Manila Standard - 2019 February 13 - Wednesday

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Arroyo goes all out for Hugpong

By Maricel V. Cruz, Macon Ramos-Araneta and Joel E.Zurbano

VOL. XXXIII • NO. 3 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P18 • WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2019 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

SPEAKER Gloria Macapagal Arroyo on Tuesday declared her full support for the Hugpong ng Pagbabago senatorial slate of Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte.

“All out, all out,” Arroyo told reporters when asked her commitment to the

HNP candidates following Tuesday’s campaign kickoff in her vote-rich home province of Pampanga.

The HNP candidates are reelectionist Senators Juan Edgardo Angara, Cynthia Villar, JV Ejercito and Aquilino Pimentel III; former Senators Pia Cayetano and Bong Revilla; Ilocos Norte Gov. Imee Marcos; Maguindanao Rep. Zajid Next page

Poll hotspots expand to 94 ‘RED’ ELECTION HOTSPOTS BY REGION: ARMM (27) Bicol (19) Calabarzon (7) Western Mindanao (7) Mimaropa (6) Western Visayas (6) Northern Mindanao (5) Socsksargen (4) Cordillera (4) Eastern Visayas (3) Central Luzon (2) Davao Region (2) Caraga (1) Cagayan Valley (1)

HOTSPOTS IN METRO MANILA: Manila Caloocan Malabon Mandaluyong Pasay

PNP warns of political rivalries heating up as campaign starts

By Francisco Tuyay, Joel E. Zurbano, Nat Mariano and Vito Barcelo

T

HE Philippine National Police on Tuesday identified 75 more areas in its list of election hotspots, bringing to 94 the number of places deemed critical during the May elections this year.

In a briefing in Camp Crame, PNP Chief Oscar Albayalde said the dramatic increase in election hotspots reflected the intense political rivalries in these areas.

Of the 94 hotspots, Cotabato City and Daraga, Albay were placed under the control of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) as the PNP evaluates what other places might be put in the same category.

The Comelec may place an area under its control when there is intense

political rivalry between or among candidates, political factions or parties; or paramilitary forces, private armies or identifiable armed bands threaten to disrupt the holding of free, peaceful, honest, orderly and credible elections.

The Comelec uses three categories of hotspots―yellow means an area of concern; orange an area of immediate concern; and red, an area of grave concern.

Not all red hotspots will be under the Comelec control.

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Measles outbreak: Sara, Risa join the fray

By Macon R. Araneta A WORD war broke out Tuesday between opposition Senator Risa Hontiveros and presidential daughter and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte, who called on the lawmaker to resign for demanding the that Public Attorney’s Office chief Persida Acosta step down for

undermining public confidence in the government immunization program.

“It is saddening that Mayor Sara can call for my resignation but not of those who have condoned the killing of tens of thousands, those who have eroded public trust in the government’s vaccination program, those who have plundered

the nation’s coffers, those who have surrendered our sovereignty in the West Philippine Sea and those who have collaborated with the Marcoses in revising history,” Hontiveros said.

“What’s keeping Mayor Sara from going after these people who are the real dangers to our nation and society?” she asked. Next page

FLOWERS APLENTY. In the run up to Valentine’s Day, vendors of different petals get very busy at the now known Dangwa Dimasalang Road in Manila’s Sampaloc district—for men and women who believe in gifting loved ones with bright colored fronds and petioles. Norman Cruz

Court tags Joma Sison party to terror case

By Rey E. Requejo THE Department of Justice has gained headway in its bid to pursue terrorism cases against officials and members of the Communist Party of the Philippines and the New People’s Army.

This came after the Manila Regional Trial Court, Branch 19, declared CPP founding chairman

Jose Maria Sison as a party to the government’s proscription case that seeks to declare the CPP and NPA as terrorist organizations, after earlier declaring more than 600 other names submitted by the DOJ as non-parties.

“With respect to Jose Maria Sison, his stature as the head of the CPP, as well as the fact that he is currently, and for some time, resid-

ing at an undisclosed address in the Netherlands, is information which is public knowledge and therefore, can be taken judicial notice of, by this court,” Judge Marlo MagdozaMalagar, said a ruling dated Feb. 1, but released Tuesday.

The court also declared another respondent named in the DOJ petition, Mindanao Commission Secretary

RUNWAY SHOW.

Miss Philippines Catriona Gray, crowned Miss Universe 2018, attends Tuesday the Bibhu Mohapatra fall 2019 runway show during the New York Fashion Week at the Spring Studios Gallery at St. Johns Lane in New York City. AFP

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Chinese student indicted over ‘taho’ incident

By Rey E. Requejo

KICK-OFF RITES. Leyte 1st District Rep. And Tingog party-list 1st nominee Yedda Marie Romualdez (right) leads the boodle fight lunch with more than 600 poor residents of Yolanda housing relocation sites at Barangay North Hill Arbor in Tacloban City during the kickoff ceremony of the party-list’s campaign in Eastern Visayas. Ver Noveno

THE Department of Justice has indicted in court the Chinese woman who threw a cup of taho or soybean dessert at a police officer in a Metro Rail Transit 3 station last Saturday The DOJ, through investigating Senior Assistant City Prosecutor Leynard Dumlao, found probable cause to hold Jiale Zhang criminally liable for direct assault following the inquest proceedings on charges filed by Police Officer 1 William Cristobal last Sunday.

“Respondent’s act is an abrasive affront against an officer in uniform representing a national institution,” read the inquest resolution approved by Next page

Cimatu chides 178 mayors for esteros neglect ENVIRONMENT Secretary Roy Cimatu on Tuesday urged mayors to contribute to the rehabilitation of Manila Bay by cleaning up their rivers and esteros.

“Cleanup may take one to three years, but relocation will take political will,” Cimatu said.

There are at least 220,000 squatters along the canals leading to Manila Bay, but only about 10,000 of them could be relocated in a year, Cimatu said.

He said the 178 mayors of the cities and municipalities surrounding Manila Bay must do their share in the bay’s rehabilitation.

“We have to clean all 47 esteros and all the rivers that contribute to the pollution of Manila Bay. Nobody should be left alone, we will one by one ask them [to help],” he said.

During last Monday’s Local Executives’ Forum on the Manila Bay Cleanup, Rehabilitation and Preservation Program, Cimatu reminded local officials to implement environmental laws and clear the waterways of squatters.

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News

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WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2019 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

‘Name change requires Cha-Cha’

He made his statement after President Rodrigo Duterte considered renaming the Philippines Maharlika.

Senator Panfilo Lacson on Tuesday said he may have to agree with Duterte on the possibility of changing the Philippines’ name.

He noted that the Philippines would always remind Filipinos of the Spanish colonizers who ruled the country for three centuries.

“While the colonization brought out the best in our ancestors and taught us their

values and heroism, those 300 years also influenced our culture and attitude as a people and which we cannot claim as originally our own,” Lacson said.

In his speech in Maguindanao on Monday night, Duterte backed the late strongman Ferdinand Marcos’ plan to rename the country.

“Actually, Marcos was right. During his time, he was really right. He wanted to change the name to Maharlika [and call it] the Republic of Maharlika because Maharlika is a Malay word and it means more of a concept of serenity and peace,” Duterte said.

“But it’s okay. When the time comes, let’s change the name.”

Sought for a comment, Panelo said Duterte does not resent Spain’s 333-year colonial rule, adding Duterte was merely asserting the Filipinos’ national identity.

“He said it [Maharlika] is a Malay word. Since we are Malays, we should have a name identified with us. I agree with him, I like the idea of Maharlika as a name for the Philippines,” Panelo said.

He explained the two contradicting views about the supposed proposal to change the country’s name.

“One, as one of my staff lawyers pointed out, the ‘Philippines’ is mentioned in the Constitution. So if you issued an executive order or passed a legislation renaming it, some constitutional expert might say, ‘You cannot amend that, it’s in the Constitution’,” he said.

The other argument, according to Panelo, is an instance where the name ‘Philippines’ was just established for the time being.

“It could be that it’s mentioned in the Constitution that there’s a law saying, ‘Let it be the Philippines first’,” he added.

Asked if Charter Change would pave the way to renaming the country, Panelo, the President’s chief legal counsel, said: “Yeah, maybe.”

“The Constitution provides that Congress may enact a law that can change the name of the country and submit it to the people for a referendum,” he said, stressing that a mere executive order would not be effective.

“It’s more on the congressional act, I think. It would be better if it’s constitutional, so there would be no question,” he added.

Asked if the President would “actively push” for his idea, Panelo said: “The President’s style is he floats an idea, then somebody gets it.”

In June 2017, Magdalo Party-list Rep. Gary Alejano filed a bill seeking to create a Geographic Renaming Commission to come up with a new name for the Philippines.

House Bill 5867, An Act Constituting a Geographic Renaming Commission to Rename Our Country, aims “to conduct a comprehensive study for an appropriate name that we shall call our nation.”

Under Alejano’s bill, the proposed commission would have representatives from the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, National Historical Commission of the Philippines and the Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino.

The supposed commission would then be given a year to complete its work and a proposed budget of P30 million from the yearly national budget.

Panelo, however, said it would be more effective if the initiative was directly done through an amendment of the Constitution, rather than a commission.

Arroyo...

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Poll hotspots...

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tion hotspots, Albayalde said they will be compelled to realign police personnel to ensure peace and order during the campaign period and the election itself.

In Metro Manila, five areas were tagged as election areas of concern in the cities of Mandaluyong, Manila, Caloocan, Malabon and Pasay.

More than 14,000 police personnel will be deployed in Metro Manila to secure the campaign of senatorial candidates and party-list groups.

“As the campaign starts, the next three months are going to be critical. Top candidates will be active in all areas of Metro Manila as they start wooing the residents/ voters,” National Capital Region Police Office head, Director Guillermo Eleazar said in a statement Tuesday.

Eleazar said the start of the campaign period also triggered strict additional rules set by the Comelec.

“For the campaign period for local candidates, prohibited acts include appointment or hiring of new employees, creation of new positions, salary increases, and release or disbursement of public funds, among others,” Eleazar said. “[These] restrictions are in addition to certain acts already prohibited during the election period which include the gun ban and use of security personnel or bodyguards by those seeking positions unless authorized by the poll body,” he added.

The gun ban is in effect from Jan. 13 to June 12.

“We will also increase the frequency of checkpoints in the metropolis to help deter criminal minds in executing their evil designs. I have strict orders to our commanders in the field to observe proper procedures and professionalism when conducting the checkpoints,” Eleazar said.

He said the public may report discour-

teous and abusive police personnel to the nearest police station or at the NCRPO. Eleazar ordered his men to be fair and just in handling cases of political candidates.

“Maintain a non-partisan position in handling political cases. Be fair and just, and always side with what is right,” Eleazar said.

The Palace urged candidates and members of his Cabinet to follow election laws and help ensure peaceful elections. Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said no government resources would be used to favor administration candidates.

Earlier, President Rodrigo Duterte said he hoped to reduce the election-related violence to the “barest minimum.”

Earlier this year, police were looking into the deaths of San Fernando, Cebu Mayor Lakimbini Reluya and Brgy.

Bagong Silangan captain Crisell Beltran.

The Comelec, meanwhile, warned candidates they could be disqualified if they violate campaign rules.

Poll spokesperson James Jimenez said the Comelec has already sent guidelines to all candidates and party-list groups.

Under the election rules, posters of candidate should only be two feet by three feet. Posters should only be posted in common areas such as parks and public markets.

Jimenez observed many political campaign materials are too big.

Posters may be put up in private property but this must have the permission of the owner and the required size of the materials will also have to be observed, he said.

Jimenez said that the poll body would be more strict this time against candidates who will continue to violate campaign rules, and vowed that there will be no exemptions. With PNA

By Nat Mariano and Macon Ramos-Araneta

I

T IS merely an idea, but the proposal to change the name of the Philippines to “Maharlika” is “interesting” enough to initiate a constitutional amendment, Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said Tuesday.

Mangudadatu, former political adviser Francisco Tolentino, former national police chief Ramon dela Rosa, former Special Assistant to the President Christopher Go; and former journalist Jiggy Manicad.

While President Rodrigo Duterte supports the HNP candidates, he has also endorsed singer Freddie Aguilar and former Senator Jinggoy Estrada.

His party, the The ruling Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan fielded Dela Rosa, Go, Mangudadatu, Pimentel and Tolentino.

Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said the President would not approach religious groups or leaders to endorse his senatorial bets.

“It’s not his style,” Panelo said, even though Duterte was supported by the influential Iglesia Ni Cristo when he ran for president in 2016.

Last month, Duterte and his favored senatorial aspirant, Go, paid a courtesy call on INC leader Eduardo Manalo.

In Pampanga, Arroyo thanked Mayor Duterte for launching the campaign there, and recalled that her province brought in the second largest number of votes for her father, who was running for president in 2016.

“We hope we can duplicate that,” she said.

Mayor Duterte, playing the role of power broker, pushed Arroyo to take the speakership following a tiff with then Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez of Davao del Norte.

Arroyo said she herself would not run for office again and would retire from politics to write her memoirs.

Over 60 senatorial bets―including seven reelectionists and six former senators―began wooing voters as the official campaign period for national candidates kicked off Tuesday.

The senators seeking a second term of office are Senators Grace Poe, Juan Edgardo Angara, Nancy Binay, Pimentel, Ejercito and Paolo Benigno Aquino IV. The former senators are Cayetano, Lito Lapid, Estrada, Revilla, Juan Ponce Enrile and Sergio Osmeña.

Cayetano, a health advocate, reminded Filipino mothers of the importance of having their children properly vaccinated, in light of the recent outbreak of measles in several parts of the country.

“This is a serious matter. The mandatory immunization was one of my concerns when I entered the Senate,” Cayetano said, referring to the Mandatory Infants and Children Immunization Act (Republic Act 10152), which she principally authored and sponsored.

She lamented the decline in people’s confidence in vaccines.

The Otso Derecho opposition slate started its campaign in Caloocan City.

Their lineup includes Aquino, former Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas, Magdalo Rep. Gary Alejano, human rights lawyer Chel Diokno, civic leader Samira Gutoc, former Solicitor General Florin Hilbay, election lawyer Romulo Macalintal, and former Deputy Speaker Erin Tañada.

Roxas, however, was a no-show in the first day of the campaign, however, because of another event in his bailiwick in Roxas City, Capiz. Other members of the team, however, played down his absence.

Senator Francis Pangilinan, the Otso Derecho campaign manager, guaranteed Roxas would attend their official campaign kickoff and proclamation rally in Naga City, Camarines Sur on Feb. 13.

Chinese student...

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City Prosecutor Bernabe Augustus Solis.

The prosecutor stressed that the respondent’s act of throwing taho to the policeman was “serious in character as to indicate respondent’s determination to defy the law and its representative at all hazards,” calling it “deliberate and serious defiance.”

“It is offensive both by legal and moral norm considering that there was no provocation on the part of the police officer,” the resolution stated.

But the prosecutor’s office dismissed the complaint for disobedience because it is considered “necessary consequence of the assault as well as the unjust vexation,

The most number of critical areas were in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) with 27; followed

by Bicol region with 19; Region 4A and Region-9 both with seven; Region 4B and Region-10 with six areas each; Region 10 with five; Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) and Region-12 with four each; Region 8 with three; Region 3 and Region-11, both with two areas and Region 2 and Region 13 with one each.

Earlier, the PNP identified 19 hotspots consisting of Sudipen and Balwan towns in La Union; Jones in Isabela; the municipality of Lemery in Batangas; Roxas town in Oriental Mindoro; Balud and Dimasalang towns in Masbate and Daraga in Albay.

It also included Pagadian City and Cagayan de Oro City in the provinces of Zamboanga del Sur and Misamis Oriental, respectively; and the municipalities of Hadji Mohammad Ajul, Lantawan and Tipi-Tipo in Basilan.

Also included was the town of Sultan Dumalondong, Basilan; and five municipalities in Maguindanao―Masasapano, Shariff Aguak, Shariff Saydona, Mustapha and Datu Unsay.

Aside from the 94 identified critical areas, the PNP has also categorized 382 election areas of immediate concern with Bicol region in the highest order with 49; followed by Caraga region with 39; Western Visayas, 35; Eastern Visayas, 32; Calabarzon with 28; ARMM, 26; Zamboanga Peninsula, 22; Ilocos Region with 24; Soccksargen, 20; Northern Mindanao with 19; Cagayan Valley and CAR having 15 each; Mimaropa, 16; and Central Luzon, 11.

With the increase in the number of elec-

Measles...

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Taking the cudgels for Acosta, the mayor also said Hontiveros should provide solutions to help curb the measles outbreak and not merely criticize.

But Hontiveros maintained that calling for Acosta’s resignation is part of the solution.

“Acosta’s resignation would remove the pseudo-science, fear-mongering and lies that hijacked the Dengvaxia discourse,” she said.

Then she turned the guns on the mayor.

“Every time she attacks me, she validates my work and vindicates my positions on important issues,” Hontiveros said. “Every insult from the mayor is a reading on the barometer I can use, second to none, to confirm how effective my office is in advancing democratic interests and goals.”

“The last time the mayor had something to say about me, she ridiculed me for opposing the lowering of the minimum age of criminal responsibilitym even kindly ‘advising’ me to walk the streets to ‘know the reality on the ground.’ Excuse me, I started my work life as a community organizer among farmers and fisherfolk 30 years ago in Rizal Province,” Hontiveros said.

“And unfortunately for the good mayor, the recent Social Weather Stations survey showed that the majority of Filipinos oppose the lowering of the MACR. How’s that for a reality check? Pardon my French, but I’m not the one with my head in my ass,” she added.

Health officials in Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon held an emergency meeting to address the rapid rise in measles cases in the region, as the number of infections rose to 70.

which was deemed absorbed in direct assault.”

If found guilty by court of direct assault, the Chinese fashion student could be imprisoned for a period of at least four years and two months and told to pay a fine of P1,000 under Article 148 of the Revised Penal Code.

Records showed that Zhang was entering the MRT Boni Station in Mandaluyong at around 8:30 a.m. last Saturday when she was stopped by security personnel because of the taho she was carrying.

The policeman told the fashion student to consume the dessert first before she could enter the MRT platform because of the strict implementation of no-liquid policy in the mass transit system.

PH drug war inspires Sri Lanka COLOMBO — Sri Lanka has started advertising for hangmen, after the president vowed to resume executions for the first time in four decades as part of a hardline anti-drugs crackdown inspired by the Philippines.

Candidates must have “mental strength” and “excellent moral character”, according to job ads placed by prison authorities to fill long-vacant positions.

There are two vacancies, and only Sri Lankan men aged between 18 and 45 need apply.

Sri Lanka has not hanged any convicts since a moratorium on capital punishment was imposed in 1976, but President Maithripala Sirisena last week announced plans to resume hangings within two months.

Sirisena told parliament he was committed to bringing back the death penalty for drug offenders, after vowing a tougher line on spiralling narcotics-related crime, modelled on a crackdown in the Philippines.

Following a visit to the Philippines last month, Sirisena said he wanted to copy

President Rodrigo Duterte’s controversial strongarm tactics in dealing with illegal drugs.

Criminals in Sri Lanka are regularly given death sentences for murder, rape and drug-related crimes but until now their punishments have been routinely commuted to life in jail.

An executioner was in post at the main prison in Colombo until his retirement in 2014, but attempts to replace him failed.

Three recruits had quit within weeks with no work to do.

“Selected candidates will be referred to a test conducted at the National Hospital to check the mental strength,” according to the advertisement.

The chosen candidates will be offered a maximum salary of 36,410 rupees ($208) a month and will be eligible for a state pension.

The justice ministry has said that it had completed administrative procedures for the execution of five drug convicts.

However, President Sirisena is yet to sign a death warrant of a condemned prisoner. AFP

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ruling was an affirmation of the government’s position against the leaders of CPP-NPA. “This is a positive development in our proscription case against CPP-NPA. Now the CPP-NPA has a judicially declared physical representation in the persons of Sison and Cabanatan,” Guevarra said in an interview.

Guevarra also sees no problem with the publication of summons against Sison, who is in exile in the Netherlands.

“The order to publish the petition is a standard procedural requirement whenever service of summons in person is not feasible or practical,” he said.

Guevarra reiterated that the exclusion of the six other personalities named in the government’s petition is not exactly as setback.

The DOJ initially named 649 names in its proscription petition.

But the RTC earlier declared many of them, including former Bayan Muna Rep. Satur Ocampo, National Democratic Front of the Philippines peace consultant Rafael Baylosis, United National special rapporteur on rights of indigenous peoples Victoria Lucia Tauli-Corpus and former Asia representative to the UN Expert Mechanism Jose Melencio Molintas as non-parties in the case due to failure of DOJ to establish their actual links to the communist groups. With PNA

Antonio Cabanatan, as another party in the case after his links to the CPP-NPA were established.

The RTC cited an affidavit by a certain Numeriano Beringuel in 2006 that names Cabanatan as “a member of the Central Committee of the CPP/NPA.” The court then ordered the DOJ to serve the summons on Sison and Cabanatan by publication to require them to answer the petition.

The court did not find any established links to the communist groups of the six other individuals named in the amended DOJ petition―Jorge Madlos of the NPA National Operations Command; Jaime Padilla, a supposed leader of the Melito Glor Command; Francisco Fernandez, an alleged secretary of the Negros Region Committee; Cleofe Lagtapon, a Southeast Front head of the same committee; Leonido Nabong, head of the Western Mindanao Regional Party Military Commission; and Myrna Sularte, secretary of the Northeastern Mindanao Regional Committee—and declared them as non-parties.

Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra welcomed the development, saying the court’s

Palace, Enrile on Tita Midz death: Big loss

By Nat Mariano SINGER, actress, entertainer and film producer Armida Siguion-Reyna will be missed by Filipinos, Malacañang said Tuesday following her death on Monday at the age of 88.

“The entertainment world has lost one of its pillars and the Palace expresses its condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of Armida Siguion-Reyna,” Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo told reporters.

Former Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile mourned the passing of his halfsister who succumbed to cancer.

“My entire family, my sisters and brothers, my nephews and nieces, their children and husbands and grandchildren are all sad in announcing to the Filipino nation that my sister, who has served the country in her capacity as an entertainer and a singer, has passed away,” Enrile said.

“She is a big loss to us.”

Panelo said Siguion-Reyna, who headed the Movie and Television Review Classification Board during the Estrada administration, “immensely contributed” to the music, television and film industries.

“Her voice, whether singing kundimans or advocating free expression, will be missed by many of us, so we pray for the eternal repose of her soul and may perpetual light shine upon her,” Panelo said.

He recalled Siguion-Reyna’s works such as Anak Dalita and Dahil Sa’yo.

He also admired Siguion-Reyna’s pluck.

“If you look at her biography, specifically that biographical book, fear was not in her vocabulary,” Panelo said.

“If you have witnessed how this woman faced her detractors as well as her critics, immediately you will know that this woman was one who had an independent mind and was a principled citizen.” With Macon Ramos-Araneta

Lacson mum on senators’ pork insertions

By Macon Ramos-Araneta SENATOR Panfilo Lacson says some of his colleagues are unhappy with his allegation that the P3.8-trillion national budget for 2019 is tainted “pork” through the insertions made by some senators and congressmen.

Lacson said he was fully aware that many of his colleagues in the Senate felt bad after his expose on the P23-billion insertions in Public Works’ budget alone.

He said at least two senators had over P3 billion in allocations for their respective districts.

Lacson said he will stand his ground on his exposé, but he continues to refuse to reveal the identities of the senators who made insertions that could amount to pork barrel earlier declared “illegal” by the Supreme Court.

“I can’t do anything if they feel that way. What I know is that what I did was right,” Lacson said.

He was among the five senators who voted against the budget in the Senate.

But before the Senate voted on the budget last Friday, Lacson detailed in a privilege speech how the P75-billion “pork” was supposedly shared by congressmen and some senators.

“We are 24 republics in the Senate. That’s life. If we just allow everybody to do what they want so that they in turn will leave me alone, than what will happen to the budget?

Then it will be more of the same.”

Meanwhile, JV Ejercito has described the P3.757-trillion 2019 national budget as a “pro-health” budget that would buttress the government’s health programs.

Ejercito, author and principal sponsor of the Universal Health Care measure, issued his description following the legislature’s ratification of the 2019 General Appropriations Act measure Friday night.

“I consider this budget as a ‘pro-health’ budget because it carries the funds for the Health Facilities Enhancement Program, or HFEP, and Human Resource for Health Development [HRHD], both under the budget of the DOH [Department of Health],” he said in a statement.

Cimatu...

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He urged the local governments to identify the sources of water pollution in their areas and do something about it.

“Once we clean the esteros and rivers, garbage will not go out to Manila Bay. We’ll make it a point that the water that reaches Manila Bay is clean,” he said.

“Even if it takes us one, two or three years to clean these rivers, we have to do it.”

Cimatu cited Tullahan River, the longest river that drains into Manila Bay, and Vitas in Tondo, Manila.

