Trillanes IV admitted Monday that Peter Joemel Advincula, who claims to be the hooded “Bikoy” in a series of online videos accusing the President’s family and allies of accepting drug money, had approached him last year through priests.
In a privilege speech Monday afternoon, Trillanes said the priests, whom he did not identify, first brought Advincula to him in August 2118, and told him that he had sought sanctuary because drug syndicates wanted him dead.
“I listened to him but I found his details lacking and confusing so I set them aside and totally forgot the conversation,” Trillanes said.
The senator also said that in February, the same priests returned to him with documents supposedly containing bank accounts of the syndicate’s leaders.
The priests told him that these documents were given to him by Advincula’s two companions—a certain Jessmark Acosta and Dan de Vera, who are said to be
By Vito Barcelo
PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has signed the Magna Carta of the Poor or Republic Act 11291 aimed at uplifting the standard of living and quality of life of impoverished Filipinos.
A copy of the bill was signed by the President on April 12, but was released by Malacañang only on Monday. The law requires departments and agencies of the government to provide full access to government services to the poor.
On April 17, the President also signed Republic Act No. 11321 or the “Sagip Saka Act,” that aims to improve the lives of farmers and fishermen through enterprise development and would provide mechanisms for the Farmers and Fisherfolk Enterprise Development Program.
The Magna Carta of the Poor ensures that the poor are granted ready access to government services and encourages the private sector to invest in poverty alleviation programs.
members of the drug syndicate.
The priests also told him they started receiving death threats after receiving the documents.
This, Trillanes said, was about the time that President Rodrigo Duterte said priests and bishops should be killed.
Trillanes said he asked some foreign and local journalists to validate the documents, but was told this might take a while.
“But if the account details are accurate, the money trail could be traced. So as far as those documents are concerned, the existence of this
By Maricel V. Cruz
DAVAO City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio’s recent remarks about Davao del Norte Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez and incoming Taguig Rep. Alan Peter Cayetano do not bode well for their bids to become the next Speaker of the House, a veteran lawmaker said Monday.
Last week, the President’s daughter spurned a reconciliation bid from Alvarez as being insincere, and said Cayetano had threatened to “break up the group” if she supported Marinduque Rep. Lord Allan Velasco as the next speaker.
House Minority Leader Danilo Suarez told reporters that the Davao mayor’s re-
By Vito Barcelo
THE Palace on Monday assured the public that President Rodrigo Duterte is in good health and will push through with his visit to Japan after he was observed to be wobbly and sleepy during the graduation of the Philippine Military Academy Class of 2019 on Sunday.
Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said that despite showing up late and drowsy at the military graduation, President Duterte remains in good health. He said the President was sleepy and
marks were a factor in the speakership race.
“Owing to the fact that Mayor Sara gave strong words, that will have some weight in the choice of the undecided members of the House of Representatives,” he said.
Suarez added that Carpio’s statements may have narrowed the contenders for the speakership to two—Velasco and incoming Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez.
Romualdez, president of the Philippine Constitution Association and the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats, is being backed by at least 126 lawmakers who signed a manifesto of support in his favor.
“struggled to be awake” at the PMA event because of his heavy workload on the eve of the event.
“To the people who wish him to be seriously ill, they will be disappointed,” Panelo said.
“To those who are concerned about his well being, they should be assured that apart from what he already told the public of what ails him, the President is in good health, robust enough to be traveling to Japan for an official visit upon the invitation of Prime Minister Abe,” Panelo said.
MAJURO, Marshall Islands—As nuclear explosions go, the US “Cactus” bomb test in May 1958 was relatively small—but it has left a lasting legacy for the Marshall Islands in a dome-shaped radioactive dump.
The dome—described by a UN chief Antonio Guterres as “a kind of coffin”— was built two decades after the blast in the Pacific ocean region.
The US military filled the bomb crater on Runit island with radioactive waste, capped it with concrete, and told displaced residents of the Pacific’s remote Enewetak atoll they could safely return home.
But Runit’s 45-centimeter (18-inch) thick concrete dome has now developed cracks.
And because the 115-meter wide crater was never lined, there are fears radioactive contaminants are leaching through the island’s porous coral rock into the ocean.
The concerns have intensified amid climate change. Rising seas, encroaching on the low-lying nation, are threatening to undermine the dome’s structural integrity.
Jack Ading, who represents the area in the Marshalls’ parliament, calls the dome a “monstrosity.”
“It is stuffed with radioactive contaminants that include plutonium-239, one of the most toxic substances known to man,” he told AFP.
DND called out for non-use of P2.6-m ‘Yolanda’ funds since ’13
By Rio N. Araja
THE Commission on Audit has called the attention of the Defense department for not using the remaining P2.62 million for the troops affected by typhoon “Yolanda” and the magnitude-7.2 earthquake that hit Central Visayas in 2013.
In a 2018 annual audit report, state auditors cited P2.14 million in unused funds from the Office of the President for the 151 civilian and military personnel affected by the natural disasters. The commission said of the Office of the President’s P4.435-million donation, some P2.295 million had gone to the intended beneficiaries.
Another donation of P4.435 million was also designed for release.
However, the second tranche was still with the Office of the President over the Defense department’s nonliquidation of the first tranche.
The commission said the supposed beneficiaries must be eligible to get P100,000 for totally or heavily damaged houses and P30,000 for partially damaged houses.
Only 76 of the 151 beneficiaries were able to avail themselves of the financial assistance three years after the disasters.
“[The Defense department] was informed that the other beneficiaries did not avail themselves of the benefits due to the distance of their residences from the department’s office,” the report said.
On the other hand, P480,388 of the P1.3-million donation from Vietnam for the victims of the quake in Central Visayas was returned to the Bureau of Treasury over the DND’s failure to use the funds.
Based on the report, the Defense department used P819,992 from the donation to procure eight generator sets, folding beds and other tools in May 2014.
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The agencies include the Health, Social Welfare and Development, Labor and Employment, Education and Agriculture departments, the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council, the Commission on Higher Education and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority.
The beneficiaries must be individuals whose income falls below the poverty threshold as defined by the National Economic and Development Authority, and those who cannot afford in a sustained manner to provide their minimum basic needs of food, health, education, housing or other essential amenities of life.
Within six months upon the effectivity of the law, the National AntiPoverty Commission will coordinate with the government departments and agencies, with the participation of the local government units and the basic sectors, promulgate rules and regulations to carry out the provisions of this act.
Meanwhile, farmers and fishermen under the Sagip Saka Act can avail of assistance in skills development, and gain wider access to financing in the form of credit grants and crop insurance, and access to improved technologies for research and development.
The development program covers agricultural and fisheries production; acquisition of work animals, farm and fishery equipment and machinery; acquisition of seeds, fertilizer, poultry, livestock, feeds, and other similar items; procurement of agricultural and fisheries products for storage, trading, processing, and distribution; construction, acquisition, and repair of facilities in support of agriculture and fisheries; working capital for agriculture and fisheries graduates to enable them to engage in economic activities; agribusiness activities in support of soil and water conservation; working capital for long-gestating projects; and credit guarantees on uncollateralized loans to farmers and fisherfolk.
An oversight committee known as the Farmers and Fisherfolk Enterprise Development Council will also formed under the new measure to ensure the proper implementation of the program.
Only two billionaires in Senate
By Macon Ramos-Araneta
REELECTED Senator Cynthia Villar, the frontrunner in May’s midterm elections, and world boxing champion Manny Pacquiao were the only senators in the Billionaires’ Row in the Senate.
Villar remained the richest senator with a declared net worth of P3,719,941,858 as of Dec. 31, 2018, as shown in the list of the senators’ statement of assets, liabilities and net worth posted on the Senate website. She had no liabilities and her net worth this year is more than P100 million higher than last year’s P3,611,260,766.
Villar’s husband, former Senate President Manny Villar, is one of the wealthiest in the Philippines, with an estimated net worth of $5.5 billion based on Forbes magazine’s 2019 list of the wealthiest people on the planet. He ranked 317th globally.
Pacquiao, who remains active in boxing, had a net worth of
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syndicate may be true depending on the results of the validation process later on. They said they would report on it only after it was confirmed,” Trillanes said in a mix of English and Filipino.
The senator said he went back to Advincula for details on his testimony at the time, so as not to get burned by false accusations.
After that, Trillanes said, he went on a series of speaking engagements abroad, when the “Ang Totoong Narcolist” video series started appearing on social media.
“The Senate records would bear me out that I was not in the Philippines that time,” said Trillanes, insisting he had nothing to do with the videos.
Trillanes said he did not present Advincula to any Senate hearing as he did not pass his vetting process.
On May 23, in a news conference before the Philippine National Police, Advincula retracted his earlier allegations against the President’s families and allies, and accused Trillanes and the opposition Liberal Party of being behind the video series that aimed to unseat Duterte.
This was a direct repudiation of his claims on May 6, when he held a press conference at the offices of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines to reiterate his accusations against the President’s family and allies.
The opposition politicians tagged by
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P3,005,808,000―P59 million more than last year―and P146 million in liabilities.
Like Villar, Pacquiao also became richer in 2018 compared to his declared net worth of P2,946,315,029.93 in 2017.
Villar had no declared liabilities in 2018 while Pacquiao had P146,005,728 in liabilities.
Outgoing Senator Antonio Trillanes IV reported the lowest net worth of P7,533,012.10 followed by detained Senator Leila de Lima with a net worth of 7,706,392.45.
Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto was the third richest senator with a reported net worth of P555,324,479.82, followed by Major-
Advincula have all denied his accusations.
A lawyer, meanwhile, asked the Supreme Court to investigate the role of the IBP in Advincula’s surfacing.
In a letter to Chief Justice Lucas Bersamin, lawyer Ferdinand Topacio said the IBP officers responsible for the press conference at the IBP’s office “should be investigated and held accountable.”
Advincula had sought free legal assistance from the IBP but was denied his request. The IBP later said it was not involved in his press conference.
But Topacio said the IBP disclaimer was difficult to believe, because the function room where the press conference was held appeared to have been set up in advance, with a sound system and tables and chairs for the press.
The lawyer said Advincula’s press conference was not in line with the IBP’s objectives, and that it was highly improper for its officers, particularly, outgoing president Abdiel Dan Elijah Fajardo and incoming president Domingo Egon Cayosa, to have accommodated Advincula.
“Furthermore, Advincula was even accompanied by the IBP National Director for Legal Aid, attorney Minerva Ambrosio, as well as some Catholic nuns,” Topacio said in his letter to Bersamin.
“Much damage has been done to the IBP, as well as to the legal profession in general, hence, the officers responsible for this reprehensible event should be investigated and be held accountable,” he added.
the opening of classes on June 3, Philippine National Police Chief Oscar Albayalde said Monday.
“We have fielded a 120,000-strong police force to implement public safety and to intensify security and police operations in responding to peace and order concerns in both public and private learning institutions with the support of the Department of Education and the Commission on Higher Education,” Albayalde told reporters.
He said police patrols would be deployed near the schools to check for drug traffickers, muggers or violent street gangs who might “infiltrate the ranks of students.”
The Department of Transportation, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority and the National Capital Region Police Office, together with local government units, will implement traffic management operations within the vicinity of schools, especially along University Belt in Manila City.
The Education department had previously said it was expecting around 28 million students to return to school during the opening of classes.
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All survived the crash at 9 a.m. in Pontevedra village with only minor injuries, said Capt. Bernard Abarquez, head of the Antipas Municipal Police.
The driver, Ronald Dayot, said the vehicle brakes quit while he was negotiating a downward portion of the
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national highway in the area.
“The vehicle hit the highway barrier before plunging into the ravine,Abarquez said.
He named the survivors as Virgilio Amandoron; Heber Caahao, 59; Mary Luiz Digal, 35; Glenda Dejesica, 39; Flordeliza Pacultan; Aser Guanzon, 48; Catherine Cañete, 46; Flordeliza Pacultad and Jolly Beth Dayot, all residents of Gambodes village in Arakan, North Cotabato. PNA
“He is a night person. He usually sleeps at 6 a.m., he had to wake up at 8:30 a.m. for the PMA graduation rites so he only had two hours sleep,” Panelo said. The President is scheduled to travel to Japan on Tuesday for a four-day visit, mainly to attend the Nikkei Conference on the Future of Asia on May 31. The Palace said President Duterte is also scheduled to hold talks with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Friday (May 31) where the two leaders are
ity Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri with a net worth of P182,851,570.34 and Senator Juan Edgardo Angara with P135,840,710.
Senator JV Ejercito was the sixth richest senator with a net worth of 132,820,345.73, an increase of P53.9 million from his net worth in 2017.
Ejercito said the increase was due to an asset donated to him three years ago, but its documentation was only completed and reflected in 2018.
“All of these are documented, were given a deed of donation of an asset worth P50 million three years ago but the documentation was only completed and reflected in 2018,” Ejercito said, adding that the property was transferred to him and his wife.
Minority Leader Franklin Drilon was the seventh richest with a reported net worth of P97,726,758. Senator Sherwin Gatchalian was the eighth richest with a reported net worth of P96,210,607.14, and Senator Grace Poe was the ninth richest with a re-
Davao
By Rey E. Requejo
PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has ap-
pointed Court of Appeals Associate Justice Henri Jean-Paul Inting as associate justice of the Supreme Court, to take the vacancy left by the promotion of Chief Justice Lucas Bersamin in November last year, a member of the Judicial and Bar Council said on Monday.
Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra, as JBC member, confirmed last night that the President promoted Inting to the high court’s 15-member bench.
Inting is one of the 13 nominees shortlisted by the JBC and submitted to Malacañang last February.
The Davao native completes the tribunal that is expected to decide soon on controversial cases hurled against the Duterte administration, including the Chico River and Kaliwa Dam loan projects with China.
Inting, who completed his law degree from Ateneo de Davao, was ap-
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Suarez said he would not be surprised if Romualdez would get more than enough votes from his colleagues in the incoming 18th Congress.
Carpio last week said “Alvarez was, and he remains to be, a very dangerous, Machiavellian individual who does not deserve peace.”
Alvarez, a known ally of President Rodrigo Duterte, was ousted as speaker in July 2018 and was replaced by Rep. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo of Pampanga.
Carpio was reputed to be behind the ouster of Alvarez.
As for Cayetano, the Davao City mayor pooh-poohed his “threat” to bolt the administration coalition should she endorse Velasco for the speakership.
Cayetano was President Duterte’s running mate in the 2016 presidential elections but placed a poor third behind Vice President Leni Robredo and former sebatir Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who has a pending election protest against Robredo.
Duterte, meanwhile, said he would resign if his son, Davao City congressman-elect Paolo Duterte seeks the speakership.
“I told him, if you run for speakership, let me know. Because if you run, I will resign,” Duterte said during the oathtaking of several government officials at Malacañan Palace.
The President vows to remain neutral on the issue of House speakership but admitted that some aspiring candidates, including Alvarez and Romualdez,
expected to tackle defense and security, economic cooperation, infrastructure development, entry of Filipino skilled workers to Japan, assistance for the Bangsamoro region, as well as regional issues such as Korean Peninsula and the South China Sea. During the graduation ceremony, the President tasked Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana to hand out the diploma to the graduates.
Panelo said the President did this to “reserve his energy” for other ceremonial acts he had to perform at the event.
“The protocol in distributing diplomas is either he does it himself or he tasks the Secretary of National Defense to do it,” he said.
ported net worth of 93,039,921.54.
Senator Richard Gordon came in as the 10th richest senator with a net worth of P71,285,178.65, while Senate President Vicente Sotto III was 11th with P70,120,700.30.
Senator Nancy Binay had a net worth of P60,132,461.00 while Senator Loren Legarda reported a net worth of P56,290,602.11.
Senator Bam Aquino was the 14th richest senator with P45,205,138.25, followed by Panfilo Lacson with a net worth of P42,442,341.00, Senator Aquilino Martin Pimentel III with P28,662,212, and Senator Joel Villanueva with P26,921,555.00.
Senator Gregorio Honasan II had a net worth of P25,882,099.00, Senator Francis Pangilinan had P16,695,048.17, Ana Theresia Hontiveros P15,627,176.04, and Senator Francis Escudero with P10,575,228, and Senator Leila de Lima with P7.7 million.
Aside from Villar, the other senators who had no liabilities were Gatchalian, Honasan and Pimentel.
pointed to the CA in October 2012. The new SC magistrate had previously served as senior corporate lawyer in the National Housing Authority, senior CA supervising staff lawyer, public lawyer at the Public Attorney’s Office, and in succession as assistant city public prosecutor, presiding Metropolitan Trial Court judge and Regional Trial Court presiding judge, all in Quezon City. His sister, Socorro Inting, is also a CA magistrate.
During his interview with the JBC, Inting said he approves of the proposal to lower the minimum age of criminal responsibility. According to Inting, the youth, exposed to technology and the Internet, must be made aware that “there are things that are criminal acts and they should be answerable for that.”
While he said that lowering the MACE may not reduce crime rates, Inting told the JBC that it may diminish the “seriousness” or the “type of crime” committed by youth offenders.
approached him even before the May 13 midterm elections.
Earlier, Alvarez said that he is willing to withdraw his bid for another term as speaker should Paolo Duterte seek the speakership.
The President’s son, however, has yet to announce a speakership bid.
The President and his daughter have announced that they would leave it to the congressmen to pick their leader as they respect the independence of the House of Representatives.
Suarez said Mayor Sara’s statement of neutrality favors the speakership bids of Romualdez and Velasco, who she said are both her friends.
Romualdez on Monday appealed to lawmakers to embrace unity and set aside politics for the time being to ensure the country’s high and sustainable economic growth.
Romualdez proposed that all legislators seeking the speakership post sign a covenant declaring their commitment to support President Duterte’s priority bills, particularly those that are needed to sustain the economic growth momentum.
“The groundwork for fiscal reform has been set. President Duterte’s fiscal reform is expected to take our economy to the next level of development,” Romualdez said.
