Manila Standard - 2019 April 9 - Tuesday

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PHILCONSA CHIEF PAYS TRIBUTE TO WAR HEROES VOL. XXXIII • NO. 58 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P18 • TUESDAY, APRIL 9, 2019 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

SC joins fight vs. narco-judges Names Justice Peralta to probe judges, prosecutors

By Rey E. Requejo

C PHILIPPINE Constitution Association president Martin Romualdez on Monday paid tribute to heroism of the veterans of World War II, who fought for the country’s democracy.

On the eve of Araw ng Kagitingan, Romualdez, president of Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats, said: “Let’s not forget their malasakit, heroism, greatness and

sacrifices in liberating the country from invaders.”

“The democracy we have been enjoying was carved by blood on the pages of history because of their selfless dedication and invaluable service to keep our freedom alive,” Romualdez said.

“We have to ensure a meaningful observance of Araw ng Kagitingan Next page

HONOR THE HEROES. The celebration of Araw ng Kagitingan today has its limelight in Mount Samat, in Bataan 170 kilometers by road west of Manila, to celebrate the heroism, bravery and commitment of Allies to preserve freedom against Japan’s Imperial Forces in 1942.

HIEF Justice Lucas Bersamin on Monday said the Supreme Court takes seriously the allegations that 13 judges are involved in the illegal drug trade.

“The allegations came out directly from the Office of the President, so we should not ignore it,” Bersamin said. “It’s not a small thing for anyone to accuse sitting judges of violations as serious as drug-related ones.”

Earlier, the Court appointed Justice Diosdado Peralta to coordinate with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, which said 13 unidentified judges and 10 prosecutors were among those included in its “narco-list.”

PDEA has said it would not release the names of the prosecutors or the judges until they are validated, but Bersamin said it was only natural for the Court to investigate the allegations.

“Every time that the Executive Department, media, or any other quarter repor[s] something about misbehaving judges, the Supreme Court automatically looks into it,” the chief magistrate said.

“So it was only natural for the Supreme Court to assign one of its most senior members to look into these allegations and if there are

any bases for these allegations then we would proceed against the judges concerned,” he added.

“Justice Peralta has not yet given a report and I doubt if he has already done much because it is too soon. We will give him all the time and we will not rush things because these are serious allegations that we cannot just ignore. And at the same time, we cannot just condemn our judges so readily without basis. So we have to go slowly,” Bersamin said.

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Palace, Lacson slam five US senators for meddling in PH

By Nat Mariano THE Palace on Monday slammed five American senators for appealing to the government to release detained Senator Leila de Lima and drop the charges against Rappler, sayIng the lawmakers’ resolution was an “outrageous intrusion” into Philippine sovereignty.

Over the weekend, US senators Edward Markey (Massachusetts), Marco Rubio (Florida), Richard Durbin (Illinois), Marsha Blackburn (Tennessee) and Chris Coons (Delaware) filed a bipartisan resolution condemning the what they called the human rights violations in the Philippines.

Senator Panfilo Lacson also rejected the US senators’ call.

“We are not their colony. We have a Constitution that provides for three co-

‘‘

My towel, I won’t (wrap it around me).

(My friends) would admire me: ‘Son of a bitch, Duterte, you’re so hard!’”

— President Rodrigo Duterte, referring to his turgid penis

equal branches and a judicial system where due process is followed,” Lacson said.

In their six-page resolution, the US senators called on the Duterte administration to “immediately release” De Lima and drop all charges against her.

“Remove the restrictions on her personal and work conditions and allow her to fully discharge her legislative mandate, especially as Chair of the Committee on social justice,” the resolution read.

The senators also urged the government to guarantee freedom of the press by dropping the charges against Rappler chief executive Maria Ressa.

But the Palace rejected their call.

Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said the call was “an outrageous intrusion into our sovereignty.” Next page

YOUR HONORS PLEASE. The Supreme Court, which takes seriously allegations that 13 judges are involved in the illegal drug trade, has appointed one of its own, Senior Justice Diosdado Peralta—but the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency says it will not release the names of the judges until the allegations against them have been validated.

40 more cocaine bricks fished out of Surigao—PNP

By Joel E. Zurbano FISHERMEN in Burgos town, Surigao del Norte, found 40 bricks of what police suspect to be cocaine floating near the shore Sunday.

The tape-wrapped bricks were labeled “3B Bugati,” similar to cocaine bricks found in Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur and other provinces on the eastern seaboard, police said.

The bricks, weighing about a kilo each, were turned over to the police crime lab and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency for testing. If they turn out to be cocaine, the bricks would be worth about P212 million, police added.

Meanwhile, Metro Manila police chief Guillermo Eleazar said his men and members of the PDEA conducted a joint anti-drug operation in Sampaloc,

Manila and arrested three men, including the 39-year-old head of the syndicate.

He said police raided apartment 1817C Algostro Building along Simoun Street in Barangay 484 around 12:45 a.m. where they seized 516 grams of metamphethamine hydrochloride, locally known as shabu, with street value of P3.5 million, one firearm, a handheld radio, and drug paraphernalia. Next page

Rody on PCIJ: Much ado about ‘wealth’

Revisions eyed in ‘double plates’

By Nat Mariano

By Nat Mariano THE Palace said a new law mandating the use of larger license plates on motorcycles can be amended to address the concerns of motorists who feel the penalties are too high or that the plates represent a danger during an accident.

In a Palace briefing, Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said these concerns could also be addressed through the law’s implementing rules and regulations.

Earlier, President Rodrigo Duterte suspended the implementation of the Motorcycle Crime Prevention Act, believing that some of its provisions were “bad and dangerous” for motorists.

Panelo, however, said the President might have been “misled” into believing that regular Next page

BRUTISH BRICKWORK. Tape-wrapped bricks, similar to cocaine cubes found in two Surigao provinces and other areas, are floating near the shoreline in Burgos, Surigao del Norte Sunday, have been turned over to the police crime lab and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency for testing.

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has properly declared his wealth, the Palace maintained on Monday and the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism: “What’s the hullabaloo?”

Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said there was nothing irregular about the wealth of Duterte and his family after the PCIJ reported that their Statements of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worths shot up after 10 years.

“With respect to the wealth being referred to, they have been properly declared as admitted by that group.

What is prohibited is when you do not Next page

Sydney Opera House engineer dies at 97

Mummy’s coffin opened on live TV

RH law tempers fertility rate

A FORMER French spy hailed as a genius for an engineering feat that made building the Sydney Opera House possible has died aged 97, officials said Monday.

WASHINGTON—A sarcophagus containing an Egyptian high priest was opened on live TV Sunday during a special twohour broadcast by the American channel Discovery.

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THE 2017 National Demographic and Health Survey has reported that a significant decline in the fertility of Filipino women to a statistical average of 2.7 children from 3.0 in 2013. This decline was associated with an increase in the

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News

TUESDAY, APRIL 9, 2019

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

‘Revo gov’t arose from frustration’

By Nat Mariano PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte’s threat to declare a revolutionary government was not meant to threaten the people, Malacañang said Monday, adding it was an “exasperated frustration” over the people violating the laws.

“It was more of an exasperated expression to put on notice the transgressors that he will not just sit idly and watch them do their illegal things,” Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo told reporters.

“The threat, if it is a threat, is not against the people but precisely against their enemies, the criminals, the people manning the illegal drug industry, the corrupt bureaucrats, the greedy politicians, the communist rebels, foreign and local terrorists and other enemies of the state.”

Panelo said Duterte’s remarks were not “made on a whim.”

“It was not made on a whim but brought about by a series of acts committed against the people,” he said.

He mentioned the entry of illegal drugs in the country, the corruption in the bureaucracy and the seeming impunity of criminals.

He also cited the onerous contract signed by the government with Maynilad Water Services Inc., the New People’s Army’s attacks against the armed forces and the continuing threat of terrorists.

Panelo said the President was duty bound to “use the powers reposed to him by the Constitution to quell the attacks on the people and to save the state.”

In a speech last week in Palawan, Duterte warned he would suspend the writ of habeas corpus and declare a revolutionary government once he was “pushed to the extreme.”

The Communist Party of the Philippines then slammed the President for his remarks, saying he would only succeed in further enraging the people and inciting them to wage all forms of revolutionary resistance against the administration.

Mummy’s...

From A1

“Expedition Unknown: Egypt Live” aired from the site outside Minya, which is along the Nile River south of Cairo and its Giza pyramids.

Archeologists recently discovered a network of vertical shafts at the site which led to tunnels and tombs containing 40 mummies “believed to be part of the noble elite.”

After exploring other tombs—finding artifacts like statues, amulets, canopic jars used to store organs, and other mummies including one that had decomposed to a skeleton—they crawled to the chamber containing the intricately carved sarcophagus.

It took the strength of several people to open.

And the team’s efforts had not gone to waste: inside was a pristinely linen-wrapped mummy surrounded by treasure including gold.

“I can’t believe this, this is incredible,” exclaimed Zahi Hawass, an Egyptian archaeologist and former antiquities minister, who had taken charge of the expedition with American explorer Josh Gates as the host of the broadcast.

A Discovery spokesman previously told AFP that the project was set up in collaboration with Egypt’s antiquities ministry.

‘Like a royal burial’ Gates said the mummy was that of a high priest of Thoth, the ancient Egyptian god of wisdom and magic, and dated to Ancient Egypt’s 26th dynasty—the last native dynasty to rule until 525 BC. “Toward the end of Ancient Egypt, the power really was with the high priests and you can see this... almost feels like a royal burial,” Gates said.

Cairo has sought to promote archeological discoveries across the country in a bid to revive tourism hit by turmoil after the 2011 uprising against Hosni Mubarak.

Asked by AFP about a possible financial deal between the channel and the Egyptian state for permission to film and open the grave, the spokesman for Discovery refused to comment. AFP

Rody...

From A1 declare your assets. But he has declared them, so what’s the hullabaloo?” Panelo asked the PCIJ. The PCIJ said there was no reason for the President to “lose his cool.”

“The PCIJ report was built on the Dutertes’ own declarations in their SALNs and data from official government records,” said PCIJ executive director Malou Mangahas in a letter sent to media groups.

“PCIJ had wished only for the Dutertes to offer clear, direct, straightforward replies to our queries. Instead of blaming PCIJ for the report. Mr Duterte should turn his attention [to] his deputies, notably Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo, for the failure of [the] Office of the President to attend to PCIJ’s request letters over the last 5 months.”

In its report, the PCIJ found that the Presi-

Pump prices up; gas bears brunt

By Alena Mae S. Flores

T

HE oil distributors raised pump prices by P0.25 per liter of gasoline, P0.20 per liter of diesel and P0.10 per liter of kerosene effective 12:01 a.m. on Tuesday to reflect the movement of prices in the world oil market.

The companies that announced the increases included Unioil Philippines, PTT Philippines, Seaoil Philippines, Chevron Philippines, PetroGazz and Eastern Petroleum Philippines.

Meanwhile, grid operator National Grid Corporation of the Philippines again put

the Luzon grid on yellow alert from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Monday following the continuing low power reserves in the grid.

NGCP raised the alert due to insufficient operating reserves brought on by the high system demand and the forced or unplanned outages of power plants.

The available capacity in the Luzon grid was placed at 11,267 megawatts against the peak demand of 10,438MW. The yellow alert is raised when the reserves fall below the single biggest power plant unit in the Luzon grid.

Maria Alegria Sibal-Limjoco, president of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said the low power reserves should be addressed.

“There are power plants in the pipeline whose power supply contracts have yet to be approved. It is high time government revisited those contracts,” she said.

Unioil had forecast that pump prices

Moves to ‘neutralize’ NPA assassins in place—AFP THE military on Monday announced that it has already initiated measures aimed at neutralizing the threat posed by the “SPARU” (Special Partisan Unit) assassins of the communist rebels.

Armed Forces of the Philippines spokesperson Brig. Gen. Edgard Arevalo made the remark in response to President Rodrigo Duterte’s statement expressing concern over the SPARU threat.

“We thank our Commander-in-Chief for his concern for us soldiers, who face risks while combatting Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army [CPP-NPA] on a daily basis—either against this band of terrorists in the hinterlands or the bunch of treacherous hit squads in the urban centers,” he added.

While SPARU elements do pose a threat to the security of Filipino soldiers, especially those who are off-duty, Arevalo said the AFP has instituted both overt and covert measures to deal with the NPA assassination plots.

“Our soldiers are ingrained with the

knowledge and skills to ensure personal security to prepare themselves against suspected individuals with hostile intent.

Our soldiers also cover for each other’s backs when in high-risk areas,” he said.

“We have specialized units and personnel under the Special Operations Command who are trained to deal with situations outside conventional warfare like unconventional and asymmetric threats,” Arevalo added.

The AFP spokesperson said the military has further enhanced its intelligence operations by units active in monitoring and tracking CPP-NPA fighters in urban areas.

Information about these personalities is shared with the Philippine National Police for joint and legitimate law enforcement operations not limited to SPARU units.

The CPP-NPA is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, European Union, United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines.

40 more...

From A1 The suspects—Porferio Pementera, leader of Pementera Gang; and Orlando Naguinlin, 56, are now detained and undergoing interrogation at the police headquarters in Camp Bagong Diwa, Bicutan, Taguig City.

A barangay watchman identified as Joseph dela Cruz was also arrested after allegedly trying to impede the police operation.

Eleazar said the recovered pieces of evidence were brought to National Capital Region Police Office Drug Enforcement Unit and will be examined by the PNP Crime Laboratory Office.

Eleazar said the Pementera Drug Syndicate is operating in Manila and Quezon City. He added the gang is connected to local narco-politicians, including a former barangay councilor Ronnie Labongray, who died during a police operation on March 28.

“Furthermore, they are also connected to high value target ‘ninja’ cops engaged in drug trading activities particularly Jolly Aliangan, who is currently detained in city jail,” he said.

In a forum last year, PDEA officials said drug syndicates are operating in cahoots with government officials, law enforcers and community leader.

They said shabu; marijuana and the party drug Ecstasy manufactured by Chinese, Taiwanese and Mexican drug syndicates are the top three narcotics distributed on the streets.

President Rodrigo Duterte had also disclosed that 40 percent of barangay officials are linked to illegal drugs or directly involved in drug dealing and trafficking.

Since July 2016, at least 39 village chairmen and 53 village councilman have been arrested due to involvement in illegal drugs.

Authorities suggested a target of 30 percent of barangays must be cleared yearly with the hope of eradicating the drug menace in four years.

Sydney...

From A1

Revisions...

From A1

Joe Bertony—one of the original engineers of Australia’s most recognizable building—handwrote 30,000 separate equations to create the “erection arch” or truss which held the concrete sails in place during construction.

“Bertony was a remarkable man who will be remembered as the inventor of the Sydney Opera House’s mobile erection arch,” Sydney Opera House chief executive Louise Herron said in a statement.

“Those calculations were checked by the only computer in Australia at the time with a large enough capacity to do so. Not a single error was found,” she said.

“Bertony was a genius. Without him, the spectacular sails might never have become a reality.”

He died at his home in Sydney on Sunday, the Sydney Morning Herald reported.

Born on the Mediterranean island of Corsica, Bertony joined the French navy to study naval engineering and was recruited as a spy, according to author Helen Pitt, who has written a book about the Opera House.

He was twice captured by the Germans during World War II and sent to concentration camps, but escaped both times and was later awarded the Croix de Guerre by the French government for his wartime actions, Pitt added.

The Opera House, which opened in 1973, is billed as Australia’s number-one tourist destination and is the country’s busiest performing arts center. AFP

plates with sharp corners would be used, instead of decals and stickers, as proposed by the law’s author, Senator Richard Gordon.

While the law does not mention decals, Panelo said the IRR could specify their use.

The Congress can also amend the provision imposing high fines for violations and reduce the penalties, Panelo said.

The Palace then said it would seek the recommendations of Gordon and the Land Transportation Office on the matter.

Duterte signed into law the measure on March 8 to secure the country from motorcycle-related crimes.

Under the new law, the LTO will issue bigger, readable, and color-coded license plates to every motorcycle in the country “for quick and easy identification.”

These readable number plates must then be displayed in both the front and back sides of the motorcycle and should be made of suitable and

Philconsa...

From A1 by always giving due respect and recognition to their heroism and to continue finding compassion inspiration, hope, and love to their greatness and patriotism,” he added.

“Let’s remind our youth about their deep love for the country through their bravery and heroic services rendered for the country’s freedom,” said Romualdez, a three-term congressman from Leyte’s first congressional district who is running again for his previous post.

Meanwhile, defense and military officials said Filipinos from all walks of life must be able to defend the country from all forms of threats if called upon.

“As we remember our heroes, let us not forget that they put their lives on the line when they

dent, Paolo and Sara filed SALNs in 2017 that “continue to confuse because of similarly sharp upticks in their wealth.”

The group even noted that the law firm Carpio & Duterte Lawyers, where Sara and her husband Mans Carpio are partners, had not registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission since the law firm’s establishment a decade ago.

However, Panelo said the law firm might be “non-existent” now, explaining its exclusion out of Duterte’s SALNs. “Maybe that was a long time ago. Maybe the partnership is no longer existing during the time of his presidency, so how can he declare that?” he said.

“If he did not declare it, then that’s the time you should be explaining, and you should be prosecuted for not putting that in the SALN,” Panelo said.

“He already explained it. He said, whatever money he has, it came from the mother who was very active when she was still alive.”

Meanwhile, Two suspected New People’s Army rebels were killed in a clash with Army soldiers on Monday in a remote village in Mandaon town, Masbate province.

Capt. Joash Pramis, public affairs chief of the Army’s 9th Infantry Division (9ID), said soldiers were on patrol in Barangay Buri at around 1:55 a.m. when they encountered a group of armed men believed to be communist guerillas.

A five-minute firefight ensued that resulted in the death of two still unidentified rebels and the recovery of an M16 rifle, a .45-caliber pistol and a knapsack containing personal belongings.

Pramis said no casualty was reported on the side of the government troops.

Army soldiers are still in pursuit of the rebels, who fled the site of the gun fight.

The NPA, the armed wing of the National Democratic Front-Communist Party of the Philippines, is listed as a terrorist group by both the European Union and the United States. PNA

durable material as determined by the LTO. However, motorcycle rights groups slammed its passage through a motorcade, arguing that the additional specifications would only pose a big risk for the riders, passengers, and pedestrians. They also criticized the violation fees as excessive.

The law requires the registration of motorcycles within five days of purchase. Failure to do so would result in imprisonment or a fine of not less than P25,000.

Meanwhile, driving without a number plate can lead to a fine ranging from P50,000 to P100,000, or imprisonment.

Over the weekend, the President said he would “try to convince” the LTO and talk with Gordon to address concerns about the new law.

Following the President’s remarks, Gordon appealed to the public to reconsider the law, arguing that “license plates” could take the form of stickers and decals.

LTO chief Edgar Galvante, however, said in a radio interview the prescribed fines can only be changed by Congress.

Galvante also said the new plates would not be made of metal. were needed and we must always prepare, just as we are doing in these exercises with our allies, for the day when our nations call us to action during disasters or when our freedom is threatened,” Department of National Defense spokesman, Arsenio Andolong, said in a statement Monday, ahead of the country’s commemoration of Araw ng Kagitingan (Day of Valor).

Andolong added that this year’s “Araw ng Kagitingan” observance is made more meaningful as it coincides with the annual “Balikatan” exercises.

“This year’s ‘Balikatan’ is more meaningful because it coincides with our ‘Araw ng Kagitingan’, which commemorates the courage and sacrifice of Filipino veterans and our Allies, who valiantly fought side-by-side to defend the Philippines during World War II,” he said.

Some 4,000 Filipino, 3,500 American and

Panelo said Duterte and his family had businesses, downplaying concerns about the growth of the Dutertes’ assets and their seemingly unbalanced earnings from their work as local officials.

Panelo also said he had already responded to the request letters of the PCIJ, referring the matter to the Office of the Executive Secretary and the Office of the Special Assistant to the President.

Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea said the SALNs sought by the PCIJ were submitted years before Duterte became President and were not in the possession of the Office of the President.

“It must be made of record that the President’s critics and detractors had been nitpicking on the President’s SALN,” Medialdea said in a statement.

“They have tried to make an issue out of even the minutest detail in hopes to pin the President for some wrongdoing but to their dismay, their efforts had all failed.”

Palace,...

From A1 “They have no business dictating to us what we are going to do with suspected criminals in this country,” Panelo told reporters.

He said all the issues the senators had raised on Ressa and De Lima had been properly answered and addressed.

The cases against De Lima and Ressa “have passed through administrative and judicial processes before their respective warrants of arrest [were] been issued by courts.”

Panelo said De Lima was accused of illegal drug-related transgressions, and Ressa of tax evasion, of breaching the anti-dummy laws and violation of the cyber libel laws.

“Their association with the political opposition is no exempting circumstance to shield them from criminal prosecution. In this coun-

would go up by P0.10 to P0.15 per liter of diesel and P0.15 to P0.25 per liter of gasoline this week.

On April 2, the 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.

The rollback put an end to the seventh successive round of weekly oil price increase.

The price adjustments since the start of the year resulted in a net increase of P6.80 per liter of gasoline, P4.65 per liter of diesel and P3.45 per liter of kerosene.

SC...

From A1 Bersamin said the Court has been responsive to serious allegations against members of the judiciary and has also cracked the whip on erring justices and judges.

Meanwhile, the Department of Justice has decided to defer its investigation into the 10 prosecutors tagged in the narco-list as it opted to allow PDEA to validate the names.

PDEA chief Aaron Aquino said the judges and prosecutors on the list are not yet a priority as they are focusing their validation efforts on the case build-up against the 46 politicians named by President Rodrigo Duterte.

The PDEA chief said the list of judges, prosecutors and other drug suspects—including 31 celebrities—would still undergo validation, which he said would take time.

RH law...

From A1 use of modern family planning methods by over 40 percent of currently married women, or roughly two-million women.

Five years ago today, the Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of the Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Act of 2012 or the RPRH Law in a stunning decision that ended more than 15 years of fighting for its passage and defeating the pressure put up by the Catholic Church, its staunchest opposition.