The Pasig and Parañaque rivers must also be cleaned, Cimatu said, adding garbage is one of the culprits in the pollution of the esteros and rivers.

He appealed to the local executives to ensure that their garbage collection contractors comply with conditions in their contracts, including adherence to environmental laws.

News State witness in Ick-joo slay ordered released

By Rey E. Requejo A PAMPANGA regional trial court has ordered the release of the state witness in the kidnapping and killing of South Korean businessman Jee Ick-joo in October 2016 from the custody of the Philippine National Police.

In a two-page order dated January 30, the Angeles City Regional Trial Court, Branch 56, granted the motion seeking the release of Senior Police Officer 4 Roy Villegas from restrictive custody of the PNP Anti-Kidnapping Group.

“After considering the respective arguments of the parties, the Court resolves to grant the motions of witness Villegas.

Based on the proceedings held in these cases, it appears that witness Villegas already finished his testimony and it can be concluded that he already fulfilled his duty as a state witness,” stated the order issued by Judge Irin Zenaida Buan.

Two of the three accused in the kidnapping for ransom with homicide case—Senior Police Officer 2 Ricky Sta. Isabel and Jerry Umlang—opposed the motion of Villegas, citing the petition they filed before the Court of Appeals involving the case.

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Shabu seized inside mufflers at NAIA

By Vito Barcelo and Joel E. Zurbano

O

PERATIVES from the Bureau of Customs and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency seized more than P90 million worth of shabu shipment found inside three mufflers at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

In a statement, the BOC said the illegal drug shipment weighed 13.1 kilograms and came from West Covina, California, USA, which were declared as car parts.

Customs examiners inspected the shipment after the X-Ray division

found suspicious objects inside the muff lers, prompting government authorities to open the package where they discovered the illegal drugs.

Customs officials said that the shipment was declared as three muff lers valued at US$500 or P25,000.

Inside the muff lers were 26 packages of shabu, which arrived last month at the DHL Warehouse under airway bill no. 4223900144.

The PDEA will conduct an investigation to find its owner and file appropriate charges against them.

“T his recent apprehension clearly man ifests the u nwaver i ng com m it ment of the BOC to g uard the cou nt r y’s border agai nst attempts to smuggle i n d angerous d r ugs and other ant i-social goods, i n addit ion to its revenue collect ion effor ts,” the BOC said i n a st atement.

The Customs bureau assured the public that its officers are proactive,

diligent and committed in protecting the Philippine borders, especially illegal drugs and firearms.

To date, a total of 30 drug busts were recorded in the port in the past 10 months with an estimated street value of P363,774,292.76.

Late last year, P15.4 million worth of shabu and marijuana smuggled at the Central Mail Exchange Center and a bonded warehouse were also intercepted by NAIA Customs agents.

The illegal drugs from Thailand, USA, Africa, and Pakistan were hidden in foot and calf massager, religious frame, letter, boxing gloves and baseball jersey, and clothes.

IN BRIEF Kennon opened to light vehicles for ‘Panagbenga’ THE Department of Public Works and Highways on Tuesday announced that Kennon Road will be temporarily opened to light vehicles from Feb. 14 to 18, and from Feb. 22 to March 4, 2019 to cater to the motorists going up Baguio City for the Philippine Military Academy Alumni Homecoming and Panagbenga Festival.

Public Works Secretary Mark Villar said that only light vehicles with maximum weight of five tons would be allowed to use the Kennon Road to reduce the volume of vehicles plying Marcos Highway for the upcoming Baguio events.

“The DPWH-CAR and other members of Kennon Road Task Force have agreed to open Kennon Road just for motorists going to Baguio. Those leaving Baguio can then utilize Marcos Highway, Naguilian Road or the Asin-Nangalisan-San PascualTubao Road,” Villar said. Vito Barcelo

Ex-Agusan del Norte mayor pleads guilty for graft A FORMER mayor in Agusan del Norte has pleaded guilty at the Sandiganbayan of gross negligence for her failure to account for certain expenses.

The anti-graft court’s Second Division, in a decision dated January 25, found former Mayor Percianita Racho of Buenavista, Agusan del Norte “guilty beyond reasonable doubt” for failure to render accounts in connection with the purchase of allegedly overpriced fertilizers in 2004.

In addition, the court ordered Rancho to pay a fine of P6,000 warning her that her prison term will be lengthened if she fails to pay the fine.

Racho, through her lawyer, Henry Filoteo, pleaded guilty for the lesser offense of gross negligence during her trial at the Sandiganbayan Tuesday.

The prosecution posed no objection to the manifestation of Racho, prompting the Sandiganbayan to allow the arraignment anew. Maricel V. Cruz

HIDDEN IN MUFFLERS. Customs officials at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport inspect a total of 13.1 kilos of shabu worth P90 million hidden in three large vehicle exhaust mufflers at a warehouse in Pasay City on Tuesday. The shipment was sent Jan. 29 from West Covina, California for a certain Peter Soriquez of Las Piñas City. Lino Santos

Romualdez cites gains in Congress, now leads ‘Tingog’

By Ronald O. Reyes TACLOBAN CITY—Leyte First District Representative Yedda Marie Romualdez cited the gains during her three-year stint in the 17th Congress as she now leads the Tingog party-list for the party-list representation in the May 13 elections.

“A lot has been accomplished, yet so much remains to be done. When the opportunity to serve comes your way, I believe we need to embrace with a deep sense of duty. That is why when Tingog nominated me to its first seat—I readily accepted the challenge, knowing that if we work together as hard as we did in the last three years—we can do so much more, not only for the First District of Leyte but

for the rest of the region,” said Romauldez who is now the first nominee of Tingog party-list.

“We had a fruitful term in Congress, with the bills we passed, with the projects implemented and the leadership role that was given to us. Despite being a first-termer, we were able to deliver strong results, positively impacting the quality of life in our district, of course with the help of our partners, including Tingog,” said Romualdez, who is a registered nurse.

With the support of her colleagues, Romualdez was instrumental in the passage of the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act, which provides for free college education in all state colleges and universities and the Ease of Do-

TRY THEM ON.

Policemen try on two of the six brand-new bomb suits during the turnover of the gear at Camp Crame in Quezon City on Tuesday.

The suits came with six ballistics shields and 440 ballistic helmets, donated by the government of Japan to enhance the Philippine National Police’s anti-terrorism campaign.

Manny Palmero

AFP: US aid to enhance PH intel capabilities THE Armed Forces of the Philippines welcomed the United States’ commitment to provide P300 million to the country for the enhancement of its intelligence-gathering capabilities, which can be used in the ongoing campaign against terrorism.

“Any help from our allies is always welcome, especially that we have a common enemy, [which is] global terrorism,” AFP public affairs office chief, Col. Noel Detoyato said in a message to the Philippine News Agency when sought for comment on the donation Tuesday.

Malacañang on Monday announced that the US government has committed to provide the Philippines with P300 million to enhance the country’s intelligence-gathering capabilities.

Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo welcomed this development and described it as proof of strong ties between Manila and Washington. PNA

ing Business Act, which intends to help our budding small and medium entrepreneurs.

These happened in less than two years since the start of her term in Congress.

“We passed on third reading the Alternative Learning System Bill, which aims to strengthen the alternative learning system, the Expanded Maternity Leave Bill, which enables new mothers to care for their newborn for the first hundred days and recently, the Disaster Resilience Bill, which provides for the creation of the Department of Disaster Resilience as the country’s principal agency responsible for preparing and responding to natural disasters and climate change,” the lady solon added.

SC affirms legality of Boracay six-month closure last year

By Rey E. Requejo THE Supreme Court has affirmed the legality of the six-month closure of Boracay Island last year.

Voting 11-2, the SC resolved to dismiss the petition filed by three residents in the world-renowned tourist destination seeking to void President Rodrigo Duterte’s Proclamation No. 475, which closed Boracay to tourists and non-residents for rehabilitation

from April 26 to Oct. 25 last year, an insider revealed.

The high court opted to rule on the merits of the petition and declare Proclamation No. 475 as constitutional despite the period of the assailed proclamation already lapsed, which could have made the case moot and academic.

The source, who requested anonymity for lack of authority to speak for the Court, said the Court dismissed the peti-

tion in April and supplemental petition filed in June last year by three Boracay residents—Mark Anthony Zabal, Thiting Estoso Jacosalem and Odeon Bandiola— for lack of merit.

The SC sustained the arguments of the Solicitor General that Proclamation No. 475 did not violate any provision of the 1987 Constitution as he rebutted the claims of petitioners that it violated the separation of powers as well as the rights to travel and due process.

House okays bill providing funding during calamities

By Maricel V. Cruz THE House of Representatives led by Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo has passed a bill providing financial relief to persons living in an area declared under a state of calamity.

Principally authored by Rep. Eric Olivarez of Parañaque City, House Bill 9082 or the “Financial Relief in Times of Calamities Act,” was passed on second reading before Congress adjourned on Feb. 9.

The bill prescribes a grace period of 60 days from cessation of the disaster in areas declared under the state of calamity, for individuals to pay the utility bills which have fallen due during the time the area has been declared under state of calamity.

It grants individuals a six month-moratorium on the principal payments, accrual and collection of interests, obligations of any kind from public or private financial institutions in areas declared under state of calamity.

Under the bill, a grace period refers to the period during which payment is allowed to be received for a certain period of time after actual due date. During this period, no late fees are charged and the late payment shall not result in default or cancellation of the loan.

Any violation of the Act shall subject the erring utility service provider, distribution utility, financial institution or private lender to a fine equivalent to five times the interests, penalties and surcharges collected in violation of the provisions of the Act, for the first offense; 10 times the amount in interests, penalties and surcharges collected for the second offense; and suspension of the license to operate for the third and subsequent offense.

Upon conviction by the appropriate court, the fines under the Act shall automatically apply to the principal loan balance of the borrower.

The bill mandates the Department of Energy, Energy Regulatory Commission, National Telecommunications Commission, National Risk Reduction Management Council and Department of the Interior and Local Government, in coordination with the leagues of local government units, to issue the implementing rules and regulations of the Act.

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Opinion

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2019

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

MILF threatened Cotabato City voters COTABATO City is close to my heart.

This was where I got my feet wet in journalism. I volunteered to help with the Oblate mission’s weekly newspaper, The Mindanao Cross, together with my best friend Rudy Tupas. Rudy and I were coeditors of The Guidon, Ateneo’s college newspaper. He was editor-in-chief while I was associate editor and columnist.

The mayor has documents and photos to prove it.

In Cotabato City, I covered every beat there was to write about—the governor’s and mayor’s offices, the treasurer’s, the police, business and even the Chinese and Muslim communities. Would you believe I even covered the city and provincial jail?

It was also in Cotabato where I first met my wife. It was where we were wed in 1955.

It is for these reasons that I am very much interested in any news related to Cotabato City. Thus, when the Bangsamoro Organic Law plebiscite came to pass and it was revealed that the city had opted to be included in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, I was dismayed.

I relied on the fact that Mayor Cynthia Guiani Sayadi had earlier said the city would vote “No.” I said, thank heavens that Cotabato City has a female mayor with balls.

Days before the plebiscite, she was already complaining that armed members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front had infiltrated the city, telling people to vote

Adelle Chua, Editor

EDITORIAL

“yes.” I said to myself, the military, the Commission on Elections and the Department of Education would not allow this to happen. But I was wrong, my gulay!

Thus, when Mayor Sayadi told reporters what had happened, that some 20,000 MILF members (how did they do it with the military, Comelec and DepEd around?) ensured the victory of the “Yes” votes, I definitely could believe her.

According to reports, Sayadi has documents and photos that even the teachers were replaced by people who didn’t even live in the city. I said to myself that the inclusion of Cotabato City as part of the BARMM would make that progressive city a ghost town. Christians would be leaving it, as many of them have already done for many years. That was when kidnapping for ransom became the norm there.

Why is the MILF so interested to make Cotabato City part of the BARMM? They want to make it the capital of the region, it being as progressive compared to other areas.

Cotabato City ranks as the 14th most competitive city in the country, first in Re Region XII, and fourth in Mindanao.

But it is rather strange for Cotabato to vote “yes.” In fact, it voted twice against joining the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

Under the BARMM, Cotabato City will have to leave Region XII. Sayadi said her documents and phots would show that the MILF resorted to violence and intimidation. She said the Duterte administration allowed the MILF to do its worst in Cotabato City.

Sayadi said she would file a case before the Supreme Court disqualifying Cotabato City from the BARMM. If the Supreme Court decides favorably on her request, will that nullify the plebiscite in Cotabato itself? The fact that the Supreme Court did not issue a temporary restraining order before the BOL plebiscite even with two petitions questioning it may indicate that it is inclined to dismiss any other petitions as well.

There is also the fact that any court ruling on the BOL is already after the fact that the people had already ratified it.

I

Undermining public confidence

N THE midst of a serious health emergency, the last thing we need is the sight of two agencies of the executive department bickering over who is at fault for the outbreak of a potentially fatal disease. Yet this is exactly what the public is seeing as health officials scramble to deal with an outbreak of measles in Metro Manila, other parts of Luzon and Central and Eastern Visayas.

In the first 33 days of the year, the Regional Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit of the Health department reports, there were 560 measles-rubella cases with 14 confirmed deaths—409 percent higher than the same period last year. By Feb. 10, the department says, the death toll from the outbreak reached 70 nationwide and the number of cases has ballooned to 4,300.

Against the backdrop of these grim numbers, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III and Public Attorney's Office chief Persida Rueda-Acosta have been engaged in a word war over who is to blame.

The Health secretary and his subordinates say the PAO chief is

to blame, because her aggressive campaign last year to punish those responsible for the Dengvaxia mess undermined public confidence in the government's immunization program. As a result, fewer children are being vaccinated, leaving them susceptible to infection.

The PAO chief, on the other hand, correctly observes that it is not the job of her office to distribute vaccines; that is the job of the Department of Health. She also points to Commission on Audit figures that show vaccination rates for contagious diseases such as measles declined in 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017 – even before the Dengvaxia scare that broke out in

late November 2017.

The Palace, for its part, has come to Acosta’s defense, saying she was merely doing her job to provide legal assistance to the families of children who died after receiving Dengvaxia.

Certainly, there are valid points in all these arguments, but is now really the best time to go into another round of finger pointing? How will all the bickering through the media help the children who have been infected, and protect those who have not yet been properly vaccinated?

Will the public display of discord do anything to bolster the public confidence in the government’s immunization program?

We think not.

In the heat of internal disagreements and politics, both sides seem to have forgotten that they work on the same team, under the same administration.

They also seem to have forgotten that their first duty is not to personal pride, but to the people who voted this government into office.

Perhaps it is time the President reminded them of this.

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Armida Siguion Reyna: Iconic film, stage star THE curtain has fallen on Armida Siguion Reyna, iconic film and stage star. She passed away at age 88 succumbing to cancer. The widow of lawyer Leonardo Siguion Reyna, Armida is a sister of former senator and Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile.

It is sad day for the Ponce Enriles as JPE himself will be marking his 94th birthday on Feb. 14, St. Valentine’s Day. I last saw Armida at her place in Forbes Park when her senator brother brought members of the 365 Breakfast Club there. She was also a member and she was simply called Tita Midz. Several years back, she and her family and friends Mr. and Mrs. Teddy Locsin went to Budapest where I was then ambassador. Her group, which chartered a tourist bus, was on a tour of select European cities that included Prague, Vienna and Budapest.

Armida was at one time chairperson of the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board. While her films were shown before my movie-going days, I had a chance to see her body of work on replays of these films on Cinema One and PBO which runs them for night owls like me.

Not only was Armida a true thespian, she also sang and produced shows on stage and television, among them the long-running “Aawitan Kita” in which she sang the title song known to many of her fans and followers.

Armida’s wake started yesterday

at the Heritage Memorial Park at McKinley Hill. *** Meanwhile, the death toll from the measles outbreak in the country continues to rise, The casualties are mostly children whose parents are wary of having their kids vaccinated after the deadly effect of the Dengvaxia antidengue vaccine. Health workers who are doing a door-to-door vaccination drive reported that parents are slowly being convinced the anti-measle vaccine is necessary to prevent the spread of the epidemic and that there is no danger similar to the Dengvaxia side effect.

Former President Benigno Aquino

She was a true thespian.

III, his Health Secretary Janet Garin and Budget Secretary Florencio Abad are facing charges of criminal negligence for not exercising due diligence before purchasing the Dengvaxia vaccine from French manufacturer Sanofi.

In another news affecting the health of Filipinos, the Department of Agriculture under Manny Piñol has banned the importation of pork from Japan, Australia and Africa due to the possibility that these could be tainted with swine flu.

The good news in business is that tycoon Enrique K. Razon could take over the bankrupt Hanjin ship building Turn to A5

The mock Battle of Manila Bay (2) THE May 1, 1898 Battle of Manila Bay was so lopsided that many still wonder today if the so-called Battle of Manila Bay was really a battle or part of a wonderful script hatched by both Spain and the United States.

The leader of the Spanish Pacific Squadron, Rear Admiral Patricio Montojo, lost all his seven major ships; 161 of his men died while 210 others were wounded, including his two sons.

Montojo was court-martialed, briefly imprisoned and thanks to Admiral George Dewey’s endorsement, was later discharged from the Spanish Navy.

The leader of the US Asiatic Squadron, (he got the position through political connections), Dewey lost not a single man nor a single boat in battle.

Later, he tried to run for president of the US but changed his mind.

Dewey was so confident of victory that two hours after the Battle of Manila Bay began at 5:40 a.m. of May 1, 1898, he withdrew his fleet so that the crew could have breakfast and also replenish ammo. They returned to battle after three and a half hours. By 12:40 p.m., the battle was won.

Was it a battle or part of a wonderful script?

Arnold Dumindin described the mock Battle of Manila Bay on Aug. 13, 1898, two months and two weeks after the May 1, 1898 naval battle.

On Aug. 12, 1898, in Washington, D.C. , Jules Cambon, ambassador of France and representing Spain and William R. Day, US Secretary of State

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Opinion

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2019

Still the hardest worker around AS SHE adjourned the third session of the 17th Congress last Friday for a threemonth recess, the diminutive Speaker of the House took the opportunity to congratulate herself and her colleagues for an extremely productive session.

Since she took over the Speakership last July in a controversial transfer of power that was marred by unseemly petulance from the outgoing incumbent, Mrs. Arroyo has presided over the passage of what she proudly claims is a hundred percent of President Duterte’s priority legislative agenda.

By my count, as of Jan. 31 a total of 17 bills important to Duterte had been enacted into law, enrolled for Presidential action, adopted by the House, or approved on third reading, with another three bills still in committee or the calendar of unfinished business. Among the key measures: Enactment and eventual ratification by plebiscite of the Bangsamoro Organic Law. The “Trabaho bill,” the second tranche of comprehensive tax reform.

Bills to support the coconut and fishing industries. Expansion of PhilHealth coverage under the administration’s commitment to universal health care.

Other issues tackled by the House included tax amnesty and a variety of excise taxes; reforms in real property valuation and capital gains taxation; labor-only contractualization or “endo”; and, to cap it all, the passage at last of the national budget for 2019, despite unusual acrimony this year between both chambers of Congress and a stillfestering personal dispute between the current and a former Budget secretary.

Perhaps the only measure I would take issue with was the House version of a new constitution. By disregarding proposed curbs on dynasties and balimbings, and by trying to go even farther and do away with term limits, the congressmen came in for their rightful share of public scorn.

The only silver lining I see in that document is its willingness to immediately liberalize restrictions on foreign investment. Some senators have already indicated that they’d be willing to pass those economic reforms already

MILF...

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*** What bothers me is the fact that after the Senate had conducted an investigation into the responsibility, accountability and culpability of former President Benigno Aquino III for the massacre of 44 members of the Special Action Force in Mamasapano, Maguindanao, there have been no charges filed against him.

The families of the SAF 44 have not yet been given the justice they deserve.

Monetary aid has not also been given.

This is double injustice.

Now the Duterte administration is going against BS Aquino, his Budget Chief Florencio Abad and his Health Secretary Janet Garin for that multi-billion-peso Dengvaxia scandal for the death of so many children.

If Aquino et al are being made to answer for the Dengvaxia mess, they may as well be made to answer for the Mama-

The mock...

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signed the protocol suspending hostilities and defining the terms on which peace negotiations were to be carried on between the US and Spain. The protocol was signed in the presence of President William R. Mckinley.

Dumindin wrote about the landing of US troops in Manila in the guise of conquering the city—under a pre-arranged script that was unknown to many. He wrote: “As the naval bombardment ended and the American forces continued north in two columns, the Filipinos— who had not been apprised of the script—raced to join the battle. They thought there was a real battle going on that would liberate their capitol and they did not want to be left out. “ “The Filipinos assaulted from four directions - the column of General Pio del Pilar took Sampaloc district; that of General Gregorio del Pilar took Tondo district, that of General Mariano Noriel took Singalong and Paco districts; that of General Artemio Ricarte routed the Spaniards in Sta. Ana district and pursued them all the way to Intramuros.”

while awaiting a consensus on more problematic parts of a new charter, including federalism. We’ll have to await the results of the May elections to see if there’ll be enough support in Congress to do this. *** Never one to sit still, Mrs. Arroyo has already served notice that she expects the congressmen to continue working through the recess. Lined up in her crosshairs are congressmen who’re not running in May, who’re running unopposed, or who chair key oversight committees. She wants to make sure that key bills approved by the House on third reading will be ready for Senate concurrence when sessions resume in May.

Mrs. Arroyo has presided over the passage of what she proudly claims is a hundred percent of President Duterte’s priority legislative agenda.

Former Budget Secretary and House majority leader Nonoy Andaya, the current House appropriations committee chairman, has flat out denied that that number even exists. As with the difference between pork and his “institutional insertions,” we’d be interested in hearing from Lacson about the provenance of his accusations.

For years, Lacson has nursed a grievance against Arroyo, under whose term as president he was forced to flee abroad from justice. Perhaps the fugitive’s heart is harder than most. We can only hope that he won’t let his personal issues stand in the way of obstructing the House’s hard-won bills when they finally cross his desk in the Senate. *** One head of state who’s finding out how hard his job really is, is President Duterte himself. Speaking in Legaspi last week, he admitted: “I really thought I could end the illegal drug trade in six months…How can I solve it if my enemies are the Bureau of Customs, police generals? They’re all in NAIA. My enemy is my own government!”

I’m sure that Duterte’s usual brutal frankness—even at his own expense— again cheered his admirers. And I was bemused at the way his online yellow critics made fun of these latest comments of his—conveniently neglecting to mention, of course, how the drug trade and smuggling and other index crimes ballooned under the late and unlamented administration of their fearless leaders PNot at the Palace and Mar Roxas at DILG. But I won’t take a leaf from the playbook of Boy Sisi and simply blame previous presidents. What I can say is that the dismantling of an intractable social menace like the drug trade throughout the country will take much more than perhaps the mayor of a provincial city like Davao might have imagined when he first took office at the Palace.

It’s a problem that continues to bedevil even the most advanced societies and economies of the West. It’ll be even more difficult for the likes of our country. And to his credit, this mayor— regardless of the odds, and perhaps because he hadn’t fully appreciated what the odds really are—agreed to take on the challenge and—for all his complaining—is still taking it on.

Arroyo’s legendary work ethic has already made an impression on congressional staffers, who say they’ve never worked this hard before. Unfortunately, someone who’s still unimpressed—and is likely to remain so till kingdom come—is the presumptive Senate gadfly Ping Lacson.

Lacson is the senator who likes to boast that he’s never taken a peso of pork barrel—simply because, we’re now finding out, he calls his pork “institutional insertions.” As to where the difference between the two may lie, we’ll simply have to take his word for it until he gives us a clue.

This time around, Lacson accused Arroyo of securing no less than P606 million to fund 76 farm-to- market roads in 2019 for her second district of Pampanga. That is truly a humongous number, representing more than one thousand percent increase over the P47 million worth of projects in that district Readers can write me at gbolivar1952@ in 2018. yahoo.com.

sapano massacre.

For one thing, it was Aquino who gave the go-signal to then-PNP Chief Alan Purisima to have the SAF issue a warrant of arrest to two terrorists—one foreigner, one Filipino. Aquino knew everything that was happening because he was then in Zamboanga with then-Interior and Local Government Secretary Manuel Roxas and Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin.

Despite calls for reinforcements to help the beseiged SAF members, Aquino, as commander in chief, did not issue it.

Doesn’t that count as treason—not allowing the military to help the SAF? That was a really dark page in history. *** There must be something wrong somewhere with the order of President Duterte for members of the Cabinet not to campaign for or endorse any candidates.

Has he not been relentlessly endorsing his favorites?

I have covered 10 presidents since the 1950s. I have never seen a chief executive so interested in having his minions

win seats in the Senate. It’s like Duterte himself is running!

I admit there is no law preventing the President from endorsing his minions.

Still, what he is doing raises suspicions that government resources are being used to favor his friends.

