Manila Standard - 2019 July 2 - Tuesday

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VOL. XXXIII • NO. 138 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P18 • TUESDAY, JULY 2, 2019 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

TRIBAL SAIL. This photo, taken on June 27, shows a fisherman of the Dumagat tribe commuting on a boat at Angat Dam in Norzagaray, Bulacan. Angat Dam, supplies Metro Manila and nearby provinces with water.

Manila has been hit by its worst water shortage in years, leaving bucket-bearing families to wait for hours for a fill-up from tanker trucks and some hospitals to turn away less urgent cases. (inset) After continuous rains from tropical depression ‘Egay,’ La Mesa Dam has increased the water level to 71.76 water elevation. AFP with Manny Palmero

Taps going dry despite rains —Manila Water

By Rio N. Araja DESPITE a slight increase in the water level of Angat Dam brought about by recent rains, water consumers in Metro Manila will continue to experience water service interruptions.

“Our schedule is still the same,” said Jeric Sevilla, Manila Water Co. Inc. corporate communications officer, noting that customers within their east zone would experience up to 16 hours of service interruptions.

Customers of the west zone served by Maynilad Water Services Inc. will not be spared from the water service interruptions, either.

“To ensure that the limited supply is equitably and efficiently distributed to its customers, Maynilad will be implementing a new schedule of rotational service interruptions beginning June 29,” an advisory from the company said.

Sevillo David Jr., National Water Resources Board executive director, said the water availability for domestic use is still low.

He said some areas would have longer hours of water availability of 10 hours to 16 hours a day.

The water allocation of 36 cubic meters per second for Metro Manila and its nearby provinces would remain, he said.

Under normal conditions at the Angat Dam, the regular allocation is 46 cubic Next page meters per second.

China bucks 3 party on Recto Bank probe rd

Pre-SONA meet: Romualdez backs infra fund hike

By Maricel V. Cruz LEYTE Rep. Martin Romualdez said Monday the administration’s plan to increase the budget allocation for infrastructure and human capital investment in 2020 would help sustain the country’s high economic growth and reduce poverty.

“Our economic managers are on the right track. If we support the roadmap that they had presented, reducing poverty by almost a half in 2022 is doable,” said Romualdez, a strong contender for Speaker in the 18th Congress.

“Definitely, I support the economic team’s road map. Much has been done, but more challenges remain. I will ask our [congressional] lead-

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Hold order out vs. 8 Kapa execs

By Rey E. Requejo and Rio N. Araja

Duque’s brod faces plunder

By Rio N. Araja THE relatives of Dengvaxia victims on Monday filed plunder and graft charges against the brother of Health Secretary Francisco Duque III before the Ombudsman over a lease contract between Philippine Health Insurance Corp. and the Duques’ family-owned corporation.

In a joint supplemental complaintaffidavit, Ariel Hedia and spouse Ruby, Darwin Bataan and spouse Merlyn, Sonia Guerra, Liberty Ganzore, Raul Galoso and spouse Elloly, Raymond Ancheta, Maria Cecilia Torres, Danilo Bautista and spouse Sheryl, and Nelson and spouse Edna Santos urged Ombudsman Samuel Martires to also hold lawyer Gonzalo Duque culpable for the “lease agreement with PhilHealth more than 20 years ago.”

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ers to immediately buckle down to work and discuss this roadmap in our next multi-party caucus,” said Romualdez, president of the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats.

Romualdez issued the statement shortly after he attended this year’s pre-State of the Nation Economic and Infrastructure Forum held at the

PRE-SONA FORUM. House Speaker candidate and Leyte 1st District Rep. Martin Romualdez (center) shares a photo op with Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade (left) and Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez during the 2019 Pre-SONA Economic and Infrastructure Forum at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City. Ver Noveno

A DAVAO City Regional Trial Court has issued a precautionary hold departure order against all eight officers and board members of the Kapa Community Ministry International Inc. over their alleged involvement in a large-scale investment scam.

Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said Davao City RTC Branch 16 granted the Department of Justice’s motion for the issuance of a PHDO against Kapa officials led by its founder and president Joel Apolinario.

Also covered by the order are Kapa trustee Margie A. Danao, corporate secretary Reyna L. Apolinario and officers Marisol M. Diaz, Adelfa Fernandico, Moises Mopia, Catherine Evangelista and Rene Catubigan.

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Tax-the-aliens scheme seen yielding P24b each year

By Julito G. Rada THE government is eying collecting at least P24 billion in taxes annually from the foreign workers employed in the offshore gaming operations in the Philip-

No to Kimono, Kim told off by mayor

pines, Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III said Monday.

He said the government planned to collect the taxes starting this month, and the initial estimate of P24 billion a year could balloon as the data from government

agencies showed that about 138,000 foreign workers were now employed in the POGO or Philippine offshore gaming operations industry.

“I have just talked to the BIR at the Next page

Insect apocalypse

THE mayor of Japan’s ancient capital Kyoto has entered into an unlikely correspondence with the queen of selfies Kim Kardashian West, asking her to reconsider naming her shapewear line “Kimono.”

The American pop culture icon sparked

FOR almost 30 years they passed as quirky eccentrics, diligently setting up their insect traps in the Rhine countryside to collect tens of millions of bugs and creepy crawlers.

Now the group of German entomology

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Manila, Beijing to create teams to sort out issues

By Nat Mariano

T

HE Chinese government does not want to include a neutral third-party facilitator in the PhilippinesChina joint inquiry into the Recto Bank incident in which a Chinese vessel hit and sank a Filipino fishing boat on June 9, Malacañang said Monday.

In a Palace press briefing, Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said that China stands by its proposal of having a joint investigation only between Manila and Beijing.

“China has answered. First, they offered to have a joint investigation. The President accepted it, but with a third party. They said we should do away with the third-party and we should discuss the issue ourselves,” Panelo told Next page reporters.

Marijuana high on new bills’ list

By Macon Ramos-Araneta and Maricel V. Cruz LAWMAKERS have filed several measures—including the granting of 14th month pay, legalizing medical marijuana use, and increasing the salary of teachers—at the start of the 18th Congress yesterday.

Senate President Vicente Sotto III filed the measure requiring employers in the private sector to remunerate the 14th month pay.

Sotto also filed the Anti-False Content Bill which seeks to prohibit the publication and proliferation of false content on the Internet as well as a bill seeking to lower the minimum age of criminal liability from 15 to 12 years old.

Senator Juan Edgardo Angara, for his part, filed a bill to increase the salary of the country’s 800,000 public school Next page teachers.

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News

TUESDAY, JULY 2, 2019

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

‘Duterte kept campaign promise’ fulfill its ultimate goal of not only sustaining high growth but alleviating poverty and creating more opportunities for all lawabiding Filipinos.

Dominguez said with rapid economic expansion in place and with the President continuing to enjoy broad and deep public support, the Philippine economy was expected to perform even better in the years ahead.

The economy, he said, grew at an average of 6.5 percent during the first 11 quarters of the Duterte administration, overcoming increased global uncertainty, a weak agriculture sector, a spike in world oil prices and a brief episode of elevated inflation.

Dominguez said Filipinos were now reaping the rewards of a well-managed economy

and the bold reforms implemented in the first three years of the Duterte administration.

He cited the latest unemployment figures averaging 5.5 percent from 2016 to 2018 and dipping further to 5.2 percent in April 2019, the lowest in 40 years.

He also cited the decline in the poverty incidence from 27.6 percent in the first half of 2015 to 21 percent in the first half of 2018, which was confirmed by independent opinion surveys on self-rated poverty, which was reported at only 38 percent, the lowest number ever.

Dominguez also cited the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion or TRAIN Act, which he described as “an achievement of this administration,” for providing the majority of the country’s workers with

tax savings equivalent to about a month’s extra take-home pay; removing the valueadded tax on the medicines for diabetes, hypertension and high cholesterol, and lowering estate and donor taxes to a single rate of 6 percent to free up idle real properties for productive use.

“Over the past three years, the Duterte administration has shown great political resolve. Reforms across a broad spectrum were initiated. Robust economic growth continues to gain momentum.

Massive investments in our economy’s competitiveness continue to be made,” Dominguez said.

“Ambitious programs have been instituted. Our fiscal position has been strong and is as strong as it has ever been.”

No to Kimono,...

From A1

China...

a social media storm last week when she unveiled the new line, with some in Japan and abroad accusing her of disrespecting the traditional outfit.

And now the mayor has waded into the debate—being had on Twitter under the hashtag #KimOhNo—penning a letter to the star to ask her to reconsider, Kyoto officials told AFP. “We’re concerned that a wrong understanding of kimono will spread since Ms. Kardashian is such a powerful influencer,” said Mai Sakai, a Kyoto city official in charge of traditional crafts. “[I] ask you to reconsider your decision of using the name Kimono in your trademark,” Kyoto Mayor Daisaku Kadokawa wrote in an English-language letter sent to Kardashian West.

“Kimono is a traditional ethnic dress fostered in our rich nature and history,” he wrote, asking her to visit the city to experience kimono culture.

Kimono literally means “something to wear,” while Kardashian West’s use of it is a play on her first name.

The reality television star told the New York Times that she had no plans to produce clothes that “would in any way resemble or dishonor the traditional garment.”

Once a standard of the Japanese wardrobe, the kimono is now often reserved for special occasions, such as weddings and coming-of-age ceremonies, and is mostly worn by women.

And while the elaborate outfits might appear to have little in common with the snug garb being offered by Kardashian West, kimonos are not only often hugely expensive but known for being hard to wear.

Women frequently hire experts to dress them in kimono because the outfit requires seemingly endless nipping, tucking and strapping. AFP

He said Philippine Ambassador to China Chito Sta. Romana relayed to him the recent development following his talks with Beijing’s Foreign Ministry.

The Philippines and China will create their respective task groups to investigate the incident separately, then meet to exchange findings and decide what to do next.

“For them, [a third party facilitator is] not needed anymore because if we’re going to resolve this ourselves, then why do we even need the third party? It makes sense,”

Panelo said.

Last week, President Rodrigo Duterte said he was okay with having a third-party investigation as long as it “satisfies the requirement of fair play and due process.”

Duterte also stressed the importance of including a neutral entity into the inquiry to remove doubts on the separate findings of Manila and Beijing.

Panelo on Monday played down the sinking of the Filipino boat and the abandonment of 22 Filipino fishermen by the Chinese crew as “an ordinary nautical navigation incident” and said he foresaw no serious disagreement between both sides.

“The issue is to easy. One, was that an accident or not? Number two, who was ac-

countable? If not an accident, then there is negligence. Number three, why did you abandon [the fishermen]? What would you do now to those you’ve abandoned? You cannot just simply apologize to us,” he said.

On June 9, a Chinese vessel hit the FB Gem-Vir 1, leaving 22 Filipino crew stranded in open water near the Recto Bank for four hours before they were rescued by a Vietnamese boat.

The incident within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone—and President Rodrigo Duterte’s statement that he would not stop Chinese vessels from operating in the EEZ—sparked fierce criticism from legal and maritime experts and administration critics.

By Julito G. Rada

F

INANCE Secretary Carlos Dominguez III said Monday President Rodrigo Duterte had met expectations and kept his campaign promise of real change halfway through his administration.

During the 2019 Pre-SONA Economic and Infrastructure Forum at the Philippine International Convention Center, Dominguez said the Duterte administration was armed with “great political resolve” to carry out far-reaching reforms to

Insect...

From A1 enthusiasts can boast a world-class scientific treasure: evidence of what is described as one of Earth’s worst extinction phases since the dinosaurs vanished.

Insects, which comprise two-thirds of all terrestrial species, have been dying off at alarming rates, with disastrous impacts on food chains and habitats, researchers say.

The home of the Amateur Entomology Society of Krefeld on the Dutch border is a former school building where thick curtains block out the sunlight.

Inside in glass cabinets are stored thousands of butterflies, their wings bleached by time, along with exotic fist-sized beetles and dragonflies, brought back from around the world by amateur collectors.

Treasure trove Traditionally “entomology was mainly about drying and collecting rare specimens,” says the society’s president Martin Sorg, wearing John Lennon-style glasses, a multipocket jacket and sandals.

He and an army of volunteers have over the years gathered as many as 80 million insects that are now floating in countless ethanol bottles.

Each bottle contains the amount caught by a single insect trap over a set period, and each box represents a collection of such catches over nearly three decades.

“Since 1982, the traps we manufacture ourselves have been standardized and controlled, all of the same size and the same material, and they are collected at the same rate in 63 locations that are still identical,” explains Sorg.

The result is a treasure trove of quantitative data that dwarfs that of any funded university project, he says.

But if he is visibly proud of the society’s research, the outcome terrifies him: in the test period, the total biomass of flying insects here has plummeted by 76 percent. AFP

Tax-the-aliens...

From A1 end of last week and they said they are already in place to start collections from foreign workers in the POGO industry,” Dominguez said at the sidelines of the 2019 Pre-SONA (State of the Nation Address) Economic and Infrastructure Forum at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City.

“They said they will start making the collections in July.”

Dominguez cited his department’s estimates that, assuming there were 100,000 foreign workers in the industry, the tax collections from them could hit P2 billion a month or P24 billion a year.

From A1

Taps...

Duque’s brod...

From A1

From A1

The weather bureau on Monday said it is hoping the water level at Angat Dam would still rise even though Tropical Depression “Egay” has weakened.

Elmer Karingal, the weather bureau’s hydrologist, said as of 6 a.m. Monday, the dam’s water elevation slightly increased to 159.85 meters against Sunday’s 158.64 meters, or by 1.21 meters.

He attributed the “significant” increase of the dam’s level to the monsoon rains spawned by “Egay” in the past few days.

“The tropical depression turned into an LPA low pressure area) to weaken the southwest monsoon. But based on our rainfall observation, it rained over the Angat watershed, and that rainwater went straight to the Angat Dam reservoir,” he told the Manila Standard.

“Despite ‘Egay’ becoming an LPA, we still expect rainwater from the mountains as well as Angat’s (major) tributaries—Maputi and Talaguio (rivers)—to end up at the reservoirs for another two days,” he said.

The weather bureau’s forecasting division said there would be at least two to three typhoons to enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility in July.

Karingal said this may not be enough to raise dam levels to the minimum operating level of 180 meters, but would still help increase the supply of water.

“Further research disclosed that Atty. Gonzalo T. Duque, the brother of respondent Dr. Duque III, was appointed as a commissioner of the Social Security Commission [System] in 2017,” the complaint says.

“Respondent Dr. Francisco T. Duque III, conspiring with respondent Atty. Gonzalo T. Duque, has taken advantage of his official position, authority, relationship, connection or influence to unjustly enrich himself or themselves at the prejudice of the Filipino people.”

The complainants told the Ombudsman that “it [PhilHealth lease] did not happen recently” based on Gonzalo Duque’s admission over a radio interview.

They anchored their complaint on the revelation of Senator Panfilo Lacson that Duque III was a stockholder of EMDC with a paid-up capital of P61,535,000 in Tapuac District, Dagupan City, Pangasinan, and that he owned 13,268 shares of stock worth P13,268,000 in subscribed capital.

On June 21, the complainants filed a consolidated complaint of plunder and graft against Duque III for his alleged failure to “divest ownership of his substantial stock interests at the Educational and Medical Development Corp.[EMDC].”

Lacson had said PhilHealth Region 1 was a tenant of the building belonging to EMDC, whose officials included Duque and his siblings.

Hold order...

From A1

The DOJ likewise summoned the Kapa officials to a preliminary investigation to answer criminal complaints filed against them.

In a subpoena released last week, the investigating panel chaired by Assistant State Prosecutor Gilmarie Fe Pacamarra ordered the respondents to appear before the DOJ and answer the charges of violation of the Securities Regulation Code filed against them by the Securities and Exchange Commission last month.

The DOJ required the Kapa officials to submit their counter-affidavits in hearings set on July 5 and 15 at 1 p.m.

In its complaint filed June 18, the SEC accused the respondents of perpetrating an investment scam by violating Sections 8 and 28 of the SRC. Section 8 of the SRC prohibits sale or distribution of securities without a registration statement duly filed and approved by the SEC. Section 28, on the other hand, prohibits any person from engaging in the business of buying or selling securities in the country as a broker or dealer, or act as a salesman, or an associated person of any broker or dealer unless registered with the SEC. The regulatory body also found that respondents violated Section 26 of the law that prohibits Ponzi schemes, which offer impossibly high returns and pay investors using the money contributed by other investors.

The SEC said its investigation showed that Kapa and its officers enticed the public to “donate” at least P10,000 in exchange for a 30 percent monthly “blessing” or “love gift” for life, without having to do anything other than invest and wait for the payout.

The investment scheme operated by respondents involved the sale and offering for sale or distribution to the public of securities, in the form of investment contracts.

SEC chairman Emilio Aquino said Kapa “amassed wealth through an investment scam in the guise of religion and at the expense of The revenues to be collected from the POGO industry were non-existent some four or five years ago, before the control over it was given by President Rodrigo Duterte to the state-run Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp.

“Roughly P2 billion a month per 100,000. Now, according to Immigration, there are 138,000 [foreign workers in the country]. I’m sure there must be more,” Dominguez said.

“Apparently my friends tell me there are a lot of guys. But I think there’s a benefit from all these discussions on tax that finally we will get Immigration to look at exactly who are the foreigners here.”

The Finance department said in April it wanted to collect an estimated P32 billion in annual income taxes from the foreign nation-

the investing public.”

The SEC said it already issued an advisory against Kapa’s operations as early as March 2017 and also issued a cease and desist order in February and an order of revocation of the non-stock corporation’s registration last April.

The commission, through the Anti-Money Laundering Council, also obtained a freeze order from the Court of Appeals on June 4 to preserve some P100 million in assets linked to Kapa.

Based on investigation conducted by the SEC, Kapa and its officers have at least nine luxury cars and sport utility vehicles, and a helicopter.

The group also claimed to have acquired a hospital, a school and other properties.

The SEC said it will name more respondents as it identifies other persons who have participated in the unlawful public offering or selling of securities by Kapa.

It also called on victims of Kapa to file charges against the group.

Beleaguered Kapa members said they would stage a “huge” three-day prayer rally in Mendiola, Manila to ask President Rodrigo Duterte to allow the resumption of its operation.

At a news conference in Quezon City, Danilo Mangahas, Ahon sa Kahirapan Movement convenor and Kapa member, appealed to the President to allow them resume operation so they could be able to return the investments of their 5 million members.

“We will go to Malacañan Palace to knock on the merciful hearts of the President to order the resumption of Kapa operations because our members are requesting for the return of their money,” he told the Manila Standard.

He said their prayer rally would start on Friday and end on Sunday in Metro Manila, while Mindanao-based members would simultaneously hold another prayer vigil in front of the President’s house.

Mangahas said the three-day prayer rally is their last-ditch effort to convince the President to reconsider his decision to shut down Kapa’s operations across the country.

“It has already been close to one month, als working for Philippine online gaming operators or POGOs. It said some 138,000 foreign nationals were working for POGOs, and on the assumption that each foreign national earned an average of $1,500 a month and taxed at 25 percent of gross income, a total of P32 billion a year could be collected from them.

The number, however, does not include data from the Philippine Economic Zone Authority and the special economic zones in Bataan and in Aurora.

Last month, PAGCOR warned offshore gaming operators to strictly comply with the regulations and pay the correct taxes to the government, saying the tax agencies were monitoring how they were conducting business in the country.

but not even one has ever surfaced and filed a complaint against Kapa simply because we are not a scam,” he said.

“We could not give their money back because our offices were padlocked. Let’s us operate so they could make use their money,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Court of Appeals has frozen the bank accounts and properties of yet another company allegedly involved in a a large-scale investment scam.

In a resolution dated June 19, the CA’s 10th Division granted the petition filed by the AntiMoney Laundering Council through Solicitor General Jose Calida seeking the issuance of a freeze order against financial assets of Baguio City-based firm Satarah Wellness Marketing.

“There is probable cause that the series of deposits, withdrawals, or investments including related accounts of foreign key personalities or corporations or entities and pieces or property are apparently related to an unlawful activity or a money laundering offense,” read the ruling written by Associate Justice Eduardo Peralta Jr., a copy of which was released to reporters Monday.

Covered by the freeze order are bank accounts of 31 individuals, including officials of the company led by Romyllie Batolne Lau, and entities owned by Satarah.

It also covered the company’s properties in Baguio City and Lingayen, Pangasinan and 11 sports utility vehicles and vans.

The order is effective for an initial period of 20 days as the CA will hear the case July 2 to determine if the freeze order should be extended to six months.

Associate Justices Ramon Garcia an Gabriel Robeniol concurred in this ruling.

Satarah Wellness, which was registered as a sole proprietorship in 2013, has been the subject of numerous complaints about its alleged pyramid scam where it promised a 22 percent return after three months, 5 percent return after 60 days, and referral fees of up to 12 percent from the membership fee of P100,000, which is to be spent on Satarah’s wellness goods.

The SEC had issued the company a cease and desist order as early as June 2015.

Marijuana...

From A1 In his bill, Angara proposed the present Salary Grade 11 of entry-level teachers at P19,077 be increased to SG 19 at P36,409.

The measure seeks to adjust correspondingly the salaries of teachers holding higher salary grades such to avoid distorting the pay scale. “It will be across-the-board,” Angara said.

Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto, on the other hand, refilled his “One Town, One Doctor” bill wherein government funds the schooling of one medical student from a town, on the condition that he will serve his town for four years after becoming a doctor.

The program, Recto said, addresses a key mandate of the Universal Health Care Act,

More oil firms join new round of price hike

By Alena Mae S. Flores THE oil companies increased prices by P1.20 per liter of gasoline, P1 per liter of kerosene and P0.95 per liter of diesel effective today, Tuesday.

Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp., Eastern Petroleum Corp., Unioil Philippines and Seaoil Philippines issued separate advisories on the third consecutive weekly oil price increase that they said reflected the movement of prices in the world market.

“Please see fuel price change increase of Shell effective 6 a.m. Tuesday 2 July 2019.

Gas, increase of P1.20, kerosene, increase of P1 and diesel, increase of P0.95,” Shell said.

The other oil companies were expected to follow suit.

According to the latest monitoring report of the Department of Energy, the ongoing trade war between the US and China could dampen demand.

The Energy department said the weak manufacturing data released last week added to the worries about slipping demand for crude oil.

The department says some analysts see the oil supply remaining tight as the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries and its allies, including Russia, might extend their production cuts during their meeting in Vienna this week.

Pre-SONA...

From A1 Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City, upon the invitation of Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III. “I am thankful for Secretary Sonny’s invitation as this event provided me with the complete picture of the country’s economic situation from the viewpoint of our economic managers. This will help us, congressmen, in our quest to help find solutions to the challenges that we face on the economic front,” Romualdez said.

What struck him during the Cabinet officials’ presentation, Romualdez said, was the urgent need for Congress to allocate more funds for public infrastructure and human capital development next year.

