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Rice tariffication certified urgent

VOL. XXXII • NO. 238 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P18 • THURSDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2018 • www.manilastandard.net • editorial@manilastandard.net

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday certified the rice tarrification bill as urgent to aid the passage of the proposed measure to help temper inflation, which hit a new nine-year high of 6.7 percent last month. Addressing the certification to Senate President Vicente Sotto III and House Speaker Gloria Macapagal Ar-

royo, Duterte cited the “urgent need to improve availability of rice in the country, prevent artiﬁcial rice shortage, reduce the prices of rice in the market, and curtail the prevalence of corruption and cartel domination in the rice industry.” Bills certiﬁed as urgent by the Next page

Oil tax freeze snowballing Taking cue from Du30, senators file reso to place levy on hold By Macon Ramos-Araneta

INORITY senators have filed a joint resolution suspending the excise tax on fuel under the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion Law and mandating the rollback of the levy to Dec. 31, 2017 rates.

After years of neglect, geothermal hunt surges DEEP below the ancient volcanoes scattered around the Philippines sits a simmering stockpile of intense heat that ofﬁcials hope will help revive the nation’s sputtering green energy machine. The Philippines―thanks to its spot in the Ring of Fire zone of Paciﬁc volcanoes―has long been one of the world’s top producers of geothermal power, but years of neglect have sent the industry sliding. Next page

113 lotto bettors a number shy of P1-b jackpot CLOSE, but no cigar for 113 lottery bettors hoping to win the record P1-billion jackpot in the 6/58 Ultra Lotto draw on Tuesday night. They all got just five of the six numbers required to win the biggest prize in Philippine lottery history, and will have to be content with taking home P158,760 each,

With President Duterte’s latest pronouncement that the government will look into the possibility of suspending excise tax on fuel, the minority senators are hopeful that their colleagues will support the initiative. Minority Floor Leader Franklin Drilon and Senators Francis Pangilinan, Paolo Benigno Aquino IV, Risa Hontiveros, Antonio Trillanes IV and Leila de Lima submitted Senate Joint Resolution No. 15 as they called on their fellow lawmakers to take a uniﬁed stand to suspend the excise tax on fuel. In their joint resolution, the minority senators said there was an urgent need for Congress to intervene and mitigate the inﬂationary effects Next page

12.2-m Pinoys rate themselves as poor—SWS By Nat Mariano A MAJORITY of Filipinos considered themselves as poor, the latest Social Weather Stations survey revealed Tuesday. The SWS survey, conducted from Sept. 15 to 23, found that 52 percent or an estimated 12.2-million Filipino regard themselves as poor. The latest result was four points higher than the previous 42 percent (11.1-million families) recorded last March, and was the highest since a similar 52 percent was recorded four years ago. “The 4-point nationwide increase in Self-Rated Poverty in the third quarter of 2018 was due to sharp increases in Balance Luzon and Mindanao, offset by a sharp decrease in Metro Manila and an unchanged proportion in the Visayas,” SWS said. Self-rated poverty rose by 12 points in Balance Luzon from 35 percent to 47 percent, and ﬁve points in Mindanao from 60 percent to 65 percent. It fell by 17 points in Metro Manila, from 43 percent to 26 percent, registering a new record-low in the area. Next page

303 ‘private armies’ on Comelec watchlist THE Philippine National Police continues to monitor 303 private armed groups as part of the security preparations for next year’s midterm elections, its spokesman said Wednesday. Chief Supt. Benigno Durana Jr. said they had been monitoring 77 armed groups with 2,060 members that had 1,574 ﬁrearms.

They had also been monitoring 226 inactive armed groups with 2,028 members and more than 1,000 firearms. Durana made his statement even as the Commission on Elections said Wednesday it was ready for the filing of Certificates of Candidacy for the 2019 mid-term elections. Next page

Hernando fills vacancy at SC as associate justice By Rey E. Requejo and Nat Mariano

HERNANDO

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has appointed Court of Appeals Associate Justice Ramon Paul Hernando as a member of the 15-member Supreme Court. At the same time, the Judicial and Bar Council announced that Associate Justice Lucas Bersamin has formally accepted his automatic nomination for post of chief justice, vacated when Chief Justice Teresita Leonardo-de Castro retired on Wednesday. Next page

Rody bares new list of ‘narco-cops’, shabu prices dip SAYING the drug menace has reached “an unimaginable sphere of inﬂuence” across the country, President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday released another matrix of seven former government agents and police ofﬁcers supposedly involved in the narcotics trade. At the same time, both Philippine National Police chief Oscar Albayalde and National Capital Region police director Guillermo Eleazar admitted that a big supply of illegal drugs, particularly

shabu, continues to ﬂood Metro Manila’s streets―but nobody’s buying them, even at lower prices. The top cops were reacting to a statement from Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency head Aaron Aquino, who said in a congressional hearing that the P6.8 billion worth of shabu that slipped past Customs into the country, in magnetic lifters that were recovered empty in Cavite in August, are now circulating in the big city.

In a television interview, Albayalde said if the ﬂooding of shabu in the NCR was true, the lower prices for the drug indicated that fewer people were buying the stimulant out of fear of the police’s “Operation Tokhang” and other anti-illegal drug programs. The PNP admission, and the President’s new matrix, only served to highlight the differences between police and anti-drug agents, who have given conflicting statements on the Next page unabated narcotics trade.

Link Chart of involved personalities INTEL REPORT. President Rodrigo Duterte releases to the public on Tuesday an intelligence report on law enforcement officials alleged to be involved in the illegal drug trade, which included PDEA deputy director Ismael Fajardo—described in the report as a ‘scorer’ or one who delivers accomplishments but branded a ‘recycler’ of drugs—and dismissed Superintendents Eduardo Acierto and Leonardo Suan. Malacañang Photo

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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2018

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PH kicks in P16-m aid for Indonesians T

HE Philippines will donate $300,000―about P16 million―to Indonesia to help it recover from the Sept. 28 earthquake and tsunami that devastated it and claimed more than 2,000 lives.

Philippine Ambassador to Indonesia Lee Hiong Tan Wee announced the donation in a press conference on Wednesday to reporters in Bali. The donation will be in cash and in kind, he said. Wee made his statement even as De-

fense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said the Philippines will deploy a C-130 aircraft to hasten the delivery of aid to the victims of the magnitude-7.5 earthquake in Central Sulawesi, Indonesia. Lorenzana said the aircraft will be sent at the request of the Indonesian govern-

ment for humanitarian assistance. “There will be two sorties of our C-130. One today and [it will go for] another [trip] on the 15th. By the 15th, the C-130 will stay there for quite some time to help [in] the ferrying of goods,” Lorenzana said. “The crew of the C-130 will be there unless we are notified that we need to send more.” The Department of Foreign Affairs earlier said there will be a simple ceremony when President Rodrigo Duterte

and Indonesian President Joko Widodo have their bilateral meeting in Indonesia. Duterte is scheduled to attend the Asean Leaders’ Gathering in Indonesia before attending the International Monetary Fund and World Bank Group Annual Meeting in Bali. The Asean Leaders’ Gathering is expected to show that the 10 Asean leaders are united and the regional international group is a potent force in the world arena. Francisco Tuyay

Aquino rules out PUV phaseout in 2019 By Macon Ramos-Araneta THE Department of Transportation and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board both committed there would be no phaseout of public utility jeepneys in March 2019, Senator Paolo Aquino IV said Wednesday. He noted everybody, especially the commuters, would be the losers in the phaseout of jeepney initially set this coming March. If jeepneys would be out of the streets, there would be no mode of transportwiton for commuters and the riding public. “Let us help our drivers to modernize instead of depriving them of their jobs and livelihood of their family,” said Aquino. “They planned to forfeit the franchise of jeepneys in March. Let’s do this right,

Oil tax... From A1

of rising fuel prices by suspending the increases in the excise tax on fuel under RA No. 10963. “We are hopeful that the Senate will take a unified stance on suspending the excise tax on fuel for the millions of Filipinos burdened with the rising prices of goods,” the minority senators said in a statement. The Department of Energy is already finalizing a draft memorandum to suspend the excise tax, Assistant Secretary Bodie Pulido said Wednesday. He told GMA News Online the DOE will submit the memo to the Office of the President through the Executive Secretary “where we will be seeking the suspension of the second tranche of TRAIN.” Pulido explained that under the TRAIN Law, the second tranche of excise taxes on petroleum products can be suspended if the average price of Dubai crude averages US$80 per barrel for three months before the second tranche is enforced in January 2019. “The other indexes are a little bit higher. But the Dubai crude prices, based on our projections, will probably not breach the $80 average per month And that it would continue for three consecutive months,” he said. But based on the DOE’s projections, the assistant secretary said the rising oil prices would come ahead of the second tranche heading into the following year, Pulido added. The anticipated diminished supply of oil resulting from economic sanctions on Iran and

113 lotto... From A1 the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Ofﬁce said in a statement. The winning combination for the 6/58 draw, in any order, was 12-16-46-03-38-36. The next draw is on Friday night, with betting stations closing at 8 pm. Bettors both Filipino and foreigner, however, most likely breathed a sigh of relief. They get to recreate the serpentine lines at lotto outlets across the country and jack up the pot for the Ultra Lotto, which on Tuesday night stood at P1,026,264,340 (about US$18.94 million). One lucky bettor, however, managed to win the P97-million jackpot in the Super Lotto 6/49 draw on the same night after picking the winning numbers 19-32-40-21-05-43. The PCSO website says bettors who get ﬁve numbers in the 6/58 draw could win as much as P280,000, but the prize money could change based on total sales generated and the number of winners for the particular draw. Jimbo Gulle

Rody bares... From A1 On top of the pyramid Duterte released is dismissed police superintendent Eduardo Acierto, who was linked to fellow former superintendent Leonardo Suan, but at the heart of the matrix was former Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency deputy director general Ismael Fajardo. Fajardo was linked to the six other men in the chart shown by Duterte, which included Superintendent Lorenzo Bacia, police inspectors Lito Pirote and Conrado Caragdag, and Senior Police Ofﬁcer 4 Alejandro Gerardo Liwanag. “Enormous networks of powerful people and sophisticated modus are utilized to protect and continuously carry out unscrupulous activities under the guise of legitimate law enforcement operations,” the President’s document added. The paper focused on Fajardo’s illegal activities since being relieved last month following his links to the controversial smuggling of P6.8 billion worth of shabu in August. PDEA Director General Aquino told a House committee on Sept. 27 that Fajardo and Jimmy Guban, the resigned Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service ofﬁcer, knew that hundreds of kilograms of shabu would be shipped into the country. Nat Mariano

let’s postpone the phaseout,” Aquino said, referring to the Memorandum Circular released by the DoTr and LTFRB. During the hearing by the Committee on Public Services on the issue of jeepney modernization, LTFRB head Martin Delgra and DoTr Undersecretary Tim Orbos gave their commitment to Aquino that the phase-out in March would not push through. Earlier, Aquino filed a public utility vehicle modernization bill with the support of the National Confederation of Transport Union, Sentro, ACTO, and Philippine Advocates for Transport Convergence. In his bill, Aquino seeks to make jeepneys safer and more efficient for commuters and the environment, while ensuring the livelihood of drivers and their families. the political and financial crises in Venezuela is pushing prices up, he told GMA News. Also on Wednesday: • Senator Juan Edgardo Angara endorsed for plenary approval a bill seeking a general tax amnesty to encourage taxpayers to pay correct taxes, raising more revenues to finance crucial government projects. The bill covers all unpaid internal revenue taxes—estate taxes, general taxes and delinquent accounts—due for taxable year 2017 and prior years. Since the implementation of the TRAIN Law on Jan. 1, 2018, the minority senators pointed out that gasoline prices have already increased by as much as P10.50, diesel prices by P12 and kerosene by P14.12. Inflation has gone up from beyond the government’s target of 2 to 4 percent, to 6.7 percent in September. With prices of oil in the world market breaching the $80 per barrel barrier and with the scheduled additional P2 levy on fuel in January 2019, the minority senators said there is a pressing need to suspend the excise tax under the TRAIN Law. In May, Aquino filed a bill seeking to suspend the collection of the excise tax on fuel once the inflation rate breaches the annual target over a three-month period. Aquino said he hopes that with the President’s willingness to consider suspending the excise taxes, the government will unite to support the move. Senator Panfilo Lacson also welcomed Duterte’s willingness to suspend the new excise tax on fuel. He said there is a provision in the TRAIN Law that the tax be suspended when oil hits

Rice tarifﬁcation... From A1 President can sail smoothly through the legislative process, especially with Duterte’s allies having the numbers in Congress. The House passed its version of the bill in August, while the Senate has a counterpart bill under deliberation. This developed as Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol said suggested retail prices for rice will be implemented by late October, amid the rising costs of fuel and other commodities. The Departments of Agriculture and Trade are also planning to impose SRPs for chicken to be updated every three days and pork to be updated every week, Piñol added. However, Albay Rep. Joel Salceda, eco-

HOLD IT. Minority senators Francisco Pangilinan (left) and Benigno Paolo Aquino lead the filing of a resolution calling for the suspension of excise tax on fuel under the TRAIN Law at the Bills and Index section of the Senate on Wednesday. Lino Santos $80 a barrel over a three-month period. Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, meanwhile, urged to government to be more aggressive in the pursuit of energy self-sufficiency by launching a “Drill, Drill, Drill” program to explore and develop the country’s untapped oil and gas resources. The senator, who serves as chairman of the Senate energy committee, made the call amid the latest round of global oil price hikes, which he said is one of the primary drivers of the rising inflation rate. “The Philippines is blessed with rich natural resources throughout its exclusive economic zone and extended continental shelf, including natural gas and oil. Unfortunately, we have been unable to tap the full potential of these energy resources. Because of this, we have no choice but to import crude oil from oil-exporting countries, even if the price has become unconscionably high,” he said. “As a result of this, Filipino commuters, vehicle owners, and public utility vehicle operators have had to suffer countless economic hardships because of volatile global oil price movements. This gives us all the more reason to pursue energy self-sufficiency,” he added. Gatchalian said the Philippines has been importing 94 percent of its oil requirements, with the total import bill jumping to $9.89 billion in 2017, a 31.2 percent increase from the $7.54 billion import bill in 2016. With the price of Brent crude now hitting USD84 a barrel this week, up from around $78 a barrel in July, Gatchalian stressed the need for the country to tap its own untapped oil and gas reserves throughout its islands and waters. Data from the Department of Energy show

that the country potentially has 3.5 billion barrels of oil deposits and 24.7 trillion cubic feet of gas deposits that are considered undiscovered. The DOE said only 4.6 percent or 168 million barrels of oil and 3.8 trillion cubic feet of gas had been discovered since 2016. Despite these vast reserves of untapped resources, the DOE reports that the Philippines only has six producing service contracts, three of which are nearing depletion. In July, DOE said it is still eyeing awarding at least nine more petroleum service contracts (PSCs) through its modiﬁed Philippine Conventional Energy Contracting Program. “It is high time for the government to launch a Drill, Drill, Drill program which will use these untapped oil and gas resources to pursue Philippine energy independence and pave the way for the country to become an energy exporting powerhouse,” Gatchalian said. However, the senator noted that perceived instability in some of the country’s energy and economic policies have discouraged foreign players from conducting petroleum exploration in the Philippines. Some of these controversial issues including the Commission on Audit’s ruling on the Malampaya project’s income tax, the Supreme Court ruling on the validity of service contracts signed by the Energy secretary, and the looming passage of the TRABAHO Bill. “Investors, particularly major foreign oil and gas companies, are looking for more certainty and stability before buying into the Philippine energy sector. The government needs to address these problem areas in order for the Drill, Drill, Drill program to move forward,” he said.

nomic adviser of Duterte ally and former president Arroyo, this “economic tokhang” or monitoring of prices was beyond the government’s regulatory capacity. “How can they monitor that many wet markets, that many groceries?” Salceda told ANC television. A more efﬁcient way to lower the prices of pork and chicken, the lawmaker said, is to lift the tariff on the importation of these meats for six months so supply could increase. The government could also import rice from Vietnam at only P21 per kilo, Salceda added. In another development, Duterte said late Tuesday he sees the possibility of appointing a Chinese businessman to head the National Food Authority. “I’m looking for somebody else. I’m looking for a Chinese who’s been there in the busi-

ness maybe 20 years. I’ll just ask him, in the meantime, to be the NFA [chief]. It’s their business, he knows,” he told Palace reporters in a press interview. He did not say why he seemed to have changed his mind about appointing retiring Army chief Lt. Gen. Rolando Bautista to the post. He now wants Bautista to head the Department of Social Welfare and Development. Earlier, Duterte lifted all restrictions on rice imports to bring prices for the grain down. The Palace said anyone who can afford and pay the tariff may import rice without the need for an executive order from the President. Senator Francis Pangilinan said he did not object to lifting restrictions on rice imports if local farmers are given the support they need to ensure that their farming methods are modern, and that their incomes improve. Nat Mariano and Macon Ramos-Araneta

After years... From A1

Now a surge of new exploration efforts are under way in a nation that has some of the world’s largest untapped sources of volcanic heat, but which relies on coal for half its electricity. “It’s an exciting development,” Enrique Nuñez, the country director for Conservation International, told AFP. “In an environment where coal is king, this is good stuff.” One of the nation’s freshly upgraded plants, Maibarara, puffs out white steam from shining metal stacks on a jungle-covered hillside about an hour south of Manila. High-temperature water vapor from the Earth’s red-hot under-

Hernando... From A1 Duterte promoted Hernando, a fellow graduate of the San Beda law school, as an associate justice of the Court, which had a vacancy following the appointment of Associate Justice Samuel Martires as Ombudsman. Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra, an exofficio member of the Judicial and Bar Council, confirmed Hernando’s appointment. Hernando is known in the appellate court for his zero backlog, with 417 cases disposed in 2013 and 370 in 2012. In his first four years, Hernando was able to dispose of 86.49 percent of the cases he handled. The 52-year-old magistrate will serve in the Supreme Court for about 18 years before he

belly is piped to the surface where it makes power-producing turbines spin. “There is no smoke,” said facility manager Paul Elmer Morala. “Only a bit of noise, but our neighbors don’t complain.” The Philippines was for years the world’s number two, behind the United States, in drilling deep to tap the scorching hot steam. But as the nation’s economy has boomed in recent decades, it has opted to feed its needs with cheaper and quicker-to-develop plants that burn fossil fuels. The amount of its power from geothermal sources has stayed relatively constant since 2002, while coal and gas-powered production has nearly tripled. Early in 2018, the Philippines lost its number two geothermal status, which it had held for over two decades, when Indonesia ﬁnished its massive Sarulla project. AFP

reaches the mandatory retirement age of 70. Hernando was a state prosecutor with the Justice Department for ﬁve years before being appointed judge of Quezon City RTC Branch 93. He stayed there for more than three years and then became a judge at a provincial court. He was judge at the RTC in San Pablo, Laguna, for almost three years. Hernando also teaches law at the San Beda College law school, Ateneo Law School and University of Santo Tomas Law and was a three-time Bar examiner in commercial law. He was handpicked by Duterte from a shortlist of nine nominees. Hernando is the sixth associate justice appointed by Duterte so far to the Supreme Court. Guevarra, ex-ofﬁcio member of the JBC, said the council received Bersamin’s formal acceptance of his automatic nomination for the

chief justice post earlier this week. Before his appointment as SC member in April 2009, Bersamin served as associate justice of the Court of Appeals and a Quezon City regional trial court judge. He was recipient of numerous judicial excellence awards. The ﬁve most senior justices of Supreme Court are automatically nominated for the chief justice vacancy under the rules of JBC, the seven-member panel tasked to screen nominees for judicial posts. Besides Bersamin, the four other most senior SC justices are acting Chief Justice Antonio Carpio and Associate Justices Diosdado Peralta, Mariano del Castillo and Estela Perlas-Bernabe. A court insider revealed that Carpio and Peralta will also vie for the chief justice post, but have not formally submitted their acceptance of their automatic nomination to the JBC.

House inserts VP in pre-federal succession line By Maricel V. Cruz THE House of Representatives decided Wednesday night to amend the approved committee report on the draft federal constitution by including Vice President Leni Robredo in the line of succession during the transition period to federalism. This came after Cebu City Rep. Raul del Mar moved in plenary session to recommit to the committee level the draft constitution as contained in the resolution of both chambers of Congress No. 15 under committee report No. 88. “In order to introduce perfecting amendment on the failure to include the Vice President in the first line of succession which lead to some misunderstanding and so there is a need to clarify this,” Del Mar said. No lawmaker objected to Del Mar’s motion. The amended Article XVII (Transitory Provision) will read: “In case a vacancy arises by reason of removal, resignation, permanent incapacity or death of the incumbent president the incumbent vice president shall act as president until a president has been chosen and qualify (sic).” Del Mar raised the issue on the floor after proposed provision drew flak for allegedly singling Robredo out in favor of former Senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr. who has a pending electoral protest against her. House Majority Leader and Camarines Sur Rep. Rolando Andaya Jr. said the House would make an amendment on the matter at a proper time. He said the amendment shall be submitted to the House of Representatives’ Committee on Constitutional Amendments, chaired by Leyte Rep. Vicente Veloso, a retired Court of Appeals justice. In related developments: • An opposition House leader Wednesday said a proposed shift to a federal form of government might not prosper in the 17th Congress. House Minority Leader and Quezon Rep. Danilo Suarez said rewriting the 1987 Constitution “will take a gargantuan effort” for both congressmen and senators.

12.2-m Pinoys... From A1

Self-rated poverty remained the same in the Visayas at 67 percent, no change from June. The September survey also found that of the 52 percent-self-rated poor families, 8 percent are “newly-poor” and used to be non-poor one to four years ago, and 6 percent used to be non-poor five or more years ago. The remaining 39 percent said they have always been poor, the SWS said. The SWS said 36 percent of those polled or roughly 8.5-million Filipino families have rated their food as poor. Malacañang pointed to the effects of Typhoon “Ompong” as the main factor behind self-rated poverty in Balance Luzon. “The destruction to agriculture and infrastructure caused by Typhoon Ompong in the Cordillera, Ilocos and Cagayan regions contributed to higher inflation,” the Palace said in a statement. The government then assured the public that measures are being implemented to cushion the impact of the 6.7 percent inflation, hoping such measures will “bring food on the table of poor families.” The Palace cited the directive of President Rodrigo Duterte to lift the restrictions on rice imports to flood the market with the abundant supply of rice, decreasing the staple food’s market value. The survey used face-to-face interviews of 1,500 adults. It had sampling error margins of ±3 percent for national percentages, ±4 percent for Balance Luzon, and ±6 percent each for Metro Manila, Visayas, and Mindanao.

303... From A1 It appealed to all aspiring national and local candidates to respect the Comelec offices and make their filing dignified. Comelec spokesman James Jimenez said the aspirants for elective positions for the 2019 elections were set to file their respective COCs starting Thursday, Oct. 11, until Wednesday, Oct. 17. “We are appealing to all aspiring candidates to respect the Comelec offices. We are gearing toward a “dignified” filing of COCs. The Comelec is ready and prepared to ensure that the filing is dignified,” Jimenez said. “We don’t want to turn the filing of COCs into a circus of supporters, and we want to avoid any possible clashes among the supporters of candidates.” Durana said most armed groups were “seasonal” and mostly based in Mindanao, particularly in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. He said they were validating the information that 72 out of these 77 active armed groups were based in ARMM. “They were being targeted two months ago and definitely they will be held accountable,” Durana said. He said Abra was expected to remain an election hot spot due to the incidents of violence there during the 2010 and 2016 elections. “We will deploy SAF units there, units not territorial to that particular place so that they will not be influenced whatsoever by politicians,” Durana said. PNA, with Vito Barcelo

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JV bolts father’s PMP Party, joins NPC A DAY before the filing of Certificates of Candidacy for the coming midterm elections in May 2019 polls, reelectionist Senator Joseph Victor Ejercito officially left his father’s political party, the Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino, and took his oath as member of the Nationalist People’s Coalition. Interviewed after taking his oath before Senate President Vicente Sotto III, the party’s senior adviser, Ejercito divulged it was a hard decision. “Of course, it’s difficult to leave the party of your father. I just want to clarify that while we have disagreements, I am not cutting ties with him as my father. My love for him is still there. I owe my life and my upbringing to him,” he said. Ejercito said he jumped boat because he believes there should only be one candidate from their family who should run in the same position under the same political party. The reelectionist senator initially planned to join PDP-Laban, but opted to move to NPC since Jinggoy Estrada is also seeking a Senate seat for the second time under the ruling party of former Senate President Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III and President Rodrigo Duterte. Macon Ramos-Araneta

I will support Uson’s candidacy—Du30 PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte said Tuesday he would support former Communications Assistant Secretary Mocha Uson’s bid in the 2019 midterm polls. “I will support you,” the President said as he dismissed reports that he terminated Uson from holding office under the Presidential Communications Operations Office. “I never fired Mocha. She was the one who resigned. All these years, she was under heavy criticism, I supported her. That’s freedom of expression,” Duterte told Uson as she asked the President to prove reports concerning her resignation wrong. He said Uson supported his administration “all the way” through the use of freedom of expression. The controversial blogger told Duterte of her plans to “continue the fight” to a new platform as she seeks an elective post in the upcoming elections. Nat Mariano

MIAA obtains ISO certification THE Manila International Airport Authority on Wednesday announced it has achieved another milestone after obtaining its ISO certification under ISO 2001:2015 standards. General manager Eddie Monreal received the ISO 9001:2015 certification in behalf of the Airport Authority. The certificate was awarded by MIAA’s current certifying body, International Standards Certification Global, one of the pillars in developing ISO standards and is now one of the fastest-growing certification body in the industry. The Authority, which supervises and manages the country’s premier gateway the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, has sustained the spirit of ISO 9001 by complying with the standards and requirements and thus achieving a successful transition to the 2015 version. MIAA began its certification journey in 2008 when it first obtained its ISO certification under ISO 9001:2008 standards. ISO 9001:2008 is focused on meeting customer expectations and achieving customer satisfaction. In simple terms, it is customer-focused. Joel E. Zurbano

MOCHA FLAVOR. President Rodrigo Roa Duterte discusses matters with former Presidential Communications assistant secretary Mocha Uson on the sidelines of the oathtaking ceremony of the newly-appointed government officials at the Malacañan Palace on Oct. 9, 2018. Accompanying the President is Secretary Christopher Lawrence ‘Bong’ Go of the Office of the Special Assistant to the President. Presidential Photo

Universal Health Care bill easily passed in Senate By Macon Ramos-Araneta

INANCIAL issues will no longer be a burden to Filipinos when it comes to healthcare, according to Senator JV Ejercito once the Universal Health Care Bill, which was passed on third and ﬁnal reading in the Senate on Wednesday, is enacted into law.

The senators unanimously voted, 140, to approve Senate Bill 1896 or the Universal Health Care bill. Under the bill, all Filipino citizens will automatically be enrolled into the National Health Insurance as direct contributor or those who have the capacity to pay premiums or indirect contributor or the indigents, senior citizens, among others. Ejercito, chairman of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, noted that the landmark Universal Health Care Bill guarantee equal access to quality and affordable health services for all Filipinos. He said the bill called for reforms in the mandate, responsibilities and jurisdiction of agencies that implement the country’s universal health care program, such as the Department of

Health, Philippine Health Insurance Corp. and local government units. Ejercito, who sponsored the bill, said records from the Philippine Statistics Authority showed that Filipinos spent around P6,345 for their health needs in 2016 or 8.7 percent higher than the P5,840 health expenditure in 2015. He said majority of Filipinos consulted a doctor only when their illnesses were already at their worst because of the lack of government support in health care. Ejercito said the passage of the bill into law would expand the PhilHealth coverage to include free consultation fees, laboratory tests and other diagnostic services. Under the bill, Filipino residents can avail of primary health care services even without the PhilHealth

Identiﬁcation Cards. Those not enrolled in the PhilHealth once the measure becomes a law could still avail of the health care services since the premium subsidy will be gradually adjusted and included in the General Appropriations Act. In 2013, the mandatory coverage of indigent patients and other sponsored members of the Department of Social Welfare and Development has increased PhilHealth coverage up to 92 percent of the population or roughly 93.5 million Filipinos. The bill also calls for the improvement of doctor-to-patient ratio, upgrading of hospital bed capacities and equipment as well as establishment of hospitals in remote areas. DoH has pegged doctor-to-patient ratio at 1 to 33,000 while bed to population ratio was pegged at 1 to 1,121. In Metro Manila, the bed to population ratio is 1 to 591 while bed to population ratio in the Autonomous Region for Muslim Mindanao is 1 to 4,200. Under the bill, all graduates of healthrelated courses from state universities and colleges or government-funded scholarship programs will be required to serve for at least three years in the public sector.