In some instances, President Duterte has even threatened local governments that if they don’t support his candidates, “Bahala na kayo.”

What do you call a president who has no qualms openly campaigning for his bets? *** I am saddened by the death of our good friend, Armida Siguion Reyna. She and her husband, lawyer Leonardo, were regulars at the 365 Club.

We at the Club will miss Tita Midz.

But that’s how it is. Didn’t Shakespeare say all the world’s a stage, and we are all merely players with our exits and entrances?

Here is an account of the battle, by the Encyclopedia Britannica: After an explosion sank USS Maine in Havana harbor in February 1898, the United States declared war with Spain on 25 April in support of a Cuban rebellion against Spanish colonial rule. A US “New Navy” attack on the Spanish fleet in the Philippines proved gratifyingly one-sided.

After the United States had declared war, its Asiatic squadron was ordered from Hong Kong to “capture or destroy the Spanish fleet” then in Philippine waters. The US Navy was well trained and well supplied, largely through the energetic efforts of the young assistant secretary of the Navy, Theodore Roosevelt, who had selected George Dewey for the command of the Asiatic squadron.

The aging Spanish fleet, led by Admiral Patricio Montojo, was outgunned and out-armored by the more up-to-date US fleet. Montojo decided to shelter inshore and rely on land batteries for defense. He chose a site in Manila Bay, away from the capital city, in shallow water off the Cavite Naval Yard. Dewey, on board his flagship Olympia, took his squadron into Manila Bay under cover of darkness on the night of April 30,

1898 and, soon after dawn, approached the Spanish in single file.

The Spanish batteries opened up while well out of range, but Dewey waited for 30 minutes before giving the order to return fire. Passing back and forth in front of the Spanish fleet, the Americans pounded the enemy until, fearful that their ammunition was running low, they took a break at 7:45 a.m.

Despite inaccurate gunnery, the US ships had sunk most of the Spanish vessels. At around 10:40 a.m., they resumed fire, sinking the rest of the fleet and quieting the shore batteries—the battle was over by 1 PM. Americans captured the city of Manila on Aug. 13 Spain’s control of the Philippines was over, and—by the Treaty of Paris signed on 10 December 1898—control of the islands was handed over to the United States.

The Battle of Manila Bay made Commodore Dewey a national hero and helped establish the reputation of the US as a major naval power.

Losses: US, nine wounded, no warships lost of six vessels; Spanish, 381 dead or wounded, all seven warships lost.

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Doldrums

WHILE in Manila during the Lunar Year period when every office in Taiwan is closed for a nine-day holiday, I read a news item on the “dire situation” of the Philippine film industry.

Award-winning director Erik Matti expresses his cri de coeur about the state of an industry which has produced a President of the Republic largely on his cinematic legend.

Those were the days when cinema was the biggest entertainment fare of Filipinos. People would line up for hours to buy tickets on stand-alone theaters to watch their favorite movie actors who at the time were inarguably the most popular persons nationwide.

But times have changed. If there is an industry that is truly in the “doldrums,” it must be Philippine cinema.

Most every household has a television set from which to watch their favorite telenovelas courtesy of ABS or GMA, for free but for the initial cost of the monitor and the electrical consumption.

Millennials and the upwardly mobile have their access to the internet, where they can watch Netflix or HBO or even YouTube. And now even their favorite telenovelas are available through the information highway.

Stand-alone theaters hardly exist; the malls, which substitute for parks and playgrounds for the urban Filipino in a country where parks hardly exist, instead house the cinemas where more often than not, western movies trounce local films in the tills.

Director Matti waxes poignant when he says “we are on life support and we need resuscitation…this is a plea for help.” He urges government to intervene.

Even the Metro Manila Film Festival, that annual phantasmagoria of locally produced movies, is not faring as well as it should despite a holiday period monopoly. Is it because the “masa” are now tired of the shmaltzy flicks and slapstick comedies cum horror inanities that have characterized this annual festival?

And yet, the few quality films shown in the last few annual filmfests have fared very badly, such that the mall theaters pulled them out after a day or two of showing in favor of the slapsticks.

The filmamker in fact says that the industry was at its busiest in the past three years, yet only a handful of its products achieved box office success.

“Has our audience outgrown our films? I really don’t know at this point,” Matti adds.

Clearly the local film industry cannot survive if this goes on. But what can government do?

I remember how we raved about “Heneral Luna” when the film which was about to be written off by movie theaters due to initially poor box office results suddenly gained the interest of everyone, the elite of society included, after raves from millenially peppered Facebook and social media platforms.

A sequel, “Goyo” about the boy general Gregorio del Pilar, did not fare as well, last year, but happily was picked up by Netflix.

Erik Matti directed the widelyacclaimed “Buy-Bust” now available through Netflix. It was praised abroad and got people taking a second look at the remarkable acting improvement of Filipino-Australian actress Anne Curtis, heretofore known more as a comedienne in a lunchtime

Armida...

From A4

operations in Subic. Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez welcomed Razon’s reported interest in the Korean company.

The head honcho of the International Containers Terminal Services Inc. is a logical choice to acquire Hanjin since ITCSI’s interest has relevance to Hanjin’s equipment and operations.

Some 30,000 Filipino workers are going to be affected if Hanjin closes shop. Some of these workers are already applying for jobs in the Middle East and other countries with port facilities like Singapore, and other ports where ICTSI has existing container terminal operations. Taiwan is another country where Filipino welders with ship-building experience can

television show.

A serious young actor, Enchong Dee, likewise appealed to movie theaters to “please” prolong the showing of recent films which critics have acclaimed for their artistic merit, but sadly, have not caught the attention of moviegoers.

Erik Matti is at his wit’s end in his pained expression of whether the industry is “really getting our films to the audience it was actually made for, or (whether) it is just bringing these to the small audience we embarrassingly deserve?”

What can the government do for the Philippine movie industry?

Would cutting entertainment taxes or subsidizing “good” movies help?

Perhaps not, or perhaps only incrementally.

The few quality films shown in the last few annual filmfests have fared very badly.

Or perhaps we should ask the multi-millionaires, even billionaires who have built fortunes out of cinema and telenovelas to sit down with the senators and congressmen brought to power on the strength of their movie persona, along with the directors and scriptwriters, bit players and others who make their living from local cinema, to discuss and analyze what ails their industry.

If they can have acting workshops to hone their skills, why not a workshop to study the state of the industry, and propose solutions?

I share the grief of Matti and Dee, as well as the others who rue the state of local cinema as much as I rue the state of cultural affairs of this benighted land. *** I had a most memorable evening last Friday attending the fourth in a series of concerts of the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra, which commemorated its 45thanniversary through a concert at the Manila Cathedral last Nov. 15. I missed that cultural event as I could not leave Taiwan at the time due to preparations for the 2018 Joint Economic Conference.

I almost missed the fourth concert and was fretting inside my car, as it took 45 minutes to reach the Cultural Center from my house which was just a kilometer away. Traffic froze along Pablo Ocampo Sr. (Vito Cruz) between Adriatico and M.H. del Pilar for a good 40 minutes for some unexplainable reason.

Anyway, I got to the CCP just 10 minutes before the concert started, and had a most pleasurable two hours listening to the much, much improved PPO under the direction of Yoshikazu Fukumura who took over from Olivier Ochanine some two years back.

That concert was stunning. Congratulations to both Maestro Fukumura and the entire Philharmonic! *** Sadly, just as I was wrapping up this column for submission, and just after getting back to Taiwan, I found out that the legendary Armida Siguion Reyna, a true nationalist who used her musical prowess to advance both Filipino culture and evoke love of country among us all, passed away.

As I am unable to visit the wake of someone I greatly admire, I express profound condolences to the bereaved family, particularly to my friends Carlitos Siguion Reyna and his Bibeth.

Sing with the angels, Tita Armida! find work in the Taiwanese company Evergreen.

Hanjin in Subic was where the US battleships used to have a naval base.

Washington cannot have a Chinese company taking over Hanjin. It would be a de facto replacement of the US presence in a strategic port considering a rising China’s aggressive move in the South China Sea and its vast potential of oil gas and mineral resources under the seabed.

Vital international sea lanes for commercial cargo worth trillions of dollars is also a concern of the US, Crude oil carried by international tankers from oil producing to consuming countries cannot and should not be controlled by China in the disputed SCS territorial dispute.

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

News

A6

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2019 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Eleazar orders relief of 5 Pasay cops

By Joel E. Zurbano

commander of PCP-1, must be relieved immediately,” Eleazar said.

Eleazar said one of the victims’ mother alleged that some officers of PCP 1 acted like lawyers to the foreigner.

He said the mother felt uncomfortable during the investigation process while at the PCP 1 station.

The five officers were temporarily transferred and placed on a floating status at the National Capital Region Police Office pending

M

ETRO Manila police director Guillermo Eleazar on Tuesday ordered the relief of five policemen in a police community precinct in Pasay City, including their superior, for urging victims of sexual harassment not to file a complaint against the offender, who is a Chinese national.

Relieved were PCP 1 commander Chief Insp. Remedios Terte and his men Police Officers 3 Archie Rodriguez and Ranier Dumanacal, Senior Police Officer 2 Jonathan Bayot and Senior Police Officer 3 Timothy Mengote.

The suspect, 19-year-old Zhang Yang, was accosted by security personnel after receiving complaint that three students were sexually harassed inside an amusement park.

“Based on my directive to the chief of police, the four police officer investigators on that particular night, including the PCP

Guillermo Eleazar

the investigation.

Meanwhile, Yang is now detained at the PCP 1 jail and was charged with acts of lasciviousness.

Republic of the Philippines ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION San Miguel Avenue, Pasig City IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION FOR APPROVAL OF CAPITAL EXPENDITURE PROJECTS FOR CALENDAR YEAR 2018, AND VARIOUS PROJECTS UP TO 2022, WITH PRAYER FOR PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY DAVAO LIGHT AND COMPANY, INC. (DLPC),

POWER

ERC CASE N0.2018-123 RC

Applicant. x--------------------------------------------------x

9.

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

k.

Installation and Maintenance of Street Lights and Signal System.

This project involves the installation of new street lights and maintenance/ replacement of defective street lights. This project also involves the installation of LED street lights for years 2019 to 2022 to comply with the City Ordinance No. 0409-18, Series of 2018, also known as the “LED Ordinance of Davao City;”

l.

Installation, Replacement and Maintenance of Industrial and Commercial Meters. This project involves the installation, replacement and maintenance of large industrial and commercial customers’ meters. This includes the installation of Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM)-ready meters and metering facilities;

m.

Installation and Replacement of Residential Meters. This project involves the installation of new electronic meters and replacement of defective electromechanical residential meters.

DLPC’s CAPEX program under Non-Network Projects are the following: a.

TO ALL INTERESTED PARTIES Notice is hereby given that on 27 December 2018, Davao Light And Power Company, Inc. (DLPC) filed an Application dated 13 December 2018 (Application), seeking the Commission’s approval of its capital expenditure projects for calendar year 2018, and various projects up to 2022, with prayer for provisional authority.

b

In the said Application, DLPC alleged the following, among others 1.

2.

d. e.

Republic Act NO. 9136, or the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001 (“EPIRA”), under Section 23 thereof, obligates a distribution utility, such as DLPC, to provide distribution services and connections to its system for any end-user within its franchise area, consistent with the distribution code. Further, distribution utilities share in the objective of the EPIRA to ensure the quality, realibility, security and affordability of the supply of electric power;1

3.

For DLPC to pursue its mandate under its franchise and the EPIRA, it is necessary for DLPC to continuously invest in the improvement of its system and services to better serve its customers;

4.

As such, DLPC, in accordance with Section 20 (b) of Commonwealth Act No. 146,2 hereby applies for approval from the Honorable Commission, to implement its Capital Expenditure (“CAPEX”) Program for Calendar Year (“CY”) 2018 and various projects up to 2022;

5.

c.

DLPC is a corporation duly organized and existing under and by virtue of the laws of the Republic of the Philippines, with office address at C. Bangoy Sr. St., Davao City. It is the grantee of a legislative franchise under Republic Act No. 8960 to construct, operate and maintain an electric light, heat and power system in the Cities of Davao and Panabo, and in the Municipalities of Carmen, Sto. Tomas and Braulio Dujali, Province of Davao del Norte (the “Franchise Area”). DLPC may be served with orders and other processes of the Honorable Commission through its undersigned counsel at the address indicated below;

f.

10. The total estimated cost of DLPC’s CAPEX program is PhP 2,359,360,289.20. The complete list of DLPC’s CAPEX program, together with its estimated cost, is shown in table 1 below: PROJECT SUMMARY

DESCRIPTION NETWORK PROJECTS Tadeco Substation Upgrade Calinan Substation Upgrade Toril Substation Upgrade P. Reyes Substation Upgrade DRA-NGCP Interconnection Improvement New Mobile Substation LINE PROJECTS 69 kV Line New, Digos Line, from 69 kV Tapping Point at Davao-Cotabato Road to Binugao SS 13.8 kV Underground Distribution System (2018-2021) 69 kV Line Upgrade, Davao Line 2, from New Loon to Tugbok SS OTHER NETWORK PROJECTS Line Rehabilitation/Maintenance Line Reclosers Emergency Rotten Pole and Transformer Replacements Voltage Correction New Application Rural Electrification Subdivision Electrification Secondary Projects Rehabilitation of Substation Street Lights and Signal Systems Installation, Replacement and Maintenance of Industrial and Commercial Meters Installation and Replacement of Residential Meters NON-NETWORK PROJECTS Telecommunications Tools and Work Equipment Transportation Acquisition of Land - Supplementary Buildings and Improvement, Office Equipment, Furniture and Fixtures, and Miscellaneous Equipment Computer Equipment (Software and Hardware)

DLPC’s CAPEX Program are categorized as follows a.

Network Projects: i. Substation Projects; ii. Lines Projects; and iii. Other Network Projects

b. Non-network Projects 6.

DLPC`s CAPEX program under the bracket of Substation Projects consist of the following: a.

Tadeco Substation Upgrade. This project involves the purchase and installation of a 33 MVA 69 kV/13.8 kV three-phase transformer and other miscellaneous materials. This transformer will replace the more than 40-yearold 15 MVA transformer in the Tadeco Substation. This project will also include the extension of a feeder to link with the feeder of the adjacent Sto. Tomas Substation;

b.

Calinan Substation Upgrade. This project involves the purchase and installation of a 33 MVA 69 kV/13.8 kV three-phase transformer and other miscellaneous materials. This transformer will replace the more than 40-yearold 10 MVA power transformer in the Calinan Substation. This project will also include the installation of an additional breaker for an additional feeder that will be constructed;

c.

Toril Substation Upgrade. This project involves the purchase and installation of a 33 MVA power transformer, and the acquisition and installation of other electrical equipment power transformer control, cooling control, surge arresters and other associated materials and equipment in the Toril Substation. The project also includes civil works such as site development and structural works. The 33 MVA power transformer will replace the 14 MVA power transformer in the Toril Substation, thereby expanding the capacity of the Substation to 33 MVA;

d.

e.

f.

7.

b.

c.

8.

P. Reyes Substation Upgrade. This project involves the purchase and installation of an additional unit of a 50 MVA power transformer, construction of 3 bays 69kV breaker-and-a-half scheme, laying of power cables, and acquisition and installation of associated materials and equipment in the P. Reyes Substation. The project also includes civil works such as site development and structural works; DRA-NGCP Interconnection Improvement. This project involves the purchase and installation of two (2) 138 kV breakers in the DRA Substation, underground cables with fixtures and linkages, protections system improvement, and other miscellaneous materials. In addition, the project will also include purchase and installation of approximately 230 meters of 138 kV, underbuilt circuit, three-phase, 1200 mm2 XLPE cable line from Downhill San lsidro to NGCP’s Bunawan Substation, associated accessories and miscellaneous materials. This project shall provide a PGC-compliant interconnection, protection, monitoring and control between DRA and NGCP’s Bunawan substations;

b.

c.

d.

e. f. g.

h.

Secondary Projects. This project involves installation of poles and wires related to applications for secondary line extensions;

j.

Rehabilitation Projects. This project includes replacement of various defective, old, non-SCADA, non-recording meters, relays and annunciators; replacement of several old and defective 69 kV and 15 kV disconnect switches; old and defective batteries replacement; construction of several new control rooms; installation of on-line monitors; and critical spare inventory for major equipment parts;

73,603,527 42,192,445 13,655,066 49,260,516 13,134,691 210,187,305 284,039,849.84 8,225,034 222,427 29,458,380 477,856,675.08 44,624,058 196,754,527 17,676,000 21,927,016 36,225,323 11,025,000 24,076,002 83,440,283

ALLEGATIONS IN SUPPORT OF THE PRAYER FOR PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY

69 kV Line New, Digos Line, from 69 kV Tapping Point at Davao-Cotabato Road to Binugao SS. This project involves the installation of approximately 150 meters of 69 kV, three-phase, 795 MCM ACSR wire, and associated accessories and miscellaneous materials from the 69 kV tapping point at Davao-Cotabato Road to Binugao Substation; 13.8 kV Underground Distribution System (2018-2021). This project involves the conversion of overhead lines in Downtown Streets to Underground System to comply with City Ordinance No. 0152-17, Series of 2017; 69 kV Line Upgrade, Davao Line 2, from New Loon to Tugbok SS. This project involves the upgrading from #336.4 ACSR to 2x#795 MCM ACSR of the existing 69 kV line from the New Loon to Tugbok Substation. This project will project involve an approximately 3.5 circuit kilometer of 2x#795 MCM ACSR wire line intended to close the loop of Davao Line 2 and Davao Line 1 via Magtuod;

i.

2,013,725 227,955,498 10,314,301

14. Public interest and necessity require the immediate implementation of the subject CAPEX projects. Projects on DLPC’s distribution system are necessary to address the needed capacity upgrades to accommodate increasing demand, prevent overloading, as well as improve safety and reliability of the system. Other projects are necessary to comply with local ordinances. Furthermore, various projects are necessary for DLPC to accommodate new customer applications; 15. Thus, in the event that the various CAPEX projects are not implemented, certain facilities of DLPC may be rendered obsolete, which could lead to power interruptions or delay in accommodating the additional load coming from existing and new customers. These negative consequences, which are detrimental to the livelihood and everyday lives of DLPC’s customers, may be tempered by the immediate implementation of the instant CAPEX projects; 16. Thus, pending final approval, there is an urgent need for a provisional authority for DLPC to immediately implement its proposed CAPEX projects. In support of the prayer for the grant of the provisional authority, attached as Annex “B” is .the Judicial Affidavit of Mr. Enriczar T. Tia, Assistant Vice President -- Technical Support, Engineering Group of DLPC; 17. The foregoing CAPEX projects are necessary for the systematic and economic expansion and rehabilitation of DLPC’s distribution facilities and ensuring compliance with safety, performance and regulatory requirements. The benefits arising from these CAPEX projects will ultimately redound to the end-consumers of DLPC because these projects are for continuous, reliable and efficient power supply.

New Mobile Substation. This project involves the purchase of an outdoor type 33 MVA 69/13.8 kV Mobile Substation with one (1) transformer, one (1) 69 kV breakers, one (1) 13.8 kV main breaker, and other miscellaneous equipment, on board a mobile, ready transportable mount;

Line Rehabilitation / Maintenance. This project is a combination of line rehabilitation, upgrade and maintenance works, which includes (i) replacement or relocation of various 69 kV structures and fixtures with wires and accessories; (ii) replacement or relocation of 13.8 kV structures and fixtures with wires and accessories (iii) replacement of various secondary structures and fixtures; (iv) small conductor upgrades; (v) line-to-ground conversions; (vi) single-phase to three-phase conversion for various secondary wires and related accessories; (vii) installation or replacement of various leaking insulators: several defective arresters; (viii) conversion of several insulators to higher BIL rating; (ix) maintenance of various sets of line capacitors; (x) approximately 20 km of tree wire in various locations; and (xi) Typhoon Failure Containment for 69 kV and 13.8 kV lines due to change of historical wind speed category as per National Structural Code of the Philippines; Line Reclosers. This project involves the installation of 66 units of circuit reclosers at selected distribution feeder lines and ILP customers, to provide automation of distribution system and to improve network reliability. This project also aims to control the effect of supply curtailment to the customers in situations when load shedding is necessary due to tight power supply; Emergency. This project involves the purchase of several 13.8 kV poles and fixtures, transformers, wires and accessories that would be used as readily available supply for replacement of structures, transformers and line hardware on the 69 kV and 13.8 kV system in case of emergency situations; Rotten Poles and Transformers. This project involves the replacement of 4,762 rotten poles with concrete poles for primary and secondary lines, together with 658 distribution transformers with pole top hardware and accessories; Voltage Correction. This project involves IV scanner installations, tap changing, load center splitting and transformer uprating for voltage correction in the distribution system; New Application. This project includes the purchase and installation of transformers, poles, wires, line hardware and other distribution system apparatus needed for providing electric service connections to customers; Rural Electrification. This project involves the installation of poles, towers, fixtures, line extensions to rural areas with transformer additions and capacitor/voltage regulator installations to provide power to remote and outskirt areas within the DLPC franchise as reflected in the 2018 Distribution Development Plan; Subdivision Electrification. This project involves the installation of poles, transformers and line extensions for new subdivision developments;

49,604,848 65,457,712 58,821,475 161,084,404 60,524,201 86,000,000

The detailed justifications, technical analysis, economic analysis, and alternatives considered, as applicable, for DLPC’s CAPEX program are discussed in detail in support of this Application; 12. The proposed CAPEX program will not have a direct impact on the current rates of DLPC until approved by the Honorable Commission as part of DLPC’s Regulatory Asset Base in the next applicable Regulatory Period; 13. DLPC undertakes to comply with the pre-filing requirements under Rule 3, Section 4(e) of the EPIRA Implementing Rules and Regulations, as amended;

The petitioner’s name and address; The nature of petitioner’s interest in the subject matter of the proceeding and the way and manner in which such interest is affected by the issues involved in the proceeding; and A statement of the relief desired

All other persons who may want their views known to the Commission with respect to the subject matter of the case may file their Opposition or Comment thereon at any stage of the proceeding before Applicant rests its case, subject to the requirements under Rule 9 of the 2006 ERC Rules of Practice and Procedure. No particular form of Opposition or Comment is required, but the document, letter, or writing should contain the following: 1) The name and address of such person; 2) A concise statement of the Opposition or Comment; and 3) The grounds relied upon All such persons who wish to have a copy of the Application may request from Applicant that they be furnished with the same prior to the date of the initial hearing. Applicant is hereby directed to furnish all those making such request with copies of the Application and its attachments, subject to the reimbursement of reasonable photocopying costs. Any such person may likewise examine the Application and other pertinent records filed with the Commission during the standard office hours.

WITNESS, the Honorable Chairperson and CEO AGNES VST DEVANADERA, and the Honorable Commissioners ALEXIS M. LUMBATAN and CATHERINE P. MACEDA, Energy Regulatory Commission, this 16th day of January 2019 in Pasig City.

JOSEFINA PATRICIA A. MAGPALE-ASIRIT Oversight Commissioner for Legal

2

THE Commission on Audit has recommended an investigation of unpaid delivery of educational materials in Western Visayas by the Department of Education regional officials.

An en banc decision showed COA would refer its findings to the Office of the Ombudsman to establish the sanctions against the DepEd Region 6 officials for violation of Republic Act 9184 or the Government Procurement Reform Act. “The Prosecution and Litigation Office, Legal Services Sector, this Commission, is hereby directed to forward the case to the Office of the Ombudsman for investigation and filing of appropriate charges, if warranted, against the persons liable for the transaction,” the decision read.

Jovita Aquino, Bookcraft Publishing Co. Inc. vice president, filed a petition for money claim for the delivery of P67.9-million supplementary educational materials in 2005.

Those that benefited were Iloilo City, Passi City, Roxas City, and Capiz and Antique provinces.

Then education undersecretary Alberto Muyot barred the direct contracting for the book request and the release of funds for 2006 and 2007.

The transaction did not go through a public bidding and was not included in the DepEd’s

agency’s annual procurement plan.

Former Education secretary Bro. Armin Luistro, in January 2013, said the education materials from Bookcraft were not part of the 2005 procurement plan.

In addition, he said the company was under the jurisdiction of COA that ruled in favor of the book firm over its rights to receive payments since Bookcraft was able to accomplish the delivery of the goods.

“Total denial of the claim therefore will lead to the unjust enrichment of the DepEd at the expense of Bookcraft. Hence, Bookcraft is entitled to reasonable compensation based on the principle of quantum merit. This principle is a device to prevent undue enrichment based on the equitable postulate that it is unjust for a person to retain benefit without paying it,” COA’s decision read.

The state auditors said it could only grant the company’s money claim of P2.46 million as broken down into P2.07 million as the declared value of the shipping materials and P388,671.50 as the total shipping cost based on its computation on the way bills of MLBP Cargo Movers.

COA blamed the book firm’s failure to offer the en banc its total production cost, including the labor and material costs, of the educational materials as part of its evidence.