“If we achieve the administration’s target of reducing poverty incidence to 14 percent by 2022, our country’s collective economic managers would have, in just two decades from 2001 to 2022, reduced poverty from 39 percent to 14 percent. This would be a collective achievement our generation can be proud of,” he added. With Vito Barcelo
The President was back in his “usual alert, impassioned and assertive self” when he delivered his speech at the PMA graduation, the Palace spokesperson said.
Panelo said that the President even made jokes in his speech—where Duterte said rape and illegal drug use were among the top offenses committed by PMA cadets.
During the rites, Duterte handed out a diploma only to class valedictorian Cadet 1st Class Dionne Mae Umalla, then sat down and let Lorenzana hand out the rest of the diplomas. He stood up again to hand out a diploma to 1st Class Danmark Solomon, the lowest-ranked member. With PNA
Graft raps filed vs. ex-mayor, town execs in fertilizer scam
By Maricel V. Cruz
THE Sandiganbayan on Monday re-
ceived another complaint in connection with the fertilizer fund scam that was allegedly committed a decade and a half ago.
The Ombudsman filed charges against the former mayor of Lazi, Siquijor, who allegedly purchased fertilizers amounting to P7.68 million without complying with government procurement rules.
In their complaint, Ombudsman prosecutors alleged that former Mayor Orville Fua violated Section 3(e) of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.
The charge sheet was signed by Graft Investigation and Prosecution Officer II Alteza Anoso.
Others indicted by the Ombudsman are the town’s officials at the time–Municipal Accountant Ana Marie Leilani Monte, Municipal Treasurer Rose Marie Tomogsoc, Bids and Awards Committee Chairman Ivan Marchan, BAC members Natalio Jumawan Jr. and Sue Agnes Castillon, and Municipal Planning and Development Coordinator Teodoro Jumadla Jr.
In the case filed at the anti-graft court’s Fourth Division, Perzebros Company representatives Nancy and Pompey Perez were included as private respondents.
The town officials led by Fua were accused of giving undue advantage to Perzebros Company in 2005 for the purchase of 1,866 liters of VITACROP liquid organic at P1,500 per liter-bottle, or a total price tag of P2.687 million. They were also accused of favoring Mangopina Trading Company Inc., through its representatives Yolanda Milne and Merlyn Lu, for the procurement of 2,096 bottles of MRG liquid fertilizers and 1,258 bags of DEL GRO super foliar fertilizers for P4.99 million in 2004. This case was raffled off to the Third Division.
Ten PAF strike aircraft grounded after Sangley Point crash
ALL OF the North American Rockwell OV-10 strike aircraft of the Philippine Air Force have been grounded following the crash of one of the bombers while about to land at the Sangley Point Airport in Cavite last May 24.
“(Grounding of the remaining OV-10 aircraft is) part of our safety procedure, the aircraft will be grounded,” said PAF spokesperson Major Aristides Galang on Monday. Around five to six OV-10s are still being operated by the PAF.
If needed, the South Korean-made FA-50PH fighter aircraft and McDonnell Douglas MG-520 “Defender” attack helicopters can be deployed for missions.
“Depending on the type of missions, we can use the MG-520s or FA-50s if necessary,” Galang said. There is no order yet as to when the grounding order for the OV-10s would be lifted.
Last May 24, PAF OV-10 with tail number 402 and belonging to the 15th Strike Wing, crashed while turning crosswind for landing on runway 25 of Sangley Point Airport during the scheduled proficiency flight.
The two pilots safely ejected and were recovered by local fishermen in the area 2.5 kilometers from the shoreline of Rosario, Cavite.
The personnel were immediately picked up by a civilian fishing boat and brought to Major Danilo Atienza Air Base Hospital.
“The investigation team was already activated to conduct a thorough investigation of the mishap,” Galang said. PNA
Angara endorses bill hiking excise tax on tobacco products
By Macon Ramos-Araneta
TO REDUCE smoking prevalence among Filipinos and raise crucial funding for the government’s Universal Health Care program, Senator Sonny Angara on Monday endorsed to the Senate plenary a bill increasing the excise tax on tobacco products, which was signed by 11 senators.
The Senate Committee on Ways and Means, which Angara chairs, adopted a committee report (CR No.714) on the consolidated measure that will raise the excise tax for every cigarette pack from P45 to P60 for the next four years.
Aside from Angara, the other signatories to the committee report are Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto, Senators Win Gatchalian, JV Ejercito, Risa Hontiveros, Manny Paquiao, Panfilo Lacson, Francis Pangilinan, Franklin Drilon, Nancy Binay, Loren Legarda and Migz Zubiri.
Angara said the committee report proposes a starting rate of P45 in 2020 or an
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“The coffin is leaking its poison into the surrounding environment. And to make matters even worse, we’re told not to worry about this leakage because the radioactivity outside of the dome is at least as bad as the radioactivity inside of it.”
Staggering’ challenges
The dome has become a symbol of the mess left by the US nuclear test program in the Marshall islands when 67 bombs were detonated between 1947-58 at Enewetak and Bikini atolls.
Numerous islanders were forcibly evacuated from ancestral lands and resettled, including Enewetak’s residents. Thousands more islanders were exposed to radioactive fallout and suffered health problems.
The people of Enewetak were allowed home in 1980, and about 800 islanders now live in the southern part of the atoll, 20 kilometers (12 miles) from Runit.
After the US military withdrew, the Marshall Islands government officially accepted a “full and final” settlement to cover the impact of the nuclear tests.
But there have long been complaints that the compensation paid by Washington was inadequate, and the United Nations has described “a legacy of distrust” towards the United States.
UN Secretary General Guterres raised the issue earlier this month after meeting Marshall Islands President Hilda Heine in Fiji, when they discussed the nuclear legacy and the prospect of radioactive leakage from Runit dome.
“green wave” in many countries—but the anti-immigrant AfD broke the 10-percent barrier.
Emmanuel Macron’s centrist movement, damaging his drive for deeper European integration.
In Britain, Farage’s one-issue Brexit Party appeared to have trounced the main parties and he will send a large contingent of British eurosceptics to a parliament they want to leave in a few months. And in Italy, Salvini’s far-right League achieved a similar result, strengthening its role at the core of a vocal populist faction in the EU’s legislature.
The advance of the right was less pronounced in Germany—where a strong showing by the Greens was reflected in a
“We are facing a shrinking centre,” said German conservative Manfred Weber, lead candidate for the centre-right European People’s Party (EPP) to replace Jean-Claude Juncker as European Commission chief.
‘Big win’
Turnout EU-wide was estimated at 51 percent, the highest in 20 years, suggesting more than 200-million citizens across the 28-nation bloc voted in a poll billed as a battle between populists and pro-European forces.
Across Europe, according to updated projections prepared by the parliament, the EPP is on course to have the most seats in the assembly with 179, down
increase of P10 in the first year of implementation, followed by a series of annual P5 increases until the rate reaches P60 in 2023. Thereafter, the rate automatically increases by 5 percent.
In resorting to gradual tax increase instead of an immediate P25 bump to the current rate, Angara said the committee did a delicate balancing act in considering a measure that will reconcile the competing interests of the government, health advocates, the cigarette industry and tobacco farmers.
Hontiveros said “the Senate must finish strong on health reforms in the closing stretch of the 17th Congress.”
“The Pacific was victimized in the past as we all know... the consequences of these have been quite dramatic, in relation to health, in relation to the poisoning of waters in some areas,” he said.
Marshalls Foreign Minister John Silk said he appreciated Guterres bringing the Runit dome to world attention with this comments.
“We are pleased that the Secretary General made these statements, since so often it seems that these ongoing legacy issues that continue to impact our people are forgotten by the international community,” he said.
Uncertain future
Rhea Moss-Christian, who chairs the Marshall Islands National Nuclear Commission, said the country “needs the support of the international community to address the staggering health and environmental challenges across the Pacific.”
The consequences of the dome failing are unclear.
A 2013 inspection commissioned by the US government suggested radioactive fallout in the Enewetak lagoon sediment was already so high a catastrophic failure would not necessarily result in locals receiving increased dosages of radiation.
Silk, noting that the US government had committed to ongoing monitoring of the dome, said an independent assessment of the structure’s status “would be helpful.”
But Ading said the situation was “a constant source of anxiety for the people of Enewetak.”
“We pray that the Runit dome does not eventually become our coffin,” he said.
sharply from 216 in 2014.
With the center-left Socialists and Democrats projected to win 150, down from 185, the two mainstream parties will no longer have a majority and will have to reach out to liberals to maintain a “cordon sanitaire” and exclude the far-right from decision making.
The Liberals (ALDE), who include Macron’s party, are on course for 107 seats against 69 previously while the Greens are forecast to take 70 seats, up from 52.
The various populist, eurosceptic and right-wing parties won more than 150 seats, but form no coherent coalition.
The Europe of Nations and Freedom— composed mainly of the French National Rally and Salvini’s League—saw their share rise from 37 to 58 seats. AFP
PAO files plea to consolidate civil suits on Dengvaxia
By Rio N. Araja
THE Public Attorney’s Office has filed motions for reconsideration before the Quezon City Regional Trial Court in a bid to consolidate the civil suits filed by the kin of the 32 school children who died after receiving Dengvaxia vaccine shots.
“Wherefore, premises considered, it is most respectfully prayed of this Honorable Court that the herein Motion be GRANTED and that the present case be consolidated with the case entitled ‘Heirs of Abbie Hedia, namely, Ariel A. Hedia and Ruby N. Hedia vs. Sanofi Pasteur Inc., et al.’ with Docket No. RQZN-18-05227-CV pending before the Regional Trial Court-Branch 226, Quezon City,” the motions read.
“Other reliefs that are just and equitable are likewise prayed for.”
She said that the passage of the measure will reduce the incidence of smoking among Filipinos and at the same time fund accessible and effective health programs for all.
“Let us not miss this opportunity to save Filipino lives, as well as ensure our good health and well-being. One of the best parting gifts from the Senate this 17th Congress would be the passage of a law that will reduce incidence of smoking among Pinoys and at the same time fund accessible and effective health programs for all,” she said.
Sin tax coalition advocates led by Dr. Anthony Leachon appealed to senators to pass this bill, stressing that the health and welfare of Filipinos should be placed above any business interests, particularly in a product that causes nothin harm to users and non-users
He said raising the taxes on cigarettes is known to be one of the most effective measures to reduce smoking prevalence in the country. He said the funds that will be generated from the increased taxes can be used to bankroll the UHC implementation.
The signatories in the motions included PAO chief Persida Acosta, Deputy Chief Public Attorneys Silvestre Mosing and Ana Lisa Soriano, Regional Public Attorney (National Capital Region) Marlon Buan, Regional Public Attorney (Region IV-B) Revelyn RamosDacpano, Public Attorney IV Demiteer Huerta, Assistant Regional Public Attorney (NC) Rigel Salvador, and Public Attorney III Ronald Macorol, Julius Ceasar Balbuena, Marilyn Balbin and Mark Jayson Gambon.
“Thus, the consolidation of the instant case, with other similar Dengvaxia cases, is desirable to expedite the hearing of the cases, and to avoid confusion, conflicting ruling, and unnecessary costs entailed with multiplicity of suits as the two cases involve common questions of facts and law,” the PAO said.
“The PAO at the instance of several families of the deceased victimrecipients of Dengvaxia vaccine administration through indiscriminate mass inoculation program of the Department of Health without appropriate screening and prior informed consent, instituted several complaints for damages against the herein defendants, including the instant case. To wit,” it added.
Branch 226 Judge Manuel Sta. Cruz Jr. earlier denied the motions to dismiss the case filed by the Sanofi and Zuellig Pharma executives.
He upheld that the complaint filed the parents of the 13-year-old Abbie Hedia had sufficient basis to take actions.
Amend Foreign Investment Act—Win
SENATOR Win Gatchalian is pushing for the amendment of the Foreign Investments Act of 1991 to provide a renewed boost to the entry of foreign direct investments into the country and stimulate job creation.
Senate Bill No. 2227, sponsored by Gatchalian, seeks to amend certain provisions of the FIA to “take advantage of global and regional economic dynamics” and
collections of former First Lady and now Ilocos Norte Rep. Imelda Marcos through a public auction. Based on the list provided by the PCGG, the Hawaii Collection under the safekeeping in the vaults of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas was worth P704.8 million.
The letter, dated Sept. 7, 2018, was sent to Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez, and Commission on Audit chairman Michael Aguinaldo. Records of Civil Case No. 0141 showed there were three collections of jewelry seized from Marcos. The more valuable ones were the so-called Hawaiian and Roumeliotes collections composed of extravagant pieces and loose gemstones seized by Customs officials, and the “less fancy” Malacañang Collection consisting of trinkets and ornaments left behind by the Marcos family when they fled the country in February 1986. Rio N. Araja
BATTLE OF ALAPAN. Workers from the National Historical Commission of the Philippines hoist Philippine ags at the plaza of Alapan yesterday in preparation for the celebration of Battle of Alapan on Tuesday, May 28. The Battle of Alapan was the battle between Filipino revolutionary forces led by General Emilio Aguinaldo on May 28, 1898 against Spanish naval infantry led by Capt. Pedro Castillo. Norman Cruz
The tragedy of unpaid Customs overtime
SOMETIME toward the end of the administration of former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, a group of Customs employees approached me.
They claimed that they belonged to a group of Customs personnel assigned to arriving and departing airlines at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport. They were expected to serve beyond their mandated eight-hour work schedule. Often, they did the additional work late at night and the early hours of the following day.
I followed the case until it reached the Supreme Court. Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio came out with a landmark decision that the Customs and Tariff Code required the payment of those who work overtime to be paid, not by Customs, but by the airlines who benefited from the overtime work.
The amount of unpaid overtime was estimated at P2.1 billion.
The Board of Airline Representatives headed by Philippine Airlines started to quibble on the amount to be paid and even accused the Customs personnel that the amount actually due them was much less.
IEDITORIAL
Long after Marawi
T REMAINS A puzzle to many Filipinos how Marawi City is really doing two years after the siege.
On one hand we are told that recovery is under way, and that the people who were displaced have gone back to their homes rebuilding what was destroyed by the terrorists and the efforts to contain them.
until the end of the rehabilitation in 2021.”
But the International Committee of the Red Cross says more than 100,000 displaced people still have to return to their homes.
homes, there remain the issue of livelihood, psychosocial rehabilitation, infrastructure and employment.
It's a good thing President Rodrigo Duterte was only joking when he said he would leave the rehabilitation of the city to its businessmen and affluent residents.
They told me they had not been given their overtime pay. In the beginning, they were given this, but later on, Customs refused to pay overtime.
It came to a point during the Aquino administration when no less than six commissioners took over Customs in succession. None of them ever bothered to compel the BAR to pay. This controversy continued until the end of the Aquino administration. The local and foreign airlines refused to pay overtime.
In fact on May 23, the second anniversary of the siege, the Office of Global Media Affairs of the Presidential Communications Operations Office brought more than 40 foreign journalists to showcase the rehabilitation program of the government.
Countless aid organizations have complemented government efforts to rehabilitate the city and to solve the humanitarian crisis that has resulted from the siege. Unfortunately the solutions have been far from sustainable.
There was even a move by the Customs personnel to cite the BAR for contempt because the Supreme Court had already decided on the matter.
The event supposedly counters the disinformation and inaccurate narratives going around about what is happening in Marawi.
“The people of Marawi have grown tired and frustrated. They want to stand on their own feet again and stop depending on assistance," said Martin Thalmann, ICRC head.
Nobody should consign Marawi to history: It is an ongoing saga of what could go wrong and what could hamper even the most earnest efforts to do good. It reminds us that ultimately it is the people who become casualties of such disasters, and that the decisions made by people at the top affect those on the ground the most.
I was told there were some 900 Customs personnel affected by this.
Consequently, I took time to investigate, and the Customs collector assigned did file a protest over the unpaid overtime work.
The case was later elevated by the Commissioner of Customs and the Finance secretary to the Office of the Solicitor General to decide what action to take. The SolGen filed a case in court.
The argument of the SolGen was that when government personnel work overtime, beyond their eight-hour official duty, they should be paid overtime. Otherwise, it would be a violation of the law to require government employees to work overtime and not get paid for it.
Strangely, when this happened, the SolGen, the same agency that succeeded in making the airline pay, turned down the contempt charge. This gave rise to the question: On whose side was the SolGen, anyway?
Almost all of the 900 Customs personnel adversely affected by the nonpayment of overtime have since retired. Some of them have even died. And still the issue seems to have been forgotten.
You know what Customs did to resolve the issue? It hired people to augment the shortage of personnel. On record, Customs had to spend millions to make overtime duty a thing of the past.
I had wondered why the overtime pay has not been paid after all these years. This has raised questions on the competence of Customs higher ups, and even Finance people have said not to pursue the case.
Institutionalizing and not ending ‘endo’
THE recently passed Senate Bill 1826, known as “Security of Tenure” Bill (SoT), is seen by the Senate and some labor organization as the beginning of the end of endo, (fixed-term contractual employment of regular jobs), a fulfillment of President Duterte’s promise of ending contractualization. Basically, SoT amends Articles 106 to 109 and 294 to 297 of the Labor Code. Articles 106 to 109 concerns the payment of wages of workers under a third-party contractor while Articles 294 to 297 specifies the “just” and “authorized” causes for terminating employment.
Unfortunately, this new bill, if passed by the 17th Congress after a bicameral conference, might end up institutionalizing and not terminating the despicable practice that all labor unions have been decrying.
According to lawyer and Bukluran ng Manggagawang Pilipino president Luke Espiritu in his position paper “Demystifying Contractualization,” Articles 106 to 109 neither explicitly created nor legalized endo and contractualization in its most rampant form—trilateral employment (workers indirectly hired through third-party contractors/agencies). It simply states that employers should be “jointly and severally liable” with the contractor if the wages of employees of the contractor is not paid. These articles were written in 1974 at a time when trilateral employment through job contractors and manpower agencies was not rampant. In the SoT Bill, however, the Senate explicitly legalizes trilateral employment by legislating a new Article 107, which explicitly allows the licensing of job contractors that the hitherto Labor Code does not provide. This comes at a time when trilateral employment and not endo is the main
scheme for contractual employment, with thousands of third-party manpower agencies acting as “employers” for the current generation of contractual workers.
