.

The bank set aside P4.2 billion for provision for credit losses in 2019, an increase from P714 million in 2018, driven by the rapid growth in retail loans and provisions for select commercial sectors.

Pre-provision operating profit was P16.6 billion, up 41 percent from a year ago.

Net profit in the fourth quarter climbed 16 percent year on year to P2.4 billion.

Total revenues rose 43 percent yearon-year to P9.8 billion, driven by core income. Net interest income from customer loans and deposits/peso bond issuance increased 50 percent to P6.6 billion. This drove total net interest income to grow 44 percent to P8 billion.

However, the fourth-quarter net income was 12 percent lower compared to a quarter ago due to higher provisions for credit losses of P2.4 billion in the period versus P1.1 billion in third quarter 2019, driven by the growth in retail loans and provisions for select commercial sectors.

Security Bank remains among the country’s best capitalized private domestic universal banks. Common Equity Tier 1 ratio was at 16.9 percent versus 17.1 percent a quarter ago and 16.4 percent a year ago.

Total capital adequacy ratio stood at 17.9 percent versus 18 percent a quarter ago and 18.7 percent a year ago.

Security Bank paid cash dividends of P1.50 per common share on Nov. 28, 2019, representing regular semestral cash dividend of P1.00 per share and a special cash dividend of P0.50 per share.

Manila Standard BuSineSS daily StockS review Friday, FeBruary 28, 2020

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING),

FINANCIALS 50 14,100 74.1 3,983,060 139 3,298,590 24.75 152,200 17.82 900 11 676,000 1.06 15,000 834 90 0.42 1,330,000 56.05 4,440,650 0.72 55,000 12 6,400 29.25 523,300 171.9 190 50 2,340 19.68 1,337,300 154.4 658,950 1,770 10 57.35 114,200 1.17 64,000

705,050.50 304,392,027 458,466,081 3,784,990 16,038 7,429,220 16,460 75,065 547,300 249,903,969 39,600 76,800 15,129,110 32,681 119,109 26,678,622 102,960,562 17,700 6,540,795.50 76,990

600,000 -202970252.5 -66,335,499 -2,515,920 -2,289,032 -66,720 -129074047.5 -36,000 3,626,015 5,161 -304,000 -57,187,235 -1,654,887.50 -

27.2 2.02 6.68 0.61 1.05 2.65 98.95 1.35 14.68 6.45 30 58.9 59.55 2 4.8 4 7.19 10.18 7.95 7.9 3.16 17.82 61 1.6 33.5 1.3 12.7 4.51 1.12 170 4.9 3.2 6.52 11.54 8.77 12.4 256.4 0.155 1.8 3.52 3.35 8.8 10.38 25.95 4.73 5 1.52 1.5 1 8.34 68.85 8.56 0.115 0.83 138.5 2.4 1.09 0.92

INDUSTRIAL 27.5 4,128,100 2.06 4,331,000 7.23 3,984,800 0.62 1,186,000 1.08 1,335,000 2.65 4,841,000 98.95 20 1.38 3,795,000 14.72 757,000 6.5 1,379,400 30 300 66.4 900 69 710 2 5,000 4.8 10,100 4 64,000 7.22 5,022,400 10.3 487,700 7.95 610,100 8.02 3,428,300 3.78 38,579,000 18.34 3,423,300 61.3 77,500 1.67 15,822,000 34.95 600 1.3 6,829,000 13.18 714,000 4.9 9,330,000 1.18 418,000 170 1,743,110 5 2,199,000 3.4 239,000 6.52 100 11.76 5,487,000 8.77 215,700 12.66 6,331,300 269.8 405,230 0.155 1,460,000 1.85 2,081,000 3.52 4,000 3.36 1,928,000 9.9 10,500 10.62 107,000 26.05 238,900 4.73 4,000 5 25,300 1.55 944,000 1.5 1,000 1.08 1,097,000 8.34 243,300 73 222,290 8.7 216,500 0.121 230,000 0.83 57,000 141.3 1,777,100 2.5 137,000 1.11 6,926,000 0.93 1,642,000

113,965,460 8,842,140 28,148,399 734,810 1,489,530 13,024,530 1,979.50 5,212,390 11,171,240 9,047,235 9,000 53,453 43,004 10,000 48,480 278,180 37,116,317 5,151,570 4,876,454 27,410,315 151,298,910 63,725,110 4,757,243.50 26,326,610 20,540 8,952,410 9,254,880 45,756,470 479,930 298,816,073 11,056,100 800,070 652 65,364,994 1,939,305 80,770,688 106,496,834 226,300 3,850,170 14,080 6,482,820 97,246 1,135,860 6,237,550 18,950 126,613 1,475,030 1,500 1,127,020 2,050,887 15,874,832 1,868,818 26,620 47,920 250,944,808 333,800 7,696,660 1,591,800

-61,290,965 349,670 -18,073,288 -18,080 -5,298,080 -1,326,010 424,488 25,549 21,250 10,504,487 -2,729,394 -867,638 10,092,640 51,200 -28,579,122 -2,659,371 -313,560 3,305,740 -1,833,166 2,647,290 -7,200 -40,177,546 -30,190 -3,682,008 -464,190 -69,923,788 -29,726,692 147,250 2,160,090 327,200 -117881.9999 -4,525,295 112,000 -1,246,715 4,823,195.50 50,420 -24,649,905 333,800 -602,330 940

0.73 44.35 10.16 0.66 6.1 10 0.91 690 2.14 6.24 5.46 12.46 0.22 715.5 4.71 69 5.6 0.49 3.88 9.15 0.59 3.13 4.02 1.07 2.65 129.9 981.5 0.84 1.1 175 160 0.228 0.188

0.67 42.05 9.87 0.64 5.97 9.69 0.88 662 2 6.01 5.17 12 0.22 704 4.6 66 5.6 0.47 3.7 8.7 0.55 3.01 4.02 1.07 2.65 125 960 0.81 1 150 150.6 0.218 0.172

HOLDING FIRMS 0.71 25,337,000 2,282,300 42.65 10.04 14,683,200 0.64 555,000 6.1 9,000 9.7 6,300 0.9 582,000 662.5 611,790 2 23,505,000 6.24 2,981,200 5.3 13,822,700 12 166,000 0.22 50,000 711 171,640 4.6 115,000 67.5 3,339,020 5.6 1,500 0.47 530,000 3.7 806,000 8.95 3,550,200 0.59 501,000 3.07 59,421,000 4.02 5,000 1.07 1,000 2.65 29,000 126.2 452,800 974.5 482,350 0.83 632,000 1.03 203,000 175 350 159.9 15,710 0.218 50,000 0.185 920,000

17,561,230 98,343,645 146,783,009 360,060 54,679 61,616 518,520 408,886,375 49,225,300 18,450,312 73,269,863 2,065,690 11,000 121,975,665 534,230 224,998,518.50 8,400 251,400 3,017,440 31,937,586 275,590 182,815,650 20,100 1,070 76,850 57,167,450 469,690,395 523,780 209,500 56,505 2,466,853 11,300 166,180

-6,400 -57,753,830 36,837,649 41,480 -210,049,850 624,130 2,816,722 -10,515,366 -10,844 30,842,625 -473,240 -84095309.5 -1,553,620 6736745.0003 -105,717,190 -19,547,223 -122,648,175 -33,200 -181,240 -345,762 -

14.6 0.58 8.98 1.55 0.78 39.5 1.54 4.43 6.6 0.49 0.77 0.8 0.166 0.33 9 17.2 0.375 1.26 1.03 3.45 0.189 0.42 0.99 2.12 23.55 1.95

14.2 0.56 8.98 1.55 0.75 38.65 1.48 4.13 6.59 0.475 0.75 0.79 0.165 0.33 8.7 16.5 0.37 1.21 0.96 3.22 0.182 0.405 0.9 2.05 21.3 1.92

PROPERTY 14.2 608,800 0.56 816,000 8.98 5,000 1.55 68,000 0.75 123,000 39 34,020,600 1.54 4,150,000 4.42 1,572,000 6.59 300 0.485 3,300,000 0.77 14,000 0.8 5,000 0.165 3,120,000 0.33 570,000 8.7 155,700 17 337,900 0.37 100,000 1.23 39,737,000 1.03 875,000 3.4 60,095,000 0.184 7,040,000 440,000 0.42 0.97 4,279,000 2.1 224,000 21.3 2,994,600 1.92 86,000

8,655,468 464,220 44,900 105,400 93,020 1,328,369,060 6,296,880 6,897,580 1,979 1,572,150 10,520 3,990 515,310 188,100 1,383,616 5,661,438 37,050 48,776,250 851,180 201,659,640 1,299,120 180,500 4,012,380 468,190 66,457,550 167,210

-1,235,408 44,900 -15,500 -120,769,190 1,686,910 140,020 9,500 330,000 -51,689 -884,098 -36,485,390 -104,242,050 -46,440 -19,999,555 -3,900

NAME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

ASIA UNITED BANK PH ISLANDS BDO UNIBANK CHINABANK COL FINANCIAL EAST WEST BANK IREMIT MANULIFE MEDCO HLDG METROBANK NTL REINSURANCE PB BANK PHIL NATL BANK PHIL STOCK EXCH PSBANK RCBC SECURITY BANK SUN LIFE UNION BANK VANTAGE

51.55 79.95 138 24.8 17.82 11.08 1.14 834.5 0.375 57.25 0.72 12 29.9 172.1 50.5 19.7 160.8 1,770 57.5 1.2

51.55 79.95 142 25 17.82 11.18 1.14 834.5 0.43 57.3 0.72 12 30 172.1 52.2 20 163 1,770 57.5 1.23

49.5 74.1 138 24.75 17.82 10.8 1.06 834 0.375 56.05 0.72 12 28.55 171.9 50 19.68 154.4 1,770 57 1.17

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

28.3 2.08 7.04 0.61 1.18 2.77 99 1.4 14.8 6.55 30 59.1 59.55 2 4.8 4.5 7.7 11.12 8.4 7.9 3.16 18.78 62.05 1.66 33.5 1.36 13.46 4.68 1.17 173.6 4.99 3.35 6.52 12 9.07 13 257 0.155 1.8 3.52 3.36 9.05 10.62 26.7 4.76 5 1.58 1.5 1.07 8.6 70.2 8.81 0.116 0.84 139 2.4 1.13 0.97

28.3 2.09 7.23 0.63 1.18 2.77 99 1.4 14.8 6.86 30 66.4 69.95 2 4.8 4.77 7.7 11.12 8.4 8.05 4.49 19.98 62.05 1.71 35 1.36 13.46 5.1 1.24 173.6 5.24 3.48 6.52 12.2 9.1 13.28 269.8 0.155 1.86 3.52 3.4 9.9 10.62 26.7 4.76 5.26 1.64 1.5 1.08 8.6 73 8.81 0.121 0.86 142 2.5 1.13 0.99