House reprimands Bertiz for misconduct at NAIA By Maricel V. Cruz VOTING, 159-1-3, the House of Representatives reprimanded ACTS-OFW Party-list Rep. Aniceto Bertiz III for alleged misconduct when he reportedly refused to take off his shoes at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 2 when asked to do so as part of airport security protocol. Presiding Speaker and Bulacan Rep. Linabelle Ruth Villarica announced the result of the nominal voting upon the motion of House Minority Leader and Quezon Rep. Danilo Suarez. Suarez said that the penalty of suspension or expulsion to be imposed against Bertiz for his alleged bullying of an airport security personnel at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 2 last Sept. 29 would be too harsh, and that a reprimand is enough.

BERTIZ III

Section 14 of the House rules on the conduct of House members provides a reprimand, or merely a slap on the wrist. Suarez’s motion came after Bertiz delivered a privilege speech, apologizing to those he had offended for his misconduct, including his colleagues, family, the airport management as well as airport security checker Hamilton Abdul.

Bertiz said he was sorry for his actions and he felt bad that the incident adversely affected his family members, especially his son and two daughters. “Ang kabuuan ng talumpating ito ay umiikot sa iisang mensahe: patawad po,” Bertiz said in his speech. “Naiintindihan ko po, at buong puso ko pong tinatanggap ang aking mga pagkakamali. Patawarin po ninyo ako. Patawad po dahil bilang isang lingkodbayan, hindi ako naging ehemplo ng tuwid at magandang asal,” he added. He also appeared to his critics to spare his family. “Ako ang parusahan ninyo, huwag na po ang aking pamilya. Ang aking asawa at mga anak, wala po silang kinalaman dito. You cannot even imagine what I and my family have to go through. Do what you want to me, but please spare my family,” Bertiz said.

diseases. This project will definitely help the development of our province,” Arroyo said. The IDRR-CCA project, which is located at the mouth of Pampanga River, is set to work on the following: (1) river excavation, dredging and embankment, (2) the construction of three new bridges, (3) the construction of five footbridges, (4) the construction of eight sluice gate structures, and (5) the construction of 164 fish pond gates. Arroyo said the flood control project is a priority of President Rodrigo Duterte, under his Build, Build, Build program. “The administration of President Duterte is serious in his Build, Build, Build program. He has invested billions for physical infrastructure, not only to improve the physical connectivity of the provinces through the roads and bridges he is building, but also to make us more resilient to climate change, including the flood control program,” she said. Maricel V. Cruz

By Rio N. Araja and Francisco Tuyay PHILIPPINE Drug Enforcement Agency director general Aaron Aquino on Wednesday urged the agency’s employees to take proactive measures against threats and violence. He told anti-drug agents to stay vigilant against any possible attacks to avoid a repeat of the killings of five of the agency’s agents in Lanao del Sur last Oct. 5. “As we continue our relentless fight against drug syndicates, I encourage everyone to be vigilant of these lawbreakers who will do everything to perpetuate their illegal activities even to the extent of killing law enforcers who stand on their way,” he said. “We will not stop, rather, we will double, if need be, triple our effort to accord justice to our agents,” he added. He encouraged the public to report illegal drug activities to the authorities to help the fight against illegal drugs and their purveyors. “We will triumph in this fight because PDEA is on the right track in performing its mandate while reassuring the public of its promise to eliminate illegal drugs in the country,” he said. On Oct. 5, five PDEA agents— Kenneth Tabulo, Kristina Mae Torlao, Lores Joy Amar, Binzo Dipolla and Diobel Pacinio—were killed and two others—Rachel Gentapanan and civilian employee Normina Dicay—were wounded when armed men attacked them in Kapai town in Lanao del Sur. The incident took place while the agents were on their way to Marawi City after attending a symposium on drug surrenderees in Tagoloan town.

Case vs Ampatuan strong despite recantation of witness—DoJ By Rey E. Requejo

GMA backs Build, Build, Build program HOUSE Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo has expressed her full backing to the Duterte administration’s Build, Build, Build program as he took part Tuesday morning in the groundbreaking ceremony for the Integrated Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Adaptation Measures in low-lying areas of Pampanga Bay Phase 1 project. Phase 1 intends to reduce flood level and flooding duration in the municipalities of Macabebe, Masantol, Minalin and Sto. Tomas. In addition, it aims to protect life and minimize damages to properties from perennial flooding in the area, to revive the regional economy and improve the resident’s welfare, as well as improve the drainage efficiency of the river channel network in the area. “There will be less flooding and faster draining of floodwaters in the four towns. And of course, because of this, there will be less disruption in the trade and commerce in those towns, and less occurrence of water-borne

PDEA agents urged to be vigilant after Lanao ambush

LINK TO THE SOUTH. Public Works and Highways Secretary Mark Villar (3rd from left), Cavitex president J Luigi l. Bautista, Philippine Reclamation Authority general manager Jan Rubiato and Toll Regulatory Board Director Abe Sales inspect the progress of the construction of C5 South Link Expressway after the first set of girders of the main bridge have been installed yesterday. The bridge crosses on the top of the PNR station by the Skyway at grade between Nichols Toll Plaza and Bicutan and is part of the first section of the 7.7 kilometers, six-lane expressway project of the ManilaCavite Toll Expressway set to be finished on the first quarter of 2019. Norman Cruz

THE Department of Justice on Wednesday belittled the recantation of a witness in the November 2009 Maguindanao massacre case against principal accused Andal “Datu Unsay” Ampatuan Jr. Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said that the retraction of Thonti Lawani of his testimony on the role of Ampatuan in the killing of 58 people has not affected the prosecution’s case. “It has no impact on the case against Ampatuan. The prosecution has more than enough evidence and its case against Ampatuan remains very strong despite the recantation,” Guevarra said in an interview. Guevarra said the prosecution panel composed of public prosecutors and private lawyers had presented several eyewitnesses during the trial to ﬁrmly establish the involvement of Ampatuan in the massacre. Lawani has recanted his earlier testimony that he saw Ampatuan giving orders to his commanders at a crossing in Sitio Masalay, Ampatuan town and that he also saw the convoy of vehicles going toward the hilly portion of the area where the massacre happened.

Opinion

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2018

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Duterte’s promise of change Last week, there was a survey on which government agencies are most notorious for corruption. The usual suspects emerged: Department of Public Works and Highways, the Bureau of Customs and the Bureau of InPRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte cam- ternal Revenue. paigned during the 2016 presidential The President actually initially elections promising that he would made a dent on corruption by firing end the drug menace in three to six his allies and friends accused of irregmonths. He also promised to eradicate ularity in office. But then he started corruption and criminality. reassigning them to other agencies. No less than 16.6 million people be- This practice made a mockery of his lieved him, and voted him as the most war on corruption. powerful man in the country. Why did the DPWH top the list? President Duterte is now on his third Many of the contracts entered into by year of administration, and where are this agency are the product of graft we? and corruption. The projects remain The Philippine Drug Enforcement unfinished. According to the PhilipAgency said it is ironic that while pric- pine Center for Investigative Journales of basic commodities are surging, ism, most contractors are unqualified. the price of drugs is going down. This Customs is something else. Some only means the P6.8 billion shipment keeps worth of shabu coming. was smuggled The reason for through the the continued enMetro Manila It does not look like try of shabu in the ports. Recall also country, primarily change is going to that P6.4-billion through the Bu- happen. shipment from reau of Customs, China. While is that our borders the culprits have are porous. been identified, There is also they still have to the fact that President Duterte goes be convicted and sent to jail. against the drug addicts and pushers I wonder how Customs people do it. instead of the narco-politicians and Corruption in government persist other outlets enabling the presence of for many reasons. People enter govdrugs on the streets. ernment to get rich. Sometimes they The President has acknowledged are initially clean but soon become the presence of some 3-4 million drug part of the system. users nationwide. Does he intend to If somebody is not corrupt, he or she slaughter them all to end the menace? becomes the victim. There was once It simply boils down to the law of an agency chief who discovered that supply and demand. End the demand his subordinates were getting bribes by making distribution impossible and from some government-owned and rehabilitating users. But I guess the -controlled corporations. Soon, this President is not listening. He seems to chief was sacked because his corrupt intend to kill the users down to the last subordinates had gone to the President man. Sad to say, in the meantime, that and told him about an opinion of the the victims of his war on drugs come chief—this did not sit well with the from the poor. President. The President forgets that the illegal Santa Banana, I have covered 10 drug menace is not a law and order presidents and I have seen all of them problem, but a health issue. This is make the effort to end corruption. something that will continue to hound They failed. the nation even after his six-year term. I think President Duterte is trying to And then, the war on corruption is deliver on his election promises, but it an impossible task. It is embedded in seems his best is not good enough. government. Turn to A5

TO THE POINT EMIL P. JURADO

Adelle Chua, Editor

EDITORIAL

Miscommunication offices

RESIDENT Duterte is reportedly considering bringing back the Ofﬁce of the Press Secretary. The revived OPS will bring together the functions of the PCOO, the Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning and the Office of the Presidential Spokesperson. It was the Aquino administration that broke the OPS into parts. We saw then how the decentralization of the press office gave way to incongruous or disparate messages delivered by various messengers —Ricky Carandang, Sonny Coloma and Edwin Lacierda, and occasionally their depu-

ties—who often operated on different wavelengths. When President Duterte assumed office, he kept the complex and confusing structure. It did not help that the people he handpicked lent their own brand of notoriety to their positions. Think of the series of blunders by a just-resigned assistant secretary, the defensive and spineless stand of her boss, the outrageous and unexplained expenses, and, most recently, the sudden emotional leave-taking of the presidential spokesman who was kept in the dark about the President’s health and told he should kill his dream of ever being senator. Now there is talk that spokesman Harry Roque has been offered the Press Secre-

tary role, but he has to forego this—likely in favor of presidential legal counsel Salvador Panelo, himself an erstwhile spokesman—if he insists on running for office. The people should have none of the drama created by these executive communicators. It is their job to clarify and simplify the message of the President. Given Mr. Duterte’s bizarre communication patterns, that should already be a challenge in itself. No amount of restructuring will solve the fundamental problem of mixed messages if the very people appointed to the posts continue to muddle what the President is trying to say, or put his words “in the proper context,” or attract their own controversy instead of helping put things on an even keel.

Eerily silent a woman who is abusing them and subjecting them to discrimination? The funny thing is that a feisty journalist, known to be critical of the Duterte administration, who by the way is also a lesbian, was quick to defend the LAST week, ABS-CBN entertainment respondents, claiming the text messaganchor and reporter Gretchen Fullido es, the subject of Fullido’s complaint, filed complaints against Cheryl Favila, were taken out of context. So, how come when it involves Presiformer ABS-CBN News executive, and Maricar Asprec, and ABS-CBN News dent Rodrigo Duterte, there is no room segment producer, over allegations of for compromise on the issue of context, that whatever the President said should sexual harassment. Of course, respondents and their be taken at face value and should be incounsel are expected to deny the terpreted literally. But in the case of charges, with lawyer Evalyn Ursua Fullido, it should be treated differently. So, just how could we take the mesdescribing the charges as baseless and a classic example of discrimination sages out of context? Let’s look at the against LGBTQ individuals and gender messages, which Fullido herself had stereotyping against them in matters of released. According to sexuality. Fullido, Asprec Ursula justiwould instruct fied her statement her to “make saying “the same lambing” (show complaint had How can we take affection) to rebeen previously spondent Favila dismissed as base- those text messages out whenever she was less after a thor- of context? mad at Complainough formal inant for something. vestigation within In her comABS-CBN.” plaint, Fullido citMaybe, but that same case filed by Fullido before ABS- ed the text messages that Favila sent to CBN meted the two dismissal from Fullido beginning 2015, which included: “I pitched for you to be the social office after having been found to have committed gross misconduct. And media anchor for Election Marathon. maybe Fullido was not satisfied with But mas gusto ko pa rin ng [I still like the outcome of her complaint, thus her a] strip-teaser. Gretch yata [Maybe],” which is contrary to Ursula’s claim Favidecision to bring the case to court. Anyway, that’s not what this column la had no control over Fullido’s career, is really after. It’s the surprising silence which the lawyer said is an essential eleof militant groups which had been ment in a sexual harrasment case. Other text messages were as follow: known since time immemorial to sup“Think of writing a story this way: port abused and exploited women. Why is it that when men are being having sex is different from making love. accused of harassing women or any Making love entails emotions, not just member of the LGBT community, doing the act. Always try to ‘make love’ these groups are quick to condemn to your stories. I am very partial to it.” “Thank you, Gretchen! Pero gusto them? And now, that the suspects in the alleged sexual harassment case is a ko ng live rendition ng Happy Birthday lesbian and her domestic partner, it is song mo, na naka super sexy outfit ka. now being made to appear it is actually Turn to A5

The idyllic German village home to 1,000 Chinese By Hui Min Neo CHINESE entrepreneur Zhang Jianxin’s first thought was that he had fallen victim to a fraud scheme when he arrived at the location of his investment in a small German village. For just over a million yuan each (125,000 euros, $143,000), he and 11 other Chinese businessmen were promised apartments in the village and help with navigating Germany’s bureaucracy, including obtaining residency permits and registering a business. “But when I first got here, the grass was taller than people... I told the ICCN CEO I have the impression that it’s all a scam,” Zhang told AFP, referring to the company in charge.

As it turned out, it was all above board. Six years on, Zhang is one of 1,000 Chinese who have moved to Hoppstaedten-Weiersbach, total population 3,500, where they have also set up shop. All of them had been won over by Chinese businesswoman Jane Hou and her German partner Andreas Scholz, who conceived the idea of building the biggest Chinese trading centre in Europe. Three hundred small and mediumsized Chinese firms now have registered German businesses in the village, tucked within a ring of forests in western Germany’s Rhineland-Palatinate state. Another 12 buildings are being built over the next five to seven years to accommodate another 500 investors. Hard to imagine that it all started

with a conversation between Hou and Scholz at Frankfurt airport. Scholz, who was then managing a shop in the airport, said they “chatted and exchanged business cards”. Two weeks later, Hou told him she was looking to hire a German sales representative who also handles contact with the embassy. Hou “is a very persuasive person,” said Scholz. “Three weeks later, I packed two bags, gave notice on my job, my apartment, gave away my stuff or sold it and went to China.” ‘No legal norms’ From a little office in Shenzhen, the two embarked on their bid to convince Turn to A5

Rolando G. Estabillo Publisher ManilaStandard

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Opinion Back to basics OVERSIGHT DANILO SUAREZ THE 1987 Constitution is on its 31st year. This Constitution was written post trauma and as a reaction to the Marcos regime. It aimed to restore democracy, break down the previous form of government, remove vast government powers previously vested only on the President that were unchecked, and establish a fresh start for the next administration. Ideally, a Constitution should be lasting and permanent. We must consider that in our situation, the 1987 Constitution was written under circumstances that prevailed at a specific point in time. Three decades after, these circumstances no longer exist. The Constitution now faces issues regarding its relevance, responsiveness and applicability to current times and future needs. Previous administrations have perceived the need to amend the Constitution and created consultative bodies to change the form of government. These efforts were seen as a way to perpetuate political power. For every

bill filed to amend the Constitution, the reaction was the same. The proponents were blamed, perhaps unfairly, of trying to stay in power. Efforts to amend the Constitution did not gain much momentum because of the violent reactions against it. We cannot forever live under the fear of a Marcos repeat.

I support the amendment of the Constitution.

We have laws that safeguard our democracy and protect our freedoms. The government has established agencies that will ensure the regulation of trade relations and implementation of economic policies; protect public welfare; ensure provision and delivery of public services and goods; maintain peace and order; and compensate the victims of human rights violations. However, the prevailing economic

conditions and development prompt us to take a look at some Constitutional economic provisions. With the influx of foreign investors, there is a need to include in the Constitution the importance of encouraging their entry and participation in certain industries, striking a balance between the need for fresh capital infusion and State regulation. The provision on the exploration, development, and utilization of natural resources is also static in the Constitution, and perhaps a measure of flexibility will be beneficial in this area. These are just some of the provisions which, once amended, would open our economy to more opportunities for growth and better governance. I am in support of the amendment of the Constitution. To truly move forward and evolve, we must take a serious look at our Constitution and determine if its provisions can provide a lasting framework and solid foundation for a progressive nation, in these fast changing times. I trust that the government shall endeavor on continuing the democracy and freedom currently enjoyed by Filipinos while rebuilding our organic law into one that can withstand the test of time.

Harry’s dilemma THE last few days for Secretary Harry Roque has been anything but good. He was not only blindsided by the President’s medical check-up at the Cardinal Santos Medical Center. He was also told that if he runs for senator, he would not have a chance of winning because the military will not back him up. The President of course did not explain the connection between winning an election and the necessity of military backing. Taken at face value, it could mean that in order to win a national election, a candidate must secure the endorsement of the military. The President also said that if Harry does resign, he will be immediately replaced by Presidential legal counsel Salvador Panelo so that there will be no interregnum in the event of a resignation. Mr. Duterte defended himself for not informing Harry Roque about the medical check-up by saying that there are certain things that his spokesman does not have to know especially those involving family matters. If you are Roque, what would you do? Run for senator as originally planned, resign, or accept the newly created position of Press Secretary? It’s a tough position to be in. The President’s assessment that Roque could not win in next year’s election could have been handled in a better way. He could have told Harry that privately to avoid any embarrassment. We know that the President is not like that. He does not worry about proper timing. He says what he wants when he wants to say them. Roque built a reputation as a defender of the oppressed and as a human rights advocate. He had nothing in common with the President except

The idyllic... From A4

Chinese businessmen to move to Germany. Their pitch was that a registered German company would be viewed as more trustworthy to do business in the country. “It is always a bit risky for German companies to do business with a Chinese limited company somewhere in Shenzhen or in Shanghai as there are simply no legal norms,” Scholz said. “There are unfortunately enough examples where money had gone missing or didn’t arrive and the Chinese partner has disappeared, no one is there to answer the phone.” Hou, through a German contact, learnt of housing blocks left empty in Hoppstaedten-Weiersbach after the US military moved out. Located around 90 minutes by road from Frankfurt airport, the village had been losing its younger population to big cities. It was therefore to local politicians’ joy when ICCN approached them with a plan to spruce up the blocks and sell them to the Chinese. Although the tranquil setting feels a world away from China’s booming cities, it turned out to be another selling point.

that both do not like the United States. Roque was elected as a party-list representative before resigning from that position to become the spokesperson of the President. It is a position tailor made for him and to be fair to him, he has done a superb job. As a consequence, some of his critics have even accused him of selling his principles in order to achieve his higher ambition of becoming a senator. Whether they are right or not, Harry was able to perform a good balancing act of deflecting all the criticism leveled against the administration and the President both domestic and foreign. After all, a major

part of the ongoing tussle of the President with his foreign critics is all about human rights, an area where Harry is well versed. Hence, he has been able to parry all the criticisms. I doubt whether anyone could fill in that position as effectively as Roque did. But the President’s saying that he cannot win in the senatorial race must have hit Harry like a bolt of lightning. That was a political death sentence. Even if President Duterte eventually agrees for Harry to run for a Senate seat, his earlier pronouncement would be difficult to overcome. Roque must therefore weigh his options carefully. It seems to a lot of people, including myself, that the most important to Roque right now is to be able to run for the Senate and win. The acceptance of the position as spokesman was clearly simply a vehicle for a much higher objective. He could accept the OPS offer but if he does opt for this position, it would mean that he will be clearly stuck with the Duterte administration. This was not in his long-

term plan. From what I was reliably informed, Roque from the very beginning realized the damage from his acceptance of the spokesperson job but he was willing to pay the price if he could accomplish his goal to become a senator. It seems, however, that this goal is becoming distant which is now putting Harry in a quandary. He has a few days to decide whether to run for the Senate, accept the OPS job offer (if it is still available) or simply resign and start rebuilding his career as a lawyer and crusader. As of Tuesday night, Roque’s fate remained unclear. *** The President’s pronouncement on the candidacy of Roque shows the way his mind works in relation to the military establishment. In many of his monologues, he would often address the military as if the military holds the balance of power in this country. In some instances, he would sound off the military as if he were asking for clearance on something that he wants to do. This is probably the reason why his cabinet is full of military men. This is not necessarily bad. The work ethics of people in uniform are focused to the accomplishment of the assigned mission. As the mayor of Davao City, the President had a lot of interaction with military men which must have impressed him. He is also very comfortable with them; he does not have to repeat instructions. All he has to do is bark an order and he is assured that his order is followed. Sometimes, he does not even have to keep on issuing orders because military men are trained to anticipate what is in the mind of the boss and as such, do already what is expected. For instance, the pending appointment of retiring Army Chief Lt General Rolando Bautista as DSWD secretary is being criticized. The simple answer to this is that the President is confident that General Bautista could deliver the “goods.”

‘Clean air, clean water’ “Here, there’s much fewer people. My heart is calm,” said Zhang. A potential investor, Yang Hai, was impressed by the “clean air and water” that’s drinkable from the tap. Yang was in town for a German-China economic forum organised by ICCN, an opportunity to check out the site. If it works out, the pharmaceutical investment would be the first time the centre moves from trading to manufacturing. Already, some of the companies based there are involved in exporting German goods to China, not just bringing in Chinese products. “Forty-two percent of the place is covered with greenery and the air is very clean. Such a place for a pharmaceutical company... is particularly suitable. Our requirements are that air and water quality must be good,” said Yang. “We also looked at Canada and America but Germany may be better because it’s cold in Canada and there are too many unpredictable developments in the US,” he said. While Chemnitz, an eastern city on the other side of Germany, has been rocked by anti-foreigner protests, newcomers to Hoppstaedten-Weiersbach said they have encountered only friendliness from locals. “Before coming here, there were some concerns that the locals may not be accepting. But in fact, they are very

friendly,” said Cui Jin, who runs a medical device trading business. Retiree Becker Ottmar said the newcomers “are very nice and forthcoming... we live well together.” “Today, when a house is empty, it would likely be sold to the Chinese,” said Ottmar, who lives across the street from a restaurant now run by a Chinese family. ‘A bridge’ Scholz admitted that “such a project would not work everywhere in Germany,” but added that villagers had been long used to having foreigners living among them given the US army bases dotted across the region. They had also felt the impact on jobs and economic opportunities when the US base in Hoppstaedten-Weiersbach closed in the mid-1990s. When the Chinese moved in, “they bought cars, furniture, daily necessities. That’s quite a bit of opportunity for a small locality,” said Scholz. The German businessman said the company has made an effort to create opportunities for the locals and newcomers to meet, including organising Chinese-German festivals and football tournaments. Stressing the importance to bridge the cultural divide, Scholz said: “We are this bridge.” He and Hou have since married and have a daughter. They live next to the Zhang family. AFP

What would you do if you were him?

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2018

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

The two elements of inflation psychology employers. And consumers, now having to pay more for the things they consume, likewise proceed to demand salary and wage increases from their own increases. A catch-up game then ensues, with THE way that the Duterte administra- producers, employers and consumers tion’s economic managers have been taking care to ensure that every reducexplaining to the Filipino people the tion in their purchasing power—say, short-term prospects for consumer through higher food prices or higher prices, one would think that they don’t transportation or electricity costs—is know anything about inflation psychol- quickly compensated by upward adogy or are pretending that they don’t. justments in their salaries and wages. Early in 2018, when the inflationary This game of catch-up can last a surge occasioned by the TRAIN (Tax long time, and it will come to an end Reform and Inclusion) law was just —probably a temporary one—only beginning to make itself felt, the eco- when the players in the inflation dranomic managers were predicting that ma reach a judgment that those are consumer prices would settle down likely to be no further substantial upby midyear. When that didn’t happen, ward price changes. they shifted to later-in-the-year; by Compensatory inflationary moveSeptember the inflation would have ments are fairly easy to track. If they simmered down. Now, the economists closely and perceptively monitor such are talking about reduced consumer movements, they stand a good chance price instability of taming the inby early 2019. flationary surge There is absofairly quickly. lutely no guarWhat is far antee that the more difficult to Some sleeping dogs inflation rate— deal with is inflathe recently an- should be allowed to lie. tion psychology nounced figure of the anticipatory for September kind. Producers of was 6.7 percent goods and services —will slow down may effect upward significantly anytime soon. Indeed, a adjustments in their price schedules not continued though slower, upcreep of because of the occurrence of a particular consumer prices is quite likely. event or price change but in anticipation Why the series of unfulfilled infla- of a change—political, economic or letion-rate prognostications? As stated gal—in the environment in which they above, either the economic managers operate. Anticipating inflation psycholtruly don’t know about inflation psy- ogy is highly judgmental in nature and chology or are pretending that they is therefore far more difficult to track don’t. and deal with. Oftentimes it is not as Inflation psychology is made up easy as arranging a bigger supply of a of two elements. The first element is commodity, e.g., rice; more often than compensation. The other element is not it arises from a sentiment that bad anticipation. The second element is ar- things are lurking around the corner. guably the deadlier. “Cover yourself while the covering is Compensation, or catching up, takes good” then becomes a prevalent busiplace among three players in the infla- ness strategy. tion drama: Producers of goods and Some sleeping dogs should be alservices, employees—recipients of lowed to lie. One of them is inflation salaries and wages—and consumers. psychology. Having been awakened The inflation drama begins when one from its slumber by the TRAIN law, inof the three players, usually produc- flation psychology is now wide awake ers of goods and services, choose to and causing much damage to a hitherto or are forced to raise the prices they stable and growing Philippine economy. charge for their goods and services. At the rate that the economic manIn order to maintain their purchasing agers are dealing with the current inpower—and their standards of liv- flationary surge, it will probably be a ing—employees then demand shares long time before the inflation-psycholof the incremental incomes of their ogy dog is made to go back to sleep.

Eerily... From A4

Hahaha! Birthday ko naman, di ba?” “Good morning! Tara Grets was my shower moment this morning…” “What time are you coming to work? (Fullido: On the way to (ABSCBN) now. What’s up?) Wala naman. Miss lang kita. Masama ba? Sungit. Kailangan mo rin ng konting lambing sa katawan.” “Good luck on your Deal or No Deal. May the force be with you! Bawal ang jowa ha … Lagot ka sa akin.” “Promises fulfilled—I have opened the doors to your dreams by creating your own segment on TV Patrol, despite doubts and criticisms from various camps; I got you a talent fee increase, which is double of what you are currently getting (not really bad). I have set-up the stage for you. Now, it’s time for me to continue the journey to my destiny. Maktub. Good luck to yours. It’s nice to have crossed your path this lifetime, Gretchen,” the text read. Again, it seems to show Favila is in the position to control Fullido’s career. “Sana naman parati kang ganyan. Pagod na ako makipag-away. It’s emotionally draining, and you can’t take my intensity. So gets mo na ang style ‘di ba? Be a good girl always.” So, tell me, how do we take those messages out of context? Aside from the sexual harassment case against Favila and Asprec, Fullido also filed libel suits against her colleagues news executives Cecilia “Ces” Drilon and Venancio Borromeo, as well as news reporter Marie Lozano, for allegedly besmirching her reputation when they stated that she filed the administrative complaint last year “to leverage her employment status with

Duterte‘s... From A4

*** The elections of 2019 are becoming interesting, especially the Senate race. At least three Cabinet members are joining—Bong Go, Harry Roque, and presidential assistant for political affairs Francis Tolentino. Indeed the Senate race is very tight, with so many reelectionists and returning politicians.