“The economic managers were unanimous in telling us that public expenditures on these major items are the key to attracting more foreign direct investments. Investors need reliable road networks to transport economic goods. They need a competent work-force to ensure world-class products and services,” Romualdez said.

The Leyte lawmaker said this is the reason the 18th Congress needs to pass the 2020 proposed national budget on time and make sure that public infrastructure and human development get the biggest allocations next year.

Romualdez noted that in the 2019 National Expenditure Program, the President’s economic team listed infrastructure and human development as the top recipients, with P1.215 trillion, or about 33.3 percent of the proposed P3.757-trillion budget.

“We expect the same priorities in the 2020 NEP so we now have an idea on what to work on in the next series of our multi-party caucuses in the 18th Congress. We have to hit the ground running and map out strategies on how to fast-track the President’s priority bills,” he said.

“In our first caucus last week, we all agreed to pass the 2020 General Appropriations Bill by October. This self-imposed deadline will givethe Senate more session days for plenary debates on the budget.

Hopefully, President Duterte will have a national budget ready for his signature before the end of the year,” Romualdez said.

Meanwhile, Taguig Rep. Alan Peter Cayetano said Marinduque Rep. Lord Allan Velasco should apologize to President Rodrigo Duterte for denying an agreement between the two of them to share the three-year term of speaker.

Both Cayetano and Velasco from the President’s ruling PDP-Laban want to be Speaker, but neither has received the President’s endorsement.

“It’s okay if he lies because politicians lie,” Cayetano told the ANC news channel in a mix of English and Filipino. “I was watching him here. But to call the President [a] liar by saying there’s no such agreement, I’ll not take that sitting down.”

Cayetano claims he and Velasco are covered by a term sharing agreement, with Cayetano becoming speaker for the first 15 months of the 18th Congress, and Velasco taking the remaining 21 months of the term.

Velasco denies any such agreement and said most House members view term sharing as divisive. which calls for the training and deployment of an adequate number of public physicians nationwide.

“Without health personnel, there is no health care. You have to send ‘white coats’ to the places where they are needed most by those who have the least in life,” he said.

At the House of Representatives, a bill legalizing the use of cannabis for medicinal purposes and was filed by neophyte Isabela Rep. Antonio Albano. The bill is a pet measure of his brother, former Isabela Rep. and now Isabela Gov. Rodolfo Albano III. The bill, otherwise known as the Philippine Compassionate Medical Cannabis Act, proposes to establish a Medical Cannabis Regulatory Authority under the Department of Health to regulate the medical use of cannabis in the country.

News

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

HERO'S WAKE. President Rodrigo Roa Duterte pays his last respects to the late Corporal Richard Macabadbad as he visits the wake at the Libingan ng mga Bayani Mortuary in Taguig City on June 30, 2019. Presidential Photo

'Flawless' national ID system sought THE government is eyeing a “flawless” implementation of the national ID system through a conduct of pilot tests in the latter part of the year, Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia said Monday.

“We are currently fast-tracking it and we expect to do multiple pilot tests between September and December to make sure the system is flawless...,” Pernia said during the 2019 Pre-SONA Economic and Infrastructure Forum held at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City.

Pernia said the government expects to have enrolled in the system 107 million Filipinos by year 2022.

President Rodrigo Duterte signed the National ID Law in August 2018, with a belief that a single and streamlined national identification system would reduce corruption, enhance governance and serve as a tool to keep the public safe.

The Philippine Statistics Authority said Filipinos’ privacy would be safe from unauthorized access and use. Julito G. Rada

PH-Canada ‘cordial ties’ back after return of trash

Stricter security eyed after Sulu blast SC to grant credits for prisoners’ good conduct

By Rey E. Requejo THE Supreme Court has ruled that the number of days credited to prisoners for their good conduct, such as studying, teaching, and mentoring services and loyalty should be retroactive in application under the law that became effective on Oct. 10, 2013.

In an en banc decision, the SC declared that all prisoners, regardless of whether they are already serving their sentence or undergoing preventive imprisonment shall be qualified for the reduction of their sentence even before Oct. 10, 2013 pursuant to the time allowances under Republic Act No. 10592.

The 15-member bench through Associate Justice Diosdado M. Peralta stressed that the increased time allowances given to qualified prisoners would bring about a substantial reduction in their penalties “which eventually will result in the decongestion of the jail system in the country.”

“The prospective application of the beneficial provisions of RA 10592 actually works to the disadvantage of petitioners and those who are similarly situated. It precludes the decrease in the penalty attached to their respective crimes and lengthens their prison stay; thus, making more onerous the punishment for the crimes committed,” the SC said.

By MJ Blancaflor

M

ALACAÑANG called for stricter security protocol in Sulu in the wake of the twin blasts that killed eight people and injured several others.

Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said that the mere fact that suicide bombers were anywhere near a military post in Indanan town showed that there was a need to enhance security efforts.

“The fact alone na nakapasok ang mga suicide bombers siguro kailangan dagdagan pa ang kanilang mga security protocols na tinatawag (that there are suicide bombers that came in means that they should add what they call security protocols),” Panelo said in an interview on Sunday.

Panelo said that the incident should teach government authorities to ensure preventive measures to avoid similar cases in the future.

“Yun ang problema kasi ‘pag suicide bomber ka talagang mahirap mo na istop-in ‘yan (That’s the problem, if it’s a suicide bomber, you’ll really have a hard time to stop that),” Panelo said.

“Kailangan malayo pa, alam mo na.

I’m sure marami sila natutuhan diyan sa insidente (Even if they are still far, you should already know. I’m sure they learned a lot from the incident),” he added.

Earlier, Panelo assured the public that authorities will “harness all its might” to run after all terrorist groups.

He said that authorities suspect the Abu Sayyaf Group as responsible for the attack.

“The government will harness all its might to destroy the enemies of the state as well as their supporters to secure lasting peace in the region,” he said.

“If these bandits have not learned from the terrorists who were annihilated in Marawi, then this time they will,” he added.

On Friday (June 28), several people were killed after two alleged suicide bombers detonated the bombs they were carrying near the tactical command post of the 1st Brigade Combat Team in Barangay Kajatian, Indanan, Sulu.

Meanwhile, Department of National Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana on Monday confirmed that the bomb attack that killed eight persons and wounded 22 others last June 28 was a suicide bombing.

“That is evident from the report of the soldiers because this guy (the alleged bomber) knocked on the gate (of the

tactical command post) so the guard went near to ask what the person need, when the guard was at the gate the person exploded so this is obviously a suicide bombing,” he added when asked about this possibility.

Lorenzana issued the comment in an interview with reporters shortly after the inauguration of the Disaster Emergency Logistics Systems for Asean (DELSA) Phase II warehouse in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City Monday.

“Yes, personally I think it’s a suicide bombing because he was carrying the bomb and he detonated it within the perimeter, there were two of them actually,” the DND chief added.

He also stressed that martial law is not the answer to every security threat in response to comments on how could such an attack happen when Mindanao is still under the martial law.

Also, the movement of the people is not restricted in the island.

“Martial law actually is not the solution to all these because anybody, an individual or two individuals can just go anywhere because we have not controlled the movement of people in Mindanao, you can basically go anywhere you want without any checkpoints sometimes, you just go, let them go, we just have checkpoints in areas that are dangerous, from one island to another but within the island you can go anywhere you want to go,” the DND chief said.

Bongbong’s win v.s. Leni a great ‘b-day’ gift—Imelda

By Macon Ramos-Araneta THE resolution by the Supreme Court of the election protest filed by former Senator Bongbong Marcos against Vice President Leni Robredo would be her greatest birthday gift, said former First Lady Imelda Marcos.

Marcos, who also served as Leyte representative, held her 90th birthday celebration Monday at the Rizal Park Open Air Auditorium in Luneta.

“Three years have passed since my son filed his election protest for the post of Vice President post. I hope the Supreme Court can resolve this soon. That will be my best birthday gift ever,” said Mrs. Marcos during the celebration attended by thousands of loyalists.

The former senator said he believes he was able to provide clear and convincing evidence of the rampant cheating that went on in the May 2016 elections.

He warned that Smartmatic will continue to fool the people unless the system is changed.

He noted that the Comelec should listen to the complaints of the voting public.

“That’s what they’re there for,” the young Marcos said.

The Friends of Imelda Romualdez Marcos hosted a get-together to commemorate her birthday.

AFTER the tons of garbage, which were illegally dumped in the Philippines in 2013, was shipped back to Canada over the weekend, Malacañang said it expects ties between the two countries to turn from being “trashy” to “cordial.”

Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo made this remark following reports that the ship containing 69 containers of garbage had finally reached a port in Vancouver on Saturday (June 29).

“Siguro cordial na ulit (Perhaps, it’s cordial again),” Panelo said when asked about ties between the two countries after the arrival of the ship in Canadian shores. “’Di na basura ang relasyon (The relationship is no longer garbage),” he added.

Panelo said that with the trash row resolved, the Department of Foreign Affairs () could now send back their ambassador and consuls to the North American country.

‘Access to senator’s SALNs more stringent’ SENATE Secretary lawyer Myra Villarica has issued stringent guidelines for public access to the Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth of senators.

If under previous Senate leaderships getting a copy of the SALNs was as easy as making a verbal request to the Senate secretary, obtaining one now directs requesting parties to fill up a Summary Request Form (SRF) which has to be notarized by a lawyer before it is accepted by the Office of the Secretary.

Aside from filling up the form and having it subscribed before a notary lawyer, the SRF requires members of the media to attach a proof of media affiliation and certification of accreditation of media organization as a legitimate media practitioners.

For students, they need to present a photocopy of their school ID and a certification from the educational institution that the student is currently enrolled, and another certification from the school or teacher that the request is for an academic paper or thesis that is required either by the school or teacher.

The SRF likewise asks applicants to list down the purpose for the request, strictly reminding parties that general purposes like “public interest/public concern” are not acceptable as valid reasons to acquire a copy of the SALNs. All parties requesting copies of the SALNs are also asked to undertake that the documents shall be: used only for the purpose stated; not be disclosed or used for any purpose contrary to moral or public policy; not be used or disclosed for any commercial purpose other than by news and/or communications media for dissemination to the general public; not be disclosed, lent, shown or reproduced for distribution to other individuals, groups or organizations; not be used or disclosed to compromise the legislative integrity of the Senate; not be used to influence the enactment or non-enactment of any legislative document or process for personal gain; and that the request does not constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy.

Plea to review source code junked IMELDA'S BIRTHDAY BASH. Former First Lady Imelda Marcos celebrated her 90th birthday celebration at the Rizal Park open

air auditorium in Luneta Manila with supporters, son and former Senator Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos and grandchildren Simon and Sandro. Ey Acasio

Comelec to probe complaint vs. BOC chief

By Vito Barcelo THE Commission on Elections said it will thoroughly examine a complaint filed against Customs Commissioner Rey Leonardo Guerrero for alleged election violations, where the latter ignored the Comelec’s rule to freeze hiring, promotion, salary increase, and transfer of government employees during the May 2019 election period.

The Comelec said that Guerrero issued several personnel orders for the transfer of several key customs officers to different positions between February to June 2019.

Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez cited Resolution 8737 promul-

gated on Dec. 29, that there shall be no transfers of public officials or employees, including teachers, to other government agencies or to other divisions or field offices of their current agencies without permission from the Comelec during the election period.

The resolution stated that the poll body must first be notified if there is an urgent need to fill in positions.

Any government officials who committed election violations may also be charged with corruption under the AntiGraft and Corrupt Practices Act, according to the Comelec.

Aside from the complaint filed before the Comelec, Guerrero is also being questioned for allowing his Chief-

of-Staff, identified as lawyer Teodoro Jumamil, to perform the function of a commissioner such as reviewing, issuing and signing Memoranda, issue office orders, personnel orders, even orders for Holding and Seizure of Goods as well as, and more importantly, lifting of such orders.

Signing of alert and lifting orders of shipments is mandated only to the commissioner or district collectors of the bureau and not to the chief of staff.

It was also reported that Jumamil continue to be a member of the board of the development Bank of the Philippines, a government owned and controlled corporation where he continue to receive compensation.

THE Supreme Court has dismissed the petitions for mandamus filed seeking to compel the Commission on Elections to allow groups to open and review the source code in the vote-counting machines provided for under Republic Act 9369 or the Election Modernization Act of 1997.

In an banc decision dated April 30 but was released to the media only on Monday, the SC also denied the motion of the petitioners—Senator Richard Gordon, the Bagumbayan-NVP Movement Inc. and Tanggulang Demokrasya—to hold former Comelec chairman Sixto Brilliantes Jr. in contempt for his failure to comply with his commitments to the Court during the May 8, 2013 oral arguments to, among others, make the source code available for review and to grant more time to the parties to comply with the requirements to do so.

“In deciding that Chairman Brillantes is not liable for indirect contempt, the Court focuses solely on the undertakings that were directly promised to the Court, not those which the petitioner feels were promised,” the tribunal said.

Rey E. Requejo

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Opinion

TUESDAY, JULY 2, 2019

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Assert our sovereign rights CHRISTOPHER Lawrence “Bong” Go was elected senator by more than 20 million Filipinos. And yet he is still often seen behind President Rodrigo Duterte.

It seems to me that old habits die hard. Once an “alalay,” always a lapdog and messenger boy.

Obviously, Go does not realize that he is actually demeaning his exalted position as a senator, and more especially the institution of the Senate. *** I did not have a column last week because I was incapacitated. I had my left eye operated on because of cataract. This was something I had been postponing for some time. My eye doctor, Dr. Edward Uy of Makati Medical Center, told me that the older one gets, the more dangerous an eye operation becomes.

China is most absolutely not a friend.

I had to go to the hospital daily for over a week. With so many people walking around (or wheelchair-bound), MMC now looks like one of Henry Sy’s SM malls. There are so many restaurants!

Two weeks from now, it will be my right eye that will be operated on. Like a dutiful patient, I will undergo the same medical procedure. But that’s ok— when it comes to my health, I don’t take chances. I go to the best doctor.

Some who have undergone the same procedure might say that a cataract operation is a breeze. I say yes—when you are young. Me, at my age, I take nothing for granted.

*** President Duterte claimed that as a close personal friend of China’s President Xi Jinping, during his first visits to Beijing he made a deal that both Chinese and Filipino fishermen can fish in disputed waters in the West Philippine Sea and even in the Exclusive Economic Zone of the Philippines.

This claim of the President brings to fore two basic questions.

One, wasn’t the deal between Duterte and Xi violative of the 1987 Constitution? It mandates that “the State shall protect the national marine wealth in its archipelagic waters, territorial sea, and exclusive economic zone and reserve its use and enjoyment exclusively to Filipino citizens.”

Santa Banana, nothing could be clearer than this! So why are we allowing the Chinese in Recto Bank, within the EEZ? What is laughable was Duterte’s reaction towards his critics’ moves to impeach him. “I will send them all to jail!” he warned.

Of course, Duterte cannot do this. Impeachment is not criminal in nature. It is, instead, a legal and political process.

The President knows quite well that any impeachment case filed against him at this point would be futile because he controls both Houses of Congress.

What bothers me as a journalist and lawyer was the President’s remark that the Chinese are our friends. He and Xi may be personal friends, but the way China is acting in the West Philippine Sea—it most definitely is not a friend.

Can you ever be friends with a bully?

This brings me to my second point.

Was China’s occupation of Panatag or Scarborough Shoal an act of a friend?

When it ignored the decision of the Permanent Court of Arbitration, was it being a friend? When its trawler hit a much smaller Filipino boat, and then left the 22 fishermen at sea, was that the act of a friend?

The President’s pivot to China is simply a policy of accommodation and acquiescence. It saying “yes” all the time to what China wants. If the Chinese are our friends, who needs enemies?

Adelle Chua, Editor

EDITORIAL

T

The bare minimum

HE former mayor of Cebu City, Tomas Osmeña, left an uninhabitable office for his successor and former vice mayor as he ended his term this week. the office three years ago, upon his election. He sprang for renovation because the city council rejected his request for funds.

Perhaps, too, Osmeña was just so spiteful he could not bear to leave anything good behind for his former vice mayor who had the gall to challenge—and defeat—him.

Labella’s camp said they were considering filing charges against Osmeña and his people for destroying the office of the mayor. But perhaps a bigger infraction would be the demeaning of the Office of the Mayor through an act so petty and childish it is almost laughable.

What was Osmeña thinking when he spent his own money renovating the place—he would stay there forever? Nice

The office, located at the eighth floor of the city hall, has been likened to an abandoned construction zone.

“Most of the tiles have been taken out. Only raw concrete can be seen in the washroom. Gone are the glass dividers. The lighting fixtures and ceiling are gone as well. The former vibrant office is a gray space with dirty floor and bare walls,” reported Cebu Daily News, a local paper.

Osmeña’s successor, Mayor Edgardo Labella, who started his term on Monday, said he was surprised at Osmeña’s act. “Why did he even have to do that?” he said.

Perhaps Osmeña saw nothing wrong with what he did. After all, he spent P2 million of his own money when he renovated

job confirming the widely held belief that most politicians look upon public service as an entitlement.

It is also not correct to say that Osmeña simply left the office the way he had happened upon it in 2016. We are sure he did not arrive, on his first day at work, to an office that is akin to an ill-managed construction site.

It would not have impoverished the former mayor to leave at least a decent, working area for his successor. After all, ideally, both ran for office not to get too comfortable in their offices but to actually serve the needs of their constituents.

But no, Osmeña had to strip the place bare to prove a point: “If I can’t continue to have this nice office, nobody else can!”

What he ended up transmitting to the rest of us, however, is that some people do not even meet the bare minimum of the requirements of decency.

Turn to A5

Bravo, Hong Kong citizens!

WHEN Hong Kong was transferred to China in 1997 after one and a half century of British rule, the former colony was handed over to the new sovereign transformed from being a backwater colony to an economic and commercial hub of Asia. In the aftermath of the transition, the former British colony became a special administrative region of China with its own autonomous government, under the principle of “one country, two systems” where the city would enjoy "a high degree of autonomy, except in foreign and defense affairs. The Joint Declaration between the British and China guarantees this type of government for 50 years but does not specify the type of government beginning 2045. Whether or not Hong Kong will be reintegrated to Mainland China is a fodder of much debate and speculation among the citizens of Hong Kong.

From the start, the relationship between Hong Kong citizens and the central government of Beijing has been tense. Many of the former, up to now, more than two decades after the transfer, still fiercely identify themselves as people of Hong Kong rather than Chinese. This is especially true for the youth. As recently as April 2017, it was reported that only 3.1 percent of Hong Kong’s young people identified themselves as Chinese. This self-identification is likely to decline again after the latest demonstrations on the extradition bill.

Indeed, a significant portion of the population in Hong Kong takes offense every time Beijing is perceived to be interfering in the city’s internal affairs.

On the other hand, some politicians in Beijing are agitating for stronger control over the former colony.

The people of Hong Kong, a longtime British colony, have a more cosmopolitan outlook and cultural values very much different from those practiced by mainlanders. Over the years, several incidents between locals and mainlanders have illustrated just how tense the situation is between the two peoples. For instance, since 2012, local people have become concerned over the increasing number of anchor babies; pregnant mainlanders seek to give birth in Hong Kong to take advantage of social welfare in the city. These pregnant

mainlanders come to Hong Kong to assert their “right to abode.” In 2015, an anti-mainlandization motion was narrowly voted down. The motion sought to defend local customs and culture from the influence of Mainland China.

Other irritants, which have been causing friction between the two camps, crop up every now and then. Over the years, there has been an uptick of increasing activities among locals to assert self-identity and independence from the Beijing government.

They are showing the world that even a giant will back down when faced by determined resistance.

Against this backdrop, the protests by the Hong Kong people to scrap the extradition bill passed by the Hong Kong legislature erupted. This started when the government tried to pass a highly contentious extradition bill which allows criminal suspects, whether Hong Kong citizens or foreign nationals, to be sent to China for trial. The Hong Kong government insists the extradition bill will prevent the city from becoming a haven for criminals. Critics fear that this will erode freedom and put the “one country, two systems” at risk. They also believe it will undermine Hong Kong’s judicial independence which the citizens of Hong Kong are particularly sensitive about.

There are apprehensions that the measure will be used as a tool to crack down on political dissenters in this freewheeling, semi-autonomous region.

These fears come as China's President Xi Jinping, who took office in 2012, has increasingly cracked down on dissent as well as put into a spotlight China’s judicial system which is said to have a near100 percent conviction rate. Because Chinese law already has extraterritorial scope, the extradition law endangers not only Chinese, but also Hong Kong citizens and foreigners alike.

The extradition bill is so unpopular that it has triggered massive protests by Hong Kong citizens, generating a mammoth crowd which by some estimates run into a couple of million bodies. Pro-

Turn to A5

Is it all over but the shouting in the House?

IN OUR latest Saturday Forum@Annabel’s, we had as resource persons House Majority Leader Fredenil Castro and two members of the Makabayan bloc, Bayan Muna Party-List Representatives Carlos Zarate and Ferdinand Gaite, who gave updates on what’s going on in the Lower Chamber of Congress, particularly with regard to the Speakership and what to expect in the 18th Congress that starts on July 22 with the President’s State of the Nation Address (SONA). The Makabayan bloc has fielded Zarate as a candidate for Speaker more as a political statement than a serious bid given the prevailing balance of forces in the institution.

Castro revealed that he supports the candidacy of Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez as House Speaker. He said the battle for the Speakership is now just between Romualdez and Marinduque Rep. Lord Allan Jay Velasco, who was recently endorsed by the ruling party, PDP-Laban, according to the official

For lack of any accomplishment or impressive legislative experience to speak of, Velasco has resorted to this tactic.

Pac pronouncement of Senator Manny Pacquiao, who claimed that no less than 200 out of 300 or so House members would vote for Velasco.

Castro, however, seriously doubts that Velasco would be able to muster the support of 200 House members, and believes that Romualdez would clinch the post considering his personality, qualifications and consensus-building ability.

Nevertheless, Velasco continues to drum up publicity for his Speakership bid by claiming to have sponsored, coordinated or organized this or that event for President Duterte, even though other people have actually done the part

that he claims to own. His stunts are to Du make people believe that President Duterte trusts him to accomplish the task of being an event organizer, as if this was enough qualification for him to bag the Speakership in the 18th Congress.

For lack of any accomplishment or impressive legislative experience to speak of, Velasco has resorted to this tactic. He has no qualms portraying himself as a close “friend” of presidential daughter, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, or volunteering to Presi organize birthday gatherings for President Duterte. His familiarity with the Dutertes appears to be his only ticket to the Speakership.

But Velasco has one thing going for him: his connection to a prominent businessman. The connection is through Velasco’s wife who is closely associated with the businessman, who has vast investments not only in the food and beverage and energy sector, but also in infrastructure, cement and information technology, to name a few.

