Manila Standard - 2019 March 19 - Tuesday

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ARROYO SEEKS TO PENALIZE ERRING WATER COMPANIES

By Maricel V. Cruz

VOL. XXXIII • NO. 37 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P18 • TUESDAY, MARCH 19, 2019 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

SPEAKER Gloria Macapagal Arroyo said Monday that Congress needs to draft a new law giving the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System the power to penalize erring water concessionaires.

Arroyo’s statement came as the House opened hearings on the weeks-long water shortage that has beset customers of Manila Water, one of two private water concessionaires.

“Perhaps in the law, we have to add a

penalty provision for those who failed to comply with some parts of the concession agreement,” Arroyo said on the sidelines of the congressional hearing Monday.

Arroyo also said it was a “good thing” that Manila Water admitted its shortcomings from the start.

“The hearing is not to find out who to blame but rather how to move forward,” she said.

At the hearing, MWSS chief regulator Patrick Lester Sy said Manila Wate Next page

House to Senate: Show good faith

By Maricel V. Cruz and Macon Ramos-Araneta THE House on Monday withdrew the latest version of the 2019 national budget submitted to the Senate in a bid to get past objections from the senators that the draft introduced changes after the spending plan had been approved by the bicameral conference committee.

San Juan Rep. Ronaldo Zamora, tasked

by Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to negotiate with senators to break the months-long budget impasse, confirmed the withdrawal, but said the House had done nothing wrong in itemizing a lump sum allocation in the budget after its ratification

by the bicameral conference committee.

“Basically, we just retrieved what we sent to the Senate,” Zamora said.

He added the House did not give in to the demands of Senator Panfilo Lacson, but “delivered a sign of good faith” so that both sides could continue discussing the budget.

Zamora also said the Senate must now be able to show and present evidence that the House violated the Constitution when it itemized the lump sum funds.

“They have to show me where it is illegal.

[They claimed we have made changes]. I will tell you I have been in several bicameral conference committees before—not this one, I am not a part of this conference committee—that has been a practice to itemize the lump sum because the SC prohibited it,” Zamora said. Next page

RECALL CONFIRMED. The House, led by Speaker Gloria Arroyo (left), through Rep. Ronaldo Zamora, confirms Monday the withdrawal of the 2019 national budget submitted to the Senate but denies any wrongdoing while Senator Panfilo Lacson (right), has been reported as firm as regards the withdrawal of the House original version of the P3.547-trillion national budget for 2019. File Photos

Rody to kick out ICC probers ‘You can’t do it here; if you persist, you’ll be deported’

Palace strikes back at lawyers’ group over EJK allegations

By Nat Mariano VIOLATIONS of the rule of law in business and allegations of extrajudicial killings have never kept foreign investments from entering the country, the Palace said Monday, slamming a group of lawyers who said otherwise.

“I think, whoever said that they should conduct more research of that,” Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said in a Palace press briefing, contesting the conclusion made by LawAsia president Christopher Leong.

In his speech during a law business conference themed “Keeping Abreast with Asian Business Law Develop-

By Nat Mariano

ments,” Leong said the government needs to address the controversies about the rule of law and the supposed extrajudicial killings as these affect the confidence of foreign investors in starting businesses in the country.

“We have heard and read in the papers lately of questionable extra judicial deaths that raise a big concern whether or not justified but it raises concerns and questions as to the state of the rule of law in the Philippines and that is unfortunate,” Leong said, emphasizing that the government should consider the short-term and long-term effects of how officials and authorities curb crimes.

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ROSECUTORS from the International Criminal Court will be deported if they enter the Philippines to investigate allegations of extrajudicial killings in President Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs, the Palace said Monday.

Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said any attempt by the ICC to proceed with its investigation of the government’s campaign against illegal drugs will be viewed by the Palace as interference in the country’s affairs.

“They can come here as guests, that is allowed. But any move that will be deemed a violation of our laws, they will encounter problems,” Panelo said in a Palace press briefing.

ICC logo

“We will smile at them [prosecutors] and tell them nicely, ‘You can’t do it here.

If you persist, you will be deported.’ Because when you try to subject a country to your jurisdiction, then you’re interfering with the sovereignty of our country,” he said.

He said the Bureau of Immigration could turn prosecutors away upon their entry, if they say they are investigating the government.

“The immigration officials have the discretion to deny you entry if what you will do here is against the law or you’re just going to create trouble,” Panelo said.

Asked what would be the basis of the government in deporting staff from the ICC, Panelo, the President’s chief legal counsel, could not cite a domestic law, and said this would depend “on what they Next page will do.”

Sara won’t turn down bets in narco-list

WEATHER

‘Blue alert’ raised amid TS ‘Chedeng’ TROPICAL Depression “Chedeng” slowed down slightly but maintained its strength as it moved toward the east of Davao City on Monday.

In its 5 a.m. bulletin, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said the storm’s center was estimated 650 kilometers east of Davao City. It was expected to make landfall over the eastern coast of Davao Oriental on Tuesday morning.

The storm was moving west at 15 km per hour with maximum winds of 45 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 60 kph.

The Office of Civil Defense in Region 12 raised the “blue alert” there on Monday morning following the storm’s entry, and in anticipation of possible emergencies like flooding and landslides.

The Interior department in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao on Monday alerted its officials in the Basilan-Sulu-TawiTawi area on the storm’s entry.

The weather bureau hoisted storm Signal No. 1 in Davao Oriental, Compostela Valley, Davao del Sur, Davao City, Davao Occidental, the southern part of Davao del Norte including Samal Island, and the eastern part of North Cotabato and the eastern part of Sarangani Next page

not avoid the candidates whose names appeared in the narco list released by President Rodrigo Duterte.

Meanwhile, Puerto Princesa City Vice Mayor Luis Marcaida III on Monday welcomed the release of a narco list tagging 46 politicians allegedly involved in illegal drugs.

He thanked the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency and Interior department for his non-inclusion in the latest narco list even if he was tagged in the 2018 list. Next page

By Macon Ramos-Araneta CATARMAN, Samar―Presidential daughter and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte said Monday the Hugpong ng Pagbabago party, which has endorsed 13 senatorial candidates in the coming midterm elections, will not reject the candidacy of the narco politicians.

Interviewed at the sidelines of the HNP campaign caravan in the province, Duterte told reporters they will

Drug delivery foiled; Grab driver nabbed

By Joel E. Zurbano

SAFETY DRIVE. At the Children’s Road Safety Park in Malate, Manila on Monday, MMDA Chairman Danilo Lim (left) and Will De Pippo, director for Asia-Pacific of Sesame Street, sign an agreement for a three-year educational campaign for children aimed at helping children and their families learn about road safety, caring for the environment and emergency awareness. Norman Cruz

THE criminal syndicates are now using the Grab delivery mobile application to traffic in drugs, an official said Monday.

Metro Manila Police Chief Guillermo Eleazar made the statement after Makati City police arrested two college students and seized P1.5 million worth of ecstasy tablets in a condominium on Monday.

He said his men arrested Adriel Ry-

oichi Temporosa Suzuki, 24, of De La Salle-College of St. Benilde Manila and Ralph Jeffrey Tulio Esteban, 23, of De La Salle University. They were arrested at Unit 736 of Cityland 9 Condominium on Dela Rosa Street in Pio Del Pilar village around 7 a.m.

The Makati police made the arrests after Grab delivery driver Claus Sabadera, 32, turned over seven tablets of ecstasy Next page to them.

Prized pigeon fetches 1.25m € at auction

Tot, dad reunite after Indonesia flood

A STAR racing pigeon named Armando has fetched a record 1.25 million euros in an online auction, Belgian media reported Sunday.

The prized bird—Belgian’s best longdistance racer of all time according to those

A BABY trapped under rubble after flash flooding destroyed his home in Indonesia has been reunited with his father after the disaster killed the rest of their family, officials said Monday, as the death toll hit 77.

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TUESDAY, MARCH 19, 2019 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Go surges to 3rd spot; Poe, Villar lead R

EELECTIONIST Senators Grace Poe and Cynthia Villar took solo in first and second spots in the latest survey of Pulse Asia, taken on Feb. 24 to 28, released Monday.

The same survey showed former Special Assistant to the President Christopher Go tied for the third to fifth spot with reelectionist Senator Juan Edgardo

Gasoline fetches extra P1.45/liter as oil prices rise

By Alena Mae S. Flores THE oil companies raised pump prices by P1.45 per liter of gasoline, P0.40 per liter of kerosene and P0.30 per liter of diesel effective 12:01 a.m. on Tuesday.

The increases were the sixth consecutive adjustments following the movement of oil prices.

“Effective 12:01 a.m. March 19, 2019, Chevron Philippines Inc. will increase the wholesale posted price of Platinum and Silver by P1.45 per liter, diesel by P0.30 per liter and kerosene by P0.40 per liter,” Chevron said in its advisory.

Seaoil Philippines, PTT Philippines, Eastern Petroleum and PetroGazz issued separate announcements while the other oil companies were expected to follow.

Unioil Philippines forecast that oil prices would go up up this week by P1.30 to P1.40 per liter of gasoline and P0.30 to P0.40 per liter of diesel.

The increases so far have totaled P6.10 per liter of gasoline, P4.65 per liter of diesel and P3.45 per liter of kerosene.

On March 12, the oil companies raised the price of gasoline by P0.90 per liter but did not adjust diesel and kerosene prices.

Before the increase, diesel was being sold at P41.40 to P50.63 per liter, gasoline at P45.24 to P60.89 per liter and at P44.90 to P53.45 per liter.

The Energy department said the tight supply from the Asian gasoline market pushed prices up.

Japan’s largest refiner, JXTG Nippon Oil & Energy, shut down its residue fluid catalytic cracker at its 129,000-barrelsper-day Chiba refinery on Thursday for 31-days.

Petronas will be starting its scheduled maintenance program at its 125,300 b/d Kertih refinery in Terengganu, Malaysia, on March 20.

State-owned Sinopec’s plans to shut down its Dongxing refinery at Zhanjiang in southern China’s Guangdong province for a two-month maintenance starting July 3, and is expected to resume operations around Sept. 3.

Arroyo...

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violated its concession agreement for failing to provide uninterrupted water supply 24/7.

“Based on the terms of the concessionaire’s agreement, Manila Water has violated their mandate,” Sy said.

But said initially that the water regulatory agency does not have the power to impose fines—but later said the concession agreement has provisions to penalize Manila Water.

Manila Water president Ferdinand dela Cruz also acknowledged that his company could face penalties after it failed to provide 24/7 water service to consumers, and if its water pressure significantly decreased to 6 psi from the 20 psi systemwide average.

“In the concession agreement there are clear provisions on the performance of a concessionaire,” Dela Cruz said.

At the same time, Dela Cruz apologized for the water crisis, acknowledged the anger felt by tens of thousands of its affected consumers and said he was holding himself accountable.

“I am holding myself fully accountable for the sudden drop in our service levels to your constituents whom we have consistently served over the past 21 years with 24/7 water availability and sufficient water pressure. March 6, 2019 is a date I will not forget as president of Manila Water,” Dela Cruz told the panel.

He also said the Manila Water would be willing to pay any fines required by the MWSS for the inconvenience it caused to its customers.

Dela Cruz also appealed: “Your honor, through you, we seek your constituents’ understanding as we continue the discipline of properly refilling our 28 network reservoirs and reliably operating our 20 pump stations. Service interruptions are still necessary to achieve these and our water availability goals.”

Lawmakers led by Negros Occidental Rep. Alfredo Benitez lamented the fact that the MWSS was powerless when it comes to imposing fines and penalties against the erring water concessionaires.

Benitez also said they are eyeing a class suit against the Manila Water.

“Manila Water admitted violations, there is negligence on their part and proper compensation to costumers should follow,” Benitez said at a news conference as he rejected the statement of Ty that it has no power to impose fines and penalties against Manila Water. With Nat Mariano

Angara while former Senator Lito Lapid landed in the 3rd-7th spot.

Support for Go, who enjoys strong support from his long-time boss, President Rodrigo Duterte, surged to 53 percent, from 44.7 percent in Pulse Asia’s January survey, a gain of 8 percentage points.

Another close ally of the President, former police chief Ronald dela Rosa, also experienced a jump in his numbers, placing fifth to eighth with 44.6 percent support, from the 11th to 16th spot with

36.9- percent support in the January survey, up 7 percentage points.

Former Presidential Political Adviser Francis Tolentino also barged into the list of candidates with a statistical chance of winning, landing in the 11th to 15th spot with 32.1 percent support, higher compared to the January survey where he landed in the 17th-18th spot with 21.4-percent support, a jump of nearly 11 percentage points.

Following Poe, Villar and Go are

Rody...

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“March 17 has passed, the sky has not fallen and the sun still rises in the east,” he said.

ICC officials have said the preliminary probe launched by prosecutor Fatou Bensouda in February 2018 into possible crimes against humanity in the drug war would continue.

Under the court’s rules, any matter under consideration before a nation leaves the court is still under its jurisdiction.

President Rodrigo Duterte has made it clear his government will not cooperate with the ICC in any way.

The court “can never acquire jurisdiction over my person, not in a million years,” he said in a speech on Wednesday.

Rights group Amnesty International said on Sunday the withdrawal should prompt the UN Human Rights Council to probe the killings.

“Filipinos bravely challenging the ‘war on drugs’ or seeking justice for their loved ones need international support to help them end this climate of fear, violence and impunity,” said Amnesty International regional director Nicholas Bequelin.

The ICC examination, which is one step before a full-blown probe, zeroes in on allegations the government has been involved in illegal killings as part of the crackdown Duterte launched in mid-2016.

Police say they have killed 5,176 users or pushers who resisted arrest, but rights groups say the actual number of dead is at least triple that number.

Former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque on Monday said the ICC complaint against President Duterte ended effectively after the court failed to launch a preliminary investigation before the country’s withdrawal from the ICC took effect on Sunday.

Roque said that a preliminary examination initiated against Duterte in 2018 is not the actual probe yet.

“For ICC to have jurisdiction, there should be preliminary investigation even before the withdrawal and since there was none, the complaint against President Duterte is junked,” he said.

The country’s withdrawal from the ICC took effect on Sunday, a year after the government served its notice of withdrawal from the Rome Statute to the United Nations.

This makes the Philippines the second country to pull out from the only war crimes tribunal in the world after Burundi canceled its ICC membership in 2017.

Palace...

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Senator Richard Gordon said becominga signatory to the Rome Statute was a mistake in the first place.

Gordon, chairman of the Senate committee on justice and human rights, said the country’s justice system is working and the courts are functioning.

“The ICC is intended to be court of last resort, when there is a failure of a national justice. However, our justice system works, our courts are functioning. The prosecution of the policemen who killed Kian delos Santos illustrates that our justice system works,” he said. With Macon RamosAraneta, AFP, PNA

“The Lord is so good. He knows I have never been involved in the illegal drug trade,” Marcaida told reporters.

“I love and care for my family and my constituents here at Puerto Princesa. I would never want to give them the embarrassment.”

The narco list has the names of politicians, including those running in the coming elections, who have been tagged in the illicit drug trade, but Duterte said nobody among those being supported by the HNP regional political party appeared in the list.

Duterte said she did not opt to get a copy of the narco list because she believed that voting was a personal decision of a voter based on the assessment of a candidate.

The HNP campaign manager also said the choice of a candidate was based on the perception of a voter, so that was a “personal act” and “over and beyond what is required by law.”

“Let us leave the decision to a voter.

We are not avoiding the candidates on the narco list. We leave everything to the voters to decide.”

Duterte had earlier engaged Vice President Leni Robredo in a “word war” over the issue of honesty as a qualification for those seeking public office.

While Robredo maintained that it should be made a basis in the choice of a candidate to vote, Duterte said Robredo should abandon her dream of the presidency because her assumption of office was marred by cheating.

Duterte said the HNP-backed senatorial candidates whom she talked to had no reservations about her stance in dealing with politicians in the narco list.

Meanwhile, Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino senatorial candidate and former Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile backed President Rodrigo Duterte’s move to release the names of politicians allegedly involved in illegal drugs. With Rio N. Araja

In the same briefing, Panelo also expressed openness to follow the move of the US State Department to revoke or deny visas of ICC members involved in investigating the US troops assigned in Afghanistan or other countries.

“Certainly, we will not allow any attempt at interfering with the sovereignty of this country,” Panelo said.

The Palace official’s remark came after the Philippines’ withdrawal from the ICC became effective on Sunday.

“Our position is very clear. The position of the President is unequivocal and inflexible. ICC never acquired jurisdiction over our country. For the reason that he has given us: the requirement of publication imposed by law is not observed,” Panelo said.

“There has to be publication in a newspaper of general circulation or in the Official Gazette. Even if there was a ratification by Congress or by the Senate on that particular subject, still a law cannot be enforced unless you comply with the requirement,” he added.

He also said the ICC can only get involved if the courts in this country are unwilling or unable to prosecute a case.

He said the ouster of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos, the conviction of then President Joseph Estrada and the acquittal of then President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo showed the country has a robust judicial system.

“Our Constitution has provided many legal machineries by which we can prosecute any public official committing any wrongdoing. I think they are also be forgeting, these critics and detractors of the President, that the jurisdictional crimes of ICC are already part of our penal laws in this country. In other words, anybody can file a complaint with respect to the crimes mentioned earlier,” he said.

He said it was “appalling” how the ICC allowed itself to become a political tool, using its power to politically persecute heads of state, thereby intruding into the sovereignty of this country.

“It is no wonder that powerful countries of the world, like US, Russia, China and Israel have withdrawn or not joined the ICC,” Panelo said.

He also added that the Executive branch will no longer wait for formal communication from the ICC confirming the effectivity of its withdrawal from the Rome Statute.

“We’re not interested. As far as we are concerned, we have never been under its jurisdiction,” Panelo said. “They can do their worst. They cannot even enforce whatever they’re doing. How will they enforce it in the first place?”

In a separate statement, Panelo hit the administration’s critics for milking the ICC withdrawal to gain publicity.

Panelo said the fight against the enemies of the state will be “continuing with merciless constitutional force.”

“It will remain an unstoppable scorching motion until the republic and the people are secure from their evil and destructive clutches,” he added.

House...

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“You have to itemize and the appropriations leadership in the House says that is itemization. If the Senate says that is not itemization, they should come up with specifics,” Zamora added.

Arroyo also denied any wrongdoing.

“What we can say is that the process that we followed was constitutional. We would never put the President in a position of signing an unconstitutional bill,” Arroyo told reporters.

She added the House would not agree to keep lump sum funds in the budget because the Supreme Court had ruled against this.

“We cannot agree to a lump sum allocation,” she said.

Camarines Sur Rep. Rolando Andaya Jr., chairman of the House committee on appropriations, said recall of the 2019 general appropriations bill must also be done in plenary session, with majority members of the House in approval.

“No congressman has the authority, without plenary approval, to order the recall of the enrolled form of any bill already transmitted to the Senate,” Andaya said in a statement.

“I really do not know what they are talking about. As chairman of the appropriations committee, I cannot undo an act au-

’Blue alert’...

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Davao will experience rain and gusty winds.

Scattered to widespread moderate to heavy rain will prevail over Surigao del Sur, Agusan del Sur, Davao Oriental, Compostela Valley, Davao del Norte and in most parts of Mindanao on Tuesday.

Northern Mindoro will have cloudy skies with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms.

Batanes will have cloudy skies with light rains due to the northeast monsoon.

Metro Manila and the rest of Luzon will have cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers. PNA

thorized by the members of Congress. I am just one out of the 290. My powers come from them. A few senators cannot overturn an institutional act,” he added.

Andaya said being the chairman of the House appropriations committee, he still had to be briefed on what transpired during the recent meeting of the House and the Senate on the 2019 national budget.

“As chairman of the appropriations committee, my task is to steer the approval of the 2019 general appropriations bill in the House of Representatives,” Andaya said.

“The 2019 GAB was approved in plenary at the House of the Representatives.

The ratification of the bicameral conference report on the national budget was also made in plenary. The recall of the 2019 GAB must also be done in plenary session, with majority members of the House in approval,” Andaya said.

Lacson on Monday disclosed that the House leadership has agreed to recall its version of the P3.547- trillion national budget for 2019.

Lacson said Zamora called him up and told him there’s already an approval from the leadership of the House to recall their own version of the budget bill.

He recalled Zamora telling him that he was assigned by House leaders to negotiate with the senators.

Tot, dad...

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The five-month-old was plucked Sunday from debris inside a house where his mother and siblings were found dead in the hard-hit northeastern town of Sentani.

The tot has since been returned to his surviving father.

“We took the baby to the hospital and had him treated,” Papua military spokesman Muhammad Aidi told AFP. “He was in stable condition and has been released. The father was distressed but happy to be reunited with his baby.”

The news came as Indonesia’s disaster agency raised the official death toll from 58, with more than three dozen people still

Angara, Lapid, Taguig Rep. Pia Cayetano, Dela Rosa, Senator Nancy Binay, former Interior Secretary Mar Roxas, former Senator Ramon Revilla Jr., Ilocos Norte Gov. Imee Marcos, Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III, former Senator Jinggoy Estrada, and Tolentino.

Pulse Asia said these 14 candidates have a statistical chance of making it to the winners’ circle if the elections were conducted at the time the survey was taken.

The LawAsia president also emphasized the need to have a firm, respectable, and skilled lawyers and said the judiciary must also be stable, independent, and corruption-free.

“Corruption weighs down business growth. It is an unproductive cost to business,” he said.

Leong also said that LawAsia remains concerned about the deaths of lawyers, prosecutors, and judges.

But Panelo said investors have never raised the issues that Leong did.

“According to our economic managers, particularly [Finance] Secretary Dominguez, [Socioeconomic Planning] Secretary Ernesto Pernia [Trade] Secretary Ramon Lopez, they are one in saying that the issue of human rights or extra judicial killings has never been raised during meetings with investors and other conferences relative to the business investments to this country,” he said in the same briefing.

He said foreign investments, in fact, have increased.

Panelo said the administration recognized red tape as a disincentive, and that a law has already been passed to reduce bureaucratic red tape.

He added that there are more foreign investors coming into the country because they know that criminality has gone down considerably.

He said the conclusion that a lawyer dies every month was an exaggeration.

“One death of a lawyer every month, I think he’s daydreaming,” he said.

Malacañang has previously maintained that the Duterte administration does not tolerate state-sanctioned killing, stressing that there is no impunity in the country and its criminal justice system remains operational and strictly compliant with the constitutional requirement to due process.

LawAsia is a regional association of lawyers, judges, jurists and legal organizations that upholds the interests and concerns of the legal profession in Asia Pacific.

Panelo, meanwhile, blamed the political opposition for demonizing the President and his administration’s crackdown on illegal drugs.

Sara...

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missing.

Scores have been injured in the disaster, triggered by torrential rain and landslides on Saturday.

“The death toll could still go up with 43 people unaccounted for,” said national disaster agency spokesman Sutopo Purwo Nugroho.

Rescuers battled mud, rocks and fallen trees in the hunt for survivors, as medical personnel treated the wounded in makeshift tents.

The military said 5,700 people have been evacuated from the hard-hit area.

“We have over 1,000 personnel searching for more victims,” Aidi said.

Indonesia has issued a 14-day state of emergency in response to the floods.AFP

Rody in tip-top shape—Palace; bishops pray MALACAÑANG has given assurances President Rodrigo Duterte is in perfect shape despite experiencing a migraine and skipping two public engagements in Davao City on March 15.

Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo made this assurance Monday, noting the President quickly recovered after resting for three hours.

“He had a migraine. But after three hours of rest, he recovered and he went to work reading so many documents. He just stayed in the house,” Panelo told a Palace briefing.

“He is okay. As I said, he concentrated on his work—the paper work, there are so many things to read and to study,” he added.

In related developments: • An official of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines said members of the Catholic clergy were continuing to pray for Duterte amid his continued verbal attacks against priests, with Balanga Bishop Ruperto Santos saying he just “turned the other cheek.”

“We continue to pray, and pray for him.

We just focus doing what is best, what beneficial to our people,” the head of the CBCP- Episcopal Commission on Migrants and Itinerant People told Radyo Veritas.

• From Catarman, Northern Samar, the President’s daughter Sara Duterte-Carpio told reporters everything was well with her father’s health.