ABS-CBN.” According to Fullido’s complaint, Drilon, during the ABS-CBN’s internal investigation after Fullido’s filing of an administrative complaint against Favila and Asprec, allegedly stated: “Gretchen’s accusations of sexual harassment against Chair (Favila) and Maricar (Asprec) also surprised me because many times, while I worked as anchor for TV Patrol, I witnessed [anchors] Ted Failon and Noli de Castro make side comments, in between breaks on TV Patrol, about Gretchen’s body, manner of dress, or behavior that, in my opinion, constituted sexual harassment or at least inappropriate behavior. But Gretchen Fullido only laughed off those comments. She never complained.” “One remark she made in one party struck me: she said she was willing to wear a bikini with an inflatable pool and bubbles on TV Patrol to shore up its ratings,” Drilon was reportedly quoted as saying. Again, why is it that when a man makes a statement detrimental to that of the complainant in a sexual harassment case, these militant groups are quick to condemn the man, accusing him of victim-blaming and shaming? While the allegations have yet to be proven, these groups before, were known to issue statements left and right, insisting that it is not the way a woman dresses or talks that serves as the reason why they are harassed or raped and that blaming them on such is tantamount to victim-blaming and shaming. So, why is a different standard being applied on Fullido’s case? The way these groups are treating Fullido’s case is alarming. Maybe these groups are now adopting a different orientation and objectives. Maybe theirs is no longer about women’s rights and interests. And that maybe could explain their eerie silence on the issue.

*** My wife and I still consider ourselves residents of Makati City and we believe in the performance of Mayor Abby Binay. She has made Makati City drug-free and crime-free. Her legacy may just be the construction of a subway for the city of Makati. Mayor Abby is certainly a cut above the rest. www.emiljurado.weebly.com

News

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2018 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Magdalos’ applications for amnesty ‘all missing’ DEFENSE Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said Wednesday, replying to reporters’ questions, the application for amnesty of Senator Antonio Trillanes IV and the rest of Magdalo soldiers were all missing. The defense chief made the statement in defending Solicitor General Jose Calida from the accusations of Trillanes it was Calida who stole the senators’ application for amnesty which he submitted to the Defense department. “We do not know where they are,” Lorenzana said in an interview, in reply to questions if all the amnesty applications of Magdalo soldiers are missing. “All we could find in the Defense department is the Proclamation 75 of [then] President [Benigno] Aquino [III], plus the documents signed by [then Defense] Secretary [Voltaire] Gazmin...The accusations the application form was stolen by SolGen Calida is untrue,” Lorenzana added. Lorenzana was referring to Aquino’s Proclamation 75 which granted amnesty, with the concurrence of Congress, to Magdalo soldiers who participated in failed coup attempts in 2003, 2006 and 2007, as well as the January 2011 letter of Gazmin which purportedly stated the AdHoc committee of the DND found the amnesty application of Trillanes and 38 others in order. News videos have also shown Trillanes submitted his application for amnesty wherein he ticked a box stating that he is admitting guilt in violation of all laws, GMA News also said. Trillanes also had a video footage presenting his certificate of amnesty which he had framed, GMA News added. But Lorenzana said Trillanes did not apply for amnesty. “I cannot confirm that [Trillanes] applied because I did not see it,” Lorenzana added. President Rodrigo Duterte recently voided the amnesty granted to Trillanes eight years ago on the grounds that Trillanes did not apply for amnesty and did not admit guilt for his past crimes.

IN BRIEF Tenure security bill supported

I DO. Philippine Constitution Association president and Lakas-CMD Party president Martin Romualdez (second from left), assisted by LakasCMD party secretary-general and Surigao Del Sur Rep. Prospero Pichay Jr. (left), administers the oath of Umingan, Pangasinan mayoralty candidate Emil Trinidad (third left) with his team members running for councilors (from right) Juanito Cabornay, Cesario Galleguez, Jonathan Naval, and Dante Pablo, after a short meeting at the social hall of speaker’s office in the House of Representatives. Ver Noveno

Legislators: No charges vs Resorts World execs By Maricel V. Cruz

HE three committees of the House of Representatives that investigated the 2017 attack by a lone gunman at the Resorts World Manila casino have merely recommended a review of the company’s security policies and strengthen their security and safety programs. This, despite security lapses it committed that resulted in the killing of 38 people including the gunman as well as the burning of some parts of the hotel-casino. The House Committees on Public Order and Safety, Games and Amusements, and Tourism, in its Oct. 9 committee report, did not recommend the ﬁling of charges against RWM and its ofﬁcers and personnel. The committees are headed by Representatives Amado Espino Jr. of Pangasinan, Gus Tambunting of Parañaque City and Corazon Nuñez-Malanyaon of

Davao Oriental, respectively. “The RWM security and safety personnel must undergo more skills training and educative programs on crisis management and risk reduction. The RWM must also adhere to a stringent recruitment and hiring process of employment candidates for sensitive positions such as head security,” the committee report said. On June 2, 2017, a gunman identified as Jessie Carlos effortlessly entered the casino premises, fired at gamers, and set casino tables on fire in what police described as a botched robbery attempt.

Most of the 38 fatalities died of suffocation, while Carlos committed suicide inside a hotel room following a brief shootout with security forces. The wife of then Liberal Party Rep. Aurelio Gonzales Jr. of Pampanga was among the fatalities. Opposition and Akbayan Party-list Rep. Tomasito Villarin was unhappy about the recommendations of the three committees, saying someone should be held accountable for the “senseless killing.” “If there were lapses in security, there should be accountability, as dozens were killed and injured by such senseless killing spree by a lone gunman,” Villarin said. “It makes no sense to recommend ‘exhortations’ to do better next time while clear negligence was determined either by institutions or responsible persons in the incident. It does not give justice to the victims and families of the attack,” he added.

THE Department of Labor and Employment and labor groups have thrown full support for the approval of the Security of Tenure bill now pending before the Senate. Labor Assistant Secretary Joji Aragon said the department would provide all the necessary technical assistance to the senators as the Senate hammers out its version of the job security measure. Senator Joel Villanueva, labor committee chairman, sponsored Senate Bill 1826 or the “Act strengthening the workers right to security of tenure” now subject to plenary interpellation. Subject to the plenary debates in the Senate is SB 1826, which aims to prohibit illegal and unjust forms of contractualization and tightens the noose further against valid or allowable contracting. The bill was certified as an urgent measure by the President. “We demand that SB 1826 is put into final consideration before the Senate takes a break this week and legislators get swallowed by the October electoral fest,” said Nagkaisa spokesman and Partido Manggagawa chairperson Renato Magtubo said. Magtubo said the bill could be put into final vote now by the Senate as opposition to it, if there’s any, stand on weak and overly discussed arguments during the last two decades. Vito Barcelo

Taiwan donates $250,000 for typhoon victims THE Government of the Republic of China (Taiwan) donated $250,000 as humanitarian relief fund to the bereaved families and victims in North Luzon devastated by Typhoon Ompong To help the Government and the people of the Philippines for the recovery from the damage caused by Ompong, Ambassador Peiyung Hsu, Representative of Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in the Philippines, on behalf of his government and his countrymen donated the amount as humanitarian relief fund, TECO said in a statement. The donation ceremony was held during the Republic of China National Day reception at the Sofitel Hotel on Oct. 9. Taiwan’s act of benevolence fully demonstrates the genuine friendship and solidarity between the peoples of Taiwan and the Philippines, TECO said. Rep. Hsu turned over Taiwan’s donation to Angelito Banayo, chairman and Resident Representative of Manila Economic and Cultural Office, Philippine Representative Office in Taiwan. Banayo in turn expressed the government’s gratitude to Taiwan’s donation.

Panel Oks bill renaming Clark Int’l Airport A PANEL in the House of Representatives on Wednesday approved two measures renaming Clark International Airport in Pampanga to Diosdado Macapagal International Airport in honor of the late President Diosdado Macapagal. In 2001, the Board of Directors of the Clark International Airport Corp. named the airport after Macapagal. But 10 years later, the same corporation adopted a resolution reverting the name of the airport to Clark International Airport in 2011. The House committee on transportation, chaired by Catanduanes Rep. Cesar Sarmiento, approved House Bills 2274 and 8289, authored by Representatives Aurelio Gonzales of Pampanga and Rodante Marcoleta of SAGIP party-list, respectively. The two bills noted that CIA should be named after Macapagal, the ninth President of the Philippines, known as “the poor boy from Lubao,” given the vital role of the airport in aviation and transportation. The late President Macapagal is the father of Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

HEALTH BUDGET.

Senator Joseph Victor JV Ejercito (left), chaiman, Senate committee on finance Subcommittee F, in a huddle Wednesday with Health Secretary Francisco Duque during the hearing on the Proposed FY 2019 Budget of the Department of Health and its attached agencies at the Senate in Pasay City. Lino Santos

“[Macapagal] is a Filipino with sterling legacy and incomparable distinction as a respected leader, champion of the poor, true statesman, and a nationalist of unquestionable integrity,” HB 8289 said. In 2001, the Board of Directors of the Clark International Airport Corp. named the airport after Macapagal. But 10 years later, the same corporation adopted a resolution reverting the name of the airport to Clark International Airport in 2011. Earlier bills ﬁled in the past Congresses noted it was the Americans who renamed Clark Air Base in honor of a foreign aviation pioneer Major Harold Clark of the US Army Signal Corps who died in a seaplane crash in Panama Canal in 1919. Other installations named after Americans have been changed in honor of Filipinos. Republic Act 9400, also known as “An Act Amending Republic Act No. 7227, As Amended, Otherwise Known As The Bases Conversion And Development Act Of 1992, And For Other Purposes,” this ofﬁcially recognized the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport. Maricel Cruz

NPA owns up ambush of ex-Samar town mayor By Ronald O. Reyes

Maria Jocelyn “Gigi” Muñoz-David Maria Jocelyn “Gigi” Muñoz-David, a former Manila Standard reporter who became an officer in the Caloocan City government, passed away Wednesday morning after a long battle with cancer. She was 55.

TACLOBAN CITY—The Arnulfo Ortiz Command of the New People’s Army has claimed responsibility for the attempt to kill ex-Mayor Ananias Rebato of San Jose De Buan in Samar. “The death penalty issued by the people’s court went through the process of ﬁling the case, thorough investigation, veriﬁcation of presented evidence and deliberation of the justices before arriving at a unanimous decision. The people’s court has repeatedly summoned the former

mayor to answer the charges and attend the hearing of his case, only to be shunned and instead he requested the military to conduct military operations aimed at harassing and silencing the complainants,” said the NPA in a press statement dated Oct. 9. In a statement, the NPA accused Rebato of “31 counts of rape and multiple sexual harassment perpetrated on women ‘scholars,’” “involvement in counter-revolutionary activities,” and “massive corruption of public funds, pocketing millions’ worth of infrastructure projects.” The NPA also claimed the former

mayor, now recuperating at a hospital in Tacloban City, “holds the rank of ﬁrst lieutenant under the Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines or ISAFP.” Meanwhile, Capt. Francis Agno, spokesperson of the Philippine Army’s 8th Infantry Division based in Catbalogan City, Samar, reiterated that Rebato “is a good man.” He belied the accusations of the NPA against Rebato. “The ex-Mayor is not an ISAFP member. The accusations are invented,” added the chief of the army’s division public affairs ofﬁce.

Her remains lie in state at the St. Peter Memorial Chapels in Meycauayan, Bulacan, where the David family lives. Gigi’s cremation is scheduled on October 14, 2018, according to her husband, former Standard photographer and correspondent Carmelito “Jun” David.

Authorities appeal for support in anti-colorum drive

Following her stint with the Standard, Gigi was appointed Public Information Officer (PIO) of Caloocan City under Mayor Oscar Malapitan, then was named officer-in-charge of the city’s Cultural Affairs and Tourism Office until her passing.

By Joel E. Zurbano

Born September 16, 1963, Gigi was also a professor at the University of Caloocan City. She is survived by husband Jun and children Karlene Mae and Michael Papa; Karmelyn, Gian Carla and Allan Neyra; Aceline, JC and Jan Camille; and grandchildren Karl Papa, Gerald David, and Aly Neyra.Gigi also left behind siblings Joey Muñoz, Eng Cabardo, and Phine Lachica.

My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. — Psalm 73:26

AUTHORITIES appealed to transport terminal owners and operators to participate in the government’s campaign against colorum and out-of-line vehicles, among contributing factors to the worsening trafﬁc problem in the metropolis, especially during the holiday season. The Interagency Council for Trafﬁc (I-ACT) made the appeal on Wednesday as the government started implementing stricter measure and stiffer penalties against vehicles without valid franchise. “Our all-out war on colorum vehicles is continuous and more stringent than before especially that the holidays is fast

approaching,” said I-ACT chief Thomas Orbos. “The demand for vehicles is usually high during this season and some are taking advantage of it. But if an untoward incident happens, colorum vehicles can’t give their commuters the help they should get. Curbing colorum vehicles is meant to give the riding public their much needed safety on the road,” he explained. The I-ACT’s Task Force Kamao is focusing on colorum vehicles on a nationwide scale, intensiﬁes its crackdown on those vehicles as part of the government’s pledge with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal to promote road safety. Orbos said legitimate terminal owners who allow colorum vehicles to operate within their premises would not be going off the hook.

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK Manila

Standard

TODAY

Republic of the Philippines First Judicial Region 5th MUNICIPAL CIRCUIT TRIAL COURT TUBA—SABLAN, BENGUET

Q: A: Q: A:

CHAIRMAN OF RADHA SOAMI SATSANG BEAS PHILIPPINES, INC., herein represented by CYNTHIA P. ESTANIEL Plaintiff, -versusANITA FERMIN, SPOUSES JOSE SAGUITAN & CLARITA VELASCO-SAGUITAN, JUDITH VELASCO, PACITA IGME, and RENALYN BOSAING, Defendants x-------------------------------------------------------------x

CIVIL CASE NO. 308 For:

actual structure, sir. And thereafter? We computed the area, sir. How were you able to determine that there is a portion of land being occupied by Renalyn Bosaing and Judith Velasco.? Based on the technical description of the title or the subdivision plan by means of our computation based on the policy of our manuals of the Philippines, we computed that and plotted and it was (sic) encroached the titled property of this Chairman the subject lot in this case.33

DECISION

Menzi then attested that based on the result of the relocation survey, the area being occupied by Judith Velasco and spouses Saguitan encroaching on the subject lot is 61 square meters, while that of Renalyn Bosaing is 21 square meters. He also stated that the building of Renalyn Bosaing encroaching on the subject lot is concrete and it appears to be newly built at the time of the survey based on the curing of the slab, while the house of Judith Velasco is not concrete. He also admitted that the occupants of the affected premises were not notified of the survey but Clarita Saguitan and her husband were present and in fact opposed the survey. The area occupied by defendants Velasco and spouses Saguitan is between the Sto. Tomas Road and the subject lot, and the said road is approximately 8 meters wide but on plan, its width is 25 meters. There are no improvements on the subject lot except for the portions occupied by defendants Bosaing, Velasco and spouses Saguitan.

Plaintiff Chairman of Radha Soami Satsang Beas Philippines, Inc, herein represented by Cynthia P. Estaniel filed this case for Accion Reivindicatoria and Damages with Temporary Restraining Order, Writs of Preliminary Injunction and Preliminary Mandatory Injunction against defendants Anita Fermin, Spouses Jose Saguitan and Clarita Velasco-Saguitan, Judith Velasco, Pacita Igme, and Renalyn Bosaing to recover ownership and possession over a parcel of land with assessed value of P1,900.00 located at Km. 8, Sto. Tomas, Poblacion, Tuba, Benguet that plaintiff alleged to have been unlawfully encroached upon and possessed by defendants under unfounded claims of ownership.

Furthermore, Menzi admitted that the original owner of the subject lot based on the title is Emilio Dongpaen under PSU 143711 with an area of 56,720 square meters. He also admitted that there is an unsettled boundary dispute between Baguio City and Tuba, Benguet that has to do with the correct tie point, and that if there is slight deviation from the tie point ore reference point used by the surveyor, there will be serious changes in the boundaries of lots. The original survey of Dongpaen’s lot was approved in 1954 while the subdivision plan in the name of Benigno Perez that includes the subject lot was based on said original survey of Dongpaen’s lot and it was approved in 1984

Upon filing of this case, the Court issued an order denying the plaintiffs prayer for a temporary restraining order,1 and directed the issuance of summons to all the defendants but only defendants Spouses Jose and Clarita Saguitan, Pacita lgme and Renalyn Bosaing filed their Answers. Despite summons by publication,2 defendants Anita Fermin and Judith Velasco failed to file their Answers, hence, they were declared in default.3

Geodetic Engineer Abner Shontogan, Chief of the Technical Services Section, Land Management Services, DENR-CAR testified39 that there is no approved survey in the name of Judith Velasco adjoining Lot 1-A-4 and Lot 1-A-5 per Certification40 issued by Benjamin Ventura, Chief of the Regional Surveys Division of DENR-CAR and based on their office’s Projection Map where all lots with approved surveys are plotted. He also identified and certified a copy of the approved subdivision plan PSD-1008317 in the name of Benigno Perez, which he stated to have originated from the original survey plan in the name of Emilio Dongpaen.

ACCION REIVINDICATORIA AND DAMAGES WITH TRO, WRITS OF PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION AND PRELIMINARY MANDATORY INJUNCTION

In her Answer, defendant lgme claimed that she is the owner of the portion that she is occupying having acquired the same from her ancestors through inheritance and possessed the same continuously and in the concept of an owner since time immemorial. For her part, defendant Renalyn Bosaing claimed that the land where her house is erected was acquired by her from her aunt and co-defendant lgme, who allowed her to build her house thereat. As to defendants Spouses Saguitanf,4 they claimed that the portion of land that they are presently occupying as caretaker is owned by Clarita’s sister, defendant Judith Velasco; they claimed that said portion have been under the continuous and open possession of Judith Velasco for over 30 years. The Saguitans then alleged that the plaintiff is a buyer in bad faith when it acquired the subject lot in 2009 knowing the existing residential houses thereon, and that if plaintiff has cause of action in this case, “it must have prescribed or barred by laches or estoppel.” No settlement was reached after Court-Annexed Mediation and Judicial Dispute Resolution proceedings, hence, pre-trial conference was conducted during which the parties made admissions and/ or entered into stipulations of facts as follows:5 1. 2.

3. 4. 5.

Defendant Bosaing has a residential house on the subject lot; Defendants Spouses Saguitan, lgme, and Bosaing, admitted that plaintiff is the registered and titled owner of a parcel of land located at Km. 8, Sta. Tomas, Poblacion, Tuba, Benguet, containing an area of 1,000 square meters and covered by Transfer Certificate of Title (TCT) No. T- 70955 of the Registry of Deeds of Benguet; Defendants Spouses Saguitan admitted that on September 15, 2009, Clarita VelascoSaguitan presented the tax declaration of her sister Judith Velasco over the property that she is occupying; Defendants Spouses Saguitan admitted that subject matter of this case was brought to the barangay; and Defendant lgme and Bosaing admitted the followings: a. b.

g. h.

The location and identity of the plaintiff`s titled land is shown in an approved Subdivision Plan in the name of one Benigno Antonia Perez and is identified as Lot I-A-5 thereof; In or about June 2009, Geodetic Engr. Primo Menzi went to the subject land but was notable to install the concrete monuments as he was prevented from entering the property by defendant Clarita Velasco-Saguitan (Saguitan) because the alleged lot of Sagaitans sister, defendant Judith Velasco (Velasco) where Saguitanfs residential house stands, appears to be inside the property of plaintiff; On or about July 1, 2009, when Engr. Menzi returned to the subject land to do his job, he was again prevented from doing so by Saguitan, the latter now claiming that she had documents in her favor showing that the lot where her house stands is outside the titled property of plaintiff; On or about October 20, 2009, Menzi, together with the hired workers and some members of plaintiff went back to the subject land to refence it Before the group could start refencing, they were stopped by defendant Pacita “Pacing” lgme, who told the group that the lot is hers. When Neelam Tank explained to Pacing that plaintiff has the title in the subject land, Pacing called defendant Anita Fermin, and Clarita VelascoSaguitan also came out, then said three defendants shouted at the group, threatened to bail them to court, and to have Menzi`s license cancelled. As a result, the group stopped the re-fencing; Plaintiff through Tank, if only to avoid incurring further troubles, expenses and court litigation, referred its dispute with defendants Saguitan, lgme and Fermin over portions of the subject land with the Lapong Tagapamayapa of Barangay Poblacion, Tuba, Benguet but there was no amicable settlement, hence, said office issued a Certification to File Action dated November 24, 2009; When plaintiff was informed that defendant Bosaing is the owner of the building allegedly used for religious purposes located inside the subject land, and that said defendant acquired the portion of the land where said building stands from lgme, plaintiff, through Tank, filed another barangay complaint, this time against Bosaing; Like the first barangay complaint, no settlement was reached in the second one, hence, a Certificate to File Action dated February 15, 2010 was issued to plaintiff against Bosaing by the Lupong Tagapamayapa of Barangay Poblacion, Tuba, Benguet; and; The transfer by defendant lgme to Bosaing was “verbal and oral in nature,” but pursuant thereto, Bosaing occupied the lot and built her house there.

During the pre-trial conference, the ISSUES to be resolved in this case were limited to the following:6 1.

Who is entitled to the property subject matter of this case? a. Is plaintif a buyer in goodfaith ?; b. Has the instant action to recover prescribed’; c. Is plaintiff’guilty ofestoppel or laches?; and

Who between plaintiﬁ and defendants is entitled to damages?

In support to its claims, plaintiff presented as witnesses Dr. Cynthia Estaniel, Neelam Tank, Engr. Primo Menzi, Engr. lgme Wakat, Engr. Abner Shontogan, and Engr. Jackson Pasamic. Dr. Cynthia P. Estaniel testified7 that she is a member of the Board of Trustees of the plaintiff Chairman of Radha Soami Satsang Beas Philippines, Inc. and she is authorized to represent the plaintiff as shown by a Chairman’s Certificate.8 The plaintiff is a corporation duly registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission as shown by its Certificate of Filing of Articles of Incorporation,” and Neelam Tank is the Local Secretary of plaintiffs Baguio Center. The plaintiff acquired the subject land, which is covered by Transfer of Certificate of Title (TCT) No. T-7095510 and it is managed by Neelam Tank. This case was filed because of the encroachment of the defendants on the subject land, and she met the defendants at the barangay hall but they insisted that the land is theirs despite the fact that the plaintiff has a title to the land. Neelam Tank attested11 that she is the plaintiff`s local secretary in Baguio City, and that plaintiff is a religious corporation duly registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission as shown by its Certificate of Filing of Articles of lncorporation.12 She knows Cynthia P. Estaniel, a Trustee of the plaintiff and its representative in filing this case as shown by a Chairman’s Certificate.13 She knows the defendants, except Judith Velasco, because they were the ones who encroached into and claimed interest over the subject land that is covered by TCT No. T- 7095514 and a tax declaration with ARP No. 99-001-0793915 with an area of 1,000 square meters located at Km. 8, Sto. Tomas, Poblacion, Tuba, Benguet. The subject property, identified as Lot 1-A-5, is covered by a Subdivision Plan16 in the name of Benigno Antonio Perez showing the location and description of the subject lot. After buying the subject land, the plaintiff hired the services of Geodetic Engr. Primo Menzi in 2009 for the purpose of relocating the actual boundaries of the subject land on the ground, to install the concrete monument, and fence the property. Engr. Menzi was not able to do install the concrete monuments because when he went to the subject lot to do so, he was prevented from entering the lot by defendant Clarita Velasco-Saguitan claiming that her house is constructed on the property of her sister defendant Judith Velasco. Engr. Menzi later returned to the land together with Neelam and other volunteers of the plaintiff during which the seller of the subject lot, Mr. Sharma, talked to Clarita Saguitan, who thereafter allowed Engr. Menzi to place the concrete monuments on the land. But when Engr. Menzi later returned to the land to install the monument and complete his work, defendant Clarita Saguitan prevented him again claiming that she has a document in her favor showing that the lot where her house stands is outside the titled property of plaintiff. Neelam then verified with the Assessors‘ Office of Tuba and learned that Judith Velasco has not existing lot at Sto. Tomas declared in her name as shown by a Tax Map17 issued by said office. She also verified with the Land Management Services of DENR-CAR and learned that Judith Velasco has no approved survey plan over her alleged lot as shown by a Certification18 issued by said office. Soon thereafter, Engr. Menzi, Neelam and other members of the plaintiff again went to the subject lot to plant the concrete monuments but they were met by defendants spouses Saguitan; Clarita stated that they are not encroaching on the subject lot and she gave Neelam a copy of a tax declaration19 in the name of her sister, defendant Judith Velasco. On or about September 17-19, 2009, in order to safeguard the subject lot from further intrusion and trespass from defendants and other persons, plaintiff hired workers to clean and fence the land with barbed wires, except the portions being claimed by defendants Velasco and Bosaing. However, on September 21, 2009, one of the hired workers informed Neelam that a woman, who turned out to be defendant Pacita lgme, tore down the fence around the land alleging that it is her property. Neelam then secured a Fencing Permit20 and presented it to the Barangay Captain, who gave her the permission to put up a fence. On October 20, 2009, Engr. Menzi together with some workers of the plaintiff went back to re-fence, but defendants lgme, Fermin, and Velasco-Saguitan prevented them from fencing the subject land. Neelam then referred the case to the Lupong Tagapamayapa of Poblacion, Tuba, Benguet but no settlement was reached, hence, a Certificate to File Action21 was issued. Neelam further attested that plaintiff noticed the existence of a building on the portion of the subject land and learned it is being used for religious purpose. The plaintiff did not initially know who owned the building, hence, defendant Renalyn Bosaing was not included in the first barangay complaint. When plaintiff leamed that Renalyn Bosaing owns said building and she claims to have acquired the portion of the subject land where the building stands from Pacita lgme, a complaint against Bosaing was filed with the Lupong Tagapamayapa, but again no settlement was reached, hence, a Certificate to File Action22 was issued. Based on the result of the relocation survey conducted by Engr. Menzi contained in a Relocation Sketch/Special Plan,23 the defendant Judith Velasco encroached the area of 61 square meters of the subject lot,24while that of Renalyn Bosaing is 21 square meters.25 The relocation survey showed the area encroached by defendants Velasco and Bosaing because Velasco’s claim being occupied by spouses Saguitan is surrounded by a fence while Bosaing’s claim has two (2) buildings and riprap, however, it did not show the encroachment of defendants Anita Fermin and Pacita lgme because Fermin merely pointed to a certain spot the area of which could not be determined through a survey, while lgme merely claimed as hers the whole area being claimed by the plaintiff beyond the claim of the other defendants. Neelam identified pictures26showing the encroachments of defendants Velasco and Bosaing. Neelam affirmed that plaintiff is claiming from defendants actual damages of P11,900.00 for cost of materials and labor of the fence on the subject lot,Php5,257.00 for filing fee, Php24,480.00 costs of summons by publication, Php50,000.00 as acceptance fee of its lawyer and Php2,000.00 fee per appearance. The plaintiff is also claiming, based on “going rate in the area”, reasonable rental of P250.00 per month each from defendants Velasco and Saguitan, and P500.00 per month for defendants Fermin and Bosaing, and P9,000.00 per month for defendant lgme all computed from the filing of the Complaint until they peacefully vacate and surrender the subject lot to the plaintiff. The plaintiff further claims Php25,000,00 as exemplary damages from each of the defendant for their refusal to recognize plaintiffs ownership over the subject lot despite being shown its title whereas defendants have no evidence to defeat said the same. Lastly, plaintiff prays to be declared the true owner and possessor of the subject lot and that defendants be ordered to remove their improvements, vacate the lot and peacefully surrender possession thereof to the plaintiff. Geodetic Engineer lgme Wakat, draftsman at the Office of the Municipal Assessor of Tuba, Benguet testified27 that upon the request of Neelam Tank, he plotted in the Tuba Base Map28 three (3) lots of the plaintiff on the basis of the title of plaintiff and an accompanying subdivision survey plan in the name of Benigno Perez. He identified in the Tuba Base Map the subject lot29 covered by TD No. 99-001-07937 and TCT No. 17955 and attested that there are no other TDs covering it other than that of the plaintiff. Wakat admitted, however, that the Tuba Base Map is based on plans submitted to their office; there is no actual verification on the ground. Further, he stated that the tax map,30 which is based on the Cadastral Map and started in 1995, is not complete; there was no tax mapping and no actual verification on the ground, hence, it does not reflect many residential houses built along Sto. Tomas Road. Furthermore, Wakat attested that he does not know the exact location of the lands covered by TD Nos. 99-001-0158331 and 99 001 0808732 in the name of Judith Velasco since no plan for them were submitted to their office. But he affirmed that the lots covered by said TDs are located along Sto. Tomas Road, Poblacion, Tuba, Benguet. He also affirmed that TD No. 99-001-08087 is a transfer from TD Nos. 952533 and 1345834 declared in the name of Victorina Saingan, who declared it in 1974 but also without submitting a survey plan therefor. On the other hand, TD No. 99-001-01583 was transferred TD No. 1345635 issued in also 1974 in the name of Lovilita Ravina. Wakat also identified TD Nos. 641 and 94001-01038 covering Judith Velasco’s house declared since 1985, and he stated that the lot where said house is located is covered by TD No. 94-001-01037 but he also cannot identify the exact location the lot because no plan therefor was submitted. Geodetic Engineer Primo Menzi was presented as an expert witness and he testified36 that he was engaged by Neelam Tank to conduct a relocation survey of three (3) lots of plaintiff that includes the subject lot, which is Lot 1-A-5. He conducted the relocation survey with the use of a copy of plaintiff`s title over the subject lot, the deed of sale over the subject lot, and a subdivision plan with PSD-1-008317 in the name of Benigno Antonio Perez. He completed the survey in May 2009 but was not able to install the standard concrete monuments in corners 2 and 3 of Lot 1-A-5 because Clarita Saguitan prevented it. He identified the relocation sketch plan37 that he prepared after the survey, and he explained how he completed the survey despite opposition from Saguitan as follows: “ xxx Q A Q: A: Q:

(Atty. Tadeo): How were you able to prepare this relocation sketch plan Mr. Witness? (Engr. Menzi): Through the technical description of the subdivision plan and the title sir. By the way, what instruments did you use in relocating the property of the plaintiff in this case? Survey instrument, sir. In this relocation sketch plan there is an indication of a portion showing the name Renalyn Bosaing and Judith Velasco, your earlier testimony a while ago was that you were not able to conduct or to complete a relocation survey on the ground. How were you able to come up with this relocation plan? As a policy of surveying on our traverse of relocation survey we side shot the bounds of the structure sir of this structure of Clarita Saguitan by triangulation system the 4 corners. In the triangulation system, we have computed based on the technical description of the subdivision plan and the technical description of the title sir.