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

0.73 44.35 10.16 0.66 6.1 9.99 0.88 690 2.14 6.12 5.23 12.46 0.22 715 4.71 69 5.6 0.49 3.88 8.7 0.55 3.05 4.02 1.07 2.65 129.9 972 0.81 1.04 155 160 0.228 0.188

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

14.6 0.58 8.98 1.55 0.78 39.3 1.52 4.41 6.6 0.48 0.75 0.79 0.166 0.33 8.94 16.98 0.37 1.26 0.99 3.3 0.187 0.41 0.98 2.05 23.1 1.95

VOLUME

NAME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

VOLUME

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING),

SHANG PROP SM PRIME HLDG STA LUCIA LAND SUNTRUST HOME VISTA LAND VISTAMALLS

3.03 38.35 2.37 1.6 6.5 5.03

3.09 38.4 2.39 1.62 6.5 5.08

3.02 38 2.29 1.55 6.28 4.91

3.04 38.3 2.35 1.58 6.28 4.92

126,000 19,564,600 380,000 3,363,000 4,948,400 56,000

382,630 748,531,945 879,560 5,295,980 31,299,063 279,490

-182,400 -244,021,155 -11,830 -22,632,028 -

2GO GROUP ABS CBN ACESITE HOTEL ALLHOME APC GROUP ASIAN TERMINALS BERJAYA BLOOMBERRY BOULEVARD HLDG CEBU AIR CENTRO ESCOLAR CHELSEA DFNN INC DISCOVERY WORLD EASYCALL FAR EASTERN U GLOBE TELECOM GMA NETWORK GOLDEN BRIA HARBOR STAR INTL CONTAINER IPEOPLE ISLAND INFO ISM COMM LBC EXPRESS LEISURE AND RES MACROASIA MANILA BULLETIN MANILA JOCKEY METRO RETAIL METROALLIANCE A METROALLIANCE B NOW CORP PACIFIC ONLINE PAL HLDG PAXYS 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

7.47 23.95 1.43 9.8 0.42 17.5 2.55 8.31 0.04 76.9 6.52 3.68 3.71 1.8 6.7 800.5 1,829 5.34 404.4 1.01 102 7.6 0.096 1.68 12.6 1.85 8.8 0.425 2.95 1.65 1.9 2.04 1.98 1.9 6.92 2.94 4.03 8.6 152 2.5 990 0.52 0.285 37 69.8 8.75 1.96 0.55 0.21 0.54 18.34

7.48 24 1.43 9.8 0.435 17.5 2.56 8.31 0.04 78.05 6.52 3.68 3.99 1.8 7 800.5 1,829 5.34 415 1.04 107 8 0.102 1.71 12.6 1.95 8.8 0.56 2.96 1.65 2.05 2.04 1.98 1.98 6.92 2.97 4.03 8.94 152 2.54 995.5 0.53 0.285 37.4 69.8 8.75 1.99 0.55 0.225 0.55 18.34

7.3 22.1 1.43 9.31 0.4 17.5 2.21 8.03 0.038 73 6.52 3.55 3.66 1.8 6.52 800.5 1,779 5.24 404.4 0.99 101.8 7.6 0.096 1.6 12.58 1.85 8.22 0.42 2.93 1.58 1.68 1.84 1.9 1.88 6.5 2.92 3.97 8.6 150 2.39 980 0.51 0.27 36.5 64.95 8.72 1.9 0.52 0.21 0.53 17.94

SERVICES 7.4 22.65 1.43 9.5 0.4 17.5 2.5 8.15 0.039 73.55 6.52 3.58 3.66 1.8 6.6 800.5 1,779 5.27 410 1.03 106 8 0.096 1.63 12.58 1.95 8.4 0.47 2.96 1.59 1.73 1.84 1.93 1.98 6.9 2.97 3.97 8.94 152 2.4 990 0.52 0.275 37 66.6 8.75 1.99 0.52 0.211 0.53 18.1

29,200 1,505,200 1,000 1,885,100 11,460,000 15,000 788,000 3,868,300 10,200,000 182,000 300 766,000 13,000 1,000 36,000 1,040 89,350 117,500 70 1,986,000 2,424,810 70,400 760,000 19,290,000 200 23,000 4,416,900 31,820,000 278,000 1,876,000 21,046,000 160,000 2,360,000 32,000 9,000 5,000 8,000 1,300 61,740 3,577,000 239,410 19,277,000 16,520,000 367,400 263,980 25,200 968,000 1,358,000 540,000 1,135,000 1,876,700

216,328 34,749,735 1,430 17,915,797 4,634,150 262,500 1,946,620 31,480,340 399,200 13,411,239 1,956 2,764,610 48,270 1,800 238,606 832,520 160,177,260 620,323 28,734 2,001,720 255,335,434 535,120 73,600 31,941,280 2,518 44,150 37,388,558 16,340,450 819,100 3,028,080 39,057,930 306,550 4,529,270 61,720 61,213 14,710 32,080 11,282 9,381,760 8,731,870 236,707,415 10,043,110 4,567,700 13,553,680 17,576,162.50 220,479 1,867,120 715,930 115,650 607,010 33,957,890

3,725 -6,954,133 -4,000 262,500 -40 -2,238,898 -4,052,478 1,956 108,160 -46,763,340 -4,044 -335,340 19,941,569 418,000 32,940 4,838,593 -989,590 285,000 1,980 15,870 573,900 158,950 -34,996,130 418,210 -2,330,200 -6,703,985 -15,318,202 571,450 -389,380 3,072,212

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

0.0012 6.2 1.02 11.48 2.78 0.27 6.52 1.15 0.198 0.095 0.09 0.0072 0.67 2.41 0.95 0.445 0.58 0.0096 0.01 2.91 6.8 19.3 0.0048

0.0013 7.29 1.03 11.48 2.78 0.27 6.57 1.15 0.201 0.095 0.095 0.0072 0.68 2.41 0.99 0.445 0.62 0.0096 0.011 2.91 6.8 19.4 0.0048

0.0012 6.2 0.99 11.48 2.76 0.27 6.35 0.96 0.196 0.09 0.09 0.0072 0.67 2.18 0.93 0.44 0.58 0.0096 0.01 2.83 6.35 19.1 0.0048

MINING & OIL 0.0012 105,000,000 6.49 483,300 1 4,932,000 11.48 200 2.76 743,000 0.27 130,000 6.45 33,800 0.98 10,861,000 0.196 760,000 0.09 800,000 0.095 40,000 0.0072 12,000,000 0.67 51,000 2.18 8,280,000 0.93 116,000 0.44 80,000 0.62 123,000 0.0096 1,000,000 0.011 94,800,000 2.9 311,000 6.36 656,300 19.4 1,287,200 0.0048 7,000,000

128,000 3,179,501 4,937,260 2,296 2,061,000 35,100 217,167 11,136,250 149,810 72,460 3,650 86,400 34,180 18,680,210 108,800 35,250 73,260 9,600 959,400 887,620 4,247,854 24,822,648 33,600

-52,523 -167,400 -6,860,480 -9,470,680 24,800 -171,640 -10,438,386 -

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

19.4 500.5 500 101.2 101 107.1 5.3 999 990 100.1 1,035 1,050 1,050 109.7 1,033 77.95 75.05 76.4 77.1 75.5 76.1 76.05

19.5 501 503 101.2 101 108.2 5.3 999 990 100.1 1,035 1,050 1,060 109.7 1,033 77.95 75.65 76.4 77.1 75.5 76.1 76.2

18.74 500.5 500 101.2 101 107.1 5.19 999 990 100 1,006 1,050 1,050 109.7 1,030 77.7 75.05 76.4 76.85 75.2 76.1 76.05

PREFERRED 19 1,047,700 501 3,290 503 1,400 101.2 200 101 6,980 108.2 200 5.19 20,100 999 1,500 990 60 100 19,420 1,006 505 1,050 11,410 1,060 100 109.7 200 1,030 22,495 77.7 15,810 75.65 15,520 76.4 2,000 76.85 8,760 75.2 8,000 76.1 22,000 1,220 76.2

19,919,090 1,647,645 700,970 20,240 704,980 21,530 105,369 1,498,500 59,400 1,943,642 508,250 11,980,500 105,500 21,940 23,171,490 1,228,457 1,172,648 152,800 673,622 603,028 1,674,200 92,809

,836,330.0004 -11,937 5,150,000 -

LR WARRANT

1.01

1.04

1

WARRANTS 1.04 76,000

76,600

-

ITALPINAS KEPWEALTH XURPAS

2.7 8.39 0.79

2.71 8.39 0.8

2.5 8.09 0.76

2.59 8.09 0.76

1,307,570 1,369,267 873,890

-236,550 11,358 -

FIRST METRO ETF

105.1

105.1

103.1

22,378,237

439,862

USD DMPL A1 USD DMPL A2

10.26 10.28

10.26 10.28

10.26 10.28

89,467.20 66,820

C

MS Trading Summary

SHARES

FINANCIAL

16,681,774

INDUSTRIAL

297,253,847

HOLDING FIRMS

155,904,270

PROPERTY

215,317,889

SERVICES

165,223,746

MINING & OIL

249,556,931

GRAND TOTAL

1,101,972,235

SME

503,000 167,500 1,143,000

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 103.1 215,730 DDS 10.26 10.28

8,720 6,500

VALUE 1,605.99 (down) 64.52 1,177,032,997.07 FINANCIAL 8,351.48 (down) 79.69 INDUSTRIAL 3,840,168,458.148 6,627.08 (down) 163.75 HOLDING FIRMS 1,921,422,843.67 PROPERTY 3,633.18 (down) 103.92 1,351.38 (down) 30.17 3,336,369,323.015 SERVICES 6,451.44 (down) 302.13 MINING & OIL 1,019,610,952.86 6,787.91 (down) 179.93 PSEI 71,910,432.03 All Shares Index 4,064.32 (down) 85.35 11,392,454,199.79 Gainers: 50; Losers: 160; Unchanged: 36; Total: 246

Globe Telecom obtains P9.8-b loans from BPI, and Metrobank

By Darwin G. Amojelar GLOBE Telecom Inc. borrowed P9.8 billion from two local banks to finance capital expenditures this year and refinance debts.

The company said Friday it signed loan facilities with the Bank of the Philippine Islands and Metropolitan Bank & Trust Company for P5 billion and $95 million, respectively.

“The loan shall be used to finance the company’s capital expenditures, refinancing of maturing obligations, and general corporate requirements,” Globe said.

Globe has committed to spend P63 billion in capex in 2020, which includes spillover of capex commitments from 2019.

The company in 2019 spent P51 billion for capital expenditures in 2019, with 79 percent going to data-related requirements.

“The record spend(ing) allowed the company to fast-track its network rollout last year by putting up 139 percent more sites and 25 percent more 3G and 4G base stations versus 2018,” Globe said.

“The gains benefited customers through improved download and upload speeds and latency in fourth quarter of 2019 versus fourth quarter of 2018 as evidenced in the latest results of third party network quality test providers,” it added.