Sara, the campaign manager of administration slate Hugpong ng Pagbabago, made the pronouncement two days after the President missed the land distribution for farmers and the campaign rally of the ruling party PDP-Laban where the President serves as party chairman.

“I don’t think there is a problem with him. Last night, he was up and about.

There are no issues about his health,” Sara told reporters during a campaign stop here.

Panelo said the usual migraine affected the President every now and then but it was not a cause for concern.

He said the President was currently in Davao and had no engagements this week, at least as of posting time.

Earlier, former Special Assistant to the President Christopher Go said the President was “indisposed.”

The 73-year-old President previously admitted that he suffered from a spinal injury he sustained from a motorcycle incident years ago and bouts of migraine.

In October 2018, he bared that he underwent colonoscopy and endoscopy and that there were findings that his Barrett’s esophagus was “badly eroded” due to alcohol intake but was otherwise healthy.

A Social Weather Stations survey conducted on Dec. 16 to 19, 2018 showed that 66 percent of Filipinos are worried about the President’s health, an increase of 11 percent from September 2018’s 55 percent.

However, Panelo has repeatedly assured there is no cause for concern about the President’s well-being since he is “conscientious” of his health.

Panelo said Duterte would put a break to his activities if he felet his body was “not up to it”. PNA

Prized pigeon...

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in the know—was snapped up by a Chinese buyer for a princely sum that caused a flutter of excitement among fanciers.

Armando had been expected to break the previous record of 376,000 euros ($425,000) paid for a pigeon called Nadine—but not by such a wide margin.

“Earlier this week it became clear that Armando would be the most expensive pigeon ever sold in an online auction,” wrote the specialist website Pigeon Paradise (Pipa.be).

“However, no one expected that the magical cap of a million euros would be pulverised,” it added. The final amount was 1,252,000 euros.

Pigeon Paradise did not say who had bought the pigeon, but according to the Belgian news agency Belga it was a Chinese buyer who will no doubt use his new acquisition to breed other champions.

Armando was just one of more than a hundred birds sold by respected Belgian breeder Joel Verschoot.

Verschoot’s stable of pigeons is based in Ingelmunster, in the west of Belgium, and his online auction of his pigeons has been open for several weeks.

By Sunday, the family had sold 178 pigeons for around two million euros. AFP

Drug...

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Sabadera claimed that the suspects asked him to deliver the illegal drugs to the Bonifacio Global City in Taguig. He then pointed them to the police.

Seized from the suspects were 657 tablets of ecstasy, two bottles containing ecstasy, 42 tablets of suspected party drugs, six sachets of suspected party drugs, two digital scales, four lighters, 13 empty cigarette boxes, a glass tube and a cellphone.

Police said the suspects are operating the drug trade via the Grab delivery mobile application to deliver illegal drugs to various nightclubs in Metro Manila.

Eleazar praised and thanked the Grab delivery driver for his action. He called on the public to cooperate with the authorities by reporting information that could lead to the prosecution of those involved in various criminal activities.

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TUESDAY, MARCH 19, 2019 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

New Senate building breaks ground SENATE President Vicente Sotto III, along with 10 other senators, led on Monday the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of a new Senate Building at the Navy Village in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City.

During the ceremony, Sotto was joined by Senate President Pro-Tempore Ralph Recto, Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri, Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon, and Senators Panfilo Lacson, Sonny Angara, Nancy Binay, Sherwin Gatchalian, Loren Legarda, Joel Villanueva, and Gregorio Honasan II. “It has been a long time coming. It took decades for this dream to materialize but this I tell you when the building finally stands on this side it will have been worth the wait,” Sotto said.

The building’s cost is pegged at P8.9 billion, and its construction is expected to be completed by 2021.

The Senate’s new home will rise on a 18,320-square meter land with four towers, 11 floors each and three basements with at least 1,200 parking spaces.

Department of Public Works and Highways Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo said the building’s design is envisioned to be “green, secure, functional, and iconic.”

Bernardo said the new building will not only signify resiliency, but would also exude modernity and progress.

“Finally, after years of wishful thinking and planning the Senate of the Philippines will finally have a new home,” Bernardo said during the ceremony.

Suspect in killing of Lapu-Lapu City girl captured AUTHORITIES confirmed on Monday that the suspect in the gory killing of 16-year-old Cristine Lee Silawan in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu has been arrested, even as his accomplices are now being hunted.

Central Visayas NBI Director Tomas Enrile said the suspect, said to be Silawan’s former boyfriend, was arrested in Maribago, Lapu-Lapu City on March 16.

“Yes, totoo po yun na nahuli na yung suspect sa pagpatay kay Christine Silawan,” Enrile said, adding that the killer had confessed to the crime.

Reports quoted the NBI regional director as saying that the boy committed the crime out of jealousy.

Enrile said security footage and text messages from Silawan helped track down the suspect whose name cannot be disclosed because he is a minor.

Meanwhile, Philippine National Police Col. Bernard Banac said that the Police Regional Office in Region 7 has confirmed that Silawan’s ex-boyfriend confessed to the crime.

“The joint investigating body has turned over the 17-year-old boy to the DSWD 7 for safe keeping since he is a minor while proper documentation of the case is under way,” he said.

Robbers break into SM Pampanga store; take jewelry THE department store of SM City Pampanga in Mexico town and San Fernando City was victimized by burglars, who dug their way under the mall and into the stores before early dawn of March 15.

The suspects reportedly took a still undetermined amount of jewelry.

According to Senior Superintendent Christopher Abrahano, Criminal Investigation and Detection Group-Region 3 (Central Luzon), the robbers forced their way into the mall through a creek inside an adjacent subdivision and dug a hole from the underground drainage system.

He said the creek was about 150 meters away from the mall.

Police estimated that the robbery incident happened between 1 a.m. and sunrise.

The police said the robbers carted off expensive jewelry and threw away several pieces at the crime scene.

A Scene of the Crime Operatives (SOCO) team recovered 11 pieces of jewelry worth around P373,000 scattered in the area. They include a pendant worth P14,000; four bracelets worth P45,000, P49,800, P47,900 and P37,200 and five rings worth P50,500, P29,600, P10,100, P52,000 and P36,000, respectively.

Probe hidden wealth of P’sinan political family, PACC asked

By Joel E. Zurbano

SCALE MODEL. Senator Nancy Binay, along with Senate President Vicente Sotto III and fellow senators, view a scale model of the new Senate Building slated to be finished in 2022. Contributed Photo

Jobs in Japan available for skilled PH workers A

By Vito Barcelo

T LEAST 30 percent of the 350,000 jobs that Japan will open to foreigners will be available to Filipino workers, according to the Department of Labor and Employment.

Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said skilled Filipino workers are among the preferred nationals in Japan with the potential of cornering more than 100,000 in fresh job opening in the Asian neighbor.

“Our workers may get at least 30 percent of available jobs to foreign nationals with the effectivity next month of a law allowing new residence status to foreign workers,” Bello said.

The Labor chief said a memorandum of agreement for the deployment of “specified skilled workers,” will be signed in Tokyo between the labor department and Japan’s Ministries of Justice, Foreign Affairs, Health, Labor and Welfare and the National Police Agency.

Bello said the cooperation agreement will not just provide better opportunities but also enhance protection for skilled Filipino workers for deployment to Japan.

“This agreement, aside from providing better opportunities, is geared toward ensuring their protection by means of implementing a basic framework that will promote smooth and proper mechanisms in sending, accepting, and residence management of incoming specified skilled workers in Japan,” he said.

“The specified skilled workers are those who possess certain expertise and skills and granted the status of residence of Specified Skilled Worker by the government of Japan,” Bello said.

Among the specified skills include

those in health care, building maintenance, food services, industrial machinery, electronics, food manufacturing, agriculture, hospitality, construction, shipbuilding, fisheries and aquaculture, parts and tooling and aviation.

Under the agreement, the shared areas for cooperation are streamlining of recruitment processes; examining mechanisms on accepting and supporting organizations and a specified skilled worker; providing guidance and supervision in the implementation of the system; sharing of information; establishing of a joint committee for resolution of issues and continued improvement of the system; administering examinations; and promoting the welfare and protection of Filipino skilled workers.

Serving as the country’s contact points once the agreement is signed are the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration for processing and accreditation; and Philippine Labor Overseas Labor OfficeJapan for verification of skilled workers’ documents, coordination onsite and welfare concerns.

CA reverses ruling; reinstates sacked PCG official

By Rey E. Requejo THE Court of Appeals has reversed its 2018 decision and instead ordered the reinstatement of Philippine Coast Guard commander Ivan Roldan who had been dismissed for purchasing office supplies and information technology equipment in 2013 without complying with government procurement regulations.

In an amended decision, the CA through Associate Justice Apolinario D. Bruselas Jr. agreed with the argument of Roldan that the emergency purchases were done by the PCG at the height of the international territorial disputes over the West Philippine Sea. When Office of the Ombudsman ordered his dismissal, Roldan was the deputy commander of Coast Guard Intelligence Force, which was affirmed by the appellate court.

Acting on his motion for reconsideration, the CA noted Roldan’s manifestation that

his unit, the CGIF, was tasked to supervise the conduct of intelligence operations in the WPS and that the Department of Foreign Affairs had acknowledged PCG’s efforts and its contributions to the filing of a case against China before the International Arbitral Tribunal where the Philippines eventually won.

Roldan manifested to the appellate court that the CGIF’s task was to monitor the activities affecting the Philippine coasts in Bajo de Masinloc and the Kalayaan Group of Islands.

The appellant argued that the emergency purchases of office supplies and information technology equipment were made without resort to competitive bidding because the situation at that time required the CGIF to be prepared for any contingency and to maintain a high degree of operational readiness to protect the country’s territorial interest.

The CA said that in its 2018 original decision, it held that Republic Act No.

9184, the Government Procurement Reform Act, allows for alternative methods of procurement. But it said, Roldan and his group failed to justify resort to the alternative methods.

It also stated in its decision that it was “unconvinced by Cdr. Roldan’s contention that the purchase of the items using the Special Cash Advances (SCAs) granted to him constituted emergency purchases wherein public bidding could be dispensed with.”

“We also held that Cdr. Roldan’s act of disbursing SCAs beyond the purposes authorized; his issuance of certifications to the effect that his SCAs were used to defray miscellaneous expenses; and his act of certifying that the items purchased using his SCAs were absolutely indispensable and urgent such that their procurement by competitive bidding would have been detrimental to public service, exhibited some form of mental dishonesty,” it said.

A GROUP of residents in Pangasinan has asked the help of the Presidential Anti-Graft Commission and Anti-Money Laundering Council to investigate the alleged hidden wealth of a family of politicians in the province.

In a complaint filed on March 15, 2019, the Concerned Residents of Western Pangasinan urged the PAGC and AMLC to look into the alleged ill-gotten wealth of three public officials who are operating questionable businesses and properties, which include a luxury resort and hotel built in an illegally reclaimed coastal area in Bolinao, and another which currently undergoing construction in a 10-hectare beach envisioned to be a hotel, entertainment, and gaming complex; more than 10 estate mansions in Bolinao, Alaminos City, Filinvest in Quezon City, and other places; hectares of beaches in Sitio Tomoc, Barangay Magsaysay, Agno, Pangasinan; more than 20 luxury vehicles including Porsche, Mercedez Benz, Audi, AMG Hummer, BMW, Maserati, Range Rover and other luxury car brands; a gasoline station; a hotel and restaurant; 7-11 franchises; mansions in Barangays Luciente 1 and 2 in Bolinao; a construction firm; a coffee shop; an island subdivision full of residential buildings; a testing center; numerous residential and commercial lots around western Pangasinan; and a deep sea fishing boats and landing barge.

The CRWP said that these properties are just the tip of the iceberg and more are hidden under dummy ownership and fake accounts.

Last month, another group sought the help of the Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission to investigate the construction of waiting sheds situated along Sadsaran Street in Barangay Poblacion in Alaminos which they claimed was overpriced.

The waiting sheds, made of concrete and were installed in various places in Alaminos, cost P543,489.49 each.

SC revives graft case vs Ozamiz City vice mayor THE Supreme Court has reinstated the graft charges before the Sandiganbayan against Ozamiz City Vice Mayor Nova Princess E. Parojinog Echavez, daughter of the late former city mayor Reynaldo O. Parojinog Sr., in connection with the alleged anomalous renovation of the city’s multi-purpose building in 2008.

In a decision penned by Associate Justice Diosdado M. Peralta, the SC overturned the Sandiganbayan’s 2017 decision that dismissed the graft case against father and daughter filed by the Office of the Ombudsman in 2016.

In 2010, the Ombudsman, acting on an anonymous complaint and the report of the Commission on Audit, charged the Parojinogs with graft for violation of Section 3 (h) of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act. The anti-graft body ruled that the respondents had financial or pecuniary interest in the renovation of the multipurpose building awarded in favor of the Parojinog & Sons Construction Company, a firm where Nova Princess was the managing partner.

The Parojinogs filed motions to dismiss the criminal case. Acting on the motions, the Sandiganbayan dismissed the case for violation of the accused’s constitutional right to speedy disposition of cases. Rey E. Requejo

Fresnedi faces graft raps for overpricing lot in 2014

By Rio N. Araja MUNTINLUPA City Mayor Jaime Fresnedi is facing plunder and graft complaints before the Office of the Ombudsman over the purchase of a land and overpricing the lot price by P1,500 per square meter in 2014.

Rafael Arciaga, a resident of No. 83 National Road, Barangay Putatan, also implicated private respondents Romeo Quilapio, Herminio Gungon, Efren Villanueva, Grace Panolino, Cherry Fe Santos, Ester dela Cruz, Gregorio Cubacub and Yolanda dela Cruz.

Arciaga accused Fresnedi of buying the property of the private respondents for a much higher amount, “instead of taking into consideration the very advantageous purchase price offered to the city government in the amount of P2,500 (per square meter), respondent made a written counter-offer to the aforenamed individuals for the city government to

buy the said properties in the much higher amount of P4,000 per sq.m.”

“Respondent made it appear, in conspiracy with private respondents, that another written offer to sell received on May 27, 2015 was submitted to him by the alleged representatives of the registered owners which quoted a higher amount of P5,000 per sq.m.,” he said.

Fresnedi is also facing graft and administrative raps before the Ombudsman for the ratification of the extension on contract of services as urgent between the city government and five private companies.

Renato So, Leonilo Santos and JanAldain Bejosano also filed violation of Republic Act 9184 or the Government Procurement Act and RA 67 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials, RA 7160 or the Local Government Code, and administrative charges for grave misconduct, gross neglect and abuse of authority.

TACLOBAN WELCOMES GO. Former Leyte Congressman and Congressional candidate for the 1st District of Leyte Atty. Martin Romualdez (left) warmly welcomed senatorial candidate Bong Go (2nd right) at Daniel Z. Romualdez Airport in Tacloban City. Romualdez vows to support the candidacy of Go and the other senatorial bets of Hugpong ng Pagbabago under the leadership of presidential daughter and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte. The Regional Party HNP and the Tingog Party-List will have a grand rally in Tacloban City Astrodome today, March 19, 2019. Ver Noveno

A4

Opinion

TUESDAY, MARCH 19, 2019

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Vignettes of World War II THE resilience of Filipinos and their ability to adapt to what is going on around them was best shown during the Japanese occupation, from 1942 to 1945.

I know this firsthand. I was a teenager during the war.

It was Dec. 8, 1942 when, as a high school student at the University of Santo Tomas, I, along with the rest of my class, was told by our teacher to go home because war had broken out between the United States and Japan.

I saw the best and worst of Filipinos.

I was sad and heartbroken. I was enjoying school and doing very well in my studies. I had no inkling what war was going to be like.

During the first months of the war when the Japanese Imperial Forces occupied Manila, my eldest brother, Desi, was arrested with the late Manny Manahan. They were members of the underground movement. They were imprisoned at Fort Santiago with all their companions in the movement.

My other brother Willie had wanted to join the other Filipinos being recruited by the Americans. But he could not because he was classified as a “Four-F,” having a slight deficiency.

Lo and behold, when Willie, my mother and I got to the sidewalk of España waving to the Filipinos who were recruited to Bataan, Willie ran after one of the trucks and climbed into it.

Naturally my mother went into hysterics upon seeing her son go. We soon learned that Willie had joined up with the Ilocano brigade with then-Mayor Ferdinand Marcos as commander. But

Adelle Chua, Editor

EDITORIAL

that is getting ahead of the story.

Would you believe I was a young entrepreneur? To enable me to watch movies and stage shows featuring my favorite comedians Pugo and Tugo, I became a bootblack and a cigaret vendor.

I took my meals at the Mathay eatery, and there was also a grocery. That was how I became friends with the Mathay brothers, Ponciano and Mel. Mel later on became Quezon City mayor.

I knew that some American detainees were at the Santo Tomas concentration camp, and all I had to do was insert the cigarets through a hole in the sawali. I earned my keep.

After a week or so, I transferred my business to a side street. This went on for some time. Would you believe I was able to build up my savings because of this trade?

When the Japanese Imperial Forces granted amnesty to veterans of Bataan and survivors of the underground movement, both my brothers were released. They then went up north to join the guerilla movement.

My mother, sister and I stayed in Manila because my father who was then in Abra had a plan to bring a caretela and to Manila to earn some money.

That's when I became a conductor with my father using a caretela to negotiate between España Rotunda on to Quiapo at 10 centavos per person. I had fun, and my father earned well. He made as much as P10 a day.

This went on until life in Manila became so difficult that it took about a sackful of Mickey Mouse money which the Japanese distributed for a ganta of rice. We subsisted on kangkong, seldom eating meat and fish.

In early 1944 we decided to evacuate to Abra. That's when the family had to go from town to town all over the province, to be near Willie and Desi. I was then 16 and I recall wanting to be a member of the Bolo Batalliion tasked to send messages from one guerilla movement to another. My brothers said no— it was too dangerous.

It was during this time when the Americans started landing in some parts of Northern Luzon via submarines to combine with Filipino guerillas.

W

Raising the bar

E knew it was a matter of time before criminals misused what is supposed to be an innovation for efficiency and convenience.

Makati City police arrested two college students Monday after seizing P1.5 million worth of party drug tablets. The students had used the popular mobile application Grab to get the “ecstasy” pills from one place to another.

The app allows users to find a ride, order food, get errands done, or transport items.

In this case, it was the Grab delivery driver who alerted police about what the students asked him to do. Seized from the suspects were 657 tablets of ecstasy, two bottles containing ecstasy, 42 tablets of

suspected party drugs, six sachets of suspected party drugs, two digital scales, four lighters, 13 empty cigaret boxes, a glass tube, and a cellphone.

This incident is a stark reminder that the drug menace does not reign only in hovels and squatter areas.

It is not only the poor who resort to drugs in their desperation and misery. In the war against drugs we have seen how it is often the poor who are pursued and even killed if they so much as resisted arrest.

The menace pervades all sectors of society. In well-off neighborhoods, for instance,

those involved in the trade do not do so out of economic need or desperation.

And because some things are available more conveniently these days, it is not far-fetched to imagine that in their utter sloth, or smug complacency, they would ask third parties to deliver their “goods.”

We are seeing how even an all-out war on drugs is not enough to eradicate it. Those in the trade will find newer and more ingenious ways to get around authorities. Success is not measured by the number of the dead. Authorities will have to step up their game and their imagination, using more brains than brawn, following the correct leads while sparing innocent lives.

Turn to A5

Choose hope, choose Kabataan IN ADDITION to teaching, I frequently give national situation briefings to diverse groups all over the country, mostly but not exclusively to faith-based organizations that include religious congregations, diocesan bishops and clergy, Catholic schools (teachers and students), and parish councils.

In these briefings, I try to be as levelheaded and objective as possible even as I speak truth to power. I give my audiences space to discern their own choices.

Contrary to what the President has been told based on his speech in Isabela, my talks are not anti-Duterte at all. Instead they provide a balanced account of the administration’s failures (human rights is one) and successes (the Bangsamoro is good). And I always emphasize a message of hope, not allowing defeatism or fear to prevail.

In recent days, I have emphasized the virtues of the cross and how it is being renewed through the trials we are facing as church and people. I remind my audiences of our history, of how bad moments are followed by good moments—which are gifts which often we squander. But God in His infinite wisdom and mercy always give us new opportunities, second and third and fourth chances. So this current moment will pass. The massacre of the poor will end, and we will hold people, including the inciters, responsible.

There will be more reform opportunities.

We can abolish poverty, have good infrastructure and services, establish law and order, protect our environment, achieve social justice and a functioning justice system. We can fix this country.

Above all, I tell my audiences that there is hope because of our young people. It’s amazing how many children and young people we have in all our islands and even in places where we have many overseas Pilipinos. From my vantage point as a professor teaching in 10 universities, with 400-500 undergraduate, law, and graduate students in my classes from all over the Philippines and of different economic, religious, and political backgrounds, mentoring at any given time 50-100 individuals for their thesis papers or doctoral dissertations or just for professional advancement, teaching also many overseas Filipinos, there is no

room for despair.

One can only be amazed at how good the young are and it’s wonderful that is the case all over the country. Manila no longer monopolizes the best talent of the country. I can truly say that my Mindanao students are as good as my Manila students and my University Belt students are equal to my Diliman-Katipunan students.

We will be fine, we will do well actually, because of our young people - the incredible talent, the idealism, the resources and opportunities they have. That’s why the older generations must get the house in order. The Church must deal with child abuse. We must take care of the children orphaned on the war against drugs and other wars. We must fight with the Lumad so their children are not killed. We must make sure that a Christine Silawan never happens again.

Say no to despair.

And in this coming elections, for the Party-List elections, we must vote in more Kabataan representatives to Congress.

I came to this decision a couple of months ago—to vote and campaign for Kabataan in the 2019 elections. I have been very impressed with Sarah Elago’s courage and the competence and imagination she has done her work as a legislator with the Makabayan bloc. When I look at the record of her predecessors Raymond Palatino and Terry Ridon, I realized that Sarah’s work is not an individual achievement but in fact a cumulative result of a collective effort not just of one legislator nor even three but of a youth and student movement that has a long history.

I was so impressed reviewing Kabataan’s record that I resolved to help it get the maximum number of three seats so they will be more effective. I am further motivated by the reality that Kabataan has only one rival for the youth sector and student vote and that is the Duterte Youth Party (which is not even a group blessed by the President and more like a family affair again if news reports are to be believed). Even if I am not from the Turn to A5

PH sports can’t beat the odds, unless...

NOT many may be aware that the 1987 Constitution mandates the government to boost sports development. In fact, Section 19 of Article XIV expressly provides that "the State shall promote physical education and encourage sports programs, league competitions and amateur sports, including training for international competitions, to foster self-discipline, team work and excellence for the development of a

Can our athletes perform creditably in this much-anticipated sports event? healthy and alert citizenry."

To achieve this goal, the charter urges educational institutions to undertake regular sports activities throughout the country in cooperation with athletic clubs and other sectors.

All this is well and good, as one of the

goals of sports development at the grassroots level is to train promising athletes who can bring glory to the nation in international competitions. Hence, we take an active part in various international events, such as the Southeast Asian Games, Asian Games and of course, the Olympics.

From November to December this year, we will be the host of the 30th Southeast Asian Games. By now, therefore, preparations should already be at fever-pitch if we hope to successfully pull off this prestigious regional sports competition in home turf.

But can our athletes perform creditably in this much-anticipated sports event?

Turn to A5

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Opinion Budget blues other citizen, the lady deserves that much.

Three: Duterte’s economic team is warning that delays in budget approval could lead to a reenacted budget (using the same 2018 budget this year) that would slow down economic growth by as much as 2 percent.

This is a serious matter. Public spendBY THE time this column comes out, it’s ing to stimulate economic growth will be likely that the brewing budget impasse will reduced, including Duterte’s Build Build not yet be resolved.

Build program for which loan and conSenators Lacson and Sotto have dug in their heels over what they say are unconstitutional actions by the congressmen.

On the other hand, Speaker Arroyo is deThis is a serious termined to maintain her so-far perfect record of pushing Duterte’s agenda through matter. the House before she steps down in a few months.

Who’s saying what in this lamentable face-off?