By Maricel V. Cruz

APPROVE the proposed Capital Expenditure Projects; and Pending trial on the merits, ISSUE an Order granting Provisional Authority authorizing DLPC to implement its proposed Capital Expenditure Projects.

All persons who have an interest in the subject matter of the instant case may become a party by filing with the. Commission a verified Petition to Intervene at least five (5) days prior to the initial hearing and subject to the requirements under Rule 9 of the 2006 ERC Rules of Practice and Procedure, indicating therein the docket number and title of the case and stating the following;

1

By Rio N. Araja

1.

2.

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

3)

COA wants unpaid delivery of educ’l materials probed

WHEREFORE, it is respectfully prayed that the Honorable Commission:

The Commission has set the Application for determination of compliance with the jurisdictional requirements, expository presentation, pre-trial conference, and presentation of evidence on 6 March 2019 (Wednesday) at ten o’clock in the morning (10:00 A.M.), at ERC Mindanao Area Operations Division (MAOD), Mintrade Bldg., Monteverde Avenue corner Sales Street, Davao City.

1) 2)

DISTURBINGLY DEFIANT. Despite the Commission on Elections’ warning of disqualification against candidates putting up illegal campaign paraphernalia, many such flyers are still up and posted around and across Pasay City streets on the first day of the campaign period Tuesday for the May elections. Ey Acasio

Arroyo pushes for bill establishing task force

PRAYER

DLPC’s CAPEX program under Other Network Projects are the following: a.

COST (PhP)

11.

DLPC’S CAPEX program under Lines Projects are the following: a.

Telecommunications. This project involves the purchase and installation of new Fault Location Isolation and Restoration (FLISR) for SCADA-ready fault current indicators, capacitor banks SCADA control device, recloser batteries. ORION RTU firmware upgrade, SCADA network switches, SCADA remote reset devices, SCADA infrastructure such as fiber-optic cables, radio communication equipment and accessories; Tools and Work Equipment. This project involves the purchase of various tools and equipment, as well as for the replacement, repair or maintenance of old ones; Transportation. This project involves the acquisition of new service and transport vehicles, as well as the repair of various transport vehicles, motorbikes and bucket trucks; Acquisition of Land-Supplementary. This project involves the additional expenditure needed to purchase the lot for the Bangkal Substation; Buildings and Improvement, Office Equipment, Furniture and Fixtures, and Miscellaneous Equipment. This project involves the expansion and repair of various offices, office utilities, and health, safety and security systems. This project also involves the acquisition of office furniture and fixtures; Computer Equipment (Software and Hardware). This project involves the replacement of computer units and IT-related equipment; various software upgrades, redevelopment of various software to enhance capability, and development of new software;

Section 2(b) of the EPIRA. Otherwise known as the Public Service Act. (MS-FEB. 6 & 13, 2019)

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

SPEAKER Gloria Macapagal Arroyo has pushed for the enactment of a bill establishing an intergovernmental task force for the protection and assistance of tourists during their travel around the Philippines.

House Bill 8961 or the proposed “Tourist Protection and Assistance Act” recognizes that the State shall endeavor to enact measures for the protection and assistance of tourists, both domestic and foreign.

It also recognizes that tourism is a major contributor to the country’s economic growth.

“The tourism industry has been branded as an ‘engine of economic growth’ given its capacity to boost and jumpstart any economy especially countries like the Philippines. It is a consistent source of foreign exchange earnings and employment opportunities and also promotes international goodwill. At the same time, it highlights and makes known to the international community of the rich and colorful sociocultural life of Filipinos,” Arroyo said.

With this, Arroyo cited a need for the government to adopt and implement an integrated approach in tourism development to be able to realize its full potential as an important economic tool necessary for national development.

The bill was approved on second reading before Congress adjourns last week.

It is expected to hurdle the final reading approval when Congress resumes session in May. The bill intends to make the country a premier travel and tourism destination in the world.

To this end, the secretary of the Department of Tourism shall establish an intergovernmental task force, to be known as the Tourist Protection and Assistant Task Force.

Sports UAAP stars grace Albay’s 2DCongCup cage opener LEGAZPI CITY—University Athletic Association of the Philippines cage stars Ricci Rivero of UP and Thirdy Ravena of Ateneo University graced Sunday’s kick-off rites here of the country’s biggest basketball tournament—the Albay Second District Inter-Barangay Congressional Cup (CongCup) 2019.

The local league involves 356 basketball teams and about 7,000 players, trainers and coaches, an overwhelming participation that makes it “without doubt, the largest barangay-based basketball tournament ever in the Philippines for the 3rd straight year” now.

The participants and guests literally filled the Ibalong Centrum for Recreation in this city, providing inspiration to aspiring athletes and enthusiasts.

Albay 2nd District Rep. Joey Sarte Salceda, who originated and sustained the league, said the record-breaking participation is a “show of our unity, a show of force of our people’s kinship in sports like a positive quantum entanglement. This can only be possible with the spirit of unity among barangays and SKs, the youth and community.”

Salceda, who is running unopposed in his reelection bid, started the league in 2017 with 161 teams involving 1,930 players and some 320 coaches―already a record-breaker then―attracting a wide participation that more than doubled in three years. The games opened last Sunday with a grand parade and a ceremony.

For the past three years, 264 players have undergone intensive training with the Defenders of Faith, 2DAlbay CongCup’s resident basketball team, many of whom may look forward to a hopeful career as players, said Salceda.

Its games are played in various venues around the province’s second district. The league has four divisions: Junior―with 143 teams participating; Junior Team Bs—with 29 teams; Senior Division—with 36; and Senior Division Team Bs, with-48.

“The entire Second District truly believes in sports as a great unifying force for progress. Sports thrive on, and builds the confidence of our people,” Salceda noted.

The 2D ConCup is played from February through the whole summer season.

A7

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2019 sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

PH volley teams eye SEAG medals T

HE Larong Volleyball sa Pilipinas Inc. is elated by the huge turnout for the men and women’s national team try-outs, which it hopes would translate into a podium finish in the coming 30th Southeast Asian Games.

LVPI President Peter Cayco said national coaches Shaq Delos Santos (women’s) and Dante Alinsunurin (men’s) now have a ‘good problem’ at their disposal in the wake of the large number of players who showed up and signified certified their intentions to play for flag and country.

Even more surprisingly was the attendance for the men’s squad held over the weekend at the University of the East and supervised by Rod Roque, the director in-charge for the men’s Philippine team.

“The two-day try-outs for the women’s national team were very good. All the players we were expecting arrived and at-

tended,” said Cayco. “Now for the men’s volleyball team try-outs, nagmukhang miniscule ‘yung sa women’s because a total of 85 attended the try-outs for the men’s volleyball team. We’re very happy, the LVPI is very happy.”

Judging by the number of players who showed up gives the volleyball federation the optimism of at least winning a medal in the volleyball events of the SEA Games scheduled Nov. 30 to Dec. 11.

“Podium finish ‘yan for the men’s and women’s. Kulay na lang ang pag-uusapan,” announced Cayco at the Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum on Tuesday at the Tapa King Restaurant at Farmers Plaza in Cubao.

“But we’re confident kami na podium finish,” added the LVPI president in the session presented

by San Miguel Corporation, Tapa King, and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation.

Cayco mentioned powerhouse Thailand, Indonesia, and Vietnam to crowd out the host coun- Cayco try for the podium finish.

The last time a Philippine volleyball team won a medal in the SEA Games was in 2005 when the country also hosted the biennial meet.

The LVPI is leaving nothing to chance anew with the multi-sports event to be held here again after 14 years.

A similar team will also be formed in beach volleyball competitions, two men’s

King’s Team A captures seat in quarterfinals

CAGE CLINIC IN DUBAI. National team coach Jong Uichico (6th from right) is shown with the coaches who took part in the recent SBP-sponsored coaching and basketball clinic held at the Shabab Al Ahli Club in Dubai recently. Uichico, who was assistant of Mighty Sports that finished third in the 30th Dubai International Basketball Championship, supervised the two-day clinic also at the same club.

Trinity University wins 1st QC Basketball League Open crown BIG man Daniel De Guzman shone in offense as Trinity University of Asia turned back Nyro Saints, 7669, and captured the Open Division title of the QCBL First Conference at the NRMF Gym in Fairview.

The steady slotman scored almost at will from inside and out of the paint, on the way to a top-scoring

29 points on top of nine rebounds to give Trinity the confidence as the team prepares for its next bigger tournament.

Coach Alvin Grey said they are using the QCBL as an exposure for tougher games ahead, particularly in the PBA D-League, where they are seeing

The winning Trinity University of Asia Stallions whoop it up after capturing the first QCBL Open Division title.

action for the first time.

De Guzman’s 22-point explosion in the second half had the Trinity Stallions turning a 25-35 halftime deficit into a rousing victory in the maiden season of the tournament supported by Wilson, Cashen Advertising, FEU-NRMF, Fit N Rite, Smart Communication and Kyzox Foundation.

“Magandang chances sa amin itong paglalaro sa QCBL para makapag-gel ang mga bata. Ang ganda nga agad ng teamwork nila dito,” said Grey, who has new seven players in his fold, including De Guzman.

Ably aiding De Guzman were old reliables Joshua Montero and Christian Goduco, who had 9 and 8 points, respectively. Leading the Saints’ losing cause were Dave Tecson and Jherald Manacho, who combined for 31 points.

In other finals matches, SSI Metal defeated Magic Seven, 96-87, to rule the Cadet Division, while Nemesis beat Regalado Vet, 101-90, to bag the Starter Division title.

QCBL Executive Director BJ Manalo congratulated all the teams and the winners and applauded them for the sportsmanship they displayed in the entire tournament.

“We thank all our teams, from the owners to the coaches and players, and our sponsors for making our first QCBL successful,” said Manalo, a former Dela Salle University Archer and team executive at GlobalPort in the PBA.

2nd MARHO Awards

HERMINIO Esguerra’s Quaker Ridge and Leonardo M. Javier Jr.’s Obra Maestra won big at the Metropolitan Association of Race Horse Owners (Marho) Awards, which recognized the best of 2018’s horseracing participants in a ceremony held at the Wack Wack Golf and Country Club last night.

Marho, which marked its 45th anniversary last Feb. 5, gave awards for the second time since last year for Stallion of the Year, Horse Owner of the Year, and Horse of the Year. This year they added the Champion 2YO and Champion 3YO awards.

Esguerra’s Quaker Ridge was

and two women’s squads. “‘Yung beach volleyball ngayon pa lang kami magmi-meet for the coaching staff selection,” said Cayco.

“Sana podium din, although mas confident ako sa indoor kasi nakikita ko at naa-assess namin ng maayos.

‘Yung beach volleyball siguro after the tryouts maybe we can give you the fearless forecast.”

Try-outs for the beach volleyball teams will be made in two weeks’ time after the coaching staff is chosen.

Meanwhile, the list of the 20-man pool for both the men’s and women’s national teams shall be submitted by the coaching staff to the LVPI anytime this week, according to Cayco.

recognized as Stallion of the Year for the second year in a row. Javier’s Obra Maestra received both Horse of the Year and Champion 2YO of the Year nods after earning P3.48 million in prizes in 2018.

Horseowner of the Year was SC Stockfarm, Inc. for contributing P128,180 in dues to Marho representing 1 percent of the stable’s earnings from racing. James Albert C. Dichaves’s Ava’s Dream was recognized as Champion 3YO of the Year for earning almost P1.56 million.

The awardees received gleaming mixed-metal horse sculptures designed and crafted by sculptor Daniel de la Cruz. The Stallion of the Year, Horse of the Year, and Horseowner of the Year trophies are statues of a full horse figure, while the Champion 2YO and 3YO trophies are silver and gold horse heads respectively.

Educated at the University of the

Philippines-Diliman, De la Cruz took the magnificent form of the horse as his inspiration. He described the trophies as “one-of-a-kind sculptures, handmade and sculpted from a variety of special metals, from the base up till the horse.”

He added, “I normally do not accept projects to create trophies and awards but I feel privileged to have been given a chance to create these special works.”

Dichaves, who is Marho president, thanked all the sponsors in his closing remarks and outlined the organization’s plans going forward. In the coming months, he said, Marho will be staging new races – the President’s Cup, the Mayor Sandy Javier Cup, and the Mayor Benhur Abalos Cup. The Javier Cup honors Leonardo M. Javier Jr., mayor of Javier, Leyte, and long-time chairman of Marho, while the Abalos Cup recognizes lawyer Benjamin Abalos Jr., former mayor

and congressman of Mandaluyong City and one of the most active and successful Marho past presidents.

Marho manager Ancy Palma and staffers Jhune Javier, Eric Borja, and Onofre Adducul did an excellent job of managing the event attended by some 70 MARHO directors, members, and their guests.

Marho’s other board members are Antonio V. Tan, vice-president; Reli De Leon, secretary; Antonio V. de Ubago Jr., treasurer; Victor V. Ferrer Jr., auditor; and Jeci Lapus, Macario Asistio, Marlon Cunanan, Vicente Go Bon, and Dr. Nick Cruz, directors.

The group has 89 active members.

Marho was founded in 1974. Its first chairman was Eduardo “Danding” Cojuangco Jr., who also helped establish the government’s Philippine Racing Commission that same year. *** FB: Gogirl Racing, Twitter: @ drhoarsewhsprr, @DrJennyO

DEFENDING champion Kings’ Montessori School Team A made short work of Assumption College 25-4, 25-9 on Sunday to clinch a quarterfinals’ berth in the 18-Under Competitive Division of the 23rd Women’s Volleyball League at the Xavier School High School Gymnasium in San Juan.

KMS-A barely broke a sweat in the match that only lasted for 39 minutes to finish the eliminations with a 4-0 record in Group A and advance to the next phase, while Assumption College wound up winless with a 0-4 slate in the tournament sponsored by Milo and supported by Rain or Shine and Chris Sports.

Joining KMS-A in the quarterfinals is Colegio San Agustin Makati, which beat Immaculate Conception Academy 26-24, 25-13 for a 3-1 card.

In Group B, San Antonio De Padua College downed OB Montessori Center, Greenhills, 25-13, 25-22, while Arellano University Team A edged Kings’ Montessori School Team B, 25-20, 25-17.

SAPC and AU-A gained quarterfinals slots with identical 2-1 records.

Escuela de Sophia of Caloocan, Inc. (40) and San Pedro Relocation Center National High School (3-1) have also barged into the quarters in Group C. St. Scholastica’s College, Manila (4-0) trounced University of Santo Tomas-Angelicum College, 25-17, 25-19, and Chiang Kai Shek College (3-1), whipped Immaculada Concepcion College, 25-15, 25-10, in Group D to advance to the Last Eight.

The quarterfinal matches of the 18-U Competitive Division are set this Sunday, at the same venue.

Defending champion Holy Family School of Quezon City rolled past St. Scholastica’s College, Manila 25-21, 25-18, in the 13-U Developmental Division and Immaculate Conception Academy drubbed Holy Family School of Quezon City 25-20, 25-8 in the 13-U Competitive Division.

Magcalayo sizzles with 65, leads RVF Cup JOLO Magcalayo sizzled with a bogeyfree seven-under 65 to open a huge sixstroke lead over sibling Jonas even as Sofia Chabon, Junia Gabasa and Eagle Ace Superal took charge in the women’s side with 75s at the start of the W Express RVF Cup Amateur Golf Championship at the Canlubang Golf and Country Club in Laguna yesterday.

Cashing in on his local knowledge of the course he calls home, Jolo, 17, banged away four birdies at the front then kept his charge in the last nine holes of the North layout to outgun Aidric Chan and Korean Kim Tae Soo for a personal best 32-33 card in near-ideal condition.

Two flights behind, Jonas, 22, also turned in a solid frontside 33 but failed to match Jolo’s sustained run and stumbled with a 38, settling for a 71 while Chan and Zachary Castro matched par 72s for joint third in the early going of the 72-hole championship held in honor of the late NGAP president and golf patron Rod V. Feliciano.

Jolo birdied the par-5 second hole to spark a run that included birdies on Nos. 5, 8 and 9 then after three pars at the back, he birdied the next two then capped his sterling round with another birdie on No. 16 to find himself way ahead of the pack.

Perry Bucay rallied with a backside 33 to tie Masaichi Otake at 73 while Don Petil, Elee Bisera and Korean Jung Jae Hyun shot identical 74s for joint seventh in the event sponsored by the MVP Sports Foundation and held as part of the PLDT Group National Amateur Tour.

Sports

Riera U. Mallari, Editor Reuel Vidal, Assistant Editor sports@thestandard.com.ph sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

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WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2019

Rain or Shine takes on Magnolia, eyes 5th straight win

By Jeric Lopez LEAGUE-LEADING Rain or Shine looks to display its winning formula once more when it shoots for a fifth straight win in the continuation of the 2019 Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Cup. Armed with a four-game winning streak, the red-hot Elasto Painters (6-1) get tested by struggling Magnolia (0-2) at 7 p.m. at the Mall of Asia Arena today.

In the opener, Alaska (1-1) and Blackwater (1-5) collide at 4:30 p.m.

Playing with a refreshed approach, Rain or Shine has surged to the top with a fiery start to the season.

That might have a lot to do with Painters’ coach Caloy Garcia’s new equal-opportunity approach.

Veterans like James Yap and Beau Belga are enjoying career renaissances, while youthful talent Rey Nambatac and Kris Rosales are also starting to emerge as well.

“The good thing is we have different players stepping up for us, that’s why we’re getting the wins,” said Garcia.

“We can’t be complacent, though. We know it gets harder every game.”

The Painters’ last victim was Phoenix as it reigned supreme in the battle of the league’s top two teams last Sunday, 98-94 in overtime.

While Rain or Shine is enjoying success thus far, Magnolia is heading opposite direction.

The Hotshots have come out flat as they dropped their initial two assignments.

“We need to play with a sense of urgency now and rediscover how to win,” said Magnolia coach Chito Victolero of what his team needs at the moment.

Alaska is looking for its second straight win when it meets Blackwater.

After dropping its opener, the Aces bounced back with a 94-72 dumping of Columbian Dyip last week to break into the winning column.

On the other hand, the Elite is on a tail-end of a three-game losing streak and is in need of wins now to remain in the running for the top eight.

Following today’s doubleheader, the league is bound to take a two-week break to give way to the FIBA Qualifiers and support the National Team.

PBA gives way to Team PH bid in Fiba qualifiers IN sync with Team Pilipinas’ campaign in the FIBA World Cup qualifiers, the Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Cup is set to go on a two-week break starting on Valentine’s Day. The Feb. 13 doubleheader at the Mall of Asia Arena will be the last for the league in the All-Filipino conference before giving way to the national team’s preparation and participation for the sixth and final window of the qualifiers.

The twinbill will feature Alaska against Blackwater at 4:30 p.m. followed by the clash between Magnolia and Rain or Shine at 7:00 p.m.

Action in the season-opening conference won’t resume until Feb. 27 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum when Meralco tangles with Columbian Dyip and Phoenix goes up against NorthPort.

“There’s no turning back in our support for the national team. Sabi ko nga ang PBA all-out support ‘yan sa Team Pilipinas,” said commissioner Willie Marcial.

Team Pilipinas is currently preparing for its last two must-win games in the qualifiers against Qatar and Kazakhstan, respectively.

The Filipinos are currently in fourth spot in Group F with an even 5-5 record, hoping to earn a berth in this year’s World Cup to be held in China in September.

The team leaves for Doha, Qatar on Feb. 16 and will play the host country on Feb. 21. It travels to Astana on the 22nd to battle Kazakhstan on the 24th.

Standard Insurance-Navy’s El Joshua Carino (right), the 2018 Le Tour champion, bested reigning Tour de Langkawi champion Artem Ovechkin to claim his first stage win of this UCI-sanctioned race.

Spaniard crowned Ronda king

By Peter Atencio

P

ANDAN, Antique—Spanish rider Francisco Mancebo Perez celebrated his first overall win in four years by taking the individual general classification honors after five stages of the LBC Ronda Pilipinas 2019 here.

Mancebo, who last did it in the Tour of Jalajah in Malaysia back in 2015, stayed way back in the third bunch of riders to finish 32 seconds behind stage winner, Navyman El Joshua Carino when he reached the finish line after 148.9 kilometers.

“It was a hard race. There were problems with some flats, and it was

fast (the race),” said the 42-year-old Tour de France veteran, who was heavily guarded by dethroned champion Ronald Oranza of the Philippine Navy-Standard Indurance.

Carino took advantage of the rolling terrain in Ibajay and went straight to the finish line, towing a 33-man group with him at the race ended in front of

the Panday Bay Institute finish line 3:24.37, with Terangganu riders Artem Ovechkin and Mohd Harrif taking second and third, respectively.

“Ang plano ay umatake si (Ronald) Lomotos sa KOM kasi siya iyung may puntos. Pero kinapos, kaya pumasok ako bilang reserba,” said Carino.

With Lomotos unable to take charge in the King of the Mountain portion 30.7 kilometers into the race, it was up to Carino to fend an attack coming from Ovechkin and Marale-Erdene Batmunkh, who were second and third in the KOM race.

Carino was done yet. He towed

AFP Cavaliers barge into UNTV Cup finals Game Feb. 24 (Pasig City Sports Center) 4:30 p.m. – Senate vs PNP

TWO-TIME champion Armed Forces of the Philippines drew a stellar showing from Darwin Cordero and downed National Housing Authority, 86-78, to advance to the finals of the 7th UNTV Cup held over the weekend at the Pasig City Sports Center.

In his most explosive game so far, Cordero scattered eight of his game-high 30 points in the payoff period as the AFP Cavaliers completed a two-game sweep of their best-of-three semis series in the event organized by UNTV president and CEO Dr. Daniel Razon for public servants.

Willy Casulla added 17 points and three boards, while former national team members Eugene Tan and Boyet Bautista chipped in 10 points each for AFP, which is bidding to become the first three-time champion of the annual tournament.

In the finals, the Cavaliers will face either the reigning champions Senate Defenders or the PNP Responders.

The Mike Fermin-mentored Defenders forced a rubber match in their own semis series with a narrow 74-69 win over the Responders—a feat that ended the latter’s sevengame winning streak dating back to the first stage of the elims.

Alvin Vitug helped NHA beat defending champion Senate, 89-82 in overtime by scoring 19 points.

The chosen charity of the champion team gets a tax-free P4 million prize while the foundation selected by the runner-up squad receives P2 million.

The deciding Game 3 will be held on Feb. 24.

In beating the Responders, the Defenders used an air-tight defense to throw the usually high-scoring Ollan Omiping out of his comfort zone.

The former University of the East

player—a teammate of Rain or Shine’s James Yap and San Miguel’s Ronald Tubid—was held to just 12 points this time—a far cry from his 27-point show in the team’s 79-74 win in Game 1.

James Ryan Mangaran led Senate with 17 points while Rey Malaga, Jr. contributed six of his 12 points in the fourth that helped change the complexion of the game.

Dy returns to BRAVE CF, fights Pakistani sensation ROLANDO Gabriel Dy is back to the BRAVE Combat Federation after a five-fight run with the UFC. “The Incredible” is set to make his return at home, during BRAVE CF’s debut in the Philippines, on March 15, with Pakistani powerhouse Mehmosh Reza as his opponent.

The son of the boxing world champion Rolando Navarrete, Dy has a professional record of 10 wins and 7 losses. His last appearance in BRAVE CF set an exotic record as the fastest No Contest in the history of the promotion.

At BRAVE 5 in 2016, Dy and his opponent Nelson Paes clashed heads within the first seconds of the fight and the bout was then stopped without a winner.

After the episode, Dy signed with the UFC and had five fights with USA-based promotion. His best result was a win over Wuliji Buren in Shanghai, China.

Dy’s opponent in his BRAVE CF comeback will be one of the hottest prospects in Asia. With an explosive personality and fight-style, Reza made waves in the truly global

promotion with his debut last October.

In only 23 seconds, “The Renegade” submitted another Filipino fighter, Arben Escayo in a result that granted him the “Performance of the Night” award in BRAVE CF 17: Pakistan.

Since then, Mehmosh, who holds a 9-3 professional record, has been linked to a return to BRAVE CF cage.

Dy vs Reza will join another huge local vs foreigner clash in BRAVE CF 22’s fight card.

In the main event of the evening, the Bantamweight world champion Stephen Loman puts his title on the line against the former Featherweight kingpin Elias “Smile” Boudegzdame.

BRAVE CF 22: Storm of Warriors take place on March 15, at the Mall of Asia Arena, in Manila, Philippines.

The event will be the first one promoted in the country by Brave Combat Federation, the premier Bahrainbased organization founded by His Highness Sheikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa.

Filipino riders Jan Paul Morales and 7-Eleven’s Dominic Perez in the downhill dash towards Pandan.

And this earned Carino the best Filipino rider honors for the stage.

Oranza, who placed 10th in the stage, was three minutes and 20 seconds behind Mancebo-Perez in the overall individual rankings, followed by Perez and Morales.