It appears that the businessman needs strong political connections to protect his extensive business interests. He has adequately prepared for this by funding a major political party. It is in the Turn to A5

Rolando G. Estabillo Publisher ManilaStandard

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

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Opinion Guessing games LAST Sunday I was invited to a despedida party thrown by her staff for former President and now also former Speaker Gloria Arroyo. Her legendary hospitality was again on full display at her La Vista residence as the guests— from congressmen to drivers—exchanged war stories from her colorful life and career.

My own highlight was taking a couple of selfies with the beauteous Dawn Zulueta, spouse of the oh-so-lucky Congressman Anton Lagdameo. A clearly star-struck staffer exclaimed that she was in the presence of nothing less than “a goddess.” I normally don’t speak to such Olympian excess, but in her case I’m inclined to agree.

Up to literally the very last minute, the Speaker wasn’t letting up on her equally legendary work ethic, calling oversight meetings to look into the water crisis in Metro Manila. Now that we’ve learned that a water master plan was junked way back in 2012 by the unlamented PNot administration, we can only imagine how the crisis might have been averted with someone other than an autist seated in the Palace.

With Mrs. Arroyo out of Congress, one popular guessing game around town is what she will do next for an encore.

Professor at some university abroad?

Ambassador plenipotentiary? Secretary of this or that in the Duterte cabinet?

The lady herself just flashes her enigmatic smile and says she will simply write her memoirs and perhaps consult for the provincial government of her beloved Pampanga.

Me, I’m inclined to believe her. She may have regained her normal weight after dropping to a skeletal 70 pounds during her years in detention, but she still cannot move her head more than 45 degrees sideway, with that titanium brace in her neck spine still pressed up against her windpipe. You can almost see that iron willpower at work as she goes through the ordinary motions of everyday life.

But—as she did with the Speakership when it was pressed upon her—I don’t think she will break her lifelong habit of saying yes if and whenever duty again calls. It’s a quality that Cong Dadong— by now perhaps eclipsed by his willful daughter—would be proud of. *** It’s not only what GMA will be doing with the rest of her life that’s got people guessing. More importantly for the country, it’s what President Duterte plans to do with the mountainous po-

Assert...

From A4

In an effort to please Xi, Duterte now says that the constitutional mandate that marine resources within the Philippines should be given exclusively to Filipino citizens, such exclusivity is not thoughtless and senseless. It’s an exercise of sovereign rights. The Constitution is the fundamental law of the land!

Obviously, Duterte forgot that when he was sworn in as President he also swore to defend and protect the Constitution.

I now realize why he said he was sick and tired of his job. Unlike his job as mayor, being president has many restrictions. It cannot justify a one-man

Bravo,...

From A4

testers are demanding that authorities retract the extradition bill. This is reminiscent of the September 2014 Umbrella Revolution where protests began after the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPCSC) issued a decision regarding proposed reforms to the Hong Kong electoral system seen to be highly restrictive, and tantamount to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP)'s pre-screening of the candidates for the leader of Hong Kong.

Incidentally, if this extradition bill is passed, Filipinos traveling to Hong Kong must take precaution if they have in fact committed acts elsewhere, including in the Philippines, that China

Is it...

From A4

businessman’s best interests to ensure that this party remains a constant political presence in both the Senate and the House of Representatives. Thus, gaining control of the House, where all revenue measures emanate, would be to his advantage.

In the 17th Congress, Velasco was the chair of the House committee on energy. While Velasco did not accomplish much as chairman of the committee, he was able to stand guard against any adverse developments that would imperil the businessman’s interests in the power sector.

Imagine how much more Velasco could do for the business magnate if he

litical capital he’s sitting on, as he enters the second half of his term in office.

Will he simply try to conserve it (for no clear end), or will he use it to push monumental causes for which—if he succeeds—he will forever be remembered?

His press secretary, Martin Andanar, says that Duterte plans to focus the rest of his term on three important areas.

One is lifting even more people out of poverty, now that he’s already brought self-rated poverty down to record levels (according to SWS) with a wide range of populist measures—universal health care, free college tuition, free irrigation, higher salaries for policemen and soldiers and next for public school teachers—as well as 6-7 percent economic growth every year.

What could be Arroyo’s and Duterte’s next steps?

more to that draft in progress. Yes, federalism is and always will be an integral part of the proposed new governance.

At the end of the day, if Metro Manila (according to the latest numbers) grew by 40 percent while the Bangsamoro region did not budge at all, how will we ever do better than 6-7 percent economic growth? This can happen only if the provinces catch up with the metropolis.

But there is also a whole raft of political reforms being proposed, which may not even be related to, or dependent upon, federalism. There is the strengthening of political parties through proportional representation in the legislature, mandatory audit of parties, and self-executory provisions against dynasties and turncoatism.

Most intriguing is a possible shift to a parliamentary system, with the country run by a dual-executive President and Prime Minister. Legislator-executives from the Parliament would be held on a very short leash by the public through the mechanisms of recall, the question hour, no-confidence votes, and outright dissolution.

Liberalizing the economy can in fact be pursued even without federal or parpar liamentary change. So is far-ranging judicial reform, where the perennial problem of case backlogs is addressed by enforcing strict new rules of court, creating more High Courts and/or a regional system of appellate courts with final jurisdiction.

In short, it won’t be just about federalism. It will be all about creating a new Constitution for the new millennium. *** Today’s reading about the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah (Gn 19: 1529) might resonate with current public anxiety over natural disasters like earthquakes. Those two sinful cities were “turned upside down” most likely by an earthquake which also led to disastrous fires in a region rich in bitumen and other flammable gases.

In today’s Gospel account (Mt 9: 2327), Jesus calmed the stormy waters that suddenly beset Him and His disciples in a boat. Here the word “storm” originally referred to an earthquake, a metaphor commonly used in apocalyptic literature to describe how God literally shakes the old world when He brings in His new kingdom.

Whether the earthquake was punitive (as with Sodom) or instructive (to teach Jesus’ terrified followers a lesson about faith), the point is the same : Put your trust in the Lord. The God who rained down fire and brimstone on the Sodomites is the same God whom even stormy winds and waves obeyed on the Sea of Galilee.

The second is continuing his “Build Build Build” infrastructure program, which has been favorably remarked by the rating agencies for its implications for economic growth, even if it does bump up our deficit numbers. With roads and bridges sprouting everywhere, to be followed by airport revamps and new mass transit systems, the third act will soon be upon us: a third telco, new wholesale sources of water, and replacing a raft of ageing, outage-prone power plants.

The third objective is a permanent end to the communist insurgency—a persistent blight whose political roots date back all the way to the founding of the Socialist Party by labor organizer Crisanto Evangelista in the 1920s.

A conflict that’s been around that long must be permanently resolved if we are to unleash our full potential for economic growth. *** But what about federalism, it’s being asked. Is this seminal plank of Duterte’s campaign platform in 2016 turning out to be too much even for the amount of political capital he now enjoys?

Most recently, the President told his critics that he would understand if they continue to reject federalism, but that, in any case, the Constitution still needs to be amended if they want to change the country for the better. His comment might be better appreciated if we take a closer look at the proposed new Constitution that seems to be emerging from a literally three-year-old process of consultation and preparation.

Readers can write me at gbolivar1952@ As a matter of fact, there is much yahoo.com. rule. He cannot simply decide on his own what to do because there are other branches of government. Perhaps when he was mayor, nobody questioned his acts.

There was even the Davao Death Squad which restored peace and order in the city.

But now, he cannot simply tell the other branches of government to do as he wishes.

The problem with Duterte is that he still thinks and acts like a mayor. *** Observers say that PDP-Laban president Koko Pimentel made a big mistake in committing the support of some 30 members of the ruling party to Marinduque Rep. Lord Allan Velasco, who is running for Speaker. This would

just divide the House.

One reason is that the division of the ruling party. Members of PDP-Laban were never consulted on their choice for Speaker.

The bigger reason there is now dissatisfaction among PDP-Laban members is that there’s a possibility that those who do not toe the line may face sanctions.

What the House needs at this point is unity.

For me, Rep. Martin Romualdez remains the best choice for Speaker. He is a consensus builder, and his credentials are the best among those in the running.

All a Speaker-aspirant needs is the support of 156 members.

might consider a crime. The treatment of former Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales and former Foreign Affairs Secretary, already extremely disrespectful to them and the Philippines, would be kid gloves compared to what would happen if they or other China critics were charged with crimes in China and then extradited from Hong Kong.

We know of course that the massive protests forced Hong Kong’s Chief Executive Carrie Lam to backpedal and suspend the bill. Yet this act of appeasement seems to have failed to mollify her detractors as protests continue. Protesters are demanding no less than the resignation of Carrie Lam and the cancellation, not mere suspension, of the controversial bill.

The Chinese government can disregard these defiant protesters like a horde of flies but the people of Hong

Kong are showing the world that even a giant will back down when faced by determined resistance, when one is willing to confront the bully with unflinching courage. The people of Hong Kong can impart a thing or two to the government of Duterte who, for all intents and purposes, has conceded and raised the flag of surrender to China, the neighborhood superpower. Indeed, the Duterte government’s woeful response to China’s aggressive acts in the West Philippine Sea pales in contrast to Hong Kong’s courageous stand.

The Filipino people too, including and especially our youth, can learn from Hong Kong citizens. We must stand up to our rights if we do not want to lose them.

is elected Speaker. Being the power behind the Speaker is the best way for the businessman to gain some sort of control over the chamber and its 300 or so members.

The big businessman is said to be more than willing to invest money to ensure that his chosen one bags the Speakership. What’s a few millions compared to the hundreds of billions of pesos in business interests he wants to protect? Since the businessman has no close ties with Romualdez or Taguig Rep. Alan Peter Cayetano, the two other candidates for the Speakership, he can’t approach them and offer his support. His only close association is with Velasco, the most ambitious yet least qualified of the three.

Observers believe that should Velasco

succeed in his bid to become Speaker, the real power behind the throne would be the businessman who backs his candidacy. In that case, we would have a branch of government that’s supposed to be independent and a vital cog in the checks-and-balances mechanism of our democratic system of government effectively captured by vested interests.

This is unacceptable.

House Majority Leader Fred Castro’s prediction that the majority of House members would ultimately choose Romualdez rather than Velasco as Speaker seems the more likely possibility. In other words, at this point it’s all over but the shouting in so far as the House Speakership is concerned.

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TUESDAY, JULY 2, 2019

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The original indicator of UK-EU divergence the new single currency. Foremost among these was the potential damage that the monetary shift would cause to Britain’s status and reputation as Europe’s leading financial center. The EU’s financial experts argued that the City of London was THE 2016 United Kingdom referen- already firmly established as a finandum on the leave-or-remain-in-the- cial center and that the switch to anEuropean-Union issue should not other currency very likely would prohave come as a surprise to steadfast duce no adverse effect. But the UK observers of relations between the was adamant, and so it stood firm on UK and the EU. The reason for this its refusal to accept the euro as its is that over a decade earlier, there new currency. was an economic issue that resulted A severe blow had been dealt to in Britain’s diverging from the rest of the EU’s image as an institution that the EU membership. That issue was united, and spoke for, all the Western the creation of a single currency and European countries and most of the the replacement of the EU members’ countries of Eastern Europe. But the national currencies with a new mon- blow was not fatal. The EU continetary unit called the euro. ued to thrive and become stronger The leaders of the EU countries, and the euro gradually became the after extensive discussions on the world’s second most widely accepted matter, had reached the conclusion currency. that the creation The UK’s acof a Union-wide tion in the singlecurrency was currency case a logical proshould have been It will be the logical seen as a posgression from the customs extension of an event sible harbinger union and the of British policy Single Market that took place two towards the EU’s that were al- decades ago. economic arready in place rangements, but and that the EU it was not. It was isolat was now ready seen as an isolatfor a single currency to replace the ed incident dictated by unique British pesetas, deutschemarks, franco and needs. drachmas of the member-countries.

Astute observers of British policy All the EU leaders cast Yes votes for and British behavior who caught the single-currency project. All, that in the single-currency episode a is, except for the UK, which voted to glimpse of historical British insularnot replace the pound sterling with ness were proven right in their perthe euro. ception. Two decades later, in the Up until then the EU members— now-famous 2016 referendum called the founding Six plus Britain and the by the Conservative government led newly admitted Central and Eastern by David Cameron, the British peoEuropean countries—had acted in ple voted in favor or Brexit (Britain’s unison on all political and economic exit from the EU). The Brexit vote matters that were of importance to was not about withdrawal from an the Union’s status and welfare. Brit- EU economic scheme; it was about ain’s refusal to join the single-cur- Britain’s withdrawal from the EU alrency scheme was the first crack in together. British insularness was now the façade of EU unanimity and the in full play. first indicator of Britain’s unwillingBarring a second referendum that ness to fully integrate itself into the will reverse Brexit, the UK will Union. leave the EU on October 31 this The UK put forward a number year. That event will be the logiof reasons for its unwillingness to cal extension of an event that took have the pound sterling replaced by place two decades ago.

Are we ready for fireworks?

IF THERE is anyone that should be held accountable for China’s incursion into the Philippines’ territorial waters and exclusive economic zone (EEZ), it should be Noynoy Aquino and the four presidents that preceded him.

In the wake of the Vietnam War, President Marcos issued Presidential Decree 1596, declaring the Spratly Islands as Philippine territory and renamed it Kalayaan Islands.

In 1988, the UNESCO Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission awarded the People’s Republic of China and secured the permit to build at least five “observation posts” in the region, including the Spratly islands.

So, it was in fact the United Nations agency that paved the way for China's expansion in the region.

Cory Aquino and the presidents that followed did not lift a finger as China built more posts throughout the 1990s in the Paracels, Fiery Cross Reef, Mischief Reef and the Spratlys.

It was during the first three years of Noynoy Aquino’s administration that China actually invaded Scarborough Shoal, and started its building spree.

Natulog sa pansitan si PNoy, and all he could do is rename the Philippine’s EEZ as “West Philippine Sea.” Now, the Yellows want to do a fast one on President Duterte, crying out for his impeachment for stating he would allow China to fish in the Philippine EEZ. Jailbird Leila de Lima called for the President’s impeachment, parroting Supreme Court Associate Justice Antonio Carpio that allowing China to fish in the Philippines’ EEC is “unconstitutional.”

Who’s not surprised at hearing them Yellows cry for Manong Digong’s ouster each time he farts or blows his nose?

At least one of the five million Kapa Ministry members has a better justification in pressing for the President’s impeachment which is depriving them

to be willing victims of the alleged investment scam.

Anyway, the presidential spokesman goes on to clarify that what the President meant was that it is up to China to stop its fishermen from entering our territorial waters should it want to honor our friendship.

Whether or not the President was “lost in translation,” it all boils down to one thing: If the Chinese fishermen keep intruding into our EEZ, what do you suppose we do? Are we ready for some fireworks?

Unlike Noynoy who repeatedly met Chinese President Xi Jinping and then resorted to backstabbing each time, Manong Digong has been keeping things civil and diplomatic between Manila and Beijing.

Note that every time Aquino ran his mouth back then, China simply creeped into the WPS, building even more artificial islets.

If Aquino’s whipping boy Mar Roxas had won in 2016 instead of Manong Digong, one can almost imagine China taking over all of Palawan just because of the Yellows’ provocations.

Verbally attacking Beijing didn’t work then and it will not work now, especially after we discovered that our supposed “allies” have been making us the dumping ground for their unrecyclable trash for many years.

Invoking the Mutual Defense Treaty with the U.S. will take actual military aggression on the part of China so, at this point, Foreign Affairs Secretary Teddy Boy Locsin was right in saying that this predicament is ours alone to deal with.

No one can question Manong Digong’s love of country and the Filipino people.

Three years into his administration marked by significant changes in the country, who has not gotten used to Manong Digong’s figurative language? At any instance this Bisaya man does not come across well or anyone loses him in translation, one must realize that this warrior leader that I personally know is actually buying us time for the inevitable.

Those few Yellows out there should be careful of what they wish for.

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News

TUESDAY, JULY 2, 2019

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

IN BRIEF Solid Wine Marketing denies fake products FOLLOWING the raid of its wine shop in Binondo last April 8, Solid Wine Marketing now seeks to suppress the 153 wine bottles obtained by the operatives of the National Bureau of Investigation as evidence for the criminal offense called unfair competition under Sec. 168 of R.A. 8293 (Intellectual Property Code).

In its Motion to Quash Search Warrant, Solid Wine Marketing refutes having committed the offense by saying the products it offers to sell are not sourced from the exclusive distributor Artisan Cellars and Find Foods Inc., but obtained from ‘another source.’

This defense is also known as through parallel importation.

Parallel importation occurs when unauthorized goods which are authorized by the trademark holder to be sold only in specific territories abroad are imported without the trademark holder’s authorization, into market where they are not authorized to distribute or where another exclusive and authorized distributor is already operating as in the case of Artisan Cellars in the Philippines.

This commercial offense creates the so called gray markets which kills legitimate business as the products are brought in illegally and sold at usually lower and predatory prices resulting to a manipulative and anticompetitive price discrimination of genuine wine distributors like Artisan Cellars.

COA tells LWUA: Return P121.58m T

By Rio N. Araja

HE Commission on Audit has flagged the Local Water Utilities Administration to return at least unused P121.58 million allocated for the potable water supply project to the Department of Health.

State auditors warned that LWUA’s failure to return the money would violate COA Circular No. 94-013 stating “the implementing agency shall return to the source agency any unused balance upon completion of the project.”

In a 2018 annual audit report, COA said of the P121-million unused budget,

P23.3 million came from the excess funds of 37 completed water district projects and P98.27 million came from 14 water district projects that were not completed or non-operational.

It added LWUA disbursed excessive funds of P8.687 million to seven water districts.

Moreover, the commission called the attention of LWUA when it failed to secure final liquidation reports and credit notices from its regional offices in violation of Item 6 of the DOH-LWUADepartment of Budget and Management’s supplemental agreement.

LWUA was also questioned for a P59.469-million unauthorized reallocation of P59.469-million fund for a potable water supply project with the consent and approval of DBM and DOH. “We recommended that management request a post-facto approval from DBM and DOH for realignment of funds, reprogramming of beneficiaries

Over 2m traveled via Clark in 1st sem.

By Joel E. Zurbano

VACC claims it has evidence vs. De Lima THE Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption says it has strong evidence against detained Senator Leila M. de Lima linking the former Justice secretary to illegal drug trade inside the National Bilibid Prison.

According to VACC Legal Chief Ferdinand Topacio, the detained senator conspired with Ronnie P. Dayan, an employe of the Department of Justice detailed as driver and bodyguard of De Lima to commit illegal drug trade inside the NBP where she collected P5 million in cash.

Based on the charge sheet submitted by the VACC, Dayan willfully agreed with De Lima to traffick dangerous drugs inside the prison on Nov. 24, 2012 where they were able to collect P5 million from illegal drug proceeds.

Former National Bureau of Investigation agent Jovencio Ablen Jr. claimed he saw the delivery of bags of money to De Lima’s house in Parañaque.

Citing the information charge sheet, Topacio said in a statement that former Bureau of Corrections officer-in-charge Rafael Ragos also conspired with De Lima when he delivered the “quota” or money to the senator.

GARBAGE GALORE. Children, off school after some cities in the metropolis declared Monday the suspension of classes due to expected heavy rains from tropical depression ‘Egay,’ play among debris and trash washed ashore in Manila’s Tondo shoreline. Norman Cruz

Party-list seeks Congress’ relief vs. prov’l bus ban on EDSA

By Maricel V. Cruz THE Ang Probinsyano Party-list has filed a resolution urging the Department of Transportation, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board, the Metro Manila Council and the Metro Manila Development Authority to suspend the proposed ban on provincial bus terminals along EDSA. While commending the transport agencies for trying to find a solution, Representatives Alfred Delos Santos and Ronnie Ong of Ang Probinsyano Party-list said the provincial bus ban was unnecessary.

Instead, they suggested that the government adopt “non-oppresive and less intrusive solutions that will improve the

and excess disbursements of 8.687 million for the seven water district projects and return the unutilized P121.583 million to DOH and/or request for realignment to other projects if warranted,” the commission’s report read.

As far as the LWUA is concerned, its management said savings came from the implementation of different projects, adding the savings was used for completion of implemented projects with sufficient fund and fund for new programs the water districts’ request.

It blamed the water districts for failure to submit liquidation reports about their implemented projects.

traffic condition along EDSA without unduly burdening millions of probinsyanos from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.”

Delos Santos and Ong said in the resolution that provincial bus ban was unconstitutional because the MMC and the MMDA “has no police power, much less legislative power, to prohibit or revoke the issuance of business permits to public utility bus terminals.”

Similarly, they said the plan was “utterly oppressive, unfair” and will result in added burden to ordinary Filipinos such as increase in cost and travel time and the inaccessibility of the proposed terminals.

“Banning provincial buses will have negligible effect on the traffic situation in EDSA since they only comprise a small

percentage of the total vehicular traffic,” the resolution said.

Delos Santos and Ong said that instead of rushing the implementation of the provincial bus ban, concerned government agencies should further consult all stakeholders and conduct more scientific and objective study on the real cause of traffic along EDSA. “The House of Representatives has the power to provide a venue where it can oversee the implementation of the plan, gather all concerned government agencies and stakeholders, continue the consultations and exchange of ideas, thresh out issues and recommend solutions, promote the welfare of all affected commuters and hear the sentiments especially

of the probinsyanos through their dulyelected representatives,” the solons said.

Delos Santos and Ong added that instead of giving additional burden to the commuting “probinsyanos,” the government should first address various issues besetting Metro Manila transport sector.

These problems include the delayed route rationalization of EDSA, the overlapping and conflicting functions of transport agencies; staffing and technical training concerns of the personnel of the DOTr, LTFRB, MMDA and other law enforcement agencies; delayed implementation of mass transport projects such as railways and bus rapid systems; and the delayed formulation and implementation of a people-oriented and sustainable national transportation plan.

Senior citizens bill sent to Malacañang THE House of Representatives is now awaiting the approval and signature of President Rodrigo Duterte on the proposed “National Commission of Senior Citizens Act” which the chamber transmitted to Malacañang last Wednesday.

The Senate last May 20 adopted House Bill 8837 as an amendment to Senate Bill 2159. Both bills seek to create the National Commission of Senior Citizens, provide for its functions, abolish the National Coordinating Council and Monitoring Board, amending for the purpose Republic Act 7432, as amended, and appropriate funds therefor.

House Acting Secretary-General Dante Roberto Maling last June 19 transmitted to the Senate the enrolled copies of the consolidated HB 8837 and SB 2159, for the signature of Senate President Vicente C. Sotto III and Senate Secretary lawyer Myra Marie Villarica.