“xxx Q: How about the portion and area being occupied by Renalynn Bosaing? How were you able to determine the area and the location of this portion? A: Using again our instrument and traverse as a policy of surveys we made side shot of the

Engr. Jackson Pasamic, Municipal Engineer of Tuba, testified41 that Neelam Tank, in behalf of the plaintiff applied and complied with all the requirements and was issued a Fencing Permit 42 on September 10, 2011 relative on plaintiff`s three (3) lots in Sto. Tomas Road, Poblacion, Tuba, Benguet including the subject lot. With the foregoing, the plaintiff formally offered Exhibits “A” to “N”, which were admitted by the Court, and rested its case. For the defendants, the testimonies of Pacita lgme, Renalyn Bosaing, Felomina Cuyopan, and Clarita Velasco-Saguitan were presented. Pacita Igme, 55 years old, testified43 that she knows the property subject matter of this case because it was given to her by spouses Emilio Dongpaen and Luisa Macao, who considered her as their child because they were childless. She is the niece of Luisa Macao, and the couple took her as their child until she grew up to take good care of them also in return during their twilight years. In consideration of the couples’ love and affection for her, they gave her their land a portion of which is now the subject matter of this case. Luisa Macao died in 1974 while Emilio Dongpaen died in 1979. Pacita has been watching over the property as her own, taking good care of it by planting it with sayote, camote, coffee, and flowers, and making other improvements like riprap. There was no opposition or protest against her ownership and possession of the land, even while she was tilling the land for her sustenance. Pacita was not able to effect the transfer of the land in her name then because at that time she was having marital problem with her husband until they parted ways. In February 2005, she executed an Affidavit of Indigenous and Ancestral Land Ownership44 over the land in question which affidavit explains how she acquired said property from her putative parents, Emilio Dongpaen and Luisa Macao. She gave to her niece, Renalyn Bosaing, the portion where the latter constructed her house. In 2009, she was surprised to discover that her property was fenced so she destroyed the fence, and it was then that she came to know that the plaintiff allegedly bought it in 2009.

Benigno Perez., without a ground survey to support such claim, do not sufficiently controvert the result of the relocation survey on the subject lot indicating that the house and lot claimed by Judith Velasco and occupied by spouses Saguitan and their family encroach on 61 square meters of the subject lot, which has a definite technical description stated in the plaintiffs certificate of title over the lot. Hence, the plaintiff prevails over the Velasco and spouses Saguitan in this case. With the foregoing, the Court finds that ownership and possession over the subject lot belongs to the plaintiff. Defendants, thus, ought to turn over possession over the subject lot to the plaintiff. As the Supreme Court held in the case of Urieta vda. de Aguilar vs. Spouses AIfaro:80 “lt is settled that a Torrens” title is evidence of indefeasible title to property in favor of the person in whose name the title appears. It is conclusive evidence with respect to the ownership of the land described therein. lt is also settled that the titleholder is entitled to all the attributes of ownership of the property, including possession.” While it would appear here that defendants Bosaing, Velasco and spouses Saguitan may have been in good faith in their occupation of the encroached portions of the subject lot before plaintiff’s acquisition thereof as Velasco acquired her property in the late 1970s and Bosaing relied on the alleged ownership and long-time possession of Pacita lgme, and Engr. Menzi attested that at the time of relocation survev, there were no visible improvements on the subject lot other than those of said defendants, unfortunately, the good faith or bad faith of said defendants was not put in issue in this case, hence, the Court cannot rule thereon. ls plaintiff a buyer in goodfaith? It is an elementary rule in this jurisdiction that good faith is presumed and that the burden of proving bad faith rests upon the party alleging the same.81 In this case, defendants claims that they have no knowledge of the sale of the subject lot to the plaintiff, and that nobody claimed the subject lot while in their possession are not sufficient evidence to show bad faith on the part of plaintiff in buying the subject lot as it is covered by a certificate of title that does not show on its face any vice or defect that should have required the plaintiff to go beyond it. Besides, as attested to by Engr. Menzi, there were no improvements on the subject lot at the time of his survey in 2009 except for the structures of defendants Bosaing and Velasco, which were discovered to have en croached on the subject lot only after the survey. Indeed, well-settled is the rule that “every person dealing with registered land may safely rely on the correctness of the certificate of title issued therefor and is in no way obliged to go beyond the certificate to determine the condition of the property.”82 The real purpose of the Torrens system of registration is to quiet title to land and to put a stop to any question of legality of the title except claims which have been recorded in the certificate of title at the time of registration or which may arise subsequent thereto.83 Every registered owner and every subsequent purchaser for value in good faith holds the title to the property free from all encumbrances except those noted in the certificate, hence, a purchaser is not required to explore further what the Torrens title on its face indicates in quest for any hidden defect or inchoate right that may subsequently defeat his right thereto.84 Thus, there being no sufficient evidence to the contrary, the presumption of good faith in favor of the plaintiff stands.

Has the instant action to recover prescribed? and Is plaintiff guilty of estoppel or Iaches? These issues are related, hence, discussed jointly. Instructive on the foregoing issues is the Supreme Court’s rulings in Supapo, et al. v. Spouses de Jesus, et al.85 as follows: “At the core of this controversy is a parcel of land registered under the Torrens system. xxx In a long line of cases. we have consistently ruled that lands covered by a title cannot be acquired by prescription or adverse possession. We have also held that a claim of acquisitive prescription is baseless when the land involved is a registered land because of Article 112649 of the Civil Code in relation to Act 496 [now. Section 47 of Presidential Decree (PD) No. 152950].51

lgme, however, admitted that she has no tax declaration over the subject lot and has not paid taxes thereon. Although she stated that she has not seen any document of sale executed by the Dongpaens in favor of any third person, she admitted the possibility that the Dongpaens’ lot was already sold as in fact she also admitted that she later came to know that plaintiff bought the property.45

The Spouses Supapo (as holders of the TCT) enjoy a panoply of benefits under the Torrens system. The most essential insofar as the present case is concemed is Section 47 of PD No. 1529 which states:

Renalyn Bosaing, 46 years old, testified46 that Pacita lgme is her aunt being the younger sister of her father. The late spouses Luisa “Lagamay” Macao and Emilio Dongpaen are her grandparents because Luisa is a sister of her paternal grandmother. Said spouses had no children. She only heard from her aunt Pacita and other family members that the lot occupied by her aunt Pacita is owned by her as it was given to her by Luisa Macao; she has no idea of the area of Pacita’s land. Around 1997, Pacita allowed Renalyn to build her house on the land on a “specific portion straight down” and to “do some working at the back” without pointing to exact boundaries and without mentioning an actual area, hence, Renalyn just estimated the portion where she built her house, which started in September 1999 because she had to have the land cleared first as it was used to dump garbage. She identified the pictures47 of her house in the annexes of plaintiff’s Complaint. She does not know that the plaintiff bought the subject Land; she only learned about it when they had a survey. She was present when Engr. Menzi and Neelam Tank were at the subject land to try and put up a fence.

Section 47. Registered land not subject to prescriptions. No title to registered land in derogation of the title of the registered owner shall be acquired by prescription or adverse possession.

Renalyn admitted that: Neelam mentioned that plaintiff bought the lot and showed her the plaintiff`s title; she has no tax declaration or title to the land that she occupies; she has no tax declaration on her building; Pacita did not show her any papers proving ownership of the subject land but she just trusted what Pacita’s claim of ownership because she (Pacita) was working on it; Pacita has no title to the land; she just heard that spouses Dongpaen have title to the land but never saw it; and before she built her house, she asked her parents about the lot and they spoke of their younger days in that place. Felomina Cuyopan, 70 years old, resident of Km. 8, Sto. Tomas, Tuba, Benguet testified48 that she know defendants Pacita lgme and Renalyn Bosaing because they are her neighbor and they are her companions in tilling the land of the late spouses Luisa Macao and Emilio Dongpaen; she is also a caretaker of said land for a long time. Pacita is Luisa’s niece, and Renalyn is Pacita’s niece. When spouses Dongpaen died, they left a land in Km. 8, Sto. Tomas Road, Tuba, Benguet which was then given to Felomina and other “caretakers” of the land. Felomina was given a 500-square meters portion where she built her house a long time ago and grew old there; she occupied the land even before the Dongpaens died although there is no tax declaration in her name. Pacita and Renalyn are also caretakers of the Dongpaen land for a long time while they were still young and there are now already getting old; they both have houses there and they built riprap on the land and planted it with camote and sayote. While the land was in their possession, nobody came to claim it. The land occupied by Pacita and Renalyn is owned by the Dongpaens, but Pacita and Renalyn now own it because it was also given to them. She does not know of any transfer of the lot by the Dongpaens. Clarita Velasco-Saguitan, 60 years old, resident of 1003 Km. 8, Sto. Tomas Road, Poblacion, Tuba, Benguet, testified49 that she is married to her co-defendant Jose Saguitan, and defendant Judith Velasco is her sister, who is currently working abroad. Clarita’s family has been occupying the house and lot in the late 1970s after it was acquired by her sister Judith. ARP Nos. 99-001-0333850 and 99-0010158351 in the name of Judith Velasco cover said house and lot. The lot was first declared in 1968 in the name of Victorina Saingan, then it was transferred to Lovilita Ravina, then to Judith Velasco as shown by tax declarations.52 Clarita presented tax receipts53 over the house and lot From the time Judith‘s property was acquired, the house was improved and the surroundings was fenced and planted with various plants and trees as shown by pictures.54 From the time Clarita’s family lived in said house and lot, nobody had any claim over the property. She claimed that her sister’s property has not overlapped any titled property on the basis of an Agreement55 signed on April 4, 1973 by Emilio Dongpaen, who is the original claimant of the lot as shown by the Subdivision Survey made for Benigno Antonio Perez and Emilio Dongpaen.56 What Clarita knows is that her sister’s house and lot is part of the excess of the property sold by Emilio Dongpaen to Benigno Perez. Clarita stated that she does not remember Ramlabhaya Sharma having any claim over Judith’s house and lot, although she became aware that Sharma sold his lots to the plaintiff when their Deed of Absolute Sale57 was presented to her. Clarita also attested that she knows the lot possessed by her neighbors Pacita lgme and Renalyn Bosaing to be owned by Luisa Macao. She does not know when Pacita and Renalyn stayed on the lot but they were already there when Clarita’s family went to the area in the late 1970s THE COURT’S RULINGS This is an accion reivindicatoria relative to which Article 434 of the Civil Code provides that “(i’)n an action to recover, the property must be identified, and the plaintiff must rely on the strength of his title and not on the weakness of the defendants claim.” In the case of Sps. Caezo v. Sps. Bautista,58 the Supreme Court explained that: “Accion reivindicatoria is an action whereby plaintiff alleges ownership over a parcel of land and seeks recovery of its full possession.59 In order that an action for the recovery of title may prosper, it is indispensable, in accordance with the precedents established by the courts, that the party who prosecutes it must fully prove, not only his ownership of the thing claimed, but also the identity of the same.60 However although the identity of the thing that a party desires to recover must be established, if the plaintiff has already proved his right of ownership over a tract of land and the defendant is occupying without right any part of such tract, it is not necessary for plaintiff to establish the precise location and extent of the portions occupied by the defendant within the plaintifls property.61 In civil suits such as this, the weight of evidence required for a party to prevail is preponderance of evidence defined as the weight, credit, and value of the aggregate evidence on either side and is usually considered to be synonymous with the term “greater weight of credible evidence.” It also means evidence that is more convincing to the court as worthy of belief than that which is offered in opposition thereto.62 Who is entitled to the property subject matter of this case? In this case, the Court finds from the evidence presented that the plaintiff, Chairman of Radha Soami Satsang Beas Philippines, Inc, sufficiently proved title to and identity of the subject property, which is Lot 1-A-5 located at Km. 8 Sto Tomas Road, Poblacion, Tuba, Benguet consisting of 1,000 square meters and covered by Transfer Certificate of Title (TCT) No. T-7095563 of the Register of Deeds of Benguet. This is shown by the copy of said TCT that contains the technical description of the subject lot, ARP No. 99-001-07937,64 the Subdivision Plan of Lot 1-A (LRC] PSD-18041,65 and a Relocation Sketch/Special Plan66 of Lot 1-A-5, 1-A-7, and 1-A-8 PSD-1-008317 prepared for the plaintiff by Engr. Primo Menzi. During the pre-trial conference, defendants spouses lose and Clarita Saguitan, Pacita lgme, and Renalyn Bosaing even admitted that the plaintiff is the registered owner of the subject lot. lgme and Bosaing also admitted the location and identity of the subject lot to be the one identified as Lot 1-A-5 in the Subdivision Plan in the name of Benigno Antonio Perez. As testified on by Engr. Menzi, from the result of the relocation survey he conducted on the subject lot upon the request of the plaintiff through Neelam Tank and on the basis of the technical description stated in the plaintiff’s title over the subject lot and the Subdivision Plan in the name of the lot’s previous owner Benigno Perez, it is shown that the defendants Judith Velasco and or through spouses Saguitan, encroached on 61 square meters of the subject lot67 while defendant Bosaing’s concrete building encroached on 21 square meters of the subject lot.69 While Engr. Menzi admitted in his testimony that there is a boundary dispute between Baguio City and Benguet relative to tie point, there is no sufficient showing here that said boundary dispute affects the May 1, 1954 original survey for the lot of Emilio Dongpaen, the October 6, 1961 Subdivision Survey made or Benigno Antonio Perez and Emilio Dongpaen,“ and the March 29, 1984 Subdivision Plan of Lot 1-A (LRC] PSD-1804170 whereas Engr. Abner Shontogan, Chief of the Technical Services Section, Land Management Services of DENR-CAR attested that the Subdivision Plan of Lot 1-A (LRC] PSD-18041 in the name of Benigno Perez, which is the basis of the relocation survey of the subject lot, originated from the May 1, 1954 original survey for the lot of Emilio Dongpaen. Also, while there was opposition from the defendants during the conduct of the relocation survey, Engr. Menzi, who testified as an expert witness, sufficiently explained how he completed the relocation survey on the ground based on the technical description of the subject lot in the plaintiffs certificate of title, deed of sale, and Subdivision Plan in the name of Benigno Perez, and following survey policies. With the foregoing, there is no reason for the Court to doubt the result of the relocation survey conducted by Engr. Menzi on the subject lot as he testified on and as shown by the Relocation Sketch/Special Plan.71 For their part, defendants lgme and Bosaing have not shown any certificate of title or even tax declaration over the subject lot. lgme claimed long time possession and alleged acquiring the subject lot from the late spouses Emilio Dongpaen and Luisa Macao but has not presented any evidence to show that said spouses owned the subject lot and transferred the same to her, except for her own Affidavit of Indigenous and Ancestral Land Ownership73 and the testimony of Felomina Cuyopan. However, said Affidavit is self-serving and is not a valid deed of transfer of the subject lot, and it does not even prove her or the late spouses Dongpaen’s ownership over the subject lot. Cuyopan’s testimony as to the nature of lgme and Bosaings possession over the subject lot is even clearly that of a “caretaker” that belies their claim of ownership; their allegation of having acquired the subject lot before or after the death of spouses Dongpaen has not been shown by any competent evidence, hence, not credible. Certainly, the plaintiff`s certificate of title and tax declaration, supported by a relocation survey plan, and previous plans covering the subject lot in the name of its former owner Benigno Perez, who appears to have acquired it from Emilio Dongpaen, have greater weight than defendant lgme’s abovestated evidence. Defendant Bosaing admitted that she has a residential house on the subject lot, and that she was merely allowed by her aunt and co-defendant Pacita lgme to build her house on the lot without specifying metes and bounds thereof. Bosaing attested that she believed lgme’s claim that she possessed the subject lot for a long time and the same was given to her by the late spouses Dongpaen, hence, she built her house there. Again, plaintiffs‘ abovementioned evidence certainly preponderate over that of Bosaing, who clearly relied merely on her aunt Pacita lgme’s claim of ownership over the lot where she (Bosaing) built her concrete building, admittedly on the basis of her own estimation, and thereby encroached on the plaintiffs lot by 21 square meters as shown by the Relocation Sketch/Special Plan. As to defendants Anita Fermin and Judith Velasco, who were declared in default and have not subsequently appeared to participate in this case, they have no evidence at all to speak of, hence, the plaintifi”s evidence prevails against them, except that Velasco is essentially affected by the evidence presented by defendants spouses Saguitan as discussed below. Defendants spouses Jose Saguitan and Clarita Velasco-Saguitan claimed that the house and lot they are occupying were acquired by Calrita’s sister, defendant Judith Velasco, in the late 1970s. The hosue and lot are covered by ARP Nos. 99-001-0333873 and 99-001-0158374 and taxes thereon were duly paid as shown by tax receipts.75 The lot was first declared in 1968 in the name of Victorina Saingan, then it was transferred to Lovilita Ravina, then to Judith Velasco as shown by her tax declarations marked Exhibits “9”, “9-A”, “11”, and “12”. From the time of its acquisition, the house was improved and the surroundings was fenced and planted with various plants and trees as shown by pictures.76 Clarita attested that from the time her family lived in said house and lot, nobody had any claim over the property. She also claimed that her sister’s property has not overlapped any titled property on the basis of an Agreement77 signed on April 4, 1973 by Emilio Dongpaen, who is the original claimant of the lot as shown by Subdivision Survey made for Benigno Antonio Perez and Emilio Dongpaen;78 what she knows is that her sister’s house and lot is part of the excess of the property sold by Emilio Dongpaen to Benigno Perez. However, as attested to by Engr. lgme Wakat of the Municipal Assessor’s Office of Tuba, no survey or sketch plans were submitted by Judith Velasco or Victorina Saingan when the lot was declared, hence, he does not know the specific location thereof, only that it is located in Sto. Tomas Road, Poblacion, Tuba, Benguet. Even with tax declarations and payment of taxes on the house and lot of Judith Velasco that are admittedly occupied by the family of spouses Saguitan, the plaintiff`s abovementioned evidence certainly preponderate over that of Judith Velasco and spouses Saguitan. Velasco’s tax declarations and tax receipts presented by spouses Saguitan definitely pales in comparison with the plaintiff`s certificate of title and tax declaration over the subject lot, supported by a relocation survey plan and previous plans over the subject lot in the name of its previous owner Benigno Perez. The Agreement79 allegedly signed on April 4, 1973 by Emilio Dongpaen, along with the Clarita’s bare claim that her sister’s lot does not encroach on any titled lot and that it is part of the excess of the lot sold by Emilio Dongpaen to

In addition to the irnprescriptibility: the person who holds a Torrens Title over a land is also entitled to the possession thereof.52 The right to possess and occupy the land is an attribute and a logical consequence of ownership.53 Corollary to this rule is the right of the holder of the Torrens Title to eject any person illegally occupying their property. Again, this right is imprescriptible. In Bishop v. CA,55 we held that even that even if it be supposed that the holders of the Torrens Title were aware of the other Persons’ occupation of the property, regardless of the length of that possesion. the lawful owners have a right to demand the return of their property at any time as long as the possesion was unauthorized or merely tolerated, if at all.56 XXX By respecting the imprescriptibility and indefeasibility of the Spouses Supapo’s TCT. this Court merely recognizes the value of the Torrens System in ensuring the stability of real estate transactions and integrity of land registration. We reiterate for the record the policy behind the Torrens System,viz The Government has adopted the Torrens system due to its being the most effective measure to guarantee the integrity of land titles and to protect their indefeasibility once the claim of ownership is established and recognized. If a person purchases a piece of land on the assurance that the seller’s title thereto is valid, he should not run the risk of being told later that his acquisition was ineffectual after all, which will not only be unfair to him as the purchaser, but will also erode public confidence in the system and will force land transactions to be attended by complicated and not necessarily conclusive investigations and proof of ownership. The further consequence will be that land conflicts can be even more abrasive, if not even violent.58 With respect to the respondents’ defense59 of laches, suffice it to say that the same is evidentiary in nature and cannot be established by mere allegations in the pleadings.60 In other words, the party alleging laches must adduce in court evidence proving such allegation. Xxx Thus, without solid evidentiary basis, laches cannot be a valid ground to deny the Spouses Supapo’s petition.“61 On the contrary, the facts as culled from the records show the clear intent of the Spouses Supapo to exercise their right over and recover possession of the subject lot, viz.: (1) they brought the dispute to the appropriate Lupon: (2) they initiated the criminal complaint for squatting; and (3) finally, they filed the action publiciana. To our mind, these acts negate the allegation of laches. With these as premises, we cannot but rule that the Spouses Supapo’s right to recover possession of the subject lot is not barred by prescription.” (Underscoring supplied) In this case, the answering defendants admitted that plaintiff has certificate of title over the subject lot, and the plaintiff proved the same by its TCT No. T-70955 as there are defendants declared in default. Considering that subject lot is covered by a Torrens Title, applying the aforestated ruling in Supapo, plaintiff’s right to eject defendants from the subject lot and recover possession thereof is imprescriptible. Further, as to the allegation of laches or estoppel, no ample evidence thereon was presented by the defendants, yet it appears here that plaintiff acquired the subject lot on 17 February 2009,86 it caused the ground survey and fencing thereon also in 2009, filed complaints in the barangay in 2009 and 2010 against the defendants upon learning of the defendants’ encroachment of the subject lot, and filed this case in 2011. As in the case of Supapo, said acts of the plaintiff negate the claim of laches or even estoppel. Who between the plaintiff and defendants is entitled to damages? Considering that the plaintiff prevailed over the defendants in this case, the latter’s prayers for damages and attorney’s fees lack merit and must, therefore, be denied. As to plaintiffs claims for actual damages, the bare testimony of Neelam Tank on the cost of labor and materials on said fence in the amount of P11,900.00 without documentary support thereon is not sufficient to justify the claim in said amount. However, the Court finds that an award of P5,000.00 as temperate damages to the plaintiff as against Pacita lgme only is warranted under the circumstances since she admitted to having destroyed the plaintiffs fence on the subject lot. There is no sufficient evidence on the plaintiffs claim for cost of publication and reasonable rent of the subject lot, which cannot be the subject of judicial notice, hence, the same is denied. As to the filing fees, while two receipts and the legal fees form are in the case record, the same have not been offered in evidence, hence, they cannot be appreciated as basis of an award herein. There being no other damages awarded, the claim for exemplary damages against defendants is denied for lack of merit, except as against Pacita lgme, who is hereby found liable to pay the plaintiff P5,000.00) as exemplary damages in addition to the temperate damage stated above for her admitted destruction of the plaintiff’s fence on the subject lot, by way of example or correction for the public good. As to award of attorney’s fees, it has always been the exception rather than the rule and there must be some compelling legal reason to bring the case within the exception and justify the award, which the Court does not find in this case. Attorney’s fees are not awarded every time a party prevails in a suit; the policy of the Court is that no premium should be placed on the right to litigate. Even when a claimant is compelled to litigate with third persons or to incur expenses to protect his rights, still, attorney’s fees may not be awarded where no sufficient showing of bad faith could be reflected in a party’s persistence in a case other than an erroneous conviction of the righteousness of his cause.” WHEREFORE, premises considered, judgment is hereby rendered against the defendants and in favor of the plaintiff, Chairman of Radha Soami Satsang Beas Philippines, Inc, which is hereby declared to be the rightful owner and possessor of Lot 1-A-5 located at Km. 8, Sto. Tomas Road, Poblacion, Tuba, Benguet and covered by Transfer of Certificate of Title No. T-70955 issued by the Register of Deeds of Benguet. Accordingly, defendants Anita Fermin, Spouses Jose Saguitan and Clarita Velasco-Saguitan, Judith Velasco, Pacita lgme, and Renalyn Bosaing, are hereby ordered to peacefully vacate said lot and turn-over its possession to said plaintiff; specifically for defendants Velasco, spouses Saguitan, and Bosaing, they are hereby ordered to remove their improvements encroaching on the subject lot with an area of 61 square meters for Velasco and spouses Saguitan, and 21 square meters for Bosaing. No award of damages and attorney’s fees for lack of merit, except as against defendant Pacita lgme, who is hereby ordered to pay the plaintiff P5,000.00 as temperate damages, and P5,000.00 as exemplary damages. Considering that summons appear to have been served by publication to defendants Judith Velasco and Anita Fermin, serve this Decision to said defendants also through publication at the expense of the plaintiff pursuant to Section 9, Rule 13 of the Rules of Court. SO ORDERED. DONE this 20th of September 2018 at Tuba, Benguet, Philippines.

