Manila Standard - 2019 April 2 - Tuesday

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Shootout, not massacre—Palace

By Nat Mariano and Francisco Tuyay

THE killing of 14 farmers allegedly tagged to be members and supporters of the New People’s Army in Negros Oriental was done under “legitimate” joint military and police operations, Malacañang said Monday.

Presidential Spokesman Salvador Pan-

elo came to the defense of the Philippine National Police after rights groups alleged that the police authorities massacred the farmers.

“We have already a report on that. It’s a legitimate police operation. The search warrants were issued by a competent court, and they were implementing that,” Panelo said in a Palace press briefing.

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VOL. XXXIII • NO. 51 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P18 • TUESDAY, APRIL 2, 2019 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

PH protests Chinese tactics Palace official sets meet with Sino envoy

By Nat Mariano

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HE Philippines has filed a diplomatic protest against China over the presence of hundreds of Chinese vessels near Pag-asa Island in the West Philippine Sea, the Palace said Monday, even as it disputed a report that there were over 600 such boats circling the island.

STOCK-STILL SHIPS.

Manila has filed a diplomatic protest against Beijing over the presence of 275 unmoving Chinese vessels near the former’s waters in the West Philippine Sea, with Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo saying Monday he will ‘engage’ with China’s Ambassador to the Philippines Zhao Jianhua to discuss the concern.

In a Palace briefing, Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said an ABS-CBN report was exaggerated and that there were only 275 Chinese vessels spotted near the island from January to March this year.

He also insisted the Chinese vessels were not “circling” the island but were merely stationary.

He said he would meet with China’s Ambassador to the Philippines Zhao Jianhua to discuss the matter.

“Anything that concerns the security of the Philippines will always be a concern... We have already issued a diplomatic protest per the Western Command.

The DFA (Department of Foreign Affairs) has already made a diplomatic protest over it,” Panelo said.

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Two brothers arrested in Cagayan Rody starts budget scrutiny amid House-Senate row Mariano for alleged ties to ISIS terror group ByandNatMaricel V. Cruz

By Francisco Tuyay THE Islamic State attempting to propagate terrorism outside Mindanao fell short after two of its operatives were arrested in Cagayan by joint police and military personnel last week.

A belated police report identified the two as brothers Greg and Altero Cariaga, leader and member, respectively, of the Daesh-linked Syuful Khilafa Fi Luzon or Northern Jihadist Group.

The two were arrested in their supposed safe house in Dabbac Grande village, Baggao town, in Cagayan around 5:15 a.m. on March 28.

They were arrested on the basis of four search warrants issued by a judge in Baggao town.

The authorities confiscated two ISIS

flags, a 9mm pistol, an improvised explosive device, seven 9mm bullets, six cal. 38 revolver bullets and a backpack from Greg Cariaga, while Altero Cariaga yielded an M202 cal .38 revolver with four live bullets, an improvised explosive device and a belt bag with eight bullets for a .45 pistol.

The police in Cagayan said the Daeshlinked group was established in Baggao town in 2016.

The Cariaga brothers were the subject of intelligence operations under under Coplan “Al Ikwah.”

Philippine National Police Chief Oscar Albayalde said the arrest of the ISIS operatives in Cagayan was the first outside Mindanao as he allayed fears of its security implications.

They probably wanted to gain support for the ISIS,” Albayalde said. Next page

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte is still “doing his homework” and scrutinizing the 2019 national budget, the Palace said on Monday, expressing optimism that he will sign the P3.757-trillion spending bill within the week.

In a Palace press briefing, Panelo said the President has started going over the 2019 national budget amid alleged last-minute

propriations chairman Rolando Andaya Jr. said the Senate “sabotaged” the Duterte administration when it unilaterally decided to cut at least P83.7 billion from the government’s massive infrastructure program and other priority programs.

“It is the Senate that may find itself liable to the accusation of sabotage when it decided, unilaterally, to cut down the allocation for the President’s Build, Build, Build Program and other priority Next page

‘Yellow alert’ on low power; water bills cut

By Alena Mae S. Flores GRID operator National Grid Corporation of the Philippines has placed the Luzon grid on yellow alert for several hours on Monday due to insufficient operating reserves amid the forced and unplanned outages of power plants.

NGCP made the move even as Manila Water Services released a partial list of the villages that were “severely affected” by the water supply shortage that was experienced in parts of Metro Manila and Rizal province last month.

NGCP issued the yellow alert notice, which means that the reserve power is low, starting from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. and then again at 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

The yellow alert was lifted at 3:30 p.m. due to sufficient operating reserves brought about by low demand.

The Department of Energy said it was coordinating with the power industry players to ensure the delivery of elecNext page tricity to consumers.

ACHROMATIC FLAG. An ISIS flag, assorted firearms, ammo and parts for improvised explosive devices are recovered Monday by police from two suspected members of the Daesh-inspired group in Baggao, Cagayan. The extremist group ISIS has risen to international attention by establishing its so-called Islamic state across swathes of Iraq and Syria, it has proven itself as a powerful propaganda machine capable of attracting recruits from across the world and inspiring bloody terror attacks.

amendments and budget irregularities.

Last week, the Senate submitted an enrolled copy of the proposed national budget to the Office of the President.

Senate President Vicente Sotto III, however, attached a letter explaining his “strong reservations” over the itemized P75 billion worth of public works projects introduced by the House and urged the President to veto its “unconstitutional” provisions.

Meanwhile, House committee on ap-

World Bank lowers growth forecast BUSINESS B1

‘VALUABLE’ DISCUSSION. Speaker Gloria Arroyo (inset) meets up with

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang during the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference in Hainan, China. Arroyo described the discussion as ‘valuable’ and covered mainly the direction China is taking on its 40th year of reforms and its relationship with the rest of the woirld. Arroyo is on her second year as member of the BFA Board, which gathers together leaders in government, business and academic institutions throughout Asia to share their thoughts on pressing regional issues.

Remove illegal posters, bets told

By Vito Barcelo and Joel E. Zurbano THE Commission on Elections has ordered administration senatorial candidates to take down the oversized campaign materials featuring PDP-Laban party bets in an electronic billboard on a condominium building along EDSA. Comelec Commissioner Rowena Guanzon said in a series of Twitter posts

that the poll body issued the warning in response to criticism of the billboards featuring Maguindanao Rep. Dong Mangudadatu, former Philippine National Police Chief Ronald dela Rosa, former special assistant to the president Christopher Go, Senator Aquilino Pimentel III and former presidential adviser for political affairs Francis Tolentino, all senatorial bets of the ruling PDP-Laban party.

Tokyo chef’s burger fit for an emperor

Colored vulvas as feminist art

Banaue terraces built by Chinese?

TOKYO—A Tokyo restaurant is honoring the crowning of the new Japanese emperor next month with a footballsized wagyu beef hamburger served between gold-dusted buns—at an eye-watering cost of $900 (about P47,000).

LONDON—In a small, gloriously cluttered room, six women chat while they embroider brightly coloured vulvas, guided by Jess de Wahls, an artist teaching them both skills and how to break a few taboos.

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FILIPINOS have called the attention of the Melbournebased travel guide book publisher Lonely Planet for a video it published on social media, where it credited the Chinese for building the Banaue Rice Terraces in northern Philippines 2,000 Next page years ago.

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News

TUESDAY, APRIL 2, 2019

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

NPA fronts disguise as relief groups TO GATHER funds to be used in their effort to bring down the government, some front groups of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army are masquerading as relief organizations, an official said Monday.

Maj. Gen. Antonio Parlade Jr., the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ deputy chief-of-staff for civil-military operations, made the statement in a message to the Philippine News Agency.

In other developments: • The Philippine National Police on Monday urged parents to monitor the activities of their children, especially those that are not sanctioned or approved by their respective schools.

Police Chief Oscar Albayalde made the reminder as communist rebels use extracurricular activities to recruit members among unsuspecting students.

• Albayalde on Monday also commended the 18 police officers of the Victoria Municipal Police Station in Northern Samar who repulsed the attack of 50 communist rebels last week.

Parlade cited as example “Panday Bolig” as part of the groups allied with the communist movement, which use such tactics during the aftermath of typhoons “Yolanda” and “Pablo.”

“These front organizations appeal to the kind-hearted especially in Canada and US, Europe, Australia etc., but only a portion are spent for the actual rehabilitation,” Parlade said.

According to the revelations of former rebels and organizers, a good 60 percent of the solicited funds go to the CPP. Only 40 percent are spent for [rehabilitation], if at all. Reports from the California Filipino Communities last November 2018 said that their donations went unaccounted during the onslaught of ‘Yolanda’ for instance. Francisco Tuyay, with PNA

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The juicy three-kilogram (six-pound) whopper, painstakingly prepared by chefs at the swanky Oak Door steakhouse in Tokyo’s Roppongi district went on sale Monday.

It measures 25 centimeters (10 inches) in diameter and is topped with foie gras, slices of Japanese beef and freshly shaved black truffles.

“We wanted to do something to celebrate the new emperor and a new era for Japan,” head chef Patrick Shimada told AFP at a private unveiling.

“It also gets me more in touch with my Japanese roots,” added Shimada, a fourth generation Japanese American who concocted the jumbo dish.

“Doing this through an American-style burger using Japanese ingredients -- it’s kind of like myself in a bun.”

The Golden Giant Burger, which commemorates the coronation of Crown Prince Naruhito on May 1 and marks the ushering in of Japan’s new Reiwa Era, will stay on the menu until the end of June—although it costs a king’s ransom.

The super-sized feast, which is sprinkled with gold flakes, will set hungry diners back a meaty 100,000 yen ($903)— but comes with a bottle of wine to help soften the blow.

Japan’s current Emperor Akihito will abdicate at the end of April, becoming the first living monarch to step down in 200 years, relinquishing the Chrysanthemum Throne to his son. AFP

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Easily identifiable with her bright red lipstick and necklace of silver ovaries, the 36-year-old Berliner has made a name for herself with elaborate works with a sense of fun, but which address serious topics of gender inequality and social justice.

In De Wahls’ workshop in her home in Brixton, in the south of her adopted city of London, visitors are greeted by portraits of women.

Further inside, floral works jostle for attention with embroideries of a menstrual cup or bloodied tampon, while everywhere are the tools of her trade—embroidery hoops and patterns, thread and recycled fabric.

There is jewellery and embroidery in her trademark symbol, ovaries, which take on various incarnations depending on how the mood takes her—transformed as a cactus, as a rainbow in the sky, or a defiantly raised middle finger.

“Pick your vulva,” a smiling De Wahls tells her guests, as she offers different models to work from.

Her students today are from all over the world, and they marvel at the diversity of female genitalia, comparing their views of nudity that reflect their own backgrounds.

De Wahls is delighted at the free-flowing discussion, which also takes in the forthcoming opening in London of the “Vagina Museum”, the first of its kind. AFP

Graft court upholds Napoles conviction

By Maricel V. Cruz

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HE Sandiganbayan has rejected the plea of convicted pork-barrel queen Janet Lim-Napoles to reverse its findings on the case involving former Senator Ramon Revilla Jr. Revilla was acquitted in the case but his chief of staff, Richard Cambe, and Napoles were found guilty of misusing his Priority Development Assistance Fund amounting to P224.5 million.

The Sandiganbayan’s First Division denied the motion for reconsideration of Napoles, saying “the evidence [presented by the Ombudsman] is sufficient to establish the guilt beyond reasonable doubt.”

In its resolution issued on March 13, copies of which were made available only on Monday, the Sandiganbayan said the

scheme, where P124.5 million of Revilla’s pork barrel was plundered, would not have been possible without the conspiracy between Napoles and Revilla’s former legislative aide Richard Cambe.

“In sum, the totality of the evidence is sufficient to establish the guilt beyond reasonable doubt of Cambe and Napoles and for this, the present Motion for Reconsideration must fail,’’ the Sandiganbayan said.

Napoles, who is detained at the Correctional Institution for Women, had asked the Sandiganbayan to reverse her convic-

Pump prices down; LPG up

By Alena Mae S. Flores THE country’s oil firms rolled back the price of diesel by P0.30 per liter, kerosene

by P0.20 per liter, and gasoline by P0.10 per liter effective 12:01 a.m. Tuesday.

The same companies, however, raised the price of cooking gas or liquefied petroleum gas by as much as P1.25 per kilo, and automotive LPG by P0.70 per liter owing to the higher contract price of LPG for the month of April.

Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Philippines, Phoenix Petroleum Philippines, PTT Philippines and Eastern Petroleum Philippines announced the price adjustments, while other oil companies are expected to follow suit.

“After seven weeks of price hikes, Eastern Petroleum will slash the price of diesel

by P0.30 per liter and unleaded and premium gasoline by P0.10 per liter at 12:01 AM, Tuesday (April 2, 2019),” the oil firm said.

Unioil Philippines forecasted a price rollback of P0.30 to P0.40 per liter for diesel and P0.05 to P0.10 per liter for diesel.

The rollback ends seven successive

rounds of weekly oil price increase felt by consumers.

Price adjustments since the start of the year led to a net increase of P6.55 per liter for gasoline, P4.45 per liter for diesel and P3.35 per liter for kerosene.

On March 26, the country’s oil firms implemented a price increase of P0.65 per liter for gasoline and P0.10 per liter for kerosene and diesel.

Monitoring by the Department of Energy showed that oil prices remain supported by efforts by the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries and nonaffiliated allies like Russia to trim output, as well as plummeting Venezuelan output.

However, the increase in US crude inventories, for the week ending March 22, by 2.8 million barrels negated the increase in oil prices.

“Worries about oil demand have also limited oil price rally as manufacturing data from Asia, Europe and the United States pointed to an economic slowdown,” DOE said.

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projects,” Andaya said in a statement.

“We wish to put on record that the House of Representatives never made a move to reduce the 2019 budget for infrastructure projects as appropriated in the National Expenditure Program. In fact, the House introduced amendments increasing the budget for infrastructure projects without breaching the total amount pegged by the National Expenditure Program,” Andaya said in a statement.

“This would allow the Executive Department to spur economic growth through increased public expenditure.

We made sure, however, that such amendments will pass the test not only of constitutionality and legality, but also of transparency and accountability,” he added.

Panelo said the House of Representatives and the Senate should resolve their “internal problems.”

“That is an internal problem with respect to the two houses. They should resolve that. They are accusing each other [of] certain irregularities or acts in conflict with the Constitution. They should resolve that,” Panelo said.

“The President, I’m sure, will be factoring in all the statements made by both houses in going over the budget and then decide for himself,” he added.

Asked if the Palace expects the signing of the ratified 2019 general appropriations bill within the week, Panelo said: “I really don’t know. Hopefully. The President wants to have a new budget so I’m sure he’s already doing his homework on that.”

“These oversized campaign materials on electronic billboards are prohibited,” Guanzon said in her tweet, saying that “by public demand, candidates Bong Go and Tolentino please take down your posters now.”

Two days ago, Comelec spokesman James Jimenez also tweeted photos of Go’s campaign posters along Quezon Avenue.

“These posters are of the right size, but the location is wrong,” Jimenez tweeted.

Guanzon has already instructed Director Frances Arabe of the Comelec Education and Information Department to send notices of violations to the candidates as well as the billboard companies who will be found in violation of election laws.

The poll official said that the Comelec’s Campaign Finance Office can subpoena their contracts after they file statement of campaign expenditures.

Guanzon cited Comelec Resolution 10488 which serves as implementing rules and regulations of the Fair Elections Act for the May 2019 polls, parties and candidates may post their campaign materials only in all authorized common poster areas in public places as plazas, markets, barangay centers and the like where posters may be readily seen or read, and with the heaviest pedestrian or vehicular traffic in the city or municipality.

Posters and tarpaulins of political parties and party-list groups should only measure 12 feet by 16 feet or its equivalent but not exceeding a total area of 192 square feet. With Rio N. Araja

Banaue...

‘Yellow alert’...

The text on the video read “These mud-walled terraces were first built around 2,000 years ago by the Chinese.”

One Jose Ruperto Martir tweeted immediately Lonely Planet with screenshots of its inaccuracy, and said “Dear @ lonelyplanet , the Banaue Rice Terraces were built by Filipino indigenous people, not by the Chinese. “ Lonely planet, which claims to have sold 120 million books by 2011 and by 2014 had sold around 11 million units of its travel apps, said merely: “Thank you for flagging this, we’ll share this with our editors who’ll take a further look into it.

We’ll share updates/action points on this thread.”

What’s not yet taken down, as of posting, is a similar mistake on the Lonely Planet website. The travel guide introduced Banaue: The travel guide introduced Banaue: “The Banaue Rice Terraces are terraces that were carved into the mountains of Ifugao in the Philippines by the ancestors of the indigenous people. The terraces are occasionally called the ‘Eighth Wonder of the World.’ It is commonly thought that the terraces were built with minimal equipment, largely by hand.

What includes the facilitation of incoming plants that are undergoing commissioning and testing, such as Masinloc 3 for Luzon and Therma Visayas 2 for the Visayas.

Power distributor Manila Electric Co. assured its customers that when there is shortage of power supply, participants of the interruptible load program can deload from the grid and use their generating sets.

“In case of supply deficiency, corporations and commercial establishments participating under the ILP program are ready to use their generator sets to help prevent/minimize incidents of power outage,” Meralco said.

Meralco and NGCP urged the public to use energy more efficiently especially in summer when power the supply is lean.

Most hydropower plants have lower generation capacity during the dry months while demand goes up, thus tightening supply.

The power plant that went on a forced outage included Masinloc 2 (344 MW) while the plants that went on an unplanned outage included Pagbilao 1 (382 MW), SLTEC 1 (150 MW) and Malaya 2 (350 MW).

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tion, saying the acquittal of Revilla extinguished the plunder charge since the former lawmaker was considered to be the “main plunderer.

Napoles said she was merely a private individual and therefore could not have been the main plunderer, and that the illgotten wealth she supposedly received only amounted to P44 million or below the P50million threshold.

“While the court did not find sufficient evidence for the pronouncement of guilt on the part of Revilla, there is overwhelming evidence presented to show that his coaccused, Cambe, who is a government official together with accused movant Janet Lim Napoles, are the main plunderers in this case,’’ the court said.

But Napoles said the evidence against Cambe, Revilla’s chief of staff, showed he received kickbacks from Napoles worth P13.9 million, well below the P50-million threshold for a plunder case.

But the anti-graft court said the amounts cited by Napoles were only portions of the summary of the rebates submitted by whistle-blower Benhur Luy, and that Cambe further received P127.5 million in kickbacks from Napoles.

“It is clear that in the act of amassing and accumulation of ill-gotten wealth, Cambe did not act alone. He had a private individual, accused-movant Napoles, who not just aided him but was one in his design to amass and accumulate ill-gotten wealth,” the resolution read.

In the same resolution the Sandiganbayan said the Ombudsman failed to establish Revilla’s culpability.

“The bank deposits and property ownership of Cambe were not presented by the prosecution to prove that the monies paid

by Napoles intended for Revilla are not with him. This left enough doubt in the mind of the majority on the culpability of Revilla,” the court said.

PH protests...

Madrigal Jr. said Monday that sightings do not automatically mean there are more than 600 Chinese ships off Pag-asa Island, and that some vessels were sighted many times. He said the actual number would be closer to 200 vessels.

The Western Command based in Puerto Princesa, Palawan, is responsible for securing the province and its vast maritime domains, including the Kalayaan Island Group.

Madrigal said military patrols are regularly carried out together with the Philippine Coast Guard.

Asked if the AFP is recommending the filing of a protest on the matter, the AFP chief said that is the duty of the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea. The Department of National Defense said it is continuously monitoring the presence of Chinese vessels and their activities off the waters of Pag-asa Island.

“The Department of National Defense, meanwhile, has been communicating reports of the above [matter] to the Department of Foreign Affairs for appropriate action. Just as the Philippines honors our international obligations and protocols, we also expect other countries and their vessels to do the same especially when sailing and fishing in international waters. This is necessary in order to avoid any misunderstanding and to reduce tensions between countries in the region,” the DND said in a statement.

The agency encouraged Filipino fishermen to continue their fishing activities in the country’s waters and Exclusive Economic Zone.

After his meeting with Zhao for 50 minutes Monday afternoon, Panelo issued a statement saying that both sides recognize the value of the responsible use of marine resources in the West Philippine Sea, including the rich fishing groun of the Scarborough Shoal.

“Both officials likewise give importance to the existing bilateral consultation mechanism between China and the Philippines as an avenue to address possible issues in the West Philippine Sea and to resolve any conflict or misunderstanding that may arise therefrom,” his statement said.

He said they also discussed the country’s loan agreements with China, the ICC complaint and the influx of Chinese workers.

Zhao, he said, assured the Philippines that his government does not consent to any illegal entry or employment of its citizens here. With Rey E. Requejo, PNA

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Also on Monday, the Chinese ambassador said the complaint filed by former Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario and former Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales against Chinese President Xi Jinping before the International Criminal Court would not prosper.

“We think it is a kind of political action viciously targeting the Chinese leadership, so we don’t think it is a proper action that is based on fact,” Zhao told Palace reporters.

“It’s a fabrication and also a misuse of the mandate of the ICC.” Del Rosario and Morales had asked the ICC to investigate Xi and other Chinese officials for crimes against humanity in connection with China’s actions in the West Philippine Sea. On the report of Chinese vessels, Zhao said the Chinese government was cooperating with the Philippines to know the truth.

“We are cooperating with the Filipino side to verify if there is any truth to that kind of report,” Zhao told Palace reporters.

“I know there are fishermen from both sides, but whether the number is 600, whether they are surrounding the islands that you have people there, it is really up for further investigation and verification,” he said.

He added that the Chinese vessels were manned by fishermen.

“We have to verify media reports whether they are authentic or not. That’s the first step. If they are true, I’m sure both sides can handle the issue through diplomatic channels in a friendly manner,” Zhao added.

In its report, ABS-CBN News, quoted an official of the AFP Western Command as saying “the foreign vessels monitored in Pag-asa Island are all Chinese fishing vessels deployed in the vicinity of the sandbar.”

These vessels, ABS-CBN News said, quoting LTC Elpidio Factor of the Western Command, are considered “Chinese maritime militia and are occasionally complemented by Chinese Coast Guard vessel[s] to sustain China’s assertive presence in the vicinity of the sandbars.”

The Western Command and the Defense Department have since questioned parts of the ABS-CBN report, including the number of Chinese vessels.

Armed Forces chief Gen. Benjamin

Shootout,...

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‘‘And the 14 of them fought with the law enforcers, and they were killed in the process. Twelve of them were arrested and [authorities] are now doing the legal process,” he said.

On Saturday, the police said the 14 men engaged officers with search warrants for illegal firearms in a shootout, prompting them to return fire.

The National Democratic Front of the Philippines then confirmed one of the slain victims, identified as Edgardo Avelino, was the leader of Hugpong Kusog Mag-uuma (HUKOM) under the leftwing organization Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP). The rest, as stated by the NDFP, were civilians.

According to KMP, two of their members, namely Nestor Kadusale, a leader of KMP-Negros, and Azucena Garubat of Naghiusang Mag-uuma sa Panubigan, were also arrested.

The NDFP then called for justice, viewing the police operation as a mere display of abuse. Rights groups also insisted the men were farmers “asserting their rights to land.”

Karapatan party-list said the PNP conducted a “massacre” on defenseless

farmers allegedly tagged as members and sympathizers of communist rebels. The Federation of Agricultural Workers, also condemned the deaths.

Several leftist lawmakers denounced the latest killings, blaming President Rodrigo Duterte’s policies for the rising number of attacks on farmers.

The Palace official, however, shrugged off the concerns of rights groups and leftleaning lawmakers, reiterating that what happened remains a “legitimate police operation.”