Then on June 25, the signed enrolled copies

of the consolidated bills were sent by the Senate to the House through a letter addressed to former Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

House Bill 8837 or the proposed “National Commission of Senior Citizens Act” is authored

by Rep. Francisco Datol Jr. of Senior Citizen; while Senate Bill 2159 is authored by Senators Paolo Benigno Aquino IV, Sonny Angara, Antonio Trillanes IV, Leila de Lima and Senate President Vicente Sotto III. House Bill 8837 declares it is the policy of the State to adopt measures whereby the country’s senior citizens are assisted and appreciated by the community as a whole, provide services and activities beneficial to senior citizens, their families and the communities they serve, and establish community-based health and rehabilitation, educational and socioeconomic programs for all senior citizens. Maricel V. Cruz

MORE than two-million passengers traveled via Clark International Airport the airport’s highest number in passenger traffic in just six months, airport authorities said Monday.

The airport tallied a total of 2,104,226 passengers from January to June from both international and domestic flights.

“CIAC is able to sustain the surge in passenger numbers largely because of the marketability of Clark Airport and the civil aviation complex and because President Duterte willed it, the national government pushed for it, and Transportation Secretary Art Tugade guided us through,” said Jaime Melo, president of CIAC in a statement.

The figure is a 63 percent increase from the same period last year, and so far the highest in the mid-year number of travelers for the airport’s 24-year history.

Meanwhile, Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade commended the Manila International Airport Authority after the country’s premier gateway was tagged as one of the fastest Asia Pacific airports to exit from.

In a survey released by Blacklane, a global chauffeur and airport concierge service, the Ninoy Aquino International Airport listed No. 7 place as fastest APAC airport to exit for international arrivals, taking an average of 37 minutes to exit.

This covers the total time for travelers to exit the aircraft, gather their luggage, secure clearance in immigration and customs, and walk to their vehicles. Shanghai ranked first in the APAC category.

Some of the important factors cited for the short exit time are the smaller size of aircraft and airport terminals.

Also considered was the substantial deployment of airport employees to accommodate passengers, as well as new technology such as e-gates that speed up travelers’ exit.

Tugade praised MIAA general manager Eddie Monreal for the international citation.

“I congratulate the MIAA for this achievement. This is evidence that the management of the country’s main gateway is geared towards enhancing the comfort and convenience of the air-riding public, as aspired for by no less than President Rodrigo Duterte himself,” Tugade said.

Monreal, for his part, thanked the continued guidance of Tugade, whom the airport chief called the “driving force” behind the triumphs of MIAA and the agency in general in the past three years.

“Sec. Art’s vision and passion for work are like no other, and we are thankful to have him at the helm,” Monreal said.

“I share this cordial review with all airport agencies, public and private, whose mandates are to ensure a pleasant and hassle-free airport experience for travelers. Collaboration is the key to a healthy and effective support system in NAIA,” the airport chief added.

In Clark, the highest count in one month was recorded last May with 395,847 passengers.

Immigration agents intercept South Korean fugitive

By Vito Barcelo A SOUTH Korean fugitive wanted for economic crimes in his country was intercepted by immigration officers upon his arrival at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, airport officials said Monday.

The Korean, identified as Chung Chan Ik, was immediately excluded hours after he arrived at the NAIA 3 terminal aboard a Cebu Pacific flight from Tokyo, Japan.

BI Port Operations chief Grifton Medina said Chung, who was recently convicted of high tech and intellectual property crimes by the Seoul Central District Prosecutor’s Office in Korea, was intercepted by BI men upon seeing that his name has a hit in their derogatory database.

“It appears that he fled to Japan after he was convicted and intended to hide in the Philippines afterwards,” Medina said.

According to lawyer Rommel Tacorda, head of BI’s border control and intelligence unit, Chung was

apprehended as he is the subject of a red notice from Interpol that was issued only last June 18.

Tacorda said Chung was found guilty of uttering false information in a public document regarding the activities of his corporation and for causing the said information to be stored in the Korean government’s commercial registration information system.

“His offenses ranged from embezzlement and breach of trust in the conduct of business and falsifying information in a public document,” Tacorda added.

Sports

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TUESDAY, JULY 2, 2019 sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

Australia PM backs Queensland ‘32 Olympic bid

F2 Logistics faces Cignal, stakes clean PSL record Games Today

(Cadiz City Arena) 4:15 p.m. -- Sta. Lucia vs Generika-Ayala 7:00 p.m. -- Cignal vs F2 Logistics

CADIZ CITY—Unbeaten F2 Logistics stakes its immaculate card when it battles dangerous Cignal in the Philippine Superliga All-Filipino Conference Tuesday at the Cadiz City Arena in this bustling city north of Bacolod City.

Action fires off at 7 p.m. with the Cargo Movers looking to sustain their fiery form against the HD Spikers, who are eager to bounce back after absorbing their first setback in this prestigious women’s club tourney bankrolled by Team Rebel Sports, SOGO, Eurotel, PCSO, Cocolife, UCPB Gen, Mueller, Senoh, Asics, Bizooku and One Sport.

Meanwhile, also shooting for their third win is Generika-Ayala, which clashes with listless Sta. Lucia in the first game at 4:15 p.m.

After securing the services of FilipinoAmerican spiker Kalei Mau, the Cargo Movers were unstoppable as they clinched their first four matches in this tourney that also has ESPN5 and Kapatid TV5 as broadcast partners.

Mau, the former Arizona star who joined the Cargo Movers following the disbandment of United VC, erupted for 21 attacks and two blocks in their 2521, 17-25, 27-25, 25-19 creaming of bitter rival Petron last week.

“Kalei is really a huge addition for us as we finally have a go-to-guy in crunch time,” said F2 Logistics coach Ramil de Jesus, who is also drawing inspired performance from the support crew of Ara Galang, Aby Marano, Michelle Cobb and Dawn Macandili.

“But she still has more to learn, especially in choosing when to attack. She’s more of a power attacker and attacking smartly and wisely is something we can teach along the way.”

But plucking their fifth straight win will never be easy.

The HD Spikers also re-tooled their roster and added May Luna and Norielle Ipac, two of de Jesus’ vital cogs at De La Salle University, as well as Alohi Robins-Hardy, who played with Mau at United VC. Aside from Luna, Ipac and RobinsHardy, the HD Spikers also have major weapons in veterans Rachel Anne Daquis and Jovelyn Gonzaga together with mainstays Jheck Dionela, Janine Marciano, Janine Navarro and national team member Mylene Paat.

The HD Spikers made instant impact in their first two matches, but ran out of steam against the seasoned Petron squad in their recent battle, 20-25, 2518, 16-25, 25-16, 14-16.

“We fell short,” said Cignal coach Edgar Barroga, vowing that they will do everything to bounce back against the Cargo Movers.

“But the battle is still far from over.

We can still bounce back against F2 Logistics. We have to double our effort because we know that they are a very talented team.”

PSA Forum discusses Ancajas tiff REIGNING International Boxing Federation super-flyweight champion Jerwin Ancajas serves as the special guest in Tuesday’s session of the Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum at the Amelie Hotel-Manila.

Ancajas will be accompanied by trainer-manager Joven Jimenez as he makes an update about the next defense of his 115-lbs title.

The native of Panabo, Davao del Norte retained his crown last May following a seventh-round knockout of Ryuichi Funai in Stockton, California.

Joining the IBF champion in the session presented by San Miguel Corp., Braska Restaurant, Amelie Hotel, and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation are officials and members of the Philippine Floorball Clubs Association.

President Ralph Ramos will lead the guests from the floorball federation along with coach Noel Alm Johansson, player Ryan Hallden, and team manager Peter Eriksson.

NCAA LAUNCHED. Ten National Collegiate Athletic Association Season 95 senior basketball coaches join hands (from left) Boyet Fernandez of San Beda University, Ruan Alcantara of Mapua, Edgar Macaraya of San Sebastian College, Frankie Lim of Perpetual Help Altas, Cholo Martin of Arellano University, Bonnie Tan of Lyceum of the Philippines University, Tyrone Tang of College of St. Benilde, Oliver Bunyi of Emilio Aguinaldo College, Louie Gonzales and Topex Robinson also of LPU during a press conference Monday at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City. The NCAA opens on July 7 at the MoA Arena. Dennis Abrina

Djokovic, Osaka share Wimbledon center stage L

ONDON—Defending champion Novak Djokovic shares centre stage on Centre Court with Naomi Osaka on Monday as Wimbledon gets underway.

Top seed and world number one Djokovic is seeking a fifth Wimbledon and 16th major as the Serb attempts to bounce back from his shattering Roland Garros exit.

His five-set semi-final loss to Dominic Thiem ended his hopes of becoming just the second man in history to hold all four majors at the same time on two occasions.

On Monday, he opens proceedings on Centre Court against German veteran Philipp Kohlschreiber.

It will be their third meeting in 2019 -- 35-year-old Kohlschreiber winning at Indian Wells before Djokovic triumphed at Monte Carlo and Rome.

“I am fine-tuning. I’m working on my movement. I’m working on the right bal-

ance on the court, trying to execute the shots, take short balls, come in,” said Djokovic, who was also Wimbledon champion in 2011, 2014 and 2015.

Japanese second seed Osaka, the US and Australian Open winner, lost her world top ranking to Roland Garros champion Ashleigh Barty recently.

However, the 21-year-old was not too upset by the new order after complaining in Paris that she was suffering from stress and headaches as she exited in the third round.

Osaka could be facing another stressful afternoon on Monday when she starts her campaign against Yulia Putintseva who has a 2-0 career hold over the Japanese.

One of those wins came on grass in Birmingham less than two weeks ago.

Osaka has yet to get past the third round at Wimbledon although her two previous visits saw defeats to 2018 champion Angelique Kerber and fivetime champion Venus Williams.

Venus, now 39, first played at the All England Club in 1997.

Her opponent on Court One on Monday, 15-year-old compatriot Cori Gauff was still seven years away from being born.

Gauff is the youngest player ever to have qualified for Wimbledon and comes into the tournament ranked at 313 in the world.

She needed a wild card to play in qualifying while juggling her high school tests in the evening.

“She’s an exciting young player, and she’s so cool,” said Venus’s sister Serena of Gauff. AFP

AUSTRALIA—Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison has thrown his support behind a potential bid by Queensland state to host the 2032 Olympics, saying the government “will be there every step of the way”.

The state capital Brisbane has been mulling whether it can justify the expense of hosting such a major event, and has carried out feasibility studies which impressed IOC chief Thomas Bach when he visited the city in May. Morrison said he supported a bid after meeting Bach and Australian Olympic Committee president John Coates following the G20 summit in Osaka.

“A Brisbane Olympics has the potential to be a game-changer for southeast Queensland and my government will be there every step of the way,” he told reporters in Japan late Sunday.

“Just like in Sydney (which hosted the 2000 Olympics), a Queensland Olympics, led by Brisbane, would be an economic and job boom and would show off the entire state to the world,” he added.

With the next two Olympics in Europe and North America, the 2032 showpiece is expected to take place in the Asia-Pacific region.

So far Jakarta, which hosted the last Asian Games, has applied and Mumbai has expressed interest, while the IOC has also suggested a joint bid by the two Koreas.

During his recent visit to Australia, Bach said it was encouraging to see the interest given that 2024-host Paris and Los Angeles in 2028 were selected unopposed.

A healthy slate of candidates for 2032 is seen as necessary to restore faith in the process.

Coates said in a statement Monday that Bach was open to the Games being hosted in several cities or regions, as opposed to just Brisbane.

“We have significant existing sports infrastructure across multiple locations in southeast Queensland,” he said. AFP

FC Bayern legend conducts clinic with Tuloy Foundation kids

By Paul David L. Gelario FORMER FC Bayern Munich legend Giovane Elber conducted a football clinic with the Tuloy Foundation kids at the Tuloy Sa Don Bosco, Alabang in Muntinlupa last Saturday.

A total of 27 aspiring football players, from ages 15 to 18, participated in the clinic, with Elber, together with Allianz PNB, aiming to instill the passion of football for the aspiring football players.

The clinic began with dribbling skills’ training, where Elber showed off his professional skills which brought “oohs” and “aahs” from the kids. This was followed by an exhibition match.

At the start of the exhibition game, he demonstrated his blinding fast dribbling skills and managed to slice through the kids’ defenses with ease, but never attempted to shoot for a goal.

After the exhibition match, his parting advice to the kids was to always demonstrate teamwork, citing football legends such as Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Mes-

si as examples, and the deep playoff runs of Croatia and France.

“Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo can help any team, but if you see Croatia and France, they did well in the World Cup because of teamwork,” Elber said. “If you play as a team, you will win.”

For aspiring young Filipino football players, he advised them to never neglect their education.

“To train to become a footballer you cannot forget about school. School has to come first,” he said.

After the clinic, he chose the best offensive and best defensive players in the match consisting of two boys and two girls.

He was also set to attend the third Allianz National Youth Futsal Invitational on Sunday in Calamba, Laguna where he was scheduled to award the Luzon representatives of the Allianz Explorer Camp to be held in Singapore and Munich in August.

During his FC Bayern Munich stint, he scored a total of 150 goals in 266 games.

He also had four Bundesliga titles and a Champions’ League trophy under his belt.

Former FC Bayern legend, Giovane Elber (left) gives an autograph to one of the Tuloy Foundation kids.

MILO Marathon to center on ‘One Team, One Nation, Go PH’ AN exciting season awaits running aspirants and professionals as leading beverage brand MILO recenlty announced the launch of the 2019 National MILO Marathon.

Building on the anticipation for the Philippine-hosted 30th Southeast Asian Games, this year’s marathon series will center on the theme, “One Team. One Nation. Go Philippines!” in support for the Filipino athletes competing in the prestigious biennial meet.

With its mission to promote nation-build-

ing in sports, MILO continues to champion sports and inspire excellence among Filipino athletes through its grassroots programs including the National MILO Marathon.

“We call on the entire nation to get involved and rally behind our athletes as they compete in our home soil for this significant sporting event,” Lester P. Castillo, MILO Sports Manager. “The SEA Games marks an exciting time for Philippine sports. May this event serve as an inspiration to all our

Shown here are (from left) Robbie De Vera, Consumer Marketing Manager, MILO; Luigi Pumaren, MILO Sports Executive; Edward Kho, Marketing Communications Director, PATAFA; Atty. Agapito Capistrano, Secretary General, PATAFA; Willy De Ocampo, Consumer Marketing Manager, MILO; Lester P. Castillo, MILO Sports Executive; and Coach Rio de la Cruz, RunRio president.

runners to aspire for greatness throughout the season.”

In partnership with the Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association, MILO will send six-time MILO Marathon Queen Mary Joy Tabal and MILO Marathon runner-up Jerald Zabala to the SEA Games and represent the country in the marathon event.

After the unfortunate demise of MILO Marathon King Rafael Poliquit, PATAFA has decided to give the slot to the runner that succeeded Poliquit in the 2018 National Finals. Zabala, who won second place, thereby gets outright slot for the SEA Games. Poliquit still retains his title as the 2018 MILO Marathon King.

“We are deeply saddened by the loss of one of our country’s greatest athletics assets, Rafael Poliquit,” said Castillo. “As a three-time National MILO Marathon King and member of the National Track Team, he has been an inspiration to many. The values that he exemplified on and off the track have inspired countless individuals to persevere and strive for success not just in sports, but also in life.”

Aside from the National MILO Marathon, MILO and PATAFA have worked in tandem in identifying the country’s top talents for the Philippine Athletics Team. PATAFA President, Dr. Philip Ella Juico said, “We are happy

to work alongside MILO in our other events such as the Philippine National Games and the Philippine Athletics Championships. We are hard at work in helping our athletics athletes train for the much-awaited event, and with National MILO Marathon winners, SEA Games Gold medalist Mary Joy Tabal and Jerald Zabala in the roster, we are hopeful in delivering a strong performance ahead.”

National Finals in 2020 The new developments are expected to drive the number of runners in this year’s marathon, with over 150,000 runners projected to join this season.

The race will kick off in July in Metro Manila before shifting to other regional races across the country.

Subic Bay Freeport Zone is added in the list of regional legs, while Davao City returns in the lineup, making the National MILO Marathon accessible to running fans in Central Luzon and Mindanao.

For the first time, the National Finals will take place in January 2020 to make way for the SEA Games in November and December. The City of Tarlac has committed to host this season’s grand finale in celebration of their annual KAISA Festival, the city’s week-long fiesta, to provide a festive and cultural experience for all participating runners.

Sports

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

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TUESDAY, JULY 2, 2019

Kevin Durant (left) and Kyrie Irving (right) are teaming up in Brooklyn in one of the highlights of NBA free agency.

No POC polls anytime soon

By Peter Atencio NO elections for new officials of the Philippine Olympic Committe will happen this week.

Instead, the members of the executive board of the Philippine Olympic Committee will have to apprise the International Olympic Committee and Olympic Council of Asia of their current situation.

James MacLeod, the IOC director for Olympic Solidarity and National Olympic Committee Relations, ordered this in a letter that was sent to the POC Executive Board.

OCA Director and Technical Director Husain Al-Musallam cosigned the letter with MacLeod, dated June 29.

The two officials from the IOC and the OCA said they need to know who has given up their positions from within the POC following the resignation of Ricky Vargas as president last month.

“We sincerely hope that the current situation can be clarified and rectified,” said MacLeod and Al-Musallam in a joint two-page letter that was sent to the Executive Board, which held at a special meeting yesterday at the GSIS offices in Pasay City.

POC legal counsel and acting secretary general Charlie Ho explained that so far, only acting president Joey Romasanta of volleyball, board member Cynthia Carrion of gymnastics and spokesman Clint Aranas of archery have submitted official letters of resignation.

The resignations were submitted to the executive board, after POC Chairman Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino, who heads the national sports association of cycling, made a call for POC officials to quit their post last week, and hold elections on July 5.

“The past few weeks and months have been very turbulent for the NOC in the Philippines. And the IOC and and the OCA has taken notice of what is happening with serious and great concern,” said Ho, who spoke on behalf of the executive board.

The POC, according to the IOC and the OCA, is not to take any more unilateral actions without consultations with the IOC, which are both monitoring events in the country.

IOC and OCA officials also asked the POC to convene an Extraordinary General Assembly to address the current situation.

In that meeting, the General Assembly needs to decide on what vacancies need to be filled up in accordance with the POC constitution and bylaws.

Durant leaves Dubs, joins Kyrie in Brooklyn

L

Durant and Irving were both reported OS ANGELES—Two-time NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Kevin Durant announced Sunday that he will depart the Golden to be targets of the New York Knicks —who were coming off a league-worst State Warriors, his team since 2016, for the Brooklyn Nets.

17-65 season and had cleared salary cap

The 30-year-old star forward made his announcement on social media moments after the start of the NBA’s free agency period, saying he will sign a maximumlevel deal with the Nets.

Durant commands top dollar despite the fact that he suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon in game five of this year’s finals and is expected to miss all of the 2019-20 season.

“Kevin Durant has confirmed he will sign a max deal with the Brooklyn Nets,” said a post on the Instagram and Twitter accounts of The Boardroom, his company-owned sports-business network.

A max deal for Durant would be worth some $164 million over four years. The Warriors could have offered him $221 million over five years to stay.

Under NBA rules, teams cannot sign contracts with players until Saturday, but there was still plenty of action in the opening hours of the free agency period.

Multiple US media outlets reported that Boston Celtics playmaker Kyrie Irving would be joining Durant in Brooklyn on a four-year deal worth $141 million.

It could give the Nets a formidable duo once Durant returns from an upcoming year of rehabilitation, provided Durant can regain the form that helped power the Warriors to the 2017 and 2018 NBA crowns.

It was in 2016 at the start of the free agency period when the Warriors, who had just been beaten by Cleveland in the NBA Finals, went to Durant and asked him to join them after the star forward opted to leave Oklahoma City.

Durant had the Warriors looking like champions again this year before a right calf injury sidelined him. Durant missed nine games before returning in game five of the NBA Finals against Toronto. He scored 11 points in 12 minutes before suffering the ruptured tendon that required surgery two days later.

space to sign proven talent to join their inexperienced squad.

The Knicks—reportedly unwilling to offer Durant a maximum deal because of his injury—were reported to have instead agreed to terms with Julius Randle and Taj Gibson.

Randle, 24, averaged 21.4 points, 8.7 rebounds and 3.1 assists in 73 games with the New Orleans Pelicans last season. Gibson, 34, averaged 10.8 points and 6.5 rebounds in 70 games with the Minnesota Timberwolves.

With Irving headed out of Boston, the Celtics were poised to welcome point guard Kemba Walker—a three-time AllStar who is coming off one of the best seasons of his career for the Charlotte Hornets with averages of 25.6 points, 5.9 assists and 4.4 rebounds.

While the Warriors are saying goodbye to Durant, three-point sharpshooter Klay Thompson was expected to reach terms quickly on a five-year deal worth $190 million to stay with the club. AFP

IOC sets 2 guidelines to put POC back on track THE International Olympic Committee has placed a special concern on the ongoing leadership wrangling in the Philippine Olympic Committee, but its call for an orderly election would set back the country’s preparation for the 30th Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games) further.

Already reeling from delays after the Phisgoc Foundation, led by Taguig Cong. Alan Peter Cayetano took over the SEA Games buildup from the original Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee formed solely for it, the IOC order for a new election would push the preparations for another two months.

The call for new polls was an offshoot of Victorico Vargas’ resignation as POC President after his name was dragged into the formation of the Phisgoc Foundation, which the POC Board does not recognize.

Vargas led the incorporation of the Phisgoc Foundation and made Cayetano its chairman.

The IOC’s Director for NOC (National Olympic Committee) Relations James Macleod and OCA (Olympic Council of Asia) director general Husain Al-Musallam, however, issued two guidelines to help the POC get back on its feet after Vargas’ resignation.

The two ranking IOC officials declared all resignations during the extraordinary general assembly on June 25 as invalid without the official resignation letters from those who quit.

Only Vargas submitted an official resignation letter.

POC Chairman Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino has yet to submit his resignation, although he had declared himself a candidate for the POC presidency. Tolentino is a part of the Phisgoc Foundation.

The IOC also instructed the POC board, which is presently still led by acting President Joey Romasanta, to call for another extraordinary general assembly for the elections.

The IOC and OCA will send representatives to ensure the orderly conduct of the elections.

But it will take two months before these issues get settled, and by then only three months would be left for the SEA Games buildup.

AMA sweeps Taiwan Excellence 3x3 cagefest ATHLETIC prowess and technological innovation were on full display as 768 young athletes competed for court supremacy at the Taiwan Excellence 3x3 Hoop Challenge over the weekend at the SM Megamall Event Center in Mandaluyong City.

Taiwan Excellence, an award-giving body that recognizes only the best Taiwanese brands and products, mounted the tournament anew to find the newest batch of Filipino talents.

This year’s tournament also featured ‘Band of Brothers’ Kobe Paras of UP Fighting Maroons and Andre Paras of Imus Bandera as the new tournament ambassadors.

“We want this to be an avenue to inspire young Filipinos to always strive to reach their very best, in the same way Taiwan Excellence pushes its brands to always innovative and upgrade,” said Chun Tse Wu, director of the Strategic Marketing Department of Taiwan External Trade Center.