Chi Laigo Vallido, director for programs and advocacy of the Forum for Family Planning and Development (The Forum), one of the advocacy organizations at the forefront of the RH movement, recalled the day the measure was Supreme Courtcertified as a law. “I will never forget the words ‘not unconstitutional’ as then Supreme Court spokesperson Atty. Teodore Te read the decision.”

Like Vallido, Los Angeles based actorproducer Giselle Toengi-Walters, was with 200 other RH advocates outside the SC compound in Baguio City that day.

“It’s been five years but I remember with pride how I was part of something greater that I could have imagined.”

The high court ruled the RPRH Law as lawful after it first stopped its implementation four months as soon as it took effect on March 18, 2013. The Court issued a status quo ante order after Pro-Life Philippines Foundation Inc. and other Catholic Church groups questioned what they claimed was the law’s violation of the constitutional provisions guaranteeing the right to life.

But barely a year since the SC decision, the high court responded to yet another petition of Catholic groups led by ALFI— Alliance for the Family Foundation Philippines resulting in a two-year SC temporary restraining order on implants and contraceptives from June 2015 to November 2017.

However, pro-RH organizations like The Forum, which works with local community networks in promoting reproductive health and rights, was never stopped on its tracks.

50 Australian troops are participating in the annual military maneuvers, which formally started April 1 and will end on April 12, while acting as observers are military personnel of the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Japan, Thailand, and Vietnam.

Meanwhile, Armed Forces of the Philippines public affairs office chief, Col. Noel Detoyato, said the annual “Day of Valor” observance signifies the shared sacrifices of Filipino and American troops in World War II. “That was the start of the infamous Bataan Death March (140 km. from Bataan to Capas).

Thousands died before reaching Capas, Tarlac,” he said.

While honoring the sacrifices of these fallen troops, Detoyato said that Americans and Filipinos will be together again in this year’s “Balikatan” exercises. Maricel V. Cruz, PNA try no one is above the law,” Panelo said.

“The rule of law was followed relative to their cases. The judicial courts have found probable cause, that’s why they’re facing trial now.”

The Palace also shrugged off the US senators’ concerns about the death of drug suspects under Duterte’s war on drugs.

The summary killings were “absolutely not state-initiated or state-sponsored, proof of which is the death of scores of policemen and serious injuries to hundreds of others,” Panelo said.

“Apparently, these senators have been fed with false narratives on these issues, and naively believed hook line and sinker.”

Since February 2018, De Lima has been detained following her criticism of the war on drugs.

Ressa and her news site Rappler are facing libel and tax-related charges. With Macon Ramos-Araneta

News

SC to try Sulpicio Lines exec for tragedy

Comelec declares itself ready for midterm elections in May

By Rey E. Requejo and Rio N. Araja

T

HE Supreme Court has paved the way for the trial of an official of the Sulpicio Lines Inc. for his alleged criminal liabilities, in connection with the 2008 M/V Princess of the Stars tragedy that resulted in the death of 227 passengers.

By Vito Barcelo WITH only 33 days remaining before the 2019 midterm elections, the Commission on Elections said Monday that it is 95 percent ready for the May 13 elections as more than 59 million election ballots or 93 percent of the more than 61 million ballots have been printed out.

Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez said more than 61 million ballots will be used in the May 13 exercise while 1.8 million will be for overseas voting.

According to the Comelec, there are 61,843,750 registered voters for the upcoming elections.

Jimenez said the Comelec is ahead of its completion target for the printing of ballots, saying that the remaining ballots that still need to be printed are for the National Capital Region.

The printing of the remaining 4,363,495 is expected to be completed within the week, Jimenez said.

Meanwhile, the Comelec said that the ongoing election campaign nationwide is normally peaceful with minimal reports of election-related violence.

Jimenez said the Comelec is preparing to file charges against a local candidate for slapping a Comelec officer who was conducting “Operation Baklas” in Tarlac province.

According to the Comelec, election officer Teddy Mariano was slapped in the face by Marty Toralba, a candidate for board member while conducting “Operation Baklas” of illegal campaign posters.

Comelec commissioner Rowena Guanzon wants Toralba, a lawyer, disbarred.

The Comelec Employees’ Union, meantime, strongly condemned the assault on Mariano who they said was merely performing his duty.

“We call on the Comelec to make sure that candidate Toralba be made accountable for this barefaced act of aggression against an election worker who is merely doing his duty of enforcing campaign rules in his jurisdiction,” the group said in a statement.

Ban Chinese nationals doing construction jobs in PH—Labor chief FOLLOWING a call by Senator Nancy Binay that Chinese nationals should be banned from doing construction jobs in the country, Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello on Monday declared that foreign nationals doing jobs that can be done

by Filipinos should be deported and blacklisted.

Bello, however, said he is against the total ban of foreign workers because local workers may not be able to do some tasks that can only be accomplished by skilled professionals from other countries.

“Mayroon talagang general rule na hindi natin pahihintulutan na magtrabaho ang dayuhan dito kapag ‘yung trabaho ay kaya ng Pilipino. Proteksyon ‘yan sa ating mga kababayan,” he said. (There is a general rule that we cannot allow foreign nationals to work here if Filipinos can do the job.)

He added that foreign nationals would not be given work permits for jobs that could be done by Filipinos.

“Hindi mo naman pwedeng gawin na total ban kasi mayroon din namang trabaho na hindi natin kaya o hindi tayo naangkop,” Bello said.

(A total ban cannot be implemented since there are jobs that we cannot do or does not suit us.)

The recent influx of Chinese nationals allowed to work in Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators has prompted the government to compile a list of foreign workers to ensure that they are paying the correct taxes.

Offshore gaming firms usually hire native Chinese speakers to converse with clients in China but the issuance of special permits for Chinese nationals in construction violates Philippine laws, the Labor chief said.

Bello said DOLE currently has 800 inspectors, which will be augmented by 1,000 law compliance officers, although the “ideal” number of inspectors should be at least 5,000.

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TUESDAY, APRIL 9, 2019 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

In a 20-page decision, the SC’s Third Division through Associate Justice Jose C. Reyes Jr. ordered the Manila City Regional Trial Court, Branch 5, to reinstate the criminal case for reckless imprudence against Edgar S. Go, SLI first vice president for Administration and team leader of the Crisis Management Committee.

The tribunal ruled that the Court of Appeals committed an error in coming up with a decision last March 22, 2013

decision and a resolution dated Jan. 8, 2014, which granted Go’s petition to reverse and set aside the resolution of the Department of Justice issued in 2009 that found him liable for reckless imprudence and ordered the filing of the said case before the Manila City RTC. The DOJ’s panel of prosecutors ruled that Go was involved in making decisions on whether a vessel should be allowed to sail such that he should have canceled or discouraged the voyage considering the

severe weather at that time The high court ruled that the DOJ resolution clearly supports a prima facie finding that reckless imprudence under Article 365 of the Revised Penal Code has been committed.

“In this case, the criminal action instituted against respondent involved exclusively the criminal and civil liability of the latter arising from his criminal negligence as responsible officer of SLI. It must be emphasized that there is a separate civil action instituted against SLI based on culpa contractual incurred by it due to its failure to carry safely the passengers of Stars to their place of destination. The civil action against a shipowner for breach of contract of carriage does not preclude criminal prosecution against its employees whose negligence resulted in the death of or injuries to passengers,” the SC held.

The Office of the Solicitor General,

in its motion for reconsideration, argued that there is no proof that the DOJ erred in finding probable cause to indict Go since their findings were based on records and evidence submitted by the parties, as well as those elicited during clarificatory hearings.

The OSG said the appellate court erred when it interfered with the discretion of the prosecutors in the determination of probable cause, reversing its findings against Go. In their appeal, the families of the victims of the tragedy argued that Go’s failure to order the master of the M/V Princess of the Stars to stop sailing and take shelter during the storm would fall under Article 365 of the Revised Penal Code which punishes any person for reckless imprudence and negligence.

They insisted that Go had active control and supervision in the operations of SLI vessels.

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Opinion

TUESDAY, APRIL 9, 2019

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Victories, not defeats

Adelle Chua, Editor

EDITORIAL

presidents who recognized that victory were former soldiers Ferdinand Marcos and Fidel Ramos.

Ramos had a shrine built in Cervantes, Ilocos Sur in commemoration of that victory.

It was at that Battle of Bessang Pass that cost the lives of no less than 1,400 THIS made me laugh.

A 95-year-old, who always called his Ilocano and Igorot guerillas.

And yet we commemorate the Fall of wife Honey, Darling and Love, was asked Bataan and the Fall of Corregidor. what her name was.

Why do we want to relive our defeats?

The man said: “Gosh that was many I have been writing about the need to years ago. I can’t remember and I am mark, nationwide, the Battle of Bessang afraid to ask her.”

Pass. *** I am passionate about this because Today we commemorate Day of Valor, commemorating the Fall of Bataan and every time I visit the house of my widowed sister-in-law, I see the Silver the Fall of Corregidor.

I have been saying all along that the Star awarded to Desi for his heroism.

It’s unfortunate that the secretaries of the Philippines must really have a distorted sense of values because we celebrate days Department of National Defense seem to have forgotten that of infamy like victory against what happened foreign invaders. in Bataan and *** Corregidor.

We should remember I was rather For one, in June the times we won. shocked to hear 1945, there was a a president—a culmination of the lawyer at that— Battle of Bessang like Mr. Duterte Pass in the say that he will Cordilleras. This was called the Battle Among the Clouds have his critics arrested without a warrant in the Annals of the Armed Forces of the and that he will declare a revolutionary war, not a revolutionary government.

Philippines.

For a lawyer, Duterte should know that After months of an uphill battle by the 121st Infantry of the USAFIP-NL, the despite all the criticism against him, there is guerilla forces under then-Col. Russel no basis for suspending the writ of habeas Volckmann, the 3rd Battalion under corpus. The 1987 Constitution is very clear Major Conrado Rigor was to be the that he may call on the Armed Forces only assault forces to fight the Japanese under to suppress lawless violence, invasion or Tomiyuki Yamashita. They had retreated rebellion when public safety requires it. to the Cordilleras after the rape of Manila And only for a period of 60 days.

In the case of declaration of a when the US forces took over.

In particular, it was the F platoon then revolutionary war, which is beyond the under my eldest brother Desi (who later on Constitution which he swore to defend became a justice of the Court of Appeals) and uphold, then he must resign and pave that led the assault in an uphill combat that the way for Vice President Leni Robredo to be president. ended in the surrender of Yamashita.

The President should not make threats The surrender was in Baguio. And later on he was executed by the Americans in he cannot fulfill. He should be aware of the consequences of his threats.

Los Baños, Laguna. *** Santa Banana, this was a signal victory The findings of the Philippine Center that ended the Japanese Occupation.

Ironically, the only Philippine Turn to A5

W

A valorous thing

E COMMEMORATE today Araw ng Kagitingan or Day of Valor, remembering the Fall of Bataan and the Fall of Corregidor where many of our countrymen lost their lives.

But this day should be more than remembering what transpired many years ago.

It should also be a reminder that some situations call for not just braveness, courage or boldness.

One such situation is where we are today.

Modern-day Philippines is beset with numerous problems on numerous fronts. The hapless Filipino, meanwhile, simply wants to get by from day to day without much aggravation.

Have a source of income, have decent food on the table, send children to school, and be able to dream—even just a little—of better times ahead.

Looking to traditional and social media it is easy to get disheartened at what is happening.

Income inequality is gaping, elections are more

of a circus than a sober exercise, and eking out a living becomes more difficult by the day.

From the economic to the political and social, there appear to be trouble. For instance, income inequality is gaping, elections are more of a circus than a somber exercise, and eking out a living becomes more difficult by the day.

These are made worse by the distractions we allow ourselves to be sucked into: sound bytes that infuriate and polarize, scandals that preoccupy us with the lives of others, and circuitous discourses that attack personalities and offer no real solutions.

All these are terrifying, indeed. It takes a special kind of courage to remain hopeful that despite all these, we can live in peace and nurture some hope that good times are ahead.

Fortunately, despite our propensity to put ourselves in sorry situations, Filipinos are also blessed with extraordinary resilience and optimism. Times like these, with the absence of clear or credible direction, such courage—no, valor—is a gift.

Reminding Duterte of constitutional basics following the Maguindanao massacre.

And recently, martial law was declared in Mindanao and the writ suspended by Duterte due to armed attacks, violent acts, and perpetrated by the Abu Sayyaf and Maute terrorist groups.

MANY were surprised and taken aback by Nowhere has there been an instance the President’s threat to his critics that he when the writ was suspended to suppress would suspend the writ of habeas corpus, administration critics. Of course, jail all of them and declare a revolutionary criticizing an administration is never a government. But then again, after three ground to suspend the writ, much less years into this administration, who would declare martial law. be surprised by the President’s penchant A Constitution, founded on the for theatrics not to mention profanities? principles of democracy and civil liberty, Yet as a lawyer from one of the premier cannot sanction the suppression of law schools in the country, one could basic freedoms by the State. A healthy only expect that the democracy can President would only thrive in an be aware of the atmosphere of legal repercussions freedom, including It does not take rocket the freedom to of his every pronouncement. engage in healthy science to know what The 1987 and constructive Constitution is is constitutional and criticism of the crystal clear. The unconstitutional. government. The privilege of the exchange of ideas writ of habeas and even criticizing corpus shall not be the leadership is an suspended except in cases of invasion or essential component of democracy. As rebellion when the public safety requires one pundit said: “Democracy must be it. Suspension of the writ shall be for a built through open societies that share period not exceeding sixty days. Within 48 information. When there is information, hours from the suspension of the privilege there is enlightenment. When there is of the writ of habeas corpus (or martial debate, there are solutions. When there is law), he is required to submit a report in no sharing of power, no rule of law, no person or in writing to the Congress which accountability, there is abuse, corruption, may, by a vote of at least a majority of all subjugation and indignation.” its members in regular or special session, Aside from the suspension of the writ revoke such proclamation or suspension, the President also threatened to declare a which revocation shall not be set aside by revolutionary government. Early on in his the President. Congress may extend such administration, in 2016 I think, Duterte proclamation or suspension for a period also threatened the Left and Yellows to be determined by the Congress, if the with a revolutionary government. And invasion or rebellion shall persist and again, most recently Duterte, outraged by public safety requires it. words of caution on his order to review all In the few instances that the chief government contracts, again threatened executive suspended the privilege, it to suspend the privilege of the writ of was always during the time of rebellion habeas corpus and arrest “all” his critics. and necessity of public safety. In 1950, Duterte also warned he would declare a President Elpidio Quirino suspended the “revolutionary war” if pushed to a corner. privilege of the writ of habeas corpus I can remember only two instances due to impending communist threat from in our history when a revolutionary Hukbong Bayan Laban sa mga Hapon government was set up. One was declared (Hukbalahap). The late dictator Ferdinand by Aguinaldo in 1898 and by Corazon Marcos suspended the privilege in 1971, Aquino following the ouster of Marcos after the bomb attack during the rally of in the EDSA People Power Revolution.

Liberal Party at Plaza Miranda in Manila. In order to justify a revolutionary Former President Gloria Macapagal- government, there must be a revolution Arroyo suspended the writ in 2009, in just like in 1898 during the war of some areas of Maguindanao province Turn to A5

Discretion is the better part of valor TENSION is brewing in PhilippinesChina relations. We’ve been reading a raft of bad news for China in local media of late. There’s the uproar over recent disclosure of the presence of a flotilla of Chinese vessels near Pag-asa island in the South China Sea that we claim as part of our Exclusive Economic Zone.

There’s also the growing clamor for the Philippine government to crack down on the presence of illegal Chinese workers in the country. And certain quarters are also raising the alarm on alleged onerous loans from China for infrastructure projects they claim would inevitably draw the country into a “debt trap.”

Result: the 4th Quarter 2018 SWS survey conducted between Dec. 16 and 19 reveals that most respondents do not agree with the statement that “most of what the Chinese government wants to happen in the Philippines is good for

These are positive signs in bilateral relations and economic cooperation.

Filipinos.” The survey found that 44 percent of Filipinos disagreed with the statement, 27 disagreed, and 29 percent remained undecided. This translates to an agreement score of -17, classified by the SWS as “moderately weak.”

What all this means is that bilateral relations appear to be under siege from various directions. But are all this enough to make us conclude that the Philippine government should reconsider its decision since 2016 to pivot to China and strengthen its ties with a next-door neighbor?

Our email inbox yielded last week a briefer on the forthcoming Second Belt and Road Forum, to be held in Beijing from April 25 to 27, that’s going to be attended by President Rodrigo Duterte,

who attended the first one in 2017.

The theme of this year’s BRF is: “Belt and Road Cooperation: Shaping a Brighter Shared Future.” The events will include a leaders’ roundtable, a high-level meeting, thematic forums, a CEO conference and other side events. Representatives from over 100 countries, including about 40 leaders of foreign governments, including Russian President Vladimir Putin, have confirmed their attendance. During this second forum, more agreements are expected to be signed, and more detailed guidance and documentation will be introduced, based on the last five years of experience.

The 2019 BRF expects participating parties to “further enrich the vision of advancing quality BRI cooperation by following the principle of consultation and cooperation for shared benefits, sticking to people-centered development philosophy, forging extensive partnerships, jointly promoting all-round connectivity, and implementing the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The second BRF will hopefully send a positive message of strengthening international Turn to A5

Rolando G. Estabillo Publisher ManilaStandard

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Opinion

TUESDAY, APRIL 9, 2019

‘Otso sa Nitso’ WITH the May 13 elections just five weeks away, the opposition’s “Otso Diretso” senatorial slate has started plumbing new depths in their desperate efforts to catch up.

The latest surveys have either Mar Roxas or Bam Aquino dropping in and out of the Magic 12. Online observers have noted how the eight no longer always wear their trademark yellow colors and have been experimenting with all sorts of outlandish hand gestures. Roxas, the ostensible standard-bearer, seems to be making himself scarce from his teammates’ public appearances. *** In their latest questionable campaign gimmick, the eight solicited endorsements from certain princes of the local Church in order to try and whip up a “Catholic vote.”

They even included images of the Crucifix and the two species of the Eucharist in their posters—an outrage bordering on sacrilege that offended even some of their diehard Catholic supporters.

This is what happens when you unmoor yourself from “first things” of the faith: You never know in what outlandish precincts you’ll end up. One of the Otso’s archbishops even went so far as to describe federalism— of all things—as an un-Christian concept.

He may have taken his theological cues from former Chief Justice Davide, who says that under federalism we will all “go straight to hell.”

It reminds me of how the yellow clergy and religious used to fawn over PNoy, the godfather of the Otsos—who during his term actually bribed legislators to pass the Reproductive Health law—after they had bedeviled GMA throughout most of her term, despite her very Christian opposition to RH and the death penalty.

Thankfully, lay observers who’re more mindful of their theology have pointed out that many, if not most, of the Otso candidates in fact sided against the Church on issues about which the Church is pretty clear that we can go to hell, e.g. same-sex marriage, divorce, contraception, abortion. Do these guys really deserve to have the Church stake Her reputation on their political ambitions? *** With the prospects of a “Catholic vote” as dim as ever, the opposition has now launched a blitzkrieg campaign against the popularity and credibility of Duterte himself, whom

their discipline, leadership and management skills learned under stress, but—perhaps most of all—their single-minded focus on mission. Exemplars who’ve successfully made the transition under Duterte include former generals like Ed Año at DILG, Roy Cimatu at DENR, Carlos Galvez at OPAPP for the peace process.

Lina Santiago, the first PNP woman general, eventually silenced even her leftist critics with the even-handed way she managed the distribution of martial law human rights victims benefits claims last year. And why is General Bato safely among the likely senatoriables even if “Operation Tokhang” was introduced on his watch at PNP? With this kind of proficiency and credibility of those in uniform, we shouldn’t wonder why martial law in Mindanao has succeeded in holding the peace there, enough to prepare for the peaceful transition of a Bangsamoro autonomous region.

And if this kind of authoritarian firmness—exercised, say, through indefinite suspension of habeas corpus—were implemented nationwide, I’m fairly sure most of our people will be thinking that there’s no lack of drug lords, crime lords, political warlords, plunderers and rebellion Here’s their latest leaders who can fill up the 9,800 unused beds in the 10,000-bed drug detention gimmick. facility in Fort Laur, Nueva Ecija.

At least the infrastructure money won’t be wasted. *** Today’s Readings: The straw that may have broken the When the Israelites began complaining camel’s back was the invitation issued by the opposition’s grise—not greasy—eminence, about what would be their forty years of Senator Frank Drilon, to bring to his office wandering the desert under Moses (Numbers any complaints about malfeasance by the 21: 4-9), God lost patience and sent serpents administration. This impertinent attempt to among them. But after the people repented, set himself up as a co-equal chief executive again He forgave them and told Moses to prompted Duterte to threaten to declare a cast a bronze serpent on a pole which would heal anyone who looked upon it. This image “revolutionary government.” foreshadows the salvific authority of Jesus *** This latest Presidential tirade of course as He hung on the cross.

In the Gospel (John 8: 21-30), Jesus provoked the usual counter-response, which in fact may have been what Drilon wanted to explains that the origin of this authority of happen. But if Duterte’s critics are counting His is the Father Himself: “…If you do not on a Marcos-style overreach on martial law believe that I AM, you will die in your sins”. that will eventually lead to a Cory-style EDSA He foretells how the salvation of sinners can be accomplished only by His death: “Where uprising, they may be gravely mistaken.

There are of course many differences I am going, you cannot come.”

And He reveals how it is His obedience between the present and what happened decades ago. But one of them is worth to the Father that allows Him to contemplate mentioning here: Today’s military enjoys His fate without fear or regret: “The one a far higher degree of respect and popular who sent me is with me. He has not left me regard than they may have before— alone, because I always do what is pleasing ironically, in part because of the role the to him.” It’s a prescription for belief and post-Marcos military played in those pivotal behavior that should reassure us as we take up the crosses in our own lives. events of EDSA 1986.

Since then, people have come to Readers can write me at gbolivar1952@ understand that what may qualify the military even for civilian administration is not only yahoo.com. they—rightly—see as their main obstacle.