“You know, that is the usual statement issued by those who are linked with the Communist Party of the Philippines,” he said.

In October 2018, nine farmers were killed when still unidentified men shot them as they were resting in their tents at the Hacienda Nene in Barangay Bulanon in Sagay City, Negros Occidental.

Both the PNP and the Armed Forces of the Philippines believed the victims were members of the National Federation of Sugar Workers (NFSW), a suspected front of the CPP-NPA. They even tagged the communist New People’s Army as the perpetrators of the killings.

A month after the killing, the Palace announced that Duterte ordered tadditional troops sent to several parts of the country to repress acts of lawless violence.

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Previously, the Rajah Solaiman Movement linked to the terrorist Al Qaeda that tried to establish a terror cell in Pangasinan was busted by police and military operatives.

Albayalde said the Daesh group that the Cariaga brothers had been establishing in Baggao town had so far not committed any atrocities in the area.

But he said both the police and the military were monitoring the potential movements of ISIS elements in the province.

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TUESDAY, APRIL 2, 2019 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

JBC opens nomination for associate justice post THE Judicial and Bar Council is now accepting nomination and application for associate justice post at the Supreme Court, which will be vacated by Associate Justice Mariano del Castillo when he reaches his compulsory retirement age of 70 on July 29.

In an advisory, the JBC said interested applicants must submit two complete sets of application or recommendation with conforme, together with all the documentary requirements “not later than 4:30 p.m. of May 14” this year.

“A recommendation or nomination filed in lieu of an application may be given due course only if the recommendee has signified his or her acceptance thereof either in the recommendation itself or in a separate document, and has submitted two complete sets of the documentary requirements,” the JBC said.

The JBC further said that the date of actual receipt of the complete documentary requirements of the applicant or recommendee shall be deemed as the date of filing.

“The qualification of applicants shall be reckoned from the said deadline,” it added.

Del Castillo is among the senior justices in the High Court, appointed in 2009 by then President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

In 2010, he penned the controversial decision on a case involving Filipinas sexually abused by Japanese soldiers during World War II where the petitioners said it contain “plagiarized” portions taken out of context to support the contention dismissing their plea.

Del Castillo served as the chairman of the 2018 Bar examinations.

Aside from Del Castillo, the JBC also opened the application for the post of chairperson of the Legal Education Board following the end of the term of Emerson Aquende last Jan. 13 and that of LEB regular member Zenaida Elepaiio, whose term also ended last Jan. 13.

She was representing the Integrated Bar of the Philippines in the LEB. Rey E. Requejo

LINKING ARMS. The Philippines’ military Lt. Gen. Gilbert Gapay, co-director of the joint US-Philippine military exercise, Undersecretary Cardozo Luna of National Defense, US Ambassador to the Philippines Sung Yong Kim, Gen. Benjamin Madrigal, Philippine military chief, and US marines Brig. Gen. Chirstopher McPhillips (from left) link arms during the opening ceremony of the annual joint military exercise at the military headquarters in Manila on Monday. AFP

SC upholds conviction of 2 in illegal drugs

By Rey E. Requejo

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HE Supreme Court has sustained the conviction of two persons in illegal drugs cases but exonerated four others for failure of law enforcement agents and the prosecution to preserve the integrity of the seized dangerous drugs.

In separate decisions, the SC upheld the conviction of Eric L. Sevilla of Panabo City in Davao del Norte and Frankie M. Magalong of Dagupan City in Pangasinan who were sentenced by the regional trial courts to suffer life imprisonment after finding them guilty of committing the crimes.

Acquitted were Hermogenes L. Managat and Dindo S. Caracuel of Los Baños, Laguna; Jonathan B. Vistro of Urbiztondo, Pangasinan; and Eduardo V. Catinguel of Bugallon, Pangasinan.

They were ordered released from prison unless being held for other valid cause.

The four decisions on the Sevilla,

Vistro, and Managat and Caracuel, and Catinguel cases were written

by Associate Justice Mariano C. del Castillo. Associate Justice Diosdado M. Peralta wrote the decision in the Magalong case.

Sevilla was arrested in 2010 for selling two packs of dried marijuana leaves to a policeman who acted as a poseur-buyer in a buy-bust operation.

He was charged in two cases—one for selling and the other for possessing dangerous drugs.

On Dec. 1, 2014, he was sentenced to life in prison for the sale of marijuana and 12 years for possession of the illegal

Pro-Duterte campaigner ’singled out’ A PRO-DUTERTE communications strategist, whose Facebook account was recently taken down, claimed this act was a way of weakening the support base of President Rodrigo Duterte and diminishing the chances of proadministration candidates from winning a seat in the May polls.

Nicanor Gabunada Jr., Social Media director of the Duterte Campaign, said he felt “singled out” when his account was taken down on Friday (March 29) because he expressed support for the President and his choice of candidates while the accounts of those who backed bets belonging to the opposition were not.

“There is a reason for me to suspect that they pulled down pages and groups associated with the President and the candidates of the President because they thought it will weaken the support base and also diminish the chances of pro-admin candidates. Big mistake,” Gabunada said in a statement.

Gabunada, who also manages a Facebook page called “Nic Goes Online,” pointed out that other pages taken down, which were pro-Duterte and pro-Duterte backed candidates, were not even associated with him.

“I have a feeling that I was singled out whereas the pro-opposition pages were not. There are pages Like Pinoy Ako Blog, Changescamming, Now You Know, to name a few who are anti-Duterte that are quite vicious,” Gabunada said.

According to Gabunada, since the start of Duterte’s 2016 presidential campaign, he had already been joining groups and was even included as member, moderator or admin of these groups.

“I am also participating in several FB chat groups and in these groups, I share with people my personal views, thoughts and comments on issues affecting our country,” Gabunada said.

“And I also encourage them not only to continue supporting the President and its administration but also encourage others to do so,” he added. PNA

drug by the Panabo City regional trial court.

The rulings were affirmed by the CA based in Mindanao on July 29, 2016.

The SC found Sevilla’s appeal unmeritorious.

Magalong was arrested on July 10, 2013 in a buy-bust operation in Dagupan City where the police confiscated 4.031 grams of shabu.

When arraigned, he pleaded not guilty to the charge of selling illegal drugs.

After trial, he was convicted by the RTC in a decision dated Feb. 11, 2015.

The ruling was upheld by the CA in a decision issued on Oct. 21, 2016.

In ruling on Magalong’s appeal, the SC said: “Verily, the prosecution was able to establish with moral certainty and prove to the Court beyond reasonable doubt that there is an unbroken chain of custody over the confiscated illegal drug, from the time it was lawfully seized and came into the possession of the apprehending officers up to the time it was presented and offered in evidence before the trial court.”

Ombudsman files charges vs Durano, 5 others

By Maricel V. Cruz

AT YOUR SERVICE. Applicants for certificates of birth, no marriage and death and authentication line up at the payment section of the newly-constructed eight-story building of the Philippine Statistics Authority along East Avenue in Quezon City. The PSA’s central outlet in Quezon City opened its operations on Monday. PNA

‘Balikatan’ instrumental to region’s stability THE annual “Balikatan” exercises between the Philippines and the United States has helped maintain stability in the Pacific Region.

“Exercise ‘Balikatan’ has become one of the premier military training events in the Pacific Hemisphere and has helped us to maintain regional stability, uphold international norms, combat violent extremism, alleviate human suffering, and much more,” said US Marine Corps Brig. Gen. Christopher McPhillips, also the American exercise director for the annual military maneuvers.

This year’s “Balikatan” exercises formally opened in a ceremony at the AFP Commissioned Officers’ Club at Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City Monday.

“Balikatan”, which means “shoulderto-shoulder” in Filipino, symbolizes the partnership between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and US Forces. Around 4,000 Filipino, 3, 500 American troops will be taking part in the exercises which will run from April 1 to 12.

The exercise also includes the participation of 50 members of

the Australian Defense Force for humanitarian and civic assistance projects and special operations forces training.

Philippine and US forces will conduct counter-terrorism training, amphibious operations, live-fire training, urban operations training, aviation operations, bilateral planning, subject matter expert exchanges, and humanitarian and civic assistance projects throughout Luzon.

“The 35th iteration of Exercise Balikatan is aimed at improving both AFP and US Forces’ inter-operability through trainings that are focused on mutual defense operations and counterterrorism. The goal of such is to enhance both militaries’ employment of forces and assistance in the event of crises that threaten the safety and security of the nation,” Philippine exercise director Lt. Gen. Gilbert Gapay said.

AFP chief-of-staff Gen. Benjamin Madrigal, in an ambush interview, said the exercises will help participating troops keep abreast in the latest technologies and equipment pertaining to defense. PNA

THE Ombudsman has filed graft charges against former Tourism Secretary Joseph Felix Mari “Ace” Durano over the “conceptualization and development” of the Tourism department’s 2009 wall calendar allegedly without public bidding.

Durano allegedly violated Section 3(e) of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act when he entered into a memorandum of agreement with PDP Digital Inc. worth P2.7 million in October 2008 for the purpose, based on the charge sheet filed by Graft Investigation and Prosecution Officer III Maria Vida Hechanova at the Sandiganbayan on March 22.

Durano’s co-accused include former Department of Tourism Undersecretary Oscar Palabyab and then-Bids and Awards Committee officials Grave Yoro, Eduardo Jarque Jr., Evelyn Cajigal, and Adriana Flor.

The Ombudsman said Durano unilaterally signed the MOA after issuing a certification that picked out PDP Digital Inc. as the Department of Tourism’s supplier on Dec. 2, 2008.

The Ombudsman said the BAC then concurred with the certification of Durano “without first conducting public bidding or industry survey to determine the supply source prior to the commencement of the procurement process.”

A bail of P30,000 has been recommended each of the accused.

The case signed by Ombudsman Samuel Martires on Jan. 29 has been raffled off to the Sandiganbayan’s Seventh Division.

Enrile: Sorsogon needs irrigation PUWERSA ng Masang Pilipino senatorial candidate Juan Ponce Enrile on Sunday underscored the need to put up more irrigation facilities for the agricultural sector as a measure to mitigate the ill effects of El Niño.

During his campaign in Sorsogon, Enrile said he saw the “devastating effects of El Niño to farmlands” and vowed to put up more irrigation facilities if elected into office.

“Since I started going around the country for my sorties, one thing I noticed is that provinces from Luzon to Mindanao are being hit hard by drought. That’s why I’ve made it a point to talk to farmers and growers in my stopovers,” the 95-yearold candidate, whose stamina during his nationwide campaign has rivalled even those of younger peers, said in an interview.

“Here in Sorsogon and in all the other places, they are asking for better irrigation facilities, more equipment, more infrastructure. Hindi lang ‘yan para masolusyonan yung El Niño ngayon. We need to mitigate the effects of this in the long haul,” the veteran lawmaker urged.

Sorsogon thrives on agriculture, with coconut, rice, corn, abaca, and pili nuts as the major products.

It is also rich in marine resources such as fish, crabs, clams, mollusks and seaweeds.

Take advantage of SPES—Jinggoy REELECTIONIST Senator Jinggoy Estrada encourages students to enroll in the Special Program for the Employment of Students this summer vacation to save up money for the incoming school year and gain relevant work experience.

“The Department of Labor and Employment is implementing the SPES for our students and out-of-school youth to ensure that they will continue and finish their education. I hope that the youth will take this opportunity to learn and earn at the same time,” Estrada said.

Interested applicants may submit their documentary requirements to the nearest Public Employment Service Office in their area.

According to the Implementing Rules and Regulations issued by the DOLE, applicants should submit copy of their birth certificate, Certificate of Indigence or low income issued by the barangay or social welfare office, copy of the student’s report card or certification as out-ofschool youth issued by the barangay chairman or social welfare officer.

Cayetano: Promote financial literacy ALEADERoftheHouseofRepresentatives has urged the country’s youth leaders to take the initiative in promoting financial literacy and entrepreneurship among members of their generation, as a means to secure their future.

“I want to plant these seeds in the minds of our youth leaders in the hope that they would come up with programs like this, and I would love to have the opportunity to help them also,” said Taguig Rep. Pia Cayetano.

Cayetano, a deputy speaker, made the suggestion after she had a sitdown discussion with leaders of the Sangguniang Kabataan Federation in San Fernando City last week.

In her talk with the SK leaders, Cayetano said she encouraged them to go beyond sponsoring the usual sports tournaments in their community, and try to initiate other programs that will promote financial literacy and entrepreneurship among their constituents. Maricel V. Cruz

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Opinion

TUESDAY, APRIL 2, 2019

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Journalism and press freedom I HAVE so many memorable events in my almost 70 years as a journalist.

One of these was when the Supreme Court cited me in contempt, not as a journalist but as a lawyer. I allegedly violated a rule not to come out with an unpromulgated decision of the High Court.

It all began when my wife and I attended a wedding reception of a close friend at the Manila Hotel.

What issue is at hand in the Ressa case?

One of the principal sponsors was Supreme Court Justice Abdulwahid Bidin, who was a friend and associate of my brother Desi. They were both justices of the Court of Appeals.

During the reception, I had the opportunity to talk to Bidin and ask him why there had been no decision yet on an urgent motion of the Department of Justice. The department was then headed by Secretary Franklin Drilon. The motion charged then-Senator Juan Ponce Enrile with rebellion with murder upon the instruction of President Corazon Aquino. This was in connection with the coup attempts of the Reform the Armed Forces movement. Enrile headed that group.

It was at that moment when Justice Bidin told me there was already a majority decision dismissing the charge against Enrile. The crime “rebellion with murder” was nonexistent because murder was already inherent in the crime of rebellion.

I asked Justice Bidin why the Court had not yet come out with the decision. He said that it was being delayed by a female lady justice identified with Mrs. Aquino.

In my mind, I was already thinking of a banner headline. It did become the headline the following day after I had cleared the story

with my then-editor in chief, Cip Roxas.

Almost immediately, the Supreme Court headed by Chief Justice Marcelo Fernan tried to minimize my expose. I insisted that my source was credible.

This was followed by calls from the opposition—and, if I am not mistaken, by the Integrated Bar of the Philippines and the Philippine Constitution Association—for the Court to immediately promulgate the decision.

My gulay, I was called by the Supreme Court to explain my expose and name my source. Otherwise, I would be cited for contempt.

I told the justices that my source was one of them. I asked for an executive session so that I could identify my source, But the justices did not agree to this. I insisted I made that expose in the pursuit of press freedom.

The next day, all newspapers came out with the headline that the Supreme Court has decided to cite me in contempt, not as a journalist but as a lawyer. I was told to pay P10,000 or go to jail. I refused to pay a single centavo because I did not believe in the decision.

I wrote that expose as a journalist, not as a lawyer!

I later found out that Justice Reynato Puno wrote a dissenting opinion where he said that as a journalist I enjoyed freedom of the press.

I also discovered that well-meaning friend paid my fine. I had wanted my lawyer, Tony Coronel, to seek a reconsideration, but he told me that the decision was already final and executory.

I have a copy of that decision and to this day, I cannot understand why I was cited in contempt.

My consolation was that my case became a question at the Bar exams. *** The exercise of press freedom comes to fore in the many cases filed against Maria Ressa, chief executive officer of online news site Rappler.

In a little over a year, some 11 cases have been filed against Ressa and Rappler.

Ressa’s legal problems began in January last year when the Securities and Exchange Commission decided to revoke Rappler’s Certificate of Registration and Incorporation. It allegedly violated the constitutional restriction on the ownership of media entities by having American Omidyar Network Turn to A5

Adelle Chua, Editor

EDITORIAL

I

What sovereign rights?

T IS remarkable how often the Palace appears to act as an apologist for Chinese transgressions on Philippine territory.

discuss the matter with Chinese Ambassador Zhao Jianhua.

This is the same envoy who only recently said there were limits to where Filipino fishermen could go in our own waters in the West Philippine Sea, after he was confronted about their harassment

by Chinese coast guard, in violation of an agreement by both sides to let fishermen navigate the South China Sea freely, except for marine protected areas.

We fail to comprehend what possible reason the Chinese would want Filipino fishermen to stay out of our waters. Surely they do not comprise a security or any economic threat.

On Monday, the ambassador said the Chinese were cooperating with their counterparts on the Philippine side to verify the truth of the latest report, saying that as far as he knew, there were fishermen on both sides.

Whether these were 600 or 275, he said, was up for verification, but said all these vessels were manned by “fishermen”—despite consistent reports of a Chinese coast guard presence.

In the latest example of this, Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo disputed a report saying that over 600 Chinese vessels have been circling Pag-asa Island, labeling this as an exaggerated claim.

"The reporter made an exaggerated report by distorting the total number of Chinese fishing vessels monitored in the Pag-asa Island. She also used an alarming statement as 'Chinese vessels have been circling Pag-Asa Island',” he said.

Quoting the Armed Forces, the Palace spokesman said “only” 275 Chinese vessels were spotted near the island from January to March— and that these were “stationary,” not circling the island.

To find out the true status of these vessels, Panelo said, he would

"We have to verify media reports whether they are authentic or not. That's the first step. If they are true, I'm sure both sides can handle the issue through diplomatic channels in a friendly manner," Zhao added.

Amid all this, the Palace says the country has filed a diplomatic protest against the presence of the stationary Chinese vessels. Given this administration's penchant for appeasing Beijing, however, we cannot say how vigorously such a protest will be pursued.

This is, after all, the same administration that set aside the country's legal victory over China when a UN tribunal ruled in July 2016 that Chinese claims to the South China Sea were excessive, and that the Philippines has exclusive sovereign rights over the West Philippine Sea. We are still waiting for this government to exercise those sovereign rights on our behalf, instead of quibbling about whether the hundreds of Chinese vessels are circling our island, or merely posted around it in a stationary manner.

Rolly and Perry, heroic scientists THIS IS belated, especially for Rolly Peña who was killed in an accident last November 30, 2018. For Perry Ong, who died of a heart ailment last March 2, 2019, this is still within the 40-day period of mourning. I had written my tribute to the former as early as January but decide to wait until the opportune moment to publish it.

Perry’s passing was that signal; as different as these two men were—in age (Rolly was 77 while Perry was 58), in personality (Rolly was a quiet presence while Perry was exuberantly passionate in everything he did), in expertise (Rolly was a geologist while Perry was a conservation biologist)—they were reunited by their affiliation to the University of the Philippines and shared a commitment to employ science to benefit the country, serve the people, and protect the planet.

Men Sta Ana, in his Businessworld column, described Rolly Peña as “a sweet gentleman, a gentle soul, a kind and humble man, a dedicated revolutionary.” Men quoted Dick Malay’s summary of the life of his close friend: “A competent geologist, board chairman of the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) exams for geologists, poet and essayist, principled revolutionary, humblest, kindest person I ever knew, constant companion in revolutionary struggles here and abroad, navigator of the MV Karagatan and MV Andrea with NPA (New People’s Army) crew. Never saw him get angry or say a negative word about somebody.”

During the memorial rites honoring Rolly, as reported in the ABS-CBN website, there was universal praise for his work and contribution to the science of geology in the country.

“He is the Philippines’ number one geologist.

He will remain an icon in the field of geology petrography,” according to Dr. Guillermo Balce, former director of Mines and Geosciences Bureau. Peña was the author of the Lexicon of Philippine Stratigraphy, published in 2008 and Geology of the Philippines, Volume Two, published in 2004, described by Malyn Tumanong, a fellow geologist mentored by Peña, as the “Bible of geologists.”

In those rites held in the National Institute of Geological Sciences (where he held office and where I often went to visit him), she described how Rolly worked as a geologist. According to Tumanong, “If he was described as possessing a third eye for rocks, he used his tongue to identify mineral content of rocks. He has a keen hand lens-assisted rock

analysis, and expertise in interpreting data from a petrographic microscope.”

Rolly also joined the scientific team that gathered hydrographic, ecological, geophysical data, and scientific investigations that would provide the evidence that Benham Rise is part of the continental shelf of the Philippines. My last engagement with Rolly was when he was working on the Benham Rise expedition and reached out to me on questions he had about the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. I had met Rolly 20 years earlier when he just surfaced from the underground to join us at the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. I did not know then the details of his involvement with the Communist Party of the Philippines and the New People’s Army. But it was clear to me, working with Rolly for three years on mining issues, that

Let’s remember these two men.

he was both a good scientist, a nationalist, and someone who would always side with the masses. It became a habit for me to always look for Rolly’s advice and approval for whatever strategy or position I would take on mining. He was totally dependable on the facts and reliable in his sentiments: propeople, pro-environment always; solid in his scientific knowledge and analysis. He was a mentor to me as he was to many others.

When news of Rolly’s accident spread, it was not just his colleagues in NIGS or the geology and mining communities that expressed sorrow. Those of us in the environmental community also lost a champion. Collegues in the Masungi Reserve said it best: “Sir Rolly was one of the foremost advocates for Masungi’s conservation - long before most paid attention. He's accomplished so much, yet despite this and being retired, he humbly, unfailingly, and enthusiastically cheered us on and worked with our team to establish research-based arguments for its protection. Through kilometers of walking and always with a quiet smile on his face, he stood by us like he stood for the many causes for this country that he believed in. He is an unsung national hero, a dear friend, a companion, and mentor.”

I agree with Men: “Rol died in an accident, crossing the street as a motorcyclist bumped him. Not a glorious death compared Turn to A5

Crowded House THE so-called “House of Man” that Metro Manila was touted to be during the martial law era, with promises of a utopia where residents were supposed to enjoy much more than the three basic needs of food, clothing and shelter to include water, power and mobility, among others, has turned out to be nothing less than a dystopian nightmare.

Today, the metropolis encompassing 16 cities and a municipality has an estimated total population of more than

Urbanization and the resulting growth in population have brought with them a slew of problems.

14 million (nearly 13 million as of the 2015 census). With an area of 619.57 sq. km., it is the second most populous and the most densely populated region in the country. It is also the 9th ninth most

populous metropolitan area in Asia and the 5th most populous urban area in the world.

And there’s the rub. Those numbers represent a dubious distinction, because urbanization and the resulting growth in population have brought with them a slew of problems.

There’s pockets of informal settler colonies with makeshift homes made of light materials cheek-by-jowl with imposing skyscrapers of concrete, steel and glass.

There’s also horrible traffic in major thoroughfares, as in EDSA, that makes motorists stew in gridlocks for hours.

Commuters, meanwhile, have to contend with overcrowding and frequent Turn to A5

Rolando G. Estabillo Publisher ManilaStandard

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

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Opinion Lender bender OVER the week-end, Senior Associate Justice Tony Carpio and Senior Columnist Scold Winnie Monsod ganged up on the administration for allegedly selling out the country’s patrimony to Chinese lenders.

To hear Carpio tell it, the Chinese can seize the country’s patrimonial as well as commercial assets anytime—including the oil and gas reserves under the Reed Bank—in order to satisfy an arbitral ruling in their favor.

As evidence, he pointed to the newly signed Chico River project loan agreement, under which he claimed that any arbitration must be held in Beijing, any court cases have to be brought in China, and the governing law will be Chinese.

It’s a dire, dire situation that Monsod dolefully described as “lutong macao— pun very much intended.”

As usual, with these guys, it’s a good idea to check the facts and the precedents for ourselves. What’s really going on? *** Here’s the response from the boys at the Department of Finance: Collateral is not mentioned in any of the country’s loan agreements, including the one for Chico River.

Instead, what’s provided for is an “arbitration clause” under which the Philippines, as borrower, agrees to participate in arbitration to settle any differences with China as lender.

In order to participate in arbitration, the Philippines has to waive its sovereign immunity “in connection with the arbitration or the enforcement of any arbitral award”, though NOT in connection with “any Philippine assets which are neither patrimonial nor commercial in nature”.