MODESTO D. BAHUL JR. Acting President Judge Copy furnished: 1. Tadeo Law Office, for the plaintiff 2. Atty. Ernesto Wagang, for defendants Igme and Bosaing 3. Atty. Reynaldo Paredes, for defendants Spouses Saguitan 4. Anita Fermin, defendant (by publication) 5. Judith Velasco, defendant (by publication) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87

Per Order of 10 March 2011, p. 38 of record Per Order of 3 June 2011, pp 85 -93 of record Per Order of 25 November 2011, p. 125 of record Only Clarita Saguitan filed an an Answer, she was not joined by her husband Jose Saguitan. However, the record shows that during the pre-trial conference and trial, Atty. Reynaldo Paredes appeared for Spouses Saguitan. Per Pre-Trial Order dated 25 January 2012, pp 155-162 of record. Per Pre-Trial Order dated 25 January 2012, pp 155-162 of record. Judicial Affidavit and TSN for March 16, 2012 Exhibit “B”, pp 21-22 of record Exhibit “A”, p. 16 of record Exhibit “C”, p. 23 of record Judicial Affidavit and TSN for March 9 and March 16, 2012 and April 13, 2013 Exhibit “A”, p. 16 of record Exhibit “B”, pp 21-22 of record Exhibit “C”, p. 23 of record Exhibit “D”, p. 24 of record Exhibit “E”, p. 25 of record Exhibit “F”, p. 26 of record Exhibit “G”, p. 27 of record Exhibit “H”, p. 28 of record Exhibit “I”, p. 29 of record Exhibit “J”, p. 30 of record Exhibit “K”, p. 30-A of record Exhibit “L”, p. 31 of record Exhibit “L-1”, p. 31 of record Exhibit “L-2”, p. 31 of record Exhibit “M” and series,pp. 32-37 of record TSN for April 20, April 27, and May 11, 2012 Exhibit “Q”, p. 267 of record Exhibit “Q-1”, p. 267 of record Exhibit “F”, p. 26 of record Exhibit “12”, p. 568 of record Exhibit “10”, p. 566 of record Exhibit “9”, p. 564 of record Exhibit “9-A”, p. 565 of record Exhibit “11”, p. 567 of record TSN for April 20, 2012 Blue print marked Exhibit “N” for plaintiff same as Exhibit “L”, p. 31 of record TSN for April 20, 2012; pp. 289-290 of record TSN for July 6 and July 20, 2012 Exhibit “G”, p. 27 of record TSN for August 10, 2012 Exhibit “I”, p. 29 of record Judicial Affidavit and TSN for November 9 and December 14, 2012 Exhibit “I”, p. 517 of record TSN for December 14, 2012, pp 437-439 of record TSN for January 25 and February 1, 2013 Exhibits “6” and series, pp and series, pp 34-37 of record TSN for February 1 and February 22, 2013 Judicial Affidavit dated May 21, 2013 and TSN for June 21, 2013 Exhibit “I”, p. 552 of record; a plain photocopy Exhibit “2”, p. 553 of record; a plain photocopy Exhibit “9”, “9-A”, “11”, and “12” pp. 564-568 of record Exhibit “4” and “4-A” pp. 555-556 of record; a plain photocopies Exhibit “5” and series,pp. 557-559 of record; the witness also referred to Exhibits “M-1” and to “M-5” of plaintiff Exhibit “3” pp. 67 and 549 of record; a plain photocopies with unreadable portions in items 3 and 4 Exhibit “8” p. 563 of record Exhibit “7” pp. 560-562 of record; a plain photocopy G.R. No. 170189, 1 September 2010 Ibid., citing Javier v. Veridiano II, G.R. No. 48050, 10 October 1994, 237 SCRA 565 Ibid., citing Salacup v. Rambac, 17 Phil. 22,23 (1910) Ibid., ARTURO M. TOLENTINO, 2 COMMENTARIES AND JURISPRUDENCE ON THE CIVIL CODE OF THE PHILIPPINES 72 (1998). Citations omitted See Lim v. Lim, G.R. No. 172690, 3 March 2010 Exhibit “C” p. 23 of record Exhibit “D” p. 24 of record Exhibit “E” p. 25 of record Exhibit “L” p. 31 of record; Exhibit “N” Exhibit “L-1” p. 31 of record; Exhibit “N-1” Exhibit “L-2” p. 31 of record; Exhibit “N-2” Exhibit “8” p. 563 of record Exhibit “E” p. 25 of record Exhibit “L” p. 31 of record Exhibit “I” p. 517 of record Exhibit “1” pp. 552 of record; a plain photocopy Exhibit “2” pp. 553 of record; a plain photocopy Exhibits “4” and “4-A”, pp. 555-556 of record; plain photocopies Exhibit “5” and series pp. 557-559 of record; the witness also referred to Exhibits “M-1” and to “M-5” of plaintiff Exhibit “3” pp. 67 and 549 of record; a plain photocopies with unreadable portions in items 3 and 4 Exhibit “8” p. 563 of record Exhibit “3” pp. 67-549 of record; a plain photocopies with unreadable portions in items 3 and 4 G.R. No. 164402, 5 July 2010 Diaz v. Encanto et al., G.R. No. 171303, 20 January 2016 citing Barons Marketing Corp v. Court of Appeals and Phelps Dodge Phils., Inc., 349 Phi; 769 [1998] Rufloe v Burgos. G.R. No. 143573, 30 january 2009, 577 SCRA 264 Cruz v. Court of Appeals, et al., G.R. No 120122, 6 November 1997, citing Republic v. Umali, G.R. No. 80687, 10 April 1989, 171 SCRA 647 Ibid., citing PNB v. Intermediate Appeliate Court, G.R. No. 71753, 25 August 1989, 176 SCRA 736 Supapo, et al. v. Spouses de Jesus et al., G.R. No. 198356, 20 April 2015, citing Articles 427 and 428 of the civil code per Deed of Absolute Sale between plaintiff and Ramlabhaya Sharma, Exhibit “7” of defendants Saguitan, pp. 560-562 of record. See International Container Terminal Services, Inc. v. Chua, G.R. No. 195031, 26 March 2014 (MS-OCT. 11, 2018)

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

Sports

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

A8 THURSDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2018

Letran, La Salle inch closer to playoffs THE Letran Knights and the La Salle Green Archers prevailed over separate rivals over the weekend to stay in the hunt for quarterfinal seats in the 16th Fr. Martin Cup Division 2 basketball tournament at the at the St. Placid gymnasium inside San Beda-Manila campus in Mendiola. The Knights won by default over St. Joseph College of Bulacan while the Green Archers got 10 points from Christian Manaytay as they clobbered the National University-A Bulldogs. This earned the Knights their fifth straight win while the Green Archers improved to their win-loss record to 3-2 in Group B. In the junior contest, the La Consolacion College-Manila Baby Blue Royals, with Yman Urbano making 19 points, toppled Pasig Catholic College, 74-64, to march to their fifth straight triumph in Group A. Paco Citizens Academy Foundation turned back Diliman Preparatory School 87-76, with Dustin Aguado dishing out 12 points. This handed PCAF their third triumph in six outings in Group B. Xavier School stopped St. Michael College of Laguna, 57-54, to post win no. 2 in Group A to pull even with San Beda-Rizal, which won by default over La Salle Greenhills. The Knights want to make up for their disappointment last July when they lost to San Beda, 79-56, in the finals of the 24th Fr. Martin Cup Summer Basketball Tournament. Clint Doliguez had 18 points for the Red Lions. He made a lay-up in the second quarter to give San Beda its biggest lead, 59-41. With the victory, San Beda captured another offseason crown before the start of NCAA Season 94 where they will be defending the crown. San Beda lost to Ateneo in the finals of the Filoil preseason cup. Jeremer Cabanag had 12 points for San Beda in the championship game. Peter Atencio.

Phoenix Fuelmasters forward Calvin Abueva (88) glides to the hoop past two NLEX Road Warriors defenders Larry Fonacier (12) and Dave Marcelo. PBA Media

Phoenix Fuelmasters crush Road Warriors

By Jeric Lopez

HOENIX Petroleum started the game like a house on ﬁre and never looked back as it manhandled the NLEX Road Warriors, 123-97, so solidify its bid in the 2018 Philippine Basketball Association Governors’ Cup at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City last night. It was another solid day in the office for Eugene Phelps, who had yet another monstrous showing. The bull-strong import exploded for a monstrous 51-point night to mightily spearhead the Fuelmasters to victory. The victory boosted Phoenix’s quarterfinals bid as it moved a step closer to a berth in the next round. It improved to 6-2 for fifth place.

On the other hand, NLEX’s inconsistencies continued as it has now lost two in a row, dropping to a 4-4 slate. Bringing out its fire from the get-go, the Fuel Masters were able to quickly break away from the shell-shocked Road Warriors. Opening up with a mighty surge, Phoenix raced to a huge 34-18 spread at the end of one to seize complete control

right away. That proved to be just the start a lopsided affair. Matthew Wright’s left corner triple at the 2:54 mark of the second frame gave Phoenix an even bigger cushion of 33 points, 62-29. At that point, the contest was virtually decided. Phoenix ended up exploding 71 points in the first 24 minutes of play as opposed to only 33 for NLEX. Phelps already had 28 markers at intermission to lead the Fuel Masters’ onslaught. Calvin Abueva added 17 markers for Phoenix. Aaron Fuller led NLEX with a teamhigh 38 points in a losing cause.

Nurmagomedov won’t lose UFC title LOS ANGELES—Unbeaten Khabib Nurmagomedov will not be stripped of his UFC lightweight title despite his role in a post-match brawl Saturday, UFC president Dana White said in a website posting Tuesday. The 30-year-old Russian kept his crown with a fourth-round submission victory over Ireland’s Conor McGregor in Las Vegas, improving to 27-0 in his professional career and 11-0 in UFC bouts. McGregor was issued a 30-day competition suspension by the Nevada Athletic Commission (NAC) after the bout, among several short-term bans for fighters on the card in what is a common move after MMA bouts, with no contact allowed until October 28 before McGregor’s ban expires November 6. Nurmagomedov had barely released his hold after McGregor tapped out when he launched himself over the Octagon fence, apparently targeting McGregor’s training partner, Dillon Danis, as security tried to quell the chaos in the crowd. Nurmagomedov was hustled out surrounded by security officers as a pro-McGregor crowd jeered and threw drinks at him. While UFC president Dana White did not present Nurmagomedov the title belt, fearing arousing the crowd’s ire, he told TMZ in video posted on the UFC website that the Rus-

sian would not be stripped of the title and any punishment for the melee after UFC 229 would likely come from the NAC not the UFC. “He absolutely keeps his title,” White said. “And he’s going to get suspended (by the NAC), so maybe you give him a four-to-six month suspension.” White said the NAC has not given Nurmagomedov his prize money pending an investigation of the situation and could impose a fine for his actions. “(The NAC) took his whole purse right now and they are talking about keeping his purse. I do not think that that should happen,” White said. “You should not be able to keep his whole purse.” White said he thought the NAC should take a $250,000 fine. White told TMZ pay-per-view record MMA sales numbers above two million buys for the show made him “a little giddy” but he added that Nurmagomedov made the wrong decision to enter the crowd after a heckler from McGregor’s camp. “I don’t think there’s too many people who don’t understand why he did it, but he shouldn’t have done it,” White said. “He’s the world champion. He just beat Conor in front of the entire world. Stand up, get that belt wrapped around UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov of Russia raises you. You won. The guy who’s yelling at you his championship belt upon the arrival in Makhachkala, Dagestan, Russia. AFP means nothing.” AFP

PH Azkals bow to Tajikistan at 2018 Bangabandhu Cup THE Philippine Azkals national men’s football lost to Tajikistan 2-0 last Tuesday in the semifinals of the 2018 Bangabandhu Cup at the Cox’s Bazar Stadium in Bangladesh. The Azkals earlier won over Laos and host Bangladesh in Group B to reach the semis. The Tajiks dominated the game early and scored when Komron Tursonov was left open to deliver a goal off an assist from Muxammadzoni Raximov in the 32nd minute. Axtam Nazarov made another goal during the six-minute added time to

earn the Tajiks a finals berth. Earlier, Azkals keeper Louie Casas led the team’s defense with four crucial saves. The Philippines were able to get their offense going, with Kenshiro Daniels’ header off a cross from Hikaru Minegishi almost giving the Filipinos a point. But Daniels’ attempt in the 33rd minute went wide. In the 66th minute, Casas was accidentally kneed by Raximov and this led an eight-minute stoppage in the play as he got treatment for a wound. Peter Atencio

UST Tigers maul UP Fighting Maroons Games Saturday

(at the MOA Arena) 2 p.m. UE vs NU 4 p.m. Adamson vs La Salle

By Peter Atencio ROOKIE CJ Cansino put on a dazzling display of shooting accuracy and the University of the Santo Tomas Growling Tigers went on to pull off an 86-72 beating of the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons at the Mall of Asia Arena. Cansino, last year’s junior division season MVP, shot flawlessly in the first half, converting from all angles, and from the free throw line as well. And Cansino’s big game and his 100 percent accuracy, carried the Growling Tigers to their second consecutive triumph yesterday in the 81st University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) men’s basketball tournament. Meanwhile, Adrian Wong bungled a three-pointer at the buzzer, allowing the Far Eastern University Tamaraws to escape with a 63-60 triumph over the defending champion Ateneo Blue Eagles. The Tams, who moved out of range after Richard Escoto’s drive off Hubert Cani’s assist in the last 29 seconds, 63-58, moved to a share of second place with the Blue Eagles with their 5-2 slate. Cani showed the way for the Tams with 12 points, while Jasper Parker and Axel Inigo added nine. Angelo Kouame made 16 points and 12 boards for Ateneo. His jumper in the final 21 seconds kept the Blue Eagles close, 60-63. Henri Subido shot 13 points for the Growling Tigers, who improved to fourth with 3-4 win-loss record. The 6’2” Cansino’s perfect game in the early part of the game, though did not last till the second half, as he went to play his 29.5 minute stint. He shot with an 85 percent accuracy and hauled down 10 rebounds after shifting to a more defensive role in the second half.

See, Ricamonte share Highlands Ladies honors JOHANN See fired a gross 72 to capture the low gross championship while Carina Ricamonte took the low net crown with a 68 from a gross 74 as they shared the spotlight in the Highlands Ladies Cup at Tagaytay Midlands Golf and Country Club recently. Siblings Junro and Jordan Mamaril came through with identical net 69s but the former, a 5-handicapper, nipped the latter in the count back (five bogeys) to snare the Group A diadem in the 13th staging of the annual event backed by Diamond sponsors Auto Nation Group, Inc., Pacific Online and W Group. Gerry Romualdez bagged the Group B title with a net 69 from a gross 98, beating Antonio Reyes, who made a net 72 from

a gross 93, while Joel Javier shot a net 74 and edged Grover Guillermo in the count back (five bogeys) for the Group C crown. Ren Son carded a net 70 from a gross 89 to beat Abby Lapid by one for top honors in the ladies division of the 18-hole fun-filled tournament supported by Powerball Gaming, San Miguel Corp. and Security Bank as Platinum sponsors, Kaiser Health Group and Royal Caribbean Int’l as Gold backers and ComWorks Inc., Fitness First, HBC, Huawei Philippines, Leisure and Resort World Corp., Lucerne, New Golden City Builders, PLDTSME, Regent Travel Corp. and SM Retail as Silver sponsors. Willy Malida, on the other hand, turned in a net 70 from a gross 98 to clinch the

seniors division title over Bum Chil Heo, who settled for a 71 from a gross 84. Other backers of the event were holein-one sponsors Regent Travel Corp., Baron Travel Corp., Philippine Airlines and Royal Caribbean International on No. 17; and Burlington Socks, Caraderm, CLC Marketing Ventures, Cobra, Concrete Masters, Dickies, First Life Financial Co. Inc., Focus Global, H&E Mfg., Honda Cavite, Marie France, Orocan, Parola Maritime Corp., Peerless Products, Puma, RCW Construction Dev’t Corp., Santi’s, SL Agritech Corp., SM Hotels, Studio337 Salon & Spa, Unilever and URC and donors Green Cross, Red Ribbon, Splendido Golf and Sunset at Aninuan Beach Resort.

IN BRIEF China to pursue PH infra projects

THE territorial issue on the West Philippine Sea has no impact on the ongoing infrastructure cooperation between Manila and Beijing, the Department of Finance said Wednesday. The DoF said the big-ticket infrastructure and development projects to be rolled out by the Philippines in cooperation with China were proceeding as discussed during the regular high-level meetings between the two countries, with an initial three loan accords due for signing before the year-end. “The topic of joint [oil] exploration was never raised in our discussions with our counterparts particularly during loan negotiations and processing of new loans, even during the bilateral meetings/ high-level meetings with this ofﬁce,” the DOF said in a statement. It issued the statement to debunk alleged false claims published online about a Chinese embassy ofﬁcial supposedly using China’s offers of loans and grants to force the Philippines to agree to a joint exploration deal in the West Philippine Sea. “This is a grossly malicious claim without any basis,” the DoF said. “There is no link whatsoever between the Chinese loans and grants and the proposed joint oil exploration deal between the two countries.” Julito G. Rada

Pagbilao substation to meet power demand GRID operator National Grid Corp. of the Philippines said it is constructing the Pagbilao 500-kilovolt substation project to support large capacity generation and address the rising demand for power. The Pagbilao substation project is one of NGCP’s efforts to address transmission issues in Quezon province and accommodate incoming power generation, which include the 420-megawatt Pagbilao coal-fired power plant expansion, 500-MW San Buenaventura coal-fired power plant and 600MW Energy World Corp.’s combined-cycle power plant. Quezon province hosts two of the major power plants in the Luzon grid including the 735-MW Pagbilao coal-fired power plant and the 460-MW Quezon Power coal-fired power plant. “With over 1500 MW of power coming into the grid once these plants are online, we need a new gateway of power in the Quezon province which can fully accommodate all these. The Pagbilao 500kV substation will help ease voltage and load issues of nearby substations like Tayabas, and further enhance transmission of power not only in Quezon province but in the entire Luzon grid as well”, NGCP said. Alena Mae S. Flores

Business Singapore court upholds arbitral award to Maynilad By Jenniffer B. Austria

aynilad Water Services Inc. said Wednesday the Singapore High Court upheld the arbitral award to the water utility firm over the tariff dispute with the Philippine government. Metro Pacific Investments Corp., the parent company of Maynilad, said in a disclosure to the stock exchange it received word from Maynilad’s Singapore-based counsel about the court’s decision. It said the Singapore High Court’s decision dismissing the Philippine government’s petition had become final as of Oct. 4, 2018.

Metro Pacific said the decision became final after the Philippine government decided that it would no longer appeal Singapore High Court’s first partial award dated July 24, 2017, which was issued by a unanimous tribunal in the arbitration between Maynilad and the Philippines. Under the decision, the Philippine government, through the Department of Finance, would reimburse Maynilad P3.42 billion for losses from March 11, 2015 to Aug. 31, 2016. Aside from dismissing Philippine government’s appeal, the Singapore High Court also ordered it to pay Maynilad S$40,000 in legal costs. Maynilad, the water concessionaire in the west zone of Metro Manila, filed the arbitration case against the government in 2013 after the state-run Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System rejected its petition for water rate adjustment.

The MWSS earlier denied Maynilad’s petition for an upward adjustment by 28.35 percent of its average basic charge or P8.58 per cubic meter, and instead ordered a rate reduction of 4.82 percent or P1.46 per cubic meter. The three-member arbitral tribunal of the International Chamber of Commerce in July 2017 upheld the validity of Maynilad’s claim against the government and ordered the Republic to compensate Maynilad for its revenue losses. The arbitral court also ruled that Maynilad was entitled to recover from the government its losses from Sept. 1, 2016 onwards The Philippine government asked the High Court of Singapore in February to set aside the arbitral award to Maynilad, which the water utility ﬁrm described as last ditch effort to “frustrate and stonewall the enforcement of the arbitral award”.

PCC starts review of shipping merger THE Philippine Competition Commission said it started to review the deal between Udenna Corp. and Trans-Asia Shipping Lines Inc. after the agency received the notification on Sept. 21, 2018. The deal was earlier canceled on June 28, 2018 after the commission determined the parties’ failure to file a notification of the acquisition. The commission conditionally cleared Chelsea Logistics Holding Corp.’s purchase of shares in KGLI-NM Holdings Inc., which owns 2Go Group Inc. “Compliance is the cornerstone of fostering a culture of competition. The competition law is fair as it rewards faithful observance of the rules while it penalizes violations,” said PCC chairman Arsenio Balisacan. Udenna Corp. chief executive Dennis Uy and other representatives signified their intent to comply with the compulsory notification requirements of the Philippine Competition Act and their willingness to offer voluntary commitments to address the competition concerns arising from Udenna’s concurrent ownership of 2Go and TransAsia. Othel V. Campos

Merville section of C5 South Link to open in March CAVITEX Infrastructure Corp. said it expects to complete the ﬁrst section of the P10-billion C5 South Link Expressway by March next year. “We have launched girders starting last Oct. 6 across PNR [Philippine National Railways] area, and we are set to launch long span steel girders that will cross the at-grade portion of Skyway and South Luzon Expressway in the coming days. This is a critical activity of the project and we expect substantial completion after the girders are installed” said Luigi Bautista, president and chief executive of CIC, the concessionaire of Manila-Cavite Expressway. “The completion of the launching should allow us to complete and open the Merville section of C5 South Link by the end of March of 2019,” he said. The entire C5 South Link, which is expected to be completed by 2020, will seamlessly connect Circumferential Road 5 to Cavitex via Merville and Sucat in Paranaque. “We would like to seek the understanding and patience of all motorists, for the temporary inconvenience. In cooperation with Somco [Skyway O&M Corp.], partial closures of Skyway and Skyway at grade during offpeak hours is implemented. This is necessary when we position and install the girders,” he said. CIC said it was working closely with Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, Department of Transportation, Department of Public Works and Highways and the Taguig, Pasay and Parañaque LGUs on the trafﬁc management. Darwin G. Amojelar

PH-CHINA BUSINESS COOPERATION. The Philippine Trade and Investment Center-Beijing, in partnership with the Philippine Silk Road International Chamber of Commerce, holds a breakfast meeting with the Embassy of the Philippines at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Beijing to discuss how increased business cooperation and engagements could help strengthen the relationship between the Philippines and China. Commercial counsellor Glenn Peñaranda of PTIC-Beijing (standing) shares his experience in engaging with Chinese business organizations and companies.

PT&T buys bid documents for third telecom player By Darwin G. Amojelar PHILIPPINE Telegraph and Telephone Corp. said it purchased bid documents for the selection of a new major telecom player. “We have downloaded the bid documents as soon as it was made available and have reviewed it thoroughly. As it stands, they are acceptable to us. We have bought the bid documents and we are conﬁdent our chances are strong,” PT&T president and chief executive James Velasquez said. “We believe we are the only local company that can comply with the stringent requirements and we have over 50 years of telecommunications experience servicing the Filipino people,” he said. The bid documents are consistent with what the Department of Infor-

mation and Communications Technology and National Telecommunications Commission shared in the new major player selection process. Another bidder, Now Telecommunications Inc., sued the National Telecommunications Commission over certain provisions of the terms of reference, citing violation of existing laws. Besides PT&T and Now Telecom, Dennis Uy’s Udenna Corp., the joint venture of businessman Chavit Singson’s LSC Group of Companies and TierOne Communications and Norway’s Telenor Group purchased bid documents for the new major player. Department of Information and Communications Technology acting Secretary Eliseo Rio said the standards set forth in the TOR would be in the interest of Filipino people.

PT&T said it posted a P25-million net income in the fiscal year ending June 2018, a significant growth of 193 percent from 2017. Revenues climbed 62 percent to P201 million from last year’s P124 million. PT&T attributed the increase in revenues to the growth in the number of clients and lower expenses, after the new management came in August 2017. The company’s client base went up by 72.64 percent compared to last year. “Our focus on the fixed broadband business has led to significant growth. The future is bright for PT&T and we expect continued growth as we capture more opportunities in this space,” Velasquez said. Velasquez said PT&T’s plans were on track as it continued to build a full telecommunications and digital network.

Ray S. Eñano, Editor Roderick T. dela Cruz, Assistant Editor business@manilastandard.net extrastory2000@gmail.com THURSDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2018

Trade deficit widened to $26b in eight months By Julito G. Rada THE Philippines incurred a trade deficit of $3.51 billion in August and $26 billion in the first eight months, as imports continued to outpace exports, data from the Philippine Statistics Authority show. The August deficit was higher than the $2.74-billion shortfall a year ago, but slightly lower than the $3.55-billion deficit in July. The eight-month deficit also eclipsed the $15.8-billion negative trade balance a year ago. “Amid global challenges, government must continue supporting key and emerging export sectors to maintain the country’s trade growth,” the National Economic and Development Authority said. Merchandise exports grew 3.1 percent in August to $6.16 billion, while imports climbed 11 percent to $9.68 billion from $8.72 billion. Data showed that total exports in January to August declined 2 percent to $44.9 billion, while cumulative imports increased 15 percent to $70.9 billion. “In order to sustain the country’s trade growth, targeted interventions that aim to mitigate vulnerabilities, increase production capacities, and level up coping strategies to global market trends and shocks must be put in place,” Neda Undersecretary Rosemarie Edillon said. Exports continued its third month of gradual recovery at 3.1 percent in August, from a nearly flat performance of 0.3 percent the previous month. This was buoyed by electronic products, mineral products, and fruits and vegetables. The PSA said the 3.1-percent growth in exports was due to the increases posted by six out of the top 10 commodities, led by cathodes and sections of cathodes, of refined copper (79 percent); fresh bananas (46.9 percent); other mineral products (21.8 percent); electronic products (7 percent); other manufactured goods (6.4 percent); and electronic equipment and parts (5.4 percent). Edillon said key strategies to improve the overall climate for export development were identified in the Philippine Export Development Plan 2018-2022. These include removing unnecessary regulatory impediments, raising productivity and competitiveness of Philippine enterprises, upgrading export quality and standards, improving access to trade finance and enhancing export sectors’ innovative capacities. “The immediate implementation of the Ease of Doing Business Act will also be vital in attracting competitive firms to enter the country’s exporting industry. The approval of the 11th Foreign Investment Negative List should further ease restriction on foreign investments and prop-up domestic economic activity,” Edillon said. Meanwhile, growth of imports slowed to 11 percent from 31.6 percent in July 2018. Imports growth softened because of weaker purchases of capital goods, raw materials and intermediate goods, and consumer goods.

Foreign direct investments jumped 166% in July NET inflows of foreign direct investments jumped 166 percent in July to $914 million from $344 million a year ago, as investors continued to view the Philippines as one of the best places to invest in, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas said Wednesday. The August net FDIs also exceeded the $831-million net inflow in June. The figure brought the total net inflows in the first seven months to $6.7 billion, up 52 percent from $4.4 billion in the same period last year. “This reflected the continued positive investor sentiment on the Philippine economy on the back of strong macroeconomic fundamentals and growth prospects,” the BSP said in a statement. More than 60 percent of FDI net inflows in July were in the form of non-residents’ investments in debt instruments issued by local affiliates (inter-company borrowings), which expanded to $584 million from $136 million in the same period last year. Net equity capital investments grew 90.2 percent to$261 million from $137 million in 2017. This was on account of

the 60.6-percent increase in equity capital placements to $278 million, coupled with the decline in withdrawals by 52.3 percent to $17 million. Equity capital placements came mainly from Singapore, Taiwan, the United States, Korea and Japan. These investments were channeled to manufacturing; financial and insurance; real estate; wholesale and retail trade; and administrative and support service activities. Reinvestment of earnings amounted to $69 million during the month. The BSP said the 52-percent increase in net inflows in January to July was led by the expansion in net equity capital investments by more than five times to $1.8 billion from $338 million last year. Gross equity capital placements grew by almost thrice to $2 billion, while withdrawals declined to $180 million. Equity capital placements during the period came mainly from Singapore, Hong Kong, Japan, the United States and China. Julito G. Rada

PUERTO PRINCESA WATER TREATMENT. Ecosystem Technologies International Inc. signs a partnership with the government of Puerto Princesa, Palawan to undertake the septage, sewerage and sanitation project with learning center. The waste water treatment contract is in response to Mayor Lucilo Bayron’s initiative to implement a lasting solution to the water pollution crisis of Puerto Princesa Bay. Shown are (from left) Jehremiah Asis, president of JCA 1221 Holdings; Dr. Robert So, president and chief executive of Ecosystem Technologies; Mayor Bayron; and Arnel Pedrosa, city administrator.

Business

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2018 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Market slumps to 21-month low T HE stock market plunged Wednesday, weighed down by a government report showing a widening trade gap in August that could exert further downward pressures on the peso.

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index lost 82.76 points, or 1.2 percent, to a 21-month low of 6,976.62 on a value turnover of just P2.8 billion. Losers overwhelmed gainers, 131 to 56, with 45 issues unchanged. The Philippines incurred a trade deﬁcit of $3.51 billion in August and $26 billion in the ﬁrst eight months, as imports continued to outpace exports, data from the Philippine Statistics

Authority show. Merchandise exports grew 3.1 percent in August to $6.16 billion, while imports climbed 11 percent to $9.68 billion from $8.72 billion. Now Corp., which is bidding to become the third major telecommunications company, slumped 30.6 percent to P5.20, while conglomerate San Miguel Corp. fell 3.8 percent to P161.70. Aboitiz Power Corp., a major producer of electricity, lost 3.8 percent to P32.70, while Jollibee Foods Corp., the biggest fast-food chain, dropped 2.5 percent to P246. The rest of Asian stocks were mostly trading up Wednesday, after a volatile session for US equities and as yields on Treasury bonds retreated from a sevenyear peak. Japanese shares edged higher at the close, ending a four-day run of losses, with purchases making up for the higher yen’s dampening impact.