Scurrilous videos have appeared on social media that talk about alleged drug links of various Duterte family members, unexplained increases in wealth, shady bank transactions—even going so far as to drag in the name of Duterte’s youngest daughter. These anonymous videos remind me of nothing else but the same systematic slander that was launched in 2012 to try and impeach the late Chief Justice Renato Corona. Yep, it’s the same authors, the same yellow motives.

Even something as mundane as the 2019 budget has been used as a political football to damage Duterte’s credibility—as well as that of his close ally, Speaker Arroyo—by forcing delays in budget approval and thus the start-up of many infrastructure projects and new social services. The culprits behind this conspiracy in the Senate may have an even longer-term objective: to destroy a rising young political star like Mayor Inday Sara in preparation for their own presidential ambitions in 2022.

We won’t be duped anymore IT’S clear that the enemies of the State are engaged in an encompassing, orchestrated and systematic black propaganda with just over a month ahead of the May 13 elections.

President Duterte’s critics, particularly the Yellow Opposition, have shamelessly underestimated, literally belittled the intelligence and maturity of the Filipino people in their relentless, chilling and harsh anti-administration black propaganda.

In the wake of the devastating sexvideo scandal of Jim Paredes, the Yellows’ poster boy and a fixture in Otso-Diretso’s sorties, they found it imperative to come up with a diversion or a distraction.

Discretion...

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economic cooperation, promoting global growth, and building an open global economy.”

And more: “With the concerted efforts of all the participating parties, the second BRF will deliver fruitful outcomes, create more driving forces for the economic growth of both participating countries and other countries concerned, provide more opportunities for international economic cooperation, and contribute more to the vision of a community with a shared future for mankind and a new type of international relations.”

China considers the Philippines, with our unique geographical position, as a natural partner in the Belt and Road Initiative. In fact, during the state visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping last November 2018, a total of 29 cooperation

Victories,...

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for Investigative Journalism about the unexplained wealth of the Duterte family brings to the fore more questions.

Why didn’t the President and his mayordaughter, both lawyers, declare that they practiced law while in office?

Recall that the late Chief Justice Renato Corona was convicted by the Senate for not declaring his dollar accounts.

Duterte claimed that his law office did

Instantly, they produced a video of a fictitious character, nicknamed “Bikoy,” narrating yet again another recycled allegations against presidential son Paolo “Polong” Duterte being a drug lord.

I wouldn’t be surprised if the hooded actor in the video turns out to be Paredes himself, with a storyline ripped off primetime TV. Just the same, nobody would be shocked if “Bikoy” turns out to be Sonny Trillanes himself, the terror of Oakwood and Manila Peninsula hotels.

They are so desperate that they have pitched any and every possible issue, not only targeting the head of the State but also his family members.

They have not spared even his youngest daughter Veronica “Kitty” Duterte, in their social media onslaught, accusing the 14-year-old as being the dummy for the Duterte family’s alleged hidden wealth in

Hong Kong.

They will stop at nothing in their efforts to win public support, even employing the “China scare” tactic.

And all the while that these Yellows are engaging us in their black propaganda, the government forces wage a bloody war against terrorism.

The Philippine Army suffered at least three casualties in search and rescue operations in Sulu Island, where two of three foreign hostages were recovered and three Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) kidnappers killed.

These Yellows are unmindful of the real clear and present dangers that threaten the gains under this “essentially, truly revolutionary leadership” of President Duterte.

But the people will not be duped by their fake hypocritical “holier-than-thou” stance.

documents were signed, including the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Cooperation on the Belt and Road Initiative.

The signing of this MOU is significant as it would serve to “inject fresh vitality to the bilateral relations and lift our economic and trade cooperation to a new level.”

The briefer points out that in the past two years, China has become the Philippines’ top trading partner, largest export market and largest source of imports. China Customs statistics reveal that bilateral trade volume in 2018 reached US$56 billion, a year-on-year increase of 8.5 percent. China imported more than 2 million tons of tropical fruits from the Philippines over the past two years.

Philippine companies also sold US$124 million products in five days during the first China International Import Expo held in Shanghai last November.

Our own Department of Trade and

Industry has also reported that China topped the list of foreign investors with P48.7 billion last year, equivalent to nearly 84 times increase from P575.8 million in 2017. China Telecom has won the bid of the third telecom operator license in the Philippines, and promised to invest about US$5 billion in five years. Hebei Iron & Steel Co. has indicated willingness to establish an Iron & Steel Plant in Cagayan de Oro worth US$3.5 billion. A Chinese enterprise, CNOOC, also wants to actively participate in putting up LNG projects in Batangas province.

We see all this as positive signs in bilateral relations and economic cooperation going forward. At the same time, serious efforts should be made for the two sides to thresh out differences in an atmosphere of good neighborliness and mutual benefit, and avoiding any rash actions that would put longstanding ties in jeopardy.

not deal with the government and did not receive funds from government. Is that an exception in the rule on the Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth?

Recall that earlier on, the PCIJ also found that the father and brother of nowsenatorial candidate Bong Go cornered no less than P1.4 billion in public works contracts when Duterte was mayor of Davao City.

All I know is that the PCIJ report raises questions that cry out for answers. *** The statement of President Duterte in the wake of the findings of the AFP that

hundreds of Chinese vessels have been surrounding Pag-asa Island, that he would not allow this to happen, is indeed a show of leadership.

I commend the President for finally standing his ground against incursions into our Exclusive Economic Zone. *** My belated birthday greetings to former President and now Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, soon to become a private citizen. Her legacy is the strong fiscal fundamentals of the country.

Happy birthday and may you live to be a hundred!

ernhil@yahoo.com

A5

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

1,400 survey respondents vs 60 million Senate votes predictions of the outcome of this year’s senatorial contest.

SWS and Pulse Asia have been claiming—as they always have—that this year they have done a fine job of putting together a survey sample and that the 1,400 men and women in IN RECENT months the two largest their senatorial-preference sample are opinion polling organizations in this truly representative of the more than country have been releasing the results 60 million Filipinos eligible to vote in of their surveys on voter preferences for the coming election. That may be true, the May 13, 2019 Senatorial election. but is it really reasonable to believe Public interest has centered on the 12 that the rest of the 2019 electorate—all most preferred—the so-called Magic 60 million voters—will emulate the 12—among the 62 aspirants for seats in Magic 12 selection of the 1,400 survey the incoming Senate. respondents? Sixty million voters The most recent survey results taking the cue from 1,400 fellow-voters indicate that the “winning” 12 will and unthinkingly casting their ballots likely be composed of four classes of for showbiz personalities, Duterte candidates: re-electionists and former endorsees and candidates facing huge Senators, show business personalities, cases in the courts? I don’t think so. individuals endorsed by President For one thing, the youth—the Duterte and persons facing charges millennials and young voters—are fairly before the adequately courts.

The e d u c a t e d selection of the and are more 12 was made cognizant of the by 1,400 survey Indicative, not changes needed respondents to improve determinative. adjudged by Philippine the polling s o c i e t y , institutions to be especially representative their own of the approximately 60 million voters communities. The youth vote is said to who will be casting ballots in the account for approximately one-third of coming election. the voting population.

Like the respondents in past Then there are the other folk, i.e., pre-election opinion surveys, the voters 60 years old and above. They are respondents for the 2019 surveys would people who have seen what the politics seem to have been heavily influenced of the past 73 years have not been for by name-recall strength, celebrity this country. The politics of dynasty, status—including the celebrity excessive partisanship, regionalism, generated by media coverage of judicial corruption and fascination with show problems—Mr. Duterte’s endorsement business has prevented the Philippines and extensive exposure through media from being able to achieve its potential and outdoor advertising. The mental and has kept this country within the processes of the 1,400 respondents, confines of the Third World. Most of almost certainly were dominated by the senior citizens of this country— names like Poe, Lapid, Revilla and Go especially those who are educated and as they made their selections. live in urban areas—are bound to be In the wake of the latest election unwilling to leave the future of their survey results of the leading polling grandchildren to the likes of Lito Lapid, institutions, how do things look at this Ronald de la Rosa and Christopher Go. point, five weeks before the election?

And how about the millions of voters At this point, many registered who voted for candidates other than voters—exactly how many, or exactly Rodrigo Duterte in 2016? Together, what percentage of the 2019 voting they comprised approximately 64 population, no one knows—believe percent of that year’s voting population. that the latest poll survey results are Can they be said to have abandoned the last word on the subject and that the their anyone-but-Duterte sentiments surveys’ Magic 12 will be the winning and to have become staunch Dutertards, 12. Is that really so? Have the 1,400 obediently complying with the dictates survey respondents really determined and endorsements of the man they did the 12 men and women who will be not vote for in 2016? I don’t think so. I elected to Senate on May 13, 2019? Is think that they will take the opportunity the 2019 Senatorial election all-over? offered by the coming election to give Not at all. The 2019 Senatorial renewed life to their pro-Poe or proelection is still very much an undecided Roxas or pro-Binay sentiments. thing. For the great majority of this Finally how about the millions of country’s registered voters the task of registered voters who are definable choosing 12 men and women for the as “educated,” especially those who next Senate is very much an ongoing possess college degrees? Can their process. sentiments be taken for granted? Do The two largest opinion survey the voter-preference surveys’ Magic 12 institutions, Social Weather Stations findings capture those sentiments? Are (SWS) and Pulse Asia are generally the educated voters likely to consider acknowledged to be professional and the findings as definitive and proceed competent entities. Far be it for me the Magic 12 names unthinkingly on to think of doubting SWS’ and Pulse their ballots. I don’t think so.

Asia’s methodologies and motivations The most competent opinion survey in their conduct of the 2019 Senatorial institutions will be the first to admit that preference survey. This year the two the findings of their surveys, including institutions have been doing what they those on voter preferences, are merely have done in past elections; thus far, indicative, not determinative. How they have been doing with apparent can the preferences of 1,400 survey professionalism and competence. respondents, the size of this years voter But SWS and Pulse Asia are not the survey samples, possibly determine 2019 Senatorial election and the results who the rest of the 60 million registered of their periodic voter-preference voters will decide to pick for the Senate surveys are by no means definitive on May 13?

Reminding...

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opportunities arise. Take the cases of Senator Leila de Lima, Maria Ressa, and Antonio Trillanes. It is shameful that the Department of Justice and the judiciary have played along and allowed this weaponization of the law.

The President is clearly reacting to the narco-list videos and the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ) report on the Dutertes’ Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth.

(SALN). On the latter, he argues that it is not PCIJ’s business to inquire about their wealth. That of course is not correct. It is the business of all citizens, and particularly media, to ask if their president and other government officials are corrupt or have abused their power.

After all, Section 1 of Article 11 of the 1987 Constitution proclaims: “Public Office is a public trust.”

So there: all the President and his men need to do is to go back to the basics of the constitution. I will humbly agree that the President is a brighter lawyer than I am; on the constitutional basics I do claim some knowledge as a teacher of the subject in quite a number of schools. It does not take rocket science to know what is constitutional and unconstitutional. And clearly the President’s latest statements are the latter; hence, this reminder from one Mindanawon lawyer to another.

independence and 1986 people power revolution. For Duterte to threaten the opposition with a revolutionary government is utterly unwarranted, illegal and extra-constitutional, if not laughable. Any upheaval brought about by lawlessness, rebellion or invasion can be remedied by adopting the prescriptions within the constitutional framework.

Pilo Hilbay and Romy Macalintal hit the nail right on the head when they say that if Duterte declares a revolutionary government, he is in effect resigning and chooses to become a rebel thereby operating outside the law and by operation of the Constitution, VP Robredo takes over the reins of government which makes it her duty to quell the rebellion and stump out the rebels. Robredo said declaring a revolutionary government (RevGov) runs against Duterte’s duties as President and his oath to protect and uphold the Constitution.

Our leaders cannot be onion-skinned and resort to intimidation and threats at the drop of the hat. In the case of President Duterte, what makes it more dangerous is that he actually means it.

He cannot in fact take criticism and will Facebook Page: Professor Tony La in fact have his critics arrested if the Viña Twitter: tonylavs

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TUESDAY, APRIL 9, 2019 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

IN BRIEF Rehabilitation of rivers ensured

NOT CAMPAIGNING? Otso Diretso candidates Chel Diokno, Samira Gutoc, Pilo Hilbay and Gary Alejano have frames the Masinloc Municipal Fish Port in Zambales Monday to stand up for the rights of Filipino fisherfolk in the disputed Scarborough Shoal, claimed by the Philippine government as within Masinloc town’s territorial jurisdiction. Norman Cruz

‘OFWs remitted P27.8b in January’

By Vito Barcelo

O

VERSEAS Filipino sailors sent home a total of $533 million or equivalent to P27.8 billion in January this year, up 12.7 percent from $473 million or P24.6 billion in the same month of 2018, an OFW party-list representative said.

Remittances from Filipino sailors is expected to increase as long as the Philippine government continue to comply with the global training and certifications standards for sailors,” according to ACTS-OFW Rep. Aniceto Bertiz III. “As long as we keep on complying

Russian vessels’ visit boosts cooperation THREE ships from the Russian Pacific Fleet berthed in Manila on Monday for a five-day goodwill visit to the Philippines and to bolster naval cooperation with its Filipino counterparts.

“The main objective [of this visit] is to enhance our naval cooperation,” Russian head of mission, Captain Sergey Alantiev told reporters in a press conference.

The Russian port call, which is second of its kind in 2019, will include joint drills on navigation and communication as well as special trainings with the quick response forces of the Philippines.

Alantiev said the port call would serve as “clear evidence” to the implementation of relevant bilateral agreements between the two governments.

“Such port calls make tangible contribution to the peace and stability in the Asia Pacific region. I strongly believe that only by combining our resources and efforts can we cope with present-day threats and challenges,” he said.

For the Philippine government, the presence of the Russian Navy contingents in the country demonstrates continuing efforts to further strengthen the relationship between the two nations and its navies.

“This will further enhance and sustain the promotion of peace, stability and maritime cooperation,” said Captain Constancio Arturo Reyes Jr., representative of Philippine Flag Officer in Command.

“We are looking forward to strengthening this bilateral relationship to the next level,” he added.

The large anti-submarine ships Admiral Tributs and Vinogradov, as well as the large sea tanker Irkut, were welcomed by members of the press after its customary meeting procedure with the Philippine Navy vessel BRP Ramon Alcaraz at the vicinity of Corregidor Island.

Aside from joint drills, the visiting navy and their Filipino counterparts will engage in confidence-building activities such as ship tours and sports events.

Alantiev, along with the commanding officers of the three vessels are scheduled for a courtesy call on Flag Officer in Command Philippine Navy Vice Adm. Robert Empedrad. PNA

with global training and certification standards for sailors, the job prospects of Philippine-educated ship officers should remain bright,” Bertiz said.

The claim could not be immediately independently confirmed.

The Maritime Industry Authority earlier issued a statement which underscored

that the Philippines remains in the “White List” of nations deemed fully compliant with the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers.

MARINA also vowed to keep the country in the “White List” of the International Maritime Organization.

Continued inclusion in the list means that all IMO member-countries should accept as valid the certificates possessed by Filipino sailors and issued by Philippine authorities.

“Filipino sailors will find it easy to get jobs on foreign vessels and to obtain endorsements from other countries, as long

as we are in the list,” Bertiz said.

Filipino sailors serve on bulk carriers, container ships, oil, gas, chemical and other product tankers, general cargo ships, pure car carriers, cruise ships and tugboats around the world.

They wired home a total of $6.14 billion through bank channels in the whole of 2018, up 4.5 percent from $5.87 billion in 2017.

“We are counting on MARINA’s declaration that it is taking all the necessary steps to consistently improve the country’s maritime education, training, examination and assessment system,” Bertiz said.

Thailand to hire hundreds of PH English teachers THAILAND will hire hundreds of Filipino English teachers as the two countries will sign a labor bilateral agreement in the coming weeks, Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said.

The Department of Labor and Employment chief will meet with Thai Ministry of Employment officials to discuss the Thai government’s requirement under its “English for All” Project in the area of Eastern Economic Corridor.

“Filipino teachers are the preferred nationals needed by the government of Thailand because of the excellent Eng-

lish proficiency and competence of our teachers,” Bello said.

Under the proposed agreement, Filipino teachers will be hired by the Thailand Ministry of Education to teach students in primary and secondary levels in government schools.

The labor chief also disclosed that Filipino teachers who will be hired under the program will receive 25,000 baht per month or P45,000, inclusive of housing allowance.

The other benefits include personal accident insurance and round trip air-

fare and work permit fees which will be shouldered by the government of Thailand.

Aside from English teachers, Thailand is also opening job opportunities to foreign professionals in the field of engineering, architecture, medicine, accounting and dental medicine.

To date, there are 16,704 overseas Filipino workers in Thailand, of which 11,848 are professionals, mostly composed of teachers, musicians and other professional expats working in multinational countries. Vito Barcelo

MMDA receives commuter’s gripe THE Metro Manila Development Authority has stepped into the case of a female commuter who accused a passenger bus driver who she said dropped her at non-designated zone along Epifanio de los Santos Avenue and that resulted in her injury.

Mary Joy Eata, 39, personally went to the office of MMDA Traffic Discipline chief Roy Taguinod and filed her complaint against Diomedes Llames, bus driver of Original Transport Cooperative.

In her two-page complaint, Eata claimed she got injured after Llames hastily dropped her at the approach of Ortigas flyover along EDSA, a prohibited area to unload passengers, causing her to fall.

The incident happened on April 3 at 4:55 p.m. while on her way to an appointment.

Eata said she suffered a trauma and still experiencing pain in different parts of her body caused by the fall.

Llames, in a meeting with Eata, claimed the passenger jumped out of the bus, lost her balance and fell. However, closed circuit television footage of the incident showed otherwise.

Llames admitted he saw the victim fell off and did not stop when he saw the victim walked her way. He was driving a unit bound for Fairview in Quezon City with licensed plate number AAQ 6902 when the incident happened. Joel Zurbano

Sangley airport operational in 2019

Regular graft trial for ex-TLRC chief

By Maricel V. Cruz FORMER Deputy Director General Dennis Cunanan of the Technology and Livelihood Resource Center, who is facing another graft case, will be subjected to a regular trial by the Sandiganbayan.

This, as the antigraft court denied Cunanan’s motion for leave of court, a plea that is in preparation for the eventual filing of a motion for demurrer to evidence, which if granted by the court would result in the outright dismissal of the case.

In the case, Cunanan and former Isabela Rep. Anthony Miranda were accused of graft and malversation of public funds for allegedly misusing the legislator’s pork barrel amounting to P20.06 million.

The anti-graft court’s Second Division in a resolution dated March 28, denied Cunanan’s appeal for outright dismissal of his criminal cases.

Miranda is accused of assigning his Priority Development Assistance Fund, or pork barrel to Aksyon Makasama Foundation Inc., which he himself controlled, as “project partner” for the implementation of livelihood projects.

The Ombudsman said the project was implemented despite lack of public bidding. In addition, the prosecutors said AMFI was not accredited as a project partner at the time the project was implemented in 2007.

Prosecutors claimed that Cunanan and his co-accused TLRC officials allegedly facilitated the disbursement of the funds to AMFI, “thus allowing the non-governmental organization to divert the money to Miranda’s control.”

Cunanan said his role in the project was ministerial and is insufficient to link him to the crime.

Associate Justice Michael Frederick Musngi wrote the resolution. Associate Justices Oscar Herrera Jr. and Lorifel Pahimna concurred.

THE heavily polluted Parañaque River and Estero Tripa de Gallina waters are flowing to rehabilitation efforts.

This, after SM Prime Holdings Inc., led by its chairman Henry Sy Jr., in partnership with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, adopted under the expanded effort for the “Battle of Manila Bay.” In a simple ceremony at the DENR office in Quezon City, Sy said the partnership with the government drive for the Manila Bay Rehabilitation Project was SM’s expression of support to various government agencies, particularly Pasay Ciy, Parañaque City and the DENR. Sy, together with SM Prime Holdings president Jeffrey Lim and other SM Prime officials, signed a Memorandum of Understanding with DENR Secretary Roy Cimatu and other senior DENR officials to undertake and lead in the cleanup drive of the two waterways.

During the press briefing prior to the MoU signing, the DENR also announced it would expand the Manila Bay Rehabilitation to include major waterways, including rivers and tributaries that drain into the bay.

Lim said their partnership with DENR and the local governments of Pasay and Parañaque cities was to have a long term solution to reduce the pollution levels and improve water quality of the two waterways He also said that adopting the two waterways for cleanup was a milestone for their company as he looked forward for the success and sustainability of the program.

He said SM Prime was not new with this undertaking. Macon Ramos-Araneta

RICE TARIFFICATION. A worker arranges sacks of NFA rice at the agency’s warehouse at Visayas Avenue in Quezon City Monday. According to the National Economic and Development Authority, the implementing rules of the rice tariffication law, signed earlier this year, have been approved by all government concerned agencies, paving the way for its full effect. The law is meant to decrease the market price by easing import restrictions. Lino Santos

THE Department of Transportation is eyeing the transfer of general aviation flights to Sangley Point in Cavite within the year once the ongoing rehabilitation works at the Danilo Atienza Air Base are completed.

DOTr Undersecretary for Aviation Manuel Tamayo said the department had allocated a budget of PHP500 million for the rehabilitation, which is expected to be completed within the year.

“It has not been maintained for a long time. The runway was shortened to 1,200 meters. Now, I’m happy to tell you it’s back to 2,300 meters. It has been completed two months ago,” Tamayo told reporters in an interview last week.

“Now what we are constructing are the hangars and the passenger terminal building. We’ll be setting up a new tower and that will be developed to be night rated as well,” he added.

“This should be operational within the year. Once this is operational, we will push [transfer of general aviation flights],” Tamayo said.

The DOTr intends to develop the airbase into an airport for business jets and low-cost carriers to decongest air traffic at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport. . PNA

Napoles seeks outright dismissal of plunder case CONVICTED plunderer Janet Lim Napoles is seeking the summary dismissal of the case against her before the Sandiganbayan, citing that the evidence presented by the Ombudsman was not enough to convict her and her co-accused.