Note that our government has to affirmatively declare that a given asset is in fact patrimonial before it can be covered by arbitration. To his credit, Carpio unearthed a 1972 law declaring the Reed Bank to be, indeed, patrimonial. But let’s see below what other hoops the Chinese or any other lenders still have to jump through.

Whatever might happen, an arbitral award would still need to go through a Philippine court for validation before it can be enforced against us. The court will want to see that the arbitration was

fair, there was no collusion, and the award is consistent with the country’s public policy. *** So did the administration give the store away to the Chinese lenders in Chico River? Let’s do an actual comparison of the Chico River agreement with one from Japan (for the North-South commuter line) and Korea (new Cebu international container port), all three under Duterte; a fourth agreement with France (Cebu bus rapid transit-BRT) under Aquino; and another Chinese one (Angat dam) under Arroyo.

On choice of governing law: All five agreements are governed by the law of the lending country. This is a standard provision and will not surprise those familiar with such loan agreements.

Did the administration give the store away to the Chinese lenders in Chico River?

reviving ROTC—although, predictably, that’s being opposed by the same leftists who like to pillory Duterte for “selling us out” to China. *** At last the European Union will investigate if the millions of dollars it has been sending to local NGO’s over decades have in fact found their way to the CPP-NPA, an organization that the EU (and the US) have both declared to be terrorist in nature.

The tie-up between violent guerrillas and leftist elements of civil society has got to be one of the country’s worst-kept secrets. If every leftist NGO that’s denied any ties to the NDF legal front of the communists were telling the truth, there wouldn’t be any NDF at all.

And yet, sadly enough, one generation after another of young idealists swallows the lie, hook line and sinker. Every year these kids provide fresh fodder for the delusions of the ageing malefactors who’re trapped in Utrecht by the alluring comfort of their petty-bourgeoiserie.

Come to think of it, why stop with EU funds?

There’s every reason to extend the probe and look into what the NDF front that calls itself the “Makabayan bloc” of legislators is doing with the public funds they get from Congress. How much of that money ends up with their NPA col colleagues—together with confidential in information on natural security that may routinely cross their desks? *** Today’s Readings: Water is an important theme in today’s readings. In Ezekiel 47: 1-9, the exiled prophet shares his visions of a stream flowing from under the Temple in Jerusalem that will bring the Lord’s abundant blessings to his fellow Judahites in Babylonian exile.

In the Gospel (John 5: 1-16), Jesus encounters a sick man lying beside the Bethesda healing pool, also in Jerusalem, who was not healed for thirty-eight years because no one would help him into the pool whenever the underwater spring bubbled up. But Jesus doesn’t need to lead him there. He simply tells the man to take up his mat and walk, and the healing miracle happens.

Jesus is the miraculous water who brings, not only God’s blessings, but also the manifest Divine presence into our lives. All He asks in return—as he did of the man in Bethesda—is for us to turn away from sin.

On arbitration venue: Four agree agreements provide that arbitration will take place in the lending country (the fifth, with Korea, was either different or silent) On immunity waiver: The Chico River agreement with China under Duterte and the Cebu BRT agreement with France under Aquino contain virtually identical language about waiving immunity only for arbitration purposes and maintaining immunity for our assets except those which are commercial or patrimonial.

It seems evident that what really galls many of us about these new Chinese loans is not the language in the agreements—which is fairly standard—but the plain fact that these are the same guys who’re happy to harass our fishermen as they go about building up their island-based defenses against the US 7th Fleet and its submarines.

As ever, the less emotion is involved, the better for us. We are neither as strong as Vietnam nor as far-away as Indonesia if it comes to an open clash. Better to stay pacific and build up our business and people-to-people ties with them while we get our military act together. And Readers can write me at gbolivar1952@ one good place to start with the latter is yahoo.com.

Drugged maniacs behind the wheel WE NEED stricter law enforcement and imposition of stiff penalties to stem the rising incidence of road tragedies involving drivers that were drunk or high on illegal drugs.

With the continued proliferation of illegal drugs, it is about time to ensure compliance against driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs, particularly in the operation of public utility vehicles (PUV).

Recent drug tests conducted by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) at PUV terminals in different localities resulted in at least 55 out of 4,470 drivers of public utility vehicles (PUV) testing positive for drug use sus-

Crowded...

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breakdowns of the MRT3 during rush hours.

Urban residents are likewise vulnerable to flooding during the rainy season, forcing them to flee to the safety of government evacuations centers until the water recedes and life returns to normal.

Wonder no more that Metro Manila and other urban areas are cursed with too many people.

More than half of the country’s population of over 100 million now reside in urban areas, with four regions registering the highest levels of urbanization, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).

Data on the Urban Population in the Philippines collected from the 2015 population census shows that as of the reference year, the level of urbanization in the country stands at 51.2 percent.

This translates to 51.73 million Filipinos living in urban centers.

Compared with data from the 2010 census of population, the level of urbanization in the country was only 45.3 percent.

Across regions, aside from the National Capital Region (NCR), four regions registered the highest level of urbanization, surpassing the national level of 51.2 percent.

These were Calabarzon (66.4 percent), Davao region (63.5 percent), Central Luzon (61.6 percent), and SOCCSKSARGEN (51.6 percent). In 2010, the same five regions posted the highest level of urbanization.

pected to be shabu (crystal meth), marijuana or other illegal drugs.

One might say 55 is but a small percentage of 4,470 but we must consider the huge number of passengers they have on board the PUV buses and jeepneys that they operate day in and day out. A commuter or provincial bus carry up to 60 to 80 passengers at a time while jeepney load up to 25 passengers.

Note that 25 of the 55 who tested positive were PUV drivers in the Zamboanga Peninsula. Indeed, only a small percentage of the country's PUV drivers have been tested, and more mandatory drug testing at more PUV terminals will be administered under PDEA’s “Oplan Harabas.”

Bus, jeepney, taxicab and tricycle operators must require their drivers to pass regular drug testing before being deployed and report to the authorities those who fail the test. There have been reports that taxicab and tricycle drivers

are involved in drug trafficking, serving as "runners" for drug dealers.

Under Republic Act 10586 or "The Anti-Drunk and Drugged Driving Act of 2013," anyone found driving a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, dangerous drugs or other similar substances will have his professional license revoked.

Unfortunately, this law has been strictly imposed, allowing many drugged maniacs drive PUVs like rolling coffins, meaning that mind-twisting drugs lead to road tragedies and claim innocent lives, just-like drug-driven violent crimes.

PDEA Director-General Aaron Aquino disclosed that from January 2018 to January 2019, at least 3,654 drivers, bus conductors and dispatchers were arrested for violation of Republic Act 9165 or The Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

Those figures seem to me more like an “epidemic” of drugged driving cases.

Rapid urbanization in the country has been cited as the reason for various socioeconomic issues, such as the decline in productivity of the agriculture sector, and increased pressure to come up with alternative sources of electricity and water, as we have seen just recently.

This has also given rise to the need for affordable housing for the rising middle class and low-income population residing in urban areas.

The degradation of water quality in Manila Bay can be directly traced to the tributaries leading to this vital waterway clogged with solid waste and toxic effluents from factories and squatter colonies.

In the end, spasmodic and uneven development resulting from lack of centralized planning is responsible for making Metro Manila and other urban centers too crowded for comfort and breathing space—and glaring examples of decay rather than progress.

A question of credibility The leadership of the Philippine National Police should take note of the findings of the latest survey showing that majority of Filipinos believe that some police officers are involved in the illegal drug trade, extrajudicial killings (EJKs), and often plant evidence against drug suspects.

According to the results of the Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey conducted in December last year but released only recently, 68 percent of Filipinos believe that allegations that police officers are involved in the illegal drug trade, with 29 percent of them tagging the accusation as “definitely true” and 39 percent of them tagging it as “prob-

ably true.” Only 5 percent said the accusation was “definitely or probably not true,” while 26 percent said they were undecided.

On the issue of police officers’ involvement in extrajudicial killing of suspects, 66 percent believed this to be true, with 28 percent of them tagging the accusation as “definitely true” and 38 percent describing it as “probably true.” Again, only 5 percent believed the accusation to be “definitely or probably not true,” while 28 percent said they were undecided.

Lastly, 57 percent believed that police officers often plant evidence against arrested suspects, with 22 percent calling the accusation as “definitely true” and 35 percent tagging it as “probably true.” Only 9 percent believed otherwise, while 33 percent said they were undecided.

The survey findings contradict the official narrative that the killing of thousands of drug suspects since mid-2016 has been the inevitable outcome of the suspects resisting arrest and fighting back. Meantime, human rights groups insist that so far, no less than 20,000 alleged drug suspects have been killed under mysterious circumstances, with the police calling these as “deaths under investigation”.

Early this year, President Duterte vowed a “harsher” drug war in the weeks ahead. Will our law enforcers take this to mean as carte blanche authority to broaden the scope of the bloody war on drugs and more killings in the offing? ernhil@yahoo.com

TUESDAY, APRIL 2, 2019

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mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Secretary Virata would have disapproved Kaliwa loan terms anese financing with a considerably lower interest rate can be obtained for the Kaliwa Dam. As head of the DOF, Mr. Virata was a great lover of ODA (official development assistance, which had maturities of up to 40 years, with a 10-year grace period, and carried a less than 1-percent interest rate) and MORE than once have I said, in this col- during his fairly long incumbency the Philumn and elsewhere, that Cesar E.A. Virata ippine government exhausted the available is the best chief fiscal policymaker that the supply of ODA funds for its infrastructure Philippines has ever had. Why am I reiter- projects. It bears noting that in externalating this statement at this time? The pro- financing matters, Mr. Virata enjoyed the posed Kaliwa Dam, or, more specifically, full support of his boss, President Ferdithe terms of the agreement that the Duterte nand Marcos, and the Chief Executive administration intends to conclude—if it at no point indicated a preference for any has not done so already—with the People's particular country as a source of financing Republic of China for the financing of the for Philippine government projects. The water-supply facility. sources of external financing for virtually The present Secretary of Finance, Car- all Virata-era government projects were los Dominguez III, has defended, and con- the multilateral financial institutions—the tinues to defend, the terms of the proposed World Bank and the Asian Development Kaliwa loan agreeBank—and the ment with all the ODA facilities of skill and strength foreign governthat he can muster. ments.

It’s such a pity that All the terms and The patriotic conditions of the he no longer heads the and thoroughly agreement are fair professional and can pass inter- department. grand-nephew national standards; of Emilio Aguiall in all, it’s a good naldo would never deal, Mr. Dominhave agreed to all guez has declared. the other major Before I expound on why Cesar Virata terms and conditions of the proposed Kawould not have approved the proposed Ka- liwa loan agreement. Like the critics of liwa loan agreement if he were still head the agreement, he would have adjudged of DOF (Department of Finance), let us those terms and conditions to be unfair and recall the agreement’s salient terms and highly disadvantageous to the Philippine conditions. These relate to loan maturity government. I can almost hear Cesar Vi(and grace period, if any), interest rate, the rata saying, “We cannot have the Chinese bidding procedures (if the project will be choosing the principal contractor and subbidded out), the rules with regard to the se- contractors, hiring Chinese instead of Fililection of sub-contractors and the hiring of pino workers and having contract disputes personnel, the process to be followed in the arbitrated by a Chinese arbitral body sitting event of default—i.e., whether there will in Beijing. No way.” be a resort to arbitration—the venue and The contrast between the position beauthority of an arbitral body and whether ing taken by Secretary Dominguez on the China will have the right, in the event of proposed Kaliwa Dam loan agreement default by the Philippines, to seize the Phil- and the position that then-Secretary Cesar ippine government’s patrimonial assets.

Virata would have taken thereon could not Having been with the then-Central be starker. In effect, Secretary Dominguez Bank of the Philippines during most of the is saying that the Chinese arrangement is time that Cesar Virata was Secretary (later a very good deal; back then, Cesar Virata Minister) of Finance and Monetary Board would have disapproved the arrangement member, I think I can say with absolute as a very bad deal for this country. Is Mr. certainty that Mr. Virata would not have Dominguez right when he says that the agreed to sign a loan agreement bearing the proposed Chinese loan will be benefiterms and conditions of the proposed Ka- cial to this country, or would Cesar Virata liwa loan agreement. He would have ad- have been right if he had said that the loan judged the Kaliwa agreement terms to be would end up being bad for the Philippine grossly disadvantageous to the government economy? of the country for whose independence The proposed Chinese loan for the Kahis great-uncle Emilio Aguinaldo bravely liwa Dam is a very bad deal for the Philipfought. pines. Cesar Virata would have rejected its Certainly, Secretary Virata would not terms and conditions. It’s such a pity that he have approved a 2-percent annual interest no longer heads the department that has the rate if lower-cost funds could be obtained authority to make this country’s externalelsewhere. It has been established that Jap- borrowings decisions.

Rolly...

From A4 to the martyrdom of many of his comrades.

But his contribution to our people and country is invaluable, notwithstanding an unattained revolution. More, he touched the lives of different sorts of people, and he imparted life lessons to us. A hero of everyone, thus his death was not in vain.”

This—a hero to everyone—also summarized the life of Dean Perry Ong, who died in a Binondo hospital last March 2. A devoted son, Perry was in his parent’s house, both octogenerians, to minister to them when he felt sick. Not wanting to bother anyone, he took a tricycle to go tp the hospital where he collapsed and could not be revived. As his mother told me when visited his wake, “Perry took care of everyone but did not watch out for himself.”

We were all shocked when Doc Perry, as he was fondly referred to by many of us who worked with him in the many environmental and biodiversity organizations he led or was part of, died. He was a pillar in the conservation movement, a strong advocate for the use of science in policy and decision making in forest conservation efforts, a champion for the use of native trees species in forest conservation, and a firm believer in the participation of communities in forest management decisions.

I met Perry in 1996 when he had just returned from Australia after obtaining his PhD and I had taken on a position as environmental undersecretary. Since then, we have come together many times, always as allies and friends.

Among others, Perry was a founding officer of the Forest Foundation of the Philippines (which I currently chair), and helped shape our area priorities, conservation approach, and grant making strategies.

Journalism...

From A4 in control of Rappler through Philippine Depository Receipts.

In all these cases, Ressa and Rappler have been blaming President Duterte for curtailing the freedom of the press just because Rappler has been critical of his war against drugs.

So is press freedom the issue here?

From the point of view of human rights advocates, press freedom is being suppressed.

But I cannot see how all the charges are connected to the violation of press freedom.

Our Executive Director Onggie Canivel recalls that as chair of the Foundation’s Program Committee, Doc Perry enabled the conservation of forests in key biodiversity areas in Luzon, Palawan and in Mindanao as well and critical habitats for the Philippine Eagle and the tarsiers in Bohol and Eastern Mindanao. He was instrumental in developing our community conservation approaches and was always sympathetic to the welfare of forest dependent communities. During our learning visits to project sites, he found time to share his knowledge and expertise on biology and conservation approaches with staff and local stakeholders.

Whether on field or in our board room, Doc Perry was a critical thinker and a problem solver, hence we often sought out his counsel. More importantly, he was an optimist, and often ended difficult deliberations and decisions exclaiming: “Kaya natin ‘yan!”

This is also why, as Chancellor Michael Tan has written in his Inquirer column, Doc Perry was a great dean of the College of Science of the Diliman Campus of the University of the Philippines.

While his absence will be felt, the Foundation is developing a Dr. Perry Ong Fellowship Program in honor of his life’s work that will recognize outstanding individuals in the field of conservation biology, and foster research and publications. The Board of Forest Foundation has approved, subject to details, to launch this program.

In these times when the country seems to be adrift, without heroes and models, let’s remember these two men—Rolando Peña, an expert on rocks, and Perry Ong, master of the diversity of life—colleagues in the University of the Philippines, comrades in the fight for environmental protection and social justice, and heroic scientists for the Philippines, for people, and for planet.

Facebook Page: Professor Tony La Viña Twitter: tonylavs After all, those cases are not in connection with anything published on Rappler.

Moreover, there is a real case of violation of ownership restrictions.

What Ressa, Rappler and their supporters are saying is plain baloney.

Just look at Ressa. She seems to be enjoying her notoriety.

The opposition also looks funny when they defend Ressa because hey really do not understand what freedom of the press is all about.

Some of my colleagues in media might say I am a Duutertard, but I don’t mind. All I am saying is that there are laws and we must live by them.

News

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TUESDAY, APRIL 2, 2019 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Trader denies hand in bro’s murder

By Rey E. Requejo

S

UBIC-BASED businessman Dennis Sytin on Monday denied involvement in the killing of his older brother Dominic in November last year.

The executive of vehicle importer United Auctioneers Inc. showed up before the Department of Justice and sought the dismissal of murder and frustrated murder filed against him by the Philippine National Police.

In his counter-affidavit, Sytin questioned the credibility of arrested gunman Edgardo Luib who pointed to him as the

mastermind of his brother’s murder.

“Luib, the self-confessed gunman of Dominic, is a polluted source whose statements must be viewed with the greatest caution and circumspection. He is motivated by self-preservation and protection of a childhood friend and kumpadre,” the businessman told the investigating panel headed by Senior Assistant State

Prosecutor Juan Pedro Navera.

Sytin said that there was no clear and categorical evidence to support Luib’s claim.

“There is no physical evidence which shows any purported link to the planning and perpetration of the crime to corroborate Luib’s statements,” he said.

Sytin said he had never met Luib and that the evidence pointed to the other respondent, Oliver Fuentes alias Ryan Rementilla, as the brains behind the killing.

Fuentes is expected to appear before the DOJ in the next preliminary investigation hearing on April 15.

Luib was arrested in Batangas last

March 5. He executed an extrajudicial confession that identified the younger Sytin as the mastermind and tagged Fuentes in the killing. Luib said he was promised P1 million to kill Dominic, but was paid only P50,000.

The older Sytin, founder and chief executive officer of UAI, was killed in front of the Lighthouse Hotel in Subic on Nov. 28 last year. His driver, Efren Espartero, was wounded when he tried to fight back.

Investigators believed that the killing had to do with an alleged fight over control of shares of UAI, one of the country’s biggest auction firms.

MILESTONE. A historic event has been added an important footnote in the journals of Maguindanao’s five biggest ancestral clans namely Ampatuan, Mangudadatu, Sinsuat, Midtimbang and Mastura as they gathered together for a thanksgiving luncheon or Kanduli in Maguindanao tradition at the Sultan Kudarat Municipal Hall on April 1. After almost a century of family feuds, political rivalries, land conflicts and settle family feud (Rido), the said clans show to the world that peace is possible when everyone will partake in order to achieve it. This is a momentous milestone right after the newly inaugurated Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao government moves forward for the betterment of Maguindanao people and the whole of Muslim communities in Mindanao. Mark Navales

Aliens caught operating gambling den in BI jail Ex-Palace official Ignacio named as new SSS president

By Vito Barcelo

By Nat Mariano PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has appointed Social Security Commission chairman Aurora Cruz Ignacio as president and chief executive officer of Social Security System.

The President appointed Ignacio on Thursday. Her appointment paper, however, was only released by the Palace on Monday.

Before heading the SSC, the governing body of the SSS, Ignacio was named as Assistant Secretary for Special Projects at the Office of the President. She was even designated as the focal person for anti-illegal drugs.

Ignacio’s appointment as the new SSS chief came after Emmanuel Dooc resigned as the agency’s president and CEO. Dooc resigned at the same time Republic Act No. 11199, or the Social Security Act of 2018, took effect.

In his letter to Duterte, Dooc said that he “voluntarily and irrevocably stepped down” to provide the President the opportunity to name a new SSS chief.

Two weeks ago, the state-run pension fund announced that the increase in contribution rates from 11 percent to 12 percent will be implemented starting April 1.

The new legislation, signed by the President last month, allowed the SSS to increase the monthly contribution of its members. It will also further increase by one percent every other year until it reaches 15 percent in 2025.

The said law is expected to generate an additional ₱31 billion for the pension fund, adding 13 more years to its fund life up to 2045.

Meanwhile, the President also signed last-minute appointment papers of eight government officials to the departments of Trade and Industry, Labor and Employment, Education, Interior, and Local Government, Agriculture, Finance, and others.

He also signed the appointment of Dennis Dagohoy as a member of United Coconut Planters Life Assurance Corp.’s board of directors, Herminia Roman as a member of Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority’s board of directors, and Dexter Galban as one of the commissioners of NEDA’s Commission on Population and Development.

IMMIGRATION operatives conducted a surprise inspection at the BI jail in Taguig, and found online gambling gadgets, cash and checks from foreign inmates.

The raiding team, headed by BI Intelligence Deputy chief Melody Gonzales. said the raid was conducted inside the dormitory of the BI Warden Facility at Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City, where several Chinese nationals were arrested and detained for operating illegal gambling dens in Metro Manila and in Pampanga.

Found during the raid were more

than P130,000 in cash, checks, laptops, computer monitors, routers, cellphones, OTPs and flash drives, which the detained foreigners are using to operate a secret online gambling den inside the BI jail.

Also found during the raid were several credit cards used in their illegal activities. The raid inside the BI jail was the second this year, where operatives seized bladed weapons, mobile phones, laptops, DVD players, and other prohibited items.

According to the Office of the Commissioner, the raid on BIWF was prompted by reports that high-profile inmates are running illegal trade behind bars.

The raiding team conducted surveillance operation in the BI Warden Facility for more than two months, which confirmed the illegal online betting activities of the Chinese inside the detention cell.

The raid, aided by K9 units, did not yield illegal drugs but authorities found cash stuffed inside pillows, while the computers were neatly covered by blankets and clothes.

All gadgets recovered from the suspects will be put under forensic examination to gather details on their illegal activities.

The BI ordered an investigation on the smuggling of high-tech gadgets inside the jail.

DAR stops turnover of two infra projects

By Rio N. Araja

PEACE COVENANT. Mayoralty candidates for the City of Manila led by former Vice Mayor Isko Moreno (not in photo) and former Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim sign a Peace Covenant Candidates at the Manila Cathedral Church organized by the Poll Election Watch Dog and Manila Police District for clean, honest and peaceful election in Manila. Lino Santos

NCRPO to deploy 11k cops for Holy Week NATIONAL Capital Region Police Office chief Maj. General Guillermo Eleazar said that his office will deploy more than 11,000 to ensure security for everyone during the coming Holy Week.

In a television interview, Eleazar said the bulk of the policemen will be deployed in transportation hubs and terminals as Filipinos are expected to flock to their respective provinces during the Lenten season.

“Tayo po ay magtatalaga ng karampatang number ng opisyal natin diyan sa transportation terminals subalit magbabantay din po tayo sa mga bahay na kanilang iiwan,” Eleazar said.

“Tayo po ay magtatalaga ng more

than 11,000 personnel dito po sa kasagsagan ng Semana Santa, not to mention the force multiplier na tutulong sa atin,” he added.

Earlier, the NCRPO chief earlier said Metro Manila cops will be on full alert status during the Holy Week, while at the same time, assured the public that at present, everything is under control in Metro Manila as there are no direct threats being monitored across the metro.

“Makakaasa po ang ating mga kababayan na maging mapanatag dahil sa ngayon po naman ay everything is under control. Nakita naman natin na generally peaceful po itong ating sitwasyon sa Metro Manila,” Eleazar said.

AFTER ascertaining that there were indeed several defects in the two farmto-market roads in Mindanao’s Sultan Kudarat, the Department of Agrarian Reform has stopped the turnover of these infrastructure projects.

Undersecretary for Foreign-Assisted Special Projects Bernie Cruz ordered the deferment of the transfer of management and maintenance of a P34.55-million farm-to-market road to officials and residents of Barangay Masiag, Bagumbayan town after he and Mayor Jonalette de Pedro discovered that the contractor used thinly layered gravel and sand in some portions of the 4.15-kilometer road project.

“We will call the attention of the contractor, Cofejok Construction, to rectify the defects. We cannot turn over any projects that are found defective,” Cruz said.