Globe said the improvements were achieved despite a 58-percent growth in mobile data traffic over the same period The company earlier reported a net income of P22.28 billion in 2019 up 20 percent from P18.62 billion in 2018.

Core income rose 20 percent to P22.45 billion in 2019 from P18.73 billion in 2018.

Consolidated service revenues increased 12 percent last year to P149 billion, fueled by the gains from data across mobile, broadband and corporate data services.

Revenues from mobile business rose 12 percent to P111.8 billion, surpassing the P99.5 billion reported in 2018.

Globe’s subscriber base reached 94.2 million, up 27 percent from 2018.

The company said revenues of the Home broadband business rose 17 percent in 2019 to P21.7 billion from P18.6 billion in 2018, driven by a rising level of fixed wireless broadband users reaching close to 1.4 million. Total home broadband subscriber base exceeded 2 million, up 25 percent from a year ago.

PLDT, Smart both claim fastest mobile internet networks PLDT Inc. and wireless subsidiary Smart Communications Inc. remain the country’s fastest fixed and mobile internet networks in the second half of 2019, according to Ookla, the global leader in internet testing and analysis.

Ookla said Smart posted a Speed Score of 18.13, with average download speeds of 20.42 Mbps and average upload speeds of 9.87 Mbps, based on 1,822,401 user-initiated tests taken with Speedtest on LTE-capable devices in the Philippines for the period third quarter and fourth quarter of 2019.

Meanwhile, PLDT achieved a Speed Score of 25.03, with top download speeds of 62.87 Mbps and top upload speeds of 80.07 Mbps. The fixed network award is based on 29,505,821 customer-initiated Speedtest nationwide for third quarter and fourth quarter of 2019.

These latest figures are further improvements from PLDT and Smart’s results from the first half of 2019, when Smart posted a Speed Score of 17.07 and PLDT achieved a Speed Score of 20.44.

Speed Score is a measure that takes into account both upload and download speeds.

“With millions of tests taken using Speedtest every day, Ookla has developed a robust and comprehensive view of worldwide internet performance. It is our pleasure to recognize Smart as the Fastest Mobile Network and PLDT as the fastest Fixed Network in the Philippines based on our rigorous analysis.

This award is a testament to Smart and PLDT’s exceptional performance, as experienced by their own customers, in the third quarter and fourth quarter,” said Ookla executive vice president Jamie Steven.

Initial data included in Ookla’s country reports showed Smart still posting big leads in key cities like Quezon City, Makati and Manila, for example, while PLDT is still way ahead in Quezon City, Cebu City and Cagayan de Oro. Darwin G. Amojelar

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK Manila

Standard

World

TODAY

B3

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 29, 2020 CESAR BARRIOQUINTO, Editor mst.daydesk@gmail.com

11m Brazilians believe Earth is flat

PREMIERE. Iliza Shlesinger attends the Netflix Premiere Spenser Confidential at Westwood Village Theater on February 27, 2020, in Westwood, California. AFP

Media tycoon arrested over protest rally in Hong Kong

H

ONG KONG―Hong Kong media tycoon Jimmy Lai, a high profile critic of Beijing, was arrested Friday for taking part in last year’s pro-democracy protests that rocked the city for seven months.

The 72-year-old owner of the Apple Daily newspaper is accused of joining a rally on August 31 that had been banned by police for security reasons.

Lai was arrested and charged along with veteran pro-democracy activists Lee Cheuk Yan and Yeung Sum, police said.

The trio could be jailed for up to five years if convicted of taking part in an “unauthorized assembly”. They are due to appear in court on May 5.

Tens of thousands of protesters defied the police ban on the demonstration marking the anniversary of Beijing’s rejection of a call for universal suffrage for Hong Kong that sparked the 2014 “Umbrella Movement”.

Some gathered in the name of a religious procession―which does not require police approval-while others claimed they were shopping.

In a separate charge, Lai is ac-

cused of intimidating a reporter in 2018 during a vigil for the victims of China’s bloody Tiananmen crackdown on June 4, 1989.

Amnesty International said the legal action against the trio was politically motivated.

“These unjustifiable arrests are a shameless attempt to harass and silence those in Hong Kong’s pro-democracy movement,” said the rights group’s Man-kei Tam. Hong Kong was rocked by huge and sometimes violent street protests last year, sparked by a now-abandoned proposal to allow extraditions to the authoritarian Chinese mainland.

They soon morphed into a wider movement calling for greater freedoms in what is the most concerted challenge to Beijing’s rule since the former British colony’s 1997 handover. AFP

IN BRIEF 33 Turkish soldiers killed in Syria ANKARA―At least 33 Turkish soldiers were killed in Syria’s Idlib province after an air strike blamed on Damascus, prompting condemnation from Washington and a UN warning on the rapidly-rising risk of escalation.

Dozens more soldiers were injured and taken to Turkey for treatment, Rahmi Dogan, governor of Turkish Hatay―bordering Syria― said Friday.

The heavy losses in northwestern Idlib come after weeks of growing tensions between rebel supporter Ankara and Damascus ally Moscow.

“Without urgent action, the risk of even greater escalation grows by the hour,” United Nations spokesman Stephane Dujarric said in a

statement that reiterated Secretary General Antonio Guterres’s call for an immediate ceasefire.

A US State Department spokesperson said Washington stands by its NATO ally Turkey and continues to call “for an immediate end to this despicable offensive by the Assad regime, Russia and Iranian-backed forces.”

NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg urged de-escalation by all parties of “this dangerous situation”, his spokesman said.

In a phone call with Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu, Stoltenberg “condemned the continued indiscriminate air strikes by the Syrian regime and its backer Russia in Idlib province,” according to the spokesman. AFP

Idlib after an air strike blamed on Damascus has prompted an emergency meeting chaired by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Turkey, which is already home to around 3.6 million Syrian refugees, fears more people arriving in the country where there is growing popular discontent against their presence.

In a series of tweets, Erdogan’s top press aide, Fahrettin Altun, accused Syrian President Bashar alAssad of “conducting ethnic cleansing” and seeking to drive millions of Syrians out of Idlib.

“These people will try to escape to Turkey and Europe. Already hosting close to 4 million refugees, we do not have the capacity and resources to allow entry to another million,” he wrote. AFP

firm Datafolha.

And their influence stretches surprisingly far, in a country currently swept up in the post-truth era and the anti-intellectual, climate-change-skeptic world view embodied by far-right President Jair Bolsonaro.

One of Bolsonaro’s most prominent ideologues, the writer and former astrologer Olavo de Carvalho, has said he “cannot refute” Flat-Earth theory.

Yet Brazil’s Flat-Earthers are also a secretive, at times paranoid, community, communicating via encrypted messages on WhatsApp, invitation-only Facebook groups and especially on YouTube, where their channels have tens of thousands of followers.

There, they are free to state what they believe, without fear

Republika ng Pilipinas

National Irrigation Administration

(PambansangPangasiwaan ng Patubig) Regional Office No.III

Office Address : Tambubong, San Rafael, Bulacan Telephone Nos. : (044) 766-2467, 766-4839, 816-6808 Website : www.region3.nia.gov.ph

of ridicule: that the Earth is a flat, stationary body.

It is an argument they advance with varying interpretations of physics, optics and the Bible, dismissing all evidence to the contrary as a conspiracy.

Brazilians who believe the Earth is flat are mostly men, often Catholics or evangelical Christians, and with relatively low levels of education, according to Datafolha.

But don’t confuse education with knowledge, the FlatEarthers warn.

“Flat-Earthers are the smartest. Write that!” says Anderson Neves, a 50-year-old entrepreneur, who has come to Ricardo’s restaurant armed with a pamphlet denouncing the “hoaxes” of Newton and Copernicus. AFP

Republika ng Pilipinas

National Irrigation Administration

Email Address: niar03@yahoo.com Telefax No. (044) 766-2467 TIN No. 000-979-570-000

(PambansangPangasiwaan ng Patubig) Regional Office No.III

Office Address : Tambubong, San Rafael, Bulacan Telephone Nos. : (044) 766-2467, 766-4839, 816-6808 Website : www.region3.nia.gov.ph

Email Address: niar03@yahoo.com Telefax No. (044) 766-2467 TIN No. 000-979-570-000

Invitation to Bid Improvement of Diversion Works, Canal Systems and Various Irrigation Facilities of Lilibangan CIS, San Nicolas Balas CIS (BPR) & San Nicolas Balas CIS (APR) ITB No. NIAR3-2020-TAR-LSN - 8

Invitation to Bid Construction of Diversion Works and Canal Systems of Baluto CIS, Castillo CIS and Dungan CIS ITB No. NIAR3-2020-TAR-BACASDU-6 1.

The NATIONAL IRRIGATION ADMINISTRATION – REGION 3, hereby invites all interested Phil-GEPS registered contractors to bid for the project, through the General Appropriations Act of CY 2020, intends to apply the sum of Sixty Five Million Three Hundred Seventy Six Thousand Seven Hundred Eleven Pesos and 15/100 (P 65,371,711.15) being the Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) for the contract for NIAR3-2020-TAR-BACASDU-6. Bids received in excess of the ABC shall be automatically rejected at bid opening.

1.

The NATIONAL IRRIGATION ADMINISTRATION – REGION 3, hereby invites all interested PhilGEPS registered contractors to bid for the project, through the General Appropriations Act of CY 2020, intends to apply the sum of Forty-Seven Million Ninety- NineThousand Five Hundred Thirty- Four Pesos and 83/100 (P 47,099,534.83) being the Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) for the contract for NIAR3-2020-TAR- TAR-LSN - 8. Bids received in excess of the ABC shall be automatically rejected at bid opening.

2.

Bidders must secure Site Inspection Certificate from IMO Office as a technical requirement for Eligibility and Technical Document (Envelop A). Non compliance will be a ground for disqualification.

2.

Bidders must secure Site Inspection Certificate from IMO Office as a technical requirement for Eligibility and Technical Document (Envelop A). Non-compliance will be a ground for disqualification.

3.

Only who submitted Document Request List (DRL) from PhilGEPS including updated company profile by the owner or its authorized liaison officer, will be accepted to participate in the bidding.

3.

Only those who submitted Document Request List (DRL) from PhilGEPS including updated company profile by the owner or its authorized liaison officer, will be accepted to participate in the bidding.

4.

The NATIONAL IRRIGATION ADMINISTRATION – REGION 3 now invites bids for Construction of Diversion Works and Canal Systems of Baluto CIS, Castillo CIS and Dungan CIS located in Concepcion, Tarlac. Completion of the Works is required within Three Hundred Sixty (360) calendar days. Bidders should have completed a contract similar to the Project. The description of an eligible bidder is contained in the Bidding Documents, particularly, in Section II. Instruction to Bidders.

4.