Napoles, convicted of plunder in a separate case with former Senator Ramon Revilla, Jr. who was acquitted, cited the Supreme Court ruling that a public official should be named as the main accused to ensure the validity of the plunder complaint.

She alleged that the prosecution made an error when she was named as the mastermind in the alleged misuse of Senator Jinggoy Estrada’s P183-million

Priority Development Assistance Fund or pork barrel.

In her motion for demurrer to evidence, Napoles said the main accused in the case should be Estrada and his former chief of staff, Pauline Labayen, who were then both public officials.

“The case is shrouded with serious doubts because the information suggests that accused Napoles, a private individual, is the main plunderer by alleging that the scheme enabled her ‘to misappropriate the PDAF proceeds for her personal gain’,” said Napoles.

“Thus, the pieces of evidence adduced by the prosecution are insufficient to prove plunder beyond reasonable doubt as

they failed to point to any public officer as the main plunderer,” she added.

Napoles also claimed that the case did not meet the required threshold amount of at least P50 million to push plunder.

“There having been no main plunderer alleged in the information or proven in the course of the trial, the third element of the crime of plunder, that the aggregate amount or total value of the ill-gotten wealth amassed, accumulated, or acquired is at least P50,000,000.00 has not been met,” her motion read.

A demurrer to evidence is a plea to the court to dismiss outright a case, based solely on the evidence presented by the prosecution. Maricel V. Cruz

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK Manila

Standard

Sports

TODAY

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TUESDAY, APRIL 9, 2019 sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

Warriors clinch top seed; Rockets set record L

OS ANGELES—The Golden State Warriors clinched the Western Conference’s top seed with a victory in their final regular-season contest at the Oracle Arena, beating the Los Angeles Clippers 131-104 on Sunday.

Stephen Curry led the charge with 27 points and Kevin Durant added 16 as the Warriors won their fifth straight game.

They wore throwback “We Believe” jerseys in a move designed to honor the past at Oracle, which has been their home venue for 47 years.

The team is moving across the bay from Oakland to a facility in San Francisco where they will play next season.

“Let me just say that for 47 years, Warriors fans have stuck with us through thick and thin,” Kerr told the crowd moments after the final buzzer. “Let’s be honest, most of those years have been a little thin.”

The win gives them home field advantage throughout the West playoffs.

The Warriors’ first-round opponent, which will be the eighth seed in the West, is yet to be determined.

There is a chance it could be the Clippers when the playoffs begin

next Saturday. They are battling Oklahoma City (47-33) and San Antonio (47-34)—both won on Sunday—or the sixth, seventh and eighth playoff spots in the West.

Elsewhere, the Houston Rockets continued their threepoint assault on the NBA as they drained a record 27 from beyond the arc in a 149-113 win over the Phoenix Suns.

The Rockets broke their own league single-game record with the help of 30 points from James Harden.

It came just five days after they tied the mark, initially set against the Los Angeles Lakers in January, with 26 against the Sacramento Kings. They now have four of the top 10 three-point games.

The Rockets made 27 of 57 threes and seven players hit at least two threes, including Eric Gordon who had a career-high eight, Harden who had five, and P.J. Tucker with four. AFP

Vargas to grace PSA Forum today

Draymond Green of the Golden State Warriors high-fives teammate Stephen Curry during their game against the LA Clippers at the ORACLE Arena in Oakland, California. AFP

Denopol sustains run; Toribio rises

OFFICIAL DRINK. Tabloids Organization in Philippine Sports Inc. President Ed Andaya of People’s Tonight (4th from left) and Project Director Arman Armero of Manila Standard (5th from left) sign a Memorandum of Agreement with Miguel Atayde, President of Essential Fruits Inc. (third from left) making HG Guyabano Tea Leaf, a product of EFI, the official fruit tea drink of TOPS, Inc. Also in photo are (from left) director Rico Navarro of Remate and secretary Edwin Rollon of Balita. The MOA was signed last Thursda at the National Press Club in Intramuros, Manila.

Pro MMA fighters in SEA Games LOCKER ROOM

tlist Brandon Vera, to represent the Philippines in the biennial meet.

To me, the only fighter from RANDY Southeast Asia who can measure CALUAG up with Brandon is ONE chamCOMBAT sports are expected to pionship middleweight and light deliver the golds in the Philip- heavyweight king Aung La N pines’ bid for overall champion- Sang from Myanmar.

Another MMA fighter, Filship in the 30th Southeast Asian American Mark Striegl, has also Games.

For one, Filipinos are very given his commitment to see acmuch acknowledged for their in- tion for the Philippines in the SEA nate talents in combat sports espe- Games’ sambo competition.

I was with Striegl in a recent fitcially in striking like boxing and ness retreat in Balesin Island and kickboxing.

Foreign-born disciplines like he confirmed to this Locker Room judo from japan, taekwondo beater that he is trying to get his from Korea and muay thai from Filipino passport with the DepartThailand have unfurled numer- ment of Foreign Affairs to be elious Filipino heroes not only gible for the SEA Games.

He’s very excited to represent in the region, but in the global the Philippines and make his Filistage as well.

Then there’s the new forms of pino roots proud. His mother Sofight sports like jiu jitsu, a grappling nia, a retired International School sport from Brazil and sambo, a teacher in Japan, hails from Mindoro. His mother and American mixed martial art from Russia.

The popularity of MMA events father, Frank, decided to live with in Asia, like the ONE Champi- him in Baguio since their retireonship, and the Ultimate Fight- ment last October.

“That’s what I’m working on ing Championship in the United States, gave a horde of opportuni- right now. So excited to represent my country,” said the Baguioties for local MMA talents.

Fresh campaigners hone their based Striegl, who is set to defend skills in local MMA tourna- his URCC featherweight title ments, led by the Ultimate against a Japanese contender in Reality Combat Champion- April 27 at The Cove in Okada, ship. Acknowledged as the old- Macapagal Blvd.

Catalan brothers est MMA organization in Asia, ONE Championship camURCC was the breeding ground of the most successful MMA paigner Robin Catalan is again trying his luck in kickboxing, team in Asia―Team Lakay.

In the advent of modern martial which is also part of the SEA arts’ warfare, Filipino warriors Games calendar.

Robin had represented the Philcame ahead of the competition.

Except for Thailand, which also ippines in the 2017 Asian Indoor has a rich martial arts tradition, Martial Arts Games in Kyrgyzstan countries in Southeast Asian are and is looking to again don the still lagging behind although they country’s tri-colors.

An official from the Samahang are catching up fast.

In the coming SEA Games, Kickboxing ng Pilipinas said they which will be hosted by the will also invite Mark Sanguiao, Philippines on Nov. 30 to Dec. 11, owner of vaunted Team Lakay, to sports associations from combat send a team to the national qualisports are looking at the marquee fying tournament for kickboxing sometime in July. professional MMA fighters.

The Philippines is teeming with Pro MMA fighters in demand A number of federations, deep martial arts talents that are including the local Sambo fed- available anytime. It’s no exageration, are reportedly talking geration to say that combat sports with UFC veteran and ONE will carry the Philippines to the Championship heavyweight ti- top in the coming SEA Games.

ANGEL Denopol came away with another two-title romp and Zeiah Toribio pulled off a shock win in girls’ play while Eric Tangub took the boys’ 16-and-under crown in the PPS-PEPP JNY Cup national age-group tournament at the LGU and Moltec tennis courts in Molave, Zamboaga last Sunday.

Denopol crushed AJ Acabo, 6-1, 6-1, in the 12-U finals then the rising Kolambugan, Lanao del Norte star blasted Myushe Plariza, 6-1, 6-2, for the 14-U title to duplicate her feat in last week’s Misamis Occidental leg of the country’s biggest, longest-running talentsearch presented by Dunlop.

But Toribio, from Ozamiz, stole the thunder in 16-U play, stopping Denopol, 2-6, 6-3, 10-6, in the semis before stunning top seed and doubles partner Carmel Padilla, 6-2, 6-2.

The third-ranked Tangub, from Tucuran, Zambo del Sur, upended second seed Nash Agustines, 6-0, 6-4, in the semis then thwarted Aslan Carbonilla, 6-4, 6-2, to clinch the 16-U crown. But Pagadian’s Nilo Ledama foiled Tangub’s bid for another title, scoring a 2-6, 6-1, 10-4 reversal in the premier 18-U finals of the Group 2 tournament hosted by Nathaniel Yuteekiong and presented by Dunlop.

But with a win and runner-up effort, Tangub still shared the MVP honors with Denopol in the event put up by Palawan Pawnshop-Palawan Pera Padala and presented by Dunlop that also saw Dipolog’s Pete Bandala reign in 10-unisex, Tangub City’s Mar Solis win in boys’ 12-U, Agustines from Oroquieta top the boys’ 14-U and Padilla from Ozamiz rule the girls’ 18-U. “Reversals have become the norm in the circuit, underscoring the new faces’ desire to prove their worth and gain ranking points, thus making each tournament unpredictable,” said Palawan Pawnshop president/CEO Bobby Castro.

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES REGIONAL TRIAL COURT NATIONAL CAPITAL JUDICIAL REGION BRANCH 98 – QUEZON CITY IN THE MATTER OF THE PETITION FOR USE OF HIS FATHER SURNAME ALVIN JOHN JAVIER REYES a.k.a.

ALVIN ESQUILLO JAVIER, Petitioner, R-QZN-19-01616-SP

-versus-

THE CITY CIVIL REGISTRAR OF QUEZON CITY, THE NATIONAL STATISTICIAN, AND CIVIL REGISTRAR GENERAL OF THE PHILIPPINES STATISTICS AUTHORITY (PSA), AVELINO C. REYES, JR. AND GWENDELINE EQUILLO JAVIER, Respondents. x----------------------------------------------------x

ORDER

Before this Court is a verified petition filed by petitioner Alvin John Javier Reyes a.k.a. Alvin Esquillo Javier through counsel, praying that after notice and hearing judgment be rendered allowing the petitioner to use the surname of his father and directing the Local Civil Registrar of Quezon City and the Civil Registrar General/Chief of the Philippines Statistics Authority to make and effect the correction in the Certificate of Live Birth of the petitioner with Registry No. 1995-4204, Item No. 1-Namefrom Alvin John Esquillo Javier to Alvin John Javier Reyes.

WHEREFORE, notice is hereby given that the above-entitled petition will be heard before this Court located at the 2nd floor, Rooms 2007-208 Hall of Justice Building, Diliman, Quezon City on July 16, 2019 at 8:30 in the morning at which place, date and hour, all interested persons may appear and show cause why the petition should not be granted.

The Branch Clerk of Court is ordered to cause the service of copies of this Order on the Local Civil Registrar of Quezon City, Office of the City Prosecutor of Quezon City and Office of the Solicitor General, Makati City, as well as the parents Avelino C. Reyes, Jr. and Gwendeline Esquillo Javier, at their last known address, who are directed to appear and show cause why the petition should not be granted.

Futher, the petitioner is directed to coordinate with the sheriff of this court for the service of the copy of the petition with annexes on the government agencies above-mentioned and to have this Order published in a newspaper of general circulation, to be chosen by raffle, once a week for three (3) consecutive weeks at least two (2) weeks before the date of the hearing.

In the event that hearing should not take place on the said date due to fortuitous event or if the aforesaid scheduled date is directed a non-working holiday, it shall be held on August 2, 2019 at the same time and place without further notice.

SO ORDERED.

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

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

00149

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.

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

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

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

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.

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.) MARILOU D. RUNES-TAMANG, MNSA Presiding Judge

Atty. Ann Loren Pastor-Counsel for the Petitioner – c/o PAO Office DOJ Bldg., QC Alvin John Javier Reyes - #643 Violeta St., Villa Verde Homes, Brgy.

Sta. Monica, Novaliches, QC Avelino C. Reyes, Jr. – 134 Narra St., Proj. 3, Quezon City Gwendeline Esquillo Javier - 6751 Unit 11-A. Tuscany, Ayala Ave., Makati City The Local Civil Registrar, QC The Phil. Statistics Authority, QC Office of the City Prosecutor, QC Office of the Solicitor General, Makati City (MStandard-Apr. 9, 16 & 23, 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:

Quezon City, Metro Manila, January 29, 2019.

Cc:

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

Name

PHILIPPINE Olympic Committee President Ricky Vargas will be the special guest in today’s Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum at the Amelie Hotel-Manila.

Vargas is appearing in the session presented by San Miguel Corp., Tapa King, Amelie Hotel, and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation, along with Ed Picson, secretary general of the Alliances of Boxing Association in the Philippines, of which Vargas is also president.

The two are expected to discuss the training of the athletes and the preparations being undertaken by the country’s Olympic governing body regarding the hosting of the 30th Southeast Asian Games later this year.

Also invited in the 10:30 a.m. public sports program are POC Chairman Abraham ‘Bambol’ Tolentino and POC secretary general Patrick Gregorio.

Shortly after the Forum, Vargas will induct into office the new set of PSA officers led by President Tito S. Talao of the Manila Bulletin.

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-ISSUE DATES, 2019)

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

Sports

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

A8

TUESDAY, APRIL 9, 2019

Thailand has also underscored its readiness to go for the crown, sending 39 players, led by veteran Yupaporn Kawinpakorn, who is seeking a second LPGT crown after dominating the Pradera Verde leg of the circuit last December.

PLDT, Cignal gun for PSL semis berths Games Today (Filoil Flying V Centre) 4:00 p.m. -- PLDT vs Generika-Ayala 6:00 p.m. -- Cignal vs United VC

PLDT and Cignal seek to join Petron in the semifinals when they collide with separate foes in the quarterfinals of the Philippine Superliga Grand Prix today at the Filoil Flying V Centre.

Armed with a twice-to-beat edge, the Power Hitters aim to book a return flight to the semis when the clash with dangerous Generika-Ayala at 4 p.m. while the HD Spikers face United VC in the 6 p.m. main encounter of this prestigious women’s club league backed by Asics, Mueller, Mikasa, Senoh, Team Rebel Sports, Bizooku, UCPB Gen, Cocolife, Hotel Sogo and Data Project.

Petron, which swept the classifications to emerge as top seed in the quarterfinals, made short work of Sta. Lucia to become the first team in the best-of-three semifinal series.

On the other hand, the Blaze Spikers’ main rival—F2 Logistics—was not as fortunate as it suffered a nailbiting fives-set loss to Foton in the other quarterfinal battle.

That makes this explosive doubleheader that has ESPN5 and 5Plus as broadcast partners very exciting as both Generika-Ayala and United VC are optimistic that they can forge a rubber match if they play superb volleyball from start to finish.

United VC, for one, will be bringing in a new import in Thai star Sutadta Chuewulim to revive their title hopes after failing to clinch the quarterfinal bonus.

PH falls to Taipei THE Philippine national women’s team absorbed a 2-4 setback to Chinese Taipei in the 2020 Women’s Olympic Football Tournament Asian Qualifiers Round 2 at the Grand Hamad Stadium in Doha, Qatar.

The Philippines led in the opening 30 minutes of the first half.

They were on course for an upset after Joyce Semacio pounced on a Chinese Taipei error in the 13th minute to put the Philippines up, 1-0.

Then, Patricia Tomanon scored the second goal in the 32nd minute off another defensive miscue from Chinese Taipei.

The two first-half Philippine goals were the only ones Chinese Taipei conceded in the qualifiers.

Chinese Taipei fought back late in the first half with a penalty shot before scoring three unanswered goals in the second half.

The Philippines is in third place in Group C of the Olympic qualifiers with 3 points, ahead of Iran with a better goal differential.

The Philippines will face Palestine in their final match on Tuesday at the Saoud bin Abdulrahman Stadium.

The Philippine national women’s team repulsed Iran, 2-0, opening up its campaign on a bright note on Wednesday evening. Peter Atencio

Hotshots arrange death duel with Ginebra Kings

By Arman Carandang

M

AGNOLIA handed Barangay Ginebra a huge 106-77, 29-point mauling to force a sudden-death match in their Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Cup quarterfinal series at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum on Monday night.

Their backs against the wall, the Hotshots began the game with a single mission—win at all cost. That they did as they began the game with an 11-point explosion that set the tone of the rout as they leveled their best-of-three series at 1-all.

“We only tied the series. Na-challenge ang mga players. Pinag-usapan namin ‘yung spirit namin at passion namin nu’ng Game One, it’s not the Magnolia Hotshots basketball. Nakita naman nila sa film,” said Magnolia coach Chito Victolero of the Hotshots’ stinging 7586 setback at the start of their quarterfinal showdown on Saturday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Magnolia’s win set up a no-tomorrow game for a place in the semifinals on Wednesday, also at the Araneta Coliseum.

The winner will advance to the bestof-7 semifinal series with Rain or Shine.

Ian Sangalang led Magnolia with 21

points and nine rebounds, while Robbie Herndon added 18 points for the Hotshots, who drew double-digit scoring from six players.

After struggling in Game 1 of the series, Mark Barroca, Jio Jalalon, and Paul Lee finally found their form and combined for 38 points.

The Elasto Painters advanced to the semis right away by beating North Port last Sunday, 91-85. The Painters finished in the top 2 after the 11-game elimination, hence they needed to win only once over the seventh-ranked Batang Pier.

Phoenix Pulse likewise advanced to the next round via a 91-76 rout of Alaska also last Sunday. The Fuel Masters topped the elimination and thus enjoyed a win-once advantage over the eight-ranked Aces, who made the playoff round via playoff.

The Hotshots struck hard in the third period where they built lead a big 78-48

lead behind a scoring binge spanning over eight minutes.

Seeing the Hotshots’ offensive was going unrelenting, Ginebra sued for time with 2:51 left in the third, and somehow the Gin Kings were able to check their alarming offensive as Prince Caperal made back-to-back baskets and Art Dela Cruz a jumper in a 6-0 roll that trimmed Magnolia’s lead to 78-54 at the end of the third.

By the time the game reached its last 6 minutes, the Hotshots were already enjoying insurmountable lead at 91-63.

Only Sol Mercado managed to log in double-digit output for the Gin Kings with 13 points, with most of the team’s usual scorers failing to make their presence felt.

The scores: Magnolia 106—Sangalang 21, Herndon 18, Jalalon 17, Barroca 13, Lee 13, Dela Rosa 11, Ramos 6, Abundo 3, Reavis 2, Brondial 2, Gamalinda 0, Melton 0, Pascual 0.

Ginebra 77—Mercado 13, Thompson 8, Ferrer 8, Dela Cruz 7, Caperal 6, Teodoro 6, Tenorio 5, Aguilar J. 5, Slaughter 5, Chan 4, Devance 4, Mariano 2.

Quarters: 25-18, 51-38, 81-54, 106-77.

World federation, schools give esports a boost

By Peter Atencio A GROUP of video gaming enthusiasts is looking forward to expand their reach at the grassroots level.

This is what the Esports World Federation will try to do following interests coming from three school leagues in putting up a series of tournaments starting next week.

The Federation of School Sports Associations of the Philippines, the Philippine Collegiate Champions League and the Philippine Inter Schools, Colleges and Universities Athletic Association will join the ESWF in its efforts to establish a series of tournaments in different platforms starting next week.

“We are fortunate to collaborate with the special people who are willing to work with us on this,” said ESWF spokesman Rains David during a launch at the SM Megamall in Mandaluyong City.

Competitions in Mobile Legends, Arena of Valor and DOTA 2--played in mobile, personal computer and console

platforms, are set to start next week and will go on till June.

The tournaments were inspired with the inclusion of esports in the 2018 Asian Games last year and the 30th Southeast Asian Games this year.

So far, the PCCL is set to host five legs in Luzon, the National Capital Region, Cebu, Davao and Cagayan de Oro. The PISCUAA will have four legs, which will be hosted by government schools.

ESWF president Arniel Gutierrez said they are organizing the tournaments under the umbrella of the Global Association of International Sports Federations.

And Timezone Philippines, an international chain of arcade centers, has agreed to host most of their tournaments.

The “Bayan Ko vs Bayan Mo” tournament which will pit different participating cities against each other, is also in the works.

Organizers said the tournament will serve as a test event before they hold collegiate level events.

3-way fight looms in Manila Golf IT will be a toss-up among the leading players of Taiwan, Thailand and the host country as they set out for a duel of shotmaking, iron play and putting in the ICTSI Manila Golf Ladies Classic, which gets going tomorrow Wednesday (April 10) at the Manila Golf Club inside Forbes Park.

Babe Liu, the No. 3 player in the current LPGA of Taiwan (TLPGA) ranking, along with joint No. 5 Hsin Lee and Lin Tzu-Chi and last year’s LPGT/TLPGA Midlands leg winner Ching Huang banner the 25-strong player roster from Taiwan, all ready to slug it out with the best in the $100,000 championship put up ICTSI and serving as the seventh leg of the Ladies Philippine Golf Tour seventh season and the fifth stop of this year’s TLPGA. Thailand has also underscored its readiness to go for the crown, sending 39 players, led by veteran Yupaporn Kawinpakorn, who is seeking a second LPGT crown after dominating the Pradera Verde leg of the circuit last December.

Thanutra Boonraksasat, who turned back Princess Superal to snare the last LPGT crown at Manila Southwoods last month, is also back for a shot at a second straight championship in the event organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments and sanctioned by the TLPGA. LPGT leg winners Onkanok Soisuwan, Supakchaya Pattaranakrueang and Wannasiri Sirisampant along with Chatprapa Siriprakob, Saraporn Chamchoi and Ornnicha Konsunthea are also coming into the event in top form and brimming with confidence, guaranteeing a spirited battle for top honors in the event backed by Custom Clubmakers, Meralco, K&G Golf Apparel, BDO, Sharp, KZG, PLDT, Empire Golf and Sports and M.Y. Shokai Technology Inc. But a compact nine-player local side will be more than ready to defend its turf with Superal hoping to recall her fierce form on a course that best suits her game with the backing of fellow former Symetra Tour campaigners Mia Piccio and Cyna Rodriguez along with Chihiro Ikeda, Daniella Uy, Marvi Monsalve, Alex Etter and Gretchen Villacencio.