Cruz, De Pedro, other local officials and even residents took a short walk over the newly-built road but got stuck in the sticky red clay.

The agrarian reform official also postponed the turnover rites of the P7.36-million farm-to-market road in Isulan town, which was constructed by the same construction firm, upon the request of Mayor Maritess Pallasigue due to some cracks observed by the town engineering office during an ocular inspection of the 0.822-km. road connecting Barangay Mapantig proper to the national road.

He told the Cofejok Construction to conduct corrective measures, saying this directive should send a strong signal against other erring contractors.

4 OFWs in HK infected with measles amid outbreak OVERSEAS Filipino workers in Hong Kong have not been spared by measles as at least four of them were infected with the disease amid an outbreak there.

According to a television report, no less than the Philippine Consulate in Hong Kong confirmed that the four Filipinos infected were working as household helpers in Hong Kong.

The measles outbreak has prompted Hong Kong’s Department of Food and Health to advise Filipinos who went on vacation in the Philippines to undergo vaccination against measles before going back to work in Hong Kong.

The same advisory from Hong Kong’s Department of Food and Health has also been sent to Overseas Filipino Worker organizations.

A dialogue was held by Hong Kong’s Health department officials and OFW groups to set clear guidelines on how to implement the policy, especially on OFWs who already had the anti-measles vaccine even before the outbreak in Hong Kong happened.

Stop throwing trash in creeks, DENR urges residents RESIDENTS along major waterways in the metropolis have been urged to become environmentconscious by not throwing trash in creeks and rivers to help fast-track the cleanup of Manila Bay and its tributaries.

During the cleanup of the Maytunas Creek in San Juan City’s Barangay Addition Hills, Department of Environment and Natural Resources Assistant Secretary Joselin Marcus Fragada said preventing the throwing of trash in waterways would significantly reduce the blanket of trash in creeks, which would make it easier to clean up Manila Bay. The Maytunas Creek flows into San Juan River, a major tributary of Pasig River, which flows into Manila Bay. Trash that make it into the river can be swept out into the bay.

“Many factors are contributing to San Juan River’s problems but one thing that can help right away is for us, as individuals, to be conscious about not throwing trash there,” Fragada said on Sunday during a program in San Juan City’s Barangay Addition Hills where the DENR spearheaded the cleanup of the Maytunas Creek.

The Maytunas, Ermitanyo, Mariblo, Diliman, Dario and Culiat creeks are tributaries of the 10.58-kilometer long San Juan River, which flows through the cities of Quezon, San Juan, Manila, and Mandaluyong.

The Maytunas Creek cleanup was among the activities that kicked off the Metro Manila-wide “Battle for Rivers and Esteros” simultaneous cleanup of Manila Bay’s tributaries.

Fragada said one of the major pollutants of Manila Bay are the wastes from its tributaries.

He said cleaning up tributaries is part of efforts to rehabilitate Manila Bay. To boost rehabilitation efforts for Manila Bay, he said, the Interior department has already ordered barangay local government units to undertake a weekly cleanup of waterways in their respective areas of jurisdiction.

“We made a pledge today as individuals to become conscious of the environment,” Fragada said.

“Tarpaulins we gave to barangays earlier are only signs we want cleanliness in San Juan River and Manila Bay. Try placing these tarpaulins in strategic places. Create consciousness.”

Making people environmentconscious is essential to the success of Manila Bay’s cleanup and rehabilitation. “River cleanup is a long process, so let’s start here,” he added. PNA

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK Manila

Standard

Sports

TODAY

Warriors rout Hornets, regain top spot in West T

HE NBA champion Golden State Warriors routed the Charlotte Hornets 137-90 Sunday, bouncing back from a frustrating defeat to regain first place in the Western Conference.

Stephen Curry scored 25 points, Klay Thompson added 24 and the two combined to make 11 three-pointers as the Warriors overcame the second quarter ejection of DeMarcus Cousins for a flagrant foul.

The victory pushed the Warriors one game ahead of Denver atop the West after the Nuggets were upset 95-90 at home by the Washington Wizards.

The Warriors improved to 18-6 this season in games following defeats.

They fell 131-130 in overtime at Minnesota on Friday in a clash that left the Warriors fuming over the officiating.

Golden State took it out on the Hornets, seizing a 10-point lead in the first quarter.

They were up 49-38 when Cousins appeared to accidentally hit Willy Hernangomez in the head and was tossed.

The Warriors didn’t miss a beat, racing on to a 71-49 halftime lead.

They entered the fourth quarter leading 105-72 and Warriors coach Steve Kerr rested Curry, Thompson, Draymond Green and Kevin Durant for all of the final period.

“It was a great night,” said Kerr. “I was really pleased also with the way the bench unit closed the game in the fourth quarter. It was a really good, complete game for us.”

The Nuggets weren’t the only playoff-bound team to fall to lesser opponents on Sunday, as the Milwaukee Bucks, San Antonio Spurs and Okla-

homa City Thunder all lost.

Rookie Trae Young drained a buzzer-beating basket to give the Atlanta Hawks a 136-135 overtime victory over depleted Milwaukee.

The Bucks, with Most Valuable Player candidate Giannis Antetokounmpo resting his sprained ankle, also had Khris Middleton sidelined by a sore left groin while Eric Bledsoe never came off the bench.

Justin Anderson led the Hawks with 24 points and 12 rebounds. John Collins added 13 points and 12 rebounds and Alex Len chipped in another 23.

But it was Young who emerged the hero, corralling a deflected inbounds pass with his left hand and firing the game-winner that was upheld upon video review.

Sterling Brown, who missed a potential game-winner in regulation, put Milwaukee up on a layup with 1.1 seconds left in overtime but his team-leading 27 points weren’t enough. AFP

A7

TUESDAY, APRIL 2, 2019 sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

On Kevin Belingon’s illegal blows I WATCHED with keen interest the slo-mo replAy of the supposed illegal blows by Filipino Kevin “The Silencer” Belingon against challenger Bibiano Fernandez of Brazil in their battle for the ONE Bantamweight world title in Tokyo, Japan.

Fernandez declared that he could not continue and took the win and the title by disqualification win.

It was the rule.

The referee saw it the best decision under the circumstances.

Fernandez, who seemed to be leading slightly after two rounds, landed a takedown in the third and immediately took half guard.

Belingon attacked from his back, unleashing a couple of elbows.

The way I saw it, the first one landed partially on the right ear of Fernandez and to me, it appeared to be a legal hit. In the process of the attack, Belingon followed it up with another elbow.

But this time, Fernandez was quick-and wise enough to hide his head, and the blow landed on the back of his head. The second one was absolutely an illegal one.

The referee gave Fernandez five minutes to rest after that incident and decide to continue or not.

I’m not sure if there is an automatic rule for disqualification as a result of illegal blow, whether it was intentional or not. Or was the referee given the blanket judgment on this particular instance?

Fernandez did not stand up after the five-minute rest and decided not to continue.

After the referee gave Belingon the red card and the announcement of the technical victory for Fernandez, it looked as though the Brazilian could still go on and fight.

From my years of experience as a profesManila

SCN FORM NO. 1 Standard (R.A. NO. 9139)

00149

traditions and ideals of the Filipino people. I have all the qualifications and none of the disqualifications under Republic Act No. 9139.

TODAY

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON NATURALIZATION IN THE MATTER OF THE PETITION OF GLENN G. SO to be naturalized as Filipino citizen pursuant to Republic Act No. 9139.

Top-seeded Duke U ousted as March Madness enters Final 4 TOP-SEEDED Duke University and their superstar Zion Williamson were toppled by Michigan State Sunday as the Final Four were set in the NCAA collegiate basketball championship.

The Blue Devils, crowned NCAA champions six times under iconic coach Mike Krzyzewski, fell 68-67 to bow out of the “March Madness” knockout competition that is one of the highlights of the US sporting calendar.

Kenny Goins drained a three-pointer with 35 seconds left that put the Spartans ahead for good and Duke went scoreless on their final three possessions as the second-seeded Michigan State reached the semi-finals.

Duke saw their season end in the quarterfinals dubbed the Elite Eight for the second straight year.

Williamson scored 24 points with 14 rebounds, three steals and three blocked shots in what was almost certainly the finale of his collegiate career.

At 18, he has already drawn comparisons to NBA superstar LeBron James and is expected to announces his plans to enter next June’s NBA draft, in which he is a likely No. 1 choice.

Duke wasn’t the only favorite to miss out on a trip to the Final Four, which will take place April 6-8 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Auburn reached the semi-finals for the first time with a 77-71 overtime win over Kentucky—having already beaten perennial contenders Kansas and North Carolina.

Texas Tech are also in the Final Four for the first time after beting Gonzaga 75-69.

Michigan State will play Texas Tech in one national semi-final Saturday in Minneapolis. Auburn will take on the University of Virginia, who advanced with an 80-75 overtime win over Purdue. AFP

PETITION Pursuant to the provisions of Republic Act No. 9139, petitioner hereby submits a petition for naturalization to become a citizen of the Republic of the Philippines and respectfully declares: 1. My full name is Glenn Go So, but I have also been known since childhood as Glenn, or I have been judicially authorized n/a . to use the alias name(s) 2. My present place of residence is 31-8 Doña Maria St., Diamond Subdivision, Balibago City/Municipality of Angeles Province of Pampanga, and all my former places of residence are (please indicate periods of residence):

Republic of the Philippines Department of Education REGION IV-A CALABARZON Gate 2, Karangalan Village 1900 Cainta, Rizal

8 Narra Road, Angeles City 992-L San Andres, Malate, Manila

INVITATION TO BID SUPPLY & DELIVERY OF SCIENCE AND MATHEMATICS EQUIPMENT PACKAGES FOR PUBLIC JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOLS GRADES 7 TO 10 AND PUBLIC SENIOR HIGH SCHOOLS GRADES 11 & 12 1.

The DepED Region IV-A CALABARZON, through the downloaded fund of the Central Office under SARO Nos. OSEC-4A-18-15180 and OSEC 4-A-18-1596 intends to apply the sum of Four Million Ninety Seven Thousand Seven Hundred Thirty Eight Pesos Only (Php4,097,738.00) being the Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) to payments under the contract for the Procurement of Science and Mathematics Equipment for Junior and Senior High Schools (Grades 7 to 10 and Grades11 & 12). Bids received in excess of the ABC shall be automatically rejected at bid opening.

Lot No. I

II

Description SME for Grades 7 to 10 consists of: -Science Equipment, Supplies and Cosumables -Mathematics Equipment -Glasswares, Plastic Wares & Porcelain Wares -Chemicals SME Grades for Grades 11 & 12 consists of: -Science Equipment -3D Models and globes -Glass and Plastic Wares -Chemicals

Approved Budget Php2,446,897.00

Php 1,651,841.00

The DepED Region IV-A CALABARZON now invites bids for the Procurement of Science and Mathematics Equipment packages for public Junior High Schools Grades 7 to 10 and public Senior High Schools Grades 11 & 12. Delivery of the Services is expected for the Contract duration of sixty (60) calendar days.

Bidders should have completed, within five (5) years from the date of submission and receipt of bids, a contract similar to the Project. The description of an eligible bidder is contained in the Bidding Documents, particularly, in Section II. Instructions to Bidders.

2.

Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using a nondiscretionary “ pass/fail” criterion as specified in the 2016 Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act (RA) 9184, otherwise known as the “Government Procurement Reform Act”. (i)

3.

Bidding is restricted to Filipino citizens/sole proprietorships, partnerships, or organizations with at least sixty percent (60%) interest or outstanding capital stock belonging to citizens of the Philippines, and to citizens or organizations of a country the laws or regulations of which grant similar rights or privileges to Filipino citizens, pursuant to RA 5183.

Interested bidders may obtain further information from DepED Region IV-A CALABARZON (BAC Secretariat) and inspect the Bidding Documents at the address given below during office hour at 8:00am to 5:00pm Monday to Friday.

A complete set of Bidding Documents may be acquired by interested Bidders on April 2, 20 19 to April 23, 2019 from the address below and upon payment of the applicable fee for the Bidding Documents, pursuant to the latest Guidelines issued by the GPPB, in the amount of Five Thousand Pesos (Php5,000.00) Only.

Note: (For lot procurement, the maximum fee for the Bidding Documents for each lot shall be based on its ABC in accordance with the Guidelines issued by the GPPB; provided that the total fees for the Bidding Documents of all lots shall not exceed the maximum fee prescribed in the Guidelines for the sum of the ABC of all lots.).

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

4.

5.

The DepED Region IV-A CALABARZON will hold a Pre-Bid Conference2 on April 10, 2019 at 10:00 a.m. to be held at the Bulwagan ng Karangalan, DepEd IV-A, Cainta, Rizal which shall be open to prospective bidders.

Bids must be duly received by the BAC Secretariat at the address below on or before April 23, 2019 at 10:00 a.m. . All Bids must be accompanied by a bid security in any of the acceptable forms and in the amount stated in ITB Clause 18.

Bid opening shall be on April 23, 2019 at 10:00 a.m. at the Bulwagan ng Karangalan.

Bids will be opened in the presence of the bidders’ representatives who choose to attend at the address below. Late bids shall not be accepted.

6.

7.

The DepEd Region IV-A CALABARZON reserves the right to reject any and all bids, declare a failure of bidding, or not award the contract at any time prior to contract award in accordance with Section 41 of RA 9184 and its IRR, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder or bidders.

4. My father's name is William Young So and he was born on 15 September 1955, in Manila. He is a citizen or subject of Philippines. My mother's name is ROSY CO GO and she was born on 05 September 1955 in Tarlac City.

She is a citizen or subject of United States of America and a former Filipino Citizen.

5. My trade, business, profession or lawful occupation is Director & Operations Manager of Soses Marketing Enterprises, Inc. and from which I derive an average annual income of P 600,000,000 , inclusive of bonuses, commissions and allowances. My wife's/husband's trade, business, profession or lawful occupation is Homemaker and from which she derives an average annual income of n/a .

(Where the above does not apply): I am exempt from the requirement of lucrative trade or occupation and from submitting income tax returns for the past three (3) years because I am a college degree holder [please state (1) degree obtained:__n/a__ , (2) name of school: _______n/a_________ and (3) years graduated: N/A who cannot practice my profession (the practice of which requires a government licensure examination) by reason of my citizenship.

6. My civil status is Married, I was married on 02-17-2007 in City of San Fernando. My wife's/husband's name is Catherine Magtoto and she/he was born on 02-27-78 in Manila. She/he is a citizen or subject of PHILIPPINES and presently resides 31-8 Doña Maria St.Diamond Subdivision, Balibago, Angeles City.

7. I am legally separated from my spouse; my marriage was annulled, per decree of legal separation/annulment dated N/A granted by N/A. (please indicate the particular court which granted the same). I am a widower/widow and my spouse died on N/A in N/A. 8. I have two (2) child/children, whose names, dates and places of birth and residences are as follows: Date of Birth

Place of Birth

William Niccolo M. So

10-03-2012

Angeles City

Alexander Nicholas M. So

12-26-2016

Angeles City

Residence 31-8 Doña Maria St. Diamond Subd.

Balibago, Angeles City, 2024 31-8 Doña Maria St.,Diamond Subd.

Balibago, Angeles City, 2024

15. Attached hereto as annexes and made part of this petition are the duplicate originals or certified photocopies of the following documents (please check the appropriate box): [ / ] a. Petitioner's birth certificate [ / ] b. Petitioner's alien certificate of registration (ACR) [ ] c. Petitioner's native-born certificate of residence (NBCR) [ / ] d. Petitioner's marriage certificate, if married [ ] e. Death certificate of his/her spouse, if widowed [ ] f. Court decree annulling his/her marriage or granting legal separation, if such was the fact [ / ] g. Birth certificates of petitioner's minor children [ ] h. ACRs of petitioner's minor children [ ] i. NBCRs of petitioner's minor children [ / ] j. Affidavits of financial capacity by the petitioner, duly supported by bank certifications, passbooks, stock certificates, or proof of ownership of other properties [ / ] k. Affidavits of at least two (2) credible witnesses who must be Filipino citizens of good reputation in petitioner's place of residence [ / ] l. Medical certificate from a government hospital stating that petitioner is not suffering from mental alienation or a user of prohibited drugs or otherwise a drug dependent and that he/she is not afflicted with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), or any incurable contagious disease. [ / ] m. School diploma and transcript of records of the petitioner from the school/s he or she attended in the Philippines [ ] n. Certifications stating that petitioner's minor children are enrolled in public schools or private educational institutions duly recognized by the DECS, where Philippine history, government and civics are taught and prescribed as part of the school curriculum and where enrollment is not limited to any race or nationality [ / ] o. Petitioner's income tax returns for the past three years [ / ] p. Petitioner's receipts of payment of income tax for the past three years 16. Other documents submitted by the petitioner in support of his/her petition: Certification from Office of City Prosecutor from Angeles City, Certificate of Finality, NBI Clearance, Barangay Clearance, Police Clearance, MTC Clearance, RTC Clearance,Sealed Mental Evaluation Report, Affidavit of Amendment of Nationality.

PRAYER WHEREFORE, it is respectfully prayed that petitioner be conferred Philippine citizenship pursuant to the provisions of Republic Act No, 9139.

Dated at Makati City, Metro Manila, this 19th day of February, 2019.

Name of School Holy Family Academy Grace Christian College De La Salle Univ.

De La Salle Univ.

College of St. Benilde

Dates of Place of Highest Grade Study School Completed Angeles City 1980-81/1984-85 Grade 5 QC Manila Manila

1985-86/1989-90 4th Year HS 1990-1992 1992-93/1994-95 Bachelor of Arts Major in Human Resources

10. I am able to read, write and speak Filipino and/or any of the following dialects of the Philippines: Pampanga.

11. I have enrolled my minor children of school age in the following public schools or private educational institutions duly recognized by the Department of Education, Culture and Sports (DECS), where Philipine History, government and civics are taught and prescribed as part of the school curriculum and where enrollment is not limited to any race or nationality:

Name of Child

Name and Place of School

Date of Enrollment

N/A

N/A

N/A

Glenn G. So Name and Signature of Petitioner Address: 31-8 Doña Maria St., Diamond Subdivision,Angeles City Telephone Number: +63917-8392832 Office Number : (045) 6260570 Right Thumbmark of Petitioner

Petitioner's signature and right thumbmark REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES) CITY/MUNICIPALITY OF ANGELES CITY) S.S. I, Glenn Go So of legal age and a resident of 31-8 Doña Maria St.,Diamond Subdivision, Balibago, Angeles City after being duly sworn, depose and say that I am the petitioner herein, that I have read the foregoing petition and know the foregoing petition and known the contents thereof, and that the same is true of my own knowledge.

Glenn Go So Name and Signature of Petitioner SUBCRIBED AND SWORN to before me at Angeles City this _18___ day of February 2019.

(SGD) CARLITO D. ROCAFORT BAC Chairman May be deleted in case the ABC is less than One Million Pesos (PhP1,000,000) where the Procuring Entity may not hold a Pre-Bid Conference.

(MS-APR. 2, 2019)

14. My character witnesses are Arnel Calaguas and Randy Santos, both Filipino citizens, of legal age, and residing at 643 M.L. Quezon St, Lourdes Sur, East, Angeles City and Vian St., Balibago, Angeles City respectively, who have executed sworn statements attached hereto in support of my instant petition, together with: (a) brief biographical data about themselves; (b) detailed statements on the dates they first came to know me, the circumstances of our initial acquaintance and the reasons and extent of our continuing familiarity; and (c) the number of times they have acted as character witnesses in other petitions for naturalization.

9. I received my primary and secondary education from the following public schools or private educational institutions duly recognized by the Department of Education, Culture and Sports (DECS), where Philippine history, government and civics are taught and prescribed as part of the school curriculum and where enrollment is not limited to any race or nationality:

For further information, please refer to: Virginia 0. Bagacay DepED Region IV-A CALABARZON Gate 2 Karangalan Drive, Cainta, Rizal 6477487 & 6474914 www.depedcalabarzon.ph

2

3. I was born on 12 October 1973, in City of Manila Philippines. I have been a resident of the Philippines since birth. At present, I am a citizen or subject of Taiwan.

Name

I am not opposed to organized government or affiliated with any association or group of persons who uphold and teach doctrines opposing all organized governments. I am not defending or teaching the necessity or propriety of violence, personal assault or assassination for the success and predominance of one's ideas. I am not a polygamist nor a believer in the practice of polygamy. I have not been convicted of any crime involving moral turpitude. I am not suffering from mental alienation or from any incurable contagious disease. The country of which I am a citizen or subject is not at war with the Philippines and grants to Filipinos the right to be naturalized citizens or subjects thereof.

13. It is my true and honest intention to become a citizen of the Philippines and to renounce absolutely and forever all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state or sovereignty, and, particularly, to REPUBLIC OF CHINA petition up to the time of my admission to Philippine citizenship.

SCN CASE NO. x------------------ x

Shelvin Mack (No. 6) of the Charlotte Hornets shoots the ball against the Golden State Warriors on Sunday at Oracle Arena in Oakland, California.

AFP

sional judge in boxing and MMA, I know when a fighter is unable to continue. Most of the time the docRANDY tor is consulted and prodded to go CALUAG up the stage and talk with the fighter and asses his condition.

In this case, with just one hit on the head, it perplexed me how a fighter of Fernandez’s caliber could not go on and continue.

What disappointed me was he could not seem to accept the explanation of Belingon who approached him while he was on his seat.

Bibiano also appeared to refuse to accept the belt, waving his hands and saying “no”.

Also, it appeared to me that Belingon’s pair of elbow hits were not intentional.

In boxing, if a fighter is hit with illegal yet unintentional blows, he is given five minutes to rest.

But if the referee could sense that the injury was not enough to stop the bout, he will ask the fighter to continue or face a technical knockout loss. This rule prevents a fighter from doing an acting job to gain an unwarranted halt to the fight and get the win.

This is not to put question to the decision of the referee nor the outcome of the game. ONE has the best team of officials and their integrity on the mat are far beyond question. And ONE Championship has its own set of rules that have put them in good stead through the years.

It was just disappointing that we were having a good trilogy of a match with Belingon appearing to recover and making good adjustments. Then this. And who knows?

But as they say, S _ _ T happens.

Nevertheless, I’m glad that ONE Championship founder CEO Chatri Sityodtong is looking at an “automatic rematch.”

Watch out for Belingon vs. Fernandez IV! LOCKER ROOM

12. I shall never be a public charge. I am of good moral character. I believe in the principles underlying the Philippine Constitution. I have conducted myself in a proper and irreproachable manner during the entire period of my residence in the Philippines in my relations with the constituted government as well as with the community in which I am living. I mingled socially with Filipinos and have evinced a sincere desire to learn and embrace the customs,

Doc No.46 Page No.103 Book No.XXX Series of 2019 (MS-MAR. 26, APR.2 & 9, 2019)

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

Sports

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

A8

TUESDAY, APRIL 2, 2019

Heat, wind pose challenge to TCC entries ALREADY daunting with its length, hazards, bunkers and undulating fairways and surface, the wind and the heat are expected to make The Country Club one real test for the revered men of the Philippine Golf Tour Asia when the Solaire Philippine Open is fired off tomorrow (Wednesday, April 3).

“Kept in championship form all year-round, the TCC will be doubly tough at this time of the year with the heat and the wind to add to the severe challenges the course will pose to all the bidders,” said TCC general manager Colo Ventosa, also the GM of the organizing Pilipinas Golf Tournaments Inc. The last two SPO crowns have been won through sudden deaths at the windy TCC with a similar ending expected from the crack 132-player field that drew some of the top and rising players from at least 13 nations, including 39 from title-hungry Thailand and 11 each from Australia and the US. Meanwhile, a select number of pros get to test the 7735-yard Tom Weiskoph-designed one last time as they team up with officials and guests of the event’s chief backers, including ICTSI, Solaire, PLDT Enterprise and Pin High golf apparel in today’s (Tuesday) pro-am.