Sydney up 0.1 percent and Bangkok rising 1.3 percent. But global markets remained cautious on several fronts. US and European markets meandered on Tuesday, with investors nervous after 10-year US Treasury bond yields surged above 3.0 percent and the IMF sounded a cautious note on the global economy. On Wall Street, the Dow closed down 0.2 percent at 26,430.57 with US shares facing another day of pressure over higher interest rates. “Markets continued their tenuous voyage through a potholeencumbered landscape, dealing with the fragile US-China relations... and Brexit developments providing more ambiguity,” said Stephen Innes, head of Asia-Pacific trading at OANDA. “It’s no wonder investors have a high level of misgivings.” With AFP

“After four days of falling... Japanese shares are in a good place for bargainhunting buys,” Yoshihiro Ito, chief strategist at Okasan Online Securities, said in a commentary. Hong Kong was up 0.3 percent in afternoon trading while Shanghai closed 0.2 percent higher, both moving back into positive territory for a second day after Monday’s rapid sell-off. There were also gains in Mumbai, with markets leaping 1.2 percent after closing at a six-month low on Tuesday, and aviation stocks seeing a boost after domestic media reports that New Delhi may reduce a jet fuel tax. “(Indian) markets will continue to be volatile in the coming days and will offer great long-term buying opportunities,” Soumen Chatterjee, head of research at Guiness Securities, told Bloomberg News. There was growth in in other Asian markets, with Taiwan up 0.1 percent,

MANILA STANDARD BUSINESS DAILY STOCKS REVIEW WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2018

VOLUME

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

NAME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

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

58.6 82.35 2.45 113.5 1.36 28.5 16 12.36 4.13 1.61 827 0.5 67.4 0.9 11.2 43.8 189.9 102.6 27 140.5 1,866 65.9

58.7 82.35 2.45 115 1.36 28.5 16 12.36 4.17 1.62 827.5 0.51 67.4 0.93 11.2 43.8 189.9 102.6 29.4 140.5 1,866 65.95

58.5 81.35 2.45 109.6 1.36 28.35 15.8 12 4.13 1.6 827 0.45 66.5 0.88 11.2 42.1 189 102.6 27 135 1,866 65.85

FINANCIALS 58.7 6,470 81.9 1,794,680 2.45 3,000 110 4,231,040 1.36 61,000 28.4 584,800 15.8 2,500 12 821,300 4.17 28,000 1.62 72,000 827.5 700 0.49 659,000 66.85 2,041,080 0.92 992,000 11.2 2,400 42.5 42,200 189 330 102.6 300 28.45 2,390,700 135.7 941,510 1,866 110 65.85 155,660

378,715 147,024,824 7,350 467,438,599 82,960 16,659,190 39,780 9,960,444 115,880 115,890 579,225 315,430 136,582,286.50 893,050 26,880 1,791,420 62,397 30,780 67,435,095 128,426,991 205,260 10,257,463.50

362,920 -1,310,532 -48,712,387 77,520 -2,527,160 -4,634,498 3,240 5,491,200.50 47,530 -520,415 -71,245,051 -417,603.50

ABOITIZ POWER AGRINURTURE ALLIANCE SELECT ALSONS CONS BASIC ENERGY CEMEX HLDG CENTURY FOOD CIRTEK HLDG CNTRL AZUCARERA CONCEPCION CROWN ASIA DAVINCI CAPITAL DEL MONTE DNL INDUS EAGLE CEMENT EEI CORP EMPERADOR ENERGY DEVT FIRST GEN FIRST PHIL HLDG GINEBRA HOLCIM INTEGRATED MICR IONICS JOLLIBEE LIBERTY FLOUR LMG CHEMICALS MABUHAY VINYL MANILA WATER MAXS GROUP MEGAWIDE MERALCO MG HLDG PEPSI COLA PETROENERGY PETRON PHIL H2O PHINMA PHINMA ENERGY PHX PETROLEUM PILIPINAS SHELL PRYCE CORP RFM CORP ROXAS AND CO SFA SEMICON SHAKEYS PIZZA SMC FOODANDBEV SPC POWER TKC METALS UNIV ROBINA VICTORIAS VITARICH VULCAN INDL

34 18.18 0.95 1.24 0.212 2.16 13.64 34.95 16.12 38.1 1.7 4 6.95 10.28 15.16 8.2 7.01 7.08 16 65 26.4 6.3 11.86 1.82 253.8 40.05 4.8 3.39 26.7 11 14.4 350.8 0.176 1.76 4.15 8.6 4.55 9 0.94 10.78 53 5.65 5 2.32 1.5 11.62 86.3 5.2 0.92 133 2.5 1.8 2.05

34 18.2 0.95 1.27 0.218 2.16 13.64 35.4 17.7 38.1 1.7 4 7.28 10.44 15.4 8.2 7.02 7.11 16.1 65 26.5 6.4 12.08 1.84 254 40.05 4.8 3.4 26.7 11.2 14.86 357.2 0.176 1.76 4.15 8.6 4.58 9 0.97 10.96 53.2 6 5 2.34 1.6 11.62 86.5 5.45 0.92 133 2.5 1.82 2.09

32.55 17.88 0.92 1.24 0.211 2.06 13.5 33.5 16.12 37.65 1.7 4 6.95 10.24 15.12 8.05 7 7.08 15.54 64.05 26.3 6 11.86 1.74 245 40.05 4.8 3.39 25.85 10.9 14.3 348.8 0.176 1.75 4.04 8.4 4.54 8.95 0.94 10.76 52.5 5.65 4.8 2.21 1.37 11.5 82.5 5.19 0.89 128.1 2.5 1.68 2.05

INDUSTRIAL 32.6 7,614,300 17.9 797,700 0.93 2,775,000 1.24 572,000 0.218 1,730,000 2.09 7,982,000 13.5 695,700 33.5 242,400 17.7 600 37.65 968,600 1.7 48,000 4 3,000 6.95 16,000 10.44 2,732,800 15.12 54,400 8.05 51,600 7.01 754,200 7.1 6,753,000 15.86 447,700 64.05 593,490 26.35 2,900 6.2 257,300 11.86 832,900 1.78 703,000 254 1,377,630 40.05 200 4.8 10,000 3.4 4,000 25.85 808,900 11 51,800 14.68 7,798,800 357.2 252,300 0.176 500,000 1.75 8,000 4.05 9,000 8.4 397,800 4.56 52,000 8.95 18,000 0.95 111,000 10.96 62,100 52.6 380,540 6 1,800 4.8 7,000 2.24 562,000 1.58 543,000 11.5 63,300 86 2,000,850 5.2 328,300 0.92 500,000 129 1,416,620 2.5 24,000 1.71 3,092,000 2.09 4,204,000

250,164,520 14,374,708 2,595,970 714,510 366,350 16,815,240 9,412,514 8,338,515 9,830 36,565,935 81,600 12,000 112,388 28,397,324 823,294 418,339 5,281,178 47,937,637 7,083,654 38,519,025.50 76,450 1,584,770 9,918,064 1,248,860 345,842,406 8,010 48,000 13,580 20,993,775 572,658 114,062,276 88,822,232 88,000 14,040 36,820 3,359,029 236,760 161,750 106,070 671,874 20,100,345 10,705 34,000 1,258,100 784,620 730,742 170,546,534.5 ( 1,707,502 450,020 185,788,305 60,000 5,323,710 8,665,020

-59,525,430 365,358 -24,440 -4,374,270 -47,196 -235,995 17,753,998 -102,729 -3,907,641 -23,552,283 -4,156,660 -581,164.50 -10,540 1,120,266 70,970 -2,389,322 14,935,345 -184,776 610,440 28,312,530 88,000 -1,750 -1,569,126 55,941.50 24,000 4,624 44,691,097.5) 17,193 -3,867,833 10,000 14,030 -469,850

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

0.42 46.1 12.08 0.9 6.12 26 1.14 1.15 911 5.97 12.2 7.18 724 5.76 48.4 4.89 0.57 4.43 13.56 0.55 5.1 0.037 1.23 2.34 168 890 0.87 1.42 274 0.235

0.425 46.5 12.08 0.9 6.12 26 1.19 1.19 913 6.17 12.2 7.18 726 5.76 48.4 4.89 0.57 4.55 13.58 0.57 5.11 0.037 1.23 2.35 168 890 0.87 1.42 274 0.239

0.415 45.35 11.64 0.87 6.12 25.05 1.12 1.15 899 5.95 11.82 7.1 707 5.76 46.5 4.89 0.56 4.38 13.06 0.51 4.91 0.037 1.18 2.32 161.1 866.5 0.87 1.42 265 0.231

HOLDING FIRMS 0.42 12,130,000 45.7 1,368,000 11.7 9,715,600 0.87 51,000 6.12 40,100 25.05 84,900 1.18 5,743,000 1.18 2,368,000 900 242,810 6.1 1,119,300 12.06 3,274,300 7.16 625,400 710 95,940 5.76 100 47 1,505,200 4.89 300 0.56 4,000 4.4 179,000 13.06 4,045,200 0.57 7,579,000 5.06 16,247,000 0.037 9,800,000 1.18 22,000 2.35 751,000 167 782,890 879 143,160 0.87 1,000 1.42 6,000 270 820 0.238 1,130,000

5,043,700 62,463,930 113,761,976 44,400 245,412 2,154,775 6,652,740 2,775,720 218,775,950 6,818,171 39,498,806 4,488,116 68,231,245 576 70,800,885 1,467 2,250 790,030 53,000,396 4,157,230 81,874,732 362,600 26,050 1,752,340 128,561,619 125,236,375 870 8,520 221,560 265,460

-11,996,450 -88,964,876 245,412 -46,075 947,410.00 5,958,150 2,435,699 -2,119,116 835,004 -39,850,560 -8,054,720 31,090 8,055,034 3,083,150 16,411,283 128,550 -42,561,957 -22,566,580 -31,800 -

8990 HLDG A BROWN ANCHOR LAND ARTHALAND CORP AYALA LAND BELLE CORP CEB LANDMASTERS CEBU HLDG CENTURY PROP CITY AND LAND CITYLAND DEVT CROWN EQUITIES DM WENCESLAO DOUBLEDRAGON EMPIRE EAST EVER GOTESCO FILINVEST LAND GLOBAL ESTATE IRC PROP MEGAWORLD MRC ALLIED PHIL ESTATES PHIL REALTY PRIMEX CORP PTFC REDEV CORP ROBINSONS LAND ROCKWELL SHANG PROP SM PRIME HLDG STA LUCIA LAND STARMALLS SUNTRUST HOME

7.1 0.8 10.8 0.63 39.7 2.36 4.33 5.2 0.435 0.92 0.93 0.225 8.34 19.3 0.54 0.105 1.44 1.11 2.55 4.17 0.56 0.445 0.415 3.86 31.35 20.2 1.96 3.19 34.4 1.14 6.36 0.77

7.25 0.82 10.82 0.63 39.7 2.36 4.35 5.2 0.435 0.92 0.93 0.225 8.34 19.38 0.58 0.105 1.46 1.11 2.63 4.19 0.6 0.445 0.425 3.95 31.35 20.7 1.96 3.19 34.5 1.14 6.36 0.77

7.1 0.76 10.78 0.61 38.45 2.33 4.31 5.2 0.42 0.92 0.87 0.216 8.05 18.7 0.54 0.103 1.42 1.1 2.47 4.14 0.53 0.425 0.405 3.83 31.35 19.8 1.96 3.19 33.75 1.13 6.1 0.73

1,229,251 2,173,980 96,154 369,960 241,954,415 2,140,830 341,920 54,600 7,658,100 138,000 116,780 570,290 4,794,505 7,168,958 198,370 12,470 9,043,160 1,400,810 41,692,130 54,576,160 81,350,870 183,350 239,200 1,815,240 1,576,905 30,805,478 284,200 6,380 202,720,850 170,000 2,723,639 71,390

-7,700 620 6,138,295 -533,700 -1,935,604 5,204,760 -40,710 -1,550,280 -8,364,750 -202,530 -123,640 2,647,270 -61,739,900 -

NAME

HIGH

LOW

VOLUME

VALUE

VISTA LAND

5.9

5.98

5.8

5.89

2,396,900

14,119,666

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

10.2 20.25 1.36 0.435 0.04 13.86 1.7 8.3 0.058 68 5.49 8.95 2.23 20 890 2,210 5.25 306 2.74 94.5 12.26 7.7 0.114 2.72 3.18 14.9 3.61 0.91 17.62 5.75 7.04 2.28 1.38 1.37 5 10.96 8.5 3.29 99 3.78 1,428 0.86 0.355 41.45 77.5 7.21 2.33 0.77 0.54 5.2 0.67 10.92

10.2 20.3 1.36 0.445 0.04 13.86 1.71 8.4 0.059 68 5.49 8.95 2.23 20 890 2,250 5.27 311.6 2.78 95.25 12.26 7.7 0.116 2.74 3.18 14.9 3.61 0.94 17.7 5.75 7.06 2.3 1.44 1.59 6.38 11 8.5 3.38 105 3.78 1,428 0.86 0.36 42.75 78 7.3 2.57 0.77 0.55 5.22 0.67 11.28

10 20.1 1.36 0.43 0.04 13.86 1.58 8.24 0.057 67 4.81 8.95 2.23 17.5 890 2,152 5.21 293.4 2.7 94.5 11.64 7.65 0.114 2.65 3.18 14.5 3.5 0.91 17.38 5.65 7.02 2.2 1.36 1.36 4.5 10.96 7.7 3.26 99 3.51 1,379 0.84 0.335 41.45 77.25 7.13 2.32 0.71 0.52 5.19 0.64 10.92

SERVICES 10 20.1 1.36 0.44 0.04 13.86 1.59 8.25 0.057 67 4.91 8.95 2.23 17.6 890 2,168 5.22 293.4 2.71 95 11.64 7.65 0.116 2.7 3.18 14.5 3.5 0.93 17.42 5.75 7.04 2.24 1.4 1.59 5.15 11 7.8 3.38 105 3.65 1,386 0.84 0.35 42 78 7.3 2.48 0.73 0.53 5.19 0.64 11.2

11,300 22,700 10,000 1,500,000 1,000,000 100 5,463,000 6,133,800 11,620,000 39,100 4,548,700 100 1,000 253,700 100 40,830 76,100 4,150 1,466,000 694,860 14,600 12,000 1,560,000 4,333,000 1,000 1,900 437,000 41,000 958,800 29,000 4,248,200 1,389,000 15,000 14,000 39,204,400 60,000 3,800 6,000 29,750 541,000 42,970 2,404,000 1,980,000 225,600 360,240 33,800 30,780,000 3,918,000 17,549,000 754,200 1,648,000 2,739,200

113,712 457,935 13,600 653,600 40,000 1,386 8,858,430 50,718,296 670,420 2,626,706.50 23,599,087 895 2,230 4,568,418 89,000 89,198,250 397,964 1,255,118 4,004,920 65,984,432.50 171,874 91,925 179,400 11,707,110 3,180 27,630 1,550,530 37,790 16,759,228 165,879 29,921,430 3,075,040 20,680 19,510 219,697,525 659,502 30,820 19,810 2,979,192 1,979,270 59,633,810 2,039,990 689,900 9,493,945 27,957,681 241,587 76,339,450 2,850,230 9,273,420 3,919,512 1,072,180 30,477,826

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

0.0024 1.47 2.83 15 1.91 0.3 7.09 1.82 0.114 0.11 1.29 4.27 1.13 0.63 1.07 0.013 0.013 0.011 3.67 3.23 16.08 25 0.0066

0.0025 1.52 2.83 15.98 1.91 0.3 7.15 1.84 0.114 0.11 1.29 4.47 1.13 0.68 1.09 0.014 0.013 0.012 3.69 3.3 16.2 25.4 0.007

0.0024 1.45 2.75 12 1.9 0.3 7.08 1.75 0.11 0.108 1.2 4.27 1.02 0.62 1.02 0.013 0.013 0.011 3.5 3.22 15.68 24.45 0.0064

MINING & OIL 0.0024 942,000,000 1.47 2,011,000 2.75 191,000 15.98 8,200 1.91 764,000 0.3 170,000 7.08 1,400 1.83 966,000 0.11 180,000 0.11 910,000 1.28 42,000 4.4 1,269,000 1.1 150,000 0.66 883,000 1.03 877,000 0.013 15,900,000 0.013 100,000 0.012 3,900,000 3.66 147,000 3.28 1,392,000 15.7 1,749,600 24.65 2,910,100 0.0064 16,000,000

2,284,900 2,955,920 535,250 124,910 1,456,330 51,000 9,940 1,743,950 20,260 99,730 50,570 5,582,650 155,160 578,250 913,840 206,800 1,300 44,400 518,380 4,564,100 27,823,842 71,700,200 104,500

-2,750 -4,360 57,300 80,610 -98,650 33,600 -823,680 -14,170 435,620 1,773,194 16,987,485 -

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

19.5 480 499 100.4 100 101.6 480 489.2 5.04 910.5 910.5 95.55 1.04 1,010 1,039 100 988 76.95 74.8 75 75 75 74.9 74.7

20 480 499 100.4 100 101.6 480 489.2 5.04 963.5 944.5 95.55 1.04 1,010 1,039 100 1,000 77 74.9 75 75.25 75.2 75 74.7

19.5 480 499 100.2 99 101.6 480 489.2 5.04 910.5 910.5 95.55 1.04 1,010 1,039 100 981 76.95 74.8 74.95 75 74.5 74.9 74.3

PREFERRED 19.98 52,600 480 350 499 10 100.4 10,300 99 45,700 101.6 18,800 480 44,510 489.2 1,050 5.04 111,200 963.5 340 944.5 20 95.55 500 1.04 199,000 1,010 20 1,039 5 100 20,000 1,000 1,965 77 32,420 74.9 7,000 75 9,120 75.25 54,000 75.2 23,500 75 16,300 74.7 15,360

1,050,864 168,000 4,990 1,032,140 4,524,330 1,910,080 21,364,800 513,660 560,448 310,100 18,550 47,775 206,960 20,200 5,195 2,000,000 1,940,857.50 2,496,161 523,850 683,600 4,050,790 1,754,200 1,220,930 1,144,032

597,928 -560,448 20,200 -1,848,770 37,250

LR WARRANT

2.41

2.42

2.35

WARRANTS 2.35 142,000

339,690

ITALPINAS XURPAS

4.86 2.06

4.86 2.08

4.5 2.02

4.78 2.03

5,684,510 5,003,370

-162,430 1,207,400

FIRST METRO ETF

107

105.2

3,278,789

11,585

USD DMPL A1 USD DMPL A2

10 9.7

PROPERTY 7.23 0.76 10.82 0.62 39.5 2.33 4.31 5.2 0.425 0.92 0.88 0.22 8.08 18.7 0.57 0.103 1.46 1.1 2.54 4.15 0.59 0.43 0.42 3.87 31.35 20.7 1.96 3.19 34 1.14 6.14 0.73

171,000 2,757,000 8,900 597,000 6,192,700 913,000 79,000 10,500 17,900,000 150,000 129,000 2,620,000 588,000 379,700 348,000 120,000 6,263,000 1,273,000 16,358,000 13,151,000 144,360,000 430,000 580,000 471,000 50,300 1,518,200 145,000 2,000 5,944,600 150,000 439,300 97,000

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

OPEN

TRADING SUMMARY

FINANCIAL

15,282,222

INDUSTRIAL

61,525,519

HOLDING FIRMS

79,384,377

PROPERTY

228,053,635

SERVICES

148,764,080

MINING & OIL

992,684,345

GRAND TOTAL

1,529,416,937

SME

1,225,000 2,455,000

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 105.2 30,950

10 9.7

DDS

3,500 3,030

35,000 29,391

-6,814,393 2,000 19,300 -1,840,356 -2,019,743.50 -3,710,342 -165,398 4,548,040 -760,050 -32,520 16,692,896.50 -241,680 2,980 76,010 -466,856 27,547,641 -2,213,610 2,173,786 2,933,202 -817,390 -7,792,380 -560,250 -14,100 -1,182,235 1,647,666.50 6,357,470 591,330 -455,390 -2,136,639 -55,230 10,300,572

VALUE 1,550.71 (down) 15.44 1,051,602,400.92 FINANCIAL INDUSTRIAL 10,362.38 (down) 64.88 1,511,328,176.40 HOLDING FIRMS 6,845.76 (down) 60.33 1,158,722,592.83 PROPERTY 3,497.32 (down) 22.29 1,489.30 (down) 7.84 744,133,033.97 SERVICES MINING & OIL 8,622.42 (down) 12.66 769,063,027.62 PSEI 7,001.14 (down) 58.24 121,552,362.64 All Shares Index 4,298.74 (down) 36.95 5,370,416,045.47 Gainers: 54; Losers: 139; Unchanged: 50; Total: 243

McDonald’s spending P3b next year for expansion By Jenniffer B. Austria GOLDEN Arches Development Corp., which holds the exclusive franchise of McDonald’s in the Philippines, will spend P3 billion in 2019, up 50 percent from this year’s level as the company rolls out more stores and invests in new service platforms. Golden Arches president and chief executive Kenneth Yang said in an interview at the sidelines of the launching of its first NXTGEN store in McKinley West in Fort Bonifacio the company remained aggressive with the store openings as well as the introduction of new technology that would improve customer experience. “McDonald’s NXTGEN is a strategic investment as the brand continues to grow in the country. Our goal is to provide a better and more relevant McDonald’s experience in a modern restaurant environment to more Filipinos,” said McDonald’s Philippines president and chief executive officer Kenneth Yang. NXTGEN, the new service platform of McDonald’s, offers customers the self-ordering kiosks, which allows customers a digitized alternative to order and pay for their McDonald’s favorites. The kiosks accept Mastercard and Visa card payments, regardless of the issuing bank. Guests who still prefer to pay in cash may also do so by proceeding to the front counter where there are dedicated lanes, assisted by the modernized menu boards. McDonald’s Philippines managing director Margot Torres said the company had five stores with NTGEN features. These are McDonald’s McKinley West, McDonald’s Madison (San Juan), Kapitolyo (Pasig), Robinson’s Galleria (Pasig) and Pioneer Reliance (Pasig). Torres said the company expects 10 percent of its restaurants to follow the NXTGEN store format by 2019 and 70 percent by 2021. Golden Arches currently operates 604 stores and and plans to expand the network to 620 outlets by the end of the year.

Cebu Landmasters registered sales of P6.17b in 9 months PROPERTY developer Cebu Landmasters Inc. said it booked reservation sales of P6.17 billion in the first nine-months of the year, up 69 percent year-on-year. Cebu Landmasters said in a disclosure to the stock exchange the nine-month performance represented 88 percent of the company’s full-year target of P7 billion. Cebu Landmasters president and chief executive officer Jose Soberano III credited the strong performance to the robust sales from Cebu and Bacolod properties. He said about 2,500 units were taken up by the market at an average price of P2.5 million. The group’s economic housing brand Casa Mira contributed P1.42 billion from the sale of 746 units, while Baseline Center, a high-end mixed-use development in Cebu City, generated P1.18 billion from the sale of 341 units. Meanwhile, MesaVirre Garden Residences, a condominium complex in Bacolod City, sold 427 units to raise P929.93 million. “The strategies we have adopted in the housing market allows us to meet full-year targets,” Soberano said. He said 14 projects serving the mid to economic segments in different locations in Visayas and Mindanao such as Cebu, Dumaguete, Cagayan de Oro and Davao would continue to boost sales. Additional revenues are also expected from forthcoming projects in Bohol and Iloilo. “We expect to see continued strong sales performance in the coming years as demand for housing from these segments of the market remains firm,” Soberano said. Meanwhile, Soberano said the company remained bullish on the property market despite rising interest rate environment. The company’s upbeat outlook stems from an expectation of more consumer spending based on Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ third-quarter survey. The poll showed that 9.2 percent of Filipino households planned to buy houses in the next 12 months. Jenniffer B. Austria

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Business/World

Saudi to let Turkey search for journalist

STANBUL―Saudi Arabia agreed to let Turkish authorities search its Istanbul consulate as part of the investigation into the disappearance of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, as his ﬁancee asked Donald Trump to help uncover what happened to the Riyadh critic.

UMBRELLA ART IN WASHINGTON.

A man peers through an umbrella art installation at City Center in Washington, DC, on October 9, 2018 AFP

Medical City is mired in disruptive legal row THE battle for control of The Medical City is heating up, with the Securities and Exchange Commission and a Pasig trial court heading for a collision course. A group led by Singapore-based financial services and retail conglomerate Clermont and Medical City executive Jose Xavier “Eckie” Gonzales claimed a “legal victory” at the Regional Trial Court of Pasig after securing a preliminary injunction against the group of Medical City investors led by Dr. Alfredo Bengzon. Clermont, whose origin appears to be further down the southern hemisphere (Its founder, Richard Clermont, is a New Zealander), is joined in the legal dispute by Gonzales whose interest is represented by Fountel Inc., a locally-registered company. Gonzales was a former executive of the Benpres Holdings Corp. (now Lopez Holdings Corp.) and interestingly himself a Bengzon on the mother-side. Gonzales himself, according to sources, introduced Clermont to Bengzon sometime in 2013. Medical City at that time was raising equity to fund expansions and Clermont’s entry was, thus, a welcome development. But the sources said Dr. Bengzon realized shortly that the Clermont-backed group—which now claims to have a 54-percent majority of the hospital—did not fully disclose its takeover intentions, prompting the former health secretary to file a complaint with the SEC. The court injunction appears to have given the Clermontbacked group control of the hospital but its hold seems shaky. For one, the SEC has started a full-blown investigation of the shares acquired from management company Professional Services Inc., which runs the hospital. The corporate watchdog is set to rule on the validity of the share sale. The Clermont-backed group may have to contend with certain legal questions in the aftermath of the Pasig court-issued injunction. Legal circles are confused over the court order as it may have put the court and the SEC on a direct collision course. Did the Pasig court deliberately ignore the ongoing probe of the SEC panel on the validity of the shares of the takeover group? One lawyer noted that the SEC instructed both parties to hold on to the status quo until it had ruled on the validity of the shares held by the Clermont and Gonzales group. More legal questions, however, are surfacing. Did the TRO and injunction implicitly “recognize” the validity of the majority stake held by the Clermont-backed group in Medical City in gaining control of the hospital’s operations? Legal pundits noted that the power and authority to establish such ownership legitimacy was in the hands of the SEC and that the TRO and injunction might have undermined the SEC. Complicating the legal situation is the observation that the Clermont group which obtained the TRO from the Pasig Court has yet to establish a legal standing to secure such an order. They must show a clear legal right and standing to obtain the order. Other issues are complicating the legal tussle. A source said the Clermont alliance might not be as solid as the group wanted it to be. Another group of investors appears to have distanced itself from the alliance. Lombard Investments claimed that it was “not a partner of nor otherwise affiliated with the Fountel/Clermont group.” Two of the Clermont group’s nominee to the “new” Medical City board had refused to accept the board seats. Dr. Dan Alonzo and Dr. Dodie Alfonso said they had “withdrawn” their participation in the new board because they respected the SEC “status quo” order per the advice of their legal counsel. The two doctors also said they “believe in reforms” but stressed they wanted the reforms “done the right way.” They appear to be in the same boat as the SEC, which is now investigating if the modicum of the take over at Medical City was indeed done “the right way.” Open access Transparency is the buzzword in the telecommunications sector. Senator Bam Aquino of the Senate Committee on Science and Technology is pushing for the passage of the Senate Bill No. 1763, or the Open Access in Data Transmission, to solve the issue “that has been a thorn on the side of many Filipinos for years.” The bill if passed is expected to facilitate the entry of more players into the different segments of the telecommunications and data transmission industry from network infrastructure to multiple services operations. The Senate is leading the country in leveling up broadband competitiveness in the global marketplace by transforming the heretofore “vertically integrated single network into a decentralized, distributed setting where services in different segments can be provided by different entities,” according to bill co-author Senator Sherwin Gatchalian. One of the earliest and most urgent application of the ‘Open Access Model’ is in the TowerCo program of the Department of Information and Communications Technology in preparation for the selection of a third player. An ‘Open Access Model’ is meant to correct the laggard state of the Philippines’ internet connectivity, service delivery and cost expenditures by the sharing among different players of a common, physical infrastructure or tower. The ‘Open Access Model’ in the Philippines could hasten the build-up of tower infrastructure network through a democratization of the policy to open up the TowerCo concept to all those interested to participate, and not narrowing it down to just two so-called independent players. Email: rayenano@yahoo.com or business@manilastandard. net or extrastory2000@gmail.com

IN BRIEF Study: Humans recognize 5,000 faces PARIS―From family and friends to strangers on the subway and public ﬁgures on 24-hour news cycles, humans recognize an astonishing 5,000 faces, scientists said Wednesday in the ﬁrst study of its kind. Through most of history humans lived in small groups of a hundred or so individuals, a pattern that has changed drastically in recent centuries. A study by scientists at Britain’s University of York found that our facial recognition abilities allow us to process the thousands of faces we encounter in busy social environments, on our smart phones and our television screens every day. “In everyday life, we are used to identifying friends, colleagues, and celebrities, and many other people by their faces,” Rob Jenkins, from York’s Department of Psychology, told AFP. “But no one has established how many faces people actually know.” For the study, published in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B, Jenkins and his team asked participants to write down as many faces they could remember from their personal lives. The volunteers were then asked to do the same with people they recognized but did not know personally. They were also shown thousands of images of famous people―two photos of each to ensure consistency―and asked which ones they recognized. The team found an enormous range of the number of faces each participant could recall, from roughly 1,000 to 10,000. “We found that people know around 5,000 faces on average,” Jenkins said. AFP

Tsai: China challenging Taiwan peace TAIPEI―Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-wen accused China of “seriously challenging” peace and stability Wednesday, describing the island she leads as being on the front line of tensions in the Pacific. It comes as Beijing pursues a multi-pronged attack on any claims to sovereignty by self-ruled democratic Taiwan, which it sees as part of its territory to be reunified, by force if necessary. Relations between Beijing and Taipei have deteriorated since Tsai took office two years ago, as she refuses to acknowledge that Taiwan is part of “one China”. “As Taiwan is on the front line of the Western Pacific, we are naturally subject to tremendous pressure,” Tsai said in a televised speech to mark Taiwan’s National Day. “China’s unilateral diplomatic offensive and military coercion have not only harmed cross-strait relations. They have also seriously challenged the status quo of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait,” she added. Taiwan considers itself a sovereign country and has an independent political system, judiciary and currency, but has never formally declared a split, despite being ruled separately since 1949. China has recently upped military drills around the island and has made a concerted effort to poach Taiwan’s dwindling number of official allies―only 17 countries still diplomatically recognize the island after five jumped ship since Tsai took power. AFP

There has been fierce speculation over what happened to Khashoggi, a Washington Post contributor who wrote for Arab and Western media, after he vanished on October 2 following a visit to the consulate to obtain official documents. While Riyadh claimed he had left the consulate after his visit, Turkish police said Khashoggi did not emerge from the building. Government sources said police believe the journalist was killed inside the consulate, claims which Riyadh dismissed as “baseless”. “Saudi authorities said they were open to cooperation and that a search can be conducted at the consulate building,” the Turkish foreign ministry spokesman Hami Aksoy said in a statement on Tuesday. The search will take place as part of the official investigation, which was being conducted “in an intense manner”, he said without giving any date. Khashoggi’s fiancee Hatice Cengiz wrote in an opinion piece for The Washington Post that she was “confident in the abilities of Turkish government officials”. But she also implored “President Trump and first lady Melania Trump to help shed light on Jamal’s disappearance”. Trump on Monday expressed concern about Khashoggi’s case and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo called for a thorough investigation.