One: The senators claim that the House itemized budget allocations in violation of struction agreements have already been the draft approved by the bicameral confer- signed. Among these projects are prospecence. They say this was unconstitutional. tive new sources of water for Metro MaBut House appropriations committee nila. If we end up with man-made droughts chair Nonoy Andaya points out that the in the future, we will certainly know some bicameral draft only contains lump sums of those who should be blamed. for various agencies and programs. These *** sums still need to be itemized. The House As the water shortage in Metro Manila proposed such itemizations, as did the Sen- enters its second week, it seems clear that ate as well. Who wouldn’t want such clar- the blame falls squarely on the private waity? ter concessionaires—specifically Manila As for constitutionality, Andaya be- Water, the Ayala-owned operator of the lieves this becomes an issue only when you “East Zone.” They seem to have screwed start fiddling around with a budget already up on their short-term capacity and distrienacted into law upon the President’s signa- bution planning, compounded by a failure ture. In fact, this is exactly what happened to aggressively develop short-term water with the DAP fiasco engineered under sources similar to Maynilad Water’s PuPNot, which the Supreme Court unani- tatan treatment plant beside Laguna de Bay. mously declared to be unconstitutional.

That said, these mistakes are absolutely *** no reason at all to reject privatization of Two: Senator Lacson charges that water distribution and go back to the bad Speaker Arroyo steered unusually large old days of government control under the budget funds to her own 2nd district of likes of NAWASA, when water supply was Pampanga. He’s also threatened to bring chronically short and overpriced. The two her to court for technical violations of the concessionaires have in fact made water budget preparation process. privatization here a model for other counHowever, Arroyo’s district as a matter tries. of fact only ranked something like 100th It is government—who insisted on among all 200-plus congressional districts holding on to its exclusive role as wholein terms of budget allocation for 2019. And sale water provider—that has consistently Andaya says her only directive to the con- fallen short. The economy and the populagressmen was to ensure that no district— tion won’t stop growing, so it should make even those of her opponents—should be sense to continue hunting for new water denied any budget funds at all, which is supply, right? Apparently, though, not to what used to happen under her predeces- our bureaucrats. sors.

There are at least four huge potential If Lacson wants to sue her over this or new sources of rainwater-fed supply: the any other issues, he should really go ahead Wawa dam now being proposed by billionand do that—as advised as well by Palace aire Ricky Razon’s group; and the Laiban, spokesman Panelo—instead of endlessly Kaliwa and Kanan dam projects, which playing to the media. No less than any are intended to capture the 8 billion liters

of rainwater dumped by an average of 25 typhoons a year on the Sierra Madre, only to flow back to the Pacific Ocean unused.

However, it was only last November that a formal agreement was signed with the Chinese for building the Kaliwa dam.

If we want to exploit these opportunities, the whole water sector may need to be reorganized, the same as with the power sector after EPIRA in 2001. According to a knowledgeable consultant, three new entities must be created: a Department of Water to run wholesale water operations; a National Water Corporation to co-venture with the private sector on new water projects; and a Water Regulatory Commission to regulate the entire sector.

Two water reform bills have already been filed in Congress earlier, by Speaker Arroyo and by her close ally Congressman Art Yap. If anything good comes out of the current water crisis, it may well include the substitution or consolidation of these and other pending bills into a comprehensive blueprint for reform. *** The President last week released his latest list of 46 narco-politicians. Most of these were mayors (although three congressmen were also included) and many of them are now running for reelection. This time the list has reportedly been thoroughly vetted—by PDEA, PNP, AFP, and the National Intelligence Coordination Agency (NICA).

Predictable howls of protest were raised from the usual quarters about “violation of human rights” of those on the list. Unfortunately, those same critics also criticize the administration for letting off the big drug lords and only going after poor users and pushers. You can’t run after the little ones, you can’t run after the big ones—exactly what do these critics want government to do?

They also forget that the media routinely publishes the names and photos of crime suspects hauled in for questioning by the police. Are we now to believe that mayors and congressmen presumptively deserve better treatment?

These alleged narco-politicians have met the lower test of “probable cause” that must be applied in order for them to be charged in court. We think that this lower test is also relevant in the case of those running for reelection. And if these candidates still get themselves back into office—well, that will have to be blamed on the voters themselves.

Vignettes...

when Yamashita surrendered, And then I finished high school in Tagudin, Ilocos Sur. I was promoted twice. The rest is history, as they say. *** I saw the best and worst of Filipinos during the Japanese occupation.

Many sacrificed their lives so that others may live. But I also saw Filipino guerillas torture and kill their fellow Filipinos.

Would you believe that in Ilocos there was this guerilla called Escobar who plundered and raped women on sight? He reigned over Ilocandia at that time until he was arrested and executed.

There were also the Makapilis, or Filipinos who were recruited by the Japanese and then Benigno Aquino Sr. who

hid their faces in paper bags.

It is in times like these when you find out who your friends are. *** The congressional investigation into the water crisis brings to fore several questions.

Why did the government through the MWSS act only after the fact?

Didn't the MWSS know that Angat Dam's water reserves could be depleted during summer, made worse by El Niño?

Why did the crisis only in the Eastern part of Metro Manila?

They have to answer all these, and more.

only youth party-list group in Philippine Congress today. It is a large network of energized and pro-active young people who are leaders in various organizations, formations and barkadas. Their members are from across the regions—and this is reflected in the list of their candidates: Sarah is from Metro Manila, their second and third candidates Erika Rae Cruz and Vennel Chenfoo are from Mindanao, the fourth and fifth candidates Ellice Balgos and Renz Kang are from Northern Luzon, and the sixth candidate Kristian AbadLora is from the Visayas. Their members and candidates also represent diverse interests, backgrounds and social status, tied by a common vision of a better future for the youth and for the nation.

Kabataan Party-list believes that the youth should devote its intellect, energy and courage to building a new society devoid of corruption, inequality and social injustice. It supports youth and studentled organizations working for social, political, economic, cultural and environmental justice in the Philippines, and enjoins youth from all walks of life to foster active participation in nation-building, good governance and social change.

‘Kabataan Party-list is working to galvanize the Filipino youth’s unity for social change. It encourages the youth to work collectively with other sectors to build a bright future. It upholds, promotes and defends the interest of the youth to be able to harness its fullest potential as a sector.

While retaining its activist soul, Kabataan has also been effective in legislation. All its representatives—Palatino, Ridon, and Elago—proposed hundreds of bills (in the 17th Congress alone, Elago has sponsored 423 house bills and resolutions), fully participated in legislative debates, taken always the morally right and politically courageous positionw in impeachment, death penalty, and other controversal issues, and definitely has successfully brought the voice of the youth into the halls of Congress.

The country is in a difficult moment.

I reject pessimism. I say no to despair. I choose hope. I choose to trust the youth of this country. I choose Kabataan.

sport altogether.

To give Philippine sports a muchneeded shot in the arm, President Rodrigo Duterte appointed former senator and foreign affairs secretary Alan Peter Cayetano to lead the Philippine SEA Games Organizing Committee (PHISGOC). But the scuttlebutt in coffee shops is that Cayetano's chairmanship of PHISGOC is tenuous as certain quarters are said to be very eager to take over his post and manage the SEAG funds themselves.

Cayetano is optimistic that the spadework for the 30th SEAG is proceeding as scheduled, but he is concerned that the delay in the approval of the 2019 national budget could set back preparations. Moreover, Congress cut the SEAG budget from P7.5 billion to P5 billion. Thus, he is exerting all efforts to raise money for the Games

from private sponsors while strictly monitoring the disbursement of SEAG budget, which is now handled by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC).

With Cayetano at the helm, we are confident that the SEA Games budget will be spent prudently as he has built a reputation as a graftbuster as the chair of the Senate Blue Ribbon committee in the 14th Congress.

But what's this we hear that there's an ongoing attempt by two officials of the Philippine Olympic Committee to oust Cayetano from PHISGOC? One was recently suspended for 90 days by the Sandiganbayan in connection with the graft charges filed against him over the alleged anomalous acquisition of a thrift bank when he was chairman of a government agency concerned with a pub-

From A4

In 1944 when the American forces landed in Lingayen Gulf and tried to take over Manila, the infamous Rape of Manila occurred. And then the Japanese, under General Tomijuki Yamashita, retreated to the Cordilleras to make a last stand.

That began the Battle of Bessang Pass, which lasted for several months until Yamashita surrendered. Both my brothers were in that battle. It's in the annals of the Armed Forces. That battle was known as The Battle Among The Clouds.

My family and I were in La Union

Choose...

From A4

youth sector, I teach in more than 10 universities and consider myself a stakeholder and invested in that sector. I cannot imagine my students to be represented by such a group.

I am aware of course that there are other legitimate party list organizations that one can vote for, as I wrote last week. I certainly think that Bayan Muna and Akbayan are worth voting for if you were looking for a progressive party with a comprehensive vision to support, or Gabriela, ACT-Teachers, Anakpawis, Partido Lakas ng Masa, Murang Kuryente, and Magdalo are worthy and strong representatives respectively of women, teachers, farmers, workers, environmentalists, and soldiers. My appeal then is not to the supporters of these other good party list organizations but to voters who are still in search for options for the party list elections. To these non-aligned voters, I say with confidence that Kabataan is a good choice.

Kabataan Party-list is the first and

PH sports...

From A4

Not to disparage the efforts of wellmeaning individuals who are serious in giving their all for our athletes to shine in the SEAG, we share the apprehension of those who see dark clouds in the horizon.

From where we sit, we are well aware that the development of Philippine sports has suffered one setback after another due to mismanagement by those tasked by government to supervise sports programs.

How often have we read in the papers about officials unable to account for public funds that should have been spent for the training of athletes? One too many, it would appear, that not a few promising athletes would rather give up their chosen

Readers can write me at gbolivar1952@ yahoo.com.

www.emiljurado.weebly.com

Facebook Page: Professor Tony La Viña Twitter: tonylavs

TUESDAY, MARCH 19, 2019

A5

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Proposed mergers must not create monopolies tering into milling contracts with URC and entering into milling contracts with CADPI. Having their sugar cane milled by mills in Tarlac and Pampanga is not a realistic possibility because those mills are—in the words of PCC chairman Arsenio Balisacan and his colleagues— THE Philippine Competition Commis- “too far.” sion was created to perform a two-part I have first-hand familiarity with function. One part was correctional in the concept of milling efficiency. This nature: put an end to business structures familiarity stems from my being a son destructive of, or inimical to, competi- of a province with three sugar mills and tion. The other part was preventive: dis- from my late father’s having been the approve or prohibit the rise of business secretary-treasurer of the Philippine situations—especially merger propos- Sugar Association—since renamed the als—likely to bring about a deteriora- Philippine Sugar Manufacturers Astion in competitive conditions. Under sociation—for a long time. In order to the law creating PCC, proposed merg- obtain the highest yield, or promedio, ers involving a combined value of P2 from their cane, some planters from my billion or more are required to undergo province have been willing to invest in review by, and obtain the approval of, trucking service to bring the cane from the Commission. one mill to another distant mill. The PCC had occaplanters did the sion to display its math and found competition-safeit worth their figuarding authornancial while to ity in the recent engage in that Balisacan and his case involving practice. two major sugar colleagues deserve Explaining industry players, commendation and PCC’s decision Universal Roto disapprove the bina Corporation thanks. proposed URC(URC) and Roxas RHI merger, Holdings Inc. chairman Bali(RHI), owner of sacan said this: Central Azucare“A merger-tora de Don Pedro Inc. (CADPI). Gokon- monopoly deal is among the most detgwei-owned URC is one of the largest rimental types of business transactions. producers of processed-food products The URC takeover (would remove) the in this country of ethanol, a by-product only competitor, erode the benefits of of the sugar milling process. What PCC competition for the sugarcane planters had to pass upon was a proposed merg- and leave market power in the hands er between URC and RHI, whose sugar of a single provider in the area. Dr. mills are both in Batangas.

Balisacan went on to say: “The (PCC) In a decision dated February 12 PCC prohibition prevents this deal from creprohibited the URC-RHI plan on the ating a monopoly in the relevant market basis that it was a merger-to-monopoly that could harm the welfare of the sugar deal. The problem with the proposed cane planters.” merger, in PCC’s eyes, was that the It would have been easy for the PCC URC mill in Balayan and the RHI mill to accept the URC-RHI justification for in Nasugbu were the only two sugar their merger plan. But Dr. Balisacan mills in the whole of Southern Luzon. and his fellow-commissioners, true to If the merger had been approved, the their institution’s mandate, saw the proresulting company would have a mo- posed merger’s harmful consequences nopoly of sugar milling in the southern for the other sugar industry players. half of Luzon; the rest of Luzon’s sugar The PCC’s decision is the correct mills are located in Central and North- economic decision and Dr. Balisacan ern Luzon. Because sugar mills do not and his colleagues deserve commendaoperate with the same level of sugar- tion and thanks. Other companies plancrunching efficiency, sugar planters in ning something similar to the aborted the Cabalag (Cavite-Batangas-Laguna) URC-RHI merger proposal should take area have been choosing between en- note.

Media-savvy fixer ‘harassing’ BoC execs A NOTORIOUS Chinese fixer is making life difficult for some Bureau of Customs (BoC) officials and personnel, pressuring them to release multi-million peso worth of smuggled shipments seized sometime last December.

BoC insider info revealed that this “pain in the as*,” who has been a fixer for big-time smugglers for the longest time, having his heyday during the last administration.

Unfortunately, he is reportedly in a predicament now because he owes his client importers, whose contrabands are being held after being discovered “misdeclared” to avoid proper taxes due.

This gambling addict has also allegedly duped some well-meaning investors and laundered their money amounting to billions of pesos through a Chinese Mafia operating a number of casinos here and abroad.

BoC authorities have decried this fixer’s influence-peddling, harassing them through his media outlets with his published “lies and fabrications” that Malacañang might somehow give credence to.

Poorest of the poor in Tagum City I was disheartened to discover that, while Metro Manila residents have struggled with the water shortage for a few weeks, many of our fellow Filipinos in lic utility. The Office of the Ombudsman also filed two criminal cases against him for misusing public funds to sponsor an eponymous sports tournament.

The other official was suspended for 90 days by the Sandiganbayan last year also in connection with graft charges filed against him. He was alleged to have entered into a government contract without the approval of the Board which he heads and without the benefit of public bidding.

If they manage to wrest control of the SEA Games, can we be certain that its funds would really be used for its intended purposes? You can make you own conclusion.

The country's hosting of this year’s SEA Games presents a unique opportunity to turn around the country’s declining performance in the regional sports competition,

the rural areas have had to cope without water since they were born.

One such case is that of Barangay Liboganon in Tagum City, Davao del Norte, where I found out that over 2,000 residents have never had potable water.

This barangay’s poor residents quoted authorities as saying that their village simply is “not suited for the construction of a water system.” They strongly refuse to believe that.

Why has the government neglected this community and many others?

Is it because 2,500 residents in the 612-hectare land of Barangay Liboganon are “too few” to give importance to?

Where did the public funds go that were intended to provide essential services to this Dabaweños?

White elephant or milking cow?

Ironically, I also discovered during my visit to Tagum City the unfinished construction of a flyover reportedly worth P4 billion.

The 1.6-kilometer-long flyover located at a fault line was started in 2017, and it is not even half-done yet.

I sure wish that the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) under the able leadership of Secretary Mark Villar would take a look-see at this “white elephant” in Davao del Norte.

Who the hell is the contractor responsible for this seemingly overpriced project? And, why was its P4-billion appropriation approved when it is located along the region’s fault line?

Who are the fat pigs that benefited to this anomalous transaction to build this milking cow… err, white elephant? but only if we have people of unblemished integrity supervising preparations for the event. Sports development is too important to be left in the hands of people with less than noble intentions. And as our own Constitution serves to constantly remind us, sports development is an indispensable part of nation-building as it fosters selfdiscipline and team work.

It's been said that in sports, the greatest leaders are those who make the best decisions in the most crucial of situations. If we want to make our athletes to never give up and to fight to the finish, then they must be led and trained by people determined to overcome obstacles and to beat the odds, instead of feathering their own nests, as it were. ernhil@yahoo.com

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK Licensed Firm(s) to another Licensed Firm in the Host Jurisdiction during the validity period of his ACMF Pass. In the event that the Recognised Representative in the Philippines shall transfer to another Licensed Firm or attach to another Licensed Firm, he shall inform the Commission of such occurrence.

SEC MEMORANDUM CIRCULAR NO. 5 Series of 2019 SUBJECT

: GUIDELINES ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF ACMF PASS UNDER THE ASEAN CAPITAL MARKET PROFESSIONAL MOBILITY FRAMEWORK

WHEREAS, Section 2 of the Securities Regulation Code (SRC) declares that it is the policy of the State to promote the development of the capital market and protect the investors; WHEREAS, Section 5 of the SRC provides the Commission the power to formulate policies and recommendations on issues concerning securities market; WHEREAS, Section 72 of the SRC authorizes the Commission to issue and amend rules and regulations and relative thereto, the Commission may classify persons, securities, and other matters within its jurisdiction, prescribe different requirements for different classes of persons, securities, or matters, and by rule or order, conditionally or unconditionally exempt any person, security, or transaction, or class or classes of persons, securities or transactions, from any or all provisions of the SRC. WHEREAS, Section 35 of the Investment Company Act or RA 2629, pursuant to the Commission’s authority to make, issue, amend, and rescind rules and regulations and such orders as are necessary or appropriate to the exercise of its powers under this law, the Commission may classify persons, securities and other matters within its jurisdiction and prescribe different requirements for different classes of persons, securities, or matters.

A Recognised Representative may be attached to more than one Licensed Firm at the same time; the Attached Licensed Firm is obliged to monitor the conduct of the Recognised Representative and ensure that he complies with the Host Jurisdiction’s laws and regulations when performing activitiesunder the Framework in the Host Jurisdiction.

Section 10. Validity of ACMF Pass– The validity of ACMF Pass shall be for a period of two(2) years from the date of grant of ACMF Pass, unless earlier revoked or cancelled by the Commission, and each Recognised Representative will be permitted to perform the activities under the Framework in a Host Jurisdiction for the duration of its validity.

Section 11. How to Apply for ACMF Pass – a.

The Attached LicensedFirm (in the Host Jurisdiction) of the professional from HomeJurisdiction shall manually submit the application together with the supporting documents, to the Markets and Securities Regulation Department (MSRD) of the Commission.

b.

Applications shall be filed with the Commission anytime during business hours of any business day.

c.

The following documents are required as supporting documents for the application for the issuance of the ACMF Pass:

WHEREAS, the Philippine Securities and Exchange Commissionis a signatory to the Memorandum of Understanding on the ACMF PASS (MOU) under the ASEAN Capital Market Professional Mobility Frameworktogether with the securities regulators of Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore.

i.

Copy of the certificate of registration, license or authority of the Recognized Representative issued by the Home Regulator;

ii.

Certificate of good standing issued by the Home Regulator;

iii.

Proof issued by the Attached Licensed Firm in the Home Jurisdiction authorizing its Professional to apply for ACMF Pass in the Philippines;

iv.

Endorsement by the Attached Licensed Firm in the Host Jurisdiction for the issuance of the ACMF Pass in favor of the Recognized Representative. The endorsement shall be signed by the Associated Person or Compliance Officer or other officer with equivalent or higher rank of the Attached LicensedFirm.

WHEREAS, the ASEAN Capital Market Professional Mobility Framework aims to enhance the connectivity of capital market professionals in the ASEAN region.

WHEREAS, ACMF Pass allows the freer movement of professionals licensed from a home country to perform investment advice activities and issue research report on ASEAN financial products in a host country under the Framework.

WHEREAS, there is a need to issue Guidelines with regard to the implementation of the ACMF Pass under the ASEAN Capital Market Professional Mobility Framework.

NOW, THEREFORE, the Commission hereby issues the following guidelines on the implementation of the ACMF Pass under the ASEAN Capital Market Professional Mobility Framework.

ARTICLE ONE. GENERAL PROVISIONS

Good standing shall mean having complied with all regulatory obligations, no pending disciplinary action; has not been censured, reprimanded or fined by a professional or regulatory body for negligence, incompetence, mismanagement, dereliction of duty or violation of law or regulation; and has not been convicted, by a competent judicial or administrative body of an offense involving moral turpitude, fraud, embezzlement, counterfeiting, theft, misappropriation, forgery, bribery, false oath, perjury, or of a violation of securities, commodities, banking, real estate or insurance laws. a.

Section 1. Applicability - This shall be known as the “Guidelines on the Implementation ofACMF Pass under the ASEAN Capital Market Professional Mobility Framework”.

These guidelines shall apply to: a.

Professionals in the Philippines who intend to obtain an ACMF Pass in another country which is Signatory to the MOU;

b.

Professionals in other Signatory countries who intend to obtain an ACMF Pass in the Philippines; and

c.

Attached Licensed Firms as defined under Section 2 hereof.

Section 2. Definition of Terms – For purposes of these Guidelines, the following definitions of terms shall apply, unless the context otherwise requires:

The Commission shall, within thirty (30) days after the filing of application for the issuance of ACMF PASS: i.

Grant ACMF PASS if it determines that the eligibility requirements and supporting documents have been satisfied and complied with; or

ii.

Deny the application stating the reason/s for the denial.

ARTICLE THREE. RENEWAL OF THE ACMF PASS Section 12. Renewal Coverage– The provisions under Article Three of these guidelines shall only apply to Recognized Representatives from otherSignatory countries with ACMF Pass issued by the Commission.

Renewal guidelines for Professionals in the Philippines with ACMF Pass issued by other Signatory countries shall be provided by relevant Host Jurisdictions.

Section 13. Renewal Criteria- The ACMF Pass of the Recognised Representative in the Philippines may be renewed provided that:

a.

ACMF member means the securities regulator of the respective ASEAN jurisdiction, collectively referred to as the “ACMF members”;

b.

ACMF Pass means the authorisation by a Host Regulator to allow a Professional from the Home Jurisdiction to perform activities under the Framework in Host Jurisdiction;

c.

Attached Licensed Firm refers to the Licensed Firm in either the Home or Host Jurisdiction to which the Professional is connected or employed;

d.

Commission refers to the Philippine Securities and Exchange Commission;

e.

Framework refers to the ASEAN Capital Market Professional Mobility Framework;

f.

Home Jurisdiction means the jurisdiction of the MOU Signatory in which a Professional is licensed or registered or approved or authorised;

g.

Host Jurisdiction means the jurisdiction (other than the Home Jurisdiction) of an MOU Signatory in which a Recognised Representative performs the activities specified in the Framework in Host jurisdiction;

h.

Home Regulator means the Signatory whose jurisdiction is the Home Jurisdiction of the Professional;

a.

Copy of the certificate of registration,license or authority of the Recognized Representative issued by the Home Regulator;

i.

Host Regulator means the Signatory whose jurisdiction is the Host Jurisdiction of the Recognised Representative;

b.

Certificate of good standing issued by the Home Regulator;

j.

Laws and Regulations means any law, regulation or regulatory requirement applicable in the jurisdiction of a Signatory, and where the context permits include any rule, direction, requirement, or policy made or given by or to be taken into account by the Signatory in its jurisdiction;

c.

Endorsement by the Attached Licensed Firm in the Host Jurisdiction for the renewal of the ACMF Pass of the Recognised Representative. The endorsement shall be signed by the Associated Person or Compliance Officer or other officer with equivalent or higher rank of the Attached LicensedFirm.

k.

Licensed Firm means any legal person withauthority to undertake the business related to dealing in and giving advice on the capital market products under the Laws and Regulations of the Signatories;

l.

Professional means a person who is licensed or registered or approved or authorised by a Signatory to perform, including but not limited to, the activities specified in the Framework in its jurisdiction;

m. Recognised Representative means a Professional who has obtained an ACMF Pass; n.

Signatory means the ACMF member who signed the MOU on the ACMF Pass under the ASEAN Capital Market Professional Mobility Framework, and collectively, shall be referred to as “the Signatories”.

ARTICLE TWO. THE ACMF PASS Section 3. Qualified Professionals in the Philippines – The following registered capital market professionals in the Philippines are qualified to apply for an ACMF Pass from a Host Regulator and become a Recognised Representative in other Signatory Countries: a.

He still possesses a valid license or registration or approval or authorisation from the Home Jurisdiction;

b.

He has no pending disciplinary action or has not been censured, reprimanded or fined by a professional or regulatory body for negligence, incompetence, mismanagement, dereliction of duty or violation of law or regulation;

c.