The NATIONAL IRRIGATION ADMINISTRATION – REGION 3 now invites bids for Improvement of Diversion Works, Canal Systems and Various Irrigation Facilities of Dungan CIS, Lilibangan CIS, San Nicolas Balas CIS (BPR) & San Nicolas Balas CIS (APR), located in Concepcion, Tarlac . Completion of the Works is required within Three Hundred (300) calendar days. Bidders should have completed a contract similar to the Project. The description of an eligible bidder is contained in the Bidding Documents, particularly, in Section II. Instruction to Bidders.

5.

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

5.

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

Bidding is restricted to Filipino citizens/sole proprietorships, partnerships, or organizations with at least seventy-five percent (75%) interest or outstanding capital stock belonging to citizens of the Philippines.

Bidding is restricted to Filipino citizens/sole proprietorships, partnerships, or organizations with at least seventy five percent (75%) interest or outstanding capital stock belonging to citizens of the Philippines.

6.

Interested bidders may obtain further information from NATIONAL IRRIGATION ADMINISTRATION – REGION 3 and inspect the Bidding Documents at the address given below from 9:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M., Monday to Friday.

6.

Interested bidders may obtain further information from NATIONAL IRRIGATION ADMINISTRATION – REGION 3 and inspect the Bidding Documents at the address given below from 9:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M., Monday to Friday.

7.

A complete set of Bidding Documents may be purchased by interested Bidders on February 18, 2020 to March 9, 2020 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 a.m., Monday to Friday, and March 10, 2020 from 9:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m., except holidays from the address below and upon payment of a nonrefundable fee for the Bidding Documents in the amount of Fifty Thousand Pesos (P 50,000.00).

7.

A complete set of Bidding Documents may be purchased by interested Bidders on February 18, 2020 to March 9, 2020 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday to Friday, except and holidays and March 10, 2020 from 9:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. from the address below and upon payment of a nonrefundable fee for the Bidding Documents in the amount of Fort- Seven Thousand Pesos (P 47,000.00)

8.

The NATIONAL IRRIGATION ADMINISTRATION – REGION 3 will hold a Pre-Bid Conference on February 26, 2020, 10:00 a.m. at NIA-R3 Office, Conference Room, Brgy. Tambubong, San Rafael, Bulacan, which shall be open only to all interested parties who have purchased the Bidding Documents.

9.

Bids must be duly received by the BAC Secretariat at the address below on or before 9:30 a.m.

(PST) of March 10, 2020 at NIA-R3 Office, Conference Room, Brgy. Tambubong, San Rafael, Bulacan. All bids must be accompanied by a bid security in any of the acceptable forms and in the amount stated in ITB Clause 18.

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

8.

The NATIONAL IRRIGATION ADMINISTRATION – REGION 3 will hold a Pre-Bid Conference on February 26, 2020 10:00 a.m. at NIA-R3 Office, Conference Room, Brgy. Tambubong, San Rafael, Bulacan, which shall be open to all interested parties.

9.

Bids must be duly received by the BAC Secretariat at the address below on or before 9:30 a.m.

(PST) of March 10, 2020 at NIA-R3 Office, Conference Room, Brgy. Tambubong, San Rafael, Bulacan. All bids must be accompanied by a bid security in any of the acceptable forms and in the amount stated in ITB Clause 18.

Bid opening shall be on 10:00 a.m. (PST) of March 10, 2020 at NIA-R3 Office, Conference Room, Brgy. Tambubong, San Rafael, Bulacan. Bids will be opened in the presence of the bidders’ representatives who choose to attend at the address below. Late bids shall not be accepted.

Bid opening shall be on 10:00 a.m. (PST) of March 10, 2020 at NIA-R3 Office, Conference Room, Brgy. Tambubong, San Rafael, Bulacan. Bids will be opened in the presence of the bidders’ representatives who choose to attend at the address below. Late bids shall not be accepted.

10. All particulars relative to the eligibility screening, bid security, performance security, pre-bid conference/s, evaluation of bids, post qualification and award of contracts shall be governed by the pertinent provisions of RA 9184 and its revised IRR.

10. All particulars relative to the eligibility screening, bid security, performance security, pre-bid conference/s, evaluation of bids, post qualification and award of contracts shall be governed by the pertinent provisions of RA 9184 and its revised IRR.

11. The NATIONAL IRRIGATION ADMINISTRATION – REGION 3 reserves the right to accept or reject any bid, to annul the bidding process, and to reject all bids at any time prior to contract award, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder or bidders.

11. The NATIONAL IRRIGATION ADMINISTRATION – REGION 3 reserves the right to accept or reject any bid, to annul the bidding process, and to reject all bids at any time prior to contract award, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder or bidders.

12. For further information, please refer to:

12. For further information, please refer to: BAC Secretariat/s; NIA – Region 3, Tambubong, San Rafael, Bulacan Tel No. (044) 766-4839 and 816-8608

BAC Secretariat/s; NIA – Region 3,Tambubong, San Rafael, Bulacan Tel No. (044) 766-4839 and 816-8608

(SGD.) VIRGILIO J. ILAO BAC – Chairperson

(SGD.) VIRGILIO J. ILAO BAC – Chairman

Noted by:

Noted by:

(SGD.) JOSEPHINE B. SALAZAR Regional Manager (MS-FEB. 29, 2020)

(SGD.) JOSEPHINE B. SALAZAR Regional Manager

Republika ng Pilipinas

National Irrigation Administration

(PambansangPangasiwaan ng Patubig) Regional Office No.III

Office Address : Tambubong, San Rafael, Bulacan Telephone Nos. : (044) 766-2467, 766-4839, 816-6808 Website : www.region3.nia.gov.ph

Email Address: niar03@yahoo.com Telefax No. (044) 766-2467 TIN No. 000-979-570-000

Invitation to Bid Rehabilitation and Improvement of Porac-Gumain River Irrigation System–Dam and Check and Weir Works ITB No. NIAR3-NISRIPD-C-8 1.

2.

3.

The Government of the Philippines (GOP) has received a Loan from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) toward the cost of National Irrigation Sector Rehabilitation and Improvement Project (NISRIP), and it intends to apply part of the proceeds of this loan to payments under the contract for the Rehabilitation and Improvement of Porac-Gumain River Irrigation System – Dam and Check and Weir Works under Contract No. NIAR3-NISRIPD-C-8.

The NIA now invites bids for the proposed Rehabilitation and Improvement of Porac-Gumain River Irrigation System particularly the construction of 1,468 meters canal lining on Gumain Main Canal North and Dam 82 South Canal 2 lining, and construction/repair of 1468.60 m Left Side and 1499 m Ride Side downstream of Porac Main Canal East. The project is situated in the Municipalities of Guagua, Floridablanca, Sta. Rita and Lubao in the Province of Pampanga, Region 3 and has the following major item of works; Description/Item of Works a) Concrete Class “A”, 210 kg/sqcm b) Concrete Class “B”, 170 kg/sqcm c) Reinforcing Steel Bars, all Sizes d) Supply, Delivery and Installation of Steel Gates

Quantity/Unit 149.70 cu.m 5.30 cu.m.

8,965.40 kgs 116.0 assy.

(PambansangPangasiwaan ng Patubig) Regional Office No.III

Office Address : Tambubong, San Rafael, Bulacan Telephone Nos. : (044) 766-2467, 766-4839, 816-6808 Website : www.region3.nia.gov.ph

5.

6.

7.

Bidders should have completed a single contract in the construction of dam (for agricultural projects and/or hydropower project) or irrigation canals and/or irrigation canal structures with a value of at least 50% of the ABC. All prospective bidders should possess a valid Philippine Contractors Accreditation Board (PCAB) license with a Principal Classification and Category in General Engineering as “B” and Registration Particulars with size range of “Medium A” in Dam or Irrigation Facilities.

Bidding will be conducted in accordance with relevant procedures for open competitive bidding as specified in the IRR of RA 9184 (R.A. 9184), with some amendments, as stated in these bidding documents and is open to all bidders from eligible source countries as defined in the applicable procurement guidelines of the JICA. The contract shall be awarded to the Lowest Calculated Responsive Bidder (LCRB) who was determined as such during post-qualification. The approved budget for the contract (ABC) is PhP 60,045,218.57. Any bid with a financial component exceeding this amount shall not be accepted.

Interested bidders may obtain further information from NIA and inspect the Bidding Documents at the address below from 8:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M., Monday to Friday.

A complete set of Bidding Documents may be purchased by the interested bidders at the address below and upon presentation of the original copy of their valid PCAB License and payment to the NIA Cashier of a nonrefundable fee for the bidding documents in the amount Fifty Thousand Pesos [PhP 50,000.00].

Interested Bidders must also present a letter authorizing his/her representative to acquire the Bidding Documents duly signed by the General Manager/Owner, if a Sole Proprietorship, or authorized signatory, if a Corporation.

Email Address: niar03@yahoo.com Telefax No. (044) 766-2467 TIN No. 000-979-570-000

Invitation to Bid Rehabilitation and Improvement of Porac-Gumain River Irrigation System–Canalization Works and Construction of IA Offices and Support Facilities ITB No. NIAR3-NISRIPD-C-7 1.

The Government of the Philippines (GOP) has received a Loan from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) toward the cost of National Irrigation Sector Rehabilitation and Improvement Project (NISRIP), and it intends to apply part of the proceeds of this loan to payments under the contract for the Rehabilitation and Improvement of Porac-Gumain River Irrigation System – Canalization Works and Construction of IA Offices and Support Facilities under Contract No. NIAR3-NISRIPD-C-7.

2.

The NIA now invites bids for the proposed Rehabilitation and Improvement of Porac-Gumain River Irrigation System particularly the construction of 1,468 meters canal lining on Gumain Main Canal North and Dam 82 South Canal 2 lining, and construction/repair of 1468.60 m Left Side and 1499 m Ride Side downstream of Porac Main Canal East. The project is situated in the Municipalities of Guagua, Floridablanca, Sta. Rita and Lubao in the Province of Pampanga, Region 3 and has the following major item of works;

3.

Description/Item of Works a) Concrete Class “A”, 210 kg/sqcm b) Concrete Class “B”, 170 kg/sqcm c) Reinforcing Steel Bars, all Sizes d) Construction of IA Offices and Support Facilities

Completion of the Works is required within 10 months or equivalent to 360 calendar days.

4.

(MS-FEB. 29, 2020)

Republika ng Pilipinas

National Irrigation Administration

Turkey will not stop refugees ISTANBUL―Turkey will no longer close its border gates to refugees who want to go to Europe, a senior official told AFP on Friday, shortly after the killing of 33 Turkish soldiers in an air strike in northern Syria.

“We will no longer keep the doors closed for refugees who want to go to Europe,” the official said on condition of anonymity.

Nearly 300 migrants including Syrians have already arrived in Edirne province on the border with Greece in a bid to go to Europe, the private DHA news agency reported.

Another group of migrants arrived on the coast of Ayvacik in Canakkale, western Turkey, and wanted to go to the Greek island of Lesbos by boats, it reported.

The killing of Turkish soldiers in

SAO PAOLO―Sitting by a model of the Earth shaped like a pancake, Brazilian restaurant-owner Ricardo lets out an exaggerated laugh: “’Hahaha!’