The number one complaint of many Filipino workers is that they are employed under an agency instead of being directly employed by the company where they are working. These agencies, all of which are licensed by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) under Department Order 174, are notorious in not paying the proper wages benefits such as social security, PhilHealth, service incentive leave, 13th month pay, and holiday pay. These contractual workers “under agency” could not complain to the company because under a
Secretary Eduardo del Rosario, chairman of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council, assured the locals that Marawi would rise as a prosperous city again. “We are with you
Rehabilitation efforts are of course difficult, complex and never linear. Aside from the provision of basic needs to those who still cannot return from their
Moreover, the threat of terrorism looms large still, despite our apparent distraction with politics and other issues. May we remember Marawi every day, despite its distance from the political centers, for all its painful lessons, dire warnings, and continuing challenges.
the best bet to lead the House?
trilateral setup, the company is not the real employer but the third party.
This inane scheme is institutionalized not by the Labor Code but by various DOLE Department Orders. Hence, it is hard for workers to win regularization cases before the National Labor Relations Commission because for as long as an agency is licensed, their trilateral employment arrangement with a company is legal. Aside from depressing wages and benefits, trilateral employment is a surgical scheme to curb unionism. Since agencies free companies from an employer-employee relationship, workers could unionize only with the contractor. If they enter into collective bargaining with the contractor to increase their wages and benefits, the contractor will naturally increase its service fee to the company. Always, businesses will go for cheaper service fees from contractors, arguing cut-
AS THE 2019 midterm elections enters the country’s contemporary history as a generally peaceful political exercise characterized by the overwhelming dominance of the Duterte administration’s chosen candidates at both the national and local levels, public attention is now focused on who would hold the mantle of leadership at the House of Representatives from July 1st onward.
At this point, three names are among the leading contenders for the post to be vacated by former President and outgoing Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo as Speaker of the House of Representatives.
The three potential candidates are former Senator and Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano, for-
Known as a team player, Romualdez has shown an uncanny ability to forge close personal and working relationships with the senior members of the Lower Chamber.
mer Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez, and Marinduque Rep. Lord Allan Velasco. All three are lawyers, and highly qualified to lead the lawmaking function of the Lower House of Congress until 2022.
The choice of House leader is significant as the nearly 300-strong House membership is expected to deliberate on key components of the Duterte administration’s legislative agenda. Hence, the success or failure
of the administration’s economic, political and social reforms hinges on how well the lawmakers are able to agree on what to do in the next three years. The choice of House leader is crucial particularly in light of the acrimonious debate between leaders of the House and the Senate, on the one hand, and between a key member of the Duterte Cabinet and a leading member of the House, on the other, that led to delay in the passage of the 2019 national budget. With a reenacted budget from last year that affected the timely disbursement of funds especially for vital Build, Build, Build infrastructure projects, the delay proved disastrous for the economy as we failed to achieve the first quarter growth target. Our economic managers projected a quarterly growth rate of 6.6 percent, but the reenacted budget brought this down to a measly 5.6 percent.
Adelle Chua, Editor
IN A weekend opinion piece on yellow online outlet Rappler, the unlamented outgoing Senator Trillanes opined as to how there were in fact so many positive takeaways from the electoral rout of the Otso sa Nitso that one might be forgiven for considering it a victory in disguise.
For starters, although nine of the Hugpong’s twelve candidates won, Trillanes crowed over the handful of administration candidates who lost. Bong Go “only” won 44 percent of the vote. Gary Alejano would have won with just a hundred million more pesos. Even if Bam Aquino only placed an unspectacular 14th , Trillanes claimed this already makes Bam “a base the opposition can build on for the political battles ahead.”
The senator reminds me of the losing basketball coach who whined that he would have won if the game hadn’t been five minutes too short. Not only does Trillanes see the half-empty glass as half-full; give him a three-fourths empty glass and he’ll brag that it’s one-fourth full. You’ve got to admire the do-or-die attitude of this recidivist mutineer.
Bottom line, how does Trillanes explain his victory-disguised-as-defeat? “Why do the masses still support Duterte and his allies?” he rhetorically asks his comrades. “The simple answer is, they don’t know what you know and they haven’t seen what you’ve seen. In other words, the Filipino masses…are just not as enlightened as you are.”
Wow. Great words of wisdom from the outgoing senator, who says he’s now considering a teaching job. We can only wish the best of luck to his unlucky future students.
*
* * As an observant Catholic, I was delighted by the recent declaration of December 8 as a special working holiday to honor the Feast of the Immaculate Conception of Our Lady. This doctrine is, to my knowledge, the only Church pronouncement, centuries ago, when Papal infallibility was invoked ex cathedra.
I’m happy that as a working holiday, the now-public feast will not
It should be pointed out that all three potential Speakership candidates have close ties to the Executive branch. Cayetano ran as Duterte’s vice presidential bet; Romualdez is a close ally of President Duterte, Davao Mayor Sara Duterte, and former Special Assistant to the President Christopher “Bong” Go; and Velasco has shown unswerving loyalty to Malacañang. But the President would do well to choose Romualdez as House Speaker. For one thing, Cayetano harbors presidential ambitions, and he would certainly exert every effort to shore up his image instead of steering the passage of priority legislation. Cayetano seems to forget that no House Speaker ever succeeded in winning the presidency.
Velasco’s youth may work in his favor, but his experience in legislative work pales in comparison with those of his older colleagues. Can he get the cooperation and support of more experienced legislators behind his pet bills? I don’t think so.
Holidays
incur a public cost in terms of lost productivity. But it also reminded me of all those other public holidays when, in fact, people do take time off from work and incur enormous costs to the economy and to productivity. Right now, the Philippines ranks third worldwide in number of non-working holidays.
GDP this year. In my book, a permanent bump of this size in our economy virtually guarantees us a credit upgrade to the coveted single-A rating, sooner rather than later.
The race for the Speakership at the House of Representatives has been narrowed down to Rep. Lord Allan Velasco and Rep. Martin Romualdez. Both have been endorsed by presidential daughter Sara Duterte Carpio.
It seems that the other contenders, Representatives Alan Peter Cayetano and Pantaleon Alvarez, have lost the confidence of their colleagues.
But Romualdez’s CV speaks for itself. He graduated from UP where he took up his LLB and Cornell for his post-graduate studies. He is the president of the Philippine Constitution As-
Credit rating agencies’ judgments need closer examination
For 2019, I estimate that we could have eliminated as many as 10 recurrent regular or special holidays that fall on a weekday.
But the benefits need not be enjoyed only by the bankers and businessmen. Effective last year, the lowest minimum wage in our country is P500 per day, received by some 2 million minimum wage earners. This could immediately be doubled to P1,000 per day at an additional annual cost of P250 billion, or less than half of the additional P700 billion in GDP gained by giving up all those holidays. This doubles the minimum wage, pumps up aggregate demand, but without inflation.
holidays? Well, let’s start with the
Just how big is the cost of those holidays? Well, let’s start with the country’s annual GDP, which, say, in 2018 was worth $350 billion. If we assume that everybody takes two weeks vacation a year, that GDP is generated by fifty weeks of work-time, inclusive of all those public holidays. This means that, per week, we generate $7 billion of GDP, or P350 billion. Assuming a five-day work week, that’s $1.4 billion, or P70 billion, per day.
Now let’s look at the schedule of holidays. For 2019, I estimate that we could have eliminated as many as 10 recurrent regular or special holidays that fall on a weekday. These can be broken down as follows:
Cancel three holidays: People Power and Ninoy Aquino days, and the 2nd day of Eid’l Adha
The following 3 holidays are not based on specific historical dates. Thus we could move them to the nearest week end instead: Labor Day (in the US it’s celebrated in September, not May), National Heroes Day, and All Souls Day (but not All Saints).
Although these next three holidays are based on specific dates, I see no compelling reason why they couldn’t also be moved to the nearest weekend instead: Day of Valor (Fall of Bataan), Bonifacio Day (his birthday), and Rizal Day (his death).
Reduce Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve holidays to half a day only instead of one full day each.
Fully implemented, these 10 additional working days—equal to two full working weeks—could have added $14 billion, or P700 billion, to our
On the other hand, Martin Romualdez vies for the prestigious House leadership with solid academic credentials. He holds degrees from Cornell University in the United States and from the University of the Philippines College of Law. His curriculum vitae lists down many years of experience in both the public and private sectors. Not many know, of course, that Romualdez also headed the Philippine Constitution Association, or Philconsa, an institution that upholds the sanctity of the rule of law and firm adherence to constitutional processes.
More than this, Romualdez has shown an uncanny ability to forge close personal and working relationships with the senior members of the Lower Chamber. He is also known for being a team player, with former House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. citing him for being a conscientious House member who helped the Majority in passing important pieces of legislation. That he has earned the respect of other lawmakers because of his ability to reconcile conflicting viewpoints and to work with other legislators from the opposite side of
sociation.
Romualdez is a consensus builder. He is somebody who listens. His wife Yedda is now Tingog Party-list representative. He has all the qualities to be the next Speaker of the House.
Speaking of Yedda, I support her appeal to the Senate to give priority to the passage of the bill creating the Department of Disaster Resilience.
The DDR bill has been approved at the House and is now at the Senate.
This will reduce the bureaucratic red tape that has caused delays in the delivery of assistance to disaster victims.
Nobody can argue against the need to provide leadership in disaster mitigation, prevention, preparedness and
By cutting those holidays, we would have reduced our non-working holidays in 2019 to only 11 or 12— the same as the average of 11 holidays worldwide. The issue here is how serious we are, really, about working hard and growing our economy. We need to work harder, but still no harder than the rest of the world.
In John’s running account of Jesus’ discourses during the Last Supper, today’s Gospel (John 16: 5-11) talks about the coming of the Paraclete, the Holy Spirit, the Advocate who will take His place in this world after Jesus leaves it.
What does the Advocate wish believers to understand? That refusal to believe in Jesus is sinful. That death simply opened Jesus’ way back to the Father. And that this resurrection of His condemns the earthly rule of Satan. This Advocate is supernally powerful. In the first reading (Acts 16: 22-34), Paul and Barnabas are freed from prison in Philippi by a severe earthquake—one so severe that it also persuades their jailer to convert, with his family, to the new religion.
In today’s world, the Holy Spirit continues Jesus’ work of building the kingdom of God on earth by breathing His Divine love into the hearts of men.
* * *
We’d like to congratulate Manila Archbishop Luis Cardinal Tagle on his recent reelection in Rome to the presidency of Caritas Internationalis, the world’s biggest network of Catholic charities. He was first elected to the post in 2015, making him the first president from Asia.
God bless you on your good works, Your Eminence. You truly do us proud.
the political fence would be another plus in his favor. This is of crucial importance since the next three years would most likely witness intense jockeying for positions among legislators who want to either keep themselves in power or want to aspire for higher political office in 2022.
If the majority of those who won in the midterm polls have indicated their preference for Romualdez as House Speaker and are willing to cross party lines to see to it that he takes over as the fourth highest official in the country, it is a testament to his firm hand and wealth of experience in public office over the years.
The question uppermost in the minds of the direct representatives of the people in the legislature is: Who can best lead the institution in this crucial junction in our contemporary political history?
From where we sit, the choice is clear: Romualdez is the best choice for the job, and given the mandate by his colleagues, he is certain to lead the House in the correct path.
Email: ernhil@yahoo.com
response, as well as recovery and rehabilitation.
* * * Malacañang is wasting time and energy giving importance to the habitual liar, Peter Joemel Advincula, also known as Bikoy. He came out with that video claiming that the Duterte family was receiving drug money. And now he has recanted this claim, pointing to Senator Antonio Trillanes IV.
The Manila Standard editorial said “once a liar, always a liar.” I agree Advincula, who is facing charges of estafa and illegal recruitment, insults the intelligence of the people. www.emiljurado.weebly.com
This brings me back to the issue of the treatment that is generally accorded to the judgments and opinions of the international credit rating agencies. The latest S&P judgment on this country’s long-term credit rating was naturally—and predictably—accepted without any negative comment. While I, a Filipino, am very pleased about the resulting lowering of the cost of Philippine borrowing in the international financial markets, I am not at all sure that this country’s long-term credit rating merits an upgrade at this time. The rating should have been kept at BBB for now, in my view.
We are mere mortals and they are the international agencies that rate the creditworthiness of sovereign and private borrowers.
THE international credit rating agencies belong to a class of institutions whose judgments and opinions are supposed to be accepted without question by governments and financial communities. The upgrade and downgrade judgments that those agencies—S&P Global Ratings, Moody’s Investor Services and the Fitch Group—make and the reasons that they present in support of those judgments, are supposed to be regarded by governments and financial communities virtually like the tablets with which Moses came down from the mountain. After all, we are mere mortals and they are the international agencies that rate the creditworthiness of sovereign and private borrowers. Should everything that emanates from S&P, Moody’s and Fitch be accorded the status of Gospel truth? Should they—judgments, opinions and analyses—be accepted in unquestioning fashion? Or ought they to be subjected to scrutiny and, if need be, challenge?
Clearly, the judgments of the Big Three of international credit rating do not possess the status of Gospel truth and should not be accepted unquestioningly. Case in point is the most recent S&P judgment on the credit rating on the Philippines—the sovereign credit rating, in international financial parlance.
A few weeks ago, April 30, S&P decided to raise the long-term credit rating of the Philippines one notch— to BBB+ from BBB, with stable outlook. That has placed this country within striking distance of an A-1 rating. A-1 rating is the first step along the road to an AAA rating, which is the highest in the international credit rating system.
S&P cited three factors in its decision to upgrade the long-term Philippine credit rating to BBB+. These were (1) a healthy external position, (2) sustainable public finances and (3) above-average economic growth. S&P said that its stable-outlook assessment “reflected its assumption that the Philippine economy would continue to achieve above-average real GDP growth over the medium term, supporting the sovereign credit profile.” S&P further stated that it attaches great importance to three factors in deciding whether to revise a country’s credit rating or to not revise it. These are “significant further achievements in … fiscal reforms”, a country’s “status as a net external creditor (becoming more secure)” and a country’s “international settings’ (improving) marketing.”
throat competition. Hence, companies will go for de-unionized agencies for cheaper labor—a race to the bottom.
As for regular, directly-hired workers who may form unions, it would be likewise hard for them to bargain for higher wages, as their bargaining power through their capacity to strike is hindered when majority of their colleagues are employed under an agency. If regular workers decide to strike, they would be a lonely platoon for infantries of contractual workers employed by an agency are not compelled to join the strike and as such will continue working for the company.
With the SoT Bill, contractualization through trilateral employment will be backed by a national law—a Republic Act—and no longer by a DOLE order. This means that repealing the new Article 107 legalizing job contractors and manpower agencies should be an act of Congress—a snailpaced amendment process that could take decades unlike a DOLE order which a Labor Secretary or President
The fact is that, since the day on which S&P upgraded the Philippines’ long-term credit rating to BBB, there has been no significant positive change in any of the three areas that S&P considers essential to any decision to upgrade or downgrade a long-term sovereign credit rating. For starters, this country’s “institutional settings” have not improved markedly; the shifts that have taken place in Philippine external relations and the proposed changes in the nation’s governmental structure have created a climate of uncertainty and hesitancy among international organizations, foreign governments and investors. The Duterte administrations’ reliance on excise tax increases strengthen the public finances have, predictably, ignited inflationary fires and social unrest. And the stepped-up foreign borrowing to help finance the BuildBuild-Build infrastructure program, undertaken within the context of a fragile balance of payments, has prevented the securing of the Philippines’ status as a net external creditor.
Phil
One gets the impression that the international credit rating agencies concentrate on the state and prospects of financial blows and take little account of the serious shortcomings and flaws in the real economy that gives rise to such flows. These shortcomings and flaws include an inefficient agriculture (2018 growth: a miniscule 0.6%), a chronically imbalanced external trade (first quarter 2019 deficit: $9.8 billion) and an equally chronic failure to attract sufficient FDI (foreign direct investment). The rating-agency analyses that accompany the changes in sovereign credit ratings have little to say about the impact of such shortcomings and flaws on the current and future performances of the credit-rated economies. The latest S&P upgrade of the Philippines’ long-term credit rating is no exception to this state of affairs.
In sum, the judgments and pronouncements of the international credit rating agencies need to be subjected to examination closer than that which they have accustomed to receive. Failure to do so is unhealthy.
could reprobate. Rather than legalizing manpower agencies, legislators ought to push for a Security of Tenure Bill that would explicitly prohibit all forms of trilateral employment. The law in its current form would only further institutionalize the trilateral work arrangement.
The SoT Bill, hence, will secure trilateral employment and strengthen contractualization. Third-party contractors such as the Philippine Association of Legitimate Service Contractors (PALSCON) and AsiaPro are now having their celebratory toast because this law will be good for their business. With them in their banquet are corporations who will be freed from their obligations to their workers.
As the bill heads into the bicameral conference, my hope is that a provision prohibiting trilateral employment arrangements is included. There might be a few exceptions but they should be rare and the presumption should be that such arrangements are illegal. This is how to end endo once and for all.
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By Vito Barcelo
Tbats for security of tenure bill
HE labor group Trade Union Congress of the Philippines said at least 10,000 fly-by night third party labor contractors would be affected once the Security of Tenure Bill was approved by President Rodrigo Duterte.
“These are the ones who are operating illegally by hiring workers and supplying these to principal firms without the required sufficient capital, office and the needed equipment and tools to be considered legitimate labor contractors,” TUCP spokesperson Alan Tanjusay said.
The TUCP also said the SOT bill would cut labor cost on the part of employers while it would stimulate higher productivity for workers and improve
the business climate in the country.