Bacojo pulls away in U-14 of Deloso chess MARK Jay Bacojo turned back Marc Lee Payumo to continue to pull away from the pack after six rounds in the boys’ Under-14 division of the the Gov. Amor Deloso National Age Group Chess Championships at the Zambales Sports Complex in Iba, Zambales yesterday.

The win hiked Bacojo’s total to 5.5 points, or a full point ahead of Neil Chester Reyes, who bested Charliemagne Arias, with 4.5 points in this tournament staking slots to the Philippine team seeing action in the ASEAN Age Group tilt in Myanmar this June.

Bacojo was playing Eljon Balala in the seventh round at press time.

Heart Padilla, for her part, trounced Roilanne Marie Alonzo to kept her grip on the top spot with 6.5 points in the girls’ Under-14.

Half a point off the pace with six points was Lovely Ann Geraldino, who defeated Rhea Jean Canino in this six-day event sponsored by Gov. Deloso and Congressman Cheryl Deloso, the Philippine Sports Commission and NCFP president Butch Pichay.

In the boys’ Under-10, Mark Gabriel Usman waylaid Christian Gian Karlo Arca to catch up on erstwhile solo leader Al-Basher Buto at the helm with six points each.

Buto was slowed down by a draw with Ruslan Pamplona that allowed Usman to snatch a share of the No. 1 spot.

Palaro to include Larong Pinoy LARONG Pinoy, also known as the Philippine Indigenous Games, will be introduced in the 2019 Palarong Pambansa when it is held in Davao City from April 27 to May 4.

Staging traditional games played by Filipinos will help to strengthen and revive cultural events like the kadang-kadang, patintero, hilahang lubid, and karera ng sako.

The new events were unveiled when the Department of Education and the City Government of Davao officially signed the memorandum of agreement on the hosting of the Games yesterday at the Davao City Hall.

The MOA, which specifies the duties and responsibilities of the Department and the City Government, was formalized by an agreement signed by DepEd Secretary Leonor Magtolis Briones and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio.

This year’s Palaro will hold the theme

“Shaping the Future Through Sports.”

Under the agreement, some of the duties and responsibilities of DepEd include coordination with Davao City for the necessary security provisions and measures, transportation and communications provisions, and other requirements for the event.

Their responsibilities also include the playing venues and billeting quarters for the regional delegations and national technical officials.

The DepEd will run the different sports events according to the specifications prescribed by the Palaro Technical Management and Games Administration Committee.

Organizers will also have the Sports Heroes Day, which will serve as an opportunity for young athletes to personally interact with their sports idols and icons. Peter Atencio

OSAKA STILL NO. 1. Japan’s Naomi Osaka maintained a slender lead over

Romanian Simona Halep at the top of the WTA rankings released on Monday.

Osaka now sits 185 points ahead of Halep, with Czech pair Petra Kvitova and Karolina Pliskova in third and fourth. American Madison Keys, winner of the WTA event in Charleston last week, jumped four spots to 14th. AFP

IN BRIEF

ERC approves P1.9-b Cebu-Lapu-Lapu line

THE Energy Regulatory Commission approved the P1.884-billion Cebu–LapuLapu Transmission Project of National Grid Corporation of the Philippines that will help strengthen the Visayas transmission backbone.

“The Cebu–Lapu-Lapu transmission line project aims to address the expected overloading of the Cebu-Mandaue–LapuLapu Transmission line which will result to power curtailment. Once the CLTP is completed, additional transmission capacity will be available for the Cebu– Mandaue–Lapu-Lapu transmission corridor,” said ERC chairperson and chief executive officer Agnes Devanadera in a statement.

The CLTP will form part of the planned 230 kV transmission backbone in the Visayas and serve as an outage contingency to the existing Cebu–Mandaue–Lapu-Lapu Transmission corridor. The project will be implemented from 2019 until 2020.

ERC’s approval of the CLTP is subject to the condition that the project will be subject to optimization based on its actual use or implementation during the reset process for the next regulatory period.

Alena Mae S. Flores

Business

Construction of Ceza centers starts in April

CONSTRUCTION of the CEZA Corporate Center and Commercial Center inside the envisioned CEZA Global City will simultaneously break ground within April.

Cagayan Economic Zone Authority administrator and chief executive Raul Lambino said the two buildings would be ready for occupancy by early next year, filling the demand for offices frm the first 26 fintech (financial technology) principal licensees of the Cagayan Special Economic Zone and Freeport.

Local commercial banks and a fresh batch of business locators in the tourism and manufacturing sectors are also setting up offices in the corporate and commercial centers.

The planned improvement and rehabilitation of Port Irene would get under way, said Lambino, with the construction of six new warehouses amid rising demand for space by port users importing construction materials and supplies and a variety of loose cargoes.

CAGWEI of China finished the construction of a paper-recycling plant that could turn in tons of regular and special papers for domestic use and export to several countries in the Asia-Pacific region. Othel V. Campos

TUESDAY, APRIL 9, 2019

B1

By Alena Mae S. Flores

TOP CLARK LOCATORS. Clark Development Corp. recognizes its locators and partners for their support and effort in the various developments in Clark. CDC president and chief executive Noel Manankil (right) with CDC chairman Jose De Jesus (eighth from right) and CDC vice chairman Benjamin Defensor Jr.(12th from left) confer the awards to Yokohama Tire Philippines Inc. as top investor followed by SFA Semicon Philippines Corp. and Global Gateway Development Corp. Recognized as top employers are Sutherland Global Services Philippines Inc., L&T International Group Philippines Inc. and Nanox Philippines Inc. SFA Semicon Philippines Corp. remains the top exporter followed by Nanox Philippines and Yokohama Tire Philippines. Awarded as highest lease revenues generators are Widus International Leisure Inc., Filinvest Mimosa Inc. and Eight Integrated Development Corp.

Alliance Global boosts capital spending to P85b

By Jenniffer B. Austria

A

lliance Global Group Inc., the investment holding company of billionaire Andrew Tan, will boost its annual capital expenditures to P85 billion in 2019, 14.8 percent higher than P74 billion it invested in 2018.

AGI chief executive Kevin Tan said in a disclosure to the stock exchange about 90 percent of this year’s capital spending would fund the expansion of the group’s real estate and gaming subsidiaries.

“We remain unrelenting in our expansion plans as we view with optimism the

country’s economic prospects despite some temporary challenges. We are allocating around P85 billion in capex this year, a significant increase from the P70-billion in actual expenditures in 2018,” Tan said.

He said about 90 percent of this year’s budget would fund the healthy expansion projects of Megaworld and Travellers.

AGI posted a record consolidated net income of P23.7 billion in 2018, up from its restated profit of P22.3 billion in 2017.

The group adopted the accounting changes under Philippine Financial Reporting Standards 15 for its 2018 financial statements which resulted in previous year’s performance being restated for comparability.

Consolidated revenues increased 14 percent in 2018 to P160.7 billion from a restated level of P141.3 billion.

“This is a milestone performance for AGI and proves that our aggressive

expansion strategies which we started implementing across our various business segments about five years ago have begun to bear fruit. Now, all our major business segments are contributing strongly to the group’s growth. We look forward to sustaining this momentum in the coming years,” Tan said.

AGI is composed of real estate arm Megaworld Corp., liquor subsidiary Emperador Inc., gaming and leisure operations under Travellers International Hotel Group Inc., quick service restaurants business through McDonald’s Philippines under Golden Arches Development Corp. and infrastructure arm Infracorp Development Inc. Megaworld earlier reported a 16-percent increase in 2018 net income to P15.2 billion while Travellers International, the owner and operator of Resorts World Manila, recorded an attributable net income of P1.4 billion, up sharply from P290 million in 2017.

POWER rates will slightly increase this month, on higher generation charges and weaker peso, power retailer Manila Electric Co. said Monday.

Meralco said the cost of electricity rose P0.0633 per kilowatt-hour in April to P10.5594 per kWh from P10.4961 per kWh in March. The increase would translate into an additional P13 in the monthly bill of a typical household consuming 200 kWh. Meralco’s generation charges climbed to P5.6322 per kWh in April from P5.5973 per kWh in March.

“The generation charge increase is primarily due to higher charges from the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market and the weakening of the peso against US dollar,” the company said.

Meralco said the P1.2815-perkWh increase in WESM charges in April was brought about by the tighter supply in the Luzon grid. Meralco sources part of its power supply from the WESM, the country’s trading floor of electricity.

Grid operator National Grid Corp. of the Philippines placed the grid under yellow alert on March 5, 7 and 8 because of the insufficient operating reserves, as several power plants suffered outages and de-rating.

Meralco sourced about 10.4 percent of its power supply from WESM. Cost of power from the company’s independent power producers also increased by P0.0881 per kWh as the peso depreciated against the US dollar. About 95 percent of IPP charges are dollar-denominated.

Charges from the power supply agreements of Meralco went down

by P0.2796 per kWh. IPPs and PSAs provided 41.4 percent and 48.2 percent of Meralco’s supply needs, respectively.

Meralco said that as approved by the Energy Regulatory Commission, the feed-in tariff allowance went down by P0.0337 per kWh, while the universal charges for stranded debts went up by P0.0163 per kWh, resulting in a net reduction of P0.0174 per kWh.

ICTSI backs crackdown on overstaying cargo at ports

PAL plans more Bangkok flights to widen share PHILIPPINE Airlines said it expects to increase its market share in Thailand by 5 percent this year on increased travel between Manila and Bangkok.

“We have 40 percent of the market in Thailand and we will increase our market share by 5 percent this year,” PAL president and chief operating officer Jaime Bautista said.

Bautista said the Tourism Authority of Thailand was expecting 30 million visitors this year.

PAL flies between Manila and Bangkok 25 times a week.

PAL signed a codeshare agreement with Bangkok Airways in October 2018 to expand convenient connections for passengers traveling between Manila and Thailand.

The agreement will enable PAL passengers flying to Bangkok from Manila to connect seamlessly on Bangkok Airways’ flights to Chiang Mai via Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport.

Bangkok Airways’ passengers will also be able to travel on Philippine Airlines’ flights between Bangkok and Manila.

Bangkok Airways is PAL’s 15th codeshare partner and its fifth in Southeast Asia.

The entry of PAL brings the list of Bangkok Airways’ codeshare partners to 27 in total.

PAL Holdings Inc., PAL’s parent firm, earlier reported a net loss of P3.29 billion in January to September last year, compared to a loss of P2.31 billion in the same period in 2017.

Total revenues in January to September 2018 reached P112.07 billion, up 16 percent from P96.58 billion in the same period in 2017.

Darwin G. Amojelar

business@manilastandard.net extrastory2000@gmail.com

Electricity rates to increase in April—Meralco

Swedish investors bullish on PH growth

SWEDISH investors in the Philippines are highly optimistic on the country’s improving economy, Swedish companies with stakes in infrastructure and services areas vowed to establish a long term relationship with the host country despite business challenges.

According to the report “Philippines–Open for Business Report” released Monday by Business Sweden, 92 percent of companies would pursue long-term business expansion in the Philippines while 85 percent reported their operations were still good.

Twenty Swedish firms employ about 30,000 direct and indirect workers. They have a combined revenue of P30 billion (SEK 5 billion) with exports growing at 30 percent in 2018, almost reaching SEK 2 billion in the same year.

The survey, conducted from December 2018 to January 2019, also showed that 70 percent of respondents forecast solid growth, with expectations of a 10-percent rise in yearly sales within the next three years. Othel V. Campos

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

By Darwin G. Amojelar

P.A. PROPERTIES EXPANSION. P.A. Properties, one of the largest property developers south of Manila, continues with its expansion plan with the groundbreaking of St. Joseph Homes Calamba Phase 2. The 5.8-hectare Phase 2 will have 828 housing units coupled with modern-day amenities and landscaped gateway. Leading the groundbreaking are (from left) P.A. Properties senior vice president for operations Peter Castr and president Jonathan Lu.

Dominguez asks BIR to go after recyclers of cigarette tax stamps

By Julito G. Rada FINANCE Secretary Carlos Dominguez III ordered the Bureau of Internal Revenue to work closely with the Trade Department to stop the illegal practice by illicit tobacco traders of using recycled tax stamps on fake cigarettes.

BIR officials said during a recent DoF executive committee meeting they found out that some enterprising entities came up with a promotional scheme where tax stamps on sold cigarette packs could be exchanged for a can of sardines or a pack of noodles.

Dominguez told the BIR to coordinate with the DTI to stop the alleged practice and find out who were buying the used tax stamps.

“You better talk to the DTI and tell

them that can’t be allowed,” Dominguez told BIR commissioner Caesar Dulay during the meeting.

BIR deputy commissioner Arnel Guballa said illicit tobacco traders could be using the promotional scheme to gather used tax stamps to put on packs of fake cigarettes.

Dulay said he would be meeting with representatives from Philip Morris, Japan Tobacco, other cigarette companies and those handling the Internal Revenue Stamps Integrated System to find out how to address the latest modus operandi in the illicit tobacco trade.

The DOF and BIR led the destruction of several machines used in the manufacture of illicitly traded cigarettes in January.

The destroyed contraband included units and parts of three filter maker machines, two packaging machines and a

cigarette-making machine, along with 484 master cases of various finished cigarette brands and raw materials used in making cigarettes such as filter rods, tipping papers, packaging foil, acetate tow and other supplies.

It also formed a strike team tasked to crack down on illicit cigarette manufacturing and trade.

The BIR incinerated more than 230,000 master cases or 115 million cigarette packs bearing brands manufactured by the defunct Mighty Corp in 2018. It also destroyed more than 9,000 master cases bearing the Mighty brands in the latter part of 2017.

The aggregate excise tax of the incinerated cigarettes could reach P9 billion, which was part of the tax deficiency of Mighty Corp.

PORT operator International Container Terminal Services Inc. lauded the government for cracking down on overstaying cargo at Manila ports.

“We thank the Philippine government for taking a hard stand in fast-tracking the disposal and reduction of overstaying and empty containers at Manila ports. The results have been immediate and go to show what determination and focus of purpose can do,” ICTSI global corporate head Christian Gonzalez said.

Roughly a month after the PPA issued an ultimatum for overstaying containers, yard utilization at the Manila International Container Terminal rapidly decreased by about 20 percent, from 90 percent in January this year to 70 percent at the start of April.

The healthy yard utilization occurred despite higher volume handled, especially in March where MICT handled a record monthly volume.

The terminal was able to accept almost double the number of empty containers it was receiving, freeing up trucks in the process which in turn resulted in more import pullouts. Shipping lines were able to bridge the gap in achieving their weekly empty container evacuation targets.

Import dwell time was reduced from 11 days in January to 6.6 days at the start of April. This resulted in zero ship queues compared to December’s peak season.

ICTSI also continues to transfer more overstaying laden containers to Laguna Gateway Inland Container Terminal in Calamba.

“We are optimistic that most have understood the need for containers to move regularly and in a timely fashion, but the proof will come after Easter which historically has seen overstaying boxes surge,” Gonzalez said.

B2

Business

TUESDAY, APRIL 9, 2019 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Market advances; ICTSI climbs T HE stock market climbed Monday after a strong US jobs report that eased concerns about the world’s top economy and on optimism about the outcome of the US-China trade negotiations.

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index rose 42.45 points, or 0.5 percent, to 7,915.63 on a value turnover of P5.4 billion. Gainers beat losers, 107 to 91, with 50 issues unchanged.

International Container Terminal Services Inc., the biggest port operator, advanced 4.9 percent to P129.60, while Universal Robina Corp., the largest snack food maker, gained 2.9 percent to P156.

Alliance Global Group Inc. of tycoon Andrew Tan climbed 2.8 percent to P16.40, while Puregold Price Club Inc. of retail tycoon Lucio Co rose 2.7 percent to 49.50.

The rest of Asian markets were mixed Monday but investors remain broadly upbeat, while the pound edged up at the start of another crucial week in the Brexit saga.

The gains built on last week’s rally that was fueled by optimistic tones from China and the United States on trade talks, with top White House economic adviser Larry Kudlow saying they had been “very productive” and “moving the ball in the right direction.”

Confidence was given a boost by data from the Labor Department showing the US created 196,000 net new jobs last month, beating expectations, with moderate wage inflation easing pressure on the Federal Reserve to tighten monetary policy.

The upbeat figures—and hopes for the trade talks—have combined with a more dovish turn by central banks of late to support global markets, which have enjoyed a stellar start to the year after a painful end to 2018.

“Valuations are OK, global growth is expected to improve into the second half of the year, monetary and fiscal policy has become more supportive of markets and the trade war is receding,” Shane Oliver, investment strategist at AMP Capital Investors, told Bloomberg News.

This “should support decent gains for share markets through 2019 as a whole.”

All three main indexes on Wall Street ended on a high Friday.

In the afternoon Hong Kong was up 0.3 percent and Sydney ended 0.7 percent higher, with Seoul and Taipei also rising.

But Tokyo finished 0.2 percent off, Shanghai eased 0.1 percent and Singapore dipped 0.1 percent in late

business. Mumbai and Jakarta were also lower.

The release of minutes from the Fed’s March policy meeting will be pored over when they are released later this week, with traders hoping for fresh clues about its thinking.

The bank has come under fresh pressure from Trump to lower interest rates, blaming it for acting as a drag on the economy.

On currency markets, the pound was slightly higher against the dollar as British Prime Minister Theresa May looks to reach a deal with the opposition Labour Party to avert a hard Brexit, with a second deadline approaching on Friday.

May last week asked European Union leaders for another delay until June 30, while the bloc itself suggested that it might be best to postpone the split for up to a year. Brussels is due to make a decision within days. With AFP

MANILA STANDARD BUSINESS DAILY STOCKS REVIEW MONDAY, APRIL 8, 2019

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

FINANCIALS 58.55 40,100 80.8 4,107,280 2.25 17,000 130.5 1,174,260 27.35 52,500 7.57 300 19.2 76,200 12.14 159,800 4.35 244,000 0.67 1,000 1.43 203,000 800 250 79.95 735,310 0.94 163,000 13.9 38,500 21.4 5,200 58 124,370 190 3,700 57.05 2,560 26.1 13,300 179.7 153,780 1,800 270 61 4,210 1.13 7,000

2,340,142.50 334,476,009.50 37,700 153,400,299 1,426,000 2,271 1,459,920 1,939,336 1,071,500 670 289,630 200,000 58,734,719.50 152,340 536,150 111,370 7,232,155.50 700,149 147,642.50 349,225 27,528,945 486,000 256,873.50 7,910

2,164,549 23,477,281 -536,038 -464,892 -71,103 -92,190 395,696 123,690 -296,750 12,401,796 -65,270 -

35.5 16.52 0.96 1.4 0.24 2.03 15.3 28.8 14.7 43 74.3 1.9 5.23 6 11.5 15.7 9.66 7.24 21.35 79.35 29.2 2.6 10.6 12.84 1.72 318.8 3.9 3.52 10.22 23.7 15.16 22.1 374 0.19 6.13 1.38 4.34 6.37 9.01 1.56 11.7 46 5.35 4.67 1.7 2.4 1.32 13.1 103.5 7.21 1.05 152.1 1.68 16.98 1.16

INDUSTRIAL 35.5 850,000 16.62 441,700 0.97 1,423,000 1.4 467,000 0.247 2,950,000 2.04 10,603,000 16.1 2,150,100 29.4 53,300 15.1 1,500 43.1 3,400 74.3 10 1.96 1,415,000 5.25 70,200 6 48,400 11.7 4,180,900 15.9 74,700 9.67 258,900 7.25 175,100 22 1,070,900 79.6 34,240 29.55 62,800 2.69 8,821,000 11 3,395,000 13.16 482,800 1.73 621,000 318.8 493,570 3.9 99,000 3.65 15,000 10.6 6,000 23.8 1,221,000 15.4 1,430,100 22.55 4,663,400 374 152,080 0.19 70,000 6.55 21,600 1.38 3,428,000 4.34 12,000 6.39 1,103,300 9.5 15,200 1.59 27,163,000 11.76 222,400 46 149,800 5.35 52,400 4.67 14,000 1.7 4,000 2.42 50,000 1.32 8,000 13.16 360,100 106 310,220 7.59 552,400 1.07 1,270,000 156 1,078,890 1.69 844,000 16.98 1,000 1.2 4,665,000

30,564,430 7,357,572 1,382,050 653,880 727,360 21,797,940 33,770,994 1,550,275 22,480 146,450 743 2,771,670 367,842 290,480 48,692,428 1,187,774 2,529,183 1,271,059 23,440,465 2,722,053 1,847,680 23,530,180 36,882,064 6,323,068 1,078,890 157,618,072 387,180 54,050 62,740 29,090,755 22,008,932 105,425,635 57,149,932 13,300 138,786 4,750,290 52,110 7,055,360 142,366 43,401,310 2,616,264 6,975,870 280,610 65,390 6,800 120,300 10,560 4,754,840 32,737,496 4,118,627 1,364,540 167,519,797 1,425,800 16,980 5,573,020

-4,449,820 4,938,182 -2,880 163,800 296,450 -1,331,210 2,751,322 -90,465 21,550 646,090 -279,520 18,437,202 19,400 -43,548 12,816,925 669,473.50 458,520 -1,523,590 -7,928,098 -1,027,264 38,073,010 -7,582,090 17,010,968 36,446,290 5,093,812 391,330.00 -34,720 402,121 2,334,170 -207,530 4,153,195 -280,055 36,300 -660,000 1,265,784 -70,380 31,800 65,096,472 -162,000

0.52 59.95 15.96 0.79 6.35 20.05 1.36 1.38 907 7.6 11.74 15 885.5 6.92 64.55 5.08 0.5 5.2 16.54 0.55 4.6 0.039 2.83 174.9 2.38 944 0.97 1.33 410 262.2 0.231 0.36

HOLDING FIRMS 0.54 20,044,000 60 643,200 16.4 15,595,200 0.79 816,000 6.5 211,500 20.05 24,300 1.39 3,921,000 1.4 413,000 911 254,440 7.63 914,100 11.84 4,459,500 15.14 691,000 889.5 116,060 6.98 81,200 65.5 1,769,410 5.1 3,900 0.51 687,000 5.23 203,800 16.8 1,261,700 0.55 3,000 4.7 23,464,000 0.039 9,600,000 2.97 1,449,000 175.5 275,290 2.38 3,000 953 181,630 0.97 3,298,000 1.36 47,000 420 1,620 273 820 0.24 380,000 0.365 17,950,000