Has no pending complaint filed against him/her in the Host Jurisdiction; and

d.

He has not been convicted, by a competent judicial or administrative body of an offense involving moral turpitude, fraud, embezzlement, counterfeiting, theft, misappropriation, forgery, bribery, false oath, perjury, or of a violation of securities, commodities, banking, real estate or insurance laws.

Section 14. Validity of Renewal – The ACMF Pass shall be valid for one (1) year from the date of renewal and may be renewed yearly.

c. Key officers/s of Fund Managers (Investment Company Advisers) involved in the management of the Fund and licensed by the Commission as Certified Investment Solicitor; Other professionals which the Commission may, in the future,determine as eligible to apply for ACMF Pass in other Signatory Countries.

Section 4. Eligibility Requirements for Professionals from other Signatory Countries– A Professional from other Signatory countries is eligible to obtain the ACMF Pass and become a Recognised Representative in the Philippines provided that he/she: a.

is licensed or registered or approved or authorised by the Home Regulator;

b.

has no pending disciplinary action or has not been censured, reprimanded or fined by a professional or regulatory body for negligence, incompetence, mismanagement, dereliction of duty or violation of law or regulation; and

c.

has not been convicted, by a competent judicial or administrative body of an offense involving moral turpitude, fraud, embezzlement, counterfeiting, theft, misappropriation, forgery, bribery, false oath, perjury, or of a violation of securities, commodities, banking, real estate or insurance laws.

Section 5. Products – The ASEAN capital market products which Recognised Representative may give advice on are limited only to: a.

shares;

b.

bonds; and

c.

units of collective investments scheme including: i.

units of real estate investment trust; and

ii.

units of infrastructure fund.

The scope of advising activity is described in Section 6 of these Guidelines.

Section 6. Scope of Activities - The Recognised Representative shall be permitted to perform the following activities in the Host Jurisdiction:

ARTICLE FOUR. ROLE OF ATTACHED LICENSED FIRM IN THE HOST JURISDICTION Section 18.The role of Attached Licensed Firm in the Host Jurisdiction shall be as follows: a.

b.

TheAttached Licensed Firm must conduct proper due diligence of the Professional to ensure that: i.

The Professional has satisfied the entry requirements as prescribed by the Host Regulator; and

ii.

The Recognized Representative remain licensed or approved or authorised in Home Jurisdiction, attached with Licensed Firm in Home Jurisdiction and certify that the Recognised Representative has satisfied the requirements for maintaining the status and other ongoing requirements as prescribed by the Host Regulator.

The Attached Licensed Firm in the Host Jurisdiction shall maintain the record of the appointment andthe discontinuation of the Recognised Representative and make available such record to the Commission.

ARTICLE FIVE. MONITORING, SUPERVISORY AND ENFORCEMENT MECHANISM Section 19. Notification of Significant Changes to Recognized Representative – The Attached Licensed Firm in the Host Jurisdiction shall notify the Host Regulator and the Licensed Firm in the Home Jurisdiction immediately of any information or significant change considered to have an impact on the status of licensing or registration or approval or authorisation of the Recognised Representative including, but not limited to these events that occur in the Host Jurisdiction: a.

Where any of its Recognised Representative has committed any act that is detrimental to the interest of investors; or

b.

Where any of its Recognised Representative, where applicable, cease to be fit and proper; or

c.

Where any of its Recognised Representative, where applicable, fails or ceases to perform his function; or

d.

Where any of its Recognised Representative do not comply with any of the requirements under the ACMF Pass Framework; and

e.

Where any of its Recognised Representative fails to comply with the Laws and Regulations in Home Jurisdiction and Host Jurisdiction.

Upon receipt of such information, the Licensed Firm in the Home Jurisdiction shall notify the Home Regulator.

Section20. Enforcement Action – If a Recognized Representative contravenes a Host Jurisdiction’s laws and regulations, the Host Regulator shall take regulatory actions against the Recognized Representativewith the assistance of the Home Regulator to the extent permissible under its laws and regulations.

ARTICLE SIX. TERMINATION AND REVOCATION OF ACMF PASS Section 21. Any ACMF Pass granted under Article 2 hereof may be revoked or terminated by the Commission, after due notice and hearing, based on the following:

When the Recognised Representative is no longer compliant with the requirements stated in Section 4 hereof;

Giving general investment advice to both retail and non-retail investors concerning the capital market products set out in Section 5.

c.

Section 7. Prohibited Activities - The Recognised Representative shall not be permitted to perform the following activities in the Host Jurisdiction:

When the Recognised Representative commits any of the activities mentioned in Section 7 hereof;

d.

Failure of the Recognised Representative to comply with regulatory requirements and/or directive of the Commission despite due notice; or

e.

Violation by the Recognised Representative of the Securities Regulation Code and its Implementing Rules and Regulations, ACMF Pass Framework and other rules and regulations being implemented by the Commission.

a.

Giving advice to investors by considering investor’s investment objective, financial situation and particular needs; and

b.

Soliciting for sales of the capital market products set out in Section 5.

Section 8. Mode of Performance of Service - The Recognised Representative’s performance of the activities as provided in Section 6 can be through physical presence or electronic means.

Section 9. Conditions for Servicing Retail and Non-Retail Investors - A Recognised Representative must be attached to a Licensed Firm in the Host Jurisdiction with the following conditions: a.

A Recognised Representative is not required to be a full-time employee of the Licensed Firm;

b.

The Licensed Firm, to whom the Recognised Representative is attached to, is not required to be related to any Licensed Firms in the Home Jurisdiction; and

c.

A Recognised Representative is allowed to change his attachment from one

I

MMIGRATION Commissioner Jaime Morente ordered immigration officers at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport to screen departing overseas Filipino workers following reports that trafficking syndicates were recruiting under aged Filipinas to work abroad.

Morente has instructed BI Port Operations Division Chief Grifton Medina to alert BI personnel manning immigration booths at the airport to strictly screen departing OFWs to make sure they were of legal age and eligible for overseas deployment.

“BI officers are instructed to refer these passengers to our Travel Control and Enforcement Unit for secondary inspection,” Morente said.

He said BI personnel would conduct pre-screening of departing OFWs to watch out for passengers who appear to be minors or below 23 years old, the age requirement for overseas household service workers.

The strict screening was ordered after a 21-year-old Filipina household worker bound for Saudi Arabia was intercepted last Wednesday by BI officers at the NAIA terminal 1 before she could board a Philippine Airlines

flight to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

According to Glenn Ford Comia, BI TCEU NAIA 1 head supervisor, the passenger admitted during questioning that she was not aged 25 as indicated in her passport, as she was actually born in 1995, making her only 21 years old.

“She said that she only learned that her date of birth was changed when she received her travel documents from her recruiter on the day of her flight,” Comia said.

He added that the woman was subsequently turned over to the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking for further investigation and assistance.

Last year, the BI said more than 100 under aged Filipina OFWs, many of them minors, were intercepted at NAIA. All of them had passports with falsified birthdates, although they had valid overseas employment permits, working visas and job contracts.

Section17. Grant or Denial for Renewal of ACMF Pass – The Commission shall, within thirty (30) days after the filing of any application under these Guidelines: (i) grant renewal if it determines that the requirements and qualifications for renewal set forth in these Guidelines have been satisfied; or (ii) deny said renewal stating the reason/s for the denial.

b.

b.

By Vito Barcelo

The application for renewal of ACMF Pass shall be submitted to the Markets and Securities Regulation Department of the Commission manually and to be officially received by the Commission during office hours.

When the license and/or registration of the Recognised Representative in the Home Jurisdiction is cancelled, terminated or becomes invalid;

Issuing or promulgating research analysis or research reports concerning the capital market products set out in Section 5that are solely incidental to the giving of general investment advice set out under sub-paragraph (b) hereof; and

Screen OFWs departing —Morente

Section 16. Renewal Process - The Attached Licensed Firm (in the Host Jurisdiction) of the Recognized Representative shall submit to the Commission the application for renewal of the ACMF Pass not later than thirty (30) days before it expires.

a.

a.

TUESDAY, MARCH 19, 2019 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Section 15. Renewal Documents –The following documents are required for the renewal of the ACMF Pass:

Salesman of a Broker Dealer and/or Investment House - a natural person hired to buy and sell securities on a salary or commission basis properly endorsed to the Commission by the employing Broker Dealer or the Investment House, as the case may be, as defined in Rule 28.1.1 of the 2015 SRC Rules;

b. Certified Investment Solicitor - a natural person of legal age duly licensed by the Commission and appointed by a Fund Manager or Mutual Fund Distributor to solicit, sell or offer to sell the shares or units of an Investment Company to the public as defined in Rule 1 of the Implementing Rules and Regulations of the Investment Company Act (ICA IRR);

d.

a.

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News

ARTICLE SEVEN. EFFECTIVITY Section 22. Effectivity – These Guidelines shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in a newspaper of general circulation.

26 February 2019, Pasay City, Philippines.

EMILIO B. AQUINO Chairperson (MS-MARCH 19, 2019)

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

ENDANGERED SEAHORSE. The NBI Environmental Crime Division and the Bureau of Food and Drugs raid the Lucky Charm Drug Store in Binondo, Manila and seized 348 pieces of endangered dry seahorse, from ancient Greek’s ‘sea monster,’ used by the Chinese. Norman Cruz

MMDA launches new project to teach children traffic rules

By Joel E. Zurbano THE Metro Manila Development Authority on Monday launched a new project aimed to teach children on traffic rules, waste management and other educational tools for them to become responsible individuals in the community.

The MMDA has teamed up with Sesame Network, a nonprofit educational organization behind the iconic television series Sesame Street, to hold a threeyear community educational program for children in the National Capital Region.

MMDA chairman Danilo Lim said the joint project would help children and families learn in a fun manner about road safety, caring for the environment, and preparing for emergencies in the context of the agency’s functions.

He said the MMDA believed

Sesame Street was the ideal partner for this endeavor since the show pioneered the educational program format for kids.

“We are very excited about this initiative which focuses on children, the future citizens of Metro Manila. It is everybody’s responsibility to teach kids respect for the rules and compassion for the community, and we at the MMDA are proud to be with Sesame Workshop at the frontline of this endeavor. We hope that through our line-up of activities under this partnership, the kids will carry out these lessons throughout childhood and into their adult lives as well,” said Lim. “For the last 50 years, Sesame Street has brought the life-changing benefits of early learning to children around the globe,” said Will DePippo, Director Asia Pacific for Sesame Workshop.

PCSO welcomes probe THE Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, a governmentowned-and-controlled corporation under the Office of the President, has said it welcomes all forms of investyigation on alleged bribery within the Office.

In a statement issued Monday, PCSO, through Pilar Pinga Cruz, who identified herself as PCSO alternate spokesperson, said: “PCSO welcomes all forms of investigation on the alleged bribery on the fourth floor, 10th floor or any floor of our office. Any act of graft and corruption at the PCSO should be brought to the proper venue, be it the CSC, the Ombudsman and the court.

“In light of the burgeoning unsubstantiated, baseless and unfair attacks against the PCSO, its Board of Directors deems it necessary to make this public statement.

“The PCSO has established procedures and protocols which include security measures which cover every aspect of its operations.

There are documents and devices which can be reviewed, audited and examined objectively through proper legal channels. It is with sadness that there are veiled individuals who are determined on spreading innuendos, distortions, accusations and unequivocal lies through social media to handicap PCSO and its mission.

Sports

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TUESDAY, MARCH 19, 2019 sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

JRU Heavy Bombers reclaim title in athletics

IronGirl kicks off IRONMAN A BIGGER, better IronGirl ushers in the second Alveo IRONMAN 70.3 Davao presented by Petron weekend with a thousand participants all set for the 5k run at the Azuela Cove in Davao City on Friday (March 22).

The fun run for girls’ 12-yearsold-and-above at 5 p.m. will cap a series of activities lined up in the first of the three-day event culminating in the Ironman 70.3 featuring some of the world’s top triathletes and held in Mindanao for the second straight year.

The 1,000 slots in IronGirl were actually sold out in just 70 minutes when it opened last February, underscoring the tremendous pull of the side event sponsored by Herbalife Nutrition for the youngsters and adults alike.

The Ironman 70.3 activities actually fired off last Sunday (March 17) with the Sun Life Bike Course Ride Out along with the Davao Expo Open and other events at the Enderun Tent at Azuela Cove.

A Q&A with Lifesport coach and Canada’s Hall of Famer Lance Watson is also on tap on Friday.

The IronKids, now a swim-run race, will be held on Saturday.

Focus will then shift to Sunday’s big event, the Alveo Ironman 70.3 featuring 16 pros all geared up for a blistering finish in a duel of strength and stamina in the 1.9K swim, 90K bike, 21K run event.

Over 2,200 participants from 38 countries are vying in the main dish organized and conducted by Sunrise Events, Inc. with Mexican Mauricio Mendez and Czech Radka Kahlefeldt gunning for back-to-back titles in their respective divisions.

SEI founder Wilfred Uytengsu has lauded Davao’s enthusiasm in hosting the event, which features individual and relay competitions, with the host city guaranteeing a better staging, this being held in conjunction with Davao’s 82nd anniversary celebrations.

The event has lured triathletes from the United Arab Emirates, Czech Republic, Hong Kong, Mexico, Ukraine, Australia, Germany, India, Malaysia, Qatar, the US, Belgium, Spain, Italy, New Caledonia, Singapore.

Black Stallions, Loyola Azul top Milcu cagefest LOYOLA Azul and Black Stallions ruled their respective divisions in the Milcu Sports Basketball presented by Got Skills Hard to Guard at the Trinity University of Asia Gym in Quezon City.

Romeo Ebdane had 20 points, 19 rebounds, six assists and four steals to lead Loyola past the Mendal Huskies, 86-81, for the Got Game 12-under title.

Udrih Robosa added 17 points and 11 rebounds, while Karol Go scored 16 for the Azul in the tournament sanctioned by the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas, with Milcu and Basketball TV among its sponsors.

Kurt Medina produced 18 points and 14 rebounds as the Black Stallions downed Warriors, 63-58, to claim the Got Game 14-under crown.

Vinz Laban and Khavdel Lipata chipped in 12 and 11 points, respectively, for Black Stallions.

LOCKER ROOM RANDY CALUAG PHILIPPINE Track and Field Athletics Association president Philip Ella Juico is not a fan of predictions. But he does recognize the need to have a goal.

“We have to have a target,” he admitted.

On his athletics team’s performance in the coming 30th SEA Games, which the country in hosting in December this year, Juico is pointing back to the 1981 SEA Games’ performance by Team Philippines as his gauge of success.

Under the revered Gintong Alay project of Michael Keon, the 1981 athletics’ team was the top medal producer for the Philippines, along with swimming and bowling with eight. The team was led by middle distance king Isidro

Joel Embiid of the Philadelphia 76ers shoots the ball against the Milwaukee Bucks at the Fiserv Forum Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. AFP

Sixers stun East leader Bucks, nail playoff spot L

OS ANGELES—Joel Embiid scored 40 points and 15 rebounds as the Philadelphia 76ers overcame Giannis Antetokounmpo’s career-high 52 points to beat the Milwaukee Bucks 130-125 and clinch a playoff berth on Sunday.

It was Embiid’s 52nd career doubledouble and the 25th time he has scored at least 30 points and seized 10 rebounds in a NBA game.

Embiid’s best quarter was the fourth when he tallied 18 points as the visiting Sixers earned a spot in the Eastern Conference playoffs by beating the top-ranked team in front of a crowd of 17,300 at the Fiserv Forum.

“They are the best team in the NBA right now, as far as record goes,” Embiid said. “No. 1 in our conference. I felt like we had to make a statement. We had to get this win.”

“I thought we all did a pretty good job in the first half. In the second half, he (Antetokounmpo) kind of got going.

He is tough to guard.”

Jimmy Butler had 27 points and JJ Redick 19 for the Sixers, who won their

fourth in a row.

Antetokounmpo carried the Bucks on his back with one of the best games of his career. He also had 16 rebounds and seven assists, and Khris Middleton added 19 points.

The Bucks played without guard Malcolm Brogdon, who will be sidelined for at least six weeks with a plantar fascia tear in right foot.

Embiid made two free throws in the final seconds of the fourth to help seal the win.

“He’s (Embiid) a tough guy,” Antetokounmpo said. “He’s a great defender, strong. It was kind of hard going at him.”

Elsewhere, LeBron James scored 33 points but it was not enough to prevent the Los Angeles Lakers sliding to an embarrassing 124-123 de-

feat to the league-worst New York Knicks.

The Lakers, who are all but out of contention for the playoffs, blew a 122111 lead late in the fourth quarter as the Knicks ended a run of eight consecutive defeats with an upset win at Madison Square Garden.

It marked another grim milestone in the Lakers’ rocky season, which has nosedived dramatically since the turn of the year.

The Knicks are rooted to the bottom of the Eastern Conference with the worst record in the NBA, with Sunday’s win seeing them improve to 14 wins against 56 defeats.

The Lakers meanwhile are stuck in 11th spot in the Western Conference with 31 wins and 39 defeats, nine wins fewer than the Los Angeles Clippers, who occupy the last remaining playoff berth.

Dejected Lakers coach Luke Walton, whose job is reportedly in peril, praised the Knicks for digging out an improbable win. AFP

AFTER losing the title they held for five consecutive years starting in 2010, the JRU Heavy Bombers made a triumphant return to the top by recapturing the athletics’ title in the National Collegiate Athletic Association on the year the school named after national hero Jose Rizal is celebrating its centennial year.

Under the expert handling of multititled coach Jojo Posadas, backed by two deputies, his former athletes Melbert Diones and Raul Abangon, the Mandaluyong-based Heavy Bombers mastered the opposition to finally regain lost glory.

Adonis Cordero, a discovery from General Santos City, was crowned Most Valuable Player.

“Walang kasing tamis ang panalo dahil nakamit namin sa taon na ipinagdiriwang ang 100-year founding anniversary ng JRU. This is our gift to school president Vincent Fabella and the entire JRU community,” said the 56-year-old veteran mentor.

Posadas, husband of track legend Elma Muros-Posadas, guided JRU for five straight years from 2010.

Harry Mark Diones won the MVP title in the 2013 and 2014 season, before the Bicolano won the gold in the triple jump in the SEA Games and National Open, where he set new Philippine record.

JRU bagged the title with 664 total points on the strength of its victories in long jump, triple jump, 800m, 1500m, shot put and 4x400m relay men, and won medals in other events.

The Heavy Bombers beat Mapua and Arellano University, who placed second and third, respectively, with 644 and 633 points.

Athletics’ director Paul Supan was all praises for the athletes.

“This is great. We regained lost glory in athletics the year JRU is celebrating its 100th year,” said Supan, who succeeded Delfin Asistio.

It was JRU’s sixth athletics’ crown in nine years under Posadas, who reaffirmed his billing as the premier athletics’ coach in the NCAA. JRU produced some of the country’s finest athletes like the late PSC Chairman Mel Lopez, Olympians Mariano Tolentino, Edgardo Fulgencio, Edgardo Roque, Asian Gamer Francisco Calilan and PBA legend Philip Cezar.

Honda PH kicks off motorsports season with Dream Cup tryouts

The HPDC is also a step up program of HPI to young riders to qualify for international race programs of Honda and immerse in different environments to become better equipped for competitions.

CLARK—Honda Philippines, Inc. officially began its 2019 Motorsports season by conducting the Honda Pilipinas Dream Cup Tryouts last January 26 at the Clark International Speedway in Pampanga in an event serving as the official selection process for nine talented young riders who will participate in the official races and undergo training in the Honda Racing Clinic.

HPDC is a Motor Sports program of HPI which aims to develop young riders in motorcycle racing using a specific one make race machine, namely the CBR150R - a 150cc, MotoGP DNA motorcycle.

The HPDC is also a step up program of HPI to young riders to qualify for international race programs of Honda and immerse in different environments to become

better equipped for competitions.

The program was officially opened by HPI’s Adviser for Motorsports Ryosuke Arai, before Gilbert Sison, Group Head for Motorsports, welcomed the judges tasked to select the riders, namely racing coach Joey Rivero and Troy Alberto, international racer and HPI’s representative in Thai Talent Cup and Asia Talent Cup last 2018.

They also oriented the participants on the try-out process and session inside the 4.2 km Race Track. Also present in the event was Eduardo Lumague, president– Unified Sports and Racing Association.

Riders from ages 12 to 17 qualified to participate in the program to pursue their passion of racing and hone their skills through the Honda Racing Clinic, taught

by Rivero himself.

Can Popoy’s Army do the trick? del Prado and sprint queen Lydia De Vega. Elma Muros was still rising as long jump star at the time.

Popoy claimed the Philippines got 12 gold in athletics at that time. Online records, however, showed the Philippines won only eight golds.

In the Philippines’ last hosting of the SEA Games in 2005, PATAFA under Go Teng Kok achieved relative success, bagging nine gold medals just behind frontrunner Thailand, which brought home 12 golds.

From 2005 to 2009, the Philippine athletics squad was called GTK Army, in reference to the successful, yet controversial Chinese athletics’ team known all over the world as Ma’s Army, under coach Ma Junren.

Can Popoy’s Army do better if not duplicate these pair of feats?

Let’s count the ways—or the gold prospects.

In the last SEA Games in Malaysia 2017, the Philippines took only five gold medals and placed fifth behind top producer Vietnam, and followed by Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia.

Three of the Filipino gold medalists in athletics will still be around to represent the Philippines—Eric Cray in sprints, Aries Toledo in decathlon and Mary Joy Tabal in women’s marathon.

Popoy can definitely rely on Cray, who happily vowed to return and don the country’s tri-colors. Cray is actually a hurdles’ specialist, who can also sparkle in sprint events.

Cray topped the 400m hurdles in KL SEA Games and could have also dominated the 100m dash if not for the unfriendly schedule of his events manipulated by the organizers.

Aside from Tabal and Toledeo, another homegrown talent—pole vaulter EJ Obiena—is expected to

bring in the gold.

A host of Fil-heritage athletes, starring Natalie Uy, who broke the national women’s pole vault record in the recent National Open in Ilagan City, and others like Robyn Brown, Carter Lilly, Kyla Richardson and Kayla Richardson, together with sprint queen Kristina Knott are also in the mix.

They have yet to reach their peak, but at the way they went out there, they looked good for gold in the SEA Games.

Especially Knott, whose 11.64 seconds in the century dash wash just a whip shy of the 11.54 by Vietnamese Le Tuh Chinh in her gold-medal run in the KL SEA Games.

Knott, the Richardson twins and Brown are set to conquer the 3x100 and 4x400 events. They will also join hands with Cray in the mixed gender relay.

As per estimate, 10 golds are not impossible for the Philippine athletics’ team.

Curiously missing, however, is Trenten Beram, the SEA Games defending champion in the 200 and 400 meters.

For unknown reasons, he suddenly lost contact with PATAFA officials.

“Technical speaking, he’s out of the team,” said Popoy.

While the deadline for his inclusion has already lapsed, the PATAFA chief is not shutting the door easily on Berram.

“All he has to do is come out and talk to us.”

If Beram will not resurface, Cray could take his place and play his events and it’s good the Philippines is hosting—they could make the schedule of the games easier for him. Cray maybe good from two to three golds.

With or without Beram, numbers show that Popoy’s Army can deliver.

Sports

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

A8

TUESDAY, MARCH 19, 2019

National U remains unbeaten in NCAA tennis NATIONAL University fashioned out a sweep of its weekend ties to remain unbeaten in the men’s division of the UAAP Season 81 lawn tennis tournament at the Colegio de San Agustin courts in City of San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan.

The Bulldogs topped University of Santo Tomas, 4-1, on Saturday and subdued defending two-time champion University of the East, 4-1, the following day to improve at 8-0.

With two weekends left, NU stayed on course for a double-round elimination sweep.

Ateneo extended its winning streak to five ties following a 4-1 romp of University of the Philippines.

The Blue Eagles kept within striking distance of the Bulldogs by raising their record to 6-2.

The Growling Tigers and the Red Warriors fell at 5-3 and 5-4, respectively, while the Fighting Maroons crashed out of the top four range with their fifth loss in nine ties.