“On the part of labor, the bill will incentivize workers to higher labor productivity by regularizing huge numbers of them. On the part of the business and employers, it will cut down production costs by doing away with ‘Labor-only’ contractors whose financial services charges add 15 percent to the labor costs of employers utilizing such agencies,” TUCP president Raymond Mendoza said.
He added: “The measure will also reduce training costs for firms who are constantly refitting a new workforce as they phase out workers whose ‘Endo’ contracts have run out. It means having an experienced and loyal workforce for employers treating their workers fairly.
“After all, our labor market model should not be sweatshop countries like Bangladesh. By equipping our workers with world-class labor standards, we help our workers make world-class products.”
Once the bill is approved, industrial tripartite councils composed of government, employers and labor groups shall identify the type of jobs which can be considered seasonal, regular, probationary and project-based.
Meanwhile, Malacañang assured the labor group of passage of the
bill without the interference from the Palace.
The Presidential Legislative Liaison Office assured the TUCP that President Rodrigo Duterte would not veto the anti-Endo Security of Tenure that would be tackled by the bicameral conference committee this coming Wednesday after it was passed 15-0 vote by the Senate last week.
TUCP vice president Louie Corral said the Security of Tenure bill that was passed by both the Senate and the House of Representatives will convene as bicameral conference committee on Wednesday (May 29) to reconcile the two versions.
“The House and the Senate versions look almost the same. We don’t see any difficult differences between the two versions,” said Corral.
THE Interior department and the Finance deparment have partnered to ensure that Local Government Units will be more business-friendly in consonance with the guidelines adopted by both government entities giving reasonable regulatory fees and charges for their services. The two agencies have signed a joint memorandum circular guiding LGUs to set reasonable fees and charges in accordance with the provisions of Republic Act 7160 or the Local Government Code of 1991 and RA 11032 or the Ease of Doing Business Law.
DILG Secretary Eduardo Año said with the issuance of the JMC, LGUs would be effectively guided on how to adjust and revise their fees and charges “at just and reasonable rates sufficient to cover the cost of services rendered.”
“High rates discourage investors while low rates could compromise the revenue generation of the LGUs. With this JMC, we are able to set the standard for the appropriate rates for the fees and charges to be imposed by the LGUs,” Año pointed out. Francisco Tuyay
By Rey E. Requejo
A BICOLANO lawmaker has asked the Supreme Court to stop the controversial policy of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority banning provincial buses along EDSA, the main thoroughfare in the national capital region.
In a 12-page petition filed on Monday, Albay Rep. Joey Sarte Salceda sought issuance of a temporary restraining order or writ of preliminary injunction to immediately enjoin the MMDA from implementing its Regulation No. 19-002.
The former Albay governor also asked the SC to nullify the controversial regulation purportedly intended to ease traffic in Metro Manila’s main thoroughfare.
Salceda stressed the MMDA overstepped the boundary of its power in issuing the regulation, saying it had neither police power or legislative power to unilaterally revoke or prohibit the issuance of permits to all bus terminals along EDSA.
“In issuing the MMDA Regulation prohibiting and revoking permits to all affected PUB terminals along EDSA [it] is already encroaching into the realm of a legislative body and not performing an administrative function which is the
limits of its authority under R.A. 7924 (MMDA Charter),” Salceda’s petition stated.
The lawmaker further alleged that the measure violated the franchises issued by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board on affected buses and also the lease agreements between the affected bus operators and terminal owners.
He added the regulation was “oppressive, unfair” and “will cause economic disruption, inconvenience and added financial burden to ordinary commuters.”
Salceda believes banning provincial buses will not solve traffic on Edsa.
“How then will they reduce traffic when they will add an assortment of close to 20,000 new vehicles just so they can evict 6,000 provincial buses from EDSA? Add the Grab vehicles who will be paged by loyal riders to and from both stop off points towards EDSA and what do we have?” he said.
“There are 2.8-million cars in the National Capital Region plying Edsa versus only 6,000 provincial buses, who do you think is actually causing traffic?” the lawmaker added.
A similar petition citing the same arguments was filed last month by the AKO Bicol Party-list group.
3.
will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using a non-discretionary “pass/fail” criterion as specified in the 2016 Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act (RA) 9184, otherwise known as the “Government Procurement Reform Act”. Bidding is restricted to Filipino citizens/sole proprietorships, partnerships, or organizations with at least sixty percent (60%) interest or outstanding capital stock belonging to citizens of the Philippines, and to citizens or organizations of a country the laws or regulations of which grant similar rights or privileges to Filipino citizens, pursuant to RA 5183.
4. A complete set of Bidding Documents may be acquired by interested Bidders on May 28, 2019 (Tuesday) until 9:00 am of June 17, 2019 (Monday) from the address below and upon payment of the applicable fee for the Bidding Documents, pursuant to the latest Guidelines issued by the GPPB, in the amount of Five Thousand Pesos (Php 5,000.00). It may also be downloaded free of charge from the website of the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PhilGEPS) at www.philgeps. gov.ph and the website of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office at ww.pcso.gov.ph provided that Bidders shall pay the applicable fee for the Bidding Documents not later than the submission of their bids.
5. The schedule of activities is listed, as follows: ACTIVITIES SCHEDULE VENUE Issuance of the Bidding Documents May 28, 2019 (Tuesday) up to 9:00 a.m. of June 17, 2019 (Monday) BAC Office, 3rd Floor Conservatory Building, 605 Shaw Boulevard, Mandaluyong City Pre-bid Conference June 05,
THE Department of Justice has dropped the murder complaint filed by the National Bureau of Investigation against three policemen implicated in the killing of Quezon City deputy city prosecutor Rogelio Velasco in May last year. In a 32-page resolution issued by Senior Assistant State Prosecutor Peter Ong, the DoJ stressed that there was no probable cause to indict Sr. PO2 Rodante Lalimarmo, PO3 Arthur Lucy, and PO1 Jose Mercado for murder.
Ong said the evidence presented by the NBI were insufficient to subject the policemen to a full trial by a criminal court.
Ong said the complainant merely relied on “speculations and conjectures” to support their case against the policemen. “Mere speculations and probabilities cannot substitute for proof required to establish the guilt of an accused beyond reasonable doubt,” the DOJ ruled.
“Neither should complainants rely on suspicion, for suspicion alone is not sufficient. Suspicion, no matter how strong should not sway judgment, it being an accepted axiom that the prosecution cannot rely on the weakness of the defense to gain a conviction, but must establish beyond reasonable doubt every circumstance essential to the guilt of the accused,” it said. Rey E. Requejo
IMMIGRATION agents arrested a Japanese fugitive wanted by Japanese authorities for fraud right after posting bail in Pasay City jail, police said Monday.
The Japanese, identified as Fuminori Sato, was apprehended at the headquarters of the Pasay City police station, Fugitive Search Unit Chief Bobby Raquepo said.
Pasay policemen earlier arrested Sato inside his hotel room based on a complaint filed against the alien for violating the Republic Act 9262 or antiviolence against women and children.
“He was released after posting bail when he was picked up by BI-FSU operatives who were armed with a mission order from Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente,” Raquepo said.
Morente issued the mission order at the request of the Japanese Embassy in Manila who informed the BI that the latter was wanted for embezzlement, and that an arrest warrant was issued against him by a Japanese court.
According to Japanese police records, Sato was asked by a compatriot to keep her bank book back in 2012. But he took advantage of this and reportedly withdrew a sum of 200,000 Japanese yen or almost 100,000 Philippine pesos for his personal use.
“We had to be very discreet as there was a threat that he would destroy the evidence against him if he knew of the arrest,” said Raquepo.
Police said Sato was already an undocumented alien as his passport expired more than two years ago and was never renewed.
Investigation revealed the Japanese last arrived in the country as a tourist on Dec. 4, 2013 and he never bothered to extend his stay since then. He will thus be deported for being an overstaying and undocumented alien after which he will be placed in the BI blacklist to prevent him from reentering the country. Vito Barcelo
By Rio N. Araja
THE Lawyers for Commuters Safety and Protection on Monday rejected the proposal of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board to restrict the services of UV Express units to a point-to-point transport basis.
Ariel Inton, LCSP founding president, asked “what if you are coming from SM Fairview, and the P-2-P is up to Makati City, but you are just going to Quezon City hall or in the Cubao area? How would that be?”
“The P2P transport basis would just be too disadvantageous,” he said. He blamed the poor implementation of the traffic laws, and other traffic rules and regulations to decongest Metro Manila.
“Can the law enforcers monitor it? Or would it just be a milking cow?” he asked.
CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK
10th
Le Tour de Pilipinas a tactical race
THE rider with the all-around skill would most likely dominate the fivestage 10th edition of the Le Tour de Filipinas that hits the road from June 14 to 18.
National team coaches Reinhardt Gorrantes and Ednalyn Hualda believe this year’s Le Tour de Filipinas would not only favor the sprinters and the climbers but the cyclists who are strong in both terrains.
“There are mountain passes in the race but let us not forget the middle stages which are almost all flat with a slightly reclining gradient,” said Gorrantes, head coach of the Philippine National Team composed of the riders from Philippine Navy-Standard Insurance.
Hualda agreed saying Stage 1 and Stage 5 offer challenges for the climbers, but with the long Stage 1, 2 and 3, tactical riding is a must in the race organized by Ube Media Inc. and which is celebrating its 10th anniversary.
“It would be a race of strategies,” Hualda said. “Like a chess game, you have to ponder your moves to win.”
The entire race covers 822.20 kms of paved road down south of Manila.
The Le Tour kicks off on June 14 with a short and demanding 129.50km Stage 1 on an out-and-back course in Tagaytay City, followed by the 194.90-km Stage Two on June 15 from Pagbilao in Quezon to Daet in Camarines, Norte.
Stage Three on June 16 will be 183.70 kms from Daet to Legazpi City and Stage Four will cover 176.00 kms from Legazpi City via Sorsogon and Gubat and back to the Albay capital.
Stage Five will also be out-andback in Legazpi City but this time it will be via Donsol in Sorsogon for a total of 145.80 kms—a crucial final leg where the cyclists will have to endure pedaling over rolling hills and strong winds
PSA Forum tackles Jones, UNTV Cups
CAGE great Fortunato ‘Atoy’ Co and the Mighty Sports team bound for the coming Jones Cup are appearing at the Amelie Hotel-Manila in an all-basketball session of the Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum today.
Mighty Sports assistant team manager Jessie Angchonghoo will be coming over with some members of the squad competing in the annual cage tournament in Taipei this July in the 10 a.m. forum.
Mighty also represented the country in the Jones Cup in 2016 where it completed an eight-game sweep of the meet to win the championship.
Joining the team in the session presented by San Miguel Corp., Braska Restaurant, Amelie Hotel, and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation is Co, the former PBA MVP and Crispa stalwart to talk about the UNTV Cup PBA Legends FaceOff. Co serves as the commissioner of the month-long tournament that kicks off on June 2 at the Pasig City Sports Center. PSA members are enjoin to attend the forum.
Real Gold wins Triple Crown 1st leg
REAL Gold won the initial battle of the country’s best threeyear-olds, obliterating the eight-horse field that included undefeated and overwhelming favorite Obra Maestra to secure the 1st leg of the Philippine Racing Commission’s Triple Crown series Sunday at the San Lazaro Leisure Park in Carmona, Cavite.
Sneaking in from fifth spot when the rest of the pack concentrated on favored pick Obra Maestra, Real Gold made its move from the outside in the last 400 meters, grabbing the lead in the final turn and sprinted home with a blinding burst that netted the John Paul A. Guce-ridden colt to an eight-length win in the 1,600-meter race.
Real Gold proved to be a goldmine to its C&H Enterprise C&N conglomerate of owners Butch Mamon, Robert Ramirez, Jing Javier and Joseph Dyhengco as they pocketed the whopping top purse of P1.8
million, plus an additional P100,000 to breeder Dyhengco.
“We are ecstatic,” said Mamon during the awards rites, attended by Philracom officials, led by Chairman Andrew A. Sanchez, Alfonso “Boy” Reyno, Jr., chairman and CEO of the Manila Jockey Club and Captain Mohammed Al Hashmi, racing manager of The Royal Horse Racing Club of Muscat, Sultanate of Oman.
JAYZ of jockey JA Guce and owner SC Stockfarm finished runner-up and clinched the prize of P675,000, while
Alfredo Santos’ Toy for the Big Boy, ridden by JB Cordova, pocketed P375,000 at third spot.
Obra Maestra (Jockey JB Guce), the overwhelming pick, suffered its first loss but still received P150,000 at fourth for owner Leonardo Javier Jr.
“Remate po kami. Naramdaman ko last 600, mananalo,” said Real Gold’s jockey JPA Guce, who added that it was their second major victory together, counting their Philtobo triumph a few months back. In the Philracom Hopeful Stakes, also ran in 1,600 meters, Shanghai Noon, ridden by OP Cortez and owned by Emmanuel A. Santos, captured the top prize of P1 million, with P30,000 awarded to breeder Kerby Chua.
Commissioners
o
Chairman Andrew A.
Rovie Buencamino, Chairman and CEO of the Manila Jockey Club Alfonso
Al
Horse death roll rises at Santa Anita, California
LOS ANGELES—A third horse has died in nine days at Santa Anita Park, bringing the equine death toll at the Southern California track to 26 since December 26.
Track officials confirmed that 9-yearold gelding Kochees was euthanized on Sunday, a day after suffering a leg injury in a $10,000 claiming race.
Mike Willman, Santa Anita’s director of publicity, confirmed that surgeons determined the animal couldn’t be saved because of loss of blood flow to the injured limb.
The three deaths in nine days follow nearly six weeks without a fatality at the scenic race track northeast of Los Angeles.
But 26 horses have died in either racing or training since the current race meeting opened on December 26.
The fatalities sparked protests from animal rights activists and resulted in extensive tests of the surface and subsurface of the dirt track -- which found no apparent cause for the increase in breakdowns.
The Stronach Group, owners of Santa Anita and other tracks around the coun-
Phenomenal (jockey JPA Guce, owner Enrique Javier), Best Regards (CP Henson, Peter Aguila) and Two Timer (JA Guce, Melaine Habla) placed second to fourth, respectively, with prizes of P225,000, P125,000 and P50,000. Meanwhile, Serafina, ridden by MB Pilapil and owned by Peter Aguilar, ruled the 1st leg of the Locally Bred Stakes Race (1,600 meters) and received the champion’s prize of P300,000.
try, has proposed changes to promote horse welfare including a reduction in race-day administration of medications and the elimination of the use of riding crops except to ensure safety.
Stronach officials, including president and chief executive Belinda Stronach, wanted to extend the reforms to their facilities in other states as well, but have encountered resistance from some working in the racing industry.
Santa Anita is slated to stage this year’s Breeders’ Cup on November 1-2. AFP
PRURide PH CHAMPION. Filipino professional cyclist Marcelo Felipe (podium center) of 7-11 CLIQQ AIR21 bagged the overall championship of PRURide PH 2019 Stage Race held from May 24 to 26 at Harbor Point, Subic. He also won the Best Filipino Rider and King of the Mountain titles after outracing more than 150 riders. Felipe received a plaque, a token, and Php120,000. He also earned additional 16 UCI points to help qualify for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Joining him on the podium are 2nd place Brendon Davids of Australia’s Oliver’s Real Food Racing and 3rd place Michael Vink of Australia’s St. George Continental Cycling Team. Awarding them are (from left): Melanie Mader, Miss Earth-Air 2018; Zac Prendergast, UCI Technical Director; Mabel Leung, Prudential Corporation Asia Sr. Director-Strategic Marketing; Allan Tumbaga, Pru Life UK Senior Vice President and Chief Customer Marketing O cer; and Diane Pender, Prudential plc Sponsorship Manager.
Cangolf rebounds, shares lead
CANLUBANG pulled off a victory and two podium finishes as it dominated the 2019 Champion WGAP Circuit at home recently and gained a share of the overall lead with Tagaytay Highlands after two legs of the course-hopping tour.
Rosabel del Leon fired 40 Stableford points while Colo Ventosa sizzled with 39 points and Lea Suarez and Charo Buencamino each scored 38 points as the Cangolf ladies pooled a 155 and edged the Fernando Air Base side by two in Class B.
The hosts also placed second to surprise Class C winner Wack Wack and settled for third in Class A behind Alabang and Sta. Elena as they racked up a total of six points to join the Highlanders on top in the early going of the eight-stage circuit organized and conducted by Women’s Golf Association of the Philippines.
Alabang drew 43 points from Marilyn Reyes while Rita Horan, Jocelyn Garcia and Lanfen Hsieh backed her up with 40, 37 and 36 points, respectively, as it as-
sembled a 156 and posted a huge sevenpoint victory over Sta. Elena in the centerpiece Class A division.
The STE ladies, led by Therese Dabao’s 40 points, Carina Ricamonte’s 37 and Carmela Lee and Wilhermina Attwood’s identical 36 points, came up with a 149 while Cangolf got a pair of 38s from Recy Barrientos and Flor Silao and a couple of 36 points from Luisa Lorenzo and Ikuko Kito for a 138.
Reigning Asian Games golf medalist Yuka Saso, a member of the host squad, also graced the event and finished with 33 points as she primed up for the US Women’s Open beginning Thursday in South Carolina.
After scoring two victories at Villamor, Tagaytay went scoreless, placing fourth in Class A with a 144 led by individual champion Marianne Bustos’ 41 points while Fernando Air Base came in fifth with 139 followed by Forest Hills (138), Manila Southwoods (130), Camp Aguinaldo (129) and Villamor (124).
Silab (AR Villegas, Benjamin Abalos Jr.), Iikot Lang (EG Guerra, Cipriano Sison Jr.) and Dansalan (JB Hernandez) ranked 2nd to 4th, with respective prizes of P112,500, P62,500 and P25,000. The last horse to win all three legs of the Triple Crown was Sepfourteen of SC Stockfarm in 2017. Prior to Sepfourteen’s Triple Crown achievement two years ago, the last time one horse won it all in one year was in 2014 when Emmanuel Santos’s colt Kid Molave (Into Mischief x Unsaid) scored the rare 3-peat.