10,838,940 38,763,311.50 255,544,214 651,450 1,374,525 489,045 5,423,960 571,590 231,822,545 6,989,199 52,903,090 10,495,044 103,367,595 564,392 115,296,529.50 19,852 344,920 1,065,625 20,994,646 1,650 109,843,940 375,800 4,206,360 48,375,131 7,140 173,221,975 3,266,120 62,990 683,324 219,724 88,600 6,576,850

333,920 18,394,479 135,277,496 -56,700 975,000 99,970 -87,785,750 2,816,405 -9,872,188 396,976 -41,510,340 67,951,052 186,179 7,079,784 1,650 -2,829,800 170,240 7,287,678 107,016,705 194,500 559,640 -694,950

NAME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

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

56.5 81.4 2.26 131 27.1 7.57 19.2 12.1 4.5 0.67 1.52 800 79.9 0.94 13.9 21.85 58 196.8 58.45 26.05 178.4 1,800 62 1.13

58.55 82.5 2.26 132 27.35 7.57 19.2 12.3 4.5 0.67 1.52 800 80 0.94 14 21.85 58.7 196.8 58.85 26.3 179.7 1,800 62 1.13

56.5 80.8 2.17 130 27.1 7.57 19.1 12.04 4.32 0.67 1.4 800 79.45 0.93 13.9 21.4 57.8 188 57 26.05 177.7 1,800 61 1.13

ABOITIZ POWER AGRINURTURE ALLIANCE SELECT ALSONS CONS BASIC ENERGY CEMEX HLDG CENTURY FOOD CIRTEK HLDG CNTRL AZUCARERA CONCEPCION CONCRETE A CROWN ASIA DAVINCI CAPITAL DEL MONTE DNL INDUS EAGLE CEMENT EEI CORP EMPERADOR FIRST GEN FIRST PHIL HLDG GINEBRA GREENERGY HOLCIM INTEGRATED MICR IONICS JOLLIBEE LMG CHEMICALS MABUHAY VINYL MACAY HLDG MANILA WATER MAXS GROUP MEGAWIDE MERALCO MG HLDG PANASONIC 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 TKC METALS UNIV ROBINA VITARICH VIVANT VULCAN INDL

36 16.52 0.96 1.4 0.243 2.04 15.32 28.8 14.7 43 74.3 1.9 5.26 6.2 11.6 15.7 9.8 7.38 21.45 79.4 29.3 2.68 11.14 12.84 1.76 320.2 3.92 3.52 10.3 23.7 15.38 22.1 379.2 0.19 6.13 1.4 4.37 6.37 9.01 1.64 11.88 46.2 5.55 4.67 1.7 2.4 1.32 13.38 105 7.21 1.11 152.6 1.7 16.98 1.23

36.3 16.8 0.99 1.41 0.249 2.09 16.4 29.4 15.1 43.1 74.3 2.03 5.26 6.2 11.7 15.94 9.91 7.38 22 79.9 29.6 2.7 11.2 13.24 1.76 320.6 3.92 3.65 10.68 23.9 15.48 22.75 380.6 0.19 6.58 1.41 4.37 6.43 9.5 1.64 11.98 46.9 5.55 4.68 1.7 2.42 1.32 13.38 106 7.6 1.14 157 1.7 16.98 1.23

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 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 SEAFRONT RES SM INVESTMENTS SOC RESOURCES SOLID GROUP SYNERGY GRID TOP FRONTIER WELLEX INDUS ZEUS HLDG

0.56 60.4 15.96 0.82 6.35 20.5 1.38 1.38 919 7.75 11.76 15.04 897 6.95 64.65 5.08 0.52 5.22 16.54 0.55 4.6 0.039 2.93 176 2.38 944 1.05 1.33 418 262.4 0.244 0.37

0.56 60.6 16.5 0.83 6.5 20.55 1.4 1.4 919 7.75 12.02 15.28 905 6.98 65.85 5.1 0.52 5.28 16.8 0.55 4.74 0.04 2.97 177.1 2.38 966 1.05 1.36 439 273 0.244 0.375

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

13.26 0.81 10.92 2 0.79 45 2.37 4.17 0.53 0.94 0.246 0.42 11.4 22.4 0.51 0.125 1.52 1.36 5.7 0.355 0.49 1.68 0.42 2.5 53.45 24.45

13.48 0.81 13.46 2 0.79 45 2.42 4.19 0.54 0.94 0.246 0.42 11.56 23.35 0.53 0.125 1.53 1.42 5.78 0.37 0.52 1.77 0.425 2.58 53.45 24.5

13 0.78 10.92 2 0.77 44.85 2.36 4.12 0.52 0.89 0.244 0.42 11.1 22.4 0.51 0.125 1.5 1.35 5.68 0.355 0.485 1.68 0.42 2.5 53.45 24.05

VOLUME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

VOLUME

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

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

2 3.05 39.1 1.63 6.9 0.76 7.24

2 3.07 39.8 1.63 7.13 0.76 7.3

1.98 3 39 1.59 6.8 0.74 7.22

1.99 3 39.3 1.63 7.09 0.74 7.25

196,000 185,000 4,653,400 252,000 718,500 115,000 2,141,700

391,380 556,210 182,656,340 406,000 5,050,568 86,700 15,566,357

-230,000 -13,860,735 163,160 -1,440,065

2GO GROUP ABS CBN APC GROUP APOLLO GLOBAL ASIAN TERMINALS BERJAYA BLOOMBERRY BOULEVARD HLDG CEBU AIR CHELSEA DFNN INC DISCOVERY WORLD EASYCALL FAR EASTERN U GLOBE TELECOM GMA NETWORK GOLDEN BRIA GRAND PLAZA HARBOR STAR IMPERIAL INTL CONTAINER IPEOPLE IPM HLDG ISLAND INFO ISM COMM JACKSTONES LBC EXPRESS LEISURE AND RES LORENZO SHIPPNG MACROASIA MANILA BULLETIN METRO RETAIL METROALLIANCE A METROALLIANCE B MLA BRDCASTING 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

12.7 20 0.44 0.041 16 2.52 12.84 0.071 86 5.4 6.77 2.18 10.4 890 1,908 5.8 399.8 9.92 3.02 1.86 123 10.8 7.09 0.128 4.92 3.06 15.4 3.95 0.98 22.7 0.68 3.3 1.71 1.7 15.46 2.54 4.5 10.1 3.19 4.5 121 2.74 1,140 0.85 0.96 48.25 79.8 9 2.45 0.68 0.39 5.65 0.7 15.5

12.7 20.05 0.44 0.042 16 2.54 12.94 0.073 86 5.4 6.78 2.18 10.5 890 1,936 5.82 400 9.92 3.09 1.87 129.6 11.8 7.1 0.13 4.95 3.06 15.4 4.06 0.98 23 0.74 3.4 1.79 1.7 15.46 2.59 4.5 10.28 3.32 4.7 121 2.87 1,160 0.86 0.99 49.85 80.15 9 2.48 0.68 0.4 5.67 0.72 15.72

12.5 19.72 0.43 0.041 16 2.49 12.7 0.071 84.45 5.25 6.77 2.18 10 890 1,900 5.78 385 9.92 3.01 1.8 123 10.8 7.09 0.128 4.8 3.05 15.4 3.81 0.91 22.2 0.67 3.29 1.69 1.7 15.46 2.51 4.43 10.1 3.19 4.5 117 2.74 1,135 0.84 0.92 48.25 79.8 8.94 2.44 0.67 0.39 5.63 0.7 15.18

SERVICES 12.5 19.98 0.43 0.042 16 2.49 12.8 0.073 84.8 5.38 6.78 2.18 10.26 890 1,923 5.8 399 9.92 3.03 1.87 129.6 11.5 7.1 0.129 4.83 3.05 15.4 3.9 0.92 22.95 0.71 3.36 1.79 1.7 15.46 2.52 4.5 10.22 3.2 4.7 118 2.86 1,150 0.85 0.97 49.5 80 8.94 2.46 0.67 0.395 5.65 0.71 15.4

13,000 211,100 1,220,000 400,000 2,900 254,000 31,298,100 25,600,000 50,400 485,700 12,500 1,000 107,700 10 23,010 2,987,700 450 100 1,885,000 36,000 1,209,660 153,100 11,000 920,000 1,262,000 99,000 300 5,973,000 2,435,000 1,045,200 15,041,000 2,898,000 92,000 5,000 300 451,000 37,000 31,700 17,000 11,000 1,730 862,000 276,855 7,109,000 33,197,000 2,725,800 503,880 23,700 2,799,000 6,005,000 3,000,000 138,500 1,526,000 1,723,100

163,274 4,207,197 530,850 16,700 46,400 634,060 402,149,498 1,844,140 4,285,925.50 2,571,657 84,747 2,180 1,096,008 8,900 44,121,870 17,324,862 177,028 992 5,750,440 65,880 155,193,577 1,748,840 78,090 118,510 6,126,600 302,470 4,620 23,816,020 2,269,270 23,896,340 10,606,690 9,678,360 156,710 8,500 4,638 1,143,050 166,290 321,612 54,690 49,700 203,489 2,440,110 318,264,875 6,038,140 31,781,440 134,279,780 40,306,607 212,584 6,885,310 4,027,180 1,176,400 783,124 1,084,310 26,750,762

1,250 -29,980 -83,440,354 194,400.00 149,895.50 667,725 -372,348 3,696,625 -36,600 16,200 61,195,409 1,713,160 244,000 -2,091,650 139,000 3,780,025 640,020 2,540 -6,140 -42,029 -28,600 -1,662,250 485,440 -2,182,820 70,989,675 -19,217,079 -45,000 699,480 890,710 -94,362 2,850,476

225,100 2,184,640 354,850 218,696 18,540 51,270 3,612,490 59,000 78,482 12,459,240 809,050 162,280 17,100 88,460 3,033,170 18,100 36,100 180,550 38,000 180,800 30,060 618,110 41,204,861 52,043,340 49,000

-262,050 -8,810 193,500 -999,100 187,620 38,500 -497,100 16,900 1,707,110 31,829,855 -

NAME

MS

PROPERTY 13.06 0.79 11.88 2 0.78 45 2.42 4.16 0.54 0.9 0.244 0.42 11.56 22.95 0.53 0.125 1.52 1.38 5.74 0.37 0.52 1.74 0.425 2.57 53.45 24.15

1,723,200 313,000 100,600 6,000 954,000 9,190,300 620,000 440,000 11,617,000 1,302,000 160,000 70,000 887,900 378,100 2,683,000 180,000 10,529,000 5,910,000 25,092,200 12,080,000 1,470,000 2,012,000 300,000 431,000 20 1,500,800

22,641,660 247,250 1,176,354 12,000 738,450 413,162,565 1,488,640 1,830,630 6,161,340 1,160,100 39,110 29,400 10,058,734 8,652,500 1,411,160 22,500 15,972,200 8,222,460 143,474,770 4,394,600 750,800 3,473,280 126,500 1,105,750 1,069 36,265,675

2,335,588 -99,462 1,540 -27,172,160 -57,670 80,110 32,860 2,700 203,728 386,735 8,840 -8,338,750 26,505,014 173,850 -359,900 -426,240 25,293,800

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

0.0021 1.37 2.94 12.9 1.41 1.31 2.69 0.295 8.26 1.62 0.26 0.118 0.0086 1.07 2.59 1.04 0.6 0.91 0.013 0.011 3 3.38 9.52 21.75 0.007

0.0021 1.38 2.94 12.96 1.5 1.33 2.72 0.295 8.36 1.63 0.265 0.118 0.0086 1.07 2.6 1.04 0.61 0.91 0.013 0.012 3.01 3.4 9.65 22.3 0.007

0.002 1.34 2.93 12.26 1.4 1.31 2.68 0.295 8.07 1.58 0.25 0.117 0.0085 1.05 2.54 1 0.6 0.9 0.012 0.011 3 3.37 8.85 21.75 0.007

MINING & OIL 0.0021 112,000,000 1.35 1,619,000 2.94 121,000 12.94 17,000 1.48 13,000 1.33 39,000 2.7 1,341,000 0.295 200,000 8.25 9,500 1.61 7,776,000 0.26 3,190,000 0.118 1,380,000 0.0085 2,000,000 1.05 84,000 2.57 1,180,000 1.03 18,000 0.6 60,000 0.91 199,000 0.013 3,000,000 0.011 16,400,000 3.01 10,000 3.39 183,000 8.87 4,513,800 22 2,365,700 0.007 7,000,000

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

19.12 478.8 481 104.3 450.6 5.61 924 95 1 101.2 1,000 1,040 106 980 75.2 76.5 73.7 74.15 74.75 73.5 73.95

19.52 478.8 485 104.3 450.6 5.61 924.5 95 1.01 101.2 1,000 1,040 106 981 75.2 76.5 73.8 74.15 74.75 73.5 73.95

19.1 478.8 481 104.3 450.6 5.61 924 95 1 100 1,000 1,040 106 980 75 75.75 71.7 74.15 74.75 72.75 73.95

PREFERRED 19.52 88,300 478.8 100 481 700 104.3 500 450.6 400 5.61 3,900 924.5 1,000 95 750 1.01 680,000 100 10,000 1,000 20 1,040 5 106 20 981 100 75 20,290 75.75 26,670 72.85 82,850 74.15 30 74.75 310 72.75 410 73.95 900

1,687,726 47,880 336,740 52,150 180,240 21,879 924,215 71,250 685,000 1,002,288 20,000 5,200 2,120 98,050 1,521,784 2,023,360 6,001,313 2,224.50 23,172.50 29,977.50 66,555

-819,914 19,000 20,080 20,000 30,400 14,700 -

LR WARRANT

1.96

2.09

1.9

WARRANTS 1.9 1,100,000

2,219,940

-

708,550 58,889,870

-6,075,480

1,212,033

-

ITALPINAS XURPAS

4.86 1.19

4.89 1.37

4.85 1.18

FIRST METRO ETF

117.3

118

117.3

TRADING SUMMARY FINANCIAL INDUSTRIAL HOLDING FIRMS

SHARES 7,330,345

89,350,934 108,992,878

PROPERTY

104,885,222

SERVICES

158,083,781

MINING & OIL

164,958,132

GRAND TOTAL

679,440,046

4.86 1.35

SME

146,000 45,676,000

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 118 10,280

VALUE 1,739.80 (down) 2.37 592,916,703.47 FINANCIAL INDUSTRIAL 11,816.43 (up) 75.45 928,439,832.25 HOLDING FIRMS 7,772.96 (up) 40.10 1,215,500,489.85 PROPERTY 4,092.98 (up) 17.91 SERVICES 1,613.97 (up) 22.50 1,184,895,902.12 MINING & OIL 7,715.64 (down) 18.65 1,299,785,813.64 PSEI 7,915.63 (up) 42.45 117,780,777.2101 All Shares Index 4,866.96 (up) 19.97 5,400,152,032.94 Gainers: 107; Losers: 91; Unchanged: 50; Total: 248

Gokongwei, Consunji form Las Piñas joint venture firm

By Jenniffer B. Austria THE Gokongwei and Consunji groups have formed a P1-billion joint venture company to build a multi-tower residential condominium project in Las Piñas City.

Robinsons Land Corp. of industrialist John Gokongwei said in a disclosure to the stock exchange the Securities and Exchange Commission approved the incorporation of RLC DMCI Property Ventures Inc., the joint venture company between RLC and Consunji-led DMCI Project Developers Inc. The joint venture company will purchase, lease and develop real estate properties situated in Las Piñas City. The proposed project in Las Piñas City is a multi-tower residential condominium that may include commercial spaces.

RLC and DMCI PDI have agreed to put in an initial capitalization of P500 million each to the joint venture company.

“This joint venture between RLC and DMCI PDI will combine the experience and expertise of two of the leading real estate developers in the country. Furthermore, the combination of the vision of RLC and DMCI PDI’s construction expertise is expected to result into a well-planned residential development,” RLC said.

The joint venture company will be managed by the board of directors composed of six three directors from each RLC and DMC PDI. RLC in 2018 formed two joint venture partnerships, one with Shang Properties Inc and the other with Hong Kong Land Group.

The joint venture with Shang Properties involves the development of a 9,118-square meter property situated at McKinley Parkway corner 5th Avenue and 21st Drive at BGC, Taguig.

The project is intended to be a mixeduse development and may include residential condominium units, serviced apartments and commercial retail outlets.

The joint venture with Hong Kong Land Group, meanwhile, involves the acquisition and development of a 18,037-square meter property in Bridgetowne East for residential development.

PSBank receives high credit grade from PhilRatings

By Julito G. Rada PHILIPPINE Savings Bank, the thrift banking arm of the Metrobank Group, received an issuer rating of PRS Aaa (corp.) from Philippine Rating Services Corp. (PhilRatings), the bank disclosed to the stock exchange Monday.

PSBank is the country’s second largest thrift bank, with assets of P237.7 billion as of end-2018. The bank ended 2018 with 250 branches and 575 ATMs. An issuer rating is an opinion on the general and overall creditworthiness of the issuer, evaluating its ability to meet all its financial obligations within a time horizon of one year. The focus is on financial strength and stability under normal and stressed conditions to be able to meet existing and prospective financial obligations.

A company rated PRS Aaa (corp.) has a very strong capacity to meet its financial commitments relative to that of other Philippine corporates. A PRS Aaa (corp.) is the highest corporate credit rating assigned on the PRS scale.

“The rating took into consideration PSBank’s solid market position; its well-defined and forward looking strategy; highly-experienced management; and continued growth in core interest income, attributable to loan portfolio expansion,” PSBank quoted PhilRatings as saying on the reason for the rating.

The issuer credit rating assigned by PhilRatings is based on available information and projections at the time that the rating review was performed.

“PhilRatings shall continuously monitor developments relating to PSBank and may change the rating at any time, should circumstances warrant a change,” it said.

PSBank is considered a significant player in the domestic consumer market, with about 91.4 percent of its loan portfolio accounted by consumer loans as of end-2018. Compound annual growth rate of the bank’s consumer loan portfolio from 2014 to 2018 was at 14.2 percent.

B3

World

TUESDAY, APRIL 9, 2019 CESAR BARRIOQUINTO, Editor mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Scandal-hit Korean Air chairman Cho dies at age 70

REFLECTION. The Empire State building is lit up in colors and reflected in the East River on April 7, 2019, in New York City. AFP

Abdication stirs debate on succession by a female TOKYO―Japanese Emperor Akihito’s historic abdication later this month has reignited concerns over the future of what is believed to be one of the world’s oldest royal families, given its hereditary, male-only succession rules.

As it stands, the fate of the Japanese imperial family rests on 12-year-old Hisahito, the son of Crown Prince Naruhito’s younger brother and the last eligible male heir.

Japan’s centuries-old succession would be broken if Hisahito does not have a male child as the Imperial Household Law, in place since 1947, does not allow women to ascend the Chrysanthemum Throne.

That means Naruhito’s only child, 17-year-old Princess Aiko, is not in line to inherit the throne.

While public attitudes seem to be shifting to change the succession laws to allow women to rule, the chance of concrete reform looks remote.

According to a poll by the Yomiuri Shimbun daily between October and November, nearly two-thirds want the law revised to allow women to be the rightful heir.

“I just wonder why Princess Aiko cannot ascend the throne,” Mizuho, a Tokyo resident in her 30s who only gave her first name, told AFP. “If it’s just because she’s a girl, then I think it’s out of place in the current era,” she said.

“Why don’t we allow female heirs like Queen Elizabeth in the British monarchy?”

Under the current rules, female imperial family members also lose their royal status upon marriage to a commoner, a point highlighted by the engagement of one of Akihito’s granddaughters, Princess Mako, to her college sweetheart.

Traditionalists are vehemently opposed to any change in the law but there have been as many as eight empresses, with the last one, Gosakuramachi, on the throne about 250 years ago.

And the imperial family, which has a myth-filled history dating back more than 2,600 years, is said to be descended from legendary sun goddess Amaterasu. AFP

US appeals for a halt to offensive in Libya T RIPOLI―The US on Sunday appealed for an “immediate halt” to a military offensive by Libyan strongman Khalifa Haftar, as fighting raged near Tripoli despite a UN call for a ceasefire.

Haftar’s forces and the UN-backed unity government exchanged air strikes Sunday, three days after Haftar launched an offensive to seize the capital.

The unity government said the fighting had killed 21 people, while the United Nations said there had been “no truce” despite calls for a two-hour pause in fighting for civilians and the wounded to flee.

Oil-rich Libya has been riven by chaos since the NATO-backed uprising in 2011 that killed dictator Moamer Kadhafi, as rival administrations and armed groups have battled for power.

Haftar’s offensive has threatened to plunge the country into a full-blown

civil war and once again derail tentative diplomatic efforts to find a solution to Libya’s woes.

“We have made clear that we oppose the military offensive by Khalifa Haftar’s forces and urge the immediate halt to these military operations against the Libyan capital,” Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said late Sunday.

“This unilateral military campaign against Tripoli is endangering civilians and undermining prospects for a better future for all Libyans,” he added.

Pompeo stressed that there is “no military solution to the Libya conflict,” and urged all parties to return to “political negotiations” mediated by the UN. After a pause overnight on Saturday, fierce fighting flared Sunday morning south of Tripoli between Haftar’s self-styled Libyan National Army (LNA) and forces backing the internationally recognised Government of National Accord (GNA).

As the clashes raged in the rural area of Wadi Raba and the destroyed international airport south of the capital, a spokesman for pro-GNA forces announced a counteroffensive.

Colonel Mohamed Gnounou told re-

porters on Sunday forces had launched operation “Volcano of Anger” aimed at “purging all Libyan cities of aggressor and illegitimate forces”, in reference to Haftar’s fighters.

The LNA said it had carried out its first air raid on a Tripoli suburb, defying international calls for a ceasefire.