After rigorous qualifying rounds, the 192 teams competing in two age divisions

—19-under and Open—were trimmed down to the top eight. The top teams then faced off against each other, with AMA University pulling off a sweep.

Annie’s Way-AMA 1, composed of Zheanriz Romero, Earl Bryan Ceniza, Joshua Villamor, and Josh Reymond Colina, won the 19-under crown, while Annie’s Way-AMA 2 made up of Joshua Sabile, Christian Germino, and Alec Catorce, claimed the Open crown.

Apart from the fiery competition, the event also showcased an array of awardwinning products from Taiwanese brands.

“The products from Taiwan Excellence are made to comply with our strictest standards, making sure they elevate the quality of life of every consumer worldwide,” said Wu. A total of 11 brands exhibited some of their best products. Spread across the Taiwan Excellence Experience Zone, Filipinos were able to get up close and personal with the brands and products.

For the tech-savvy Filipinos and e-sports aficionados, ZYXEL showcased the Multy U which provides seam-

Brothers Kobe and Andre Paras are shown with Annie’s Way-AMA University players Joshua Sabile, Christian Germino and Alec Catorce during the awarding ceremony.

less home WIFI connection. INWIN also displayed powerful gadgets that proved why they are at the top of their game.

Sports brands also did not disappoint. HAPPY ISLAND showed off its water-proof music player for swimmers. JOHNSON FITNESS offered several fitness machines that adapt to everyone’s lifestyle.

As for those always on-the-go, KYMCO and their tough motorcycles were on display as well as urban-ready foldable bicycles of TERN. “Moving around the busy Metro is now more rewarding with the bikes from Tern,” said Kobe, who will play his rookie year as a UP Maroon in the UAAP Season 83.

Blu Girls to join USA softball tourney Cebuana Lhuillier President and CEO and ASAPHIL President, Jean Henri Lhuillier gives a pep talk to the Blu Girls before one of their games.

FOLLOWING their strong performance in the recent Asia Cup Women’s Softball Championship in Jakarta, the Cebuana Lhuillierbacked PH Blu Girls will now fly to Georgia, USA to compete in the USA Softball International Cup at the South Commons Softball Complex in Columbus, Georgia.

The Blu Girls, ranked 13th in the world, will face world no. 8 China in their first game.

“This tournament is an avenue for the Blu Girls to gauge their strengths and weaknesses in preparation for the qualifying tourna-

ment for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics in September since the teams they will be playing against are part of the top teams in Asia and Oceania.

I am very confident that the girls will prove their mettle against their competitors and more than that, bring glory to our country,” said ASAPHIL President and Cebuana Lhuillier President and CEO, Jean Henri Lhuillier.

Lhuillier also added that this tournament will be helpful in determining who will be joining the final team playing at the qualifying tournament.

The Blu Girls will also face USA’s Women’s National Team on the same day.

Other teams participating in the softball tilt are USA’s U-19 Women’s National Team, World no. 2 Japan, no. 4 Puerto Rico, no. 5 Mexico, no.6 Chinese Taipei, no. 20 Peru and the Scrap Yard Fast Pitch.

The Blu Girls’ campaign is supported by the Amateur Softball Association of the Philippines and Cebuana Lhuillier, led by its President and CEO, Jean Henri Lhuillier, a long-time softball patron.

IN BRIEF DTI: New incentives may raise revenues

THE Department of Trade and Industry may generate as much as P40 billion in additional government revenues from economic locators if a longer transition of 10 years and a preferential tax rate of 8 percent of gross income earned annually are allowed.

Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez said the department was constantly seeking measures to help the Philippine Economic Zone Authority keep its locators, who might transfer operations once the incentive regime became less attractive.

“Either through transition or higher GIE could be way out, it can generate more revenue. The bottom line is that it has to be revenue neutral. To me, the bigger part is the 30 percent to 20 percent reduction in CIT (corporate income tax). It has to be revenue neutral in the sense that there has to be at least an extra revenue either saved or gained in the move. Making it time bound will have the impact in the longer term,” he said Monday at the sidelines of a forum held at the Philippine International Convention Center.

Othel V. Campos

Business

LANDBANK depends on partnerships, tech AS IT pushes forward with its aggressive thrust to promote greater financial inclusion, Land Bank of the Philippines is banking on partnerships and technology to bring financial services closer to more Filipinos.

“It has always been a priority for LANDBANK to expand in areas not served by other commercial banks in order to reach more Filipinos. This is why we continue to complement our growing physical network with solid partnerships and technology-driven strategies to deliver banking products and services to unbanked and underserved areas,” said LANDBANK president and chief executive officer Cecilia Borromeo.

One such initiative is the Point-of-Sale (POS) Cash Out, which extends the functions of a bank branch to various cashout partner institutions by allowing peso withdrawal transactions from certified POS terminals.

As of May this year, nearly 400 POS Cash Out terminals have been installed in 234 partner-merchants of LANDBANKwith a total of 423,246 transactions amounting to P2.1 billion.

More economic liberalization rules seen to quadruple investments in PH ECONOMIC Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia expects foreign direct investments to triple or quadruple annually once the existing investment rules and regulations are further liberalized.

Pernia said the existing “restrictive” investment environment in the country had been driving away foreign investors, who preferred more open investment sites in the region.

“The Philippines is one of the more restrictive in terms of foreign investments.... So there is a need to pass into law more key reforms that will attract more investments such as the Foreign Investment Act, Retail Trade Act and Public Service Act...,” Pernia said during the 2019 Pre-Sona Economic and Infrastructure Forum at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City.

“If these are passed into laws, we see a triple or even quadruple increase in foreign direct investments,” Pernia said.

Republic Act No. 7042 as amended

by RA 8179, also known as the Foreign Investments Act of 1991, is the basic law that governs foreign investments in the Philippines. It is considered a landmark law because it liberalized the entry of foreign investments into the country.

Republic Act 8762, or the Retail Trade Liberalization Act, is a law that intends to promote both Filipino and foreign investors to forge efficient and competitive retail trade in the interest of empowering the Filipino consumer through lower prices, higher quality goods, better services and wider choices. Julito G. Rada

business@manilastandard.net extrastory2000@gmail.com TUESDAY, JULY 2, 2019

B1

Govt offering 2,000 MW under green energy tariff program

By Alena Mae S. Flores

Salceda sees more structural reforms

MORE sweeping second wave of structural reforms may be expected in the next three years, powered and backstopped by legislations in both houses of Congress where the administration claims a supermajority.

Albay Rep. Joey Sarte Salceda, the Lower House’s resident economist, said many reform initiatives would be focused on “investments making the Philippines more globally competitive.”

Salceda said the expected reforms, primarily in three tracks—economic, political and social—will become a third pillar of the ‘Dutertenomics,” an economic strategy aimed to attain “a rapid expansion of state capacity both financial and political to thrust the economy on a higher growth trajectory.”

‘Dutertenomics,’ which Salceda coined, aims to “create mass middle class and lift five million families over the poverty hurdle... partly to catch up with the (country’s) fast growing regional peers, but more to break the social dysfunction and increase people’s confidence in the government and the system.”

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

ARTHALAND SHARES. Arthaland Corp. holds a ceremonial bell ringing at the Philippine Stock Exchange after the company raised P1 billion from the issuance of Series C preferred shares. Attending the ceremony are (from left) BDO Capital and Investment Corp. president Eduardo Francisco, Alco director Jaime Enrique González, Alco executive vice president and treasurer Leonardo Arthur Po, Alco vice chairman and president Jaime González, PSE chairman Jose Pardo, PSE president and chief executive Ramon Monzon; PSE director Roberto Cecilio Lim, PSE chief operating officer Roel Refran and PSE director Alejandro Yu.

Alliance Global unveils P410-b capital spending

By Jenniffer B. Austria

A

LLIANCE Global Group Inc., the holding company of tycoon Andrew Tan, unveiled a P410-billion capital spending program for 2020 to 2024 to bankroll the expansion of core businesses.

AGI said in a disclosure to the stock exchange Monday the new five-year capital spending program would exceed the P377-billion capital expenditures for 2015 to 2019, inclusive of this year’s budget of P85 billion.

It is also bigger than the P218billion capex for 2010 to 2014 at a time when AGI forayed into the

international market.

“Our five-year capital spending program signals our ongoing thrust to pursue an aggressive but organic growth strategy for our various businesses. It is our intention to continue to reinvest in these businesses to sustain our growth pace,” AGI chief executive Kevin Tan said.

Roughly 73 percent of the group’s five-year capital spending plan will be allocated for property unit Megaworld Corp.

This will fund the property firm’s new and ongoing township development projects, planned residential launches and continued buildout of offices, lifestyle malls and hotels throughout the country.

A portion of the budget will be allocated for the company’s landbanking strategy to add to its current 4,700 hectares of developable land.

AGI’s gaming arm Travellers International Hotel Group Inc. will account for

another 15 percent of the group’s programmed spending.

This will be used to fund the company’s next integrated resort, Westside City Resorts World, which is situated on a 30.5-hectare property at Pagcor Entertainment City complex in Parañaque.

Golden Arches Development Corp. which holds the exclusive franchise to operate quick service restaurants in the Philippines under the “McDonald’s” brand will get about 5 percent of the group’s capital expenditures.

This will be used to roll out 50 to 60 stores annually for the next five years.

Liquor firm Emperador Inc. will account for 4 percent of the group’s budget to fund largely maintenance spending after its heavy investments since 2014.

Emperador is now pursuing an organic growth strategy by fortifying its global distribution system for its premier whiskey products under Whyte and Mackay and Spanish brandy products under Bodegas Fundador.

THE Energy Department plans to auction about 2,000 megawatts of renewable energy capacity under the proposed Green Energy Tariff Rate Program.

“To encourage RE investors, DoE has already asked NREB [National Renewable Energy Board] to review the concept of giving allocation to renewable energy. DoE will make a green energy tariff rate. We are not giving FIT [feed-in tariff],” Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi said at the sidelines of the 2019 Pre-Sona Economic and Infrastructure Forum at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City on Monday.

He said the tariff would be auctioned among the renewable energy developers, depending on the type of power that their respective projects are capable of delivering.

“We will put a [price] ceiling, then they compete, offer the lowest. [It is] not per technology, but per type of power, whether peaking or midmerit,” Cusi said.

He said any RE project could participate in the new program.

“We will allocate [the 2,000 MW capacity]. [It] depends on the energy type,” Cusi said.

He said the NREB would study the program together with industry players.

“The one who will set the ceiling price, NREB will discuss with the players and come up with the recommendation,” he said.

Cusi said the proposed allocation would form part of the government’s power generation capacity building to meet the country’s growing power demand.

“Of course, renewable... as a baseload...cannot compete with the other technologies, the traditional technologies. We’re giving them an allocation where they will be able to work within the avoided cost,” Cusi said.

PH likely to secure ‘A’ credit rating in next 18 months—Guinigundo

By Julito G. Rada BANGKO Sentral ng Pilipinas Deputy Governor Diwa Guinigundo who retired Monday said he expects the country to secure the most-coveted “A” rating from major credit rating agencies within the next 18 months.

Guinigundo said to achieve this, the government should work hard to address the issues earlier raised by credit rating agencies.

“We need the support of all government agencies to address the issues raised by credit rating agencies,” he said during the Pre-Sona Economic and Infrastructure Forum at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City.

“On when to achieve that? It is an empirical question... but when those issues were addressed, we can get the ‘A’ rating probably in 18 months,” he said.

S&P Global Ratings raised the Philippines’ long-term sovereign credit rating to “BBB+” from “BBB” with a stable outlook on April 30 this year, given the country’s strong economic growth

trajectory, backed by solid government fiscal accounts, low public indebtedness and the economy’s sound external settings.

The upgrade put the Philippines a notch below the “A-” rating. This also put the country at par with Mexico, Peru, Thailand and Trinidad and Tobago. The rating was also higher than the “BBB” ratings of Italy, Portugal, Hungary, Panama and Uruguay.

Meanwhile, Fitch Ratings affirmed the Philippines’ investment grade rating of “BBB” last month, citing the country’s sustainable economic growth and strong external position despite the external and domestic risks that threaten further expansion.

Guinigundo assured the Filipino people that the economy remained strong and resilient despite the risks emanating from both the domestic and external fronts.

Guinigundo, who gave an update on the status of the economy on his very last day in government service, said the economic growth was sustainable.

Corporate governance award. Philex Mining Corp. president and chief executive Eulalio Austin Jr. (right), along with Atty. Michael Toledo, senior vice president for public and regulatory affairs (left), present the Asean Corporate Governance Scorecard award recently bestowed on the company to Manuel Pangilinan, chairman of the board, at the sidelines of the company’s annual general stockholders’ meeting. The award is given to publicly-listed companies that excel in corporate governance.

Four infrastructure projects to remove 300,000 vehicles from Edsa—DPWH

By Darwin G. Amojelar THE completion of four key infrastructure projects in Metro Manila will remove about 300,000 vehicles from Edsa, according to the Public Works Department.

“We need to take out 250,000 to 300,00 cars from Edsa daily in order to revert it back to an acceptable level of traffic,” Public Works Secretary Mark Villar told the participants of the PreSona Economic and Infrastructure Forum at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City.

About 380,000 vehicles use Edsa, the biggest thoroughfare in Metro Manila, daily.

“The Skyway, once it’s completed, will reduce the traffic count by 100,000.

When we finish the Connector Road, that is likely to reduce at least 50,000.

When we finish C6, we will reduce another minimum of 50,000. When we build the Sta. Monica-Lawton Bridge, that will reduce another 50,000,” Villar said.

The Metro Manila Skyway Stage 3 Project is an 18.68-km elevated expressway from Buendia, Makati City to the North Luzon Expressway in Balintawak, Quezon City.

The NLEx-SLEx Connector Road is an 8-km elevated expressway, extending the NLEx southward from the end of Segment 10 in C-3 Road, Caloocan to

PUP Sta. Mesa, and connecting it to the Skyway Stage 3.

Meanwhile, the Southeast Metro Manila Expressway (C6) Project is a proposed 32.6-km toll road that will run from Skyway/FTI in Taguig City to Batasan Complex in Quezon City.

“When all these are finished, we would be able to bring back Edsa to its former state which is acceptable traffic.

Rest assured this dream of Edsa is not a dream. It’s come from a point of inevitability. We will decongest Edsa,” he said.

Villar also assured Filipino motorists about major improvements in the traffic situation in Metro Manila later this year.

“We’ll continue next year up to the point that we finish the project. You can

expect definite by the end of President Duterte’s term, there would be an improvement in traffic especially in Metro Manila,” he said.

A study by Japan International Cooperation Agency updated the daily cost of traffic in Metro Manila at P3.5 billion in 2017, higher than the estimated P2.4 billion based on the previous transport roadmap.

Jica said with the estimated 12.8 million population of Metro Manila as of 2015, the cost would amount to P273 for each resident a day, up from P187.5 for each resident in the previous roadmap.

It said that without intervention, the daily cost of traffic would increase to P5.4 billion in the coming years.

B2

Business

TUESDAY, JULY 2, 2019 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Market gains; Ayala Land rises T HE stock market edged higher Monday, joining the rest of Asia after Donald Trump and Xi Jinping agreed to restart trade talks, reviving hopes of an end to their tariff war.

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index rose 44 points, or 0.6 percent, to 8,043.71 on a value turnover of P5.3 billion. Losers edged gainers, 99 to 98, with 57 issues unchanged.

Major property developer Ayala Land Inc. gained 1.8 percent to P51.70, while SM Prime Holdings Inc., the biggest integrated property firm, climbed 2.4 percent to P38.

Century Properties Group Inc. of

Ambassador Jose Antonio advanced 3.3 percent to P0.63, while Robinsons Retail Holdings Inc. of industrialist John Gokongwei added 1.5 percent to P75.10.

The rest of Asian markets surged Monday, while oil prices also rallied on news that Saudi Arabia and Russia will extend their output caps.

Shanghai jumped more than two percent while the Chinese yuan climbed to its strongest level in almost two months.

Soft factory activity data indicated continued weakness in the world’s number two economy, though analysts said the readings could press the central People’s Bank of China to unveil fresh stimulus measures.

Tokyo ended 2.1 percent higher, Singapore rallied 1.4 percent and Taipei was up 1.5 percent, with Sydney, Seoul, Mumbai and Jakarta also higher. Hong Kong was closed for a public holiday.

Seoul was marginally lower, with market heavyweight Samsung Electronics taking a hit from news Japan had imposed restrictions on exports used by South Korea’s chip and smartphone companies in a long-simmering row over the use of forced labor during World War Two. Trump’s historic visit to North Korea, where he met leader Kim Jong Un, soothed geopolitical concerns and added to the upbeat mood on trading floors.

After a highly anticipated meeting on the sidelines of the G20 summit Saturday, the US president said negotiations to resolve the standoff between the world’s two biggest economies were “back on track” and he would hold off imposing threatened new levies on Chinese goods.

Trump also signaled a softer position on Chinese telecom giant Huawei, a major bone of contention in the row,

by saying US companies could sell equipment “where there’s no great national security problem,” White House economic adviser Larry Kudlow said Sunday. China pledged to buy more US agricultural machinery.

While there had been a quiet sense of optimism the talks would end with an agreement to return to the negotiating table, the apparent concession on Huawei took some by surprise and provided some extra buying support.

The news was much-needed after Trump sparked volatility in early May with his shock decision to hit China with new tariffs and halt talks that had seemed to be nearing a positive end.

“After spending the better part of two months in trade war purgatory and with G20 done and dusted, risk markets have responded to Saturday’s events,” said Stephen Innes at Vanguard Markets.

With AFP

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

NAME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

VOLUME

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

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

58 79 2.41 140 1.18 27.45 18.64 11.68 5.01 0.49 72.45 0.97 13.22 49.25 190 115 58 28.1 171.1 1,800 61.25

58.9 79.45 2.41 140.8 1.2 27.9 18.8 11.78 5.14 0.51 72.5 1 13.26 49.9 190.5 115 58 28.1 171.1 1,800 62

58 78.1 2.4 139 1.18 27.4 18.64 11.64 4.89 0.48 71.9 0.96 13.22 49.2 187 115 57.9 27 168.5 1,800 61

58.9 78.75 2.41 139.5 1.2 27.5 18.8 11.68 5 0.5 72 1 13.26 49.7 190 115 57.9 27.1 168.6 1,800 61.7

5,300 1,480,210 28,000 2,250,340 43,000 51,300 28,600 373,000 136,000 1,181,000 1,942,640 448,000 9,800 316,500 1,710 200 610 163,400 155,920 25 25,600

311,900 116,737,280 67,270 314,231,083 50,800 1,410,340 536,398 4,361,506 671,280 574,390 140,326,781 434,470 129,576 15,698,140 324,695 23,000 35,320 4,505,820 26,419,588 45,000 1,581,141.50

120,156 -69,854,814 -85,037,669 3,540 401,780 -169,838 -4,850 -402,952.50 1,243,565 229,945 -34,740 -2,513,290 -803,261 -406,188.50

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

35 14.52 0.86 1.39 0.265 110 2.92 15.02 113 19.3 16.8 42 120.1 143 2.02 5.3 6.06 10.5 15.62 10.92 7.64 1.75 26.8 83.3 63 2.53 13.9 10.06 1.69 282.4 3.46 9.1 25 13.8 19.06 384.2 0.186 1.82 4.54 5.83 9.29 2.55 12.04 38.8 4.92 4.9 1.37 2 1.27 13.52 106.1 6.49 0.133 1.19 167 2.54 1.29 15.9 1.56

35.75 15.04 0.89 1.39 0.275 110 3.05 15.16 113 19.74 17.5 42 162 205 2.04 5.3 6.1 10.52 15.8 11.4 7.65 1.75 27.4 84.1 63.4 2.56 13.94 10.1 1.75 284.6 3.46 9.35 25.25 13.9 19.18 385 0.196 1.88 4.66 5.93 9.29 2.57 12.16 39.15 5.05 4.9 1.38 2 1.27 13.88 107 6.56 0.134 1.2 168.6 2.68 1.29 15.9 1.63

34.85 14.5 0.84 1.36 0.26 110 2.91 15 113 18.88 16.54 42 106.4 135 2.01 5.3 6.06 10.46 15.6 10.92 7.61 1.75 26.6 83 60.5 2.45 13.6 10 1.69 282.2 3.2 9.05 24.6 13.6 19.04 378.6 0.186 1.75 4.5 5.82 9.29 2.34 11.96 38.8 4.92 4.9 1.36 2 1.14 13.52 105 6.48 0.133 1.18 164.1 2.52 1.23 15.9 1.55

35.75 15.04 0.85 1.36 0.26 110 3.02 15.04 113 18.88 17.3 42 130 152.9 2.04 5.3 6.08 10.5 15.8 11.2 7.64 1.75 27 83.05 63.4 2.56 13.7 10.08 1.69 284 3.24 9.35 24.8 13.84 19.1 384.6 0.19 1.8 4.66 5.83 9.29 2.45 12.16 39.15 4.92 4.9 1.38 2 1.19 13.86 107 6.55 0.134 1.2 166 2.68 1.26 15.9 1.63

974,700 1,521,000 7,710,000 134,000 7,880,000 90 17,217,000 1,736,500 10 113,000 6,400 1,000 250,230 73,560 109,000 11,500 48,200 3,897,700 144,800 499,000 2,514,600 1,000 9,739,500 107,830 282,890 3,741,000 951,300 114,600 581,000 258,770 41,000 50,000 362,600 560,900 88,100 60,540 1,070,000 13,693,000 61,000 742,500 10,000 52,481,000 83,400 172,400 8,100 13,000 246,000 1,000 1,367,000 169,100 290,110 77,500 1,730,000 646,000 310,330 51,000 4,539,000 2,300 30,272,000

34,569,005 22,629,570 6,655,630 185,990 2,063,450 9,900 51,690,170 26,112,400 1,130 2,162,170 107,056 42,000 35,300,719 11,895,120 220,480 60,950 293,445 40,927,450 2,260,342 5,596,086 19,210,493 1,750 261,889,040 9,002,741.50 17,459,692.50 9,410,280 13,045,586 1,149,634 986,380 73,428,000 134,410 460,285 9,064,690 7,688,452 1,682,834 23,123,598 201,660 24,826,030 276,020 4,347,758 92,900 127,686,940 1,007,990 6,731,085 39,875 63,700 337,300 2,000 1,595,550 2,327,520 30,606,417 505,567 231,160 769,410 51,344,517 129,660 5,686,310 36,570 48451670

10,557,715 4,953,990 -33,360 6,482,760 472,422 -1,130 -1,930 801,104 60,950 -23,746 3,753,540 1,687,920 -250,840 417,355 135,340 -2,648,374.50 3,231,214 -278,910 10,758,188 183,742 10,200 20,741,952 678,335 2,338,948 -974,086 3,119,724 -204,880 520,102 -92,900.00 652,320 -43,580.00 63,700 11,040 475,154 -4,551,061 -20,545,843 1149220.0001