Republic of the Philippines Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL WELFARE & DEVELOPMENT ORG Compound, Cotabato City InvItatIon to BId for

2018 SUPPLEMENTARY FEEDING PROGRAM OF THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL WELFARE AND DEVELOPMENT - ARMM 1.

The DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL WELFARE AND DEVELOPMENT - ARMM, through SARO No. BMB-D-180014448 intends to apply the sum of ONE HUNDRED SEVENTY TWO MILLION FIVE HUNDRED FORTY-FOUR THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED SIXTY-TWO PESOS (P172,544,562.00) being the Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) to payments under the contract for 2018 SUPPLEMENTARY FEEDING PROGRAM in the following lots: Lot 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

The Department of Social Welfare and Development - ARMM now invites bids for the Supply delivery of rice and viands intended for one hundred twenty (120) feeding days of 94,909 Day Care Children in the 2,246 Child Development Centers in the 116 municipalities and 2 cities in the Autonomous Region. Deliveries of goods shall be made weekly based on the approved schedule and prepared menu for the whole duration of the 120 feeding days. Goods shall be directly delivered to the Child Development Centers in every municipality. Bidders should have completed, within two (2) years from the date of submission and receipt of bids, a contract similar to the Project. The description of an eligible bidder is contained in the Bidding Documents, particularly, in Section II. Instructions to Bidders.

Bidding 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”.

TheHouse of Representatives, through the General Appropriations Act (GAA) intends to apply the sum of –

PHP 32,662,747.20

IDENTIFICATION OF CONTRACT JSR No. 18-09-0239

being the Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) to payments under the contract. Bids received in excess of the ABC shall be automatically rejected at bid opening. The House of Representativesnow invites bids for the Procurement of 2019 Janitorial Services of the House of Representatives.Contract coverage is from 1 January 2019to 31 December 2019. Bidders should have completed, within Five (5) Years from the date of submission and receipt of bids, a contract similar to the Project. The description of an eligible bidder is contained in the Bidding Documents, particularly, in Section II. Instructions to Bidders. Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using a nondiscretionary “pass/fail” criterion as specified in the 2016 Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act (RA) 9184, otherwise known as the “Government Procurement Reform Act”. 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.

In addition, 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.

Interested bidders may obtain further information from the Department of Social Welfare and Development and inspect the Bidding Documents at the address given below during 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM.

A complete set of Bidding Documents may be acquired by interested Bidders on October 6, 2018 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:

Interested bidders may obtain further information from the House of Representativesand inspect the Bidding Documents at the address given below during office hours, from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Lot 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

A complete set of Bidding Documents may be acquired by interested Bidders on 11 October 2018 until 8 November 2018from the address belowand upon payment of the applicable fee for the Bidding Documents, pursuant to the latest guidelines issued by the GPPB, in the amount of Twenty Five Thousand (Php 25,000.00) Pesos. It may also be downloaded free of charge from the website of the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PhilGEPS) and the website of the Procuring Entity, provided that Bidders shall pay the applicable fee for the Bidding Documents not later than the submission of their bids. The House of Representativeswill hold a Pre-Bid Conference on 18 October 2018, 10:00 a.m.,at the 2/F Executive Lounge, South Wing Annex Building, House of Representatives, BatasanPambansa Complex, IBP Road, Batasan, Quezon City, which shall beopen to prospective bidders. Bids must be duly received by the BAC Secretariat at the address below on or before 8 November 2018, 9:00 a.m. All Bids must be accompanied by a bid security in any of the acceptable forms and in the amount stated in ITB Clause 18.

The House of Representativesreserves the right toreject any and all bids, declare a failure of bidding, or not award the contract at any time prior to contract award in accordance with Section 41 of RA 9184 and its IRR, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder or bidders. For further information, please refer to: MR. ANTONIO M. CHAN, JR. Secretary, Bids and Awards Committee 2/F Executive Lounge, South Wing Annex Bldg. House of Representatives BatasanPambansa Complex, IBP Road, Batasan, Quezon City Telefax (02) 952-4150; (02) 931-5001 loc. 3114 Website: www.congress.gov.ph

Description MAGUINDANAO LANAO LANAO MARAWI CITY BASILAN SULU TAWI-TAWI

Price 40,000.00 20,000.00 20,000.00 5,000.00 10,000.00 15,000.00 15,000.00

It may also be downloaded free of charge from the website of the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PhilGEPS) and the website of the Procuring Entity, provided that Bidders shall pay the applicable fee for the Bidding Documents not later than the submission of their bids. 6.

The Department of Social Welfare and Developmentwill hold a Pre-Bid Conference onOctober 15, 2018 at1:00 PM at ORS Conference, DSWD-ARMM, ORG Compound, Cotabato City, which shall beopen to prospective bidders.

Bids must be duly received by the BAC Secretariat at the address below on or before October 29, 2018 at 1:00 PM. All Bids must be accompanied by a bid security in any of the acceptable forms and in the amount stated in ITB Clause 18.

Bid opening shall be on 8 November 2018, 10:00 a.m. at the 2/F Executive Lounge, South Wing Annex Building, House of Representatives, BatasanPambansa Complex, IBP Road, Batasan, Quezon City. Bids will be opened in the presence of the bidders’ representatives who choose to attend at the address below. Late bids shall not be accepted.

(MS-OCT. 11, 2018)

ABC 67,067,838.00 24,755,706.00 22,501,386.00 4,277,754.00 12,176,964.00 20,850,642.00 20,914,272.00

InvItatIon to BId forThe ProcuremenT of 2019 JaniTorial ServiceS of The houSe of rePreSenTaTiveS

NAME OF CONTRACT Procurement of 2019 Janitorial Services of the House of Representatives

Description MAGUINDANAO LANAO SUR A LANAO SUR B MARAWI CITY BASILAN SULU TAWI-TAWI

Bids received in excess of the ABC shall be automatically rejected at bid opening.

Republic of the Philippines House of Representatives Quezon City, Metro Manila

AMOUNT

Turkish police were looking into two private aircraft which landed at Istanbul’s Ataturk airport on October 2 at different times carrying 15 people of interest in the case, as well as the possibility that Khashoggi was kidnapped and taken aboard one of the planes, local media reported. Previously Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman told Bloomberg that Riyadh would allow Turkish officials to search the premises. Ankara sought permission Sunday for the search after the foreign ministry summoned the Saudi ambassador for a second time, Turkish television reported. Riyadh’s envoy in Ankara was first called to the ministry on Wednesday. Khashoggi, a former Saudi government adviser, had been living in self-imposed exile in the United States since last year fearing possible arrest. He has been critical of some policies of the crown prince and Riyadh’s intervention in the war in Yemen. Police also said a team of 15 Saudis were sent to Istanbul and were in the building at the same time as Khashoggi. Turkish security officials were working to identify the 15 individuals, English-language state broadcaster TRT World reported, adding that Turkish officials believe the Saudis may have taken the consulate’s CCTV footage with them when they returned to Riyadh. AFP

Bid opening shall be on October 29, 2018 at 1:30 PM at DSWD –ARMM Regional Office, ORG Compound, Cotabato City. Bids will be opened in the presence of the bidders’ representatives who choose to attend at the address below. Late bids shall not be accepted. 8.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development reserves the right to reject any and all bids, declare a failure of bidding, or not award the contract at any time prior to contract award in accordance with Section 41 of RA 9184 and its IRR, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder or bidders. For further information, please refer to: HJA. FAIDAH ENSANAH BAC Secretariat Department of Social Welfare and Development – ARMM ORG Compound, Cotabato City Cellphone Number: 0915-2923934 (SGD) HJA. POMBAEN KARON-KADER, MPS Chairman Bids and Awards Committee

(Sgd.) DR. EDGARDO H. PANGILINAN Chairman, Bids and Awards Committee House of Representatives (MS-OCT. 11, 2018)

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thursday, october 11, 2018

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LocaL government units

Taguig acquires more high-tech hospital gear RESIDENTS of Taguig City need not go to private hospitals to avail of high-quality healthcare services. Under the administration of Mayor Laarni Cayetano, residents are assured that Taguig City, known as “probinsyudad,” is not left behind when it comes to high-quality innovations and modern upgrades in healthcare. The city-run Taguig Pateros District Hospital recently installed brand new equipment that will provide better healthcare services to residents. Among these are the C-Arm, a medical imaging device based on X-ray technology, and an endoscopy machine used for upper gastrointestinal endoscopy (to look into the esophagus, stomach and small intestines), lower gastrointestinal endoscopy (rectum, colon) and bronchoscopy (lungs). TPDH also acquired modern blood-clotting devices such as the Erbe electrocautery machine and Argon plasma coagulator. Argon plasma coagulation (APC) is a form of electrosurgery that helps control internal bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract, liver and spleen, among others. The equipment uses argon gas turned into plasma, aiding clotting when sprayed on the lesion. The electrocautery machine heats tissues with electricity to prevent or stop bleeding after an injury or during surgery. The hospital now has its own Mammography Center and CT Scan facility equipped with a Siemens Somatom 16 Slice CT Scan, a Digital X-Ray and a Digital Mobile X-Ray. These equipment provide high-quality images with lesser waiting time. Joel E. Zurbano

De Paz

Tacloban pays tribute to cultural icon Jess de Paz

By Ronald O. Reyes

SOLDIERS’ PRODUCE. Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana (second from left) hands out baskets of vegetables harvested

from farms inside the Philippine Army headquarters in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City to selected beneficiaries on Wednesday. With him is Dr. Isa Cojuangco Suntay of Tarlac Heritage Foundation (left), which spearheaded the gardening advocacy among the Armed Forces. Lino Santos

Ombudsman asked to probe 2 councilors By Joel E. Zurbano

N OTICE Notice is hereby given that COMMUNITIES BATANGAS, INC., with office address at LGF Bldg. B, Evia Lifestyle Center, Daang Hari, Almanza Dos, Las Piñas City is applying for registration with the Board of Investments (BOI) as a new developer of economic and low-cost housing project (Camella San Juan) with a capacity of 131 economic and low-cost units on a Non-Pioneer status, with project site at Brgy. Calit-Calit, San Juan, Batangas. Any person with valid objection/s on the above-mentioned project may file his/her objection in writing, under oath, with the BOI within three (3) days from the date of this publication. (SGD.) MARY ANNE E. RAGANIT Officer-In-Charge Infrastructure and Services Industries Service (MS-OCT. 11, 2018)

HOUSING AND LAND USE REGULATORY BOARD Expanded National Capital Region Field Office 2nd Floor, HLURB Building, Kalayaan Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City

N O T I C E Notice is hereby given that CITYLAND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (owner/developer) have filed with this Board a sworn registration statement for the sale of units at PIONEER HEIGHTS I located a Pioneer Street, Brgy. Highway Hills, Mandaluyong City specifically described as Lot 1, PCS-00015528 (TCT No. 008-2017001115) at Lot 1, Pcs-00-015559 (TCT No. 011-2017002686) with total area of 4,831 square meters. This project was issued Certificate of Registration No.028182 and License to Sell No. 033367 both dated April 04, 2018. The foregoing project is utilizing BALAI-LASANG Housing Project located at Brgy. Cabidianan, Municipality of Nabunturan, Provice of Compostela Valley, as its compliance project pursuant to Section 18 of Republic Act No. 7279 as amended by RA 10884. All papers relative thereto shall, upon request and payment of processing fee, be available for inspection during business hours by an person having legal interest thereron. Absent and legal impediment, the above-cited project is deemed registered and a certificate, in evidence thereof, shall forthwith be issued after five (5) days from the last day of publication. Quezon City, Metro Manila, (SGD) ATTY. NORMA JACINTO P. DORAL Office In Charge

(MS-OCT. 4 & 11, 2018)

HOUSING AND LAND USE REGULATORY BOARD Expanded National Capital Region Field Office 6th Floor, Sunny IT Center, Quezon Avenue Quezon City

AKATI City Mayor Abigail Binay on Wednesday said she is set to file a case with the Office of the Ombudsman against two city councilors for alleged corruption and maintaining ghost employees in their offices. Binay said she has obtained written statements from witnesses confirming the alleged corrupt practices of Councilors Ferdinand Eusebio and Divine Jacome. She added similar written statements are expected against other councilors.

Binay made the statement a day after Eusebio announced that 13 of the 16 elected councilors have declared their support for her brother, former mayor Jejomar Erwin Binay, in the city’s mayoral post in the May 2019 elections. Eusebio said there was “an overwhelming clamor” for the young Junjun Binay’s return to NOTICE OF EXTRAJUDICIAL Makati City Hall. SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE “If you go around the baranOF DIONICIA BUENSUCESO-INCIONG gays and talk to Makati resiNotice is hereby given that the Estate of the dents and the different sectors, late DIONICIA BUENSUCESO-INCIONG, you will discover that everyone who was a resident of 2395 Amatista Street, misses Mayor Junjun,” he said. San Andres Bukid, Manila and died on June But the incumbent Mayor 29, 2017, left no debts, and left four (4) parcels Binay said “corruption is of land covered by Transfer Certificates of behind the decision of sevTitle No. T-20,217 and T-274573 issued by the Register of Deeds of the Province of eral councilors to break away. Bataan, and Transfer Certificates of Title No. They learned that I have re173017 and 173018 issued by the Register ceived credible information of Deeds of the City of Manila, were settled on their nefarious activities, so extrajudicially by her heirs, Lizbeth Inciong Ngo, Rebecca Inciong Nuguid, Rosauro B. Inciong, Eleanor Inciong Angoncillo, and Lino B. Inciong, Jr. virtue of an Extrajudicial Settlement executed on March 19, 2018 in Makati City and entered in the Notarial Register of Notary Public Denise Anne V. Sales as Doc. No. 388, Page No. 079; Book No. I; Series of 2018 and acknowledged on March 23, 2018 in the Consulate of the Republic of the Philippines in New York City by Consul Kerwin Orville C. Tate as Doc. No. 03699; Service No. 088-091; Series of 2018. (MS-OCT. 4,11 & 18, 2018)

N O T I C E Notice is hereby given that CITYLAND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION, (owner/developer) have filed with this Board for the sale of condominium units of 101 XAVIERVILLE located Xavierville Ave,. Brgy. Loyola Heights, Quezon City, specifically described as Lot Nos. 2 & 3, Block No. 20, Psd-35337, TCT Nos. 004-2016014690 and 004-2017000804, with a total area of 1,800 square meters. A Certificate of Registration No. 028186 and License to Sell NO. 033370 both dated 17 April 2018 were issued for the abovementioned project. The foregoing project is utilizing a socialized housing project located at Brgy. Cabidianan, Municipality of Nabunturan, Provice of Compostela Valley, under BALAI Housing Program, as its compliance pursuant to Section 18 Republic Act No. 7279, as amended by R.A. 10884. All papers relative thereto shall, upon request and payment of processing fee, be available for inspection during business hours by any person having legal interest thereron. Absent and legal impediment, the name of the above-cited project is deemed registered and a certificate, in evidence thereof, shall forthwith be issued after five (5) days from the last day of publication. Quezon City, Metro Manila, (SGD) ATTY. NORMA JACINTO P. DORAL Office In Charge

(MS-OCT. 4 & 11, 2018)

HOUSING AND LAND USE REGULATORY BOARD Expanded National Capital Region Field Office 6th Floor, Sunny IT Center, Quezon Avenue Quezon City

N O T I C E Notice is hereby given that CITYLAND INCORPORATED, (owner/developer) have filed with this Board for the sale of condominium units of ONE PREMIER located Alabang Premier, Alabang-Zapote Road, Brgy. Almanza Uno, Las Piñas City specifically described as Lot No. 3-A-3-D, Psd-00093911 (TCT No. 005-2017003443), with a total area of 1,828 square meters. The foregoing project is utilizing a socialized housing project located at Brgy. Cabidianan, Municipality of Nabunturan, Provice of Compostela Valley, under BALAI Housing Program, as its compliance pursuant to Section 18 Republic Act No. 7279, as amended by R.A. 10884. All papers relative thereto shall, upon request and payment of processing fee, be available for inspection during business hours by any person having legal interest thereron. Absent and legal impediment, the name of the above-cited project is deemed registered and a certificate, in evidence thereof, shall forthwith be issued after five (5) days from the last day of publication. Quezon City, Metro Manila, (SGD) ATTY. NORMA JACINTO P. DORAL Office In Charge

Republic of the Philippines NATIONAL CAPITAL JUDICIAL REGION REGIONAL TRIAL COURT Branch 119, Pasay City SHIGETO TOMINAGA, Petitioner, -versus-

CIVIL CASE NO. R-PSY-18-30736-CV

AUTINA V. QUILANTANG, OFFICE OF THE CIVIL REGISTRAR OF PASAY CITY, THE CIVIL REGISTRAR GENERAL AND PHILIPPINE STATISTICS OFFICE. Respondents. x----------------------------------------------x

ORDER Before this Court is a petition dated July 8, 2018. The petitioner alleged, among others that: he is of legal age, Japanese National, with address at 5204, Niitomi, Koyama cho, Kimotsuki gun, Kagoshima Pre., Japan and thru the undersigned counsel at Unit 250 Valero Plaza, 124 Valero Street, Salcedo Village, Makati City and respondent Autina V. Quilantang is likewise of legal age, Filipino with last known address at 8th Street, Pildera II, NAIA, Pasay City; on August 1, 1991, petitioner and respondent were married at Pasay City, solemnized by Rev. Pedro P. Rollon; due to irreconcilable differences, the parties decided to part ways; they filed a Notification of Divorce in Japan which was granted on February 14, 1998; the fact of said divorce was duly entered and recorded in the official Family Register of the petitioner issued by the Head of Kimotsuki Cho, Kimotsuki gun, Kagoshima, Pref., Japan, per Certificate of Divorce issued by the Japanese Embassy in the Philippines; the said divorce was likewise registered with the Civil Registrar of Manila in compliance with the Administrative Order No. 1; and thus, to set the marital records straight, he filed this instant petition for judicial recognition of a foreign divorce and thereafter the cancellation of the certificate of marriage pursuant to Rule 108 of the Rules of Court. Finding the petition to be sufficient in form and substance, the same is hereby given due course and this case is set for initial hearing on October 18, 2018 at 8:30 in the morning, at the session hall of this Court located at 4th Floor, Room 407, Hall of Justice Building, F.B. Harrison Street, Pasay City, Metro Manila. All persons interested and who may have any opposition thereto may appear and show cause, if they have any, why the said petition should not be granted. Let this Order be published in the newspaper of general circulation, at the expense of the petitioner, once a week for three (3) consecutive weeks. Likewise, let this Order, together with the copy of the petition, be served upon the Office of the Solicitor General at 134 Amorsolo Street, Legaspi Village, Makati City, Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) at EDSA, Quezon City and the Local Civil Registry of Pasay City. SO ORDERED. September 6, 2018, Pasay City.

(Sgd.) BIBIANO G. COLASITO Acting Presiding Judge (MS-OCT. 4 & 11, 2018)

they opted to create political drama as a smokescreen.” “They are using the good name of my father Vice President Jojo Binay to cover their wrongdoing,” she added. “They knew that I was the one who ordered the investigation about their ghost employees. And now I have written statements from witnesses attesting to this. I will endorse this matter to the Ombudsman for appropriate action,” the mayor said. The city chief executive confirmed that Eusebio and Jacome, along with several others, are urging her brother Junjun to run against her in the May 2019 elections. She expressed hope, however, that Junjun “will do what is best for Makati and our family and not run,” she said. According to Mayor Binay, the majority councilors have been holding the legislative agenda of the city government hostage to politics. “Due to their change of support, vital matters pending in the City Council are being used as leverage by the councilors against me. But they should realize that what they are doing is a gross disservice to our Makatizens,” she said.

TACLOBAN CITY―Messages of grief and condolences continued to pour in via social media over the sudden death of cultural icon Jesus “Jess” De Paz, the founder of the world-renowned Leyte Dance Theater. De Paz, who died on Sept. 28 after battling lung cancer, was at the forefront in showcasing the socio-cultural features of the region and the Philippines in dances through his Leyte Dance Theater. He was 71. “Jess de Paz was more than a cultural icon. He was a visionary who saw the potential in others and the greatness in the culture that binds together the people of our region,” added Philip Jude Acidre of Tingog Sinirangan partylist in Eastern Visayas. “His achievements especially that with the Leyte Dance Theatre account him as one of the pillars of our local culture, not only by preserving it but by celebrating it as a living and vibrant testament to who we are as a people. He may be lost to this life, but I am sure he will live on in his works and with the people whose lives he has touched,” Acidre said. Local officials said the passing of De Paz has left a great void that will be difficult to fill in terms of world-class dance performance and choreography in Tacloban and elsewhere in the region. “We will always remember his legacy and celebrate his extraordinary life devoted to the arts. The City Government of Tacloban extends its deepest condolences to the bereaved family,” said Mayor Cristina Gonzales-Romualdez. De Paz, who served as Leyte Dance Theater’s artistic director, “devoted his life and career in introducing Waray folk songs and dances to both local and international audience.” “Stories of triumph and tragedy of Taclobanons were told through his music and dance,” the mayor said in a statement. The local government of Tacloban recognized the dance troupe founded by De Paz for the honor it gives to the City during the 10th Sangyaw Awards. Apple Anido Alagon, the president of the Rotary Club of Ormoc Bay, also recalled the talent and professionalism of De Paz to his student dancers and scholars.

(MStandard-Sep. 27, Oct. 4 & 11, 2018)

Isabela government officials led by Gov. Faustino ‘Bojie’ Dy III (third from left) and Rio Norte Hydro executives pose after the signing of an agreement with the Ilaguen Hydro Power Project in Barangay San Miguel, Echague, Isabela. Also pictured is CEZA chief Raul Lambino (second from right) and Vice Gov. Antonio ‘Tonypet’ Albano, who witnessed the signing. Abe Almirol

Echague, Isabela LGU inks deal with Rio Norte By Abe Almirol

ILAGAN, Isabela—The local government unit hosting the 19.7-megawatt Ilaguen Hydro Power Project in Barangay San Miguel in Echague town has signed an agreement for various infrastructure projects with Rio Norte Hydropower Corp. Rio Norte is a subsidiary of Citicore Power Inc., a renewable energy company. Isabela Governor Faustino “Bojie” Dy III and son, Echague Mayor Francisco “Kiko” Dy, who represented the provincial and

municipal LGUs who have jurisdiction over the project site, inked the deal with Rio Norte executives led by Executive Vice President Manolo Candelaria at the capitol building on Tuesday. Also present during the signing is Barangay San Miguel Chairman Efren Santiago, representing the host community. “This hydro project is a welcome development in our municipality, as it is expected to bring down the cost of electricity for my constituents as well as generate a host of beneficial programs,” said Mayor Dy.

It is not clear, however, if the host communities will get cheaper electricity, as the dam’s power output will be sold to the Isabela Electric Cooperative, which is the only authorized electricity retailer in the area. The agreement covered the development of the Mabbayad-San Miguel access road in Echague into an all-weather road. The other benefits packaged in the hydro project include the development of eco-tourism sites and real property taxes accruing to the host barangay, municipal and provincial LGUs.

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

bernadette Lunas, Issue Editor manilastandardlife@gmail.com @manilastandardlife @MstandardLIFe thursday, october 11, 2018

Life household

KIDDIE MEAL. A nongovernment organization officer shares tried and tested tips on encouraging school-aged kids to choose food that’s good for their health.

How to encourage kids to eat good food

Through storytelling, CMP helps make reENU planning can be a daunting task, even for parents who enjoy searchers and medical professionals’ advice cooking and have the time, when the kids are in one of those phases more accessible to both kids and parents. where they will only eat one thing—which is often unhealthy. Cook together

A nongovernment organization officer, whose group caters to children suffering from malnutrition, knows this problem too well. “Majority of the families that we work with scavenge to make a living. One of the things that we work on with parents and guardians is convincing them to move away from junk food and street food. It can be difficult because these types of food are more affordable, compared to meat, fruits, and vegetables,” shared Eva Blomqvist, chief operating officer of Children’s Mission Philippines. She currently oversees the group’s Community Nutrition Program in Rizal.

To help parents with their children’s eating habits, Blomqvist shares tried and tested tips on encouraging school-aged kids to choose healthier food, as well as be more mindful about the role of good nutrition and proper hygiene.

Use storytelling

CMP uses materials from the Food and Nutrition Research Institute, and tells stories to kids aged four to six years old to illustrate the effects of malnutrition, such as feeling sluggish and sickly. The group also conducts individual and group nutrition education sessions with children and their parents or guardians.