The unity government’s health ministry said Sunday at least 21 people had been killed and 27 wounded since the fighting began, without specifying whether civilians were among the dead.

Haftar’s force said Saturday that 14 of its personnel had been killed, while the Libyan Red Crescent reported the death of one of its doctors.

Emergency services spokesman Oussama Ali said rescuers “have not been able to enter” the battle zones.

The UN’s Libya mission UNSMIL said it was “still hoping for a positive response” to its earlier call for a pause, after a two-hour window it had set for a humanitarian truce passed with no apparent let-up in the fighting.

UN Security Council on Friday called on Haftar’s forces to halt their advance, warning it would further destabilise Libya. AFP

FESTIVAL.

Italian actress Miriam Leone poses for a photo session during the 2nd edition of the Cannes International Series Festival (Canneseries) on April 7 , 2019, in Cannes, southern France. AFP

Poverty and repression in the shadow of Azerbaijan’s new skyline BAKU―In a crowded Baku street, Gyulya Akparova talks proudly about the major transformation of Azerbaijan and its thousand-year-old capital dotted with glittering skyscrapers on the Caspian Sea. Two decades ago, “there were not many parks, nor new buildings”, said the 56-year-old housewife.

Since then, the government “has created normal living conditions so that people can lead a good life,” she said, adding: “There used to be very few tourists, now there are lots of them.”

Another Baku resident, 46-year-old Elsa Jafarova shared her enthusiasm, saying she was proud to show her city to visitors, who explore it “with pleasure”.

But behind Azerbaijan’s glitzy facades, financed by petrodollars, lie widespread poverty and political repression, government critics say.

“Petrodollars got spent on infrastructure projects―the engines of the country’s development,” prominent economist Natig Jafarli said.

“The spending mostly benefited central Baku, which has changed dramatically, but this is not the case for the rest of the country,” said Jafarli, who is also executive secretary of the opposition Republican Alternative Party.

Under the Aliyev dynasty which has ruled the oil-rich, ex-Soviet nation with an iron fist for a quarter of a century, Azerbaijan has emerged from

post-Soviet political and economic chaos to enjoy an oil production boom.

This brought years of two-digit economic growth, peaking at over 20 percent a year between 2004 and 2008 when oil prices were high.

The oil revenues have helped fund the construction, particularly in Baku, where President Ilham Aliyev has built the Flame Tower skyscrapers, a cultural center designed by the famed British architect Zaha Hadid, as well as new roads and an airport.

The capital’s Old City quarter— a UNESCO world heritage site— has also been renovated and attracts crowds of foreign tourists.

And Baku has hosted international events such as the Eurovision Song

Contest and Formula 1 Grand Prix motor race.

But poor neighbourhoods outside central Baku are a sorry sight, with decrepit buildings and dismal wastelands.

Official data show that about five percent of the population lives below the poverty line but the real figure is much higher, according to Jafarli, who often appears in independent media in the Caucasus region.

“The indicators used to calculate poverty are wrong. Some date back to the Soviet Union. The reality is different,” he said.

Azerbaijan’s per capita GDP is only half of that of Russia and one tenth of France’s, according to the International Monetary Fund. AFP

SEOUL―The head of South Korea’s flag carrier Korean Air―whose family have been embroiled in multiple scandals including an infamous “nut rage” tantrum― has died, the airline said Monday, sending its shares soaring.

Cho Yang-ho, 70, was on trial for corruption and his death comes less than two weeks after he was forced off the board by shareholders amid snowballing scandals surrounding his family members.

The company said Cho “died peacefully” in a Los Angeles hospital on Sunday but did not provide details about his cause of death.

The tycoon was the chairman of the Hanjin Group―one of the sprawling family-led conglomerates known as “chaebol” that dominate the South Korean economy―and controlled around 30 percent of Korean Air through its parent company Hanjin Kal. The company had said he would carry on playing a management role despite becoming the first controlling shareholder of a South Korean conglomerate to be kicked off the board when he failed to secure the required two-thirds majority to be re-elected.

Hanjin KAL shares leaped 24 percent at one point in morning trade in Seoul on Monday, while Korean Air Lines opened more than 6 percent higher and other affiliates also rose.

“The death appears to have helped erase the so-called CEO risks, which have plagued Hanjin group firms, as a series of controversies and misconducts by the owner family members have hurt corporate values,” Yonhap news agency quoted a brokerage analyst as saying. AFP

IN BRIEF No independence for Catalonia, says PM MADRID―There will be no independence for Catalonia, nor a referendum on the question if the socialists are returned to power, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez told supporters Sunday.

“No is no,” Sanchez told a Socialist Party meeting at Zaragoza, in the northeast region of Aragon, ahead of the April 28 legislative elections.

“If there is a socialist government, there will be no independence in Catalonia, there will be no referendum for independence and the Spanish constitution in Catalonia will not be violated -- that will not happen,” he added.

Sanchez’s speech came after the socialists’ leader in Catalonia, Miquel Iceta, said in a newspaper interview in late March that if, in a hypothetical referendum, “65 percent of Catalans wanted independence, democracy would have to find a mechanism to enable it”.

Iceta later disavowed his remarks, which have been heavily criticized by the rightwing opposition People’s Party and led to allegations that Sanchez is preparing a deal with Catalonia’s separatists.

Twelve Catalan leaders are on trial in Madrid over an independence referendum that was held on October 1, 2017 despite a court ban, as well as a short-lived declaration of independence that followed.

Many separatists argue that their leaders were jailed for political reasons and will not have a fair trial. AFP

Top judge to head massacre inquiry WELLINGTON―New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern on Monday named a Supreme Court judge to lead an inquiry into the massacre last month of 50 worshippers at two Christchurch mosques.

“The government will ensure no stone is left unturned as we examine as quickly as possible how the March 15 attack happened, what could have been done to stop it and how we can keep New Zealanders safe,” Ardern said.

The Royal Commission probe, the most powerful judicial inquiry available under New Zealand law, will be led by Supreme Court Judge William Young and report its findings

by December 10, she said.

Australian Brenton Tarrant, 28, a selfavowed white supremacist, has been charged with 50 counts of murder and 39 of attempted murder over the mosque attacks in the southern city.

Ardern said the probe, due to begin hearing evidence on May 13, would play a critical role in ensuring “such an attack never happens again”.

The inquiry will involve consultation with the Muslim community and look into whether New Zealand counter-terror agencies placed an “inappropriate concentration” of resources in tracking Islamist militants while neglecting the threat from far-right extremism.

It will probe Tarrant’s activities before the attack, including how he obtained a gun licence, weapons and ammunition, and his use of social media, Ardern said.

Tarrant live-streamed his attack and published a lengthy manifesto online before launching his rampage.

What knowledge intelligence agencies had of his activities and whether any laws impeded the gathering and sharing of information by the agencies will also be part of the inquiry, she said. AFP

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

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TUESDAY, APRIL 9, 2019

P458-m Isabela ‘mega-bridge’ completed

LGUs LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS

By Jessica M. Bacud TUGUEGARAO CITY—Department of Public Works and Highways-Cagayan Valley Regional Director Melanio C. Briosos has declared the completion of the P458-million Pigalo bridge project in Angadanan, Isabela.

The new mega-bridge connects rural communities in Isabela to the rest of the region, will hasten the delivery of agricultural products, and boost economic productivity of the farmers here, he said.

The project, which spans 450 meters with a 500-meter road network for the approaches, crosses the Cagayan River.

It has a carriageway width of 7.32 meters and drainage structures and embankment protections.

“The reconstruction of the 450-meter bridge will restore the regular routine of the residents and is expected to increase the economy of Angadanan and nearby towns by easing the transport of goods and services,” Briosos said.

Mayor Lourdes Panganiban of An-

The Pigalo Bridge in Angadanan town, Isabela spans 450 meters with a 500-meter road network for approaches with drainage structures and embankment protections.

Photo courtesy of DPWH Region 2

gadanan said the realization of the project “will advance the economy in the locality and help our farmers transport their commodities easily.”

Panganiban said the bridge renovation “is finally a dream come true for our mu-

nicipality” since Typhoons “Pedring” and “Quiel” wrecked it eight years ago.

The replacement of Pigalo Bridge will also drastically reduce travel time around the area, Rep. Jose T. Panganiban Jr. of Anak-IP Party-list said.

Travel time between the barangays of Angadanan and San Guillermo town and other municipalities along Cagayan River will be cut short by 30 minutes, DPWH engineers estimated.

Briosos stressed the bridge that re-

BARMM aims for transparency

By Nash B. Maulana

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OTABATO CITY—Leaders of the new Bangsamoro government have urged constituents of the country’s predominantly Muslim region to help establish transparency in governance from the local level.

Chief Minister Hadji Murad Ebrahim of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao made the call as he officially launched last week the Bangsamoro Full Disclosure Portal of the Ministry of the Interior and Local Government.

MILG Minister Naguib Sinarimbo said the FDP mandates LGUs to post in three conspicuous places information such as annual budget, bids, appropriations and

other fiscal ordinances. The same information will be uploaded online and will be accessible to the public on FDP. Sinarimbo said the new autonomous government is also working with the military through the 6th Infantry Division under Major General Cirilito Sobejana “to optimize the presence and performance of local chief executives in the region.”

Ebrahim asked people to help the MILG monitor compliance of LGUs

with the FDP requirements.

“The FDP also provides a complaint box to which people may send their complaint and we will respond,” Sinarimbo said.

This move by the new regional government is consistent with his policy on transparency and drive towards moral governance, Ebrahim pointed out.

The MILF under Ebrahim has assumed leadership of the newly created BARMM, which is run by the Bangsamoro Transitional Authority.

President Rodrigo Duterte has appointed 77 representatives from the MILF, the government, the Moro National Liberation Front and members from the settlers and indigenous peoples communities.

Meanwhile, the BARMM environment minister on Monday lauded the league of mayors in Maguindanao for campaigning against the posting of campaign materials along major thoroughfares of the province.

Minister Abdulrauf Macacua of the Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources and Energy personally thanked Mayor Freddie Mangudadatu of Mangudadatu town for his active campaign against displaying and nailing campaign materials on trees.

Mangudadatu, president of the league of mayors in the province and running for governor of Maguindanao, recently met with Macacua and agreed to work together in pushing forward the BARMM’s environmental-protection initiative.

Car group helps 200 in Northern Samar through medical mission

By Ronald O. Reyes TACLOBAN CITY—At least 200 residents from Rosario town in Northern Samar have received medical and dental services from Navara Nation Philippines-Eastern Visayas chapter.

Rhoel Ladera, the group’s vice president, said they provided medical consultations and circumcisions.

Known as the “Angels on Wheels” in the region, NNPEV brought at least 14 vehicles loaded with medical supplies and traveled eight hours from Maasin City and Sogod in Southern Leyte on Saturday for the outreach activity.

Ladera thanked the group’s members and other individuals who donated medicine and financial help for their mission.

They were joined by family members and volunteer nurses for the humanitarian activity.

The group led by engineer Adroel Octaviano also donated medicines to the local government unit through Mayor Gerardo Miranda.

Ladera said for their next outreach program, they will be giving school supplies to indigenous people and students in St. Bernard, Southern Leyte on the first week of June.

He also attributed the success of their medical mission to all NNP-EV members; Glenn Alcera, area representative for Northern Samar; NNP-EV member-doctors Erwin Dhan Ladan and Mark Gatela; volunteer doctors Patricia Montejo, Jay Elle Gatela, Isagani Artoza; the Northern Samar Provincial Health Office medical team; and the Rosario Rural The members of the Navara Nation Philippines-Eastern Visayas Chapter stand in front of the municipal hall (inset) during their medical and dental mission in Rosario, Northern Samar on Saturday.

Health Unit.

New women’s dorm at Las Piñas jail

Las Piñas City Mayor Imelda Aguilar (third from right) joins Vice Mayor Luis Bustamante, April Aguilar (second from left), and city councilors in leading the inauguration of the Women’s Dormitory of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology in the city with Police Chief Sr. Supt. Simnar S. Gran, and Female Warden Sr. Insp. Aileen M. Ramirez.

LAS Piñas City Mayor Imelda Aguilar, together with Vice Mayor Luis Bustamante and the mayor’s daughter April Aguilar, recently led the inauguration of the Women’s Dormitory of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology in the city.

The city government constructed the new women’s dormitory to help decongest the Las Piñas City Jail. It occupies the whole fourth floor of a building located at the Las Piñas City Hall Compound.

The dormitory has a floor area of 636 square meters and can accommodate triple-deck beds. It is also equipped with a kitchen, toilet and bath.

Last year, BJMP-NCR awarded the Las Piñas City Jail Female Dormitory as one of the top ten jail dormitories for its initiatives in jail management.

Also attending the inauguration were Councilors Boboy dela Cruz, Steve Mi-

randa, Peewee Aguilar, Renan Riguera, Danny Hernandez, Boni Riguera and Henry Medina, Police Chief Sr. Supt.

Simnar S. Gran, and Female Warden Sr. Insp. Aileen M. Ramirez.

Previously, Mayor Aguilar led the turnover ceremony of 100 E-trikes to the driver beneficiaries who are members of the Tricycle Operators and Drivers Associations from different barangays of Las Piñas City.

Those who availed of the E-trike are from Barangay Pilar, Talon Dos, Pamplona Tres, Talon Singko, Almanza Uno, and Pulanglupa Uno. The E-trike project is a partnership between the City Government of Las Piñas and the Department of Energy. It is part of the campaign of the city government to achieve an environmentfriendly mode of transportation as an alternative to the gas-fueled tricycles.

placed the dilapidated overflow structure “puts out the misery of the people who have been risking their lives and properties crossing the old ravaged bridge, posing danger to motorist and pedestrians in the past years.”

Bataan vice gov stumps for NUP provincial slate BALANGA CITY, Bataan—Despite running unopposed for reelection, Vice Governor Cris Garcia of the National Unity Party is busy campaigning not only for herself but also for their complete provincial slate.

She is running in tandem with her cousin, reelectionist Gov. Abet Garcia.

The NUP slate includes candidates for first district board members reelectionists Benjie Serrano and Rey Ibe, Kristine Dela Fuente, Jomar Gaza, and Bong Galicia; and reelectionists Manny Beltran, Peping Villapando and Ed Calimbas; Popoy del Rosario, and Iya Roque for second district board member.

The vice governor is exhorting voters in the province to continue supporting Governor Garcia who is pitted against Limay Mayor Ver Roque.

“Vote our slate straight for the continuous progress of Bataan,” she urged.

Before becoming vice governor, Garcia was the original coordinator of the Iskolar ng Bataan program.

She now serves as its adviser.

She was proclaimed vice governor by Comelec on June 2, 2017 as duly substituted official candidate to her late uncle, Tet Garcia, who also ran unopposed in the May 2016 elections.

The Garcia camp on May 2016 filed a petition for substitution, citing Tet Garcia’s lingering illness, and named Cris as the substitute.

QC buys land to develop ISF housing THE Quezon City government continues to provide opportunities to informal settlers and residents to own in-city, affordable and decent housing.

This after Mayor Herbert M. Bautista has signed an ordinance to develop a lot in Barangay San Bartolome as a socialized housing project for the benefit of the city’s informal settler families.

City Ordinance 2815-2019, introduced by Councilors Marivic Co-Pilar and Godofredo T. Liban II, states that the parcel of land in San Bartolome, measuring 920 square meters, previously owned by Avelina L. Osias, have been found suitable for socialized housing.

“It is now necessary for the Quezon City government to use the said parcel of land for a socialized housing project to solve the present urban poor dwelling problem of the city in accordance with the provisions of the Local Government Code of 1991 and Republic Act No. 7279, otherwise known as the Urban Development and Housing Act of 1992,” the ordinance reads.

Life

Bernadette Lunas, Issue Editor manilastandardlife@gmail.com @manilastandardlife

HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENT

@MStandardLIFE TUESDAY, APRIL 9, 2019

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Young Living Essential Oils brings its best-selling products to the Philippines.

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N THE world of aromatherapy, a form of alternative medicine, essential oils are a big thing.

These compounds extracted from plants are either inhaled or rubbed on the skin.

It is said that inhaling the aromas from essential oils can stimulate areas of the limbic system, which plays a role in emotions, behavior, long term memory, and sense of smell.

Utah-based company Young Living Essential Oils has recently opened the The Young Living Experience Center in Bonifacio Global City, a haven for essential oils enthusiasts.

Founded by Donald Gary Young 25 years ago, who first planted a few lavender seeds in a small patch of land in Washington, the company takes pride in offering high quality and pure products.

According to Young Living, it sources the highest quality of materials from corporate-owned farms, partner farms, and Seed to Seal certified suppliers to empower the company to be a steward of earth “by sourcing conscientiously with sensitivity to community impact.”

It boasts years of combined research and research and development experience as “Young Living’s laboratory team tests samples internally as well as through third party accredited laboratories.”

Finally, the company said it upholds its commitment to do business responsibly—from sustainability sourcing, uplifting local communities to respecting and complying with domestic and international legal rules.

The Young Living Experience Center is located on the ground floor of Twenty-five Seven McKinley Building, 25th Street cor. 7th Avenue, Bonifacio Global City.

Stop and smell the essential oils

Attendees to the launch of the Experience Center participated in a Do-It-Yourself activity where they learned how to make foot scrub using essential oils.

Essential oils, which are inhaled or rubbed on the skin, are said to stimulate areas of the limbic system.

Leslie Lewis, Young Living Global Education specialist, discusses how essential oils work and how to use them.

3 common hair problems and how to stop them A BAD hair day affects more than just physical appearance, it also dampens a person’s mood and takes a toll on their self-confidence throughout the day.

In the Philippines, the most common hair concerns are hair fall, dandruff, and having great smelling hair despite the hot weather. Hence, P&G, a leading global consumer goods company and owner of Head & Shoulders, Pantene, Rejoice, partners up with online platform Shopee to launch its “Stop Bad Hair Day” themed Super Brand Day campaign. The partnership features the latest line of hair care products now made available on the e-commerce site.

Maxicare offers a specialized care program for mental health conditions.

HMO offers mental healthcare program

AS MORE information about mental health issues come to light, the public awareness is growing. A health maintenance organization offers a new support program that extends its medical services to members dealing with mental health concerns.

The first HMO in the country to offer a Specialized Care Program for Mental Health Conditions, Maxicare’s most up-to-date program offers psychiatrist consultations and initial medical consultations that can be availed directly from Primary Care Centers, a hotline, and Corporate Clinics.

Members can avail of the program in three ways: they can visit Maxicare’s new generation PCCs to consult with

available specialists; dial the hotline (02) 582-1980 for a 24/7 Teleconsult where patients can talk to an available doctor about mental health issues anytime; or visit their Corporate Clinic to avail comfortable and convenient general consultations with corporate physicians.

Maxicare’s Primary Care Centers are located at 2nd floor Zeta Tower, Bridgetowne IT Park C5 cor. Ortigas Avenue Extension, Quezon City; and ground floor, W City Center 7th Avenue cor. 30th Street, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig. Call (02) 908-6959 or 9086957 to check the availability of Maxicare’s mental health specialists.

Less hair fall with stronger hair

Hair fall is said to be one of the main hair concerns in the Philippines. Several reasons include harsh chemical stress brought about by bleaching and coloring, excessive thermal stress from frequent and prolonged use of hairstyling items, and environmental stress from pollution and UV rays.

P&G said it is important that once an individual begins to experience hair fall, they must immediately turn into a hair care product that specifically addresses this concern.

Pantene Pro-V Hair Fall Control Shampoo and 3 Minute Miracle Conditioner’s formula goes beyond cleansing to leave hair stronger from base to tip with less tangles when washing or combing for less hair fall. The Hair Fall Control Shampoo and Conditioner contain keratin damage blockers, which help prevent hair breakage, resulting in less hair fall with regular use.

Treat dandruff at the source

Here are the common symptoms of dandruff: it’s seen in the most obvious through flakes, itchiness and redness as responses to irritation, and a dry scalp as its early sign. While it is a naturally occurring condition, the choice of antidandruff shampoo helps ensure a dandruff-free and healthy scalp.

As the world’s No. 1 anti-dandruff shampoo, based on Nielsen sales information, Head & Shoulders Cool Menthol Shampoo is clinically proven to prevent dandruff. It comes with Zinc Pyrithione technology, a formula that treats dandruff at the source and prevents it from coming back.

The formula, which is gentle for everyday use, also contains menthol for a refreshing sensation.

Great smelling hair all day

Keeping amazing smelling hair is a tough challenge in Manila, especially since it feels like it’s always summer on this side of the world. The pains of commute, exposure to pollution, and the sweat kill the hair’s fresh fragrance even right at the moment one leaves the house.

A hardworking shampoo like Rejoice Perfume, which has a peony scent crafted by international perfume experts, helps keep the mane smelling great.

The aforementioned products are available at the P&G Official Store on Shopee Mall.

Life

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TUESDAY, APRIL 9, 2019 manilastandardlife@gmail.com

Sleep for health SLEEP TIGHT. The Uratex Premium Sleep Hive features curated ideal room set-up for achieving a good night’s sleep.

U

RATEX Premium, in partnership with Our Home, celebrated World Sleep Day through a series of informative activities at SM Mall of Asia Activity Center that promoted proper sleep for a healthy well-being.

A good night’s sleep is key to maintaining overall wellness as it affects almost all aspects of our daily lives.

Studies reveal that aside from keeping a person alert and energized throughout the day, a restful sleep helps boost immune system, improves concentration, regenerates and repairs cells, and lessens the risk for diabetes and high blood pressure and obesity.

Part of the event was the launch of the Uratex Premium’s “Sleep Hive”— a sleep pod showcasing the ideal space and mattress to achieve the best sleep experience, The brand showcased Uratex Premium mattresses such as Orthocare made of orthopedic foam materials with Biorytmic Technology that

helps reduce stress, improves balance and concentration, and provides back support; the Sensory Memory which adapts to the body contour and evenly distributes weight to ease pressure points; and the Premium Touch, hotel-like mattresses which are made of smart reflex pocket coil springs for undisturbed sleep.