That’s how people react when you tell them the Earth is flat,” he says.

Ricardo, who declines to give his full name for just that reason, is a 60-something man whose restaurant in Sao Paulo has become a meeting place for people who, like him, reject the notion that the Earth is a sphere.

“The only things I know for certain are that I’m going to die someday and that the Earth is flat,” he says.

It is a curious but remarkably large club: more than 11 million people in Brazil-seven percent of the population―believe the Earth is flat, according to polling

Quantity/Unit 662.64 cu.m 33.43 cu.m.

92,796.64 kgs 8.0 units

Completion of the Works is required within 10 months or equivalent to 300 calendar days.

4.

Bidders should have completed a single contract in the construction of dam (for agricultural projects and/or hydropower project) or irrigation canals and/or irrigation canal structures with a value of at least 50% of the ABC. All prospective bidders should possess a valid Philippine Contractors Accreditation Board (PCAB) license with a Principal Classification and Category in General Engineering as “B” and Registration Particulars with size range of “Medium A” in Dam or Irrigation Facilities.

5.

Bidding will be conducted in accordance with relevant procedures for open competitive bidding as specified in the IRR of RA 9184 (R.A. 9184), with some amendments, as stated in these bidding documents and is open to all bidders from eligible source countries as defined in the applicable procurement guidelines of the JICA. The contract shall be awarded to the Lowest Calculated Responsive Bidder (LCRB) who was determined as such during post-qualification. The approved budget for the contract (ABC) is PhP 34,795,446.36. Any bid with a financial component exceeding this amount shall not be accepted.

6.

Interested bidders may obtain further information from NIA and inspect the Bidding Documents at the address below from 8:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M., Monday to Friday.

7.

A complete set of Bidding Documents may be purchased by the interested bidders at the address below and upon presentation of the original copy of their valid PCAB License and payment to the NIA Cashier of a nonrefundable fee for the bidding documents in the amount Thirty Five Thousand Pesos [PhP 35,000.00].

Interested Bidders must also present a letter authorizing his/her representative to acquire the Bidding Documents duly signed by the General Manager/Owner, if a Sole Proprietorship, or authorized signatory, if a Corporation.

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

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

8.

Bidders must secure Site Inspection Certificate from IMO Office as a technical requirement for Eligibility and Technical Document (Envelop A). Non compliance will be a ground for disqualification.

8.

Bidders must secure Site Inspection Certificate from IMO Office as a technical requirement for Eligibility and Technical Document (Envelop A). Non compliance will be a ground for disqualification.

9.

Only who submitted Document Request List (DRL) from PhilGEPS including updated company profile by the owner or its authorized liaison officer, will be accepted to participate in the bidding.

9.

Only who submitted Document Request List (DRL) from PhilGEPS including updated company profile by the owner or its authorized liaison officer, will be accepted to participate in the bidding.

10. The NATIONAL IRRIGATION ADMINISTRATION – REGION 3 will hold a Pre-Bid Conference on March 2, 2020, 10:00 a.m. at NIA-R3 Office, Conference Room, Brgy. Tambubong, San Rafael, Bulacan, which shall be open only to all interested parties who have purchased the Bidding Documents.

10. The NATIONAL IRRIGATION ADMINISTRATION – REGION 3 will hold a Pre-Bid Conference on March 2, 2020, 10:00 a.m. at NIA-R3 Office, Conference Room, Brgy. Tambubong, San Rafael, Bulacan, which shall be open only to all interested parties who have purchased the Bidding Documents.

11. Bids must be duly received by the BAC Secretariat at the address below on or before 9:30 a.m.

(PST) of March 23, 2020 at NIA-R3 Office, Conference Room, Brgy. Tambubong, San Rafael, Bulacan. All bids must be accompanied by a bid security in any of the acceptable forms and in the amount stated in ITB Clause 18.

Bid opening shall be on 10:00 a.m. (PST) of March 23, 2020 at NIA-R3 Office, Conference Room, Brgy. Tambubong, San Rafael, Bulacan. Bids will be opened in the presence of the bidders’ representatives who choose to attend at the address below. Late bids shall not be accepted.

12. The NATIONAL IRRIGATION ADMINISTRATION – REGION 3 reserves the right to accept or reject any bid, to annul the bidding process, and to reject all bids at any time prior to contract award, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder or bidders.

11. Bids must be duly received by the BAC Secretariat at the address below on or before 9:30 a.m. (PST) of March 23, 2020 at NIA-R3 Office, Conference Room, Brgy. Tambubong, San Rafael, Bulacan. All bids must be accompanied by a bid security in any of the acceptable forms and in the amount stated in ITB Clause 18.

Bid opening shall be on 10:00 a.m. (PST) of March 23, 2020 at NIA-R3 Office, Conference Room, Brgy.

Tambubong, San Rafael, Bulacan. Bids will be opened in the presence of the bidders’ representatives who choose to attend at the address below. Late bids shall not be accepted.

12. The NATIONAL IRRIGATION ADMINISTRATION – REGION 3 reserves the right to accept or reject any bid, to annul the bidding process, and to reject all bids at any time prior to contract award, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder or bidders.

For further information, please refer to:

For further information, please refer to:

BAC Secretariat/s; NIA – Region 3,Tambubong, San Rafael, Bulacan Tel No. (044) 766-4839 and 816-8608

BAC Secretariat/s; NIA – Region 3,Tambubong, San Rafael, Bulacan Tel No. (044) 766-4839 and 816-8608

Noted by: (SGD.) JOSEPHINE B. SALAZAR Regional Manager

(SGD.) VIRGILIO J. ILAO BAC – Chairman

(SGD.) VIRGILIO J. ILAO BAC – Chairman

Noted by: (MS-FEB. 29, 2020)

(SGD.) JOSEPHINE B. SALAZAR Regional Manager

(MS-FEB. 29, 2020)

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

B4

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 29, 2020

Joel D. Lacsamana, Editor jdlacsamana@gmail.com

AESTHETIC VISION. Panelists of the “Shelter Dialogues” included (from left to right): Juan Carlo Calma, Carlo Calma Consultancy; Dominic Galicia, Dominic Galicia Architects; Chat Chuenrudeemol, CHAT Architects; William Ti Jr., WTA Architecture and Design Studio; Manny Minana, Emmanuel A. Miñana and Associates

BUILDING WITH WHAT YOU HAVE

O

Architecture festival tackles role of craftsmanship in the built environment

VER 150 thought leaders in architecture and urbanism gathered last week to explore how design professionals, and ordinary people alike, could reshape and enhance the built environment.

Held at Fort Santiago in Intramuros, the Anthology Architecture and Design Festival tackled various aspects of architecture, among them a series of dialectic panels entitled “Shelter Dialogues” moderated by architecture critics.

One of the panels, “The Craftsmanship of Architecture,” highlighted that while architecture is an art, the aesthetic vision must be practical, usable, and purposeful for the craft to be fully appreciated.

Human touch “Craftsmanship comes with the act of building itself, it’s the human touch,” said architect William Ti, Jr., Anthology’s Festival director who also heads WTA Architecture + Design Studio.

The human touch, according to Ti, allows spaces to be designed for social and functional purposes. He spoke from experience, having overseen various projects from retail shops, large scale malls, hotels, and massive land development that are influencing how

people build communities and way of living.

Thailand-based architect Chatpong “Chat” Chuenrudeemol, who heads CHAT Architects, shared his firm’s take on craftsmanship as designing and building according to the “limited things you have” as exemplified by what he calls Bangkok Bastards.

“Bangkok Bastards” is a term he coined to refer to Bangkok’s lively, crazy, and unexpected street life and architecture. “It’s the lifestyle and the commonplace elements that gave birth to the signature artistry of our work,” Unique experience Design professionals were also encouraged to view craftsmanship as ideas transforming into physical structures accompanied by a unique experience.

Panelist and architect Dominic Galicia pointed to the National Museum of Natural History as a case in point. Galicia, whose firm carries his namesake, was responsible for the transformation of the old Department

of Agriculture building in Manila into a museum.

Juan Carlo Calma, head of Carlo Calma Consultancy, underscored the traditional meaning of craftsmanship— the manipulation of materials and the intensive human labor it requires.

Craftsmanship “should be laborintensive, because Rome wasn’t built in a day,” he said.

Collaborative effort For Architect Manny Miñana, principal architect of Emmanuel A. Miñana and Associates, craftsmanship in architecture succeeds when there’s a “collaborative effort among stakeholders.”

Miñana recounted the experience of an architect who won an award for an innovative design, which however could not be adequately translated into building and engineering plans.

Such inadequacy ultimately led to the structural quality suffering and costs ballooning, he recalled.

“Craftsmanship of Architecture” was just one of the highlights Anthology Architecture and Design Festival organized by WTA Architecture + Design Studio. Since the first festival in 2015, Anthology has facilitated the exchange of ideas among professionals while showcasing the design discipline to a wider audience.

‘BAYANIHAN’ SPIRIT SPARKS CHANGE IN QUEZON COMMUNITY

A TOWNSHIP in Atimonan, Quezon is leading the way in showing what can be done when people work together.

Through the Kaisa sa Kasanayan at Kabuhayan program initiated

by Atimonan One Energy, Inc. (A1E), successful livelihood projects —mostly revolving around fishing, farming and service needs-now boost family incomes for some 63,000 residents in this province of 42 barangays. These include the Gulayan sa Bakuran sa Carinay, and “Perfect Cut” salon projects managed by the Atimonan Coastal Food Production Association (ACFPA), Atimonan Haircutters Association, Heavenly Touch Therapeutic Massage Association and Villa Ibaba Handicrafts Association (VIHA). “Thanks to A1E for helping us introduce our spanish sardines, among others, to markets outside Atimonan,” said ACFPA president Maritess Atienza. Shown here are some of the fruits of the shared dream of Atimonan’s homeowners and A1E for a thriving community, where their children can give and live their best life.

BPI-Philam moves into spruced-up home

UPSCALE LIVING AT BGC

PROPERTY player Megaworld recently launched its third tower for Park McKinley West, one of the residential condominium clusters in the 34.5-hectare McKinley West development in Fort Bonifacio. Standing 25-storeys high, the third tower of offers unit layouts ranging from one-bedroom (up to 70.5 square meters); two-bedroom (up to 110 square meters); three-bedroom (up to 212 square meters); four-bedroom (up to 229 square meters); and five-bedroom (up to 336 square meters). The company is expecting to generate around P8-billion in sales from this new tower alone. The project is expected for completion in 2024. “The residential market in McKinley West is growing bigger,” acknowledged Noli D. Hernandez, executive vice president for sales and marketing, Megaworld. “Today, prices of residential units in Park McKinley West rose to almost P265,000 per square meter compared to P218,000 per square meter when we first launched it a year ago.

New I-Land condo project in BF Parañaque focuses on earth-friendly dwelling

ISOC Land, Inc. (I-Land) recently broke ground its residential development in Sucat, Parañaque, which promises to meet not just the needs of young families, but also fulfill their aspirations for sustainable dwelling.