Blomqvist said that they encourage parents and children to make meal preparation a shared activity. CMP does market-to-table immersions with kids and parents, shopping with them, advising them on how to make healthy and budget-friendly selections, and teaching them how to cook nutritious meals. “For us, meal preparation is an opportunity to introduce lifelong habits, teach kids how to be more independent, and help them appreciate what a balanced meal entails,” she said. Blomqvist added, “It’s also about helping them unlearn certain habits or beliefs. When we talked to parents, they told us about how they are considered poor when they buy fruits and vegetables. Through our nutrition education sessions, we help them turn fruits, vegetables, and meat into fun meals and special treats, so we can help them move away from that mindset.”

Branch out

When it comes to making daily meals more interesting, variety in terms of shapes and colors can make it easier for parents to introduce new food items to their kids, said Blomqvist. They also teach parents and kids recipes that make fruits and vegetables more fun to consume, such as making ice cream out of mangoes, turning kamote tops into juice, and incorporating monggo beans into burger patties.

Take note of proper hygiene and gut nutrition

The NGO officer shared the group gives the kids in the Community Nutrition Program probiotics to help improve their digestive system. They also teach the parents Children’s Mission Philippines tells stories to kids to illustrate the adverse effects of malnutrition.

Insurer offers 112-day paid leave for mothers EvEN before the Lower House’s approval of the House Bill No. 4113 or the proposed 100-day Maternity Leave Law for workers in both government and private sectors, some Filipino employees are already enjoying this benefit. Insurance firm AXA Philippines offers its employee who is a mother a fully paid 112-day maternity leave. While a father who is legally married may take a 28-day paid leave. “AXA promotes a diverse and inclusive workforce because we believe

that this has a positive effect in all business aspects,” says AXA Philippines president Rahul Hora. Under the company’s Global Parent Policy, AXA offers an innovative benefits program to all AXA employees who are parents—whether biological or single. AXA is committed to giving its employees with children peace of mind to promote productivity, and aims to let them “take pride on bringing their whole selves to work.”

Turn to C2

show off the nteers proudly CMP’s child volu ill cook with their parents. w vegetables they

CMP’s Community Nutrition Program recipes: MONGGO PATTIES Ingredients: 1 kg ½ kg 1 cup 1 cup 6 pcs 1 cup 4 pcs 1 stem 2 pcs 1 pc 1 tbsp. 1 tsp. ¼ tsp.

cooked monggo beans ground beef corn starch flour eggs grated carrots bell pepper, chopped onion leeks, chopped onion, chopped garlic clove, chopped brown sugar salt ground pepper vegetable oil

Procedure: 1. Combine all of ingredients, except for the oil. 2. Form the patties based on desired shape and size. 3. Fry patties in medium heat. 4. Serve with rice or in between burger buns. 5. Keep leftover patties in freezer.

KAMOTE TOPS JUICE Ingredients: 2 packs 2 liters 1/4 kg ½ kg

purple kamote tops water brown sugar calamansi or dalandan (optional) Ice tubes (optional)

Procedure: 1. Wash kamote tops. 2. Boil two liters of water. 3. Once water is boiling, put kamote tops in pan and let boil for 5 minutes. 4. Remove kamote tops from its juice. 5. Put juice into a container with ice, then mix in sugar and calamansi. 6. Serve hot or cold.

AXA Philippines offers its employees who are mother fully paid 112-day maternity leave to help foster balance in personal and professional lives.

Life

thursday, october 11, 2018 manilastandardlife@gmail.com

Laundry ‘hacks’ to keep clothes looking new AS MUCH as we like to keep our on how best to iron or hang clothes, clothes looking good as new, constant these guidelines are there to help enwash and wear as well as improper sure clothes remain in their best shape. washing wore them out. A council composed of fashion designers and mothers were formed to help individuals care for their precious pieces of clothing. Electrolux’s FashionCare ambassador Rajo Laurel, and council members Mommy Mundo founder and mompreneur Janice Villanueva and creative director of fashion accessories and bag label ARANÁZ Amina AranazAlunan share hacks that will help keep clothes looking new for longer.

4. Hang or fold?

To help keep clothes in the right shape, Aranaz-Alunan says it is important to know whether a certain piece needs to be hung or best to be folded to keep its form. “The best example of this is a sweater. By hanging a sweater, the fabric used might stretch. In order to keep its form, it’s best to fold it instead,” she says.

The 9,000-square-meter, three-level Festive Walk Mall Annex houses the first Marketplace by Rustan’s in Western Visayas.

Upscale supermarket

at Festive Walk Mall in Iloilo

ESTIVE Walk Mall, Megaworld’s first and biggest fullscale lifestyle mall in Visayas and Mindanao, is opening Marketplace by Rustan’s this October—the first branch of the popular supermarket chain in Western Visayas. The upscale supermarket will be the newest supermarket chain to open inside the Festive Walk Mall Annex compound, bringing an extensive range of international and gourmet selections and other premium products.

“The expansion of Festive Walk Mall is a testament to our commitment to bring our pioneering lifestyle mall experience to more Ilonggos. Festive Walk Mall Annex is designed to add more variety in terms of choices, Upscale supermarket Marketplace by Rustans carries an extensive range of international and gourmet selections.

while bringing utmost convenience to our mall patrons,” says Kevin L. Tan, Alliance Global Group, Inc. chief executive officer and head of Megaworld Lifestyle Malls. The 9,000-square-meter, three-level annex of the mall was designed using the same modern and tropical influence that characterizes the main mall. It will be connected to the former via an airconditioned skybridge on the second and third floors, as well as to a multilevel parking building where the mall’s transport hub is located. It will also have a direct connection to the Festive Walk Parade, a 1.1-kilometer dining and nightlife strip, and the Iloilo Museum of Contemporary Arts, the first contemporary arts museum in Visayas and Mindanao. Festive Walk Mall Annex will also house the Church of God and a host of other shops and services, medical facilities, and the first in-mall showroom of BMW, which marks the first entry of the German luxury carmaker to Iloilo. It will also become a one-stop government center soon with the opening of satellite offices of various government agencies, such as PhilHealth, Bureau of Immigration, and Land Transportation Office. Hailed as Iloilo’s “most beautiful mall,” Festive Walk Mall recently won the Retail Category at the 2018 FIABCI-Philippines Property and Real Estate Excellence Awards.

Saving up for a wealthy retirement FILIPINOS are a hardworking and selfless lot. They are ready to log long hours of work and even take on side jobs to take care of their loved ones. Typically, one would save up for a home, a car, children’s education, and celebration of milestones in life. However, because of this selflessness, some often forget to take care of themselves especially when it comes to retirement. “Retirement is still years away, I will just start saving for it in 10 years” or “I keep a bit in savings for my retirement, and my kids will take care of me when I retire” are some of the misguided beliefs of many When it comes to retirement, people are usually short in discipline and planning mainly because only a few thinks about retirement at an early age. Those who don’t start early face the reality of retirement without a plan. The Personal Equity and Retirement Account or PERA is one of the many financial tools available for Filipinos to start saving up for their sunset years. PERA is a voluntary retirement savings plan that encourages individuals to save and plan for their retirement

5. Protect delicate When it comes to machine washing, items with an Laurel advises everyone to turn their old stocking 1. Turn clothes inside out

clothes in reverse and wash them inside To protect out. It not only helps preserve color but clothes with also minimizes the risk of damage to beading or emthe clothes’ stitching or embroidery. broidery, Laurel advises placing them inside an old stocking. He explains that “the stocking is more pino (finer). The holes basically are able to protect them. The water can penetrate but the beads won’t fly out.”

6. Yellowing? Use candle wax

2. Pre-wash store-bought garments

Thinking of wearing your clothes fresh from the store rack? According to Laurel, this is a no-no as companies treat their clothes with a certain spray to protect them from insects, especially here in the Philippines where the weather is hot and humid. Laurel strongly recommends washing clothes as soon as they’re bought and before they are worn.

3. Read the care instructions

Both Aranaz-Alunan and Laurel stress the importance of reading the laundry care instructions on the clothing labels. From using cold versus hot water in the wash to recommendations

Laurel shares a creative way to keep whites white—by using candle wax. “What you do is simple. You get a white candle and you rub it around the collar especially if you’re going to store it. Like any fabric, the main enemy of the material is sunlight and humidity so light and water. The wax protects it from both humidity and light,” explains Rajo.

7. Use the right machine

When it comes to caring for clothes, Villanueva emphasizes investing in the right machine, tools, and technology. “Technology is there for convenience because we live busy lives,” she says. Electrolux aims to help individuals keep their clothes looking new for longer with its UltimateCare range of washing machines and dryers. These come with UltraMix technology that not only promises to clean and remove stains but also help retain the color, shape, and softness of all types of clothing fabrics and materials.

Enjoy your sunset years by saving up for retirement early.

while enjoying tax incentives both from the amount contributed and the income from investments. Any Filipino of legal age, earning income locally or from abroad, and with

PERA is a voluntary retirement savings plan that encourages Filipinos to save for retirement.

a Philippine Tax Identification Number is eligible to open a PERA. An individual may invest up to P100,000, and for those living and working overseas, up to P200,000 per year. As PERA contributors they will enjoy several benefits: income earned is tax exempt; annual contributions are eligible to a 5 percent tax credit, subject to issuance of BIR regulation; PERA withdrawals are not subject to income tax upon reaching 55 years old and the contributor has made at least 5 years of contribution; and in the event of untimely demise of the contributor, the PERA funds are not subject to estate taxes. PERA, being a voluntary retirement plan, allows anyone to make all the investment decisions, giving them control over their retirement goals. BDO Unibank, as the first accredited PERA Administrator in the country, now offers PERA through its BDO Invest Online. Visit www.bdo.com.ph/PERA to know more.

A mother and child enjoy a nutritious snack at one of Children’s Mission Philippines’ market-to-table immersions.

How to... From C1

how to boil water and how to use water cleaning tablets. They also teach the kids about proper hygiene, encouraging them to bathe and wash their hands before they prepare food and before they eat. They help kids maintain oral health by giving out hygiene kits and fluoride, in addition to encouraging them to visit the organization’s resident dentist once a month.

Create a healthy home

Beyond preparing fun, healthy meals, CMP aims to promote a more holistic view of health and wellness. They educate the parents on family

planning, how to keep their surroundings clean and orderly, and how to grow and maintain a backyard or indoor garden. They also educate the families on women’s and children’s rights. Lastly, they help parents achieve economic stability through skills training programs, which they conduct in partnership with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority. To drive greater support for CMP’s Community Nutrition Program, the group has linked up with United for Healthier Kids, an advocacy program led by Nestlé Philippines, to help schoolchildren combat malnutrition. Interested parties can donate on www.cmp.ph/donate. Those who would like to volunteer may contact Eva Blomqvist at evamari.blomqvist@childrensmission.ph or at 0917-8156896.

Entertainment

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2018

nickie.standard@gmail.com

Is Misagh Bahadoran in love again? By Robbie Pangilinan

Jericho Rosales as Lino in the primetime soap 'Halik'

JERICHO’S ‘HALIK’ continues to rise in national ratings

HE rising national TV ratings of Halik prove that viewers keep getting hooked on the show and its intriguing stories about the relationships of Lino (Jericho Rosales), Jacky (Yen Santos), Ace (Sam Milby), and Jade (Yam Concepcion) after it reached a new all-time high rating for its Sept. 26 episode.

ways Love You. It also showed that Lino and Jade also reached a breaking point in the episode after Jade insulted Lino’s family. Meanwhile, Jacky continued her search for her long lost biological father. The next episodes showed Ace continuing his pursuit of Jade as Lino gives her some space to think. Meanwhile, Jacky is reeling from finding a man who is supposedly her biological father, but realizes he wants nothing to do with her. Who will be able to win back Jade, her husband Lino or her lover Ace? Will Jade ever realize that Lino and Jacky are not having an affair? Will Jacky ever learn the real truth about her family? Keep tuning in to the most daring drama series on televiThe episode reached a national TV rating of 21.3 per- sion. Halik airs every night on ABS-CBN Primetime Bida, cent, 9.8 points higher than its rival show“Inday Will Al- right after Ngayon at Kailanman.

Travel deals and perks at the first ever Smart Travel Sale Fair products so you can enjoy a ON A hunt for the best travel more convenient and worrydeals? Mark your calendar as free getaways in over 153 desSmart Communications, Inc. tinations,” she added. (Smart) holds the first ever Smart When you roam with Smart, Travel Sale Fair at the World you have all the travel informaTrade Center in Pasay City starttion you need at your fingertips. ing tomorrow until Oct. 14. You can also hail a cab using an A huge travel extravaganza, app, book flights and hotels on the Smart Travel Sale Fair the go, track your trip or map brings together major airlines out your destinations, translate and over 100 agencies and foreign words in a snap, and, booking partners to offer excitmost importantly, share all your ing deals perfect for your holitravel experiences with loved day getaways and bucket list Kat Luna-Abelarde (left), FVP and Group Head of International ones in real time on Facebook, destinations. Instagram, and Snapchat and At the event, Smart is set to Roaming and & Carrier Business for PLDT and Smart, and Alice introduce its groundbreaking Ramos (right) , VP and Department Head of International Roam- via top messaging apps. Smart customers can easily pre-booking feature for data ing & CarrierBusiness for Smart, during the Smart Travel Fair press conference. purchase and monitor their data roaming packages - a first in roaming activities while travelthe country. This unique feature will allow customers to conveniently buy their data roaming ing with Smart’s Data Roaming Manager, a one-stop portal that services ahead of their trip, so they won’t have to worry about features all available data roaming products as well as keeps track of staying connect online while traveling and exploring the world. data roaming usage while on the go. With just a simple click, the portal allows you to conveniently As a big treat, customers pre-booking at Smart’s themed booth at the event will get 50 percent discount on Smart’s data roaming subscribe to Smart’s suite of new and improved data roaming products. All Smart customers can also enjoy 50 percent discount on products – from the data-packed GigaRoam, which offers 1GB the P100 entrance fee by simply presenting a special text message data roaming valid for 5 days for as low as P999, to the nofrills Roam Lite, which offers light web surfing and social media from Smart before paying at the ticket counters. “The first ever Smart Travel Sale Fair is a huge celebration apps access valid for 24 hours for as low as P150. Data packs of the Filipinos’ growing passion for exploring the world and are also available for social media use and browsing, starting at sharing all these memorable travel experiences with loved ones,” P150, valid for 24 hours. To find out how you can catch exciting deals at the Smart said Kat Luna-Abelarde, FVP and Group Head of International Travel Sale Fair, check out Smart’s official Facebook, TwitRoaming & Carrier Business for PLDT and Smart. “That’s why aside from giving the best airline promos and ter and Instagram pages for updates. You can also follow #Roamhotel discounts, the Smart World Travel Sale Fair also offers WithSmart for updates and visit smart.com.ph/Roaming or more 50 percent discount on new and improved Smart data roaming details on how to make the most of Smart’s data roaming offers.

CROSSWORD PUZZLE Thursday, October 11, 2018

ACROSS 1 Takes steps 5 Insignificant 9 Kind of squad 13 Uproar 15 The Bard’s river 16 Thus 17 Bring down in status 18 Sternum bones 19 Strong and healthy 20 Sprinted 21 Small bottle 23 Warmed up 25 Unflinching 27 Paid off 28 African nation 30 Broadcast 31 Former teen 32 Beverage menu (2 wds.) 37 Summon to court 38 Not fresh 40 Adams or McClurg 41 Vacillated 43 Farm gate 44 Debate side 45 Taps 47 Regular customer 50 Cobra toxin 51 Jump from gig to gig (hyph.) 52 Patio cousin 53 Spinks defeater

56 She, to Marie 57 Adored one 59 Rocker — John 61 Just scrapes by 62 Cozy dwelling 63 Stirs up 64 Not easy to find 65 Mirth 66 Chase-away word DOWN 1 Off in the distance 2 Guantanamo locale 3 Change from one substance to another 4 Plea at sea 5 Shaken instrument 6 Villain’s work 7 Break in 8 Cherish 9 Fix up 10 Fit to be tied 11 Gawked at 12 Nailed at a slant 14 Rise in opposition 22 Sequel’s sequel 24 Blarney stone site 26 Bedtime stories 27 Bucket’s handle 28 Baglike struc-

tures 29 Fat cat’s friend 32 Big bankroll 33 Captive’s plea (2 wds.) 34 Vernacular 35 Fine sediment 36 Casual wear 38 Diving 39 Gull relative 42 1960s hairdo 43 Tackle box item 45 Willowy 46 Delt neighbor 47 Lively Bohemian dance

48 More skillful 49 The ones here 51 Catcall 52 Prescription info 54 Montez or Falana 55 Part of MIT 58 PC key 60 — Alamos, New Mexico

PHILIPPINE Azkals’ midfielder, Misagh Bahadoran, who has recently broken up with model-actress Sam Pinto, was spotted with a new girl at a newlyopened mosaic art gallery in Serendra, Bonifacio Global City. “It’s been months, now I’m single and actually enjoying it. I want to be more focused on kicking ball for our country,” says the 5’9” Fil-Iranian famous for wearing jersey number 9 with a headband. He did not disclose what had gone wrong with his relationship with Sam, but shared that it is time to move on. Eyewitnesses who spotted Misagh at the event with a new girl said the couple looked happy together. “We are really good friends, maybe soon I’ll try a new sport? Like riding a horse with her,” remarks Misagh, who also plays for the Cebu-based club Global FC. The girl is world-class equestrian Mi-

Equestrienne Michelle Barrera and Azkals midfielder Misagh Bahadoran

chelle Cojuangco Barrera, the granddaughter of Danding and Gretchen Oppen Cojuangco. Watch out as Misagh says he will “announce something soon.”

Franco and Ayen in concert for the first time THE Cultural Center of the Philippines two Aliw Awards for Best Actor in a Mupresents Franco and Ayen Laurel in the sical for his work in Honk in 2004 and last concert of the Triple Threats series Isang Panaginip Na Fili in 2009. Despite their busy schedule Frantonight at 7:30 at the CCP Little Theater. Entitled Kitang Dalawa, the concert co and Ayen have managed to live a balmarks their first time headlining a concert anced life raising a family and having a successful career in film, television, the together. Their repertoire covers a wide range of live concert scene and digital media. Joining them in the concert are their musical genres from Broadway to Original Pilipino musicals in which both have children Mariella Laurel, Hasan Bolkistarred. They will also share with the au- ah and Angia Laurel with the special dience their forays into Pop, Jazz, Gospel participation of Cecile Martinez, Joni Galeste and Jourdan Bartolome. and Kundiman. Kitang Dalawa is written and directed Married for 18 years now, Franco and Ayen met in the musical Rama at by Floy Quintos, musical direction by Sita, which Ayen produced in 1999. She Von De Guzman, lighting design by was inspired to produce the epic musi- Monino Duque, choreography by Cecile cal years after she played of Sita in Rama Martinez and PJ Rebullida, set design by Mitoy Sta. Ana, costume design by Hari. Ayen was a student of Theatre Arts at Rajo Laurel, JC Buendia, Jojie Lloren, the University of the Philippines when M Barretto and Jaz Cerezo. Triple Threats is a series of solo conshe made her professional theatrical debut in Bulwagang Gantimpala’s Bidasari certs featuring the stalwarts of Philippine staged at the CCP. It was in 1990 when Musical Theater. Each concert is an intishe got to play the coveted role of Sita in mate evening of beautiful music, personBallet Philippines’ Rama Hari, which so- ally selected by the artists themselves, lidified her status as one of the top leading from their vast repertoire of favorite songs from Broadway, West End, original ladies in Philippine theatre. Since then she appeared as Flerida in Filipino musicals and the movies. Dubbed as a series of “concept conTanghalang Pilipino’s Florante at Laura, Sandy in Grease, Diana Morales in A certs”, the narrative of the performance Chorus Line, Timoune in Once on This is dictated by the song choices. It is a Island, Meni in Banaag at Sikat and Gia rare opportunity for the audience to see Almonte / Atang dela Rama in Dulaang a different facet of the acclaimed theater, television and UP’s hit ATANG for film artist being which she won an featured. Aliw award for Best The definition of Actress in 2009. a “triple threat” is Franco found his someone in a partrue calling in theticular field who atre when he played exhibits the three the role of Bharata skills that are necesin the epic musical sary to excel - can Rama at Sita. Since act, can sing and then he has appeared can dance. in some of the most Co-presented by memorable theatre PLDT Home Fibr, productions to date tickets are availsuch as Sweeney able at P1,200 and Todd, Joseph The P1,000. For deDreamer, A Christtails, call CCP at mas Carol, Grease, 832-3704 or TicketA Fire In The Soul, World at 891-9999 St. Louis Loves Dem or visit www.culturFilipinos, LIVES alcenter.gov.ph orand You’re A Good Musical theater actors Franco and Ayen www.ticketworld. Man Charlie Brown. Laurel share the stage tonight for the com.ph Franco garnered concert 'Kitang Dalawa.'

Nickie Wang, Issue Editor nickie.standard@gmail.com

Entertainment

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2018

SNAPSHOT YUGEL LOSORATA

HEAVY DRAMA. Mark dela

Cruz (center) and lead stars Jason Abalos, Kris Bernal, Thea Tolentino and Rayver Cruz join the cast of Asawa Ko, Karibal Ko in a photo op during a media conference held Monday night at GMA Network Center. According to the director, apart from training the spotlight on the LGBT community, with one of the characters being a transwoman, the series would also like to tackle marital issues, inﬁdelity, speciﬁcally. The series marks the return of Rayver to the Kapuso network after 18 years of being a Kapamilya. It’s a reunion project with Jason, who transferred to GMA back in October last year after spending 12 years in ABS-CBN.

Ely Buendia gives back, hands on

KUH and CHRISTIAN sing the classic Icons from distinct generations of OPM Kuh Ledesma and Christian Bautista are sharing the stage on Oct. 20 at Solaire's newest concert venue, The Tent.

By Darwin Pesco

PM diva Kuh Ledesma and balladeer Christian Bautista are set to bring back the ﬁre of classic music at the Solaire’s The Tent on Oct. 20.

With the title Kuh Ledesma Christian Bautista Sing Streisand Groban Legrand, two voices will collide to sing the masterpieces of their inspirations in their musical career. “Streisand inspires me to sing,” Kuh said as she was compared to the legend during the beginning of her stardom. As her “real voice teacher”, Barbara Streisand served as her guide and fueled her to sing hard songs. “Streisand is like my life,” she added. Christian started with Josh Groban’s songs when he joined Star in A Million, a television singing contest that aired a few years back. “First of all, he has a great voice – and it’s always a delight working with singers with great voices. Second, he is a friend and brother in Christ, so that’s a bonus. Lastly, he’s good looking – what else can I ask for?” the “Till I Met You” singer said to Christian. The Clash juror Christian, who is soon to be married to his fiancé Kat Ramnani, has had great success on the music scene. Started off with “The Way Look at Me”, which received an acclaimed exposure in Indonesia, the singer is unstoppable in developing his craft. “I’ve learned so much from her. As an artist, I admire the brilliance she injects in our craft. She knows how every little detail will flow and has total control of her shows. It’s an amazing opportunity to see how she does it and be able to sing with her on the same stage again.” Christian praised Kuh. Additionally, Christian shared that he will only be off for a couple of weeks after his wedding before going back to the spotlight. As a common thread that the artists and Solaire have experienced over the years, the concert is a merge of times and it will show how the time is a transforming force. In the show, two singers may sing any song of the three artists, it could be Christian’s favorite “You’re Still You” by Groban or Legrand’s song entitled “What are you doing for the rest of your life” or Streisand’s song “Somewhere”, which is close to Kuh’s heart. “Our, and of course the fans of Streisand, Legrand, and Groban, can definitely expect a deeper sense of connection in the songs that we will sing in the concert. It’ll be the music have fallen in love with, only this time more heartfelt.” Kuh vowed to the fans. “The Tent seeks to accommodate Solaire’s ever-expanding entertainment fare. We can now simultaneously hold concerts and musicals in two spaces for our guests’ enjoyment,” Audie Gemora, Solaire’s Director for Entertainment, said. He also promised for more concerts that will showcase local acts as The Tent is a step to help Filipino music to expand. To experience The Tent’s first concert, you can get tickets by calling TicketWorld at 891-9999.

HOLLYWOOD

‘Bad Blood’:

Trump sours on Taylor Swift after Dem endorsement US PRESIDENT Donald Trump said Monday he liked pop superstar Taylor Swift’s music “about 25 percent less” after her endorsement of the Democrat in Tennessee’s Senate race. The “Bad Blood” singer backed Phil Bredesen on Sunday for the upper house in her home state, and unleashed a fierce attack on his opponent, Republican Marsha Blackburn, who currently serves in the House. The president was asked for his reaction to the snub and told reporters at the White House he was “sure Taylor Swift doesn’t know anything” about Blackburn. “Let’s say that I like Taylor’s music about 25 percent less now, okay?” Trump added, flashing what could best be described as a cheeky grin. Trump, it should be noted, has form going back years as something of a Swifty. “Glad to hear that @taylorswift13 will be co-hosting the Grammy nominations special on 12.5. Taylor is terrific!” he tweeted breathlessly in October 2012. In August of that year, addressing her directly, he swooned: “Thanks for the beautiful picture--- you are fantastic!” The singer tends to stay above the political fray, but told her 112 million Instagram followers on Sunday she felt she needed to speak out ahead of the midterm elections in November. “As much as I have in the past and would like to continue voting for women in office, I cannot support Marsha Blackburn. Her voting record in Congress appalls and terrifies me,” the 28-year-old said. “She voted against equal pay for women. She voted against the Reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act, which attempts to protect women from domestic violence, stalking, and date rape.” Last year, Swift won a lawsuit against a former radio DJ she accused of groping her. AFP

UNDOUBTEDLY the main man responsible for Pinoy rock’s mainstream evolution, Ely Buendia found a venture to somewhat show the Filipino public his gratitude for the way he is revered. That is, by spearheading an independent record label to directly guide select artists in their artistic journey and help them get paid as they deserve. The label, which started two years ago, is called Offshore Music wherein he currently sits atop as chairman. Sort of he’s gone full circle as he was once a label manager for BMG Records before the same outfit signed Eraserheads to eternity. Offshore already signed a few acts and Ely himself usually serves as executive producer and mixing engineer rolled into one when signees would record at his home studio down South of Manila christened The Bunker. “Who in their right mind will start a record company at the height of the music apocalypse? Giant labels with enough cash to feed a small country have already folded,” the great singersongwriter opined. But then Ely has proven himself to be a doer of things unconventional. He argued, “We will go where the sound takes us. We will listen and use our ears and follow our instincts.” At last week’s presscon held in El Calle, Resorts World Manila, Ely happily noted that his active band Apartel’s second album Full Flood debuted at number 1 on iTunes “on the very first day of release.” That’s something to say about Offshore’s flagship act, plus the fact it is the first OPM band with an album available on hiresolution audio format and whose “Inner Play” debut is released on high-quality, double 45 rpm on vinyl, pressed in Japan. Yet, it’s him vouching for other Offshore talents that makes his business move more about opening up opportunities for those who have it but lack significant backing. One of them, The Late Isabel, he described as “one of the coolest, most faithful and artful bands out there right now.” Others in the stable are guitar master Jun Lopito, the promising One Click Straight, Eyedress, and Ely’s wellliked collaboration with Itchyworms dubbed EB X IW. A partnership with indie folk band The Ransom Collective led to the band’s debut album release “Traces.” On how he and his team choose artists, he implied, “We pick the ones we believe in and whose music we like. We don’t sign anyone we know

Apartel, with Ely Buendia (2nd from left) on board, is the flagship act of Offshore Music label chaired by Ely himself.

American singer and songwriter Taylor Swift used to be a favorite of US President Donald Trump.

we can’t support as we have limited resources and have a small budget to work with.” As he helps other artists in ways applicable today, Ely pointed out that money from streams and sales should keep Offshore going and aﬂoat. “You can track that because of the digital downloads,” he declared, “Then there are the charts. That’s how you gauge an artist’s success.” The mere presence of Ely is already a big boost in Offshore artists’ morale, especially those still eyeing recognition and reward. That they have the privilege of speaking right next to Ely when, say, inside The Bunker, must have felt like walking together a la “footprints in the sand.”