In the women’s division, De La Salle prevailed over Ateneo, 4-1, to solidify its hold on the top spot with a 4-1 card.

NU edged UP, 3-2, to gain a piece of second place. The Lady Bulldogs are now level with the Lady Eagles at 3-3.

Titleholder UST, which was idle Sunday, sits in fourth spot with a 2-3 card.

Meanwhile, National University kept its Final Four hopes alive with an abbreviated 8-1 victory over University of the Philippines Monday in the softball tournament at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium.

Leila Tarroza had two RBIs and two hits, while Mery Ann Ramos also scored two RBIs to go with three hits as the Lady Bulldogs tied the Lady Maroons in fourth place at 6-6.

Later, Jam Arribas slammed a tworun homer in the third inning as De La Salle scored a masterful 7-0 win over University of Santo Tomas to claim the remaining semifinals bonus.

NU and UP will dispute the last Final Four slot on Thursday at 10 a.m. at the same Malate venue. The winner of the knockout match will face reigning eighttime champion Adamson University in the semifinals starting on Saturday.

The twice-to-beat Lady Batters (84) and the third-ranked Tigresses (7-5) collide again in the Final Four also on Saturday.

Already assured of the twice-to-beat incentive and the No. 4 ranking in the Final Four, the Lady Falcons were still on fire.

PLDT tries to intensify Superliga bid Games Today (FilOil Flying V Centre) 2:00 p.m. United VC vs Cignal 4:15 p.m. PLDT vs Petron 7:00 p.m. Sta. Lucia vs F2 Logistics

RED-HOT PLDT Home Fibr seeks to keep rolling when it battles reigning champion Petron in the Philippine Superliga Grand Prix today at the Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan.

Game time is at 4:15 p.m., with the Power Hitters looking to crush another heavyweight to intensify their bid in this women’s club tourney that has Asics, Mueller, Mikasa, Senoh, Team Rebel Sports, Bizooku, UCPB Gen, Cocolife, Hotel Sogo and Data Project as technical sponsors.

Prior to that, United VC and Cignal collide in the first game at 2 p.m., while F2 Logistics tries to score a rebound when it battles Sta. Lucia in the 7 p.m. main encounter of this league that also has ESPN5 and 5Plus as technical sponsors.

But all eyes will be on PLDT. After finishing the first round with a 3-4 win-loss card, the Power Hitters are on a roll as they clobbered GenerikaAyala in five sets followed by a four-set domination of Foton to climb into the third place of the team standings.

But their biggest victory came from the Cargo Movers.

With head coach Ramil de Jesus attending mentoring De La Salle University in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines, the Power Hitters delivered a masterclass as imports Kendra Dahlke and Grace Lazard starred on both ends en route to a 25-20, 23-25, 2521, 25-18 victory.

“Our game plan worked, especially our combination attacks,” said setter Jasmine Nabor, who outshone Alex Cabanos with 25 excellent sets.

CHAIRMAN’S CUP POLO. Leyte 1st District Congressional Rep. Yedda Marie Romualdez led the ceremonial rites opening the 2019 Manila Polo Club’s Chairman’s Cup at the Enrique Zobel Field in Makati City on Sunday. Inset photo shows the Leyte solon with sons Marty and Andrew Romualdez (3rd and 4th from left) after their team won.

They are joined by Rep. Romualdez’s husband Polo and Equestrian Vice Chairman Martin Romualdez (right), mother-in-law Juliet Romualdez and sister Mariabella Gabrielle (left). Ey Acasio

Ilagan poomsae jin st wins games’ 1 gold

By Peter Atencio

I

LAGAN, Isabela— Eljay Marco Vista drew inspiration from his father’s keen interest in combat sports and his first experience in joining an international competition last year.

The 12-year-old Vista did his routines well to get the highest score and claim the 15-under boys’ poomsae taekwondo gold in the cadet male division at the start of the Luzon Leg of the 2019 Philippine National Youth Games-Batang Pinoy at the San Felipe Covered Court here yesterday.

“Sobrang saya. Kasi matagal ko nang pinaghahandaan ang mga national competitions,” said Vista after he won the first gold medal at stake in the games.

Vista, according to his coach Lacey Andres, completed his routines under the formation (taeguk) 8 stance with rhythm and fluidity as he was able to upset Palarong Pambansa champion Kacey Canlas of Olongapo City.

The series of formations, which included a walking stance, a front stance, a low block and five other combinations that needed lots of focus, earned Vista the highest average score of 7.67 points.

Canlas, who pocketed the category 2 gold last year in the 2018 Palarong Pambansa, settled for the silver medal with 7.6 points, while Wriley Canao of Baguio City was third with 7.465.

“Hindi ko po inexpect na maka-gold ako. Kasi may kalaban po ako sa Palarong Pambansa at naka-gold siya last year,” said Vista, an eighth grader at the Ilagan South Central School.

The young Vista, who got into the sport at age four, inspired his father, lawyer Oriel Vista, to get a black belt.

The elder Oriel was the last to earn a blackbelt in his family after Eljay and his elder brother Carl Gian earned their promotion two years earlier.

Oriel and his son joined a World Cultural meet last year in Korea. Eljay ended up with silver medals in the poomsae and the sparring meets, while Oriel took home a gold in the masters category.

Meanwhile, Ian Matthew Corton of Quezon City and Aesha Kiara Oglayon of Baguio City claimed the poomsae golds in the junior boys and cadet girls, respectively.

Corton tallied 8.105 score from the judges, with King Nash Alcairo of Quezon Province scoring 8.04 and Emmanuel Christopher Austria of Naga City having 7.95 for second and third, respectively.

Oglayon got 7.82 to outpoint Khyla Kreanzzel Guinto of Baguio with 7.765 and Antonette Medallada of Paranque with 7.65.

Swimming competitions, which offer 14 golds in its opening day, was reset for Tuesday, as organizers made adjustment over the quality of the water of the pool that they will use at the old Isabela Sports Complex site.

In softball, Manila won over Sta. Maria, Bulacan, 6-4, while Tanuan turned back Baguio City, 11-0.

In beach volleyball, Pangasinan won over Mandaluyong, 21-18, 21-15, in the opener of the men’s action. Olongapo waylaid Ilagan, 21-1, 21-4, to earn a share of the lead.

In girls’ volleyball, Pangasinan prevailed over Mandaluyong, 25-7, 25-8, while Angeles edged Sta. Rosa, 25-21, 25-12; Bataan turned back Muntinlupa, 25-13, 25-18; and Mariveles downed Candon, 25-7, 25-12.

In boys’ chess, Mark Bacojo of Dasmarinas City moved ahead with 4 points after he stopped Freddie Casabueno of Muntinlupa after four rounds.

Eljay Marco Vista

Cocolife Tigers advance to MPBL semis THE top-seeded Davao Occidental Cocolife Tigers capped a brilliant endgame to subdue stubborn Cebu Sharks, 76-69, and clinch the first semifinal ticket via a playoff sweep in the South Division of the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League Datu Cup at Lagao Gym in General Santos City over the weekend.

The Sharks, eight placers in the elimination round, took control of the game, powered by their surprise second unit and still led entering the final quarter, 60-51.

But former Philippine Basketball Association veterans Leo Najorda, Mark Yee and Bonbon Custodio flexed their muscles and put up a decisive run inside the paint and beyond the arc to snatch the victory for the Tigers’ team, owned by Claudine Bautista of Davao Occidental LGU, backed by Cocolife President Elmo Nobleza, FVP Joseph Ronquillo and AVP Rowena Asnan.

The Sharks, who could not sustain their firepower in the stretch after a big start, collapsed.

They also lost game one of their quarterfinals’ encounter, 82-67, at the RMC Gym, in Davao City.

“We stayed focused and determined to win. It’s different in the playoffs.

No top seed, no 8th placer. We are very happy to move on to the next round,” said Yee, who was named Best Player of the Game for the 11th time since the elimination round.

The Davao Cocolife Tigers will face the Bacoor Strikers, who also swept General Santos City right at the Warriors’ own turf for the south division final four in the league organized

by Senator Manny Pacquiao.

McIlroy holds off Furyk to take Players MIAMI—Rory McIlroy celebrated Saint Patrick’s Day with a one-shot victory at The Players Championship on Sunday, firing a two-under-par final round 70 to claim his first title of 2019.

The 29-year-old Northern Irishman overcame a shaky start at TPC Sawgrass to card six birdies against two bogeys and a doublebogey to finish one clear of US veteran Jim Furyk on 16 under.

Furyk had surged into contention with a closing 67, a round which included an eagle, five birdies and two bogeys on the challenging Stadium Course layout.

The win earned McIlroy a $2.25 million winner’s cheque and could not have been better timed as he prepares for The Masters at Augusta next month where he is aiming to complete a career grand slam.

It was another battling performance by McIlroy, who was able to regain his composure at several key moments on Sunday to stay in the hunt.

A bogey on the 14th had dropped McIlroy adrift of the lead, but he fought back with birdies on the 15th and 16th to regain a one-shot lead with two to play.

The 29-year-old four-time major winner then finished with two pars to close out and seal his 15th US PGA Tour title.

McIlroy said his experience on the tour this year—where

he has posted five top-10 finishes but has been unable to get over the line—had helped him seal victory.

“I think all those experiences I had starting the year helped,” McIlroy said after his win.

“I felt more and more confident each time. I just stayed as patient as I possibly could.

“I hoped that if I just stayed patient enough and waited my turn things would work out and I’m glad they have.”

Furyk meanwhile had faced an agonising wait to see if he had done enough for victory after completing his five-under-par round.

The 48-year-old US Ryder Cup captain produced two birdies in his final three holes to close on 15 under.

The highlight was a magnificent birdie on the 18th, when he drilled his second from the fairway 172 yards to within three feet of the pin for a simple tap-in. AFP

Rory McIlroy

IN BRIEF

Employers open to telecommuting

THE employers’ group is open to the adoption of telecommuting as an alternative working arrangement, especially for employees with valid reason for not abiding by the traditional office work set-up.

“The employers should offer that and it’s up to employees if they accept the offer. But it should not be forced,” said Employers Confederation of the Philippines director general Roland Moya.

Telecommuting is an arrangement that allows an employee in the private sector to work from an alternative workplace with the use of telecommunications, as defined in Republic Act No. 11165.

Moya said the employers should decide how to put into practice the kind of work set-up since to assess the implications of the novel idea on productivity efficiency and work preference.

“This depends on the nature of the industry as the survey said there are companies that implements the alternative system now. It was mentioned that the legislature reinforced the law to allow employers to comply with the labor code if they offer telecommuting,” he added Othel V. Campos

Business

Phividec chief seeks Luzon expansion sites STATE-OWNED economic zone Phividec Industrial Administration is scouting for expansion sites in Luzon to maximize the services it provides to locators.

“We are running out of land to lease to locators. There is standing provision that allows us to move anywhere in the country if there is a need for expansion. That is stated in the law that created us,” said Phividec administrator and chief executive Franklin Quijano.

He said Phividec was interested in at least 1,000 hectares of land that it could transform into an economic zone.

A Chinese company with a stake in an integrated steel project has occupied a big portion of the Phividec estate in Misamis Oriental province, fencing about 400 hectares for its future steel facility.

“Frankly, we are running out of spaces.

My frontage is now only 9.3 hectares,” said Quijano.

He added many companies were considering Phividec either as a location for their operations or an expansion site.

Othel V. Campos

BSP likely to cut reserve requirement this week—ING ING Bank Manila expects the Monetary Board of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas to reduce the reserve requirement of banks in its meeting this week, saying this move will address the current tight liquidity condition.

ING Bank Manila senior economist Nicholas Mapa said in a report Monday if the reduction would not happen this week, it might be announced during an off-cycle meeting later this month.

“Given the relatively tight liquidity conditions in the market, with M3 growth grinding to single-digit growth for five months and with the settlement of the recent RTB [retail treasury bonds] siphoning off roughly P200 billion from the market, the BSP may look to address the current tightening conditions with a RRR cut, announced either at the March 21 meeting or at an off-cycle meeting on the 28th,” Mapa said.

He said another evidence of tightening liquidity conditions would be the price of money with short-term time deposit rates now as high as 4.794 percent.

“The timing will be determined on whether Governor [Benjamin] Diokno reverts to viewing adjustments to the RRR as a policy move or a procedural adjustment. This may also be given attention given Diokno’s recent comments that he would like to bring forward RRR cuts to carry on the reforms started by the late Governor (Nestor) Espenilla,” Mapa said.

Mapa said he was not expecting a policy cut on the March 21 meeting because this could happen in May. Diokno earlier said the Monetary Board would continue to be data-dependent in deciding when to resume the reduction in reserve requirement ratios of banks which is one of the highest in the region. Julito G. Rada

business@manilastandard.net extrastory2000@gmail.com TUESDAY, MARCH 19, 2019

B1

LT Group’s income jumps 50% to P16.2b

By Jenniffer B. Austria

Phoenix shareholders support CNOOC deals STOCKHOLDERS of Phoenix Petroleum Philippines allowed the company or any of its subsidiaries to enter into a joint venture agreement with China National Offshore Oil Corp. to operate and establish various liquefied natural gas-related trade and services under the LNG integrated hub project.

Phoenix disclosed to the Philippine Stock Exchange on Monday shareholders also approved an initial investment of P250 million in the LNG project.

Phoenix said it obtained approval “to form and organize a new corporation, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the company to manage the corporation’s LNG interest in the LNG integrated hub project.”

The Phoenix board last month allowed the company to enter into joint cooperation or venture with CNOOC Gas and Power Group for a liquefied natural gas project in the country.

Tanglawan Philippine LNG Inc., the LNG project of Phoenix and CNOOC, in December received the notice to proceed with a $2-billion liquefied natural gas project. State-owned Philippine National Oil Co. will also take a stake in the project.

Alena Mae S. Flores

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

CLARK GLOBAL CITY INVESTOR. Global Gateway Development Corp. and W Group Inc. sign a memorandum of agreement to sublease 21,918 square meters in Clark Global City. Leading the signing ceremony are (from left) GGDC vice chairman and president Wilfredo Placino, GGDC chairman Dennis Uy, W Group president Norman Vincent Wee and W Group chief executive Francis Augustus Wee. W Group, through its designated subsidiary, affiliate and partners, will construct a mixed-use development, with a time-bound option to sublease an additional 14,065-square meter lot.

Budget surplus reaches P44.5b as spending falls

By Julito G. Rada

T

HE government posted a budget surplus of P44.5 billion in January, or more than four times higher than the P10.2-billion surplus recorded a year ago, as revenues rose and spending fell following the failure of Congress to pass a new budget, data from the Bureau of the Treasury show.

“The surplus widened behind the year-on-year revenue expansion of 7 percent combined with disbursement contraction of 7 percent,” the Treasury said in a statement Monday.

Revenue rose 7 percent in January to P256.7 billion from P238.9 billion in the same month last year. Tax revenues ac-

counted for 92 percent or P235 billion of the total, while the remaining 8 percent or P21.8 billion were from non-tax sources.

The Bureau of Internal Revenue raised P185.1 billion in January, up 5 percent or P9.5 billion from P175.6 billion a year ago, with the increased excise tax on some products identified under the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion law.

The Bureau of Customs sustained its strong performance with an 18-percent growth over last year, with January collections of P48.4 billion.

“The BOC managed to grow its collection on the back of process improvements implemented by the agency, such as tighter monitoring of imports and proper valuation of goods,” the Treasury said.

Income and revenue generated by the Treasury amounted to P9 billion, or 12 percent higher than the 2018 performance.

Collections from other offices (nontax) reached P12.8 billion, broadly similar to January 2018.

Meanwhile, the January disbursements fell 7 percent to P212.2 billion year-on-year, pulled down by the delay in the approval of the national budget.

“The contraction in government spending resulted largely from the delays in the implementation of new government projects and salary adjustments due to the deferred passage of the 2019 GAA,” the Treasury said.

Interest payments grew 6 percent year-on-year to P45.9 billion.

The higher interest bill was mainly due to the timing of payment for global bonds amounting to P1.2 billion which was paid in February last year and the upward adjustments in foreign exchange and interest rates.

Interest payments represented 17.9 percent of revenues, down from 18.2 percent in January 2018. Meanwhile, interest payments as a percentage of expenditures rose to 21.6 percent from 19 percent recorded last year.

Net of interest payments, the government’s primary surplus widened 68 percent to P90.5 billion from P53.7 billion.

MUNTINLUPA’S TOP TAXPAYER. Ford Philippines is again recognized by the City of Muntinlupa as its top taxpayer for the fifth year in a row. Attending the awarding ceremonies are (from left) Rep. Rozzano Rufino Biazon, former senator Mar Roxas, Ford Philippines vice president for finance Don Santiago, Muntinlupa Mayor Jaime Fresnedi and Muntinlupa administrator Allan Cachuela.

Bengzon to appeal Medical City case THE camp of former health secretary Alfredo Bengzon plans to elevate the ownership dispute over The Medical City to the Court of Appeals.

It issued the statement after the Pasig Regional Trial Court denied the Bengzon group’s petition for injunctive relief against the group of Jose Gonzales and his Singaporean partners Viva Holdings Inc. “We are disappointed by the denial of our petition to stop the Gonzales and Viva companies from together consolidating corporate control until the SEC has resolved the serious questions before it,” said Roderico Puno, the legal counsel of Bengzon.

“The Pasig court’s decision is erroneous in matters of fact and law and we are raising this matter to the Court of Appeals,” Bengzon said.

Bengzon’s camp earlier asked the Pasig RTC to issue a preliminary injunction to prevent the Gonzales-Viva group from continuing their efforts to consolidate the control of TMC at the level of Professional Services Inc. and its subsidiaries.

TMC, operated by the PSI, has been under the leadership of Bengzon for a long period until the election of Gonzales as the new chairman of the board.

The Gonzales group filed criminal complaints for violation of inspection rights and perjury against Bengzon before the Prosecutors Office of Makati City and Pasig City.

These complaints were dismissed for insufficiency of evidence.

Bengzon’s camp expressed optimism that the Securities and Exchange Commission would soon resolve the legal battle among TMC shareholders.

The SEC in November 2018 charged the corporations of Gonzales and Viva with violations of the country’s Securities Regulation Code, including those that aim to protect stockholders from “fraudulent, manipulative and deceptive act[s] or practice[s]” in connection with securities transactions. Jenniffer B. Austria

LT GROUP Inc., the holding company of billionaire Lucio Tan, said Monday net income jumped 49.5 percent in 2018 to P16.19 billion from P10.83 billion in 2017 on the strong performance of banking, liquor and real estate businesses.

LT Group said in a disclosure to the stock exchange banking unit Philippine National Bank contributed P5.47 billion or 33 percent of the total profit, followed by the tobacco business which provided P8.72 billion or 54 percent.

Tanduay Distillers Inc. added P890 million while Eton Properties Philippines Inc. and Asia Brewery, Inc. contributed P479 million and P421 million, respectively.

The conglomerate’s 30.9-percent stake in Victorias Milling Company Inc. added P247 million to the group’s total net income.

LT Group said its balance sheet remained strong with the cash balance of the parent company amounting to P1.47 billion as of end-2018.

PNB’s net income reached P9.78 billion in 2018, up 14 percent yearon-year, boosted by the sale of real and other properties at P3.85 billion, compared to the P2.71 billion booked in 2017.

Loans and receivables grew 16 percent to P581 billion and net interest margin improved to 3.2 percent.

The group’s tobacco business under Fortune Tobacco Corp. reported an income of P8.75 billion last year amid the declining volume due to the substantial increase in excise taxes.

“From a low of P2.72 per pack of 20 sticks in 2012 for the lower tier and P12 per pack for the upper tier, the excise tax is currently at P35 per pack, or about 3 times to 13 times in seven years. This resulted in higher selling prices, which has adversely affected volume” LT Group said.

TDI’s net income also jumped 44 percent in 2018 to P909 million boosted by an increase in market share.

Tanduay was ranked as the world’s number one rum in 2018. Its nationwide market share for distilled spirits stood at 27.3 percent as of December 2018, higher than end-2017’s 24.8 percent.

Eton Properties ended the year with a net income of P479 million, or 38 percent higher than P348 million in 2017.

Revenues rose 43 percent in 2018 to P3.2 billion from P2.23 billion in 2017, led by higher leasing and residential revenues.

B2

Business

TUESDAY, MARCH 19, 2019 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Stock market rallies; Cemex up T HE stock market and the rest of Asia rose Monday as investors tracked a positive lead from Wall Street on optimism over the China-US trade talks, while attention turns to the Federal Reserve’s next policy meeting this week.

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index climbed 74.74 points, or 1 percent, to 7,873.02 on a value turnover of P5.3 billion. Gainers edged losers, 94 to 93, with 54 issues unchanged.

Cemex Holdings Philippines Inc. rallied 3.6 percent to P2.85, while JG Summit Holdings Inc. of industrialist John Gokongwei advanced 3.3 percent to P63.05.

Metropolitan Bank & Trust Co., the second-biggest lender in terms of assets, gained 3 percent to P81.90, while Petron Corp., the largest oil company, rose 2.3 percent to P6.67.

The pound, meanwhile, held most of its gains as Prime Minister Theresa May tries to push her EU divorce deal through parliament for a third time, failure of which could see Britain extend its exit deadline or possibly crash out of the bloc.

The broad-based gains built on last week’s advance as top officials from the world’s biggest economies work on an agreement to end their long-running tariffs spat, which was a major drag on markets at the end of 2018.

While there are few details on the talks as they stand—and a floated summit between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping looks to be later than expected—upbeat comments from both sides are keeping investors broadly happy for now.

“The signing of a trade deal between

the US and China would eliminate one major headwind for global markets and is currently the more probable outcome according to most analysts,” said James Hughes, chief market analyst at AxiTrader.

“There is more of an incentive for both superpowers to make a deal because it is economically in their best interests. This is especially the case given the growing US trade deficit due to falling exports to China.”

Hong Kong rose 1.4 percent, while Shanghai rallied 2.5 percent and Tokyo ended 0.6 percent higher. Sydney edged up 0.3 percent and Singapore was 0.4 percent stronger while Seoul, Wellington, Taipei and Jakarta were also well in the green.

“The positive vibe from last week appears to have carried over into Asia at the start of the new week, as optimism about a US, China trade deal once again returns to the fore,” said Michael Hew-

son, chief market analyst at CMC Markets UK. The Fed’s next meeting will be closely followed in hopes it will give an idea about its plans for interest rates, with some observers suggesting it will pare its pace of hikes in the face of a slowing global economy.

With inflation still tame as US growth decelerates, economists also say the central bank will lower the number of hikes they expect this year, from the two projected in December, while there is even talk of a possible cut at some point.

The softer rate outlook has helped push the pound up against the greenback, with the British unit also supported by easing worries the country will crash out of the EU without a deal.

May is expected to put her agreement back to MPs for a third time Wednesday.