Rising at the gateway to the South, providing convenient access to workplaces, airport and shopping centers, I-Land Residences is envisioned to change the real estate landscape in the area.

Compared to other condominium developments in the vicinity, I-Land provides a nurturing park living in an urban sanctuary. It has plethora of amenities suited for the lifestyle of its residents. 60% of the land area have been utilized for open spaces and greenery.

“Sucat is fast becoming the choice of residence, especially of many Makati and Manila office workers, who either wish to start building their families or just become independent. Nonetheless, they want a place to live in that espouses sustainable living,” said ISOC Group

Chairman Michael Cosiquien.

A green-inspired building is one that either eliminates the negative impacts or creates positive impacts on the environment.

This can be achieved through efficient use of energy and water resources, use of renewable energy, and use of nontoxic materials in construction among others. Natural light and air circulation was also taken into consideration for design.

“When we factor in the environment in our investment, it becomes more meaningful because of the longterm benefits our stakeholders can reap. This is why from our very first project, we have been fully committed to constructing properties that are sustainable,” he added.

Apart from prioritizing sustainability, the property is also strategically located near several groceries and malls with transport terminals of UV express vans to the Makati CBD, Pasay City, and Manila.

Jeepneys traversing the Baclaran-

Sucat route are also easily available.

Local government services are also within reach as the Paranaque City Hall is just a kilometer away. The San Antonio De Padua parish church is also a walk away from city hall. Schools and other residential communities within the Sucat and Alabang areas are likewise a few kilometers away.

For frequent travelers, the Ninoy Aquino International Airport are within easy reach. And for those who wish to visit their departed loved ones, the Manila Memorial Park and Loyola Memorial Park are within the area.

I-Land, the real estate arm of ISOC Holdings, is backed by an experienced team of experts in the property development industry led by Cosiquien.

Other projects in the pipeline include those in EDSA Cloverleaf area in Quezon City; Makati City; Ortigas Center, Pasig City; and I-Land Clark, Neo a sevenhectare premium integrated resort and leisure complex inside the Clark Special Economic Zone in Pampanga.

Bancassurance firm BPI-Philam Life Assurance Corp. recently moved into its redesigned office at the 10th, 12th, and 15th levels of the BPI-Philam Life building along Ayala Avenue in Makati City.

The tech-assisted headquarters qualified for a Gold certification for LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), one of the most widely used green building certification systems in the world.

“Our new headquarters offers a full range of facilities firmly focused on the growth and the adoption of technology in our business,” said BPI-Philam CEO Surendra Menon.

BPI-Philam Life Assurance Corp. is a strategic alliance between two leading companies in the country – The Philippine American Life and General Insurance Company (AIA Philam Life) and Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI). Shown in photo are (left to right): AIA regional CEO Jacky Chan; Philam Life CEO Kelvin Ang; BPI CEO Cezar Consing; and BPI-Philam CEO Surendra Menon, as they officially unlock the doors to BPI-Philam’s newly renovated office.

PERMANENT HOLIDAY. The concept of “staycation,” is becoming more than just a trend. The tourism market is headed towards accommodations that keep the relaxing vibe, but are closer to home. This new way of life influenced Federal Land’s Mi Casa, a Hawaiian-inspired residential development set to rise within the Metro Park township in the Bay Area. Close to the sea, each of Mi Casa’s units will treat residents to the view of Manila Bay. The one, two, and three-bedroom units are anywhere between 45.5 to 137.5 sqm in size. “Mi Casa is tailored to give homeowners their very own rest house in the metro without sacrificing their cosmopolitan business lifestyle,” said Federal Land, Inc. project development group head Cherie Fernandez. “It can also give them a home they can retire in without necessarily giving up the advantages of living in the city.”

Life

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

ARTS AND CULTURE

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 29, 2020

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ART IN CONFINEMENT. Prisoners at the New Bilibid Prison and its other facilities around the country find color and strength with the help of art. These are some of the paintings on display and for sale at Puesto Manila exhibit.

Prisoners show their true colors

By Diana B. Noche

I

T’S easy for an incarcerated person to live in negativity once he steps into a prison cell.

Correctional facilities are generally regarded as dreary, cursed places. There is a profound disconnection from the rest of the world.

The view out the window, if there is a window at all, is bleak and depressing. Every day there is that fear hanging over a prisoner’s head that there is a risk of losing his soul, a feeling of being pilloried inside that grim, forsaken place, the bottomless pit where there is no way out in sight.

When a felon is locked up, their first few days of prison life are a mix of anger, a truncated sense of their future, and blown away hopes. The constancy of society’s protracted prejudices could, in time, produce deeply conflicted feelings and psychic scars.

There is a way a prisoner can get his soul out of the penitentiary confines, affirm his humaneness even as people refuse to let him regain it.

An inmate committed to reclusion perpetua and long-term sentence would, with prison officials’ nod, find it now conceivable to build their aborted dream house, virtually, within the prison walls.

So they figure out ways to pass the time positively instead of merely hearing the grass grow outside their cell window.

Strength and renewal come from work. Rather than get pinned down by remorse and pangs of conscience, prisoners keep themselves occupied to make the idle times bearable—play basketball, karaoke, assist in prison mass, make Christmas lanterns, immerse in

Religious images such as Jesus in throes of pain and the Madonna and Child are recurring subjects.

the Bible, and make art.

The New Bilibid Prison and its other facilities around the country conduct art programs for inmates—drawing, painting, sculpture, and woodworking—to help with their mental health to get them through each day. Art is a useful tool for therapy and a means by which prisoners communicate their hope and reliance to a spiritual truth that somehow got waylaid during their brush with the law.

The New Bilibid Prison established the art program Kulay in 1988 to help prisoners adapt to the outside world.

They are taught the basics of painting,

not based on textbooks or formal notions of what may be conventionally laid on a canvas, paper, cell walls, and other painting media. Tools and art materials include paint brushes, spray cans, colored pencils, and ballpoint pens.

Most works by these incarcerated artists are deeply personal and reflect a sort of healing, having found in what they do a sense of humanity. It’s a means of creative expression, of finding their voice in prison, of trying to do good things behind bars.

The artwork need little explaining and are glowingly colorful. They mani-

fest a refreshing “smutlessness” here, a non-reluctant acceptance of the hard part of their life with a positive sense and a lightness of the spirit residing somewhere within them.

Here, paintings by prisoners become a sincere art. The bright orange prison uniform they wear, a stark reminder of confinement, has become a kaleidoscope of other colors that they can use as their artistry may dictate.

The Bureau of Corrections’ School of Fine Arts has partnered with Puesto Manila, an art gallery and curio shop located in historic Intramuros, Manila, to

spotlight once again works by some of the current batch of their art students.

Most of the paintings echo certain aspects of religiosity that we may assume as telling evidence of their transformation—the Madonna and Child and Jesus in throes of pain—are recurring subjects.

Some have takes on cartoon figures, Philippine culture, landscapes, still life in Abstract or Expressionist styles. Influences by Filipino masters like Manansala, Joya, Amorsolo, and Magsaysay-Ho are easily recognized among the paintings, but there are other unmistakable bends toward a Lichtenstein which do not veer away from the level of personal creativity in the displayed oeuvre.

The images are no mean examples of art by persons kept behind bars who show willingness to work positively and in depth despite their having to limit their expressions using merely a handful of art tools and elements.

The paintings are for sale, and, happily, the price tags will appeal to those just starting a collection.

The Puesto Manila exhibit is an admirable gesture to introduce to the Filipino mass an insight into the moot points between criminals and their victims, and how important it is for these prisoners to feel liberated through the medium of painting despite the lack of positive inspiration that the dark and humid prison cells offer.

Immersion in art can set these prisoners free and the paintbrushes and colored pencils are the key. Their paintings may be essentially wordless but their art could contribute to changing the jailhouse environment into a more bearable, more rewarding, healthier, and productive serving time.

Photos by Puesto Manila

Exhibit highlights award-winning artists’ new works PAST winners of Metrobank Foundation’s Art MADE Public showcased their latest artwork in the Spectrum exhibition held recently at the Atrium of S Maison.

A joint project of SM, The Metrobank Foundation, the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, and the United Architects of the Philippines, the exhibit highlighted new art forms and styles, unique themes, and exceptional works that reflect the journey of the artists.

Featured works included 2019 MADE awardees Jayme Lucas’ “Sugat ng Tahanan,” Christian Maglente’s Untitled work, Cedrick De La Paz’ “15/30,” Dave Alcon’s “Distinct,” and Arman Arago’s “Ang Tanda ng Bata.”

Leeroy New’s “Sigbin with Tree,” Mark Justiniani’s “Hole,” Elmer Bor-

Alfredo Esquillo, Jr. with his painting, ‘Laban ng Loob 2.’

longan’s “Record Digger,” Alfredo Esquillo’s “Laban ng Loob 2,” Anton Del Castillo’s “In pride the wicked hotly pursue the afflicted,” Raffy Napay’s “I Live Here,” and Mark Andy Garcia’s “Existence” were also included.

SM officials led by senior vice president for marketing Millie Dizon together with S Maison’s mall manager Grace Mindanao warmly welcomed special guests which included Metrobank Foundation president Aniceto Sobrepena, Jr. and his wife Anna, United Architects of the Philippines’ Jun Andres, and Fundacion Sanso’s curator Ricky Francisco.

In his message, Metrobank Foundation president Chito Sobrepeña said, “through this Spectrum exhibition, we challenge and inspire the Filipino youth through actual examples of millennials

MADE 2019 awardee Jayme Lucas beside her ‘Sugat ng Tahanan’ oil on canvas.

and masters who made breakthroughs in their creative crafts.”

The recent show was in line with Art MADE Public’s aim to spread awareness of Philippine art and heritage through a series of exhibits, lectures, and workshops facilitated by renowned Filipino artists, as well as architectural and heritage practitioners in select venues nationwide.

Art MADE Public 2020 will be at SM Angono in Rizal on March 19-25 and at SM Lanang Premier in Davao on April 3-10.

WTA and Anthology Festival director William Ti beside Elmer Borlongan’s ‘Record Digger.’

MADE 2019 awardee Arman Jay Arago and his acrylic on canvas ‘Ang Tanda ng Bata.’

SM senior vice president for marketing Millie Dizon and Anna Sobrepeña ready to take a plunge into Mark Justiniani’s installation art entitled ‘Hole.’

MADE 2018 awardee Raffy Napay beside his ‘I Live Here’ artwork made of thread and acrylic on recycled textile.

Life

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SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 29, 2020 manilastandardlife@gmail.com

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A tribute to Filipinos

ILIPINOS inspiring Filipinos.

Urban artist Archie Geotina’s 2,000-square foot black and white mural, “Ang Lakbay ng 105 Milyon,” puts the spotlight on Philippines’ best asset—Filipinos. The artwork, unveiled on Feb. 14, stretches across the ceiling of Salcedo Underpass along Ayala Avenue in Makati City.