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

1.09 55 15.44 0.73 6.77 14.2 1.39 1.37 894.5 3.76 6.9 10.32 14.08 3.91 0.247 940 6.4 67.05 5.3 0.49 4.13 15.22 0.67 4.8 2.71 0.042 1.38 175.2 970 0.83 1.38 264.6 0.231 0.33

1.11 55 15.6 0.73 7 14.2 1.39 1.38 902 3.87 6.9 10.4 14.12 3.91 0.247 946 6.44 67.3 5.3 0.51 4.13 15.24 0.67 4.87 2.71 0.042 1.45 176.2 981.5 0.83 1.38 267 0.232 0.33

0.95 53.9 15.38 0.72 6.77 12.8 1.33 1.35 894.5 3.67 6.7 10.24 13.88 3.91 0.246 922 6.4 65.2 5.3 0.49 3.92 15.18 0.63 4.8 2.71 0.04 1.33 174.9 965 0.8 1.36 264.6 0.231 0.32

1 54.75 15.42 0.73 7 12.96 1.35 1.35 902 3.87 6.8 10.3 14 3.91 0.246 922 6.4 67.3 5.3 0.49 3.99 15.2 0.64 4.84 2.71 0.041 1.41 175 981.5 0.82 1.36 267 0.232 0.33

171,282,000 385,790 4,111,300 760,000 84,200 205,400 3,589,000 621,000 235,080 8,739,000 427,500 1,196,800 448,400 1,000 320,000 44,320 107,900 486,790 1,300 196,000 10,915,000 985,700 3,297,000 17,133,000 2,000 19,600,000 2,852,000 350,020 112,940 701,000 24,000 200 1,130,000 5,110,000

174,852,970 21,039,419 63,620,568 554,100 579,134 2,695,892 4,853,520 847,780 211,600,895 33,039,330 2,910,758 12,339,124 6,301,244 3,910 78,900 41,327,035 690,652 32,525,059 6,890 97,490 43,398,380 14,980,272 2,113,010 82,923,800 5,420 816,200 3,985,850 61,265,551 110,370,745 571,500 32,880 53,016 261,450 1,652,850

432,420 -9,489,544.50 -38,330,276 507,811 629,940 -34,539,520 -186,800 -581,615 -4,872,950 -466,044 -22,546,400 -506,900 -1,723,783 50,000 -9,212,800 -1,915,428 29,261,300 -25,200 -1,420 -251,804 56,536,875 -74,050

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

15.6 0.83 11.34 2.06 0.85 50.95 2.33 4.82 6.1 0.62 0.82 0.92 0.237 0.45 9.85 24.55 0.47 0.121 1.88 1.41 6.1 0.345 0.48 1.87 0.405 2.13 46.05 25.85

15.6 0.85 11.34 2.06 0.91 51.7 2.35 5.06 6.11 0.64 0.82 0.97 0.24 0.46 9.87 24.95 0.495 0.121 1.94 1.41 6.2 0.36 0.48 1.87 0.41 2.2 46.05 26.4

15.3 0.81 11.34 1.99 0.85 50.7 2.31 4.77 6.02 0.61 0.81 0.92 0.237 0.445 9.75 24.1 0.47 0.121 1.87 1.36 6.07 0.345 0.46 1.83 0.405 2.1 46 25.85

15.46 0.83 11.34 1.99 0.88 51.7 2.32 5.04 6.08 0.63 0.82 0.95 0.24 0.46 9.84 24.1 0.49 0.121 1.9 1.39 6.17 0.35 0.46 1.85 0.405 2.19 46 26.4

1,954,000 2,430,000 100 132,000 6,904,000 5,484,330 178,000 4,940,000 138,500 108,176,000 82,000 310,000 1,530,000 1,600,000 24,700 544,800 1,580,000 10,000 54,729,000 2,497,000 14,281,900 23,060,000 1,510,000 2,388,000 170,000 1,225,000 500 1,171,600

30,201,896 2,019,820 1,134 264,900 6,148,230 280,346,505.50 413,770 24,607,590 841,957 68,292,930 67,220 291,210 366,410 719,150 242,972 13,266,715 763,200 1,210 104,409,180 3,456,060 87,854,905 8,125,300 694,800 4,414,260 69,050 2,631,520 23,010 30,784,575

-1,077,774 -89,000 27,799,576 -20,840 10,562,230 -73,148 520,170 12,350 -4,925 1,912,615 -72,250 -67,673,090 -672,970 -18,548,208 -864,050 448,280 -40,250 -1,294,480

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

2.25 2.95 37.3 1.96 6.41 0.75 7.13

2.32 3.04 38 1.98 6.41 0.75 7.14

2.21 2.95 37.3 1.88 6.36 0.75 7.1

2.23 2.95 38 1.97 6.4 0.75 7.14

1,170,000 2,083,000 6,111,400 1,015,000 74,100 12,000 2,505,900

2,645,520 6,231,700 231059785 1,971,190 473,333 9,000 17,882,202

-124,290 36312810.0004 95,610 -2,689,819

SERVICES 2GO GROUP ABS CBN APC GROUP APOLLO GLOBAL ASIAN TERMINALS BERJAYA BLOOMBERRY BOULEVARD HLDG CEBU AIR CHELSEA DFNN INC EASYCALL FAR EASTERN U GLOBE TELECOM GMA NETWORK GOLDEN BRIA HARBOR STAR IMPERIAL INTL CONTAINER IPEOPLE IPM HLDG ISLAND INFO ISM COMM JACKSTONES LBC EXPRESS LEISURE AND RES LORENZO SHIPPNG MACROASIA MANILA BULLETIN MANILA JOCKEY METRO RETAIL METROALLIANCE A NOW CORP PACIFIC ONLINE PAL HLDG PAXYS PH RESORTS GRP PHIL RACING 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

11.18 17.16 0.5 0.045 21.5 2.81 11.3 0.056 91 8.41 5.9 10.12 890 2,262 5.37 400.6 2.24 1.9 146 10.1 5.85 0.115 6.95 3.05 14.9 4.09 0.81 19 0.54 3.26 2.54 1.56 2.54 3.12 9.2 3.03 5.31 8.25 140 3.64 1,290 0.8 0.83 45 75.6 9.19 3.43 0.74 0.39 5.48 0.75 16.82

11.18 17.18 0.52 0.048 21.5 2.81 11.38 0.057 91.2 8.68 6.3 10.2 890 2,268 5.4 407.8 2.26 1.9 146.4 10.1 5.9 0.119 6.98 3.07 14.9 4.11 0.83 19.18 0.54 3.26 2.54 1.57 2.72 3.14 9.3 3.03 5.58 8.25 140 3.7 1,295 0.81 0.91 45 75.6 9.2 3.48 0.74 0.405 5.6 0.76 17.2

11.12 17.06 0.485 0.045 21.3 2.73 11.24 0.055 87.5 8.33 5.9 10.06 890 2,224 5.33 400.6 2.22 1.85 143.5 10.1 5.85 0.115 6.8 3.05 14.9 3.79 0.81 18.92 0.51 3.15 2.43 1.54 2.54 3.06 9.1 3.03 5.3 8.25 140 3.58 1,266 0.78 0.83 44.7 74.95 9 3.4 0.72 0.385 5.42 0.72 16.82

11.12 17.06 0.495 0.047 21.3 2.73 11.28 0.057 89 8.64 6.29 10.1 890 2,230 5.33 407.8 2.22 1.86 144.5 10.1 5.9 0.116 6.83 3.05 14.9 3.81 0.83 18.92 0.52 3.15 2.49 1.57 2.69 3.12 9.15 3.03 5.3 8.25 140 3.6 1,272 0.8 0.91 44.8 75.1 9.15 3.45 0.74 0.39 5.49 0.74 16.88

9,700 53,300 3,924,000 60,000,000 2,500 276,000 3,620,300 52,370,000 562,320 4,824,900 7,900 42,100 12,260 44,705 205,600 2,120 947,000 51,000 671,330 1,200 2,400 1,150,000 5,966,300 59,000 600 6,888,000 551,000 288,500 439,000 27,000 5,907,000 64,000 6,381,000 149,000 50,900 5,000 37,000 627,000 620 1,522,000 57,175 2,792,000 91,278,000 180,000 2,461,450 2,195,800 16,223,000 1,621,000 12,560,000 6,705,900 7,523,000 1,302,500

108,024 911,280 1,955,935 2,802,000 53,710 758,670 40,861,700 2,957,840 49988166 41,347,495 49,673 425,298 10,911,400 100,317,700 1,102,923 864,464 2,114,950 95,060 97,015,992 12,120 14,140 133,940 41,126,990 180,090 8,940 26782430 448,820 5,473,042 232,760 86,200 14,660,070 99,310 16,941,980 463,500 465,787 15,150 197,356 5,172,750 86,800 5,516,310 72,822,425 2,225,650 80,523,280 8,063,360 184,822,246.50 19802952 55,380,100 1,185,250 4,914,100 36,780,429 5,524,630 22,207,250

-97,500 -23,500 -53,710 8,100 -4,579,476 13,540 -13307156.5 1,488,930 17,784,340 -26,673,472 23,800 1,258,151 2058729.9999 -40,500 -900,746 81,240 746,600 -244,530 15,555 0 -5,172,750 -37,800 -186,890 24,500,145 701,340 -1,245,410 -3,517,425 18,566,042.50 -18344069.9996 20,728,230 346,590 -21,432,478 4,069,668

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

0.0018 1.24 12.6 1.2 2.78 0.28 7.87 1.51 0.219 0.119 0.12 0.0076 1.03 2.25 0.98 0.54 0.88 0.012 0.012 0.01 4.7 3.6 7.64 23.2 0.0062

0.0018 1.24 12.6 1.2 2.81 0.28 7.91 1.54 0.227 0.12 0.129 0.0076 1.04 2.35 1.02 0.55 0.89 0.013 0.012 0.011 4.7 3.6 7.64 23.7 0.0063

0.0018 1.2 12.6 1.2 2.77 0.28 7.63 1.5 0.218 0.113 0.12 0.0075 1.03 2.24 0.98 0.54 0.86 0.012 0.012 0.01 4.47 3.41 7.35 23.2 0.0062

0.0018 1.23 12.6 1.2 2.78 0.28 7.83 1.53 0.227 0.115 0.12 0.0075 1.04 2.35 1.01 0.55 0.89 0.013 0.012 0.011 4.67 3.5 7.38 23.45 0.0062

9,000,000 4,387,000 200 5,000 222,000 20,000 9,700 7,970,000 610,000 4,000,000 2,440,000 37,000,000 147,000 2,944,000 118,000 30,000 346,000 46,000,000 64,300,000 6,500,000 117,000 860,000 2,428,700 1,201,500 18,000,000

16,200 5,333,610 2,520 6,000 620,050 5,600 75,695 12,159,700 134,300 469,820 292,980 278,400 152,070 6,775,560 119,730 16,420 304,670 553,700 771,600 68,500 526,890 3,002,210 18,049,301 28,118,545 111,800

743,470 756,600 43,800 96,000 44,290 620,030.00 -67,160 -664,077 3,090,070 -

PREFERRED ABS HLDG PDR AC PREF B2 ALCO PREF B ALCO PREF C DD PREF HOUSE PREF A LR PREF PCOR PREF 2A PCOR PREF 2B PCOR PREF 3A PCOR PREF 3B PNX PREF 3A SMC FB PREF 2 SMC PREF 2B SMC PREF 2C SMC PREF 2D SMC PREF 2E SMC PREF 2F SMC PREF 2G SMC PREF 2H SMC PREF 2I

16.84 486 100 100.2 99.95 96.9 0.99 986 993 1,010 1,002 99.9 960.5 75.5 76.5 72.5 73 74.5 74.4 70.5 72.95

16.84 497 100 100.2 99.95 96.9 0.99 995 993 1,010 1,004 99.9 960.5 75.5 76.8 72.5 73 75 74.5 71.05 73

16.8 486 100 100.1 99.5 94 0.99 986 993 1,010 1,002 99.5 960 75.5 76.5 72.5 72 74.5 74.4 70.5 72.95

16.82 497 100 100.1 99.5 94 0.99 995 993 1,010 1,002 99.5 960 75.5 76.8 72.5 73 75 74.5 71.05 73

31,900 60 4,400 1,550 20 540 50,000 550 1,000 7,000 540 12,550 50 20 2,360 3,200 4,970 13,250 1,540 10,010 10,620

536,776 29,270 440,000 155,305 1,994.50 50,818 49,500 543,920 993,000 7,070,000 541,160 1,251,325 48,010 1,510 180,546 232,000 362,310 991,250 114,580 705,710.50 775,235

-452,676 15,300 -111,600 -

WARRANTS LR WARRANT

1.9

1.9

1.86

1.88

523,000

980,320

-131,600

SME ITALPINAS MAKATI FINANCE XURPAS

4.86 2.48 1.17

4.91 2.48 1.21

4.79 2.48 1.13

4.85 2.48 1.17

690,000 1,000 20,275,000

3,324,550 2,480 23,882,320

-10,900

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS FIRST METRO ETF 119.6

120.4

119.4

120.4

7,490

899,017

-

DDS USD DMPL A1 USD TECH B2

10.2 0.99

10.2 0.99

10.2 0.99

6,000 400

61,200 396

-

NAME

MS 10.2 0.99

TRADING SUMMARY FINANCIAL

SHARES

14,073,928

INDUSTRIAL

170,560,652

HOLDING FIRMS

260,488,229

PROPERTY

257,231,289

SERVICES

303,574,020

MINING & OIL

208,713,464

GRAND TOTAL

1,235,617,710

VALUE 1,720.75 (up) 0.67 765,063,517.12 FINANCIAL INDUSTRIAL 11,744.57 (up) 42.82 1,127,897,890.935 HOLDING FIRMS 7,736.73 (up) 33.72 1,115,109,385.18 PROPERTY 4,345.53 (up) 71.76 SERVICES 1,699.73 (down) 11.56 1,200,614,941.28 MINING & OIL 7,656.77 (up) 65.56 996,835,764.35 PSEI 8,043.71 (up) 44.00 77,978,826.076 All Shares Index 4,915.65 (up) 21.87 5,311,618,224.54 Gainers: 98; Losers: 99; Unchanged: 57; Total: 254

Century eyes double-digit growth in profit and revenues

By Jenniffer B. Austria CENTURY Pacific Food Inc. plans to double its net income and revenues over the next five years through organic growth and acquisitions.

CNPF executive chairman Christopher Po said in an interview Monday following the annual stockholders’ meeting the company saw the business growing two times that of the country’s gross domestic product, or about 10 percent to 15 percent annually over the next five years.

The company expects net income this year to grow by double digits with the launching of three new products to the market.

“A growing middle class, urbanization, premiumization and consumer preference for healthier lifestyles are some of the long term trends that have provided tailwinds for us to achieve this and will continue to do so over the next few years,” Po said.

Revenues are expected to grow by double digits this year with the group’s branded food business driving the expansionh.

Po said the company would be more aggressive with product launches after being conservative in the past two years.

“Now the innovation pipeline is reloaded and we are ready, earmarking a number of key product launches this 2019,” Po said.

CNPF in the first half of the year launched two new products in the market—Argentina corned tuna and Birch Tree choco—which have surpassed the group’s expectations. It plans to launch a third new product in the next couple of months.

Po said the new products would fuel the growth of the company and strengthen the overall business over the next couple of years.

The company, meanwhile, is looking for for acquisitions.

“Any food category that is adjacent to our current categories and any product that could capitalize on know-how and expertise is a fair game,” Po said.

Cebu Pacific seeking flights outside Naia

By Darwin G. Amojelar CEBU Pacific on Monday said it plans to mount flights to North Asia and Australia from airports outside Manila amid the congestion at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

“The theme is we should fly direct, avoiding Manila. If we get the Airbus 321 XLR by 2023 and 2024, that gives us possibilities to fly more longer routes, particularly the tourists spots in Visayas and Mindanao connecting to North Asia and Australia” Lance Gokongwei, president of Cebu Air Inc., told reporters on the sidelines of the Pre-SONA Economic and Infrastructure Forum Monday.

Gokongwei said Cebu Pacific planned to fly to Beijing, China from Cebu and Seoul, Korea from Cebu.

Cebu Pacific last month ordered 31 next generation aircraft from Airbus worth $6.8 billion.

The order comprises 16 A330neo and 15 A320neo family aircraft. The aircraft are scheduled for delivery between 2021 and 2026.

Cebu Pacific also ordered 15 A320neo family aircraft, including 10 A321 XLR (Xtra Long Range) and five 194seat A320neo. The increased capacity of the A320neo will result in a 7 percent reduction in cost per seat and lower fuel burn and emissions of as much as 15 percent.

Scheduled to start delivering in 2024, the A321 XLR is designed to have a range of up to 4,000 nautical miles and can potentially fly 220 passengers for up to 11 hours. The new and unique capability gives CEB the opportunity to develop new markets from key cities other than MNL. As the new A320neo enters into service, the older A320ceo aircraft will be subsequently retired.

“Our strategy is to replace our fleet with bigger and more fuel-efficient aircraft to fly more passengers utilizing our existing slots while reducing our environmental footprint per passenger. We will be operating an all Airbus NEO fleet by end-2024 and retiring our older generation jets,” said Gokongwei.

World

B3

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

North Korea hails ‘historic’ summit by Kim, Trump

IN BRIEF Mass protests rock Sudan KHARTOUM-Seven people were killed

Sunday as tens of thousands of Sudanese protesters took to the streets to demand civilian rule in the first mass rally since a bloody crackdown on demonstrators -- a show of street power despite heavy troop deployments by the ruling generals.

The “million-man” march had been seen as a test for protest organizers after their push for civilian rule was hit by the June 3 raid on a Khartoum protest camp and a subsequent internet blackout that curbed their ability to mobilize support.

Dozens of demonstrators were killed and hundreds wounded when armed men in military fatigues stormed the sit-in on June 3 outside army headquarters, shooting and beating protesters who had camped there since April 6.

On Sunday, police fired tear gas on protesters approaching the presidential palace after organizers called for a march on the building that houses offices of the ruling transitional military council, an AFP correspondent reported.

“We call on our revolutionary people in the capital to go to the republican palace... to seek justice for the martyrs and for an unconditional transfer of power to civilians,” the Sudanese Professionals Association that first launched protests against now ousted ruler Omar al-Bashir said on Twitter.

Police also fired tear gas at protesters in the northern Khartoum district of Bahri and in Mamura and Arkweit, in the capital’s east, as thousands of protesters chanted “Civilian rule! Civilian rule!”, witnesses said.

“We’re fed up with the military. For decades this country has been ruled by the military. It didn’t work and it will not work,” said protester Nada Adel, 28.

“Despite what they did at the sit-in, despite the people they killed... the revolution will not die in the hearts of the youth.”

Elsewhere, security forces used tear gas to disperse protests in the capital’s twin city of Omdurman and the eastern town of Gadaref.

Late on Sunday the official SUNA news agency quoting a health ministry official said “seven were killed” in the protests, without elaborating how they died or who they were.

It said that another 181 people were wounded, including 27 with bullets.

Separately 10 members of regular forces were also wounded, including three from the feared paramilitary Rapid Support Forces shot by “live ammunition,” it said.

Earlier a doctors’ committee linked to the protest movement said that five protesters had been killed during the day, including four in Omdurman.

It also said that several more were seriously wounded by gunshots fired by “the military council militias”.

The deputy chief of the ruling military council said that unknown snipers had shot at least three members of RSF and five or six civilians in Omdurman. AFP

35 dead as bus plunges in gorge SRINAGAR, India-At least 35 people were killed Monday when an overcrowded bus plunged into a gorge in Indian-administered Kashmir, officials said.

It was the second deadly crash in less than a week in the northern state of Jammu and Kashmir, renowned for its mountainous terrain and abysmal road safety record.

The bus skidded off a road in the remote Kishtwar region and fell into a deep, narrow valley, senior police official M. K. Sinha said.

Thirty-five people died in the accident and 17 were injured, local official Angrez Singh Rana said.

Seven of the injured were in critical condition and were evacuated to a nearby hospital, he said.

A separate crash on Monday in neighboring Himachal Pradesh state killed three school students and their driver, the Press Trust of India reported.

Last week, 11 students on their way to a picnic were killed when their bus fell into a gorge in Shopian district of Kashmir, officials said.

Some 150,000 people die in road accidents on average each year in India,

THE DEMONSTRATIONS CONTINUE. Protesters try to push a metal cart through a closed entrance at the government headquarters in Hong Kong on July 1, 2019, on the 22nd anniversary of the city’s handover from Britain to China. Anti-government protesters smashed windows of Hong Kong’s Legislative Council on July 1 and were trying to force their way into the building by ramming a metal cart through the glass doors, as police responded with pepper spray. AFP

Clashes as HK marks handover anniversary

H

ONG KONG― Anti-government protesters trying to ram their way into Hong Kong’s parliament battled police armed with pepper spray Monday as the territory marked the anniversary of its handover to China.

The angry scenes ramped up tensions in the international financial hub, which has been shaken by historic demonstrations in the past three weeks―driven by demands for the withdrawal of a bill that would allow extraditions to the Chinese mainland.

Democracy activists kicked off another large march through the city on Monday afternoon.

But that rally was overshadowed by small groups of mainly young, masked protesters who had seized three key

thoroughfares in the morning, sparking renewed clashes with police after two weeks of relative calm.

They smashed windows at the city’s legislature and tried to force their way into the building by ramming a metal cart through reinforced glass doors.

Riot police inside the building wore gas masks as they squirted pepper spray at protesters, who unfurled umbrellas to shield themselves.

Some democratic lawmakers tried to intervene but had little luck persuading the protesters to withdraw.

The huge rallies over the last three weeks are the latest expression of growing fears that China is stamping down on the city’s freedoms and culture with the help of the finance hub’s pro-Beijing leaders.

Benny, a 20-year-old student who gave only one name, said protesters had been prodded into action by the obduracy of the city’s unelected leaders.

“This isn’t what we want, the government forced us to express [our views] this way,” he told AFP. But the increasingly hard-line tactics

ONSTAGE.

Singer Melissa Etheridge performs during the Closing Ceremony of WorldPride NYC 2019 at Times Square on June 30, 2019, in New York City. AFP

Whaling ships set sail as Japan continues commercial hunts KUSHIRO, Japan―Japan began its first commercial whale hunts in more than three decades on Monday, brushing aside the outrage over its resumption of a practice that conservationists say is cruel and outdated.

Five vessels from whaling communities left port in northern Japan’s Kushiro with their horns blaring and gray tarps thrown over their harpoons. By Monday afternoon, a first whale had been caught and was being transported back to shore.

The hunts come after Japan decided to withdraw from the International Whaling Commission, a move slammed by activists and anti-whaling countries but welcomed by Japanese whaling communities.