If it passes she will ask her EU counterparts to extend the March 29 exit deadline by a few months. With AFP

MANILA STANDARD BUSINESS DAILY STOCKS REVIEW MONDAY, MARCH 18, 2019

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

FINANCIALS 58.5 26,840 88.1 2,178,640 2.29 40,000 132 3,598,570 1.35 274,000 27.7 47,500 18.4 5,800 12.46 554,700 4.27 178,000 1.49 36,000 0.45 110,000 81.9 1,996,820 0.96 196,000 13.86 4,200 60.25 959,690 58.4 16,780 26.3 4,200 168.5 232,510 1,815 50 62.45 1,680

1,572,543 191,879,914.50 91,520 474,617,421 366,590 1,316,990 104,732 6,896,080 762,510 53,640 49,550 161,067,521.50 187,450 58,268 57,929,294.50 988,084.50 110,955 38,724,603 90,750 103,648.50

1,280,043 -64,596,406 -129,299,144 124,590 496,750 -991,344 88,951,684.50 4,715,881.50 1,514,488 -6,816.50

34.4 13.94 1 1.41 0.235 97.9 2.75 15.5 29 41.8 71.9 71.05 1.85 5.84 6.2 11.28 15.52 8.95 7.41 20.55 74.1 27.1 2.29 9.7 12.64 1.65 313 4.05 3.43 10.5 25.3 11.96 19.9 371.2 0.194 1.37 3.7 6.66 1.3 11.86 48.8 1.79 1.61 1.25 11.9 104.4 6.4 0.128 0.98 144 2.5 1.62 16 1.24

INDUSTRIAL 35 1,147,300 14.46 86,800 1.01 2,066,000 1.41 45,000 0.237 900,000 97.9 90 2.85 27,690,000 15.88 475,600 29.35 64,300 43 300 71.9 30 71.05 5,030 1.91 39,000 5.84 102,000 6.2 7,200 11.28 1,962,700 15.8 497,400 9.15 1,002,000 7.45 58,200 21 1,173,200 75.5 373,030 27.3 7,400 2.3 23,965,000 9.8 3,568,900 12.9 480,800 1.66 172,000 315.2 893,290 4.06 5,000 3.43 11,000 10.56 10,400 25.7 2,069,400 12 151,100 20.4 3,609,200 379.6 111,520 0.2 620,000 1.4 799,000 3.77 307,000 6.67 14,507,900 1.3 8,020,000 12.26 101,300 49.8 840,300 1.8 1,078,000 2.74 105,000 1.3 245,000 12.2 277,400 105 161,440 6.4 67,500 0.128 200,000 1 564,000 147 606,520 2.6 63,000 1.63 811,000 16 3,100 1.25 3,771,000

39,912,880 1,245,824 2,083,410 63,730 212,710 8,811 78,208,540 7,472,072 1,887,500 12,780 2,157 357,631.50 74,290 597,941 44,869 22,251,710 7,835,732 9,166,145 433,713 24,648,210 28,258,736.50 200,940 56,625,500 35,281,143 6,164,338 285,000 281,602,046 20,270 39,220 110,102 53,583,935 1,816,368 73,702,214 42,108,502 120,720 1,112,430 1,148,660 97,112,116 10,470,290 1,232,096 41,366,670 1,951,240 277,150 309,570 3,335,114 16,955,471 432,600 25,730 557,350 88,673,366 159,620 1,320,680 49,600 4,738,230

14,343,080 526,036 -4,556,780 1,723,058 -577,545 -355,500 19,100 -17,550 -20,224,434 694,310 1,644,501 -53,643 16,347,960 -455,811 146,340 -5,785,240 -20,540,817.00 -72,044 -152,075,154 5,270 5,375,640 -30,078 51,576,143.00 22,513,278 -70,540 -12,900,384 -90,540 -83,020 -2,624,575 2,473,232 -8,037,928 6,400 -15,000 78,808,757 92,500 -197,230 -172,490

0.76 58 15.6 0.76 6.5 20.55 1.43 1.43 931 7.45 12.38 15.1 0.25 1,000 6.51 63.05 0.57 5.38 16.42 0.58 4.95 0.04 1.22 3.24 2.55 174.8 949.5 0.74 1.37 448 282.8 0.249 0.37

0.73 55.75 15.32 0.73 6.5 19.5 1.4 1.43 920 7.38 12.04 14.6 0.239 982 6.51 60.4 0.53 5.18 16.02 0.57 4.86 0.038 1.21 3.05 2.55 174 930.5 0.74 1.34 448 272.2 0.24 0.355

HOLDING FIRMS 0.75 9,936,000 58 582,910 15.58 12,481,800 0.76 70,000 6.5 49,200 19.68 90,600 1.4 2,157,000 1.43 7,000 930 310,650 7.4 2,146,000 12.3 2,896,200 15 1,708,400 0.249 300,000 995 237,020 6.51 100 63.05 1,645,870 0.54 406,000 5.33 910,100 16.28 1,411,700 0.57 169,000 4.9 18,302,000 0.038 32,700,000 1.22 27,000 3.06 7,631,000 2.55 16,000 174.3 300,190 949.5 103,500 0.74 5,000 1.37 32,000 448 50 282.8 1,660 0.241 790,000 0.37 36,040,000

7,355,230 33,305,566.50 193,299,280 51,350 319,800 1,791,845 3,047,280 10,010 288,245,920 15,880,207 35,586,610 25,670,516 72,330 235,355,510 651 102,299,300 219,080 4,820,350 22,959,000 97,710 89,561,150 1,277,200 32,870 24,114,730 40,800 52,308,434 97,796,405 3,700 43,240 22,400 465,850 193,760 13,229,050

-589,040 22,090,493 177,792,614 222,300 -41,438 17,768,850 -793,220 1,742,032 1,924,902 -73,976,150 11,410,386.50 -160,901 3,888,826.00 41,652,020 2,414,590 576,689 56,247,980 -46,708 2,882,300

12.16 0.78 2.01 0.89 43.45 2.39 4.45 6.7 0.495 0.86 0.93 0.243 0.4 11.34 21.2 0.5 1.52 1.24 5.62 0.39 0.455 2 0.475 2.81 45.95 24.1 2.05 3.12

12.06 0.78 1.91 0.85 43.1 2.32 4.34 6.6 0.48 0.86 0.93 0.24 0.395 10.72 20.8 0.5 1.5 1.21 5.52 0.38 0.445 1.9 0.46 2.76 45 23.2 2 3.1

25,947,840 237,120 1,099,350 2,864,210 380,633,860 2,098,560 3,851,870 12,644 6,100,000 44,720 6,510 898,460 411,850 33,656,542 2,550,390 1,492,500 6,123,530 2,458,940 51,393,170 2,662,100 339,200 4,514,710 792,950 659,530 22,785 84,840,535 1,079,000 358,500

-4,204,838 15,600 -166,840 -54,557,485 -604,990 -88,050 -20,000 12,307,214 -174,450 -1,264,000 1,665,810 -2,632,148 -26,600 424,000 -47,300 21,907,520 270,200.00 -

NAME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

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

58.5 88.7 2.32 132 1.35 27.65 18 12.22 4.31 1.49 0.455 79.5 0.96 13.86 59.6 58.85 26.35 168 1,815 60.9

58.95 88.7 2.32 133 1.35 27.8 18.42 12.48 4.32 1.49 0.455 81.9 0.96 13.88 61.35 59 26.5 168.5 1,815 62.95

58.5 87.6 2.25 130.4 1.33 27.65 18 12.22 4.25 1.49 0.45 79 0.95 13.86 58.95 58.2 26.25 164.4 1,815 60.9

ABOITIZ POWER AGRINURTURE ALLIANCE SELECT ALSONS CONS BASIC ENERGY BOGO MEDELLIN CEMEX HLDG CENTURY FOOD CIRTEK HLDG CONCEPCION CONCRETE A CONCRETE B CROWN ASIA DAVINCI CAPITAL DEL MONTE DNL INDUS EAGLE CEMENT EEI CORP EMPERADOR 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 PEPSI COLA PETROENERGY PETRON PHINMA ENERGY PHX PETROLEUM PILIPINAS SHELL ROXAS AND CO ROXAS HLDG SFA SEMICON SHAKEYS PIZZA SMC FOODANDBEV SPC POWER SWIFT FOODS TKC METALS UNIV ROBINA VICTORIAS VITARICH VIVANT VULCAN INDL

35 14.5 1.01 1.45 0.236 97.9 2.77 15.52 29.35 41.8 71.9 71.05 1.85 5.9 6.28 11.5 15.66 9.13 7.52 20.55 74.1 27.1 2.5 9.7 12.66 1.66 316.4 4.06 3.66 11.18 26 11.96 19.9 371.2 0.195 1.4 3.75 6.69 1.3 11.86 48.85 1.86 2.62 1.27 11.94 106.4 6.4 0.129 1 145.7 2.5 1.65 16 1.3

35 14.58 1.02 1.45 0.237 97.9 2.88 15.92 29.75 43 71.9 71.1 1.91 6 6.28 11.5 15.8 9.22 7.52 21.3 76.5 27.3 2.55 10.06 12.9 1.66 317.2 4.06 3.66 11.18 26.3 12.08 20.7 380 0.2 1.41 3.77 6.74 1.32 12.28 49.8 1.87 2.78 1.3 12.2 106.4 6.46 0.129 1.01 147.3 2.6 1.65 16 1.3

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 LODESTAR LOPEZ HLDG LT GROUP MABUHAY HLDG METRO PAC INV PACIFICA PRIME MEDIA PRIME ORION REPUBLIC GLASS SAN MIGUEL CORP SM INVESTMENTS SOC RESOURCES SOLID GROUP SYNERGY GRID TOP FRONTIER WELLEX INDUS ZEUS HLDG

0.75 56.9 15.5 0.74 6.5 20.55 1.43 1.43 922 7.45 12.22 15 0.239 995 6.51 61.1 0.56 5.23 16.02 0.58 4.94 0.039 1.21 3.19 2.55 174.8 934 0.74 1.34 448 275 0.241 0.36

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

12.06 0.78 1.94 0.86 43.1 2.35 4.34 6.7 0.48 0.86 0.93 0.242 0.4 11.06 20.8 0.5 1.52 1.22 5.62 0.385 0.445 2 0.465 2.8 45 24 2.05 3.1

VOLUME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

VOLUME

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

SM PRIME HLDG STA LUCIA LAND STARMALLS SUNTRUST HOME VISTA LAND

38.3 1.6 7 0.75 7.24

39.15 1.6 7.01 0.77 7.49

38 1.56 6.85 0.75 7.22

39.15 1.58 6.92 0.77 7.3

5,936,600 155,000 329,500 17,000 11,816,200

230,986,875 245,170 2,282,623 12,850 87,102,322

202,889,655 34,300 -33,492,471

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

12.38 20.3 1.3 0.41 0.045 16.3 2.73 11.62 0.077 81.5 8.19 6.1 7 13.48 1,906 5.73 382 2.82 118.2 10.62 0.125 5.64 15.28 3.39 0.9 20.7 0.58 3 1.95 1.95 2.81 9.28 10.4 4.77 125 2.75 1,160 0.87 1.19 48.8 84.2 8.4 2.37 0.7 0.425 5.6 0.65 15.7

12.38 20.8 1.35 0.42 0.046 16.8 2.78 11.88 0.077 81.5 8.19 6.11 7.2 13.48 1,962 5.73 384 2.92 119.2 10.62 0.129 5.64 15.28 3.39 0.9 21.15 0.59 3.17 1.95 2 2.81 11.08 10.42 4.78 125 2.75 1,164 0.88 1.19 48.9 86.35 8.7 2.41 0.71 0.43 5.63 0.67 15.88

12.24 20.3 1.23 0.41 0.043 16.3 2.7 11.58 0.073 80.45 8.19 5.93 7 11.9 1,906 5.68 371.6 2.8 118.2 10.6 0.124 5.36 15.28 3.28 0.9 20.5 0.57 3 1.84 1.95 2.66 8.92 10.2 4.77 124 2.6 1,137 0.86 1.06 47.6 82.6 8.35 2.36 0.69 0.42 5.6 0.65 15.54

SERVICES 12.36 20.6 1.23 0.42 0.046 16.8 2.77 11.62 0.075 80.75 8.19 5.95 7.2 12.04 1,960 5.7 379 2.81 119 10.62 0.128 5.41 15.28 3.36 0.9 21 0.57 3.09 1.92 2 2.72 10 10.2 4.77 125 2.64 1,150 0.87 1.07 48.9 82.75 8.7 2.39 0.7 0.42 5.63 0.66 15.58

11,300 83,000 563,000 180,000 9,200,000 1,300 539,000 2,693,800 161,880,000 492,860 500 739,400 5,200 310,300 30,425 117,000 4,450 1,621,000 1,470,060 3,000 1,910,000 3,138,700 400 383,000 20,000 2,750,000 1,767,000 4,785,000 139,000 6,000 2,815,000 1,030,400 17,500 25,000 29,780 2,584,000 108,415 2,113,000 84,792,000 208,600 603,320 28,800 4,223,000 832,000 2,830,000 1,623,800 1,052,000 969,100

139,242 1,705,710 709,290 74,300 413,100 21,590 1,470,700 31,486,904 11,968,900 39,805,722 4,095 4,423,130 36,880 3,817,270 59,332,465 666,959 1,668,502 4,591,580 174,949,877 31,820 240,420 17,111,257 6,112 1,272,400 18,000 57,563,300 1,016,470 14,849,330 259,120 11,950 7,622,350 10,617,830 178,902 119,300 3,722,330 6,861,760 124,730,285 1,837,910 93,655,580 10,131,055 50,028,334.50 244,200 10,104,490 582,560 1,204,700 9,139,703 685,190 15,122,888

12,800 22,000 -21,850 4,073,034 108,040.00 3,444,503 61,686 6,514,675 -185,890 -40,730 6,091,729 -5,000 486,170 133,850 1,973,515 161,700 284,670 99,920 12,288 19,080 -187,500 -1,978,070 12,964,550 23,230 1,011,170 2,181,780 -48,211,799 -1,002,360 101,500 -50 -8,561,070 -50,700 6,921,784

ABRA MINING APEX MINING ATLAS MINING ATOK BENGUET A CENTURY PEAK COAL ASIA HLDG DIZON MINES FERRONICKEL GEOGRACE LEPANTO A LEPANTO 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

0.0021 1.47 2.9 13.48 1.18 2.35 0.295 7.81 1.48 0.249 0.121 0.125 1.07 2.52 1.07 0.57 0.92 0.012 0.012 0.011 3.15 3.92 14.08 21.8 0.0072

0.0022 1.47 2.9 13.48 1.18 2.36 0.295 7.97 1.49 0.249 0.121 0.125 1.07 2.62 1.07 0.6 0.94 0.012 0.012 0.012 3.24 3.98 14.14 22.6 0.0072

0.0021 1.43 2.86 12.66 1.18 2.33 0.295 7.8 1.47 0.237 0.12 0.12 1.05 2.52 1.05 0.57 0.92 0.012 0.012 0.011 3.14 3.82 14 21.8 0.0072

1,201,300 1,825,540 1,593,440 91,900 1,180 1,313,560 17,700 17,200 4,247,380 780,020 323,840 253,650 96,290 5,989,210 8,440 26,430 391,830 133,200 5,115,600 32,000 389,850 6,481,300 9,987,870 71,862,355 7,200

-126,720 -108,950 222,000 -142,530 42,420 98,320 -802,390 9,141,835 -

ABS HLDG PDR AC PREF B1 AC PREF B2 DD PREF FGEN PREF G GLO PREF P GMA HLDG PDR GTCAP PREF A GTCAP PREF B LR PREF PCOR PREF 2A PCOR PREF 2B PNX PREF 3B SMC FB PREF 2 SMC PREF 2B SMC PREF 2C SMC PREF 2D SMC PREF 2E SMC PREF 2F SMC PREF 2H SMC PREF 2I

20 469 484 98 102 480 5.6 900 900 0.98 990 999 103 971.5 75.4 77.1 73.75 73.5 75 73 74

20 469 484 98 102 480 5.7 900 900 0.99 990 999 103 980 75.5 77.4 73.75 74 75 74.5 75

20 465 484 98 100 480 5.55 900 900 0.98 990 998 103 971.5 75.3 77 72.5 73.35 74.8 73 74

PREFERRED 20 11,000 465 2,800 484 1,600 98 540 100 5,000 480 2,000 5.6 252,400 900 650 900 330 0.99 661,000 990 100 998 1,020 103 410 980 1,830 75.5 3,000 77.4 8,070 72.5 2,950 73.35 2,420 74.8 6,700 74.5 57,270 74 28,080

220,000 1,306,808 774,400 52,920 503,324 960,000 1,409,090 585,000 297,000 647,920 99,000 1,017,980 42,230 1,778,185 226,308.50 623,774 213,937.50 178,092.50 502,360 4,257,685 2,078,730

49,000 998,000 -39,173 -

LR WARRANT

1.98

1.98

1.87

WARRANT 1.87 106,000

201,280

-

ITALPINAS XURPAS

5.1 1.38

5.33 1.44

5.05 1.38

5.3 1.4

8,191,300 17,719,340

-353,230 -708,400

FIRST METRO ETF

116

116.9

115.5

558,161

-

USD DMPL A1 USD DMPL A2 USD TECH B2

10.4 10.18 1

10.4 10.18 1

10.4 10.18 1

15,080 49,882 1,900

-

NAME

MS

PROPERTY 12.12 0.78 1.99 0.85 43.45 2.36 4.43 6.67 0.495 0.86 0.93 0.242 0.4 11.32 21.1 0.5 1.51 1.21 5.6 0.385 0.445 1.95 0.47 2.76 45.95 24 2 3.12

2,142,600 304,000 565,000 3,353,000 8,801,200 895,000 874,000 1,900 12,460,000 52,000 7,000 3,720,000 1,030,000 3,030,400 121,600 2,985,000 4,055,000 2,022,000 9,236,800 6,940,000 760,000 2,315,000 1,700,000 237,000 500 3,538,100 538,000 115,000

TRADING SUMMARY FINANCIAL

SHARES

10,462,870

INDUSTRIAL

105,927,524

HOLDING FIRMS

134,146,085

PROPERTY

100,026,863

SERVICES

302,001,286

MINING & OIL

1,035,340,472

GRAND TOTAL

1,702,024,818

MINING AND OIL 0.0022 572,000,000 1.44 1,265,000 2.87 555,000 13.4 7,100 1.18 1,000 2.35 560,000 0.295 60,000 7.83 2,200 1.48 2,870,000 0.238 3,260,000 0.12 2,690,000 0.122 2,060,000 1.05 91,000 2.57 2,317,000 1.06 8,000 0.6 46,000 0.94 424,000 0.012 11,100,000 0.012 426,300,000 0.012 2,900,000 3.24 124,000 3.83 1,678,000 14 710,300 22.5 3,241,500 0.0072 1,000,000

SME

1,561,700 12,552,000

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 116.9 4,800 DDS 10.4 10.18 1

1,450 4,900 1,900

VALUE 1,784.09 (up) 13.28 936,985,562.49 FINANCIAL INDUSTRIAL 11,633.66 (up) 77.33 1,054,683,514.15 HOLDING FIRMS 7,775.64 (up) 102.17 1,351,366,673.568 PROPERTY 4,013.95 (up) 44.06 SERVICES 1,575.00 (down) 4.08 1,032,313,575.07 MINING & OIL 8,247.37 (up) 111.60 802,323,182.11 PSEI 7,873.02 (up) 74.74 112,208,664.705 All Shares Index 4,845.42 (up) 32.39 5,316,352,295.53 Gainers: 94; Losers: 93; Unchanged: 54; Total: 241

PNB’s ‘18 net profit up by 17% to P9.6b

By Julito G. Rada PHILIPPINE National Bank, the fifthlargest lender in terms of assets controlled by airline and tobacco tycoon Lucio Tan, said net profit in 2018 climbed 17 percent to P9.6 billion from P8.2 billion in the previous year on the back of sustained improvement in its core businesses.

“The growth in net profit resulted from sustained efforts in strengthening the bank’s core business. Total operating income improved by 20 percent to P38.9 billion from year-ago level of P32.3 billion on the back of increases in core revenues as well as gains from asset disposals,” the bank said in a statement Monday.

Net interest income reached P27 billion, 23 percent higher compared to the previous year, driven by a 19-percent expansion in gross loans and the widening of net interest margin to 3.3 percent from 3.1 percent.

Funding efficiencies were achieved behind a 22-percent increase in lowcost demand deposits which fueled growth in deposit liabilities.

Net service fees and commission income rose 9 percent driven by improvements in deposit, trade, and credit cardrelated fees as well as bancassurance income, which were partly offset by the decline in underwriting fees.

Meanwhile, net gains from sale of acquired assets increased to P5.9 billion compared to the previous year’s P3.9 billion in line with a strategy to reduce non-earning assets.

Excluding net gains from sales of foreclosed asset sales, the improvement in total operating income remains significant at 16 percent year-on-year.

Operating expenses, excluding provisions for impairment and credit losses, rose 13 percent as strong revenue growth translated into higher business taxes and other business-related cost.

Without taxes and licenses, core operating expenses grew 8 percent.

The 18-percent growth in assets was funded primarily by deposits, consisting mostly of CASA deposits, as the bank continued to focus on generating lowcost funds and other stable sources of funding.

ICTSI beefs up unit in PNG, buys 3 rubber gantries

By Darwin G. Amojelar INTERNATIONAL Container Terminal Inc. on Monday said a unit in Lae, Papua New Guinea took delivery of three new hybrid rubber tyred gantries(RTGs) ahead of schedule.

The equipment are part of the ICTSI Group’s program to strengthen and enhance overall operational efficiency at PNG’s leading container terminal.

“We are very proud of this order. It is the result of our commitment to innovation and proven performance around the world, and it will further strengthen our presence in Papua New Guinea,” said ICTSI South Pacific chief executive officer Anil Singh.

“Technology is a central part of our terminal operations, and investment is being placed in training to grow competency and skills because it is people who drive the technology,” he added.

The investment of over PGK15.6 million places South Pacific International Container Terminal ahead of its 2022 commitments and 50 percent above the initial agreed outlay on operational efficiency improvements.

With a lifting capacity of 41 tons, the RTGs, both running on diesel and electric power, are expected to be deployed operationally this month. The 16-wheel cable reel RTGs can stack one over five containers high and six containers wide, including truck roadway.

They include a number of safety and productivity enhancing features such active load control, which prevents load sway and provides micro-motions in both trolley and gantry directions; auto-steering with container positioning interfaced to the terminal operating system; stack collision prevention; a truck guiding system; and a truck trailer antilifting system.

Once the commissioning is complete, these RTGs will be automationready.

ICTSI South Pacific has invested in three mobile harbor cranes for its Lae terminal.

B3

World

TUESDAY, MARCH 19, 2019 CESAR BARRIOQUINTO, Editor mst.daydesk@gmail.com

IN BRIEF New Zealand police probe bomb hoax CHRISTCHURCH―New Zealand police launched an investigation Monday into a bomb hoax that forced an hours-long closure of the airport in Dunedin, where the accused Christchurch mosque killer lived.

Police said a person climbed over a fence around the airfield Sunday afternoon and left a black laptop bag and a note in an area used by people to watch aircraft take off and land.

When the package and note were found, roads to the airport were closed and an Air New Zealand flight from Wellington was forced to circle over the city for almost an hour before returning to its origin.

A New Zealand Defense Force ordinance team was brought in to neutralize the object, but the airfield didn’t reopen until Monday morning.

The incident came just 48 hours after Dunedin resident Brenton Tarrant, an avowed white supremacist, is alleged to have killed 50 people during a shooting rampage at two mosques in Christchurch, north of Dunedin.

Police called on people who were around the airport on Sunday afternoon and saw any suspicious behavior to come forward.

“The insensitive nature of this act in light of recent events cannot be overstated,” they said in a statement.

“A large number of people were disrupted and distressed as a consequence.” AFP

GUN CONTROL. New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern speaks to reporters during a Post Cabinet media press conference at Parliament in Wellington on March 18, 2019. New Zealand’s cabinet agreed measures to tighten gun control laws ‘in principle’ Monday, just days after a deadly mass shooting killed more than 50 people. Ardern said details of the measures would be rolled out before a cabinet meeting next Monday, saying “the time to act is now”. AFP

Extraordinary sentence for mosque killer CHRISTCHURCH―Suspected mosque gunman Brenton Tarrant faces an “unprecedented” sentence that bars him from ever applying for release, but could yet dodge terror charges, legal experts told AFP Monday.

The 28-year-old Australian has been charged with one initial count of murder over the mass shootings that killed 50 people in the southern city of Christchurch and faces life in prison.

In New Zealand, being found guilty of murder usually comes with a minimum of 10 years in jail before possible parole.

But legal experts said Tarrant’s alleged crimes were so extreme they could warrant the heaviest sentence imposed by a judge in the South Pacific nation since the abolition of the death penalty in 1961.

“He may be sentenced to imprisonment without parole. There is a very significant possibility,” criminal lawyer Simon Cullen told AFP, adding that such a sentence would be “unprecedented”.

“This would seem to be... the type of situation that may well attract consideration of that type of sentence.”

The longest-ever murder sentence imposed in New Zealand was in 2001 when a judge sentenced William Bell to life imprisonment with a 30-year minimum term for a triple murder.

University of Auckland criminal procedure expert Bill Hodge said despite Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern labeling the massacre an act of terrorism― prosecutors may shy away from terror charges.

The Terrorism Suppression Act was only introduced in 2002, after the US 9/11 attacks and is untested in the courts.