SWISS Caroline Steffen and Aussie Dimity Lee Duke set out for another clash of power and endurance tipped to go down-to-the-wire as they banner the elite cast in the Century Tuna IRONMAN 70.3 Subic Bay presented by Big Boss Cement which gets going Sunday (June 2).
The veteran campaigners are seeking to snap a spell in local endurance racing with Steffen out to improve her runner-up finish to Czech Radka Kahlefeldt in the recent second Alveo Davao where Duke struggled to finish fourth.
But both are coming into the 1.9km swim-90km bike-21km run event brimming with confidence, so do New Zealand’s Laura Wood, Manami Iijima of Guam and Lisa Tyack, another star from Down Under, guaranteeing a fierce showdown for top honors and the top $3,000 purse in the centerpiece women’s pro division.
“I’m excited to return to Subic for the fourth time,” said Steffen, who is also using the event organized by Sunrise Events, Inc. as part of her buildup for the World Chanmpionships.
“I’m still building up my fitness towards the World Championships in October and the CT IRONMAN 70.3 will be a great test in the heat to see where I am at,” she added.
Duke, on the other hand, hopes to flash her familiarity with the course where she also reigned in a 5150 event while placing second to compatriot Liz Blatchford in the first Philippine full triathlon last year.
“IRONMAN racing is a lot different racing over the 70.3 distance and each year the competition is always getting better and better,” said Duke. “But I am fortunate to have raced this course over a number of years so I hope this will put me in a good position come race day.
where three-time major winner Jordan Spieth was among those in hot pursuit.
Na, in search of a fourth US PGA Tour title, started the day one off the lead of Sweden’s Jonas Blixt -- who slid down the leaderboard with a four-over 74.
Na seized the lead at 10-under
with back-to-back birdies at
and second holes at Colonial Country Club. An unlucky double-bogey at the
11th cost him the lead, but
ied himself with a birdie at 13 to finish with a nine-under par total of 201. That put him two strokes clear of Spieth, fellow Americans Jim Furyk and Tony Finau, Taiwan’s Pan Cheng-tsung and Canadian MacKenzie Hughes, who shared second on 203.
“After the double-bogey I hit a bad tee shot at the next hole and it looked like the wheels could fall off,” Na said. “But I stayed positive, tried to put the next one in play.”
The California, who carded a 62 on Friday, believes Colonial is one of a handful of courses used on the PGA Tour that gives him a good chance at a title.
“Over the years I’ve had some good rounds (at Colonial) and it’s a golf course you don’t have to overpower,” he said. “You have to keep it in play. “From fairway in I’m a pretty good player, so I think it plays right into my game.” AFP
Real Gold owners Butch Mamon, Robert Ramirez, Jing Javier and Joseph Dyhengco comprising C&H Enterprise, together with jockey JPA Guce and son, display the champion’s trophy their horse won in ruling the 1st leg of the Triple Crown series. They are joined by Philracom
cials
Sanchez,
Bienvenido Niles Jr., Dante Lantin and Lyndon Guce and Executive Director Andrew
“Boy” Reyno, Jr., MJC racing manager Ding Magboo and Captain Mohammed
Hashmi, racing manager of The Royal Horse Racing Club of Muscat, Sultanate of Oman.
TAIWAN GOLF WINNER. Philippine Golf Tour Asia mainstay Thai Wisut Artjanawat (left) poses with his trophy after rallying from six down and beating Taiwanese Sung Mao Chang by two in the TPGA (PGA of Taiwan) Open, the rst PGT Asia event in Taiwan last Sunday. With him is Joop Kalambakal, PR manager of the sponsoring ICTSI.
Federer makes Roland Garros return after 4-year absence
PARIS, France—Roger Federer marked his return to Roland Garros after a four-year absence with a straight sets win over Italy’s Lorenzo Sonego on Sunday (Monday Manila time), admitting he “felt on edge”, as Angelique Kerber’s hopes of completing a career Grand Slam suffered a quick kill.
Federer, a 20-time major winner, hadn’t played the tournament since 2015 when he reached the quarterfinals.
However, on Sunday, it was as if the 37-year-old had never been away as he swept to a 6-2, 6-4, 6-4 victory in one hour 41 minutes on a packed, rebuilt Court Philippe Chatrier. It was his 60th successive first round win at a Grand Slam.
“I felt on edge at the start, my heart was beating crazily,” said Federer, who hailed the new-look stadium which has been 90% rebuilt in readiness for the installation of a retractable roof for 2020.
“I felt great playing on this court. It looks very attractive, so congratulations to everyone involved.
“Hopefully I can play here again for my next match.”
That match will be against German lucky loser Oscar Otte who won just his second match in eight years on the tour by seeing off Malek Jaziri of Tunisia 6-3, 6-1, 4-6, 6-0.
“I would be surprised if Roger knew my name,” said Otte, the world number 145.
Federer broke serve five times and fired 36 winners past 24-year-old Sonego, the world number 73 who made the quarter-finals at the Monte Carlo Masters.
German fifth seed and reigning Wimbledon champion Kerber saw her hopes of a career Grand Slam ended by Russian teenager Anastasia Potapova.
Kerber slumped to a 6-4, 6-2 defeat to 18-year-old Potapova who was making her French Open debut.
“Kerber is actually one of my idols, and when I was young I was looking for her game,” said the 81st-ranked Russian who hit 28 winners past her German opponent.
Kerber, 31, has now lost six times in the French Open first round.
Vargas calls for POC elections
By Peter Atencio
ELECTIONS for a new Philippine Olympic Committee
president will be held as soon as the 30th Southeast Asian Games are over. POC president Ricky Vargas said this following a meeting of the POC General Assembly yesterday at the Max’s Restaurant in Pasig
Vargas said the new polls will be held January 2020 before the Tokyo Olympics, which will be a break from POC tradition.
“I’m saying to them. Let’s have elections already. My appeal to them is to get together after the SEA Games,” said Vargas.
New elections were called after officials of the POC were removed from key positions, and after questions on the status of the Philippine SEA Games Organizing Committee were raised and answered by the POC legal counsel in previous days.
Vargas said loss of trust and confidence was the main reason why former POC president Jose “Peping” Cojuangco Jr., Joey Romasanta, Robert Bachmann, Makati Congressman Monsour del Rosario and lawyer Charlie Ho were removed from their posts.
“I will not allow the POC to be dragged down by the very people who caused the miserable performance of Team Philippines in the recent past. I will not allow people who have mismanaged POC for more than a decade to throw us back to
Tarlac rules RC Cola
3x3 Liga ng Bayan
WENCY Sagun scored six points, including four in the final minute that lifted Team Sto. Cristo Tarlac to a 20-18 triumph over Team Sto. Rosario-A of Malolos, last Sunday in the finals of the RC Cola-Liga ng Bayan national tournament at the Market! Market! In Taguig.
The 5’7” Sagun came into the picture after they rallied from four points down, and his efforts earned him the MVP honors when it was over.
“Talagang gagawin po namin ang best namin para manalo,” said the 14-yearold Sagun, the son of a referee, after Team Tarlac took a home the top purse of P50,000. Sagun’s jumper and charity in the last 1:07 allowed Tarlac to move a point closer, 17-18.
After teammate Francis de la Cruz tied the count, 18-all, Jelo Mangoba shattered the tie with a rainbow shot.
Then, Sagun finalized the count with a drive with 12.3 ticks to go.
Mangoba showed the way for Tarlac with nine points.
Twelve barangays in provinces around Luzon reached the national finals.
The final list of participants came from 41 teams, and since the tournament started on March 23, and with Arc Refreshment Corporation as organizers.
Sagun made a game-high nine points when Team Tarlac beat Bacoor, 13-12, in the semifinals.
Justin Ramos fired 15 points for Malolos when they turned back Binan, 21-12, in the other semis encounter. Peter Atencio
the dark ages,” said Vargas in his statement he read during the meeting.
Bachmann’s position as chairman of the membership committee was given to Muay Thai’s Lucas Managuelod, while Vargas will fill the spot of chairman of the constitutional amendments committee, in place of Cojuangco.
Philippine Sports Commission chairman William Ramirez was appointed as chef de mission of the 30th SEA Games, in place of del Rosario. POC chairman Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino takes over from Romasanta as Tokyo Olympics chef de mission.
Tolentino informed Ramirez of his appointment but the PSC chairman declined. Ho was also removed as assistant SEA Games CDM.
The revamp in positions in the POC took place after seven board members, led by Cojuangco, Romasanta, Antonio Tamayo Jr., Mikee Cojuangco-Jaworski, Julian Camacho and Clint Aranas convened a special meeting last April 30 to raise ques-
tions on the incorporation and role of the Phisgoc in the coming SEA Games.
Also present were Bachmann, Ho and Frank Elizalde.
The questions in the special meeting were eventually answered by POC legal counsel Alberto Agra in a separate letter last May 26.
The GA meeting was adjourned some 90 minutes after it started, and after Bachmann raised a howl of protest over the POC’s actions.
“Sad. It’s sad. I expected more from him. I expected more from him as president,” said Bachmann.
Vargas was installed as president of the POC in place of Cojuangco February last year.
Vargas said there was a move to remove Karen Caballero as deputy secretary-general but Caballero will keep her post.
A representative from sponsor Asics attended the meeting yesterday. He was unable to speak after the meeting was adjourned early.
Malacañang will provide additional funding to the country’s hosting of the 30th Southeast Asian Games after President Rodrigo Duterte approved the release of an additional P1 billion in funding for ongoing preparations.
So far, a total of P6.5 billion has been allocated for the Games preparation and management.
82nd UAAP season set to break tradition
TRADITION will be broken when the 82nd season of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) gets going September 1 at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Instead of holding basketball games to usher in the season, festivities will be held during the day.
Incoming league secretarytreasurer Em Fernandez of season 82 host Ateneo de Manila said this following turnover ceremonies with outgoing host National University held at the Mall of Asia Arena.
“There will be no opening games. We’re having opening festivities,” said Fernandez.
During the turnover rites, Ateneo president Father Jose Ramon T. Villarin, S.J. took the hosting flag from NU president Renato Ermita. Host Ateneo, according to Fernandez, also plans to adjust the league schedule as the Philippines hosts the 2019 Southeast Asian Games starting November 30. With the men’s basketball action usually ending in early December, league officials are getting ready to compress the schedule and finish first semester games by the third week of November.
Under the proposed schedule, eight teams will have to play in four games every Wednesday.
On the other hand, the weekend games, are set to go on with the regular two-game schedule. Peter Atencio
Riders brave Rizal terrain at PH MTB National Championships
OVER 200 mountain bike enthusiasts competed at the 2019 Philippine Mountain Bike National Championships in Rizal in early May for a chance to be part of the National team that will represent the country in the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games.
The two-day race event is the premiere mountain bike event in the country sanctioned by Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), and included the Downhill Mountain Biking (DHI) and Cross-Country Olympic (XCO) categories.
Organized by 7-Eleven in partnership with National Federation of Cycling (PhilCycling), the Philippine Mountain Bike National Championships (PH MBNC) aims to promote mountain biking in the country and produce world-class racers who will represent the country in international UCI-sanctioned races.
“The collaboration (of 7-Eleven) with PhilCycling is aimed at making the National Champi-
onships more accessible to Filipino cyclists. We are very happy for the turnout this year – at 252 registrants. It’s the biggest registration so far and we are committed to improve on those numbers. Filipinos can excel in mountain biking. We have talented cyclists and we have good topography for mountain bike courses. We can produce world champions. We only need to have a systematic approach,” says Victor Paterno, CEO and President of 7-Eleven Philippines, who himself is a competitive mountain biker.
Niño Martin Eday was the UCI-DHI National Champion for Men’s Elite Category finishing with a record time of 2:34:785. “It has been a childhood dream of mine to join international competitions, and now that I have achieved it, I am really honored and proud to be given the chance to represent our country in the upcoming SEA Games,” the 26-year old biking champ from Iloilo City said.
Lea Denise Belgira, 22, from Guimaras, emerged as the UCI-DHI National Champion for Women’s Elite with a record of 3:21:996. “More than being focused on the training and practicing self-discipline, it is important to be passionate in whatever you want to do,” Belgira said happily in an interview. Other winners in DHI Elite Men category include Eleazar Barba (0:02:35.781) and John Derick Farr (0:02:36.371), while Naomi Gardoce (0:03:28.566) and Marinela Puno (0:04:02.609) joined Belgira in the DHI Elite Women podium. For the XCO Elite Men category, EJ Flores finished first place with a record of 1:32:11, followed by Nino Surban (1:32:56) and Alvin Benosa (1:33:46). Meanwhile, Timberland Queen of the Mountain, Ariana Dormitorio, landed first in the XCO Women’s Elite category with a record of 1:26:39, followed by Avegail Rombaon (1:30:25) and Mellisa Jane Jaroda (1:38:20).
A rider in the Women’s Elite category braves the dangerously narrow path in the downhill course
Drilon backs ICTSI’s bid to rehab Iloilo port
THE plan of International Container Terminal Services Inc. to invest P8.7 billion to develop the Port of Iloilo drew support from Senator Franklin Drilon, who is widely credited for the exceptional development of the Visayan city.
ICTSI global corporate head Christian Gonzalez, in a briefing attended by Ilonggo political leaders and business groups, represented by the Iloilo Economic Development Foundation, said ICTSI, owned by tycoon Enrique Razon Jr., planned to upgrade the Iloilo Port once the Philippine Ports Authority acted on its unsolicited proposal.
Attending the briefing held on May 24, 2019 in Makati City were Drilon, Mayorelect Jerry Trenas, Congresswoman-elect Julienne Baronda and the Ilonggo business community represented by Narzalina Lim, Jocelyn Perez, Terence Uygongco, Rex Drilon and Francis Gentoral of ILED.
“The expansion of Iloilo port sits well with our plans for the province. This early we are seeing a heightened shipping activity in the province due to the economic developments that have taken place in the province for the past years,” Drilon said.
DoubleDragon opens bay area solar rooftop
DOUBLEDRAGON Properties Corp. on Monday inaugurated the solar installation at the rooftop of DoubleDragon Plaza, DD Meridian Park.
The company said the 1,098-panel high efficiency solar installation was designed and installed by FP Island Energy Corp, a wholly-owned subsidiary of First Philippine Holdings. The solar installation is expected to displace 418 tons of CO2 a year, equalling to over 13,565 trees planted.
“We endeavor to build sustainable and eco-friendly structures that will blend well with the community and should remain productive and relevant in the next 100 years,” said DoubleDragon chairman Edgar Sia II.
DoubleDragon chief investment officer Hannah Yulo said the company expects to soon host 100 megawatts of solar power on its various properties across the country, which will add considerable additional revenues to the company.
Darwin G. Amojelar
Peso stable despite BSP easing—ING
EFFECTIVE communication of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas to the market about the successive policy and reserve requirement cuts this month helped stabilize the performance of the peso against the US dollar compared to other currencies in the region ING Bank Manila senior economist Nicholas Mapa said in a report that despite the “double-barreled” easing from the BSP, followed up by a reduction in RRR for smaller banks, the peso has continued to outperform its regional peers.
“... BSP’s ability to communicate its policy bias to the market has gone a long way to helping keep the currency stable despite the dovish bias. With market believing inflation to be tame and BSP not behind the curve, further easing moves by the BSP may be welcomed should they be communicated effectively to the market,” he said.
“Timing of the RRP cut and RRR redux rather than sequence may have had more weight in FX performance,” Mapa said.
The peso closed at 52.22 against the US dollar Monday, down from 52.16 Friday. Julito G. Rada
By Darwin G. Amojelar
THE Public Works Department said the first package of a new expressway linking Tarlac City and Cabanatuan City is nearly completed.
It said the construction of Central Luzon Link Expressway Phase 1, Contract Package 1, beginning at the connection of Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway and Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway in Balincanaway, Tarlac was 97-percent completed.
Public Works Secretary Mark Villar said Contract Package 1 with a budget of P1.603 billion involves the construction of a four-lane expressway, spanning 4.1 kilometers, with the provision of an underpass bridge and two farm passages.
CLLEX Phase 1 is divided into four packages which cover the construction of a 30-kilometer, 4-lane expressway which when completed will shorten the travel time of 70 minutes between Tarlac City and Cabanatuan City to just 20 minutes. Its alignment will traverse the towns of La Paz in Tarlac and Zaragoza and Aliaga in Nueva Ecija and will benefit an annual average daily traffic of 11,200 motorists.
“This project will decongest Daang Maharlika by 48 percent by serving as an alternate route to and from the two cities. Aside from that, we expect the project to promote more livelihood opportunities in Region 3 that will further contribute to reducing traffic in Metro Manila,” Villar said.
By Alena Mae S. Flores
POWER retailer Manila Electric Co.
said sales volume climbed 11 percent in April from a year ago on higher demand amid soaring temperature, a top executive said Monday. The growth in April picked up from just a 2.3-percent increase in sales volume registered in the first quarter.
“April [growth] was 11 percent. It went up because it’s a hot month. For May, I don’t know the indication but the first quarter was slower. We reported about three percent. So that pushes up the cumulative increase to four percent plus,” Meralco chairman Manuel Pangilinan said. Meralco’s consolidated energy sales reached 10,381 gigawatt-hours in the first quarter, up from 10,145 gWh in 2018 which was attributed to the “high base effect” of the volume attained in 2018 and the slightly cooler average temperature throughout the quarter.
By Othel V. Campos
FILIPINO and Japanese companies are expected to sign more than 20 business agreements worth nearly P300 billion or $5 billion at the conclusion of the Philippine trade mission to Japan on May 30.
The business deals are also expected to generate at least 80,000 jobs in the Philippines, according to the Trade Department.
“The Department of Trade and Industry is consistently pursuing investments from all countries to provide decent employment opportunities to Filipinos.
This is a part of the approach to nationbuilding and DTI’s priorities, summed up as Trabaho, Negosyo, Konsyumer,” said Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez who
will witness the signing of the business agreements.