Terangganu claimed the overall team honors, followed in second and third 7-Eleven and Navy.

Perez, who was fifth in the stage, was also in the main group with Navyman Rudy Roque and Go for Gold rider Elmer Navarro.

Harden keeps streak alive; Kahwi lifts Raptors LOS ANGELES—James Harden produced a scintillating late burst of scoring to extend his remarkable 30-point scoring streak to 30 games on Monday as the Houston Rockets defeated the Dallas Mavericks 120-104.

The reigning NBA MVP had been bidding to become only the second player in history after Wilt Chamberlain to score at least 30 points in 30 consecutive games as the Rockets hosted the Mavs.

But Harden’s run of 30-point games looked to be in serious jeopardy after a dogged performance by the Mavericks, who often doubleteamed the Rockets ace in an attempt to staunch his scoring ability.

With around three minutes remaining, Harden looked to be in trouble with only 20 points against his name.However back-to-back three pointers took him to 26 points with 1:57 on the clock, and he moved to 28 points after two free throws with just over a minute remaining.

With the Toyota Center home crowd roaring him on, Harden broke the 30-point barrier with a threepointer to finish with 31 points on the night.

Harden is now one game shy of Chamberlain’s tally of 31 consecutive 30-point games for second place on the all-time list. Chamberlain also holds the outright record with a streak of 65 30-point games.

Harden’s main satisfaction however was in helping secure victory for Houston, who moved to 33-23 with the win to stay firmly in the playoff hunt in the Western Conference.

Elsewhere Monday, Kawhi Leonard drained the game-winner with 4.4 seconds left with a 30-point display as the Toronto Raptors outlasted the Brooklyn Nets with a 127-125 victory on Tuesday.

Leonard, who had averaged just over 17 points per game in his previous four appearances, went 50 percent from the field to lead the scoring for the Raptors. AFP

Business

IN BRIEF

Ray S. Eñano, Editor Roderick T. dela Cruz, Assistant Editor business@manilastandard.net extrastory2000@gmail.com WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2019

B1

PH drops nine places in economic freedom

THE Philippines dropped nine places to rank 70th among 186 economies in terms of economic freedom this year from 61st in 2018, according to the Heritage Foundation.

The country received lower scores in 10 subindices that included tax burden and judicial effectiveness in 2019.

According to the Heritage Foundation, the Philippines’ score fell to 30.9 from 34.4 in terms of government integrity; judicial effectiveness from 38.2 to 36.4; tax burden, from 78.9 to 76.9; government spending, from 89.3 to 88.7; fiscal health, from 97.7 to 97.1; and business freedom, from 62.6 to 61.3.

It said that while there was an improvement in the property rights and labor freedom sub-indices, the reduction in scores in the ten other sub-indices caused a net reduction in overall score of 63.8, which was slightly better than that of France.

The Department of Finance said as in any measure, the index left out important details. It said the foundation put a premium on small government without regard for the economy’s developmental stage.

“But a developing economy may require greater government involvement in the economy as in the provision of infrastructure and social services such as basic education, health, and social protection,” the DoF said. Julito G. Rada

Phinma Education investing in Indonesia

URC’S ANVIL. Universal Robina Corp. Flour & Pasta Division wins a Silver Award at the recent 54th Anvil Awards of the Public Relations Society of the Philippines for its Flourish Pilipinas learning capacity building program. Shown are (from left) Red Samar, communications manager at JG Summit Holdings; Joel Cruz, strategic communications director, Coms360/PageOne; Cecilia Ubarra, managing director, Knowledge Community Inc.; Yvonne Flores, director of CSR and sustainability-corporate affairs, JG Summit; Naida Dalisay-Ebora, sales and marketing director, URC Flour; Chinkee Andres, marketing manager, URC Flour; Ellison Lee, vice president–business unit head, URC Flour; Dr. Samuel Soliven, OIC director III–Bureau of Curriculum Development, Department of Education; Nicanor Ines, technology director, URC Flour; Al Orbecido, product development and services manager–Manila, URC Flour; Edmarc Allan Monreal, management trainee, URC Flour; and Jeffrey Reyes, media and PR associate, JG Summit.

Trade deficit widens to a record $41b

By Julito G. Rada

T

HE country’s trade deficit widened by 51 percent in 2018 to a record $41.4 billion from $27.38 billion in 2017, as imports outpaced exports, the Philippine Statistics Authority said Tuesday.

Data showed that imports rose 13 percent last year to $108.92 billion from $96.093 billion in 2017, while exports fell 1.8 percent to $67.487 billion from $68.712 billion.

The PSA said that in December, the balance of trade in goods deficit reached $3.75 billion, as exports dropped 12.3 percent to $4.72 billion and imports declined 9.4 percent to $8.47 billion.

Export receipts decreased as shipments of manufactures, mineral and petroleum products fell. Imports declined as purchases of all commodity groups dropped in December 2018.

The National Economic and Development Authority said that as external challenges persisted, the merchandise trade growth in the Philippines and in most Asian

economies softened in December.

“Merchandise trade in all the monitored Asian economies continued to weaken in the last month of 2018 as the region began to feel the impact of the weakening Chinese economy and the US-China trade tension,” Economic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia said.

“Policy uncertainty remains a threat to global trade, investment, and output, especially as US-China trade tensions continue. To mitigate this impact, the national Manila Standard government should continue to work on legislative TODAY reforms that will open up sectors for foreign investment,” Pernia said.

He said that given the widening current account deficit due to the trade gap, the proposed amendments to the Foreign Investment, Retail Trade, and Public Services Acts should be pursued.

“We should encourage foreign firms to transfer their manufacturing facilities in the Philippines and to take advantage of the growing domestic market,” he said.

The full implementation of the Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Act of 2018 is also being pushed to eliminate bureaucratic and regulatory barriers that raise the cost of doing business in the country, Neda said.

Nicholas Mapa, a senior economist of ING Bank Manila, said consumer imports were hit by the one-off

effects of the car buying spree in late 2017. He also noted the pullback in capital goods and raw materials in December.

“If this continues, this could show that recent aggressive tightening by the BSP is starting to bite into investment appetite, hampering the nascent investment-driven growth story that we’ve witnessed of late,” Mapa said.

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas last year increased the benchmark interest rates by a total of 175 basis points to 4.75 percent to rein in inflation.

Globe’s income climbed 22% to P18.4b in 2018

By Darwin G. Amojelar GLOBE Telecom Inc. said Tuesday net income grew 22 percent in 2018 from a year ago, boosted by higher mobile data and broadband revenues.

The telecom unit of the Ayala Group said it earned P18.4 billion last year, up from P15.08 billion it booked in 2017.

Core net income surged 37 percent to P18.5 billion in 2018 from P13.5 billion in 2017.

“We are proud of what we have achieved in 2018 both in terms of financials and network expansion. With our unwavering commitment to bring the Philippines closer to first-world internet connectivity, we are happy to announce that we have successfully met our minimum broadband coverage commitment,” Globe president and chief executive Ernest Cu said in a statement.

“We will continue to build our network capacities to improve the internet experience as we re-invest our gains back to our network, which is now close to 33 percent of our revenues, to be able to deliver a differentiated level of customer service,” Cu said.

Consolidated revenues reached P140.2 billion last year, up 10 percent from P127.9 billion in 2017.

Mobile revenues grew 9 percent to P99.5 billion last year. Mobile data continued to be the top contributor to the company’s mobile business and accounted for 51 percent of gross mobile service revenues in 2018, up from 44 percent in 2017.

This was propelled by the sustained higher prepaid top-ups, with more consumer spending on mobile data, driving the mobile data traffic growth from 600 petabytes in 2017 to 956 petabytes in 2018.

Mobile voice and mobile SMS revenues accounted for P28.5 billion and P20.2 billion, respectively.

CREBA BUSINESS MEETING. Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Deputy Governor for Monetary Stability and Economics Diwa Guinigundo (center) is the guest of honor and speaker at the first monthly business meeting of the Chamber of Real Estate and Builders’ Associations Inc. in Makati City. Guinigundo cited key figures on the unused agri-agra funds of banks earmarked for housing purposed under Republic Act 7835. Creba is supporting the bill filed by House Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and Sen. J.V. Ejercito making this part of a P270-billion Comprehensive Home Financing Program to accelerate annual housing production to 500,000 units and address homelessness in 20 years. With Guinigundo are Creba national chairman Charlie Gorayeb (left) and national president Noel Toti Cariño.

Israel firm offers P44-b solar irrigation

By Othel V. Campos THE Agriculture Department and a major Israeli agro-industrial company will soon start formal negotiations to construct 6,200 units of solar-powered irrigation systems worth P44 billion.

Agriculture Secretary Manuel Piñol said the proposed project had the approval of President Rodrigo Duterte, following recent talks with Israeli Ambassador Rafael Harpaz who relayed the intention of several Israel agricultural companies to support Philippine farming.

“The proposal of the LR Group, one of Israel’s biggest agro-industrial companies, is to fund and build solar-powered Irrigation projects which would irrigate 500,000 hectares of rice and highvalue crops farms over the next

three years,” he said.

The Israel company visited Davao City, Tagum City and Llanera, Nueva Ecija and offered to establish the SPIS projects of the Agriculture Department in partnership with local construction companies.

The proposal includes a 10-year loan to cover the entire project cost of P44 billion. The fund would be guaranteed by both the Philippine and Israeli governments The offer will be submitted to the National Economic Development Authority for an assessment and to endorse the project to the President.

The proposed project is a major breakthrough in the productivity program of the department especially in rice, where only 1.2 million hectares out of 3.9-million are irrigated, said Piñol.

PHINMA Education Holdings Inc., a unit of listed firm Phinma Corp., is venturing into Indonesia.

Phinma said in a disclosure to the stock exchange said its education subsidiary would invest P278 million to acquire a 66-percent stake in a joint venture company that will manage tertiary institutions in Indonesia.

Under the joint venture agreement, Phinma Education and Tripersada Global Manajemen will form PT Ind Phil Managemen to manage tertiary institutions for Yayasan Triputra Persada Horizon Education, with the first facility located in West Java, Indonesia.

“Phinma Education will invest in shares of IPM in the amount of IDR74.45 billion [$5.3 million or P278 million) equivalent to 66 percent of the joint venture company,” Phinma said.

The investment marks Phinma Education’s entry into Indonesia which is in line with its regional strategy.

It said Indonesia, with a population of more than 260 million, provides the company with a new market to serve and a new source of income.

Jenniffer B. Austria

Bank of Taiwan cleared to open office in PH

THE Monetary Board, the policy-making body of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, approved the application of Bank of Taiwan to open a representative office in the Philippines.

The approval brought the number of foreign banks operating in the country to 13 since the government liberalized the domestic banking industry in July 2014.

“The Monetary Board, in its Resolution No. 359 dated 1 March 20L8, granted authority to the Bank of Taiwan to open a representative office in the Philippines to be known as ‘Bank of Taiwan - Manila Representative Office’,” the board said in a circular.

Bank of Taiwan-Manila Representative Office was registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission on Sept. 18, 2018. It started its operations in the country on Jan. 31, 2019.

Bank of Taiwan was established as Taiwan’s central bank in 1899 during Japanese rule. The bank’s creation was authorized in 1897 by the Bank Act of Taiwan which encouraged Japanese enterprises, such as the Mitsubishi and Mitsui Groups, to invest in Taiwan. Julito G. Rada

040608 (Bank Code)

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IDC Centre, Zapote Street cor. Kalayaan Avenue, Brgy. Sta. Cruz, Makati City

BALANCE SHEET

As of DECEMBER 31, 2018 ASSETS Cash and Cash Items Due from Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Due from Other Banks Financial Assets at Fair Value through Profit or Loss Available-for-Sale Financial Assets-Net Held-to-Maturity (HTM) Financial Assets-Net Unquoted Debt Securities Classified as Loans-Net Investments in Non-Marketable Equity Security-Net Loans and Receivables - Net Loans to Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Interbank Loans Receivable Loans and Receivables - Others Loans and Receivables Arising from RA/CA/PR/SLB General Loan Loss Provision Other Financial Assets Equity Investment in Subsidiaries, Associates and Joint Ventures-Net Bank Premises, Furniture, Fixture and Equipment-Net Real and Other Properties Acquired-Net Non-Current Assets Held for Sale Other Assets-Net Net Due from Head Office/Branches/Agencies, if any (Philippine branch of a foreign bank) TOTAL ASSETS LIABILITIES Financial Liabilities at Fair Value through Profit or Loss Deposit Liabilities Due to Other Banks Bills Payable a) BSP (Rediscounting and Other Advances) b) Interbank Loans Payable c) Other Deposit Substitute d) Others Bonds Payable-Net Unsecured Soubordlnated Debt-Net Redeemable Preferred Shares Special Time Deposrt Due to Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Other Financial Liabilities Other Liabilities Net Due to Head Office/Branches/Agencies/(Philippine branch of a foreign bank) TOTAL LIABILITIES STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY Capital Stock Other Capital Accounts Retained Earnings Assigned Caprtal TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY CONTINGENT ACCOUNTS Guarantees Issued Financial Standby Letters of Credit Performance Standby Letters of Credit Commercial Letters of Credit Trade Related Guarantees Commttments Spot Foreign Exchange Contracts Securities Held Under Custodianship by Bank Proper Trust Department Accounts a) Trust and Other Fiduciary Accounts b) Agency Accounts c) Advlsory/Consull Derivatives Others TOTAL CONTINGENT ACCOUNTS ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Gross total loan portfolio (TLP) Specific allowance for credit losses on the TLP Non-Performing Loans (NPLs) a. Gross NPLs b. Ratio of gross NPLs to gross TLP (%) c. Net NPLs d. Ratio of Net NPLs to gross TLP (%) e. Ratio of total allowance for credit losses to gross NPLs (%) f. Ratio of specific allowance for credit losses on the gross TLP to gross NPLs (%) Classified Loans & Other Risk Assets, gross of allowance for credit losses DOSRI Loans and receivables, gross allowance of credit losses Ratio of DOSRI loans and receivables, gross of allowance for credit losses, to gross TLP (%) Gross non-performing DOSRI loans and receivables Ratio of gross non-performing DOSRI loans and receivables to TLP (%) Percent Compliance with Magna Carta (%) a. 8% for Micro and Small Enterprises b. 2% for Medium Enterprises Return on Equity (ROE) (%) Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR) on Solo Basis, as prescribed under existing regulations a. Total CAR (%) b. Tier 1 Ratio (%) c. Common Tier 1 Ratio (%) 1/ Deferred Charges not yet Written Down Unbooked Allowance for Credit Losses on Financial Instruments Received

Amount Current Quarter Previous Quarter 3,722,415.88 1,250,765.74 65,787,010.61 65,787,010.61 835,533,980.18 673,867,210.30 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 15,000,000.00 15,000,000.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 2,646,294,545.71 2,568,426,460.91 0.00 0.00 2,679,535,952.44 2,604,158,061.69 0.00 0.00 33,241,406.73 35,731,600.78 16,311,604.44 18,142,996.40 0.00 0.00 30,634,901.50 31,601,472.06 245,592,993.78 183,470,824.69 3,808,100.08 4,562,561.82 0.00 0.00 3,862,685,552.18 3,562,109,302.53 0.00 1,913,856,551.11 0.00 1,118,000,000.00 0.00 1,118,000,000.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 10,116,326.78 47,420,108.40 0.00 3,089,392,986.29

0.00 1,946,925,387.21 0.00 821,000,000.00 0.00 821,000,000.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 7,630,709.38 38,635,683.83 0.00 2,814,191,780.42

664,254,929.85 (1,002,593.00) 110,040,229.04 0.00 773,292,565.89 3,862,685,552.18

657,102,514.60 24,296,844.30 66,518,163.21 0.00 747,917,522.11 3,562,109,302.53

0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 12,996,619.47 12,996,619.47

0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 2,727,914.47 2,727,914.47

2,824,955,174.82 145,419,222.38

2,745,741,325.47 141,583,263.78

304,330,938.27 10.77% 158,911,715.89 5.63% 58.71% 47.78% 45.00 544,458,256.78 19.27% 0.00 0.00%

314,761,974.21 11.46% 173,178,710.43 6.31% 56.33% 44.98% 45.00 540,737,257.29 19.69% 0.00 0.00%

8.35% 45.21% 8.00%

9.47% 35.89% 5.00%

17.97 17.03 0.00 0.00 0.00

19.78 18.84 0.00 0.00 0.00

BOARD OF DIRECTORS FR. ANTONIO CECELIO T. PASCUAL Chairman ATTY. MICKEL M. BORIGAS Vice-Chairman DIRECTORS ROBERT V. AREVALO PATRIA T. CHIONG ROMEO A. DE JESUS DORIS R.DORIGO NORMA G. GUHITING EDITA S. LAURON GARIBALDI O. LEONARDO ROBERTO C. MASCARINA SERAFIN F. PERALTA PEDRO A. PLAZA DIVINA C. QUEMI PEDRO E. RIEZA, JR. NICOLAS H. VERONILLA EXECUTIVE OFFICER Renelia V. Estioko President

1/ Common Equity Tier 1 is only applicable to all Universal and Commercial Banks and their subsidiary banks.

Republic of the Philippines ) Makati City) s.s.

I/We, RODA L. CRUZ and RENELIA V. ESTIOKO of the above-mentioned bank do solemnly swear that all matters set forth in the above balance sheet are true and correct to the best of my/our knowledge and belief.

RODA L. CRUZ Finance Head

RENELIA V. ESTIOKO President

SUBSCRIBED AND SWORN to before me this January 21, 2019 at Makati City, affiant exhibiting his/her/their Passport No.P1057056A, issued at DFA NCR EAST on December 01, 2016 and Passport No. P1747134A, issued at Manila City on January 25, 2017.

Doc. No. 300 Book No. 495 Page No. 61 Series of 2019

B2

Business

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2019 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Market slumps; Asiabest, AGG up S TOCKS fell for a third day after data showed the Philippines incurred a record trade deficit of $41.4 billion in 2018 which reflected sluggish exports.

The Philippine Stock Exchange index, the 30-company benchmark, shed 51 points, or 0.6 percent, to close at 8,009.92 Tuesday, as five of the six sub-sectors declined.

The broader all-share index which represents all shares also tumbled 34 points, or 0.7 percent, to settle at 4,858.41, on a value turnover of P7.2 billion. Losers outnumbered gainers, 124 to 86, while 46 issues were unchanged.

Nine of the 20 most active stocks ended in the green, led by Asiabest Group International Inc. which climbed

9.4 percent to P26.90. Alliance Global Group Inc., the holding company of billionaire Andrew Tan, gained 2.4 percent to P14.30, while port operator International Container Terminal Inc. rose 1.9 percent to P116.90.

Meanwhile, other Asian stocks advanced Tuesday on optimism over US-China trade talks and a provisional deal to avoid a Washington shutdown, while the weak yen boosted exporters.

Initial trade talks are underway in Beijing aimed at averting punitive tariffs which could slow the global economy.

Top-level negotiators are set to arrive in the Chinese capital for meetings Thursday and Friday, ahead of a March 1 deal deadline.

Investors responded positively to reports that Donald Trump wants to meet Xi Jinping “very soon”, just days after the US president had appeared to write off an imminent summit with his counterpart.

“Officials on both sides of the US-

China trade talks expressed satisfaction with the progress thus far,” wrote Jeffrey Halley, senior analyst at Oanda, in a commentary.

Washington is demanding changes from Beijing on what it says are unfair commercial practices.

Failure by the economic superpowers to reach an agreement would see US tariffs on $200 billion worth of Chinese imports more than double.

Meanwhile, US lawmakers said they had reached an agreement in principle on border security.

The announcement assuaged fears of a chaotic repeat of the recent 35-day partial US government shutdown—the longest in the country’s history.

The agreement included $1.4 billion in funding for a wall on the US-Mexico border -- a key campaign promise of Trump.

News of the deal -- which still needs to be accepted -- came as the president stirred up border controversy at a

raucous rally in the frontier city of El Paso.

Hong Kong edged up 0.1 percent, while Shanghai gained 0.7 percent. Sydney added 0.3 percent, Seoul rose 0.5 percent and Taipei jumped 0.9 percent.

Tokyo—returning from Monday’s public holiday—leapt 2.6 percent, as Japanese exporters further benefited from a resurgent dollar, which left the yen at its weakest level since the start of 2019.

The dollar has returned to early January heights, on the US currency’s longest unbroken rally in three years— despite the Fed recently changing course on interest rate hikes.

Investors have turned to the greenback as concern has built over poor growth forecasts and the health of other currencies in Europe and beyond.

Multiple central banks have fallen in line with the Fed’s dovish stance since it held interest rates unchanged two weeks ago. With AFP

MANILA STANDARD BUSINESS DAILY STOCKS REVIEW TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2019

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

FINANCIALS 59 24,410 89.6 1,821,150 2.32 89,000 139 1,550,210 1.48 352,000 28 37,200 17.18 1,700 13.16 674,500 4.6 478,000 7.67 300 1.67 168,000 0.5 830,000 82.35 1,676,360 1.31 6,340,000 14 2,600 49 719,100 186 1,120 122 20 59.5 2,460 26.15 134,900 176.4 169,840 1,780 350 63.5 9,750 1.18 200,000

1,431,684.50 164,226,391.50 201,030 213,795,059 512,460 1,037,085 28,994 8,950,006 2,211,060 2,301 266,970 405,200 137,876,314 8,206,530 36,176 35,222,005 208,449 2,440 145,601 3,527,665 30,167,502 625,575 621,021 236,000

882,167 -6,202,101.50 27,224,271 -41,950 23,856 850,898 19,600 17,075,098 -615,750 15,517,400 376,980 1,907,007 -277,525 -289,126.50 -

37 16.32 1.08 1.39 0.246 96.2 2.42 16.1 126.1 29.35 16.5 41.5 64 70.05 1.84 6.08 6.85 11.62 15.8 8.4 7.52 1.66 21.05 72.95 26.5 3.06 9.2 12.58 1.75 312 4.34 3.24 14.5 27 12.4 18.24 360 0.221 6.18 1.4 3.7 6.75 8.86 1.29 11.02 46.5 6 4.71 2.1 1.39 12.7 91.55 6.32 0.135 1 141.3 2.56 1.76 16 1.38

INDUSTRIAL 37 985,400 16.48 286,100 1.08 7,231,000 1.4 1,205,000 0.25 1,300,000 97 1,280 2.49 14,902,000 16.2 462,700 130 1,060 29.9 120,500 16.5 6,800 42 239,300 64 1,400 72 1,710 1.85 5,137,000 6.08 7,200 6.85 4,700 11.66 1,611,400 15.9 108,200 8.45 3,258,700 7.63 1,637,700 1.66 3,000 21.25 2,396,500 73.2 29,760 26.95 319,000 3.21 19,914,000 9.53 2,244,300 12.8 1,012,300 1.78 1,201,000 312 475,100 4.34 1,000 3.4 389,000 14.78 412,300 27.1 1,440,600 12.88 1,428,000 18.3 5,903,300 360.4 347,690 0.234 14,690,000 6.18 600 1.42 12,046,000 3.7 44,000 6.78 21,096,700 9.36 25,500 1.3 25,662,000 11.3 129,900 46.7 738,100 6.01 20,000 4.71 1,000 2.17 377,000 1.42 248,000 12.7 644,600 92.6 253,620 6.36 97,300 0.138 1,180,000 1.53 33,813,000 141.3 706,990 2.56 24,000 1.76 1,888,000 16.98 21,000 1.4 1,722,000

36,711,635 4,708,106 7,935,500 1,687,020 324,100 123,691.50 36,770,470 7,521,776 137,275 3,588,455 113,550 9,975,600 90,408.50 123,694.50 10,186,540 43,916 32,313 18,829,984 1,713,538 27,544,545 12,493,717 4,980 50,973,740 2,182,595.50 8,569,030 62,527,050 21,095,011 12,922,536 2,167,320 149,242,974 4,340 1,328,150 6,265,594 39,059,365 18,162,964 110,763,294 125,631,116 3,378,090 3,708 17,573,280 162,800 143,414,640 236,391 33,549,350 1,461,932 34,527,580 120,100 4,710 810,470 349,100 8,279,572 23,455,568.50 618,283 159,790 47,094,030 101,280,668 61,850 3,349,870 362,714 2,386,940

-10,983,045 343,862 -32,490.00 -203,000 -12,707,910 355,024 -547,465 4,300 -49,500 -1,372 -3,057,392 1,204,178 -3,602,953 9,248,100 17,859,080 134,454.50 2,574,310 738,405 1,371,194 -34,663,048 -17,000 -7,510 -104,555 900,366 3,293,240.00 -51,585,782 -55,680 -426,040 -23,010,823 18,700 93,930 -25,038,645 -60,000 5,560 -112,202 -5,240,471.50 114,980 -17,020,025 -234,870 -195,704 -76,600