“We haven’t used our terrorism laws previously and the laws are designed to inhibit or prosecute those involved with groups and financing and publications and the like,” Hodge told AFP. “I don’t think there’s any reason to use statues that have not been used previously when the Crimes Act—murder, attempted murder, manslaughter—are perfectly functional and well-understood.”

Hodge said charging Tarrant under terrorism laws risked extending the appeals process.

“It has not been tested in the appeal procedure. Appeals courts point out where the problems might be.”

While 50 people were killed in the rampage, police have so far charged Tarrant with one count of murder. AFP

Gun control promised as killer sacks lawyer C HRISTCHURCH― New Zealand will tighten gun laws in the wake of its worst modern-day massacre, the government said Monday, as it emerged the white supremacist accused of carrying out the killings at two mosques will represent himself in court.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said her coalition was unified on the need to reduce the availability of the kind of weapons used by Brenton Tarrant as he went room to room shooting Muslims gathered for Friday prayers.

“We have made a decision as a cabinet, we are unified,” she said, flanked by her coalition partner and deputy prime minister, Winston Peters.

Peters, whose New Zealand First party has previously opposed changes, said he backed the prime minister fully.

“The reality is that after one pm on

Friday our world changed forever, and so will our laws,” he said.

Ardern, the youthful premier who has become the face of the nation’s tragedy, said there would be an inquiry into the horrifying attack, as questions swirl over whether intelligence agencies should have spotted warning signs.

The role of social media has also come under the spotlight, after the gunman live-streamed his rampage on Facebook.

A teenager, whose name cannot be published, appeared in court Monday charged with distributing that footage.

Grief continued to wash across the nation Monday, with New Zealanders of all stripes gathering to express revulsion over the killings—and unity in the face of racial hatred.

A Maori cleansing ceremony was performed at the Al Noor mosque— the scene of the largest massacre— bringing together indigenous Kiwis, Muslim leaders and local officials.

Later, dozens of students gathered there to pay their respects, laying flowers and lighting candles.

Many came together for a haka—a traditional Maori ceremonial dance

that has been performed by groups across New Zealand in the wake of killings.

And in Auckland, students at Orewa College gathered to form a heart and the message “Kia Kaha”—“stay strong” in Maori.

“It brings to mind our own values and why we find this so abhorrent.

Ideas held by the perpetrator have no place in our community and school,” the college said.

The organisers of New Zealand’s largest gun show—the Kumeu Militaria Show, near Auckland—announced Monday they had cancelled the event in the wake of the massacre and because of “elevated security risks” Despite having tightened the rules in the 1990s after the last mass shooting, New Zealand has relatively permissive gun laws, with nearly all of those who apply granted gun licences.

David Tipple, the managing director of Gun City, whose online store sold Tarrant four weapons, said he felt no responsibility for the killings.

“We detected nothing extraordinary about this licence holder,” he told reporters. AFP

VISIT.

This photo taken on March 17, 2019, shows tourists visiting Qianduo rapeflower fields in Xinghua in China’s eastern Jiangsu province.

AFP

‘Clear similarities’ between Boeing crashes in Ethiopia, Indonesia NEW YORK―Flight recorder data recovered from the wreckage of Boeing 737 MAX planes that crashed in Ethiopia and Indonesia show “clear similarities,” Addis Ababa said Sunday as the US maker announced it was finalizing a software update for its under fire anti-stall system.

Pressure was mounting meanwhile on the US Federal Aviation Administration, which insisted it had followed standard procedures in certifying the plane model, even as it was reported to have come under investigation by the Department of Transport.

“The 737 MAX certification program followed the FAA’s standard certification process,” the agency said in an email to AFP. It said its procedures were “well established and have consistently produced safe aircraft designs.”

But the reported similarities between the March 10 crash of an Ethiopian Airlines 737 Max 8, killing all 157 on board, and the Lion Air crash in October of

the same model of plane in Indonesia, leaving 189 dead, have raised serious doubts and triggered Boeing’s biggest crisis in decades.

The 737 MAX is a relatively new aircraft, having entered service only in May 2017 as Boeing’s answer to Airbus’s medium-haul A320 Neo. Ethiopian Transport Minister Dagmawit Moges said Sunday that a study of the flight data recorder retrieved from the Ethiopian plane had shown “clear similarities” to that of the Lion Air flight in Indonesia.

She said the parallels would be the “subject of further study.”

As investigators continue their work, preliminary findings in the Lion crash have focused on a possible malfunction of an anti-stall system known as the MCAS (Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System).

Boeing developed that system, because of the un-

usually forward placement of the plane’s engines, to avoid a stall.

The manufacturer said Sunday it was close to releasing a long-awaited software patch to the system.

“While investigators continue to work to establish definitive conclusions, Boeing is finalizing its development of a previously-announced software update and pilot training revision that will address the MCAS flight control law’s behavior in response to erroneous sensor inputs,” president and CEO Dennis Muilenburg said.

Experts have questioned the FAA’s certification process after learning that American pilots had lodged serious complaints about the system.

According to a Wall Street Journal report Sunday, the FAA had come under an “unusual inquiry” by the Department of Transport over the issue, and has warned officials to safeguard computer files, according to sources quoted by the paper. AFP

Cape Grim offers respite from smog CAPE GRIM, Australia―As much of Asia wheezes, coughs and sniffles its way through another smog season, one isolated and windswept corner of Australia is serving as the global standard for clean air.

With panoramic views of swaying tussock grass and the vast crystalline expanse of the Southern Ocean, Tasmania’s beautiful Cape Grim peninsula is an unlikely reference point for the scientific world.

But since 1976, this wild and blustery spot has been home to the Cape Grim Baseline Air Pollution Station―a small Australian government facility with the seemingly eccentric task of bottling air.

“Our job is essentially to find air as clean as you’re likely to find anywhere in the world and measure just how polluted it is,” Sam Cleland, the officer in charge of the station, told AFP. Looking out from his office atop the high sea cliffs, the nearest landmass to the west is Argentina, and there is nothing to the south except Antarctica.

The facility’s isolated location makes it perfect for collecting what many have dubbed the cleanest air in the world -- what air would be like without choking exhaust fumes or industrial smoke.

When the wind blows from the southwest, Cleland and his team capture a sample using finely tuned instruments. Their kit is so sensitive that delivery trucks chugging down the dirt track from the nearest town—an hour away—are all logged, in case they potentially skew the readings. AFP

‘King of Surf Guitar’ Dick Dale dead at 81 WASHINGTON―Dick Dale, the California rocker behind the song “Misirlou” that plays during the opening scene of “Pulp Fiction,” has died at the age of 81.

His death on Saturday was confirmed on Facebook by Dusty Watson, a drummer who once toured with Dale, though the cause of death was not immediately known.

Dubbed the “King of Surf Guitar,” the genre he invented in the 1950s, Dale’s work was influential to a generation of musicians including The Beach Boys, Eddie Van Halen and Jimi Hendrix.

The keen surfer and musical pioneer described the style in a 1994 interview with the New York Times as “a heavy machine-gun staccato picking style to represent the power of Mother Nature, of our Earth, of our ocean.”

According to a biography on his website, Dale worked with electric guitar trailblazer Leo Fender to develop amps and speakers that could withstand the thundering volume he played at, breaking through the electronic limitations of the era and earning him the moniker the “Father of Heavy Metal.”

Tributes poured in online, including from Beach Boy Brian Wilson, who tweeted: “I’m sorry to hear about Dick Dale passing. Dick’s guitar playing was a big influence on all of us, and we covered “Misirlou” on our Surfin’ USA album in ‘63. Love & Mercy to Dick’s family.”

“RIP Dick Dale - Father of the Surf Guitar.

We all owe you. Rock on. Bri,” added Queen guitarist Brian May. Dale, a Lebanese-American, was born Richard Monsour in 1937 in Boston, and moved to California as a teen. He was still performing until the time of his death, according to reports. AFP Manila

Standard

TODAY

N OTICE Notice is hereby given that ROBINSONS LAND CORPORATION, with office address at 43rd Floor Robinsons-Equitable Tower, ADB Avenue corner Poveda Road, Ortigas Center, Pasig City, is applying for registration with the Board of Investments (BOI) as a New Operator of Tourist Accommodation Facility under the Special Laws - Tourism-related Facilities (Summit Hotel Greenhills) with a capacity of 100 rooms on a non-pioneer status, with project site located at 13th Annapolis St., Brgy. Greenhills, San Juan City, Metro Manila.

Any person with valid objection/s on the abovementioned project may file his/her objection in writing, under oath, with the BOI within three (3) days from the date of this publication.

(SGD.) MARY ANN E. RAGANIT Officer-In-Charge Infrastructure and Services Industries Service (MS-MAR. 19, 2019)

LGUs

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

B4

One Batangas endorses Erin, Romy, Chel

TUESDAY, MARCH 19, 2019

LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS

FOR PARAÑAQUEÑOS. Senator Cynthia A. Villar (left photo) guarantees to a crowd in Parañaque City that she will continue her programs to alleviate the living condition of poor

Filipinos. During the same campaign sortie of administration bets there, Hugpong ng Pagbabago chairman and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio makes a fist with Parañaque City Mayor Edwin Olivarez (right photo, second from left) as President Rodrigo Duterte’s daughter officially endorsed Olivarez, his running-mate Vice Mayor Rico Golez (left) and all PDP-Laban councilors led by reelectionist Binky Favis (right). Lino Santos

Vizcaya allots P1.6b for AIP, MDG projects

By Ben Moses Ebreo BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya—The provincial government has allotted more than P1.6 billion to operationalize its local government bureaucracy and fund programs, projects and development activities for the welfare of Novo Vizcayanos.

Gov. Carlos Padilla said the 2019 Local Expenditure Program and Executive Budget of the provincial government aims to attain the provincial government’s goals, objectives and strategies under the 2019 Annual Investment Program.

The LEP will be used for the following areas of local governance: General Public Services—P704.83 million, Social Services—P566.88 million and Economic Services—P365.54 million.

“Our goals are in harmony with the United Nation’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals and National Plans and Policies that promote the basic public administration and governance advocacy that no one is left behind and development does not compromise the needs of the future generations,” he added.

The AIP’s goals are: increased forestlands with cover, households that practice zero solid waste management, conservation and protection of the cave systems and all mine and quarry operations regulated; improved efficiency and effectiveness of government delivery systems; increased crops productivity, low cost of production and increase in small farmers’ income; Enhanced productivity of out-ofschool-youths who also excel in sports competitions; improved enrollment, participation and schools achievement rate; increased per capita income and reduced poverty incidence; Broader access to social welfare services, improved peace and order and enhanced public safety mechanisms and increased access to quality farm-to-market roads, all weather provincial roads and robust infrastructures supporting health, tourism, agriculture and administrative services.

The AIP’s other goals are enhanced arts and preserved cultural practices; empowered Indigenous People’s actively engaged in provincial development initiatives; robust and established tourism industry with an actively engaged populace and achievement of the Health Millennium Development Goals, reduced housing backlogs and the Consistent Regional Outstanding Winner in Nutrition award maintained.

Sandigan orders Paulate suspension

By Maricel V. Cruz and Rio N. Araja

T

HE Sandiganbayan has ordered a 90-day preventive suspension against Quezon City Councilor Roderick Paulate pending the resolution of criminal cases leveled against him in connection with his alleged hiring of 30 ghost employees in 2010.

The anti-graft court’s Seventh Division, in its March 11 resolution, ordered Paulete “to cease and desist from further performing and/or exercising the functions, duties and privilege of his position as member of the Sangguniang Panlungsod of Quezon City.”

Paulate, also a movie and television personality, is facing charges in connection with his alleged hiring of the ghost employees. Earlier, he posted P246,000 bail for his temporary liberty.

DOVES FOR UNITY.

Emilio Ramon Ejercito, candidate for Laguna governor (fourth from right) releases a dove along with regional police and local officials on Saturday after a unity walk for free, credible and peaceful elections this May in Barangay Mayapa, Canlubang, Laguna. Also in the USAP (Ugnayan ng Simbahan At Pulis para sa Pilipinas) event is Calabarzon police director Chief Supt.

Edward Carranza.

Roy Tomandao

SOME 291 Navoteños who availed of the city government’s late registration program received their birth certificates for free.

Fees, penalties and charges on late birth registration amounting to P1,500 were waived under City Ordinance 2018-19 penned by Councilor Ethel Joy Arriola-Mejia and signed by Vice Mayor Clint Geronimo.

Arriola-Mejia, also a lawyer, offered her notarial services for free.

In his speech, Mayor John Rey Tiangco reminded the beneficiaries of the importance of securing the birth registration of their children.

Couple dies in Batangas house blast

SANTO TOMAS, Batangas— A couple died after a homemade bomb exploded in their home at the Madison Garden subdivision in Barangay San Roque here just before noon on Monday.

Sto. Tomas police chief Supt. Harold Depositar named the casualties as Joy Sorima and Jerwin Salazar.

Their five-year-old child, Jorel Salazar, is still being treated for injuries at the St. Frances Cabrini Hospital, he added.

In a dzMM radio interview, Calabarzon police director Chief Supt. Edward Carranza said the explosion happened at a residential area being used as an illegal factory of improvised blasting caps.

Police said they found Jorel outside the family’s home. No one else was hurt as the house was in a far corner of the subdivision, but the blast was strong enough to shatter the glass windows of nearby three-story building, which was empty at the time, investigators added.

Depositar said they found about a thousand blasting caps and rolls of fuse believed to be used as detonators.

“They’re like cable wires that are similar to those normally used in quarrying and illegal fishing,” the local police chief said. Police have yet to say if the couple was involved in these activities. Roy Tomandao

PCAARRD expects increased local production of Queen pineapple

By Butch Gunio LOS BAÑOS, Laguna—The production of Queen pineapple is set to increase with the development of a propagation and planting system being funded by the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic, and Natural Resources Research and Development.

Navoteños gain free birth papers

By Jun David

The councilor, who is running for Quezon City vice mayor, opposed his suspension, saying his case case already reached the pre-trial stage, and that the evidence needed by the prosecution was not in his custody.

He added that the Court of Appeals’ reversal of the decision of the Ombudsman to suspend him proved that there was absence of sufficient evidence to put him down.

Meanwhile, in a bid to empower women economically, Vice Mayor Joy Bel-

monte is backing Distrct 5 Rep. Alfred Vargas’ initiative of a shared service facility project in Barangay Greater Lagro.

The program shall provide equipment for women entrepreneurs, and encourage women to put up their own businesses and earn on their own.

Together with the Department of Trade and Industry and Samahan ng mga Pilipina para sa Reporma at Kaunlaran, Vargas initiated the formation of the equipment sharing facility that would provide free training, product development, and other technical assistance to women entrepreneurs.

Belmonte supported the program and underscored the importance of empowering women, saying: “Economic incapability sometimes deprives women of getting out from oppressive relationships.”

LIPA, Batangas—Former Deputy Speaker and senatorial candidate Lorenzo ‘Erin’ Tañada III is one of three Otso Deretso candidates endorsed by One Batangas, a political party headed by Senator Ralph Recto and his wife, Batangas 6th District Rep. Vilma Santos-Recto.

The official endorsement was announced Monday in a large gathering attended by city and municipal mayors, vice mayors and councilors in the province at the Club Malarayat here.

Romy Macalintal and Chel Diokno, who both hail from Batangas, are the other two opposition candidates endorsed by the political party.

Tañada, who was in Mindanao, was represented by his father, former Senator Wigberto ‘Bobby’ Tañada, in the gathering.

“This is a great honor that my son Erin is among those trusted by One Batangas to advance the cause of our country.

This endorsement is testament to the trust and confidence that you have in my son, who has served as a three-term Congressman of the neighboring province of Quezon,” said the elder Tañada.

“Batangas and Quezon are, we can say, sister provinces. In these two provinces we have economic, industrial, and agricultural zones. The two provinces’ contribution to the economy is significant. Whatever legislations we make for our workers and farmers will greatly impact these two provinces and, eventually, the country,” added Erin in a statement.

The elder Tañada recalled the long ties between the Rectos and the Tañadas, starting in 1947 when his father, former Senator Lorenzo ‘Ka Tanny’ Tañada, served in the Senate with Senator Recto’s grandfather, Claro M. Recto. Ka Tanny was the older Recto’s vice-presidential running mate in the 1957 elections.

“A birth certificate is not a simple document. It serves as ticket to many government services. This is why it is important that you secure the birth certificates of your kids,” he said.

The mayor also noted that the city has a free birth registration program for Navoteño children born at the Navotas City Hospital and lying-in center.

“Our staff at the city hospital and lyingin center will assist you with birth registration. In addition, you will get a Navocare baby kit for your newborn,” he said.

The baby kit contains a cotton roll, a bottle of alcohol, a baby bath soap, cotton buds, disposable diapers, four onesies, a baby bag, and a baby box that can also serve as crib.

“Somatic embryogenesis is an alternative technique for rapid mass propagation of quality Queen pineapple planting materials. It involves the use of suckers and crowns explants to produce true-to-type planting materials,” said PCAARRD media staff Rose Anne Aya to newsmen here.

She presented the research study

“Enhancing the Productivity and Marketability of Queen pineapple” being undertaken by the Visayas State University in cooperation with the Camarines Norte State College and Department of Agriculture Region 5.

Dr. Maria Juliet C. Ceniza of the VSU leads the program.

Somatic embryogenesis can produce

8,000 to 10,000 Queen pineapple plantlets, which can be produced eight to 10 months earlier than the traditional method of producing Queen pineapple suckers, Aya said, citing the research.

Another output of the program is the optimization of planting density and intercropping system for the crop, she said.

WIDUS DONATION. In time

for the 60th Public Library Day celebration, Widus Foundation Inc. donates to the Angeles City Public Library an Information and Technology Center, a Leisure Reading Center, and a Center for Kampampangan Cultural Heritage on Monday, March 11. Leading the official turnover are WFI Executive Director Neki Liwanag, Widus Human Resources Director Ana Christi Galura, and Widus General Manager Tarek Aouini with Angeles City Mayor Ed Pamintuan, Vice Mayor Bryan Nepomuceno, PAGCOR Gaming and Licensing Development Department Head lawyer Angeline Papica-Entienza, and PAGCOR-Casino Filipino Angeles Sr. Customer Relations Officer Oscar Rodriguez Jr.

Life

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

HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENT

@MStandardLIFE

C1

TUESDAY, MARCH 19, 2019

FATS FACTS.

Consuming too much food items with trans fats, such as French fries, fried chicken, and potato chips, has been found to increase the risk of coronary artery diseases, according to health experts.

By Mylene C. Orillo

U

S-TRAINED Filipino chef Fernan Punzalan, together with his two business partners, put up Creative Group, Inc., which owns and operates Serenade Hall in Makati Central Business District area.

That thing called trans fats

What differentiates Serenade Hall from other restaurants is its classy cafeteria concept where they serve 16 affordable and varying dishes every day.

Its core dishes consist of Filipino delicacies cooked differently.

The restaurant, where Chef Fernan is the corporate chef, strives not to use trans fats, which have been found to increase the risk of developing heart diseases.

“There is a conscious effort not to use trans fats in our own little way. For example, in our coffee, we offer fresh milk instead of powdered creamer alone. For cooking oil, we try to use Minola since this is made from coconut oil. And we have a fryer that can separate trans fats during frying. The technology was from Korea; it’s called water fryer,” explained Chef Fernan.

However, Chef Fernan revealed that while they offer alternative healthy options, they are a bit more expensive than their regular meals, and sometimes overlooked because some customers are not aware of their health benefits.

“We always offer them (customers) organic chicken binakol and our black/red rice. But in the end, it’s always their choice,” he said.

are aware of ‘trans fats,’ while the rest aren’t. The respondents consist of eight males and eight females with ages ranging from 23 to 58 years old.

When buying food, 13 respondents usually look for the health benefits and food taste, 12 for affordability and food preparation, eight for ambiance, location/convenience, and six for customer service.

While majority look for health benefits in the food they eat, 12 admitted to eating French fries once a month, three for twice a month, 11 admitted to eating cakes once a month, seven eat doughnuts, and one does not eat any of the food mentioned.

The survey also looked into the body mass index (BMI) of respondents,

Favorite fast-food fare fried chicken and French fries can be harmful to health.

seven have normal BMIs, six are overweight, and three are considered obese. Only 10 of the respondents are engaged in physical activities such as running, swimming, basketball, walking, road cycling, jogging, and many more.

Six of them have medical conditions (e.g. hypertension and high cholesterol) and are currently taking maintenance medicines.

Understanding trans fats

Trans fats are partially hydrogenated or trans fats created through an industrial process where hydrogen atoms are added to liquid vegetable oils. They are more solid than oil, making them less likely to spoil. Trans fats help food to have a less greasy feel.

“Trans fats are edible, consuming trans fats has been shown to increase the risk of coronary artery disease in part by raising levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) often termed as ‘bad’ cholesterol,” explained Dr. Ant h o n y Leachon, a cardiologist and a preventive health ed-

What the survey says

Of 16 individuals asked in a random survey, 10 Limit consumption of ice cream and other food items with trans fats.

ucation and health reform advocate.

Worldwide, cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the world’s biggest killers. One-third, or 31 percent, of deaths worldwide are due to CVDs, resulting in about 17.7 million deaths every year.

Some of the foods with trans fats include French fries, margarine, fried chicken, non-dairy creamers, microwave popcorn, frozen dinners, pie and crust, ice cream, creamy beverages, and potato chips.

Dr. Leachon admitted that “ignorance” is the primary reason or challenge when advising his patients to switch to healthier options or food.

“I usually educate them using the Harvard healthy food plate and then give them a food checklist,” he shared.

Created by nutrition experts at Harvard School of Public Health and editors at Harvard Health Publications, the Healthy Eating Plate was designed to address deficiencies in the US Department of Agriculture’s MyPlate. It provides detailed guidance, in a simple format, to help people make the best eating choices.

In order to totally eliminate trans fats, Dr. Leachon said there is a need for preventive health education and strong regulatory guidelines to all consumers and public health awareness.

“Stop smoking and drinking alcohol.

Eat healthy food. Exercise regularly.

Practice ‘chill’ days to reduce stress.

Lose weight and have regular checkups,” he advised.

REPLACE project

According to Mary Grace Anne S. Rosales-Sto. Domingo of ImagineLaw, Inc., it is possible to totally ban the use of partially hydrogenated oil (PHO) with appropriate policy and regulatory measures in place.

“Countries like the United States, Canada, and Thailand were able to do it. We can learn from their experience and determine the appropriate policy measures for us to implement a PHO ban. It will take a multi-sectoral effort to conduct the necessary research, but it’s achievable,” said Rosales-Sto. Domingo.

In October 2018, ImagineLaw, with support from Global Health Advocacy Incubator, began its legal and regulatory review of trans fat reduction measures in the Philippines and encountered interspersed issues concerning the elimination of trans fat—there was the fragmented food safety regulatory system, the impact of a proposed ban on PHOs/ TFAs on the market, and the capacity of the government agencies to regulate or implement TFA regulations.

“Another challenge would be on the lack of available data on the level of consumption of TFA or the prevalence of the use of PHOs in the Philippines.

Turn to C2

How to be an ‘all-star’

ONE does not need to be a basketball superstar to be an all-star, according to a motivational video by a leading insurer.

Axa recently unveiled a motivational video, #TakeCharge, which enumerated qualities that make a winner.

Never stop grinding. Winners never quit, quitters never win. Becoming an all-star means that you never stop training. Explore the extremes. Never underestimate how far you can go. Try new things, test your skills, and strategize to fulfill your potential.

Trust the process. It’s good to strive for good results, but what’s more important is the process, how you become better at what you do. Whether you’re a leader, athlete, or parent, it is important

that you frequently remind yourself why you do it. When you prioritize the process, you seek feedback, mentoring, and coaching, even when you’re at the top of your game and you become better for it.

Don’t make excuses. Blaming everyone else won’t get you anywhere. Instead of pointing fingers and making excuses about why you aren’t happy or successful in your life, own your mistakes and learn from them. After all, mistakes in life also teach us valuable lessons.

Take time to rest. Know that recovery is part of the training process. It’s okay to stop every once and a while not only to rest but also to rethink your strategy.