The trade mission is a side event during President Rodrigo Duterte’s trip to Japan to attend Nikkei’s 25th International Conference on The Future of Asia on May 30 to 31.
The mission aims to secure not only investments but also Japan’s continued support for the Philippines.
Lopez said Japanese investors remained bullish on the sustained growth momentum of the Philippine economy, given its aggressive infrastructure buildup, meaningful investment and financial reforms and demographic advantages.
The investment pledges will be in the areas infrastructure, manufacturing, electronics, medical devices, business process outsourcing, power, electricity, transport, automotive, food manufacturing and marine manpower industries.
The Trade Department will also hold a business forum and roundtable discussions to have a closer dialogue with the Japanese investors and an opportunity
for greater business-to-business interactions.
The Philippines will continue to push for substantive market access of Philippine products to the Japanese market through the Philippines-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement.
The Trade Department aims to wrap up the general review of the PJEPA in five to six months.
PJEPA has prime importance to move forward with the discussions on tariff preferences, particularly for products of interest to the Philippines such as bananas, mangoes and pineapples.
PJEPA covers trade in goods, trade in services, investments, movement of natural persons, intellectual property, customs procedures, improvement of the business environment and government procurement. Japan was the Philippines’ second largest trading partner in 2018 with total trade of $20 billion including $9.5 billion worth of exports to Japan and $10.5 billion worth of imports from Japan.
By Julito G. Rada
THE Asian Development Bank said Monday it approved a $300-million loan to support government’s efforts to achieve inclusive growth by improving access to high-quality secondary education that responds to labor market needs.
The multilateral lender said in a statement the Secondary Education Support Program would help 10.6 million students nationwide who are currently enrolled in high school and an additional 2 million grade 7 entrants yearly from 2019 to 2023. It will help the country boost job opportunities and substantially reduce poverty. The government set a target of lowering poverty incidence to 14 percent by 2022
from the current 21 percent.
“Sustaining the Philippines’ strong growth momentum will require a workforce equipped with the appropriate set of advanced skills and knowledge to allow them to keep in step with the rapid technological changes in the global economy,” ADB senior education specialist for Southeast Asia Lynnette Perez said.
“Continued investments in highquality education are crucial to attaining the government’s vision of lowering unemployment and poverty rates,” she said.
The ADB said while reforms in the Philippine secondary education system had shown progress, enrollment and graduation rates remained low especially among students from the poorest households.
The government is continuing to address the challenges to quality education by, for example, deploying adequate numbers of specialized teachers, providing sufficient teaching resources and ensuring the alignment of the curriculum to labor market needs.
The results-based Secondary Education Support Program will help the government sustain reforms, particularly in offering the poor greater access to better, affordable education. It will disburse funds to the government based on the achievement of agreed reform targets within a specifi c period.
The ADB is providing technical assistance to the Education Department to ensure they achieve targeted reforms and priorities which are aligned with the Philippine Development Plan.
Pangilinan earlier said the lowerthan-expected sales growth in the first quarter, particularly in the residential and commercial sectors, was attributable to concerns on higher interest rates, the weakening of the Philippine peso against the US dollar and their impact on fuel and commodity prices. The situation was exacerbated by the recent red and yellow alerts caused by the forced outages of several plants.
“The fi nancial results for first quarter 2019 are quite encouraging albeit the fi rst quarter volume, while better than the comparative period, is showing signs of a slowdown. This could be a point of concern, moving forward,” Pangilinan said earlier.
Meralco said that while economic indicators were relatively stable, the overhang from the slightly lower gross domestic product growth in 2018 of 6.2 percent compared with the government’s target range of 6.5 percent to 6.9 percent, the spill-over effect of the fourth-quarter spike in inflation and the weaker peso all contributed to tempered growth in electricity consumption in the first three months.
THE Philippine Competition Commission approved the acquisition by Ayala Healthcare Holdings Inc. of shares in Negros Grace Pharmacy Inc., saying the move will not obstruct fair competition in the healthcare space. The Ayala Group’s generics line proposed to buy into a regional fullrange drugstore chain within the sphere of the local pharmaceutical retail market. The transaction involves the acquisition of shares by AHHI of 75 percent of the outstanding capital stock of Negros Grace from Jasminum Corp. The remaining shares will remain with JC.
After the transaction, the resulting capital structure of Negros Grace will have an authorized capital stock of P100 million divided into 100 million shares with a par value of P1 per share.
AHHI, the corporate entity that includes AC Health, owns generic pharmacy line Generika Drugstore, community-based clinic brand Family Doc, online pharmacy and delivery platform MedGrocer, medical records app Vigos and doctor-patient booking app Aide.
Negros Grace and its subsidiaries, Solomon Drug Corp. and Samuel Drug Corp., are pharmaceutical firms with strong regional presence in Central and Western Visayas with a total of 70 drugstores. Negros Grace drugstores sell mostly branded drugs and a few generic drugs.
The PCC review looked into how the transaction would affect consumers in the retail sale of pharmaceutical products in the islands of Negros and Panay. The PCC said in a decision on May 23 that the merger review found that the transaction would not likely lead to a substantial lessening of competition in the relevant market as the merged firms did not have an incentive or the ability to increase prices or reduce product assortment. Othel V. Campos
Dr. Jozsef Bencze.
BEST ASIAN RESORT. Solaire, one of the world’s top luxury integrated resorts, is named the ‘Best Regional Asian Integrated Resort’ by an independent panel of judges at the recently-concluded 2019 G2E Asia Awards held in Macau. Receiving the awards are Solaire Resort & Casino’s management team including (from left) Chin Gan Lim, vice president of slot operations; Tony Boglic, director of oor operations table games; Lorenzo Manalang, vice president of brand marketing; Cyrus Sherafat, executive vice president of casino marketing, Thomas Arasi, president and chief operating o cer; Donato Almeda, board director and Tony Wun, executive director of credit and collection.
IN BRIEF
Strong quake
jolts Peru
LIMA―A powerful 8.0-earthquake toppled houses, blocked roads and knocked out power in parts of Peru on Sunday, killing one person and injuring at least 26 others as the shock waves extended into neighboring Ecuador.
The quake hit in a sparsely populated region of Peru’s Amazon basin region but was felt over a wide area. In Lima and other cities, frightened residents rushed into the streets.
“There are many old houses that have collapsed after this strong earthquake,” said Hugo Araujo, the mayor of Yurimaguas, a town near the epicenter.
Peru’s civil defense coordinator Ricardo Seijas told RPP radio that a man was killed by falling debris in his house in Cajamarca. Danilo Munoz, the 48-year-old victim, was asleep when the quake struck at 2:41 am (0741 GMT).
Seijas said 11 people were injured in Peru, and more than 50 houses were left uninhabitable.
Reports said 15 people had been hurt in Ecuador. The quake blocked roads, damaged a bridge and knocked down houses, said Peru’s President Martin Vizcarra, adding that it was the most powerful quake to hit the country in 12 years.
“It is an earthquake affecting the entire Peruvian jungle,” he said.
“We are working on establishing an air bridge to transport people who have an emergency,” he said.
The quake struck about 75 kilometers southeast of the town of Lagunas at a depth of at least 110 kilometers.
The US Geological Survey and Peruvian geophysicists said the quake registered 8.0 in magnitude. They said it lasted just over two minutes. The mayor of Lagunas, Arri Pezo, said many residents who fled from their homes later stayed in the streets for fear of aftershocks.
“You could not walk at the time of the earthquake, things were falling,” Pezo told RPP. Power was knocked out, making it difficult to assess the damage, he said.
One of the most dramatic moments captured on social media happened in Yurimaguas. Video from the police station shows the police chief shouting at his subordinates to quickly open the jail cells and get inmates outside.
“The earthquake is strong!” he is heard yelling. “Open the cells! Help with the detainees, get one each!”
The shockwave of Sunday’s tremor also extended to neighboring Ecuador, where power cuts were reported in parts of its Amazon basin region.
Peruvian media said the tremor was also felt in parts of Colombia and Venezuela. Peru lies on the so-called Ring of Fire— an arc of fault lines that circles the Pacific Basin and is prone to frequent earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. AFP
Minaret saved from oods
HERAT, Afghanistan―The minaret of Jam, a revered Afghan historical treasure, has been saved from imminent danger after hundreds of workers diverted surging floodwaters that were gnawing at the 12thcentury tower, officials said Monday. Torrential rains last week sent churning water roaring down the narrow valley that is home to the minaret, a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in a remote part of the western province of Ghor.
Dramatic video footage showed brown torrents crashing up against the base of the brick minaret, which was built in about 1190 and is the pinnacle of a surrounding archaeological site.
The Afghan government hired a local crew who worked for three days to channel water away from the minaret.
“Now the flow of water has been diverted but the flood has destroyed some 50 feet of protection wall around the minaret,” Abdul Hai Khatebi, a spokesman for the governor of Ghor, told AFP.
Fakhruddin Ariapur-the Ghor province director of information and culture-said a team of experts is urgently needed to clean the base of the minaret and construct proper defensive walls.
“There is no danger to it now, but if it rains and floods again, the minaret has become too exposed and vulnerable,” he told AFP. The Jam minaret, located in an area largely under Taliban control, is the world’s second tallest made of bricks, reaching a height of 213 feet.
It is situated on the frontier of Ghor and Herat provinces, at the heart of the former Ghorid empire which dominated Afghanistan and parts of India in the 12th-13th centuries. In 2002, the minaret and its archaeological remains became the first site in Afghanistan to be added to UNESCO’s World Heritage List. AFP
Brexit Party triumphs in EU parliament polls
ONDON―Anti-
LEU populist Nigel Farage’s Brexit Party triumphed early Monday in European Parliament elections that Britain was never meant to hold, while the ruling Conservatives suffered a historic blow.
But the polls exposed the divisions that remain three years after Britons voted to leave the European Union, with the pro-EU Liberal Democrats and Greens also making huge gains.
Sunday’s election was held against the backdrop of political disarray in Britain that saw Prime Minister Theresa May last week announce her resignation after failing to deliver Brexit on time.
Farage only registered his party in February but with most results declared, it won 28 out of 73 available seats with almost 32 percent of the vote.
Much of this support was at the ex-
pense of May’s Conservative party, which slumped to nine percent of the vote, apparently its worst electoral performance since 1832.
But the main opposition Labour party, which has been accused of a confusing position on Brexit, also took a hit with its vote share falling to around 14 percent.
Farage, the lead campaigner in the 2016 referendum to leave the EU, said his party should now have a say in any new Brexit negotiations with Brussels.
And he warned that failure to leave the EU on October 31—the latest Brexit deadline—would see his party replicate its victory in a general election.
“We are getting ready for it,” he warned in Southampton as ballots were being counted in his South East region.
However, he acknowledged the result reflected a split in nationwide opinion similar to that expressed when Britons voted by 52 to 48 percent to leave the EU.
The Liberal Democrats, who want another referendum with the goal of
reversing Brexit, came second with around 20 percent of the vote and 15 MEPs, while the similarly pro-European Greens were on 12 percent.
Britain had planned to leave the EU on March 29 and these European elections were never meant to happen, but parliament’s inability to agree on how to leave has left the country in limbo.
Farage said his party won with “a big, simple message, which is we’ve been badly let down by two parties who have broken their promises”.
May’s bickering Conservative party — now in the throes of a leadership contest involving much of her current cabinet—had been braced for poor results and barely bothered to campaign.
But Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt said there was an “existential risk to our party unless we now come together and get Brexit done”.
The result for Labour meanwhile triggered a fresh bout of arguing within the party over its strategy, which backs Brexit but holds open the option of a new vote. AFP
PARIS―The EU elections have been marked by successes for the far right, a surge by the Greens and setbacks for traditional parties across the continent. AFP selects five takeaways as the first results come in across Europe: Far-right, populists advance The first results and projections suggested France’s euroskeptic far-right National Rally party led by Marine Le Pen was set to finish top in France, narrowly ahead of the ruling faction of President Emmanuel Macron.
In Italy, Interior Minister Matteo Salvini’s far-right League was set to win the most votes, and Germany’s far-right AfD was set to improve on their 2014 score of 7.1 percent, with exit polls seeing it coming in at 10.5 percent.
But the picture is far from uniform: in Austria the far-right Freedom Party was lagging in third after becoming engulfed in corruption scandal during the campaign.
And the party of Dutch far-right leader Geert Wilders looked set to lose all its seats in the European Parliament as results confirmed a win for the social democrats.
Observers doubt the populists’ ability to form an effective coalition, with differences on key issues including how close to be to Russia.
Green surge
Environmentalist parties performed strongly, reflecting how the issue of climate change has leapt up the agenda as young activists take up the cause.
In Germany, the Greens were on course to knock the centre-left SPD, the coalition partner of Chancellor Angela Merkel, from second place.
Exit polls also showed the French green party EEVL led by a former top figure at Greenpeace France making strong gains with a score of 12-12.7 percent compared with 8.9 percent in the last EU elections in 2014.
Through school strikes, civil disobedience and large-scale marches, the movements have succeeded in highlighting how human behaviour threatens the future of the planet.
And unlike the eurosceptic populists, the Greens are not riven by division on a pan-European level.
Blows for leaders
Macron had made no secret of the significance he attached to the results and his party’s performance was a symbolic blow for the president two years into his five year mandate.
But his office sought to put a brave face on the indications, saying that the performance was “respectable” after reports indicated that a bad showing could lead to a cabinet reshuffle.
The night was no better for Merkel, as exit polls showed the list of her centerright bloc was due to only garner around 28 percent.
Elsewhere, Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras said he would call snap elections after voters relegated his Syriza party to second place behind the opposition conservative New Democracy party.
Turnout jumps
After fears ahead of the election that voters would stay away, turnout across the European Union excluding Britain was estimated at 51 percent, the highest in 20 years, the EU parliament said. A variety of issues ranging from immigration, Brexit, the economy to climate change have made these polls the most closely watched EU elections in a generation.
SEOUL―As the Korean War raged eight of Pyongyang’s young heroes― all members of the North’s new elite, destined for a life of privilege and power―left for Moscow to study at a prestigious fi lm school. They never returned. Scattered to the corners of the Soviet Union after they chose asylum and exile to denounce the personality cult around the North’s founder Kim Il Sung, they lived as authors and filmmakers, forever separated from friends and family.
“We call the places we are born our homes,” wrote one, Han Tae Yong, in a short story.
“There should be a separate word for the places we die, a word that sounds as fond as the word ‘home’ does.”
Now their lives have been made the subject of a documentary by South Korean scholar and filmmaker Kim So-young, “Goodbye My Love
NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP. Corgi dogs race during the Southern California ‘Corgi Nationals’ championship at the Santa Anita Horse Racetrack in Arcadia, California, on May 26, 2019. The event saw hundreds of Corgi dogs compete for the coveted fastest corgi title at the 17 race event. AFP
North Korea”.
In the first election to the European Parliament in 1979, 62 percent of eligible voters cast a ballot in what were then nine member states.
Brexit party sweeps Britain Britain took part in the EU elections despite still being scheduled to leave the bloc by October 31 amid the crisis and confusion over its delayed exit.
The ruling Conservatives of Prime Minister Theresa May―who announced her resignation last week―are set to be punished by falling into fourth place. AFP
The eight North Korean lmmakers who defied Pyongyang Political novice Gitanas Nauseda wins presidential race in Lithuania
In a peninsula defined by the split between North and South, it highlights the Korean diaspora and the impact of separation from a unique perspective.
Known as the “Moscow 8”, the group were chosen by Pyongyang to study at the Moscow Film School, now known as the Gerasimov Institute of Cinematography and the world’s oldest institution of its kind, in 1952, as Kim Il Sung’s forces―backed by Moscow and Beijing―fought against the US-led United Nations coalition.
At the time only the North’s brightest minds, regardless of academic background, were allowed to study cinema, filmmaker Kim said.
Film was considered crucial in developing the loyalty of the masses.
“The North was obviously heavily influenced by Lenin, who said cinema
is the greatest art form that exists,” she told AFP.
“Among the eight exiles, one studied nuclear physics before being selected to study cinema in Moscow―he didn’t even know what a movie was until then,” she added. Kim Il Sung’s son and successor Kim Jong Il―father of the current leader Kim Jong Un―was an avid film fan who ordered the kidnapping of a South Korean film director and an actress in 1978 to help develop the North’s cinema industry.
Even now the impoverished country pours significant resources into movies, although many of its productions are propaganda works extolling its Juche ideology and the ruling Kim family, with titles such as “Under the Guidance of the Great Brilliant Commander” and “We Will Follow You to the End of the Earth”. AFP
VILNIUS—Gitanas Nauseda, a center-right independent and political novice, won Lithuania’s presidential runoff in a race marked by low populist sentiment and concerns over inequality in the Baltic eurozone state.
Although Lithuanian presidents do not directly craft economic policy, bread-and-butter issues have dominated the race.
Experts also noted that by choosing between two pro-EU, center-right candidates in the runoff, Lithuanians who see the European Union as a source of prosperity and security bucked growing euroskeptic and populist sentiment in the bloc.
Vowing to build a “welfare state”, Nauseda said he would bridge the gap between rich and poor in Lithuania, which is among the most pronounced
in the 28-member EU, adding that he would also seek to bring urban and rural Lithuanians closer together.
“All people can live with dignity in this small country,” the 55-year-old former bank advisor and economist told reporters as he claimed victory at his campaign headquarters in the capital Vilnius following Sunday’s vote. Nauseda also hinted he wanted to soften Lithuania’s often sharp rhetoric towards Russia, but insisted that relations could only be improved if Moscow changes its policy towards Ukraine.
Challenger Ingrida Simonyte, a conservative-backed independent MP conceded defeat, telling public broadcaster LRT she had wished Nauseda “success in uniting Lithuanian people.” AFP
WELCOME CEREMONY. President Donald Trump inspects an honor guard at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on May 27, 2019. AFP
CEBU CITY—The top presidential aide for the Visayas has expressed confidence that the long-dreamed of body that will harmonize development in Metro Cebu and the Light Rail Transit project would materialize now that the Province of Cebu and the City of Cebu have new leaders belonging to one party.