They include Juvic Pagunsan, Angelo Que, Jobim Carlos and Clyde Mondilla, who will spearhead the country’s bid in the $500,000 championship sponsored by Solaire Resort & Casino for the third straight year and sanctioned by the National Golf Association of the Philippines in the absence of injured and last year’s champion Miguel Tabuena.

But they will be as much tested as the rest of the crack foreign cast, led by Thais Poom Saksansin, Chawalit Plaphol, Chapchai Nirat and Prom Meesawat, who lost to Tabuena last year, Malaysian Nicholas Fung, PGT Q-School topnotcher Marcos Pastor of Spain, young Korean and PGT leg winner Kim Joo Hyung, Taiwanese Tsai Chi-huang and PGT Asia leg champions Damien Jordan and David Gleeson of Australia.

Korean-American Micah Shin, who humbled the local aces to be become the first non-Filipino to win the TCC Invitational last year, is also in the fold, ready to score a repeat against a field toughened up by the leading campaigners from Korea, the Netherlands, Japan, England, India and Indonesia.

Jr NBA bares members for Regional Camp

PRESIDENT’S CUP CHAMPION. Andrew Romualdez (right) of white team tries to score a goal against tight defense of blue team’s Pedro Roxas during the President’s Cup Low Goal Polo Games at Enrique Zobel Field in Manila Polo Club, Makati City.The white Team scored 5 against 4 of Red team to capture the 2019 President’s Cup Low Goal Championship. Ver Noveno

SEAG gets P3.7 billion for buildup, equipment

By Peter Atencio

T

HE pace of preparations for the coming 30th Southeast Asian Games is expected to pick up in the coming days.

This 0after the Philippine SEA Games Organizing Committee has been given the green light to go ahead with its plans to procure the needed equipment, book hotel reservations and get the necessary things to help biennial meet run smoothly nine months from now.

A budget allocation of at least P3.7 billion has been earmarked by the Philippine Sports Commission for this purpose last week.

The office of Deputy Executive Director Atty. Guillermo Iroy will now coordinate with the Phisgoc after Congress approved and appropriated P5.1 billion for the Games.

The said allocation for the Games has

been included in the budget of the PSC. Agency officials said 75 percent of the Games budget will go to accommodation and transportation expenses, while around 25 percent will be set aside for technical officials and information technology.

During a meeting with PHISGOC officials, it was decided that hotel and billeting services will no longer be bidded out.

The meeting of the PHISGOC and the PSC got under way while a board meeting of the Philippine Olympic Committee Executive board unanimously approved a resolution which formalized the POC’s authorizaty of the PHISGOC as the SEA Games organizing committee.

The resolution also confirmed the appointment of former Secretary of Foreign Affairs Alan Peter Cayetano as PHISGOC chairman, which, according o Vargas, was ‘solely for the purpose of the coming SEA Games.”

It also authorized Vargas to enter into a cooperative agreement with PHISGOC and PSC. Under the agreement, the POC will supervise the activities of the PHISGOC for

the benefit of the SEA Games Federation.

“The responsibilities in our cooperative agreement are clear,” said Vargas.

“The POC has control of the Games or the content, PSC the funding primarily for the training of athletes and PHISGOC the staging of the SEA Games, including production, marketing and media.

It was also agreed that unused PHISGOC funds will be donated to POC for the benefit of Filipino athletes, and that regular operations/financial /management reports will be submitted by PHISGOC to POC. The agreement also stated that all contracts entered into by PHISGOC will be reviewed by an assigned POC Board Member.

The POC Executive Board finalized their decision last Friday, with former POC president Jose Cojuangco, Jr. joining the deliberations with chairman Rep. Abraham Tolentino, first vice president Joey Romasanta, second vice president Tony Tamayo, secretary-general Patrick Gregorio, deputy secretary-general Karen Caballero, and spokesman Ed Picson among others.

1Bataan Risers cop 1st Chooks-to-Go 3 x 3 crown REPEATED attacks from Joshua Munzon carried Pasig Grindhouse past old rival 1Bataan Risers, 19-7, en route to their firstever Chooks-to-Go 3x3 Pilipinas President’s Cup crown last Sunday at the SM Fairview Activities Center.

The 6-foot-three Munzon, considered as the country’s top ranked 3x3 player, topscored with 11 points in the finals match of the Kings.

Striking hard five times, Munzon’s baskets put the Kings ahead, 11-6, and the team went to claim the grand prize of P1million.

“Since we first lost in this league, that really left a bad taste on our mouths. We’re driven every week to push ourselves to get better,” Munzon said.

Taylor Statham added five points while Troy Rike chipped in two for the Grindhouse Kings, who earlier made it to the FIBA 3x3 World Tour Masters in Doha.

The Kings earned a seat to the Doha meet following their 19-18 triumph over the San Juan Knights-Go For Gold in

the semifinals.

Alvin Pasaol led the Risers by scoring five of their seven points in the game.

The Risers settled for the P200,000 prize for the runners-up.

Both teams will see action in the coming Chooks-to-Go Asia Pacific 3x3 Super Quest on April 6 to 7 at the SM Megamall Fashion Hall.

Earlier, Kobe Paras outlasted dunk specialist David Carlos in another exciting edition of the Gameville Slam Dunk contest.

In the quarterfinals, the Kings blast Zamboanga, 21-9, to forge a semis clash with San Juan.

A block by Statham on Mac Cardona came as the buzzer sounded, allowing the Kings to beat San Juan, 19-18, in the semis.

Meanwhile, twelve of the regions top 3x3 basketball clubs will collide this weekend for the first-ever International Basketball Federation (FIBA)-sanctioned Super Quest, which will go on from April 6 to 7 at the SM Megamall Fashion Hall. Peter Atencio

SEVEN boys and six girls topped the Regional Selection Camp of Jr. NBA Philippines 2019 presented by Alaska held at St. Louis of Don Bosco in Dumaguete City on March 30-31. The 13 young basketball players will represent Visayas at the National Training Camp in Metro Manila on May 17-19.

Dumaguete hosted the league’s youth basketball participation program for the first time, providing campers with world-class basketball instruction from Jr. NBA coaches led by Jr. NBA Coach Rob Newson and former PBA players Tony Dela Cruz and Willie Miller. The selected athletes excelled in a combination of basketball activities and competition and demonstrated the core values of the game throughout the camp.

The Visayan contingent of Jr. NBA campers will join outstanding players from the Regional Selection Camps in Benguet, Butuan, Lucena, and Metro Manila, and a select group from the Alaska Power Camp at the National Training Camp and vie to be named as Jr. NBA Philippines All-Star.

This year, Jr. NBA Philippines AllStars—comprised of as many as five boys and five girls—will join the first Jr. NBA Global Championship Asia Pacific Selection Camp, a week-long camp in June that includes top youth players from the AsiaPacific region excluding China.

In addition, the Asia-Pacific regional competition will send the 2019 batch of Jr. NBA All-Stars to represent the region at the Jr. NBA Global Championship on Aug. 6-11 at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World near Orlando, Florida. The international event will showcase talented youth from the United States, Canada, Latin America, Young participants of Jr NBA participants in Dumagute City give it their all during a Europe, the Middle East, China, Mexi- tryout/selection process held to determine the representatives of the Visayas region co, Africa, India and the Asia-Pacific. for the National Training Camp to be held in Metro Manila on May 17-19.

Batangas, Zamboanga go for the clincher Game Tuesday (Batangas City Sports Arena) 7 p.m. -- Batangas City vs Zamboanga

IT’S DOWN to a single game and either Batangas City or Zamboanga will move on to the championship round of the southern division of the MPBL Datu Cup. Expect both teams to slug it out right from the opening tipoff until the final buzzer of their 7 p.m. encounter at the Batangas City Sports Arena.

The winner will earn the right to face the Davao Occidental Tigers, who swept the Bacoor Strikers in the semifinal round of this tournament put up

by Senator Manny Pacquiao with PBA legend and former MVP Kenneth Duremdes serving as commissioner.

For the Tanduay-backed Athletics, securing a win at home will put them in a better position for an ambitious backto-back titles. Expect their local folks to come in full force, especially after the team nearly lost its right to host Game 3.

Batangas City management had to fight for its rights of reclaiming the home court advantage when a lastminute change in schedule was made by operations head Zaldy Realubit.

But the Athletics got the home court advantage nonetheless on the intercession of Commissioner Duremdes and the approval of Senator Manny Pacquiao. The home fans will play a big role in their game against the Family’s Brand Sardines-supported squad, which had given the inaugural staging champion a difficult time in the first two games of the best-of-three series.

“The home court advantage is sacred to us,” said team manager Gerry Tee. “It’s so important. At one time, our venue was not available due to a pageant contest, so we looked for an alternative home court here in Batangas to make sure that we will have the support of our local folks.”

Dumaguete named PH sports tourism hub DUMAGUETE has been known as “The City of Gentle People” due to the extraordinary warm hospitality of its people and genteel way of life despite being the provincial capital of Negros Oriental.

But despite its laid-back aura, it takes pride in an active population engaged in a variety of sports from sunrise to sundown as the city was recently given the coveted Organizer of the Year (Government) in the Philippine Sports Tourism Award.

Now on its second edition, the awardees were selected by a panel of judges from various sectors, including the Department of Tourism (DOT), the Philippine Sports Commission, the Philippine Olympic Committee and organizer Selrahco Management and Consultancy Services.

Dumaguete was also a runner-up in the Sports Destination of the Year category, having hosted a variety of sporting events

which brought in thousands of athletes and tourists.

According to Dumaguete mayor Felipe Antonio Remollo, they have been positioning the city as a sports hub in the central Philippines by organizing and hosting national events.

“This award will top off all the tourism awards we got. I always believe that sports is a great equalizer and unifier,” he said at the PSTA awarding ceremonies.

In line with its 70th charter anniversary and fiesta in 2018, the city hosted the Dumaguete Triathlon, Children’s Games, the Dumaguete Dragon Boat Challenge and the Beach Volleyball Republic On Tour.

Moreover, the Philippine University Games has made the city their default venue because of its strategic location, splendid facilities, reasonable costs, conducive environment, and warm hometown crowd.

IN BRIEF Epson upbeat on PH projector business

EPSON Philippines Corp. expects its projector business to sustain a 20-percent growth in the year starting April amid a strong domestic economy.

“For the past five years, we are growing 20 percent for our projector business, for next [fiscal] year we are projecting a 20 percent growth also,” said Epson senior manager for product management and business development Jester Cruz.

Cruz attributed the growth this year to the strong domestic economy and the launching of new Epson’s LightScene projectors.

The government expects a 6-percent to 7-percent economic growth this year.

“We’ve been in the leader for the longest time and this is a new segment that we wanted to enter because we know in the future this is a growth area. For now its small, but everything starts small.

Were very hopeful that his will be a big business in the future,” he said.

Epson corners over 50 percent of the market in the projector business.

Cruz said the company was targeting retail, hotel, entertainment, bar and restaurant for the new Epson’s LightScene project. Darwin G. Amojelar

Business

Elevator firm sees sales growing 15%

INTERNATIONAL Elevator and Equipment Inc., an affiliate of Mitsubishi Electric, expects sales to rise 15 percent for the year starting April 1 due to the sustained growth of the local infrastructure and construction sector.

Company president Ramoncito Ocampo said sales of the company had been growing by lower double digits in the past 10 years.

“We also want to maintain our market share in the Philippines as well as the Asian region. In the short term, the company will be introducing new product line that will help us grow as a complete construction supplier,” Ocampo said in a briefing Monday.

Mitsubishi Electric has the biggest market share in the elevator sector in Southeast Asia with a 35 percent to 40 percent share. It also dominates the Philippine market with 40 percent market leadership. Othel V. Campos

TUESDAY, APRIL 2, 2019

B1

By Julito G. Rada and Darwin G. Amojelar

FINANCIAL MARKET BRIEFINGS. The Grand Hyatt Manila becomes a meeting point for financial market experts, corporate executives, institutional investors and high net-worth individuals as Metropolitan Bank & Trust Co. hosted a series of financial market briefings. The three-day event focused on macroeconomic and investment themes, highlighting the opportunities to generate returns despite a volatile landscape. Leading the briefings are (from left) Metrobank vice president Kael Pasimio, vice president Marc Bautista, senior vice president Dondi Santillan, vice president Elizabeth Legaspi, senior vice president Jikee Reyes, first vice president Rommel Dionisio, senior vice president Anton Yap and first vice president Ruben Zamora.

Investments surged 60% to P243b in first quarter I NVESTMENT pledges surged 60 percent in the first quarter to P243 billion from P152.1 billion in the same period last year, putting the Board of Investments on track of attracting P1 trillion worth of new projects this year.

This marked a solid recovery from the 23-percent decline in January to February, the agency said.

Investments from foreign sources continued to lead in terms of growth with 3,787 percent, from only P792.8 million in the first quarter of 2018 to P30.8 billion this year.

Domestic investments still contributed the largest share with P212.2 billion for a 40-percent increase from P151.3 billion a year ago.

“After generating a record-breaking P915 billion in approved investments last year, we are still sustaining the momentum this year due to steady, strong

Legal issues delay P4.3-b tax refund of Meralco users

and positive investor sentiment here and abroad,” Trade Secretary and BoI chairman Ramon Lopez said.

“The upside trajectory for approved foreign investments continues to surge, following the 378-percent increase recorded in 2018 which saw FDIs approved by BoI reaching P104 billion from just P21.7 billion in 2017. We expect the growth to continue for the rest of the year as we aim to approve at least P1 trillion in total investments,” Lopez said.

Electricity and power projects dominated the majority of investments in the first three months with P148 billion worth of investment projects. Manufacturing investment projects followed with P43 billion while information and communications technology received P33.2 billion worth of investment projects.

Among the notable projects approved in the quarter were St. Raphael Power Generation Corp., a new operator of 2x350 megawatt coal-fired thermal power plant in Barangay San Rafael, Calaca, Batangas (P96 billion); Rizal Wind Energy Corp., a renewable energy developer of wind energy resources in

Antipolo and Tanay Rizal and General Nakar, Quezon (P47 billion); and Metroworks ICT Construction Inc., a new operator of telecommunications infrastructure (P33 billion).

Other major investors were Holcim Philippines Inc., a new producer of cement in Barangays Matictic and Bangkal in Norzagaray, Bulacan and Barangay Bayabas in Dona Remedios Trinidad, Bulacan (P12.6 billion); Solid Cement Corp., a new producer of cement in San Jose, Antipolo City (P12.4 billion); United Pulp and Paper Company Inc., a new producer of corrugated medium in Calumpit, Bulacan (P8.4 billion); Nidec Subic Philippines Corp., a new export producer of industrial robotic gears in Subic Bay Freeport Zone in Olongapo City, Zambales; and Robinsons Land Corp., a new operator of tourist accommodation facility in Lapu Lapu City, Cebu (P2.3 billion).

Trade Undersecretary and BoI managing director Ceferino Rodolfo emphasized the stringent evaluation process these projects undergo, prior to extensive deliberations when these are taken up by the BoI board of governors for decision.

THE World Bank reduced the 2019 growth forecast for the Philippines to 6.4 percent from the previous estimate of 6.5 percent, taking into account the impact of the delay in the national budget approval, the slowdown in global trade and the El Niño dry spell.

It also revised downward the 2020 growth projection for the Philippines to 6.5 percent from 6.6 percent.

The multilateral lender, however, said the Philippine economy would continue to be resilient amid the domestic and external headwinds. For 2021, the economy is seen to grow 6.5 percent. These projections were contained in the latest Philippines Economic Update released Monday.

“The country’s growth outlook remains positive,” World Bank country director for Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines and Thailand Mara Warwick said.

“Higher private consumption due to lower inflation, steady growth of remittances and election spending will fuel growth this year,” she said.

Warwick said the growth in public investment would be tempered in the first half of 2019 but was expected to recover in the second half of the year.

The growth of the Philippine economy was driven by consumption, with households contributing more than two-thirds of aggregate expenditures.

Annual private consumption growth declined from 5.9 percent in 2017 to 5.6 percent in 2018 on the back of high inflation. However, it is expected to rebound to 5.9 percent in 2019 and 6.0 percent in 2020 amid declining inflation and the continued job generation in the economy.

Inflation peaked at a nine-year high of 6.7 percent in October 2018 but eased to 6 percent in November and 5.1 percent in December, bringing the full-year average to 5.2 percent, above the target range of 2 percent to 4 percent.

Construction to contribute P30t by 2030

By Othel V. Campos

By Alena Mae S. Flores THE government will have to forfeit first the unclaimed tax refund of Manila Electric Co. customers amounting to P4.289 billion in favor of the state before it can be used to reduce the power rates, the power retailer said.

Meralco said there was no law and jurisprudence that dealt squarely with the treatment of the unclaimed Supreme Court-ordered tax refund. It issued the position in compliance with the manifestation and motion to the Energy Regulatory Commission regarding the implementation of the tax refund.

ERC directed Meralco in February to submit a proposed scheme that incorporates the P4.289-billion unclaimed tax refund for purposes of reducing the distribution rates of its customers.

Meralco said the unclaimed tax refund had similarities with unclaimed balances and unclaimed refunds under Presidential Decree No. 679 and Republic Act 8234, which states that unclaimed balances and refunds should be forfeited in favor of the government, based on the principle of escheat.

Meralco also said ERC Resolution No. 12 series 2016 states that with respect to the unclaimed meter deposits, “upon the lapse of the schedule of refund, all unclaimed meter deposits including accrued interest shall become the subject of an escheat proceedings in the Regional Trial Court where the bank is located, and thereafter, declare the unclaimed meter deposit, after due notice and hearing, escheated in favor of the state.”

business@manilastandard.net extrastory2000@gmail.com

World Bank expects GDP growth to hit 6.4% in 2019

DoE starts road show on oil, gas exploration

THE Department of Energy will kick off the first Philippine Conventional Energy Contracting Program International Road Show for 2019 at the Southeast Asian Petroleum Exploration Society Exploration Conference and Farmout Forum in Singapore from April 2 to 5.

These will be followed by road shows in the United States of America, Canada, Abu Dhabi and Argentina.

“For an energy-secure future, the DoE is committed to establish a strong ‘Explore, Explore, Explore’ program by harnessing indigenous energy resources. It is urgent that we intensify our exploration and development activities. We need to become energy self-sufficient so we are better protected from international price market volatilities,” said Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi.

The SEAPEX Exploration Conference is one of the largest gatherings for upstream oil and gas industry professionals and investors operating in the region.

The DeE delegation to be headed

by Assistant Secretary Leonido Pulido III will present at the plenary session and conduct one-on-one meetings with several petroleum exploration companies.

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

IP RIGHTS MONTH. More than 500 participants and partners, including the UP Fighting Maroons, join the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines in celebrating National Intellectual Property Rights Month 2019 on March 31 at UP Diliman in Quezon City. Leading the celebration are IPOPHL director-general Josephine Santiago (center) and other members of the executive committee. The National IPR Month’s activities will culminate on April 26, with the IP Convergence Forum.

PH offshore gaming operators employ 138,000 foreigners

By Darwin G. Amojelar AN INTER-AGENCY task force said Monday some 138,000 foreign nationals are employed in the Philippine offshore gaming operations.

It said the government could raise P32 billion in revenues if the foreign nationals in these Internet-based operations and other businesses were made to pay 25-percent income taxes.

The Labor Department and the Bureau of Immigration, in a report to Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III, came up with a reconciled list of 138,001 workers, of which 54,241 were issued alien employment permits and another 83,760 were granted special working permits.

Dominguez said assuming that each foreign national was earning an average of $1,500 a month and taxed at 25 percent of his or her gross income,

the government could collect P32 billion a year in income taxes from these workers.

Dominguez said he noticed that the names in the submitted list had no taxpayer identification numbers while the corresponding salaries reported were only around P20,000 each per month, which was “ridiculously low” for skilled foreign workers for Pogos.

Bureau of Internal Revenue deputy commissioner Arnel Guballa said the agency would start working on the list to check how many years these workers had stayed in the country and whether they had paid taxes for the last two taxable years.

Guballa said the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. submitted a list of 126 out of 205 Pogos, which employed a total of 53,239 foreign workers with an average salary of about P41,000 each.

Victor Padilla, Pagcor senior manager

of policy division at offshore gaming licensing department, said penalties and demerits would be issued to those that had yet to comply with the requirement of submitting the lists of their respective foreign workers.

Pagcor warned that it would seize the operations of those that remained noncompliant despite repeated warnings.

Guballa said during the meeting that other agencies such as the Public Works Department submitted the names of 52 foreign workers mostly in the construction sector while the Professional Regulation Commission sent a list of 75 foreign workers. The Clark Development Corp. reported 2,463 foreign workers employed at the Clark and Subic special economic zones.

The Philippine Economic Zone Authority and the SEZs in Bataan, Aurora and other locations failed to submit their respective lists, Guballa said.

THE Construction Industry Authority of the Philippines, an attached agency of the Trade Department, said the sector is expected to contribute P130 trillion to the economy and employ 7 million workers by 2030.

The projections are contained in the Construction Industry Roadmap, which aims to sustain the growth of the construction sector in the next 10 years in support of the government’s “Build, Build, Build” infrastructure program.

“The roadmap is a proof of the Philippine government’s holistic commitment in improving the quality of construction services consistent with principles of sustainability, increasing the number of globally competitive Filipino construction industry players and equipping the whole project cycle with efficient and modern technologies,” said Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez.

“In consultation with stakeholders and with our team of experts and partners, we have identified the roadblocks in the construction industry that must be addressed to reach our goals,” he said.

The roadmap will guide the construction industry as it aims to grow its contribution to the economy from P2.3 trillion in 2018 to P130 trillion by 2030. It also represents a growth of about 325 percent from the P43-trillion projection sans a roadmap.

Its implementation will also increase job opportunities for the construction workforce from 4 million in 2018 to 7 million by 2030, translating into a generation of three million new jobs.

Lopez also disclosed the agency’s drive to develop the country as an artificial intelligence center for excellence, where industries like construction would be able to produce higher value software and hardware products and outputs with the use of technology.

B2

Business

TUESDAY, APRIL 2, 2019 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Market tumbles; PLDT declines T HE stock market slumped Monday on profit-taking after Friday’s window-dressing to mark the end of first-quarter trading.

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index tumbled 80.62 points, or 1 percent, to 7,840.31 on a value turnover of P5.5 billion. Losers overwhelmed gainers, 120 to 65, with 55 issues unchanged.

PLDT Inc., the biggest telecommunications firm, dropped 3.9 percent to P1,105, while Alliance Global Group Inc. of tycoon Andrew Tan fell 3.1 percent to P15.66.

Metropolitan Bank & Trust Co., the second-largest lender in terms of assets, lost 3.2 percent to P77.30, while BDO Unibank Inc., the biggest bank, declined

2.8 percent to P130.

The rest of Asian markets, however, rallied Monday, building on last week’s healthy gains with investors buoyed by optimism over China-US trade talks and forecast-busting Chinese factory data.

Top negotiators from China and the US flagged progress in last week’s discussions in Beijing on the tariffs row, with another round slated for this week in Washington.

While there have been few details, the general view on trading floors is that the economic superpowers are heading towards a deal that will end a long-running spat that helped sink global markets towards the end of last year.

Confidence an agreement will be reached helped overcome concerns about the world economy that saw a sharp sell-off in equities at the start of last week.

Beijing announced it would extend a delay on imposing tariffs on US cars,

while also adding fentanyl to a list of controlled substances, two key concessions to Washington that have added to hopes for the trade deal.