0.82 64.3 14.32 0.85 6.5 27.2 1.51 1.5 940.5 7.53 12.38 12.98 0.233 1,081 6.15 66.15 5.55 5.4 0.65 5.38 15.86 0.58 4.96 0.04 1.18 2.85 164 1,005 1 1.42 499.6 280 0.265 0.38

0.79 62.65 13.98 0.8 6.4 24.6 1.44 1.45 927.5 7.3 12.04 12.7 0.228 1,052 6.1 65.1 5.55 4.9 0.6 5.25 15.48 0.58 4.88 0.039 1.15 2.75 161.5 985 0.77 1.39 490 273.2 0.255 0.335

HOLDING FIRMS 0.81 26,851,000 63.95 794,620 14.3 9,980,900 0.84 84,000 6.4 24,600 26.9 31,043,000 1.45 23,357,000 1.47 3,325,000 932 152,120 7.5 988,400 12.12 4,302,300 12.76 375,300 0.229 630,000 1,070 104,235 6.1 45,300 65.8 1,030,730 5.55 500 5.4 8,500 0.62 1,496,000 5.3 283,200 15.5 2,383,500 0.58 218,000 4.88 21,843,000 0.039 12,500,000 1.18 63,000 2.8 639,000 163 400,840 986 218,175 0.9 7,061,000 1.39 29,000 490 150 280 3,760 0.26 2,570,000 0.365 66,820,000

21,510,650 50,306,091.50 141,587,416 70,260 159,440 777,825,585 34,447,900 4,872,800 142,049,635 7,349,191 52,241,538 4,833,844 144,990 111,577,820 277,901 67,746,988 2,775 45,400 923,700 1,503,586 37,183,382 126,440 107,350,110 490,300 72,860 1,792,490 65,026,883 216,020,302.50 6,360,400 40,910 73,884 1,046,928 664,950 24,183,350

596,000 -7,899,112.50 44,702,866 159,440 -438,920 1,459,640 34,804,980 -1,650,911 -7,042,590 -26,950 -4,984,225 18,755,429 -170,910 579,181 -19,346,040 -22,862,450 75,600 -4,583,334 3,627,055 73,700 38,250 1,380,200

11.28 0.8 11 1.84 0.94 45 2.58 4.2 6.42 0.55 0.9 0.95 0.255 0.415 10.48 23.25 0.52 0.14 1.59 1.27 5.25 0.44 0.455 2.33

10.8 0.78 10.7 1.8 0.9 44.45 2.5 4.1 6.1 0.49 0.82 0.89 0.25 0.405 10.18 22 0.5 0.136 1.53 1.23 5.16 0.425 0.445 2.2

26,449,260 2,601,380 100,700 156,720 1,465,770 275,705,680 719,380 1,797,820 329,312 47,807,105 82,510 757,770 648,950 168,550 12,514,628 30,876,095 66,250 13,760 39,471,880 224,430 29,157,712 8,557,300 216,900 19,012,450

1,401,600 -46,200 79,590,750 190,726 85,900 6,560 10,000 1,036 877,915 -14,374,640 12,400 10,335,174 -339,650 -45,000 -507,340

NAME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

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

58.15 90.65 2.26 137.8 1.45 28 17.04 13.5 4.69 7.67 1.41 0.49 82.1 1.22 13.84 49 186.3 122 58.9 26.35 180.6 1,792 64 1.18

59 91.5 2.32 139 1.55 28 17.18 13.5 4.7 7.67 1.68 0.5 82.55 1.32 14 49.2 186.8 122 59.8 26.35 180.6 1,792 64 1.18

58.15 89.6 2.25 136 1.43 27.75 17.02 13.12 4.58 7.67 1.41 0.485 81.8 1.22 13.84 48.05 186 122 58 26 176 1,780 63.5 1.18

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

37.65 16.5 1.13 1.39 0.255 96.45 2.43 16.5 131 29.8 16.8 42 65.05 74 1.93 6.1 6.86 11.72 15.8 8.45 7.66 1.66 21.25 73 26.9 3.16 9.58 12.6 1.89 318 4.34 3.24 16.4 27.35 12.74 18.4 360 0.25 6.18 1.46 3.7 6.8 9.38 1.33 11.3 47.05 6 4.71 2.13 1.42 13 95.5 6.35 0.135 1.02 146.6 2.6 1.78 17 1.4

38 16.5 1.14 1.41 0.255 97 2.49 16.52 131 30 17 42.5 65.05 74 2.12 6.1 6.9 11.76 15.9 8.51 7.66 1.66 21.4 73.9 27.1 3.23 9.58 13 1.89 318 4.34 3.7 16.4 27.4 12.92 18.88 364.4 0.25 6.18 1.52 3.7 6.95 9.38 1.34 11.3 47.1 6.01 4.71 2.18 1.44 13 95.5 6.37 0.138 1.53 146.6 2.65 1.79 19 1.4

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

0.82 64 14 0.8 6.5 24.65 1.45 1.45 934 7.53 12.26 12.98 0.233 1,076 6.14 65.7 5.55 5.4 0.65 5.36 15.82 0.58 4.95 0.04 1.16 2.8 164 1,004 0.77 1.42 499.6 275 0.26 0.35

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 EVER GOTESCO FILINVEST LAND GLOBAL ESTATE MEGAWORLD MRC ALLIED PHIL ESTATES PHIL INFRADEV

11 0.79 11 1.8 0.93 44.9 2.51 4.19 6.42 0.53 0.86 0.9 0.25 0.405 10.2 23.05 0.5 0.136 1.57 1.27 5.21 0.43 0.455 2.33

VOLUME

NAME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

VOLUME

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

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

0.465 3.19 49 23 2.02 3.15 39.15 1.4 6.31 0.72 6.43

0.51 3.24 49.15 23 2.17 3.15 39.4 1.43 6.36 0.72 6.47

0.46 3.08 49 22.2 2 3.15 38.4 1.38 6.25 0.7 6.17

0.49 3.1 49.15 22.9 2.11 3.15 38.9 1.39 6.25 0.7 6.28

8,360,000 722,000 300 1,901,000 1,043,000 143,000 5,288,000 497,000 605,000 46,000 13,020,100

4,109,250 2,278,630 14,730 43,528,080 2,166,880 450,450 205,112,180 700,720 3,812,645 32,700 81,617,614

96,000 -473,700 15,059,220 -102,500.00 179,550 20,418,745 85,200 425,395 -40,504,140

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

13.34 23.85 1.31 0.475 0.041 15 3.07 12 0.065 86.1 8.39 6.56 7.6 15.4 900 1,983 5.76 350.2 2.85 1.97 121.5 10.86 7.22 0.136 6.38 3.2 16 3.37 0.82 19.04 0.6 4.82 2.85 2.07 3.25 9.32 13.36 3.36 6.29 133 3.15 1,216 1.01 1.51 47.9 86 8.54 2.41 0.78 0.45 5.57 0.77 14.66

13.34 23.85 1.31 0.475 0.043 15.76 3.13 12.06 0.069 88 8.39 6.63 7.6 15.5 920 2,014 5.8 359 2.85 2.21 122 11.28 7.22 0.136 6.4 3.35 17.5 3.45 1.02 19.78 0.81 4.82 2.85 2.25 3.25 9.32 13.36 3.36 6.32 133.1 3.45 1,227 1.03 1.51 47.9 86.55 9.03 2.45 0.78 0.455 5.64 0.77 15

13.16 23 1.31 0.465 0.039 15 3.07 11.82 0.065 86 8.39 6.49 7.55 15.08 900 1,956 5.76 350.2 2.73 1.94 116.9 10.84 7.2 0.131 6.1 3.2 15.02 3.35 0.82 18.78 0.57 4.82 2.73 2.07 3.15 9.3 12.74 3.32 6.24 132.8 3.14 1,215 1 1.39 46.95 85.2 8.35 2.33 0.76 0.445 5.5 0.74 14.66

SERVICES 13.18 23.2 1.31 0.475 0.041 15.5 3.1 11.96 0.067 86.75 8.39 6.52 7.55 15.12 920 1,956 5.8 351 2.77 1.96 116.9 10.94 7.2 0.131 6.12 3.35 15.5 3.35 0.93 18.8 0.81 4.82 2.76 2.19 3.16 9.3 12.78 3.32 6.3 133 3.45 1,215 1.01 1.4 47.5 85.5 9 2.34 0.77 0.45 5.6 0.76 14.88

52,000 275,100 162,000 2,890,000 53,500,000 1,200 316,000 24,624,400 78,200,000 94,520 100 680,800 8,100 224,000 6,380 38,725 131,100 1,350 2,296,000 219,000 8,364,920 11,300 200 3,620,000 14,061,400 35,000 100,400 997,000 5,196,000 3,205,000 100,590,000 4,000 1,548,000 986,000 2,355,000 11,800 160,700 21,000 136,300 353,780 6,402,000 54,175 15,877,000 74,441,000 840,400 278,790 705,300 7,933,000 5,219,000 11,880,000 2,321,400 3,045,000 10,638,700

689,806 6,408,880 212,220 1,357,650 2,147,000 18,506 978,890 294,941,142 5,271,900 8,208,502 839 4,444,611 61,364 3,396,634 5,769,600 76,432,570 756,934 476,182 6,380,550 444,770 993,159,960 123,148 1,442 484,520 87,052,300 114,310 1,645,150 3,374,010 4,928,830 61,091,904 74,912,410 19,280 4,263,160 2,139,660 7,470,380 109,761 2,070,180 69,980 858,692 47,052,706 21,268,620 65,880,360 16,129,960 107,796,610 39,872,440 23,873,485.50 6,250,763 18,753,340 4,032,520 5,362,400 12,975,066 2,294,940 158,546,078

54,116 40,500 -34,040 -90,443,846 -134,000 -2,483,140.50 -1,076,570 -2,154 -13,497,745 30,440 348,384,046 39,500 -21,712,149 -268,000 3,706,348 1,946,600 -244,300 -16,610 481,417 -29,890 9,154,385 448,870 2,481,780 -10,640,575 -7,788,867 -173,300 -1,549,740 -118,280 -331,950 -2,948,205 68,377,568

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

0.0023 1.56 3.02 13.48 1.4 2.1 0.31 8.43 1.48 0.32 0.13 0.13 0.0083 0.0083 1.16 2.68 1.14 0.8 1.03 0.012 0.012 0.012 3.5 4.3 14.04 23.55 0.0084

0.0023 1.56 3.02 13.96 1.4 2.11 0.37 8.43 1.49 0.32 0.13 0.134 0.0083 0.0091 1.16 2.68 1.14 1.06 1.15 0.013 0.012 0.013 3.69 4.31 14.58 23.8 0.0087

0.0022 1.53 2.95 13.48 1.34 2.1 0.31 7.4 1.47 0.31 0.128 0.13 0.0083 0.0083 1.08 2.59 1.1 0.8 1.02 0.012 0.012 0.012 3.44 4.12 14.04 23.1 0.0084

MINING & OIL 0.0023 649,000,000 1.54 2,262,000 2.95 258,000 13.96 7,600 1.4 23,000 2.1 374,000 0.36 22,050,000 8.09 148,700 1.49 1,432,000 0.32 6,200,000 0.129 4,690,000 0.134 610,000 0.0083 5,000,000 0.0086 39,000,000 1.12 564,000 2.64 5,915,000 1.12 250,000 0.83 77,603,000 1.06 6,972,000 0.013 3,700,000 0.012 701,400,000 0.013 10,000,000 3.62 55,000 4.2 7,371,000 14.16 1,394,800 23.3 1,314,700 0.0086 27,000,000

1,432,800 3,512,450 764,230 102,556 31,300 786,580 7,701,750 1,159,427 2,114,640 1,949,850 605,000 80,140 41,500 338,600 614,250 15,587,890 276,420 69,262,270 7,531,290 47,100 8,416,800 124,700 195,660 31,015,390 19,983,998 30,633,500 230,300

528,000 -777,000 355,400 457,320 -33,800 -635,550 -55,100 -46,470 -1,468,350 -1,893,214 -21,910,760 -

ABS HLDG PDR AC PREF B1 AC PREF B2 DD PREF FPH PREF C GTCAP PREF B HOUSE PREF A LR PREF PCOR PREF 2B PNX PREF 3A PNX PREF 3B SMC FB PREF 2 SMC PREF 2B SMC PREF 2C SMC PREF 2D SMC PREF 2E SMC PREF 2F SMC PREF 2G SMC PREF 2H

20.7 475 498 98.4 423.2 900 96.5 1.01 1,000 100.9 106.5 992 75.5 76.3 73 73.5 75 73 73

22 475 498 98.4 430 900 96.5 1.01 1,040 102.1 106.5 993.5 75.5 76.3 73 73.5 75.2 73 73

20.7 475 480 98.4 423 900 96.05 0.99 1,000 100.9 106.5 991 75.5 76.3 73 73.5 75 73 72.5

PREFERRED 21.05 184,000 475 50 480 4,020 98.4 1,400 430 400 900 4,250 96.05 7,400 0.99 986,000 1,040 170 102 5,900 106.5 80 993.5 13,000 75.5 670 76.3 10,000 73 3,000 73.5 7,180 75.2 17,000 73 151,200 72.5 19,500

3,855,035 23,750 1,935,130 137,760 170,144 3,825,000 710,815 976,780 176,000 600,650 8,520 12,883,060 50,585 763,000 219,000 527,730 1,277,152 11,037,600 1,414,433

-378,840 9,640 -182,495 -

LR WARRANT

1.94

2.02

1.93

WARRANTS 1.95 125,000

245,030

-

ITALPINAS XURPAS

4.6 2.31

4.6 2.32

4.5 1.95

4.58 2.03

1,204,770 176,327,870

18,320 -10,756,580

FIRST METRO ETF

120

121

118.8

2,813,005

142,375

MS

PROPERTY 11.1 0.8 10.7 1.84 0.92 44.8 2.55 4.18 6.4 0.51 0.89 0.93 0.25 0.41 10.2 22.05 0.52 0.14 1.54 1.25 5.2 0.425 0.455 2.22

2,375,300 3,302,000 9,400 87,000 1,596,000 6,157,600 283,000 432,000 51,700 91,001,000 97,000 820,000 2,560,000 410,000 1,216,300 1,384,400 128,000 100,000 25,475,000 180,000 5,593,900 19,940,000 480,000 8,485,000

TRADING SUMMARY FINANCIAL

SHARES

15,284,738

INDUSTRIAL

191,490,793

HOLDING FIRMS

219,849,845

PROPERTY

203,886,006

SERVICES

448,941,003

MINING & OIL

1,575,783,621

GRAND TOTAL

2,739,854,553

SME

264,000 84,325,000

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 119 23,490

VALUE 1,828.19 (down) 4.88 609,984,024.99 FINANCIAL INDUSTRIAL 11,474.13 (down) 144.27 1,228,101,250.13 HOLDING FIRMS 7,982.35 (down) 60.19 1,901,079,628.88 PROPERTY 4,006.39 (down) 25.71 SERVICES 1,604.70 (up) 2.59 843,665,993.66 MINING & OIL 8,527.97 (down) 80.36 2,269,309,315.84 PSEI 8,009.92 (down) 51.62 204,589,787.9575 All Shares Index 4,858.41 (down) 34.07 7,237,092,351.36 Gainers: 86; Losers: 124; Unchanged: 46; Total: 256

Megaworld set to launch 11 retail buildings

By Jenniffer B. Austria MEGAWORLD Corp., the property unit of billionaire Andrew Tan, said Tuesday it plans to open 11 commercial properties across its townships all over the country in 2019 to expand its commercial retail portfolio.

Megaworld said in a disclosure to the stock exchange the 11 commercial properties would add another 54,000 square meters in gross floor area to its commercial retail portfolio.

Megaworld said that by year-end, its commercial retail footprint would reach around 771,000 square meters, with presence all over Metro Manila, Luzon, the Visayas and Mindanao.

Slated for opening this year are retail spaces in Iloilo Business Park in Mandurriao, Iloilo City; Alabang West along Daang Hari in Las Piñas City; McKinley Hill and Uptown Bonifacio, both in Taguig City; Arcovia City in Pasig City; Boracay Newcoast in Boracay Island, Aklan; and Davao Park District in Lanang, Davao City.

“The biggest chunk of the new retail spaces will be in Uptown Bonifacio, as we embark on an expansion of our new retail row in front of Uptown Mall and Uptown Parade,” Megaworld chief strategy officer Kevin Tan said.

The property firm is also launching a new retail development inside Arcovia City, its newest township along C5 in Pasig fronting Valle Verde and in Alabang West.

Megaworld opened last year its first full-scale lifestyle mall in Iloilo Business Park, the P2.2-billion Festive Walk Mall, offering around 90,000 square meters of retail spaces.

It also opened three new community malls in Alabang and Makati, including The Village Square in Alabang, Muntinlupa City; Three Central in Valero Street, Salcedo Village, Makati City; and San Lorenzo Place in Edsa corner Chino Roces Ave., Makati City. These three new commercial centers offer 26,500 sqm in retail spaces.

“Every mall that we build has curated spaces that evoke the character of the township where it is located. We want to create commercial properties that are not just for shopping and dining, but those that help drive tourism,” Tan said.

Philex Mining infuses P1.38b into PXP Energy

By Alena Mae S. Flores PHILEX Mining Corp. said it paid P1.386 billion to increase its stake in oil and gas firm PXP Energy Corp.

“Further to our previous disclosure last 27 December 2018, please be informed that Philex Mining Corp. paid today the amount of P1,386,450,000 in relation to its subscription payable to PXP Energy Corp.,” Philex Mining said in a disclosure to the stock exchange.

PXP Energy confirmed the receipt of the payment in a separate disclosure.

Philex earlier paid a 25-percent downpayment or P770.25 million as a part of its subscription agreement involving 260 million common shares of PXP Energy at P11.85 per share, or for a total of P3.081 billion.

The remaining balance of P925 million will be paid from the date of the “call” by the PXP Energy board which was not yet disclosed.

Philex owned 19.76 percent of PXP prior to the new subscription. This will increase to 25.91 percent upon completion.

Dennison Holdings Corp. led by businessman Dennis Uy last month paid out an initial downpayment of P40.29 million for the subscription of its shares in PXP Energy with the full payment due

by March 31.

Dennison agreed on Oct. 26 agreed to subscribe to 340 million common shares in PXP Energy at anaggregate subscription price of P4.03 billion.

Dennison will have a total ownership interest in PXP of 14.78 percent once the deal was sealed.

Total subscription of both Dennison and Philex in PXP Energy reached P7.11 billion which the oil and gas firm plans to use to fund exploration projects.

“PXP intends to use the proceeds it expects to raise from the private placement to Dennison and Philex to fund its exploration activities and other oil assets within the Philippines and in Peru, and to repay its advances from Philex,” the company said earlier.

PXP Energy is an upstream oil and gas company incorporated in the Philippines whose shares are listed on the Philippine Stock Exchange. The company directly and indirectly owns oil and gas exploration and production assets in the Philippines and other countries.

World

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WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2019 CESAR BARRIOQUINTO, Editor mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Accept US aid, say marchers in Venezuela

C

ARACAS―Venezuela’s opposition plans more marches Tuesday to press the military to let in US humanitarian aid, which President Nicolas Maduro says is the stepping stone to an invasion.

AT THE GRAMMYS. US musician St. Vincent, right, and English singer-songwriter Dua Lipa perform onstage during the 61st Annual Grammy Awards on February 10, 2019, in Los Angeles. AFP

Desperate migrants turning to coca plantations PACELLI, Colombia―They were once manual laborers, taxi drivers, fishermen and merchants. But Venezuelan migrants fleeing poverty and shortages of basic necessities have been forced into new work: picking coca leaves for Colombia’s drug traffickers.

Hundreds of Venezuelans work grueling days on coca leaf plantations, seduced by better pay despite harsh conditions, painful labor -- and uneasiness about contributing to illegal cocaine production.

“The problem is the hands,” 23-year-old Eduar, who wanted to hide his true identity for fear of repercussions back home, told AFP. “When you grab the bush, they bleed,” he said, showing his blistered hands wrapped in cloth for protection.

“After this you’re afraid and don’t want to do it again.”

Like the other Venezuelans working here, Eduar never imagined he would end up working for the narcos.

A father of two young children, he came here two years ago, giving up his job as a motorcycle taxi driver after Venezuela’s hyperinflation―which hit an estimated 1.3 million percent last year―devoured his savings.

Leaving central Venezuela, he arrived in Colombia’s Catatumbo border region where initially he worked as a builder.

That was less exhausting and painful than the 10-hour days he now spends bent over coca plants, his shirt soaked in sweat

IN BRIEF

Malaysia records 30-ton pangolin seizure

KUALA LUMPUR―Malaysian authorities have made a record seizure of about 30 tons of pangolins and their scales worth some $2 million in raids on major processing facilities, police and environmentalists said Tuesday.

The haul included about 1,800 boxes full of frozen pangolins stuffed inside three refrigerated containers, 572 more frozen pangolins in six freezers, 61 live pangolins in cages, and 361 kilograms of pangolin scales, according to police.

The Southeast Asian nation is battling to clamp down on rampant poaching and smuggling of pangolins, the world’s most heavily trafficked mammal.

The critically endangered creatures, also known as scaly anteaters, have long been targeted as their body parts are highly valued in traditional medicine in countries including China and Vietnam while their meat is considered a delicacy.

Following a tip-off, wildlife officials in Sabah state raided a factory and a warehouse on Thursday, according to a statement from local police chief Omar Mammah.

Police arrested a 35-year-old man suspected to have been in charge of the factory as part of an illegal syndicate. AFP

Banned billionaire calls Australia ‘a giant baby’

BEIJING―A Chinese billionaire barred from Australia on suspicions he is part of a Communist Party influence campaign has lashed out at Canberra, calling it a “giant baby” that hasn’t found its place in international politics.

Huang Xiangmo, a long-term Sydney resident, had been a prominent donor to Australia’s two major parties before he was blocked from re-entering the country last week―with his permanent residency visa revoked and a citizenship bid rejected.

“The growth of a giant baby takes time, and Australia still has a long way to go. I understand this,” Huang told China’s state-run Global Times in an interview published Tuesday.

The property tycoon led one of a series of “reunification councils” that advocate support of Chinese Communist Party policies.

Australian intelligence agencies believe the

and sporting a wide-brimmed hat, come rain or beating sun.

He cannot stand the heat on his feet, so he takes off his shoes and rubs his threadbare socks with coca leaves.

But nonetheless, as a coca leaf picker he earns $144 a month—three times more than he did in construction.

Like all the Venezuelan migrants, he keeps just enough to live on and sends the rest to his family back home.

It used to be only Colombians who came to Catatumbo, a region infested with armed groups and home since 2017 to 16.5 percent of the country’s illegal coca plantations.

Since 2016, they’ve had to vie for work with Venezuelans.

An oil region rich in carbon, it’s a dangerous place to work.

Rivers of blood have flowed due to the multifaceted armed conflict pitting leftist guerrillas, drug traffickers, paramilitaries and the armed forces against each other.

Eduar did not know what he was letting himself in for.

Another Venezuelan, Naikelly Delgado, 36, arrived in the small town of Pacelli with her sister in 2016.

She used to work in the petrochemical industry and initially found employment as a cook, but ended up in the plantations to earn more money.

After her first day of work, she couldn’t even wash her clothes.

Her hands were “covered with a fungal infection, the skin was discolored,” she said, adding that she felt guilty “contributing to evil” and asked God for forgiveness. AFP

groups are fronts for influence campaigns designed to skew Australian politics.

China experts and former Australian intelligence officials say the groups take direction from the Chinese Communist Party’s United Front Work Department.

Huang said Australian authorities have not sufficiently explained his alleged wrongdoings.

“The wording in the documents sent to me has been vague. I don’t understand what they mean and neither does my lawyer and we have had no opportunity to directly challenge them,” he said.

Huang said Australian politicians from both the Liberal and Labor parties had accepted his checks because “they have enough confidence in the legitimacy of these donations”.

Relations between Beijing and Canberra have soured after the Australian government introduced a slew of laws to guard against foreign interference in late 2017, amid concerns over China’s growing influence in the country’s politics, academia and media. AFP Huang said relations between Canberra and

In accordance with law, the board of directors shall hold office for one (1) year until their successors are elected and qualified.

PUBLIC INFORMATION SHEET FOR COMMERCIAL PROPAGATION PROPOSAL FOR THE COMMERCIAL PROPAGATION OF Bt11 x MIR162 x MON 89034 x GA21 Corn 1.

Applicant’s Name:

2.

Applicant’s Address: 12/F Two World Square, #22 Upper McKinley Road

3.

Telephone Number/ Facsimile Number, E-Mail Address of the Applicant

Moreover, InterAsia Outsource Inc. wishes to inform the public that the following are the new Company Shareholders:

Syngenta Philippines, Inc.

McKinley Town Center, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City 1630 Philippines

1. RONNA A. CERVANTES 2. MAY-PETTIT GROUP PTY. LTD.

Telephone: +63 (2) 3702100; Fax: +63 (2) 8569260 E-mail: jet.parma@syngenta.com 4.