Secretary Michael Lloyd Dino, chief of the Office of the Presidential Assistant for the Visayas, assured the Cebuano community that the Metro Cebu Development Authority may soon have its “breath of life” because of the election of Cebu’s 3rd District Rep. Gwendolyn Garcia as governor of the province and Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella as mayor here.
With the new leaders, Dino, in his message during the unity and solidarity meeting between Garcia and Labella here Saturday, said he was also positive that the LRT would be operational before President Rodrigo Duterte’s term ends in 2022.
In its first-quarter meeting last March 18, the Metro Cebu Development and Coordinating Board pushed for the approval of an executive order creating MCDA, that “will act as the overall body to oversee services that have multi-local government unit or metropolitan-wide coverage.”
The MCDA will “formulate, coordinate, regulate and monitor the short, medium, and long-term plans, policies, and programs for the sustainable development and integration of Metropolitan Cebu Area.”
In 2017, Cebu City’s North District Rep. Raul del Mar said House Bill 6227 seeking for the creation of MCDA had passed the House committee on rules.
Cebu LRT seen operational by 2022—Dino SM helps prep Bulacan schools
for SY 2019-20
By Jun David
EMPLOYEES, volunteers from SM Malls in Marilao, Baliwag, Pulilan, and San Jose Del Monte trooped to public schools in Bulacan to work together for the Brigada Eskwela 2019. Employees waste no time in preparing school facilities and cleaning classrooms for the opening of classes. Various activities ranging from carpentry work, paint jobs, repairs, replacements as well as greening the school surroundings were assigned to volunteers to ensure school grounds are clean, safe, and conducive for learning.
SM City Baliwag and SM Center Pulilan volunteers gave classrooms a brand new look by cleaning, repairing chairs and desks, and painting colorful murals. The rundown rooms of Baliwag North Central School and Sto. Cristo Elementary School in Pulilan were masterly restored and given a makeover. Beneficiaries also received cleaning materials and supplies for repairs and painting.
SM City Marilao volunteers brought back vibrancy into the nearby Saog Elementary School. The building and classrooms got a touch up in the form of fresh wall paint, new murals, dust-free chairs and tables, repaired jalousie windows, and sanitized comfort rooms.
Biggest beach party set
THE Province of Sarangani is set to hold another recordbreaking edition of the Sarangani Bay Festival, the country’s biggest beach party at Gumasa White Beach in Glan town, which lured some 150,000 merrymakers last year.
Dubbed the “Boracay of Mindanao,”
Gumasa emerged 45th in the prestigious Australia-based Flight Network’s Asia’s Top 50 Beaches in 2018.
Set on May 30 to June 1, this year’s edition of the summer fest themed
“Neon Summer” will sizzle once more with the rock scene’s top bands and deejays, a powerhouse lineup of musical artists, and an assortment of water sports and fitness activities.
Sarangani Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon said this year’s SarBay Fest will continue to celebrate the innovations the beach event has undergone over the past decade, most notably its advocacy for sustainable tourism and
family-oriented recreation.
“As a sign of our commitment to environmental protection, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan passed Resolution No. 2019-9-028 encouraging all beach goers and hotel owners not to use single-use plastic and styrofoam materials on the celebration of this year’s Sarangani Bay Festival,” he said.
As in previous years, SarBay will emphasize environmental awareness among party-goers with the round-theclock beach cleanups, ban on plastics, segments on educational activities, and the “scubasuero” underwater cleanup of volunteer scuba divers.
The three-day extravaganza kicks off
with the San Miguel Night featuring Rocksteddy band, and DJs Kouta Kutsuma and Cupcakes.
The party goes on with the Bay Bodies ’19 pageant, DJ Battle, and the Talk N Text party featuring 6Cyclemind, DJ Marc Marasigan, and DJ Kat.
Curtains fall down with the Globe party series featuring Ben & Ben band, and deejays Tom Taus and Carlo Atendido on June 1.
Sporting events include the 15-km Swim Across the Bay relay, Asia’s most extreme swimming event, SarBay Strongman, beach volleyball and football, skim boarding, frisbee, jet ski race, bancathon, mountain bike, skim boarding, and frisbee tournaments.
Fringe events such as Zumba sessions with the Legendz, drum beating competition, firedancing exhibitions, body painting and family sand sculpture contests will add sizzle to the beach fest.
4
By Butch Gunio
LUTAYAN, Sultan Kudarat―The Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development and Sultan Kudarat State Universty are currently implementing four science and technology-based halal goat production projects, the agency said Monday.
“There is the Development of LAMP Assay and Quick Test KIT for Haram Detection,” said Marita Carlos, PCAARRD Applied Communication Division Director, during the inauguration of the halal slaughterhouse and processing center at the SKSU Lutayan campus here.
“The slaughterhouse is another project, upgrading SKSU’s agro-mechanic
20 new lanes to hike SCTEX toll capacity
By Orlan L. Mauricio
MALOLOS CITY—NLEX Corp., the operator of the North Luzon Expressway and Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway, continues to conduct systematic repairs, upgrading and capacity expansion to ensure safe, reliable and seamless travel for the motoring public.
After rushing repair works on cracks and deformations on road pavements caused by the recent earthquakes that hit the Porac and Floridablanca portions of SCTEX in Pampanga, NLEX Corp. engineers are now focused on capacity expansion works.
Due to start in July is the construction of 20 additional lanes in various toll plazas along SCTEX, including vital construction at the Subic Freeport Expressway. The additional toll plazas at SCTEX is aimed at improving the customer processing time at exit and entrance booths, the company said in a statement. The toll plaza capacity expansion project, which is expected to be completed by November this year, covers Clark North, Clark South, San Miguel, Bamban, and Tarlac toll plazas. One new toll lane each will be built in Clark North entry/exit and Clark South B exit. Two new toll lanes each will be added at Clark South A exit and Tarlac entry/exit to serve the growing number of motorists traveling in these areas. NLEX Corp. will further increase the service capacity of San Miguel (Luisita) entry/exit plaza
building into a slaughterhouse and processing center area for small ruminants,” she added. The other project is the establishment of halal goat enterprises thru the FLS Halal GEM in Region 12 and ARMM, Carlos said, along with institutionalizing halal goat enterprises thru halal goat production.
TACLOBAN CITY—The historic Leyte provincial capitol will undergo a major facelift after it was slightly damaged by a recent strong earthquake.
Leyte Vice Governor Carlo Loreto said offices housed at the provincial capitol main building have been transferred to nearby structures as a safety measure and to pave the way for the major repair works.
“We will talk with officials of the National Historical Commission as to the repair of the capitol since the building is a significant part in the Philippine history,” Loreto said on Monday.
Based on initial talks, the capitol will be turned into a main museum of the province. Mini museums will be created in some parts of Leyte.
The local government has yet to come up with budget requirements based on designs recommended by the NHC.
Loreto expressed optimism that the central government will help finance the project.
“This is part of making the province disaster resilient. In case, calamities struck in some parts of the province, data and information are still intact since museums are interconnected,” he added.
The building has sustained cracks after the magnitude 6.5 earthquake that shook Leyte and Samar on April 27.
The provincial capitol was the seat of the Commonwealth Government of the Philippines (Oct. 23, 1944 to Feb. 27, 1945) when President Sergio Osmeña came into power in 1944 with the World War II Liberation Forces.
He was sworn into office by General Douglas McArthur inside the building in the “presence of Cabinet men, liberation forces and many other grateful people.” PNA
ULIRANG INA. In celebration of Mother’s Day, the local government of Muntinlupa through the Gender and Development O ce honored eight outstanding women. Brgy. Tunasan
resident Lilian Enriquez (center) was hailed this year’s champion in the Search for Gawad Ulirang Ina, receiving a P55,000 cash incentive and a trophy in the awarding ceremony at Ayala Malls South Park, Alabang last May 25. Finalists were Avelina Destura (Poblacion), Herminia Pascua (Putatan), Leticia Guevarra (Sucat), Luzviminda Gutierrez (Bayanan), Mayumi De Mesa (Alabang), Graciana Rosel (Buli), and Zenaida Villas (Cupang). Finalists received cash prizes amounting to P35,000 each. Attending the ceremony were Mayor Jaime Fresnedi, Rep. Ru y Biazon, and Gender and Development O ce Program Director Trina Biazon.
E-TRIKES TO MANILA. A total of 100 electric tricycles were turned over by the Department of Energy to Manila Mayor Joseph ‘Erap’ Estrada at the city hall’s quadrangle on Friday. With Mayor Erap are DOE o cers Arnel Matthew C. Garcia, Jorge Vincent R. Bitoon, Armando Bombales and Oscar Malvar.
HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENT
Life beyond Tourette syndrome
“TS (Tourette syndrome) is not a hindrance if you really want to achieve your dreams.”
This is what Marlon Barnuevo, an individual diagnosed with the incurable neurological disorder, tells others who suffer from the same. He genuinely believes that there is more to life than his condition. At seven years old, he first experienced the symptoms which started with motor tics. These are sudden twitches, involuntary head jerking, or spasm-like contractions involving the eyes, mouth, face, neck, and shoulders.
A year after, he suffered from vocal tics. These can be as simple as repetitive humming or clearing of the throat.
“What my parents knew then was the common misconception, which is still applicable today: these tics are nothing but mannerisms. They always reprimanded me to stop,” he shared. “Since they did not know what was wrong with their child, they panicked.”
The Barnuevos, much like most Filipino families at that time, had no knowledge of Tourette syndrome. “There was no Internet then. I tried to look it up in the Encyclopedia but I did not know what to look for! I did not even know the word ‘tics’ or much more, ‘Tourette syndrome’,” he related.
The young Barnuevo then became an easy target for bullies. He received a lot of stares in and outside of the school and he was depressed. Finally, as a high school freshman, they consulted a neurologist. After a series of check-ups, a counselling neuropsychiatrist was able to explain to my parents my condition.
“And at age 19, my family fully accepted that I have TS.” Surprisingly, Barnuevo found himself overwhelmed with relief. “[I told myself] ‘I can now tell people what it is. I now have an answer. I have Tourette Syndrome’,” he beamed.
Adding music to his life
Since he was young, Barnuevo has dreamt of being a musician. He started playing the piano in kindergarten, and honed his musicality in high school. He formed his first band as the keyboardist soon after.
In college at De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde, he joined an independent organization composed of musicians, and became good friends with fellow performers, including singer Nyoy Volante, Mark Escueta of Rivermaya, and the late Bryan Velasco of Razorback.
He then became a full-time musician, and after his time on stage, he concentrated on music production via his home-based outfit named G-Strings
Studio where he worked with various artists both for originals and revivals.
He did commissioned musical arrangements for Dingdong Avanzado and K Brosas, and composed songs for Christian Bautista and Regine Velasquez. He was musical director for Volante and his regular patron Davey Langit.
In 2016, Barnuevo became a finalist in the PhilPop Music Festival for his song Araw, Ulap, Langit interpreted by Christian Bautista. He likewise bagged the 5th Best Song for Parang Tayo Pero Hindi, performed by Michael Pangilinan and Angeline Quinto in the 2016 Himig Handog P-Pop Love Song.
Designing his life
With his background in interior design, he ventured as a freelance artist and as a designer. A profession that requires precision might be a trying path for someone who has TS but he proved it otherwise.
By 2011, Barnuevo found a new interest as an educator, which he is very passionate about.
“I have done so much in my life, But so far, teaching is the most fulfilling,” he beamed. “I get so much joy seeing my students learn and I know that I contributed to it.”
Sharing his knowledge, in a way, is him giving back to his alma mater, where he felt more accepted.
Pharmacy promotes immunization among diabetics
IN CELEBRATION of World Health Organization’s World Immunization Week, Mercury Drug Corporation, partnered with the Philippine Society of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism (PSEDM), the Philippine Pharmacists Association (PPhA), and global healthcare company MSD to facilitate a series of diabetes care and immunization lectures at selected Get Well at Mercury Drug Diabetes Care specialty corners.
The lectures highlighted the importance of vaccination for persons living with diabetes.
“Mercury Drug’s foremost priority is the health of Filipinos and knowing that diabetes is the sixth leading cause of death in the country. We partnered with PPhA, PSEDM, and MSD for the
Get Well at Mercury Drug Diabetes Care program, which was launched in August 2018. Our vision is to improve diabetes care for Filipino patients through an inter-professional collaborative approach,” said Annie Tejada, Mercury Drug district manager.
The patient-centered program aims to ensure continuity of care at the pharmacy level and address all relevant areas in diabetes care—including vaccination. Vaccination is crucial in diabetes management, given that it is harder for the immune system of patients with diabetes to fight infections.
“We should be proactive in ensuring that we comply with the vaccine recommendations of our doctors. In the Philippines, though, there’s generally a
Pharmacists at the Get Well at Mercury Drug Diabetes Care corner provide free pharmacy counselling.
O cials of PSEDM, PPhA, Mercury Drug Corporation, MSD, and Paymaya unite for the celebration of World Immunization Week.
It is when he is naturally concentrated doing the things he love that he can control his tics.
Barnuevo serves as a songwriting coach for the PhilPop Community.
Barnuevo wins 5th Best Song in the Himig Handog P-Pop Love Songs 2016.
He helps his students design their lives as an educator in Benilde’s Industrial Design Program.
Dignosed with Tourette syndrome, Marlon Barnuevo proves there’s so much life beyond the neurological disorder.
ADEFENDING, twotime gold medalist in the Southeast Asian Games triathlon and the chairman of the National Athlete’s Commission with a strong resolve to be the best athlete he can be, Nikko Huelgas is an inspiration to many.
More than an image of success, he is a shining example of how hard work, perseverance, and unwavering faith can go a long way in beating the odds.
Now a trained swimmer, Huelgas revealed he used to panic before hitting the water.
“When I was young, I had swim trauma,” he related. “I always had anxiety minutes before gunstart during my swimming competition years.”
To overcome it, Huelgas came to the realization that fear was inevitable, and that staying focused on doing well by training hard was the only way forward.
“Fear becomes the main reason why we become the best version of ourselves,” he said.
And train well he did, driven by the desire to serve and represent the country as a National Athlete.
“I prepare by fixing my schedule, creating a timeline breakdown,” he shared, “That way, I can give my full attention to everything—it all starts with the mind—where I become a different person because I have a clear vision of what needs to be done.”
Huelgas has also learned to train smart—utilizing proper warm ups and stretching, meditating in the morning, eating right, and getting at least seven hours of sleep a day. After all, winning a triathlon entails a combination of physical fitness and the mental strength necessary to keep going at any cost.
“You have to enjoy your training sessions and respect your coach. Having a mentor you can work with, who can answer all your questions, is a big help too.”
Having the proper equipment is also
Nikko Huelgas faces his fears
crucial, he opined. Huelgas shared he can’t live without a proper aerodynamic bike, good suction swim goggles, high responsive run shoes and his TechnoMarine Shark watch—inspired and named after one of the fiercest preda-
tors found in our oceans.
A take-off from the iconic Cruise Collection, the Shark, with its bold elements of design and color, coupled with a vibrant style and Technomarine’s trademark precision, is a perfect fit for
Canon recycles empty ink cartridges
GLOBAL imaging solutions leader
Canon believes one of its missions is to maximize the use of finite resources.
“We at Canon strive hard to not just create superior imaging products and business solutions for our consumers and partners; we also innovate ways to deliver products and processes in a more eco-friendly manner,” said Canon Marketing (Philippines), Inc. president and chief executive Kazuhiro Ozawa. Ozawa said the company is aware that their products may eventually end up in landfills. “As a global company, we are mindful of our environmental impact and take responsibility by implementing a closed-loop recycling system. We are proud to be the first company globally to recycle toner cartridges since 1990,” he added.
Canon believes that smart designs and recycling are some of the solutions in addressing global waste and resource issues. As such, they design products that are easier to reuse and recycle, which starts from the selection of materials down to limiting the types of plastics used.
In the manufacturing process, they practice a closed-loop recycling method where the byproduct of one process is used to make another product, thereby minimizing or eliminating waste altogether.
In Japan in the 1990s, the company pioneered the recycling of toner cartridges.
Last year, it celebrated the 10th anniversary of Project Homecoming, a recycling program that allows people to properly dispose their empty ink cartridges. To
Pharmacy...
From C1
lack of awareness about the benefits and importance of vaccination, not only for diabetics, but also for the general population,” emphasized Dr. Jeremy Robles, president of PSEDM.
For instance, pneumonia is one of the infections that can be prevented by vaccination. Fighting pneumonia can be burdensome, costly, and critical. According to Dr. Aurora Macaballug, board member of PSEDM, the cost of vaccination is minimal compared to pneumonia medication and hospitalization which can escalate to up to P250,000 per patient.
Even for non-diabetic individuals, protection from pneumonia through vaccination is equally critical, since the disease factors in as one of the leading causes of deaths in the country, according to the Department of Health. In fact, the department includes pneumonia vaccination in its Expanded Program on Immunization.
“If a person aged 50 and above has never received any pneumonia vaccine, it’s time to get vaccinated. If a patient has a risk factor like diabetes and heart disease, even if the patient is not yet 50 years old, immunization is needed,” asserted Dr. Joel Santiaguel, pulmonologist at the Philippine General Hospital. In fighting burdensome diseases, it is crucial to ensure that Filipino patients get quality and accessible healthcare. Collaborative interventions are needed to address priority healthcare areas, such as diabetes management and immunization. Medication adherence, or the taking of medications correctly as prescribed by the doctor, is another integral aspect of diabetes care and management that many patients usually take for granted.
Miriam Soriano, aged 71 and diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, tells of a common occurrence among diabetic patients given that they have to take several types of medicines per day.
“Yung isang manugang ko nga para di makalimutan uminom ng gamot, la-
make it accessible for everyone, over 6,000 recycling bins were deployed across Japanese cities that resulted in 24 million cartridges being collected.