“My heart is overflowing with happiness, and I’m deeply moved,” said Yoshifumi Kai, head of the Japan Small-Type Whaling Association, addressing a crowd of several dozen politicians, local officials and whalers in Kushiro before the boats left.

“This is a small industry, but I am proud

from some protesters have alienated others, with a large counter rally in support of the police taking place on Sunday.

Although Hong Kong returned from British to Chinese rule on July 1, 1997, it is still administered separately under an arrangement known as “one country, two systems”.

The city enjoys rights and liberties unseen on the autocratic mainland, but many residents fear Beijing is already reneging on that deal.

Activists have organized a march every handover anniversary, calling for greater democratic freedoms―such as the right to elect the city’s leader.

They have mustered large crowds in recent years―including a two-month occupation of parts of the city center in 2014―but have failed to win any concessions from Beijing.

“When I heard that there are clashes outside [parliament], I was very worried,” Amy Siu, a 37-year-old accountant taking part in the rally, told AFP. “I’m worried about the youngsters’ safety. I hope they can be rational.” AFP

of hunting whales. People have hunted whales for more than 400 years in my home town.”

Whaling vessels were also leaving Monday morning from other ports including in Shimonoseki in western Japan.

The country’s Fisheries Agency said Monday it had set a cap for a total catch of 227 whales through the season until late December -- 52 minke, 150 Bryde’s and 25 sei whales.

“I’m a bit nervous but happy that we can start whaling,” 23-year-old Hideki Abe, a whaler from the Miyagi region in northern Japan, told AFP before leaving.

“I don’t think young people know how to cook and eat whale meat any more. I want more people try to taste it at least once.”

Whaling has long proved a rare diplomatic flashpoint for Tokyo, which says the practice is a Japanese tradition that should not be subject to international interference.

As an IWC member, Japan was banned from commercial hunts of large whales, though it could catch small varieties in waters

near its coastline.

But it also exploited a loophole in the body’s rules to carry out highly controversial hunts of whales in protected Antarctic waters under the banner of “scientific research”.

Activists said the hunts had no scientific value, and Japan made no secret of the fact that meat from whales caught on those hunts ended up sold for consumption.

Humane Society International slammed the resumption of commercial hunts.

“This is a sad day for whale protection globally,” said the group’s head of campaigns Nicola Beynon, accusing Japan of beginning a “new and shocking era of pirate whaling”.

With its withdrawal from the IWC, Tokyo will carry out whale hunting off Japan, but will end the most controversial hunts in the Antarctic.

“The resumption of commercial whaling has been an ardent wish for whalers across the country,” Shigeto Hase, the head of Japan’s fisheries agency, said at the departure ceremony in Kushiro. AFP

SEOUL―North Korea on Monday hailed the weekend meeting between leader Kim Jong Un and US President Donald Trump in the Demilitarized Zone as “historic”, as analysts said Pyongyang was looking to shape the narrative to its own agenda.

The two leaders agreed to “resume and push forward productive dialogues for making a new breakthrough in the denuclearization of the Korean peninsula”, the official Korean Central News Agency said.

After a Twitter invitation by the US president on Saturday, the two men met a day later in the strip of land that has divided the peninsula for 66 years since the end of the Korean War, when the two countries and their allies fought each other to a standstill.

Kim and Trump shook hands over the concrete slabs dividing North and South before Trump walked a few paces into Pyongyang’s territory―the first US president ever to set foot on North Korean soil.

“The top leaders of the DPRK and the US exchanging historic handshakes at Panmunjom” was an “amazing event”, KCNA said, describing the truce village as a “place that had been known as the symbol of division” and referring to past “inglorious relations” between the countries.

The meeting took place “at the suggestion of Trump”, it added.

The impromptu meeting in the DMZ― where the US president said they agreed to resume working-level talks within weeks on the North’s nuclear program―was full of symbolism. AFP

New Zealand bans one-use plastic bags WELLINGTON―New Zealand officially banned single-use plastic shopping bags Monday, introducing hefty fines for businesses that continue to provide them.

Plastic pollution has become a growing global concern, with a million birds and more than 100,000 marine mammals injured or killed every year by becoming entangled in packaging or ingesting it through the food chain.

Companies that break New Zealand’s ban will face heavy penalties, including fines of up to NZ$100,000 ($67,000).

“New Zealanders are proud of our country’s clean, green reputation and want to help ensure we live up to it,” environment minister Eugenie Sage said.

“Ending the use of single-use plastic shopping bags helps do that.”

Under the new rules, thin plastic single-use shopping bags can no longer be supplied—but the law allows reusable carriers to continue being provided.

The legislation—which was announced in August last year and came into force on Monday—will have little practical effect, as New Zealand’s major supermarkets have already voluntarily banned the bags.

However, Sage said it was putting the issue of recycling on the agenda. “[The ban] doesn’t go far enough, but what is really great is it’s started the conversation,” she told Radio New Zealand.

“People are now talking about single-use plastics and how we can phase them out.”

Britain’s Royal Statistical Society estimates 90.5 percent of all plastic waste— some 6,300 million metric tons—has never been recycled and is either in landfill or accumulating in the natural environment. AFP

Thousands protest in Brazil in support of Justice minister

RIO DE JANEIRO―Thousands protested in Brazil on Sunday in support of Justice Minister Sergio Moro, who is battling claims he conspired with prosecutors on his anticorruption drive to keep former leader Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva from another presidential run.

Moro, a powerful judge who joined President Jair Bolsonaro’s cabinet in January, has faced calls for his resignation over leaked chats purportedly showing he worked with prosecutors in the so-called Car Wash probe to keep Lula, a popular leftist, out of the 2018 presidential race.

Demonstrators dressed in Brazil’s national colors of yellow and green took to the streets in 88 cities including Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo and the capital Brasilia, news website G1 reported, in a show of support for Moro, whom many Brazilians fed up with corrupt leaders consider a hero.

The protesters also demanded Congress approve the government’s ambitious overhaul of the bloated retirement system. Bolsonaro has warned it will bankrupt the country if changes are not adopted.

Turnout, though, appeared to be lower than in recent protests for and against Bolsonaro’s administration.

“I think Minister Moro is fundamental to everything that is going well in this country,” Nelson de Oliveira Filho, 70, told AFP at the Sao Paulo march.

“Show me one person before him who could make people believe, in whom we could place our trust.”

Bolsonaro tweeted his congratulations to the protesters, while Moro thanked supporters who “believe in our work.”

“Hackers, criminals, or malicious publishers will not alter these fundamental truths,” he said on Twitter. AFP

LGUs

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

B4

tuesday, july 2, 2019

LocaL government units

Big promises made, fulfilled Joy B: Housing, social services are QC priority

Vico suspends Pasig odd-even traffic scheme

By Rio N. Araja

On HIS first day in office, Pasig Mayor Vico Sotto on Monday suspended a three-year-old odd-even vehicle reduction scheme in the city that has caused confusion among motorists, fulfilling a campaign promise.

Sotto also suspended the apprehension of motorists violating the odd-even scheme, which was implemented only on certain streets within Pasig, according to a copy of a city ordinance released yesterday.

“Traffic is a tough issue. I’m not promising I will solve traffic, because it’s impossible for one mayor [to do alone],” the son of actors Vic Sotto and Coney Reyes told ABSCBn news.

The young mayor, who was just two years old when the erstwhile ruling Eusebio family started its 27-year domination of Pasig politics until the last May elections, was the only councilor who opposed the traffic measure when the city council approved it three years ago.

The ordinance, enacted in September 2016, banned vehicles with license plates ending in even numbers from Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Those with odd numbers were barred on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

Roads covered by the traffic measure were Elisco Road, R. Jabson St., San Guillermo Street, Sandoval Avenue, and F. Legaspi Bridge.

On Sunday, Sotto took his oath before Commission on Audit chairperson Michael Aguinaldo at the Pasig City Sports Center, filled with the 29-year-old mayor’s family, allies, and supporters.

The mayor’s Aksyon partymate, Pasig City Rep. Roman Romulo, also took his oath of office.

Sotto defeated incumbent Pasig Mayor Bobby Eusebio by over 70,000 votes in the May 13 polls.

O

N her first day in office, Quezon City-elect Mayor Joy Belmonte on Monday called for unity, asking officials and employees to set aside political differences toward the city’s betterment.

“What I am asking from all of you is unity. There’s only one thing that we all want to do. That is to move forward,” she said in a speech during her first flag-raising ceremony as the city’s 11th mayor.

“Let’s all start the new administration with a happy, joyful heart. Let’s erase the negative feelings, no partisan. We are just one big happy family. Please, if you have any negative thoughts, opinions, keep them to yourself, breathe in, breathe out, after five minutes happy you’ll get happy. Let’s have a wonderful next three years in Quezon City,” she said.

Belmonte thanked her predecessor, Herbert Bautista, for an orderly transition.

She promised the residents of Quezon City her administration will focus on housing, social services, education, and health in her first 100 days in office.

Belmonte stressed that Quezon City, no matter how developed it is, should protect and show care for its indigent residents.

She instructed the restructuring of the Housing, Community Development, and Resettlement Department to resolve concerns in city housing, provide free technical services, and hasten the processes involved in housing.

A new shelter plan will also be crafted that will include guidelines in the selection of beneficiaries, housing program models, and Public-Private Partnerships, said the mayor, who was vice mayor to Bautista for three terms.

Belmonte also vowed an increase in burial assistance for indigent citizens from P10,000 to P25,000 and medical assistance from P3,000 to P5,000.

FRESH MANDATES. More local officials took their oaths of office over the weekend following their victories in the May 13 elections. They are Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte, Caloocan City Mayor Oscar Malapitan, Mangaldan, Pangasinan Mayor Marilyn de Guzman Lambino, Nagcarlan, Laguna Mayor Lourdes ‘Ody’ Arcasetas and Councilors Evelyn Sotoya and Ron Esquivel, and Cabuyao, Laguna Vice Mayor lawyer Lief Opiña. Manny Palmero, Andrew Rabulan and Roy Tomandao

Isko vows to remove Manila’s road obstructions

By Vito Barcelo

MAnILA Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso on Monday vowed to remove all illegal vendors in the capital’s streets and sidewalks, including illegally parked vehicles, in just 48 hours.

Moreno made the statement on his first day in office as the city’s new chief executive, saying that all streets in Manila must be used by motorists and for pedes-

trians to walk without obstruction.

“We will allow them to work to earn a living but not to the extent of aggravating the people by occupying the entire streets,” he said.

Domagoso, who replaced Mayor Joseph “Erap” Estrada, said he will put an end to an agreement issued by the previous city government on the use of several streets as parking areas.

“It is the city government who allows it, regulates it, not John Does and Mary.

And for those enterprising individuals, you can now take a vacation. You can do it in Pasay,” Moreno said.

The mayor said he will also prioritize the city’s social amelioration program that seeks, among others, to provide livelihood even to senior citizens and persons with disabilities, and better health care for city residents.

Gomez couple lays out plan for Ormoc dev’t

Mayor Toby Tiangco (center right) and Rep. John Reynald Tiangco flank a Commission on Audit officer who turns over the 2018 report indicating that Navotas earned the agency’s highest rating for public institutions. New members of the city council join the Tiangcos in receiving the recognition. Jun David

By Ronald O. Reyes ORMOC CITY―Reelected Ormoc Mayor Richard Gomez and his wife, Leyte Fourth District Rep. Lucy Torres-Gomez, on Sunday said they were “elated” with the new city councilors under the Ormoc Development Team who had their inaugural session shortly after taking their oath of office over the weekend.

“I look forward to working with them and delivering to Ormocanons the projects and programs that I have envisioned for Ormoc in the coming years,” said Mayor Gomez.

“Thank you very much for your confidence and trust in my administration, for giving me a second chance to lead you…I am humbled by your presence, and more so, on the validation that Ormocanons have given to my leadership by giving the Ormoc Development Team a ‘13-0’ win. I was told it was an historic win,” he told the audience who witnessed the inauguration ceremony at the japacked Ormoc Superdome.

Navotas gets highest COA rating for 4th year in a row

By Jun David

TOUGH GIRL. Actress and model Solenn Heussaff gestures during a press conference

hosted by Vitress on Friday in Quezon City after the showing of her newest action film— shot mostly in a location resembling Chinatown in Manila—which depicts her taming her ‘wild tresses’ by displaying her martial arts prowess. Norman Cruz

THE navotas City Government has once again earned the Commission on Audit’s highest audit rating for public institutions.

The agency’s 2018 audit report showed that navotas has secured an unqualified opinion for the fourth consecutive year, the only local government unit in Metro Manila to have such a record. navotas also received COA’s unqualif ied opinion in 2015, 2016 and 2017.

“We are honored to receive our fourth unqualified opinion from COA. I commend all the departments and offices of the city government for their committed and

honest service to the people of navotas,” former mayor and now Rep. John Reynald Tiangco said.

Mayor Toby Tiangco, on the other hand, urged city hall employees to maintain the highest level of compliance with laws on the utilization and management of public funds.

“Let this year’s unqualified opinion inspire us to continue the judicious and prudent spending of our people’s taxes and give them the best service they deserve,” he said.

COA gives an “unqualified opinion” to a government office or agency that has presented its financial position, financial performance and cash flows in a fair manner and in accordance to the Philippine Public Sector Accounting Standards.

Life

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

health and environment

@MstandardlIFe tuesday, july 2, 2019

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Running for refugees IN SOLIDARITY. Groups and establishments, such as Gold’s Gym, take a stand to raise awareness of the plight of refugees across the globe—like Zeenab and her family who were forced to flee their house in Syria—by spearheading the 10-Minute Run Challenge in hopes to accumulate 7,000 kilometres to add to the global goal of 2 billion kilometers. (Photo from UNHCR/Facebook)

By Diana B. Noche

W

AR and natural calamities strike with cruel randomness. Their victims lead a life dominated by a singular issue: survival.

Refugee camps and evacuation centers offer only interim shelter. People shiver in their tents during the cold and rainy nights; under the hot sun, sweltering and reptilian, waiting for meals that sometimes do not come. Their days and nights are deadeningly alike. Most of them lapse into some kind of absent stare, a dazed look so as not to be able to focus on the grim reminders of what took place. each day, desperation looms large as they get more aware of the degeneration of their usefulness.

Refugees fleeing from persecution

in their own country have to keep their senses wide open for some hit-and-run operations and to keep moving to stay alive and challenge the corroding fear of the unspecific.

There are no children in war; they are classified as mere casualties. Some countries have hospitably opened their houses to their worse-off neighbors, offered donations, sent relief goods, unlocked their borders, and given asylum.

But things do not change at the push of a button. The mathematics are daunting; we cannot even be sure of their exact

Refugees fleeing from persecution and calamities in their own town or country have to keep their senses wide open and keep moving to stay alive. (Photos from UNHCR/Facebook; by Diana B. Noche)

About 400,000 Gold’s Gym members, trainers, and employees have pledged to clock in as many kilometres as possible within 10 minutes.

count since chaos is incalculable. There are more than 7 million refugees across the world and this number tallies up as sabotages, incursions, and catastrophes continuing to alter people’s right to an unqualified existence.

There exist some largely conflicted, sometimes divergent attitudes towards the plight of these refugees. The handsoff, avert-the-eyes policy. Being tineared to calls for help. Taking a “whatme-worry?” stance. Lending them a helping hand is a humane sentiment but such is not universally shared, with hardly a drop of emotion gotten across.

Typhoon Yolanda for instance. We knew it was happening—the downpour

affected us—but until the flood and the water surges threatened us, we did not connect.

Pity is not enough. It is not an easy thing to be homeless and displaced.

Marmie Liquigan, head of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Private Sector Partnerships in the Philippines, and Chep Melchor, the big boy of all 28 Gold’s Gym branches in the country (plus two more branches opening later this year) aim for a solid break in those dark clouds.

To make an impact in celebrating this year’s World Refugee Day on June 20, the UNHCR and Gold’s Gym joined forces, worked out their energies, got involved,

and took a stand in helping raise awareness of the refugee situation. Gold’s Gym has about 400,000 gym members, trainers, and employees who have pledged to participate in “The 10-Minute Run Challenge” wherein each participant will clock in as many kilometers as possible within 10 minutes.

According to Melchor the recorded number of kilometers run in 10 minutes is 3.6 kilometers. Gold’s Gym Philippines hopes to accumulate 7,000 kilometers to add to the 2 billion kilometers global target.

If “The 10-Minute Run Challenge” shocks our conscience, it will definitely be a step to see results.

Susan Africa on her real-life role as caregiver SeASoNeD actress Susan Africa became a staunch cancer advocate after she faced cancer as devoted caregiver to her husband, the late Spanky Manikan.

Across different platforms, Africa communicated the importance of early detection and increased access to screening and treatments.

For the Manikan family, the fight against cancer began in early 2017, when Spanky came home from work one day with swollen face and hands. They immediately took him to a doctor for a blood exam. The test results were normal.

His doctor then asked Manikan to have a CT scan of the chest because he felt something in the area. “I remember it very well. The doctor asked to see me right away. He said Spanky had superior vena cava syndrome (SVCS). There was no mention of the “C” word but he had to be admitted for radiation treatment. I did my own research online and found out that SVCS is usually caused by cancer,” related Africa.

Apart from the swelling of his face and hands, her husband seemed well. He only had the occasional smoker’s cough, which Manikan thought was nothing serious.

“Maybe if you know that you or a loved one is a heavy

smoker, you should consult your doctor for recommendations on early cancer detection methods, just to be sure that you or your loved one is clear of cancer,” stressed Africa.

“The prospect of having cancer may be really scary, but you have to get proper treatment right away.”

As caregiver, the film and TV actress with the rest of the family held Manikan’s hand throughout the physical, financial, and emotional challenges of the cancer patient journey. “I think the keyword for a caregiver is love and sacrifice. We had to be strong for him. We needed to give him love, hope, and encouragement as much as we can,” she shared.

She recalled that if they had detected her husband’s cancer in its earlier stages, it would have made a huge difference in his treatment journey and prognosis, and they would have taken better advantage of new developments in cancer care and treatment that are available today.

“Spanky first had radiation therapy. Then our doctor recommended hav i ng Spanky undergo clinical trial for immunotherSpanky Manikan

Actress Susan Africa (left), as one of the ambassadors of Hope From Within: Cancer Game Plan PH, shares her story of being a caregiver and primary supporter to her late husband, Spanky Manikan.

apy which was then the new treatment option for lung cancer,” shared Africa.

Immunotherapy works by boosting the body’s immune system to be able to identify and attack cancer cells.

Previous clinical trials showed the

benefits of immunotherapy were usually durable with a manageable safety profile. Patients lived longer and were expected to have better quality of life.

The treatment is currently approved in the Philippines for non-small cell lung

cancer, melanoma, head and neck, gastric, bladder, and Hodgkin lymphoma, among others.

Africa took her husband to the Makati Medical Center and Lung Center of the Turn to C2

Life

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tuesday, ju juLy 2, 2019 manilastandardlife@gmail.com

Daiana Menezes’ new lease on life

By Robbie Pangilinan

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RAzILIAN actress, host, and model Daiana Menezes saw death face-to-face when she was diagnosed with breast cancer triple positive stage 2B last year. It was a dark time, but she emerged unafraid and came out stronger.

“I am no longer scared of pain and death. I can honestly say I am happy now. I learned the value of every moment in life.

Life is precious, don’t waste time on negative people and situations,” she shares.

Early in 2018, Menezes felt a lump on her left breast. It was a new year, and she was hopeful that it was just a cyst. During her breast ultrasound, nothing was evident when her arm was raised in the position for self-examination. Menezes insisted on redoing the ultrasound with her arm down and something with a weird shape appeared “They said that’s how the malignant type looks like, I was still trying to remain

positive and unfortunately, I couldn’t do the biopsy right away, as I was going to sing and dance in two shows in Dubai, and I knew I couldn’t move around if I had biopsy which was also the doctor’s advice,” relates Menezes.

She continues, “In my mind I thought, I need to work, I need to save even more now that I had an uncertain situation ongoing, I prioritized my work and had to wait for a while, finish my concerts and hostings.”

“There’s not a particular degree of difficulty that we can put in words when you get diagnosed with cancer. No matter what type, your world just seems to

The 32-year-old multihyphenate shares she dreams of having a baby one day and making more music. (Photos from @daianamenezes/Instagram)

FOREST bathing, or what is known in Japanese as shinrin-yoku, is the cornerstone of preventive healthcare and healing in Japanese medicine. The concept was first established in Japan in the 1980s, and since then has been backed by multiple South Korean and Japanese studies.

The studies have found direct correlation between numerous health benefits and the exposure to a living forest, as in visiting a natural area.

Some of the most significant health benefits that a person can get from exposure to forests are boosted immune system, lower blood pressure, lower stress levels, improved mood, increased focus, and better sleep.

In addition, it can also help increase creativity, allows a person to relax, and increases happiness.

This is the reason why the Philippine Wood Producers Association (PWPA) is advocating more people to experience forest bathing.

“We all know what our forests do for our environment,” said PWPA chairman Charlie Liu. “Forest bathing goes beyond that and shows what a healthy

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Philippines pathology departments for biomarker testing of his tumor cells. Manikan had non-small cell lung cancer and was tested positive for PD-L1 in 90 percent of the tumor cells, which meant he was eligible to undergo immunotherapy.

“He was successfully introduced into the randomized program. He had two sessions of immunotherapy and it was successful, in the sense that the first infusion was able to remove the excruciating pain in his right side,” said Africa.

Like all cancer treatments available in the country, the financial impact of treatment posed a challenge. Africa was open in admitting that, like everyone else, the financial burden of caring for a loved one with cancer had been overwhelming.

fall apart. My family was shocked because of my age and lifestyle, but they helped me and gave me a lot of support,” shares Menezes, who finds strength in her mother and family in Brazil, and friends in the Philippines.

Her doctors, incumbent president and chief executiveof St. Luke’s Medical Center Dr. Arturo S. De La Peña, Dr. Farrah Augustin Bunch, and Dr. Homer Lim, advised Menezes to maintain a healthy lifestyle and to avoid being stressed.

“The most difficult was to adapt to my new diet. And I thought I was a healthy eater. It was a total change,” she shares.

Menezes says if she could have done more before cancer, she would have prioritized herself, lived a stress-free life, not waste time worrying so much, eat a lot, and spend more time around positive people.

“Many people don’t know that about me, but I’m a giver and I forgot to love myself before I got sick. I guess those are my only regrets but I don’t like talking about it because every moment I wasted on stress was also a lesson for what I am living now,” enthuses the lead of music group 8ONE. Her faith and family keep her strong and fighting. The 32-year-old still has many goals in life, including having a baby one day and building her own family, as well as making more music and inspiring people going through struggles.

“The greatest I learned [from this ordeal] is that time is precious. Your existence is important, don’t let anyone make you think otherwise. Believe in yourself, love yourself; that’s the only thing you can guarantee for the short time you’re given on this Earth, be thankful every day,” ends Menezes.