Always be prepared. Being prepared

A motivational video, entitled ‘Take Charge,’ enumerates the qualities that make a winner.

is the key to being an all-star. Champi- this. The earlier you prepare, the better. by taking out insurance for all that they ons are always five steps ahead. Hav- Axa encourages people to always be value: their lives, their homes, their ing a game plan is the best way to do prepared for any unforeseen setbacks business, and their assets.

Life

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TUESDAY, MARCH 19, 2019 manilastandardlife@gmail.com

Survey reveals

adults in Asia-Pacific

want better sleep SLEEP ON IT. Almost half of respondents surveyed for ‘The Global Pursuit of Better Sleep Health’ report said their sleep has worsened in the past five years, and 78 percent want to improve their quality of sleep.

P

EOPLE around the world are making do with lesser sleep each night, with some getting as little as 6.3 hours of shuteye on the weekdays and 6.6 on the weekends, significantly lower than the daily recommended eight hours.

This finding was among others announced by Royal Philips, a global leader in health technology, from its annual global sleep survey in a report, “The Global Pursuit of Better Sleep Health.”

The annual global sleep survey, carried out in conjunction with World Sleep Day on March 15, surveyed over 11,000 adults in Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Japan, the Netherlands, Singapore, South Korea, and the United States to capture attitudes, perceptions, and behaviors around sleep.

ness of sleep’s impact on overall health is on the rise, for many people across the globe, achieving good sleep health remains elusive. Besides having insufficient sleep, 62 percent of global adults describe their sleep as ‘somewhat’ or ‘not at all’ well, and almost half (44 percent) say that their sleep has worsened in the past five years.

According to the 2016 Healthy Living Index Survey, Filipinos have one of the highest rates of sleep deprivation in Asia with 46 percent of Filipinos not getting enough sleep and 32 percent saying they Sleep becomes an elusive goal sleep for less than six hours. The impact Results revealed an increasingly of this is demonstrated daily, with as sleep-deprived world. While aware- many as 60 percent saying they have ex-

Filipinos have one of the highest rates of sleep deprivation in Asia, with 46 percent of Filipinos not getting enough sleep and 32 percent saying they sleep for less than six hours.

That...

From C1

This is currently the subject of proposed study to be conducted by DOST-FNRI (Department of Science and Technology-Food and Nutrition Research Institute),” she revealed.

To raise consumer awareness, Rosales-Sto. Domingo suggested that government agencies like Department of Health and National Nutrition Council disseminate IEC (information, education, and communication) materials and conduct trainings in barangays on the negative effects of industrially-produced TFA to one’s health.

“The DepEd, in line with its policy banning the sale of food with TFA in schools, can conduct a simultaneous communication campaign promoting a healthy diet in schools. The Department of Trade and Industry can also conduct IEC campaigns on healthy diets and identify consumer products that pose a threat to consumers’ health. Lastly, the DOH and Food and Drug Authority (FDA) can strengthen guidelines on nutrition labelling and teach consumers how to read nutrition labels and identify ingredients known to have TFA,” she said.

But the best agency to lead efforts and facilitate multi-agency coordination would be the DOH, said RosalesSto. Domingo.

To encourage producers to produce healthy oil, she revealed that during their consultations with the Department of Agriculture, possible incentives would be government subsidies in terms of certification and registration fees for farmers, crop insurance, or farm assistance.

While possible disincentives would include higher taxes on oil or ingredients with trans fat through enactment of appropriate legislation.

perienced several episodes of daytime sleepiness throughout the week.

In the Asia-Pacific countries surveyed, stress was the main reason keeping people up at night, with half (50 percent) losing sleep over worry or stress. Additionally, other factors that keep adults in Asia-Pacific up at night include their sleeping environment (32 percent), distraction from entertainment such as television, social media (27 percent), health conditions such as pain or breathing problems (23 percent), drinking caffeinated drinks or using stimulants close to bedtime (18 percent), and their partner’s snoring (17 percent).

Facing such sleep deprivation, 78 percent of Asia-Pacific respondents say that they want to improve their quality of sleep.

To get a better sleep, some are experimenting with a variety of methods, including instituting a set bedtime/ wake-up schedule (22 percent), watching television (33 percent), reducing their caffeine consumption (23 percent), playing soothing music (24 percent), and even sleeping in a different location from their partner (17 percent).

“It’s worrying that despite the public awareness around the importance of quality sleep for overall health, people in some parts of Asia-Pacific are among the world’s poorest sleepers,” lamented Ashwin Chari, country manager of Philips Philippines.

“Philips aims to provide solutions that meet the growing and evolving needs of consumers and healthcare professionals alike,” added Chari. “To bridge the

current gap in diagnosis and treatment of sleep disorders in the Philippines, Philips has been working together with the Philippine Sleep Society and we are actively reaching out to different companies regarding the importance of sleep for achieving a healthier life.”

The quest for better sleep

Despite the obvious need to address their lack of sleep, sleep issues are often deprioritized. In seeking better sleep, 31 percent of Asia-Pacific respondents say they would be willing to use online search engines to learn more about sleep and/or treatments to improve their sleep, and 34 percent would be open to seeing a sleep specialist.

Yet, 75 percent of adults have not sought help from a medical professional, mainly due to the perceived high costs of sleep consultation (25 percent) and treatment (30 percent).

“Sleep is a key pillar of good overall health, as equally important as having a healthy diet and getting regular exercise. While most are aware that sleep is fundamentally important, achieving the recommended eight hours of quality sleep is still an elusive goal for many people each night,” said Mark Aloia,

PhD, global lead for Behavior Change, Sleep and Respiratory Care at Philips.

He continued, “The lack of quality sleep may not only induce low productivity and daytime sleepiness, but also pose serious health issues if not addressed. Those who suffer from prolonged poor sleep should consult their doctor to identify contributing factors and determine if they or their partner are at risk of underlying health issues such as obstructive sleep apnea.”

There are several types of sleep apnea, the most common of which is Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA).

As a seldom-discussed, under-diagnosed condition, OSA is characterized by repeated interruptions in breathing throughout the sleep cycle. It occurs when your throat muscles intermittently relax, preventing oxygen from reaching the lungs during sleep.

Symptoms of OSA include choking or gasping for air during sleep, loud and persistent snoring, and excessive daytime fatigue and poor concentration during the day. If left untreated, sleep apnea can have serious short- and longterm health risks including heart disease, type 2 diabetes, stroke, and high blood pressure.

Watsons gives members more deals, discounts

WATSONS Card ensures its members “look good and feel good” with exclusive offers, discounts, deals, and more value for their money.

“Customers pay a one-time membership fee of only P100 to be a lifetime Watsons Card member. This means no accumulated receipts needed and no annual renewal fees. You have the Watsons Card for life. This program is really about members getting more savings and the best offers” said Jay Soliman, controller for Watsons Customer Relationship Management.

Members get exclusive member discounts on their favorite products.

Watsons Card holders also earn points whenever they shop. One point is earned for every P200 spent. They also earn more points when they shop online

at www.watsons.com.ph.

Shoppers also get double points for all Watsons Brand products, from personal care to Watsons Generic medicines. They also get five times points on their first transaction during their birthday month. Every 1 point earned is equivalent to P1. Points can be used to pay for health and beauty purchases at Watsons.

“Watsons Card members also get dibs on new products and invites to memberonly events like movie block screenings, trips, symposia, and a lot more experiential events,” said Soliman.

To be a member, just go to any Watsons store in the Philippines, pay a one-time membership fee, and fill out a short members registration form.

From left: Watsons senior Customer Relationship Management manager Loi Sanchez, customer director Viki Encarnacion, and Customer Relations Management controller Jay Soliman

HMO hosts first-ever veggie festival AS OBESITY and unhealthy lifestyles continue to grow into a global problem, Maxicare Healthcare Corporation arranged its first-ever outdoor festival—Maxicare Veggie Fest 2019.

“One of the easiest ways to start your journey to living a healthy life is by eating a plant-based diet, which is why we are very proud to be holding the Maxicare Veggie Fest,” said Chairman of the Board Roberto Macasaet, whose main objective is to improve health and wellness, focusing on plant-based nutrition.

In its mission to improve others’ quality of life, Maxicare encourages members and non-members alike to incorporate a variety of fruits and vegetables, whole grains and starches, good fats, and lean proteins into their diet so they can live longer and feel Maxicare Healthcare Corporation stages its first Veggie Fest to promote plant-based diet. stronger by inspiring others to fight disease

and eat healthy.

Held at the Legaspi Active Park in Makati City, the veggie fest was packed with plantbased advocates that offered handpicked products for health-conscious consumers.

The activities included a film showing on plant-based lifestyle and a talk on “Holistic Healing for Wholesome Living” presented by yoga instructor Donna Francisco, “Guilt Free and Gluten Free Dessert” by Jertie Abergas of Jerties Kitchen, “Skin Food—Understanding the Right Food for Beautiful Skin by Dr. Kathy Amurao-Herrera, “Aging Gracefully” by May Manahan-Lagdameo and Dr. Willie Lagdameo of Health & Wellness Coaches Philippines, Inc., “Lifestyle Medicine”

by Dr. Johann Manez, and “Local Native Plant-Based Eating with Mesa ni Misis”

by Juana Manahan- Yupangco.

ISAH V. RED

Entertainment No romance between Jameson and Elisse IN A recent interview, actor and Hashtags member Jameson Blake said that people should not put malice on his friendship with fellow Kapamilya Elisse Joson. The 21-yearold star said that nothing romantic going on between him and Elisse at present.

“The rumor started after I had a guest appearance in Tonight with Boy Abunda.

Clearly, people took it in a different light when I said that Elisse is the last girl that made me tickled pink. They also put a different meaning when I was able to compose a short poem for her on the spot during my guesting,” he avers.

The young actor swears that he and Elisse are only friends.

“We got close when we became co-stars in the soap opera. That’s where our friendship blossomed.

But there’s nothing more than that.

I’m just happy that until now, we’re still good friends,” Jameson says alluding to the series Ngayon at Kailanman top-billed by Julia Barretto and Joshua Garcia.

So, it’s not true that he is trying to woo the lovely lass?

“That’s what people thought, but in reality, there’s no courtship happening.

I don’t want things to happen as fast as that. Elisse and I are just friends and we’re glad we got to know each other while doing the soap. To reiterate, there’s nothing special between us.”

Some quarters stress that he won’t be able to compose a poem on-the-spot if he doesn’t have special feelings for Elisse.

“Well, I really compose haikus. I guess it’s one of my natural gifts so it appears easy for me. I consider Elisse as a good subject because apart from being a good friend of mine, she’s a nice girl.

She’s got no pretensions,” he says.

“She’s simply being herself and I like that. She’s nice and jolly as well.

She cracks down jokes. She’s really a fun person to talk to. I really enjoy her presence. It’s just that we don’t really get to see each other lately. We’re both

TUESDAY, MARCH 19, 2019

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nickie.standard@gmail.com

Young JV launches new MV inspired by recent heartbreak

busy with our respective shows,” Jameson adds.

Some fans say that if ever, he needs to ask permission from his fellow Hashtags member McCoy de Leon if he decides to court Elisse in the future. As everyone knows, McCoy and Elisse were a former love team and became an item.

“I don’t see the need for that since at this point, I have no plans whatsoever. Of course, everyone knows what happened between them. What’s important is I’m friends with both of them.”

YUGEL Jameson explains that nothingLOSORATA has changed with his friendship with McCoy in the midst of this controversy.

“McCoy and I just talk when we’re in It’s Showtime as members of the Hashtags. We don’t really hang around or go out. Before, we used to play games together.

We’re just cool.”

For the be-dimpled young star, work is his top priority.

“I’ve been very vocal about it even before. My work is on top of the list along with my family and friends. It feels good that at present, I’m busy with various projects. I want it to continue that way. I don’t like to disrupt the flow or ruin the momentum,” ends Jameson. *** So, it’s true that Alden Richards and Kathryn Bernardo are doing a movie together.

It was learned that a meeting and story conference were held recently for the project which will be produced by Star Cinema and directed by Cathy GarciaMolina.

Apart from Kathryn, Alden and Cathy, also present during the conference was Star Cinema Managing Director Olivia Lamasan. This early, many are already looking forward to the movie especially since this is Alden’s maiden Star Cinema project. Rumor has it that the movie will be shot in Hong Kong and will have a May play date.

This will be Alden and Kathryn’s first movie together but in the past, they have worked together in a product endorsement.

ARIAS

H

ALWIN IGNACIO

IP-HOP recording artist Young JV released a new music video for his single “Ghost,” his latest offering from Star Music.

A still from the music video of Ghost, which according to Young JV, tackles the story of a girl who fell out of love and suddenly left the guy without saying goodbye.

Actor and hip-hop artist Young JV during the media launch of his latest single, 'Ghost.'

In the video directed by Lenny Len, an introspective Young JV faces his demons as he revisits the life and the love he once had.

The song “Ghost” tackles the story of a girl who fell out of love and suddenly left the guy without saying goodbye. It is a heartbreak track with an upbeat international vibe. ‘‘My target for my vibe of music now is to really go global and make the world more aware of the Filipino music scene,” Young JV shared during his “Ghost” music video launch.

The song is written and composed by FilipinoCanadian international hit maker August Rigo, who also wrote Justin Bieber’s “U Smile” and Chris Brown’s “Back To Sleep” and was inspired by Young JV’s personal experience from his recent heart break.

Check out Young JV’s “Ghost” music video premiere on MYX Philippines and Star Music’s YouTube channel.

Catriona Gray shows off the ‘best twirl ever’ Alden Richards and Kathryn Bernardo meet for the story conference of their upcoming movie

A LEADING fast food brand in the country has brought another stellar member to its growing family of iconic celebrity endorsers to star in its newest television commercial.

In her first-ever commercial for the proudly homegrown brand, Jollibee, Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray shows off the twirl that sent waves on and offline, all over the world: the iconic slow-motion twirl.

Clad in white, Catriona talks about how the universe has spoken, referring to a new twirl that is set to win everyone’s hearts. For the 25-year-old beauty queen and singer, the “best twirl ever” is not her crown-

winning move—it’s the new and improved Jolly Twirl.

Her face—lit up in desire and anticipation—and her elegant, seamless movements are in perfect sync with the irresistible twirls of the soft-serve ice cream.

“We are honored to have none other than Miss Universe 2018 herself join the Jollibee family in bringing more joy and pride to our customers,” said Francis E. Flores, Jollibee Global Brand Chief Marketing Officer and Jollibee Philippines Marketing Head.

“Having her show off her world-famous twirl alongside her love for both the Jolly Twirl and Jollibee is an incredible

opportunity for a proudly Filipino brand,” Flores added.

The new and improved Jolly Twirl comes with a thicker, creamier texture and a special formulation that makes it slowmelt so that everyone can enjoy it longer.

It’s still the same delightful vanilla softserve ice cream generations of Filipinos have grown to love, but with improved characteristics to make for a better dining experience.

CROSSWORD PUZZLE Tuesday, March 19, 2019

ACROSS 1 “Misery” lead 5 Function 9 Groom carefully 14 Earthenware jar 15 Wool suppliers 16 Hawk’s refuge 17 Leave out 18 Pasta choice 20 Japanese mat 22 Hoedown honey 23 Frosted 24 Jargon 26 Clear, as profit 28 Blunter 31 Gridiron pass 35 Nurse’s helper 36 Loan figure 38 Put — (save) 39 Water-power org.

40 From memory (2 wds.)

42 “The Gold Bug” author 43 Conical shelter 45 Actress — Heche 46 “The Galloping Gourmet” 47 Temporary 49 Valuable furs 51 HMO staffers 52 Wide 53 Pineapple island

56 Kind of detector 58 Open a letter 62 Beside the point 65 Toy with a tail 66 Rodeo prop 67 — vera 68 Steel ingredient 69 Photocopies 70 Latest word 71 Nautilus skipper DOWN 1 Ducklike bird 2 Soprano — Gluck 3 Dismounted 4 Nat’s daughter 5 Crude oil processor 6 Have title to 7 Captive’s plea (2 wds.)

8 This, to Pedro 9 Felt boot 10 Enumerates 11 Mr. Clapton 12 Berlin single 13 Shortfall 19 Arm bone 21 Max opposite 25 Kind of cracker 27 “L’—, c’est moi” 28 Page or LuPone 29 Pep up 30 Conform

31 Less fatty 32 Age on the vine 33 Be crazy about 34 Sly looks 37 Decimal base 40 Capital near Zurich 41 Changes an itinerary 44 Strangest 46 Soft leather 48 Speck on a globe 50 Operate 52 “— Street Blues”

53 Wire thicknesses 54 What the suspicious smell (2 wds.)

55 Bear constellation 57 Terrible tsar 59 Limerick locale 60 Unseen particle 61 Onetime latenighter 63 Part of UCLA 64 Immediately

Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray replicating her famous slow-mo twirl

Entertainment

Nickie Wang, Issue Editor nickie.standard@gmail.com

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TUESDAY, MARCH 19, 2019

JBK celebrates art and music in first major solo concert AS THEY celebrate five years in the industry, GMA Artist Center’s millennial trio JBK will hold their first major solo concert entitled Just Be Kind on March 29 at the Music Museum.

The Kapuso all-male group, composed of Joshua Bulot, Bryan del Rosario, and Kim Ordonio, is the first Filipino boyband to compete in the international stage as the “Millennial Trio” at The X-Factor UK in 2017.

The GMAAC stars quipped on what fans should look forward to in their concert.

“There are so many things that they should look forward to in our concert. Since it’s our first major concert, we really prepared well, including yung mga hugot namin na pati mga fans makaka-relate,” shared Joshua.

“We personally chose the lineup of songs that we’re performing come the big night. You’ll be hearing songs na never namin kinanta sa mga live gigs before such as songs from Queen,”

NICKIE WANG

A

RNELL Ignacio has expressed his intention to do a television show again. But this time, he wanted to host a program that’s similar to what he was doing when he was still part of Overseas Workers Welfare Administration or OWWA as deputy administrator.

Shortly after he submitted his resignation letter to Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III, the 55-year-old comedian and former TV host met with the entertainment press to explain the reason of his sudden decision.

“I need to work, I mean, I need a job that can make me earn more,” he started. ”Since December, I’ve been rejecting a few offers to do television again, including offers from Ang Probinsyano. I know a lot of actors want to be part of that series, so it’s funny that I was turning down their offers.”

By the way he sounded, it seemed that Arnell was determined to leave government work behind and finally go back to his “first love,” which is showbiz.

“Government work demands a lot of time. My child is having problems. And it’s a

added Bryan.

They also underwent various trainings in preparation for the concert, “We always review our songs before we end our day. We are currently doing vocal lessons and dance rehearsals para paghandaan yung transition ng bawat kanta,” said Kim. The concert promises a night of remarkable performances as special guests Asia’s Pop Sweetheart Julie Anne San Jose, Bradley Holmes, Kakai Bautista and the cast of Rak of Aegis including Nina Espinosa join JBK on stage.

Just Be Kind is produced by Winstruck Events Production. Ticket prices are available at P1,500 for VIP, P1,000 for Orchestra, and P500 for Balcony via www.ticketworld.com.ph or contact 0917-862-1313 for inquiries and ticket purchases.

The concert proceeds will be donated to Mabuhay Desert Foundation, YesPinoy Foundation and HERO Foundation, Inc.

JBK members Joshua Bulot, Bryan del Rosario, and Kim Ordonio will hold their first major solo concert entitled ‘Just Be Kind’ on March 29 at the Music Museum.

Showbiz calls on

ARNELL IGNACIO

difficult feeling to know that your father is getting sicker, and you’re the last person to know,” he shared.

Arnell clarified that leaving his post in OWWA was not a sudden decision. He had to consider a few things before tendering his resignation with a heavy heart.

“I have personal problems at home.

Hindi ko na napapansin, lumalaki na. I was so busy dealing with the problems of our fellow Filipinos working overseas pero sarili kong problema hindi ko na napapansin,” the teary-eyed Arnell confessed.

“I resigned from my post at OWWA not because I can no longer perform my duties. I loved what I was doing but it was already taking a toll sa aking pamilya. My dad has a 4th stage (prostate) cancer and I can’t even be with him while I left my business to my (only) daughter, Sofia dahil ang oras ko ay kulang pa sa aking trabaho,” he added.

Since he took the government

YouTube star to be first female US late-night talk host in decades Arnell reduced to tears while explaining why he had to resign

post, he admitted that he had to make a few sacrifices, which included doing showbiz gigs like singing, hosting, and comedy shows that “really pay well.”

“In my almost three years in public service, I have learned a lot. I have seen how dedicated people in the government work.

As Deputy Administrator of OWWA, I travel a lot and encounter people with different concerns. I love my job because it touches people at doon ko rin personal na nasaksihan ang mga problema at pinagdadaanan ng marami sa kanila. It breaks my heart,” he said.

Arnell is not closing his doors to public service. He said his experience would not go to waste because for his showbiz comeback, Arnell plans to do a show that would be similar to what he was doing at OWWA. “I want to host a public service program where we would reach out to people and assist them with their concerns. With that, I would be able to apply the things I have learned from working in the government.”

Arnell is still open to working with the government. In fact, he would still want to be a consultant for any government agency. He’s also an avid supporter of Juan Movement partylist, a group which, according to Arnell, silently works and supports the efforts of the government without asking anything in return.

“I’m going to be their spokesperson.

So that means, I can still be involved in a few government efforts even though I’m no longer working for the government,” he ended. *** JV Ejercito enjoys being a hands-on dad At the Senate, Sen. JV Ejercito is careful, deliberate, and levelheaded. He prefers to be low-key, maintaining a reserved stance amid the chaos. This senator is unflappable.

But it’s really not that hard to find out what makes JV tick.

When he takes a break from being a senator, he’s a loving husband to wife Ma. Hyacinth Lotuaco-Ejercito and a hands-on father to their son Julio Jose, who is turning 11 on March 20. Their family includes his eldest son Jose Emilio.

JV lets go of his reserved demeanor when he’s with his family—especially his two sons. Since Emilio is all grown up, JV’s constant buddy has been his son Julio.

JV enjoys doing daddy duties. He is all smiles when he hops on his motorcycle— in his comfy daddy ensemble of shorts and shirt—and takes Julio to school. They also love bonding over food, boxing, basketball, and their beloved dogs.

JV’s concern for his bunso is evident.

When he shared a video clip showing Julio learning how to box, the doting dad em-

After resigning from his post at OWWA as deputy administrator, Arnell Ignacio plans to go back to show business and host a public service program.

phasized: “Training my boy with his boxing skills. But will make sure he knows it’s only for self-defense.”

In another Instagram post showing him and Julio wearing masks while mock-wrestling, JV grows wistful, “Priceless moments,” he wrote in the caption. “My boy is growing up so fast! Enjoying what remains of his playful days. After a few years, he won’t even like to be hugged.”

JV echoes the sentiments of parents all over the world. Sometimes they just want time to stop. Then again, Julio won’t stay a little boy forever.

With his dad as his role model, we’re pretty sure he’ll be fine.

And, contrary to his dad’s prediction, he would probably still want to be hugged.

MAJOR television channel NBC has tapped YouTube star Lilly Singh to helm a late-night talk show, making the Canadian the first woman to host on a US broadcast network in more than three decades.

The evening talk shows have been a mainstay of American television for more than half-a-century—but their hosts are generally white men.

The late comedian Joan Rivers did host her own show from 1986 to 1988 on Fox, but that channel— unlike competitors ABC, CBS and NBC—is not known for its latenight talk programming and no longer uses the format.

Comedian Samantha Bee also hosts her own evening satire news show entitled Full Frontal, but it airs on the cable channel TBS and has a much smaller audience than the four national broadcast networks.

Singh, 30, will take over the last of NBC’s three slots that is currently hosted by Carson Daly and begins at 1:35 a.m. EST. A Canadian born to Indian parents, Singh gained fame for her YouTube channel “Superwoman,” launched in 2010, which today boasts 14.5 million subscribers and nearly three billion total views.

She announced her new gig as host of A Little Late with Lilly Singh as a guest on NBC’s The Tonight Show, the network’s most-watched late-night program that’s hosted by Jimmy Fallon.

It will be “kind of like my YouTube channel,” she said, adding that “I think it’s a little awesome for an Indian Canadian woman to be on a late-night show.”

AFP

One of JV Ejercito’s favorite things to do is to get on his motorcycle to take his son Julio Jose to school.

YouTube comedian turned big-time star, Lilly Singh