The mural is a composite of the Philippines’ best sites and people, laid out like a baroque image reminiscent of the style in the Sistine Chapel. The images were curated from Geotina’s travels to heritage destinations like Kalinga, Siargao, and Lanao Del Sur. With Filipinos’ faces featured prominently in the mural, the exhibit, whose name refers to the country’s 105 million population, emphasizes that the real beauty of the Philippines is the resilience of its people.

Supplementing the mural are profiles of the country’s inspiring and noteworthy people like Jaime Rusillon, the Godfather of Philippine Surfing; Hijab

The mural ‘Ang Lakbay ng 105 Milyon’ that stretches on the ceiling of Salcedo Underpass in Makati features black and white images of everyday heroes and noteworthy Filipinos.

Artist Archie Geotina (right) joins (from left) MACEA chairman Arch. William Coscolluela, Makati Mayor Abby Binay, and Federal Land, Inc. chairman Alfred Ty at the official unveiling of his mural.

Troopers, female soldiers in the Marawi siege; Cebuano furniture designer Kenneth Cobonpue; and more.

“We hope that with this piece of art, we inspire Filipinos to appreciate the people

who are before us, behind us, and beside exhibit. us, acknowledging their contribution to Federal Land, Inc. and Makati Central society because without one another noth- Estate Association unveiled the mural to ing prospers,” said Alfred Ty, chairman the public. of Federal Land, the co-presenter of the

European treasures in Casa de Memoria’s Primero auction LHUILLIER-managed auction house Casa de Memoria offers European artwork, objets d’art, and antiquities at its first sale this year.

Of the 120 unique lots to go under the hammer on March 19 at Palacio de Memoria in Parañaque City, the curatorial team highlights 14 items offered at Primero.

An early 20th-century French impressionist art sculpture by Louis Barthelemy features a female dancer made of ivory and bronze and mounted on an onyx base.

An Italian inlaid console table, done in certosina—a Renaissance Italian style of elaborate inlay of bone, ivory, light-colored wood, metal, or other material in stylized designs against a dark background—represents a unique 19thcentury table.

Also part of the auction is an art nouveau lamp, etched in floral motifs and amber tones attributed to Émile Gallé (1846-1904), a French artist and designer who worked in glass, and is hailed as one of the major innovators in the French Art Nouveau movement. The early 20th-century lamp of crystal and glass represents his style on naturalism.

Another work by Gallé is a glass vase whose details include layers of crimson flowers on blue.

As ivory is one of the key collectibles in every Casa de Memoria auction, Primero offers a 19th-century triptych French sculpture embellished with colored stones.

Another sought-after piece is a Spanish silver hammered server with repousse motifs from the early part of the 20th century, duly marked as primera ley or Hispanic silver guarantee.

Two 20th-century distinct Murano goblets, one in amber with a swan stem and a clear with a swan base, make a

EXHIBIT

Filipiniana creations of Filipino designers on display at the Obra Mestra exhibit.

Retracing Filipiniana history A 19th-century Italian table with bone inset

unique find in the Primero selection.

“Islas Filipinas” by mapmaker Francisco Coello (1822-1898) and Antonio Morata (1806-1870) is one of historical significance. Printed and hand colored in Madrid in 1852, this map is part of a compendium of cartography “Posesiones de Oceania” of the Diccionario GeograficoEstadistico-Historico. The map is part of an edition of one of the 34 maps of Asia and the Philippines used to support the sovereignty claim against China.

With a devotion to the Infant Jesus comes a Goanese-carved Niño in 17th -century ivory. The sleeping infant, depicted in an almost classical resting style, is gilded and has traces of polychrome.

A silver salt cellar, presented in a

base of floral elements and clawed feet, shows the importance of salt as a condiment and part of what was traded in the Age of Exploration. A Blackamoor completes this piece.

Another table setting piece is an early 1900 silver-plated toothpick holder, attributed to 19th century German tableware manufacturer Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik. With a touch of whimsy, a rabbit carries the barrel as its holder.

Casa de Memoria prides itself on offering a collection of ecclesiastical art.

An oil, done in the Flemish style, is a rare miniature of Saint Joseph with the infant Jesus on tortuga shell.

Call (02) 8253-3994 or e-mail hello@ casadememoria.com for inquiries.

THE Obra Maestra exhibition, open until Feb. 29, features the evolution of the iconic Filipiniana dress from the pre-colonial era to the 1970s.

Hosted by Shangri-La Plaza, it showcases the works of Ramon Valera, Pitoy Moreno, Aureo Alonzo, Ben Farrales, R.T. Paras, and Pacita Longo, as well as pieces from bibliophile Mario Feir’s exclusive Filipiniana collection.

The exhibition is part of the Obra Maestra 2020: Homage to Heritage, con-

ceptualized and directed by fashion and arts impresario Zardo Ayangco-Austria.

It complements the official unveiling of Austria’s two landmark publications: Obra Maestra: A Portrait of Excellence in Philippine Fashion and Culture, a retrospective of vintage fashion photography, and NOBLEIDEAS… To Aspire & Inspire, a full-color magazine with almost 200 pages of inspiring work and articles from some of the country’s talented and artistic designers from various fields.

Each sketch shows the middle finger raised in protest to the so-called ‘fish from China.’

‘Fish from China’

Casa de Memoria auctions off (from left) a Neo-Gothic ivory triptych altar, a Gallé Cameo Lamp, and a Murano clear crystal goblet, among others on March 19.

STUDENT-artists take a stand on the issue of the West Philippine Sea through “Fish from China: A Study of a Perspective of a Hand,” a collection of large-scale artworks that showcase the craft of figure drawing.

The exhibit, open until March 15 at the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde, depicts the reaction of Fashion Design and Merchandising and Production Design students on the comment of the Philippine Senate President who claimed that there is nothing wrong with China fishing in the Philippines’ Exclusive Economic Zone despite the fact that the Philippines has won the arbitration case against China over the West Philippine Sea in 2016.

“With the use of charcoal, lead sticks, and a fish from China stamp printed on a board and onto the craft paper, the students protest against the Chinese government with support from the Philippine counterpart, illegally forcing the Filipino fishermen out of their own waters.”

Highlighting the sketches are the middle fingers raised to the socalled “fish from China.”

The pieces are inspired by political contemporary Chinese artist Ai Wei Wei’s “Study of Perspectives,” a series of photographs from 1995 to 2017 which shows her middle finger raised to landmarks across the world as a display of rage and protest.

Entertainment

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2020

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nickie.standard@gmail.com

SNAPSHOT

Harry Styles performs in ‘Today’ show ENGLISH singer Harry Styles performed on NBC’s Today show at Rockefeller Plaza in New York City on Wednesday (Thursday in Manila) The 26-year-old pop star performed “Kiwi,” “Watermelon Sugar, ” and more hits off his album Fine Line on the Today. Styles wore head-to-toe Gucci for his appearance, switching up his signature look by adding a wide polka-dotted tie. AFP

Deputy Speaker and Antique Rep. Loren Legarda returns for Season 8 of ‘Dayaw’ on ANC.

Loren Legarda reveals stories behind heritage sites, old centers in ‘Dayaw’

Jasper Liu and Ivy Chen in a scene from ‘More Than Blue’

Top-grossing Taiwanese film

‘More Than Blue’ now in PH

O

NE of Taiwan’s highestgrossing films, More Than Blue, is here to make you fall in love and cry your heart out.

The romantic drama is about Chang a.k.a K (Jasper Liu), a terminallyill guy and his best friend, Song a.k.a Cream (Ivy Chen). They have been friends for many years, and have been living at the same house without any romantic relations. But in reality, K has been in love with Cream since high school. Not wanting Cream to be lonely when he dies, K decides to help her find Mr. Right. But can K bear to see the love of his life happy with another man? Is this what Cream really wants?

To be happy with another man without her best friend?

More Than Blue is a remake of the 2009 South Korean film of the same title. It was first released in Taiwan in November 2018 and earned NT$32 million on the first three days.

Nine days since its release, the film passed the NT$100 million mark, breaking the box office speed record of the hit Taiwanese film Our Times, which broke the NT$100 million in 10 days. By the 11th day of release, the film already made NT$135 million and became the highest-grossing Taiwanese film of 2018.

The movie also received a warm response at the 23rd Busan International

‘More Than Blue’ is a remake of a 2009 South Korean film of the same title.

Film Festival held last October 2018.

The film’s 5,000 tickets in the festival were sold out within five minutes, and Jasper Liu and Ivy Chen won the “Face of Asia” award.

The film’s main cast, Jasper Liu and Ivy Chen are both Taiwan’s in-demand and award-wining actors. Jasper Liu, 33, started out as a model before he ventured into acting in 2011. Since then, he has become one of Taiwan’s most prominent actors. Last year, on his birthday last Aug. 12, Jasper released the full version of the theme song of More Than Blue entitled “A Kind of Sorrow” and

marked his debut as a solo singer.

Ivy Chen started her career in 2002, appearing in many commercials and music videos. In 2010, she received her first Best Actress award at the 12th Taipei Awards for her performance in the romantic comedy film Hear Me. Since then, she has received several nominations for her performances in different movies.

In More Than Blue, Jasper Liu and Ivy Chen had a perfect chemistry that made the movie more heartwarming and heartbreaking at the same time.

Catch the More Than Blue fever in SM Cinemas nationwide.

HOW was life before today’s business districts, townships, and executive villages? On the eighth season of Dayaw on ANC, the ABS-CBN News Channel, Deputy Speaker and Antique Representative Loren Legarda will look back at how our ancestors planned their urban centers and maintained a sense of order for communities.

The award-winning documentary series about Filipino culture and heritage returned with six new episodes on Feb. 27 at 8:30 p.m., with livestreaming on the ANC Facebook page.

With the theme “Doon Po Sa Amin (Built Heritage in our Old Towns), “Dayaw” Season 8 will take viewers to heritage sites and old urban centers in the Philippines that would show the community planning our ancestors did to create spaces for communities and their economic and cultural activities.

In the first episode titled “Old Manila,” Legarda will tell how our forefathers adapted to and survived the culture of the colonizers as she explains the Law of Indies. It is a plan enforced in all the colonies of Spain and which was the template in building our oldest cities.

Dayaw will also revisit the history of urban centers Binondo and Escolta, the heritage towns of Bulacan, and voice out the stories of residents in developing towns of Biñan and Pila in Laguna, and

of lovers of heritage treasures of Taal in Batangas and Sariaya in Quezon.

Finally, on the sixth episode, Dayaw will steer the discussion to Malabon and Pateros, where fluvial parades honoring their patrons are proof that great faith is borne on the waters of heritage.

Legarda stressed the importance of protecting our heritage sites as this will not only preserve our identity as a nation, but can also boost our economy.

“Our historical sites are the embodiment of our culture and values. These tangible treasures molded our nationalistic identity and defined us as Filipinos. Protecting these sites and maintaining their integrity are a continuing source of Filipino pride. The more authentic, distinctive, artistically excellent, and beautifully conserved our heritage sites are, the more internationally prestigious and economically precious they are,” she said.