Group urges Filipinos to do ‘forest bathing’ Potassium food supplement neutra K is formulated to boost overall wellness.

Promoting balance with potassium

First established in the 1980s, forest bathing, or shinrin-yoku, is the cornerstone of preventive healthcare and healing in Japanese medicine.

Aside from encouraging more Filipinos forest can do for individuals. It is heartening that more and more Filipinos are to visit their forests, PWPA is campaignchoosing to discover the health benefits ing for the protection of the country’s forests and the practice of sustainable forest of our forests through forest bathing.” management to promote the well-being of the local forestry industry.

The organization continuously promotes wood, which when harnessed sustainably, can be an important driver of growth and development for many communities in the Philippines and its economy as a whole.

In line with its goal to increase the sustainable use of wood, PWPA is holding the Philippine Wood Expo 2019 at the Sofitel Philippine Plaza on Oct. 21-22. The event promises to be a great opportunity for suppliers and manufacturers of wood products as well as wood enthusiasts to showcase their products and innovative technologies to attendees coming from various countries.

Exposure to forests is said to boost immune system, lower blood pressure, lower stress levels, improve mood, and increase focus, among others.

Susan...

Model and host Daiana Menezes has learned to value every moment in life after she was diagnosed with cancer last year.

Aside from financial support from government institutions like PCSO, PAGCOR and Department of Social Welfare and Development, she is grateful for having friends who helped her husband during this time.

“Spanky had been in and out of the hospital for about six times in a span of a few months. Our savings were quickly running out. We’re blessed for having friends who organized a fundraising event called ‘Sunday for Spanky’ back in August 2017.”

She added, “I think it’s vital to spread correct and evidence-based information on clinically proven new treatments, guide and support patients, and give hope. Cancer is a disease that no one should cope with alone.”

After his courageous fight with loving family and friends, Spanky Manikan passed away in January 2018 at the

POTASSIUM, the third most abundant mineral in the body, is vital in maintaining a healthy balance.

It helps reduce blood pressure and water retention, protects against stroke, helps prevent osteoporosis (brittle bones) and kidney stones, reduces stress and anxiety, enhances the nervous system, regulates fluid level, reduces the appearance of cellulite, and promotes proper food breakdown and body growth.

Potassium (chemical symbol K) is essential for the body’s optimal performance, beneficial especially for those who are physically active and who sweat a lot. Out of the seven electrolytes (potassium, sodium, chloride, magnesium, calcium, phosphate, bicarbonate), potassium is the most necessary mineral needed for normal functioning of cells, muscles, and nerves.

Neutra K, the Philippines’ first potassium food supplement with no prescription needed, is formulated to boost

overall wellness and help maintain healthy day-to-day productivity.

The potassium that Neutra K uses is sourced from one of the world’s leading producers of natural ingredients; it’s non-acidic, without artificial flavors and preservatives, and effectively promotes a more regulated acidity in the body to prevent potential ill-effects of prolonged imbalance.

To get enough potassium, experts recommend including rich sources of the mineral such as beet greens, spinach, kale, and salmon in a person’s diet. Taking Neutra K tablets twice a day—one during breakfast and another during dinner—also helps augment the amount of potassium in the body Neutra K comes in a 300 mg FDA approved film-coated tablet. It is available exclusively at all Mercury Drugstore branches nationwide in boxes of 100 or boxes of 12.

iPhoto

To learn more about PWPA or to learn how you can take part in the Philippine Wood Expo 2019, visit www.pwpa.org.ph and join their fight for a better tomorrow at www.facebook.com/pwpa.philwood. age of 75 years old.

Shortly after, the surviving wife became an ambassador to Hope From Within: Cancer Game Plan PH. “I met Hope From Within and I knew then that the Lord’s purpose for me is to perpetuate the memory of Spanky, and inspire others by his bravery, persistence, and determination to get well,” she shared.

Hope From Within: Cancer Game Plan PH is a campaign led by MSD in the Philippines that aims to put patients at the heart of the fight against the dreaded disease. Using powerful voices from leaders, advocates, policymakers, survivors, support groups, and patients, it boosts awareness of proper cancer care, sparking conversations and actions on how to reduce the burden of cancer-related mortalities and other challenges.

Insurer teams up with fitness center Sun Life of Canada (Philippines), Inc., the number one life insurance company in the country, and Fitness First, the largest fitness brand in Asia, are once again joining hands to promote health and wellness to Filipinos. under the partnership, Sun Life clients, advisors, and employees may enjoy a free health assessment utilizing the latest state-of-the-art technology called Boditrax, a precision body composition analyzer which offers 15 clinically validated measurements; a complimentary one-day workout pass; and discounted membership rates at Fitness First branches.

In photo are (from left) Sun Life Philippines marketing manager for health and wellness Jaymie Pizarro, Sun Life Philippines chief marketing officer Mylene Lopa, Fitness First national fitness manager Eric Seegers, and Fitness First marketing manager Jill Santiago Pena.

Entertainment

Former couple Pops and Martin reunite

M

ANY of the fans were certainly delighted when Martin Nievera did a surprise guest appearance in the currently showing comedy flick Feelenials top-billed by AiAi delas Alas andBayani Agbayani.

He figured in a cute scene towards the ending with former wife Pops Fernandez who is one of the film’s major producers.

According to the Concert King, it’s his way of showing support to Pop’s latest venture under her DSL Productions.

“From producing concerts, now they are expanding their horizons. Of course, I can’t say no. It’s a cute part actually. I just had one shooting day. Let’s see if I will have a comeback in their upcoming projects,” Martin avers.

What did he feel when he learned he’d have a cameo role in Feelenials?

“I admit that I was a bit nervous. I didn’t know what to do at first. Pops just told me that we’d have a shooting in Nuvali and that I had to be in hood and jeans. So, I had no idea what my role is until I got there,” he shares.

Interestingly, did he receive a talent fee for his guest appearance in the potboiler?

“For the record, there’s none. If I charge, it would be even worse for me, I think. I wouldn’t be invited for Christmas dinner anymore. But seriously, I didn’t have TF for that,” he says.

His sons are also part of the movie.

Robin did the scoring which is his first time while Ram was involved in that part where there’s animation.

“So, it’s a family thing as you can see.”

Many are asking about his next stage collaboration with Pops.

“You mean, concerts? We’re going on tour again, this time, in the United States. Then, a Valentine show is being

Martin Nievera goofing around while MJ Marfori (rightmost) interviews Pops Fernandez and son Robin during the premiere night of 'Feelennials.'

planned. It has become a tradition that every heart’s day, Pops and I hold a concert,” says Martin.

Meanwhile, the Concert King revealed that he is supposed to do a movie opposite Maricel Soriano under Regal Entertainment, only the project got shelved.

“It didn’t push through. I think Maricel got very busy with her current teleserye, The General’s Daughter with Angel (Locsin). Perhaps, when she gets a break from her rigid taping schedule, we can probably discuss.”

Does he have any regret with this development?

“Not really. I mean, I understand she’s very busy. The same goes for me. But it’s flattering that there’s a good project like that for me and Maricel. For one, I have a

good role as her love interest. I’m the usual rich, good-looking ‘balikbayan’ who has difficulty speaking Tagalog. I just hope it pushes through eventually,” ends Martin. *** There are some exciting twists in the primetime line-up of GMA. Now that Kara Mia has just ended its run, the management decided to replace the timeslot it vacated with Sahaya starring Bianca Umali and Miguel Tanfelix.

This will put them in direct competition with ABS-CBN’s longest-running action soap Ang Probinsyano top-billed by Coco Martin.

Since it aired, Sahaya has been putting in impressive numbers in the ratings chart which makes it a worthy opponent of Ang Probinsyano.

Meanwhile, Derek Ramsay’s The Better Woman with Andrea Torres is next in the roster. Its direct competitor is Angel Locsin’s The General’s Daughter. This will be an exciting match for sure. The two have different plots which gives the viewer more variety in their choice.

As for the rom-com Love You Two starring Jennylyn Mercado and Gabby Concepcion, it will remain in its timeslot. As it is, the show is faring well in the ratings game and holds its own against the Jodi Sta. Maria-Bela Padilla starrer Mea Culpa: Sino ang May Sala?.

This is an exciting development. For sure, all said programs will do their best to improve each episode to the delight of their loyal viewers.

Which ‘Toy Story’ character are you?

WHETHER you were a kid or an adult when the first Toy Story movie came out, this movie undeniably resonates in all of us. It is instantly relatable to anyone who owned any kind of toy in their childhood and seeing the toys come to life is indeed a dream we all had at one point.

It’s been over two decades since the first Toy Story film was released and last June 20, these toys from our childhood returned for another fun-filled adventure with new characters for us to love with the release of Disney and Pixar’s Toy Story 4. So, which of the lovable characters is your kindred spirit?

If you are protective and usually think of other people first, you are most like Sheriff Woody Pride. The leader of Andy’s toys, Woody is responsible, competent, and devoted to his friends.

He is also a natural-born leader who inspires the loyalty of people around him.

Are you brave, adventurous with a living-by-the-book mindset, and the

'Toy Story 4' introduces Forky (rightmost), the bundle-of-nerves spork with googly eyes, that joins Woody, Buzz and the rest of the

go-to person whenever problems come up? If yes, you could be Buzz Lightyear.

This charismatic Space Ranger is not just known for his bravery but to his loyalty to his owner and friends as well. While he lives by his creed as an intergalactic defender, he will do everything to support and protect his friends, even bend the rules if the situation.

If you are seen as the gentle, nurturing and soft-spoken type, then you may be Bo Peep, the porcelain shepherdess figurine who is also Sheriff Woody

CROSSWORD PUZZLE Tuesday, July 2, 2019

ACROSS 1 Float downriver 5 Lower in esteem 10 A law — itself 14 OPEC member 15 Soda fountain treats 16 Requirement 17 Attention getter 18 Give an example 20 Raj title 22 Motel furnishing 23 Buenos — 24 Sing like Sinatra 26 Economic ind.

27 Hoosier’s home 30 Berber’s home 34 Stacks 35 Tiant or Aparicio 36 Bill, for short 37 Sonar’s sound 38 Pony feet 40 Overfeed 41 PC button 42 Lawsuit basis 43 More lemony 45 Away from the wind 47 Old radio dramas 48 Mimic 49 Last 50 Wavelike pat-

tern 53 Teacup handle 54 Neonates 58 Evasions 61 Zip 62 Ketch cousin 63 Veld scavenger 64 Monarch 65 Do in 66 Smart-mouthed 67 Mournful cry DOWN 1 Cabbie’s income 2 Bear in the sky 3 Lavish party 4 Tempting 5 Jacques’ friend 6 Panama port 7 Steve or Woody 8 Tie tack 9 Superman’s emblem 10 Still green 11 At hand 12 Pierre’s noggin 13 Inspired verse 19 Zingy flavors 21 Slender nail 25 Like ocean breezes 26 Shine 27 Drive forward 28 Din 29 Dummy 30 — Wiedersehen 31 Lasso

32 Chip maker 33 States positively 35 Fortune 39 Law (abbr.)

40 Colombo’s country (2 wds.)

42 Recorded 44 Mosque frequenter 46 Carefully 47 Warning alarms 49 Meets head-on 50 Willie — of baseball 51 Squashed circle

52 Midwest state 53 “Paint the Sky With Stars” singer 55 Scoop out water 56 Ferber or Best 57 Droops 59 Happy sighs 60 Speak

Pride’s love interest. Yet she also hides some surprises - beneath her frilly bonnet is a strong and independent woman, ready for adventure.

Have you ever found it difficult to fit in and feel that you stick out like a sore thumb? If you are someone who is still unsure about your purpose in life, then you could probably relate to Forky.

Unlike the rest of the toys in the movie, Forky is a toy created by Bonnie out of a disposable spork and other stray parts glued together. He wants to fulfill

his purpose as a spork but since he was turned into a toy, his purpose isn’t clear to him now. He finds it hard to adapt to his new life as a toy because he’s not like the rest of the Toy Story gang.

Directed by Josh Cooley (Riley’s First Date?), and produced by Mark Nielsen (associate producer Inside Out) and Jonas Rivera (Inside Out, Up) Disney and Pixar’s Toy Story 4 screens at SM Cinema’s 64 branches, or at IMAX and Director’s Club Cinemas nationwide.

TUESDAY, JULY 2, 2019

C3

nickie.standard@gmail.com

International...

From C4

We don’t control our lives “We are not in control of our own lives” and everything can be changed by the “smallest directive from on high.”

“People do things for the collective, for the country. That is why every time there is a new policy, even one which has a huge impact on their lives, people tend to bend to it,” Wang stated.

When the one-child policy was first adopted in 1979, “people kind of understood” it was in the country’s economic interests, Wang said, with three-quarters of the population said to support it.

“Of course there were people who fought against it but after 30 years people had accepted it.”

Finally getting rid of it four years ago was “a good thing”, Wang argued, because “it allows people to be more in charge of their own lives, to have more freedom on what kind of family they want to build.”

But by the time it was replaced by a two-child policy in 2016, the single child family “had become anchored” in society, the new norm reinforced by the rise of the middle classes. The “rush to make money” has effectively sustained it.

“Even if people can now have more children, they opt not to have anymore because there is too much economic pressure,” he said.

Wang is one of the leading film-makers of China’s Sixth Generation that includes a wave of talented directors like Zhang Yuan, Jia Zhangke and Lou Ye. AFP

Couch Potato...

From C4

Cavite’s tarpaulin recycling project Reelected Senator Cynthia Villar has tapped the help of a group of women in Dasmariñas, Cavite to make bags out of the tarpaulins used during her campaign for the recent elections.

Villar, chair of the Committee on Environment and Natural Resources, said this recycling project benefits a small tailoring business, which employs mothers as sewers.

“We are very glad that we have now a way for the proper disposal of these used tarpaulins.

Through this initiative, we were not only able to recycle used tarpaulins into something useful, we were also able to help women earn additional income for their families, ” Villar said.

Christine Joy Ferrer, 27 years old, just started MXD Tailoring two months ago in the garage of the apartment she is renting. For five years, she worked for her older sister’s tailoring shop until it closed down. She then borrowed the sewing machines and started her own business.

“Tuwang tuwa po ako kasi nagsisimula pa lang ako tapos nagtiwala na po sa akin si Senator Villar na gumawa ng bags niya.

Malaking tulong po ito sa akin at sa mga sewers ko,“ Ferrer said.

The 2 x 3 feet tarpaulins collected by Villar’s staff were delivered to Ferrer’s shop to be made into bags for P16 a piece.

On the first week, they were able to finish 550 bags. They will be making more as tarpaulins collected from the provinces start to arrive.

Ferrer said her four sewers are mothers who live nearby. One of her sewers has to look after a baby.

Ferrer loaned one of her machines so she could work from home.

Ferrer said she appreciates Villar for providing a source of additional income for mothers like her. She said she was able to look after her kids aged 10 and 7, while operating her small business.

The finished product has a dimension of 12 x 18 x 4 inches, it is white with the printed side of the tarpaulin made as the inside of the bag. Tarpaulin bags are the more durable and environmentfriendly substitute for plastic bags.

Villar said she will distribute the bags for free to further promote her advocacy for plastic recycling.

The Nacionalista Party senator also initiated a plastic recycling project which turns plastic wastes into school chairs. Through a plastic factory, she built in Las Piñas, 20 kilos of soft plastics such as food wrappers were recycled into a plastic chair with changeable parts and has a life span of 20 years. These chairs were donated to different public schools all over the country.

Nickie Wang, Issue Editor nickie.standard@gmail.com

C4

Entertainment

TUESDAY, JULY 2, 2019

COUCH POTATO IVY ROSSINI

Celebs and travelers make ‘SweetEscape’

Nadine Lustre and Carlo Aquino in 'Ulan,' a beautiful movie spiced up by love and supernatural elements.

VERY WANG

U

NICKIE WANG

LAN, a coming-ofage romantic drama that sees multimedia star Nadine Lustre on a solo trail, is one of the local titles HOOQ subscribers can watch on the mobile streaming app for free.

The movie, which also stars Carlo Aquino, is part of the HOOQ FREEPLAY Festival, a new and innovative quarterly streaming event. For the first ever festival, HOOQ is shifting over 1,000 local titles from HOOQ VIP, HOOQ’s SVOD (subscription video-ondemand) layer onto HOOQ FREE for the duration of one-month (June 21 to July 20).

“I feel great because it allows my fans and supporters to watch the film over and over again. I can also do that myself. We can watch Ulan in the highest quality.

Some people know that this movie is very memorable for me that’s why it gets me excited to share with everyone that it’s available on the streaming platform,” Nadine said during the festival launch held in June.

“Ulan premiered in Indonesia and Singapore and it got a warm reception.

I didn’t know Nadine has a lot of fans in these territories,” added Sheila Paul, HOOQ Philippines Country Manager.

HOOQ, Southeast Asia’s leading video-on-demand service, is expanding its “freemium” offering with the launch of HOOQ FREE, enabling direct access to high-quality content without having the need to register.

“HOOQ is attuned to the evolving needs of the social, conveniencedriven and digital-savvy Filipino. We understand local nuances and most importantly, we get our audience—so we’re introducing HOOQ FREE and the HOOQ FREEPLAY Festival in response to their wants and needs as VOD consumers,” Sheila Paul explained.

The executive further said that HOOQ FREE is a major enhancement to the user-experience from leading streaming app, providing Filipinos access to a wide array of popular ondemand local films, programs, live channels, and short-form content— without the need to register.

VOD platform gives free access to Nadine’s ‘Ulan’ Nadine Lustre is joined by Christian Bables, Dr. Margie Holmes, and HOOQ executives during the launch of HOOQ FREEPLAY.

Nadine Lustre with HOOQ's country manager Sheila Paul and Chief Commercial Officer Vishal Dembla

The revamped platform, which can be accessed via the web, mobile app, and on select TV models and set-top boxes, has been designed to give viewers immediate access to some of the nation’s most popular films and series, so they can browse and access authentic, unique and locally relevant stories that they want to watch.

Apart from bringing exciting local stories at the forefront, HOOQ FREE also bolsters the HOOQ live TV experience, adding two new channels; CNN Philippines and PTV. With the addition of these new channels, HOOQ

increases the total number of live and feature TV channels to 20.

“We are giving Filipinos the freedom to view over 1,000 titles for free! There will be no sign-ups, no registration for a trial or paid subscription needed.

Based on our data and insights, and our deep connection to the local audience, we know that video entertainment delight is all about instant enjoyment, consumption that’s mobile, and the power of bite-size and binge-worthy content with local relevance,” Jennifer Batty, HOOQ’s Chief Content Officer, said.

There will also be an all-new HOOQ Original titled, Sex Talks with Dr. Holmes. The 10-episode series is a helpline for those who have questions and concerns about sex and how it figures in their daily lives. There will be a dramatization of the letter senders’ situations but the approach is light with a bit of humor.

For those who want complete access HOOQ’s vast catalogue of the hottest Hollywood and regional series and movies including Krypton, John Wick, La La Land and Marvel’s The Avengers, as well as the latest HOOQ Originals, plus Korean dramas like Jewel in the Palace and Winter Sonata, can sign-up to a HOOQ VIP plan on www.hooq.tv.

HOOQ VIP Plans are available for as low as P59/week with multiple payment options via credit card, debit card, and telco partners such as Globe, Smart, and Sun. HOOQ can now be enjoyed on more devices like Google Chromecast, Samsung Smart TVs, Android TV, Apple TV, Globe Streamwatch powered by Roku, and the new Globe Streamwatch Xtreme Prepaid.

INTERNATIONAL

New film shows painful legacy of China’s one-child policy TO SEE what China’s one-child policy has done to the most populous country on Earth, you just have to look around you, said acclaimed filmmaker Wang Xiaoshuai.

“There is often one child now to six grown-ups. You have the four grandparents and two parents for one child. It’s a bit unbalanced,” the director added with not a little understatement.

So Long, My Son, which won its stars Yong Mei and Wang Jingchun the best actor award at the Berlin film festival earlier this year, plunges audiences into the ocean of pain and heartbreak the policy caused.

The tragic story of a couple whose

only son is drowned in an accident is an epic account of how families were bent and buckled during the 36 years of the world’s biggest demographic experiment.

“It made me realize to what extent we as Chinese people lived through something that was completely out of the ordinary and unique in the world,” Wang told AFP just before the film opened in France.

“That is what pushed me to shoot the film,” said the director, who made his name in the West with Beijing Bicycle, a prizewinner at Berlin back in 2001.

“Generally speaking people in China don’t live for themselves, or put themselves forward,” he said. Continued on C3

A scene from Wang Xiaoshuai's new film shows the pain the one-child policy inflicted on families in China. AFP

BACK in 2012, coming from a family vacation, SweetEscape Founder and CEO David Soong was surprised to find very few pictures that captured their perfect holiday moments. Being a photographer himself, David came up with the idea of handpicking photographers with the right skills and right styles from around the world. And in 2016, SweetEscape was born to cater to travelers who want to come home with amazing pictures.

Launched in 2017, SweetEscape now has a network of over 2000 photographers to serve thousands of travelers in over 500 cities around the world that want to capture those once-in-a-lifetime moments and turn them into beautiful memories.

In the Philippines, with six out of 10 Filipinos traveling twice a year for leisure, SweetEscape has conveniently provided a way to book photographers anywhere in the world.

Launched in Manila in July 2018, SweetEscape has grown continuously, with hundreds of bookings monthly from customers around the world.

“The Philippines quickly became the second largest market in Southeast Asia for SweetEscape.

This is why it was only natural that it became our first country of choice for global expansion,” said David. “We want our customers to see SweetEscape as a photography platform for every need, whether for travel, birthday parties, bridal showers, or any special occasion,” added SweetEscape COO and CoFounder, Emile Etienne.

Since the Philippine launch, SweetEscape has partnered with various brands for potential clients to achieve their own precious moments.

In the past year, they have

From left Maxene Magalona, Janeena Chan, and Nikki Gil pose for the cameras during the recent SweetEscape media event.

partnered with top institutions on finance and travel such as BDO, Singapore Airlines, and Klook.

SweetEscape has also created partnerships with local celebrities such as Heart Evangelista, Anne Curtis, Nikki Gil, Maxene Magalona, Solenn Heusaff, Andi Manzano, and Isabelle Daza among others to capture their own special moments.

For its first year, SweetEscape brought together its Founder and CEO David Soong and celebrities Nikki Gil and Maxene Magalona for an afternoon with the press and some of Manila’s most influential people.

SweetEscape also partnered with awesome brands joining the celebration like Delsey, The Travel Club, Photobook, Beach Hut, and Benefit Cosmetics.

“SweetEscape makes every moment memorable. It’s like having a local friend to capture the most intimate, raw, unedited memories. It’s simple and easy, yet something that can be treasured for years to come.” concluded David. Continued on C3