“What matters is not whether these are big concessions or not, but that they are a quick response to the US concerns,” Gai Xinzhe at Sino Ocean Capital told Bloomberg News. “This is good for enhancing mutual trust in the negotiations.”

A positive lead from Wall Street was picked up in Asia, with Tokyo ending 1.4 percent higher, Hong Kong adding 1.8 percent and Shanghai soaring 2.6 percent.

Sydney added 0.6 percent, Singapore jumped 0.9 percent and Seoul piled on 1.3 percent, with Taipei, Mumbai, Bangkok, Jakarta and Wellington also in the green.

The rises were supported by a sharp jump in an index of Chinese manufacturing activity, which soothed con-

cerns about the world’s number two economy and a key driver of the global economy.

The Purchasing Managers Index for March showed growth in the sector for the first time in four months and was far better than expected. On Monday a separate PMI that takes into account small businesses also jumped into expansion territory.

“The manufacturing print... will go a long way to allaying slowdown fears about China, at least in the short-term as the US-China trade talks move back to Washington this Wednesday,” said OANDA senior market analyst Jeffrey Halley.

Attention once again returns to Britain, where Prime Minister Theresa May failed on Friday to pass her Brexit deal through parliament, stoking uncertainty with just over a week before the deadline for leaving the European Union.

With AFP

MANILA STANDARD BUSINESS DAILY STOCKS REVIEW MONDAY, APRIL 1, 2019

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

FINANCIALS 58 3,000 83.5 765,240 2.27 4,000 130 2,206,740 1.38 113,000 26.9 43,600 19.2 32,400 12.2 189,400 4.24 105,000 0.69 2,000 1.4 5,000 0.45 20,000 77.3 2,907,040 0.93 486,000 13.86 200 21.25 32,300 56.8 1,391,770 197 4,250 57.5 3,420 26.55 51,900 172 116,440 1,800 10 61.5 540

174,000 64,172,096.50 9,030 289,511,551 151,300 1,172,550 620,664 2,312,696 443,660 1,380 7,000 9,150 225417978.5 447,480 2,772 688,735 79,085,145 845,109 196,991.50 1,380,910 19,919,648 18,000 33,011

-10,660,232 110,962,391 -199,030 -113,044 -1,152,522 -51898481.4996 -46,250 -1,129,108 -337,290 6,882,614 -

34.7 14.78 0.92 1.4 0.235 2.57 15.6 110 28.75 42.9 1.88 5.51 6 11.2 15.82 9.2 7.24 1.64 21 79 28 2.37 10.24 12.44 1.72 311.8 10.6 23.25 13.82 21.3 375 0.2 1.38 4.15 6.37 9 1.41 11.86 47.6 5.6 4.7 1.71 2.5 1.28 12 103.3 6.85 0.128 0.97 151.6 2.5 1.68 1.04

INDUSTRIAL 35.2 555,100 14.88 355,000 0.94 5,517,000 1.43 958,000 0.244 50,000 2.63 4,977,000 15.62 1,424,800 110 9,260 29.45 100,600 42.9 6,000 1.88 114,000 5.51 100 6.18 14,500 11.32 482,800 15.82 124,700 9.3 139,900 7.35 11,400 1.64 6,000 21.4 301,200 79 70,090 29.15 506,400 2.42 5,816,000 10.26 1,654,300 12.44 623,600 1.77 170,000 315 436,040 10.64 21,400 23.9 1,200,800 14.34 4,773,600 21.75 4,011,600 385 243,600 0.2 1,890,000 1.4 1,248,000 4.28 190,000 6.42 821,900 9 98,700 1.41 9,977,000 12.2 137,200 47.9 1,495,100 5.6 180,800 4.75 100,000 1.72 106,000 2.5 1,000 1.33 125,000 12.1 1,436,900 105 235,630 6.9 135,000 0.128 70,000 0.97 991,000 152.3 988,100 2.5 37,000 1.7 2,183,000 1.1 6,015,000

19,422,895 5,272,568 5,201,280 1,348,860 11,930 12,940,850 22,283,176 1,018,600 2,935,825 257,400 215,570 551 88,330 5,431,504 1,973,368 1,297,989 82,665 9,840 6,435,340 5,554,619 14,209,465 13,953,350 17,191,812 7,780,308 297,180 136,790,566 233,216 28,621,700 67,412,490 87,569,595 93,354,950 384,280 1,740,470 800,840 5,277,758 888,300 14,337,060 1,663,858 72,056,900 1,018,250 474,950 182,210 2,500 161,690 17,453,888 24,727,011 930,927 8,960 971,980 150,173,596 92,500 3,714,580 6,435,760

-2,400,640 936,006 293,890 -1,430 -233,470 -114,238 -1,292,855 0 24,200 -4,449,838 -98,102 50,845 -35,506 3,810,865 -2,105,066.50 1,097,280 -4,190,286 3,001,112 1,740 31,183,656 -17,154,370 256,088 33,831,590 35,989,990 654,150 -25,290 -282,033 -18,040 -4,840 -5,165,480 -841,020 -470,250 -8,240,018 -17,873,064 -148,320 2,874,656 92,500 194,970

0.62 59.9 16.12 0.87 6.5 20.5 1.43 1.42 941.5 7.68 12.06 15.5 0.24 948 7 64.75 5.36 0.55 5.35 16.2 0.57 4.85 0.044 2.98 174 949.5 1.23 1.35 420 270 0.245 0.385

0.61 58.75 15.6 0.8 6.5 19.96 1.36 1.4 925 7.6 11.88 15 0.23 897 6.91 62 5.36 0.51 5.22 15.58 0.55 4.7 0.039 2.95 172.3 922.5 1.07 1.32 420 260.4 0.23 0.365

HOLDING FIRMS 0.62 6,991,000 59.8 493,490 15.66 5,983,300 0.85 5,116,000 6.5 209,700 20.25 42,400 1.38 7,495,000 1.4 241,000 930 129,060 7.62 2,547,000 11.88 2,806,900 15.4 2,046,600 0.24 100,000 915 217,330 7 126,400 64.75 854,130 5.36 100 0.53 1,220,000 5.25 346,900 15.7 3,295,300 0.56 838,000 4.71 29,455,000 0.044 109,000,000 2.97 638,000 173.5 287,270 925 249,330 1.2 20,465,000 1.35 165,000 420 1,500 270 2,400 0.24 4,050,000 0.38 14,320,000

4,295,090 29,367,591.50 93,832,466 4,277,700 1,363,050 850,109 10,450,060 338,750 119,954,720 19,407,273 33,615,228 31,508,114 23,100 198,434,810 884,280 54,509,763.50 536 637,140 1,831,661 51,665,082 462,920 139,206,460 4,633,300 1,885,310 49,612,995 230,910,615 23,701,610 218,700 630,000 642,356 951,430 5,398,950

-188,940 5,224,085.50 11,780,112 908,050 -2,040.00 -35,129,915 -3,353,485 -8,030,758 -22,515,944 -23,703,200 2,100 22,685,496 228,982 -21,127,416 294,800 -35,443,180 80,000 130,280 -5,791,675 -84,635,765 -54,630 26,500 0 -195,856 -256,300 112,500

12.94 0.8 10.22 1.93 0.83 45.15 2.36 4.34 6.59 0.55 0.87 0.94 0.243 0.4 12.26 23.75 0.51 1.54 1.33 5.8 0.39 0.485 1.69 2.68 59 24.5 2.07

12.76 0.78 10.2 1.93 0.82 44.7 2.31 4.25 6.54 0.53 0.83 0.94 0.239 0.4 11.6 22.8 0.495 1.5 1.27 5.7 0.38 0.465 1.55 2.62 52 24.15 2.01

57,137,960 740,890 174,722 1,930 366,950 769,517,710 1,146,380 1,537,620 384,025 9,615,330 9,170 11,280 203,920 200,000 51,874,076 35,401,810 723,745 12,071,250 2,401,270 69,250,716 1,728,450 275,700 7,536,010 331,780 84,080 26,210,520 53,560

-20,612,188 20,226,965 -6,820 237,295 2,488,740 494,512 7,345,040 -647,500 -5,880,100 11,177,335 70,420 -16,200 3,321,765 -

NAME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

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

58 84.35 2.27 134 1.3 26.9 19.2 12.16 4.25 0.69 1.4 0.465 79.85 0.92 13.86 21.9 57 198.5 57.85 26.7 172.9 1,800 60.85

58 85.2 2.27 134 1.38 26.95 19.2 12.32 4.25 0.69 1.4 0.465 79.85 0.95 13.86 21.9 57 199.6 57.85 26.7 172.9 1,800 62

58 83.4 2.22 130 1.3 26.85 19.1 12.16 4.18 0.69 1.4 0.45 76.65 0.9 13.86 21.25 56.6 195.5 57.5 26.5 169.7 1,800 60.85

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

35.4 14.88 0.94 1.46 0.244 2.62 15.66 110 29.4 42.9 1.9 5.51 6.2 11.24 16 9.21 7.25 1.64 21.7 79.25 28 2.42 10.5 12.5 1.72 317 10.62 23.25 13.82 21.5 380 0.209 1.41 4.15 6.49 9 1.43 11.86 49.4 5.79 4.7 1.74 2.5 1.29 12 106 6.86 0.128 1 151.9 2.5 1.72 1.15

35.4 14.92 0.97 1.46 0.244 2.65 15.66 110 29.45 42.9 1.9 5.51 6.2 11.36 16 9.4 7.35 1.64 21.7 79.4 29.15 2.43 10.5 12.6 1.77 317.4 11.2 24.15 14.4 21.95 385 0.209 1.41 4.28 6.5 9 1.47 12.3 49.65 5.8 4.75 1.74 2.5 1.34 12.2 106 7 0.128 1.03 152.6 2.5 1.72 1.15

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

0.62 58.9 16.12 0.81 6.5 20.25 1.43 1.42 940 7.67 12.02 15.08 0.23 938 6.95 63.7 5.36 0.55 5.29 16.2 0.55 4.85 0.041 2.97 174 936.5 1.07 1.33 420 270 0.239 0.37

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

12.88 0.78 10.22 1.93 0.83 44.85 2.34 4.28 6.59 0.54 0.83 0.94 0.243 0.4 11.6 22.8 0.495 1.54 1.33 5.8 0.39 0.485 1.69 2.68 52 24.25 2.07

VOLUME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

VOLUME

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

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

3.09 39.9 1.55 6.7 0.75 7.24

3.09 39.9 1.55 6.74 0.78 7.27

3 38.9 1.53 6.51 0.75 7.13

3.08 39.05 1.55 6.52 0.78 7.24

66,000 5,393,400 268,000 220,400 366,000 2,827,300

199,310 210,937,750 413,310 1,450,704 275,570 20,363,374

24,060 43,265,950 105,000 -7,117,657

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 GRAND PLAZA HARBOR STAR INTL CONTAINER IPM HLDG ISLAND INFO ISM COMM LBC EXPRESS LEISURE AND RES LORENZO SHIPPNG MACROASIA MANILA BULLETIN METRO RETAIL METROALLIANCE A NOW CORP PACIFIC ONLINE PAL HLDG PAXYS PH RESORTS GRP PHIL SEVEN CORP PHILWEB PLDT PREMIUM LEISURE PRMIERE HORIZON PUREGOLD ROBINSONS RTL SBS PHIL CORP SSI GROUP STI HLDG TRANSPACIFIC BR TRAVELLERS WATERFRONT WILCON DEPOT

12.3 20.55 1.25 0.435 0.043 15.76 2.74 12 0.067 82.95 7.62 5.66 6.9 11.96 1,938 5.88 370.6 11.86 3.02 130.7 7.1 0.136 5.25 15.6 3.7 0.93 22.4 0.58 3.33 1.68 2.55 4.82 10.7 3.19 4.55 123 2.69 1,139 0.86 1 48.5 79.05 8.51 2.38 0.71 0.41 5.64 0.67 15.7

12.5 20.55 1.25 0.435 0.043 15.76 2.78 12.02 0.069 83 7.62 5.9 6.9 12.14 1,950 5.98 379.8 11.86 3.12 131.1 7.1 0.136 5.25 15.6 3.81 0.98 22.8 0.59 3.38 1.73 2.56 4.85 10.7 3.26 4.79 123 2.72 1,139 0.87 1.02 48.6 79.9 8.51 2.46 0.71 0.415 5.64 0.67 15.7

12.2 19.88 1.25 0.425 0.042 15.76 2.71 11.62 0.067 81.05 7.6 5.25 6.75 11.88 1,910 5.84 364 11.86 2.91 128.1 7.1 0.127 4.8 15.6 3.7 0.93 21.8 0.57 3.33 1.68 2.48 4.4 10.6 3.06 4.52 122.5 2.68 1,102 0.85 0.9 47 76.65 8.51 2.36 0.69 0.405 5.6 0.65 15.2

SERVICES 12.5 19.92 1.25 0.435 0.042 15.76 2.71 11.7 0.069 81.4 7.6 5.3 6.81 11.88 1,918 5.85 379.6 11.86 2.91 128.9 7.1 0.131 4.81 15.6 3.73 0.98 22 0.57 3.35 1.73 2.48 4.57 10.6 3.13 4.79 123 2.69 1,105 0.86 0.91 47.7 79 8.51 2.46 0.69 0.405 5.63 0.65 15.48

20,100 599,500 2,000 530,000 10,000,000 80,100 592,000 2,297,300 39,580,000 139,500 25,000 2,948,700 33,800 42,400 14,910 1,440,600 260 100 1,117,000 1,601,170 15,000 4,440,000 13,108,000 15,000 3,008,000 1,044,000 463,700 1,711,000 4,726,000 10,000 744,000 334,000 12,100 12,000 47,000 47,430 474,000 82,710 3,882,000 67,625,000 618,100 810,000 1,000 9,647,000 1,708,000 3,260,000 311,500 583,000 6,482,200

246,850 11,947,029 2,500 228,400 421,000 1,262,376 1,622,460 27,006,946 2,682,760 11,409,242.50 190,033 15,869,088 232,318 506,920 28,596,550 8,485,863 95,928 1,186 3,314,890 206831684 106,500 571,800 64,260,955 234,000 11,267,080 998,190 10,331,620 980,730 15,836,420 17,200 1,865,980 1,486,240 129,328 37,280 219,660 5,833,685 1,280,310 91,730,685 3,338,590 63,958,460 29,624,590 63,658,955 8,510 23,439,610 1,181,930 1,329,350 1,746,608 388,000 100,463,458

-1,220 -1,576 -162,860 -1,823,860 -2,346,939 -5,271,683 13,024,165 -40,040 45311385.0004 -38,700 -9,971,206 2,848,730 -51,940 -1,576,725 -2,281,430 -10,200 -67,050 114,235 -1,141,835 767,030 3,380 14,238,975 -38,792,158 -8,510 -58,180 172,350.00 -162,000 4,974,600

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

0.002 1.42 3.14 12.5 1.26 1.22 2.62 7.88 1.55 0.275 0.12 0.0086 0.009 1.06 2.5 1.03 0.63 0.94 0.013 3.02 3.4 9.4 21.95

0.002 1.43 3.14 12.96 1.26 1.35 2.62 7.88 1.61 0.29 0.12 0.0086 0.009 1.1 2.51 1.07 0.63 0.94 0.013 3.03 3.41 10.5 21.95

0.002 1.4 3 12.5 1.26 1.22 2.58 7.79 1.55 0.255 0.118 0.0086 0.009 1.06 2.48 1 0.59 0.9 0.012 3.02 3.35 9.2 21.45

MINING & OIL 0.002 26,000,000 1.41 2,486,000 3.09 348,000 12.96 4,000 1.26 3,000 1.35 6,000 2.61 601,000 7.79 700 1.55 3,437,000 0.265 16,470,000 0.118 800,000 0.0086 1,000,000 0.009 9,000,000 1.1 102,000 2.48 660,000 1.05 252,000 0.62 141,000 0.9 880,000 0.012 3,200,000 3.02 86,000 3.4 1,169,000 9.96 9,999,100 21.55 324,200

52,000 3,513,090 1,056,410 50,138 3,780 7,970 1,565,860 5,470 5,414,750 4,370,850 95,420 8,600 81,000 111,680 1,641,050 255,360 88,140 794,080 40,000 259,820 3,946,910 98,889,868 6,993,460

25,000 6,750 -78,500 143,730 -63,000 -558,950 20,200 191,830 70,880 -3,218,790 8,600

ABS HLDG PDR AC PREF B1 AC PREF B2 ALCO PREF B DD PREF FPH PREF C GLO PREF P GMA HLDG PDR GTCAP PREF A HOUSE PREF A LR PREF MWIDE PREF PCOR PREF 2A SFI PREF SMC FB PREF 2 SMC PREF 2B SMC PREF 2C SMC PREF 2F SMC PREF 2H SMC PREF 2I

19.5 479 455 100 99 450.6 494.8 5.74 900 93 0.98 101.8 970.5 1.79 972 75 76 73.6 73.45 74.45

19.5 479 497 100 99 450.6 494.8 5.8 900 94.95 0.98 101.8 970.5 1.79 972 75 76 74.6 73.5 74.45

19 479 455 99.8 98 450.6 494.8 5.72 900 93 0.97 101.8 970.5 1.78 969 75 75.2 73.6 73.45 74.45

PREFERRED 19.08 249,500 479 40 490 600 99.8 11,800 98 60 450.6 300 494.8 80 5.77 81,300 900 60 94.95 2,230 0.97 108,000 101.8 20 970.5 20 1.78 7,000 969 90 75 1,000 75.2 20,010 73.75 20,930 73.45 470 74.45 60

4,766,498 19,160 284,550 1,179,640 5,890 135,180 39,584 468,455 54,000 207,780 104,780 2,036 19,410 12,510 87,300 75,000 1,505,335.50 1,543,530.50 34,530 4,467

-2,478,442 -18,756 -2,036 -

LR WARRANT

1.86

1.95

1.86

WARRANTS 1.93 153,000

292,200

-56,100

ITALPINAS XURPAS

4.86 1.13

4.94 1.15

4.84 1.1

4.94 1.13

467,950 7,522,760

-1,314,570

FIRST METRO ETF

118

118.4

116.8

826,625

208,810

1,000 35,670 297

-

NAME

MS

PROPERTY 12.9 0.78 10.22 1.93 0.82 45 2.32 4.25 6.54 0.55 0.87 0.94 0.242 0.4 12.06 23.5 0.5 1.5 1.29 5.73 0.385 0.485 1.6 2.67 59 24.5 2.01

4,433,400 949,000 17,100 1,000 447,000 17,106,900 493,000 358,000 58,400 17,734,000 11,000 12,000 850,000 500,000 4,284,400 1,510,000 1,448,000 8,030,000 1,860,000 12,059,500 4,530,000 590,000 4,690,000 125,000 1,550 1,077,200 26,000

USD DMPL A1 USD DMPL A2 USD TECH B2

10 10.1 0.99

TRADING SUMMARY FINANCIAL INDUSTRIAL HOLDING FIRMS

10 10.2 0.99

SHARES 8,739,490

64,153,325 244,109,254

PROPERTY

95,183,523

SERVICES

187,192,140

MINING & OIL

78,451,843

GRAND TOTAL

684,648,604

10 10.1 0.99

SME

96,000 6,714,000

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 116.8 7,030 10 10.2 0.99

DDS

100 3,500 300

VALUE 1,729.71 (down) 33.00 707,754,229.50 FINANCIAL INDUSTRIAL 11,729.21 (up) 8.86 1,016,701,779.27 HOLDING FIRMS 7,691.99 (down) 44.38 1,412,502,696.42 PROPERTY 4,081.70 (down) 33.87 SERVICES 1,580.44 (down) 27.90 1,407,630,159.415 MINING & OIL 7,666.60 (down) 264.18 846,722,626.31 PSEI 7,840.31 (down) 80.62 129,274,397.9825 All Shares Index 4,824.13 (down) 40.04 5,529,413,076.84 Gainers: 65; Losers: 120; Unchanged: 55; Total: 240

Aboitiz Equity registers bond program worth P30b with SEC

By Jenniffer B. Austria CONGLOMERATE Aboitiz Equity Ventures Inc. said it filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission a P30-billion retail-bond shelf registration program.

AEV said in a disclosure to the stock exchange it would likely offer to the public the first tranche of the fixed-retail bond offering equivalent to P3 billion, with an oversubscription option of up to P2 billion, in the first half of 2019.

“Subsequent tranches of the bonds may be issued by AEV as and when the need arises and subject to market conditions at the time,” AEV said.

The company plans to use the net proceeds from the first tranche of the bonds as part of the refinancing plan for the medium-term loan of AEV International Pte. Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of AEV. The company appointed BDO Capital & Investment Corp. and First Metro Investment Corp. as the joint issue managers and underwriters of the bond offering.

AEV plans to list the bonds with Philippine Dealing and Exchange Corp.

AEV International last year entered into a $338-million loan agreement with four foreign banks to finance the acquisition of a controlling stake in Gold Coin Management Holdings Limited, Asia’s largest privately-owned agribusiness company.

AEV has earmarked P81 billion in capital expenditures this year, up from the actual spending of P49 billion in 2018.

The conglomerate is allocating at least 63 percent, or about P51 billion, to finance the expansion of the powerrelated business.

It is earmarking the balance of 37 percent or P30 billion for the group’s nonpower generating businesses, including real estate, cement, banking, bulk water project, food and infrastructure.

The last time AEV raised capital from the local bond market was in 2015, when it raised P24 billion worth of fixed-rate bonds maturing in October 2020, 2022, and 2027.

Ayala Land set to unveil latest Seda hotel unit MAJOR property developer Ayala Land Inc. is set to unveil Seda Residences Makati, its first serviced apartment in the country’s central business district, in the second quarter of 2019.

Ayala Land said in a statement posted on its website Seda Residences Makati is within the Ayala North Exchange, a two-tower mixed-use building along the Ayala Avenue in Makati.

Ayala Land said Seda Residences offers unparalleled city views from its 293 fully-furnished and fully-equipped serviced residences ranging from studios to three-bedroom apartments.

The property offers a complete range of facilities and amenities ideal for overnight or long-term stays.

The bigger residences have a living room, kitchenette, dining area, and washer dryer, while studios are a compact one-room affair.

Shared facilities include Seda’s signature Misto restaurant and Straight Up roof deck bar—the highest in Makati—a swimming pool, game room, children’s playroom, an e-lounge, and fitness center, as well as meeting and event spaces and serviced offices.

The hotel is offering an introductory rate of P5,500 per day for a stay period of June to November.

Seda Residences Makati stands right next to other dining options at the Ayala North Exchange Tower 2.

It is a 10-minute walk to Ayala Malls Greenbelt and approximately 40 minutes’ drive via Skyway from the Ninoy Aquino International Airports and domestic terminals.

Seda Residences Makati is the 10th property in the Philippines under the Seda Hotels brand, wholly-owned and managed by Ayala Land.

Ayala Land earlier said it had earmarked P10 billion to scale up the hotel portfolio of its homegrown hotel brand Seda Hotel to 3,268 rooms by 2020.

Aside from Seda Residences Makati, the company is also set to open Seda Cebu IT Park with 214 rooms and the second tower of Seda Hotel in Bonifacio Global City with 342 rooms.

Ayala Land in 2020 will complete Seda Manila Bay in Aseana City, Parañaque City with 350 rooms and a second tower for Seda Nuvali with 206 rooms.

Jenniffer B. Austria

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World

TUESDAY, APRIL 2, 2019 CESAR BARRIOQUINTO, Editor mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Elton John joins the call for boycott of Brunei hotels

CASUALTY. Chinese military officials look at the remains of a Chinese soldier who fought in the Korean War during the coffin rites in Incheon on April 1, 2019. AFP

Comic tops Ukraine first round vote KIEV―Comedian Volodymyr Zelensky topped the first round of Ukraine’s presidential election with almost twice the vote share of his nearest rival, incumbent Petro Poroshenko, partial results showed Monday.