Dayaw is a partnership between ANC and the National Commission on Culture and the Arts. It is a concept of Deputy Speaker and Antique Representative Loren Legarda, NCCA’s Dangal ng Haraya Patron of Arts and Culture awardee.

Get to know more about our ancestors and learn from their ways on Dayaw on ANC on cable and the ANC Facebook.

Biggest...

From C4

measures against the threat of COVID-19 during the event. Thermal scanners and alcohols will be all around the activity area to make sure that everyone will get to enjoy the event without having to fear about COVID-19.

The event is made possible by the local government of Kawit, Municipal Department of Social Welfare and Development (MSWD), and Kawit Public Information Office (Kawit PIO) and in partnership with the LGBT communities of Noveleta, Rosario and Cavite City.

The Rampa Sa Kawit! event is hosted

by ABS-CBN Star Patroller and Kawit Ambassadress Ganiel Krishnan and MOR’s DJ Jaiho.

Four entries from each municipality/city are allowed to join the street dancing competition with the Rio Festival theme. Up to P50,000 cash is up for grabs for the winners of Rampa Sa Kawit! Amazing Talent Show.

Celebrity guests Francine Garcia, JM Canillas, Mark Manicad, and Showtime’s Miss Q & A Juliana Parizcova Segovia will be the judges for the competition.

Organizers ensure the public that they would be taking all the necessary

Us Again...

From C4 In the movie, Jane is Margie, a 28-year-old unfulfilled medical technician. She tries to rebuild her life each day as cautious and as indifferent as possible, to avoid getting derailed again and go through another heartbreak. She once dreamt of becoming a doctor, but wrong choices and impulsive decisions sent all

her hopes to the drain.

Meanwhile, Mike (RK), a graphic artist from the States, returns and wants to make amends with Margie.

Five years ago, Mike and Margie started an affair, something they thought was perfect and true. Yet, shortly after, they realize what a mistake it was, and both of them suffered consequences. Now, Margie does not know why Mike would want to reconcile, or why he had to return, to begin with.

Us Again is now showing nationwide.

Fun never stops in ‘Wowowin’ WELL-LOVED Kapuso TV host Willie Revillame proudly announced that the country’s top-rating variety program Wowowin is extending the fun, suspense, and excitement until Saturdays via Wowowin Primetime.

The show has now more prizes to offer and will continue to bring bigger smiles and a deeper sense of hope to Pinoy households.

During the co-production contract signing last Jan. 20, Willie expressed his gratitude to the network and the people who never fail to support him as he continues his lifetime commitment in helping the less fortunate Filipinos.

“Dito [sa GMA] part ka ng pamilya, dito nayakap ka. Dito nararamdaman mo yung concern at nagkakaisa lahat kaya

ang sarap ng feeling. Lahat pag nakakasalubong mo, binabati ka. Ito talaga yung pangalawang pamilya ko,” he said.

He continued, “Anim na araw na pong magpapasaya ang Wowowin. Anim na araw na pong magbibigay ng saya, pag-asa, ligaya, at pinaka-importante, yung pagmamahal natin sa ating kapwa. Everyday po yan.”

Meanwhile, GMA Network Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Atty. Felipe L. Gozon is delighted that Willie remains a loyal Kapuso, “He is our Kapuso at talagang pagdating sa hosting, na-develop na ni Willie ang kanyang galing at siya›y tinatangkilik ng mga audience. Yun ang sikreto niya eh. Nagkaroon nga ng additional na every Saturday. We’re expecting him to

continue with more success.”

The program’s widely-followed The Will To Win segment will also make a comeback on Wowowin Primetime. In the realitytalent competition, people from different walks of life, without age limit, will be presenting their extraordinary talents onstage.

Contestants may have the chance to win two million worth of cash prizes, a brand new car, and a house and lot.

“Lahat ng mga may talents na gustong sumali, ito na yung venue, ito na yung entablado para sa inyo. Wowowin na po ang kasalo ninyo sa inyong hapagkainan kasama ang inyong mga mahal sa buhay. Kasama ninyo kami tuwing Sabado,” he related.

Present during the contract signing were

GMA Network Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Atty. Felipe L. Gozon; President and Chief Operating Officer Gilberto R. Duavit, Jr.; Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Felipe S. Yalong; First Vice President for Program Management Jose Mari Abacan; Vice President for Corporate Affairs and Communications Angela Javier Cruz; Assistant Vice President for Program Management Mitzi Garcia; together with WBR Entertainment’s Atty. Alfonso G. Reyno III, General Counsel Atty. Ferdinand A. Domingo, Financial Consultant Rodolfo B. Reyno, Jr.; and Wowowin’s newest director Gab Valenciano.

Don’t miss Wowowin, Monday to Friday, 5:00 p.m. and Wowowin Primetime every Saturday, 7:00 p.m. on GMA-7.

‘Wowowin’ host Willie Revillame

Entertainment

Nickie Wang, Editor nickie.standard@gmail.com

C4

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 29, 2020

From left: Director Joy Aquino with ‘Us Again’ cast members Miko Gallardo, Sarah Edwards, Jane Oineza, RK Bagatsing, and Jin Macapagal

attended by celebrities like Janella Salvador, Enzo Pineda, Michelle Vito, Jimuel Pacquiao, Ritz Azul, Ria Atayde, Marija Debelic, BidaMan members, and boy group JBK, to name a few.

The post-Valentine flick tackles the “value savoring the moment, taking risks, and giving oneself a second chance to be happy again.”

KAWIT Mayor Angelo Emilio Aguinaldo upholds “love with no boundaries” through the biggest Pride March in Cavite called Rampa sa Kawit! Rampa na! today at the Liwasang Aguinaldo Freedom Park.

Mayor Aguinaldo, the great grandson of the former president Emilio Aguinaldo, believes that it is his duty to create a space in which everyone is welcome, accepted, embraced and supported for who they are. Thus, he initiated a series of activities not just for the LGBTQIA++ community in Kawit but the whole 1st District of Cavite.

There will be two major events set. First is the Rampa sa Kawit Street Dancing Competition and Rampa sa Kawit Amazing Talent Show. Both competitions will be open to members of the LGBTQIA++ communities in Kawit, Rosario, Noveleta, and Cavite City. Prizes up to P75,000 await the participants who will showcase unique and creative performance, confidence, amazing costume and props and overall impact to the Street Dancers.

Continued on C3

Continued on C3

‘Us Again’ holds successful premiere JOY AQUINO’S Us Again, Regal Entertainment latest slasher, had a star-studded premiere at SM Megamall Cinema on Monday night.

Lead stars Jane Oineza and RK Bagatsing delighted fans as they graced the red carpet in matching outfits.

The pair joined the romantic drama’s other cast members Jin Macapagal, Miko Gallardo, and Sarah Edwards at the glitzy premiere

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Biggest pride march today in Kawit

Mayor Angelo Emilio Aguinaldo , Kawit, Cavite

Showbiz and gentlemen T WAS a special event for Beautéderm on Tuesday as it introduced actors Arjo Atayde and Carlo Aquino giving their seal of approval to a set of new products developed and created especially for men.

Apart from the usual questions about the patented line, Arjo and Carlo were asked about their personal romantic affairs including their plans to settle down with their respective partners. Arjo has a high profile relationship with Maine Mendoza while Carlo keeps a private affair with his non-showbiz girlfriend.

“It’s my love story,” was Arjo’s quick and sweet response.

“I’m 34, I’m not getting any younger,” was Carlo’s short yet meaningful response.

While both actors were repeatedly asked if they’re ready to tie the knot or if they’re still have other plans before deciding to walk down the aisle, Arjo and Carlo kept their cool and behaved like true gentlemen.

“Part of our mission as a brand is to have ambassadors who can really represent the company well. Arjo and Carlo endorse our products as if their names are on the line. Their personality and image complement our products really well,” Rhea Anicoche-Tan, president and CEO of Beautéderm Corporation, told Manila Standard in an interview.

Carlo was united with his fellow male Beautéderm ambassador Arjo in the official mainstream launch of the brand’s newest line of products collectively called Spruce & Dash. The products under Spruce & Dash men’s line are all FDA Notified and it consists of five essential products that men need and must have for their daily grooming.

The unprecedented success of Beautéderm’s products in the market, all of which are consistent recipients of the Superbrands award, spawned the creative idea of the Spruce & Dash men’s line which was conceptualized by its president and CEO. Tan coined the collection’s name based on their basic definitions with spruce being “neat in dress or appearance” and dash being “impetuous with flamboyant vigor and confidence.”

Spruce & Dash includes Beau Charcoal Soap; Hugh Shaving Cream; Brawn Anti-perspirant White Spray for both foot and underarms; Charcoal Charmer Detoxifying Peel-off Mask; and Lad Hair Pomade.

Carlo, being one of today’s busiest and most sought-after, award-winning young dramatic actors who is currently part of the ensemble cast of ABS-CBN primetime series A Soldier’s Heart as Abraham “Abe” Kamlun, reveals that it is absolutely vital to take care of his skin and personal hygiene especially with his very hectic schedule.

“I face a lot of people every day at work and it’s important for me not only to look good but to feel good as well,” said Carlo.

Meanwhile, After a delivering powerhouse performance on ABS-CBN’s primetime actiondrama series The General’s Daughter last year where he seamless breathed life to the role of Elai and his current breathtaking role on the limited mini-series 24/7, which recently piloted on ABS-CBN, Arjo is widely considered as one of the most versatile and best dramatic actors of the industry today.

Arjo’s talent as an actor coupled with his dashing good look makes him a force of nature to be reckoned with in the Philippine Entertainment Industry and he proudly credits Beautéderm’s Spruce & Dash collection for his youthful glow.

“I a huge fan of Spruce & Dash’s Beau Charcoal Soap as it keeps me fresh and smelling good after a long day of work,” Arjo shared.

Tan further explained that Beautéderm’s Spruce & Dash collection is part of the company’s on-going aggressive efforts to develop and expand its products to further service the needs and demands of their loyal users not only the Philippines but around the world as well.

Calro Aquino (right) and Arjo Atayde with Beautederm president and CEO Rhea Anicoche-Tan (inset)

“Beautéderm is celebrating so many milestones.

We recently celebrated our 10th anniversary, our family which includes brand ambassadors, resellers, distributors, and users is growing stronger, and we hit our 100 physical store mark which we set last year,” said Tan. “Spruce & Dash is another innovation that I am proud to have conceptualized and developed with the help of my fabulous team. Isn’t it nice to encounter and see a man who takes care of himself? A man who is always fresh and smells good?

Spruce & Dash is now here to make every man well-groomed and dashing,» Tan added.

For more information of Beautéderm’s Spruce & Dash collection and exciting updates on the brand and its ambassadors, follow @beautédermcorporation on Instagram, like Beautéderm on Facebook, and subscribe to Beautéderm on YouTube.