Canon wishes to replicate the success of Project Homecoming in the Philippines with the relaunch of its ink cartridge recycling program. Together with its local partner Envirotech Waste Recycling, Inc., the company plans to transform the collected refuse into usable items. Collected cartridges will be given new life as new collection bins, effectively fueling the program’s expansion.
“Since we started the ink cartridge recycling program here in the Philippines only six years ago, we have collected 7,000 empty ink cartridges from consumers,” shared CMPI vice president Anuj Aggarwal.
He continued, “Our business partners have also been supportive. They have submitted for recycling 99 percent of the toner cartridges they purchased from us. In doing this, we hope to encourage everyone to be more conscious about the environment and to start practicing recycling.”
To meet its goal of collecting at least 30 percent more ink cartridges and 10 percent more toner cartridges, Canon is encouraging everyone to drop off empty ink cartridges (non-Canon cartridges are welcome, too) in recycling bins located in the following stores: Canon Customer Care Center in Commerce and Industry Plaza; Canon Image Square in SM Aura Premier; Canon D-Center in SM Megamall; Canon D-Zone in SM North Edsa; and Canon D-Zone in SM Mall of Asia.
hat iniinom niya ng sabay-sabay,” she lamented. (My daughter in-law takes all her medicines in one go so she will not forget it.)
The PPhA asserts the important role of pharmacists in guiding diabetes patients. “Pharmacists not only help ensure that patients have the right knowledge about drugs, but they also guide them in preventing possible complications that can arise from drug interactions or non-adherence. Pharmacists can also check for complications, administer screening tests, and make referrals to other members of the diabetes care team,” explained Dr. Yolanda Robles, president of PPhA.
“In the future, pharmacists would actually be able to administer adult vaccines under The New Pharmacy Law. In the meantime, we’re calling on the pharmacists to also educate patients about vaccination,” she said.
Mercury Drug, in partnership with PPhA, are working together to empower and equip pharmacists with the knowledge and skills to provide better counseling and support to patients.
Huelgas’ go-getting personality and active lifestyle. “It is light and versatile, so you can easily move around anywhere. It’s my go-to everyday wristwatch, especially when I travel.”
Even with all the hard work he has put in and continues to put in, Huelgas is enjoying every moment, every victory, in his continuing journey. “Aside from being an athlete, I also dream of being a pilot someday.”
Cebu’s endangered insect featured in Lacoste shirt
A CRITICALLY endangered insect native to Cebu is featured in Lacoste’s polo shirts as part of a campaign to help raise awareness of the extinction of threatened species and support conservation action on the ground. Only 50 damselflies are known to be alive in Cebu today, for which the brand is releasing 50 polo shirts to emphasize this number. Damselflies’ wings are similar to dragonflies, with the former smaller and more delicate looking than the latter.
The Cebu Damselfy is part of the 10 limited edition polo shirts featuring threatened spe- cies from around the globe in place of the brand’s signature crocodile logo. The collection is part of the brand’s collaboration with the International Union for Conservation of Nature
The shirt is now available at the Lacoste store in Shanghai, China.
disability,” he said. “However, now, I understand that proving myself to the world is not the only answer.”
“I experienced more stares and bullying when I was in high school. The people in college did not mind,” he stated. “Every now and then you encounter people who talk about you but that is unavoidable. I totally understand that it happens.”
Understanding the importance of life
“When I was much younger, I used to say that the biggest solution to overcome TS is to become an achiever. It tends to make people look past my
Twenty years ago, Barnuevo started to raise awareness of TS through his own website. He realized then there was not enough awareness of TS in the country as some years back, St. Lukes Medical Center in Quezon City conducted a case study on TS and only found Barnuevo and a registered nurse named Rowena Balmores Victorino, who was currently researching on TS for her dissertation, to assist her two siblings who have the syndrome.
Fueled by their common goals, Barnuevo and Victorino were encouraged to form Philippine Tourette Symptom Association (PTSA).
Today, PTSA continues to be a growing family and grants the much-needed support system for people with TS or parents whose children share the condition. Barnuevo, currently the PTSA spokesperson, continues his mission by engaging in various seminars.
“Everyone should know what TS is, there is no reason for this advocacy to fail,” he reiterated.
Barnuevo stressed that persons who show signs of tics should get a proper diagnosis. “Do not lose hope; everything is possible even if you have TS,” he encouraged.
If there is one thing that can stop his tics, it is when he is naturally concentrated doing things that he is most passionate about such as playing the keyboards or designing. “I stopped taking the meds before I finish college since it was really expensive and I was also afraid of the possible side effects.”
For more information on PTSA and its advocacies, visit www.facebook.com/ptsamain.
Barnuevo shares his passion for music.
Canon Marketing Philippines, through its local partner Envirotech Waste Recycling, turns empty ink cartridges and other refuse into useful items such as school chairs.
The Cebu Damsel y Lacoste polo shirt
SEA Games gold medalist and triathlete Nikko Huelgas has learned to overcome his fears by staying focused and training hard.
‘One Music X’ fever reaches Singapore
OVER the weekend, music artists KZ Tandingan, Darren Espanto, Bugoy Drilon, Ben&Ben, and Jayda Avanzado set the stage on fire as they bannered One Music X Singapore held at the Scape, The Playspace in
Orchard Link, Singapore. The top music artists were warmly welcomed by the Singapore community during their activities around the country.
Firefalldown’s
‘Kahulugan’ now streams on Spotify
POST hardcore rock band Firefalldown has released a new single entitled “Kahulugan” under Warner Music Philippines.
During the single launch on April 30, the band composed of frontman and composer Jon Blaylock, bassist Djimi Django, and drummer Jedd Manjares, discussed how the song would help them promote their advocacies on social change and why music fans should watch out for it.
“I wanted to make this about seeking truth - both with a big T and a small t. The point is that you cannot just rely on what you’re spoonfed at university or through the media. The truth does find you but it still needs to be sought’, Blaylock explained.
For them, the single, “Kahulugan”, is about finding meaning in the midst of the pursuit of truth.
“If you still believe what you’re fed by Hollywood and the mainstream media, then in a very real sense, you are part of the problem,” Blaylock added.
Firefalldown, which was founded in the United Kingdom in 2008, returns to the music industry after a one-year hiatus. Since relocating to Manila in 2014, the post-hardcore trio has been in and out of the scene, independently releasing a second full length and a handful of singles including “Forever Never the Same”, “These Wounds” and the political thought stimulating “Halimaw.” This time around, the band offers listeners an evolved sound that music fans are sure to love - they call it rhythmic post hardcore with pop leanings. They also promise to deliver a well-crafted, energetic live show through the band’s #TrutherTour. In fact, it is now beginning to gain momentum with an extensive string of dates set to take place throughout the country, stopping at familiar music venues and food parks from Laguna to Naga. “Kahulugan” is now available on Spotify and it will be available on your favorite streaming sites such as Apple Music and iTunes soon.
TUESDAY,
No, Alden and Winwyn are not an item
WINWYN Marquez just laughs off the rumor linking her to Pambansang Bae Alden Richards. It all started when she attended the opening of the latter’s franchise restaurant.
The beauty queen is aware that that there are fans who expressed their being dismayed with her presence in the event.
“You know, it’s funny because I don’t know where it came from. Some even sent storylines just like in Wattpad,” she begins.
Fans started reacting when a picture of her in which she and Alden were so close together circulated on social media.
“And they instantly speculated that we have something special going on between us. It really made me laugh,” she admits.
For the record, the 27-year-old actress says she and Alden are just friends and that she’s not affected at all with the controversy. She doesn’t care about the bashers but understands where Alden’s fans are coming from.
“They’re really sensitive. And one thing more, their attacks are not that personal so it’s just fine. Actually, there’s no special reason why I was there at the opening. As a friend, I was there to support,” she says.
Unknown to many, her friendship with Alden dates back to the time when they did One True Love in 2012.
“In the past, I’ve also posted some photos of our Party Pilipinas days in which we also worked together. We also go mountain-climbing along with Rodjun (Cruz) and Bea (Binene). In most of his previous openings, he invited me. It’s just that I wasn’t able to attend. So, it was just given malice when I attended the recent opening of his franchise restaurant,” she recalls.
Interestingly, didn’t she get attracted to the handsome Kapuso pride at one point?
“Honestly, no because he’s my friend. When we talk about personal things, we talk as good friends, no more, no less. In fact, when the rumor reached me, I was very surprised and couldn’t imagine why I got linked to him!”
The Dahil sa Pag-ibig star has only good words for the Pambansang Bae.
“One good thing about Alden is that he is a deep person and a good listener. He’s also nice to everyone. Never did it cross my mind that there will be an issue on our closeness,” ends Winwyn.
* * *
Daniel Padilla admits that he is not really used to the scenario that he and ladylove Kathryn Bernardo are physically away from each other. That’s
why he recently flew to Hong Kong to give her a surprise visit while she’s there for the filming of her latest potboiler Hello Love, Goodbye opposite Alden Richards.
“I’m not used to it,” he says. “It’s hard to think that we are working separately. I find it kind of bizarre to be in this situation. Kath was so far from me and it felt like ages. So I decided to pay her a surprise visit. I felt that I had to be there. My heart can’t just wait!”
Actually, this is not the first time that he and Kathryn were apart for some time.
“I recall that during the period when we were doing Princess and I back in 2012, there came a point when the two of us had to be physically away from each other. I exactly felt the same. I thought it would be like before. It’s hard because you’re used to each other’s presence for the longest time, seeing each other almost every day and then suddenly you will get separated.”
In spite of this development, the popular young actor understands why such needed to happen.
“Of course at first, you will be surprised because you’re not yet ready. As I’ve said, it’s difficult if you’re not used to something and you are made to undergo and face it. But I realized that you have to support your girlfriend in what she does since she’s exerting her best efforts. She’s putting all her blood, sweat and tears, so to speak and it’s no joke.
“I see that it has a long-range benefit. It’s for our growth as artists. There’s a purpose why things happen. I needed to understand the process. There are certain points when you have to take risks. In this case, I’m giving Kathryn my hundred percent support!” Daniel states.
PH films win big at ASEAN fest
Entertainment took home the Best Film. Signal Rock was also featured in Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino 2018 and won the Critics’ Choice Award.
Filipinos’ acting prowess was also recognized during the film festival as Kapuso child star Barbara Miguel received the Best Supporting
Urian nominee Timothy Castillo is featured in Malaysian film Crossroads: One Two Jaga, which garnered accolades at AIFFA.
Filipino delegates also participated in the Philippine Cinema Night sponsored by the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP), the country’s film agency.
“We are very proud of our winners who continue to promote Philippine cinema on a global level. AIFFA showcases the different voices that are truly distinct in the region, and we are pleased that they continue to give recognition to our talents and stories,” said FDCP Chairperson and CEO Liza Diño The biennial film festival AIFFA celebrates Southeast Asian films from ten ASEAN countries, including the Philippines, Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.
This year, eight Filipino films were shortlisted, and among these, the multiawarded film Signal Rock directed by Chito Roño produced by Regal
A recent photo of Winwyn Marquez and Alden Richards shared by the beauty queen on her Instagram page.
TOURING THE CITY. The ABS-CBN artists went to di erent areas in Singapore for a quick tour and to have sumptuous meals. (Top) MOR 101.9 DJ Eva Ronda, Jayda Avanzado, Darren Espanto, Bugoy Drilon, KZ Tandingan, and Robi Domingo at El Lamesa, (bottom) while folk-pop band Ben & Ben are at Don Lechon.
Christian Bables in 'Signal Rock'
Firefalldown
frontman Jon Blaylock
TUESDAY,
SOMETIMES we just have to explore other ideas and not take comedians literally especially when words instantaneously come out of their mouth after being asked series of questions.
Case in point, when top comedienne Eugene Domingo said that she doesn’t like “drama,” we had to ask her one more time because we thought she meant something else.
“I mean I don’t like to do drama anymore because I have already done a serious role in Barber’s Tale. I prefer doing comedy because it doesn’t involve too much emotion yet the effect on the viewers is the same. You even make them happy,” Eugene told showbiz writers in a recent pocket press conference for the weekly comedy anthology, Dear Uge
“It’s always better to make people laugh. Sabi nga nila, laughter is the best medicine. And you know, every time I do drama, I don’t eat. Doon galing ang mag hugot ko...sa gutom,” she said in jest.
Meanwhile, the 38-year-old actress is glad that through her show, Dear Uge, people tend to recognize her contribution as a comedian. She is also proud that in three years that the show is on air on GMA, it has already won numerous accolades. Most recent of which were the best comedy program trophies given by Gawad Tanglaw and Catholic Mass Media Awards, and when Eugene was named Comedy Actress of the Year by the BoxOffice Entertainment Awards.
“Initially, Dear Uge was just an experiment, but people liked it so we continue doing the show featuring actors showing their comic side. And the actors we feature in the show are the ones that people normally see doing heavy drama,” she said.
The show, which marked its third year in February, is celebrating its anniversary for the whole year.
“That’s how we do it. We treat every episode special as if every episode is an anniversary episode. We have funny scripts, heartwarming stories. The viewers laugh but they also learn lessons and get advice on finding solutions to everyday concerns,” Eugene beamed with pride.
As part of making each
EUGENE DOMINGO means no drama
episode special, the comedian was excited to reveal that Michael V. will appear as a guest on the show.
“It’s his way of returning the favor because I did a cameo on his directorial movie debut. I really appreciate his effort. I know he has a busy schedule,” she said.
For her parting words, Eugene said that apart from the comedy genius, she also wanted her “BFF” Ai-Ai deals Alas to guest in one of Dear Uge’s episodes.
“Hopefully she’ll be able to accommodate us on my birthday month, July. But we would have to save up. We need big money to afford her talent fee,” she ended with a loud laugh.
Top comedienne and 'Dear Uge' host Eugene Domingo
MATTEO Guidicelli finally ends the long wait of his fans with the release of his highlyanticipated new single entitled “Sundo.” This is his first single under his new record label, Viva Records after he signed with the company just a few months ago. It might have taken Matteo two years before releasing a new track but his fans patiently waited for this highly- anticipated comeback. This may as well be because of how he throws himself completely in everything he does.
Whether it was being a skilled race car driver during his younger years, or faring well on the famous Ironman triathlon, or having a laser-like focus on his career, Matteo makes sure that his passion comes through every endeavor he takes.
In his latest single “Sundo” that sings about searching high and wide for a special someone, he uses the words of the original songwriter to express his message: “Kay tagal kong sinusuyod ang buong mundo Para hanapin, para hanapin ka.”
This is not far from his own journey of
A new chapter in Matteo’s music
discovery. Along the way, he found a new home as he signed with Viva and discovered more of himself as he enlisted with the Philippine Army. And with assuredness of finding a home in these places, he sings with assuredness in the chorus: “Asahan mo mula ngayon, pag-ibig ko’y sayo.” Sonic-wise, Matteo’s rendition goes back to the alternative pop sound of the original while infusing some tangly acoustic pop flavors to create the heartfelt ballad version of “Sundo.”
Prior to the first performance of his latest single on Friday at The Music Hall at Metrowalk, Matteo also gave the audience an exclusive peak to the premiere of his music video directed by Direk Nolan Bernardino During the show, he sang a few songs culled from his previous album and even performed a rendition of his girlfriend’s, Sarah Geronimo hit song “Kilometro.” For latest updates, you can follow him on his social media accounts: Facebook: (facebook. com/matteog) Matteo Guidicelli Twitter: matteoguidicelli Instagram: matteog.
Singer and actor Matteo Guidicelli drops a new single, a fresh rendition of ‘Sundo.’
The EDDYS 2019 honors 10 movie icons
TEN respected local film luminaries will be recognized in the third edition of the Society of Philippine Entertainment Editors’ (SPEEd) The EDDYS happening in July.
Carrying on the tradition of paying tribute to movie stars who have made an indelible mark in the industry through their significant bodies of work, this year’s Icon Awards will be conferred upon Amalia Fuentes, Tirso Cruz III, Christopher de Leon, Joseph Estrada, Eddie Gutierrez, Anita Linda, Dante Rivero, Celia Rodriguez, Vilma Santos, and Lorna Tolentino
Meanwhile, as SPEEd joins in the celebration of the 100 years of Philippine Cinema, in partnership with the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) led by Chairperson Liza Diño, the group will also honor some of the industry’s “unsung heroes” who work behind the camera. These film workers are the backbones of movie projects. For years, they have dedicated their talents, working tirelessly for long hours deriving their professional satisfaction from their contribution behind the scenes. Also included in the list are the three major studios that inspired new players in film production. These are Sampaguita Pictures (represented by Marichu Vera Perez-Maceda) LVN Studios (Maroth de Leon) and Premiere Productions (Digna Santiago). Completing the “Parangal Sa Sandaan” list are Armida SiguionReyna (posthumous), Val Iglesias Vic Delotavo, Romy Vitug, Romy Peralta, Lucy Quinto, Val Campbell, Rustica Carpio, and Rosa Rosal
The 100 years of Philippine Cinema was recognized through Presidential Proclamation 622 Series signed in November, assigning FDCP as lead agency for the celebration.
The editors’ group has already unveiled the list of nominees for the third edition of The EDDYS. Citizen Jake, Goyo, Liway, Rainbow’s Sunset, and Signal Rock are the five films vying for the coveted best picture at this year’s ceremony. The EDDYS aims to encourage local filmmakers, producers, writers, and actors to continue pursuing their passion for creating films that mirror the realities of our society. The SPEEd is made
Nickie Wang, Issue Editor
NICKIE WANG
FILM ICONS. Carrying on the tradition of paying tribute to biggest movie stars of Philippine cinema, the 3rd EDDYS will honor Joseph Estrada, Tirso Cruz III, Vilma Santos, and Lorna Tolentino (along with Christopher de Leon, Eddie Gutierrez, Anita Linda, Dante Rivero, and Celia Rodriguez) as Movie Icons.