Zelensky’s political experience had been limited to playing the president in a TV show when he announced his longshot candidacy at the start of the year.

But the 41-year-old capitalized on frustration over corruption and a stalling economy to leapfrog his establishment opponents.

The election commission website said Zelensky had 30.2 percent of the vote and Poroshenko 16.7, with just over half of all votes counted.

The pair will now meet in a run off set for April 21.

Ex-prime minister Yulia Tymoshenko, who was herself favorite when she launched her campaign, was knocked out with 13.08 percent of the vote, the figures showed.

Zelensky had topped opinion polls for weeks and the main question going into the Sunday vote was who of Tymoshenko and Poroshenko would meet him in the second round.

But the size of his victory came as a surprise to many in Ukraine.

If the actor wins the vote in April, as opinion polls suggest, he will take the reins of one of the poorest countries in Europe—a nation of 45 million people fighting Russian-backed separatists in its industrial east.

Political analyst Anatoliy Oktysyuk of Kiev’s Democracy House center said it would be “difficult” for Poroshenko to knock the actor off course.

“He [Poroshenko] has no room for growth. He has played all his cards,” Oktysyuk said.

“This is a protest against the old elites and a call for new faces.”

Oktysyuk suggested Poroshenko would try to frame the contest as part of a wider confrontation between Moscow and the West -- presenting himself as the only candidate who could stand up to the Kremlin.

The president said the results were a “harsh lesson” for him personally and for the country’s authorities as a whole after exit polls were released late Sunday. AFP

Kim murder suspect to be freed from jail S HAH ALAM, Malaysia―A Vietnamese woman accused of assassinating the North Korean leader’s half-brother is to walk free after Malaysia dropped murder charges against her Monday, weeks after her Indonesian co-accused was also released.

The 2017 killing of Kim Jong Nam with a toxic nerve agent at Kuala Lumpur’s international airport shocked the world, but Doan Thi Huong’s guilty plea to the lesser charge of “causing injury” makes her the only person convicted in the case.

Malaysia allowed the two women’s suspected North Korean handlers to leave in the days after the murder, amid a furious diplomatic row as Seoul accused Pyongyang of plotting

the Cold War-style hit.

The pair, who claimed they were tricked into carrying out the killing, were put on trial facing a murder charge.

But last month the charge against Indonesian suspect Siti Aisyah was dropped and on Monday, prosecutors withdrew the charge against the second accused, Doan Thi Huong from Vietnam, and replaced it with a lesser one.

She pleaded guilty to “causing injury” and was handed a three year and four month jail term, with her lawyers saying she would be freed next month due to sentence reductions. The women would have been sentenced to death by hanging if convicted of murder.

While there was relief for Huong, the outcome means her conviction is the only one over the sensational assassination of Kim Jong Un’s estranged relative, who was seen as heir apparent to the North Korean leadership until he fell out of favour.

Huong, a 30-year-old former hair salon worker who had been living a precarious existence among Malay-

sia’s army of migrant workers before her arrest, said she was “happy” after the verdict was handed down.

“This is a fair sentence,” she told reporters at the High Court in Shah Alam, outside Kuala Lumpur. “This is a fair judgement, I thank the Malaysian government and the Vietnamese government.”

Her father Doan Van Thanh, who was at court, said he planned to “host a big party to welcome my youngest daughter back home”.

Huong had already failed at one attempt to secure an early release.

Days after Aisyah’s charge was dropped, prosecutors announced that the attorney-general had rejected a request to withdraw Huong’s murder charge, prompting her to break down in floods of tears in court.

Hanoi had stepped up diplomatic pressure on Malaysia after Huong’s first failed release bid, following the example of the Indonesian government which had mounted a sustained diplomatic offensive to secure the release of 27-year-old Aisyah. AFP

STEPPING DOWN. Japan’s Emperor Akihito and Empress

Michiko admire the cherry blossoms at Kyoto Gyoen National Garden in Kyoto on March 27, 2019. Akihito will abdicate from the Chrysanthemum Throne on April 30, making way for Crown Prince Naruhito to replace him the following day. AFP

IN BRIEF Peru bus fire kills at least 20

LIMA―At least 20 people were killed and about 10 injured Sunday night in a bus fire at an illegal transport terminal in the Peruvian capital, emergency services said.

A number of the victims burned to death, trapped on the upper level of the interprovincial bus in Lima, firefighters said.

Passersby described scenes of panic and cries of terror.

Much of the vehicle was reduced to a skeleton, and the corpses of some victims could still be seen in the seats. Others asphyxiated on the stairway connecting the upper and lower levels.

The tragedy reflected the chaos of Peru’s public transport system, particularly in the capital of 10 million people where authorities are overwhelmed by transport problems.

Initial reports said an electrical fault at the rear of the bus triggered the blaze just after 7:30 pm (0030 GMT).

“The fire led to the deaths of at least 20 people,” said Lewis Mejia, a fire department official.

Authorities did not say how many people were on board.

One unidentified man, broken by grief, told local television that he had lost six family members including his wife, children and grandchildren.

AFP photographed one woman weeping, her face buried in her hands, while paramedics checked her.

Lima’s Mayor Jorge Munoz visited the injured in hospital and announced an investigation to punish those responsible. AFP

Australia setting string of ‘hottest’ records

Maduro announces 30 days of electricity rationing in Venezuela CARACAS―Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro announced 30 days of electricity rationing on Sunday, after his government said it was reducing the length of the workday and keeping schools closed due to devastating blackouts plaguing the country.

The measures are a stark admission by the government―which has sought to blame repeated blackouts in March on sabotage―that there is not enough electricity to go around, and that the power crisis is here to stay.

Speaking on state television, Maduro said he had approved “a 30-day plan” to ration power, “with an emphasis on guaranteeing water service.”

Crippled infrastructure, little investment in the power grid and poor maintenance have all contributed to electric-

LONDON―British pop legend Elton John has joined actor George Clooney in calling for a boycott of nine Brunei-owned hotels over the sultanate’s new death-penalty laws for gay sex and adultery.

The call came as a growing list of politicians and celebrities added their names to those condemning the new laws and supporting a boycott.

“I commend my friend, #GeorgeClooney, for taking a stand against the anti-gay discrimination and bigotry taking place in the nation of #Brunei - a place where gay people are brutalized, or worse - by boycotting the Sultan’s hotels,” the singer wrote on his Twitter page late Saturday.

The 72-year-old, a veteran gay rights campaigner, said his “heart went out” to staff at the hotels, but that “we must send a message, however we can, that such treatment is unacceptable”.

The nine hotels mentioned by Clooney are located in Britain, France, Italy and the United States. They include London’s exclusive Dorchester and the Beverly Hills Hotel in Los Angeles.

The Dorchester Collection luxury chain issued a statement saying that its code emphasizes “equality, respect and integrity in all areas” and that “we do not tolerate any form of discrimination”, CNN reported.

Clooney called for the boycott earlier this week, saying “every single time we stay at or take meetings at or dine at any of these nine hotels, we are putting money directly into the pockets of men who choose to stone and whip to death their own citizens for being gay or accused of adultery”.

“No one should face the death penalty because of who they love. Brunei’s decision is barbaric,” Britain’s international development minister Penny Mordaunt wrote

ity problem.

Add to that the country’s economic deep crisis, eye-popping inflation rate and the “brain drain” of qualified personnel―some 25,000 people in the electricity sector have left the country, part of the 2.7 million Venezuelans who have emigrated since 2015―and you have the makings of a crisis with no end in sight.

Earlier on Sunday, authorities announced other measures as a result of the electricity shortage.

“To achieve consistency in the provision of electricity, the Bolivarian government decided to maintain the suspension of school activities and establish a workday until 2:00 pm in public and private institutions,” Communications Minister Jorge Rodriguez

said on state television.

With no electricity, pumping stations can’t work so water service is limited.

Street lights and traffic lights go dark, pumps at fuel stations stand idle, and cell phone and internet service is non-existent.

“This is going to continue, the situation is very serious, there will be more blackouts and rationing,” said Winton Cabas, president of the Venezuelan association of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering.

“The whole power grid is barely generating between 5,500 and 6,000 megawatts, when it has the capacity to generate 34,000 megawatts,” he told AFP. The Maduro government has blamed “terrorists” for alleged attacks that have damaged the Guri hydroelectric power plant, which generates 80 per-

cent of Venezuela’s electricity.

The Guri plant, however, was already showing signs of trouble: back in 2010, then-president Hugo Chavez said that electricity would be rationed in some Venezuelan states because water was low at the Guri dam due to a drought.

Jose Aguilar, a Venezuelan consultant living in the United States, says that the problems with the power grid run deep.

“Over the past 20 years, the infrastructure has been abused due to a lack of maintenance and the postponing of upgrade plans,” he told AFP. Add to that the “de-professionalization” of the sector after Chavez nationalized the privately-run power company in 2007, which led to progovernment loyalists taking positions as managers and engineers. AFP

SYDNEY―Australia continued a string of “hottest ever” months in March, the government said Monday, as global warming emerges as the hot button issue in national elections just weeks away.

The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) said the country had experienced the warmest March on record, with mean maximum and minimum temperatures above average for nearly all of the vast continent nation.

BOM said the national mean temperature was 2.13 degrees centigrade (3.83 degrees Fahrenheit) above the long-term average for the month of March.

It was the fourth month in a row of record heat in the country, and January was Australia’s hottest month ever, with mean temperatures across the continent exceeding 30 degrees Celsius for the first time.

There was some relief for regions suffering from prolonged drought, however, as two tropical cyclones that struck northern and western Australia in March bought badly needed rains.

“Unfortunately, the rain needed to reduce significant rainfall deficiencies in droughtaffected areas is substantial and will require above average rainfall over a prolonged period to completely remove deficits at longer timescales,” BOM said.

Meteorologists say weather patterns over the Indian and Pacific oceans have contributed to the higher temperatures, but that long-term climate change trends were also involved.

The problem of climate change has emerged as a key issue in national elections due to be held by mid-May. The conservative coalition government of Prime Minister Scott Morrison has been reluctant to back steep reductions in greenhouse gas emissions blamed for contributing to global warming for fear this would hurt the country’s huge coal industry and undermine economic growth.AFP

LGUs

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

B4

TUESDAY, APRIL 2, 2019

LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS

Taguig seniors center opens

By Joel E. Zurbano

T

HE Taguig City government on Monday inaugurated a new facility where more than 60,000 senior citizens in the city can enjoy massage, yoga, ballroom dancing, swimming, and other activities to relax safely—all free of charge.

Considered the first of its kind in the country, the five-story Center for the Elderly features a therapy pool, sauna, massage area, gym, yoga and ballroom space, multipurpose halls, PWD-friendly comfort rooms, conference rooms, offices, a pantry, and an elevator.

The wellness hub is located along Ipil-Ipil Street in Barangay North Signal village.

“We are a ‘probinsyudad,’ and that means we don’t leave our values behind even as we aim high,” said Mayor Laarni Cayetano, explaining the purpose of the Center for the Elderly.

“That means elders have an esteemed place in this city. This building is our way of reflecting that ― a place where they can enjoy, pamper themselves, build their circles,” the mayor added.

The building was designed with facilities for senior citizens’ meetings, casual gatherings, and days off from grandpa and grandma duties at home.

The first floor features a therapy pool, where seniors can do exercises for pain relief, improved balance, and strength and flexibility. Also on the same level are a conference room, offices, clinic, pantry, and restrooms for persons with disabilities.

The second floor sports a massage room and two saunas. Seniors can get their groove on in the ballroom, which can also double as a yoga room and gym. A waiting lounge can also be a place where seniors can read or just relax.

The third and fourth floors are multipurpose halls. It can be repurposed for town hall events but, on regular days, has loads of boardgames, such as all-time favorites chess and Scrabble. The great lighting makes it an ideal place for knitting and a host of other crafts fancied by those passing the time—or selfies, for the more contemporary lolos and lolas.

The fifth floor has a cinema with cozy couches, for the enthusiasts of the silver screen. The exit opens into the rooftop garden that makes one appreciate life in the “probinsyudad.”

The building has ramps for those coming in wheelchairs. Stairs connect the floors, but an elevator is on hand for those with mobility challenges.

The center is manned by friendly and hospitable staff eager to serve their elderly clients. A clinic is also manned with medical personnel to respond to the needs of the elderly.

QC dad vows to keep footing teachers’ meds

By Rio N. Araja DUE to lack of medical assistance to teachers despite the mandate of Republic Act 4670, Quezon City Councilor Victor Ferrer Jr. has vowed to continue helping 1,300 teachers and non-teachers from all public schools in District 1 through the provision of free annual medical checkups.

In an interview, Ferrer said teachers would borrow money for medicine and health expenses because the government does not have medical assistance for them.

“I have a consultant in charge of the committee on education, Elizabeth San Diego, who has advised me to extend such services not only for teachers, but also to non-teachers,” he told the Manila Standard.

“I have been doing this for the last eight years,” the councilor said.

Despite the clear provisions of RA 4670 or the Magna Carta for Public School Teachers, Ferrer said teachers themselves pay for their annual medical checkup.

Under the law’s Section 22, the government is responsible to maintain teachers’ health through a compulsory, annual and free medical examination.

Should the results of the examination show that a teacher needs to go through hospitalization or take medication, the government should foot the expenses.

Ferrer lamented teachers running to loan institutions to borrow money for emergency medical needs for themselves or their family members.

“I have been using my personal money from my wages to be able to offer free annual X-ray and urinalysis service to 1,300 teaching and non-teaching personnel. Not a single centavo came from the government,” Ferrer said.

Caloocan joins river, estero cleanup drive

By Jun David

PROCLAIMED. Proclamation rallies for the May 13 local elections started in earnest over the weekend. In Makati, Senator Nancy Binay

raises the hands of ‘Team Be Nice’ candidates, led by her brother, mayoralty candidate Junjun Binay, on Saturday. In Mandaluyong, senatorial candidate Francis Tolentino joins hands with the ‘Team Performance’ of incumbent Mayor Menchu Abalos. And in Dasmariñas, Cavite, Senator Cynthia Villar stumps for Team Dasma led by Cavite Rep. Pidi Barzaga, and other candidates for the provincial board and city council.

Lino Santos and Manny Palmero

SM malls in Bulacan lead Earth Hour ‘switch off’ BULAKEÑOS were urged to do their part for the environment as SM Bulacan Malls in Marilao, San Jose del Monte and Baliwag joined millions of businesses and people across the globe in “switching off” for Earth Hour.

The world’s largest grassroots movement for the environment used the global theme “#Connect 2Earth,” which aims to call for urgent need to care for the Earth’s biological diversity.

In the Philippines, World Wide Fund focuses on the issue of single-use plastics and crucial need to save environment’s condition.

“SM’s celebration of Earth Hour is more than an annual tradition of turning off the lights but also a moment to reflect on what we can do to help save the environment,” said SM City Marilao Assistant Mall Manager Don Fiesta.

Paving the way for many conserva-

tion victories, SM Bulacan Malls included a number of activities for the community to take part in.

In SM City Marilao, a series of cleanup activities preceded the celebration with a follow up waterway rehabilitation on April 2019. The mall likewise featured a 10-foot Tree of Life made of recycled metal bars, thousands of LED lights, and repurpose plastic materials during Earth Hour celebration. Jun David

IN A bid to restore the former glory of Manila Bay, the City Government of Caloocan took part in the simultaneous clean-up activities of rivers and esteros over the weekend.

Dubbed the “Battle for Manila Bay,” the activity in Tullahan River in Barangay 164 was led by Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu, Interior Secretary Eduardo Año, and Metro Manila Development Authority Chairman Danilo Lim. Speaking in front of more than 500 volunteers, Cimatu lauded the participants’ efforts, saying: “This is the most prepared, most organized, and most attended activity.”

On behalf of Mayor Oscar Malapitan, City Administrator Oliver Hernandez welcomed the officials and volunteers and vowed to continue the city’s full support for the rehabilitation of the historic water landmark.

“The City Government of Caloocan led by our City Mayor Oscar Malapitan is in full support for the rehabilitation of Manila Bay,” CA Hernandez emphasized.

Salceda blasts ‘anti-probinsyano’ bus ban ALBAY Rep. Joey Sarte Salceda has branded as “senseless, anti-poor and ‘anti-probinsyano’” the impending ban on provincial buses and bus terminals along EDSA. The ban, previously scheduled for April but moved to June this year, is among the Metro Manila Development Authority’s answers to the traffic chaos in the National Capital Region.

It seeks to transfer the terminals of provincial buses from Northern Luzon to Valenzuela City, and from Southern Luzon and the Visayas to a “super terminal” in Sta. Rosa, Laguna, 39 kilometers away from Manila.

Salceda said the ban will cause “great economic disruption, expenses and inconvenience to multitudes of commuters to Metro Manila from the provinces,” and shifts the burden to provincial commuters who have to pay extra fares for another transportation mode.

He noted there are 2.8 million cars in Metro Manila versus 4,000 provincial buses—2,500 from the north and 1,500 from the south.

“Who do you think actually causes the traffic

problem?” Salceda asked.

“Where in the world are provincial bus stations located 38.6 kilometers from the passengers’ travel destination? This is absolutely senseless, ‘anti-probinsiyano.’ No to Sta. Rosa! No to PTIX!,” he added.

“Worldwide, public transport has priority over private vehicles. Pure common sense. Even in New York or in Tokyo, the ‘provincial bus stations’ are in the heart of the city because public transport has priority over private vehicles,” Salceda stressed.

On March 21, the MMDA’s Metro Manila Council passed Resolution 19-002, prohibiting the issuance of business permits to all public utility bus terminals and and other public utility vehicle terminals along EDSA in preparation for the transfer.

Salceda, however, said the move will not solve NCR’s traffic problems.

“Why pick on our ‘pobreng probinsyanos’ to solve Metro Manila traffic? While each bus can carry 50, each car carries only five. So if you have 3,000 buses from the provinces, you swap them for 15,000 more cars on EDSA,” he said.

FREE HANDWASH. Anna Karenina Lim-Puerto (right), Community Relations and External Affairs manager of Laguna

Aquatech Resource Corporation, leads deputy director Dr. Rogelio T. Andrada of the Makiling Center for Mountain Ecosystems and Mikail Gabriel R. Tabucal, LARC engineering division, in inaugurating the new cleaning station at Makiling Rainforest Park and Makiling Botanical Garden donated by the water firm on Wednesday. Roy Tomandao

Rodis gets second term as president of Bataan Peninsula State U BALANGA CITY, Bataan—The Bataan Peninsula State University Board of Regents has reappointed for a second term Dr. Greg Rodis as president in a meeting held at the CHED Building in Quezon City on Wednesday.

Rodis was first elected to the post on April 17, 2015.

Officials of the BPSU Faculty Association (FASSO) and the Federation of Administrative and Support Employees Association (FASEA)

were delighted to learn the reappointment of Rodis.

The university, under his term, has adopted new vision, mission, and development thrusts, aiming to become a leading educational institution in

the country.

Rodis has started facility development in its six campuses in line with the university-wide zoning.

BPSU is the biggest state-run university in the province, with campuses

in Balanga (Main), Balanga (BC), Orani, Dinalupihan, Abucay, and Bagac.

The university had produced topnotchers in engineering, nursing, education, accountancy, and midwifery courses. Butch Gunio

Life

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

HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENT

@MStandardLIFE TUESDAY, APRIL 2, 2019

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WORK IT. Leading

sports retailer Toby’s Sports taps Arnold Aninion to lead its first open workout that aims to connect with fitness enthusiasts.

S

PORTS retailer Toby’s Sports recently hosted the first Toby’s Sports Arnold’s Army Open Workout at the Bonifacio High Street Amphitheatre in a bid to connect with fitness enthusiasts.

At the event, fitness trainer to the stars Arnold Aninion led different group exercises and held a live free workout for a select few.

Some of Aninion’s celebrity clients include Anne Curtis, Isabelle Daza, Solenn Heussaff, and Georgina Wilson, among others. He is also credited for Raymond Gutierrez’s dramatic transformation.

Noting that more people have become increasingly health conscious, Andrea Tan, Toby’s Sports head of marketing and communications, disclosed that the company aims to connect with fitness enthusiasts by holding complimentary trendy workout sessions.

“The enthusiastic response we received from the public and industry influencers was overwhelming,” said a highly pleased Tan, who revealed that Toby Sports was just looking to holding a walk-in event.

“But after posting about it online,” Tan said, “it generated so much interest that we had to do pre-registration a couple days before the open workout. The event likewise drew attention from local celebrities like Michael de Mesa and Eric ‘Eruption’ Tai, among others.”

She happily noted that the event’s success was due to the fact that people are more stimulated when exercising with a group—and using a variety of workout styles—because of the social atmosphere and community vibe. “With

Sports retailer holds first open workout group exercise,” Tan pointed out, “you are likely to work out harder than you would if you were on your own.”

Tan averred that being trained by Arnold Aninion, or becoming part of #ArnoldsArmy for a day at least, is a distinct privilege. “We hope that our participants will walk away with some

workout tips from Arnold, himself— those that they can do at home or in the gym, even without a trainer,” she announced at the onset of the event.

Apart from the workouts, information on fitness recovery strategies was likewise underscored. “That is something you should know when you kick-start

Participants achieve their fitness goals with the help of group exercises which were found to help individuals push themselves harder than if they were working out on their own.

Get fit at your home gym LOW-COST retailer Miniso makes it easier for individuals who want to get fit this summer to get fit this summer with its range of workout essentials perfect for equipping a basic at-home gym.

Miniso Sports offers various resistance bands like hoop bands, Pro8 Shape resistance bands, and yoga stretch bands, which help improve strength, flexibility, and mobility in the glutes, knees and hip areas.

For core-strengthening exercises, there are abdominal wheels that allow core muscles to work together and sculpt tighter abs. Push up bars, on the

Abdominal wheel

your fitness journey,” Tan related as she acknowledged that people exercise for a variety of reasons: to lose weight, to lead a generally healthier lifestyle, to manage stress, and much more.

“Whatever their fitness motivation is, or whatever stage in their fitness journey they’re in,” Tan stated, “we want

them to know that Toby Sports, as the leader in sports and fitness, will always have their backs.”

For his part, Aninion, who has acquired iconic status for his revolutionary and life-changing workouts, assured his students that they will get closer to their workout goals “when they train with me.”

Fitness trainer to the stars Arnold Aninion led the first Toby’s Sports open workout.

Hand grippers Hula hoop

other hand, also help strengthen core, chest, arms, shoulders, and back in just one single motion.

Meanwhile, hula hoops are fun and exciting when used for aerobic activities. These can also help burn fats and achieve a firm and toned body.

Other workout essentials and accessories like foldable yoga mats, gym balls, sports waist packs, and armbands are also available to make workouts more fun and efficient.

Check out Miniso Sports items now available at all Miniso stores in most SM Supermalls nationwide.

Gym ball

Life

C2

TUESDAY, APRIL 2, 2019 manilastandardlife@gmail.com

Building a healthy nation, one tree at a time There is a law that requires every ‘able-bodied’ Filipino, 12 years and above, to plant one tree each year.

T

HERE are many possible ways to build a healthy, sustainable nation, and one of them is helping in the protection and conservation of environment. While this can be a pretty tall order, one of the easiest ways to do it is by planting more trees—or even at least one.

In fact, there is a law that requires every Filipino to plant one tree each year.

According to Section 8 of Republic Act No. 10176, also known as the Arbor Day Act of 2012, “All able-bodied citizens of the Philippines, who are at least 12 years of age, shall be required to plant one tree every year.”