Name of Responsible Officer/Authorized Representative

5.

Description of the Regulated Article for Commercial Propagation

Bt11 x MIR162 x MON 89034 x GA21 is a corn stack hybrid developed by conventionally crossing Bt11, MIR162, MON 89034 and GA21 corn. Bt11, MIR162, MON 89034 and GA21 are transgenic corn events developed through modern biotechnology.

This notice is issued in compliance with the POEA rules and whatever legal purpose it may serve them.

Jet Marcial G. Parma, President and Commercial Unit Head, Philippines Ma. Emeru Bool - Rodriguez, Seeds and Traits Regulatory Manager, Philippines

Bt11 contains cry1Ab gene which encodes the Cry1Ab protein that provides protection against Asian corn borer.

It also contains pat gene which codes for the production of the enzyme phosphinothricin-N-acetyltransferase (pat) that confers tolerance to glufosinate.

MIR162 contains the transgene vip3Aa20 which encodes the insecticidal protein Vip3Aa20, and the transgene pmi, which encodes the enzyme phosphomannose isomerase (PMI). PMI was used as a selectable marker in the development of MIR162 corn. MIR162 is highly effective against common cutworm (S. litura).

MON 89034 contains cry1A.105 and cry2Ab2 genes that provide protection against feeding damage caused by the Asian corn borer, common cutworm, and common earworm.

GA21 contains the mepsps (modified 5-enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate synthase) gene which confers tolerance to glyphosate.

6.

If to be imported, Country (ies) of Origin of the Regulated Article

Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, USA or from other countries which will have cultivation approvals in the future.

7.

Brief Summary of Potential Effects on Human and Animal Health and the Environment

Bt11 x MIR162 x MON 89034 x GA21 is a corn stack hybrid developed by conventionally crossing Bt11, MIR162, MON 89034 and GA21 corn. Bt11, MIR162, MON 89034 and GA21 are transgenic corn events developed through modern biotechnology. It is essentially the same as its conventional counterpart, except for its built-in resistance against certain Lepidopteran insect pests and; glyphosate and glufosinate tolerance.

Fire at New Delhi budget hotel kills 17

NEW DELHI―At least 17 people died when a fire ripped through a budget hotel in Delhi on Tuesday, with the victims including a woman and a child who reportedly jumped from a window to escape the blaze.

Images showed thick smoke and flames billowing out of the top floor of the Hotel Arpit Palace in a congested part of the Indian capital.

Guests at the hotel, popular with budget and business travelers, were unable to use corridors to escape because of wooden paneling, according to a fire officer.

Three Myanmar citizens staying at the hotel were missing, the NDTV news network reported.

Most of the residents were sleeping at the time the fire broke out in the early hours of Tuesday.

It is estimated some 120 people were inside the building, built around 25 years ago, according to the hotel’s website.

“We have confirmed with hospital authorities, the toll is now 17 including a child,” Sunil Choudhary, a senior fire brigade official, told AFP. G.C. Misra, Delhi fire services director, said the blaze had been brought under control and that 35 people were rescued by firefighters in an operation lasting several hours involving at least 25 fire engines. AFP

Opposition leader and self declared between Guaido, who last month propresident Juan Guaido will lead a rally claimed himself acting president, and in eastern Caracas but demonstrations Maduro.

National Assembly president Guaihave been called all over the country.

They are to mark Youth Day but do’s envoys met with Brazilian officials also to honor 40 people killed in anti- in Brasilia and announced plans to esgovernment rallies in January, many of tablish a second aid storage center in the state of Roraima, on Venezuela’s them youths.

“We are going back to the streets to de- southeastern border.

Guaido’s ambassador to Brazil, Mamand the entry of humanitarian aid that will save the lives of more than 300,000 ria Teresa Belandria, said she had reVenezuelans,” said Guaido, who is speak- ceived assurances from Brazilian Foreign Minister Ernesto Araujo over the er of the National Assembly.

Maduro will counterattack by lead- new aid center.

Lester Toledo, head of Guaido’s aid ing a march of young leftists protesting “imperialist intervention” in the center distribution team, told reporters that the of Caracas, where the government says Roraima center would start receiving it will collect signatures of people who supplies next week.

But Defense Minister Vladimir Pareject US President Donald Trump.

The tug of war between the govern- drino announced that the armed forces ment and opposition is centered on were deploying a “reinforced presence whether humanitarian aid will be al- all along the border.”

On Sunday, dozens of doctors protestlowed into the economically crippled country, which suffers shortages of ed on the Venezuelan side of the border demanding the aid, which started arrivfood, medicine and other basics.

For five days, aid material including ing at the Colombian town of Cucuta on food and medicine has been piling up at Thursday, be allowed into the country.

But the military has blockaded the collection centers in Colombia near the border bridge linking the two countries. border with Venezuela.

The parliament speaker wants to oust A modern bridge linking two border towns has been blocked with two large Maduro and set up a transitional governcontainers and the tanker section of a ment ahead of new elections. To do so, he needs the support of the armed forces. big fuel truck.

Speaking to AFP last week, Guaido The Venezuelan government distribrefused to rule out asking for foreign uted food and medicine on Monday.

Guaido, recognized by some 50 intervention.

The Venezuelan military meanwhile countries, has offered amnesty to military personnel who dump Maduro and announced it had started conducting exertold them that refusing to allow in badly cises, set to run until Friday, to “reinforce needed aid is a crime against humanity. the country’s defensive capacity.” AFP The UN says some 2.3 million people have fled the country since INTERASIA OUTSOURCE, INC., a company 2015. engaged in the business of overseas recruitment Guaido says almost 100,000 with business address at 5f, Don Chua Lamko Venezuelans have signed up as Bldg., Leviste cor., Dela Costa Streets, Salcedo volunteers to help bring in aid and Village, Makati City is giving notice to the public that the Directors and officers of InterAsia distribute it to those most in need.

Outsource Inc. for year 2019 to 2020, are the Maduro refuses to buckle, following: though, branding the aid convoys RAMON ATAYDE - Chairman of the Board massing in Colombia a “political 1.

2. LOURDES LUDIVINA Y. QUERUBIN show” and a pretext for a US in- President 3. JEANETTE H. PERCY tervention.

Humanitarian aid has become a – Treasurer & Chief Operating Officer (new) RAFAEL J. COSME - Director key factor in the power struggle 4.

5. LESLIE JOHN MAY - Director

Bt11 x MIR162 x MON 89034 x GA21 corn has been adequately assessed to demonstrate its safety as food, feed, and its safety to the environment. Studies conducted show that the proteins produced in the Bt11 x MIR162 x MON 89034 x GA21 corn hybrids (Cry1Ab, PAT, Vip3Aa20, PMI, Cry1A.105, Cry2Ab2 and mEPSPS) do not have homology to any known or putative mammalian toxin and allergen. There is no evidence that these proteins will interact to form new toxin or allergen. In addition, the modes of action of these proteins are distinct and no interaction has been detected. Moreover, the overall concentrations and patterns of expression of the Cry1Ab, PAT, Vip3Aa20, PMI, Cry1A.105, Cry2Ab2 and mEPSPS proteins are generally similar between Bt11 x MIR162 x MON 89034 x GA21 and the corresponding single events Bt11, MIR162, MON 89034 and GA21 corn. Furthermore, Southern analyses demonstrated that the corn stack hybrid has stably inherited the introduced genes from the parental Bt11, MIR162, MON 89034 and GA21 corn in a predictable manner.

8.

Brief Summary of Potential Benefits

Bt11 x MIR162 x MON 89034 x GA21 corn hybrids have the ability to resist damage caused by certain Lepidopteran insect pests, and shows glyphosate and glufosinate herbicide tolerance. The use of this technology can reduce insecticidal applications, thus reducing cost of production and less contact by farmers to insecticides. Bt11 x MIR162 x MON 89034 x GA21 will offer broader grower choice, improved production efficiency, increased pestcontrol durability, and enhanced grower profit potential.

9

Countries Where Approvals Have Been Granted (for FFP; for Commercial Propagation)

Bt11 x MIR162 x MON89034 x GA21 corn has been approved in Argentina (food, feed, and cultivation), Brazil (food, feed, and cultivation), Canada (feed, and cultivation), Colombia (feed, and cultivation), Japan (cultivation), Korea (food and feed), Mexico (food and feed), South Africa (food and feed), Taiwan (food and feed), and United States (food, feed, and cultivation).

The public is hereby invited to submit their comments to the BPI Director (within 60 days from date of publication) on the Proposed Commercial Propagation of Bt11 x MIR162 x MON 89034 x GA21 Corn.

Director Bureau of Plant Industry San Andres, Malate, Manila E-Mail bpibiotechsecretariat@gmail.com

Approved for Publication: ___________________________ MR. GEORGE Y. CULASTE OIC-Director Bureau of Plant Industry Date:

(MS-FEB. 13, 2019)

Republic of the Philippines REGIONAL TRIAL COURT National Capital Judicial Region BRANCH 101, QUEZON CITY IN THE MATTER OF THE PETITION FOR THE CORRECTION OF ENTRY IN THE BIRTH CERTIFICATE OF JONATHAN LAPING BAETIONG CASE NO. R-QZN-18-14284-SP IRENEA PIO LAPING

Petitioner. x---------------------------------------------x

ORDER

The instant petition prays for the correction of the Certificate of Live Birth of Jonathan Laping Baetiong to JONATHAN LAPING (no middle name).

Finding the petition to be sufficient in form and substance, notice is hereby given that the instant petition will be heard before this Court sitting at Room 212, Hall of Justice Building, Regional Trial Court, Branch 101, Quezon City on February 27, 2019, Wednesday at 8:30 in the morning.

All persons interested may appear on the aforesaid date and time of hearing and show cause, in writing, why the petition should not be granted.

Let a copy of this Order be published once a week for three (3) consecutive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation pursuant to Presidential Decree (PD) No. 1079 and further served together with a copy of the petition and its annexes to the Local Civil Registry for Quezon City, the Philippine Statistics Authority; and the Office of the Solicitor General, all at the expense of the petitioner. The Clerk of Court of the Branch is to transmit a copy of this Order to the Office of the Executive Judge for the determination, through raffle, of the newspaper as provided for under PD 1079.

SO ORDERED. Quezon City, Philippines, November 8, 2018.

(Sgd.) EVANGELINE C. CASTILLO-MARIGOMEN Presiding Judge Copy Furnished: [x] Irenea Pio Laping Petitioner Block 9, Lot 9 Lilac Street, Villa Magdalena III, North Caloocan City

(MS-FEB. 13, 2019)

(MStandard - Feb. 13, 19 & 26, 2019)

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

B4

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2019

LGUs LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS

UMak to send nursing student interns to Japan

By Joel E. Zurbano

T

HE University of Makati has launched a program giving its nursing students an opportunity to advance their skills in Japan.

Mayor Abigail Binay said the Japan Internship Program for nursing students was launched in partnership with Wakatakedaijukai (Japanese Social Welfare Corporation) and the Asiantouch International Training Institute Inc. Binay thanked UMak and its partners for the innovative program, which will also give the students an opportunity to experience Japan and be immersed in its culture.

“I would like to thank UMak and its partners for facilitating this learning program. We already had two nursing students who were sent to Japan last year. We look forward to helping more nursing students and graduates increase their employability,” Binay said.

Dr. Maria Fay Nenette Carriaga, dean

Improved network in Cebu boosts Sun LTE retailers CEBU-BASED entrepreneur Kaizer Cajegas runs a busy life. Aside from managing his small business and assisting his customers, he has also been on top of running their household, especially since his mother and his wife left for abroad.

“I’m the only one here left to run all of this,” he said, motioning to his sarisari and hardware store behind him.

It’s not easy juggling business and family stuff alone, so Kaizer makes it a point to stay in touch with his wife, who is currently working in Hong Kong. “These days, my wife and I talk every night via Viber and Messenger using our phones,” he explained.

A Smart and Sun customer, Kaizer is among those who have benefited from PLDT and Smart’s recent network expansion across Cebu, which includes LTE support for Sun customers as well.

“I have also been using it to communicate with my children’s school,” said Kaizer, adding that his sari-sari store earnings have also been enhanced by Sun LTE’s stronger signal in his area, now that more of his neighbors are loading up their Sun smartphones with data packages.

Convenience store owner Irene Gay, whose JMI store is on F. Ramos, has also noted a spike in her sales following the launch of Sun LTE in Cebu.

“Load sales have really increased.

Today, we could sell up to P3,000 to P4,000 a day,” she said, adding that most of her customers are young.

“They’re usually students who use it for their gimmicks and their schoolwork,” she said.

For Florencia Pavillar, her increased load sales are a welcome addition to the earnings of her small kitchenette on R. Landon St, also in Cebu City.

“Before, when there was no LTE yet, we’d use up around P500 worth of load every other day. Today, with people loading up faster and more often, we could reach up to P2,000 for the same period,” she said.

of UMak’s College of Allied Health Studies where the Center of Nursing is housed, said Licca May Andrada and Cathyrine Ceria, both nursing students in their senior year, were chosen as interns during the pilot implementation of the program.

“Ms. Andrada and Ms. Ceria were sent to Japan last Sept. 5 until Nov. 1 for their internship. They were accompanied

by Professor Cynthia Umila, the clinical chairperson of CON,” Dr. Carriaga said.

“They were chosen among the senior nursing students who have already taken Hospice and Palliative Care (elective course) and are enrolled in Nursing Care Management 106,” Carriaga added.

The Memorandum of Understanding between UMak and its partners for

the internship program was signed on April 24 by Dr. Elyxzur Ramos, UMak’s vice president for academic affairs, Kazuo Takeda of Watakedaijukai, and Ma. Jocelynn Rodriguez of Asian Touch International in Quezon City.

Under the MOU, Wakatakedaijukai will shoulder the internship expenses, including round-trip airfare, meal and accommodation allowances, and a monthly living allowance of 65,000 JPY during the internship proper for each intern.

Wakatakedaijukai will also answer for the training expenses of interns with Asian Touch International where they will undergo a 300-hour Nihonggo and socio-cultural classes before they leave for Japan.

Meanwhile, Anthony John Domingo, executive director of the university’s CON, said that the internship is aimed at helping students increase their knowledge and develop their skills in elderly care.

BRIGHT FUTURE. Makati Mayor Abigail Binay (right) and Vice Mayor Monique Lagdameo (left) beamed with pride and joy as they listen to the message of Gaea Roz Beronilla, a Grade 1 student from East Rembo Elementary School. Gaea expressed her gratitude to the mayor for the benefits Mayor Abby has given the students—from free school supplies to uniforms, rubber shoes, dengue kit, hygiene kit, and even rain gear. Gaea reassured Mayor Abby and Vice Mayor Monique that they will repay the goodness of the city government by studying hard for their future.

DOST enhances mung bean research program via Isabela State U

By Jessica M. Bacud SAN MATEO, Isabela—The Department of Science and Technology has inked a Memorandum of Understanding with stakeholders as it recently strengthened its support for the Mung Bean Research and Development program here.

The MOU was signed by Science Secretary Fortunato dela Peña, DOST Regional

Director Engr. Sancho Mabborang, San Mateo town Mayor Crispina Agcaoili, Vice Mayor Robert Agcaoili, and Isabela State University president Ricmar Aquino.

The agreement states that DOST will provide technical and financial support and stimulate technologies and products relative to the program.

Isabela State University will provide manpower on the groundwork of proposal for external funding and conduct

related research studies.

ISU will provide capacity development on mung bean farming to LGU personnel, and the local government of San Mateo will provide the necessary logistics, funding and coordinative support in the conduct of trainings and related activities.

The MOU is expected to take effect this year until 2024, according to DOST. Dela Peña said there are numerous re-

search and development (R&D) projects that are considered carefully by university faculty members but not developed and realized due to lack of funds.

“I will support R&D projects that would be brought closer to the market and motivate to conduct innovative research on products out of munggo such as alternative foods like noodles and other products since Region 2 is vulnerable to disasters,” Dela Pena said.

DA eyes boost to garlic harvest in Ilocos Region

By Butch Gunio

ENDORSER. Former Laguna governor Emilio Ramon ‘ER’ P. Ejercito, Partido Federal ng Pilipinas chairman for Calabarzon (right) and PFP Secretary General Tom Lantion (left) endorse gubernatorial bet Reynaldo Tamayo Jr (center) during the Federalism Summit and mass oathtaking of new PFP members last Jan. 26 at the Tupi municipal gym in South Cotabato. Ejercito also endorses the Agbiag party-list advocacy against illegal drugs, poverty, corruption and terrorism. Roy Tomandao

Nueva Vizcaya tourist arrivals up 10% in 2018

By Ben Moses Ebreo BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya— Tourist arrivals in this province have increased by 10 percent in 2018 compared to 2017, local tourism officials revealed.

Jane Arcega, Tourism Operations Assistant of the provincial government, said domestic and foreign tourists who vis-

ited the province in 2018 rose to 150,770, while 2017 showed only 135,716.

“With this figure, we have a ten percent increase regarding tourist arrivals and we hope to surpass this through various promotional activities,” she said.

Arcega also noted there were also 93,037 and 108,762 domestic and foreign tourists who came to Nueva Vizcaya in 2015 and 2016, respectively.

Domestic and foreign excursionists in the province increased in 2018 at 282,429, compared to 255,065 in 2017, 225,909 in 2016 and 52,336 in 2015, Arcega said.

The Capissaan Cave System in Kasibu town is the most visited tourist attraction in the province along with the Lower Magat Eco-Tourism Park in barangay San Luis in Diadi town.

BATAC, Ilocos Norte—The Department of Agriculture is aiming to increase garlic production in the Ilocos Region with the use of different garlic varieties.

“We aim to increase garlic production through identification of suitable areas via a multi-location trial of registered garlic varieties and other cultivars,” said DA Ilocos Region Center Chief Wilma A. Ibea.

A cultivar is a plant variety that has been produced in cultivation by selective breeding.

Ibea is also the project leader of DA Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR)-funded research Multi-location Adaptabilty Trial of Garlic Varieties and other Garlic Cultivars in Region 1.

“We have 13 experimental sites all over Region 1 to test the adaptability of six garlic varieties and one cultivated variety,” she said.

The garlic varieties planted in experimental sites are Balitok, Gameng, Sanikua, Bang-ar, NSIC2017 Gro6, and NSIC2017 Gro7 MMSU Gem. The cultivar planted is the Batanes White variant.

“We also want to determine the biophysical and climatic characteristics of potential growing areas,” Ibea added.

The Ilocos Region is the largest garlic-producing region in the country, and Ilocos Norte is the top provincial producer.

Calabarzon MGB, groups back Manila Bay rehab THE Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ massive plan to rehabilitate the Manila Bay found thousands of supporters in different places sharing the same goal―to clean up the polluted waterway.

In full support of the program, officials and employees of Mines and Geosciences Bureau-IV in Calabarzon and members of the Eastern Rizal Miners Association and Rizal Quarry Academy Inc. trooped to Angono to put up a trash-trap curtain to address the source of rubbish that contributes to the pollution of Manila Bay. Spearheaded by the MGB, a bureau

under the DENR, the 50-meter trashtrap curtain captures trash before it flows downstream.

“Manila Bay pollutants come from different sources, and aside from the cleanup of its coastline, we believe it is crucial to directly fix the source of pollution, which are in various areas all over the country,” says MGB IV Calabarzon Regional Director Samuel Paragas.

The trash trap is just one of the many ways to capture wastes from the source, and the one at the AntipoloAngono River is a pilot program for MGB Calabarzon.

“The success of our Manila Bay rehabilitation program, as well as all other policies and measures with regard to waste management remains in the firm resolve of each of us to truly clean up and live up to having a clean environment,” Paragas added.

The Manila Bay Rehabilitation program was approved by President Rodrigo Duterte with an allocated budget of P42.95 billion that will include cleanup activities, relocation of illegal settlers, and apprehension of establishments that violate the Philippine Clean Water Act and other environmental laws.

MGB IV Calabarzon Mines Safety and Health Environment Social Development Division Chief Dondie Sarmiento (5th from left) leads the the laying of a trash-trap curtain at AntipoloAngono River, then stands with Gil Castro, administrative manager of Gozon Devt. Corp.; Teofilo Salcedo, NGO Representative Rizal; Ariel Yson, Solid Cement Corp. community relations officer; Angelita Lee, VP Rapid City Realty & Dev. Corp.; and Luisa Noche, plant manager, Monte Rock and Development Corp.

Life

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

FASHION AND BEAUTY

@MStandardLIFE

l l e p s d l o C

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2019

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HE country started the year on a cold note what with temperatures dropping to single-digit-degree Celsius—Baguio on Jan. 28 recorded its lowest temperature so far for this amihan season at 9.8 degrees Celsius.

To make situations even colder— quite literally, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Association said temperatures are expected to plunge even further in February.

As the Philippines enjoys “sweater weather,” Surplus rolls out pieces that keep men and women warm and chic and cozy. Soft knit sweaters come in a variety of styles, including classic turtleneck, crewneck, cardigan, and pullover.

These cozy sweaters can be worn with jeans and sneakers for a casual weekend look, or with animal prints and statement footwear to make a trendy statement.

Surplus stores are located at most SM Supermalls.

COZY CHIC. Surplus offers a wide range of stylish sweaters in a variety of styles including classic turtleneck, crewneck, cardigan, and pullover. (Photos shot at Sky Ranch Tagaytay)

Bring on the Valentine’s bling NOT all that glitters, they say, is gold. But sparkly jewelry is a fine way to express and celebrate love and adoration. On Valentine’s Day, surprise a special lady with any of these lovely pieces that are guaranteed to make her feel like a gold.

Crazy in love

Charriol pays tribute to every woman’s passionate, daring, and plural femininity with a collection of rings, bracelets, necklaces, and earrings featuring hearts and Cupid’s arrows.

Crazy In Love Again collection combines white topaz, rhodium silver 925, and steel cables to create these bold jewelry pieces that talk about love.

My Diamond’s white gold Eternity Ring, Heart Solitaire Ring, and Multiway Earrings.

Follow your heart

Eternal romance Impervious, elegant, and precious— these exceptional qualities make diamonds one of the most special and memorable gifts one can receive on Valentine’s Day. My Diamond offers its exquisite stunning 14K White Gold Heart Solitaire Ring with 1 piece of

0.375 carat diamonds, 18K White Gold Eternity Ring with 17 pieces of 3.82 carat diamonds, and 14K White Gold Multi-way Earrings with 42 pieces of 0.87 carat diamonds (which can be worn as stud or drop earrings) as perfect presents to express eternal love.

Charriol’s twisted steel cable bangles, fluid silver necklaces, and chain earrings.

Lovely jewelry pieces from Swarovski’s Lifelong, One, and Crystalline Glam lines.

“Love is one of the brightest forms of expression.” This is the message of Swarovski’s Valentine’s Day collection, which consists of jewelry pieces that showcase fresh interpretations of classic symbols of love and seductive palette of soft nudes and pinks. The stackable rings, y-necklaces, chokers, and bracelets shine brightly with refined Swarovski crystals.

Life

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WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2019 manilastandardlife@gmail.com

Think outside the cubicle K

ENNETH Cole encourages working men and women to embrace a more flexible approach to work day with versatile outfits that look as good as they feel.

The spring 2019 collections for men and women feature city-inspired modern classics that fit the new way to work.

Kenneth Cole updated classic silhouettes, styles, and materials and “re-tailored” its Modern Dress, Modern Sport, and Modern Casual styles, applying unexpected elements of ease, comfort, and tech to create cityinspired modern classics.

For Modern Dress, animal prints and bold colors update toe-to-head suiting and monochromatic dressing with clean

aesthetics in trench coats and slip dresses. Drape-y workwear-inspired pieces feature volume, top stitching, concealed zippers, and reflective details.

Modern Sport features hybrids in nylon, high shine, and metallic materials. Vision and full zippers accompany animal prints and sport detailing, while color and material blocking appear in track pants and joggers, as well as fanny and crossbody bags.

In Modern Casual customers will see sun-washed finishes and colors alongside camo prints and reflective details.

Drape-y workwear and tailored pieces for women

Workwear-inspired pieces feature concealed social storage and top stitching in crisp cotton, drape, and knit to create dimension in baggy shorts, jumpsuits, and camo pants.

Women’s footwear’s key silhouettes include ballerina flats with feminine elements and sport detailing, knit heels, ankle boots, trainers, and textile sneakers.

For men’s footwear the key silhouettes are the sock-less loafers, oxfords, weather sneakers, and sandals.

In the Philippines, Kenneth Cole is located at Alabang Town Center, B7 Bonifacio High Street, Power Plant Mall, Rustan’s Makati, SM Mall of Asia, and TriNoma.

Kenneth Cole’s coats and jackets for men

Heels with reflective details and animal prints for the ladies

Sneakers and oxfords for the gentlemen

Snailwhite wins big at BeautyMNL Awards A NEW skin care brand is taking the Philippines by storm.