World Sleep Day culminated with “Healthy Slumber, Healthy You,” an afternoon of talks about beauty, wellness, and the importance of good sleep. Sharing their expertise were Happy Skin chief executive officer Rissa Mananquil-Trillo who discussed how good sleep affects aging; and sleep specialist Dr. Keith Aguilera who had a lecture on sleep and its benefits.

Happy Skin co-founder and chief executive officer Rissa Mananquil-Trillo

Sleep specialist Dr. Keith Aguilera

Pregnancy forum for moms-to-be

Dr. Rochelle Valera, an endocrinologist, strongly advises individuals to have regular checkups with a doctor and to monitor their blood pressure to determine whether they are hypertensive or not.

The importance of managing hypertension

ACCORDING to the Department of Health, high blood pressure or hypertension remains to be a leading cause of illness and a primary contributor to premature death in the Philippines.

Over 12 million Filipinos suffer from it but more than half are unaware of their condition, earning the disease its tag as the “silent killer.”

If hypertension is left undiagnosed or untreated, it can lead to a stroke or heart attack, both of which can result in disability and can even be fatal.

Uncontrolled hypertension increases the pressure of blood flowing through the arteries, causing them to narrow, rupture, or leak. Damaged arteries can also reduce blood flow to the brain, depriving the brain of oxygen and the nutrients it needs—this is when stroke strikes.

Age is a risk factor for stroke: the risk of stroke doubles every 10 years between the ages of 55 and 85 years old.

In the Philippines, stroke is the second leading cause of death among males, and the fourth in females.

Despite these numbers, stroke in hypertensive patients can be prevented.

“Hypertension is the single most important modifiable risk factor for stroke. Modifiable refers to a risk factor we can change or control. Hyper-

tension doubles to quadruples your risk for stroke before the age of 80.

Controlling your blood pressure can reduce your risk for stroke,” explains Dr. Rochelle Valera, an endocrinologist and country medical lead of Upjohn, a Pfizer division.

Four out of 10 people who die from stroke could have been saved if they had regulated their blood pressure.

“It is important to have regular check-ups with a doctor and to monitor your blood pressure to determine whether you’re hypertensive or not,” asserts Dr. Valera.

She adds, “If you are diagnosed to have hypertension, it is important to communicate openly with your doctor so that you understand your condition and its management. Make the necessary lifestyle changes in consultation with your physician: eat a well-balanced diet, limit alcohol and salt intake, be physically active, manage your stress levels, and quit smoking.”

On taking medication, Dr. Valera advises, “Always ensure that you take your medication as advised by your physician. You must also keep your appointments with your doctor so that your condition and your blood pressure levels can be monitored.”

MOMS and dads-to-be looking to get a better understanding of pregnancy and parenthood are invited to Makati Medical MakatiMed Center’s latest lay forum “Pregnancy and Beyond.” holds another Now on its 10th year, the forum features MakatiMed’s doc‘Pregnancy tors from the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and and Beyond’ the Department of Pediatrics who will share what moms and forum for dads need to understand about parenthood, as well the momparents-to-be. to-be’s journey from prenatal to post-pregnancy.

The forums cover a range of topics scheduled throughout the year. On April 27, participants will learn about “Setting Expectations: A Guide to EINC (Essential Intropartum and Newborn Care), Newborn Baby Care, and Breastfeeding FAQs” at the 8th Floor Auditorium Tower 2, Makati Medical Center.

On May 18, topic to be discussed is “Postpartum Blues, Immunization, and Motherhood for Millennial Moms.” And finally, participants eager to learn about “Baby Sign Language/Baby Sleep Training/Baby Led Weaning, First Aid for Babies, and Spotting Red Flags: Developmental Delays,” may join the June 22 lay forum.

MakatiMed’s Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology has been offering this series of lay forums with the Department of Pediatrics since 2010 to promote pre- and postnatal care, safe infant care practices, breastfeeding, and pediatric development.

Contact MakatiMed On-Call through 8888 9999 locals Aside from learning from the experts and a chance to socialize with other parents-to-be, attendees are treated to 3757 or 3784, email mmc@makatimed.net.ph, or visit www. giveaways, product discounts, raffle prizes, and hefty lunch. makatimed.net.ph for more information.

Local hotel promotes wellness

AS A staunch advocate of kee ping mind, body, and spirit healthy with its popular weekend staycation offerings, four-star hotel Richmonde Hotel Ortigas recently treated its top corporate clients to a day of pampering.

Held at the hotel’s Sequoia-Redwood-Sycamore function rooms, the day of pampering, dubbed Weekend of Wellness, started off with a warm welcome by Richmonde Hotel Ortigas’ director of sales and marketing Lynette Quinto-Ermac.

The clients were then treated to a variety of indulgent services like whole body massage, foot spa, manicure, and pedicure. The hotel also served up a special snack buffet of tasty and healthy dishes for all attendees to enjoy.

The Weekend of Wellness client appreciation event was attended by the senior officers of companies like Manulife, Traveloka, Expedia, Booking.com, and more.

Richmonde Hotel Ortigas treated its top corporate clients to a day of pampering.

Entertainment

TUESDAY, APRIL 9, 2019

C3

nickie.standard@gmail.com

How Alden prepares for his film with Kathryn

K

APUSO actor Alden Richards is pleased with the positive feedback he and Kathryn Bernardo are getting on their maiden big screen collaboration, which is why he feels more motivated to do prepare himself to do the film.

“It’s all very encouraging,” he says. “Of course, there are still some whose reactions are negative but majority are excited and looking forward to the project. In fact, even Tito Boy (Abunda) commented that it’s a fresh combination. At least, there’s something new that the public can watch.”

Having Kathryn as his latest leading lady is a welcome thing for the Pambansang Bae. “Actually, it’s a huge relevance considering that we’re affiliated with competing networks. Imagine, the two of us doing a movie together.”

In a recent interview, Alden admitted that he was surprised, shocked even, when he knew that he was pairing with with the Kapamilya star.

“Kathryn is kind. She’s got a pleasing personality, very sweet and accommodating, too. When news about the story conference came out, I instantly felt the good vibes, the confidence that Star Cinema people gave me. That early, I was certain that the working atmosphere for the movie will be light and enjoyable, like ours in Victor Magtanggol before,” the 27-year-old actor said.

Alden recalls how glad he was when he first learned that Star Cinema has a movie offer to him.

“I knew I had to ask permission first from my bosses in GMA and APT. I approached them personally and discussed the matter. Mr. Tony Tuviera is so easy to talk to. He agreed right away. The same with GMA who’s been very good to me in the last nine years. I’m just very grateful.”

In preparation for his movie, which will be shot in Hong Kong, the popular heartthrob is following a strict diet and studying Cantonese.

“I already lost 11 pounds. It took me two weeks to be at 168 pounds from 179. My goal is 160.

My diet is mostly vegetables, fish and boiled chicken. No meat, sweets, carbs, salt, even fruit,” ends Alden. *** Now that his perennial screen partner and rumored girlfriend Julia Barretto is doing a film with Gerald Anderson under Star

TO TAKE advantage of the film industry experts from Italy, Poland, France, and South Africa coming to Manila for the First Cut Lab to help develop and elevate selected Filipino projects, the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) is hosting the First Cut Lab International Film Conference from April 11 to 13.

The conference, which will be held at the Alliance Française de Manille, Makati City, will introduce international film production and co-production to more Filipino filmmakers, professionals, and film enthusiasts. With the first-ever First Cut Lab in Manila, FDCP is bringing in a Europe-based project development and editing lab which mentors and guides filmmakers in developing and producing globally competitive films.

Now on its fifth year, the original Lab

has supported films from Lithuania, Slovenia, Poland, Russia, and Ukraine, and many of these films have made their premiere in A-list film festivals, like Toronto, Berlinale, and Cannes. The slate of international speakers will include the First Cut Lab director, former

From C4

In the field of recording Gary continues to promote his advocacy album Awit At Laro, which assembles over a hundred local musical and visual artists to promote homegrown Filipino children’s games and songs in partnership with UNICEF, Tukod Foundation, Museo Pambata and Shining Light Foundation. Some artists who lent their talents to the endeavor were Lea Salonga, Ogie Alcasid, Gab and Kiana Valenciano, Billy Crawford, Bamboo, Jonathan Manalo, Yeng Constantino, Morissette Amon, Jona, KZ Tandingan, Darren Espanto,

Tuesday, April 9, 2019

DOWN 1 Hack’s charge 2 Frothy brews 3 Timber wolf 4 Close 5 Diners 6 Dutch bloomer 7 Mr. Sevareid 8 Rita — Brown 9 Feathers 10 Made jokes 11 Sci-fi stuff 12 “Saving Private —” 13 Tweeted 21 Hamelin pests 23 Wear away 25 Privileged ones 26 Cable car 27 Pound sounds 28 Elephants 29 Rite answer (2 wds.)

Kathryn and Alden are teaming up for the first time in a film that will be shot in Hong Kong

Cinema, many ask how Joshua Garcia feels.

“Actually, it’s just fine with me. Honestly, I’m proud of what Julia and I achieved both as a love team and individually. We’re blessed to be working on separate projects. For me, it’s such a good development,” he avers.

Did he and Gerald talk about it?

“Nope! We’re both professionals. Gerald is like an older brother to me. In fact, we even have the same handler.”

Asked if he’s open as well to the thought of working with other actresses, the dramatic actor said that it’s fine with him to star in projects without Julia as my partner.

“I guess, it’s for our respective growth as actors.

Given the choice, I would like to do a potboiler opposite Ms. Angel Locsin. That would be nice!”

Their fans need not worry though for after I Love You, Hater, they will be seen next in Block Z. “That’s right. It’s a horror vehicle about zombies and is being directed by Mikhail Red. It’s exciting because it’s a different genre. I myself got scared during our shooting.

Fans shouldn’t miss it,” states Joshua.

30 Louvre locale 31 Napped leather 34 Machines for weaving 36 Produced offspring 38 Prudential competitor 41 Sgt.’s status 44 Disembarks (2 wds.)

45 Shopping plaza 48 Sombrero gowith 50 Polyester

TorinoFilmLab artistic director, and film festival programmer Matthieu Darras, and film editors, screenwriters, script consultants, and producers Giovanni Pompili, Izabel Igel, Charlotte Deflassieux Viguier, and Mmabatho Kau.

Anne Curtis, Sam Concepcion, Jungee Marcelo, Ebe Dancel, the TNT Boys, Marcus Davis Jr, Chris Lopez, Thyro, Noel Cabangon, Gloc 9, Julie Ann San Jose, Lara Maigue, Katrina Velarde, Mel Villena and Ryan Cayabyab – all of whom donated their royalties to the cause. Gary recorded two brand new songs namely “Saranggola” and “Bawa’t Isa Sa Atin” for the project.

Gary is also con-currently visiting 35 schools in Luzon to mark his anniversary in the business in a series called Face2Face where he gives free inspirational talks and an intimate mini concert to graduating college students. “I wish to impart something inspiring and positive to the students who are about to enter a new chapter in their lives after they graduate from college,”

CROSSWORD PUZZLE gear (2 wds.)

60 Director — Ephron 61 All right 63 Living in the country 64 Free pass 65 Fairway shout 66 Plains tribe 67 “Who — was there?”

68 Discover 69 Informative

From C4

Award-winning local film directors (from left) Pepe Diokno, Pedring Lopez, Armi Cacanindin, and Carlo Manatad

People...

ACROSS 1 Untrue 6 Office fill-in 10 Grates 14 Kauai hello 15 River in Asia 16 “Orinoco Flow” singer 17 Refute 18 Stead 19 Getz or Musial 20 Secret 22 Rationing out 24 Pop music category 25 Sheik’s bevy 26 Office worker 30 Chinese temples 32 Consult a book 33 Worked hard 35 Margarine container 37 Bauxite giant 39 Miner’s load 40 Gain admission 42 Dashboard info 43 “I” trouble?

46 Grant 47 Computer networks 49 Really went for 51 Dimples 52 Swimsuit piece 53 La Scala productions 55 Knitted head-

Hollywood...

52 Howled at the moon 53 Single time 54 Where to do laps 55 Raise the alarm 56 Journalist Brit — 57 Bird’s crop 58 Sighs of relief 59 Be on the team 62 Colorful carp

Local award-winning directors and producers Pepe Diokno, Pedring Lopez, Armi Cacanindin, and Carlo Manatad will also deliver their panel discussions on their experiences. Moreover, film screenings will be held featuring films which were developed and produced through international labs and coproductions.

For interested participants, the Conference rates are P1,200 for full access (three days), P500 for one (1) day, and 50 percent discount for students.

Participants can register until April 10 by sending an email indicating why they want to attend the Conference to info@ fdcp.ph with the subject: FIRST CUT LAB LECTURE SERIES REG. In the email, they must include their complete name, profession, mobile number, email address.

said Gary who explained that his career started in the early 80s by being invited to perform in school events and university fairs.

Before he left for the USA, in gratitude to all those who supported him during his crisis, he visited Ayala Trinoma to do a fans day at the ABS-CBN Studio Experience on April 5.

He’s Back: Gary V US Tour is a joint production of Manila Genesis and Starmedia Entertainment in cooperation with TFC and ABS-CBN. For more exciting news and updates on Gary V, follow him on Twitter (@GaryValenciano1), Instagram (@ garyvalenciano), like Gary Valenciano Official on Facebook, subscribe to Gary Valenciano on YouTube, and visit wwwgaryv.com.

Colossal budgets The eighth run-out for Game of Thrones is reportedly the most expensive season of TV ever shot, with a budget of $15 million per episode, taking the overall season cost to $90 million.

Although much of this has gone on lavish locations and special effects, the final two episodes will be one hour 20 minutes long— almost the length of Hollywood movies.

HBO knows there is little danger of them not getting their money back, with the franchise so far earning them more than $1 billion, according to the New York Times.

The massive investment has also brought the series a recordbreaking trove of 47 Emmy Awards from 128 nominations.

Top secret After the leak of four episodes of season five before it was broadcast, the producers massively overhauled their security.

To throw hackers and pirates off the scent, showrunners David Benioff and D.B. Weiss have shot several versions of the final episode, a tactic already used for The Sopranos and Breaking Bad. Actress Sophie Turner, who plays Sansa Stark, admitted that even she had been fooled into believing a red herring version of the denouement.

To make sure no one was snooping, the producers took measures to stop drones overflying their shoots.

Game of Tourists The series has also been a boon for tourism, particularly in Northern Ireland, where much of the series was shot, with fans flooding in to visit locations in the region which had previously been best known for its violent sectarian past.

Iceland and the Spanish cities of Girona in the Catalan north and Osuna near Seville have seen their visitor numbers rocket from special Game of Thrones tours.

But the Croatian coastal city of Dubrovnik, the setting for King’s Landing, discovered you can have too much of a good thing. It has had to put limits on the number of visitors it can receive in its picturesque medieval centre.

Dothraki baby names Dogs, goldfish and lots of babies have also been named after characters from the series, with Arya—together with its alternative spelling Aria— entering the top 20 most popular names for girls in Britain last year.

Khaleesi, the honorary title in the imaginary Dothraki language given to Daenerys Targaryen, has also become popular, with 466 little girls in the US and 77 in France named after the queen of dragons last year.

The series has been something of a mixed blessing for pets too.

Peter Dinklage, who plays “the Imp” Tyrion Lannister, had to appeal to fans to stop buying Siberian husky dogs who look similar to the dire wolves in the show.

Animal rights campaigners had complained that the number of huskies abandoned in Britain has risen seven-fold since the show started.

Presidential fans While he was still in the White House, Barack Obama admitted to being a big fan of the series.

He even asked HBO to bend their strict rules to allow him a sneak preview of the sixth season.

His successor in the Oval Office Donald Trump has made wide use of the “Winter is coming” motto of the House of Stark.

Much to the irritation of the channel and several of its actors, the US president has adapted the line several times in his tweets, including about Iran—“sanctions are coming”—and his border wall with Mexico: “The wall is coming.”

The president, however, does not appear to have learned the lesson of the Game of Thrones wall, which has proved utterly ineffective against illegal immigration of Wildlings and zombie White Walkers. AFP

Entertainment

Nickie Wang, Issue Editor nickie.standard@gmail.com

C4

TUESDAY, APRIL 9, 2019

Local cinema’s biggest film to stream on iWant THE long wait is over for Filipinos who are craving to watch their favorite scenes and relive the relatable “feels” in The Hows of Us, the highest-grossing Filipino film of all time, as it finally lands exclusively on the streaming service iWant.

The record-breaking movie featuring the blockbuster team-up of real-life couple Kathryn Bernardo

and Daniel Padilla and director Cathy Garcia-Molina will be available via pay-per-view on iWant, the only streaming service in the country that will stream the hit flick.

Experience the ups and downs of love and get hooked over and over again on The Hows of Us starting April 12 on iWant via its iOS or Android apps or via web browser on iwant.ph.

GMA Music artist Golden Cañedo

Golden Cañedo launches new single under GMA Music Daniel Padilla and Kathryn Bernardo stars of the highest-grossing local movie, 'The Hows of Us'

In tiptop shape,

GARY V begins North Jona (left) and Katrina Velarde are the special guests of Mr. Pure Energy in his 'He's Back' concert

M

R. PURE Energy Gary Valenciano admitted that he went through a post traumatic depression for a few weeks after his open heart surgery and successful battle against kidney cancer last year. But because of a strong support system, he’s able to overcome the feeling that he wasn’t able to function the way he used to.

“I went through that for weeks or even months. But what’s good about it, it comes and then it goes, at least in my case. I have my wife who is extremely patient and my doctors know exactly what’s going on so there’s no need to panic, and I have friends who support me. I’m okay now,” he told the press in a press conference held recently.

To prove that he’s in better shape, he said that his doctors wanted him to push his limits so his heart could pump the way it used to. In fact, during the same event, Gary V rendered a 10-minute number, singing and dancing to some of his iconic songs and even encouraged the members of the press to join him in an impromptu mini show.

The number was actually a glimpse of what people can expect from his international shows.

Gary V is opening the second quarter o f

American Tour NICKIE WANG 2019 with his grand comeback to the international concert scene via his upcoming and highly anticipated North American tour, which is set to happen this April, celebrating his 35th anniversary.

With award-winning musician Mon Faustino as musical director and with special guests Fearless Diva Jona and Suklay Diva Katrina Velarde, it should be noted that this is Gary’s very first international concert series since his health situation.

Now that Gary is in tiptop condition and doctors have officially given him a clean bill of health, Gary is set to conquer the United States once again in this series which is simply titled He’s Back: Gary V US Tour.

The first leg of the tour happens on April 12 in Sam’s Town Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas then it will be followed by shows in The Town Hall in New York City on April 14; Creative Arts Building Pittsburg High School in Pittsburg, California on April 20; Saban Theater in Los Angeles on April 21; Snoqualmie Casino in Seattle on April 26; and culminating in Morongo Casino, Resort, and Spa in Morongo on April 28.

“I’m very excited to go back to the US and perform for everyone there,” said an ecstatic Gary V. “I will have two very talented young divas with me and I’m hoping that the people in the States will have fun and fall in love with the show that we have prepared for them.”

Meanwhile, it’s still an all-systems-go for Gary on TV, social media, and recording with his numerous projects here in the Philippines.

Gary is seen regularly on ASAP Natin ‘To where he performs with both OPM Icons and some of today’s newest hottest young artists.

He is also on It’s Showtime twice a week as Punong Hurado of its top-rating segment Tawag Ng Tanghalan. On weekends, Gary is functioning as one of the judges of World Of Dance (WOD) alongside Maja Salvador and Billy Crawford. Hosted

by Luis Manzano and Pia Wurtzbach, WOD is now down to its climactic last week before the show announces its grand winner.

On social media, with a collective following of almost 5 million on such platforms as Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube, a delicious sampling of precious footage of Gary’s most iconic and legendary performances as culled from his previous sold-out and critically acclaimed concerts have been a favorite trending topic amongst netizens – from his unforgettable “Shout For Joy” performance in his 199293 four-night concert Shout at Araneta Coliseum to “Get Down” from his two-night concert Radical in 2000 to “Sa Yahweh Ang Sayaw” from Arise 3.0 in 2014 and 2015 to “Babalik Ka Rin” from his four-night concert Move in 1994 to 95 to the iconic medley of his compositions “Wag Mo Na Sanang Isipin,” “Mahal Na Mahal Ko Siya,” and “Di Bale Na Lang” also from his concert series Shout. Continued on C3

FOLLOWING the success of her debut single “Ngayon,” The Clash grand champion Golden Cañedo has recently dropped her second single entitled “Tayo Pa Rin,” under GMA Music.

The young Kapuso singer feels grateful for this latest feat in her music career and looks forward to exploring various genres.

“I’m glad that people are anticipating the single. I hope they continue supporting me and the songs that I sing because it inspires us to always prepare something special for you,” the Studio 7 mainstay said.

Composed by Rica del Rosario, “Tayo Pa Rin” can now be heard on-air in Barangay LS 97.1 and all other Barangay FM stations nationwide. It is now available on Apple Music, Spotify and other digital stores worldwide.

The song’s music video, directed by Miggy Tanchanco, can be streamed on GMA Music’s Youtube channel.

The end is coming: How ‘Game of Thrones’ broke all records

THE most expensive, most watched, most pirated and most award-festooned fictional television series in history, Game of Thrones, starts its eighth and final season on April 14, AFP looks back on its record-breaking run.

Massive ratings First broadcast in 2011 on the US cable channel HBO, Game of Thrones—or GoT to its fans—was not an overnight phenomenon. But its audiences have never stopped growing and by 2014 it had overtaken HBO’s flagship hit, The Sopranos.

By its seventh season in 2017, viewing figures were stratospheric.

Its final episode set an all-time US record for premium cable TV with 16.5 million people watching live or streaming on the day of transmission and 15 million more tuning in later.

Viewing records also tumbled in many of the 186 countries in which it was shown, with Britain’s Sky Atlantic and OCS in France showing episodes in the middle of the night in sync with their US premieres.

But the figures become truly mind-boggling when illegal downloading is taken into account, with more than one billion people watching pirated copies of the seventh season.

Continued on C3