Aside from helping “protect and advance the right of the people to a balanced and healthful ecology,” if every Filipino, from age 12, planted a tree every year, the country can be shielded from calamities while having more than enough supply to meet the demands of the local forest industry.

The Philippine Wood Producers Association, the national association of companies, corporations, partnerships, and individuals involved in forest management, further explains the importance of planting trees in ensuring there is a balance between the needs of the

people and the viability of the forests.

Planting trees helps support ecosystems. Forests are known as the lungs of our planet. These absorb more carbon dioxide and other potentially harmful gasses including sulfur dioxide and carbon monoxide from the air, and release oxygen. They also provide habitat and food for animals ensuring the diversity of flora and fauna on our planet.

Trees serve as shields against calamities. Planting more trees, especially in the rural and upland areas of the country, helps minimize the impact of natural disasters, reduces landslides, keeps the ground fertile, and slows down mudflows. These trees can also absorb rain on the mountain slopes, preventing casualties during dangerous typhoons.

It increases biodiversity. Pushing for bills such as the Sustainable Forest Management Act and joining causes

that advocate tree planting can secure natural sustainability for all life forms.

Production of responsibly sourced wood contributes to the country’s economic growth. Aside from making a more sustainable Philippines, trees can also help propel our economy forward. From the development of plantations to the harvest of mature trees, the entire process requires manpower, which PWPA asserts will then create jobs and provide more stable and dependable income sources. It will also produce raw materials needed for furniture and building infrastructures that will last, therefore making way for business opportunities locally and internationally.

“Trees really play a vital role in ensuring the well-being of our country,” opined PWPA chairman Charlie H. Liu. He added, “We believe that by taking care of trees and our forest, we can ensure that countless generations of Filipinos can still enjoy the blessings of Mother Nature. We also know that if we take care of our forests, it can help countless Filipinos who depend on the forestry sector and in wood production Planting more trees minimizes the impact of natural disasters, supports ecosystem, and as their primary source of livelihood.” contributes to the country’s economic growth.

Finance firm advocates employees’ overall well-being

Sandoz Philippines Corporation country head Eleanor Lopez and Novartis Healthcare Philippines president and managing director Cheryl Maley (third and fourth from left, respectively) with Sandoz and Novartis associates.

Sandoz highlights commitment to diversity, inclusion SANDOZ Philippines Corporation, the local subsidiary of generics and biosimilars global leader Sandoz, hosted an International Women’s Day celebration to formally launch its Diversity & Inclusion program for the year.

“Our company fully supports the global observance of International Women’s Day 2019 which celebrates the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. We also echo the IWD call to action for accelerating gender balance. Our company has an equal proportion of male and female employees from different backgrounds, which provides a healthy mix of perspectives,” said Eleanor Lopez, country head of Sandoz Philippines Corporation.

Lopez is the first Filipino and first woman to be appointed as country head of Sandoz Philippines Corporation.

Leaders Lopez and Cheryl Maley, president and managing director of Novartis Healthcare Philippines, shared their #BalanceforBetter stories with their colleagues.

Maley shared three keys to maintaining work-life balance. “First, find a sense of purpose. Second, ruthlessly prioritize your time— identify tasks that must be done immediately and those that can wait.

Third, inspire others to maintain work-life balance. If people are able to maintain this balance, they bring more passion, energy, and commitment to the workplace.”

For her part, Lopez said, “Managing my time is challenging because I wear several hats. Aside from being country head of Sandoz Philippines, I am also a wife and mother of three children. Fortunately, Sandoz and other Novartis divisions implement programs designed to help employees maintain work-life balance.”

Sandoz Philippines’ employees benefit from flexi-time, work-fromhome options, and compensatory time off to help them manage work and personal priorities. They also have Blue Sky Friday when they can leave the office early (“when the sky is still blue”) to enjoy more personal and family time.

The company also implements its “Energized for Life” program that supports employees in coping with the psychological and physical demands of life and be fully engaged in and satisfied with their work.

Program activities include gratitude boards, fun runs, healthy snacks in the office, and other health and wellness activities.

FOR many years, physical health and safety has been the focus of corporate wellness programs. However, Deloitte’s 2018 Global Human Capital Trends Survey reports that there is a growing need for companies to pay attention to their associates’ emotional, social, mental, and financial wellness too.

Financial services firm Capital One Philippines acknowledges the importance of these concerns by establishing various programs to address each one of them.

One of the company’s most highly anticipated events is the Great Total Rewards Fair, hosted recently for the third year, to encourage associates to learn about Total Rewards and maximize the benefits available to them.

Capital One had set up booths where associates played games and learned more about what the company has in store for them.

During the event, the company invited entrepreneur and inspirational speaker Francis Kong and radio anchor and finance author Chinkee Tan to share their expertise with the associates. Both speakers emphasized the importance of taking a holistic approach to pursuing career and financial growth.

Kong shared that he had personally proven five winning disciplines to be effective: intellectual, emotional, fiscal, physical, and spiritual discipline.

Tan, on the other hand, explained: “Prosperity begins in the mind. The right mindset coupled with the right action leads to the right results.”

Further strengthening its commitment to holistic wellness, Capital One Philippines equips its workplace with facilities and services such as a fitness center, healthy meal options, a full-service onsite clinic, and massage chairs, among others.

They also have Interest Clubs like JiuJitsu, basketball, yoga, football, indoor gaming, and culinary, which provide avenues for associates to bond over shared interests and expand their network outside of their teams.

“No doubt, Capital One Philippines is successful because of the outstanding work of our amazing Filipino talents. They are family, and they deserve an exceptional workplace experience that inspires them to deliver exceptional experiences for our customers and enables their growth and success,” said Capital One Philippines general manager Peter Hayden.

Capital One Philippines’ Great Total Rewards Fair aims to encourage its associates to participate in the programs and maximize the benefits.

Chinkee Tan shares the importance of financial responsibility.

Francis Kong talks about ‘Winning Disciplines for Success.’

Entertainment

TUESDAY, APRIL 2, 2019

C3

nickie.standard@gmail.com

Dining destination celebrates Filipino creativity with painting exhibit EIGHT talented local artists led by renowned painter Fernando Sena came together to celebrate creativity and the indomitable Filipino spirit in an exhibit hosted by 13 Ubay in Quezon City.

Sena, who is best known for his still life renderings of the ubiquitous pan de sal, is joined by Bernardo Maac, Mario Villanueva, Angelito Lepalma, Agnes Batallones, Jojo Garcia, Dennis Tresvalles, and Joval Kisinamal in a special, month-long art exhibit at the restaurant titled Embracing Filipino Food and Art. Guests at the restaurant can appreciate the artworks that range from still life, to street scenes, and abstracts, all done in vivid colors and in different forms and techniques that capture the eye and imagination.

The food and ambience at 13 Ubay make the perfect backdrop for this artistic endeavor, as the menu is composed of

food that is familiar to the Filipino palate, with bestsellers such as Beef Pares, Chicken Inasal, and SinaingnaTulingan, in a setting that is homey and approachable.

During the opening ceremony for Embracing Food and Art, Sena congratulated 13 Ubay for the exhibit concept, saying that he hopes that will be more venues to highlight Filipino talent in visual arts.

The restaurant welcomes more collaborations with local artists as it hopes to establish itself as an art hub in Quezon City while providing its guests with visual and gustatory feasts through its ambience and home-style Filipino food.

The Embracing Food and Art exhibit at 13 UBAY is still ongoing.

The Banawe neighborhood restaurant is located at 13 Ubay St., Sta. Mesa Heights, Quezon City. For more information and to view the menu, visit 13 UBAY on Facebook and Instagram.

T

Tom feels no pressure

Renowned artist Fernando Cena (2nd from right) together with seven other local artists. With him at the opening are Bayen Tinga, President of Philippine Art Awards, 13 Ubay’s Zaza Sarmiento, Josie Manuel, Edna Sarmiento, and Engineer Edwin Soliman.

CHAN BROTHERS

HE newest offering from the singer-songwriter sons of iconic OPM artist Jose Mari Chan has 10 original tracks, including two instrumental songs, the bossa nova inspired “Fernandina” and the rock-infused “If I Knew You Were Coming.”

continue dad Jose Mari’s musical legacy

Joe composed “The Waning Moon,” “Seven Lakes Drive,” “With Me Tonight,” “If I Knew You Were Coming,” and “Tell Her” while Mike composed the tracks “Higher Degree,” “Finding It Hard,” “From Now On,” “Fernandina,” and “Meant To Be.” This 2019 marks the pair’s 5th year with Star Music and they are celebrating it with this latest project.

Apart from songwriting, the Chan brothers both play the guitar and piano. They previously worked together in the OPM band Generation.

The brothers’ primary musical influences range from The Beatles and classic American rock. Their new songs incidentally were mastered at the same studio The Beatles named an album from, the Abbey Road Studios.

Other influences come from their dad’s compositions to big band melodies and ballads of the 1940s and ’50s, pop and rock of the ‘60s and ‘70s, movie musicals and a childhood spent growing up in New York watching Broadway shows.

Stream the brothers’ newest offering Joe & Mike Chan, now available on Spotify, Apple Music, and other digital stores.

The newest offering from the singersongwriter sons Joe and Mike of iconic OPM artist Jose Mari Chan has 10 original tracks.

Brothers and musical duo Joe and Mike Chan launched today their first self-titled full-length album on March 29.

The record under Star Music is entitled 'Joe and Mike Chan.'

GMA… From C4

The guests were also able to meet the lead stars of Kapuso dramas acquired by LMC—Bea Binene and Derrick Monasterio of Hanggang Makita Kang Muli (Cautiva), Kris Bernal of Impostora (La Impostora), Ken Chan and Rita Daniela of My Special Tatay (Un Corazon Especial), and Mikee Quintos and Kate Valdez

of Onanay (El Amor Mas Grande).

“We’re very lucky that we have partnered with Latin Media Corporation.

They are the number one distributor of foreign content. Our revenues from our association with them are consistently growing and I think the reason is that Mr. Escalante is a very good manager,” said Gozon.

Escalante, on the other hand, shared how the programs from GMA are well received by viewers in Latin America.

“When I started thinking of bringing

CROSSWORD PUZZLE Tuesday, April 2, 2019

ACROSS 1 Antlered animals 5 Excessive interest 10 Bread buy 14 By — of hard work 15 Not stiff 16 Marine bird 17 Love, to Pablo 18 Low cards 19 Pesky plant 20 Gulf port 22 Pastures 24 Golf score 25 Ricky Ricardo 26 El Capitan locale 30 Ledger entry 35 DJ gear 36 Fix a squeak 37 Stay clear of 38 Some soccer shots 41 Shaped clay 43 People devourers 44 Prickly husk (var.)

45 Fictional collie 46 Camel halts 47 In a hateful manner 50 Somewhat (2 wds.)

53 Say incorrectly 54 Sweet

58 Grabbed 62 Flamenco shouts 63 Whole extent 66 Range in Asia 67 Bang down 68 Take — —!

69 Cozy dwelling 70 Gain deservedly 71 Made mention of 72 Wool sources DOWN 1 Party cheese 2 VIP transport 3 Rounded handle 4 Zebra feature 5 Intentionally kept concealed 6 Army address 7 Versatile vehicle 8 Verse 9 Oui and si (var.)

10 Obscene 11 Black-andwhite snack 12 One more time 13 Some narcs 21 Go on the — 23 Bailed out 25 Md. neighbor 26 Coarse person 27 Greek alphabet ender 28 Ships’ booms

29 Poet’s contraction 31 Morn’s counterpart 32 Dog toys 33 Flawless 34 Stuffed toy 39 Aberdeen’s river 40 Piece of prose 41 — wrestling 42 Familiarized 44 Plant sci.

48 Mouths, in zoology 49 Debonair

51 Got underway 52 Russet potato 54 Water supplier 55 Earthenware jar 56 Move toward 57 Cable channel 59 Wasted, as an opportunity 60 Inch forward 61 Dah partners 64 Engineering sch.

65 Hula accompaniment, for short

[programs from] a country from Asia, I thought of bringing the Filipino dramas because we look the same, our families, our values are very similar in terms of culture and [in] the way we educate ourselves. So we started bringing Filipino dramas and they are well-accepted so far.”

“Actually in Peru and Ecuador, the ratings are really, really good. We are very happy, and that’s what helps us to spread the word of Filipino dramas in the region,” Escalante added.

Other GMA dramas acquired by

LMC were Second Chances (Una Nueva Oportunidad), Someone to Watch Over Me (No Me Olvides), Legally Blind(Legalmente Ciega), Ika-6 Na Utos (Dulce Venganza), and Hindi Ko Kayang Iwan Ka. Meanwhile, in another partnership of LMC with GMA International, the Spanish-dubbed GMA dramas will also be available soon in various Latin American countries and other Spanishlanguage supported countries via OTT outlets.

SINCE Asawa Ko, Karibal Ko was a consistent top-rater, many ask if Tom Rodriguez is under any pressure with the performance of his new soap titled Dragon Lady, which took over the timeslot of its predecessor.

“I don’t consider it a challenge that we’re replacing Asawa Ko, Karibal Ko. I enjoyed watching that program when it aired. I always watched it in the afternoon.”

Instead, the be-dimpled actor who stars opposite Janine Gutierrez in the fantasy drama, expressed his excitement.

“It’s a fact that they did well in their timeslot. If that’s what we have to follow and the standard we have to keep, then I know we’re in good hands. Well, we’ll air up to Saturdays and that’s the point I’m quite nervous at.”

Tom knows it is one feat achieved by Asawa Ko, Karibal Ko (topbilled by Kris Bernal, Rayver Cruz, and Thea Tolentino) during its airing period.

“I haven’t done it before and the fact that they were able to do it with flying colors, it inspires us to prolong that winning streak.

We want to emulate them. I hope we won’t let them down and be able to keep the spirit of how successful they are.”

Interestingly, in Dragon Lady, he plays a legitimate Chinese character and he was required to study the Mandarin language.

This made him remember his initial days in the local ‘biz when he had to learn to speak Tagalog for his career growth.

“I flew from the US to become a housemate in Pinoy Big Brother in 2009. After my stint in PBB, I stayed in the office of Pinoy Dream Academy where I got to meet the late director Wenn Deramas. He told me that though I have the looks, if I won’t study Tagalog, my future roles will always be a ‘balikbayan.’ That’s what challenged me,” ends Tom. *** According to Max Collins, she has been a victim of cheating in her earlier relationships.

“Oh, many times! But I don’t really feel bad about it,” she says.

The lovely actress admits that, in a way, she is at fault too.

“I was very nice and forgiving to my former lovers. I’d let them get away with it. When they asked for forgiveness, my heart instantly melted.”

Max realized that self-respect is important.

“You don’t have to be an idiot.

You shouldn’t be super-duper kind. You have to show respect for yourself as a person so others would also respect you. There are indications that he’s cheating on you and yet, you just close your eyes on the issue, she says.

“Until you will come to a point when you will get tired and say to yourself, ‘Enough!’ When your partner is a cheater, you will lose your love for him in the process. I guess, it really boils down to selfrespec,” Max adds.

All her jaded perception on love changed when she met now husband Pancho Magno.

“I think he is the only one who showed me what it’s like to be somebody who really commits.

All of the other guys were just like, they never showed me someone that I can respect in the future. It’s only Pancho. I know I can respect him forever and he’ll be a good family man. It’s hard to find a man like that these days, right?” avers Max.

Kapuso actor Tom Rodriguez plays the male lead in 'Dragon Lady.'

Nickie Wang, Issue Editor nickie.standard@gmail.com

C4

TUESDAY, APRIL 2, 2019

GMA welcomes Latin Media Corp.

GMA Network recently welcomed Latin Media Corp. (LMC) CEO and Founder Jose Escalante and wife Maria Andreina during their first-ever courtesy visit to the Network. LMC is an exclusive content distribution partner in Latin America through GMA’s program syndication arm, GMA Worldwide, Inc. (GWI).

LMC, a well-respected distributor of Korean, Turkish, Indian, and Filipino content in Latin America, is responsible for the airing of Spanish-dubbed Kapuso dramas in all of Latin America, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic,

Spain, and Spanish language channels in the USA and Canada.

The couple was warmly welcomed by GMA Network Chairman and CEO Felipe L. Gozon and President and COO Gilberto R. Duavit, Jr. Also present in the courtesy call were GWI President Anna Teresa Gozon, GWI Vice President Roxanne Barcelona, GMA First VP and Head of International Operations Joseph Francia, and GMA VP for Drama Redgie Magno. Continued on C3

LMC CEO and Founder Jose Escalante (4th from left) and wife Maria Andreina (3rd from left) with Kapuso artists (L-R) Rita Daniela, Ken Chan, Derrick Monasterio, Bea Binene, Kate Valdez, Mikee Quintos, and Kris Bernal.

Fatboy Slim sets Manila on fire this April

By Robbie Pangilinan THE original Funk Soul Brother, Fatboy Slim, will set the night of April 12 on fire, as he rocks Cove Manila with his own patented brand of “Party Acid House” and complex audio-visual productions.

Fatboy Slim, the producer of “Right Here, Right Now,” “Eat, Sleep, Rave, Repeat,” and many more hits, takes on the stage at the number one night club and indoor beach club in the Philippines, Cove Manila.

Fatboy Slim is the main stage headliner of Ultra Music Festival, Creamfields, Glastonbury Festival (Official) 2019, and S2O Taiwan Songkran Music Festival 2019. He has 1.1 million strong online army on Facebook.

Presented by Ikon, the timeless English DJ and record producer will wow the crowd with Big Beat/Party Acid House Music aligned to his own brand of the genre.

8ONE opens the hot showdown with their singles “Therapy,” “November,” “Mango” and “Simon AF” and launching new singles on the same night. 8ONE members are freestyler rapper and writer KXNG, rapper Tommie King, music producer singer Ryan Klos, and TV host, singer Daiana Menezes, who runs the production Ikon worldwide, a lifestyle entertainment company that books and

brings international artists here and to other countries.

Fatboy Slim, who calls himself a video jockey, is coming from big shows in the UK, Scotland, England, Ireland, Italy, and France before his show in Manila. Last year, he did 70 gigs, saying he is pushing new limits and is delighted that no one knows the cut-off age limit of a DJ. Early bird tickets are already sold out. Another batch of limited tickets is available at P1,000. Table reservations (consumable) and VIP tickets are also available but limited.

Get 20 percent discount on tickets by using the promo code IKON20.

For tickets, table reservations, and other inquiries, call +63 917 516 0082 or visit https:// w w w . facebook. c o m / IKONUMF/.

Fatboy Slim, is an English DJ, musician, and record producer who helped to popularize the big beat genre in the 1990s.

SNAPSHOT

THE Philippine Independence Day Council (PIDC) Toronto recently held a fundraising dinner for ABS-CBN Foundation International’s (AFI) Bantay Bata program (Child Watch). On hand to present the donation amount of Can$6,000 is special guest Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray. ABSCBN Canada Country Manager Kerwin Du received the donation on behalf of AFI. With Du are ABS-CBN Canada Regional Marketing Head Rosary Escano and Ad Sales Account Executive for Canada Doris Mutuc, shown here with PIDC officers. The event was held at the InterContinental Toronto Centre. (Photo from PIDC Toronto)

NICKIE WANG

S

OME experts say that “bullying in childhood throws a long shadow into victims’ adult lives.” But for Philip Galit, a.k.a. Shadow Ace, a “hand shadow artist” who just secured his place in the grand finals of the third season of Asia’s Got Talent, there’s so much things to do rather wallowing in self-pity in the dark.

Shadow Ace uses his hands with impressive skill to create shadows that tell imaginative stories.

“I was bullied as a kid. I didn’t have any friends. So, playing with shadows was my pastime growing up,” Shadow Ace told Manila Standard in an interview.

He was bullied in school for his weight and for being a wimpy kid who didn’t play any sports.

“I only had shadow images as my imaginary friends and I didn’t know that they’d take me to the finals of Asia’s Got Talent,” he continued.

He never thought he’d make it because when he joined the show, he was the last to perform during the live auditions and there was a shadow artist that performed before him who didn’t quite impress the judges.

“Watching from the backstage, my heart was pounding. I saw the other contestants and they’re really great like the Chinese acrobats. And meron ding sumaling ibang shadow artist at hindi siya nagustuhan. So, you can only imagine how I was feeling when I went out to the stage to perform,” he narrated.

During the live auditions, Shadow Ace received a standing ovation from the audience and judges with his unique “hand shadow” performance. From the side of the stage, hosts Alan Wong and Justin Bratton were similarly impressed—so much so that they used their allocated golden buzzer press on Shadow Ace, making him advance to the semifinals.

“Sabi ko nga, hindi pala pangPilipinas lang ang talent ko, pang-Asia pala,” Shadow Ace said alluding to his failed bid to win in numerous local talent shows.

Shadow Ace is competing in the grand finals on April 4 to be held at Singapore’s Marina Bay Sands with a chance of winning $100,000.

Fans can vote for their favorite act by searching for “Asia’s Got Talent Vote” on Google. Simply click on the photo of the act you would like to vote for, use the slider to determine how many votes you want to allocate to the acts and click ‘Submit Votes’. You can allocate up to 10 votes per day on Google Search Vote.

Fans can also vote via Facebook Messenger by clicking ‘Send Message’ button on the Asia’s Got Talent Facebook page, or look up Asia’s Got Talent on Facebook Messenger. Click “Get Started” and you will see a photo carousel of the acts eligible for voting.

Scroll through the carousel until you see your favorite act, then click to vote.

You may repeat the process up to a maximum of 10 votes per day of the voting period.

For more details on voting, visit www.

AXN-Asia.com/AGTVote.

New episode of Asia’s Got Talent airs every Thursday at 8:30 p.m. on AXN. To follow the journey of this

How bullied

SHADOW ACE

turned into a

shadow master

Shadow Ace (leftmost) with other Filipino acts in ‘Asia’s Got Talent,’ HK Sisters, Power Duo, Junior Good Vibes, and Eleana Gabunada.

Shadow Ace, a hand shadow artist from Calatagan, Batangas, will be competing in the grand finals on Thursday, April 4, to be held at Singapore’s Marina Bay Sands.

season’s acts, check out #AXNAsia and #AsiasGotTalent.

To watch extended highlights of Asia’s Got Talent and exclusive behind-thescenes footage, fans can subscribe to the official AXN Asia YouTube Channel at www.YouTube.com/AXNAsia. ***

A future tennis star

Fourteen-year-old Edgardo Manuel Angara, known by his nickname Manolo, will be competing in a major tournament abroad.

The son of Sen. Sonny and Tootsy Angara, qualified in the prestigious Junior Davis Cup that will be held in Bangkok, Thailand from April 8 to 13.

His team will be competing against other groups in the Asia and Oceana region.

“So proud of our Manolo who made it to the Philippine Junior Davis Cup after winning some grueling qualifiers against the best boys his age,” says his father in an Instagram post.

The reelectionist senator also thanked the coaches and other members of the Team Philippines for their help and guidance.

“We saw how you worked so hard to get here…waking up at 5:30 a.m. for conditioning and training 2 times a day… you’re strength and motivation is from within!!! Mama has nothing but happy tears,” says his mom Tootsy in a separate social media post.

It’s not the first time that Manolo is competing in a major tournament overseas. In 2017, he was part of the Philippine Team that competed at Asian Junior Tennis ATF Under 14, wherein they reached the quarterfinals.

Junior Davis Cup, the junior equivalent of the prestigious Davis Cup, is an international team event for best U16 juniors. It has gathered more than 100 countries in the last couple of seasons. Players like Jim Courier, Lleyton Hewitt, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Jennifer Capriati, and Lindsey Davenport have all participated in this event during their years as junior players.

Manolo Angara (left) and a teammate pose for quick photo after their training