After only three months since its introduction to the local market, Snailwhite has achieved bestselling status and has bagged four awards at the coveted BeautyMNL Awards 2018.

The Thai brand uses the power of Snail Potion; each product is packed with a tri-benefit formula that helps brighten, restore, and lock in moisture for healthy and beautiful skin.

Snailwhite CC Sunscreen was dubbed one of BeautyMNL’s Best Beauty Products of 2018. Packed with the intensive nourishment of Snail Potion and Alps Edelweiss flower extract, this ultra-lightweight and oil-free CC cream sunscreen boosts the skin’s natural radiance for a photo-ready look.

Meanwhile, Snailwhite Whipp Soap was hailed as one of the Beauty Products One Should Try in 2018. This moisturizing bar soap deeply cleanses and nourishes the face. A certified bestseller, its instant glow effect reached viral status. In fact, the overwhelming demand caused several stock-outs in the first few months of its launch.

Also on the list of products that earned recognition is Shailwhite Natural White Body Wash which was proclaimed one of the Best Hair & Body Products of 2018.

Packed with caviar lime and Snail Potion, this luxurious body wash helps brighten skin, bring back skin’s healthy radiance, and reveal naturally glowing skin.

VANITY CORNER

Covergirl’s Exhibitionist Lipstick in Ravishing Rose and TruNaked Eyeshadow Palette in Peach Punch Snailwhite Moisture Facial Cream is designed to restore skin’s youthful glow.

Last but not the least, the Snailwhite Moisture Facial Cream was included in the revered list of Editor’s Picks of Standout Beauty and Wellness Products. Designed to restore skin to its glowingly youthful state, this all-in-one

facial cream melts perfectly into the skin for a truly lavish moisturizing experience. Dubbed a “wonder cream” by its fans, this cream targets several skin concerns and gives skin that signature Snailwhite glow.

Snailwhite’s Natural White Body Wash, Whipp Soap, and CC Sunscreen earned recognition at the BeautyMNL Awards 2018.

Cruelty-free colors Covergirl lets ladies put their best face forward with its line of crueltyfree lipsticks and exciting new shades of eyeshadow palette.

The new Exhibitionist Lipstick Collection, formerly known as Colorlicious, comes in 41 shades, from the lightest pink to the darkest blue, and three indulgent finishes that are infused with shea butter for long-lasting color.

The Exhibitionist Cream Lipstick easily gives off that classic creamy texture without emphasizing lip wrinkles. For those who like matte lipsticks but enjoy the luscious feel of creamy lipsticks, the Exhibitionist Demi-matte Lipstick is their best bet with its slight sheen finish and solid staying, moisturizing power that effortlessly glides on the lips. Finally,

the Exhibitionist Metallic Lipstick brings just the right amount of shimmer to the lips.

Meanwhile, the TruNaked Eyeshadow Palette introduces four new trendy shades, each with eight highly pigmented, easy-to-blend shades.

Create that golden hour glow with the Sunsets palette or opt for the vibrant rainbow colors of Dazed. The Peach Punch eyeshadow palette, meanwhile, comes with classic pink, cream, and taupe shades for that light and juicy vibes. While the Chocoholic palette features deep, dark yet rich tones of creamy rose, mossy green, and shimmering violets.

These new makeup products are available at Landmark Trinoma, SM Megamall, SM Mall of Asia, SM North Edsa, and Zalora.

Long-lasting liner Maybelline introduces its newest and “tattoo-lasting” eyeliner, the Line Tattoo Crayon.

This new eyeliner is built to last like a tattoo, with its waterproof, smudge-proof, and sweat-proof formula that promises defined eyes from day to night. It delivers smooth strokes and highly pigmented color, and glides on seamlessly on the lids for a no-tug application.

Its retractable mechanism requires no sharpening. It is available in black and dark brown.

This new eyeliner is available at Maybelline counters nationwide.

Maybelline’s Line Tattoo Crayon

Entertainment

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2019

nickie.standard@gmail.com

How Basil found his voice YUGEL LOSORATA

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T may sound odd that singing icon Basil Valdez, among the most distinctive voices in the history of recorded Filipino music, honed his talent mimicking others. He used to be a cover band vocalist.

“Gusto ko lang kumanta. I even hardly listen to myself,” said Basil while promoting a Valentine show with his longtime-friend and pioneering diva Kuh Ledesma, “When people started telling me na kakaiba ang boses ko, I realized I have a gift.”

For good reason, he doesn’t really listen to himself and to other types of music save for his preference. “Hindi ako nakikinig para may sarili akong bitaw ng salita at musika kapag kumanta na ako,” he argued.

That must have worked out considering how the public took to heart his way of singing and the songs he sang. For the latter, it mattered that he met the right people at the right time, enabling him to popularize 25 of the late George Canseco’s compositions, beginning with “Ngayon At Kailanman.”

“I wanted to leave for Belgium to finish my masters in Philosophy na kinuha ko sa Ateneo. Pero itinaon na magkakilala kami ni George,” shared the 67-year-old balladeer, “Pinuntahan nila ako ni Vic Del Rosario sa Philippine Plaza at sinabi nya na may

ipapakanta daw s’ya sa akin. Dahil doon naiba ang takbo ng buhay ko.”

Canseco produced Basil’s first album that also includes “Hanggang Sa Dulo Ng Walang Hanggan” and “Kung Ako’y Iiwan Mo.” As if having Canseco is not enough, he had other fateful encounters that solidified his status.

While vacationing in Baguio he heard a friend-nun hummed the tune to “Hindi Kita Malilimutan.” Curious, he discovered it was written by a high school class in Ateneo de Manila led by Manoling Francisco. He related, “I have been blessed to be given the chance to record it. Kaya I give proper class credit when I do that song.”

In 1983, or six years since he started recording, Basil’s grade school classmate Gerry Paraiso suggested he sing something he wrote for his wife, called “You.” It was a brave move because at that point he had not scored a hit with English lyrics.

“I acknowledge that anything comes from the Lord,” Basil expressed, “I want to make my concerts very personal and spiritually inspiring to my audience.”

Come his spot at Kuh’s dinner show My Unforgettable Valentine scheduled 6:00 p.m. on Valentine’s Day at the ballroom of Dusit Thani Makati, Basil will sing his classics and showcase chemistry with Kuh whom he has performed with several times, including a tour of the US in 2006.

“Sanay na kami ni Kuh sa isa’t isa,” he noted. “Mas lumawak pa ang pagiisip nya because of her relationship with the Lord.”

He hopes to record a song with Kuh “one of these days.”

“Hanggang meron akong boses at may gusto makinig sa akin, I’ll keep on singing,” he promised with a grin almost as remarkable as his vocals.

Simply...

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Undeniably, the two are among the most remarkable and respected OPM artists of this generation whose songs, talent, and style will remain timeless and have gone classic through the years.

Timeless Classics is a production of Starmedia Entertainment and in association with Global Police Community Relations.

The show is for the benefit of the projects of Rotary Club of Makati East, Rotary Club of Cubao Central, and Rotary Club of Paranaque East and is co-presented by PLDT and Belo Medical Group and sponsored by: Farlin Baby Products, Zim Cleanser, Luxent Hotel, GAOC, Sacred Heart Diagnostic Medical Center Inc., Family Care Diagnostic Medical Center Inc., Athena Clothing and Trading Corp., Mcdonald’s, Doon Thai & Asian Fusion Cuisine, Tony’s Restaurant, and Amber Restaurant.

Tickets are nearly sold out.

Call Ticketworld at 891-9999 or visit www.ticketworld.com. ph or Starmedia at www.starmediaentertainment.com.

Happy Valentine’s! ***

OPM icon Basil Valdez stages an intimate concert with Kuh Ledesma on Valentine's Day.

The talented Therese Malvar ARIAS ALWIN IGNACIO

ONE cannot argue with the fact that this young miss has turned into a fine woman. Add another layer of truth, some proofs that Therese Malvar is one of the country’s finest actresses.

At a very young age, Malvar has numerous acting awards under her belt with Best Supporting Actress (triple tie) at the Eddys 2018 (Entertainment Editors’ Choice Awards) for Ilawod and Best Supporting Actress (double tie with herself) at the 14th Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival 2018 for the movies Distance and School Service, most recently.

In the latest GMA 7 afternoon drama Inagaw na Bituin, she gives life to Ariella, an emerging chanteuse who will do everything to ensure her superstardom, come hell or high water.

Malvar described her character, “Ariella is a girl who has connections and who believes in what she can do, she is proud of herself and she will do whatever it takes to take the spotlight, even if it means competing for her own blood related sister.”

“I will make sure to make this role as

natural as possible, the one that you can easily relate to. She has flaws and she is very narcissistic and believe it or not, kind of naïve,” she explained.

Malvar’s quick reply when asked if the audiences can still find something to love about Ariella. “She still would be love for the intention she has, which is to make her family proud with her reaching her dreams. Just like any other child.”

She comes clean, “I am so ready for my bashers and haters. It will be flattering to know if they would really get annoyed with my character. Sana mainis sila sa akin pero hindi sa mismong personality ko.”

“When it happens, I won’t be affected by the bashing because I believe in myself, the flaws thrown back at me won’t falter my foundation of self-love,” Malvar carried on.

With regard to the singing part of Ariella, the young miss admits, “I am still working on it and I think I will forever be working on it just like acting. I really do need the confidence knowing the fact that Ariella is one big feelingera and so sull of herself.”

Her impression of Kyline Alcantra, Malvar said, “Kyline is a lady mature beyond her years. I like that we both love what we do and we both continue to learn and have passion with our craft.

We are both in the ‘Getting to know’ stage and it’s nice that we’re naturally

CROSSWORD PUZZLE Wednesday, February 13, 2019

ACROSS 1 Malt-shop freebie 6 Pierre’s head 10 Growing abundantly 14 Hot pepper 15 French waters 16 Aware of 17 Takes a snooze 18 Ocean flier 19 Norse deity 20 Dog days in Dijon 21 Weather data 24 Goes here and there 26 Inferior 27 URL suffix 28 Pipe material 30 Danke, in Dijon 33 Orchidlike flower 34 Pay phone feature 38 Had roast beef 39 Chalets, often (hyph.)

42 Poetic adverb 43 Stroll 45 Charged particles 46 Inched along 48 Large antelope 50 “Annabel Lee” poet 51 Puts on the agenda

54 Trinkets 58 Contributor 61 Hail, to Caesar 62 Salchow relative 63 Keats’ works 64 Like some chests 66 Lalique or Descartes 67 “Who — was there?”

68 Tech-support callers 69 Distinct periods 70 Salon jobs 71 Try a mouthful DOWN 1 Hardware item 2 Sweater letter 3 Above the horizon 4 Hgt. 5 Flowering vine 6 Is rife with 7 Marshal Wyatt — 8 Adjust a guitar 9 Use a treadmill 10 Plunderers 11 Excessive 12 Moves a little 13 Bee product 22 Physics unit 23 Caught ya!

25 Sawbones 28 Trademark

29 Backboard attachments 30 Gullet 31 Greek letter 32 Family mem.

33 Spinach is rich in it 35 Strong alkali 36 “Alley —!”

37 Cable network 40 Total flops 41 Search for (2 wds.)

44 Soup cookers 47 Vicksburg fighter

49 Flower garland 50 Prospect for gold 51 Trunk contents 52 Less strict 53 Stadium 54 Military posts 55 Bodies of water 56 Turn inside out 57 Feel instinctively 59 Run in neutral 60 Housefly or ant 65 Sly — — fox

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gravitating with one another.”

This early, many are looking forward to see her and Alcantara in action, most especially the confrontation and cat fight scenes.

“I’m sure the writers would play around with our characters, and for sure over the top ang mga dramatic and confrontation scenes because that’s what the audience want,” Malvar reacted.

In person, it cannot be denied that Malvar is sugar and spice and all that is nice, thus, one cannot help but wonder, where is this savage side coming from?

She replied, “I take it from inspirations of other actresses like Cherie Gil, Gladys Reyes, Rachel McAdams in Mean Girls, some KDrama characters. And I believe we all have a bitchy side in each one of us.”

Manolo Pedrosa is the man who will add more

complication and strain to the characters that she and Alcantara portrays.

But apart from the interesting characters and set of talented cast, why must people watch Inagaw na Bituin?

“Not only because of the theme, which is the singing industry and fame. But also the whole cast that makes it interesting and kaabangabang. You wouldn’t be having less with each scene. Direk Mark Reyes is doing a fantastic job. He gives an interesting treatment to the theme of rivalry and domestic drama.

I hope people would really connect with it and give it all their love,” she concluded.

Inagaw na Bituin is currently airing after Asawa Ko, Karibal Ko, on GMA 7.

Young actress Therese Malvar

Tikoy for Caloocan’s 10,000 urban poor As the world prepared to celebrate year 4,716 of the Chinese lunar calendar on February 5 as first day of the Chinese New Year, Anvil Business Club’s young Filipino Chinese entrepreneurs and invited special guest Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go on Feb. 1.

Friday morning, to share 10,000 free tikoy for urban poor communities in Caloocan City—5,000 tikoy to Camarin area and 5,000 tikoy to Barracks area, both in the north part of Caloocan City.

Alongside Bong Go at this socio-civic project were Anvil Business Club officers led by Chairman Wilson Lee Flores, President Patrick Cua, Honorary Chairman Reynold Siy, Honorary Chairman Marcelo Co and tikoy-sharing Project Director Joeben Tai. Chinese New Year became an official non-working holiday in the Philippines in 2012.

Also invited as special guests at the Anvil tikoy-sharing were Caloocan Mayor Oscar “Oca” Malapitan, Presidential Commission on Urban Poor Chairman Alvin Lanz Almeda, and Carmelo Africa and others.

Anvil’s socio-civic project of sharing 10,000 free tikoy is the young Filipino Chinese entrepreneurs’ way of wishing the whole Philippines a happy and prosperous New Year. February 5 also starts new “Year of the Pig”, one of the 12 animal signs of the ancient Chinese zodiac.

Anvil Business Club has many economic and socio-civic projects, like free college scholarships, disaster relief donations and the annual Sept. 28 Teachers Day honoring all Philippine teachers on the birthday of great teacher Confucius.

“Tikoy” is the Filipino name for the Chinese New Year glutinous rice cake dessert called “tike” in Hokkien (South Fujian) dialect of the ethnic Chinese minority of the Philippines and literally meaning “sweet pastry”.

The tikoy is called “nian-gao” in Mandarin Chinese or meaning “sticky cake”. Tikoy may be eaten as is, but it is also more popularly cooked by dipping in beaten egg and lightly pan fried until crispy but still chewy inside.

The Hokkien greeting for Chinese New Year is “Kiong-hee Huat-chai” and the Mandarin greeting is “Gong-xi Fa-chai”, meaning “Wish you a Prosperous & Happy New Year”! *** Visit www.isah.red for more stories. Follow me on Facebook (@isahvr), Twitter (@ isahvred) and Instagram (@ isahvred). ΙR

Entertainment

Nickie Wang, Issue Editor nickie.standard@gmail.com

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WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2019

Entertaining the Cebuanos B

Ace comedian and Bubble Gang's creative director Michael V

UBBLE Gang’s musical gag show Parokya Nato’: A Laugh Story is being staged for the second time. People first saw the production two years ago via a two-part TV special featuring songs from Parokya Ni Edgar.

This time, the cast of GMA Network’s longest-running and multi-awarded gag show flies to the Queen City of the South to bring non-stop fun and surprises to all Cebuanos with an improved version of “A Laugh Story.”

“When Bubble Gang’s Parokya Nato’ was shown in 2017, it was meant to be for TV. This time around, it’s a totally musical experience. No cuts, no second takes.

It’s a live production,” comedian and the gag show’s creative director Michael V shared with the press in a recent interview.

“We needed musical theater discipline in preparing for the show and more importantly, we made sure that the material has been updated to adapt to the millennials particularly,” he continued.

The live musical play is happening on Friday, Feb. 15 at the Waterfront Hotel and Casino, Lahug, Cebu City. This is a project of GMA Regional TV, in synergy with GMA Entertainment Group and GMA Pinoy TV, through the Kapuso Concerts.

“As an artist, it’s really important for us to spread our wings. Musical shows are a hit these days and to merge it with comedy, for me, is a logical evolution,” Michael V explained.

GMA RTV Vice President and Head Oliver B. Amoroso expressed his excitement to showcase Bubble Gang’s special offering in Cebu.

“We are definitely looking forward to bring to Cebu one of Bubble Gang’s successful shows because as we all know, they

VERY WANG NICKIE WANG

are the Filipinos’ favorite comedy program because of their unique, amusing and extraordinary parodies, sketches, and gags. We can’t wait for them to see what our Kapuso artists have in store for them,” he said.

Meanwhile, GMA Vice President for Business Development Department II Janine Piad-Nacar said that this event is their way of saying thank you to all the loyal viewers of Bubble Gang in Cebu.

“This concert is GMA’s gift to all the Cebuanos who supported Bubble Gang through nd the years. They loved our 22 anniversary special and it became a hit in the province.

That’s why we in GMA, especially Michael V., are thrilled to perform for them.”

Bubble Gang Parokya Nato’: A Laugh Story is the story of a simple guy named Buloy (Michael V.), a die-hard fan who has built his dreams around an actress, Birdie Aguila (Kim Domingo) and the countless adventures he had to go through in order to fulfill his life-long dream to be her leading

man on and off screen.

“The songs and the plot are interwoven.

You’d be surprised how our creative team was able to use a song, incorporate it in the story, as if it was created solely for the musical that we are staging. We are excited to do this especially that the musical was created with a specific person in mind when we were forming the characters,” Michael V shared.

The cast includes Kim Domingo, Chariz Solomon, Valeen Montenegro, Antonio Aquitania, Paolo Contis, Jackie Rice, Denise Barbacena, Lovely Abella, Sef Cadayona, Betong Sumaya, Mikael Daez, Archie Alemana, Mikoy Morales, Analyn Barro, James Macasero, Roadfill Obeso, Myka Flores, and Diego Llorico.

The program’s musical play is under the helm of esteemed stage director Rem Zamora; musical director and playwright Vince de Jesus; musical arranger Myke Salomon; and choreographer Dan Cabrera.

Catch the second offering of GMA’s Kapuso Concerts with Bubble Gang Parokya Nato’: A Laugh Story at 8:00 p.m. on Friday.

For inquiries, please call: (032) 2326888, (032) 232-0048 and 09155353873.

Tickets are also available online via SM Tickets (www.smtickets.com).

From left: Betong Sumaya, Valeen Montenegro, Chariz Solomon and Paolo Contis join Michael V and Kim Domingo (not in photo) in 'Parokya Nato’: A Laugh Story,' a comedy musical happening on Friday at the Waterfront Hotel and Casino in Cebu City.

Latest ‘Lego’ film clicks well enough to lead box office

Martin-Lani tandem on stage back for Valentine show IN OCTOBER 2016, they were on stage together for Masquerade in the US that was staged in Manila in February the following year.

Now, the tandem— Martin Nievera and Lani Misalucha—is back for a Valentine concert on Valentine’s Day (Feb. 14), 8:00 p.m. at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) Plenary Hall.

The producer, Starmedia Entertainment, is very excited to bring them back on stage, describing the two as among “the most mesmerizing voices in the land.”

Nievera has been known up until these

media gathering at Luxent Hotel in Quezon City, Timeless Classics is a “brand new show with ISAH V. RED fresh, grandiose production numbers, under the musical direction of Mr. Louie Ocampo, that’ll surely enthrall and amaze audiences just like the last time ... or maybe even more!”

Martin Nievera said “I am happy to be working again with Lani and I am sure she feels the same way.” To which Lani retorted, “I always look forward to singing on the same stage with Martin. Iba talaga pa gang kasama mo ang ‘concert king’ na-mo-motivate ka na husayan lalo ang performance mo.”

LEAVE it to Hollywood: A new movie starring a bunch of interlocking plastic bricks has snapped its way to the top of North American box offices this weekend, according to industry estimates Sunday.

Warner Bros.’s The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part, took in an estimated $34.4 million for the three-day period, easily beating out two other new releases, What Men Want and Cold Pursuit, industry tracker Exhibitor Relations reported.

This fourth Leg” film had actually been expected to do considerably better.

The original The Lego Movie, in 2014, earned $69 million in its opening weekend. The latest installment, says Hollywood Reporter, has “lost much of the original’s irresistible snap.”

The new edition again features the

voices of Chris Pratt, Elizabeth Banks and Will Arnett—joined this time by Tiffany Haddish and Maya Rudolph -- in a story about love, chaos and revenge in a grim, post-apocalyptic toyland.

In second place was Paramount comedy What Men Want, at $19 million.

The film, a gender-switching remake of 2000’s What Women Want, stars Taraji P. Henson.

Third spot went to thriller Cold Pursuit at $10.8 million. The film’s opening was overshadowed by controversy over racially fraught comments by lead actor Liam Neeson, and Lionsgate canceled a red-carpet premiere, but Variety said the opening tracked with expectations.

The Upside from STX Films earned $7.2 million in its fifth week out. The film stars Bryan Cranston as a wealthy

quadriplegic who hires ex-convict Kevin Hart as his caretaker.

In fifth place was last week’s leading film, Glass from Universal, at $6.4 million. The M. Night Shyamalan thriller, mostly set in a psychiatric ward, stars Bruce Willis, Samuel L. Jackson and James McAvoy. AFP

Elizabeth Banks and Chris Pratt reprise their voice roles for 'The LEGO Movie 2.'

McConaughey, Hathaway reunite in thriller ‘Serenity’

Martin Nievera and Lani Misalucha

days as the Concert King (in the Philippines), while Misalucha as Asia’s Nightingale, and not one among the new breed of singers has been able to topple them from the titles bestowed upon them by concert producers and the local entertainment press.

The two delight in the fact that this year Masquerade was nominated as Concert of The Year at the 9th PMPC Star Awards for Music, and both of them as Male and Female Concert Performers of the Year.

Misalucha won the coveted trophy for her performance in Masquerade.

According to the two singers during a

Martin recalled how during one of their concerts together, he was mortified after Lani’s performance the audience gave her a long standing ovation, prompting the curtain controllers to close it after. “They thought the show was over! And I had another number before the finale. Can you believe that.”

That’s why Martin said, “It wasn’t fun to follow Lani at a performance. Either you come ahead, or you don’t perform after her.”

Despite that experience, Martin said all their shows together had always been fun and memorable. Continued on C3

VIVA International Pictures and MVP Entertainment proudly present Serenity, a film filled with thought-provoking scenes that will give its viewers more sense of mystery than serenity.

Matthew McConaughey (Academy Award Best Actor for Dallas Buyers Club) plays Baker Dill, a fishing boat captain leading a quiet life in Plymouth Island until his exwife Karen shows up with what Matthew has described in an interview as “a very indecent proposal.”

Karen, played by Anne Hathaway (Academy Award Best Supporting Actress for Les Miserables), is now married to a multi-millionaire named Frank, played by Jason Clarke (Zero Dark Thirty, Terminator Genisys).

Talking about her character, Hathaway says that she’s “in a desperate situation” because she is “trapped in a toxic and abusive marriage.

She wants Baker to get rid of Frank by taking him out on a fishing tour and dropping him in the ocean for the sharks.

Hathaway reveals that she and Baker “got together when Karen was quite young”. They had a child, but he went to war and it tore their family apart. “And so she has to figure out what she’s gonna do, being a single mom. She finds this guy (Frank) who kinda reminds her of Dill. He likes to fish. She starts to think like maybe she can build a life with him, and then he turns out to be her worst nightmare come true.”

Baker, who is now romancing Constance,

a moneyed beauty of Plymouth Island, played

by Diane Lane (Academy Award nominee for Unfaithful), is still trying to move on from his troubled past. But can he truly turn his back on his ex-wife? What will it take for him to forget about his conscience and help her out?

Director Steven Knight (Lock, Redemption), who also wrote the screenplay, attests that “Matthew is the best there is” when it comes to playing Baker Dill. He explains that the character “doesn’t give of himself too readily, someone who’s closed in and I thought that was Matthew.

Because of the nature of the twist I want beautiful people… and he’s also beautiful.” As a writer, two of Knight’s best known works are Seventh Son and The Girl in the Spider’s Web. Serenity is McConaughey and Ha-

thaway’s second movie together. The first was Interstellar in 2014.

Asked what drew them to do this movie, Matthew replies, “I saw a character that I could be very personal with, really find an identity that I can understand.” It’s also a well-written story, plus Knight is a writer/director that he trusts.

Hathaway agrees with McConaughey about the story being creative and extraordinary. “I got half-way through (reading) and I have no idea what’s going on, but I’m completely in and I just let it carry me away. And I wind up in a place that was very different than I thought it was going to, but it was a place of feeling and intelligence and soulfulness.”

Serenity was filmed in Mauritius, an island in the Indian Ocean off the southeast coast of Africa. It opens in cinemas today.

Hollywood stars Matthew McConaughey and Anne Hathaway at the premiere of their film, 'Serenity."